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 5

McCoy and Sulu were seated in the shuttle. Scotty's adaptations had taken longer than anticipated, so they now were now heading to the structure during nightfall. Sulu had considered this a benefit, McCoy was not so sure.

'Are you ready?', Sulu checked one more time. 'It may get bumpy out there, and once we approach the planet we're on our own'. Off they took, venturing towards the northern hemisphere, where this mysterious structure was based. As soon as they left the protection of the Enterprise, sensors detected an unknown weapon targeted at their shields. 'Jesus, already! Where they just waiting for us to appear?' McCoy braced himself for impact. 'I've got this', Sulu adjusted the shuttles trajectory for impact. A flash of light flew by them, barely touching the shuttle. Increasing their speed, Sulu knew it would be better for them to be on the ground sooner rather than later. McCoy continued monitoring sensors, 'incoming!' He shouted. This time the weapon seemed to have adjusted for their movement. A direct hit, shields dropped down to 50% instantly. Red alert automatically began sounding out. 'We can't afford to take another hit like that', Sulu searched on screen to spot where the weapon was being fired from. Sensors pinpointed a vessel hidden in low orbit, so he fired several photon torpedoes hoping to distract them for a few precious minutes. His plan almost worked, when out of nowhere they were hit. This time the impact reverberated around the shuttle, the sound of metal twisting rung around the cabin. 'I've lost control, we're going to crash. Brace yourself'. Sulu sent out a distress call to the Enterprise. Although he knew they would not be able to do anything, at least they would have a general idea where the shuttle went down. A few minutes later, the shuttle skimmed over some tree tops, they found themselves in a field. Tricorder readings placed them 10 kilometres from the structure, there did not appear to be any other signs of life and whatever contaminant had long since dissipated. McCoy couldn't help himself as they began walking 'I thought you had this', as he stormed away. Sulu threw his arms up in a exasperation.

They were being watched, their observers were quiet and stealthy. Friend or foe, at this stage it was hard to tell. Sulu could not shake the feeling something was wrong as they entered the forest. He was about to call out to McCoy, when he heard 'Halt! That's far enough'. The voice belonged to one man, who stood slightly apart from a group of twelve. McCoy recognised the uniform as those representing the Elder Army. This, he thought, was not a good situation to be in. As he and Sulu were about to surrender, from nowhere two all terrain vehicles shot out of the forest. Weapons fire followed, giving Sulu and McCoy a chance to dive out the way. Settled behind the foundations of a derelict building they too began firing at the Elder army. They couldn't see who was driving the vehicles, but were thankful for the backup. 'I'll cover you', Sulu shouted. 'Go!' McCoy darted into the inky dark of the forest. He ran until he couldn't run anymore. Just then, a firm grip pulled McCoy out of sight of an approaching spacecraft. It's spotlight sweeping the forest for targets unknown. 'Umph!', the sound of air forced out of his lungs as he was slammed to the floor. He looked up expecting to see Sulu. Instead all he saw was a phaser pointed directly at his face. 'Who are you? And why are the Elder Army after you? The suspicious voice of Zarel challenged him. Sulu looked around and guessed he had less than a minute before the Elder Army returned their focus back to him. He took a chance and sprinted into the forest after McCoy. By chance he came across McCoy and an angry man with a phaser. He was just about to shot, when he was stunned into unconsciousness. Zarel kept his weapon focused on McCoy, the chance to respond to the questions was interrupted by an incoming communication to Zarel. He pulled out a device which resembled a stone and listened intently. 'Good' was all he said. Then he turned his attention back to McCoy. Squatting down, he simply said 'Come with me'. He then added 'we have your friend'.

Déjà having left Spock, barked an order to Findius. 'Bring the female to interrogation room 4'. She was on her way to Tenus, a thrill passed through her veins. She would soon have what she needed. On arrival she saw that Tenus was crouched over a body on the floor. Panic crossed her face, however Tenus telepathically reassured her Kirk was still alive. As she walked over to Kirk, and looked down, she saw his bloodied face. He had been stripped to the waist, and his torso was criss crossed with welts. In fetal position he was pathetically trying to defend himself. It seemed physical rather than mental torture was being used at the moment. Personally, she found it distasteful to get so close to a prisoner but needs must. Just as Tenus was raising his fist to deliver another blow, she halted him. Déjà then pulled a chair over to Kirk, daintily sat down and proceeded to ask him the same set of questions he had heard for the last few hours. 'What are the tactical codes for access to the neutral zone?' Do you want the pain to stop? Kirk rolled over, spat out some blood and told Déjà to go fuck herself. She smiled at his tenacity. By now other prisoners would have given up. She stood up, ordered Kirk be cleaned up and brought to interrogation room 4 as well. This, she thought to herself, will be fun. With a knowing glance Tenus stood back and let Kirk be dragged away.

