Amelia watched in horror as a royal guard picked up Skylar by the neck. Thankfully Skylar had the strength to hold herself up by gripping onto his wrists so as to ensure that he did not snap her neck. The burly guard seemed to do this with ease and complete satisfaction. He grinned at her as her cheeks became a pretty shade of red and her feet dangled.

Despite her very basic physical training knowledge, Amelia ran at the guard in an effort to aid her struggling and rash friend. She would have been knocked to the side so easily and slammed into the neighboring wall by the bulge of the guard's shoulder if it had not been for Skylar's leap-without-thinking behavior; Amelia understood how much Skylar wanted to be out of captivity – she wanted to be back on the Enterprise, her home, with her friends, Sulu and … Bones. But every chance they took in an effort to sneak into the palace to debunk the cloaking device (that is, when its location is determined), logic and brawn could not seem to coexist. Amelia preferred the quiet approach with time to plan and a step-by-step layout of the operation. In contrast, Skylar could only make it to one step before setting off a guard, engaging in a fight and then having them escorted rather forcefully back outside in the dust of the agricultural fields. In their conquests of day one, they had progressed this way – with little progression at all – three times. Their final dispute in which Skylar, frustrated by Amelia's "slow approach" decided to run at the next available guard ended up with Skylar's neck within his fist and Amelia now slumped against the wall.

The guard laughed. "You puny females," he chuckled. "You honestly think you have any chance against the men of Armaga Set-ta?" He proceeded to throw Skylar back against the opposite wall, her back slamming into it before she crumbled into a heap on the floor.

It was at this point that Corvallis came around the corner, a shawl draped around his shoulders. It billowed back behind him as his green eyes caught sight of Skylar's short flight. He sped up and approached the guard, who, at the sight of the prince, bowed deeply.

"Your majesty."

Corvallis looked from the heaps on the floor back up at the guard. "How did they get in here?"

The guard straightened up. "This is their third attempt, my lord. They keep sneaking in through passages I am assuming they have heard about from the other slaves. I do not know their intentions."

Corvallis bent down and pulled Skylar up by the arm. She did not retaliate, but rather watched Amelia be pulled up to a standing position by the guard. He held her hands tightly in a single grip, his other hand holding his staff. Corvallis seized Skylar around the back of her neck and pulled her close, staring directly into her dark eyes.

"Woman," he addressed her in a low, threatening-like tone; however, there seemed to be a hint of curiosity in his tone as he seemed to look into her eyes as though searching for something deep within. "What can I do to make you understand your place?"

Skylar stared back at him intensely. "Not a damn thing," she replied slowly. She brought her knee up in a swift movement, mere seconds from making contact with his groin before Corvallis's large hand deflected it. Skylar heard Amelia gasp as she was whipped around by her neck, Corvallis bending her arm in a most uncomfortable way so that she was locked in place with her back up against him. He spun them around so that they were both facing Amelia and the guard, whose staff was now located directly under Amelia's chin.

"Do you see your friend?" Corvallis breathed into Skylar's ear. He did not wait for a response. Instead, he pushed on her awkwardly bent arm, sending a sharp pain through its length. "My guard will have her head on that staff if you decide to misbehave again – do you understand?"

Skylar said nothing but stared at Amelia, the pain hitting a new level. It was amazing how much pain she'd been through already. How her body had not given up on her yet was beyond her. Corvallis added to the excruciating pain as he shook her violently, causing Skylar to yell out.

"Answer me!" he bellowed at her.

"Yes!" she screamed before Corvallis dropped her to her knees.

"Good," Corvallis said, pleased, as he looked down at the top of Skylar's head. Her head was down and she gripped her arm. "Now, I need to understand a few things myself." He dropped down next to her on one knee and took her chin fiercely between his fingers so that her red, tear-stricken face was a mere inch away from his. "Why have you been leaving your work to visit us here? If you do not answer the question appropriately, I shall give your dear friend Amelia a new hole in her face."

