Posted by Vashkilu (Infiltrator) in Demanding my Due

Posted by Noril Zoi (Captain) in Demanding my Due

Posted by Jaiturk (PIT) in Demanding my Due
Posted by… suppressed (37) by the Post Ghost! 👻
Vashkilu had been home with her father for a month now. She had barely turned 15 before buying her freedom from Serrala’s Courtesan Training Center. She was chafing at the work. She was the youngest slave to ever buy her freedom, and this was the second time she’d done it. She wanted to run her father’s business. She was smart, skilled, and knew how to use power. Though, she wasn’t power hungry. No one took her seriously because she was ‘half’ Deltan. They always focused on that, as if her mother’s blood weakened her. Vashkilu had kept the Deltan skills she had mastered all on her own a secret. Let people underestimate her, all the better. But now she was bored and wanted more. She had turned 16 a few days before. She was going to get nowhere here. Her father doted on her, but that didn’t get her the position she wanted. It was time to go make her own fortune.

She sought out her father. She would, once again, request he find a benefactor for her. She would willingly return to the servitude of another, so that she could build her fortune and return to take over. She knocked on the door of his office, “tahedri (patriarch)?”

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Mezerc had been working tirelessly to build the business to the position it now sat. The man was proud of his work and in all his years he counted himself a very fortunate man. It had been lonely work, of course there were the slaves and every lieutenant and grunt of his followed his orders, but each and every one of them would plunge a dagger into his heart if given the chance. He was in the middle of a meeting, a mining company he had extorted before had the audacity to resist a protection payment and Mezerc was furious. Of course, the payment he demanded was high, even when compared to their latest installment, but he was the man with the guns, and they were going to pay. He had no idea Vash was on the other side of his door, she would have heard him shouting at the man on the other end of the transmission “Kolarn, f’dagr’l en vaj’n. Kla’d’n tr’ax’l en sh’drak’n uta’n. Jarra’xl’n en k’lar’stla. Jarra’xl’n en k’lar’stla d’mal’n en d’mal’n k’lar’stla. F’dactla en tr’ax’l’n gleb’n axm tr’a’d’n. Axm f’dagr’l’n, sh’drak’n en vra’xl’n d’mal’n en d’mal’n vra’xl’n gleb’n. D’mal’n vra’xl’n gleb’n axltr’dn! K’laxm f’dactla?”

With that he ended the transmission and heard the door opening where he turned to see who dared to interrupt his business, his heart warmed as he smiled and waved her in warmly saying, “Vashkilu, k’la’d’n juna. F’dagr’lu’n en kla’sh’rta axm kla’d’n. Kla’d’n tr’ax’l en gleb’n f’dactla?”

–Mezerc–

Vash entered the office and smiled. Even to her father she was alluring. She moved with grace and sensuality. She had learned her trade well, but Serrala wouldn’t keep her because of her.mixed heritage. Vash would not have stayed anyway. She had bigger plans. She adored her father and she intended to run his business when the time came. “Kla’sh, f’dactla en gleb’n vra’sh’tl.” (Yes, I want to discuss business.)

She glanced at the comm panel having clearly overheard the ‘discussion.’ “Kolarn vra’xl’n. K’laxm sh’k’la’tn. K’laxm f’dagr’l en vra’sh’tl axm k’la’d’n.” (Kolarn will have to be dealt with. He is slippery. He keeps trying to find loopholes.)

“Tahedri, kla’d’n uta’n juna’sh. K’lar’stla en vra’sh’tl kla’d’n axm juna’sh.” (Father, I am your only heir. The clan does not respect me as your heir.) It was clear she was unhappy with this.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

She certainly was something to behold, and as much as he could appreciate what she had learned and the accomplishments of buying her freedom so young, it did not change her heritage. It did not change her standing.

“Gleb’n, gleb’n axm en. K’lar’stla en vra’sh’tl en axm juna’sh, jarra’xl’n f’dagr’l en. Axltr’dn, k’la’d’n juna. Kla’d’n f’dactla sh’k’la’tn axm en. En vra’sh’tl en k’lar’stla.” He spoke a little condescendingly. His meaning was clear. She needed to understand her lot in life and that her ambitions would not take her far in Orion society.

