THE NIGHT OF THE TREK AMONG THE STARS

By Andamogirl

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ACT THREE

Later, on the bridge

The turbolift doors opened onto the bridge and James and Artemus stepped off with caution, framing their hostage, Jim pointing the phaser at his head.

Taking a step forward, Artie said, "No one move!"

Spock, sat in the captain's chair, immediately stood up and whirled around.

To say that the Vulcan was very surprised to see the two special agents from the 19th century , walking from the turbolift – onto the bridge, with a hostage, phasers pointed at his head - was an understatement.

But he just twitched an eyebrow.

Pushing the guard to one side Jim aimed his 'gun' at the Vulcan and like Artemus he was instantly mesmerized by the distortion of the stars on the viewscreen.

Eyes opened wide, Artie let out, "Oh my… being told you're on board a spaceship is one thing… but seeing actual stars that close, being in space is another …"

Suddenly a kind of alarm started ringing and James nodded. "They've found Christine and the other guard," he said and saw Spock's dark eyes glint with concern although he kept a stoic face. "Don't worry. They're fine, just unconscious. We kill people only when it is necessary. We're not barbarians." Then, he moved forward, glancing around the bridge before looking at the First Officer again. "We want you to lead us to the Altarans. They will help us to go back home."

Fascinated by all the wonders around him, Artie nodded distractedly. "Yes, we don't want to be put in solitary confinement somewhere until we die… or we're killed."

Spock raised a quizzical eyebrow and tilted his head. "Why would we do that?"

Looking at Spock Artie replied, "To prevent any risk of us telling how we 'lived' here to the people around us after our return, to prevent the future from being changed."

Moving toward what he thought was the Captain's chair, James added, "Now let's point the Enterprise in the right direction, Mr. Spock. I'm sure that with all the powerful devices you have here at your disposal, you can find an Altaran mothership"

Spock shook his head. "I can't do that."

Determined, James said, "I'm sure you can. Perhaps you need a little incentive to comply…" He turned the scroll wheel of the phaser to the right. "Let's see how this weapon works…" He fired at the Captain's chair completely disintegrating it in an instant.

Both James and Artie were so stunned to see it they didn't notice or hear the turbolift doors opening… and it was too late for them to react when they did.

Kirk, his own phaser set on stun, fired at the two Secret Service agents – then watched them collapse to the floor, unconscious.

He disarmed West, looked up at Spock and asked, "What the hell happened here?"

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Much later in the brig

Hearing voices, James slowly woke up and immediately grimaced, assailed by a pounding headache. He moaned and rubbed his aching temples. "Ow…"

He pulled himself into a sitting position, wincing and glared up at Kirk and Spock standing in front of him on the other side of what looked like a cell. But there were no bars, just a series of bright white lights around the opening.

Seeing that the agent was observing them, Spock explained, "There is an electrostatic force field preventing you leaving the cell. Touching it is very painful."

Eyes flashing with anger, James glared at Kirk and asked him, "Why didn't you kill me? You would have been rid of us and at the same time all of your problems ..." He suddenly realized that he was alone in the cell and blanched in deep worry. "Where's Artemus? What did you do to him?"

Kirk took a step forward. "He woke up before you, with a pain in his chest. He's in sickbay. Dr. McCoy wanted to run medical tests on him, because of his recent heart failures."

Moving close to the 'forcefield' James said, "I want to see him."

Kirk imitated the other man. "You're in no position to ask anything, Mr. West. You attacked three of my people and threatened my First Officer. You disintegrated my chair! Don't worry, Mr. Gordon will join you shortly, after Bones is satisfied he is fine and you will both stay here, in the brig, until I can find a suitable solution to the problems caused by your arrival on board the Enterprise."

Spock joined his Captain. "But I can assure you that it is not our intention to put you and your friend in in solitary confinement somewhere until you die, or kill you."

Nose to nose, only separated by the forcefield, the two Jameses locked their eyes on each other's and engaged in a battle of wills.

James narrowed his eyes in suspicion, "I don't believe it, you lie," he said, his voice cold and menacing. "If you have hurt Artie, Kirk… I swear that I'll make you pay, dearly." He had his fists closed so tightly that his knuckles were white.

Kirk almost sniggered, condescendingly. "I'd like to see that… you're no match to me."

