SD 220827.1215
MD:8.1800
SilverXO quarters, SB Epsilon

----

"Nice."

Tess and Ares stood at the door of their new quarters at Starbase
Epsilon. The Lyran was using a cane, but otherwise he had recovered
from the wounds he had received at Argolis Cluster. At least
outwardly.

These rooms had belonged to the Ferengi Ambassador before, he had
demanded for the best and, after whining at every level of Starfleet
administration, got it. A week later he had moved out, thanks to the
family of four Deltan Consuls living next door. The nightly sounds had
been fun at first, but too much is too much even for a Ferengi.

Ginny had caught on the apartment and assigned it to the new SilverXO.
She had also had the Engineering department install a new sound
dampening field.

The whole sloping ceiling of the three big rooms was transparent,
giving a magnificent, slowly turning view into the stars and the
traffic. With a voice command it could be darkened, made opaque, or
turned into a mirror.

The center room was the biggest, and it was separated with a couple of
steps into a living room and a dining area. The former was furnished
luxurious brown leather sofas and huge chairs, a low glass-topped
table and some red-leaved plants that gave the room a slight scent of
cinnamon. The dining table was massive mahongany thing, encircled with
leather-topped chairs.

Tess went to check out the bedroom and almost got lost in the series
of huge walk-in closets. They were empty now, most of her garderobe
got destroyed in the Argolis Cluster, but she was already planning how
to best fill the rooms with her husband's new Admirality salary.

Some things never changed, no matter how fine things you could make
with the replicator. The device actually made genuine, hand-made items
the more valuable and appreciated.

The new Commodore was looking at the third room, which was perfect for
a library, study and a home office. What it needed was a desk and some
bookshelves. Perhaps some paintings. At least one should be made of
the USS ANDROMEDA, may she rest in peace.

"Come and take a look at this!"

He followed her voice out to the balcony, that stretched outside the
whole width of the quarters, and slightly out of the station. It was
an agoraphobic's nightmare. The walls and ceiling were transparent,
and the floor slightly so too, so it was like standing in empty space.

Ares sat down in one of the lounge chairs, relaxed and took in the
view. It was easy to lose himself in the starry scape, the distant
blinking buoy lights that marked the mouth of the Wormhole, and all
the arriving and departing traffic.

"Very nice indeed."

"Yeah... the walls need new color, and the furniture looks too heavy.
They need to be changed. Oh, I don't like the carpets either. The
closets should have more light. I need my own workspace..."

Ares covered his eyes and sighed. Some things never changed.

----

Scene: Promenade, Starbase Epsilon

The next day, the memorial ceremony proceeded smoothly. Admiral Rexan
said the opening words. Ares couldn't remember ever seeing her so
emotional.

After her the station Chaplain spoke of peace and vigilance, and the
importance of the sacrifice that so many had given in the Battle of
Argolis Cluster. The Fleet band played the traditional funeral hymn
that harked back for centuries.

Ensign Vixen Moore of the USS VALHALLA, foster daughter of Admiral
Skree, read the names of the dead with her loud, clear Klingon voice.
It was a long list. Every name brought a reaction from somewhere in
the crowd. Closed eyes, silent sighs, calls of 'mommy'.

The last formal speech came from Lady Kaltaren, the head of the
Cardassian Union. She could not be there in person, but by long range
transmission from Cardassia Prime. She thanked the Federation and
Starfleet for their invaluable effort in bringing down the Shard
uprising. It would never be forgotten, but it was the cornerstone of a
new trust between the two nations.

After her, the stage was free for anyone to speak and remember their loved ones.

----

Respectfully,

Markku Herd
Cdre Ares Blackmane, SILVERXO
"Happiness isn't something you experience; it's something you remember."
- Oscar Levant