In Memorandum

Posted on Mon Mar 2nd, 2020 @ 4:11am by Franklin Armstrong & Division Admiral Thomas Lasky & Master Gunnery Sergeant Chalan Fal & Fleet Captain Torilla Yamaguchi & Department Master Chief Petty Officer Stephen "Orthos" McKnight & Zuko Omakan & Company Sergeant Major Jeffery "The Mountain" Duval & Grand Admiral April Yamaguchi & Major Daisy Rohr-McKnight & Master Sergeant Gunthar Werner & Chief Warrant Officer Ryi "Taffy" Amlari & Gunnery Sergeant Olga Vaal & Staff Warrant Officer Hana "8-Ball" Nakamura
Edited on on Tue Apr 7th, 2020 @ 4:08pm

Mission: Mission 40: Thirty Pieces of Silver
Location: Various Locations - USS Dreamcrusher
Timeline: 1200Hrs - August 10th, 2391

The appointed time had come, the dead had been cleaned up and the hanger space on the USS Dreamcrusher had been converted for this occasion, one of the most solemn of occasions, the burial of the dead in space. When one died on a Starfleet ship, they could expect to be buried in space or to their location of choice. Today was a special occasion as the dead from Roanoke's hanger fire were being laid to rest. Those who survived would have their time to mourn their dead, friends and loved ones alike.

Teval did a final check on himself, making sure his fur was neat and well kept for this occasion. Even in special occasions he still didn't wear a uniform, so the best he could do, was make sure his fur was in good condition. He managed to get it to where it had a shine that it didn't normally have. Though he had to get Karryn to help him, because the one hand he still had was still in a brace. Looking over at Hakaya, he said, "You ready."

Hakaya nodded as she finished combing her hair. The two of them walked out of their quarters and went over to Dreamcrushers hangar bay. On the way he ran into Zuko and sideswipe, whom had just been released from sickbay. Sideswipe still had a cane though, and an eyepatch over his now nonfunctional eye, but his dress uniform was spotless. Zuko, though he didn't wear a uniform, his fur was also shiny and smooth like Teval's.

"How are you doing Josef," Teval asked.

"I've been better," Sideswipe replied solemnly.

Teval nodded and they went down to the hangar bay.

Zara, in her uncomfortable dress whites, walked along the long row of caskets. Only a few were open, given less damage. Most were closed and a few empty, from those bodies, being blown to bits. And very reverently, the Trill placed various ribbons of importance inside the coffins of the departed.

Teval walked into the hangar bay with Zuko, Josef and Hakaya, and the four of them walked over to Mirage's casket.

Josef sighed, "Why does it always have to be the young ones who die."

"Well, she did save your life Josef," Teval added, quietly.

"Yeah, and for that, I will be forever grateful," Josef quietly put a hand on on Mirage's casket, "Tasha Benson, you will be missed, but you will never be forgotten. Especially by those of us who knew you."

Wukari just stood there silently next to the casket, vividly remembering the night Mirage died. She had shown up at her bedside a mere 30 minutes before she died. She had regained consciousness just before dying, despite the best efforts of Dreamcrusher's medical staff to save her.

Fleet Admiral April Yamaguchi was standing in the lineup as well, front and center in her dress whites, her husband and eldest two children beside her, also in their dress whites as they did the rounds while Franklin placed a small wreath at the foot of one of the caskets, then he saluted the coffin. "Quick Shot... You'll be missed old friend," he said quietly. "I'll raise your son like he was my own..."

April regarded her husband as she knew he was right at the edge of his emotional control, she stayed back as she stood before the five dozen or so caskets, Paige on her right and Kris on her left. "You... who fell saving others... gave your last full measure of devotion for the cause... You will all be missed.." April said quietly as she regarded the caskets.

Werner and Vaal stood together with most of the other Marines in their dress blues at on end of the Hanger. Werner noticed Daisy dressed in black civilian clothes and approached her.

"Sir, I think you're out of uniform," Werner told her.

"I'm still technically on maternity leave." Daisy replied. "Just stopped by to pay my respects."

Werner nodded as he returned to the group of marines. He noticed Vaal trying to stay inconspicuous. "What's up?" He whispered.

"Just someone I'm trying to avoid," Vaal told him. "The sooner this is over, the better."

Werner was a little taken aback by Olga's brusque comments. "We are at a mass funeral for our fallen," Werner suggested diplomatically.

"I know," Vaal replied. "I went through enough of these during the Dominion War. I'm going to need to drink after this is over." Werner just nodded at Vaal's comments. Even though he was never close to any of the pilots, the funeral was opening old wounds for Werner and he figured Vaal was suffering as well.

