Ch.15

Kathryn choked back a bit of shock as the tingle of the transport beam wore off. She hadn't expected to transport anywhere, and the separation she felt at leaving the ship, knowing Maddie was still on it, was hard to bear. The fact that she had just been beamed into a room full of people, while essentially only wearing lingerie, was another unpleasant surprise. She'd expected a little more warning. Sheila's fingers tightened menacingly around her bicep, and the concealed point of a phaser dug into her side. Quickly swallowing her surprise, Kathryn set her chin and slipped into her command mask as Sheila guided her through the room.

Despite the dozen or so people standing and sitting in the ornately decorated room, there was hardly a sound to be heard. Walking past high-backed chairs, around plush ottomans, Kathryn counted almost a dozen people. Mostly men but a few women, almost all were species she recognized. Human. Romulan. Cardassian. Bajoran, ironically. And all eyes were on her. Scrutinizing. They expected her to look away, but she didn't. She wouldn't, despite the collective, predatory gaze she felt as Sheila guided her once around the room, allowing all to have a close look before leading Kathryn through a side door. A few murmurs had broken out, and Kathryn felt a chill creep over her, knowing she was the subject of speculation, but then the doors closed behind her, cutting off the whispered observances.

Sheila's soft laugh echoed near her ear, but she ignored it, focusing instead on the room she now found herself in. It was huge, and again there were more people in it than she had been expecting. Eight in all, but it was obvious these were not more buyers. It was like a punch to the gut when Kathryn realized that these were the other people that were being sold. Soft whimpering drew her attention to the left, and she saw a young girl with dark hair rocking slightly in obvious distress. A guard Kathryn didn't know by name but that she had seen on the ship stood menacingly over her, uncaring. On instinct, Kathryn took a step towards her, wanting to offer the girl comfort, but Sheila's grip tightened around her upper arm, forcing her onwards.

Pushing Kathryn down into a large cushioned chair, Sheila gave another one of her small grins before taking one step away from her. It took some effort, but Kathryn ignored her, choosing instead to finish her survey of the room and its occupants. There was another young girl of a descent she didn't recognize, a young man who sat straight backed in his chair, ignoring his guard, and a wild looking woman with intricate braids. Five of them in all to be auctioned. The wild woman didn't appear to be quite Kathryn's age, but she was older than the other three, and she was being guarded rather attentively by Krat. Feeling Kathryn's gaze, her eyes flashed as the two women exchanged a meaningful look. The other three were scared children despite the boy's attempt to maintain a regal demeanor, but Kathryn felt a kindred spirit with this woman. Her tight, body-hugging garment that looked almost scale-like accentuated her lean, muscled frame, and she radiated not fear but power. But also like Kathryn, she sat passively in her chair, offering no resistance. Kathryn couldn't help but wonder what matter of coercion Milo was using on her.

The side door opened again, allowing a brief glimpse of the waiting patrons before Milo breezed into the room, closing the doors behind him. He looked disdainfully at the crying girl. "She's first. Take her around to the front."

Kathryn forced herself to remain in the chair, digging her nails into the upholstery as the guard hauled the young girl out of the room. Kathryn was shaking she was so furious, and her impotence in the situation was galling.

"That's an antique, one of a kind chair that you are ruining, Kathryn," Milo's voice chided, standing in front of her.

She hadn't even seen him approach she'd been so blinded with her concentration. Looking up, she managed to ground out, "I'd rather dig my nails into your flesh if you feel up to taking its place."

He paled slightly but then quickly regained his swagger. "Don't forget our deal, Kathryn. I've already let the buyers know a child will be accompanying you, but that can be easily changed."

"You don't have to remind me what's at stake," Kathryn hissed. "Just tell me what the hell it is you expect me to do."

"You've already done it. That little show you just made in there. I couldn't have asked for better," he laughed. "I guaranteed them something special with you, and you certainly showed it. Looking them in the eye like that. Challenging them. You easily just shot your starting value up another thousand bars." A gong sounded in the room, and Milo looked towards the door with the buyers. "That's my cue. Sheila will bring you out when it's your turn. Just stand there and hold onto your temper, and you'll see sweet little Maddie in no time at all." He nodded once at Sheila before retreating back to the side doors. "Don't disappoint me, Admiral."

Kathryn stared blindly after him, the closed doors blurring into nothing distinguishable. Only when Milo's voice echoed through the room was she able to pull herself back.

"Welcome ladies and gentlemen. You have now seen all the merchandise that will be offered tonight. Because of your discriminating tastes, I offer only the best. Some will be submissive. Some…not so much." A low ripple of amusement could be heard. The inherent evil behind it made Kathryn's stomach clench. "You, of course, know best which type you prefer. But enough talk. Let us begin. First up is a true princess…"

Kathryn couldn't listen. She knew she probably should, just as she knew some part of her still was, but she could not sit here and actively listen as traits of the young girl were offered up to the crowd. Virtues that should be prized were morsels for the wolves to salivate over. To anticipate tearing apart. Even as she tried redirecting her thoughts, a heavy pressure descended over her mind, blanketing her dark thoughts.

"He has your daughter?"

It wasn't the first time Kathryn had come into contact with a telepathic species, but aside from the polite Betazoids in her office and the occasional mind meld over the years with Tuvok, it had been awhile. And those contacts certainly hadn't ever felt like this. Instinctively, she sought out the wild woman's eyes and was rewarded with only the slightest hint of acknowledgment. Marshaling her erratic thoughts, Kathryn managed to respond. "Yes. You?"

"My brother's two children are being held…until I am purchased."

Kathryn's eyes watered at the increasing pressure as the woman's voice sounded in her mind. She wouldn't be able to keep this up. The woman's presence in her mind was too much. Black edges of unconsciousness were already fringing her vision, but there was so much she wanted…needed to know. "Are you the…Dathomir…"

"The witch…yes."An amused chuckle answered her. "Breathe, Admiral Kathryn."

And with that, the pressure released from Kathryn's mind, and she knew the contact had been broken. She sucked in a steadying breath, causing Sheila to tense beside her. She blinked as her vision began expanding back out from the small tunnel it had collapsed to. She'd been dangerously close to blacking out without even realizing it. That would've pissed Sheila off. Might've been worth it. A small smile from the wild woman let her know that even though Kathryn could no longer hear the woman's thoughts, hers were not quite so silent. Kathryn also had the distinct impression that Milo and his cohorts were not aware of the witch woman's gift. The slightest of nods confirmed this suspicion. Interesting.

"Sold to Taaken for a modest sum of twelve thousand gold pressed bars of latinum."

The declaration brought Kathryn back to the current ongoing situation. She felt the nail on her ring finger crack as she dug them further into the furniture. It was the least she could do as a smattering of applause and the sob of a girl could be heard. Sheila's hand came to rest on her shoulder, giving her a physical reminder to remain still.

"Next, we have a young duke."

Kathryn leaned back in her chair, forcing Sheila to either remove her hand or change positions. It was a small power play but immensely satisfying as it also got Sheila's hand off of her. She closed her eyes and filled her mind with thoughts of Maddie and Chakotay as she tried desperately to block out the droning sound of Milo's voice, knowing that soon he would be extolling her perceived virtues to the lecherous crowd.

She was only mildly successful.


another little shout out to the Star Wars universe ;)