<USS Avalon> Academy Night Onboard the Avalon by Fizbin for the GNN (Galatic News Network)

  
 
 
 
 
 
 
Academy Night Onboard the  Avalon
by Fizbin
for the GNN (Galactic News  Network)
 
    
    "The big night is  finally here and I am standing outside on the red 
carpet waiting for the crew  and other celebrities to arrive. The air is filled 
with excitement and glamor.  Everywhere you look something or someone is 
sparkling. This is the place to be  seen and the place to be in the galaxy 
tonight."
 
    "My name is Fizbin,  reporting live for the Galactic News Network, 
bringing you minute by minute  details of the happenings on this very 
auspicious 
occasion. Tonight is the 2nd  Anniversary of the launching of the USS Avalon - 
B 
under the very watchful  command of Captain Keith Ketchum and his Executive 
Officer Commander Skyler.  Rumors have been floating around that there will be 
several awards presented and  even a possible date set for a wedding. If it is 
happening I will find out and  report it for you. You will be the first to 
know."
 
    "Inside there are  several tables set up with the very best that the 
Avalon has to offer. Ms. Roxie  Hart is serving her finest wines, champagnes, 
rums 
and any other drink you may  want. The food is being placed on the table even 
as we speak. Cheese trays. Meat  trays. Any exotic food you could possibly 
want is here. If it is not here all  you need to do is ask and Emeril will make 
it for you. Nothing, absolutely  nothing is replicated. Not on this special 
night."
 
Fizbin motion's for the camera to shut off  and takes a quick drink of water. 
To look at him one would not expect that he is  a reporter for any news 
agency. He is rather stout with his hair parted on the  far left and combed 
over to 
make it look like he has a full head of hair. He is  dressed in what he calls 
his finest which is a black tuxedo with rhinestone  lapels and white spats on 
his shoes. He is also wearing a bolo tie. This is his  one big break and he 
knows he has to do a good job or he will be looking for a  job.
 
The crowds are gathering so Fizbin and his  camera crew get into position. 
"Hello again, I am Fizbin of the GNN and I am  your host for tonight's 
televised 
'Oscar's At the Avalon," and it look's to be a  very interesting night. In 
fact our first limo is pulling up now. It appears to  be......yes it is. It is 
Lt. Cmdr Anthony Manson and Sr. Lt. Alder Shimbrodus. I  am going to try and 
get an interview with them now."
 
Fizbin makes his way to the couple shouting  their names. "Cmdr Manson, Lt. 
Shimbrodus may I have a word with you?"  Unfortunately they are too involved 
with each other that they are oblivious to  what is happening around them. Oh 
well he mutters to himself. I will catch them  after the ceremony just as I 
will 
catch everyone else. Another ground car pulls  up and out steps Captain Keith 
Ketchum along with his father Ambassador Praz  Dawson. They are soon followed 
by Cmdr Skyler and Jr. Lt. Georgia Lewis. Lt.  First Class Melanie Redgrave 
arrives with Elijah Dareth while Sr. Lt. Elissabeth  Marksbury arrives alone.
 
"Ladies and Gentleman it would appear  that the big wigs are coming out for 
this big event. Here comes Admiral Gem Rhee  with her consort Vice Admiral T. 
Earl Grey. She is dressed to the nines and he  is dashing as ever. Behind them 
is Vice Admiral Ian Blackthorne in his dress  uniform. followed by Captain 
Radetzky. It seems that everyone is just about here  so I am going to move 
inside 
and see who gets what and give you the viewer the  inside scoop."
 
Inside the crew and guests are seated around  tables where they can chat 
amongst themselves until the ceremony begins.  Emeril has the food lined up 
buffet 
style so everyone can feel comfortable in  getting there food. In fact she is 
sneaking a peak from the kitchen and is a tad  upset that no one is eating, 
but that is soon remedied when someone starts to  pick at the cheese's and 
meats. Once someone starts to eat, everyone begins to.  Its as if everyone is 
afraid to be the first one to make a pig of  themselves.
 
