"It's just a little farther, I swear." Kirk laughed as he looked over his shoulder and saw McCoy struggling to climb up the steep, rocky hill under the weight of his backpack.
"You said that fifteen minutes ago, Jim." McCoy grumbled, shifting the overweight pack on his shoulders. "I'm no spring chicken, here."
"May I offer some assistance with your pack, doctor?" Spock trotted up behind McCoy.
"No, you may not." McCoy growled and pulled the straps on his backpack tighter to his chest.
"Very well." Spock responded with the Vulcan equivalent of a shrug and gracefully climbed up to be beside Kirk.
"I can see the camp from here, Bones," Kirk yelled as he saw the huts clad in fallen leaves and built from the thin wood of the jungle at the top of the hill.
"Remind me again why we couldn't just, I don't know, beam up there to begin with?" McCoy huffed as he pulled himself slowly up the hill.
"Too much interference," Sulu chimed in from behind McCoy. "This was the only clear landing zone."
"Aye, but if I knew that we were takin' the scenic route, I woulnae have signed up," Scotty panted from behind Sulu.
"I think it's nice to get away," Uhura sighed, swiftly climbing to join Kirk and Spock in the front of the pack.
"All I'm sayin' is tha it'd be nicer with a wee bit o' whiskey." Scotty chuckled.
"Who knows? Maybe they'll have whiskey in the camp," Kirk laughed.
"Captain, the odds of the underdeveloped inhabitants of this system having-" Spock started.
"Yeah, yeah." McCoy sharply interrupted him between breaths. "Next to none."
The party continued their trek up the rocky hill, leaving the dense jungle behind them. The humid air made their sweat cling to their uniforms, making each and every one of them sticky and uncomfortable. The heavy packs full of rations for the natives weighed them down, making them feel as though they were about to tumble down the steep incline that they had just defeated.
"Here we are," Kirk smiled as he pulled himself up over the last stretch of rocks and onto the grassy plain at the top. He extended a hand down to McCoy, helping the doctor pulls his weight and the weight of the backpack over the hill.
"About damn time," McCoy grumbled as he pushed himself of the ground.
"See? Now we only have to go back down when it's time to leave." Sulu chuckled and everyone groaned.
"Let's just get to the camp already," Scotty rolled his eyes and trudged ahead.
The team pushed through the tall grass of the plains until they arrived at the village camp. The small huts were clustered tightly together, surrounding a small fire pit in the center.
"We're looking for Commander Alexander," Kirk reminded the team as they approached the huts. "The locals probably won't like us that much, but the Commander'll know what to do."
They marched into the camp's center, only to find that there were no inhabitants bustling around like they had expected. Kirk looked around warily, his senses on high alert. Something in his gut told him that this was all wrong. He cautiously set down his pack by the fire and patted the knife in his boot to make sure that it was exactly where he had left it.
Suddenly, a humanoid figure jumped out of the hut, pointing a razor sharp spear at the group. Its pale green skin nearly camouflaged it against the huts, and its beady pink eyes examined them with scrutiny.
"Whoa there," Kirk put up his arms in surrender and the rest of his crew followed his lead. The creature muttered something at him in another tongue, threatening him with the spear. "Uhura? You wanna take this one?" Kirk asked nervously.
"Captain, I don't speak that language," Uhura replied with a hint of shame.
"Can you give it a shot?" Kirk pleaded, watching as the spear drew closer to his chest. He could see now that it was dipped in a deep purple liquid, beads of it dripping from the tip.
"Um," Uhura stammered, then slowly formed some alien words. Kirk watched carefully as the alien slowly brought the spear back and rested it by his side.
"What did you tell him?" Kirk breathed in relief.
"That we're looking for the Commander," Uhura sighed. "I think." The alien disappeared back into the hut, then emerged with a ragged looking man in tow.
"Captain Kirk!" The man's face lit up when he saw the young captain.
"Commander Alexander?" Kirk watched the man carefully as he extended a hand to shake. Kirk took his hand slowly.
