Patriot Battle Fleet Awards Ceremony – TOD 4

*** Aboard the Mon Calamari Cruiser -Windstorm-, Holding Steady ***
1206, Coruscant Standard Time
1506, Relative Shipboard Time

The final guests had arrived and the combined members of the Patriot Battle Fleet were finally gathered together. The White Guard had been shut down and the Fleet was poised to head into the Cadrel Expanse. Veteran pilots were taking full advantage of this brief down time as the younger ones recounted past missions and pondered what the next Tour might bring. Everyone was decked out in full dress uniforms. No one looked comfortable, but all seemed ready for the Awards Ceremony to begin. The crowd still hovered around the various bars that had been set up and everyone was waiting for the two men in the corner to finish what looked like a lively conversation. Colonel Fion Grell kept an eye on the two and noted that Rahj Tharen would make an adamant gesture and Spokes would simply shake his head and sip his ale. *This could take a while.* Fion thought to himself, but just then Spokes nodded to Rahj, spun his chair around and headed for the stage.

The three-piece band played a light synth number as Spokes made his way through the crowd. He was in no particular hurry this time and wanted th Fleet to be able to enjoy the evening. The oldest Fleet in the Rebel Squadrons was about to honour its own. That alone was reason to celebrate. As soon as those in the gathering noticed Spokes working his way through the crowd, the members of the Fleet started heading towards the chairs before the "choice" spots were all taken.

The Rebel Squadron's Fleet Commander, Rahj Tharen followed close behind Spokes, letting the PBF CO cut a trail through the crowd and took a chair where other members of High Command and visiting dignitaries had been given seats. General Tyrell “Spokes” Borran went straight to the podium and flicked the switch on the mic. "Good evening all and welcome aboard the Windstorm. If you'll get seated we can begin the formalities." This was met with the standard complaints about the fact that the Bar would be closed until the Award Ceremony was over.

Spokes waited until most had found a seat before beginning. "Attention Gentle-Beings and Greetings to All. Welcome to the End of Tour Celebration and Award Ceremony for the Members of the Patriot Battle Fleet." The crowd responded with cheers and applause. "I am very pleased that so many of you could be here to gather and Celebrate our recent Victory over the White Guard. We'll keep the 'Formalities' to a minimum so that the real Party can begin." That announcement was met with a round of applause and hoots and hollers from the whole gathering.

"We started the last Tour of Duty with hopes that we had found an ally against the Empire. Unfortunately, we found ourselves with a new enemy and fighting the White Guard was never pleasant." There was some murmuring among the older members of the Fleet as they remembered being ambushed by supposed Allies. “Despite losing a potential ally, we did succeed in devastating a Pirate Network. We can all be proud of our accomplishments.”

"Without any further delay." Spokes addressed the assembled masses. "We will start with the Awards. The Dauntless Combat Citation is awarded for participation in a tour of duty. I am very pleased that so many Pilots have earned this award, but since there are so many, we will dispense with the normal procedure and simply state that the following Pilots are hereby awarded the DCC:

Blue: Wes Belden, Rensal Darklighter, Van Korell, Nightflyer, Leonard Cable, and Dan Fengar

Jade: John GAdRS, Muzor, Jeris Gand, LiveWire, Lunac`her`inar, and Derris Sulgan

Red: Misko Markot, Lightning, Shane Long, Slyder McGrath, Jan-lo Sunner, Bonaparte, "Ping" Greyson, Steve Hawkins, and Garrik "Face" Loran

Fireclaw: Menshk Vrei'Sik, Jairo Pantoja, Mario El Atlante, Dev Azzameen, Snappleguy, Jagged Fel, Jack “Blazer” Barnes, Licah Fox, Menasha Orshaq, and Nefo T`chir

Green: VaporViper, Daniel Rezmann, Carilla Shay, Simeon "Wolfman" Ferros, Felipe Zammit, Rode Mitchell, Jordi Fett, Argon Viper, Kosh Naranek, and Nils Omar ad Handan-Sira

Phoenix: Ste T, Tyrin Drax, Corran Horn Jr., Indiana Bridger, Jae-Keito Gra, Matt Darkstorm, Tech Krill, and Joel Lance

Gold: Linden Rathan, Anthon Connor, Jeremiah Matthew, Vykk Tharen, Janus Victor, Stalker, Matthew Lionheart, Tyrell "Spokes" Borran, Trev Firestorm, Anderson, Chris Earthkeeper, Dacs Helfrump, and Kiwi

Sabre: Rakiki, Joseph Oberlander, Matt Brown, Gavin Phalon, Annihilator, Han Suul, Feak Duran, and Lightning

Crimson: Gabrich Varmer, Jake Blues, Shil, Lozza McG, Taan Ronar, Fion "Zero" Grell, Ben Haun, Primlar, pallr garner, Dav Starlighter and Cephisus Balder

^|DCC|^

"Congratulations to you all!" Applause and cheers followed as Spokes finished reading the list. "Now, The Dantooine Key is awarded to pilots who submit every assigned mission report on a timely basis for pilots who are members of a Squadron for at least 50% of the Tour. Fifteen pilots managed to pull this off an impressive 12/12 mission reports:

