Putting the Tyra Souls to rest.

Posted on Fri Dec 20th, 2024 @ 2:08am by Captain Akeno Misaki & Lieutenant JG Runa Suruga & Lieutenant JG Hime Wazumi & Commander Mashiro Munetani "Shiro" & Lieutenant Commander Raelyn Mckenzie & Lieutenant Commander Mark Johnson & Lieutenant Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok

Mission: Return to Tyra
Location: Mess Hall
Timeline: July 28, 2376

Captains Log.

I'm finally out of sickbay, after spending nearly six days. As much as I love Doctor Johnson, I'm happy to be out of his hair. It turns out I'm a pretty 'needy' patient...

Anyways. The Jem'Hadar have been taken back to the Dominion by the Starship Musashi. Captain China, my old childhood friend even got me a birthday gift. A cat whom I have called Isoroku. Xander has been caring for him at home, reports are he's a bit of a menace with the furniture.

The Wayfarer is to continue its original task of removing the technology and the deceased from the wrecks in the Tyra System. Over the last six days the Salvage team have recovered over a thousand bodies of our fallen fellow Starfleet brothers and sisters. Every ship has been searched, all that remains now is the technology.

We have been ordered to take our fallen back to Federation space, where they will be laid to rest in accordance with their cultures. However, there is still one final act I must perform...

The Mess Hall had been cleared of tables. A small podium stood at in the middle of the center window as chairs set in lines faced out at the wreckage in the Tyra System. A flag stood about ten feet from the center podium on one side, it was the logo of The United Federation of Planets. On the opposite side of the podium stood a small pedestal, upon which sat a bronze plaque, surrounded by white flowers.

The plaque read. In memory of the souls lost at the Battle of Tyra..

Akeno had been there to ensure the room was set up correctly, dressed in her Starfleet Dress Uniform she checked her PADD, going over the eulogy she had a duty to deliver.

She was soon joined by her Executive Officer, her hair combed back and her dress uniform neatly ironed. If not for a thirty-some-year age difference, she might have been the splitting image of her mother, herself a respected Starfleet Officer.

"Captain," she addressed Akeno curtly. "The rest of the crew will be arriving shortly. Are we all set for the service?"

Akeno nodded in response. "Yeah, let them in. We'll give everyone a few minutes to find seats."

Mashiro nodded and moved to prop open the doors to the mess hall.

Luna stepped into the Mess Hall dressed in her dress whites with Eclipes trying not to be seen behind her dressed in a sharp, black dress.

"You are allowed to be here, Little One. Don't be afraid," Luna stepped to the side and put her arm around Eclipes' shoulder reassuringly. Eclipes smiled gratefully.

"Captain, Commander," Luna nodded to both respectfully.

"Ccaptain, Ccommander. I'm sorry for your loss," Eclipse was getting less scared, but she still had a ways to go.

Akeno nodded at Eclipse. "Its everyones loss. But, we did lose some of our own family here too." Akeno told her softly. "Thankyou for coming."

"Yyou're welcome," Eclipes smiled again as Luna touched her shoulder to guide her to their chairs.

Doctor Johnson joined the rest of the crew entering the mess hall dressed into his ceremony uniform. His rested face didn't cover the grief in his look for such an occurrence. Being a doctor the service was hitting his differently. The remembrance of his late wife service didn't help either.

"Captain" he saluted Akeno "how are you feeling today? Physically" he added.

"Better, but, its still a little sore at times," Akeno admitted as she ran a hand over her stomach where the wound used to be.

"You went through a lot" Mark acknowledged "the wound will take time to heal. If you need painkillers, or just a friendly chat, don't hesitate to let me know".

"Thanks doctor. I'll let you know, but right now. We have a duty to perform." Akeno replied.

Dr. Johnson nodded and headed for one of the seats in the first row, letting the captain run the ceremony.

Raelyn entered the hall quietly and took a seat in the back. Normally if this wasn't taking place in the mess, she would have assembled a detachment to do a 21 gun salute, but that would be a little difficult in the mess hall. She was distracted anyway. She felt responsible for this whole situation. She pondered what she could have done to prevent the death of those lives. But was there anything she could have done differently?

