With Honors

"Captain's Log, Stardate 87100.6

The Nexus is fully repaired and en route to Bajor to take part in the Gratitude Festival as representatives of the Khitomer Alliance, along with several Bajorans on board. Since there is no Dyson Gateway in the Alpha Quadrant, we have to take the long way there. In the meantime, with the horrors of the Fek'ihri behind us, there are a few things I have to hand out to my crew."

"Recognizing outstanding medical service, exceptional leadership, and maintaining composure under pressure. Awarded for saving Sickbay and establishing emergency medical facilities." Anzyl, in his dress uniform, stood at a podium in the Melting Pot.

The crew gathered around the hall, glasses of champagne in hand, all in their dress uniforms, some adorned with shiny new medals pinned over their hearts.

"I present the Starfleet Medical Cross to," Anzyl held up a large cross with a caduceus, "our Chief Medical Officer, Two of Three."

The crew applauded as Two of Three marched up to the podium, and the Captain pinned the medal to his chest.

Returning to the podium, the Captain stated, "Last one, I promise." He was about to speak when a hologram of Admiral Quinn appeared next to Anzyl.

"Admiral on Deck!" Neil declared. The entire crew stood at attention, and Anzyl quickly stood aside; this was a surprise for him.

"At ease," Admiral Quinn stood near the podium, "I personally wanted to present two awards." He began, "Awarded for exceptional bravery and self-sacrifice in single-handedly saving Captain Anzyl's life during a critical moment. I present the Christopher Pike Starfleet Medal of Valor to Chief Tactical Officer Veirik."

The crew clapped as Veirik, in an Illyrian military dress uniform, walked to the stage, his chest littered with medals and accolades. The Admiral pinned the large medal; it took him a while to find room amongst the forest of medals already on his person.

Returning to the podium, he stated, "For acts of gallantry and heroism above and beyond the call of duty during the Fek'ihri encounter, personally saving the lives of 74 crew members," he continued, "also for extraordinary leadership and valor in the face of adversity, preventing the destruction of the USS Nexus." He pulled out a large Gold Star with the Starfleet navy blue, "The highest medal that Starfleet has to offer, requiring endorsement of the President of the United Federation of Planets, the Starfleet Medal of Honor," he nods to the crew, "I present to your Captain Anzyl Praxas."

The Admiral shook the dumbfounded captain's hand, and then pinned the medal to his chest.

"Congratulations, Captain. You make the Federation proud," Quinn acknowledged and then disappeared.

"Wow... um... ok then," Anzyl, still in shock but deeply honored, "I still have one more to go. Um... yeah." He composed himself, "For their exceptional contributions and exemplary service in repairing and restoring the USS Nexus during the Fek'ihri crisis, I present the Starfleet Meritorious Service Medal to not one, but three recipients," he pulled out three gold stars with magenta stripes, "To our Chief of Engineering Tey'un, Engineer Stitch, and Science Officer Kayuli."

The crowd cheered and applauded, but no one approached the stage. The Captain looked around the room while holding three medals, but no one stepped forward. He realized he hadn't seen Tey'un, and his 3-meter height was very easy to pick out in a crowd.

The captain scowled at Neil, who defensively replied, "I gave all three of them mandatory notifications!"

"Computer," Anzyl said, tapping his combadge, "Locate Tey'eun, Stitch, and Kayuli."

"All three are located in the Weapons Research & Development Laboratory."

"Of course, they're in a lab…" Anzyl shook his head, then turned to his crew that did show up. "Congratulations to the recipients; you earned it!" He raised a glass and walked off stage in a determined stride.

"Captain," Neil caught his attention, "Remember, captain, they're all just kids."

The captain huffed and walked off towards the teleport pads. Neil added, "You might want to put on a serious face. It's a formal ceremony."

Anzyl grinned, "Neil, my dear first officer, you know I only have one serious face, and it's reserved for dealing with Klingons... and Choux Pastry." He winked and walked away, leaving Neil shaking his head.