by Shards
Despite her delight, Kes couldn't stop tracing the contours of the rock wall that indicated where cracks might exist. It was silly, because the lift could take her from the Memory Omega base to the surface of Regula. But the Vulcans here said it was too dangerous to risk exposing herself while the Alliance might still be looking for her, and feeling confined had brought out old habits. Back home with the Ocampa, she had spent most of her time searching for a way out of their underground city. Eventually, she had discovered a gap in the security field and a crevice that led to the surface, where she had found love in the person of Neelix and horror at the hands of the Kazon-Olga, who had tortured her to reveal the secret entrance to the Ocampa's home.
Those Kazons were the first men I murdered.
She shuddered at the memory. From behind her, a measured voice asked, "Are you cold, Kes? Perhaps you should sit in a different location."
"Tuvok!" Kes scrambled down over the boulders to greet the first friend she had made in the Alpha Quadrant. "Your wife didn't tell me you were coming. How's Neelix?"
Tuvok, like the other Vulcans, didn't smile. "Mr. Neelix is doing well. He now serves as a pilot for the Terran rebellion."
"He must like that." Kes gave Tuvok an impulsive hug, even though she'd learned that Vulcans didn't like displays of affection, and uninvited physical contact even less. But since she couldn't hug Neelix, he would have to put up with it.
Tuvok waited until she was done. "Kes, would you like to help, too? It would mean leaving Memory Omega for a short while."
"Yes!" Tuvok raised one brow in question, and she added, "Everyone here has been good to me, Tuvok. I'm learning very fast-T'Pel told you, didn't she? But I've never liked being shut up in one place."
Tuvok held out a padd. "You should see this before you agree. It will not be an easy assignment."
Kes activated the stored message on the padd. The face of a Cardassian woman she had never seen before appeared on the small screen. Bright body paint was smeared across her lips and cheeks, with delicate chains draping over her head. At first, Kes thought she was pretty, but the woman twisted her lips in a disdainful way that destroyed the pleasing effect.
"We have a problem. My target just told me that he's perfected his gene-resequencing technique. He's been trying to seduce me, and he thought I would be impressed by his success." The Cardassian smirked. "He claims to have augmented a half-Klingon test subject-and now she can read minds. It's got to be B'Elanna! My target is irate, because he wants to present the findings to the Alliance, but for some reason, she's stalling. The best we could do is tail them when they leave. Request instruction. Seska out."
Kes handed back the device. "Is it really B'Elanna?"
"We believe so, but Harry has been unable to obtain visual confirmation. Seska's target is Crell Moset, a Cardassian scientist who was one of the project managers on Monor Base, the place you were being held when we rescued you. The Alliance listed him as 'suspected dead' along with B'Elanna after the base was destroyed."
Kes suppressed a shudder. B'Elanna had ordered another one of her scientists, Dr. Louis Zimmerman, to experiment on Kes soon after she and Neelix had arrived in the Alpha Quadrant. This time, her torturers sought to unlock the secret of her telepathic talent, instead of the secret entrance to the Ocampa's home.
"Since it appears that B'Elanna may now be able to read minds," Tuvok continued, "I called off Harry's planned attempt to infiltrate their safe house. They are in the underground city of Archanis, living in the tunnel complex of a wealthy Ferengi businesswoman named Ishka. We have discovered at least one instance in which Ishka completed a business deal with B'Elanna's mother, Miral."
"So Ishka's sheltering them. Does she know about the telepaths?" The Vulcans had explained how vital it was to protect their underground network of telepaths until the time was right to overthrow the Alliance. Their long-term predictions of how events would play out had been correct until now, so Kes was inclined to believe them.
"Perhaps," said Tuvok. "It is not enough to stop B'Elanna and Crell Moset if Ishka has gained access to their research. We also need to recover the tissue samples they took from you."
Kes rubbed her hands over her damp arms, chilled to her core. Since gaining her telepathic abilities, she had been nothing but a danger to others. Her mind was so powerful that she could destroy people with a thought. As panic rose within, she took slow, deep breaths as the Vulcans had taught her.
She got herself under control and met his steady gaze. "Do you want me to kill them?"
"I deeply regret asking you this, Kes. If there is any other option, I intend to take it. But as a last resort, where ordinary weapons cannot reach, your powerful mind may penetrate."
"I've been learning how not to kill people with my mind."
"I understand." His compassionate eyes said he knew the struggles she had been through. For someone so unemotional, he had a distinctly sympathetic way about him.
"You have to keep the Alliance from creating telepathic operatives," Kes agreed. She owed him; Tuvok had saved her life, first by rescuing her from Monor Base and then by bringing her here so she could learn how to control her formidable abilities. "I'll do what it takes. You'll be with me, won't you?"
"Yes. We shall leave immediately."
