"Focused"
(Previous post: Tallulah's 'Change Of Plans')
==========================
Stardate: 60321.1000
Setting: TANGIERS ORBITAL, 1st Floor
Watching this mysterious 'Matt' character walk away
briskly, Susan sighed and leaned into David after he
turned a corner.
=/\= David... I never thought I'd say this... but *you're*
wonderful. =/\=
David glanced down at the ANUBIS' counselor. "I aim to
please... Miss Sol" he replied as they stepped onto the
lift.
Susan stood in silence as she from time to time
searched David's eyes. She heard the leather creaking
as the former CEOs breathing had increased.
=/\= David... are you alright? =/\=
David looked at her. "No... I'm not. This is becoming
extremely difficult."
=/\= How so? =/\= Susan asked.
"That son of a bitch...." and he huffed and closed his
eyes, "he better pray that he's *not* in cahoots with
Zulot or T'Preel."
=/\= I know you probably don't want to hear this
David... but now is not the time for a slip up. Try to
remain focused. I'm sure that we'll bring your
brother's murderers and *all* associated with it to
justice.=/\=
David frowned. "I'll take your word for it...." as he
pulled out his pocketwatch given to him by his late
father to check the time and he glanced at Susan...
"Showtime." was all the CEO said.
=/\= Well... let's go see what we can find out. =/\=
================================
Matt was standing outside the doors to the conference
room when Niema Sol and Kreedar Brell walked up.
"Its about time you made it... my associates don't like
to be kept waiting..." and he made eye contact with
Brell.
"Let's go" he said to Sol as he turned her around as
Matt quickly cut them off.
"Where do you think you're going..." and David grabbed
him by the throat and slammed him into the wall. Susan
quickly rushed to his side as he lifted Matt off the
floor to be eye level with him.
"*I* have no time for games!" Brell hissed in his deep
voice, "and *I* don't take kindly to threats..."
"Its... not a... threat" Matt gasped as he tried to
free himself from David's vise like clutches,
"they're... just impat...ie...t..."
"Mr. Brell... please" Susan pleaded all the while
rubbing his arm. She activated her dermal badge.
=/\=Calm down David... if you kill him the jig is
up.=/\= she said as David looked at her. Susan nodded
and patted his arm as David dropped Matt like a sack
of potatoes.
"Your final warning... *don't* do that again" Brell
said as he loomed over him, then headed for the doors.
Susan helped him off the floor.
"What... did I... do?" Matt asked through gasps of air
as he looked at Susan.
"Let's go... I don't think his patience will last any
longer."
As they took a minute for Matt to regain his
composure, David had already entered the room... with
Sol and Matt following. David eyed the 'guests'... two
Romulan centurions with two Cardassians standing and a
Cardassian seated at the table.
"You're late" the Cardassian said with a frown on his
face, "you know I'm on a tight schedule..." and he
looked up to David, "who is he?"
Matt apologized for being late and cleared his throat.
"This is Kreedar Brell. Mr. Brell...."
"Gul Zulot" David said icyly.
"So you've heard of me have you?" Zulot asked.
"Several times" Brell replied.
"Well... its mutual Mr. Brell... your name strikes fear
into the hearts of some people I've dealt with in the
past... I've also heard your name in *3* different
quadrants."
"I get around" Brell said.
Zulot looked at Susan and David could see him
drooling. He slowly rose and approached and took
Susan's hand.
"And who is this lovely creature?" Zulot asked.
"Niema Sol" Matt replied.
"For a beauty such as you, I would *love it* if you
would have..."
David stepped in between Susan and Zulot.
"No."
"No?" Zulot replied.
"You heard me." David said.
"I believe this lovely creature can speak..."
"I. Said. NO!" David hissed.
"A lover?" Zulot asked.
"A bounty" David replied, "one I'm sure you can't
cover for me to turn her over to you."
"Oh... I think I can do something..." and David spun
Zulot away from Susan. One of the Cardassian guards
and one of the Romulan centurions advanced on David.
The Romulan grabbed David by his coat... which was a
big mistake. David shoved the Romulan and he went
crashing against the wall. The Cardassian shot a stif
arm to the CEOs jaw... then a punch to his solar
plexes... David grabbed him and with a forceful
headbutt floored him. He slowly turned and the Romulan
pulled a knife.
"Mr. Brell!" Susan shouted but it was too late. The
Romulan drove the knife into David's back... but was met
by a sharp klang.
"Hmmm... Impressive... body armour..." Zulot said as he
sat and took a drink of Kinar.
An elbow to the Romulan's nose and that was it. David
looked at the remaining Cardassian guard.
"Next" was all the CEO grumbled.
"Mr. Brell... I think my men have had enough... my, my,
my... *everything* I've heard about you is true."
David looked at Zulot. "And what exactly *have* you
heard Zulot?"
"That you would be the perfect man for the job... *if*
you're willing to take it."
"I'm listening" David said in the deep, threatening
voice of Brell... which was the second time in one day
Susan heard the tone escape the lips of the CEO and it
made her shudder somewhat. David's voice sounded
distant... empty... unemotional.
Zulot reached into his coat and with lightning fast
reflexes, David drew a phaser on him.
"Slowly Zulot..." the CEO said as he removed his hand
and withdrew a padd.
"Surely you won't kill a unarmed man." Zulot said.
"I *don't* know that" Brell replied as he placed the
padd on the table and slid it to him.
"The man pictured there is my next target. A human.
His name is James Simmons."
David looked at the padd but his face was
expressionless. But it was true. This murdererous
bastard *was* after his captain.
"And you want me to hunt down a Starfleet captain?"
Brell asked.
