Posted by Ensign Dradvia (Medical Officer) in Main Sim- A long awaited arrival

Posted by Gamemaster Budgie (Gamemaster) in Main Sim- A long awaited arrival

Posted by Ensign Dradvia (Medical Officer) in Main Sim- A long awaited arrival
Posted by… suppressed (15) by the Post Ghost! 👻
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Through it all, Dradvia kept praying that she would wake up, or the Wolverine would come for her. Neither happened. Her life was once again a living nightmare. She was really in Lokhar’s control again, and no help was coming. Lokhar had left after for a bit. He’d ordered her to clean and then wait for him. So now she was kneeling on the small pallet in the corner of his quarters that was ‘hers’. She didn’t dare move incase he was watching her. This was how she was to wait, unless Lokhar had changed his expectations. He might have and would punish her even though she didn’t know.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Dradvia didn’t wake up, it wasn’t a dream it was very....very real. She would never be rescued she was Lokhar’s, forevermore. It was the morning and Lokhar had indeed ordered Dradvia to sleep on the pallet after things had happened. He had tied her hands to something stable. He might be obsessed but he was also intensely paranoid and didn’t quite trust his slaves to be left to their own devices. He’d known far too many ex-complacent slavers. Ex because they had been killed by their slaves. Lokhar had woken early and left, he had always been an early riser. Dradvia would recall that he liked to do the rounds of the ship, check on the slaves and pick his ‘favourites of the day.’ She knew what that entailed.

Dradvia knew exactly what that entailed for those slaves. None were brought to his room however. So that meant either he was having them kept elsewhere to isolate her, or he was only choosing her today. She did her best with the bonds to straighten herself and her pallet. She rolled her shoulders, stretched her neck, and flexed her wrists, trying to get feeling into them. She was careful not to tug or fight with the restraints. She knew from experience they wouldn’t budge; she also knew the punishment if Lokhar thought she was trying to escape.

Dradvia was awake for about 30mins when a slave walked into the room holding a covered plate on a tray with some caffeinated beverage, prepared just how she liked it, if she could enjoy anything that came from Lokhar. The slave was an older human man, Romulus. She would recognise him instantly. He had been taken captive around the same time as her. He was significantly older now but he still had those same icy blue eyes. As he got closer his eyes narrowed slightly. He placed the tray down on the floor next to the pallet and untied her hands.

She rubbed her wrists to ease the slight ache. She was wary of the fact Romulus had released her. Had Lokhar told him to do that, or was it a kindness. She didn’t want to be punished later. She studied Romulus as he stared at her. He was older, but he was still alive after all this time. That meant he had survived. He’d made Lokhar happy. She hadn’t known what had happened to him. There were other slaves that had been rescued, but now she knew Star Fleet hadn’t taken the time to help everyone. That filled her with anger. They had been here, why hadn’t they?

“Master has ordered that you eat and drink plenty.” He said simply. He made to stand and walk away but then he turned.

“I will do as Master commands,” Dradvia stated. She started to say something else when he spoke again.

“Do I know you? You look.....familiar?” He asked.

GM Budgie

“Yes, Romulus,” Dradvia nodded. “I cared for you when you had heat stroke and were dehydrated because Shaggu refused you water working in the kitchens. I am Dradvia.”

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Romulus’ eyes widened with surprise and confusion, he had thought she had been rescued. Deep down he had envied her of that, that she had been freed while he had not.
“Dra…Dradvia? But.... but you were freed? I made sure of that. I stayed behind so that they could.....” His voice trailed off as he just stared, he had so many questions he couldn’t quite believe that she was there, again!

Dradvia’s eyes snapped up to his and she made a shushing motion with her hand. She shook her head hoping to silence him. Romulus needed to be careful what he said. If he truly had helped her escape, admitting such would get him in painful torturous trouble. She didn’t want that.

Romulus nodded and pursed his lips closing his eyes, he knew all too well what Lokhar would do to him if anyone overheard him.

“How?” Was all that he could come up with, he truly was lost for words.

