Lt. Cmdr. Ian O'Connor- The Smallest Measure of Comfort

[rob mahardy]

((Ian O’Connor’s Quarters -Room 0402, Deck 7, USS Ronin, in orbit around Endicronimas V, “The Farm”))

Ian sat in the dark, alone. He Picard-maneuvered his uniform jacket and took a deep breath, exhaling slowly.

O’Connor: Computer, begin message…

It was his fifth attempt at this. 

O’Connor: Uh, hi. I am Lt. Commander Ian O’Connor. I am…was a friend of your daughter…daughters. I know that Starfleet has contacted you about their passing but I wanted you to know…to know some things from someone who was there. Some items are still classified and I can’t talk about them…yet, maybe someday… Anyway, the Compass Rose went to aid another ship and the crew was exposed to a…well I guess it best equates to a deadly virus. From what I understand Zallu was exposed early on and succumbed quickly to its symptoms. My ship didn’t get there until later. Zellu led her  ship the best she could and tried to seek out the source of the disease. She was brave and her efforts…her efforts eventually gave us the information we needed to find a cure. I know that it was too late for her but she died to save others. ::he wiped a tear from his eye:: We were on a shuttle together…when, when the end came. She..she didn’t pass alone. She looked beyond me… and called out to Zallu as if she saw her. I think, I think they were reunited at the end. I hope that in that you may find some small measure of comfort.

He ended the message. It wasn’t perfect by any means but at least he’d gotten through it this time. Before he overthought it too much more, he clicked send.

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Lieutenant Commander Ian O’Connor

HCO

USS Ronin NCC-34523

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