Inspired by this obscure bit of Star Trek lore, so thank you for sharing this book excerpt (and these brilliant tags) a bazillion years ago, @lichqueenlibrarian
VULCAN (SIMPLIFIED)
Vorik stared down at the PADD.
This was not meant to be difficult.
Vulcans did this all the time. It was one of those truths wrapped in secrecy, kept from outsiders and off-worlders under pain of mockery and indignity. Something like the pon farr- but this was not the pon farr. Vorik was not expecting his first plak tow for at least another year. In a way, that made the whole thing more shameful. There was no excuse to be experiencing this. No excuse to be feeling these... feelings, right now. He was a Vulcan, for goodness' sake. His good Vulcan breeding- and his common Vulcan sense- made it even more degrading to admit:
He wanted his fellow ensign. Desired them. Hungered for the warmth of their skin, the rise and fall of their chest as they kissed him, desiring him in turn more and more with each second that passed between them... the ensign breathlessly placing their firm fingertips onto his skin and just...
He stopped himself, the fantasy lurching to a reluctant halt inside his mind.
This was incorrect. It wasn't logical, or justifiable, or in any way honorable. It was unbecoming of a Starfleet officer, and he ought to be mortified at the mere idea that he was capable of these thoughts.
But he was not mortified. The desire had, like a thick vapor, filled all available space inside his mind. It left no room for honor, no room for propriety, or logic, or even shame.
And that was a major problem.
His only consolation was that it was not an uncommon problem among Vulcan men. His kind had wrangled with this quandary for millennia: how to reconcile the fiery passions of the blood with the dignified solace of a Surakian mind. The fine, upstanding Vulcans of old had devised a solution, carefully engineered for maximum discretion, to be kept from outsiders at all costs.
Yes, outside of pon farr, Vulcans had developed a rich literary tradition to help them cope with the lustful yearnings of an uncooperative flesh.
In vulgar parlance: they wrote a lot of pornography.
And now Vorik was to follow in their footsteps. Just as soon as his mind quieted enough to let him work.
He spoke into the PADD, voice husky in a way that he was glad it wouldn't question.
"Computer: change keyboard language to simplified Vulcan script."
There was no way in hell he'd be dictating this aloud.
---
Vorik blinked as if emerging from a trance. He looked over his handiwork, awed at the sheer volume of unspeakable-by-Vulcan-standards things he wanted to do with, to, and for his ensign. (That phrase appeared in-text multiple times: "my ensign", and then "his ensign" in sections written in third person. The text careened between the two points of view, feverish snapshots of scenes that had been running through his mind for months. Something in that possessive phrasing- "mine"- just set him ablaze in a way he'd never dream of admitting aloud.)
Vorik almost flinched when, in the middle of rereading the words that had spilled from him, he heard the ping of his PADD's integrated virtual assistant. A message popped up on the screen. The damn AI assistant could read Vulcan, apparently.
"PEOPLE YOU'VE MENTIONED. You seem to be referencing the following team members:"
Vorik felt a thrill of excitement- then guilt and shame- as he read his ensign's name on the screen.
"Invite them to edit?"
Vorik's eyes widened. No, he would most certainly NOT be inviting them to edit.
A sudden chirp from his comm badge had him jumping out of his skin- an unbecoming show of nervous emotion, he chastised himself- and he fumbled with the buttons on the PADD, finally managing to turn it off.
"Vorik? This is Torres. Where the hell are you?"
"Apologies, lieutenant. What is your current location?"
---
Elsewhere, a certain ensign received a notification:
"NEW COLLABORATION REQUEST. Auto-translate from Vulcan (simplified)?"
---
To say the ensign was shocked would be an understatement.
"Did he send me porn of us?" She muttered incredulously, feeling immediately grateful that no one was in the room with her to hear it.
This was an egregious breach of professionalism. It was completely unlike him, sure, but it still constituted an open-and-shut case of harassment. She ought to report it immediately. She was horrifically uncomfortable with all of this...
Wasn't she?
She ought to be. She took a moment to remind herself that she ought to be.
However...
The truth was, Vorik was sweet. He'd first taken interest in her at Ten Forward, seated at a table with the other ensigns. She'd used an Earthen expression that he was unfamiliar with, and he asked her about the meaning. That question had led to a follow up question the next day, which led to near-daily discussions in the corridors about new human idioms he'd picked up. She never thought to wonder how he'd suddenly heard so many.
One day, after much back and forth, she'd brought him a reference book. It was a custom-replicated copy of an ancient text from the 20th century. "Webster's Dictionary of Idioms".
The moment he'd seen it, she could've sworn both corners of his lips had twitched up. It was the Vulcan equivalent of lighting up on Christmas morning.
Now, that Vorik... sweet, earnest, handsome-in-a-green-tinted-way, Vorik... had suddenly sent her an absolute odyssey of home-brewed Vulcan porn.