Skylar heard Amelia cry out. The guard must have pushed the staff harder against the underside of her chin. Being the main security chief had its ups and downs; normally, it was full of ups because Skylar was able to defeat her opponents swiftly and with much ease. She was also usually paired with someone who shared in the same career background as herself. As clever as Amelia was, she was also excellent leverage in the odds against her. And despite her normal 'balls out' dogma in the terms of making sacrifices for the job, Skylar did not want to see a personal friend lose their life because of her diligence in being rebellious in the face of the opposition. It was hard for her to give in – yet it was also exceedingly easy. Amelia did not deserve this. It had been Skylar who had ruined their position with her need to want to hunt down anything with male genitalia for making them work as slaves. Perhaps Amelia was right; logic would have the strong arm against a world of sadistically authoritarian brutes.

"We are – trying to get back to – our ship," Skylar confessed brokenly.

"And why venture through the palace when the world in which your beloved ship is outside its walls?"

Shit, Skylar thought. She had to choose her words wisely. She could potentially get Leighland into trouble. However, before she could respond, Amelia saved her:

"You must have an influence over why our ship is being held in the first place – like a cloaking device. That's why our scanners and helm systems don't work."

Corvallis arched an eyebrow in consideration of this, looking up at Amelia. "Clever little space travelers," he scoffed. "How can you be so certain? Perhaps your ship has broken free and left you?"

"They would never leave us!" Skylar spat.

Corvallis stood and looked down at her. "What makes you so sure? There are only two of you. I assume your Starship contains more."

Amelia replied, "They wouldn't leave without their number one computer programmer – or their security chief."

Corvallis smirked at Amelia. "I suppose they will have to make the choice when the time comes." He motioned to the guard to bring Amelia toward him. "I'm going to have a little chat with my father about our pest problem. Secure them in a cell. Bring Leighland as well." Corvallis started to turn when both Skylar and Amelia both began to protest.

"But she didn't do anything!"

"She isn't involved!"

"How can you –"

" – that stupid haircut!"

Corvallis whirled around and struck them both with his hand. Amelia's arms went out to stop Skylar instantly as Skylar pounced at him, but the guard caught hold of Amelia around the waist and pulled her back, throwing her over his shoulder and proceeding down the hall in the opposite direction.

"Skylar!" she screamed as she picked her head up in time to see Skylar lay in a clean hit across his face before the guard turned the corner and the sight was no more.

:::::

Amelia was tossed off of the guard's shoulder like a rag doll. She landed onto the floor behind an iron gating the sealed her to a small, round room. The guard slammed the gate shut and proceeded to walk away as three other guards passed by him in haste. Amelia stood and grabbed onto the iron fencing, watching the guard run after them around the corner. It was no doubt they were going to aid the prince. Skylar was probably giving him hell.

Amelia tightened her eyes, trying to fight back her tears of frustration, of anger and fear; she was so furious with Skylar, yet she understood why the woman was acting so irrational: Skylar was not used to being confined. They had spent a lot of time together during their short stay on Armaga Set-ta. They had shared enough between plotting. She and Skylar grew up differently in a sense that while Amelia had two very involved parents who drove her insane by their grip on her academics – and life, for that matter – Skylar's parents were considerably more absent. Skylar's mother was the sister of an admiral; she was heavily involved in Starfleet alongside her brother, Christopher, and Skylar's father had also been active. Skylar's mother was killed when Skylar was young in an attack aboard a Starship; Skylar's father, who was a recruiter at the time, took the death of his wife horribly. He only found solace in alcohol, and before long, Skylar had to come to terms with the fact that she could not relay on her father. She had set out on her own, dropping out of school eventually and joining a rock band. Her uncle, Christopher Pike, had made several attempts to help her. He offered her a place to stay and even money, but Skylar's dislike for Starfleet kept her at odds with him. She did drop her father's last name to be rid of any relation with him. Yet, despite his many attempts to help her find purpose, Christopher never gave up on his estranged niece. When he was on-planet, he sought her out and came to her shows, much to her disdain. He was able to confront her face to face about joining Starfleet for the umpteenth and last time when he brought along a Vulcan – an instructor from the Academy – to which he said simply to the Vulcan, "Do what you think is best."

That night, Skylar had been Vulcan Nerve Pinched mid-crowd surf. She had also been convinced by her persuasive uncle to enlist into Starfleet. In addition, she had also developed a loathing for a very uptight Vulcan named Spock.

