AUTHOR'S NOTE: This fan-fiction is now beta-read (Thanks, Vulcanblood!) and is very fast-paced, first off. Secondly, I will NOT be moving this story to Star Trek 2009 due to obvious reasons. I prefer the Star Trek: TOS cast. ...and another thing... If you want perfection, you won't find it here. This is "FAN-FICTION", and yes, I am aware other reviewers are entitled to their opinions. "...To each their own."

Tenebrae et Luminis-Chapter 1

...

Captain's Log: Stardate 6962.4,

Mr. Spock, Chekov, Dr. McCoy, and myself are to beam down to the surface of the planet Dohnaiis to collect samples and study the environment there. We have detected with our scanners a great abundance of dilithium crystals on the planet's surface. However, there seems to be little to no intelligent life present... it almost seems as though they... or it... simply has disappeared - or disappeared at will. Rather, as Mr. Spock puts it, 'They wish not to be seen.' ...

...

"Mr. Scott. Beam us down to the surface," James said as he, Dr. McCoy, Chekov, and Mr. Spock stood ready on the transporter pads.

"Aye, Sir..."

"Energize."

...

Captain Kirk pulled out his phaser as soon as he and the rest of the landing party energized.

"Chekov! Any readings?"

"Er... none as of yet, Keptin, besides the abundance of dilithium crystals present."

"Noted... keep checking at regular intervals. The last thing we need is for someone to get hurt or killed..." Kirk said as he looked over his shoulder.

As the landing party began to disperse after Kirk assigned them into groups, Kirk commented:

"You're with me, Mr. Spock."

"Yes, Captain."

...

As Spock was collecting soil samples for further study later on aboard the Enterprise, Kirk ventured off alone. He looked up at the red skyline and noted how beautifully the three suns emitted a bluish glow in Dohnaiis' sky.

"Keptin!"

Kirk jumped a little, realizing his communicator was going off. He flipped it open.

"Kirk here."

"Sair, my tricorder is picking up strange readings, as well as Dr. McCoy's-..."

Two beeps went off on Kirk's communicator.

"Chekov, hold that thought. Yes, Spock, what is it?"

"...-Captain, the readings my tricorder is giving off is not promising. The signals keep fading in and out. Something is here in the vicinity, yet it will not stabilize. It is exactly like the earlier readings taken on board the Enterprise. May I suggest we regroup, Captain?"

Kirk thought for a moment, then said, "Yes, but give me a moment. I'd like to check something out really fast-..."

Dr. McCoy's signal interrupted Captain Kirk's.

"...-We should regroup, Captain. Even my tricorder is acting up. We won't get very far without working instruments."

Chekov spoke up as well. "Keptin, I've regrouped with Dr. McCoy and Mr. Spock. We are awaiting further orders."

Captain Kirk replied back, "Okay, I'll follow your signal AFTER I check what appears to be an encampment of some sort over here. I'll be over in a few minutes. Kirk out."

"-...Cocky, son-of-a-..." McCoy said before Kirk broke contact.

Kirk reattached his communicator onto his belt and checked the setting on his phaser. It was set to stun. The Captain began to walk closer to the deserted encampment for further study of the surroundings.

..."...Cocky, son-of-a-bitch!" McCoy muttered angrily as Chekov fiddled with his tricorder in hopes of reestablishing its function.

"...Mr. Spock, my tricorder is no longer vworking."

Mr. Spock looked up from his current task of trying to restore function to his phaser. "Ensign Chekov, it appears all of our equipment has ceased to function. I am beginning to worry of the Captain."

McCoy crossed his arms, looking on as Chekov continued trying to fix his non-functional tricorder, and said:

"... if it's not one thing, it's ALWAYS another! If all of our equipment has ceased functioning, then how is the Captain going to hail us? Communicators are out, too... Dammit, Jim!"

As McCoy yelled this, Spock looked on with a raised Vulcan eyebrow at the apparent illogical display of emotion.

...

Gravel crunched under his boots as Captain Kirk made his way closer to the deserted encampment. He pulled out his tricorder and went to turn it on, realizing it was dead.

"It was working just a few moments ago! Damn..." Kirk pulled his communicator out. "Kirk to Enterprise. Kirk to Enterprise."

...Static.

"...Kirk to Spock. Do you read me? Kirk to Spock? Chekov? Doctor McCoy! ...Dammit!"

As he tried his phaser, the Captain didn't notice a dark shadow creep up behind him.

"Phaser's out, t- Gnnnnt!"

Kirk cried out as a searing pain shot up his neck. He dropped the phaser as he brought his hand to his neck. As Kirk pulled his hand away, it was covered in blood.

"...What...?"

That was all he was able to gasp out as he fell to his knees, his vision going blurry... then fading to black.

...

Chekov was trying to calm McCoy down when both looked at Spock.

"Spock? What's wrong? Spock!" McCoy cried as he noticed the sudden change in demeanor of the Vulcan.

Spock had brought a hand to the side of his face, furrowing his brow.

"The Captain... is in serious danger, Doctor. We must find him before it is too late."

...

Reviews are greatly appreciated! :) It will inspire me to continue this story.