Disclaimer: I don't own Star Trek, though MACO Lt. Kaitlyn Donovan does belong to me.
Thank you to Hummingbird2, Just a Crazy-Man, bina W, LoyaulteMeLie, RagingSerenity, jeangreyten, sawyer finn, and RWolfe94 for the reviews, and to all of you that are reading and following this story.
All's Fair in Love and War
Chapter 21
Malcolm opened his eyes slowly and winced as the pain in his shoulder spiked. He tried to move his arm but realized that his wrists were cuffed behind his back. He sat up from his prone position on the cold concrete floor and looked around the small barren room. He glanced at his shoulder and the burnt material and flesh as the smell almost caused him to vomit. It didn't look infected - at least not yet, but who knew how long they'd be stuck in this hell hole by their captors. Orions weren't known for releasing prisoners. He closed his eyes tightly as he remembered seeing Kaitlyn being choked right before he lost consciousness. He tried to reach out to her in his mind, but he couldn't hear her. He cursed himself for not scanning the villa before they went in - he should've had his guard up.
He looked up as the door opened.
The large Orion he'd seen choking Kaitlyn stepped into the room and indicated for the other two Orions to set Malcolm in the chair they brought in with them.
The Orion watched as Malcolm was put on the chair none to gently. "So, you are Malcolm Steel. I am Varkin. You should not have exploded a bomb in that supply facility. I have a contract to supply the weapons here." He stepped closer to Malcolm, "You have endangered that contract." Varkin pointed out. "Now, who do you work for?" he questioned as he crossed his arm across his large chest.
Malcolm narrowed his eyes and kept his mouth closed.
Varkin nodded to one of the guards and Malcolm was promptly punched in the gut.
Malcolm clenched his teeth to keep himself from yelling out as pain swept through his insides.
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The rancid smell of the air hit her first. Kaitlyn sat up quickly and her mouth went dry as she remembered Varkin choking her. Memories flooded through her mind of the last time she'd been captured by him. Her heart started to hammer against her chest and her breathing became more labored. She took a few deep breaths as she tried to regain her composure. This time was different. She couldn't waste her time worrying about herself when she had to find Malcolm. It was doubtful that they would have left him in the villa to call for help, they most likely brought him with them - if nothing else, to use him as leverage against her. She quickly surveyed the room to find a way to escape, but the only exit was the door.
She ran her hands over her arms to ward off the coldness of the room. She was still wearing her short dress from last night. She closed her eyes and listened for Malcolm, but she couldn't feel or hear him. She touched her throat and neck gently, then felt a welt where she'd been given an injection - who knows what they'd given her, but it was evidently interfering with her ability to communicate with Malcolm. At least they hadn't put a neurological restraint on her yet. She shook her head in frustration. Obviously someone from the C Club had recognized her and informed Varkin that she was on Ceti Alpha. She berated herself for not scanning the villa before they entered. She'd become complacent - the exact opposite to what she should be at this point in the mission.
She stood up as the door opened.
Varkin stepped in and gave her his big, toothy grin that sent chills up her back. "I'm glad you're finally awake."
Kaitlyn frowned, "How long was I out?"
Varkin shrugged, "Seven hours, but that's okay - I've been questioning your husband."
Kaitlyn's fists clenched at her sides, "Where's Malcolm?" she demanded.
Varkin chuckled, "So, you really do care for him." He watched her carefully, "He's in a room down the corridor. He's quite resilient, for a human."
"I need to see him." she swallowed hard as her mind was filled with all of the things Varkin could have done to him in seven hours.
Varkin nodded slightly, "You must agree to a few concessions first." He watched as she waited for him to explain. "The bombs we found in the villa are now mine - they are payment for what you should have built for me before."
Kaitlyn nodded. Not like she had a choice, Varkin had obviously already confiscated them - though maybe he didn't know about the second detonator that was required to set them off.
Varkin stepped closer, "You must compensate me for killing my son and blowing up my ship."
"How?" she questioned as she struggled against her reflexes to back away from him.
"You will tell me where Attucks is. I know he goes by Mardock Tal, and I know he's here on Ceti Alpha." Varkin stated.
Kaitlyn frowned, she couldn't give him Mardock - no matter that she would love to hand over the man that had sold her out. She couldn't ruin their mission to thwart Terra Prime. "I don't know where he is staying - he calls us and tells us where to meet him."
Varkin hit her across the face. He'd rather have her cooperation. "You will tell me where he is."
Kaitlyn lifted her chin and looked at Varkin, "You can hit me all you want - but I can't tell you something I don't know."
