Terran Defector

Posted on 22 Feb 2016 @ 11:56pm by Rear Admiral Lirha Saalm & Corporal Abbey St James

1,252 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 10 - Symposium
Location: USS Galileo - Deck 2, Administrative Office
Timeline: MD 07 - 1520 hrs

ON:

Abbey watched from the turbo lift as Holliday exited the office she herself was about to enter. Her bodyguard, a rather large man with more muscle than brains, stood beside her acting like a shadow constantly attached but silent. She sighed and walked towards the door before pressing the chime without hesitation.

"Come!" said Saalm loudly with a bit of agitation due to prior MU events and debriefings with her XO. She adjusted and fidgeted herself in her chair for a long moment while waiting for the person outside to enter.

Biting her tongue not wanting to keep the Admiral waiting she pressed on and through the door which had opened allowing her to do so. She wondered if her security guard would follow her in and as the door closed behind her she found her answer, No. Which meant two things they didn't think she was a threat or that the Admiral was one mean bitch and no one would mess with her which to Abbey experience in the Mirror Universe as everyone called it when they whispered and spoke about her behind her back thinking she was out of ear shot, Lirha Saalm was on par with Holliday. "Corporal Abbey Wyatt, Ma'aam"

Lirha looked up from the screen on her desk and quickly put all of her administrative tasks on hold. Corporal Wyatt? The Orion had been briefed by Holliday regarding their own PU Abbey's loss and the arrival of the woman's alternate, but now it was directly facing her in her own office.

Saalm's eyes looked over the woman, who was an exact physical replica of the Abbey she had known. "Hello, corporal," she said, forcing a smile on to her face in an attempt to block the weirdness which was about to ensue.

"Welcome to our universe. Please, have a seat," she said, motioning towards the nearest vacant chair. "I trust you have been treated well by my people?"

Abbey sat down quickly, sitting with her back straight and rigid "Yes, for the most part I don't expect any less than the glares and whispering behind my back." She said pointedly. "I guess you have come to some kind of decision about my request?"

"I have," answered Saalm with a slow nod. "And I have also been informed of your alternate's passing. Our Abbey...we apparently were not able to recover her from the Terran base you served upon before we returned to our own universe."

She shook her head knowing that the best way out of this was to tell the truth about the Abbey but keep some thing remaining as a mystery. "She was killed during interrogation, her wounds were to much to handle and she would not have survived surgery. She was a brave woman, the other me."

"I see..." said Lirha, who then let a long moment of silence pass before continuing. "That must have been difficult for you to process. I am sorry for your loss. Truly."

"It's not loss to me" She said coldly, and continued "I had never met her before an though she was genetically the same as me she couldn't have been anything like me. From what I gather she was a scientist, I am a Killer please don't allow my appearance to mislead you I am nt the same Abbey Wyatt you once knew"

Lirha looked at the young woman with wide eyes. "A...killer...?" Surely that couldn't be right. "What do you mean?" Aside from being a member of the Terran Empire, surely the woman had other talents that she was possibly hiding or downplaying.

She was taken aback when she asked the question "Well that's what I get called behind my back when the crew when they think I'm not listening or can't hear them and they aren't exactly wrong." She said taking a breather before continuing. "I, I have done things in the name of an Empire that in this timeline doesn't exist, killed innocent people. Just being here standing in front of you a exact mirror of an Alien that if I was alone with in a room in my universe I wouldn't falter at killing you but I am trying, I want to be accepted here as much as anyone else but don't be under any illusion when I say that I am a Killer and that I have done horrible things but also know I am not here as some kind of subterfuge or secret mission, I am stranded in a place where everything is different and where everyone either hates me or is scared of me and sometimes both it will take time which I think you know and in your shoes the only thing you're thinking of is the safety of this ship and its crew and whether I am worth the risk." She said breathing out looking the admiral with a cold steely look.

Perhaps Lirha was thinking that exact thing. It was the most prudent question, after all. "Yes, the thought has crossed my mind," the Orion admitted quite honestly. "I am aware of your prior allegiance to the Terran Empire and the things you might have done. However, everyone can change and be a better person...that is, if they so desire."

Looking intently at Abbey, Lirha then opened her palms with a questioning gesture. "Is that what you would like? A chance at a second life? A different life with different values that is not focused on killing others?"

Abbey settled into her chair and looked at the Orion woman before replying "I would like to give it a go?" The reply itself was more of a question than an actual direct response.

"Would you be prepared to work with our counseling staff to undergo rehabilitation during your service? As you might imagine, Starfleet is very different than the Terran Empire. Not only in our ethos and core values, but also in our daily routines," said Lirha.

Mulling over the possibility and the benefits she nodded feverishly "I hope you have a counsellor who will be prepared for what I have to tell them, I also won't be giving away any Empire secrets any-time soon."

Lirha considered Abbey's comments for a brief second before nodding with a light shrug. "I have no issue with that. I am sure we can arrange sessions which make you feel comfortable. If you are willing to commit to Starfleet -- and to this vessel, then we will help you to our fullest."

The rear admiral then held out her green hand for the Human woman to shake. "As you Earthlings are fond of saying...do we have a deal?"

Eyeing the hand she hesitated before slowly raising her hand to the admirals "We have a deal" She said trying a genuine smile something she was not accustomed to. "Thank you... Admiral."

Lirha studied the young woman's features one last time as if to make a final judgement, then took a deep breath and nodded. "Very well, corporal. You are dismissed. Please report to sickbay for a physical examination once you have settled yourself on board. I believe Captain Holliday will be able to help guide you through the next few days on board Galileo. The mess hall is currently open and I recommend getting a warm meal and relaxing for the rest of the day."

[OFF]

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RADM Lirha Saalm
Mission Advisor
USS Galileo

Cpl Abbey Graves
Marine Specialist
USS Galileo

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