All That Glitters Ch. 07

Admiral Ramison stepped forward and began to place the medals on prepared hooks on the left breasts of each of the individuals as their names were called out by the aid.

The aid picked up another list.

"Director Fiona Marsh, Director of Operations Liramor-23 Mining Platform in the Piscium star system. Who on the 23 of March, 2483, did enter into the platform's Construction Bay Eight during an intense fire caused by an explosion, along with nine other platform personnel at high risk to themselves, to search out and retrieve the bodies of twenty-two personnel that were injured or killed during the initial explosion regretfully with the loss of four lives. The search teams found all of the missing personnel living and deceased and brought them out of the bay.

"Director Fiona Marsh, by order of the President of Liramor Prime, Marcel Lapierre, and confirmed by the President of the Terran Union, Wilford J. Hallaway, your team is awarded the Medal of Bravery for their actions, presented this day by Admiral George Ramison, Chief of the Navy, on behalf of a grateful people.

"Ms. Marsh, as Director, you will have to wait until the end of presentations." The aid indicated.

Fiona stepped aside and watched with pride as her 'team', including Capt. Raymond Clark, was presented their medals, each one named in turn.

Once again, the aid opened a box and picked up some notes.

"Mark Tensil and Harold Lastings, electronics specialists aboard Liramor-23 Mining Platform in the Piscium star system. Who, on the 23 of March 2483, did enter into the platform's Construction Bay Eight during an intense fire caused by an explosion at high risk to themselves, and attempted to make repairs on critical electronic components within the bay and did not leave until ordered to.

"Mark Tensil and Harold Lastings, by order of the President of Liramor Prime, Marcel Lapierre, and confirmed by the President of the Terran Union, Wilford J. Hallaway, you are awarded the Medal of Bravery for your actions, presented this day by Admiral George Ramison, chief of the Navy, on behalf of a grateful people."

Admiral Thenton took up and presented the two medals to two very happy electronics techs.

The aid picked up another box.

"Chief Pilot David Price, leader of the Rockhounds involved in the defence of Liramor-23, and those Rockhound pilots who flew with you, who risked your lives during the Battle of Liramor-23 by attacking an overwhelmingly superior force, that of an armed pirate fleet, for your actions during the defence of Liramor-23, are hereby awarded the Medal of Bravery, by order of the Chief of the Navy, Admiral George Ramison and confirmed by the President of the Terran Union, Wilford J. Hallaway, presented this day by Admiral George Ramison."

The aid picked up the medals and handed one to the admiral who went down the line and pinned the medals to hooks on the pilot's left breasts as the aid called out each individual's name.

The aid opened another box.

"Pilots of Rockhound one three eight, William Sturn and David Michel Hollister, pilots of Rockhound 152, Samantha Payer and Stephan Hilot, pilots of Rockhound 273, Bill Nester and Samantha Flowers, and pilots of Rockhound 285, Lillia Renser and Brenda Wescott, who risked your lives during the Battle of Liramor-23 by repeatedly attacking an overwhelmingly superior force, that of an armed pirate fleet, during the defence of Liramor-23, having your vessels severely damaged by enemy fire and were injured, are hereby awarded the Cross of Bravery, by order of the Chief of the Navy, Admiral George Ramison and confirmed by the President of the Terran Union, Wilford J. Hallaway, presented this day by Admiral George Ramison."

The aid picked up two medals and handed one to the admiral who went down the lane of the eight injured pilots placing the award around their necks.

Immediately after, the admiral went down the line again, pining the General Battle Star with the Liramor-23 bar to each of the recent recipients.

"Attention to orders." The aid called out once again.

"S-118938-117 Commodore Equivalent (Brevet) Fiona Marsh, who during the preparation for the Battle of Liramor-23, did organize or cause to be organized, the defence of the mining platform Liramor-23 to the effect that fourteen enemy ships were destroyed outright or damaged beyond repair and their crews captured or killed with no loss of life to staff and miner's on Liramor-23, or to the crews of the six Terran Union Navy warships and the hospital ship in support, you are hereby awarded Commander Order of Military Merit by order of Admiral George Ramison, presented this day by the same."

