Disclaimer: I do not own Andromeda or Star Trek Voyager or their
characters. I am making no money from this story. *sigh*
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Chapter 8
Seamus Harper didn't know how long he had been unconscious when he woke up with a splitting headache. The young man looked around for Tom Paris and became concerned when the Starfleet officer was nowhere in sight.
Harper was in a holding cell in the slave processing center. At least that's what the engineer guessed.
Harper tried to stand up but found himself shackled to an iron ring embedded into the cement floor. The Earther winced as the shackle around his ankle cut into his ankle. Now that was a genius move Shay, Harper muttered to himself.
Being alone in the cell gave Harper time to think. His first thought was about the fate of Tom Paris. The engineer quickly shook the thoughts of concern from his head and began planning an escape.
The thud of booted footsteps outside his cell interrupted Harper's thoughts of escape. A guard opened the door, taking two steps inside.
"Time for you to meet Mr. Copernicus" the guard announced as he began removing the shackle around Harper's ankle.
Harper stood up and followed the guard upstairs, looking out for Paris the whole time. Copernicus was a well-muscled Nietzschean; almost as large as Tyr Anasazi.
"I see you finally decided to wake up little man," Copernicus greeted nonchalantly.
Harper attempted a small shrug of his shoulders. "Yeah well I need my beauty sleep. So what is it you want?"
The armed guard standing behind Harper shoved the butt of his rifle into the Earther's back. Harper let out a gasp of air as he doubled over.
"You know the rules slave. You will speak only when you are directly asked a question by a Nietzschean overseer," Copernicus warned.
Harper straightened as best he could with his ribs on fire with pain. "Where's Tom Paris?"
Copernicus nodded for the guard to strike Harper again. "I told you to be quiet kludge." The fair-skinned Nietzschean smiled as Harper writhed on the floor. Copernicus waited for Harper to stand up again before continuing. "Normally a wanted kludge like yourself would be dealt with in a forceful and physical manner. However your dataport makes you a most useful kludge. Make no mistake though; if you prove to be disruptive then I will cease to make such allowances for you."
****
Tom Paris woke up in a medical facility feeling groggy and disoriented. The helmsman moaned softly, bringing a Nietzschean nurse to his bedside.
"Where am I?" Paris asked in a raspy voice.
"You're in a kludgeinfirmary. I will notify the doctor that you are awake so he can release you to work in the mines," the nurse informed without any emotion in her voice. She had obviously around long enough to have seen many kludges come through here.
A short time later a Nietzschean doctor arrived and briefly examined Paris. "You don't look in too bad of shape for a kludge," the brunette female physician remarked. This doctor had a worse bedside manner than Voyager's EMH he thought to himself.
The doctor left Paris's bedside long enough to pull a bottle down from a cabinet. Then the doctor instructed the nurse to hold Paris' head back while she applied some drops into the helmsman's eyes.
Paris felt a slight stinging in his eyes which quickly subsided. "What is that stuff you put in my eyes Doctor?"
"Just something for the pain. You'll start feeling better soon," The doctor informed matter-of- factly.
Paris didn't like that the doctor gave a vague answer. But brushed aside the concern since his leg was beginning to stop throbbing with pain. "You know I can feel it starting to take effect already."
The doctor merely nodded as she signed a flexi releasing Paris from the infirmary. "You are now cleared for work but I want you to continue to check in so I may monitor your recovery."
The nurse handed Paris his clothes before helping him off the bed. Paris was grateful for the assistance as he was now feeling light headed. The doctor and nurse left Paris alone to put on his clothes. His mind began racing as he changed. Paris' mind started to wander and he began daydreaming about being in his Captain Proton holo program.
Once dressed Tom Paris was shoved into a transport vehicle where Seamus Harper was waiting. In the darkness Harper barely recognized the lieutenant. "Paris?"
Paris looked up at the sound of the familiar voice. "Is that you Harper?" he whispered.
Harper merely nodded his head. One of the Nietzschean guards heard the whispering and rushed over.
"Quiet kludges! No talking!" He ordered.
Paris bristled at being ordered around. "Who do you think you are ordering us around?"
The guard climbed atop the transport vehicle and grabbed Paris by the shirt collar. "I am a Nietzschean and you are a pathetic, miserable kludge and that is all the reason I need." The guard then threw Paris onto the ground.
Harper stood up and moved towards the other Nietzschean standing guard. The second guard raised a rifled and was about to fire it when the other kludges rushed him. The two guards had no time to press the button on the remote controls to the bracelets worn by the humans. The kludges began hitting and kicking at the two guards in an attempt to get the rifles.
Harper used the diversion to grab Paris. "You okay Paris?"
Paris nodded his head. He was still shaky and couldn't place a name to the man standing next to him.
"What were you thinking? You coulda been killed talking back to the Uber like that," Harper chastised.
"It's my duty to protect the innocent and the weak," Paris replied.
