Nightmare by Shallow15
Source: Daria | Rating: K+ | Posted: 9-12-2001
A Daria fanfiction by Erin Mills
Jane stared at the TV in shock. It was played over and over again. A nightmare come true.
One of the towers, partially destroyed, a huge gaping hole in one side of it. Thick black clouds of smoke billowing from the wreckage. The bright orange flames clearly visible as the remants of those floors struck burned.And then the second nightmare. The airliner flying in at speeds too fast to turn. Jane found herself praying that there would be intervention, that the plane would veer off at the last second before the inevitable. But of course, there was no intervention. It had already happened.
The second tower was struck and a massive fireball exploded through the building. Orange and black clouds spewing fron the corner of the building. Even though she knew it wasn't possible, she thought she could still feel the heat, feel the shockwave.
But the nightmare wasn't over. Jane stared helplessly as the TV continued to play.
The second tower was the first to go. It began to fall, the ordered structure vanishing in a cloud of smoke, dust and rubble. Thousands of tons of steel, glass, and concrete falling to the ground, filling the streets, the people on the ground running for their lives.
And just when you thought that was the worst that could possibly happen, the other tower collapsed. The upper section falling into the lower section. For a moment, Jane thought the lower part of the tower might endure… but it was a false hope.
The entire tower disintegrated. Another choking cloud of debris consuming the structure… and those trapped inside it.
Other reports came in. The Pentagon had been struck, a huge gaping hole in oner of it's five sides. A crashed plane in Pennsylvania. Hundreds of firefighters and police were lost in the destruction of the towers. The stories of those who had been in contact with their loved ones inside the buildings and on the planes, before they were silenced forever.
In the space of 45 minutes, America's worst nightmare had come true, and Jane could only stare in shock and disbelief. Thousands of people who were doing nothing more than going to work to support their families had become the victims of fanatacism and hatred.
And all they were doing was what they had done for years.
Jane couldn't believe it. She had always wanted to see the Twin Towers someday… now, she would never have that chance. Even if the towers were rebuilt, it wouldn't be the same.
She heard a sound from the desk next to her. She looked over, and saw the one thing that drove the true horror of the situation home to her.
Daria Morgendorffer was crying.
Dedicated to the memory of the victims of the destruction of the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, the aircraft involved, the brave men and women of the rescue squads who lost their lives attempting to save those still trapped, and those who lost loved ones in this tragedy.
106- September 11th, 3001 by Simpsoniac
Source: Futurama | Rating: K+ | Posted: 9-13-2001
::Open to Planet Express. Everyone is sitting at the table. Fry walks in::
Fry: ::singing:: Oh, what a beautiful morning! Oh, what a beautiful day! ::sits down at the table:: What up, everyone? I hope you're all feelin' good, 'cause I'm in a smiling mood today! ::grins::
Farnsworth: For God's sake, Fry, can't you show some consideration!?
Fry: Whoa, sorry Professor! What's gotten into you today? Did somebody die?
Farnsworth: Be quiet, you moron!
Bender: Wait a go and interrupt our 2 minute silence, Flesh Pod!
Leela: ::sniffs:: You disgust me, Fry!
Fry: Whoa, whoa, whoa! What's everybody so upset about!?
Hermes: Do you know what day it is, mon?
Fry: Uh… ::checks the wall calendar:: September 11th. So?
Amy: So!? You really are cold, Fry!
Fry: What the hell are you all talkin' about!? What's wrong!?
Farnsworth: Oh yes, I just remembered that he doesn't know.
Fry: Know what!?
Farnsworth: Fry, 1000 years ago today terrorists took control of a group of airplanes and flew them into the World Trade Center Twin Towers, right here in New New York.
Fry:… and we should care because?
Leela: Fry, thousands of people lost their lives that day, and many who survived were trapped under the debris for hours!
Fry: Oh…
Bender: Yeah, so shut your noise hole, square!
Farnsworth: Those bastard terrorists also flew a third airplane into the Pentagon in Washington DC. It was a sad, sad day across the whole of America.
Fry: Man, I sometimes forget that I've missed out on the last one thousand years…
Farnsworth: Yes, well next time keep your damn mouth closed.
Fry: So, did they ever find out who the terrorists were?
Farnsworth: Oh my, yes.
Fry: Who were they?
Farnsworth: Who were who?
Fry: The terrorists?
Farnsworth: The wha?
