Hallus Station - Spacedock
As the squadron commander finishes, Captain Mysh stands and makes his way across the stage. At the podium, Zazan doffs his cap and pulls up his speech on his ghost talker transceiver, the text appearing in his left eye as his right looks to the men and women assembled in the hanger.
"Harken if you please, Lords and Ladies, men and women of ze Indari Hegemony, and esteemed guests.
Today, we celebrate ze prowess of Voidmaster Prime Bayali, gesturing to the sailor to stand and approach. Gunner of ze Randver. While under fire, she executed her role with perfection, saving lives in the process. Zazan pins the accolade and shakes her hand. Continuing on, "We celebrate ze personal actions of Commander Hersson and Captain Hargrave, and ze Troopers of ze Randver, ze Valdar, and Angantyr for boarding hostile ships. For such bravery we offer Starwings. Finally, we offer Wounded Hearts to the crews of the Angantyr, Valdar, and Randver for service and sacrifice. Commander Hersson had issued the starwings and wounded hearts to her crew already, and Zazan and Takagara stand and pin the medals to their boarding parties and wounded, Takagara also awarding Captain Hargrave. Captain Mysh's own starwings and wounded heart he wore on his uniform are in the style of the last war, showing signs of years of polish, contrasting with the modern designs being issued today.
"I am proud of our living."
Pausing for a moment, to recenter the ceremony, Captain Mysh gesturing with a scarred hand at the assembled images of the dead. He begins.
"Today we celebrate ze sacrifices of the few. We celebrate Artin Gerson of ze Wartooth" making eye contact with Captain Hargrave. Moving on to Captain Takagara, "Sukarno, Joko Nasution, and Indrawati Sukarnoputri of ze Angantyr.", to Hersson "Of ze Sigfred, Abhainn MacAlister, Balfour Torey, Torin Dal, Uilleam Wallace, Vanora Cameron, Daileass Eilig, Ferris Gawyn, Reid Gillivray, and Struan Grear. And of ze Randver, Ngarra Cunningham and Iluka. As he spoke, the faces of each sailor named appeared on screen, one after another. Captain Mysh paused, allowing the weight of the names and the faces be felt by those in attendance.
For some it iz enough to fight for ze Hegemony, fulfilling patriotic duty.
For some, it iz enough to fight for home, to protect family, community, and ze innocent.
For some, it iz enough to fight for money and for prestige, preparing for ze future ahead."
Zazan now looks to the men and women of the Randver, making eye contact Yinnar and the rest of his crew he knows came from the prisons of Athlas III
But for some who there iz no choice, for some ze past has laid out a path straight into danger, perhaps to death. I did not expect such men and women to fight for lofty ideals or places long since abandoned or an uncertain future.
Our paths converged within our ships, metal skinned beasts that breath plasma and electricity. Deep in ze black, under threat of death, individuals fall way. The souls of man and steel combine and motivations seldom exist in ze nanoseconds of combat. Ze men and women of ze Randver, of King Squadron, joined by fate, fought for each other, for mutual survival, and some paid ze ultimate price so that others may live.
I am proud of our fallen. "
He casts one final glance at the crew of the Randver before surveying the whole of King Squadron and finally turning to make eye contact with the dignitaries assembled and his fellow officer corp. Zazan steps off the podium and barks, HAIL ZE GLORIOUS DEAD and snaps a salute at the images.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:13, Wed 22 Sept 2021.