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Author's note: The parts in italic are flashbacks.
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Chapter Seventeen: Exceptional Courage, Pt II
~-~-~-~
When after two days Troi still hadn't given them any valuable information Rahad called a physician. She briefly entertained the hope that he would treat her wound but soon it became obvious his purpose was to use her for experiments.
In the next twelve hours the doctor, Giltiar, almost constantly administered drugs into her system. Soon she was unable to shield her mind. She was overwhelmed by the emotions of others, causing her behaviour to change from second to second. One moment she was crying, the next she was furious or having a fit of giggles.
Rahad, Kasheira and Giltiar watched her with interest. But the emotions extracted their toll and soon Deanna became more and more exhausted from the lack of sleep as the emotions battered at her mind. After nearly five hours she was delirious, her words were incoherent and her movements frantic. Her eyes were larger than normal and had a haunted look. No one was able to approach her. After yet another hour she was too exhausted and simply collapsed. The two men carried her to the bed and allowed her a few hours of rest.
By the time she awoke the drugs hadn't worn off and she still wasn't able to shield her mind. Fortunately she could control her own behaviour. The next drugs they gave her had far more serious results. The drug was designed to enhance the slight telepathic abilities she had. But its influence was far greater than they had expected.
Her mind picked up every single thought of the people around her as well as everyone else's in the city. The thousands of voices in her head slowly drove her insane. Constantly screaming and twisting she managed to frighten the three spectators. Every once in a while she'd fall down in front of them and beg them to make the voices go away, tears streaming down her pained features.
They kept her in this state for several hours; agreeing that it was the perfect way to know what the population of the city was thinking and feeling. During that time she injured herself by slamming against walls and other objects as well as scratching herself with her nails. In her state the pain didn't register so she didn't pay attention to her wounds and her physical condition worsened quickly. Finally the doctor sedated her, after insistence of Kasheira.
"Why did you let him sedate her?!"
"If she's insane, or dead she'll be of no use to us!"
"She isn't anyhow!"
"Glpatioka Rahad! She's a *royalty*!!! We can ask *anything* for her return! But if we do that
we *have* to make sure she's in good health!!!" The fire was nearly visible in Kasheira's eyes, but Rahad remained calm.
"You've seen the records! Starfleet -doesn't- help criminals. Why would they help us?"
"As I see it my brother; we have two options. One is that we use Troi to get a ransom of some kind. The second is that you somehow manage to kill her and we get captured by the Federation. Personally I prefer the former." Kasheira's voice had dropped and dripped with sarcasm, but Rahad didn't back off for a second.
"C'mon sis, she's been here for four days and those friends of her still haven't found her. -If- we accidentally kill her they won't even know. And so far...I have other plans for her." A devilish grin washed over his cruel face. Kasheira's eyes flashed with disgust.
"It will only be a matter of time Rahad, you know that." He smiled self-confidently and turned to the small form lying on the bed.
"Well than, maybe you should clean her wounds...so that her condition won't worsen." He threw her a disdainful glance and left. The woman walked to the bleeding person on the bed and studied her condition. Even now she was murmuring protests against the voices in her head. The Pkliaran didn't allow herself to feel pity for the small woman in front of her. But because it would be in the best of interest for both of them she decided to clean the wounds.
~-~-~-~
"Hello Little One. I had hoped I wouldn't see you back in this room so soon. You really have to take better care of yourself." A sad sigh escaped Lwaxana as she stroked a stray strand of hair from her daughter's face. She wasn't really surprised this had happened. After all, what happened to Deanna on Pkliara Prime would have driven most Betazoids insane, if not killed them. She had seen the tapes and she had to admit, she doubted she would have handled it as well as Deanna had. Her daughter's mental strength kept surprising her and reminded her time after time that her Little One was a lot stronger than she expected. "Don't give up Little One, you have a godchild to watch growing up." Lwaxana lovingly placed a kiss on Deanna's forehead and then left her side reluctantly.
