<USS Avalon> "Under Watchful Eyes"

Under Watchful Eyes

By Commodore Andrew Brookman and 

Admiral Mordecai Pew

 

 

Pew sat at his desk once again, having decided to give Andrew Brookman a call.  
He dreaded delivering the news that his Marksbury project hadn't gone all too 
well.  Pew and Brookman had worked together for years, but that didn't make the 
task any easier.  

 

Pulling up his console he called Brookman's office and was put right through to 
the doctor.

 

"Can I help you, Admiral?" Brookman smiled, pushing back the glasses. 

 

"Hello, Andrew.  I have had an issue brought to my attention and it requires 
yours as well, I hate to say.  Would you be willing to stop over at my office 
at your earliest convenience?  Or I could meet you over there if you prefer. 
I'd just rather discuss this in person, I believe."  

 

"As you like," Brookman nodded smiling as he turned to have one of his 
assistants take over office for a while, "I'll be there as soon as possible. 
I've got several patients as you can imagine." 

 

"Completely understandable.  However, this is of a sensitive nature, so if you 
could...give it some priority, I would appreciate it."  

 

Brookman nodded, as the screen went blank. He instinctively knew that this 
meeting was about Marksbury's case. Not many had a high profile. He got up from 
his seat and quickly checked one of the patients. Having another assistant take 
over, he walked out of sickbay and headed for Pew's office.

 

It didn't take long for Brookman to find Pew's office and he rang the chime

 

"Enter," Pew called out.  Once the door closed, he stood and shook Brookman?s 
hand, giving a smile.  "Andrew, good to see you again.  How are those plans for 
retirement?"  

 

"Not quite as close yet, Mordecai, not as close as I?d like to be. I still have 
preparations to make. The sickbay is gonna be handled by kids, might as well 
leave some things behind. It's going to take a while." Andrew took his seat 
without a word; such formalities had passed a long time ago. He straightened 
out his jacket, "So, what is it you wanted to see me about?" 

 

"I had a visit from Ms. Marksbury this morning and seems she had a few 
confessions to make.  She informed me that her memory had returned and she had 
not told us, fearing undergoing the procedure once again.?  He frowned, ?I 
don't know anymore, Andrew.  Perhaps in my older age, I am not judging 
character as well as I used to.  This truly surprised me.  I thought older 
meant wiser," he sighed and clasped his hands in front of him on the desk. 

 

"The memory procedure was suppose to alter everything about her 'past' version 
of herself. That included her personality to some degree, depending on how 
successful the procedure was.  And how her character shows to other people- 
again, dependent on how successful the procedure was. What I did not expect," 
Andrew thought this was a good time to get into the details of this case. He 
didn't need the specifics of Marksbury's confession; he puzzled it together, 
"was Maturin's involvement with this." 

 

?You don?t seem surprised.?

 

?I found some?shall we say, signs pointing that direction already.  So, no, I?m 
not surprised.  But Maturin?s involvement?? he asked again, wanting an answer.

 

Sighing, Pew explained, "Maturin's involvement...was a mistake on my part, I 
believe.  What I had hoped to do was have him vigilant for any changes in her.  
After all, he knew her better than anyone else possibly could have.  What I 
didn't expect was for her to ask him to lie about her memory returning.  I 
thought they were both more professional than that.  She is asking to take all 
the blame for this and I'm rather at a loss for what to do.  You don't think 
Maturin as her contact was a catalyst for her memory returning, do you?"  

 

"It could have been - I'm not too sure. Frankly, having him so close to her 
case was a big mistake. The man's emotions are tied to this case- you do know 
that right? That in itself, not mentioning how sensitive this case is, is a 
threat already. Which is why I'm going to ask you now," he looked at Pew more 
sternly, "get Maturin off this case and place another contact with her." 

 

Pew was slightly taken aback with the fact that Brookman just pulled rank on 
him.  He couldn't remember a time that ever really occurred.  It was phrased 
kindly, but Mordecai knew the meaning.  "It's done," he promised.  "I just need 
to decide what to do with the two of them.  Should we start over?  Make them 
both go through it this time?  I admit, I was too lax in letting Maturin make 
his choice...I was a bit greedy, perhaps, you could say.  We were still hoping 
for some information from him about his timeline.  Not the best idea, perhaps, 
but the great minds were thinking that if it were a terrible future there could 
be ways to prevent it, I suppose."  

