Hi! I'm back! Yeah... it's been a while, but I had exams and then my muse kind of ran and hid. Hopefully it's back to stay! Enjoy this chapter and please review! It helps a lot :D


Four hours later, the five officers were gathered in the transporter room, aware of what they were about to attempt but somewhat hesitant about what the results would be.

They beamed to a similar spot as the one the original landing party had beamed down to. It was the same distance from the city limits, but their spot was more shrouded in trees, brush, and shade, so they would not be easily spotted by the guards.

Spock looked at each of the officers by his side before moving forwards through the trees without a sound. In his right hand he held his phaser, and his left grasped a map of the city, though he had already memorized their route. With the scans of the city they had discovered a patch of land with relatively few guards and plenty of narrow streets for them to hide in as they made their way to the palace. There, they would enter the building through a disguised side entrance, take down the threat, and release Kirk, McCoy, and Uhura from their cell. It sounded simple on paper, but Spock knew it would be more difficult to execute.

He was of course aware of the fact that his plan was going to be prone to failure. However, it was the best he could come up with under the circumstances. For some reason he wasn't able to concentrate back in his quarters, his mind constantly flickering back to the image of his friend's bloodied face.

As Jim would say, they were going to need a lot of luck.

The group reached the edge of the forested area and Spock held up a hand to stop the others, though he knew he didn't really need to. Ten feet away stood three guards, and Spock was surprised to see that they weren't looking into the forest, or even doing much guarding at all. Each held their guns in their hands, but they were pointed towards the ground. They were huddled together in a small group, talking animatedly, looking towards the city every so often.

Then suddenly they began making their way to the forest, sprinting into the cover of the trees. Alarmed, Spock signaled to his men to stun them once they came any closer. There would be less chance of Kabul discovering them if the guards were killed, but for some reason Spock suspected the three would not be returning to the city even once they woke up.

It happened fast.

The three soldiers broke into the cover of the forest, and before any of them knew what was happening, they were all down on the ground, out cold.

Without speaking again, Spock raced through the uncovered territory and into the city. He stopped just beyond the entrance, waiting for the others to come in after him.

Then they were off, racing through side streets and alleyways with help from the map as they made their way to the palace. They were almost there when there was a slight problem. One side street they had planned to use to make it to the entrance had caved in from the bombings, and was completely unpassable. The only other way to get to their entrance was to use the square: a large, open area. There they could easily be spotted from the palace.

"We'll have to go through the square," Noted Sulu.

Spock nodded. "Move as quickly as possible. We only have to cross ten meters before there is another entrance to this same alley. There, we can enter the palace through the side."

The others nodded their heads and they turned back a little ways to find the way into the square.

What they saw when they entered nearly knocked them off their feet.

They had seen bodies on the way, of course, dozens lining the streets and huddled in the dark places. But this was much worse.

In the middle of the square were hundreds of poles, each with a body tied to them. And right at the front was Fathigh Kabul.

Spock's mind reeled. How was this possible? They had only spoken to Kabul a few hours ago, and when they had the entire situation seemed locked within his grip. If he was dead, who had killed him? Who was in control now? And most importantly, what had happened to Uhura, Kirk, and Doctor McCoy?

Spock heard Sulu gag behind him, but continued onwards. They needed to be out of sight before they discussed this.

They reached the next entrance to the alley in no time and were only able to hope that they had not been spotted. Immediately Spock stopped and turned to the others. Sulu spoke first.

"That was Kabul!" He exclaimed. "What's going on?"

"I do not know," Spock replied.

"Maybe it was some kind of counter-rebellion?" Jeffersons ventured.

"But where would they get the men for that kind of a slaughter? And why are the bodies tied up?"

"Jesus, those men we saw earlier must not have been running for us, they must have been trying to get away!"

"What do we do?"

Spock thought for a moment, and looked up. "Our main priority is still to recover the away team. However, it appears we must move cautiously. There is no way to know whether the people who killed Kabul are friend or foe. Lieutenant Sulu, contact the Enterprise and tell them of the recent events. Ask them to contact the palace and see who responds. For now we will have to wait here. We cannot go in without any further knowledge of the situation."

"Aye sir," Sulu replied, pulling out his communicator and stepping away from the group. The others nodded their agreement.

A minute later, Sulu jogged back over. "Sir, I can't reach the Enterprise. I don't know what's happening but somehow the signal's being jammed."

"Then we have no choice," Spock said. "We need to enter the palace. Since we don't know about their situation, only use stun. We –" He stopped suddenly as he spotted someone over Sulu's shoulder. The group turned, their weapons aimed at the intruder.

However, as the soldier approached, Spock recognized him. He was filthy and covered in blood, but he still wore the gold captain's uniform.

"Captain?" Spock said softly.

The gun in Kirk's hand didn't falter, and Spock noted that his eyes were dull and lifeless.

The men beside him were looking to Spock for guidance, sure that their captain must be under the effects of some sort of drug, or perhaps a serious head injury. Spock was not so sure. This seemed more sinister than even that.

Before anyone could react, Kirk shot Sulu in the arm. He cried out and fell to the ground, his good arm flying to cover the area. Blood streamed from the wound, and the Lieutenant ground his teeth in pain.

Spock only looked at his captain in horror.

Kirk spoke, but when he did it seemed forced. "Come with me or the next time I shoot it'll be at your heads."

Jeffersons pulled the trigger on his phaser and the beam hit Kirk squarely in the chest. However, the captain didn't fall, and only swayed slightly before shooting Jeffersons between the eyes.

"Like I said, come with me. There's lot's we need to discuss."