Reality-Ambiguous: Captured.

[privateproperty]

She would apologize to him, later, for having been unable to escape them, and unable to prevent the damage and devaluation they'd done. She would. She had to keep telling herself she would have that opportunity. There was no evidence he was dead, so she had to think she would see him again.

Normally, an Orion would never, ever speak the name of a loved one to an enemy. But all things considered, they knew too much already for lies or secrecy to help. Better, this time, to be more... Klingony about it.

So she holds her head high, and smiles through the blood, and every time they ask a question, she gives the same answer proudly. So proudly, because it's all she has right now. "I am Dahlfes, under contract as the exclusive property of Kri'Stak, son of Tanas. You are all thieves, and you will not keep me."

Comments

[qeylis_mindu]

The Cardassians killed some good men. He will sing for them later. They died well.

More insulting to any Klingon, they took someone alive. Apparently, they figured that the 'weak' Orion would talk.

They took a cloaked ship to the base, and the tiny boarding team has killed more than four times their number already. It was quick and quiet for much of the way - before someone finally lives long enough to sound an alarm.

Kri'Stak grins despite himself. A few Klingons against who knows how many guards. This would not be a bad way to die if its his day - but until then, he's going through as many as he can to try and recover what is His.

[privateproperty]

The alarms, and soon after, the sounds of death and dying in the corridors can be heard from the room she's in. Dahlfes's heart soars.

The Cardassian security definitely outnumbers the boarding party. It'd be much more convenient for the Cardassians if they had the space and opportunity to line up their shots better, though. The Klingons aren't often giving that to them much.

In the scramble to fend off the infiltration, she'd practically alone in the little room, shackled, her dress in shreds on the floor, her face and hair caked in blood most of her covered in bruises. It's a very embarrassing way to be found, but when the doors open, she's practically glowing nevertheless.

[qeylis_mindu]

Its the primary advantage they have - in tight quarters, like this, they can force a lot of the action into tight quarters. They've lost half their number, but the Cardassians are surrendering, at least in small groups. They do that, unlike Klingons.

He's a bit of a mess by the time he's kicking in the doors, leading the charge to reach her captors, trying to draw attentiont o himself before they can think to use her as a hostage.

[privateproperty]

He does that pretty well. One of them's in the process of turning his phaser at the prisoner but is a simple interrogator and a little distracted by the whole onrush of of bloodsoaked Klingon thing.

[qeylis_mindu]

He cuts the man down brutally, the second cut upward, severing the ropes holding her arms. He finally releases his grip on the bat'leth with one hand so he can catch her, guessing she'd collapse without the bindings.

"Secure the prisoners - we don't have the facilities to hold them, but we can inform them of that and threaten to execute anyone who doesn't cooperate - they'll believe it." he tells the men following him. "Get everything - their codes, the best gear, one or two high profile officers as prisoners... then bind the rest and leave them here. Whoever comes to secure the place will deal with them worse than we would, no doubt. Let them live with their failure. We have twenty minutes, go."

Then his attention returns to her. "I am grateful to find you alive. I had thought you lost."

[privateproperty]

And she does indeed collapse into his arms as soon as nothing's holding her up. "Thank you. Glad to see you, too. I... I'm sorry, Master. There were too many of them..."

[qeylis_mindu]

"This time, I am... glad you are not a Klingon. Your ancestors would not be disappointed by you being taken alive... and neither will I." he replies, helping support her weight until she's cut loose. Then he picks her up entirely, cradling her in his arms.
"You're safe now, and they've learned the lesson of crossing us."

[privateproperty]

A hoarse, nervous laugh. Her ancestors would be more disappointed in how terrible she looked. But it was very reassuring to hear his opinion. She clutches. "Yes, Master. Thank you." She holds as tight as you can. "I should... I should tell you about what they were trying to find out, but... I think I need a drink first, please, Master."

[qeylis_mindu]

"If the information will keep, then, yes, of course." He carries her towards the ship they brought, letting the men handle the interrogations. He has what he truly came for.

[privateproperty]

And she'll stay very content in his arms, until he can set her down on the ship, and she can wash her face, and have a glass of water, and give him a quiet, quick, and relevant debriefing of the Cardassians' questions and apparent matters of interest.

She smiles sheepishly. "I'd ask to share the shower to get you cleaned up, but.... walking is still a little difficult."

[qeylis_mindu]

He takes note of the questions, very pleased with her, and obviously so, for choosing a position as captive to threaten her captors. Even Klingons will be able to appreciate that.

"Don't worry about that, this time, we can share so I can help clean you up."

[privateproperty]

She sighs and smiles. "Thank you. I love you, Master."

[qeylis_mindu]

He's not nearly as good at this process of washing someone else up as she is, but he does know how to treat wounds and make sure infection is avoided. Beyond that, he does his best, then bandages her up. "I love you too."

[privateproperty]

And she's very grateful, but frowns a little, as he bandages. "It's probably petty and vain, but I don't much like having scars that didn't come from you."

[qeylis_mindu]

"Your scars are beautiful. Scars are a sign you've lived a life worth living, and a warning to all you intend to live it a little longer."

[privateproperty]

"I'll take your word on that, Master. Thank you."

[qeylis_mindu]

"I know it troubles you, but I find them quite becoming, and most will fade in time. I know you are concerned about your value... but I have no intention of letting you fall into anyone else's hands, and I find you priceless."

[privateproperty]

Eyes down, she smiles, touched. "Thank you, Master," she says again, quietly, adding. "...I knew you'd come." She grabs his hand and kisses it.

[qeylis_mindu]

"So long as I live, I will always come for you."

[privateproperty]

And that makes her shiver as she leans against him. "Whatever I did to deserve you, I'll never understand..."

[qeylis_mindu]

"I would say the same." he replies quietly, carefully helping in supporting her weight, being remarkably gentle with the same hands that are usually so firm with her.

[privateproperty]

And everything is perfect in his arms. She tries to stay awake, to be useful, to just enjoy his care and his presence, but that the interrogation was exhausting was an understatement. She falls asleep against him.