STAR TREK: NEMESIS- Chronicles- By the Lightless Flame
Story Concept Created by John Logan, Rick Berman, and Brent Spiner
All Star Trek characters and related concepts are property of Paramount. All concepts created solely by the Lightless Flame are the property of the Lightless Flame. "Comalies" is a song title copyrighted by Lacuna Coil. Violators will be prosecuted by Federal Law.
CHAPTER FOUR – Comalies
The flames flickered around room, throwing shadows against the pale skin of Aradia as she slept against the farthest wall of Shinzon's private tent where she had initially been laid. Slowly and soundlessly, Shinzon lowered himself by the central flame and set up the gauze and a small set of twigs. He also brought in a small clay bowl filled with clear water.
Aradia was deathly silent and still as he glanced over at her when he was finished with setting up the medical kit. Her arms were wrapped around her torso and her legs were tucked under her in fetal position. Shinzon could see the coldness in her body. The bright red and black wound on her arm glared against her pale skin, and he muttered to himself when he saw that it had bled out even more.
Shinzon brought his hand to the wound, wondering if she would awaken and if it would be best to let her sleep. He let his fingertips touch the very edge of the jagged wound, and he closed his eyes in a trance when he felt the throbbing warmth of her skin and blood. Opening his eyes, he looked into her face and noted the smoothness of her skin. The delicate folds of her eyelids were hinted with a shade of natural tan, and her cheeks were high in the shadowy fire light. A small moan escaped his throat, and he let the palm of his hand come to gently rest on her forearm.
"Mmmm..." Aradia suddenly stirred. Under her smooth eyelids, Shinzon watched as her eyes moved and he froze when he saw the two slits of her eyes slowly slide back. In the light, he caught the sapphire color of her irises and he brought himself a little closer, peering down into her face.
"Aradia," Shinzon cringed when he heard the harsh tone of his voice. He cleared his throat and tried again more smoothly. "Don't move, Aradia. You have lost too much blood to exert yourself."
Aradia's eyes focused on Shinzon as she slowly opened them to look at him more fully. The light was dim and she moaned loudly. She could make out the pale contour of his roughly shaven head and his hand on her forearm. The calloused touch of his skin made her shiver violently, and Shinzon removed his hand dejectedly as soon as she started shaking. Aradia noticed the expression on his face and as much as he tried to hide it, she could see the rejection in his eyes.
"What the hell..." Aradia's voice was hoarse.
Shinzon sat back slowly, regaining his composure. "You are in my camp. Do you remember anything?"
"Of course I do..."Aradia scowled and frowned deeply. She unfolded her arms but as soon as she straightened them, she yelped in pain and looked at the bloody mess on her right arm. "Oh...I remember that now too..."
"You've lost a lot of blood. Stay still," Shinzon sternly looked at her, slowly reaching over to bring the small clay bowl of water to them. He tore a clean corner from Minz'Tel's shirt he borrowed and wet it down. Aradia watched him critically, her eyes moving from the fire to the water, and then to the twigs and finally back to Shinzon.
"What are you doing?" Her voice was no more than a whisper. She laid her head back down on the cooled ground and shivered involuntarily.
Shinzon gently lifted the wet cloth and grabbed her forearm to keep it still. "We must procure it or the poison will eat away at your flesh until there's nothing left."
Slowly he pressed the wet cloth to her wound, and a look of pain crossed over Aradia's face. It faded a few moments later and she wearily followed his actions as he dipped it into the water and repeated the process. Aradia sighed deeply and looked at the clay bowl. Already the water was a light scarlet red that burned in the dim light. Shinzon noticed her apprehension and finished cleaning her arm.
"Why did you save me?" Aradia felt a wave of nausea passing over her at the sight of her own blood dripping from the cloth excessively.
Shinzon couldn't help but let a sarcastic smile cross his lips, "You can help us, help me. I want to know more about you. Humans here must...stick together or find Reman allies if they want to survive."
Aradia took a deep breath, still constricted by the uniform Vrhizak forced her to wear. "I need information on how to get out of here."
Shinzon's eyes widened and he threw the cloth into the bowl. "I was hoping you'd ask me that! It appears we have similar motivations."
Aradia shook her head. "You must have a way out of here. You're...I mean, you act like a..." Aradia suddenly felt at a loss for words. She opened her mouth but nothing came out. Shinzon looked at her for a moment longer and then looked down at her arm, continuing his work quietly. Aradia looked down to meet his eyes but he avoided hers, a small sigh touching the edge of his lips.
"A Reman?" Shinzon's voice was barely above a murmur.
Aradia sighed, trying to rationalize just what 'Shinzon' was. "Well...I mean...you're Reman. But you're human. But the way you fight...that uniform...and those...Reman bastards! They do what you tell them, don't they?"