Kes felt a twinge of empathy for T'Pel, Tuvok's wife. For decades, she had seen him only a few times a year. These Vulcans sacrificed everything for their cause. It made Kes feel selfish about pining for Neelix, but at least T'Pel knew Tuvok was alive. Neelix thought Kes had been transformed into pure energy-that's what Tuvok had told him during their escape from Monor Base.
Kes stopped short on the trail back to the quarters. "I can tell Neelix now! If it's safe for me to go outside, then the Alliance isn't looking for me."
Tuvok hesitated. "Mr. Neelix's ability to maintain your cover is uncertain."
"He can do it, I'm sure of it. Especially since he knows it would mean life or death for me."
"It means life or death for all of us," Tuvok corrected.
Kes stared at him. "You said Neelix could be told when the time was right. I think we've waited long enough."
Tuvok urged her forward. "You are cold and wet, Kes. We will discuss this on the ship. There are many aspects to consider."
Kes dug in her heels. She was still that obstinate girl who had defied her elders' warnings about seeking a way to the surface of Ocampa. She wouldn't deny her love for Neelix. When the Kazon-Olga nearly killed her, he had returned to rescue her in spite of the danger. He had persuaded the rebellion to save her from B'Elanna's scientists on Monor Base. It was no ordinary love they shared. She would be true to Neelix-she had found her partner, the man for her. And he had proven himself; she would never doubt his love.
"I'm not going anywhere until you agree that I can see Neelix."
Tuvok's brow rose. "Is it that important to you? You would risk allowing B'Elanna to become more of a threat rather than give up Mr. Neelix?"
"Yes." If Tuvok was going to ask her to violate her most cherished beliefs about the sanctity of life, then she was going to hold Neelix close to her heart again.
"Agreed, then," Tuvok said. "Mr. Neelix can visit you here. Since I doubt he will be able to keep the secret unless you convince him, he will be summoned, and you can tell him yourself that you are alive."
Relief flowed through her. "You'll see, Tuvok, everything will work out fine."
Kes flicked her fingers nervously through her dyed black hair. She had straightened it on the journey to Archanis and wasn't used to the bangs hanging against her forehead, but the layers concealed her distinctive Ocampa ears. Tuvok had added dark spots on her face and down her neck so she looked like a Trill. Tuvok was posing as her Vulcan slave, though she wasn't doing a very good job of ordering him around.
It was also her task to negotiate with the elderly owner of the Archanis complex for access to the tunnels closest to Ishka's home, where B'Elanna was assumed to be hiding. "We would g
reatly appreciate it if you agreed," she finished, after she had outlined their offer.
They were seated in the reception tunnel of the Archani's ornate complex. The tunnel walls arched into the ceiling and were polished to a satiny texture that revealed the red and orange layers in the rock, swirling and rippling like frozen water. The floors were springy and absorbed sounds well. Passing through the many levels of tunnels in the city, Kes had been forced to pull her cap over her ears to muffle the echoing noises. But here it was serene, with chimes playing in the background and sweet scents in the air. Graceful violet fish with lacy fins circled in a pillar of cloudy gas in the center of the reception room. With the brightly embroidered cushions and glowing glass ornaments, it was luxury like she'd never seen before.
No, Kes, you must insist, Tuvok urged silently. Make him agree to let us stay. I know you can do it.
She had practiced on a few people at Memory Omega, but this was real. She mentally pressed her desire on the Archani as she had been taught.
"We shall only stay a short time," Kes repeated more firmly as she compelled the old man to agree. "The two rooms in that tunnel will be for our exclusive use. In exchange, you'll accept our latinum and won't say a word to anyone. You'll also order your servant not to speak to anyone about us."
The Archani's reluctance evaporated. "Agreed," he said pleasantly. "My servant will escort you there now."
Tuvok nodded slightly as he spoke directly to her mind. Well done, Kes.
It was easier than she expected. Her pangs of guilt were reassuring; she refused to be complacent about manipulating people. She was doing this for the good of people who were trying to overthrow an oppressive regime, not for her own gain.
Kes did everything Tuvok silently directed as they took possession of two rooms in the tunnel adjacent to Ishka's complex. They were finely decorated, though not nearly as grand as the reception room. Despite the flowery incense, she could detect a faint, dank odor that was all too familiar.
"Stuck in another cave." Kes sighed. "I was looking forward to being above ground so I could see the sun again."
"Rock is a formidable protection. Let us see if you can penetrate it."
Kes sat down on a hassock and prepared herself. If she couldn't reach through the rock, their options were going to be limited. Everyone was relying on her.
"Relax," Tuvok told her. "You can do this."
She smiled up at him. Other than Neelix, nobody had ever had such faith in her. It helped calm her excitement caused by their journey to Archanis in his ship. The rhythm of her heart slowed as she relaxed. Nodding to Tuvok, she closed her eyes and reached out...