"In the flesh," The commander exclaimed. "Please, please! Come in, come in." The commander motioned to the hut. "I insist." Kirk nodded at his crew and they all set down their packs by the pit and followed Kirk inside. "I am so glad that you could make it," The commander motioned to a dusty bamboo-type mat on the floor. "There's so much here that I want the Federation to know about," The commander sat down cross legged in front of him and Kirk warily followed his lead.
"If you don't mind me asking, Commander, where's the rest of your crew? And your equipment?" Kirk asked as he surveyed the inside of the hut, finding only a make-shift communications set up. The rest of the small hut was cluttered with tribal artwork and dried fruit hanging from the ceiling. Kirk turned his attention back to the old commander, the wrinkles on his faces covered in a fine layer of grime. He was no longer wearing his Starfleet uniform, but was instead in his tattered civilian clothing that looked like it'd seen better days.
"Ah, yes. All in due time, Captain. In the mean time, you must prepare yourselves and your crew for the celebratory feast!" The commander bolstered.
"Feast?" Kirk asked skeptically as the commander stood up.
"Yes, yes! The feast!" Kirk stood up cautiously and followed the commander out. "Agrigah will escort you to your quarters," The commander motioned to the small humanoid that had threaten Kirk. The green figure bowed and pointed towards one of the small huts on the other side of the camp, rattling off words in a foreign tongue.
"He says this way," Uhura translated roughly. The alien scampered towards the tents, the crew following awkwardly behind. "He says these two huts are reserved for us." Uhura said as the alien spoke to her. "And that everything that we need to get ready is inside."
Kirk shrugged and ducked into one of the small tents, Spock and McCoy following behind him. Uhura, Sulu, and Scotty disappeared into the other.
"Do you feel like there's something off here too?" Kirk asked, scanning the contents of the small hut. Three flowered leis were spread neatly on a tiny table, accompanied by three headdresses with vibrant feathers protruding from the band.
"Jim, every mission we go on feels a little fishy to me." McCoy sighed and poked around some of the woven baskets on the floor.
"Not every mission. Remember the one in Tallegidia?" Kirk asked, inspecting the silken robes hanging from the ceiling.
"Is the mission that you are referring to the mission where the transport ship crash landed on the planet surface?" Spock added slyly.
"Well, everything after that went well," Kirk grumbled and pulled a robe from the ceiling. "And what's with the lack of inhabitants here?" Kirk asked as he pulled the robe around his shoulders.
"It is likely that they are hunting or gathering, Captain, seeing as there is a feat being prepared tonight." Spock watched Kirk curiously as he lifted a headdress onto his forehead.
"Or they're all dead." McCoy grumbled and kicked over an empty basket.
"Will you quit whining, Bones? We'll be back on the ship in no time." Kirk gingerly placed the lei around his neck.
"You act like I'm desperate to get back on that floating tin can of death." McCoy crossed his arms across his chest.
"We've talked about this, Bones. The Enterprise is a lovely lady." Kirk bunched up a robe and flung it at McCoy, the soft silk wrapping itself across the doctor's face. "Now put these on. No need to upset the locals, or what's left of them anyway."
Spock took the last robe from the hangar and slipped it around his shoulders. Kirk winked at him and tossed him a headdress and threw the lei around his neck.
"You don't think that this is just a little bit ridiculous?" McCoy grumbled as he carefully placed the ornate headdress around his forehead.
"I think that we're going to get food. So it doesn't matter." Kirk smirked and ducked under the doorway of the hut again.
"Lookin' sharp, Capin'." Scotty laughed, the headdress slipping down over his eyes. Kirk winked and snapped his fingers at Scotty, trying to push the uneasy feeling down farther into his gut.
It's just going to be a nice feast. Then we're on our way. Kirk thought nervously as he scanned the camp again.
"Ah, Captain, you and your crew look absolutely wonderful," The commander approached the group with outstretched arms. "This will surely be a feast to remember." The dirty old commander clapped a hand on Kirk's back. "Now, may I speak with you in private? I seem to remember that you had questions that you wished to be answered. The rest of you may relax in your huts." The commander motioned for Kirk to follow him through the camp, his hand still resting on Kirk's back.
"I'll be back in a little bit." Kirk nodded to his crew, his eyes warning them to remain vigilant.
