<USS Avalon> Updating a Security Officer II

(From part 1)
Again, Walker felt something amiss with the Captain, and stopped before turning around. "Captain, do you feel that I need to call Sickbay for you? Just nod if you think it's necessary, ma'am." He didn't have authorization to attempt to heal her, even if he knew what to do. His face showed his growing concern.

(We now conclude.)
"I think I will be fine, Sergeant. Thank you for your concern. I just need a moment to compose myself and then I will return to my duties. Thank you for your help in this matter. I do have one question. Do we need another session before I am more fully able to help Ensign Erridim? Also would this technique help Lieutenant K'etrall help her as well?"

Walker stated quietly, "Yes, ma'am, the same Training technique can be used; half a wing, comprising of five squadrons, was trained in the use of Scimitar 1Ds by Trainers such as I. However, it concerns me that you have shown what appears to be a sensitivity to the technique, even at the slowed pace I used." His face was now showing his concern even more. "We are trained not to injure, and the fact I didn't detect your sensitivity to it, ma'am, would have my sensei very upset at me . . ." He looked highly chagrined, especially when he noticed his immediate superior. He went to attention and saluted smartly.

Adrian rounded the corner and just spotted Walker and Skyler as he made his way towards the prisoner's cell. He had an interesting chat with Ms. Erridim, and it only hardened his conviction. "Hello there, Captain, Sergeant," Adrian spoke as he stopped and addressed both people present. "Is everything alright?"

Walker sighed. "I certainly hope so, Sir. Otherwise, I may be in trouble with more than one of my superiors." His morose thought of, 'Not to mention Ensign Erridim, who needs my assistance!' was hastily shielded, but he suspected that it was too late.

"Everything is fine, Captain. Sergeant Walker was just helping me with something." ~I am sure Talea will understand, Sergeant.~ "I will be with you momentarily, Captain. I just need a few moments with the Sergeant."

Walker blinked. While he knew the Captain was likely telepathic, the fact and the slightly different timbre of her mental voice still had enough force to startle him. ~As far as I can tell, ma'am, you are ready to assist. My only concern is the dizziness. That is not normal, nor is it something I am unconcerned about. True, it could just be you needing food,~ he 'pathed a chuckle at that, ~but at the same time, it could be a sign of something worse. Not that I want it to be the latter, mind you, ma'am.~ He was intensely glad the Security chief hadn't seen his Training; it had been misinterpreted by others in the past as an illegal form of mind-meld, and people had gotten hurt as a result. Misunderstandings were sometimes extremely painful for both the one misunderstood and the one misunderstanding.

He turned to his immediate superior. "I am available when you need me, Sir." His voice and face showed none of his apprehension as to the likely nature of said discussion.

"I'll speak with you later on, Sergeant. Just make sure to give your squad a break from their rounds for a few hours, they deserve it," Adrian spoke simply, noting the long pause in the conversation but keeping his face as straight as Walker's.

Watching the interaction between Walker and Phillips, Skyler started to feel a little better. ~Thank you for your concern, Sergeant. I believe I am feeling a little better. I will have Lieutenant K'etrall contact you so you can assist in her training. If you believe we need another session, please let me know.~ "Captain Phillips. Is there something I can help you with? My suspicions are that you are here about Ensign Jackson in the brig. Am I correct?"

Phillips nodded. "Well, I was enroute to go visit the prisoner once I had been briefed on the situation." He looked over Skyler up and down once. "Is there anything I should be aware of in his status?"

Walker, knowing the two were both senior to him, stayed silent past an acknowledgment of Phillips' order to allow his personnel time off. As he'd not received a clear dismissal, however, he erred on the side of caution and stayed nearby.

"Sergeant Walker, you have been a big help and I appreciate it greatly. I will be calling on you in the near future for another session along with Lieutenant K'etrall. Until then, you are dismissed." She then sent privately to Walker, ~I believe Talea would like to talk to you.~ "Captain, if you will walk with me, I will attempt to explain the situation as best I can." Nodding at Walker, Skyler proceeded to move toward the main security area. She wanted another look at Ensign Jackson to see how he was handling his current situation.

Walker went back to his duties, rather than face Talea right off; he could still feel the shock and disbelief from her as a metallic tang to her aura, and didn't know precisely how to reassure her that he'd not intended offense, and that also saddened him. How could he have done so much harm in such a short time? He shook his head as he finished his duties and headed toward his squad's ready area.

On reaching it, he stated, "Attention, Alpha!" At their smart response to his crisp order, he smiled slightly. "Good news. Stand down for the remainder of the shift, and resume normal patrol patterns at the beginning of next shift." He grinned briefly, feeling intense relief as he noticed something. "Those injured, I see, are back with us. I apologize, for had I warned you, injury would not have occurred."

Germany almost spat. "Apologizing for injuries you could not prevent is, pardon my bluntness, Sarge, stupid." His face was dark with his own displeasure, but lightened before he continued. "Now, I will admit you should have warned us to stay put; the move that took down those two gunners was just . . . unreal. Some of Delta might even think you were out trying to be a glory hound."

One of those injured in the final assault nodded. "And unnerving. We spread out, trying to cover you, and we weren't cautious enough as a result of our being startled. It was our mistake, Sarge."

Walker winced. "The last thing I was trying for was glory. It's too common for glory hounds to return to base on their shields, after all." This somewhat archaic wording was, nevertheless, still understood to mean that having died in the attempt, glory hounds were usually carried out by their squad at the end of a battle. "We'd all better get some rest, actually. I won't order anyone to bed, though. Just do things that help you recover from this." He grinned at the group as they chorused, "Oorah!" and broke up, some going toward quarters, some toward mess, others toward various recreational activities.

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