After several hours of crawling through Jefferies tubes and conduits, Nick Saunders stepped into his quarters for a quick bite to eat and to change into a clean uniform.  Before ordering from the replicator, he noticed a light blinking on his computer console, indicating he had received a message through subspace communications.  Before playing it, he wanted to see who it was from.

“Computer, show me who sent the comm.”

When the file opened, Saunders gasped, his eyes wide in surprise.

“Kurtox!”

Captain’s Ready Room

“Let me get this straight,” said Captain Kirby.  “You want to go to Delvis IV to rescue a woman you knew for only three days when it’s not even certain she was taken or kidnapped.”

“Mara was seen by a lot of people that day.  No one has seen her since,” said Saunders.  “Tork, the Ferengi shopkeeper was assaulted outside her cabin.  He has a skull fracture, a concussion, and is in and out of consciousness.  Kurtox contacted me for help.”  Saunders paused, hoping the captain would understand.  “I’d like to take Doctor Weaver and Izi, Lieutenant Iziraa, and try to help.”

“Doesn’t Delvis have a doctor?” said Kirby.

“Yes, but he doesn’t have the resources needed.”  Or enough days not drunk, thought Saunders.

Kirby leaned back in his chair.  “I can’t let you go.”

“Sir?”  Saunders didn’t expect that.  They helped solve a murder the first time the Eagle went to Delvis.  Why not help now?

“The situation in our sector, all over the quadrant, is volatile at best,” said Kirby.  “With the Cardassians collapsing Underspace, tensions are high.  Everyone had plans to use the corridors.  Some ships didn’t make it back home.  The slightest encounter or misunderstanding could escalate into fighting, even more now with Toral leading the Klingon Empire.  I can’t afford to have half the senior staff off somewhere else when they’re needed here.”

“But, Captain.”

“That will be all, Lieutenant.”

Saunders balled his fists in anger.  “Let me go by myself.”

“I need you here,” said Kirby.

“Sir, I still have leave time.”

Kirby sighed, his expression clearly showing he wasn’t pleased with Nick.

“Sir, I don’t mean to disrespect you, but one way or another, I’m going to Delvis.”  That was it.  Saunders just defied his commanding officer.  There was no going back.

“Excuse me, Lieutenant?”

Saunders couldn’t help noticing the verbal emphasis on his rank.  “Sir, put me on a leave of absence.  Find some loophole in the regulations, but I need to do this.  I’ve got to do this.”

“I told you I need you here.”

Saunders was backed into a corner a place he put himself.  Seeing no other way, he reached for his comm badge, removing it and placing it on Kirby’s desk.

The captain stared at the badge, long and uncomfortable seconds ticking by.  “Is this how you want it to go?”

No, it wasn’t, but Saunders had no other recourse.  “I’m sorry, sir.”

“All right, Mister Saunders.  You can go only if Weaver and Iziraa agree to go with you.”

Saunders noticed the captain addressed him as mister and not by his rank.

Saunders sighed in relief.  “Thank you, sir.  You don’t know how much this means to me.”

“No, I don’t,” said Kirby, “but I hope it’s worth it.”

“Thank you for coming.”  Nick Saunders stepped to the side so Doctor Weaver and Iziraa could enter his quarters.

“What’s up, Nick?” said Iziraa, her antennae leaning slightly towards him.

“I’ll get right to the point,” said Nick.  “I got a subspace comm from Kurtox.  Mara is missing.  I’m going to Delvis and the captain said you could come with me, but it’s voluntary and not an order.”

“Missing?  What happened?” said Iziraa, her antennae now rigid.

“Hold on a minute,” said Weaver.  “I need catching up.  Delvis is where the two of you went a few months ago for shore leave, right?”

“Yes, and Izi entered the martial arts tournament, but we ended up solving a murder,” said Saunders.

“Kurtox is the Klingon that runs the place.  Mara is…”  Iziraa smiled.  “Nick’s friend.”

Weaver chuckled.  “I understand why Izi would go, but why do you need me?”

“No one has seen Mara for almost two days,” said Saunders.  “Tork, the Ferengi shopkeeper, was assaulted outside her cabin.  Their doctor isn’t equipped to handle treating him.”

Iziraa snorted.  “You mean he’s intoxicated.”

“Probably,” said Saunders.

“Okay.  I’m in,” said Weaver.  “I’m always glad to help.”

Saunders looked at Iziraa.

“Sure.  Why not?”  Iziraa smiled.  “It will be nice to see the other Andorians again.”

Especially the guy you…  Nick had to shake that image from his head.  “Thank you both.”

“So what’s the plan?” said Weaver.

Nick swallowed.  “Before we go into that, I need to tell you something important first.”

“That doesn’t sound good,” said Weaver.

“Because of the tension after the Cardassians collapsed Underspace, the captain said I couldn’t go.  He said he needs us here.”

“What changed his mind?” said Iziraa.

“I tried, but he wouldn’t budge,” said Saunders.  “I gave him my comm badge.”

“Oh, Nick,” said Weaver.

Iziraa’s antennae drooped.

“It was the only thing left for me to do,” said Saunders.

“But you knew Mara only three days,” said Weaver.  “This is your career, your life in Starfleet.”

Saunders didn’t think Weaver would understand.  He looked at Izi.  “And you?”

Iziraa shrugged.  “I chose Starfleet over my bond mates.  We all make our own decisions.”

“You’re both still coming?”

“Of course,” said Iziraa.

Weaver was silent.  The sour expression on her face made Nick think she was angry with him.

“I’m in.  I still want to help.  It’s my medical duty.”

