A Moment to Gather Strength

 Episode Name:  A Moment to Gather Strength

   Written By:  Daedalus

         Cast:  Arzt, Balin, Caeli, Casya, Channa, Daedalus, Dakin, Donavon, Edwards, Foster, Ghorev, Green, 
                Harris, Hurley, Jiasha, Jolvan, K'net-mauri, King, Kran'dok, Krylow, Laco, Lanie, Leres, 
                Lopez, McKenna, McTiernan, Milosevic, Nabrun, Nilee, O'Rielly, Randal, Rivers, Torin, 
                Turtledove, Vimes and Yoshi.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Daedalus

     Aired On:  Tue Apr 12 21:37:57 2005

     Stardate:  54892.1

Time: Tue Apr 12 19:39:19 2005

Stardate: 54891.9

Milosevic comes into the garden through the hedge.

Milosevic has arrived.

Foster enters quietly, dressed to the nines in his dress uniform, including the Medal of Valor. Still, he looks sad, even haunted, here almost because he has to be, not because he wants to be.

Ghorev turns from his vantage point near the viewport, arms folded behind his back, to take a step forward and cast a glance over the swiftly gathering crowd.

Casya comes into the garden through the hedge.

Casya has arrived.

Yoshi waits near the entry, watching as more and more people file in. He gives his lips a nervous lick, and wanders over to Donavon's side. "Good evening, Meg." he murmurs softly, not wanting to be a disturbance in such a silent crowd.

Lanie carries a small child, a little ten-month-old that's all wispy blonde curls and white lace dress. She doesn't seem to be aware of much more than Foster and the baby. Her face is drawn and a little pale, and it looks like she may have been crying earlier but tries to hide it. "Do you see somewhere we can sit? Anastasia's getting heavy," she murmurs to Foster.

Vimes hustles his way into the gardens, heading towards Caeli to get a seat with him. Letting out a breath, he nods to the duty officer before turning to look at the head of the layout.

Donavon warmly welcomes Mister Kusanagi by way of a silent gesture to join the aisle. "Evening," she whispers and softly smiles before directing sights to Torin, Foster and Lanie.

Dakin steps into the rebuilt garden, giving both the foliage and the crowd a brief once-over. Cop instincts. Not easily shaken off, even on such an occasion. But he does shake it off, remembering why everyone's here tonight, and searches for a seat.

Balin steps in, dressed in his dress uniform, and makes his way over toward the front to stand beside Ghorev. He tugs at the base of the jacket and gives a respectful nod to his first officer.

Milosevic walks into the Garden, a hand running along one of the new bulkheads he installed the night before. He smiles to himself as he wanders over to a chair along the midsection of the block of seats. Not a memorial for anyone her knew, but the passing of any of Starfleet is an occasion to mourn and remember.

. o O Lanie feels like she'd rather be somewhere else.

Caeli slips into the garden, looking around at those assembled before Vimes completes his ambush. He offers the human a nod. "Let's go find a spot with the Chief," he suggests, heading Dakin's way.

Randal arrives, wearing a formal suit that doesn't seem to fit him, at least on a psychological level. He walks over to the gathering crowd, though he takes up a periphery position, not specifically intent on standing near anyone else apparantly.

K'net-mauri steps in, looking ostentatious in his purple-black formal robes. He doesn't sit, but stands near the back.

Casya steps quietly into the garden, clad all in black. She moves quietly to a place off to the side, her expression solemn.

King moves over to the edge of the crowd, looking a little out of place in the sea of dress uniforms. He lowers his head as he takes a seat at the very back, not wanting to get spotted to easily.

Kran'dok follows the Ambassador in. The Romulan keeps his mouth shut and aviods looking directly at anyone else for fear of causing a scene. He wears his normal uniform and a somber, serious expression.

Vimes nods and follows after the Bolian, ducking a little so as not to get in the way of anyone's view.

. o O King thinks, "I wish they could have waited till this. I wanted to wear my dress uniform to this."

Ghorev returns Balin's nod with one of his own, and a few quiet words. Ghorev whispers to Balin, "You would think that this part of the job would get easier with time. But it never does, does it?"

McKenna makes his way in, through the crowd, dressed to the nines like most every other Starfleet officer here. He wanders until he finds a suitable group of those he knows to stand near.

. o O King feels sad of the loss of people he called friends.

Arzt comes into the garden through the hedge.

Arzt has arrived.

Foster considers the question for a long moment, head tracing over the quickly filling garden. Still, he is distracted, and perhaps doesn't notice any as quickly as he might. "The..." Foster pauses as the set of seats he was looking at get filled. "Ther..." And it happens again.

Nabrun settles in next to Green and Krylow, somewhere toward the middle of things. She's in dress uniform, expression composed, though with a hint of sadness.

Balin shakes his head at Ghorev's words. "No," he says. "It never does." He turns to solemnly face the congregated officers.

. o O Lanie thinks, "You shed your tears. They wouldn't want you to cry. For Anastasia's sake, don't lose it here. You're an officer. Stiff upper chin, like dad used-- stop crying!"

Lopez falls in the with rest, in place, but paying more attention to the fore of the gathering than its body. Standing in place, she adjusts her stance, feet should-space and hands clasped behind her.

Yoshi gives his head a slight tilt at the sound of heels clicking along the floor, and turns his head. He sees Casya take her place, and gives a small nod to Meg. "Excuse me..." he whispers, and slowly threads his way across the garden towards Casya. Nearing her, he offers a small bow of his head. He opens his mouth, as if to greet her, but the sorrow she gives off stifles his words. He stands close by her side, quietly.

Torin returns a smile at Meg, raising a hand to waggle it in greetings. And then he pauses and spends his time peering towards Lanie, he raises fingers wiggling them at the child, and veritably bounces on his feet watching the little girl brightly as he makes his way towards Kait and Foster and smiles brightly, "Hello you two, so this is the new disposal unit?" He asks lightly apparantly without the proper grimness for the serious occasion, rather he's quite beaming.

Dakin finds himself an aisle seat, but moves to one two seasts down once he sees Caeli and Vimes heading his way. "Here you go. Good to see you both."

. o O Kran'dok feels very uncomfortable.

Ghorev says, quietly, in response to Balin, "I suppose it was too much to ask that it would." But then he turns his face from his commanding officer to the assembled crowd. "Your attention, everyone, please! Our senior officers front and center to the stand with us."

Hurley glances around at the sea of white, then down to her duty uniform and around again slowly. Quietly, nonchalantly, she slides down in her seat in an attempt to hide from the commotion.

. o O Kran'dok thinks, "There are way too many people here. No way could I protect the Ambassador from all of them, not to mention the fact that I hate crowds."

