Star Trek Deep Space 9 Dark Passions 02

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This text liberated by The Shakaar Cell: "Resistance is NOT futile".

“The setting for Star Trek: Dark Passions Books One and Two is the dark, intense "Mirror Universe" as

established on Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, and reflects the lifestyles and mores of that universe. The

players are not the Star Trek characters as we have come to know them, but their harder, crueler,

alternate universe equivalents.

The date is sometime before Major Kira and Dr. Bashir rediscovered this harsh realm where humans are

enslaved by a Klingon, Cardassian and Bajoran alliance; where no one knows whom to trust.”

Star Trek: Dark Passions Vol 1

by Susan Wright.

CHAPTER 1

FOR THE FIRST TIME, Deanna Troi was uncomfortable on the bridge of the Negh'Var, the flagship of

the Alliance Armada. Next to her, Regent Worf reclined on his imposing command chair. The rest of the

Klingon crew stood at their stations around the long narrow bridge.

Troi didn't have a station. As Intendant of Betazed, she wasn't officially part of the Negh'Var's crew.

Instead, she preferred to stand near the support beams directly to Worf's left, close enough that he could

speak to her privately or she could make suggestions. The bridge was darkened except for the display

panels, so she was shadowed and thus could observe the officers.

But her joy at being by her Imzadi was ruined by the presence of Kira Nerys. Troi had never imagined

Kira would join them on the Negh'Var.

When Worf had heard that the new Overseer was making a grand tour of the shipping lines through the

former Terran Empire, he changed course to intercept Kira's starship. He insisted he must observe her

activities. Troi couldn't argue with that.

Yet within days of meeting up with the Siren's Song, Kira's ship was docked in the largest launching bay

on board the Negh'Var At eight decks high, the Siren's Song was really too big for the cavernous bay,

but somehow Kira had wedged it in there. One morning Troi woke up and found that Kira had moved

her crew, staff, and slaves into quarters on the Negh'Var She did not appear to be in any hurry to leave.

Kira had even appropriated a spot on the bridge directly opposite from Troi, on the other side of Worf.

Whenever Troi looked at Worf, she couldn't help but see Kira, her short red hair incongruous on the

somber bridge. It was galling to be outflanked on her own ship. Kira had been nothing but a nuisance

since she had become Overseer.

Troi's last attempt at getting rid of Kira had been destroyed by the death of Winn Adami. She wasn't

sure who had killed Winn. The only evidence was a Klingon knife. But Troi suspected that Kira had

something to do with it. Kira didn't try to hide her satisfaction that her political rival on Bajor was gone.

Suddenly Kira laughed out loud, making a comment about the Dohlman of Elas to Worf. "She acts like a

painted replica!" Troi sensed sexual overtones in Kira's use of the word "replica." It made Troi narrow

her eyes while Worf grunted in amusement. A moment ago he had been irritated because the young

Dohlman of Elas was resisting his demands for additional vessels to accompany the Armada as an "honor

guard" through their sector. But Kira seemed capable of charming Worf at almost any time.

Troi normally would have been enjoying Worf's display of strength in appropriating the Dohlman's

vessels. But instead, she hardly paid attention as double disruptor beams suddenly pierced one of the tiny

vessels, blowing it up in a burst of blue-orange heat. Sparkling debris showered over the bridge dome,

reminding Troi of the gorgeous meteor showers on Betazed II. She had watched them every night from

the cliffs of New Hope while she had waited for Worf to return from Bajor last time.

Maybe she was thinking more about the revised plans for New Hope that her architect had sent for

approval, because Worf's heart wasn't in this confrontation. Much of his anger had been drained by the

glorious battle against the Romulans in the name of Duras. With fresh legions fighting on the front,

continuing to press the Romulans back, the victory had been enough to assure Duras a place in

Sto'Vo'Kor. Worf had then gone to Terok Nor, where Kira had welcomed the victorious warriors. After

he returned, he had actually been . . . mellow.

Troi yawned as the screen showed the proud Elasian beauty humbling herself and begging Worf 's

forgiveness for the delay. Worf could lay waste to much of the Elasian territory if he chose, but Troi

sensed his boredom. He was probably thinking, Why bother? Kira said, "I suppose this means we'll shift

the trade route closer to the Lissepians and choke the Elasians into proper obedience."