Varkin watched her closely, that was the same thing Malcolm had said to him earlier. He'd been surprised at the amount of pain the man could take and not break. Varkin smiled to himself as he realized their weakness. "Well, we'll talk about this later. I'll take you to Malcolm." he waved for her to follow him down the corridor.
The two guards standing outside the door moved so they could get past them. They opened the door and Varkin indicated for her to go in.
Kaitlyn's eyes widened at the sight of Malcolm's battered body. She went over to him quickly as the door was shut and locked behind her. She hesitated before she reached out to touch him. His upper body was covered in bruises, welts, cuts, and burn marks.
Malcolm's body tensed as he heard the door open. He closed his eyes tightly as he waited for another round of beat-Malcolm-to-a bloody-pulp to start again.
"Malcolm." Kaitlyn said softly as she kneeled down in front of the chair he was sitting on.
Malcolm's swollen eyes opened. It wasn't a dream, she was right in front of him. He shook his head slightly, "I'm sorry." he muttered.
Kaitlyn touched his mangled face gently as tears started to roll down her cheeks, "It's my fault, Malcolm - I should have left as soon we realized that Mardock was Attucks." She could take herself being used as a punching bag - but not Malcolm, not on her account. She looked over his body and felt her anger starting to boil. Why couldn't Varkin leave Malcolm alone!
"Kaitlyn," Malcolm called to her quietly, "he wants Mardock."
She nodded slowly as she stood up and looked over his shoulder, "He told me." She sighed as she wiped the remaining tears away with the back of hands. She would get Malcolm out here - she had to. "Your shoulder is starting to become infected." she pointed out.
Malcolm chuckled, and regretted it immediately as it sent pain through his body, "I think that's the least of my worries right now. Pretty sure I've got some internal bruising." he clenched his teeth until the pain subsided.
Kaitlyn's jaw tightened, "Would you like for me to help you out of this chair, or is it better for you to sit up?" she questioned him.
"I think laying down would help a bit." he admitted.
"Give me a minute." Kaitlyn walked over to the door and banged on it.
One of the guards opened the door and looked at her questionably.
"I need a mattress for the floor, a med kit, and his cuffs removed. Tell Varkin I'll help him locate Mardock." she offered in return.
The guard closed the door.
Malcolm frowned, "Kaitlyn, we can't give him Mardock."
Kaitlyn moved his arms for him and stood him up slowly, "I know that, but he doesn't."
The door opened quickly and one of the guards dragged in a mattress, as the other roughly took the cuffs off of Malcolm's wrists. A small med kit was put on the chair, then the guards left the room.
Kaitlyn walked Malcolm to the mattress and laid him down as gently as she could. She went back to the chair to get the med kit and opened it. She frowned, it contained nothing that could heal his internal injuries, but she could clean his other wounds. She kneeled down beside him as he rubbed the feeling back into his wrists.
Malcolm watched Kaitlyn as she carefully cleaned all of the wounds that could use a cleaning, noticing that she saved his shoulder for last. She had a complete look of concentration on her face and was avoiding his gaze. He reached for her hand as she moved to work on his shoulder.
She finally looked at him. Her eyes softened as she saw his worried expression. "You'll be fine." she tried to reassure him.
"I'm not worried about me - I'm worried about you." he said quietly as he touched her face gently.
She gave him a small smile, "Don't worry about me." She leaned over and kissed his swollen lip softly. She pulled back a few inches and ran her hand through his hair. "You're probably going to pass out when I work on your shoulder."
Malcolm nodded, "I know - just try not to do anything rash until I'm conscious." he requested.
She smiled, "I'll try my best." she promised. She quickly went to work on his shoulder, and sure enough the pain overwhelmed him and he lost consciousness. She wrapped his shoulder as she finished cleaning it and put the kit back on the chair. She went to the other corner of the room and picked up his two shirts and brought them with her. She got his t-shirt on him, then laid down beside him and covered them up as best she could with his dress shirt. She wouldn't be able to sleep, but maybe she could rest for awhile.
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Admiral Forrest looked up at his office door and raised an eyebrow. He went to the guard that had just taken their post outside his office door. "I thought you were guarding Ambassador Soval?" he questioned Corporal Cole.
She snapped to attention, but didn't look directly at him. "I was, Sir. I've been reassigned."
Maxwell Forrest was confused. She had wanted to be reassigned because she had thought she hadn't guarded the Ambassador well enough, but then Ambassador Soval had pitched a fit to keep her assigned to him. What the hell had gone wrong now? "You requested?" he fished for information.
"No, Sir." she replied quickly.
