The Sirens of Thayra

Chapter 4

“How much longer?” Tria whispered to Sulu as she casually crossed the room to check to make sure the guards outside had not moved. She spotted the two men outside still standing still as statues while they made sure neither of them left the room.

“I think I've almost got it,” Sulu hissed back. He continued to work rerouting the small intercom system in their room to contact the Enterprise.

Through the hexagonal grid in the sliding door she saw one of the guards look down the hall and then stepped out of view. “Damn. Sulu, one of them just left.”

“Almost...” he moved some of the wires around and hears a faint bit of static come from the speaker. “Enterprise?” he said quietly.

The guard reappeared at the door and she heard him keying the security code into the door. Tria nudged Sulu with her foot. Frowning, the Leuitenant cut the power and replaced the panel back on the unit. It clicked faintly as it locked into place just as the door opened. The two stepped away from the intercom and looked as innocent as possible. The guards both moved into the room, standing at attention on either side of the door as a woman stepped through the door.

Their visitor was a lovely woman, dressed in a dusty blue and gold gown with a plunging neckline that revealed her navel. Her long blond hair swept behind her elegantly and perfectly matched her pale pink skin, chiseled chin, and tiny nose. She looked a delicate thing, but her posture showed that she was a woman of power, much like Hathra had been. She regarded Tria for a moment, looking disgusted by her garb.

“I am Matron Katre of the clan Shrinda. Matron Hathra has informed us you are from no clan. I have come to question you while she deals with the males you came with.” Tria sensed from the expression on Katre's face that she was not happy with Hathra's part in their capture, but why she could not be certain. “What is your name, maiden?”

Tria paused, not sure what Starfleet protocol would expect of her. Even though she was not enlisted, she was there on their good graces and she had no intention of violating their laws. Her eyes flickered the Sulu, but she knew immediately that was a mistake. She sensed that Katre was getting the impression she was insecure, so she answered the question. “My name is Tria.”

“I do not know where you come from, Tria, but in Thayra-Lossa we do not enter another clan's territory without announcing our presence to the Matrons.”

Tria bowed her head respectfully, “I was not aware of that protocol, Matron Katre. My most sincere apologies.”

Katre chortled. “Well, you're lucky Hathra did not take your presence into her part of the city as an act of war. Although, she did take most of your males.” She tsked. “A shame. Even our lowest of women have at least five...” She glanced at Sulu. “He will have to be collared, though. Even if you are somewhat of a guest of Thayra-Lossa, we do not know you and we cannot have your servants running amok.”

She motioned to one of the guards and he stepped over to Sulu, making to grab his arm. The Leuitenant stepped back defensively, not provoking the man, but not allowing him to grip him either.

“Is it really necessary?” Tria said sweetly, trying to reason with the Matron.

Katre looked baffled. “Of course it is! Oh he will be returned to you shortly. I will not take this one from you. You will find I am far more civilized than Hathra.”

Sulu looked at her, concerned. Tria bit her lip, “Are the collars you use...harmful? Like your weapons?”

Katre laughed. “No, no. They are tracking devices, so that we know where they are at all times. They only hurt them if they are found to be where they are not supposed to be. Even then, it only knocks them out.”

“I'm sure it will work out, Tria,” said Sulu. She saw his eyes were looking behind her, not at her. “They said they would bring me back. Then I can get back to my duty.” She knew he wasn't talking about servitude, but Katre didn't pick up on it. He went willingly then with the guard, then, disappearing out the door.

The Matron turned to the other guard. “Have something more suitable sent up for the Maiden. Then I want you to stand outside.” He nodded and without a word, left. “Sit,” said Katre, motioning to the soft armchairs.

Tria obeyed respectfully, but suddenly felt very alone. She was not sure what to expect from this woman and was worried that she might violate the Prime Directive if she wasn't too careful. She cursed herself internally as Katre took the chair across from her. How eager she had been to see a new species first hand and how entirely unprepared for it she now felt.

“Now,” said Katre. “Where did you come from?”

“The north,” she said simply.

“Which clan?”

“We had no clan.”

Katre shook her head as if that were impossible. “The Gaitre and Yothya are becoming weak, then, if you were able to establish yourself outside of their grip. How was it that only you came to be here. Nomad females are few and far between these days, but never have I heard of one traveling alone.”

The Matron was assuming that Tria knew what she was talking about. She was beginning to understand they way that their matriarchal society operated. It was good that Katre thought that she was, at the very least, from their planet. Tria felt like the best way to lie was to tell the truth, only modified, for their purposes. “We...came to the south to explore and left the others behind. We are just a scouting party. We mean no harm, only to see what the clans of this area are like. If you were stronger than the others, it is possible we might petition to join you...”

“Well, I don't know about that,” she said dismissively. “Our laws only allow women of our blood to be members of our clans. There are few ways to get around that.”

“I see.”

The guard returned with a bundle of clothing. He bowed his head and spoke to the floor, “My Matron, Matron Hathra and Matron Taiyah are ready for counsel. You are requested immediately.” She dismissed the man with a wave. He set the clothes on a table and left.

“Change out of those disgusting rags,” Katre said. “I will have you moved to chambers with a bed and bath, so you can freshen up. If you traveled as far as you say, I'm guessing you would welcome it.” She looked suspiciously at Tria for a flash, then smirked at her own mistrust.

“Most definitely, Matron,” Tria said quickly. “Thank you for your hospitality.”

“You are not quite forgiven yet, Maiden Tria. Trespassing in Thayra-Lossa is serious. However...perhaps you will be of some use to me. If you can prove that you are, I might see to it that you and your servant live to see your next season.” She turned to leave, but Tria stopped her.

“Uh, wait,” she said meekly.

Katre looked back at her impatiently. “Yes?”

“The others I came here with, they are … important to me. Is there any way to get them back?”

“I'm afraid they are Hathra's now...” Katre mused, “but if you can come up with a stronger claim to them than hers as captives of her clan, I might be able to help you get them back.”

The tone in her voice said everything. “I will think of ways that I can repay you for such a gesture,” she said respectfully. Katre looked pleased, a cunning smile on her lips as she whisked out the door.