Vashkilu knew her father lived her, but he was a traditionalist. He should have refused to take her when her mother pawned her off on him. But no, he had thought her heritage would bring her a fine price after Serrala’s school. He should have known better. She was not afraid of the violence. She was well trained and an excellent fighter. Something she also kept hidden.

“Kla’d’n f’dagr’lu’n en vra’sh’tl axm en. Kla’d’n gleb’n en sh’k’la’tn axltr’dn. Kla’d’n dgreilt en vra’xl’n jarra’xl’n f’dagr’l en. Axltr’dn, juna. Tiradosir vaj’n k’lar’stla axm sh’drak’n. Jarra’xl’n f’dagr’l en, k’la’d’n gleb’n vra’sh’tl.” He explained, hoping she wouldn’t get all fired up as she had in the past. The clan wouldn’t see her as his heir, she must know that to be true. She had the opportunity to live a life of luxury without worry, and his little spring flower needed to simply listen and understand that.

—Mezerc—

“Jarra’xl’n.” (No, they will not.) That was because her father would not. If he would treat her as a true heir then the rest would fall in line. Vash knew he would not, and it was moot to argue over it.

“F’dagr’l tahedri axltr’dn? Uta’n jarra’xl’n f’dagr’lu’n axm kla’d’n axm juna. K’laxm vra’xl’n kla’d’n gleb’n axm tiradosir uta axltr’dn kla’d’n f’dagr’lu’n axm tahedri.” (What happens when you are gone, father? Your Lieutenant will not pamper me and keep me as a princess. He will use me or sell me to a cruel master to punish me for the way you always lavished me.) He had to know it was true. The man was excellent for the business, but her father had had to threaten and punish him more than once for his behavior toward her.

“Juna’sh, kla’d’n sh’k’la’tn axm vra’xl’n. Axltr’dn, en vra’sh’tl. Uta’n jarra’xl’n k’la’sh’rta axm gleb’n. F’dagr’l kla’d’n tr’ax’l gleb’n axltr’dn.” He replied as he considered the issues at hand with his plans. He knew she was right and that her concerns were more than valid. The man he considered a brother, his second in command, had more than once tried his luck and pushed the boundaries with his little spring flower to the point he had been shot for his insubordination. If Mezerc were gone, he would have his way and his revenge.

“Kla’d’n f’dactla en tr’ax’l gleb’n axm jarra’xl’n Orion vra’sh’tl. Axm pr’dyn, axltr’dn. Kla’d’n gleb’n axm Uta Veknic vra’xl’n sh’k’la’tn gleb’n. Kla’d’n f’dactla en vra’xl’n kla’d’n gleb’n, axltr’dn f’dagr’l tahedri axltr’dn, kla’d’n dgreilt en vra’sh’tl axm gleb’n vra’sh’tl.” (I want you to find me work with a non Orion pirate crew. Loyal to the Syndicate of course. My time with Captain Veknic will find me good work. I want to build my own fortune, so when you are gone I can still live as your little spring flower.) Vash knew if her father thought she was being cooperative, making a plan that fell into his plans, just in her own way, he was more likely to do as she asked.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

“K’la’sh, juna’sh. En sh’k’la’tn axm gleb’n. En f’dagr’l en vra’sh’tl axm kla’d’n gleb’n. F’dagr’l en vra’xl’n en gleb’n. Kla’d’n tr’ax’l gleb’n axm Terran vra’sh’tl. Gleb’n axm en vra’xl’n tiradosir, axltr’dn!” He replied to the idea, a genius one he thought as he knew the risks of letting her live that pampered life would end the second he were to perish or lose control. This way she could truly strike out on her own and make something of her life. She could always use his name as a threat, she and whatever crew she joined would have the full backing of his crew, but she would also know it couldn’t be a free ride. She would still need to work, to scrape, and to steal. He was proud of her, his little spring flower was all grown up.

–Mezerc

“Kla’sh’rta tahedri. (Thank you, Father.)” Vashkilu stood from her seat and walked around his desk. Even now, she was suptle and graceful. She leaned down and kissed his cheek. She leaned against the desk, half sitting. “Vra’sh’tl axm gleb’n sh’k’la’tn. Gleb’n axltr’dn en f’dactla. Vra’sh’tl axm f’dagr’lu’n sh’k’la’tn. Kla’d’n k’la’sh’rta axm gleb’n, axltr’dn. (Preparations for the feast tonight are complete. The meal is exactly as you have ordered. The entertainment has been prepared. I will be leading it of course.)”

