Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 1/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. It might help to read Nyota's Tale by me first. This is part of Istannor's Canon. It is on my webpage. The Rod "Wake up, Sleeping Beauty." Sulu softy stroked Uhura's inner thigh. He knew it would wake her up right away. She really was ticklish. She sat straight up and grabbed his hand with her right hand and reached for a pillow with her left. "Ru!" she shouted. "I was right in the middle of a perfectly delicious dream." He laughed and grabbed both of her hands and rolled her over onto his chest. "I was getting lonely. You sleep too much." "Sleep too much!" she exclaimed. "Who kept me up half the night in a poker game and then the rest of the night fooling around?" Sulu pulled his head back in mock offense. "I never fool around. That was a serious screwing I gave you." She smiled and reached down to peck him on his nose before she got up to head for the fresher. "Hmm, and all this time, I thought I was the one that screwed you." Sulu leaned back with a satisfied smirk on his face. "We could agree that it was mutual." "Deal." Uhura's voice floated out and the sound of the sonic shower started. "Penda, don't get dressed. I want to have some more fun." "No way. We're due on the bridge in a half an hour; I have to get freshened up and you have to go back to your cabin and put on a clean uniform." Sulu looked at his uniform lying in a heap at the edge of the bed. "You think anyone will notice?" "You are kidding right?" He thought about the chances of Kirk and Spock not noticing his uniform being wrinkled and he sighed. "Damn and double damn." He started to get up and put his clothes on slowly. "I have to go down to Bracos when we arrive. I owe everybody from the last two games of Poker. I put in a requisition for fresh fish to make sushi, but if that doesn't work, I have a list of the souvenirs that everyone wants to pay off my debt. Do you want to come?" "No thank-you kind, Sir, nicht, na-la, non, nah, and nope." "Did you want to think about your answer?" "I hate Bracos. It's a cesspool of corruption and crime, on top of being sexist as hell. I have no idea why it ever was allowed in the Federation." "They are really rich, on the direct trade route through the center of Federation space, and..." he paused, " they promised not to steal or rape on Thursdays and holidays." He heard laughter coming from the fresher. He waited for Uhura. She was still in her towel. He smiled at her and gave a low whistle. "Maybe we can go on sick-call and just stay in bed." "I'll call you sick if you don't get out of here and get ready for duty." She came up next to him and began to pull him off the bed and push him towards the door. "Are you going to go to the door like that?" "Why not? I'm single and free to mingle, and it's not like everyone doesn't know about us. Now go." He turned and gave her a quick peck on her cheek. "See you, Lieutenant." "Ditto, Lieutenant." She smiled and watched him go. Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 2/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. They reached orbit around Bracos 4 hours later. Uhura scanned the message stream around Bracos and picked her way through it with ease. She looked for anything that would be of concern to a docking ship: weather warnings, riots, overthrown governments, rampant diseases, supply requests, and messages. "Captain, there is a message for you from the Federation Ambassador. Ambassador Fareakjos will meet you at the Embassy at 1700 hours, shiptime, today." "Acknowledged." Uhura smiled at the back of her Captain. He hated diplomatic meetings and she could read his resignation in the muscles of his back. She saw Spock staring at Jim out of the corner of her eye and turned in time to catch his attention. Spock looked at her with a raised eyebrow of shared understanding. Kirk opened his Log. "Captain's Log, Stardate 4812.2" "We have entered orbit around Bracos, a member of the Federation. We have been directed to investigate reports of increased activity by illegal Orion traders. There have been several sightings of known pirates in this sector; Starfleet wants us to show the flag and make them nervous. "We will be meeting with the Ambassador in residence to discuss these issues and any other concerns he may have." Kirk turned and grimaced in Spock's direction. "It promises to be a stimulating process and we are anxiously looking forward to its conclusion." "End Log" "Call Mr. Scott to the bridge, Lieutenant Uhura." He finished the last of the requests for restocks from the supply depot on Bracos. "Who in the world thinks we can get Sushi on Bracos?" He said loudly enough for it to carry across the bridge. "Lose another game of poker, Mr. Sulu?" Chuckles floated across the bridge. "You'll have to pay in souvenirs. The fish on Bracos is inedible for humans. It's filled with heavy metals; you'll glow in the dark." Sulu turned and groaned. "Are you sure, Captain?" "You will not glow in the dark, Mr. Sulu, but you will find all piscine flesh on this planet to be inedible," Spock responded. "Souvenir run, here I come." Sulu turned back to his board and began to plan for everyone else's souvenirs. He knew what to get for Penda...citrus bath salts, or else. Scotty picked that very moment to enter the bridge and overheard Sulu's complaint. "An' make sure you find me a fine bottle of Bracos ale, like I wrote you on the list. You should know to never draw to an inside straight, Laddy. I thought you were a mathematician before you took the helm." "Mathematics is empirical. Statistically speaking, I won. The