Harper got a look at the helmsman's face in the glare of the searchlights and what he saw turned his stomach. Paris was on Flash. Having been around Beka Valentine when she was on Flash Harper knew the signs. It certainly explained Paris' uncharacteristic behavior Harper thought.
Harper was jolted from his thoughts by the sound of klaxons. Nietzschean guards ran towards the fray as guards in towers shot at the kludges. Harper grabbed Paris, pushing him to the ground and under transport vehicle.
Harper struggled to keep Paris from trying to help defend the kludges. Flash had made Paris stronger. Harper had to resort to hitting Paris square on the jaw with a rock, knocking the Starfleet lieutenant unconscious.
Harper spotted four pairs of booted feet around the transport vehicle. His scuffle with Paris had given away their location. Harper knew he and Paris were probably spotted by the sentries in the guard towers anyway.
"Come out from under the vehicle kludge!" one of the guards shouted.
Harper scrambled from under the vehicle before pulling Paris out. "Don't shoot Uber. We're not armed."
One of the guards picked up Paris' limp body like a rag doll. Harper was helpless to prevent the rough treatment.
"Take it is easy with him will ya," Harper cautioned, knowing he was going to be punished for it. Sure enough one of the guards shoved a rifle against Harper's chest, sending the engineer to the ground. Harper took a deep breath and stood back up.
The guards walked him back to Copernicus' office. Harper hoped Paris was taken back to the infirmary for treatment. Suddenly the Earther had an awful thought. The infirmary was where Paris got the Flash. Certainly no kludge slave would have been able to hide Flash from the Ubers. Tom Paris also wouldn't have knowingly taken any narcotic. The only way Paris would have taken Flash is if the Uber doctor gave it to him.
Paris and Harper were taken to Copernicus' office. The helmsman was unceremoniously dumped on the floor.
Harper decided to take a risk and confronted the Nietzschean about Paris. "What was the point of getting a kludge hooked on Flash?"
Copernicus laughed an evil laugh that grated on Harper's nerves. "I will ask the questions kludge."
Harper found himself on the floor again, courtesy of one of Copernicus' guards. The engineer knew better than to push the issue any further. He had already gone too far by confronting Copernicus like this.
"Who were the leaders of the revolt?" Copernicus demanded.
Harper's blue eyes glared with hatred as he looked up at the tall Nietzschean. "Nobody."
"Perhaps your tongue will loosen after some time alone kludge," Copernicus replied. Then he turned to his guards. "Take the kludges to solitary."
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Chapter 8
Seamus Harper didn't know how long he had been unconscious when he woke up with a splitting headache. The young man looked around for Tom Paris and became concerned when the Starfleet officer was nowhere in sight.
Harper was in a holding cell in the slave processing center. At least that's what the engineer guessed.
Harper tried to stand up but found himself shackled to an iron ring embedded into the cement floor. The Earther winced as the shackle around his ankle cut into his ankle. Now that was a genius move Shay, Harper muttered to himself.
Being alone in the cell gave Harper time to think. His first thought was about the fate of Tom Paris. The engineer quickly shook the thoughts of concern from his head and began planning an escape.
The thud of booted footsteps outside his cell interrupted Harper's thoughts of escape. A guard opened the door, taking two steps inside.
"Time for you to meet Mr. Copernicus" the guard announced as he began removing the shackle around Harper's ankle.
Harper stood up and followed the guard upstairs, looking out for Paris the whole time. Copernicus was a well-muscled Nietzschean; almost as large as Tyr Anasazi.
"I see you finally decided to wake up little man," Copernicus greeted nonchalantly.
Harper attempted a small shrug of his shoulders. "Yeah well I need my beauty sleep. So what is it you want?"
The armed guard standing behind Harper shoved the butt of his rifle into the Earther's back. Harper let out a gasp of air as he doubled over.
"You know the rules slave. You will speak only when you are directly asked a question by a Nietzschean overseer," Copernicus warned.
Harper straightened as best he could with his ribs on fire with pain. "Where's Tom Paris?"
Copernicus nodded for the guard to strike Harper again. "I told you to be quiet kludge." The fair-skinned Nietzschean smiled as Harper writhed on the floor. Copernicus waited for Harper to stand up again before continuing. "Normally a wanted kludge like yourself would be dealt with in a forceful and physical manner. However your dataport makes you a most useful kludge. Make no mistake though; if you prove to be disruptive then I will cease to make such allowances for you."
****
Tom Paris woke up in a medical facility feeling groggy and disoriented. The helmsman moaned softly, bringing a Nietzschean nurse to his bedside.
"Where am I?" Paris asked in a raspy voice.
"You're in a kludgeinfirmary. I will notify the doctor that you are awake so he can release you to work in the mines," the nurse informed without any emotion in her voice. She had obviously around long enough to have seen many kludges come through here.