Fry: The people who took control of the airplanes!
Farnsworth: Shh, you crazy fool! You shouldn't be talking while we're paying our respects to the dead!
Zoidberg: Your species were very brave, Fry. You should be proud.
Fry: I guess I would be… Oh my God! I think my Uncle Horrace used to work at the World Trade Center!
Amy: You'll be happy to know that some people managed to get out of the place alive in one piece, Fry. Your uncle may have survived.
Fry: Oh, that's a relief.
Bender: Whaddya mean, Organ Sack!? He's probably dead now anyway! Unless he could've lived for 1000 years…
Farnsworth: Well, it's time we went down to City Hall for the annual memorial service. Let's go, everyone.
::Cut to City Hall. Thousands of people have gathered outside. The American Flag has been hung over City Hall::
Mayor: On today, September 11th, 3001, we are here to remember the poor souls who lost their lives exactly one thousand years ago to this day. Please bow your heads and join me in prayer.
Fry: ::quietly to Leela:: This is amazing. I've never seen so many people gathered together in one place in my entire life.
Leela: I was never around when the tragedy happened, but from the many TV reports I've seen, I can say that the whole of America pulled together to help each other during that terrible time.
Fry: My God, I am so glad I wasn't around, either.
::Cut to Planet Express. Everyone walks back inside::
Farnsworth: Well, you may now all take the rest of the day off for personal reflection.
Hermes: Yes, but just remember you better be on time for work tomorrow! Until then you're free! ::he and the professor walk off::
Fry: Huh? Are we gettin' the day off?
Bender: Yeah, September 11th was declared a national holiday 'cause of the terrorist attacks. Well, I'm goin' to drown my sorrows. You wanna come, Fry?
Fry: Huh? You mourn too!?
Bender: Of course I do! I do have a heart in ::bangs his chest:: here somewhere, you know! ::walks off::
Fry: This has all happened way too fast. Damn those terrorists! Say Leela, did they ever rebuild the Twin Towers?
Leela: Yeah, it took them 500 years, but they eventually completed the towers. In fact, they're better than ever.
Fry: Can you take me to see them?
Leela: I guess, but the place is always crowded at this time of year. We may not be able to get in.
::Cut to the World Trade Center 3000. There are thousands of people outside. Fry and Leela approach. The Twin Towers are even bigger than before::
Fry: Man, you weren't kiddin', Leela!
Leela: It's like this every year. Let's go inside.
Fry: Wait a minute! Are you sure it's safe!?
Leela: Don't worry, Fry. They've increased security here to avoid any potential danger.
Fry: Like what?
Leela: In 2547 they implanted powerful phasers into each of the four sides of the towers. These phasers disintegrate anything that gets too close to the towers.
Fry: God bless America…
the end
==========Dedicated to the people who lost their lives in the WTC tragedy==========
The Arthur Gang Pays Tribute by Amethyst-4400
Source: Arthur | Rating: K | Posted: 10-4-2002
It was a gray, overcast day at the Ground Zero location of New York City. A huge crowd was gathered around the entangled heap of remains of the two tall World Trade Center towers that once stood there. They were getting ready to pay their respects to the fallen victims of the September 11th tragedy.
Then, off in the distance, the crowd noticed a tall staff with the United States flag attached to it, waving in the wind. Somehow, it was slowly headed towards them. So the side of the crowd that was nearest the upcoming flag split off into two sides, making way for whoever was holding the flag.
As the crowd looked at the flag coming up the newly created pathway, they slowly started to see the kids who were marching their way through with the flag. The way that the crowd's faces suddenly lit up when they saw them told you that they weren't just any group of kids. They were the Arthur kids! All the children in the crowd immediately recognized them and gawked and smiled in disbelief upon seeing their most favorite PBS characters in real life.
Arthur was holding the huge U.S. flag on the staff. He was dressed up as Uncle Sam. To the left of him was his sister, D.W., dressed up as the Statue of Liberty. She was holding a little flaming torch in her right hand, and cradling a bouquet of roses in her left arm. Both of them were in front, leading the way. Behind them were the other kids lined up into two lanes. They were dressed in red, white, and blue clothing. In the right lane were The Brain, Francine, Binky, and Sue Ellen. In the left lane were Buster, Muffy, Prunella, and Fern. These kids were each holding a candle in front of them. They all had solemn, yet steadfast looks on their faces.
When the group reached the edge of the Ground Zero area, they halted.
