AN: Usual disclaimer, the rights to Star Trek etc. belong to someone else. The entire story is complete on my PC, and I'll try to load up a new chapter every few days. Please read and review – constructive feedback will help me finalise the remaining chapters.

Chapter 16

After the excitement of the plasma fire, McCoy eventually transported down to Perpetous. Settling into 'greeting', 'antiseptic wipe', 'shot', 'greeting', 'antiseptic wipe', 'shot', he was in the zone herding people through. A break in the proceedings, he sat upright stretching his arms over head whilst rolling his head from side to side. Eyes closed, he wished for the warm touch of Carol working out the knots in his shoulders. Opening his eyes a female hobbled towards him face obscured by a hood, her slender hands battling to keep it in place against a sudden gust of wind. The dark grey clouds gathering in the skies ominously hinted at a storm on its way. He could smell it, that damp earthy scent. She appeared to wait to for him, shunning opportunities to be seen by other Starfleet personnel.

Shyloh settled on the chair in front of McCoy, taking a chance being out in the open there was no guarantee he would be there. After Freedan's inquisition and time spent recovering, it had to be McCoy she approached. After witnessing his brotherly council of Kirk, it was clear they had a close friendship. From her vantage point she anxiously observed the guards periodically stopping woman who resembled her. The blond bum length hair now cropped close to her cheekbones, the red soil used to temporary tint it muddy brown. One of her trusted contacts; unknown to Freedan or Samson had provided her with a loose fitting white top, and black floor length skirt. The typical attire of female Perpetuans of the region.

McCoy lent in to jab in a needle, but her firm grip stopped him millimetres from her arm. The movement startled him, as Shyloh partially dropped her hood. She kept her voice low so he was forced to lean in and listen. ' I have information about Captain Kirk...' leaning into his personal space she quickly tried to gauge his reaction to her.

'What are you doing? Do I know you?' A flicker of recognition from him, his piercing gaze trying to spot any recognisable features.

It had not gone unnoticed McCoy's work rate had stalled since Shyloh sat down. One of his colleagues even stopped to observe the strange interaction. Abruptly her hood flew back up, the call of the inquiring guard spurring her into action. Roughly pulling McCoy's hand forward, she jabbed herself with the needle, using the closeness to palm a note into his lap before scurrying away.

'Doctor, is everything okay?' The guard finally made it upfront just in time to see Shyloh disappear into the throng of people. Both he and McCoy staring after the mysterious figure.

'Huh? Uh, yes. Fine'. McCoy's puzzlement quickly overshadowed by his gruff response. Calling forward the next person in the queue. 'Everything's great...' avoiding the guard's scrutiny he focused on injecting an old woman. A whispered thanks and she was gone. 'Next!' McCoy shouted, from the side of his eye he could see the guard weighing up his options, before moving off. McCoy huffed out a held breath, aware a note from someone who claimed to know him was nestled between his thighs. Signalling for relief; he needed to see what was written in the note. Moving to the far corner of the tent, he grabbed a bottle of water to quench his thirst. About to take a second gulp, the bottle hovered mid air as he thumbed the note, I know where he is. Help me and I'll help you. Spinning around he sprinted out of the tent, at last recalling who she was, frantically he scoured the crowd for Shyloh.

'What do you mean he's lying?' Freedan shouted at Samson. He stood by the main entrance to their base. She stormed by him, closely followed by her aide.

'It's part of Irin's plan to capture you' finding herself in the artefact holding room. Hand on hips she was irritated. Freedan rapidly dismissed the crew packaging the latest finds to be shipped off planet. Waiting for the last person to leave the room before continuing.

'Explain, now, quickly' his commanded.

'Do not address me like I am one of your minions!' She bawled, the aide wisely taking the opportunity to slink into a far corner. Samson prowled towards Freedan until they were toe to toe. The sneer on her face speaking volumes, 'He knows you are greedy, blinded by easy riches. Obviously he's correct, as I'm pretty sure you were contemplating how to capitulate to him'. Monitoring Freedan's reaction, she knew she was correct as he dropped his once unwavering gaze, before shuffling back ever so slightly. 'Damn you!' She seethed, turning away from him. The sound of artefacts shattering on the floor, her hands drawn to her face.

'Alright! I did consider his offer', furiously pointing at her, 'you haven't exactly been very effective have you? Where is the great buyer for the Sunstones? Let them come give us our money and this charade is over.'

