Chapter Text
Harry
Harry Kim stood in the middle of the circle of Akritirian prisoners, enduring the beating. He was too exhausted to fight back. He had been fighting for his life in this infernal prison for what seemed like years. That had to be an effect of the clamp. Every day with the clamp felt like weeks, even months. The device, implanted in every inmate’s head, caused heightened fear and anxiety. It increased one’s violent tendencies as well. Even the most mild-mannered ensign could become the most vicious attacker under the influence of the clamp.
In actuality, it had been just shy of two weeks since Harry had awoken at the bottom of the chute; greeted by a similar beating. One that had been stopped by Tom Paris. Tom, who had claimed Harry as his. “This one’s mine,” he had said to Pit as he tried to drag Harry off to his shelter to do God knows what. Tom had only been trying to save Harry; so, why did Harry’s breath catch and his heart skip a beat upon hearing those three beautiful words? “This one’s mine.”
Harry’s thoughts were brought back to the present when a flying piece of metal struck him in the head. He squinted as blood and dirt ran mingled down into his eyes. One inmate kicked him in the back of the knee while another pushed him to the ground. Harry winced and writhed as he was subjected to multiple blows from all sides. He curled into a ball, trying to protect his already bruised and cracked ribs from further punishment. “This is it,” Harry thought. “I am going to die.” Harry had almost resigned himself to that fact. In a way, it would be so much easier if they would just go ahead and kill him. At least then the pain would stop. The fire in his brain, ignited by the clamp, would be extinguished. There would finally be peace.
But then he glanced back at Tom, lying unconscious on the floor behind him. If he died, who would protect Tom? The inmates would surely descend on him next. Harry had to stay alive. He would endure; he had to endure. Anything to keep Tom alive. Harry had to fight back; for Tom.
Harry let out a guttural howl and rose to his feet. He readied himself for one final defense of the assault that came from all sides. He tightened his grip around the pipe clutched in his hands. As he did, his mind flashed back to two days ago. Tom, on the floor of Zio’s shelter. Harry, hovering over him, the pipe raised above his head. He had been ready to kill Tom. Tom, his best friend in the entire universe, and Harry had tried to kill him. Harry shuddered at the memory. For that act alone, he deserved to die here, in this prison; beaten and assaulted by Pit and the others. Harry almost faltered and gave in; almost let them overtake him. But then, he stole another glance at Tom. Tom, who had come to his aid on Deep Space Nine when the Ferengi bartender had tried to swindle him. Tom, who would listen to Harry play clarinet for hours, or throw his arm around Harry’s shoulders as they walked to the holodeck for a night of pool and synthehols at Sandrine’s. Tom, who had been Harry’s closest friend throughout this entire misguided voyage through the Delta Quadrant. Tom, who had claimed Harry as his to spare him the horrors of this place. Tom Paris deserved to survive; to get out of this prison and return to Voyager. He deserved to live out his life in peace, with the possibility of making it home one day. Harry had to make sure that Tom survived. He owed him that much at least.
Resolved to fight, Harry began to swing the pipe in a blind fury. Zio was right. Harry was able to channel the army of fire ants in his brain to do his bidding. The aggression, brought on by the clamp, fueled Harry’s attack. He quickly knocked two inmates to the ground before the rest began to back off. At Pit’s command, they formed a circle around the two men and waited.
Pit
Pit motioned for the others to back down momentarily. The way things were going, the dark-haired man wouldn’t give in. He was bound to be killed in the ensuing fight; and Pit couldn’t have what he wanted if the man died. He was satisfied to wait until another opportunity arose to claim these two alien men who inhabited this prison with them – or at least the dark-haired man and the belongings of his soon to be deceased friend. By the look of him, he would be dead within hours. Then, Pit would finally have what should have belonged to him all along.
He stood watching the man guard his friend; clutching that damn pipe that he always kept with him. Sweat made his skin glisten. His shirt was pulled tight against his muscular shoulders and chest. His eyes held a burning intensity. Pit licked his lips at the sight. No, he never should have back down from claiming this prize. He closed his eyes and imagined taking this beautiful man back to his shelter – to his bed. His body tingled with excitement at the thought.
