The Prodigal Daughter Returns... Maybe

Posted on 07 May 2016 @ 11:38pm by Lieutenant Colonel Cassandra Blackburn & Sergeant Major William Bourne & Rear Admiral Azura Ashcart

1,124 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Errand of Mercy
Location: Captain's Ready Room
Timeline: ED2

ON:

Azura sat in his ready room, after just speaking with the new Chief of Ops Officer and Chief Engineer, both of which were enjoyable meetings. He knew that the next meeting he had in store was going to be less cordial. He braced himself by taking a deep breath and closing his eyes, as if searching for a chara point before speaking aloud.

"Pallas?"

The shimmer of the now de-armored 'goddess' appeared across the room from him, he smirked at the cleverness of the programmer giving Pallas two different sets of cloths. He surmised that one was for alerts and the other was worn for less hostile occasions.

She spoke "Yes Captain?"

"Would you please inform Major Blackburn that I wish to see her." he eyed the woman "Be gentile she's fragile from what I've heard."

The hologram nodded "As you will Captain." then dissipated in a shimmer. It was several minutes later that the chime to the door sounded.

"Come."he said as he stood up to greet the person coming in.

Blackburn had seen the knowing looks from the officers and crew members on the bridge as she had followed Pallas to the ready room, and she ignored them. On entering the room she saw the Captain exactly how she had remembered him - black hair with grey temples, intelligence behind his grey and green eyes. She sat down in the chair opposite the Captain, knees together and shoulders sloped forwards. She didn't say a word - she didn't see the point.

Azura stayed standing "Can I offer you some refreshments Major?" his voice was almost kind.

She was slightly taken aback. Armed for another confrontation, she was not prepared for his offer. Despite everything, Blackburn still had a level of respect for Captain Ashcart. "No, thank you." She said. Pausing for a moment, she put her hand to her forehead as she spoke. "Look, Captain. You don't want me on your ship."

Azura nodded and looked at her "Why?"

"You know why!" She snapped. Annoyed that she'd already lost control, she took a few moments to collect herself. "Sorry." She said quietly, the first time she had apologized to anyone in a long time. "Captain, you must know I'm only here because Starfleet are twisting my arm. If I wasn't here they'd be scrambling my brain somewhere on Luna. They're only interested in me because of my link link to Joe Fursman..." She trailed off at the mention of that name. She refocused. "Captain, in all honesty I do not want to be here. As soon as this mission is over I'll be discharged and gone. I don't want to be responsible for leading the Marines here and-" She paused. "I wouldn't much use to you if I did."

His countenance softened slightly, he knew about her torture and it took him back to a dark place himself. He didnt say anything to her about it but instead said gently "Cass, I hope you can see the Redemption as a place to make a new start. Hell I came back from the dead, so can you."

"Captain" She was trying hard not to get frustrated, but was failing. "Please. You're not listening. I don't want to be on this ship. I told myself I would never come back here." She gritted her teeth. "I... I just can't be here. Not here, of all places." Why wouldn't he argue with her, she asked herself - it would make it so much easier. Confrontation she could do, emotional honesty, not so much.

He nodded at her acknowledging her statement. "The sick truth of the matter is that no one wants to be here Cassandra. I don't Kiesha doesn't, Admirals Thor and Shora were retired thru defiantly didn't want to be called back. I'm here because I want to salvage something from the shit storm we went through. And Cass it was WE who went through it. You're not alone, your like family and family sticks together during the hard times. I'll not force you or try to convenience you but I hope you see that the people here on this ship are the only ones who could ever understand what you went through. Let us... No let me help you. When and if that day ever comes my door is open, no matter the hour. "

Blackburn sat quietly, her mind racing away with her emotions. After a short time, she stood up. "I'm sorry Captain, but I will be leaving after this mission. I don't have a choice." She turned to leave, but stopped herself - the time for that honesty was now. "There is another issue too. Rhyan. I can't work with him."

He nodded knowingly. "I know, from the testimony you have at his court martial I thought there would be issues. I give you special dispensation to come to me directly with all marine issues." His voice softened "Now go ahead and ask."

For the second time in the meeting Blackburn was surprised. She had expected a lecture on the chain of command, but it appeared that was not to be the case. She sighed to herself; she was not going to have to fight this battle today. "Permission to carry on."

Azura nodded "Dwell on my offer for a time, as a personal favor to me Cassandra." his voice was soft, then took on a slight edge when he said "Dismissed." As he watched her leave he hoped she would come around, there was still promise in her if she would just let it grow. After the doors had closed he spoke to Pallas again.

"Pallas, please have the Sergeant Major report to me at his earliest convenience." Azura returned to his seat and spun around to look out the window at the drydock and the stars twinkling outside along with the blue orb of the planet floating in the background.

A few minutes later he arrived. Sergeant Major Bourne was almost the stereotypical archetype of the senior non-commissioned officer, on his chest he wore the ribbons of several campaigns of the Dominion War. His frame wasn't particularly big and he was of average height, but his natural presence dominated any room in which he stood. His hair was grey and short, his eyes alive with intelligence. He entered the Captain's ready room and stood, bolt upright, and saluted. "Reporting, Sir" He barked.

Azura stood and returned the salute before extending his hand to the chair across from him.

"Sergeant, please be seated. I have called you here to discuss your CO."

Bourne sat down but remained stiff. "Yes sir." He said.

OFF

Azura Ashcart
Captain
Commanding Officer
USS Redemption

&

Cassandra Blackburn
Major
Marine Detachment Commander
USS Redemption

 

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