Rebuilding after the Storm (part 1)

Posted on Sun Sep 20th, 2015 @ 8:45am by Commodore Samantha York & Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Tate & Lieutenant Arnon Barak MD, PsyD & Jethro Vance

1,170 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Of Gods and Men
Location: Captain's Ready Room

ON:

"Vance to York, Barak and Tate. I need you in the Captain's ready room immediately this is urgent." Jethro stated over the comm.

"On my way." Jennifer replied wondering what had precipitated Jethro's call. She quickly diverted her course to the Captain's ready room increasing her pace as she did so.

Arnon wasn't exactly sure who was requesting his presence in the Ready Room, but he assumed he'd find out. He set aside his paperwork and set off for his destination.

"Barak to York," he said into his commbadge. "Who exactly is ordering me to the Ready Room?"

"York here. That's Jethro Vance, Alexandra's father," she said as she made her way to her Ready Room.

"What's up?" Sam asked, walking in without announcing herself as it was her office.

"I've had a break with Amarylis." Jethro replied stopping his pacing to face her as he spoke, returning to his pace once he was finished.

It was about time. "What?" she asked bluntly. Amarylis had stonewalled her at every turn. She'd hoped Vance would have better luck.

"No offense Commodore, but I would like Doctor Barak to be in the room as well." Jethro replied just as bluntly still pacing about.

"All right," she said. She went to her desk and sat down, pulling out a PADD while she waited.

Arnon walked into the room.

"Doctor Arnon Barak, physician, psychiatrist, and psychologist extraordinaire reporting to Mister...did you say your name was Jethro Tull?? I certainly hope not. That band is so four centuries ago."

Jethro grinned at the counsellor. "Vance, doctor. And no I'm not much of a beard guy myself. Never was one for leftovers you know. Now, I thank you both for coming on such short notice but like I told the Commodore I believe I have made a break with Amarylis." He turned to look at the doctor. "In case she did not tell you I am more or less her adoptive father and she is my daughter. I cannot tell you how much I appreciate you taking care of her and the accommodations you made for her in your office were nothing short of amazing. I truly cannot express my thanks enough to you."

"But that isn't why you brought us here," Sam said.

"No." Jethro stated placing his arms behind his back looking at York. "Like I said I had a break with Amarylis, but in order to be sure I'm right I needed Doctor Barak." He looked over now to Arnon. "Doctor. Amarylis told me on the planet, the away mission led by Commander Storm. You came into contact with a group of mercenaries. She also stated that you came in close contact with one whom was prepared to attack you before she shot him. What I need to know doctor...is where she shot him and how many shots she took to make that shot."

"One bullet to the head," Arnon said.

Jethro smiled nodding his head as he turned away from them walking towards York's window. His worst fears were now confirmed as he had thought from the beginning. "He should've killed the bitch when he had the chance." he mumbled under his breath before turning back to York and Arnon. "Amarylis can't shoot when she's intoxicated. Back on our farm, she and I went into a field to shoot pop cans. We'd been having a few daughter, father drinks carrying on about something or the other. As time went on and more alcohol went down range her shot got worse. Eventually she couldn't hit a sheet of plywood from a hundred yards let alone a pop can. When I asked her about it she told me she had always had trouble focusing if she was drunk or high. A year later, she had a relapse and that's exactly how I caught on. Asked her to come out gopher hunting and well, she wouldn't have been able to hit a dinosaur the way she was shooting. I confronted her about it and she eventually showed me her stash, Took weeks before I could take her out again."

Jethro stepped in closer to the two looked back and forth to each. "Moral of the story is. Amarylis was not high when she went down with that away team. Infact she would have had to kick her habit weeks before leaving to pull off the shots the good doctor here is describing. I think someone drugged her, infact I'm certain of it and I'm damned sure I know exactly who." His voice carried a great deal of frustration and ire now as he thought of her. "Has anyone talked to her about what happened on the planet? I can't seem to find her report anywhere."

"I'm not comfortable talking to you about what we have or have not talked about," Arnon said. "You may be her adoptive father for all intents and purposes, but even if you are her next of kin, I need her permission to talk to you. However, with Amarylis' best interests at heart, I'll go as far as to say that we haven't spent much time discussing what happened on the planet. I was planning to get to that in upcoming sessions."

"Of course doc, I understand completely and you will not betray your oath on my behalf. Amarylis is my only daughter now and I want to be sure she is cared for." Jethro assured the counsellor.

"Every time someone tried to talk to her about anything she was belligerent, uncooperative and went out of her way to not tell us what went on," Sam said. "Lieutenant Barak is the first person who's been able to get anything of substance out of her." Even though he muttered under his breath, his thoughts were unmistakable. She wondered who he should have killed when he had the chance, but didn't think Jethro would tell her if he asked.

"She's proud, she's overcome a lot to get to where she is and the last thing she wants to admit is she is nothing more then a drug addict. Perhaps she doesn't trust you either. No offense Commodore York but I'm fairly positive Alexandra had that same sentiment, then again there weren't many she did trust. As for Amarylis, doctor Barak seems to have her trust. Not that I have any real say but I would recommend he continue." He began to pace once again as he continued to ponder the situation. He let out a sigh looking to the ceiling. "That being said, I've seen the reports from her superiors. Apparantly one Master Sergeant Bosley is looking to have charges filed once she is competent. I also noted when the team returned, Amarylis was unaccounted for. The question you need to be asking Samantha and perhaps you too Doctor Barak is where did she go?"

(To be continued...)

Jethro Vance
Alexandra's Father

Commodore Samantha York
Commanding Officer

Lieutenant Arnon Barak
Chief Counselor

Lieutenant Commander Jennifer Tate
Intelligence Officer

 

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