<USS Eagle> Patriot/Atlantis: "Farewell my Brothers In Arms"
- From: CaptJPArcher@xxxxxxx
- To: JudyKaha@xxxxxxx, AnniClan@xxxxxxx, JDAster@xxxxxxx, TrevCloud@xxxxxxx, DrDominie@xxxxxxx, DianeDax@xxxxxxx, JamesDHntr@xxxxxxx, Gettinhappy@xxxxxxx, VAdmLanders@xxxxxxx, CaptJPArcher@xxxxxxx, AlishaConnors@xxxxxxx, ConstanceHope@xxxxxxxxxxx, PhantomSojourn@xxxxxxx, liz_fleshman@xxxxxxxxxxx, SmileOfTheShadow@xxxxxxx, CmdrTomCulkin@xxxxxxx, PS85ENIGMA@xxxxxxx, admjamesruss@xxxxxxxxxxxxx, Nardini@xxxxxxx, KaemonWashi@xxxxxxx, MuvPhuzVren@xxxxxxx, Crystal_Heart_Rose@xxxxxxxxx, CommoAprlFyrstk@xxxxxxx, usseagle@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
- Date: Mon, 13 Jun 2005 01:41:56 EDT
-STAR TREK-
PATRIOT
-STAR TREK-
Atlantis
<<takes place just shortly before the memorial service>>
It was a cold January morning. The sun shone down impotently above
them, its weak rays bathing them in cold light. A sharp wind came off the bay,
chilling them all even more. Assembled here were the surviving members of the
crew of the starship Challenger, and a large number of other officers, family
and friends. The numbers the memorial service had drawn was something
Starfleet hadn't counted on. Yet here they were. Starfleet was like that.
When
they lost some of their own, they all came together in shared sorrow. Ships
had
suddenly found reason to put in at Earth, and they had all come.
In the background, music was being played by a string quartet. The
song they were currently playing was "Nearer My God To Thee", and its haunting
tones floated on the chilled morning air, hovering over the participants.
The musicians finished playing "Nearer My God To Thee", and then moved
on to "Autumn" for their next song. As they finished that, there was a signal
for silence. Admiral Ross moved up to stand on the stage where he cleared
his throat once, then began to speak from memory, not bothering to use any
pre-written speech.
"Friends, fellow officers, gentlebeings, we are gathered here to today
to pay our respects to our honoured dead."
"The crew of the USS Challenger embarked four years ago on a journey
unlike any other in Federation history. Theirs was truly a journey into the
unknown. Unfortunately, it was also a journey from which they couldn't get
home..........until now."
"It is also a journey that had a high price......as not everyone
managed to make it back. We are here to pay tribute to the crew of the
starship
Challenger, and to grieve with her survivors and their families on the loss of
their loved ones. To that end, I now turn the dais over to Lieutenant
Commander
Michael Sturgis, Head of Starfleet's Religious Studies branch of the
Archaeological Section."
Ross turned to the man. "Father Sturgis."
The small, balding man stood up, shook hands with Admiral Ross, then
moved to the dais. He looked out over the assembled people, bathing them in
his
sympathetic smile.
"Good morning. I was honoured when Admiral Ross asked me to speak here
today, on the morning where we are paying tribute to our brothers and sisters
who gave of themselves in the performance of their duties. While I didn't
personally know any of the crew, the stories about them have become almost
legendary over the years. So, it was with great sorrow that I learned of the
deaths of Captain Hunter, Commander Knight, Admiral Quentin Mallory......though
I
understand he lives on in another form from another Universe......Dr. Drake,
and the many others who sacrificed their lives so their comrades could live.
Please rise."
Five thousand strong came to attention at his command. Those that had
seats stood up. Those standing pulled up straight and tall.
Admiral Ross bowed his head as the prayers were spoken. He closed his
eyes and listened to the sound of the birds on this cold and sunny morning.
They all sounded so cheerful and happy......totally unaware of the somber mood
all around them.
How could they possible know that Starfleet was paying its respects to
its honoured dead..........those members of the crew of the late starship
Challenger that hadn't made it home.
The voice of Father Sturgis ran out clear and strong for all to hear.
"We are gathered here this morning in honor of the crew of the USS
Challenger. Because it is impossible to understand why these kind of things
happen it is good for us to turn to God for help and strength.
Psalm 121 says:
I look up to the mountains-- does my help come from there?
My help comes from the LORD, who made the heavens and the earth!
He will not let you stumble and fall; the one who watches over you will not
sleep.
Indeed, he who watches over Israel never tires and never sleeps.
The LORD himself watches over you! The LORD stands beside you as your
protective shade.
The sun will not hurt you by day, nor the moon at night.
The LORD keeps you from all evil and preserves your life.
The LORD keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
Jesus shared a beautiful passage with His disciples just before His own
death. John's words are filled with love and concern for those He loved.
Jesus
understood the feelings of the disciples concerning His departure. He too
understands our hurts and loneliness this day. He is well aware of our
feelings
and He is the same God of sympathy today as then.