Sneaking over so he can hear the  conversation between Alder and Anthony, 
Fizbin whispers to the camera. "This is  the couple that is rumored to be 
getting 
married. Let's see if we can get a  quick date from them. Cmdr, Lt., Good 
evening. I was wondering if you could  answer a question for me?"
 
 Anthony  turned, a muffled laugh coming from his throat after one of Alder's 
jokes. Still  smiling, Anthony looked at the man, "yes?" 
 
 "Hello,  My name is Fizbin from the GNN and I was wondering if you had set a 
date for  your upcoming nuptial's and if so would you mind sharing it with 
our viewers?" 
 
Anthony's smile turned to grin to hesitation  back to grinning, "Some time 
after our ships current mission." Alder behind was  nodding at the fact before 
talking to some of the other guests.
 
"Do you plan on having a big wedding and  aren't you afraid of what Starfleet 
might say about the two of you getting  hitched?"  
 
Alder came back giving off a slight frown,  he decided to speak up, "Last we 
remembered, Fizbin, Starfleet allows a plethora  of marriage arrangements."
 
"Yes, Yes you are most correct. I was just  checking, want to make sure to 
have all the facts straight you know. Don't want  to deceive anyone. How do you 
feel serving aboard such a fine ship as the  Avalon?" 
 
"It's been a great honor to. And we're  hoping to serve on it for many more 
years to come," Anthony smiled with the  response.
 
I am sure you will and congratulations on  your nuptial's. I hope that I will 
be allowed to interview you both again after  the ceremony?" Anthony simply 
nodded, as Alder took his arm and  looked at Fizbin with a smile of his own, 
"excuse us Fizbin." The duo parted  away into the crowd.
 
"Well, you heard it here first folks. It  appears that the ceremony is about 
to begin so lets go find a good spot." Fizbin  takes off with his cameraman 
and finds a good spot to set up.
 
More people start to wander in and the  tables fill up quickly. There is a 
sense of excitement and a bit of nervousness.  Everyone is wondering what 
awards 
will be passed out and will they be one to  receive one. "I am just so 
excited to be here I can hardly contain  myself."
 
Captain Ketchum and Commander Skyler  approach the podium and all eyes are on 
them. There is a silent hush that comes  over the crowd. The Captain is about 
to begin his welcoming speech.
 
"I would like to welcome you all to 2nd  Anniversary Party of the USS Avalon. 
Tonight we have some much deserved awards  and ribbons, and our usual "Best 
Of" Categories.....and of course Promotions,  and we will be announcing the Log 
of the Year. I am going to start with one of  those 'Best Of' 
awards......"Best NPC Development. Now...I of course, couldn't  narrow this 
down to one ... 
so there are three, Georgia Lewis, Elijah  Dareth and James Monroe."
 
Throughout the ceremony Roxie is making sure  that everyone's glass is always 
filled. Emeril is making sure that there is  plenty of food to go around. 
This is going to be a magical night for everyone.  Once the applause dies down 
the captain begins to speak again.
 
"Ms. Jameson...please come forward....Skyler  can you get me those two boxes?"
 
While Skyler is looking for the boxes in  question Ms. Jameson makes her way 
to the podium, Having found the boxes Skyler  hands them to the captain and 
steps to the side. 
 
"Ms. Jameson....We have heard some great  things about you and the first 
ribbon tonight is something that one of your  colleagues recommended you for. 
We 
hereby present you with the Peer Recognition  Award. Secondly you have jumped 
right in and are currently in the middle of the  current plot. So it honors me 
to promote you to the rank of Junior  Lieutenant."
 
Cmdr Skyler makes her way to the podium as  the applause starts to die down. 
Fizbin whispers to the camera, "It looks like  the Commander is about to 
present some more award, and sources close to me have  informed me that just 
recently, the Cmdr found out that she had a younger  sister, one that she had 
forgotten about after some trauma. It seems that they  are now serving on the 
same 
ship. I will see if I can get the details for you  later this evening. Now lets 
listen in to what the Cmdr has to  say."
 
