The Art Of Desire.
Chapter 2: Crashes and Battles.
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A/N: Lycaon. Pronounced; Lay-kay-un. or L-ai-k-ai-u-n.
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"Captain! We're losing power!" Scotty yelled over the ships intercom.
"How long can you hold it Scotty!" Kirk yelled back, over the sudden blare of the warning sirens.
"Not fer very much longer Captain! We're losin' speed fast! I can't hold 'er!'
Sulu cried out from the helm controls; "We're losing height, Sir! The controls are not responding!"
"Try to hold her steady, Mr. Sulu! How close are we to the nearest planet!"
"We're within orbiting range now, Sir."
"Good, try to bring her down slowly on the planet's surface..." He pressed the intercom button to Spock's quarters. "Mr. Spock!"
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The intercom buzzed on the wall, and Spock rolled over, confused, as the Captains urgent voice came through.
"Mr. Spock! Spock, are you there! Bridge to Mr. Spock! Come in, Spock!"
The Vulcan glanced at Lillian, briefly, then left the bed, and replied; "Yes, Captain?"
"Spock! We have a problem! The ship's losing power and we can't hold her! We're setting down on the nearest planet surface, and it's going to be bumpy... Do you think you are capable of returning to the bridge?"
"Yes, Captain. I will be there momentarily." Spock answered, throwing a worried glance at Lillian, before donning his uniform, and kissing her briefly, before heading to the bridge.
"Captain."
"Mr. Spock, I need a scan of the planet's surface! What's down there!"
Spock took up his instruments, and reported; "Oxygen, Nitrogen atmosphere, Captain, sufficient to sustain human life. Surface temperature, thirty-five degrees Celsius. I also have many life-form readings. Carbon based, vaguely humanoid, with animal qualities. Hybrids, I believe."
The Captain nodded. "Thank you, Mr. Spock. Guide us down, Mr. Sulu."
"Ay, Sir!"
The Enterprise fell slowly towards the planet's surface, hitting the atmosphere with a jolt, gathering speed as she fell, and Sulu guided the large ship toward an open plain, bringing her down into a rough slide.
Lillian stumbled onto the bridge as the ship jolted to a sudden stop, and everyone righted themselves, hurriedly.
"Okay, Mr. Spock, Lillian, Dr McCoy, come with me. We're going to examine the planet's surface." He radioed engineering. "Scotty! Try to get this ship up and running as fast as possible, we don't have much time! Lieutenant Uhura, damage report to Mr. Scott, all stations, on the double!"
"Ay ay Sir."
"Right." He looked at Spock, Lillian and McCoy. "Come with me."
They disembarked the ship and looked around. They had landed in a wide, dusty valley, surrounded by rocky mountains and Spock could pick out what looked to be caves, set in the lower slopes. "Captain, I believe these are cave dwellers." He pointed out the few caves he could see and ran a check with his trichorder. "Captain, I believe we have company. They have us surrounded."
Kirk nodded and as he did so, a large, hairy figure stepped out from behind the rocks. It was eight feet tall, broad and muscled, with a distinctively canine muzzle and a long bushy tail and it was covered with a layer of thick, grey-black fur. A strip of cloth was slung over its shoulder, sheathing a long sword at the creatures back and a small, dagger-like knife at its belt. It also wore a thick, gold collar around its neck. It sniffed the air and growled, as it approached and Spock reached for his phaser.
"No, Spock. Wait..."
The Vulcan stilled his hand and moved to stand closely beside Lillian, as the creature spoke loudly and clearly; "Humans! You trespass on our lands! What is your purpose here! I am Lycaon, Alpha of the Wolf-Folk packs! State your names and purpose!"
Kirk stepped forward and said clearly; "I am Captain James T. Kirk of the Starship Enterprise. This is my first officer, Mr. Spock, assistant science officer, Miss Lillian Rose and our chief medical officer, Dr. Leonard McCoy. Our ship has crash landed here, we are very sorry for any trespassing we may be doing; we seek only to repair our ship and then we will be on our way as quickly as possible, Alpha Lycaon."
The wolf-man sniffed cautiously and his bright yellow eyes fell on Lillian, and he growled, lightly, stepping up to her and placing a large fore claw under her chin, gazing at her appreciatively for a moment, before saying; "We will not harm you and will allow you due leave, however - this one stays with me."
"What! You can't...!" Kirk began, but Spock held up his hand, interrupting him. "I am afraid that is not possible, Alpha Lycaon, for she is already claimed for."
The giant wolf-man chuckled softly, in the back of his throat and asked; "Is she really now? By whom? You?"
