The Wheel Keeps Turning - 2024 Year in Review
Posted on Sat Jan 4th, 2025 @ 11:17pm by Commodore Tyler Malbrooke
Edited on Mon Jan 6th, 2025 @ 6:42pm
The band Journey said it best when they said that the wheel in the sky keeps on turning. One year ends and another one begins. I am amazed by the community we have built around the USS Pioneer. I can genuinely say that I count each and every one of you among my closest friends. Now I need to win some money somewhere so I can come visit you all. But that is another story.
I am constantly amazed by the talent and original thinking displayed by each of you. This year saw the crew of the Pioneer deal with a severe threat, one caused by one of their own. We saw what happens when true Lower Deckers take over the ship and get it done. The Bridge crew are not always the heroes. We had our annual Secret Santa and bathed in the spirit of the season. Here is to making sure that 2025 is better than 2024.
So without any gilding the lily and no further ado I give you the one, the only, awards... taps mic... Is thing on?
Lieutenant Narin Valen - Captain's Personal Merit Award - "Narin exzemplifies the ideal of the power behind the throne. Being the power behind Alyssa Maren is a tall order indeed and a challenge that Narin seems always ready to fill. I have enjoyed seeing this character settle into the Pioneer and now look forward to seeing how Narin will continue to amaze. Keep up the great work."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
Captain Edmund Merrick - Executive Officer's Merit Award - "Merrick's writer certainly writes with abandon, taking on many voices. Not just with their primary, but with NPC's as well and keeps people writing on many levels. I really appreciate the work."
-Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble
Lieutenant Commander Elen Diari - Second Officer's Award of Merit - "I am giving this award to the officer that is a delight to work with. Even against great peril she keeps her cool. A testament to her character. I hope to see more of her."
-Lieutenant Commander Rowena McGowen-
Sergeant Audie Fitch - Crew's Choice Award - "It is always great to see someone hit the ground running and jump right into things."
-Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke-
Lieutenant Kolok - Service Citation 2+ Years - "Two years makes you part of the furniture. Thank you for being part of this community and for being a great friend."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke - 200 Posts Ribbon - "200 posts is quite the achievement. Keep up the great work and the sky is the limit from here."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren - 300 Posts Ribbon - "I believe this may very well be the fastest that anyone has gotten to 300 posts. Wow thank you for your talent and your stories. The sky is the limit from here."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
Lieutenant Vura - Professional Merit Award - "Vura is a joy to read. The character has an interesting approach to not only their job but to life itself. There is never a moment where it seems that Vura is not concerned about others feelings or state of mind. They also have a unique way of getting you to open up and explore your character. Truly great work."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
Lieutenant Mira Jayna - Service Accomodation Award - "Mira Jayna is the definition of this award lol... Orginially brought onto the Pioneer as the Assistant Chief Intelligence Officer. They now serve as the Marine Intelligence Command Officer. It certainly has been quite the ride getting between the two positions and it seems we are not done yet."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
Lieutenant Junior Grade Rachel Sinclair - Medal of Honor - "It takes a brave person to stand up to their enemies, it takes a braver one to stand up to their friends. Rachel Sinclair showed us her bravery when she stared down the Captain as he threatened to ruin her career and ordered her to fire. That simple act not only showed us her bravery but could possibly have saved the ship. This award is truly deserved."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
Lieutenant Narin Valen - Good Conduct Medal - "The award description speaks for itself. Simply put Narin Valen has become someone that we can depend on for any needs. Thank you for being an intrical part of this community."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
Lieutenant Vura - Ribbon of Merit - "It is the second half of the description of this award that pertains to Vura. There is no one on this ship that has more talent with getting with others. Since they joined the Pioneer there has been a Counseling post on every main character something that is rarely seen. Vura even got the Captain to sit for Counseling lol. While we discover more about Vura we learn more about the other characters and weave better stories as the crew bonds together like glue. Thank you for all that you do and keep up the great work. Now everyone to Counselling... Captain's orders lol"
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren - Ribbon of Commitment - "Alyssa Maren simply put has become a go to person within this community. If you need something done, or are unsure where a story should go just ask and you will have the answer. During the mission What Lies Beneath Alyssa used one of her NPCs to keep the story moving. Always ready, willing and able to serve we are truly lucky to have her as part of the community."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
Sergeant Major Lachlan Barr - Community Service Citation - "It is often said that community is built on the shoulders of its members. One set of shoulders that often bears weight of this community is Lachlan Barr. He is always ready to jump in and fill in openings in the plot, and be an ear to listen when this hobby of ours gets to be too much at times. He shows us what it means to be a pillar of the community in everything he does. I cannot thank him enough for being one of the orginal Pioneers and making this sim what it is today."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
Lieutenant Commander Rowena McGowen - Bronze Star - "From the minute she joined the ship Rowena McGowen has always had something hidden beneath her eyes. Now we know what that was. It is exceptional when you learn so much about a character's history on a short time. Now, together we will pick up the pieces of Rowena McGowen. I want to thank you for your talent and for your stories."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble - Silver Star - "Simply put I could run this sim without Cornelius Tremble. From being a sounding board, to keeping the story going when I cannot, to coming up with future stories to tell. They are the right hand that everyone would want to have. Every good Captain has a greater first officer. Kirk had Spock, Picard had Riker, Sisko had Kira, Janeway had Chakotay and I have Cornelius Tremble. Thank you, thank you a thousand times thank you for all that you do."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
Lieutenant Junior Grade Rachel Sinclair - Outstanding Assistant Department Head Award - "Rachel has really been able to develop over the year. First when she had to step up and become the acting chief of security when all the department heads disappeared and now with the way she's dealing with the dreams sent by The Silence. I look forward to what she does next."
-Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren-
"ADH positions play an important part within the various departments. As the name implies, they run the shop when the boss is away and Rachel's writer has done a great job of representing Security and driving stories. They're meant to help lead and in a SIM, that means being proactive in pushing a department's interests during any mission."
-Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble-
"Assistant Chiefs are very often the unsung heroes in sims. They do all the work and the Chiefs get all the glory. Rachel Sinclair shows us that you can pull the strings and work from behind the scenes. Not only is this character deep and exceptionally interesting but they are the kind of character that makes you want to read on, to learn more about what happened. From a prison riot to confronting your commanding officer Sinclair has run the spectum. I for one look forward to what happens to them in the coming year. Thank you for all that you do."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren - Outstanding Department Head Award - "Alyssa's writer certainly makes the quartet's job easier when it comes to Missions. Depatment Heads have criteria in my book to 1.) develop and utilize their departments and even run mini-missions within those departments to bring those parts of a Starship to life. 2.) Act as story leads to help push missions along so that everyone feels they can get involved in telling and driving a story from start to finish. This requires the write to not only take part in JP's, but to also give weight and showcase the different sections within a Department. They really do have many pieces that need to be moved around and I think Alyssa's writer does this marvelously."
-Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble-
"The Chief Science officer is as curious as any scientist should be. I am often amazed at how they stay involved in stories and find new ways of looking at things that often cause me to change how the plot will go. This is what exemplifies a great player. But, not only do they do all of this, they lead by example. Maren is always out there looking to get people involved, coming up with ideas that can get people involved in the plot. They are a leader both in front of and behind the scenes. Alyssa is definitely one of the people that make the Pioneer one of the leading sims out there. Thank you for your talent and all of your assistance."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke - Outstanding Character Award - "There is an old saying that says part of the ship, part of the crew. When it comes to Hermia they are the ship. With character's in almost every department there is never a story or mission that they are not a part of. Having received the Captain's Merit, the Executive Officer's Merit and many other awards during the year Hermia O'Rourke is definitely worthy of this high honor on the Pioneer. Thank you for your talent and your friendship over the years."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
"Hermia really pushed a lot of story this year while developing their own character story arcs, gathering steam for coming missions. I really appreciate the work and help it gives the quartet in fleshing out the crew. Thanks for the hard work."
-Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble-
Sergeant Major Lachlan Barr - Character of the Year - "For most of 2024 the USS Pioneer wrote the mission titled What Lies Beneath. During this mission the Chief of the Boat was left in command of the ship and boy did they excel. Lachlan not only rallied the crew in their writing but kept the mission moving from an out of character perspective as well. I am confident that this mission would not have been a success if it were not for their hard work. 2024 was definitely the year of the Sereant Major. Thank you for being my friend, and sounding board. My brother from accross the pond."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
With every story that we complete we bring this ship to life. It take a rediculous amount of creativity to pull off what we have done here. The television shows have the use of visuals to aide in making their stories more realistic, more believable. We simply have our words. With each post this ship, its crew and its stories become as real as anything you could have hoped for.
2024 was a great year for the Pioneer we were named simming laurates, a very high honor. As the wheel turns and this little blue dot of ours continues to turn around a rather unremarkable star I look toward the future. The tales we will tell aboard the Pioneer and in our own unique lives.
Thank you for your friendship, your creativity and your energy. I am as always humbled by your faith in the tales that I want to tell. Here is to the coming year.
For Now
Steady As She Goes,
Commodore Tyler Malbrooke
Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer
Category: General News
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