Shinzon leaned back and smirked, amused by Aradia's ignorance more than he'd expected to be. He turned around to loosen the collar of the black combat suit and pushed the flaps aside, his smooth sculpted chest glimmering in the near darkness. More comfortable, he bowed forward, taking the curve of her muscular forearm and carefully lifting one of the twigs with the other. He let the small end of the twig touch the tip of the hot fire, and as soon as it was lit he brought it down to the wiped wound. Blood still seeped from it profusely but the hotness of the flame almost immediately slowed it.
Aradia watched all of it, and within moments, shrieked as the flame grazed the raw skin of the wound. She tried to shake her arm from him but he firmly held it. Squeamish, she clenched her eyes shut. "What are you doing?! You're making it hurt worse..."
Shinzon patiently held her arm tighter, "The fire draws the poison from the wound, and will dry the top layer of your skin, which will most likely die in the next 24 hours."
Aradia felt her anger rising as Shinzon ignored her whimpers. She choked loudly, hiding her tears that welled in her eyes and threatened to fall. Shinzon stopped and looked up, surprised at her reaction. He quickly finished the step and stopped, sympathizing with her human pain but unsure of how to act in response. Her tears glimmered brilliantly in the dim light, and Shinzon swallowed the lump in his throat. Aradia looked at him in anger and in fear, and he could tell she was trying to hide it.
Shinzon gently leaned into her face, "Don't be afraid, Aradia."
Aradia drew a deep breath and tried to hide the desperation she knew was written in her eyes. She tried to speak calmly but the tension coursing through her body made it near impossible. "Please...I'll give you anything you want in exchange for my freedom. Drugs, sex...whores, Romulan weapons...anything."
Shinzon frowned, "But you are free. I'm not keeping you here."
"And the minute I try to leave, a huge ass load of Romulans or Remans will be right there to stop me! I'm talking about freedom. OFF this planet," Aradia sniffed, choking back a small cry again. Shinzon listened quietly and then drew his hand to his side, bringing his large double-bladed knife forward. The pain and agony in her voice seemed too familiar to him. Aradia watched with uncertain eyes through her tears, the blade glimmering and still stained with the blood of the Remans he had killed with it. She stopped resisting, entranced by the knife and in near shock that he had drawn it on her. Shinzon noticed her anxiety and he sighed deeply. "Aradia...patience. Please." Aradia buried her head in her good arm, and she felt Shinzon's blade scraping off the top layer of infected skin and dried blood from the wound. The pain made her want to scream, and she tried to control the tension in her muscles. Shinzon quickly applied a compress of clean cloth to the wound and frowned when he heard Aradia choking again in misery. In her misery, he still felt drawn to her human warmth that felt familiar but all too strange at the same time. Aradia was compelled to stay in the comfortable darkness the crook of her arm offered. She didn't have to face the ugly Remans or the mysterious human that was 'healing' her. She almost stayed hidden when she suddenly felt a set of fingertips brush away the strands of fine hair from her temple. Aradia's eyes snapped open and she looked up, eyes glimmering as they met Shinzon's hazel orbs looming over her. Regardless of the situation, she felt a definitive comfort in his human presence. From Shinzon's face, she could tell he was visibly pleased with her trust in him, and he was confidant in his actions as she approved physically of them. Aradia heard her voice tremble. "We're the only humans here, aren't we?" Shinzon's voice lowered, and he began wrapping gauze around his fingers. "Perhaps no one ever told you this...but this is Remus. We are Remans, slaves to the Romulan guards, and humans sent here are usually abducted and left for dead. Most that come here...die."
Aradia shook her head, "You've got the kidding me. You haven't been here long... have you?"
Shinzon looked at her as if she was joking, and he felt his eyes darkening in childish excitement at her curiosity. He took another rag and pressed it a final time to the now procured wound. "A lifetime is not a very long time..."
Aradia pondered for a moment, and then her eyes widened, "A lifetime? You can't be serious..." Shinzon froze, setting gauze aside as he looked her in the eye. His smile faded and he lowered his glance. "How did you get here?" Aradia groaned in frustration, and she looked away. "I was a dancer. For a Romulan senator." Shinzon sneered loudly, beginning again to wrap the gauze. At first he was rough as he took her upper arm by the palm of his hand, but when Aradia yelped he pulled back surprised. Aradia glared at him and he took her arm again much more gently. "They don't care for anyone but themselves. They left you here for dead." Aradia shook her head, "I...I can't accept that." Shinzon stopped momentarily and looked at her, "Why not?" "He...we had a deal," Aradia's voice was in disbelief. "I would do what he wanted and he would let me stay. He...he seemed noble."
Shinzon raised his brow, "What an ironic choice of words. The noble race here, Aradia, is the Remans."
Aradia frowned and almost sat up, "Never! No! Look at what they've done!"