McTiernan stands off to one side of the chairs and podium, looking washed out in the pressed dress whites. Standing at parade rest, hands tucked tightly into the small of her back, her gaze turns on Balin and Ghorev and remains there.

Lanie's got the wiggly chin I-am-not-crying thing going, but she uses Anastasia's frilly dress to try and hide it, leaning in to kiss the girl on her head. Anastasia starts to giggle merrily, playing with Lanie's uniform, but then quiets down and looks around, watching Torin approach. "Yeah," Lanie says in response. "Anastasia," she adds on the tail end of Ghorev's call for attention.

Caeli offers Dakin a nod as he slides into the row. "Same to you, Rann. You're looking shiny."

King is sitting in the very back. He lowers his head, looking at the ground. He looks up when Ghorev starts talking.

Casya looks up from her silent musings as Yoshi approaches, offering her friend a wan smile. "I'm really growing to hate these damn memorials." she murmurs softly.

Vimes settles into the aisle seat, leaving Caeli to sit between him and Dakin as they get to where the security chief was at, but sure enough, he gets right back up to let the man out so he can move up to the front.

Donavon nods quietly to Yoshi but stands slightly to gain Foster's and Lanie's attention. A faint amused and fond grin surfaces when watching Torin with the baby. Sadness kicks in but she holds herself together with pride and snaps to attention. Pivot, her heels click sharply together and she focuses on her superiors up front.

Ghorev waits for the attention he has requested, and for the assemblage of the senior officers, likewise as requested. He himself is now at attention, waiting, brow furrowed.

"Got one," Foster says. "Follow me. Heya, Mo." And then Foster is off, hustling in the direction of where he can find three seats in a row. One for himself, one for Lanie, and a third to spread baby supplies out on, and possibly baby as well.

Dakin nods to Caeli, "Yeah, looks that wa..." He then hears Ghorev's order and rises from his seat. "I'll catch up with you two later. Thanks, John." He heads down the aisle and brings himself to attention before Ghorev and Balin. "Captain, Commander, reporting as ordered."

Yoshi nods to Casya. "I can imagine, with all of your losses. I'm sorry." he murmurs softly, and gives her shoulder a brief, but warm pat. He hears the call for attention, and quiets, turning to look at the Commander.

Milosevic waves for Hurley's attention from his seat, surrounded for the moment by empty chairs. His dress uniform spotless and looks like it was just unpacked from airtight storage, and since he has only been on station two days, chances are it was. As the XO speaks, he looks that direction, remaining silent.

Laco tosses his arm over the back of the seat beside him, and settles in.

Arzt quietly meanders her way over to Torin, being sure to quickly find her place. She gives a shy smile to Torin and then gives her attention to the senior officers.

Turtledove walks in, as the senior officers make their way to the front. She slows, to stand at the back, blending in with the Romulans, and others located there.

Caeli lets Dakin slip out, and resumes his previous seat. Raises his brows a bit towards Vimes, then shrugs once, and settles down.

K'net-mauri glances at Turtledove, scarecely moving to do so. He seems displeased.

Casya straightens a bit as she turns her attention toward the front, all expression falling away as her gaze lands upon Ghorev, waiting to see what he'll say next.

Kran'dok does his best to stand to the side of and behind the Ambassador, trying not to draw attention to himself as he scans the crowd.

Torin flashes another bright smile at Kait, "She's beautiful. And she looks very happy." He offers a nod at Foster as well, and studies the baby for a few moments longer. Unable to stop smiling it seems, it continues as he sees Arzt arrive, nearby. He seems about to speak, but stays quiet as the Commander calls turning towards the front joining the other ranks of officers facing forward at attention.

Channa edgers her way towards the Romulan, Ambassador she's fond of K'net, even if she's not his guard. "Hello sir. " She says softly, "Mind me standing here, seems the place is full but I can't see a single person I know. "

Rivers stiffens to full parade rest at Ghorev's command for attention. It's a reflexive thing, that. Standing at the back near the entrance as she is, she slides a glance toward the Romulans and Turtledove nearby and then edges over a few feet so she can see over the heads of the seated people.

Lanie falls in with Foster after flashing a smile to Torin, quiet and rushing as best she can to gain the seats Foster's found before they're gone. She sits quickly and puts Anastasia on her lap, shaking out an arm a little.

K'net-mauri lifts a brow at Channa and smiles humourlessly. "Of course not," he says quietly. "Stand where you please."

Somehow even more solemn than usual, Tay Green comes out of a bit of reverie at the Commander's call for attention, focusing her attention on the senior officers up front. She does glance sideways toward Barana Nabrun, giving her a simple nod.

Edwards comes into the garden through the hedge.

Edwards has arrived.

. o O Kran'dok feels uncomfortable and annoyed.

Randal also glances over at Turtledove as finds a place, though he acknowledges her with a small, sad smile and a quiet nod before returning his attention to the focus of the ceremony.

. o O Lanie thinks, "I /did/ remember to bring tissues, right? Yes. Yes, in the bag."

Krylow simply remains both still and quiet, watching the senior officers with a steady, focused gaze. Given both of his companions are quiet as well, he doesn't seem the least bit interested in talking.

King runs a finger over his nose, and his face goes blank, but his eyes don't. Those eyes that can convey so much fill with pain and loss. He remains quiet for now, bundling his emotion inside.

Balin gestures for Dakin to stand beside him and Ghorev. He does the same to Edwards when he spots the man coming in - late.

. o O King thinks, "Stay strong, I have to be strong."

Dakin nods once and falls in line alongside the captain and X.O. He remains silent and still, but his eyes scan the entire room.

Edwards strolls into the garden swiftly, befitting his fashionable lateness. Yeah, that's it. Upon noting the gesture from Balin, he hurries in that direction, doing his best not to look too embarrassed. It works... some. He nods to the Captain and quietly takes up a stance near him.

. o O Channa feels confused and saddness, before shutting it all off.

Foster, having managed to save the required chairs in time for his wife to arrive with the cutest blonde child in the sector, Foster lapses back into the study of neutrality that he was when he arrived. He doesn't look like he much wants to be here.

Ghorev lets a glare fall on those who have not, as requested, fallen silent at this point, a brief show of displeasure. And then continues, "As I hope all of you are aware, and remain mindful of, we are here tonight to honor those who could not be here to honor themselves. We are here tonight to commemorate the great and terrible losses we took on 19 March, and in the events both preceding and following that day. We are here, in short, to lay the dead to rest, and then, as sentients often do, to take comfort in our shared memories of them, to while away the hours of conversation that will come when the pomp and circumstance is done telling stories of this Ensign, or that merchant, or that Lieutenant who once upon a time made us laugh, or smile, or weep, or appreciate home."

Turtledove's eyes shift around the garden, curious. She gives Randal a small smile, then returns to watching after he turns around.

