Skylar's eyes opened slowly. A bright white light was overhead, and she heard something moving about. She was on her back. She knew her head was on a pillow. It was comfortable. It was hard to believe McCoy's Sick Bay pillows could ever feel so heavenly, but it did. In fact, she didn't mind the fact that she could possibly end up in Sick Bay for quite some time. Her body was sunken into the bed and she felt heavy. She also felt rested.

Someone leaned over her and she attempted to smile. "Bones," she said softly to the blur before her.

"Your bones are fine. They have been healed."

Skylar's heart skipped a beat. Her chest tightened and she suddenly became very alert. But before she could jump up into attack mode, her dark eyes focused on the round face of a young woman no older than she. Her eyes were a bright emerald green and her hair was a woven creation of blond braids around her head. The woman moved back from the table as Skylar seized the outer sides of the bed she laid upon – the foreign linens hardly covering her naked self. Skylar wanted to scream but calmed herself as she sat up and searched for Amelia.

"Where is she?" she gasped as though she hadn't spoken in forever. She stared at the girl and repeated angrily, "Where is she?"

The girl appeared stunned as she rushed forward with a damp rag, aiming for Skylar's forehead. In a swift motion, Skylar locked her hand around the girl's wrist and wrapped it around the girl, forcing her into a tangled, awkward stance that caused her gasp out in pain. The rag dropped from her hand.

"Please don't injure yourself," the woman cried quietly. "His majesty will want you completely well again."

Close to the side of the woman's face, Skylar hissed at her, "Where am I? Who are you, and what have you done with my friend?"

The woman gasped again as Skylar added pressure to her wrist. "I am Leighland," she moaned. "I've saved your body!"

"My friend?"

"She's in the next room – please don't harm me!"

Skylar pushed the girl away from her, causing Leighland to fall to the floor before the bed. Leighland fell delicately, despite the plain linen gown she wore. Her feet – bound in dirty wrappings – poked out from the end of her gown. Skylar seized the blanket she had on her and wrapped it around herself, stepping off of the bed. Leighland looked back at her as she did this and exclaimed, "Please, remain where you are. Your clothes are on their way."

Skylar stopped and looked down at her. Skylar was breathing heavy in panic mode, but as she observed the crumpled mess that was Leighland, she started to calm down. The girl did not pose any kind of threat; she was weak and extremely taken by surprise the way she looked back at Skylar with her rounded green eyes in a state of shock. Skylar almost felt bad for her reaction. "I'm sorry," Skylar said, maintaining a firmness in her tone just in case. "I am just a bit confused. One moment I was hanging off of a cliff, about to be pulled up by my crew and the next thing I know, I'm falling."

"There are more of you?" Leighland asked.

Skylar regretted her statement. It was unwise to allow strangers the knowledge of her friends. "My friend and I fell," she said instead. "I need to know that she is okay."

"Your friend is fine," Leighland assured her. "She is being dressed as we speak."

"Where's my uniform?"

"It is in the wash."

"When will it be ready? I really hate the fact that I am undressed in front of you."

"It was necessary for your wounds."

Skylar looked down at herself. "How bad was I injured?"

"You sustained quite a few cuts and some bruising," Leighland replied, cautiously rising from the floor. "But you have been mended." She paused and took a step towards Skylar, wringing her hands together in what appeared to be nervousness. "You are incredibly strong," she stated quietly. "You fight like a male."

Skylar watched her closely. "I can handle myself."

"What are you called?" Leighland asked.

Skylar hesitated. It was a risk to give herself away, but regardless, her title could establish a sort of dominance in her situation. There was a significant chance that Leighland and this place in which she'd doctored her up was harmless. But there was always that chance of that not being the case …

"I'm Lieutenant Skylar Pike of the U.S.S. Enterprise," she said.

Leighland considered this with a thoughtful glance. Skylar returned her gaze with the same kind of confusion. "Starfleet," she continued, hoping to make Leighland understand. "I'm from one of the starships."

"You come from space?" Leighland asked, a bit of excitement in her voice.

Skylar half expected the woman to sit down in front of her and ask her to tell her war stories.

