Trust
Star Trek Voyager Fan Fiction
Season 5/6
Captain Kathryn Janeway had one goal – get her crew and ship back home. The Captain puts her mission above everything else, but would that also stop her from falling in love?
No copyright infringement intended. Purely for fun.
Written by LaughingLee (First fan fiction :)
CHAPTER 13
Kathryn Janeway struggled against the ropes around her wrists and grunted in frustration. Just once she would like an away mission not turn into a rescue operation. She glanced around her, but there were too many guards. Captain Janeway was in the middle of the small town square surrounded by Hatarian policemen. A nice crowd had gathered as well for the sentencing. The people parted as the Town Leader walked towards them. He was wearing light green robes and behind him was a very menacing guard carrying some kind of weapon. Kathryn grimaced.
Lee smiled widely as she made her way through the small shops. The away mission had been simple: mingle with the Hatarians, gain information on their pre-warp culture and then rendezvous at the transport site. The mission had started badly with a transporter malfunction. Instead of the away team materializing at a spot in the forest outside the town, everyone had ended up at different places. Luckily, none of the Hatarians had seen a person suddenly appearing out of thin air. To prevent any interference with the locals, Captain Janeway had also prohibited the use of their comm badges. They were wearing them for transport and being able to talk to the Hatarians, but no communication with each other or Voyager was allowed.
Lee was a bit worried about being separated from the rest of the group, but knew the team would simply carry on with the mission and meet at the designated time. And Ensign Lee was thoroughly enjoying her time off Voyager.
It was refreshing being on a planet with a sun and real trees and different people. She had already gotten something from one of the stores for Kathryn. Lee had been pleasantly surprised by the reaction of the people. Everyone was exceptionally friendly and gave her huge discounts on the items she bought. It felt as if people were going out of their way to make her visit to the town as painless as possible. When Lee saw a lot of people making their way down the tiny streets, she decided to investigate.
"For violating Laws One through Five, I hereby sentence you to death," the Town Leader proclaimed and motioned for the guard in black to step forward. "Sentence to be carried out immediately."
Kathryn struggled again, but her bonds were too tight and she couldn't reach her comm badge. "I don't understand what I've done wrong!"
"Keep quiet!" the Town Leader shouted. "Ignorance is not an excuse. Even though you are a visitor to our town, our laws are in line with the government's regulations. No unmarked slaves are allowed to roam free."
Kathryn tried to protest, but was roughly shoved to her knees. She glanced behind her and saw the guard readying his weapon. She couldn't believe it would end like this.
"Stop!" a clear voice rang out in the square. Everyone turned to the speaker and the Town Leader gasped. It was a blond woman in bright green robes and she stormed straight through the group of guards. "What do you think you're doing?"
The Town Leader visibly blanched and bowed. "High Lady, I'm sorry that you needed to witness this lowly criminal being executed. But, it is the law."
Lee frowned and glanced at Kathryn who shrugged. "What is this woman's crime?"
"High Lady, if it pleases you, she is an unmarked slave. And she cannot tell us who owns her." The Town Leader bowed again. "We are simply carrying out her punishment."
"What?" Lee exclaimed and a sudden idea hit her. "How dare you?" The Town Leader backed away from the furious blonde as Lee continued. "I came here because I'd heard wonderful things about your town. I was told to expect the greatest hospitality and utmost respect. And this is how I'm treated? How dare you touch one of mine!"
"I … um … I don't understand, High Lady," the Town Leader stammered. "Is this your slave?"
"Yes! Of course she is. Why else would I defend her?"
"I am deeply embarrassed, High Lady," the Town Leader said. The guard started to undo Janeway's bonds, but the Town Leader stopped him. "As one such as yourself understands, I will need proof."
"Proof? You ask me for proof?" Lee was trying to keep the anger in her voice, but Kathryn noticed the nervous twitch in her hands.
"Yes, High Lady. I'm sorry to ask this, but our laws are quite clear. If this truly is your slave, it would be a simple matter to show me your mark on her."
"I cannot believe you're asking me this," Lee muttered angrily, but went to stand next to Kathryn. She glanced apologetically at the Captain and then pulled down the collar of Kathryn's robe. A red bruise stood out starkly against Kathryn's neck. "Is this sufficient evidence?"
"Yes, of course, High Lady," the Town Leader replied and quickly motioned for the ropes to be undone. "Again, I sincerely apologise for this. Please do not see this as a personal insult, High Lady. I was merely trying to follow our great laws."
"Yes, yes," Lee replied, turning her back on him. She desperately wanted to help Kathryn up, but thought showing too much affection for a slave would be a bad idea. "I believe my visit here is over."
Lee started moving away from the town square and slowed down slightly to let Kathryn catch up to her. As the women moved down the closest street, they saw Tuvok, Tom Paris and the rest of the away team in the crowd. Kathryn nodded at them and everyone scattered to regroup at the transport site.
"That was highly fortuitous," Lieutenant Tuvok remarked as the away team waited in the forest. "From my discussions with the townspeople, colour seems to be an indication of rank on this planet. Ensign Lee's bright green robes means she is part of a very elite upper class. Unfortunately, Captain Janeway's dark robes placed her at the bottom of the slave class."
Lee was trying very hard not to laugh. Kathryn was highly embarrassed and she didn't want to make her girlfriend any more uncomfortable. Seven was frowning and Lee hoped her friend wouldn't ask any tricky questions. She had seen Seven and Tom talking and hoped the helmsman hadn't put silly ideas into Seven's head.
"Let's be grateful none of us ended up getting hurt," Janeway replied, hitching her collar higher again. "Voyager should be transporting us back any minute."
"Captain?" Seven started and Lee nudged her to be quiet, but the ex-Borg was oblivious. The away team started to de-materialize in blue shimmers as Seven asked, "What is a hickey?"