From the Clan Amir book Falcon Chick
Dani-girl
by
Ernest Edwards
All rights reserved © 2007, 2008, and 2010
She was born Danielle Annette Nancy Isobelle Amiri on 16th December 1975, two days before her cousin Daniel Albert Nathan Imara. Neither set of parents knew what the other named their child, until the Imara family moved back to live with the clan in View Port. The Imara family had been living in the Dareed Region due to Mr Imara's employment. The children first meet when they're five years old and about to start school together at View Port, both are usually called Dani / Danny. This causes some confusion until a family member suggests Danielle be called Dani-girl and Daniel be called Danny-boy. That's how they're known from then on.
Dani-girl's an outgoing and vivacious person who gets on well with everybody, and is known by everybody in the area. By the time she reaches high school, many people are coming to her for help and advice. On graduation from high school she joins the Royal Guards, a tradition in her clan. Unlike most, she joins the Royal Rescue Service, the Fishers. After completing basic training she's assigned to the 1st Regiment, the Sky Hooks.
The Fishers promote people on skill and experience. However, people can be promoted while still performing the same basic tasks, as this is a brigade of specialists. In most Guards units a person can start as a basic trooper and change duties during their career due to extra training (e.g. heavy weapons training and you move from a rifle team to a mortar team) or promotion (e.g. a promotion to sergeant means a change in duties). Fishers specialise early in their career and continue in that speciality, adding new skills and duties by training and promotion; e.g. a pilot will start as private in flight training, graduate as a corporal co-pilot, be promoted to sergeant and become a pilot (they may change teams then), be promoted through to major while staying the pilot of the same team, and may get more duties as a platoon leader or a company commander. The higher ranking pilot will have extra skills, more experience, and be called upon for the harder tasks. All personnel continue training to improve and expand their skills and capabilities, thus making it possible to save more lives. Few people transfer between teams, this is usually only done when both the senior members of a team leave at once and the junior members don't have enough seniority. Most new Swords join experienced teams needing replacements for retiring personnel.
The one Fishers duty that can change a lot is the rescue helicopter deck crew. Privates leave basic camp as medics or door gunners, and are posted to rescue teams. On a team, they learn and fill other deck crew roles. Upon passing the extra courses they become a 'swimmer,' the one dropped to prepare people for winching to safety. In a good crew, they'll switch roles around on a regular basis. The winch and the deck is run by the Deck Master, the senior deck crew member, usually the most experienced and best trained of the deck crew. In a helicopter rescue team the pilot's always in charge of the team in the air. But, it's the Deck Master who decides if a rescue is viable or not. In every crew, the two senior members will be the pilot and the Deck Master, but either can be the senior rank. The senior rank in a team is responsible for team discipline and administration, doing the ground side paper work. The pilot always has responsibility for the helicopter's airworthiness and the Deck Master always has responsibility for the flight deck's equipment.
By her twenty-third birthday, Dani-girl's a senior sergeant and Deck Master of Team Able, 1st Platoon, Alpha Company, Sky Hooks - 1st Squad, 1st Platoon, A Company, 1st Royal Rescue Service. Alpha Company operates from the Darlee Air Base in the southern part of the Dareed region, it used to be a Dareed Military Air Base. This base covers the whole of the Dareed region. Although this base is the regimental headquarters, only the first three companies operate from it. The other companies are deployed as individual companies at bases in the north, to give better coverage and response times to those areas. All major equipment servicing is done at this base, so it includes a fair sized civilian operated repair unit as well as other civilian run logistical support services. All units bring their equipment here for major services and repairs.
There are only two interests in Dani-girl's life; her work as a Fisher, and her youngest brother, Gordie. Despite sixteen years differences in age, there's a very close rapport between them that's existed since his birth. So they can spend the most time together, she times her leaves to match the times when he's also free. She lists him as her sole heir and executor of her estate when he passes his manhood tests.
Gordie takes great pride in all her achievements. Especially her promotion to Senior Lieutenant, on her twenty-sixth birthday. Such pride, he arranges a special party for her at 'The Landing's Field' Restaurant, it's very expensive and well worth the cost. She's greatly moved by the event, and the trouble he went to for it.
