Chapter 3
By the time the auction started, Khan wasn't sure if he really wanted another slave on the grounds. Did he really need another mouth to feed? Or make sure she didn't escape? It would probably prove to be such a tedious task…and she may even harm his loyal workers, which were so hard to come by these days…
But she had changed his mind. All the other humans to-be-sold were cowering behind one another and whispering frantically or sobbing, but not the one he had desired. No, she wasn't like those mewling animals. She alone stood proud and tall, a regal queen among peasants, and glared into the crowd as if daring them to even consider buying her.
One by one, Khan watched eagerly as the others were dragged from the stage and they wailed out their terror and indignation as their new masters took them away. Now (finally! Had he had to wait much longer her would have gladly killed them all!), the auctioneer tells the audience of her history as she's dragged up front and center.
She had escaped four previous owners, killing two (there was no risk of that at his property. Let her try!). She had caused severe damage to property including destroying vehicles and burning buildings and crops (this could prove to be a problem). She had engaged in multiple fights causing other slaves (and even paid workers) fatal injuries.
Nowhere she went was spared destruction.
Hm…
Where she went, pain, and rage, and brimstone followed closely at her heels. Any who had stood up to make a bid quickly sat back down, leaving Khan completely uncontested. And then she looked him straight in the eye, her steel eyes stabbing into his icy blue ones, and held his cool stare without flinching away—a feat yet to be accomplished by most. Rage came off of her like smoke from a wildfire as she refused to break his gaze.
Buy me, her glare seemed to growl, and I'll make your life a living hell. I will never give up and I will not lose. I will not be your slave and I will not be broken.
Oh, yes. Intriguing she certainly was.
Khan raised his powerful hand to signal his desire for her and then the gravel cracked down, shattering the oppressive silence the room.
"SOLD!" The auctioneer booms. "She's all yours. May God have mercy on you, young man." The auctioneer says before going on to the next one. "And what about this one…a good strong worker…"
…
They drugged her before loading her up in the trunk of Khan's vehicle. He looks down at her slumbering face. She looks calm. Peaceful. Her long brown hair frames her tan face and her slender arms are crossed over her chest in order to not crush her fingers then the trunk slams closed. Khan frowns. With the dosage they had given her, she shouldn't even wake up until morning. Why put her back here, where she might suffocate?
It wasn't that he was sentimental; he just didn't see the point in breaking his new toy before he had time to play with it first. Carefully, he picks her up and settles her in the front passenger seat and then slips her seatbelt on around her before hopping lightly into the driver's seat.
The drive was uneventful. Where was the demon they had warned him about? The one who had spilled enough blood to fill an ocean and created enough fires for light up hell? This was boring! It was asleep and leaning heavily into his side, its head resting comfortably near his shoulder.
He sighs ruefully. No matter, he thinks. Tomorrow. Tomorrow it will be awake and then—then things will get interesting! Finally! A challenge!
…
He drops her on a pile of hay in an empty stall in the barn and then locks the door to the stall. She could kick and punch the walls and stall door all she wanted—she wouldn't be released until he alone allowed it. Let her rage and scream, let her fight. It would do her no good.
Eventually, she would weaken and, like all humans before her, would cower away and learn her place: below Augments. This is the one arena in which she would be ineligible to be a contester for Khan knew that she was destined to lose.
Oh, well. It'll be fun while it lasts. Then he'll move onto something different.
He had already been cleared of most of his charges from his trial following his capture, and subsequently, been released. So long as he behaved himself, Star Fleet agreed to leave him alone. He could have slaves and a plantation to grow and sell as he pleased. To could move freely from place to place and do whatever he wanted so long as the mass executions were at a minimum. Now that the Enterprise had embarked on its five year journey, taking with it his hated enemies, Spock and Captain Kirk, he had nothing to occupy his time.
Sure, he had his crew to worry about. Somewhere out there, far from his reach, they were still vulnerable and trapped in their frozen slumber. He would find Marcus and crush him for what he's done…but…for now...
Khan spares the woman another glance.
For now, he had other matter to attend to. If she was truly as dangerous as they claimed, she could prove to be a valuable ally. But first things first. You don't take a mustang from the wild and then ride it in the derby. No, first it must be tamed and broken to its masters will. It must learn its place and learn to follow orders. Otherwise, its spirit, its fire, a waste.
"Sleep," He commands. "You will need your rest for tomorrow."