The Pet
Chapter Six
This is my first attempt at writing. It's a Star Trek original series
story. Star Trek and its characters are the property of Paramount
pictures, and this story is just a work of fan fiction. It's just for fun
and not for profit.
Before long it was thoroughly dark out and I was just resigning myself
to
another horrible night in this cell when I heard someone coming.
Standing my
face pressed close against the cold steel of the cell bars I waited in
silent
anticipation. Was Spock finally arriving to liberate me from this
endless
confinement or was it the guard simply brining in another unfortunate
prisoner? I heard the sound of keys rattling then the distinct creak
of the
door slowly opening and footsteps approaching my cell.
The guard abruptly appeared nervously escorting a familiar individual
to the
front of my cell. I was painfully aware of my heart as it abruptly
skipped a
beat then collapsed to the ground near my feet. I was expecting Spock
not the
gentleman who stood rigidly before me arms folded across his massive
chest.
I took a slow step backwards, swallowed hard, and immediately averted
my eyes
to appear suitably passive. I found this behavior easy to assume in
the face
of his angry face. He was intimidating even to me although I had faced
a Gorn
in single combat. When he spoke, it was with a voice rough with
restrained
agitation undoubtedly due to my inappropriate behavior.
"Release him." He bellowed at the already frightened guard. He stood
there
silently observing me with a penetrating stare as the nervous guard
fumbling
with his keys moved immediately to open my cell. I sensed the intense
heat
from his eyes burning deep into my very soul as he continued to
soundlessly
watch me.
When the guard had the door opened, the Ambassador deliberately
stepped
towards me. He casually unfolded his arms, intentionally bringing into
view
my collar and leash. Utterly humiliated, I passively stood there while
he
snapped the collar around my neck then securing the leash he roughly
led me
from the cell. He never uttered another word, simply signed a series
of
papers for my release then encircling my arm with one immense hand we
departed the brig.
During the long march back, I speculated as to the reason why the
Ambassador
and not Spock released me from my imprisonment. I could easily
understand
Taduran's anger though I thought Spock was beyond petty retaliation. I
couldn't comprehend Spock's new attitude towards me during this
assignment. I
could no longer recognize the individual he had recently become as
being my
first officer.
The thought of the Ambassador and the Tellerite being involved in some
underhanded dealings during the conference could however explain
Spock's
anomalous absence. If he unknowingly stumbled onto some pertinent
information
connecting the two ambassadors he could be in serious trouble. I badly
needed
answers to questions I dare not pose in the presents of Stoamer's most
influential, not to mention mysterious,
ambassador.
Once we reached the hotel the Ambassador escorted me directly to my
room,
unlocking the door and quickly ushering me inside. After entering the
room
himself, he secured the door lock before turning his attention back to
me. I
submissively stood there, with him simply looking at me, for the
longest
time. I waited in suspense, preparing myself for something drastic to
happen.
I found it actually difficult not to shrink away from this individual
when he
finally stepped forward to gently remove my collar and leash. I
remained in a
submissive stance during the entire procedure, my head lowered and
eyes
averted, unable to view his features or determine his temperament.
I heard the distinct click of the clasp on the collar as the
Ambassador
released the locking mechanism. I felt my skin cool with the caress of
unobstructed air as the collar gradually slipped away from my throat.
Abruptly appearing in my line of sight was an enormous pair of hands
as they
slowly move downward then settle at the Ambassador's side still
tightly
clutching the collar.
I received only the briefest of hints regarding his emotional state
when he
ultimately designed to speak to me. In a voice now gruff with...what?
Suppressed amusement? Relief? Or something more?
He growled. "You stink, go in and bathe, now!" The last word he
uttered with
an undeniable command tone in his voice, a sharpness that
unquestionably
stated I dared not challenge his orders. With a firm hand together
with an
unceremonious shove to my back he forcefully propelled me towards the
bathroom door. He slowly lowered his immense bulk into a nearby chair,
waiting silently for my response to his command. Not wanting to
provoke him
further, as well as thinking how refreshing it would feel to wash off
all the
remnants of my stay in the local brig I did so without hesitating.
My shower completed and feeling refreshed I stepped out of the stall
to find
I had nothing in which to wear as clothing. I wrapped a dry towel
securely
about my hips while searching the entire bathroom becoming curious
when I
couldn't find them. I suddenly came to the realization my clothing had
been
removed for a reason; therefore I timidly and completely embarrassed
entered
the main room to confront the ambassador.
I located him exactly as I had left him, calmly seated in a chair; his
legs
gracefully stretched out before him casually crossed at the ankles.
However,
I discovered to my dismay, firmly grasped in one mammoth hand was my
short
robe and belt, the required attire for a pet.
The Ambassador was granting me the alternative of either donning my
guise and
resuming my role as a pet or remaining as I was wrapped in an
extremely
short, damp towel. I determined it would be useless to dispute the
point
therefore I accepted the costume and returned to the bathroom to
change.
When I reentered the apartment I realized that Spock still remained
strangely
absent. I also understood that as a pet I would not be allowed to
question
the ambassador concerning his disappearance without suffering the
consequences of such an action. I also had a distinct impression that
Taduran
would not freely volunteer the information I
desperately desired. Therefore I decided to risk punishment by
breaking his
peculiar rule requiring a pet to remain in absolute silence.
