Stardate: 2227.27

Two more meals passed before Amanda's prison door was opened again. A dull cold numbness filled her core over those two days. She had quickly ran out of warm salty tears to shed. She decided it couldn't get much worse than being forced into a marriage with a ruthless Vulcan. Amanda decided that she would have to do what she decided to do within her first days in this prison cell and that was to find a way to survive. None of the words that the Fleet Admiral had spoken to her had sunken in quite fully. The whole thing felt surreal. She spent a lot of time reflecting on her life. The good. The bad.

Amanda wondered what happened to her position at the Terran Empire Youth Academy. Who took over her class and how were the students? How was Jean Price? Were those 10 year olds were still driving her wild? Amanda could practically hear Jean's voice in her head telling her another ridiculous story about them. With that thought a small laugh escaped her mouth. She froze for a moment. The sound was so unfamiliar to her ears. She couldn't remember the last time that had happened. Her growling stomach brought her back to reality and the sound of the door unlocking made her adrenaline spike. This was it. She took a deep breath to calm down but it hurt to breath deeply and she coughed instead.

Two young Imperial Starfleet officers looked at her with faces of disgust. Part of her knew why. The officer on the right spoke, "Looks like we have to take this Terran whore to get cleaned up."

The other officer laughed, "As far as we are concerned she is Vulcan now!"

Both of them laughed and Amanda felt a deep pit of disgust in her core. The two officers reminded her of how horrendous the Imperial Starfleet was. They grabbed her and put handcuffs on her wrists She was led through the halls and Amanda felt no sadness at seeing the hallways for the last time. She was taken to what looked like a locker room and her handcuffs were removed. Her eyes could only make out the silhouettes of the officers.

"Take off your clothes." One of the officers said.

Amanda's eyes widened. She felt hesitant even though her prisoner clothes were soiled. At the moment, she had no greater desire to keep them on. Especially, with those two officers in the room with her. She started to shake. Amanda didn't know if it was because her blood sugars were low or if it was from fear and adrenaline. It could have been a mixture of the two. The officer seemed unimpressed by her hesitancy.

"I said, take off your damn clothes!"

Amanda slowly moved her hands to the zipper at the front of her grey jumpsuit. She slowly unzipped the front of her jumpsuit and averted her eyes from the direction of the officers. She didn't want to think about what was going to happen. She tried to come up with solutions to avoid this situation but nothing was coming to her.

At that moment, a Kelpien slave walked in, "Young Masters, I have brought clean clothes and a towel for the prisoner. Shall I hand them to her?"

The Kelpien looked at the officers and Amanda looked at the slave. Never in her life did she pay attention to Kelpiens but right now she could kiss one! The officers looked flustered as if their little plan had been foiled. Amanda felt so much relief.

The officer spoke through gritted teeth, "Just give her the clothes and make sure she doesn't escape or harm herself!"

That officer stormed out without speaking another word and the other officer followed behind him.

The Kelpien came up to Amanda and spoke, "Prisoner, here are your clothes and towels. To the left is the sonic. Let me know if I can be of assistance."

Amanda felt tears of gratitude at the corner of her eyes, "You didn't have to do that."

"I do not quite understand what you are referring to?"

"That," Amanda motioned to where the officers stood, "You stopped the guards from assaulting me or worse..." she trailed off wanting to leave the words unspoken.

"I did."

"Why?"

"It was not right."

Amanda let a tear escape, "You are a slave. Why should you help me? I'm a Terran like one of them."

"You and I are in similar positions. You do not deserve to be here. The Kelpien home world was taken over by the Terran Empire and we have been treated as livestock and slaves ever since. You have been treated even worse than a slave. I feel compassion for you."

"Thank you...what is your name?"

"I do not have a name."

Amanda felt shocked, but then she knew that names gave any sentient being a sense of identity, and the Terran Empire took that away from the Kelpiens a long time ago.

She continued, "Can I give you one?"

The Kelpien looked surprised and had range of emotions on their face. "If you must."

"Could you tell me what the word for strength is in your language?"

"Sathu."

"Your name should be that."

The Kelpien looked down at Amanda in the eyes, "Then that will be my name."

"Thank you, Sathu, and I'm sorry about your species. I have never really spoken to any of you until today and I feel like an idiot for not doing so earlier. Its just being in prison got me thinking a lot about the Terran Empire. And before then...well...I was ignorant. Anyway, I'm starting to ramble," she paused for a moment then continued to her point, "I cannot thank you enough."

