Title: Losing it All
By: Ti'kara
Summary: Ishaia is a 15 year old girl living on a starship, when her family is killed, who's gonna come to the rescue?
Disclaimer: Unfortunately I do not own the show, or the characters, except for Ishaia, her mother, sister and the Inari. Those are all mine.
I walked quickly down the hall and to my quarters. The door whooshed open as I approached and I hurried inside. "Manua," I called, "Are you here? Ma'adry! Is anyone home? Oh, neo-zite! (Swearing sounds familiar in any language) Where is everybody?" I left my quarters and went on looking for my mother and sister. "Maybe they're in the mess hall," I mumbled to myself.
"Excuse me, did you say something?" Ensign Daru asked.
"Oh, I was just wondering where Captain Mintaka and my sister are," I answered.
"I believe the Captain is in Engineering and Ma'adry was in the cargo bay," the Ensign answered.
"Great," I said, "thanks Ensign." I ran off toward the stairs leading to the cargo bay. Entering the cargo bay I called out "Ma'adry, are you here!"
"Yes," came the answer.
"Well where are you?" I cried out exasperated. "You were supposed to meet me in the bio lab 15 min. ago."
"Oops, I forgot," Ma'adry said as she came out from behind a bin, "I got to reading this really neat story and I guess I lost track of the time."
I sighed, Ma'adry was doing this all the time. She'd get so engrossed in a story that she'd even forget to eat. "Well hurry up zonderlin, we only get the lab for a short time for that biology project."
"I know, I know" Ma'adry groaned, "but I so hate biology, don't you think I could skip it this time?" She wheedled.
"No, I…" I broke off as the ship was rocked and knocked me off my feet. I heard Ma'adry cry out and then heard no more.
I slowly opened my eyes and winced as the bright lights caused my head to start pounding. "Ah, you're finally awake, are you. Good, now maybe I can get some answers." Said a voice somewhere off to my left. Slowly I turned my head and saw a Cardassian standing there. Fear suddenly overwhelmed me as I realized we were really in trouble.
"Who are you?" I asked in a small voice.
"I am Gul Truvet of the Cardassian fleet." He answered me.
"What…" But he cut me off.
"I'll ask the questions here. What is your name?"
"Ishaia Mintaka," I answered.
"What ship is this?'
"It's the E'shayla"
"And what are you doing here?'
"Where do you mean? In the cargo bay?" Suddenly he jerked me up by my arm and shook me.
"NO! I mean in the DMZ! Now what is your ship doing here!" He snarled. I shrank away but he held me fast.
"I…I don't know." I stammered. Quickly Truvet backhanded me across the face so hard I would have fallen if he hadn't been holding me by the arm. I cried out. "I don't know," I sobbed. "I'm telling you the truth. I don't…."
"That's enough," the Gul shouted. "Bring her to the mess hall," he ordered shoving me toward another Cardassian. It was all I could do to keep from crying. I had never been so scared in my life. What were these Cardassians doing here, and what did they want? What did they mean by the DMZ? The Alliance of Planetary Governments was neutral. We had nothing to do with the Federation, Cardassian peace treaty. The Cardassian was dragging me with him and I summoned up the courage to ask,
"Where are my mother and my sister?" The Cardassian slapped me and told me to shut up. I reached up to my mouth with my free hand and wiped away the blood, blinking back the tears. As the mess hall doors opened, he shoved me inside. It looked like most of the crew was there, and over in the corner sat Ma'adry crying softly.
Ma'adry looked up and cried out "Ishaia!"
"Ah," said Gul Truvet, "I believe this must be your sister." Smiling evilly, he ordered his aid to bring Ma'adry over. "Let's reunite these two wonderful sisters," he said. "Now I'm just going to give you one more chance. You can either tell me what you are doing in the DMZ, or you can die. It's that simple." Ishaia and Ma'adry's mother stood up.
"I already told you," she said, "This is The Alliance of Planetary Governments Starship E'shayla. We are in the DMZ to deliver humanitarian supplies to Teffon II. That is all."
"I see," he said. Then pointing to Ma'adry he said, "kill her". The guard instantly pointed his weapon at Ma'adry and fired. A pure beam of energy lashed out, hitting Ma'adry and killing her instantly. I screamed. Captain Tiera Mintaka jumped up shouting, but before she could say a word the Gul pointed his weapon at my head and snapped "One word and she dies next." Captain Mintaka froze, shutting her mouth quickly. "Now, sit down." Without a word she sat. "Now do you see what happens when you lie? Tell me the truth, quickly now, before I lose my patience"
Lt. Janst answered, "The Captain already told you. There's nothing else to say." Truvet simply pointed at Janst and the guard killed him.
He ordered Captain Mintaka brought to his side and then said, "this will stop as soon as you decide to tell me the truth. Kill them, one by one, unless I order you to stop." The guards opened fired and began killing the crew. My mother stood there helplessly while her crew was being slaughtered. I tried to turn away, but the Gul wouldn't let me. My mother shouted at him that she had already told him the truth, but he wouldn't listen. When the guards were finished he turned to look at the Captain "Now what would hurt you worse Captain? Seeing your second daughter killed and knowing it is your own fault or dying knowing I will keep her alive, giving her to my men for entertainment and then torture. I think it would definitely be the last. Good bye, Captain" And with that he shot Captain Mintaka himself.
