"Well, if it isn't James T. Kirk," A Klingon sneered from the other end of the large conference table. Kirk rolled his eyes and took a seat at the gigantic round table that was crowded with at least two dozen other creatures and beings from all walks of life. As he sat down, all eyes turned to him. Kirk felt himself shrink, but forced himself to stiffen up and puff out his chest. "Turns out Mr.-High-and-Mighty isn't so high and mighty after all," The Klingon chuckled and laughter broke out amongst the others in attendance.

"Yeah? How about we have a little exhibition match right now?" Kirk snapped back, his classic smirk spread across his face. A few of the other species at the table seemed to shy away at his taunt, sitting back a little farther in their seats.

"Now gentlemen, there's no need to bicker." Something called from above them, the voice booming inside of the cramped, dark room. Everyone in attendance looked up as the roof of the building was removed carefully to reveal a giant's face. Kirk didn't recognize this giant to be the one to kidnap him and his muscles tensed. "There will be plenty of time for fighting," The giant snickered and replaced the roof of the building gingerly.

As soon as the roof was replaced, a viewing screen rose from the center of the round table. It flickered to life to reveal a more size-appropriate view of the collection of giants that seemed to stand above them. The face of the giant in the center was riddled with scars and tribal tattoos that Kirk's mind rushed to recognize.

"It is time to explain the games," The giant bellowed. He seemed to be the leader of the rag-tag group of Neanderthals, stepping up in front of them to establish dominance. Kirk sat up straighter as he recognized the giant that had stolen them from the smuggler's ship standing behind the leader smugly. "I am Toolah-Fal, the leader of this community. I must congratulate you all on your selection for the one thousandth Depal Tournament." The giant smiled and Kirk saw a few of the people around him shift pridefully. "First and foremost, we are to establish the rules of the contest to all of you newcomers. The Depal tournament is an honorary match of strength and wit meant to push even the strongest of beings to their limits-physically and mentally. The tournament bracket is arranged so that each fighter will have exactly one fight per day until the championships. There is to be no matches forfeited, skipped, or changed. Each contender must arrive to the competition site at least twenty minutes before their match. Any interaction with your opponent before a match will result in an advantage awarded to your next opponent." The giant paused, attempting to allow his words to resonate in the minds of the contestants.

"Furthermore, there will be no attempt at sabotage by any other contenders, no matter the circumstances." The giant continued. "Now, it is within the rules to interact with opponents, so long as there is no foul play. After each match of pool play is completed, the tallies of each contender's victories and losses will be added to their rankings, deciding their seed in the finals. Once the rankings are decided, the real fun begins. Based on the contender's seed, they will be pitted against someone suitable for competition. These matches are single elimination," The giant paused and Kirk sighed deeply, already fearing what he would say next. "Each round will be played to the death." The giant smiled crookedly and the contenders around Kirk stiffened uncomfortably. "Furthermore, there will be no medical attention allowed from the hospital in the city. Any use of the hospital will result in an advantage to your opponent that will be decided by the council."

"So, what's the point?" Kirk spoke up and all eyes turned to him. "What do we get out of this, you know, besides not dying."

"Is the honor of victory not enough for you, Captain?" The giant asked and Kirk raised an eyebrow sarcastically. "The victor will be awarded with a special suite in the city. You will be forever honored in our history." The giant continued, as if that should be sufficient.

"Wonderful." Kirk scoffed and propped his head up on his arm.

"I wish you all luck in your competition," The giant smiled once again. "Victory will be bestowed on the worthy." The giant finished and the screen flashed a tournament bracket. All of the beasts around Kirk flocked to the screen, eager to see who it was that they would compete against. Kirk sat back in his chair, trying to seem as uninterested as possible. Deep inside, his heart was pounding out of his chest. He knew why he was doing this. McCoy and Spock needed his help.

"Captain Kirk," The Klingon across the table yelled and Kirk met his eyes. "I wish you luck in your first match." The Klingon sneered and pointed to a larger creature standing in the corner of the room. Kirk glanced over at the behemoth. It reminded him of a cross between a crocodile and a bodybuilder. The creature was staring at his own hands, leaning lazily against the wall of the room. Long faded slash marks were cut all up and down his arms. His long-snouted face was mangled with scars and steel quills protruding from his nose.

"This'll be fun," Kirk said quietly and rolled his eyes.

"All contenders to the arena!" The giant's voice boomed over a loudspeaker and the contenders begrudgingly pushed open the large steel doors. Kirk reluctantly stood up from the table and followed the crowd of gruesome beings into the arena. It looked like an old factory, strung up with chains on the ceiling and rickety old bleachers sitting to the sides that seemed as though they would give out at any minute. Smack dab in the center of the arena was the ring- a menacing caged-in mat that towered above the bleachers.

The doors shut suddenly behind Kirk as he stepped inside and the entire room began to sway back and forth. Kirk watched as the walls collapsed helplessly to the ground, revealing a clear bubble around the arena that resembled the one over the city. The crowd of giants loomed around the small dome, huddling around it so that they could all get a glimpse of the action.

"Let the match begin!" The lead giant bellowed and the small chain-link door on the cage swung open. Two contenders entered, one at a time. An Andorian entered the ring, followed by a small, crab-like creature that Kirk didn't recognize.

Kirk huffed and slowly made his way over to the bleachers. It was bad enough that he had to fight, but he also had to watch. He knew that this was his only time to strategize.

"You lost, Captain?" Kirk's head snapped toward the female voice that called his name. A young woman with skin the color of a fresh orange and dressed in a tight black lacy cocktail gown sat on the bleachers next to him. "Care for a seat?" The woman patted the empty spot next to her. Kirk warily accepted and plopped down beside her. "So, you're the famous Jim Kirk." The woman cooed.

"In the flesh," Kirk had to consciously stop himself from flirting with the woman. "How'd you end up here?" He asked, refusing to meet her eyes. He slouched forward and kept his vision fixated on the match.

"Kind of a long story," The woman sighed.

"Well, we've got the time." Kirk huffed.

"I was taken from my village. I was the head of security there. It was my duty to teach the children to fight," She sighed wistfully.

"And where exactly are you from?" Kirk asked, turning to get another look at her.

"You haven't heard of it," She said quickly.

"What's the deal with this place, anyway?" Kirk asked, returning his attention to the match.

"I've only been here for a couple of months, at the most." She shrugged. "All I know is that they practically breed the people in town to love the fight and to provide the Olgads with new champions."

"That's just great," Kirk rolled his eyes. "So we're slaves now?"

"It's not so bad," The woman shrugged. "They give us a decent place to live. We can't really complain."

"Oh trust me, I can." Kirk grumbled, watching as the match ended. The crab held the Andorian in a choke-hold and had to be removed by the officials. "I didn't catch your name." Kirk nodded in the woman's direction.

"Alyah." She said softly. Kirk nodded at her and let his eyes wander back to the arena where the next fight was just beginning.

"So, Alyah. Have you heard of anyone getting off this planet?" Kirk asked, knowing that it was a long shot that she would tell him anything.

"Never." She said curtly.

"Guess I'll be the first," Kirk smiled smugly and the woman replied with a soft smile.