C hapter Five

When Ja’hara awoke she immediately recognized her surroundings. She was in the brig of the Enterprise. As she sat up on the bed, Ja’hara noticed her earring and pendant were gone. She desperately hoped Lore had escaped.

“Your punishment will not be as severe if you tell us where Lore is,” Worf informed her. Ja’hara let out an audible sigh, as she now knew he had not been captured.

“Qu'vatlh guy'cha b'aka!” Ja’hara sneered. Worf glared at Ja’hara, angered by her curse but surprised she could swear so well in Klingon.

“We have been contacted by the Ama’shega,” Worf informed her. “They wish for you to be returned to Amagros IV to face charges there. We will transfer you to their custody when we rendezvous with the prison shuttle. However, should you wish to provide assistance in capturing Lore, arrangements would be made to take you to Star Base 127 where you would be held until you are moved to a rehabilitation colony. You have approximately thirty-five hours to decide.” He then turned to speak to the security personnel for a few minutes before leaving the brig.

As Worf was leaving the brig, Deanna Troi was on her way to Deck thirty-six looking for Data. Now that Ja’hara was aboard, the counselor was concerned the confusion and guilt Data had felt after the earlier incident would return. Data looked surprised to see her as Deanna entered Main Engineering.

“Counselor, is there something I can help you with?” Data asked as she approached him.

“Actually Data, I was going to ask you the same question,” she smiled. “Can we speak privately?”

“Of course.”

“Why don’t we go to my office,” she suggested. As they walked to the turbolift, Deanna continued. “Data, I think you know why I want to talk with you.”

“I assume it has something to do with Ja’hara, Counselor. Is that correct?” Data responded.

“Yes. I’m a little concerned that her presence-” Deanna’s words ended abruptly as an expression of pain came over her face.

“Counselor, what is wrong?” Data was alarmed by the sudden change in Deanna’s demeanor.

“I-I’m not sure, Data. I was suddenly overwhelmed by feelings of terror and helplessness. I believe the emotions are coming from Ja’hara,” Deanna answered uncertain.

“Counselor, she has fooled you before regarding her emotions as she fooled us all,” Data reminded her.

“I know, Data, but these are much, much stronger than any I’ve felt from her before. I’m going to go check on her just in case they are real.”

“I will accompany you, Counselor,” Data insisted.

They exited the turbolift on Deck thirty-eight, making their way to the ship’s brig. As they entered, they looked to the detention cell Ja’hara had been assigned but it appeared to be empty.

“Lieutenant, this is the cell Ja’hara is being held in?” Deanna asked as they moved closer to the cell. Before Lieutenant Iago had a chance to respond, they heard a voice coming from the cell.

“What do you want?” Ja’hara asked angrily.

Data and Deanna were surprised to see Ja’hara sitting on the floor in a corner, curled up in a ball. She was staring blankly at the wall but the tears that were streaming down her cheeks were very obvious.

“I could feel intense pain emanating from you. I needed to find out if it was real-” Deanna began.

“Well now you know, so just leave me alone!” Ja’hara interrupted.

“I’d like to help you if I can,” Deanna offered. Ja’hara laughed harshly, as she stood and slowly walked towards the force field.

“You want to help? Fine. Kill me now! I’d rather be dead than go back!” she answered defiantly.

“Go back where?” Deanna asked.

“Your Klingon has informed me that I’m going to be handed over to the Ama’shega so they can take me back to Amagros IV.” Ja’hara’s voice was quaking as she spoke. She moved to the bed where she sat with her back against the wall. “Unless, of course, I help you capture Lore. Now leave.”

“If you decide you would like to talk later have Lieutenant Iago contact me,” Deanna told her, causing Ja’hara to laugh again.

 “Why would I want to talk to you? You know nothing about me yet you’ve already judged me. I can hear the contempt in your voice,” Ja’hara sneered.

“Then tell me about yourself,” Deanna challenged.