It was a baffling choice for a first move. Beyond insane.
But if she was being honest? From him, she didn't totally hate it.
----
"Vorik, can we talk?"
She was more nervous than she had any right to be, and she knew it. After all, she wasn't the one who sent the porno novella. (To be fair, it hadn't all been torrid bodice-ripping. There was a lengthy section about guiding her through a mind meld, and multiple very detailed passages about the two of them just holding hands.) Still, it was all she could do to keep her voice even, and she had no idea how to even ask what she wanted to know.
Where do you start with that conversation? Hi, what are you thinking for lunch today? By the way, I noticed you sent 30 pages of erotic literature about us to my work email last night. Can we chat about that?
"We can certainly speak, yes. It would be my pleasure."
She blinked at how unfazed he sounded. Was this normal to him? She turned over the possibility on the very fringes of her mind. The thought seemed absolutely preposterous, but... could this be some kind of canonized flirtation ritual? A Vulcan thing?
"I got your message."
She was unsure what else to add. The words hung thick as molasses in the air between them, full of unanswered sub-questions.
Questions that Vorik, bless him, was completely oblivious to.
"My message?"
She stared at him, dumbfounded. "Yes. Your message."
One of his brows flicked up in the way that only Vulcan brows truly can.
"You received a message from me?"
She stared at him. "Yes. Of course I did. You... you messaged it to me."
"I messaged you a message?" He confirmed evenly, eyebrow still aloft.
"Yes! What, are you mocking me?"
Vorik was taken aback by the sudden accusation.
"Certainly not. I..." He thought back to the books he had read about actively listening to humans. "I hold you in very high regard, ensign." Yes. Good. The chapter on validation had said that 'genuine praise' was very important to her kind. "But I do believe there has been a mistake. I have not sent you any correspondence."
"Yes, you did!" She insisted in the desperate way someone does when they're afraid they've entered the Twilight Zone. "You sent me this!"
She pulled out her PADD, showing him the offending message. Instantly, she could see the blood drain from his face.
"I..." He blinked hard, mind spinning at a million lightyears a minute. How did she...
It didn't matter how. He felt the cold, cruel grip of dread tightening around his heart.
"How- when did you procure this?" His voice managed not to betray his panic; it was smooth, silky, and not at all the sound of a man whose world and dignity are currently crumbling around him.
She looked at him like he'd suddenly become very slow. "You sent it to me! Last night! And the system asked me to collaborate with you on it!"
Vorik sat with that for a moment. Processed it. Really digested it.
Then he stood up, turned on his heel, and strode wordlessly out of Ten Forward.
---
Humans are able to "hold it together". Even under severe distress, most of them can will themselves not to cry until they have reached a safe, appropriately private location. (Vorik knows this, because Vorik has read extensively about human behavior since first taking an interest in his ensign.)
Thankfully, Vulcans have a similar mechanism to "hold it together". It's a small mercy that he can wait until he is safely in his quarters before blushing almost entirely green in embarrassment.
But it's worse than just embarrassment, he realizes. Vorik feels shame. Regret. Fear- fear that she will report him (as she should), fear that she is uncomfortable (as she surely must be, and has every conceivable right to be). Fear that she- and this is what finally makes his blood run cold- may never wish to speak with him again.
It rushes over him in an undiluted wave- Vulcan emotion, multiple times stronger than human sentiment, worthy of thousands of years' worth of ritualized suppression. And he finds that it is all just too much at once.
To Vorik's horror, he begins to weep.
His PADD pings mercilessly, over and over. Messages. He imagines what they could be: notifications that a report has been lodged against him. Admonishments from his crewmates. A court martial date. (Can court martials even be scheduled that quickly? He is too upset right now to logically parse out the probability.)
After multiple pings, his comm badge hums to life.
"Vorik! Answer me!"
It's her. How is it her?!
"Ensign." He manages.
"Don't 'ensign' me. Come back. We need to talk."
"You wish to-?"
"Of course I wish to! Get your... ugh, just check your messages."
He does, and there it is in black and white:
Get your fine, confusing self back over here. Why'd you leave?
Vorik stares at the message, unblinking and disbelieving.
Then, like a spark igniting inside an engine, his mind suddenly comprehends, and he is sprinting back to Ten Forward.
Day 20 is upon us and today it's our boy Vorik's turn to get lucky. 😉
Kinktober Masterlist
Taglist: @horta-in-charge
Day 20: Facesitting - Vorik x Fem!Reader
Warnings: Not Safe for Work, please no minors; facesitting; oral sex (f receiving) | Words: ~670 | Song: Beg for It - Iggy Azalea
The image was a fleeting one, flickering across your mind, then gone just as quickly as it had appeared. It wasn’t one of yours, you knew, based on the perspective - you gazed down at Vorik’s fingers tangled with yours on the couch before glancing up at him quizzically.
