Author’s Note: This story
takes place shortly after the events of TNG’s two-part 5th season episode
“Unification.”
Starbase
12
Captain’s log, stardate
45250.1:
The
To show our respect and strength,
particularly against our recent adversary, the Romulans
– who tried to overcome the security of the Federation – Starfleet has ordered
the Marines of Bravo Company, 46th Battalion, to serve as honor guards during
the memorial service. Their unit stood
bravely against Klingon unrest during the Empire’s
recent civil war, and their participation will send a clear message to the Romulan Senate.
Captain Jean-Luc
Picard was overseeing the Starfleet and Starfleet Marine honor guard as they
stood watch, standing on each side of a pedestal holding the stone-like urn
that contained Sarek’s katra,
what some believed to be his living spirit, which after the service would be
returned to Vulcan and placed into the Hall of Ancient Thought within
Yet for those of non-Vulcan birth, especially those who
had served with the ambassador, it was important to conduct a memorial service
similar to those that honored diplomats and statesmen of centuries past. Starfleet and the Federation Council wanted
to remember Sarek in their own ways and
traditions. Picard, quickly returning
from his mission to
Perrin sat in a
chair, Picard standing at her side to offer comfort, both facing the display at
the front of the room where the memorial service was to be held. Alongside the honor guard several other
pictures of Sarek, as he looked in better days, were
displayed. Nearby, along one side of the
room, members of Picard’s crew, including Commander William T. Riker and Lt
Commander Data – who had accompanied Picard on his mission to locate Sarek’s son, Spock, on
Next to several
other alien officials sat Admiral Leonard McCoy, aside from Spock the only
other surviving crew member of the original starship Enterprise, aboard which Ambassador Sarek
had traveled to the Babel Conference a century earlier, during which the vote
to admit Coridan had occurred. Two young Starfleet officers flanked the 141
year old living-legend, helping him shuffle to his seat and remain sitting
upright.
At the front of
the room, the honor guard stood mutely at attention, ceremonial phaser rifles held in front of their bodies at parade
rest. On one side stood six security
guards from the
Space,
the Final Frontier…
These
are the adventures of the Starfleet Marine Corps. Our mission: To protect and defend the
constitution of the United Federation of Planets from all threats…
...Anytime,
anywhere.
Star
Trek: The Proud Few
“To Our Honored Dead” by David Kingsbury
Marine’s personal log supplemental: Private
First Class Michael Drake, recording;
As I stood watch with my rifle, not moving a
muscle during the service, I thought back to the days before I put on the dress
blues that I am wearing. I thought back
to when I met the famed Vulcan Ambassador for the first time…
2364
Michael Drake
remembered the day well. It was the most
important event to take place in his memory.
The young
teenager and his parents Captain Kyle Drake and Heather Drake sat among a
thousand other VIP’s and guests on the Academy quad. One by one, each name of a graduate was
called out by the announcer, one of the veteran Academy professors, as the
Superintendent, Admiral Hahn, handed the graduating cadets a diploma and a
Starfleet ensign’s rank pip. Lining up
in single file, organized from the top of the class to the very bottom, the
young cadets had completed their course requirements and now awaited the next
step in their Starfleet careers and the coming future. Each cadet was called by name as they walk
over to the admiral. The Drake family,
who were joined by a young woman, was soon watching one cadet in particular, a
young man wearing a newly issued Starfleet dress uniform as he walked across
the rostrum toward the Superintendent.
“Cadet Nolan
Andrew Drake… Hereby appointed to the rank of ensign,
Starfleet.”
Michael and his
parents cheered with the crowd, as his older brother was handed first his
diploma, then his rank pip by Admiral Hahn.
The two shook hands as the admiral congratulated the young lad on a job
well done. As the newly appointed ensign
headed off the stage and back to his seat, the young woman sitting next to
Michael cheered with more enthusiasm.
