Chapter Text
Title: The Shadow of a Doubt
Author: Poodle
Rating: PG-13
Summary: When Commander Riker is taken hostage on a degenerating colony by a hostile faction of the fractured society, Lieutenant Yar and Commander Data must race against time to save his life. Alone, they must enter the city where they are cut off from all outside communication because of the deteriorating biosphere surrounding the city. There they must battle not only the hostile and starving inhabitants of the city, but their own growing discomfort with each other and the unresolved issues they both share concerning their intimate indiscretion during the "Naked Time."
The Shadow of a Doubt
By Poodle~
"Fire!"
Twin phaser blasts converged into a single beam. Within seconds, the boulder disintegrated. The passageway was cleared.
Lieutenant Yar covered her mouth to avoid inhaling debris, then shouted back to Commander Riker, "All clear, sir."
The Enterprise trio advanced into the darkened cavern.
"Life readings. In that direction." Data motioned with his tricorder. "Faint, but discernible." He receded into the shadows.
Yar followed close behind. Her eyes swept the cold slate cavern walls as her phaser covered his back. A chill cut down her spine. She did not like this planet. A remote colony. It reminded her of-
"They are here." Data's voice echoed back to her.
"My god!" Yar pushed forward to the couple huddled on the ground. A woman and a child. Neither moved. She knelt at the woman's side.
Data stepped near, tricorder in hand.
"Data?" Her eyes caught the android's solemn look. In the short time she'd known the lieutenant commander she believed the android's features were capable of few, if any, extreme expressions. But this one rent her soul. "We're too late, aren't we?"
He nodded grimly. "The woman is already dead. The child is also...gone. I am sorry. Extreme malnutrition. Dehydration--"
"Damn," the word hissed through her teeth.
"Poor devils." Riker moved to her side. "If only we'd gotten here a little sooner. The towns and outlying communities are probably in even worse shape. People literally starving in the streets. Absolute chaos."
"A deteriorating colony." Yar's eyes assumed a distant gaze. "Those possessing food and strength wielding dominion over those who don't." Her expression hardened. "Starfleet *must* do something about this."
"They'll send in a team experienced at disbanding such colonies." Riker shook his head. "The indomitable nature of Humans never ceases to amaze me. What these people must have gone through to last even this long."
"The Human equation," Data whispered beneath his breath.
"What was that?'
"Nothing, sir."
But Yar heard. Data was forever pondering the Human equation. She shouldn't be surprised to find this was no less a learning experience than any other for the android. Still, the fact irked her.
She tore her eyes from the ashen face of the child and rose. "Commander, request permission to search for further survivors in the nearby city."
Riker shook his head. "You know I can't allow that, Lieutenant. Our presence here is primarily observational. We'll report our findings to Starfleet. They'll send in a team to evacuate."
"But, sir. While we are here, it would be cruel not to attempt to rescue some of the colonists."
"I appreciate your interest in this matter but an expedition into the city is out of the question. The dilapidated environmental dome surrounding it would inhibit communications with the Enterprise. Starfleet--"
"We're talking about people. Women and *children.* You can't expect me to simply turn around and leave after the things I've seen. This is the third such group we've found since we've been here. In the city--"
"In the city the conditions will be significantly worse," Data intoned. "With increasingly diminishing resources the remaining populace is likely to prove hostile."
"Don't you think I know that!" She whirled on him. "The degradation, the filth and starvation. The rape gangs prowling the streets. I lived under such--"
"Lieutenant!" Riker cut in. "I understand what you must be going through. But you have your orders."
"Yes, sir." She turned aside. "May I at least bury them?"
"Of course. " He touched her shoulder. "I'll report in."
She stooped and retrieved the crumpled body of the child from its mother's arms. Its face held the passivity of sleep. She stroked an ivory cheek. The skin was already cold beneath her touch. She shuddered and blinked away tears.
"May I assist?"
The gentle voice was at her side. She turned and found Data studying her. His nearness made her uneasy. She'd been avoiding casual contact with the android since their intimate encounter shortly after her assignment to the Enterprise. She bit back a cutting retort and instead nodded. He helped her remove the bodies from the cave.
"Was this their home, I wonder?" she asked as they emerged into the sunlight. "If so, there must be a second entrance." She gazed at the rocky hillside and noted the sparse vegetation of the land beyond with its dead and dying trees, their branches straining into a dusty gray horizon. Severe drought. Shielding her eyes, she glanced toward the jagged incline in the distance. "When did these poor souls last see rain?"
