Cell Time

Posted on Mon May 17th, 2021 @ 5:48pm by Commander Samantha Howard & Captain Shran dh'Klar & Commander Jonathan Grayson & Lieutenant Commander Estella Stratton & Ensign James Phoenix

Mission: A Dark Looking Glass
Location: Alternate Universe

Dr Samantha Howard felt useless as Jon was led away, powerless to do anything for him other than attempt to repair the damage once he was returned to the cell. Somewhere in the distance she could hear someone screaming, if it were him or not she couldn't tell, only that the person was in agony.

Estella's stomach knotted and her heart ached as Jon was removed from the cell and escorted out. With each scream that echoed, she tried not to cringe or spew a series of unpleasantries.

The screams Sam heard were indeed Jon's. Shran was using a barbed whip that flayed the skin. Jon had promised not to scream and he had kept the promise for three lashes. on the fourth, he screamed and on the fifth, he screamed as if his soul was being pulled from him. He barely remembered being drugged back to his cell and Sam and Essie.

The Intendant sauntered down to the torture chamber, smirking at the rest of the team in the cells as she passed.

"Don't you just love the sound?" She taunted as she passed.

Estella's hands shook and her fingers curled inward, biting into her palms. The only person's screams she wanted to hear in that moment were those of the Intendant and she almost hated herself for it. Almost.

Shran entered the room, a towel around his right hand as he was cleaning himself after the lashing. The Intendant smiled at him as he came closer. "You did well" she said with a hint of joviality.

"Thank you Intendant" he replied in an even tone.

"Perhaps you have plans for the others?" she questioned.

"If it pleases you, yes" he replied.

She turned towards the cells, staring at the group. She smiled deviously, "Tell me."

"Once he awakens, I plan to send that one to ore processing. He looks like a strong worker. I believe you should have your pick of the females for your staff, and the other should be sent to the pleasure chambers for the men. And the quiet one in the back, well, I'd like to have a go at him to see what information about the rebels he can provide."

"That does sound like excellent planning." She walked closer to the cells and raised her hand in contemplation, "Now which do I choose to be a servant?" she pondered aloud.

Estella bit the inside of her cheek. Her fingers curled into her palms and fisted behind her while the gruffer Shran and the Intendant exchanged words. Much as she loathed the idea of working with or for the vulture of a woman in front of her, if she were given such an opportunity, the Counselor could possibly be looking at a chance to get some vital information about the area, and likewise their enemies. "Let me serve you. As a former Counselor, who would be better suited?" Estella almost choked on the words internally as she spoke them.

James sat in silence against the cell wall contemplating the current situation while attempting to avoid the attention of the Intendant and Shran. It was clear that they were not where they were supposed to be. He had a few ideas to get out, but they were all too dangerous. Not to mention unpredictable. However, this got him thinking. How could they get out? Let alone survive?

Sam glared at the Indendant, knowing she was playing with fire but not particularly caring. The Indendant for all she had heard was a heartless woman who cared only for her own pleasures and nothing else. Then again, if she had to choose between being a servant or a slave in the mens pleasure chambers she wasn't sure which of two evils she would least prefer. She thought there may be better chances of escape in the pleasure chambers, however there may be more opportunities to obtain information and access to systems if she served the Intendant. Either way she knew if the team split up they were doomed.
" I will accompany Jon to the Ore Processing - I'm a doctor, I can heal his wounds and make sure he works at his strongest"

The Intendant laughed at the sound of Samantha's plea. "A doctor? How marvelous! Shran, we have a Terran to heal the others."

Shran smiled maniacally. "Indeed. This will surely bolster morale of the Terran slaves after interrogations."

"Well we can't have her wasted on pleasure duty. Let's see if she is as good as advertised. Get her a medkit and see if she can actually heal her companion. If she does, send her to my quarters, and if not...well I understand the troops are hoping for some fresh faces." She laughed once more as she turned and walked out.

Shran stared at them all once more. "For your sake, I hope you are as good as you say you are. If not, well..." he smiled deviously as he grabbed a medkit, lowered the security field and tossed it in. "I'll return shortly" he said as he raised the field once more and then left, leaving only a pair of guards in the room.

