Star Crossed Fanfic
Moderator: LadyTevar
-
Natorgator
- Jedi Knight
- Posts: 856
- Joined: 2003-04-26 08:23pm
- Location: Atlanta, GA
-
El Moose Monstero
- Moose Rebellion Ambassador
- Posts: 3743
- Joined: 2003-04-30 12:33pm
- Location: The Cradle of the Rebellion... Oop Nowrrth, Like...
- Contact:
Nemesis guided the fleet through hyperspace and into Earth orbit at the last minute, if Vader does this then they'll bypass the minefield and go straight into Andor orbit.Captain_Cyran wrote:Now I'm trying to remember what it is Nemisis did back at Earth... Couldn't be the superlaser trick could it? They don't have access to the Emperor's Will...do they?
I enjoyed the Kirk and Darkstar scene...and I REALLY want to see Chewie tear one of the android gaurds limb from limb...
The Pike thing was nice. Didn't seem to be worth much but to bring some hope bac to the feddies (which is still worth a lot)...wonder what his information is.
All in all a good chapter Stravo.
Ooh, if the Andorians had any sense, they'd be keeping the trilithium torpedo in a close solar orbit so they didnt have to arse around with the 11 seconds to reach the sun and a few seconds for Vader to destroy it with the force thing...
Evil Brit Conspiracy: Token Moose Obsessed Kebab Munching Semi Geordie
Jeez, where were you when Thrawn and Vader first made their apperance? It's a little late now you know, though I agree with you 100% on this issue, but really timming is the thing...Illuminatus Primus wrote:I really dislike the relationship between Vader and Thrawn.
Vader was invariably sent to make sure the fleet commander was totally loyal to the Emperor (which in the EU, Thrawn was not).
Vader would never answer requests to report to the Grand Admiral. The Grand Admiral would offer Vader reports. Lord Darth Vader is the Imperial Armed Forces Supreme Commander. One of his titles is Military Executor.
Its really out of character I'd wish you could change it some next time.
Η ζωή, η ζωή εδω τελειώνει!
"Science is one cold-hearted bitch with a 14" strap-on" - Masuka 'Dexter'
"Angela is not the woman you think she is Gabriel, she's done terrible things"
"So have I, and I'm going to do them all to you." - Sylar to Arthur 'Heroes'
-
Comosicus
- Keeper of the Lore
- Posts: 1991
- Joined: 2003-11-23 06:33pm
- Location: on the battlements of Sarmizegetusa
- Contact:
*reading the chapter and picking points of interest*
Yeah man. Second official striptease of Princes Leia (well, this will be the first in this time line)
*reading some more*
I really liked the way they handled the Dee and Dum crisis ... they acted very natural.
Looks like his fate is to be a bait all the times. (Well I have to admit he deserves his fate sometimes) Will Darkstar put a band over his mouth too?
*reading even more*
Pretty nice family moment with Captain Pike.
Turning to the gladiator fight, I wonder if Kirk still has Luke's lightsabre with him.I'm sure Luke will take the risk of cutting his collar with it. And then ....
"Ave Caesar moritori te salutant" (hope it's the right spelling 
)
Good work Stravo. It's worth the time waiting for it.
Finally Kirk’s extended hand held a chain wrought of cold black iron and it led behind him to a collar of stylized steel and crystal. The collar was tightly wound around Leia’s pale emerald swan like neck. She wore a metallic bikini that just about covered only the most vital spots to be remotely modest. She was swaying slightly from side to side, almost as if desperate to start running, balanced on the balls of her feet. A feral expression on her face did not hide the smoldering erotic heat that glowed in her eyes as she examined the newcomer.
Yeah man. Second official striptease of Princes Leia (well, this will be the first in this time line)*reading some more*
I really liked the way they handled the Dee and Dum crisis ... they acted very natural.
Poor C-3POI offer you my droid.” Kirk said with a cool smile and made a generous sweeping motion with his right hand.
Looks like his fate is to be a bait all the times. (Well I have to admit he deserves his fate sometimes) Will Darkstar put a band over his mouth too?*reading even more*
Pretty nice family moment with Captain Pike.
Turning to the gladiator fight, I wonder if Kirk still has Luke's lightsabre with him.I'm sure Luke will take the risk of cutting his collar with it. And then ....
"Ave Caesar moritori te salutant" (hope it's the right spelling )Good work Stravo. It's worth the time waiting for it.
Not all Dacians died at Sarmizegetusa
-
El Moose Monstero
- Moose Rebellion Ambassador
- Posts: 3743
- Joined: 2003-04-30 12:33pm
- Location: The Cradle of the Rebellion... Oop Nowrrth, Like...
- Contact:
I think I can give no higher compliment than by saying that the past few chapters have been very much like the original series in the events which happen and the way it proceeds. 
Evil Brit Conspiracy: Token Moose Obsessed Kebab Munching Semi Geordie
-
Ghost Rider
- Spirit of Vengeance
- Posts: 27779
- Joined: 2002-09-24 01:48pm
- Location: DC...looking up from the gutters to the stars
Nice set up for the battle with Andor(though still have to wonder about Vader's lie)
Also wondering what for the set up of the obvious final battle...and will Vader/Thrawn be there.
Also wondering what for the set up of the obvious final battle...and will Vader/Thrawn be there.
MM /CF/WG/BOTM/JL/Original Warsie/ACPATHNTDWATGODW FOREVER!!
Sometimes we can choose the path we follow. Sometimes our choices are made for us. And sometimes we have no choice at all
Saying and doing are chocolate and concrete
Sometimes we can choose the path we follow. Sometimes our choices are made for us. And sometimes we have no choice at all
Saying and doing are chocolate and concrete
-
El Moose Monstero
- Moose Rebellion Ambassador
- Posts: 3743
- Joined: 2003-04-30 12:33pm
- Location: The Cradle of the Rebellion... Oop Nowrrth, Like...
- Contact:
Which episode was that? I don't remember that one.marty4286 wrote:Looking through old posts: Didn't anyone remember the Voyager episode where it turns out that Q (the John de Lancie) is Trelane's father? Well... everyone in the continuum _IS_ supposedly called Q. Not to rag on your story though... love it.
Evil Brit Conspiracy: Token Moose Obsessed Kebab Munching Semi Geordie
-
darthdavid
- Pathetic Attention Whore
- Posts: 5470
- Joined: 2003-02-17 12:04pm
- Location: Bat Country!
One more reason to burn in the all consuming fire of logic the evil that is Brannon and Braga. Ruining good plot threads at random points so they can fluff out thier script.marty4286 wrote:Looking through old posts: Didn't anyone remember the Voyager episode where it turns out that Q (the John de Lancie) is Trelane's father? Well... everyone in the continuum _IS_ supposedly called Q. Not to rag on your story though... love it.
-
Illuminatus Primus
- All Seeing Eye
- Posts: 15774
- Joined: 2002-10-12 02:52pm
- Location: Gainesville, Florida, USA
- Contact:
I PMed Stravo about this months ago. Thought it needed reminding.Crown wrote:Jeez, where were you when Thrawn and Vader first made their apperance? It's a little late now you know, though I agree with you 100% on this issue, but really timming is the thing...
Its especially meh in light that Thrawn was consistently disloyal and persuing his own goals and power, while Vader only because traitorous toward the end and still wanted to at least preserve Palpatine's Empire.
In fact, Thrawn did almost exactly what Luke has done in the OTL--sent on a mission in isolated territory to make conquests and mapping for the Empire, and ended up funneling Imperial officers and materiel into his own personally-loyal enclave of fanatics to execute his political aims.
I don't think Thrawn should be pro-Luke, but it'd be much more in character if he himself had his own selfish personal agendas, just like Luke and Vader. Thrawn was no paradigm of Imperial officers. Hell, he thought humans were racially inferior garbage.
"You know what the problem with Hollywood is. They make shit. Unbelievable. Unremarkable. Shit." - Gabriel Shear, Swordfish
"This statement, in its utterly clueless hubristic stupidity, cannot be improved upon. I merely quote it in admiration of its perfection." - Garibaldi in reply to an incredibly stupid post.
The Fifth Illuminatus Primus | Warsie | Skeptical Empiricist | Florida Gator | Sustainability Advocate | Libertarian Socialist |
"This statement, in its utterly clueless hubristic stupidity, cannot be improved upon. I merely quote it in admiration of its perfection." - Garibaldi in reply to an incredibly stupid post.
The Fifth Illuminatus Primus | Warsie | Skeptical Empiricist | Florida Gator | Sustainability Advocate | Libertarian Socialist |
More to the point, Thrawn never presumed to dictate terms to Vader in the EU (the short story with Zahn and Stackpole). But Stravo said it's part of the plot, so *shrug* ...Illuminatus Primus wrote:I PMed Stravo about this months ago. Thought it needed reminding.Crown wrote:Jeez, where were you when Thrawn and Vader first made their apperance? It's a little late now you know, though I agree with you 100% on this issue, but really timming is the thing...
Its especially meh in light that Thrawn was consistently disloyal and persuing his own goals and power, while Vader only because traitorous toward the end and still wanted to at least preserve Palpatine's Empire.
In fact, Thrawn did almost exactly what Luke has done in the OTL--sent on a mission in isolated territory to make conquests and mapping for the Empire, and ended up funneling Imperial officers and materiel into his own personally-loyal enclave of fanatics to execute his political aims.
I don't think Thrawn should be pro-Luke, but it'd be much more in character if he himself had his own selfish personal agendas, just like Luke and Vader. Thrawn was no paradigm of Imperial officers. Hell, he thought humans were racially inferior garbage.
That reminds me...
Η ζωή, η ζωή εδω τελειώνει!
"Science is one cold-hearted bitch with a 14" strap-on" - Masuka 'Dexter'
"Angela is not the woman you think she is Gabriel, she's done terrible things"
"So have I, and I'm going to do them all to you." - Sylar to Arthur 'Heroes'
-
Crazedwraith
- Emperor's Hand
- Posts: 11924
- Joined: 2003-04-10 03:45pm
- Location: Cheshire, England
Bullshit. The was an episode where we see Q's son "Q2" but it is not Trelane for one think it was concived in another voyager episode "the Q and the Grey"marty4286 wrote:Looking through old posts: Didn't anyone remember the Voyager episode where it turns out that Q (the John de Lancie) is Trelane's father? Well... everyone in the continuum _IS_ supposedly called Q. Not to rag on your story though... love it.