Casya struggles to maintain her blank expression as she sees Edwards hurry past... but it doesn't look like it's working too well. Her lower lip trembles as she leans in to murmur something softly to Yoshi. Casya whispers to Yoshi, "I have to warn you now, if you stand here with me, you're going to end up being cried all over. If you don't want to see me fall to pieces, you'd better get away quick."

. o O Lanie thinks, "Or the ones who gave us life. Literally as well as figuratively."

. o O Milosevic thinks, "No one's told me yet even what happened..much less how many even died here. Must have been a lot to bring this many together."

Caeli looks to Ghorev as the XO begins to speak, features somber, the Bolian entirely silent with hands folded neatly in his lap.

Yoshi stands straight next to Casya, his hands folded together at his beltline. He watches as people settle into seats and standing spots, his copper-brown eyes roaming over the gathering. He lets out a slow, deep breath as Ghorev begins to speak, and looks over to Casya as she whispers. He gives her a small, sad smile. "Ii da yo, Casya. If you fall to pieces, I'll help put you together. Just...promise me the same?" he whispers to her, his eyes already gleaming a bit with unshed tears.

Lanie reaches out a hand to lightly lay on Foster's knee. "Stop fussing," she murmurs softly, eyes on him and not on the baby who is being good and quiet. Then her eyes go back to Ghorev for a moment before she looks down, lips pressed together in an expression of thought.

Channa shakes her head and quietly leaves too much emotion here.

Channa passes through the hedge into the mall.

Channa has left.

Caeli looks to Ghorev as the XO begins to speak, features somber, the Bolian entirely silent with hands folded neatly behind his back.

. o O Green snorts, catching voices other than the Commander's here and there. "/Civilians/."

Ghorev continues: "We are here to pay our respects, and the respects of Federations and Empires and Alliances. We do this despite the fact that our losses are all the more great, and all the more terrible, because of the nature of them ... because we find ourselves having survived a mystery so profound, so esoteric, that most outside this station -- indeed, even many of us here -- cannot quite grasp what exactly it was that we *did* survive, and in their lack of understanding, they cannot quite understand the nature of the loss of those who did not survive." He shakes his head. "Too many will never know, never understand, never grieve the way we grieve, give honor the way we give honor, give thanks the way we give thanks."

Balin remains silent, looking out over at the assembled crew. And special attention is paid to the whisperers.

King takes a deep breath and lets his hands rest in his lap. His eyes lock on Ghorev and nods his head once very slowly.

Randal narrows his eyes slightly as he peers across the gathering at Ghorev, shifting restlessly. That part of the speech apparantly struck a chord with him, and not a pleasant one.

Green bows her head slightly, listening intently despite the fact that her gaze has focused on the floor.

Edwards looks to Ghorev a moment, paying attention to his speech. Then he slowly glances over the assembled crowd, eyeing the various faces present.

Torin just watches quietly, the quiet words slowly drawing his smile into a quiet somber look, his attention remaining fixedly on the front.

Milosevic stands quietly, listening to the litany spoken by the Commander. Body straight and still, his eyes roam over the gathering of officers and noncoms, civilians and merchants.

Dakin keeps himself at attention, his head locked forwards, as Ghorev speaks.

Casya nods slightly to Yoshi, her gaze falling to the floor, unable to bring herself to look up at the person who is speaking.

Kran'dok scowls almost imperceptably, but listens on.

Hurley's eyes cast downwards, flicker briefly to the door, and cast downward once again.

Arzt watches Ghorev speak, her eyes at attention. She reaches out and gives Torin's hand a squeeze, as if to comfort what she knows she doesn't totally understand.

McKenna keeps quiet, subdued and introspective as he listens to Ghorev's speech.

. o O Green is struck with a pang of guilt through the mourning. Her Timefleet did this, caused the destruction and the deaths. How can she not feel ashamed?

. o O Hurley thinks, "Nobody would notice, right? I could slip right out and hide."

Channa comes into the garden through the hedge.

Channa has arrived.

Foster blinks at Lanie for a moment, and just shakes his head, focusing on the words. Or the man. Or the wall behind him.

Yoshi closes his eyes and sighs softly, twisting his hands together slightly. He listens, swallowing as his throat tightens. He presses his lips together, head held high, and blinks rapidly to keep his gathering tears held back.

Turtledove's eyes continue to wander over the assembly. Her expression is contemplative.

Vimes takes a deep breath, chest expanding and shoulders straightening as he listens to the executive officer give the opening of the eulogy. A glance is given to Caeli, seated next to him. A reassuring pat on the Bolian's shoulder for what is sure to be a very emotional night for many.

Krylow remains steady, watching the Commander as he speaks. His jaw tightens as he listens, a bare hint to the man's feelings.

Donavon braces hands against her backside. The formality of the position locks in any outward emotion. She stares ahead, beyond the Commander and to the stars. The moment lasts until she slightly loosens her posture to glance once from side to side at the crowd.

K'net-mauri just stands there, silent, perfectly still, looking to the front.

. o O Kran'dok thinks, "He insults our intelligence and the memory of those who died with his secrets and downplay of the events."

. o O Turtledove feels curious, mild, mellow --- a desire to help.

. o O Foster radiates no emotions. It's like he's dead.

. o O Krylow is full of frustration, of guilt and of loss. The loss especially is still sharp and painful, the more so because of the proceedings.

Ghorev says, "We give tears, we give our thanks, we give honor, and we do this because we know what we lost, and what we have gained in our loss. Collectively, we who remain, we who survive, we know what the honored dead sacrificed, and how, and why." He sweeps an arm out and backwards -- the one on the opposite side of the Captain, of course -- to indicate the transparent aluminum viewport, and the vastness of space. "Out there, just out of the arc of vision, is the third starship to bear the name 'USS Thomas Paine'. The Earthman for whom it is name, who wrote so many beautiful things, wrote this: "I love the man that can smile in trouble, that can gather strength from distress, and grow brave by reflection. 'Tis the business of little minds to shrink, but he whose heart is firm, and whose conscience approves his conduct, will pursue his principles ... " He inhales, exhales .. " ... unto death." A momentary dip of his head, a single slow nod. "And so it is. They gave their lives in defense of what we hold dear, dear in the flesh and dear in the spirit, our loved ones as well as our principles. And for this ...." He looks to Balin, then to the crowd "...it is time that we name them, and honor them."

. o O Milosevic thinks, "I never knew Andorians were so loquacious...."

Channa slips back in after gaining a little control of herself, she stands near the door hiding her own emotions and trying to block those of the others out. She lifts her

Torin blinks faintly, once or twice. He pauses then glancing down at his hand, and then up said hand to the attached hand and person. He appears faintly embarassed for a moment, but then returns a faint squeeze to Arzt, and a sad and somber, weak smile. Still he tries watching for a moment before his attention returns to Ghorev. And if he doesn't seem to be in any rush to release hand, yes, well then, one can only blame the speech.

