sorry to my dear dear readers but i dont have the time to re read each doc 3+ times so after the second readthrough to make sure the doc isnt changing much i'm leaving it. if there are errors, please let me know. im still fighting the copy paste issue. a 8 am long drive tomorrow and a 5 am drive and dr for little man the day after so need to attempt to get sleep ^_^
dont own star trek.
Episode 2-7 Catspaw
Scotty, Jackson and Sulu were exploring on a new planet showing an interesting reading. They had been quite overdue from their first check in and Kirk was getting concerned. Saya watched wondering what would happen as Jackson requested to beam up, alone. Before Kirk could get any answered the communication went out.
"Notify Transporter room to prepare to beam up one member of the landing party. Then have Dr. McCoy report to me in the Transporter room on the double." Kirk ordered as Spock followed him out. Saya of course followed Spock. Spock prepared for an away mission and Saya joined him.
They met Kirk and McCoy in the transporter room and Saya stood on a transporter spot knowing that there would be argument. Kirk looked at her a moment before nodding "I know all your arguments by now. I will not object, just don't get yourself killed and listen to Mr. Spock" Saya grinned and nodded.
They beamed down to see quite a bit of fog. "No cloud formations, no bodies of water, no changes in surface temperature. Under these conditions, fog is highly unlikely, Captain. According to our transporter coordinates this is the exact location from which Jackson was beamed up to the ship." Spock informed Kirk.
Kirk lead, stepping down carefully in the thick fog to be sure that there was a surface below. Once confirmed they all followed. Spock and Saya started taking readings and Spock answered Kirk's request for them and informed him of the multiple life readings.
Kirk called the enterprise to confirm the readings but before they could get an answer the communication cut out. Saya contemplated interference from another source but didn't have any kind of clue what the source could be. The fog got thicker and the others discussed it as Saya followed and examined everything.
Everyone started hearing moaning and weird voices. Saya knew Spock sensed it almost at the same time as the rest of them which means it wasn't getting closer, it just had come out of nothing. They saw 3 floating faces looking much like hags. Saya jumped slightly at first but then tilted her head studying them.
The voices spookily said "Captain Kirk! Captain Kirk! Captain Kirk! Go back! Go back! Go back! Remember the curse! Wind shall rise. And fog descend. So leave here, all, or meet your end." They disappeared among cackling.
Kirk asked for comments and Saya felt humor bubble up in her. They looked like a horror story and made her think of an episode of another show she had watched about people playing a similar prank. "Very bad poetry, Captain." Spock answered and Saya actually did snort. Kirk asked for a more useful comment and Spock obliged "What we've just seen is not real. However, on azimuth twenty four, at just over one hundred meters, there are definitely life forms. Erratic, confused, but definitely registering."
Saya knew what would be said next as Kirk determined "That's where we're going." They started just as a heavy wind started and blew them forcibly back. They managed to find a small area between rock ledges to wait in. Saya carefully flattened against the rock with her back to the wind and Spock covered her with his body. She was mildly surprised but he pointed out that her uniform protected her less than his. McCoy was a little deeper in their area and Kirk was on the other side.
The wind finally stopped and everyone grouped again to start out as McCoy commented "That was a pretty real illusion, Mr. Spock" Saya smiled and mentally thanked Spock for looking out for her. After a little more walking McCoy pulled all their attention to a stone castle. The door opened and Spock confirmed that the life form readings were inside the castle.
Kirk tried to contact the ship but couldn't, he asked if the building had anything to do with the communicator interference and Spock said there was no indication of anything that would cause interference. The discussed the science of how it could be messing with their sensors on ship and tricorders with them. Saya looked the castle over and for some reason still felt like laughing. It was too much like scary movies and she was more inclined to believe it was illusion rather than real, though she had no idea how.
