Hi to the fanfiction readers,

I just want to say thank you so much for your words of support. I had my test on Thursday and should find out the results on Monday. I'm less worried because I was told that the doctor would talk to me on Monday. My experience has been that they would tell you straight away if something was up. I'm leaning towards me just having lumpy breasts.

Anyway, I hope this chapter is ok. I know it's a little short but I wanted to have more action and longer scenes in the next one. I live for reviews!

tishbing

Chapter Twenty-Five

Spock was at his science station, repeating his earlier scans and coming up with nothing. His hand gripped the handle so tight that he could feel the metal giving way and bending.

"Commander, we are receiving a hail from New Vulcan."

A young blond man looked over to him and waited. Spock did not need to take away time from his search. The Orion's trail has dissipated and he had no leads as to where they were heading. Common courtesy and the realization that the vulcans had lost people forced him to accept the call.

"Route it through to the ready room, ensign." He tersely said.

"Hold on Commander, I'm supposed to be in on that call."

Spock turned to the newcomer and saw Dr. McCoy rushing from the turbolift. He had clearly not been healed but his eyes were determined and Spock allowed him to follow. The IDIC symbol came up on the screen and Spock saw his elder self on the screen, his angular features drawn in what he knew to be concern.

"Spock, I assume that you may have lost the ion trail from the Orion Intercepters by now." He said smoothly.

"Affirmative. We are starting a standard search grid to try and find them."

Even the words sounded hollow.

"You will not. There is a high probability that they will be taken to a processing center to be sold there. The most likely location is Verex III. It is in an area of space located between the Klingon Empire and the Orion Syndicate. I will send you the co-ordinates."

A pause and Spock saw them come up on the display. His counterpart continued.

"As you can see it is not within Federation controlled space. You will not be able to get to the planet without having someone help you."

McCoy was watching the exchange quietly but Spock could tell that he was seething. Spock struggled to keep his voice even.

"And do you happen to know of someone?"

"As a matter of fact, yes, I do. He will not help willingly however, I believe that the two of you may be able to convince him."

A file was sent and Spock quickly pulled it up. It was a profile of a petty smuggler. There were future dates of his crimes and punishments. Spock looked at the data puzzled. How could this individual be of any use to them.

"Surok, how can this Harcourt Mudd assist us in any way."

His frown was met by an amused look from the older man.

"He has dealt with smuggling as you can see. Some of his associates have been from Verex III. He should have the access codes to get your people in. After that, you're on your own. If my dates are accurate, he should currently be hiding on an Arronian freighter leaving Antares Pi IV to escape his wife, Stella Mudd. You may be able to search it on the premise of the fact that it carries illegally distiller liquor."

Spock gave a curt nod.

"Thank you, Surok. Live long and prosper."

"You are welcome and good hunting."

Spock quickly moved to the bridge, leaving McCoy stumbling in his wake.

"Helm, plot a course to Antares Pi IV. Maximum warp."

Sulu looked up in surprise but quickly entered in the co-ordinates while Chekov plotted the course.

"We will be there in two hours, sir."

McCoy was bouncing on his toes, his face was twisted in worry for his friends.

"Spock, how are we going to get this Mudd guy to help us? I doubt we can just walk up and say "Hey, would you mind helping us break into a smuggling ring?"."

Spock downloaded the information onto a PADD and continued to read into Surok's notes. Finding several interesting references to the man's character.

"I believe that the threat of jail should be sufficient to ensure his willingness to assist us in our goals."

McCoy's eyes looked like they were going to pop.

"You're gonna blackmail him?"

Spock calmly looked up at the doctor.

"Yes."

They arrived at the Antares Pi solar system as a large freighter was pulling out, it's shape was that of a long thin frame surrounded by round, hexagonally shaped containers attached. It was bulky and moved slowly away from the planet. Most people would look at it and dismiss the freighter without a second thought. Spock was not most people.

"Hail the freighter."

"Aye, Sir."

