<USS Avalon> "Seeing Eye to Eye" By Lt. Marksbury

"Seeing Eye to Eye"
By:  Lieutenant Elissabeth Cate Marksbury
 
 
 
Lissi woke to the sound of her console beeping.  She groggily made her way over 
to it.  Leaning on the back of the chair she said, "Marksbury".
 
"I'm sorry to wake you up, Lt."
 
She recognised Ensign Dareth from the small security group Sierra had assigned 
her to help watch over the Rydyns.  "Don't worry about it.  What's wrong?"
 
"We've been having some problems here."  He looked over his shoulder before 
continuing.  "It seems that several of the delegates have been rather restless, 
moving around a lot, but we had most of them contained.  One got past a 
checkpoint and we had to organise a search..."
 
"Go on."
 
"He resisted coming with us and we had to arrest him."  Ensign Dareth flinched 
as he gave her the news.
 
"And the Ambassador is screaming, right?"  she asked. 
 
The look on the Ensign's face said everything.
 
"Who was responsible for the checkpoint breach?  Who was in charge?  On second 
thought - just tell me when I get there.  Gimme five minutes.  Marksbury out."
 
Looking at her, you wouldn't realise how angry she actually was.  Sierra had 
given her a crew of five to guard the Rydyns.  Not the best crewman, but fairly 
competent.  
 
Not on my watch, not in my department, she thought as she donned her uniform 
and made it out the door.
 
Lissi arrived to find Ensign Dareth waiting on her.  He handed her a PADD.
 
"It's quieter here than I expected," she commented.
 
"I, uh, employed a little leverage to get them back into the conference room 
instead of the corridor," he told her.
 
"What sort of leverage?"
 
Pressing his lips together and trying to look as meek as possible, he replied, 
"Your head on a platter..."  he smiled innocently.
 
"Tell me you're being witty."
 
"It's what they asked for, Lieutenant.  I promised them that if they'd stay in 
the conference room and keep quiet that I'd get you here.  I didn't promise to 
be the one to do the beheading, though."  It was obvious he had problems 
knowing when to be funny, but Lissi didn't mind too much.  He had made her job 
a bit easier by controlling the crowd.
 
"You've done just fine, Ensign Dareth.  Just do me a favor and reserve your 
amusing sarcasm for when you haven't woken me up in the middle of the night."
 
"Will do, Lt." He smiled, liking his supervisor quite a bit.
 
"Now, tell me who was responsible for this breach in checkpoint."
 
Dareth looked at the PADD and told her, "Ensign Kyle Faust."
 
"Faust?  Again?  I don't bel-  Wait, Faust isn't on my team."
 
"No, ma'am.  He was replacing Ensign Lujon who was out sick.  Lt. Winter's 
orders, I believe."
 
Lissi breathed deeply and placed her anger aside for the time being.  She and 
Ensign Faust were going to have it out.
 
"Is there anything else you need from me, Lt.?"
 
"Yeah.  Just stay with me in case they form a lynch mob.  Let's go."
 
The door opened and the room went silent.  The head Ambassador stalked forward. 
 Before he could start yelling at her, Lissi smiled, "Hello, Ambassador.  It 
seems we've had quite the exciting night.  How about we don't start this 
conversation with a screaming match?"
 
Ensign Dareth raised his eyebrows admiring her audacity.
 
"THIS.  IS.  AN.  OUTRAGE!!!"  The delegate proceeded to hurl curse words in a 
few various languages.
 
"So much for civil," she muttered to the Ensign as she crossed her arms and 
waited patiently for the Rydyn's rage to abate.  It took even longer this time 
than last.  Ensign Dareth began to squirm and Lissi gave him a sharp look out 
the corner of her eye.  
 
When the Ambassador finally stopped yelling, Lissi told him, "I can understand 
your frustrations, sir.  Truly, I can, but you have to understand mine as well. 
 That's how a partnership works - and for now we are partners."
 
The Rydyn made a noise that resembled a growl, but didn't voice a loud protest, 
so she continued.
 
"I am upset that we have one of your delegates in custody, but I am also upset 
by the fact that he and several others were out to do a little ship 
reconnaissance.  I'm trying to get your answers, sir, but no one is going to 
help me if I can't do my job and keep the lot of you secured.  How do you know 
this isn't for your own protection?  What if there is a group of Rydyn 
assassins on board and this is our way of keeping you alive until we find them? 
 Your blatant disregard for the rules has put each of your delegates in 
danger."  
 
Ensign Dareth was amazed by how much emotion she could convey through her words 
without raising her voice, how quickly she thought on her feet, and how the 
Rydyn actually listened to her.
 
"Indeed, Lieutenant.  You have made a valid point - one I had not logically 
considered.  If you agree to release the delegate you have in custody I will 
give you my word that we will stay as instructed.  Provided you find us some 
answers, of course."
 
The relief showed is Lissi's eyes.  "Then we have an agreement."  This time 
when she held out her hand, the Rydyn hesitated but shook it.  "I will see to 
the arrangements."
 
When Lissi and Ensign Dareth made it outside the door, he let out a huge sigh.  
"Oh my," he said.  "I - wow.  That was amazing.  How did you do that?"
 
"Patience, Ensign.  Lots of patience.  And the ability to multiply by two into 
six digits before I lose count."
 
Ensign Dareth laughed.
 
"You did a good job, Ensign.  Now, here," she signed and handed him a PADD.  
"Get that delegate released and back up here quickly.  Call me if you need 
anything else."
 
"Lt.?"  Dareth asked as she began to walk away.
 
Lissi turned back to look at him.  
 
"You did a good job too," he said, blushing slightly.
 
"Thanks."  It was nice to hear. 


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