Luna scowled at the Security Officer watching her every move from the corner of the lab. Her fingers twitched to grip the scalpel up her sleeve, but she refrained from acting on her anger, instead choosing to focus on the datapad in her hand. She would much rather have Cassian supervising her.
Over the past few days, Luna had been investigating how Marcus managed to resist her compulsion. So far, she'd been met with more questions than answers. It would take a lot more than rummaging through Section Thirty-One data files to discover the truth.
Luna pursed her lips and glanced at John. He was engrossed in his work, making adjustments to a set of blueprints that Marcus gave him earlier that week. It had been this way for three days. He believed this was, and always had been his job. His life.
The Sanguine hopped off her lab stool and retrieved her pack of cigarettes, placing one between her teeth. "I'm going for a smoke," she announced, heading for the exit.
"I can't let you do that." The Security Officer moved to block her path, his hand teasing the phaser on his belt.
Luna clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Why ever not?"
"I've been instructed by Admiral Marcus to keep you in sight at all times."
"Is that so," she said through gritted teeth.
"I'm sure Marcus wouldn't mind if I accompanied Miss Gillian." A new voice joined the conflict. John came to stand beside her.
The Security Officer glanced in his direction, fear dilating his pupils. He knew what this man could be capable of. Swallowing thickly, he stepped aside. "Very well."
Luna winked at the guard as she strode past. "Thanks for that," she said as they entered the turbolift.
"My pleasure," John replied, his lip curling at the corner.
They travelled down to the lower levels where Luna's smoking room was. It was definitely her favourite spot. Aside from the lab, it was where she spent her time.
She skipped over to the large sofa and flopped down, lighting her cigarette. "How's your work coming along?"
"It's getting there," John said. He sat on the sofa opposite, his eyes fixed on her.
Luna noticed how they glinted in the darkness of the room. Being alone with him was rather exhilarating. She was well aware of the danger he posed with his memories restored. Without them, however, he seemed so calm and emotionless.
"The other day, before the tour, you said you had some questions for me." She took a drag of her cigarette and blew a plume of smoke into the air.
"I read about what happened on Traigon and Motclan two weeks ago. That's the reason you're here, isn't it?"
"Unfortunately."
"Sanguines have the power to get whatever they want. You could certainly best everyone on this station in combat. So tell me," John paused and leant forward. "Why don't you run?"
Luna smirked. "Interesting that you assume I want to."
"Wouldn't you rather be with your sister?"
"I would," she nodded. "But there are some things I need to do to keep her out of danger."
"Surely you're both safe now that Jared is gone."
"Gone?" Luna echoed, her brows creasing.
John tilted his head slightly, sitting up. "You don't know? Jared was found murdered in his cell three days ago."
Murdered?
Luna was unsure how to react. She rubbed her arm and turned to the cigarette for comfort. "Do they...do they know who did it?"
He shook his head no. "Marcus didn't tell you?"
"Nope," she said, popping the 'p'. "He doesn't tell me a lot of things."
That sentence hung in the air as Luna struggled to process the information relayed to her. Jared Wise, the man whose family tortured her for decades was no more. The man who manipulated her into trusting and loving him was dead.
"Are you alright?" John suddenly asked.
"I wanted it to be me," Luna spoke before she could stop herself. "I wanted to be the one to watch the life drain from his eyes..." She trailed off and flicked her cigarette. "I just hope Samsa isn't blamed for this."
"She was one of the first to find him."
"By the Founders." Luna shut her eyes. "I should have answered her calls."
"Why didn't you?"
"Because I'm sick of lying to her. I can't tell her where I am or what I'm doing-" she cut herself off and sighed. "Samsa deserves better. She deserves the truth."
"Is the truth what's best for her?"
Luna went to answer but froze, a slight smirk forming on her face. "Since when did this become a therapy session?"
John shrugged and narrowed his eyes, again using an indecipherable tone. "I can't remember any of my problems, so I might as well help you with yours."
"Have you got any of your memories back yet?" She asked. It was partly out of the need to change the subject.
