TRIALS FOUR: Shadow's Trials
By Terri Zavaleta
DISCLAIMER: Everyone knows (or everyone who counts) that Paramount
owns the Star Trek Universe and its characters. This is my own work
written as an outlet for creativity and not for profit. Special thanks
to the PT Collective (y'all know who you are) who created the
characters of Ethan Simms, Mikel Hudson, and Janine Lamont. Other
characters you don't recognize are my own invention.
TRIALS FOUR: Shadow's Trials
*************
It was the day after the night that, thanks to Ensign Ethan Simms,
came to be known as Full Moon Night---though the term was actually
meaningless on a starship traveling through space. That didn't
matter. Everyone knew exactly what he meant.
The Security Officer had dubbed the preceding evening with this title
because of the sudden rash of wildly inappropriate and otherwise
fascinating behaviors that had gone on---the kind of behaviors that on
Earth used to be blamed on the presence of a full moon.
These behaviors had resulted in Ethan and his partner, Mikel Hudson,
being responsible for taking several crewmen into custody at the very
beginning of their usually quiet third shift duty period with charges
and counter-charges being tossed back and forth among the
participants. Several crewmembers had also been seen coming and going
from Sickbay under suspicious and/or noteworthy circumstances which
added to fuel to the rapidly spreading flames of gossip.
The ship's grapevine had never been presented simultaneously with so
many juicy tidbits to mull over. First, there was the whole Malista
Shadow/Harry Kim situation. It seemed that, contrary to the odds in
the betting pool, Shadow and Kim were back together again and seemed
closer than ever which pleased some and displeased others who'd taken
an interest.
In addition, it appeared that there was no truth to one of the wilder
rumors---that Tom Paris had caused the rift in his best friend's
relationship by attempting to start his own harem---beginning by
recruiting Malista Shadow and B'Elanna Torres.
The trio of Shadow, Torres, and Paris had been exercising on the
holodeck---not engaging in sexual games. It was a circus program and
they intended to demonstrate their new acrobatic skills at the next
ship's talent show. They'd been wearing robes when entering and
leaving the holodeck because they were wearing tight, revealing
costumes appropriate to the setting and physical activities. Many
people salivated at the thought---but refused to specify which member
of the trio they were fantasizing about---if they weren't envisioning
any combination or all three.
The juiciest item of interest concerning the reconciliation dealt with
the involvement of Ensign George Natwick. The original rumor was that
the ensign had made an unwelcome move on Malista and that Harry Kim
had come to her rescue---only to be beaten into unconsciousness by
Natwick, who was in turn beaten into unconsciousness by Lt. Tom Paris.
The source of this particular bit of reporting, known for flights of
fancy, was immediately discredited by other witnesses who stated that
Natwick went looking for Kim, rather than the other way around, and
that at the time Malista was nowhere in view. It was also hard to
credit that George Natwick, the massively muscle-bound Security
Officer who taught self-defense classes, had been beaten into
unconsciousness by anyone! Much less that the easy-going Tom Paris had
done so---unassisted.
Another twist on the story was that Natwick had attacked Kim at the
request of Malista Shadow, who had subsequently been attacked herself
by B'Elanna Torres in retaliation and that both women had wound up in
Sickbay. Yet another version had the self-defense instructor
attacking Tom Paris---no reason given---and being subdued by Malista,
B'Elanna, and Harry who all ended up in Sickbay. This one was so
all.
When the facts, according to the arresting officers, Mikel Hudson and
Ethan Simms came out, the story was much less interesting, but still
provided a lot of room for speculation for the bored crew of Voyager.
When, why, and how had George Natwick gotten involved? What had he
been doing alone with Malista in her quarters for approximately
forty-five minutes? Where there was smoke, there was sure to be fire.
Something must have been going on! Why else had he left her quarters
and gone looking for Harry Kim apparently with murder on his mind? And
now that Harry Kim and Malista Shadow were a couple once more, what
about George Natwick?
How in the name of Titan's ten moons had Tom Paris (of all people!)
managed to not only pin Natwick, but subdue him, until his arrest? And
emerge unscathed from the encounter? The pilot was known for being
quick with a quip---not with his fists. Still, there was speculation
that he might have learned a few tricks in prison. Which provoked a
whole other topic of debate.
