The Doubt Of Lady Sare
Posted on Mon Dec 14th, 2015 @ 11:53am by Captain Aidan Rackham & Ensign Daisy Skie-Cloud
Mission:
The Belle of Bellatrix
Location: Temple of Ribensauky, Veccha City, Bellatrix IV
Timeline: 2278.54 1700hrs [Ship Time]
The group of Starfleet officers strode through the giant doors of the temple as they had just hours before but were now assured that all on Bellatrix IV was not as it seemed. They had heard stories - rumours really - but all of the circumstantial evidence seemed to back it up and without speaking to the person at the heart of it all, they would never know the truth.
Daisy moved gracefully with the group of her fellow officers. She caught the slight twitches of facial muscle at their return. Those that were visible were more alert and their weapons were at low ready to repel unwanted visitors to the temple. A few openly glared at them from neutral stoic expressions as one quietly and discretely called inside to let those know the Off-Worlders had returned.
Rackham had gone from placid to furious on the walk back which wasn't helped by the more obvious aggression of the temple guards who had been seen attacking numerous civilians whose protest had spread into something more, making the city streets a powderkeg. The interior doors opened and the billowing tapestries and fabrics which had so cleverly concealed guards now hung limp and guards stood more prominently, lining the carpet which ran up to the throne.
"Captain. I see you have been causing trouble among our people." Ariak, now dressed in the robes of a High Priest, bellowed the understatement of the century from beside Lady Sare who looked like a chastised child.
"Quite the contrary, Ariak. It seems your people were already on the streets before we arrived which made us ask ourselves a few questions, especially when we saw your own guards using unnecessary force on the people.
The old priest winced slightly at the notion. "That is the way of our people, Captain. Our laws are very clear and any form of uprising is to be met with force. We once had a warlike, violent reputation and this is the only way that the Order of Ribensauky has seen fit to keep the peace."
Rackham looked at Lady Sare again who was now looking up at Ariak from her throne-like sofa. "You lied to me." She stated flatly, all of the booming grandiose gone from her voice. "This is why you won't let me be out among the people."
"It is for your own safety, My Lady."
"So you sent us out to confirm your suspicion?" Rackham asked rhetorically as annoyed at being used as he was impressed by her cunning. "I take it you already know about the other girls." He was referring to the girls which the priest at the priory had tried to conceal from him - the next 'pool' of Ladies. "They'll pick one to replace you and the others... disappear."
Lady Sare nodded and toyed with an elaborate gold neckpiece which she had been wearing since they arrived. "This is the power - it's not me." She smiled wryly up at Ariak who looked shocked that the layers of indoctrination seemed to be falling away. "They think I don't know - they think I believe all their spiritual rubbish. This jewelry is the only thing that marks me apart and all it seems to do is make the priests suspicious and paranoid.
Daisy stood next to Rackham with indignation and with concern for the Lady Sare. Unfortunately she had nothing to scan the jewelry to determine what made it flicker and pulse, now that attention was drawn to the ornate pieces Lady Sare wore.
"It's some kind of radiation, Captain." One of the security crew reported. "Seems to be coming on a carrier wave of some kind."
"What do you think, Captain?" Some of the timbre was beginning to return to her voice. "If this thing is destroyed, will they stop all of this?"
Rackham didn't know what to say. He was completely on the spot between an oppressive regime and the uncertainty of what they might do if their source of power was destroyed. Lady Sare spoke again. "They're going to kill me, I know that now. Before you arrived I didn't want to believe it but they're going to shove a knife into my heart and allow the 'spirit' of the Belle to flow into some other unsuspecting kid. I can't let it happen."
Ariak's face fell still further but his eyes belied amurderous rage. He placed his hand on Sare's shoulder and squeezed it so hard that Rackham noticed her visibly shrink under the pressure. "Enough of this! This is an internal matter of state and we will deal with it as such."
Suddenly Sare had broken free of his grip and was at eye level with the old man, his wizened frame reeling back. "Internal matter of state?! You would have kept me in this temple until you killed me and replaced me with some other girl! All because of this - it doesn't even do anything!" She tore the necklace from her neck and held it out in front of her as Ariak's eyes widened further. "Captain. I request the asylum of your Federation." She stated as calmly as she could, the adrenaline visibly coursing through her.
"Granted." Rackham said as Ariak burst forward, making a snatch for the necklace and its gleaming central gemstone. Sare was surprised by the sprightliness of the priest and was knocked back on her heels as the jewelry flew into the air and time seemed to slow as the old man tried to grab it out of the air. He didn't get to it. The guards were already running for the door as it bounced off the stone steps and the gem cracked into two sending out a shockwave which knocked the away team off their feet and sent Sare flying off the podium and onto the floor. Ariak, who was just a few inches away from the necklace's impact screamed out in agony as a second, much smaller wave emanated from the broken stone and enveloped his body, vapourising him.
Then there was silence. Rackham dragged himself to his feet and looked around for Sare who was standing bent double against one of the pillars. The guards had made their escape - this was all very much above their paygrade - and a small collection of high priests stood huddled in the corner. Sare pulled herself back to full height and bellowed at them with every bit of rage she had within her. "It is done! The necklace is gone and Ariak is dead. You are no longer responsible for Bellatrix and no longer will you take girls from their families and turn them to your sick misdeeds." By this time she had drawn level with the away team and collapsed, exhausted by the experience and the sudden rush of emotion from the truth coming out.
After Carver got done with his checking of Lady Sare, Daisy moved to her and put an arm of support around the young teen ager girl, Sare, who once was a figurehead of the State Controlled religion that enslaved it's people. Helped her to her feet, letting Sare lean against her and draw comfort from her. She looked at Rackham, with a soft determination to bring Sare with them, for if she stayed here, she would be dead in a matter of time.
Rackham took a last look around at the room. With the necklace gone, perhaps the paranoia which was gripping the people would be too and they could live alongside one another without needing a figurehead to keep them in line. He didn't have much to cling on to but hope at this point, otherwise they had destabilised a planet's government for nothing. He flipped open his communicator. "Rackham to Farragut. Six to beam up."
Captain Aidan Rackham
Commanding Officer
Ensign Daisy Skie-Cloud
Communications Officer
