Chapter 1

The planet was called Babylon II and Doctor McCoy could see and feel why for it was hot and everything from tribbles to live male and female slaves could be bought and sold here. It was a decadent world that belonged neither to the Federation, Romulans, or the Klingons and as a result anything went.

"It's hot," McCoy grumbled, "hotter than Vulcan."

"Actually, Doctor, it is five degrees cooler than Vulcan," Spock replied with an irritating calm.

"Well, I don't care how much cooler that Vulcan it is. It's still hot." McCoy emphasized the word "hot" as he glared at Spock.

Spock arched an eyebrow. "If I recall correctly it was your idea to come here in the first place."

"Damn it, Spock, I know it was my idea to come here. I thought we could find an unusual birthday present for Jim. This place has everything," Spock said as he gestured to the market place around him.

Spock flared a nostril as offensive odors rose from the streets, intensified by the heat. "Yes, Doctor, this place indeed has everything."

McCoy paused to wipe a trickle of sweat from his forehead. "Look," he said as he pointed to a small shop. A sign stood out in front and it read" Ancient Weapons in Federation Standard, Klingonese and Romulan. McCoy smiled. "Now that's the place to find Jim's present." McCoy said triumphantly as he rocked back and forth on his heels in excitement, for he and Spock had an unspoken competition every year to see which of them procured the best present for Jim's birthday.

Spock looked slightly bored, betraying none of the anticipation he felt in regards to the purchase of Jim's gift. "Fine, Doctor, I will wait for you outside."

McCoy shrugged, "Fine, suit yourself, Spock."

Spock looked around him with distaste. This place was adequately named, for in Spock's eyes it was immoral. A woman danced in sensual circles as several Federation soldiers cheered her on. A small man with beady eyes was attempting to interest a Klingon soldier in buying a genuine human skull, when suddenly an eerie bagpipe noise filled the streets and everyone hushed to a silence filled with anticipation. The crowd turned as one to face a platform where a fat, burly man stood.

"Welcome to the female slave auction. We have humans and orions today, ladies and gentlemen. Let the bargaining begin." The crowd cheered as the man led a voluptuous woman to the stage. Spock turned away, grieved that he could do nothing to stop the peddling of flesh, for Babylon II was neutral territory; it was no man's land and the Federation had no power to stop the slave trade here. Spock sighed and walked towards a book seller's shop he had noticed earlier. After browsing through a few volumes, Spock picked out one for Jim and then headed back towards the weapon shop, hoping the slave auction was over.

As Spock neared the weapons shop, he glanced over at the platform and to his dismay, the slave auction was not over. A tall slender woman with reddish, brown hair stood on the platform and as her dark, blue eyes searched the crowd, she fixed her gaze on Spock.

"Help me," she cried telepathically.

Spock gasped, for it was the Vulcan cry of deep distress, a secret only known to Vulcans. A secret so deep that Spock had never even discussed it with Jim. "1000 credits?" The burly man howled. "Is that all? I thought you were a lively crowd?"

"2000 credits," a drunken Klingon bellowed.

A calm voice rang out above the crowd, "5000 credits."

The crowd fell silent as the man yelled, "5000 credits going once, twice, sold to the Vulcan."

Spock walked up to the platform as the man clipped a gold cuff on Spock's wrist. "Live long and prosper, Muriah," the man jeered as he slapped her on the backside. Muriah lost her balance and tumbled into Spock. The crowd could contain themselves no longer, "Kiss, Kiss Vulcan, but make sure you don't smile. What's he going to do with her? Whatever he has in mind she is going to be disappointed." The crowd yelled and cat called as Spock and his slave walked with dignity out of the crowd.

McCoy felt pleased for he knew Jim would love the old revolver. "Where is Spock?" McCoy thought, anxious to rub his purchase in Spock's face. Finally McCoy spotted Spock threading his way out of the crowd with a young woman manacled to his wrist, as they approached him McCoy frowned, "Who's the young lady, Spock?"

Muriah smiled at McCoy and bowed, "I am Muriah and I am Spock's."

McCoy flushed angrily, "Well, that tears it; you've outdone my present for Jim again."

Spock's eyes darkened with annoyance. "Doctor, she is not for Jim."