~-~-~-~
Quietly he slipped into the room, making sure that no one, especially not his sister, would see him. Cautiously he walked to the bed and looked down at the small sleeping figure. 'She -is- perfect.' Tenderly he stroked a stray strand of ebony hair from her pained features. The woman stirred and turned her head. He studied her for a while and listened to her incoherently murmured words.
Deanna turned to her side, causing the sheets to fall down and giving Rahad the view he had hoped for. The highly transparent nightgown she was dressed in left little to the imagination. Rahad liked everything he saw...too much. As she was sleeping Deanna sensed his arousal slowly building, causing her body to began to react as well. Giving in to his desires Rahad tenderly began to trace her jaw line with his fingers.
"I-Imzadi?" Suddenly overwhelmed by feelings and thoughts of physical lust and desire her eyes flew open. She stared wide-eyed into the red gaze of Rahad.
"What?!--How?!--Where?!--" He placed a silencing finger on her lips and gently stroked her lower lip with his thumb. Too confused and unfocussed Deanna didn't notice.
"Shh, it's all right. I'll take really good care of you."
"Can you make the voices stop? Please?" She gazed at him hopefully, begging as a child would. But he shook his head while continuing striking her soft skin.
"I can't. But I can make you forget them." With his large hands on her shoulders he gently forced her to lie back down again. Not totally aware of what was going on Deanna settled herself into the sheets and closed her eyes.
"I don't want to hear them anymore."
"I know Liefje." His soft voice soothed her and her breathing slowed down. He trailed his hands down her body, barely brushing the material of her gown. He moved to sit at her side and simultaneously pulled her gown upwards and roughly pressed his lips against hers. Troi's eyes flew open and flashed with anger and confusion. Quickly he straddled her tiny frame and pinned her down underneath him.
Frightened and infuriated she kicked her legs, ignoring the pain. But she couldn't reach him. Triumphantly he smiled down at her, while his hands roughly caressed her chest. "Let me go!!!"
"I promised to take care of you didn't I?" He pressed his mouth on hers once again and was dismayed when she held hers tightly closed.
"What? You don't want to play?" The coldness in his voice startled her and for a brief moment she ceased all her movements. While he continued his strokes and kisses she forced herself to think. But the voices in her head confused her and made it impossible for her to concentrate.
"Tria ta fhlore thioha klahaya ZHATH!"
"That sounds flattering, what does it mean?" She waited to answer until her eyes had locked with his. The raw emotions in her eyes briefly startled him; the fury and despise were almost tangiblet.
" It means get your filthy, ugly, despicable body off mine..." He ceased his movements and just watched her. "...I don't believe there's a correct translation for Zhath, but 'little, repulsive, disgusting, brainless DWARF!' comes close." During her explanation she had felt the anger build within him. If it wasn't from her words it was because of the agonizing calm and authority with which she spoke.
Rahad lifted his left hand up, his red eyes almost burning with fury. He struck he cheek with incredible force. She literally -felt- the bone break as she bit her lip to prevent herself from crying out. Seeing the blood on her mouth he laughed in satisfaction and leaned down to lick at it. It was a painful mistake. As soon as she felt the pressure on her hips lessen she lifted her right leg and rammed her knee between his legs. Unprepared for an assault, he screamed out from the sharp pain flowing through his lower regions. Her hands were freed and she used them to push him off her.
She stood up immediately and started to hobble to the doors. But Rahad recovered quickly and ran after her, grabbing her leg and yanking her down. This time she did scream out from the pain as he grabbed just below the painful wound on her leg. Deanna fell roughly to the floor. Before he had the chance to pin her down again she turned onto her back and started kicking at him. With the accuracy of an android he grabbed her left foot and twisted her leg. Her high shriek chilled the marrow in his bones and he almost felt sorry for her.
"You're even filthier and lower than a rat Rahad." Her insulting words fed his fury and he stood up, rising to his full length above her. With his foot he pushed her onto her side.
