I do not own Star Trek, any of the canon characters, nor do I make any profit from my writings. I write this disclaimer to guard myself from legal action. Otherwise, there might be Hell to pay later.
Hellguard
Hellguard was three days' journey from Caldena. The Enterprise traveled at Warp One, as any faster would overtax the power distribution system which still had the cloaking device tied into it. Kirk did not wish to risk detection.
Jim called a meeting of the bridge officers to plan a strategy for rescuing the prisoners on Hellguard. He began by showing them the recording of Pike's interrogation of Vilas.
…..."So, Mr. Vilas, aside from the coordinates for Hellguard, what else can you tell us about it?"
"The primary Romulan interest on Hellguard is the dilithium mine. The workers are for the most part slaves, either prisoners convicted of non-capital crimes, those captured from colonies or ships that strayed into the Neutral Zone, and of course the hybrid children."
Vilas had captured Pike's interest.
"Hybrid children?"
"Yes. When the Romulans take captives from colonies or "invading" ships, the adult males are usually killed to prevent them from mating with the females or trying to defend them from Romulan soldiers. Male children are taken to work the mines after being given some type of disabling injury to prevent their running away. Most of these die before reaching adulthood."
"Female children also become miners. When they reach adulthood, the attractive ones are taken to the "brothel", to become "comforters" for the guards and overseers. This results in many hybrid children, most of whom become workers in the mines. A few escape to the wilderness and live in packs, like feral animals."
It was obvious from his tone of voice that Vilas was accepting of this. Pike was disgusted by everything that he had heard so far. However, if the captive Vulcans and other slaves and prisoners were to be rescued, Kirk and Spock would need all the information that could be gathered. Pike steeled himself and continued.
"Vilas, who are the overseers?"
'Most are high-ranking Romulans who have fallen into disfavor, from important families the Praetor did not dare antagonize by having them executed. Instead they were banished to Hellguard and assigned mining duty. Some return to Romulan society after a lengthy stay, however most die on Hellguard. Those with military training are assigned to guard Quiros, the Praetor's son, who also lives in the brothel."
"What is the Praetor's son doing on Hellguard?"
"He is dying. He led a life of debauchery, which caught up to him. Years ago, a shipload of Maegens veered off course and ended up in Romulan space. There were thirty very attractive females on board, all of whom ended up in the Praetor's harem. Unfortunately, they carried a bacterial infection, harmless to them but deadly to Romulans if they have repeated exposure. Quiros exposed himself repeatedly. There is no known cure."
Pike nodded. He was not feeling any pity for Quiros.
"Tell me about the brothel."
"The "brothel" usually contains a dozen or so women, some Romulan prisoners, others taken as captives. Most often these are Vulcan, Terran, Rigelian, or Orion. They are guarded by a dozen or so aging warriors, old, arthritic men with less than distinguished careers."
"You've been very helpful, Vilas. However, I have one question. I was informed that you were born on Hellguard. How did you manage to escape?"
"I was the son of one of the "comfort" women and a Romulan soldier. I went to the mines at age five, as all children on Hellguard do. Most of the workers are on the verge of starvation, but one of the guards would sneak me food. He was probably my father, though he never said so. I grew to above average size and strength. A ship came from Caldena bringing fresh slaves, but they had lost a man due to an escape attempt. I was taken to fill his place."
"Do you know who your mother was?"
"No. I assume that she was either Romulan or Vulcan."
"Yet you had no problem murdering either Vulcans or Romulans?"
"I look out only for my own interests, Admiral."
"Very well, Vilas. You will be held in confinement until your information can be verified."
"I understand. Good luck with whatever you are planning, Admiral. You will need it."
The bridge officers just sat there for a few moments, trying to absorb it all. Each was plainly moved by what they had heard, appalled by the cruelty Vilas had described and participated in. Even Spock seemed lost in thought. It was Bones who finally broke the silence.
"Well, Jim, I assume we're en route to Hellguard to free the captives and kick some Romulan butt."
Kirk gave his friend half a smile.
"That's exactly what we're doing, Bones."
Spock's curiosity was aroused.
"What is your plan, Captain?"
"Spock, I think we need to deal with the detachment of soldiers first, then the men guarding the "brothel". We'll rescue the women one by one, beaming them out. Then we'll go after the mine workers and the children. In order to accomplish this, we'll need a team of seven or eight who can look, act, and speak like Romulans."
"There are five of my former Romulan language students among the crew. Lieutenants Giotto and Sulu and Ensign Hirsch were among my best students. Ensign Johnson is also quite an adept Romulan speaker, however I do not believe that the Romulan military assigns females to duty on Hellguard."
