<USS Avalon> Passing on News

Passing on News
by Fleet  Captain Keith Ketchum and Commander Skyler  
  
Skyler sat on the bridge  waiting for Keith to join her. Sitting in her chair 
usually gave her a feeling  of relaxation, being able to watch the stars zip 
by as the ship moved forward.  Beneath her feet she could feel the hum of the 
engines, while on the bridge  everyone was busy doing their respective jobs. 
However for some reason sitting  in her chair at that particular time was 
bringing her a feeling of foreboding.  Something or someone was not as it 
should 
be. Perhaps Keith would know what was  going on.

Keith walked up the ramp from Deck 2.  He had read the  PADD over and over, 
and the news never seemed to change.  The reports from  the Medical Examiner 
were stating all things pointed to a cerebral injunction  causing the 
breakdown. 
 Coming up to the back of Bridge, he looked  out.

It seemed emptier than normal, but that was with the recent  transfers also.  
He knew.  All the requisitions had been filled  out.  And rumors were that 
they would be filled shortly from Command.   Finally, taking a deep breath, he 
walked down to his seat.  He nodded to  Skyler, "Commander."

His voice brought her out of her thoughts. "Captain,  we are moving at warp 4 
as per orders." Looking at him she could see something  was not right. She 
watched him as he took his seat and waited a moment before  she spoke. "Is 
everything alright Sir?"

"Depends on what you determine as  alright, Commander.  The ship is flying at 
peak performance.  That is  probably the only good thing."  He paused, 
holding the PADD.   "Commander, there is something that I need to tell you, 
though I 
can't believe  that it hasn't crossed your desk, already also.  Lieutenant 
Commander  Marksbury... Elissabeth... she is...", he couldn't say it.

She could see  it on his face. She was gone. "Commander Marksbury is dead, 
isn't  she?"
 
He  nodded.  "I'm sorry, I know that you and she were close."   He offered 
her the PADD, not sure if she would take it or not.  "The  Medical Examiner 
provided his report."
 
Taking the PADD, Skyler  looked at Keith. She wanted to read it in private, 
to grieve alone. "Permission  to return to my quarter's Sir." She didn't know 
what else to do.
 
He nodded, "Of course,  Commander, take as much time as you need."  He 
understood that she wanted  to be alone, as long as she didn't do anything 
rash.  
 
"Thank you sir. If you  need me I will be in my quarter's." Taking the PADD, 
Skyler left the bridge and  made her way to her quarter's. She wasn't going to 
do anything stupid, she had  learned better from Moreya. Still, she needed to 
grieve.
 
Keith watched her  leave.  Death was never easy news to take, not matter the  
relationship.

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