Oriskany's Marine Detachment Commander entered the celebration area with his Marines following behind him, all of them in their dress uniforms. Andrus walked with them to their table before breaking away and making his way to where the Senior Staff was sitting. Before taking a seat, he noticed some new faces he hadn't seen before and introduced himself to them.

1Lt. Elbrun: I see a few new members of the staff are present, I am Lieutenant Andrus Elbrun, Marine Detachment Commander of the Squad of Marines stationed aboard Oriskany. Those are my men seated at that table over there. To everyone else here that I know, a fond good evening.

As the 1st Lieutenant motioned towards his Marines seated at the table between Infiniti's Squad and Whitestar's 58th Squadron Wing, he saw that they all waved back at the Senior Staff table like a group of excited 5th graders. This brought a smile to Andrus as he always thought of them as younger brothers. He would protect them with his life, knowing they would do the same for him. When the waiter asked what he wanted to drink, he just shook his head and took a pitcher of water and poured himself a glass. There was no way he was going to become a drunk Marine, it was not the SFMC way.
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MCaptain Andrus L. Elbrun
Marine Detachment Commander, USS Oriskany

The new Chief Science Officer made her way through the tables of Division 1 personnel to Oriskany's table for it's Command Crew and took the last remaining seat. As Mailea sat down she greeted everyone and made the introduction of herself.

Lt. Commander Labria: Hello everyone, I'm Lieutenant Commander Mailea Labria, your newly assigned Chief Science Officer. I hope to get to know all of you before we leave on our next mission, when the ship is repaired and ready to go, obviously.

Mailea saw the bottle of Chȃteau Picard 2387 on the table and took a glass and poured herself some of Admiral Jean-Luc Picard's family label. LtCmdr Labria heard nothing but good things about that vineyard in France, she even had a bottle of their Grand Vin de Bordeaux 2386 in her own collection. Mailea had been a long time fan of Admiral Picard, ever since he was the Captain of the Starship Enterprise.
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Lt. Commander Mailea Labria
Chief Science Officer, USS Oriskany

As Prof Brewer entered the Banquet Hall, he immediately saw that Rex and Tony were already seated at the Administrative table. As he made his way toward their table he lingered long enough to speak with others along the way.

Once at the Administrative table he was happy to greet his long-time friends, Rex and Tony and to introduce himself and speak with others there.

Prof Brewer: Hello once again, Rex and Tony. It's a real thrill to see you again and under such a happy occasion as this. I'm sure we have a lot to talk about and we will enjoy this evening fully.

Lloyd looked over at the Captain sitting there at the table with his friends, MGen Alderez and RAdm Martinelli and smiled.

Prof Brewer: Hello Captain, I'm Professor Lloyd Brewer. I run the Specialized Scientific Laboratories here on Starbase 34. I was part of the Science team that helped exterminate the Deltaurans.

The Professor was invited to sit with them and enjoy a glass of Chateau Picard 2387 along with a toast celebrating our victory over the Deltaurans. Also a toast toward our continued and new friendships and cooperation if we are ever called on to embark on other important missions.
_________________
Professor Lloyd F. Brewer

Lou was thrilled to meet the Professor whose research into the Deltaurans brought a great victory to the Federation and all it's allies. As far as the Captain knew, the whole galaxy as well.

Capt Marino: Hello Professor, great job out there on your last mission! I am Captain Louis G. Marino of the USS Sutherland. I look forward to hearing from you sometime about your science endeavors and your experiences in Starfleet.

The CO of Sutherland raised his glass of Chateau Picard to toast Starfleet and all of our wonderful ships and crews.

Capt Marino: A toast, to Starfleet and all of our wonderful ships and gallant crews!

Lou drank his champagne and enjoyed every sip of it, as he wondered when the ceremony was going to start. As far as he could tell they were just waiting on FAdm Skyner and Ens Russ to arrive and take their places at the Administration table.

