<USS Avalon> "Surprising Conclusions" By Ketchum, Manson, ans Marksbury

"Surprising Conclusions" 
By Captain Keith Ketchum, Senior Lieutenant Anthony Manson, and 
Lieutenant First Class Elissabeth Marksbury
 
 
Keith sat in his office, reading the PADD, and frowned.  He continued to read 
and shook his head.  Now he waited for Lieutenants Manson and Marksbury to 
arrive at his office. 
 
Anthony looked at the doors in front of him, and then walked in, standing with 
hands behind his back. Waiting.  Marksbury arrived shortly thereafter, a full 
ten minutes early.  She stepped inside the office and mimicked the Sr. Lt.'s 
pose.  
 
"Mr. Manson, Ms.Marksbury, care to fill me in on what happened?"  He laid the 
PADD on the desk and looked at them.
 
Lissi cast a sideways glance at Anthony, assuming he would be the one to speak. 
  
 
Manson looked at the Captain, "I had set up a meeting with the Rydyns after 
last night's incident. I had intended for it to be a simple statement about the 
importance of remaining where we needed them at. I got punched, Miss Marksbury 
escorted me out, but by then, a fight had broken out. I was asked to stay 
outside but I went back in, expecting to lend a hand and put a stop to it."  He 
shook his head, "What I didn't expect was to stun a delegate in order to stop a 
fight. Not to mention, I felt I had no other choice, considering Miss Marksbury 
was in danger of having her kneecap broken." 

 
Marksbury nodded to confirm Manson's story. She added, "We got the situation 
under control as quickly as possible, sir, and I think that the Rydyns got the 
message. However, I am sorry that I couldn't avoid injury to the delegate who 
was stunned.  If I had known, sir, that Mr. Manson would not stay in the 
hallway as I advised, I would've stayed with him," she added quietly. 
 
Keith turned to Marksbury, "What happened in the time that Mr. Manson was 
outside of the room that caused the delegation to erupt?"

 
"The delegation 'erupted' sir, as soon as Ambassador Oonal hit Mr. Manson. The 
Lt. was not the aggressor.  I pulled him out the door to safety, in hopes that 
his absence would help calm the situation.  Security was getting the situation 
under control, they just needed a few minutes to fully get everyone into 
custody.  The brawl was in no way Manson's fault, sir, and there was no way we 
could've prevented it.  We were as prepared as possible for that scenario and I 
think that security did an excellent job of controlling the situation that 
occurred.  The Rydyns are currently confined to quarters and everything has 
been relatively quiet."  
 
"Well, Lieutenant, there was a way to prevent it, but you both did the best you 
could.  We should have told them from the beginning about the death of Captain 
Flubb, but if it turned out to be a Rydyn then that might have disrupted the 
investigation. I just hope that Command will understand.  Thank you for your 
time.  Anything further to add?"

 
Manson shook his head, "No, sir."

 
Marksbury blinked in surprise at the Captain's announcement. She was expecting 
Manson to be in trouble for going back into the room and her to be in trouble 
for not having stopped him.  "No, sir," Marksbury echoed.

"Thank you, Ms. Marksbury, you are dismissed.  Mr. Manson, a moment." 
 
Lissi quickly exited the room and breathed a sigh of relief.  She waited down 
at the end of the corridor for Lt. Manson.
 
Meanwhile, Anthony looked at the Captain, "Sir?"

 
"Lieutenant, I just want to make you aware... Command may come down on the 
Avalon, and on you.  I will try to protect you.  I just want you to know that."
 
Manson looked up, "Thank you, sir. I only hope they understand our situation." 
 
"I hope so. Dismissed, Lieutenant."  Keith sighed as Manson left the office, he 
would try to protect everyone on his crew.  If he could.

 
Manson came out, noticing Marksbury leaning against the wall.
 
"Everything all right, Lt.?" she asked, slightly worried.  He had done what he 
believed to be right, though it turned out badly.  "Oh, and thanks for saving 
my kneecap," she smiled.  "I'm sorry I couldn't do more in there."  Lissi 
gestured back to Ketchum's office.
 
He smiled a little more, a better one than the last, "You're welcome. It's 
alright, by the way. Starfleet Command may have my ass when the dust is 
cleared, but," he sighed as he nodded hopefully, "I'm just hoping they 
understand." 
 
"Well, the captain seemed understanding enough.  I was surprised.  Maybe 
Command will be that way as well.  I really wish you had stayed outside, though 
Lt.," she grinned - it was not a reprimand.   
 
 "Sorry, had to stop it. You don't just start things and let everyone else do 
the dirty work for you. My shift is coming to a break. Gotta," he paused but 
shook his head, "think about some things". Then he slightly smiled, "Take it 
easy. And watch your knees." 




                
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