I think what you're referring to is a ST novel written by Peter David, which implied that Trelane was Q's son (either that, or Q was banging his mother - I can't remember the details). But novels aren't canon so...marty4286 wrote:Looking through old posts: Didn't anyone remember the Voyager episode where it turns out that Q (the John de Lancie) is Trelane's father? Well... everyone in the continuum _IS_ supposedly called Q. Not to rag on your story though... love it.
-
Grand Admiral Thrawn
- Ruthless Imperial Tyrant
- Posts: 5755
- Joined: 2002-07-03 06:11pm
- Location: Canada
There was no such episode.marty4286 wrote:Looking through old posts: Didn't anyone remember the Voyager episode where it turns out that Q (the John de Lancie) is Trelane's father? Well... everyone in the continuum _IS_ supposedly called Q. Not to rag on your story though... love it.
"You know, I was God once."
"Yes, I saw. You were doing well, until everyone died."
Bender and God, Futurama
"Yes, I saw. You were doing well, until everyone died."
Bender and God, Futurama
-
Crazedwraith
- Emperor's Hand
- Posts: 11924
- Joined: 2003-04-10 03:45pm
- Location: Cheshire, England
-
Anarchist Bunny
- Foul, Cruel, and Bad-Tempered Rodent
- Posts: 5458
- Joined: 2002-07-12 02:08am
- Contact:
-
Raoul Duke, Jr.
- BANNED
- Posts: 3791
- Joined: 2002-09-25 06:59pm
- Location: Suckling At The Teat Of Missmanners
Q-Squared. But I think the implication wasn't quite that close. Q was Trelane's uncle, or babysitter, or just a friend of the family or some such. The father-son thing wasn't quite there, from what I recall. I also recall a possible reason for that, in that IIRC Pocket has a strict policy against writing any major elements into/out of named characters' lives in any explicit way.Stofsk wrote:I think what you're referring to is a ST novel written by Peter David, which implied that Trelane was Q's son (either that, or Q was banging his mother - I can't remember the details). But novels aren't canon so...marty4286 wrote:Looking through old posts: Didn't anyone remember the Voyager episode where it turns out that Q (the John de Lancie) is Trelane's father? Well... everyone in the continuum _IS_ supposedly called Q. Not to rag on your story though... love it.
-
consequences
- Homicidal Maniac
- Posts: 6964
- Joined: 2002-07-07 03:06pm
It was probably on display at the Louvre, actually(annoying spelling, yet another reason to exterminate the French).the image of an Andorian artifact that was on display at the Louver on Earth.
Edit: is there a problem with the quote feature?(my apologies if this has been covered somewhere else, I haven't been online since Thanksgiving weekend *sob*)
Please forgive the length of this chapter but there's so much that needed to be done and set up for the climax of this arc. Enjoy and look for a little easter egg in the dialogue.
Chapter 66: We who are about to die
Kirk closed the door softly and turned to face Leia. Her slap cracked across his cheek and jerked his head to the side with the force of her impact. Kirk rubbed his reddened cheek and tried to smile.
“You bastard.” Leia spat.
Kirk held up his hands frantically and then pointed to the ceiling of the room. Leia was fuming, she could only think about slapping him again.
Kirk quickly grabbed a datapad off the table in the spacious suite and started writing frantically on it. She watched him fuming. She could not abide this situation any longer. She wasn’t serving much of a purpose on this mission save to act as some twisted form of amusement.
She could also feel something else. Something distant like the sound of some far away voice that she recognized. The last time she had felt that was back on Earth when she faced…
“He’s here.” she breathed.
Kirk held up the datapad to her eyes.
I know you are angry but this was all necessary.
Leia shook her head emphatically.
Kirk frowned and scribbled furiously. She watched him intently. He held up the datapad again,
I need someone on the inside and no one would suspect an Orion slave woman.
She snatched the datapad out of his hand and started writing. Kirk glanced around the opulent room they were shown too. He had not seen quarters like this for any visitor in his life. The room rose to several levels connected by a gorgeous spiral staircase. A fountain gurgled softly from the top level and water ran down a real stone face to cascade gently into a pool of rose petal filled water at the first level. Statutes of all manner lined the walls and the furniture was stately and ancient.
He had no doubt that there were many things in this room that belonged in a museum instead of being part of some guest room.
She shoved the datapad into his chest. He paused for a moment noticing how beautiful her eyes looked when she was angry and his own eyes softened as he looked into hers. She looked back, eyes sparking with barely restrained rage but she suddenly looked away for a moment as she became uncomfortably warm noticing his intent gaze.
He looked down at the datapad.
Why me? You had no need for me, Uhura or anyone else could do this.
He shook his head and started writing again, noticing for a moment how revealing Leia’s outfit truly was now that they were alone together. He handed her the pad.
She looked down.
You’re the one with the most experience at espionage and avoiding detection. Uhura is a communications officer, you’ve been fighting a rebellion in secret for longer than any of us.
She looked up at him slowly understanding.
He reached for the pad and she offered it to him. He scribbled something quickly and handed it back to her.
I trust you. And you will find Luke quicker than any of us could. Please trust me.
She looked back at him. He smiled sheepishly and shrugged.
She wrote something slow and deliberate then handed it back to him.
I trust you Jim.
He smiled as he read it and she smiled as well.
“I don’t think anyone’s told you how beautiful you are.” he said in a near whisper as he drew closer.
“You better watch it ‘master.’” She snapped and started to shove his chest back. Kirk paused, looked into her eyes and suddenly swept her up in her arms and gave her a sold deep hungry kiss. Leia struggled at first but her lips began returning the kiss in a slow burning fever as they enveloped each other in their arms.
They slowly parted, lips sticking to each other for a moment, moist with their exertions and finally broke contact.
“Don’t do that again.” She said breathlessly.
“You have to forgive me in this enclosed space.”
“Of course, the pheromones, I completely understand you better dose yourself up again.” She replied, eyes not leaving his. He cleared his throat and gently released his hold on her before adjusting his tunic.
The door chimed.
“Come.”
Spock and McCoy walked in accompanied by Sulu and Tom Paris.
“Gentlemen, to what do I owe this pleasure?” Kirk asked with a curious smile as he handed them a datapad.
“Lord Darkstar is most anxious for you to arrive my lord, he says the games will begin very soon.” Spock reported as he simultaneously wrote on the pad.
“The hangar complex was most impressive my lord.” Sulu added with a meaningful raising and lowering of his eyebrows.
Tom nodded as well.
“Most impressive my lord. You will have to see it before we leave.” He added.
Spock handed Kirk the datapad.
Security is not heavy as he promised. No sign of Darth Nemesis but have detected quantum fluctuations consistent with hypermatter technology in the lower levels of the palace. A complete set of readings have been downloaded on to my tricorder for the princess to use.
Kirk smiled.
“Of course, very good job gentlemen on everything so far. With any luck we’ll make a small fortune on this venture and we can finally settle back down in the Orion system.” Kirk said with a good natured laugh as he clapped Spock on the back.
Spock arched an eyebrow but said nothing as he handed Kirk the tricorder. Kirk palmed it over to Leia who read Spock’s report on the datapad and nodded as she slipped the tricorder into a fold of her metallic bikini.
Kirk winked at her. She slapped his shoulder.
Sulu and Tom exchanged a furtive knowing glance.
“Now I think I’ll slip into something quickly and please let Leela out, she needs some air, besides who knows what she’d do to this place without my supervision.” Kirk announced as he wrote something quickly on the datapad and handed it to Leia.
You find Luke or the hypermatter tech let us know immediately. We’ll set the extraction plans into motion. Good luck.
Leia nodded to Kirk and the others before slinking out of the room. Kirk walked over to a dresser and immediately started slipping out of his toga like robe.
“It will be a shame about the droid.” Spock noted.
“I know, Threepio was quite excellent at his job.”
“He was well prepared.” Sulu added. Kirk nodded. So Spock had figured out what to do with Threepio. Good.
“I hope he will prove useful to Lord Darkstar as he was to us.” Tom said wistfully.
“I’m sure Lord Darkstar will be as surprised as we were.” Kirk replied as he finished dressing quickly. They didn’t have much time. If Worf was right then the Imperial fleet was making moves towards Andor and the Federation remnant seemed to be unwilling to make the move to meet them.
So many things to do, so little time. He only hoped this little side show proved to be as important as he thought it was. Luke’s rescue could be the turning point he was looking for in this war. As usual however there were so many things that could go wrong.
Kirk finished dressing and strode over to the datapad. He wrote quickly and handed it to Spock.
Worf, Uhura and Sulu with me. Spock, McCoy and Scotty try to find that hypermatter tech and keep your eyes open. Tom get back to the hangar and get the Falcon ready. I have a feeling we’ll be blasting out of here.
The group nodded and they soon made way to their individual tasks. Worf waited impatiently outside of Kirk’s quarters while Uhura tried her best to look bored and disinterested as he stepped out.
“The games will begin soon. They showed me how to get to the Arena.”
“Very good. Shall we?” Kirk ordered with a broad sweep of his arms. He looked back at Spock, McCoy and Scotty and mouthed the words Good luck.
“Good luck? I’d say it’s the captain that will need all the luck he can get.” Scotty mused.
“How so, Scotty? I mean we’re the ones sneaking around this place trying to find something that Darkstar doesn’t want us to find.” McCoy grumbled.
“Aye, but he’s the one that has to look that insane bugger in the eye and laugh and smile, knowing that a single slip up could lead to his very painful death.” Scotty replied seriously as he watched Kirk and his entourage vanish into the depths of the palace. McCoy nodded.
“You do have a point.” McCoy admitted.
