Hard Rock Cafe

Posted on Sat Jul 8th, 2023 @ 1:03am by Captain Rhenora Kaylen & Commander Savar cha'Salik hei-Surak Talek-sen-deen & Lieutenant Commander Aurora Vali

Mission: Repairs and Retribution
Location: Cardassian mine

The first day in the mines seemed to stretch into eternity and by the end of it, Rhenora's hands were blistered and raw, her body aching from the exhaustion and her mind numb from the monotony. A loud siren sounded and the miners shuffled off without a word.

Aurora may not have been digging but her back, arms and legs ached from carrying heavy bucket after heavy bucket of water around the mines. There were those workers who’d tried to take advantage but learning who she was working for soon made them get back to work, whoever the man was who’d chosen her for these duties, he seemed to have instilled respect or fear just at the mention of his name. She paused to take her own drink from the last that was in the bucket, before trudging back to join Savar in the line.

The siren sounding signaled the end of the work day. Savar moved slowly into line. his face was dirty and streaked from a mixture of sweat and dirt. His fingernails, broken and caked with dirt from pulling ore from the rock wall. His arms and back ached from swinging the pick as well as spending hours in a bent over position. He was aware of Aurora moving to join him in line. She looked weary and worn and he was concerned for her and the baby's health. At least in their cell they could collapse and rest.

Aurora offered a weary smile as she finally got to be back with Savar, he was her rock, her strength. No matter what she would keep going as long as she had him to come back to. As the line of workers started to move she followed on in silence, keeping her head down so as not to draw the attention of the guards.

Savar returned Aurora's weary smile. his hand going out to touch her arm in a simple show of support. As long as they had each other, they would continue to fight to prevail against their intolerable conditions.

It was a slow walk back to their cells, conserving energy where they could. In ones and twos the line peeled off into their respective cells, stepping inside and then waiting for the evening food and for the forcefield to be raised. Only then did they let their guard down. Rhenora stepped inside her cell, her body aching everywhere and screaming for rest. She looked towards Savar and Aurora and tried to gauge their condition with a glance.

As they entered their cell after a long, hard and exhausting day. Savar relaxed his mental shields even as his body relaxed from the hardships put upon it. He didn't sit. He remained standing so Aurora could rest. However, he let his gaze wander to the next cell where Rhenora was its sole occupant. From a visual point of view, the captain appeared to be exhausted and he was sure, he and Aurora mirrored that appearance. All the trio could do was conserve their energy where they could and continue to persevere.

“Savar” Aurora motioned for her beloved to sit down with her, right now she needed to feel his embrace. He kept her strong, his love for her was all she needed.

Savar turned his head at the sound of Aurora's voice. He moved to sit next to her. To spend a few moments in her company. He took her hand and squeezed it softly. Willing whatever strength he had left into her, to keep her strong to help her make it through another day.

Aurora cuddled up against Savar, hiding away in his comforting embrace. Her stomach rattled in annoyance at not having had any food as yet. “I’m so hungry!” She sighed wishing they were back aboard ship.

Savar draped an arm over Aurora's shoulders. Wanting to keep her safe and from harm and not doing particularly well. He heard her stomach rumble. "Patience Aurora, Food will arrive soon." He left off "I hope." As he continued to hold her.

Food did arrive, in the form of the slop they had been served the day before, pushed through in metallic containers that did little to preserve the heat. This time some kind of rudimentary bread was given as well. Not much, around the size of a small roll. An announcement came from somewhere overhead. "The master is pleased with production today and you have been rewarded"

There was no hesitation from Aurora as she moved to collect hers and Savar’s meals. Passing Savar’s over she sat down then got on with eating hers, she took the time to make it last as she ate. It wasn’t as though the food was good, she was simply starving.

Savar watched as Aurora began eating. He made a decision. He ate the small piece of bread and a few bites of the gruel they were served before handing the plate to Aurora. "Here my love, you can have mine. May I have your roll in exchange?"

Aurora gave her husband a worried look. “What about you!? You need to eat as well Imzadi, I won’t deprive you of food.”

Savar shook his head from side to side. "You are not depriving me of food my love. You need the food more than I. Please Aurora, eat you need the food for yourself and the baby. The roll will suffice for me."

Aurora nodded and reluctantly took the food, handing Savar her roll. If she had the choice she’d be pushing the plate aside, but as it was she needed to stay fit and well for their baby’s sake.

Savar took the roll. He was aware of how much it pained Aurora to take his food but it was logical. She needed the extra food to maintain her strength and the baby's well-being.

At that moment the flap for food service opened and an extra portion of bread was shoved inside. “For you woman! Not for him..”

Aurora looked at Savar before noticing a nod of the head from the man who’d chosen to take her under his proverbial wing. “Thank you” She nodded and took a bite.

Savar felt a flash of irrational anger. Aurora was his wife, his soulmate. Her safety and well being along with that of THEIR child was his responsibility not some stranger. He knew Aurora loved him and would remain true to him but he was good and irked over this situation.

Aurora saw the irritation and put the bread down, she didn’t want Savar to feel that she was accepting the attentions of another man.

The man waited for the guards to clear out before looking across. “Have no worries Vulcan, I have no interest in your mate. I had a wife and child when we arrived here, I simply have no wish to see anything happen to yours.”

Savar said nothing as the man explained his actions. After a few seconds, he nodded in understanding and said to Aurora. "Eat all your meal Aurora. You need to keep your strength up." Before he nodded to the man again.

Rhenora watched on with interest, seeing the flicker of jealousy cross Savar's face as the additional food was exchanged. She knew this kind of situation - if you curried favour with someone in a little more power - there could be rewards in the form of food and blankets. For herself she was attempting to fly as low under the radar as one could get whilst still being alive. Garner no attention if possible. She ate her meal and climbed into the rock alcove to rest.

Savar sat and ate his second roll. His gaze shifted as he saw Rhenora eat her meal in silence and climb onto her alcove to rest. He was concerned about her safety. He knew the Cardassians would look for any opportunity to exact some form of physical abuse on her. Yet his ability to help her was severely limited as they were separated by bars and a forcefield as well as working in different areas.

Rhenora was thankful Savar and Aurora had received extra food, it would keep them that little bit stronger for that little bit longer. She herself was surprised she had received food at all. Either the guards didn't know who she was, or they had explicit instructions that she wasn't to starve to death. An interesting situation if it were the second option.

After finishing his roll, Savar sat next to the rocky wall and attempted to meditate. He was relieved to see that Rhenora had received food and despite being tired had not been beaten or abused. Which caused him to wonder what the Cardassians were planning for them. He knew the Cardassians knew who he was as well as Rhenora and Aurora. Yet, other than the back breaking work in the mines nothing had been done to them. He doubted that situation would remain.

TBC