“Thank you both,” said Saunders.  “Let the captain know you’re coming and meet me in the shuttle bay as soon as you can.  We’re taking Eaglet One.”

“Gotcha.”  Iziraa bounded out of Nick’s quarters, a smile on her face.

“I wish you would have found a different way,” said Weaver.  “What if this turns out to be a misunderstanding or Mara really was taken and we can’t find her?  You’re throwing away your career.”

“I had no choice, Doc.  Even if you don’t understand or agree, please accept that.”

Weaver nodded and sighed.  “All right.  I’ll accept that much.”  She sighed again and without another word, she walked out.

Delvis IV Landing Site

Eaglet 1 settled in the landing area outside the main Delvis settlement.  Lowering the ramp, Saunders, Weaver, and Iziraa exited.  Waiting for them was Kurtox, the Klingon in charge, and one of his assistants.  Saunders wasn’t in uniform, which Kurtox seemed to notice, but he didn’t say anything about it.

“Saunders, thank you for coming so quickly.”  Kurtox looked at Iziraa, a smile on his bearded face.  “My Blue Lady!  It was an honor to watch you fight.  It’s a shame you couldn’t have continued.  You would have gone far.”

“It’s good to see you too.”  Iziraa sighed.  “I wish I could have continued as well.  Who ended up winning?”

Saunders marveled at how much Izi and Kurtox had bonded.  The first time they were on Delvis, Kurtox had so little respect for Nick, the Klingon wouldn’t tell him how to find his rented cabin.  He gave Izi explicit directions.

“Kloka won,” said Kurtox.  “It was her sixth championship in a row.  I think you could have given her a real fight.”

“Perhaps next time.  I’ll make sure I have enough leave,” said Iziraa.

Weaver cleared her throat.

This focused everyone back on why they were there.

“This is Doctor Lori Weaver, our Chief Medical Officer” said Saunders.  “She’s here to treat Tork.”

“Yes, yes of course,” said Kurtox.  “We can catch up later.”  He looked at his assistant, a Human male.  “Take the doctor to Tork’s cabin.”

The man nodded.  “If you’ll follow me please.”

Weaver glanced at Saunders.  He gave her a look of assurance.

Leaving the group, Weaver walked off with the man.

“So tell me what happened,” said Saunders.

Mara’s Cabin

“After the last tournament and the murder investigation you conducted, word spread in certain circles about what we have here,,” said Kurtox.  “More and more people arrived, eager to test themselves or to be part of the old ways.”

Walking to Mara’s cabin, Saunders had noticed there were many more people than the first time they were there.

Kurtox continued.  “Getting right to the point, several days ago, someone found Tork unconscious outside Mara’s cabin.  It was clear he had been assaulted.  Mara was gone and no one has seen her since.”

“Someone beamed her off the planet,” said Iziraa.

“That’s what we thought too,” said Kurtox.  “As you know, we have very little technology here.  Anyone could be in orbit and we’d never know.”

“My tricorder scans aren’t showing anything unusual,” said Iziraa.  “I don’t think we’ll learn anything here.”

“Then Tork is our only hope,” said Kurtox.  “I hope your doctor can help.”

Tork’s Cabin

“Tork was struck on the left side of his head by a heavy, blunt object,” said Weaver.  “He has a hairline fracture, a concussion, and a subarachnoid hemorrhage.”  She smirked at the blank expressions from the others.  “Bleeding around the brain.  I’ve stabilized him, but we need to get back to the Eagle as quickly as possible.”

“Can we talk to him?” said Kurtox.

“He’s been in and out of consciousness.  He needs rest.”

“Doctor, Mara is missing and probably in danger,” said Kurtox.  “The longer we wait, the more difficult it will be to find her.”

“Lori, please,” said Saunders.

Weaver inhaled a deep breath and let it out slowly.  Reaching into her medical kit, she prepared a hypo.  “A few questions and no more.”  She pressed the hypo to Tork’s neck.

“Thank you,” said Saunders, clearly relieved.

After several seconds, Tork’s eyes fluttered open.  Focusing on the people around him, he fixed his gaze on Iziraa.  “I knew you’d come back.”  His voice was weak.

“Tork, tell us what happened.”

“Always right to the point, eh Kurtox?” said Tork.

The Klingon grunted.

“I was on my way back from delivering an order when I saw someone sneaking around Mara’s cabin.”  Tork took a deep breath.  “I feel like I’m going to throw up.”

“It’s one of the affects from your injury,” said Weaver.  “I gave you something to counter it.”

“”I hope it works.”

“Tork.”  The impatience in Kurtox’s voice was obvious.

“I recognized who it was,” said Tork.  “Caleb Jax, an operative in the Orion Syndicate.  He must have recognized me, because he slugged me with his disruptor.”

“You’re that familiar with an operative from the Syndicate?” said Saunders.

“I’m a Ferengi businessman.”

Saunders frowned.  “Why would the Syndicate want Mara?”

“You’ll need to ask Jax,” said Tork.

“I think that’s enough.  He needs to rest,” insisted Weaver.

“Where would Jax have taken her,” said Iziraa, ignoring Lori.

“Aldavi.”

Everyone looked at Kurtox.

“It’s an Orion outpost just outside of Federation space,” said Kurtox.  “If you have the currency, you can get whatever you want: weapons, drugs, tech, slaves, anything.”

“We need to go there,” said Saunders.

“Now stop right there.”  At Weaver’s outburst, the room fell silent.  “Just how do you think you’re going to a place like that?  Hi, we’re your Starfleet neighbors.  Can we have Mara back please?”

