<USS Avalon> "Death to the Holodeck"

** Note this log takes place before the USS Arrowhead docks with DS9.  Sorry 
for any confusion.

Death to the Holodeck
Alexis Cazook 
and 
Elissabeth Marksbury


Elissabeth entered her shared quarters with Alexis, towel draped across her 
shoulders and hair damp from her workout. She was getting stronger and quite 
pleased with the results. She was equal to, if not better than she was before 
the fateful away mission that left her health in jeopardy. Seems like another 
lifetime ago, she thought.

The Arrowhead would be docking with Deep Space 9 soon, allowing the two of them 
to get back to the Avalon. It was a wonderful feeling. As the doors slid behind 
her, she realised that her and Alexis had hardly seen much of each other, both 
kept so busy. Elissabeth was supposed to help her with the phaser 
qualifications.

Rounding the corner by the table, she saw the older woman staring out the 
window. "I was just thinking about you," Lissi said. 

Staring out the window Alexis wondered what was in store for her when they 
reached the Avalon. Her main duties had been taking care of Cmdr. Marksbury and 
Cmdr Skyler. For all intents and purposes Marksbury really no longer needed 
her, as for Skyler she didn't know. Without changing her position she simply 
replied, "Hello, and just what were you thinking about me for? Don't you have a 
class to go teach or something?" 

"Not today. I thought, though, that maybe we could go down to the security 
training holodeck and work on that phaser practice. Interested?" 

"I suppose, but you look like you've already worked out. Don't want to wear you 
out?" Alexis was starting to get that feeling of not fitting in or knowing 
where she fit in the scheme of things. So much had changed that she didn't know 
where she belonged or if the Avalon would even need her anymore.

"Phaser practice is hardly a work out. Besides, I feel fine. If you'll just 
give me a chance to take a quick shower, we'll head down there. Unless you 
don't want to?" 

"No, that's fine dear. Go take your shower. I'll still be here." 

Elissabeth hurried off and went through the sonic shower quickly, all the time 
thinking about Alexis. She knew the other woman was feeling a little out of 
sorts. She could tell by her speech and behaviour, but Lissi had no idea how to 
go about fixing anything. The last thing she could play at was counselor, 
barely having control over her own thoughts and feelings. And so, she could 
only do what she knew and that was move. Any sort of physical action to remove 
the mind from dwelling on things.

Less than ten minutes later, she emerged wearing a clean uniform to find Alexis 
right where she left her. "Ready? I already informed the armory that we were 
coming so they'd have something for us." 

Alexis pushed her thoughts to the back of her mind and put a half-hearted smile 
on. Pushing away from the table, she took one last look out the window, then 
looked at Lissi. "You know you don't have to do this? I don't want you to feel 
like you have to take pity on an old woman. But if you're willing to risk 
losing your hair then by all means, lead the way." 

Elissabeth shrugged, "Wouldn't be the first time," she quipped. "Besides, have 
you no faith in my abilities?" She lightly tapped the other woman on the arm 
affectionately and then led the way down to the security offices. 

The crew was very helpful and within minutes, they found themselves in a solid 
dark holodeck, lit with a spotlight in the center. "We'll take it easy to begin 
with." Waiting for Alexis' nod, Lissi told the computer, "Stationary target, 
ten meters away."

A bright blue disk hovered, providing an eight inch target. 

"I trust you, it's me I don't trust." Alexis nodded at Lissi not sure what she 
was supposed to do. 

Raising her phaser, Elissabeth demonstrated the correct stance and motioned for 
Alexis to imitate. "Surely you remember how to fire these? Basic Academy 
training." 

Looking at the phaser Alexis then looked back at Lissi. "Well, it has been 
sometime since I have had to fire one of these things. I'm not quite the 
youngster you are, you know. If I remember correctly I push the green....button 
to fire?" Alexis felt extremely stupid at that moment. 

Elissabeth offered a reassuring smile, "No, the green changes your settings and 
we don't want to go any higher than stun. The red button. Just aim and press 
gently." 

