Part 2

The bridge was deathly quiet, and when Sandoval approached Lili the sound of his steps could be heard clearly in the stale silence. Putting his right hand on her shoulder in a way that the skrill was aimed at her neck, he placed the bracelet on Lili with his other hand. The edges of the device instantly fused together, fitting to the shape of her wrist. Sandoval returned to his original position.

The sphere the size of the a grapefruit suspended before Zo'or began to softly shine in a dim pastel light. It all seemed so surreal to Lili -- the events went so fast that she had difficulty accepting that all of it was really happening to her.

With involuntary respect, Zo'or stared down at the human who was obviously scared, but did not wish to display that weakness. He reminded himself that there was no sense in delaying the inevitable. Cautiously, trying to get a feel of a device he let his slender fingers slide over the holographic projection, barely touching the surface for a brief moment. Lili felt a light tingle run across her stomach and in the next second fell to her knees brought down by excruciating pain that seemed to radiate through her entire body. The sensation ended in a few seconds, but Lili still remained on the floor struggling to catch her breath and compose her thoughts. Zo'or was startled by the strength of affect the device had on the human. He gave her time to recover from the shock. Lili struggled to get up on her feet, not willing to remain kneeled before the Taelon leader. Lili steadied herself even though assuming her usual posture was noticeably hard.-- nothing could prepare her for that kind of pain.

"Captain Marquette, I assume you realize now that cooperation would be a wiser path?" Zo'or asked politely.

"Do I look wise to you?" replied Lili sarcastically and regretted it immediately.

"Very well"-- Zo'or's fingers slid briefly over the sphere, touching it harder and for a moment longer than the first time. Lili was again on the floor, but this time the pain was so blinding she could no longer even understand what was happening to her. It felt as if her body became one raw nerve, her muscles felt as strained metal wires rigided by the intensity of shocks sent through her body dozen times per second. No longer in control of her thoughts, let alone her actions, Lili rolled over on the floor, and the hoarse inhuman scream resounded through the dead silence of the bridge.

As the shock let go, Lili came to realize that she was down from the sensation of her cheek against the cold floor. Opening her eyes she found with fear that her vision was blurred and it took her few seconds to realize that it was from tears-- she could now feel them streaming down her cheeks. Her first thought was to get up, but all she could manage was to raise herself on her elbow to a half-sitting position.

Zo'or was looking at downed human with flared nostrils, but his fingers where moving fast, tapping soundlessly on the arms of his command chair. Part of him felt the satisfaction of seeing the defiant Resistance member finally comprehend his power over them. The other part wished it to be over but he suppressed this feeling and shielded the discomfort he felt from the commonality. It had to be done, and he will not stop until the Marquette is compliant.

He looked at Da'an, who stood immobile, observing the Liberation agent with an expression of pain on his face, and felt the echoes of Da'an's emotion wash over from him to the Commonality.

The only other human present on the bridge was his Asian implant, who stood composed and observed his aide with cold-blooded alertness. His face betrayed no emotion and no one could see the white knuckles on his fists that were formed when the attache placed his hands behind his back. Zo'or nodded to him and the agent approached his former subordinate. Gripping Lili by her forearms he helped her to get up.

"Captain Marquette, do you wish experience more persuasive modes of the device?" Zo'or's tone was softer. As Lili steadied herself on her feet, she struggled to clear her mind. Zo'or's voice sounded softer or perhaps muffled by her impaired condition. She couldn't be sure.

"No" Lili replied quietly, still struggling to catch her breath.

"Do I need to repeat my question?"

The marine bit her lip and said nothing, staring into space.

Zo'or raised his hand again and Lili tried to compose, preparing herself for what was to come. Zo'or touched the sphere and paused his fingers for a moment.

Lili did not remember what happened next. Light and sound became one. Every sound, touch of her clothing, even the breath of air brought paralyzing pain. She could not remember if she screamed or how long she was in this state.

Da'an turned away unable to look at the sight before him. The blue threads streamed over his face. His mind cried out to the Synod and his emotions exceeded the existing confines of the commonality flowing from his being throughout the countless links.

Zo'or briefly lost his facade, taken by surprise by the intensity of the wave. However, he quickly regained control and stood up on the pods of his command chair. Data streams on the bridge activated one by one, as the Synod was compelled to respond to the Da'an's outcry-desperate plea that was being transformed into the outrage.

Da'an stepped forward as well. Turning to Zo'or he suddenly regained his lost composure, raising his head which was lowered throughout the proceedings. His image was transformed and Zo'or now saw the mentor that used to cause secret trepidation in a young arrogant Taelon. As he met Da'an's gaze, a chill of fear run through the ever-confident Taelon leader--the Da'an he used to know was back and was taking a stand.