The Intendant

Posted on Wed Jun 9th, 2021 @ 6:43pm by Captain Shran dh'Klar & Commander Jonathan Grayson & Commander Samantha Howard

Mission: A Dark Looking Glass
Location: Mirror Universe

Dr Sam Howard was pale, her skin clammy and her body reeling from the invasion the evil Shran had inflicted. Whilst he had healed the outer surface of the skin, the inner layers and the disruption to her internal organs still remained. She forced herself forward, fearful of the consequence least she fell behind on the way to see in the Intendant. Risking a glance towards Jon she could see he was still hurting from the pain stick.

"You ok?" She asked in between breaths.

Jon had been silent on their trip to see the Intendant. His mouth clamped shut as he again had been the cause of Samantha suffering because of him. His ribs hurt, some were probably broken but he be damned if he would complain. He turned his head to look at his dear friend, so kind, so caring and that monster Shran would have killed her! His eyes were haunted as he gazed upon her. "I was going to ask you the same question Sam."

She grimaced and get her eyes on the corridor in front. " I can definitively say I've been better" She admitted, "But this is NOT your fault Jon, I can see it written all over your face. Shran did this, not you. Our universe is more important than my life"

Shran chuckled. "How sweet, you two are so concerned about each other. I'd be more concerned with what the Intendant wants with the two of you."

Sam turned and glared at Shran, managing to keep walking and not fall over her feet at the same time. Quite the feat considering how bad she was feeling. "At least I know someone cares about me"

"Easy Sam, don't let him get to you." Jon answered his friend through gritted teeth.

The neared the doors of the Intendant's office, and could see her sauntering around indeed despite the privacy glass on the doors. Sam hated her with a passion, her ire burning within battling with the pain of her recent torture. She was responsible. "I have a bad feeling about this" She whispered to Jon.

Jon's eyes were on the Intendant. He didn't see Essie. Where could she be? Had they done something with her and for that matter Phoenix as well? He nodded at Sam's words. "Me too."

Shran shoved the prisoners towards the door. "Move along like good Terrans."

As they entered the office a pair of Vulcans had taken position on either side of the Intendant, fanning her with large palm leaves. From the side entrance three females entered dressed in Tholian silk dresses. The Intendant looked to the front entrance and smiled. "Ah good, Shran. You've brought the Terran prisoners. What have you learned?"

Shran stood slightly in front of them, a look of vile contempt on his face. "I was summoned before I could complete my interrogation of these two Intendant, though I did learn much from the other before sending him to ore processing, These Terrans are special, and I think you will enjoy having them."

The Intendant smiled and let out a small chuckle of glee, "What makes them special?"

"These Terrans are not rebels. They are from the other side" Shran replied flatly.

A look of amazement came over the Intendant as she rose. "Are they now? That certainly does make them special." She walked over to Jon and Samantha and looked at them intently. "Now, what should I do with the two of you?" She smiled as she looked at them, evil intent obvious.

She snapped her fingers and the women walked over, their faces now visible to Jon and Samantha. It was Estella in the back next to Ayana, with Celes standing in the lead. Celes spoke gently, "What do you wish mistress?"

"I require a drink, and I may require your special services."

Celes nodded. "Oh course" she replied.

Jon subdued a gasp when he saw Essie. He wanted to call to her but forced himself to be quiet. Shran already knew that he and Essie were at the very least lovers and he had no desire to give them any more ammo. However seeing Celes he wondered if all his caution was moot.

He studied Essie. She looked unharmed at least physically. But what about mentally? Shran had mentioned she had been telepathically and forcibly scanned. With Ayana and Celes in front of her, he couldn't tell if she was bound or not.

Celes looked back at Estella and Ayana. Ayana nodded and directed Estella to the refreshment table. The two walked over and Estella was handed a tray, and then Ayana placed a pitcher and silver goblets. The two walked back to where the Intendant was and Ayana poured her a drink and waited for the Intendant to take it.

The Intendant turned and took the glass and took a moment to look at Estella. "Oh, you got this one dressed. How lovely." She sipped her drink as she looked Estella over. "My, she is quite nice isn't she?"

Shran nodded. "For a Terran, yes, quite nice Intendant."

The Intendant looked at Shran, "Do I hear a but coming Shran?"

"No Intendant" he responded.

"You are holding back. What is it?"

"She is the mate of this one" Shran replied, gesturing at Jon.

The Intendant smiled devilishly and gave a soft laugh. "Really? How delicious." She walked over to Jon, "What is your mate's life worth to you?" she asked bluntly.

"What do you want?" Jon countered with equal bluntness.

Sam kept her trap shut, knowing how her mouth could get her and everyone else into trouble sometimes. She watched carefully, biding her time, always looking for an opportunity, an escape, or hope.

The Intendant gave another devilish smile as Jon spoke. "Oh, your people have caused me quite a bit of trouble. Did you know that my position here was once unquestioned, and Terrans knew their place. But then a couple of your people crossed over and started a ruckus, got the Terrans riled up, gave them hope for something better. The Terrans rebelled against the Alliance, took this station over, and ultimately gained their freedom, with a little help from some Ferengi that crossed over from your universe. With the Alliance defeated, Bajor was left adrift as was I. I was blamed for the Regent's defeat and I had few friends or allies. I had to hide in cold ruins for months while the Terrans rejoiced in their freedom and created their new empire, something they have called
the Federation. Bajor has been at war with the Terrans now
for nearly three years. I managed to regain my position here after we drove the Terran rebels from the station." She took a sip from her drink and then looked at Jon intently, "What do I want? I want to know which of your companions here you are willing to sacrifice to protect your mate?"

Jon didn't blink at the Intendant's statement. It was the same line that all small time dictators. He wanted to laugh at her or better yet yawn. However he didn't want to put either Essie or Sam in more danger. "How will killing one of them or even all of us help you hold onto your position and power?" He questioned.

"Oh, I don't need help from you to keep myself in power. What I want to know is who you are willing to sacrifice to keep your mate alive, and if you don't give me an answer that is satisfactory, I'll have you watch while Shran flays one of them alive slowly. So little Terran, choose."

Jon met her gaze head on. "If that is your desire than no answer I give you will be satisfactory to you and you will kill them them anyway. Which I believe you will do anyways. Instead I offer you me to kill to spare my mate life and my friends."

"No Jon!" Sam couldn't help but protest. They needed him to get them out of this mess.

The Intendant laughed. "I like this one. He is bold and defiant and reminds me of Sisko." She walked over to Samantha and looked at her with contempt, "This one, so dedicated to life, to healing. Perhaps we should send her down to ore processing."

Shran smiled vilely. "That sounds like a wonderful idea Intendant."