[2008: JAN-FEB] A Daughter, An Officer, and A Friend

[Delinda Sharee]

Lt. Kyrie Naz was a fine officer. It was a pleasure to serve with her. Kyrie always had a perspective on life that I could count on to make sense of what often seemed to be so senseless. I know with her loss your people have lost not only a daughter, but a treasured symbiont. I did not know Naz before the joining with Kyrie, so to me she was one person. Who brought what to Kyrie's personality is unknown to me, but I shall always feel blessed having known her.

Information of our mission has been restricted, so I cannot go into the details of your daughter's death. But you must know that in my eyes Kyrie was a hero. Her actions were selfless and saved the lives of all those who served on the mission with her. She saved my life. I must admit an overwhelming sense of guilt comes to me as I write to you. In your loss, my life, and the lives of Kyrie Naz’s comrades continue on. There is no sense to what has happened in the past days, and the price on our lives feels heavy. All those who served with your daughter are sharing in your grief.

Today was the memorial service for Kyrie Naz. As was in accord with your daughter’s wishes, her body was prepared in accordance with Trill traditions and is now en route to your world. The memorial service was observed for Lt. Kyrie Naz with full honors. It was my honor to present your daughter with the Metal of Valor, post mortem, at the service.

There is no more difficult duty for a Star Fleet Captain to perform, then the writing of a letter such as this. The task is made nigh impossible for an officer, and a friend of the caliber of Kyrie Naz. I remember one of my first impressions of Kyrie. Upon meeting the fresh faced Ensign Naz, with near three hundred years of experience I tried hard to observe proper protocols when addressing a joined Trill. Most junior officers in her position would have said nothing of this. Your daughter was different though. It took two weeks for her to request that not only myself, but the rest of the crew call her Kyrie when not addressing her formally. As she later explained to me, her symbiont had concerns for overshadowing it’s host. Maybe it is wishful thinking, but I always felt the personal strength it would take to contradict superior officers came from Kyrie.

On the morning of the fateful mission Kyrie and I spoke over breakfast. She spoke of you and all the support you gave her during education. She also spoke of a regret. It had very much to do with her youth, before the joining. She spoke of a lesson she was unsure of having learned, even to that day. From that regret a fear had grown in her, she said. Kyrie told me of the sacrifices her father had made. All he had given up to remain with his family. She told me of everything you both gave up to provide for her, and give her the chance for achieving her dream, to be joined. Her joining with Naz had made her aware of this very deep seated regret. She feared sacrifice.

I have thought about this often since Lt Naz’s death. My thought’s keep coming back to that morning’s conversation. Given her selfless act I knew she had nothing to fear. Upon further consideration I also realized their was another factor at play there. Kyrie Naz had not only given her life, but the very heritage of her people. She learned her last and hardest lesson. And so through her sacrifice we have all learned an important lesson. So in fact, her sacrifices continued the true legacy of the Trill, the passing on of wisdom.

We all have been touched and infused with the lessons of your daughter. We shall carry on her wisdom and continue its’ passage. I may not be able to tell you how your daughter’s death came about. But I can tell you how she died. She died with dignity and honor. She gave of herself for what she thought was right, and according to her people’s traditions. Knowing the events surrounding your daughter’s death I can only hope you believe me when I say they are irrelevant. All that matters is who Kyrie Naz was. She was a daughter, an officer, and a friend, and all who knew her are richer and wiser for it.