. o O Ghorev thinks, "Half of them, of course, are comfortably secure in their loathing of us. Let them be. We know what we protected, and why. Their curiosity, even now, is not an entitlement."

King shows a little emotion as tears start to form in the corners of his eyes. He blinks the tears away, and lowers his head.

. o O Laco thinks, "This is exceedingly boring."

. o O King thinks, "And how have I honored my fellow comrades?"

Lanie's chin starts the wiggly thing again and one hand tightens around the child on her lap, the other hand reaching toward Foster's. For a second her eyes glance over at Foster and she looks on the verge of saying something to him, but instead presses her lips tightly together again and looks like she tries to mentally will her tears to put themselves back in her head and remove themselves from her eyes.

Nilee comes into the garden through the hedge.

Nilee has arrived.

Krylow glances down as he listens to Ghorev's words, the first time he's looked away. After the briefest of moments he looks back up again, eyes again settling on Ghorev.

Casya's jaw begins to tremble as she reaches over to try to grasp Yoshi's hand, her eyes squeezing tightly closed in a last-ditch attempt to hold back the tears.

Caeli remains in his best military form, only pursing his lips as a response to Ghorev's words.

Milosevic shifts on his feet, no emotion showing on his face as he watches the cerulean executive officer and then glancing to the emotional responses people around him.

Nilee quietly slides around the edge of the assembled crowd, straightening his dress uniform jacket and finding a spot to the edge of the assembled senior officers.

Leres comes into the garden through the hedge.

Leres has arrived.

. o O Laco feels quite bored and slightly irritated.

Yoshi feels Casya's hand on his, and unfolds his hands from each other. He takes her hand and gives a firm squeeze of comfort and support. He sidesteps closer to her side, should she need a shoulder. He glances to her, his own expression solemn and pained, and with another hard swallow, he looks back up to the Commander as the eulogy continues. If anyone were to look his way, they might see one tear silently trailing down his cheek from his right eye.

Nabrun continues to watch Ghorev, chin lifting just a touch as he mentions naming, and honoring, those no longer here. Otherwise, she remains very still.

Leres slips in quietly and finds a place out of the way near the back to observe.

Green's chest expands with a deep breath, then she lifts her gaze once more, stony faced, toward the senior officers.

. o O Nabrun thinks, "Now is not the time for recriminations. Now is not the time for blame and guilt. Now is the time to honor those who gave their lives so that the rest of us might -live-. Now is the time to celebrate their lives."

Foster doesn't even seem to notice that he's being looked at. He's half-shutdown, it seems, as he continues to stare, only blinking a lot more slowly then usual.

. o O Nabrun is, of course, sad. That sadness is overlain with determination, with gratitude...with hope.

Arzt feels Torin's eyes on her and looks up for a moment to give him a sad, shy smile. Then she turns her eyes back upfront.

. o O Arzt thinks, "I wish there was something I could do to help."

. o O Arzt feels sad, sympathetic.

Hurley now slides her eyes shut as she mentally prepares herself to hear the names spoken aloud. Her emotions are barely under control, but she manages - for now.

Kran'dok tries to keep his expression neutal as he avoides looking direcly at anyone, that has caused problems lately.

Channa leans against the wall near the door, her expression show nothing, her sorrow for these people, those that were leeft behind seems to be hidden deep down. Memories of her own loss seems to surface.

Balin allows Ghorev's words to sink in before he clears his throat and says, "Thank you," to Ghorev, quietly. He steps forward a half step and regards the crowd, his eyes roaming over them once again. He remains silent for several long moments. He then reaches a slow hand into the breast pocket of his jacket and withdraws a piece of white paper, on which can be seen some handwritten scrawls. The captain looks down at the list, then back up at the assembly. "The Commander's words were beautiful, and moving... But as I find myself looking at this list, I ask myself, what does it really mean?" he asks rhetorically. "They are more than names on a list. They are our fathers. Our mothers. Sisters. Brothers. Daughters and sons. They are us all. They gave in noble sacrifice so that we may live, and we thank them for that. They gave, and we are alone with only a lonely hole where they once were, and we begrudge them for that. They gave, and we have lost, and we mourn them for that. Were they heroes? Yes. Were they noble? Of course. But they were also our families, and we shall miss them." He glances over at Ghorev briefly, then back at the crowd. "And as much as we owe them our thanks, I owe them an apology. I failed them in my duties to protect their lives, whereas they upheld their duties to fight for our survival." He begins to read off their names.

. o O Lanie thinks, "No, you didn't fail. Not any more than the rest of us did."

. o O Hurley thinks, "We all owe them an apology, Captain. All of us."

. o O Lanie feels a quick flash of something other than grief. A sympathy, but another kind.

Randal closes his eyes as the list is read, making an effective mask to contain the emotions stirred by this part of the ceremony.

. o O Leres thinks, "We all feel guilty, Captain."

O'Rielly comes into the garden through the hedge.

O'Rielly has arrived.

. o O Milosevic thinks, "Wow..more than I even imagined..."

. o O Nabrun offers her silent support, and gratitude.

Donavon clenches her hands tighter, the only expression of preparation for the reading of names. Otherwise, she remains straight-laced and poised.

Nilee is silent and motionless, eyes staring across the expanse of the crowd, over all their heads as he listens, lips drawn into a thin line.

King looks up as the Captain speaks. The tears that he tried to blink away start to roll down his cheeks, and he remains silent as he listens to the Captain speaks and starts to read the list.

Edwards averts his gaze toward the neutral deck as he listens to the Captain name names.

. o O Edwards feels a wave of sadness.

. o O Edwards thinks, "Damnit, Bela..."

Milosevic looks around still, the names meaning nothing in and of themselves, but the list sure is long. That much at least Milo can acknowledge and respect.

Ghorev meets Balin's glance as the other man looks back to him, then bows his head slightly as the CO prepares for the recitation.

Krylow contintues his quiet and steady stance, simply watching and listening to the senior staff.

O'Rielly enters finally into the memorial service in full dress uniform. He remains at the back so that he doesn't interrupt anything.

Torin keeps his head up through most of Ghorev's words. As Balin's turn comes and the words come, he joins others lowering his head quietly, not looking at Arzt this time he just keeps his head down quietly.

Rivers keeps her eyes on the Captain while he speaks, her expression reflecting solomn respect. Her posture remains in that stiff parade rest, an unconcious gesture of respect.

Green's gaze focuses on that scrap of paper, her stance rather stiff as she listens.

Dakin lowers his own head now, whispering a prayer to the Prophets in his native Bajoran.