Pit had given up when Zio had taken the two men under his protection. Everyone knew better than to cross Zio. But now that he had turned them out, his prize was free for the taking once more. Yes, Pit could wait until the time was right…
Zio
Zio watched from a ledge as the scene unfolded below him. There, Pit and his followers encircled Harry and his nearly dead friend. Harry had driven them back for the moment, but Zio saw the look in Pit’s eyes. He knew that Pit would not give up until he had what he wanted. Zio considered intervening; taking Harry back under his protection. After all, his companion would soon be dead and Zio would have Harry all to himself.
In the days that Zio had allowed Harry to bring his injured friend into his hut, he had come to admire the young man’s strength and conviction to his beliefs. Zio thought that he had finally found a worthy disciple. Someone to help spread the message that Zio had so carefully inscribed on the pages of his manifesto.
But, Harry had been single-minded. Tom – always Tom. At first, Harry had obsessed over escape. He had even offered to take Zio with them; but only to save Tom. Zio had allowed himself to become caught up in the prospect of regaining his freedom. After they discovered that the chute led to space, he realized that there was no chance of escape. Zio had hoped that Harry had reached a similar conclusion and would be content to give up the notion and settle down – with him.
Harry had been a willing bedmate. Every night, after tending to his friend, he would cross through the tattered cloth that separated Zio’s hut into two make-shift rooms. He would silently undress and lie down next to Zio. And while he didn’t initiate any of their physical intimacy, he always responded to Zio’s advances perfectly. Sex with Harry was wonderful. Zio soon found himself looking forward to taking this beautiful man to his bed each night. It felt good to finally have someone of his own; to not be alone anymore. He hadn’t felt that way in so long. Not since Jori…
But, Zio was no fool. He knew that Harry only slept with him in exchange for the provisions, shelter, and protection that Zio provided. That had been their arrangement, after all. Afterward, when Zio had fallen asleep, Harry would cross back to the other room and join Tom. Zio would wake alone in the night. When he peered behind the cloth, he would find the two men huddled together – hand in hand. Sleep with the clamp was never peaceful, but Harry seemed most calm when he was curled up next to his friend.
At first, Zio had not cared when Harry abandoned his bed. He had fulfilled his nightly obligation, after all. What did it matter where he chose to sleep? After all, Harry and Tom had arrived at the prison together, and it was obvious that they were involved in some sort of relationship; though they either tried to hide it or hadn’t realized it yet. But, after the failed escape attempt, Zio found himself resenting the way that Harry looked at Tom. He hated the way that he would rush to Tom’s side at the slightest whimper. And mostly, he hated waking up alone night after night while the two men sought comfort in each other.
When Zio had returned to the shelter two days ago and found Harry, hovering over Tom ready to kill him with the pipe, his heart leapt. But Harry had backed down. When Zio had placed the knife in his hand and instructed him to finish the deed, Harry had refused saying, “I’m not a killer.” When Zio had said, “You want to survive, in here? Then you’d better learn to be,” he had really meant, “You have to choose – him or me.”
Harry had chosen. The clatter of the knife as it slipped from his hand was the only answer that Zio needed. Tom. He had chosen to remain with that rotting carcass. Furious, Zio had thrown them both out immediately. Harry didn’t know what he was giving up by not choosing a life with Zio. He had no idea what it was like out there; alone and without anyone to protect him.
Well, Harry was learning that lesson at this very moment. “Good,” Zio thought. “Let him watch his friend, or mate, or whatever he was, die. Let Pit have him; for a little while at least.” A taste of life with someone like Pit would show Harry just what he had given up. He would quickly realize that he would have been better off with Zio.
Zio imagined that he might intervene eventually and reclaim Harry as his; after he had lived with the consequences of his decision for a while. Then, Harry would see the importance of the work; and he would realize just how much he needed Zio. Then, they could work together; disseminating the manifesto and gathering more followers. And each night, they could return to their makeshift home – together. Yes, they may even be able to build some semblance of a life together, even here. One day…
But first, Harry’s current situation had to play out. The lesson must be learned. He had to realize on his own that life with Zio was the only way. And so Zio watched, and waited.
