Da'nak stared silently out at the Meridian and the stars in the great black expanse beyond. The occasional flash of the welders working on the hull of the Yorktown's battered sister ship drew his attention from time to time, but his gaze always returned to the stars. With the repairs well under way to both vessels, the big Andorian had a moment to relax and reflect.

 

    He brought the mug of coffee to his lips and swallowed, the warm bitterness tasted good. It had been a long time since he had been able to partake in his favored beverage for the enjoyment of it, as opposed to simply trying to stay functional. He cradled the warm mug in his hands and let out a sigh.

 

    Da'nak closed his eyes and let his mind drift back to when he had first discovered his love for the drink, back on Ju-sat during his training. A friend of his roommate had introduced it to him. Jared Shultz, a sciences trainee. He had come looking or some help with some of his theory exams, and finding the Andorian instead of the object of his search, he suggested they go out for a coffee while they waited. The two had become fast friends after that. Jared, as it turned out, was something of an amateur historian, specializing in a period known as the American Revolution. The two had spent many coffee-fueled nights with Da'nak listening to Jared describe the period, the great men, the great battles, and the birth of a great nation. The cadet described the events and people with such passion and pride that it was hard for Da'nak not to take an interest, and he had responded with similar tales from his own world.

 

 The fourth day of July had always held a special significance for Jared, and Da'nak had celebrated with his friend, with some brandy that the cadet had managed to have smuggled in, and videos of fireworks displays. Da'nak was reminded of similar celebrations from back on Andoria.

 

    Da'nak let out a short chuckle. If only Jared could see him now, standing here after a battle in which not just a country, but the entire Earth had just fought a battle for it's own independence on the observation deck of a ship from a reality where the Revolution that Jared had studied so passionately had a very different outcome. But Jared couldn't see him. Da'nak lowered his head and said a silent prayer. He had stumbled onto the crew log of the Intrepid while he was testing some of the repaired systems. Jared Shultz had been transferred in two weeks prior to the battle as a junior science officer.

 

    The Andorian reached into his tunic and drew forth a small stainless steel flask that he had found in his quarters as he was boxing up Jia's effects. He unscrewed the cap and poured some of the brownish liquid into the mug he was holding, his hand suddenly shaky. He replaced the flask and raised the mug, his rapidly moistening eyes once again out on the stars. "Here is to you Jared..." He said in a soft, unsteady tone. "Happy fourth of July my friend... We even had fireworks." Da'nak took a large gulp of the bandy-laced coffee as the tears began to fall freely from his eyes. The Intrepid had been his old friend's tomb, and he hoped that it wouldn't claim any new ones...

 

 

Defender Da'nak Ca'daar

Chief Helm Officer

NX-05 Yorktown