Froststorm and Eight Ball entered the hangar also dressed in formal uniform. Ryi was with Eight Ball to help her move because her legs were still had not completely healed. Eight Ball was also still shaken from the incident.

Eight Ball looked around. "Where are they?" Eight Ball asked her. Ryi led Eight Ball to the three coffins lined up next to each other. Typhoon's was open as her wounds were easily concealed. Lynx and Hedgehog had closed caskets. Their bodies were recovered but the effects of a hard vacuum on soft flesh were gruesome.

Eight Ball could not control herself any longer and buried her face in Ryi's chest and started to cry. Ryi was also crying but it was a lot more controlled. Ryi really wanted to just break down and start sobbing. She thought that Eight Ball had suffered more though, and retained some composure to help her.

Teval looked around the room at all the sad faces, while trying to do his best to maintain composure. The bandages over the severed stump that was his left hand suddenly started to irritate him.

Chalan walked over to the marines gathered with Nightstar next to him. Chalan had his own dress blues spotless, while Nightstar, due to being furry, had just settled with making his fur coat as shiny and clean as possible. Chalan walked over to Werner, saying, "Everyone holding out ok?."

"Everyone is doing alright, Gunny." Werner crisply answered Chalan. "These things ain't ever easy but everyone is holding up okay."

Chalan let off a long, slow sigh," No things like this are never easy, I've seen a few myself before, they aren't something you get used to."

The door opened and in walked Orthos, wearing his dress uniform. "Hey guys." he greeted the first person he saw before he spotted the one woman in a black dress, before gently making his way to her side. "I heard what happened.." Orthos greeted his wife.

Meanwhile, April went over to the two pilots. "My niece speaks highly of you two." she addressed Froststorm and Eight Ball quietly.

The two pilots stood straightened up, although they were still crying. "Thank you Admiral." Froststorm spoke up, Eight Ball remained politely quite. "Your niece is a good pilot." Ryi added.

Daisy spotted Orthos and took his arm. "Sorry I came over early by myself. I didn't hear word on casualties and wanted to make sure my Marines were doing okay." She told him.

Othos gently kissed his wife on the lips. "You didn't know I was coming anyway.." as he gently slid an arm around her shoulders. "Edward and I will be around for the next few weeks.. So you can hang out with your son."

Wukari walked over to Eightball and Ryi, asking softly," How are you two holding up."

"we will be okay Sir. Thank you." Ryi answered as Eight Ball stood quiet next to her.

Wukari shook her head, "Please guys, don't call me sir, I prefer you call me by name."

"Sorry Wukari." Ryi answered, Eight Ball still silent. "Were still a little shaken up."

April meanwhile regarded the two pilots. "Leave the ranks outside ladies... I'm here to pay my respects to your fallen brethren..." as she smiled.

"Yes Sir... I mean Admiral Yamaguchi...I mean..." Ryi just stopped and changed the subject. "Is Rachael doing okay?"

"Last I heard, she's doing alright... they couldn't spare her from class to attend... I know she's angry but she'll be alright." Yamaguchi explained with a smile.

Teval did a quick headcount, and noticed that after Rykar and Ra'Vak arrived, mostly everyone seemed to be present. He then walked over to Zara, saying, "Hey, looks like just about everyone is here now."

"Stand in formation," Zara signaled to the people gathered and continued once all were at attention. "We are gathered here to pay our respects to some of the bravest people we ever knew..." Zara paused and took a breath before she continued, "Many of these brave officers did all they could to put the fires out and evacuate other personnel... They died heroes in the truest since. They type of hero I can only hope I'll be when the next call the action comes."

Teval just stood silently next to Zara, along with Duval, while Zara said her peace.

Duval stood in silence, wearing his dress uniform while Elizabeth stood with Kameron alongside her, she didn't need to say anything, she gently had taken his hand as they stood, facing the coffins. Elizabeth now was starting to show signs that she was pregnant.

"As we send their bodies into space," Zara continued with red eyes, "...we can only hope their souls find peace."

Duval nodded. "Honor detail. Fall in!" he called loudly. "God... send thy brothers and sisters to thy rest... overlooking the stars from whence they came... amen!" he said quietly.

Zara nodded, then pressed a button on the wall to put put a field up between the coffins and the people gathered.

"Present arms!" Zara barked out.

The dozen or so personnel who formed the honor detail lifted their rifles as they stood ready then they all let off a volley from their rifles.

Torilla stood next to Zara in silence, standing at attention along with everyone else.