“It is illogical to concern ourselves with the Captain’s well being, he is experienced and knows what he is doing. The quicker we find what we are looking for the sooner we can leave this place.” Spock explained.
“Then let’s get to it.” McCoy said with a firm nod and the three quickly vanished through a side door as Spock adjusted the settings on his tricorder to mask their life signs.
The dull roar of the crowd in the arena was growing steadily as they knew the time was approaching for the games. The crowd stomped its feet and chanted loudly as they began to demand the blood that they were accustomed seeing. The stomping of the multitude above was sending a deep throbbing through the stone walls of the preparatory chambers beneath the arena where the fighters would gather or victims would say their final prayers before being led out to die for a twisted crime lord’s pleasure.
Luke Skywalker stood in black combat fatigues and was gently shaking his head.
“I am not some puppet for his amusement. You tell that twisted little man that he will have to kill his precious little collector’s item but I will not fight.” Luke said coolly.
Dee and Dum exchanged a hooded glance and nodded.
“He thought you might feel that way.” Dee stated grimly.
“Odd considering how you eviscerated those Klingons.” Dum added and eyed Luke in disgust.
“That was a different man and a different time. I don’t expect you to understand that.”
“Are you calling us dumb?” Dee snapped.
“Easy mon amie, he’s not that stupid is he? He forgets that he’s wearing that collar and as long as he does.” Dum snapped on the pain pike. It extended fully in segmented metal strips and he flipped the bladed end to Luke’s chin. Luke did not flinch. “he’s our bitch.”
“Luke.”
Luke looked over slowly and saw Anastasia. She looked terrified.
“Anastasia, what’s the matter?” Luke asked.
“Nothing really my little Sith lord. It’s a simple matter of the law of unforeseen consequences that I have come here to discuss with you.” Darkstar replied as he strode into the room, in one hand he held a bowl of gelatinous purple grapes.
“What?”
Darkstar regarded Luke with a critical eye as he drew Anastasia close to him.
“You are scheduled to fight. I promised my subjects a Sith lord and that is precisely what they are going to get. Now step out onto the transporter and prepare to fight.” Darkstar ordered indicating the small filthy transporter pad with a nod of his head.
“No.” Luke replied simply.
Darkstar nodded slowly.
“No?”
“I didn’t think you were deaf as well as insane.” Luke replied coldly.
Darkstar and Luke locked eyes for a long moment. Darkstar suddenly shoved Anastasia forward and Dee grabbed a firm hold of her neck.
“Dee, I would like you to twist her head off very slowly.” Darkstar ordered casually as if he had asked for a drink of water.
“My pleasure governor.” Dee said with a smile and wrapped his hand around Anastasia’s neck. He started to twist and Anastasia screamed.
Luke took a step forward but Dum’s pain pike jabbed him in the neck and he screamed as he fell back, the pain receptors around his neck firing off wildly.
“You see Nemesis, if you were a tenth the man I thought you were you would not have fallen for my subtle yet simple trap.” Darkstar began as he plopped a grape into his mouth and let it roll around slowly. He glanced over at Anastasia who was gasping and kicking madly but Dee continued to twist, her head was slowly turning to the right.
Luke gasped rubbing his neck and stood firm but his eyes were on Anastasia.
“I know she is beautiful but she is smart as well.”
“I…sorry.” Anastasia gasped, spittle on her lips as her face bloomed crimson with effort.
“She is so alluring and most importantly of all so easy to care about no?” Darkstar said soothingly. “She is so defenseless, so afraid and if you were a tenth of the man that I thought you were you would let Dee finish twisting that pretty little head off. If you were truly Darth Nemesis you would sneer at me and say ‘Do your worst foolish little man, I am Darth Nemesis and I bow my head to no man.’” Darkstar paused for a moment as if contemplating his own words then plopped another grape into his mouth and waved dismissively. “Or something to that effect.”
“I am Luke Skywalker.” Luke replied simply.
“And so I already know your answer don’t I?” Darkstar replied. They locked eyes for a long moment.
Anastasia spat through her clenched teeth as Dee turned her head almost to the breaking point. Luke watched the chords in her neck jut out on the surface of her flesh. Dee looked over at Luke.
“Say bye bye to the pretty lady.” He said with a cold sneer.
Luke took a determined step towards the transporter pad. Darkstar nodded to Dee and the killer relaxed his grip on Anastasia’s throat, only enough so as neck would not snap but her face remained flushed and her neck taught under his iron grip.
Luke stood on the pad and extended his hand. Dum strolled over and handed him an unactivated pain pike.
“It’s a shame really, Luke, if I had known about this change in you I would not have expended the resources in taking you.” Darkstar said with palpable disgust. “She knew by the way about my plan. Yes, she knew that I wanted you to like her, to care about her and you were so pedestrian in your feelings. So tell me ex-Sith lord, fallen whatever you would like to call yourself what are your thoughts as you are about to die?”
Anastasia tried to shake her head miserably and tears started rolling down her cheeks. She whispered, “I’m sorry.” through gritted teeth.
Luke accepted the pain pike and examined it for a moment then looked back up at Darkstar.
“When this is over, Darkstar, as I promised before I swear now on the Jedi of whom I have no right to claim their heritage that there will be a reckoning and you will find no mercy in me, nothing will stop me when I come for you. I promise you that. Do you really think that a little man like you with a pittance in power and a mind of traps and children’s desires can stand against the last of the Jedi? Did you possibly believe in the deepest recesses of your putrid mind that these children with man made parts could ever challenge me? My ally is the Force and when I come for you I will be legion and you will learn what justice is little man and believe me,” Luke snapped the pain pike open, it extended in the blink of an eye on segmented metal parts. “I am a hard teacher.”
“Beam this would be avenger to my arena. I want to be entertained.” Darkstar snapped.
Dum nodded and tripped the transporter controls. Luke vanished in an angry red column of light.
Darkstar shook his head.
“Imagine that boys, him threatening me.” Darkstar laughed loudly, too loudly and slightly nervous.
“He’s blowing smoke, boss.” Dee noted.
“He’s no trouble, for all his bluster he still has that collar and he’s still our bitch.” Dum added.
“Indeed.”
“Boss, we got one more detail.”
“My drought?”
“Yep, fats has to tell you something and I don’t think its good news.” Dum growled.
Darkstar rolled his eyes. “Let the fat fool in and let’s be quick about this.”
The doors snapped open and a short overweight man was shoved in. His briefly touched his handlebar mustache and stammered.
“L..lord Darkstar. My most humblest apologies.”
Darkstar sucked his teeth.
“Would you just tell me where my next draught is. The time is almost upon me and already I feel my joints tightening, my bones ache. Where. Is. It?”
The fat man muttered under his breath and looked up hopefully at Darkstar.
“My lord, the ingredients are delicate, hard to find. You have to understand that it is alwa---”
“I am most decidedly NOT interested in your feeble excuses. Can you or can’t you provide me with the Medusaled Draught?”
The fat man looked from Darkstar to Dee and Dum and his eyes uncomfortably took in the sight of Anastasia held firm by the throat.
“My lord, I can find the materials I need and ---”
“That’s a no.” Darkstar snapped. “Take him to the dungeons, say if some discomfort can shake loose some knowledge from his bloated brains.”
“But my lord! I have only tried my best to—”
Darkstar’s hand whipped out and grabbed the fat man by his thick neck and brought him close to his face.
“You’re looking particularly youngish my good man, the bloom of youth his is still rosy on your cheeks and your eyes look so clear.” Darkstar whispered darkly as he examined the fat man’s face. “Now if what I suspect is true, you started feeling the withdrawals and instead of taking the doses set aside for you, you dared take my own draught. I should bleed it out of you but I think some time down below will help you see your way clear to getting another dose. But if it should become clear that you drank the last of it and have no way of synthesizing more then Mr. Dum and Mr. Dee will have to take their pound of flesh.”
“Surely you’re not insinuating my lord that I would do something like ---“
“Take him away.” Darkstar snapped and flung the fat man aside. He strode to the door and paused as it snapped open. “Anastasia dear.” He held out his hand and Dee released her with a simple opening of his hand. Anastasia gasped as she was finally able to breath clearly. She rubbed her throat and looked up sharply at Darkstar.
“You an either come with me or join the jolly fat man in the dungeon. What will it be, hmmm?”
Anastasia glared at him.
“You truly are a bastard.” She hissed.
“On the contrary my dear I know precisely who my father and mother are. It’s unfortunate for our guests that they do not.”
Anastasia blinked and looked confused.
“Don’t worry all will be clear to you shortly. Now come, you will miss quite a show. Luke Skywalker nee Darth Nemesis fighting a Mugato and the acquiring of yet another unique person for my menagerie and the settling of some very old debts.” Darkstar promised with a wink. She hesitantly walked over to him and took his offered hand. Her thoughts turned to Luke and the look in his eyes when he realized that she had been in on the betrayal from the beginning. Unfortunately it was not the first time she had done this for Darkstar, but as she watched Luke valiantly defy him and show no fear even in the moment of betrayal, she felt shame for the first time, a deep seated shame and she wondered if it would ever go away.
Kirk stood calmly at the top of the special box seats in the arena. He was flanked by Worf and Chewbacca. They were eyeing anyone that approached with a critical eye. Uhura was standing behind Kirk massaging his shoulders and keeping him quietly informed of the status of the recon mission through a miniature ear piece firmly planted in her ear. Sulu stood slightly behind and to the left of Kirk covering the doorway behind them.
Kirk glanced around the arena, it was not as large as he expected but then again he realized that the small confined space served its purpose. It was intimate and allowed the crime lord to fully enjoy the spectacle below.
He fought his contempt and disgust for the man. Despite the obvious insanity Darkstar was not stupid. He was sly and sharp eyed. Kirk had to be on his toes if they were going to pull this off.
“Spock reports that there is a complex beneath the Palace. He’s found evidence of Dominion technology.”
“Dominion?” Kirk whispered.
“He is locking on to a hypermatter signature that is close by. He’ll report in as soon as he confirms.” Uhura murmured into his ear. The casual observer would merely see another Orion crime lord being catered to by his woman.