cards just didn't cooperate." Kirk laughed. "The Con is yours, Mr. Scott. Mr. Spock and I will be meeting with the representatives of the Five Families and the Ambassador. Please, feel free to page either, or both, of us at any time, for any little thing, no matter how small, really." Scotty laughed. "It won't be that bad, Captain." Spock had already joined the Captain in the lift and the doors closed with Kirk's final words. "You wanna bet?" Uhura was still reviewing her board when Rehman entered the Bridge and waited patiently behind her. Sakhi Rehman was her favorite person to speak Hindi with. A small delicate looking brown-skinned man, he and Uhura often spent long afternoons reminiscing about growing up in New Africa. His family had immigrated to Olde Lagos in the 1940's and still spoke Hindi at home, even though one- quarter of the family was Yoruba and one quarter was Hausa. "Nemaste, Rehman. Kya hal hein." "Nemaste, Nyota, tecka Hein. I have a package for you that was just beamed up in a diplomatic pouch from Bracos. We had to inspect it first. Since all diplomatic pouches have to be hand delivered, I thought I'd bring this myself." He smiled. "I think you'll like it." She saw Sulu watching and smiled secretly. They had an open relationship, but Sulu never choose to exercise his options. He tried to appear nonchalant as he watched her turn the package over in her hands. She drew it out a bit to sweeten the anticipation. Sulu continued to feign indifference. "You are so sweet, Rehman. I don't know anyone on Bracos." She stared at it and a cold wave climbed her spine. "At least I don't think I do." The package was wrapped in a gold silky feeling paper. It had a large silver bow that glittered and sparkled in the lights of the bridge. There was no card. She carefully opened it. It held one absolutely perfect purple flower, a Bird Of Paradise. She took a sharp breath and dropped it to the deck. Uhura stared at it and her mind flashed back to the bruises, dark purple, which had covered her body 9 years ago. Sulu rushed to her side. Scotty heard the gasp and swiveled the center chair around. "Lass, are you alright?" She looked at them both in confusion and then reached down to pick up the flower from the floor. Sulu stared at her. "Penda, what is it. Who sent that?" She shook her head. "I'm not sure, but I definitely am not going down to Bracos now." He looked at her strangely. "An old flame?" She put the flower back in the box, walked over to the recycler, and pushed it into the opening. He waited for her to return to her post. "A distant memory, Ru, and he's going to stay that way." She smiled at him. "Remember, I only want Bracos citrus bath salts. Nothing else." He realized he was not going to find out anything else at the moment. "Citrus, I know." She watched him slowly walk back to his post. It was awhile before her attention turned back to her board. Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 3/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. Bracos was a planet where all the colors were too bright and the noises were too loud. The buildings were an eclectic mix of stone and mortar; intermingled with insulated synthisteel buildings coated in garish colors that reflected the bright sun. Sulu had spent their second day in orbit searching markets and shops for all of his souvenirs. True to her word, Uhura had stayed on board the Enterprise. He missed her company. They almost always made planetfall together. It was almost dusk, and the loud sounds and too harsh sun of Bracos had given him more than enough stimulation for the day. It was still hot, and his shirt clung to his back from sweat. The people of Bracos had been space-farers and traders when the Federation had happened on them during the earliest years of the Federation's First Exploratory phase. Historical accounts reported that First Contact crew was so happy to find humanoids, they invited them to join the Federation almost as soon as they made planetfall. Unfortunately, that was well before all the inner workings of Bracosian politics had been discovered. Universal Emancipation did not exist, power rested with the Five Ruling Families. Women were second class citizens, slavery had only recently been outlawed, and blasphemy against the official religion was punishable by decapitation. The inhabitants were obvious descendants of the Preservers' seeding journey through the galaxy. Almost completely Earth normal, except for a dark golden skin color, a gift of the heavy metals in the food chain. It was a true golden shade, never seen in Earth's recorded history. The male inhabitants were full of energy with a propensity for shouting and arguing. The women floated down the streets like ghosts, ducking out of the way of any man that crossed their path. Sulu was not fooled. A slow anger boiled under the skin of Bracos. Seeing freedom just over the event horizon, the women, the poor, and the disenfranchised, yearned for more. Bracos was a pot waiting to boil over. It would do so, and loudly was Sulu's guess. All in all, Sulu wished he had never beamed down. Sulu did allow himself a small glow of satisfaction. He had all the souvenirs and in record time. The Bracosian shop-keepers had been rabid from the moment the noticed he was an off- worlder. The prices had sky-rocketed and only persistent haggling had kept the bill reasonable. Now, he would have just enough time to get back up to the ship and ... "Give me that." "I beg your pardon." Sulu looked around him to see if the man was talking to someone else. There was no-one else. He sighed as he realized he was the one being assaulted. He really