Toi, Toi, Toi. On to the next life - Goodbye Michael

Posted on 16 Feb 2023 @ 10:04pm by Captain Jonathan Reynolds & Lieutenant JG Ron Bumble & Lieutenant Commander Aidan Datari & Lieutenant C'Tora Kuroka & Lieutenant JG Harper Matthews & Lieutenant JG Riley Ames & Lieutenant Cassandra Higgins-Stevens & Lieutenant JG Roger Harrison Jr

Mission: Through the looking glass
Location: Holodeck 1
Timeline: Upon return to Andromeda universe - after events of "Touched by a dark fire"
2267 words - 4.5 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Jon had never been a big theatre person but apparently Michael Hawkins had a whole history of performing. He wished now he had of had the chance to see the man in action. His family had told him stories in the brief time they had spoken on subspace.

He had even been sent several messages from fellow thespians. He had selected one to read out in this service. One he felt was Hawkins. To the point but with the right fix for the situation.

"Computer load programme Brixham," he said. Walking in the sea air hit him immediately. The whole place it seemed was blessed with coastal views. What it would have been like for a young Hawkins running round here as a teenager he mused. Well evidently he spent a long time in this theatre.

The gold masks above door stood out sharply. The building itself had a sense of flamboyance that Michael seemed to have kept under wraps. A secret side of him they should have known.

At first Iola hadn't planned to attend the funeral but finally her sense of love and duty won out. Unfamiliar with Human funeral customs, she showed up wearing the bright yellow dress that Michael had first gotten her. It felt like a final honour to her, wearing something she knew he had liked. She wore her long violet hair loose, with only a small part bound back and a few strands falling casually across her face. She looked pale, but she was holding herself together, for now. She drew in a deep breath as she walked in, glancing around in semi-fascination. "What is this place?" She wondered out loud.

Cassie arrived shortly after Iola, in her full dress uniform once again. This had been a tough few days for everyone but a select few, Iola among them, would be hurting more than most. She gently caught Iola's upper arm, greeted her with equal gentleness before finding a seat.

Harper hadn't known Michael outside of the senior staff. In fact she'd barely had a conversation with him if one at all. She wanted to be there to send him off as she had been for others and feeling like she'd let him down as well was a contributing factor. Some Security Chief she'd been, it was her job to keep people safe!

The sea air hit her and it reminded of her of home on the Gold Coast of Australia, and for a moment she got lost in the waves.

The normally-stodgy, quietly unflappable surgeon appeared, mostly for appearances' sake because he still felt like the New Kid on the Block, in a full dress Uniform, and was, once more, grateful that he had the sheer dumb luck to find a wife that could handle his scatterbrain and make sure he was turned out well, otherwise, they'd have gotten him in his usual tunic and blue jacket that he wore more as a comfort item than because of regulations. The atmosphere there reminded him of his own childhood home near the River Otter, in the forests of Devon, back on Earth. He shut his eyes a moment; he could SMELL it if he thought hard enough. Just as quickly, he opened his eyes-too long with the memories and it also brought back his own traumas, and today wasn't about him. He took a quiet seat in the back. He'd attended too many funerals in his life-trauma and triage surgeons were too close to that, after all. His low tone let the others know he was there. "I will just be in the back, in case anyone needs me." He fell quiet again, his face and general presence back to its usual calm, even demeanor.

C'Tora came into the room looking haggard and tired. There were three dead and three funerals all on the same day. The security Ensign he didn't know and had only met him the day he reported aboard for his physical. He still attended the young man's funeral out of respect as he died doing his duty.

Both Michael and Xu were dear friends and would be sorely missed. Xu's funeral was earlier and she had already been laid to rest, now it was Michael's turn. C'Tora approached Iola. Iola I am very sorry for your loss, Michael was a good man and friend and had the respect of many of his peers. I shall miss him greatly. " He handed her a Caitian bead necklace. " Would you place this in the coffin with him please? We Caitians believe it protects our souls as it travels to it's new home in the afterlife. If there's anything I can do to help please let me know.

Jon spotted Harper and walked over. His girlfriend was still recovering and he knew this whole situation had hit her hard. He squeezed her hand gently. "If you want to go in and get seated, I will just check in with Iola before I begin," he said to her softly.

All Harper could do was nod at him. The squeeze of his hand was nice but she felt like she recoiled a little. She had retreated within herself recently, for obvious reasons, but she knew Jon was there for her. He'd been busy with setting up funerals, and generally just running the ship so she had tried not to bother him with what she deemed trivial. Moving slowly Harper found a seat and sat down.

Natasha had heard the news of Michael's death, and it sorrowed her greatly. She had met Michael several occasions, once before her ship had been used to destroy the Planet Killer and the others were in passing during normal ship routine. One thing that had stood out to her about Michael was that he was a gentleman through and through. Natasha had met him the first time when she came over to the Andromeda wanting just a little bit of R and R. She met Michael, Desmond and Riley where they took her to a place where the theatre troupe met and she got to dance, sending her woes away. She was dressed in red and the tune of Lady in Red had played. Natasha dabbed her eyes, with the kerchief she had, trying to stem the tears that were falling.

