Author Notes: Thank you so much for the reviews. Unfortunately, you're going to have to wait for the next chapter to find out what the Enterprise lot are up to. In the meantime, enjoy!

Chapter 3: Fresh Blood

Malcolm tensed as the doors of the compound were pulled open without the usual accompanying klaxon. It still made him jumpy, even after a week. He gently shook Katrina awake, who slurred, "What's goin' on?"

"I don't know."

Katrina pulled herself up into a sitting position, carefully avoiding Malcolm's back. She tilted her head, frowning, and then, "New slaves. They're replacing the ones that got crushed last week. I wonder what species they've bought."

"Please don't term it like that."

"What? Bought? The universe hates us Malcolm, deal with it."

"Thanks for that."

"Stand away scum!" A foreman yelled out, kicking a little slimy alien out of his way. The foremen dragged in new slaves, and unceremoniously dumped them in a pile in the centre of the compound.

As soon as the last slave was deposited and the foremen had locked the compound doors, slaves started to move forwards, dragging away any newcomer that was of their race. Katrina curled back up, "No humans."

"What will happen to those that don't have a race here?"

"Starve probably." Katrina yawned casually.

"You didn't." Malcolm pointed out.

"Robert died two weeks before you came. I also have sharp teeth." Katrina said nonchalantly.

Malcolm smirked and turned his attention back to the depleting pile of unconscious slaves. As a Ri'kya dragged off their new addition, one body was left in the centre. It was quite small, so Malcolm presumed it to be a child, about twelve. It looked like a human, but Katrina had said that there definitely weren't any. He frowned, "That one looks human."

Katrina groaned exasperatedly and sat back up. Only half paying attention, "Nope; Vulcan kid."

"I never thought I'd say this, but we have to help him. He's only a child."

"So? He ain't human."

"But he's Vulcan, who are a sight more friendly than most of the races here."

"Mal, I do not want to share my food with a happy little elf. You are far too helpful for your own good."

"Look, if it was an adult, I might agree with you; they can fight. But this kid will die within the week."

"It's not our problem. If we take it in, we'll be seen as weaker than we already are. We stick to our species here, Malcolm; you should know that by now."

"I don't give a damn as to what unwritten rules state what I can or cannot do; I get enough of that from the foremen."

"You're too soft."

Malcolm snorted, "My old colleagues would disagree with you there. They were of the opinion that I was uptight and paranoid."

"God, if you're a tougher human from Earth, I'd hate to meet a soft one." She sighed, "Fine then, get the Vulcan, but on your head be it."

No needing to be told twice, Malcolm got up; all eyes following him as he grabbed the wrists of the child and dragged him slowly back to their corner, trying to ignore the stabbing pains that ran up his arm. After a minute of staring, the other slaves seemed to lose interest, and went back to what they had been doing. "When will he wake up?"

"Depends on the species. Now, if you don't mind, I'd like to get back to sleep. Wake me when it comes round." Katrina curled back up, wriggled about a bit to get comfortable and finally settled into a steady breathing pattern.

A barely audible groan pricked the edges of Malcolm's hearing. He turned to watch the small Vulcan stir and come round. He shook Katrina awake, "Piss off!"

Malcolm smirked evilly, "You did say you wanted to be woken."

"Yeah, well I retract that statement."

Their friendly banter was interrupted by an accusing voice, "Who are you?"

Katrina raised an eyebrow, "See? Vulcan's are bloody impolite. No 'Thank you for saving me from the nasty Klingons' or 'I am in your debt'. Hell, even a simple 'cheers' would have sufficed." The Vulcan scowled, making her look mildly surprised, "I've never seen a Vulcan exhibit so much emotion."

"I am half Vulcan, my mother was a human. Where is this?"

"We're in Oribium mines, and we're the slaves." Malcolm supplied, deciding not to comment on the boy's lineage.

"Where?"

"How the hell should we know? We were just as out of it as you when we were brought here." Katrina leaned against the wall, enjoying the boy's reaction.

"Never mind, Father will find me."

Katrina let out a sharp bark of laughter, "Come back to reality kid. I've been here since I was your age when my dumb master decided to gamble on the Trimoon Races; no one's come for me. Mal's been here just gone four months, and he's still here too. The sooner you realise this, the better for all of us."