"You traveled here in a space ship?" Leighland continued.

Skylar nodded. "Yeah. That's how most beings get around space these days."

"I have never been on a spaceship," Leighland said. "I have never been beyond the boundaries of Armaga Set-ta."

"Armaga Set-Ta?" Skylar repeated. "Is that the name of this planet?"

"Perhaps," the woman responded. "That is what we call the kingdom."

Skylar looked around. The walls were made of what appeared to be wood, smoothed out and decorated with carvings and large woven rugs. The ceiling was high and there were rounded archways. The floor itself was wooden, a polished tan in color with streaks of yellow here and there. A giant woven rug of greens and yellows and reds in a linear design took up most of the flooring, while a couple of wooden pillars held up large sculpted basins which contained strange purple flowers Skylar had never seen. The room was like something out of an old world fairytale; like she had stumbled into a world of elves. Leighland herself was beautiful with her soft face and golden hair, though she was a lot more tanned than how Skylar envisioned an elf – well, she didn't really know how to envision an elf. She fathomed they were small, and Leighland was anything but small. She was tall and slender and very much a fragile looking woman. Finally, after a moment of soaking everything in, Skylar's eyes rested back onto Leighland.

"Are you human?" she asked.

Leighland nodded. "Are you?"

"I don't know what I am anymore. I think I might be dead."

"You are very much alive, my dear," came the voice of someone very different from where the arched doorway was across the room.

Skylar watched an older man in a long emerald green cloak approach her, the hood down and revealing his long graying hair which was braided down his back. He had a long gray beard that hung down just beneath his lip line. He had hunter green eyes that stared at her from under thick gray eyebrows. A golden band wrapped itself around his head, across his forehead. He definitely looked like something from out of a fairytale. Skylar had an urge to laugh as though she was being put through a practical joke.

"And we are thankful for this," the man concluded, holding out his arms at either side. Instantly Leighland bowed her head at him.

"Your majesty," she said respectfully.

The man looked over at her, his hands falling behind him. "Your handy work is appreciated, Leighland. You may now retrieve the lady's garments."

Leighland lightly curtsied, not meeting his gaze and quickly proceeded through the door.

Skylar's hand tightened around the top of the sheet that she had wrapped around her, an uncomfortable feeling seizing her. "Yeah, clothes would be nice."

"My dear girl," the man said warmly, "Welcome to Armaga Set-ta. I am King Cobia. My son, Prince Corvallis, saved you and your comrade from your untimely fall in the Armagean Gorge."

"Well, I appreciate his heroic deed," Skylar replied. "And I thank you for helping us both out. My name is Lieutenant Skylar Pike of the U.S.S. Enterprise. Lt. Takashi – my comrade – and I are represent Starfleet."

The king appeared puzzled, but maintained a smile. "Starfleet," he repeated.

"Yes, sir. Maintained by the United Federation of Planets. You seem unfamiliar with this."

"I am afraid we haven't any federation out here, Lt. Pike," Cobia replied. "You are obviously a military woman." He paused. "Curious," he said more so to himself, though Skylar heard it clearly.

Leighland appeared at the doorway carrying a large bulk of linen that was held together by rope. She kept her head down as she stopped and curtsied to the king. "My lord, here is her garments."

"Excellent," he said. "Have her ready for dinner." He looked to Skylar. "Tonight, we feast in the honor of Lt. Pike and her comrade, Lt. Takashi."

:::::

Amelia couldn't fight the small amount of excitement that filled the pit of her stomach as she turned about in the tall mirror before her. It had been a while since she'd worn anything other than a red regulation skant-type Starfleet uniform. It had been a first to have anyone other than herself dress her. In the reflection of the mirror, Amelia caught sight of the woman she had woken up to hustling about in her wooden room – Havara – who donned a long linen gown and tightly woven brown braids that fell down the length of her back. She watched Amelia with her arms crossed over her chest as though trying to be dominant yet observant at the same time. Despite the glower in Havara's green eyes, Amelia returned her gaze to the magnificent dress she wore: beautiful silk-like fabric that was a sapphire blue and embroidered with silver stitching; a white underskirt peered out from under the blue and decorated the breast piece that clung tightly to her like an old world corset. The sleeves slightly puffed up on her shoulders and extended down the length of her arms tightly, more silver stitching decorating the fabric. Havara had brushed through her hair, creating a braid that curved down one side of her head into her traditional side bun under her left ear. On her feet were white slipper-like shoes unlike anything she'd ever worn – the entire outfit was unlike anything she'd even seen, let alone worn. She felt almost like a princess how tended to she was with Havara, despite Havara's withdrawn disposition.