They made their way to the door silently and Saya heard Spock calculating the dangers and the situation. She wondered if Vulcans always calculated everything and saw the world in numbers and logic as Spock did. Spock's mind confirmed that it was a Vulcan trait. Spock and McCoy flanked the door as Kirk cautiously looked around it only to see a spitting black cat that soon ran off.
Saya peeked in and watched the retreating cat. She couldn't put her finger on it but something was off about the kitty. McCoy mentioned that they had seen 3 witches, a castle and a black cat. Kirk replied "If we weren't missing two officers and a third one dead I'd say someone was playing an elaborate trick or treat on us."
Spock asked what the captain meant by trick or treat and he just said "Yes, Mr. Spock You'd be a natural. I'll explain it to you one day. Shall we have a look around?" Spock agreed and Saya sent Spock images of Halloween's she had seen. Kirk sent McCoy left and Spock right. Saya looked at him and he indicated for her to stay with him. She guessed it was useful for her connection to Spock.
After a brief check they returned and all headed as a group ahead. The door slammed shut behind them causing them all to jump. Saya giggled a moment before saying quietly "They used to have horror mystery houses in my time that you had to solve to escape. It was a game. This reminds me of them… just slightly more… deadly?" At Kirk and McCoy's incredulous looks she shrugged "It helps me not freak completely out and become a useless burden. Though it does cause inappropriate humor at times."
They kept walking and Saya started playing with the spiderwebs they kept coming across commenting "though there are webs, there are no spiders. Fascinating." Spock calculated on it more but as they took one more step the floor gave way and the last thing Saya remembered was falling and hitting something hard.
Saya was brought back to consciousness by Spock tapping at her mind. She blinked a few times and caught Kirk's comment "Dungeons, curses, skeletons and iron maidens. They're all Earth manifestations. Why?" Saya thought 'maybe they got a really good sale at the Halloween store.' But ignored that poorly humorous thought and concentrated on their chains as the others talked.
"I do not know, Captain, but these things do exist. They are real." Spock answered. McCoy asked if it could be a parallel Earth of some sort and Kirk answered that it didn't parallel any human development. It was more like a human nightmare. "As if someone knew what it was that terrifies man most on an instinctive level." Spock replied.
"If i still wore bobby pins I might have been able to pick the lock. Does anyone have something small and metal? Their copying of these includes the simplicity of the lock." Saya commented quietly but before the others could say anything the door opened and Scotty and Sulu walked in.
Kirk greeted them happily before switching to concern when he realized something was wrong with them. "They appear to be drugged, Jim. Look at their eyes. Hardly blink at all." McCoy said. Kirk asked if Scotty could hear him and Sulu knew who he was. Sulu nodded slowly and when Kirk asked what happened to them Sulu slowly shook his head no. He held up a large key and released each of them in turn.
Scotty indicated for them to all move with his phaser and Saya did as directed knowing that the others were working on plans. Kirk suddenly turned to attack and Spock did the same. Before they could get one hit in someone said stop and they were in an entirely different room. Saya looked around a richly decorated room and saw the bald man looking like a king of some kind. Kirk demanded "Whoever you are, you've proven your skill at creating illusion. Now I want to know why and what you've done to my men."
The man asked "Where did your race get this ridiculous predilection for resistance? You examine any object, you question everything. Is it not enough to accept what is?" Saya wanted to chuckle cause she knew that the man was quite accurate. Kirk said it wasn't enough when 2 of his men were turned mindless and 1 was dead. "NO, not mindless. These two are merely controlled, Captain Kirk. Oh, yes, we know who you are. All of you." the man said then turned to the cat and said "Don't we, my precious?"
Saya still felt something was way off in the cat. It wasn't acting like a normal cat but she couldn't put her finger on how. Kirk asked who the man was and why he brought them here. "My name is Korob. And as for bringing you here, it was you who quite contrarily insisted upon coming. You were warned to stay away." he answered.
Kirk asked why all the mumbo-jumbo and Korob seemed confused. The cat almost seemed to explain it and Korob said that it wasn't that. "Mapping expeditions have charted this solar system before. There never have been any life forms on Pyris Seven." Spock said.