"I thought humans were optimistic and foolhardy."

Malcolm gave the boy a half smile, "Only the ones who ignore the universe's true colours."

"What's your name kid? I can hardly call you Elf for the rest of your life."

"Soreq, and you?" The klaxon went off.

"I'm Katrina, he's Malcolm. And now it's time for the fun to begin."

"Food!" Five foremen dumped a vat of the disgusting oatmeal-like substance; the water was distributed when the slaves were in the mines. Soreq stood and picked up the bowl Katrina had given him. The two humans watched as their new companion made his way across the compound. Malcolm stood up slowly; his energy already ebbed to the point where most free people would collapse. He frowned as he saw a commotion near the food, not surprised when he saw it involved the Klingons. "We don't share food with weak little runts like you."

The Vulcan remained calm, "Please let me pass; I'm hungry."

The Klingon, called Q'taak, sneered, "I'll break yer neck if you try and eat. We work; you just move the rock we mine. You don't deserve our food."

The Klingon made to turn away, but Soreq let his annoyance get the better of him, "It is not your food!" The Vulcan made to push past the Klingon.

Outraged, Q'taak swung around, raising his arm to strike a blow that would easily have knocked Soreq out. Luckily for him, Malcolm managed to catch the blow before it fell. Over on the other side of the compound, Katrina sat up, assessed the situation, and slid a small object from the folds of her clothes. "Do not challenge me human!"

Malcolm had passed the diplomacy stage about a week into living in the compound, so he spat back, "I thought Klingons were meant to have honour. There is none in striking a child. You are pathetic and weak."

"Why do you defend it? It holds no blood of your race."

"I don't care what he is."

Q'taak smirked, "Then it is you who is pathetic." The Klingon twisted deftly out of Malcolm's grip, and kicked his legs from under him. He landed a heavy punch into Malcolm's stomach, who curled up in defence. Q'taak made to attack Malcolm again, but froze when a slight, blonde, human woman placed herself calmly between the Klingon and her two charges, "Move human! Or I will kill you with them."

Katrina smiled, "We all know you wouldn't do that, Q'taak, the Pensari tend to get a little annoyed when they lose slaves. Imagine what they would do to you," she taunted, "If you attempt to harm any of us again, I, however, will kill you."

"You? I would like to see you try."

Katrina smiled amiably, "However much it would delight me to put a few more nail marks onto your face, I find stabbing is the preferable way of killing someone." From behind her back, Katrina produced a metal pick axe head, "Unlike you, Q'raak, I have a brain, so I thought it would be a great idea to take one of these when the tunnel collapsed in, when the foreman wouldn't bother counting the tools. I hope we have an understanding now?" To emphasize her point, she brought the sharp tip up to Q'raak's throat.

The Klingon didn't respond to begin with. He, like the whole compound, was frozen in silence upon the production of the sharp implement. Even Malcolm didn't dare to move. Finally, Q'raak found a small snarl to put into his now less than confident voice, "You have guts, woman, I'll give you that. If you stay away from us, I see no reason why we should bother ourselves with filth like you. Collect your food."

Katrina smiled and slowly lowered her weapon. A Ri'kya handed the three bowls of food to them, and they returned to their corner. After a few minutes of silence, normal life resumed and a buzz of voices began to ring once more around the compound. The two humans and their Vulcan charge ate in silence, until Soreq spoke, "Thank you for saving me, I was rude before."

Katrina shrugged it off, glaring as she saw that Malcolm's eyes sparkled with triumph. After Soreq was asleep, Katrina tried to act indifferent as she piled up the bowls and prepared to sleep, allowing Malcolm to take the first watch. Only a few seconds after she had closed her eyes, she opened them once more, glaring accusingly at her friend, "Don't look so smug."

"I wouldn't dare."

Katrina grunted, unconvinced.

"I'm just glad you've warmed to him. I was worried I would have to manipulate you, and I'm too tired for that."

Katrina closed her eyes, smiling, "What can I say? I have a fetish for pointy ears."

Malcolm snorted, "I'll wake you in an hour."

Katrina didn't respond, having learnt a long time ago how to fall quickly into a deep sleep. Malcolm smiled fondly at the two forms curled up in their corner, and then turned his attention to the surrounding aliens.

To Be Continued…

Author Notes: Please review, I would love to know your thoughts!