"It is of no consequence. The sonic is over there. I will be here when you are done."

Amanda could only see blurry shapes in the distance the Kelpien pointed, "Um, Sathu, I need help getting there since I can't see very well."

Sathu silently led Amanda to the sonic and she closed the curtain behind her.

Amanda turned on the sonic after fumbling for the button for a few moments. It turned on and Amanda wished it was an old fashioned shower but she was grateful when she felt the oil from her hair disappear and her face felt clean. The dried blood that was on her was disappearing and Amanda felt tears come to her eyes. She didn't know that the simple fact of being able bath herself could overcome her with such emotion.

In the sonic, it gave her time to reflect on what had just happened. A Kelpien slave had helped her. No, a Kelpien had helped her. Why had she never thought of having a conversation with one until today? Amanda examined her life and realized she was raised to see them as just slaves nothing more than mere livestock. She didn't know any better. Everything she thought them to be was shattered today. It surprised her to find that she had more in common with a Kelpien than even others of her own race at the moment. The Terran Empire and the Imperial Starfleet were cruel and brought the worst out in humanity.

Anger bubbled in her as she thought about the many days she was tortured and beaten. The universe was so unjust and she couldn't fight the feeling. She would be married to the Governor of Vulcan. She had to be loyal to the Terran Empire no matter how she felt. She was clenching her jaw without realizing it.

The voice of Sathu brought her back to the moment, "Excuse me. Is everything going well? You will need to turn off the sonic and get dressed soon. The officers will be back anytime now."

"I will be out in a moment."

Amanda hurried and she put on the white t-shirt and sweats they gave her. The sweats were baggy on her but nothing could describe the feeling of happiness she felt at wearing clean clothes. She stepped out of the sonic and before she knew it the two officers were back and forcefully grabbed her from the room. Amanda didn't have time to say another word to Sathu but she realized she would much rather be in his company than an Imperial Starfleet officer any day.

She was lead through the hallways and could hear the familiar screams as they passed rooms. She even heard the sound of the light torture machine. The humming sound of it haunted her. Amanda squirmed but the officer on her right jabbed her in her sore rib. She winced in pain and felt out of breath. They continued through the hallway until Amanda was outside. She couldn't see very well but she felt the sun on her skin and a light breeze move her hair. She couldn't believe it. She was outside where the rest of humanity lived their lives and did their day to day activities.

The moment was cut short because she was thrown into a hover car, and Amanda was left wondering where they were taking her. Was she going to Vulcan?

As they approached the destination Amanda could hear sirens. It had to be a hospital, or at least she fiercely hoped it was. She was grabbed by an arm and taken into the hospital as she heard nurses and doctors hurrying to and fro from room to room. She was placed in a small room, and fear filled her as she thought it looked too similar to her interrogation room. Where they going to do light torture on her even here? She was thrown towards a chair by an Imperial Starfleet officer and told to sit on it. She did so obediently.

Anxiety pooled inside of her chest as she tried to stare at her blurry surroundings. Amanda was in a white room and she could smell the pharmaceutical sterile smell that accompanied her environment. Her breaths became shallow as she tried to remain calm. Sweat started to form on her head and she began to feel light-headed. Her dizziness made the room spin.

The door slide open and it made Amanda jump. Adrenaline went through her as she saw the figure walk towards her.

"So you are Ms. Amanda? They didn't give your last name. Said you were part of a prisoner exchange with the Ferengi rebels. Means you must be high-profile, huh?" the man spoke.

Amanda couldn't make out his features very well, but he was wearing a typical white medical outfit and he had dark hair. His face was a mystery to her. The man sounded friendly but it made Amanda feel cautious. He approached her with something in his hand and she jumped and put her hands up to protect herself.

"Whoa! I'm not going to hurt you. This is a tricorder. I just need to assess what happened to you. Frankly, you look like hell, and it looks like those Ferengi did more harm to you than just physically. We will probably have to do a psych eval on you just so we can start getting you on the right track."

The Ferengi? The officers told him that. What a joke. She knew she had to go along with it. "Sorry. It was rough being in that situation."

Amanda heard the tricorder turn on and the man spoke, "Well, you have nothing to be sorry about. I should have guessed you would have reacted that way. Also, I'm Doctor David McCoy. "

Amanda tried to calm down her breathing. She didn't have any sort of normal conversation with another Terran in what felt like years. It was strange. Anger started to emerge in her. The Terran Empire had taken so much away from her. How could it be strange to talk to another human being in a normal way? This was not who she was! The doctor brought her out of her thoughts.