Her fingertips traced the embroidery along her sleeves. "This is absolutely elegant," Amelia said, turning to Havara.

"No one dines with the king in anything less," Havara said. "You should be heading to the dining room promptly. You should not keep his majesty waiting."

"I can't go anywhere without my friend," Amelia said. "Skylar. She came in with me … I think."

"The other female is here and has been escorted to the dining hall," Havara explained curtly. "Come, I will lead you." Havara promptly turned on her heel and led Amelia out into the long, wide hall of the palace. She'd been told this place was called Armaga Set-ta. Everyone she came into contact with was humanoid. However, there was something strangely different about them that she could not put her finger on … perhaps the fact that everyone Amelia had come into contact with had all been female. As they walked down this grand hall, decorated in detailed carvings and large woven tapestries, Amelia only saw linen-clad women walking about, cleaning and in their own personal hurries about the hall. None of them said anything to her or to Havara; instead, they merely stared for a brief moment or did a double take. She saw a couple of them exchange curious glances between each other. Amelia couldn't help but feel as naked as she had been when she had first woken to the light steps of Havara, despite the layers of gown she wore. Her eyes searched the hall for any sign of Skylar, but she saw nothing but young women doing their duties with intrigued expressions in her direction.

The dining hall held a long table that sat twenty in high-backed chairs that were lined in red velvet and golden tassels. Down the length of the table was a long golden runner that was lined with elaborate wooden goblets inlayed with gems and golden designs. Elegant platters of food also ran along the center of the table. Many of the working women carried in dishes and hustled about with their rags as they dusted and tidied up the many large vases and other pottery that decorate the polished wooden closets along the walls. The sunlight filtered in from the high windows along the walls of the dining hall. Amelia blinked several times as she realized how bright the room had become with no fog to hide away the day. It was strange how different this world had become since she'd first woken up from her fall.

At the head of the table stood an older man with a golden band across his forehead and a long gray beard down the front of his emerald green cloak. Next to him stood another man that appeared significantly younger, perhaps in his mid twenties. He wore a similar colored cloak that was pushed back behind his shoulders, exposing a gray tunic and form fitting pants. He also wore tall brown boots that were weathered, perhaps from some kind of action. His hair was long and blond; it fell straight down his back. His eyes were a darker green, much like the older man's.

Amelia's heart nearly jumped when she saw Skylar sitting at the table on the younger man's side, her chin on her fist as she tapped at a large wooden spoon next to her plate. "Sky –!" Amelia started to call but then regained her composure and immediately corrected herself, "Lt. Pike." She eyed Skylar as she picked her head up immediately and stood, wearing a dress similar to Amelia's but in a deep purple.

Skylar gave Amelia a big smile and then turned to the two men. Her voice became more business-like as she said to them, "King Cobia, Prince Corvallis, this is Lt. Amelia Takashi."

Havara slightly pushed Amelia toward the table, where Amelia stood behind a chair opposite of Skylar and next to King Cobia. Cobia motioned with a nod of his head in Corvallis's direction, and Corvallis snapped at a woman who was dusting a vase. The woman immediately turned with her head down and briskly walked to Amelia's chair. She began to pull it back when Amelia cheerily stated, "Thanks, but I think I can handle that." The woman was slightly taken aback as Amelia sat herself down across from Skylar. The two men looked at each other and then motioned for the woman to leave as they took their own seats.

"It is a pleasure to meet you, Lt. Takashi," Cobia said. "I trust you are feeling well?"

