Battle Born

Chapter Eleven

Children are the living messages

We send to a time

We will not see-

Neil Postman

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Chapter Eleven

"Damned it, Jim." Leonard scowled at Jim. "Grow a set." He pressed an epinephrine filled hypodermic followed by another antibiotic filled hypodermic syringe against a non bruised area of Jim's neck. "Try not to find things you're allergic to when we're fleeing for our lives."

"Ow." Jim winced. He slapped a bandaged hand against the spot where Bones had given him the multi shots. Blood matted his light hair in several spots. Gasping he shivered as Spock gently tucked a blanket around his splintered broken leg. Spock quickly looked up. Concern was plain on his lean face.

Leonard turned his head. His hazel eyes narrowed at the mumbling Ensign Conner shivering near the mouth of the cave. "Conner, you see Hendorff?" He called out loudly.

The shivering the young man tugged his jacket around his body. "Yes, sir. He and Wong are bringing loads of wood and supplies. They're dragging a loaded sled." His voice rose happily.

They were all grateful for the small portable heater that currently radiated heat in the inside of the small cave. It had taken the bone numbing chill out of the cave. Still, they had to survive at least six more hours in what looked like a major winter storm before the Enterprise could rescue them. A wood fire would not only add more heat but, would also bring psychological comfort to the humans in the team. The fact that Hendorff and Wong had successfully made it to the downed shuttle craft and back gave their spirits a lift.

A slight frown tugged at the edges of Spock's mouth. His stiffened body frame alerted Jim to the fact that something had upset his Vulcan First Officer and friend. "You hear something, Spock?"

"Nothing that Spock and I can't take care of, Jim." Leonard stretched an aching shoulder. He gave Spock a meaningful look before turning back to Jim. "Lay down." He ordered. He gently pushed Jim back down and tucked an extra thermal blanket around his friend and captain. He gave Spock a nod as the Vulcan rose and headed towards the soon to be dressed down crewman.

"If the Federation planet wants the dilithium crystals on this planet they could have given us better intelligence reports." Jim sighed He stared up at the rocky cave ceiling. He reached up to touch his torn shirt collar. "I tore the damned shirt again."

"Yeah," Leonard said dryly. "The uniform company is making a fortune off of you. Really, Jim. You don't need to take suicidal chances to prove you're not pussy whipped." He scowled deeply at Jim.

Jim's mouth dropped open. "Bones," he protested. "I'm not pussy whipped. I'm a married man."

"An armed guard to escort Carol's food to Sickbay?" Leonard silenced Jim's further attempts at a protest. "Your beat hound dog response to all of Carol's increasing shrewish demands are undermining your ability to command."

"She's pregnant." Jim protested again. "It's my baby. I'm responsible for him." He frowned up at the ceiling. "I'm not going to abandon him the way I was abandoned."

"I'm a doctor." Leonard said sarcastically. "The last time I checked there was only one Virgin birth. It still takes two to get a human woman pregnant. You've brought your abandonment issues to this pregnancy and hasty marriage. Carol is miserable and taking it out on you because of the issues she's brought. And you're going to lose the Enterprise because of it all."

Misery settled on Jim's face.

The voices near the cave entrance silenced. Leonard turned his head as Hendorff coughed. The burly security officer stood respectfully a few feet away shivering with an arm load of wood. Snow covered his shoulders. Wong was pulling a small sled of supplies into the cave. "Get the fire started." Leonard snapped. "We need to keep warm to survive."

"Yes, Doctor." Hendorff set the wood down near the pit that he had dug out earlier. A black hand knit beanie covered his bald head. He sniffled as he started putting small branches down to start the fire. The hum of a portable force field generator sounded from the mouth of the cave. Both Wong and a very chased looking Conner joined the group. They dragged the loaded sled over near the others.

Jim frowned. He found his inner captain and sat up. "Lt. Hendorff. Who is watching the entrance?"

"Sir," Hendorff said respectfully. "I brought the newest improved portable force field generator from the shuttle. It has a perimeter alert systems for low visibility like now."

