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Author's Note: All parts in italics are flashbacks
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Chapter Sixteen: Exceptional Courage, Pt I
Sitting in the Captain's chair, surrounded with silence Captain Deanna Troi checked for personal messages...there were none. In the five-and-a-half month that Will had been on his so-called shore leave he hadn't send her a single message; and that hurt.
Angrily she closed the screen and turned her gaze outwards to the stars, to the life she had chosen. For days the thought of returning to her home, between the stars had been the only one that had kept her sane, alive. No one had expected that a simple political mission could have gone so...wrong and thus no one had prepaired.
Her mind wondered off to the day she had left the Enterprise to spend some time on Betazed. She had been near a psychic breakdown and she had known it. Her time on Betazed she had used to clean up the psychic mess Will's departure had caused. And once again she had managed to get her life back on the rails. With her mother's and her best friends', Chandra and Beverly, help she had managed. The crew had been happy to have her back on board and she had been happy to be back...among the stars.
Upon her return they had induced several changes. Data had taken over all the First Officer's Bridge Watches; allowing her to keep counseling, be it on a less crowded schedule, and to take over the tasks of First Officer. True she didn't have as much spare time as before, but she really didn't mind. She loved leading Away Missions and more than once her empathy had proven helpful. Besides; it kept her from thinking too much about her personal life.
Things on the Enterprise went well; there had been no war. Of course people had gotten injured during an away mission, including herself; but then, an away mission wasn't an away mission -without- something going wrong was it? There had been only one hostile encounter in space. With Romulans that was.
Three weeks after she had returned they had been attacked by a Romulan Warbird near the Neutral Zone. They had been surprised...not as much by the event itself but by the ancient Warbird. Which was no match for the Souvereign Class Enterprise-E. But the Romulan commander in charge had set things straight with her 'welcome sentence' "You're going to regret the day you set foot aboard *my* vessel Major Rakal. Or should I call you Deanna Troi." The venom in Toreth's voice had been nearly touchable, but funny enough Deanna hadn't been scared. On the contrary, she had been annoyed.
Talking hadn't helped; Toreth wanted revenge. And so the attack itself hadn't been much of a surprise. But throughout their communications the Warbird had remained cloaked and when it eventually showed itself when firing it turned out the be over 20 years old. They hadn't realized that soon enough; expecting one of the newest they had used their strongest weapons and regretfully destroyed the Warbird and it's crew which fortunately only consisted of 8 Romulans.
Both governments had mutually agreed that it had been a regretfull incedent but that neither could be held responsible and the Treaty remained.
But almost two months later things had gone wrong, *very*wrong.
The mission had been a standard one. She, Picard and Data had beamed down as representatives of the Federation to Pklira Prime; a planet accepted in the Federation 12 months prior. They beamed down to talk with the planet's government to investigate the status of the population and the effects of joining the Federation on the natives. Beaming down the main officers of the Enterprise had unsettled her and thus she had protested. But Starfleet Command stood foot, sending them down anyway, leaving Geordi in Command.
The first day hadn't been a problem. The planet's Prime Minister Kltiap had been co-operative and had allowed them access to all archives. She hadn't sensed any danger or deception, the only thing that concerned her was that he was holding something back. Of course she had made several attempts to find out what, but each had come to a dead end. By the end of the day the officers had beamed back for the night. The next day they would view the capital city.
~-~-~-~
Someone was following them; she was sure of it and she doubted that that someone's intentions would be good. Abruptly she stopped and looked over her shoulder; trying to determane where their pursuer was hiding. Picard had noticed her hesitation before but her full stop concerned him.
"What is it?"
"Someone's following us." Her whisper was so soft that only Picard could possibly hear her. With a gesture of his hand he motioned Data to keep their guide busy.
"Can you determane his/her intentions?" Reluctantly she shook her head.
"No Sir; but I doubt they'll be good-natured."
"I agree Commander. Let's be cautious." She threw another glance over her shoulder and then continued their journey.
~-~-~-~
Oh, she remembered that mission well; better than she wanted. And much to her annoyance she wasn't likely to forget. That afternoon the mission had taken a drastic turn.
