Line In The Sand

Posted on 03 Jul 2022 @ 8:24pm by Lieutenant Ileyana Haistro & Lieutenant Commander Aidan Datari

Mission: Through the looking glass
Location: Mirror Sempok Nor - Processing Plant
1833 words - 3.7 OF Standard Post Measure

The acrid smell of burning flesh, the dull moans of pain, the lash of a whip and whine of a plasma weapon and whimpering of those around to witness the execution of a slow moving tired worker.
"This..." she pointed at the now still body of the aging man, his frail form mostly skin and bone. "This is what happens when you fail to meet quota's. The Metasphasic particles won't mine themselves. If the rest of you don't improve and speed up then this fate" jabbing a finger in the direction of the dead worker "awaits not only you but your families as well... Do I make myself clear!"

Her words dripped sweetly from her lips, laced with undertones of venom and loathing. "Back to work!"

Natasha came walking in, escorted by her guards, she paused seeing the aftereffects of the man's punishment. Her nose wrinkled up at the scent and she raised up a kerchief which had some perfume to take away the scent of the burned flesh. "A word with you please." lowering the kerchief, her tone rather cold. She concentrated upon the person in front of her, blocking out the cries of the human flesh that was nearby.

"By your command Intendant!" Ileyana thrust the whip at her second, a burly man, heavy set, with a cold and calculating stare. He smiled as he took the weapon and started lashing at the man before him as his commanding officer and the Intendant moved away.
""What can I do for you Intendant?"

"You do realize that, the way you treat them we will be out of people unless you you have more tucked away. Give them a bit more food, they will have the energy to give out more work. That would be a practical way to get more results out of them." Giving Ileyana a cold stare. "I believe in results and you are just wasting resources on running them into the ground"

"Are you going soft Intendant... They are Terrans. Nothing more than flesh and meat and bone for the machine. To be used, nothing more than pack animals!"
Ileyana's words dripping with venom knowing that if her brothers had still been in charge here that production would have been triple what it was now. Instead this woman had manipulated her way into power and her brothers had been reassigned to a less important sector of space.

"They are more than what you are terming them" Natasha's voice came out with an even more chill. " I am not going soft, and what is needed is more able bodied individuals. Why are we using the dregs, why haven't you gone out and acquired more? Dangle a carrot you get more production. When dealing with beasts of burdens you gain more when given more sweeter incentive. Or have you forgotten that."

"We all saw how that worked for Intendant Kira on Terok Nor didn't we!" Ileyana squaring up to the other women, challenging her.

"That is something that has been countered, we all learn from our mistakes don't we?" Natasha sneered" And have you learned from your mistakes? I am sure you have as this is how a certain someone came into power. You are no longer being treated as slaves and beings meant to be used then cast off to one side. I don't intend on being used in that manner either, do I make myself clear. Better treatment, better results with these people. It will serve you well."

"As I would expect from a weak Terran!" Ileyana shot back, every syllable dripping with disdain and loathing that her superior was a privileged Terran. In her mind they should all have been terminated, wiped from the face of the galaxy leaving only the true denizens, the true heirs to the galaxy in power. Klingons, Cardassians, Bajorans, Benzites and Betazoids.

Natasha glared at Ileyana "Lets have a private conversation and take it out of the hearing of the lessers, shall we?" a flow of mutual hatred could be felt for Natasha despised those who treated others horribly. And Terrans should be treated equally as well. Whether it be good or bad.

She turned to head to a less populated area, to where she and Ileyana could 'talk'.

Ileyana followed, her fingers tightening around the ceremonial blade on her belt just waiting for her moment.

Natasha's bodyguards were starting to follow and she whirled around, "You see that we are not disturbed. We have things to discuss!"

"Intendant?" the body guard protested.

"You do as you are told." Natasha snapped out, her eyes filled with cold fury. "Whatever happens stay out of it." her eyes narrowing. "And you know what will happen if you do not obey me." with that she whirled around and continued on. This would leave her back exposed for a possible attack, and she knew it. She wasn't blind to realize that Ileyana was dangerous, very dangerous. And Natasha had her own weapon as well.

