So We Meet Again....
Posted on Wed Jan 16th, 2013 @ 6:00pm by Commander Alexandra Vance & Sergeant Amarylis Beckinsale
630 words; about a 3 minute read
Mission:
The Enemy Within: Lying in Wait
Location: Corridors
As Alexandra left sickbay she immediately bumped into a woman. Before she could excuse herself she gazed surprised at whom was looking back at her.
"Sergeant Beckinsale, it has been quite some time."
Amarylis walked closer to Alexandra and began to examine her implant. A tear fell from her eye as the events had come full circle. Flashes from Cardassia plagued her mind, the whip marks, the bruises, the broken woman kneeling chained to the cold floor. Her pride and dignity stripped from her and now here she stood once again, scarred by another enemy bent on destroying her. "Commander....I...I.."
"Sergeant, accompany me to my quarters." Alexandra stated simply managing to hold back her emotions.
"Yes ma'am." Amarylis nodded following Vance down the corridor.
"Computer dim lights." Vance said as the two entered her quarters.
"Commander?" Amarylis asked quizzically wondering why she was dimming the lights.
"The light causes me headaches, my implant has not adjusted yet." Alexandra replied.
"Understood ma'am."
Alexandra stood before her window gazing at the stars as they passed by. It felt like an eternity since she had seen them.
"Sergeant Beckinsale, you did the right thing, I am extremely proud of you." Vance began not turning from the stars.
Amarylis scoffed. "That's funny ma'am, it sure as hell don't feel like it."
"Sometimes we are forced to do things we are not fond off, but you did what was necessary to ensure the survival of this ship. You made an expert tactical decision giving the Calypso an advantage that changed the very outcome of the battle. I would have done the same thing Sergeant, I hope you will not take it personally."
"That's not the point Commander. I sold you out, I just told our Commanding Officer that you are a homicidal maniac." Amarylis said in a raised tone.
"I certainly hope you did not use those words." Alexandra replied with a slight smile.
"Pretty much! I told you hated them Cardassians. Alexandra they know about the day I met you. They know what they did to you. They know..."
"Nothing Sergeant, they know nothing. What they know is they managed to exploit a tactical weakness that will not present itself again." Vance replied raising her own tone in turn.
Amarylis began to pace.
"This isn't about me Amarylis is it?" Alexandra asked flatly.
"Not about you? Alexandra that is exactly what this is about! I wasn't ready for this to happen the first time and now it's happening all over again." her voice was shaky, her eyes wet from the streams of tears.
"Stop blaming yourself...."
"TWICE, not once TWICE!!!!!" Amarylis cried out.
"There was nothing you could do Sergeant!" Alexandra said through her teeth.
"THIS TIME WAS SUPPOSED TO BE DIFFERENT, I COULD HAVE SAVED YOU!!!"
Alexandra sharply turned about and moved quickly to Amarylis. "THERE IS NOTHING LEFT TO SAVE! I am who I am and I have to make peace with that."
"Not acceptable..." Amarylis said, her teary eyes locked onto the cold eyes of Vance.
"That's not for you to decide."
"I won't let them win Commander." Amarylis sniffled.
"I will reign judgement upon them, mark my words Sergeant Beckinsale....but it is time for you to let go. This is no longer of your concern, I will not let you become consumed by my affairs." Alexandra replied with a hint of remorse in her voice.
"And I will not let you consume your own humanity. You have a second chance Alexandra, do not waste it."
Alexandra leaned into Amarylis and wrapped her arms tightly around the marine. "I will not let your efforts go in vain. I will use this new life to give you and this crew the life I can never have."
TBC
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