“Kirkegaard! You must forgive me but I was unavoidably detained disciplining a wayward employee. You must understand of course.” Darkstar exclaimed as he strode into the box seat area from his own private entrance. His beautiful companion looked haggard and her neck was covered in a splendid silken scarf but it did not hide well the pale bruises that were appearing across the delicate flesh of her neck.
Kirk’s fists clenched at the thought of what this monster was doing to her.
“I understand completely, Lord Darkstar. I’ve had to make examples myself every now and then.”
“Of course you have. Come, take your seats and enjoy the show. This should prove to be most exciting.” Darkstar said with a grin but his ices were like ice as he regarded Kirk. Kirk felt uncomfortable but obediently slipped into his seat, Uhura right next to him. Worf and Chewbacca stood behind him as Dee and Dum took up positions behind Darkstar.
The crowd was composed of the dregs of this planet, peasant farmers slaving for their crime lord, drunkards and down on their luck gamblers. Hardly the cream of the crop of Orion society.
“I notice that a distinct lack of other crime lords or syndicate bosses here. Why allow this filth into such a fine arena to be entertained by you?” Kirk asked.
“I didn’t peg you for an elitist Kirkegaard, but you’re right, not many of our fellow crime lords here at all. This is by choice. I despise my fellow lords and feel more in touch with the common people. I consider myself one of them,” Darkstar chuckled. “Besides, only they can truly appreciate the spectacle of blood and death that is about to unfold.”
Kirk nodded.
Darkstar eyed him for a moment and smiled coolly.
“We can’t all be great captains of industry can we?” he added. Kirk paused. There was a distinct edge on the word captain. He exchanged a furtive glance with Uhura.
“Now you will be witness to my most recent acquisition in action.” Darkstar announced grandly.
“Really? Why would you risk something so valuable in the arena?” Kirk asked curiously as he watched the arena below. The groundskeepers had finished preparing the fighting area and were scurrying out as one of the transporter pads suddenly sprang to life and an angry red column of light sprouted from its center.
Moments later a large horned gorilla like creature appeared and immediately started screaming in rage and leaping off the pad to run up to one of the arena walls and pounded on it viciously as it looked up at the crowd above.
Kirk blanched.
“Recognize it, my good Kirkegaard? That is a Mugato. I import them for the arena. Few creatures are as vicious and dangerous.”
“They’re also very poisonous.” Kirk added as he absently rubbed his shoulder where the Mugato had bitten him on his mission to Tyree’s planet. It had only happened a year ago subjectively but he knew that a century had gone by since that mission.
“Yes, indeed they are. You surprise me my good Kirkegaard. Very few people are so knowledgeable about those beasts.”
“I have my sources.” Kirk replied weakly.
“Of course you do, that must be some Enterprise you run my friend.”
Kirk slowly turned his head to look at Darkstar. There was that hint again, an edge to the word Enterprise.
“Whatever are you getting at sir?” Kirk asked softly. Worf’s grip on his batleth tightened and Chewbacca slowly shuffled in closer to Kirk.
“Look! It has begun!” Darkstar exclaimed excitedly and clapped. Kirk looked down into the arena and his eyes widened slightly.
Luke was standing on the transporter platform in a skin tight fighting tunic holding a quarterstaff length segmented metal weapon with an edged end. He glanced around quickly and saw the Mugato. It turned quickly on it simian like legs and saw Luke. It reared back and let out a challenging roar.
Luke swung the pike out, testing its weight and balance as he crouched defensively.
“Is that?”
“Yes, indeed it is Lord Darth Nemesis of the Imperium.” Darkstar said with a cool smile. “But unfortunately for both he and I he decided to have a change of heart and now calls himself Luke Skywalker. He claims to be something called a Jedi, whatever that is. All I know is that he’s damaged goods and not what I paid for so off to the arena with him.”
“Luke Skywalker? Are you sure?” Kirk pressed as he felt a satisfaction stirring in his heart. Luke had indeed woken up.
“Yes, of course I am. It’s a damned shame, can you imagine the audacity of that? Changing who he was because of some mental breakdown. I wanted some twisted dark Sith lord that kills billions without batting an eye and instead I get this fool. He deserves a fate far worse than this and if he survives I’ll make sure I think of one.” Darkstar growled.
“Of course.” Kirk replied and watched intently as Luke began circling the Mugato, spinning the pain pike in a clockwise pattern
Luke watched the creature intently as it circled in close, charging slightly and forcing him to switch the spinning pike to face it. He was testing himself now, despite his blunted connection with the force he was still in perfect physical condition and his weapons training had been augmented under Palpatine’s tutelage.
Hopefully that would prove enough to overcome this creature.
The pike was different that what he was used to, it was not balanced or weighted to even be remotely saber like. It was more like the staff double bladed sabers that Luke had studied from Palpatine’s Sith holocrons. He had a rudimentary understanding on how to use them and unfortunately he was about to find out how well he could fight with it.
The Mugato no longer patient charge in with a burst of speed. Luke pivoted swiftly and brought the blunt end into the Mugato’s neck and connected solidly. The creature grunted and spun in against the pike.
Luke back flipped out of the reach of its talons and landed several meters away and spun the pike in a tight defensive pattern as he watched it shake off the solid impact to its throat effortlessly and come in quickly, head lowered into a full charge with horn aimed for his midsection.
He waited for a moment, his fear controlled as the beast barreled in and he quickly pivoted and sidestepped the creature, pike lancing down into its feet tripping the creature and sending it sprawling head first into the ground. Luke swung the pike under his arm and held his hand out in a warding gesture as he watched the lumbering brute kip up to its feet in a heartbeat and whirled its head at him, mouth open in a roar of defiance and teeth caked with a filthy green film.
Poison.
The creature’s bite was venomous. Luke took a cautious step back and brought the pike back out from under his arm and held it out straight. He had to keep his distance, couldn’t let it get too close.
“It looks like he’s holding his own. I always thought he was far more proficient at fighting than this.” Kirk noted.
“He would indeed probably have killed the Mugato and the rest of us as well but that little collar he has on makes sure that he is nothing more than a man.” Darkstar replied proudly. Kirk focused on the metallic collar around Luke’s neck. So that was it.
“Despite the odds being against him he fights valiantly and with honor.” Worf noted grimly.
Darkstar snorted derisively.
Luke switched hands in mid-motion as the creature charged again and slapped the pike’s blunt end against the side of its knee and was rewarded with a sickening wet snap. The creature howled and lashed out with one sweeping paw. Luke spun the bladed end around and struck its wrist lopping the hand neatly off.
It lurched backwards blood spraying from the maimed appendage. Luke advanced determined to put it out of its misery as quickly as he could. He underestimated the Mugato’s pain and distraction and left himself wide open for the beast’s sudden explosive attack as it lunged at him, landing squarely on his chest.
Luke twisted the pike as best he could to try and blunt the creature’s attacks but it outweighed him and in its desperate scrambling with talons and feet drove Luke into the sands of the arena, one talon digging deeply into his shoulder.
Luke screamed and managed to bring the blunt end of the pike across the Mugato’s snout with a loud crack. It reared its head back and roared more in shock than pain. As it roared Luke could smell the fetid odor of the poison caked on its teeth.
It would bite him in seconds and he no longer had the Force to help him beat its brute strength or push it off. A desperate plan flashed into his mind. He turned his wrist and deactivated the pain pike. It slid back into a hand sized tube. The Mugato lunged forward towards Luke’s neck.
Kirk started to stand up in his seat. He stopped himself short and Darkstar looked over at him casually as if he was fully expecting Kirk to react that way.
“What’s the matter Kirkegaard? Eager to see the blood?” he asked softly.
“Of course not.” Kirk snapped but watched intently as the Mugato leaned in for the kill. Chewbacca tensed barely able to restrain himself and started to raise his bowcaster.
Luke shoved his hand forward gripping the sides of the Mugato’s mouth and pointed the pain pike into its gaping maw as it hissed hungrily. He activated the controls and the pain pike unfurled along segmented plates of metal, accompanied by a sick wet sound like a hammer striking a melon.
The Mugato shuddered as the pain pike’s bladed end neatly punched through the back of its head, blood and pulp caked the bladed end of the pike fully extended through the beast’s head. The Mugato let out a low sad hiss and slumped down the length of Luke’s extended pike and lay still on his chest.
Luke grunted as he gently shoved the corpse off of him.
The crowd was cheering madly, stomping their feet and chanting. Luke wiped the blood from his hands and pulled the pike loose.
“Amazing.”
“He’s learning to use the pike awfully quickly, too quickly for my tastes.” Dee noted.
“A man must have hobbies, don’t you agree Kierkegaard?” Darkstar asked pointedly ignoring the spectacle below as Luke looked up defiantly at the lord of the arena.
“Yes. I agree.” Kirk replied cautiously while one handed slowly drifted to his belt.
“My hobbies are as diverse as my tastes but there is one I have had ever since I was a boy.” Darkstar began and clapped his hands. Servants approached carrying a veritable feast. “My hobby is knowing the enemies of my family and eliminating them.”
“Really? A noble hobby for an Orion.”
“Indeed.” Darkstar eyed him like a butcher eyes a particular cut of meat. “So imagine my shock when I see an enemy of my father’s that has been dead for well on 70 years at my doorstep.”
“Oh?” Kirk replied and his hand reached his belt, Uhura was already drawing her small palm sized phaser from within the folds of her skirt. Worf casually stood legs apart and his Batleth tensed as he prepared to strike.
“I wonder how he managed that, I wonder, and then my thoughts turn to other possibilities. Perhaps the propaganda I’ve been hearing from the Federation remnant is true. Perhaps one of their greatest heroes returned from the past to save the future and perhaps my employees were not morons when they claimed to have seen him lying beside Lord Nemesis in a cave on far away Scyhthia.”
Kirk reached his phaser and gently unhooked it from his belt as he disguised the motion with a nervous cough. The servants were among the box seats offering all manner of foods and drink. Chewbacca shooed the ones closets to him away with a shake of his furred head. Worf glowered at the ones stepping up to him.