The view screen came up showing a young black haired man. His forehead had a subtle ridge going from across the bridge of his nose and moving up either side in a wide v that was peppered with pale brown spots. His face was surprised but his eyes were flitting around nervously. Spock gave a small smile.

"This is Captain Marlea of the Arronian Freighter Antares Jewel. How my we help you?"

Spock moved forward, hands clasped behind his back and took his place in the center of the bridge.

"Captain Marlea, this is Acting Captain Spock of the Federation Starship Enterprise. We are here because we received information that you may be carrying contraband liquor. Because this is federation space we have the right to search and seizure..."

The Antarean started to sputter. Spock took the opportunity.

"...Unless you have a Harcourt Fenton Mudd, also known as Harry Mudd, on your ship. If he was handed over this incident could be easily...forgotten."

Spock stared down the man and waited. He needed this encounter to be over quickly so that they could get to Verex III in time. The Captain had started to bite his lip in thought.

"Very well. Here are his co-ordinates."

The view screen returned to it's view of the outside as the freighter captain shut off the transmission. Spock turned to Ensign Chekov.

"Ensign, do we have him?"

The young Russian turned to him smiling.

"Yes, Commander. Transporter room one."

Spock breathed a small sigh of relief and started to head to the transporter room to greet their "guest".

"Set course for Verex III. Maximum warp. Lieutenant Sulu, you have the bridge."

The ride to the transporter room was short and he was met by Dr. McCoy at the entrance. They walked in to an unusual sight. The man who had been identified as Harry Mudd was curled up, asleep on the transporter pad. He was large, balding and wearing an unusual assortment of clothing. A bright orange shirt with puffy sleeves with a black undershirt, black plus fours with calf length boots. The effect was reminiscent of a pirate even complete with a large bushy brown mustache.

"This is the man that's gonna help us?"

McCoy's voice was loud enough to cause Mudd to stir and wake with a snort. He looked around blearily before throwing his hands up.

"I don't suppose I was upgraded by the kindness of Captain Marlea's heart, was I?" He asked warily.

"No." Spock answered.

The large man got up and shifted away nervously, his mustache quivering.

"Perhaps my reputation preceded me. Perhaps you are interested in a business opportunity?"

McCoy and Spock looked at each and McCoy's face spread into a large grin. One that Spock almost thought was disturbing. The doctor stepped around him and came close to Harry Mudd, within his personal space and it forced him to back into a wall.

"You could say that."

McCoy sat in on the staff meeting, two of their numbers missing as Spock outlined his plan. His face was set as he listened to the crew's input and kept an eye on their reluctant co-conspirator. The threat of jail had been an effective incentive for him to agree but McCoy had added that if he didn't help, he'd alert his wife of his whereabouts and that practically had the man stammering his assurances.

"I believe that the best option is to pose as buyers for our people and the children. In order to secure our entrance Mr. Mudd will provide the access codes."

Chekov spoke up, his face flushed in excitement.

"I believe that I kin program ze deflector dish to disguise our ident signature to make us appear to zair sensors as anuzzer ship. I vill need help from engineering."

Spock nodded his approval and looked toward Lt. Scott.

"Aye, I think we can do it. But it won't hide us if they look out th' window."

Spock pulled up a schematic of the planet and it hovered in the center of the table. He pointed out a section of the planet that had a small base.

"I believe that after we beam down our team, the Enterprise should move to the dark side of the planet it should go unnoticed. Then after a set period of time the ship can return and collect us. Our away team will include Dr. McCoy, Lt. Sulu, myself and Mr. Mudd. Once on the planet we will need to locate our people and create a diversion. Any ideas?"

Spock looked around the table and Mudd hesitantly raised his hand.

"Uh...Commander? I...never agreed to go with you to the planet. Only the codes."

McCoy scowled and remembered the description of Surok's experience with the man and smiled, leaning across the table. His own experience with his ex had put a level of understanding in his mind.