GM Budgie

Dradvia studied him. Was he telling the truth, or had Lokhar sent him here to try and catch her in lies. She hated the fear and doubt that filled her. She’d always liked Romulus. He had been kind to her, sort of looked out for her and Kryssa all those years ago. She had always wondered what had happened to him if he had gotten free also.
“How?” She assumed he meant how she had returned. She shook her head, working to hide the fear in her eyes, the deadness in her soul. To not show the pain that her punishment still left.

“Romulans infiltrated the ship I was traveling on. They took me and a few others.” What had happened to them? Were they alive? Had the Wolverine found them? Is that why they hadn’t come for her yet? Of course it was. Cmdr Morris and the rest were far more important than her, and they had no idea that the Romulans had sold her. “I don’t know how they knew who I was, but they returned me to Master Lokhar.”

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Romulus shook his head mournfully. He wanted to say so much but he was too worried their conversation would be overheard. He had looked out for Dradvia and Kryssa. He had made a promise to watch out for them, he had broken that promise when Kryssa had died. He blamed himself and he had tried to atone for his mistake.
“Do you remember the language I taught you? The sign?” He asked hoping she would remember the language he had taught her, the ones the slaves used so that they could communicate freely without being overheard. It wasn’t used around any of the slavers, just when they were left alone.

GM Budgie

Her eyes went wide. She hadn’t thought about that since… since she was separated from the last of the rescued slaves. It had been so long, she wasn’t sure she remembered it all. Her hand moved slowly “Yes, but it has been long.“

“Good, I’m glad you remember.” He signed back.

Audibly she said, “You must retie my wrists. I will manage the food. Master does not want me moving.”

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Romulus nodded back and re-tied her wrists. He knew they still had some time alone, but you could never be too careful, especially when Lokhar had a new favourite.
“Are you hurt? He signed looking Dradvia over like a concerned parent.

GM Budgie

It didn’t really matter if she was tied or not; she had nowhere to go. No way to get off the ship. Lokhar had said he was going to show her the ship, how he’d changed it. She was sure security had change to prevent more boardings. Without that knowledge she’d never be able to escape. Not that she had much hope of that. She nodded. “Yes. My punishment was severe. My,” Dradvia looked away in shame, “apology was much worse.”

“He made Hodgson remove the outer bruising.” That was standard practice. As long as they looked good, Lokhar didn’t care how hurt they were.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Romulus sighed. “I’m sorry. I should have come sooner. If I could have stopped it I would have.” He signed looking at her sympathetically. He was about to sign something else when he heard the doors open. Romulus stood up calmly trying to look natural. Lokhar strode in, frowning slightly when he saw Romulus still in the room, then he relaxed when he saw the breakfast tray.

Dradvia didn’t have time to answer. Her gaze darted fearfully to the door, a shiver of trepidation raced down her spine as she saw Lokhar. Would he punish Romulus for being there?

“Romulus.” Lokhar acknowledged with his deep voice. That voice. It sent shivers down Romulus’ spine.
“Master. I… I was just leaving.” He said standing up. His back was to Lokhar so he managed to get one final sign. “Stay strong. I’ll return when I can.“

She wished Romulus could stay. It was a selfish wish, he would be punished, but she was afraid to be alone with Lokhar. She made sure not to watch as Romulus left, keeping her gaze lowered and focused on the food.

“Then I suggest you get going.” Lokhar replied and Romulus left the room quickly, but respectfully. Lokhar nodded and smiled.
“Dee, my love. I trust you slept well?” He asked walking over.

GM Budgie

Dradvia swallowed back a sob. She hated him calling her Dee, and then to follow it by saying he loved her. Maybe he did, in his own sick, twisted, and cruel way. The way one loves a beloved toy or pet.

No, she’d slept fitfully, cramped from being chained up and unable to move. She felt sick too. She would not, of course, say that. “Yes, Master, I slept well.” The pallet was comfortable, luxurious compared to what was in the slave quarters. She chanced a furtive glance up, but was careful not to look him in the face. “May I ask if Master slept well?” She couldn’t tell if he was in a good mood this morning or not.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Lokhar smiled, it was not warm nor was it pleasant. It was the look a hunter who had cornered his prey. He walked over and looked down at Dradvia.
“Thank you my love I did.” He replied, pleased that Dradvia was asking after him.

