For All The Right Reasons Pt. IV "Shaakar"

[Veloras Itana 0]

For All The Right Reasons

Pt. IV

"Shakaar"

Ranik knew that in all likelihood his identity had been compromised along with those in the resistance cell at Kendra. It was only providence or blind luck that had saved his and Itana's lives. They weren't free of danger yet. Ranik knew it was almost certain that they never would be now. They would have to leave Rakantha as soon as they got back and, hopefully, find refuge with his own resistance cell.Living the lives of nomads and wanted fugitives. Something he had always hoped to avoid. The Cardassians had a record of this trip and their destination though. They had probably already figured out that it was no coincidence, not that they would care if it became clear that it was. They would eliminate him and his family rather than take the chance. He tried to quell the sudden panic he felt as he realized that if they had indeed put two and two together, they may find his wife in Rakantha to learn what she knew. They would use anything, including his other two children to get the information they wanted. For all he knew, they already had. He couldn't think about that now. He could not help them from here and he knew it. He had to protect the child he had with him. They had to keep moving. The Prophets only knew how many of the garrison that attacked the Kendra Valley still remained.

They reached the lesser peaks as night fell and, what occupied his thoughts, now more than anything else, was Itana. How was he going to keep his daughter warm and out of sight through the night. He didn't dare start a fire, it could be spotted from the air or by passing patrols. The caves, though very dangerous, seemed the best and only option. He could block off enough of the entrance to one of the smaller ones to keep her somewhat warm and, if he could seal off enough to block the light without trapping the fumes in, maybe even burn a fire long enough to warm it for her.

Ranik noticed it first and, as his eyes turned toward the sound, he saw that Itana had seen it too. A slight sway in the clump of bushes ahead that had not been caused by the wind. There was no sound other than the rustling of leaves but, he could tell, there was someone in there. He pulled Itana behind him, shielding her with his body. "We are unarmed!" He said quietly but emphatically. "Please.." He froze as the bushes moved again.

Turning his palms out to show that he was unarmed he stared silently into the darkness behind the thicket. Itana tried to see around her father but, his body edged around her slightly, still trying to shield her against what he believed were Cardassian soldiers.The barrel of a weapon was the first thing they saw, followed by a pair of hands, then another barrel and another set of hands. "Don't move." A woman's voice came out of the shadows before they could see her face. "On the ground. Both of you." She continued as two Bajorans emerged from the thick underbrush. "Now!"

 

Ranik knelts, pulling Itana down with him. "Thank the Prophets..." He uttered looking at the woman, who still had her weapon trained on them. Itana was by no means familiar with weaponry but, even she could see how poorly made the home made looking device was. It looked like a toy and, she figured there was a good chance that, if the woman did work for the Cardassians and, she did fire that weapon at them, it would probably blow up in her hands if it worked at all. She almost smiled as the mental image struck her but, the terror she felt kept that from happening.

"Who are you?" She demanded, taking a step closer, never letting the weapon waver from Ranik's face. "Why are you here?"

"My name is Veloras Ranik and, this is my daughter, Itana. We were on our way to..." He paused a moment not knowing whether to tell her where they'd been or why they'd been there. "We are trying to get home." He replied without further comment.

The woman smiled sardonicly. "Home." She retorted blandly. "And where is home Veloras Ranik?"

Ranik's thoughts dwelled on his wife and two other children and, for a moment, his concern showed on his face. His eyes misted over and he lowered his head. As his eyes returned to hers his resolve returned. He had to protect Itana. She may well be all he had left. "Who are you?" He said with marginal disdain. "And what kind of Bajoran aims a weapon at another Bajoran?"

The woman laughed but didn't lower the weapon. Her companion stepped from the shadows and Ranik recognized him instantly. Shakaar Edon's hand came away from his own weapon and lightly lowered the barrel of the woman's rifle. "He's right you know." He chuckled, stepping forward. "I am Shakaar Edon and this, he waved behind him. Is where you'll be spending the night. Come. Something tells me you and I have much to discuss." He smiled, helping Ranik to his feet. He smiled down at Itana who could only manage a glare at both of them for making her kneel on her still burning scrapes. "And you, little one, look hungry. Let's see if we can get you some food and maybe a warm blanket, ok?"

He put out his hand to help her up but Itana didn't take it. She stood on her own never letting her eyes leave his. "Did you hurt those people in that village?" She spat defiantly.

"Itana!" Her father scolded, scowling down at her. "Of course they didn't!" He turned rather sheepishly back to Shakaar and his companion. "I apologize, sir. Please, forgive my daughter. She has been through so much today."

"Nonsense," Shakaar returned. "If I were her, I'd be asking the same question. That's a brave child you have. She does you proud. She does us all proud. Come. We need to get to the camp. These mountains are crawling with nasty beasts and, some of them have better weapons." He smiled congenially.

"Edon, I mean General Shakaar, sir." The woman spoke up with apparent concern. "Are you sure this is wise? Bringing them back with us I mean. We know where they came from. Who knows who is looking for them right now."

"All the more reason to bring them with us." He nodded. "You know what will happen to them if they're found. Would you leave them to that fate?"

"No, sir. I guess not." She frowned. "I just hope that keeping them from it doesn't mean we'll ultimately end up sharing it with them."

"Always the cynic, aren't you Lieutenant?" He chuckled and lead the way toward their camp which was hidden in a secluded pass that held a maze of caves that were set up as makeshift barracks.

It was close to dawn by the time they reached the resistance base. The adrenalin coursing through her veins from the day's events had long since worn off. Itana fell asleep almost as soon as she sat down. Ranik covered her with his own blanket, as well as her own, deciding to hold the food he'd been given for her till after she had gotten some rest. He smiled at the woman who had kindly offered to allow Itana a space near her own children and, went back out to learn whatever he could from Shakaar about the fate of the Kendra Valley Massacre survivors and the fate of his own family in Rakantha Province.

 

....To Be Continued

Edited May 14, 2004 by Veloras Itana