The Wheel Keeps on Turning - Year in Review 2025
Posted on Fri Jan 23rd, 2026 @ 9:54am by Commodore Tyler Malbrooke
Edited on Fri Jan 23rd, 2026 @ 11:29am
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 help a friend that they did not know they had. The Silence reached out to avoid extermination and the Pioneer answered. They risked their ship, their careers and themselves to save a race from extinction. Along the way they learned what they could handle and of a threat that comes from across the dimensions. To end the year the crew returned to Earth and their roots for some fun, rest and relaxation. We had our annual Secret Santa and bathed in the spirit of the season. Here is to making sure that 2026 is better for us all. This world being what it is.
So without any gilding the lily and no further ado I give you the one, the only, awards... taps mic... Is thing on?
Major Edmund Merrick - Captain's Personal Merit Award - "To close out 2025 I would like to give this award to Edmund Merrick. Behind the scenes Merrick works hard to push others to develop their characters into more than what is on the page as it were. It is this work that makes the Pioneer such a believable setting and a general fun sim to be a part of."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
Lieutenant Commander Hermia O'Rourke - Executive Officer's Merit Award - "Picking WHICH of Jared's characters to give the award to is rough because there are a lot of voices he uses to add to the Pioneer's choir. Regardless of the voice, there's no doubt that he does add to the Pioneer, making her as successful as she is. He's always willing to lend a hand in a post and to help get and keep posts rolling. I'm really looking forward to the O'Rourke Family Mission coming up to see the story continue. No matter which voice he's using to help tell the story of the Pioneer, he's definitely Part of the Ship, Part of the Crew."
-Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble-
Lieutenant Junior Grade Galen Trellis - Second Officer's Award of Merit - "For our newest pilot. Who is in for for everything and hit the ground running. Started pretty good and is open for joint posts. IC: Galen joined us and really hit it off with the crew. Willing to get to know people, the ship and his station.
-Lieutenant Commander Rowena McGowen-
Sergeant Audie Fitch - Enlisted Award of Merit - Sergeant Audie Fitch is recognised for exceptional and sustained contribution to the USS Pioneer throughout 2025, marked by reliability, narrative leadership, and meaningful impact on both mission outcomes and crew cohesion. Across multiple missions, Audie consistently anchored key scenes at moments of uncertainty, particularly in posts such as Command Team and briefings, where their steady presence helped shape direction and maintain focus under pressure."
-Sergeant Major Lachlan Barr-
Lieutenant Junior Grade Galen Trellis - Service Citation Six Months - "Thank you for all of your contributions during your first six months. You are one hell of an addition to this great crew. Keep up the awesome work. Here is to many many more years with us."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
-Lieutenant Commander Rowena McGowen-
Ensign Millicent Ambrose - Service Accomodation Award - "Millie is everywhere. Curious as a cat and likes to know everyone and be involved in everything. While musing on this, I realized how much I appreciate the work and initiative the writer puts into things through Millie. I appreciate that."
-Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble-
Lieutenant Vura - Outstanding Character - "Every post Vura is a part of showcases the character, not taking center stage but exhibiting the character herself. They make an impact and always push at the edges which makes for a very memorable character."
-Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble-
"It has been my experience that Counselor characters can be very hard to write. Partially because talking about other people's problems can be grating, and partially because no one wants their character to go to a Counselor. However, not only does Vura make these posts a pleasure to write, but they are a pleasure to read. While talking about others problems they share a bit about themselves with the reader. Vura is a truly engaging character that helps all of us find the soul of this ship."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
Lieutenant Junior Grade Narin Valen - Outstanding Assistant Department Head - "Throughout the year Narin has added realism to the Pioneer. They approach a given situation and show what the power behind the throne is about. Departments on starships cannot run on just the Senior Officers. Keeping our Science Department running smoothly is just one of many contributions. Thank you for all of your contributions in 2025."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
Lieutenant Commander Alyssa Maren - Outstanding Department Head - "Maren's writer did a ton of work helping get the Silence Mission shaped into the success that it was. From first understanding that a message was being sent to closing the portal, LCDR Maren led her department (and helped the command staff) in getting the answers we needed. I really appreciate your work and dedication."
-Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble-
"Alyssa Maren not only helps with the science end of missions. But, they act as a sounding board. Often assisting in developing ideas for missions and characters. As the GM of the Pioneer I expect my department heads to lead by example and Maren falls into that category without exception. When a mission takes an entire year to write and one of your department heads comes up with the opening and closing it shows you exactly how indispensable they are. Thank you for everything that you do for the Pioneer and this community."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
Sergeant Audie Fitch - Character of the Year - "Audie Fitch is recognised for exceptional and sustained contribution to the USS Pioneer throughout 2025, marked by reliability, narrative leadership, and meaningful impact on both mission outcomes and crew cohesion. Across multiple missions, Audie consistently anchored key scenes at moments of uncertainty, particularly in posts such as Command Team and briefings, where their steady presence helped shape direction and maintain focus under pressure. Audie’s strength extends beyond operational moments into the quieter spaces that give the ship its sense of life and continuity. In posts like "Coffee for Your Price Charming" and "Meal Before Work", Audie fostered authentic connections between crew members, building relationships that later reinforced trust and cooperation during high-stakes situations. These interactions were not incidental; they added depth and emotional continuity to the year’s storytelling. During emotionally challenging missions, including "Sobs in the Darkness" and "Message From Beyond", Audie demonstrated a rare willingness to engage with the weight of loss, fear, and uncertainty, allowing space for others while reinforcing the human cost of the ship’s work. Throughout the year, Audie’s character growth remained cumulative and consistent, with confidence and composure clearly shaped by earlier experiences rather than isolated moments. Through collaborative writing, sustained engagement, and a grounded, dependable presence across 2025, Sergeant Audie Fitch exemplified the qualities of an outstanding enlisted crew member. Their contributions strengthened missions, supported fellow writers, and helped define the emotional and narrative backbone of the USS Pioneer, making them a deserving recipient of Character of the Year."
-Sergeant Major Lachlan Barr-
"In roughly fifteen months aboard Pioneer, Audie has made an impact through their writing, creating a character that is fun to read and well rounded. I'm looking forward to see where they go from here."
-Lieutenant Colonel Cornelius Tremble-
"I have said it at least a hundred times. Simming is about the unsung heroes. Well, it is time to sing about one of these people. Audie Fitch is always one of those people behind the scenes. They make sure that their additions to the story are poignant and often funny. Comic relief is something that I feel Starfleet Officers would need most. Their character growth is consistent, and ever growing. Never taking any steps backward. Audie Fitch embodies the idea of Yes And by taking what they are handed and running with it. I have the utmost confidence that this sim would not be where it is without Audie Fitch."
-Commodore Tyler Malbrooke-
With every story that we complete we bring this ship to life. It take a ridiculous 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.
2025 was a great year for the Pioneer we brought a xenophobic species into the light, we also gave our Marines a chance to stretch their legs and show us what they can do. 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.
So mote it be
For Now
Steady As She Goes,
Commodore Tyler Malbrooke
Commanding Officer, USS Pioneer
Category: General News
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