A/N: Big thanks to my reviewers so far: Potterwatch, TheGreatSporkWielder, and Jo! I agree with you guys.. I need more reviews! Lol, enjoy :)
Diplomatic Encounters, Chapter 5
Uhura looked down as the wound on her arm was patched up and the New Anglion doctor scanned her vitals once more before smiling at her.
"Everything looks fine from here, Lieutenant Uhura. You're free to go."
She nodded and hopped lightly to her feet, thanking the doctor and walking briskly to the door where one of Mathiasz's aides was waiting.
"We have somewhere to be," she said grimly. The aide nodded and motioned for her to follow as they wound through still-unfamiliar hallways. They finally arrived at a conference room and entered to find Elin and Sharon, Mathiasz and the head of his security personnel, as well as Sulu and Harvey discussing the attack on the temple that evening. Uhura felt her hands clench into tight fists at her sides with frustration that she hadn't been here from the beginning.
"I apologize for the delay," she said smoothly and slipped into an empty seat before scanning the assembled group with a fierce gaze. "What is there to report?"
Sulu looked at her with an unreadable gaze, almost as though he was gauging what her reaction would be, as Elin cleared her throat to speak.
"The attack was orchestrated by a group of Telonians who have been mostly absent from peace talks thus far. During the war," she seemed to blink even more frequently as she hurried out the information, glancing nervously at Mathiasz, "they were considered our most formidable group of fighters. Their leader is Khralin. Under his command, the regiment used guerilla-style tactics, but their choice of targets often put them at odds with the rest of the forces."
Mathiasz broke in. "They chose our weakest points – villages of the young, pregnant, and infirm who had been left undefended as all others had been sent to fight, and the villages were considered far enough away from the battle lines."
Elin nodded and bowed her head slightly. "Khralin's regiment disappeared for weeks at a time on raids. They would circle, observe, strike and move on. But they were particularly noted for their appetites in…playing before they would kill." Uhura thought her heart would stop, but Elin pushed on. "Our highest-ranked commanders tried to rein him in but in the end, no one could control Khralin and he continued to torture and kill. When Starfleet arrived initially to help create a ceasefire, he was enraged but overwhelmed by their numbers and backed down. He retreated to a hidden base he'd created for his regiment, and seemed to have accepted that the war was over."
"Until now," Sulu stated dryly. Uhura glanced gratefully at him for giving her time to recover and ensure her voice would be steady when she spoke.
"The Captain and the others?"
Elin's eyes had a mournful tinge as she answered. "They have not been found, and we must assume that Khralin has taken them hostage. We can only guess it is for the purposes of disrupting this treaty, but I assure you, he acts without the consent of the Telonian population. And I am personally most sorry and ashamed that this has happened – "
"It is not your fault," Uhura stopped her with a steely tone. "Starfleet, as a peacekeeping and humanitarian organization, is intimately aware of the chaos that can be created by men such as Khralin. We will do our jobs, we will get them back safely, and we will observe the signing of this peace treaty." Her eyes blazed with a mix of barely restrained fury, fear, and pride.
Sulu smiled tightly and nodded in approval. "Mr. Scott has been notified of the situation and has placed me in command of retrieving the Captain. He will be beaming down a security team shortly. We can assume that Khralin will contact us at some point with demands, so until then our primary task will be determining the location of that base." Uhura had to bite her lip to refrain from protesting that there must be more they could do. She knew as well as Sulu did that they were both new to this. The helmsman was doing exactly what they had been taught to do in such a situation, and frankly, Uhura couldn't think of a better plan at the moment than running out to the forest and searching for them herself. For now, they would have to settle for gathering information and questioning what Telonians they could find, hoping to locate Khralin's base.
Spock and Bones had followed Jim's lead, getting to their feet as the door to the holding area slid open. Three Telonians entered; the one Bones had pegged as the leader, the one he'd attacked, and a third, equally as big and nasty-looking. Jim, upon looking them up and down, determined that Elin and Sharin had been angels of their species. While they had the rapid blinking in common, these three had ugly scars adorning their faces and torsos, a wide array of weapons strapped to their bodies, and slight snarls that displayed their teeth menacingly.
"James Kirk," began the leader. "I am Khralin."
"And I'm Captain James Kirk," snapped Jim. "Wish I could say it's nice to meet you. What is it you hope to achieve by taking hostage three Starfleet officers sent to ensure peace on your planet?"
Khralin was casually eyeing the three men before him. "I merely wished to make the acquaintance of such a hero of your Federation." He spat the last word as though it was poisonous, and Jim frowned at the vehemence in the being's entire posture. "I have heard a great deal about you, Kirk, and since taking an interest in you have learned even more. Your father's legacy, for instance." Bones' eyes darted over and saw a barely restrained flinch in Jim's clenched fists. "And your unusual friendship with members of your crew. Some would say such an attitude in a Starfleet Captain is bordering on unprofessional."
