Shot in the Dark: Chapter Two

One Week Later

"What's the situation on Xentia? Any anomalous readings or signals from Ka'al?"

Jim Kirk shook his head at the image of Admiral Pike on his holo screen. "No, Sir. Although we've scanned enough to make up-to-date maps for our battle plan, we haven't been able to get word from the surface. Either he's shielding everything—or he's banned all forms of electronic communication for the public. Mak'ai seems to think that it's the latter."

"Based on what?"

"From what she knows of Ka'al, she believes that one of his first steps to domination would have been to render the people submissive. She's pretty sure he'll stop all technology from being used, take away their rights, and impose curfews. She…" Kirk hesitated, exhaling deeply. His voice quieted. "…she thinks he'll start public executions soon, if he hasn't already. Anyone who denies his right to govern—or who he sees as a threat."

"Does she have any ideas about who would be considered threatening?"

"Scientists, teachers, doctors. Anyone who has an education, basically." Kirk drank his coffee. "The majority of the population is highly educated. That means everyone is at risk. And Ka'al isn't one to mess around. He won't hesitate to make examples of people."

Pike sighed on the screen. "Well then, I guess it's time we moved on the planet. We can't risk innocents any more than we need to. Have you and your team decided on a plan of attack?"

"Yes, Sir. Mak'ai has a close friend on the surface who she feels would more than likely be a member of any resistance group that has cropped up. Possibly even a leader. She's confident that this friend can be located and will offer assistance."

Pike shook his head slightly. "You'll have to understand why I'm leery of putting our faith in an unknown source. It's not that I don't trust Mak'ai—after all, she's proved herself to be a friend of the Federation—but how do we know we can depend on a group that may not even be large enough to help? I'm concerned that you'd be running into a situation with others that will not be as well prepared as your team."

"That's just a risk we have to be willing to take. The majority of Xentians may be more educationally minded than Ka'al, but they aren't weak. Mak'ai proved that to us on more than one occasion. They'll be ready to fight, you can count on it."

"Make sure you bring enough firepower with you to defend yourselves and any innocents. I'm prepared to…look the other way when it comes to technology sharing on this one."

"Breaking rules now, Admiral? Very rebellious."

Pike snorted. "Don't get cheeky, Kirk. I know that the Prime Directive is important, but this tyrant and his monsters almost killed you…and will kill innocent Xentians if they're not stopped. Had you not been injured, we wouldn't have any reason to interfere. But, since you decided to get yourself shot to high heaven last time and we lost a shuttle in the process, it looks like we have the right to go back and make Ka'al pay for his crimes against the Federation. Just happening to save the people of Xentia in the process helps both sides."

"I couldn't agree more."

"Has your Chief Engineer solved your issues regarding the magnetic interference on the planet?"

"Yes, Sir. Scotty tweaked the communicators to be able to send a stronger signal. Unfortunately though…" Pike scowled on the screen. "…we still can't buff the transporters enough to beam through the interference. We're still going to have to land pretty far away from the city. At least it gives us the advantage of surprise."

"And the disadvantage of not having the luxury of a hasty getaway. I'm not sure I feel comfortable sending you down there without an escape route close at hand."

Kirk sighed. "Sir, with all due respect, this is our only chance. We can't let a little magnetic interference get in our way. We have a way down to the planet, albeit not most preferable, and we'll just have to hoof it back to the extraction site. Ka'al will be in custody by that time, and I'm confident that we won't meet any resistance in leaving."

"Alright, James. If you think your team is ready and Mak'ai will be able to find her friend, then you've got your permission to go planet side. I want it noted that I'm still not one-hundred percent in agreement with your transporter situation. Have Mister Scott working up until the last possible minute on a solution."

Kirk offered a small smile. "Thank you, Sir. I'm confident that we can take care of this matter quickly—and quietly. With luck, we'll be headed back to Earth in less than ten days, with Ka'al in custody."

"Remember, this mission is under the radar. Make sure your crew understands that. And Jim?" Kirk silently raised his eyebrows. "Be careful. I'd like it if you'd return to your ship in better condition this time. Preferably not bleeding out on the transporter pad." Pike smiled warmly. "Good luck, Captain. I'm counting on you to take care of this madman—and not get yourself killed in the process. Report back to me as soon as you have the bastard."

"Yes, Sir."

Pike's image blinked out of existence, replaced by the Federation insignia. Kirk turned in his chair and stared out at the black. He watched the stars and planets in the distance in silence for a long moment.

Are you sure you're ready to go down there again?

