Stardate 2261.6506
We are no longer alone in our still unknown location. There is a female of unknown species whom the doctor has bestowed with the name of Gem. She is a high-end empathy such as neither of us have ever heard of before, able to not only sense pain and injuries, but to actually draw them into herself. I am not sure how the Captain will react when we return with her, but Doctor McCoy has become attached to her to the extent that I doubt he would consent to leaving her behind.
Spock finished his recording, then checked his tricorder again. Only the areas illuminated showed any readings at all. If he were to believe the tricorder, nothing but void existed beyond the light and that was hardly logical.
Frowning again at the readings, Spock turned and noticed that, in the process of coaxing Gem to sleep, McCoy had nodded off himself. Considering it practical for them to save their strength for the inevitable meeting with whoever took them, Spock moved back to the platform and settling into position to enter a light meditative trance.
He wasn't sure at first what broke him from his trance, but when Spock opened his eyes, he saw that a new area was now lit. The other two were still sleeping, so Spock woke McCoy first.
"Leonard. It seems whoever has taken us is wanting us to move elsewhere."
McCoy hadn't realized he'd fallen asleep, so it took a moment for him to orient himself which, in turn, woke Gem. He gave the newly lighted area a suspicious look.
"I don't like this feeling that we're being led around by a carrot on a stick. Any idea what's over there, Spock?"
"I am now getting readings of a collection of objects and a variety of equipment. While I also do not care for following the lead of our captors, at the moment, I see no other choice if we are to find our way out of here. Which we must do if the Enterprise is to locate us when it returns."
Stretching, McCoy got to his feet, then offered a hand to Gem to help her up.
"Well, let's not keep whoever it is waiting then. Come on, Gem. Let's see what's over there."
Gem took McCoy's hand, trusting as a child. On further consideration, Spock wasn't so sure that she wasn't a child for her species. She seemed timid and hesitant with her abilities, not unlike a young Vulcan learning to meld without an elder's guidance. It would, in fact, explain much of how Gem had responded thus far if she hadn't reached full adulthood yet.
Spock led the way to the area, McCoy and Gem close behind. The computers Spock saw on first entering the area were easily the most sophisticated he'd ever encountered. He moved closer to examine them, but was stopped by the sharp intake of air from McCoy.
Turning, Spock saw Gem hiding behind McCoy and obviously frightened. McCoy was paler than usual himself as he stared at a set of six clear tubes - four of them containing their missing men and the two scientists. All the bodies were in contorted positions.
It was sadly obvious that they were dead even before McCoy automatically brought up his tricorder to scan the bodies. His voice was monotone as he made his report to Spock.
"The bodies have been preserved somehow in a way that keeps me from saying exactly how long they've been dead, but I've never seen anything like this, Spock. There's a dozen things wrong with them - any of which could have caused their deaths. Everything from the bends to internal organs rupturing."
Before Spock could comment, there was a peculiar noise and a pair of tall aliens appeared. There were differences, but they reminded McCoy far too much of Talosians for his comfort. If Gem had looked frightened before, she was now terrified and clung to McCoy. Spock moved to place himself between the two aliens and McCoy before speaking.
"I am Commander -"
The two didn't even bother to glance at Spock, but instead kept their focus on Gem.
"We know who you are. We are the Vians. You have been summoned here to aid in the great experiment."
The bitterness in McCoy's voice was impossible to miss.
"Were these other men part of your great experiment too?"
"They were not sufficient. They had imperfections that killed them."
A rumble shook the area and the Vians scowled.
"Time is short. There will be no further delay."
McCoy found himself shoved away from Gem by an unseen force, then a force field surrounded him and prevented him from returning to the others.
"We will return for you should this one not meet our needs."
The odd noise sounded again. The force field disappeared, but the Vians, Spock and Gem were gone.
There was a period of time where Spock knew neither where he was or how much time had passed, but when he became aware again, he was suspended over the floor and the two Vians were regarding him dispassionately with Gem at their feet, looking miserable.
Nothing about this situation made any sense to Spock.
"You are obviously a technologically advanced race. What do -"
Again, the Vians interrupted.
"Your knowledge, and indeed, your very life holds no importance to us. Only your part in the great experiment. Should you survive, perhaps you will be judged worthy of understanding your contribution."
When the taller of the pair had finished speaking, the pain began. It was more intense than anything Spock had ever felt, hitting him on both the physical and mental level at the same time. The last thing he noticed before awareness faded were the tears streaming down Gem's face.