“Okay. Here’s the abridged version. My mother was forced to be a whore - oh excuse me, a ‘pleasure woman’ - as was her mother and her grandmother. I come from a long line of whores. My father, well, your guess would be as good as mine when it comes to who he was. My stepfather used me for his business. He was in the information trade and I provided him with the information he sold. What a joyous family reunion we’ll have when I join them at the prison colony. I’m sure they won’t hold me there for long though, since I’m much more valuable to the government as a ‘pleasure woman’ than as a prisoner.” The sarcasm was dripping from Ja’hara’s words. 

“You obviously don’t want my help. If you change your mind, and decide to tell the truth, you know how to reach me.” Deanna walked towards the door of the brig when she realized Data had not followed her. He had been silent the whole time she had been speaking with Ja’hara. She looked back to see the android staring into the cell at Ja’hara.

“It would appear the Federation isn’t aware of how things really work in the Amagros System. I did everything possible to avoid that fate. I’m not going back now. So Data, will you help me? Will you kill me?”

 “Data,” Deanna called out, startling Data.

“Yes, Counselor,” Data responded. He took one more look at Ja’hara as she now lay on the bed with her back towards the force field before joining Troi. As he walked he began to access all he could on the customs of Amagros.

“Data, what is it?” Deanna asked as they rode the turbolift to her office.

“I believe Ja’hara was telling you the truth, Counselor.”

“Data, I don’t think she is capable of telling the truth. Besides, she doesn’t have to follow in the footsteps of her mother,” Deanna countered.

“I am unsure as to that fact, Counselor. I am aware their government supplies ‘pleasure women’ at the tourist resorts they operate however I have limited information as to the women themselves other than they all seem to come from one area of the planet,” Data explained.

“Still, Data, we don’t know if she’s saying she would be forced into that life just to gain sympathy.”

“True, Counselor, however I believe it would be prudent to know more before transferring her to the authorities of her planet.” The turbolift door opened on Deck eight. “Counselor, if you will excuse me, I must speak with Captain Picard.” The counselor exited the turbolift as Data continued to the bridge.

He stood outside the captain’s ready room for fifteen seconds before pressing the door chimes to request admittance.

“Come,” Picard called out. Data entered, moving towards the captain’s desk. “Ah, Mr. Data, please sit. What can I do for you?”

“I have a request, sir. As you know, I am still attempting to better understand what happened to me during my encounter with Ja’hara. I have many questions regarding the incident only she can answer. I am not comfortable with the idea of discussing the matter with her in the brig, because of the personal nature of my inquiries. I wish to speak with her privately, preferably in my quarters.”   

“If it were anyone else asking I would turn them down immediately but I know how important it is to you to get those answers. I will grant your request, Mr. Data, however I want to have security posted outside your quarters in case she tries to escape.”

“Thank you, sir.”

When his shift concluded, Data made his way to the brig. He had already made arrangements with Worf to have security posted outside his quarters as the captain had ordered. He had also finished processing new information he had found regarding the ‘pleasure women’ and, thanks to information supplied by the Amagros authorities, had discovered Ja’hara was from the small district on the planet where the women came from. As he stood outside Ja’hara’s cell, he could not help but study her expression as she lay staring at the ceiling. She was still obviously frightened but an almost eerie calmness seemed to have come over her. He had seen this in others in the past but it had always been people who knew of their imminent demise and had accepted it.

“Have we rendezvoused with the prison shuttle already?” Ja’hara asked quietly.

“No, that will not occur for another twenty-eight hours, twelve minutes,” Data answered.

“Then why are you here, Data?” Ja’hara was now sitting on the edge of the bed. She was more than a little curious about why he had come.

“I wish to speak to you privately regarding our encounter. Will you accompany me to my quarters?”

Ja’hara nodded her head. ~ Anything to get out of this cell. ~

Data turned to the ensign, signaling him to lower the force field. “Please come with me.”

Ja’hara stepped out of the detention cell to join Data. They walked in silence to the turbolift and did not speak until they reached Data’s quarters.

