Reversal {Star Trek Enterprise Mirror Universe fan fiction}

A Small Favor

When Lili looked up, Beth was standing over the pale Polloria, with a weapon pointed at the Calafan. Jennifer was in a similar stance with the ruddy Polloria, who spoke. "What a rough bit of business it must be for you boys!" she exclaimed. "Watching your women take charge like that. Letting them do your work for you."

"This one," the pale Polloria said, "just treats the sick and injured, a nursemaid and nothing more. This one allows his woman – and it's either, or both of them, I can't be bothered to know which one it is, to do the job while he sits back and trembles, scarred face and all."

"And that one,” said the ruddy Polloria, indicating Doug. "He's no snarling beast and certainly no soldier, not any more. A mere family, ha, man. A poor choice on our part. We should do better next time."

"We should get a Klingon next time." the pale one said, “They don't allow themselves to be shackled and collared."

"What makes you think you'll have another chance?" said Beth. "You know, I have no idea what this weapon is set on. It would be a pity if it was set high. Now, let's see. We can see what happens when it's pointed at an arm. What if I point it at your suede head and let it fly?"

"Or that,” said the red one. "But your kind are weak."

"I don't see you holding any cards,” Jennifer said.

"We're under the Calafan system of laws, not yours." the pale one said, “Killing us just means that you're now subject to our jurisdictions as well. And most of you are already on Lafa II on one side or the other. You'll confess in your dreams. And when you do, you'll be disposed of."

"You're lying,” said Lili, finding her voice. "Yimar said you don't have the death penalty."

"For our people, no. But for other species, well. Despite how satisfying it may be to slay us, it merely means you'll be slaying yourselves,” said the darker one. "And that one," she indicated Doug, "he's got it in his fool head to stop killing, although it's in his nature. You do have a tight leash upon him! What is it you do, that he is countering his very nature? What kind of pleasures do you offer?"

"They're just trying to get us all angry so we'll make mistakes,” Doug said quietly, standing up and helping Lili up as well. "And then they'll try to take advantage. Don't fall for it."

"You,” Miva said, indicating the pale one. She had been silently weeping over Baden's body but rose and seemed to be gathering her strength. "You are going to lose your dreams. You'll be pumped up with so much potassium it may even end your miserable existence. You forget that their side knows exactly where you are. You're already rotting in a prison cell."

"And me." The red one smiled sinisterly. "I'm as free as a beast of the air. You see, you stay here," she gestured in the direction of Doug and Lili, "and I go. And no one need be the wiser."

"Lili, wake up!" Doug said.

"I can't." she tried. "I just can't. Phlox?"

He shook his head. "It seems we are being held here involuntarily."

"Yes, now aren't you sad that you didn't do things the way we asked?" said the pale one. "If you had, Douglas, you could be awake when you wished, and enjoying a regular life, such as it would be. But now, so sorry, but you're here to stay. You can't see or hear the waking world now."

Lili dropped Doug's hand and went over to the pale Polloria. "And if we kill you here?"

"We're holding the keys to the prison we've placed you into. Tell you what," said the dark one, "you allow us out, and we'll drop a key for you."