Learning Grief - A STV Fan Fiction

[Captian_Janeway]

I went on a very long vacation but I am back to continue posting lovely fictions on this site, and without further ado, Chapter One:

Disclaimer: I own nothing more than the inventive plot to pay homage to charcters not created by moi.

Chapter One - Missing

�You idiot, where is that damn Pod?� Screeched a man in a grey jumpsuit, a red insignia with six thin strips of metal underneath, symbolizing his rank. He had been searching this rough part of the Querto Nebula for over six sleepless days, and his nerves were shot. If he did not successfully capture the person inside the pod his superiors would surely have his flesh sliced. The appearance of the man and the crew made them look human, save for his red eyes, albino like skin, and two small spike-like appendages underneath one eye.

�Sir, I have a ship on the sensors, about ten light years away, estimated time to intercept is approximately nineteen Rotations,� stated a young male Nitheran.

The head of the vessel turned quickly, �Is it the pod?�

�No, sir,� the man replied, �it�s a much larger vessel. Roughly one-quarter of the size of our ship, it appears to have no cloaking technology, basic defense systems, my analysis; the ship poses no threat to our mission.�

The older man smiled, �Activate rotating phase cloak anyways, I don�t want them getting in my way.�

�Consul Kiy�De, if I may,� said the young officer, �perhaps we should make contact with the vessel, and they can help us with our search.�

Kiy�De paused, and reflected for a moment, then without warning grabbed the young officer by the back of the neck, smashing his face into the console. All of the other crew members froze, the hair on their necks standing at end. The injured man made no cry of pain, though he knew his nose was broken and several teeth chipped, instead he sat upright and continued with a sensor sweep.

�Never speak to me as if we were equals. I should have your head for such insolence. But instead I am merciful.�

The blood dripped from the man�s face, and he trembled slightly.

His commanding officer put his lips to the young man�s ear and shouted, �Am I not merciful?!�

Silent tears mixed with blood and Kiy�De tousled the young man�s hair, laughing. �When that ship is range, cloak the vessel, but we will make contact, perhaps they can assist us in our search.�

The crew on the bridge praised Kiy�De for his brilliant strategy.

She sipped gingerly at her black coffee, staring out her ready room window to see the stars streaking by. A mere two days ago she had rescued the doctor from Velos after he was stolen and sold by Gar. Her head ached slightly, and she gently massaged her temple. The door chimed.

�Come in,� she called. The doors hissed open to reveal Chakotay, looking relaxed and carrying a PADD in his hand. �Yes Commander?�

�Long range sensors have detected a nebula which B�Elanna believes will be rich in hydrogen to be collected. She wants permission to come to a full-stop and use the Bussard Collectors.�

�Permission granted.�

�Alright Captain��

Before exiting the room Chakotay paused.

�Anything else Commander?�

�Yes, Captain, I have some holodeck time booked and I was wondering if perhaps you�d like to join me for some sailing on Lake Tahoe?�

Kathryn suppressed a sigh, she was not in the mood for veiled emotions and pretending that he was not still - and she as well - deeply enamoured.

�I�ll have to take a rain check on that offer, I�m going to turn in early.�

�Alright, another time then.�

The doors hissed when he left, and Kathryn turned her attention back to the day�s security report.

She crouched in the corner, cowering as she heard heavy footsteps approaching. In her mind she told herself to have no fear, but she did all the same, she knew she wouldn�t die at his hands. Everyday she prayed for a way to take her own life. As long as he had her she would never be able to fulfill her promise. A promise of revenge against the one person who had taken away the most important thing in the world. Someday she would take a blade and slice the throat of a merciless killer. Of all the people to hate she did not hate the man who kept her as a slave, the man who beat her and forced her to do many shameful things - no - her hatred lie deep within her soul, bleeding from a wound as old as she was.

The doors open, and Kiy�De entered his chambers. Silently and without prompt she poured him a glass of his favourite vintage, and helped him to his chair.

�Ah, you know just how to relax me,� he said, admiring his prize. A gift from the Counsel, for bravery and loyalty. She stood a foot shorter than him, a wispy figure, delicate but well-toned, pale, long silken auburn hair, and blue eyes that were not soft, but hard as dilithium crystals. Scarlet silk cleverly woven created her attire, a strapless bodice around her breasts, sleeves that started just above her elbow and flared inches past her finger tips. About her hips was a flowing skirt to her ankles. In contrast to all this was two silver bands around her wrists, they bound her to him, and his whims.

�Whatever pleases you Counsel.�

He motioned for her to kneel in front of him, �Who would have thought that when our scientists blasted the little green world with anti-protons such a gem would have been found? Listen to me well, you are a pearl in my hand. No man has a treasure like mine. But do not think I won�t find something more valuable. If nobody wants you, you are worthless.�

�But surely, sir,� she whispered delicately, �if the Counsel tires of his pearl any man would be lucky if it were cast your way. Because you own me I am not worthless.�

In a swift motion he slapped her right cheek, �And never forget it.�

In the early days she would have cried out, fought back, but now she didn�t even flinch. Her body was used to it. She poured another glass for Kiy�De, knowing how the routine would go, he�d become flushed, sloppy, and needing. They would go to his bed so she could satisfy his lusts, and after he finished he would lay his head on her chest and cry. Tears would flow, for his weaknesses and follies. Paranoia would follow, usually followed by a beating to ensure her silence.

�I grow weary of the drink, let�s retire,� he stood and ran his finger down the side of her face.

�Whatever pleases you Counsel.�

In her head she could almost hear the replicator laughing at her, it knew what she wanted, but this morning she had made up her mind to order something different for a change. Tea? No, not strong enough.