Another item of much discussion was the arrest of the ship's
librarian, Diane Russell on charges of assault. The idea of the shy,
tiny woman knocking Freddie Bristow down (and adding insult to injury
by kicking him) was so amusing that it was almost impossible to
believe. It seemed so out of character, that many talebearers
insisted that she had taken the blame for Aron Dalby, the hot-headed
former Maquis and the new love of her life.
Neither Aron nor Diane would comment and Freddie Bristow had decided
to maintain an uncharacteristically low profile. He couldn't be found
off duty, and was all but unapproachable on duty. He was, however,
noticeably subdued and not interested in the pursuit of the fairer sex
at this time. The gamblers began a pool on when he would begin a new
chase---and who his next amorous target would be. They had to have
*something* to bet on!
*************
"Everyone's staring," Malista hissed under her breath. She'd tried to
avoid the messhall completely for breakfast that morning, but Harry
had insisted that they'd done nothing wrong and to hide away from
public view would just cause the speculation to increase in geometric
proportions.
"Don't look at them," Harry said with an amused smile. It felt strange
to be the bold one of a pair. He was usually the quiet one who
followed. He tugged on her hand, drawing her closer and slipping his
arm around her waist. "Just look at me."
She followed his instructions and found her green eyes ensnared in his
dancing dark ones. He was smiling at her. Her own nervous expression
melted into a smile. She'd rather look at him than anything or anyone
else on the ship anyway. Keeping her eyes locked on his,
she trusted
him to lead them to the table where Tom and B'Elanna were waiting.
He made it without a misstep---almost a miracle, considering he wasn't
watching where he was going. She was so beautiful he found it hard to
take his eyes off her. And never more than when she smiled just for
him. Of course, it wasn't terribly surprising that he didn't trip.
It's impossible to trip---when you're walking on air.
Kathryn Janeway smiled indulgently at the pair, before turning her
attention back to her badly needed coffee. Chakotay raised an
inquiring eyebrow in her direction. They both had gone a little short
on sleep last night. It had been the beginning of the third shift
when they'd been called to Sickbay and then to the brig in order to
deal with the---consequences---of Full Moon Night, which had taken
some time as well.
"Yes, Commander?" the captain said dreamily as she savored her
morning caffeine fix. Her expression was that of deep satisfaction.
Her coffee was her one real indulgence and she tended to make it last
as long as possible.
will last this time?" His brown eyes were twinkling, though he kept a
straight face. Her appreciation of coffee had an almost sensual affect
on her. He half expected her to purr after each sip.
She suppressed a smile. "Until the next full moon?"
"Or until the next romance goes awry?" Chakotay added, nodding toward
the isolated corner table.
Freddie Bristow was trying to blend into the wall as he manfully
struggled to eat his breakfast while pretending he didn't know that
many of room's occupants were staring at him---and that those who
weren't staring were talking about him. The young man was in for a
rough few days. His physical bruises had been healed in Sickbay last
night, but the embarrassment of the emotional beating he'd taken had,
temporarily at least, subdued his youthful exuberance and egocentrism.
The captain hastily set down her coffee cup, before a tremble of
laughter could cause a spill. "Do you think he's finally learned a
lesson? Or do you need to schedule him for some counseling?"
Chakotay's face took on a pained expression. "Captain, perhaps at the
next friendly planet we find, we could attempt to recruit a qualified
ship's counselor?"
She raised an eyebrow at him. With a sigh, she drained the last drop
of coffee from her cup and studied its emptiness pensively, almost
mournfully.
"Would you like another cup of coffee, Captain?" Chakotay teased.
She sent him a reproachful glance as she got to her feet. "Don't tempt
me, Commander."
"With coffee?" he asked, a shade too innocently, his dimples
deepening.
She narrowed her eyes at him as if sighting him with a weapon. "Let's
get to the bridge."
He got to his feet and followed her without another word. His eyes,
though, brimmed with mischief---and something warmer.
************************
It was a very long duty shift for those who'd stayed up till the early
hours of the morning. B'Elanna Torres was not the type to be pumped
for information or teased so she was left in peace to pursue her
stated goal of making the Engineering Department one hundred percent
efficient.
Harry Kim and Tom Paris spent their shift on the bridge under the
watchful eyes of the captain, the first officer, or both, so there was
no opportunity for others to get at them in order to seek facts or
express opinions.