“I didn’t mean it like that,” said Saunders.

“I can get you in,” said Kurtox.  He had the others’ full attention.  “We’ll take my ship.”

“Kurtox?” said Iziraa, her antennae moving in circles.

“That’s a story for another time,” said Kurtox.  “I’ll prep the Hav’neqh and we can leave when you’re ready.”

“You can’t be serious!” exclaimed Weaver.

“Lori, use our shuttle and take Tork back to the Eagle, though we’ll need a few things before you leave,” said Saunders.

“But, Nick…”

“I’ll need a change of clothes.  I can’t go in my uniform,” said Iziraa.

“You can get something from Tork’s shop,” said Kurtox.

“Make sure you pay for it!”  Tork winced in pain.

Weaver slumped her shoulders.  “I guess the voice of reason doesn’t count.”  She pointed to Kurtox’s assistant.  “Find someone else and help me take Tork to our shuttle.”

The man nodded and hurried out.

Weaver looked at her shipmates and friends.  ”I know what it’s like to go undercover.  Be safe and be very, very careful.”

Above Aldavi, the Hav’neqh was in a holding pattern.  Ready to beam down to search for Mara, Saunders and Iziraa waited for their turn to transmit a business code that would allow them access to the outpost.  Kurtox had one and when asked why, he shrugged it off as a story for another time.  Meanwhile, the Klingon gave a quick briefing on what the rescuers would encounter.

“Aldavi is a rough place.  The main… commerce, is the slave auction.  You’ve got to project that you’re the kind of people that fit in.”  Kurtox looked at Saunders.  “Can you do that?”

“Why are you staring at me?” said Saunders.

Kurtox smirked.  “They can smell a Starfleet officer a kilometer away.  Make them believe you’re one of them or you’ll be next on the auction block.”

“I get it,” said Saunders, annoyance in his voice.

“This outpost is run by Tyrus Mousette,” said Kurtox.  “By Syndicate standards, he’s an honorable man.  If Mara is there and hasn’t already been sold, you might be able to buy her back.  I have some latinum gathering dust in my quarters.  Take it with you.”

“I think she’s still here,” said Iziraa.  “Mousette sent his top operative to kidnap her.  He wouldn’t do that just for a common slave sale.  There’s more going on here we don’t know.”

“I hope you’re right,” said Saunders.

“There’s one more thing,” said Kurtox.  “Each captive will have a neurolytic restraint on their neck.  It insures obedience by causing convulsive seizures and can be fatal.  Most of the guards carry a control device that activates it.”

“These people are disgusting,” said Saunders, barely able to hold in his anger.

“And you’re one of the disgusting people too,” said Kurtox.

Saunders was feeling the full impact of what they were about to do.  Though they were playing a role in order to rescue someone, he felt like he needed to shower.

“Are you okay?” said Iziraa.

“No.  No I’m not, but I don’t have a choice.”

Aldavi Auction Center

Though Kurtox had done his best to prepare them, it wasn’t enough for Saunders.  Just being in the large room, seeing people in cages crying out to be set free, the terror on their faces as they were being sold, made him sick.  How could places like this still exist?  He wanted to puke.  Feeling a strong grip on his arm and warm breath in his ear, temporarily pushed all that from his mind.

“Get it together or you’ll blow our cover,” whispered Iziraa.

“All right!”  Saunders shook his arm out of Izi’s grasp.  “I still don’t understand why Kurtox wouldn’t come with us.  I don’t buy that it’s a story for another time.”

Iziraa sighed.  “You know someone must be on the ship if we need a quick beam out.  Now focus or I’ll sell you myself.”

Saunders stared at Izi in disbelief.  He’d never seen her more serious than now.  “Okay.  I can do this.”  He was trying to convince himself more than convincing Izi.  He moved toward one of the cages….

It took only twenty minutes of searching the cages for Saunders to stop looking at the captives’ faces.  He felt compassion for everyone there, but also deep, gut-wrenching guilt that he couldn’t help set them free.  He was already discouraged.

“Look over there, to the right, but don’t make it obvious,” whispered Iziraa.

Not sure what Izi meant, Saunders played along, slowly shifting to look where she directed.

Nick Saunders and Mara Conway locked eyes.

==========

In the eight days she had been on Aldavi, Mara had been given more leeway than the other unfortunate people there against their will.  She wasn’t caged, but still bore the neurolytic restraint on her neck.  She was allowed to move around the complex without an escort and she could come and go as she pleased, provided it didn’t interfere with her assigned work.

Mara had finished her morning chores of cleaning Mousette’s quarters, and had prepared the morning meal; he preferred real and not replicated.  Making sure to be completely obedient, she hoped he’d trust her enough to remove the restraint, but that was probably something that would never happen.  With some free time before her next chore, Mara left her room and began her daily routine of walking around the complex.  Hating it, she had to do something.  She always felt bad for the people in the cages.  Most would be sold for slave labor.  Some of them, the lucky ones, would become servants like herself and be treated decently enough, but would no longer be free.  She did her best to ignore their plight, though it broke her heart.

Moving past a section of cages, she stopped in her tracks as though she had been punched.  Staring in absolute disbelief, her stomach spinning, she saw Nick and Iziraa!  Not wanting to draw unwanted attention, Mara hurried away, for the first time feeling hope that she would be leaving this horrible place.

==========

“She’s here, she’s here, and she’s okay!  What do we do now?” babbled Saunders.

