Chapter 46 (Zack Allen)
Trying to forget the order he'd been forced to carry out, Zack took a long jog along his favourite trail, which snaked its way along the west side park and through his local sector before winding back to his home. Each residential block was allocated its own green wooded area for recreation. But in reality, the sectors were all interconnected to create a mixture of dazzling Reservations. In the centre of each city a lake, half a mile long, provided humidity for the air and a good source of water.
But Zack was not interested in the park's design. In fact, he was not interested in anything at the moment. The penetrating memories continued to haunt his waking state, reminding him of what he'd done.
A steady cloud of mist rolled up from the lake and began accumulating around Zack's feet. He stopped to catch his breath and sat on a park bench, he'd lost track of time and the asteroid complex had orbited an asteroid and the light from the sun diminished.
"Zack? Zack." A call came from his communicator. He looked down at the small device and sighed. He wanted more time to think.
"This is Zack, go ahead," he finally replied in a low voice.
"The city's management is about to perform a movement test on the city shield. You should get to a safe location or return to your home."
He acknowledged the warning and made his way back home. The test was advertised through all the notice boards, but Zack had been so preoccupied about the Vanguard arrest, he'd missed every single one.
As he marched himself to his apartment, images of that Minbari's fine body flashed through his mind and he became aroused by the sheer joy of having fun.
Of course, he should not be thinking such thoughts. He had just arrested two vanguards and celebrating like this was not the way he should behave.
He did not understand the feelings that raged through his body. He wanted to escape from it all. The insanity of the day, versus the feeling of holding a warm woman next to his skin. He smiled with ravenous lust and made his way to his apartment.
The walk up the stairs took much longer than it used to. He could have taken the lift, it would cover floors faster than on foot, but he would lose the time to think. He had to think about what he would do about Garibaldi and his traitorous habits. He could not blame the man. Elvis had raped Talia Winters and he knew Garibaldi was close to her. But he was confused on what to do.
When Zack reached the desired floor, he opened the stairwell door and walked down the tiled hallway to his apartment, located at the end. He felt a touch of excitement, knowing that his slave was waiting for him in all her glory.
Zack quickly shelved all thoughts about Garibaldi as his mind became preoccupied with his conquest. The thought of enjoying another night with the Minbari female sent shivers up his spine. It was probably not a good idea. He should be solving the problem with Garibaldi. But Zack knew that he could only tackle that problem at work, and when his mind was clear. All he had to do now was get rid of his hard-on and sexual fantasies he'd been having since he began walking up the fifteenth flight of stairs.
Zack entered his PIN code into the lock and his apartment door opened to the view that would be his home for now. Since the asteroid complex was on high alert and ready to be abandoned, Zack decided he would petition a transfer to Euria once he had finished playing with his little slave.
However, upon entering his room, he saw her flat out on the floor in her silky Minbari gown. He leapt over to her, cradled her in his hands. Her skin appeared drained of life.
On the outside, he shouldn't care about his prisoner. He could just dispose of her like some used garbage and then move on to the next, Delenn. He wanted to try a fresh new toy, but no matter how hard he tried, looking down at her still form and blue lips, he could not help but feel a deep sense of pity and emotional connection.
He looked up towards the centre of the room and issued orders. "Communications."
A voice replied through the sound system Zack had in his room, a standard set-up for all apartments.
Communicationsystemonline.Readyforinstructions.
"Emergency call, Contact Doctor Zimmerman."
Pleasewait; your call is being processed.
After a few beeps, then a muffled voice spoke out, as if Zack had just interrupted the man's deep nap. "What is it, Zack? I was trying to get some sleep."
"I-I have an emergency, Doc. Come to my apartment immediately. I need your help."
The doctor acknowledged his request and the channel was closed. Zack looked down at his Minbari woman, Shaal was her name, and felt her breathe, which gave him some level of relief.
Drained of energy, he could see the warmth in her skin vanish with every heartbeat. He didn't know what was going on, but he did not want her to die.
After ten minutes, there was a chime at the door and Zack let the doctor in. He was a tall, dark skinned man with a large chest and stomach. He had a small moustache and wore a medical uniform. Zack had no neighbours at the moment, but if this were a house call, everyone would have been peeking out of their doors, curious to know what was going on.