Once the bodyguards were out of sight Ileyana turned, a smile tugging at her features making her appear like an innocent girl, something both women knew to be nothing more than a genetically fortunate version of smoke and mirrors. She waited for her moment once the Intendant had moved closer and with a speed that would have caught most of guard she snapped up her blade, lashed out catching the intendant on the jaw with the razor sharp blade.
"Perhaps its time for you to retire and let someone take over that can actually command authority with these people!"

Natasha barely had time to deflect part of that attack, with her left hand feeling the pain of the blade on her chin, she'll have to get that taken care of before it turned into a scar. With her right hand she stabbed towards Ileyana's left side with her own blade, cutting into it, "I will not retire and it took me long enough to get to where I am." she said stiffly. "There were those who tried to butter up to the emperor and they had to be dealt with."

"But it is a Betazoid in power now and we all know he favours his own kind!" her last word a spring board as she leapt at the Intendant, slashing upwards with the blade as she went and pivoting allowing her to land a round house kick directly to her opponents abdomen. "Even if you win here, you won't be in power for long. My brothers will be back and they will exact my revenge or if I prevail here then they will be my left and right hands!"

Natasha dodged the slash but was hit by Ileyna's kick to her belly, she went with the blow though it knocked the air from her momentarily. She gasped out though as she moved to avoid the next attack from Ileyana. "Power to bend people to his will, but I prefer his rule instead of the previous person." she growled out. "I didn't like what was happening to your people either." having caught her breath and got to her feet. "I took out who I could, and yes you are hearing this from me. Did you think that he didn't have help in coming in?"

Natasha this time pushed her attack at Ileyana, dropping all guise of not knowing how to fight, she moved quickly towards Ileyana, palming something from her waist band with her left hand which she threw towards Ileyana's face, a powder which would cause her eyes to burn, following up with a leg sweep to Ileyana's feet to knock her to the floor.

The powder was an unexpected move and it landing square on target, instantly starting to burn her eyes, tears filling her vision... This could be fatal for her now as she fell to the ground, the pain over riding all thought of her own safety.

In a flash Natasha was on Ileyana, pinning her to the floor, then she whispered, "I could kill you right now, but what good would it do, it would put me in a bad light with the Emperor and end what I have been working for." just then there was a sound of footsteps and a man's voice could be heard. "Intendent is everything alright?" the weight upon Ileyana left, there is heard a gurgling sound, and Natasha's voice saying "I told you to not disturb us." then the sound of soft footsteps returning. And a cold object with the distinct sound of water sloshing is placed in Ileyana's hand "here this will take care of the burning." Natasha's hand was in contact with Ileyana's. "Do you wish my help?"

"No!" she spat, thrusting the Intendant away as she scrambled to her feet, seething at the other women's underhand tactics. 'Just like a Terran'

Once on her feet she started rubbing at her eyes, now red and sore from the powder and her actions to clear it, tears streaming down her cheeks for the same reason. It only built her anger and hatred towards the women and she would have her moment, standing over her broken body as she rolled it from the upper platform of the Promenade for the Terran Slaves to see and know that not even their Terran over lords were safe.
"I will kill you... It is only a matter of time!"

Natasha snorted, "Aye it will be a matter of time when either of us will kill each other." Natasha felt the sting of her own wounds, for Ileyana tagged her in some spots, she hadn't realized until now. She also knew even more, how dangerous the woman was. The intendent pictured Ileyana lying at her feet with blood spilling out around her in a dark red pool. She hated the woman desperately. For now though Natasha had a body to contend with and to take care of her wounds.

"I suggest you leave while I take care of a mess, unless you wish to be accused of killing my bodyguard. Of which I could very well do such." Natasha giving a cold smile.

Collecting herself Ileyana started to move away, retreating to the shadows of the Processing Plant, considering for just the briefest of moments to use the Intendants focus on her dead bodyguard to land the winning blow... She realised that now was not the right time but perhaps, just perhaps she would have an ally stop by the station. She had a call to place.

Natasha whistled for the bodyguard that was left, the one who was more loyal to her than the other. Both he and she got rid of the body of the other, at this moment she needed to get her wounds taken care of. She cast a look around to see where Ileyana had gone to, both she and Ileyana will meet again, but she hoped that the woman will treat those working here, better. One could only hope.