Shinzon was quiet for a few moments, and then he picked up more of the gauze. Slowly he applied it to the wound, which absorbed the gauze and began drying. "If the Romulans hadn't abandoned you, they would have never had the chance." Aradia was quiet, and Shinzon finished with the last piece of gauze. Though grotesque, the wound stopped spreading and the bleeding was under control. Shinzon smiled gently and let his fingers wrap around her forearm, rubbing his thumb lightly against the wound. He was entranced by her skin's luminous smoothness and her smaller but powerful frame. He massaged the skin around the gauze and looked down at her, stopping when he realized she noticed his actions. Aradia watched him with surprise at his sudden affection. As much as Shinzon expected her to, Aradia didn't pull away. Instead she sighed lightly and moved her head below his to look into his eyes. She licked her lips and swallowed the cotton in her mouth, "Thank you."
At first Shinzon retracted from the close contact, but then he couldn't help but peer at her face. By instinct alone he let his hand touch her jaw line softly and run his thumb up and down its side. He felt the electricity surge through him as he touched her for the first time as a human should have. Every Reman aversion he usually felt to close physical contact suddenly dissipated into a cool human desire to be close to her. Just like in the dreams... Shinzon let a deep breath roll off his tongue. "Your real object of anger should be the Romulans, not my Reman brothers." Aradia closed her eyes, grateful for the first human warmth she'd felt in a year and a half. She lolled her head into his hand more, balancing herself to sitting with her palms to the side of her hips. She softly whispered, "What if I hate both?" Shinzon cringed, "Then you will gain nothing, including your freedom." Aradia looked down, suddenly lifting her head and pulling away from Shinzon's touch. Shinzon let his hand drop to her neck line, where he wrapped his fingers and traced the curve of her neck with them. He let his thumb rest on her jaw line, tracing every curve of her face more seductively than he intended. He suddenly felt his actions towards Aradia emanating from a primal source deep within him. The fluidity of touch impressed him, and he felt more naturally inclined towards the woman that lay before him than he had ever physically felt towards anyone before. "Aradia, give my brothers a chance. We are fighting the Romulans. We are ensuing justice, and you can help us like we can help you. Vengeance, Aradia...would you take it if I offered?" "For myself, Shinzon. I have enough problems outside of Remus to worry about on top of the problems inside Remus," Aradia peered at him, her face hardening. Shinzon leaned back and smiled sadistically, understanding her motive. He removed his hands from her, and she watched his face.
"So, tell me. How does a human end up being a mistress to a cold Romulan senator?"
Aradia was quiet, her eyes looking down at the fire in the center. She blinked a few times before she responded quietly. "Same way a human ends up being a slave on Remus." Shinzon snickered, his eyes meeting hers fiercely and passionately at the same time. "Oh, but you don't know half the story." Aradia frowned and looked at him from the side. "And you don't know half of mine." Unable to resist her warmth and fire, Shinzon leaned down closer to her face. Aradia willingly looked in his eyes, studying every feature color that pulse madly in his hazel orbs. She couldn't help but be drawn to the only human she's seen in months and she hated herself for it. Just as they were inches away, a heavy footfall entered the tent rather suddenly. A Reman came through the exit of the tent, and he threw back the cloth violently. In his claws he carried a light black cotton-like garment.
Aradia was the first to break the connection she had with Shinzon in the moments their eyes met. She glanced to the exit of the tent, anger building in her face. When she saw the Reman more closely, she frowned and recognition broke on her face. Shinzon didn't move from the spot, not caring who noticed his more-than-enough-human desires. He made brief eye contact with Minz'Tel and went back to letting his eyes take in the feminine morsel in front of him.
Minz'Tel cleared his throat, "Shinzon, I have her garments."
With a sigh, Shinzon pulled back. "Very well. Aradia, if you'd like we have warm water outside. You have your own tent as well next to mine, for security purposes."
Aradia looked over at Shinzon and shook her head, "I can't. I really don't feel fit to move right now..."
Shinzon shrugged, trying to act indifferent. But he couldn't stop staring at her. The color had returned to her and she was now more alive than ever. "Then you can stay here and you'll clean up tomorrow. You should eat tomorrow morning." Minz'Tel noticed the enamored look in both of the young adults' faces, and he broke into their silence. He scowled at Shinzon, warning him with a swift wave to his mind. "Very well. Aradia...Shinzon. Shinzon, are you certain we can camp this close to Vrhizak's boundary lines?" Shinzon nodded, "We cannot move now. We are disclosed from Vrhizak and the Romulan guards. It will due for the next five hours." Minz'Tel nodded solemnly and watched them for a moment longer. He turned rejected and frustrated, stomping from the exit.
As soon as he vanished, Aradia grabbed Shinzon's forearm and her voice quickened, "I...I've seen him before. That Reman...he...he was a part of Vrhizak's clan."
Shinzon let a small smile cross his lips, "No, he was a spy there. He's in this clan. He saw your first weeks with Vrhizak."
Aradia considered his words and nodded. Slowly she drew the painful memory up and felt a quiet anger building in her, "He watched it all and did nothing."
