<USS Avalon> When Darkness Calls Part 2

When Darkness Calls Part 2

by Senior Lieutenant Anthony Manson and The Shadow

"Watch it," someone said as Anthony got bumped into. He instantly frowned at 
the man that had pushed by him. He shrugged it off, there was no use getting 
angry over small incidents; and what else could he expect from a lounge like 
this? It was not crowded, but there was enough people to make Anthony withdraw. 
Being next in line to the replicator he got a cup of orange juice and took the 
nearest seat.

"Hello again, Lieutenant. Dining alone this evening?"

Anthony looked up, but a small group got in the way of his view. It felt 
prickly having someone in his head, never really getting then hang of it. And 
it sounded like Commander Sierra, "Commander?"

"In your head, Lieutenant, but I'm not exactly who you think I am," there was a 
pause and he was sure that Anthony could see a mental smile, "did you do the 
research that I asked you to do?"

"Yeah, I did. Is this really necessary? I hate having someone in my head." He 
frowned, that same shadow being a telepath explained why he wasn?t able to 
detect the intruder in his own quarters.

"Cargo Bay Two."

Anthony got up, quickly finished the orange juice and made his way down to the 
cargo bay. The short trip was a silent one as the person hadn't said anything. 
He entered cargo bay two, and no one was there. "Alright, here I am. Now, can 
you get out of my head and show yourself?"

"I'm not about to reveal myself quite yet, but you can tell me exactly what you 
found out about Section 31 - if anything at all," the voice came from the only 
shadow in the whole bay. It was nice to hide in anonymity, but it had its 
drawbacks. There was a personal connection that was lacking. "Well...?"

He wished he could locate the voice, but the room was cavernous, the voice came 
in front- granted- but that was all, so he replied, "You're all a shadow. 
Hiding from the very thing you're trying to protect. And sometimes, you're 
right in front of us. We don't see it, we don't know about it, but that's just 
the point. What you don't know can't hurt you. In this case, I'm starting to 
think ignorance is bliss. Section 31 was terminated officially. Unofficially- 
of course- it must have been revived. Someone high up in command that made this 
decision."

"It's the elite of the elite. What you don't seem to understand, Lieutenant, is 
that we're bigger than the Federation and we're certainly bigger than 
Starfleet," there was another frustrated tone to his voice, "we have operatives 
and installments on nearly every planet in the Federation. We look for those to 
help clean the universe of scum. You should feel honored that you've been 
chosen to be recruited."

"Honored? Well, some words have changed in meaning over the years. I don't see 
the honor in killing for the sole purpose because you see the Federation or 
Starfleet, for that matter, incapable of handling themselves. But then, why was 
Intel created for if S31 has everything covered," he paused, "of course, either 
they are your second eye and ears when you conviniently need them, or some part 
of Intel is affiliated with S31. Some part, or someone." He walked further into 
the room as the numerous cargo holdings obstructed his sides.

There was a long pause as he contemplated his next move - the Lieutenant's mind 
wasn't on what he needed it to be. "Starfleet is capable of handling 
themselves, as is the Federation as a whole, but there are some matters in 
which conventional means to alleviate the problem are not appropriate. In 
addition, Starfleet can't handle all the little things that threaten it. That's 
where we come in. It would be wise of you to consider who you're dealing with."

"I know exactly what I'm dealing with. Danger, that is as basic as one can get. 
That, and opportunity to take part in it. But I have to decline. Personally I 
don't think I can handle it." 

"You can learn."

He shook his head as he turned to the left and saw through the darkness of the 
corner. No one, big surprise. "I've made my decision."

"You should really reconsider. It would be unfortunate if something were to 
happen to someone after settling 'family business,? especially the hard work 
put into it. That was another well-played and thought out manuever by the 
Section," he darted into another shadow, but Anthony could have only seen a 
blur, "wouldn't you agree?"

He got quiet, real fast and his tone became serious, "So you'll kill Alder if I 
don't agree? Obviously ?recruitment? has a different meaning. Let's make one 
thing clear, you do anything to Alder, and I will..."

"You can't go after what you can't see or find. Specifically, we don't exist. 
I'll make you a deal. You do one mission for us here on the Avalon and we'll 
leave you alone. This will end with the completion of the mission," there was 
another well-placed pause, "but the catch is you have to choose to agree or 
decline. If you agree - you must perform the mission."

