When the sun sets
Author's note: This story was inspired by the TOS episode, "All our Yesterdays", but should bear minimal resemblance to it. I hope you enjoy the Easter eggs I managed to slip in there!
Disclaimer: Not mine.
When the sun sets
Star date 2270.8
The mission had started simply enough: the Federation had received news that the planet Vildle, which had just recently joined the federation after its leaders promised to lay down its arms and rule its citizens peacefully, may have a pandemic on the planet after reports of high death numbers. After much pressure, their leader, La'thar, had admitted to an infectious disease plaguing the planet and the Federation had immediately requested for medical and research aid on the planet. As the Enterprise was within the quadrant, their 5- year exploratory mission was halted and they were redirected to that faraway planet inhabited by humanoid Vildleans.
It later turned out that the situation was worse than they had expected—the death toll was up to tens of thousands and the virus had wiped out almost half of the population. Quickly, McCoy ordered for samples of the virus to be beamed up and treated as a BSL4 agent. After initial screens using cell lines and preliminary tests using organoids, it was finally determined that all species aboard were naturally immuned to the virus, and it was only then that Jim authorised a mission and allowed the medical and research teams, led by McCoy and Spock respectively, to beam down to the surface.
Three days later, all contact with the two teams ceased abruptly.
"Of all people, Spock, the last person I would expect to go on a mission with is you."
"As a matter of fact, doctor, the landing team usually consists of at least two ranked individuals, thus the possibility of both of us being sent to a mission is higher than yourself and a randomly selected ensign."
"Spock, you know that's not what I mean," sighed McCoy. Damn Vulcans and their probability.
Spock raised an eyebrow in response, "Then what do you mean, doctor?"
"Gentlemen, Gen-tle-men," chided Jim lightly as he saw McCoy prepare himself for a full blown rant, "please try not to fight too much down there."
McCoy rolled his eyes as the transporter beam disappeared around them.
McCoy was not having a good day.
The first thing that ticked him off was the medical facilities on Vildle. The largest hospital looked more like something out from a 1900s hospital, with a negligible isolation ward and patients grouped together without any real order at all. That had McCoy ranting about the spread of infectious diseases as the entire medical team attempted to reorder their system and make things more orderly.
The second and main thing were the patients.
The so-called afflicted patients were coughing and complaining of pain, but try as they might, they could not detect a problem. The medical team had compared each of the test results and scans with healthy patients, and apart from the usual variations between individuals, nothing seemed wrong.
And they were not allowed access to those who had succumbed to the disease.
"I need to see the physiological pathologies post mortem, dammit! These patients, as you call them, seem healthy, and I need to know what to look out for so that I can prevent any sudden demise!"
La'thar shook his head adamantly. "Doctor, the dead are sacred on our planet—surely you must know that. We cannot authorise any actions which may disturb them. You can only work with the patients we have here. I am sorry."
McCoy narrowed his eyes and was about to speak as Spock stepped forward gently. "We understand, La'thar. We will not pursue this further."
La'thar smiled and bowed, taking his leave. Spock ushered McCoy into a room.
"Spock, just what do you think—"
"I have been doing some research, doctor. The first victim was K'mez, the leader of the opposition faction. This was quickly followed by his family members and loyal supporters. Do you not think it is coincidental, doctor, that the first few victims of this disease are those of the opposition faction?"
"Are you implyin' that they are using the virus as a bioweapon?"
"Possibly. Another possibility could be that there was no virus at all, and the virus was simply an excuse to get rid of those who were opposing La'thar."
McCoy's eyes widened. "We need to find these people quickly, if we are to prevent any more deaths."
The whole team spent the next two days mingling with the natives whilst secretly gathering information about the circumstances surrounding the patients' deaths. From these natives, they soon got to know where the dead were laid to rest and the rotation timings of soldiers involved in the entire operation.
