Isaura's Judas, Part Dos

Posted on Wed Mar 9th, 2016 @ 12:45am by Commander Oralia Zeferino & Captain Li Hawke & IKS Ning'Tao

Mission: Further Challenges
Location: Romulus

“Just a sec!” Kaeli called out. Moments later, she emerged from the bedroom, dressed in a v-necked dress of black silk with a full short skirt. “Isa!” She bounded across the living room in only a few steps to wrap Isa in her arms.


“Ah...,” Isa hugged her friend back but also looked around the room and felt the dreamy softness of the silk. So much for being a prisoner... or suffering at all.

Tindam caught the thought as well and snorted, “As if you suffered last night, Isa. You look amazing, as always, Kaeli.”

“Long time no see, Tindam.” Kaeli nodded to him. “You’ve come a long way I hear.” Her hand was still on Isa and she passed the memory of how her previous night and morning had been spent with Rekar. She knew Tindam was monitoring but there was no harm in him knowing how she’d been roughed up and had her past revealed to her.

“I saw that, just now,” Isa said. Her stomach had dropped again; she gagged and said, “Bathroom?”, pointing the way Kaeli had come. She didn’t wait for an answer, she just hurried away.

Before Kaeli could follow Isa, Tindam caught his old teacher’s arm. “What the hell do you see in her, Kaeli? I’ve known her for a day and can think of only one good use for her. After a while, even that would get old.”

Kaeli’s hand snaked out and struck him across the cheek with blinding speed. “Don’t ever speak of her that way! There was a time I thought there was only one use for you too, but you proved me wrong and made me proud.”

The slap was startlingly fast and hard. Tindam stumbled backward to avoid any other blows; the officer reacted by pulling his weapon out. Luckily, he knew better than to shoot Kaeli. Tindam, rubbing his cheek, glared as Kaeli. “Made you proud? You say that like I give a damn what you think,” he growled. He saw now why Rekar was curious about them.

“Lesson one,” she snapped. “You may have no respect for her but in my presence you will act like it. Are we clear?”

He frowned, puzzled. “Are you two lovers? Is that why you're so upset?” It would explain why Kaeli was so insistent about seeing Isaura.

“I belong to Jarad, short and simple. Isa is my friend; the first, really, who isn’t afraid of me...well most of the time. The first who doesn’t care about my past, or what I used to do. Is that such a foreign idea to you?” Kaeli’s voice softened. “You used to be such a pleasant, enjoyable man, Tindam.”

“I still am. I just don't suffer fools lightly, and that one is like a box of rocks. She had not one strategic thought in her head last night, Kaeli. She had no idea what her next step would be and was relying on my team and me to get her to a place where she could contact your Jarad,” he complained. “But you're loyal to her? She'll drag you into trouble - has dragged you into trouble. Without her, you wouldn't be here now.”

“You’re wrong.” Kaeli frowned slightly as she looked up at Tindam. “You know what Vreenak planted in my head? If they hadn’t used Isa as bait, the programming in that chip would have called me back before long. I guess Rekar just got a little anxious and wanted me back early. As for Isa, imagine if you were suddenly dropped on Bajor. A Romulan with no explanation for why you’re there on a Federation planet? Would you be so calm and collected with their intel on your trail?”

“I’d have done a sight better than to have stumbled into the city guards’ favorite diner and let some local seduce me,” he shot back. Movement near the bedroom caught his eye.

Isaura was in the doorway, glaring at him. “Is that so?” She went to Kaeli’s side and touched her arm. Still watching Tindam, she smiled slowly, inviting him to read her as she passed a thought to Kaeli, I can speak some Romulan; can you speak any Bajoran? Her thought was solely in Bajoran.

Tindam frowned. He'd caught the word ‘Romulan’ but the rest was undecipherable.

Kaeli smiled in answer to Isaura, then she looked back at Tindam. “You forget how we first met, Tindam? As I recall, you were the night guard at the installation I was breaking into. Who got seduced that night, hmm?”

Isa sighed and shook her head. “So he's the platoon slut?”