"Considerably," Amelia replied. "Thank you so much for your care, King Cobia." She looked down at herself. "And for these wonderful gowns."

"They certainly outshine the very masculine and mundane uniforms that you both arrived in," Cobia stated.

"Speaking of, when will we be receiving our uniforms?" Skylar cut in. Quickly, she added, "Your majesty."

Cobia looked at her. "In due time, Lt. Pike." He paused. "Are these gowns not fitting for you?"

Skylar shook her head. "I apologize if I sounded offensive. They are really lovely, but our captain won't allow us to run around the ship unless we look mundane." She laughed a little to lighten the mood but received no return in laughter. She eyed Amelia, who widened her eyes at bit at Skylar to nonverbally tell her to slow down.

"Ah yes," Cobia said, sounding distant. "You came in on a starship."

"Yes. The Enterprise. It's waiting for us."

Amelia leaned in on her elbows. "Your majesty, perhaps you know about the communications interference on this planet?"

Cobia and Corvallis eyed her.

"You see," Amelia explained, "we were not meant to land here. In fact, we were on our way through this part of the galaxy as a sort of short cut – if you will – to the next star system over for shore leave on a planet called Lambda 5. We passed through an uncharted asteroid belt and thereafter our ship began to be compromised by static interferences that ultimately took us down to a cloaked planet – your planet."

The king considered this with a nod. "I see. It seems as though you and your ship have had quite an adventure."

"Very much so," Skylar replied for Amelia. "And speaking of our ship, the Enterprise and our crew are probably searching for us. It is imperative that we get back to our ship immediately."

"But you just got here," the king said. "We have prepared for you a glorious feast."

"With all due respect, King Cobia –" Skylar started but was interrupted by Amelia.

"Your majesty," she started, "I apologize for Lt. Pike." Skylar raised an eyebrow at her. Amelia ignored the look and continued: "My comrade is merely running on her training. She is the security chief and weapons master on our ship; she is abiding by protocol."

It was Cobia's turn to raise an eyebrow. He and Corvallis looked to Skylar. "Weapons master?" Corvallis questioned.

Skylar nodded.

"But you are female."

Amelia immediately pleaded with her eyes at Skylar to behave. Skylar forced at smile at him. "Your son is exceedingly observant, your majesty."

"He also provides a valid point," Cobia returned. "In what galaxy are you from in which women run about with weaponry?" He chuckled at his.

Skylar stared at him. "A very advanced one."

Cobia's chuckles stopped.

Amelia started to laugh politely. "This is why Lt. Pike has no plans on becoming an ambassador."

"Lt. Pike seems to be able to handle herself quite well," Corvallis mentioned casually.

"Indeed. Always have been." Skylar tried to sound even in her tone.

"You know, on our planet, weaponry skill is quite valued. We are excellent huntsmen. Males only, of course. There is no need for females to do anything of such nature when it is a scientific fact that females are considerably weaker and less agile than males."

Skylar eyes Corvallis. "I beg to differ. I received top marks at the Academy in my fields. Top marks from a Vulcan, and you know what assholes they can be."

"I know nothing of Vulcans," Corvallis replied.

"That doesn't surprise me," Skylar stated acidly.

"I'm sure you are unfamiliar with any of our weaponry, Lt.," Cobia put in.

Skylar looked to him. "I guarantee you, King Cobia, that if I saw it I'd be able to handle it. It's one of my many qualifications."

Cobia placed his hands on the table rather aggressively. "Well, since you do not seem to be hungry by any means, perhaps you should do us the honor of entertaining us with your outlandish weaponry skills." He stood from the table. "My son surpasses any male on this planet in battle."

"Battle?" Amelia chimed, her eyes widening.

"Perhaps a little competition is in order?" Cobia continued, ignoring Amelia.

Amelia stood abruptly. "King Cobia, I sincerely apologize for my comrade's rude behavior. I really appreciate what has been done for us here and shall personally see that we are a burden on your kingdom no longer by leaving with Lt. Pike. We must return to our ship anyway."

Skylar looked at Amelia. "She's right, King Cobia. I apologize. We must leave."

