Title: Return To Tev'Meck (Sequel to 'The Sigournate Virus')
Author: Rose (buffybot76@hotmail.com)
Rating: R
Pairing: Dr. Lazarus/Tawney Madison
Summary: The crew of the NSEA Protector are summoned back to Lazarus'
homeworld of Tev'Meck. But it is a bittersweet homecoming.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Galaxy Quest characters. They belong to
Dreamworks and the writers of the wonderful screenplay.
Feedback: Yes, please.
Distribution: It is on fanfiction.net right now. If you want it, let me know and you can have it.
Chapter 11
Everyone seemed frozen in time. No one moved, for they were too busy staring at Katelyn.
"What?" Lethe asked, an incredulous look on her face.
She turned the look to her father, who seemed to shrink away slightly from it.
"I have no idea what this human is talking about." Luchien defended himself. "And, I have no idea what T'Noseen thinks he is doing. Release the woman!" Luchien ordered tersely, giving the Elder that held Tawney a warning look.
T'Noseen's face had a look of pure disgust as he practically thrust Tawney away from him as if she were diseased. She stumbled and nearly fell, but Laz managed to catch her, pulling her close to his body. After assuring himself that his mate was not hurt, Lazarus turned his full attention to the Elder that had dared attempt to harm his mate.
"EXPLAIN YOURSELF!" An enraged Laz snarled at T'Noseen. When the Tev'Meckian Elder did not make an attempt to explain, Laz turned to his father. "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?"
Luchien turned to his eldest son with a pained expression on his face. "Laz, I... this is *not* what I intended-"
"Not what you intended?? Lazarus' face flushed as fury rose up within him. "Just what *where* your intentions, father?" The last word left Laz's mouth in a snarl.
Tawney placed a calming hand on Laz's arm. "Laz, please. I'm sure there has been some sort of misunderstanding. Now, let's just... calm down and work this out." Tawney said softly.
Laz turned his attention back to his mate, giving her a reassuring smile. His fury and concern over his mate had given him a surge of adrenaline. But now, he was again feeling weak, and leaned into Tawney.
*Apparently our union has upset some people,* Laz "remarked" ironically.
*So it would seem, my love.* Tawney replied. Her tone was just as ironic as her mate's.
Tawney returned his smile, then both turned to once again stare at Luchien. Now, Commander Peter Quincy Taggart stepped in. "We came here to pay our respects, Sir", he addressed Luchien. "We didn't come to cause any problems." He had an eerie suspicion as to the reasons for everyone's tension--although he prayed he was wrong--so he decided to set a little trap. The trap was quickly sprung.
"Our laws are strict, Human!" spat T'Noseen. "Mak'Tar are not allowed to take lifemates from outside the tribe...not even among other Tev'Meckians."
So those are your problems: Prejudice and Inbreeding, Taggart thought. Aloud, he said, "It was a surprise to us, as well; however, it's obvious that it's something they both wanted." As he spoke, he realized--for the first time--that he'd been wrong to feel jealousy towards Laz. In his heart, he 'released' Tawney--not that they'd ever made commitments to each other--and found his heart was now singing a new tune....
"Hey man, what's up with the spears?" Laredo's question called the attention of the arguing group to Liamoto, who stood off to the side. He was holding in his hands four very lethal looking spears. Lazarus' eyes widened as he recognized just *what* kind of spears they were.
"Please tell me those are for some sort of hunting trip later on." Taggart asked hopefully, although he knew better.
Lazarus' eyes stared accusingly at his father. "You ordered them to kill Tawney?" His voice revealed his shock as well as his disappointment.
Luchien stood before his son, a look of uncertainty crossing his face.
How did he explain this predicament to his eldest offspring? What a mess T'Noseen had made of this. Of all the incompetent... He could have at least collected the Human in a more discreet manner. Now... now it was up to him to explain the Elder's actions. At first, Luchien thought of lying. Of saying he had nothing to do with the plan. But one look at his daughter's stricken face wiped that option from his mind immediately. Heaving a deep sigh, Luchien met his son's accusing glare, and spoke.