Casya chokes back a sob as the Captain finishes his speech and prepares to read the list off, squeezing Yoshi's hand tightly and fighting to retain the tattered shreds of her composure.

Turtledove's eyes are quiet as they rest on Balin, as he prepares to read the roll-call of the dead.

McKenna keeps his head down, solemnly, while the names are read.

. o O Rivers feels a wave of profound respect for the station's Commander. She does not feel personal greif for officers she did not know, but the general feeling of sadness of a Starfleet Officer for her fellows. She's experienced this kind of loss, and relates to it.

Caeli's hands come out from behind his back, forming a loose circle in front of him, and he begins speaking under his breath in Bolian.

Foster's only reaction is to three names on that list: Joseph Lanie, Margot Lanie, and Attevius Foster, all Lieutenant Commanders. With each name, he shudders quietly, as if struck. The rest get no reaction at all. Either he's /real/ good at suppressing his normal reactions, or he's just not really listening. Or maybe not really here.

Arzt lowers her head with Torin, biting her lip as Balin speaks. As Balin begins to read the names, Arzt finds herself tearing slightly at the edges of her eyes.

. o O Arzt thinks, "So many lost...so many lives interrupted."

. o O Arzt feels sad, aching with the loss.

The Captain says, "The following officers are to receive posthumous Combat Service Stars for their sacrifice to the ideals and principles of the United Federation of Planets." He reads off each name slowly and methodically. "Captain Robert Hurley. Lieutenant Junior Grade Femke Nolte. Ensign David Gordon Olson. Ensign Timothy George Patton. Ensign Aparna Sternbach. Chief Petty Officer Dhar Dovoro. Lieutenant Alynn McCauley. Lieutenant Junior Grade Shona'es Kor. Lieutenant Junior Grade Jason Seymour Samuelle. Lieutenant Junior Grade Mitch Howard Williams. Ensign Timothy James Ritter. Ensign Tara Elizabeth Valentine-Takamura. Lieutenant Junior Grade Mary Ellen Fitzpatrick. Lieutenant Junior Grade Ivan Alexandrovich Suslov. Ensign John Anderson. Ensign Rhiannon Quincy Fitzel. Ensign Logan Nash Ensigns One and Zero. Lieutenant Yasharra Gellan. Ensign Gabriella Saree Fioravanti." And there are others. Many, many others, as Balin recites the full list of the lesser-known deceased officers.

Yoshi draws in a barely audible hiss at Casya's squeeze, but doesn't release her hand. He sniffles softly, bringing his free hand up to wipe at his eyes, and tries to keep his head high, his teeth set together tightly to try to contain his own grief. As he hears Fitzel's name spoken, he winces, looking down and away from Casya, and issues a soft sob.

The first name. Hurley can't even make it past the first name. Thankfully seated, she simply folds in half, hands shielding her face from view of the others as shoulders droop depressively.

. o O Dakin feels an emotional shot in the stomach at each mentions of a small portion of the names. Fitzpatrick, Suslov, Anderson, Fitzel, and Nash.

O'Rielly frowns and looks down, apparently having missed the original recitation of the deceased.

. o O Ghorev thinks, "Timothy, I'm so sorry. You came here because of me, I know. Our work wasn't yet done. You saved me once, on Matewan, and I could not save you in return. And I am sorry."

Lanie starts a slight rocking motion where she sits, Anastasia clutched tightly to her chest once the names start. Her head is bent, cheek pressed to the top of Anastasia's head, leaving the child to just sit there. At Suslov's name, she gives Anastasia another kiss and whispers, "That's your daddy," to the baby. The names of her parents and Foster's father in the list of the rest of the names cause her to keep her head down, shoulder shaking with silent tears. Try as hard as she could, she just couldn't keep it together at their names.

. o O O'Rielly thinks, "I haven't heard lists like that read since the war..."

King takes a big breath as each Operations Officers name is recited. By the end of the list, Howard has a handkerchief out and is crying into it.

Casya flinches as if she's been struck as Dhar's name is read off, moving to bury her face against Yoshi's shoulder, her own shoulders shaking. She gives another flinch as she hears Tara Valentine's name recited.

Donavon's eyes squint, wincing once at the very beginning of the list. Breath draws in deeply from the nose, filling her chest in sorrowful pride. Her body shivers slightly before held in check by a deftly tight controlled thought.

Dakin tries his best to hold it in as the names of the five security officers lost to the Prophets are read in succession. His prayer finished, he lifts his head to the crowd once more, a single tear beginning to well in one eye.

Channa bites at her lips, ahh the saddness and grief it's almost too much for the widow. She feels for these people she knows what everyone of them has been through. How she wishs she could support them.

Krylow finally breaks his mask a little, biting his lips for a moment before pushing the stony mask back into place. Again he glances down, watching the floor while he listens.

Green's jaw tightens slightly, her expression turning even more wooden. She sits up a little straighter, to full sitting attention, as if a rod was inserted into her spine.

. o O Lanie thinks, "Mommy. Daddy. I don't care how old I am, I don't care how many pips I have, I don't care if I'm holding what's supposed to be your granddaughter, I want you here. I. Want. You. Here."

. o O Nabrun murmurs a very quiet "Thank you" after each name that's read. Each officer, each civilian. Thank you.

Nilee closes his eyes and bows his head as the names begin to be read. His eyes tighten slightly at several of the names, almost giving a physical wince.

K'net-mauri doesn't seem to react. He's quite still.

McTiernan's gaze flashes to Chrissy for a moment before she drags her attention back to Balin. She stands as tall as she can, chin tipped up. She swallows hard but other wise remains straight faced, honoring those that died.. and how they lived.

"The following officers will receive the Starfleet Combat Medal for their injuries against a hostile force in a combat situation," the Captain says. "Lieutenant Commander Gwendolyn Anne Poole. Lieutenant Commander Aaron Park. Lieutenant Junior Grade Bristol O'Rielly. Lieutenant Robert Sean Harris. Lieutenant Junior Grade Taylor Rose Green." He lists off some more names of officers, officers that nobody sees much of but that got a missing leg or missing arm or two.

. o O Green's grief refreshes, new scabs picked at and broken once more to bleed out anguish.

Torin has a heart of rock. He makes it to about the seventh name flinching at each but that one causes a faint stagger or shudder, and it's downhill from there, he's a real man's man as he lets silent grief overtake and a few tears begin to mar the surface of his dress uniform. The ensigns shoulders slumping slightly. He doesn't even try and hide it, or to rub away the tears. He just keeps his head down and lets the tears fall, at least he's quiet about it.

. o O Donavon thinks, "Kiddo...God why Kiddo? We had a promise. Me first, not him. Let him be with his wife, finally free from those horrors. Nolte. Tak. Turtledove. Valentine. Gellan. Vanti. Honorable deaths. All of them. Rest in peace. We will forever honor you for your deaths shall never be needless."