Jim looked to the mouth of the cave. The falling snow made a curtain of white. "Good work, lieutenant." He dropped back down on the unfolded blanket. His leg ached from the injury and the cold. The rest of his body was still complaining about the beating he'd taken.

Wong unzipped his arctic wear jacket. He took out packs of rations from the inside pockets. Several light sticks and two portable lanterns were taken off of the sled.

"Dr. McCoy, thank Mrs. Dyla for the game bags." Hendorff' grinned as he took two bulging game bags from the top of the makeshift sled. "We found some wild chickens. I used my tricorder and we found some potatoes and onions."

"Good job." Jim was grinning like his old self. "Wait," Jim frowned. "Chickens, potatoes and onions are from earth."

"Yes, sir." Hendorff said. "We found the ruins of a cabin and a rusted damaged small ship in the wooded area. The name Vista is still visible on the hull. I pulled the ship's log." He took out a small recorder. "Looks like they lived long enough to homestead for a few years."

"Any remains?" Jim asked. Without Carol to interrupt or second guess him Jim focused on Hendorff's report. That humans had been to Toltec might explain the hostile reception they'd received.

"A family, sir." Both he and Wong emptied the inner pockets of their bulky jackets. "A young boy was killed on impact. From the quick readings I got it looks like the three others survived with broken bones." He held out the tricorder to Jim. "The woman's grave was the oldest. The children died later. They probably starved to death. The man hung himself."

Jim took the tricorder with his uninjured hand. "Thank you, Hendorff." He said grimly.

A shivering Spock sat down next to Jim. "Spock." Leonard cast a worried doctor's eye over him. "Scoot your skinny ass under the blanket next to Jim. You both could benefit from body heat until the fire is going."

The fact that Spock didn't protest worried Leonard. He rubbed his chin feeling the heavy beard stubble. Leonard winched as he touched bruises covered by beard stubble.

"Sir, I got stuff to make Commander Spock a vegetarian soup." Wong spoke up. He pulled out some wrapped carrots and a ration packet from the sled. He held out his tricorder to Spock. "Commander Spock, you might be able to access the Vista's log with my tricorder."

"Thank you, Ensign Wong." Spock managed to take the tricorder with a steady hand. His own tricorder had been damaged in the attempt to keep the angry Toltec warriors from killing Jim.

Leonard tucked the blankets around Spock and Jim. Hendorff rose with two chickens in his hands. "I'm going to skin them by the cave entrance. I can look out and check on the storm."

Jim nodded.

Setting up the light sticks and lanterns Connor looked up. "You know we got cave art here."

An hour later with the aroma of roasted chicken and steaming vegetable soup filling the now warm cave the men contemplated the art that covered the ceiling and walls of the small cave. Jim frowned as he studied the art. "That looks like a greeting ceremony." He pointed to a section of wall across from him.

Spock rose to study the artwork more closely. "Indeed, Captain. It appears that the figures are assembled the way we assembled to greet the court." He tilted his head. "There also appears to be animals and several people not included in our greeting."

Looking at the drawings Leonard mentally replayed the greeting in the courtyard. Another mental image came to mind. "Uh, Jim. Who gave us the intelligence reports on greeting the Toltecs?"

Raising an eyebrow Spock turned to look at Leonard. "You appear to have some insight, Doctor."

"It came out of Admiral Dray's office." Jim said. He turned to look at Leonard.

"Well, I serious suspect that Admiral Dray or someone from his office wants us dead." Leonard said. With the eyes of everyone on him Leonard explained. "I purchased several antique books on Vera station to read to Hannah. One of them turned out to be an odd little book by an explorer. It had this depiction in it." He pointed to the cave art.

"Were you able to read the explanations, Doctor," Spock used his repaired tricorder to record the cave art.

"Yes," Leonard said. "A peace treat or a peaceful first greeting is always accompanied by the offering of sacrifices." He walked over to indicate another drawing of the same scene that had depicted only animals in the second group. "Without any sacrifices to appease the war goddess any envoy is seen as an emissary of war. They are immediately killed and war is declared."

