A/N: Well, it looks like this is the last chapter! Read on and review please!
Because most of the chase was merely recovering lost ground, McCoy didn't have much to do at the scanning station. He familiarized himself with the switches, turning them on and off, and picked at his clothes. Captain Nordis had shown him with great gusto various clothes from fallen comrades and plundered places. So now he wore over his black undershirt a black vest that was reminiscent of the native outfits on Neural*, only made of leather instead of animal hide. Although, he reflected, his decision for the shirt was probably influenced by the searing heat of the pirate cot room.
Nordis also wanted him armed. McCoy stubbornly refused to carry an assortment of phasers and grenades, but did (if a bit reluctantly) accept a knife, remembering how useful one was with Harnes. And then there was also Nordis' unique (albeit morbid) nickname for him; Bloodstains.
So now he was sitting on the bridge of a pirate ship, in all black garb, with a knife strapped to one side and his medkit on the other. How in the blazes did this happen? He wondered. Oh, that's right; I'm going after Jim, Spock, and Scotty.
Sighing, he peered back into the scanner, muttering about eye strain and Vulcan suitability. The space ahead was clear- and then it wasn't.
"Whoa! There's a ship," he called.
The Warbird leapt on the viewscreen and they nearly ran into it. "She's dropped out of warp!" Nordis barked. "At least Romulans know when to turn and fight! Status!"
McCoy jumped and jerked back to the scanner. He frowned. "There doesn't seem to be any notable energy readings; just the general throughout the ship."
"What?" Nordis walked over and fiddled with the scanner. "No weapons, no shields," he murmured. "Hmm… This is either a trap or they're having engine failure."
McCoy eyed him. "Only one way to find out."
"Yes!" Nordis snapped around. "Romulans!" he shouted at the screen even though they couldn't hear him. The Bonnie Lass fired a torpedo at the ship (just to make sure). "Prepare to be boarded!"
McCoy got up and joined him leaving the bridge. "Where do you think you're going, Bloodstains?"
He glared at Nordis. "Look, mister, there are three of my friends on that ship, and you're a crazy-brained goon if you think I'm staying here."
After a moment Nordis laughed and clapped him on the back (as he was so fond of doing). "I do like you better than the Vulcan!" he exclaimed.
When they arrived in the transporter room pirates were already beaming over. The sight of all their weapons made McCoy uneasy, but he figured it was a practical precaution since they would be fighting Romulans. He and the captain took their positions and a moment later materialized into a war zone.
"Damn!" McCoy swore as he ducked a phaser shot. "Where are we?"
"On the main deck!" Nordis yelled, running ahead. "Attack!" he yowled.
McCoy cursed some more as phaser shots erupted around him. He retreated around the bend and gathered his bearings. He had no time to get caught up in a pirate/Romulan battle; he had to find the others. Now where was the brig?
Trying to call from memory when Jim was in a Romulan brig**, he trotted off. He turned a corner and ran smack into a Romulan squad.
"Blast."
McCoy furiously backpedaled as phasers discharged. One skinned his arm. He meshed himself into a crook in the walls and figured it won't be long now when Nordis, coming the other way, led a group of his men to meet the Romulans. Screaming incoherent war cries, he charged and the two groups clashed. "Told you you needed weapons!" Nordis crowed from the tumult, spotting McCoy. He handed the doctor a long-barreled phaser. McCoy made sure he set it to 'stun'.
As the war carried on around him, he made his way to the brig. It was empty. He ran up and down the long line of cells but didn't see anyone. He grinned. Of course they would've escaped; with the combined minds of Jim, Scotty and Spock, it was practically guaranteed they would escape. But where would they go?
Think! His brain commanded. The Warbird dropped out of warp. Their shields and weapons were inoperative, and didn't even come on automatically after they fired. They must have sabotaged Engineering.
"Hey!"
A Romulan, a young one it looked like, spotted him.
Screw it, this was war. McCoy pointed his phaser and fired. Stunned, the Romulan crumpled, hand still gripping the phaser he was reaching for. McCoy stepped around the body (making sure it was still breathing) and raced for Engineering.
Kirk recovered from whatever rocked the ship first. He avoided a few phaser bolts before realizing that the Romulans seemed distracted. A moment later and strangers started pouring into the room.
