Commander Ash MacKenna - To Converse with the Reaper

[Marissa Jeffrey]

((Ops, Deck One, Central Module, Deep Space Thirty Three))

There was a lightness that existed within the shadow of the reaper's scythe; it almost felt like freedom in a way that could not be adequately described. Ash had felt it more than once on the edge of missions where deep cover was always but a moment away from being blown. Now she felt it again almost as if the reaper himself were whispering in her ear. 

An alert on her console brought her attention back, but the shadow never faded. Indeed, it only seemed to grow.

MacKenna: The Ronin and the Khitomer have figured it out and are on a reverse course, but it will take them some hours.

The laugh that followed spoke more than the statement the commander behind her made.

Stergis: Thank you, Commander.  Sounds like we're stuck with one another for the duration.  Were they able to pass along anything useful?  

Her fingers were moving across the console at the data that was there. It seemed like they had sent something that was hopefully of some use.

MacKenna: Looks like they have some information about modifications that can help protect against the Sencha radiation. And updates on potential impacts on telepaths.

The pertinent data was transferred to where it could be put into play.

Stergis: Very well, I'll get Chief Vansen on these immediately.  I'll take any protection we can get.  Fortunately I don't think we've got many telepaths aboard...your Commander Nolen being one notable exception.  Maybe we should tell him to put a helmet on.  

Ash raised an eyebrow assuming the statement was some kind of joke, but she wondered for a moment as to the feasibility of such a thing and how helpful it might have been.

MacKenna:  Perhaps.

Perched in her chair, the red headed intel officer continued in her trek to understand the enemy outside. They were strong, but there had to be weaknesses. The reaper which stood over the command center just then also had to be standing over the silicon-based life forms outside. His scythe had to be ready to take them all. His dark whispers almost called to her, to all of them, to give up and just come to the nether. 

It wasn't his whispers or low kept voice that met her at that moment, however, it was that of the station's commander.

Stergis:  For what it's worth, Commander, I wanted to apologize for the way I reacted when we first met.  You caught me on a bad day and while you were deeply annoying...you were only trying to help.  I'm sorry.  

Ash had never managed to look at the woman; as part of who she was, she rarely looked people in the eye. Still, she turned her head and came as close as she ever had, her eyebrows raised in slight surprise.

MacKenna:  I apologize for presenting it as I had. Annoying is not something I am a stranger to, nor are you the first to express such sentiment.

There was a reason for her solitude as a child and young adult. Her pets never found her annoying, and that is why she spent most of her young life on horseback. Interaction with people was never pleasant.

Stergis:  Lets just say I didn't want that on my conscience anymore and...::She nodded towards the tactical display::...this might be my last chance to clear the air.  You're a good officer, Ash...Captain Shayne is lucky to have you with him.  I just wanted you to know that in case...well...

Now it felt as if the reaper spoke through the lips of the station's commander. The sounds that could not exactly be understood swirled around her words and how they trailed off, leading to the coalescence of dark thoughts that all equated to an end.

MacKenna:  In case this doesn't end well.

Not one to beat around the bush, as the woman knew all too well, Ash simply let it spill out.

Stergis:  If things go bad I want you in that escape pod with the rest of the command crew.  There's going to be an empty seat in there anyway and you've got someone to get back to.  I'll stick around long enough to make certain the Alliance gets a warm welcome.  Do we understand one another, Commander, or do I need to make it an order?  

Slowly, Ash turned back to the screens, intent on helping to make sure things didn't turn out like that. Still, the phrase 'no known connections' reverberated through her mind. There was a time where she would have argued that point and stood her ground to die in her role. There had a been a time when the intel was more important than the life, but that was before she met Shayne. Facing her screen, she simply nodded.

MacKenna:  I understand.

The moment passed, and once again the shadow loomed in silence. The commander cleared her throat and addressed the entire room again as Ash watched the movement on her screen depicting what was going on outside. 

Stergis:  Alright people before it gets busy around here I want everyone to rotate off their stations, grab some food, hit the head and then open the nearest small arms locker.  Whatever the Alliance thinks...this is our station.  Lets remind them of that.  All hands...prepare to repel boarders.

Ash sat perched in silence, mentally conversing with the reaper over her shoulder. The glint of his blade reflected in her mind's eye the flash of the red alert. The enemy was coming, and he was here to collect souls, but she was willing to bargain to make sure they weren't those of people on her side.

> End Act 1 for Ash. <

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Commander Ash MacKenna

Chief Intelligence Officer

USS Khitomer

R238605KN0