Path: newsspool2.news.atl.earthlink.net!stamper.news.atl.earthlink.net!elnk-atl-nf1!newsfeed.earthlink.net!newshosting.com!nx01.iad01.newshosting.com!yellow.newsread.com!news-toy.newsread.com!netaxs.com!newsread.com!POSTED.newshog.newsread.com!not-for-mail Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative.erotica.moderated Approved: ascem@earthlink.net Organization: Better Living Thru TrekSmut Sender: ascem@earthlink.net Message-ID: From: "Layla V." MIME-Version: 1.0 Mailing-List: list ASCEML@yahoogroups.com; contact ASCEML-owner@yahoogroups.com Subject: NEW VOY "Absolute Power" Chap 5a 11/21 (C/P, J, AU) [NC-17] Content-Type: text/plain; charset=US-ASCII Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit Lines: 556 Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2004 12:55:25 GMT NNTP-Posting-Host: 209.198.142.218 X-Complaints-To: Abuse Role , We Care X-Trace: newshog.newsread.com 1092142525 209.198.142.218 (Tue, 10 Aug 2004 08:55:25 EDT) NNTP-Posting-Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2004 08:55:25 EDT Xref: news.earthlink.net alt.startrek.creative.erotica.moderated:82610 X-Received-Date: Tue, 10 Aug 2004 05:55:30 PDT (newsspool2.news.atl.earthlink.net) TITLE: "Absolute Power" Chapter 5a (July 2004) AUTHOR: Layla V CONTACT: v_layla@hotmail.com WEBSITE: http://www.geocities.com/laylatrek ARCHIVING: Personal website, CPSG, Cha_Club, ASCEML SERIES: Star Trek Voyager RATING: NC-17 for violence, sex and language PART: 11 of 21 CODES: C/P, J/m, P/T implied, All Voyager characters, AU, Angst, H/c, OCC SUMMARY: Voyager's encounter with an intergalactic STORY NOTES: Evil!Janeway alert. See Part 1 of 21 for the details. DISCLAIMER: All characters, other than the original ones created by me, are owned by Paramount. I am merely playing. No copyright infringement is intended. NOTES: Thank you, Britta, for your clearheaded suggestions CHAPTER 5a "Climax" **Night 4** Emotions were illogical. Tuvok knew that. As someone who considered yielding to any emotion impure and a hindrance to the truth, Tuvok had gone through a strict and continuous mind conditioning all his life. This process was, in effect, the intellectual deconstruction of emotional patterns, and was the means through which Vulcans found the mental control to conform to the strict ideals of their society. To detach themselves emotionally from any situation they were involved in. Still, as he stood in the Kel'zian prisoner holding cell, and looked at the captured alien, he couldn't help but feel a wave of revulsion pass through him. The peculiar alien was restrained by shackles that bound its arms and legs. It was also muzzled. Its appearance was unusual indeed, the large orbed eyes its most peculiar and unpleasant facial feature. However, a superficial conclusion on the basis of extraneous validation like outside appearances was not Tuvok's objective. "It's no species that I know of, but the captured traitor referred to it as a Xaoln," Jess'phan said. "It is neither a member of the Zokaa'rian Sovereignty nor anyone the Alliance members have ever heard of." Tuvok turned to the Zokaa'rian. "Why is it gagged?" "For our own security, Commander." The Zokaa'rian turned to him, his brow furrowed in discontent. "This creature possesses a prehensile outgrowth within its mouth, which it uses to inject its victims with an enzyme. It also has retractable claws that can insert a toxic compound. It has already attacked several members of the security staff." That explained why this creature was being treated this way. But, Tuvok had other ideas. "I will require its gag to be removed in order to communicate with it," he said. Jess'phan's face twisted in horror. "I would fervently advise against it, Commander. This creature is very dangerous." "Your concerns are noted," Tuvok replied calmly. "However, you asked me to assist you in your investigation. I expect to do so in my own manner. Please remove the restraint from its mouth." The frown was fixed on Jess'phan's face and for a moment Tuvok wondered if he would face the same obstinacy here that he had in Voyager's Ready Room. The situation on Voyager had put him in a type of quandary he'd never before faced in his long career. Indeed, the forced confinement of all key Voyager personnel to their quarters and workstations within the ship was troubling. Tuvok had discussed the repercussions of it with Great Overseer Resh'lon, and the latter had assured Tuvok of his cooperation in getting Voyager out of that predicament. It was what Resh'lon had not said which made Tuvok suspicious. When he had asked him about Chieftain Kel'kar'vheel's influence with the System Kings, Resh'lon had circumvented the question with such tactful subtlety that Tuvok had to wonder at the relationship between the Zokaa'rian and Kel'kar'vheel. Nevertheless, his recent meeting with Captain Janeway and His Excellency the Chieftain had given him some clues about why Resh'lon didn't want to talk about the Kel'zian. It was quite obvious they shared a complicated affiliation and that Kel'kar'vheel harbored intense disfavor towards Resh'lon's ideals. Now he looked at Minister Jess'phan, and wondered what kind of objections he would face from his Zokaa'rian host. But to his surprise, Jess'phan sighed and tilted his head. "Very well. You can try. But may I make a suggestion before you do so?" Tuvok felt himself relax incrementally. "You may," he replied. The young Zokaa'rian led him into an inner