She was Nolan Drake’s fiancée, Elisabeth. Nolan had proposed to the young woman when
the two vacationed on Risa during the cadet’s last
leave before graduation; a proposal she had quickly accepted.
As the Drake
family cheered on the new officer, young Michael noticed several other VIP’s
sitting on the stage behind the Superintendent.
He immediately recognized Ambassador Sarek,
perhaps the Federation’s most important diplomat, who as typical of his logical
people, showed no emotion during the ceremony.
Sarek was joined on the stage by an elderly
Trill male. He was Sarek’s
former protégé, Ambassador Curzon Dax. With the Trill ambassador was another protégé
of his own, a dark-haired, dark-skinned Starfleet officer wearing a burgundy
dress uniform by the name of Lt Commander Benjamin Sisko,
recently assigned first officer of the starship
*
* *
Starbase 12
Stardate
45250.1
Admiral McCoy,
with the help of his two aides, shuffled up to the front of the room. Glancing in annoyance at the commander on his
left as he tried to support the former Starfleet Surgeon General’s arm, he then
looked as the gathered crowd, cleared his throat and began his eulogy.
“We are gathered
here today to pay our respects to our honored dead. I believe Ambassador Sarek
would have appreciated us being here on this day, in his own subdued way. His widow, sharing this occasion with us,
also appreciates our gathering here today.”
The gray-haired man looked at Perrin, who nodded back at the admiral, expressing
her thanks.
“In my years as a
Starfleet officer, I have been witness to many events; Many of those while
serving under the command of Captain James T. Kirk. Those of us aboard the
McCoy looked around
at the gathering a moment before continuing.
“To not have the
strength and willingness to complete these tasks I believe Sarek
would have deemed illogical: a word that we humans have often become too
familiar.” The old man grinned
slightly. Others in the gathering
chuckled softly. Then McCoy’s expression
turned somber once again. “I regret
there will never be another diplomat who can ever replace the great man we honor
today.”
*
* *
2364
“Hey, Michael!”
Michael Drake and his
folks moved through the milling crowd of newly commissioned officers and their
families to make their way to their own new ensign to offer their own
congratulations.
“Alright, big brother!
Or should I say Ensign Drake?”
Michael smiled as Nolan gave his parents each a hug, saving the longest
and tightest hug for his fiancée.
“Just a few more
years and you’ll be walking across the stage in your new uniform,” Nolan
remarked to his brother.
“Hold on, you
two!” Heather Drake said, interrupting the two brothers. “Before you start to address Nolan as Ensign,
aren’t you forgetting something?”
“Oh!” Nolan looked at his hand, which still held
the small box containing the round gold rank pip. He handed it to Elisabeth, who removed the
pip from its box and, leaning up on her tip-toes, placed it on the flap of his
gold dress uniform, then congratulated the young Starfleet officer with a
kiss. The rest of the family cheered on.
Captain Kyle
Drake, after his son was embraced by his mother once more, honored him with a
pat on the back of his shoulder. The
captain then turned when he noticed several other people approaching; Lt
Commander Benjamin Sisko and Curzon Dax, who both Drake boys knew better as…
“Grampa!” Nolan waved his hand to draw the Trill
Ambassador’s attention, Michael quickly joining in.
“Grampa?” Dax’s
protégé, Sisko, asked with a grin.
“To you,
Benjamin, I’m the ‘Old Man.’
I’ve known these boys almost since they were born. In fact, Michael was named in part after
me. So to them, I’m ‘Grampa.’ I look so old, they think of me as their
grandfather.”
“Well done,
Nolan,” Dax said, turning his attention to the newly
appointed officer. “Well done.” The Trill pointed his finger in the air, as
he expressed words of encouragement.
“Now, remember, boy, that Starfleet is much more than simply wearing
that uniform. Your new rank will demand
much of you in the days and years to come.”
“And I shall remember that well, Grampa,”
Nolan replied. He then looked at his
parents and added, “It is something that my dad has been telling me since I was
little.”
