<USS Avalon> Ambassadorial Accord

Ambassadorial Accord
by Captain Keith Ketchum and Lieutenant First Class Elissabeth Marksbury

"Marksbury to Ketchum.  I'm bringing the Ambassadors to Conference room one, 
deck two.  You may meet us when you're ready."

Ketchum responded to the communication, "Understood, Lieutenant, on my way."  
He left his office and walked towards the conference room, aware that what 
transpired here, would undoubtedly be the end all to this mission.

Marksbury hurried to collect Ambassador Oonal and make it to the conference 
room before the Captain arrived.  She was nervous about this meeting, knowing 
that a lot of what happened with Command hinged on how it went.  She was glad 
to have arrived in the conference room to join Ambassador Maratt before 
Ketchum.  There was a palpable level of anticipation in the room as all eyes 
were on 
the door waiting on the Captain's arrival.

Keith had turned the corner to see Marksbury enter the room, he decided to 
wait a few moments before walking in, "Good day, Ambassadors, I will get right 
to the point, if I may."  He took a deep breath.  "Just within the last hour, 
we have concluded an investigation, and the reason why your group was limited 
on the ship."  Again, another breath.  "The reasons are simple, Captain Flubb 
was murdered.  And since everyone, and that includes the Rydyn delegation, were 
suspects.  So I hope you will understand the reasons to the lock-down.  
Comments Ambassadors?" 

"You ... suspected the Rydyns?"  Ambassador Oonal's voice dripped with 
disbelief.  How dare they!

"Ambassador, Everyone that was on the ship was a suspect... from Commanders 
Skyler and Sierra, to the lowliest Yeoman and yes, even the Rydyns.  As we 
needed to rule out everyone sequentially."  Being as straightforward as 
possible.

"I believe you have just added insult to injury, Captain Ketchum."  He 
stessed the word injury to almost a comical degree.  

It was hard for Marksbury to keep a straight face.  Sensing this veering in a 
very bad direction, she decided to just speak up and distract the Ambassador. 
 By now they sure knew who she was.  "So, did you solve the murder?" she 
asked the Captain.

Finally hearing a sensible question, "Yes, Lieutenant, the murder was solved. 
 Hence the reason for this meeting.  I was going to advise the Ambassador 
that they may resume observing the crew for the next few hours, as we head to 
Earth.  But in light of his tone, I think it is best that they stay in quarters 
for the remainder of the journey."

"Captain!  I really must protest!"  The Ambassador's tone took on a whole new 
tone.  A complete turn around.  Apparently, threatening was still the only 
way to deal with the Rydyns.  

Ketchum saw Marksbury smirk slighty from behind the Ambassadors.  He could 
tell she was near laughter at the Rydyn's childish behaviour.  Swallowing her 
chuckle, she choked out, "I can arrange that, sir."

"Ambassador, you seem to protest alot.  If you don't like how my crew handled 
the investigation and your trip, I suspect you should take that up with 
Command, as you probably will anyway.  I will be supplying them with 
information 
about your attitude to my crew and willingness or lack-thereof of following 
requests.  Also information will be provided about your attacking of my crew, 
and 
attempting to access sensitive data."

"I have those reports completed for you, sir."  Marksbury added to his 
threat.  

The Rydyns fell silent for a moment as if thinking how best to proceed.  "How 
long until we reach Earth?"  Oonal asked.

"We are about nine hours out, Ambassador, maybe a little less,"  Keith was 
ready for this quick meeting to be over but asked anyway,  "I believe we might 
be finished here, unless, Ambassador, you have something to add?"

"I believe we have gathered all the information from your ship as possible, 
captain.  However, if we are no longer "suspects" does that mean that we are no 
longer prisoners to our quarters?" 

"That, Ambassador, is up to you... If you are willing to not access data from 
our consoles, and only observe, you will be free to leave your quarters, 
however, if anyone of your delegation steps over that very fine line, you will 
be 
put back into quarters, or the brig, quicker than anything.  Do you 
understand?"

"Of course, Captain," he said bitterly.  "How gracious of you to allow us 
nine whole hours observing your ship.  I assume we are free to go."  

Lissi looked at the Captain for his response, hoping that he would just allow 
them to go without further incident.  She still had a security detail at her 
disposal and they could just heighten their watch until the Avalon docked.  It 
wasn't worth the fight.

"I believe that the time before the lockdown and from now until we arrive at 
Earth should be enough time to understand our duties.  I could also place in 
my report to Command to see if we could allow you to observe another ship  
doing routine patrols in the Sol system.  You are free to go."  Keith nodded to 
Marksbury.

"I believe we have had enough of your starships for one lifetime, Captain," 
the Ambassador mumbled as he and Maratt made their way past Ketchum and out the 
door.  

With just a look from Marksbury, the two Ensigns did the same, knowing they 
were to watch at a distance.  Once the room was clear, Lissi asked, "Sir?" , 
having interpreted his nod as wishing to have a word with her.

"Yes, Lieutenant?"

Marksbury looked a bit confused for just a moment, the two obviously not 
quite understanding each other.  "I...Is there anything else I can do besides 
heighten the security to keep their eye out for the delegates?" 

"Well, Lieutenant, that is an excellent idea.  Oh, one other thing you also 
appear to be out of uniform."  Keith handed her a small box, "Congratulations, 
this I think you deserve."  He turned and walked out of the room before she 
could answer.  He smiled to himself.

Lissi opened the box and was adequately surprised to find a single black pip 
inside.  She just made rank.  Suddenly, she didn't feel so tired anymore. 

As he made his way back to his office, he laughed, oh how he loved surprising 
people with promotions.  If someone truly deserved being promoted to 
Lieutenant Second Class, it was Elissabeth Marksbury.

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