Iziraa swore under her breath in Andorian, tired of having to keep Nick focused.  “Follow my lead.”  She wrapped her arms around one of his and dragged him to one of the guards, a muscular Orion male.  “Please buy her for me!  She’s perfect!”  Iziraa bounced on her feet, her antennae vibrating as she stared longingly at Nick.  “Please, Rigo.”

Saunders was shocked, but he understood what Izi was doing.  “For you, my sweet, anything.”

Iziraa squealed in delight.

The guard watched them in bored amusement.

“Sir, we saw a young woman walking about,” said Saunders.  “My lovely friend here would like me to purchase her.  Is that something that could be arranged?”  He reached into his vest pocket and waved a bar of gold-pressed latinum.

The guard snorted in derision.

Saunders produced two more bars.  “How about now?”

Iziraa stared at the guard with pleading eyes.

The guard snatched the three bars and motioned to another guard, though one smaller in stature.  He handed over one bar.  “Take them to The Room.”

“Oh, thank you so much!”  Iziraa pressed her hand against his chest.

The guard shook his head.

“Follow me,” said the second guard.

Saunders and Iziraa followed the man past the cages, down a hallway, around a corner into another corridor.  Near the end, they stopped at an ornate wood door.

Opening it with an old-fashioned doorknob, the guard grunted.  “Wait here and someone will be with you.”  He walked away without waiting for a response.

Saunders shrugged his shoulders and led the way inside.

The room was plush, with large, padded chairs.  Several tables lined both side walls, accented by high-backed benches for privacy.  Every table had a tray of fruit and a decanter of some kind of alcoholic beverage, accompanied by crystal glasses.  The walls were decorated with expensive tapestries and scenic paintings.  The room was well-lit, with several ornate chandeliers hanging from the ceiling.

This was a place where you were meant to be comfortable, where the operator of the complex entertained favored customers.

“Thank you, Rigo.”  Izi threw herself into Saunders’ arms, her mouth next to his ear.  “We’re probably being watched,” she whispered, “so stay in character.”

“You know I can’t say no to you,” said Saunders, returning the hug.

The door Saunders and Iziraa used opened and a man followed by an Orion guard stepped inside.  He was Human, with short, brown hair and a goatee.  He was a bit over six feet and in good physical shape.  He looked to be about fifty.

“I hope I didn’t keep you waiting long.  I’m Tyrus Mousette, the administrator of this complex.  I’m told you have a special request.”

“We weren’t waiting long,” said Saunders.  “I’m Rigo Miloni and this is my friend, Sozi.  Thank you for seeing us.”

“Please sit and make yourselves comfortable,” said Mousette.

Iziraa skipped to one of the tables.  Sitting, she grabbed a piece of fruit and took a large bite, juice dripping down her chin.  Closing her eyes, she sighed in delight.

Saunders chuckled.  “If we can get right to business, while inspecting your merchandise…”  Nick was disgusted with himself for saying that.  “…we noticed a young woman moving about freely.  Sozi wants her.”

“I’m afraid she isn’t for sale,” said Mousette.

“No!”  Iziraa threw her fruit across the room.  “Rigo, you said I could have any present I wanted.”  She crossed her arms in a huff, her antennae drooping forward.

“We’ll pay whatever you ask, Mister Mousette,” said Saunders.  “Money is no object.  Please don’t disappoint my Sozi.”

Mousette was silent for several moments.  “I’ll consider your proposal.  I have another matter that needs my attention.  Please enjoy yourselves here and I’ll return soon.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Saunders.  Watching Mousette and his guard leave, something in Nick’s gut didn’t feel right, but it was too late to go back now.

Caleb Jax stepped into Tyrus Mousette’s office.  “I have the information you wanted.”

“Go ahead.”

“The Human and Andorian arrived several hours ago, beaming directly into the transport area. They had a valid business code, of course, but it wasn’t their code.”

“Whose was it?”

“Kurtox.”

Sitting at his desk, Mousette was sifting through a pile of PADDs while listening to Jax’s report.  When hearing whose code had been used, he froze in place.  “Are you sure?”

“Yes.  It was definitely Kurtox’s code.  The Human and Andorian beamed down from an old B’rel scout ship.  We did a full sensor sweep, but there is no B’rel anywhere in orbit.  If it’s still there, it’s cloaked.  We’re now conducting a thorough sweep, sector by sector.”

The room fell into a heavy silence.  Why was Kurtox back and who were the two people here with him?  Why were they interested in Mara?

Jax could discern that Mousette was deep in thought about the situation.  “Kurtox and Mara were friends on Delvis.  This could simply be a rescue mission to get her back.”

“Then Mister Miloni and Sozi aren’t what they appear to be,” said Mousette.  “Interesting.”

Jax clasped his hands behind his back waiting for orders.

“Find him.”

=====

Saunders had lost track of how much time had passed since he met with Mousette about Mara.  Though bored, he was amazed at how well the normally impatient and impulsive Izi was staying in character.  She tried fruit from different tables, finishing the ones she liked and dropping on the floor the ones she didn’t.  Saunders chuckled, oddly wondering who would clean up her mess.

No longer interested in the fruit, Izi examined some of the tapestries on the walls.  She would stare, leaning centimeters away from them or turn her head sideways.  She would even giggle from time to time.  He had a much greater respect for her now.  Sighing, he was startled when the door opened and someone stepped inside.

“Please come with me.  Mister Mousette will see you now.”

“Where are we going?” said Saunders.

“Mister Mousette will see you in his office.”

“Let’s go, Sozi,” said Saunders.

Izi continued staring at one of the tapestries.

“Sozi?”

