Back from Hawaii and it was worth everything. :D I truly missed everyone and am happy to present the next chapter. This was especially difficult to do, too, but not just because I was away for over a week. Eight more to go, and the Vorta Brides Trilogy is DONE.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Escape

By the next day, she and Kilana heard some very disturbing - and amusing on Lynet's part - news: Ambassador Weyoun had mysteriously been killed on the transporter returning from Deep Space 9 following the failed peace negotiations.

Kilana had come back to her, shaken to her core, giving Lynet the details that Weyoun had been found dead with several wounds that looked like they'd be self-inflicted but also very suspicious: flesh missing behind his left shoulder, his genital area brutally castrated, and overall a great loss of blood which was the likely cause of death. Lynet was used to autopsy reports, but this one just...made her stomach churn.

Somehow something told her he couldn't have done this to himself, no matter he not being a favorite of hers. "This doesn't make sense," she said to her friend as she reread the details. "I don't even know him other than what I've heard, but how could he do this to himself? 'Suicide'?" She scoffed and put the PADD down on the table in front of her. "Murder is more like it."

The Vorta nodded, her face passive. "I've been wondering that myself, but an investigation is underway. Only one other was present with him: Legate Damar."

Damar had been there...could he have killed Weyoun? Lynet pondered this. If he DID commit the crime, how did he cover up his tracks? He must have done a damned good job, she sent to Yelgrun, who nodded in disgust.

They'll never find out the truth, I know it. But I like to think Weyoun got it coming. He was always another I despised and he despised me in return, not just because of Keevan. Damar hates Weyoun even more than me, it seems, but another clone will come. It all would have been a waste to attempt to get rid of his pestering partner.

Lynet bit her lip and nodded. "What incarnation is this one going to be?" she asked Kilana.

"Six," the other woman answered patiently. "And I have to tell you he's a decent man, too, like Yelgrun, even though the two hate each other, too."

Well, that just made her feel a little better, she thought sarcastically. Another Weyoun coming and mocking Damar for his futile attempts to murder - if it were true - and then continuing what he did best, no doubt. Who knew what the new Weyoun would be doing, as only he knew the truth behind his predecessor's death.

~o~

Kilana was due to abort Cardassia Prime for yet another patrol along the border in a couple weeks. Let's say that things had been a bit...strange ever since Weyoun was killed. Three days ago he was dead, and now a new one was in his place.

However, she was quick to spot that there was something odd about Weyoun 6.

She wouldn't pretend to know that each clone carried on the memories of their predecessors and therefore defined them to change a little to prove they learned their mistakes. But it still begged why the last Weyoun had done the horrendous deed to himself that had made her stomach lurch. Someone else could have murdered him, but no other DNA other than his own had been found at the scene. As far as anyone else was concerned, the case was closed.

But this new one had to know the truth.

Why was she dwelling on this so much? She was well-acquainted with Weyoun, but he wasn't her friend like Yelgrun was. Speaking of which, Yelgrun was still alive and well. He was strong to last this long now. Who knew how much longer it would be for Lynet without her husband. From what Kilana had been seeing, her friend was becoming even more lonely and frustrated in the sexual sense. There had been no one else to comfort her, love her, and she was still married to Yelgrun no matter the distance. Lynet was slowly returning to her old self, but it was not the same without her husband.

Sometimes the Vorta would find her friend snuck out into the gardens at night, just sitting and looking ahead, up at the sky, closing her eyes in deep meditation - whether it be in conversation with Yelgrun or just soothing her senses - or just looking at nothing in particular. Lynet was calmer than she'd ever been.

Something told Kilana that she had to get Lynet away from Cardassia if it was even possible.

Which brought her back to the situation with Weyoun.

"Why, Kilana, what a pleasant surprise." She halted upon hearing her name as well as seeing the man coming her way. Weyoun was smiling from ear to ear. "I was looking for you for some time now." She went rigid when she turned her full body around and looked him in the eyes with her best smile. Somehow his orbs contained smaller traces of the cruelty and trickery that he always radiated from his being. Looking deeper into his eyes, she detected there was more than what he recalled of the death of his predecessor. Something much deeper...

His voice cleared, telling her she had gotten lost in her musings. "Kilana?" he questioned curiously, brows furrowing.

She quickly pulled herself together. "Forgive me, Weyoun. I just...noticed something different about you." She had to tread with extreme care. He had to have a reason for wanting to speak with her. "What can I do for you?"

He smiled, more timidly than she remembered ever seeing in his previous lives. "Well, it's a matter on a mere...personal level," he replied, folding his arms across his chest. "If I can talk to you in private." He gestured for her to lead the way down the hallway so they ducked under an isolated alcove. Kilana got the feeling that it was going to send her stomach dropping much lower than it was now...

"It's a matter of you and that interesting human girl I might have accidentally seen you with on occasion."