I walked up to where the Ambassador was sitting, looking notably
repentant,
in the hopes that this posture would appease him. He didn't utter a
word but
openly as well as deliberately examined me to thoroughly determine if
I was
attired properly. After I endured this humiliating procedure the
Ambassador
reached for my collar and placed it
about my neck. He then, with a superficial tilt of his head,
indicating I was
to withdraw to my cot where a meager container of food awaited me.
I looked at the food with a passionate desire to obey him, but Spock's
whereabouts seemed more important. If he were in some kind of trouble
and
required my assistance I couldn't afford the pleasure of food yet.
With an
audible rumble of protest from my empty stomach I reluctantly turned
my
attention back to the Ambassador.
As I stared defiantly into the face of the man before me I became
sharply
aware of the animosity mounting in his eyes as well as the rigid
manner in
which he held himself. Knowing I was risking severe punishment at the
hands
of this behemoth I was nonetheless determined to obtain the
information I
desired.
At the sound of my first word the Ambassador's controlled anger turned
immediately to full-blown fury. He rose up out of the chair, moving
slowly
and carefully until finally, towering above me, he allowed me to
visualize
his tremendous height. He stood balanced there for a moment like an
enormous
grizzly bear on two legs, waiting for my next move.
I attempted evasion by retreating when a massive hand shot out
immediately,
and firmly grabbed my arm above the elbow. He moved faster then an
individual
of his immense proportions should be able to, resulting in my
immediate
capture. Before I realized what was happening and without permitting
adequate
time to react he abruptly whirled me around deliberately shoving me
face down
across the table.
The arm he clutched in his vice like the other abruptly joined grip
and
together, both arms were ultimately secured to my back in one of his
massive
hands. In this undignified position I was thoroughly prevented from
any
possibility of escape. I then experience an intense pain as his free
hand
descended repeatedly across my backside before releasing me to once
again
face him.
Extremely shocked as well as utterly mortified I stood there massaging
the
soreness from my bottom and rapidly blinking back the tears that
threatened
to cascade down my cheeks. Folding his arms across his chest the
ambassador
then tilted his head, once again indicating my cot, leaving me no
doubt as to
the consequences should I disobeyed him further. I was not overly
enthusiastic about repeating the experience
therefore I immediately did as he instructed going directly to my cot.
Once there I discovered sitting to be quite excruciating, nevertheless
I
somehow managed to endure the discomfort. I suppose under the
circumstances
discovering Spock's whereabouts would have wait a while longer. He was
after
all fully capable of taking care of himself in most situations
therefore I
decided to wait it out rather
then present the ambassador with another excuse to punish me.
I greedily consumed the meager portion of food in the bowl while
contemplating my next course of action. What could I do as an
insignificant
pet to influence the Ambassador into divulging the information I
desired
without incurring his wrath? What knowledge I had obtained concerning
the
relationship between a pet and its master was considerable compared to
what I
knew about dealing with an unfamiliar master. My dealings with Spock
at best
was precarious therefore I couldn't imagine anything beneficial that
would
influence Ambassador Taduran enough to gain the information I was
after.
By the time I finished eating I still remained unclear concerning how
I
should proceed with the Ambassador. I was unsure as to his involvement
with
the Tellerite Ambassador therefore I couldn't trust him enough to
divulge our
true identity as well as our mission on Stoamer. I wasn't entirely
positive
of Taduran's innocence in the matter of Spock's
absence. I couldn't even tell if he knew that Spock was missing.
I had to come up with a plausible reason for speaking to him that
would
disclose the information I needed as well as restrict further
punishment.
Bolstering my courage in preparation for anything I picked up my bowl
and
warily stepped up to confront Ambassador Taduran once more.
Remaining a sufficient distance away from Taduran, I placed my empty
dish on
the small table. I had just prepared myself for another argument with
the
Ambassador when I caught a distinct yet muffled click, followed by the
familiar swish of a door sliding open. Someone was about to enter the
room. I
instantly lowered my eyes and stood there submissively waiting for
whoever it
was to enter.
Spock being the only logical one I could think of that would be coming
in
without knocking set my heart to pounding furiously with anticipation.
I
desperately desired to turn towards the door, to look for myself if my
intuition was correct, but the still throbbing pain in my backside
reminded
me of my status as a pet. Positioned with my back to the door in
addition to
in my submissive stance it was impossible to discern the individual
entering
until I heard a familiar baritone.
At the musical sound of Spock's voice I instantly spun around to
enthusiastically cry out, "Spock!"
My delight at seeing my first officer unharmed however, was short
lived, the
instant I comprehended the look on his face. I immediately dropped my
head
and returned to a properly obedient stance inwardly relieved though at
seeing
Spock standing there.
I could tell he was exhausted, and thoroughly frustrated with me,
although
for a moment I caught the glow of relief in his dark eyes as well as a
softening of his generally stoic expression. This vanished quickly and
was
replaced immediately with a more suitable Vulcan look as he turned to
speak
to Ambassador Taduran. I didn't know what he had gone through during
my brief
adventure however I had a peculiar feeling
I would soon find out.
End Chapter 6