Malista Shadow, on the other hand, was assigned to Maintenance and
Repair and, therefore, was out and about the ship carrying out her
duties---which made her the most obvious source of information. And
the most obvious target for the innuendoes, prying questions, and
unsought advice offered by other crewmembers. It was unfortunate that
she was also the least prepared of the foursome for dealing with that
kind of public pressure. Some questions were idle curiosity, not meant
to be taken as unkindly. Others were direct, pointed, and malicious.
<So what went on with George last night, Malista?>
<How did you snare Kim? Did he finally get lonely enough he'd take
*any* substitute for his Libby?>
<What was the problem with Natwick? He's not into group sex?>
<Did you tell Natwick to hit Kim? Or was that his own idea?>
<I like Harry Kim. Nice men don't understand how women like you
operate. If you hurt him again, you'll be sorry!>
<You do know that Kim is just lonely? He's using you for sex! Once
he's had enough---he'll move on! What will you do then?>
<It must be nice to have two men on a string. Tell me, what's your
secret?>
<Why buy a shuttle if you can ride for free? Ever hear that expression
before?>
<How long are you and Kim going to be together---this time?>
<So are you and Kim a couple now? Or are you keeping your options
open?>
<I suppose you think you're going to live happily ever after?>
<I don't know why you Maquis don't stick with your own kind!>
<Why did you pick Kim? You think you're on a fast track to promotion?>
<You're playing games with Kim, aren't you? What's the matter? Too
scared of Torres to go after Tom Paris?>
<Kim isn't the best bet to get ahead on this ship. You should have
gone after Chakotay. Or the captain.>
<Settle a bet for us. Who's better in bed? Tom? Or Harry? Or George?>
She didn't know what to say. She wasn't assertive enough to confront
them and tell them to leave her alone. So she tried ignoring them,
hoping if they got no response they'd leave her alone. She
withdrew---mentally and emotionally, when a physical retreat was
impossible.
Approaching her immediate supervisor, Malista waited to be noticed and
then spoke. "Lt. Torres? I finished the realignment of the forward
sensor arrays. Could I have my next assignment now?"
The half Klingon looked up quickly, mildly startled and concerned. The
formality in the young woman's manner didn't surprise Torres. They
were on duty. It was the usual professional approach. What caught
Torres off guard was Crewman Shadow's total neutrality.
Crewman Shadow was no longer smiling as she had been at breakfast. In
fact, Crewman Shadow had no expression at all. The carefully blank
look that was turned toward the Chief Engineer reminded Torres
forcefully of the defensive Malista that she'd hoped had been banished
for good. "What's wrong?" B'Elanna snapped.
Shadow stared at her dispassionately. "Nothing, Lieutenant. Could I
have my next assignment, please? I don't mind working alone," she
added, hoping she wasn't being too pushy and that Torres would take
the hint. Malista had never been so conscious as she was at this
moment of the difference in rank and the fact that this woman was her
immediate supervisor. She didn't want the chief to think she was
trying to take advantage of their off-duty friendship.
B'Elanna frowned at her. She growled under her breath as she noticed
the two of them were attracting stares from others in the section
who'd just 'happened' to wander into the area at this particular time.
The growl startled Malista into widening her eyes, but she remained
silent.
"Are the idiots getting to you?" Torres said, more loudly than
necessary.
There was a sudden flurry of movement as everyone within earshot
quickly got busy and pretended deafness. No one wanted to draw the
chief's wrath down on his or her head. She'd been in a good mood all
morning. The staff preferred for her to stay that way. It made life in
Engineering less nerve-wracking.
Torres continued to meet Shadow's eyes unflinchingly, demanding a
response. "Well?"
The taller woman swallowed hard. "It's just---everyone's staring. And
asking questions." For someone who had managed to remain practically
invisible among the Voyager crew for three years, the sudden interest
in her every move was difficult to deal with. She could count the
number of her friends on her fingers and have a few left over. It was
unnerving to think everyone on the ship was talking about her,
watching her. It made her extremely self-conscious.
B'Elanna scowled. No one had bothered *her* with such silliness. Of
course, it didn't occur to her that no one would dare. Shaking her
head, she checked her datapadd for the status of repairs. "Okay,
Malista. Go to Shuttlebay One and go over the power coupling relays in
the shuttles. They were low priority since we haven't been using them.