130: You Can Run

By Avery Breaux
80202.1600
After Under the Bus


Breaux had a cycle off. He moved through the corridor toward his quarters slowly. The work in Engineering had taken its toll on him. The door to his quarters slid open.

"Computers ambient lighting," he commanded as the lights responded quickly.

His already unbuttoned tunic, with sleeves rolled up punctuated the cycle he'd had. The work load facing them seemed endless.

He'd faced similar tasks aboard Erasmus, but this was daunting to say the least. Fortunately, he enjoyed challenges.

He ignored dinner for the moment and once again took a position with his palms touching the view portal as he stared out into the black. Moments passed. Then minutes. A half-hour.

His forehead now rested against the portal, his eyes closed. He slowly pushed off the glassy surface and moved toward the cupboards that housed his few personal belongings.

Opening a lower cupboard, he paused, then he lifted the rounded tool kit case that had been given to him ages ago by a close friend on Erasmus. The black, brushed metallic case went with him everywhere when he was on cycle. The stories it could tell.

He moved to the sofa area and opened the case. A decoupler, scanners and varied instruments all neatly packed within a rubbery compound that kept them safe.

He looked out the portal again. Another half-hour.

He slowly turned his gaze back to the tool kit. He rested his hands on the tools as they sat in the case. He pulled each one out carefully and rested them not on the couch, but the carpeted flooring below the couch.

He stared at the protective material left in the kit. He put his fingers in the cut-out openings meant for tools and lifted the material out of the box. That too, was set on the floor.

The single vial of tropolisine sat at the bottom of the case.

He couldn't bring himself to touch it, let alone take any of the drops. Not yet.

From across the room, his desk top comm began flashing signaling a new message had just come in.

He eyed the vial again and then set the case aside and moved to the comm. Activating it he noticed that the communique was from San Francisco, yet not Starfleet. He knew it could be any of his many friends that he'd made during his Academy days...and nights.

He opened it.

Barbary Coast Traders

Need to speak with you about a recent shipment.

Breaux closed the message instantly and then did what he could to eliminate all traces of the incoming message.

"Damn it," he whispered to himself.

From his desk he looked back to the case...and the vial.

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Lt. SG Avery Breaux
Engineering Officer

USS Serendipity NCC-2012