Liberty For Wolves: Chapter 4
His head was aching. Chakotay opened his eyes, winced, and shut them again. Lying still, he tried to remember how his head had come to be used as a hammer. Or a nail.
They’d been trapped in the corridor between the two groups of Hirogen hunters. He’d been working up the strength to shoot Kathryn – to spare her the pain of being tortured as she was torn apart for their trophies.
He remembered turning and taking aim at her – then nothing. Carefully, Chakotay opened his eyes again. He was lying on the floor in one of the brig cells.
“Get up slowly, Chief. Those rifles of theirs pack a hell of a wallop.”
Turning his head to one side, he spotted Tom in the cell across from his. “They stunned us?”
“Guess they want to play with us before they kill us.” He shrugged.
Chakotay sat up, easing back to lean against the bunk. Kathryn lay on the floor of the cell a few feet away. He hadn’t had the backbone to give her a quick death. Now she would suffer for his weakness.
Kathryn began to stir, moaning softly and raising a hand to her head.
“Take it slow.” He advised. “We’ve nowhere to go at any rate.”
“My head feels like I’ve been drinking Klingon ale.” She rolled over and squinted at him. “I don’t guess I can call my father to bail me out this time?”
Chakotay raised his eyebrows. That sounded like a story he’d like to hear the rest of.
“They took our combadges?” Kathryn reached for hers, only to find it missing.
“They know we use them to communicate.” Standing up, he stretched his cramped muscles. Getting stunned was never a pleasant experience, but the Hirogen weapons did ‘pack a hell of a wallop’ as Tom had said.
“Computer, shut down the brig cells.” Getting to her feet, she wobbled unsteadily for a moment. “Computer?”
“Unable to comply.”
“Lovely.” She glared at the ceiling. “Computer, shut down the cells in the main brig. We are in the main brig, Tom? I’ve never had the advantage of this view, before.”
“I’ll laugh at that later.” He smirked. “And yes, it’s the main brig.”
“Unable to comply.”
“Computer, why are you unable to comply?” Tapping her foot, she waited impatiently as the usual nanoseconds stretched into seconds.
“Unable to comply.”
“That’s her favorite phrase.” Tom told her. “Followed by please restate your question.”
“Computer – damage assessment.” The computer seemed to hesitate before it began reciting a long list of damaged systems. Kathryn’s shoulders sagged as she heard the voice recognition system on the list. “Wonderful. What else can go wrong today?”
“Don’t ask!” Tom warned.
“Please restate your question.”
“I wasn’t talking to you!” Kathryn turned to Chakotay. “We’ve got to figure out – “
“Please restate your question.”
“I tried to tell you.” Tom grinned, amused despite the situation.
“Please restate your question.”
“Computer, shut up!” The pilot ordered.
“Unable to comply.”
Kathryn waited. The computer was mercifully silent. “There must be damage to the subroutines.”
“Probably.” Tom agreed. “A stray phaser shot near the computer core and we’re back to manual controls.”
“Just as well.” Chakotay got as close to the energy barrier as he could, peering outside the cell. “That makes it that much harder for them to control the ship.”
“I don’t think they’re after the ship, Chakotay.” Going to the bunk, Kathryn stepped up on it.
“We can’t be certain what they’re after. This isn’t their normal behavior.” He turned to see that she was standing on the bunk and staring at the ceiling. “It won’t work.”
“What?” She looked at him. “You don’t even know what I’m thinking.”
“I know exactly what you’re thinking – and I know it won’t work.”
“Don’t be so certain.” Getting down off the bunk, Kathryn went to the center of the cell. “I think we can get to the relays from right about here.”
“Tuvok and I have worked too hard on making the brig secure. You’re not getting us out.” He told her. “The last time we tested it, neither of us was able to escape.”
“Ah, but that was the two of you – separately.” The corner of her mouth curved up. “Now it’s the two of us – together.”
“Fine. Give it a try.” It was against his better judgment, but Chakotay knew Kathryn was much too stubborn to not give it a try on her own. “But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”
“I’ll consider myself warned. Now lift me up.”
Cupping his hands together for her to step into, Chakotay lifted Kathryn up. Her belly pressed against his face and he tried to focus on the duty rosters that would have to be set up for damage repair – anything to keep his mind off where his face was.
Tom watched, shaking his head. “You really don’t want to do that, Captain.”
“I told her that, Paris.”
“The curse of the Irish.” Tom grinned. “Too stubborn for our own good.”
“Not stubborn, Tom – determined.” Kathryn couldn’t quite reach the ceiling panel. She put one knee up on Chakotay’s shoulder, grinning triumphantly when she was able to shove the panel aside. Chakotay groaned. “Am I hurting you, Chakotay?”
“Yes – “ He groaned again. “Hurry up – “
“Sorry.” She glanced down. Chakotay had his head turned and his eyes clenched. “I’m short, but I’m solid.”
You’re not the only one. Kathryn’s move had put his face exactly where he’d love for it to be – but this wouldn't be the time or the place even if they were lovers, which they were not. It had taken strength he didn’t know he possessed to turn away.
“Let me try – ouch!” A powerful jolt made Kathryn jerk her hand back, and she wobbled precariously.
“I told you so.” Tom said from across the aisle.
Chakotay caught Kathryn before she could tumble from his shoulder, letting her slide down his body until her feet hit the deck.
“That – hurt – damn – “ Her legs didn’t want to hold her up, and she clung to his shoulders for support. It was a valid excuse to lean against Chakotay, and Kathryn took advantage of it, resting against the broad chest for a stolen moment.
“Are you – all right?” Chakotay tried to shift back a step, biting back another groan as she moved with him, pressing against his body.
“I’m – “ Sudden realization set in and Kathryn blushed. It hadn’t even occurred to her what position she’d put herself into as she was trying to get to the relays. Desire slammed through her at the image. Embarrassed, she pushed away and staggered to the bunk.
Chakotay turned away and leaned against the bulkhead. Her rejection stung. What did you expect? That she’d throw herself in your arms? “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be.” Her own reaction was embarrassing, not his. Kathryn got to her feet and went to him, using the bulkhead for support. She laid a hand on his shoulder and he shrugged it off.
“I’m sorry.” She put her hand on his shoulder again, squeezing gently. “I didn’t mean to hurt your feelings like that.”
“Don’t apologize – I embarrassed you – “
“I was embarrassed by my reaction. Mine – not yours. You’re my friend and – ”
He sighed. “I’m more than your friend, Kathryn. Much more.”
“I know. And after we get out of this mess – “ She squeezed his shoulder again. “Let’s sit down and talk, all right?”
A spark of hope made him turn to her. The smoky blue eyes were serious, Kathryn really did want to talk. “I’m more than ready to talk, but you’re right, first, let’s get out of this mess.”
Tom had kept silent, waiting discreetly until the tense moment between the captain and Chakotay passed. “Now that we know we can’t break out – what do we do?”
“Try to figure out what the hell they’re up to.” Kathryn sat down on the bunk again, massaging her legs. “How much power is running through that? I think my bones turned to jello.”
“Enough.” Chakotay smiled and sat down next to her. “I’ll be nice and say I told you so just once.”
“Thank you. I’m sure Tuvok will have to add his own two cents worth when we catch up to him.” On the one hand, it was good to know that her people were on the ball when it came to security. On the other… she was stuck in her own brig.
“They led us in with a decoy.” Tom shook his head. “Like the old Kobiyashi Maru test. I did better on that one, I think. Took about ten Romulan cruisers with me when I went up.”
“Like a lamb to lure in the wolves.” Chakotay agreed.
“Except that it was the wolves who staked out the lamb to catch us.” A smile crooked up the corner of Kathryn’s mouth. “And my test results are not open for discussion.”
“Wolves hunt for food, not sport.” He rubbed his cheek thoughtfully. “But they weren’t stopping to collect trophies. Stunning instead of killing? That’s not their usual method.”
“They must have some other plan.” An image of being dumped on a planet and hunted like game made her shudder. “Maybe they’re running out of prey.”
“Hunters never run out of prey.” Chakotay shook his head. “They just change what they’re hunting.”
“First order of business is we get out of here.” Waving a hand, she indicated the cell they were in. “We can’t mount any kind of escape from a cell.”
“I think we’ve already established that we’re not getting out of here.” Tom reminded her. “Maybe next time we can work on a way of making them almost escape proof?”
“We’re not supposed to be locked up in them, Paris.” Chakotay glared at the younger man. “Although you’ve spent your share of time in here – and more may be on the way.”
“Chakotay, this isn’t getting us anywhere. We need to get out of here, then we need to get to the bridge – “ Frowning, Kathryn tried to put together a plan of action. “We can try sending a sedative gas through the ventilation system.”
“The doctor should be able to tell us – “ Chakotay stopped
and looked at her. “What is he doing? Isn’t he programmed to take action in a
situation like this?”
“I don’t think so…” The doctor’s programming was extensive, but acts of resistance weren’t likely to have been included. “We may need to look into that when we get out of here.”
“If we get out of here.” Tom quipped. “Physician, save thyself.”
“We’ll need weapons – “ There were sounds outside the cell, and Chakotay got to his feet.
A group of Hirogen hunters stopped in front of their cell. The largest of them crossed his arms over his chest. “The codes.”
“No.” Kathryn sat back on the bunk and crossed her legs.
“You will give me the codes.”
“No.” She said again.
The Alpha gestured and one of the hunters keyed in the command to drop the force field. Chakotay stepped in front of Kathryn as two hunters entered the cell. It would be a fruitless gesture, but one he had to make.
With little effort, the hunters pinned his arms and locked restraints around his wrists. They threw him out into the corridor, the air rushing from his lungs as he landed hard.
“You will give me the codes.” The Alpha stepped into the cell.
Kathryn stood up and lifted her chin defiantly. “No.”
A backhand knocked her to the floor, and she tasted blood. This wasn’t going to fun. She spat the blood on the floor. On the other hand, it wasn’t likely to last very long. Bolting up from the floor, she swung her foot around to connect with his face.
His head snapped back and the Alpha smiled. “You are as spirited as they say, Janeway. Perhaps before you die, I will sire a warrior on you.”
“I’ll have to decline. I’m not that kind of girl.”
She dodged, but he caught her by her hair and pulled her up off her feet. “The codes.”
Twisting, crying out from the pain, Kathryn gouged at his face, trying to drive her fingers into his eyes. He shook her and she cried out again, grasping at his hands in an effort to relieve the pain.
“Let her go!” Chakotay struggled to his knees. One of the hunters brought a rifle butt down across his shoulders and he fell against the force field that trapped Tom in his cell. The energy threw him back and he lay panting, his body twitching from the jolt of energy.
The alpha tossed Kathryn to the floor, watching as she tried to get back to her feet. “There is no sense in resisting. I am the stronger. You will tell me the codes.”
“Never – “ A boot caught her in the ribs and lifted her from the floor, throwing her against the bulkhead. Sparks danced in front of her eyes as her head hit hard.
“Leave her alone!” Chakotay forced himself to his knees again. “I’ll tell you the codes!”
“You are the Second.” The Alpha lifted Kathryn up by her throat and shook her. “Only the Alpha would know the codes.”
“We share command!” Desperately, Chakotay pushed forward. “I know the codes!”
“No one shares command.” He dropped her to the floor. Interrogation wasn’t a skill he possessed. Hunting and killing – those were his skills. And the breeding of warriors.
When the Alpha began cutting Kathryn’s clothes off, Chakotay lurched to his feet and forced his way into the cell before the other hunters could stop him. The Alpha backhanded him. “Watch the prisoner – or are you unable to control your prey?”
The hunters forced Chakotay to the deck, one of them placing a boot in the middle of his back to hold him there. He pulled in air in painful, shallow breaths. Behind him, he could hear Tom’s angry shout as the Alpha struck Kathryn once again.
Kathryn was dizzy, her head aching and the cell dipping and swaying around her. Dimly she realized her clothing was being pulled off. When the Alpha leaned over her, she pulled her legs up and kicked him in the chest.
“You are spirited.” Jerking her legs apart, the Alpha knelt between them. He forced his fingers inside of her, judging her width and length. “You will die, but you will bear me a fine hunter.”
In his cell, Tom turned away, not wanting to see what was going to happen. Frustrated at his helplessness, he curled his hands into fists and pressed them to his face.
“No…” The weak protest was all Chakotay could force out. Horrified he watched the Alpha paw at Kathryn’s body. Were they even compatible? Looking at the Hirogen – they were bigger and bulkier even than Cardassians. If the anatomy was even remotely compatible, the size alone could tear her apart.
Kathryn turned her head, blanking out her mind as she’d been taught. Doing her best to not be there. Chakotay was looking at her, anguish in the black velvet eyes. She kept her eyes on his, drawing a measure of strength from him.
Chakotay wanted to look away – to spare her further embarrassment – but he realized that he was helping her in some small way. He forced himself to think calmer, peaceful thoughts and to try to show Kathryn his love and concern for her.
The Alpha abruptly ended his exploration of her body and released her. “First you will be prey, and when you are no longer worthy of the hunt – you will bear my next warrior.”
Ignoring Chakotay, he stalked out of the cell. One of the other hunters unlocked the restraints on Chakotay's wrists and shoved him into the cell before switching the force field back on.
Stumbling to where Kathryn lay, Chakotay knelt next to her. “Kathryn?”
“I’m – okay. I think.” There was pain, but it was bearable. She shuddered as she wondered what would have happened if he had raped her.
“I’m going to see – “ Embarrassing as it was, he had to check for bleeding. “Just relax. I’m going to make sure you’re not bleeding.”
Using the remains of her shirt, Chakotay carefully wiped away the traces of blood. “I don’t think it’s too bad.”
Kathryn lay quiet and unmoving while he tore enough clean strips from her shirt to form a pad. He wasn’t certain if it was because he was touching her so intimately or if she were going into shock.
“I’m going to hold this to you – can you – can you tighten your muscles?” Anger choked off the rest of the words.
“It’s all right, Chakotay.” Kathryn said quietly.
“It is not all right.”
“There’s nothing we can do about it right now.” As he pressed the makeshift pad against her, Kathryn tightened her inner muscles. She doubted she was bleeding enough to worry about, but it was better to check than to bleed to death.
He had worked with women who had been raped before and been able to maintain an impartial detachment. With Kathryn, Chakotay was finding it impossible to do so. Anger, fear, love – all were fighting within him. The pad came away with only traces of blood. Relieved, Chakotay used another clean piece of material to clean her as much as possible.
Her uniform was ruined, ripped to tatters. Pulling off his jacket, he removed his turtleneck and handed it to her. After Kathryn sat up and pulled the shirt on, Chakotay lifted her in his arms and carried her to the bunk.
“Chakotay, I can walk.”
“I know, but you don’t need to.” Cradling her in his arms, he wrapped his jacket around her legs.
“Is she all right, Chakotay?” Tom called from across the aisle. He’d waited until he’d seen Chakotay lift her up from the floor to break the uncomfortable silence.
“She’s fine.” He looked at the bruises on her face. One eye was already swollen shut and the other wasn’t far behind it. “She’ll be all right in a few minutes.”
“She is right here.” Kathryn said irritably. “She has a headache the size of McKinley station. But she is fine.”
“She still has an attitude.” Tom laughed softly. “So I guess we don’t need to worry.”
Kathryn knew she should move off of Chakotay’s lap and sit next to him. Sexual assaults were to be treated like any other injury. Sympathy was not helpful – that was the standard line.
Bullshit. She leaned against his chest, rubbing her fingers in complicated patterns over the firm muscles. She felt safe and secure and clear minded. By herself, she might be a mental wreck. Right now, time was valuable, they didn’t have the valuable time to waste for her to pull herself together.
“Kathryn…” Chakotay said softly. “This is not the time or place – but I want you to know that I love you.”
Looking up at him, Kathryn met his eyes and was nearly overwhelmed by the love there. She reached up for him, sliding her fingers along his throat and into the soft hair at the nape of his neck.
She pulled his head down slowly, careful to allow him to pull away if he wanted, until she could kiss him.
When her lips touched his, Chakotay felt a sizzle of desire despite the circumstances. He returned the kiss as gently as possible, aware of her bruised and split lips. One small tease of his tongue was all he allowed himself before breaking the kiss.
Resting her head against his chest, Kathryn ran a finger over her lips. “Back to square one. We need to get out of here, Chakotay.”