The Rescue
At 17.30 hours on Saturday 20 June 2002, a call comes into the Rescue Service Call Centre (Fish Comm); a boat in trouble about two kilometres South-west of the southern most point of Berant. Dani-girl's team is the duty team, so they scramble for their helicopter and head out. The location puts the boat about thirty minutes flight time away.
On route, they get an update; the boat's sinking fast, one adult dead, another badly injured, and seven children on board. Tension's high in the chopper as it races the setting sun to the boat. Arriving on site, they report the situation; no boat visible, seven children clinging to floats, no life vests, no signs of adults, failing light, and sharks moving in. The helicopter hovers low over the scene with all flood lights on as the door gunner's shooting the sharks and the swimmer jumps into the water with harness rigs for the children while Dani-girl lowers the winch. Soon, all the children have harnesses on and the swimmer's attaching the children to the winch cable. The regulations call for no more than three children at a time. Suddenly, it's quiet, too quiet. The machine gun keeping the sharks at bay, by killing those getting too close, has stopped, it's jammed. The gunner is frantic as she works on the gun. But the gun won't work, as the firing mechanism won't open or move, it's frozen solid.
Releasing her harness from the safety straps, Dani-girl draws her combat knife as she takes the medic's combat knife and orders the gunner to take over the winch. Stepping to the doorway, she leaps out into the night, in the direction of the shark pack, shouting, “For the people.” She lands on the foremost shark, the impact kills it as she stabs a shark on either side, and starts killing all the sharks near her. Reaching as far as she can, and stabbing as hard as possible, she quickly kills several sharks by stabbing them in their brains. The pack's a large one with over a hundred sharks in it. She continues to stab and kill sharks with the 400 mm knives. Even when a shark pulls her under the water, she manages to kill some swimming lower down and come up under others, so she can kill more of them. The sharks are delayed by eating their dead, as she intended.
Knowing time's now extremely critical, the swimmer throws the regulations to the wind and attaches the four smallest children to the winch. It's quickly hauled up, the children unhooked, and the winch lowered again. The medic wraps the children in warm blankets as she leads them across the flight deck to strap them into seats. The swimmer has the three largest children harnessed to the winch, they're winched up, unhooked, and the medic takes care of them. All through this, the co-pilot is watching what's happening with Dani-girl. He sees her dragged under the water a few times, a clear indication a shark's attacked her. The winch is lowered to the swimmer and he hooks on. Turning himself until he's hanging upside down with a leg around the cable, he directs the pilot to move the helicopter over Dani-girl.
Once in position above Dani-girl, they lower him until he can reach out and grab her harness. Urgently, they raise the winch. The radio's filled with the sound of the swimmer crying, he can see she's lost both legs at the knees and her side's badly savaged with blood pouring out of the wounds. After getting her into the helicopter, the medic, door gunner, and swimmer are like dervishes as they apply tourniquets and bandages to stop the bleeding. The pilot turns for the coast and has the helicopter at maximum speed as he heads for the nearest hospital.
Everyone on the helicopter is crying, except Dani-girl. Reaching to the eldest child, a girl sitting near her, Dani-girl takes her hand and squeezes it, saying, “I knew the price when I made the deal, seven for one's a bargain.” To the medic, “Tell Gordie I love him. It's too late for the hospital. Take me home.” Sighing, she closes her eyes, and stops breathing. At 18.25 hours, after trying resuscitation, the medic declares her dead. The pilot cuts back on his speed and changes course, he's heading towards base now. Going on the radio, he informs command of the events. They agree, bring her home.