He sneered at her. “Not like you said no.”

“And in his case, he got recruited. “ Kaeli shrugged. “Make of that what you will. Is she staying in here with me, Tindam?”

Tindam laughed and shook his head. “I might just keep her with me, Kaeli.” He glanced at the officer near the door. “I'm sure they have quarters for us. Or, if she prefers, a cell.”

“I'd rather be stripped and tossed into a cold cell than--”, Isa started. She stopped when she saw Tindam grin smugly. She realized he’d happily do that.

He laughed and nodded, “I'll be sure to do the stripping myself.”

She reversed herself. “Fine, so long as we stay here while Kaeli goes to dinner.”

“There's a good idea. I'm surprised you came up with it,” Tindam taunted.

“You can camp outside my door tonight if you wish but neither of you,” Kaeli indicated the guard, “are staying in here. And if you lay a hand on her, it will be your hand on Rekar’s desk next.”

Isa’s brows drew together. “Whose hand was it last time?”

“Yours,” Kaeli said. “At least they wanted me to believe that.”

She looked at both of her hands. “I've had both of these for a few years.” She laid one on Kaeli’s arm again and in Bajoran asked, I can get out of here while you're with Rekar. We need to warn Jarad and the others.

Take out the guard, I’ll deal with Tindam.

Kaeli stepped closer to Tindam and rested her hands on his shoulders. “Don’t be insulted, Tin,” she said. “It’ll work out fine. Besides, if I am going back to 900, perhaps I can talk Rekar into allowing you to go with me. You’ll get off this planet at least.”

He scoffed, “As if he'd give up his Skikin lackey. He finds too many uses for me.”

Isaura stepped back. Contrary to Tindam’s uncharitable assessment of her intelligence and value, Isa had her high points. She was good with weapons, for example. She was also good at hiding her intent from telepaths. With Tindam’s eyes distracted, she pulled the dagger she'd hidden and threw it, nailing the complacent officer in the throat. He didn't have time for a shout. She hurried to retrieve the blade as Tindam reacted.

“What have you done?!”, he shouted.

“Proved you wrong, apparently,” Kaeli snapped. Her grip on his shoulder tightened, her fingers digging in and within moments, Tindam dropped to the floor unconscious. There. Let’s get him bound and gagged and tucked into the bedroom for now so he won’t raise attention while we’re gone. I’ll cover the dead guard with Rekar.

“Got it.” Isaura grabbed Tindam’s arms and started dragging him into the bedroom. “I’ll get him down, Kaeli, you're dressed too nicely for this.” A completely random thought hit her she asked, “Hey, did you get my clothes from the dressing room?”

“They are back in our quarters, why?” Kaeli ignored Isa’s warning about her nice dress and lifted Tindam’s feet, helping her get him into the bedroom. “The floor is good enough for him. He always was a suckup.”

“Oh, good. Those were my favorite pants,” she said, grunting as she and Kaeli dumped Tindam on the floor. She kicked him to roll him over then manhandled his arms behind him and ripped up a sheet to tie his hands. She tied his ankles, too, and finally attached his ankles to his wrists. “I think Terrans call this a pig-tie. Good enough for this piggie. I'll sit on him. You go enjoy your dinner. I might see about taking a tour of the place. Maybe I can find a transmitting console.”

“Enjoy? With Rekar?” Kaeli scowled outright at the idea. “Sit, Isa, I need to explain something before I go.”

Isa caught the scowl and said, “That was sarcasm, Kaeli. Whatever is going on, we’ll fix it and get back to ...um... to whatever we do on the Ning’Tao.” Nevertheless, she sat on Tindam’s shoulders.

