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color=#000000 size=2 face=Arial><EM>~Captain's Ready Room~</EM></DIV>
<DIV>
<DIV>
<BLOCKQUOTE
style="BORDER-LEFT: blue 2px solid; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px">
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> Da'nak pulled he stopper on a bottle of
translucent blue liquid and poured a small amount into a tiny metal flask
which sat on the desk before him. He had just finished speaking with star
fleet and after an assessment of Yorktown's condition, she had been ordered to
return to earth for a complete refit and upgrade. He knew that was what the
crew needed. After the battle with the Andorian renegades and the subsequent
destruction of the Romulan shipyard, both vessel and crew had earned a well
deserved rest.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> His antennae leaned forward as his eyes focused
on the picture he held in his hand, the last surviving memory that he had been
able to salvage from the Yorktown that was, before the misadventure of the
Brit-verse, before Alex... before everything. The picture showed two blue
faced children laughing as they piloted a small recreational ice cutter across
a long floe.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> Da'nak's hand reached out and touched the comm
button.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>"Crew of the Yorktown, this is Commander Ca'daar acting CO." He paused.
"My friends... Through great sacrifice and perseverance, we have managed to
deal a major blow to the war effort of the Romulan empire. I want to commend
all of you on your performance and courage in the face of one of our toughest
battles. In the face of what has been one of our roughest challenges, the
Fighting Lady and her crew are again bloodied... but unbroken. It has been a
great personal pleasure to have served with each and every one of you. Your
dedication and commitment to this vessel knows no limits.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> That being said, I have been in contact with Star
Fleet and it appears that there is currently a battle being fought at Cheron,
between the Romulans and the forces of a united coalition of planets, just as
there was here. The outcome of this battle is still unknown at this time, but
feel comforted in the knowledge that what we have done here may help decide
it's course.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> I know many of you would like to lend more
tangible support to our forces, but due to the current state of both the crew
and our vessel, the Fighting Lady has been ordered to return to earth, there
to undergo a complete refit. I have recommended commendations for the entire
crew embodiment of both Yorktown and Intrepid. Star Fleet sends it's deepest
thanks and congratulations on a job well done, as I am told, does the Andorian
Imperial council. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> We will continue to make what repairs we can
while we make best speed for Earth. Intrepid I am told is to accompany us in
the off chance we have any more hostile encounters on the way. Again, well
done. I am proud and honored to serve with such a crew... Ca'daar out."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> Da'nak took the picture and placed it into a
small wooden box he had bought on Risa, to remind him of the adventure there
with Alex, and to remind him of the folly of wishes. He then placed the small
metallic flask on top of the picture and closed it, binding it with a piece of
his shredded Imperial Guard uniform. The Andorian sat for a moment in
meditation,before scooping up the box and exiting onto the bridge. He was
greeted with a round of salutes.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> "Stand down, stand down." He said wearily.
"Crewman Jacobs,"</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> "Yes sir?"</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> "Begin preparations for a memorial ceremony to
honor the fallen, to be held in the galley. Have medical prepare you a
list."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> "Aye sir. Where can we contact you sir."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> Da'nak smiled a sad smile, his antennae waving
slowly back and forth. "I'm going for a walk, contact me over the comm."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> "Aye aye sir."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> Nodding, Da'nak slipped out the door and into the
lift.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>~Sometime later, the Ruins of the Observation Deck~</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> A figure in an EVA suit moved slowly through the
remains of the aft observation lounge. The heavy bulkhead doors were sealed
and the wide glass-steel panes had been shattered, leaving the whole area open
to space. He trudged slowly forward, still carrying the small wooden
box.</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> Da'nak stopped at the shattered window and stared
out at the stars as they flashed by. </DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> "This had always been our dream." He said aloud
to no one. "You and I K'den, we had sat under the stars on the surface and
dreamed of being able to touch them... of watching them pass by."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> He unwrapped the box and withdrew the vial.
Taking a deep breath he held it up, offering it to the twinkling void. "I have
none of your blood to take back with me brother, but perhaps we can share one
last drink." He opened his hand and the vial tumbled slowly out of it,
floating off. "To the realization of a dream." He said, tears welling in his
eyes. "You have become one with the universe, free to fly wherever you will."
</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> He looked at the picture one last time... a
captured moment when he and K'den were happy and safe and content, a time when
war was still a child's game. The tears flowed freely down his azure cheeks as
he rewrapped the box and held it out, to float off into the blackness.
"Goodbye my brother." He said simply. "I will miss you... Tell our mother that
I love her."</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV> He stood still for a time, watching the box and
vial drift away, alone in his thoughts before finally climbing out of the
shattered room and making his way back to the airlock...</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV>Andorian Commander Da'nak Ca'daar</DIV>
<DIV>Executive and Chief Helm Officer</DIV>
<DIV>NX-05 Yorktown</DIV>
<DIV>The Fighting Lady</DIV>
<DIV> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT lang=0 size=2 face=Arial FAMILY="SANSSERIF" PTSIZE="10"><BR><EM>The
future's not set and the end is always near...<BR>-The Doors<BR>-Roadhouse
Blues</EM></FONT></DIV></FONT><BR><BR><EM>_______________________________________________<BR>yorktown-firstera.net
mailing
list<BR>yorktown-firstera.net@lists.firstera.net<BR>http://lists.firstera.net/listinfo.cgi/yorktown-firstera.net<BR></EM></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></FONT></DIV></FONT></BODY></HTML>