NOTE from the PHOENIX: I'm still not sure about this story...you guys are gonna have to let me know if it works for you.

Chapter Two

"There has been some sort of mistake..."

Kirk reached up and pulled at the new metal collar that he wore. McCoy was trying to get his off, Spock wasn't wasting his energy knowing that it was an impossible goal. They had been taken into an underground complex when they'd forced to their knees and fitted with the collars. Everyone that Kirk had seen wore one, even the so called 'Master' had a multicolored one. The other captives had collar with colored blocks on them where as the ones he and his friends wore were white.

"No mistake, Captain." Galt announced. "You and your Officers were carefully chosen to join the herd."

"Herd?" Spock repeated.

"Once you are properly trained you will be vended to a Provider."

"Trained to do what exactly?" Kirk asked.

"To fight in the arena, Captain."

"You call me by my formal title as though you admire me, and yet you are treating my friends and I like animals. Why?"

"I do not make the rules, Captain, the Providers do."

"Who are these 'providers' you keep talking about?"

"They provide for us."

"Right...of course." Kirk rolled his eyes. "Look, you can't just kidnap us and sell us to the highest bidder. We are Starfleet Officers of the Federation..."

"Your Federation is not recognized here."

"You'll recognize them when they reduce this planet to smoldering rock for violating about a hundred treaty policies."

"One hundred and twenty-seven." Spock corrected.

"Gentlemen, you are to live the rest of your lives here." Galt informed coldly. "You are nothing more than property."

Finally losing his temper Kirk lashed out to strike Galt. Remaining calm Galt closed his eyes and the collar he wore flashed for a moment. An unexpected and breathtaking agony tore at all of Kirk's senses. Completely disoriented he clutched at the collar which seemed to be the source of the mind twisting pain. Unable to remain standing he quickly fell to his knees as the sensation that his joints were being ripped apart intensified.

He could hear cries of pain, but it took him a moment to figure out that his own voice wasn't the only one signing out. Turning to his friends Kirk saw that Bones was in similar pain. With his eyes weld shut McCoy screamed with the collar that he wore glowing brightly. Spock was remaining silent, but he was on his hands and knees with his chest heaving as he tried to breath through the pain. The cut over his stomach was still dripping green onto the floor and Kirk briefly wondered how much blood his friend could afford to lose.

As quickly as the torment had come it was gone. It was like someone had flicked on and off a switch. Kirk quickly got to his feet and helped McCoy do the same. Spock refused the offer for help and stood up. Spock calmly placed his hands behind his back as though he was standing on watch on the bridge. McCoy was a little more shaken by the experience and looked to Kirk for guidance on what to do next.

"That was just a demonstration, Captain." Galt said. "The collars are capable of inflicting far more pain than what you just experienced. Disobedience is always punished."

"You have no right to..."

"Follow me." Galt interrupted.

Kirk had no intention of following Galt until he felt a jab in his lower back. Looking over his shoulder he found a beautiful woman with green hair wearing some sort of silver harness had appeared behind him. She had a trident spear and jabbed him once more to encourage him to move.

Five more thralls arrived, all of them with weapons, and further encouraged the trio to follow Galt. Spock and McCoy both waited for Kirk to move before following along peacefully. It was times like these that the weight of Command pressed heavily on the young Captain. They would be looking to him for guidance, and it was his job to make the right decision and ensure that they all made it back to the Enterprise.

They followed Galt into the next room where there was a simple metal bar on the floor. Galt walked to the far side of the bar and turned around to face his new captives. Galt waved his hand over the bar and the ends began to glow yellow. The Master Thrall looked up at Spock expectantly.

"Lift the bar, Commander Spock." Galt ordered.

"For what purpose?"

"To determine your value the Providers wish to know how strong you are. This will show how much weight you can lift."

"I can tell you exactly how powerful my muscles are. The gravity of this planet appears to be approximately .98 that of Earth, therefore under these circumstances I am able to move 2,457.35 pounds."

"Impressive, Commander. Please demonstrate."

Rather than taking orders from Galt Spock looked to Kirk. Vividly recalling the pain that Galt could inflict on them at will Kirk decided that there was no sense in fighting him over small requests.

"Do it, Spock."

"Very well, Captain."

"Jim, that wound across Spock's stomach is going to tear open further if he tries to lift that much."

"Commander Spock's injury is not serious." Galt said.

"I'm his doctor and I will determine how serious his injuries are." Bones said firmly.

"I will be fine, Doctor." Spock announced.

Spock stepped forward up to Galt. Bending at the knees he reached down and grasped the simple bar. Taking a deep breath he closed his eyes and placed all of his energy into lifting the bar that was tethered to the floor by an adjusting glowing ion field. Kirk realized that had never actually witnessed Spock using his full force before. The muscles across his back tightened to the point where the definition of each one could be seen clearly even through his blue uniform as he brought the bar up to chest level.