Now her mind and entire body besides her insides melted to the floor in sheer panic, but she could not look away from Weyoun's searching eyes. There was no fooling the great Weyoun; nothing ever slipped past the Vorta, so she bit her tongue and boldly kept her attention on him. But that meant her friend was in trouble now that he knew. She cursed to herself for not doing a better job. Weyoun sensed her emotions and softened his smile. "Now, no one is in danger. I merely want to know about your...lady friend. Why is it that no one ever knew she existed until I saw the two of you every now and then, away from the Founder's eyes - and away from my own and my predecessor's?"

Kilana lowered her eyes now. "She's Yelgrun's prisoner," she confessed, "and a good friend of mine."

"Really?" His enthusiasm prompted her to look at him again. "I would love to hear more about her. If we could go someplace quiet."

Now she began to see that Weyoun had gotten even softer than the last one ever was. The old Weyoun had been far more callous yet gentle - and this one was more placid and empathetic, like she was. She had never harmed a soul, which also marked her from her peers. What happened to Weyoun 5 must have done a number on him...but was this one becoming what she, Yelgrun and Keevan had?

She saw this as her opportunity to try and use his help to get Lynet and herself off of Cardassia, just to keep her friend safe, and who knew what else to follow especially when you were at the frontlines of war.

~o~

It was then and there that she finally picked up that phaser and fire the target, in the wilderness and away from Lakarian City.

A riding hound had come onto her the second she had lowered her guard. As it turned out, these beasts could not be tamed unless a Cardassian could, and they saw human flesh as an easy target compared to their humanoid superiors. But there was also the saying that no man was superior to any beast in existence. And it was beside the point.

She had enough of being here on Cardassia. She meant it this time. Staring at the wild, dead beast on the ground beneath her, her clothes covered in blood and her face sticky with it...and this time she snapped when she looked down at her kill. Her very first one, because this thing was a part of the culture of the people allied with her enemies. Why had she hesitated before? Yelgrun had never seen her do this before, but now he did through their bond - and he thrummed with passion at the image of her covered in blood. Dark, but desirable, he said. He wished he was there to take her into his arms and into their bed so he could lick off that blood then and there, but he wasn't here.

Lynet decided she could not waste anymore time here. She found herself looking down at the blade she used to carve the beast's heart out and hold it in her hands. I should run away from here. Sneak into one of the cargo bays and get a patrol ship -

Yelgrun cut her off. I doubt it will go well. They'll shoot you on sight for unauthorized take-off. Unless Kilana can find a damned good plan to get you both away only to have a battalion of Jem'Hadar after you.

She bit her words. He was right; the Founder herself could find out that one of her Vorta had left Cardassia Prime without her permission, even took her men with her - or the chances were they could turn on them both the moment they found out the truth, given the Jem'Hadar were more loyal than the Vorta. But didn't those other soldiers do the same thing over the Gateway found on the Iconian homeworld?

"Lynet!"

Only Kilana knew she was here. She had found out that the human left without her consent. She spun around to see the other Vorta standing there - and with another Vorta. This one was male, dressed a little grander than she, and he had an air of regality and grace about him. Both of them looked shocked at the sight of her covered in gore and the dead hound behind her. Kilana was mortified. "What are you doing?!" she exclaimed.

"What does it look like I was doing?" Lynet responded calmly, though she could not stop looking at the man who was apparently studying her and scrunching his nose up as though he'd smelled something pungent. The smell of dried blood wasn't that bad, to her anyway.

"In broad daylight when you could be taken in and questioned, maybe killed, you silly girl!" he scolded, then looked at Kilana from the corner of his eye and saw the look she was giving him. He quickly apologized. "My apologies, Lt. Ross. I am Weyoun." He gave a humble bow of the head forward.

Sudden fear gripped her that she almost lost hold on her weapon, dropping the bloody heart to the ground with a soft plop. This was...this was Weyoun... "Relax, I won't harm you," he said with both hands raised and baring his teeth in a light grin. "I have just heard an interesting story about you from Kilana."

She took a small step back, clenching her jaw. She wasn't sure what her friend said exactly, because how could they trust this man who was the Founder's right hand? And WHY did she tell him about her? "How can I trust you?" she asked suspiciously. "I've heard about you, Weyoun. You're the second-in-command of the dictatorship called the Dominion, which I have been prisoner within for over a year. Yelgrun was protecting me from you, and so has Kilana." She looked over at the other woman, who gave her a look of sheer worry which also silently begged her to not provoke him.

But Weyoun looked far from offended - or should she say, pained in the face? "Lieutenant, it saddens me that you misunderstand. You were taken from your home, your crew, by none other than one of our own, and you don't deserve to remain here any longer. Yelgrun kept you as a prisoner for his own personal reasons..."

Lynet's mind shut off altogether as she locked eyes with Kilana again, alarmed to her core. She didn't even tell this man that she was married to Yelgrun and loved him, too! Why didn't she?!

"But now perhaps you should be taken elsewhere, away from here. Kilana departs in less than two weeks, so perhaps you should take her away from Cardassia Prime, and when the time is right, get as far away from the space as you can. Perhaps go to Captain Sisko," he offered, stunning her altogether. "See if he will protect you now. Yelgrun must have done too much a number on you."

