Lest We Forget

 Episode Name:  Lest We Forget...

   Written By:  Edwards, Poole, Idisha, Takamura, Vota, and Morrison

         Cast:  Blair, Claness, Coiseos, Edwards, Haven, Idisha, Idrani, K'net-mauri, 

                Lightfoot, Loerd, McNamee, Mira, Morrison, Nevaren, Poole, Serendis, 

                Takamura, Tibbs, Vota and Zian.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Starfleet

     Aired On:  Sat Oct 26 23:57:30 2002

     Stardate:  52734.7

Time: Sat Oct 26 21:56:44 2002

Stardate: 52734.5

Edwards strides inside purposefully, a man on a mission, and glances around at those that have already arrived quietly.

Vota considers a brief moment then makes her way slowly over toward a bench to take a seat. She sits down carefully and folds her hands in her lap.

Takamura passes through the hedge from the Observation Garden.

Takamura has arrived.

Vota sits down on Bench 1.

Zian passes through the hedge from the Observation Garden.

Zian has arrived.

Serendis passes through the hedge from the Observation Garden.

Serendis has arrived.

Blair passes through the hedge from the Observation Garden.

Blair has arrived.

Serendis passes through the hedge into the mall.

Serendis has left.

Lightfoot sits down on Bench 2.

Loerd sits quietly as she looks around.

K'net-mauri is grave-faced and very formal in ostentacious Romulan robes. He walks in very slowly and moves to stand at the back of the assembly with solemn attention.

Poole nods to Edwards as he enters, taking a step or so towards him. "Evening, sir," she says softly, unable to really manage a smile of greeting.

Zian makes her way quietly through the garden, the medals pinned on her dress uniform clinking softly as she moves. Finally, she arrives at an empty bench and sits, trying very hard to keep her face blank.

Zian sits down on Bench 3.

Takamura passes through the hedge into the mall.

Takamura has left.

Blair slips in quietly, lightly tugging at his own dress uniform and rolling his shoulder slightly, then moving to stand along the fringes of the assembly, hands settling softly behind his back.

Mira passes through the hedge from the Observation Garden.

Mira has arrived.

Edwards comes to a stop when Poole approaches him. "Leftenant." he greets, "How are you doing?"

Takamura passes through the hedge from the Observation Garden.

Takamura has arrived.

Idisha passes through the hedge from the Observation Garden.

Idisha has arrived.

Serendis passes through the hedge from the Observation Garden.

Serendis has arrived.

"I'm an orphan," Poole replies, her expression unchanging. "I wanted to ask you something though... just for my own peace."

Loerd frowns a bit.

Edwards only allows the slightest of frowns, otherwise keeping his emotions in check, and nods slowly, "Of course."

Morrison passes through the hedge from the Observation Garden.

Morrison has arrived.

. o O Loerd thinks "I wonder if command will reconsider my idea for a weapon now..."

Takamura enters the garden wearing his dress uniform. He appears to be summoning all his strength to look stoic. Silently, he moves over to the side and stands there at parade rest.

Loerd looks thoughtful for a moment.

Idisha enters the gardens with Serendis at his side. Bearing a somber mood about him, one can tell two distinct things about his presence. Today, he comes not as a Starfleet officer. But as a member of keth Idisha and a master smith. He honors the dead as warriors who have given the ultimate sacrifice in the defense of freedom. As such, he bears his hrisal upon a baldric that dangles to his left. Finding an out of the way place to stand, he waits for the official beginning.

Loerd shakes her head a bit and sighs.

"Did you take a basic or advanced tactics course with a Commander Poole at the Academy?" Poole asks, eyes searching Edwards'.

Mira wanders into the garden, her eyes taking in its beauty for the first time, but her mood is unusually solemn, her hair just a shade less restrained than usual. She takes a quiet place in the back to watch the proceedings.

Edwards shakes his head at that and responds, "I didn't, I'm afraid."

Coiseos passes through the hedge from the Observation Garden.

Coiseos has arrived.

Idisha conceals his Tricorder.

Idisha conceals his PADD.

Idisha conceals his Combadge.

"How fortunate for you..." Poole says with a faint grin, her gaze falling away from the XO. "Will we all have a chance to say something, sir?"

Zian turns her gaze toward the black vastness of space beyond the immense viewport, the stars reflected in her dark, dark eyes. Her lower lip trembles slightly, but she bites it softly, trying to keep ahold of her composure.

