<USS Avalon> "A Piece to the Puzzle - Part 1" Jr. Lt. Marksbury and Lt. Maturin

"A Piece to the Puzzle - Part 1"
By Junior Lieutenant Elissabeth Marksbury and Lieutenant James Maturin
 
 
Lissi entered her quarters with a slight smile in spite of her frustrations.  
Being with Mr. Monroe was rather pleasant.  She dreaded what she must do, but 
finally having a step to take...well, it only made sense to take it.  Sitting 
down at her console, she sent a message request to this Lt. Maturin.
 
                                        //V\\
 
James paced incessantly.  There were many things he could be doing, but not a 
one could hold his attention.  He had not heard from the Admiral.  He still had 
not heard from Lyryn.  Lissi, he mentally corrected, silently berrating himself 
for another slip.  He wished he played an instrument such as Doctor Stephen 
Maturin in the books he was so fond of.  It would at least take his mind off 
that horribly uneasy feeling in his gut.  
 
He was on his four hundred and fifty-sixth lap around his quarters when his 
console beeped.  Rushing to it, he was surprised to find not the Admiral with 
some information, but Lissi.
 
"Lieutenant Maturin?" she asked quietly.
 
He wiped the shock from his face as quickly as possible, replacing it with pure 
professionalism. 
 
"Marksbury.  You are inexcusably late.  I expect a full report."
 
"I'm sorry...sir.  I don't know who...I don't even know who you are."
 
"I do not believe that is an issue, Junior Lieutenant.  Your orders were to 
report to me."  He placed emphasis on 'junior', thinking it just her memory 
erasure that caused the comment she didn't know him.  This was not like her to 
be so unprofessional and it angered Maturin further that the memory wipe 
would've changed her this much.  His concern for her redirected itself into 
anger.
 
"I'm sorry.  I am not making myself clear.  I did not mean to anger you Mr.- I 
mean Lieutenant Maturin.  Please allow me to explain."  She waited for James to 
nod before continuing.  In took a moment for him to calm himself.  He nodded 
and she continued, "Earlier this morning I awoke in sickbay.  I do not remember 
anything."  Her voice was soft, though he thought he detected a slight tremor 
in it.  "I have contacted you because of your cryptic messages.  I was hoping 
you could help me with more than repeating to me my name, telling me my rank 
and job, and pointing me to my quarters."
 
"What have they done to you, Lyryn?"  The whispered words slipped out of his 
mouth before he knew they were even there.
 
Her face went blank.  The name struck a chord somewhere deep inside her mind, 
unlocking those faint memories dancing on the edge of her conscious.
 
After a moment of stunned silence, she whispered back, "Lyryn Cate. That's my 
name, isn't?"
 
The soft inquiry broke Maturin's defenses.  He hadn't lost her afterall.  He 
hesitated in answering her question, debating the moral choices.  He could tell 
her the truth - all of it - and they could hide it from Pew and everyone else.  
He could tell her the partial truth and have her go through this procedure 
again.  He could deny it.  He could make up some story about being undercover 
for Intel.  Then again, not knowing what she would come to remember...  And 
would it be respecting her choice to not remember who she really was?  He 
needed some time - more than a few moments.
 
Taking a deep breath, he said, "Marksbury, we will continue this discussion in 
twelve hours.  I am ordering you to tell no one of this conversation or speak 
the name Lyryn Cate.  Is that understood?"
 
"Yes, sir.  But please...can't you tell me something - anything?  Is that 
really my name?"
 
He hesitated only a second before replying, "It is.  Maturin out."  The screen 
went blank.
 
Lissi was left with more questions than when she began, but at least she had a 
start.  Lyryn Cate.  The name was a part of her.  One more piece to the puzzle. 
 She stepped over to her bed and lay down, clearing her mind of all but that 
one name in hopes another memory would return.
 
                                     //V\\
 
James clicked off the comm link and ran his hand through his hair.  What have I 
done? he asked himself.


                
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