STF

Side sim- The price we pay

Posted May 6, 2022, 4:39 p.m. by Lieutenant River Styxx (OIC Marine) (Nathan Derricutt)

Marine country lay silent. The usual hustle and bustle of it corridors replaced with the subtle hums and beeps of the Atlantis. Where you would normally see those with duties to perform there was nothing. Not even a single marine on patrol. Instead all Marines had gathered in the large room they trained in.

They stood in their regimented lines, decked in there dress uniforms. Every button and boot polished, every cap badge glinting under the lights of the room. But there was no fanfare no stirring music or even the usual regimented steps of those on parade. Instead all stood still eyes facing forward to their CO and to the five silver caskets draped in the flag of the federation. Those lost trying to understand the enemy that had just appeared, lost to the traps set by the sadists who sat in the cells. Each marine wore the same Solomon expression. Mirrored in the face of their commander. Whose eyes drifted to the ten people sitting on the chair in front of all the marines. Wives that had become widows, husbands who had become widowers and children now orphaned.

River knew that feeling all to well and she knew the pain they felt. She had experienced it herself and seen it in to many people, a reminder the oath all who wear the uniform take and the silent oath their loved ones take. They in a way where the strongest of all they hadn’t been trained to deal with it, they couldn’t stop it and yet they chose to love those that had, knowing one day they may get that call and that the loss they felt would be mirrored in hundreds of others.

“To serve the federation is the duty of all Marines” River began solemnly “To fight and die for each other and those we do not know, is the call we all answer. We take a vow to each other and an oath to the federation to pay whatever price we must to protect all we hold close to us. Some pay the ultimate price.” she paused “That is why we are gathered today, that is why our tears water the skies this day. To remember and pay tribute to those who have paid the ultimate price. We are also here to honour their lives and the loved ones they left behind” again River paused she had done this a thousand times and it never got any easier.

“And so I commit these five marines to space, so they may join the other stars and light a path for us as we carry on with out them. So when we look up and see those stars we know that even though they have left us they are still watching over us. Honouring the oath they took as we all must” She said finishing her speech. As she spoke the caskets began to move, the flags that had been draped where now lifted above them being folded and presented to those sitting.

“Present arms” River barked as she snapped to attention and saluted. A move replicated by all present as the caskets where released to space on the final journey all would take one day. A journey marked, at least for these five, by the silent tears of those they knew and the sound of phasers fired to respectfully bid them farewell.

Lieut Styxx (OIC Marines)


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