A/N Thanks to EroSlackerMicha for the review. I still own nothing. This chapter is somewhat shorter than recent ones, but it seemed to want to end when it did.
The members of the War Committee had decided to make their speeches at the same time. In order to have everyone talk at a reasonable time, President Samuels speech was scheduled for four o'clock in the afternoon. Rumors had been flying for the last two days about what he was going to say.
Some of the tabloids had talked of a disaster, of a crushing defeat. Others spoke of a crushing victory, reminiscent of the first battle. Everyone agreed something apocalyptic had happened.
Ellen's visit had been just what Natalie needed and she had found a level of peace since Ellen had left. But as she sat waiting for the speech to air, she had asked her father to be there.
Jane McBride had been so busy working to make the Foundation a success she had not thought of much else. But now as she waited for the speech to begin, she wondered about Archer and T'Pol. She was amazed how close she felt to them. She knew it was because they were a tie to Mercy, because she knew how much T'Pol had meant to her.
Margot and her son sat in one of the elite boxes as she waited for Gartl to speak. He had informed her himself what had happened to her husband, being sure her son was there with her. Although she had sensed this was going to happen since Gral had left, she felt as if part of her had died. She knew she would never be whole again. But she also needed to be there for her son. She also felt a great sense of pride and satisfaction that he had died sacrificing himself. He had restored Tellar's pride.
Mary Robbins sat quietly, holding the last message she had received from Kathy, praying silently that Trip and Kathy were all right.
President Samuels and Admiral Gardner sat in a room adjacent to the one where Samuels was scheduled to give his speech.
"Well, Matt, it's about time. I hope I am up to this."
"I understand, Sir, it is difficult to strike the right balance between celebrating the victory and confronting the losses. But I know you'll do well because I know you understand."
"Thanks, Matt, I appreciate that. Well, wish me luck, here I go."
Entering the room, Samuels took his seat and looked into the camera, "Good afternoon, Citizens of Earth. As I speak to you today, the other members of the War Committee are speaking to their people as well."
"I know that there have been many rumors and stories about what has occurred. I ask you to set all that you may believe you know aside."
"Approximately a week ago, the Allied Fleet was attacked by a powerful Romulan Fleet commanded by one of their most esteemed Commanders. Unlike our first victory, the battle was hard fought. But, although the outcome was often at doubt, I want to assure you that the result was a singular victory for our Fleet."
"The entire Romulan Fleet was destroyed. Once again, we have shown the enemy our strength and resolve. I am sure you join with me in my deep appreciation and pride for the courage and strength of our soldiers."
Samuel looked up directly into the camera. "As I said, the battle was hard fought. We have suffered heavy casualties. Many of our ships have been destroyed. It grieves me deeply that in the weeks to come, many of you will receive the most horrible news that anyone must endure. I know that nothing I can say will lessen that pain. But I do hope that you will come to understand that they did not die in vain. That their sacrifice will allow us the living to live in peace and freedom."
"There were untold numbers of heroes in this struggle, but I do want to speak to you of one. You all know of Viscount Gral of Tellar, a member of the War Council. Some of you even saw him and met him when he was here for the fair."
"Viscount Gral and two of his fellow captains sacrificed their ships and their lives to make this victory possible. I want to take a moment to send my condolences to his wife and son."
"I do want to assure you that all other members of the War Council survived the attack."
He paused for a few moments. "I ask that all of us celebrate this victory, another step in allowing our soldiers to come home for good, another step to secure freedom for us and future generations."
"But I also ask that we think of those who gave their lives, those who suffered injuries and pain, the ones they left behind. To do what we can to ease their pain."
"With a belief in our future, while honoring the past, it is now for us to move forward, trusting in ourselves and in a merciful providence."
"Thank you."
Mary Robbins had felt strange all morning. She couldn't shake the notion that something important was about to happen. It came with a sense of dread. Thus, she was not completely surprised when she looked out her window and saw a Shuttle land in the Aeroport of the development. She felt a catch in her throat and her knees turned weak as she saw the Starfleet Logo on its side. Perversely she hoped they would go to a neighbor's house instead and then felt guilty for wishing so.
