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 4

Findius calmly paced around his examination room, deep under the Elder Tower. In the far corner Uhura laid unconscious and strapped down to an examination table. He had used his ability to sever the link between her and the Vulcan. Although he considered the Vulcan's telepathic ability inferior, after all, how had he allowed himself and his team to be so easily deceived, their linked posed a threat to the plan being implemented by the Elders. He walked over to Uhura, and found himself appraising her. After scanning her mind, he begrudgingly accepted her latent abilities were far advanced than previously anticipated, he reasoned that her bond to the Vulcan was the cause. Findius was aware of the Captain's attraction to the human woman, he had not had to scan him to realise that. Due to this he reasoned it would be easier to manipulate the Captain. Findius then thought about the other human, he had not expected that level resistance tapping into McCoy's thoughts. It was a relief when he had to leave, if he had remained more drastic actions would have been required, and this would not have gone unnoticed. Fortunately, the only side effect was a headache he knew McCoy would be experiencing.

Returning back his desk, he sat down and used his comms module to monitor activity on the Enterprise. He didn't detect anything untoward, and by now he was sure they were aware they could no longer contact their companions. The shield surrounding the square had been boosted to maximum range and strength. It was impenetrable without the appropriate security codes, therefore he was unconcerned about what they might do. Theytan technological advancement over the past 15 years surpassed anything on the Enterprise, scans of the ship had reassured him of this. There was a reason for ignoring their initial hails, he knew this would peak their interest, especially as their desire to get hold of the cure for Klingon neuron disease overrode their cautiousness. Such a shame that the cure was a lie, created to draw Federation representatives to the planet. Déjà casually strolled into his room, 'Findius I have an update about the situation. Zarel's people attempted to breach the shield. We were able to kill them'. Her thoughts turned to Zarel, his instance on staying alive and challenging the Elder's authority over Theytan was aggravating. Had he just accepted that sometimes there were casualties during war, he would still be working by her side as Prime Scientist. He would still be an Elder, and the resistance would be a mere memory. She quickly glanced at Uhura, and then asked 'what of the Captain?' Findius looked troubled, 'It is taking longer than Tenus thought to extract the information we require, he is a stubborn man'. Findius instinctively looked at Uhura, he knew exactly how to get the Captain to be co-operative. Déjà understood what he was thinking, 'No, not yet. I have an engagement with the Vulcan. He could prove useful assisting us with our plans'.

24 hours after the away team landed, the emergency meeting called by Sulu, now included any other member of the Enterprise crew who had any experience with shield technology. The news that their crewmen were being held for reasons unknown, was extremely worrying. Admiral Kincade, now aware of the issue, was pensively staring out at the Enterprise crew. His voice resonated around the room, 'What else do we know about that shield? he questioned Scotty. Scotty cleared his throat, 'I have tried to match their shield harmonisation, every time I get a firm lock it adapts and switches. I have never seen anything like this. There is no weakness anywhere'. Other members of the engineering staff concurred. Kincade had collected more information by extended his research to include the Vulcan database and hearsay from other sources. Their reports had referenced a bitter civil war, this had been ended by the use of biological weapons. No more was known about the losing side, but soon after the Elder's had rose to dominate the planet. There had been rumours about the Theytan's not being as amenable as originally indicated to Starfleet. 'Ruthless', had been banded around by merchants who had dealings with the Elders in the past.

Chekov volunteered a suggestion, 'We should use long range sensors to see if we can find signs of a population, preferably close to where the biological weapon was set off. Maybe the survivors would be willing to help them. Sulu ordered the bridge to do this, a few minutes later they were told that interference over the area was stopping scanners from gathering the required information. However, there did appear to be a structure, albeit damaged approximately 300 kilometres from the main square. It was emitting a strange heat signature. Kincade stressed 'We must do something now'. Silence hung around the room, McCoy suggested he use a shuttle to land near the structure, aware of the danger of unknown biological contaminants, he knew transporters would not provide the protection he needed. Scotty understood the implication of exposure, and asserted he would need three hours to enhance the shuttle's shields. Sulu contemplated the Theytan reaction, 'As soon as McCoy leaves the Enterprise they'll detect the shuttle. They'll plot his trajectory and know where he's heading'. Turning to McCoy, 'You'll be a sitting duck, that's why I'm going with you. You'll need my piloting skills to stay alive'. Kincade considered the statement carefully, 'Ok, McCoy and Sulu you are to go down to the planet, find this structure and do whatever is necessary to get our people back. Mr Scott, I have heard good things about your engineering skills, put these to good use and ensure our people come back alive. Kincade out'.

Just as the rescue plan had been finalised, Déjà was making her way to Spock's room. As she arrived, she beckoned the guards stationed outside his door to let her in. The hiss of the door opening warned Spock he was no longer alone. Standing from his cross legged pose, his search for escape had proved fruitless. Face to face with his capturer, he stoically watched her approach him. 'Help me get what I need and I will free you and your crew'. Déjà then sat down on his bed. He noticed she had communicated with him telepathically. He voiced his response 'where are my friends? What are you doing to Captain Kirk?'. She ignored his enquiry, and continued probing Spock's mind, she slowly tilted her head to one side and in a sultry voice she countered 'don't you want to know what I need?' Spock felt his mind fuzzing, he was aware she was searching for information within his head. Strengthening his mental shield he forced her out. Hurt crossed her face, she stood up and walked until she standing right in front of him. This time she spoke, her voice had acquired an edge he had not heard previously, 'I want the latest tactical information about the neutral zone between the Federation and the Klingons, specifically the codes that will allow my people direct access to the Klingon homeworld'. Spock's eyes widened 'I will not tell you anything'. Déjà had expected this response, 'You can tell that my people are questioning the Captain, his fragile human body will not be able to sustain our interrogation much longer. It would be a shame if he were to die'. Walking away from him, she briefly stopped, Spock felt her examining his mind once again. This time she was not as gentle, and he felt searing pain shooting through his head. He raised his hands to his head, his attempts to stop her were not working. A groan escaped his lips, and drops of blood fell from his nose. She released her grip on him, and once again communicating telepathically 'I don't want to hurt you, but I will do whatever is necessary to get those codes'. She resumed her journey to the door, out loud so he understood the implications 'I wonder if the Lieutenant will be more willing to help me. She did want to find out about how we gifted our abilities. Maybe I should show her'. And with that she was gone.