Izi slowly turned around.  She was frowning and her antennae leaned forward.  “Am I getting my present now?”

Saunders sighed.  She was really getting into her character.  “Let’s go find out.”  Saunders held out his hand.

Izi smiled and bounded to him, taking the offered hand.  “Okay.”  Smiling, she looked at Mousette’s messenger.  “Lead on!”

The man looked at Saunders, who shrugged.

“This way, please.”

=====

Entering Mousette’s office, Saunders stopped in his tracks.  To one side, Mara was sitting in a chair.  A meter away from her was Kurtox, also seated, with two, large Orions guarding him with disruptors.  It was all Saunders could do to maintain his cover.

Izi giggled and pointed.  “My present!”

“What do you want, Mister Mousette?” said Saunders.

“I want to know what’s really going on,” said Mousette.

“I don’t understand,” said Saunders.  “I brought Sozi here to buy her something.  We’ve never been here, so we hired Kurtox to bring us and have access to his business code.  My offer for the woman was genuine.”  He glanced at Mara, a look of total confusion on her face, but she knew enough to remain silent.

“I suppose that’s possible, but my instincts tell me I shouldn’t believe you,” said Mousette.

“I don’t know what else to say,” said Saunders.  “Once we make a purchase, we’ll leave and you’ll never see us again.”

“Oh, I believe that, but there’s so much more you don’t know,” said Mousette.  “Isn’t that right, Kurtox?”

Kurtox didn’t say anything.

“You see, Mister Miloni, if that’s really your name, Kurtox worked for me.”

So that was the story for another time.  It was how Kurtox knew about Aldavi and how he could get them in.

“Kurtox was a thug and an enforcer, but one day, he decided working for me didn’t pay well enough, so he stole some valuable art and left.   You can imagine my surprise at seeing this betrayer again.”

Kurtox growled.

“There’s something our mutual friend doesn’t know,” said Mousette.  “We’ve upgraded our security measures since he was here.  We sent smart drones into orbit to search for a cloaked ship; they emit tachyon bursts.  Lo and behold, there he was, in grid 16B.  A tractor beam brought his ship to our spacious landing facility.  No one steals from Tyrus Mousette and gets away with it.”

Saunders’ throat was dry.  He had to keep his composure.  “That’s an unfortunate story, but it has nothing to do with us.  Do what you want with Kurtox, but we still want her.”  He pointed to Mara.  “We’ll take Kurtox’s ship and be gone forever.”

Mousette sighed.  “I have nothing against taking your money, but there’s still that feeling in my gut.  There’s also a story behind why Mara is here.”

“Again, Mister Mousette, I just want to make a purchase.  None of that other stuff matters.”  Saunders could see a look in Kurtox’s eyes he didn’t like.

“I don’t like you.  You’re mean.”

Mousette was surprised that Iziraa said that.  Staring at her for a few moments, he chuckled.  “I’m sorry, but business is business.”

“Take me somewhere else, Rigo.  I don’t like it here.”  Iziraa pouted again.

“Now look what you’ve done,” said Saunders, scolding Mousette.  He patted Izi on the back.  “It’s okay, my dear.  I’ll take care of everything.  Are you going to sell her to us?”

“No, I’m not.”

With a roar that startled everyone, Kurtox leaped out of his chair and all hell broke loose.

Mara watched in stunned silence as the action unfolded before her.  When Kurtox roared and leaped from his chair, the Orions guarding him stumbled back.  Kurtox punched one, his nose making a sickening crack that made Mara grimace.  As the second guard recovered and aimed his weapon at Kurtox, Iziraa, who had been acting like she was unbalanced, grabbed a small phaser hidden in her clothing.  Firing, she dropped the guard.  Mousette tried to run behind his desk, but Nick tackled him, his knee pressing on Mousette’s chest.  In the few seconds of silence that followed, Mara smiled in satisfaction.

Kurtox nodded to Iziraa.  “It has been a long time since I fought someone for my life.  I didn’t know how much I missed it.”  He chuckled.

“Are you ready to talk?” said Saunders, his demeanor changed from the odd customer to a man that wouldn’t take no for an answer.  “Our offer still stands.”

Mousette nodded.

Saunders got up and stood over Mousette.

The Syndicate slaver stared at Iziraa, her phaser aimed at him.  Getting up with a grunt, he straightened his clothes.  “Not so crazy after all, I see.”

Iziraa didn’t respond.

Saunders removed a PADD from his vest pocket.  “This contains the necessary information for you to get your payment.  How much are we giving you for Mara?”

“I said she’s not…”

“How much?” shouted Saunders.

Iziraa took a step closer to Mousette, her eyes filled with contempt.

Mousette sighed and named an amount.

Saunders looked at Kurtox.

“That’s fair,” said Kurtox.

Saunders entered the numbers into the PADD and handed it to Mousette.  “Your thumbprint please.”

Sighing, Mousette pressed his right thumb onto the screen and handed back the device.

Saunders motioned for Mara to come to him.  “Remove the restraint.”

Mousette turned back to his desk, with Saunders carefully watching his every move.  Mousette opened a drawer, removing something, which he took to Mara.  Pressing it against her restraint, the punishment device went dark, falling into Mousette’s hand.

“That wasn’t so hard,” said Saunders.  “We could have easily avoided the violence.”

“It’s time for you to go,” said Mousette, a cold tone in his voice.

“I agree,” said Saunders.  “You’ll never see us again.”

“Good-bye, Kurtox.  I’ll be seeing you soon,” said Mousette, his gaze dark and foreboding.

Kurtox chuckled.  “We’re not falling for your trap.”