As if she was someone else, she watched the young female officer exit the Shuttle. 'She's a Commander' her mind told her; Kathy would be so proud I knew that. Then, her mind raced as the Commander came up her walk. As the woman reached the door, she found a last gasp of hope, maybe it was something else entirely, maybe Kathy had just been wounded, maybe she's selling tickets for some charity.
When the doorbell rang, she somehow managed to get to the door and open it.
"My name is Commander Sandra Henson, I am here as a representative of Starfleet Command." Checking a PADD, "Are you Mary Robbins, wife of Ensign Katherine Reynolds serving on Enterprise?"
Mary replied in a small voice, "Yes."
"May I come in?"
Mary moved out of her way and said, "Of course." She then retreated from the door and leaned against a table, the back of her knees against the couch.
After following her to the couch, Henson paused and gathered herself, "Mrs. Robbins, it is my sad responsibility to regretfully inform you that your wife, Ensign Katherine Reynolds, was killed in the line of duty."
Mary felt her legs suddenly become unable to support her and she fell back onto the couch. She began to cry, putting her head in her hands.
Henson moved over to her and placed her hand on her shoulder. "Is there anyone you would like me to call, someone that could be with you?"
Mary looked up and wiping her hands across her eyes, said with a catch in her voice, "No, there's just her grandmother and she's ill." She looked stricken, "How will I be able to tell her, it will kill her." She then turned her head and began to sob again.
"I don't know if this will help, but your wife died while saving her ship and the lives of her crewmates. She has been recommended to receive the Starfleet Silver Star for her actions."
Again wiping her eyes, Mary's voice was a little stronger, "It does, she was so proud of Enterprise and her crewmates. I know it would give her peace of mind to know she didn't let them down." She looked up at Henson and stammered a little, "Do they have her body, I mean will she…?"
"Her body is being sent home with her fellow soldiers aboard the Vulcan ship K'Tar. It should arrive in approximately two months. You will be notified so, if you wish to do so, you can be there when she arrives back home."
Mary, beginning to regain some control, "I know you are probably busy, but could you tell me a little of how she died? Was it painful? Was she alone?"
Henson sat down beside her, "She died soon after being caught in an explosion. She did not suffer. It is my understanding that her commanding officer, Commander Charles Tucker, was with her when she died."
"Trip was there? I'm glad. I'm sure it meant a lot to her. They had become such good friends. Kathy was looking forward to holding Trip's son when she…." Mary began to cry softly again.
Henson again reached out to touch her shoulder, "I have a couple of things for you. Her personal effects will arrive with her body, but they transmitted these ahead. One is a standard Starfleet letter with a message from Admiral Archer, and a personal message from Commander Tucker. It also contains a letter from your wife that she wanted sent to you in the case of her death."
She held out a PADD. Mary, looking surprised, "A letter from Kathy?" She took the PADD and held it to her chest.
Henson, getting to her feet, "Will you be all right? I do have other duties to perform. Is there anything you need? Are you sure there is nobody I can call?"
"No thank you, you have been very helpful." She started to rise, "Here, let me show you out."
"No need to bother, I can find my way. Once again please accept my and Starfleet's sincere condolences for your loss."
Mary remained sitting for a time, clutching the PADD. Then she opened it and after reading the messages from Admiral Archer and Trip, which moved her deeply, she tentatively opened Kathy's letter.
My Dearest Mary,
Well, this is a bummer! If you're reading this, it means I didn't make it. I hope I did myself proud and didn't let my crewmates down.
Oh, Mary, I so wanted to hold you again. I hope I let you know how much I loved you and how much that love meant to me. I am so lucky to have had you in my life.
Do you remember that night after we celebrated our first anniversary? I thought you were going to kill me (smiles lewdly).
Now you listen, I don't want you to be a martyr. I want you to find someone. You have so much love to give, you deserve to have someone love you. Hell, I won't care, I'm dead!
I do have something I want you to do. It may seem silly but it is important to me. When Trip gets home, I want you to go see him and hold their son. Other than holding on to your love, that has been something that has kept me going. Tell him his Auntie Kathy wished him the best.
Well, you know how much I hate goodbyes. God, this sucks! Take care, live a long good life. Do everything I would do!