Shinzon shook his head, "It wasn't his job to do something. The ones you should blame are Romulans, not us." Aradia closed her eyes, beginning to believe what he said as she suddenly felt very tired. Slowly she leaned up in pain and reached to pull Shinzon's loose collar, bringing him closer to her. At first Shinzon anticipated a passionate kiss from her, and he closed his eyes in anticipation. A few seconds passed when he realized that she wasn't planning on kissing him. Instead he felt her bury the side of her head into his bare chest. Her eyes closed and she almost immediately sighed in relief. Shinzon's face went from a small smile of inner glee as she pulled him to one of complete surprise as she changed direction and rubbed her soft cheek into his skin. Tense and unsure, he let her lean against him stiffly. Aradia's voice was soft, "I don't blame you, Shinzon. It's been too long since we've seen a human. You were right about that." Shinzon cleared his throat and leaned back against the wall of the tent, letting his fingertips fall to the curve of her hips. Quietly he looked at the entrance to his tent and reminisced out loud, trying to calm the pounding of his heart, "The only female I've seen was a Romulan. I was five or six at the time." "That's all? That's horrible," Aradia frowned and took a deep breath, "Just please...don't let them near me." "My Reman brothers?" Aradia nodded slowly, "Yes. I can't...do it. I can't be near them." Shinzon didn't reply. He frowned in disappointment and unconsciously found his fingers creeping to the twine strings of the uniform Vrhizak had forced her to wear. The uniform was still wrapped around her small body, constricting her. Aradia visibly cringed when he pressed down on the strings as he slowly began undoing them. But she didn't stop him, and her eyes closed as Shinzon pulled at the twine-strings. Soon the uniform became undone and the flaps loosened. Aradia let her breath go in grateful release, and almost immediately Shinzon felt the curves of her body falling forth from the tight material. Shinzon pushed the flaps of the rough fabric aside, revealing Aradia's bare bruised back. The strings had cut deep bloody calluses into her back and Aradia looked away when Shinzon moaned in shock and looked down at her. Slowly he moved his fingertips down the small curve of her spine, entranced but also disgusted at the mess. "What in the hell did they do to you?" Shinzon was shocked at the cruelty. He had never seen such actions at the hands of his brothers before. Not against someone as obviously helpless and clueless as Aradia. Aradia withdrew a deep breath, savoring the release, "Enough to push me. Not enough to kill me, although many times I wished for death." "I see that," Shinzon raised his brow and wrapped one of his forearms around her waist and held her closer. He pressed against one of the largest bruises across her lower back, and Aradia tensed up. Shinzon tried to pull away but he couldn't get past how soft her skin was. "Watch it," Aradia hissed in pain. "Goddamnit don't make it worse." "Romulan phasar blast," Shinzon's voice was barely above a whisper. Aradia looked up and saw his eyes staring spellbound at her skin. Only after a few moments Shinzon moved and looked straight into Aradia's eyes. "Still so...soft." Aradia frowned and let her chin rest against his chest. Shinzon ignored the sharpness of her mandible and saw the questioning in her eyes. "What is?" Shinzon let a small smile cross his lips, "Your scars." Aradia's thin lips slowly turned upward, but her smile quickly faded as she caught herself. "You've never been with a female? Aren't there other females here...somewhere?" Shinzon took a deep breath and became quiet. He looked away, imagining the times he had fantasized what it would be like to hold a woman in his arms. Now that those fantasies were fulfilled, he felt a throb deep inside of him that wanted more. A part of him was glad he still wore the combat suit, due to the nervous sweat that emanated from his body and the growing hardness of his manhood between his legs. Aradia could detect neither under his armor. "I have seen none in my lifetime." Aradia didn't respond. Shinzon became quiet, and under his arms he could feel Aradia's breathing becoming slower. She seemed so delicate, but he knew that she wasn't. Seeing her alive, seeing her fight and seeing her survive her wounds proved it. And even though she was marred with dirt and injuries, Shinzon could see the beauty of the woman that rested in his arms. He could see the iridescent glow of her pale skin and the subtle highlights of blond in her dark auburn hair. The colors that played along the curves on her face entranced him, and her scent grew more exotic it seemed with every passing moment. Shinzon had to contain the bestial emotions that ravaged his sanity. He wanted to rip off her clothing, grab her flesh, savor its softness and indulge in its curves. He wanted to feel her flesh melting under his muscles, giving way to every desire and wanton fantasy that raced through his psyche. What would happen...if I ripped off her clothes and took her right here? If I grabbed her just as roughly as Vhrizak had and pound my manhood into her tight flesh. What if I slapped her, tore her apart and made her be quiet the whole time... Aradia shifted in his arms, a light moan escaping her slightly parted lips. Her seeming helplessness helped the ebbing tide of his boner as a small smile caressed his full lips. With a low sadistic whisper, he held her more tightly, feeling her breasts squeeze against his muscles. "It's ironic...dear, how you'll never know how much danger you were in lying here in my arms."
