Chapter 8
September 9th 2158
When I think of all the times that I have been close to death, such as when the Osaarians attacked us in the Delphic expanse, or when I was badly beaten up in a prison camp, I have been grateful to be part of this crew, to have a Captain that won't leave a single person behind. They've been able to help me, but when He needed me, I let him down, and now he's gone.
I think now I know what I can say about him at his funeral. It may not be much, as I'm sure I will start to cry before too long, maybe all that needs to be said is just a few words:
Captain Jonathan Archer was a wonderful leader and friend to us all here on the Starship Enterprise and he will be greatly missed, but we shall always remember him in our hearts.
I think that would be appropriate, nothing else has come to mind. It's the thought that counts, isn't it? To show that I am thinking in some way of the one we've lost.
Trip had the painful duty of contacting Starfleet Command and telling Admiral Gardener what had happened on that mission. What was even more painful was that he needed someone with him and I was there too. Admiral Gardener was deeply upset, although he tried not to show it over the comm link. No doubt they will hold a memorial service for Him back on Earth at around the same time that we hold the funeral. The Admiral will contact us again in four days time when a decision has been made about the command status on board.
The funeral is in two days and for that time we will orbit a planet so that everyone can have the day off and pay their respects to our fallen Captain.
No doubt that when Admiral Gardener calls back he'll say that Trip will be promoted to the field rank of Captain, I can't imagine him saying otherwise. I think Trip will make a great Captain, although I know he'd miss being with his engine. Then there's the question of who he would promote to be Commander, his number one officer. Malcolm or T'Pol, they would be very good candidates, as they are all close friends.
When I first came aboard this ship, in 2153, Captain Archer was surprised as it was when Enterprise took its dangerous mission into the Delphic Expanse. I was twenty-four at the time. Just over a year later, when we returned, my father gave me a Labrador for my birthday and Captain Archer gave permission for her to come on the ship. I chose the name Cassie, in remembrance of my mother who was killed in the Xindi attack, that was the reason I wanted to be part of the mission.
Captain Archer had been a very good friend of my family over the last ten years or so, and I know my father will be upset when he reads my next letter. We used to have meals at our house, mum always made the best steaks.