Warning: The second scene in this chapter contains discussion of some difficult topics, including torture and attempted rape.
Madrid, Spain
Wednesday 26th January 1994
It had been early morning, London time, when Kay'vin got the call from Krang asking him to take on several personal tasks on his behalf, the first and most important of which was to go to Madrid. Apparently, his new mate – and Kay'vin had no doubt that his boss, however unexpected or controversial it might be, had indeed found his life-mate, his par'Mach'kai in this Terran woman – was having legal difficulties with regard to some property that she owned.
Having listened to the story his boss had told him, he'd been a little shocked to learn that she was the widow of a convicted criminal – and not just any criminal but the terrorist who'd planted the bomb that had claimed twenty-three Klingon lives, one of them his cousin. He was not sure how he felt about that. He'd met Chrissie and rather liked her, and she'd shown signs of liking him as well. Certainly, she'd been comfortable enough in his presence to risk teasing him about his relationship with Marla.
Kay'vin frowned then, remembering that he was not the only one to have lost a family member in that attack. Karg had lost his brother. The disgraced colonel was not as tolerant and easy-going as he was, nor was he in any way forgiving. Klingon culture would hold her equally responsible for the crimes of her mate. If Karg found out that Chrissie was even remotely connected to the bombing, he would go nuts. Thankfully, Karg was under arrest and no longer posed any threat to Krang or his new family.
The solution of course, was very simple. Under Klingon law, all property and assets of a convicted criminal were forfeit – and Diego Martinez had been executed for terrorism.
Putting his orders into action, he'd headed to Spain, going first to Majadahonda to inspect the property that had once been Chrissie's home. Arriving at the address, the first thing he had seen was a sign saying, 'Se Vende'. A moment's research told him that the words meant 'For Sale'. He scowled at the sight. While ownership of the property was in dispute, any attempt to sell it was illegal.
The sign also had what he guessed to be a company name and a communications number. He took a careful note of the details before entering the property.
The house had a little garden that Kay'vin thought might have once been pretty, but after almost two years, looked neglected and overgrown. The interior of the house was not much better. A thin layer of dust covered the furniture and looking around, it was quickly obvious that anything of value had already been taken.
He had thought about retrieving some of her personal effects, but he could see nothing that she would want. A handful of books lay on the table and glancing at them curiously, one caught his attention - a largish volume, obviously well-read and not in the best condition, the image on the cover depicted an old, long-bearded man wearing robes and a pointed hat. It seemed an odd thing to wear on one's head and he wondered idly if it meant anything. The character held a staff in outstretched hands and seemed to be facing down a fire-breathing monster. Curiosity piqued, he picked the book up and opened it, but the text was in a language that Kay'vin supposed to be Spanish and he could not read it. He decided to take it with him and ask Chrissie about it. The book looked like an old favourite, and she might be glad to have it back.
Tucking the book under one arm, Kay'vin made his way out of the house and back to the shuttle, engaging the engines and heading for Madrid city centre. The navigational computer found the address easily and within minutes he was setting down in the busy street right outside the Inmobilaria Plaza Mayor, which oddly, was not particularly close to the main square it was named for. Ensuring that the shuttle was secure, he strode into the building, stopping momentarily to take note of the sign on the door, 'We Speak English'. That was good; he would not need to use his translator.
The young woman sitting behind the desk looked up as the door opened. "Buenos dias, señor."
She was around his age, he guessed, and by Terran standards, attractive – sleek, black hair, neatly pinned up, framed a perfectly made-up face with large, dark brown eyes and she was wearing a form fitting dress which accentuated a nicely curved figure that Kay'vin could not help appreciating. Unfortunately, the terrified expression on her face rather spoiled the effect. He sighed, biting back an annoyed growl; no doubt that would just scare her even more. "You speak English?"
"Yes, sir, I do. My name is Carmen. How may I help you?"
She spoke English with a lilting accent that Kay'vin rather liked and despite her obvious fear, he could see that she was doing her best to remain calm and professional.
"I am here to discuss a property in Majadahonda," he told her, his own heavy accent butchering the place name.
"One moment, señor, while I retrieve the property details. Are you interested in purchasing the house?"