was due back on the ship. The Bracosian moved to block his way. He was 80kgs,easily over 2 meters tall, broad shouldered with a greased ponytail that hung down his back. The ponytail was a sign of wealth, out of place on a thug. His face would have been considered handsome for a Bracosian, if it hadn't worn a sneer a mile wide. "You heard me, Earther. Give me what you're carrying." He pointed towards the bag of trinkets Sulu had carefully selected for Nyota, Christine, Scotty, and McCoy. It was his turn to get the pay up from the last bet, and they paid with trinkets. He had spent a lot of time selecting everything and he really didn't want to give it up. Sulu spread his hands out in a show of peace. "There is nothing in this bag of any value. They are just little soaps and souvenirs. You couldn't get what I paid for them." He tried to walk in another direction. The man moved to block his path. "Fine, then give me what you paid for them to keep them." Sulu shook his head slowly. "You don't want to do this." "Look, little Earther, I do what I want to do, and you will give me what I want, or I will wipe the ground with your stupid, Earther, Starfleet ass." Sulu surveyed the area. The man had one other person with him for sure, smaller, thinner, and with a crewcut that meant poverty, or recent jail time. Two more men were standing nearby who could be with him, but those two were hanging back. That made it 4 against one, bad odds. He could get the trinkets again. He held the bag out towards the assailant and dropped it on the ground. "Here, they're yours. Enjoy." "Too late, asshole. Now, I want your money and your clothes. You need some humbling. That took you too long to do it my way." Sulu heard a sound behind him; two people were approaching. He wanted to turn to see who was coming up behind him, but he was afraid to turn away from the man in front of him. He decided to wait for them to get close enough for him to strike out. Whoever it was, approached slowly and deliberately. A familiar deep voice spoke from his right side. "Mr. Sulu, are these gentleman bothering you?" Sulu tried not to yell in triumph, it was Mr. Spock. And...if Spock was behind him on the right he bet that, he turned to look quickly and it was true...Kirk was on his left. Suddenly he felt twelve meters tall. "These gentlemen want me to leave my goods, my funds, and my clothes with them, Mr. Spock." "I don't think so." Kirk's cool voice came from his left. Immediately the main guy's eyes turned to Kirk and Sulu could see the man try to size up his Captain and Spock. He must have decided the odds were no longer as favorable. "Who the fuck are you two?" "Nobody, friend, looking for no-one, and on my way to nowhere. This man is our friend and he wants to go no-place with us. Is that okay with you?" Kirk's voice was deceptively soft. Everyone on the crew knew that voice, and dreaded hearing it. "Get the fuck out of here and don't come this way again." "Yes, Sir," Kirk answered and pushed Sulu ahead of him. Sulu bent down and picked up the bag of souvenirs as he walked away. He still felt tense and Kirk muttered almost too low for Sulu to hear him. "They are coming at us in a few seconds; be ready." Sulu walked faster. Sulu heard running footsteps from behind him and jerked around to face his assailant just in time to see Kirk and Spock move forward, fast, to meet two men. Spock ducked a blow at his head and threw a straight arm blow that barely brushed his foe's chest. The air was visibly rammed out of the man's chest, who fell to the ground retching uncontrollably. Kirk was moving towards the ringleader. The man pulled a knife and began to flip it from hand to hand. Kirk jumped back and crouched down warily. Sulu moved to help, but a third man suddenly came up from the shadows and his attention was fully occupied. Sulu ducked a kick and blocked the return backhanded punch. He leaned under a jab, punched his foe three times in the side, and threw a reverse heel kick that connected with his adversary's face. He felt the satisfying crunch of small bones. Sulu heard a grunt and a wail of pain from behind him and turned to see the man who had attacked the captain, standing with his own knife embedded in his chest. The blood ran down his front, already pooling in the street at his feet. An unmistakable look of terror filled the face of the dying man as he slowly slumped to the ground, lifeless. Sulu watched his captain grimace and slowly shake his head. Kirk turned to Sulu and Spock and straightened his shirt. He reached down and pulled the knife from the man's chest. Kirk noted the question in Spock's eyes. "Evidence. It obviously isn't one of ours. Let's get out of here. He may have more friends." They ran to the nearest Police station. Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 4/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. McCoy looked over all three of them and signaled he was satisfied. He motioned for Kirk to get his shirt back on. "Jim, how the hell do you get in so much trouble? I thought you were suppose to set a good example." "I set the best example, Bones: don't get killed on shoreleave. What did you want me to do, let them beat Sulu to a pulp?" "No, but couldn't you have talked them down? I think sometimes you look for a fight just to work out the kinks." "I killed a man, Bones. I don't do that to work out the kinks." McCoy ducked his head briefly. "Sorry, Jim. That was a stupid thing to say." "He had no choice, Doctor, " Spock interjected. "I'm sure you're right, but the guy with the knife could've killed one of you. Dying over souvenirs is stupid. " "Bones," Kirk corrected