"Oh! That's right, I nearly forgot." The commander laughed, slapping himself lightly on the top of his balding head. "Silly old man. The natives are very frightened of all our new age technology," The commander said and one of the aliens suddenly appeared beside him with a bamboo box. The team jumped back at the sudden appearance. "If you could just turn all of your communicators and weapons for now, we'll have them back to you in no time." The alien held the box up to Spock who raised an eyebrow curiously.
"Do they always do that?" Kirk asked, trying to steady his breathing after the scare.
"Oh, yes. Their camouflage is quite effective in this setting. Helps them to get around." The commander reassured Kirk and the alien pushed the box towards Kirk. Kirk hesitantly lifted his communicator from his belt and dropped it into the box. "We'll give it back after the feast, I swear it." The commander smiled and Kirk sighed as he dropped his phaser into the box as well. Kirk shot a quick glance to his crew, warning them once again. They slowly followed his lead and dropped their communicators into the box. McCoy held tightly onto his tricorder and medkit as the box circled around to him.
"Now, doctor. Play nice," The commander chuckled and McCoy begrudgingly surrendered his medical supplies. "Very well," The commander pushed gently on Kirk's shoulder, moving him forward.
"So," Kirk cleared his throat as they moved towards the commander's hut again. "You and your crew were stranded on this planet twelve years ago?" Kirk asked, scanning for any more natives that might appear before him.
"Yes, that's correct. Here we were, fighting the great battle of Ulimani, and poof!" The commander paused and gestured with his hands. "Our ship was gone, just like that. Now, that was twelve years ago. As you know, we've been busy building this planet up to become the next star base. Slowly but surely, we've been convincing the natives to let us stay."
"Right," Kirk said uneasily as he ducked into the commander's tent. "But where is the rest of your crew?" He asked as he sat down cross legged on the dusty mat in front of the commander again.
"Now, see, that's where things get complicated." The commander sighed as he took his seat. Suddenly, two alien creatures revealed themselves on both sides of Kirk. Kirk jumped up in a flurry of adrenaline, but was quickly gagged and pushed to the floor. The two small aliens held him down tightly, despite their size. Kirk struggled to pick himself up from the ground, kicking and writhing under the alien's grips. They bound his feet tightly with handmade rope and forced his hands together to tie them up as well. "You see, Captain, this feast is in your honor. Just not of your arrival, but of your sacrifice." The commander stood up and shook his head softly. "To keep my army in line, I have to perform this occasional sacrifice to maintain their trust," The commander continued, kicking dust into Kirk's face. "And now, with your arrival, I finally have the chance to take your ship for myself. After all of these years on this rock, I'll finally be able to show Starfleet what it's like to be powerless."
The commander snapped his fingers and the aliens yanked Kirk up from the ground and stood him on his feet. Kirk struggled to get out of the bondage as they held him up to face the commander.
"I'm sorry Captain, but I'm going to need you to sacrifice your ship to the greater good." The commander spat in Kirk's dirt caked face. "I know that you know what I'm talking about. For how long have you felt powerless? I can see it in your eyes. Starfleet is draining you of your life and free will. They're using you to take it from others. How many lives have you taken for Starfleet?" The commander asked, hatred seething in his eyes.
One less than I need to. Kirk thought and he slammed his forehead into the commander's nose, sending the commander stumbling backwards. The aliens tightened their grips around Kirk's arms.
"Well, I appreciate your moxie," The commander chuckled, holding his nose to stop the crimson blood flowing from it. "But you've already given me all that I need. Your communicators will suffice." The commander pulled back his fist and launched it at Kirk's skull, sending the young Captain toppling to the floor in unconsciousness. "Prepare the ceremony." The commander sneered and the aliens picked Kirk up from the ground and marched him out of the tent.
/
Hey, thanks for reading! This is really just a set up chapter, so I promise that things will get more exciting later on. I'm still only starting out with writing fanfiction, so if you have any constructive criticism or comments, I'm all ears. Oh, and I also don't have a beta reader, so please pardon all mistakes. I hope you enjoy the rest of the story, there's so much more to come!
-buckminsterbarnes