Worf agreed, "The Dohlman will learn her place in the Alliance." Without glancing at Troi, he ordered,

"Change course to the Lissepian sector."

As Worf's crew instantly obeyed their commander, Troi exerted every bit of empathy she possessed to

sense what Kira was feeling now. The Bajoran was excited by Worf's display of power and the

destruction of the Elasian vessel. Her fiercely sensual reaction disturbed Troi. It was too much like her

own emotional rapport with Worf.

Kira was clearly engaged in a rivalry with her for Worf's attention. In many ways she had already

managed to interfere in their relationship. Just last night, shortly after Troi had dismissed Keiko, she and

Worf had been interrupted by a request from Kira. Worf had disappeared for almost an hour before

returning to her bed.

"Sir!" First Officer Koloth announced. "We are receiving a message from the Groumall, requesting

permission to rendezvous with the Alliance Armada."

"Gul Dukat!" Kira exclaimed, her voice filled with loathing.

The first officer confirmed, "I have the Groumall on long-range sensors."

'Tell him to get lost," Kira said with a wave of her hand. "Who wants him around?" Worf frowned,

pulling thoughtfully on his beard.

Troi felt a quickening of hope. Worf had fallen into the habit of doing whatever Kira suggested. But this

time, he clearly thought it wiser to not offend a fellow Alliance member. From the way he glanced at

Kira, he also didn't like her arrogant assumption that he would do whatever she said.

"Request granted," Worf told his first officer.

"But what about the festival you've been planning?" Kira asked sweetly. "Dukat will ruin it."

Worf clearly had not considered the Kot'Baval Festival, but he almost never rescinded an order. He

slumped deeper in his chair, scowling. But Kira laughed and shrugged it off. "Who knows? Maybe Dukat

will get drunk and turn out to be the life of the party."

Troi could tell that Kira really didn't care about Dukat joining them. Her objection had been as fleeting

as her other desires. Troi found that flightiness difficult to understand. As an empath, she was accustomed

to judging actions according to people's emotional motivation. But Kira used her feelings as a

playground. Emotions were called up and romped around, but nothing was taken seriously. Troi didn't

know what was important to Kira, but she was certainly determined to find out. If she didn't do

something fast, Kira could fascinate Worf beyond Troi's powers to combat.

The Kot'Baval Festival celebrated the ancient victory of Molar the Unforgettable over Kahless. Worf

and one of his strongest warriors re-enacted the fifteen-hundred-year-old ritual of Kahless attacking

Molar with a strange new weapon called the bat'leth. Molar, with his superior strength, wrested the

weapon from Kahless and slew the contender for his claim to the Klingon Empire.

Troi's mood was lifted by the high spirits of the Klingon crew, but having seen this particular ritual

enacted many times before, she was not really moved. Even with the blade singing through the air,

passing within a hairsbreadth of Worf's chest, she was hardly concerned. She knew exactly which move

Worf would make to parry the thrust and wrest the bat'leth away. She liked things raw and

unpredictable, but Worf cherished his rituals.

Now that the battle had been completed, Worf was at the front of the hall, drinking and talking loudly

among his warriors. Both men and women butted their heads in merry disregard for their skulls. The smell

of sweat and leather competed with the swirling smoke from the lanterns. For a moment, Troi forgot they

were on a starship.

The few non-Klingon guests seemed out of place, clearly lacking Troi's unique ability to meld into any

situation. Kira Nerys was drinking with the second officer, while her Terran slave solemnly surveyed the

riotous crew. A few male Rutians, with their distinctive white streaks of hair, gathered to one side of the

hall. They drank large flagons of bloodwine, and seemed to be handling the intoxicant well.

The most unusual presence in the great hall of the flagship was Gul Dukat and his aides. Troi vividly

remembered Dukat's reaction at the Alliance gathering when Kira was named Overseer of the fallen

Terran Empire. His outrage and sense of betrayal had been palpable, though he hardly moved a muscle.

