McCoy was dreaming, he knew this because since serving on board the Enterprise he hadn't awoken once remembering his dream. He was laying on a beach, the sun beating down on him, he could feel the sand beneath his hands and the sound of the ocean washing up onto the shore, it was lulling him into a sleep like state. Turning his head he saw that he wasn't alone, Carla was next to him. He watched her turn her head and look into his eyes, she was saying something to him but he couldn't hear her. He tried to read her lips, she was saying something to him over and over, finally the word became clear.

"Run."

And as quick as he felt the sun on his face it was gone and replaced by the cool air of Alika, darting up he watched a large hooded figure looming over one of the Engineers, a glimmer of light reflected off the weapon in the figure's hand and McCoy had to use all his strength not to shout out in horror as he watched the blade plunge into the defenceless man on the floor. As he gagged on his own vomit he scrambled from his blanket and searched in vain for anything around him that he could use as a weapon, looking to Carla's mat he could see that she wasn't there. His eyes darted around but there was no sign of her, he had to think fast. Looking to the nearby undergrowth he took a deep breath and lunged towards it, taking cover in the dead leaves and branches.

There was no movement coming from the two camps other than the hooded figure, standing and cleaning the blood off his blade. All the other Engineers were still in theirs beds, he didn't know if they were dead or alive. McCoy could hear his own heartbeat pounding out of his chest, there was nothing he could do. In the moonlight and the last few torches that still remained lit McCoy watched the figure pull down his hood, the man was at least six foot seven, his head shaven. When he turned he could see that he sported a jagged scar that ran diagonally across his face and across his eye. He was a professional, he'd taken out both camps without so much as a murmur from anyone.

A rustle to his left caught his attention, it caught Kusa Sarraf's as well because he began to walk towards where the sound had emanated. McCoy's stomach lurched, he knew what it was, who it was.

"Please god no." He whispered. Sarraf stopped just outside the edge of the camp parameter.

"Come out come out wherever you are." His voice was wicked and tinged with amusement. In a flash of movement Sarraf leapt forward and grabbed Carla by her hair, dragging her out into the clearing. "Well well, look what we have here." Sarraf sneered, Carla struggled against his grip, her legs couldn't get any purchase on the floor and he yanked her around so much she was starting to get disoriented. He threw her down on the ground laughing, she immediately tried to run but he was so much faster and stronger.

"Please…" Before she could speak he grabbed her by the hair again and hauled her up so that she was stood in front of him, his knife trained on her. She couldn't help but let out a cry.

"Now now, we'll be having none of that. I don't want to have to cut that pretty throat of yours." Sarraf walked around her, his eyes roaming over her as she stood shaking. "What's your name Sweetness?" He spoke close to her ear, letting his knife trail up and down her arm as he spoke.

"I'm Lieutenant Carla Collins, I'm a Starfleet Officer. I demand that you put down your weapon and let me go!" Her voice was shaking but she stared at him, hoping to god she didn't look scared to death, which was how she was feeling in that moment. Sarraf let out a hearty laugh, in an instant he had his hand round her throat.

"I don't think so Sweetness, a Starfleet Officer you say? You'll make me a pretty penny at auction Sweetness." Carla couldn't breathe, her hands grasped frantically at his coat trying to push him away. "You've got a bit of fight in you have ya?" He laughed again. Carla brought her knee up hard into his groin but Sarraf simply laughed harder. "Hey now Sweetness, that's no way to treat your Owner." Bringing his hand back he slapped her, throwing her through the air she landed with a thump. Her vision blurred and her head fogged over, before she could react to the pain he had grabbed her again and started dragging her along the ground.

"STOP! Let me go you sick sonofabitch!" She shouted at the top of her lungs.

"Well Sweetness, this has turned into a shower of shit so…change of plan." Flipping his knife in his hand so that he was holding it by the blade he struck Carla over the head with the handle knocking her out. Pulling her up and tossing her over his shoulder as if she weighed no more than a feather he continued on into the undergrowth.