Jolvan comes into the garden through the hedge.

Jolvan has arrived.

. o O Milosevic thinks, "And what of those that died and have come back. I wonder of that means their deaths mean nothing now...?"

. o O Green thinks, "... What'd he say?"

. o O Kran'dok thinks, "What about the countless civilians who were killed?"

Caeli finishes whatever it was he's saying, and returns his hands to their at-attention position.

. o O Channa thinks, "We are safe thanks to these people, bless them elements and keep them safe...And those whom are left behind, guard them, protect them and guide them in their grief."

Milosevic shifts again, obviously finding it increasingly harder to be still. Hands clench and unclench at his sides as he just stares straight ahead at the Captain, not wishing to interrupt anyone's private grief.

. o O Laco thinks, "I never got a medal for a crippling chunk of crystal in my brain. Or the half of a console that was embedded in my face after that Pirate Interdiction mission. Or all the polaron blasts I took on Occa. I should have shifted, so I lost a hand, or lung or something."

Yoshi keeps a hold of Casya's hand, and turns partly to her as she buries her face against his shoulder. He reaches up to hold her, his hand resting on her shoulder. He fights for a moment longer with his emotions, before giving vent to hard, shaking sobs. Still, there must be some strength left in him, given how quiet he remains as the inner dam of his heart bursts.

Turtledove's expression softens at individual shows of sorrow among the collective assembly --- her eyes shift from Balin to the faces of the senior officers, and then to the assembly at large.

Arzt squeezes Torin's hand a little more, trying to give him a hint that if he needs to lean on her, she's there for him. She bites her lip and glances over at Torin concerned.

King tries to dry up his tears, but he can't seem to get them to stop. He just sits there, sobbing quietly.

. o O Hurley thinks, "Oh Father. I'm so sorry. I should have /made/ you leave."

Green .. blinks. She leans back a little against her chair, then shakes her head slightly, her gaze dropping to the floor again.

Jolvan enters quietly and slides his way over to the other romulans.

Laco seems fairly unfazed.

K'net-mauri is standing near the back with Kran'dok, over-dressed.

. o O Krylow feels pain and guilt as he listens to the names, each name causing more.

At the back of the room, if anybody is noticing, the spook himself doesn't have any visible reaction to hearing his name. O'Rielly just keeps looking down to the ground shaking his head.

"We also recognize the sacrifice of the following civilians," Balin says, and then begins to list a lot of names off the roll. Most notably one name shows up: "Sailamh."

Randal opens his eyes, fixing a stony gaze on the gathering of senior officers as the list of civilian names is read.

. o O Arzt thinks, "A massacre...so many dead. I knew the station had taken a hit when I saw the shape...but so many."

Vimes' jaw tightens as the names of the fallen are read. A twitch on the left side as he takes a deep breath again, nodding slowly while letting it out through his nose. Too many names indeed.

. o O Arzt feels empty, shocked that so many died.

. o O Kran'dok thinks, "Ahh, that is better. They truely deserve medals, since they were never told what they were dying for."

McKenna keeps his head down, keeping his reactions as private as possible. However, there are names on the lists that affect him, those he knew, and he squeezes his eyes shut for a moment.

Krylow looks up again, eyes settling on the Captain and then looking briefly to Tay Green. He offers the woman the smallest of nods before turning forward again.

. o O Turtledove feels a quietly growing desire to help console the people gathered here.

Lopez grieves with quiet dignity, hiding nothing, struggling against nothing in her place near the uttermost back of the gathering. She is bowing her head simply to hear names familiar and departed, some dear and some unknown. No tears, no wobbles of the chin. There are many ways to mourn and mourn sincerely. She moves shortly to one side to open a little extra space.

. o O Ghorev thinks, "Oh, yes, Mister Thorne, hate us, hate us, hate us. How many men have died because of *your* crimes? How many lives have *you* ruined, but hate us, by Six Hundred Gods Weeping, because we sinned against *you*, and we inconvenienced *you*."

Lanie sniffles, wetly. She's crying, causing Anastasia to fuss and whine softly. She blindly reaches to the bag of baby stuff for her hidden stash of tissues, hand rummaging around while she keeps her head down and her eyes squeezed closed until she can wipe them and pull herself back together.

Nilee remains completely motionless, head bowed, he doesn't look up, simply listens to the names being listed.

Ghorev catches Randal's glance, and meets it, and continues meeting it.

Dakin joins Ghorev in giving Randal his direct attention.

. o O Hurley thinks, "Tara, you were supposed to join us. You guys were /supposed/ to follow us up there."

Balin holds the paper in his hands for a moment, and looks out at the anomaly as it rotates into the field of vision and the blue glow casts itself across the crowd. "There are others who sacrificed, as well, and yet move among us like ghosts. Lt. Hiroshi Takamura. Lt. Tera Turtledove. Lt. Lalaunie Haven. And even Lt. Gwendolyn Elizabeth Tyler. The people that have returned to work with us are very different from the ones we knew before, but their former lives earned their way into our hearts and minds, and we recognize both their sacrifice of their past lives as well as honor the duty of their current lives." He suddenly brings his captain's full voice to bear. "And now we will honor those of us who are lost with a photon torpedo salute." He turns to look to Ghorev, about to give the order.

Ghorev says "Actually, Captain, by your leave" and steps forward, "... there's one more honor to be granted today." Unusual, really. Simply not done. But clearly *being* done. He awaits Balin's leave to continue, however, because there's eccentricity and then there's, you know, disrespect.

. o O McTiernan thinks, "Mac, may the Great Bird bear away and keep you folded safely within the protections of his wings. You will be missed. By me, by them, by your children."

Balin nods once to Ghorev and steps back in line with the senior officers.

Torin glances over sadly towards Arzt. He doesn't lean in towards her. He raises his other hand the one not holding hers to try and rub away the tears now. He even tries a weak smile which fails miserably. He returns a squeeze to her hand and quietly raises the tear red eyes and sad face to try and get through the rest of the ceremony. His face pulled in a somewhat wince as he tries to hold it steady, even the usual curiosity is missing with the strange activity at the front.

Nilee glances up finally as Balin calls for the salute, and then his eyes turn to look at Ghorev, brow raising ever so slightly as he waits.

Casya sobs against Yoshi's shoulder as Takamura's name is mentioned, the sound thankfully muffled as she trembles with grief, unable to hold it in.

O'Rielly is very curious now of what's supposedly happening as he turns his full attention to Ghorev

. o O Green thinks, "Tak... Oh gods, Tak, I'm sorry. You will be avenged, I swear it."

Caeli perks both brows, looking to Ghorev at the XO's announcement. Zipok still remains at full attention.