"Estimations derived from the percentage of moisture absent from soil and vegetation samples indicate four hundred sixty-two days, three hours."
"Forever," she mumbled.
"Forever," he repeated softly, his eyes panning the destitute landscape.
Yar laid the child on the ground. Data followed. He stood in silence as she adjusted the setting on her phaser and burned a smoldering furrow in the rocky terrain. It was the size of a child's grave. As she placed the weapon away, her hands began to tremble. She noticed Data watching and clasped them behind her back.
"Your turn," she said stiffly.
He cut a similar grave alongside the first almost touching, but not quite.
"Side-by-side," she whispered, gathering the child into her arms.
"It is...appropriate." He laid the woman to rest and waited for Yar to do the same.
But she found herself reluctant to relinquish the bundle, as if to do so would be a betrayal. Children were meant to be loved and protected, not committed to the cold unyielding ground. Her eyes began to sting. She drew in her breath.
"Tasha?"
His inquiry hung in the air between them. She turned away but not before he caught the glint of moisture in her eyes. She sensed him studying her with that typically inquisitive tilt to his head, and her anger flared. She squeezed her eyes shut.
"Please don't ask any inane questions now," she pleaded beneath her breath, so that only she could hear.
She reopened her eyes to place the child into the grave when she notice Data's stiffened stance. He *had* heard. Heat rose to her cheeks. He did not look her way. Was it possible to hurt an android's feelings?
They completed their task in silence.
Commander Riker emerged from the cave, squinting as the sunlight hit his eyes. "This place is cold," he observed solemnly.
"As Hell," Yar added.
The exchange drew Data's attention. "Is that not a contradiction?"
"It's a literary reference to Dante's Inferno," the first officer explained.
"Ah, yes." He nodded. "Shall I resume scanning for life-forms?"
"That won't be necessary. We've done all we can. It's time to move--"
"Would I be one of those life-forms your friend was scanning for?" The voice shot out of nowhere.
Yar whipped around, searching for its source.
A silhouette stood framed by sunlight on the crest of the rocky incline.
"Who are you?" Yar shouted.
"A better question might be -who are *you?*" The man began his descent.
Yar's caution grew as he slid the final few feet and emerged covered with dust. He brushed the soil from his faded buckskins, crossed the distance and stood before Commander Riker.
"I've never seen the likes of you." Beady eyes squinted up at the commander from a weatherworn face. "What are you doing in this zone? I control it, you know."
"No, we didn't know," Riker replied.
"Hans Blackwood runs this zone. Any fool knows that. What zone does your lot hail from?" He scowled at the crimson uniform the commander wore. "And what sort of getup is that you're wearing?"
"We -hail' from Starfleet. And we're here to help."
"Star who?"
"Starfleet," Data interjected. "An organization which derives its authority from the United Federation of Planets, a coalition of planets whose governing body--"
"Never heard of it." Blackwood's eyes did not waver from Riker's face. "Didn't know I needed any help."
"I suppose you haven't noticed the drought."
He gave a humorless grin. "You're a big man, but I'd be willing to wager even you can't make it rain."
"You'd win your bet." Laughter danced within his eyes. "Still, we offer our assistance to your sick and injured."
"My sick and injured, you say." Blackwood's face assumed a speculative look. "You're not from the city, that's for sure, dressed like flaming beacons. The street mongers would pick you off in a second. Dangerous place, the city. Where'd you say this Starfleet was?"
"I didn't."
The man scowled.
Lieutenant Yar grew uneasy in the silence that fell. She considered drawing her phaser, but dismissed the idea. They had been cautioned to avoid conflicts, and pulling out a weapon was not the best way of honoring that objective.
Blackwood's stare traveled over the commander's form, noting his stature. "Never take your eyes off the lead mongrel, I always say."
"What makes you think I'm in charge?"
A smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. "You're in charge."
"Then, perhaps, you'll accept our assistance?"
"Perhaps."
Again, the silence.
"Are there others?" Riker challenged.
"A few."
"Will you permit us to help?"
The man gave no response.
Lieutenant Yar's unease grew. She stepped toward the commander. "Sir?"
"Yes! I will accept your help."
Riker released his breath. "Then, if we may proceed. Where are the others?"