Andrea strode into the Banquet Hall that she organized and help decorate, she was quite proud of herself with the way everything looked. As the Ensign continued her stride to the Administration table, she received many complements on the decorations and overall layout of the Hall. This pleased her greatly as she approached the table and took her seat. The Admin Assistant already knew Capt Marino for meeting him earlier and inviting him to this celebration. She never met the Professor before so she introduced herself to him as she helped herself to the champagne at the table.

Ens Russ: Hi Professor, I'm Ensign Andrea Russ. The Administrative Assistant to the Admirals, General Alderez and Commodore Carpathia. If you ever need anything, don't hesitate to let me know and I'll get it done for you.

The Ensign looked over at RAdm Martinelli, MGen Alderez and Capt Marino and continued her smile.

Ens Russ: Hello Admiral, General and Captain. I hope the Hall is to your liking. It took everything out of me to get it ready so quickly for tonight's ceremony. Now I finally get to relax and enjoy it.

Andrea drank some of her champagne and watched the doorway for FAdm Skyner. She knew everyone was now waiting on him to arrive since it became common knowledge that he was visiting from Starfleet Command. This was a big celebration for the victory of Gamma Fleet's Division 1, so his presence was somewhat expected to say the least.
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Lt. Junior Grade Andrea M. Russ
Yeoman, USS Sutherland

Jaeson made his way through the Banquet Hall in his dress uniform, shaking hands with everyone who wanted to greet the Commander-in-Chief of Starfleet. He saw many faces that he knew when he was CinC of Gamma Fleet before he promoted Adm Arayuss to the position and left for Earth. Upon his arrival to the Administration table, he smiled and nodded to RAdm Martinelli, MGen Alderez, Capt Marino, Ens Russ and Prof Brewer.

FAdm Skyner: Good evening everyone. Andrea, you did a wonderful job getting everything coordinated and setup for the banquet and celebration tonight. Tony, Rex, it's good to see both of you here tonight. I'm happy to see you here as well, Professor. Without you none of this would be happening.

The Fleet Admiral looked over at Capt Marino and smiled.

FAdm Skyner: It's been a long time Lou, it's good to see you've made it to Captain now. I've been wondering what was going to become of you since you were Chief of Security here on Starbase 34. You didn't have the position for long, which is why you must've transferred to the Command Training Program. I hope this is something you're better fit for and will take the position for a good long time.

Jaeson looked over at Adm Arayuss and gave a wave letting him know he could start the proceedings of tonight's festivities. The Fleet Admiral looked around the room at all the Division 1 personnel seated throughout the Banquet Hall, enjoying their champagne and other drinks they ordered. He took the bottle of Chateau Picard and poured himself a glass of the cold champagne from the ice bucket it was sitting in at the center of the table. Jaeson was looking forward to tonight's affair, it would surely be one to remember.
_________________
Fleet Admiral Jaeson A. Skyner
Commander in Chief, Starfleet Command
Starfleet, United Federation of Planets

Lou looked over towards the Fleet Admiral with a respectful bow of his head, acknowledging FAdm Skyner's comments regarding his past and future with Gamma Fleet.

Capt Marino: I jumped at an opportunity that was given to me to go to the Command Training Program and completed my training with excellent scores. I'm glad to be back here on Starbase 34 and I'm itching to get out and begin exploring the Gamma Quadrant aboard the Sutherland, Sir.

The Captain relaxed in his seat and when the waiter came by to check on them, he asked for a cup of hot Earl Grey tea. Lou preferred this over alcohol, he would do a toast with the champagne but he did not want to become drunk. He felt a Captain shouldn't get intoxicated, but be a pillar for his crew.

Aeryck saw the motion from FAdm Skyner that he was cleared to start the ceremony, so he rose from the Oriskany Senior Staff table and walked up to the podium on the stage. The Admiral cleared his throat before turning the microphone on so he could be heard throughout the Banquet Hall.