“I could not believe, not until I asked sweet Anastasia here who is a living archive if you will, her people trained her to be a walking repository of knowledge, the vast volumes of information contained in her head could fill a starship’s memory core.” Darkstar leaned in closer to Kirk and whispered conspiratorially “Her people were afraid of machines, something about some revolt of AI’s that nearly destroyed them long ago, Butlerian something or other but that’s not important.” Darkstar leaned backwards again and placed a hand around Anastasia. “So it was rather simple for her to access her memory on legendary starship captains and confirm that an enemy of my father had come to my very doorstep.”
Kirk glanced over at Worf and Chewbacca with a flicker of an eye. They were ready.
“So tell me, James Tiberius Kirk why have you come to my father’s house?”
Kirk stood up quickly and whipped his phaser up as Worf started to swing his Batleth. Chewbacca roared as he could finally unleash his fury on the twin killers. Uhura backed her captain up as Sulu grabbed the nearest servant and flipped him over his hip.
The nearest servant turned and fired a dart gun into Chewbacca’s chest as the Wookiee leveled his bowcaster at Dee and Dum. Chewbacca grunted and slapped the dart off his chest with one hand as he tried to fire but his vision was already blurring.
Dee vaulted past Darkstar and Kirk and delivered a crushing side swiped kick that connected with Worf’s chin. Worf’s head snapped to the side as Dee landed in front of him and grabbed a firm hold of Worf’s wrists and twisted savagely. Worf shouted in pain as he dropped the Batleth.
“Foolish Klin. You’re just all natural, me, I’m something so much more.” Dee hissed and head butted Worf. Worf crashed down to the floor and rolled to the side, blood dribbling from his nose.
Sulu drew his phaser and aimed at Dee’s midsection.
Darkstar regarded Kirk’s drawn phaser.
“You’re furry friend will be no help, we use that drug to knock out the Mugato, I was fairly certain it would effect him, your Klingon neutralized, your spies corralled and captured, well, save for your Orion woman but she will be found and now there’s just you and me. ”
“I seriously doubt your cybernetic thugs will get me and Ms. Uhura in time before one of us hits you.”
“Oh please, Captain. Do fire away.”
Kirk smirked. Dum slowly walked towards him and Kirk aimed and fired. The phaser let out a sickly electronic hiss. Kirk looked down at the phaser. The charge read full.
“There is an alien device in the doorway of my father’s home.” Darkstar began as Dum slapped Kirk’s phaser out of his hand and got a hand around his throat and jerked him off his feet. “It discharges any energy weapon’s battery but in such a manner that it will not register until it is too late. I’m glad to see that paranoia is an emotion that crosses species.” Darkstar added with a wink.
Kirk struggled against Dum’s iron like grip.
“Take them away. I will decide what to do with them shortly…perhaps we can see if the legendary James Kirk can defeat a Jedi in my arena.” Darkstar wondered and started laughing loudly as the group was herded or carried out of the arena.
Anastasia looked down at Luke. She broke away and ran down to the arena floor. Dee eyed her and looked at Darkstar.
“Let her go, she is of no concern, so he will care more for her, so much the better.” he sighed.
“Luke!” she appeared racing to his side and wiping some of the blood off of him with her scarf. Luke nodded slowly and examined her neck.
“I’m so sorry Luke, I was so afraid, I’m always afraid.” she started to cry.
Luke placed a finger beneath her chin and lifted her face to look him in the eyes.
“Anastasia, you have to ask yourself something very important now.” She watched him, tears welling in her eyes. “Do you want to live in fear the rest of your life or do you want to take the chance at being free from it forever. I should know Anastasia, living in fear is not the answer, it hurts worse than anything he can do to you.”
“What are you asking of me?”
“You will know when the time is right.” his eyes drifted down to his collar. She started shaking her head.
“He’ll kill me.” she stammered.
“And won’t you be free of fear then Anastasia, and believe me, once I am whole again there will be nothing he can do to stop me. Nothing.” he vowed and his eyes looked back up at the box seats, locking with Darkstar’s eyes. Darkstar turned away quickly and vanished with his entourage.
“Hundred of bottle of Romulan Ale on the wall, hundred of bottles of Ale, knock one down…” he was cut off by the shriek of the metal bar being slid back roughly and the door opening. Dee and Dum roughly led a small group down into the dungeon and his eyes widened as he recognized the lead prisoner.
“Well bless me!”
“You!” Kirk stopped short.
“You know him?” Worf asked darkly. He was shamed that he had been defeated so soundly.
“Harry’s my name and business my game.” the fat man exclaimed happily.
“His name is Harcourt Fenton Mudd and I have no clue where you fit in all of this.” Kirk replied warily.
Harry Mudd shrugged innocently.
“A victim of circumstance?” he offered.
Kirk rolled his eyes.
“More like hoisted by your own petard.” he replied.
“Look at us Captain, together again, I’m already getting misty.”
“Now I know it can’t get any worse.” Kirk muttered as Dee slapped manacles on him and the door to the dungeon slid shut with an audible boom.
Chapter 66: We who are about to die
Kirk closed the door softly and turned to face Leia. Her slap cracked across his cheek and jerked his head to the side with the force of her impact. Kirk rubbed his reddened cheek and tried to smile.
“You bastard.” Leia spat.
Kirk held up his hands frantically and then pointed to the ceiling of the room. Leia was fuming, she could only think about slapping him again.
Kirk quickly grabbed a datapad off the table in the spacious suite and started writing frantically on it. She watched him fuming. She could not abide this situation any longer. She wasn’t serving much of a purpose on this mission save to act as some twisted form of amusement.
She could also feel something else. Something distant like the sound of some far away voice that she recognized. The last time she had felt that was back on Earth when she faced…
“He’s here.” she breathed.
Kirk held up the datapad to her eyes.
I know you are angry but this was all necessary.
Leia shook her head emphatically.
Kirk frowned and scribbled furiously. She watched him intently. He held up the datapad again,
I need someone on the inside and no one would suspect an Orion slave woman.
She snatched the datapad out of his hand and started writing. Kirk glanced around the opulent room they were shown too. He had not seen quarters like this for any visitor in his life. The room rose to several levels connected by a gorgeous spiral staircase. A fountain gurgled softly from the top level and water ran down a real stone face to cascade gently into a pool of rose petal filled water at the first level. Statutes of all manner lined the walls and the furniture was stately and ancient.
He had no doubt that there were many things in this room that belonged in a museum instead of being part of some guest room.
She shoved the datapad into his chest. He paused for a moment noticing how beautiful her eyes looked when she was angry and his own eyes softened as he looked into hers. She looked back, eyes sparking with barely restrained rage but she suddenly looked away for a moment as she became uncomfortably warm noticing his intent gaze.
He looked down at the datapad.
Why me? You had no need for me, Uhura or anyone else could do this.
He shook his head and started writing again, noticing for a moment how revealing Leia’s outfit truly was now that they were alone together. He handed her the pad.
She looked down.
You’re the one with the most experience at espionage and avoiding detection. Uhura is a communications officer, you’ve been fighting a rebellion in secret for longer than any of us.
She looked up at him slowly understanding.
He reached for the pad and she offered it to him. He scribbled something quickly and handed it back to her.
I trust you. And you will find Luke quicker than any of us could. Please trust me.
She looked back at him. He smiled sheepishly and shrugged.
She wrote something slow and deliberate then handed it back to him.
I trust you Jim.
He smiled as he read it and she smiled as well.
“I don’t think anyone’s told you how beautiful you are.” he said in a near whisper as he drew closer.
“You better watch it ‘master.’” She snapped and started to shove his chest back. Kirk paused, looked into her eyes and suddenly swept her up in her arms and gave her a sold deep hungry kiss. Leia struggled at first but her lips began returning the kiss in a slow burning fever as they enveloped each other in their arms.
They slowly parted, lips sticking to each other for a moment, moist with their exertions and finally broke contact.
“Don’t do that again.” She said breathlessly.
“You have to forgive me in this enclosed space.”
“Of course, the pheromones, I completely understand you better dose yourself up again.” She replied, eyes not leaving his. He cleared his throat and gently released his hold on her before adjusting his tunic.
The door chimed.
“Come.”
Spock and McCoy walked in accompanied by Sulu and Tom Paris.
“Gentlemen, to what do I owe this pleasure?” Kirk asked with a curious smile as he handed them a datapad.
“Lord Darkstar is most anxious for you to arrive my lord, he says the games will begin very soon.” Spock reported as he simultaneously wrote on the pad.
“The hangar complex was most impressive my lord.” Sulu added with a meaningful raising and lowering of his eyebrows.
Tom nodded as well.
“Most impressive my lord. You will have to see it before we leave.” He added.
Spock handed Kirk the datapad.
Security is not heavy as he promised. No sign of Darth Nemesis but have detected quantum fluctuations consistent with hypermatter technology in the lower levels of the palace. A complete set of readings have been downloaded on to my tricorder for the princess to use.
Kirk smiled.
“Of course, very good job gentlemen on everything so far. With any luck we’ll make a small fortune on this venture and we can finally settle back down in the Orion system.” Kirk said with a good natured laugh as he clapped Spock on the back.
Spock arched an eyebrow but said nothing as he handed Kirk the tricorder. Kirk palmed it over to Leia who read Spock’s report on the datapad and nodded as she slipped the tricorder into a fold of her metallic bikini.
Kirk winked at her. She slapped his shoulder.
Sulu and Tom exchanged a furtive knowing glance.
“Now I think I’ll slip into something quickly and please let Leela out, she needs some air, besides who knows what she’d do to this place without my supervision.” Kirk announced as he wrote something quickly on the datapad and handed it to Leia.
You find Luke or the hypermatter tech let us know immediately. We’ll set the extraction plans into motion. Good luck.
Leia nodded to Kirk and the others before slinking out of the room. Kirk walked over to a dresser and immediately started slipping out of his toga like robe.
“It will be a shame about the droid.” Spock noted.
“I know, Threepio was quite excellent at his job.”