'Over, over! Really?' Her hollow laugh chilling him, 'In two days if I do not present you, Irin will arrest me' thumb thrust into her own chest. 'So tell me, what do I do?' Crowding him with her seemingly rhetorical question. 'There is no buyer, not anymore, I told you we would find another way...'

Freedan temper reared to life, backhanding Samson to the floor, he ranted over her, 'I have told you we will sell the sunstones, and I will take my share and leave here with Kirk. You can do as you want'. No matter what he would leave, Kirk serving as collateral. There was always plan b - somewhere someone would have use for a Federation captain with secure intel.

Out of the shadows Samson's aide crept to her assistance, 'get away from me', she hissed snatching her arm away as she stood up. Her pride hurt more than anything else. She poked her tongue to the corner of her mouth, the familiar taste of blood piquing her senses. 'Move the Sunstones now' she ordered whilst brushing off imaginary dirt from her jacket. In a few hours she would 'discover' their hiding place. In the meantime she had to figure out what to do with the Captain and the Vulcan. Maybe Kulj'ita could help.

Having drunk more of Getta's peppermint tea Uhura felt less jittery, in the middle of a conversation with Behan about projects she was temporarily handing over, her terminal emitted an alert. 'I'm sorry, I need to get that' as she galloped towards her computers leaving Behan mid question. Rapid keystrokes saw the findings downloaded to her personal PADD. Clutched close to her chest she ghosted by Behan, ignoring the calls from Getta and straight out the door to her quarters.

Walking through the brightly lit corridor, she willed herself not to look at her PADD until she was alone. Various crew members nodded hellos, their gaze held longer than necessary. Ignoring their pitying looks she stepped into the turbolift, straight into Carol Marcus. Standing side-by-side Uhura broke the silence 'I never said thank you for helping me with my leg...thank you'. Uhura was sure they could eventually be friends, but right now things were a bit strained. Her small talk left a lot to be desired.

'Yep, that's okay. Looks like everything is fine now', nodding to Uhura's knee. Clearing her throat, 'this is me', as the turbolift came to a halt. 'Look, I know Len forced this on both of us, he, I mean I would like us to be friends', looking everywhere, but directly at Uhura, she took a deep breath before continuing, 'anyway, if you ever want to talk about...stuff, I'm a great listener'. Her nervous smile but genuine sentiment touched Uhura, who merely nodded as Carol exited onto the science deck. Exhaling loudly, she continued onto to her room.

Kirk woke with a start in the darkness of his cell, the cool air settling against his skin. Without an accurate way to determine time his sleep pattern was all over the place. Sat upright, the rapid pace of his heart taunted him. Inhale, exhale he commanded himself. The dream felt so real, the harder he tried to remember it, the faster it slipped away.

'Jim, are you ok'. Spock enquired, 'You were shouting in your sleep', Kirk's muffled sounds distracting him.

'Yes', Kirk rolled onto his back determined to control his palpitations, simultaneously wanting to hold onto the dream. He could still feel the silky tendrils of a hand caressing his skin. Reacting to the forgotten content, he sported an erection. He needed Spock to believe him okay, so he replied more firmly with conviction, 'I'm fine Spock. With your finely attuned sense of time, what time is it anyway?'

'2053, do you have somewhere you need to be'?

With a wry smile, Kirk approached his door to converse with his friend. Guardless, it must have been time for a shift change. Still the only two on the floor, Freedan didn't think it was worthwhile having someone stationed there all the time. Besides the cameras were just as effective.

Resting his chin on his forearm, 'a joke Spock, things aren't that bad...'

'Now who's being irrelevant, Jim...' Kirk noticed Spock slipping between formal and informal means to address him. 'Have you meditated?' The aftermath of Theytan never far from his mind.

'Yes, somewhat. I am unlikely to lose control, if that is your concern'.

'That's good, I suppose...Though a flipped out Spock might be what we need to get out of here'. Kirk contemplated 'do you think you could navigate your way around the network?'

'Yes'

'Good...so here's the plan...'

