Notes: My deepest thanks to Skylark for her encouragement and help. *Big Hugs* I wish to apologize to those who have read my story and have waited patiently for an update. Life has taken many twists and turns for me and my family but I have always intended to finish this story. For those who wish to reread the beginning of this story it can be found archived at www.fanfiction.net under the name bekkalynn and at www.mizunoamy.bravepages.com as well as www.calic0cat.net under the name Rebecca. Again I hope to update much faster than I have been. I also want to once again thank Skylark who has emailed me and kept giving me encouragement to finish the story even though it has been almost a full year since I have updated. *HUGE, HUGE HUGS!!!!!!*
Battlestar Andromeda Part 18
Dining Hall
Zechs rushed forward and fell to his knees beside Wufei. Gently lifting the unconscious man into his arms, he yelled to one of his officers standing near him. "Call down to medical and get a stretcher here on the double!"
"It's already done," said a young officer kneeling beside him.
Zechs looked down at Wufei lying in his arms. He carefully settled him into his lap and gently stroked his long black hair. He still looked extremely pale and Zechs couldn't help but wonder what had caused Wufei so much pain that he would pass out. A few moments later he heard Dr. Po yell for everyone to move out of the way as she pushed forward with a stretcher. Looking up he saw the doctor pull a small device out of her pocket. He watched as she ran the scanner over Wufei's body, holding his breath he waited for the doctor to speak.
"Captain we need to get him to sick bay immediately. His vital signs are weak but the computer cannot determine the cause." stated Dr. Po.
Zechs slowly stood with Wufei in his arms and gently lowered him to the stretcher. As soon as he was secured the doctor and her aids immediately started off towards the sick bay. Zechs followed closely behind but was stopped at the door of the exam room with an order of 'Stay here until I come for you!' and then the door was closed and he could do nothing but wait. Never one to be able to stay in one place for long, Zechs paced the small waiting room for the next half hour until finally Dr. Po came through the exam room doors.
"Dr. Po, how is he? Have you found out what is wrong with him?" Zechs asked as he rushed towards the doctor.
"We have finally been able to bring his vital signs up and at this time he is resting comfortably under sedation. However, before I answer your other question I have to ask a few of my own."
"I will try to answer them the best that I can but I really don't know much about him so I may not be much help." replied Zechs.
"Well my first question is, of course, what is my patient's name?"
"That is one that I can answer. His name is Chang Wufei. He is from the planet Aloria. This is the gentleman that I was bringing to you tomorrow for a full physical."
"Ah, so he is the one you had told me about this morning. I thought so. Well that leads to my next question, were you aware of the fact that Wufei has been taking drugs?"
"What do you mean he's been taking drugs?!" exclaimed Zechs.
"We found a high concentration of inhibitors in his blood stream. Many of them we were able to isolate and determine their origins. However, there are a few of them that we have not been able to figure out what they are. If they were created on his home planet it would explain why we were unable to find them in our database."
Zechs stood dumbfounded for a moment, taking in what the doctor had said. He searched through memories trying to determine if there had been warning signs that Wufei was taking drugs, and then realization hit him. Looking back at the doctor and asked, "These drugs, would they cause him to feel very panicky to the point of fear?"
"With the drugs we were able to identify it is possible. Why, have there been any instances of this behavior?" Dr. Po asked gently.
Zechs nodded as he replied, "When I was on Aloria, I saved the King and his Consort from an assassination attempt. Wufei was given to me as a gift. When I first saw him I tried to explain to him that we on earth didn't own slaves. He became petrified that he would be given back to the King and that he would be punished. The Commander allowed me to bring him to the Andromeda but just yesterday when I tried to explain to him that here on the Andromeda he was a free man he once again went into a panic. He even tried to prove to me that he would be the perfect slave in a very..." Zechs felt a blush start to bloom on his cheeks, "intimate fashion."
