The Final Goodbye

Sorripto walked towards the docking rings his hands electrically bound as two security personnel walked in step behind him.  As Sorripto walked towards the docking ring a faint voice could be heard from the distance.  As the call got louder Sorripto recognized the voice of Ensign Simmons.

"Wait... Sir please wait!"

Sorripto looked to the guards who were escorting him and the nodded in approval for him to stop.  Looking up Sorripto saw Ensign Simmons running towards them trying to catch his breath.  Breathing heavy Simmons fumbled through his first few words.

"Sir wait please I have something for you."

Smiling Sorripto looked back at Simmons.

"Calm down my friend take your time catch your breath.  Also no need for the Sir thing anymore Simmons we are the same rank now."

As his breathing slowed Simmons calmed down and continued.

"Of course.  I'll bet you still make Lieutenant before me though."

Laughing Sorripto simply shook his head.

"Simmons, I'll bet I make Lieutenant before I am out of prison"

Confused Simmons raised his eyebrow.

"But Sir I thought you could not..."

"Simmons it was a joke.  Loosen up you are going to fall apart before you reach thirty.  Now what is it that you have for me?"

As Simmons began to hand Sorripto a small blue case Sorripto attempted to reach for it but was unable to move his hands high enough because of the electronic shackles.  Looking over at the guard to his left Sorripto nudge his hands up and looked down at his shackles.

"Could you please for a moment?"

The young security officer simply shook his head no in disapproval

Smiling Sorripto chuckled.

"That is fine I guess I will get it myself."

Moving his hands and wrists slightly before the guard could speak Sorripto was holding a set of open shackles and handed them to the young security officer.

"Hold these for me would you?"

The officer taken aback by the ease of Sorripto's escape looked to the older officer behind the Cardassian but could see that he was openly laughing at the situation and clearly saw Sorripto's escape as a minor joke and no threat.  Nodding the security officer grabbed the shackels.

"Now Simmons what is that?"

"It is your award Sir.  I will bet there are others but this is the only one from the ceremony.  You were awarded the Starfleet Cross."

Opening the small box Sorripto looked down and saw the shiny silver and blue medal and was struck by its brilliance.  Sorripto had seen awards before, even won a few, but the Starfleet Cross is something special indeed and Sorripto was grateful for Simmons effort.  Closing the box Sorripto saw Simmons who looked back both confused and sad.

"You seem troubled Simmons what is on your mind?."

"I am not troubled Sir it is just that I still can't believe they are sending you away after all you did."

"I did a lot Simmons including break some rules.  I did what had to be done and I make no apologies for that, but I knew there would be consequences that is why I came back."

Smiling Simmons nodded.

"So I hear you might not be staying around the colony for too long anyway?"

Sorripto was surprised that word had gotten around already.  He had just spoken with Captain Mali that morning.

"You heard about that already?  Wow this is a small station.  Yes Captain Mali is already trying to get me a release program to go work for him on the Federation nano technology research facility on Mars."

"That sounds like a good deal, but why Mars?"

Laughing Sorripto nodded to the young security officer who had signaled to wrap things up.

"Well I am one of the Federations fore most minds on nano technology and there are some Borg bits there that the True Way was using that need studying as well.  Plus just between you and me it is Mars and something like that is a really good way to keep an eye on me."

Stepping away Sorripto raised his hands back up as the guards reshackled his hands.  Walking through the locking rings Simmons called out again.

"Sorripto?"

Looking back Sorripto stopped again.

"You may go to jail, you may have made a few people mad, but you did the right thing.  Years from now when everyone here is dust in the wind history will remember you as a great man who did a great thing."

Smiling Sorripto replied.

"History only remembers great deeds if you die doing them Simmons.  To be a truly great man requires a life of great deeds and I far from qualify for that category."

Sorripto then tossed the medal case back to Simmons who caught it in surprise.

"Will I ever see you again Sir?."

Sorripto looked over and simply shrugged.  As the locking rings closed Simmons waved with the medal case and Sorripto walked out of view.  Just then crewman Tolo, the young Bolian who had worked with Sorripto before, hurried over sad that he missed Sorripto's departure.  Looking down at the medal case he inquired to Simmons

"Sir did you not give Sorripto his medal?"

"I tried Tolo.  He gave it back to me.  I guess he is finally done with Starfleet."

Opening the case Simmons was shocked to see the medal missing and in its place the Galor locket Sorripto wore around his neck and had a reputation for never removing.  Looking down at the design Tolo seemed confused.

"I do not understand."

Holding up the locket Simmons smiled and laughed aloud.

"It is a message Tolo."

"A message?"

"Loud and clear too.  I am going to hang on to this and give it to him... when he comes back."

Sharing a smile Simmons pocketed the medal case and he and Tolo walked away knowing they would see their friend and mentor again.