“I see you’re taking no chances with me,” Ja’hara commented as she passed the ensign posted at Data’s door.

“The captain would not approve my request to meet with you privately unless security was posted.”

Ja’hara surveyed Data’s quarters, noticing they had not changed from when she had last been there. She sat down on the couch and watched as Data sat at the opposite end, rather than in the chair as he had the last time.

“Okay, Data, what did you want to talk about?” Ja’hara turned to face the android, sitting cross-legged, close enough to him that her legs touched his.

“Please tell me more about your life on Amagros IV.” Data shifted his body slightly so he too faced Ja’hara. She noticed that he maneuvered himself in such a way to ensure their legs stayed in contact.

Ja’hara nodded, took a deep breath and began to tell Data about her life.

“When I was young, my mother and I shared quarters with her three sisters and their children. I was the only child my mother was allowed to have. ‘Pleasure women’ are only allowed to have female offspring so the government will have a continuous supply of whores. Since we are the dregs of society, it is considered an insult to allow a male offspring to be born in to such a lowly class. Those pregnancies are terminated.” Ja’hara paused before continuing. “There were ten of us living in quarters that had two bedrooms. My mother and her sisters were forced to work long hours so it was the older children who cared for the younger ones. We were not allowed to attend the same schools as others. The ones for us focused more on sex than academics. How you did at ‘school’ would determine your placement later. The one who finished at the top of the class would be used to service dignitaries while those at the bottom were put out on street corners. Once a girl reached the age of sexual maturity she would have to go to ‘work’ just like her mother. I was the youngest by six years so the others were gone by the time I was eighteen. Three years later my mother met my stepfather, the most despicable male I’ve ever met. He said I could live in their quarters if I let him further ‘train’ me.” Ja’hara’s features had hardened considerably as she spoke of her stepfather.

“Train you?“ Data asked confused.

“He wanted to have sex with me. He was going to throw me out on the street because I refused his advances, then he discovered how easily I could manipulate men. He put me to work gathering the information he needed for his business.” Ja’hara studied Data’s face, trying to gauge his reaction. “I lived with them until our quarters were raided by the Ama’shega. They were captured and sent to a prison colony on Amagros V.”  

“How and when did you meet Lore?”

The hatred she felt for her stepfather gave way to her feelings for her husband. The hardness was now gone from her face. “I met Lore at a bar in the Detari Settlement ten days after my mother and stepfather were taken away. He was there to conduct some business. Can I ask you a question, Data?” Data nodded so Ja’hara continued. “Why do you want to know this?”

“I am curious about your relationship with my brother. You know a side of him which I did not know existed,” Data responded. “What attracted you to him?”

“I don’t know exactly but I was drawn to him instantly,” Ja’hara smiled slightly at the memory. “Lore was the first male who wanted me for more than sex, the first to care about me, the first to make me feel important, not disposable. He took me away from a life I detested and a fate that terrifies me. He promised he would never let anyone hurt me or put me in that role and he meant it, Data. The first time Lore told me he loved me was the first time anyone, including my mother, had ever said those words to me.” Ja’hara quickly wiped tears from her eyes before continuing. “When he holds me, I feel safe.” She looked down for a moment as she spoke, “You haven’t asked me about that night. Why?”

“It is not necessary. Knowing more about you, and your past, has helped me to understand your actions and motivations,” Data explained.

“Do you think about that night at all?”

“I have spent many hours thoroughly analyzing the time you were here,” Data informed her.

“And what did you conclude from your analysis?”

“I have yet to complete it, so I do not have a conclusion. I have been unable to determine what I could have done differently to change the outcome.”

~ He could have stopped me anytime he wanted. ~ She smiled to herself. ~ Lore was right. He still wants me. ~ 

Jumping at this opportunity, Ja’hara repositioned herself so she was now kneeling next to Data.

“Now that you know what I face, will you help me, Data?” she asked.

“I will not kill you if that is-” he started.