Janeway sighed, �Coffee. Black.�

The machine whirred to life and her drink materialized before her. She looked out her window to see the bright blue of the nebula. It was beautiful, and after several moments she released the breath she�d been holding.

�Bridge to the Captain,� the intercom sounded with Chakotay�s voice.

�Janeway here,� she replied.

�A ship has de-cloaked itself off our starboard bow, they wish to speak with you.�

�On my way.�

Exiting her Ready Room and onto the bridge she saw a strong looking man with pale skin and red eyes on the viewscreen.

�I�m Captain Kathryn Janeway, of the Federation Starship Voyager.�

�Greetings Captain,� the man replied, �I am Counsel Kiy�De of the Xian Order. You are trespassing on our territory.�

Kathryn was not in the mood for a fight, �My apologies I was not aware. My crew and I just stopped to collect some supplies for our vessel.�

The man looked down at his console, and little did Janeway know he was reading the weapons report on Voyager.

�All is well Captain, we are a friendly species, and I must admit I am curious to learn things about your culture. Perhaps as your crew completes it�s task we could meet and exchange ideas? I am not familiar with your race and would like to know more.�

Finally, in this cold and desolate quadrant, a friend, �Of course Counsel. Why not let us beam you aboard?�

�Give me time to prepare, I�ll be in touch within the hour.�

�Okay, Janeway out.�

The viewscreen blackened an Janeway was quiet for a bit, it felt good not to come to phasers or retreat. She looked forward to a nice meeting and exchange of ideas, it was why the warp drive was invented, after all.

�Chakotay, opinions?�

He pondered for a second, �Kiy�De didn�t seem threatening or menacing in anyway, but maybe he doesn�t want conflict either. At least a meeting won�t hurt, and he did volunteer to come here. He�s been very likeable.�

�Captain if I may?� Piped up Ensign Kim from Ops.

�Yes?�

�I have a bed feeling, he gives me the creeps.�

�The creeps,� spoke Tuvok, �that is hardly a reliable method of judging.�

�If Kiy�De does nothing more than give Ensign Kim a bout of the creeps I say have Mr. Neelix prep the Briefing Room. Chakotay report to Transporter Room Two and greet our guests.�

Kiy'De used every chance possible to flaunt his wealth and status, but that is not why he brought his slave with him to Voyager. He was interested to see what came of it, and hopefully use it as a means to gain leverage with the starship's Captain. When she materilised next to him Chakotay's eyes could not help but wonder over to her.. In her scarlet outfit she was stunning, and a vague sense of familiarity came to the back of his mind. She looked human, having no outward physical differences.

"Welcome Counsel," he greeted, as Kiy'De, his slave, and two others stepped from the platform.

Kiy'De smiled, "Thank-you. I look forward to meeting with your Captain."

They walked in near silence to the briefing room, and Chakotay occasionally let his eyes wonder over to her. Not out of lust, but he's sure he has seen her before. Janeway turned and smiled as the entourage entered the briefing room.

"Counsel, come in, sit," she motioned to the spot on her left, and she noticed the striking young woman kneeled beside Kiy'De. Something fluttered in Janeway's chest, and she sensed something about the young woman, and when she looked at the young woman her eyes were full of contempt.

"Allow me to introduce my collegues," Kiy'De said, motioning to the two men, "this one is Xit'Qa, my Vice-Counsel, and Ty'Lo, my communications officer."

"Pleasure to meet you both," Janeway replied, noticing he did not introduce the woman at his feet.

"This is Commander Chakotay, my First Officer, Lt. B'Elanna Torres, Cheif Engineer, and Lt. Tuvok, Head of Security."

"I hope you don't find this offensive Captain," Kiy'De began slowly, "I see that an officer in your standing appears to be without a Shade."

"Shade Counsel?"

He motioned to the girl and she stood, eyes on her toes. If Janeway had been listening to her thoughts she would have heard how Shade wanted nothing more than to break free of her cuffs and slit her throat, to have blood for blood.

"As a Counsel member I received this Shade as a gift, she is there for any and all of my needs. I give her life worth by owning her. Remarkable beauty isn't she? An unique, making her all the more valuable. I do not know her species."

'A slave,' Janeway thought, the idea revolting to her, 'he keeps her for his lust. Poor girl.'

She had to find a way to diplomatically navigate this mine, slavery was illegal and uttertly deplorable. This girl did not look broken though, she was a panther underneath her delicacy.

"I'm afraid the owning of human property was outlawed a long time ago for my people. As for her species, we've been travelling for a long while, and our Doctor is very knowledgeable, perhaps if he examined her together we could solve her mystery."

"I would be very grateful for any light you could shed. She is precious to me, and I only trust an equal - such as yourself - to handle her."

Janeway did not like the idea of owning a humanoid, if only temporarily, but Tuvok said they're weapons were superior and ship had cloaking technology.

"I would be honored, Counsel."

After a few hours of light conversation and trade negotiations Janeway felt at ease, and even found Kiy'De to be likeable. Shade was silent, pouring drinks and serving each person faithfully. There was one awkward moment, when B'Elanna had thanked Shade the servant paused for a moment, and sought cue from Kiy'De. He looked at her and Shade had quietly replied, "I am nothing more than a shadow, and require no thanks. I am worthless."

B'Elanna looked up at the girl and felt saddened. Surely the girl looked to be no older than eighteen. But like the others she could not help but feel she knew her. Little did anyone know, save for Kiy'De and Shade herself, they did know her. And soon, they'd find out.