Dradvia bowed her head hating the submissiveness even as she knew she wouldn’t fight, “I am happy it is so, Master.” She wasn’t his ‘love’ but it was better than ‘Dee.’ He didn’t love her. He didn’t love her. He didn’t love her. She told herself over and over. There was someone who really did love her. A week, she could survive a week until he came.

“I’m glad that you are well rested. Come with me, I want to introduce you to the rest of the staff.” Lokhar stated holding out his hand. Dradvia would recall he often referred to the slaves as staff. A habit he had picked up years ago to try and legitimise his business.

GM Budgie

She knew it was the other slaves. She would have to be careful, mindful of the other favorites. Were there others? She wasn’t sure she should ask. It might make him angry.

She lifted her hands to his, her stomach rolling and heaving in anticipation of the contact. Her hands came up short as the restraints stopped her from moving to far.

Once permitted and able to stand, Dradvia did, arranging her clothes so that she was covered for display by others and not displayed for Lokhar’s eyes only. She stood head bowed, eyes down, waiting for him to tell her where he wished her to walk. Usually his slaves walked behind him, but sometimes he wished to keep an eye on them and make them walk ahead.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Lokhar looked pleased as Dradvia stood, he made sure to take all of her in as she did so. His new favourite. He still could hardly believe that he had her back. He still couldn’t quite trust her. He was pleased that she had become obedient, but she had done so quickly. Almost too quickly. One to keep an eye on… for now. He thought, his smile never leaving his face. To Dradvia, it looked weird. It didn’t suite him.

The look on his face sent a cold sick feeling down her spine and settled in her stomach. What Lokhar wasn’t aware of, was that Dradvia never fully found her independence. She still hadn’t gotten over needing to take orders and submit, to always obey. That those hard lessons Lokhar taught her, kept her quiet and unnoticed. Which was key to staying off the Syndicate’s radar. Or it had been.

She was still in shock from being returned. If her punishment hadn’t been so severe or her ‘apology’ so sick, degrading, and painful she might have fought more. She feared what else he would do to her. Even when she thought he was dead she still had nightmares about the things he had done and could do. As much as she wanted to die, her fear was greater.

“Please lead the way Dee. I’ll tell you where to go. Please go straight out the room and turn right, then walk down the corridor to the turbolift. We’re going to the staff quarters.” He stated gesturing her to take the lead.

GM Budgie

Dradvia hesitated, she didn’t want to go, but she also needed to know about the ship. If she messed up and shamed him, her punishment would be severe. Suddenly remembering herself, she hurried towards the door forgetting to bow and say. ‘Yes Master.’

She hurried through the door and right toward a lift.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Lokhar looked at Dradvia with pride as she led the way to the lift. He had taught her well and was pleased that she had never forgotten the lessons she had learned as a child. He had been impressed at how quickly she had become obedient. He had expected to be harsher in his punishments until she re-learned. On the contrary, he had only needed to remind her the once, which pleased him immensely as he followed her towards the lift. It took a couple of minutes and then they arrived. The door opened and Lokhar motioned for Dradvia to enter the lift. He followed soon after.

There was plenty Dradvia had forgotten. There was plenty she had had to change to keep herself from other people. To stop them from asking about her past, trying to take advantage of her. People like Stevens. He had reminded her of Lokhar, but not nearly as evil. And Sisnil wasn’t here to keep Lokhar away from her. She was there, alone, with the monster.

The longer Lokhar had control of her, the more he would realize she’d forgotten. It had been less than a day. Her only concern was not making him angry. She knew the price for making him angry, for disobedience. If she was a new slave she would fight more because she didn’t know the consequences. There was no way out but death, and that needed a plan.

She entered the lift as he indicated and stood back against the wall, eyes down, figiting with her fingers. She was unsure where to stand. She hated being in a confined space with other people. At the Academy and on the Wolverine she always stood in the back, with her back against the wall. Lokhar had told her to go in front of him, but now she was behind him if she turned around. She would have to step around him, which was a risky depending on if it made him mad or pleased she complied. She stood there uncertain what to do, turning to face him, head down instead.

