After Commander Surok and Lieutenant Javier's funerals, Garek announced the next funeral functions. "Attention!" Lieutenent Garek Loran yelled out. His four engineering teams were gathered in the torpedo launch bay. Two modified Mark VIII torpedo tubes rigged for coffins sat on the loading ramps for the tubes. On the left was Garek's close friend, Ensign Galen. Alpha team leader, and an accomplished engineer. He was a great engineer, even if his methods were slightly unorthodox. He admired him for that.
On the right was Ensign Ek'Ra. At least, a ceremonial tube for him. Ek'Ra was vaporized by that Jem'Hadar scum. He could still remember that one's face. It disgusted him.
The four engineering teams, made up of 12 people each were gathered in the torpedo room. All of them facing the two tubes now standing at complete attention. Garek walked forward in full military precision, stopped, and then about faced.
"We are here today to say goodbye to two of our own. Ensigns Galen and Ek'Ra, Alpha and Beta team leaders. They were both personal friends of mine, and perfect examples of engineers." Garek paused to regain himself.
"I wish to begin by talking about Ensign Ek'Ra. Ek'Ra was an accomplished engineer, and in many cases underrated. Before I was assigned as Chief Engineer on this ship, I admired the work that these two accomplished. Especially Ek'Ra. He was the more level-headed of the two as you all know."
There was a slight stir of laughter, especially from Alpha team. They could easily compare the mannerisms of Ek'Ra and Galen.
"Ek'Ra had an exceptional amount of reception to detail. He could tell how well the ship was functioning by listening to the hum of the warp core. He also cared for the ship as if it were his fiance. I almost thought that he came here to talk to the ship at night."
Beta team smiled a little.
"Galen, on the other hand, was Ek'Ra's opposite. I've never seen a person so enthused about being an engineer. Every time I saw him, he had a smile on his face. He was always saying, 'Good morning, Lieutenant,' and 'How are you today?' I even remember the one time he brought in coffee and doughnuts for his team as they were coming on duty. That's where all the sticky panels were coming from."
Another bit of scattered laughter came from the group of engineers.
"We all also knew about his way of fixing things. If he didn't get something right, he kicked it till it did." Garek smiled. "However, when no one was looking, he did it right." Garek wiped a tear from his eye. "I will deeply miss both of these fine men. They were great friends, and most of all, heroes of the Federation."
Garek walked forward, then did an about face. "Present. Arms!"
The group snapped to attention, giving a Terran salute. The two torpedoes started making their way into their tube. A petty officer started playing taps on a bugle. The group held the salute until the torpedo doors closed.
"Dismiss. Arms!" The group lowered their salute. The firing mechanisms activated, and the torpedoes drifted forward, away from the ship. They watched through a view port to the left of the port tube. The two torpedo tubes drifted forward. Once they reached a distance of 200 yards, they jumped to warp. Their final destination being somewhere among the stars. "Burial detail dismissed. Gamma team report to duty. You still have another hour on your shift." Everyone was dressed in their "dress whites", except for Gamma team that were in their regular duty uniforms. The team of fifteen made their way out of the bay.
The other teams headed out solemnly. Garek stood there, looking out at space. The doors to the bay could be heard opening. It was Commander Lataro. He walked over quietly. "I heard from some of the engineers leaving that it was a good ceremony."
Garek turned to face him. "Saying goodbye to two of your best people is never an easy thing. I guess in most respects the ceremony was adequate."
"Come on. I'll get a drink with you." Lataro slung his arm over the engineer's shoulder. The two then made their way out of the torpedo bay as the rest of the funerals continued.
The rest of the day passed by slowly. Garek was able to do a little thinking, reading, and he finally feel asleep. For some reason, he felt as if he was responsible for their deaths, and that of Captain Maruu. His program should have been able to get all of the Jem'Hadar off the ship. He had failed them. Now, two of his friends were dead, and it was his fault.
The time was now 0100 hours. He had written a report about the burnout of the dilithium crystals that Maruu had requested. By running some scans, he was able to find a nearby system with an asteroid belt rich in dilithium crystals and tridanium deposits. Hopefully, they could put these deposits to use.
The bad part about this was that they only had enough power in crystals for a short jump to the outside of the system. This was all in his report he was due to hand in in seven hours. Forget this. Why wait? I'll just hand it in now. He gathered himself up, and made his way to the bridge.
Returning a few minutes later, Garek walked into his quarters. It was late, and he would be reporting to duty in seven hours. He had to get some sleep. However, the memory of his friends just overpowered him. Walking over to his desk, he took out a bottle of Tarquillian brandy. He then took the bottle and a glass and made his way to a table in his room. There, he drank until he eventually passed out, asleep.