"To all the victims of the September 11th attacks that occurred in New York City, Washington D.C., and Pennsylvania," said Uncle Arthur, holding the flag up high.
"And to all the families and friends of the victims who have had to suffer enduring pain over this unprecedented loss of their loved ones," said D.W. Liberty, squeezing the bouquet of roses in her arm for comfort.
Then Uncle Arthur and D.W. Liberty stood their ground while the other kids split off in opposite directions, forming a large ring around the Ground Zero area and standing in a certain position around it. Their candles flickered brightly in the gray air.
Sue Ellen spoke first. "We are gathered here today to pay our respects, sorrows, and condolences to all the innocent lives that were cruelly and abruptly lost in this most heinous act of terrorism," she said solemnly. Then she closed her eyes and bowed her head down, holding her candle out in front of her.
Binky was next. He had great anger in his voice. "This whole thing was caused by these extremely insane and stupid terrorist guys who hijacked our planes, using them as bombs of mass destruction, and crashing them into the World Trade Center towers and the Pentagon," he said. He then closed his eyes and bowed his head down, holding his candle out in front of him.
Next was Francine. She also had anger in her voice. "Those terrorists hated our powers, our freedoms, and our liberties. They hoped to weaken us by creating terror in our country, thinking that it would rip us apart at the seams in fear, confusion, and hopelessness. Well, we will work our darndest to never EVER succumb to any of their dirty wishes!" She then closed her eyes and bowed her head down, holding her candle out in front of her.
Next was The Brain. "This attack was the biggest attack ever on U.S. soil. The impact it had on the whole country, as well as the whole world, was enormous. While we have gone through much pain, suffering, and grieving from this, the attack has also caused us to come together and unite in ways never seen before." He then closed his eyes and bowed his head down, holding his candle out in front of him.
Next was Buster. "Our biggest hearts go out to all the rescue forces-the firefighters, construction workers, policemen and women, medical people, and civilian volunteers-who toiled night and day to rescue the few survivors, unearth all the other dead bodies, and aid the injured civilians and rescuers. Some rescuers even died in the process of doing their job. We commend you very deeply for all of your heroic efforts." He then closed his eyes and bowed his head down, holding his candle out in front of him.
Next was Muffy. "Our biggest hearts also go out to the immense number of people in the United States who greatly aided in the efforts by donating blood and sending money to many charity organizations, such as the Red Cross and the Sept. 11th Fund. We commend you all as well for your altruistic help." She pulled out from her pocket a $5,000 check that she was going to give to a Sept. 11th Fund spokesperson later on. She held the check next to her candle as she closed her eyes and bowed her head down.
Next was Prunella. "So as we all stand here today, reflecting on the bitter events of last September, let us be given the strength to mend ourselves and rise again, and to combat and conquer terrorism in all of its ugly forms." She then closed her eyes and bowed her head down, holding her candle out in front of her.
Finally was Fern. "These evil terrorists will be severely punished for what they have done to our country and the world. We will find them, and we will bring them to justice." She then closed her eyes and bowed her head down, holding her candle out in front of her.
Then Uncle Arthur and D.W. Liberty marched through the debris of the tower leftovers until they reached the very center of The Pile.
D.W. Liberty spoke again. "September 11th will be a day that will forever live in infamy in the United States of America. But with all of us coming together, uniting as one, and caring and loving for each other, we will learn from this, get through this, and work very hard to make our world a better and safer place to live." She took out the roses from the bouquet bag and arranged them in a small ring on the ground.
Uncle Arthur held up the U.S. flag mightily in the air. "And so, in conclusion, my fellow Americans-Uncle Arthur wants YOU (he points out to the crowd)… to NEVER FORGET! " And with that final note, he slammed the end of the staff right smack into the center of the rose ring.
The crowd exploded in thunderous applause at the speech and dramatic planting of the U.S. flag! They watched in pride as Uncle Arthur and D.W. Liberty hooked up shoulder to shoulder and watched the flag ripple mightily in the wind. D.W. Liberty lowered her torch down to her side. After a while the applause slowly died down. And then everyone had his/her head bowed, praying and grieving in silence.
Within the crowd, there was one man in particular who still had his head up. Bystanders only knew him by his initials-M.B. M.B. just couldn't take his eyes off Uncle Arthur and D.W. Liberty in the center. A strange, bright ray of sunlight light had permeated through the gray-cast clouds, and was now shining directly on the center spot of Ground Zero. But they didn't notice this as they stood together with their eyes closed, praying in silence. The innocent sight made M.B.'s heart melt, and he cracked a sad smile as the tears streamed down his eyes.