The Ball
The 28th Annual Royal Charity Débutantes' Ball is well under way. It started at 3.00 pm that afternoon with the girls being presented to King Edward and dinner served at 4.30 pm. The ball starts and finishes early, as it's a fund raising débutante's ball and all the girls being presented to the King and society have to be unmarried, with good school marks, have minimum sponsorship of $5,000, and turned fifteen years of age but not eighteen years of age. Not wanting to upset parents by keeping young girls out too late, the organisers run it from 3.00 pm to 10.00 pm; plenty of time for the presentations, fund raising activities, food, and dancing. There are fifty-four girls this year. Each sponsored girl has a table for four, and others may buy tickets at $1,000 per table of four. With some fun fund raising activities still to happen it looks like being a good year. $270,000 from sponsorships and another $50,000 from table sales. There are no costs as the King pays for this ball held in the Royal Reception Room at Highcliff, the Royal Palace between View Port and Carmel. This very large room is the full width of the headland and has balconies on three sides, so people can see out over Carmel, View Port, and the Marina.
The widowed mother and ten year old sister, Lorna, of débutante Melissa Smithers are enjoying the meal with their close friend, Gordie Mannheim - an over tall ten year old boy and classmate of Lorna. They invited him to share their table as he'd arranged for Melissa to be sponsored by a local company - View Port Internet. They still don't know how he talked them into sponsoring Melissa, as they know no one at the company. They're very happy with Gordie, as he also arranged for Melissa's sponsorship to include a formal gown with all accessories, hair styling, and full make up for tonight. She looks like a princess tonight.
At 6.20 pm, dinner's finished and the people are chatting. A few minutes later, Gordie suddenly looks up, frowns, and swears. Very unusual behaviour for him. Excusing himself, he gets up and walks outside to the balcony overlooking View Port. Pulling a mobile phone from his pocket, he punches a number. While he waits for an answer, his sister Isobelle walks out onto the balcony and stands beside him. The phone's answered, and he says, “Pete, please contact your pipers and arrange for them all to find somewhere high near where they are and play 'Danny Boy,' followed by 'The Last Post.' Call me back when you've got it ready.” Turning to his sister, with tears streaming down his face, he says, “She's gone, Issy, she's gone.” Isobelle staggers back, as she's never seen him this disturbed about anything. He turns and looks over the town; it's a lovely sight, but he doesn't see it - not at all.
Not sure what's happening, but determined to keep a record (Isobelle's a chronic record keeper now days), she goes to her seat to get her portable recorder from her handbag and returns to the balcony. A moment after she does, Gordie gets a phone call, he acknowledges the call and hangs up. Sensing something important, she turns on the recorder and places it on a table nearby. A moment later, she can hear distant flutes and bagpipes playing the introduction to the song 'Danny Boy,' when it reaches the point for the vocalist to join in, Gordie starts singing, “Oh, Dani-girl, the pipes, the pipes are calling, from glen to glen, and down the mountainside....” Putting her hands to her face, in shock, she staggers back as she realises the meaning of his words and actions. Their favourite sister's dead and he's singing her spirit home. Dropping into a chair beside the table, she sits there quietly crying. The tears pour down both their faces as he sings.
A small crowd of their closest friends and family have come to the balcony doorway, but none move or speak. They don't know why or what's going on, but they recognise the intense pain and sorrow present on the balcony. Some of the family realise the import of the changed words to the song, and they leave with tears streaming down their faces. Somehow, the atmosphere of the balcony's spreading through the reception room as people fall quiet and the dance music stops, the only sounds are Gordie's pain filled voice singing with the distant pipers. The song ends, a short spell, and the pipes start again with 'The Last Post.' Gordie stands there with his head bowed. It comes to an end. He turns and walks inside, the crowd makes way for him in total silence.
Gordie's halfway across the room when his mobile phone rings. Answering it, he listens, and says, “Thank you, Colonel, you may release her name. I'll be there early tomorrow morning. Please see that she and her things remain undisturbed until I arrive. Will you please repeat that information to this person?” He hands the phone to King Edward, who, on seeing his expression, walked across the room to meet him.
King Edward listens to the caller, and says, “Thank you, Colonel.” Hanging up, he turns and walks to the microphone set up for the Master of Ceremonies. He turns it on, “Excuse me, I'm sorry, but the ball will be ending early this year. I've just been informed Senior Lieutenant Danielle 'Dani-girl' Amiri died in the course of her duties with the Royal Rescue Service at 6.25 pm tonight. I, like so many of you here tonight, knew her well, and after hearing this news I'm unable to continue with a party. These rooms will stay open until the advertised closing time, for those who wish to stay here. Please excuse me, as I must go and give her family my condolences. Thank you.”