A slow green blush crawled across his cheeks. He studied the PADD in his other hand diligently, but now you knew just how much his mind was wandering.
And to where.
You bit your lip before finding your voice. “We could try that,” you murmured.
Vorik looked up at you, surprise written on his normally stoic features. “Are you certain, Ashayam? You would enjoy that?”
You nodded, trying to appear confident despite the racing of your heart. A futile effort, since Vorik could read you like a book. “I think so,” you offered. “And I would definitely be happy to try it if you would enjoy it.”
Vorik shifted his hand that was cradled in yours, forming the ozh’esta with his fingers. Warmth filtered up your arm and you felt yourself relax, feeling safe and loved by your Vulcan partner. At that moment, it didn’t matter that you were lost in the Delta Quadrant and years from home. Home was with Vorik.
Feeling emboldened, you shifted into his lap, straddling his thighs and clasping your arms behind his neck. Having been a quick study of the Human art of kissing, Vorik captured your lips with his, groaning deep in his throat as you quickly deepened the kiss, your tongue dancing against his. His hands skated desperately up your sides beneath your sleep shirt, his fingers grasping and urgent.
Before you knew it, Vorik had risen from the couch and maneuvered you to your shared bed in the next room, shedding clothes along the way. He settled himself in bed, leaving you kneeling above his torso. You could feel the hunger and impatience in your shared bond as he gazed up at you, his hands resting gently on your thighs. His mussed hair and kiss-swollen lips fanned the flames smoldering in your core. You bit your lip, feeling a trickle of nervousness that you quickly doused, dipping low for one last kiss from your lover before you shuffled your knees forward, your core soon poised above your partner’s face.
You stifled a nervous giggle as you realized just how rapidly you had gone from this being a scene in Vorik’s mind to actually acting it out. You knew just what this looked like from his angle, having seen it already in your mind, your body undulating with pleasure in his fantasy.
Vorik’s hands reached to your hips, lowering you slowly, almost reverently, over him. You grasped the headboard to steady yourself as Vorik swiped his tongue greedily through your folds. Your hips jerked in response, earning a low growl from the Vulcan below you. He pulled you down hard against him, plunging his tongue into you, your responding cry of pleasure flying from your mouth.
Vorik worked at you like a desperate man, alternating between broad licks and sucking teasingly at your clit while his hands roamed freely across the expanse of your body. Your eyes closed in absolute pleasure, your hips finding their own rhythm rocking against him, no longer nervous or shy as you felt Vorik’s satisfaction through your bond. He worked you up towards your climax, pushing you closer towards your peak with every caress.
Your muscles were taut like springs inside you, ready to snap, as one of Vorik’s hands fondled your breast, drawing a low moan from him below you. You came with unprecedented force, your shout of pleasure likely muffled to Vorik as your legs drew tight around his head reflexively.
Yes, Ashayam, yes, he chanted through your bond, and you could feel his desire coursing through it. His strong hands held you steady as you came back to reality, your mind sluggish as you contemplated how best to make Vorik feel as good as he’d just made you feel.
This is just a little plot bunny that hopped into my brain. Literally no idea why, it just happened. So...enjoy! 😇
If anyone wants to be added to or removed from my taglist, let me know!
Cross-posted to AO3 here.
~*~
Vorik (ST:VOY) x Reader
[A/N: This is fluff with mild suggestiveness and a brief mention of a previous instance of Pon Farr.]
Warnings: Interspecies romance, Human/Vulcan romance, mild fear, idiots in love, both think their feelings are unrequited, mutual pining, angst, brief mention of past Pon Farr, spoilers for ST:VOY S3E16 "Blood Fever", mild spoilers for ST:VOY S4E1 "Scorpion Pt. 2", the beginning would make more sense if you watch S4E1 first but it's not entirely necessary, and I assume that you've seen "Blood Fever" if you're reading Vorik fanfics, so...🤷♀️, kissing, Vulcan hand-holding, touch telepathy, idk what else to put here because it's really just fluff.
~*~
The tension on the ship was already palpable when the chaos started. Everyone was on edge because of our uneasy alliance with a Borg cube, wondering how long it would be before they turned on us and tried to assimilate Voyager. The fact that Species 8472 had turned out to be hostile as well did nothing to alleviate the crew's stress.
With enemies in front of and behind us, all we could do was try to prepare to the best of our ability. I just hoped it would be enough. Vorik had been silent on our way to Engineering for the start of our shift. The silence itself wasn't troubling - Vorik was often contemplative early in the day - but the small frown just barely pinching his brows together...that was worrying.
