Note: I own nothing involving Star Trek
"Alright," Kirk addressed the small group preparing to beam down to where the pirates were. All of them were dressed with cloaks over their uniforms to help blend in. "Once we're down there, keep your heads down. Do not attack the Klingons; they're on our side this time around. For the moment, only stun the pirates, do not kill unless necessary. Keep in two man teams and spread out. The Klingons will also be sending down two man teams as well. Work together to take the pirates out. Once we have freed the prisoners and rounded up the pirates we will meet in the main chamber. Keep communications open at all times. Any questions?"
No one said anything as they prepared their phasers and communicators with the translating device within. Jim turned to Spock who was also dressed in a similar fashion to him and the six other security officers. Before he could give Scotty the go ahead to beam them down McCoy ran in, also in a clock, carrying a medic bag with him.
"You sure as hell are not leaving without me," he glared at the two. "And don't bother trying to stop me. There's likely to be injured down there that need attention so I'm going. End of story."
Kirk and Spock exchanged a look but neither said anything.
"Alright Scotty, energize."
Within seconds the group appeared in a large cave, meeting up with three groups of Klingons similarly dressed. Captain Chang was the only captain from their ships to join the excursion. He and Kirk exchanged quick nods.
The groups all fanned out, taking out the occasional pirate that they came upon. Where the Starfleet officers stunned them, the Klingons went directly for the kill. Neither side complained.
Kirk Spock and McCoy made their way through the tunnel system with Chang and his first officer Chulock. Keeping the doctor towards the back the group, they ambushed a small contingent of guards, easily dispatching them. Kirk kept them from killing one of the men.
/Why not kill him/ Chulock demanded.
"It would be illogical to kill him as he may know the location of those we seek," Spock stated coolly.
/Agreed/ Chang nodded, motioning the other to step down. /Where are you keeping the women used to compete in these…games?/
"I don't have to tell you anything," the man spat.
"Not a good idea," Kirk warned him as he and Spock kept a firm grip on the man. "You see Chulock here, really seems to dislike pirates. And I have a feeling he wouldn't mind getting the information out of you the hard way." As if to confirm Kirk's words the Klingon pulled out a dangerous looking knife, playing with it in a threatening manner. "So if you don't want to die one body part at a time, in a very, VERY painful process, why not tell us what we want to know."
The man gulped and struggled but still acted defiant. "You're Federation. You won't let them hurt me; your laws don't allow it."
"In Federation space, you would be correct," Spock nodded. "However, sadly for you we are not in Federation space, and therefore must relent to the Laws of the Neutral Zone, which are primarily written by the Klingon Empire."
"And after what you did to my crew members I'm more than willing to look the other way," Kirk added menacingly. When the man still refused to believe them he turned to the Klingons. "Chulock, looks like you get to play…"
As the large Klingon warrior stepped forward, knife raised the man screamed. "Ok! Ok! I'll take you to them! Don't hurt me! It wasn't even my idea! I just do what I'm told!"
/Then please, lead the way/ Chang grinned darkly at the man.
Spock and Chulock both kept a firm grip on their prisoner as he guided them through the tunnels down into the depths of the caverns. No one said anything as they moved down into the dungeon area, the stench of death and decay growing with each step. A few pirates came upon the group however they met their end at the point of a phaser. They made it to the dungeon area where the competitors were kept when not on exhibit. None of them could disguise their disgust of the place; even the ever-emotionless Spock allowed anger to surface.
"My god," McCoy hissed, eyes taking in the scenery littered with blood, filth and other excrements.
"Where is the human woman and the Klingons," Kirk demanded. The man pointed feebly towards the far end of the long row of cages. "Spock."
The Vulcan performed his neck pinch sending the man into unconsciousness. Throwing his body into one of the open cells, they closed the door and moved to where he indicated. Chulock rushed to the cage holding two female Klingons looking slightly worse for wear but alive. The females looked surprised and relieved, speaking quickly with the warrior as he worked to free them.
Kirk and McCoy rushed to the other cage, taking note of the figure slumped in a heap towards the back of the cage. She appeared to be breathing from the rise and fall of her chest, however she didn't respond to their calls. Pulling McCoy back, Kirk shot the lock with his phaser allowing them access. Once inside McCoy went directly to Lt. Leigh, hissing as he took in the shoulder wound that still bled albeit at a very slow pace.
"She has a heartbeat but it's weak," he advised as he looked her over the old fashioned way. "The worst wound appears to be the lacerations to her shoulder." He pulled out compression bandages and worked to stop the bleeding placing pressure on the wound. "Hold that," he told Kirk. As Jim took over for him he pulled out his hypo spray, loading it with anti-biotics and painkillers. As gently as he could he delivered the shot to her neck. This received a reaction.
Leigh had been drifting in and out of consciousness since the guards had thrown her back in her cell. Naush'ka had tried speaking to her a few times, but it did little to break through the haze of pain and blood loss that had taken over. Vaguely she remembered one of the other Klingon females being led back, however the third never returned. Time passed and breathing became slightly harder, as did movement. In her mind she knew the blood loss was causing a problem and may result in her death. She fought against the darkness, forcing her mind to concentrate on her memories of the Enterprise, the Stingray, the academy, her family, anything to keep her from giving up. Mostly her mind kept coming back to Leonard, and she wished she could see him. That he could be there to make the pain go away, and hold her close.