him, "it had nothing to do with souvenirs, he wanted to humiliate and beat Sulu. He wasn't going to stop with taking his clothes and his things." "You're probably right, that doesn't mean I have to like it." "Captain Kirk," the COM buzzed. He walked over and hit the button. "Kirk here." Uhura responded. "Captain, we are receiving a transmission from Police Commissioner Jariem from Bracos." "Patch it through." "Captain James T. Kirk, you are required to remand yourself into the custody of the Central City Police Commander. You are accused of the murder of a citizen of Bracos." "Murder?" He turned and looked at Spock in confusion. "We have a witness to your unprovoked murder of Serien, son of Darien 3 of Bracos." "I doubt that, Commander. I have committed no unprovoked attacks. " "You will remand yourself into our custody for the beginning of the investigation." "No, I will not, Commissioner Jariem. You are welcome to send someone up to my ship to get a deposition from me, but I will not come down to the planet." "We will see about that, Captain." The Planetary Police Commissioner broke the link. He turned and looked at his crew. McCoy was the first to break the silence. "Can they force you to stand trial?" "I guess, but the question is why would they want me to? I was there as a Starfleet Officer on official business and got attacked. The weapon was made on their planet and the muggers were home grown, too. We reported the incident to the proper authorities and everyone knows the men attacked us. The body and the guy's cohorts were still laying on the ground when we got back with the police, and they were too groggy at first to lie about it." "Captain," Sulu interrupted, "why were you and Mr. Spock down there in the first place? I'm grateful you were, but it doesn't make sense that you just happened to find me just in time." Spock and Kirk exchanged one of their looks. "We were at the Federation Embassy and a message was forwarded to us there. It said the Ambassador wanted to meet us at a location a block from where you were. We went there and no-one was around. In fact, it was a private residence," Kirk replied. "Perhaps that explains your unease about those men that were milling about at the end of the block, Jim," Spock stopped as he saw the warning glance from Kirk. "Too late, I heard it. So that's what you two were leaving out," McCoy began angrily. "You saw a group of guys you thought were after you and you're only mentioning it now?" Spock answered him. "We considered that a possibility. The failed meeting seemed unusual for someone like Ambassador Faraekjos. He is noted for his reliability and punctuality." "Yeah, but he has all the imagination of a snail," Kirk snorted. "Jim..." Spock warned him off the topic. "Why did he want to see you away from the Embassy?" McCoy persisted. "He had some concerns about planetary policies that were contrary to Federation guidelines," Spock answered. "The five corrupt families that comprise the Government are in cahoots with Orion smugglers." Kirk answered McCoy's confused expression. "Damn." McCoy swung his hand out. "Why don't one of you just come out and say what that means? Are they in the slave trade, or what?" "Not precisely, Doctor, they are in the business of buying and selling incarcerated men and women for prostitution. The individuals are freed from jail at the end of their terms, if they survive the ordeal. Strangely enough, few of those who have been mistreated in that fashion are able to give details. So far, Galactic Amnesty and The Federation Red Cross have only been able to discern what has transpired from fragmented memories and physical evidence. The Ambassador has not been able to find out anymore about these episodes. Some of them involved Federation Citizens from other worlds, so we were asked to look into it, if we were afforded the opportunity." "Why did he want you off Embassy grounds?" "He said he did not feel his information was such that it could be transmitted to us while still inside the Embassy." Spock turned to sit on the edge of a Biobed. "He felt some of his staff might have been co-opted. " "He probably got scared off and left us out there...or someone paid him to get us out there away from Embassy security." "Or, the message was not from him." Spock added. "Okay, that explains why you were nearby, but why didn't they jump you?" Sulu persisted. Kirk shrugged. "While we were standing and waiting for the Ambassador, a group of folks from the Galaxy Hopper Cruiser walked by. I knew a few of them, so we walked with them for a way." "This seems to confirm your suspicions, Captain." Spock turned to answer McCoy's unanswered question. "Captain Kirk had a feeling they were after us. We were very careful to not approach them until we had other company. We surmised that no sane thugs would attack eight Starfleet Officers in broad daylight." "It was all a damn setup," McCoy stated angrily. "Yes, Doctor," Spock answered, "I would have to agree. However, I am unsure what purpose it served." "Well, if he had succeeded in embarrassing Sulu, it would have been a minor embarrassment to Starfleet, " McCoy mused out loud, "but since the both of you were in the area, maybe they were after all of you." "Who knows, Bones, but I am not going down there willingly and be jailed on Bracos. I know about what happens in the jails of Bracos, and a few days can be a lifetime." Kirk turned and left with Spock trailing behind. Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 5/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. Spock followed in silence and waited for the door to the Captain's quarters to close behind them. "Who or what is behind this, Jim?" "I don't have the faintest idea. I have been here before, but not since I was a Lieutenant, and I was on my best behavior then. It takes someone who is either supremely stupid, or supremely confident to try to take me off of my own ship. Even the Klingons don't attack off-duty Starfleet personnel. They feel it has no honor. This is too obvious for the Romulans and the Orions are too busy with their own civil war to penetrate this deep into Federation space to get me." Spock went and sat in his accustomed chair. "I have considered the possibility that they were only after Lt. Sulu and I have discarded it. He has never held any significant power and his only altercations have been in his role as Helmsman of this ship. I believe they were after you both, or all three of us. We must review our enemies." "How many days do you have?" Kirk quipped. Spock smiled with his eyes. "As long as it takes." One by one they reviewed all the possible culprits and discarded them all. "Now, I really am depressed," Kirk sighed heavily. "What kind of idiot has a list of people that want to kill him as long as mine?" "An honorable warrior." Spock crossed the room and poured them both a drink. Brandy for Kirk and Vulcan fruit wine for himself. "Thanks," Kirk murmured as he accepted the drink and the compliment. The Vulcan nodded silently. "I will not allow them to jail you." "This is their sovereign world, Spock. You will not interfere if they succeed in putting me in jail. The Federation will arrange for my release. I should be able to survive for a few days in a jail by myself. I really don't want you to start a war over my clumsy ass." "Jim, you are many things, but you are not clumsy." Kirk chuckled. "I meant to stab him in his shoulder. The idiot turned in the absolutely wrong direction and it was too late to stop the blade. I missed my mark and a man died." "He meant to kill you." "Lots of people mean to kill me. I usually don't kill them for being stupid." "Fascinating." Kirk looked up in surprise. "What?" "Our role reversal," Spock responded simply. Kirk understood immediately. "Yeah, it's a real laugher, but he wasn't Mother Horta and there were no babies. You were right to want to spare her." "As you were correct for killing him. Surviving shoreleave and aiding your Lieutenant are appropriate goals." Kirk smiled thinly at his friend. "The fat lady isn't singing and I'm still in hot water." "You have the Enterprise and myself. We will stand in the way of anyone who tries to ...cook your goose." Spock lifted his eyebrow and allowed a smile to touch his face. "Spock..." Kirk stared and then shrugged, willing the Vulcan to understand the rest. He looked at the Vulcan and felt Spock's unspoken thought that no words were necessary. Spock and his friendship had gone far past Human norm. Even Kirk didn't truly understand it; he only accepted it. Like the stars, it just was. Since, Sam's death, Spock was his main confidante. McCoy was still not able to hear all of the thoughts and needs of a Starship Captain without pondering the implications on Kirk's command fitness. He had to watch himself with Bones, but not with Spock. He could and did tell Spock almost anything. He mind flashed back to the days after Spock's ill-fated Pon Farr. Kirk could see his friend sitting so still in his cabin, his hands clasped rigidly in his lap, steadying himself, readying himself to ask the question. Kirk remembered smiling. "Ask me, Spock. Just ask and let's get on with it." Spock blinked and swallowed. "You have no concept of my requirements, Jim." "You need someone to mate with or you will die in 7 years. I will do it if you don't find another. I'm a good listener, reasonably intelligent and T'Pau filled in the blanks." "That was presumptuous of her." Kirk snorted. "I don't see T'Pau worrying about being presumptuous." Kirk took a seat. "I won't let you die the next time either, so you might as well agree." "Jim, do you understand that I may require sex from you?" "Yes." "It is a time of violence and danger." "I know." "I will not be enjoying myself." "I'm not sure I will either, but I'm not going to let you die for want of a warm hole. I won't tell you that I'm looking forward to going through days of Pon Farr with a Vulcan male. I prefer being top to a woman, not a bottom to a man. Hopefully, you'll find a woman to Bond with, and that part of my responsibility will be taken over by someone else. I'm your safety net and you're mine. I want to do this, Spock." Spock bowed his head and stared at his hands. He was surprised at their steadiness. What then was this trembling that he felt? He spoke softly. "There is a word in my language that defines what you have proposed. I had never dreamed that anyone would ever proffer what you have freely given." "What's the word?" Spock looked up and his eyes were filled with the emotion he could not express. "The word is T'hy'la." Kirk let it play over his tongue a few times. "T'hy'la. I like the sound of it," he announced. "What does it mean?" "Friend, brother, and sometimes lover." "Except for number three, we're right on track. So do we have a deal?" Spock sat, wrapped in silence. Kirk began to fear he would not answer. "We both know you have no desire for men, Jim. Why offer this?" Kirk sighed and shrugged. "You're not just any man." He looked at the Vulcan and knew that answer would not suffice. "You're my best friend, my Anchor, and my family. It is the logical thing to do. I've sacrificed my dick for less worthy causes. How can I say no to you, just because you need a different part of my anatomy? I think our friendship can take