Ka'al won't show any mercy.

Don't fuck this up.

Bones will kill you if you get hurt again.

…everything's going to be okay…

XxX XxX XxX XxX XxX

"Everyone sit down so we can start."

Spock, McCoy, Chekov, Mak'ai and the three chosen security officers took their seats in the Enterprise's conference room. All eyes were glued on their young Captain settling himself at the head of the table.

"Now, before we get down to business, I just want to remind everyone in this room that this mission is high-priority. Admiral Pike has given the orders himself." Kirk eyed every member of the landing party. "That being said, this assignment is also classified. Only a few select officers of the bridge crew will have knowledge of the mission aside from us, and they've already been made aware of the logistics. Nothing that is said in this room is to leave this room, understood? "

The landing party members all uttered a unison, "Yes, Sir."

"The rest of the crew only knows the bare basics of why we're back here. As far as they're concerned, we've come back to apprehend Ka'al for his crimes against the Federation, not to assist in a resistance movement. As we're all aware, that would violate the Prime Directive."

Kirk shifted in his seat. "Admiral Pike has given us permission to join up with and help any resistance groups for multiple reasons. Our official goal is to apprehend Ka'al and bring him to trial on Earth." He exhaled deeply and licked his lips. "Helping the resistance movement is kind of like an unofficial 'thank you' from Starfleet to the people of Xentia for saving the lives of me, Mister Spock and Doctor McCoy."

McCoy visibly stiffened when Kirk mentioned the previous occurrences on the planet. Jim offered a quick and almost unnoticeable nod and reassuring smile in his direction before continuing.

"While we undertake both missions, there is a chance that Ka'al will be killed in the process. Obviously, we want to take him into custody at all costs, but if he should die, we 'need an out', so to speak. It would look very bad upon Starfleet if it looked like we assassinated a government head, especially one that is on a planet that technically isn't a member of the Federation. Even if he's a false leader, we need to cover ourselves. That's where Mak'ai and her resistance friends come in. If Ka'al should happen to bite the dust, Mak'ai has assured us that the resistance groups would be more than happy to assume responsibility for removing him from power—permanently." Kirk's smile was a tiny bit mischievious.

"So, if anyone has any objections to participating in this mission based on its covert parameters, please speak now and I'll remove you from the team, no questions asked. I don't want any of you to feel as if you are being forced to go along with these somewhat surreptitious plans." He glanced around the table, eyes lingering longer on McCoy. The doctor scowled and slowly lowered his eyes to the screen in front of him.

The crew was silent for a moment before a voice laden with a heavy Russian accent spoke up. "Keptin, I don't vant to speak for anyone else…" Chekov looked around at his shipmates. "…but zat bastard almost killed you. He needs to be dealt vith, by any means necessary. And I for one am glad zat you chose me to help."

Kirk smiled at his young Navigator. "Thank you for your honesty, Mister Chekov. I feel the same." The Captain looked around the table. "Anyone else want to say something?" He glanced at McCoy, and his gaze met pursed lips and furrowed brows. No one at the conference table uttered a word.

"Okay then." He tapped a few commands into the keypad recessed into the tabletop and a map of Xentia's surface appeared on all the screens in front of them. "This is a composite map of Xentia that we've been able to manufacture from various scans. We've superimposed current buildings and features onto the existing map we had in the computer."

Mak'ai sighed, and spoke quietly under her breath. "So much has changed…"

Kirk offered her a sympathetic glance. "I know it might be hard to look at, but we're really going to need your guidance if we want to take Ka'al out."

"I understand, Captain. It's just very difficult to look at these images and see ruins of grand buildings that were standing just over a month ago." She tapped her claw over a region on the map that showed a pile of rubble. The action caused all the screens to snap to the same location. "This used to be the Music Conservatory. I learned to sing there when I was a child. And now it's been decimated."

"That is the precise reason why we need to act quickly. Removing Ka'al from authority is the only way to ensure that your people and your culture will survive." Spock spoke stoically at Kirk's side.

"And that's why we're going down there tomorrow. We're not going to let him destroy anything else." Kirk offered a warm smile in Mak'ai's direction. "So let's get down to business so we can drag him back to the ship in chains before the week is out."

Mak'ai nodded and stared back at her screen.

"Mister Spock, would you care to fill us in on the basics?"

"Of course, Captain." The First Officer tapped a few commands into his PADD and the maps on the holo screens began to move. "As you can see, capitol city sits in a valley, flanked on all sides by rolling hills and dense forest. Our landing site is located on the western side of the largest hill, approximately two-point-three miles from the city gates."

