Author's Note: People have been waiting for ages for a new chapter. I didn't forget about this story, I've just had a lot of stuff going on in the past few years. resulting in a massive upload delay. I finally found the time to add more chapters. I hope it was worth the wait, -skaterstreak
They were inside the hole for what felt like forever. Nothing to entertain themselves except for the conversations they had with one another, which also proceeded to die short after. Jim had been through countless upon countless dangerous situations, but none would ever top being stuck inside of a ditch with his first officer and his M.C.O.
It was a pathetic attempt, but Jim was the first to break the awkward silence that had grown upon the three men, "I'm bored." He groaned, his tone sounding rather childish. This only elicited a scoff out McCoy.
"You're bored? Jim, that's the least of our worries. Spock is fairly hurt and our means of communication are fired. Your entertainment isn't important right now." McCoy fired back.
"I know, but that doesn't mean I can't say I'm bored. We've been just waiting here like sitting ducks. We should be up there fleeing while it's still daylight." Jim countered, as Spock merely raised an eyebrow at the two. Bickers between the Captain and the Doctor were not unknown, but now was definitely not the time nor place. Spock sat quietly as he tried to ignore the throbbing in both his leg and his ankle.
McCoy pinched the bridge of his nose,"Are you stupid, Jim? Even if we did get out of this hole; Spock can't walk right now. Even if he could, it wouldn't be very far."
Spock cleared his throat, "Why are you referring to me as if I am not here? I also do not believe this is the most appropriate of times to be arguing."
"I can't believe I'm saying this, but sorry, Spock. Jim is somehow in-charge, despite how little he uses his brain sometimes."
"Hey! I do use my brain." Jim replied, "But fine, I'll tone down the attitude. On a serious note, we do need to get out of here." No one said anything further, but only the nod of their head confirmed Kirk's statement.
They were unsure how time worked on that planet. The had arrived at what seemed to be noon, but now it was quickly approaching dusk. The ditch they were in was already dark due to the sun no longer being above them, now it was nearing pitch black. At least the darkness might make it harder for them to be spotted, but that was assuming luck was on their side. The inhabitants seemed to be canine-like and cat-like, it wouldn't be suprising to Kirk if they also didn't have night vision to go along with their other heightened senses.
"Any ideas on how to get out?" Kirk asked, hopefully. This is the first time as Captain, he truly couldn't come up with a plan. He felt completely helpless.
"Nope. What about you, Spock?" McCoy answered, but the Vulcan didn't reply to the question. His silence only worried both men.
Jim spoke first, "Spock?"
Spock must've dozed off because his next response only made him seem disorientated.
"Apologies, Captain. Were you addressing me?"
McCoy nodded but asked before Kirk could speak, " We were, but that's not important right now. How are you feeling? Be honest."
Spock let out a ...sigh? " I believe I am slightly indiposed, but there is no reason to fret. I assure you I will be fine."
"I'll access whether you'll be fine or not. Spock, you should try to get some sleep. Jim and I will watch lookout and we'll wake you if there's any danger."
To no surprise, the Vulcan adheres to the Doctor's advise and allows himself to rest. Jim can't begin to ponder how badly his leg hurts if he was asleep after twenty minutes. They continued to speak to one another until nightfall approached in the following hour. There was something about this planet that made the two men feel rather drowsy. They allowed themselves to sleep before a snapping of a twig alerted them.
"Did you hear that?" McCoy whispered, to which Jim nodded fearfully. This was it. They had been hunted down and there was no escaping this time. Much to their suprise, they did not see the red skinned guard they had earlier.
They were greeted by a white skinned alien with white wolf like ears and tail. Her hair was a silky texture and her hair was pinkish.
"Are you alright?" The creature asked. Leonard and Jim both looked at one another before looking back up.
"..You're not going to kill us?" Jim asked hestitantly, before the creature tilted its head in confusion. It proceeded to jump down into the ditch so it was at eye-level with the crew.
"Kill you? Not all of us are savages, sir. The name is Medicina. I am a healer for my village, but you probably already knew that." Medicina answered bowing slightly.
This time, McCoy spoke, "If you're not here to capture us, then why are you here?" He asked carefully. This seemed too fishy for his liking. They were ambushed and conveniently a non-hostile member stumbles upon them. 'Definitely worth noting.' McCoy thought to himself.
"Okay, Medicina. Is there any chance you can help get out of this hole? We're trapped, if you haven't noticed." Kirk asked, looking upward to further prove his point. Medicina didn't respond, but she proceeded to jump out of the hole with one strong leap. A couple of minutes passed with radio silence before a thick vine had been lowered down.
"You go first." He nodded towards Jim, "I'll wake Spock and make sure he doesn't get injured more on the way up." This time, there was no bickering. When it came to his crew's health, Spock was more important than his stubborn insistance that he should stay with him.
Jim grabbed onto the rope as tightly as he could; allowing himself to be pulled up and out of the hole. Jim could hear the vulcan's slurred speech, something worth worrying over, but not now. Spock was wrapped in the vine carefully, as soon as he saw Spock's shoulders, he pulled him up the rest of the way. Now that Spock was in his grasp, he noted how warm the he felt, despite his lower temperature. Something worth bringing up with McCoy.
Lastly, McCoy himself was brought out of the hole. Medicina carefully recovered the trap, as to make it seem as if they had not been there.
"Thank you." Jim said as he and McCoy rose to their feet. Spock was slightly out of it, but they supported his body weight with each of his arms wrapped around their shoulder.
"You're very welcome, but I am afraid this is the farthest I can assist you. I will have my tail hanging on a wall if they found out it was I who aided your escape." The duo nodded in understanding, but not before she pulled out a map.
"What you came here for is labeled on the map with an 'X'. Please do be careful. I must go now." With that,she scurried off into the woods on all fours. Kirk didn't think he'd fully understand these aliens in his life, but if one of them is capable of compassion, who knew what else was in their future.