The first cool blast of fresh air that washed over her as she materialized on the planet was enough to send Hope's senses soaring. She spun quickly, grasping her husband's arm and smiling up at him. "This is so great. A whole day of shoreleave, just you, me and the old people."

Kathryn slapped the back of her daughter's head. "Who are you calling old Little Girl?"

Hope grinned and stuck out her tongue. "Well Mom, if the shoe fits...."

Kalin clamped his hand over his wife's mouth. "Don't start a war Hope. I want to enjoy our day off."

Chakotay's nod of agreement was enough to make her giggle and she agreed to be polite for the moment. Instead, she decided to take in her surroundings. Though the day was chilly, there were a riot of different colored flowers blooming madly in teh courtyard. Two pale suns gleamed in a pale green sky, and the air smelled fresh and clean. Hope closed her eyes, absorbing it all in.

Kalin wrapped an arm around her, hugging her. "If you are through taking in the scenery, what do you say we join our host?"

Hope nodded and they moved forward to join the others. A tall man with white hair stood before them. When the group joined him, he bowed low. "Visitors from the Starship Voyager, the Eeshani council welcomes you to our colony. My name is Hadna. I will be your guide for the day."

The group quickly introduced themselves. This was the first shoreleave on the planet, and the tour had been offered by the council as a way to familiarize the crew with Eeshani customs. The command team and the Eeshani council had been in trade negotiations for the last week, and finally, with all trades made, the crew had arranged shoreleave.

Hadna motioned them towards a hovercar. "We will take the bara to the marketplace. Once there I will guide you through our various shops, and then will will stop for our lunch. Please, if something catches your attention, let me know and I will barter for you. Visitors are always welcome of course, and the trade center is very active, but you are our honored guests, and we wish you to be treated as such."

Kathryn smiled. "We appreciate your time Hadna."

"The pleasure is mine Captain."

The ride to the marketplace went quickly, as did the day in general. After several hours of shopping and taking in the sites, the group headed happily back to the hovercar. The route they took, however, was different then the one they had taken in, as they had circled the marketplace during their tour. The items in the stalls and surrounding shops in this section tended to run a bit higher in price and were suited to more specific tastes. They were also set up along a 15 foot wall with security fencing at the top. The sound of wild cheering and laughter emanated from behind the secure gates. Hope moved closer to the entrance to try to get a peek on the inside. Her movemnts caught the attention of the others and they too moved closer. Hope motioned to Hadna and then to the crowd. "Hadna? What is this place?'

The older man, who had been extremely serious for the last several hours, brightened suddenly. "This is the auction yard, Mrs. Metrel. It is here that our prime merchandise is bartered and sold."

"Prime merchandise?"

"Of course. Anything of a specialty nature that is not sold on the open markets, or new merchandise that the vendors may bid for."

"Like what?'

"Anything for weapons and small crafts, to live stock. Only the most influencial suppliers have access to the auction center for sales, but often the auction yard is open to the public."

"Then why is it secured?'

"One of the reasons we keep it so secure is to protect the suppliers and the merchandise. One can only enter if they have the funds for purchase. That is usually verified upon entrance. It is not required to purchase anything, but it keeps the bids from being driven higher by those who have no intention of buying. Once inside, merchandise is then auctioned and if your bid wins, then your number is logged, and you continue to bid. When you are finished, you pay for your merchandise, collect it and leave. If it is something you choose to have delivered that is possible as well."

Hope grinned over at her spouse and parents. "Would it be possible for us to attend this auction? Just to see it in action?"

As the others nodded their agreement, Hadna smiled once more. "I would be honored." With a quick move, he headed for the gates and secured them with both ID badges and numbers. Before long they were comgortable seated in the front row of the auction center, watching the parade of merchandise.

Hope instantly felt the mood of the crowd change when another auctioneer entered the stage. The man was short and very round. He bowed before the crowd, flashing his teeth in an odd sort of smile. The very look on his face made Hope's skin crawl. She was about to recommend they leave when the man spoke.

"My dear Eeshani. I, Kaabo, have traveled the galaxy to find the most precious and rare of items to lay before you.  Today I offer a true prize.  A treasure of unequaled measure, this creature is believed among many cultures to be a myth.  Believed to possess extraordinary powers, including the ability to raise the dead, they were sought and captured for their powers.  I set before you an unprecedented slave."  With a clap of his hands, a young woman was drawn onto the stage.  Hope allowed herself to scan the creature with pity, wishing she had never suggested this market.  The girl was clean and clad in a simple white gown that wrapped around her throat to cross over her her breast and cascaded to her feet.  The gown was gathered at the waist, but left the arms, back and sides bare.  Even the thigh high slits on the sides were designed to expose.  She stood to leave once more when Kaabo spoke again.  "I present you with an Arion."

At his words her entire family snapped to attention.  Hope studied the girl, gasping in shock as Kaabo grasped the girls tangled curls and forced her head back so the crowd could see her face.  She reacted instantly, not caring that she was a guest and started for the stage only to have Kalin grasp her arm.  Sanity returned for the moment and she turned to Hadna.  "You have to stop him.  That's not a slave, that's my sister, Ryn."

The chaperone looked to the others for confirmation then headed for the stage.  Within moments, Kaabo and his people had been removed from the stage and the aution wrapped up.  The sale of the fabled Arion was under debate and the girl was no longer for sale.  As the crowd dispersed, Hadna returned to his guests and guided them to them to a back room.  As they approached Kaabo he turned on them furiously.  "You strangers dare malign my good name?  She is Arion, I've seen her magic for myself."

Hope stepped forward, glaring at the little man.  "She's my sister you bastard and you will turn her over to me."

Kalin once more grasped Hope's arm and pulled her back before speaking.  "I you will run a scan of her DNA and that The Captain and Commander, you will find she is telling the truth."

Hadna nodded in agreement once more and requested a medic.  While they were waiting he bade Kaabo to bring the girl in the room.

Ryn entered quietly as they guided her in.  Her hands were bound behind her and her eyes were sightless.  Hope walked up to her and brushed the hair out of her eyes.  Her heart broke as she studied the empty shell that had become her sister.  She glanced at Kaabo.  "Have you drugged her?"

"Drugs are not necessary for an obediant slave."

"If she's so damned obediant then why is she bound?  What the hell did you do to her?"

Hadna coughed to get her attention.  "If I may ask Mrs. Metrel, how is it your sister is not traveling with you?"

Hope glanced back at her sister, praying she could sense them.  "Ryn travels her own path Hadna.  I have not seen her in several weeks."  She guided the girl to a chair and gently pushed her into it.  Ryn obeyed without a sound.  Hope reached up once more and pulled the girl's hair from her face.  Noting the tattoo, she drew attention to it.  "As you can see, she bears the symbol of our father."  As she glanced down at the blank face her thoughts raced.  What the hell had happened to Ryn, and how had she gotten here?

TBC...

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