Sorely Missed

by Loui

Earth: Final Conflict is copyright © Tribune Entertainment and Roddenberry/Kirschner. No infringement of that copyright is intended by this story.
"Sorely Missed" is copyright © Loui.

"No!" screamed Renee Palmer. She stared at the sight in front of her, wrapping her arms around herself and shaking her head in denial, as though if she wished for it hard enough, the scene of carnage in front of her would change.

It didn't.

The Volunteers were still hustling Zo'or to his feet and racing him out of the auditorium, Sandoval was still standing, arm raised, skrill glowing, having just obliterated the assassin that had fired the energy weapon at the Synod Leader.

Liam Kincaid was still sprawled on the stage of the auditorium, surrounded by a team of frantic Volunteer medics as they tried to staunch the bleeding wound in his chest. Damn it all to hell! Why did Liam have to be so damn principled?! She didn't think even Da'an expected him to honour his Protector's oath with his life, not any more. The Taelons had heaped too many betrayals on him. None of that seemed to matter to him, though. Every time he reported for duty he was ready and willing to die to protect the Companions he was protecting.

She watched as two paramedics rapidly wheeled in a gurney. Within minutes, Liam was wheeled away and she heard the faint sound of sirens as the ambulance began its race to the hospital. Renee shook of the solicitous hand of the female Volunteer that was trying to ascertain whether or not she had succumbed to a state of shock. In a shaking voice, Renee said, "Which hospital are they taking him to?"

"Mercy General, Ms. Palmer. It's got the closest trauma unit. Dr. Park is being transported there as we speak."

"Thank you, Volunteer," said Renee. "Please tell Agent Sandoval that I am heading there now and I need to see him there as soon as he has finished here."

"Yes, Ma'am."


Three hours later, Melissa Park emerged, sorrow in her eyes. Renee looked at the other woman's face and her shoulders slumped. Quietly, she said, "How long?"

Melissa's voice was full of tears as she said, "A few hours at best."

Renee nodded. Taking a deep breath, she said, "Is he conscious?"

Melissa nodded. "He's been asking for you. He's in a private room in ICU. There's a Volunteer stationed outside it, you can't miss it."

Renee gave the doctor's shoulder a gentle squeeze as she headed off, saying, "You did all you could. He knows that."

Melissa bit her lip and nodded that she knew. Her eyes said that it still wasn't good enough. She had delivered that young man. She had not expected to have to watch him die so soon.

Renee's next words had her raising her eyebrows in surprise; then again, what harm could it do now. "Send Sandoval in as soon as he arrives."


It was another hour before that happened and in that time, Renee and Liam made their peace and she told him that she understood why he had done what she had done; that while she couldn't condone it, she respected him for sticking to his principles.

They also settled the little matter of the feelings between them. She had raised his hand, kissed his palm, and whispered, "Maybe in the next life, my friend."

Sandoval wandered in the room with mixed feelings; Kincaid was dying, and annoying a colleague as the man had been, he found that he was feeling this loss even more than the loss of Boone.

He took in the sight of Renee Palmer sitting at the major's side, talking quietly, and gently stroking his arm. She looked at him as he entered the room and gave him a sad smile. He looked away from her gaze and towards the major, trying to think of what to say.

The emotions in the major's eyes robbed him of the power of speech. Welcome. Sorrow. Love.

The major said one word. "Father..."

"What?!" gasped Sandoval.

It was Renee Palmer who spoke next. In a hushed tone, she said, "Your son wants to say goodbye to you, Agent Sandoval. I'll be outside if you need me."


Twenty minutes later, a stunned, shaken and teary-eyed Sandoval stuck his head out of the room and called her back in.

They each took one of Liam's hands in their own and bid him a quiet farewell as he died basking in the acceptance and love of the two most important people in his world.

After placing a gentle kiss goodbye on Liam's forehead, Renee led Sandoval out of the room and to a quiet corner in the hospital cafeteria. Softly, she said, "What did he tell you?"

She watched, with genuine compassion, as the shell-shocked Implant stammered out what his colleague, his son, had told him. Then, following Liam's wishes, she told him the rest.

When she was done, they sat in silence for several moments before she rose to leave the Implant to his solitude. She placed a gentle hand on his arm, saying, "If you want to talk, I'll listen. I promised Liam that I would be there for you... I keep my promises."


Major Liam Kincaid's funeral had been as sorrowful as Boone's, in fact; in many respects it had been more so.

Boone had been liked and respected and was still sorely missed. He had rarely interacted with Companions other than Da'an and Zo'or, and he had never interacted with the Volunteers; Liam Kincaid had, and all had admired him, the sentiments of loss and grief that were expressed were heartfelt.

At Sandoval's insistence, Renee Palmer had received the flag at Kincaid's funeral. His eulogy had been surprisingly emotional to many; he didn't care, his eyes had sought out Renee's as he spoke and she had smiled at him as the tears ran down her cheeks.

Renee Palmer spoke at the memorial service. Her words were brief, heartfelt and had all present fighting tears. In a simple voice, she said, "Liam Kincaid was my best friend. I loved him and I will miss him. I think the words of Thomas Paine best describe him.

"'I Love The Man That Can Smile In Trouble,
That Can Gather Strength From Distress,
And Grow Brave By Reflection
'Tis The Business; Of Little Minds To Shrink;
But He Whose Heart Is Firm,
And Whose Conscience Approves His Conduct,
Will Pursue His Principles Unto Death.'

"Goodbye, Liam. You will be sorely missed."


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Last modified August 5th, 2002.
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