Death is a Sober Business
Posted on 08/24/2020 @ 4:33pm by
Mission:
S2E1: The Skunil Incident
Location: Diplomatic Offices
Timeline: Day 39 at TBA
It was a vaguely morbid business, but also an honorable one that brought Chet to the diplomatic offices. Seeing to the proper burial of the slain colonists was actually enough of a break in his routine that he was actually enjoying himself, in a manner of speaking. He had done a bit of research on the burial rites of some of the species, but not a lot. Just enough to realize that almost all of them included some sort of prayer or prayer-like recitation. There didn’t seem to be a huge difference in very many of the rituals he had researched.
But now it was time to consult the diplomat. After asking the computer where to find him, Chet approached the correct office door and pressed the chime, waiting patiently to be admitted.
Eyes locked forward onto the terminal, Kieran had barely registered the door chime after becoming involved in a number of reports to process through. The previous away team he'd been on wasn't all-too-taxing, but given the aftermath discovery his mind needed the opportunity to wander. Particularly given the macabre duty which no doubt laid in front of someone unfortunate.
Lost within a recent convention journal he'd been able to study a few minor practices in place as he checked up on older colleagues. All the while he may have been 'new to the game', even moreso considering the placement aboard a starship, yet he hadn't let that deter him. Nor was he one to give in easily, recognising that as a professional he was still expected to stay on top of the more recent accomplishments in the Federation. Balancing that with his normal duties and life however was beginning to become an enigma for him.
The door once more chimed at last drawing his attention as he shook off the stupor. "Come in," he groggily offered, immediately standing up from the desk to wander over to the replicator. "Orange hibiscus tea with mint infusion. Hot," the marine issued, loosely grabbing the dispensed mug as he turned towards the now-opened door. "Oh -- doc. What can I do for you? Can I get you something? Tea?"
"No, thank you," replied Chet. "I'm fine. The Captain has tasked me with something and thought you might be able to help."
Mug in hand, the diplomat ushered to the chairs surrounding his desk. "Of course. What can I do for you?"
"You remember the mass grave we found," Chet said, half as a question. "We need to properly bury them. All of them. I've done a bit of research, but I don't know near enough about all the various species to even begin proper research."
A solemn nod came from the sandy-blond. "Hard to forget. Death is always a sombre, if not morose happening. Part of life though." He considered the amount of bodies which had been reported shortly before the party beamed up, knowing full well it wasn't going to be easy to give each of them a proper individual ceremony. "Well. Let's start with the basics. Do we have a breakdown of what species each were from? I hate to say it, but with the resources we have, we may not be able to afford them individual attention, and find out their life practices. They may have to be categorised culturally speaking."
Standing up from his chair, the man wandered over to a shelf before pulling down a tablet and returning to the desk. "Last I heard there was at least one Bajoran among the lot. That's a start. Their rites are fairly well documented at that."
“42 Bajorans,” Chet replied. “97 humans, 51 Betazoids, 23 Trill, 17 Vulcans, and a single Andorian.”
Rolling his thumbs one over the other, the diplomat processed the information. "Quite the tally," he mused openly over the count as he jotted a few peersonal notes upon the tablet. Idly charged as he pondered over the consideration, Kieran tapped his forehead. "You know, our executive officer is a Trill. I'm not certain how versed he is with his people's culture, but worth a shot. If not that, the computer core. The others I think should be fairly easy to handle."
He looked towards the darker-toned male, gently cupping his hands. "We'll need a source of light and fire in the least for the Bajoran rites. Humans are comparatively simple. As for the others, the only one I think that may bring us issue, excepting the Trill rites which we'll need to look into, is that of the Andorians. We'll need to take a few drops of blood from the individual and keep it in stasis while transporting it back to the ices of Andor."
“Is that something they do?” Chet asked, curious. “Take blood from the dead?”
Kieran nodded in confirmation. "My mentor was an Andorian. She said it's a gesture to honour their origins, and the accomplishments throughout their life. Some of their traditions date back as far as the High Guard, as recognition for bravery." He grinned for a moment. "The little things you learn along the way, eh?"
"Indeed," agreed Chet with a nod. "I can't say I've learned anything quite so interesting." He paused a moment. "We may have to do 6 different ceremonies. That could take awhile, even if we group everyone by species. Do you suppose any customs are similar enough to combine?"
"Not much overlaps, so far as I can see. Beyond the typical respect one might expect for a funeral, at least. It's when you get into fine details like this where you begin to see differences in the member species of the Federation. We all have common interests, but the way we express and practice them can differ greatly." Sipping upon his drink, the man placed the beverage back upon the table. "I'll get a draft together though, and see what we can get done. Sadly I don't think the captain will be affording us the luxury of time for everything. Not what should be done at least. We'll have to make do."
"Maybe something generic will do, with a sprinkling of each race's specifics for good measure?" Chet replied. "Otherwise, it could take hours, maybe even days to get through it all."
"Hmm. Not a bad idea. A strong ceremony to honour the unity of the community, and the spirit of their origins."
"Something tells me they'd like that," agreed Chet solemnly.
"That's the type of reassuring news I enjoy hearing. I'll get things prepared in a few hours. Thank you for bringing this to thought, doc."
A Mission Post by:
Dr. Chester “Chet” O’Hamlin
Chief Medical Officer
USS Crazy Horse
And
1LT Kieran Nachtgeist
Chief Diplomatic Officer
USS Crazy Horse
