4 The Prison

by miss37

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.

4. Chapter 4

Scotty came onto the Bridge. "Mister Sulu, I heard from Doctor Marcus," he said. "She is on her way to Caleb IV."

"Caleb IV?" Sulu said.

"Well at least it's a Federation outpost, and it's close to the Klingon border…we can probably get weapons there, and maybe even the cloaking device we need for a shuttle."

"I still don't know how we're going to get in and get them out."

Scotty smiled. "She's also bringing someone else with her…a master escape artist."

"Who?"

"You'll see."

"I assume it's someone you know…or know of?"

"Absolutely. She would have brought Jayla but she's tied up at the academy. Trust me."

"I think we've all learned to trust each other, Mister Scott."

"Great, because I do not know his name."

Sulu scowled at that. "You don't know his name?"

"No, but I know of him, and Doctor Marcus knows him."

"Does he work for the Federation?"

"Absolutely."

"Good. At least we know he's not a criminal…don't we?"

"Of course. He's a saboteur, escape artist…whatever he needs to be."

"Sounds almost like a criminal, Mister Scott."

"The captain would like this guy."

"Oh."

Sulu hoped they were not about to get into worse trouble. He could not see another way to get their crew mates out of that prison. It would have to be some way of sneaking in and getting back out. He certainly did not want to start a war with the Klingons. They would have to keep them from knowing that they were part of the Federation. He thought he might just get himself into trouble this time, but he would not leave his captain because he would not leave them…even if it meant ending his own career.

Doctor Carol Marcus was on her way. She had been quite upset when she heard that Jim was a prisoner on Rura Penthe. She would do what she could to help get him out of there. Her passenger aboard the ship was a very secretive person, but he was known to those who needed a saboteur, or someone to get into a place that could not be gotten into. He had talents of all sorts. He was highly intelligent and was a lot like Jim Kirk…he just found a way.

"So what kind of weapons are you picking up?" her passenger asked.

"Whatever you think is needed," Doctor Marcus answered. "I'm just glad that we happened to be on the same planet when I received this distress call."

"You care a lot about this Jim Kirk, don't you?"

Carol did not like for people to ask her such questions. "He's a friend of mine," she said. "I was part of his crew for a short time."

"Hmmm, I think you were more than a member of his crew."

Carol looked at the man whom everyone deemed a genius. No one would think he was a genius just by looking at him. He certainly did not dress like a business man, nor like a Starfleet officer, although hidden under his jacket was his Starfleet badge. It was the only way she knew he was truly with Starfleet. He had long, blondish brown hair, and green eyes, and he had a very nonchalant way of conducting himself. It was almost annoying. "I didn't bring you with me to decipher my relationship with Captain Kirk," she said. "I brought you along to help us find a way to get him and the others out of this Klingon prison."

"Rura Penthe." The man shook his head and blew out a breath. "That's a big order. Not only do I have to figure out a way to get onto the planet, but I have to figure out a way to get past the Klingons and find your friends, and get back out with them. Suppose one or more of them are injured?"

"I'm sure you won't be going alone," Carol said. "If you're afraid…"

"Hey, I didn't say anything about being afraid."

"All I've heard of you is that you work alone. You can get into any place, and escape anything."

"Most of the time I can. I've never broken into Rura Penthe though."

"No one has. I suppose if you succeed, you'll be able to brag about it."

"As long as you keep my name to yourself."

"Don't worry. I didn't tell Mister Scott your name. I don't even know it."

"That's the way I keep being a secret weapon."

"That's fine with me as long as you get them out."

"I'll do my best. I always do."

Carol wondered if he was as arrogant as he sounded. He seemed to have plenty of confidence in his abilities. She thought he might have a reason to because she had heard that he was the absolute best…and she supposed even his abilities would be tested this time.

Bones was barely hitting the wall now. He did not feel like he had one ounce of strength left. He finally dropped the pick ax and looked at his gloved hands. He felt as though both his hands were covered with blisters and had most likely been popped and more formed. How long would he be here like this?

"Hey! Who told you to stop working?"

Bones looked to see a Klingon guard coming toward him. He backed up against the wall as the Klingon approached. "My hands," Bones said.

"I don't care about your hands! They'll toughen up! Now get to work…unless you want to face punishment."

