<USS Avalon> "Making it Right"

"Making it Right"
By Lieutenant Second Class Elissabeth Marksbury
 
 
She was tired of being held prisoner to her own fears - of being 'her own worst 
enemy' as Kaylee had put it.  Before the night was over, Lissi had made several 
decisions.  The first thing she did upon returning was make an appointment to 
see Admiral Pew.  He had told her that his door was always open, so she took 
advantage of that fact.  There were a couple things that she needed to discuss.
 
He smiled at her warmly until he saw the look on her face.  "What is it, Ms. 
Marksbury?"
 
"I have a confession to make, sir."
 
He was truly surprised, having no idea what this meeting was about.  "Well," he 
said, leaning back in his chair, "would you like to have a seat and tell me 
about it?"
 
Lissi sat down in the chair opposite his desk.  She perched on the edge of the 
seat, not wishing to get comfortable.  "I," she closed her eyes for a moment 
trying to decide how best to proceed, "remember things, sir.  I've remembered 
things about my future self for quite some time now and didn't tell you or Dr. 
Brookman because I didn't want to go through the procedure again."
 
Though Pew was nearly shocked, his many years of training kept his face 
straight and impassive.  "Indeed?" He paused a moment considering her words, 
"And I assume that you kept this information from Lt. Maturin as well?"
 
"No, sir, I didn't."  She lowered her head, quite ashamed.  "I asked him to 
please not say anything, playing on his emotional ties to me, thereby keeping 
him quiet.  I would ask that he not be held responsible for that decision."
 
The Admiral stood and paced a moment behind his desk.  Stopping at the window, 
he clasped his hands behind his back, staring out over the city.  "Ms. 
Marksbury,  you are aware that your request of Mr. Maturin had him violating 
direct orders from this office, are you not?"
 
"Yes, sir, I am."
 
"Very well.  Is there anything else?"
 
"Yes, sir.  I was out in the city yesterday when I... encountered a child.  She 
is a very strong telepath.  In fact, she was responding to my thoughts before I 
even realised I was thinking them and -"
 
"Ms. Marksbury," Pew interrupted, rather disturbed at what he was hearing. His 
eyes bored holes into her. "I shouldn't have to tell you how much of a breach 
in security this is.  You have been trained in ways to block telepaths, even 
strong ones."
 
"And I employed those methods once I realised that the girl could easily read 
more than surface thoughts.  It is why I am telling you this, sir."
 
The Admiral's eyes flashed with barely concealed anger.  "And after this 
encounter you...waited 24 hours to report it?  You left a child with very 
deadly information roaming about the street?  Do you know how much she pulled 
from your mind?  Do you know she wasn't working for some other faction?"
 
Lissi tried focusing on each of his questions, but they were fired so rapidly.  
"I believed I could trust her, sir.  Why else would she expose the fact she was 
a telepath and give me a chance to shield my thoughts?  Though she is only ten, 
she knows she needs training and wants to join Starfleet.  I set up a meeting 
today so that some of your operatives could be there, if you chose to bring her 
in."
 
"And you felt this was the right decision?"
 
"I did, sir.  And I do.  I couldn't just bring her here with me yesterday.  I 
needed to talk to you first."
 
Taking a deep breath, Pew told her, "I'll take that into consideration when 
deciding what action to take at this point.  You are restricted to grounds 
until further notice, please leave contact information for the child with Mr. 
Foster outside."  Then walking back to his desk and sitting down, he spoke 
quietly, "Elissabeth, a month ago I would've trusted your judgement almost 
implicitly.  However, after recent 'confessions' I am beginning to wonder where 
your loyalties lie - to yourself or to Intel?  Think about that.  You are 
dismissed."
 
"Yes, sir."  She exited quickly, thoughts reeling in too many places.  But at 
least that was over and she could go about making it all right, no matter what 
the consequences.



                        
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