Story Concept Created by John Logan, Rick Berman, and Brent Spiner
All Star Trek characters and related concepts are property of Paramount. All concepts created solely by the Lightless Flame are the property of the Lightless Flame. "Comalies" is a song title copyrighted by Lacuna Coil. Violators will be prosecuted by Federal Law.
CHAPTER FOUR – Comalies
The flames flickered around room, throwing shadows against the pale skin of Aradia as she slept against the farthest wall of Shinzon's private tent where she had initially been laid. Slowly and soundlessly, Shinzon lowered himself by the central flame and set up the gauze and a small set of twigs. He also brought in a small clay bowl filled with clear water.
Aradia was deathly silent and still as he glanced over at her when he was finished with setting up the medical kit. Her arms were wrapped around her torso and her legs were tucked under her in fetal position. Shinzon could see the coldness in her body. The bright red and black wound on her arm glared against her pale skin, and he muttered to himself when he saw that it had bled out even more.
Shinzon brought his hand to the wound, wondering if she would awaken and if it would be best to let her sleep. He let his fingertips touch the very edge of the jagged wound, and he closed his eyes in a trance when he felt the throbbing warmth of her skin and blood. Opening his eyes, he looked into her face and noted the smoothness of her skin. The delicate folds of her eyelids were hinted with a shade of natural tan, and her cheeks were high in the shadowy fire light. A small moan escaped his throat, and he let the palm of his hand come to gently rest on her forearm.
"Mmmm..." Aradia suddenly stirred. Under her smooth eyelids, Shinzon watched as her eyes moved and he froze when he saw the two slits of her eyes slowly slide back. In the light, he caught the sapphire color of her irises and he brought himself a little closer, peering down into her face.
"Aradia," Shinzon cringed when he heard the harsh tone of his voice. He cleared his throat and tried again more smoothly. "Don't move, Aradia. You have lost too much blood to exert yourself."
Aradia's eyes focused on Shinzon as she slowly opened them to look at him more fully. The light was dim and she moaned loudly. She could make out the pale contour of his roughly shaven head and his hand on her forearm. The calloused touch of his skin made her shiver violently, and Shinzon removed his hand dejectedly as soon as she started shaking. Aradia noticed the expression on his face and as much as he tried to hide it, she could see the rejection in his eyes.
"What the hell..." Aradia's voice was hoarse.
Shinzon sat back slowly, regaining his composure. "You are in my camp. Do you remember anything?"
"Of course I do..."Aradia scowled and frowned deeply. She unfolded her arms but as soon as she straightened them, she yelped in pain and looked at the bloody mess on her right arm. "Oh...I remember that now too..."
"You've lost a lot of blood. Stay still," Shinzon sternly looked at her, slowly reaching over to bring the small clay bowl of water to them. He tore a clean corner from Minz'Tel's shirt he borrowed and wet it down. Aradia watched him critically, her eyes moving from the fire to the water, and then to the twigs and finally back to Shinzon.
"What are you doing?" Her voice was no more than a whisper. She laid her head back down on the cooled ground and shivered involuntarily.
Shinzon gently lifted the wet cloth and grabbed her forearm to keep it still. "We must procure it or the poison will eat away at your flesh until there's nothing left."
Slowly he pressed the wet cloth to her wound, and a look of pain crossed over Aradia's face. It faded a few moments later and she wearily followed his actions as he dipped it into the water and repeated the process. Aradia sighed deeply and looked at the clay bowl. Already the water was a light scarlet red that burned in the dim light. Shinzon noticed her apprehension and finished cleaning her arm.
"Why did you save me?" Aradia felt a wave of nausea passing over her at the sight of her own blood dripping from the cloth excessively.
Shinzon couldn't help but let a sarcastic smile cross his lips, "You can help us, help me. I want to know more about you. Humans here must...stick together or find Reman allies if they want to survive."
Aradia took a deep breath, still constricted by the uniform Vrhizak forced her to wear. "I need information on how to get out of here."
Shinzon's eyes widened and he threw the cloth into the bowl. "I was hoping you'd ask me that! It appears we have similar motivations."
Aradia shook her head. "You must have a way out of here. You're...I mean, you act like a..." Aradia suddenly felt at a loss for words. She opened her mouth but nothing came out. Shinzon looked at her for a moment longer and then looked down at her arm, continuing his work quietly. Aradia looked down to meet his eyes but he avoided hers, a small sigh touching the edge of his lips.
"A Reman?" Shinzon's voice was barely above a murmur.
Aradia sighed, trying to rationalize just what 'Shinzon' was. "Well...I mean...you're Reman. But you're human. But the way you fight...that uniform...and those...Reman bastards! They do what you tell them, don't they?"
