XxX

Jim peered over his shoulder, his eyes widening, "Brace for impact!"

I did as ordered, my hands pressing firmly against the wall. The impact came and we skidded across the ground; taking a few of the trees with us as our pod dug into the rich earth.

Jim began to cough, the wind knocked out of him, as the dust settled, "That wasn't too bad." He forced a grin as he hovered above me, taking care not to crush me.

"It wasn't good either." I rolled my eyes, not in the mood for banter as I reached around and hit the hatch so we could decompress. The latch lid swung open and we began getting out slowly; having to adjust to the new atmosphere.

"We have one uniform and one phaser." Jim placed the supplies on the pod and stepped back, rubbing his forehead, "About a week's worth of food and some water tablets."

I started to walk the perimeter with my wand at the ready, making sure we were secure. The beautiful, flowing trees danced in the breeze and the mountains rested along the horizon; it looked like Eden. I knew better, though, and didn't romanticize the myth; Eden was a paradise that held some of the most dangerous creatures. No, we were anything but safe here.

My eyes narrowed, "We should get moving, see if we can find anyone else and locate shelter."

"Communicator is busted, though I doubt we would be able to get a signal anyway." Jim sighed, turning around to witness the distance flames billowing from what had once been the Enterprise.

"How they keep allowing you ships is beyond me." I joked, trying to ease the pain etched across his face.

He smiled and I knew I had accomplished what I wanted, "Yeah," he turned to me with a small smile, "I actually applied for a post in Yorktown before we set out."

My eyes grew, my mouth hanging agape; lost for words. Jim would never give up his captainship, would he?

"We might not make it out of here," Jim shrugged, "And I…I just wanted to tell someone…well, let's head out." He offered me the suit, "You need it more than I do." I knew it wasn't worth pressing so I just accepted the gift and nodded, smiling a thanks. Jim turned around so I could change in privacy and we soon set out.

We walked with a safe distance between us, each of us searching the opposing horizon and keeping track of the other. Finally, I saw another settling dust cloud, "Jim!" He followed my line of sight and soon we were both running towards it.

The trees opened to the small valley and we saw Pavel stowing his weapon and sorting rations.

"Chekov!" Jim called, starting across the field towards him. He checked to make sure I was following and gave a reassuring smile, "I'm sure they are alright. We'll find them soon." I returned the gesture.

The boys exchanged hugs before Pavel turned to me and pulled me into a strong Russian bear hug, "Good to see you, Her-myoh-knee."

I laughed, enjoying his upbeat nature, "You too, Pavel. Have you seen anyone else?" I asked as he pulled back. He shook his head no, sadly.

A branch snapping caught all of us off guard and we turned towards the intruder, ready to attach. The woman who had brought us here stood with her hands up.

"You." Jim practically hissed, storming towards her. Anger trailed after him like wildfire; never had I seen such wrath consume him before. "You knew those things were going to attach us, didn't you?"

"Please." Her translator said desperately as she fell to her knees, "They took my crew, I had no choice." Her head hung in defeat, ready to accept whatever punishment he deemed just.

Jim lowered his gun and roughly tore his fingers back through his hair, his sympathy as a captain taking over, "We need to find out if there are any other survivors." He stood above her, his eyes still dark, "And I will deal with you later." His face said everything it needed to; she should know better than to purposely endanger a fellow captain's crew. There would be consequences for her actions.

"The…the bees took them." I answered, stealing Jim's attention, "Surely they must be still alive. Why else take them?"

Jim looked to the still kneeling Kalara and cleared his throat to get her attention. Instantly, she looked to him, "Take Pavel to your pod and retrieve what supplies there are." She stood up and hurriedly nodded before the pair set off.

I watched as Jim's eyes narrowed; he didn't trust her.

I turned my back to the pair as they disappeared into the tree line, "Why did you let him go alone with her?"

"I can't risk her finding out that I am on to her. They won't be gone long and I can still keep an eye on them from here." Jim said, his eyes unwavering. He spoke without breaking his attention, "Send out your blue spell thing, the fluffy otter, see if you can find anyone."

I nodded and retrieved my wand, I cast one tentative look over my shoulder before beginning my spell, "Expecto Patronum!" The wand shuttered in my hand but nothing came forth. My brow knit, "Expecto Patronum!" I called a bit more forcefully. Again, nothing.

The pair appeared on the horizon and Jim turned to me sharply, "What happened?"

"I—I'm not sure…" I looked around the small valley, trying desperately to figure out what had gone wrong. Without my wand I was vulnerable, which meant I couldn't help my companions if the need arose, "It's like something is hindering my magic."

Pavel handed Jim the spare gun and suit they had recovered, "For you, Cap-e-tan." He moved and added the pack of food to the supplies we had gathered.