"At least I can walk." His voice was soft and low, almost apologetic. Horror washed over her face when she realized what he was about to do. A devilish grin curled around his lips as he bent to bring his mouth near her ear. "Cooperate and you will too." Flashes of the past ran through her mind; her father and mother, Ian, the Janara Falls, the Enterprise-D, her Captain and friends until the image of Will Riker took its place and did not leave.
"I would never, *ever* give myself to such a rat as yourself willingly! Even the most cruel woman in the universe deserves better!" The words, spoken through clenched teeth, were barely a whisper but loud enough for him to hear. Rahad brushed his lips against her broken cheek and stood up. Deanna tried to turn onto her belly but was stopped by an invisible force. She closed her eyes and summoned all her mental strength to block the pain she knew she was about to feel.
The man swung his leg backwards and waited a few seconds before kicking it forward with all the strength he had. Deanna felt the tip of his shoe come into contact with the small of her back. She was thrown forward from the force with which his shoe collided with her body. A long scream of pain rang through her ears but it took a while before she realized it was hers. But he didn't allow her much time to experience her pain before he roughly rolled her back onto her back and kneeled down at her side.
"Happy now?" She ignored him and focussed inwards. "Very well, I'll have fun anyway. With or without your mental presence." He grinned wickedly and leaned down to kiss her once more. His hands tore her dress apart and violently attacked her bare skin. But Deanna didn't react; she refused too. His nails scratched her silky skin and soon she was bleeding everywhere. But Deanna didn't feel it; she didn't allow herself to. Inside the fury was steadily building.
"Open your eyes!" A small evil smile crossed her features. She knew he was watching her closed eyes. The fury within her had pushed the voices to the background, allowing her to concentrate fully.
"Watch me." She spoke calmly but through clenched teeth. Something in her voice made him shiver and he wanted to pull away but found himself unable to break his gaze. Serenity washed over her face she seemed utterly calm. Inside, however, the fury was ten times greater than she had ever felt. Slowly she opened her eyes and focussed them on Rahad. What he saw made his heart stop beating for a few seconds and then it jumped to his throat. But no matter how much he wanted to, he was still unable to break her furious gaze.
In each black pupil there was a tiny yellow spark, flickering as vigorously as a flame. Her irises had changed from deep brown to as green as possible. The brightness of the colour almost hurt his eyes. The whites of her eyes were almost black. Horrified he gasped aloud and tried to move...but couldn't.
Deanna narrowed her eyes slightly and attacked him mentally. All of a sudden he -felt- the emotions and voices of everyone around them pour into his mind. His red eyes widened and his hands flew up to his temples. Terrified he shrank backwards, away from the empath. As soon as she was freed Deanna crawled up, never once noticing the wide red eyes of her captor. She glanced down disdainfully at the screaming man.
"I told you to let go." Utterly calm she turned around and started walking to the doors, oblivious to her pain and nudity. As she walked to the doors she focussed her gaze on the lock. As she neared it a click was heard as it unlocked. When she was less than two meters away the doors suddenly swung open, freeing her. As she stepped out into the corridor she was noticed by a guard. The woman stared at the Betazoid for a few moments before taking her weapon and aiming it at her. Deanna never slowed her pace. She focussed her green fury at the guard and shot emotions and voices into the woman's head. The intensity and abruptness knocked her out. Deanna continued her way without seeming to notice.
~*+*~
Kasheira had witnessed everything via the camera's placed throughout the complex. She had been on the verge of interrupting her brother when the Betazoid had taken control. The small woman scared her; apparently she was far more powerful than they had assumed. Her mind went quickly over all possible scenarios of what could happen and within seconds she had made her decision.
~*+*~
Deanna had knocked three more persons unconscious from her mental attack and instinctively knew she was near the exit when she noticed Kasheira was coming her way. She was ready to defend herself and tried to lock her gaze on that of the taller woman. But she was smart enough to keep her eyes at the floor.
