Spock walked through the deserted night club, everything quiet. He held his hands up in a defensive posture, having heard slight scuffling noises ahead. All was still, and the hostages were nowhere to be seen.
He felt, more than heard, Sulu come up behind him. "Have you seen anyone?" Spock asked softly, dark eyes watching for any movement.
"No, sir."
Spock gestured toward the hallways, and Sulu began to search for any sign of people.
Spock prowled past the dark-lighted rooms, having sensed a strangely familiar mind-call. He paused, listening hard. Mind made up, he turned-
-And found himself face-to-face with a Vulcan that he had hoped never to see again.
The Vulcan gaped at Spock in disbelief. "Spock? Is it really you?"
Spock eyed him cautiously. "It is I, Sybok."
Sybok's face split in a huge grin, and he pulled the other Vulcan into a bear hug. "Spock, it's so good to see you!" He slowly realized that Spock did not return the gesture, and released him. "Spock, what's the matter?"
"You are the leader of the Army of Light?" Spock asked neutrally.
Sybok beamed. "Yes, and we're going to find Shakari! With your help, of course."
Spock slowly shook his head. "You are mistaken, Sybok. I have come to arrest you for seventeen violations of the Neutral Zone Treaty."
Sybok stared at him for a moment, and suddenly began laughing. "Oh Spock," he finally gasped. "You're too much."
Spock raised an eyebrow. "You do not understand. These are serious charges."
Sulu slowly stepped into the room, the three "hostages" behind him. Each held a projectile gun, trained on the Japanese man with unwavering accuracy. Entering the room after them were a dozen foot soldiers armed in a similar manner.
Sybok paced the room, finally turning to face Sulu. "How many of you Starfleet officers are here?" he demanded. When Sulu said nothing, he stepped closer. "Tell me!"
Sulu smirked. "Why don't YOU tell ME?"
Sybok viciously backhanded Sulu across the face, sending him sprawling on the ground. He forcibly held the man down with one booted foot, fists clenched. "I will not tolerate defiance," he ground out. "Either you tell me of your own free will, or I will take it from your mind."
Sulu paled at the words. Sybok wouldn't...would he? He was no normal Vulcan, that was for sure...Emotional, irrational, and evidently insane.
"My Lord!"
The call saved Sulu from Sybok's threat, as two guards dragged a resisting McCoy into the room. His sleeve was covered in blood, but other than that he didn't appear to be injured. The doctor glared at Sybok. "So, this is all your doing! Shoulda known a Vulcan'd be behind all this..."
"Sybok, you need not torment my shipmates," Spock interrupted. "I will tell you what you want to know."
"Spock!" Sulu protested, but was cut off by Sybok's boot on his neck.
"There are merely five of us," Spock continued without expression. "Our starship is in orbit above the planet, and our shuttle lies due south of the city."
Sybok smiled. "A starship! Who is your captain?"
"No Spock, don't tell him!" McCoy shouted.
"I am," Kirk's voice answered.
The young admiral was standing in the doorway, swaying slightly. His phaser was trained on Sybok, but his hand trembled with weakness.
"And who are you?" Sybok asked, seeming not to notice the phaser.
Kirk lifted his chin proudly. "Admiral James T. Kirk." Gasps went around the entire room. "Let my friends go."
Sybok stepped forward until the phaser nearly touched his chest. "No. You must kill me first." Behind him, Sulu was hauled to his feet and restrained by two men.
Kirk's aim wavered as he stared into the Vulcan's dark eyes. He didn't want to kill. Surely the Vulcan didn't mean to hurt anyone. Maybe if he relented, the Vulcan would let him go back to the ship and get something for that headache. All he needed to do was surrender-
Surrender? Sorry mister, I deleted that word from my vocabulary years before you came along.
"Jim, please don't," Spock called softly, and Kirk looked up in surprise.
That was what Sybok had been waiting for. He lashed out and slapped away the phaser, crunching it to pieces. Kirk stumbled and almost fell, the pain in his head growing worse. Pale and shaky, he glared at Sybok.
The fear on McCoy's face was obvious, and even Sulu looked horrified at his weakness. For the first time, Kirk noticed that Spock was not restrained or threatened. No! Surely he hasn't joined this madman...
Spock moved toward Kirk, and Sybok allowed him to steady his friend with one strong arm. "Sybok, why are you doing this?" Spock asked, voice low. "Why are you causing more pain?"
Sybok acted surprised. "I never intended to do battle or cause pain," he replied.
"Could have fooled ME," Sulu muttered sarcastically, rubbing his aching neck.
"All I wanted was a spaceship to take me to Shakari," Sybok continued, ignoring the human. "All three representatives agreed to act as my hostages until I gained control of a ship. And now, Admiral Kirk, if that's REALLY who you are...your starship is now MY starship."
"Go to Hell," Kirk spat, and Sybok's eyes darkened in anger.
"I don't think so. That would be counterproductive." Sybok turned to the guards holding Sulu and McCoy. "Put them in restraints and find their shuttle," he ordered. "We will be leaving shortly."
"You'll never get away with this!" McCoy shouted as the guards began to drag him off.
"Just try and stop me," Sybok smirked. He looked back to Spock. "Are you with me, Spock?"
Spock stared at him, his dark eyes icy cold. "Sybok, I have told you numerous times. I will not follow you. My loyalty is no longer yours. My allegiance is that of Admiral Kirk's. I will not betray him as you did to me."
Sybok's gaze met Spock. "Very well. Guards, take them."
The guards tore Kirk away from Spock and shoved him out of the room. His vision swam and he desperately shook his head. Now was NOT the time to pass out. Oh, if only his head didn't hurt so much...
He needed a plan, and fast. Or else the Enterprise might not last more than a day.