7/2/2259
Skinar's Quarters
8:45 AM

Skinar felt the stirring. Since first sensing his Time approach he had felt the ever increasing decline of his body,
the ever increasing weakness of the ties that bound his spirit to it. And above all the ever increasing, ever louder
song of the stars.

It was beautiful beyond imagining.

Soon he would be completely surrounded by their song. Soon he would be one with them forever, unencumbered
by planet, ship, or the rapidly crumbling shell that, until now, had housed him.

He trembled slightly in joyful anticipation.

He had tried to explain some of this to his Attendants. How for a Tausian this was a joyous occasion. But although
they had all listened he had known that they wouldn't, couldn't fully understand. They loved the stars as well
(with the exception of Dr. McCoy who at least could see their benefits), but whatever love they had was nothing
compared to the love that burned within the spirit of every Tausian.

He glanced briefly at his Attendants. Both the Captain and Dr. McCoy would meet up with him once he exited
the turbolift. Nehru and Trolan were standing at ready near the door. He noticed that both of them were wearing
formal dress uniforms, no doubt under instructions from the Captain.

He himself couldn't care less what outfits they wore, or whatever type of ceremony the Saratoga's young Captain
no doubt had in mind, was held. During the Last Walk, all that Tausians required was the wearing of the Traveling
Robe, being able to walk to their waiting shuttle before their strength gave out, and that the atmosphere be more
or less quiet so that they could maintain their concentration. Beyond that matters were very flexible.

Since the Great Exodus, Tausians had dispersed themselves throughout known space and were now scattered
throughout both the Alpha and Beta Quadrants. Consequentially nearly all of them spent their final days in the
company of other species. And nearly all of them had non-Tausians serve as their Attendants when their Time
came. In deference to that they permitted whatever farewells that their Kin by Choice wanted. They had agreed
to stand by them during their final days, so as long as it didn't hinder or disrupt the Last Walk, they could dress
however they wanted, and perform whatever rituals they wished.

He nodded to his two Attendants to signal his readiness, then took a deep breath. His meditation had been
successful, he felt the last reserves of his physical strength and drew upon them to stand up. Taking another
breath, he made his way to the door and left his quarters for the last time.

As the party made their way toward the turbolift, Trolan took out his comm. "Captain, we're on our way down now,"
he said quietly.

"Understood," came the reply.

As they entered the turbolift, Skinar glanced at Nehru who stood close beside him. Her back was straight and she
was doing an admirable job at appearing composed. But he saw the grief in her eyes.

Her father had walked out on both her and her mother while she was still a child. Despite that she had grown up
to be a steady, confident young woman. She was a natural with ship operations and he had no doubt that she would
more than adequately fill his former post.

But he also knew that even though she prided herself on her realistic attitude and pragmatic approach to problems,
she felt things deeply. He also knew that she had come to see him as a father figure and his near imminent departure
was devastating to her.

Gently he reached out and squeezed her hand. She squeezed back tightly.

The turbolift stopped and opened- to reveal the entire hallway lined with Saratoga crewmen all standing at attention
and clad in their dress uniforms.

Skinar couldn't repress a slight smile. He had had a feeling that the Captain, young, impetuous, but caring so deeply
for every member of his crew, would arrange for something like this. When he spotted him he gave him a brief nod
of both thanks and understanding.

Kirk nodded back and as Skinar exited the turbolift and began to make his way down the corridor, he silently took
his place with the other Attendants. When a Tausian's Time came his or her Attendants stayed beside them in their
seclusion. During the Last Walk, they walked alone with their Attendants silently following behind.

As Skinar slowly made his way down the corridor he took note of all the faces, the Captain appeared to have gathered
nearly everyone on the ship. The Saratoga was no doubt being managed by what Humans called a 'skeleton crew.'

As he walked by each person in line silently nodded their head in respect and he silently returned it. Most of them
he had not been close too and some he had only spoken to a few times. But they were all members of the crew
of the Saratoga. They were the people among whom he had spent his last days. All of them were connected to him
and he to them.