That was the second time in less than 24 hours that someone had hinted that he was anything less than a damned amazing Captain, and Jim allowed a quiet growl to escape him. Khralin just laughed and introduced his two cronies, but Jim ignored him and decided he'd call the hulking masses Dumb and Dumber.
Khralin continued. "The peace talks will break. They will do so because you will break, James Kirk. You will beg for death in the end, and it will be broadcast for all of Telophon and your pathetic crew to witness. We Telonians will finally eradicate the human blight on our planet and show your Federation that we will bow to no such ridiculous organization!"
Bones cursed under his breath and Spock raised an eyebrow, but Jim didn't move. He was actually beginning to frighten Bones with this sudden eerie calm. Kirk's eyes were locked on to Khralin's, conveying every ounce of disdain and contempt he felt for the Telonian's attempt to cow him with fear.
"You won't succeed," he said quietly, in a voice hard with conviction. "Whether you kill me or not, my crew won't allow their mission to fail." He paused and rolled his shoulders back as though to stretch before a workout. "And if you think you and your IQ-challenged pals can break me, you've got another thing coming, you fucker."
Now both Spock's eyebrows were raised, and he seemed to want to speak, but held himself back. Bones rolled his eyes but couldn't contain a surge of worry and anger that Jim was just going to make things worse for himself. The man just didn't know how to keep his mouth shut, and this definitely wasn't following the techniques they'd learned for hostage situations at the Academy. Then again, his instructors should have known that Jim wasn't the type of person to try to initiate peaceful settlement negotiations, especially when being held against his will.
Khralin laughed, seemingly well pleased. "So you will make this fun, James Kirk! As I had hoped." He tilted his head towards Spock, and Dumb and Dumber moved to grip his arms. They removed his shackles from the chain on the wall and drew them together tightly behind his back. The Vulcan's shoulders were pushed back uncomfortably, causing his chest to push forward against his blue uniform. His face remained impassive and his dark eyes stared straight ahead, but as he was pushed forward they flickered over to Jim, who'd finally lost control of his still calm and had rushed forward as far as his restraints would allow.
"Khralin, what are you doing? I thought you wanted me; you have no use for my men! Leave them be!" his voice was even but peppered with anger and frustration as he realized what Khralin was doing.
The Telonian held up a hand and the men holding Spock stopped him; in the space of an eyeblink he'd unsheathed a wickedly curved dagger and was holding it to Spock's pale, exposed neck. A muscle in the Vulcan's cheek worked slightly, but he neither moved nor made a sound.
"If I have no use for your men, then you will not object to me killing them?" a grin spread across Khralin's face as he stroked the dagger along Spock's neck almost tenderly.
Kirk's eyes burned at the sight of Spock held so precariously; Bones, observing him as best he could from a distance, could see his breath coming in short, harsh bursts.
"You will not kill him," he ground out quietly.
"Why should I listen to you, little Kirk?" the dagger was now caressing the skin behind Spock's delicate pointed ear. His even breath was causing fog to appear on the edge of the blade. Khralin turned his large, blinking eyes to Jim. "If you want me to spare him – for now – you will sit with your back against the wall and I will take him with me, without any further annoyances from you." The Telonian licked his lips. "Can you do that, little Kirk?"
Fucking bastard was playing with him, Bones thought. If this went on any longer, Jim looked fit to rip those chains right off the wall and strangle Khralin with them. The man was actually shaking with fury at his current situation, blue eyes hard as ice. He hesitated only momentarily before backing up slowly, his back stiff as it bumped the wall lightly; his eyes never left Khralin's. He sunk to the ground just as slowly, leaving his knees bent in front of him. That seemed to content Khralin, who nodded again at the others as he returned his blade to its sheath, and he left, Spock being pushed out behind him.
As soon as the door shut on them, Bones opened his mouth to say something, but quickly shut it again as Jim jumped to his feet again and delivered a lightning-quick series of punches to the unforgiving wall, allowing a quick shout of anger. He then began pacing the few steps in either direction his restraints allowed him.
"Damn it, Jim, it's not the wall you should be punching," chastised Bones, but far more gently than he was wont to do. "Let me see your hands."
Jim scowled but moved over closer to Bones, holding his hands out so the older man could reach them. "Shit, Bones, this is not good. We need to get out of here, right the fuck now. And I need to kill that damn shit-for-brains Khralin."
Bones said nothing for a moment, his fingers drifting lightly over Jim's as he gently assessed the damage and wiped away traces of blood. He looked up at his friend, still grasping his hands, and nodded.
"I know, man. And if anyone can do it, it's gonna be us. Spock'll be fine, don't you worry – that pointy-eared bastard has more fight in him than he lets on. Remember when he roughed you up good on the bridge?"
A ghost of a smile crossed Jim's face, quickly obscured by a look of stubborn worry and guilt. "Thanks, Bones."
A/N: Okay, next chapter: time to see if I can write some convincing Spock!