They carried an assortment of upgraded (and no doubt illegal) weapons and wielded them mercilessly. The fray quickly turned ugly, and Kirk realized that he no longer had a clear shot of the Romulans. His confusion only grew as some of the rogues fired at them. Were they rescuers or a common enemy?
"Captain, I believe the pirates I spoke of have arrived," Spock shouted over the din of battle. He was crouched down, trying to stay out of sight. Kirk realized that Spock was still wearing a Romulan uniform.
"Well, let's show them that we're not the enemy!" Kirk yelled back, ducking a stray bolt. He and Scotty surged into the battle, stunning Romulans. Because of the close proximity, many had resorted to weapons more suitable for hand to hand combat. There were knives, agonizers, nightsticks and fists. An elbow caught Kirk across his temple and he staggered, dizzy. A kick sent him to his knees and a flash of feet caught his eye. Twisting, he knocked the legs out from under his attacker. The Romulan fell, but caught his boot as he was trying to rise. They both went down again, and Kirk was on his back with his hands around the soldier's throat as the Romulan reached for his agonizer when he heard a familiar voice.
"God damn it, Jim!"
A phaser shot sang over his head and slammed into the Romulan. Kirk threw the limp body off of him and rolled onto his feet. McCoy was lowering his weapon and approaching him swiftly.
"I'm gone from Starfleet for two weeks, two weeks, and already things are falling apart!"
There was a cry and they turned. A pirate had shot Spock and he crumpled. McCoy swore and headed for the Vulcan. Kirk was still getting over his shock.
"Bones! What are you wearing?"
"I don't know!"
A phaser whistled by his ear and Kirk wrested his attention from the doctor. Scotty was grunting under two Romulans and Kirk rushed to assist him.
McCoy knelt at Spock's side and looked him over. Heavy stun. Well, it wasn't like they'd not encountered that before. He applied a hypo and decided to take up a position guarding the Vulcan.
"Attention, all Romulans!" Captain Nordis' voice crackled over the comm system. "We have seized the bridge and taken your commander prisoner! I suggest you surrender now, because you're only delaying the inevitable." Sure enough, as McCoy watched he notice that the pirates had been corralling the soldiers until there were more lying on the ground than standing.
"Sections, report!" Nordis barked.
The fighting continued, and when Engineering didn't call in Nordis showed up later himself with some reinforcements. The remaining Romulans were either killed or stunned.
"Throw them all in the brig!" Nordis crowed. "And then we shall gut this ship like a cat!"
The pirates cheered and began doing their jobs. Kirk and Scotty walked over to McCoy and Spock just as Nordis arrived to them as well.
"Why are you defending this Romulan?" he asked.
"It's not a Romulan," McCoy explained. He tugged off the helmut. "It's Spock."
The pirate captain frowned. "Ah. The Vulcan who liked malingering on my bridge. Pity." He looked at the other humans. "I take it these are your friends, Bloodstains?"
"Yes. May I introduce Captain James T. Kirk and Commander Montgomery Scott." Nordis did a double take as the names sank in. "Well, well, Bloodstains, you never told me you had such important friends." A glint appeared in his eyes.
"Don't even think about it," McCoy snorted. "I'm sure there's already a handsome enough reward for their safe return."
Nordis narrowed his eyes, then burst out laughing. "You have remarkable insight," he complemented.
"That's what makes Bones such a good doctor," Kirk said.
"To serve under a good captain!" Nordis chuckled. "I should enjoy some conversations with you. Now… Bones?"
Kirk laughed. "Long story." The two started walking away. "Now how did you come up with Bloodstains?"
McCoy sighed and bent down to pick up Spock. Scotty helped him. "Are you alright?" the doctor asked.
"Aye, a few bruises from the fracas we just had, but none worse for the wear." Scotty shook his head. "I didn't expect you to show up as a mercenary, though."
"Neither did I." They were almost to the Romulans' Sickbay when Spock twisted, coming to as the hypo coursed through him. "Jeez, Spock, hold still! Do you wanna land on your head?"
Spock opened his eyes and looked around. They set him down and he sat up. "What has occurred?" he asked.
"Your pirate friends have taken over the ship an' Captain Kirk and the other captain seem to be getting' along," Scotty supplied.
"In other words, we won," McCoy clarified.