"Well, it's everything I expected. Two broken ribs, loads of bruises and welts, a mild concussion, traces of scopolamine, lysergic acid diethylamide and 3-quinuclidinyl benzilate are in your bloodstream. Your blood sugar is low, you're dehydrated and basically malnourished. Then there is the matter of your eyes. Both of your retinas are heavily damaged. Luckily for you all these things can be fixed. A few hyposprays, a dermal regenerator and a bone knitter should fix most of it. As for your eyes, we have to do a small procedure to repair the cells in your retinas, but it should only take an hour to do."

"So you are saying I'll be able to see again." Amanda felt hope burning in her chest.

"I don't see why not. We are in the 23rd century not the dark ages. Medical advances can take care of most common diseases and injuries. There are a few curveballs in there but those aren't considered common."

Gratitude filled Amanda's chest and she could almost feel tears at the thought of seeing clearly again. This was the happiest she felt in weeks. "Thank you!"

"No problem. It's kind of my job to do this sort of stuff anyway."

With that Amanda laughed for a small moment. She almost felt normal.

The doctor got close to her and put his hand under her elbow. The contact made Amanda flinch slightly. She was not used to physical contact unless it was punishment. Internally, Amanda beat herself up over her reaction. The doctor was only trying to do his job.

"You okay there? I just want to take you to the biobed so we can start working on your minor injuries first."

Amanda followed the doctor to the biobed and sat. He went away for a moment and came back.

"Just so you know I'm going to give you some hyposprays to get rid of the pain and get your blood sugar back up. "

Amanda froze she thought back on all those hyposprays she was given in the prison. An irrational fear crept in her that it could have been the same concoction. It had been too good to be true. This environment was safe and actually friendly. She closed her eyes and gulped as the doctor got near her with the hyposprays.

"You must not like needles, huh?"

A shakiness she didn't want to be in her voice was present, "Something like that."

"No need to fear. You will feel a small amount of pain and I'll try to be quick."

Amanda tried to close her eyes even more when the doctor put his hand on her neck and put the first hypo in. She felt it go through her bloodstream and she felt instantly better. Her pain had subdued. Relief filled her. The doctor wasn't lying to her.

He administered the next 3 hyposprays and with them Amanda's dizziness went away and a fogginess, that she wasn't aware of until it was gone, was cleared. He then used a bone knitter on her broken ribs and Amanda found that she could finally breath normally.

"Ok, so we just have to finish with the procedure for your eyes. I'm going to have to use a device to keep your eyes open. You can't blink when I'm repairing the cells. Got it?"

Amanda froze and could only manage to nod.

"Seriously, you okay there?"

Amanda nodded again, "Let's just get this over with."

A nurse came into the room holding some device but Amanda told her that it was going to be okay and that it would be a quick procedure.

"Ma'am, I'm going to need you to lie back in the biobed. You will have to remain still. Nurse Stanley will be helping me just so you are aware."

Amanda started to quiver with fear even though she had to tell herself that this doctor was just trying to help her. Amanda managed to squeak out a reply, "I understand."

Amanda laid down on the biobed. She tried to take a breath to get rid of the anxiety that was starting to fill her.

"You are pale white. Those Ferengi really did mess with your head. Maybe we should do a psych eval before we do this procedure. I also could give you a benzodiazepine so you can relax or even sleep through the procedure."

Amanda wanted to believe she was strong and could handle this small procedure. She may have suffered immensely the last couple weeks but she wanted to start becoming more normal again. She was never a jumpy person filled with anxiety and fear. It made her frustrated. She was determined to prove her mental strength and fortitude.

Amanda spoke, "I will be fine. Please...lets get this procedure done soon."

"Okay, but let me know if you ever need a sedative."

She nodded.

"Amanda, I am going to turn on the eye stabilizer. You won't be able to blink. I'm going to countdown for your sake. Okay. Ready?"

Amanda took a breath, "Ready."

"3"

Amanda felt nervous and blinked her eyes rapidly.

"2"

Amanda kept telling herself that she was safe and she was going to be fine.

"1"

Amanda started to feel panic and then the machine was on and she couldn't blink. Amanda didn't realize that the inability to blink would make her have a strong emotional reaction. Tears started to form at her eyes and she started to shake. Her breaths came out raspy until she started to wheeze. She found herself speaking, "S-S-Stop!"

The doctor turned towards the nurse, "Nurse Stanley please go get 5 mg of diazepam. The patience is experiencing a panic attack. We will have to put her under to finish the procedure."

