LtCmdr Salkath - To Those Left Behind

[Salkath]

((Erg Chigaga - Earth))

The shuttlecraft landed gently about 200 meters away from a massive raised dais in a desolate area of the desert. Flanking the dais were several tents, utilitarian and erected and adorned in ancient Earth cultural styles. Shuttles were coming and going on a regular basis, and Salkath and the group who exited the shuttle he arrived on were shepherded down a safe corridor towards the dais.

Almost exclusively, the 7,500 or so participants at this gathering were Vulcan. Not all, but most, were adorned in ceremonial robes of that most inimitable Vulcan style, strangely ornamental for such a normally austere race. Salkath's own robes, rarely worn but much cherished, were also thus ornamental. Alternating swirls of grey and maroon flaps comprised the knee-length tunic, with well-padded shoulders and gold-embroidered familial glyphs down the front seam. Color-matched tights and calf-high soft leather boots completed the formal ensemble. His was not the most flashy, but neither was it plain. There were some, not able to afford even the full day to attend this event, who were in duty uniforms or work attire. This would allow them a quick exit back to their assigned tasks as soon as practicable.

Salkath, despite being needed on the Artemis as much as any other of the crew, nevertheless had negotiated enough time to attend this event in its entirety. He was not the only Vulcan from the Artemis here, even though not every Vulcan aboard the Artemis could attend. Some were in sickbay, some were otherwise indisposed. Some were here in katra, and these were specifically the ones Salkath was here for.

Erg Chigaga was chosen by the Vulcan ambassadors and High Masters located on Earth due to its similarities to traditional clan ceremonial grounds on Vulcan. This was an event that would normally be observed in private, quietly, on said ceremonial grounds back home. However, the sheer loss of Vulcan life, coupled with the decimated state of the fleet, meant that there was too much risk of lack of resolution among those Vulcans in this sector. Their bodies, those of the fallen, were but vessels, but their katra must be honored.

The last of the shuttles were disgorging their attendees, and there were lines of those paying their regrets on the dais. Hundreds of small holoimages displayed the visages of the fallen, while a list of their deeds and accomplishments scrolled beneath. Salkath was searching the digital cenotaphs for names he knew: colleagues from the Artemis, notable individuals he knew from his engineering profession, and former Academy and posting colleagues. Time was drawing short before a High Master would speak. As would be expected in any Vulcan assembly, it was nearly wordless when it was time. The attendees moved off of and before the dais, while six Masters and the High Master took the raised center of the massive dais.

They were assembled before an elongated hexagonal shield suspended from a rack, which had stood guard over the center of the dais the whole time. The High Master began to intone, her voice amplified for all to hear.

High Master: What we have experienced here today has come down from the time of the beginning, without change. ::pausing, seemingly taking in all the crowd with her sage gaze:: These are the Vulcan hearts. These are the Vulcan souls. This is our way. As it was at the time of the beginning, so it is now.

One of the Masters stepped forward and handed the High Master a padded mallet. Accepting the proffered item, she turned to the shield behind them on the dais. She struck it, letting its sonorous tone wash over the crowd until it was nearly inaudible, then struck it again. And again, and again. Dozens of strikes, all allowed to dissipate before the next, while thousands of Vulcans stood, head bowed, letting the peals wash over them.

Each of the immortalized fallen had a peal, not one too much, not one less. Precision. When a Vulcan was dying, one would try to transfer their katra to a trusted recipient via a meld. In situations like war and natural disaster, like we had here, it simply wasn't possible to preserve the katra of the fallen, so they needed a send off. In honor and respect, Salkath and all the others were here to see that through.

High Master: We honor these individuals, and see their katras onwards. They have lived long, and they have prospered.

Simple, to the point. Thus was the Vulcan way. The assembled crowd started to mill as the High Master and her attendant Masters left the dais. Those whose duties demanded their immediate attention coursed towards waiting shuttlecraft. Most, Salkath included, had time to resume studying the names and stories of the fallen. This was how they would prosper, through the memories of those left behind.

END

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Lieutenant Commander Salkath

Engineer, USS Artemis-A

A239111MT0