The Hard Truth - Chapter #58

Free Enterprise  -  The Hard Truth - Chapter #58



Approximately four hours later Tyr and Khan met HaxHis in her new office. This was her official and permanent office, with an honest to goodness waiting room, and an actual Lieutenant JG as her Administrative Assistant.

T'Kala was a stern visaged Vulcan female who looked every bit the part of the dragon at the gate. Tyr took one look at her and rolled his eyes. Though Vulcans claimed to be free from emotional encumbrances, she looked like she was in pain because her Starfleet issue footwear was too tight.

“She looks like she could use a hug.” Khan thought, knowing full well, Vulcans were not the “hugging type”.

HaxHis was waiting for them at the door, ushered them in and showed them seats and offered refreshments. This office was much larger than the old temporary one she had. Open shipping crates testified that she was in the process of unpacking and decorating at the same time.

“Gentlemen. In about forty-five minutes a ship will be arriving here from parts unknown. This race is yet unknown to Starfleet and the Federation, yet they are willing to help us.” HaxHis started.

“Why are they willing to offer their assistance?” Tyr asked. “What are they expecting in return?” he continued.

“They have encountered a nasty criminal element problem which has escalated alarmingly during the few years. Are you both familiar with the Orion Syndicate?” HaxHis asked. Both Tyr and Khan's face instantaneously turned grave.

“Of course we are. It is nothing more than a criminal syndicate which is worse Old Earth's Kali Drug Cartel and La Cosa Nostra, The Crips and Bloods all rolled into one. There is no crime they will not commit for gold pressed latinum.” Khan replied. “They are unfortunately highly organized, well armed and protected. Nothing short of the Borg stops them.” he continued.

“I find them especially detestable because they keep and sell slaves. My father detests slavery.” Tyr growled.

He was harkening back to a time where a small segment of Nietzschean society had kept Human slaves. When Barbarossa discovered the practice, he immediately issued and edict and had it banned. From that day forth Humans were able to live among Nietzscheans without fear of being taken captive and mistreated by their genetically enhanced cousins.

“For years we didn't know where the Orion Syndicate's home base was hidden. We would raid and close down substation after substation, never really crushing the head of the snake. Now, we not only have the location of their secret stronghold, but The Orion Syndicate King himself in our sights. 'The Butcher' Ghann Svingg.” HaxHis said. “Our new friends will be bringing us the exact location.”

“Why should they help us?” Tyr asked.

“Because Ghann has suddenly developed a taste for Teleborian women. And that my friends is a no-no!” HaxHis replied. “The Teleborians have a vast military and are currently poised to obliterate Ghana’s hornets nest. But, they wanted to give us a go at it first. Plus, with the information they give us, they are hoping to barter their way if you will, into the Federation and Starfleet.” she continued.

“Who or what are Teleborians?” Khan asked, as he frowned.

“They claim to be direct descendants of Earth's ancient Egyptians, only theirs is a purely matriarchal society. The women are in power, and they believe in co-husbanding.” Haxhis explained. “Supposedly, the Teleborian Pharaoh will be personally meeting with us.”

“Pharaoh? Correct me I am wrong, but, isn't that a male title?” Khan asked.

“Yes, but in keeping with Teleborian tradition, the title Pharaoh is held by a woman.” HaxHis replied.

“Co-husbanding?” Tyr asked. His mind was still stuck on that word. He'd had a feeling he knew what HaxHis meant, but didn't want to run too far ahead of the race without the baton.

“It means one woman can marry two husbands. For some strange reason there is a two to one ratio of men to women among the Teleborians. So kidnapping their women. . . . . .” was as far as she got.

“So, that means if Ghann is kidnapping Teleborian women he is taking business moguls, politicians, rulers, heads of state and households. He is destroying their government, social, and economic system from the inside out.” Khan surmised.

“That sounds like what he is doing is systematic and intentional.” Tyr added.

“Yes, this may be a way for him to expand his territory without meeting opposition.” HaxHis replied.

“And we've had no way to get to him before?” Khan asked. HaxHis gazed sadly at Tyr, sighed and shook her maned head.

“Gentlemen, what I'm about to reveal to you must never leave this office because it directly involves you, Admiral Anasazi.” HaxHis went on to explain. Tyr's face immediately hardened.

“How so?” he asked.

“There is the case of Captain Tamara McPhearson's birth parents. Their mission was to infiltrate Ghann's headquarters and transmit back as much information as possible. They did for approximately three and a half months, then everything stopped. Five months later, Solon received a package containing two burial urns. . . . . . .” HaxHis narrated. Khan winced at those words, and Tyr cursed mentally.

“. . . . . . It did not take any stretch of the imagination to know what was in them. Solon had the contents tested to be sure. It was his twin brother and his sister-in-law and they had been burnt alive. It seems Ghann has a personal penchant for live cremations . . . . . . .” Khan frowned and gazed over at Tyr who was coming to a slow boil.

