<USS Avalon> The Path: The Quill Is Mightier Part 2 by Lieutenant JG Alder Shimbrodus

The Path

The Quill Is Mightier Part 2

by Lieutenant JG Alder Shimbrodus

Alder opened his eyes looking at the ceiling that looked as if a dark pit had 
formed on top of him. His eyes quickly adjusted as it made the familiar 
silhouette design that was the framework of the quarters. He looked around his 
quarters and shapes of his furniture and several others of his belonging 
appeared. He sighed, and pushed the blanket that covered him away. Sitting up, 
he shuddered as his body adjusted to the cool air. There was that silence of 
uncertainty as Alder simply stared blankly at the floor.

It was quiet all around with the exception of the familiar soft hum of the ship 
and his own breathing. To add the last piece of noise before absolute silence, 
the computer chimed in on cue with it?s almost deadpan voice- even for a 
female. "The time is 0530" and after a few more seconds, the computer repeated 
itself. 

He hadn?t gotten any sleep. All he could think about was Anthony and the letter 
he reluctantly sent out. It was all he could concentrate on, and everything 
else had been shut out. He nearly forgot to eat. Shaking his head, he partly 
wished he wasn?t in this at all. Even if he had that choice or had that ability 
to change things to meet his ends. He was on full alert, and didn?t feel tired 
at all. The constant turning, trying to get to that one comfortable spot to 
lose his mind into dreams was not an avenue he could?ve- should?ve- taken. And 
it was a further annoyance since it stated the simple truth about his feelings 
for Anthony. Mad crazy, that was it.

He got up and headed to the bathroom. He rested his forehead upon the cool wall 
as the sonic shower activated and the tiny spheres surrounded him. It didn?t 
feel quite as he wanted, so instead he changed it into warm water then splashed 
into his face as he felt the water gently beat onto his skin. Having still his 
eyes closed, he couldn?t ignore his instinct that told him to- implored to him- 
that staying in his quarters until night time was a better solution then having 
to face Anthony during the day. He knew that wasn?t going to happen no matter 
how hard he tried, he sent that letter, and it was bound to get a response.

He opened his eyes, and his thoughts flew astray against his will...

~ ~ ~ ~

Alder looked at the mirror as he fixed his uniform so that it would was just 
so. Then fingers went upon his hair as he frizzled the short mess into form. 

Satisfied, he got a cup of coffee from the replicator and sat upon the couch as 
he sipped upon the hot liquid. With a few minutes to spare, he thought that 
just looking out into space would get his mind of his own personal issues. 

As if other forces were at work here, it gave no mercy as it directed Alder?s 
eyes upon the PADD that laid on the center table. It contained the letter he 
worked on; having never to write a letter, he knew he wasn?t all that good and 
wondered if he had made sure that he expressed everything out. And maybe that 
was what kept him up all night with anxiety. He was just no good at it, and 
even the occasional letters to his family on Deneva were not exactly good 
quality. 

But facing Anthony was not going to happen, especially if he was going to 
outright tell Anthony about his feelings. 

Looking upon the PADD, he leaned forward and hesitantly picked up the device. 
As if on cue, the PADD bleeped a yellow indicator for activation. Alder had 
already read it last night after sending it. He didn?t need to read it again. 
But he activated the PADD, and it displayed the text; placing the coffee on the 
table, he sat back.

~ ~ ~ ~

Anthony,

Hey...bad thing really. I don?t do these things all too well. I?m just no good 
at it. And possibly the only rational explanation for this letter is that it?s 
easier on my part. A whole lot as a matter of fact. But even after this, I 
still don?t know if this will turn out alright, or shatter like glass to the 
hard floor.

Well...I dunno. Don?t know how to go about this because it does involve you. 
Don?t know how to really say it. 

I think you are the only person that has ever affected me like this. Well, just 
don?t feel all alienated or anything, alright? I mean, I?d understand, but you 
know how sometimes being forth coming and taking chances can be. And that fits 
me to a tee. But I don?t know now.

...Sorry, I?m babbling...

Well, to make a long and uncertain way of explaining short; I?m writing this 
because...

I?m writing because I have...feelings for you. 

I apologize if this all makes you uncomfortable. And I wouldn?t hold it against 
you if you felt some sort of betrayal or anger toward me.

If anything, telling you is better than running from it. And it?s better this 
way...

I think.



Alder

~ ~ ~ ~

Though it may have been fragmented, Alder had managed to get it out. It was an 
improvement and certainly better than having to not do it at all. 

"The time is 0630." The computer chimed in.

He shut the PADD off, and tossed it onto the couch as he got up, quickly 
finished his coffee and headed out. 

He entered the bridge pretty much uninterrupted except for a few greetings. 
Looking around the bridge and into Anthony?s usual station, he was no where in 
sight. A small relieve came over him as he relieved the Conn officer. 

Maybe the day would ease by. 



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