A gruff voice came from the end of the table. "Why the hell are we beaming down so far away?"

"If we were to land closer to the city, we run the risk of being seen. We will need to make camp for several days to observe, and our presence would no doubt be brought to Ka'al's attention should we remain any closer to the city. We are more than able to make the trek towards the capitol on foot."

McCoy muttered under his breath. "Dammit, I'm a doctor, not a mountain man."

"I'm sure you'll do just fine, Doctor. We all need to be on the same page here, even when it comes to something as simple as base camp." Kirk shot him a look of 'we'll talk about this later…in private.'

Spock continued. "After monitoring Ka'al from a distance along with Mak'ai's promised assistance of locating her friend, we will form our plan of attack and move on the capitol." He moved the map to hover over the central square. "The city is made up of multiple large buildings, several of which have been destroyed. The capitol building proper has remained un-damaged, and we believe this is where Ka'al has taken up residence."

"Thank you, Mister Spock. Now, even though we haven't formally met with any resistance members yet, we've already come up with a makeshift plan on how might take Ka'al down. Once we team up with Mak'ai's friend, our main goal is to get into the city undetected." Kirk changed the view on the map, zeroing in on the western side of the city. It was a small residential neighborhood. "Our friend here feels that this is the best place to make our entry. Why don't you tell us, Mak'ai."

"Certainly, Captain." Mak'ai zoomed in on the edge of the forest flush with the city limits. "It is in our best interest to enter the city as far away from Ka'al as possible. This area here has always been…forgotten. The houses are very old; most of the residents have been there for generations. It is one of the poorer neighborhoods in the capitol. Ka'al and his cronies will more than likely stay away from the area. There's nothing of value there, and the people live quietly. And it also happens to be where my friend lives. If the resistance movement is thriving underground, it'll be there."

One of the security officers voiced his concern. "With all due respect, Captain, Miss, what if the resistance doesn't exist? Or this friend of hers isn't willing to help?"

Kirk turned his chair to face the young officer. "That's a fair point, Lieutenant Wilcox. I know that it seems like we're putting an awful lot of faith in a group that may not even exist. But we have to be prepared. Mak'ai feels that there is a very good chance that at least one rebel faction has been created. The likelihood of us finding one and allying with them is high. Whether or not her friend is participating, well…that's just one we'll have to leave to fate."

Wilcox sighed with a scowl. "I just feel like we're going into this blind. Forgive me if I seem unwilling to listen, Sir, it's not my intention. As a security officer, it's my job to have plans for every instance we might encounter. It bothers me that we don't know for sure if this friend even exists."

Kirk's attention turned to their alien friend, who looked at him with pleading eyes. "Is there something you'd like to add, Mak'ai?"

"I don't blame you for not wanting to trust me fully, Lieutenant. Ka'al has given our people bad name. But you must believe me when I say that I would bet my life that my friend has formed a resistance party…or at least is part of one." She sighed, her expression solemn and her shoulders sagging. "My government leaders may not have seen Ka'al's actions coming, but members of everyday society did. These groups have been in existence since Ka'al came on the scene. Even back then, they knew that he was up to no good. They weren't given an opportunity to voice their opinions before, and it cost our people dearly. I pray that they have already begun fighting for our freedom."

Kirk eyed the Lieutenant. "Is there anything more you wanted to add Wilcox?"

"No, Sir. I understand where she's coming from now." He looked to Mak'ai with a sympathetic expression. "I apologize if I came off as brash. I just need to protect my Captain and the crew."

Mak'ai offered a warm smile. "No need to apologize. I know that trusting someone you barely know with the safety of a mission as large as this one can't be easy. I just hope that you can believe in me enough to realize that I want nothing more than for this to end quickly and without anyone being hurt. I know that freedom doesn't come without a price. I already feel terrible that Captain Kirk's blood has been shed for Xentia, and I pray that no more will spill—for either side. I have a horrible feeling that there has been too much bloodshed already."

"Me too, Mak'ai. That's why we need to figure out our plan of attack so we can get rid of Ka'al and give your people a fighting chance at freedom." Kirk smiled, his eyes crinkling at the sides. "So, as I was saying before the interruption, once we gain access to the city, our main goal will be to infiltrate the capitol building and apprehend Ka'al. Preferably undetected. Mak'ai tells us that there is a system of old, unused tunnels underneath the capitol square that we may be able to use to get into the building. Once we sneak in, we'll capture Ka'al and high tail it back to the extraction zone."