Turtledove's eyes register surprise, particularly at the reading of the name, 'Gwendolyn Elizabeth Tyler'.

Harris comes into the garden through the hedge.

Harris has arrived.

Lanie finishes mopping her eyes and blows her nose softly before tucking the tissue away and using both arms to gently hold around Anastasia. "Shh, sweetheart, we're listening to the Commander and the Captain, can you be quiet for a little bit longer? You're doing so good," she whispers to the baby amid a few sniffles.

King pulls the handkerchief away and looks at the Captain, then at Ghorev as he speaks.

Milosevic raises an eyebrow as the XO interrupts Captain Balin. His attention is caught for the moment as he leans forward just slightly where he stands, anticipating.

. o O O'Rielly thinks, "What are you up to Commander?"

Yoshi sniffs hard and clears his throat, letting Casya cry on him and rubbing her shoulder gently. At Ghorev's announcement, he looks back to the front, his curiosity peaked. Even a civilian can spot an obvious improv in such a solemn ceremony. He listens attentively, his other hand still holding Casya's.

Harris slips in very quietly and very tardily, taking a step or two to the right so he's out of the way.

. o O Krylow thinks, "Hiroshi, Tara, Mary, Brie, Tera, may you find peace and happiness. Thank you for what you gave."

Arzt let's Torin take his moment to compose himself, her attention drawn like everyone else to Ghorev.

Green looks up toward the senior officers, her brow furrowing a bit. Natch, her gaze goes to Ghorev too.

Hurley doesn't even look up, not even at the breach in protocol. She remains seated alone, folded in half, with face shielded from view by her hands.

O'Rielly nods to Harris as he stands in the back now near the man as he was similarly tardy and remiained in the back.

Ghorev says, "As the Captain has just mentioned," as he sweeps his eyes across the crowd to meet each gaze that would meet his, one at a time, "there are a great too many honored dead to honor one by one, there are those whose names are not even known, those who die and yet live, those who, thanks to the maddening effects of a higher-order physics every Starfleet officer wishes at least once in his career would remain theoretical and yet sadly does not, exist in some kind of ... " And here words almost fail him and for lack of a better one, the XO simply picks, "... limbo." He shakes his head. "There those even here, who stand with us to honor the dead, who wonder why one person or another was named only in passing, or at the bottom of a list, and those who ...." Again he shakes his head. "There are simply too many. And as I myself noted earlier, there are those outside here who will simply not understand." He continues to look around the room. "But, thankfully, I am a stubborn man, and lacking an office for several weeks allowed me to work out of my sitting room, and spend many an hour recording pleaded cases into my terminal. And I am pleased to announce that that the Federation Council has decided, at least, to compromise with us on this last honor." The Council? "About half an hour before this gathering, the final vote was taken, which was why I had to come early." A pause. "To take some measurements."

Caeli's expression changes to one of complete and unabashed puzzlement, his head canting off briefly to one side.

Vimes is as confused as Caeli over this one, brow furrowed as he continues to listen and wait for Ghorev to go on.

Green sits back, then looks sideways toward Krylow and Nabrun. They're smart folks. Maybe /they/ have some idea what the heck the Commander is talking about.

A look of bewilderment touches Leres' features. Her attention was on the front already, but she focuses even more clearly on Ghorev now.

. o O Leres thinks, "Measurements?"

Dakin blinks. Clearly he has no earthly clue what Ghorev's talking about. The Andorian gets the only turn of the head Dakin's made since coming to attention alongside his fellows.

Milosevic's eyebrowe rises further, shaking his head as he tries to see where this train is headed.

King looks quizzically at Ghorev, trying to figure what he is talking about.

Like many in the room, Rivers' expression takes on a look of curiosity.

. o O King thinks, "Measurements? Monument maybe, but who knows though?"

Donavon sharpens her stance, a proud figure near the front, holding in the tears. Hearing Ghorev there is a level of puzzlement as to what he means, but with a look around the gardens, ideas form.

Randal frowns with confusion, an expression that actually manages to nullify the sullen expression he was casting toward the front. It doesn't seem like he can make sense of the significance of what the Commander says, either.

Edwards looks up and over to Ghorev, brow furrowed. Yet he doesn't speak, 'cause that would be out of turn. He just waits quietly.

If the spook was curious before, O'Rielly remains curious, yet impressed with Ghorev's own cloak and daggering.

. o O Donavon thinks, "A memorial? Did they authorize an official memorial plaque? Figure? Tree? What else requires measurements?"

Kran'dok's eybrow arches as he listens on with interest. His expression seems to lighten slightly.

Nabrun glances briefly at Alek and Green, then back to Ghorev, head tilting very slightly to one side.

Turtledove's eyes shift to the late-arriving Harris, as she too, is taking a back view of the memorial. She gives him a slight smile, even in the midst of the imminent Ghorev announcement.

Foster lets out a huge sigh as his distraction makes itself known. For once, he focuses on the big blue man up front instead of through him.

Harris nods to both O'Rielly and Turtledove, folding his arms over his stomach before he stills.

McKenna watches, brow furrowed in curiosity, as Ghorev prepares to spring a surprise.

. o O Harris thinks, "Any later, and I'd be here alone."

Ghorev, before that statement, left hanging in the air, can finish dropping, continues: "Effective immediately, as soon as we can forge the metal and engrave the metal and twist the metal into place, Station 419-Upsilon will become the official home of the United Federation of Planets' Tomb of the Temporally Lost. To honor all of those whom the mad mathematics of such matters make dead in strange ways, make dead but yet leave alive, or make just one more dead name on a list, a fate that .... they none of them deserve." He breathes in once, and concludes: "It is the decision of the United Federation of Planets that the personnel, residents, and guests of Station 419 shall be the first honored, and shall in the name of those who shall later be added to the list, jointly and collectively, one and all, accept the Federation's highest honor, the United Federation of Planets Medal of Freedom, which is awarded to civilian and officer alike, and even to Starfleet officers, is awarded as a citizen like any other, and not an officer of the military." Again the gaze around the room. "It is the decision of the Federation Council that while the tale is too confusing, the mathematics and physics of it too bewildering, the least they can do is acknowledge that those of us who survive know what we saw, and know what our fallen collectively deserve." He turns to eye Edwards. "Commander, since it will take them several weeks to forward the medal, might we borrow one of yours until then?"

. o O Harris is ambiguous about all the people here.

Krylow continues to watch, attention now shifted back to Commander Ghorev. He glances briefly to Nabrun, before looking back to the front.

. o O Milosevic feels gasps is surprise.

"Of course." Edwards replies, after a brief hesitation of surprise. He moves to remove one of his medals and steps forward, offering it up to Ghorev.

Dakin exhales once and breaks out into a small smile at Ghorev's announcement.