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

“Sh’k’la’tn. K’la’sh’rta vra’xl’n gleb’n. Kla’d’n f’dactla en vra’sh’tl axm kla’d’n. En tr’ax’l kla’d’n dgreilt vra’sh’tl axm Terran vra’sh’tl. K’laxm vra’sh’tl en k’lar’stla axm kla’d’n. Kla’d’n uta axm en tahedri, axltr’dn.” Mezerc replied as he clapped his hands together with a smile. He had one captain lined up who seemed to be able to handle Vash, a Captain Noril, who he had done some dealings with in the past.

As time drew closer to the feast, Mezerc dressed in his finest, strapping an ornamentaly decorated disruptor his his hip, a dagger to the other, and a robe across his shoulders. He entered the hall, waiting for Vash to join him and pose for when Noril would enter and see the lavish display on offer, the prize jewel being his own daughter.

–Mezerc–

Vash was there right on time. Her skin was smooth and listened with the oil she had applied to it. She was bald like her Deltan mother, so instead of lavish hair styles and rich curls, Vash had a jeweled and precious metal head band of chains. Her clothes were rich and lavish, but also barely there. She had anklets and bracelets and a coin belt that simmered and chimed delicately as she walked barefoot through the hall. “All is prepared. I am at your disposal father.”

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Two red haired twins entered the hall, not quite identical but close. Their black eyes gave away their Betazoid heritage. They were already scoping the room, exits, threats, other concerns. Notable was the Orion woman… Not full Orion, Sisnil noted, the thought passing through the twins’ minds. And the reason they were there, the man they had arrived to meet with. Her father, they picked up from his mind. Orions were frightfully easy to read.

Sisnil, the more confident of the two, stepped forward. “We have business, you and I,” he said, addressing the man directly and evenly. A trained eye would catch that while Sisnil focused on the interaction, Noril’s focus remained on the room and surroundings, all findings and thoughts shared equally between the two.

~ N, Captain

Vash watched them with interest. The quiet one was intriguing, and the way they played off each other. What would be interesting to them, was she was not easily read like other Orions. She had rather solid mental shields. She stood just behind her father. “Gleb’n axm en, kla’d’n axm en,” she translated the more direct twin’s words for her father.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

With a sly smile, Mezerc simply replies, “Kla’sh, gleb’nar. Vra’sh’tl kla’d’n: f’dagr’l en axm sh’k’la’tn gleb’n?” He liked that Sisnil, the more forward of the two confronted him directly about their business as it showed intent and a clear desire to complete the transaction. He still had to toy with them a little, to make sure the two men understood they were in his house, both figuratively and literally, and would play by his rules.

The woman’s smile remained alluring, her posture both seductive and submissive. Though in this house, not as submissive as the other slaves. This was her home and she was the daughter of the man in charge. She didn’t roll her eyes though she felt the twinge to do so. She couldn’t be upset with her father. After all he was posturing a great deal for her sake. He loved her, she knew that, and was protective of her in ways that other fathers were not. “That we do.” Here she left off gleb’nar. The childish insult meant ‘bossy pants.’ She thought the childish insult was a bit much, though given in the tone her father used, it wasn’t quite so… dismissive. The way he used it, it meant more like a playful jab at the other man’s eagerness for business. In Orion society that was both a positive, but the niceties of doing business had to be observed. She left it off because she wanted to know if they would pick up on it. She couldn’t read their thoughts, but their emotional byplay was intriguing. “Tell me, what is it you offer for such a prize?” she finished translating.

Her mental shields were what tipped them off she wasn’t fully Orion. Orions were a cakewalk to read. She wasn’t. “gleb’nar is a word in dialectical Orion too,” he informed the man smoothly, grinning. “Out of the two of us, I think you’ve described yourself.” Sisnil finished, grinning. Noril glanced at Vash, gazing at her curiously, his gaze intense and piercing.

Vash smiled, highly amused by their understanding of Orion language. They had leveled the bargaining table by taking away that nuance from her father. She was impressed, though she would never say so.