“He was well prepared.” Sulu added. Kirk nodded. So Spock had figured out what to do with Threepio. Good.
“I hope he will prove useful to Lord Darkstar as he was to us.” Tom said wistfully.
“I’m sure Lord Darkstar will be as surprised as we were.” Kirk replied as he finished dressing quickly. They didn’t have much time. If Worf was right then the Imperial fleet was making moves towards Andor and the Federation remnant seemed to be unwilling to make the move to meet them.
So many things to do, so little time. He only hoped this little side show proved to be as important as he thought it was. Luke’s rescue could be the turning point he was looking for in this war. As usual however there were so many things that could go wrong.
Kirk finished dressing and strode over to the datapad. He wrote quickly and handed it to Spock.
Worf, Uhura and Sulu with me. Spock, McCoy and Scotty try to find that hypermatter tech and keep your eyes open. Tom get back to the hangar and get the Falcon ready. I have a feeling we’ll be blasting out of here.
The group nodded and they soon made way to their individual tasks. Worf waited impatiently outside of Kirk’s quarters while Uhura tried her best to look bored and disinterested as he stepped out.
“The games will begin soon. They showed me how to get to the Arena.”
“Very good. Shall we?” Kirk ordered with a broad sweep of his arms. He looked back at Spock, McCoy and Scotty and mouthed the words Good luck.
“Good luck? I’d say it’s the captain that will need all the luck he can get.” Scotty mused.
“How so, Scotty? I mean we’re the ones sneaking around this place trying to find something that Darkstar doesn’t want us to find.” McCoy grumbled.
“Aye, but he’s the one that has to look that insane bugger in the eye and laugh and smile, knowing that a single slip up could lead to his very painful death.” Scotty replied seriously as he watched Kirk and his entourage vanish into the depths of the palace. McCoy nodded.
“You do have a point.” McCoy admitted.
“It is illogical to concern ourselves with the Captain’s well being, he is experienced and knows what he is doing. The quicker we find what we are looking for the sooner we can leave this place.” Spock explained.
“Then let’s get to it.” McCoy said with a firm nod and the three quickly vanished through a side door as Spock adjusted the settings on his tricorder to mask their life signs.
The dull roar of the crowd in the arena was growing steadily as they knew the time was approaching for the games. The crowd stomped its feet and chanted loudly as they began to demand the blood that they were accustomed seeing. The stomping of the multitude above was sending a deep throbbing through the stone walls of the preparatory chambers beneath the arena where the fighters would gather or victims would say their final prayers before being led out to die for a twisted crime lord’s pleasure.
Luke Skywalker stood in black combat fatigues and was gently shaking his head.
“I am not some puppet for his amusement. You tell that twisted little man that he will have to kill his precious little collector’s item but I will not fight.” Luke said coolly.
Dee and Dum exchanged a hooded glance and nodded.
“He thought you might feel that way.” Dee stated grimly.
“Odd considering how you eviscerated those Klingons.” Dum added and eyed Luke in disgust.
“That was a different man and a different time. I don’t expect you to understand that.”
“Are you calling us dumb?” Dee snapped.
“Easy mon amie, he’s not that stupid is he? He forgets that he’s wearing that collar and as long as he does.” Dum snapped on the pain pike. It extended fully in segmented metal strips and he flipped the bladed end to Luke’s chin. Luke did not flinch. “he’s our bitch.”
“Luke.”
Luke looked over slowly and saw Anastasia. She looked terrified.
“Anastasia, what’s the matter?” Luke asked.
“Nothing really my little Sith lord. It’s a simple matter of the law of unforeseen consequences that I have come here to discuss with you.” Darkstar replied as he strode into the room, in one hand he held a bowl of gelatinous purple grapes.
“What?”
Darkstar regarded Luke with a critical eye as he drew Anastasia close to him.
“You are scheduled to fight. I promised my subjects a Sith lord and that is precisely what they are going to get. Now step out onto the transporter and prepare to fight.” Darkstar ordered indicating the small filthy transporter pad with a nod of his head.
“No.” Luke replied simply.
Darkstar nodded slowly.
“No?”
“I didn’t think you were deaf as well as insane.” Luke replied coldly.
Darkstar and Luke locked eyes for a long moment. Darkstar suddenly shoved Anastasia forward and Dee grabbed a firm hold of her neck.
“Dee, I would like you to twist her head off very slowly.” Darkstar ordered casually as if he had asked for a drink of water.
“My pleasure governor.” Dee said with a smile and wrapped his hand around Anastasia’s neck. He started to twist and Anastasia screamed.
Luke took a step forward but Dum’s pain pike jabbed him in the neck and he screamed as he fell back, the pain receptors around his neck firing off wildly.
“You see Nemesis, if you were a tenth the man I thought you were you would not have fallen for my subtle yet simple trap.” Darkstar began as he plopped a grape into his mouth and let it roll around slowly. He glanced over at Anastasia who was gasping and kicking madly but Dee continued to twist, her head was slowly turning to the right.
Luke gasped rubbing his neck and stood firm but his eyes were on Anastasia.
“I know she is beautiful but she is smart as well.”
“I…sorry.” Anastasia gasped, spittle on her lips as her face bloomed crimson with effort.
“She is so alluring and most importantly of all so easy to care about no?” Darkstar said soothingly. “She is so defenseless, so afraid and if you were a tenth of the man that I thought you were you would let Dee finish twisting that pretty little head off. If you were truly Darth Nemesis you would sneer at me and say ‘Do your worst foolish little man, I am Darth Nemesis and I bow my head to no man.’” Darkstar paused for a moment as if contemplating his own words then plopped another grape into his mouth and waved dismissively. “Or something to that effect.”
“I am Luke Skywalker.” Luke replied simply.
“And so I already know your answer don’t I?” Darkstar replied. They locked eyes for a long moment.
Anastasia spat through her clenched teeth as Dee turned her head almost to the breaking point. Luke watched the chords in her neck jut out on the surface of her flesh. Dee looked over at Luke.
“Say bye bye to the pretty lady.” He said with a cold sneer.
Luke took a determined step towards the transporter pad. Darkstar nodded to Dee and the killer relaxed his grip on Anastasia’s throat, only enough so as neck would not snap but her face remained flushed and her neck taught under his iron grip.
Luke stood on the pad and extended his hand. Dum strolled over and handed him an unactivated pain pike.
“It’s a shame really, Luke, if I had known about this change in you I would not have expended the resources in taking you.” Darkstar said with palpable disgust. “She knew by the way about my plan. Yes, she knew that I wanted you to like her, to care about her and you were so pedestrian in your feelings. So tell me ex-Sith lord, fallen whatever you would like to call yourself what are your thoughts as you are about to die?”
Anastasia tried to shake her head miserably and tears started rolling down her cheeks. She whispered, “I’m sorry.” through gritted teeth.
Luke accepted the pain pike and examined it for a moment then looked back up at Darkstar.
“When this is over, Darkstar, as I promised before I swear now on the Jedi of whom I have no right to claim their heritage that there will be a reckoning and you will find no mercy in me, nothing will stop me when I come for you. I promise you that. Do you really think that a little man like you with a pittance in power and a mind of traps and children’s desires can stand against the last of the Jedi? Did you possibly believe in the deepest recesses of your putrid mind that these children with man made parts could ever challenge me? My ally is the Force and when I come for you I will be legion and you will learn what justice is little man and believe me,” Luke snapped the pain pike open, it extended in the blink of an eye on segmented metal parts. “I am a hard teacher.”
“Beam this would be avenger to my arena. I want to be entertained.” Darkstar snapped.
Dum nodded and tripped the transporter controls. Luke vanished in an angry red column of light.
Darkstar shook his head.
“Imagine that boys, him threatening me.” Darkstar laughed loudly, too loudly and slightly nervous.
“He’s blowing smoke, boss.” Dee noted.
“He’s no trouble, for all his bluster he still has that collar and he’s still our bitch.” Dum added.
“Indeed.”
“Boss, we got one more detail.”
“My drought?”
“Yep, fats has to tell you something and I don’t think its good news.” Dum growled.
Darkstar rolled his eyes. “Let the fat fool in and let’s be quick about this.”
The doors snapped open and a short overweight man was shoved in. His briefly touched his handlebar mustache and stammered.
“L..lord Darkstar. My most humblest apologies.”
Darkstar sucked his teeth.
“Would you just tell me where my next draught is. The time is almost upon me and already I feel my joints tightening, my bones ache. Where. Is. It?”
The fat man muttered under his breath and looked up hopefully at Darkstar.
“My lord, the ingredients are delicate, hard to find. You have to understand that it is alwa---”
“I am most decidedly NOT interested in your feeble excuses. Can you or can’t you provide me with the Medusaled Draught?”
The fat man looked from Darkstar to Dee and Dum and his eyes uncomfortably took in the sight of Anastasia held firm by the throat.
“My lord, I can find the materials I need and ---”
“That’s a no.” Darkstar snapped. “Take him to the dungeons, say if some discomfort can shake loose some knowledge from his bloated brains.”
“But my lord! I have only tried my best to—”
Darkstar’s hand whipped out and grabbed the fat man by his thick neck and brought him close to his face.
“You’re looking particularly youngish my good man, the bloom of youth his is still rosy on your cheeks and your eyes look so clear.” Darkstar whispered darkly as he examined the fat man’s face. “Now if what I suspect is true, you started feeling the withdrawals and instead of taking the doses set aside for you, you dared take my own draught. I should bleed it out of you but I think some time down below will help you see your way clear to getting another dose. But if it should become clear that you drank the last of it and have no way of synthesizing more then Mr. Dum and Mr. Dee will have to take their pound of flesh.”
“Surely you’re not insinuating my lord that I would do something like ---“
“Take him away.” Darkstar snapped and flung the fat man aside. He strode to the door and paused as it snapped open. “Anastasia dear.” He held out his hand and Dee released her with a simple opening of his hand. Anastasia gasped as she was finally able to breath clearly. She rubbed her throat and looked up sharply at Darkstar.
“You an either come with me or join the jolly fat man in the dungeon. What will it be, hmmm?”