By the night of the third day, a plan was devised amongst the landing party. After knocking out a couple of guards, they managed to sneak into the cordoned-off area. Quickly, the medical team checked on each individual as the sciences surrounded them, guarding the small group. Two ensigns volunteered to be lookouts and placed themselves in strategic positions further away.
The instant McCoy laid his eyes on one individual, he knew something was amiss. After a quick inspection however, his fears were realised and McCoy felt himself go cold.
"Spock…" he whispered, as his eyes met Spock's, "these people did not die due to an infection."
"They were drowned."
Drowned.
Like the fates of those who had opposed La'thar before Vildle joined the Federation.
"Well, well who do we have here?"
"La'thar!" gasped a Science ensign as he took a step backwards.
The leader looked at them, a malicious glint in his eyes. Gone was the welcoming, good-natured and charismatic leader; in his place stood a cunning and ruthless ruler.
"I see you have discovered our little secret…" he sighed, then stepped away to reveal the armed soldiers he had brought with him, "I told you not to meddle in our affairs…"
Just as Spock was about to act, two soldiers stepped forward, pointing a gun at each one of their two lookouts. La'thar smiled as he saw Spock stall.
"See you later," came La'thar's voice.
The last thing they saw was smoke bombs being thrown at them.
When Spock awoke, he was immediately aware of the damp and significantly colder surroundings. As his eyes adjusted to the change in light intensity, he noticed an unconscious figure in a corner.
"Doctor!"
His call seemed to have the effect of waking the physician—and in fact, other humans as well, as Spock now realised, for Ensign Reeves in the neighbouring cell was now slowly regaining consciousness whilst Nurse Evans in the opposite cell let out a small groan.
The trained eyes landed on the Vulcan and the physician was next to him in a second. "Spock, y'alright?"
"I am well, doctor. I was merely ascertaining the status of our crew members."
McCoy resisted the urge to roll his eyes. Would it really kill him to admit he was worried? "Well, now that you have ascertained the status, would you mind maybe THINKING OF AN ESCAPE PLAN?"
"Unfortunately, doctor, they have taken all our weapons and communication devices. However, I believe the Captain will be looking for us soon."
"Confident, Spock? Confident to just sit here and wait?"
"Indeed. I am scheduled to call Nyota today, and us being here will make that impossible. She will surely find it suspicious."
"But how is Jim gonna find us?"
McCoy did not miss the sudden subtle change in Spock's expression.
"I am sure he will."
"Captain, I believe I may have a plan in determining their coordinates."
"Yes, Uhura?"
"I got the Vokaya stone for Spock when we got back together," at this, Jim smirked, "and as you know, the Vokaya emits a certain signal—"
"—which I remember the formula to! Keptin! We can find them!"
"Then what are we waiting for, Chekov?"
"Aye Keptin!"
Sounds of footsteps made Spock and McCoy turn to look towards the entrance. A familiar figure came into view, and McCoy's eyes narrowed.
"Ah, you are all awake. Excellent," said La'thar slowly.
"Spit it, killer. What do you want," retorted McCoy, voice dripping with anger.
"Oh, very good very good," drawled La'thar, as he stopped in front of their cell, "all of you know too much. You must know you cannot leave here alive."
"If you kill us, you will be declaring war on the Federation!" shouted McCoy.
"Oh, don't you worry, doctor, you're not going to die by our hands," said La'thar, examining an old fashioned gun he pulled out of his bag, "Not directly, anyway."
With that, La'thar laughed and threw the gun into the cell before walking away. At the wave of his hand, the sprinklers above the cell started emitting a strange, coloured gas as glass walls came down around them. The gas didn't smell particularly like anything and it certainly wasn't suffocating them, but just as McCoy was about to quip about how useless the gas was, he saw something changing in Spock's eyes.
"Spock, y'hear me?"
There was no reply.
"Spock! Look at me! It's me, McCoy!"
But standing before McCoy, slightly bending with raging eyes, was no longer the Spock McCoy knew.
"Keptin, the signal is coming from underground, at the basement of the city's largest prison!"
