<USS Avalon> "The Past is the Past"

"The Past is the Past"
By Lieutenant Second Class Elissabeth Marksbury and Ensign Elijah Dareth
 
"What are you still doing here?" Ensign Dareth asked when he walked into the 
security offices.  "And what the heck is going on?  Everyone is running around 
like chickens with their heads cut off."
 
Lissi smiled at his remark.  Most times she didn't detect his accent, but when 
he said things like that, his Tennessee heritage peeked through.  "I'm not 
entirely sure - I haven't been updated myself.  I was in a meeting with the 
Captain and two of the delegates.  But from what I can gather, Sierra announced 
that Captain Flubb had been murdered and that the killer's identity had been 
discovered.  They were looking to make the arrest, but it looks like the perp 
went AWOL.  Sierra is bent on finding him.  Of course, that's just what I've 
overheard."  She grinned.
 
"Good ears.  So...Flubb was murdered.  Wow.  I suppose you knew?"
 
"Not for long, actually.  It was kept very quiet.  I only found out when I had 
that meeting with Mr. Manson.  But Sierra has told security and Ketchum told 
the Rydyn Ambassadors, so I'm telling you."
 
"Nice to be in the loop," he muttered.  Then he suddenly seemed to notice 
Marksbury's new pip.  "Hey!  Congratulations.  That was fast."
 
"Thanks.  It's good to know someone appreciated the many headaches known as 
Rydyns."
 
"So, that still didn't answer what you're doing here.  When's the last time you 
slept?"
 
"I'm still working.  And sometime last night.  Right before the wandering 
delegate incident.  I'm fine.  I took a few minutes to relax and my headache's 
gone.  Oh, if you haven't heard, we'll be back on Earth in just a few hours."
 
"Fantastic.  Looking forward to shore leave.  So what are you still working on? 
 Looks complicated," he said, poking his head over her shoulder to stare at the 
console.
 
"Mm, I've been working on creating a database for security shift rotations," 
she  explained. "It's supposed to increase proficiency by tracking security 
hot-spots - updated hourly - and analyzing personnel qualifications, placing 
manpower where it is most needed.  It should also prevent schedule quirks like 
having to work turn around shifts - as well as find the best replacement, 
schedule wise, for anyone out sick.  We used a similar system on -" she caught 
herself, almost saying 'the Tempest',  "on the last ship I served with.  It 
really helped place people only where we needed them, when we needed them, 
etc."  She looked up to try and guage his reaction.  "My problem is there is a 
glitch that keeps telling me I need at least twelve guards for a turbo-lift in 
engineering."  She quirked her eyebrow in admitted defeat and chuckled slightly 
at herself.
 
"Lemme see," Dareth said, gently elbowing her out of the way.  "l love these 
sort of puzzles."
 
Lissi stepped back and just let him work. 
 
"Hmm," he said after several minutes.  "I think it's a coding problem.  This 
could take awhile.  But I know I can fix it."
 
"You want the project?"
 
"Really?"
 
"Yes, really.  It was just a project I came up with to keep myself busy.  If 
you want to work on it, by all means..."
 
"Thanks," he said and went back to concentrate on the console.  
 
Lissi patted him on the shoulder.  "Um..in your spare time."
 
"Oh."
 
"Right now I am appointing you shift supervisor and your assignment is to keep 
an eye on the Rydyns.  They have been given freedom about the ship, but I just 
upped the number of people on duty to keep their eye on things.  Basically, 
make sure they aren't trying to access ship's systems."
 
"Got it."
 
"You've been a real help to me, Elijah.  Thank you.  I caught myself getting 
ready to call you today until I realised you were sleeping.  It's become quite 
the habit to rely on you."
 
"Thank you, Lt.  I mean... Well, you know about my past and it's a difficult 
thing to overcome."
 
"The past is the past, Ensign.  You've proven yourself to me.  I know it's 
going to be hard for you to make rank, but if you keep doing as well as you 
have, the Captain has nothing but the highest recommendations from me."
 
"I really appreciate that.  A whole lot," he said.
 
"Well, I'm thinking that I'll grab a bite to eat and pack a bag.  I'll see you 
after shoreleave, Elijah."
 
"Have fun," he called before looking over a PADD, deciding which assignments to 
hand out.  And he was smiling.
 
 
 
 





                
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