Edwards replies, "I don't see why we can't allow those that wish to to say something." After a quick glance around, he states, "I should probably do something official now. If you'll excuse me, Gwen..."

. o O Mira feels tired, so very tired, and sad, like a part of her is missing.

"Of course, Michael," Poole replies, stepping back from him. She raises her head, stands straight and keeps that solemn expression on her face.

. o O Zian feels drained and empty, and very, very alone.

Edwards nods and heads further inside, making his way over the free bench, so he can climb up onto it and look down at everyone. "If I could have everyone's attention, please." he calls out, making sure people know that he's about to speak.

Vota looks up from the various flowers she had been glancing at and gives her full attention to Edwards.

Zian stands and leaves Bench 3.

Zian rises as Edwards climbs onto the bench, standing stiff and straight as she turns her gaze toward him.

Idisha shifts from his out-of-the-way mien to giving Edwards his full attention.

Takamura turns to face Edwards, maintaining his stiff posture.

Lightfoot stands and leaves Bench 2.

K'net-mauri remains standing behind the group, but turns a little to face Edwards, the purple rook's sheen on his garment changing with the minor motion. He fixes a solemn dark-eyed attention on Edwards.

Lightfoot stands as Edwards begins his speach.

Haven passes through the hedge from the Observation Garden.

Haven has arrived.

. o O Mira thinks "I shouldn't be here. I'm as much a stranger to most of these men and women as the Ambassador is."

Edwards starts to speak after a moment. "Yesterday, the Breen Confederacy, having recently allied with the Dominion, launched an attack on the very heart of the Federation. A fleet of three-hundred Breen vessels, using cloaking devices, approached the Third Fleet's outer-defense perimeter at Neptune and attacked. Before the battle ended, the Breen had demolished the Mars Defense Perimeter, destroyed one-hundred and thirty-nine Starfleet vessels, and killed thirty-two thousand and five-hundred Starfleet personnel. And then they proceed to Earth." He pauses there a moment.

Zian closes her eyes as Edwards describes the battle, her head bowing.

Haven steps in and falls back against the wall nearest the doors. Her eyes tighten and her face pales more as Michael speaks.

. o O Mira projects "Now is really not the time."

Idisha keeps his head high and face stoic. He will face the challenge put forth by their enemies. And he will face it with a grim determination.

Mira closes her eyes, the details hitting her hard.

Takamura takes several deep breaths as he clenches his hands behind his back.

Tibbs slips in, joining Haven by her side, with a morose smile as he reaches over to squeeze her shoulder.

. o O Mira feels a tumult of fear, anger, and despair, link a sinking pit in her stomach.

Poole 's jaw twitches once, but remains head held high. At her sides, her hands clench into fists, her eyes not wavering from Edwards as she continues to listen. Forces herself to listen.

Vota keeps a rather neutral expression. Her hands folded in her lap, she calmly listens as Edwards recounts the details of the horrific attack.

Loerd stares out a viewport.

K'net-mauri stands motionless and straight, his eyes clear and cold.

Lightfoot frowns trying to putt all the info together.

"Upon reaching Earth, the Breen deployed atmospheric crafts and began orbital bombardment, focusing their attention on four major cities." Edwards goes in, his features impassive, "San Francisco, where they destroyed large parts of Starfleet Headquarters, Starfleet Academy, Federation Hall and even toppled the Golden Gate Bridge. They also used tectonic weapons to devestate the entire Pacific coast of North America. Paris, where they completely destroyed Empyrean House, although the President thankfully was able to escape, and destroyed the Eiffel Tower and the Arc de Triumphe. In Beijing and New York City, well... that's where we see what type of beings we're facing. They deliberately focused their weapons on civilian targets, intent on raising the death toll. The latest casualty estimates have been lowered from twenty-five million across the planet, but are still over twenty million. Three-fourths of the planet is without power even now."

Serendis stands silently by Idisha, arms crossed and tucked into opposing sleeves of her robe.

Zian slowly sinks down onto the bench behind her, burying her face in her hands.

. o O Zian thinks "By the Four Deities... it--it's like Betazed all over again..."

. o O Idisha is clearly stunned by the events at hand. Still, he is determined not to show weakness in the face of adversity. The Breen shall pay. This much is certain.

Takamura exhales slowly as he desperately attemps to maintain his composure.

Haven sucks in a breath, her hand capturing Tibbs in her own. She holds the breath as long as she can then lets it out in a rush.