Once everyone had arrived, Akeno stepped up to the podium. She cleared her throat to calm the room before speaking.

"Space. It connects us all in a way. Earth, Vulcan, Quo'nos, Betazed, and countless more." Akeno started. "As Starfleet Officers we make our home in this cold void of space. To go out and learn about its wonders; the secrets it holds and to broaden our understanding of how this universe works."

"However. There are also times where we need to make sacrifices in order to protect those who can't protect themselves. We go not only to explore and bathe in the wonder of the universe. But to ensure that everyone we love, and those we don't know remain safe." Akeno paused briefly.

"The war between The Federation and The Dominion ended just over a year ago now. Yet the wounds of such a conflict have yet to heal. We have recovered only a fraction of our fallen brothers and sisters. Many will never be recovered, but will remain as part of the very space that connects us." Once again Akeno paused for a brief second.

"We can now only honour them. They showed intense bravery and made the ultimate sacrifice for peace in this galaxy." She looked around at each of her crews faces. "As Captain of this ship, I have ordered the construction of a memorial beacon to be placed here. To remember the loss of life here in the Tyra System. May their souls find peace at last."

She tapped her comm badge. Outside of the windows of the mess hall just off the bow of the Wayfarer a small satellite began to form. A few moments later the transport was complete revealing a satellite in which a holographic projection of the Starfleet Delta hovered above it, with the words "To the fallen at Tyra" floating under it.

"At attention." Akeno said as she turned to face the windows amd stood at attention herself.

Mashiro proceeded to follow her Captain's example and quietly rose to attention. As she stood there, gazing out upon the debris field that stretched as far as the eye could see, she had yet another moment to reflect upon Lieutenant Sullivan and his sons. She pondered, for a brief moment, if the only reason Lieutenant Sullivan had remained in her head for as long as he had because he was dead, but she just as quickly dismissed such an idea; Sullivan, like the countless men and women who had served and died in this war, would not wish to be remembered for having died, but having lived, and for bringing joy into the lives of others.

Perhaps that was what Akeno had meant with finding the will to move on- not simply for one's own sake, but the sake of those they had loved and lost...

Luna wiped away tears as she stood, straightening her spine to it's full hight.

Eclipes scurried to stand as well, trying to keep her snuffling as quiet as possible...but not doing a very good job.

Mark stood up, arms along his body, eyes locked on the beacon and his mind racing on his loss, although not related to Tyra. His eyes watered but he controlled himself enough not to cry.

Raelyn stood at attention and forced herself to not move a muscle. She forced herself to look forward at nothing, not even at the caskets. She tried so hard not to let any tears fall. It's just how she was wired.

The sound of a bugle playing echoed through the room to the traditional tune 'taps'. It was played usually at burials at sea, as it had been for hundreds of years.

The bugle finished the traditional tube. Akeno stood staring out if the windows, her back to the room. Tears had formed in her eyes and were starting to run down her cheeks.

"Crew of the Wayfarer. Dismissed!" She said breaking the silence. She remained at attention as she continued to stare out at the wrecks. She would be the last to leave.

Luna gently tapped Eclipse's shoulder, then swung her head toward the door, indicating the duo should head out.

Eclipse eeked softly, having been absorbed in the ceremony, then uncharacteristically, wrapped her arm around Luna's waist and snuggled up to her comfortingly. Luna smiled, hugging Eclipse back as the two exited the Mess Hall.

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Captain Akeno Misaki
Commanding Officer, USS Wayfarer

Commander Mashiro Munetani
Executive Officer, USS Wayfarer

Lt. Cmdr. Mark Johnson
Chief Medical Officer, USS Wayfarer

Lt. Cmdr. Raelyn Mckenzie
Chief Security/Tactical Officer, USS Wayfarer

Lieutenant Luna Eclipse of the House of Martok
Flight Control Officer USS Wayfarer