"My son, I do not know how... No, that is not correct. I do know, I just cannot accept that you are bonded to someone of another species. A Human of all things! It has never *ever* been done before. I cannot--will not accept this."
"Nor will I", echoed Lareth.
"Wait a minute!" This exclaimation, surprisingly, came from Laredo. "What about the decree? I mean, didn't Dr. Lazarus' mom bless their bond before she passed... or did I just miss something?"
"That's right, she did!" Taggart exclaimed. Everyone looked at him then. "I mean, I don't know about you guys, but even on Earth a dying person's last wish is usually honored." He finished frankly.
Tawney knew for a *fact* that it was law on Tev'Meck that when someone died, their last request was fulfilled no matter what. That was why she had been so sure that everything was going to be all right when they had exited the hut. They had to accept her now, didn't they?
At that moment, the Elders' wives exited the Departure Hut to finish setting up for the ceremony. M'ianne, Liamoto's wife, noticed her husband standing there, ceremonial spears in hand. She looked curiously from Liamoto to the Human visitors and instantly knew something was wrong.
M'ianne looked again: One of the visitors was a woman...and she was caring for Laz as a lifemate would!! *Now* she understood: Liamoto was going to oversee the death of this woman...if not perform the deed himself. M'ianne's thoughts at that moment were so venomous, that Liamoto was gripped by a tremor of terror. As the spears clattered to the ground, all eyes were turned upon him.
T'Noseen's wife, L'Riss, now looked at her husband, for he and Liamoto had a history of parallel thinking; they ususally voted the same way on Village matters. *And, you...?* she "asked". Her husband's gaze quickly dropped to the ground.
Luchien took in the way the Elder Tev'Meckians cowered from their mates and knew that they would *not* be disposing of the Human female.
*Don't be so sure, Father.* Luchien shot a look at Lareth who had been the one to communicate with him through the bond.
*What do you mean?*
*We may not be able to rid ourselves of the Human in the way we had planned. But... there is another way.*
Luchien listened as his devious son filled him in on the details. Slowly, a smirk appeared on the father's face. *Perfect.*
After a moment, Luchien turned back to Laz and his friends. "My son, please believe me when I say that I do this for your own good. My mate has blessed this union, but she did so in her dying moments, not having time to size up this foreigner that has taken the coveted position as your mate. How are we to know that she is well suited to be mated to a true Mak'Tar, hmm?"
Lazarus pulled Tawney tighter to his side and stated. "She is well suited, father."
An eyebrow arched in question. "Are you so sure? I believe... a demonstration is in order, to prove how inept this female is."
Luchien laid out the bait, knowing that Lazarus would be more likely than not to take it.
"What do you have in mind, father? I'm positive Tawney's skills will be most satisfactory to you."
A smile came over Luchien's features that caused Lazarus to suspect that he had just done a very foolish thing. That suspicion was confirmed at Luchien's next words.
"I propose.... a duel. To prove that this Human, if the call arises, is indeed skilled enough to protect her mate."
"Oh, is *that* all?" Taggart's voice interrupted. "Tawney's the best with a phazor of anybody onboard the Protector." Taggart bragged, a smug smile on his face.
"Interesting. Too bad it will not be *that* kind of a duel." Luchien's voice held a hint of amusement.
The smug smile faded as Luchien's words struck home. "What? What do you mean 'not that kind of duel'? What kind of duel is it, then?" Taggart's voice held a rising bit of panic.
Lazarus looked at the Commander. "Peter, in the Mak'Tar culture, if a life mate is suspect of not being able to protect their mate, then they are subjected to participate in a duel to prove themselves worthy."
Taggart nodded. "Yeah, I understand that. What's so different about it though?"
Lazarus sighed heavily and looked at Tawney. She knew, he could tell. Her study of the Mak'Tar cultures had covered this particular ritual. Keeping his eyes locked with Tawney's Lazarus answered Taggart's question.
"The duel, Peter......is to the death."
