Disclaimer from before still applies, though we will meet a character of my own invention in this chapter.
*Author's note: If anything seems wrong, let me know. Please be patient. Constructive criticism is always welcome!
Stepping up onto the platform behind the Captain, Sulu took a deep breath. He always got nervous when accompanying a landing party. His nerves had good reason to act up. Things like this were never "in and out," as the Captain had said.
Somehow, though, Sulu thought to himself as he slowly let the air out of his lungs and prepared for transport, just looking at the back of Kirk's head had a claming effect.
A disconnected sensation swept over the helmsman and he soon found himself outside an old, rugged stone building in the cold dark, still staring at the back of the Captain's head. Shivers raced up his spine as he glanced around him at his surroundings. He heard the bleep of a communicator and looked to its source.
"Kirk to Enterprise." Confidence emanated from the Captain's voice, causing Sulu to square his shoulders and become alert.
"Scott here."
"We've made it to the planet's surface safely. I'll contact you at regular intervals. Keep the Enterprise out of danger. Kirk out." The Captain snapped his communicator shut and took a step out of the formation.
Sulu tried to focus on the task at hand as he followed Mr. Spock and was followed by three red shirts into the building in front of them. It was time for the fun to begin…
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As he stepped from the dark outside to the slightly lighter inside with Spock at his side and Sulu and the rest of the landing party tight behind them, Kirk marveled at the fact that they'd managed to step into a hall lined with cells. Prison cells. Just the place for a prisoner. However, the cells were empty. Or so it seemed.
Mr. Spock took the tricorder from his side and began to scan the vicinity. "Captain," he whispered and motioned to the last cell on the left. At first glance, it seemed this small stone room enclosed in metal bars was empty like the others.
"I am reading a humanoid life form in this cell, Captain," Spock stated.
"Sir," Sulu pointed, "there." Kirk followed Sulu's gaze to the corner. A black bundle lay almost completely hidden among the shadows. He was briefly reminded of trying to spot the snaked hidden among sticks and leaves behind glass in a zoon as a boy. He never liked zoos. Always preferred animals in the wild…free.
"Is that her?" Sulu's anxious voice brought Kirk back from his thoughts.
"We'll find out," he answered and took a step closer to the bars separating him from the prisoner, almost but not quite touching them. "Lieutenant," he whispered just loud enough for her to hear. "Lieutenant Montgomery," just a little louder. The bundled stirred and slowly grew larger as the captive uncurled herself. Moonlight fell from a skylight and splashed on the stone floor, illuminating her face as she unsteadily stepped closer to the bars.
Closing her eyes and raising a hand to her temple, she nodded slightly. She opened her mouth to speak, but winced in pain and waver on her feet.
"Shhh…" Kirk willed her not to speak. Pain traced every feature of her face as she opened her eyes. The haunted emerald green intrigued the Captain. He turned to Spock and they began to speak in hushed voices.
"I do not recommend the use of a phaser," Spock began, "I have been picking up unusually high energy readings, and the sound may alert someone of our presence."
"I hear you," Kirk interrupted, "what do you recommend?"
There was a pause as the Vulcan analyzed the situation and possible solutions. Kirk became impatient. "Do you think you could…?"
Spock understood immediately, "I could attempt to…"
"All right." Kirk stepped away from the bars to stand among Sulu and the red shirts as Spock stepped forward.
His face expressionless, his eyes focused, Spock paused a moment, arms at his sides. Then, slowly, he brought his hands up to the bars and placed them firmly on the smooth, metal rods. The people there watched in horror as the Vulcan first officer's body tensed involuntarily and he was thrown back against the opposite cell. He slumped into a heap on the cold, stone floor, unconscious.