The whole room's silent, and many are openly crying. She was very well known and loved by all in both the towns of View Port and Carmel. Most soon leave for home, to grieve in private
Base Visit
07.45 hours Sunday 21 June, Darlee Traffic Control notices a private company jet headed towards their base, just before it hits their restricted zone perimeter the radio comes alive with, “Darlee Traffic, Victor Papa One requesting clearance to land at Darlee, have important passenger for Colonel Steinmann, over.”
The controller replies, “Victor Papa One, copy your request to land, have passenger for Colonel Steinmann. Please hold outside the restricted zone while I confirm clearance. Over.”
The jet pilot says, “Darlee Traffic, Victor Papa One copies, will hold while you check for approval. Please note, passenger is Amiri heir to see Colonel. Out.”
The controller looks at his supervisor, the supervisor nods as she picks up the phone to call the colonel. The controller says, “Victor Papa One, Darlee Traffic, cleared for immediate landing runway 175, over.”
The jet pilot replies, “Darlee Traffic, Victor Papa One. Copy, cleared for landing runway 175, out.” He turns to his main passenger, “Take a seat and buckle up, Boss, we're going in.”
Ten minutes later, they're on the runway. At 0.800 hours, they're parked outside a hangar with Gordie and Isobelle walking down the stairs to meet Colonel Steinmann. The colonel's surprised when Gordie's followed by eleven competent looking armed bodyguards in fatigues without any insignia. Gordie introduces Isobelle, “This is Danielle's sister Isobelle. I hope you don't mind my bringing her along. I also hope you don't mind our babysitters, I made them wear fatigues so they wouldn't look too out of place here.” The colonel nods agreement. He's surprised about how young Gordie is, since he's Danielle's heir and he knows she has no children, he thought Gordie was her lover. He got that wrong.
Sensing his confusion, Gordie says, “Danielle was my sister, I use father's name while she used the tribe's name. We were extremely close.” The colonel nods at this. Turning, he leads the way across the base to the morgue. On the way, he points out and names salient aspects, including the base church and cemetery.
Entering the morgue, they find four Swords in dress uniform as an honour guard about Danielle's corpse. They view Danielle's body and the damage. Isobelle's shaken by the damage and starts crying, Gordie has a face of stone. The colonel isn't deceived, he recognises the lack of expression as an iron control of personal emotions. He's surprised by one so young being so in control. Gordie removes her dog tags, name plate, and shoulder straps. As per regulations, she wore no jewellery and had no personal effects on her whilst on duty. These are the closest things to personal items she wore yesterday. They leave for her quarters. At her quarters is another four Sword honour guard. Entering, Gordie moves to her desk and picks up her diary, opens her jewellery box and removes various items, placing them all in his pockets. Going to her bed, he takes down her sword hanging on the wall above the bed. Drawing it, he studies the blade and reads the inscription on it. Nodding, he re-sheaths the sword and buckles it around his own waist. Going to the cupboard, he selects a set of clean clothes, name plate, and shoulder pads to be placed on Danielle for the funeral.
Turning to the colonel, he says, “I know I asked you to see her things weren't touched, but why the honour guard?”
Colonel Steinmann replies, “Danielle was well liked on the base, when I asked for two troops to watch over her and her gear, the whole base volunteered to supply a full honour guard for her. They're all off duty, and one of the senior corporals from her company coordinates the roster. They do two hour shifts.”
Nodding slowly, Gordie says, “Thank you, Colonel. Can we please speak to the rest of her flight crew now?” The colonel leads them to one of the ready rooms, where the rest of her flight crew are waiting.
