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This Much, I Can Give

Coda: Survival

She walked with Bill and the marines to the brig. Tom Zarek stood as they came into the room, exhibiting a remarkable composure given the circumstances. "I suppose it's time."

Bill didn't respond to that. He nodded to the guard and the marines. "Put him in restraints and take him to the airlock."

He offered no resistance, but he looked up and met Laura's eyes. She didn't bother to hide her own anger, but in the midst of that she understood what she saw. He knew there was no way he could avoid this. It didn't matter whether he fought or not; he was going to stand before that firing squad either way. Better to leave himself some dignity.

"Wait," she said.

They all stopped to look at her.

"No restraints," she told them quietly.

Several of the marines looked at Bill, who looked at her.

"There's nowhere he can run," she continued, as calmly as before. "Guarding him is enough. Let him walk. It isn't that far."

"Are you sure?" asked Bill.

She exchanged a long, wordless look with the prisoner. He was a traitor, a terrorist, a threat to society. But there was more than that too. She'd seen it before, and she saw it again now.

"I'm sure," she said. "Let him walk." This much, she could give.

They surrounded him, three deep, with weapons drawn and ready, and he did not speak loudly. But she could still hear him as he passed her. "Thank you."

Later, Bill tells her those were his last words.