Spock nodded. "That is correct."
"Would you fight for the right to claim her?"
"I would, and most fiercely so."
The wolf-man gave him what passed for a grin. "Because I like you, I won't make this a fight to the death, but if I win, you, also, will remain here, as will the rest of your crew."
Kirk made to protest again, but Spock cut across him once more. "I agree, however – if you win, I do believe I have the right of further challenge, should I wish it?"
"You do, yes. That is, if you are in any fit state to re-challenge me after I win."
Spock nodded. "The rules of engagement?"
"One sword and one dagger. And yourself, of course."
Spock nodded again and Kirk wondered what the hell the damn Vulcan was doing! Then he remembered his last trip to Vulcan, seven years ago, at the time of Spocks last Pon Farr. The Vulcans fighting blood was raging and no amount of logic or reason would stop him from fighting for his mate. Even if it were at the risk of the entire crew!
Spock stood for a moment, hands steepled in front of him, eyes closed. He was perfectly still and silent, and Kirk knew what was happening; the Vulcan was preparing himself for the fight, his blood boiling, his ancient instincts ruling him.
Lycaon called forward another wolf-man, who gave him his sword and dagger, which Lycaon threw to Spock. The Vulcan caught them deftly, his eyes still closed and removed his phaser, replacing it with the small dagger, the long sword gripped and held ready in his hands.
Lycaon un-sheathed his own sword and approached, holding it point up, in salute. Spock mimicked the action, then both stood at the ready. More wolf-folk had now emerged from the rocks and caves to watch the battle and they were conversing in low grunts and quiet growls and barks.
Spock could feel the fighting blood coursing through him, and all thought besides the battle was driven from his mind. He leapt suddenly, surprising the wolf-man and the spectators with his bold aggression. The swords rang and clashed with ear-splitting clangs and connected with a bone-shattering force. Even when he had been forced to fight his Captain on Vulcan, Spock had never displayed his full strength and Kirk and Lillian watched, amazed and horrified as the Vulcans blows were slowly forcing the wolf-man back.
Lycaon had been surprised by the ferocity of his attack, but he was regaining himself now. The blows they struck were filled with such force that Kirk was sure they could have almost rent apart the very rocks surrounding them.
Spock continued his assault, relentlessly, mind filled with thoughts of blood and victory. He had to win his mate, had to claim her, keep her; she was his Damnit! The Vulcans shrill battle-cry went up, as he struck at the wolf-mans throat and his cry was joined by Lycaons own loud, powerful howl.
Their swords met with a tremendous crash! And both were forced to drop their weapons. Spock didn't wait to recover, but instead launched himself at Lycaon, with a hoarse cry. They hit the ground and rolled, striking viciously at each other with fists and claws, and Spock avoided the wolf-mans sharp teeth as he snapped at him. Neither thought to reach for their daggers and Lillian let out a scream as Spock cried out, green blood staining the dirt, his clothes and the wolf-mans fur.
The amount of blood told her it was a deep wound, but the Vulcan ignored the seriousness of his injury and instead locked his hands around Lycaons throat, throwing him onto his back and attempting to throttle him.
Just when it was starting to look like Spock might actually beat him, Lycaon suddenly snarled, loudly and slammed Spock on his back, fangs at his throat, growling with menace. He closed his jaws just hard enough to puncture the skin and held on, growling.
Spock let out a shrill and enraged scream of defeat, then lay perfectly still as the wolf-man finally released him and stood back, growling in triumph, letting lose a loud howl of victory.
"No!" Kirk yelled, running to Spock's side. Lillian was already there and she gave a tortured cry as she saw the severity of the wound. McCoy bent over him with his trichorder and did a fast scan. Worry etched his face.
"He's losing blood fast, Jim! We have to get him back to the ship now, or he'll die!"
The set of huge claw marks had cleaved open his side, barely missing his heart. Lycaon called to one of the by-standers and said to Kirk; "I agreed that it would not be a fight to the death. I will have him taken care of in the main den."
Kirk nodded, helplessly and the wolf-man put his claw round Lillian's arm, leading her with him. She was silent, but Kirk could see the utter despair and hopeless grief on her face as she was led away, Spock in the arms of the second wolf-man. She would not allow herself to cry...
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A/N: lol. Finally finished the next chapter! Lol. Yay! For anyone interested the name "Lycaon" is a Latin form of Greek, meaning Wolf. It was also the name of an early king of Arkadia. Also, I'm working on the common theory that the original werewolf myths were possibly started from the werewolfs being aliens that somehow came to Earth way back before anyone even knew anything about other planets. lol.