"You will return to Federation space immediately and report back to Starfleet. The Gaffians have agreed to stand down their battleships and allow the Enterprise to leave unmolested provided that I remain as their prisoner of war and you leave their space without delay."
"Captain, I do not-" Spock began at the same time as Leonard's "Jim, no! You can't-"
Both were cut off swiftly. "That is an order, Commander, Doctor." Jim nodded to them both in turn, meeting their eyes with his own to be sure his orders were heard. "I will not allow the Enterprise to be destroyed if it within my power to stop it."
Spock was silent for a moment before replying. "Understood, Captain."
McCoy said nothing, fury and fear coiling in his throat to swallow any further comment he might wish to make.
"Scotty?" Jim now directed his voice towards the open communicator in the hand of one of his captors.
"Aye, Captain?"
"Energize."
Jim's eyes met Leonard's for several long moments and Leonard could feel the heavy weight of all the words they couldn't speak. That they never would, if Jim got his way. The power of those unspoken words and emotions squeezed around his heart hard enough to make Leonard have to stifle a gasp, even as the dizzying lights of the transporter surrounded the landing party and swept them back to the ship.
All except for Jim.
**
Once they rematerialized on the transporter deck of the ship, the members of the landing party broke into frantic discussion.
"No way in hell can we just head home with our tails between our legs like a scolded mutt and leave him there!"
"Yes, Doctor, I agree. We must rescue the Keptin as soon as possible."
"I cannae get a transporter lock on the Cap'n while the Gaffians have the personal shield up. We'll hafta figure out another way."
"I've been working on breaking through the communications jamming, perhaps if I am successful we can try something similar with the transporter lock."
They all stopped talking as they realized that Commander – no, Acting Captain – Spock had yet to say anything concerning their immediate plans. McCoy's heart sank like a stone as it occurred to him how seriously the Vulcan took direct orders. That feeling lasted only a second, however.
"Lieutenant Sulu, please bring the ship about and head out of the system, impulse power only. Maneuver the ship to give the impression that we have sustained more damage than we truly have. This will account for our delay." Spock turned to the rest of the senior staff. I believe, gentlemen, Lieutenant Uhura, that we have some planning to do in order to prepare to rescue the Captain. "
At McCoy's semi-incredulous expression, Spock nodded to him. "I have done research on the Kentucky Derby, Doctor. One does not give up so easily on a prize stallion."
Spock didn't smile, but for some reason Leonard felt as though he had.
"Everyone report to the bridge to begin the strategy session."