"Sounds too easy." McCoy grumbled from his end of the table, reclining back in his seat with his hands clasped tightly on his abdomen. "You really think Ka'al is just going to give up like that?" He snapped his fingers.

"I never said he was going to go quietly, Doctor. Or easily. But this is our best option right now. If the situation changes planet side, then we'll deal with it as the circumstances roll." He eyed the doctor quickly before moving on. "Now, Mister Chekov, you'll be in charge of making sure we don't get lost. Study those maps hard tonight; I want to make sure you know exactly where we're going. I'm sure Mak'ai would be happy to help."

"Aye, Keptin. I can do zat."

"Good. Alright, let's keep going." Kirk brought up a grainy photo of Ka'al. "This picture was provided by Mak'ai. The quality isn't the best, as it was taken from a distance on a mobile device, but it's the best we have. Doctor McCoy, would you and Mak'ai like to give us a run-down on Ka'al and the Xentians' the bio-luminescence?

McCoy sat forward in his chair and cracked his knuckles. A moment later he had enlarged the photo of the tyrant. "Well, the bastard's big. He towered over the other Xentians I saw in his general vicinity. Mak'ai, is he of abnormal height?"

"Yes. Most Xentians' height is relatively in line with that of humans. I remember hearing once that he suffered from a medical condition that caused him to grow out of control as a child. But, rumors spread quickly and it may have been propaganda."

McCoy continued. "So, we've got that to contend with. In looking at his muscle structure from this photo and remembering what I saw of him, he's very strong. I feel that if we are to take him without a fight, we're going to need to stun him. And since we don't have any data on Federation-issue weapons use on Xentians—and I would like to avoid stunning our wonderful friend here as a test—we're just going to have to hope that the damn things work. Otherwise, we're going to be in a lot of trouble."

"If I may add something, Doctor?" Mak'ai sat forward in her chair. "I mentioned to you before about beta-waves. I believe that they can be used to our advantage."

"How so?"

"While we all emit them, if we are exposed to high levels of beta waves, our internal 'wiring'—so to say—can become compromised. In my studies in medical school, we were always warned against coming in contact with anything that emits high levels." She paused for a long moment as she thought. "Is there any way you can calibrate your phasers to include a powerful beta burst in the shot? It should incapacitate him for quite a while, and allow you to take him into custody."

Kirk raised his eyebrows and looked to another security officer. "Lieutenant Xin? Is that something you think you'd be able to do?"

"Possibly?" The young woman furrowed her brows. "But it would take a lot of fine tuning, Sir. I'm not confident I have enough time to rig the phaser to provide a strong enough jolt."

"Do whatever you can do, and try to make sure all the weapons going down with us have the new capability. It'll have to be enough."

Xin nodded. "Yes, Sir. I'll get right on it."

"Mak'ai, would you mind filling us in on your bio-luminescence?" Kirk spun in his chair to face her again. "Just a brief overview of the colors should be good, so the security team and Mister Chekov know what to look for."

"Of course, Captain Kirk." Mak'ai smiled broadly, and began to glow a radiant green. "As you can see, I am glowing green. It is because I am happy. Our people have the ability to glow many different colors based on mood and environment. It's a reaction in the upper layer of our skin due to special cells that work in tandem with our brains. It isn't something we can control—or turn off. Usually, the glow is quite dull and sometimes non-existent to the untrained eye, but I assure you it is always there." She paused for a moment, and appeared to be deep in thought. Her expression softened, and her eyes took on a sad look. Within seconds, her skin began to radiate yellow. "As you can see, my color has shifted. I am sad. I purposely remembered my bother Amari, who was killed by Ka'al years back."

As she spoke of Ka'al, her hue changed once again, this time to a bright crimson. She clenched her jaw and stretched her clawed fingers out in a fierce motion. "And now I am angry. Angry at Ka'al for the atrocities he has befallen on my people and planet." She took a cleansing breath and her color returned to a pale green. "If you see people glowing orange, they are afraid. Blue light is the sign of compassion and sympathy. Learn these changes and keep them in your minds. They will save your life—and tell you who is friend of foe."

"Thank you, Mak'ai. Your help is priceless to us." Kirk then turned his attention to his First Officer. "Mister Spock, can you guess what the situation will be once we take Ka'al into custody?"

