Frying Pan Pt 5

Posted on Sun Jun 11th, 2023 @ 1:42pm by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Lieutenant Commander Aurora Vali

Mission: Repairs and Retribution
Location: Cardassians freighter

The planet of Kunar span lazily on it's axis, it's barren wasteland surface promising all kinds of horror and misery.

"It's a pleasant 40 degrees centigrade outside during the day, nights fall below freezing. I'm sure you'll love it" the Cardassian continued as though selling a holiday on a pleasurable destination.

Savar looked at the planet as it grew larger on the viewscreen. The heat would not be as much as a problem to him as it would Aurora and Rhenora, especially with both women being pregnant Yet, he was more concerned with the conditions below the surface. He felt that was the three of them were destined for. It would be easier for the Cardassians to hide them from prying eyes below the surface if anyone came looking.

Continuing on his theme the Cardassian turned with a flourish. "I believe you're destined for the southern hemisphere, only the best go there. There's a little mine for ore that hardly anyone knows about, because noone ever leaves" he cackled, his neck ridges becoming more pronounced as he laughed. "So you can banish any thoughts of escape from your minds. Starfleet think you're all dead, and very soon, you will be. After you've extracted a good amount of ore that is"

So, there it was. Savar thought as the Cardassian confirmed their destination. They were destined for the mines to work extracting ore. It would be brutal, back breaking work in the most horrendous of conditions, made even worse for Aurora and Rhenora due to their conditions.

Aurora could feel herself growing weak in the knees at just the thought of spending what was left of her time alive digging ore in a Cardassian mine. She was hoping and praying that someone would come to rescue them.

“Awww stiff upper lip time eh sweetie?” A Cardassian female sauntered in motioning to the guards. “Take our guests to their accommodation! I’m sure they’ll find it just delightful” there was a big roar of laughter.

Three Cardassian guards approached and grabbed their upper arms, roughly shoving them in the direction of the turbolift. Rhenora complied but didn't give them an inch in knowing where her head was at. Comply so they don't beat you any more, but don't make their job easy by letting them think they have broken you.

Savar moved as slowly as possible to avoid being beaten. He didn't drag his feet but he didn't put any bounce in his step either. He would do as the Cardassians ordered as slowly as he could. As they were pushed along toward the turbolift, he made a mental note to observe and record to memory their trip to their destination in case a chance of escape came their way.

Aurora followed on slowly, following in the footsteps of Savar and Rhenora. They were all soon to find out where they’d spending the rest of their lives. If nightmares were real this would be hers.

They were matched to the transporter room and beamed down to the planet, the heat that bombarded them like a blast furnace. Rhenora squinted her eyes against the wind and sand of the outdoor transporter platform, surrounded by Cardassian guards who looked like they were going to enjoy this 'fresh meat', particularly one with such a reputation from the old days.

Aurora was hit with a wave of heat that was just like that from a blow torch, even though she was half Vulcan she could only tolerate so much heat and this was already far too hot. Her skin felt like it was burning just standing on the transporter platform.

"Welcome to Kunar" a slimy looking Glin approached the trio, flanked by two armed guards who looked rather bored yet way too interested in the two women. "Pity you're both with child, you would have made lovely comfort women" he leered, stepping closer to Rhenora and running a hand down her face. She tried her best not to flinch at the touch, held motionless by the guards. "And I would have taken great pleasure in breaking your spirit, you have a reputation that requires penance"

Rhenora glared at him, giving him nothing but the ice in her gaze. There was no point speaking, no point protesting - any words would be reason enough for a beating or being shot.

The Glin stepped back, looking critically at the trio. "Yes, I don't think these will last very long at all. The Vulcan maybe but the mines are harsh for women, particularly those with a history."

Savar remained silent as the Glin taunted Rhenora. He silently urged the captain to remain calm and then remembered that Rhenora had a long history dealing with Cardassians and keeping herself alive. He hoped that he could be as successful in keeping Aurora and himself alive.

The guards moved forward at the Glin's nod, phasers drawn and ready in case they made any move to escape. The trio followed obediently, heading for several minutes before entering a small structure. From the outside it appeared nothing more than a small shack, on the inside a series of stairs and elevators descended downwards towards the heart of the planet.

The Glin walked ahead, checking his chronometer before reaching a decision. "You will be taken to the living quarters and will start work in the mines in the morning."

Aurora was almost relieved to hear that, but she dreaded to think what their quarters would be like. Would she even be with Savar? Would she be put somewhere away from him? Only time would tell.

As the trio walked to their 'living quarter' surrounded by guards. Savar was under no illusion as to what to expect. What he was more concerned was would the trio be housed together? The Cardassians putting all their hostages in one basket or would they be separated? More precisely would he and Aurora be separated or be allowed to at least share the nights together.

They were taken deep underground, thankfully the air was a little cooler than the blast furnace outside. Rows of cells cut into the rock walls and lined with the occasional forcefield signified the 'living quarters'. There were bunks cut directly into the rock along the rear wall, with a bucket for excrement along the front. Food it seemed would be provided at irregular intervals, and water was via another bucket. Savar and Aurora was pushed roughly into one cell, and Rhenora into the next, a row of strong bars between them.

“So this is home from now on” Aurora sat down on one of the hard rock beds. She wiped away a few tears not wanting to be seen as being weak.

"It would appear so" Rhenora replied, watching as the slaves started to come in from their day of mining, covered in dirt and obviously exhausted. Most of them collapsing on their bunks without a word. These were broken people, those that had lost all shred of hope.

Savar listened to both Aurora and Rhenora heard the resignation in both their voices and was dismayed. "I would recommend that we stay strong and not fall to despair."

“I’m trying Imzadi” Aurora did her best to get comfortable on the hard bed. “I’m tired, I just need to get some sleep.”

Savar nodded. "I know you are Aurora. Try and sleep. I do not believe our captors will let us rest long." He observed.

It was going to be a long night. Thankfully due to their underground accommodations, the temperature would remain fairly constant, a warm but not painfully unpleasant 27c. It would be hot to work in, but not in unbearable - hopefully. This wasn't her first Cardassian mine but she hoped it would be her last.

"What do you think Captain?" Savar asked Rhenora, walking up to the bars between their cells. "Do you think the Cardassians will indeed work us in the mines or use us for other purposes?"

Rhenora continued to watch the wretched souls drag their skeletal frames to their cells where their guards took great delight in raising the forcefield for the night. She mused over Savar's question. "It depends on where most of their prisoners are dying. If they need the ore more, we'll be sent there first, if their research is falling behind, it will be there."

Aurora lay watching the souls who were passing by, one in particular caught her eye as he walked past, unlike the others he seemed more upbeat in the way he carried himself. From his age he looked to have been there a long time, yet he seemed to have some modicum of respect from the guards. He looked her way before looking away again as he stepped into his cell and settled down.

Rhenora watched the prisoners as they settled down for the night, taking care to pay attention to their actions and those of the Cardassians. There was a so called 'meal' consisting of some.kind of slop in a bowl pushed through small openings in the forcefield. When her own bowl was pushed through she waited until the Cardassians had gone before approaching it. It smelled like some kind of gruel, a watery soup with the total volume of about a cup. Her stomach growled, having not eaten for some time, her body still recovering from its ordeal on the dinosaur planet. She wasn't at her full strength physically and mentally, and for the first time in a long time, she was just a little bit afraid they may not get out of this one.

TBC