“Deck 10.” He said and the lift burst into action.
“I’m eager for you to meet the staff. Perhaps you’ll remember one or two Dee.” He said with a cold smile his eyes unsmiling and filled with cruelty.

GM Budgie

She knew Romulus was there. She remembered him. She was sure there were still others, but the way he said and the look in his eyes terrified her. There were slaves that had been cruel to the young girls. Lokhar’s ‘watchers’, members of his actual crew, were cruel and mean. One had been the reason Dradvia met Lokhar for the first time. He’d tried… Dradvia swallowed hard. He’d try to have her for himself and Lokhar had stopped him. She’d thought he was kind and would protect her. She had been so naive and had learned the very painful cost of Lokhar’s protection.

Was he going to give her to his watchers? Was he going to let the slaves beat her for running away? Was… was he going to beat her himself in front of them, or… or worse? That sick constant fear that settled in her when the Romulan told her he was returning her began to spread at the look in his eyes. It spread to the very tips of her extremities and she began to shake, to tremble as if she was freezing. Her throat hurt and her lungs burned as they forgot how to draw air. She tried to breath, she tried not to show her fear, but her terror was to great now.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Lokhar felt a rush, he could almost feel the fear coming off of Dradvia. It made him feel powerful, to have such control over another being. He continued to smile. He was going to enjoy this immensely. Agonising moments passed and the turbolift finally stopped. The doors opened into a corridor that Dradvia would recognise. It was strange really, all corridors should seem the same, but this one was filled with painful memories. Dradvia would well recall countless times she had been dragged down it or suffered degrading punishment.

The color faded from her face, from her whole body as she stared down the that corridor of horror. The trembling stopped as her body physically froze with fear. Lokhar could watch her eyes dilate as reality, recognition, and terror took over her.

Lokhar stood at the entrance to the corridor and motioned for Dradvia to lead the way.
“Please, just up the corridor and turn right. I’m sure you remember Dee. I’m sure you’re looking forward to meeting your colleagues again?” He asked sweetly, it dripped with poison. Just what was Lokhar planning? He looked at her at she walked, like a hawk watching its prey from above.

GM Budgie

Her head nodded, but Dradvia really had no idea what he had asked. She was there, but she was also reliving a very traumatic past. Her feet moved, her body stiff and jerky as she paced in the direction Lokhar ordered. It was automatic, obeying him, but she wasn’t really aware of doing it. Each step brought back fresh memories of terror and pain. She turned right and stopped after a few feet. Her head shaking in a negative motion. “No,” her voice broke on a whispered whimper, a plea.

She defied him. Lokhar knew well enough it wasn’t conscious, she wasn’t aware of it. Her terror was palpable and real. It streamed in wet tracks from her eyes and over her cheeks. It locked her throat closed and strangled her air. It buckled her knees and made her falter even as she stood still. A small voice of survival screamed at her to keep going. It begged her to beg for mercy from Master, but she couldn’t breathe or utter a sound and her body would not move forward.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Lokhar stood stock still and the atmosphere turned to ice, made the hair follicles on her arms and the back of her head tingle. She’d said “yes master” hadn’t she? Hadn’t she!? She wouldn’t dare defy him, not now not ever. He thought he’d taught her enough lessons to know the consequences. The silence was palpable while Lokhar breathed slowly, his shoulders moved with every breath while his mind was a whirlwind, how should he react? After agonising minutes he slowly turned and looked down at Dradvia. Instead of anger or fear he looked..... worried. Concerned even.

Her body trembled at the rage and punishment it new was coming. Her eyes though, they weren’t focused on Lokhar or the room he was sending her into. They were focused on a door to the left, just a few feet from them. It was there, in that tiny storage room, Dradvia had met Lokhar for the very first time. Reggor, one of his watchers/guards/enforcers had trapped her in there. He had liked Dradvia and wanted her for himself. He had burned her horribly with a pain stick to try and make her compliant.

Lokhar had heard her screams, and for whatever reason stopped Reggor. He had taken her to his quarters, taken care of her, made her feel safe. He had told her she would be safe, no one else would ever touch her again. Dradvia had been to nieve to understand. She just saw him as her savior.

