Interrupting the Silence

Posted on Thu Jul 13th, 2023 @ 7:38pm by Captain Samuel Woolheater

Mission: Season 6: Episode 2: Survival
Location: Planetside
Timeline: The last day, the last hours, the last out
1201 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

=A=

ATTENTION TO ORDERS!
A PROCLAMATION: GIVEN THIS STARDATE 72692.4.

ON THIS SITE THE MARINES AND CREW OF THE FEDERATION STARSHIP

USS ELYSIUM – NCC 89000

MADE CAMP AFTER RUNNING INTO A QUANTUM FILAMENT.
ONE-THOUSAND SIX HUNDRED FORTY-NINE SURVIVORS LIVED HERE FOR TEN MONTHS AND FOURTEEN DAYS.

COMMANDING OFFICER - COMMODORE PHOENIX LAWLOR-RICHARDSON
EXECUTIVE OFFICER – CAPTAIN GARY TAYLOR
MARINE COMMANDING OFFICER – LIEUTENANT COLONEL AZHUL NAXEA
MARINE EXECUTIVE OFFICER – CAPTAIN DAVID TONELLY

EIGHT-HUNDRED AND FIFTY-ONE OF US DIED. INCLUDING THIRTY MARINES.

THEIR NAMES ARE LISTED HERE IN GRATEFUL MEMORY OF THEIR SACRIFICE.

“No stars again shall hurt you from above, But all your days shall pass in peace and love.”

=A=




FIRST IN; LAST OUT – CAMP DERANI


Sam waited until everyone had gone, well, most everyone. Then he brought out the memorial plaque he had worked on. He was no stone carver or metal worker. But he did know how to use a laser torch and how to engrave. He considered it an act of love and memorial for those marines and crew who died. He told very few people, Andrinn knew of course. But he kept the circle small and worked on it quietly and away.

He pulled the tarp off it and moved it into position just inside the cave entrance. In a spot that wouldn’t be covered in snow. He set about erecting it as the last of the crew was leaving. Glad to get away from this place.

But, for Samuel, he did not hate this place. Popsicle One was here long before the crew of the Elysium arrived. It would be here far longer still. It had its own unique beauty. Forests, old as the world itself. Dawn is seen by precious few. Creatures of power and might. Meadows that beg to ripen with dance. Stars unseen, mountains tall and nameless. Plains of beauty and majesty breathing with life. Strange delicate flowers... immense solitudes... and all nature new to art. Popsicle One was home and gave them shelter. And Samuel felt that was worth remembering. Fallen crew and marines are worth…remembering. This place; worth remembering. And so he set upon the plaque idea. And now, finished, there it was. Mounted.

There was no great fanfare; there were no crowds. The cave looked empty; so empty. Had he grown used to this place? Or had this place grown used to them? Would it miss them?

Creatures, predators and the non-predators would, over time, venture into this cave for shelter much as they had. Would they long to see the bipedal creatures?

The meadows would miss them; for they had never been danced on. The patter of feet in merriment would be unknown to meadows.

The nameless mountains would miss them; for they had never been climbed. No one had stood on their shoulders. Their strong shoulders of iron and nickel, rock, and granite. The mountains would never know that they had brothers with marines.

The forests would miss them; for they were the memory of this place. The trees had never been climbed by little arms and legs. The trees would miss them and their wee children. Their branches, like arms of oak and birch, pine, and maple. Would long to hold them and feel their warmth against their bark.

The plains would miss them; their great water fountains never explored. Their dry lake beds and frozen flats hardly catalogued. Open to the sky and remaining an undiscovered country.

Flowers would miss them; for they had just gotten used to being picked by warm fingers. Gathered in bunches and loved simply because they were there. The flowers, in all their finest raiment, were more gloriously enrobed than Solomon himself. The flowers had never imagined that they, the simple folk they were, would be wanted because they looked pretty. And many flowers after that held their heads up a little straighter and a little taller. Oh yes, flowers would miss them.

And the immense solitudes would miss them; for they were the pause. They were the great “Hush!” Where life, though joyless, silent, still is calm, where sweet content is sorrow's balm. There, not saying a word, where all is still, free from pomp and care, to wait, forgetting and forgot, the will of fate.

The stars – ah! The stars, those meaner beauties of the night, more by your number than your light. They alone, perhaps, would miss them the most; for they, since the birthday of the sun had shone in silent ceremony. Born, they lived and shone their light freely to any who would take it. Witnesses to the universe; they knew the shortness of life. One day, long time from now, as their cores hotter and their fuel expended, they would remember Elysium! …and burst their solar bands. Like fireworks, like a beacon, like a torch, Elysium! they would remember. Then grows cold and colder still. Small and smaller still…but they would go on.

Sam took in a breath now that the monument was set. His warm breath, like steam from a dragon sent a cloud of smoke. His thoughts turned now to what to say.

He took off his helmet with respect. With his ungloved hands he arranged a single pair of his own boots. He left behind a helmet near the engraved monument. He said, “Marines? I’ll keep this short. This is your Captain. This place was our home. It’s yours now. We’re leaving behind only the memories. Guard them well. You’re marines from Elysium. And I know that not even death can stop of guys and girls. We’re bringing your remains back with us. Not leaving you here in the cold. Your families will want you back…more than we’ll ever know. But you’re free now. You…great birds of the galaxy.

On Pacifica, the native Selkans say that a noisy crowd surrounds each one of us. And every living thing. Wherever we go this crowd goes with us. And we are never alone. The voices of this crowd never go silent. No matter how loud we speak their voices are louder. Who is this noisy crowd? The angels of God. You are those angels now. And the rest of us this side of the veil; we will do our duty. And get our people home.

This place was good to us. Nature can be harsh and space…constantly reminds us that we are not in charge. As you have done your duty, we will do ours. And I will miss you. All of you. And you have done well. Very well indeed.

Yut!”

He ended with a salute. Then, gathering up the rest of his combat armor for one last time and one last look. Samuel touched the monument he worked on over these past months. A secret endeavor and a labor of love and respect for the marines and the crew. Boarding the last shuttle, it lifted off the landing pad for the last time.

[OFF:]

Captain Samuel Woolheater
“Saepius Exertus, Semper Fidelis, Frater Infinitas”
Division VI, MARDET 62nd Company "Spartans", 1st Platoon CO
=/\= USS ELYSIUM - NCC-89000 =/\=