"Take this." Kasheira held out a long black coat and a little black box. "The box contains the visual documentation we made of your capacity; it will help your Doctor treat you." Troi could almost smell the fear of the woman in front of her and even sensed it. She accepted the coat and slid into it, then took the box and put it in a pocket. Without glancing at the woman again she proceeded to the exit. Kasheira sighed her relief but stiffened as she heard Deanna's hate filled voice in her head.
~Don't even think it's over now.~ She turned towards Deanna and saw her just going around the corner. As soon as she had pulled herself together she ran to their hostage's former room to help her brother.
Deanna no longer walked; her feet barely touched the ground. Her mind was empty, yet not. Her psyche was filled with thousands of voices and emotions, but none were her own. Except for the strongest emotions of all: anger, hatred and self-defence. Having reached the door another guard ran up to her, but as soon as his eyes met hers he ceased his approach, turned around and ran away as fast as he could.
Using her newly discovered telekinetic powers Deanna broke the lock on the doors and opened them. Fresh air blew into her face and made her hair flutter backwards. While she strode through the streets she drew everyone's attention.
The black coat left little to the imagination, her bruised and bleeding features radiating determination and anger. But most of all it was her eyes that drew the attention. Her huge green eyes were luminous and accentuated by the black surrounding them. She kept going straight ahead. Everyone that crossed her path turned aside and all obstacles she encountered she moved telekinetically. The Pkliarans looked after her, stunned and scared by what they had seen.
~*+*~
"Captain; censors register one human/Betazoid lifeform." [] Data calmly made the announcement. Picard nearly jumped out his chair.
"Where?!"
"Several hundred meters from the Government buildings Sir."
"Get a transporter lock on her Mr. Data. Picard to Sickbay: Doctor, prepare for the arrival of Deanna. We've found her."
In Sickbay Beverly flew up from her chair.
"What's her condition?"
Unknown The Doctor left her office and ordered her medical team to prepare for the worst-case scenario. Immediately Sickbay was buzzing with orders, questions and curses.
"I have a lock Captain." Jean-Luc sighed in relief and walked over to Data to pat him on the shoulder.
"Transporter Room 5: Beam Counselor Troi directly to Sickbay."
Yes Sir. Exhaling slowly, Picard sat back in his chair, thinking they had her. Then a few seconds later the Transporter Chief contacted him.
Captain we are unable to beam her up.
"What?! Data, can you tell me why?" Data pushed some buttons and managed to zoom in on the place Deanna was now. Jean-Luc frowned as he stood up again to study the viewscreen. Meanwhile, Data left his position and took one of the science stations to study the sensor readings. "Doctor Crusher: report to the Bridge."
Having noticed something was wrong Beverly was already on her way.
"Odd, she seems to be all right." When the Turbolift's doors
hissed open he didn't even turn around but motioned Beverly to approach with a
gesture of his hand. She took her place next to him and both officers watched
almost hypnotized at the scene being displayed in front of them.
~*+*~
She sensed she was nearly out of the city. Several hundred Pkliarans were following her now, driven by curiosity but keeping a safe distance. Deanna was beginning to relax when she heard the unmistakable sound of policemen coming towards her. A quick empathic scan told her they were ahead of her.
She intensified her concentration but didn't slow her pace; determined to get away. Several minutes later five heavily armed Pkliarans came walking towards her. Each of them held a weapon, comparable with 21st Century Earth Shotguns.
"Lady; cease your actions and surrender or we will fire!" The man talking lifted his gun slightly. Deanna heard and understood his words, but ignored them and continued on her way.
~*+*~
"Jean-Luc we have to do something!" [] The couple stared at their friend with wide eyes..
"We can't, our weapons aren't precise enough to attack."
"But they'll kill her!"