“Is everything alright Dee? Don’t worry, I just wanted you to meet your old colleagues. I would never harm you Dee, you should know that surely? Not my Dee.” He replied his voice layered with concern as he reached down and held her head in his hands. He fought down every ounce of anger and rage her defiance had brought upon him. He fought the urge to crush her skull with his bare hands. He had no idea how he was maintaining control, but he was. It wouldn’t take much to push him over the edge though.

GM Budgie

He had held her still like this countless times, demanding she look at him. Terrified stunning blue eyes lifted to his face by instinct. “He hurt me.” Her voice broke on the words, “Not you.” Her eyes flicked to the door and back again, “Please Master, don’t make me go in there with Reggor again. Please? He’ll hurt me, please don’t make me.” She would rather be punished for begging out of turn than be given to Reggor again. (Though he had never been allowed and had been strictly forbidden from even looking at Dradvia.) Lohar was a wolf, but Reggor was a rabid and starving coyote. “Please Master,” she whimpered, tears and fear streaking her face.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Lokhar, frowned slightly momentarily confused. Then he realised.
“You know I won’t do that to you. I punished Reggor so severely he wouldn’t dream of even touching you again. We’re going to meet the staff. You remember? I introduce all newcomers on the Second day. I would never do anything to cause you harm.” He stated, clearly forgetting that he had punished her with a pain rod just yesterday. Lokhar was a master at making his slaves believe the punishments never happened. He was one of the most successful and feared slavers throughout the Syndicate for a reason.

Newcomers. The word rattled around in her head. She wasn’t a newcomer though. Was it because she’d been gone so long, or was Lokhar planning on having her go through the ‘traditional’ training all the new slaves had to endure? And still there was the evil, calculating look he kept giving her. But all that passed so swiftly to not register in her conscious mind. Master had said he wouldn’t harm her. She nodded, “Yes master, I remember now.”

“Now, please. Lets go. That room and Reggor are reserved for those who disappoint me. You have never disappointed me.” He added removing his hands from her head and taking her hand in his. He began to lead the way to the “staff room”.

GM Budgie

Dradvia forced her hand to relax in his even as inside she recoiled at the touch. She followed him even though she wished, more than anything, she could run away. “I will always endeavor to never disappoint you master.” Should she voice her fear now? Did she dare after that horrible moment? No, no she wouldn’t speak again. The fear still ran rampant over her, but at least the only pain would come from Lokhar and not from all sides… maybe.

Lokhar nodded as they walked and smiled.
“I know you won’t Dee. I know all you’ve ever done is to please me and that pleases me.” He replied with a chuckle at his own joke.

She swallowed down the nausea as they got closer to the door of the “staff room”. She ordered her feet to keep going and her mind to not remember as they stepped through the door into the place of her nightmares.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

The staff room was as you’d expect. Dark, slightly cold and with the atmosphere of misery and fear. It smelled mostly of sweat. This room was more like a large cargo bay, hollowed out to have sufficient bed space for all the slaves. The cargo bay was divided into two sections. The front section was for eating and for “demonstrations”. There was a large dining table and benches on either side where the slaves sat and ate. There was a chair at either end of the table, this was reserved for Lokhar’s favourites. They would have the pick of everything. It was meant to show how generous and caring he could be. Really, it made the slaves jealous. The second half of the room was for sleeping, it was a maze of bunkbeds. In the middle of the maze was the washing area, it was out in the open for all to see, no privacy was allowed for the slaves.

Memories flooded back, like a serrated knife to the gut. Dradvia saw Kryssa everywhere in this room. Those were the memories that hurt the worst. The torture, the punishments, the near starvation, and the humiliation. None of them compared to the memories of watching Kryssa in this hell, and remembering how she died. Her eyes darted to the back of the room, the far corner of the sleeping area, where Dradvia had held her body as the blood soaked out of her lifeless body and then being dragged away to be punished. Dradvia closed her eyes briefly and for the very first time in a long time, she didn’t hate herself for helping Kryssa end her life. I am so thankful you aren’t back here Kryssa. You’re free and nothing can ever change that now.