Tom
Tom tried to sleep on the cold, hard ground. Everything hurt. His head was splitting and every breath brought agony. “Some father/son campout,” he thought. In his mind, Tom Paris was sixteen years old again and camping with his father, Admiral Owen Paris, on the Wonderland Trail at Mount Rainier. Tom should have realized that this campout would be anything but fun. Ninety-three miles in ten days. It had been a grueling hike. Owen Paris took every opportunity to prepare his son for the rigors of Starfleet Academy – and every opportunity to remind him just how inadequate he was for the task. They had spent the day hiking the trail. In the evening, they had settled down for a meager meal of Star Fleet field rations and a night spent under the stars. Survival training, his father had called it. “If this were the actual Academy Survival course, you would have failed,” the Admiral had told his son. What Tom wouldn’t give to be back home; locked away in his room reading his favorite Jules Verne novel for the hundredth time.
Then, Tom became aware of voices shouting around him. This was not the Wonderland Trail and he was no longer a sixteen year old boy. Reality came crashing down on him. Akritiria. The prison. Harry. Where was Harry? Tom tried to force his eyes open, but was unable to do so. Suddenly, Harry’s voice rang out, louder than the rest. “This man is my friend. Nobody touches him!” Tom felt his heart skip a beat upon hearing these words. “I love you,” he mumbled. Then, Harry was there, his hand gently on Tom’s face. Tom felt a sense of relief at the warmth of that touch. Then, he surrendered himself to the darkness that was closing in around him.
Harry
Harry, exhausted and bloody, stood over Tom; protecting him from the prisoners that encircled them. “This man is my friend. Nobody touches him!” he shouted vehemently. Harry thought he heard Tom mumble something. He stole a glance behind him, but Tom still appeared to be unconscious.
“That pile of flesh?” Pit scoffed. “He’ll be dead by the end of the day. You might as well start trading his belongings. It’s the only way you’ll survive here.”
“Is that what you want?” Harry asked hesitantly. “No,” Pit almost chuckled. “It’s you I want. You should have been mine anyway, and now I’m taking you home. It looks like Zio left you in-tact, more or less. I’m surprised he didn’t kill you.” Pit looked to Zio on the ledge above. “My thanks to you for that,” he shouted. Harry turned and looked in the direction that Pit had shouted. He had not noticed Zio above him, observing silently as everything unfolded.
Suddenly, the alarm sounded. “New prisoner!” shouted the inmates. They took off toward the chute to welcome the poor, unsuspecting new arrival. Harry took the opportunity to check on Tom, placing his hand gently on his cheek. He tried not to tremble as Pit’s words sank in. He was right; Tom wouldn’t last the day. He had to figure something out, and fast. If only he could think straight. The clamp had every nerve on edge. If only he could leave Tom long enough to investigate the chute. The pipe’s inner workings had been destroyed, but perhaps it could be repaired. If he could just get back into the chute. There had to be some sort of command center on this floating prison barge. If he could get there, he may be able to get a message out to Voyager.
But, Harry knew he couldn’t leave Tom. He would almost certainly be killed the second he left. Just then, Harry heard a familiar voice rise above the crowd. “Hands on your heads.” It definitely sounded like Tuvok. Then, the unmistakable sound of Federation phaser fire rang out. The clamp must really be messing with his mind. Harry was certain that he was hallucinating. Still, he was compelled to investigate, but not before moving Tom into a corner and sliding a crate in front of him to hide him from sight at much as possible.
As Harry approached the chute, he saw Captain Janeway along with Tuvok, Ayala, and Crewman Davis. It wasn’t a hallucination; they were really here. Stunned inmates littered the ground at their feet, while the others gathered around.
“Captain,” Harry exclaimed weakly. He could feel his strength slipping away. His head was spinning and his stomach, though empty, was churning. Janeway took Harry by the shoulders, shocked as she stared at his battered face. “Where’s Tom?” she asked. “He needs help,” Harry replied as he led her and Ayala to the corner where he had hidden Tom from sight. Tuvok and Davis had remained at the entrance of the chute, holding the remaining prisoners at bay.