She felt the quieter one’s eyes on her and she turned her stunning eyes on him. She appraised him openly and then turned her attention back to her father as he spoke.

He did not stand to greet them, instead waving his daughter towards them saying, “Tr’ax’l k’la’sh’rta sh’k’la’tn.”

—Mezerc—

She nodded with a slightly bowed head to her father as she stepped past Mezerc and glided toward the more direct one. “I am to see to your comfort this evening. Please, come with me. We have food and drink prepared for you.” She held out both her hands, one to each brother, to quite physically guide them along the way.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Don’t take her hands, the thought originated from Noril, instantly passing to Sisnil, along with the reason. He suspected some sort of trickery, though what exactly he was not sure. “Thank you, but we’ll escort ourselves. Lead ahead,” Sisnil said. Noril, meanwhile, nodded to the man and then smiled shyly at Vash.

~ N, Captain

She felt their weariness, but not exactly the reason. Most who knew about Orion females went one if two ways. They avoided them at all costs or dived in head first. She withdrew her hands, but her eyes lingered on Noril. “My apologies, I was unaware that Betazoids do not like to be touched.” The word sounded sensuous and her gaze on Noril contemplative.

She turned to Sisnil, “I promise no harm shall come to you here. Please, this way,” she turned, the jewelry chiming delicately as she glided on soft feet down the hall.

The dinning area was lavish, as expected. A low hand carved table of menola wood was laden with foods of all kinds, and just as many drinks. The floor was covered in lush fabrics and overstuffed and oversized pillows. “Please, sit, relax.” She moved around the table, taking two cups and lifting a pitcher. Serving drinks was an art, having an Orion Courtesan do so was a mark of respect. It was also a test of self restraint and control, but a delight to the senses. She carried the cups over and knelt beside them. “Rakta juice. My father’s servants told me you neither partake if alcohol.” All such details were recorded and kept on all encounters. You never knew when it would be useful.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril flushed lightly at Vash’s comment, causing Sisnil to elbow him. “We don’t mind touch,” Noril said quickly despite his brother’s look.

Vash smiled, she was genuinely amused and infinitly curious. The other brother didn’t seem happy with this one’s reply.

Mezerc let out a wide smile as he started to laugh after Vash had the men settled. The loud one’s attitude was enough to fill a room but it mattered little, “I like you.” He replied in the common tongue, “Don’t think that means I won’t dispose of you and that tongue of yours.” He cautioned as he looked at Noril, “And what of you, any sarcastic remarks or do you let your brother have all the fun?”

–Mezerc–

“You wouldn’t be the first to try,” Sisnil shot back, “How does that old Earth song go? Twenty men tried and twenty men lay dead?” He looked at the table, cautious, but not wanting to be insulting.

Her father was enjoying himself and dismissed the threats as the idle banter they were.

Noril meanwhile, looked up and met Mezerc’s gaze. “I’m here for work, not for a social visit. Time is money.” He gave Mezerc an intense look, the brothers always investigated the people they worked with, “You should know that, shouldn’t you?”

~ N, Captain

Mezerc let out another chuckle as his lovely daughter worked her wiles on the two men. “No fun with you two, no fun at all. Always business, just like my daughter. You’ll do well together.” He said as he smiled knowingly.

“Please, the work is done..my father says you have always done the best work. He speaks highly of you to his associates.” How did Vash know? Because she eavesdropping on her father’s meetings and calls. It was the inly way to be included. “Surely you must know how lavishly a successful transaction is celebrated?” She motioned gracefully toward the food, “Scan it if you like, or I am most willing to sample the food for you. It is a dangerous business you are in. I would not allow any such deviousness to befall my father’s associates.”

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

“Now.” He started as he rose a glass, Andorian ale for him and Rakta juice for the two. Vash? He didn’t really know what she would be imbibing in, it was her choice after all. “A toast to your newest purchase.” He remarked and held out the glass, inviting the men to join in the celebrations. Along with this he moved his hand to displace his robe slightly, the ornate disruptor on his hip clearly in view to the two men with a silent implication of who was in charge. He had ordered the two disarmed as they entered, although he was fairly certain they had something hidden, it was best practices in their line of work to do so.

