4 THE PRISON
A STAR TREK STORY
JUANELL HOPPER
Jim Kirk, Spock, and Bones go down to visit a planet which does not seem to have any technology. However, they discover that the planet has been taken over by a woman who knows exactly who they are, and imprisons them. They find themselves in a dire situation as they are sold for a bounty on Jim Kirk.
The Enterprise was approaching the planet Badoran. It was an inhabited planet, but did not have space capabilities…or at least, they had not detected any technology with their scan of the planet. It was a planet of humanoids, and they basically looked like humans except they had what looked like a small gold plate on their foreheads, and they were telepathic. Jim Kirk intended to go down to observe their way of life, and he was taking Spock and Bones with him. They had been fitted with clothing that matched that of the Badorians. It included a head wrap that looked somewhat like a flat-topped hunting cap with even a scarf hanging down in the back. Jim was glad of that hat because it hid the fact that they did not have the golden plate. He wondered if the inhabitants of the planet would figure out that they were not telepathic just because they were not communicating with everyone. Would they even talk? Did they all communicate telepathically all the time?
"What if they decide we're invaders?" Bones asked.
"We're not invading, Bones," Jim replied.
"They might take it as that. After all, we're not going to announce our presence down there."
"We're only going to see what they do on this planet."
"It is our purpose to observe and learn, Doctor," Spock added. "If they do not realize that we are present, there should be no problems."
"There's always a big IF in all these away missions. IF we aren't seen, we might just get away without having to run full speed through a jungle with people throwing spears at us."
"Must you be so pessimistic?" Spock looked at Jim. "Is it necessary to take the doctor along when he so clearly has no desire to go?"
Jim smiled. "I like to take him just so he can state everything that could possibly go wrong," he said. "You're logical enough, Spock. Besides, he's our medical doctor, and he goes along in case there's a problem."
"Yeah, I'm just there to patch everyone up when the mission goes haywire," Bones said.
"You have to admit, this trip would be rather dull without him."
Spock scowled at that. "The dimensions of human emotion escape me when it comes to boredom."
"Having you and Bones along is like having the galaxy's best comedy act."
Spock and Bones just stood there a moment as Jim walked out the door. "Did he just insult us?" Bones asked.
"I am not certain, Doctor," Spock replied.
"After you."
They followed Jim to the transporter room. "Okay, Scotty, make sure you put us down outside the city," he said.
"Yes sir," Scotty replied. "I have an uninhabited area where you can most likely walk into the city and no one will be the wiser."
"Good."
Jim, Spock, and Bones got onto the transporter pad. "Energize," Jim said.
"Good luck," Scotty said.
They were soon materializing in a grove of trees outside the city. The city was not a modern city by any means. It was more like a town, but on this planet, it was a city. There were no paved streets. Jim thought it looked like a place from an old movie he had seen.
"Did we go back in time?" Bones asked.
"No, Bones," Jim said. "They're just living the simple life."
They were surprised to see that the people even had horses. "Is that really a horse?" Bones asked.
"Looks like one to me," Jim replied. "That's weird. I didn't think horses existed anywhere but on Earth."
"I guess you were wrong."
"But how would they get here if these people have no space capabilities?" Jim looked at Spock. "Make a note of that."
"Yes Captain," Spock replied.
"Maybe others have been here on this planet," Bones said.
"But who?" Jim wondered. "And why would they bring horses?"
"You!" someone yelled.
Jim was just a little startled as they realized someone was talking to them. He came over to them. "Who are you?" he asked.
"Visitors," Jim answered.
"You are not Badorian."
"How do you know?"
"You are speaking among yourselves."
"Is that a crime?"
The man was taken aback by Jim's boldness. "Well…no."
"I have a feeling that you are not telepathic either," Spock said. "You are speaking as well. How did you get here, and what do you have to do with the Badorians?"
Bones nudged Jim. "We're starting to attract attention," he said.
Jim looked to see others in the town looking toward them. He looked at Spock. "I think maybe we should evacuate," he said.
"These three are not Badorians!" the man who had confronted them yelled. "They're imposters! They're trying to deceive you!"
