Amanda, Part 2

AMANDA

By RHMichaud

Rated: PG-13
Genre: Drama, Angst
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Enterprise and the crew. No financial gain is
being made from this fiction.

~~~~

Part 2

Back on Enterprise, Archer, T’Pol, Reed, Dolun, and Fodor were in the situation room.

“I contacted my office. There have been no communications between my office and the ship. There have been no problems, no reason for Page to leave,” overseer Dolun stated.

“And you claim no knowledge of your Page’s actions, no idea why he would have taken Amanda? Is he prone to acting this way?” Archer asked as Dolun shook his head.

“Page has been an exemplary attachй. He always does what I ask. He knows exactly what I want done, sometimes before I know what I want.”

“Is it possible that your Page was acting on what he believed to be what you wanted done, but had not yet said?” T'Pol’s question flustered Dolun.

“NO. I, I, would never have taken this course of action. I would never do anything so foolish.”

“Well, now that this has happened, what are we going to do about it? Lieutenant, what have you got?”

“Yes Captain. We tracked the ship till it entered the planet’s lower atmosphere, at this point,” Reed indicated the location as they all looked on. “By the trajectory and angle, we can estimate that the ship set down somewhere in this area here.”

“That would assume that the ship did not alter course after we lost sensor contact,” T'Pol added.

“I can have a shuttle ready in ten minutes sir,” Reed was ready now.

Dolun was not so keen on the idea. “Wait a minute. You told me that you and your crew would not set foot on my planet again.”

“You’ve got to be kidding!” Reed exclaimed.

“Not now Lieutenant. Overseer Dolun, I would never go back on my word,” Archer began.

“Captain…” Reed started, but Archer warned him with a glance, not to interrupt.

“I would not let a search team go down to the planet without getting your permission. Amanda was taken from my ship. Members of my crew have been assaulted. I intend to see that this young lady is returned unharmed. Will you grant us access to the planet?”

Dolun thought for a moment. “There must be some conditions.”

“And those conditions would be?”

“I will grant you access for one ship and no more than three of your crew. You will have no longer than one revolution of the planet to search for Amendah. You are not to harm my Page. Fodor will accompany your men as Amendah is still mine and shall be returned to me. Agreed?”

“I can agree to most of that, however, as for Amanda being yours…”

T'Pol interrupted, “Captain, perhaps it is best to see to Amanda’s safety first. When she is found, you and Overseer Dolun can continue your discussion as to whom she will belong.”

“You’re right. Let’s just find her. I will agree to your conditions. Lieutenant, prep the shuttle. T'Pol, you will be going as well. I need to check on Trip’s condition before I decide on the third person for the search party. Be ready to launch in 15 minutes. Dismissed.”

*****

Moments later, Archer walked into sickbay. Trip was sitting on the edge of the biobed massaging the back of his head with his hand. When he heard the door, his head snapped up.

“Did you find her?” Trip asked as he slid off the bed putting his hand behind him to steady himself.

“No Trip. How are you doing?” Archer knew what Trip’s answer would be.

“I’m fine. I want to go after her.”

“Trip…”

“I just can’t sit here an wait. God only knows what he’s doing to her.”

Phlox came over.

“Doc?” Archer posed the question without actually say it.

“Commander Tucker has a minor concussion. He is still suffering the effects of heat exhaustion. He could use more rest.”

“What are the risks, is he fit enough for a search party?”

“I can’t say that I would recommend him doing any overexertion. He really should be in bed for the next few days,” Phlox held up his hand as Trip started to open his mouth in protest. Phlox continued, “I will release him for the search, as long as someone is going to be keeping an eye on him.”

“T'Pol and Reed will be with him.”

“Thanks Doc. When do we leave?” Trip was already headed for the door.

“Hold on a moment, Commander.” Phlox was preparing a hypospray. “This is a mild stimulant,” Phlox explained as he injected the contents into Trip. “It should help keep you going. It is only temporary and you still need to take it easy. You are in need of rest and when you return to Enterprise I expect to see you here for a check up. Is that clear?”

“Yes sir.”

“T'Pol and Malcolm are waiting in the launch bay. I’ll be right behind you.” Archer barely got the words out before Trip was out the door.