McCoy decided he had no choice. Following the stranger was safer than facing the Elder Army again. He also claimed to have Sulu. He had attempted at ask about Sulu's well being, and was ignored. He then attempted to ask where he was going. Again he was ignored. Thoroughly pissed off, he plotted how he could stun the man with his phaser. 'I wouldn't do that if I were you', Zarel warned menacingly. 'Fucking telepathy', McCoy shook his head and carried on walking. Two hours later, Zarel and an exhausted McCoy entered a small compound. There were 10 makeshift buildings, and each had people going in and out of them. McCoy recognised two vehicles parked up as those that helped he and Sulu earlier on. There seemed to be a force field surrounding the perimeter, so there was no chance of escape. Zarel pointed to a building 'your friend is in there. He is safe for now. Now answer my questions'. McCoy saw no sense in antagonising him, 'Dr Leonard McCoy, I'm from the federation. Our friends have been taken hostage by some crazy she bitch. We found this area had been attacked by her army, and figured we'd see if we could find allies to help us get our friends back. Can I sit now, my back is killing me.' Zarel considered his response, and smiled. 'That crazy she bitch is my sister. I am Zarel, leader of the resistance'. Zarel held out his hand for a handshake.

Arriving at interrogation room 4, Findius wheeled Uhura into the middle of the room, a spotlight highlighted the table where she lay. She was aware that something bad was going to happen. Away from the floor, the seating area resembled the stands of a football ground, slowly rising away from the spectacle that would soon take place. He noticed the other Elders had taken their seats. One seat remained empty, the throne for Déjà. Just then Kirk arrived on a similar table to Uhura and was placed next to her. He had been restrained and gagged. He dropped his head to the side, and looked for any sign she had been harmed. He saw none, save the gag in her mouth, and was relieved. This was short lived when he saw Tenus looming over him. Instinctively he flinched ready for the next volley of abuse. But nothing happened, and Tenus walked away. 'Captain, you have information we need and so far you have been very uncooperative'. Findius began as he circling in the shadows where he couldn't be seen. 'Our patience is wearing thin, and we think it's time you had an incentive to give up the codes'. He stepped out of the dark and strode over to Uhura. He took position at her head, without touching her he stimulated nerve endings in her body. She suddenly screamed in pain. Red hot waves of pain washed over her, as the gag muffled her sounds of distress. Kirk wrestled aggressively against his restraints, the gag stifled he attempts to talk. Findius stopped the attack on Uhura, and turned his attentions to Kirk. He loosened his gag, expecting the codes. 'She really isn't into S&M', he deadpanned. A flash of irritation crossed Findius' face. 'Very well, Captain'. He began to probe Kirk's mind. Searing pain tore into Kirk. His body arched up off the examination table. Using the opportunity to assess Uhura, Tenus began hammering at her mental shield. His aim was to have her mind fully exposed to any and all thought. Such mental stimulation was known to break a person in minutes. She started groaning, her pulse rose to dangerously high level, sweat glistened on her face. Findius relaxed his grip on Kirk, and made sure he understood what Tenus was doing to Uhura. 'Do you see that Captain. Do you understand what Tenus is willing to do?'. Grimacing, Kirk slumped back to the table, he glanced at her. 'Stop, stop!...I'll tell you what you need to know'. His resolve broke. When it was he alone being tortured, he was prepared to die rather than help the Theytans. He couldn't ask the same of her.

Spock felt impotent, Déjà had returned to his quarters and forced him to watch Uhura and Kirk's interrogation via a monitor in his room. When Uhura was subjected to Tenus' exploration, he'd lashed out at Déjà. His hand clasped around her neck, squeezing tighter, he has wanted to kill her. Her guards dragged him off her, one back hand slapped him to subdue him. Déjà rubbed her throat, 'I think he cares her. What do you think?' Spock's eyes widened. Déjà carefully approached Spock and sat next to him on the bed. Her guards ready in case he struck again. 'Has he's always coveted her?' Just then he replayed images of Kirk and Uhura's interactions in his mind. 'No', he shook his head 'they are just friends', his voice registered some doubt. 'She is very beautiful...' She then projected the incident in the turbolift into Spock's mind. 'So much passion...'. He stood up and backed away from her. 'You're manipulating me. That was not real'! He spat out at her. Up she rose from the bed, she walked slowly towards him. 'It's the truth. Read me. You can tell if I am lying or not', She then softened her voice 'You know you want to'. Spock couldn't understand why those dark and swirling emotions he worked so hard to suppress were taking control of him. He felt so out of control. Déjà sensed her plan was working. Since she had first sensed his telepathy, she had been subtly stimulating his frontal cortex, making him more receptive to her suggestions and less in control of his emotions. She offered her face to him, he placed his fingers on her psi points to read her mind. His eyes clouded over, he knew she was telling the truth. Slumped to the floor, he felt as if his heart might break. Déjà kneeled down to his level and placed a comforting hand on his back. 'what would you like to do to them for betraying you?'