A grin weaved its way across his face. "The *others* are right behind you."
Yar spun around and gasped.
On the crest of the rocky incline, a horde of men had gathered. Their eyes glared down at the Enterprise trio from rugged, bearded faces.
"What is the meaning of this?" Yar demanded, reaching for her phaser.
"I wouldn't touch that." Blackwood thrust a weapon into Riker's face. "You might succeed in killing me, but not before I place a bullet in this man's head."
She faltered. "Damn you."
Data moved to her side. "A weapon, which utilizes gunpowder to propel small metal projectiles. Most primitive."
"*Data.*" Yar implored.
"Primitive?" He pressed the gun into Riker's cheek.
"Indeed." The android frowned. "And also most deadly."
~*~*~*~*~
Pain fanned the flame of Yar's anger. Her arms were raw from struggling against her bonds. She felt the sticky wetness of blood burning her wrists.
"Damn you, Blackwood!"
"You are causing yourself needless injury, Lieutenant." Data sat at her side, likewise tethered. "I could free myself with a minimum of effort."
"Then why don't you?"
"No." It was Riker's deep voice.
She could not see him, but she knew the commander was bound, as well, somewhere behind her in the darkness of the cave.
"His strength might be our ace in the hole," he continued.
"Ace--?"
"I'll show Blackwood needless injury," Yar fumed. "Just let me get my hands on that Rigellian slime worm."
"The Enterprise will beam us aboard the minute they suspect trouble." It was Riker, again.
"*If* they locate us without our communicators."
"They'll locate us. If they can't distinguish our readings, they can certainly pinpoint Data's. It's simply a matter of time."
"I'd love to get my hands on that man." She kicked at a stone near her feet. "We came here to help and they tie us up like animals. I'll show him a thing or two about good manners."
Data turned and met her gaze. "I fail to understand your predilection for violence. Until now we have not been harmed, merely inconvenienced."
"Inconvenienced!" She glared at the android. "You don't know how frustrating it is to be helpless. You're sitting here because you choose to sit here. Look at my hands!"
He noted the bloodied wrists, then glanced aside.
"I don't *choose* to be here. I'm a prisoner. They can do whatever they wish with me and there's not a damned thing I can do about it. You'll *never* know what that's like."
The golden eyes widened.
"You'll never know what it's like to be vulnerable. To be mere flesh and blood. To--"
"Lieutenant!" Riker's voice cut the discourse. "That will be sufficient."
Silence descended.
"I am sorry." Data dropped his gaze. "You are correct. I shall never know."
She squeezed her eyes shut. *What's wrong with me? It's this place, these people. It reminds me of--* She shuddered. "I should have known."
"Should have known what?" Riker asked.
"I grew up surrounded by men like him. I should have anticipated--"
"There was nothing any of us could do."
"You don't understand!" *It was my fault. I repressed the fact that this place reminded me of my childhood.* "Security is my responsibility. This should never have happened."
"What's done is done. Let it rest."
She fell silent.
In blocking her past had she jeopardized her future? And what of the future of her shipmates? If her lapse in judgment harmed them, she would never forgive herself. She glanced at Data and wondered, again, if it were possible to hurt an android's feelings.
"I say we send the ugly one!"
Yar's head snapped up at the sound of the voice.
"He won't last an hour. I say we send the big one."
"What you say doesn't matter."
The men continued to argue as they entered the cave.
"We keep the leader. That guarantees he'll come back. Only a fool won't return for his leader." It was Hans Blackwood. He stopped before the trio.
"Cut us loose," Riker said tersely. "We didn't come here to play games with you."
Blackwood's eyes widened. "You think it's a game, do you?" He knelt before the commander. "Let's have a little chat."
"*After* you cut us loose."
"Loose, he says! Mister, I give the orders here. You do the followin'." He grinned. "Tell you what. How's about I cut you a deal, instead? We can help one another, you and I."
"Our people will not stand by idly and allow you to harm us," warned Riker.
"Did I say anything about harming you? I think I've been most hospitable under the circumstances."
"Hospitable!" Tasha drew his full attention for the first time. "Release us, and I'll show you hospitable."
"A woman! With that hair, a man would scare notice. What sort of fool notion would possess a man to bring his woman out here?"
"I'm no one's woman. I came here to help," she hissed. "Now, untie us."
"Feisty, aren't ya?" he winked at Riker. "Where'd you find such a healthy one?"
