<USS Avalon> "Truths and Consequences"

Truths and Consequences

by Major Bryce Quinn and Ensign Anthony Manson

Anthony hit the office chime, and had to take hold of his hand.  Anthony didn't 
understand the shaking over taking his arm, he was used to seeing the officer.  
This was just another meeting.  Forcing to steel his nerves, he hit the chime 
again since the first wasn't responded to.
Things weren't going as planned.  The whole operation should've been carried 
out long ago.  Soliel would pose a problem, that much was obvious, but it was 
the others that should've fallen into place perfectly that bothered him.  He 
was putting too much time and effort into non-chalantly swaying the masses.  If 
too many people were on the fence, there was still a chance that the situation 
wouldn't go according to plans.
 
He hated not dealing in absolutes.
 
"Enter!"  He called after the second time.  He watched the young man trapse 
across the room.  "Tell me you have good news to report."  Bryce wasn't above 
rubbing his temples and letting the man know it.  Slowly, he did so. 
 
Anthony just nodded as he took a seat, "she's getting convinced.  But Im having 
to work through her emotions; it takes time."
 
"I want results, not excuses."
 
"You're getting more results than your peons ever could get," Anthony said 
through gritting teeth.
 
Bryce slammed his hands onto the table.  "This is taking too much time.  The 
Risans were suppose to be a much-needed diversion for our takeover.  Their fall 
was untimely and put a serious crimp in our plans.  We have to move quickly if 
we can secure this vessel for the rebellion."
 
"Which is why I think Alder will agree to our plan," Anthony added.  When Bryce 
looked at him, the man must have restrained himself from hitting Anthony.  "No, 
I didn't say anything to Shimbrodus, but he can be.. very useful."
 
Cracking his knuckles he walked to the replicator.  "Andorian Whiskey, double 
on the rocks."  The blue shimmer brought him his alcohol and he sipped it 
gingerly.  "I think I can get Ketchum and Harak from security, they seem to 
have a turbulent time as it is.  Engineering will be difficult, but we need a 
contact there.  How is Shimbrodus going to benefit us.  He's the General's 
lapdog."
 
"He's hardly the General's lapdog," Anthony smirked, "if anything the man went 
against orders and destroyed Risa.  Haven't you read the reports?"  Anthony 
looked at Bryce and then shook his head as he tried gathering his thoughts 
together, and then looked away; counting slowly.
 
Without thinking, Bryce lashed out and connected his fist to Anthony's right 
cheek.  There was rage everywhere, a red heat in his eyes, and his shaking fist 
was a sign of complete passion.  "Don't you ever underestimate my ability to 
assess a situation, Ensign.  Your job is to turn Jayden.  Do whatever you need 
to do.  Be her friend, talk to her, be her lover, fuck her brains out - it 
doesn't matter.  Make her ours." 
 
Anthony rubbed his jaw, surprised he hadn't fallen off his seat.  It took a 
moment as Anthony worked his jaw a little and contained his own anger, 
swallowing it like bile, "as I said, it takes time.  We're family, and 
manipulating her is harder.  But I'll get it done.  As long as I get what you 
promised."
 
"Well, whether you get your end done determines whether or not you get what I 
promised.  A conundrum, isn't it?"  He clasped his hands on the desk and rested 
his chin on his hands.  "Now, get out."
 
"Bastard," Anthony said under his breath as he got up and headed for the doors. 
 "Just remember Quinn, we had a deal.  You don't deliver, and I'll make sure 
you wont get past these doors on a nice day."  Anthony forced his emotions 
harder down before he said anything more.  Quinn was a very dangerous man, and 
Anthony may be an Ensign, he still had a few resources available to him.
 
"Anthony," Bryce began, before focusing his thoughts and probing the young 
man's mind.  It was like a blender.  It was an excruciating feeling, Bryce was 
sure, but he had never experienced it himself.  Bryce knew, from previous 
encounters, that it was like having someone reach into your head and just 
squeeze the life out of your brain.  Instant and terrorizing migraine - there 
was some poetic justice in that. 
 
The ensign grabbed his head, giving a wordless scream as he fought against it 
and fell to his knees before making it to the doors.  Quinn had taught the 
technique, but this was different.  Or simply worse.  It hurt so much, Anthony 
could only manage a mumbling plea, "stop it... please..."
 
"What was that?"  Bryce leaned forward, pulling Anthony's head back by the 
hair.  "Let me make one thing clear, Ensign, you do as I say and like it, or I 
will make sure the only power you see is the battery pack on a plasma torch as 
you clean the corrosive residue of warp plasma off the inside of the nacelles.  
Do I make myself clear?"
 
He pulled Anthony's hair harder when he didn't hear a response and Anthony 
managed to nod followed by a scratchy, "yes."  Quinn let him go, but the man 
tore into his mind still.  "Get... the fuck... out of... mind..."
 
Bryce stopped, sitting down behind his desk.  "Now get the fuck out of my 
office."
 
Getting back on his feet, Anthony made a note to dispose of Quinn as quickly as 
possible.  He got out, a little afraid, a lot more angrier.
 

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