After a few minutes he reached the shuttle-bay which was also lined with people. They were all members of Gamma
shift, the people that he had worked with the most frequently. He paused longer as he met each of their gazes.
All of them bore expressions of respect, sorrow and farewell.

Also near the shuttle were all the members of the Senior staff, most of whom he had seldom worked with, with
the exception of Tolliver. The two Operations Managers gazed at each other for a moment in silent, mutual respect.
Commander Thelin bowed slightly in Andorian fashion. Lieutenant Akari bowed deeply in Japanese tradition.
The rest nodded solemnly.

Skinar at last reached the shuttle. It was flight ready with the doors open and waiting. Before entering he turned
to address the silent crew.

"My people were born of the stars," he began. It was an effort to speak and his voice was weak and hoarse,
but sound carried in the hangar and he knew they could hear him. "Space is our home, the stars are our love
and our life is an endless journey among them. Ever do our spirits cry for the stars. We are born from the stars,
we spend our lives among the stars and in the end we return to the stars. And when we return it is for us a time
of joy.

"Life is an endless journey and it doesn't end, it merely changes. We are born, we journey for awhile in the flesh,
then we shed our flesh and continue to journey. For eighty years I have journeyed in this form. Now that will change
and I will journey in another form. For seven years I have journeyed with all of you. Now that too must change
and I will continue my journey alone. But my journey will continue. I am going home. Know that and be glad for me."
He paused and then spoke again. "It was an honor to spend my last days among you."

He turned his attention to his Attendants and beckoned them forward. As they did so he, one at a time, gently
clasped their shoulders, an expression of respect, affection and farewell.

First came Trolan, who had been his suite-mate and friend for seven years. Tausians seldom formed close friendships,
but one had formed between them and both were grateful for it. As their eyes met for the final time each silently
tried to convey without words the depth of that gratitude.

"Thank you, old friend," Skinar said softly. "For walking by my side, both now and in the past."

"Thank you," Trolan whispered. "For the gift of your friendship."

Next was Dr. McCoy. "Thank you, Doctor," Shinar said. "For both your care and your compassion. Never allow
those traits to die for they make you the worthy healer, the worthy man, that you are."

McCoy nodded solemnly. "Thank you. And I'll remember everything you've said."

Next came the Captain. "It was an honor to serve with you, Captain," Skinar whispered.

Kirk swallowed hard. "It was a great honor to serve with you," he whispered back.

Finally came Nehru, who could no longer restrain the tears streaming down her face.

Tausians were not normally demonstrative, but this time Skinar made an exception. He gently drew the young
woman into his arms and held her close. "Until three years ago I had three offspring, two male and one female,"
he said softly. "But that is no longer the case. I now have four offspring, two male and two female."

She sobbed and clung to him. "I love you," she whispered through her sobs.

"I know," he responded. "And that love is returned."

He held her for a few moments then gently planted a Human kiss on her forehead.

Finally he stepped back. "It is time," he said.

After taking one final look, first at his Attendants and then the assembled crew of the Saratoga, Skinar turned
and boarded the waiting High Tide. It briefly struck him that the High Tide had brought young Captain Kirk to
the Saratoga for the first time. Now, seven months later, it would help another crewmember leave it for the last
time. It was fitting. Another example of how things came full circle.

Entering the shuttle he made his way to the cockpit and sat down with a sigh of relief; he was exhausted,
his final reserves of strength had been used in his Last Walk.

After piloting the tiny shuttle out of the shuttlebay he noted with satisfaction his location. The Captain had
ordered the Saratoga to withdraw well beyond the furthest edge of the Rychla system, where they were
currently basing their studies. Here at the edge of the system he could see the stars in all their glory
and yet was still within reach of his planned destination.

He carefully plotted a course to the system's sun. It would take about four hours to reach it but he knew that
he would have shed his decaying prison long before then.

After programing the course and setting the shuttle on autopilot he leaned back. His last reserves of strength
were gone and he wouldn't move again.

But although he was too weak to move he could see. See the glory of the stars all around him.

He could hear. Hear the stars singing to him, calling him and welcoming him home.

And above all he could feel. Feel pure, unadulterated joy.