“No, Data, I don’t want to die but I can’t go back to Amagros IV. Is there anything you could do to convince them to send me to a rehabilitation colony instead?” She gently caressed his cheek as she looked deeply in to his amber eyes. With a soft touch to his chin, she turned his head slightly, leaned forward and kissed him. “Please help me,” she pleaded. Data tried to stop himself from responding to her kiss. After all, she had shut him down the last time but this time, it was different. There was no Lore to rescue, no ship to escape in, no reason for her to stop. Ja’hara kissed Data once again, a little longer this time. Data was unable to resist. His sexual program was screaming at him to continue. He wanted her, despite everything that had happened, he still wanted her. He pulled Ja’hara into his arms and onto his lap as he continued the kiss. Her arms slid around his neck, her hands on the back of his head pulling him in even deeper. Breaking the kiss, Ja’hara climbed out of his lap. She held her hands out to Data who accepted them immediately. She slowly led him to his bedroom, stopping once to reclaim his mouth when he appeared reluctant to enter the room.

“I want to make love to you, Data,” she whispered as she coaxed him towards the bed. Ja’hara slowly and seductively began to remove her clothing as Data watched, spellbound.  As she stood before him nude, the need to touch her became overpowering. He quickly removed his uniform. There was no hesitation or nervousness in his movements this time.

“You are the most aesthetically pleasing female I have ever encountered,” he told her as he pulled her to him.

“Data, I need to know something before we make love. Will you be able to feel the pleasure I wish to bring you?”

“Yes, I know when a touch is pleasurable although I cannot feel it as you do. My system analyzes sensory inputs and translates them so I react appropriately to your actions.”

“So you can experience the rush of an orgasm?” she asked as she gently caressed his chest.

“Theoretically, yes.”

“You’ve never had an orgasm, Data?” she asked as she brought her mouth to his nipple. She licked and teased it trying to discover how Data’s system would react.

“I-I have not,” he gasped.

“Then you must tonight, Data,” Ja’hara smiled. “I want to please you in ways you’ve never experienced before.”

She lay down on his bed, her arms outstretched beckoning him to join her, which he immediately did. The softness of Ja’hara’s lips pressing against his as she kissed him passionately was enough to make Data moan. Her tongue began an exploration of Data’s mouth until she engaged him in a sensuous duel. Ja’hara maneuvered Data on to his back, moving her kisses slowly down his neck to his chest. She caressed his torso as she again nipped and teased his nipples. The sensory inputs she was creating caused him to moan again. She slowly moved lower, running her tongue over his stomach. She continued her descent until she reached his impressive erection. She knelt between his legs, giving Data a sexy smile before kissing the tip of his penis. She then swept her tongue along the head as well as its underside. His moans were becoming more intense as she continued. Ja’hara took his length firmly in her mouth, raising and lowering her head expertly as she fondled his balls with her hand. When she introduced a few of Lore’s favorite techniques she hoped Data would respond the same way and she was not disappointed. Data was moving closer to climax so she changed positions to straddle him, lowering herself on his stiff rod. He reached for Ja’hara’s breasts as she slid up and down his shaft. He fondled them in his hands, teasing her nipples with his fingers before leaning forward to take one in his mouth. Her moans were like music to Data’s ears, adding to the already intoxicating inputs she was creating. It was only a few seconds after Ja’hara had called out in pleasure that Data experienced his first orgasm. Ja’hara moved next to Data, kissing him hard as she pulled him on top of her. He was inside her in an instant. He was certain the intensity of the sensations produced as her dripping vagina enveloped his penis would cause an overload of his neural net. He thrust in and out of her at a pace he had calculated was the maximum level he could safely use. Her pleas for him to go harder, deeper surprised him but he complied. The feel of her hands stroking his back, her thighs firmly pressing against his hips as her toes swept along the back of his legs increased the level of his responses even further. He increased the pace and depth of his thrusts even more. Ja’hara was soon arching her back and calling out his name as she was swept over the edge. Data continued pounding into her until she was again moaning his name before he finally exploded within her.