A short time later a Nietzschean doctor arrived and briefly examined Paris. "You don't look in too bad of shape for a kludge," the brunette female physician remarked. This doctor had a worse bedside manner than Voyager's EMH he thought to himself.
The doctor left Paris's bedside long enough to pull a bottle down from a cabinet. Then the doctor instructed the nurse to hold Paris' head back while she applied some drops into the helmsman's eyes.
Paris felt a slight stinging in his eyes which quickly subsided. "What is that stuff you put in my eyes Doctor?"
"Just something for the pain. You'll start feeling better soon," The doctor informed matter-of- factly.
Paris didn't like that the doctor gave a vague answer. But brushed aside the concern since his leg was beginning to stop throbbing with pain. "You know I can feel it starting to take effect already."
The doctor merely nodded as she signed a flexi releasing Paris from the infirmary. "You are now cleared for work but I want you to continue to check in so I may monitor your recovery."
The nurse handed Paris his clothes before helping him off the bed. Paris was grateful for the assistance as he was now feeling light headed. The doctor and nurse left Paris alone to put on his clothes. His mind began racing as he changed. Paris' mind started to wander and he began daydreaming about being in his Captain Proton holo program.
Once dressed Tom Paris was shoved into a transport vehicle where Seamus Harper was waiting. In the darkness Harper barely recognized the lieutenant. "Paris?"
Paris looked up at the sound of the familiar voice. "Is that you Harper?" he whispered.
Harper merely nodded his head. One of the Nietzschean guards heard the whispering and rushed over.
"Quiet kludges! No talking!" He ordered.
Paris bristled at being ordered around. "Who do you think you are ordering us around?"
The guard climbed atop the transport vehicle and grabbed Paris by the shirt collar. "I am a Nietzschean and you are a pathetic, miserable kludge and that is all the reason I need." The guard then threw Paris onto the ground.
Harper stood up and moved towards the other Nietzschean standing guard. The second guard raised a rifled and was about to fire it when the other kludges rushed him. The two guards had no time to press the button on the remote controls to the bracelets worn by the humans. The kludges began hitting and kicking at the two guards in an attempt to get the rifles.
Harper used the diversion to grab Paris. "You okay Paris?"
Paris nodded his head. He was still shaky and couldn't place a name to the man standing next to him.
"What were you thinking? You coulda been killed talking back to the Uber like that," Harper chastised.
"It's my duty to protect the innocent and the weak," Paris replied.
Harper got a look at the helmsman's face in the glare of the searchlights and what he saw turned his stomach. Paris was on Flash. Having been around Beka Valentine when she was on Flash Harper knew the signs. It certainly explained Paris' uncharacteristic behavior Harper thought.
Harper was jolted from his thoughts by the sound of klaxons. Nietzschean guards ran towards the fray as guards in towers shot at the kludges. Harper grabbed Paris, pushing him to the ground and under transport vehicle.
Harper struggled to keep Paris from trying to help defend the kludges. Flash had made Paris stronger. Harper had to resort to hitting Paris square on the jaw with a rock, knocking the Starfleet lieutenant unconscious.
Harper spotted four pairs of booted feet around the transport vehicle. His scuffle with Paris had given away their location. Harper knew he and Paris were probably spotted by the sentries in the guard towers anyway.
"Come out from under the vehicle kludge!" one of the guards shouted.
Harper scrambled from under the vehicle before pulling Paris out. "Don't shoot Uber. We're not armed."
One of the guards picked up Paris' limp body like a rag doll. Harper was helpless to prevent the rough treatment.
"Take it is easy with him will ya," Harper cautioned, knowing he was going to be punished for it. Sure enough one of the guards shoved a rifle against Harper's chest, sending the engineer to the ground. Harper took a deep breath and stood back up.
The guards walked him back to Copernicus' office. Harper hoped Paris was taken back to the infirmary for treatment. Suddenly the Earther had an awful thought. The infirmary was where Paris got the Flash. Certainly no kludge slave would have been able to hide Flash from the Ubers. Tom Paris also wouldn't have knowingly taken any narcotic. The only way Paris would have taken Flash is if the Uber doctor gave it to him.
Paris and Harper were taken to Copernicus' office. The helmsman was unceremoniously dumped on the floor.
Harper decided to take a risk and confronted the Nietzschean about Paris. "What was the point of getting a kludge hooked on Flash?"
Copernicus laughed an evil laugh that grated on Harper's nerves. "I will ask the questions kludge."
Harper found himself on the floor again, courtesy of one of Copernicus' guards. The engineer knew better than to push the issue any further. He had already gone too far by confronting Copernicus like this.
"Who were the leaders of the revolt?" Copernicus demanded.
Harper's blue eyes glared with hatred as he looked up at the tall Nietzschean. "Nobody."
"Perhaps your tongue will loosen after some time alone kludge," Copernicus replied. Then he turned to his guards. "Take the kludges to solitary."