A flash of images filled Amanda's vision. The officer and the lieutenant who were always present. She could remember their twisted smiles. She could practically hear their voices. She felt like the light in the room started to get brighter. Amanda started to speak more loudly until she was yelling, "I'm innocent! Stop! Please! Don't do this. Please!"

"I'm turning off the device right now. Please remain calm. We are not going to hurt you."

Amanda started to freak out because she still lacked the ability to blink. Nurse Stanley handed the doctor the hypo and injected Amanda with it. Her anxious world spiraled into the depths of a restless darkness.

"Doctor McCoy, the patient is starting to wake up. Her brainwave patterns have changed."

"Thank you, Nurse Stanley."

Amanda heard the voices and she started to open her eyes and had double vision for a moment. She blinked her eyes again and noticed she was in a hospital room. There was a nurse near her holding a PADD and taking notes There was a man in a white medical outfit starting to approach her. Natural light was shining though the window and Amanda could see part of San Francisco through it. She looked down at herself. She was wearing a white cotton shirt and had baggy gray sweats; both of them had the Terran Empire symbol on them. She could notice the details of the biobed she was laying in. She froze. Wait. She could see. Amanda remembered all the events that led up to this point. It wasn't a dream.

"Ma'am, how are you feeling?"

Amanda looked to who was speaking. This must have been the doctor. She had to admit he was handsome and had to be in his mid 30s. She could see with clarity the angles of his face and the wisp of his hair and a subtle stubble that was growing on his face.

"I can see." Amanda couldn't articulate the feeling of gratitude she felt.

"Yes, you can. Should be perfect twenty-twenty vision. Everything seem fine with your eyes? Any soreness or flashing?"

"I can see." Amanda still could not believe it. She absorbed every detail of the room. She looked at the color of the walls, to the color of the machinery. Everything had clarity.

The doctor laughed, "Yes, you can see. You gave Nurse Stanley and I a scare when you started to scream."

Amanda furrowed her brow, "I did?"

"You did. Looked like you were experiencing PTSD. Those Ferengi must have done some really terrible things to you. You don't have to tell me anything, I'm not a psychiatrist. But when we turned on the eye stabilizer you started to have a panic attack because you couldn't close your eyes."

Amanda remembered the incident now. She swallowed and then spoke, "I remember. I thought I could handle it but I was wrong."

Amanda wanted to beat herself up for not being strong enough. Never in her life did she experience PTSD or have anxiety.

"It is normal for anyone whose had to suffer traumatizing experiences. We can get you anxiety medication to deal with it, or a good psychiatrist."

Amanda cringed internally. The idea of being on any type of medication regardless of it being for her mental or physical health did not sound appealing to her.

"I don't think that will be necessary."

"Okay, either way taking care of your mental health is important regardless of trauma or not. There is no shame in it."

"I understand, but I just want to try to deal with it in my own way before I resort to medication."

"It's your life. I'm just trying to help. A nurse is getting you a nutrient dense meal since hypos and IVs can only do so much to help you get back to a normal weight. While we're waiting, I was told by the Imperial Starfleet officers that you will being going to Vulcan soon. You are going to need some tri-ox compound because the gravity on Vulcan in higher. I have a prescription for you that you will be using, but we will only be giving you enough for the first 2 days. You will have to get more through a doctor on Vulcan. Understood?"

Amanda nodded, her stomach reminded her that she was starving and that is all she could focus on during most of the conversation. The doctor looked like he had a burning question for her.

"Why are you going to Vulcan?"

Amanda's thoughts turned away from the food and was reminded that she was nothing more than a sex slave. It made her blood run cold just thinking about it. The thought of being forced into a sexual relationship with and old Vulcan male made her appetite disappear.

"Uh. I can't…really…tell you."

"Got it. I was just curious because Vulcan has been hectic. It's not a safe place at the moment."

Amanda raised her eyebrow, "What is going on there?"

"Oh, right! You have been a prisoner so you wouldn't know what was happening, huh?"

"Yes. Please tell me."

"Ever since the governor got assassinated a rebellion group formed and has practically caused anarchy on Vulcan. There is serious talk about the planet trying to separate from the Terran Empire. In the holonews, you see the Vulcans acting so barbaric."

Amanda's eyes widened. She knew it. Underneath the stoic Vulcan facade were animals. Amanda envisioned the First Invasion in her mind. It made her feel some fear going to Vulcan.

"Tell me more."