"Would the following people please come  forward as I call your names....Sr. 
Lt. Marksbury and Lt. Cmdr  Anthony Manson. You have both done an outstanding 
job with your  writing and it is my privilege to present you both with  The 
Distinguished Service Award for Writing - 2nd Star. Congratulations to  you 
both 
and keep up the good work."
 
Skyler waits for the applause to die down  before calling the next group up. 
"Now would the following people please come  forward....Lt. First Class 
Melanie Redgrave, Sr. Lt. Alder Shimbrodus and Jr.  Lt. James Monroe. Again we 
have 
another fine group of people who have produced  excellent logs, therefore I am 
honored to present each of you with The  Distinguished Service Award for 
Writing- 1st Star. Congratulations to you  all."
 
As the group turns to return to their seats  Captain Ketchum appears next to 
Cmdr Skyler, "Excuse me Commander but I need to  interupt for a moment. Mr. 
Monroe while you are I would like to give you  something else that you deserve. 
I think that your blank pip, isn't necessary  any longer and should be a gold 
one. I hereby promote you to the rank of  Lieutenant First Class. 
Congratulations."
 
"OK...now we move onto some Service Time  Awards......I'll just announce 
these, to save some time.
Senior Lieutenant Marksbury has been with  the Avalon for a year this month. 
Commander Sierra has been with us for 2 years.  Lieutenant Shimbrodus, you 
have also been with us for 2 years, as has Lieutenant  Snuffy. As for Commander 
Skyler.....well she has been with the USS Avalon, even  prior to the hiatus, 
but I will still count that time in her time served....7  years." Skyler points 
to all of her grey hair.
 
As the camera crew breaks for a commercial  Fizbin finds Ms. Marksbury and 
tries to get an interview with her and possibly a  date. "Sr. Lt. Marksbury, I 
am Fizbin with the GNN and I was wondering if I  could ask you a few 
questions?" 
 
Offering a small smile, Elissabeth turns her  head to see a way out of this 
or any excuse not to do the interview.   Coming up without one, she says, "You 
may."
 
"First of all let me say how lovely you look  tonight. So far you have 
received two awards from the Captain and Executive  Officer, how does that make 
you 
feel?" 
 
 "I feel  honored for the recognition... it is nice to have your work 
appreciated."  
 
"How do you feel about serving aboard the  Avalon for 1 year now and do you 
think you will last as long as Commander  Skyler? Also rumor has it that you 
are after her job, is there any truth to that  story?" 
 
 Elissabeth chuckled slightly.  "Yes, that's a rumor that has  crossed my 
desk as well and completely unfounded.  I have no ambition to  take over such a 
stressful job as Commander Skyler's.  I am truly content  where I am and I hope 
to serve with the Avalon for many more years to  come."  
 
 "One last  question before we return from commercial, if you don't have 
plans for the after  party I would be honored to escort you."
 
 "Is that  camera still on?" she asked, suddenly. 
 
  "The camera is off for this last question.  Would you do me the honor of 
letting me escort you to the after  party?"
 
 "I'm  afraid that won't be possible, but thank you for the kind offer.  I'll 
be  attending with Commander Manson and Lt. Shimbrodus, as they are friends 
of  mine."  
 
  "Well, can't blame a guy for trying. Thank you  for your time and I hope we 
will be able to talk again after the ceremony is  over."
 
 Offering  a polite nod, Marksbury moved far away, trying very hard not to 
shudder from the  encounter with the reporter.  
 
With the camera back on him Fizbin composes  himself in order to listen to 
the next set of awards. "It appears as though  Captain Ketchum is going to 
present the next set of honors. As always GNN is the  first to bring you up to 
the 
minute details."
 
Captain Ketchum begins to speak again  looking over his crew. "Our second 
"Best Of" for tonight is Best Interpersonal  Development, for this there were 
two 
groups of people that we felt were  'worthy.' They are Misters Manson and 
Shimbrodus and Skyler, Melanie and  Georgia. Congratulations to all."
 
"Lieutenant Garrity...please come forward.  Mister Garrity...I have heard 
things about you, that would make some peoples  toes curl... and because of 
that, 
I hereby formally announce your promotion to  Chief Engineer. 
Congratulations."
 