Admiral Forrest looked her over once more, "Very well, Corporal. I have a meeting in the Conference room in thirty minutes." he stated, then went back into his office.
Corporal Amanda Cole relaxed slightly as the Admiral went back into his office. She didn't want to talk about her reassignment. She had questioned Major Hayes this morning when she reported for duty. She had asked if the Ambassador had given him a reason for her dismissal. The Ambassador had not given Hayes a reason - he'd just called up and demanded that someone come replace her and for her to be reassigned. She didn't know what she was more upset about - the fact that she'd been dismissed, or that the Ambassador hadn't bothered to give a valid reason.
A little under a half hour later, she walked with Admiral Forrest down to the Conference room and took her post at the door.
She should have known that he'd be here. She kept her face expressionless as Ambassador Soval walked into the room. She kept her attention on her duties as they group gathered discussed the small gathering that night with some off world dignitaries that wanted to open trade talks with Earth. She could feel the Ambassador's eyes watching her a few times, but she would not meet his gaze. She didn't know what she'd done wrong, but she wasn't going to give him a reason to find fault with her now.
An hour later, the meeting ended and she quickly left with Admiral Forrest.
As they walked down the corridor, Forrest glanced over at the young MACO. "Are you going to be at the gathering tonight?"
"Yes, Sir." she acknowledged.
Forrest frowned slightly, she looked upset - though she was trying to cover it well. He wondered what had happened. He looked up as another MACO was waiting to relieve Cole so she could get ready for tonight. Forrest nodded to her, then went into his office to finish a few things up.
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Malcolm woke up slowly and frowned as the pain from his body registered in his brain. What he wouldn't do for a pain reliever. He shifted slightly and kissed Kaitlyn's forehead as she held him protectively.
Kailtyn's eyes fluttered open and she looked over his face, "You're looking a bit better."
Malcolm tried to smile, "It's an illusion - I still feel like minced meat." he admitted.
Kaitlyn frowned slightly.
Malcolm didn't want to make her feel worse, that's not what he'd meant. "He hasn't come back?"
She shook her head, "I would have thought that he would have by now - it's been at least five hours."
"Maybe something's happened." he suggested.
Kaitlyn raised an eyebrow, "Like, maybe Mardock came and gave himself up? Never." She shook her head.
They waited another hour, then Varkin came back in. "You are lucky to have such persuasive friends." he stated.
Kaitlyn helped Malcolm stand up, "What are you talking about?" she questioned.
"A price was negotiated and paid for your release. They even persuaded Attucks to repay me. You are free to go." Varkin waved for them to walk down the corridor.
They slowly walked down the corridor and a door was opened for them. They came out in the first floor of the C Club.
Guinan and Tolian were waiting for them.
Guinan frowned at Varkin, "You did not tell us that he was injured."
Varkin shrugged, "It happened before we started our negotiations."
Tolian helped prop Malcolm up and started walking him to the door.
Kaitlyn looked at Varkin carefully, "So that's it? We're done?" she asked.
Varkin chuckled, "Yes, we're done."
Guinan held onto Kaitlyn's arm, "Come along, Kaitlyn." She led her out the door and to the shuttle.
Kaitlyn sat on the bench with Malcolm. It was all too surreal.
Malcolm looked at her questionably as Tolian piloted the shuttle.
Kaitlyn frowned, "How did you know where to find us?"
Guinan turned from the co-pilot's seat, "A man named Harris contacted us and told us that he was your handler and he'd lost contact with you and believed you were captured by the Orions. He asked us to see what the Orions wanted in return for your release."
Kaitlyn shook her head, "He should not have gotten you two involved in this."
Guinan raised an eyebrow at her, "Should we have left you there? I told that Harris fellow that we would negotiate and pay for your release, but that he should allow the two of you to get out of this clandestine unit he's got you in." She saw Kaitlyn about to protest, "Now look here, this is not what you want to be doing - you got pulled into this. You should be running your MACO unit." She glanced at Malcolm, "And I know you aren't happy doing this work either. If want to stay involved in this kind of organization, then talk to Harris when you get back." She turned her focus back out the window.
Kaitlyn looked at Malcolm. Would Harris actually let them out of the Section so easily? She didn't think so. She held Malcolm's hand gently.
Malcolm watched as a wide range of emotions went across Kaitlyn's face. Anger, frustration, shock, and disbelief. He intertwined his fingers with hers and took a deep breath. He didn't think Harris would release them from the Section. They knew too much and were too valuable to him. He was pretty sure that Kaitlyn was thinking the same thing.
Tolian landed the shuttle outside of their villa and opened the hatch. "We're going to be leaving tomorrow." he stated as they stepped out of the shuttle.