"It is of no importance that we are not native to this planet." The cat seemed to talk to him again and Korob said "Oh! I'm told that I've been an inattentive host, gentlemen. You will join me for something to refresh yourselves." He got up and left, the cat following.
McCoy and Kirk both were intrigued by the cat and Spock said "There are ancient Earth legends about wizards and their familiars." Saya commented that the cat wasn't really a cat and didn't have the body language of a cat. McCoy asked about familiars and Spock answered "Demons in animal forms sent by Satan to serve the wizard." Kirk called it superstition and Spock answered "I do not create the legend, Captain. I merely report it."
"You are the different one, Mr. Spock You do not think like the others. There are no colors to your patterns of logic. There's only black and white. You see all this around you, yet you do not believe." Korob said. McCoy said it was because Spock didn't know about trick or treat and Korob replied "I do not understand that reference, therefore it also is of no importance. Gentlemen and Lady, I can be most hospitable."
He waved his wand and the table was loaded with food. Korob told them to be seated and McCoy said they weren't hungry. Korob insisted and they sat down. Saya knew she shouldn't but couldn't help herself with all the intriguing items on the table. She started by picking up her goblet and carefully placing her plate atop it. She failed to pay attention to the others and suddenly her plate was filled with precious stones.
She looked up a moment before grinning and re arranging hers into a pretty pattern. With a smile she went back to the goblet and taking one of the peacock feathers started carefully winding it around the cup. She heard the threat between Korob and Kirk but remained playing with her goblet and feather. She did however remember to listen to what was going on around her even if she looked quite distracted.
"You are most unpredictable. Perhaps I have made a small mistake. Nevertheless, you have passed the tests." Korob told them. "Our analysis of you may have been in some small way in error, but you were warned to stay away and yet you came to save your comrades. That proves loyalty. Your bravery was tested and you did not frighten. And despite my failure with these bright baubles, I perceive that you cannot be bribed. In many ways you are quite admirable."
the cat meowed at him and he told it to go as it needed to and it left. Soon a beautiful dark haired woman in a black dress returned. 'That's the cat, not sure how but that is the cat.' Saya thought to Spock. Everyone stood as she walked back into the room and Korob introduced her as Sylvia, his colleague. Saya could see the minor detest in him at saying that.
"Doctor McCoy, Ms. Saya, Mr. Spock and Captain Kirk. You wanted to know what we did to your men. Actually it's a simple matter for us to probe the minds of creatures like yourself." The one named Sylvia said. Spock asked if it was hypnosis and Sylvia continued "You like to think of yourselves as complex creatures, but you're flawed. One gains admittance to your minds through many levels. You have too many to keep track of yourselves. There are unguarded entrances to any human mind."
At Spock's question of telepathy she answered "Not entirely, no. Telepathy doesn't imply control and I assure you that I have full control over your friends." as she twirled the crystal at her neck. Saya wondered at the stone thinking it had answers they needed.
Kirk quickly got the phaser from Scotty by throwing the gems in his face. He handed the phaser to Spock telling him to cover them. "Now, I want the rest of our weapons and our equipment. I want some answers." he demanded. Saya was unsure if it was just her ignorance of aliens, but she was pretty sure this wouldn't work.
Sylvia raised her voice saying "Put that weapon down! Captain, it seems so foolish of you to insist on demonstrations." She held up a model enterprise. "In the mythology of your race this is called sympathetic magic. Jackson, the crew member who returned to the ship. You wondered what killed him. I made an image of him. In the essence of my thoughts the image was Jackson. And when I killed the image and knew that it was dead, he died."
Kirk replied that no one could think a man to death and Saya felt Spock thinking about the possibility of it. With a small look to him she confirmed that in fact it was possible. She wondered at what kind of being would do such a thing but realized the answer was in front of her. She watched as Sylvia made the communicator appear and ordered Kirk to signal his ship.