Inquiring about his well-being had earned me no more than a noncommittal, murmured deflection. All I could think to do was give him a gentle smile and rest one hand briefly on his shoulder. Shockingly, that seemed to help. His forehead relaxed, smoothing out into his usual, calm, neutral expression.
For the next few hours, I noted that whenever I glanced over at his station, the Ensign seemed to have retained whatever sense of ease he'd regained in the corridor that morning.
Soon, however, all thoughts outside of my duties were wiped away. Red alerts began blaring, and it was all hands on deck as we struggled to regain control of Voyager from the Borg.
I'd just begun to cross the second level to access a different terminal when the ship gave an almighty jolt. Before I could brace myself, I was thrown toward the warp core. The low railing struck my back, and I let out a yelp of pain and fear as I began to tumble over the side.
Instead of finding myself flattened or shattered by the fall, however, a vice-like grip on my arm stopped my momentum and tugged me against a sturdy, warm chest. I grabbed at the shoulders of my savior, trembling with residual shock. Only after the ship steadied itself did I manage to catch my breath and glance upward.
Looking down at me with a protectiveness that I had never before witnessed from him, Vorik's shining brown eyes met mine.
"Thank you," I managed to squeak out, but speaking seemed as difficult for him as I'd found it to be. Instead, he nodded his head once and pressed our foreheads carefully together. Vorik knew I was terrified of heights.
After a moment, though, we were forced to pull away from each other and go tend to our duties. Short-lived comfort was all we could manage at times like that. Being stuck in fluidic space after we'd been forced there by the last surviving Borg onboard Voyager was definitely not the right moment to become distracted by our personal tension, even if it had been growing for years.
I knew nothing would ever truly happen between us, though. If he'd seen me as a viable partner, Vorik would've approached me when his pon farr happened the year before. Instead he'd gone for B'Elanna Torres, and I'd forced myself to stay away from him.
I'd requested a transfer to the night shift so that I wouldn't be on duty at the same time as him, and the few moments where our schedules overlapped, I tried to find reasons to be busy in other places.
Yes, his interest in someone else had stung, so I decided that until my own stupid feelings cooled down a bit, I'd keep my distance. Mostly, I just didn't want to embarrass myself in front of him. After all, that Vulcan could read me like a book, and at that particular point, I didn't want him to ponder my emotional state too closely. If he hadn't caught on to the fact that I loved him prior to his pon farr, I certainly wasn't going to change that after he'd made his non-interest known.
I hadn't been rude to him in the aftermath, especially since he was being viewed so poorly by so many of the crew for attacking B'Elanna in engineering, but I hadn't gone out of my way to talk to him, either. The whole situation was a mess, and although I didn't want him to feel alone, I definitely wanted to limit the number of opportunities that I had to make an ass of myself.
Eventually, though, it all came to a head one morning when I'd just finished my shift. As I approached the hall where my quarters were, I saw a familiar head of fluffy back hair standing at attention outside my door.
"Vorik?" I called, and he looked quickly in my direction. Standing even straighter - a feat that I hadn't believed possible - the Ensign acted formally, as if he was addressing a superior officer.
"Ensign, forgive me for disturbing you at this hour, but I...had hoped to speak with you in private," he said in that low, gentle voice that I...oh, I'd missed him more than I anticipated! I blinked in surprise, and opened the door to my quarters, answering his question.
"Would you like some tea or water or something? I know you need to go on duty soon, and I have some extra replicator rations...?"
"Thank you, but no," he murmured as we made our way over to my sofa. We'd held many debates and conversations here over the years, but it had been something like two months since we'd been together like this. I took a seat, but when he remained standing, I looked up at him curiously. "May I?"
"Vorik, we've been friends since before we came aboard Voyager. You know you never need to ask permission to sit down." He seemed surprised by my response, which, in turn, surprised me.
"I did not know if..." he stumbled over his words for a moment as he perched awkwardly on the cushion beside me. "After the incident in Engineering, I was uncertain whether you would be...comfortable with my being in close proximity to you."
I was silent for a moment as I processed what he'd said.
"You thought I'd be afraid of you?" My voice came out as barely a whisper, and when he nodded his head, my heart shattered in my chest. He looked so vulnerable, so afraid that I was going to scream at him or throw him out of my quarters.
"It is the logical conclusion. You did request a transfer to a different shift, did you not?"
Of course he'd found out about that. I don't know why I expected that to remain a secret.
"Yes, but it wasn't because I was afraid of you, Vorik." That may not have been the whole truth, but it wasn't a lie. He seemed relieved, but I didn't want him to dig too deeply, so I changed the subject with a smile. "Now, what brings you here before your shift? How can I help you?"
"My main goal was to ascertain whether I'd frightened you. My subsequent objective..." he trailed off with his brow furrowed. "Upon reflection, I do not know whether this is logical, but I wished to determine what would be required to restore our prior level of interaction. I find myself...troubled by your absence, both in Engineering and in our leisure hours."
