You are not alone. (Part 4)

Posted on Mon Nov 24th, 2014 @ 2:54pm by Commander Alexandra Vance & Sergeant Amarylis Beckinsale

1,452 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Deadly Diplomacy
Location: Holodeck
Timeline: Prior to "And the hammer comes down".

"You knew?" Amarylis said shocked.

"Of course. You've known me long enough to know I would eventually deduce what happened, but I also trust you enough to only reveal what was necessary to provide the desired outcome. So I hate the Cardassians? How many Klingons trust Romulans?" Vance replied with a reassuring smile giving Amarylis a nudge.

"Thanks for the vote of confidence I guess. I really did feel guilty you know." Amarylis answered jokingly.

"There was nothing to feel guilty about. Besides those implants were destroying my skin." Vance replied.

"Another joke!" Amarylis exclaimed. "Turning over a new leaf are we?"

"Don't get ahead of yourself." Alexandra replied flatly. "This is different Amarylis. I will not be this 'open' when we leave this place."

"Why not? Why change? What's so different from here and the Calypso?" Amarylis inquired.

Alexandra let out a sigh of frustration. "Because no one else needs to be privy to certain details of my life. There are reasons such details are sealed from public record and that is where they will remain."

"But maybe talking to someone will help you. I mean I like talking to you and it's great to have someone to share this place with." Amarylis replied.

"This is a beautiful place Amarylis, where is it?" Vance asked.

"Betazed. Risa is so cliche and once I saw this place I couldn't help myself. It was so beautiful and even the war didn't touch it. A lot of the major cities on the planet were scared by the battle but this place was untouched. Found it on a patrol I was on. Went out to do some recon and boom there it was. I swore to myself I'd return but I never got the chance." Amarylis said with a hint of regret. Her life had always been high tempo or so far away a shore leave would not give her the opportunity to visit the place and give the proper respect to the beauty it possessed. She often wondered if the water was still as clear as it was that day.

"Perhaps we can find time to return to Betazed." Alexandra suggested.

"Nah. I couldn't do that to the crew Alex. God knows we can't afford to lose people with all the excitement around here." Amarylis retorted.

Alexandra laughed. "Agreed. This ship seems to be a magnet for the unfortunate. Perhaps we can all take a break then. It is surely deserved, but don't go off telling the crew I've gone soft."

"Don't you worry Alexandra Vance. The ice queen will live to see another day."

The two paused for a time as they stared towards the sun which was beginning to set. The reflection of the sun on the vast body of water trailed towards the two as if intentionally directed making the water shimmer as small waves passed across towards the shore.

"You're gonna make it kid." Alexandra said without turning to Amarylis.

"Huh?" Amarylis replied confusedly looking at Alexandra.

"This whole Orion ordeal. What happened on the planet. It won't change you." Alexandra replied.

Amarylis took Alexandra's hand making Alex look to her. "Things like these don't have to change you Alexandra. I personally think everything happens for a reason and things like this can make you stronger. If you let it consume you they've won."

Alexandra took a moment to ponder Amarylis' words. One thing she would never admit is that the Cardassians had won. Many had fallen at her hand and of course the plan they group had originally executed was foiled by her efforts. However setting aside all that had transpired and personal vendettas Alexandra felt as though the scheme was truly defeated. While Cardassians may have been cowards they were certainly sly.

"But that doesn't mean they've beat you." Amarylis said breaking the awkward silence.

"Hmmm?" Alexandra said missing the statement as her mind was still preoccupied on it's previous thought.

"I'm saying it's not too late. All this dark cynical stone-faced persona, it doesn't have to be this way. The fact you are still standing here after all that has happened. Most men would break but you stand tall. What you see as weakness others see as strength. What is it Alexandra? Why the wall?" Amarylis asked.

Alexandra sighed letting her hand slip from Amarylis' hand slip from hers. "Hazard of the job."

"Hazard of the job Alexandra?! I know you spooks like to keep things close to the chest but there are some, say Commodore York who need some incite on what happened." Amarylis exclaimed.

"It's classified, you know that." Alexandra responded.

"She doesn't need details, maybe just a brief anecdote I don't know. What will happen when you get ordered to a counsellor." Amarylis shot back.

"Maybe we'll light candles and share some tea, but I still won't tell them." Alexandra replied.

"Seriously Alex, it might help." Amarylis said. It was something she had long tried to convince Vance to do but usually ended up getting stonewalled. She hoped to one day topple those walls.

"Clearances...." Alexandra answered.

"A weak excuse." Amarylis shot back.

"No excuses." Alexandra responded slightly irritated again. "Neither you nor I will divulge the details of the mission, timeline or result to anyone not cleared to know."

"And what if I do? What if I do it to save a friend whom I hold dear? What if I want to save her life?" Amarylis pleaded.

"This is not about you or I Amarylis!" Vance exclaimed rising up and looking down to Amarylis. "If this gets out paranoia will rise, questions will be asked and allegiances placed in limbo."

"Then maybe it's time for these concerns to be addressed!" Amarylis said rising to Alexandra meeting her tone.

"Stop acting like a child! That isn't for us to decide! Why don't we just go tell everyone what the Romulans have been doing? Or perhaps about all the other treachery from within Starfleet? Our job is to protect their way of life as blind as it may be. Don't forget that." Vance responded.

"Vengeance will consume you." Amarylis said calmly in a quiet tone.

"But not before I consume those who prey on others." Alexandra replied.

Amarylis sighed. "What you do is admirable Alex, but quite frankly i'm sick of it."

"I don't understand." Alexandra said.

"I'm sick of the fact you are left to rot. Nobody actually cares about you. They think you are some kind of insubordinate lose cannon they can just dispose of when it's inconvenient." Amarylis stated gritting her teeth in frustration.

"People fear that in which they cannot control. I do not serve the one but the many." Alexandra giggled realizing how her statement was akin to something a drone might say.

"What's so funny?" Amarylis asked curiously.

"I sounded like a drone." Alexandra replied.

Amarylis let out a short laugh. "A little, but I get what you are saying. The Calypso....it seems nice and the crew is quite tight. York is a good commander you should give her some slack."

"Commodore York needs anything but slack. She is a good leader but she finds her way into some less then desirable situations." Alexandra said with a smile.

"I could say the same about someone else I know." Amarylis replied giving Vance a wink.

"The difference is I'm trained to get myself out of those. York is a scientist, her mind goes places her body should not." Alexandra responded.

"I think you underestimate her. She may be a scientist but something about her just kinda makes me, I don't know I just don't worry like you do. It's almost like having a good fire team partner. I just trust her, I feel in good hands around her and I think she can handle herself. Heck she's lived this long. I think you just need to give her a little more credit." Amarylis replied.

"I have to protect her no matter the cost Amarylis. She is imperative to this crew, more so then myself and this ship cannot survive without her." Vance said.

"So you trust her?" Amarylis asked.

"Trust is coming Amarylis but with regards to the crew she is what this ship needs and I have no doubts about that." Vance replied.

"Well it needs to come quicker Alex. Jesus your her XO. You two need to be on the same page." Amarylis said.

"We are worlds apart but our goal is the same and that is all that matters." Vance retorted.

"And what goal is that?" Amarylis asked?

"Your safety Sergeant. You and every other member of the crew from the smallest child to the department heads. No life is valued less then another." Vance replied.

 

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