"Your sale of the property is illegal," he informed her brusquely. "Its ownership is the subject of a legal dispute."
She looked shocked at the accusation. "We understood, señor, that the family who lived there were killed when you…" She stopped, realising it might not be politic to mention the invasion.
"…When we invaded." Kay'vin finished the sentence for her. "That is incorrect. The husband was executed for terrorism. I am sure you remember the bombing eighteen months ago?"
Her mouth made a little "oh" of shock and she nodded. "I lost my cousin in that attack."
Kay'vin growled. "So did I."
Her fear increased at his words, but he was already continuing, showing no signs of attacking her. "His widow and children, however, were innocent of all wrongdoing They are alive and well and I am here acting on their behalf. The Martinez family are acting illegally, and you may inform them that in retaliation for his crimes, we have confiscated the property."
"I… I… will have the property removed from the market at once, señor."
Kay'vin shook his head. "I want you to put it up for immediate auction."
"Sí, señor," the young woman said. "I will make the arrangements at once. You can be sure we will get the best possible price."
"Good." He handed her his contact details. "You will inform me when it is done, and I will instruct you then regarding the disposal of the funds."
"Of course, señor. Is there anything else I can help you with?"
He thought for a moment. "Actually, yes. I am unfamiliar with this city. Where might I go to book a vacation rental property?"
"Um… "If you turn left when you go outside, about three shops down, you'll see a travel agent, 'Viajes Thomas Cook. I think they will be able to assist you."
"One other thing. I would like to explore your city a little and maybe find a gift for my…" He stopped, blushing slightly.
Starting to relax again now that he was showing signs of leaving, Carmen bit back a nervous giggle. So, the big, scary Klingon had a girlfriend… That simple fact made him seem real to her, an actual person and one, she noted irrelevantly, who was actually quite good looking. Reaching under her desk, she pulled out a colourful paper map. "You are here," she told him, placing an 'X' on the map and then drawing a ring around another section. "This area here is the main tourist zone; you'll find a lot of small gift shops there. It's only five minutes' walk from here." Feeling greatly daring, she added, "You could put your shuttle in our carpark, so it's not blocking the road."
He grinned at that. "Very well, Señora Carmen, I will do as you say." Offering her a slight bow he turned and left.
The courtroom, Qo'noS, 2375
Trial Day 4
"My memory of that time is hazy," Chrissie told the court. "More than anything else, I remember the pain." Her face was white and drawn and she spoke so quietly that her words were barely audible. "I remember a harsh voice barking questions and when I wasn't quick enough to answer, pain… agonising pain… and then more pain. I remember screaming. I particularly remember betraying my friend, betraying Captain Kirk and the Enterprise and the resistance."
She lowered her head, deeply ashamed of her cowardice as she continued, "I would have said whatever he wanted me to say… done anything he wanted me to do to make the pain stop. He asked so many questions and I answered all of them, told him everything."
She sighed. "Not that I knew much. I think the only thing he didn't already know was the name of the Enterprise. When Krang told me that Karg was an expert interrogator, he hadn't exaggerated. Karg knew exactly what questions to ask and how to get the answers and he'd joined all the dots… He'd worked out that I must be connected in some way to the prison raid – not a difficult conclusion, I suppose since I was the sister of one of the medical team, already connected to the resistance through Sarah and my… my husband.
"He changed tack at that point. I remember him calling me the wife of a murderer. He was convinced I was working for the resistance, that I was a spy and a whore, sleeping with Krang to get information from him and he wanted to know what I had learned. And then… then it turned personal."
She remembered Karg's voice, taunting her… his blade cutting away the fabric of her coat… cruel hands tearing open her clothing – her blouse first and then the waistband of her skirt… and then, the sensation of cold air against her exposed skin.
Her hands still secured behind her back, she'd been unable to protect herself as his hands roamed her body. She shrank back from him, but the wall was behind her and there was nowhere for her to go. Turning slightly in an attempt to shrug him off, she saw one of the guards watching and was surprised to realise that she had encountered him before. He had been on duty the day after the prison raid and he'd refused her access, telling her to come back later. She'd had no choice but to do as she was told and on her second attempt, he'd escorted her to Krang's office.