–Mezerc–

Multiple somethings were hidden on both brothers. Some hand weapons, like knives, along their body, compact disruptors in more… personal compartments, Captain Jack Harkness style. The message was clearly received as they avoided eye contact and returned their focus to Vash. Noril smiled. “We would ask no such thing. I have known masters willing to hurt their own property in order to take out an enemy.”

Vash took a drink, wine like her father, but she had slipped a neutralizer into it. Her mixed heritage meant she was quite suseptibleto the effects of drugs and alcohol, but the effects burned hot and fast. She oreferred to avoid it. Her father was unaware of that though.

“This is true, but I am fortunate. My father does not allow such things where I am concerned. He recognizes my worth.” But the thought slipped through that Mezerc’s Lieutenant would. She anticipated a painful and quick death at his hands.

Sisnil took something from the table and ate it. “Mezerc, our friend here, he knows better than to do anything here. It’s bad business. Those associates he’s been bragging about us to, they would want nothing more to do with him. No one wants to end up dead for no good reason.”

~ N, Captain

Vash picked up the same things that the twins did. She ate them delicately. “You are all successful businessmen. It is a good agreement between you.” She clapped her hands twice, the bells chiming, and the doors opened. A quartet of musicians appeared and took seats in the opposite corner. They began to play. They were quite lifted and knew a range of musical styles.

“Enjoy.” She stood and made her way around the table. She served her father, until the door opened again. Another Orion woman, full Orion, entered with a platter. She set it down and approached Mezerc. She paused as Vash stared at her. She didn’t like Vash. She was jealous of the way Mezerc favored her, and she thought Vash was beneath her as a half breed. Except Mezerc had made his daughter head of all the slaves. That should have been her place.

“Jealousy is unbecoming, even of one at your station,” Sisnil said to the woman.

The woman sneered at him and some extremely unpleasant and insulting things in Orion. Things that would bring shame to her father for her lack of self control. Something that no Orion would tolerate. Vash reached past her father and slapped her right across the mouth. “Apologize to Master Mezerc’s guests, now.”

The woman glared as she diverted her gaze to the floor. “My apologies honored Sirs. It will not happen again.”

“It had better not,” Sisnil said, his voice calm, but carefully controlled. “You will not like the outcome of your actions.” Sisnil was not a physical person, but she had said things he wouldn’t tolerate from anyone. There were things he’d been trained to do empathically that would make anyone regret their actions.

Vash rose gracefully, “You may serve my father.” She was Mezerc’s favorite after all. The woman took the place Vash had vacated. Vash glided, dancing slightly to the music and settled between the brothers again. “What delights would you like this evening?”

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Sisnil’s attentioned returned to Vash and he smiled. “We are happy with the food, honestly.” He said. Noril nodded. Vash’s escaped thought about Mezerc’s lieutenant had them more cautious. At least he had the decency to make it quick, they supposed together.

~ N, Captain

There was a tonal shift in the room as the pleasantries, subtle threats, and machinations died down. Mezerc watched as his daughter danced and moved down to the level of the men, and while he had postured before he was showing them a more sincere respect. Business always demanded the wastes of time involved with putting folks in their place, Mezerc of all people would know that as he dealt with his main lieutenant and throng of thugs all the way to his slaves, one of which that Vash wouldn’t have a chance to meet was a mechanically inclined little boy who had dreams of running his own empire one day.

Vash lavished attention equally on both brothers. She was alluring and sultry, but educated, smart, and insightful. There was no overt attempts at physical overtones. She could tell that they may be curious but they would be put on edge. She wasn’t there to trick them after all. But reward her father’s associates.

Though she gave equal attention She was very intrigued by the quiet one, Noril. The other brother was more out spoken, the leader, and impressive, suave, charming, and dangerous. Noril did not appear to be quite so intense, but under the surface was a very complex mysterious man who was so much more than just the twin. He wasn’t easy to read with her Deltan gifts. She found she was genuinely intrigued and drawn to him.

“I know you have come after a rather dangerous run, for that I am thankful. There are whispers that you have something to tell me as well. I’m willing to pay handsomely for information as you well know. What is it that you need to say?”

