Notification To Next Of Kin

[Arch Angel 0]

Notification To Next Of Kin

 

The last of the inevitable communicae to the next of kin and or immediate family had been encrypted and sent to SFHQ and forwarded to their respective destinations.

 

The list seems to be growing as time goes on. The number of KIA on the pilots roster has increased proportionally .....though by far less than the overall percentage of crew loss ship wide it has grown since the reassignment of my former Commander and friend Zafira.

 

I can remember our conversations as if they were yesterday.we had returned from a harrowing mission in the junk yard...and had presumed lost the shuttle and crew to an energy burst that later proved to be a cleverly hidden transport beam that had beamed the crew off at the instant the shuttle was destroyed.

 

I had just finished my debriefing along with the other pilots....and was thinking of the loss of the shuttle crew, Along with the pilot of that doomed flight my old friend and fellow pilot V'Roy when Commander Zafira pulled me aside and prompted me to walk with him.

 

The conversation in the pilots/officers lounge was at the very least informative and valuable advice from my superior for future reference should I question or reflect on our losses. Zafira had continued to inform me ...and rightly so, Reminding me of our position and our job as well as the inherent danger(s) involved in our profession.

 

The conversation was not lost on me...I had been in a self pitying poor me baby frame of mind...regretting the losses we had sustained when his words hit home and literally forced me out of that way of thinking. Zafira had been a strict disciplinarian as it pertained to training but he was fair. The man expected the best out of us all..and accepted no less.

 

Pausing for a second...sipping the now cold coffee...Computer resume recording...:Beep: I recommend the highest decoration for valor and bravery for the following individuals,all served with distinction and honor above and beyond the normal call of duty...List to follow...::pressing the button linking the list to the computer link...::Pilots KIA: Amos,R.J.,Ens.,Abros,S.,Lt.jg.,Henderson,Ens.,Sanderson,Lt.Jg....The list continued until the last of all six pilots were loaded into the Communicae.

 

Computer encode and send priority one,CC to:Capt.Fred Michaels,Xo Commander Ridire U.S.S. Reaent.,Signed respectfully....Angelis,john,A.,Lt.CAG,U.S.S. Reaent.,::Beep:: Turning to the clock on the wall and realizing the late hour ...Zafira's final words are haunting..."You stay in our profession long enough...you will see others come and go..live and die". Computer end log:Beep..