His eyes fell to the floor. "I keep having the same dream of walking down a dirt road filled with markets. I...I think they were selling fruit and spices..." John trailed off and rubbed his temple. "The images come and go when I'm awake too."
Luna listened intently as he spoke. It was clearly a memory of Khan Noonien Singh leaking through the cracks. Not a harmful one, but they were bound to get clearer and deeper.
"I know Marcus said to tell him if anything comes back to me, but I haven't yet."
"Well, you've been busy in the labs."
"That's not the reason."
Luna raised an eyebrow. "Oh?"
"Whatever connection I had with him before the accident is gone. He said Starfleet was my family, yet I don't feel I can talk to anyone on this station."
"You told me," she frowned.
"You're different."
Her heart vaulted. "Why's that?"
John flicked his tongue over his lower lip and looked directly at her. "I feel as though we have an understanding. Like I should trust you."
Their gazes met and held for a while.
Luna became engulfed by the concoction of colours surrounding his pupils. Her eyes trailed down to the defined cupid's bow of his lips.
A blush heated her cheeks and she got to her feet, stubbing the cigarette out and clearing her throat. "What gives you that impression?"
"You're the only person here who didn't know me before my accident, yet you feel the most familiar," John scoffed, shaking his head. "I can't work out why."
"Then don't try to," Luna shrugged with a smile. "I'm gonna call my sister. I'll see you back at the lab in fifteen."
☆☆☆
When Luna eventually reached her room, she was surprised to see a large container deposited just outside her door addressed to her. She brought it inside and used her scalpel to cut through the string tying it shut.
A smile brightened her face when she peeked at the contents: A beautiful wooden chest and a note.
My dear Luna,
Something to remind you of home.
All my love,
Samsa.
The box was filled with rolls of vibrant fabrics, all rich with a kaleidoscope of colours. Beneath them was a set of needles and several wheels of thread. Luna was caught off guard by the final item: a photo of her and Samsa.
A lump of tears set fire to the back of her throat but none fell. She glanced at the communicator on the bedside table. Deep down, Luna knew she should call her sister. They had been kept apart for a century. Now was not the time to restore that distance.
With a hesitant sigh, she grabbed the device, flipped it open and locked onto Samsa's frequency.
It took the Blonde a little while to answer. The reasoning was clear when muffled techno music accompanied her greeting.
"Luna, thank goodness! Are you alright?"
"Sounds like you're having a good time. Where are you?"
"Having drinks with a few friends. It was Mason's idea." Silence. "Lu, why have you been avoiding me?" Her voice wobbled.
Luna sighed and flopped onto the bed, scratching her arm. "My communicator was confiscated...didn't want you to worry," she lied. "Thank you for the sewing kit and photo by the way."
"I'm glad they reached you! The people on the supply run said they'd know where to direct it."
The brunette was relieved to hear her true location hadn't been revealed. Then again, the Io Facility's existence was unknown to many.
"Luna, there's something you should know...I would've wanted to tell you in person but-"
"Jared's dead. I know."
"Oh. Are...are you okay?"
"Never better."
"It's just, I-I know that you two had a complicated relationship and-"
"Sams, go have fun. We'll talk properly tomorrow."
There was another silence.
"Promise?"
"I promise."
Luna snapped the communicator shut and released a huff of frustration. She got to her feet and went to grab a snack. However, her mini-fridge was emptied of blood bags.
"Damn rations," she grumbled under her breath.
The corridors were mostly deserted as Luna made her way back up to the labs but when she spotted a lone Starfleet Officer doing maintenance, an idea sprang to mind. She elected a swift approach and shoved him inside a nearby janitor's closet.
"What the hell-!?"
Luna pinned the man against the wall and focussed all of her strength on compelling him. "Stay still and don't scream."
Despite her request, he continued to writhe and struggle, causing Luna to grit her teeth in anger. It seems Marcus wasn't the only one able to resist her compulsion.
"Guess we're gonna have to do this the hard way then."