Your Beloved,
Kathy
"I'm sorry Kathy, but you're going to be hard to replace. You're right though, this sucks!" Half smiling and half crying, she got up and went over to her computer. After punching a few keys, the song The Way We Were filled the room. She sat back on the couch clutching the PADD crying softly as she rocked back and forth.
Solon had plenty time to reflect as he chose to walk from the Palace to Venter's home, accompanied by Raff and Donak. It had been almost three months since they had received the stunning news about Venter's defeat. Everyone that had been informed of the result had realized that they had never entertained seriously the thought that Venter would be defeated.
Solon had been shocked and dismayed by how Vandor had reacted. Not that he had not been affected deeply by the previous defeats, but this was much worse. He had shut himself away from everyone including Solon.
Although the public still was not aware of what happened, it had come to the attention of the Senate. Those that had been afraid to speak out against him had now found their voice. There were calls for a new Praetor. Fortunately, Ruddick still stood firm, at least for now; but unless Vandor snapped out of it, he could lose those that wanted to support him. There were also rumors that Barden and Seltar had returned with their fleets and they were uniting those fleets waiting for the opportunity to strike.
Solon had surprised himself when he decided that Tabrina needed to be told. He found he had developed a deep respect for Venter and felt his wife deserved to know what had happened.
As he reached her door, he signaled for the others to wait outside. He then knocked on the door. When she answered and saw who it was, he saw her body sag before she recovered.
"Ah, First Citizen, to what to I owe this honor?"
"May I enter?"
"Of course." She walked off and he followed her into the living room. As she gestured for him to sit down, "May I get you some refreshment?"
He sat down in the chair she indicated, "No, I am fine."
She sat down across from him and calling Mara in, obtained a bottle of Romulan Ale for herself.
Pouring herself a glass, she took a sip and surprised him by saying, "My husband is dead, isn't he?"
Solon hesitated but then nodded his head.
He saw her take a deep breath and then she asked, "Were we victorious?"
Solon sadly shook his head.
Suddenly she rose and walked away from him. Then she flung her glass against the wall and Solon could see her shoulders shake. Not sure how she would react, he walked over and laid his hand on her shoulder. She surprised him by leaning into his touch. Then, to his shock, she turned and laid her head against his chest, sobbing softly. He awkwardly laid his hand on her back.
They stayed like that for a short time before she broke away, wiped her eyes and took a huge drink from the bottle. Then she stood up straight and turned to face him, "I apologize for my actions. Venter would be quite ashamed of me."
Solon walked over and looked her in her face, "There is no dishonor in showing grief. I know I hold you in no less esteem."
They both sat back down. Having recovered her composure, Tabrina asked, "How did this happen? Did they have some other hidden trick?"
"No, from messages picked up by ships we had sent to monitor what happened, it does appear that they were more motivated to win. They seemed to find hidden resources within themselves, especially the Tellarites. We were also shocked to find that the Vulcan ships were superior to ours."
"I don't suppose we were able to kill Archer."
"No, although Enterprise was attacked, he apparently survived." He looked at her, "It is true though that this time they did not come away unscathed. They suffered heavy casualties and a large part of their fleet was destroyed. They should be susceptible to a new attack."
He hesitated, "However, no one seem overly interested in doing so. There are many powerful voices supporting negotiating an end to the war, to turn our attention to keeping the Empire we have."
She rose angrily to her feet, "There is no one who will avenge my husband? Romulans do not negotiate. How can Vandor let this happen?"
"I am afraid that Vandor has been deeply affected by what has happened. He has for all purposes abandoned his post. There are many calls for a new Praetor."
Tabrina stared at him, "This is intolerable. I would have never thought that Vandor was such a coward."
She looked at Solon, "You must either convince him to reassert his authority or overthrow him and name yourself Praetor."
Solon could not help showing his shock. "You are mad. He is my Praetor and my friend. I should run you through for suggesting such an idea."
"You will have to kill me to stop me from doing what you and the others should be doing. Take me to him."
"He will not see you."
"We shall see. Well, are you going to take me to him or kill me? Those are your only choices."
Solon had to smile to himself, this woman continued to amaze him. For perhaps the first time in his life, he had some regrets about his vow of celibacy. Although he had a feeling she would be more than he could handle.
"Very well, I will call for a Shuttle."
