Stardate 70730:1735
Title: Prelude to a Showdown
Author: Ensign Duncan Heyward
Time: Present
Scene: Relentless Brig


After Duncan had 'donated' several of his nanoprobes to Lieutenant Jenna for inoculation, he walked to the brig to check on the prisoner. He still had some interviewing to do. Technically, this would be up to the Chief of Security, but since the Chief and most of the security staff were still not available, Duncan was the de facto acting Security Chief. He walked into the brig.

"I trust you're comfortable in your accommodations, Mr. Galt?" he asked.

"The bed needs to be turned down and the room service is horrible. I really need to speak to the manager," said Galt with a sarcastic grin on his face.

"I'll be sure to make note of your complaints," Duncan replied, checking the power levels on the forcefields that were holding Galt in place.

"Worried I'll get out, Ensign?" Galt asked.

"Not especially. I handled you once," replied Duncan, but the fact was that he WAS very worried; Galt had nearly killed him twice. Not that he hadn't come near death before, but Galt was like a Jem'Hadar with a genius intelligence level - a lethal combination.

"You weren't affected by the virus like the rest of the crew was; why is that?"

"Let's just say I have some little friends who kept me safe," replied the Security Officer. Galt cocked his head, obviously curious, but he seemed to be more docile than before. Duncan looked at him.

* This could be dangerous *, he thought as he sat down.

"How are your ribs, by the way?" Galt asked.

"Still tender, but now that Dr. Talbot is back and working, they're healing up quite nicely," Duncan answered honestly.

"I'll have to turn off the safety protocols on the holodeck next time."

"Next time, only one of us will be still be breathing when it's over," Duncan was quick to respond.

"And what makes you think it will be you?" Galt enquired.

"Simple. I'm a soldier, you're an assassin."

"It’s the same thing, Ensign. We both kill people for a living."

"No. Not even close. I kill people when I have to - I don't take any pleasure out of it, and I don't do it when it can avoid it. You, on the other hand, kill people because you enjoy it; you’d do it for free, but then you couldn't afford the things you want. That makes me different than you," Duncan stated confidently.

"I see you've been speaking to Commander Winters." Galt smiled smugly.

"No. But I know a monster when I see one."

"Still, how do you deduce you'll win the fight?" asked Galt. Duncan stood and walked up to the cell, looking straight into Galt’s eyes.

"Because when you and I fight, it'll be brutal. Two trained killers, it'll be to the death. But you'll be fighting for yourself, Galt. You'll be fighting to prolong your own sorry existence so you can do what you enjoy most, killing for fun, whereas I'll be right where I belong, between you and the innocents here, the crew of this ship. If I have to die to make sure you don't kill again, then it's worth it," Duncan stated.

"Who do you think you are, Ensign? God himself?" Galt smirked.

"No. I'm death incarnate, and God willing, I'll be the last living thing you ever see. Now be a good boy and sit tight," Duncan said.

He walked out of the brig, and he knew deep down it wasn't over; Galt would escape again, and Duncan would be waiting for him. However, he wasn't sure if he could stop him this time. He needed an ace in the hole, something to even the odds. It wouldn't be guns; next time it would be a battle of wits and prowess; and Captain Khavok was in excellent shape. Adding to that the almost certain fact that Galt probably knew several forms of hand to hand combat, Duncan would be overmatched.

Galt would bide his time, then he would escape, and arrange a showdown between himself and the only person on the ship who had beaten him. His ego wouldn't allow him to accept defeat, and so he HAD to kill Duncan. Duncan went to the guest's quarters that had been assigned to him and laid down to get some sleep. But his sleep was troubled.


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Ensign Duncan Heyward
Security Officer
USS Relentless
NCC-11966
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