Captain Drake
nodded and smiled.
“Well noted, my
boy.” He waved his hands, signaling his
older child. “Come here!” Both father and son embraced each other, the
captain proudly congratulating him once again.
The elder Drake had given his sons such advice ever since he took them
aboard the Sun Tsu. Captain Drake had encouraged his eldest in
pursuing this dream; and kept his fairness upon him, whereas some parents
pressured their children, in an often negative way.
Nearby, Curzon
turned to the Starfleet officer with him.
“Everyone, I want you to meet my protégé whom I mentored during his days
in the Academy. This is Commander
Benjamin Sisko.
Much as I’m called ‘grampa’ by the boys,
Benjamin often refers to me as ‘Old
“Yes,”
Sisko admitted as he nodded with a
smile.
“I’m sure all of
you, but especially Ensign Drake, would like to hear something that Commander Sisko would like to share with us.” Dax turned to Sisko.
“Ensign,”
Commander Sisko said as he looked at Nolan. “I just wanted to congratulate you… As well as welcome you to
your first Starfleet assignment.”
The Drake family
was overjoyed as Sisko explained.
“I have been
authorized to inform you that your new post will be in the security department
aboard the starship
“And I look forward to serving with you, Commander,” Nolan
replied as his family cheered around him.
He then turned to his fiancé, who still held him by his side. “Sir, I also want to inform you that
following my graduation, my fiancé, Elisabeth…” Nolan looked at her as she smiled at him. “…and I will be married tomorrow.”
“Congratulations
to both of you,” Sisko offered. He then turned to Elisabeth. “Miss, you’ve picked a very good officer.”
“Thank you,
Commander,” Elisabeth replied with a smile.
The attention of the rest of the family, including Michael, was drawn to
another couple that were walking over. One of them was an older human woman with red
hair showing from under her traditional Vulcan attire, who
was a few centimeters shorter than her companion, a tall white-haired Vulcan
man. The Vulcan was wearing special
attire, a brownish robe traditionally worn by Vulcan diplomats.
“It is agreeable
to see you once more, Curzon Dax,” the Vulcan stated
as the couple approached the elderly Trill.
“I see that you are among company.”
“Indeed,
Ambassador Sarek,” Curzon replied before nodding in
greeting to the ambassador’s wife.
“Perrin.”
“Ambassador Dax,” Perrin replied
in return.
“Ambassador, I believe you have already met my former
protégé, Commander Benjamin Sisko,” Dax said, indicating the man beside him.
“Ambassador,” Sisko greeted Sarek, who returned
the greeting. Dax
then looked toward the Drakes.
“I also want you
to meet the entire Drake family,” Dax said,
introducing each by name, including the newly commissioned Ensign Nolan Drake.
“May I present
she who is my wife,” Sarek said after greeting each
of the Drakes before presenting Perrin, who smiled and nodded.
“Ambassador Sarek,” Nolan said, addressing the Vulcan man. “This is she who is soon to be my wife,
Elisabeth.”
Sarek noticed Perrin smile in a particularly un-Vulcan
manner. Even though showing no emotion,
the Vulcan did understand the positive feeling.
“I congratulate
you both, on this new endeavor, and another,” Sarek
offered, complementing on both the ensign’s appointment and becoming a husband.
Captain Kyle
Drake moved to join Dax and Sarek,
the three starting a conversation, as the rest of the family moved off to join
others in congratulating other cadets. Among
the crowd were a Starfleet Marine Major and a newly graduated 2nd
Lieutenant, who were joined by Lieutenant Colonel Hal Drake. Michael recognized the Major as Ivan Harrick,
Starfleet Marine tactical fighter squadron commander. The newly graduated marine officer was his
son, James. As Michael Drake looked
back-and-forth, first from where his family gathered around his brother, next
to where his Uncle Hal conversed with Major Harrick, a classmate of the colonel’s,
he was having conflicting thoughts. Already he was gearing up for the tests that
would lead to entering the Academy, following in his family’s footsteps. He also had started to develop an interest in
a girl he had met during a previous family function; another future Academy
candidate named Jean Hajar. It seemed that the course toward a career as
an officer was set for Michael. But did
Michael Drake really want to be a starship officer? Or did he want to follow in the tradition of
other members of his family? Family like his Uncle Hal.