Dr. Po also felt a blush start to form at those words. "You didn't take advantage...."
"No!" Zechs yelled, cutting the doctor off. "I will admit he is a beautiful young man but I would never take advantage of him. I want him to become his own man, not feel obligated to stay with me."
"Were there any other symptoms that you remember?" Dr. Po asked.
Zechs took a deep breath and thought about what had happened when he was kissing Wufei. Did he dare tell the doctor something that intimate? A part of him wanted to keep the events a secret, to help Wufei maintain some dignity. Another part of him said to tell the doctor everything in case the information was needed to help heal the young man. Letting his breath out he said, "There was one other thing that happened. When Wufei tried to get intimate with me I noticed that he was not feeling the moment so to speak."
Dr. Po stood there for a moment mulling over what Zechs had said before saying, "Oh, I see. Well that could also be a side effect of the pills. Right now the most important thing is to find out what those other inhibitors are and what we can do to flush them out of his system."
"I will go look in his bags and see if I can find any pills or such. If I can't find anything I will try to contact the King and his Consort on Aloria and see if they know anything about these drugs."
"Well let's hope that you find them."
Zechs agreed with the doctor. He wanted to get the bottom of this issue even if that meant that he had to go back to Aloria and confront the King himself. "Would it be possible for me to see Wufei before I go back to my quarters?"
"Of course. Now remember he has been sedated so he will probably be sleeping."
"Thank you Dr. Po, for everything." Then, turning, he went through the door to the young man lying in the medic bay bed. Walking to Wufei's side Zechs was surprised at the emotion that he was feeling towards the young man. Wufei looked so young and innocent laying in that bed that Zechs reached down and slowly rubbed the back of his hand down his soft cheek.
"I promise Wufei, I will always be here for you," said Zechs softly. "Regardless of the path your life takes, I will be here for you." Then turning he left the medical bay to find the drugs not seeing the single tear that slowly wend its way down the same cheek he had caressed.
Planet Dakan
Palace of the Imperial Emperor of the Dakarian Empire
Sitting on his throne the Imperial Emperor looked down upon the young man kneeling before him. Studying him closely the Emperor could see the slight tremors that wracked the battered and beaten body. He let the moment drag out longer, knowing that soon the tremors would soon be noticeable to all who were present. A cold smile crossed his face as he thought, 'I will make an example of him, to let all those who cross me know what will happen if they fail.'
"Tell me why you are here?" the Emperor asked.
The young man on the floor trembled even harder at the cold voice. Fear, the likes that he had never felt before, took a hold of him. He knew that he needed to answer but could not get his voice to work. Out of the corner of his eye he saw dark black boots come close to him.
"Answer the Emperor." the deep voice growled.
Taking a deep, painful breath the young man answered in a quiet voice, "Because I failed in my mission."
"Indeed." replied the Emperor, "And do you know what happens to those who fail at those missions that I give?"
"Yes Master."
"Then tell me why I should consider saving your pathetic life."
"Because," said the young man "I will not fail a second time. I will complete my mission or I will forfeit my life by my own hands. This is my vow to you master."
"And how do you intend to accomplish this mission and ensure it is a success?" asked the Emperor.
"Instead of trying to kill the target in a battle if I were to get close to the target I would be able to kill him. I know that if I were to somehow get aboard the ship I would also be able to disable it so that it would then be a sitting duck. If we were to have a squadron waiting for the signal, they could then board the ship and destroy it along with all those on board."
There was a long moment of silence before the Emperor said, "I normally do not give a second chance to those who fail but I am willing to grant you one more opportunity to redeem yourself. But know this; it is only because of your history to the target that I am allowing this. Fail a second time and you will be killed. We must not allow the prophecy to come to pass."
"Yes master, I understand."
"Good. Now rise, Solo and prepare yourself to leave immediately. I expect to hear very soon that you have killed your brother and then Earth will be mine."
"Yes master, by your command."
TBC...
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