Troi had been pleasantly surprised by his reaction. It was not often that Cardassians revealed themselves

so clearly. Their deceptive natures led them to hide their most cherished desires even from themselves. It

was the ultimate way to keep their enemies from discovering their weak points.

So Troi was pleased that Gul Dukat had joined them for the Kot'Baval Festival. Dukat certainly acted

like an ally rather than an enemy. His pleasant smile and gently clasped fingers betrayed nothing but polite

interest in the ritual. His face was a pale greenish-gray spot among the dark Klingons, and the crew

instinctively avoided the table where the Cardassians were seated.

Kira came toward Troi laughing, the effects of the bloodwine clear in her step. But even tipsy, she

managed to look seductive with her knowing smile and swaying hips. Kira wore a black skin-suit, similar

to the Klingon uniform Troi preferred. So Troi had begun wearing dresses to avoid comparisons. Worf

had complimented her on her vibrant blue dress, cut to a deep V over one breast. He had encircled her

waist with his hands, lifting her for a kiss. As he swung her around, her hair had loosened and came

tumbling down around her shoulders. He insisted she leave the long dark curls free, gently kissing one

tress before leaving the privacy of their quarters.

Feeling smug, Troi allowed Kira to approach. The Bajoran had been drinking quite a bit and would

perhaps reveal more than she intended.

"Come on, Seven!" Kira called teasingly. Turning to Troi, she added, "She's afraid of you. Afraid you'll

read her mind." "Sorry to disappoint you," Troi told both Kira and the statuesque blond Terran. "But I'm

not telepathic." "Maybe not," Kira agreed. "But everyone says you know what people think." She

grabbed Seven's hand and pulled her even closer to Troi. "I bet you can't figure out Seven...' Troi was

offended. "She's your Terran slave" "No!" Kira laughed out loud, drawing attention to them. "Seven's a

Free-Terran."

Troi considered Seven in spite of herself. Her own concealed half-Terran heritage usually made her

avoid the few Free-Terrans she encountered. At a glance, she could tell this woman was unique. She was

quite tall, and dressed for the occasion in a Cardassian military uniform. The strong diagonal lines made a

dramatic counterpoint to her serene expression. Her attitude was good-her hands were clasped behind

her back and her boots spread as if she was poised to defend herself. Troi could sense a touch of inner

uneasiness, though her full lips never trembled. When they began to receive more attention from the

boisterous Klingons, Troi got the impression that Seven was always this self-possessed. Several of the

Klingons were suggesting, not so quietly, what they could do with a woman like Seven. But the Terran

ignored them.

"She's not what she seems," Troi said briefly.

"That's amazing!" Kira exclaimed. "You're right. Seven may look Terran, but she was raised as a

Cardassian. I was talking to Gul Dukat over there." She jerked a thumb in his direction. In response, he

stood up and began to approach. "He knows the family Seven used to live with. Ghemor is on the

Detapa Council now."

"What are you doing so far from Cardassia?" Troi politely asked Seven.

"Nerys invited me to come with her on the tour," Seven replied.

Kira let out an unapologetic yawn as she languorously stretched. "And now it's time to leave. Come on,

my dear. The company around here is not to my taste." This last was said with a glance over her shoulder

at the approaching Gul Dukat.

Kira glided away before Dukat reached them, swinging her hips in suggestive appeal. Seven supported

her arm, staunchly clearing a way through the staggering Klingons. Troi felt no animosity from Kira. There

was nothing but curiosity and, after Troi's assessment of Seven, admiration for her empathic skill.

Gul Dukat arrived in time to look after Kira's retreating form. His eye ridges were drawn in displeasure.

Troi was reminded of that unguarded moment at the Alliance gathering when his emotions ran strong.

"You are distressed," Troi quietly said.

"No." Dukat quickly covered his momentary lapse of attention with a cordial smile.

"It's natural for you to feel betrayed," Troi assured him. "First Kira seized the Intendant's post without

your approval, and now she has taken the Overseer's position from you." "I was her commanding

officer," Dukat said by way of explanation. His urbane demeanor belied his warrior's armor, and she

wondered if he was a good fighter. Assessing him quickly, she decided that though he was imposing and

physically well formed, his temperament was compelled toward covert manipulation rather than

hand-to-hand combat.