“For ten years I’ve always been so proud of the fact that I saved Jarad, even though it meant turning on the organization I’d been with for so long. Even when that organization locked me away and used on me all the same tools I used to use on enemies, I knew I hadn’t given in, that I had protected those close to me, including you. Then I got away and came back to you and the crew and I thought I was home free and you all were safe. Today? I learned I sold out everyone close to me. That I’ve been a mole ever since and that they had taken that knowledge out of my head. Who knows what else I did and don’t remember? And now? None of you are safe! I had to come back to the fold, as Rekar puts it. For all of you.” And that’s a whopper of a lie but we may be monitored here. I agreed only to buy your safety and give us some time to get to the men and get away from here. That means playing Rekar’s little game till we can.

“We’ll be safe enough, Kaeli. Not like the life of being a privateer is all giggles and flowers,” Isa said. Go have dinner with Rekar. Really. I’ll poke around and see if I can find a good way out, one that’ll let us take supplies, like credits. And clothes that don’t have trackers in them, she eyed the dress Kaeli was wearing.

Kaeli passed Isa a mental image, a route to a comm station close by, and a frequency that would go undetected briefly . It might be a dangerous walk but it’s not far. Then she spoke aloud.

“Alright, I need to get to Rekar. You and Tindam have fun.”

Isa laughed and ruffled the hair on Tindam’s head. “Oh, I can think of a few ways to have fun.” He’s not going to be happy when he wakes up, but maybe I can change his mind.

Kaeli nodded. Wish me luck.

* Rekar’s Quarters *

The guards assigned to Kaeli escorted her to Rekar’s door and when she reached out to press the chime, one of them stopped her. He pressed the panel himself.

“What? Do you think I have some super power that can zap him through his door chime?” She rolled her eyes and waited for the door to open.

The officer she’d just sassed glared at her. “Be glad there are orders that you’re not to be harmed. Those orders don’t apply to your friend.”

Before Kaeli could answer back, the door opened and Rekar looked her over, taking in the dress, makeup and hair. “Very nice, Kaeli. I see you have no problem embracing the finer things we offer.” He stepped aside and gestured her inside. The guards started to follow but he shook his head slightly. In a low voice, he told them, “For now, the Bajoran stays healthy. Understood?”

The officer who’d spoken before nodded and the door shut them out.

“Good evening, Rekar.” She smoothed the skirt of the dress, a somewhat nervous, shy gesture. “It has been a while. As for the accommodations, yes, they are exceptional. Thank you.”

“And you see that Isaura is completely unharmed? Lovely, isn’t she?” He put a hand on the small of her back and ushered her to the table. “Wine or would you prefer something harsher?”

She wondered if ‘harsher’ meant Rekar’s attention. “Wine is perfect, thank you. The table looks lovely, but I’m surprised. I had expected something more businesslike from you.”

“Kaeli, you’re playing coy,” he laughed and poured a glass of wine for her. “Do you think I have had you brought back simply because you are one of our best? I thought you had a better imagination than that.” He indicated which chair she should take, holding it out for her.

She settled in the chair, then reached for her glass. “I heard a rumour when I broke out of here a year ago that it was you who took out the guard on that outside door. Is that true?”

He was just sitting in the chair when that question landed. He touched down a little gracelessly and laughed. “Me? Take out a guard? Whyever would I have done that?” He sipped his drink. “You know that your escape was quite the downfall for my predecessor. I can see why someone might think I had a hand in that; or that I might have ordered someone else to do it.”

“Did you?” She sipped her wine, then smiled at him over the glass. “If so I might be most grateful. Just saying…” Her gaze held his as she gently probed his thoughts.

“Mmhmm,” he nodded, knowing that she was likely rifling through his head. “Not that it matters now, Kaeli. I am secure in my position. It was Tindam who did the deed; he lacked the imagination necessary to initiate the action, though.”

All part of the setup, she realized, but kept her bitter reaction to herself. She lowered her wine and reached over to touch Rekar’s arm. “At least it got me away from Vreenak. I’m glad he’s gone. You know that if I had stayed any longer, I would have been the one to remove him.” Now the anger and bitterness was clear in her tone. “He apparently didn’t know when to stop. Will you tell me what else he stole from my memories?”

He wasn’t entirely sure what Vreenak had removed; he knew there were a few things she didn’t need to remember. Shaking his head, he said, “I’d tell you if I could, but he took certain knowledge to his grave. Possibly best that way.”