Kaitlyn's brows furrowed, "Why? I thought you were going to stay here for a while." She looked at Tolian and Guinan questionably.
Tolian sighed, "We've researched the Providences and discovered the possible reason Olek doesn't want to allow those Providences to have a seat in Parliament." He shook his head, "All of those Providences have people of mixed heritages living in them. You can't buy or rent property in the Providences that already have a seat in Parliament unless you 'qualify' - which means you are completely human."
Kaitlyn tried to keep calm, "They do DNA testing on everyone here?" she questioned.
Guinan nodded, "We were going to buy some property - and were told we would have to have our DNA testing done to find out where we qualify to buy property. After a little bit more talking with the realtor, we discovered how the people of this planet are discretely told where to live."
Malcolm frowned, "That would explain why Olek is using every excuse to avoid giving those Providences a seat in Parliament. It's not right." he pointed out.
Kaitlyn nodded, "We'll talk to Dresden."
Malcolm looked at Guinan and Tolian, "Thank you for your help - would you like to have dinner with us?" he offered.
Tolian smiled, "No offense, but you should fix yourself up before you do anything else."
Kaitlyn gave Guinan a hug, "Thank you - for everything."
Guinan smiled and cupped Kaitlyn's face with her hands, "Just remember, you control your destiny - no one else."
Kaitlyn nodded. She turned to Tolian and he held her tightly.
"The offer still stands for you to come explore with me." Tolian offered.
Kaitlyn gave him a small smile, "Thanks, but no thank you."
Tolian kissed her forehead and handed her a PADD, "If you ever need to get a hold of us, this is a list of contacts that can get a message to us."
Kaitlyn accepted the PADD and nodded. "Will you still send me communiqués?" she inquired quietly.
Tolian shrugged, "Where we're going, it might take years for a message to reach you, and vice versa." he pointed out.
Kaitlyn looked at her Mother's friends, not knowing if she'd see them again. "I look forward to seeing you again one day."
They nodded, then got back into the shuttle.
Kaitlyn watched as the shuttle lifted off the ground, then flew away. She turned to Malcolm slowly and held onto his arm and led him into the villa. "Why don't you sit on the sofa and I'll get the med kit." she suggested.
Malcolm watched as she came back and got out all of the instruments to heal him. "Kaitlyn, they risked a lot - negotiating with Varkin." He could tell she was upset.
She gave him a curt nod, "I know. It would just be easier if I was still mad at them." She shrugged, not really wanting to acknowledge that they were gone and that she might not see them again. "When I'm done, I'll fix us something for dinner, then I'll call Carl Dresden and tell him what we've learned. I'll send out a communiqué to Harris and update him on the situation. I'll also see if I can get a hold of Mardock." she explained.
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Starfleet Command Banquet Room
Ambassador Soval looked around at the table at the dignitaries from Denobula and Coridon, the Earth President, and a few Starfleet Admiralty. They were gathered tonight to meet informally and discuss trade agreements with each other. The real work would start tomorrow. He glanced to the door to the gardens and saw Corporal Cole protecting them diligently from her assigned post. He had not done what was expected of himself. He should have at least told her the reason he had her reassigned. He decided he would rectify the situation as soon as he could.
When the meal finished and everyone stepped away from the table to start mingling again, he took the opportunity to speak to Corporal Cole.
She stood at attention when he stopped in front of her, "Can I help you, Ambassador?"
Ambassador Soval nodded, "I would like to speak to you." he requested.
Amanda Cole took a deep breath, then touched her communication implant, "Cole to Hayes, requesting relief at station 4." she requested.
"On my way." Hayes quickly acknowledged. As he approached and saw who was standing with Corporal Cole, he became concerned. "Everything okay, Corporal?" he questioned.
Cole nodded, "Yes, Sir - the Ambassador wants to speak to me." she explained.
Hayes looked over the Ambassador, "This is highly unusual, especially since you had her reassigned yesterday." He wasn't going to have the man - no matter if he was an Ambassador, yanking his people's chains.
Ambassador Soval nodded, "I only wish to explain to Corporal Cole why I requested her reassignment."
Hayes nodded, "Five minutes."
Ambassador Soval opened the garden door and indicated for Corporal Cole to go out the door. He clasped his hands behind his back and walked slowly to the water fountain. Now that he was able to speak to her, he found he did not know how to say what he needed to.
Corporal Amanda Cole kept her gaze on the water cascading in the fountain, and off of the Ambassador. She just wanted him to hurry up and tell her whatever he had to say. "I don't have much time, Ambassador." she reminded him.
