The screen flickered to life, and a collective, horrified gasp filled the bridge.
"Chekov!" Kirk shouted at the same time Sulu yelled "Pavel!" The rest of the crew remained silent, trying to take in what they were seeing. Pavel's image from the shoulders up was being broadcasted to them, his young face terrified and slightly pained, as he was seemingly being grabbed by his hair. There was a phaser gun held at his temple, a gloved hand positioned over the trigger. Anger surged in Kirk at the sight of his surrogate little brother in what appeared to be a hostage situation, and any of his own fear was taken over by this stronger and more potent feeling.
"Keptin Kirk! Hikaru!" Pavel breathed with wide eyes, seeming almost shocked at their sudden appearance.
"Don't worry, Captain, it's still set on stun," a voice drawled from the screen, unfamiliar and definitely unfriendly. "But I suppose from this distance..." the hand prodded the side of Chekov's temple harshly, and the boy squirmed, his face screwing up in anger and frustration. "It might sting a bit more than usual."
"This is Captain James Tiberius Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise. You are threatening the life of our navigational officer—this is a Federation offense of the highest degree. Identify yourself." This was not a request, but an order, and silence once again overtook the bridge as they waited for an answer.
"Yes, I do have something that belongs to you, don't I? What was he doing down here all by himself on my planet in the first place?" the voice inquired cruelly, avoiding the question by asking another in return.
"Keptin, I'm sorry, I-" Chekov started, but his words ended in a whimper as the grip on his hair seemed to tighten. The young lad seemed struck with a large amount of fear. Yet at the same time, there seemed to be some kind of an internal conflict that crossed upon his face. Kirk caught this, and was pleading with him in his mind not to do anything rash. Though Chekov was not one for acting so sudden, things had changed, and he was taking an impulsive turn for the worst. If the kid did anything disruptive to his captor, the possibility of harm befalling him would become a certainty.
"I order you to release the boy and return transportation capabilities to our ship!" Kirk yelled, rising from his chair, his anger almost too much to bear now. The imminent danger that his youngest crew member was in left him shaking in his boots - metaphorically. He couldn't show any signs of fear to this men, but something told him that he should be more than just concerned. Something strange was going on here, something wrong. The planet was supposed to be sparsely inhabited, and though there were threats, no one was supposed to ever be taken captive...he hadn't even considered the possibility. He didn't understand why or how Chekov had even gotten placed into their hands. What had happened to him down on that desolate planet?
"I'm afraid I can't do that, Captain Kirk," the voice refused, and the crew could almost hear the sneer forming on the face of whoever it was that was threatening Chekov.
"I'm afraid you don't have a choice," Kirk retorted without a second thought as the "Alpha" bridge crew began to gather around him. He knew they would all do whatever necessary to ensure Pavel's safety, even if it meant risking their own lives the in process. Not only was he the youngest, but he was also family, and the Enterprise crew was as closely knit as any family could ever hope to be. They would do anything for each other, no matter what the cost. Kirk himself had stuck to this promise when he had braved the life-sucking radiation poisoning in the warp core chamber for them, and he was just as willing to do something equally dangerous again if it meant Chekov would be okay.
"You seem to be forgetting that I have the advantage here," The hand flexed causally over the trigger, causing Pavel's eyes to grow wider and Kirk to scowl in frustration. Whoever this guy was made a correct and vital point. They really couldn't do anything right now without risking Pavel's safety, which was of course out of the question. This only heightened Kirk's sense of helplessness, and it was not a feeling he particularly enjoyed. Phaser aside, there was no other way to reach them with anything beyond hailing. They couldn't beam down, and Chekov couldn't be beamed up. It was a rigged game, Kirk realized, and it was rigged against them.
"This was merely an introduction, Captain, I'm positive we shall have much more to discuss in the future. As for your young officer, here, he'll be staying with me for the time being. I'm sure he'll prove to be quite useful to me if he behaves," the voice said, the almost mirthful tone in his voice contrasting greatly with the situation.
"If you touch him, I swear-" Kirk couldn't finish the sentence, his anger bubbling over inside of him. Pavel smiled sadly at him, and the captain was sure the entire bridge could hear his heart breaking.
"Do not worry about me, Keptin. I will be okay...besides, it is my fault I am here in ze first place. I am not afraid of him," the boy assured him, but the slight tremble in his words told Kirk otherwise. At that moment, he couldn't have been more proud of the ensign and bravery he was showing. He nodded once, his mouth set in a firm line.
"We'll get you out of there, Chekov. I promise," Kirk tried not to betray the lingering fear he still felt in his voice. Pavel grimly returned the nod as best he could, faith gleaming in his eyes, letting them know that he trusted them wholeheartedly with his life.
"I know, Keptin. I...I am sorry," the kid said as he glanced down, shame cutting through his voice. Kirk was about to respond when the other voice suddenly interjected, after having stayed silent for a few moments.
"That was touching, my friends, it truly was. Sorry to cut the bonding moment short, but I'm afraid we must be going. It was so nice talking with you, Captain Kirk. I do hope to see you again soon."
"Trust me, you will," Kirk replied harshly, before the screen flickered back into darkness. The captain's eyes searched the rest of the crew, who looked just as determined as he felt. They would keep their promise, or die trying. This was the Enterprise, after all, and the Enterprise did not go down without a fight.