Adm Arayuss: Welcome everyone, we have got a lot of celebrating to do tonight so we will start by getting the commendations and promotions out of the way as soon as possible. Then we will share in a memoriam for those we lost due to the events that occurred in Sector Epsilon. So without further ado, let us start off by calling up Major General Rex Alderez so he can award his Marines with their commendations and promotions for their bravery in removing the Deltauran infestation from Oriskany and Whitestar. So come on up Rex so we can start this ceremony off right!

The CinC of Gamma Fleet remained standing while he waited on MGen Alderez to rise up from the Administration table and join him on the stage. Off to the side a SFMC enlisted female came on stage with a case of rank insignias and commendations to decorate the Marines that secured the vessels in Sector Epsilon from the Deltaurans using the weapons designed by Prof Brewer and the General. Both of which personally escorted the Modified Phaser Rifles aboard USS Infiniti to USS Oriskany and USS Whitestar. The room was filled with applause for the General as they waited for him to approach the podium.
_________________
Admiral Aeryck M. Arayuss
Commanding Officer, USS Explorer
Commander in Chief, Gamma Fleet
Starfleet, United Federation of Planets

Rex rose up from his chair and heard the loud yelling of support from all the SFMC personnel in the Banquet Hall. He gave a big wave to everyone as he climbed up the stairs and walked over to the podium where Adm Arayuss and the Staff Sergeant were standing. The General took out the small PADD he made the notes for the promotions and commendations on and approached the microphone. Rex called out to the Marines from USS Infiniti first, since they accompanied him when they boarded Oriskany and Whitestar via ISSCV to clear out the infestation of Deltaurans aboard both vessels.

MGen Alderez: Will the Marines from Infiniti please come up on stage, in order of rank, please.

As 1Lt. Lopez, 2Lt. Parra, GSgt Arbor, Sgt Hicks, Sgt Ferro, Cpl Dietrich, LCpl Drake, LCpl Hudson, Pvt1 Vasquez, Pvt1 Spunkmeyer, Pvt Crowe, Pvt Frost and Pvt Weirzbowski came on stage and stood at attention, the Hall roared with applause. The General removed what he needed from the case the Staff Sergeant was holding nearby.

MGen Alderez: 1st Lieutenant Christopher Lopez, front and center. For your exceptional service to the SFMC by performing this particular task to a high standard of excellence. Such accomplishment was of Federation significance and reflected favorably on the Corps as a whole. You are hereby awarded the SFMC Achievement Award and promoted to the rank of Marine Captain with all the commencery responsibilities and privileges of that rank.

Rex removed the silver rank bar off the collar of MCpt Lopez and replaced it with the rank of Marine Captain, before placing the SFMC Achievement Award on his chest, right below his Combadge. The General motioned for Chris to stand before the podium and say a few words to the applauding crowd of Starfleet Marines. He did not expect the newly promoted officer to make a long speech of any kind, but something out there to his friends and family aboard SB34 that have stood behind him in support of his career in the SFMC.
_________________
Major General Rex Alderez
Fleet Marine Force Commandant, Gamma Fleet
SFMC, United Federation of Planets

Last edited by MGEN Alderez on Mon Mar 02, 2020 10:55 am; edited 1 time in total

The newly promoted MCpt Lopez stood at the podium and waved to all of the people cheering for him, especially his parents and siblings. Chris was very proud of himself and the Marines in his Squad. It was because of them that he was able to receive the commendation and promotion, so he wanted to make sure they were aware of his sentiment.

MCpt Lopez: Thank you very much, General Alderez. I would also like to thank the Marines in my Squad, without them I wouldn't be getting this commendation and promotion. Plus I want to thank my family for their support of my career in the Marines. Without them, I may have ended up selling oranges along the roads in the San Fernando Valley!

Chris smiled at his alternative future that he faced had his family not supported his decision to go into the Starfleet Marine Corps. He shook the hand of MGen Alderez and returned to his place alongside his Marines standing at attention on the stage in the Banquet Hall. As always, this is where Chris felt he belonged.
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Marine Captain Christopher D. Lopez
Marine Detachment Commander, USS Infiniti