First off I enjoy this story if felt real and a good look at a brief off screen scene from the end of a DS9 episode.

I like that you let Admiral Owen Paris realize his and Starfleet good fortune that he was outside the building when the Breen struck.

The lose of the Choctaw felt like a believable war-time incident and an example of a Captain asked to make the no-win choice and doing the right thing for the great good, even if the lost of the children evacuates must hurt deeply.

I think the way you had Admiral Paris, Superintendent Bell and Picard react to the attack felt believable. The fact that the Breen clearly knew it was good day to attack Earth and manage to catch Starfleet with it trousers down is shown by the devastation at the Pike Memorial Hall.

Then the suspense as it was clear someone major to all those different characters had died from Picard, Bell and even Dax reaction lead was a great suspense moment as you lead up to your reveal that it was Boothby the kind old Gardiner.

I think Dax line to General Martok that “he was just a ‘lowly gardener’, as you put it, but the flowers and plants he nurtured walk amongst the stars” is well crafted and sums up this minor support character so well. (After lets not forget that the Undine /Species 8472 believed him to be the real leader of Starfleet academy).

I think the Dominion scene was a nice bonus and they confusion other Starfleet actions and the messages they were intercepting seem believable as well.

Then Spock arrival to led the funeral rather than Nechayev was a clever touch and his simple eulogy highlight why many sought his word of advice out and why he gave it so freely.

Did love Spock planting ceremony afterwards and the use of Picard and Jellico in unison as the first planters sum up how grief can unify the most unlikely of people.

I think this is perhaps the best story of yours that I’ve read to date on the archive and well deserved of it award status.

Author's Response: Thank you, Bill.

Amazing. Really great story.

P.S. I knew it was Spock as soon as you started talking about the robe.

Author's Response: My dear, I'm glad you liked it. And, yes, the robe was the giveaway.

Like Nerys Ghemor, I was really amused at the Cardassian's misunderstanding of the situation. It was a touch of humor in an otherwise very touching tale. Really, really beautifully done.

Author's Response: Thank you.

A remarkable tribute to a remarkable character.

*can't find words, so pauses for a moment of silence*

Well done.

Beautiful. I´m not an english native speaker, and I´m sorry sometimes I don´t have the words to say what I feel when I read a story like this. And now, I´m at lost. I concur with the others rewiers, and I envy them a little because they can do what I can´t. But, with some work, I will do it too. LOL
Thanks for sharing your story
V.

Author's Response: That's the nicest thing anyone has ever told me about one of my stories-thank you very much.

I am... speechless. Not only this is a phenomenal interconnection between 4 of the 5 storylines, this is also one hell of a tribute. To Star Trek itself, I'd venture. In what is best in it. Infinite diversity tied together by family ties and senses of duty and love for this family, where no one can be spared and there are no strangers.

Thank you, this was incredibly poignant. On a technical note, I loved the rhythm of the narrating. And the imagery. Thank you indeed for this gem.

Poignant and touching; a very fitting send off. But I think what I really love is that such a common (yet uncommon) man could warrant such love and devotion from so many. It's a hopeful thing, really, when you take into consideration how expendable people often can be treated. Good work, Mistral!