"Try me," James gritted out between clenched teeth, glaring at the Captain, his eyes no longer green, but stormy gray with defiance.

If the forcefield was not activated, Spock was sure that the two Jims would start a fight, beating each other into a bloody pulp, like James liked to say. The tension and electricity between the two men was so strong that it was almost palpable. "You have my promise," he added solemnly.

Looking at Spock, James relaxed, Spock's eyes black eyes reflecting his honesty. "I believe you. Now I want to see my friend," he asked.

At that, the door of the brig opened and Artie entered, framed between Dr. McCoy and an armed guard. "I'm okay," he told Jim seeing that his partner was concerned.

Kirk took the security man's phaser and commanded, "Move back, against the bunk, and watching West comply, he deactivated the forcefield. "After you, Mr. Gordon."

Once the two agents were inside the cell, he re-activated the forcefield. He gave the phaser back to the guard and ordered, "Don't lose sight of them."

The red shirt nodded, "Yes Sir."

Immediately Jim put his arms around his friend and held him close. "Are you okay Artie?"

His face haggard and his eyes dull, lacking their usual twinkling chocolate, Artie nodded and leaned into the embrace and rested his head on James's shoulder. "Yeah, I'm okay, I'm tired and I just need to rest." and he squeezed his partner's hand in reassurance.

Then, James led Artie to the bunk. "Here, Artie." and Artemus sat down on the bunk, as his shaky legs couldn't hold him up any longer.

Then James glared at Kirk – who shot him back the same look - before pulling his gold tunic down in a authoritative, dominating gesture and leaving the brig.

Spock followed with McCoy in tow.

Bones joined Jim in the corridor and turned his gaze on his best friend. "I sensed a bit of tension between West and you, Jim… "

Kirk stopped abruptly in front of a door, eyes flashing with anger. "You know what happened Bones… I'm not going to forgive them for what they did."

Bones sighed as he rocked slightly on his feet. "I know what happened, but be a little comprehending Jim. Put yourself in their place for a moment and you will understand why they are afraid and reacted that way. You forget they come from the 19th century!"

Spock nodded. "Dr. McCoy is right, Captain rather than antagonizing them, we should be friendly with them in order to make them feel safe."

Bones looked at Spock, smiling. "For once, I agree with Spock. Like he said…" and earned a surprised look from Kirk. "Once, there will be no second time."

Massaging his temples tiredly Jim nodded. "You're right… but they have to be taught a lesson. Attack us and you will end up in the brig! And spending the night in a cell will do them the greatest good." He yawned and added, "What did you find out about them, Spock?"

Spock shook his head. "Nothing, Captain. The archives of the 19th and 20th century Government agents were destroyed in a fire in 2108."

Kirk sighed. "That's too bad." I would have liked to know everything about them." He yawned again and rubbed his eyes. "I'm going back to bed. Spock, you have the con."

Spock nodded, "Aye, Captain."

Bones said, "About befriending our guests, what about inviting them to join us in the mess hall for breakfast? Eating together would be a good start."

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In the brig

Sitting on the cold deck, Jim looked at Artie lying on the sole bunk in the cell, in a fetal position, brow creased in concern, for the third time he asked, "Are you okay?"

Nodding, Artie responded, "YES, I am. Stop your motherin', Jim. I'm fine." Seeing that Jim was a bit hurt, he sighed and said, "I'm sorry. I didn't want to be disagreeable. I know that you're worried about me." He smiled reassuringly. "It was nothing, just a small pain in my chest." He placed his left hand on his heart. "I'm going to be okay. Dr. McCoy would have kept me in the infirmary otherwise…" He scratched his itchy stubbled jaws and continued, "Speaking of McCoy, he told me he lost me three times before bringing me back. I died, briefly, three times. Only once would have been enough to take us home… but we're still here…"

Jim nodded. "You're right. Why?"

Closing his eyes, exhausted, Artie responded, "I wondered why, and I found an answer: for my theory to work, you have to be by my side. You were at my side the first two times when I died and we returned to our starting point… but you weren't there when my heart stopped three times…"

Standing, Jim headed toward the energy forcefield, only signaling it was active by the lights along the opening of the cell.