*~*~*~*~*~*
tbc...
Author: Rose (buffybot76@hotmail.com)
Rating: R
Pairing: Dr. Lazarus/Tawney Madison
Summary: The crew of the NSEA Protector are summoned back to Lazarus'
homeworld of Tev'Meck. But it is a bittersweet homecoming.
Disclaimer: I do not own the Galaxy Quest characters. They belong to
Dreamworks and the writers of the wonderful screenplay.
Feedback: Yes, please.
Distribution: It is on fanfiction.net right now. If you want it, let me know and you can have it.
Chapter 11
Everyone seemed frozen in time. No one moved, for they were too busy staring at Katelyn.
"What?" Lethe asked, an incredulous look on her face.
She turned the look to her father, who seemed to shrink away slightly from it.
"I have no idea what this human is talking about." Luchien defended himself. "And, I have no idea what T'Noseen thinks he is doing. Release the woman!" Luchien ordered tersely, giving the Elder that held Tawney a warning look.
T'Noseen's face had a look of pure disgust as he practically thrust Tawney away from him as if she were diseased. She stumbled and nearly fell, but Laz managed to catch her, pulling her close to his body. After assuring himself that his mate was not hurt, Lazarus turned his full attention to the Elder that had dared attempt to harm his mate.
"EXPLAIN YOURSELF!" An enraged Laz snarled at T'Noseen. When the Tev'Meckian Elder did not make an attempt to explain, Laz turned to his father. "WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?"
Luchien turned to his eldest son with a pained expression on his face. "Laz, I... this is *not* what I intended-"
"Not what you intended?? Lazarus' face flushed as fury rose up within him. "Just what *where* your intentions, father?" The last word left Laz's mouth in a snarl.
Tawney placed a calming hand on Laz's arm. "Laz, please. I'm sure there has been some sort of misunderstanding. Now, let's just... calm down and work this out." Tawney said softly.
Laz turned his attention back to his mate, giving her a reassuring smile. His fury and concern over his mate had given him a surge of adrenaline. But now, he was again feeling weak, and leaned into Tawney.
*Apparently our union has upset some people,* Laz "remarked" ironically.
*So it would seem, my love.* Tawney replied. Her tone was just as ironic as her mate's.
Tawney returned his smile, then both turned to once again stare at Luchien. Now, Commander Peter Quincy Taggart stepped in. "We came here to pay our respects, Sir", he addressed Luchien. "We didn't come to cause any problems." He had an eerie suspicion as to the reasons for everyone's tension--although he prayed he was wrong--so he decided to set a little trap. The trap was quickly sprung.
"Our laws are strict, Human!" spat T'Noseen. "Mak'Tar are not allowed to take lifemates from outside the tribe...not even among other Tev'Meckians."
So those are your problems: Prejudice and Inbreeding, Taggart thought. Aloud, he said, "It was a surprise to us, as well; however, it's obvious that it's something they both wanted." As he spoke, he realized--for the first time--that he'd been wrong to feel jealousy towards Laz. In his heart, he 'released' Tawney--not that they'd ever made commitments to each other--and found his heart was now singing a new tune....
"Hey man, what's up with the spears?" Laredo's question called the attention of the arguing group to Liamoto, who stood off to the side. He was holding in his hands four very lethal looking spears. Lazarus' eyes widened as he recognized just *what* kind of spears they were.
"Please tell me those are for some sort of hunting trip later on." Taggart asked hopefully, although he knew better.
Lazarus' eyes stared accusingly at his father. "You ordered them to kill Tawney?" His voice revealed his shock as well as his disappointment.
Luchien stood before his son, a look of uncertainty crossing his face.
How did he explain this predicament to his eldest offspring? What a mess T'Noseen had made of this. Of all the incompetent... He could have at least collected the Human in a more discreet manner. Now... now it was up to him to explain the Elder's actions. At first, Luchien thought of lying. Of saying he had nothing to do with the plan. But one look at his daughter's stricken face wiped that option from his mind immediately. Heaving a deep sigh, Luchien met his son's accusing glare, and spoke.