–Mezerc

Vash raised her hand and snapped her fingers. The musicians left. Her father’s companion pouted at Mezerc as if asking if she really had to follow Vash’s orders and leave.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Noril tenses lightly. He rested a hand on Vash’s shoulder. Oddly, as it wasn’t common for a slave, he seemed to check that she was okay with the physical touch.

Vash met his eyes and then looked at his hand on her shoulder and smiled. She wasn’t bothered by it at all, but his pause for her consent was intriguing.

Sisnil frowned. “We bring unwelcome news discovered during our little run and confirmed during our time here.” He repeated the name of the lieutenant, “is planning on taking over Mezerc’s business,” he repeated the words the brothers had heard. “And too cowardly to do it outright, the man planned to poison you and yours. Hence our apprehension towards the food.”

Noril could feel the subtle shift in Vash under his hand. From relaxed to instantly alert, on edge, and watchful. How dare the man threaten her father! She knew he hated her, but her father had trained him, lavished him, set him up for success. Even offered him his own business once. Mezerc might be a typical male Orion, but as far as Orion fathers went, he was a good one and he adored his daughter.

Noril patted her gently. He will get what he deserves, his voice spoke gently in her mind.

He felt surprise at the mental contact, but no shyness. Surprise and a bit of light curiosity. There was a sense of gratitude followed by a strong sense of pride and responsibility. No one ever spoke to Vash telepathically or tele-empathically like Deltans did. Most people assumed she could not. Of course maybe he was just doing what came naturally. She was grateful and touched by his reassurance, but this was her father’s house, and she felt a great deal of responsibility for his safety.

Noril glanced up at Mezerc. “Punish the man as you see fit. Know he despises you with the passion of a thousand Orion dusk-wives.” It was the translated term for Orion women who sold themselves. It wasn’t seen as negatively to Orions as it was to humans.

~ N, Captain

A soft breath could be heard as it was drawn into the man’s tightly clenched lips. A slow exhale followed as Mezerc put down his wine and his food. He looked around the room at each person, knowing that any of his slaves could be an accomplice as he looked towards his daughter, “”K’laxm vra’sh’tl axm. Sha’k’la’dn.” He said with a determined tone, the rough translation being, ‘I want him in here. Now.’

Vash nodded as she stood watching each person in the room. She made a point to let her fingers lightly touch each person she passed, getting a feel for their mood. Stressed, guilty, afraid, disloyal. She stepped out the door and spoke to one of the slaves. They were to summon the Lt for urgent profitable business Mezerc wanted to discuss.

This was certainly a damper on the evening, but it may be the exact thing that Vash needed, and Mezerc recognized this. He turned away from his daughter, expecting her to relay the command to another slave to fetch the Lieutenant, and towards the men as he said, “I believe I have something you may be interested in beyond monetary payment.” He remarked, waving his hand towards the young woman without speaking a word.

–Mezerc–

Vash waited outside the room for the Lt to arrive.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Sisnil followed the gesture with some surprise. “You are offering us… Your daughter?” He asked, his surprise clear.

Noril seemed equally surprised, now carefully watching Vash. Both seemed to be assessing not just her, but Mezerc. Was he serious?

~ N, Captain

Mezerc rolled his wrists slowly, a cracking sound coming from each before he rolled his neck from side to side eliciting a similar popping as he looked closely at the men. “You have taken a great risk in telling me this, and you have put the needs of myself over your own possible opportunity for gain. My Lieutenant could have rewarded you handsomely should you have gone to him with the blackmail, but instead you were honest with me and I want to reward that.” He said as Vash waited for his Lieutenant outside the room.

“I am” He simply replied, “The jewel in any crown to be sure, her value to you will surpass any other reward I could offer. A fleet of ships is worth less than my Vashkilu.” He said quietly and sincerely. She had indeed proven her worth, but she had no place at the top of a syndicate family. She needed to stretch her legs and these men were indeed the right people for her to do so with. He watched the subtle respect they showed her, and he knew she would be safe with them, she would be successful with them.

–Mezerc–

“I can already tell that is no over exaggeration,” Sisnil said. The brothers weren’t really the slave owning type. It was the thing they disagreed with the most in the Syndicate. So, Noril turned to Vash, giving her an intense look. He spoke into her mind again, Do you want that? To come with us?