He looked at Artie, looking pale, disheveled and fragile and shivered. "I didn't know what happened to you McCoy didn't tell me… Are you sure you're okay? You look like a ghost."

Artie just smiled.

Jim let out a breath of frustration, came back to Artemus's side and sat on the edge of the bunk. "I hate being locked in a cell. I can usually escape with the aid of one of your gadgets… but I can't do that here."

Drifting off to sleep, Artie whispered, "No… no bars, no breakaway… blow-torch… Nigh't J'm." Then his body sagged into unconsciousness.

Pressing two fingers against Artie's throat, Jim felt for the older man's pulse. Feeling it to be normal, he sighed in relief. "Sleep well buddy." He reached for Artie's' hand, wrapping his own around the lax fingers. "everything is going to be alright."

He had closed his eyes too, fatigued, needing to sleep when he heard the door open and watched Spock head their way.

He looked up at the Vulcan. "What do you want Mr. Spock?" he asked, a bit aggressively. "Artie and I would like to sleep."

Spock was unfazed. "I'm here to tell you that the long range sensors have detected a ship, an Altaran mothership orbiting Gajed-IV."

Eyes glittering with hope, Jim shook Artemus's arm eliciting a bear-like groan from his partner. "Wake up buddy, Mr. Spock just brought us good news."

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Later

The two agents, escorted by two armed guards and followed by Dr. McCoy entered the bridge and stared at the viewscreen, amazed. It was showing a red planet.

James Kirk left his brand new captain's chair and looked at James and Artemus. "We have reached Gajed-IV," he said. "The ship you can see is an Altaran mothership. It was pure luck we found one. But they haven't answered any of our communications."

Stepping forward Artie said, "Luck has nothing to do with this Captain…" Seeing the big, black ship, he felt a shiver run along his spine.

He knew deep within himself that he would die on board the Altaran ship – somehow, and painfully, he always died that way. He was no longer afraid of dying because dying meant going back home – at least when Colonel Vautrain was involved, he thought. He glanced at James who was staring at the ship, grinning, eyes filled with hope, and didn't say a word about his premonition. He did not want him to suffer ... right away. He would suffer soon enough unfortunately. He sighed. "Let me try."

Kirk nodded and looked at Uhura who pressed a button and said, "Channel open."

Clearing his throat, Artie glanced at James, then at the viewscreen and said, "Altaran ship, This is Artemus Gordon. My friend and I are from the 19th century Earth. We have been transported to this century against our will by a man using a special mind power. We know that your ships can travel through space and time. We'd like your help to go back home, to our own century you're our only hope." He paused – waiting for a response from the Altarans but there was none. He added, "I met someone of your err… species once. She landed with her flying sauc… spaceship on Earth. The pilot was refilling with water from a pond…"

Suddenly Uhura said, "They want to communicate, Captain. It's a visual transmission."

Kirk nodded. "On screen, Lieutenant." Shortly afterward the image of an Altaran woman appeared on the large viewscreen.

Both James and Artie gasped in surprise.

Pointing at the large image, Artemus said, "It's you!" recognizing the beautiful woman with the bright-redhair, pale-greenskin, and cat-like ears, wearing a golden tight-fitting suit.

On the screen, the Altaran woman nodded, "Yes, it's me. It's a pleasure to see you again, ArtemusGordon. But the last time we met, you were green."

Spock raised an eyebrow and Kirk frowned. James said, "Long story." Then he bowed his head respectfully. "It's a pleasure to see you too…"

She bowed her head in return and said, "It would be a pleasure to take you back to your world and to your time period… We could get to know each other better ArtemusGordon…" Then she chuckled softly when she saw Artie blush up to his ears. "Nice color…"

Left out, rolling his eyes, a bit jealous, James said, "The quicker, the better." He turned toward Kirk. "Could you transport us on board that ship, Captain?"

Kirk took a step forward. "I'm Captain James T. Kirk of the Federation starship Enterprise. Would you like to come on board, so that we could get to know each other better?"

Suddenly the image zoomed out and the Altaran appeared, sitting on a high golden chair, resembling a throne, placed in the middle of an immense bridge, round in shape. About fifty people were sitting at their respective stations all around her. "I'm Commander Katakl, of the mothership Tukklak-Meek." She shook her head. "I have to decline your offer, Captain Kirk. Altaran people avoid other species to keep our civilization free from foreign influence. I'll make an exceptional exception for ArtemusGordon and his friend."