Through the grogginess she heard voices speaking in Klingon, only two of them sounded distinctly male. Strange, she didn't remember any males Klingons being there. Then she heard someone calling her name. It sounded an awful lot like Leonard and the captain. But they couldn't be here. The next moment she thought she heard a phaser, and then felt a hand on her shoulder. The pain increased as something pressed on her wound, bringing her mind back into focus and into reality. She knew the moment the hypo spray connected to her neck that she had not imagined his voice. Leonard was there, he had come for her. Elated as she was, she still couldn't stop the curse that slipped out due to the pain of the hypo.
"See, I'm not the only one who hates those things," Kirk chuckled as Lt Leigh tried to bat the next hypo spray away.
"Shut up. And you, stop fidgeting! This is for your own good," he snapped at Leigh, pushing her hand away and giving her another dose of anti-biotics. "That aught to keep some of the infection at bay until I can get her to sickbay." McCoy mumbled, hands securing the compress bandages with tape.
/Will she live/ one of the female Klingons asked from outside of the cell. Looking up, slightly surprised by the genuine worry in the female's voice McCoy nodded.
"Yeah, she'll live. She's too stubborn to die," he looked back at Leigh allowing his face to soften as her blurry brown eyes met his.
/Yes, she is a formidable warrior. She saved my life even though she did not have too,/ the Klingon nodded, voice clear and strong.
"Captain," Spock interrupted before anything else could be said. "I have received communication from Ensign Walker, they have rounded up the remaining pirates, most were killed in the incursion. However, the man apparently responsible was not among them."
"Damn…where is he?"
"Right here," from the shadows the man stepped out, phaser raised defensively at them. "Hold it," he warned holding up a small device with his other hand. "You try anything and I push this and they suffer." He gestured towards the females in their group and the few that Spock had freed while Kirk and McCoy worked on Lt Leigh.
Kirk and Chang both stepped forward, glaring at the despicable little man.
/You might as well give up now/ Chang snarled. /Your sick organization is finished. Your men are either dead or captured. Three Klingon war ships and a Federation ship lay in wait around the planet. You cannot escape./
"That's what you think," the man sneered. "I don't know how you found us after so many years, but there's more than one way out of this little hide-a-way."
"I don't think so," Kirk grunted as he launched himself at the man, moving faster than the other anticipated. While Chang had occupied the pirate's attention Kirk had subtly moved closer. Knocking the strange controller away from the pirate he grappled with him for the phaser. As he did so Chang landed a blow to the man's side, causing him to drop the phaser. This allowed Kirk to kick the man away from him. Chulock landed the final punch that knocked the man out.
"Well…that was anticlimactic," Kirk mused as he brushed the dirt from his arms. "So, let's round everyone up and head on home."
/And what should we do with him/ Chang eyed Kirk, as if what he said next would be very important.
"Whatever you want," Kirk shrugged. "Like Spock said, we're in the Neutral Zone. That means he has to answer to your laws." He looked down at the sprawled form of the pirate. "I'm not too worried that he'll be a problem after that."
Chang nodded his head in agreement, pleased that the human would allow them the honor of disposing of the cretin.
The group made their way to the meeting point. Kirk and Spock assisting some of the other females that had been imprisoned, Chang close behind with the two female Klingons. McCoy followed them, carrying Leigh, though she tried to protest that she could walk even if it was a lie. Chulock walked at the end of the strange procession, dragging the unconscious pirate after him, not bothered at all as the man's head hit every step and rock on the way to the meeting place.
Upon arrival to the main cave they found all six of the security team waiting along with the Klingons and several incapacitated pirates. Kirk smirked a bit at the sight of the captured pirates before turning to the main security officer, who was none other than 'Cupcake'.
"Report."
"All pirates in the facility present or accounted for," the man stated solemnly. "Briggs and Jeffers suffered minor injuries, but otherwise everyone is fine. The Klingons sent reinforcements for transporting the prisoners."
"Sounds good, you six help these ladies back onto the ship and get them and yourselves to sickbay for treatment," Kirk nodded to the females they had freed, all six being from planets in Federation territory. "We'll be up shortly."
The man nodded then worked to complete the captain's orders, having three security officers with three of the females beam up at a time.
"Well Captain Chang," Kirk turned to the Klingon. "I'm sure we can trust you and your men to 'take care' of this trash," he motioned towards the cowering pirates that the Klingon warriors were surrounding, looking rather pleased with the prospect of 'dealing' with them.
/Oh yes, they shall receive utmost courtesy reserved for such 'professionals'/ the Klingon smirked evilly making more than a few whimper at the sight.
"Well then kiddies it's time to go," Kirk addressed his people.
"Wait," Leigh shifted a bit in McCoy's arms, ignoring him when he tired to shush her. Turning towards the Klingon females she spoke. /Naush'ka. Do me a favor./ The female in question gave the human her full attention. /The idiot,/ she motioned with her head towards the unconscious ringleader. /Make sure whatever happens to him, is extremely painful and does not end too quickly./
A slow smile graced Naush'ka's face. /You have my word./
Nodding in acceptance Leigh allowed herself to relax in McCoy's hold. The doctor shifted his arms a bit to hold her closer as he waited for Kirk to give the order.
"Scotty," Kirk spoke into the communicator. "Beam us up."