The long goodbye

Posted on 31 Aug 2018 @ 10:27am by Commander Luke Wyatt
Edited on on 31 Aug 2018 @ 10:28am

1,289 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: Episode 15 - Emanation
Location: USS Galileo-A, Deck 3, Security Office/Brig
Timeline: MD 139 1100

[ON]

Sitting in his chair Luke reviewed the latest cargo intake, he had taken it upon himself to review each cargo container ensuring that nothing they didn't want made it aboard the ship. Ever since the previous destruction of the Galileo Luke had decided he would do everything in his power to stop history repeating itself. He was halfway through the report when a constant shuffling sounded from behind the open office doors.

Abbey paced the hallway one hand to her lips as she bit her fingernail the other across her stomach. She could have just left without saying goodbye but she knew that she didn't have it within herself to do it. So now outside her would-be mirror universe fathers office, she found herself actually scared.

Standing up Luke made his way to the door his form taking up most of the walkway, "Abbey" he said watching her for a moment before adding. "Are you here for any particular reason or just trying to wear in the new floor?" It was obvious something was bothering her greatly.

She paused, her back was towards the sound of Luke's voice as her name was called. Sucking in a deep breath she turned and faced him. "Morning Luke, Can we have a talk? In your office" It was now or never Abbey thought and since the person she had intended to see in the first place had seen her, that time was now.

"Of course, come in. I don't have any extra seats for you to sit on unless you want to be in the brig... Which I don't advise it is a little bit temperamental at the moment." Fortunately, the incident which involved Luke getting imprisoned in his own brig hadn't made its way around the crew. Luke moved behind his desk and sat down, closing the LCars computer system into the desk. "So you had something to say?"

Abbey followed behind Luke gingerly, only stopping when Luke sat down. She faced him again and possibly for the last time. "You may have noticed that my name hasn't come across your duty manifest yet" She stated calmly.

Luke nodded slowly now understanding where this conversation might be leading, "Yes, I was going to ask you about that when I saw you next but you seem to be quiet elusive when you want to be"

She chuckled at his comment and taking it as a compliment. "Yes, well the thing is..."

He sighed "You won't be joining us on this journey," Luke said cutting whatever she was going to say off. "And where is your next assignment if you mind me asking? I couldn't actually access your file." Luke had tried previously to source why her assignment orders hadn't come through yet but he had been met with security blocks.

Abbey starred to the floor and then back up again hesitant to tell him, eventually his stare broke her and she told him. "Starfleet Intelligence on Earth, they approached me shortly after we returned from our short voyage on the Schofield and I accepted." Abbey paused her voice cracking up. Composing herself for a moment she breathed in and spoke again, "In light of ur, recent events I think it will be healthy for me to remain in one place until I can sort things out. And besides, I think I can be really valuable to them there."

That would explain how he couldn't get into her file Luke thought. Quiet for a moment longer he sighed his right hand smoothing out the table top. "I can't say I am not disappointed to see you go" He could see Abbey was about to protest but raised his hand to stop her. "But I can see why they approached you and the reason you accepted. I just wish you had told me sooner."

Standing there for a moment Abbey nodded "I know, I just didn't know how to tell you. We've both been busy, there have been a few times I've made it to the Galileo's airlock and then turned around. I just, you're like a father to me" She said sadly trying to hold back the tears. "You took me in despite everything and yet there's still one more truth I must tell you"

This caught Luke off guard. Leaning forward and standing up Luke rounded the table and took her in his arms. "And what is that? What got you so worked up Abbey?" He asked his voice filled with genuine concern.

"Luke I don't know how to say it." She said tears rolling down her cheek, a year ago she would have been whipped or worst for showing such weakness but here in the arms of her adoptive father she couldn't stop. And then the truth finally came out. "I never told you how your daughter died." She started between sobs. "She was in so much pain, I couldn't let them continue to torture her. So.. I did it." She said going silent.

Listening Luke was confused, "Did what Abbey? What did you do?" His heart raced as he began to slowly picture his daughter alone, tortured and dying on a surgical bed and he too began to cry. "Tell me please."

Abbey could feel the thumping of his heart in her ears only barely over the tumping of her own. "I killed her, to save her from the pain." And in that one singular moment, everything went silent, even the intermittent beeping of the ships internals systems seemed to be a loss for words at what she had just admitted.

"You. killed. my. daughter?" He repeated the words coming out like bile one after the other. Images flashed in his head of his little girl and he couldn't help but let out a sob, Abbey clung tighter to him. "Was it quick?" The words surprising even him.

"I made sure of it, you've got to understand Luke she was." She breathed heavily. "She was never going to live, at least not within any meaning of the word live. Even if you rescued her she would have been crippled for life." Abbey looked up from where her head rested on his chest and he looked down at her his eyes wet and red from crying.

"How many people know of this?" he asked his emotions bleeding away as logical decision began to reform in his mind. "How many Abbey?" He asked again.

"Just you and one other, but he swore never to tell a soul. I don't even know if he's alive anymore himself." She admitted wiping a tear from her face. "I am sorry Luke," Abbey said still looking up at him.

Luke let loose a long sigh before speaking again. "Don't tell anyone else, you hear me? I made my peace with Abbey's death and knowing you did it to stop the pain and the torture makes me know she died with a friend. Even if I couldn't have been there with her."

"Luke?" She said gasping in surprise. "You're not angry at me?" She couldn't believe what he had just suggested.

"No, I think deep down something told me you were always hiding the truth from me but can I hold you accountable? I don't think so, just promise me one thing?" he said looking down at the girl again. "Do right by her name, sort yourself out and always keep in touch."


"I promise" Was all she could muster as tears began flowing again, never in her life had someone seen the worst side of her and acted so kindly. "I promise Dad."

[OFF]

Lieutenant Commander Luke Wyatt
Chief Of Security
USS Galileo-A

Ensign Abbey Wyatt
Intelligence Operator
Starfleet Intelligence Corp

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