<USS Avalon> "The Meeting With Captain Ketchum" Cmdr Skyler and Captain Ketchum

    
"The Meeting with Captain Ketchum"
written by:
Cmdr Skyler and Captain Ketchum


Skyler got of the shuttle and the first thing she did start was look for 
directions to Keith's Office. She didn't realize how large a place Starbase 12 
actually was. She still couldn't believe he had been promoted to Fleet Captain 
and was now over the Avalon and her sister ships the Allegiance just to name a 
couple. After walking what seemed forever Skyler finally found a computer 
terminal that gave her directions to Fleet Captain Ketchum's Office. ~That sure 
sounds strange she thought to herself~ He has worked hard and does deserve a 
promotion, but couldn't they have found someone better than Flubb. She would 
have 
to see if he could do anything about that. She finally found his office and 
rang the chime.

A few short minutes later the doors opened and Skyler walked in to find her 
former Captain sitting behind a stately desk covered with paperwork, that she 
knew he so desperately hated.

"Fleet Captain Ketchum, Cmdr Skyler requesting permission to speak to you 
Sir."

Skyler stood at attention in front of the very large and over powering desk. 
It was almost too much for even Keith. But she didn't say anything. She just 
stood there until she was released at ease. Knowing Keith like she did that 
could be anywhere from a few minutes to an hour.

Keith just had that sly grin of his and leaned back in his chair. "So, 
Commander, what brings you all the way to Starbase 12? It certainly couldn't be 
to 
stand at attention in front of my desk all day now is it?"

"No sir." Replied Skyler still at attention. " I am here on a matter of 
utmost importance and with the permission of Captain Flubb. If you will let me 
explain, I am sure you will agree with me on the urgency of this visit Sir."

Again Keith just leaned back in his leather chair and grinned. "At ease Cmdr. 
So what is so important that you had to rush right over here with the Avalon 
scheduled to leave in less than 24 hours now."

Skyler finally stood at parade rest and told her story of how James and Lyryn 
had been taken by Starfleet Intel from a public place and herded off to some 
private facility. She was there to see if there was anything he could do to 
find them since she made a promise to Lyryn, that things like that just didn't 
happen. They just didn't happen.

Keith looked at Skyler with one of those looks that told Skyler she had 
opened mouth and inserted foot big time.   "I am afraid I can't do that 
Skyler. We 
both made them promises, but unfortunately we aren't going to be able to keep 
them this time. Starfleet has determined that for their safety and the safety 
of those who have had prolonged encounters with Lyryn Cate, are to have those 
memories erased and replaced with the appropriate ones. I wish I could change 
that but those orders include myself. I was just getting ready to send the 
orders to Captain Flubb myself when I got word you had arrived. You are ordered 
to report to a Dr. Goodman in Starfleet medical for the procedure. I am sorry 
Skyler, I wish I could do something, but this time it is out of my hands."

"A mind erasure. Captain! That's not even done to criminals any more. They 
expect us to just waltz in and let them mess around with our brains and hope we 
don't walk out like little fried robots. And you are going to let them.?!!! 
That seems a little extreme doesn't it? They have already told you and everyone 
else everything they know about the future in order to help prevent any damage 
to the timeline. Isn't that enough?"

Skyler was not happy at all about this. In fact she was down right livid. A 
mind wipe. That was barbaric as far as she was concerned. She didn't understand 
how her former Captain could just sit there and take it. She would have 
thought he would stand up and fight back. He was already becoming a bureaucrat 
something she never thought she would live to see.


"If it were my choice Skyler, I would not have ordered it done, but these 
orders came from Admiral Pew at Starfleet Intelligence.   So I must reiterate 
Commander, this is an order, and is for the protection of Ms Cate and Mr. 
Maturin.   From what I understood from my talk with Admiral Pew, they were 
being 
followed by an unknown number of foreign intelligence agents."

Standing at attention again, "Is there anything else Sir?" She was hurt and 
didn't know what else to say so she would just follow the orders. She would 
have to deal with her feelings about losing her Captain of several years in her 
own way. She would miss him and it would be DAMN hard to work under Flubb, but 
those were her orders.

"Skyler, you will see it is the best for all involved. You and myself 
included. I am trusting you to keep the Avalon in one piece. I know you can do 
it 
because you love her as much as I do.   Don't let Flubb do anything stupid 
with 
her. I will be back as soon as possible.'

"Yes, Sir, Understood." It was all Skyler could get out. She smartly saluted 
and then turned and exited the office. Once out in the hall she felt herself 
go limp. She couldn't believe all this was happening. Not to the Avalon and not 
to her Captain. The only Captain she had ever known……..

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