Doctor Zimmerman took the Minbari to the bed and placed her down. "You do know she's Minbari?"
Zack shot a sarcastic look towards the doctor. "Really, I hadn't noticed."
"So why are you bothering saving her life?"
"She may have information on the whereabouts of her people."
"Don't you mean she has one hell of a body you can abuse?"
"What's that supposed to mean, Doc?"
"It means that perhaps you should let this one rest in peace. I may not have a lot of love for the Minbari, but I wouldn't torture a living thing like this."
"Your point being?" Zack asked angrily.
"You shouldn't treat life forms as if they are pure objects to abuse. I find it hard that I'll have to treat this Minbari only to know that you will bring her to the edge of death again. I can't condone this kind of treatment."
"Do I need to remind you of the terror they have caused ten years ago? Have you forgotten our world that they destroyed…Earth?" Zack pointed to Shaal on the bed, as if she was some morbid nightmare. He felt the heat well up around his temples and he wanted to throttle Zimmerman. But he knew that mentioning one man would make him obey. "I need her to answer my questions. Now, do your job or I'll report your insubordination to Elvis."
The doctor backed down; and so he should. Zack was not in the mood for a philosophical debate and he wanted Shaal back good health again. Not just so he could abuse her some more. No, he wanted her back to health again.
It took one whole day for Doctor Zimmerman to perform his magic. After Zack returned home from work, still debating what he should do about the Vanguard prisoners, he was relieved to see Shaal on her feet again.
He walked into the living room and saw Shaal back to consciousness with the doctor performing some final tests.
"She should be okay. Her body's metabolism is currently in overdrive and using up a lot of her energy. I had to give her several protein shots to compensate, but since my knowledge on Minbari physiology is limited, there's little I can do."
Zack leered at Shaal's well-built and sexy body. He wanted to penetrate it badly. "That's good, doctor. Don't worry, I'll give her plenty of protein."
Doctor Zimmerman did not notice Zack's sexual remark.
The doctor stood up, then headed towards the door and made some final comments. "I've taken some blood and tissue samples and will return with the results later." Zimmerman looked at Zack compassionately. "Please, don't abuse her any more. She's been through enough."
"That's enough," Zack frowned. He tried to remain calm. "You can go now doctor."
The doctor picked up his bag of medical equipment, closed his sample box and headed for the door. He took one final glance before leaving the Minbari at the mercy of Zack.
Once the doctor had left, Zack gazed back to the Minbari, smiled sadistically and moved in for his much desired pleasure. Climbing back onto the bed, and fearing for her life, Shaal clutched her stomach with her right hand and pleaded with him.
"Stop, please…"
Zack did not listen. He was filled with lustful desire, a pure desire that he completely gave in to. He wanted to see that Minbari on the bed, legs spread wide open, ready for him to take her completely.
He ignored her plea and moved closer. She shivered and waved her hands.
"Please don't do this… I can't have you rape me again," she begged.
Zack unbuttoned his uniform and moved closer.
Shaal backed up in complete terror. "Please. I'm pregnant with your baby!"
Zack froze on the spot, cold as a statue. His hands fell to the sides and he could not think past those words. Then blunt anger welled up from within and he exploded with fury.
"How dare you say that…there's no way I can get you pregnant! It's impossible!" He grabbed Shaal by her head bone, forced her onto the floor and dragged her over to the door. "To think I was developing some hint of compassion for you, and you repay me like this! You're the worst excuse for a living being I have ever met!"
Zack spat words as his rage boiled him from within. He could not stand the sight of the woman any more. He knew it would only be a matter of time before he killed her. After all the good he'd tried to do for her, the new clothes, food, how could she trick him? It was obvious that somehow she'd learned about his inability to make children and decided to mock him that way. He decided that his kind gestures would stop.
Dragging her out of his apartment, he called several security personnel over and they escorted her to the holding cells. Zack asked her to be placed with the other Minbari and he followed along, just so he could speak his mind to Delenn.
Once they reached the security headquarters near the main gate to the asteroid complex; Zack un-cuffed Shaal, then tossed her into the holding room and turned to Delenn. "I never thought the Minbari would be dishonest, devious and damn right evil. I was going to spare you two the torture of meeting Bester, but after what Shaal did, you two can go to hell."
Zack shut the door and left the two prisoners alone to ponder over their fate.