Jim was suddenly alarmed. "Scotty!" he said into his communicator.
Jim did not get to finish his call for help because their accuser shot him with a stun beam. He hit the ground feeling pain in his nerves, and he could not move. Bones fell right beside him and then Spock. Jim had never experienced anything quite like it. He knew what was happening, but he could not move.
The next thing Jim knew, he was waking up in a dimly lit room that looked almost like a cave. It was the color of one anyway. He realized his wrist was chained to the wall. He sat up and saw that Bones and Spock were also chained to the wall. Spock was sitting up.
"I assume by our present condition that they do not like strangers," Spock said.
Jim thought Spock had a knack for making understatements. "Is Bones okay?"
"I cannot reach him, Captain, but I assume he is just still out."
"Bones! Bones!"
Bones finally started to move. He groaned at the headache he now had. "What happened?" he asked.
"Our curiosity has landed us in trouble once again," Spock said.
Jim frowned. "We weren't here to hurt anyone."
"It seems that our captors assume that anyone who comes to their planet unannounced is an intruder or invader."
"Well, maybe we can explain to them that we were just curious about their planet."
"I fear that our antagonist will make any efforts we make futile."
"Now, who's being pessimistic?"
"I am simply stating the facts, Captain. I am not attempting to be pessimistic."
Bones finally sat up. "What kind of horror are we facing now?" he asked.
"We have been taken prisoner," Spock said.
"My head is killing me."
"Did you hit your head when you fell, Doctor?"
"Well, I wouldn't know, Spock. I was kinda stunned."
Just then, they heard the lock on the door. The person who came in was not the one who had ratted them out. He was a big tall guy who looked like he could probably bench press all three of them at the same time. He had black hair and dark skin, and he frowned at them. "You will come with me," he said.
Jim figured they would have to go with him whether they wanted to or not. He took their chains off and then grabbed Jim by the back of his neck. "Jim Kirk, you will not try anything," he said.
Jim was shocked. "How do you know my name?" he asked.
"No questions. If you try anything, I will break your arm."
Spock and Bones were shocked by this turn of events as well. The guard turned to them. "If you two try anything, he will pay the price."
He shoved Jim forward and they left the prison cell. Jim rubbed the back of his neck. He was glad the guy at least did not choke him, but he was wondering how he knew his name, and why anyone on this planet knew anything about him. He had never been here, and there was definitely no reason that anyone would know him.
They were led outside and taken to a building that they had not seen earlier. It was a little surrounded by trees and had what looked like jewels in the walls. "What kind of horror is this?" Bones asked in his usual way.
"Silence!" their guard demanded. He grabbed Jim by the arm, reminding Bones and Spock that he would pay for anything they do.
They went into the building, which looked like a small palace. Jim was surprised when they came to the…throne, and there was a woman lying on what looked like a dais, and there were three more guards who were just about as big as the one who was leading them in. She was dressed in a long, purple, silky outfit that looked like she was about ready for bed. She had long, black hair and blue eyes. "James Tiberius Kirk," she said.
Jim looked at Bones and Spock, and then at her. "How do you know me?" he asked.
"I'm their queen. I'm supposed to know everything."
Jim frowned. "Have we met before?"
"You're an intruder on this world."
"I get the feeling you are too."
"You're here to find out about their technology so you can exploit it and stop them from advancing."
"That's not true. Why are you here? You're not a Badorian. We don't know much about this world."
"But instead of requesting to visit, you disguise yourselves as Badorians and come here unannounced. That's invasion."
"Madam, we are not invaders," Spock interjected. "We are explorers, and we only wanted to explore this world and learn more about it."
"For this Federation you belong to. We are not part of the Federation and we do not like it when someone comes to our world unannounced. You will pay for your treachery."
"We do not have any hostile intents," Jim said. "We were only here to visit."
"Then why did you not announce yourselves and ask for permission?"
"Because we didn't know this world had space technology. It's one of our rules that we cannot let a primitive world see our technology."
The woman sat up. "This is not a primitive world!" she declared. "Guard, slap him for that insult."
Jim almost gasped but the guard backhanded him across the face, drawing blood from his nose and lips. Bones glared at their captor. "Just what do you want with us?" he asked.