the strain, can't it?" Spock nodded slowly. "Your logic is impeccable, even if your language is unusually crude. I agree that our friendship can withstand the strain, if it is what we both desire." "Is it what we both desire?" "I prefer to live." Spock answered. Kirk sat and waited patiently for the rest of the answer. "I agree." "Then it's a deal." Kirk laughed and never looked back. The Vulcan would never want for anything, if he had the power to give it. Kirk smiled when he realized he had drifted off into his own thoughts; Spock had waited patiently for him to return. "Want to play chess?" "That is agreeable. It is my turn to take black. I have done some research on Agorian Strategy, prepare to lose." "Agorians, huh." Kirk smiled as he placed his pieces on the board. "Let me tell you about how the Agorians came to me one day and asked me about my Chess strategy. They said they were writing a book..." Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 6/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. The representative from the Police Commissioner arrived on the ship later that day. Lt. Dhanein was a short, heavy set, dusky golden humanoid with the stoic demeanor of a person caught between a rock and a hard place. "I don't suppose you want to surrender to me and come down to the planet surface, Captain Kirk," he asked with a fatalistic voice. "No, I don't suppose I would." "Well, it was worth a try and it would save me a lot of paperwork. You have no idea how much I hate paperwork." Kirk smiled as he remembered saying something along those exact same lines. Lt. Dhanein took a full deposition from everyone involved, along with a copy of the detailed medical exam done by McCoy after the three Enterprise Crewmen had beamed aboard. Starfleet command ordered the ship to stay in orbit until the issue was resolved. They waited. Uhura looked in the mirror and tried to remember the woman who had looked back at her 9 years ago. She had changed, grown. This Uhura would never have taken Nuradeen for a lover. This Uhura had no need for pretty arm pieces that turned on you and wanted to beat you into submission. She remembered thinking then that his possessiveness was attractive, sexy. What a fool she had been. It was jealousy; rage, stalking potential, envy, and she had seen it in him from the very first day. She had wanted to tame him with love. What a romantic idiot she had been. Her buzzer rang. "Yes?" "It's me, Penda." She let Ru in and he came and set quietly on the bed. "Who sent you the flower, Penda?" She turned and bit back her first retort. She hated feeling owned and it took her a minute to realize that Ru's question was for another reason. "I honestly don't know for sure, but I think it was an old boyfriend. Why?" "Was he from this world? Did he have any family named Darien or Sarien?" "No, why, Ru?" He laid back on the bed and motioned her over to join him. She sat beside him and he began to stroke her back softly. "Some guy named Darien 3 wants Captain Kirk to stand trial for murder. He and Mr. Spock think my assault was a setup, but I can't figure out why anybody targeted me, unless it had something to do with the flower you got." "God, I hope not. If it turns out that Nuradeen had anything to do with this, I'll help you trim his short hairs with a dull blade." Sulu trembled theatrically. "Oh, I like that type of talking. Do some more for me." He pulled her down on top of him and began to nibble at her neck. "I love violent women. Ohhh." She rolled to the side and hit him with a pillow. "I'm serious, Ru. He was nasty and mean, real mean." "Did the Captain meet him?" "Yes. I'm almost ashamed to say it, but that's how Jim and I met. Nuradeen was stalking me and Jim was walking me home from the club where we had just met. They ended up getting into a fight. I stood by like some shrinking violet because I was terrified that if I got into any trouble Earth- side, I would lose my berth on the Enterprise. So, I let Jim do the fighting for me. History seems to repeat itself doesn't it?" "Oh, I don't know. This time he was defending me. You were sitting up here on your butt waiting for bath salts." She frowned and Sulu realized his humor had missed the mark. "Penda, It's not your fault. Whoever did this is an asshole. The Captain will get out of it. Who is stupid enough to try to do something to a Starship Captain while his ship is in orbit? We can blast them back into the stone ages." "I hope you're right, Ru." "Come here." He pulled her down and began to kiss her softly, then more urgently. Soon, their minds were on other things than old boyfriends and corrupt governments. The next day Uhura continued her research. The dead man had been the second son of Darien Tabiz, the Leading Minister of the Council of Bracos. They now knew who was forcing the case to go ahead and why. But, why had he attacked Sulu? Kirk was ordered to surrender to the authorities on Bracos the following day. Starfleet Command told him not to comply. He was to wait for the Federation counsel to arrive. They immediately sent a full Federation team of Attorneys led by Areel Shaw. Federation law mandated trial by the laws of the injured Planetary Partner when a member of Starfleet was involved with a civil incident. Assault or murder could be considered under Planetary law, not Starfleet, but only if the Starfleet personnel was not on Starfleet business. "Jim, I have no idea why they are even trying this case. You have diplomatic immunity under all the treaty agreements and laws governing the signatories of the Federation Charter. I smell a rat. How do you get yourself into these kinds of