Spock observed their technology which appeared to be more advanced than that of the Enterprise, the bridge of which looked small and obsolete in comparison.

Kirk was very disappointed. "I respect your choice, Commander Katakl."

Katakl smiled. "Don't worry, Captain Kirk. I will deliver ArtemusGordon and his friend safely home." She nodded to a woman sitting on her left, gave an order in her language and… Both Artemus and James dematerialized – to materialize a couple of seconds later at her side.

Katakl who could see through clothes, eyed Artie hungrilywith green sparkling eyes, purring softly, like a cat, then she looked at Kirk on the viewscreen. "Farewell, Captain."

Uhura said, "Visual communication interrupted," then she frowned, worried. "Do you think they're going to be safe on board that ship, Captain?"

Kirk sighed. "I hope so, Lieutenant," he responded, watching the big Altaran mothership leaving the orbit of Gajed-IV.

Spock was convinced to the contrary. "Maybe we should follow them, Captain. I have the feeling that Artemus and James will face some problems."

Surprised, Kirk lifted an eyebrow. "Vulcan intuition, Mr. Spock?"

Leonard McCoy joined his friends and said, "I have the same sensation… Spock is right. We have to follow that ship, Jim, to rescue them."

Kirk nodded. "Mr. Chekov, set course. Follow that ship! Warp two." Then he frowned. "And how am I going to rescue them, doctor?"

Bones replied, "I'm a doctor, not a ship's captain. That's your job, not mine."

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On board the Tukklak-Meek

Katakl left her throne-like Commander's chair and ran a finger over Artie's chest, ignoring James completely. She purred again seeing through his clothes, appreciating his anatomy and commanded, "Sub-Commander Nadaat, take the humans to Dr. Nevreet. Once they have been examined by the doctor, you will bring ArtemusGordon to my quarters.

The female First Officer approached. "Yes Commander. What about the other human?"

Katakl looked at Jim from head to toe, totally indifferent to the other human's charm and using a disdainful tone, she replied. "Find him some quarters."

Keeping his cool, but frowning, upset, Jim said, "I'd like to stay with my friend…"

Katakl frowned angrily, her green eyes darkening. "Males don't have the right to speak until I say they can, and they don't have the right to ask anything on board this ship– you included, human male. I command, they obey, you obey, is that understood?"

Raising his hand to ask permission to speak, Artie waited for Katakl's nod to say, "It's going to be alright, Jim. Don't worry about me. I'll be safe."

But Jim wasn't convinced and his sixth sense was telling him that something wrong was taking shape. He didn't know what exactly – but he had no other choice but to comply. "Alright…" he said. Then, like Artie he followed Sub-Commander Nadaat from the vast bridge.

Katakl contacted sickbay. "Dr. Nevreet, I'm sending two human males to you. I want you to carry out complete medical exams and I want them to be perfectly healthy – and perfect."

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Later in sickbay

Katakl read Dr. Nevreet's report, then looked at Artemus sitting on a bench beside his friend, leaning heavily against him. He looked weary and there were dark rings like bruises underneath his eyes. He looked dead on his feet.

Nevreet said, "Like I put in my report, they're – now - in good health and are perfect, Commander. The human body is very simple compared to ours. It was very easy to make the traces left by old and recent fractures disappear and I even erased their younger one had his appendix removed and I recreated one for him, so he's now complete and perfect. The older one had minor problems with his heart, I corrected them and it's now functioning perfectly… "

Katakl nodded. "I want him."

Nevreet heard her superior let out a low purr and added, "With all due respect, Commander, May I remind you that it is forbidden to have intimate relationships with a non-Altaran male."

Katakl nodded. "I know that…" She placed the medical report back in the doctor's hands and said, "Then make it possible, Doctor."

Nevreet blinked twice in surprise. "You want me to transform the older human into an Altaran?"

Katakl nodded. "You have done it before. You transformed other males from different species, Doctor, when there was a shortage of potential sex-slaves on board."

The Chief Medical Officer nodded. "Fortunately you stopped killing your sex-slaves after the first night of lovemaking."

Katakl nodded, "I quickly get tired of my partners."

Nevreet added, "I could do it yes, but it's not going to be simple… and the human won't agree."