I lay on the floor in the cargo bay curled up into a little ball. After Truvet's men had had their 'fun', one of the men had beaten me until I was unconscious. As I woke up the memories of what had happened flooded over me. I just wanted to die. Like everyone else I cared about had. Why didn't the Cardassians just kill me? Why keep torturing me? It wasn't like Manua could know and be hurt by it anymore. Truvet had killed her. Suddenly I was aware of how quiet the cargo bay was. It sounded like everyone had left, or was asleep. I tried to get up but the pain when I moved made me gasp. The nausea engulfed me in waves and I struggled not to vomit.
Suddenly I heard the cargo bay doors open. Fear engulfed me like a tidal wave. Oh please, just let them kill me, I thought. I heard footsteps walking around the bay. I held my breath. Maybe if I were very quiet they would forget about me. Suddenly the footsteps approached where I lay. "Oh my God," I heard a male voice say. I cringed. Please, please, I thought, let him just go away. I felt a hand on my shoulder. Immediately all my control vanished. I couldn't stand anymore and I started screaming and trying to struggle. The man grabbed my wrists and rolled me onto my back.
"Take it easy," he said in a gentle voice. "Take it easy, no one is going to hurt you. I'm here to help." But I couldn't take it easy. The pain was too great and the fear overwhelmed me. I couldn't think straight, all I knew was that I couldn't take anymore. I must have been babbling something because the man was saying over and over, " Sh, Sh, it's all over. You're safe now." Gradually I stopped struggling. I had no more energy and I was in too much pain. Whatever happened, happened. I couldn't do anything to stop it.
I whimpered, "please don't hurt me. Please."
"I'm not going to hurt you," he said, letting go of my wrists. "I want to help you."
"Help me?" I asked looking up.
He smiled, "That's right," he said, "Help you."
Finally I was able to look at his face "You're not Cardassian!" I gasped.
He smiled again, "That's right, I'm human. My name is Chakotay. We heard your distress call and came to see if we could help. Can you tell me your name?" He asked me.
"Ishaia," I replied.
"Well, Ishaia, I think you need a trip to our sick bay, such as it is."
"The Cardassians!" I suddenly remembered. "Watch out, they're on the ship."
"No they aren't," Chakotay assured me, "We've taken care of them." Chakotay then pressed an emblem on his jacket and said, "two to transport". The next thing I knew we were on another ship.
"Tell Seska I have a girl who needs some medical care," Chakotay told the woman handling the transporter.
"Yes, Captain," the girl replied. Captain, I thought. I've been rescued by the Captain of this ship, whatever it is. Chakotay reached down to pick me up and as he moved me the pain roared to life again. I cried out as waves of nausea rolled over me. He immediately stopped moving me but it was to late as I started to vomit. Chakotay put a hand on my forehead and the other around my shoulders as I heaved.
"Get Seska in here with a medical kit now!" He ordered as he supported me. A minute or so later as the nausea started to ease a little a woman came over with a tricorder and started to scan me. "Well?" Chakotay asked.
"Broken ribs, bruises, contusions, lacerations, a broken collar bone and the bones in her left hand have been smashed." The woman replied.
"Do you have what you need to take care of her injuries?" The Captain asked.
"No," she answered. "The ribs and other injuries yes, but, not her shattered hand that's going to take some major work and knowledge which I don't have."
"How about the pain and nausea?" He asked.
"I can take care of that right now." And she immediately put a hypo to my neck. I heard a hiss and suddenly the pain and nausea were a lot better.
"Thanks," I whispered. I was still feeling really weak.
The woman smiled, "no problem," she said. "Now I think we'd better get you to the infirmary."
Chakotay looked at me and asked, "Do you think you can stand to be moved now?"
I nodded, "I think so". He carefully picked me up and carried me to the infirmary.
Laying me on a bed he told Seska, "See what you can do while I go up to the bridge and check on things.
Suddenly scared, I cried out "NO! Don't leave me!"
Chakotay turned around and walked back to the bed, "Ishaia," he said, "you won't be alone. Seska's here."
"No, please don't go! I'm scared."
He gently took my uninjured hand in his and told me, "Ishaia, you are safe here. No one is going to hurt you. For one thing if they did they would have to answer to me, and believe me no one wants to do that." He smiled, "I promise you I will be right back." I couldn't hold back the tears anymore and they started to pour down my face. Chakotay looked at me, concern in his eyes. "OK, honey, I'm not going anywhere with you feeling like this." "Chakotay to Tuvok."
"Tuvok here"
"Report"
"The search of the E'shayla has been completed. There was only one survivor, the girl you found."
"Very well, resume course and speed." Chakotay ordered.
"Aye, sir."
Seska proceeded to treat my injuries as I struggled to control the tears. "I'm sorry," I mumbled.
"What for?" Chakotay asked, puzzled.
"For being such a baby," I sobbed. "I can't seem to stop crying."
"Ishaia," Chakotay replied, "There is nothing for you to be sorry for, you haven't done anything wrong." He reached out and gently wiped a tear away. "It's ok to cry. You're entitled after what you've been through."
"I'm embarrassed though. I never cry," and I continued struggling to stop the tears.
Chakotay watched my face, "Honey, just cry it out. There's absolutely nothing for you to be embarrassed about. Crying can be a good thing. It can help you work through the pain. Stop worrying about it." He smiled. Seska finished with the Dermal Regenerator.
"Sir," she said, "can I speak to you a minute?"
"What is it?" He asked.
"Um, privately," she replied. I started to panic; he wasn't going to leave me, was he? I wasn't ready for him to go. I was still terrified and he was the only one I felt safe with.
Chakotay patted me on the shoulder, "We'll be right over there on the other side of the room," he told me understanding my fear. I nodded watching him walk away. "What is it, Seska?" He asked.