The wicked elder crumbled and fall on his knees, contemplating the dark floor and surprised with the unexpected response, after all of what he has endured. Without hesitation, trying to hold the last hope that he could muster, he trusted on the certainty of said words by Rex:
“After all this time, I thought you would …I probably misjudged you. You are not really my executioner. Are you my savior? Is this really it? Can be it?”
He dropped the weapon.
“My wife, close the container and surrender. I did not think that Julia could be this permissive, especially with me.”
The companion also dropped her own and closed the box, neither opposition nor complaint. Cracking sounds came from one of the gates. Cruz made it, as light emerged from the opening, and several Starfleet members quickly dispersed throughout the dome.
The old man, suffocated by his own thoughts and edgy feelings, laughed at what he considered an absolution to all of his inner deeds, a grin transformed from madness to sudden happiness, followed by tears:
“Thank you, Julia! Thank you! Even now, I doubted if it was going to be possible, but it finally is!”
Then, he tried to look upon Rex in the shadows that began to disappear, due to Starfleet team and their arrival. Lucidity became real for the man, as Rex became clearer to the light, and he spoke:
“Who are you, stranger? I…I thought you were a real Maltese from a far land. But now I understand why you are not feeling unease…well, physically I mean. I wond-“
His talk was brusquely shortened by a kick in the gut, followed by several more hits in different parts of the body; as the Starfleet members tackled him without warning. Blood spilled around the man and the beaters seemed to be enjoying the task. Alberto Cruz was the last to reach the inner area:
“Huh. That was easy. Subjugate his slave, too. Remember, amigos, just incapacitate them; we still need them, for a long time…”
Three of the members went to the slave in the center and, looking at the deadpan woman standing, they unleashed unnecessary fury upon her, using the same methods as with the other. Cruz sought Rex through the debris and the burned components; he went friendly on the shadows:
“Are you ok, Señor Baker? That old guy gives me the creeps. I wonder what the real deal is between Julia and that scum. He really let you go easily; probably he just needed a singular pat. Take your time, Rex…you are safe now.”
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