Amelia opened her eyes and a single tear fell. She did not know if Skylar was dead or alive. It angered her so much that Skylar could not control her fists. Unfortunately, using them was second nature to her. She inwardly prayed that Corvallis would spare her and take her to the cell. Their hopes of returning to the Enterprise was beginning to dim. And if Corvallis was true to his word, it would be the logical choice for Captain Kirk to decide to leave if the force field did not hold; both Skylar and Amelia were expendable in weight of the crew.

A loud yell rang from around the corner of the hall and Amelia pressed her face to the bars again as she saw shadows dancing across the smooth wooden walls. She heard the familiar cursing of Skylar, to which her heart skipped a beat in joy. Two other female voices sounded – much like that of Leighland and Havara. The guards brought all three around the corner and Amelia stepped back as the iron gates were opened and all three women were thrown into the cell.

"Where is Corvallis?" Amelia demanded as she ran at the closing gate. She caught the bars just as they locked shut.

"Deciding your fate," the guard spat and walked away with the rest of the men.

Amelia turned around and looked at the three women sprawled out on the floor. Both Havara and Leighland had a few scratches on their faces. Skylar was now bruised along her knuckles. Her chest was rising and falling heavily beneath the fabric of what remained of her dress.

"I got the bastard good," she stated with a smirk. "He's going to need a new hair cut."

Amelia rolled her eyes and reached down to help up Skylar. "You are worthless at escape plans."

Both girls went to assist the other two. Leighland accepted while Havara brushed away Amelia's hand.

"Do not touch me," she said as she scooted toward the heap of blankets along the wall of the cell.

"You're in here with us," Amelia stated. "You might as well get used to it."

"My fate has been sealed," Havara said darkly.

Amelia looked back at Skylar. "How did she get involved?"

"They brought in Leighland as I was pulling out Corvallis's sparkling curls," Skylar explained, rubbing her knuckles tenderly. "I think Havara was doing her chores when she saw Leighland attack alongside me."

"Leighland had become involved," Havara stated bitterly. "Fool that she is … I could not see her killed in action without having the means to say goodbye to her children."

Leighland began to smile. "Havara, you have made the right choice."

"To die?" Havara snapped. "Just being in the presence of these two space women is a death sentence."

"Only around Skylar," Amelia remarked.

Leighland went to Havara and sat down beside her. She touched Havara's arm gently. "They are bringing about change, Havara. Did you not see the women who had gathered around us?"

"I was busy, as were you, Leighland," Havara replied sarcastically.

"Regardless, they are making a movement," Leighland replied softly. "We are making a movement."

Havara looked at her, her eyes still narrowed. She did not say anything for a moment. Her wandered to Amelia and Skylar. "You both are very important to the security of Cobia's reign."

Skylar asked, "How so?"

"If your Federation finds out what has happened here, he will be overthrown."

"Valid point," Amelia said. "The Federation would not stand for this. And the power of this force field he possesses –"

"Is still of equal danger to your Federation," Havara interjected. "Even if help were to arrive, Cobia still knows this planet inside and out. The power comes from within the planet's core. It has been that way since before the supernovae."

"How do you know this?" Amelia questioned, kneeling down before Havara so that they were at the same level.

Havara hesitated. Lowering her eyes in what seemed to be defeat, she continued, "I am already consumed in this." She returned her gaze at Amelia. "My mother was among a rebellion on Oryken 3 to disarm Cobia and the forces he wielded on Oryken 1. He regime was becoming more and more violent against the sister planets after the forces of the planets were becoming more apparent. It is uncertain as to why this piece of the galaxy has generated this power. But our people have used it to stay hidden from outside species; the Oryken beings are extremely independent. That was obviously a problem for Cobia, who wanted control."

"What happened to your mother?" Skylar asked.

Acidly, Havara replied, "She was killed. She was just like you, Lt. Pike – irrational and ignorant of the powers she went up against. The entire rebellion was killed. After the supernovae destroyed the sister planets and the survivors fled upon Cobia's ship in false belief that they would find better lives, Cobia had secured enough power to save the planet. He knew exactly what he was going to do with it. He knew exactly what would become of the other planets. He knew all of this and managed to keep away everyone – including your inquisitive Federation. It is said that his father before him was apart of the Federation. This, of course, would give Cobia the greatest advantage."

Amelia looked at Skylar. "We have to get in contact with Starfleet. And we can't go about it your way anymore."