As Data and Ja’hara lay facing each other, he absently began to caress her silky skin. He started with her arm before moving his hand slowly across her shoulder until his gentle touch swept the top of her breasts.  “I will speak to the captain on your behalf. With the information you have provided me regarding the conditions on Amagros IV, I predict a 4.26% chance he will approve transferring custody of you to the Ama’shega.”

“Thank you, Data. You’ve been much kinder to me than I deserve.” She kissed Data with great passion as his hand slid lower to cup her breast. He did not understand why he needed to make love to this woman again and again. He would have to analyze it later. He was much too busy now giving in to the need. 

It was ten minutes before his duty shift was to begin when Data finally escorted Ja’hara back to the brig.

“I will speak to the captain immediately,” he promised after the force field was raised and then he was gone. Ja’hara lay down on the bed, facing the wall, as a sly grin came to her lips. ~ I’m sure Lore will understand. ~ She then fell asleep, tired but not as exhausted as she would have been if she had been with her husband.

As soon as Data reached the bridge he asked the captain if he could speak with him in the ready room.

“Captain, I wish to speak with you regarding the custody transfer of Ja’hara to the Ama’shega.” Data then told the captain what he had learned about the treatment of the ‘pleasure women’ and the prison colonies operating in that system.

“I had no idea conditions were so bad there. I will contact Starfleet Command with this information and recommend against transferring custody of Ja’hara.”

“Thank you, sir.” Data then returned to his ops station to begin his shift.

It was an ordinary shift on the Enterprise. Data and Geordi were crawling through Jeffries tubes conducting an inspection of the EPS conduits.

“How did your meeting with Ja’hara go last night?” Geordi asked. He had told Data the day before he did not think it was a good idea for him to be alone with that woman.

“It went very well,” Data responded.

“So you got everything you wanted from her?” Of course, Geordi was only referring to information.

“Yes, I found our time together to be quite beneficial,” Data informed his friend. “Geordi, as the events that transpired between myself and Ja’hara were quite personal, I do not wish to discuss them until I have had further opportunity to analyze what happened.”

“Okay, Data, but if you want to talk to me about it you know where to find me,” Geordi added. Data’s choice of words concerned him but he did not want to push his friend either.

As Data and Geordi were conducting the inspection, Captain Picard was discussing Ja’hara’s fate with Admiral Nechayev at Starfleet Command. A moment after the subspace communication concluded, Commander Riker joined Picard in the ready room.

“Number One, change course to Star Base 127, warp four,” Picard ordered. “And have security bring Ja’hara to my ready room.

“Sir?” Riker responded, surprised by the captain’s latter order.

“I must admit my curiosity regarding this woman has been piqued. The affect she has on both Lore and our Mr. Data is quite astounding. I think it would be beneficial to know as much about her as possible.”

Ja’hara was not surprised to see Worf coming towards her cell in the brig. What did surprise her was his announcement that he was taking her to see the captain. It only took a couple of minutes before they were standing outside the ready room, ringing for admittance.

“Come,” Picard called out.

“I have brought the prisoner as you requested, sir,” Worf said, as he escorted Ja’hara in to the room.

“Thank you, Mr. Worf. That will be all.”

“But sir,” Worf protested. “I believe it would be best for me to stay in case she tries anything.”

“That won’t be necessary. You’re dismissed, Mr. Worf.”

“Aye, sir,” the Klingon responded before reluctantly returning to the bridge.

“Klingons,” Ja’hara laughed as she shook her head. “They’re not a very friendly bunch, are they.”

“Mr. Worf is a good officer and a honorable man,” Picard countered.

“So there really are honorable Klingons,” she remarked as she sat in a chair in front of Picard’s desk. “The ones I’ve met all spoke of honor but certainly didn’t exhibit that trait around me.” She studied the captain for a moment before speaking. “I was surprised when your Kling...Mr. Worf told me you wanted to see me, Captain. May I ask why I am here?”

“Curiosity,” Picard answered. “You are certainly a very unique individual and I’d like to know more about you.”