“Thank you,” Archer said to Phlox. “If you hadn’t cleared him to go, I would have had to put him in the brig to keep him on the ship.”

Phlox handed Archer the hypospray, “give this to T'Pol. It contains one small dose of stimulant, incase the Commander should need it.”

Archer took the hypospray and left sickbay.


*****


On the planet… Page’s ship had come to a landing far from the prison/mine camp. It set down in a small clearing close to some rocky mountains. Page opened the hatch. It was night on this part of the planet and the air was cool and damp. Page shivered at the open doorway for a moment and then he ducked back inside. He pulled a jacket from a storage locker and put it on. Page turned to Amanda. She still had a dazed look about her. He grabbed her by the arm and pulled her to her feet.

“Come on, we’ve got a little hike to go on,” Page said as he pushed her through the doorway.

Amanda never uttered a sound. Her bandaged neck was an unpleasant reminder of her lost voice. She was dressed only in a sickbay gown and the bandage on her foot was soaked with blood.

They had just gotten to the edge of the woods when Amanda suddenly felt nauseous. She fell to her hands and knees and vomited. There wasn’t much in her stomach, but she couldn’t stop retching. Page waited a few moments then pulled her to her feet.

“That’s enough. Get moving.”

Tears streamed down Amanda’s face. She held her tummy as they continued on.

*****

It wasn’t long before Page led Amanda into an opening at the base of the mountain. About an hour or so later they came to a large cavern. The cavern was stocked with electronic equipment, food, and more. It looked like someone had been planning something for quite some time. Page pushed Amanda to the ground on the far side of the cavern.

“Stay there like a good little girl,” Page sneered at her.

Amanda had all she could do to keep her eyes open and her head up. She pulled her arms around herself and lay down. She was exhausted. Her foot throbbed. Her back itched where the whip cuts were healing. Her neck, no not her neck, her throat hurt. Her mind was reeling. What was happening?! She watched Page set up some equipment for a little while before she could no longer keep her eyes open. She didn’t even notice the chilly temperature as she drifted off to sleep.

*****

Captain Archer was on the bridge. The shuttle had departed from Enterprise a few moments ago. He watched as the shuttle headed towards the planet.

Hoshi broke the silence. “Captain, I am monitoring a transmission from the surface. Audio only.”

“Let’s hear it.”

The comm crackled for a moment, then Page’s voice came through.

“… speaking on behalf of Overseer Dolun. Overseer Dolun has decided to offer his very lovely, talented young muse to the highest bidder. Those of you who have had the pleasure of enjoying her talents are well aware of her value. Think of what she can do for you once you own her. Don’t let this obedient young woman get away from you. Place your high bid now by responding to this transmission. Once she is yours, she will be certain to please. Hurry, this offer may end or be withdrawn at any time. Come on, you know you want her.”

“Captain, the shuttle is hailing us.”

“Put them through.”

T'Pol’s voice filled the bridge. “Captain, we just intercepted a transmission from the surface.”

“We heard it too. Were you able to pinpoint the source?”

“Negative Captain, it appears to have come from somewhere in the mountains to the north of the camp. We have not been able to locate Page’s ship as yet. It was not where we had anticipated. Ions in the planet’s atmosphere may be disrupting our sensors. We will undoubtedly lose contact with you shortly.”

“Understood. Contact us when you can,” Archer paused a moment, he wanted to ask about Trip, but all he said was, “Archer out.”

Archer got up and headed for the turbo lift. “I need to have chat with Overseer Dolun. Travis, you have the bridge.”


****

Trip sat quietly in the back of the shuttle. Page’s transmission was echoing through his head. ‘…to the highest bidder…certain to please…you know you want her…you want her…’ He didn’t even hear T'Pol talking to the Captain. What was happening?

*****


Archer found Dolun in the mess hall.

“Want to explain something to me?” Archer asked.

“What is it Captain Archer?”

“We just intercepted a transmission from your Page. He claims to be acting on your orders. He is offering your “muse” to the highest bidder. Have you been lying to me?” Archer was getting angry.

“What?!”

“He claims you are offering…”

“I can not believe this,” Dolun was trying to remain calm. “He is in so much trouble. No Captain, I do not know anything about this. How dare he use my name to gain profit. Where is he? Have you been able to locate him yet?”

