Someone cries...when a Redshirt dies

[Ki'rok 0]

Ki'rok typed away at the PADD in his hand. The bridge had grown deathly quiet..although given the circumstances, that was probably not the best adjective to use. Ensign Carters death was a pointless one...no honor..no purpose...just some invisible enemy striking from some unseen place. It was, in fact, a lot like some of the "planet killer" stories he had heard growing up.

 

The Humans had rather egotistically named it terracide. Entire civilizations destroyed on a planets surface from an unseen enemy above...then the planet would be stripped of its resources methodically and left as a husk...hanging empty...lifeless in space. Ki'rok had tried to imagine what it would be like to go through such an event..he had suffered loss in his life..but nothing on THAT scale.

 

And now, Ensign Stephen Carter, lay lifeless in Sickbay..the first casualty in an unknown war. His parents would have questions, of course, but Ki'rok had no answers. He probably should have let Will write the letter..but he had his hands full with the Admiral at the moment..and Ki'rok was Carters direct supervisor and more importantly..his friend. It seemed only fitting for him to prepare the letter...Will could sign off on it as his own for all Ki'rok cared.

 

Ki'rok glanced over at Link. The Arbazan had definitely seen better days..a scowl seemingly carved into his face. But then again, looking around the bridge..several hagard faces could be seen. It occured to Ki'rok that while the medication from the Doctor had helped with his meditation..he had had no time for rest...so his face was probably as space weary as the rest of the remaining healthy crewmen.

 

He typed the last line on the PADD and hit the save button. He would send it after Commander Robinson had reviewed it. It was not much but it would have to do. There was not time for a memorial or service. That troubled the Vulcan..but not as much as the growing feeling that Carters death...would not only be the first..but the first of many...

 

"Rest now, my friend"...said Ki'rok quietly setting the PADD aside..."May your journey to Shaka Ri...be a swift one."