Anastasia glared at him.
“You truly are a bastard.” She hissed.
“On the contrary my dear I know precisely who my father and mother are. It’s unfortunate for our guests that they do not.”
Anastasia blinked and looked confused.
“Don’t worry all will be clear to you shortly. Now come, you will miss quite a show. Luke Skywalker nee Darth Nemesis fighting a Mugato and the acquiring of yet another unique person for my menagerie and the settling of some very old debts.” Darkstar promised with a wink. She hesitantly walked over to him and took his offered hand. Her thoughts turned to Luke and the look in his eyes when he realized that she had been in on the betrayal from the beginning. Unfortunately it was not the first time she had done this for Darkstar, but as she watched Luke valiantly defy him and show no fear even in the moment of betrayal, she felt shame for the first time, a deep seated shame and she wondered if it would ever go away.
Kirk stood calmly at the top of the special box seats in the arena. He was flanked by Worf and Chewbacca. They were eyeing anyone that approached with a critical eye. Uhura was standing behind Kirk massaging his shoulders and keeping him quietly informed of the status of the recon mission through a miniature ear piece firmly planted in her ear. Sulu stood slightly behind and to the left of Kirk covering the doorway behind them.
Kirk glanced around the arena, it was not as large as he expected but then again he realized that the small confined space served its purpose. It was intimate and allowed the crime lord to fully enjoy the spectacle below.
He fought his contempt and disgust for the man. Despite the obvious insanity Darkstar was not stupid. He was sly and sharp eyed. Kirk had to be on his toes if they were going to pull this off.
“Spock reports that there is a complex beneath the Palace. He’s found evidence of Dominion technology.”
“Dominion?” Kirk whispered.
“He is locking on to a hypermatter signature that is close by. He’ll report in as soon as he confirms.” Uhura murmured into his ear. The casual observer would merely see another Orion crime lord being catered to by his woman.
“Kirkegaard! You must forgive me but I was unavoidably detained disciplining a wayward employee. You must understand of course.” Darkstar exclaimed as he strode into the box seat area from his own private entrance. His beautiful companion looked haggard and her neck was covered in a splendid silken scarf but it did not hide well the pale bruises that were appearing across the delicate flesh of her neck.
Kirk’s fists clenched at the thought of what this monster was doing to her.
“I understand completely, Lord Darkstar. I’ve had to make examples myself every now and then.”
“Of course you have. Come, take your seats and enjoy the show. This should prove to be most exciting.” Darkstar said with a grin but his ices were like ice as he regarded Kirk. Kirk felt uncomfortable but obediently slipped into his seat, Uhura right next to him. Worf and Chewbacca stood behind him as Dee and Dum took up positions behind Darkstar.
The crowd was composed of the dregs of this planet, peasant farmers slaving for their crime lord, drunkards and down on their luck gamblers. Hardly the cream of the crop of Orion society.
“I notice that a distinct lack of other crime lords or syndicate bosses here. Why allow this filth into such a fine arena to be entertained by you?” Kirk asked.
“I didn’t peg you for an elitist Kirkegaard, but you’re right, not many of our fellow crime lords here at all. This is by choice. I despise my fellow lords and feel more in touch with the common people. I consider myself one of them,” Darkstar chuckled. “Besides, only they can truly appreciate the spectacle of blood and death that is about to unfold.”
Kirk nodded.
Darkstar eyed him for a moment and smiled coolly.
“We can’t all be great captains of industry can we?” he added. Kirk paused. There was a distinct edge on the word captain. He exchanged a furtive glance with Uhura.
“Now you will be witness to my most recent acquisition in action.” Darkstar announced grandly.
“Really? Why would you risk something so valuable in the arena?” Kirk asked curiously as he watched the arena below. The groundskeepers had finished preparing the fighting area and were scurrying out as one of the transporter pads suddenly sprang to life and an angry red column of light sprouted from its center.
Moments later a large horned gorilla like creature appeared and immediately started screaming in rage and leaping off the pad to run up to one of the arena walls and pounded on it viciously as it looked up at the crowd above.
Kirk blanched.
“Recognize it, my good Kirkegaard? That is a Mugato. I import them for the arena. Few creatures are as vicious and dangerous.”
“They’re also very poisonous.” Kirk added as he absently rubbed his shoulder where the Mugato had bitten him on his mission to Tyree’s planet. It had only happened a year ago subjectively but he knew that a century had gone by since that mission.
“Yes, indeed they are. You surprise me my good Kirkegaard. Very few people are so knowledgeable about those beasts.”
“I have my sources.” Kirk replied weakly.
“Of course you do, that must be some Enterprise you run my friend.”
Kirk slowly turned his head to look at Darkstar. There was that hint again, an edge to the word Enterprise.
“Whatever are you getting at sir?” Kirk asked softly. Worf’s grip on his batleth tightened and Chewbacca slowly shuffled in closer to Kirk.
“Look! It has begun!” Darkstar exclaimed excitedly and clapped. Kirk looked down into the arena and his eyes widened slightly.
Luke was standing on the transporter platform in a skin tight fighting tunic holding a quarterstaff length segmented metal weapon with an edged end. He glanced around quickly and saw the Mugato. It turned quickly on it simian like legs and saw Luke. It reared back and let out a challenging roar.
Luke swung the pike out, testing its weight and balance as he crouched defensively.
“Is that?”
“Yes, indeed it is Lord Darth Nemesis of the Imperium.” Darkstar said with a cool smile. “But unfortunately for both he and I he decided to have a change of heart and now calls himself Luke Skywalker. He claims to be something called a Jedi, whatever that is. All I know is that he’s damaged goods and not what I paid for so off to the arena with him.”
“Luke Skywalker? Are you sure?” Kirk pressed as he felt a satisfaction stirring in his heart. Luke had indeed woken up.
“Yes, of course I am. It’s a damned shame, can you imagine the audacity of that? Changing who he was because of some mental breakdown. I wanted some twisted dark Sith lord that kills billions without batting an eye and instead I get this fool. He deserves a fate far worse than this and if he survives I’ll make sure I think of one.” Darkstar growled.
“Of course.” Kirk replied and watched intently as Luke began circling the Mugato, spinning the pain pike in a clockwise pattern
Luke watched the creature intently as it circled in close, charging slightly and forcing him to switch the spinning pike to face it. He was testing himself now, despite his blunted connection with the force he was still in perfect physical condition and his weapons training had been augmented under Palpatine’s tutelage.
Hopefully that would prove enough to overcome this creature.
The pike was different that what he was used to, it was not balanced or weighted to even be remotely saber like. It was more like the staff double bladed sabers that Luke had studied from Palpatine’s Sith holocrons. He had a rudimentary understanding on how to use them and unfortunately he was about to find out how well he could fight with it.
The Mugato no longer patient charge in with a burst of speed. Luke pivoted swiftly and brought the blunt end into the Mugato’s neck and connected solidly. The creature grunted and spun in against the pike.
Luke back flipped out of the reach of its talons and landed several meters away and spun the pike in a tight defensive pattern as he watched it shake off the solid impact to its throat effortlessly and come in quickly, head lowered into a full charge with horn aimed for his midsection.
He waited for a moment, his fear controlled as the beast barreled in and he quickly pivoted and sidestepped the creature, pike lancing down into its feet tripping the creature and sending it sprawling head first into the ground. Luke swung the pike under his arm and held his hand out in a warding gesture as he watched the lumbering brute kip up to its feet in a heartbeat and whirled its head at him, mouth open in a roar of defiance and teeth caked with a filthy green film.
Poison.
The creature’s bite was venomous. Luke took a cautious step back and brought the pike back out from under his arm and held it out straight. He had to keep his distance, couldn’t let it get too close.
“It looks like he’s holding his own. I always thought he was far more proficient at fighting than this.” Kirk noted.
“He would indeed probably have killed the Mugato and the rest of us as well but that little collar he has on makes sure that he is nothing more than a man.” Darkstar replied proudly. Kirk focused on the metallic collar around Luke’s neck. So that was it.
“Despite the odds being against him he fights valiantly and with honor.” Worf noted grimly.
Darkstar snorted derisively.
Luke switched hands in mid-motion as the creature charged again and slapped the pike’s blunt end against the side of its knee and was rewarded with a sickening wet snap. The creature howled and lashed out with one sweeping paw. Luke spun the bladed end around and struck its wrist lopping the hand neatly off.
It lurched backwards blood spraying from the maimed appendage. Luke advanced determined to put it out of its misery as quickly as he could. He underestimated the Mugato’s pain and distraction and left himself wide open for the beast’s sudden explosive attack as it lunged at him, landing squarely on his chest.
Luke twisted the pike as best he could to try and blunt the creature’s attacks but it outweighed him and in its desperate scrambling with talons and feet drove Luke into the sands of the arena, one talon digging deeply into his shoulder.
Luke screamed and managed to bring the blunt end of the pike across the Mugato’s snout with a loud crack. It reared its head back and roared more in shock than pain. As it roared Luke could smell the fetid odor of the poison caked on its teeth.
It would bite him in seconds and he no longer had the Force to help him beat its brute strength or push it off. A desperate plan flashed into his mind. He turned his wrist and deactivated the pain pike. It slid back into a hand sized tube. The Mugato lunged forward towards Luke’s neck.
Kirk started to stand up in his seat. He stopped himself short and Darkstar looked over at him casually as if he was fully expecting Kirk to react that way.
“What’s the matter Kirkegaard? Eager to see the blood?” he asked softly.
“Of course not.” Kirk snapped but watched intently as the Mugato leaned in for the kill. Chewbacca tensed barely able to restrain himself and started to raise his bowcaster.
Luke shoved his hand forward gripping the sides of the Mugato’s mouth and pointed the pain pike into its gaping maw as it hissed hungrily. He activated the controls and the pain pike unfurled along segmented plates of metal, accompanied by a sick wet sound like a hammer striking a melon.
The Mugato shuddered as the pain pike’s bladed end neatly punched through the back of its head, blood and pulp caked the bladed end of the pike fully extended through the beast’s head. The Mugato let out a low sad hiss and slumped down the length of Luke’s extended pike and lay still on his chest.