"Your apology is accepted," Cobia stated. "However, one little round should not hurt." It was not a statement. It was a firm request.

Skylar looked at Amelia who was now flushed in anger.

"Unless of course you are not fit to handle my son."

Skylar eyed Cobia. "Fine. I'll handle your son. Then Lt. Takashi and I are gone."

Cobia's lip curled.

:::::

Skylar stood in a massively large room. Weapons and the heads of animals neither she nor Amelia had ever seen decorated the tall, wide walls. All of the animals looked ferocious with their gnarled teeth and horns, large eyes and matted fur. Skylar observed them and realized that Corvallis had to have some skill to behead such creatures; at least with some type of gun. She didn't want to believe that these Armageans actually ran amuck in the forests with weapons like spears and bows to catch their prey. However, this started to become a possible fact when Corvallis approached without his cloak or his tunic. He stood bare-chested in his pants without shoes. His hair was pulled back and he carried a long wooden staff.

Skylar looked to Amelia, who stood by Cobia and several other Armagean men who were dressed similarly. Amelia glared at Skylar.

"King Cobia, do you think I could get my uniform?"

Cobia smiled. "A uniform such as that is no attire for a female," he said simply. "Does this gown hinder your abilities, or are you using it as an excuse to cloak the truth?"

Skylar ignored him and returned his gaze to Corvallis, who now took an offensive stance with the staff. He cocked his eyebrow at her challengingly as one of the other males brought to her her own staff.

"The staff that you hold in your hands is the primary kill weapon of our people," Cobia explained. "It is called a mpal. It is used for a most painful death, bestowed by the king." He looked to Corvallis as Amelia's eyes widened at Skylar. "My son, do not harm her."

Corvallis gave him a shallow nod.

"Please, she doesn't have to do this," Amelia begged of the king, who now raised his hand.

Cobia looked at Amelia and dropped his hand. "Fight!"

Amelia watched in horror as Corvallis approached Skylar slowly. Skylar kept her eyes on him as the man smirked at her, his mpal pointed out at her. Suddenly, he jabbed out at her, Skylar quickly blocking his staff with her own, pushing it away. Corvallis gave her a nod.

"Impressive."

He jabbed at her from the other side and as she had before, she blocked it just in the knick of time.

"Most impressive. Any other woman here would have been dead."

"Yeah, well, I'm full of surprises." Skylar began to circle around, Corvallis following her, each with their staffs out. Skylar took a jab at him and he blocked it just as she had. She attempted this again, faking it one way and delivering it another and still Corvallis blocked her move. Taking a breath, she lunged at him. Amelia's hands flew to her mouth as she watched Skylar go for a killing blow. Corvallis stuck at his staff defensively, their staffs meeting in the middle. Skylar used this propel herself over him in a front tuck. However, her typically flawless landing was interrupted by the dress as her foot got caught in the under skirt and caused her to roll out awkwardly, her hand loosing its grip on the staff. She looked up and saw Corvallis approaching her with staff in attack mode. She immediately grabbed the front of her dress at the seam at her hip and ripped the material so that two of the three layers came off. Just as she was about to rip the last, Corvallis lunged with his staff, Skylar barely rolling out of the way. In the background she heard Amelia gasp, but she ignored it. Instead, she held up the ripped material in her hands and caught the staff that was coming down over head, smoothly tucking it under her arm and pulling it with a grunt. The staff flew out of Corvallis's hands and under Skylar's arm where it proceeded to slide across the floor. She ducked just in time as Corvallis struck at her with his fist but missed the next punch that caught her on the side of her jaw. Skylar was knocked down by the blow. She could taste the metallic bitterness of blood that formed on her lower lip.