Mira folds her hands behind her, squeezing them tightly as every word assails her and her eyes close tighter.

Zian sits down on Bench 3.

. o O Mira thinks "I won't cry. Not in front of the crew. It's not what he would have wanted."

A tremor passes along Poole's frame and then is gone as if it hadn't happened. She blinks once, as if to clear her eyes, then continues to listen to Edwards.

Edwards gives everyone a moment to assimilate that information. "Those of you that are familiar with Earth and Federation history are aware that this is the first time in history that Earth has been assaulted from space." he states, "And it will be the last time. The First Fleet, out of Alpha Centauri, arrived shortly after the bombardment of the planet's surface, destroying over two-hundred of their ships and forcing the rest to retreat. Alpha Centauri is now the site of the temporary capital of the Federation, and the President is on his way there. This fight isn't over yet, not by a long shot. The Breen and their Dominion allies launched this attack for one simple reason: they want to break us. They think that hitting Earth, our capital, one of the founding members of our Federation, and a planet widely considered to be paradise, will make us lose the will to fight. They will see that they were wrong. This is why we cannot ever forget those that lost their lives on Earth, so we can avenge them. Our enemies care nothing about the quality of life, creating soldiers and throwing their lives away to try and stop us. But we do. They thought that would be our weakness, but we will show them that it's our strength. We will not forget this, and we won't let them forget their mistake, either."

. o O Idisha seems to key in on Edwards words and his resolve strengthens to that of tempered duranium. Yes. The Breen /will/ pay. There is no other concern. Promotion, honor, any other concern than doing his job to better make Starfleet capable of returning the blow are now secondary concerns. If concerns at all.

Daggers appear in Takamura's eyes. No, he won't let the Breen forget their grievous miscalculation. He nods slowly in agreement with Edwards.

Idisha simply remains imapssive to the scene. Though the perceptive might notice a growing tension in his face and a deepening of his rich cobalt skin.

Zian attempts to pull herself together, straightening up and raising her head to look at Edwards, but she does not stand.

Mira draws her eyes open, listening intently to the man's words and standing dutifully in the back. The moistness framing her eyes, however, betrays the emotions raging underneath her well-trained surface.

McNamee stands in the back... and has been there the whole time, really... listening.

. o O Mira thinks "How could they do this? Why? Why does it always lead to more killing, more pain?"

Lightfoot seems to just stare out into space.

"Damn right they won't." Haven says, venom in her tone. Everyone is thinking it so why not actually say it? She crosses her arms over her chest, seeming to forget Ty's hand is in hers.

Tibbs hurriedly disentangles his arm, lest he end up faceplanted in Haven's goodies. Not that he'd mind that.

Serendis glances to Idisha breifly and sidesteps closer, pulling her hands free of her robe and dropping them to her sides. Only those watching would see her slip her hand into his, so slight is the movement.

Idisha gently squeezes Serendis' hand. His head lowering almost imperceptibly.

Vota's jaw tightens slightly as she keeps her attention completely on Edwards.

Edwards decides to wrap things up, saying, "We all probably lost someone in the attack. Whether they be relative, friend, teacher, or even just acquaintance. And I know that... my heart goes out to all of you who lost someone close." A pause. "We shall remember them." He inhales a deep breath and releases it slowly, "Those of you that wish to speak will be allowed to. First, Leftenant Poole?" He climbs down from the bench and looks to her.

Having become a bit lost in her own thoughts, Poole stirs when she hears her name, looking from Edwards to the newly appeared Anomaly, then back again. She nods, "I just wanted to share two quotes my father was rather fond of... One perhaps to lend some comfort to all of those hurting, and the other, perhaps to stir that defiant freedom-loving spirit that resides within all Federation citizens, and most especially, perhaps, characteristically, in humans."

Edwards nods at that and clasps his hands behind his back, "Please do, Leftenant."

Pausing for a few moments of silence, Poole recites from memory, speaking loud enough that her voice carries throughout the garden. "To everything there is a season, a time for every purpose under the sun. A time to be born and a time to die; a time to plant and a time to pluck up that which is planted; a time to kill and a time to heal ... a time to weep and a time to laugh; a time to mourn and a time to dance ... a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to lose and a time to seek; a time to rend and a time to sew; a time to keep silent and a time to speak; a time to love and a time to hate;

a time for war and a time for peace." Her voice begins to distort with emotion as she finishes, and she grits her teeth, and says, "Nearly four hundred and fifty years ago, a famous englishman once spoke to the House of Commons about the certain invasion his country faced at the hands of a brutal tyrant. 'We shall fight on the beaches. We shall fight on the landing grounds. We shall fight in the fields, and in the streets, we shall fight in the hills. We shall never surrender.' And we won't. They will /not/ win."