Did Michael Drake
want to become, instead, a Starfleet Marine?
*
* *
Starbase 12
Stardate
45250.1
Now it was
Picard’s turn to speak.
“Ri vath kau eh ri vath
rok nam-tor na'etek hi etek kau-tor,” Captain Picard said from behind the podium,
speaking in Vulcan before translating to Standard. “In Surak’s own
words, ‘There is no other wisdom and no other hope for
us but that we grow wise.’”
Picard glanced
for a moment at those gathered in the room.
“The first time I met Ambassador Sarek, I was but a young lieutenant. One of those rash, over eager, somewhat more
inexperienced officers than you see now.”
Some in the gathered crowd chuckled.
“To explain in detail, I was attending the wedding of a member of the
Ambassador’s family. I was about to
present myself to the Ambassador when I found myself a little
speechless—apparently a very human reaction.”
Picard grinned slightly, which prompted a bit more
laughter from the assembly, before his expression turned serious again.
“We became aware
of Ambassador Sarek’s illness during a mission aboard
the
Picard did not
mention any further the nature of his secret mission to locate Ambassador Spock
on
“Upon hearing the
news of Sarek’s death, I felt that I had lost what I
would call…a part of myself.” After
Picard had spoken, as he was about to shed a tear, he managed to regain his
self control; something Sarek, at the height of his
health, would have easily done when his logic and emotional self control were
still with him, a part of Sarek that was now a part
of Picard. Everyone in the gathering
knew what Picard was feeling. After
finishing his eulogy, Picard resumed his place as Perrin’s escort. The widow held onto the Frenchman’s arm.
“He understands,
Jean-Luc. Even though he would not
acknowledge it publicly, the display of emotion being illogical, but he
understands.”
As the memorial
service continued, several more officials, Federation Council members, and
diplomats stood at the front of the room, offering their sympathies to the
widow and sharing their personal memories of the late ambassador, a man who
shaped Vulcan history as well as the history of the entire Federation. Also in attendance at the memorial were
several officers of the Klingon Empire. One of them was K’Tal,
a member of the Klingon High Council who had
maintained his loyalty to Chancellor Gowron during
the recent Klingon civil war, who was accompanied by
two aides wearing heavy cloaks.
Following the
final benediction, performed by a Vulcan priest, everyone gathered before Sarek’s katric ark. The honor guard maintained their posts as the
gathered assembly formed a semi-circle, each individual pausing for a brief
moment to turn and view the seemingly plain urn. PFC Michael Drake was standing in a position
that allowed him to see each mourner as they approached. Maintaining his poise and upright attention,
with his eyes scanning his standard perimeter, he took note of each
person. While Picard and Perrin observed
from a few meters away with other members of Picard’s crew, Drake watched as a
few of the high-ranking Starfleet officers passed, each pausing for a moment to
view the ark of the late ambassador.
Admiral Mamoru Nakamura was one of the first of the group, followed by
Admirals Gregory Quinn, Owen Paris, James Leyton, and
finally Admiral Vance Haden, who paused to view the ark with respect. Admiral Haden’s eyes then glanced toward one
the Marines standing guard, his son, Lance Corporal Vance Haden, Jr. He could not acknowledge the young Marine
personally, knowing he was carrying out a special duty. With a brief nod, Admiral Haden moved on, his
place taken by the next mourner, Admiral Alynna Nechayev. Additional
mourners paused to view the katric ark for a moment,
then took their leave, including Starfleet Marine Lt Colonel Harold Drake, or
Uncle Hal, as Michael Drake knew him, with two of his children, one about PFC
Drake’s age, the other in his teens, Drake’s cousins Justine and William. Colonel Drake was wearing his Marine full
dress blues, decorated with his many medals and awards. Cousin Justine, wore
her Academy dress uniform, mush like Jadzia Dax. Young William
was dressed in formal civilian clothes.
