[Galaxy] [New Darwin] 2157 Nov 16, JL Commo Duncan Stirling, Capt Julie McKenzie & LtCmdr Kareem Morotai

[Julie McKenzie]

<<Apologies for the duplication... I sent it to the wrong list 
yesterday!>>

///////////// Unity Party /////////////

Having been beamed down to the current Starfleet HQ on the surface,
Julie smiled at the comms officer, "I have my communicator ready."

"There is a view screen set up next to the memorial and the plaque and
I'll be ready to 'dial in' Commodore Stirling, Captain. I've made all
the arrangements with his aide."

"Good. I'll be at the party." With that Julie walked out into the
sunshine and into the settlement. From what she could see, the party was
already in full swing, and that was the way it was supposed to be. Julie
had planned her later arrival so the crew would let their hair down a
bit without their CO present. What pleased her the most, Julie mused
with a smile on her face; there was a large group of Daliwakans at the
party.

She stopped to chat to one or two people, all the while on the look out
for Kareem. When she spotted him, she made her excuses and walked over.
"It's good to see such a turn out, Kareem."

"Yes Captain. I think those that are able to come are here, no-one wants
to stay at home and miss out on this important event. I don't think
we've ever had a party quite like this!" Kareem smiled. He was feeling
slightly light-headed after the beers he had consumed. He had
fortunately found out about their alcohol content before it was too
late.

Kareem watched as the area surrounding the veiled memorial and plaque
was cleared by staff and an area was arranged for him and the Captain to
stand in when performing the ceremony.

"When are we meant to on?" he asked, putting down his drink in
anticipation.

"As soon as my...." Julie's communicator beeped, and she took it out.
"McKenzie here."

"I've got Commodore Stirling standing by, Captain."

Julie turned to Kareem and smiled, "We are on now, Commander." With
that, she walked over to the centre of the town square where the
memorial and plaque were and where the viewscreen was set up. "Route
Commodore Stirling's call to the viewscreen in the town square, please."

~~ Starfleet Command ~~

"So when do I actually get to go to one of these parties Commander?"
Duncan asked the Fleet Operations Communications Officer.

"I'm sure they'd be delighted if you could make it in person,
Commodore," Came the reply.

"If only. One day I'll surprise somebody by stowing away on a transport
ship and turning up at a party in the flesh," Duncan growled. "I'm not
too old to party on down... am I Commander?"

"Of course not, Sir," the Comms officer replied diplomatically. "I'm
sure we'd all love to see it. New Darwin standing by, Sir."

"Oh right," Duncan said, and he straightened his tie.

~~~ New Darwin Colony ~~

The boatswain blew his whistle, and although none of the Starfleet crew
was in uniform, they did come to attention. The view screen, resembling
a 21st century LCD TV, but more the size of a cinema screen flickered
and then showed the Starfleet logo for a moment before Commodore
Stirling appeared on the screen.

Kareem watched as the unfamiliar face appeared. He was impressed that
the signal was being transmitted from Starfleet Command live to the
gathering, but part of him wished that Starfleet had sent someone in
person.

"Welcome Commodore, I am glad you were able to make the time to
participate today." Julie said in greeting.

"Greetings Captain McKenzie, and citizens of new Darwin," Duncan
replied. "It's a privilege to be able to be with you all, even if it is
more in spirit than in person. I have a few brief words to say on this
auspicious occasion, and then I believe there is some kind of party
organised."

Duncan looked at the gathering in the town square as shown on his desk
monitor for a few short moments and then he spoke again. "In 1839
Commander John Wickham named what is now known as Darwin, in Australia's
Northern Territory, after Charles Darwin, the British naturalist,"
Duncan began. "And here we are, three hundred and eighteen years later,
celebrating the foundation of a new outpost that bears the name of one
of Earth's greatest scientific minds.

"The work that you all have done stands as a testament to the
partnership between Humans and Daliwakans and in this spirit of
cooperation and trust your colony shall grow and prosper. To Captain
McKenzie and Lieutenant Commander Morotai I offer my congratulations for
leading our two peoples into a strong alliance, and to those who have
worked with you I give my thanks and appreciation for making the vision
a reality.

"So, without further ado, on behalf of the President of the United Earth
Government and the Starfleet Fleet Commander, I have great pleasure in
formally declaring New Darwin a fully commissioned Starfleet colony.
Today, together, our two races are making history.

"I will now ask Captain McKenzie to unveil the memorial and plaque,"
Duncan said.

"Thank you, Commodore." Julie replied as she walked closer to the veiled
statue. It symbolised the unity, the joint future, as well as
remembering those that had suffered before. "I will read the plaque,
this is very much a Starfleet and Earth tradition, and normally you will
find it on the bridge of a Starfleet ship. A copy of this will be placed
in the command centre that is nearly finished. It is a saying by a 20th
century actor, Christopher Reeve. He was famous for playing the Superman
character.

"So many of our dreams at first seem impossible, then they seem
improbable, and then, when we summon the will, they soon become
inevitable."

As she finished reading Kareem pulled the relevant lever and the sheet
that covered the plaque and memorial fell away to reveal the final
piece. Two large, clean, stone blocks were separated by a beam of white
light that emitted from within. The light was the product of a chemical
reaction which would burn permanently for many, many years and created a
cosy flow from within the stones, making them look almost volcanic.

Written on the stones was an inscription in several Earth languages and
Daliwakan in several different colours about a hope for peace for the
lost souls on New Darwin followed by a bold statement stating prosperity
and success to the future. Around the bottom laid several wreaths of
flowers amongst which were the names of those who were known to have
been lost.

Kareem stood closer and read out the inscription to everyone present in
Daliwakan, who bowed their heads in acknowledgement. Once he had
finished the almost meditative reading he spoke again. "We remember the
souls of those who warmed our hearts with their lives. Each unique, each
special, contributing to where we are today. We shall never forget their
sacrifice; we shall honour them and be inspired to remain hopeful, to
remain vigilant long into the future. Troubles will come and go, there
will be good times and bad, but united we are stronger. Most importantly
we will prevail against evil!"

As he finished several Daliwakans called out in agreement creating a
hubbub of language. This was quite normal for Daliwakans in a gathering
such as this. He noticed a few of the humans seemed uncertain at first
but a few called along with them about their hopes for the future. This
descended albeit a little awkwardly at first, into clapping and
cheering. Kareem smiled all around at the Daliwakan Human mixture of
faces and styles.

Julie smiled and joined in with the applause. She turned to the
viewscreen, "Thank you, Commodore. I hope to be able to welcome you here
sometime soon, so you can see for yourself what we have achieved so
far." Stirling nodded and signed off, and Julie turned to the crowd,
"Let's celebrate our new colony, our union."

Commodore Duncan Stirling
Fleet Operations Commander
Starfleet Command

&

LtCmdr Kareem Morotai
Executive Officer
New Darwin Colony

&
Capt Julie McKenzie
Commanding Officer
New Darwin Colony
"Everything fits, otherwise we will make it fit."