Captain's log - Stardate 2261.03

Spock managed to get the device to work and transported us to the torture chamber. Bones was hanging from the same chains that I'd been in and seemed unconscious, but that wasn't what grabbed my attention. Both Vians were on the floor writhing in agony while Gem glowered at them in a way that would have done Bones proud.

Gem turned and extended a hand out to me, which I accepted. As what was left of my pain faded, first one, then the other Vian gurgled and died. I like this girl.

Now that the Vians were down, Gem maintained her hold on the one called Thann while releasing Lal as that she could reach out to touch McCoy again. The transfer of injuries from McCoy to Thann caused her a great deal of pain, but nothing compared to the pain Thann began to feel. Lal had a few moments to ponder the irony that Gem was returning to them the very injuries they had inflicted as he watched Thann collapse to the floor, bleeding from several wounds.

Once Thann started to drop, Gem released him and took hold of Lal again. Lal's last coherent thought was that perhaps they should have looked deeper into the trio that they had expected her to learn from.

As Kirk paced in very nearly place and with a similar stride as McCoy had, Spock briefly wondered if they had both always had that style of pacing in common or if one of them had picked it up from the other during their days together at the Academy. He did not, of course, voice that question. Kirk was already irritated and finding out that Spock's thoughts were on things other than making the device work would like be received poorly.

Making the final adjustment, Spock noted that times like this were when his childhood of being under constant observation came in handy. Even before he had begun formal schooling, he had already learned to tune out those around him and concentrate on whatever task was before him.

Kirk stopped pacing the second Spock sat slightly straighter.

"Well?"

"I have completed the necessary adjustments, Captain, but the device was seemingly not developed with alteration of the settings in mind. There is a chance that we will only be able to make use of it once. If we use it to transport ourselves to the surface, the Enterprise may have returned and we would be able to bring down reinforcements."

Kirk shook his head.

"What good would that do? Even as close as we are, our instruments can't tell us where the Vians are. If the ship's sensors aren't able to penetrate the planet's surface, we could lose the doctor for good. Take a minute and really think about the Medical personnel, Spock. Now consider having to rely on them without Bones being there to keep them in line."

It took some effort, but Spock did manage to suppress a shudder. For one thing, Nurse Chapel seemed to have what he viewed as an unhealthy fixation on green blood.

"I see your point, sir. Shall I take us to the Vians then? We have no defense with us against their technology."

"Old Earth saying, Spock - the best defense is a good offense and I plan to be very offensive. Take us there now. You're wasting time, Mister."

Spock still felt it was unwise for the two of them to go after the Vians alone considering that the Captain was still not recovered from his earlier ordeal. However, the Captain's tone left no room for arguing that point, so he focused his thoughts and activated the control unit.

There were any number of scenarios that had run through Spock's head as to what would be going on when they arrived, but the scene they came in on was not even close. McCoy was hanging limply in the chains that were suspending him off of the floor, his uniform tattered and blood stained. Oddly, Spock couldn't see any actual wounds on the doctor himself,

His attention was drawn away by a sound of amusement coming from Kirk. Turning, he saw what had caused that unexpected reaction. Both Vians were near, but on the floor and seemingly suffering in great pain. Gem was standing between the two aliens and McCoy, an expression on her face that reminded Spock a great deal of expression he had seen on McCoy himself.

One of the Vians was trying to stretch out their hand to reach the fallen control unit, but Kirk casually walked over to it, plucking it up and then turning to Spock, tossing the device to him.

"Something new for you to tinker with."

A pain hit Kirk again and he closed his eyes briefly until it passed. When he reopened his eyes again, Kirk saw Gem had extended a hand to him. The way she was looking at him seemed oddly familiar and he found himself taking her hand without question. Once she had a good grip on him, she reached out for Thann, who tried unsuccessfully to avoid her.

Once she had taken hold of Thann, Kirk nearly lost his balance as a wave of dizziness passed through him. The reaction on Thann's end was far worse as the Vian gave one last desperate tug to attempt to pull away from Gem before his body convulsed and went limp.

Watching from where he stood beside McCoy's body, Spock had little doubt that the Vian had died. Gem dropped Thann's arm, then reached for Lal, who had no better luck evading the young empath than Thann had. By the time Gem dropped Lal's arm as well, he also appeared dead and Kirk was marveling now that the pains he had been suffering were fully gone.

Kirk was slightly annoyed that he'd never get the opportunity to get the answers to his questions, but by far, he was far more pleased that the pair had died slowly and painfully. His eyes moved back to Gem. He still wasn't sure exactly what she had done or how she had managed it, but he was really starting to like her.