She still wasn't sure if she could trust this man, but the way it was seen now, she had an opportunity and a choice: either she stayed here for the rest of her life, or she could escape with Kilana and her life. Her friend's life, too. She had no choice but to agree.

"Why didn't you tell him about us?" Lynet demanded as soon as they were both alone. "He thinks Yelgrun was nothing more than my kidnapper and me as a toy for his own selfish pleasure!"

Kilana nodded, guilt in her entire posture. "Because of the fact that they are still enemies, and Weyoun would never understand it truly. He has never taken a mate that I know of, like the way Yelgrun took you." Her beam was back in a flash. "But do you have any idea what this means? I can rally up my men, and we can get you away from this planet for good. I'll get you to Deep Space 9, find myself a safe haven there -" She stopped there, the anxiety now present. Lynet knew exactly why.

"But I doubt the captain will be very pleased to see me."

"Especially with what transpired between you two on Torga."

"Yes. But at the same time, we both agreed we should have trusted each other. I was very sincere with him, and I should have known he would have let me have the Founder." She sighed. "I just hope that we get to come to that understanding this time around."

Since her friend had her own problems to face, Lynet Ross had her own: everyone would see she was still alive and demand to know her story, which she was willing to give, but that meant lying to protect her husband - even if it meant labeling him as the villain he never was. I love you, and I will never lie about our love...but they will see me as crazy for telling the truth.

His reply was expected and far from what she wanted to hear. Do what you must, my precious. A wave of a kiss made her light on her feet. I'm far beyond relieved that you are getting away - even if it was from Weyoun of all people. He was definitely distrusting of the ambassador, but he did prove to be more...reasonable than either expected him to be.

A new fear washed over her heart: she was afraid of the unknown in space, and constant Jem'Hadar warships and fighters on the lookout. Hopefully Kilana would keep them off for however long necessary.

~o~

She was getting away. He could feel it in his system as he lay on his back, closing his eyes to the ceiling, ignoring the door opening and the announcement that his food had been brought to him. Lynet and Kilana were both getting away - but that left so many Jem'Hadar to face if one of them found out that the girls were planning to flee the Dominion. The Jem'Hadar served the Founders more loyally than the Vorta ever would, never mind that one time of rebellion.

The Jem'Hadar thrived on ketracel-white to swear they would never betray the "obedience brings victory" oath; the Vorta were killed and cloned time and time again. They were no better than the reptilian lizards that fought under their command.

Be careful, my love.

~o~

Here she was, back on the Jem'Hadar warship with her friend - and today was the day, or so she hoped. She had no further plan to act, but what could they do right now? Kilana had a job to do first, and it might as well be the last one she would ever do for these monsters.

Lynet had no choice but to wait. At the moment, she was examining the weapon she had been given: a phaser rifle. None of the Jem'Hadar objected, only because their Vorta commanded she be left alone, that they ought to know better by now. She was given a small room that had enough furnishings to her liking now. "I'll come and get you," Kilana promised, "when we are finished. If there is a chance, we will come across a class-M planet on the way back."

By class-M planet, she meant a place to lie low for now. Lynet would have no problem with it, but she had to teach her friend how to hunt, too. Remembering how queasy Kilana was when she saw her covered in blood, she doubted the Vorta woman would enjoy the lifestyle.

She decided to take a nap for now, and it was quite restful, with her weapon secured in her embrace...and a hand shook her awake. "Lynet..."

"Mm - what?" she murmured, opening her eyes and blinking the sleep away, rubbing them so her vision was clear and Kilana's face was above her. The smile that was reserved for a smooth negotiation was in place...only this time was not intended for peace talks. It was something far more dangerous that the Dominion deemed in its eyes that they failed to keep from some of their most loyal subjects. It had to be the case with Weyoun; that one clone was defecting, it seemed. Why else would he have helped them? His predecessor's death made him realize his affiliation wasn't as...stable as it was meant to be.

"It's time," Kilana whispered. Her hand went to her belt, where Lynet saw the phaser pistol strapped. She'd taught the other woman how to use the weapon.

They were both now standing outside the door which led to the bridge, where every one of the Jem'Hadar unit were inside working and not bothering to wonder when their compassionate Vorta female would return - and not suspecting the "diabolical" plan against them. Kilana had suffered the losses of her last unit, but this time she didn't shed a tear. She was ridden with anxiety, however, as she had never fired a phaser before and never thought she would be in combat. "You got this," Lynet whispered to her, having complete faith in her friend.

Kilana gave her a little smile and raised the weapon higher, keeping a good grip on it and removing the safety. On Lynet's signal and counting of the fingers:

One...

Two...

Three...

NOW!

The doors opened, and phaserfire burst from both the doorway and the inside of the bridge from both women and a dozen Jem'Hadar. Smoke clouded the air as the fighting for control began.

I hope the wait was worth it. :) Reviews always appreciated.