~*+*~
The man warned her again and when she still didn't react he ordered his troop to prepare for firing. Out loud he counted down; beginning with the Pkliaran equivalent of five and ending at one. The five men fired their weapons simultaneously. Five bullets flew towards Deanna, and all witnesses held their breath, including those onboard the Flagship in space.
The bullets closed in on her; five meters, four, three, two, one...when they were not more than sixty centimetres away from Troi they stopped, floating in the air before her like tiny insects before they dropped dead onto the ground. The five confused shooters exchanged looks, as did the two officers aboard the Enterprise. Deanna didn't seem to notice the turmoil around her and kept going.
The leader of the five ordered to prepare for fire again, when suddenly an invisible force lifted him of the ground and up into the air. In their surprise the others dropped their weapons onto the ground. Four invisible hands picked them up and aimed them at their former owners.
The empath walked between the four men and underneath their leader. When she was a good ten meters away the leader fell down and the five guns seemed to melt. The policemen slowly turned around to watch Deanna disappearing in the distance.
~*+*~
On the Enterprise both Jean-Luc and Beverly were too startled to speak or move. And when Data addressed them they nearly jumped of surprise.
"Captain, I believe I have found the cause of our inability to beam Counselor Troi up. Her body contains an extraordinary amount of drugs which the computer does not recognize. Also it appears the Counselor has somehow been shielded."
"How?" Beverly's voice sounded absently, her eyes still aimed at the viewscreen.
"Unknown Doctor."
"Unknown?" Doctor Crusher spun around on her heels. "Scan for her medical condition." Obediently Data ordered the computer to take a med scan and handed a PADD with the results to Beverly. She studied them in silence and than gasped aloud.
"My God!!! Dozens of bruises and cuts, a broken cheekbone, a broken arm, her leg is fractured at two places not to mention a week old injury of a Pkliaran weapon and she has multiple spine injures!!! She shouldn't even be able to move let alone to walk!!!" She stared at her husband with wide eyes.
"I second that." Came Data's neutral reply. Thousands of questions spun through their heads but they couldn't answer even one of them.
"Data, it appears she is heading towards something, can you determine what?"
"I shall try Captain." The android made some quick calculations and commanded the viewscreen to zoom in to an open place in the nearest forest. "It seems that is her destination."
"Very well. I want you and Doctor Crusher to beam down and wait for her there. Be careful and don't make her feel threatened. In the meantime Mr. LaForge and myself will work on a way to beam her up."
"Aye Captain." The android and Doctor replied together and headed for the Transporter Room.
"Bridge to Engineering. Mr. LaForge report to the Bridge."
On my way Captain.
~*+*~
While Deanna was on her way to the forest Picard and LaForge were feverishly working on a way to get her onboard. "The drugs aren't our biggest problem Captain. If necessary I can shut down the safety guards and biofilters and reinstall them as soon as the Counselor is back on board. Right now we have to find a way to beam her up while she still is shielded."
"Whoa!!!" One of the ensigns screamed out in amazement. Everyone's eyes turned to the viewscreen on which they saw a group transport vehicle being literally thrown away by an invisible force to land a few meters to Deanna's left. It seemed as if she didn't even noticed it.
"What was THAT?!". Geordi and Jean-Luc exchanged looks and turned back to the Science Station to resume their attempts to find a way to beam Counselor Troi up.
~*+*~
Kasheira tried to calm her brother down, but his frantic movements prevented her from approaching him closely enough to administer the sedative. "Leave me alone! Get away!!!...phrinsbeoskly!!!" He was going insane; right in front of her eyes. At least she thought he was until he suddenly stopped moving.
"Rahad?" Her voice was soft and unsteady, but he heard her nonetheless.
"Kasheira? Where's the woman?" She looked at her brother incredulously. "She was in my head, I heard her, I felt her." Slowly he sat up and looked around. "She could've killed me. He was right; she isn't able to kill." A cruel smile curled around his lips.