Once he had accomplished the task Spock released the bar and it crashed to the floor with enough force to crack the stone. Although a fine layer of sweat now beaded his skin Spock showed no other signs that the lift had taken all of his effort. Spock turned back around, showing that Bones had been right, he was bleeding more severely now. Spock was unconcerned by the injury and looked once again to Kirk for his next order.

"Captain, you may have a future as a Master Thrall on Triskelion." Galt announced.

"What makes you say that?"

"You have trained this half-Vulcan well. It has been our experience in that past that Vulcans do not train easily, in fact most are destroyed before ever making it to the arena. However, this one will clearly follow your every command without hesitation."

"He's my First Officer, not my pet."

"In any case you show talent for leadership."

Before Kirk could argue further Galt ordered McCoy to attempt the bar lift. Although clearly wanting to protest Kirk instructed him to do it. When it came to his own turn Kirk strained his muscles almost to the point of tearing as the bar increased the weight as he lifted it. Satisfied Galt ordered them to follow him once again.

The trio along with the thrall guards were brought back outside into the warm Triskelion air. They were lined up on the edge of the triangular symbol that dominated the center of the medium sized arena. Kirk jerked away as the green haired woman behind him jabbed him again. When he turned around he found that she had a black leather harness of some sort in her hand which she pushed into his arms.

"Put it on." She demanded.

Spock and McCoy were handed similar harnesses. It didn't seem to serve a purpose, but all the other thralls were wearing them. The males wore black, the females wore silver. Once again Kirk decided not to start small arguments and gave the order to his Officers to put them on. The harness had a strap that went around the chest, and one around the hip which were connected by bands that ran down either side of their ribs.

"Bring out the training target." Galt ordered.

McCoy and Kirk turned and saw two dark skinned men dragging a boy in his late teens with long metallic gold hair between them. The boy was trying to walk, but his lower left leg was deeply bruised and bent in an unnatural angle. The dark thralls brought the boy into to center of the arena and threw him to the floor. Looking terrified the young man pushed himself up on his hands as he tried to stand. In too much pain to get to his feet he looked up at Galt.

"Please, Master Galt, I can still fight for my Provider...I...I just need some more time to recover. I...I won my last fight, please, I am still a worthy investment. I swear it." The boy stuttered. "I will fight twice as hard as before...give me a chance to prove myself...please..."

"Silence."

Bowing his head in submission the boy started to tremble. He glanced up at Kirk with startling oversized emerald eyes. Kirk had never seen the man's species before, he had never even heard of any alien that matched his unusual description. Dressed in a tattered pair of silver pants and his black leather training harness his body looked human. His golden hair flashed under the three suns of the Triskelion sky as he returned his gaze to the floor.

Galt gave one of the dark skinned thralls a silent order. The large humanoid drew out a curved sword and offered the hilt to McCoy. Caught off guard by the gift Bones automatically took it. The thrall standing behind Bones pushed him forward and he stumbled a few steps closer to the cowering injured boy.

"This thrall is damaged," Galt said "he will serve as a practice target for you, Doctor."

"What?"

"Kill him, you will receive a bonus if your first strike kills him cleanly."

"Are you out of your mind?" Bones demanded.

"Strike, Doctor."

"I can save him!" McCoy barked angrily. "It's a simple break, it doesn't even look infected."

"You are not being asked to heal him, Doctor, you are being ordered to terminate him."

"Well I won't do it." Bones hissed as he dropped the sword with a clatter.

"Since you are new here I will remind you that disobedience is punished with pain." Galt said calmly. "Pick up the weapon and strike your target."

"No."

Galt stared blankly at McCoy for a moment before closing his eyes. Bones gasped violently as the white blocks on his collar started to glow. Kirk took a step forward to help but was instantly jerked back. Clawing at the metal halo around his neck McCoy was brought to his knees as the intense pain produced by the collar tore through him. At first he couldn't even find his voice to cry out as the pain lanced into him, setting every nerve on fire. Tangling his hands into his sweat drenched hair Bones took a deep breath and screamed incoherently at the top of his lungs.

"Stop it!" Kirk roared. "Let him go!"

"He disobeyed a direct order, he must pay the price. You should understand that better than most, Captain."

"Torturing an innocent man for showing compassion towards another is an illogical use of what is clearly highly advanced technology." Spock said evenly.

"Not everything in the Universe is logical, Commander Spock." Galt replied in his monotone voice.

The lights on McCoy's collar suddenly shut off. Collapsing to the ground Bones continued to pant heavily as he recovered from the devastating effects of the collar. The young man that he was supposed to murder was staring at him with a confused expression frozen onto his face. Trembling violently Bones slowly got back to his knees. He tried to get to his feet, but failed. Taking a deep shuddering breath he remained kneeling as he glared up at Galt.

"I will give you one last chance, Doctor. Strike your target."

"No." Bones whispered. "I cannot take a life...no matter the cost to myself."

"A noble sentiment, Doctor, however such compassion does not have a place on this world."