Inside the rock, the only sounds were the distant tremors of the planet vibrating in basso echoes; it was like being in the womb. She had spent her life underground, and nothing was more familiar. Where there was rock, there were cracks and chinks from the movement of the earth. Tendrils of her mind found passage through those cracks, until suddenly she was questing in a vast open space. There were people nearby, their thoughts like birdsong, with too many notes to distinguish between them.
Kes gasped, as if straining to hear through a heavy door. She forced her fingers to unclench. One had to work with the flow of the mind, not fight it, in order to gain access. Soon snatches of coherent thought began to reverberate inside her head.
...to get that replicator back online before...
...she'll love it. Maybe she'll be so happy she'll...
...no, no, no, NO, NO!
Her eyes flew open, but Kes managed to cling to the mind link she had formed. She couldn't sink in further because of the pain, the excruciating pain.
"Stop it!" B'Elanna screamed, putting her hands to her head. "Shut up! Shut up!"
Kes was looking through B'Elanna's eyes down at a Terran slave tied naked to the table in front of her. The young man's protests weren't uttered out loud, but they filled B'Elanna's head until she couldn't get away, as if she herself were crying out, "No!"
B'Elanna bent over, clutching her hair while still holding the pick she had been using to torment the slave. Small beads of blood decorated his smooth belly and chest like a broken necklace.
"I can't stand it!" B'Elanna gasped.
Kes realized that B'Elanna couldn't shield her mind. Here was proof that Crell Moset had successfully resequenced her DNA using Kes's genetic material. But unlike Kes, B'Elanna couldn't yet control her ability; she was always hearing the thoughts of others. They played even through her dreams at night.
Kes could see it all: B'Elanna had been triumphant at first when she realized she could sense what everyone around her was thinking. She trusted Crell Moset because he longed for nothing more than elevating his own status, which he would achieve through his breakthrough with B'Elanna. Kes sensed that he was more than ready to leave, but their return had to be handled carefully. They would have the advantage if B'Elanna could master her new abilities. Rather than dwell on the potential negative consequences of his scientific greed, Moset was distracting himself nicely with a Cardassian bath girl.
Mercifully, Ishka was a blank, as were other Ferengi B'Elanna had encountered. Ishka had funded Moset's research in the hopes that both it and B'Elanna's telepathic power would benefit her financially. Unfortunately, B'Elanna couldn't bear to go into the city because of the barrage of thoughts she encountered, so she could only be helpful when Ishka had brought home non-Ferengi business associates.
Frenzied was Kes's overriding impression. B'Elanna did nothing but wrestle with her telepathy, practicing with every person in the complex, hating the constant babble. The effort was slightly more bearable when she got to indulge her sexual appetites.
Splayed out on the table for her amusement, the slave whimpered, his dusky skin glistening with sweat. She had once reveled in the sight of the lovers secured for her use, making them endure whatever she did to them. The power of holding a life in your hand, of feeling that ultimate pleasure flow through your body...
"tlhomaS," B'Elanna said out loud. Thomas had belonged to her in every way, and he had never protested at her touch, crying out wordlessly when the pain was too much for him to bear. She had pushed him as hard as she could without killing him. For a while after Monor Base was destroyed, she had created a hologram of Thomas to satisfy herself, but that was too pathetic, and she had returned to using Ishka's slaves.
B'Elanna wondered if Thomas had begged in his mind as this slave was doing. Make it stop! he silently pleaded. All of the slaves bargained for their lives, even the ones who didn't believe in supreme beings. He strained his neck to see the blood seeping from the wounds in his stomach and chest, as his wrists jerked against the restraints that bound his limbs to each leg of the table. Make it stop! Please, make it stop! I'll give you anything, do anything, if only you make it stop!
B'Elanna glared at him. They all begged for help, unable to accept what was happening to them. She found herself mouthing the words along with the slave's thoughts until they became her own. Make it stop...Please, make it stop!
Her hand tightened on the pick. The grip was cast from her own hand, fitting her like a glove, with a hand span of silver plasteel sharpened to a razor point. "Make it stop!" B'Elanna shouted. She lifted the pick over the slave's heart.
Kes realized that B'Elanna was going to silence him for good. In that horrifying moment, Kes wanted to blast B'Elanna with her mind, but she didn't have the strength to penetrate the thick rock wall between them.
Desperate to do something, anything, Kes tugged on B'Elanna's thoughts, like teasing fiber into a thread and drawing it closer. The point of the pick wavered, and Kes tugged harder. B'Elanna's wrist turned until the pick was aimed at her own face. Kes encouraged B'Elanna, Yes, make it stop. This is how to make the terrible noise stop. Blessed silence at last...