<USS Avalon> "To Thine Own Self Be True"

 ?To Thine Own Self Be True?
by Lieutenant Commander Javan Sierra
& Ensign Michael Bailey


The Allegiance floated lifelessly in space. The nacelles, which normally
glowed brightly with a crystalline blue, had been shut down and were now
overwhelmed by shadow and darkness. Before any team was to be sent over
there, though, security would have to have some sort of contingent kind.
Unfortunately, having just left Zeta Reticuli VII, he had a plethora of new
security officers. 

Sitting silently in his office, Javan Sierra poured over mounds of security
reports with no information pertinent to anything. His eyes were sore and
tired from rereading the paragraphs over and over again. When he came upon
the list of new additions, he was surprised that there was only one person
whom he had not met. "Ensign Michael Bailey," Javan said aloud sipping his
ice water. 

Most people drank the dark and rancid fluid normally called coffee, but
plainwater was his poison. "Recently promoted. Hmmm. An away mission could
dohim some good." He hesitated for a moment, "Computer, unseal door." He
tapped his communications badge shortly thereafter. "Ensign Michael Bailey,
please report to Main Security."

Ensign Michael Bailey sat behind his desk reviewing his duty assignments for
the next day. He noticed there was a ton to do and he glanced around the
roomas if he heard a noise, but suddenly his communications badge went off.
Hearing the sudden voice of Javan, he fell backwards from his seat, and
growled tapping his badge, "On my way, sir." Michael stood up and fixed his
chair and exited his quarters entering the nearest turbolift.

He looked at his chronometer on his desk. Javan didn't like to be kept
waiting and the nuisance of looking to the doors every time the hissing
soundemanated from them was beginning to try his patience. The PADD was
beginning to get worn down as he tapped it incessantly against the metallic
surface of his desk. Again, his eyes looked to see another random ensign
walkthrough the doors.

Bailey cracked his neck in frustration hating the idea of meeting a new
commanding officer ? just hoping he was not a jerk like his previous one. He
stood outside the security office trying to keep his cool as he did not wish
to be relieved of duty for forcing his new commanding officer to give
himselfhis own rectal exam. He entered all calm and glanced around for Javan
and spotted him. Michael walked to him at a moderate speed and stood at
attention almost immediately, "You wished to see me, sir?"

The security chief rubbed his brow and glared at his new subordinate. He
didn't appreciate tardiness and he sure as hell didn't like people from
putting him off when security was vital - if not the most vital - function
ofthe ship. "Ensign Michael Bailey, is there a reason why you neglected to
approach me when you first came on board as Starfleet procedure dictates?"

The new Ensign did not bother turning his eyes to the Chief as he knew he
would return his same glare. He did however show signs of frustration
throughhis refusal to relax his facial muscles. He began to open his mouth
ina timely manner as the question was asked, "I was told to go to either
Commander Skyler or the Captain, sir."

"I'm well aware of that, Ensign, but you are also supposed to report to your
department head. Which, in turn, would be myself. Security is a very hostile
and dangerous field, Ensign, and people are always looking for a place to
gain and handhold here, or a foothold there. They're gunning for a spot, and
serving on a Starfleet Intelligence ship is an honor. I'd suggest you act
like you're honorable enough to be here." He sat the PADD down on the desk
and folded his hands down comfortably. "So, Mr. Bailey, welcome to the USS
Avalon."

Michael turned his gaze from the attention stance and looked down upon the
Chief, "I would say thank you if I meant it; however, I would not, so I
shallgive you just a respective nod like any lackey would do, SIR. Oh, by
theway, you apparently aren't as good as us rookies because as soon as I
walked in here I noticed Lieutenant Ironhorse over there downloading
classified documents and transmitting them from his PADD into the
communication systems. Your eyes were based only on me, and that makes you
guilty of neglecting your duties. I suggest you arrest him before this ship
becomes scrap metal, sir."

Javan turned and gazed at the Lieutenant. "First off, that would be
Lieutenant Winters, Mr. Bailey, and he's assessing the security precautions
of doing such procedure. He is doing his job. And, if you're that
disrespectful of me again, I'll make sure you're scrubbing plasma conduits
ondeck fifteen. Where, I'm assuming, your skills and attitude would be of
better use. Do I make myself clear, Ensign??

"Perfectly, Lieutenant. But if he were just doing his job why is the next
setof 'precautions' being sent out on a long-range communiqué to a Romulan
Warbird just inside the neutral zone? If you check for yourself, you?ll
notice they have received at least four separate communiqué?s and this one
ison its way. If I do believe, these are the shield coordinates. Not trying
to sound disrespectful sir, but with all do respect, I would rather die in
mybed at two hundred years, then in my early twenties.?

