by Alys Landale
“You’ve led this clan long before I came around, and in truth, you’re still leading it now. I need your support in a matter, but right now, I had rather we speak in private.”
Karnus nodded and took the group to a private room. Janeway noticed how sparsely decorated the room was. There was one viewscreen as well as a few chairs and a table. Everything in the room was a deep brown and appeared to be made out of the same material.
First on the list were introductions. Tom turned to his group. “As you already know, this is Karnus. He is in charge of this clan while I’m away.” Paris then turned to Karnus and introduced the members of his team. “This is Captain Janeway, Admiral Paris, Lieutenant Torres, and as you know, Danag and Satira.”
Karnus looked over the group for a few seconds. He stopped in front of the Admiral and seemed to inhale the air around him. The scent paralleled Rune’s. “I can see you have found one of your clan members, Rune.” He then walked over to Satira. “It is good to see you again, sister.”
Satira nodded. “The feeling is mutual.”
Karnus looked down at Danag for a moment, but then turned away. The smaller man gave him an exasperated look but said nothing.
“Now, what is it that you wish to discuss?” Karnus asked.
Tom took a seat at the table. Best thing to do was go straight to the point. “The Resistance is preparing to launch an attack against the Empire. We need the Dezorisians to aid in the fight as well.”
Karnus looked at him surprised. “Are you serious?”
“I am extremely serious. We need to attack Takma now, before she is able to enter subspace again.” He then outlined her plans and the effects they would have whether or not she succeeded. “We already have the Federation to back us up, but that’s not enough. We need the Dezorisians as well.”
Karnus thought for a moment. He then turned to the Admiral. “You will be participating in this as well?”
The Admiral didn’t know what the Dezorisian was referring to, but he answered none the less. “Yes, the Federation is prepared to enter this war as well.”
Karnus paused for a few minutes. He knew few races that would give aid to other cultures so far away. He had seen it done a few times between societies in different sectors, but different quadrants?
B’Elanna was getting impatient. She was ready to hear an answer. “So what’s your decision?”
Karnus smiled. His teeth were bared in such a way that B’Elanna could barely tell whether he was aiming for intimidation or humor. “This is battle. You need not ask a Dezorisian his decision in such matters.”
Janeway thought that was a yes, but she turned to Satira just in case.
The female noticed the captain’s questioning expression. “He will participate.” she confirmed.
Paris stood up. “I knew I could depend on you. Now all we need to do is prepare.”
“When will you implement your attack?”
“Three days.” Paris said.
Karnus’s eyes widened slightly. “That gives us little time to prepare.”
Danag smiled as he saw a hint of worry flicker across the Dezorisian’s face. “Well, that’s what makes it interesting, isn’t it.”
Karnus turned his eyes towards the younger man and cast him a hostile glance. He then walked out of the room.
Paris looked back to Danag. The younger man just shrugged his shoulders. Tom shook his head and followed Karnus out of the room.
Satira and Danag were the last to leave. She grabbed his sleeve and whispered to him. “Don’t pull any stunts, understand.”
His expression shifted to one of mock hurt. “What, me? How could you think such a thing?”
Her eyes flickered brightly as she clenched his sleeve in her hand. “I know you Danag, and I do not want anything to happen like it did the last time we were here. Karnus has an extremely short temper. I shall not have you provoke him.”
She let go of his shirt and followed the rest of the group away. He looked down at his sleeve. The material was still knotted together in the impression of her hand.
*I definitely don’t want to piss her off,* he told himself yet again. He then smiled, * but she’s so hot when she gets angry.*
By that evening, an entire fleet of Dezorisian ships was ready for departure. Satira found herself staring out of one of the portholes overlooking the fleet outside.
Danag leaned up against the wall next to her. He noticed her distracted look. “Reminiscing,” he asked.
She turned her gaze to him. “Yes. I was reared here. It seems that all of my life was spent dreaming of how I would one day leave, and now that I return....”
“You find out it meant more to you then you ever knew.”
Her eyes focused on him. He seldom ever talked to her like that. She never knew that he was as perceptive as this. “Yes, I was unable to appreciate my home before now.” She shook her head. “I was never truly a beneficial member of my clan. I was always the ‘runt.’ It was for that reason I chose to be a healer. At least in that, I could perform a job for my people. I never would be a great warrior such as Karnus, so I chose to take another role in society. The Spirit dealt me that hand, yet I was still unsatisfied. For that reason, I wished to leave. I was spoilt and ran away when given the chance.”
Danag examined Satira for a few moments. She rarely, if ever, opened her soul up to him. He put a hand up to her face.
Tracing the her cheek line and on up to her temple he looked into her deep brown eyes. “You were never ‘spoilt.’ You’re one of the most unselfish people I have ever seen. You’ve risked your life to save others a countless number of times. As for leaving this place, I’m glad you did. If you hadn’t come with us, then I wouldn’t have you now.”
Satira’s eyes softened for one of the few times in her life. She gave him a genuine smile which continued to soften her usually warrior like features. “You are more compassionate then you let others believe.”
He looked to the floor. “Don’t tell anyone. It might ruin my image.”