Riley arrived, a black armband around his left arm for mourning. He looked at the set up for the funeral and gave a nod of approval. To him it definitely reflected the heart of Michael a side of the chief of engineering, that he and Desmond knew about. He took a look at Natasha, who was seated by herself for the moment he had heard that she and Ron Bumble were an item now. And Michael had spoken to him about Natasha and Ron, about how their romance blossomed. Michael had been very happy about Ron finding someone. He took a seat up near the front, near the centre, just to watch the proceedings.

Ron was struggling with this. Michael had been probably the best friend he had ever had. The man had believed in him. He had helped him find the courage and the confidence to get with Natasha. He was a quiet man and to date had few friends so this was hitting him hard. Spotting Natasha he made a beeline to sit with her, not ready to socialise further at this point.

When Ron sat by her, Natasha snuggled up against him, laying her head upon his shoulder and intertwining her hand with his. This was a very sad time.

"Iola," Jon said joining his CMO with the Orion woman. "Are you ready for me to begin?"

Still stood holding the beads the feline doctor had given her, Iola turned her head towards the captain and gave him a slow nod. "Yes captain," she whispered, swallowing hard to bite back her tears. She wanted to be strong now, she needed to be strong. She placed the beads onto the coffin, hoping someone would place them inside later, then took a small step to the side.

Cassie had been taking the temperature of the room from a professional level. This gathering had been easier than the last. She had known Michael but not well. The last gathering had been more difficult. Xu had been the mother of her partners daughter, he had loved her but she had also, indirectly, been the cause of so much pain and the puppet master behind her.

All that aside, she knew her first appointment needed to be Iola. She was lost, cast adrift but something else seemed to be choking her as well. Now was not the right place or time to broach it with her. Instead Cassie returned her focus back to Captain Reynolds.

Jon walked Iola to her seat and went to stand at the front.

"Thank you all for coming. Today we meet to say our goodbyes to another crew member - Michael Hawkins.

Michael was an exceptional engineer and he kept the Andromeda running, neigh purring. He got us out of some scrapes and he made the ship far more efficient. I owe not just my thanks and appreciation for that but also my life too.

He was a gentle man, an excellent officer, a friend to many.

One of the things he certainly kept quiet was a history in theatre and we are blessed to have join us many of his friends from that part of his life. We are even standing in the building that started it all.

I have had the pleasure in the last few days to speak with some of you and hear your stories of his performances in the Man of la Mancha, Singing in the rain and one which I have been promised a recording and will certainly be watching and raising a glass too him - the 3 musketeers.

I also heard he starred in the pirates of Penzance and the set was fantastic. Another ship, he helped to keep in one piece especially with you all swinging around on ropes several sheets to the wind in places. Another thing I would have loved to have seen ...."

Jon allowed them all to have a little giggle and then turned serious once more.

"Michael was also a loving husband. Not many knew of this development but he met the love of his life on this ship and they quietly tied the not. His wife Iola, he was so proud of her learning to speak. In fact we all are and she has agreed to come say some words today."

Jon stepped back and allowed her to come take the stand.

Iola slowly walked forward, still working hard on keeping composure. She fidgeted with the fabric of her bright yellow dress as she took the stand, then swallowed a few times. "Michael was a special man," she said, clearly choosing her words carefully and being very conscious of pronunciation. "He was here when I needed a friend, and he was first man to show me love. I did not know love back home, I had seen it but never experienced it. He also showed me how to be me, how to be free woman." She turned her head towards the coffin for a moment, now no longer able to contain her tears. "I will never forget," she vowed as her voice broke.

C'Tora bowed his head in grief for the loss of his friend, He wanted to tell Iola that it was going to be alright. But he just couldn't imagine the heartache that she must be feeling at the sudden loss of her mate and hoped that he would never experience that for himself, and not knowing how he would handle such.

Riley watched, he heard the stories about Michael, he became lost in memories once more. It was but a for only a moment, as other things came to his mind. What was lost, will never be forgotten. People do not realize just how important they are to those around them. They maybe quiet, soft spoken, someone with gentle ways. They only think they are just a small cog in the great machinery of life. Michael was like that, a humble man, one who never looked for the spotlight but he shined rather brightly. Riley will never forget Michael Vincent Hawkins, and the way the man affected his life, and made Riley Ames, a better man. Riley then pulled out an image from his pocket and took a look at it once more. It was the image of Michael between himself and Desmond, the trio dressed in the costumes of the three musketeers. There was a caption that read, 'All for one and one for all.' Well now there were only two left, of the three. He put the image away, wiping away the tears that trickled down his cheeks, Riley whispered quietly. "Goodbye Michael Vincent Hawkins, I knew ye well."

"None of us will forget him," Jon said gently offering Iola a tissue and saluting the coffin. "As they say in the theatre Toi Toi Toi and on to the next life, my friend."

He offered his arm to Iola before announcing,

"If everyone would like to join us to raise a glass to Michael we will be in the Medusa's head.

---

LTJG Riley Ames
Chief Engineer
USS Andromeda

Captain Jonathan Reynolds
CO, USS Andromeda

Iola Hawkins
Crossroads liaison
pnpc Aidan

Lieutenant JG Harper Matthews
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Andromeda

Ensign M'Tara Kuroka
Medical
USS Andromeda

Commander Natasha Blackthorn
Diplomat
USS Andromeda