"You missed me?" The question slipped out before I could stop it, and just like that, it was Vorik's turn to look surprised.
"Of course. Did you believe that I would be indifferent or pleased to be without you?" Nodding my head, I watched as my friend cautiously moved closer to me on the sofa and placed his hands on my shoulders. "You lend me much metaphorical strength. I value your counsel...and your friendship."
My self-imposed isolation had ended that night. I spoke with B'Elanna and got transferred back to my original shift, which is why Vorik was there to save me when I nearly fell over the railing. If it hadn't been for him, I'd likely be lying in a crumpled heap on the lower deck by now. We'd rekindled our friendship after that lapse, but I knew it would never become anything more.
Regardless, Vorik had saved my life, and I resolved that once we were out of danger, I'd show him how grateful I was.
--
One minor war later, Vorik and I exited Engineering with the rest of our shift, and without a single moment's discussion, I found myself being led by a firm hand grasping my elbow.
"Vorik? Where are we going?"
"Patience." Was it my imagination, or was his voice rougher than usual? He sent the turbolift up before anyone else could board it, and the ride was filled with an undefinable sort of silence.
His grip slipped down from my elbow to my hand, and tingles erupted across my palm. He'd never touched my bare skin before. Vulcans were averse to such contact, and I'd always done my best to respect that boundary.
But he'd been the one to initiate this, not me. As the lift hummed along, Vorik's gaze slipped upward until our eyes met. A mere blink later, his eyes were hooded and hunger flooded his demeanor. Stepping closer to me with our hands still joined, the Ensign backed me up against the wall of the turbolift releasing a whisper of my name in that beautiful, low, silky voice of his.
The tingling in my spine intensified the longer he looked at me - and oh, did he look at me! His eyes seemed to bore right into my soul, stealing my breath and my thoughts with unerring skill. He'd looked at me before, but never the way I wanted him to...never like this.
That frightened me. Oh, the look itself wasn't disquieting, but the possibility that this could lead to something more – something that might damage my heart more than his preference of B'Elanna over me had a year before? That terrified me.
"I did not," he rasped, and I blinked in confusion. "I believed that you did not harbor the same regard for me that I did for you, and it was out of a desire to avoid needlessly damaging the relationship between us that I selected Lieutenant Torres. I did not wish to lose you. To equate yourself with her is the height of illogic, because none could ever compare with you."
Before I could respond beyond a stunned look, however, we arrived at the deck we'd been hurtling toward. The door hissed open, and he began tugging me through the corridors again. We passed through the door to Vorik's quarters, and everything clicked into place. He'd always preferred privacy, only allowing into his space those who needed to be there - like the Doctor and Lieutenant Tuvok.
And then there was me.
I'd never understood why he allowed me in when almost nobody else was permitted the same luxury, but suddenly it all made sense. I was allowed to be there when nobody else was because he trusted me enough to be vulnerable with me. He told me more about himself than he did anyone else. He spent more of his free time with me than anyone else. He knew more about me than anyone else did.
And I'd all but abandoned him after the incident with Torres! Guilt coiled hot and bitter in my gut, and I bit my lower lip. How did he not hate me? How could he have simply been content with our renewed friendship? He should've chewed me out or berated me–
My racing thoughts ground to a halt as the softness of his lips met mine.
Oh.
The kiss was gentle and brief, but it was easily the most tender gesture I'd ever received. When he pulled away just far enough to watch me open my eyes, his hands caught both of mine and lifted them to his chest.
"I...Vorik, that...isn't something friends do," I breathed, feeling like an idiot as soon as the words were out of my mouth.
"You are correct. It is not," he said with a hint of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips, "but I had hoped that my attempts to demonstrate my interest were successful enough to convey that I desire you in more ways than a simple friendship will allow."
"Your interest?" I parroted, and he moved close enough that when I spoke, my lips brushed against his. The contact felt as warm as fire, as sweet as honey, and I was a starving. Ravenous for his touch, his affection, I craved him more than I had anything else in my entire life.
"You cannot have missed it. By Vulcan standards, I have been metaphorically throwing myself at you. Lieutenant Tuvok even suggested that I was being too overt." He grasped my waist, tugging me gently against him as his lips met mine again. A fleeting, barely-there peck later, my patience had stretched to the breaking point as I chased his retreating mouth with my own. "Is there something you need, ashayam?"
Blinking up at him, it occurred to me that he was doing this deliberately.
Vorik was teasing me.
And he looked almost proud of the reaction he'd drawn from me. Beautiful bastard.
"You," I whispered before I could talk myself into being more cautious. "All I need is you."
"Then you shall have me," Vorik promised as he lifted me into his arms and carried me toward his bed.