“What do you mean?” said Saunders.

“Once we’re gone, we’ll need to walk through these corridors, go through the slave area, then to the outer complex, and to the space port section.  There are a hundred places along the way Mousette’s men could ambush us.”

“What should we do?” said Saunders.

Kurtox went behind Mousette’s desk and pressed a button on a console to the right.  The back wall behind the desk slid open, revealing a small transporter with two pads.

“Mousette had this installed in case he ever needed to escape or leave without anyone knowing.”

Mousette was seething.

Kurtox rummaged through the desk drawers until he found a small device.  “This is my communicator.  Mousette’s men took it from me after I was captured.  We can contact my ship computer, get its position, and beam directly there.”

“What do we do with him?” said Saunders, tilting his head towards Mousette.  “We can’t have him sounding an alarm.”

A phaser beam struck Mousette in the chest, sending him sprawling to the floor.

“Izi!” exclaimed Saunders in wide-eyed shock.

“Relax.  He’s just stunned,” said Iziraa, a satisfied smile on her face.

“Okay then,” said Saunders.

“Well done, my Blue Lady.”  Kurtox gestured to Saunders and Mara.  “You go first.”

Saunders looked at Mara, a large smile on his face.

“Oh, Nick!”  Mara ran to him, throwing herself into his arms, followed by a long and passionate kiss.

Kurtox cleared his throat.

“There’s time for that later,” said Iziraa.  “Get moving, now.”

The couple stepped back from each other.  “Of course,” said Mara.  Holding Saunders’ hand, they stepped onto the transporter platform.

Kurtox activated his computer.  Getting the coordinates, he beamed them away.

“So you worked for Mousette,” said Iziraa.

“That’s how I knew Mara was here,” said Kurtox.  “The rest is a story for another time.  We need to leave.”

The office door opened and an Orion guard stepped inside.  There was an instant of surprise and hesitation, followed by disruptor fire.  Kurtox cried out in pain and fell to the floor.  Iziraa fired at the Orion, dropping him with one shot.

The Klingon had a nasty wound in the middle of his back.  He was panting for breath, and his face showed he was in great pain.

An alarm outside began to blare.

“Go!” said Kurtox, gasping for breath.  “Go now, before more guards arrive.”

“I’m not leaving you behind,” said Iziraa.  With all her strength, she tried dragging the Klingon towards the transporter pad, but he was too heavy.

“There isn’t enough time,” said Kurtox.  He was getting weaker.  “Go.  I will operate the transporter.”

Iziraa could hear the footsteps of the reinforcements that were coming.  Deep down inside, she knew she wouldn’t be able to get Kurtox onto the transporter.

“Go, my Blue Lady.  I will proclaim your deeds in Sto-vo-kor.”

“Kurtox.”  Iziraa’s voice was a whisper.  She handed him her phaser and ran onto the transporter.

With what strength he had left, Kurtox activated the beam out.

As the transporter took her, the last Iziraa saw of her friend, was the joy of a Klingon warrior fighting a great battle.

“What happened? Where’s Kurtox?” said Saunders. “Izi?”

“We were discovered by Orion guards,” said Iziraa, her voice barely above a whisper. “Kurtox didn’t make it.” Not wanting his sacrifice to be for nothing, she moved to the pilot chair. “We need to go.”

Saunders and Mara looked at each other, but neither pressed the issue. There would be time for that once they were away. Saunders manned the engineering station.

Saunders had already begun prepping the ship for launch, so it took Iziraa only a few moments to be ready to go. Activating the thrusters, the Hav’neqh began to ascend.

The Klingon vessel rose through the atmosphere and into space. Iziraa moved away from the planet and prepared to go to warp.

“We’ve got an Orion cruiser closing fast,” said Saunders.

The Hav’neqh lurched as it was struck by incoming fire.

“Shields are down to 72%,” said Saunders. “This old crate can’t take many shots like that.”

The ship was struck again, throwing Mara crashing to the floor.

“58%!”

The last hit scrambled helm control, so Iziraa had to plot a new course. With time running out, she entered something random, hoping it would take them out of danger. “Engaging warp drive!”

The Hav’neqh burst into warp space as a photon torpedo roared through where the ship had just been only moments before.

“Engaging cloak,” said Iziraa. She tapped the console a few more times, studying the sensor readout.  Readjusting their heading, she changed it, so they were now on their way to Delvis IV.

Though they had gotten away, and Mara was rescued, the heaviness on the bridge of the Hav’neqh was stifling.  Saunders and Mara wanted more of an explanation, but Iziraa wasn’t ready to give one.

Mara decided to break the tension and change the mood. “Thank you both for coming to get me.”

Saunders reached out and held her hand. “Kurtox contacted us and told us you were taken.  We had to come.”

“Thank your captain for me for letting you,” said Mara.

“Uh, sure.”  Saunders didn’t tell her the only way he could, was to resign from Starfleet.

“It’s going to be hard telling everyone about Kurtox.  Living on Delvis won’t be the same without him.” It was now Mara’s voice that was a whisper.

“Did you ever find out why Mousette sent his thug to kidnap you?” said Saunders.

“Yes. Trevor was his nephew, his sister’s son. He blamed me for his death, so as punishment, he wanted me to live as his personal slave.”

Trevor Mayberry was the man murdered the first time Saunders and Iziraa were on Delvis, a murder Iziraa solved.

“At least it’s over now.”

Saunders knew it wasn’t. As long as Mara continued living on Delvis, Mousette could always try again. He had to think of something else.