"No, Spock, I don't think so either. Let's see who else aboard speaks Romulan. We "liberated" some uniforms from the cache on Caldena. We'll need to replicate appropriate clothing and weaponry for the entire landing party."
Spock and Nhegmi had been working on an even smaller version of the universal translator, one that would fit under clothing with a small, undetectable speaker worn in the ear. This would be very useful for the security team members who were dressed as Romulan enlisted. They would wear helmets that covered their ears and would most likely have only a minimum of speaking required of them.
Jim had been working through Spock's interactive Romulan course since the Enterprise left Starbase 7. Spock and Nyota had been working with him, spending much of their free time conversing with him in Romulan.
On the evening before they reached Hellguard, Kirk called a meeting of the bridge officers and the landing party for the upcoming mission. Kirk, Sulu, Hirsch, and Giotto were all sporting the "ear jobs" Bones had given them that afternoon. He had also given them eyebrow lifts. Kirk and Hirsch were wearing brown contact lenses, as blue-eyed Romulans were even rarer than blue-eyed Vulcans.
Spock found their appearances rather disconcerting and said so.
"What's the matter, Spock? Now I look more like I could be your brother."
"Actually, Jim, you look more like my late second cousin Streld. He was considered unattractive."
"Gee, thanks a lot. Still, I'm not out to win any beauty contests. I just want to fool the Romulans long enough to accomplish our mission. How are the universal translators coming along?"
"Lt. Nhegmi and I have finished them. They have tested well and will also permit Lt. Uhura to listen in on conversations in Romulan and give prompts should anyone have difficulty. She has been monitoring communications to and from Hellguard. A Commander Tirell is in charge of the base and Subcommander Zretak heads the mining operation."
"Lt. Uhura, have we prepared our message for Commander Tirell?"
"Yes sir."
Nyota handed the Captain a PADD with the message she intended to send to the Base Commander and its Standard translation. Kirk gave it careful scrutiny.
"Very good, Lieutenant."
"Scotty, do you have our little visual deception ready?"
"Aye, sir. I'll be projecting a visual image of a Romulan warbird while sending out a simulated warp signature to match. It's quite a lovely piece of work if I do say so myself."
"Spock, does Chief Mofasu have everything ready for us?"
"Yes, Captain. He has prepared a feast of beef, fresh fruit, and Romulan ale, all of which are in short supply on Hellguard, and of course have been drugged to make our hosts quite sleepy. Dr. McCoy has provided the landing party with antidotes."
"Good work, everyone. I guess that we're as ready as we'll ever be."
Zelen sat at the communications console of the Hellguard Command Center, nearly bored to tears. There had been no messages sent or received for the last day. Zelen hated his assignment, expecting that he would probably die on Hellguard. Only his powerful uncle's connections had saved him from death on Romulus. How was he to know that the girl he had insulted was the Praetor's niece?"
"Incoming message for Commander Tirell from Commander Demus of the Imperial Vessel Colius."
"Hold please for verification."
Zelen visually confirmed that the vessel was indeed an Imperial Warbird. He also verified its warp signature.
"You are verified. I will transfer your transmission to Commander Tirell. One moment please."
Zelen was not the only one bored. Commander Tirell and his aide Aichus were sitting with their feet upon the desk, rolling dice. They were playing for hoosa nuts, inedible by Romulans but prized by the local indigenous rodents, similar to Terran squirrels. On a slow day they would sit on the balcony and toss them, watching the small creatures run after them. Most of their days were slow days.
On very slow days, they would watch the enlisted men race gong beetles. The beetles got their name from the noise they made when they collided with one another, which happened frequently as they insects were blind.
The fascinating dice game was interrupted by the chiming of the comm unit.
Aichus answered, doing his best to sound inconvenienced by the intrusion.
"Yes, Zelen, what is it now?"
"I have an incoming transmission from a Commander Demus aboard the Colius."
"Send it through."
"Yes, Subcommander."
"Greetings to Commander Tirell from Commander Demus. I and a few of my men, eight of us in all, would like to tour your facility and sample your famous "entertainment." In return, I would offer you a meal prepared by my personal chef. I understand that the cuisine on Hellguard is not always particularly palatable."
"Please hold for a moment while I discuss this with my aide."
Aichus pressed the "mute" button.
"Another batch of horny spacemen wanting their turns with the "brothel" women. Well, why not? At least we might get a good meal out of it this time. What do you say, Aichus?"
"I say that I am bored and hungry. Let us accept their proposal, Commander."
"Very well, then. Resume the transmission."
Aichus took his finger off the button and Tirell addressed the vessel's commander.
"We would be delighted to receive you and thank you for your kind offer of a meal. When would you be arriving?"
"We will transport down at 1700 hours tomorrow. Please transmit the proper coordinates. "
"It shall be done. I look forward to meeting you, Commander."