When they arrived, Harry gestured to the crate. “He’s behind there.” Ayala moved the crate to reveal a very pale, very still Tom. Janeway gasped at the sight, and Harry rushed to his side. “Tom!” he screamed. Tom couldn’t be dead. Not now; when they were so close to escape. Harry reached out and placed a hand on Tom’s chest. He could feel the slight rise and fall of his shallow breaths.
Relieved, Harry allowed himself to be guided out of the way as Ayala moved in to lift Tom over his shoulder. Tom let out a cry of agony at the sudden movement. Harry felt an overwhelming feeling of relief as he watched Ayala carry Tom off toward the chute. He had done it. He had succeeded in protecting Tom. He would escape and survive after all.
He turned to follow the Captain to the chute, and to freedom. As he did, he caught sight of Zio on the upper level. Zio – their deal. Harry had promised to take him with them. Was the deal still on? Zio had thrown them out, after all. Not to mention that he had found another way to collect payment for sheltering them. But in the end, Harry Kim was a man of his word. He would convince the Captain to take Zio with them.
Harry motioned for Zio to join him. He was turning to call out to the Captain when he was hit with a sudden wave of dizziness. The blows to the head earlier must have caused more damage than he realized. “Captain,” he called out, his voice cracking. “We have to…” he collapsed before he could finish the statement.
Zio
Zio saw Harry motion for him. Was he really going to uphold their deal after everything that had happened? He truly was an honorable man. Maybe the most honorable man that Zio had ever known. As he descended the ladder to join them, Harry collapsed. Zio began to run towards him, but his Captain appeared, armed with a weapon. Zio watched as the Captain called for help. A tall man in a gold and black uniform lifted Harry and carried him off in the direction of the chute. He saw Harry´s captain make eye contact with him. Instinctively, she raised her weapon. Zio stopped his advance. With Harry unconscious, there was no way that he could escape with them. The Captain would never believe a criminal´s story. No, there was no point in trying to convince her of Harry´s promise to him. And so, Zio turned to leave. He felt the burn of the clamp fighting to take over. He took a deep breath and turned back to watch them go; taking his disciple, his lover, and his freedom with them.
Janeway
Kathryn was unable to reach Harry before he fell to the ground. She adjusted her phaser rifle and bent to check on him. Good. He was still breathing. “Mr. Tuvok,” she called. Tuvok came through the crowd, phaser at the ready. “Take Harry. I’ll cover you.” Tuvok holstered his phaser and lifted the unconscious ensign over his shoulder. “What about Tom?” Kathryn inquired. “Mr. Ayala has already brought him up to Mr. Neelix’s shuttle,” Tuvok replied. “Crewman Davis is standing guard at the base of the chute.” “Good,” Kathryn replied. “Let’s go.”
As she turned to go, Kathryn caught sight of a prisoner advancing on their position. Unlike the other prisoners, this man’s eyes held no trace of insanity or rage. His eyes were perfectly calm, and cold. That unsettled Kathryn even more. She raised the phaser rifle, ready to open fire if necessary. Upon seeing the weapon, the man stopped. He turned and moved off in the opposite direction. Kathryn made her way to join her officers at the chute.
She and Davis covered Tuvok while he ascended the chute with Harry. His Vulcan strength made it look like an easy task. Kathryn climbed in next, followed by Davis, who did his best to keep his phaser trained behind them. Once the shuttle disengaged from the hatch, the force field would reactivate. Until then, they would have to be careful that no one tried to follow them onto the ship.
Climbing up the chute was considerably harder than sliding down. Kathryn’s arms and legs burned as she pressed them against the sides and forced herself to inch upward. How Tuvok and Ayala managed to do this while carrying their injured officers, she would never know. Finally, the four officers made it back to Neelix’s shuttle. “Mr. Neelix,” Kathryn commed. “Everyone is aboard.”
Neelix managed to avoid the oncoming Akritirian patrol vessel and set a course to rendezvous with Voyager. They had done it. Tom and Harry were safe. Kathryn breathed a sigh of relief as they traveled toward Voyager. She was hopeful that she would never encounter the likes of the Akritirians again.
However, what no one had failed to notice was that someone else had made it into the chute before the force field was re-activated…