After leaving the lab Uhura summoned McCoy, Sulu and Scotty on an encrypted channel. They were to meet later that night. Sat on her bed, she began to piece together all the data her illicit search had found. Overlaid on a topographical map of the region, the majority of the files had been created in or around the presidential building. However, and this drew her attention, a few were tagged near the cave network where Spock had disappeared. Cross referencing the date of these files none correlated with dates Samson was known to be away from her post. Gotcha! Overwhelmed, she fell back onto bed. Wanting to be excited she tempered her emotions. Closer than ever to finding Kirk, she closed her eyes exhaustion had won out. She slept for two hours, awaking she instinctively reached out for Kirk. Startled by the coolness of the empty space, she chastised herself for forgetting he wasn't there.

Rushing out of engineering towards the turbo lift, Scotty's shift ended bang on 2300. Outside her door Sulu's face greeted him as he was unceremoniously dragged in.

'What the hell was that for?!' Scotty brushing down his top. 'I bruise easily you know...'

'Sorry, jittery. Not every day we contemplate insubordination...' Sulu rocking on the balls of his feet.

Scotty looked past his edgy friend, observing McCoy and Sulu huddled around a PADD. Uhura expressions ranging from utter surprise to I told you so. More energised than he had seen her recently, it must have been good news.

'Yous two going to fill the rest of us in?' In his hand a large black coffee freshly ordered from the replicator. He fell back onto the nearest sofa.

Uhura prodded McCoy to go first 'it is very possible Spock is still alive and is being held with Jim'

Mid sip Scotty choked, eyes darting between his three crewmates. 'Come again, that's brilliant. What? How?' Sulu looking equally surprised.

Uhura went on to explain her theory about Christine's bond with Spock, her extra curricular activities with Samson's computer and McCoy chipping in about his run in with Shyloh and Christine's scans. He had finally looked at the images once returning from Perpetous.

'Whoa! All this is still circumstantial. I'll need more before going to Admiral Routledge' Sulu stated as a matter of fact. As acting Captain it would be down to him to convince Routledge. He looked pensive once again.

'Well how about the co-ordinates of Samson and Freedan secret liar, will that do!' challenged McCoy as he circled Sulu. 'After initially losing Shyloh, she came back at great risk to give me this...' On screen a cross section of the cave system. Scotty peering close at the image, open mouthed he looked at Uhura.

'What more do you need Hikuru?' For the first time in weeks Uhura sounded and looked poised and had a new sense of purpose. She stepped from behind McCoy; rushing to the nearest window passionately pointed at Perpetous. 'Jim is alive down there, Spock too, we have proof of the Samson's involvement in this and artefact thefts, and an eye witness to state that Freedan is a cold hearted murderer...' Her impassioned plea breaking through Sulu's doubts.

'Ok, I'll present this to the admiral tomorrow first thing'. He needed to work out how he would present the information without Routledge thinking they had purposefully disregarded her orders, even though they had. 'You realise that several regulations have been broken and I'll be expected to do something about that', he stared intently at Uhura.

'Well, what did you expect me to do? Kulj'ita's less than helpful reply to Samson. 'I could hardly disagree with him, it would look suspicious'.

Wisely, Samson waited until the morning to contact him via her secure comms channel. Alone in his bedroom, her not so tactful reminder was still fresh on both their minds. She had slept fitfully, Freedan's attack weighing heavily on her mind.

'Never mind, have you set up the rendezvous spot. I want it to be as public as possible when I present the Sunstones...'

'What's wrong with your mouth?' Kulj'ita pulled closer to the screen, intensely poring over puffy tell tale signs of a bruise.

Her hand shot up to her face discreetly passing over the offending area, embarrassed her attempts to conceal the swelling had failed. 'Nothing, it's nothing...' waving her hand away from the offending area. Though she had repeatedly informed him their arrangement was just sex, over the past few months something had changed. Kulj'ita knew it too, so his worry was satisfying to see, if not bad timing given the state of things.

'Did Freedan do that to you?' His concern railroading the discussion as he meticulously scrutinised other areas for injuries.

'He didn't mean it'.

Doubt radiated from Kulj'ita, 'He's out of control...' flicking his gaze back to Samson's eyes. 'Yes, it's all arranged for later this afternoon. Send your message to me and Irin after I go. That will begin the process'.

They had arranged for the Sunstones to be found in a village midway between the caves and the presidential building. Irin would personally travel there to retrieve them. Samson would be the one to present them to him. Getting them away with Freedan had been difficult, thankfully he was not interested in seeing them, just the money he was hoping to make.

Kulj'ita continued 'what about the Captain and the Vulcan?' Dislike for the former clearly evident.

