video feed excerpt
A crowd is gathered together in a Chapel in the Tebu Ankhiman fortizar in Tanoo. A long-haired blond woman is speaking, as a priest is packing away his liturgical materials from a service that apparently just concluded, “…few days ago, as the Triglavian invasion of Skarkon began, Tebu Anhhiman was hit by a large Blood Raider strike force consisting of various elements from battleships down to frigates. From the timing, one assumes the attackers perhaps were taking advantage of the attention of LUMEN combat pilots focused on an EDI deployment in progress being split in order to achieve some objective in the Tanoo system, perhaps one associated a certain guest on Tanoo II. However, those Khimi Harar capsuleers and baseliners in the system, in particular fighter pilots, performed a rearguard action, successfully getting the shields to repair before being depleted and the structure forced in armor mode. We are here today to honor the memory. of those who fell.”
She continues, her slender form turning to light a fire in a brazier in a niche by the altar, her voice calm and soft:
“They went with songs to the battle, they were young,
Straight of limb, true of eye, steady and aglow.
They were staunch to the end against odds uncounted.
They fell with their faces to the foe.”
She continues to speak, the flames flickering against her face
“They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old.
Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn.
At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We will remember them.
They mingle not with their serving comrades again.
They kneel no more at familiar altars of home.
They have no lot in our toil of the day-time.
They sleep beyond Athra’s home.”
She pauses again, her eyes a little red, and the prayer continues
“But where our desires are and our hopes profound,
Felt as a well-spring that is hidden from sight,
To the innermost heart of their own land they are known,
As the stars are known to the Night.
As the stars that shall be bright when we are dust,
Moving in marches upon the heavenly plain,
As the stars that are starry in the time of our darkness,
To the end, to the end, they remain.”
“So we say we all.” She concludes, as the video feed excerpt cuts out.
((ooc note: credit to original, adapted for this purpose. https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/57322/for-the-fallen ))