Bones was sure he did not want to know what that was so he picked up the ax. He was not sure he could swing that ax again, but he supposed he had to.

Spock was in much the same shape with his hands. He could see others around him who were working. He supposed they had been here a long time and most likely had already been through what he was going through.

Jim felt miserable. Not only were his hands hurting and burning, but so was his rib. He looked to his left and the prisoner next to him was staring at him. "You best get back to work," he said. "Otherwise, you will have bigger problems than your hands. They must have expected trouble out of you for you to have a ball and chain. Who are you?"

"My name's Jim."

"Is that all?"

"How long have you been here?"

The man smiled sardonically. "I don't even know anymore," he said.

"What are you in here for?"

"Why does it matter to you?"

"Maybe you can help me escape."

The man stared at him a moment. "And why would I do that?"

"Because maybe you can escape too."

"No one escapes from this place. Many have tried, many have died, and others have lived to regret it."

"You could help me get this ball off my ankle."

The man stared at him a moment. "I'm Zander. I am here because I accidentally wandered into Klingon space when my ship propulsion systems went off line. I tried to explain to them, but there's no reasoning with the Klingons. I assume you are here for some other reason. I know a ship's captain when I see one."

"How do you know that?"

"Just by the way you act and the way you talk."

Zander turned back to his work, and then Jim realized a Klingon was coming that way. He began slugging at the wall again as well. The Klingon came over and stared at them. "I better hear less talk over here, and more work," he said.

Jim did not even look around at him. He just waited for him to leave. "You're right," he said. "I am a ship captain. They also have two of my crew here."

Zander shook his head. "You will probably never see them again," he said.

"Why?"

"Because they will make it their purpose to keep you away from them. They know how a ship's crew works…like a team, without even speaking."

"They're not only my crew, they're my friends."

"Did they capture your ship?"

"No. The rest of my crew will find us, and they will find a way to get us out of here."

Zander almost laughed. "It took me a long time to accept that I was never going to get out of here," he said. "They know how to break you."

"I won't be broken!" Jim said and slammed the ax point into the wall.

Zander thought Jim just might be one who would not give in to this place. Jim did not want to give in, but he would have to continue to work until an opportunity presented itself.

After what seemed like hours, a loud alarm sounded in the place. Jim wondered what that was for, but Zander dropped his ax. "At least they don't starve us to death," he said.

"We get to eat?" Jim asked.

"Sure. They know we can't work without food."

Jim dropped his ax and waited to see what would happen next. Soon, a Klingon guard came to get them. Jim had to carry the ball connected to his chain. He realized that no one else was wearing a ball and chain. They were taken up from the mine, and out into the rain. Jim thought everything was bad enough without being wet. It also made the ball slippery. The line did not move quickly either, so he was soaked by the time they got into the building they were headed for. He had to squint for a few moments as the lights there were brighter than everywhere else. He could smell something that smelled…good. He was not expecting that, but he was glad maybe they would get something decent to eat.

Jim rubbed his hair back from his face as he looked around the large room. He thought he might see Bones or Spock but unfortunately, he did not see them…at first. He saw them come into the place after he had been there a while. They spotted him right away. Jim was glad to see that they did not look like they had been beaten or anything.

Bones wondered what kind of food they would be eating. He was definitely hungry. Spock was quite hungry himself. "Well, at least we know Jim is still alive," Bones said.

"Yes," Spock replied. "I take it you have acquired some blisters."

"Don't ask."

"Mining is quite unpleasant. I would be hard pressed to understand why anyone would want to mine as a profession."

"People are just cut out for different work, Spock. Besides, I think most mining is done by machines these days. This place is a torture chamber."

Once they had their food, they found that they could sit where they liked. Spock and Bones sat down at the table with Jim. He looked at them. "Nice to see you guys," he said.

"It is good to see you as well, Jim," Spock replied.

"How are your blisters?" Bones asked.

"Terrible," Jim answered. "Why didn't they put a ball and chain on the two of you?"

"I don't know." Bones looked at his food. "Are you sure we should eat this?"

"It doesn't look too bad, Bones. I'm sure it's all we're going to get."

"It tastes quite good," Spock said.

"I wonder what the others are doing."

"I am certain there is no way to know that, Captain."

"They must know we're in here."