The family paused for a brief moment in front of the katric
ark before Colonel Drake raised the edge of his right hand and saluted the late
ambassador. He then lowered his salute
and lead his children back down the aisle. Right after them Drake’s parents, Captain
Kyle Drake and his wife, Starfleet medical officer Heather Drake, glanced
briefly yet silently at their son before turning their attention to Sarek’s katric ark, paying their
respects before they too moved on, followed by Cadet Dax. Then the members of the crew of the starship
The line of
mourners continued for quite some time.
*
* *
2364
“Hey, Mike!”
Michael Drake
turned around at the sound of his brother Nolan’s
voice. He noticed that his brother had
stepped away from the rest of the family, to converse with one of his former
Academy instructors, a former Starfleet officer and now a Federation
ambassador. Michael also took notice of
the other man, a person he immediately recognized from the history books and
news broadcasts.
“Michael, I
wanted you to meet one of my former instructors. I’m sure you recognize him, of course.”
“How could I not,
Big Brother?” Michael walked over to the
instructor. “It is an honor to meet you,
Ambassador Spock.”
The Vulcan former
Starfleet officer offered his greeting to the young teen.
“It is a pleasure
to make your acquaintance, Michael Drake.”
Spock then held out his right hand and greeted the young Drake with the
split-fingered Vulcan salute. Michael
returned the gesture.
“I understand
that you taught some spring semester classes on Vulcan history and culture; an
extra credit course my brother did well in,” Michael commented.
“Well, young
Mister Drake, when I am not conducting diplomatic missions, I have often found
the time to instruct the young cadets.
There is another that used to be one of my students before, I believe,
he became your martial arts instructor.”
Drake was
surprised.
“You taught Sifu Chang?”
Spock nodded as
he said, Mister Chang was one of my most promising
students. And I believe that your
brother…” Spock turned a bit to look at
Nolan Drake. “…Wants to follow in Mister
Chang’s path. At least
in part.”
“Sifu Chang has had an influence on us, Mister Ambassador.”
“Indeed.”
Nolan looked over
at his younger brother.
“I recommended
you to Ambassador Spock. Even though he
has that logical demeanor he maintains, I believe he can give you some advice
on getting ready for your place in the Academy.”
“I thought I
already have enough support.”
“As the
Ambassador often encourages, you just have to look into the logic of these
things.”
“I think with
time, and the skills that you will develop, you will perhaps succeed,” Spock
said.
“I’ll keep that
in mind, sir. I’ve always regarded you
as one of my heroes. But I know you
personally don’t think that is logical.”
“Agreed,” Spock
noted. “But very understandable.”
*
* *
Starbase 12
Stardate
45250.1
Michael Drake had
made his decision. He chose the
Marines. His reasons were quite clear;
even before he broke up with Jean Hajar. But after the death of his older brother
aboard the
Now taking part
in the memorial services, the young man from
Starfleet
security officers guarded the perimeter of the plaza where the final part of
the memorial service would take place before Perrin and Ambassador Sarek’s katric ark would beam
back aboard the
The mourners
assembled within the plaza, the honor guard moving beyond the crowd to the edge
of the open area, where they stood at attention, awaiting the command of Staff
Sergeant Walc.
“Detail, Atten-shun!” Walc ordered. Immediately the twelve members of the honor
guard snapped to attention, their ceremonial compression rifles shouldered
smartly on their right sides.
“Detail, pre-sent… arms!”
Twelve rifles snapped into position directly in front of each member,
straight up.
“Detail, ready!” All
twelve members of the honor guard released the safeties on their rifles with an
audible click.
