AN: Usual disclaimer, the rights to Star Trek etc belong to someone else. Please read and review – constructive feedback will help me finalise the remaining chapters. The entire story is complete on my PC, and I'll try to load up a new chapter every few days. I'll be using the feedback from reviews to refine and tweak the remaining chapters. Thank you to those who have already reviewed.
Chapter 3
'Welcome Captain Kirk, Lieutenant Uhura and Commander Spock. I have learnt of your mission from Findius'. The female Kirk had heard earlier, had arrived and stood in the middle of the hall. She was very attractive, immediately Spock was drawn to her. Guilt forced him to push the feeling away. Uhura, however sensed something, she was unsure what it meant. The female was quite tall, her hair was short, and she was attired in what looked like ceremonial robes. 'My name is Déjà, and I am the Imperial Regent. I am charged with the welfare and safekeeping of my people. Please take a seat', she spoke out aloud to the team. A servant laid out refreshments on the table, quickly glancing at the away team. What looked like bruises on her neck, were hidden behind a scarf. Uhura winced a little. Behind Déjà, five other Theytans quietly sat. Although they had not been introduced, Uhura assumed they were the other Elders.
Kirk looked around the table, nothing looked untoward so he could not understand why he felt unease. His stopped at Déjà, embodied his official role as representative of the Federation and began, 'Thank you for meeting with us. You aware our situation is unusual and normally our trip to your world would be less politically motivated'. He voice dripped with charisma. Uhura recognised it as his seduction voice. Disdain floated towards Kirk. He frowned at Uhura, sensing one another's thoughts was unsettling. He wondered why he could not sense anything from Spock, then remembered Spock's ability to shield his thoughts. A useful trait he wished he possessed at that moment. Uhura sensed 'want' from Kirk, 'mind leakage' she had called it when she experienced it with Spock. Spock had insisted she learn to shield her thoughts as their bond allowed them to keep no secrets, and for a human this was not desired. Obviously she would need to work on her skills blocking Kirk.
Déjà swept her glance from Kirk before he could continue, and looked directly at Spock, 'You are not the same as Kirk and Uhura, what are you? Almost an accusation. When Spock replied 'Vulcan', Déjà nodded quickly to herself, and almost to reassure the other Theytan delegates. 'We have heard of your people, you are the telepath we could sense'. Spock nodded again. Déjà's interest turned to Uhura, she did not seem as warm towards Uhura as she was with the others. 'What purpose do you serve?', taken aback, Uhura quickly responded 'I am Chief Communications Officer'. Déjà seemed to pay little attention to the response. However, Uhura persisted. 'Imperial Regent, as you can tell our species is not telepathic. We have noticed we can sense one another's thoughts. How is it possible for us to have developed this ability? As eloquently as she spoke, Uhura could have sworn she saw a shadow pass over Déjà's face. Just as quickly it disappeared, 'Our people can temporary gift this ability. It allows us to ascertain true intentions'. Déjà then gestured behind herself, 'I will see to it that Elder Tenus provides you with more information'. He was a squat man, and made no attempt to hide his appreciation of Uhura. In any other circumstance she would actively avoid him. This caused her to momentarily drop her guard. Kirk now sensed she was not comfortable meeting Tenus, and made a note to ensure either he or Spock would be around.
Uhura mentally prodded Spock, causing Déjà to knowingly look between Spock and Uhura. He sensed Uhura's discomfort, and was about to send calming thoughts back, but was distracted by Findius' rapid movement towards Déjà. With his back towards the away team, he stood next to her. She listened intently, although no words were exchanged. She then looked up at the away team and stated tensely 'I will have to delay our discussion'. Without another word the rest of the Elders followed her out of the room, leaving Findius and a confused away team. 'Is anything wrong?, Kirk asked. 'No Captain, we are fine. However, it would be wise for you to stay in the building until we can take care of the situation'. Before anything else could be said, he reverted back to telepathy 'Please follow me to your resting quarters. It is unlikely you can return to your ship today'. He began walking to the lift. 'Why is that?' queried Spock, when no answer was forthcoming, they stood up and followed Findius.
A few hours later, Spock awoke in an unfamiliar room. He did not recall going to sleep, and had not meditated as he normally would do. He sat upright and felt woozy. He forced himself to stand and took deep cleansing breaths to purge his system of the unwanted feeling. He noticed he had a headache, and proceeded to walk towards the door. On his way, he processed all the information he had assimilated during the visit, he noted irregularities. Déjà's reaction to him being Vulcan, and although it looked like he had missed it, the reaction to Uhura. Practically walking into the closed doors, he saw they had not opened in response to his presence. 'Doors open', thinking the command structure had be set to verbal to accommodate their needs. Nothing. With no handle present, he looked around the frame for a button to press. Again, nothing. He stepped back and instinctively touched his hand to his chest, 'Spock to Captain Kirk', it was a few seconds until he noticed his comms unit had been removed, as had his tricorder and phaser from its holster. Worried, he tried to sense Uhura. Nothing, he couldn't feel anything from her. A sense of dread crept up on him, something was wrong. Since they had bonded he was always able to sense her. He thought 'Captain', and caught a wisp of something. Spock focused harder, this time he sensed 'pain'. The Captain was in pain. On high alert, Spock tried desperately to formulate a plan to get out of his room.
Back on the Enterprise, McCoy had spent 7 hours delivering the Mallard twins. He was tired and could not shake the headache which began on Theytan. Sulu had asked for a quick verbal report on the away mission. He had shared the Captain's concerns, the development of telepathy in Uhura and Kirk, and considered how to present his version of 'voices in his head' without sounding crazy. He flopped into his chair watching the other members of the medical team fuss over the babies. A shrill sound indicated the bridge wanted his attention. 'Dr McCoy to the ready room', something in Sulu's voice shoved his tiredness away. 'On my way' he quickly replied, as he grabbed a hypospray to dull the headache.
Stepping into the ready room he could see Scotty already present. Not unusual as he was part of the senior team. McCoy took a seat opposite Sulu, and waited for him to begin. Once the door hissed shut, he simply stated 'we have a problem', McCoy face registered anxiety, 'What's going on? Where's the Captain, Uhura and Spock?', suddenly aware their presence was missing from the ready room. Worry etched on Sulu's face, 'we lost contact with the away team 5 hours ago. Scotty has been trying to boost the sensor to re-establish a link to them'. Scotty contributed his findings, 'the magnetic interference which stopped us transporting directly to the square has increased in strength. I conclude it is definitely some sort of shield, and Chekov has noted is now extends beyond the main square, way beyond the original transport landing position.' McCoy looked back and forth between Scotty and Sulu 'you mean we have no idea what is going on down there, and cannot get them off the planet?' he looked incredulous. 'Yes', Sulu replied, and continued, 'After your report and the team disappearing, I contacted Starfleet. We definitely did not have the most up to date information..I think our people are being held against their will'.