"I would like to say a couple of words about  this past year in writing.  In 
January..we (all of us) achieved something  that I didn't think could be 
done.....we beat a record that was extremely high.  In July 2003, we had a 
month of 
with 92 logs. In January we passed that number  with a new record of 101 logs 
for a single month. Also, 80% of those logs were  joint logs so....I applaud 
each and every player on the Avalon. The Avalon  surpassed a personal goal for 
myself... we had over 1000 logs since starting 2  years ago, we didn't quite 
make the 500 for last year but we definitely made up  for it this year."
 
"With that said, Senior Lt. Marksbury, Lt.  Cmdr. Manson and Commander Sierra 
please come forward. You three...since being  on the Avalon have reached a 
milestone... each of you have written over 100  logs.... so I am honored to 
give 
you each the Writing Steward Ribbon. Ms.  Marksbury and Mr. Manson you can go 
back....Cmdr Sierra.... you stay put and  Commander Skyler please join him."
 
Sierra remains where he is and Cmdr Skyler  steps up next to him. "Both of 
you have been very loyal to the Avalon, and to  me. So I present to you both, 
the Kirk Award for Dedication. Cmdr Sierra, you  have shown your loyalty to the 
Avalon, but you have also provided me with some  guidance and assistance so I 
am presenting you with the Captain's Commendation  Ribbon."
 
Cmdr Skyler steps forward and stares at Cmdr  Sierra. "You are not dismissed 
just yet Mr. I have the honor of announcing that  you have the Most Intriguing 
NPC Award with your characters, the Shadow and Evan  Benevente. 
Congratulations. Now you may step down. Ms. Marksbury and Mr. Manson  please 
step forward. 
Of late you have both proven your ability to handle a  Command position and 
handle them with the ease and spirit that comes with that  position. Therefore 
it is my honor to present you each with the Executive  Officer's Commendation. 
Congratulations on a job well done."
 
Fizbin whispers into the camera, "It  certainly looks as though Marksbury and 
Manson are sweeping the awards tonight.  How very interesting don't you 
think?"
 
Back at the podium Commander Skyler is about  to present the next set of 
awards. "Lt. First Class Melanie Redgrave front and  center please.  Since you 
have joined the Avalon, you have jumped in and  developed yourself and your own 
forensics department, and have quite frankly  done a great deal to help the 
Avalon, not to mention turn my life upside down,  therefore it with great 
pleasure and pride that I promote you to the rank of  Senior Lieutenant. 
Congratulations."
 
"Ms. Ashayu...and oh why not.....Mr.  McEntire....Please come forward...Both 
of you have done wondrous things in your  department....so, thusly, you are 
both promoted to the rank of Junior  Lieutenant. Congratulations. Mr. Manson 
can 
you please come back up. I believe  you are wearing the wrong rank. Anthony, 
your leadership is appreciated and  thusly I am proud to promote you to the 
rank of Senior Lieutenant Commander and  you are also deserving of the Legion 
of 
Merit. I also have one more, one of your  colleagues has nominated you for 
the Peer Recognition Award, so it is an honor  to present that to you also. Mr. 
Manson please stay put and Ms. Marksbury please  step forward. I believe that 
Commander Skyler has some more 'Best Of' awards to  announce."
 
Skyler returns to the podium and looks at  both Anthony and Elissabeth and 
smiles. "Mr. Manson and Ms. Marksbury it is my  pleasure to present you both 
with the Excellence in Simming Awards.  Congratulations. Now under the 'Best 
Of' 
categories: for Best Fight we have  Anthony Manson/Elissabeth Marksbury and 
the Rydns, as well as Anthony Manson and  the Shadow. For Best Romance the 
winner is....Melanie Redgrave and Elijah  Dareth, and last but definitely not 
least, For Best Character Development the  winner is Melanie Redgrave. 
Congratulations to everyone."
 
Skyler pauses and takes a sip of her drink  and checks her PADD to see what 
else is left. "Ms. Marksbury front and center. I  have heard rumors that you 
have run your covert ops team thru mud, locked them  in their quarters and 
other 
strange things is this true?"
 