“No. The shuttle could not pinpoint the source of the transmission. T'Pol said it seemed to be coming from the mountains to the north.”

“There are many caves in those mountains. Not very hospitable and they can be dangerous. It is easy to get lost out there.”

“Do you think that Page could have been planning for this opportunity?”

“No, I don’t think so. He never appeared to be planning anything. Although, he did say he liked to explore those caves. He took off for days, sometimes more than a week at a time.”

“Maybe it was an instance of opportunity. He may not have been able to get away with Amanda while down on the planet.”

“I just don’t know what he is thinking. You may be right. Perhaps he has been planning something for a long time. I must apologize to you. This was not how I had expected our meeting to go.” Dolun paused then continued. “I think it is time that we discuss the disposition of my… of Amendah.”


*****

Amanda was slowly waking up. She hadn’t opened her eyes. She was laying there on the cold dirt floor of the cave trying to remember just where she was.

Page was hunched over at the desk checking his transceiver. He was excited. In less than an hour, he had received more bids than he had imagined. His automated system was keeping track of the high bidder and alerting bidders when they had been outbid. There were two bidders that were fighting for Amanda. Page hoped they would not be too upset over the condition of the muse. He was sure she would heal quickly and make the winning bidder very happy. He would show Overseer Dolun that his ideas were good.

“I will show him how to make a profit,” Page said out loud to himself.

Amanda heard Page’s voice and where she was became all too real. She pulled her arms tight around her stomach and tried to pull her legs closer. One foot was caught or something. She opened her eyes and started to sit up.

Page was sitting with his back to Amanda. He spoke without turning to look at her. “So, you finally decided to wake up.”

Amanda looked at her feet to see why she couldn’t move her foot. She was surprised to see an iron cuff around her left ankle. A chain went from the cuff to a loop on the wall.

“Just a bit if security. Didn’t want you to walk off,” Page said as he glanced over at Amanda.

Amanda sat up and stared at Page. Page grabbed a large cup and filled it with water. He knew that Amanda hadn’t had anything to eat or drink for sometime now. He teased her with the cup.

“You want something to drink sweetie?” Page asked as he held the cup out to her.

Amanda nodded and tried to get up to reach for the cup. She stood shakily and held out her hand. Page pulled the cup back and drank the water.

“Oh, did you want that?” He asked in a mocking voice. “Then ask for it!” He yelled at her.

Amanda stood there. She tried to say water, but her voice was not there. A hoarse squeak came out. She was becoming angry. Why was he doing this to her. She tried to get closer, but the chain held her back.

Page put the cup down and added a little bit of water to it. Then he pulled out a blue bottle of the dark extract. He poured half of the bottle into the cup. He was not aware that Amanda was watching him. Page got up and handed the cup to Amanda.

“Drink up.”

Amanda took the cup and held it up to her lips. Then suddenly she threw it into Page’s face.

“You little bitch!” Page swore as he backhanded her across her face.

Amanda fell to the ground holding the right side of her face. Page turned and grabbed the half empty blue bottle and turned back to Amanda.

He grabbed her by the hair and forced her to drink the rest of that bottle. He didn’t stop there. He pulled another blue bottle from his pocket and made her drink that one as well. He threw the empty bottles to the ground.

“That ought to take the fight out of you.”

Amanda fought the urge to gag. Her stomach was doing flips. Her face was starting to swell. Her whole body was feeling like a lead weight. Page was still wiping his face when Amanda slumped to the ground.

*****

T'Pol was watching the scanner, “Lt. Reed, take us 2.5 kilometers to the north.”

“Did you see something?” Reed asked.

“I believe I have located the ship.”

A few moments later they cautiously landed the shuttle. It was just before dawn and the air was cool as they exited the shuttle pod. Reed checked his back pack and holstered his phase pistol. T'Pol had her scanner out and pointed towards the mountains.

“The ship is just beyond those trees; however, there are no life signs in the immediate area.”

Reed also had his scanner and pulled his phase pistol as well. He led them to Page’s ship.

A quick scan revealed that, indeed there was no one around. Reed and Trip entered the ship while T’Pol and Fodor looked around outside.

Empty. The ship was empty.

Trip went directly to the ships controls. Reed checked the back of the ship. It was a small ship, slightly larger than a shuttle pod. Trip had started to review the log and sensor entries. Reed came up behind him.

