Saying goodbye

Posted on Fri Jul 8th, 2011 @ 7:08am by Fleet Admiral Mike K`Wor Bremer

736 words; about a 4 minute read

Mission: Mission 75 - Time of Change
Location: Enterprise-E Officer's Mess
Timeline: Current

OFF: Going to have to move us forward, about time to wrap this mission up...


ON:
Mike noticed just about everyone had arrived so it was time to get the evening going. He nodded to Picard then walked toward the front of the room.

"May I have everyone's attention?" He paused while everyone took seats and focused on him. "Thank you all for coming. As with any ship, there comes a time when her service life is over. We may believe that she has many years left in her and disagree with the powers that be, and feel a sense of loss knowing that a proud vessel is scheduled to be decommissioned. That's Human nature." He paused again, looking around the room, focusing on the non-Humans present.

"Times like this, we look back at the ship's career, her history, and the events she has participated in. We want to feel sad, just as we do when we lose a good friend. However we shouldn't look at this as a sad time, but a time to be proud. Not only has this vessel been home for her crew, protecting them, and seeing them safely back to port. This ship, the crew should be proud. Together, they stood nose to nose with the Borg, the Dominion, the Sona`, the Remans, and each time, returned home. Now is the end of an era, but also the start of a new one." He looked around again, pausing for a moment.

"Newly promoted Captain Worf has taken command of the USS Warrior, while newly promoted Captain LaForge has taken command of the USS Challenger. Captain Picard has decided his vines need more attention, the attention that only a retired officer can provide." He smiled at Jean Luc as he laughed. "And the Enterprise-E herself has a new home awaiting her at the Starfleet Museum at Earth where she will thrill and inspire generations. No, this isn't the end for his ship. It's a time of change, a new era, a new life." He raised his glass, "To the Enterprise."

After the toast, Mike took his seat as Captain Picard stepped forward to speak. He spoke about duty, honor, former crewmembers, and the future. After his remarks, a message from Captain Riker was played that he'd sent since he wasn't able to attend himself. Then finally, both Admiral Bremer and Captain Picard stepped forward. Command codes to the ship were transferred from Captain Picard to Admiral Bremer, then the computer was ordered into 'offline mode'. All systems were shut down, sensors, communications, engines, defensive system. Only life support was still online, being powered by umbilical support from Starbase 400. Once the ceremony and dinner were over, even this would be taken offline and the ship readied for her final flight, being towed to Earth by two warp capable tugs.

Mike then explained the basic process of how Starfleet Engineering and Museum personnel would spend the next two years turning the Enterprise-E into the newest addition of the museum, taking her place beside many other famous vessels like the NX-01, NCC-1701-A, NCC-1701-B Enterprises, NCC-1702 Pegasus, NCC-1717-C Yorktown, and many others.

Following this, everyone present was treated to a freshly prepared dinner by the Enterprise's Chef and mess crew. Centurion t`Khellian was served a traditional Romulan meal, while Worf was served a traditional Klingon meal, everyone was served something from their home world, and those that were of mixed species, such as Admiral Bremer, received a meal that was made of something from each of those homeworlds. Everyone also received a glass of Romulan Ale, and a moment of silence was held to remember the recent tragedy there, even if the Romulans weren't an ally any longer.

Following the meal, everyone returned to conversations, which lasted well into the early morning hours.

Finally, around 0300, only Worf, LaForge, Bremer, K`Temoc, Andrews, Greenwood, Stryfe, and Picard were still on board. They took one last walk though the ship's corridors as they chit-chatted. They passed though Engineering and the Bridge before they headed for the access way back to the Starbase. Worf, LaForge, Picard, and Bremer then paused at access way, looking back inside the ship.

"Before her time." Picard said, then he turned to his friends. "Thank you." He said with a smile. The Mike, followed by Worf, LaForge, and then finally Picard left the vessel, closing the hatch behind him.


OFF:

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