As Poole finishes, she nods to Edwards. Her eyes begin to glisten and before she loses control of her emotions, the training officer walks away, off further into the garden.

Idisha squeezes Serendis' hand once more before letting it go and stepping forward. Looking to Edwards, he speaks. His baritone carrying softly. "If I may, Commander?"

Haven sniffs softly and leans her lips to Tibbs ear.

Edwards watches Poole walk away and releases a quiet sigh. "Mr... Idisha." he replies, as he turns to regard the Andorian officer, "You may."

Haven whispers to Tibbs, "I can't .... just .. can't."

Zian tries her best to put on a brave face as she folds her arms tightly across her chest and listens to the speakers, looking about as sad and alone as she quite likely feels.

Tibbs smiles wryly to Loni, leaning over to whisper something to her.

Tibbs whispers to Haven, "How about we go up together?""

Haven pushes off the wall, nods to his words, ducks her head, and walks calmly out of the gardens, hands fisted at her sides.

Haven passes through the hedge into the mall.

Haven has left.

Loerd closes her eyes.

Idisha steps forward and up onto the bench where Edwards made his announcements. Turning to face the crowd, he draws himself up into the semblance of an Andorian warrior. When he speaks, his rich baritone projects over the crowd with the skill of an orator. "Many of you know me. And a few of you do not. I will not pretend to know your sorrow for that is for you and your families to bear. But let it be known that you bear it not alone. The Andorian people are warriors. Whatever our trade, our desires, our loves, and our woes, we are warriors. And we stand beside our allies. Many years ago, before the founding of the Federation, the first meeting between humans and Andorians was at once cautious and rejoicing. For the ship we met was the Challenger. A name that has forever marked the memories of humans in Andorian culture. We have watched you rise to every challenge. To surpass and overcome. And you shall again. Despite the depths to which the Breen have sunk in the waters of hell, you shall surface. Tested. Tried. The heat of your passions forged anew into a keen blade. And that blade's name shall be vengeance. Andor stands beside you as I, Thaal'vor of the keth Idisha, stand beside you." Pausing a moment to let his words disperse into silence before stepping off of the bench and returning once more to Serendis' side.

Tibbs slips away quietly.

Tibbs passes through the hedge into the mall.

Tibbs has left.

Vota rises from her seat and turns to Edwards, "If I may, sir?" She waits quietly after her request is voiced.

Idrani passes through the hedge from the Observation Garden.

Idrani has arrived.

Edwards listens to Idisha's words and, once he's finished, nods to him, "Thank you." When he hears Vota's request, he turns toward her, and responds, "Go ahead."

Blair emerges from the crowd near Zian, stopping near her with a few steps and gently resting one hand on her shoulder with a light squeeze.

Serendis smiles at Idisha as he returns, a quiet look of understanding passed to him. Her hands are tucked back into the sleeves of her robe once again.

Vota rises and clears her throat before addressing the assembled officers, "Having been born and growing up on a Federation station, I've always felt a keen connection to both the Federation and Earth. I was fortunate in this regard, my family was not on Earth, but still I feel the pain of this dreadful attack. The Earth and the Federation are known for their strength in adversity. While we grieve for our dead, we can bring them honor by ending this brutal war, not out of vengeance or hatred, but simply in recognition that war has no true winners. This event will undoubtedly be spoke of for centuries to come as one of the most cowardly slaughters in the history of this galaxy. Let our passion over the fallen guide us to victory in battle and in the end the true victory that these victims should have known, peace." With that the Bolian retakes her seat on a bench.

Idrani steps into the gardens. As the proceedings are already underway, she remains quiet and stays toward the back of the gathering, listening.

Zian almost leaps up from her seat when Blair touches her shoulder, but manages to keep it together, glancing back over her shoulder and reaching up to gratefully touch his hand with her own. Letting out a heavy, weary sigh, she leans back against him and closes her eyes for a few moments.

Takamura slowly marches forward toward the bench, each step calculated. He sharply turns to Edwards. "Permission to speak, sir."