“You really know how to sweet talk a lady, Captain,” Ja’hara laughed.

“Before we begin I want to inform you that you will not be turned over to the Ama’shega. We will be arriving at Star Base 127 in five hours where you will be held until you are transferred to the rehabilitation colony on Galor II.”

“Thank you, Captain,” she sighed, her relief obvious. “I wish there was some way I could properly express my gratitude to you.”

“You could start by answering some questions for me,” Picard suggested.

“I will do my best to satisfy your curiosity,” she said, giving the captain a quick wink.

Picard began to pepper Ja’hara with several questions hoping she would slip up and give some indication to where Lore may have gone. Almost twenty minutes passed when Ja’hara very subtly changed the focus of their talk away from her and to Shakespeare by asking Picard about the book in the display case. He was surprised by Ja’hara’s knowledge of the ancient Earth playwright but then he did not know it had been part of her ‘schooling’. They traded quotes, discussed plays and, without realizing it, Picard was enjoying himself.

Ja’hara was now standing at the window staring out at the stars. “I love looking at the stars,” she sighed. “When I was young I would gaze up at the night sky for hours, wondering what life was like on other planets. Tell me about these stars, Jean-Luc.” Picard moved next to Ja’hara and began pointing out various stars and telling her what he knew about them. “You are a fascinating man, Jean-Luc Picard.” She leaned forward, kissing him lightly on the cheek. “Now, tell me about this painting and the artist. It’s beautiful!” she commented. Taking his hand, Ja’hara led him to the painting hanging over the couch. Everything after that was a blur for Picard. One moment he was telling Ja’hara about the artist and the next he was on top of her on the couch, kissing her passionately as his hands roamed her body. It was the sound of the door chimes that brought Picard back to reality. He jumped to his feet, adjusted his uniform and returned to his desk before calling for the person to enter.

“I am sorry to disturb you, sir,” Worf said not sounding apologetic. “Counselor Troi expressed concern for you.” Worf gave a quick glance at the slightly disheveled Ja’hara who was still sitting on the couch. “Are you okay, sir?” 

“Yes, Mr. Worf. I am fine, I’m fine. We’re finished. You can return Ja’hara to the brig,” Picard instructed.

“Yes, sir.”

When he was alone, Picard walked to the replicator in the alcove of his ready room. “Tea, Earl Grey, hot,” he ordered. He returned to his desk, placing the tea in front of him, staring at the liquid as if it would magically explain to him what had just occurred. ~ How the hell did that happen?! ~ He chastised himself. ~ One thing is clear, I certainly understand what happened to Mr. Data now. ~ He took a sip of his tea. ~ Data! He was alone with her in his quarters. I wonder if - no, he wouldn’t. Not after what happened before...or would he? ~

When the Enterprise reached Star Base 127, Ja’hara was escorted to transporter room three by Worf. She was surprised to see the number of people who had come to see her off.

“Do all your prisoners receive such a grand send-off?” she grinned as she glanced at the six senior officers who stood before her. As Picard was standing the closest to her, she stopped in front of him first.

“Thank you again, Captain, especially for our talk. It was very enjoyable, wasn’t it?” She kissed him on the cheek before whispering in his ear, “Maybe one day we’ll have an opportunity to finish what we began.” She then ran her tongue along the edge of his ear before briefly sucking on his lobe. She moved past Riker, giving the curious first officer a wink and a sexy smile before stopping in front of Deanna Troi. “Counselor, you look troubled. Would you like to talk?” she smirked. Walking past Geordi, finally she was standing in front of the android second officer. “Sweet Data, I am going to miss you,” she smiled as she gently caressed his cheek. She then slid her hand to the back of his head, pulling him to her for a passionate kiss before his stunned friends. Ja’hara moved to the transporter pad and, in an instant, she was gone.

The group stood silently until Deanna Troi finally spoke. “Captain, I am available any time should you wish to speak to me about anything.” She then turned to Data, “I want you in my office after your shift is over.” She then left the transporter room as the men stared at the now empty transporter pad.