“So no way to get it back.” She sighed aloud and shrugged. “I think you’ll be better. You don’t have his sadistic streak, at least not to his degree. All of us have some but he was….he was insane. There are things you never knew either, Rekar. You’re better off that way.”

He snorted out a laugh, “Yes, I suppose there are.” He stood and went to a sideboard where he picked up a dish and brought it back to the table. He offered the food to her first then served himself. “Tell me, Kaeli, about your friends. I know,” he held up a placating hand, “My officers and I already know a good deal about them. But there are some things that don’t come across with full explanations. Like Isaura. She seems to inspire loyalty to herself in those around her - she even has a slave who, as you’ve told us, is utterly devoted to her. I can’t figure that out.”

“No one understands Zarv,” she answered with a laugh. “He hovers and takes care of her every whim. It’s sort of sweet but it drives the rest crazy at times. You know Drekkar’s story, and Rafael? She saved his life. She and Ro saved me when all of you here were sure I was a lost cause after Vreenak’s attention.”

“Hmm... a guardian angel. Interesting.” perhaps he could understand, just a little more, why Kaeli had risked everything to rescue her friend.

“It might be hard to understand, Rekar, but do you have real friends? Anyone who has put themselves on the line to save you? Or you for them?” She stopped and suddenly realized something that shocked her. “You have. Oh….damn…..me. That explains a lot.”

“Does it? Enlighten me,” he said.

“There was a time we were close too, remember?” She had another sip of her wine and decided it was very good. Belatedly, she wondered if it was drugged. “Back when you were still scrambling to climb over the bodies of those below you?”

“Yes. We were close; your body is not one that I was crawling over.” He didn’t like where this conversation was going. “Are you at all curious about what I’m having you steal from the Federation?’

“At least not crawling over in your quest for advancement,” she teased. “About that. I am but I figured you would get to it in your own good time.”

“I wouldn’t mind crawling over you again this evening,” he said, watching her steadily.

“Business first.” Her smiled returned as she watched him. “So spill it. What am I after on 900?”

“An energy source. It’s probably in their sciences department, so not as heavily guarded as you might think. Rumor has it that it’s small, but we don’t have much information beyond that.” He gave her what little else they knew.

“Understood. Science….” Her eyes widened suddenly as a face floated into memory - a young officer who came to Saturnalia now and again. He’d been pointed out as Fleet. She made a mental note to ask Isa about him. “I may know a guy…..” She left it at that. “Now I have some news, and promise you won’t freak out when I tell you.”

“I promise nothing. Now tell me.”

“The guard that came with Isaura and Tindam. I had to kill him, just before I got here. Don’t worry, Tindam is still babysitting Isa in my quarters and I hope they use the spare bedroom, not mine. He got a little wound up about something Isa said and if I hadn’t acted, he would have injured her severely. I’m sure there’s an audio feed in my quarters? You can hear Tindam yelling, asking him what he was doing...if you get the urge to listen.”

Rage swept through him; he pounded a fist on the table and shouted, “He what?! You should have left him to me - he’d have suffered before he died. They knew she wasn’t to be harmed. I’ll have a man go around and pick up his body. They can tell Tindam to wrap up his affairs here; he’s going to go with you.”

“I was hoping you’d send him. He’s a good one for legwork, Rekar. But don’t worry, I asked the guards to haul him out already. I didn’t want Isaura and Tindam having to sit there with it all evening. I’m glad you understand.” She reached over to stroke the back of his hand gently. “Consider it a little...test of loyalty. It also sends a message that I am not to be trifled with. That man simply assumed that I was powerless to do anything to him, so he thought he’d buck your authority.”

“And he’s been taught a permanent lesson, Kaeli. Put him out of your mind now and let’s just finish our dinner.”

“Gladly.” She finished off her wine and set the glass back on the table. “Let’s eat.” She reached for her fork and dug in.

****************
Isaura Panossian
Tindam
Kaeli
Rekar