Chapter Three

The hike their alien captors made them take was hard, especially with the light blinding their eyes.

But Hoshi and Liz had more on their minds then just their sore muscles and sensitive eyes. They had decided that now was the time to try and outsmart their attackers while they were above ground.

Hoshi understood the alien language without a translation device, but Liz could not. So it was up to the linguist to decide when the time was right to make a break for it. They would act when Hoshi said "jetzt," which is German for "now." Liz liked the plan, but then to her any plan was a good one.

Hoshi breathed heavily walking up the hill to the tree they would have to climb. Their captures were discussing what to do with the Andorian artifacts. The rare items would bring a high price at an auction on another world.

While Hoshi didn't know the name of the world they were on, she did know one thing: these bulky, ugly aliens were proud of themselves and laughed at their capture.

Then Liz and Hoshi's execution was discussed and Hoshi knew it was now or never because soon they would be forced up the tree.

The linguist eyed her friend, who looked at her in return.

"Jetzt," Hoshi said.

Liz shoved over one of the guards and drove her bony elbow in his neck. The alien screamed itself breathless. Hoshi jumped the other captor, and Liz helped her. They punched, elbowed, bit and scratched; anything to incapacitate their much larger foe.

Arrows swooshed by the two just before the large alien passed out. Hoshi and Liz looked up, fresh blood already forming on their ragged uniforms. There was a group several meters away with bows and arrows. Hoshi shoved Liz, motioning her to run like hell.

Nodding, Liz ran with Hoshi just behind her. They made it to the bottom of the hill just as the arrows pierced their arms and legs. The Starfleet officers tried to keep running and yelled in frustration as the fell to the dirt and their world turned black.

***

Travis, Malcolm, T'Pol, Shran, and some of Shran's people surveyed the area before trying to locate Hoshi and Liz's whereabouts.

"I have two human bio-signs in the trees above," T'Pol reported.

"What sort of shape are they in?" Travis asked, worried about his friends.

"They are in poor condition. I read fractured bones, dehydration and malnutrition," she answered succinctly

"Damn, those aliens really put them through hell," Malcolm mumbled.

"I wouldn't be surprised if they are planning their execution as we speak and waste time," Shran said, annoyed at how long this was taking.

"I believe you are correct, we will inform Captain Archer that we are ready to be beamed to the tree forts," T'Pol agreed.

"What if it doesn't work?" Malcolm asked, hesitant about using the transporter.

"We'll fall," Travis said. "It's worked every time we've used it. It worked beaming us to the planet's surface, so it should work this time."

Malcolm wasn't sure if he was reassured. He didn't relish the idea of falling hundreds of meters.