"Have you been standing out there all day?" she'd asked him. "You must be absolutely frozen."
The guard had given her a surprised look, saying, "We are rotated regularly, and my uniform is warm. You need not concern yourself."
Their eyes met momentarily and in desperation, she silently begged him for help. Please… Tell Krang… Not daring to say the words aloud, she mouthed them, praying he would understand and act on them. He gave no indication of doing so and despairingly, she turned her attention back to Karg.
"You are soft," the colonel growled. "Soft and useless. What is so special about you that you could bewitch a Klingon security captain?" He moved closer to her, pressing his body against her and she was vaguely aware of the metal trim of his armour against her skin. He lowered his head to stare into her eyes, so close that she could feel his breath on her face, hot and stinking of alcohol and something else, probably those awful worm things that the Klingons liked so much. He grinned, baring his teeth. "Maybe I will find out… Show you what a true warrior can do…"
She shook her head in a brief moment of defiance. Be strong. Fight back with every weapon you have – but the only weapon available to her right now was words… words and her knee… "True warrior?" she spat. "Unlike you, he will never need to force a woman. And he will kill you when he finds out!" She moved then, the suddenness of her attack catching him by surprise as she raised her knee and drove it into his groin with as much force as she could muster. It did little damage, other than to his pride, but it was all she had.
Cursing, he raised a gauntleted fist and backhanded her viciously across the face, the metal studs on his gloves tearing open her cheek. Chrissie's vision bloomed red before fading to grey and for a moment, she thought… hoped… that she might faint. Her legs gave way under her and she slid down the wall only to be stopped by his hand grabbing her by the throat and pulling her upright again. His free hand dropping to his belt, he kicked her feet apart and then shoved his knee between her thighs.
Letting out a shuddering breath, Chrissie fell silent as she struggled with the weight of the memories. She was on the edge of a panic attack, she recognised. Hard fingers pressing into her throat, half strangling her… She couldn't breathe!
Chrissie stared unseeingly across the courtroom, to where she knew Krang was standing, her vision blurred by the unshed tears that she dared not allow to fall. She wanted her mate… needed him and he was so far away. She couldn't breathe!
Unable to get to his wife and offer her the comfort he knew she so desperately needed, Krang had listened to her testimony with mounting fury. The hands that had been resting lightly on the polished wooden rail in front of him tightened convulsively. Without conscious thought, all his anger and tension concentrated itself in his fists until with a sudden, explosive crack, the wood splintered and broke.
The sound echoed around the courtroom, seeming unnaturally loud in the silence. Its unexpectedness startled Chrissie, adding to and fuelling her panic. She couldn't breathe!
She did not see Grenn, standing nearby in the witness area, offer a reassuring nod to her mate, silently informing him that he had it under control, that he would take care of her. Fighting to control her breathing, she was barely aware of the old Klingon placing a hand on her shoulder, steadying her as with his other hand, he pushed a glass of water into her hands and helped her lift it to her lips.
Once again, Chrissie thought with gratitude, Grenn had come to her rescue, just as he had back then in that prison cell, even if she had not realised it at the time.
Slowly, Chrissie regained control of herself, and with some consternation she become aware that she had just broken down in front of some of the most important Klingons on the planet. She tried so hard to be strong, to be a worthy mate for Krang, but the reality, she thought with bitter shame, was that she was weak. Karg had not been wrong when he had accused her of being soft and useless.
"And then…" A little calmer now, she managed to find the words to continue. "And then the pain stopped… and… and he was gone and Krang was there in his place."
Sorry for the delay in this chapter, its been a really difficult one to get right. A big thank you to JDC0, RobertBruceScott and Solasnagreine for your continued support and comments, which as always are much appreciated.
The book Kay'vin finds is, of course, The Lord of the Rings.
Se vende: For sale
Inmobilaria: estate agent (real estate in the US?). The Inmobilaria Plaza Major is a real company and is located in Madrid just off the Avenida Portugal. I have no way of knowing if it was there in 1994.
Viajes: Voyages/Journeys - in this case, part of the name of the travel agent/holiday company.