Gordie looks them over and notices their night's been as bad as his. He says, “I'm sorry, but I'm not really in the mood or condition to ask you what happened. Please accept my apologies on that. However, I would like you to tell my friend here everything, as he gives you what should be a thorough debriefing.” He waves at one of his bodyguards who has a clipboard in his hand. “I've been to Dani-girl's quarters. I've removed the family heirlooms and a few keepsakes. If there's anything of hers you would want as keepsakes, please feel free to take them. After you've selected what you want, the offer's extended to all base personnel. I would appreciate it if one of you can arrange for some coordination of that activity.” They're surprised and grateful for the offer, they nod their thanks. “When the funeral arrangements are finalised I'd like you all there. I would especially like Captain Stannis, Senior Sergeant Belling, and Sergeant Mathias to be pall bearers, if you'll agree.” They nod agreement.
Turning, he nods at the man to debrief the crew, the colonel isn't happy with this, but says nothing. He notices a set of Guards' dog tags when the man sits to talk with Captain Stannis, the pilot. The colonel's trying to work out why a private individual would have a serving Guard, out of uniform, available to debrief his people.
Gordie asks, “Excuse me, Colonel, is there a local undertaker you can recommend?”
The colonel nods, “Yes, and they've a representative waiting in my office, just in case.”
Gordie gives a weak smile, “Then we best go and talk to them. But first, I wish to see the base church.”
As they leave the room the colonel has a closer look at how the bodyguards work. He's very impressed by how smoothly they move, and how quick they are to take up positions to protect their charges. He misses a step when he realises they're using Claymore combat signals for silent communications. Gordie's aware of the colonel's surprise, and watches how he watches his bodyguards.
Walking through the church, Gordie's introduced to the minister and the caretaker, a retired Guard who looks after the place. On the way in he noted each grave in the cemetery has fresh flowers, the same types as in the garden of the caretaker's cottage next to it.
Addressing the caretaker, he says, “You put flowers on the graves every week?”
The caretaker replies, “No, sir, every day.”
Smiling, Gordie nods, “By clan law, Danielle must be buried by sundown next Tuesday. Can you have a grave and the church ready for the funeral next Tuesday. Start at 2.00 pm?” The caretaker nods. Gordie reaches into his pocket, “Good, here's some money to help get things organised, please see it's done right. Contact me if you need any more.” He hands him $2,000 towards expenses, and a card with his name and phone number on it. The caretaker nods agreement.
Turning to the minister, Gordie says, “One of our clan ministers will contact you about arranging the details of the service.” The minister nods his acceptance.
Leaving the church, they head for the colonel's office. Waiting there is the funeral service representative, a sombrely dressed woman. She introduces herself. Gordie invites her into the colonel's office, and he also invites in Junior Sergeant Lewis, who's also waiting in the office. The colonel's confused by this.
Once inside and seated, Gordie turns to the funeral representative and hands her Danielle's clothes he's carrying, saying, “I want her dressed in these clothes. The body will not leave the base, your people will have to come here to work at the base morgue. The lower body half of the coffin's to be closed for the service. It'll be held at the base church next Tuesday afternoon, starting at 2.00 pm. You'll need to provide the coffin and what's needed to lower the coffin into the grave. Using your best wooden coffin with a simplistic design, how much will it cost?”
The woman's very surprised at Gordie's speed, but rallies fast. She opens her books and prepares a quote, which she hands him. He instructs her it's acceptable and will be paid today. She leaves to get things started. Getting permission from the colonel, Gordie takes the laptop computer Isobelle's carrying and plugs it into one of the office's phone lines. He arranges immediate electronic payment.
Unplugging the computer, he plugs a box into the phone line and the phone into the box. Punching a number, he says, “It's Gordie here, is he available?” He waits a moment, “Eggs, Hotel Lima Three.” Punching three buttons on the box while the colonel stares at him in surprise, as he's using official code for a scrambler circuit. “Father, I've decided to have the funeral here at the Base church, at 2.00 pm Tuesday. Please ask mother to have the clan ministers coordinate with the Base minister. I'll sort everything else. Please inform Clan Father I've decide to go public, I know he won't be happy, but it's way past time we did in these cases.” He pauses to be told something, and says, “Yes, father, if Clan Father's too upset he can organise a Table for me, but I'm doing it. No, I don't know about any recommendation, but Colonel Steinmann hasn't had much opportunity to tell me anything. The public announcement about the lid blowing can wait until Tuesday, but I have to tell them locally now. Please contact the media people, inform them and tell them anyone who says a word before noon on Tuesday won't be allowed to carry the funeral coverage.” He hangs up. The colonel's further surprised about the media. This is a day of surprises.