In the silence they heard static come from their com badges. "Captain," Scotty's voice came in between burst of static.

"Scotty." Jim almost shouted. "How are rescue efforts coming?"

"Can't transport you up, Captain. There's no getting through the dilithium crystal debris field around the planet with a transporter beam. We only managed to transmit signals with the aid of a couple of drones that poked holes in the debris field. We can communicate every two hours for five minutes." Scotty's voice came through clear. "The dilithium crystals tear the drones apart. We'll send a shuttle down as soon as the storm lets up. We'll have to sweep the debris field the same way we did for your shuttle."

"Bloody hell, Jim." Carol shouted. "You should have stayed on board."

All there securities officers suddenly found the cave art extremely interesting. Spock released a soft sigh. Leonard scowled.

Jim froze. Images of him losing the Enterprise flashed through his mind. Stories of his father's final sacrifice and images of his mother shot through his mind. He sucked in a lung full of the warm cave air as Carol ranted. "SILENCE DR. MARCUS KIRK!" He scowled at the fire. "Scotty, have Dr. Marcus taken to her quarters. She is confined to quarters until further notice. Understood?"

"AYE! Captain." Scotty sounded delighted. They could hear Carol arguing with security as she was escorted to the turbo lift. "Storm should blow through by tomorrow night, Captain." Scotty sounded happy. "We'll launch the shuttle as soon as the weather opens up."

"Thanks, Scotty. Let us know if things change. Kirk out." Jim stretched his shoulders. "If we didn't get a complete intelligence report we'll need to bypass the usual route of our reports to alert Admiral Pike."

"We can use the Vulcan diplomatic pouch." Spock said. There was a twinkle in his dark eyes.

"I'm hungry," Jim said. He looked over to a chicken still slowly roasting over the fire.

"Being captain expands a lot of energy," Hendorff said cheerfully. "I got four more chickens skinned and ready to cook near enough to the cave entrance to be cool but not frozen."

"It appears as if there is an apology ceremony," Spock said from the back of the cave. He paused. "There seems to be a small marker of some sort also back here."

Using Hendorff as a crutch Jim managed to get back to where Spock was standing. Leonard held one of the light sticks. "You know that's in the book too."

"I can't believe you read such a bloody book to a little girl," Jim said.

"I didn't read it to Hannah." Leonard sounded indignant. "Once I read through it I gave it to Dyla and Thass. They loved it. It is one of their favorite books."

Jim slowly smiled. "I have an idea to save this mission."

By the time the Enterprise was able to establish communications again Jim sent a quick message. A baffled Scotty sent an ensign to Dyla and Thass. A certain book was brought up to the bridge by the two pregnant wives of Dr. McCoy. A message was dispatched to the nearest Federation patrol ship, the Sedona.

Message back from the science ship, the Cordoba. Hell yes. This is the security team we're going stir crazy. We're in. The egg heads said it would be good break from routine.

Message back from two family asteroid mining ships, the Juggernaut and the Clement. Count us in too.

Message back from the freighter August. Sounds like fun.

Yes, we'll join the party. The Sedona replied.

While a nervous Jim tried to make himself comfortable on the folded blanket Nyota was at the console when a message from Earth Command finally reached the Enterprise. She let out a anguished sigh and patted her baby bump. "We're alright." She whispered.

On the planet below Spock raised his head. He frowned slightly. Nyota. He sent across their bond. We're alright. Came her answer.

"Something wrong, Spock." Leonard handed Spock a cup of hot tea. Worry darkened his hazel eyes.

"I sensed a great deal of anguish in Nyota. She reassured me that both she and the baby are well." Spock accepted the hot tea. He noted that Leonard's hand shook.

"She probably just worried about getting your skinny green ass back up there with her." Leonard snorted. He scowled into the fire. "With those ears of yours you probably hear snow falling."

Hendorff eyed Leonard with concern. He'd been warned that an especially belligerent attitude by the doctor could be followed by depression. Spock studied the tired looking doctor. "You have been under a great deal of stress for a considerable amount of time, doctor."