She clamped a hand over his mouth and bit into his neck. Her tongue was instantly enveloped by rich, coppery liquid. Luna's eyes fluttered shut and adrenaline ignited her nerves. This was what she needed. Not chilled blood, but fresh blood from the vein.
After drinking her fill, she pulled away, the man's cries still muffled by her hand.
"Oh, stop being so dramatic," Luna said with an eye roll.
She created an incision in her palm and returned it to his mouth, forcing him to drink her blood. Sure enough, the wound on his neck began to shrink.
"See? Good as new. Like nothing ever happened."
"Why...why haven't you killed me?"
"I don't just go around killing people," she scoffed. "Honestly! Is that what everyone thinks of me?"
"We-"
"Don't answer that! Answer something useful, why isn't my compulsion working?"
The man grimaced. "How am I supposed to know?"
"Darling, you're not making this any easier for yourself. Since I can't make you forget, how can I guarantee that this remains our little secret?"
"You're going to blackmail me, aren't you," he guessed, bitterly.
"It's an option," Luna shrugged, biting her lip in thought. She could still feel the adrenaline fresh in her veins. It gave her an idea. "Okay, one last try for good luck." She took a deep breath and looked into the man's eyes. "This never happened. Go back to your work and continue your day as normal."
Luna grinned triumphantly upon seeing his pupils dilate with the compulsion. He left the room, wearing an emotionless expression. She released a breath of relief and licked the blood from around her lips, feeling rather pleased with herself.
☆☆☆
As soon as the line of communication ended, Samsa uncurled her fist to see she had drawn blood with her nails. She wiped her tear-streaked face and took several deep breaths before making her way back into the Golden Gate Bar.
"That was quick," Mason said when she reached their table.
Samsa took her place between him and Leonard. "She wanted me to have fun."
"How's she doing?" Uhura asked from the seat opposite.
"Good, yeah. She's fine," Samsa nodded, forcing a smile. "I'm getting the next round, right?"
Someone responded, but it was blurred in her ears. She headed for the bar anyway and waited for the bartender to notice her. Conversations from every corner of the room reached her ears, making it difficult to focus when ordering.
"Need to talk?" Mason appeared at her side.
Samsa was glad of the company, sending him a sincere smile. "I can't shake the feeling that she's hiding something from me."
"The past few weeks have been hard for both of you. Your sister's stubborn but she'll open up. Until that happens, she wouldn't want you worrying like this."
"You're right," the blonde nodded.
Mason grinned and pulled her into a sideways hug. "I'm always right." When their drinks arrived, he raised his Cardassian Sunrise and took a sip. "To not worrying."
"To not worrying," Samsa smiled, retrieving her own cocktail. "That reminds me, how did you sleep last night?" She got her answer when Mason's expression faltered.
He dropped his gaze, taking a larger gulp of his drink. "Same as the night before, and the one before that one. It feels never-ending."
"Hey," she cooed, putting a hand on his arm. "It might take a while, but we can work this out together. I'll be with you every step of the way."
Mason nodded and smiled. "Thanks, Sams, I...I..." He trailed off suddenly and gripped the bar, taking shaky breaths.
"Mason?" Samsa acted with urgency, holding her arms out in case he fell. "Mason, what's wrong?"
"I...I can't-"
As soon as he began to crumple to the floor, Samsa lurched forward and caught him against her. "Help! Someone, please!" She cried.
People nearby were gasping, craning their necks to see what was going on. The bartender could be heard calling for an ambulance. Thankfully, someone pushed through the crowd and knelt beside them: Bones.
"What happened?" He asked, retrieving a tricorder from his back pocket.
Samsa shook her head. "I don't know, he just collapsed."
Mason's eyes were squeezed shut as he curled his arms around his stomach in pain. His condition had worsened in such a short amount of time. He had grown pale and clammy as if suffering from a severe fever. The shakes were the worst. Every part of his body was wracked with violent tremors.
"He's in shock," Leonard said, gravely. He looked up at Samsa with widened eyes. "I think he's been poisoned."
Hey readers, I really hope you enjoyed this part! Sorry about the cliffhanger! Thank you all so so much for sticking with this story! Much love ❤