~ N, Captain

Outside the room, Vash was standing in the shadows of the corner near the door, waiting. She had infinite patience and most just looked at her like a pretty piece of art work. She had ears everywhere in her father’s house, and she was very close to her father, so she was able to read him from outside the room somewhat. He was thinking about her and had feelings of pride, concern, and determination. He also had that small zing of anticipation she had come to recognize when he was negotiating. Ah, her request. That must be what the Betazoid man was talking about.

There wasn’t a worded answer, just focused emotions. Anger, a sense of inadequacy, frustration - these all seemed to come from memories. There was also acceptance and certainty in reply to his question. With this new information, Vash, as much as she wanted to leave, was worried for her father. He wouldn’t allow her to do anything about it. If she hadn’t asked him to find her a new owner, he would send her away now until he was sure the threat was over. What she wanted was to be her father’s heir. For him to buy her freedom and let her take over. He wouldn’t though. So this new request she made was the next best thing.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

The lieutenant arrived and saw Vash, brushing past her forcefully, making enough contact to knock her back as he stopped for a moment, reaching back and grabbing at her arm, “How is your father enjoying dinner?” He asked as he squeezed her arm tightly before letting go.

Being Orion meant Vash was stronger than the average humanoid; however, being Deltan meant she was weaker than the average Orion. She had learned to roll with the punches as it were. What she lacked in strength she made up for in intelligence and agility. Yondril’s force moved her back, but she had expected that and so she moved fluidly with it. Unfortunately, he knew she was weaker and took advantage. His grip hurt, leaving painful bruises along her arm. Another side effect of her mixed heritage. She was more easily harmed.

Vash refused to submit to him. She refused to look away, and she knew it angered him. “My father always enjoys the food I prepare for him. Hurry, he’s waiting.”

Entering the room with Mezerc, the Lieutenant was surprised to see him with the two other men and the food barely touched but didn’t think too much into it, after all meetings between species were usually slower and more drawn out, and while the two were good pirates, if they died, they were easily replaceable.

“You have some good news?” He asked Mezerc as he approached and offered the vain respects and pleasantries expected. Mezerc for his part greeted the man and said, “Welcome Yondril, welcome, join us, we were discussing the latest deal with the Naussicans, but first, you know customs to ensure you’re not armed. Vash?” He called out to his daughter, expecting her to thoroughly check the man for hidden weapons. Yondril for his part always did enjoy this process as he imagined so much more from her.

–Mezerc–

Vash hated this. Yondril’s lust and greed swam over her senses like crude oil polluting an ocean. It made her sick. No doubt this man would kill her painfully, but he had other ideas as well.

She glided across the room, closing the door behind her, to do as her father ordered. A dark blue hand print was forming on her upper arm. Becoming more noticeable to her father and the Zoi brothers by the moment. She approached Yondril and raised her hands to begin searching him. He enjoyed it, the bashvit. She would rather stab him than endure his emotions and pleasure.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

“Kill the traitor,” Noril said, giving the man a hard look. “The Syndicate doesn’t stand for such… disloyalty. He deserves to die where he stands.”

Sisnil nodded as if to say couldn’t have said it better myself. “His thoughts… Mezerc, sir, you would be… Most disgusted.”

~ N, Captain

Vash was thorough, which only pleased Yondril. She found several hidden weapons on the man and removed them. Including a vile of a nasty looking neon yellow liquid. She placed everything on a tray for Mezerc. Her eyes flicked briefly to each brother. She could feel Yondril, and even by the open and permissive standards of Orion, Vash had no doubt she did not want to know the man’s thoughts.

Mezerc rose and approached Yondril slowly. “Is what they say true? Should I gut you where you stand my faithful lieutenant?” He spoke with clear intent, not showing agression and knowing it was causing his spring flower distress, but as with all business there was an element of theatrics that needed to play out. If any of the three were open to his thoughts, they would sense that Mezerc was buring his absolute fury, and they would know full well that the man who was his second in command had a death sentence no matter what.

–Mezerc–

Sisnil and Noril knew what was to happen. No matter what he said, there was to be a death today. Noril glanced away. Sisnil kept his gaze up.

“Better to die here, than continue to work for an utter imbecile, who’d never gotten this far without me,” The lieutenant sneered, knowing there was no talking his way out of this. “While denying me the prize I deserve for all my work!” His gaze flicked to Vash, then back. “So yes, kill me and show what a merciless monster you are. Go ahead, do it!”

