by Avery Breaux
80629.23
Following Red Sky at Morning
-=Maquis Transport Ship=-
80629.23
Following Red Sky at Morning
-=Maquis Transport Ship=-
Breaux had materialized on the pad of the small transport and was greeted by several grins from those he'd worked with years ago. "Where is she?" he asked pointedly.
Dalak spoke first, as was his way, having spent many years in the Bajoran Resistance, he was no wallflower, "First tell us why?"
Breaux shot him a glance as Bollar answered Avery's question, "Earth. Rome. She's in Rome."
Breaux heard Bollar but stepped closer to Dalak, "Is that a challenge of some sort? Because all I really want to do is get to Rome. She called, I'm answering, what's the mystery?" Breaux's face bore no expression and he began to remove his Starfleet tunic as he spoke.
Dalak leaned his head back slightly, "Why would you give up your position in Starfleet after all these years? We understood you to have turned...turncoat."
The transport had already begun its escape from the Sera.
Breaux began laughing as he quickly changed into civilian clothes. Clothes that Alessa brought for him. He continued to laugh and finally Dalak interceded, "Why? We all want to know."
Breaux immediately became silent and stood face to face with Dalak, "We? We want to know? Or just you Dalak? It was you as I recall who had issues with the way I handled Bellus Prime." Breaux grinned widely, "So is it we? Or just you?"
Breaux sensed Alessa stepping forward, he hadn't even greeted her properly, but time was of the essence.It would always be the case now. Avery held up a hand to slow her progress; he didn't want the showdown interrupted.
"We? Or you?" Breaux asked again.
Dalak tensed, "I want to know."
Breaux began laughing which eased the tension in the small cabin considerably.
"That's good. I was afraid you'd lost your fire. I mean, it's been years...I thought you might have gone soft!" He continued to laugh as he slid on the second boot.
"Dalak, you always keep us guessing." He laughed again as he stood, "Sometimes we thought you were always striving for power among our cells."
Dalak interrupted, "She is stupid...Nolan should have known better to immerse herself in this."
Breaux continued to laugh, "Oh, she's pig-headed...and fiery, and all that, and yes, she probably..."
Dalak poked a finger in Breaux's chest, "We will not be led around the galaxy by her. She is not more important than our cause."
Breaux could barely catch his breath he was laughing so hard, "Yes! Yes! This is the welcome I was hoping for, it's just as I foresaw," he laughed and stamped one foot on the ground, "Yes, Dalak. Thank you for reminding me of one of the most important aspects of espionage,"
Breaux drove his fist into Dalak's forehead which sent the man reeling into the bulkhead.
There was no longer any laughter filling the cabin.
Blood rushed from the gash above the Bajoran's nose and ran profusely down the front of his shirt.
Avery stood over him, "I know it's been a while, but one of the things about this business, is that you never, never trust anyone...You are an idiot. We put you off the first chance we have. You've always been an idiot, and you should never touch any of us.Don't question us. And don't stand up."
Dalak of course bounced to his feet which only resulted in Breaux pummeling him until Dalak could stand no longer and lay on the bloodied deck writhing in pain. His groans were inaudible and relentless.
Breaux headed to the front of the cabin where he met with Warren, an old friend. "Warren!" They clasped hands and Breaux fell into the co-pilot seat. "Still playing hide and seek with the Federation??" Breaux quizzed playfully.
"They make it easy," responded his old friend. "Glad you're back." Without missing a beat, he added, "We'll make sure Angela is safe."
Breaux nodded.
The lime-green light on the center console illuminated showing an airlock opening, and as quickly as it had gone green, it shone red.
Breaux looked up, "What?"
Alessa came to the front of the vessel with Avery and Warren. "Dalak. Check the rear monitor."
Breaux quickly snapped on the rear viewing monitor and saw Dalak's lifeless body turning like a leaf as it fell behind their vessel. He'd gone out the airlock.
Breaux quickly turned to Alessa. She answered his look, as she passively stared out the front portal, "He must have attacked Bollar."
Avery spun around in his chair and saw Bollar walking toward them in the small passageway that ran from the rear compartment to the pilot compartment. Bollar spoke first, "Dalak got off sooner than expected."
Breaux was about to question him, but Bollar saved him the trouble.
"Avery, there's been a lot of water under the bridge. It's not you."
Avery turned slowly in his chair, Alessa putting an arm around him and resting her head on his shoulder.
Breaux thought of Angela, and his contacts in Rome.
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Avery Breaux
Maquis
Avery Breaux
Maquis