Turning to Sergeant Lewis, he says, “Hi, Berry, hope I didn't get you into any trouble, but I do need to ask you something in private.” Colonel Steinmann's again surprised.
She smiles, saying, “That's OK, couz, but why the secrecy, and what do you need to know?”
“This time we're going public with Danielle's family links, all of them. I know Danielle wants you to be one of her pall bearers, but that'll make your family link known as well. I want to be sure you're happy with that before arranging it.”
She smiles, “I'm proud to be one of her pall bearers, and I'm proud of my clan. Those I work with know me and won't be affected by the knowledge. Go for it. She deserves to get full public recognition.”
Smiling, Gordie says, “Thank you, I can't agree more. But, so do the rest, they all deserve full recognition.” By now, Colonel Steinmann's totally confused. Sergeant Lewis leaves to go back to her duties.
Gordie picks up the phone and punches another number, when it's answered, he says, “It's Gordie here, can I talk to Muggles, please.” He waits a moment, “Hi, Muggles, did you get that email I sent you last night?” A pause, “Good, can you do it and have it ready on site at Darlee Base by noon Tuesday?” Another pause. “Thanks, by the way, she's been recommended for the Golden Claymore, so you may need to take that into account as we won't know the answer until late Monday.” He hangs up. Colonel Steinmann's very surprised, as the information about the medal shouldn't be available to anyone until after a decision's made, and definitely not the same morning it's recommended. He wonders how Gordie knows about it.
Shaking his head, Colonel Steinmann unlocks his desk drawer to take out a large envelope and hand it to Gordie. Accepting the envelop, he doesn't open it, as he knows it's Danielle's next of kin letter and final instructions to him. He places it in the bag with the computer. He asks the colonel to call for the corporal organising the Honour Guard details. When she arrives, Gordie asks the corporal if she'll arrange for Danielle's wake, the corporal agrees. He asks the colonel to allow them to use one of the hangars for the wake, he agrees. Pulling an envelope from his pocket, Gordie hands it to the corporal as he tells her it has $25,000 for her to spend arranging the wake. She can expect to have around 2,000 guests above the base personnel. If more money's needed, she's only to ask for it. Both the colonel and corporal are surprised by the expected number of guests. They knew Danielle would be missed by many, but didn't expect that many to turn up, not this far from her home town.
It's now 10.15 hours as Gordie asks the colonel if he'd mind calling a base parade so Gordie can address the whole base at once. This is highly unusual, but the colonel decides to do so as it's obvious this is no ordinary ten year old boy, and anyway, it's for Dani-girl. He activates the base wide public address system and announces a base wide parade for 10.30 hours. All to be there, unless on critical duty; this reaches all the off duty personnel as well.
At 10.25 hours they head to the parade ground, many are already there. At 10.30 hours all but fifty people on critical duty tasks are on the parade ground awaiting the colonel's announcement, and the sound system's being pumped into the base public address system to reach those on duty. They're surprised when Gordie mounts the dais instead of the colonel. Checking the microphone's on, he says, “As you all know, Senior Lieutenant Danielle 'Dani-girl' Amiri died on duty yesterday. Like many of her family before her, she gave her life for the people. Her funeral will be held at 14.00 hours, that's 2.00 pm for you non-military types, on Tuesday, at the base church. It'll be followed by a wake in one of the hangars, details to be announced. I know you all loved her, in your own ways. You and your families are all invited to attend either or both these activities. There'll be a number of other guests and people on base that day. I ask you to honour Danielle's memory by doing your best to see all goes well on the day. I ask this, as I know there'll be some unsavoury types here for the funeral, we can't avoid them. This is especially true of the media people who'll be here, and we won't be able to keep them out. I ask you to keep the details of this announcement secret until Tuesday afternoon. I'll see you all on Tuesday, when we honour my sister's memory and bury Senior Lieutenant Danielle 'Dani-girl' Annette Nancy Isobelle Amiri, also known as Princess Annette, daughter of the King. Thank you.” They're stunned to learn she's a royal princess. The colonel nods, as it makes sense of everything odd he's seen today.