~-~-~-~
The sensation of being followed hadn't left and was accompanied by anxiety by the time they had reached the government's building. They spent several minutes discussing their tour through the city and during that time she felt the anxiety magnify and the tension in their pursuer grow. Concentrating she realized that there were two pursuers, at close proximity of each other. She informed her Captain and Data of her findings and asked them to be extra alert. Because it was a friendly mission they didn't carry any weapon which made them a rather vulnerable target.
The Prime Minister came walking up to them to welcome them back and ofcourse to ask them their opinion on his city. As soon as he walked out the door the anxiety increased in tenfold and made her gasp softly. When the Minister went to stand next to Picard she suddenly felt a need for revenge and immense hatred. Immediately she knew, understood the intentions of the two men emerging only meters away. They held weapons of some sort and aimed at the Captain and the Prime Minister.
In the blink of an eye she threw herself in front of her Captain while shouting to Data to protect Kltiap. The disruptor-like beam meant for Picard hit her in her upperleg and made her scream of pain. Glancing at Data and the Minister she saw Data getting up to pursue the attackers and in the same instant she realized that Kltiap had been hurt as well. Deanna then ripped of her ComBadge and opened a link.
"Away Team to Enterprise: Beam us up, now!" Without giving it another thought she threw her Badge to the Minister, thereby making sure he would get the necessary medical treatment. Ony after making sure they had been beamed out she allowed herself to pass out.
~-~-~-~
Unconsciously Deanna rubbed her left thigh, there were she had been hurt over a month ago.
~-~-~-~
Slowly she opened her eyes and scanned her surroundings. There was little light, but enough to see that she wasn't in a luxury suit. The room was humid and cold; a combination the tiny Betazoid couldn't stand. When she tried to up-right herself a sharp pain surged through her left leg and she clenched her teeth not to cry out. Looking down at her leg she saw the primitive bandage, soaked with her blood.
"Well, at least they have the politeness to bind me up." Her murmured statement was lost in the darkness of the building. Judging by the amount of blood the wound was large and had not stopped bleeding yet. Biting on her lip she began to unwound the bandage. What she saw made her gasp of horror. A large chunk of flesh was missing; several veins and muscles were cut and bleeding heavily. She was very well aware she had stop the bleeding or otherwise she'd bleed to death. Which wasn't quite the kind of death she preferred.
Slightly shifting her position she took of her jacket and tore it into strings. One of those strings she wound around her leg; just above the wound. She tightened it as strong as she could; hoping it would decrease her bleeding. Her initial thought was to use the other strings to wind around the wound, but on second thought she didn't. Her clothes were filthy and would only cause infections which would worsen the case. In a half sitting/laying posture she waited...and waited...and waited and eventually she fell asleep.
~*+*~
A pain in her cheek awoke her.
"Wake up Starfleet-one!" Reluctantly she opened her eyes and looked at the man towering above her. He was rather tall, 6'2 she estimated, and very angry.
"Where am I?"
"That's not of your concern lady." His cold voice send a shiver up along her spine but she didn't show her fear.
"Who are you?"
"Nobody. Now you'll stop asking questions and follow me!" His edgy and unpredictable state of mind silenced her...until she tried to move.
"Laveer plarhja!" She clenched her teeth together to avoid screaming out again.
"What did you say lady?!" The voice was all the indication she needed to know it was an threating order.
"I said: goddammit this hurts like hell!" While translating she pointed at her injured thigh. To her pleasure she saw the man's features pale as his eyes fell on her wound.
"Very well, I'll bring everything here." Curious but also frightened about what that 'everything' might be she awaitened the man's return. Some 5 minutes later he came back; carrying to buckets with water; two towels. Some clothes and more bandages. He put the things down at her side and left. "1 hour." He called over his shoulder.
"Terrific" she murmured; watching him leave. "Okay let's give it a shot." But every move; no matter how slight made her cringe in pain. Drawing on everything she had once been taught she used all her inner strength to block out the pain. Eventually she suceeded; leaving only a vague stinging sensation when she moved, but she wouldn't be able to block the pain very long and thus she had to hurry.
