Origins

Literary Challenge 66 - The Xindi Paradox, prompt 2
---

2396 ...

She made her case.  She sat forward in the chair, defiant against her captor. Hands bound by rope behind her, cloth strips wrapped thick around the forearms, they protected her from the abrasive action of the drill she had to hold when she worked her shift in the Dilithium mine. Her clothes were torn and filthy, essentially a heavy cloth smock covering her torso and upper legs in a single garment. Kathryn wore tattered leather adult male boots that fit loosely around her feet. Her scarlet hair was tied in a single ponytail made dull and limp from the dust and grime. Six years of servitude and several months planning, then waiting, were about to play out. She hoped not to get caught, yet considered the possibility. Kathryn had pulled a small handmade shiv from one arm-wrap and was working the sharp edge against the rope. She grimaced through the discomfort of making small cuts. She recalled the sharpened bone came from a fellow slave that died shortly after her own arrival to this hellish place. Kathryn used the bone shard as a gruesome reminder of the need to escape.

An Orion male stood from his victim and walked up to Kathryn. He blocked the harsh light in the room with his massive bulk, thus providing a very small amount of relief. His body odor assaulted Kathryn's nostrils, yet it was only slightly worse than the stench of the room they were in. His overly muscular body made his clothing very tight. Kathryn noticed the long scar running down his left arm; it was a symbol of the slaver clan working the mining operation. Some Orions proudly displayed the scar through decoration of varying sorts and the large Orion standing over Kathryn was one of them. His scar was painted a bright red, which contrasted against his olive green skin. It was menacing, and Kathryn tried to ignore it.

Being in his shadow, she quickly looked to her left to see the young girls she tried to help, one Human, one Bajoran and a Trill. Each cowering in fear and crying from their injuries; fresh bruises made by the same Orion standing before Kathryn. Looking to the right, one other Orion male rested against a wall and held a leather whip. He was the slave driver and had been her waking nightmare ever since day one. She grew to hate the man because of the perpetually smug look on his face. The Orion in front of her was the castigator. Both were massive men, but the castigator was the largest person Kathryn had ever seen in her nineteen years of life.

Leaning down to Kathryn, the large Orion said, "see, little girl, the only laws here are our laws. And you dare suggest your Federation citizenship should protect you, and them!?" He slapped her across the face.

I, Kathryn Selena Beringer, do hearby swear to uphold the laws and edicts of the United Federation of Planets.

She yelped from the shock of pain that washed over her face even though she expected it. Kathryn could feel the skin on her cheek throb and each pulse brought renewed pain. She spit onto the ground. The castigator laughed for several seconds. She looked to the slave driver hoping he didn't notice her plan as she continued making small cuts. He just kept smiling.

"So, you have some resolve, some fight. Like a little scorpion trying to sting a dragon." He reached down and grabbed Kathryn's jaw forcing her to look at him and his dirty teeth. "You should save your strength for yourself." His ugly face twisted into disgust and contempt.

May my left arm always be raised as a shelter for the weak ...

Kathryn could feel the rope against her hands loosen. Half-heartedly feigning a shiver in fear to disguise her efforts with the shiv, she questioned her ability to follow-through with the plan and felt her excitement rise. Sweat crawled down her chest with anticipation. Kathryn spoke slowly through squeezed lips. "Starfleet. Will come. For us."

The castigator's eyes widened at the bravado, then released his grip and bent backward howling with laughter. Even the slave driver chuckled.

Her hands became free. She pushed aside doubt and acted. Kathryn quickly launched herself and raised the blade above her head. Screaming with fear, she drove it into the castigator's face.

May my right arm always be raised against the wicked ...

The large Orion collapsed from shock. Orange blood sprayed the air as they landed. The girls screamed from the horror and seemed to shrink upon themselves. The slave driver was surprised by the intensity of the assault then scrambled to untangle his whip.

Kathryn yanked the blade from the castigator's head and charged toward the slave driver, yells of fury burned her throat. The Orion had enough time to raise the whip before Kathryn crashed into him. His breath was lost as Kathryn's blade pushed deep into his chest.

I swear to defend the United Federation of Planets and it's citizens, against all foes.

They flailed but Kathryn's attack did not stop. Years of physical and mental abuse from the slave driver fueled the onslaught until her energy was spent. She slowly stood from the ruined torso, splashed with blood and trembling from the adrenaline drain. Turning to the girls, Kathryn slowly regained a sense of self and realized they were sobbing uncontrollably.

She rushed to them and soothed them into tearful silence. "Please. You've caused enough noise!" Kathryn looked to the door, surprised no one else had entered. "Look, I didn't plan for you to be here with me, but I'm serious about getting out of here."

One girl, the Trill nearest Kathryn's age with long (but unnaturally dirty) blonde hair, shook her head. "I ... I ... can't."

Kathryn immediately slapped her, which surprised the other two. "It's too late for that." She quickly pawed at dirt and patted it onto the wet blood splatters on her garment and skin. "There is an ore freighter that's going to leave as soon as it's hold is full. We need to get to it because it's heading for Federation space. We need to go now, and you have to listen to everything I say. If you don't, then I'm going to have to leave you behind. Now, come on!"

The castigator spasmed and that pushed the three girls into action. They scrambled to their feet and followed close to Kathryn who was at the door to the room and opened it.