"I plead guilty and they're a darn good  team."
 
"Then it is my pleasure to make you the  official Chief Tactical  Officer"
 
"That is in addition to your duties as Chief  of Covert Ops..don't think you 
are getting out of that department that easy and  by the way you will be 
reporting to Commander Skyler from now on." Ketchum  continues on by saying, 
"Ms. 
Marksbury, you have done something that only one  other person has don on the 
Avalon....::motions to Skyler::...that is actively  recruit so I hereby present 
you the Distinguished Service Award for Recruitment  Ribbon with 1 Star, AND 
you have shown great devotion of duty to the Avalon so I  also present the 
Distinguished Flying Cross Ribbon."
 
Ketchum checks his PADD and announces,  "There is one last 'Best Of 
'......again two groups or rather subplots.....the  first being the 
Melanie/Skyler 
sister's subplot and the second being Skyler and  Lissa's 
mindwipes/remembering. 
Ms. Redgrave please come forward. You have worked  on assisting in the creation 
of the Forensics department on the Avalon... and  helping to expand the 
simming experience as a whole....I am honored to present  you with the 
Captain's 
Commendation."
 
"It is truly a tough decision to come up  with a Log of the Year our of the 
560 excellent logs. Therefore there are two  winners and they are in no 
particular order...they are the "D.A.B.D.A" series by  Alder Shimbrodus and "La 
Bella 
Rose" by Melanie Redgrave, which also happened to  win the Muse award. 
Congratulations to you both."
 
Looking around the room Ketchum ask the  Admiral's if they have anything they 
wish to say but they are interrupted by  Cmdr Skyler. "Sir, I have something 
to say. There is one award that you have  forgotten and I am the one to 
present it to YOU! On behalf of the crew we would  like to present you with 
this 
Commanding Officer's Merit Award for your  outstanding leadership and guidance 
throughout the sim. Congratulations Sir. It  is an honor to serve under you."
 
Vice Admiral Grey steps up to the podium and  looks out over the crew. "The 
Avalon is a special ship indeed. Her Captain and  crew are among the most 
dedicated in the Fleet. Happy Anniversary. I salute you  all. Good Sailing!"
 
Next is Admiral Gem Rhee. "I'd like to  congratulate the Avalon on her second 
*second* Anniversary. She's a wonderful  ship, and her logs have been an 
interesting departure from the usual reading. I  wish her crew all the best, 
and 
look forward to seeing much more from you all.  Fair Winds."
 
Captain Ketchum returns to the podium  searching frantically for something. 
Commander Skyler is searching as well.  "There is a person among you is a very 
deserving individual...they have brought  together the crew, run me ragged, 
and been one of my best writers....so with  that said I would like to promote 
Elissabeth Marksbury to the rank of Lieutenant  Commander with all the rights 
and privileges there unto."
 
As the Captain is pinning her new rank on  her, tears are flowing down her 
face. She is truly shocked by this promotion,  though it is well deserved.
 
Everyone is given a glass and raises it for  a toast.
 
Captain Ketchum stands to give the toast.  "To the Avalon...Citius, Altius, 
Fortuis!!! (Faster,Higher, Stronger) Well,  that....like the Oscar's took 
longer than the time that was planned...I Thank  You all for coming and to 
Roxie 
for running the bar and Emeril for the  cooking."
 
Looking straight into the camera Fizbin  begins to talk, "There you have it 
ladies and gentlemen. The Avalon Oscars in  all their glory. Now I am going to 
see if I can't catch some of the winners and  see what they have to say."
 
 "Sr. Lt.  Redgrave could I bother you for a quick interview for the GNN?" 
 
  Melanie turned towards the man who'd just  walked up to her. "Sure." She 
replied with a smile.  
 
"How does it feel winning so many awards,  not to mention getting a double 
promotion?"
 
 "It feels  really good. I was hoping that my coming to a ship would be 
helpful to my  career, but it would have been all right if it hadn't. I've 
gotten 
far more then  I'd hoped on Avalon."   
 
  "How does it feel to know that your sister is  on the same ship you are?" 
 