McCoy hadn't moved from his spot, he knew there was nothing he could have done then and there. His hands were balled into tight fists, his knuckles white with anger. When they were far enough away he came out from his hiding place, creeping forward he followed at a safe distance. There was no way this man was taking her.

Sarraf stopped outside his shuttle, opening the rear access he walked up the ramp, Carla still slung over his shoulder. The shuttle was old and dirty, parts pulled from other ships and lights that blinked randomly. Chains adorned the walls, throwing her on the ground he shackled her wrists and ankles.

"You stay there Sweetness while I go finish what I came here to do." He ran the back of his hand over her cheek and thumbed her split lip, smearing the blood over her chin. Bringing his thumb to his own mouth he closed his eyes and hummed. "You really are sweet Sweetness. I'm in two minds as to whether or not I should just keep you for myself." Grabbing another weapon from the wall he walked back down the ramp, pressing the button so that the door began to close.

This was McCoy's only chance, watching the man walk away from his shuttle he made a dash for the door, rolling in just before it closed. He froze, listening to make sure the man hadn't heard him. As soon as he felt it was safe he looked to Carla, scrambling across the floor he knelt by her side.

"Cece!" He whispered, holding her head up with his hands he checked her pupils and took her pulse. "Cece! You have to wake up! Now damn it!" Carla groaned in response, she had a splitting headache. Opening her eyes she tried to focus on McCoy's face.

"Leonard?" She groaned.

"Cece, we need to get out of here, now!" Grabbing at the chains that held Carla to the wall of the shuttle McCoy looked around for something to use to unlock the restraints. In a panic he tried prying them open with his bare hands, Carla was simultaneously trying to pull her wrist through the handcuff, McCoy grabbed her forearm and pulled along with her.

"Arghh!" Carla screamed out at the pain, the skin around her wrist now red and inflamed. "It's no use Leonard! You're not going to get me out of these! Go! Go now before he comes back!" Tears were running down her face, the situation was hopeless.

"I'm not leaving you! You hear me Cece! We're leaving together!" McCoy ground out through gritted teeth, standing he went over to the control panel, his eyes darting from one switch to the next desperately trying to come up with a plan.

The sound of the door beginning to open stopped them both in their tracks, Carla looked in horror at the door and then to McCoy.

"Hide!" She hissed, McCoy looked to the door himself, contemplating whether or not just to run full tilt into the man when he appeared and hoping to god he killed him first. "Leonard! The box!" He looked back to Carla and then realised she was looking at a storage container to his left, it was big enough for a man to fit inside. Lifting the lid he jumped in, closing the lid just before Sarraf walked in, dragging one of the Alika people behind him. A small opening acting as a handle on the side of the box allowed McCoy to peer through and watch the events unfold.

Carla looked away from the container quickly and lowered her gaze, pretending to rouse from her unconsciousness.

"Honey I'm home!" Sarraf jeered, shackling the Alikan to the wall opposite her he turned his attention back to her. "Have you missed me Sweetness? I see you've been busy, now be careful, I don't want you hurting yourself or that pretty skin of yours. I'm looking to get a nice little pay check for you when we reach outpost Vectra. Nobody likes damaged goods."

"Listen to me, I'm a Starfleet Officer, they will come after me! You won't get away with this!" Carla shouted at him, all her training as a Mediator had gone out the window. She was just trying to survive. "Are you fucking listening to me you bastard! Let me go!"

Sarraf grabbed one of the chains that her foot was bound to and pulled harshly, dragging her so that she was laying on the ground. Placing the sole of his boot on her chest he slowly began to place his weight on her.

"Sweetness, nobody is coming after you, nobody is saving you. You're going to be sold to the highest bidder and then if you're lucky. Well, how do I put this? If you're lucky that pretty body of yours will be kept in one piece." Stepping off her Sarraf went to the front of the shuttle leaving Carla to cough and splutter for air. Peering up at the storage box she began to cry. She knew then and there, they were both going to die.

Scotty watched the freighter fire up and fly away, running his hands over his face he began to panic. He needed to get back to the camp and contact the Enterprise. Lieutenant Collins and Doctor McCoy were in danger, they needed help, before it was too late.