"My son, I do not know how... No, that is not correct. I do know, I just cannot accept that you are bonded to someone of another species. A Human of all things! It has never *ever* been done before. I cannot--will not accept this."
"Nor will I", echoed Lareth.
"Wait a minute!" This exclaimation, surprisingly, came from Laredo. "What about the decree? I mean, didn't Dr. Lazarus' mom bless their bond before she passed... or did I just miss something?"
"That's right, she did!" Taggart exclaimed. Everyone looked at him then. "I mean, I don't know about you guys, but even on Earth a dying person's last wish is usually honored." He finished frankly.
Tawney knew for a *fact* that it was law on Tev'Meck that when someone died, their last request was fulfilled no matter what. That was why she had been so sure that everything was going to be all right when they had exited the hut. They had to accept her now, didn't they?
At that moment, the Elders' wives exited the Departure Hut to finish setting up for the ceremony. M'ianne, Liamoto's wife, noticed her husband standing there, ceremonial spears in hand. She looked curiously from Liamoto to the Human visitors and instantly knew something was wrong.
M'ianne looked again: One of the visitors was a woman...and she was caring for Laz as a lifemate would!! *Now* she understood: Liamoto was going to oversee the death of this woman...if not perform the deed himself. M'ianne's thoughts at that moment were so venomous, that Liamoto was gripped by a tremor of terror. As the spears clattered to the ground, all eyes were turned upon him.
T'Noseen's wife, L'Riss, now looked at her husband, for he and Liamoto had a history of parallel thinking; they ususally voted the same way on Village matters. *And, you...?* she "asked". Her husband's gaze quickly dropped to the ground.
Luchien took in the way the Elder Tev'Meckians cowered from their mates and knew that they would *not* be disposing of the Human female.
*Don't be so sure, Father.* Luchien shot a look at Lareth who had been the one to communicate with him through the bond.
*What do you mean?*
*We may not be able to rid ourselves of the Human in the way we had planned. But... there is another way.*
Luchien listened as his devious son filled him in on the details. Slowly, a smirk appeared on the father's face. *Perfect.*
After a moment, Luchien turned back to Laz and his friends. "My son, please believe me when I say that I do this for your own good. My mate has blessed this union, but she did so in her dying moments, not having time to size up this foreigner that has taken the coveted position as your mate. How are we to know that she is well suited to be mated to a true Mak'Tar, hmm?"
Lazarus pulled Tawney tighter to his side and stated. "She is well suited, father."
An eyebrow arched in question. "Are you so sure? I believe... a demonstration is in order, to prove how inept this female is."
Luchien laid out the bait, knowing that Lazarus would be more likely than not to take it.
"What do you have in mind, father? I'm positive Tawney's skills will be most satisfactory to you."
A smile came over Luchien's features that caused Lazarus to suspect that he had just done a very foolish thing. That suspicion was confirmed at Luchien's next words.
"I propose.... a duel. To prove that this Human, if the call arises, is indeed skilled enough to protect her mate."
"Oh, is *that* all?" Taggart's voice interrupted. "Tawney's the best with a phazor of anybody onboard the Protector." Taggart bragged, a smug smile on his face.
"Interesting. Too bad it will not be *that* kind of a duel." Luchien's voice held a hint of amusement.
The smug smile faded as Luchien's words struck home. "What? What do you mean 'not that kind of duel'? What kind of duel is it, then?" Taggart's voice held a rising bit of panic.
Lazarus looked at the Commander. "Peter, in the Mak'Tar culture, if a life mate is suspect of not being able to protect their mate, then they are subjected to participate in a duel to prove themselves worthy."
Taggart nodded. "Yeah, I understand that. What's so different about it though?"
Lazarus sighed heavily and looked at Tawney. She knew, he could tell. Her study of the Mak'Tar cultures had covered this particular ritual. Keeping his eyes locked with Tawney's Lazarus answered Taggart's question.
"The duel, Peter......is to the death."
*~*~*~*~*~*
tbc...