After another bout of uncomfortable silence, Iziraa spoke, her voice stronger. “I’ll contact the Eagle and let them know we’re going back to Delvis. They can meet us there when they take Tork back.”

“What happened to Tork?” said Mara.

Saunders pointed to an empty chair. “Have a seat and we’ll tell you the whole story….”

Ready Room

“Come in.”

The door opened and Doctor Weaver entered.

Matt smiled, motioning to the chair across from his desk.  “Have a seat.”

“I’ll stand.”

The tone in Lori’s voice gave Kirby the sense she was upset about something.  “What’s up, Doc?”  He chuckled at the line from a very old Earth television show.

Weaver’s expression didn’t change.  “I want to update you on Tork’s condition.”

“Okay.”  She could have done that through the comm system.  “Is he all right?”

“Of course he is.  I repaired the skull fracture and stopped the bleeding around his brain.  He needs rest, but he’ll be okay to go back to Delvis.”

Weaver’s response was a tiny bit snippy.

“Is there anything else, Doctor?”

“As a matter of fact, there is.”  Weaver sat down.  “Are you actually letting Nick resign from Starfleet?”

There it was, the real reason Weaver was there.

“Lori….”

“Don’t give me that.  How could you not let him go rescue Mara?  Why did it need to go that far?”

Kirby paused.  “We all know how tense things are since the Cardassians collapsed Underspace.  I needed him here.”

Weaver snorted in derision.  “Are you telling me you wouldn’t have done the same thing for someone you loved or cared about?  What if it was one of us?  Would you leave me in the hands of Orion slavers?  Would you do that?”

“It isn’t that simple.”

“Of course it is.  We all know about duty and loyalty, and I respect you as Captain, but you would have resigned too, and you know it.”

Kirby sat back in his chair, pricked in his heart.  He could understand what she was saying, but the captain of a starship was held to a higher standard.  “Is there anything else?”

Weaver let out an exasperated sigh.  “No, sir.  That’s all I have.  Permission to return to my duties.”

Kirby frowned.  It was clear Lori was unhappy with him.  “On your way out, if you can find the time, please tell Lieutenant Commander Allen I’d like to see him.”

It was Weaver’s time to frown.  “Yes, sir.”

“Dismissed.”

=====

“I have interesting news from Command.”

“Interesting?” said Allen.  “That could mean almost anything.”  He chuckled.

“Once we take Tork back to Delvis and pick up Iziraa and Saunders, we’ll be going to Starbase 93.  There’s going to be crew rotations.”  Kirby handed Allen a PADD.  “This is the list.  I want to make sure you’re okay with them.”

Allen scrolled through the names.  “I trust you and Command.”  He handed back the PADD.

Kirby nodded.  “There’s big news too.  A new task force is being formed, TF21, and we’re being transferred there.”

“Oh?”

“It’s a forward-deployed unit,” said Kirby.  “We’ll be in the middle of frontier action and border protection.  No more milk runs.”

Allen smiled.  “When do we head out?”

“We go once we’re finished with our business at 93,” said Kirby.  “You can inform the crew.”

USS Eagle Ready Room

When Nick Saunders entered, Captain Kirby could see he was openly nervous and uncomfortable.  Kirby supposed being summoned to see the commanding officer after resigning from Starfleet to go on a rescue mission the CO said he couldn’t do, would cause anyone to feel that way.

“I had a conversation with Lieutenant Iziraa,” said Kirby after a short, awkward silence.  “I’m glad you were able to rescue Miss Conway.  I’m also sorry about Kurtox.  I didn’t know him well, but he was an honorable man.”

“Thank you,” said Saunders.  His hands were clasped behind his back.  He nervously shifted his weight from one foot to the other.

“I have something for you,” said Kirby after a second awkward silence.  He opened his desk drawer, placing a comm badge on its surface.

“Sir?”  Saunders had a surprised expression on his face.

“I was recently reminded that sometimes our duties lie outside of the uniform we wear.  Besides, you’re too good an engineer for me to let you walk away.”

A small, uncertain smile was on Saunders’ face.  “Thank you, sir.”

“There’s more,” said Kirby.  “Because you were openly disrespectful, I can’t have you here anymore.  You were a senior member of this crew and a department head.  You’re held to a higher standard.  You’re being transferred to Starbase 93.”

Saunders looked like he was gut-punched.  “Yes, sir.”  His voice was subdued.

“Since Miss Conway isn’t safe on Delvis anymore, I’ve arranged for her to live on 93, if she chooses.  She can find work there.  We’re leaving orbit within the hour.  You have that long to talk with her about it.”

Still another awkward silence was in the room, but this time, it felt like being wrapped in a wet, heavy blanket.

“I understand, Captain.  I’ll speak with Mara now, if I may.”

The hurt look on Saunders’ face almost made Kirby feel guilty, but there was accountability and consequences each of them had to face for their actions and choices.  Besides, if Saunders and Conway meant something to one another, this was a way for them to be together.

“Yes.  You’re dismissed.”

“Thank you, sir,” said Saunders.  “Sincerely.”  He turned to leave, stopped and faced the captain again.  “When you changed your mind and allowed me to go, you said you hoped it was worth it to me.  It was.”  He turned back to the door and walked out.

“I believe you.”

Eagle Ready Room

“Miss Conway is settled in her guest quarters, and we left orbit over Delvis,” said Allen.  “Next stop, Starbase 93.”

“Good.  I’m glad things worked out,” said Kirby.

“I understand why you transferred Lieutenant Saunders, but arranging for them to be together, that’s a good thing.”

“I’m a romantic at heart.”  Kirby chuckled.  “I have more news.”