Spock nodded. "I see." He stood up. "I am quite well, gentlemen," he said as they tried to steady him. "I shall locate my own clothes and rejoin you shortly."
McCoy raised an eyebrow. "Don't like wearing a Romulan uniform?"
"Doctor, 'like' has nothing to do with it. I merely do not wish to return to Federation space dressed as an enemy."
The doctor shrugged. "If you want, Captain Nordis can get you some new clothes; he'd be delighted," he drawled.
Spock looked over McCoy. "No," he said, almost hesitantly. "No, I shall do everything in power to locate my own apparel."
Scotty laughed and McCoy scowled as Spock moved off. "C'mon, Doctor," the engineer said heartily. "Let's go t'the bridge an' see what your pirate friends have in mind for us all."
00000
After picking the Warbird clean, Nordis moved everyone (including our intrepid four) back onto the Bonnie Lass and sent the Warbird home. When inquired as to why he didn't simply kill the Romulans, he replied "Death is too good for them. With Romulans, letting them live is the worse fate; because then they have to face the shame." So they made sure that damaged, stripped, defeated ship was limping home before turning around for Federation space.
Another thing had to be said of Captain Nordis. He knew how to throw a party. And apparently he threw one after every successful raid.
McCoy found himself batting streamers and smelling alcohol as he made his way onto the pirate bridge. Scotty was engrossed in conversation with the Bonnie Lass's engineer (after heavily praising the name of the ship), Kirk was still talking with Nordis (though they seemed to also be in a slight drinking competition) and Spock was standing on sidelines watching. McCoy joined him.
"What's the matter, Spock? Ever been to a celebration before?"
Spock didn't answer his question. "How is Harnes? I heard he was injured."
"Oh, he's resting well, and some of his buddies are bringing him cake. I told him no alcohol, so they decided to whip up the once-in-a-space-lifetime treat." McCoy smiled fondly. Being the doctor who had saved Harnes, the pirates had offered him a slice. It was delicious. "Still, I don't know why you're so down; we've got tons of things to celebrate."
"We do, Doctor?" Spock raised an eyebrow.
McCoy pointed. "We've got Jim and Scotty back. We're all alive. We're heading back for Federation space where the Hood is picking us up. The pirates befriended us instead of killing us. We survived Arcturus. Clay is dead. The Romulans failed in their attempt to gain classified information. Honestly, even you should be happy right now."
Again, Spock didn't answer him. McCoy scowled. Something had to get under that Vulcan hide and let him feel pleased. A light bulb turned on in his head. Yes, of course. Cake. If the cake didn't loosen him up McCoy figured he would go stir crazy.
Spock heard McCoy's muttered 'be right back.' He suppressed a sigh. For some reason the doctor seemed determined that he show his satisfaction. He just didn't realize that, watching Jim and Scott enjoy themselves, he was content enough.
Although, he had to admit, the cake McCoy gave him when he returned was delightful.
"So long, Kirk." Nordis shook hands with the Starfleet captain.
"Thank you for your assistance," Kirk said warmly. Nordis laughed.
"I would've kidnapped you myself, but Starfleet is already paying me well for returning you."
Indeed, right now the Bonnie Lass was drifting alongside the Hood as the latter ship waited for them to beam over. There had been some concern over violation of treaty whenever they crossed the Neutral Zone, but because the pirate ship was not part of the Federation any grounds for complaints dissolved. The pirate ship was also granted amnesty for its other crimes in light of the good deed, and credits were being transferred as the reward. Frankly, Nordis was elated.
Kirk took his position on the transporter pad with Spock and Scotty. McCoy entered a second later, carrying a small bundle. His old clothes. He had ditched the phaser and knife, but
otherwise still wore the black vest. As he also stood on the transporter he muttered something about washing.
Kirk smiled. Almost like old times. Well, for a couple seconds he could pretend he was still on the Enterprise with his senior officers.
"Energize."
*A Private Little War (I'll admit it, I think McCoy looks hot in that outfit)
** The Enterprise Incident
A/N: It's Doooonne! I hope y'all liked it! I'm not going to elaborate on the terrorist attack on Starfleet at the beginning of the story because it was really just a device I used so that Spock and McCoy (and not some rescue ship) could go after Jim and Scotty. BUT, if anyone else wants to build around it, go right ahead! Please review!