"Certainly, Captain. I would theorize that once Ka'al is removed from power, there would be some sort of uprising amongst his followers. However, in speaking with Mak'ai during the planning process, I am confident that any violence within those ranks will be quickly diminished and should die out swiftly. Without Ka'al to lead them, they will be lost, and will more than likely follow the new leaders—hopefully with a better outcome. There is the possibility that a fair amount of Ka'al soldiers will be imprisoned after the fall of their leader, and we must not rule out the probability that one of his underlings may want to take back control."

Kirk scowled slightly. "I know, Spock. But that's the least of our concerns right now. Mak'ai has told me that she feels there really isn't anyone in Ka'al's ranks that could rise to power. He made sure of that, right?"

Mak'ai nodded. "Ka'al would never be stupid enough to recruit someone who could overtake him. He only allowed followers into his ranks, no one with any aspirations was allowed."

Kirk looked back to Spock. "See? No worries."

McCoy snorted from the other end of the table, Spock raising an eyebrow at them both. "I am merely making sure that you are aware of all possible outcomes, Captain. It would be illogical to assume that the mission be without setbacks, as well as Xentia's recovery."

"Understood, Spock. Thank you." Kirk looked down at his screen. "Now that we've gone over the city basics, Xentian physiology and mission logistics, is there anything else anyone wants to add before we end this meeting?"

The officers were silent.

"Alright then. We transport down at oh-seven-thirty tomorrow morning. Meet in Transporter Room Three fifteen minutes prior. Supplies are being packed as we speak, and I expect all weapons and Med Kits to be ready and in working order. Pack your personal supplies accordingly for at least a six day stay." Kirk stood. "Let's make this fast, efficient and safe. Dismissed."

The crew gathered their PADDs and belongings and left, leaving Captain and CMO alone. As they approached one another and McCoy wrapped his arms around Kirk, the younger man could be heard whispering softly.

"It'll be okay, Bones. We're all going to be okay…"

XxX XxX XxX XxX XxX

"You wanna watch another one, Bones?" Jim stood in front of the holo-player, rifling through his collection of movie chips.

Leonard yawned and stretched his arms back. "Are you serious? How soon you forget that we both have to be up in less than six hours." He rose from the couch in Kirk's quarters and strode towards Jim. Taking the younger man into his arms, he held him there for a moment before speaking. "I better go; we both need to get some sleep."

Jim leaned back and pouted. "You're not staying here tonight?"

"You know what would start happenin' if I did. And we can't afford to be exhausted—either of us." He leaned in a kissed Kirk quickly on the forehead. "Now let go."

Kirk, ever disobedient, squeezed his arms tighter around Leonard. "Nope. You're staying. Captain's orders." Jim began walking backwards, pulling the pair towards the bedroom.

McCoy tried to plant his feet firmly. "C'mon, Jim. I'm tired and I don't want to deal with your shit tonight. Quit being a child and let me go."

Kirk pulled harder, his hands moving down from McCoy's back and into his belt loops, eliciting a low growl from the older man. "I promise we're just going to sleep. No hanky-panky—not that I wouldn't like a little pre-mission nookie." He nuzzled his chin into McCoy's neck.

"I hate you, you know." He allowed himself to be dragged into the bedroom.

After a several minutes, they were both dressed for sleep and nestled under the covers, the lights lowered to almost pitch-black. Jim's voice cut through the silence of the room.

"Bones?"

McCoy scooted closer to Jim, sliding his arm under the other man and pulling him close. He kept his eyes closed as he answered. "Yeah, kid?"

"Thanks for not getting all 'mother hen' on me in the meeting today."

"Hey, give me a little more credit, wouldja? I may have wanted to jump up and proclaim that we were heading back to Earth that instant, but I know when I need to be professional." He threaded his fingers through Jim's. "'Doesn't mean I still can't be scared outta my mind though. Ka'al is very dangerous, Jim. We think we know what he's capable of, but my gut tells me to expect surprises."

Kirk yawned and rolled over on his side to face McCoy. "I'm scared too, Bones. Believe it or not, I'm not super stoked about going back there. I mean, I almost died last time."

"Tell me something I don't know." McCoy shook his head and looked past Kirk into the dark room. He closed his eyes with a heavy sigh. "Promise me I won't have to take any bullets out of you this time, okay?"

Kirk smiled in the darkness and leaned in, cupping his hands around McCoy's face. "I promise." He kissed the older man tenderly. Jim released Leonard's cheeks and lay back onto his pillow. This time it was him that wrapped his strong arms around McCoy. "We'll be back on the ship before you know it, safe and sound."

Leonard pressed his ear to Jim's bare chest and listened to the steady beat of the heart contained within. He could feel his eyes closing. "I love you, dammit."