"Don't worry, Uncle," he whispered to himself through blurry eyes, "we will never forget. God bless you, your sister, and your friends. God bless all of the victims, sufferers, and heroes of September 11th." He looked up at the U.S. flag waving majestically in the air.
"… and GOD BLESS AMERICA. "
( Author's Note: I was inspired to write this short dedication fanfic several days before the 1st anniversary of the September 11th attacks on America, when I was reflecting upon the dark events of last September and thinking about the Arthur kids at the same time. Hopefully this short story has touched all your hearts, and refreshed the sorrow, hope, resilience, and pride in you. BTW, does anybody know who M.B. is? :)
Please tell me what you think of this story--I'd really like your feedback on it. Also, if you're unfamiliar with the Arthur show and its characters, visit the official PBS Arthur website to learn more about them : http://pbskids.org/arthur/ ).
A Penguin's September 11th by Asmith137
Source: Penguins of Madagascar | Rating: T | Posted: 9-11-2011
Amber and Skipper carefully walked through the zoo, holding the American flag high up as it waved in the breeze. They were careful to make sure the flag wouldn't drop or touch the ground as they moved. They finally stopped at the center of the zoo, which was just in front of their habitat, and placed the flag in a holder that Flora and Kowalski had made. The penguin habitat had many red, white and blue balloons hanging around and was decorated with various colored plastic stars.
"That should do it." Amber made sure the flag was firmly in place and tested it with a light tap. She smirked in satisfaction and admired the flag for a moment. "I think we're all set Skipper." She turned around and saw Skipper staring at flag with glazed over eyes. She felt a trace of concern wash over her. "Skipper?"
Skipper snapped out of it and looked at her with faint surprise.
"Are you alright Skipper?" Amber inquired and crossed her flippers across her chest, eyeing him with concern that she rarely showed.
"I was just thinking about the day me and the boys witnessed history," Skipper sighed. "The horrid day that is September 11th."
Amber waddled to him and placed a flipper on his shoulder comfortingly. "It must have been hard. Look, I know I wasn't there, but what those terrorists did is a sick and twisted thing. No one should have to deal with that. You're being really strong to do what your doing today Skipper," Amber told him comfortingly and squeezed his shoulder.
Skipper smiled warmly at her, which she returned. "Thanks Amber."
The two penguins turned around when they heard the screeching sound of the fishbowl being pushed aside.
"What's this?" Sara asked as she poked her head out from the fishbowl entrance.
"Do you know what day today is?" Skipper asked and turned to the small penguin. He looked through the bars that separated him and Amber from an innocent Sara.
"September 11th," Sara replied in a tone that suggested she felt the answer had no meaning. "Why are you asking?" she asked, completely innocent and naïve to not have known what had happened years ago.
The commanding officer felt compelled to explain the entire historical event. "On September 11th 2001…" Skipper started solemnly.
"Terrorists had hijacked four planes and had sent them to important parts to America by sending them on Washington D.C. One of those planes crashed into the South Twin Tower and later the North Tower with another plane," Amber finished for him.
Sara had her beak slightly agape from those words. Why would people do such a thing?
Flora came up with Kowalski and jumped out of the HQ, having heard what Amber and Skipper had said. "A lot of people were killed that day," Flora murmured sadly and looked at Kowalski. She nodded her head slightly, signaling for him to continue the historical lesson.
"Two planes hit the Twin Towers here in New York, which was the World Trade Center. The Twin Towers had collapsed and still held people in there to make matters worse," Kowalski added and returned Flora's stare mournfully.
Flora looked back at Sara and added, "And another one had hit The Pentagon in Washington."
"But thankfully…" Skipper started again, earning their attention. "The fourth plane didn't hit its intended target."
Private came up at the time and looked at Sara. "But it still crashed when the people tried to take control of the plane, so those people died for their country," Private informed sadly in his British accent. Tears threatened to come down his face at the memories. It had not only been terrifying to the whole Zoo but to the inhabitants of New York.
Sara stayed where she was, shocked at what she learned. Once the information sunk in, she slowly got out of the fishbowl entrance with Private and started sobbing on his chest. "That's so sad!" She sobbed harder as Private patted her back comfortingly, hugging her.