"I've had just about enough of your guesses, Mr. Bailey," Sierra said as he
stood to his feet. "It's a controlled experiment using holographic
representation of many alpha quadrant species. The entire program is to
assess the predictability of a Starfleet spy on board collaborating with
others. If you'll also notice that those transmissions are hollow and
containno information you'll be correct. Ensign Hollander is doing a similar
test including the Ferengi and the Breen."

He walked out into the main security offices hoping to be followed, "There
are many things here, Ensign, that you've not been subjected to just coming
out of the academy. Leaping to conclusions on things you know little about
isno something that is good for myself, you, or the rest of the security
squad on this ship."

He didn?t follow the Lieutenant, but simply told him with narrowed eyes,
"Youunder estimate me, that is not something I take lightly. So, I guess, I
will have to expose this situation for what it really is on my own." He
walked to Winters and shoved him from his station as Sierra watched from
behind. Michael exposed the true panel as it is come to known that
LieutenantWinters was sending secret communiqué?s to the Romulans in
exchangefor his own life and a shuttle. 

Bailey turned his attention to Winters. "Lieutenant, in about five seconds,
this ship will be going into red alert as a Romulan Warbird will decloak off
our starboard bow. I suggest you raise the shields on a modulating frequency
or we will become...extra crispy."

"Damn it." Javan tapped the console. "Computer, end program." The walls in
the security offices changed into a more hospitable and Starfleet-like
setting. The consoles disappear and are replaced with normal Federation
authorized computer screens and display. "You're very perceptive, Ensign,
butyou just jeopardized one of our experiments - one that all these people
have been working hard on."

"Computer, reset parameters to blank slate configuration." Winters barked as
he glared at the new ensign.

Javan softly steered the ensign back into the office; "You'll fit in here,
Ensign, that was a good catch. I figured you wouldn't notice and the
experiment would go on just fine. Welcome aboard, again." He smiled and
seated himself behind his desk.

Glaring right back, Michael stepped up into Winters? face with emotionless
eyes deciding to go by the book for once during this meeting, "Permission to
speak freely, sir?" Javan broke the glare and guided the ensign into his
office again.

Javan perked an eyebrow as he watched the new ensign stare out his office
window at the Lieutenant whom he'd just met under stressful circumstances.
"Computer, tint office window by one hundred percent." The window darkened
and the glance was cut in half, "Go ahead, Ensign."

Bailey turned face his new commanding officer, "I will make myself clear and
say this once, I may not have to like you as a person, but I have no choice
but to serve under you. And, until that changes, or if it changes, I will do
my best to serve your crew in the best way possible and with one hundred
percent accuracy. But, Lieutenant, if you cross out of line outside of that
uniform, I swear on my commission I will knock you out so fast you will
awaken believing you are a first year cadet. Do I make myself clear, sir??

Before Bailey even knew what was happening Javan had him pinned to the wall,
"Listen up right now, Ensign, I've got no beef with you and I suggest you
feel the same in regards to me. You're a Starfleet officer and I've killed
for less. If you threaten me in anyway again, or I hear about it from anyone
else, I'll have you court-martialed for conspiracy to commit an act of
hostile intent. Do we have an agreement, Ensign?"

Slapping his arms away quickly, and watching him with his own eyes. "You
misunderstood me, sir. I said if you provoked me in any way outside of that
uniform, outside of Starfleet, I would resolve that conflict. As for an
official basis goes, Lieutenant, I got no beef with you and I will serve by
you. I do respect you as an officer, that I do sir. I am a Betazoid and do
not ask me, or order me, to explain this sir because I will not. I do not
respect any Betazoids. I don't even respect myself, Lieutenant."

Javan stepped back; "Do you respect Commander Skyler, Ensign?" 

?She is part Betazoid, but despite that fact I do respect her. It is you who
I can not trust, nor can I rely on. I have read your service record, but pay
close attention to my eyes Lieutenant; I bet you never figured out I was
adopted sir. My records indicate that I am half human, half Betazoid, but
those records were altered at birth and there was no reason to doubt those
records. So I will make myself clear once again, sir, as far as my personal
life goes, stay out of it. That is as much as I?m willing to say, and the
only reason I did was I figured you should know. Now may I be excused?"

"Your personal life is your own personal life, Ensign, I have nothing to do
with it. But, as for your attitude, leave it at the door." Javan seated and
made a wafting hand to the crewmen standing meters in front of his desk.
"Youare dismissed, Ensign, please report to duty at o-five hundred tomorrow
morning. Good day."

?Aye sir,? Michael said as he turned and exited from the security room.
Walking out he nearly slammed his fist into a corridor, he whispered, "Good
Day?" The last word was inaudible, even to Bailey, as he made his way to his
quarters to prepare for the day ahead.

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