The right was her father’s, but she wasn’t meek nor mild. The man had injured her several times, today was not an exception. The bruise on her arm throbbed painfully. Vash set her hand to Yondril’s forearm as if to restrain him, which amused the man greatly.

He put on his show partly because it was expected and partly to taunt Mezerc into making it a swift death.

Sisnil detected this trick, but remained quiet. He did not care how the man died.

~ N, Captain

Yondril wasn’t feeling well suddenly. It had to be the anticipation and anger at losing. He felt wound too tight and light headed, then his muscles spasmed painfully. He glanced around. Well, if he was going to die, he would take his prize with him.

His hand shot out and caught Vash by the throat, squeezing hard as he pulled her toward him. “I will take you into the next life with me. I will deprive your weak father of the only thing he sees of value and I will have you in the next life.”

He was stronger than her. His pain increased severely. Vash used her Deltan senses to cause him great harm. She could, she was told, kill someone this way, though she never had. She was very quickly denied the ability to inhale as Yondril strove to kill her before he died.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

Mezerc watched as Yondril is swept up in agony and tries to take Vash down with him. He thinks quickly, wanting one final test of the men who were so likely to part with his beloved spring flower.

Vash could feel her father calculating and plotting. Even as the lack of oxygen made her vision begin to fade she was irritated with her father. She also lost her hold of control over Yondril. The pain left him and he renewed his efforts taking pleasure in having her in his hands at last. He knew the knife was coming but he only cared about taking her with him.

He drew his ornate dagger and spun it in his hand, calling out to the louder of the two twins, “The honor is yours” He said as he tossed the dagger into the air handle first at the man, moving his hand to his disruptor should he falter or pause. He was after all only interested in killing Yondril, and if he didn’t have the guts it was understandable, he was a smuggler and a pilot after all, but it was an opportunity to gain significant favor with the powerful man should Sisnil so choose.

Mezerc

It was an easy catch for Sisnil as the dagger sailed towards him. What he was supposed to do with it was obvious.

Sisnil, no, you can’t. This isn’t justice, it’s…

I have to, Noril. Or we’ll look weak. And we DON’T want that. Be glad it is me and not you doing this. There was barely a second hesitation, communication between them was so quick.

A wave of desperation to cling to life swept out from her, engulfing everyone in the room as she lost control of her empthic talents as well as a weak rattle came from her crushed throat.

Sisnil stood, moved over, and kneeled down by the lieutenant. He gave an intense look… A look of focus as he used his telepathy to make Yondril give up every disloyal conspirator he knew of to Mezerc.

What was he waiting for? Did her father not care at all that she died? Or maybe death seemed to prolong things?

When he had nothing more to give, then Sisnil dispatched him swiftly with the knife.

~ N, Captain

The knife cut at Yondril’s wrist, cutting tendon and sinew, forcing hi. To release Vash, as the blade found its mark and took the deceitful man’s life. Vash collapsed to the floor, unconscious, with an even more grotesque mark on her neck from Yondril’s fingers. Her breath was raspy around her nearly crushed trachea.

Vashkilu, Infiltrator

To see, and to feel, his little spring flower crumpled on the floor tore at Mezerc’s heart, but he had a purpose for everything. He wouldn’t always be there to protect her, this was the entire purpose for her wanting to strike out on her own, to go and make an empire of her choosing. It was also to test how these men would treat her, to see how they would fight for her or let her suffer. He could have ended the man before anything had happened, it would have been easy and given the disruptor it would have been agonizing too. But he needed to see her stand on her own with her mission and to see that she would be well protected by the men.

He had studied the faces of the two men, seeing the flash of doubt and the challenging of their morals, but they came through. He slammed his hand on a band surrounding his upper bicep and shouted “Vra’xl’n’ta, Sha’k’la’dn!” and within seconds two medics beamed in and immediately went to Vash’s side, Mezerc said “Tr’ax’l en vra’xl’n axm jarra’xl’n k’la’sh’tl. En vra’xl’n gleb’n axm kla’d’n sh’k’la’tn axm en.” and the two medics along with Vash beamed out to the medical ward of the building and she was treated promptly.

Mezerc