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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 his holding cell, exhibiting a remarkable composure given the circumstances. "I suppose it's time."
Bill ignored the statement, instead nodding to the guard and the marines. "Put him in restraints and take him to the airlock."
He offered no resistance, but looked up and met Laura's eyes. She couldn't hide her anger, didn't even want to. But even in the midst of it, she could understand what she saw. There was no way to 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 to the others.
They all stopped to look at her.
"No restraints," she told them quietly.
Several of the marines looked at Bill, who kept his gaze on her.
"There's nowhere to run," she continued, her voice still calm. "Guards are 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 that wasn't all he was. There was more, possibly even much more, and she could see it now, just as she'd seen it before.
"I'm sure," she answered. "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 clearly heard him as he passed by her. "Thank you."
Afterward, Bill comes to her and tells her those had been his last words.