Beth6787

1 August y

Delta Pioneers - 3. Family

After the storm emerge the first signs of a new life...

Personal log: Thomas Eugene Paris. Stardate...irrelevant. New Earth Day 35...

So much has happened since that night, a fortnight ago according to our new calendar : a life time ago in my mind and heart.

After that first gathering and the formation of the council, it was all hands on deck for the next three days . Clearing and salvaging anything that could be used before burying the remaining debris that had been Voyager. The landing site was then dug over and left to seed itself with the native grasses. It must be the equivalent of May/June back on old Earth as the days are lengthening still and the whole area has turned a vivid shade of green as the grass seed sprouts. Within a month or so there will be no trace that we were ever there.

There was much debate about what to do with Fitzpatrick. After all, as a new society we have no laws, therefore technically no crime or legitimate forms of punishment. Until such time as the council could reconvene and discuss this - along with all the other pressing matters - it was decided that he would be assigned double shifts of heavy manual work, on a six day week. In practise that meant sixteen hours of digging or heavy lifting followed by collapsing onto his bunk every night. He'd have no energy to engage in any mischief making, even if he was so inclined. Besides, even Carlson was now giving him a wide berth.

Of course, only Chakotay, the Doctor, Neelix and I know the full story if what happened to Kathryn that night : but the others know Dalby had gone to harm the Captain and she had had to shoot him in self defense. Doubtless most assumed he had tried to kill her. If only it had been that simple...

Then again Kathryn Janeway is a truly remarkable person. I guess that's why she made it all the way to the Captain's chair whilst still in her mid thirties. To highlight the point, let me tell you what happened at Dalby's funeral...

We were all there by Order of the Council. One of their first official proclamations or some such thing. Anyway, no one wanted to attend. Least of all those of us who had dealt with the initial aftermath that night. It had actually been Kathryn that insisted on it.

She said that he had been a member of her crew for over two years, whether begrudgingly or not, and had aided Voyager's journey and then helped create Hope Town. He deserved a formal burial and memorial service. Chakotay had forced himself to offer to officiate, no doubt feeling responsible for having had the man on Val Jean in the first place, but Kathryn had again insisted it would be her. No one had wanted to add to her trauma so we had let it pass but after the meeting they was a lot of concern.

On the day itself Chakotay and Ayala had given a brief history of his service record and what little of his background they knew then, with obvious relief, sat back down amongst the assembled crowd. Then it was our former Captain's turn to speak. What came next will be forever remembered as the pivotal turning point for our fledgling community. It would mark the end of the fractured coalition, taking two steps forward then as many back, and the start of us. New Earthers. Hope Town citizens. Friends and ...family.

I recorded her speech at the time. More out of curiosity than anything. I wondered what on earth she would have to say about a man she barely knew : her last memories of him being what they were. What followed suprised...no amazed me, and I believe, the entire assembly. I'll play it back for you now...

"Dear friends, thank you all for attending today to pay your respects to crewman Kenneth Dalby. I realise that he was only really known by a very few if us : and for that I am sorry. I am also to blame. The truth is that over the last two years I have gotten to know - really know - no one on Voyager. Under normal circumstances that would be a given. The Captain of a starship would interact solely on a professional level with his or her staff and that is as it should be. Out here, that was far from sufficient. We were completely isolated from all contact with our personal lives and one third of our crew had never set foot in the Academy or had any dealings with Starfleet at all, except in battle. Not only were they strangers in a strange land, the person working right alongside them was as alien to them as any Delta Quadrant native we might beam aboard.

I knew that on an academic level but I did not respond to it. That is my failing alone. I should have taken the time to get to know each and every one of you, Starfleet and former Maquis, alike. Had I done so, our first few weeks here would have played out very differently. I'm only sorry that it's too late for me to rectify that wrong with Mr. Dalby. But his legacy will be to remind me of just how important family is. Not only that we are born into but that we create for those that come after us. Kenneth Dalby, your life and death were hard. Filled with violence, anger and grief. I hope you found a little peace and solace on Voyager. May you now rest in peace."

I don't think there was a dry eye in the place. Whatever we all thought of Dalby in life, ironically in death, he brought us together.

After that his charred remains were buried at the clearing site along with Voyager herself. There's no grave stone but a few wildflowers have started to sprout. From ugliness has grown something quite beautiful. I hope Ken would be pleased.

Fortunately the components that Fitzpatrick had disconnected from the Tactical station were still operational and Torres has managed to get them integrated into the new generator she has cobbled together. She claims it could give up the ghost any day but I think engineers always say that don't they? Cover themselves, just in case. From what I've seen over the last few years, Torres could get blood from the proverbial stone if she had a mind to. That generator will hold, I'd stake my life on it. Torres is staking all our lives on it - after all.

Now to the really great news. I've been designated as social secretary. That's right, it is part of my official brief on the council to organize all shindigs around here. With the assistance of my trusty deputy, Mr. Neelix, of course. He makes the inedible food ...sorry, only joking !...and I get to create the venue and supply the whole atmosphere. Decor, music, costumes...the works. Well alright, most of those things are even more rationed than they were when we were on Voyager, but it's the thought that goes into it and the enjoyment of the company at the end of the day that counts - right?

So tonight I'm responsible for officiating at our first formal function. The engagement party for Neelix and Kes. Not that it's an entirely happy occasion for me. I still think she could do better for herself. Someone more her own age, young, fun, devilishly handsome, charming, witty,...

"Pool shark! Are you still loitering around in there - get a move on!"

Ah, the dulcet tones of the charming Miss Torres, letting me know that it's time to get this show on the road. So dear diary, I had better log off. ...wait...did she call me Pool Shark? I have a nickname...that can only mean...Yes! Thomas Eugene Paris, the night is yet young...

TO BE CONTINUED

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