McCoy laughed. "Well, what are you going to do with her, Spock?"

Spock locked eyes with McCoy, "It cannot be discussed here, Doctor."

McCoy felt a sickening feeling in the pit of his stomach as they walked along, each immersed in their own thoughts. McCoy sighed for Spock looked more serious than usual and he had a hunch that Spock was about to get them embroiled in something terrible. The sound of laughter brought McCoy back to the present, as a pair of drunken Klingons approached them. He took in their surroundings and grimaced for they were in a dark narrow alley with no escape. Ragged, cloaked figures scuttled out of the way as they sized up the situation and like vultures they waited for the kill. McCoy felt his stomach lurch again, for whatever Spock had gotten them into had already started.

"Spock," McCoy rasped, "What are we going to do?"

Spock breathed deeply. "We are going to remain calm, Doctor."

The Klingons laughed and swaggered over to Spock. "Vulcan, what are you going to do with your pretty slave girl?"

Spock remained silent and then suddenly one of the Klingons reached out and grabbed the chain that bound Spock and Muriah and as he jerked on the chain he threw Spock and Muriah off balance. Before Spock could react one of the Klingons savagely kicked him in the jaw, rendering him unconscious, they then rounded on McCoy and threw him down the alley like a rag doll.

The taller of the two Klingons laughed, "Take care, human, we Klingons take what we want." He growled. He laughed again as he pulled Muriah's chain lose from Spock's wrist; however the laughter quickly subsided when he saw the look on Muriah's face.

Muriah's eyes were filled with a deadly calm as she smiled and said, "Prepare to die, Klingon." Before the Klingon could growl Muriah pulled a knife from the folds of her robe and in a quick metallic flash she sliced open the Klingon's torso. He took a few steps forward, and then fell, as his dark blood flowed in rivulets along the gutter. Taking one look at his fallen comrade, the other Klingon fled, for even though he could have killed her, it hardly seemed worth the effort.

Muriah turned to where McCoy was helping to stand. She wiped off the blade of her dagger on her clothing and walked over to where Spock stood. "Master, I am sorry that I had to kill the Klingon, for I know how much Vulcans abhor violence."

Spock arched a puzzled eyebrow, "I fail to see why you did not let the Klingon kill me and escape."

Muriah paused, "I don't know why either."

Spock nodded, "It appears that we both answers."

McCoy jostled his weight from one foot to the other. "Would you two stop gabbing? We've got to get out of here before that Klingon brings more friends."

Spock arched an eyebrow, "Very well, Doctor. I will beam up first, and then I will cross circuit the transporter beam, so that you and Muriah will beam directly to my quarters."

McCoy frowned, "I don't like it, Spock. You've just been kicked in the jaw and knocked unconscious. How do you know that you won't jumble our molecules like scrambled eggs?"

Spock sighed and looked at McCoy long-sufferingly, "You are free to remain here, Doctor."

McCoy looked behind him into the murky shadows, "Don't be such a smart-ass, Spock, let's get out of here."

Spock nodded as if humoring a small child, "That is what I had in mind, Doctor."

McCoy clamped his mouth shut as Spock disappeared in a halo of shimmering light, as the whine of the transporter beam soon grew faint and then disappeared altogether. Muriah and McCoy huddled closer together as the cloaked figures once again appeared to scavenge over the body of the dead Klingon.

Suddenly, Muriah grabbed McCoy's arm, "They're coming," she hissed.

"I don't hear anything," McCoy snapped back.

A few moments later a hoard of angry Klingons swarmed into view and they wanted revenge. The Klingon in front pulled a disruptor from his belt and aimed it at McCoy. McCoy squeezed his eyes shut, waiting for the fiery blast to consume his flesh and then a tingling sensation numbed his body blocking out all else.

"You can open your eyes, Doctor. I think we are safe," Muriah whispered.

McCoy opened his eyes in relief for they were in Spock's quarters. Muriah walked around the room, surveying it contents. A few moments later Spock walked in and McCoy rounded on him immediately, "Spock, what took you so long?"

McCoy bit back his retort as Spock actually sighed aloud, "Doctor, I have no time to discuss the intricate details of cross-circuiting. You need to do a medical examination of Muriah at once."

McCoy's expression sobered, "Alright, Spock, I'll do it now."