Cmdr. Clifton / Speaking with Morgana / no tags

[Steve Bruin]

  * * * Inside the Castle * * *

ooc: this post takes place several minutes after the meeting in which Clifton spoke to Gaiwan.

:: After having spoken to Gawain a short time before, Clifton returned to his room in order to consider everything he had heard as well as get some sleep.  Taking a bath from a bucket of semi-warm water (which reminded him of field bathing in the military), he turned to get some clothing and was stunned by the sudden appearance of a green and black serpent.  With no phaser at his disposal he snatched up the nearest object and hoped against hope that this serpent was not venemous. ::

:: Much to his amazement the snake shimmered and glowed, then morphed into a human form.  Even more shocking was the person whom this serpent really was ... it was Morgana! ::

:: Becoming fully corporeal, she seemed to take a moment to adjust back to her original form, but as she did she looked his unclothed body from tip to toe and smiled. ::

Morgana: Looks like I arrived at exactly the right moment, hmm?

:: Clifton grabbed a cloak from nearby and gave a sarcastic reply. ::

Clifton: I'm sure you didn't go to all the trouble of sneaking in here just for a quick roll in the hay, now did you?

Morgana: No ... I didn't.  Although, it might now be a bad idea later on.  Right now I have come here to enlist your help.

Clifton: Really? Just how in the world could I help you?

Morgana: I need you to help me gain access to the Grail.

:: Clifton almost chuckled. ::

Clifton: And just who is this Grail?

Morgana: Not a person, the Grail is an object.  It lays in a vault at the bottom of this castle under protection of several spells, not to mention layers of stone wall.

Clifton: Which is why your magic won't work.  Otherwise, you'd just make it vanish and re-appear in your possession.

Morgana: Exactly.  But you, you are unaffected by many of the spells that could kill me.  If you get the Grail out of the protected area, then I can do the rest.

Clifton: Which is seizing the throne, correct?

Morgana: The throne that was stolen from me, now under the control of someone who does not deserve it.

:: Clifton folded his arms and took a step back. ::

Clifton: And just why should I help you?

Morgana: I saved your life, remember?

Clifton: Yes, and I am grateful.  What makes you think I would involve myself in your power struggle? My friends and I aren't even part of this realm, we're outsiders.  So I'm sorry but whatever plan to sieze power that you may be pondering, I'm afraid it will have to not include me or my friends.

Morgana: Really?

Clifton: Yes .. really.  You see, my people have rules about interfering in the societies of others.  It's something we hold to be quite important and well, if my friends were to find out that I violated that Directive then I'd be in quite a lot of trouble.

:: Morgana eyed him seductively, as if searching his mind (which she was) for a way to influence him.  After a moment she spoke. ::

Morgana: I can give you your life back.

Clifton: chuckling : My life is just fine, Honey.

Morgana: No, not the life you have now, your old life.  The one you truly wish you could have back ... and I can keep things from changing.

:: Clifton eyed her with suspicion. ::

Clifton: Just what the devil are you talking about?

Morgana: Your life twenty years ago, before your wife was injured.  Before you lost so much that you loved and became the person you are now, a person by the way whom you don't even really like. 

:: Clifton's eyes widened in shock.  How in the world could she know these things? ::

Clifton: Listen, I don't know how you learned these things but my past isn't something I want you prying around in lady.  You understand me?

Morgana:  I can return you to that time, that very day.  You can prevent what happened and best of all you will finally be able to determine who was responsible, something you've always wanted.

:: Clifton scoffed. ::

Clifton:  Impossible.  No one can do that, even if I could time travel, and don't think I haven't thought about it, I hardly think I could explain two different versions of me in the same time line being twenty years apart in age.  

Morgana: You won't have to, I will return you to the same man you were at that time but with the knowledge you possess now.  You'll be twenty years younger in body, but be able to stop the person who harmed your wife.  She will never be injured, your life will remain the same and you will be able to happily continue.

:: Clifton could not utter a word, if such a thing were truly possible then he could go back and answer the one burning question that had haunted him all these years, who was it that assaulted Kathleen-Patricia and why? ::

Clifton: How?  How could anyone or anything do that you propose?

:: Morgana smiled. ::

Morgana: Magic, my dear.  We live in a realm of magic that will also work in your universe.  You get me the Shield and I will return you to your old life, as I have offered.  It is a win/win situation for everyone.

Cmdr. Clifton

Security Chief

USS Odyssey