Sam snatched the medkit from the floor as it skittered to her feet, holding it protectively against her chest. She may have dug herself a hole but at least two of them would be together, something that would increase their chances of both survival and escape.

A few moments later Jon was dragged back to the cell, the Indendant watching on.

"Heal him, then you both go to Ore Processing" She sauntered off with a lingering glance.

As James was leaning against the wall and observing the situation, he was also looking through the field of the cell, to see what was outside. But, all he could see was a few more cells being guarded, just like theirs. Then, he saw another prisoner being dragged out of her cell, presumably being taken to Ore Processing, or somewhere else on the station. However, she looked familiar, but James couldn't quite figure out who. This was odd considering many of the people here, besides a select few, were unfamiliar.

The Intendant called for Shran, who promptly appearred. "It would appear she is medically trained. Quite wonderful don't you think?"

"Indeed" he replied.

"The other female, she looks like she would be a good servant. I want her taken to the servants quarters and trained. Have the Betazoid scan her before you leave."

"Yes Intendant" replied Shran. He walked forward and gestured towards the guards, dropping the force field. A guard stepped in and took hold of Estella's arm. Shran looked at them all intently, "Try something, resist even in the slightest, and I will gladly make you regret it." This threat elicited a gleeful laugh from the Intendant.

Meanwhile Sam grabbed her medkit and began to treat Jon, using as little as she could to get the job done to preserve its contents - she had a bad feeling she would need them later. The whip wounds were dressed and had a light brush of the dermal regenerator - enough to seal them but let his body heal the rest of the damage. The guards moved forward as she finished treating him.

"Wait - he's not well enough yet, he needs another few hours before he's ready for work" She challenged, standing in front of Grayson to protect him.

Jon moaned, "No!" He said without much force behind his protest as Essie was about to be taken away. He felt rage building inside him but was helpless to help her.

Sam did her best to restraint him lest he tear open his wounds again. She could understand the need to protect his life partner yet be felt useless to do anything for either of them.

" Jon, please.. stay still" She urged as Essie was dragged out of the cell, the guards advancing menacingly towards them.

"Must help." Jon gasped as he tried to rise to his feet to help Essie but he fell back moaning as he did.

The remaining guards stepped into the cell.
"Going somewhere pretty boy? The Intendant liked you, I would hate to drag your bloodied corpse up there and explain you didn't behave yourself" He sneered, his eyes almost pleading Jon to do just that.

" Stop... please" Sam begged, trying to maneuver herself between them.

"Bastard." Jon gasped out but was too weak to move as he fell against Sam.

Sam half caught half eased Jon back to the ground, using her body to cushion him against the hard floor. The guard laughed and left without further incident, tossing a backhanded "Better luck next time" over his shoulder as he did so.

"Sam...please. Must help Essie." Jon moaned to his friend.

" Essie will be safe, so long as she keeps her head down. She's gonna be in a far better position to gain intel than we will be" Sam admitted, checking Jon's wounds now the guards were gone.

"Sam, no! My duty to protect her, you, away team as first officer." Jon groaned as he struggled to stand.

" And my job as your Doctor is to make sure you're well enough to do that" Sam retorted as she dug through the med kit again. " Bide our time, then use any opportunity to take advantage"

"It may be too late for Essie by then Sam." Jon protested but it was all he could do at the moment.

" She's a trained officer, she can look after herself, we just have to find the right situation to get ourselves out of trouble so we can get the hell off this station and back to our universe" Sam grumbled as she ran the dermal regenerator over Jon's back again.

"Sam no. shes....." Jon moaned and fell silent helpless to help the woman he loved.

" She can handle herself until we can find an alternative to bust out of here and get all our people out" Sam reinforced, trying to get Jon out of his emotional mind and into his logical one.

The guards entered once more and took hold of Phoenix, dragging him out of the cell. Shran stood outside, looming over them with a menacing look about him. "Fix up your friend doctor. You'll have another patient shortly" she sneered as he stared at Phoenix. He raised the force field once more and walked out with Phoenix, leaving only Jon and Sam in the cell.