~*+*~
In little more than half and hour she managed to undress, clean, wound her leg and dress again. She had soaked the bandages in the warm water and put them in the wound; then she had wound the dry bandages tightly around it. It was the best she could do, she just hoped it would be good enough. When she was finished the quickly washed her face before allowing herself to feel the pain again. Like she had expected the pain had increased by several 100% and as soon as she stopped blocking it she fainted.
~*+*~
This time the feeling of cold water on her face was the reason she awoke. This time there was a couple standing in front of her. The man was taller than the previous, 6'4 or 6'5, he was handsome as well, she had to admit. He was accompanied by a woman about Beverly's length, pretty to look at but not stunningly beautiful. Both were agitated and nervous but satisfied about who they had captured; the man a little more than the woman. Deanna regarded them both with a scrutinizing glance that revealed none of her emotions.
"That was a stupid action of you lady."
"What was?"
"Taking the blast meant for the Minister and that Starfleet Captain." The man nearly spitted the word Starfleet out. His disgust was easily audible.
"I consider it my duty to protect my Captain." Slightly she lifted her chin up; creating the aristocratic look her friends used to tease her with.
"Even if it costs you your own life?"
"I'm not dead, am I." A short, horrifying laugh penetrated her ears and made her wish she was deaf.
"Not yet my dear, not yet." She heard the threat in his voice and sensed that he was able to kill...without remorse.
"What's your name?" Deanna shifted her gaze to the woman on her otherside. Her soft and pleasant voice had surprised her; it didn't seem to fit by her hardened and strict features.
"Deanna Troi." They would find out one way or the other. For now she'd rather co-operate until she knew with whom she was dealing. "May I know yours in return?" The two exchanged looks and the woman nodded slowly.
"Alright. I'm Kasheira and this..." Kasheira pointed at the man. "...is Rahad." 'Brother and sister.' At least, that was what her empathy told her.
"Ktoria, sikra tpos Deanna Troi!" Although she didn't understand the native words Deanna was pretty sure the man had just ordered someone to search for information about her. Knowing she wouldn't have advantage of her empathy much longer she began a complete probe of the two in front of her.
"Why did you capture me?"
"You'll find out soon enough." Brother and sister then left her alone. Mentally she made notes about them. They pretended to be polite and caring and they treated her kindly hoping to win her trust. But to the empath their malevolent spirits and intentions were crystal clear. Neither of them would hesitate to use violence in order to get her to co-operate, considering her condition it would be better not to infuriate or agitate them. She only had a faint idea what they were trying to accomplish.
~*+*~
In the mean time the Enterprise was buzzing with commotion. Prime Minister Kltiap was in surgery; his arm had been badly injured, while a lightly bruised Picard was discussing the possibilities and options to retrieve his acting First Officer. Full aware that she had taken the blast meant for him they knew they had to act quickly to give her the necessary medical treatment. The Away Team that had been beamed down to investigate the crime-scene had returned without clues.
~*+*~
"So, a Betazoid, a pretty one even." Rahad and Kasheira had returned and closely examed her now clean face.
"If I had known you'd look like this I'd have you cleaned sooner my dear." 'Good, than this wasn't intentionnal.' With the tips of his fingers he tried to caress her cheekbone but she pulled away, biting her lower lip out of pain. Evilly grinning he stood up and turned to his sister. "Rajih tara Kluos tia liamy niro."
"Iro sata Rahad." Kasheira held out her hand. Quickly probing her Deanna knew that what was about to happen wouldn't be harmful to her and thus she accepted the hand. As she was being pulled up she screamed of pain and tears sprung in her eyes. Hobbeling she followed the woman who had lifted her arm over her shoulders to support her.
Kasheira led her deeper into the complex. Troi tried her best to keep foccused to study her surroundings and direction but soon the pain forced her to use all her attention not to faint out. She was led through a long corridor and nearly at the end Kasheira opened two large doors and showed her inside. The stunning looks of the room made her to forget the pain momentarily. Kasheira released her grip and walked out.
"You'll find painkillers on the washtable." The doors closed and Deanna heard them being locked. Fortunately the washtable wasn't too far away. Having reached the painkillers after what had seemed an enternity she was willing to take the risk of being poisened; the pain was -unbearable-. She swallowed them with water and hobbeled to the huge bed against the back wall. Once there she laid herself down and allowed herself to sleep.