messes." She thought back to him sitting at the court-martial, so wonderfully brave and sure of himself. They had taken a short leave after Ben Finney had been found alive, and Kirk had been exonerated from murder. It had been a wonderful, sex, and fun-filled week-end. Her Jim was such a playful, sweet soul when you got him away from the ship and so very attentive to her needs, her wants. "Answer me, James Tiberius Kirk." "I don't know, Areel," was the muffled reply from the head buried in her hair, followed by a chuckle. "Nobody else in the galaxy calls me James Tiberius Kirk like you do. You make me want to jump up and go do my chores." "You did your chores, baby, and I thank you." Areel rolled over and brushed Kirk's hair back from his forehead. "Don't ever cut that lock of hair. I love how it falls forward over your forehead." "I can think of something better to fall over my face." Kirk pulled her into a bear hug. "I've missed you, Areel. Why do we only meet when I'm in trouble?" "Is it because you're always in trouble?" She leaned forward and traced his lips with a smile. "I'm scared, Jim. I think you should take the Enterprise out of orbit and force them to try you in absentia. This feels like a fixed trial." "Is that your official recommendation counselor?" He began to gently stroke her hair. "It would be, but the Ambassador has vetoed it. He's adamant that you stay and face the charges. He thinks that if you ignore them, it will ruin our relationship with the present government." "Is that what they are calling themselves nowadays? There are five corrupt families running everything and socking away the spoils in neutral banks. They don't deserve to be called a government." Areel laughed. "You're so funny. Why are you so righteous on one hand and so wicked on the other?" "Which hand did you like a few moments ago?" He darted out of bed before the pillow could hit him. "Do you want your usual?" Kirk asked as he sauntered over to the replicator. "Does it mean you'll come back to bed?" Areel asked. "Always." He gave her a look that made her shiver. She paused to admire the naked view. He saw her watching and stretched a little, just enough to make his back ripple. "I definitely want the usual. Damn, I love being your friend. Come here and give me the usual, Jim, one more time." Kirk crossed over to the bed and handed her a glass of Merlot. She sipped it and watched the faint sheen on his chest as he silently sipped his brandy. "Tell me again why we decided not to make this arrangement permanent. I need to be reminded right now." Kirk laughed and put the glass down. He slid into the bed and slowly stroked her face. "Because," he kissed her gently, "you said you wanted to be Chief Council for the Federation and a husband was not in the picture." "I could change my mind." She mused as his face descended down her neck and began to whisper light kisses over her breasts. "No, you couldn't. It's part of who you are and what attracted me to you in the first place. I love your mind, Areel." He sucked gently at her left nipple. "I love the way you let me make you happy. I love the sounds you make. I love the way you taste." She hissed and arched forward as she felt his nails rake her back. His hands began to slowly massage her and each slow pull on her nipple was answered with a sensuous stroke along her back and buttocks. He took his time, as usual. She relished the way he never hurried her, never missed a spot, never...ah, that felt good. "Jim," she whispered. "Shh...don't talk, just feel. I'll know if it's good. Let me do this for you. Let me make you feel good." She felt him move further down and suddenly she lost any desire to say anything else. Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 7/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. The Ambassador assured the Captain of the Enterprise that his case was open and shut. It was. The verdict took ten minutes. Areel Shaw jumped up and immediately began her motions for mistrial and request for bail. Both motions were denied. The Federation Ambassador looked on in shock as a Starship Captain was led away in shackles. He had assured the media and the Crew of the Enterprise that there was no way James Kirk would be convicted once the facts were laid out. He had been terribly wrong. Spock, McCoy, Scotty and Sulu watched as James T. Kirk was led away into the bowels of the prison at Bracos. The charges had been lessened to voluntary manslaughter. The sentence was 8 years. Kirk turned back and stared at Spock and McCoy as he was led from the room. It was a look the Vulcan would never forget. Spock turned to the Ambassador. "Ambassador, you have 7 days to get him out of that jail. If you are not successful by that time, there will be an incident on Bracos." Spock did not give the Ambassador any time to respond before he stalked out of the courthouse with the other members of the crew of the Enterprise following closely behind. The Bracos Main Jail was faceless metal and poured concrete. There were no windows on the world and as Kirk walked through the narrow corridor that was the only way in for prisoners, the light seemed to vanish and heat fled from his body. Muffled sounds of angry shouts and screams, mixed with a continuous ebb and flow of noise from speakers spoke to them along the way. The voice welcomed them to Bracos' jail and assured them that they would do well to abide by the rules and return to society as redeemed men and women. The women in his group were split off and directed down a branching hall. The men trudged ahead, shackled ankle to ankle and wrist to wrist. Already, their backs had begun to slump down