Troi ventured a light laugh. "Perhaps you and Kira were closer than fellow officers ." Now his smile grew

cold. "Not likely."

Troi was tempted to push this line of questioning, feeling his response despite his negative reply. He did

feel an attraction for Kira, perhaps even tenderness. Unusual for a xenophobic Cardassian.

But before Troi could continue, Dukat gestured. "Look at her with the Regent."

Troi slowly turned, having steeled herself to never reveal her jealousy. That would be her undoing. Yet

she knew that she was going to be sorely tested.

Kira was leaning on Worf's arm, her curvaceous body bumping into him as she laughed. Worf supported

her when she nearly collapsed in mirth, while he tossed back his head and joined in. Troi so rarely saw

Worf laugh, and it made her nervous. He was off his guard tonight, and she knew Kira had something to

do with it. The Bajoran certainly was vital, with her unruly red curls barely contained by a new silver foil

headband. And she held on to Worf so tightly- "She flatters men," Dukat was saying bitterly. "She makes

them want her, love her, do anything for her. Ironic considering she has always longed for a partner who

was stronger than herself."

"Oh?" Troi said, startled from her observation. Could it be true? Was that what Kira wanted? "Perhaps

that blond Terran will finally satisfy her." Dukat almost choked with resentment.

Troi gave Seven another look. She was waiting near Kira, an island of reserve in the midst of the

boisterous company. The Cardassian uniform seemed incongruous on a Terran.

"Perhaps.' Troi didn't believe that such an aloof young woman could control Kira Nerys. "I don't

understand why you're concerned after the way she betrayed you" "Becoming Overseer is one thing ."

Dukat was still watching Kira as she slowly detached herself from Worf. She managed to touch him even

more as she said good night. "Holding the post is another."

Troi finally began to smile, turning her full attention to Dukat as Kira left Worf alone. "Perhaps we have

more in common than I realized" An eagerness quickened his eye. "There are many who are not pleased

with the current situation."

Troi gestured for him to follow her. "Come, let's go where we can talk. . . .'

CHAPTER 2

KIRA NERYS NEVER lost sight of the fact that Deanna Troi had conspired with Winn Adami to have

her killed. Troi had promised to make Winn the Intendant of Bajor after Kira was dead. Kira's primary

reason for this "extended tour of her responsibilities" was to neutralize the threat posed by Deanna Troi.

Kira believed the Betazoid's power rested on her relationship with Worf. But supplanting Troi was

turning out to be more difficult than Kira had assumed it would be.

Kira didn't want to alert the empath that she knew about the assassination attempt, so she did her best to

forget about it. Troi wouldn't dare make a move against her while she was on board the Negh'Var. So

Kira channeled her preoccupation with Troi into curiosity, not bothering to hide her admiration for the

elegant woman.

Yet she was continually alert for a weakness in Troi that she could exploit.

Anyway, how could she resent Troi's interference in her life when it had given her Seven? Kira found it

highly gratifying to know that she had thwarted an assassination attempt simply through her personal

charms. Seven was obviously devoted. It was intoxicating.

All in all, Kira was having a delightful time as Overseer. She loved the way the leaders and officials of

every system jumped when she crooked her finger. A few of the Intendants had been sulky or downright

hostile, but most understood their place and were overzealous in trying to please her. Kira made sure

everyone knew what she wanted, and severely punished those who didn't satisfy her. They gave her

presents and bribes until she was afraid the Siren's Song wouldn't be able to carry everything back to

Bajor. Her quarters on board the Negh'Var were hung with precious fabrics and art, and decorated with

objects made of rare gems, metals, and crystals. Spices were burned to fill the chambers with soothing

scents, each gram worth its weight in latinum.

Her quarters were so sublime that at first she didn't want to leave them. She knew the Regent probably

had surveillance on her, and likely Troi had her own system of watching her movements. Kira wasn't

used to being watched, and she found it exciting in a subversive kind of way.

But Kira was beginning to wonder when Troi would react. Worf clearly enjoyed her company. Kira

took every opportunity to try to lighten his mood after she realized that Deanna Troi had no sense of

humor. Apparently it was working, because the Klingon crew was growing more respectful toward her

by the day. That was as unlikely, in her opinion, as a Cardassian being honest.

