A Fallen Star

Epilogue

They bore the coffin of the young soldier into the chapel's hollow semicircular hall, they adorned his casket with both the flag of the MMCR and the Flag of the UGN. The main funeral service was a small and private affair, with a small group of special guests being invited due to their direct contact with the young soldier. The coffin bore a plaque that Maximillian had wanted to be placed it read:

Born on the cradle of humanity, served at the side of its red dusted enemy, never forsook his trait of empathy, now lies down with those heroes of antiquity, his death was a lesson to those of us who bore witness that there is no greater power than the wisdom of humanity.

Here Lies John M. Galiger, The Young Soldier, May His Sacrifice Be Honored For Eternity

After the plaque was read, they held a moment of silence for his noble sacrifice. Many, including his family, left out of grief and despair, Maximillian and Vanessa, his beloved, stayed as he recounted the story of the young soldier to the remainder of the gathered. They were the last two to leave, Vanessa spoke softly as she held her gaze at the innately carved casket, "He was so young, yet he gave his life to a noble and righteous cause", Maximillian turned stared into her hazel-blue eyes, "I know, my love. I held him as he drew his final breath. He should not have been the one to die that day, but I'm afraid even fate could not stall his death." Maximillian began to continue but Vanessa interrupted, "Yet, the universe itself beckoned you back from the brink of death once again... And we still don't know why." Maximillian and Vanessa turned their gaze from each other to the flag covered casket and then towards the door. Maximillian spoke as they walked towards the door, "Yet, my love, his death has inspired unity and peace. Now I would say for such a destructive force of nature, we've had a fairly good outcome", Maximillian chuckled as they walked out of the church, Vanessa intertwined her hand with his, and spoke "Shall we stay in New London for awhile? Just in case Earth or Mars has need of us", "Honestly dear, That is not a bad idea." replied Maximillian as the two of them bore witness to the chapel doors closing.

The Martian Military Congressional Republic rejoined the UGN because of the inspiration of the young soldier's death. The UGN held a state funeral and proclaimed the young soldier's tomb to be a monument to the actions and bravery that occurred on the moon and throughout the whole Sol System.