"Alright. Sulu, assemble a team of 4 people from security. And bring your sword, you're coming with me."
"Yes, Captain."
"Chekov, tell Scotty to man the ship whilst I am gone. If I am not back in one hour, call the Federation."
"Aye, Keptin."
"Captain, I am coming with you," said Uhura, resolutely.
"Uhura, no."
"Captain," her voice was dangerously low.
"I'm sorry, Lieutenant, but that's final," said Jim, and he continued when Uhura attempted to interrupt, "I am not depriving you of this because you can't fight; I need you on the ship. We are near the neutral zone, and I need you to discern if Romulans are nearby, and your linguistics skills will be invaluable if any alien ships were to contact us. You need to be here."
Uhura looked at Jim.
"Alright, Captain. But you must inform me if anything happens."
Jim nodded and rushed off to the transporter.
"Spock, whatever you see is not real!" shouted McCoy desperately as Spock rounded upon him.
But it was no use.
"Nero," he heard Spock seeth between his teeth as he launched himself towards McCoy. McCoy tried to dodge, but Spock was too quick for him and before he knew it, Spock's fist collided with his stomach. He groaned and sank to the floor, narrowly dodging another fist aiming for his face. Seeing a way out, McCoy took the opportunity to run to the opposite side of the cell, but the Vulcan was faster. A couple of blows were aimed at his head and hurriedly blocked by McCoy, but as McCoy attempted to escape from the corner, Spock struck McCoy's chest, and the telltale crack of the bone echoed in his ears. McCoy collapsed in a fit of coughs as he fought down the blood that was rising in his throat.
"S-pock... Wake… up…" he struggled, as the Vulcan held him by his neck against the wall, suffocating him.
"You destroyed Vulcan. You will pay for it." Spock said in a low, menacing voice, his grip tightening.
"Is this… what you want, Spock? Are you… trying to kill me?" McCoy whispered, choking.
McCoy saw something shift in Spock's eyes and he took advantage of the sudden confusion to say more.
"Spock, do you remember who I am?"
That voice…
"That's it, Spock! Try an' remember! The trips, the five year mission, Krall…"
Spock's hand wavered some more.
"Spock!"
McCoy knew that voice immediately.
Jim.
Jim is here.
That shout lifted McCoy's heart, but his happiness was shortlived as he turned to look at Spock.
The confusion was gone.
The raging eyes were back.
Spock swooped down and took the gun, cocked it against McCoy's abdomen, and pulled the trigger.
Point blank.
"NO!"
In an instant, that desperate cry penetrated Spock's mind. It was a cry he never wished to hear again after McCoy had collapsed in the small ship saving Jim from Krall*.
Jim.
In a flash, his mental state was back and he finally saw clearly the person in front of him.
McCoy.
The man was smiling weakly at him, his features twisted with pain.
"S-pock."
"Leonard."
Suddenly, memories of what happened and what he did came back to him like a bullet and he stared down at his hands, now red with McCoy's blood.
How could he...
He felt sick.
"No…"
"Spock," gasped McCoy, his hands holding Spock's, "it's not your fault. The gas… it's hallucinogenic for Vulcans…"
No…
The world seemed to change around him. He heard Jim bring La'thar down before Sulu took over the fight, easily dominating La'thar even without his sword. He heard Hendorff and the security team take down any leftover La'thar's supporters attempting to stop Kirk. He heard the doors unlock behind him as the glass wall lifted. He saw Jim look at him cautiously and then run over to support McCoy, before everything slammed right back into him as Leonard tugged his hand, coughing.
"Jim, Spock," he rasped, as he put both of their hands together and clasped both in his own, "not… your… fault…"
And then the world seemed to collapse a second time as Leonard's grip slackened, and Spock was heartlessly yanked back to the moment when old Vulcan was swallowed and his mother let go, disappearing forever.
No…
*Alludes to my other story, Triumvirate
-To be continued-
Reviews and comments are very much appreciated!