“Aim!” ordered the Tellarite
Staff Sergeant. The six Starfleet
security guards and six Starfleet Marines snapped their compression rifles up,
butts firmly against their shoulders, emitters toward the clear sky, each at a
perfect fifty degree angle.
“Fire!”
One by one,
starting with Lance Corporal Vance Haden, Jr., the Marines and Security Guards
each fired one compression pulse into the air.
As the final guard fire his rifle, Haden and
the Marines each fired a second shot into the air, ending with one final
security guard for a total of a nineteen gun salute. As the 19-gun salute ended, a lone bugler
lifted an instrument to his lips and began playing a solemn rendition of Taps
as three Starfleet officers stood nearby, folding the Federation flag that had
been displayed during the memorial service.
As the bugler finished Taps, the officers finished folding the flag into
a compact blue triangle, the final officer slowly turning and passing it to the
Andorian ambassador, who in turn stepped over to
Perrin and presented it to Sarek’s widow.
“As a
representative of the United Federation of Planets, it is my privilege to
present you this flag. Let it be a
symbol of the grateful appreciation we feel, for the distinguished service
rendered to this Federation and our flag by your loved one.”
Perrin took hold
of the flag, thanking the Andorian ambassador, a tear
winding its way down one cheek as she grasped Picard’s hand tightly. A moment later, the memorial service
concluded, the honor guard departed.
Moments later, as
the participants went their own separate way, Drake
paused for a moment and noticed where Captain Picard stood near an obelisk
across the plaza. The captain had
briefly left Perrin to chat for a moment with a person wearing a brown cloak
that hid their face from the side, and his expression looked both worried and
sad. The Starfleet Marine grunt moved in
a little closer to check on the man he had helped save from an alien takeover aboard
the Enterprise several months before.
“Captain, is
everything alright?” Drake inquired.
“Private Drake,”
Picard said, a hint of surprise in his voice as the Marine walked closer. “Everything is fine.” The captain then turned to the individual he
had been talking to and said, “Allow me to introduce you.” Picard nodded once as the person under the
cloak removed the hood covering their head.
Drake noticed it was an older Vulcan woman, he estimated had to be in
her early hundreds, with some streaks of grey showing through her black hair,
which unlike most of the females on Vulcan, was long and wavy, almost curled.
“Private First
Class Michael Drake, this is Captain Saavik. Ambassador Spock’s wife.” Picard then turned toward the woman and said,
“Captain, this is Private First Class Michael Drake, a member of 2nd Squad of
the 2nd Platoon, assigned to Bravo Company of the 46th Battalion.”
“Private,” Saavik greeted,
nodding her head at the young Marine.
“Captain Saavik,” Drake replied, snapping a bit at attention and
taking a short bow. “I’ve heard a great
deal about you.” Indeed, Michael had
heard a great deal about the captain, a woman of two heritages, both Vulcan and
Romulan.
Drake’s grandfather had been a cadet during the training cruise aboard
the Enterprise-1701, a cruise to
which a then-Lieutenant (Junior Grade) Saavik had
also been assigned. Drake remembered his
grandfather also telling him about Saavik rescuing
her future husband when she and scientist David Marcus were trapped on the
Genesis planet. “I have also met your
husband several years ago,” Drake mentioned.
“So I have
heard. He spoke a great deal about you.”
Drake looked a
little embarrassed. “Nothing positive, I
bet. Especially considering that I let
him down when I chose this path.” Drake
looked down at the PFC chevron on his right shoulder.
“He knew your
reasons. And he understood your
decision. He wanted to let you know
before he left for his most recent mission.”
Drake was not privy
to the information of where Spock was or what mission he was performing, but
assumed it must be important to the future of the Federation.
“Will I ever see
him again, Captain Saavik?” Drake asked.
“I do not know,
Private. Only time will answer.”
The
End
Return to 2369 and prior.
Return to Stories Archive.