Shinzon leaned back and smirked, amused by Aradia's ignorance more than he'd expected to be. He turned around to loosen the collar of the black combat suit and pushed the flaps aside, his smooth sculpted chest glimmering in the near darkness. More comfortable, he bowed forward, taking the curve of her muscular forearm and carefully lifting one of the twigs with the other. He let the small end of the twig touch the tip of the hot fire, and as soon as it was lit he brought it down to the wiped wound. Blood still seeped from it profusely but the hotness of the flame almost immediately slowed it.
Aradia watched all of it, and within moments, shrieked as the flame grazed the raw skin of the wound. She tried to shake her arm from him but he firmly held it. Squeamish, she clenched her eyes shut. "What are you doing?! You're making it hurt worse..."
Shinzon patiently held her arm tighter, "The fire draws the poison from the wound, and will dry the top layer of your skin, which will most likely die in the next 24 hours."
Aradia felt her anger rising as Shinzon ignored her whimpers. She choked loudly, hiding her tears that welled in her eyes and threatened to fall. Shinzon stopped and looked up, surprised at her reaction. He quickly finished the step and stopped, sympathizing with her human pain but unsure of how to act in response. Her tears glimmered brilliantly in the dim light, and Shinzon swallowed the lump in his throat. Aradia looked at him in anger and in fear, and he could tell she was trying to hide it.
Shinzon gently leaned into her face, "Don't be afraid, Aradia."
Aradia drew a deep breath and tried to hide the desperation she knew was written in her eyes. She tried to speak calmly but the tension coursing through her body made it near impossible. "Please...I'll give you anything you want in exchange for my freedom. Drugs, sex...whores, Romulan weapons...anything."
Shinzon frowned, "But you are free. I'm not keeping you here."
"And the minute I try to leave, a huge ass load of Romulans or Remans will be right there to stop me! I'm talking about freedom. OFF this planet," Aradia sniffed, choking back a small cry again. Shinzon listened quietly and then drew his hand to his side, bringing his large double-bladed knife forward. The pain and agony in her voice seemed too familiar to him. Aradia watched with uncertain eyes through her tears, the blade glimmering and still stained with the blood of the Remans he had killed with it. She stopped resisting, entranced by the knife and in near shock that he had drawn it on her. Shinzon noticed her anxiety and he sighed deeply. "Aradia...patience. Please." Aradia buried her head in her good arm, and she felt Shinzon's blade scraping off the top layer of infected skin and dried blood from the wound. The pain made her want to scream, and she tried to control the tension in her muscles. Shinzon quickly applied a compress of clean cloth to the wound and frowned when he heard Aradia choking again in misery. In her misery, he still felt drawn to her human warmth that felt familiar but all too strange at the same time. Aradia was compelled to stay in the comfortable darkness the crook of her arm offered. She didn't have to face the ugly Remans or the mysterious human that was 'healing' her. She almost stayed hidden when she suddenly felt a set of fingertips brush away the strands of fine hair from her temple. Aradia's eyes snapped open and she looked up, eyes glimmering as they met Shinzon's hazel orbs looming over her. Regardless of the situation, she felt a definitive comfort in his human presence. From Shinzon's face, she could tell he was visibly pleased with her trust in him, and he was confidant in his actions as she approved physically of them. Aradia heard her voice tremble. "We're the only humans here, aren't we?" Shinzon's voice lowered, and he began wrapping gauze around his fingers. "Perhaps no one ever told you this...but this is Remus. We are Remans, slaves to the Romulan guards, and humans sent here are usually abducted and left for dead. Most that come here...die."
Aradia shook her head, "You've got the kidding me. You haven't been here long... have you?"
Shinzon looked at her as if she was joking, and he felt his eyes darkening in childish excitement at her curiosity. He took another rag and pressed it a final time to the now procured wound. "A lifetime is not a very long time..."
Aradia pondered for a moment, and then her eyes widened, "A lifetime? You can't be serious..." Shinzon froze, setting gauze aside as he looked her in the eye. His smile faded and he lowered his glance. "How did you get here?" Aradia groaned in frustration, and she looked away. "I was a dancer. For a Romulan senator." Shinzon sneered loudly, beginning again to wrap the gauze. At first he was rough as he took her upper arm by the palm of his hand, but when Aradia yelped he pulled back surprised. Aradia glared at him and he took her arm again much more gently. "They don't care for anyone but themselves. They left you here for dead." Aradia shook her head, "I...I can't accept that." Shinzon stopped momentarily and looked at her, "Why not?" "He...we had a deal," Aradia's voice was in disbelief. "I would do what he wanted and he would let me stay. He...he seemed noble."
Shinzon raised his brow, "What an ironic choice of words. The noble race here, Aradia, is the Remans."
Aradia frowned and almost sat up, "Never! No! Look at what they've done!"