Poole continues to wander away from the gathering, approaching the viewport. She stumbles the last few steps and puts her hands flat on the glass, eyes uncontrollably tearing up.

Edwards listens to Vota speak, and when she finishes, says, "Thank you, Ensign." His attention turns to Takamura now, and he nods to the RRT officer, "Granted."

Nevaren passes through the hedge from the Observation Garden.

Nevaren has arrived.

Claness passes through the hedge from the Observation Garden.

Claness has arrived.

Nevaren passes through the hedge into the mall.

Nevaren has left.

Claness walks in and does his best to be "one of the crowd". He spies Idrani and moves to stand next to her.

The large Asian officer takes his place on the bench and faces the audience. His face as solid as rock. "Ladies and Gentlemen, my fellow officers, we have been struck a very deep blow. However, as many times past in Human history we shall arise like the phoenix to assume our proper place in the galaxy. I would like us all now to observe a moment of silence to commemorate our Federation family." He pauses, presses his hands together palms touching and gives a deep bow. After a minute, he stands straight again. "Thank you." He then steps off the bench and marches back to his place in the crowd.

Serendis leans over to whisper quietly to Idisha, Serendis whispers to Idisha, "I need to check on Theel'zin. I'll see you back at the Lodge."

Idrani tilts her head slightly, hearing Claness approach. She gives him a nod and a little smile.

Serendis passes through the hedge into the mall.

Serendis has left.

Morrison looks from the assembled group to Edwards, and raises her hand.

Edwards murmurs, "Thank you, Mr. Takamura." When he spots Morrison's hand, he motions for her to come on over.

Morrison climbs up on the bench, and looks at the assembled crowd of mourners. She sees sorrow, anger, and loss, in some measure, upon every face. She takes a deep breath, and then begins to speak in the perfect quiet. "I am from Alpha Centauri IV. But like most or all assembled here, I had known people on Earth. Classmates, from years ago. Instructors. Friends at the Academy. Shipmates that we, sadly, will never serve with again.

Morrison says, "I am sure that many of you here feel a sense of loss. But this isnt just a story of a deeply felt personal loss. This is an entire /world./ Can any of us know the untold dreams of people, just going about their normal lives, until quenched by our enemies? They are dead now. Their dreams are gone, burned up, totally, and their essence has has passed into the air of San Francisco, Paris, and other cities of Earth we have all heard about. Their domain is now the sky, a step closer to the infinite. Floating free, in the clouds, in the very air, with a new freedom that we, the duty-bound, cannot know, or comprehend."

Morrison says, "It is comforting for us to think that their deaths are not an ending...but only a transformation, and that they will be waiting to welcome us, when we each leave this life. We have access to the greatest technology in the galaxy, but how little we really know of where we come from, or where we go, or the dimensions of existence that lie beyond."

Morrison says, "We are but each just a grain of sand on the edge of the cosmic shore of existence. Our galaxy is merely a pebble on the endless beaches of an infinite ocean that is the Universe."

Morrison says, "I hope, with all my heart, that there is a merciful Higher Power, God, and something beyond. Whether it be in the form of reincarnation, Heaven, the Black Fleet, the Road to the Stars, or the Shangri-La where old friends and loved ones will meet again."

Morrison says, "Whatever the case, let us wish them all a peaceful journey, whatever their final destination. Let us all remember them each day in our hearts, as we avenge each and every one of those most precious individual lives lost at the hands of our enemies."

Morrison turns, looks to Edwards, and simply nods. She steps down.

Zian bites her lip as she sits there, quietly listening and leaning against Blair for support. Finally, she just can't keep it together anymore, and she rises, hurriedly pushing her way through the crowd.

Poole 's hands slowly slip down the viewport's glass and she sinks to the ground, hands dropping into her lap. She squints through her tears, desperately searching for the star she knows is home.

Blair blinks as Zian whisks out, lips pressing together thinly, and he moves after her, murmuring soft apologies.

Zian stands and leaves Bench 3.

Zian passes through the hedge into the mall.

Zian has left.

Blair passes through the hedge into the mall.

Blair has left.

. o O Claness thinks "These poor people. The war finally has come home."

Edwards retakes his former spot on the bench and looks out upon those that are still gathered. "Thank you all for coming, especially those that spoke. This isn't easy, not for any of us, but together, we will will pull through." he remarks. "Please, feel free to mingle, perhaps share some memories about those that have been lost." That said, he comes back down from the bench, leaving it at that.