chamber, and Tuvok realized he did not want the captive to hear their conversation. "Commander," Jess'phan turned to him, "you mentioned you are a touch-telepath and can use your abilities to communicate with others." Tuvok frowned. "You misunderstood me. What I meant was that Vulcans can communicate with members of their own species by creating a mental bond with their mates." Jess'phan shook his head. "But I have done some reading on the data we downloaded from Voyager's database and there have been many references to Vulcans forming links with members of other species as well. I believe it is called a 'mind meld'." Tuvok saw where this was going and knew he had to be cautious. "While traditionally a genuine mind meld is only formed between Vulcans, it is true that cases exist where interspecies links have been formed for the purpose of extracting information from individuals." "Then you CAN form a link with this creature to extract information about the First One and the Guide," Jess'phan said excitedly. "According to my scans, this alien has a starkly different physiology from any others I've ever encountered," Tuvok said. "It may or may not be possible to form a link." The Zokaa'rian said. "I understand this creature has an unusual physiology. It also doesn't seem to have any specific gender. But I don't see how its different physiology would prevent you from forming a link with its mind." "As I said, it may or may not," Tuvok said. "However, I should inform you that it would be highly immoral of me to forcibly form a link with this individual. It is a sentient creature and as a captive, not in the condition to agree or disagree with such a proposition." Jess'phan frowned. "It is immoral of these creatures to be involved in the abduction of your shipmates as well." He looked into Tuvok's eyes. "These are terrorists, Commander, and your shipmates have been missing for more than fifty-six planet hours. Wouldn't it be logical to use your abilities to help them now?" Tuvok stared at the Zokaa'rian and recognized the ring of truth. If this alien knew where Chakotay and Tom Paris were, linking with it could resolve the issue that had been raised in Voyager's Ready Room as well. The captain's mysterious behavior notwithstanding--which was in fact making his earlier disquiet about her behavior seem much more than just irrational doubts--finding Chakotay and Tom on the planet would prove his misgivings about Kel'kar'vheel right. He had noticed the intensity with which the Kel'zian Chieftain had listened to his conversation with the captain and he was afraid it was his influence that had colored the captain's perspective. Tuvok had not expected the captain to be so blinded by an outsider's views that she'd allow the confinement of her own crew by Zokaa'rian guards but that was something he would ponder in due time. He hoped Great Overseer Resh'lon would succeed in pulling the right strings in short order. He had more urgent matters to attend to at the moment. He turned to Jess'phan. "The enormity of our current obstacles would deem the use of a mind meld logical in this case. Still, I shall proceed with an attempt at verbal communication first." Jess'phan nodded and called two guards inside the cell. Tuvok watched as one kept a weapon pointed at the alien while the other removed the muzzle from the alien's mouth. At once, the alien started hissing at them, its voice shrill and loud, its mien overwrought. "You've obstructed our horde-wide interchange." The alien's bulbous oral cavity opened and an elongated outgrowth extruded from it, lashing at thin air. "You will be castigated for your discourtesy." Tuvok stared at the bizarre creature, swallowing his revulsion in favor of some quick logical questioning. "Where are the captured members of our team?" he asked. The large eyes gleamed in an odd showing of glee. "It is inducted in our supplementary hordes. We are pleased with its induction." "Induction?" Tuvok frowned. "What do you mean?" "The second laments for the first," the alien buzzed. "The first laments for the second." Tuvok realized the alien was speaking in riddles. "Explain what you are talking about." "The walls in the first are more condensed than the second but the first laments for the second..." Walls? Tuvok felt himself go still. "What walls do you mean?" "...the second laments for the first." "Who is the first?" Tuvok asked, although he was beginning to get an idea of what the alien was trying to convey. Commander Chakotay and Tom Paris were in trouble. "Such pathetic creatures," the alien crooned. "Such miserable defenses; flimsy walls of contact." It cackled. "Such weakness towards those bound within their hordes." "It speaks in riddles. It appears disoriented and agitated by its circumstances, which is understandable." Tuvok frowned. Yes, Tom and Chakotay were in trouble. And they needed help now. "But we don't have time to wait for it to come out of its bewilderment or to offer it sympathy for its circumstances." Jess'phan's face was tight with concern and for as many times in the last few days, Tuvok was struck with the awareness that among these groups of strangers, there were those who were genuinely on the side of the truth. "We have to try something more direct than verbal communication." "Yes, we do." Tuvok nodded, his eyes locking with the Zokaa'rian's. "Time has run out. I must proceed now." # # Tom yanked his arm out of the alien's grip as his entourage deposited