Jim handed me the gun and started to pull on the suit, "Alright, let's start heading towards what is left of the Enterprise, maybe we can send a call out. Herms, you stick with me, Pavel you take up the back. Keep your ears and eyes open." He looked to each of us as he gave the order; we responded with a nod and set out without another word.

We continued in silence, taking care to watch our surroundings. The situation was dire but the beauty we found ourselves submerged in was a welcomed distraction for the time being. Thankfully it was quiet enough that if anything was afoot we would be alerted instantly.

"Herms…" Jim whispered, his determined eyes cracking a bit to reveal his worries. All I could do was I nod, knowing what he was thinking.

"I'm sure they made it off; I know they did, in fact." I replied, turning my head forward and holding it high, "We just have to find them is all."

He gave a crooked smile and chuckled, "Where would I be without you, Herms?"

"Dead. You would be dead." I retorted, smirking.

Jim continued to laugh but as his eyes looked up he fell silent. My brow knit and I followed his line of sight, gasping as the scene laid out before us. There lay the broken remnants of the Enterprise. Our once glorious ship; our home. There it was before us, broken and discarded. In a hundred years, it would be covered in this world's foliage and all but forgotten; all the lives that had been lost would be a memory and the time spent in its halls would be but a wisp in the universe.

It hit me in that moment and I could feel the burn in my throat beginning. I cleared it; determined to stay focused, "Let's go." I called, breaking Jim of his own sorrow's spell. I started down the trail, my Gryffindor courage all consuming; I had a job to do and I would see it through till the end. I would find strength from those around me and give it back to them when the time called for it; we would finish the mission.

Jim gave me a gentle smile and kept pace beside me, letting himself falling into my shoulder to know that I wasn't alone; we would get through this together.

XxX

Bones kicked open the ship's door, taking in the fresh air with a scowl, "Well, that went better than expected. Last time I let you give directions!" He drawled, leaning back in to help Spock.

Bones grimaced as he saw the metal wedged deep into the Vulcan's side, "Good thing it didn't go a couple inches to the left, you would have been killed instantly."

Spock hobbled out of the ship, his breathing ragged and struggling.

As Bones leaned him against the nose, he chuckled, "Good thing it didn't; I'd hate to be the one to tell Hermione. She'd hex me into next week if I hadn't kept you safe. Or punch me. I'm not sure which would be worse to tell you the truth." He said, trying to make the tension ease.

"We…we need…need to contact t-them." Spock managed, hissing in pain.

Bones rummaged around through what remained of the ship as they spoke, "What we need to do is get that thing out of you." He said, making his own medical tools as needed, "The Enterprise crashed over the hill, there, and the other pods were being snatched but I couldn't see where they were going. We will head towards what is left of the ship after we get you patched up and figure out what to do from there. Now, Spock, what is your favorite color?"

Spock's brow knit and he began to question the doctor's sanity as Bones ripped the pieces from his side and placed the burning edge of the cauterizing instrument he had constructed to his skin, burning the skin back together without any warning. The scream was piercing and broke the silence around them; bouncing off the stone walls and echoing back to them.

Spock ground his teeth as he looked to Bones, who was too smug for his own good.

"They say it is better if you don't know it's coming."

"I will remember that, Doctor." Spock said, his eyes narrowed in almost a threat. Bones nodded, impressed.

"Come on, hobgoblin," Bones moved to assist the Vulcan and the pair started towards one of the caves in search of shelter.

XxX

Uhura held her hands fisted to her side as the crew members forced her from the escape pod. They led her to a large platform; the only light illuminating the dark space was from the thin cracks in the cave walls. It was as if they were the depths of hell where no good could keep.

The monster she had been trapped with sad on a crude throne, his attempts at being threatening lost on her. She had dealt with stronger men before who always turned out to be weak in the end; this coward was no different.

"Where is your Captain?"

She tilted her head, her dark eyes studious, "How do you know our language?"

"I know a lot of things, Lieutenant Uhura." He stood and began circling her.

She held her head proudly, "You will never get away with this; our Captain will not abandon us. He'll come for us."

He snarled and leaned into her face, "I am counting on it. Take her away."

The alien crew members surrounded her once more and marched her towards the holding cell. All of her crewmates awaited her there with a thousand questions to ask.

"I don't know what their end game is, but they want Kirk. We have to find a way to warn him." She informed them. Those gathered dispersed to their respected groups; seeking strength in one another. Sulu stood by her, trying to construct a plan.

Finally, safe from the enemy's eye, she slowly opened her hand to reveal the Afsakau Ugaya, which had fallen from Hermione's hair in the scuffle.

"Is that…" Sulu began, his eyes wide and thinking the worst.