Skylar looked up at Corvallis as he smirked down at her. Ripping the last part of the dress, she rolled backwards allowing her space from him and then pulled the constricting corset like top off of her chest, now only clad in her Starfleet undergarment of a black sport-type bra and her black under-shorts. With a yell, she ran at Corvallis who maintained a defensive stance and just as she crouched to jump and he punched up to intercept her, she ducked and ran shoulder-first into his chest. She slammed him down onto the floor, punching him in the side as she did so. She went to punch him on the other side but his hand caught hers. He rolled over so that he was now on top of her and he punched the side of her face. Again, Amelia gasped. Skylar kneed him in the lower back, causing him to yell out in pain and then propelled him over her head until the both rolled out onto the floor. Skylar picked up her head just as Cobia motioned for Corvallis and the men who stood on the side of the room with him, each with their own hand weapon, started for her. Her eyes widening, Skylar jumped up and began to fight them one by one as they crowded her in. She got in a few good punched and knocked a guy down with a kick to the groin before two of the men took each of her arms and held her as another guy socked her in the stomach.

"Stop this!" Amelia screamed, rushing forward only to be stopped by the hand of Cobia, who grabbed the back of her gown. Corvallis walked past them both, blood trailing down his chin and Skylar's phaser in his hand. Amelia's jaw dropped as she realized that not only did the king have their uniforms – he had their communicators and Skylar's weapons as well. "Sky – your phaser!" Amelia called out.

Skylar picked up her head as the men moved to the side of the room, releasing her and allowing her to fall to her knees. Panting heavily, she looked up as Corvallis now stood directly over her, her phaser pointed exactly at her forehead. She stared at him in the eyes. "Cheap shot," muttered.

Corvallis turned the phaser around and held the handle to her.

Skylar immediately seized the weapon from him and jumped up, pointing it directly at his chest.

"I'm not the one with the weapons, my lady," Corvallis stated, looking past her.

Skylar turned to see all of the men who had fought her standing with their knives, staffs and swords drawn. All of them lounged at her at once, and Skylar shot out two warning shots to no avail. "Dammit!" she yelled and propelled herself over their heads once more, landing with a punch to the face before shooting at her attacker. Her phaser was on stun, so she felt no shame in letting loose on them all. One of the guys slashed at her from behind, making a clean, shallow cut below her shoulder. She spun around instantly and stunned him. She then whirled around again and took each of them out one at a time while dodging knives and projectile weapons.

Once the last man hit the ground, Skylar pointed her phaser up at Corvallis, who immediately grabbed Amelia and shoved her before him. Skylar clenched her teeth as she kept her weapon pointed at them.

"The gun, my lady," Corvallis ordered.

With a groan, Skylar turned the phaser around so the handle faced him and she tossed it to him. Corvallis caught it easily. He proceeded to push Amelia aggressively toward Skylar, who reached out and caught Amelia by the arms. Amelia instantly pulled herself away from Skylar.

"I can't believe you," Amelia hissed as Skylar stood baffled by her actions.

Cobia broke the silence between them. "Ladies. I wish to show you something."

With Corvallis behind them, his mpal in tow, Skylar and a very unhappy Amelia followed the billowing cloak of Cobia, who led them down the hall toward two massive double doors. He paused before them and looked back at the girls. "Shield your eyes. The sun is exceptionally nasty at this time of day."

Cobia pushed open the two doors with much force. He stepped beyond them into the bright sun which scorched down at them. Skylar and Amelia walked over the threshold, Corvallis giving Skylar an extra push with his staff. They walked out onto a balcony that overlooked the kingdom. Gripping the thick wooden railing, Skylar and Amelia looked over the fields below. There were hundreds of women working laboriously in the intense heat. They wore linen gowns and cloth over the heads to keep their long hair out of their smudged faces. They were farming and gardening, some even erecting small shacks for livestock. Plenty of them were welling for water. Men in tunics similar to Corvallis's walked about with smaller staffs in which they used to motivate slower workers – who tended to be older women, weathered from their work and the sun. No one looked happy. It was apparent what was bugging Amelia in the kingdom of Armaga Set-ta and why she had only ever seen women working around the palace – the females on Armaga Set-ta were slaves.

Amelia's heart began to race. Skylar's knuckles whitened under the pressure of the grip she had on the balcony.

"What is this place?" Skylar hissed.

Cobia looked at her with a simple smirk. "This, my dear, is life outside of your federation."