"I am always right concerning her." A tall man stepped out of the dark corner of the room. "I told you to be careful, but you let her get away!" His anger added tension to the air. He walked closer and looked down at the two relatives. "Now get up and find a way to bring her back!!!"
"But..."
"NOW!!!" Rahad and Kasheira stood up. They left the room quickly, fearing the tall bearded man that remained. As soon as his two servants had left he sighed and looked around. "Still being stubborn, aren't you Imzadi." He picked up her torn gown and called out to the thin air.
"Riker to Rhiuk: one to beam up."
~*+*~
Geordi stood up shaking his head. "This isn't working. I don't know why or how she's been shielded like that, but I cannot penetrate the shield or find a way to beam her out of it." Throwing one last glance at the readings displayed on the screen Picard nodded once and ran his hand over his head.
"Can you determine what the power source of the shield is?" Geordi immediately began giving orders to the computer.
"Hold on." He muttered while working. "Okay, computer: display findings on viewscreen." Both men turned around and watched the screen. Geordi stepped closer and point at the screen while explaining what was being displayed.
"This..." He pointed at the left side of the screen. "...Is where the sensors first picked her signal up. Now over here..." His finger pointed a few decimeters to the right at one white dot, facing five black dots. "...Is where she encounter the troop of policemen. Computer: display shield." Around the white dot a red circle appeared. "The red circle indicates the shield around her. According to our calculation the shield is formed around her like a ball. The shield has a diameter of approximately one point two meters."
He moved to the right side of the screen and pointed at a black bar. "This is the transport vehicle we saw a minute ago. Computer: display Vehicle Encounter." The scene they had seen nearly ten minutes ago repeated itself. "Look, as the vehicle crosses the Counselor's path, it was moved precisely so that she wouldn't have to alter her course or slow her pace." Picard let the words sink in before he turned to his Chief Engineer.
"Are you saying *she* moved it?" Geordi sighed and nodded at the Lieutenant at the helm, who immediately restored the viewscreen so that is was following Troi again.
"I can't prove it, but it appears that way." The Captain stroked his chin and turned back to the screen.
"Is there a way to prove it?" LaForge's eyes lit up.
"Maybe, but I need a full mental scan." The bald man's eyes shifted from left to right until they met Geordi's artificial ones.
"I believe Doctor Crusher can take care of that. Picard to Crusher."
Yes Captain?
"Doctor; we have not been able to find a way to beam Counselor on board. You'll have to find a way to let her drop her shields." With a mischievous grin on his face he waited for his wife's reply.
*Her* shields Captain? He smiled at her reaction.
Security to Captain Picard.
"Hold on for a minute Miss Fko." He retapped his CommBadge. "Yes Beverly. Geordi believes Deanna has created those shields herself. She also appears to possess telekinetic powers; caution is required." Down on the planet Beverly looked up in the air as if expecting some answers to her unvoiced questions.
Aye Sir. And she terminated the link. 'Telekinesis? Deanna?'
"Doctor: Commander Troi will be here in approximately five minutes." She nodded absently at the android
.
"Bridge to Security."
Captain: we've beamed up five persons from the building where Counselor Troi seemed to have originated. Four of them were in need of medical care and have been escorted to sickbay where they are being held.
"Well done Chief." The connection was terminated and a satisfied Jean-Luc sat down in his chair. Geordi returned to the Science Station to continue working on a way to beam her up. The Captain briefly allowed his thoughts to wander off, trusting on the capability of his crew.
"Bridge to Sickbay. How are our guests doing?" Alyssa Powells voice came through.
We have sedated three of them. One has been treated for bruises and cuts.
"Sedated? Do you know what's wrong with them?"
They seemed to have lost their sanity. The one who was all right claims to have been mentally attacked by Counselor Troi.
"Thank you nurse." He closed the connection with Sickbay. "Beverly, did you hear that?"
Yes. I don't know what to think of it now. I'll scan her soon as she is in reach, which will be in less than two minutes.
"All right, be careful."
I will.
~D~