He stood beside her and watched as she tried to contain her emotions. She was definitely upset. "I should have told you yesterday why I had you reassigned."
She nodded slightly, afraid if she said anything - she'd end up yelling at him.
"You have carried out your duties above and beyond what was expected of you." he acknowledged. "My reason for having you reassigned was a personal one. You distract me." There, he'd said it.
Amanda Cole's mouth dropped as she turned to him, "I distract you?" What the hell was he talking about?
"I find that I can not focus properly when you are around, it has caused a decrease in my productivity." he explained further.
She watched the Ambassador as he began to look uncomfortable under her scrutiny. Distract, can not focus. Emotions. Once again, it seemed he was having emotions that he did not want to own up to. "I see." She clasped her hands behind her back and mirrored his stance, "Tell me, Ambassador - since I've been reassigned, has your productivity gone back up?"
Ambassador Soval let out a slow breath, "No. Now I find that I am distracted wondering what you are doing elsewhere."
Amanda Cole shook her head. He sounded smitten with her, but he would never admit it to himself, let alone her. "Well, Ambassador - hopefully it won't take long for you to forget about me. That way you won't be distracted, and your productivity will go back to its optimum level."
Ambassador Soval watched her, "I do not want to forget you."
Amanda Cole shrugged, "You can't have it both ways, Ambassador." She glanced back at the door, "Sir, I need to get back to my post."
Ambassador Soval nodded and walked her back inside. He left her at the door and continued back to the gathering. He did not understand what she meant, You can't have it both ways - he would meditate on the it further this evening. He only knew that his thoughts should not be centered on that of Corporal Cole.
XXXXX
Kaitlyn opened the door and waved for Carl Dresden to come in. He had asked to come over and discuss the situation with them.
Dresden sat down on the couch opposite them and noticed Malcolm's bruises, "Are you alright?" he questioned, growing concerned.
"I'll be okay." Malcolm reassured him.
Carl Dresden looked between the two of them, "I've made a few discrete calls and confirmed what you told me. I'm afraid that when this information is made public, the outlying Providences may revolt." he admitted.
Kaitlyn leaned forward, "Then get ahead of this, before the information is made public. Request assistance from Earth. Explain the situation clearly to them and make sure they understand the oppression that is taking place."
Carl Dresden frowned, "I'm just a Mediator."
She shook her head, "One call, Carl - it only takes one call to set the media off."
Malcolm was sitting back and watching Carl Dresden shift uncomfortably. He had a rather startling thought, "Who paid for you to come here?"
Dresden blinked slowly, "I came at the request of the Populist Republic."
Malcolm's eyes narrowed, "But who paid for your passage on the Odyssey?"
Carl Dresden sat up, "It was part of my compensation from the government to successfully mediate the dispute. I don't like what you're implying."
Kaitlyn frowned as she got the unsettling feeling they'd been trusting the wrong person. "We're not implying anything, Carl - we just want this settled peacefully." She gave him a small smile.
Carl seemed to relax, "I'm sorry, I'm just very disturbed by this information." He stood up, "I will make some communiqués tonight and see what kind of help I can get."
Kaitlyn walked him to the door, "I hope you get the help you request."
Kaitlyn came back quickly into the living room and looked at Malcolm questionably.
He stood up slowly, "We need to leave." He had the worst feeling that if they stayed any longer, they may be thrown into jail by Olek. He quickly sent out a message to Mardock and told him to get off the planet as soon as possible.
They went upstairs and quickly packed their bags. Kaitlyn retrieved the second detonator and brought it with them on the shuttle. Kaitlyn flew the shuttle up to the Odyssey.
Steven Rhodes met them as they got out of their shuttle, "You're a couple days early."
"We needed to leave. Mardock Tal should be coming aboard soon, as well." Kaitlyn stated.
Rhodes nodded, "Very well, Ma'am. If anyone inquires, I'll simply state that you are not scheduled to board the ship for another few days."
Malcolm nodded, "Thank you."
They headed for the stateroom and waited.
Mardock Tal arrived an hour later. "What happened? I thought everything was going to be fine once I paid the Orions."
Malcolm shook his head, "This has nothing to do with the Orions." He quickly explained everything they'd learned about the selective nature of the outer Providences.
Mardock watched the couple in front of him, "I'll get a message to Javier. They need to know what's going on." He stood up to leave, then turned. "Thank you, for not giving me up to Varkin."
Malcolm nodded, "I'm sure you'll find a way to thank us one day."
Mardock grinned, "That, I will." he agreed and headed to his stateroom.
XXXXX
TBC.
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