“Anything Commander?” Reed asked.

“Nothin’ of any use.”

Trip sighed and dropped his head. He stared at the floor for a moment then dropped down on one knee.

“What’s wrong?” Reed asked worried that Trip might be ill.

Trip ran his finger along the floor just in front of the seat. He held it up for Reed to see.

“Blood.”

“We don’t know who’s blood that is,” Reed tried to convince Trip.

“An’ your saying that Page what, stubbed his toe or somethin’?”

Fodor stuck his head inside the ship.

“They went towards the mountains.” Fodor told them.

T'Pol was on one knee scanning something on the ground when the other three came up.

“It appears that they went into the woods in this direction,” T'Pol said as she stood up. T'Pol avoided saying anything about the vomit she had just found. She didn’t want to upset Trip.

“Then let’s get moving,” Trip prodded as he headed into the woods.

Reed and Fodor were right behind him followed by T'Pol. Reed caught up with Trip.

“If you don’t mind Commander, I’ll take the point,” Reed said as he moved to walk in front of Trip.

It wasn’t long before they found the entrance to the tunnels. Trip had found it and was about to enter.

“Commander, wait,” Reed tried to stop Trip, but Trip kept on going.

Reed caught up to him a second later.

“Commander, there could be wires or hidden traps. I should take the lead.”

“What, Malcolm, an let you get killed first,” Trip joked, but he let Reed lead the way into the tunnels.

What they didn’t know was that there had been a hidden sensor and they had triggered it the moment they entered the caves.

*****

“Damn,” Page swore. “I didn’t think they would find me so quickly.”

He grabbed a couple items off the table and opened a box to pull out a few of those blue bottles. He shoved the bottles into his jacket pockets as he went over to check on the still unconscious Amanda. Page checked to see that she was still breathing and then he unlocked the chain from the wall. He left the iron cuff around her ankle and the chain still attached to the cuff. Then Page picked up Amanda and threw her over his shoulder. He picked up the end of the chain and stuffed it into his pocket. He took a look around to be sure he had what he wanted then he tapped a hidden control panel on the wall of the cavern. A secret doorway opened revealing another tunnel. Page stepped through the doorway and the opening disappeared.

*****

It took the Enterprise search party over an hour to locate the cavern. Reed and Fodor entered first, but Trip didn’t wait too long before he was in there followed closely by T'Pol.

“There is no one here,” Reed said, stating the obvious.

Trip’s eyes were darting around the cavern. T'Pol was close behind Trip as they made their way to the far wall. Trip bent down and picked something off the ground. He turned the lock over in his hand then he spotted the loop on the wall. He threw the lock to the ground.

“He had her chained here!” Trip exclaimed.

T'Pol looked up at Trip. She had just bent down to pick up the cup that Amanda had thrown into Page’s face. Trip couldn’t help but see the cup that T'Pol was scanning.

“What’s in the cup?” Trip asked.

“The cup is empty.”

“Then what was in the cup?”

“It appears to have been a slightly diluted amount of the extract.” T'Pol answered.

Trip stood stiffly. He turned away from T'Pol, put his hand on the wall and ran his other hand through his hair.

“Are you all right Commander?” T'Pol had come up behind Trip.

“I’m fine.” Trip sighed.

Reed and Fodor were on the other side of the cavern looking at the items on the table.

“Commander, could we contact Enterprise with this equipment?” Reed was hoping to get Trip’s mind occupied.

Trip focused his attention on the mismatch communication equipment that was scattered on the table. He pulled a panel off one piece and started fiddling with wires. Armed with his scanner, communicator and a small tool kit, Trip was definitely occupied.

With Trip busy, Reed and Fodor moved away from the table to look around the cavern.

Fodor headed over to the wall where the hidden passageway was located. After a moment or two Fodor said, “There is a tunnel here.”

Reed and T'Pol joined Fodor.

“I don’t see anything, are you sure?” Reed questioned. Both he and T'Pol were scanning the wall.

“It is here,” Fodor insisted as he continued hesitantly, “I , I helped build some of these passageways years ago. There is one here.”

Fodor began searching for the hidden mechanism that would open the wall.

“There is something here,” T'Pol stated.