“What did we do now?”  It was Allen’s turn to chuckle.

“Not only are we moving to a new task force, we’re also getting a new ship.”

“They’re retiring the Eagle?”

“A temporary removal from service for upgrades.  Our new ship is an Alita.”

“An Alita?  Definitely not a meeta kitten,” said Allen.

Kirby smiled.  “There’s even more news.”

“Of course there is.”

“Most of the 650 crew are already assigned,” said Kirby.  “I get to choose the senior staff.  I’m bringing our people with me.”

“Command finally recognized how good we are,” said Allen.  He paused, studying the captain’s face.  “What?”

“The XO and chief engineer are already assigned as well.  Commander Sorek, a Vulcan and Lieutenant Ren Trell, a Betazoid.”

“Oh.”

It was obvious to Kirby that Roger was hurt.  “Both have been with the ship, helping to prepare it for service.  They’ll be bringing it to 93 for its shakedown cruise.”

“Why didn’t they promote Commander Sorek and give him the ship?”

“That’s a good question for another time,” said Kirby.  “For now, I need to tell you the rest of the story.  Command is offering you two choices.  You transfer to the new ship as second officer and chief of security or you accept a promotion to full commander and take charge of a new Raven.”

“My own ship?”

“Yes.  You’ve earned it.”

“How long do I have to decide?”

“Command will want your answer once we reach 93.”  Looking at Allen’s body language, Kirby couldn’t tell which way he was leaning.  “This is an excellent opportunity for you.  My first command was a Raven.  Look where it’s taken me.”

Allen still didn’t say anything.

“I’ll miss you as an officer and as a friend,” said Kirby.

“If I stay, this will affect Lieutenant Iziraa,” said Allen.

“That’s true,” said Kirby.  “She won’t be chief of security.”

“This is a lot to consider.  Can we slow to warp two, so I have more time to think about it?” said Allen.

Kirby chuckled.  “I can give you warp four.”

“Is there anything else?” said Allen.

“No, that’s it.”

“Then I have a lot of thinking to do.”

“Yes.  If you decide before we reach 93, let me know,” said Kirby.  “We can tell the senior staff together.”

Once Allen had left the room, Kirby got up and stood before the window.  In Starfleet, change was inevitable, but that didn’t mean it was easy.

Or wanted.

Starbase 93 – Pizza Shop

“Can you believe it?  An Alita!  I can hardly wait to see the sickbay.”  Nurse Renee Parker had been chattering about their new ship.

“Your pizza is getting cold,” said Haia Ohtani.

“I’m too excited to eat.  Aren’t you excited, too?” said Renee.

Haia shrugged.  “The ship will arrive tomorrow.  I’ll get excited then.”

Doctor Lori Weaver chuckled.  “I’m looking forward to it as well.  With a crew of 650, it will be more than the two of us and the EMH.  I’ll actually have a medical staff.”

Renee high-fived the CMO.

“Before Roger, Commander Allen, officially left, he told me about the new XO and chief engineer,” said Lori.  “Lieutenant Commander Ren Trell and Commander Sorek.”

“Sorek?  A Vulcan?” said Izi.

“Yes.  You know him?” said Lori.

“He was my XO when I was on the Mercy.”  Izi thought about that time.  They had to defeat a sentient, telepathic computer on a science base and deal with rendering medical aid to a colony that was attacked.  The local school principal committed suicide over the guilt of abandoning the children.  Izi had tried to stop him, but couldn’t.  That was a rough one she had to put behind her.

“What’s he like?” said Lori.

“Tough, but fair.  A good officer.”  When going after the sentient computer, Sorek wouldn’t let Izi on the away team.  Telepaths were vulnerable to its attacks.  She was also at risk because her sensitive antennae experienced a presence.  No matter how much she insisted, the commander held his ground.

“That’s good to hear,” said Lori.  “Aside from missing Roger and Nick, I’m looking forward to this.”

A short time passed while the ladies continued eating their meals.  Renee was studying Izi.  Though she talked about Commander Sorek, Izi was uncharacteristically quiet.

“Why so blue, Izi?”  Renee smiled.

Izi glowered.  Doc Weaver rolled her eyes.  Haia’s expression was plain, like she didn’t get the pun, or care.

“Oh, come on.  That was hilarious.”  Renee looked at the others again.  Their expressions were unchanged.  “Troglodytes.”

Izi sighed deeply.  “Everything is changing.  Nick was transferred.  Commander Allen accepted a promotion and his own command.  We’re getting a new ship and a new task force.  Changes.”

The others fell silent over Iziraa’s unexpected and unusual reaction.

“Are you sure that’s what’s bothering you?” said Lori in a soft voice.

“What do you mean?” said Izi.

“What else happened?” said Lori.

Tense silence.

“Izi.”  Lori discerned why her friend was upset, but needed Izi to say it.

“Kurtox.”

Lori knew Izi had no choice but to leave Kurtox behind on Aldavi, but hadn’t realized how much it affected her.  Not leaving anyone behind was a foundational principle of the security people.  It was why she confronted Captain Kirby for not wanting Nick to go after Mara.  Lori chided herself inwardly for not recognizing this sooner.

“You didn’t do anything wrong,” said Lori, placing her hand on Izi’s.

“I know, but it still hurts,” said Izi.  “It’s my duty to honor his sacrifice.”

“And you will.”  They were all surprised Haia was the one that said that.

Renee raised her half-full glass of root beer.  “To Nick.  To Kurtox.”

Four glasses clinked together.

Renee smiled.  “To looking for love.”