Warning: injuries, slight gore, death, bad space horror, some plot holes for the sake of the story
Synopsis: As the Voyager's crew explore an planet in search of Dilithium, they stumble upon an abnormal discovery that leaves them startled.
Damn this blogs making me falling in love with pointy ears aliens (@deepspacedukat)
@emotional-fandom-soup asked to be tagged
Beyond the Stars
I shifted my upper body forward, attempting to regain composure. My mind seemed hazy, impeding my concentration on the world around me.
What the hell were these things?
As I glanced around, my mind raced to come up with a solution, any solution, that could get me from this impasse. The eerie ambiance of the dark forest enveloped me, with only the colossal trees and the swirling mist as my companions. However, there was no trace of my crew members, leaving me feeling isolated and uncertain of what lay ahead.
In an attempt to regain command over my thoughts, I inhaled deeply, only to have my concentration shattered by approaching moans.
Oh shit
Without the luxury of planning, I hastily fled from the noise, scanning my surroundings in hopes of spotting a fellow crew member from the away team.
The mysterious beings, of unknown origin, bear a resemblance to a thin, famished entity with pale, blotchy skin tightly covering its bony structure. With its stretched limbs and razor-sharp claws, it effortlessly navigates the thick forests it calls home. Its eyes are rumored to emit an eerie glow or appear empty, mirroring its unquenchable and abnormal appetite.
As the creatures approached, I struggled to hold back a sob. I had left my phase behind and couldn't risk using my badge to call for help from the Voyager and draw attention to myself.
As soon as a crimson figure appeared, my fear of death vanished completely, diverting its focus away from me and giving me the chance to conceal myself beside a tree.
I glanced in the direction where the noise came from, making sure not to draw any unnecessary attention. Although not particularly smart, those creatures appeared to have sharp hearing abilities.
As my rescuer, a lieutenant from the Voyager’s security team, surveyed the situation, he seemed to be contemplating an escape plan, looking back and forth between me and those things.
It hit me like a ton of bricks - the sudden realization that I couldn't simply bail out and retreat to the safety of the shuttle craft. This wasn't just another routine mission; there were lives at stake and a responsibility that I couldn't ignore. As if sensing my unease, I caught a glimpse of the lieutenant making his way towards me, his actions indicating that he had noticed my inner anxiety.
Similar to myself, the two beings observed the motion coming from my fellow crew member and, driven by their animal instincts, they launched an assault on him. In an attempt to evade the creatures' razor-sharp claws, the man fought back, striving to reach his phaser. In moments that felt like an eternity, blood cascaded freely from deep lacerations as bones snapped audibly under the monster's relentless assault. Agonizing screams pierced the night sky but were swiftly silenced amidst guttural growls of satisfaction. The creature's feral hunger seemed insatiable as it devoured parts of its prey before flinging aside what remained like discarded playthings. A gruesome testament to the desolate horrors that dwell within nature's unforgiving embrace, this chilling encounter left no doubt about the true essence of terror embodied by these things. It was an ironic turn of events as my colleague's eyes were fixed on me, their gaze reflecting a desperate cry for help.
My eyes were widened in shock, unable to comprehend the cruel reality unfolding before me. As a chilling fear grips my core, I was being consumed by a torrential wave of grief and horror. The weight of impending doom descends upon me like an iron vice, squeezing out every ounce of hope left in my trembling heart. Sweat trickles down my face as I struggle to maintain composure, knowing that I too would soon meet the same grisly fate. My body trembles with adrenaline and anguish while silent screams echo within me, suffocated by the grim reality that engulfs me. Any semblance of safety now dissipates like mist in the wind, leaving behind only a haunting emptiness that embraces them mercilessly.
I need to get out of that place. Suppressing the urge to gulp, I swallowed my saliva and seized the remaining surge of adrenaline within me. Scanning my surroundings, I swiftly determined the path with the fewest obstacles and sprinted towards it.
I could hear the grunts from those things behind me. Their twisted forms stand out in the moonlit darkness as growls burst through the uncanny silence. With each step, their clawed feet strike the muggy soil, and their insatiable hunger drives them closer to me. My senses are heightened and my breath comes in ragged gasps, echoing my fear and determination. I couldn’t die this way, a colleague gave his life for me to survive. Their shadows danced around me, concealing tricky roots and twisted trunks that threaten to send me onto the ground. My heart pounds relentlessly against my chest, as if it knows I need to outpace the lumbering beasts behind me, I couldn’t or risk becoming their morbid banquet. Every piece of strength is summoned within my frame as I leaps over fallen logs and darts past gnawed carcasses dispersed across the path ahead.
But just as despair threatened to consume me entirely, a glimpse of hope emerged from the shadows. In an electrifying burst of audacity, Vorik boosted fearless into the dispute. A palpable tension filled the air as he faced off against the abominations, his fists clenched tightly with raw resolve.