"You think they're going to try and get us out?" Bones asked.

"Don't you think they will?"

"It will be a very difficult task," Spock said. "This place is well-guarded, and if one tries to escape and fails, I would not want to know the consequences since our guards are Klingon."

"We're not going to try until we know we can get out," Jim said.

"Jim, I don't know how we can be certain of anything here," Bones said. "Except that we're going to be very sore in the morning. How do you even tell if it's morning or whatever around here?"

"It's a miserable place. The guy I work beside has been here so long, he doesn't know how long."

"I suppose one might lose track of time if one is in a routine and does not know when one day ends and another begins," Spock said.

Jim remembered saying something like that about being on the Enterprise for so long. He wished he was on the ship right now. He thought if he could get back on it, he would never be bored again, and might not even need a vacation.

They ate in silence a few minutes, just glad that they were together for a while, and knew the other was still okay. "We have to figure out their guard routine," Jim said quietly.

"Since our guards are Klingons, I do not believe they are going to be caught slacking," Spock said.

"I didn't say anything about slacking. They must have a routine."

"I am not certain."

"Even Klingons must like to have a little fun sometimes."

"I think fun to them is dominating someone else," Bones said.

Jim looked at Spock. "Even Vulcans have fun sometimes, right?" he asked.

"Of course, Captain."

"Well, isn't it logical that Klingons would have some sort of fun too? Even if it's fighting."

Spock considered that a moment. "Are you suggesting that we engage the Klingons in…combat?"

"Not exactly, Spock, but don't you think they would like a challenge?"

"Captain, we have only been here for part of this day. I believe it would be wise to take more time to assess the situation."

"You might be right." Jim was silent a moment. "You guys are like my brothers. I'm gonna get you out of here."

"We'll get out together," Bones said. He chuckled slightly. "Brothers. We must look like three of the oddest brothers there ever were."

"Hey, we fight with each other, and we defend each other, tolerate each other. Isn't that like brothers?"

"I have never had a brother," Spock said. "But I assume that the two of you would be the closest thing I have to such."

"I had one. Believe me, we fought."

"Yeah," Bones said. "You know my brother."

They were silent as they ate a few more minutes, and then one of the Klingon guards came after Jim. He looked at Spock and Bones. "Good luck," he said.

"Behave yourself," Bones replied.

Jim stood up and then picked up his restraint. He was taken back to his designated wall. He dropped the ball and it clanged on the rock floor. The Klingon glared at him as Jim looked at him defiantly. "Get to work," he said.

"Maybe I don't want to," Jim replied.

The Klingon stepped closer to him. "Never mind," Jim said. "You don't have to be so touchy." He picked up the pick ax and started working, although his hands were sorer than they were before. He was sure they could provoke a Klingon into a fight. Then again, he might simply kill him and put someone else in his place.

Bones hated being wet, but he supposed there was no way to avoid it when one was living on this world. He wondered where all that water went…or maybe it was just a constant evaporation and rain. He had been on some miserable worlds, but this one took the prize. It was worse than a desert planet. At least on one of those, one could stay dry.

Zander soon arrived back at his place beside Jim. "Well, I suppose you know they aren't going to starve us to death," Zander said. "Only work us to death."

"Work never killed anyone, I don't think," Jim replied.

"Only makes you stronger? Some around here should be very strong by now then."

"What do the Klingons do for amusement?"

Zander smiled. "You already know, I think."

"Fights?"

"You would not want to be in one of these fights."

"I've fought with Klingons before."

"And you're still alive?"

Jim frowned. "Well, that's a long story." He could clearly remember that Klingon slamming his head into the ground and then that heavy foot on his neck. He had been only one trigger pull from being headless. "I wasn't alone."

"Ah. You might not be so lucky in one of these fights. They pit two prisoners against each other, and the winner fights a Klingon guard. There are no laws here except the ones they make."

"I suppose there are no rules to the fight either?"

"None."

"What would they do if one of us beat them?"

Zander stopped and looked at Jim. "No one ever has."

Jim shrugged slightly. "There's a first time for everything." He paused a moment. "What do they do with dead bodies?"

"I wouldn't know. What have you got going in that mind?"

Jim did not answer that question. He just went back to working. He could not know what his crew was planning, but he sure wanted to be ready to act when they put their plan in action.