'I don't know yet. But when I leave...'

'We leave...' Kulj'ita quickly correcting her, aware the situation was spinning wildly out of control. His exit strategy closely linked with Samson's, he was not staying behind to feel the brunt of any fall out. Especially as Shyloh was still unaccounted for. Certain she had no idea about his involvement, but he was not taking any chances.

'Yes, that's what I meant...we leave, they'll be safely dropped off somewhere...' Being purposefully vague, as she was still no closer to resolving that issue.

'Hmm, I've been thinking about that' he steepled his hands under his chin 'everyone thinks the Vulcan is dead, does that misconception have to change? From what you've said Freedan has taken quite a liking to him. Let him finish him off. As for the Captain, let Freedan take him once their shuttle prepares to leave orbit, intel will be slipped to the Enterprise and Irin about where to look in the skies. They'll immobilise the craft, rescue the captain and Freedan will be captured'.

'Freedan will never allow himself to be captured, he'll fight'.

'So, let him fight. In the battle his shuttle is destroyed...again I don't see the Enterprise letting the captain die once they're able to beam him to safety. What does it matter if he lives? He has no proof of your involvement...'

'Our involvement' using the tone he'd employed earlier in their conversation. His suggestion about sacrificing her cousin didn't faze her. After his attack she was more inclined to protect herself.

'Whatever, anyway once he's captured we'll leave'. Momentarily distracted by an alert on his computer 'I have to go, Irin has called for an update...'

The screen went black leaving Samson alone. Rising from her desk she continued with her preparations for going to the village.

As expected the conversation with Admiral Routledge was challenging. In the Captain's ready room Uhura, McCoy and Sulu sat around his table. With no direct involvement Scotty remained in his quarters well out of the way, however he had pulled Uhura aside and ordered her to keep her mouth shut. Her temper liable to cause more trouble than good.

'I thought I told you to stay out of the investigation' Routledge peered out from the monitor. Exasperated, she rubbed the bridge of her nose. 'So many Starfleet regulations have been broken here, Commander Uhura you'll be busted back down to cadet!'

Heeding Scotty's advice, Uhura sat motionless keeping her face impassive. This was a woman she did not want to antagonise. If this is what it would take to get Kirk and Spock back so be it. So far she was unsurprised by the reaction.

Affronted by Uhura's silence in the matter, she turned to McCoy 'Doctor are you certain this intel can be trusted? How does Shyloh know so much about this?'

'I believe it can, even if she is somehow wrapped up in this mess. Her injuries were not fake'. He grimaced recalling her graphic description of Freedan's explorations. Shyloh consenting to an examination to satisfy his curiosity. 'Why take the chance to find me knowing Freedan and Samson are looking for her?' McCoy increasingly annoyed by Routledge's apparent concern for their deception rather than his friends rescue. 'She said that Spock had been taken alive with her, and the whole cave in was a lie to keep him away from their operation. My scans prove Spock is alive'.

'Where is Shyloh now? I am sure Irin will want to question her himself'

'I, uh, I don't know...she slipped away without me seeing', seeing Routledge's incredulous recoil 'I am a doctor not security...'

Sulu interrupted before McCoy said something he'd regret, 'with all due respect Admiral, the evidence is irrefutable. I would not have called this meeting otherwise. I have my security team on standby ready to...'

'You will stand down Captain', Routledge fired, 'That is a direct and uniquivable order. You will leave this to my team and you will clean up your house...' pointing at Uhura. 'Thanks to her I have to convince the Perpetuan government to see the intel and not the means by which it was gained'.

'Hang on!' Uhura lunging forward to address Routledge. 'What does it matter how the information was gained. Everything there has been verified as true. We need to get our people now!' Uhura aghast the opportunity to rescue her friends was being delayed.

Aware of the very serious consequences of her outburst, McCoy hauled her back down into her seat. 'Calm down' he sternly advised, unfortunately it was too late Routledge's ire provoked even further.

'Commander Uhura you are relieved of duties and confined to your quarters pending a formal review' Routledge's immediate response. 'Be thankful it is not the brig, you have your relationship to thank for that!

'Now wait a minute, what's her relationship with the captain got to do with anything?' Sulu's calm demeanour tested by the verbal lashing towards his friend.