I observed the scene, alternating my attention between my lover and the bizarre creatures. His concentrated gaze hinted at his contemplation of a rescue plan to extricate us from this troublesome situation. With each skillful movement and calculated strike, he danced with danger in a desperate bid to protect what mattered most to him. Beads of sweat dripped down their furrowed brows as time seemed to slow down; every breath held its own weight.
The abrupt understanding that those things would be the cause of his demise deeply affected me. Despite his superior Vulcan physiology compared to mine, he was unable to resist the ferocity of these monstrous beings. It is unnerving to know that he would sacrifice his life to protect me, much like the brave security officer who met a similar fate.
Perhaps it was the surge of adrenaline coursing through my veins or the overwhelming fear of losing Vorik that obligated me to act with such audacity. In a moment of bitter bravery, I swiftly removed my fleet jacket and threw it towards a tree situated across from our location. Without wasting any time, I tightly grasped Vorik's hand, urging him to run alongside me.
The duration of our run was a mystery to me, as I am unable to recall how long it lasted. However, our sprint came to an abrupt break when my legs finally succumbed to exhaustion, leaving me breathless and drained. Overwhelmed by the suffocating sensation that had plagued me throughout our escape, exhaustion consumed my entire being. Vorik, seemingly aware of my weakened state, swiftly embraced me from behind, providing support as he gently guided me to a seated position on the cold and muddy soil. He was holding me with a tenderness that was unusual for him. His hands gently caressed my temples, as if he was attempting to comfort me.
“How did… How did you find me?”“
“Ashayam, I will always find you”
The soothing sound of his voice provided a momentary recess, yet the constant awareness of the hidden danger on this unfamiliar planet kept my nerves on edge. My gaze darted anxiously in every direction, a sense of fear gripping me. It was only a matter of time before those relentless pursuers would track us down. We had to arrange a strategy to safely return to the ship, ensuring that we could take the dilithium to the Voyager.
“It is of utmost importance that we depart from the planet at the earliest opportunity. Are you able to rise from your current position so that we may locate the remaining members of the away team?”
As I had my realization, my eyes widened just a bit. It dawned on me that while I was busy fretting about escaping from these creatures, I had completely overlooked the fact that they were facing the same perils as I was.
“There is no need to be concerned. We are fully aware of the distress that exist on this planet. It is only natural that you have directed your efforts towards ensuring your own survival.”
Am I that transparent?
“How can we find them? I mean, it seems like this planet isn’t small enough for us to find Harry and Tom.”
“It appears that you failed to observe, Ashayam, that those beings lack the ability to see” He removed his badge and pointed it towards the sky, suggesting that we could use its reflection to indicate our location
I couldn't help but chuckle at his condescending tone, which he seemed to deliver in his own vulcan manner. I gestured with my hands, indicating for him to show us the way to our companions. Hopefully, we could find a way out of that place and make our way back to the ship.
Despite the unexpected tranquility, I made a conscious effort to avoid dwelling on the utter fortune of my survival at this moment. While I have embarked on numerous away missions before, this is the first instance where I genuinely felt my life was in danger, added by the horrifying sight of witnessing merciless creatures whose defeat seemed hopeless.
Attempting to dismiss this thought, I avoid grieving his demise or holding myself responsible; I could accomplish both tasks while remaining secure on the ship.
As I became aware of the unsettling sounds coming from a tree in close proximity, an instinctual response compelled me to prepare myself for a sudden escape. The thought of those alien beings sneaking in the area, ready to launch an assault, sent a chilling sensation down my spine.
Vorik seemed to have observed the shift in my demeanor, as he approached me with a genuine intention to offer solace. Recognizing my need for support, he moved closer, his presence gave off a sense of understanding.
“I believe that the commotion we are hearing is simply a result of our teammates' lack of attentiveness to their surroundings.”
“Although it is difficult for me to admit, your boyfriend is correct, ensign. It’s just us”
A sense of relief washed over me as I let out a deep sigh. In the middle of all the chaos and uncertainty, it was comforting to see that my dear friends were alive and well.
"Paris, it makes me really happy to hear your voice," I expressed, offering a warm smile to both him and Harry.
"I believe we have adequately prepared ourselves for departure, haven't we?” Vorik said, “I assume the dilithium has already been arranged in the shuttle."
"Hold on a moment. What about the lieutenant who came with us?” Harry interrupted, “Where is he?"
As I released a soft whimper, Harry immediately stepped back, displaying a compassionate gesture. He softly muttered words along the lines of 'I apologize' to express his remorse.
"Let's get out of this place, can we?" Tom said, "I really wish I could take a shower and get some sleep."
The possibility of returning to the ship filled me with a glimmer of hope, knowing that we would soon leave this planet behind.