"There are only two options Cobia will give to you: death or life. At this point, I assume we will all be executed." Havara seemed casual in her message. "He is ruthless. Yet he fears what every dictator does, and that is the unsung hero who makes a wave in the pond." She eyed Skylar. "Like I said, you both are highly valuable to the security of the king's position; you could bring down everything. Or you can be sacrificed. Regardless, if your ship is still on our planet, he will need you alive to draw them in."

"You said 'if,'" Amelia said quietly. "Was Corvallis telling the truth about the possibility that our ship can leave?"

Havara nodded. "Yes. While Cobia has a firm grasp over the energy force that is exerted over this planet, it tends to fluctuate on its own from time to time."

"Is there an off switch?" Skylar questioned.

"Yes."

"Well, where the hell is it?"

"I merely do the chores," Havara replied simply. Skylar glared at her.

"Okay, okay, calm down," Amelia said to the both of them. "Sky, we have a lot of valuable information here."

"Yeah, but if Cobia is PMS-ing over the make-over I gave his son, I don't think he'll keep us around much longer."

"We will need to remind him that if he wants to secure the Enterprise, he will need us," Amelia explained. "We will need to convince him that Jim has to know our location to bring him in."

"You're suggesting we pull our friends into this madness?" Skylar asked incredulously.

Amelia stood. "They will be better equipped than we are. They have phasers. Surely they'll be able to hold them off until we can send a transmission from the Enterprise."

"You're forgetting about the probability that Cobia most likely has his own stash of weaponry," Skylar said. "He's not just going to go around carrying those wooden sticks. He's gotta be packing something else – something big, especially if he can use the planet's energy force as a tractor beam."

"Regardless, we four can't take on Cobia alone," Amelia stated. "We need back-up. Which means you need to stop pulling out Corvallis's hair."

Skylar smirked.

"I'm serious, Skylar. No more beating up royal brats. You're going to have us killed."

"If we're not already on the execution list," Havara interjected.

"Have faith, Havara," Leighland said in her melodic voice; it was as though she was communicating with one of her children. "Our time has come; the arrival of these women can't simply be coincidence." Both Havara and Skylar looked skeptical of this. Leighland saw their expressions and shook her head. "It does not matter. You may think that this happened circumstantially, and that is fine. I believe that this moment was where it was meant to all change."

Havara shook her head with slight ridicule. "Leighland, you have always had your head out in the stars."

"And that is where they have come from," Leighland distantly stated as she glanced between both Skylar and Amelia. "The stars. And we shall find our way up there, too."

A small smile crept across Amelia's face. She gazed at Leighland. "Regardless of how this did come to be – whether it was circumstantial or meant to be, I am glad that we're here. Maybe the Federation will be able to set things right."

"My faith is strong," Leighland replied.

:::::

Amelia laid on her side with her arm tucked under her head. Her eyes were drawn to Leighland's back as the young woman faced the opposite direction at the wall. She imagined that she was asleep; Havara had fallen asleep just an hour prior alongside the opposite wall. Her breathing was quiet and rhythmic as the silver moonlight filtered in through between the bars of the single, small window on the wall above Leighland. Amelia's eyes wandered up to the window. They had tried earlier to break through the bars, both Skylar and Havara in competition between who wanted to be out of their cage the most, but now the time to fret about their ordeal had passed for Amelia, at least. She was calm and collected and she thought about how similar Armaga Set-ta – or rather, Oryken 1 – was to her home planet of Earth. It was quite peaceful at night. There wasn't any familiar chirping of crickets, but rather other melodic humming and soothing sounds from unfamiliar native life that still created a homey aura which allowed for Amelia to find peace in her current circumstance. Leighland's words about faith in their unfortunate events were etched into the back of Amelia's head; it was almost pleasing to hear someone so convicted in positivity despite the current torments they faced. She knew that in this she would stand alone for the most part. Mr. Spock would find Leighland's conviction illogical; he'd be more concerned about how the galaxy worked in this quadrant of space. Amelia knew a lot about science, but as for the present anomaly, she would let Spock figure it out.