She had even delighted in teasing Gul Dukat at the Kot'Baval Festival by parading Seven around in a

Cardassian Gul's uniform. Surely that would get back to Ghemor and the Detapa Council.

Seven was proving to be quite an asset. When Kira's staff had become hopelessly mired in the details of

the Overseer's duties, Seven had stepped in and sorted things out. She was quite bright, really, and Kira

had gratefully handed over most of the day-to-day duties.

That meant Kira was able to concentrate on the problem of Troi. Every morning, she downloaded the

Negh'Var's general orders to see what was new. Troi routinely involved herself in running the Negh'Var,

including giving orders to the first officer. Troi was also far more deeply entrenched in Worf's duties as

Regent than Kira had anticipated. That would make it more difficult to remove her from his life. But Kira

was confident she would win Worf over if she persevered.

So one day, after some midmorning refreshment, the slaves were dressing Kira as she flicked through

the daily orders on her padd. A request caught her eye concerning shore leave on Risa. Who wouldn't be

curious about the infamous pleasure resort of the fallen Terran Empire? It had been preserved by the

Alliance and was kept stocked with the best luxury services and items.

Risa was known throughout the quadrant as the premier planet for shore leave.

Now that she thought about it, Kira wouldn't mind visiting Risa. There was no real need for the Overseer

to go there. It was run by the Alliance for the pleasure of Alliance vessels, and was already as tightly

regulated as any planet could be. Yet she had a sudden burning desire to see what everyone was talking

about.

The request by First Officer Koloth for shore leave on Risa had been denied by Troi. Her grounds were

that they would lose six days because of the detour to reach the pleasure planet. The order was

acknowledged by the first officer's stamp, but there was no indication that Worf had seen it or approved

Troi's "request denied ."

Kira hummed to herself as she devised her plan, letting Seven brush her, hair and settle the silver foil

headband over her forehead. It was one of the presents she had received from the Valtese Intendant.

The shimmering material was reportedly worth a small moon. It gave her a distinguished look, and lent

her the air of wearing a crown. She liked that, and had decided to adopt it as part of her official

Overseer's uniform, along with the black skin-suit and chest harness.

"All of you stay here," Kira ordered the slaves.

"May I come with you?" Seven immediately asked.

"No, you know better than to ask me that!" Kira rarely took her slaves anywhere on the Negh'Var

because Klingons were known to strike a Terran for simply being there. Kira didn't like anyone to touch

her slaves except for her. But Seven wouldn't stop asking to leave their rooms. Now Kira would have to

take away one of her privileges for being so presumptuous. But she could deal with Seven later, when

she could thoroughly enjoy herself. Right now, she had important matters to take care of.

It was early yet for Troi to be on the bridge. She preferred to arrive after the shift change, when the

senior officers were on deck. But Kira had noticed that Worf often went to the bridge in the morning,

though he did little more than stare at the stars on the screen. Kira got the impression that the brooding

Klingon was never so happy as when he was reclining in the huge command chair, his legs stretched out

and his chin planted on his fist, watching the galaxy pass before his eyes.

Kira joined him, stepping up on the platform that raised Worf above everyone else on the bridge. "I

could stay out here forever," Kira sighed, leaning against the arm of his chair.

Worf looked at her intently. "What about Bajor?" "I love being on a starship. It's much more interesting

than living on a station that orbits one planet. I've been cooped up for far too long . . . ." Kira gazed at

the screen, noting the way he turned toward her. A direct hit. "You love it out here, too."

"Yes." His deep voice carried a finality, emphasizing how much it meant to him.

Kira smiled and let it pass, knowing he would think more of her for it. After a few moments, with a

laughing tone, she said, "I know something else you like ."

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ThistextliberatedbyTheShakaarCell:"ResistanceisNOTfutile". “ThesettingforStarTrek:DarkPassionsBooksOneandTwoisthedark,intense"MirrorUniverse"asestablishedonStarTrek:DeepSpaceNine,andreflectsthelifestylesandmoresofthatuniverse.TheplayersarenottheStarTrekcharactersaswehavecometoknowthem,buttheirharde...

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