"Then you'll just have to kill me." McCoy growled defiantly.

"No, you are too valuable to destroy just yet. I will only say this one more time: strike your target."

McCoy didn't even bother with a verbal response. He held his hands behind his back and stared blankly at the ground as he awaited further punishment for his blatant disobedience. Kirk struggled against the thrall holding him back in an effort to get to Galt. When Galt went to close his eyes to activate the collar once more Kirk panicked.

"No! Don't hurt him! He's my Officer that makes his actions my responsibility. If you need to punish someone, punish me."

"Jim, no..."

McCoy didn't get a chance to finish, however it was not his own collar that lit up. The young man with the broken leg suddenly screamed as his blue collar pulsed with a bright glow. Thrashing wildly he cried out as tears streaked from the corners of his eyes. Bones rushed to the suffering boy and pressed his hand down on his chest to keep him from breaking his own back with the violence of his reaction to the collar.

"Enough!" McCoy cried. "Stop it!"

Galt was unmoved by McCoy's pleas for mercy. Bones did his best to comfort the young man as his body was wracked with uncontrollable spasms. The man's screams were reduced to a bitter weeping as the cruel collar continued to twist his body. As the man's contortions grew more extreme McCoy sat down on his stomach to hold him still. He ran his hand through the boy's golden hair and useless instructed him to take deep breaths.

"Please stop!" Bones begged. "You're killing him!"

The boy wailed heartbreakingly through his tears as he reached up and clutched McCoy's shirt.

"He's just a kid!" McCoy cried. "Stop this!"

"Your weapon is beside you," Galt pointed out "end his pain yourself."

Bones glanced at the sword that he had dropped. Before he could even consider the option of using it the boy under him went into violent convulsions. McCoy's medical instincts kicked in and he pressed his hands against the teenager's forehead to keep him from beating his head against the stone floor. His green eyes rolled back to white as a pink froth erupted from his parted lips. Tears rolled down McCoy's cheeks as the boy choked on the sickly blood tainted froth. He was able to bring his eyes forward one last time to look at Bones before he went into seizure and then relaxed as death finally released him.

McCoy pressed his fingertips against the boy's throat in search of a pulse. Kirk stared at the dead boy in horror. His trance was broken as Spock suddenly dropped to one knee. Green blood trickled from the corner of his mouth. He quickly got back to his feet and rubbed the back of his hand across his lips to clean off the blood.

"Spock?"

"I am fine, Captain." Spock whispered.

"What happened?"

"Commander Spock has the unfortunate trait of being a telepath." Galt pointed out. "Despite having done nothing wrong he will suffer when those around him do."

"You're a monster!" Bones spat at Galt.

"The thrall's death could have been quick and clean." Galt replied. "It was you who made the decision to make him suffer."

"You sick son of a bitch!" McCoy roared as he threw himself at Galt.

Before McCoy could get near his target he was thrown back by an unseen force. Landing hard on his back he came close to losing consciousness. Kirk was finally allowed to go to him to help him back to his feet. Galt announced that today's training was at an end and the trio was taken back underground. They came to a hallway that was lined with prison cells that held a variety of humanoid and non humanoid creatures.

Coming to an empty cell they were instructed to step inside. Walking into the cage peacefully Kirk ground his teeth together in frustration as the bars slammed shut behind them. A quick glance around showed that their new home was set up like a small studio apartment. Spock's step faltered and he had to grip the edge of the small table that took up the center of the room to keep from falling to the floor.

"Spock? Are you okay?" Kirk asked in concern.

"It is taxing for me to witness such pointless cruelty and remain in control of my emotions."

"The blood loss can't be helping your situation any." Bones pointed out.

"It is not."

"Lay down, Spock." Kirk ordered.

Spock nodded and went over to one of the stone beds and laid down on his back. Bones sat down next to him and pulled Spock's bloodied uniform away from his injury. Kirk noticed a small bathroom off to the right and found that there were towels and a water source inside. He brought over a wet towel and a dry one.

Spock closed his eyes and seemed to fall asleep as McCoy cleaned up the gory wound. Pressing the dry towel over the cut he was able to stop the bleeding. When he was finished Bones sat back and sighed heavily.

"Is he going to be okay?" Kirk asked as he stared at the green soaked towels.

"The wound is actually very shallow, it doesn't even go through the first layer of muscle. He's lucking, a few more inches and he would have been eviscerated."

Bones found a clean corner of the wet towel and reached out to gently clean the sweat off of Spock's face. Spock seemed to have truly fallen into a fitful sleep. After checking Spock's pulse Bones wandered over to the table and sat down on bench. Leaning forward he hid his face in his hands. Kirk sat down on the opposite side of the table causing Bones to look up at him.

"Jim...what are we going to do?"

"The Enterprise will be here soon."

"How will they even know where to look?"

"I haven't figured that part out yet..."

"Well what are we going to do until then?"

"Survive."