~-~-~-~
"It's a quiet evening, don't you agree Captain?" Data's attempt to start a small talk failed miserably as Troi didn't hear his question, or anything else to that matter.
~*+*~
Ambassador Troi to Doctor Crusher; Doctor I suggest you and your husband stop celebrating and help my daughter; she's in need of medical attention. Surprised the two officers looked at each other.
"Doesn't that woman ever just keep her comments to herself?" Annoyed her murmered the words to his wife. But Beverly was one step ahead.
"Computer: location of Counselor Troi?"
Counselor Troi is on the Bridge.
Data to Crusher. Doctor, Captain Troi...
"I know Data, I'm on my way!" Quickly she dressed and headed for the Bridge; Jean-Luc followed her a minute later; neither of them thinking about replying to Lwaxana.
~-~-~-~
Confused she looked around her. 'Where am I? What is this place?' Slowly the events of the previous, at least she assumed it was the previous, day returned. Deanna up-righted herself realizing she only felt a sightly stinging pain instead of the sharp breathtaking pain she had had. "The painkillers must be working." Throwing the sheets of her body she saw the gown she was wearing. 'They must have changed my clothes while I slept.' It didn't bother her, she knew her empathic sense would've told her if anything else had happened.
She sat up and looked around her. The room was painted in soft yellow and purple colours, the furry carpet was white and most of the furniture was made of wood. A large closet was placed a few meters from her bed in the right corner. On her left was a small saving in which a white bathtube had been placed. On the doors someone had hung a dress, the only piece of clothing in the room. Reluctantly she got up from her comfortable position and walked to the doors, glad she could -walk-instead of hobble. A small note was pinned on the dress.
"Brekfast wil be rite der." She had to read it twice before realizing that is was standard English, only written as spoken. She carried the dress back to the bed and there waited for her breakfast.
~*+*~
For two days she was constantly interrogated and deprivated of sleep. At first they had tried to get information about the archives the Enterprise crew had reviewed but as soon as they had realized she would not talk they had switched to information about Starfleet; weak points in their defense system, political weakness, anything.
When she still didn't talk they had started on her empathy. They tried to find a way to use it in their advantage. Questions like 'Can you influence a person's behaviour with your empathy.' Left little to wonder about their intentions. Questions about her empathy she answered honestly, but they didn't believe her.
~-~-~-~
"I don't get it! Everything is normal: brain activity, heart-rate, blood-pressure, psilo-synine levels, EVERYTHING!!!" Frustrated she pushed herself away from her desk. "I just CAN'T wake her!" Beverly forced herself to go over the readings once more. The sound of the doors hissing open broke her concentration. "WHAT!!" Angrily she swung her chair around and found herself looking straight into the big brown eyes of Lwaxana Troi. "Oh, Mrs. Troi; Deanna lays in the Personal Observation room."
The elder Troi turned her back to the Doctor and looked through the window into Sickbay. "I didn't come to see Deanna." Frowning Beverly looked up. "There's nothing *I* can do for her. She has to wake up on her own, or with the help of her Imzadi..."
"And that's out of the question right now." Beverly stood up and approached Lwaxana until she stood right behind her. "You know what's wrong with her, don't you?" Smiling the Betazoid turned around, the two women locked and held gaze until Lwaxana sighed and turned back.
"I'm not totally sure but I think she induced this comatose state herself." Opening her mouth to ask something the telepath cut her off. "I don't know why." Annoyed the Doctor let herself drop back in her chair.
"So what? We just sit and wait until Sleeping Beauty there decides to wake up?!" A bit angry but most of all frustrated and tired Doctor Crusher returned to her desk to once again go through the readings.
"Doctor, there is nothing anyone can do for her now. I suggest you return to your quarters and get yourself and the baby some rest...or to continue whatever you and Jean-Luc were doing." Open mouthed she stared at Lwaxana. 'Did she just order me?'
"I wouldn't Doctor, now go!" Too confused and tired to object Beverly left silently. 'Did I just...?' But she never finished her thought and just headed back to her quarters.
~D~