Perhaps Bones would have agreed with Leighland. He seemed passionate enough in his optimistic views, even when he presented them in such a grumpy manner. This thought made Amelia smile. The good doctor was always so grumpy … with almost everyone but her. She'd been fortunate to see him smile on a few occasions. And even with her many trips to Sick Bay during her exceedingly short stay on the Enterprise, he had not seemed annoyed by her constant need for his medical attention. Her heart fluttered at this thought. She was filled with a new establishment of hope. Not only did Amelia want to see Leighland's dreams come true, Amelia wanted to see Dr. Leonard McCoy again – and she would adopt Skylar's 'balls out' mentality and tell him exactly how she felt. And when that was all said and done, she would seek out her dear friend Sulu for further advice, because she knew no one better on the ship to aid her in relationships. Hikaru Sulu had proven himself to her time and again.

"So, what do we say to Leighland when Cobia announces that we'll be put to death tomorrow?"

The pessimistic question completely tainted everything Amelia had been high on. She rolled over to see Skylar laying with her head on her hand and her lips pursed. "I hate to burst the expanding bubble, but facts are facts; and there is significant chance that Cobia will dispose of us regardless of the presence of the Enterprise."

"Well, there went any chance of me having good dreams, thanks," Amelia grumbled. "You're starting to sound more and more like Spock."

Skylar glowered at her. "That was considerably rude. I'm just trying to be smart here."

"Have a little faith for once, huh?"

Skylar sighed. "I'm trying to."

"Try harder."

"I've screwed us completely."

"Don't be so sure."

Skylar eyed her. "I don't get you sometimes."

Amelia turned and sat her head up on her hand. "And I return the statement. You and him are so different."

Skylar sighed exasperatedly. "How did this go back to Spock?"

"Because I think you need to say some things. Get them off of your chest. Maybe then you wouldn't be so wound up and irrational."

"Here you are thinking all of this was divine intervention and I'm the one who's irrational," Skylar stated.

"How did you two come together, anyway? You both are so … different."

"That is a considerable understatement."

"Do tell."

"Why?"

"What else are we going to do in this cell? There's no way to escape, neither of us seem tired." Amelia smirked. "Was it love at first sight?"

"I don't believe in that," Skylar snapped.

"I'm sure Spock agrees. He'd think it is illogical."

Skylar glared at her. "But I assume for you and your love of Bones it was."

Amelia waited a moment before nodding her head in assurance. "I saw him while you all were on shore leave on Tavaan."

Skylar was surprised. "Oh yeah, that's right; we did pick up recruits on Tavaan." She raised an eyebrow. "But you're from Earth, right?"

Amelia nodded. "I even went to the Academy. I'm two years under you, though. I knew Sulu."

"Oh, you know Sulu from the Academy?"

"Yes. We grew up together, actually. Our parents wanted us to get married, we were so close."

Skylar laughed, then she paused. "Wait – isn't he …?"

Amelia smirked. "Yeah."

"He didn't tell his parents?"

"No, not at the time," Amelia replied. "And to be honest … well, I didn't see it either. We both had a crush on each other. In fact, I would have married him."

"But then he came out?"

Amelia nodded.

"It must have been hard for him to tell you, especially if you were both crushing –" Skylar stopped, confused. "Wait. You both had a crush on each other, yet he was gay?"

Amelia blushed and looked away from Skylar for a moment, a nervous giggle escaping her lips. "Well … he had an indication that he could be so we … well, we tested the theory."

Skylar's lips curved into a broad smile. "So … you tested the theory, huh? What little scientists you both are."

"Yeah. That pretty much ended any relationship we would have had going. But we've remained best friends ever since, even when my family relocated to Tavaan. The second he told me the Enterprise was docking there to pick up new recruits, I was on it. First for him, and then after I Leonard." A dreamy expression crossed her face. Returning her stare at Skylar, she said quickly, "So what's your story?"

Skylar rolled her eyes. "Well, Spock is 100% straight, and we didn't need to experiment to find that out."

"You told me that you hated him after your uncle had him nerve pinch at that concert."

"Yeah. That bastard. I happened to have him as my evolution of alien-species fighting tactics and weaponry instructor. I had had a different commander – Saks, if you know him – but he retired and they put in Spock because of his extensive knowledge on everything. He's a walking, taking intergalactic encyclopedia."

Amelia giggled. "I had a few programming classes with him before my transfer. I was one of his top students."

"That is definitely more of his field."

"I was going to intern with him for reprogramming of the Kobayashi Maru."

Skylar cringed. "Ugh. That thing."

Amelia laughed. "So, you hated him and then he became your instructor. What happened next?"