Upon approaching the shuttle, the sound of a familiar grunt resonated in our surroundings. My heart quickened its pace and my senses heightened, leaving me with the task of determining the origin of these noises.
Even though the fear of suffering the same fate as the other officer was overwhelming, I couldn't let panic consume me and expose my friends to such a horrific fate.
"To ensure our escape," Harry murmured, "we need to find a way to get those aliens out of our way, even if only temporarily."
“I noticed that they tend to fight over food” Tom told us “so if there is just one of us to more of one of those things, maybe we could make them kill each other to buy us time to run”
The four of us didn't have enough time to split up and determine who the things would chase after. Vorik appeared to have come to the same understanding, judging by the way he gazed at me.
My heart was pounding so hard that it felt like I couldn't hear my thoughts. The growls were getting closer and we were running out of time.
Moving closer to Vorik, I tenderly touched his cheeks and planted a kiss on his forehead. It dawned on me that this might be our last meeting.
“I love you, darling”
Without wanting to give him much time to think, I swiftly departed, creating as much noise as I could possibly make.
Those things with their stretched limbs and twisted horns moved with an unnatural swiftness. Their eyes burn with a sickly yellow glow, reflecting their insatiable hunger for flesh.
My adrenaline fueled steps faltered for a moment as I glanced over my shoulder, catching a glimpse of those beings closing in. Their mouths drip with saliva, their jagged teeth scintillating in the fading light.
Their haunting cries reverberated through the trees, a chilling chorus that drove me forward. I can almost feel their icy breath on her neck, the sound of their crooked claws scraping against the trunks of trees.
With a burst of adrenaline, I spotted a small cavern up ahead. Hope blossoms as I push myself to reach my destination. It was small enough for those things don’t reach me
But those things, relentless in their pursuit, gather near that cave. Their cries fill the air, growing louder. They scratch at trunks, their claws carving deep grooves into the trees. My heart pounds in my chest as I brace for the inevitable confrontation.
The first one thrusted forward with a primal snarl. Its movements are a twisted combination of agility and brutality, fueled by its thirst for flesh. The second wendigo, equally ghastly, meets the attack head-on, its skeletal horns ready to strike.
They circle each other, snarling and growling, their yellowed teeth snapping in an unsettling symphony. The scent of decay and desperation hangs heavy in the air as they vie for dominance.
With an explosive burst of strength, the first thing manages to latch onto the second, sinking its pointed teeth into its opponent's arm. The injured one yelped in pain and fury, retaliating with a vicious swipe of its claws.
The battle rages on, the beings locked in a gruesome dance of violence and survival. They tear at each other's flesh, chunks of meat falling to the blood stained soil. Their movements are frenetic, a blur of twisted limbs as they relentlessly fight for dominance over.
As the struggle intensifies, the inhuman strength becomes evident. They crash against trees, sending splinters flying, and unleash bone-crushing blows upon one another. Blood mingles with the muddy ground, staining the expanse with shades of crimson, a macabre testament to its ferocious confrontation.
After what feels like an eternity of violence, less injured gain the upper hand. With a final, brutal advance, it delivers a crushing blow to its adversary, sending it to the ground. The victorious one stands tall and lets out a triumphant howl that pierces the silence.
Realizing that, apparently, that the thing would come for me, I did my best to not move. The extent of his pain was likely so severe that he had reached a point where my presence held no significance to him. However, given the terrifying spectacle I had just witnessed, the thought of becoming the next victim was the furthest thing from my desires.
The remaining one seems to settle with the body of the loser, tearing into its torn flesh with fury. The sound of bones cracking fills the air as it indulges in the spoils of its victory, satisfying its ravenous hunger, if only temporarily.
As the feast concludes, the victorious retreats into the darkness, leaving behind a haunting representation of carnage.
As I spotted one silhouette navigating in the treacherous terrain, I got out of the cave. My heart leaps with hope as he silently calls out my name, his voice carried away by the wind.
Vorik held me tightly, his voice filled with love and concern as he reassured her of their safety. He wrapped me in his fleet coat, shielding her from the biting cold
“By Surak. Can you fathom the immense danger that was present in this situation? It is truly alarming to think about the potential harm that could have befallen you.”
His expression was filled with an overwhelming surge of emotions, leaving me with no choice but to gently place his hands on my heart. It was my way of reassuring him that I was alive and in good health.
As they prepare to leave the desolate area, Vorik remains vigilant, knowing that the wendigos still lurk in the shadows. Hand in hand, they navigate the landscape, their steps careful and deliberate. He keeps a watchful eye, ready to shield me from any threat that may arise.
Finally, they emerge from the desolate area, leaving the haunting landscape behind. Seeing Tom and Harry with the shuttle ready to launch, all I could do was sob. Returning to Voyager was a long awaited moment for us, as it could give us the opportunity to confront the profound impact that this planet had on our emotions and inner selves.