Luke grunted as he gently shoved the corpse off of him.
The crowd was cheering madly, stomping their feet and chanting. Luke wiped the blood from his hands and pulled the pike loose.
“Amazing.”
“He’s learning to use the pike awfully quickly, too quickly for my tastes.” Dee noted.
“A man must have hobbies, don’t you agree Kierkegaard?” Darkstar asked pointedly ignoring the spectacle below as Luke looked up defiantly at the lord of the arena.
“Yes. I agree.” Kirk replied cautiously while one handed slowly drifted to his belt.
“My hobbies are as diverse as my tastes but there is one I have had ever since I was a boy.” Darkstar began and clapped his hands. Servants approached carrying a veritable feast. “My hobby is knowing the enemies of my family and eliminating them.”
“Really? A noble hobby for an Orion.”
“Indeed.” Darkstar eyed him like a butcher eyes a particular cut of meat. “So imagine my shock when I see an enemy of my father’s that has been dead for well on 70 years at my doorstep.”
“Oh?” Kirk replied and his hand reached his belt, Uhura was already drawing her small palm sized phaser from within the folds of her skirt. Worf casually stood legs apart and his Batleth tensed as he prepared to strike.
“I wonder how he managed that, I wonder, and then my thoughts turn to other possibilities. Perhaps the propaganda I’ve been hearing from the Federation remnant is true. Perhaps one of their greatest heroes returned from the past to save the future and perhaps my employees were not morons when they claimed to have seen him lying beside Lord Nemesis in a cave on far away Scyhthia.”
Kirk reached his phaser and gently unhooked it from his belt as he disguised the motion with a nervous cough. The servants were among the box seats offering all manner of foods and drink. Chewbacca shooed the ones closets to him away with a shake of his furred head. Worf glowered at the ones stepping up to him.
“I could not believe, not until I asked sweet Anastasia here who is a living archive if you will, her people trained her to be a walking repository of knowledge, the vast volumes of information contained in her head could fill a starship’s memory core.” Darkstar leaned in closer to Kirk and whispered conspiratorially “Her people were afraid of machines, something about some revolt of AI’s that nearly destroyed them long ago, Butlerian something or other but that’s not important.” Darkstar leaned backwards again and placed a hand around Anastasia. “So it was rather simple for her to access her memory on legendary starship captains and confirm that an enemy of my father had come to my very doorstep.”
Kirk glanced over at Worf and Chewbacca with a flicker of an eye. They were ready.
“So tell me, James Tiberius Kirk why have you come to my father’s house?”
Kirk stood up quickly and whipped his phaser up as Worf started to swing his Batleth. Chewbacca roared as he could finally unleash his fury on the twin killers. Uhura backed her captain up as Sulu grabbed the nearest servant and flipped him over his hip.
The nearest servant turned and fired a dart gun into Chewbacca’s chest as the Wookiee leveled his bowcaster at Dee and Dum. Chewbacca grunted and slapped the dart off his chest with one hand as he tried to fire but his vision was already blurring.
Dee vaulted past Darkstar and Kirk and delivered a crushing side swiped kick that connected with Worf’s chin. Worf’s head snapped to the side as Dee landed in front of him and grabbed a firm hold of Worf’s wrists and twisted savagely. Worf shouted in pain as he dropped the Batleth.
“Foolish Klin. You’re just all natural, me, I’m something so much more.” Dee hissed and head butted Worf. Worf crashed down to the floor and rolled to the side, blood dribbling from his nose.
Sulu drew his phaser and aimed at Dee’s midsection.
Darkstar regarded Kirk’s drawn phaser.
“You’re furry friend will be no help, we use that drug to knock out the Mugato, I was fairly certain it would effect him, your Klingon neutralized, your spies corralled and captured, well, save for your Orion woman but she will be found and now there’s just you and me. ”
“I seriously doubt your cybernetic thugs will get me and Ms. Uhura in time before one of us hits you.”
“Oh please, Captain. Do fire away.”
Kirk smirked. Dum slowly walked towards him and Kirk aimed and fired. The phaser let out a sickly electronic hiss. Kirk looked down at the phaser. The charge read full.
“There is an alien device in the doorway of my father’s home.” Darkstar began as Dum slapped Kirk’s phaser out of his hand and got a hand around his throat and jerked him off his feet. “It discharges any energy weapon’s battery but in such a manner that it will not register until it is too late. I’m glad to see that paranoia is an emotion that crosses species.” Darkstar added with a wink.
Kirk struggled against Dum’s iron like grip.
“Take them away. I will decide what to do with them shortly…perhaps we can see if the legendary James Kirk can defeat a Jedi in my arena.” Darkstar wondered and started laughing loudly as the group was herded or carried out of the arena.
Anastasia looked down at Luke. She broke away and ran down to the arena floor. Dee eyed her and looked at Darkstar.
“Let her go, she is of no concern, so he will care more for her, so much the better.” he sighed.
“Luke!” she appeared racing to his side and wiping some of the blood off of him with her scarf. Luke nodded slowly and examined her neck.
“I’m so sorry Luke, I was so afraid, I’m always afraid.” she started to cry.
Luke placed a finger beneath her chin and lifted her face to look him in the eyes.
“Anastasia, you have to ask yourself something very important now.” She watched him, tears welling in her eyes. “Do you want to live in fear the rest of your life or do you want to take the chance at being free from it forever. I should know Anastasia, living in fear is not the answer, it hurts worse than anything he can do to you.”
“What are you asking of me?”
“You will know when the time is right.” his eyes drifted down to his collar. She started shaking her head.
“He’ll kill me.” she stammered.
“And won’t you be free of fear then Anastasia, and believe me, once I am whole again there will be nothing he can do to stop me. Nothing.” he vowed and his eyes looked back up at the box seats, locking with Darkstar’s eyes. Darkstar turned away quickly and vanished with his entourage.
“Hundred of bottle of Romulan Ale on the wall, hundred of bottles of Ale, knock one down…” he was cut off by the shriek of the metal bar being slid back roughly and the door opening. Dee and Dum roughly led a small group down into the dungeon and his eyes widened as he recognized the lead prisoner.
“Well bless me!”
“You!” Kirk stopped short.
“You know him?” Worf asked darkly. He was shamed that he had been defeated so soundly.
“Harry’s my name and business my game.” the fat man exclaimed happily.
“His name is Harcourt Fenton Mudd and I have no clue where you fit in all of this.” Kirk replied warily.
Harry Mudd shrugged innocently.
“A victim of circumstance?” he offered.
Kirk rolled his eyes.
“More like hoisted by your own petard.” he replied.
“Look at us Captain, together again, I’m already getting misty.”
“Now I know it can’t get any worse.” Kirk muttered as Dee slapped manacles on him and the door to the dungeon slid shut with an audible boom.
Wherever you go, there you are.
Ripped Shirt Monkey - BOTMWriter's Guild Cybertron's Finest Justice League
This updated sig brought to you by JME2
Ripped Shirt Monkey - BOTMWriter's Guild Cybertron's Finest Justice League
This updated sig brought to you by JME2
-
Ghost Rider
- Spirit of Vengeance
- Posts: 27779
- Joined: 2002-09-24 01:48pm
- Location: DC...looking up from the gutters to the stars
Cool fight scene...also Harry Mudd?
Nice build up for what's bound to happen next.
Really pulling out some interesting characters.
Nice build up for what's bound to happen next.
Really pulling out some interesting characters.
MM /CF/WG/BOTM/JL/Original Warsie/ACPATHNTDWATGODW FOREVER!!
Sometimes we can choose the path we follow. Sometimes our choices are made for us. And sometimes we have no choice at all
Saying and doing are chocolate and concrete
Sometimes we can choose the path we follow. Sometimes our choices are made for us. And sometimes we have no choice at all
Saying and doing are chocolate and concrete
Ghost...seriously, you're like a speed reader man, I've just finished posting this on ASVS and SB and come back to see your reply. I fear your reading skillz.Ghost Rider wrote:Cool fight scene...also Harry Mudd?
Nice build up for what's bound to happen next.
Really pulling out some interesting characters.
Wherever you go, there you are.
Ripped Shirt Monkey - BOTMWriter's Guild Cybertron's Finest Justice League
This updated sig brought to you by JME2
Ripped Shirt Monkey - BOTMWriter's Guild Cybertron's Finest Justice League
This updated sig brought to you by JME2
-
Comosicus
- Keeper of the Lore
- Posts: 1991
- Joined: 2003-11-23 06:33pm
- Location: on the battlements of Sarmizegetusa
- Contact:
pretty nice... hey, whom am I fooling? I loved it.
I must recognize that my knowledge of the Star Trek Universe is not so vast, so I might me missing some points, but after all it's great. Hardly can wait for more
And it looks I was right with that "Ave Caesar ..." thing
Keep it this way Stravo
I must recognize that my knowledge of the Star Trek Universe is not so vast, so I might me missing some points, but after all it's great. Hardly can wait for more
And it looks I was right with that "Ave Caesar ..." thing
Keep it this way Stravo
Not all Dacians died at Sarmizegetusa
-
Grand Admiral Thrawn
- Ruthless Imperial Tyrant
- Posts: 5755
- Joined: 2002-07-03 06:11pm
- Location: Canada
-
Captain Cyran
- Psycho Mini-lop
- Posts: 7037
- Joined: 2002-07-05 11:00pm
- Location: College... w00t?
Heh, nice with the pain rod... reminisent of Luke's bone thing with the Rancor... only more vicious. You really need to stop following the movies so well Stravo, I'm beginning to worry that I know what is gonna happen. I don't want that to happen.
EDIT: Ok, that's wierd. I have top post for the last 4 pages...
EDIT: Ok, that's wierd. I have top post for the last 4 pages...
Justice League, Super-Villain Carnage "Carnage Rules!" Cult of the Kitten Mew... The Black Mage with The Knife SD.Net Chronicler of the Past Bun Bun is my hero. The Official Verilonitis Vaccinator