Notes: It's been brought to my attention that I should include a harsh language warning with this chapter. My apologies if it comes a bit belatedly for some.

Ch. 11

Kathryn felt her body slipping, her legs folding beneath her, her arms sliding over the round metal railing. Pain tore through her, the flimsy material of her shirt sticking to the raw wound on her back and doing nothing to soften the blow as her body collapsed onto the floor. She groaned, sensation flooding back into her, her body taking back every ache and pain that her conscious mind had fled earlier. Her back arched in an attempt to alleviate the fire that was continuing to burn across the small of her back. Muffled sounds of laughter reached her ears, and she knew the ones who had caused this misery stood over her still.

"I'm impressed…coming back around."

Despite her intense desire not to, Janeway forced herself to remain conscious. The longer they stayed with her…

"…think about…holo-stuff?"

She rolled slowly to her side, her heart beat so loud inside her head she was only catching bits and pieces of the conversation taking place above her.

"…miss the blood…"

"Easier to clean…"

"Well, it certainly is warm in here, isn't it?" The ingratiating voice that Kathryn had come to hate called from the edge of the stairs in front of where she'd fallen. Forcing her eyes open, she watched as Milo descended towards their little trio, fanning himself as he walked. "How's she doing?"

A booted foot nudged Janeway's back, eliciting a hiss of pain. "She's feisty, Milo. I think we could easily go a few more rounds with her."

"Hmmm." He looked down at her, catching her eye before using his foot to push her onto her back, holding her there. Kathryn ground her teeth, a growl of pain tearing through her throat. Milo sniffed. "I'm sure she could, but I think this will be enough for now, gentlemen. Computer, save file Janeway Epsilon Three for reload and end program."

For a moment, Kathryn thought the vertigo that swept over her was just a result of her holodeck surroundings disappearing, but if that was all it was, she should've found herself lying on the floor of a blank hologrid. Instead, she was sitting in a chair in a reclined position in a blank hologrid, and even as she blinked away the dizziness, she saw Milo removing some sort of metallic disks from her chest. Having him in such close proximity, Kathryn automatically tried to lunge for him. Restraints across her chest, arms, and legs held her back, and it was only then, pulling against the straps holding her down, that she realized she felt no pain. It was enough of a curiosity to make her pause in her struggle.

Milo reached towards her head. "Caught up, have you?"

Kathryn stared, dumbfounded as he removed a metallic band that had encircled the back of her head, wrapping around to her temples. "What the hell did you do to me?"

Setting the headpiece inside a box behind him, he chuckled, "Nothing, really." He returned to her side and, pressing something on the side of the chair, she was raised to a seated position. "Just played with your central nervous system some, raised your blood pressure and adrenalin levels, depleted your current supply of endorphins, most likely." He paused, enjoying her unease. "Simply put…I fucked with your mind, Kathryn."

"None of that…was real?" she asked, incredulous.

"Oh, your body thought it was real enough, but you weren't physically experiencing it. Instead of putting your body into a holodeck simulation," Milo tapped her forehead, "I put just your mind into it. You were the hologram."

Kathryn couldn't help but look over her own body, finding none of the bruises and scrapes she expected to see. "Then Skor? And Krat? They weren't…"

"No, no. They're still there, in the other holodeck, I mean, and I can assure you that Krat's balls would agree that the experience was as real for them as if they'd been actually torturing you." He took a seat across from her. "It's genius really, and you would not believe how much money this little device has saved me. The amount of wear and tear on a body…well, I mean, look at you. I'm sure you learned your lesson, and I could put you on the auction block tomorrow without a single blemish to show for it."

Janeway's indignation flared at his impudence. "Do you really think a single beating is enough to break me?"

Milo threw his hands in the air. "I don't want to break you. If I wanted to break you, I'd use drugs." Leaning forward as though he were imparting a great secret, he continued, "I have a serum that would completely erase your memory. You would have no idea who you are. I have another one that stimulates your sex drive. It's so powerful that even a woman such as yourself, a woman of immaculate decorum, would fuck a Reman on the floor of the Romulan Senate just to find relief." He stood and circled behind her, casually draping his hands on her shoulders, he leaned down to her ear. "I have a drug so powerful that within forty-eight hours you would be so addicted to it you'd be willing to sell that daughter of yours just to get another hit."

"Where is she?" Kathryn growled as Milo came back into her view.

"But I don't want to drug you, Kathryn," he continued as if she'd never spoken. "In a few days from now, when someone buys you from me, they want to purchase Kathryn Janeway. Starfleet Admiral. Hero. Not some drugged out shadow." He sat back down. "Don't you see? That's why I used the holo-torture. I want to sell the real you."

"That's great. Really. I applaud your methods." Kathryn leaned forward as much as the restraints allowed. "Now. Tell me where my daughter is."

He sighed and sat back. "We've had this discussion before, Kathryn. I told you your daughter would be the one to suffer for your mistakes if you caused any trouble."

A cold pit settled in Kathryn's stomach, and her knuckles turned white against the chair's armrests. "What have you done?"

"Nothing." Milo said, avoiding her eyes. "I find myself…reluctant...to hurt a child. Even yours." Kathryn closed her eyes and sucked in a shuddering breath at his admission. He continued, "It must be a weak hold-over of my humanity. An affliction that I can guarantee you most of the people who work with me do not share."

Kathryn opened her eyes. "What are you saying?"

"You are not a young woman, Kathryn. Even with holo-torture, I run the risk of damaging you. What if you go into cardiac arrest under the strain?" He leaned forward again. "So let me be clear. I will not risk damaging you again. I don't want to hurt your daughter…but I will. That beating you took earlier." He pointed at the device. "Do you really think a six year old could survive that? Holographic or not? And do you really think that's the only scenario that can be programmed?"

"Touch her…and I'll kill you."

"And what do you think will happen then?" he raised an eyebrow at her. "Do you really think you can take on everyone on this ship and survive? Krat has already expressed a prurient interest in your child. If it were up to Sheila, he would already have your dear Maddie, which brings us to another interesting point. What to do with her after you're purchased?"

He stopped and looked expectantly at Kathryn to supply the answer. Her nails dug into the palm of her hand. What the hell kind of decision could she make? Have her daughter be sold into slavery with her, or leave her here? Her stomach roiled at the repercussions of either decision, but at least if Maddie stayed with her, she could try to protect her.

"You ensure that Madelyn stays with me, now and after the auction." Kathryn cleared her throat. "And I give you my word that I'll do whatever you want."

Milo considered. "No escape attempts. No fighting. I want your full cooperation and obedience. Before and during the auction."

"No one touches Madelyn. Holographic or otherwise," Kathryn reiterated.

"Of course," he agreed. "But once you're off my ship, I guarantee nothing."

"Agreed. All bets are off."

"Then we have an accord?" Milo smiled. "Sheila will be so…displeased."