This is best shown to us in the account of Lazarus. As Jesus walked with
Martha and Mary to the tomb of Lazarus. The Bible records for us one of the
two
times that Jesus cried. It was as they were walking along. Jesus was
listening to the sisters as they shared their feeling of sorrow at the lost of
their
brother. And Jesus began to cry. Now Jesus was not crying for Lazarus. For
in a few minutes Jesus was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. No Jesus
wasn't crying because Lazarus was dead. He was crying because He was moved by
the tears and the words of the two sisters. That is how much Jesus loved them.
Jesus is the same today. That is how much Jesus loves us too! He is still
moved by the sorrow of His followers. He is so in tune with our feelings and
so in touch with our pains that He is moved by them. Because of that we can
lean on Him today and everyday with total assurance. Because of that we can
face any situation with the ability to be unshaken and at peace. Because of
His
great love we have the hope of a better future.
Your tears are because you miss those who did not make it home, your
brothers, your sisters, and because it was in so tragic a manner in which they
were
taken from us. Your hearts are all still clinging to them because you cannot
disassociate them from those you have lost.
But we can take comfort in the knowledge that it is really only a garment
which those who died aboard USS Challenger have cast aside. So, while we have
reverence for the bodies because of the tender memories, we now consign the
bodies to its original elements.
Earth to earth, ashes to ashes, and dust to dust. For the Bible says that we
brought nothing into this world and it is certain that we carry nothing out.
The Lord gave and the Lord had taken away, blessed be the name of the Lord.
May we join hands as we bow our heads in prayer: Oh, merciful God, Father of
our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the resurrection and the life; in whom whosoever
believeth shall live, though he die physically. We know in our deepest
thoughts, beneath our doubts and fears, that You are a great God.
We commit those from the starship Challenger, our brothers, our sisters, to
the ground and their souls unto your loving merciful hands. May You continue
to put Your hands of comfort upon these families and these friends. Help them
to rest in Your grace and assurance, and Your peace and strength.
May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God and the
fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with us all evermore. Trust in God and let
Him, turn
your fears into faith, your sorrows into joy, your doubts into certainties,
and your loneliness into divine companionship. Amen."
He motioned for those who had seats to sit. The silence of the
cold January morning was overpowering, laced as it was with the sounds of
people
crying. Ross wiped at his own eyes, brushing away his own tears which
continued to fall. He glanced over at the front row of seats. He could pick
out the
certain faces he knew. He recognized the family of Captain Hunter, as his
father Edward had also been in Starfleet. The elder Hunter, now 80 years of
age, looked crushed, as if their was no life left in him. His wife had her
face
buried in her hands. Jim's brother and his family were also there. Ross felt
a momentary pang as he realized how much time had past, evidenced by how big
Mike Hunter's children now were. The eldest was a veritable giant, while the
youngest seemed eager to catch his older brother in size. The middle child
was a slim, willowy girl who had lovely doe eyes usually framed by a lovely,
happy face..........except for today.
Ross also picked out the faces of a number of officers who he knew he
would have to speak with very soon. The Captain and some of the crew of the
starship Patriot, which had only just arrived back at Earth. Standing next to
Captain Archer was Commodore Kaylan Zen, a former Commanding Officer of Jim
Hunter's. The Admiral knew he would have to catch her before she could leave.
But not yet. He still had a duty to perform.
Ross shook hands with Father Sturgis and moved back to the dais.
"Thankyou Father. That was very moving."
The Starfleet Commander-in-Chief looked out over everyone. "I can't
possibly put into words the feelings of loss you're all experiencing now. I
know, because I'm feeling it along with you......and can't possibly describe
it.
Nor will I insult any of you by saying it will get better in time. I know it
won't for me. Still it must be said that the brave men and women of USS
Challenger were the epitomy of what we look for in Starfleet, and were the
finest
examples of Humanity in its many alien forms. Also know that their memories
will forever be kept within our hearts. A small monument will be dedicated on
the grounds of Starfleet Headquarters for the Challenger. Inscribed on it
will be 'We will continue to go forth in your name, keeping the dream alive,
remembering the sacrifices you made'."
Ross attempted to go on, but found that his voice had deserted him at
that moment. He stood back and motioned for attention, and then......with a
voice that was cracking with emotion, gave his last order for the day's
services. "Honours, hut!!!!"
A lone individual stepped up and began to play a set of bagpipes. The
tear-inducing strains of "Amazing Grace" rolled over those in attendance. As
the final notes filtered away, a group of officers fired off an ancient ground
artillery cannon. This was followed by a second volley from a second gun,
and then a third from a third weapon. Finally, a fourth volley thundered out,
for one of the officers lost had been a Captain. Smoke wafted over the
assembled masses and was carried away by the brisk wind off San Francisco Bay.
There
was a long moment of silence where the only sounds were the gulls, and the
muted tones of the city traffic far off..........and the sobs. Then, finally,
Ross stepped up the dais again.
"This concludes our services this morning. Thankyou all for attending.
Officers, dismissed."
The Admiral moved off the stage and headed in the direction of
Commodore Zen, who was slowing working her way through the crowd, nodding and
talking
to some of those in attendance. He managed to make it up next to her, and
gently touched her arm and spoke to her in a low voice so as not to be
overheard.
"Commodore, I need to speak to you. It's about our mutual problem."
To Be Continued..........
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