The aid presented the gold bordered, eight-pointed blue cross to the admiral who placed it around Fiona's neck. Once more he stepped back and gave a salute, all other officers copying him. Fiona returned the salute.

"Attention to orders," snapped the aid.

"Fiona Marsh, Director of Operations Liramor-23 Mining Platform, in the Piscium star system. Who, on the 23 of March, 2483, did risk her own life to save lives on Liramor-23 in that she remained in the platform's Construction Bay Eight while it was on fire and at the risk of severe injury or death from fire or from a devastating explosion, manually worked to open the bay's doors to help bring the fire under control.

"The fire in Bay Eight had reached a critical self-contained level and would have burned out of control, or more likely exploded and, with six tons of material in the bay, the platform would have sustained severe damage with the potential of extensive loss of life including that of Ms. Marsh from the resulting explosion. Ms. Marsh did order all other personnel from the bay and herself worked to manually open the damaged doors to stop the fire and potential explosion. She also ordered that if the doors were not opened by a certain time limit, that the NS Wimple was to fire on the doors with a charge large enough to 'blow a substantial hole in the outer doors', knowing that such a blast would likely severely injure or more probably kill her. Her words to the NS Wimple were: 'the station comes first, Bouyé. Save the station, then save me, if you can.'

"By order of the President of Liramor Prime, Marcel Lapierre, and confirmed by the President of the Terran Union, Wilford J. Hallaway, Fiona Marsh is hereby awarded the Civilian Cross of Valour, the highest award for valour possible for a civilian to attain. Presented this day by Admiral George Ramison on behalf of a grateful people."

Ramison came forward and slipped the white four-pointed cross over a stunned Fiona's neck. He stepped back and gave her a sharp salute, which all the officers in the conference room copied. Fiona returned a very shaky salute.

A female aid stepped up and placed a hook beside the ribbon of the Liramor Campaign Medal.

The Admiral stepped forward.

"I believe that is the ribbon for the Liramor Campaign Medal. You were a civilian volunteer if I am not mistaken," he stated.

"Yes, sir. The medal is home on the mantel in my mothers house," she replied with a smile.

"Not anymore," he stated presenting her with the combined medals, the General Campaign Star with Liramor-23 bar and the Liramor Campaign Medal mounted together. He flipped over the medals to show the rear where her name was embossed onto the metal of both. He placed the medals on the hook then shook her hand.

"One last thing. I am aware that Admiral Thenton had ordered you to complete the senior commanders level Command Course, by the end of the year. From what Captains Whatt, Clark, and Dostier tell me, you are very near to completing the program.

"I don't give a dam. Your receiving the Commander Order of Military Merit for the work you did in the preparation for this battle indicates to me that you are the type of person I need in command. Your bravery, your drive, your command capacity in getting your people to do what is necessary when it is necessary, both navy and civilian, tells me that you are ready. I hereby award you the rank of Commodore Equivalent, Substantive, as of the day that Admiral Thenton originally awarded your rank to you. Which means you are entitled to a rather fat paycheck." He pointed to the female aid, a Navy Commander, who stepped forward with suit container.

"Please show your aid to your quarters," the admiral ordered.

Fiona took Cdr. Henadi Noor, to her quarters. Ten minutes later they returned.

The aid stepped into the conference room and shouted "Room!"

Everyone stood as Commodore Fiona Marsh entered. She now wore the Black and White Navy Dress Uniform of a Commodore Equivalent. On her head was a black Navy beret, embossed with the Terran Union Space Navy Symbol, and with the gold trim of a senior commander.

On her right shoulder was the Sector Forty-Two patch. On her right breast, the symbol of her command - the Liramor-23 patch sat proudly above the blue Presidential Citation patch over her name.

The collar of her uniform held the red and gold patches that denoted senior command. Around her neck was the white four-point cross of the Civilian Cross of Valour, below which hung the gold-bordered eight-pointed blue cross of Commander Order of Military Merit.

High on her left breast was the gold Star of Command, below which was the bronze CV pin of the civilian volunteer. The pin for the Sector Commander's Commendation was prominently fixed beneath. Then came the joint medals for the General Campaign Star with bar for Liramor-23 and the Liramor Campaign Medal.

