A/N: Sorry this update took so long; I was busy studying for my last two exams, and then the Christmas craziness came around! Enjoy!

Diplomatic Encounters, Chapter 6

Spock had a chance to crane his neck around and briefly examine the holding area's locking mechanism before his jaw was wrenched forwards and he was dragged roughly down the corridor after Khralin. He saw that it would be difficult, but not impossible, to activate it from inside, and determined to notify the Captain when he returned. It seemed logical that they would keep him alive at least for now, as they seemed to be politically motivated and needed to utilize the full force of the leverage they had just obtained.

After turning a corner Spock was able to see their destination: a room slightly larger than the one they'd just left. It resembled a medbay; sterile, clean, and well-lit. Spock found himself forced to his knees in the centre of the room, and decided to stay there for the time being as the two Telonians backed off slightly. He noticed out of the corner of his eye that they remained stiff and alert, as though expecting him to lash out at any minute – despite the fact that his arms were tightly bound behind his back.

"Commander Spock," began Khralin slowly, as though savoring the words on his tongue. "I must admit, you are the first Vulcan I have met."

Spock tilted his head slightly to have a better view of the being standing above him, but kept his face calm and refrained from speaking.

"I have heard much of your species, however: your control of emotions, your strength and unique physiology, not to mention your touch telepathy." Here Khralin paused and turned a particularly unfriendly smile down at Spock. "Tell me, Spock, how developed is your capacity for this fascinating Vulcan trait?"

Spock raised an eyebrow. "I do not see how answering such a question would be advisable given my current circumstances."

"So you refuse to answer? Very well then; a more primitive route perhaps. How developed is your capacity to suppress pain? This is another Vulcan trait I have been very intrigued to see for myself." Khralin then gestured towards one of the Telonians who stepped forward and drew his knife. Spock pressed his lips together as the Telonian approached, but the knife was merely used to neatly slice open and remove his blue uniform tunic. There was a momentary silence as his pale chest rose and fell evenly, waiting for Khralin's next move.

"Not even a little tremor of fear to show me, Spock?" Khralin was taunting, trying to draw a reaction, but Spock had been through far worse, even as a child. His Vulcan peers had been far more knowledgeable of his personal weaknesses than this hulking alien being before him.

A backhand across his face drew Spock's attention solidly back to the room. Khralin's massive hand gripped the back of his head and jerked it back so their eyes locked, inches apart.

"Do you know what the human colonists here did when they captured our soldiers in the war, Spock?" He sneered, not at all put off by Spock's silence. "It's an old punishment from Earth's history. Amazingly simple, yet very effective. I have broken many a human prisoner by turning their methods right back on them." A pause. "You are not at all curious, Commander?"

"I believe I will find out regardless of my interest," was Spock's cool reply. Khralin was grinning as he stepped behind Spock and trailed dirt-stained fingers over the bare skin of his captive's back. There was no flinch as the leather tails of a whip were dragged gently in their wake, no harsh inhalation of breath as the first strike contacted with his back. Spock's dark gaze was focused on the wall ahead of him, and he worked at keeping his back ramrod straight as blow after blow rained down upon him so that his back was dotted with harsh welts and droplets of green blood blossomed.

When Khralin stopped, it was to regain his breath, and his fury grew at seeing that Spock was unfazed and breathing as calmly as he'd been before. He kicked out with a booted foot, connecting solidly between Spock's shoulder blades, so that the Vulcan was knocked forcefully onto his face.

"So, they do not lie about you Vulcans," Khralin spat. He stepped forward and ground his foot into Spock's cheek, pinning his face firmly to the floor. "Of course, from what I know of our mutual friend Captain Kirk, he does not take kindly to his crew, especially those to whom he is as close as he is to you, being damaged. Hmm?" He moved back a pace and freed Spock's cheek, allowing him to work himself slowly back to a kneeling position.

"Despite what happens to his crew, the Captain will not allow your plan to succeed or our mission to fail," affirmed Spock, his voice slightly thick from swollen lips and tongue. "You have miscalculated."

Khralin crouched before Spock and smiled, as the Vulcan raised an eyebrow in what could be interpreted as an expression of distaste. The Telonian held out a hand and one of his followers handed him the same curved blade that, Spock reflected silently, he had seen quite enough of lately.

"I would like to show you the emblem of my regiment," Khralin began thoughtfully. "All my loyal followers bear it on their chests as a mark of honor. For you, I think, it will represent something quite different." He smirked slightly and pressed the tip of the blade to the soft skin of Spock's chest, digging into the skin so that as he drew the mark, blood trailed down in thin rivulets. Spock's eyes flicked upwards and the skin around them tightened slightly. Khralin knew that it wasn't the burning pain of the knife that had given him this victory over the Vulcan's stoic bearing but rather the indignity his pride was suffering at being marked as his captors were. He stood and eyed the blade with satisfaction, still smirking down at Spock, and turned to the others.

"I believe that will suffice. You can return him now." With a sudden abruptness, Khralin strode from the room, leaving the two Telonians to grip Spock firmly and lead him away.

"Jim," muttered Bones, breaking the uneasy silence that had fallen between them. He'd heard the footsteps approaching again.

"I know," Kirk answered tightly as he got to his feet again, expecting another confrontation with Khralin and trying to bury his worry for Spock. Bones followed suit and rolled up his sleeves; Kirk tried to ignore why he would be doing that.

It was almost a disappointment when the door slid open and Khralin wasn't present, but that meant Kirk's full attention snapped directly to Spock, who stumbled slightly upon seeing his crewmates and visibly composed himself as he was ushered back to his original position and restrained as before. The Telonians had left the room before either man could muster something to say.