Leaving the dais, Gordie says to the colonel, “Thank you for your assistance today, Colonel.” Turning, he heads to his plane and boards it. Sitting down, he gets out and opens the envelop the colonel gave him.
He starts reading Danielle's final letter to him. Half way through the first page his tears are flowing freely. He never notices when the plane moves out to the runway and takes off. He doesn't notices a thing on the fifty minute flight home. He just sits there, crying, as he reads her last letter to him.
The Funeral
People are worried how the media will behave today. The media note the attitude of the base personnel and the other mourners, so they behave very well. Much better than anyone expects of them.
The church isn't big enough to hold all attending the funeral. Only family and very close friends are allowed inside. Several large video screens and speakers are erected outside. Many video cameras are set up about the area and all are controlled by the Palace Media Section. This is to ensure no close ups are made of people unless they've given prior permission for public close ups. The media crews have their own vans on site and are provided with the video output of the Palace Media Section. They choose which of the available camera angles they wish to use and add their own commentary. Important facts are provided to them by the Palace Media Section via linked computer terminals. This input can be fed onto the broadcast as text, or included in the commentary, or both.
During the service several people stand and talk about Dani-girl and their interactions with her. At the end of the short service the pall bearers stand and approach the coffin to lift it. The rest of the mourners stand and leave the church. They form two lines between the church and the grave side. One camera scans down the start of the line. Using the Palace Media Section information, the commentators state Queen Lara heads the line, followed by General Granite Mannheim, General Jessica Tandar (the only two people to receive the Golden Claymore while still alive), followed by a large number of retired Guards. The Claymore or the Valour Cross being visible on every uniform on that side. In the nearer line, with their backs to the camera, are the children Dani-girl saved that day with others of Dani-girl's family members and the rest of her crew in line after them.
Gordon leads the coffin out of the church, holding her sword up before him. As the coffin exits the church, those in the line snap to attention. When the head of the coffin comes in line with the waiting mourners, they salute and hold the salute until the coffin's passed. Falling in behind the coffin, Queen Lara reaches across and takes the hand of the young girl opposite her, hand in hand, they follow the coffin. Reaching the graveside, they form up in ranks beside it. When all the mourners are on hand, the coffin's lowered into the grave. Once the coffin's in the grave Gordon delivers the eulogy.
Looking out over the assembled mourners, Gordon says, “Dani-girl was a pacifist born to a clan noted for its warriors. A person dedicated to helping others, she loved all she met. In our clan it isn't a tradition to join the Guards and protect the people. It's a way of life, our heritage, our duty, and our honour to do so. Like the rest of the clan, Dani-girl chose to join the Guards and to serve the people. Being a pacifist she chose to serve in the Fishers. In many ways her service has been of more benefit to the people than that of many others. Because of her stout pacifist stance many in the clan wondered - ‘Does she have the warrior spirit of our clan?’ They wonder no more. When the time came for her to fight for the people, she did just that. She may not have fought against enemy soldiers in human combat, but she fought against vicious enemies of the people in deadly combat. She saw the danger and, being a true warrior, she leapt amongst the enemies - placing herself between the people and those enemies. She died protecting the people. Today, we stand here to honour the memory of the great warrior Dani-girl Amiri.” All stand quiet with heads bowed.
A minute later the silence is broken by a young girl quoting the Ode of Remembrance, the fourth stanza of Laurence Binyon's poem 'The Fallen.' Soon after, a lone bugler plays 'The Last Post,' followed by a rifle salute from the Fishers Honour Guard. After this, each mourner walks by the grave to take a hand full of dirt from the mound beside it and throw it in the grave. Once all the official mourners have passed by, the rest of those on base for the funeral do the same.
Through all this, Gordon stands at the end of the grave crying.
Ode of Remembrance
“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.”