. o O Laco thinks, "Oh great. Tourists."

. o O Kran'dok feels shocked and amused.

. o O Milosevic thinks, "Well, at least my job is physical..solid. I don't ever need to worry about getting lost in time or whatever. I just patch this baby back up and keep her in one piece."

Ghorev says, "Thank you." He takes the medal from Edwards with one hand, then taps his combadge with the other. "Ghorev to Ops. All guns fire, utility pattern Memorial-One-Alpha."

. o O Kran'dok thinks, "So much for secrecy and discretion."

Rivers smiles a bit, the quirking of one corner of her mouth. She nods slowly, approving obviously.

King smiles slightly at the honor, his attention turning to the viewport.

Caeli's confusion gives way to a slow nod. Nothing more, really. He looks to the viewports, shifting his weight slightly.

McTiernan offers a tiny little gasp followed by a lip bitten smile. We done and well deserved.

Lanie, eyes still red-rimmed and damp from her temporary burst of tears during the reading of the names of family and friends, peeks over at her husband for a moment, then back up front. Her chin rests atop Anastasia's head now that the child's calmed down and gone back to trying to tug at the strands of Lanie's hair that have come loose from her bun.

Balin leans in after Ghorev gives the firing order. Balin whispers to Ghorev, "I hope your forge can handle a plaque of that size."

Foster blinks a couple more times, blearily. He'll probably understand this later, but for right now, this is too abstract, the pain too freshly reawakened for him to do more than just nod like one does when one is just nodding to be agreeable instead of agreeing.

Jiasha comes into the garden through the hedge.

Jiasha has arrived.

Hurley slowly lifts her gaze, hands lowering to her lap as she watches the viewport. Tear-stained, redden cheeks are no longer hidden from view, nor are the reddened, wet eyes.

. o O Lanie thinks, "Anastasia, this is for your grandmother. Your grandfather. And your father. You won't remember them, but maybe someday you'll be able to remember even a moment of this."

Donavon's head bows in listening to the words, ending on a breaking smile. Pride forces her chin upward to watch the salute, heart beating wildly to the tune of loss.

Ghorev makes a lopsided half-smile. Ghorev whispers to Balin, "We're going to find out, I suppose."

Nilee listens silently, and nods slightly as Ghorev gives the firing order after the announcement, his gaze turns forward again immediately, slight mist visible in his eyes.

O'Rielly smiles slightly, not only for a second upon hearing about the memorial. He turns to look out the giant viewport as the fire order is given.

Nabrun bows her head at Ghorev's announcement. For the first time, she looks truly away, though there's a small smile on her lips.

Randal sighs lightly in response to the announcement, his expression slipping into something rather neutral, but definitely softened. Almost satisfied, for the moment. He turns his gaze from Ghorev and the other officers toward the viewports.

Turtledove's eyebrows rise quietly, her eyes registering surprise as they shift to the crowd, briefly gauging their general reaction. Her eyes shift to Balin and Ghorev, lingering there, while awaiting the photon torpedo salute.

Green stares at Ghorev for his speech. Just... stares. Then she pushes to her feet, to attention. There is no way she can rest and /sit/ through the firing salute to the honored lost and bereaved.

Casya finally manages to begin to pull herself together, pulling back from Yoshi's embrace to turn toward the front, shooting him an apologetic, tearful glance as she sees the wide, wet spot she's left behind on his shoulder.

. o O Donavon thinks, "Huzzah. Their names are forever honored. Thank you Commander. Well done."

. o O King thinks, "They deserve it for what they sacrificed so we could stand here today."

Krylow stands from his seat, straightening into in his dress uniform to focus towards the window and the senior officers.

Yoshi lets Casya pull away, offering her a small smile. He looks down at his shirt and the tear-spot, and almost chuckles aloud. He looks to Ghorev and the other officers and bows his head slightly, before turning his gaze to the viewports. He loosens his grip on Casya's hand slightly, so that she may take her hand back if she likes.

Harris looks forward, coming to attention as well.

Jiasha does indeed slip in more than fashionably late. She slips off along the perimeter, finding a place to be and stays in the back, arms folded on her chest.

Torin blinks in surprise. He seems more confused, at Ghorev's announcement. Not seeming to understand it all, still he turns to watch through the glass as if to see the weapons fire. He steps a bit closer to Arzt as he turns to watch slowly his posture returning to more propriety and attention.

Foster is, perhaps. late in his reaction, but he rises as well. His Da deserves at least that much respect, if not much more so.

Milosevic stands at attention at the announcement, obviously impressed with Ghorev and his words.

Arzt actually manages to smile at the announcement, not minding at all that Torin is standing close to her. She gives his had a friendly squeeze, watching the rest of the proceedings with a lighter heart.

. o O Arzt thinks, "Good, they all deserve it."

Jolvan turns his attention from the senior officers to the viewport awaiting the upcoming display.

Arzt comes to attention, letting Torin's hand go.

Channa eyes turn to the view port, as she watches the guns fire.

King stands up slowly, hands coming down, bracing at attention. Some things are just to engrained in a person to strip away it seems.

Lanie turns a little, setting down Anastasia so the child can stand on the seat of the chair. Lanie holds one of her hands, but she's pretty steady on her feet for a pre-toddler. She's gotten good at standing while holding onto things, so Lanie allows her to stand as well, but is careful to keep at the ready to grab her if she wavers.

Kran'dok continues to carefully observe the crowd as most of them look out the window.

O'Rielly is already standing at attention like the good little officer he is

Nilee stands at attention, eyes cast forward, past the viewports. He stands motionless, honouring those who have fallen.

McTiernan's position of attention remains, rigidly held. She looks neither left nor right, but fixed over the shoulders of the officers in front and beyond to the viewport.

. o O Turtledove thinks, "What a brilliant idea. The dilemma of giving closure to the people here... it's... so very difficult to comprehend."

Lopez lifts her head, and unlaces her hands from the small of her back.

Having slowly, seemingly weakly, risen to stand amidst the sea of white, Hurley's posture comes to a rather rigid attention as well, emotion-filled gaze locked on the salute and stars beyond.

And, indeed, the weapons go boom -- a stream of phaser fire rips in a diagonal across the darkness, punctuated every few degrees of the arc by a spread of torpedos, streaking out to the middle distance and exploding in intricate patterns of light similar to a holiday celebration but less festive and energetic and more graceful and ... well, gentle, if explosions can be said to be gentle.

McKenna remains at attention like he should, watching the salute to the fallen with a solemn expression.

Vimes turns his attention to the viewport, watching the torpedo sequence being fired off into space. Slowly, his hand rises to his brow as he salutes the memory of the names that were read from the list.

Balin remains at attention until the fireworks end, and he then turns to face the crowd. "Dismissed," he says sharply.