"He didn't find me. I was never lost."
"Quick on her feet, too. I wonder if she's as quick on her back?"
Yar glared.
"Now, darlin'." Blackwood leaned near, taking her chin into his hand. "In case you hadn't noticed, I think it it's only fair to warn you, there aren't any women among us. So if I was you, I'd keep that tempting tone of mine down."
She jerked her chin from his grasp. "Are you threatening me?"
"Take it as you please." He grinned. "Darlin'."
"Just let me get my hands on--"
"Lieutenant!" Riker warned.
"Lieutenant, is it? What sort of an outfit carries along its own women?" His smirk widened. "A smart one, I'd wager. We could do with a few of our own. Pity, though, they never last." His eyes moved over her. "I'd be willing to bet you're stronger than most."
"Strong enough to--"
"Blackwood, you'll address me," Riker snapped.
Yar bit her tongue, smoldering in anger. Her helplessness was infuriating and worse yet, Blackwood knew it. He gave her a final leer then turned away.
"So be it, big man. I'll cut you a deal. Are you in or not?"
"What do you mean, -deal'?"
"You said you wanted to help. Well, I'll be giving you a chance to do just that. I'll do ya a switch-swatch."
"Switch-swatch?" It was Data.
"Sort of a trade. You help me and I help you."
"You can start helping us by cutting these ropes." Riker replied dryly.
Blackwood and his companion frowned.
"Look, there are only three of us and close to thirty of you. Don't tell me you're afraid?" needled Riker.
Blackwood's eyes narrowed. The other man who had followed him into the cave moved to his leader's side. "Untie them," Blackwood ordered, but his cohort looked dubious. "Untie them!"
The henchman moved toward Data.
"No." Blackwood smiled. "Start with the darlin'. It seems she's bloodied herself."
Yar tensed as the man yanked her to her feet and cut the ropes free.
"What, no -thank you?'" Blackwood grinned. "And you say I'm inhospitable."
She glared and studied her wrists, not trusting herself to speak.
"You said something about a deal?" Riker drew the man's attention.
"First, let me make one thing clear." He frowned. "If any of your people try anything - I mean *anything* -- my men will shoot to kill. And they'll be aiming for you, big man. I'll waste no time on formalities. Understand?"
"Clearly." His eyes locked with Blackwood's.
"Here's the deal. You send your friend to pick up a little something I have waiting for me and bring it back. That doesn't sound too awfully bad, now does it?"
"My friend?"
He thumped Data's chest. "The walking dead."
The android blinked. "Although I am uncertain as to whether or not I constitute life, I do not believe I am technically dead."
Blackwood scowled.
Yar found herself moving instinctively to Data's side. "Pick up what? Where?"
"The "what" of it would be my business, Darlin'. But the "where" of it, I might be persuaded to say."
"Why Data?" Riker looked suspicious.
"Because your friend here has the look of death about him." He tapped the android's nose. "He's just ugly enough to fit in quite comfortably where he's going."
"Ugly?" Data's head cocked.
Yar's temper flared. "You look just fine, Data." Her eyes sparked. "You're no beauty, yourself, Blackwood."
A grin widened his mouth. "I've struck a soft spot, have I?"
Her lips pressed thin.
"Could it be the lady fancies serpents?"
Heat flushed her cheeks. "Back off, mister."
"As you say." He shrugged. "But you've got to admit, those eyes would scare the devil hisself."
"I have yet to encounter that particular entity." Data looked bewildered. "Why should my eyes distress him?"
The man began to laugh.
"Ignore him," Yar rumbled beneath her breath. "He's being deliberately rude."
"Ah!" The android nodded his understanding. "Where must I go to procure this item?"
Blackwood's laughter stalled. "The city."
Silence fell.
"No." Riker's voice cut the hush. "I won't deal with you. Your terms are too high."
"But you didn't even inquire what you stand to gain."
"I don't care what you have to offer. I won't risk one of my men on some preposterous excursion into the city."
"You would find it most profitable, big man."
"I'm not interested in profit. The answer it no."
"Tsk, tsk." Blackwood shook his head. "Aren't you even curious what you stand to gain?"
Riker glared.
"I am curious," Data interrupted softly.
The man's eyes widened. "And so you are. Then I'll tell you what the big man stands to gain." He met Commander Riker's eyes and smiled. "His life."
~*~*~