Skylar sighed. "I sassed him a bit over grades. I debated with him on certain fighting tactics. I did not think he liked me at all, but I also received top marks in his class. One night, Jim Kirk – the douche bag that he was – dragged me out onto the dance floor of the Academy Club. I'd spent all night preparing for this paper I had to give to Spock the following day, so I figured a little drink and dance was okay, until Kirk completely got me drunk."

"Was he trying to get under your skirt?"

"I don't think so. It had never been like that between me and Kirk. I've had the pleasure of knocking him in the jaw. He's known since then that he antics don't work with me. Since then, we've kind of had a mutual understanding about personal space. He really only asked me to dance after thinking I was Nyota while I was waiting for my drink at the bar; he came up to me from behind and whispered into my ear, 'Are you from Mars, because your ass is out of this world!'"

Amelia covered her mouth to stifle her laugh. "No he didn't!"

Skylar nodded. "Oh yes, he did. I made it very apparent that I wasn't her, he bought us some shots and we started to dance. I got really messed up that night, and he was supposed to take me back to my dorm room because I had an early wake up, but he got sidetracked by Gaila. I can't really remember what happened after that, except that I thought Kirk was behind me at the bar so I kind of started to grind on him until I turned around and saw Spock looking down at me. I think he was trying to lean over me to grab a napkin."

"Spock was at the club?"

"There was some meeting in one of the private rooms. My uncle was there, but not on the floor. Anyway, I can't remember anything after that. Later on, Spock told me I passed out against him, and he had to take me back to the dorms."

"He had to, huh?"

"He said that it was the logical thing to do considering he did not know with whom I was with. And he had the code to get in. He also told me that when he placed me on my bed, I said something about not telling Spock – him – that I was drunk. I then proceeded to kiss him."

Again, Amelia's hand flew to her mouth. "Oh my word!"

Skylar continued, "I guess he took my paper on his way out, because when I woke up extremely hung over the next morning, I couldn't find it. I also found out from my roommate that it was going around that Spock had taken me to the dorm. I was freaking out because the grade on that paper would determine whether or not I was eligible for a bounty hunter seminar I wanted to go to. Thankfully – and at the time, strangely – Spock had secured my paper on his person, just in case I 'couldn't make it to class.' It was at that time that I developed a stupid crush on him. The funny thing was, was that I continually saw him in places outside of class. I instructed the preliminary hand to hand course at that time, and he came to that because he was curious about my knowledge of Vulcan combat, as described in my paper – which he hadn't finished grading. There were other places we'd ran into each other. But the night that changed it all was at the last PHTH class I was instructing. He came in and I was expecting him to give me my grade because I needed to send in my paperwork for the seminar. He pissed me off by telling me that he had yet to make his final decision. In retrospect, I think it was because he did not want me to transfer; he thought I'd be more valuable to Starfleet, which is also why he practically made me take the Kobayashi Maru for Kirk's third attempt at it. But anyway, after he pissed me off, he requested another sparring match because he felt I had some kind of inconsistency in my paper. We fought until he pinned me. He then made me blush after informing me that my heart rate had elevated; he could feel it under him. I was so embarrassed and turned on … that I kissed him. Again. And he kissed me back."

Amelia's eyes widened, as did the smirk on her face. "Did you …?"

Skylar shook her head, blushing profusely. Amelia was humored by this; she'd never seen or believed Skylar to be capable doing something so normal. "He is a gentleman, to say the least. But that doesn't mean we didn't have a few encounters in his office up until the Kobayashi Maru. We've continued our little affair ever since. Obviously now it's actually more than just … well, it was more than just a crush. I mean …" Skylar's eyes lowered to the dusty floor. "I loved him."

Amelia's smile faltered. "You love him."

"It's too late, Amelia. I screwed that up, too."

"There's still time."

"Not if Cobia executes us tomorrow."

Amelia sighed. "I don't think Spock would just give up on such an investment."

"You heard him. He's a Vulcan, anyway. It's not like he loved me back."

"He's also half human. He can love. As can Vulcans."

Skylar rolled onto her back. She sighed heavily. "I think we should try to go to sleep. We may actually need rest for tomorrow."

Amelia stared at Skylar for one last moment before allowing her eyes to close. With a heavy heart, she eventually found sleep.