"I'm going to sell you," she said. "You should bring a high price, Jim Kirk. There's even a bounty out on you."
Jim was quite alarmed now. Who would have a bounty out on him? And why? "Who has a bounty on me?" he asked, knowing he would most likely not get an answer.
"You'll see when they arrive to collect you. You can just call me Queen Marilla."
"You can't sell him!" Bones declared. "That's illegal!"
"Maybe in your federation, but we're not part of the Federation. Since you two are with him, we'll get a price for you as well. I'm sure they won't mind having two extra slaves."
"Slaves?" Jim said. "Look, just let them go."
"And let them what? Go and whine to your friends about you? Never. Take them away, and…make his shackles extra secure."
"Young woman," Spock said. "If you do this, you will only succeed in bringing the Federation into this situation. There are others who know we have come down to this planet."
Marilla stood up. "You will not call me young woman!" she said. "You will call me, Your Majesty."
"You are not the rightful queen to this world. I believe you have come here by chance and have deceived the people into believing you have some sort of power."
Jim could see that Spock was making Marilla furious. "Don't pay any attention to him," he said. "He's a Vulcan. He's full of logic."
Marilla glared at Jim. "You best teach him some manners," she said.
The guard took them out of there, keeping close tabs on Jim. He took them back to their cell and chained them to the wall once again, but he chained both of Jim's hands. "If you cause trouble, you will be in neck shackles," the guard said. "You will find them most uncomfortable."
"How do you know who I am?" Jim asked. "And who has a bounty out on me?"
"I'm not at liberty to discuss anything with you."
"Why? Are you afraid of your queen?"
The guard glared at him. "I am afraid of no one," he said. "I honor her wishes…and if she wishes, I will restrain you further."
Jim did not say anything else while the guard was in there. Obviously the queen had caused them all to have hostility toward him. Bones was the first one to speak. "Who is that woman, Jim?" he asked. "How does she know you? And what is this bounty they're talking about? Slaves? They can't sell us as slaves!"
"Doctor, I believe they have us in a position that they can do most anything they wish," Spock said.
"Will you knock off the logic for a while? They're wanting to sell us as slaves!"
"Declaring that they cannot do such a thing will not make it untrue. Panicking will certainly not help us find a way out of this."
Bones looked at Jim. "Do you hear that?" he asked.
"Bones, he is right," Jim said. "I don't know this woman, and I don't know how she knows me. I've never met her before to my knowledge."
"You must have seen her somewhere! Or did more than see her!"
"What are you saying?"
"Maybe she met up with you and you just got her a little offended. You probably don't remember half the women you've…how do I put this? Offended?"
"Oh no. I have not offended anyone, Bones."
"Maybe this one considered it offense."
"I don't remember this woman. Why would anyone in Starfleet be here pretending to be the queen of this planet?"
"She's not pretending, Jim."
"The doctor is correct, Captain," Spock said. "She has become the queen of this world. There is no pretending involved."
Bones looked at Spock. "Don't agree with me, Spock. It worries me."
"Why does it matter if I agree with you if you are correct?"
"You guys, knock it off," Jim said. "We have a serious problem here, and obviously this woman knows enough about me to believe that I can get out of a prison being chained by only one hand."
"It would seem to be so, Jim," Spock said. "This woman is someone from your past that you have forgotten…or perhaps she has changed her appearance."
"But why? And why does she hate me?"
"I believe it is someone else who hates you since she is going to sell us as slaves to collect a bounty on you. She knows of this bounty through some connection she has, and she has been here long enough to have full authority over the people here. The guards could easily overtake her and they choose instead to serve her."
"There must be something appealing about her," Bones said.
"I guess we're just going to have to wait and find out," Jim said. "I didn't get through to Scotty. Either they were jamming us or I just didn't get the message through."
"I do not believe they could help us at this point without creating an incident on this planet that may kill or injure many innocent people who have simply been manipulated by this woman," Spock said. "We can only hope that they send a distress signal to Starfleet and they will find us."
"One way or another, I have a feeling that we're staying in the presence of these people for much longer than we anticipated."