Note: I own nothing involving Star Trek
As soon as Kirk, Spock and McCoy beamed up a worried and irate Scotty met them. The Chief engineer was almost as possessive about his workers as he was the ship herself. To find out one of his men had been killed and the other two taken had not pleased him in the least. The four headed to the Bridge where Uhura briefed them on the information she had.
"Sir, I've managed to pinpoint the location of the signal," she began. "The coordinates lead to one of the planets closer to the border, but it is on the other side of the Neutral Zone. I've also verified that it is being transmitted from Lt. Leigh."
"Have you been able to send any signals back, or get direct communication," Kirk asked.
"No sir."
"Alright, try monitoring the area for any frequencies. We're told the people that took Nelson and Leigh do this regularly for sport. It's likely they might transmit the fights, which could help us get further information," Kirk murmured, trying to think everything through though he dearly wanted to just charge in there and inform the SOBs that you did not mess with anyone on his crew. "For now give the coordinates we do have to Chekov."
"It is already computed Keptain," the young Russian announced. "Just give the word and we will be off."
"Good," Kirk nodded. "Set course…"
"Captain," Spock admonished in his usual stoic tone. "We must contact Starfleet first. If we cross the Neutral Zone without proper authorization we could cause and intergalactic incident."
"We don't have time to involve the bureaucrats," McCoy snipped. "Every minute they waste we lose the chance to get them back."
"I understand that Doctor, but we cannot endanger several lives for two, it would be illogical."
"You cold-blooded…" McCoy growled ready to bite the Vulcan's head off when Jim grasped his shoulder pulling him back.
"While I understand your reasoning, this is also a problem that needs to be dealt with. These pirates are making raids in Federation space. While they are only taking a few at a time, the numbers are too large to ignore in the end," Kirk reasoned with his first officer. "Also if we continue to let these seemingly minor incidents continue with no recourse, what will stop them from committing much worse infractions in the future?"
The Vulcan processed the information before nodding his head. "I see your point. However it would do well to at least let someone know of our intentions, to smooth things over at a later date if necessary."
"That I can do," Kirk grinned. "Uhura, put in an urgent call to Admiral Pike and patch it through to the conference room. Bones you're with me."
The doctor didn't protest as he followed Jim into the small conference room off the side of the bridge. Once there, Kirk turned to his friend worry lines marring his youthful appearance.
"Alright, what is going on with you," Jim questioned. "And don't give me the BS that you care for all the crew members' well being as the CMO. This isn't how you usually react to these situations."
"I don't know what you mean," Bones looked away from him, trying to keep a blank face.
"You don't huh," the look on Jim's face told the other man he didn't believe it for a second. "You hate transporting, even when ordered, yet you didn't complain. You nearly took off Spock's head, which is not like your normal quips and arguments. Something about this is personal. And as your captain and friend I need you to tell me." Taking in the flushed cheeks and frown the doctor now sported Jim came to a rather surprising conclusion. "I see…which one?"
"What," again Bones tried to dodge but his friend wouldn't let him.
"Obviously you care for one of the two women taken," he stated confidently. "I'm figuring on Leigh as she's closer to your age, though Nelson's quite a looker…or maybe it's both?"
"Don't be asinine," McCoy growled out, shoulders dropping as he realized he would not get out of this without a confession. "It's Monica, alright."
"Monica?"
"Lt Leigh," he clarified. "We're not in a relationship per say. We're just friends…with benefits."
Despite the severity of the situation Jim couldn't help but tease his friend. "Friends with benefits? You? Bones?"
"Alright, I get it. It's not something I would normally do, but we both agreed to it as neither of us wanted a serious relationship," he explained. "If either of us get involved with someone else, the benefits are dropped, no questions asked. That's it."
"How long?"
"A little over a year," the other man mumbled.
"A year," Jim stared at his friend incredulously. "And have either of you gotten involved with someone else? Or even tried?"
"No…" Bones reluctantly admitted.
"That's not friends with benefits Bones, that's an exclusive relationship," he cheerfully informed the doctor. "Why didn't you tell me?"
"Because we agreed not to tell anyone. It's not like we even see each other that much," he defended.
"But you care about her, probably more than you want to admit to yourself," Jim astutely pointed out. "Which is why you're so up in arms about this."
"Don't you have a call to make?"
"We'll get her back Bones."
"Don't make promises you can't keep kid," Bones sighed. "You and I both know the green blooded hobgoblin is right. We can't risk war for two personnel."
"Don't give up so easily Bones," Jim smiled, turning to the monitor screen just as Uhura notified him through the comm. that she had Admiral Pike on the line. "Admiral, thank you for speaking to us on such short notice."
"No problem Captain," Pike greeted from the monitor. "Uhura said you had a slight problem?"
Kirk quickly debriefed the man about what had occurred.
"You're in Sector Four right," the admiral asked tiredly. "I'm not sure what to tell you kid. On the one hand Spock is right. You can't just go into the Neutral Zone. On the other, you are right. We have to deal with this issue. This sadly isn't the first time Federation personnel have been taken by these cretins. There are plenty of captains out there that would back you up, but Federation ships can't just go into the Neutral Zone looking for a needle in a haystack."
"But what if we know where the needle is exactly," Kirk argued.
"You have a position on the pirates? How?" The older man looked surprised and more than a little pleased.
"Lt. Leigh apparently kept a transmitting chip on her person and activated it. It's still loud and clear and we got the coordinates of their location," Jim explained.
A slow smile stretched across Pike's face. "Always be prepared," he murmured to himself. "In that case Captain, you have authorization to pursue these pirates and shut them down. I will also tell you that when you come across a Klingon outpost or one of their ships, tell them exactly what you are doing. You might find yourself with some allies in this jaunt."
Neither Kirk nor McCoy looked too sure about that, but they nodded anyways.
"I want your report as soon as you accomplish your mission," Pike added before ending the call.
"See," Jim smirked at McCoy, the doctor still surprised at the outcome of the meeting. Before he could retort Uhura came over the comm. again, this time sounding upset as she called him to the bridge. The two shared a look before returning to the bridge, finding the others staring ahead at the main screen. Turning to the screen the found a televised program put on by the pirates.
"I was searching frequencies like you told me when I noticed this one. It was hidden among others but I broke it out," Uhura explained, barely containing the rage in her voice. "They apparently broadcast this and take bids on who they think will win…"
In silence the crew of the Enterprise watched various alien women traversing a maze that was more of a death trap. Sometimes one or more of them flinched when the women met gruesome ends, their screams just barely above the cries of the audience.
Suddenly a voice sounded through the video feed. "And that is the end of the first round! So far three have survived! Now for the next group of contestants!" The crowd roared. The camera panned down to the beginning of the maze where five doors opened at five different entrances, two women at each. Each pair was shown on the monitor but only one interested the crew. There on the big screen stood Lt. Leigh and Nelson, the latter looking scared beyond belief, while the former showed grime determination. They watched with baited breath as Lt. Leigh led the other through the maze.