Shinzon was quiet for a few moments, and then he picked up more of the gauze. Slowly he applied it to the wound, which absorbed the gauze and began drying. "If the Romulans hadn't abandoned you, they would have never had the chance." Aradia was quiet, and Shinzon finished with the last piece of gauze. Though grotesque, the wound stopped spreading and the bleeding was under control. Shinzon smiled gently and let his fingers wrap around her forearm, rubbing his thumb lightly against the wound. He was entranced by her skin's luminous smoothness and her smaller but powerful frame. He massaged the skin around the gauze and looked down at her, stopping when he realized she noticed his actions. Aradia watched him with surprise at his sudden affection. As much as Shinzon expected her to, Aradia didn't pull away. Instead she sighed lightly and moved her head below his to look into his eyes. She licked her lips and swallowed the cotton in her mouth, "Thank you."
At first Shinzon retracted from the close contact, but then he couldn't help but peer at her face. By instinct alone he let his hand touch her jaw line softly and run his thumb up and down its side. He felt the electricity surge through him as he touched her for the first time as a human should have. Every Reman aversion he usually felt to close physical contact suddenly dissipated into a cool human desire to be close to her. Just like in the dreams... Shinzon let a deep breath roll off his tongue. "Your real object of anger should be the Romulans, not my Reman brothers." Aradia closed her eyes, grateful for the first human warmth she'd felt in a year and a half. She lolled her head into his hand more, balancing herself to sitting with her palms to the side of her hips. She softly whispered, "What if I hate both?" Shinzon cringed, "Then you will gain nothing, including your freedom." Aradia looked down, suddenly lifting her head and pulling away from Shinzon's touch. Shinzon let his hand drop to her neck line, where he wrapped his fingers and traced the curve of her neck with them. He let his thumb rest on her jaw line, tracing every curve of her face more seductively than he intended. He suddenly felt his actions towards Aradia emanating from a primal source deep within him. The fluidity of touch impressed him, and he felt more naturally inclined towards the woman that lay before him than he had ever physically felt towards anyone before. "Aradia, give my brothers a chance. We are fighting the Romulans. We are ensuing justice, and you can help us like we can help you. Vengeance, Aradia...would you take it if I offered?" "For myself, Shinzon. I have enough problems outside of Remus to worry about on top of the problems inside Remus," Aradia peered at him, her face hardening. Shinzon leaned back and smiled sadistically, understanding her motive. He removed his hands from her, and she watched his face.
"So, tell me. How does a human end up being a mistress to a cold Romulan senator?"
Aradia was quiet, her eyes looking down at the fire in the center. She blinked a few times before she responded quietly. "Same way a human ends up being a slave on Remus." Shinzon snickered, his eyes meeting hers fiercely and passionately at the same time. "Oh, but you don't know half the story." Aradia frowned and looked at him from the side. "And you don't know half of mine." Unable to resist her warmth and fire, Shinzon leaned down closer to her face. Aradia willingly looked in his eyes, studying every feature color that pulse madly in his hazel orbs. She couldn't help but be drawn to the only human she's seen in months and she hated herself for it. Just as they were inches away, a heavy footfall entered the tent rather suddenly. A Reman came through the exit of the tent, and he threw back the cloth violently. In his claws he carried a light black cotton-like garment.
Aradia was the first to break the connection she had with Shinzon in the moments their eyes met. She glanced to the exit of the tent, anger building in her face. When she saw the Reman more closely, she frowned and recognition broke on her face. Shinzon didn't move from the spot, not caring who noticed his more-than-enough-human desires. He made brief eye contact with Minz'Tel and went back to letting his eyes take in the feminine morsel in front of him.
Minz'Tel cleared his throat, "Shinzon, I have her garments."
With a sigh, Shinzon pulled back. "Very well. Aradia, if you'd like we have warm water outside. You have your own tent as well next to mine, for security purposes."
Aradia looked over at Shinzon and shook her head, "I can't. I really don't feel fit to move right now..."
Shinzon shrugged, trying to act indifferent. But he couldn't stop staring at her. The color had returned to her and she was now more alive than ever. "Then you can stay here and you'll clean up tomorrow. You should eat tomorrow morning." Minz'Tel noticed the enamored look in both of the young adults' faces, and he broke into their silence. He scowled at Shinzon, warning him with a swift wave to his mind. "Very well. Aradia...Shinzon. Shinzon, are you certain we can camp this close to Vrhizak's boundary lines?" Shinzon nodded, "We cannot move now. We are disclosed from Vrhizak and the Romulan guards. It will due for the next five hours." Minz'Tel nodded solemnly and watched them for a moment longer. He turned rejected and frustrated, stomping from the exit.
As soon as he vanished, Aradia grabbed Shinzon's forearm and her voice quickened, "I...I've seen him before. That Reman...he...he was a part of Vrhizak's clan."
Shinzon let a small smile cross his lips, "No, he was a spy there. He's in this clan. He saw your first weeks with Vrhizak."
Aradia considered his words and nodded. Slowly she drew the painful memory up and felt a quiet anger building in her, "He watched it all and did nothing."