Sylvia moved the model of their ship on the chain over a candle. Korob who had been silent up to this point said "Don't. Sylvia, don't." He seemed scared and Saya guessed that it was likely for this to actually harm the ship. Kirk managed to call to the ship and Uhura's voice came through asking about everyone being alright.
It was confirmed that they were burning up in the ship and when Kirk confirmed that the enterprise could do nothing said he would solve it. He grabbed Sylvia's arm and took the model from her. He also took the phaser from Spock. Placing them both on the table he told Sylvia that she had won. Saya started slowly moving around the table towards the model enterprise.
She didn't want the other 2 to have it. It was too dangerous. Kirk thankfully kept talking to Korob but Saya was concentrating on staying unnoticed as she moved. She reached out right as Korob lowered his wand thing and suddenly it was encased in a clear hard substance.
"There will be no search party, Captain Kirk. An impenetrable force field around your ship, Captain. It will not hinder orbit, but your people are prisoners within it." Korob told Kirk.
Sylvia almost sweetly added "I would advise you to co-operate, Captain. Forcible extraction of the information we wish from you is not complicated, but it is extremely painful and it has a certain draining effect." Kirk said they had nothing to discuss and Korob ordered them to be taken to a cell.
Sylvia called out "Wait. The doctor will stay. Your turn will be next, Captain. It makes little difference. Take them out of here." they were separated from Bones and none of them liked it. They were again returned to the room they had been in and shackled to the wall.
As soon as Scotty and Sulu left, Saya quietly commented "I could be the one they get the information from." at both men's looks she elaborated "We don't want them having too much information. I honestly don't fully understand a lot of the current technologies. I tend to explain things chaotically and confusingly. If i were to give them the information it would give them what they want but keep them from really knowing anything."
Spock informed her that it would be a delay tactic at best and Saya shrugged as much as she could in her shackles. After quite some and Kirk's continual attempts to break his shackles he asked how long it had been. "22 minutes, 17 seconds." Spock answered. Kirk wondered what was being done to Doc and Spock answered "I'm sure we'll find out shortly. Jim, all of these things that we've seen. To an Earth man like yourself, they must seem quite familiar."
"Familiar. Startling. Not rational." Kirk answered.
"Precisely. I refer you to the psychological theory of the racial unconscious. The universal myths, symbols. Ghosts, witches, dungeons, castles and black cats. They all belong to the twilight world of consciousness." Spock replied. Kirk caught on that they had tried to tap their conscious mind.
"And they missed. They reached basically only the subconscious. Korob seemed puzzled by your reaction to the environment he'd provided." Spock continued. Kirk added that Korob seemed to expect them to react as if it were all normal and he admitted that they weren't native to the planet. "And not to have a knowledge of our scientific methods is most unlikely for any life form we've met in this galaxy."
"They refer to us as creatures, as though we were some species that they were unfamiliar with. If we're creatures, I wonder what they're really like." Kirk wondered. Spock responded that evidently something totally alien in all respects and Kirk replied "Agreed. Totally alien. And I don't like hostile strangers showing such an acute interest in our galaxy, our world, Spock. Not at all like friendly visitors. We're going to have to stop them, cold. But at the moment"
"What if we could 'accidentally' poison them? Alien movie from my time, the aliens weren't able to handle our polluted air and died from it. Maybe they can't handle our food or something equally simple. Could we do something that way?" Saya suggested quietly. Before they could say anything more the door opened.
Bones came in as zombified as the others. Kirk seemed hurt by it but couldn't do anything. They lead Kirk out and the others left. Saya looked as Spock for a moment before screwing up her courage. Spock got a flash of what she had in mind a moment before she acted. She pulled herself up by the chains and placed her feet on the wall. Making her hands as small as possible and pushing with all she had, she managed to wrench her hands from the shackles.