"I cut off the neck from the saucer, Kirk and Hermione were left behind and hopefully they got to a pod in time." Nyota answered, curling a piece of her hair up under her head and securing the comb in place so it was properly hidden and safe. She smoothed her hair so no one would suspect a thing, "We need to find a way to contact them and figure out what is going on."

Sulu grinned, "I think I have a plan."

XxX

We reached the Enterprise as night fell and my thoughts were already turning; we would have at most an hour. Once we got the lights on, maybe less.

Though the ship had landed at an angle, everything was relatively intact and we could safely maneuver the halls with ease. Jim paired us off to search for whatever supplies we could find and meet up in half an hour on the bridge; Jim went with Kalara and I went with Pavel.

We decided to split up again once we reached the crew quarters to gather what supplies we could. I rushed into what had been Spock and I's room; fully aware of the ticking clock.

"Terkarf." I called, throwing open the drawer. The little ball of fur purred, unaffected by anything that had taken place that day. Tribbles were invincible, I was sure of it. I let myself smile a bit and gently caress his head before I rushed to grab my magicked purse; I stowed him safely inside in his cage and gathered a few other mementos that I knew were important to Spock.

I rushed out to the hall to Bone's room next where I grabbed his medical bag and whatever supplies he had on hand, as well as a few important memories he had. Lastly was Jim's quarters, but the door was jammed. I pulled out my wand and tried my spell but nothing came of it. My eyes narrowed at my wand, frustrated, and I began to pound the door, searching for a weak spot.

"Her-my-oh-knee, vhat are you doing?" Pavel called, rushing back down the hall.

"Kalara is evil and Jim has a plan; but it involves destroying the ship and sacrificing everything we might be able to otherwise scavenge." I said in-between kicking the door, "I will be damn if he has to sacrifice any more than he already has!"

"Vhy not magic the door?"

I blew my bangs from my eyes and continued to work, "I already tried that. Something on this planet is off; it's stunting my magic."

Pavel placed his hand on my shoulders and gently moved me aside, with skill he hit the right place on the door and it flew open.

I brushed back my tangled hair and nodded a thanks, "Throw whatever you need in my bag. Along that wall there should be a latch with extra guns, uniforms, and supplies, find it and store them in here." I pushed the bag into his unsure hands before heading into the cabin.

My nerves were steady as I worked with precision. I recalled each place I had seen Jim store an important memory he had shared with me. I had become the third part of a trio with Jim and Bones over the course of our journey; I was included in all their secrets and hidden pains and was the one who tended to them on those nights when the pain was just too much to bear alone.

I hurried to gather the pictures he kept hidden away in one of his drawers, his cadet badge and a pin Pike had given him when he graduated, and his father's leather jacket he hid in the farthest corner of his closet. Pavel rushed to meet me and held open the bag so I could place everything safely inside. The last thing I had put in was a drive which I had copied all the ships record onto. He gave a goofy grin; always impressed by my bag of tricks.

"Did you get all of the supplies?" I asked as I took back the bag and tucked it into my suit. He nodded and we started back towards the bridge, taking time to pack the other hall's emergency latch supplies along the way.

Jim was already on the bridge, desperately working to get the power back on, "There you guys are! Pavel, I need your help." He crawled out from under the helm and made room for the young genius.

"I need to go get the artifact, Krall wants it and we can't let him get it."

Kalara looked surprised, "It is still on this ship?"

The lights flickered and came on; the ship was on line once more and time was running out.

"Herms stay here and assist Chekov." Jim locked eyes with me and translated his words; follows us.

The pair left and I shared a silent nod with Pavel before starting out after them. I kept my distance, my hand on my gun.

The pair chatted lightly as Jim led the way towards the storage area. My head peered around the corner as they stopped and opened one of the hatches. In an instant Kalara had him disarmed and held fast to the case which had once held the artifact. She opened it and her eyes looked up to him; betrayed. I saw my chance and took it. A hatred I didn't know I had welled up inside of me; pressing me on as I started towards the pair. All of this was because of her. The destruction of our home, the breaking up of our family, countless, unnecessary deaths. I returned my gun to its holster and my nails bit into the flesh of my hand.

Jim, who had his hands up, smirked, "I don't know where it went, but maybe she does."

Kalara had just time to turn around before my fist connected with her face. She fell backwards with a resounding thud, grabbing at her broken face and bleeding nose.

I retrieved my gun and took aimed, "Move and I will end you."

Jim slowly got up, clearly impressed, "Well done, Herms." I kept my eyes on Kalara, refusing to let her get the upper hand.

Thuds sounded behind us and a yell echoed throughout, "Ve hawe company!" I fired a stunning shot at Kalara and Jim and I took off as shooting sounded. Lights lit up the hall as Pavel joined us.

Jim was huffing as he ran, a smile of adrenaline on his face, "Are we having fun yet?"

XxX