"That *is* what you do best, isn't it Mr. Brell?"
Zulot asked taking another drink of the potent
Cardassian brew.
"What do you want him for?" Brell asked.
"Ah" Zulot said waving a cautionary finger, "can't
tell you everything."
"Then we're leaving" David said turning and taking
Susan by the arm.
"I'll pay you 1 million bars of gold pressed latinum."
and that stopped the CEO in his tracks.
Matt's eyes narrowed at him. "You only offered me 100,000 bars of latinum Zulot. Are you trying to cheat me..."
"You're a fool" Zulot replied dryly, "and *this* is a professional. I know with him the work *won't* be sloppy... like your last job."
David looked at Matt... then to Zulot. "What was his last job?"
"Accquiring the security codes for a Federation vessel
that was carrying pure Sirilium."
"Sirilium?" Susan asked.
"Oh yes my dear... Sirilum. A very fine metal that's
lethal in some doses, but I plan on using it for..."
and he smiled, "well... maybe I can explain it over
dinner... if Mr. Brell can trust me with you."
"Then I accept" Susan said a little quickly.
"*We* accept" David replied glaring at her as Zulot
chuckled.
"Oh come now Mr. Brell... where can I go that you
probably won't find me?"
"Probably?" David replied.
"My father told me a long time ago... know your
enemies, know your enemies friends... *and* all their
capabilities. *Yours* are reknown... enough said."
David nodded at the statement, "Go on..."
"We tracked a Federatuon vessel... the USS
MERCURY... ah... she fought valiantly... but in the
end, *I* always get what I want."
"So you destroyed a Federation ship to cover your
tracks?" Brell asked.
"No... I never kill any of my victims Mr.
Brell... well... except for this waif who spat in my
face. All I wanted was the access codes to the cargo
bay the Sirilium was on. Now he was a true
warrior... all the way to the end when we stuffed him
back in the escape pod and beamed it back into
space... and all I have is this as a momento... a
wonderful little trinket..."
Zulot help up the chain around his neck and David felt
his heart freeze over. It was Jordan's 'Brother
band'... *exactly* like the one David had. His hazel
eyes narowed at the Cardassian Gul.
"So... what is it you want with the AVALON?"
"Are you familiar with her?" Zulot asked.
"I am" and Susan looked at him. What was David doing?
"How so?" Zulot asked.
"A stowaway... by the name of Zaland Quais... a rogue
Starfleet officer who was wanted in the murder of a
Starfleet admiral."
"Hmmm.... and who can I contact to verify this
information?"
David folded his arms across his chest. "You're
looking at him. But if you want proof... you can ask
Simmons when I bring him in."
"So you'll do it?" Zulot asked.
"Why not..." David said with a small smile.
**I don't like the look of that** Susan thought to
herself.
"...for *2* million bars."
Zulot choked on his Kinar. "A tad bit greedy aren't we
Mr. Brell?"
"One thing... if you don't know Zulot... Starfleet
captains are hard to get next to."
"But he's scheduled to arrive here in 28 hours..."
"And he's coming here... on the platform." Brell asked.
"That's what my..." and he looked at Matt, "associates
inform me."
"Well..." Brell said leaning against the wall, "let me *inform* you of something Zulot... Starfleet captains have more security that this platorm does. The Federation prides itself on their... starship captains" David said with a tone of disgust in his voice.
"Security... I see" Zulot replied, "so... you saying
that you can't get to him."
"*No* man is untouchable... especially if *I* want to
touch him." Brell said with a sneer.
"Excellent!" Zulot replied, "then we have a deal?"
"For now" Brell replied.
"Then I'll see you at dinner" he said slowly
approaching Sol and taking her hand and kissing it.
"I look forward to it" she replied.
"*We* see you at 1800" Brell said taking Susan by the
arm.
"Mr. Brell please... we're all friends here... surely
you can grant Miss Sol a little leeway."
David released her and crossed the room and got right
in Zulot's face.
"I don't trust you Zulot... and I'm *not* leaving her
alone with you..."
Zulot's eyes narrowed. "Watch your tone Brell... you
work for *me* now."
"I work for the money Zulot... not *you*" Brell hissed,
"now... if you want to have dinner with her... you'll be
having it with *me* as well."
Zulot took one step back and smiled. "Very well... 1800
it is... and you can meet my other associate."
Brell turned and took Susan by the arm and exited.
Zulot looked at Matt.
"How connected are you to Starfleet Command?" he
asked.
"Very... you think something's wrong?"
"No... but *I* want proof of this... Zaland Quais... and
Brell's claim to have captured him."
"You don't believe him?" Matt asked.
"My friend" Zulot said placing his hand om his
shoulder, "how long have you been working for me?"
"10 years" Matt replied.
"And how many people have you known me to trust?"
"3... T'Preel... Qu'lon and myself..."
"Well... that makes 2 doesn't it?" Zulot asked.
"It does... since you have poor Qu'lon killed for
sleeping with your 4th ex-wife."
"I'm picky about the women I share my bed with" he
said with a curt nod.
"So why did you kill her?" Matt asked with a grin.
"After she slept with him? She was filthy to me after
that... but be that as it may, find T'Preel and bring
him to me... we have much to discuss."
==============================
aka
Lieutenant David Dawson
"A Starfleet officer... that's all I am and that's all I'll ever be." 2005 post #191
Stardate: 60321.1020
Setting: TANGIERS ORBITAL, Level 3, Beta Conference Room
Kreedar Brell
Reknown Bounty Hunter
Chief Engineer
USS ANUBIS NCC 18501
- Avery Brooks as Captain Benjamin Sisko,
Commanding Officer of the Federation Spacestation Deep Space 9
