<USS Avalon> "Ethics of Concern"

Ethics of Concern
by Keith Ketchum and Elissabeth Marksbury
 

"I wish I knew how to begin this, sir, without sounding too meddlesome, 
especially since that's been on my list of annoyances lately," Elissabeth 
began, while pacing back and forth in front of the Captain's desk.  "I'm 
worried about you."  She stopped and looked at him sincerely.
 
"Commander, I am quite alright, thank you for your concern.  Things are not 
over yet for me."  
 
          Or are they?  
 
"I've served a long time, and have even thought about retirement to a nice 
quiet island on Alpha Centauri VII."  
 
          Now that's crap.  
 
"Or even enter the diplomatic corp, like my father."  
 
          Oh yea, after this escapade, they'll want you.

 
"None the less, I shall face the music as it were, and take the consequences."  
 
          They'll probably give me a medal.
 
"But why are you worried, Commander?"
 
"It's bullshit, sir.  They're poking around, trying to find evidence to convict 
you.  And you're playing into their hands," she added.  "Why are you 
fraternising with an enlisted officer from the JAG's office?"  There, just 
bluntly asked.  If he wanted to yell at her, he could.  Aren't you doing 
exactly what you yelled at Skyler for?  No, no one asked me to keep my nose out 
of it. I'm concerned. It's wrong and someone needs to say it. 
 
"That, my dear Commander, is my business.  But for your information, I was 
trying to obtain information out of the enlisted crewman.  But, alas, to no 
avail."
 
          Liar!  But of course she doesn't need to know that.
 
"But it does seem that Petty Officer Davis, however, has requested a transfer 
to the Avalon, as a security officer, and I am thinking of granting it.  Her 
background does allow for it."
 
"Yes, sir, it is your business, but when it could cost you your career..."  She 
stopped pacing and looked at him.  "Captain, I'd like to think that we've been 
through enough that I can be frank with you.  We changed course to stop at a 
planet for just a moment.  Long enough for flowers to be beamed aboard.  
Flowers that were delivered to Vevay Davis.  I'm not the only one on this ship 
with the ability to put it all together."  
 
"Yes, I was interested, in the beginning, but those feelings were not to be 
returned.  Is that so wrong... all I have is the ship and my daughter.  
Someday, I'll find love again."
 
          Love is for fools.
 
"But, if a trial is to occur, I will present my side, and let the course lay 
out before me.  I hate to run you off, but is there anything else, Commander, I 
have a meeting with the JAG."
 
"It's only 'so wrong' when it could cost you your career.  I don't want to see 
that happen.  I don't want to serve under another Captain.  You are my Captain 
and I would do anything to protect you, sir.  But those of us like Anthony and 
I who are that loyal... we can't do anything if you screw it up by screwing 
around!"  She stopped and took a deep breath. Where the hell did that come 
from? "I'm so sorry.  That was over the line."
 
"Yes, Commander, it was."  
 
          That was way over the line.
 
"Now, I believe that I have to go to meet with Lieutenants Quinn and Cross 
regarding the investigation.  If you will excuse me."  He stood and walked 
towards the door.
 
"Captain, sir, please."  She waited until he turned back around.  "I'm not 
perfect and I've made mistake after mistake, including coming here today, so 
I'm not standing in judgement.  Just please understand that my words came from 
a desire to help you, protect you, because I'm terribly afraid to lose you."  
She shook her head, looking at him earnestly.  "I didn't mean to come across so 
harshly and I'm not sure why my actions have been so rash lately..."  You know 
exactly why.  "But please know it was with good intention.  I wanted to 
convince you to stop seeing this Petty Officer before it destroyed you.  You 
know as well as I do that's it's unethical."  She paused. "Please forgive me.  
Though it was someone's place to say something, it wasn't necessarily mine."  
Knowing she was dismissed and most likely forever tarnished in the Captain's 
eyes, Elissabeth lightly stepped past him to the door.
 
Calling to her down the corridor, "Oh, one more thing, Commander, are you 
planning on giving Mr. Harak the same talk?"  With that, he didn't wait for an 
answer, but turned and walked into a waiting turbolift.
 
"Mr. Harak isn't the Captain of the Avalon," she whispered sadly, turning to 
walk in the other direction.



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