 

"That is who knows how long from now?  We'd be long gone to even care. And look 
at it this way, Mordecai, just by them appearing, fate- as they say- has been 
altered. As for Marksbury, the memory procedure- unless deemed absolutely 
necessary- is her choice. As for Maturin, another assignment might be good for 
him." Brookman sat back.

 

"Well, that part of the incident wasn?t my decision.  Personally, other than an 
odd curious interest, I don?t want to know about the future.?  He leaned back 
in his chair.  ?You think we should just let her keep the memories of her 
future self?  Maturin too?  Won't that be confusing to her?"  

 

"That will be up to her. I could do the procedure again, and get what I can 
suppress. It really is up to her mind's ability. As for Maturin, the procedure 
won?t be necessary unless you think he's a security threat." 

 

"No, I don't believe he's a threat.  And I think it would be good to let them 
have their memories.  The two of them are rather linked emotionally and the 
fewer problems it causes me, the better.  So, you are finished with Marksbury's 
case then?  We're calling it closed?"  

 

"Yes, but set her with another contact. I have Captain Holden waiting for 
orders. I've decided- as medical officer- to also put Felicity Roan and Caine 
McKinsely from the Avalon on this case. They should be invaluable. There is an 
operative on board, doing field experience, a James Monroe. I've considered 
giving him an assignment to observe Marksbury as much as he can." He took a 
breath, "This of course is on your approval. You are leading this case after 
all. But Roan and McKinsely should be considered, they are best qualified, and 
the good Doctor Roan has already objected to being left in the dark about this."

 

"As for Commander Skyler, I do believe she will need to return, if anything, I 
need to check up on her. Doctor Cazook will be staying on the Avalon. She too 
should spend some time on a starship and hopefully lend a hand with the CMO."

 

"I'll take it into consideration.  But may I ask why?  I'm not sure I'm clear 
on the need for such observation.  Is there something dangerous that I don't 
know about?"  

 

"As medical officer and having Marksbury's memories come back from time to 
time, I need to be kept updated. So, I've decided- as the medical officer- to 
involve Roan and McKinsely in this. With Skyler's previous involvement around 
Marksbury, she will also go under observation, though not as routine as 
Marksbury will be. Mordecai, Roan and McKinsely must be involved. Cazook can 
be, but she's not the CMO of the ship, and certainly not a counselor despite 
her years of her profession and given wisdom." Brookman sat back up waiting for 
Pew's response. 

 

"Don't think I'm not granting your request, Andrew, but you didn't answer my 
question.  Why all the eyes?  What is the danger here that I'm not seeing 
because I'm not a doctor?  Is Ms. Marksbury physically in danger?"  

 

"She?s not in physical danger, but she has memories that even Intel should not 
know about.  I'm not saying that she's going to spew forth whatever she 
remembers, but other factions- if we don?t keep an eye on her and her memories- 
will come after her. Tal Shiar, the Obsidian Order- or what's left of it, will 
attempt to get to her. I don?t have to tell you how valuable she could be."

 

"Of course not.  That was the point of the identity change to begin with.  
"Lyryn Cate"- as that name was leaked- is retired on an island in an 
undisclosed location.  Elissabeth Marksbury has records and history from birth. 
 I believe she is safe on that count.  I had my best identity experts on it and 
I personally made sure of it." 

 

"I still want them to watch over her." 

 

"I can't say I see the need for it, but I'll order it because I trust your 
judgment, Andrew.  However, I would just ask that it isn't too invasive with 
her life.  She deserves some semblance of a normal one."  He sighed.  "I've 
become rather fond of her, you know.  In fact, I really appreciated you 
implanting that I was a friend of her father.  It gives me a good reason to be 
close."  After a moment, he said, "Go ahead and give the orders.  Just keep me 
updated.  Now I just have to figure out what to do..."  

 

Brookman stood and Pew reached out to shake his hand.  "It was good to see you 
again, Andrew.  We need to meet on a less work related basis.  Angela and I 
would love to have you and your wife over for dinner.  Your daughter too.  I 
heard she was getting married."  

 

Brookman smiled, "Yes, she is. How time flies. I'll see what we have planned. 
Last I heard, Judith wanted a night out at Fishermen's Wharf. If there's 
anything else?" 

 

?That sounds wonderful.  We'll have to do that sometime.  And no, that's all.  
Just keep me updated."  

 

Brookman nodded and walked out the door.  Pew sat back in his chair and thought 
about the next step to take.  


                        
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