It Never Gets Easy (part 1)

Posted on Sun Sep 14th, 2014 @ 10:43am by Commodore Samantha York & Sergeant Amarylis Beckinsale
Edited on on Sun Sep 14th, 2014 @ 10:51am

1,083 words; about a 5 minute read

Mission: Deadly Diplomacy
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: After the reception and before the murder

ON

Amarylis walked onto the bridge puzzled by York's summons to her office. She had never stepped foot on the Calypso's bridge, not even to see Alexandra. Something didn't feel write about this and it sent a chill down her back. Reluctantly she pressed on the chime to York's door.

Sam paused a moment to take a deep breath before answering. "Come in." She knew it was Amarylis. Sam had gone to the Marine Deck to find her, but she was off doing something and instead of tracking her down, Sam decided to return to her Ready Room and summon Amarylis there. It would be far kinder to tell the woman about Alexandra's death in private than in a group of other Marines.

Amarylis stepped into the ready room taking a look around as she entered. The office was a good size with a comforting decor in addition to having some archeological items on the shelves. When she approached York's desk she came to attention and saluted. "Ma'am."

"Sit down," Sam said soberly. "I have some news you won't like."

Amarylis looked worriedly at Sam. She had heard some mumblings of a court martial involving Alexandra but she knew her Captain would never allow some hotshot to down Vance.

When Amarylis was seated, Sam handed her the PADD. "Before you read it, I am asking for an investigation because there are too many holes for me to accept this as true."

"Okay..." Amarylis replied taking the PADD from York. It took her only a few seconds to read to a point where her demeanour soon changed from worry to shock. "Uh uh." she said throwing the PADD on the desk. "Nope." she continued rising from the chair. She began to pace around the room fighting back the rush of emotions that came crashing at her like a tidal wave. She turned back to Sam and slammed her fist on the desk. "You scan the ship and you find her. She's here you hear me? Just watch."

"Computer locate Commander Vance."

"Commander Vance is not on board." The computer replied.

"Computer did Commander Vance leave the ship?" Amarylis trembled as she began to sob wiping the tears from her eyes.

"Affirmative. Commander Vance departed the ship at thirteen thirty hours from shuttle bay two." the computer answered.

"Bull...You're full of crap!" she exclaimed in a louder tone as tears streamed from her eyes.

"Where are you hiding her? You just bring her here right now and we'll talk this out." Amarylis demanded.

"I wish I could," Sam said quietly. "This isn't a joke. I would never do something like that," she assured Amarylis.

"Here is why I'm suspicious." Sam told her about the Court Martial, about the refused transfer, the call from the woman at Starfleet Personnel, the blow-up and then the shuttle.

"What doesn't make sense," Sam continued, is that I told her I would talk to Hunter, get her off the ship safely and away for a while. I never got that chance. I didn't let her out of the brig and I didn't put her on that shuttle. I have no idea what is going on, but I mean to find out."

"That woman set her off is what happened! Alexandra didn't put up with that kind of bull she pushed her away! The stupid lawyer, command. Damn it I can't believe they'd go this far! It's him I tell you. That man was bad news from the beginning and Alex knew it. I'm gonna kill him, so she can haunt him in the afterlife." Amarylis replied angrily. Her eyes now swollen and red from the tears. Her thoughts a jumble of emotion, segmented but soon she would find her focus, then she would find him.

"No, you're not," Sam said sternly. "You're going to tell me what you know and I'm going to give the information to Admiral Panthera. Between him and Admiral Hunter, I don't think the man will be doing much of anything soon."

"You really think it's that simple? If it was Alexandra would have done it herself ages ago. This isn't internal and their are no bounds that won't be crossed. He has many allies, most likely a great many we don't know about. If you three go galavanting in with nothing more then the banter of a distressed marine you will be laughed at and most likely branded a traitor." Amarylis replied in an equally stern tone.

"Alexandra is a rogue. She doesn't trust people and she believes she has to do everything by herself," Sam said. "I believe you need people or you will fail. But you have to be careful whom you trust. I trust Blackcat. I trust Hunter. I trust Damon. I thought I could trust Alexandra, but I was mistaken. And no, I have no desire to go "gallivanting" anywhere. I don't trust anyone at Starfleet Command right now. But I also know that if you also go rogue you will end up dead or in prison and you will achieve nothing."

"So her death was a waste then? Her sacrifice means nothing to you?" Amarylis shot back placing her hands over her face as she wept. She lowered her hands wiping her tears and looked at York once again. "Alexandra died to protect you from the one thing she fears. She died because she knew as long as she remained here, she was putting you in danger. She cared about you and everyone on this ship, she has trouble showing it because of something that happened a long time ago. Alex was not always like this. When we forgot everything.....that was the true Alexandra Vance...."

If Vance was truly dead, then her death was avoidable. But Sam was still unconvinced. But she didn't want to argue the point with Amarylis. Instead, she focused on her last words. "What did she fear?" Sam asked.

"It's not what Commodore, it's who...." Amarylis began visibly shaken at even the mention of the person. "Who Alexandra feared is truly the embodiment of evil. A woman so corrupted and filled with hatred I...I don't even know if she has a purpose anymore. I've seen some pretty sick and twisted things in my time, I mean even crime lords, even the BORG have morals. But not her. Some..." Amarylis looked up at York. "Some people just want to see everything burn...."

(To be continued...)

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer

Sergeant Amarylis Beckinsale
Marine

 

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