Saya whimpered slightly as she hit the stone floor, hard. She concentrated on repressing the pain and checking her arms for ability as she ignored Spock's comment about the wisdom of her action. She had managed to pop one of her shoulders out of socket but was able to push it back with another spike of pain. Her hands had gotten pretty badly torn up and bloody but she was free.
"I don't think I will have time to even try to free you Mr. Spock I also don't think they notice me at all. Sylvia seems to be the one in charge and she is definitely interested in you men." Saya chattered as her mind raced, trying to come up with an answer. They both heard the door start to open and Saya quickly found a place to hide on the far side of the iron maiden in the room hoping to not be seen.
Scotty, Sulu and McCoy returned and re-chained Kirk. As guessed none of them noticed Saya missing. Once they again left Saya came out of hiding and tried to figure out how to be of help. Not long after Korob entered the dungeon. He looked directly to where Saya hid as she tried to figure out how to jump him. Before she could do anything he released Kirk and Spock saying "I've released the model of your ship from the crystal, although they would have freed themselves soon. It's difficult to control so many things in so little time."
Saya stood beside Spock and Korob handed Kirk a communicator and phaser. "Here. You must go before she finds the weapon is missing." Korob said. Kirk stated determinedly that he would not leave without his men. "They're not your men anymore. They belong to Sylvia. I can no longer control them or her. She's irrational. The strain of adapting to your form, the insatiable desire for sensation and experience. She's a great danger and it was not necessary. We could have entered your galaxy in peace."
Saya watched unsure of what to do with herself. They discussed details for a bit before Korob lead them out of the dungeon. They quickly moved through the corridors and a cat's snarl was heard. Kirk asked why a cat and Spock answered "Racial memories. The cat is the most ruthless, most terrifying of animals, as far back as the saber-toothed tiger." They returned to the dungeon to remain away from a very angry, very large, and very cat form of Sylvia.
Spock looked up through the hole they had fallen in. Saya offered to go up there if she could get a boost. Kirk asked if Spock could make it. Spock boosted Saya through the hole and Kirk boosted Spock through. Korob had the door knocked onto him killing him as Kirk was about to try to get up to them. Kirk tossed Korob's wand up to them and Saya caught it. Kirk jumped from one of the dungeon beds and Spock helped him the rest of the way.
Doc attacked Kirk with what looked like a mace and Scotty came around to attack Spock. Saya let out a small squeak before Spock nerve pinched Scotty. Slowly moving him to the floor, they moved to help Kirk who had finished with Sulu. McCoy was getting up and Spock called out Kirk's name. Turning around Kirk punched Bones out and they discussed how to escape.
Saya walked up behind them holding the wand and she felt Spock's question as to her most unhelpful noise. Smiling she handed the wand to Kirk and mentally answered 'I do squeak when startled, even though i try not to.' she felt his 'indeed.' and they returned their attention to Kirk.
Kirk told Sylvia that he had the transmuter and it was his now. "You're very clever, Captain. More so than I'd imagined. Clever, resourceful and handsome." She said after changing to her human form and coming to them. Spock reminded Kirk not to let her touch the wand. Sylvia touched her pendant causing her and Kirk to vanish.
As they tried to get Scotty, Sulu and McCoy up and out of the building a bright light hit them and they were out among the rocks again. The 3 were back in there right mind and Spock started trying to find Kirk. Starting in the direction of the inner room they saw him. Saya ignored what the others started to say as she looked at what made her think of small blue dodo birds of sorts.
Saya watched as they died and started to smoke feeling a pity that they would be unable to truly understand the strange but horrible creatures. Suddenly she was back aboard the ship and Spock was mentally nudging her, reminding her to pay attention to what was going on.
They started to walk and Spock veered off with McCoy to everyone's curiosity until they noticed the bad state of Saya's hands. "What did you do to yourself Missy?" McCoy asked as he examined her hands. Saya shrugged and explained that she was trying to be helpful and most people didn't seem to remember or notice her. It did not take long to patch her up and return to duty and await another great adventure.
*END*