At the end of the uniforms sleeves was the black star of the Commodore Equivalent with the small gold border so that it could be clearly seen against the black uniform. She looked every part the command figure that FAdm. Thenton had originally envisioned.

Fiona marched up to Ramison and saluted. "Commodore Fiona Marsh reporting as ordered, sir," she snapped.

The admiral returned the salute. "As you first duty, you are to present the General Campaign Star with bar to your command, your senior officers, and the captains and Boatswains of the ships under your command," he ordered.

Her people had been prepped while she was changing. They now had hooks on their left breasts to receive the medals she would hand out.

She stepped forward and solemnly pinned the medals to her senior staff as an aid called out each name. She stepped in front of Capt. Raymond Clark. "Another Campaign Star," she quipped as she placed it on the hook. She shook his hand and gave him a snappy salute.

Then came Capt. Bouyé Whatt and his Boatswain, then Capt. Liana Dostier and her Boatswain. They all beamed at her after receiving the medals as they had become quite fond of Fiona.

She stepped up to the next captain in line when FAdm. Thenton intercepted her.

"Ah, ah, ah," he quipped, with a smile. "These officers do not belong to your command. They still belong to me." That got a laugh and a cheer from the assembled crowd, while Fiona stepped back a little embarrassed.

Thenton handed out the General Campaign Star with bar to the remainder of the Captains and their Boatswains, giving each a salute. Thenton looked around the room.

"Now, there is still one outstanding issue. Where is Lt. (brevet) Dalish Heem?" he asked.

Heem had been standing near the back of the room, uncertain as to why he was there. He came forward a little nervously.

"Young man, Commodore Marsh recorded your brief and sent it to me when she set up this affair by way of explanation as to her intentions and plans. I was quite impressed. Now I hear that you have already completed level six of the Junior Officers Grade Course and level three of the Command Course. Is this correct?" He asked.

"Yes, sir. I had already completed the Junior Officers Grade Course before being frocked and just had to work hard on the Command Course, sir," A flustered Heem admitted.

"Excellent, I hereby declare you Lieutenant, Substantive, back dated to the day you gave that wonderful brief. Congratulations, Lieutenant." He declared giving him a salute, which Heem happily returned.

"Admiral Ramison, do you have anything to add?" he asked of his superior.

"Yes indeed. We gave Commodore Marsh the Commander Order of Military Merit for her work in this battle plan. I can't think why we shouldn't do something the same for this young man." Ramison snapped his fingers and his aid stepped forward.

"Attention to orders," the aid called out.

"B-115116-734 Lt. (Navy) Dalish Heem, who did present a brief that became the basis of the very successful defence in the battle of Liramor-23, by order of Admiral Charles Thenton, Commander of Sector Forty-Two, and confirmed by Admiral George Ramison, Chief of the Navy, you are hereby awarded Officer Order of Military Merit."

The aid stepped forward and gave FAdm. Thenton the medal.

"George?" Thenton asked of his boss.

"He's your man, Charles," Ramison said with a smile.

"No, he's your man, Commodore," Thenton told Fiona with a smile handing her the medal.

Commodore Marsh stepped forward and gently placed the silver bordered eight-pointed blue cross of Officer Oder of Military Merit around the neck of the young Lieutenant, followed by the General Campaign Star with Liramor-23 bar.

Five very senior offices, a Commodore, a Fleet Admiral, and three five-star Admirals, simultaneously gave a salute to the young lieutenant followed by every officer in the room. A shaky lieutenant returned the salute.

"Now let's break out some booze!" Ramison said to cheers.

End of chapter seven.

Geeze! Where do we go from here? Fortunately, we still have the aliens to deal with!

I know that the purists will say that I should have named all to have received medals of bravery et al. However, that would have made for a very long read. Realism is one thing, boring the reader another. Deal with it.

I know most of you will say that the pirates should be handed over to civil courts and not a Court Martial, but the pirates are mostly made up of ex CP navy who went rogue, so would be subject to a Court Martial. At least in my view. I'm glad your paying such apt attention to detail!

Please rate and comment but remember to keep your comments respectful.

Thanks, Bigtddybr