"Well, if you'd rather not go with us...I'm sure your Stella is worried sick about you. After all, you did sneak off without telling her after what...two months of marriage?"

McCoy was pleased to see the man pale at the mention of his wife. So old Spock had been right in noting the man's fear. Now, he had been intimidated by Jocelyn but it had apparently been nothing compared to the level of fear Mudd was showing.

"Fine. You might want to focus on a way of deactivating the neurolytic restraints. I've only been to the planet once and seen that every prisoner that is for sale has one attached. It's a way to control them. They try to escape, they get zapped." Mudd grumbled.

Spock sat and thought. If he could get one of the prisoners, he might be able to neutralize the tags. He would need to get an example of one.

"We will need enough credits to purchase at least one." Spock murmured.

The crew nodded and set to work, McCoy looking around anxious. They had eighteen hours before they arrived at their destination.

Liz watched the captain work. His hands carefully prying and poking at the wires. So far he had gotten the children and herself set to emit the tracking signal and was frantically working to adjust Uhura's device. The children were clustered around her as she checked the halls for any hint of their captors. It had been more than twenty-four hours. They had been provided with meals and had been left mostly unharmed. The captain had gained a black eye after Bubba had grabbed at Uhura but other than that they had been left alone. Her anxiety level had started to rise since their last meal had been delivered by a young Orion male who had smiled and told them that soon they would be arriving.

"Alright, Uhura. You're set. I can't do my own. Any chance?"

His voice was tired and Liz could see that his face was pale with exhaustion. He had not rested since they had been captured. Liz was starting to feel the strain from the children. T'Meni, T'Rea and T'Pol were broadcasting to her frequently. Their control was very weak and they had basically attached themselves to her hip. She didn't know how she could continue to help them if she was struggling herself.

Uhura moved in, taking the clip and looking at the device. She bit her lip and frowned as she carefully pried the cover off.

"I don't know." She hesitated.

The Captain turned to her, grabbing her arms and meeting Uhura's dark brown eyes with his steely blue.

"You are the best damn communications officer I've ever worked with. I know that you can get this to work and send a signal. If I can do it, so can you."

His words gave her the strength she needed. Uhura's face was set and she gave a curt nod as Kirk released her. She set to work and only caused the restraint to go off once before she proclaimed that she was done. Liz heard the stomping of boots and hissed.

"They're coming!"

Uhura snapped on the cover and the girls opened their eyes from their nap after hearing her. They grabbed at Liz's arms and hid behind her as a group of large Orion men walked in, Bubba in the front.

"Humans, Vulcan children. We are here. You will follow me to be transported down to the surface where you will be bid on and sold for the highest price."

They were beamed directly into cages. The children were kept with Liz. When their captors had tried to separate them, all three had fought back in an amazing display of self defense. The men explained that they didn't want to risk damaging their goods so she stayed with them while the captain and Uhura were placed in another cage across the way. The room was loud and smelled horrendous. The floor was filthy as was their new accommodations. Liz was starting to feel panic as she saw multiple aliens leering through the bars of her prison at her and the children. The captain and Uhura leered back at the prospective buyers while Liz just felt sick.

All too soon her door opened, she looked to the captain across the way and his eyes were blazing with fire. Uhura had her hands clenched in fists and she moved back, her own hands ready to defend herself and the little girls behind her.

"Come. Now." Bubba stepped forward to grab her with a meaty hand and she kicked out, knocking it away.

"Hell no." She growled.

The man just laughed and raised his remote. The next thing she knew she was on the floor, her head feeling like it was going to explode, every limb twitching and feeling like it was on fire. She turned her head sluggishly to the side, feeling tears falling, blurring her vision and she thought she saw a dirty Dr. McCoy in the crowd around her cage as she was picked up like a sack of potatoes. Frowning, she squinted to try and see better. He was gone before she could focus.

He couldn't be here. It was impossible. As despair started to fill her she thought that at least in her last hours she had seen him in her heart. She held onto the thought that he would at least be in her memories.