Jonathan couldn’t help but let out a quiet chuckle at the question, a little of the formality leaving his expression.

“I think you’d be disappointed, Doctor. My talents with a paintbrush are considerably less impressive than my talents with a phaser.”

He gave her a faint, amused smile before continuing.

“In Starfleet, decorations are awards or commendations given to an officer for particular achievements or service. They can be awarded for things like exceptional conduct, bravery, or outstanding performance.”

She rolled her eyes at herself. “Ooohh, that kind of decorations.” she said.

He paused briefly, considering his own record.

“In my case, the Academy Citation for Tactical Excellence was awarded while I was still a cadet. The Frontier Service Ribbon and the Commanding Officer’s Letter of Commendation came from my service aboard the Resolute.”

His expression became slightly more thoughtful.

“They’re not something I tend to dwell on, though. They belong to the service record more than they do to the person wearing them.”

Jonathan glanced around Sickbay before looking back to Dana.

“Although, if you’re still looking for someone to help decorate your quarters, I suppose I could recommend someone from Engineering. They seem to have a talent for making just about anything fit into a confined space.”

Lt(j,g) Jonathon Pierce
Tactical Officer
USS Sentinal

Dana thought about what he had said, pinching her lower lip absent-mindedly.
“Hmm, no. I was more thinking about decorations such as souvenirs and mementos from times past. I have a lot of those but don’t quite know where to place them. They actually do include a few … decorations… as well, but from my work on Denobula, before I joined Starfleet.
You know.... it’s a bit unusual what you said just there.... that they belong to the service record more than they do to you?” she said in her deep timbre voice and laid her hand softly on his arm, her smile softening.
“Why do you feel that way if you don’t mind me asking.”

Dr Anu, CMO

Jonathan glanced briefly down at her hand on his arm before returning his attention to her. Her question had caught him a little off guard, and for a moment he considered how best to answer it.

“I suppose it’s because I’ve never really viewed them as something that defines me, Doctor.”

He gave a small shrug, his expression thoughtful.

“The work matters more to me than the recognition that comes afterward. A decoration is a record that, at a particular moment, I did what was expected of me—or perhaps a little more than was expected. But it doesn’t change who I was before that moment, and it certainly doesn’t guarantee I’ll make the right decision the next time.”

Jonathan paused, his gaze dropping briefly toward his hands.

“I’ve seen officers become very attached to their commendations. They start measuring themselves by the number of ribbons on their uniform rather than by the people they serve alongside. I don’t want to become that sort of officer.”

Dana nodded, liking him more by the minute. Not your typical security buff at all!

A faint smile returned.

“Besides, Starfleet gave me the opportunity to serve. That’s the part of the record I’m proudest of.”

He looked back to Dana, his expression open but still somewhat reserved.

“As for your souvenirs and mementos… those sound rather more interesting than my decorations. I suspect they probably tell you a lot more about a person than a ribbon ever could.”

Lt(j,g) Jonathon Pierce
Tactical Officer
USS Sentinal

Dana nodded her smile widening, but still within human parameters. “That is a very healthy way to look at decorations Lt. Pierce. And yes indeed. My … decorations give me a feeling of security. Isn’t it funny though, now that I think about it, that such inanimate objects make me feel safe when they could never help me if I was in any real danger like… well… for example you could?”
She truly hadn’t realised this before, not even that she didn’t feel safe yet on this new ship with a lot of strangers on it. She hadn’t been truly safe on Starbase 42, nor as a Starfleet officer for that matter, but still… it was different in an unfamiliar environment.

Dr Anu, CMO