"Okay, don't press green, press red." Taking the phaser in her right hand she 
looked at the circle and pointed the phaser at it pressing the red button. 
Instead of hitting the circle she hit the opposite wall. "Told you I wasn't 
very good at this." 

"You jerked when you pressed the button." Elissabeth moved to stand behind her 
and reached around to help aim and steady Alexis' hand. "Okay, let's try that 
again." 

Taking the phaser, Alexis aimed at the circle, trying to remember not to jerk. 
Pushing the red button she heard the phaser go off but was afraid to see what 
or who she had hit. "How bad is it?" 

"You hit it," Lissi smiled. "Try again. You're getting it." 

"I hit it? I actually hit it?! It had to per luck." Taking the phaser she 
looked it over and accidently hit the green button unbeknownst to her. She 
aimed at the circle and fired again. 

Alexis hit the target and then some. The phaser had been moved to the highest 
kill setting and not only took out the blue disk, but a circle against the wall 
flashed the typical holodeck grid, flashing and sputtering sparks. 

"Program terminated, evacuate holodeck." The computer spoke as a small siren 
began going off.

"Damn it," Lissi cursed, "we have to go. The fire suppression system will 
activate in about twenty seconds."

Alexis stood there in shock. "Wha...happened? I screwed up didn't I?" 

Thinking quickly, Elissabeth reached for the phaser in Alexis' hand then pulled 
her toward the exit. Once safely outside, Lissi looked at the phaser and 
chuckled. "You tried to kill the holodeck," and showed the other woman the 
setting on the weapon. 

"I what!?" She shook her head and sighed. "It's useless. Might as well send me 
to an old folks home. I'm of no use to anyone."

"Bull shit," Lissi told her as the Arrowhead personnel ushered them aside. She 
was summoned to speak with one of the security officers about the incident and 
she'd have some explaining to do to the captain after while, but it was her 
responsibility. Once she returned to Alexis, she said emphatically, "An 
accident with a phaser does not make you obsolete." 

"I just managed to get you in trouble. Nevermind, you have your whole life 
ahead of you, maybe I should just retire."

"Nonsense. Accidents are accidents. Now, I'm thinking that we should stick with 
the doctoring and just go get something to eat." Elissabeth winked and patted 
the other woman's arm in comfort. 

Alexis nodded. "I suppose, although I'm not sure how much longer I'll be needed 
on the Avalon. Now that you seem to be doing much better and with Skyler doing 
better." 

They began walking down the corridor. "Then I'm sure they'll send you where 
you're needed. Just because one assignment ends, doesn't mean that your career 
does." 

"I don't want to leave the Avalon. I don't plan on leaving unless the captain 
decides he no longer needs me. What are your plans?"

"The same. I'm staying until someone decides I'm needed elsewhere," she smiled. 

"And what of that young man of yours?"

Smile broadening, she answered, "I don't think Bryce plans on going anywhere 
anytime soon." Her thoughts quickly drifted. "I can't wait to see him," 
Elissabeth accidentally said out loud. 

"I didn't think that smile was because I blew up a holodeck. Tell me about him?"

"You didn't blow up a holodeck. Just... a bit of it," Lissi laughed as they 
went through the doors to the lounge. As they took a seat, she went on, "Bryce 
is... driven. I don't know how to explain it any other way. He knows what he 
wants and he is persistent until he gets it. He's quick to decide and then very 
devoted to that decision. He loves me."

"He sounds a great deal like you. Do you love him?"

"Very much." 

Alexis smiled. "That's good. Everyone should have someone to love who loves 
them back. Does he make you happy?"

"Happier than I've ever been." She ordered a cup of tea and settled in for a 
moment. 

"Yes, you seem....different than when we left Avalon for Earth. I wish you both 
the best of luck." Alexis' thoughts started to wander.

"Thank you." Receiving her tea, she let the silence elapse. "Something on your 
mind?"

"Just thinking. Wondering how Cmdr Skyler is adjusting, stupid things. Nothing 
of importance. I'd much rather hear more about you."

"Not a lot to tell. It's been a rough few months, but things are looking up," 
she smiled. "Definitely looking up." 


                
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