him in front of a sealed cell door. "Don't TOUCH me!" The snarl simmered in his throat, his nostrils flared. His escorts whirred around him. "Keep this in your mind, Pale one. If you're lying..." "Go fuck yourselves!" Tom snapped. "He's MINE." Yes, if he said it to himself enough times, if he thought it enough times, maybe he'd convince himself as well. Tom swallowed. And if he was convinced of this crazy plan, then reasoning with Chakotay would be a piece of cake, right? Right. If only his heart would stop galloping inside him like a wild horse heading for the hills. But, God, he had to control his heartbeat; had to control the tremors that made his hands tremble and his legs shake. He had to control *himself*. He was on a mission and the mission meant saving the life of the man he'd wronged so inexcusably, the man who'd always meant more to him than Tom had ever even admitted to himself. The man who had probably already suffered far more than he should have. This was a one-only chance. This was do it or lose it all territory. And Tom couldn't allow himself to lose. He could not even bring himself to think about failure. He had to convince Chakotay. He had to save Chakotay. He had to make Chakotay trust him. Somehow. Some way, he had to do it. Yes, he was ready. He took a deep breath and exhaled audibly. Ready to face it all. Whatever happened, he'd make Chakotay listen to him, would give Chakotay a reason to trust him. *And the kicker of it would be*, he bit his lips, *this time around I won't let you regret it*. The aliens threw open the door to the cell where Chakotay was being held and Tom took a step forward. For a moment, he squinted into the sudden glaring brightness that assaulted his eyes. Why were the lights so damn bright? And what was that strange whispering hissing noise? It got on his nerves as bad as... Tom stopped. God, it almost sounded like... His eyes widened at the sight of the swaying undulating sea of bodies crammed in the room, their movements swelling and rising and converging around one focus, one median, one nucleus. That was when he saw Chakotay. And forgot to breathe. # # His plunge into the Xaoln's mind was like sinking into a piercing, biting, frigid alien realm. It had also come quite unexpectedly. It was as if suddenly a window had been thrown open, a gust of burning air blowing in Tuvok's face, scorching his eyelids--and he'd fallen into the crack, plummeting down into the abyss that was the alien mind. The resistance was fiercer than he had anticipated. But then he hadn't expected to encounter mental walls in this nondescript species in the first place, let alone face a telepathic metaconsciousness. It was as if the moment he felt that prehensile appendage touch his skin, there was a stab in his own mind, and a window had opened--showing him a way in. He found himself drifting inside the dark and dingy corridors of the alien's intellect, facing opposition that he hadn't anticipated but which was in fact penetrable with some effort. Undoubtedly, it was a telepathic species. Yet, its psychic powers were more proportional to that of a lower organism--baser than he would have encountered in more advanced races. The adaptive energy surrounding its aura, filling in the dark perfidious corridors, was malevolent in nature, but reluctantly acquiescent when confronted with his superior mental conditioning. He rummaged through the entropy of this alien's mind--his thoughts focused on his two shipmates, his mind calling out to them. *Where are Chakotay and Tom Paris*, he asked, pushing through the Xaoln's consciousness, his demeanor authoritative. *The walls are more condensed in the first one*, the consciousness sniggered back at him, *but it's almost exhausted*. *Take me to the first one*, Tuvok instructed, that *feeling of anticipation filling him again*. And with that, as if a higher level was reached in their shared link, Tuvok felt another presence in the alien's mind. He felt himself go alert, his mind's eye trying to catch what it was and realized that there was another Xaoln linking to this one's mind. And then another. And another. A long string of contacts within the same alien awareness, these consciousnesses touched each other's perceptions, linked together in an extended metagroup. A *horde*. He slowly realized it was a type of mating bond between a group of Xaolns that clasped them together in a telepathic linkage. A base, animalistic connection, erected between a species in pursuit of its carnal wants. But what connection could that mating bond possibly have with Commander Chakotay and Tom Paris? The moment the question crossed his mind, Tuvok felt another aperture open in a corner and an eerie, cold blue light fell into his path. This strange amalgam of cold light and heated surroundings was consternating to say the least but he moved into the dark opening anyway. And stopped in his tracks. For the... vision was disturbing on more levels than one. He had no other word for it. It had to be a vision, a figment of the alien's imagination, so uncanny and abnormal it was in its eccentricity. The inexplicable piercing cold colors, their sight unlike anything he'd ever seen on any world in his long lifetime. The caustic dense air, painfully suffocating and thick to breathe in. And the hostile burning red walls looming around him, the color of Human blood. Even the... floor of the chamber he found himself in somehow seemed alive--eerily moving, shifting, buckling