Shane Long, Stalker, Dev Azzameen, Linden Rathan, Jairo Pantoja, Menshk Vrei'Sik, LiveWire, John GadRS, Daniel Rezmann, Indiana Bridger, Tyrell "Spokes" Borran, Gabrich Varmer, Rensal Darklighter, Licah Fox, and Jack "Blazer" Barnes." Spokes paused as he pulled up the next screen. "There were also several new pilots who flew every mission on time from when they joined this Fleet: Jordi Fett, 9/9, Primlar 8/8, Steve Hawkins 6/6, and Chris Earthkeeper 6/6."

{o~;;}

The crowd set forth a wave of applause when the sheer number of pilots that had completed every single mission in the horrendous tour, and had lived to tell the tale.

After the crowd settled a bit, Spokes waved an arm in the direction of the Dignitaries and members of High Command and stated, "It is my pleasure to turn over the rest of the Award Ceremony to RS Fleet Commander Rahj Tharen." The applause and cheers that followed from the standing crowd lasted long after Spokes had rolled away and Rahj stood at the podium. The Fleet Commander finally raised a hand, signaling for quite and the crowd slowly settled.

“Thank you for allowing me to be a part of this ceremony today. I will do my best to keep this short.”

Punching the keys of a small datapad, the Rebel Squadrons Fleet Commander brought the brief notes he had prepared for this special occasion online. Once ready, he looked to the crowd and began.

“When I was young...,” he paused briefly to wait for some chuckles from the crowd to pass before adding the final syllable, “…-er, pirates where the principal bane of my Uncle’s lucrative shipping business. Not a week would go by when he did not curse each and every one of them for the loss of a cargo shipment or for harm done to his vessels and crews. Now that I have heard of the White Guards’ successful ‘disbandment,’ however,” a few people laughed at the joke, “many galactic citizens, including my family, will be happy to know that the PBF has inflicted a significant amount of damage against the pirate underworld.”

“The White Guard,” Tharen continued, “was extremely unwise to attempt to match itself against the Rebel Squadrons and the Patriot Battle Fleet. As one of the most established Fleets in the Rebel Squadrons’ arsenal, this Fleet has once again proven its brilliance through the many victories of this campaign. Without the hard work of the dedicated pilots, technicians, ship crews, and commanders, the PBF would not have been able to so utterly decimate the White Guard.”

At this statement, enthusiastic applause swept the crowd. After it had passed, the Fleet Commander continued. “Some of you may not be aware of my many years of previous CorSec and Imperial Intelligence service. They were not always great years, but I was happy doing what I was good at, which was implementing the investigative, strategic, and tactical responsibilities of a commando officer. I was trained in counter-terrorism by the best that both CorSec and Intel had to offer, so I know that stopping terrorists, much like the pirates of the White Guard, can be an extremely difficult task. I know their kind very well and removing this kind of scum from the universe is a great service to the citizens of the galaxy. As a result, I am very impressed with the outcome of this tour of duty. Each of your hard work, tenacity, service, and dedication brings honor to not only yourself, but also to the Patriot Battle Fleet and the Rebel Squadrons.”
More applause ensued.

"I am probably never going to get used to this part of my duties, but it is a pleasure to give out the following awards because they single out the pilots that have inflicted the greatest amount of damage to the enemy and have survived to tell lies about it." There was a brief pause before a wave of laughter rolled through the assemblage. "The Golden Eyes is awarded for extreme foresight in the heat of battle. We have three pilots who met this standard during the last Tour of Duty. All three flew every mission, racked up an impressive number of kills and helped lead us to Victory over the White Guard. Daniel Rezmann, Licah Fox and Spokes." The audience erupted in applause, hoots, and cat-calls as Rahj pinned the medal on each of the officers in turn.

- oo -

"Congratulations to you all. Lastly, we come to the Tour Champion Award which goes to the pilot with the top score over the course of the Tour of Duty. Spokes, PBF Tour of Duty Four is yours.”

||--->||

Rahj turned his attention back to the members of the Patriot Battle Fleet. “I know that as long as there are warriors such as you to fight against scourges such as the White Guard, there is nothing to fear from them. On behalf of the Rebel Squadrons and New Republic, I thank each and every one of you for this. Thank you for your attention.” The applause faded as the final item was given out.

"Okay everyone," Spokes called out. "The Ceremony is over, but the party is just starting. Congratulations to all of you!" The trinkets and merits were all handed out and the crowd broke of into smaller groups. Centering around a Fleet CO, or a newly decorated pilot or a Squadron and each went off to enjoy the Celebration that comes with the end of a successful Tour of Duty.

General Tyrell “Spokes” Borran
Brigadier General Fion “Zero” Grell
Colonel Chris Earthkeeper

--Rebel Squadrons-- a H.I.E.R.* organization--
--(* Honesty, Integrity, Equanimity, Respect)--