As Dee and Lokhar walked into the room they could see that the slaves had already been gathered. There were guards watching over the small crowd of slaves, Lokhar’s Lieutenants. They had pain rods and small phasers at the ready. The table had been moved aside temporarily. As they walked in Lokhar put a hand on Dradvia’s shoulder and moved them so that they were in front of the crowd.
“It’ll be over soon, Dee.” He whispered in her ear comfortingly. They was some small chatter amongst the slaves, this died out the instant Lokhar held up his arms.

Dradvia nodded, “Yes master,” she whispered just as quietly as he had. It would never be over. She knew that, but this…this wasn’t so bad because she understood. She knew what was coming and knew she could survive it. She had before.

“You’re probably wondering why we’ve gathered you all here.” He stated and paused before continuing.
“Well, as you know we always welcome the newcomers. Except, this is very special. This isn’t just a newcomer. This is Dradvia. She was working for us for a while several years ago. She was “rescued”.” He said that word with venom. “And now she has returned to us, finally and at long last.”

Dradvia shivered at the venom in his voice. Lokhar would punish her again for that. Whenever he got mad, or his temper at anyone or anything spiked, he would use that as a reason to punish her. Whether she’d pleased him or not that day. He had told her last night it was over, he wouldn’t do it again, but deep in her mind, behind the fear and the programming, she knew it was a lie.

“Please make her feel at home.” He stated with a smile. There was some confusion amongst the newer slaves, but the older slaves just looked stunned. They had clearly thought she would never be back, how wrong they were.

Dradvia recognized some of them. Her eyes sought out Romulus. They both knew what he had to do, and her eyes forgave him, all of them. Some would try to be kind, and would be punished later. Others, truly being kind would beat her, but in areas that wouldn’t do horrible damage, the ones truly scared for their lives would beat her cruelly all while crying. Then some, who wanted to be Lokhar’s favorite, save their position within the slave ranks, would beat her until forced to stop. Especially because it would not escape their notice she was wearing the clothes that only his favorite slaves wore. They would hate her for that. She remembered, she had been here before.

Lokhar nodded to one of the guards who stepped forward and took Dradvia by the arm. The others split the slaves in half down the middle so that there was two long lines with a space to walk through. Dradvia would remember this. She would have to walk down the line while the slaves beat her. This was the brutal welcome everyone received on the Second day of captivity.

GM Budgie

Without thinking, Dradvia jerked her arm out of the guards hand. She hated being touched, but this was really show for the slaves. She had to establish her place. “I will not fail my master by being dragged unwillingly. I will walk on my own.” She expected to be backhanded and that was fine.

She turned toward Lokhar and bowed, perfectly. “I will not disappoint you, Master.” Then very carefully, she removed the jewelry he’d given her to wear. This was also a show. It declared Lokhar’s preference for her, and Dradvia’s position. She laid each piece revently at his feet for safe keeping. She hoped to Lokhar it appeared that she valued his gifts too highly to risk them being damaged.

Lokhar smiled back and swelled with pride as Dradvia bowed and laid the jewlery perfectly at his feet. She hadn’t forgotten and that was good. This show of events, while mostly unnecessary was more of a reminder to Dradvia and the other slaves that no one was above a beating.

Then she stood and turned toward the line. She didn’t pause to give herself a moment to collect herself or breathe. She walked right into the line and stopped, as if daring them to start. Lokhar might beat her, but she wouldn’t bow to the other slaves.

Ens. Dradvia, Medical Officer

Lokhar looked at the slaves who were waiting for permission to begin. He raised his arm his gaze fixed, not on Dradvia, on someone else. He winked as he dropped his hand and the slaves began the beating as Dradvia walked forward. She would have seen the wink and him not looking at her. It was odd, he always looked at his slaves as they were beaten.

The beating was relentless and painful. The line seemed to go on for ages but eventually ended. There was figure at the end of the line, it wasn’t Lokhar, which was odd. It was a Betazoid female.
“Welcome back sister.” She said with a glare and punched Dradvia in the face.

GM Budgie