"You think," snapped Leonard. He scrubbed his face with a tired hand. Beard stubble scrapped his hand. "I got myself married to two sexually demanding Klingon women. I have a house full of noisy children. Two more rug rats are on the way."

Spock nodded to Hendorff. The burly security officer quietly removed a small case from the inside of his jacket.

"I never get a moment of peace to myself." Leonard seemed on the verge of crying.

Jim sat up. "Bones, are you alright?"

"Of course I'm not alright!" Leonard burst into tears. Hendorff quickly jabbed him in the upper arm with a loaded hypodermic. "What," Leonard half turned to face Hendorff.

"You have been off your bipolar* medication for more than a year," Spock said gently. "With the stress you've been under your brain chemistry has been affected."

"No shit, Sherlock." Leonard sobbed. "Damned hobgoblin. You read my medical file."

"Leonard," Spock said softly. "I am head of Science and Medicine. I am responsible for you."

Slowly Jim scooted on his butt until he was close enough to Leonard to take him into his arms. "It's going to be alright, Bones. I'm going to take care of you."

Leonard sagged in Jim's arms. "His medication will stabilize his moods." Spock said.

Jim slowly rocked Leonard. "I'll take care of you, Bones," Jim looked to Spock. "I'm going to get that damned treaty set up and take us all back to the Enterprise."

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"The Juggernaut and the Clement dropped asteroid 'fishing nets'." Scotty sounded happy over their communicators. "Seems like they've cleared a big enough path for the shuttles to land. It's still too risky to send a transporter beam through."

Dawn had brought another Enterprise shuttle and a medical team. "I need to broker this treaty." Jim said firmly.

"I'll use the portable bone knitter." Dr. M'Benga said. "You'll have to wear a light walking cast." He warned. "Once we get back on board the Enterprise I want you under the bone knitter in Sickbay."

Leonard sat quietly while Christine ran a regenerator over the worst of the cuts in his thick hair. "Leonard, you really should go back to Sickbay." Christine worried over him.

"I want to see this through if Jim will let me." Leonard said softly.

A cargo shuttle from the Sedona landed close to the Enterprise shuttle on the snow. Captain Alonzo Sanchez got out wearing winter clothing. He grinned as he greeted Jim. ""Jim, you've always thrown the wildest parties." He came over giving Jim a hug.

Jim slapped him on the back. "Al, this is a bring your own animal party."

Laughing Alonzo looked back to his shuttle. "Well, it was last minute." He turned to grin at Jim. "But, you know me. I can't be beat at scavenger hunts. I got some bad ass animals the size of earth moose. Currently, they're stunned."

Jim's smiled turned cocky. "Al, you were always one upping everyone."

Leonard hesitated nervously. The shots had taken the gripping edge off of his spiraling depression. But, he even he knew he was far from 'normal'. Depression still spun a dark hole waiting to swallow him up.

Pivoting Jim looked back at Leonard. "Look, Al."

Al looked at Leonard and nodded. "I'll make sure we secure the beasts."

Limping over Jim smiled at Leonard. He clapped a hand on Leonard's shoulder. "Look, Bones, why don't you sit this one out? You've been through hell and back a few times. Get a hot shower and get checked out in Sickbay."

Nodding Leonard struggled not to cry. "Okay, Jim." He answered softly.

Jim gave his shoulder a squeeze. "Go back with the shuttle. Another one is already on the way down."

Christine came up and took a firm hold of Leonard's arm. "You know, Doctor. You feel like you've lost weight."

"There's always so much to do." Leonard said. Christine gently lead him to the shuttle. "I need to keep up with advances in medicine. Plus there is so much reading to do." He let out an unhappy sigh. "Sometimes it's just better not to eat so that everyone gets some attention from me."

Christine squared her shapely shoulders. Once back on board she was going to have to face two Klingon women and give the facts of life.

TBC

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When asked about Dr. McCoy being cranky Karl Urban said that Dr. McCoy was probably a little bipolar. And really with all that Bones has gone through he should have to deal with it.