“ . . . . . . . Then there was a certain Vulcan young lady which fell into his hands at the most inopportune time. She had made the proper arrangements through what she believed was a reputable agent. On the way to her appointment, she was waylaid, drugged, taken to an undisclosed location and repeatedly abused. . . . . .” HaxHis' voice dropped off. Tyr immediately saw red.

Khan was watching Tyr very closely, sprang on him, knocking him from his chair, as he wrapped his arms around his Nietzschean brother. He had Tyr in a restraining hold which prevented him taking his anger out on anything in sight. Under any other circumstances, it would've been Clash of The Titans in Haxhis' office, again. . . . . . .

Tyr could do little more then howl his rage, as hot tears streamed down his face.

Unfortunately, HaxHis had not told him anything new. Tamara had shared this information with him on their first night together. However, he'd seen it directly from her mind's eye, which made HIM feel like HE had been abused.

“I'm so sorry, Tyr. I didn't want you to learn about what happened to your wife in this manner. Are you going to be okay?” HaxHis asked as she stood over the men. Khan loosened his hold on Tyr. Tyr relaxed, sat up, and was in the midst of standing, when there was a big commotion outside of HaxHis' office.

Whoever it was, they'd smack dab into T'Kala, the Vulcan Dragon at The Gate. Despite the bluster, she was not going to let anyone in to see her superior. HaxHis stepped over to her desk console and tabbed the communications button.

“What's going on out there, Lieutenant?” she demanded.

“Civilian Liaison Hemingway, Captain McPhearson, Lieutenant Commander Anol, request permission to speak to you Ma'am.” T'Kala intoned with typical Vulcan dryness.

“Any reason in particular, Lieutenant?” HaxHis asked.

“They say you would know, Ma'am.” T'Kala replied.

“Wait one.” HaxHis replied to T'Kala.

“Tyr, have you told any of your wives about this meeting?” HaxHis asked as she turned to Tyr and Khan.

“No I have not, Ma'am.” Tyr replied. “In fact they are supposed to be making preparations to leave with me tomorrow morning.” he continued.

“I believe that since both Tyr and Tamara are telepathically connected, she sensed his bad reaction to the news you just give him, and came to see if he is okay.” Khan said.

“Amanda and Xena, too?” HaxHis asked.

“They appear to have become the Three Musketeers.” Tyr replied sheepishly.

“All for one and one for all, eh? Tyr, you have got your hands full! I honestly don't know you Nietzschean men handle multiple wives. This whole multiple spouse thing is utterly perplexing to me.” HaxHis said, as she shook her black maned head.

“Send them in.” she said, as she hailed T'Kala.

“Don't lie to her.” Khan whispered to Tyr.

A second later the doors flew open and in strode Tamara, Xena and Amanda.

“Good afternoon, Ma'am.” Tamara said she entered. She only had eyes for Tyr. HaxHis took Khan by his arm and led the other ladies to another corner of her office to give them some semblance of privacy.

“What happened?” HaxHis asked, Amanda and Xena.

“We were having a late lunch together at Whoa Hops, when all of a sudden Tamara grabs her head, falls off her chair and crashed to the deck. After she got an okay from Kori, she made a beeline here.” Amanda replied in a whisper.

HaxHis watched the couple out of the corner of her eye, and they were hugging. Most likely thoughts were flying back and forth between the two with the speed of lightning.

At times HaxHis wished for the gift of telepathy, but her teachers would always warn her “Never wish for a gift unless you are capable of being responsible for it. If not, it is better you do not have it.”

“It is called telepathic blackout. One member of a telepathically joined couple being overloaded or overwhelmed by the other persons thoughts, emotions or both.” Khan whispered in reply. “The typical symptoms are blacking out and or fainting. It's the mind's way slamming down the circuit breaker switch, thus protecting itself from being severely damaged.” he continued.

HaxHis glanced at her desk chrono and noted they had five minutes to make it to Landing Bay Six where the Teleborian ship was coming in.

“It is most fortuitous that you ladies are here, as I sorely needed some female representatives, and, I couldn't think of any better ones. We have a ship and people to meet in less then five minutes. And, we wouldn't want to keep the next potential members of the Federation waiting, do we?” HaxHis asked.

Everyone double timed it out of HaxHis' office and piled into the lift, for the ride down to Landing Bay Six.

By the time they had arrived in the landing bay, the large ship had already landed.

“Two quick things. Number one, thank you for not destroying my office, Tyr. Number two, all men must do obeisance before the Pharaoh. That means down on one knee with your head down until she tells you to lift it and stand.” HaxHis whispered quickly.

Both Khan and Tyr got down on bended knee with heads bowed as Tamara, Amanda, and Xena stood behind them. HaxHis stood in front of them all and waited, while the gangway lowered.