"So we're going to honor those people that had tried to save the people in the towers and the ones who had redirected the airplane," Amber explained, making a gesture to the decorations that surrounded their lovely habitat and turned back to the flag. Kowalski, Flora, Sara and Private jumped over the habitat fence and stood next to the flag as well.
"Do you have the microphones, Kowalski?" Skipper inquired, folding his flippers behind his back.
"I'll go get them, Skipper." Kowalski saluted and went back into HQ to get some microphones.
The remaining penguins looked over to their left, where they saw Rico and Madison leading all the zoo animals to the flag. Rico was in front, yelling out gibberish and trying to get the animals to understand what was going on. Madison was in the back, forcing the animals to move forward. If one stepped out of line, she would growl and force the animal back. The two psychotic penguins soon got the animals in front of the flag, ran over to their leaders and saluted.
Rico's tongue lolled out as he grunted, "Ready!"
"They really are quite the pair," Flora chuckled.
Kowalski came over the habitat fence and jumped next to the other intellect. He handed her a microphone and did the same for the other penguins, except Madison and Rico of course.
The animals murmured amongst themselves and looked around curiously. They had yet to be informed on what was happening.
Skipper tapped the mike to see if it was on. "Do you all know why you're here?" Skipper asked into the mike once he was sure it was working properly. Most of the zoo animals shook their heads; the others nodded sadly. Some of the Zoo animals weren't in the Central Park Zoo at the time to know.
"Well you should," Amber spoke into the microphone with faint hostility. "It's September 11th and that's when terrorists hijacked four planes to attack the Twin Towers and The Pentagon."
Flora hesitantly took a step forward to speak in front of the large crowd of animals. Her voice wavered as she said, "Some of you may not know what these places are, but you should know that many people were killed that day."
"Around three thousand people had died that day," Kowalski added and squeezed Flora's flipper comfortingly.
"A man by the name of Osama bin Laden had lead this attack," Amber told them in a depressed tone. "In May 2011, he was found and killed for his terrorist's acts against America and, personally, I'm glad he got shot in the head."
Some of the animals became uneasy on that last statement but their attention was diverted.
Skipper stepped forward and faced the animals with a brave look to him. "As a penguin, I couldn't do much," he admitted. "This was beyond our abilities to stop and all my boys and I could do was witness the destruction on the television. We watched the South Tower fall, then the North Tower. The towers collapsed due to two individual planes crashing into them. Then we saw a plane hit The Pentagon, and we finally witnessed the fourth plane crash into a field. We had felt the Twin Towers crash and smoke had covered our zoo."
The animals were completely silent.
"The fourth plane had its course changed by the people, who knew it would hit its target unless they did something about it. They succeeded and changed course but it ended their lives as well. All the victims of the plane were innocent people, so we are here today to honor these people."
"And I thought," Amber stepped forward and gained the zoo animals attention once more, "that maybe we could sing a song."
Skipper gave her a funny look, but she only winked at him. She gestured for Flora and Sara to come up to her. Madison stood by and held a sly smile on her beak.
Amber opened her own beak to sing. " God Bless America, Land that I love," she sang gently and in a harmonic tone, which she rarely used.
Flora got where this was going and stepped forward nervously. "Stand beside her, and guide her thru the night with a light from above," she sang with her voice wavering. Flora would deal with people staring at her for this occasion.
Sara sung, "From the mountains, to the prairies, to the oceans white with foam." Her eyes glistened from the light that seemed to shine on her and the other flightless birds.
"God bless America, my home sweet home," Amber sang with Skipper in harmony.
There was a brief silence before all the animals clapped and cheered for them.
"Now let's have a moment of silence for those people," Skipper said. Everybody went silent and closed their eyes, silently thanking the people for their sacrifices and honoring them silently.
A minute passed before anyone spoke again.
"Thank you for coming here today," Sara whispered into the microphone, making everyone look up. "I may be a penguin, and I had no ties to the Twin Towers and neither does Skipper, Kowalski, Private and Rico, but I still feel bad for what had happened. I'm glad to have this opportunity to honor the people who had witnessed and had dealt with what had happened. I salute to America." With that, Sara finished her little speech with a salute to the flag. The penguins gawked at how those words would come from her beak.
That didn't stop Amber from saying her own speech.