Shinzon shook his head, "It wasn't his job to do something. The ones you should blame are Romulans, not us." Aradia closed her eyes, beginning to believe what he said as she suddenly felt very tired. Slowly she leaned up in pain and reached to pull Shinzon's loose collar, bringing him closer to her. At first Shinzon anticipated a passionate kiss from her, and he closed his eyes in anticipation. A few seconds passed when he realized that she wasn't planning on kissing him. Instead he felt her bury the side of her head into his bare chest. Her eyes closed and she almost immediately sighed in relief. Shinzon's face went from a small smile of inner glee as she pulled him to one of complete surprise as she changed direction and rubbed her soft cheek into his skin. Tense and unsure, he let her lean against him stiffly. Aradia's voice was soft, "I don't blame you, Shinzon. It's been too long since we've seen a human. You were right about that." Shinzon cleared his throat and leaned back against the wall of the tent, letting his fingertips fall to the curve of her hips. Quietly he looked at the entrance to his tent and reminisced out loud, trying to calm the pounding of his heart, "The only female I've seen was a Romulan. I was five or six at the time." "That's all? That's horrible," Aradia frowned and took a deep breath, "Just please...don't let them near me." "My Reman brothers?" Aradia nodded slowly, "Yes. I can't...do it. I can't be near them." Shinzon didn't reply. He frowned in disappointment and unconsciously found his fingers creeping to the twine strings of the uniform Vrhizak had forced her to wear. The uniform was still wrapped around her small body, constricting her. Aradia visibly cringed when he pressed down on the strings as he slowly began undoing them. But she didn't stop him, and her eyes closed as Shinzon pulled at the twine-strings. Soon the uniform became undone and the flaps loosened. Aradia let her breath go in grateful release, and almost immediately Shinzon felt the curves of her body falling forth from the tight material. Shinzon pushed the flaps of the rough fabric aside, revealing Aradia's bare bruised back. The strings had cut deep bloody calluses into her back and Aradia looked away when Shinzon moaned in shock and looked down at her. Slowly he moved his fingertips down the small curve of her spine, entranced but also disgusted at the mess. "What in the hell did they do to you?" Shinzon was shocked at the cruelty. He had never seen such actions at the hands of his brothers before. Not against someone as obviously helpless and clueless as Aradia. Aradia withdrew a deep breath, savoring the release, "Enough to push me. Not enough to kill me, although many times I wished for death." "I see that," Shinzon raised his brow and wrapped one of his forearms around her waist and held her closer. He pressed against one of the largest bruises across her lower back, and Aradia tensed up. Shinzon tried to pull away but he couldn't get past how soft her skin was. "Watch it," Aradia hissed in pain. "Goddamnit don't make it worse." "Romulan phasar blast," Shinzon's voice was barely above a whisper. Aradia looked up and saw his eyes staring spellbound at her skin. Only after a few moments Shinzon moved and looked straight into Aradia's eyes. "Still so...soft." Aradia frowned and let her chin rest against his chest. Shinzon ignored the sharpness of her mandible and saw the questioning in her eyes. "What is?" Shinzon let a small smile cross his lips, "Your scars." Aradia's thin lips slowly turned upward, but her smile quickly faded as she caught herself. "You've never been with a female? Aren't there other females here...somewhere?" Shinzon took a deep breath and became quiet. He looked away, imagining the times he had fantasized what it would be like to hold a woman in his arms. Now that those fantasies were fulfilled, he felt a throb deep inside of him that wanted more. A part of him was glad he still wore the combat suit, due to the nervous sweat that emanated from his body and the growing hardness of his manhood between his legs. Aradia could detect neither under his armor. "I have seen none in my lifetime." Aradia didn't respond. Shinzon became quiet, and under his arms he could feel Aradia's breathing becoming slower. She seemed so delicate, but he knew that she wasn't. Seeing her alive, seeing her fight and seeing her survive her wounds proved it. And even though she was marred with dirt and injuries, Shinzon could see the beauty of the woman that rested in his arms. He could see the iridescent glow of her pale skin and the subtle highlights of blond in her dark auburn hair. The colors that played along the curves on her face entranced him, and her scent grew more exotic it seemed with every passing moment. Shinzon had to contain the bestial emotions that ravaged his sanity. He wanted to rip off her clothing, grab her flesh, savor its softness and indulge in its curves. He wanted to feel her flesh melting under his muscles, giving way to every desire and wanton fantasy that raced through his psyche. What would happen...if I ripped off her clothes and took her right here? If I grabbed her just as roughly as Vhrizak had and pound my manhood into her tight flesh. What if I slapped her, tore her apart and made her be quiet the whole time... Aradia shifted in his arms, a light moan escaping her slightly parted lips. Her seeming helplessness helped the ebbing tide of his boner as a small smile caressed his full lips. With a low sadistic whisper, he held her more tightly, feeling her breasts squeeze against his muscles. "It's ironic...dear, how you'll never know how much danger you were in lying here in my arms."