<USS Avalon> "A Chance of Conversion" Ensign Cate and Cmdr Skyler

> >> "A Chance at Conversion"
>> written by:
>> Commander Skyler & Ensign Cate
>> 
>>          
>>          Skyler and Lt. Cate had been together now for over 20 hours, if 
>> not longer. Skyler had lost all track of time. She had listened to Lyryn's 
>> life story and could feel her pain, yet at the same time was upset at being 
>> put 
>> in this situation to begin with. It was time to get off the fence and make 
>> a decision.
>> 
>>          "Lyryn, I can understand your position, but you have to understand 
>> mine. I am in a totally different time and place than you are. I want to 
>> get my ship and crew back home to safety. You want to escape this military 
>> lifestyle and I am offering you the opportunity to escape from it. No, it 
>> won't 
>> be easy. Yes, people will get hurt, on both sides. You admitted that if you 
>> go back you will be killed as a traitor. I am offering you the chance to 
>> live your life as a free person. One who can have as much freedom, in your 
>> case, it might be limited for a while, as they want. All you have to do is 
>> help 
>> us get back to our own time and place. I am not asking for any military 
>> secrets or anything of that nature. Just help us get home. Plain and simple."
>> 
>>          Skyler watched Lyryn as she said her peace and thought she saw a 
>> glimmer of hope. Maybe, just maybe she will convert yet.
>> 
>>         Lyryn listened intently to Skyler's speech.   It all sounded so 
>> simple, but yet she knew it was far from it.   How could she help them get 
>> home?   It was such a ridiculous question.   She couldn't; 'plain and 
>> simple,' 
>> as the commander put it.    It didn't take long for Lt. Cate's training to 
>> take over.
>> 
>>       "My answer is no.   I cannot and will not betray my crew further.   
>> Send me back to my ship.   I will try and talk to the captain and let him 
>> know what you are attempting to do by only getting home.   Perhaps he will 
>> show 
>> mercy.   It is all that I can do to help.   I'm sorry."  There were no 
>> tears in her eyes this time.   She was cold.   Military.
>> 
>>          Skyler could not believe what this woman was saying. Here was the 
>> perfect opportunity for her to escape the life she hated and she refused. 
>> Unbelievable. Simply unbelievable.
>> 
>>          "You are going to be the death of me yet Cate, you know that? I 
>> try to help you and this is what I get in return. I have half a mind to just 
>> take you to engineering and let the Captain do whatever he wants to with 
>> you. 
>> I have just about had enough. You are not willing to compromise nor are you 
>> willing to do anything except feel sorry for yourself. That was the last 
>> thing I expected out of you. Self-pity. Well, you will get no pity from me. 
>> I 
>> have given all I can and all you have done is throw it back in my face. 
>> Right now as far as I am concerned you can go to HELL."
>> 
>>          Skyler took one last look at Cate's eyes and then turned away. She 
>> had had enough. 
>> 
>>          "Computer, resume lift."
>> 
>>        The lift began to hum as it obeyed the orders of Commander Skyler.  
> Lt. Cate stood back to her feet.  
>        "You're wrong, Commander," she said steadily.  "It's not self-pity.  
> It is self-sacrifice."

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