The Memorial

Posted on Mon Aug 8th, 2022 @ 9:59am by Lieutenant JG Deezell Vox & Fleet Admiral Mike K`Wor Bremer & Admiral Deela T'Lar & Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe-Wayne & Lieutenant Percy McWire & Captain Patrick Dow & Lieutenant Kah'lyn Chiara-Rivers & Lieutenant Olivia O’Riley & Tom Vercetti & Vito Russo

1,871 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Episode 112 - A Trip to Remember
Location: SB 400
Timeline: MD7 - 1200hrs

Deezell was up early. Today was the memorial for Raekwon, at 1pm in the afternoon. There was a fair list of things to do. She started her breakfast in her quarters whilst she waited for Ariana to arrive.

Ariana had been up early with her young family. Her usual routine was fortunately just about right where timings for meeting Deezell was concerned. Dropping both children off at the station nursery she made her way to Deezell’s Quarters, pausing at the door she pressed the chime.

As the door chimed, Deezell had a mouth full of her breakfast. She went to warp speed with her chewing and swallowed.

"Come on in" she shouted as she took aim with her knife and fork for the next sausage on her plate. Today, Deezell was trying a Full English.

Ariana smiled as she walked into Deezell’s quarters. “I hope I’m not catching you too early? I don’t want to spoil your breakfast.” She smiled as she motioned to the plate of food.

"Oh not at all." Deezell replied just finishing the last sausage on her plate. "I will soon have this demolished shortly. " She added. " Please, take a seat. " she said motioning to a chair at the table.

Taking a seat Ariana made herself comfortable, She stifled a yawn. “Sorry! I was burning the candle at both ends last night!” She grinned.

"Oh. Do tell?" Deezell asked. "Oh, here are the plans for the memorial service all in order," She added as she slid a padd over to Ariana. "The venue is all sorted and will be ready by 12:30. "

Ariana smiled as she looked at the PADD. “You've been pretty busy, I couldn’t have done this better myself. As for last night let’s just say the kids kept my busy for part of the evening, and Cameron kept me busy for the rest.” She grinned a wry grin.

"Oh really. Hmmmm, I think Raekwon would have probably grinned at you like a Tarkalian Cat and said bow chicka wow wow." She said trying her best to do an appropriate grin. " So you approve the plan for the service? " She asked picking up her own padd with the details.

Ariana nodded. “I most certainly do, It’ll give the crew, and those who knew Rae a chance to say their goodbyes.”

"Great, please circulate it so everyone who would like to attend knows the details. " Deezell replied. Just then she received a notification on her desk computer. She got up to check it.

"Oh, looks like my mother is arriving by 11am today. This will be a fun day after all. " she exclaimed.

Ariana smiled. “You’ll have to introduce me, that way I can help reassure your mother if she has any worries.

"I wonder if she will recognise me, personality wise. I have changed a fair amount since becoming joined. Now that I am more comfortable with who I am. " Deezell replied. She noted the time. "We have 30 minutes before my mother arrives. Tell you what, I will send out the details of the memorial, Then we can go to the venue and check on things before meeting my mother. " She added. She taps her padd to send the details out.

+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Your are invited to a memorial service to honour the passing of Raekwon Vox.

Service will begin at 1pm today in Conference Suite 5. A buffet will follow the service from 3pm. One of Raekwon's wishes were that at any funeral or service, no one should be in black and instead be in bright cheerful colours as he would wish us to celebrate not just his life but life as whole, the journey we all share.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

"OK, Its posted. Lets go check the Conference Suite before my mother shows up." Deezell replied.

Deezell put her used plate and cutlery into a replicator which subsequently was converted back to energy and stored into the unit.

She stood by her door waiting for Ariana.

Joining Deezell Ariana smiled as they walked. “I can’t honestly imagine what it must be like for you to have so many lifetimes of experience, and memories. I had a...dual personality affect me once...” She smiled. “Long story! That was weird enough but being a joined Trill must be a great challenge.”

~ Meanwhile Elsewhere ~

Admiral T'Lar didn't want to go to the memorial service. Not because she didn't want to pay respect to Raekwon Vox but because it was hitting too close to home for her. Her husband, Jack was missing, maybe even dead. She also didn't like being vulnerable in front of the crewmembers. Being Betazoid was even worse because this would be an emotional time for many who would be mourning the loss of Vox. She was already emotional as it is and sensing the emotions from those around her, it could overwhelm her. Remembering her mother's words to her earlier, she decided that she would attend. Afterall, it was her obligation to go out of respect to Vox, his family and crewmembers.