She laughed. “What image?”
For whatever reasons, he gave her a soft growl. This sent all of Satira’s self-control over the wall and she grabbed him by the collar and pulled him into a deep kiss.
They stayed that way for quite sometime before pulling away for air.
Danag stared at her for a few moments as he tried to catch his breath. “Whatever I said, remind me to say it again.”
She shook her head. “You come across as such a compassionate being one moment and then you have to ruin that image by speaking.”
Karnus walked into the corridor where Satira and Danag were talking. A slight growl rippled through his throat. Why was that insolent coward talking with his sister? She might not be the pride of her clan, but she was blood and Karnus wouldn’t allow this outsider to corrupt her.
He was about to go inform Danag of just that when he saw Satira grab the man by the collar. He smiled. *She has taken care of the matter.* He then saw her pull him forward into a kiss.
His eyes expanded as he watched the two deepen their kiss and finally pull apart. What was she thinking?
Janeway noticed Karnus’s expression as she entered the corridor as well. It was clear that the man was extremely upset over something, and by the look on his face, someone was about to pay.
Her eyes followed to where he was staring. Danag and Satira were talking with one another by the window. Why would he be so upset over this?
She didn’t have time to ask, before he began to advance towards the couple. Janeway realized something was about to happen. She hit her comm badge. “Janeway to Paris. We’ve got trouble.”
Karnus stalked over to the couple. Satira saw him out of the corner of her eye but didn’t have time to react.
The male Dezorisian grabbed Danag by the shoulder and slammed him into the wall. “You have no right to touch her.”
Karnus growled out.
All Danag felt was a sudden, sharp pain strike his chest
. He struggled to get his breath. All the wind had been knocked out of his lungs as the larger man had flung him into the wall. Now the stars were beginning to go away and he was finally able to concentrate on what Karnus was saying.
The Dezorisian had him lifted almost five inches off the ground so Danag had an extremely good look at the man’s eyes.
They were full of fire, the same fire that usually ignited Satira’s orbs. The only problem was that this wasn’t his lover; this was his lover’s brother.
“Karnus, put him down!” Satira ground out. She tugged at the older man’s arms, but he refused to release his grip.
“Stay out of this female. You have embarrassed our clan enough by associating with this dishonorable coward.”
“You do not know him Karnus, and I am not just ‘female’ anymore. Rune gave me a name. It is Satira and I shall be called as such. Now put him down; this is none of your affair!” Satira began to pull at him even more. She was beginning to curse her size. If she was just a little stronger...
Karnus was getting tired of this. “You have dishonored this clan for the last time ‘female.’ First you abandon your family; now you form a relationship with this... half-breed!” He said in reference to Danag. “I will not allow you to do this anymore.” With that, he took his free hand and pushed her harshly away.
Satira landed hard on the floor. Her tail had helped to break her impact, but that didn’t stop the pain that was rising through her back. Janeway knelt down beside her.
“Are you alright?” she asked the younger woman. The captain was just about to help the healer pry Karnus from Danag but she hadn’t gotten there fast enough to prevent Satira from being thrown to the floor.
The Dezorisian said nothing, but let out a low growl. Her eyes lit up for a second as anger flooded through her. How dare he. How Dare He! She was no longer some child to be told who she could or couldn’t converse with. She was a grown woman. If her clan wouldn’t accept her, then so be it.
Danag felt his air supply running out. Karnus had him in a death grip and showed no signs of letting up. That was when he heard it. The sound seemed to come from miles away, but through his fading vision, he could see Satira slowly getting to her feet. She remained low to the ground. Her teeth were bared and a fierce mask of anger covered her features. The next roar she let out seemed to catch Karnus’s attention. He turned to her just in time to see her make her attack.
Satira launched herself at the larger Dezorisian. His eyes widened in surprise as the full force of her body knocked him away from Danag. The smaller man fell to the floor where he began to gasp for air. Janeway was at his side in a matter of seconds. He looked up for a brief second to see the fight that was now ensuing.
Karnus was caught completely off guard as Satira attacked him. As he fell to the floor, he still couldn’t believe what was happening. It was equally unbelievable when he realized that Satira was making no move to get off of him.
Rage was all she felt. Satira lashed out at her older brother with her claws. They weren’t exactly claws, but they served the purpose. Karnus raised a hand to shield his face. He had never seen someone go so berserk. Somehow, he managed to get her off of him. But as he was getting up to his feet she attacked him again and wrestled him to the ground.
“My name is SATIRA and you will call me this and treat me with the respect I deserve.” She yelled at him. He tried to push her off of him once more, but this time he misjudged his timing. She used this opening and quickly pinned him to the ground. He struggled under her grasp but was unable to free himself.
“You will not lecture me on my life.” She told him. “I shall do what I wish, when I wish, and how I wish.”
Karnus remained silent. He merely stared up into her eyes. He had never seen her so angry. No, furious was a better word.
Angry just didn’t describe the mood she had taken. By the look in her eyes, he was beginning to think that she might kill him over this. Or at least add a few deep scars.
Just as the woman was preparing to lash out at him again, a pair of strong arms wrapped around her and dragged her off her victim. She struggled under the grasp for a second but then relaxed. Most of her energy had been spent. Now her anger was released and she was beginning to calm down.
“Remind me to never get you mad.”
Satira turned around at the sound of the voice. She immediately felt embarrassment sneaking up on her. “I apologize Rune.”
He looked down at the floor. Karnus was beginning to get back to his feet. Shock was the only evident emotion on his face.
“That makes the second one of my crewmen that I’ve had to pull off of another person in just the past week.” Paris said.
Satira cast her eyes downward. “I am sorry.”
Danag was now getting up. He walked over to where the two were standing. “Look, Captain, it wasn’t her fault. Karnus was about to....”
“Janeway explained it to me.” he interrupted. He then noticed that Satira wasn’t looking as well as could be expected. The aftereffects of such an outburst were about to take their toll on her. “Danag, take Satira back to Voyager. We’ve just about finished up here. I’ll be back shortly.”
Danag nodded and began to lead Satira away. He leaned over and whispered in her ear. “Thanks, I owe you one.”
She smiled somewhat but said nothing. Soon they were out of eyesight. Tom turned his attention to the Dezorisian at his feet. Karnus was on his knees now. He wiped away a streak of blood that was running down his cheek from where Satira had clawed him.
Paris let out an exasperated sigh. “How many fights do you have to provoke?”
The Dezorisian looked up at Rune. “She has no right associating with that... vermin. A Dezorisian never has consorts of such low standards. She has ruined this clans name by associating with him.”
“She’s a free woman. She has the right to be in the presence of whomever she wants. Danag might not have the greatest people skills, but he is an extremely valuable member of my crew. I won’t have you attacking any of my crew, no matter what you think of them. Am I understood?”
Karnus got to his feet. “Satira’s place is here, not with the Resistance. Its influence has corrupted her! I will not allow her to continue on this course of action.”
Tom’s eyes narrowed. “I’ve proven myself to you once, don’t make me do it again. Satira has the right to make her own choices. You can’t decide for her.”
Karnus stared at Paris. Their eyes reflected the hostility that each were feeling at the time. Finally, the Dezorisian walked away. He wouldn’t have a chance to choose for Satira, but perhaps he could convince her of the error in her ways.
Voyager’s stay was drawing to a close. B’Elanna walked beside Paris as they made their way back to Voyager.
“That was sure interesting,” she said.
“Not half as ‘interesting’ as what happened last time. I ended up in a brawl with Karnus before because Danag got drunk and said something he shouldn’t have.”
Torres did have to admit that outweighed these events. But still, Karnus and Satira were the topic of everyone on both Voyager and the station. The Dezorisians were all arguing over how Satira had managed to be the victor over Karnus. They had all deemed her a worthless runt years ago.
For a brief second, B’Elanna wondered where Karnus had disappeared. She hadn’t seen the Dezorisian since the fight. She shrugged. He was probably too disgraced to allow himself to be seen in public.
Satira was alone in Voyager’s sickbay. The doctor had deactivated himself and Danag had left for the bridge, so now it was only her. She sorted through some of Doc’s instruments. It seemed to calm her. Usually she hated violence, but today had been different. She had never allowed herself to lose control like that before, but now she had, and it scared her.
The swish of the sickbay doors alerted herself to someone’s entrance. Jumping around quickly, she turned to face the intruder.
Karnus regarded her impassively from wh
ere he stood in the door. Her eyes widened.
“How did you get in here?” she asked. Surely, Rune wouldn’t have allowed him on Voyager after what had happened.
“I have my ways.” Karnus replied. “I came to speak with you. I do not have much time, so I shall tell you what I have to say. You have dishonored our clan. For that, you have no choice but to stay here and relinquish all ties you hold to that... vermin I saw you with earlier.”
She straightened her back and raised herself to her full height. “And if I don’t.”
“You will be banished from our clan.”
She felt her lungs threaten to collapse. He wouldn’t banish her. She had witnessed only one other person be banished. That was a traitor years ago. She had been young at the time, but she knew what it meant. All ties to her clan would be severed and if she ever came back, she would face severe punishment. Perhaps even death. She had seen how her people punished others.
Coming back wouldn’t be an option.
“You can decide now.” Karnus told her. He knew what her answer would be. She would return with him. She wouldn’t allow herself to be an outcast banished from her people. A confident smile threatened to surface on his lips but he remained stern.
Satira couldn’t believe that he was doing this to her. She might have left this clan for a year, but that was nothing compared to life. She had grown up here; she couldn’t just abandon all of that.
With a heavy sigh, she told him. “I don’t see that I have a choice.”
He waited in preparation. The next words from her mouth would mean a victory for him.
Janeway was waiting for Tom just as he entered the bridge. “Was everything taken care of?” she asked.
He gave a nod. “Despite the ‘altercation’ earlier, everything will still be going on as scheduled. The Dezorisian fleet will meet us at the battle coordinates on our signal.”
“I don’t suppose we have anything left to do,” she said. “Mr. Paris, prepare to take us out.”