Melanie blinked at the question. She hadn't  known that her and Skyler's 
connection had become public. "She's why I came to  Avalon."  
 
  "How are the two of you getting along? From  what I have heard Cmdr Skyler 
was quite traumatized by the entire  situation."
 
"We've missed out on a lot of each other's  life and it's been a long road 
getting each other back. We're doing our best to  pick up where we left off and 
to move on."  
 
 "So what can  you tell me about you and Elijah? Is there a wedding in the 
future?"  
 
 A light blush colored Melanie's checks. "We've just started dating  and 
we're have a wonderful time getting to know each other."   

"I saw you sitting with the older black woman, I believe her name  is 
Georgia. How is she related to you and the Commander?"
 
Melanie looked over at Georgia and smiled. "She raised my sister  after our 
mother's death. I'm not sure there's a term out there that fits other  then to 
say she's family."  
 
 "I must say she looks very proud of you  tonight, as does the Commander. Do 
you have any special plans for tonight?" 
 
"Just to spend it with the people I care about."  
 
"Well, Ms. Redgrave, Thank You for your time and Congratulations on  your 
awards. Continued good luck and best wishes on a successful career." 
 
  "Thank you." Melanie smiled warmly again  and then quickly turned her 
attention back to her small group.  
 
"That was Sr. Lt. Melanie Redgrave, now lets see if we can get a  word in 
from Mr. Manson and Mr. Shimbrodus.
 
"How did feel watching Alder getting his awards?" 
 
"Well, uh," the grin turned sheepish, "Im happy for him. Im proud  of him." 
 
"As I am sure he is proud of you. The Captain said you were a great  help to 
him. Do you plan on a career in the command field?" 
 
"I was thinking of it, I haven't reached a decision yet. But the  experience 
has taught me some valuable lessons." 
 
"So, have you relented on the type of cake to have at your nuptial's  or are 
you still demanding on Chocolate?"
 
Anthony made a laugh, too soft to hear because of the crowd noise  level, 
"Actually we decided on a three tiered cheesecake."
 
 "I know you are both busy and I am sure  you have plans for this evening. 
Thank you for taking time to talk to me and our  audience. I wish you both the 
best of luck in your future endeavors.  Congratulations again on everything."
 
 "Thanks," Anthony's retreated back  to where Alder was. The two conversed 
leaving the reporter to his  duties.
 
Fizbin made his way to Lt. Cmdr Marksbury before she disappeared  on him.   
"Lt. Cmdr Marksbury, I was wondering if I  could bother you again for just a 
few moments?"  
 
  Elissabeth looked wistfully at all the  other people Fizbin could be 
bothering, but smiled anyway, "Of course." 
 
  "You looked totally shocked to be promoted to  Lt. Cmdr, why is that?" 
 
 Beaming  an even bigger smile, she replied, "I just didn't expect it.  
Earlier this  week, I had experienced some... setbacks, if you will, and as the 
Captain was  leaving the promotion for last... I never saw it coming."  
 
 "According to  the Captain you are a very crucial member of the crew, how 
does that make you  feel?"
 
Elissabeth looked down for a moment and then  back up.  She replied softly, 
"It's a very great honor to be complimented  that highly by someone such as 
Captain Keith Ketchum."  
 
  "How do you think you will get along working  under Commander Skyler?"
 
Elissabeth chuckled, "Even if Commander  Skyler and I weren't friends, 
anything is better than working under Commander  Sierra."  She winked and 
added, 
"That's off the record."  
 
  "I know you have plans with your friends so I  won't keep you any longer. 
Thank you for taking time to talk to me and continued  success in your future 
endeavors. Congratulations again on all your awards." 
 
"Thank you," she smiled and moved off to  join Anthony and Alder.
 
"There you have it. Another year has gone by  on the Avalon with new crew 
members coming and going. Yet in the bigger picture  the Avalon appears to be 
one 
big family and because of this they are the best  around. This has been a 
night of awards, promotions and wonderful feelings. I  feel honored to have 
been 
just a small part of it. This is Fizbin of the GNN  signing off. Goodnight and 
may the wind always be at your back."

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