"Today we honor the people, and I will admit I'm not a fan of them but that doesn't mean I don't take pity them," Amber said honestly. "You may bring sorrow from the past but there is always a brighter future, just waiting for the opportunities. Still, there are still horrible things that could happen as well. Take care of your loved ones and enjoy days to their fullest. You never know when a disaster might happen, and you would never see them again. Live life for something or don't live at all."
Skipper smiled at her speech. "Thank you for coming here today. This meeting is dismissed." He then dismissed the animals with a wave of his flipper.
The animals slowly walked away back to their habitats and a silence went through the Zoo, even the lemurs were quiet.
"How about we do one more song girls?" Amber smirked at her own team. Flora, Sara and Madison nodded, grinning. Amber opened her beak to conclude the ceremony.
" O say can you see… by the dawn's early light," Amber sang with her beautiful voice that echoed across the whole zoo, sending both a haunted message but touching the animal's hearts, even Joey's. " What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleaming."
"Whose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight," Flora sang with her confidence restored. " O'er the ramparts we watched were so gallantly streaming."
Sara's eyes sparkled with that fiery young soul she had and started to sing, "And the rockets' red glare, the bombs bursting in air g ave proof through the night that our flag was still there."
"O! Say does that Star-Spangled Banner yet wave! O'er the land of the free and the home of the brave!" the girls sang together, much louder then before with passion in every note and lyric as they held a rather long and high note together.
Skipper, Kowalski and Private then joined in. Rico and Madison stood nearby and held serious expressions, saluting the flag the entire time.
"On the shore dimly seen through the mists of the deep," Skipper and Private both sung. " Where the foe's haughty host in dread silence reposes."
"What is that which the breeze, o'er the towering steep a s it fitfully blows, half conceals, half discloses?" Both intellects shared a look and grasped each other's flipper tightly.
"Now it catches the gleam of the morning's first beam," Sara sung.
Amber smirked at Sara and approached the young avian. " In full glory reflected now shines in the stream."
The silver bird gripped the younger's shoulder and they both exchanged brief grins. "' Tis the star-spangled banner, O! long may it wave!" the two females sang together, looking up at the sky.
"O'er the land of the free and the home of the where is that band who so vauntingly swore." Skipper nodded to Amber and both let their voices mix together in a perfect sync that it almost seemed practiced. " That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion. A home and a country, should leave us no more?"
Private looked like he was about to cry as he sung, "Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' refuge could save the hireling and slave."
Sara approached Private and gave him a tight hug while singing, " From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave." Both young flightless birds joined their voices. " And the Star-Spangled Banner in triumph doth wave o 'er the land of the free and the home of the brave."
Skipper and Kowalski did the rare chance of singing with one another . "O! thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand b etween their loved home and the war's with vict'ry and peace, may the Heav'n rescued land p raise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation!"
"Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just," their voices rang out loudly across the whole zoo. " And this be our motto: 'In God we Trust' a nd the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave o 'er the land of the free and the home of the… brave!" their voices held the note for a long time till they were out of breath. The song had echoed throughout the whole zoo because of its silence.
Madison and Rico put their flippers back to their sides and ended their salute.
"Let's go back into HQ," Amber suggested.
The other girls nodded and went into the HQ with Kowalski, Private and Rico. Amber stayed on top of the habitat fence with Skipper. The male commanding officer looked straight ahead at the American flag that continued to flap around in the breeze. He kept his flippers folded neatly behind his back, giving him an air of authority.
"Thanks for doing that Amber." Skipper finally looked at her after a while of silence.
Amber rolled her eyes. "Any good penguin would do that." She smiled fondly at him.
Skipper smiled softly at her. "So that was really how you felt about what had happened?" he inquired to her.
Amber crossed her flippers over her chest and tossed the microphone to a distant habitat. "Of course. It was a terrible act and, even if I hate people, it was just sickening to know that someone or some people would do that. Thanks again for telling me about it," she thanked him for once in her life.
"You had the right to know about September 11th," Skipper answered truthfully.
"Let's go back into HQ. I bet there is a cup of coffee in there with your name on it." Amber jumped onto the concrete floe and pushed the fishbowl aside for Skipper.
Skipper looked at her, then back at the flag. He snapped up and saluted the flag, whispering, "God bless America." He jumped over to Amber, and she went back into the HQ. Skipper took one finally look at the flag, and he could have sworn that the flag was glowing.
" Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It's a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It's also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend-even a friend whose name it never knew."
- President George W. Bush, December 11, 2001