At that same moment, there was a loud bang from the other side of the cavern. Reed, Fodor, and T'Pol turned and saw a puff of smoke come from the equipment that Trip was working with.

“Dammit, dammit.” Trip swore as he clutched his right hand.

“What happened?” asked Reed as he and T'Pol rushed over.

T'Pol had a med scanner out as she approached. Trip tried to push it away.

“It’s just a scratch, damn machine,” Trip lied as he gritted his teeth to the pain.

“It is not, as you say, ‘just a scratch’, Commander.” T'Pol corrected Trip as she gently took his right hand and turned it palm up. “You have second and third degree burns to your hand.”

Reed pulled a med kit from his backpack and handed it to T'Pol. She began applying spray and a bandage to Trip’s hand.

While they were attending to Trip’s wounds, Fodor was still searching for the “key” to the hidden door. He soon found the mechanism and the hidden
passageway was revealed.

Trip stood up as the doorway opened. “What’s that?”

T'Pol injected a hypospray to Trip’s neck and replied, “It is a mild analgesic to ease the pain.”

“Not that,” Trip sighed as he started shakily toward the new passageway.

Reed had his scanner and was checking the opening.

T'Pol stopped Trip from following Reed to the opening. “Where are you going?” She asked him.

“I’m going through there to find Amanda.” Trip replied, pointing at the new passageway.

“Commander, I don’t believe you should be…” started T'Pol, but Trip cut her short.

“Just what do you suggest I do, sit here and wait for Page to sell Amanda to the highest bidder?”

“Dr. Phlox said that you were not to over exert yourself. I do not think he would approve of you continuing this search with third degree burns to your hand.” T'Pol calmly explained.

“She’s right Commander,” Reed agreed.

“Ya, well, Phlox isn’t here is he?” Trip countered.

“No, but I am and I will not allow you to continue,” T'Pol said with and air of finality. “You and I shall return to the shuttle.”

Trip opened his mouth to protest, but Fodor spoke up.

“Page may be heading back to his ship. These tunnels have multiple exits and he would need to have an escape route.”

“On the way back to the shuttle, we will check Page’s ship. Lt. Reed, you and Fodor continue following the tunnel in case Page doubles back or does not intend to return to his ship. If you do not find any signs of them…” T'Pol paused glancing at Trip.

Reed continued, “If they are still in these tunnels, we will find them. Communication may be difficult to non existent.”

After discussing how they would keep in contact and how long they should continue to search, Fodor and Reed headed down the newly opened tunnel. Trip and T'Pol started back to the shuttle.

*****

Back on Enterprise-

In the conference room, Hoshi and Travis were looking through a pile of items that were strewn on the table before them. Among the items were clothes, picture books, CD’s, stuffed animals, crayons and more.

“So these are all of Amanda’s things?” Travis asked.

“Overseer Dolun said these items were discovered on the Ferengi vessel when they found Amanda. She has always had them with her,” Hoshi explained as she turned over a well loved, tattered teddy bear.

“Do you think we will find anything to help us find out who she is?” Travis asked while flipping through a book.

“I was hoping to there might be a family photo or journal, letter anything like that might help. Something to identify her family or the ship they had been on.”

They continued to paw through the items as they talked.

Travis found a paper with the letters of the alphabet repeated over and over again.

“Did you have any luck translating what she was trying to write when you saw her in sickbay?” Travis wondered as he looked at the letters, obviously written carefully by a child learning their letters.

“I got parts of it. She was mixing her languages, writing one word in two different languages. Half of one word was in, let’s say, English, but finishing in Vulcan.”

“Weird.”


“More like incredible. It was like she was creating a new language.”
Hoshi replied as she picked up a leather bound journal. “This looks
promising.”

Travis walked over to stand beside Hoshi as she opened the worn book. Suddenly, they both looked at each other; their mouths hung open in shock.

*****

TBC

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Four of you have made comments

> English, but finishing in Vulcan.”
> Travis...Hoshi...both looked at each other;
> their mouths hung open in shock.
Hmm, we know she is human, so she can't be Trip & T'Pol's daughter from the future...

Great! I'm hooked.
Pls up-date soon.

Great story looking forward to the nest installment hope it is soon

This is the best please update soon as I am now comletely hooked