"It's this group called the Aackaspar, or however the hell you pronounce it. They have been murdering Imperial Starfleet officers. They have just been acting like savages. Its as if Vulcan has become the Wild West! I always felt that the Vulcans could never quite be trusted. You should watch the holonews for yourself. Here take this PADD while I go check on my other patients."

Amanda took the PADD and turned on the holonews. For a moment, the whole world slowed down and it was as if she was the only one in the hospital watching the news.

Phaser fire. Sounds of screaming and wailing. Imperial Starfleet officers in heavy armor. Green blood. Vulcan's attacking innocent Terrans. The stoic stares of the Vulcans. Suicide bombings. Terran children crying. Civilians injured. Deep red blood filing the screen. Fires. Death.

The last holovideo showed 5 Vulcans standing on a ledge. Each of them had ropes around their necks. In moments they were dangling from those ropes as life left all of them. Amanda noticed the two emotionless Vulcans who stood in the back overseeing the event. It was an elderly woman and a younger man. She couldn't make out the details of their faces but she imagined them remaining calm one second than going ballistic and attacking an officer in another. Her own imagination got the best of her, and there was now a fear that was creeping into her core that she couldn't shake.

Amanda had to avert her eyes from the flash of images. It was too much to absorb. There was no news of who the new Vulcan governor was yet. Amanda realized in that moment she was being sent to a war zone, but what war was she fighting? What was her role as a sacrificial bride in all this madness?

Planet: Vulcan

Stardate: 2227.27

Outskirts of Shi'kahr-The S'chn T'gai fortress.

"T'Pau, you have summoned me."

"Sarek, the Empress is coming to Vulcan in 3.2 hours."

Sarek raised his eyebrow. "Why is Empress Sato traveling to this planet? Over 40% of the Vulcan population does not have a favorable opinion of her at this time. They would seek to end her existence."

"She stated that she had official business with thee."

Sarek's eyebrows rose. He stared to process the various topics that the Emperor would discuss with him. For a moment, he wondered if Selek had told the Emperor of his thoughts and feelings in regard to the Empire, or if the Emperor wanted to discuss Project Satev-tukh. Sarek spoke after a brief moment of introspection, "Did she state what her business would entail?"

"She did not. I have hypothesized what the potential outcome of this meeting could be."

"What do you surmise, pid-kom?"

"Empress Sato intends to elect thee as the Governor of Vulcan."

Sarek could not hide his surprise at that statement. He remembered telling his father on multiple occasions that he had no interest in the position. This could be problematic because some of his thoughts and feelings about the Terran Empire were unresolved. He had found some equilibrium but it was only a temporary solution to something that needed to be long term.

"How did you form such a conclusion?" Sarek spoke with almost disbelief.

"Even thou canst come to the same conclusion. T'Latya was promised to become governor. After the information about her was made public on Vulcan, it created more problems on Vulcan. The opinion Vulcans have of her is unfavorable at this time. The Emperor would not elect T'Latya as governor unless she wanted to loss control of Vulcan. Thou are the next logical conclusion because thou are Skon's son."

Sarek saw the truth in T'Pau's words. He pushed to the side the feelings of uneasiness that pooled in his chest and remained calm and emotionless. Sarek saw no other career path than being an astrophysicist. He was not diplomatic by nature.

"I do not think it wise to come to extreme conclusions."

"Thou are the logical choice. Thou are in thy prime years. Thy father was the previous governor to Vulcan and was highly respected. She has ordered for the preparation of the Hall of Thought for intergalactic broadcast. Various dignitaries have made contact with me about their upcoming visits to Vulcan. If thou dost not wish to see the truth, thou will hear it from the mouth of the Emperor."

Sarek started silently at T'Pau. He looked at her Terran Empire pin for a brief second and nodded. He even saw the logic in her statement but he did not want to believe it.

"I need to make preparations for the Emperor. I will take my leave." Sarek spoke evenly.

He gave the Terran salute and T'Pau returned it. Sarek walked with a fast pace to his chambers. Disbelief filled him as he tried to think of other reasons the Emperor would want to speak to him, but he could not. That thought alone made Sarek's blood run cold.

Author's notes:

What a chapter. This took me awhile to write but it is meaningful for Amanda's character development. We are so very close to this marriage taking place! I'm really excited to start writing some great dialogue between the pair, but we are 2 chapters away before that happens!

I promise I have great things in store.

Thanks to everyone who left a review, followed or favorited this story! It means the world to me. Please leave a review for me, I love chatting with you all!