Katakl smiled. "The others didn't agree either. Don't tell him." Her smile vanished and she commanded, "Do it, that's an order Dr. Nevreet, and do it as soon as possible… I want him and I will have him. He's not perfect, Nevreet, you will make him perfect."

Nevreet nodded. "I can be ready for the operation in one cycle. It will take several cycles to have him transformed, Commander."

Katakl nodded. "Can you grow his hair? I love my males with long hair… and I want all his body hair removed, permanenty too." She saw Nevreet nod and then she added, "Good! Good. Keep me informed of your progress and let me know when he's ready. Oh! And before leading him to my quarters, give him an injection of G'ahj, I want him submissive and compliant."

Nevreet nodded. "Of course and it will ensure he doesn't react badly to his transformation too. But I don't know how long it will take the drug to act on his biological system. It has never been used on a human. And I don't know if he will react to it at all, Commander."

The Commander nodded. "If you have to double or triple the dose, do it, Doctor. Then, tomorrow, you will prepare him for the Jas'k. You will erase his memory and replace it with one stored in the main computer. I will choose it later. Maybe the memory of my first sex-slave you recorded before he died… He was such an imaginative lover…"

Nevreet nodded. "Good idea. We'll just have change his name."

She let her eyes roam over Artie's body – naked to her gaze – one last time and said, "Have the other human sedated. Nadaat will have him transported to one of the guest quarters." Then she left the sickbay feeling excited at adding a new male to her vre'ed'anj (harem).

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Later

Once Nadaat had escorted the Commander out of the sickbay, one nurse made an injection of a powerful sedative into Artie's neck, taking him by surprise.

He stood, raising his fist in a defensive gesture, but a few seconds later his vision blurred and feeling extra weak, he sank to his knees. "J'm, h'lp," he breathed out.

He collapsed to the side, his consciousness fading slowly to black.

Before Jim could react, he felt a hiss between his shoulder blades followed by a sting.

He whirled around to see another nurse, dressed like the other one in a green uniform – and holding some kind of syringe in her hand.

He stood, raised a menacing fist while looking down at Artemus, now unconscious and felt his legs turn into something like soggy cotton and his eyes slid close.

He crumpled to the floor like a dropped puppet, unconscious.

Dr. Nevreet pointed at the older human and commanded, "Bring him to the operating room," and watched two nurses place him on an anti-grav gurney. "Prepare him for surgery."

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Much later

Katakl returned to the sickbay hours later and headed right toward the 'operating room'. She joined Dr. Nevreet beside the operating table.

She stared at the naked human – hairless - lying on it, strapped onto it.

He was unconscious… and red blood mixed with strands of green blood was pouring out of his still white-skinned body from multiples lacerations and puncture holes.

Poles holding bags filled with a green liquid surrounded him. Several IV's pierced his white skin, replacing his own blood with Altaran's.

He was unconscious as computer-controlled mechanical 'arms' provided with surgical instruments had started to transform him.

Nevreet looked at the Commander and said, "He's not ready yet. You came too early, Commander. He's only in the first stages of his transformation."

Katakl nodded. "I can see that… But I'm so impatient and excited to see him transformed that I couldn't stay on the bridge. How long before he's ready?"

Nevreet glanced at the readouts on the screen of the control panel. "Six cycles, maybe. Humans have so many organs to remove… it's a very delicate procedure. Fortunately the surgery is automated. I already removed his small heart to replace it with an Altaran one, which is much bigger. I removed his two lungs too, one after the other, to replace them with the sole one, the same as ours …" He pointed at another container, smaller filled with a thick yellow liquid. Inside there were shapeless masses. "His other new organs are growing. They should be ready for transplantation in three cycles."

Katakl nodded. "Very good." She ran a fingertip along Artie's hairless leg and moving it to his belly, stopped it beside his navel. "Remove that thing too, it's ugly."

Nevreet nodded. "I was going to do it anyway, Commander. Altaran males don't have any trace left of their umbilical cord. And I will remove the tattoo he has on his back too.

Katakl smiled and pressed her palm against Artie's thigh, feeling the warm strong muscle through the soft, pale skin, in a possessive gesture. "He's going to be perfect, and mine."

She gave Artie a predatory smile.

Tbc.