"And if I don't?"

"Use your imagination."

He closed his eyes as he felt his hands ball into fists. The thought of Alder 
dying was enough to make him agree to the man's terms, "what is it you want?"

"Is that an agreement?"

"Yes, dammit. You leave me little choice."

"It's a simple disposal mission. There is someone on board that we feel is a 
threat to Starfleet, this ship, and its crew. However, Starfleet Command cannot 
be persuaded to think the same. We want you to get rid of the problem," another 
grin, a sickening and twisted one, appeared on the shadowed man's face.

"And who is this person?" He turned heading toward the doors leading out.

"Captain Joseph Flubb."

He stopped, "you want me to kill the Captain? Now? I," he hesitated, "I.. don't 
think I can. How is he a threat to Starfleet?"

"That's none of your concern," the man stepped into view of Anthony, his face 
was still shielded by a well-placed overhanging shadow. "With a delegation on 
board it seems like a prime opportunity to blame a new possible ally. Don't you 
think so?"

He looked at the man, nearly a half a foot taller. "So, not only am I killing 
the captain, but I'm foiling the possible plans of having Rydyn Prime being 
admitted." He shook his head, "no. I can't, that's too big a risk. If I'm 
caught, it'll be on me, and my life is done for." Anthony moved passed the dark 
figure..

"Then Alder dies."

Anthony whirled around and caught the man with his arm, slamming him against 
the wall. "You have no right to do this to me. I didn't ask to be recruited, 
but since you're leaving me with nothing, I still can't accept what you're 
asking of me."

It was unexpected, but not without merit. Spinning on his heel, the man lashed 
a foot out and caught Anthony on the side of the head. Watching the young 
Lieutenant sprawled across the floor was enough for being slammed against a 
wall. "You have only two choices. Alder or Flubb. It's your choice, but one of 
them will die."

Anthony got up slowly, but he shook his head, "you need me for some reason. Of 
course, you could do it yourself, or convince other people on this ship, but 
you still picked me." He shook his head, "if you're going to kill anyone, you'd 
better start with me." 

As if on cue, the man kicked Anthony across the face again as he was standing. 
"Don't make this harder for me than it already is. Plus, I don't want to have 
to get blood on my boots."

He didn't have reach for a guy taller than he was, but he adapted smoothly as 
he hooked his foot behind the man's ankles and pulled, sending the guy falling. 
Or so he thought as he still saw red blurs in his vision.

It was an easy counter as the man did a back hand spring to his feet. There was 
an evil and sadistic chuckle that filled the air as the man took a few steps 
closer. "My, my, my, how Starfleet has gone soft with their tactical training. 
I will break every bone in your body if necessary. Choose between Alder or 
Flubb. You win or you lose. Don't make this a double loss."

Anthony shook his head, "you won't get a choice. Find someone else to do your 
damn dirty work." He made his way to the doors again.

The man moved with lightning speed and grabbed Anthony's head and slammed it 
into the bulkhead. "If you walk out those doors without accepting the plan to 
kill Flubb, I swear that Alder Shimbrodus will be dead by morning. Don't make 
me show you that I'm serious."

White light with grey spots showed in his closed eyes. Fuck this, Anthony 
elbowed the guy, which lightened the grip but not by much as he connected 
another elbow to the left and gave a punch that he felt his knuckles crack 
under. He shifted his weight, trying for a kick when the man wrapped his arms 
around Anthony's neck and tightened his grip.

"I will squeeze the life out of you but I'm going to let you go. You walk out 
those doors and Alder is as good as dead. You climb into the Jefferies tubes 
over there and I'll wait to here of Flubb's murder." The man let go and 
disappeared back into the shadows and devolved into nothing but a shadow again, 
"make your choice."

Alder dying, it was... terrifying. But killing the Captain, that had equal 
weight. Being a question of who was more important, "I... I'll do it, dammit."

"All the tools you'll need are in the alcove just outside his ready room. Don't 
be sloppy and make sure to dispose of everything. I'll contact you when I know 
you've ompleted the task. Good luck." Just like that, as quickly as before, the 
man was gone again and Anthony found himself in awkward solitude.


                
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