'Leave it Hikaru...' Uhura gritted her teeth to bite back the anger. She had witnessed the judgement over the years. The perception of preferential treatment by certain members within Starfleet. It was disheartening people, especially females, still thought she was were she was because of her connection to Kirk and Admiral Pike. Composing herself, she stared squarely at Routledge, 'So, will security escort me to my room or can I walk there by myself?' refusing to give Routledge the satisfaction of seeing her affected.

As plans go, Spock thought this one to be of their more illogical.

'It's brilliant in its simplicity'. Kirk told Spock.

'Yes, simple is an apt way to describe it Jim', however he had to admit he'd not had a better plan. A few tweaks here and there and it would increase the probability of success. On cue his shouting drew the guard's attention. Babbling in Vulcan, his thrashing and wild-eyed stare garnered the appropriate action. The door swung open to see Spock thrashing on the floor.

'Medical assistance required', the guard unhurriedly commanded into his headset. Eventually, two additional Perpetuans appeared dragging the now screaming Spock to triage. Kirk peered out of his cell, when he had initially suggested the idea to Spock it was obvious his human half was in charge at that moment. His response very unkeeping of a Vulcan, let alone a Starfleet officer. Essentially, Spock was to get taken to their sick bay, Vulcan nerve pinch his way to freedom having acquired a guard's uniform. Although a little shorter than a Perpetuan if they were in the same room, stood alone and without a lot of scrutiny he could just about pass provided he found some way to cover his face. He'd come back and get Kirk released under the pretext of some illness and they'd flee the cave network.

After a few hours locked up in her quarters Uhura was stir crazy. Access to all secure systems had been restricted and her PADDs had been taken away. All that was left to do was to tidy up and she was not yet that desperate. A security officer from Routledge's team stood directly outside her room with orders to check in on her every hour. He refused to acknowledge her request to see Sulu. Just then Scotty appeared, not through the door but from thin air.

'I hear you've been a naughty girl…' smirking at her.

'Fucking hell, I could have screamed you know!' Spinning around from the replicator, her peppermint tea left on the platform.

'The fact that you didn't worries me, but we can discuss that another day...Sulu told me everything'. He sat down on her sofa, arms dangling between his legs. 'So I'm going to pretend you asked me how I got here without detection and tell you anyway-'

Gawking at Scotty as he spoke and not quite listening, an idea sprung to mind. Marching up to the Scotsman so he was forced to look up at her, 'I don't care how you did it, but it sounds very smart. You need to get me down to the caves-'.

'Oh no' squirming upright 'I didn't come here to get you into more trouble. And by you, I really mean me'.

'Why did you come then?' bitterly turning away from her friend.

Scotty moved up behind her. Tentatively placing his hands on her shoulders, 'to see if my best friend is ok...to make sure she is not planning more mischief, to...I don't know...tell her that I've been secretly working on a way to scan through the unscannable rocks...'

'What?!' screeching excitedly, she embraced Scotty. 'Can you see him...them...where are they?'

'Not from up here, need to be planetside. Shyloh's map was the last piece of the puzzle. I've told Sulu and I thought you should know'. He gently moved her away, if only to stop her screeching in his ear again. 'And by the way, that was the most girliest thing I've ever seen you do'. Pointing to her stomach 'That baby is making you soft', he jokingly added.

Uhura's good mood dipped, she dolefully considered her stomach. 'Jim's fear was leaving me to raise our children alone...I'm not going to let that happen, you need to get me down there!' More determined than ever to rescue Kirk.

'Bridge to Commander Uhura, Sulu here...'

Holding her finger to her mouth, hoping Scotty would take the hint and be quiet.

'Yes, what's happening?'

'I thought you should know, Samson claims to have found the Sunstones. An exchange is due to take place three hours from now at 1700. The area is being scanned to make sure there are no traps.

'So she's been arrested? What about Jim and Spock, Freedan?-'

'No, she has not been taken into custody, yet. I'll find out why, no news on them I am afraid. Sulu out'.

'The fuck!' booting her table across the floor. It narrowly missed Scotty.

Samson swanning around like she was untouchable, and Admiral Routledge had all the evidence she needed. Something within Scotty snapped watching Uhura wrestling with the news. 'Ok, I'll help you'. Holding up a finger, 'but I'm coming too. You'll need my help to work the equipment. Besides, last time McCoy and Sulu got to be the heroes. It's my turn now'.

Uhura heaved out a sigh of relief, with a steely glint in her eye 'how soon can we go?'