Post 219: Do You Hear the People Sing?

Stardate:70613.1320
Title: Do You Hear the People Sing?
Author: Zanh Liis
Scene: Captain's Ready RoomTime: 48 hours following "After The Rain" by N'Dura and "Do or Die" by Captain Gilmore
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"It is the music of a people who will not be slaves again. . ." ~Les Miserables

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"Acting Captain's Log, Stardate 70613.21, Zanh Liis commanding the USS Independence.

The situation on Bajor is worse than anyone had feared at the outset.

While we keep quietly gathering intelligence in our investigation as to whether there could be foul play involved in creating the storms which have ravaged the Takesian Plains towns and villages, we have discovered that the destructive weather system continued down all the way along the eastern coastal shoreline before returning to the sea and dissipating.

We maintain orbit of the planet and offer what assistance we can. Federation worlds in the neighboring systems have started bringing in aid, and soon our duties as supplemental first-responders will conclude.

It is my recommendation that every loyal officer who has served on the support and Away teams during this crisis and sees their assignment through be awarded commendations for bravery and service above and beyond the call of duty.

I have already filed the appropriate paperwork with Starfleet (form V101-8) to begin the process of officially recognizing them for the work they have done. Courageous is a word too weak to describe the manner in which they have comported themselves.

Hourly updates received from Commander Salvek and Lt. Commander N'Dura indicate that the efforts to transport the living away from the dead have become complicated. Unlike myself, the majority of Bajorans are very spiritual people at heart with rites and customs such a part of who they are at their very foundation that these things must be taken into account.

Especially in times of most crushing sorrow they are known to band together in their faith to supplicate their Prophets, and chant for those souls who have slipped their corporeal bonds. It was this faith that helped sustain these people through decades of the Occupation.

To observe this power in action can be inspiring, heartbreaking and also somewhat confounding for those of us who walk a less. . .less. . .what's the word I want. Damn. Computer, pause log."

The computer beeped to signal it had stopped recording, and Liis sat down in the chair at the desk a moment and closed her eyes. She was overwhelmed for an instant by a sense of loss she couldn't quantify.

She thought for a moment of what being in this situation as the leader in spiritual guidance for these broken people must be doing to Jariel but she had to table that reaction. She knew that he was strong. He was experienced and above all, he was damned good at his job. He would persevere and help these lost sheep to do so, as well.

"Computer, resume," She took a deep breath and continued. "Those of us who walk a less devotional course. Still, we are doing everything we possibly can to accommodate the emotional as well as physical needs of the survivors, even if it slows down progress some. They are grieving, and if we are to call ourselves a civilized entity, Starfleet cannot overstep its mandates. We must balance needs, one against another.

Bajorans are accustomed to dealing with tragedy and devastation that people of most other modern, Federation worlds cannot begin to fathom. They have continued on for thousands of years of history somehow retaining their grace through indignities which would have destroyed less resilient people.

They will not be struck down by this. They will do what they do best. They will carry on, take stock, and rebuild.

I am officially requesting that Starfleet continue necessary support to help the planet in this matter as long as necessary after the Independence has fulfilled its course of duty here and moved on to our next assignment.

Lastly, a very important matter for the record now concerning our own Captain RJ Gilmore. I am pleased to report that the Captain is resting comfortably after successful cardiac replacement surgery was performed by Chief Medical Officer, Dr. Cliona McBrayne. He is well on his way to recovery, in fact I suspect that it will not be long until he is once again recording these logs himself.

It has been an honor to stand watch in his stead over this ship and her brave crew, and I look forward to working with him for the foreseeable future in whatever capacity Starfleet deems me fit for. Well,"

Liis smiled for a moment and looked up at the ceiling. "Almost any capacity. Computer, end log and transmit to Starfleet."
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Zanh Liis
Acting Commanding Officer
USS Independence NCC-90791