I swear allegiance to the Starfleet Charter, and the principles for which it stands, liberty and equality for all lifeforms.

She led them down a small maze of hallways. At several moments they hid from the increasing numbers of Orion patrols by crawling through ventilation ducts in the walls, and on one occasion, blending into lines of other slaves as they headed to 'work'.  Several times the runaways had to help each other change their appearance by applying dirt or scrubbing it away. Hair had to be shaped differently; ponytails let go or tied back up in different patterns. They even changed clothing on one break. Kathryn marveled at their luck, or at least her own.

I dedicate my mind to the search for truth ...

Eventually, they reached the cargo bay. The station was a reasonably large structure built into a large Dilithium-rich asteroid. The Orion Syndicate has sold children from across the Alpha and Beta quadrants into slave labor camps that was run by nefarious mega-conglomerates. For her first year, Kathryn tried to memorize as much detail as she could, for when she was released she would reveal the evil that existed here and elsewhere. Yet, as the years progressed, the likelihood anyone would do something to save her, or anyone, diminished. Past memories transformed to future planning. She started noticing patterns in ore production, work transfers, and incoming or outgoing deliveries. Kathryn started to 'see' a way out of her situation. She stopped accepting her unpleasant existence and started relishing the right moment when she could break free.

Then she would expose this place, and the galaxy would punish the Syndicate.

... and my body to explore new worlds and new civilizations.

Across the large bay, several cargo containers littered the space in between the alcove the four girls huddled in and the docking ring door. Large blast windows revealed the blackness of space. Orange light from the nearby planet lit up one corner of the window and revealed the Trellwan freighter. It was rusty brown and littered with micro-craters, exhibiting its age. It invited her to freedom. She remembered how her family travelled the stars to a new colony on board the same type of ship; how they were boarded by Orion pirates and taken to this asteroid as slaves. Kathryn knew that ship well and she could imagine where they would hide until the ship came to rest in Federation space.

Kathryn surveyed the cargo bay once more before preparing her 'team'. "Okay, the freighter should be empty, the crew typically parties with some of the Orions here. We are going to run through the crates on the floor - shortest path is a straight line thing, you know?"

The girls nodded.

"There may be a twenty meter sprint to the docking door past the crates. Once inside, I'll show you where we'll stow away."

"But, what if we get caught?" The Bajoran whispered loudly.

Kathryn shrugged, yet her response was firm. "I don't know and I don't care. It's a chance I'm willing to take because it'll be better than staying here."

The human girl hmphed, "unless we get blacked out".

"Then you can stay here." Kathryn started to move toward the edge of the alcove but still watched the girl for a retort. She just looked away and shook her head.

I dedicate my heart to the preservation of life ...

They quickly moved as a group around the first crate with Kathryn leading. Excitement laced with fear had her heart racing with each step. She was heading into the cargo bay, surrounded by huge containers filled with Dilithium that created a random maze. Not knowing if any direction would lead them into a dead end, she could only trust her instincts and sense of direction.

After several twists and turns, her instincts lead the group true: they awed at the sight of the docking door to the freighter. It was circular and wide open. The short hallway was bright and lead right into the guts of the ship.

Kathryn could feel herself being pulled by the door as if it had it's own gravity. She whispered to herself, "it can't be that easy." She waited several seconds and the only sounds she could hear was the dull hum of the power generators and the increasing drum-beat rhythm of her heart. Looking to the girls, they only stared back, their eyes asking questions she could not answer except for one.

"Go!"

... and dedicate my soul ...

Their legs filled with uncontrolled energy and they ignored any attempt at stealth. Boots and shoes stomped onto the metal floor and each step echoed against crates and walls. Kathryn heard thunderbolts with each step. Her leg muscles started to flare with pain and saliva ran across her cheeks as she sprinted for her life. She was just slightly aware the other girls were several meters behind her.

Her first step into the docking collar was a triumph with explosions from fireworks and cheering crowds. She felt like she just saved the galaxy and her eyes filled with tears. But she did not stop running.

Inside the ship, Kathryn ignored the sudden temperature change from the humidity of the mine to the chilly air of the freighter. Sweat seemed to freeze on her skin and she turned toward the rear of the ship. That's when she realized she was alone.

Looking back through the docking collar, she could see the other three girls laying on the floor just outside the docking ring, burn marks on their chest or back and smoldering. Kathryn ducked when she saw an Orion appear with a disruptor rifle. She breathed quick and could hear them talking but could not make out what they were saying. Frantically, she looked around recalling the layout of the ship, thoughts flashing like lightning. The three girls did not anchor or drag Kathryn's plan. If anything, their willingness to follow gave her strength. Now they were dead because of her.

Kathryn shook her head. No. Because of them.

The Orions started laughing. That they seemed to revel in the deaths of young girls angered her.

... to the service of ...

Quickly, she stood and delved into the bowels of the freighter. She found the Jeffries tube two junctions away from the galley. She laid down and rested her head on her arms, looking at a blank wall, yet stared into the future.

Kathryn never knew the girls' names. She resigned herself to never know, because it really didn't matter. In the 24th century, there are machines that could do the work here. People, much less children, should not be here at all.

She vowed to return and stop the Orion Syndicate in this place. Some day.

... justice.

---

Cast:
Kathryn Beringer - Rachel Nichols