under his feet. And when he looked closely, he saw that it indeed was alive. The chamber was filled with what appeared to be hundreds of Xaolns, their stringy hermaphroditic bodies in motion, their claw--like limbs retracting and extending endlessly in an ominous dance of destruction. Their eyes menacing, their faces contorted with rage, Tuvok felt a chill run down his spine as their terrifying tentacles darted out to engage with their intended victim. Yet it wasn't the treacherous surroundings, wasn't the blazing walls, wasn't the uncountable Xaolns filling the suffocating chamber, that brought him to his feet. It was the sight of the one he had been searching for, his lost shipmate, standing before his eyes, struggling in the midst of all that chaos. Amidst the shadowy corrals of the Xaoln den, stood the disheveled and enraged figure of Commander Chakotay. Looking angry and distressed in the unforgiving alien environment, Voyager's First Officer pushed and strove against his captors as they attempted to pin him down. His clothes--the Zokaa'rian diplomatic attire they had all been dressed in--were tattered in places, his skin marred with grisly wounds streaked with what could only have been blood. "Chakotay," Tuvok called out, his voice loud in his own ears as he felt his heart restart its beat with a hollow thud inside his chest. But the commander was unaware of his presence. And all of a sudden it occurred to Tuvok that this... vision he was seeing was through someone else's eyes. It was an event a Xaoln was witnessing--a Xaoln who happened to be a bondmate of the one Tuvok was linking with. Tuvok had no way of communicating with Chakotay, no way of doing anything except watch the scene unfold--this scene which was mysteriously, inexplicably reminiscent of something to him. With rising distress, Tuvok watched the aliens attempt to push Chakotay to the wall, their hands grabbing and gripping his arms, repeatedly pulling them towards the shackles on the wall behind him. He watched the commander--his movements jerky and disoriented for some reason--struggle against them, his face tight, his voice rife with agitation. He watched the pointed Xaoln claws sink into the flesh of Chakotay's arms, making him cry out in pain, and Tuvok felt his heart lurch in alarm, even as the commander lashed out at the malicious aliens. His strong fists freed from the aliens' grasp, Chakotay hit back at his tormentors, his knees constantly jabbing out in offensive strikes. The commander was outnumbered, alone, faced with brutally uneven odds. And yet, even as Tuvok watched the scene play out before him, he felt a sense of irrational hope filling him. Illogical as it was, he knew there was more to this situation than met the eye. And indeed, relief was short in coming as Tuvok's attention was suddenly, although not unexpectedly, diverted by a distraught shout sounding through the cold grimy chamber. His eyes flew to the burning blood-red walls, as he saw his second lost teammate enter the Xaoln's vision. Ensign Tom Paris, his demeanor agitated, was fighting with a group of aliens, wading through the overcrowded room. His face contorted with fury, the younger man appeared to be shouting at the aliens, wildly gesturing for them to stay away from the commander, his stance rigid and infuriated. Tuvok watched as seeing no response from the aliens to his entry, Tom let out an incensed shout and jumped at the aliens, his hands balled in fists, his legs striking out at the captors. The commander, however, did not seem to agree with the ensign's strategy, as Tuvok noticed the sudden dismay on his face at the pilot's arrival. But Tom Paris wasn't listening to the commander. Or perhaps he did not wish to be distracted by his superior's disquiet. Tuvok watched as the younger man lunged at the aliens that surrounded his superior, striking them, shouting in anger, forcing them to acknowledge his presence, as he attempted to save his crewmate. The look on the commander's face changed to one of desperation as he turned to the aliens that moved towards his subordinate, his hands reaching out to grip the alien closest to him, his anger palpable in his expression, as he took a step to the left to... Suddenly Tuvok's link with the Xaoln in the chamber was broken. His mind reeling, Tuvok's vision suddenly blacked out, plunging him into darkness. Why had the link severed? He felt his brow lift in query, as he struggled to regain the link. Where had that Xaoln bondmate gone? What was happening to Chakotay and Tom Paris? How would the scene unfold? A hundred questions filled his mind. Would Tom Paris be able to hold off the aliens long enough for the rescue teams to arrive? Tuvok allowed himself a moment to stop the mental clatter. He took a deep breath and chanted a calming Vulcan mantra to get his bearings back. Reasserting the control that had been lost for a few moments, Tuvok once again tightened his link with his Xaoln captive. He had to get to his shipmates. He had to find their location. Before it was too late. # # Continued in Chap 5b _________________________________________________________________ MSN 8 with e-mail virus protection service: 2 months FREE* http://join.msn.com/?page=features/virus ~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~ ASCEM messages are copied to a mailing list. Most recent messages can be found at http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASCEML. NewMessage: