Reaping the Wind

Posted on Fri 14th Sep, 2012 @ 3:27am by Lieutenant Adam Keller & Commander Brian Windsong & Lieutenant Samantha O'Dell
Edited on on Fri 14th Sep, 2012 @ 3:56am

5,279 words; about a 26 minute read

Mission: http://sb109.sim-station.net/index.php/sim/missions/id/2
Location: Bowels Of The Station
Timeline: After Hell To Pay

Brian was laying as still as possible. Really he had no choice. Every breath he took was racked with pain and even the slightest of movements only caused the pain to escalate exponentially. Moving slowly and with utmost caution he reached down feeling his side.

The entire lower half of his dress white uniform shirt was wet with blood. As he moved his hands to the ribs that Kale had broken, he felt air bubbling up. Just as he suspected, his lung had been punctured. As his hands explored a bit further he discovered that the floor around him was wet and sticky as well. He was in a very precarious position and he knew it. There was even the possibility, remote as it might be, that he could bleed out.

He had never been a particularly religious man, but he did pray to several different gods. Just on the off chance that one of them was real and listening.

He then began to meditate, slowing his metabolism as much as he could. It did nothing to stop the bleeding or repair the damage, but it did dull the pain so that he could at least think clearly.

Sam was following a very fast tracking Wicker through the station. She was just keeping up, Wicker definitely seemed to know where she was going, even if Sam didn't.

Kell took Cara by the arm and guided her in the direction she pointed to. Cara knew where to go, she'd seen what clues Brian had sent her. All she needed was Kell to help her figure them out.

"Think Cara...We need to focus in." He told her.

Cara knew she and Dev were close to where he was being held from the increase in pains over her body in sympathy with Brian. Her eyes burned angrily when she saw the mercenary outside a hatch leading to the old part of the station that was unused as it had been deemed unsafe. All she wanted to do was rush him and force him to tell her where Brian was but realistically she knew if he was here then he was low man on the totem pole and probably had no idea. Looking at Dev she asked softly "How do we want to do this?"

"We need to move cautiously, slowly. Don't let your emotions guide you Cara. Use your brains. I'm sure they're waiting for us...they know we'd come." he warned. He pulled his phaser and waited for her to get hers. "Slow and quiet."

Deep in meditation the pain Brian was feeling had been reduced to a manageable level. On the very edge of his senses he felt a familiar and reassuring presence and the right side of his lip curled into what might eventually become a smile.

Pulling her Phaser out Cara nodded her understanding and reached out mentally before telling him "There's the one guard here ... but there are 3 patrolling that corridor behind him."

"So we wait." He nodded. "Let's divide and conquer. We take them out one at a time; no heroics...just like we used to."

Nodding Cara put her phaser away "In that case how about we get a little hands on?"

"You bet." Kell grinned.

Kale sent mercenaries the directions he felt presences, he knew they were coming for Brian, he'd have been a fool to think otherwise. He made sure that while no one was outside Windsong's prison that he masked his own presence inside the cell. That would keep them at bay. Kale's men were very good at what they did.Killing made no difference to them so long as they got paid and lived to spend it. Kale on the other hand had no troubles killing Brian. Which is why he was right there, just in case. Kale had gone back to it being all about business for him. This wasn't personal anymore.

Samantha followed Wicker's lead down through the stations tunnels, hatches and access ports. When she saw one of Kale's men she pulled Wicker back. "Neither of us will do him any good dead." She had her knife in her boot, and her weapon in hand. "You got this one?" She looked at Wicker and Wicker was just looking back at her. "Go for it, don't get killed."

Sam let go and watched as Wicker wagging her tail went right up to the armed man.

He looked around seeing the dog at his feet, Wicker was wagging her tail as if she was happy to see someone. "Are you lost?" He asked. No matter how hard core soldiers are, two things turn them stupid, babies and animals. He slung his weapon over his shoulder. "Hungry?" He pulled something out of his pocket and offered it to Wicker, who sniffed at it before licking it. "I know it's not great but it tastes ok, come on." He offered, now effectively disarmed Samantha moved in with a swiftness just as he knelt down. She jumped landing on him taking him down by the waist and pinning him to his weapon. Her knife came out and she pressed it to his throat...

She battered her eyes. "Stupid." She punched him in the nose, breaking his nose and sending fragments of cartilage into his brain. It was a quick death and a silent one at that.

Sam turned to Wicker. "Not what I meant." She frowned pointing at the dog. "If you get hurt, he's gonna kill me."

Wicker just looked up at her cocking her head and wagging her tail before she sat on her haunches.

Brian could sense a couple of presences close by. Kale, who was very close by, maybe even within striking distance inside his cell, and Cara who was close just not that close. He wanted to send her a warning, but that would only have made things worse. Whatever he sent to Cara would also have been picked up by Kale and that was the last thing that anyone needed.

Devyn had put up barriers around his mind hoping that he wouldn't be vulnerable to the telepaths should they try to read him. They'd know he was there but not what he was planning. Kell was a skilled killer and knew how to infiltrate but if he had to walk in and start something, he could do that too. He waited until the one guard turned the corner and headed in the other direction.

"You ready to get your hands dirty Cara?" He nodded his head down the corridor. The two of them could take out the three and if Cara had kept her skills honed, they'd do it without making too much of a commotion. "There's three left plus at least one holding Windsong." He whispered. "Don't use telepathy - they'll intercept."

Grinning wolfishly Cara nodded and mentally made herself invisible hiding behind the general babble of unshielded minds which was her best defense given her shields were still around Kyle. "Let's do this ... We have a wayward diplomat to get back." Moving forward silently she snuck up behind the first guard and snapped his neck in a quick move before he could get a shout off then nodded to Dev.

Kell shook his head. Cara hadn't lost it. He moved in behind her and swiftly cornered the second guard, a Klingon. Holding his hand against the man's throat strangling any sound that might come out, Kell pushed his weight against the man and could feel him struggling to breathe. He fought bravely for a moment but knew he'd been overpowered. Kell whispered to the man, his mouth near his ear almost touching his lobe.

"That's it. Die with honor. You obviously didn't live with it." Kell hissed. "Heghlu'meH QaQ jajvam ("Today is a good day to die)" He whispered and then jabbed his dagger into the man's throat. Given the man was a Klingon, Kell did him the honor of holding his eyes open until he was gone. The man slid silently to the floor.

Wicker let out a bark that Samantha didn't expect. She must have heard something that Sam couldn't have but she wasn't able to place it. "Lead on on furry leader." Samantha gestured. Wicker started down the corridor.

Kale couldn't help but he caught off guard by the sound of the dog bark. "What is that?" He asked outloud.

He was not the only one to hear the sound either. Brian heard it as well and grinned inwardly. Maybe he wouldn't be dying today after all.

Cara swore softly under her breath as she heard Wicker "Crap this is about to go down real fast Dev."

Devyn nodded. There's three of us, we'll get him out."

Behind them one of Kale's mercenaries was in between Sam and Wicker and Cara and Devyn, he was big and hairy. Not entirely human he was definitely not something to fuss with and he was armed.

Kale frowned not getting an answer out of Brian but seeing the smile. "What was it?" He growled as he kicked the downed starfleet diplomat. He scattered his minions. Find them, he ordered it. Kill anything that gets in your way.

Brian let out a cry of pain as Kale's foot connected to his already broken ribs. After he had recoverd sufficently he said, "I... did.... tell you I was... was going to kill you myself... didn't I?"

Kale let out a smirk, "Perhaps, but your friends are being hunted. Brave little fools." He kicked Brian again merely for the fun of it.

Brian felt a different rib crack and his breathing grew even more difficult. "He muttered something in Akadaian questioning Kale's familial sexual practices. Even as he sent out a warning to those searching for him.

Kale hissed slightly squatting down towards Brian. "Don't flatter yourself. My mate's still alive."

Kale's words hit close to home just as he knew they were and hurt almost as bad as the physical blows had. Brian didn't want to waste the time replying verbally, it was too hard to gather the breath to do so, but thinking didn't take any more energy than he was aleady exerting ~THen he is going to know just how I feel when you wind up dead~

Kale smirked, "Be careful, you may cause emotional distress to those dearest to your own blood." It was a veiled threat. But still the smile on Kale's face suggested he knew more then Brian did.


~What do you mean?~ Brian could not help but ask, ~What are you talking about?~

He smirked. "Ricardo..."

Despite the pain, Brian pushed himself to a sitting position He reached out blindly trying to grab hold of some part of Kale~ What did you do with my brother?~He had to force the thoughts through the extreme agony his lungs were causing him.

Kale felt Brian's anger and it only made him want to smile. "I've done nothing, well nothing he hasn't asked me to do." Kale retorted. "Ricardo is my mate, Brian." He insisted. "Kill me and you will bring our relationship an end, can you cause your brother such pain?" His hand wrapped around Brian's wrist pulling him free of Kale's shirt.

Brian sank back to the floor all the fight going out of him at once. Though it was no more physically difficult to breath than it had been just thirty seconds ago, he found it even more difficult to draw a breath emotionally.

He wanted to deny Kale, wanted to brand him a liar, but he knew the words were true. He thought he had no more tears to shed. He was wrong.

Kale smirked. "So let me ask you something, now that you know what you know. And I'm going to have my men out there killing your friends, is there anyone I should order them to spare?"

~Spare who you want, the others will still take out you and your men.... How long have you and Ricardo been mates and are you bonded?~

Kale frowned. ~Have it your way, I offered.~~ He shrugged his shoulders. "Ricardo and I have been mates for 3 years... and yes we are bonded." He admitted. Kale was capable of caring for someone, being a mercenary was how he provided for his lovers wants and needs. "Shame you to know your brother could love someone like me?"

~You're the one trying to kill me and my brother is behind it, so who are the ones lacking honor. I had no animosity against you nor did I think any less of you until you kidnapped and tortured me, what am I supposed to do now, invite you over for a candle lit dinner?"

Kale couldn't help but laugh. "I never claimed to have honor, Windsong."

~No you did not, but who are you to judge me? Don't pretend you're on some crusade because your dead old dad got cheated, or you got your feelings hurt because I wouldn't share my toys with you. Hell, I didn't know why you went away. No, you're no martyr,you're nothing more than a cheap whore.~

Kale grabbed him by the throat and started to squeeze... "Let me tell you... this is a contract I accepted It was not your brothers idea, it was not my idea. It was someone else's who wanted to disrupt the talks. Killing you is going to be a bonus."

Brian was without weapons, barely breathing, in intense pain, was emotionally drained, and had almost given up, until Kale started choking him. He reached deep inside himself taking hold of something he did not know existed before.

Only a small percentage of Akadians could use telekinesis and those that could weren't usually that strong so Brian wasn't sure if it was telekinesis or something else, but fueled by a combination of fear, anger and desperation he grabbed Kale mentally and shoved backward with all the force that was within him.

Kale went sailing backwards not far, not far enough to do damage. But far enough to stun him. His brows wrinkled in confusion. He sat there for a moment trying to understand what had happened. He got up and moved away keeping his distance from Brian.

Brian was as surprised as Kale at what he had just done, yet it gave him some spark of hope. He was correct in his assessment, thought he thought it best not to broach it to Kale again. The man and his brother were just pawns, whores who had sold out their honor for credits. He was not sure why they had done so the Windsongs were already royalty of sorts, and they had credits to last several lifetimes,but that was precisely what they had done sold themselves and their planet for credits, credits or power,perhaps both. Nor did he know why his brother hated him and wanted him dead.

He did however know two things. First he planned to survive and secondly he planned on finding out who they had sold out too. The reason, well he didn't really care why. Or so he told himself.

"I make a retreat, Windsong. I'll give your brother my regards." Kale offered after a moment.

Brian could not resist a parting shot, ~You picked the wrong brother Kale, I've seen Ricardo in the shower. I have a bigger tool, much bigger.~

Kale huffed he had the return for that. "Considering where Morgan is, I'll beg to differ."

~Oh, you'll be joining him in death real soon, except you can't give him my love because your going straight to Hell~

"Death comes for us all." He spoke it. "Which reminds me, I hope you didn't have relations with that security human... she wasn't as strong as you apparently." He hinted that Samantha might be dead.

~Sam, Sam,this is Brian can you hear me, are you okay?~

Sam could hear him just find. She stopped... in her tracks "Brian?" She whispered. "What the hell?" She smacked the side of her temple as if trying to get water out of her ears.

Brian was now no longer giving up, there was a spark within him and no matter what happened he would not allow it to be extinguished. However with Kale out of the room he allowed himself to relax somewhat and let down his guard, it was easier that way. Easier to focus on breathing. Focus on staying alive.

Hearing that order Kale's mercenaries peered around the corner to see Cara and Devyn.

Cara looked over at Devyn, "I think we may have been spotted. Do you want to take them out, or should I?"

There was a shot it missed them by inches.

Dev pushed Cara into the doorway and aimed his phaser but the guard was already covered.

Samantha heard the disruptor blast in front of her. Wicker heard it too... Wicker growled and Sam pulled her own weapon. Meanwhile unbeknownst to her another mercenary was sneaking up on her and the dog.

Wicker however was not unaware. The growl in her throat deepened and she turned back the to other direction, charging towards the man and leaping for his throat.

Sam lept into action to help Wicker and when the mercenary was down and dead Sam encouraged Wicker to keep up as she went to follow the sounds in front of them. That was when she came up on Devyn and Cara.

"Stay here." Devyn ordered Cara always in protective mode of his friends. He leaped into action, phaser ready and dagger on hand. Devyn could fight like a Klingon when he had to and it was looking like he'd have to. He heard the sounds of the commotion with Wicker but his interest lay with the guard that had him in his sites.

The man was tall and looked more animal than Klingon but Klingon he was and Devyn knew he'd put up a fight. Grinning, he challenged the man who grinned back and tossed his disruptor to the side. Devyn did the same with his phaser. Kell knew that the full blooded Klingon might be able to take him and would probably kill him if he had the chance but his Klingon honor kicked in and the challenge had been made.

There in the corridor, the two men circled each other cautiously, waiting for the other to make the first move.

"You won't get out of this puny man." The assailant growled. Devyn grinned and watched his opponent.

"I've had bigger than you for breakfast. Kell lied but it gave him the opening he needed. As his assailant laughed at his bravado, Kell lunged for the man. The two rolled about, arms and legs flailing. Kell was tossed into the wall like a ragdoll. His limp body slid slowly to a sitting position on the floor and there was a smile on his face as he looked at the dagger in his hand, covered with the blood of the Klingon.

Lifting his hand to wipe the blood from his mouth and wincing from the pain his body was in, he watched as the stunned Klingon stood regarding him. The trickle of blood from a wound in his chest. The man opened his mouth to speak but no words came out as he sank to his knees and fell over.

Cara stood behind the Klingon, a broken and jagged pipe in her hand that appeared to be coated in Klingon blood. She was out of breath and running on pure adrenalin as she watched the man take his last breath.

"Nice one boss...but you should have stayed put." Kell was panting as he spoke, the pain of his own wounds driving through him. Kell's uniform was soaked in blood on one side as he held his hand tightly against his ribs. "Good thing I didn't bite off more than I could chew." He grinned and winced from the pain. There was a lot of blood, but Kell felt sure he would survive. It hurt like hell but he had a job to finish.

"Nyx is gonna kill me." He laughed.

Samantha looked at the behemoth bloody on the floor and then Cara and Devyn. Samantha nodded. "Major, Lt."

"Good to see you Lieutenant." Kell sat against the wall still as the hand covered the knife wound in his side. "We need to get to Windsong and get out of here pretty quickly. I'm sure there will be more coming and I don't think I can handle another Klingon today."

Samantha saw the strategically placed hand on Kell's side. "Are you hurt?"

Kell grimaced and then nodded. "He got his dagger into me. I don't think it's deep but it hurts like hell and I'm gonna leave a blood trail."

Samantha frowned she was only a ltjg and couldn't tell him that he needed to go to medical. They obviously had people hunting them and it was a labyrinth of tunnels in the hellish belly of the station. "If you're up to it, you can be our breadcrumb trail." She teased. "Otherwise I'd suggest staying put with Wicker and covering the Major and I's beside?" She made it sound like a questionable suggestion. She didn't give orders any better than she took them. Which was why she was still just an jg.

"Get him out." Devyn was lying about the wound it was worse than he let on. He would be okay but there was no way he'd be able to go on the run or assist in any sort of battle. He'd only slow them down more and hinder any plan at rescuing Windsong. "I'll send help in your direction. Take the dog, Brian may need her help.

Wicker had taken up a seat next to Devyn as if she were going to keep watch over him.

"I got this." He smiled. Cara was too worried over Brian to realize how injured Devyn really was. "I'll get help down to you guys, let them know where you headed." He winced again. "He's trying to hide the fact that he's in pain from Cara, but he's hurt. You need to get him out."

Cara frowned knowing something was off with Dev but not wanting to call him on it. "We may have to go on teh run Dev if we cant get him back to a safe zone."

Brian could feel his friends close-by, he began deep meditation, it eased the pain and reduced his breathing to a bare minimum. Anyone who came upon him who didn't closely examne him would think he was dead. That could be a very good thing or a very bad thing.

"Nyx is coming," He smiled. "I can feel her temper..I'll cover your six. You two get him out. We'll find you if we have to." He looked at Sam and shook his head indicating that he wouldn't be able to assist in any struggle or fight.

Sam nodded she understood. "but I draw the line at death." She offered a bit of humor. "Wicker..." She glanced at the dog. "Stay."

And then she stood up looking at Cara.. "Lt... I'll follow your lead."

Cara took a deep breath trying to calm herself down before nodding a she got her bearings "He's two doors down and it feels like there are three men round him."

Samantha nodded her head, she didn't know Cara, she didn't really know Nyx or Devyn for that matter, she was working with people she'd just recently met. This wasn't exactly what she expected to be a meet and greet. But then she hadn't expected the one person on the station she did know to be kidnapped either. "So do you wanna take them on head on or ambush them?" Samantha gestured to another corridor, the belly of the station was a maze of tunnels. "I might be able to get around on the other side..."

'Safer to stick together less chance of friendly fire." Cara sent out to Brian ~Hang on Bri we're nearly there.~

Brian was deep in meditation and was not conciously aware that Cara had sent him a thought, he was however reassured at some deep level, but he did not know why.

Samantha nodded her head. "All right then." She rubbed the back of her neck. "I'll handle the idiots and you get commander Windsong." Samantha smirked mischievously as she bolted out into the open.

There were two men standing in the corridor as O'Dell ran out into the open. She waved slightly at them as she bolted across the corridor. It was a foolish if not lame attempt at distraction, but the guards followed, giving Cara room to work. Samantha just had to keep ahead of the guards.

Praying under her breath that Sam stayed safe Cara pulled out her gun as she opened the door. Running over to Brian when she saw him she felt movement behind her and turned just in time to block a physical attack that sent her tripping over rubble on the floor off balance. "Dev is gonna kill me for that rookie mistake."

Kale smirked standing between her and the doorway. "One..." He smirked wider. "One little girl to come save the big brave prince." he couldn't help but laugh. "You'd better hurry up, I don't know how much longer he'll last."

Cara was glad she wasnt wearing her uniform and hoped he didnt know who she was "Look ... you got your revenge or whatever ... let us leave." She was scanning the room for weapons surreptitiously.

"Revenge?" Kale shook his head. "My dear, this isn't about revenge. It's about peace... or rather the lack there of." He insisted. Kale took another step toward her. "As for letting you leave... well I'm afraid that can't really happen now, can it. I mean only one of us is going to be able to walk away. And lets face facts, it isn't going to be you two."

Moving round the room to keep Kale away from Brian Cara snorted "Yeah right ... you seriously want me to believe your altruistic nature? Get fucked ... Your about as altruistic as an anaconda."

Kale couldn't help but let the smallest of smile slither across his face, he probably would have been handsome in another life in another situation. But then again people actions make the ugly sometimes. Kale soul was too bitter to be handsome. "Thank you, my dear. A truly warming compliment." He kept himself with his back to the door.

His back stiffened and that slithered smile vanished an his features withered in a painful expression. Samantha's sword had cut across his back slashing his shirt and leaving a long deep gash across his back. He turned viciously expecting someone bigger maybe, when he saw Samantha he was a bit taken back. "You're in my way." She said.

Samantha was bloody, who knew if it was hers or someone elses.

Kale looked confused... two women to save one man?! Windsong had made friends in the Federation, this Kale would never understand. Still the pain in his back he understood very well and he growled slow in the back of his throat. He stormed at Samantha grabbing her by the throat and slamming her against the bulkhead across the corridor. Holding her there, the power of the blow sent her weapon sailing as she gasped, both hands instinctively went around his wrist, he was strong... really strong. Damnitt, she thought.

Reacting instinctively Cara moved faster than she should be able to and grabbed Kale pulling him off Samantha and throwing him into the other wall. Hearing his neck crack she growled ferally still on alert with all the blood around.

Kale's wounded back slammed against the wall it stunned him he felt the pain in his neck. Felt the blazing heat of the pain even as he staggered and finally slumped to the ground.

Samantha held onto her throat as the first few breaths of air were hot inside her. "Mother..." The rest of the words were unrecognizable and yet completely understandable. Sam glanced from Kale to Cara.... the Lt looked a bit wild for a moment or two. "Lt...." Her eyes drifted to Brian's body.... he was motionless and she was suddenly afraid they'd been too late. "Lt is he Commander Windsong dead?" Please say no, she thought/prayed... please say no.

Pulling herself back from the edge slowly Cara focused on the other woman and her words trying to make sense of them before shaking her head "He's alive ... just drawn in on himself ..." Reachiing out to him mentally she wrapped herself round him sending 'your safe' thoughts.

"We need to get him out of here ... its not safe to take him back through the gauntlet ... There should be somewhere we can hide out."

She shook her head, No no they couldn't run into anymore mercenaries, that just wasn't a good idea. The major had said that Nyx was coming... whoever that was. Samantha was serious going to have to look at the station manifest when she got a chance. "There's only one way in this room and..." She looked around. "apparent one way out. Let's stay in here until the Major arrives with help." She offered. "The best offense is the best defense." She rubbed her temple for a moment as she went to find her sword. "I'm armed." She smirked.

Samantha came into the small confided room where Brian was still on the floor. She knelt down beside him her hand rested on his chest... he was warm enough to still be alive but he was barely breathing... she could tell from experience he was pretty badly messed up. "He's going to need medical attention." She felt that same little spark she'd felt when they touched each other in the holodeck but again didn't think much of it. Seeing him like that pulled at her heartstrings. Curse him for getting through her thick hide. "Come on, Brian. Wake up." She wasn't sure if trying to wake him up was in his best interest. The pain he was in was probably insane.


Brian was no where near the Protector mentally, he was floating in empty gray expanse. He felt a hand on his shoulder, heard someone calling to him from very far away. He didn't really want to make the journey back but something was drawing him there.

He began floating upwards like a diver from far below the surface, but when he opened his eyes, well in reality he was only able to open one eye, he took a shallow pain-filled breath. "Sam... Cara.. Look ut for.. Kale."




****

Once Devyn was alone, he relaxed and let the pain course through him. It was a deep wound and although it shouldn't be fatal for him, he did require medical attention. He also knew he needed to get help to the others that were trying to rescue the chief diplomat. Wicker made a sigh. Devyn looked down at her before stroking her ears.

"I know girl. This wasn't how I planned it either." He said as he tried to lift himself from the floor using the wall to brace himself and his legs to push his weight up. The pain that ran through him as his abdominal muscles tightened to lift his weight was excruciating. He tried to call out to Nyx knowing if she were nearby, she would hear him.


Lt. Commander Brian Windsong
Chief Diplomatic Officer

Major Cara Treia
Chief Tactical & Strategic Opereations Officer

Lt. (jg) Samanatha O'Dell
Asst. Chief Security Officer

Lt. Devyn Kell
Asst. Chief Tactical and Strategic Operations Officer

 

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