~ Outside Deezell’s Quarters ~

The two left Deezell's quarters. "It can be a challenge but normally a Trill is given years of training as an initiate, something I didn't get as I postponed my desire to become an initiate until after I had completed at least a year of duty in Starfleet. Fate had other plans for me. In the early days after being joined, I had moments waking up not sure who I was and whether I was male or female. I have since improved a great deal but ever now and then I have my moments"

Ariana nodded understandingly. “You should be proud just how well you’ve done.”

~McWires Quarters~

Percy noticed his console on his desk was beeping letting him know that he received a message. He walked over and tapped on the message and it opened. He read through it, it stated that he was invited to a memorial service for Raekwon Vox. He didn’t really know him personally but he decided to attend to pay respect. In the Invite it said not to wear black. He opened his. He mostly had his uniforms in it and two dressuniforms but on there right side he found some nice light brown trouser, a white shirt and a colourful dotted tie. He got dressed and headed to the memorial.

~ Memorial Service ~

Tom and Vito arrived at the memorial service, both in a black suits. Tom carried a bottle of wine. Both looked around for a moment. Tom placed the bottle beside a holo-photo of Raekwon before they took seats.

Mike and K'Temoc were the next to arrive. Both in dress uniforms, both tugging at the collars. They too looked around for a moment before taking seats. Neither wanted to be there, not because they didn't want to honor Raekwon. They wished he was still with them, and over the years he'd proven to be a good friend and a cherished resident of Starbase 400.

Deezell and Ariana arrived for the service. Deezell had chosen to wear an outfit made for her but the design was based on one of the over the top outfits Raekwon was known for. She turned to Ariana. " Give everyone a few more minutes to arrive and then we can begin." She advised.

Deela walked in alone. The kids opted out of the service. She glanced around the place, looking to see who was there. She spotted Mike Bremer and his brother. She joined them, sitting down next to Mike. Deela nodded to them both. As she sat there, she was already sensing the elevated emotions going on around her. She closed her eyes for a moment as she inhaled and exhaled, then used a technique she learned while on Vulcan. She waited for the service to begin.

Kah’lyn arrived alongside Olivia, the two having met up enroute to the service, neither knew Raekwon that well, but it seemed appropriate to be at his service.

Percy arrived. He looked around he saw that the room was well attended. He still got here on time. He continued to look for a seat and found one on the right side of room and went to it. „Has this seat been taken? he asked. The person next to it shook her head. So he sat down.

After several minutes and the arrival of more mourners, Bremer stood and walked to the front.

"Thank you all for coming. This isn't something I expected to do again so soon after the war...however we're here again to honor a fallen comrade. Raekwon Vox wasn't a member of Starfleet, however he was instrumental in us regaining Starbase 400. Before that, he was a humble shop owner here on the station. He participated in the Cultural Exchange of 2395, finding a piece of history...long lost manuscripts. Beyond all of that, we're here to honor a friend that has left us far to soon." Mike paused for a moment before adding, "If anyone else has anything they would like to say, please come up."

Deezel stood at the back of the room. She had a smile on her face as a single tear rolled down her left cheek.

Alicia moved to stand up. Making her way across to the front. “Thank you Admiral” she turned to look at those present. “Rae Vox was a warm, friendly individual who knew just how to keep his friends and customers happy. His loss will be deeply felt amongst those of us who knew him. Though in the sadness of his loss, we have gained a new member of our family.” She motioned to Deezell. “Deezell Vox, the new host of the Vox symbiont. I can think of no better way to pay tribute to Rae, than to make Deezell a Welcome new member of the Starbase 400 family.”


Deezel gave a small wave from the back of the room as another tear rolled down her left cheek. Hearing all the kind words spoken about Raekwon was very touching. Joined Trill's often get to experience something other races don't, the memorial service of the previous host. None symbiotic species don't get to see their own memorial once they have passed on. As she hadn't had the normal training, her emotions were somewhat unbalanced and easily rattled. But despite this, she was managing to maintain her composure.

Deela looked towards the back of the room for a moment. She chose not to say anything as she was already having trouble keeping it together. She'd leave that for the people who knew Vox well.

Tom slowly stood and walked to the front. "You know I'm a man of few words. However when talking about Raekwon, there just aren't enough to describe his friendship over the years. He always had the Promenade's Merchants' best interest at heart. Then there's his selfless actions Fleet Admiral Bremer mentioned in retaking Starbase 400. He'll be dearly missed."

Tom gave a little nod, then returned to his seat as well.


Once the service had concluded, the guests retired to the adjacent room for the buffet where they shared memories of Raekwon Vox. Deezell couldn't join them as her mother had arrived.

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