from the weight of the moment and the reality of incarceration, all backs but one. They led the prisoners into a wide reception area, harshly lit, with prison guards staring at them through windows set into the walls. They were instructed to strip, bag and label their items, and throw the bags down a hole that momentarily opened in one of the walls. They were led to a communal shower and ordered to clean themselves. James Kirk ignored the silent looks, the fondled genitals, and the muted conversations directed his way. He could not keep them from trying, and he would do his best not to kill the first one that did. A message was sometimes all that was required. He showered and waited for them to give him a set of dark brown, loose-fitting clothes to change into. There were no shoes and no underwear. Next, his head was shaved into a short crew-cut. He fought down a sense of Deja Vu. Memories flooded his awareness: heat, noise, crying, medtechs rushing back and forth. "We have to cut your hair, Son, it's full of Tarsus nits. I'm sorry I wasn't here in time. I'm sorry." It's okay, Dad. I'm okay, Dad. Feelings died, pain retreated. He could be so cold, so very cold- hearted. He was sprayed with a chemical and he barely noticed it. The other inmates being processed with him fought to keep from retching. He stood silently. Distance, distance was good, distance was necessary. Don't feel anything. Observe and survive. He was led down a corridor and given one blanket, a platisceen plate, no utensils and a coded ID bracelet. No- one spoke to him. The guards led him to the general lock-up and told him to find a place to sleep before they snorted and walked away. The Captain of the Enterprise looked out over a milling mass of two hundred men, spread around an open concrete space that opened up to the hot Bracos sky. A few faces turned to face him, but most ignored him. Something cold had settled over James Kirk's face and the few who turned to him in interest, looked away to search out easier prey. He walked over to a wall and sat down. He sat quietly and tried to fade into the background. Distance, survive, wait, observe, I'm okay, thoughts progressed slowly through his mind. He centered his thoughts as Spock and Jean had taught him. He felt for the slim thread of the link he shared with his First Officer and tugged on it gently. The Anchor was there, right where it would always be. He found himself relaxing...a bit. He had managed to drift off into a sea of half- awareness, when he heard footsteps approach. "James Tiberius Kirk, Captain of the Starship Enterprise. I am so happy to see you again." Kirk turned to the sound and saw a light brown- skinned man, tall, slim, well-muscled, hawk-nosed, brown-eyed, with dark smooth curls staring down at him with a predatory gleam in his eyes. He knew immediately who it was. Nuradeen Singh had attacked him in an alley in an attempt to drive him away from Nyota. Kirk had beaten Singh and left him in a garbage can on Earth, 9 years past. He remembered wanting to kill Singh for having beaten Nyota. Only fear of letting go had kept Kirk from killing the man, then. Maybe he should have finished the job. This didn't feel good. He stood, so he could move if he needed to. "Hello, Singh." "Captain, I have been waiting to meet you again. No, I have been anxious to meet you again. Guards, escort the Captain to my personal chambers. I feel like a bit of entertainment." "Starfleet will get me released, Nuradeen. We have long memories," Kirk warned him. "Please, call me by my whole name, Nuradeen Singh Tabiz, of the house of Darien III." Singh smiled. "They are welcome to have what I leave, Captain. You should have stayed out of my affairs those long years ago. You had no business interfering between Nyota and myself. I missed out on getting her new boyfriend. I did so want you both, but I have you," he sighed dramatically," I must be satisfied with less, because sometimes less is more. Don't you agree?" Three men grabbed either arm and led him away. Not a single soul moved to help him. Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 8/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. He was led back into the inner citadel and down a winding corridor to a small room at the very end. A guard stood at the door and stepped aside wordlessly as they approached. Singh walked across the bare room and stood in the middle of it, slowly turning around. He had a slight smile on his face. "You have no idea how long I have waited to have you in this room. I have imagined doing all sorts of things to you, Captain Kirk. But," he turned and smiled at him, "unfortunately, most of my fantasies will have to take a back seat to profit." He motioned to the guards, "strip him, and shackle him to the wall over there. "Singh, what do you think you're going to get out of this? Starfleet will have me out of here within a week, and anything you do to me is going to have consequences you don't want. You might as well let me go." Nuradeen Singh laughed and it was not a pleasant sound. "By the time Starfleet mobilizes its efforts to get you out of here, Captain, you will have been sold to my brokers for a wonderfully large sum of credits. It will be enough for me to leave this accursed planet and go anywhere I want to go. I don't think you know how much you're worth on the open market." "Nobody will buy me, Singh. The risk is not worth it. I'm too old to be in a bordello, and too dangerous to be a house slave. Nobody in their right mind would buy me. They all know Starship Captains can't be tortured into giving information. We can't break silence under duress, even if we wanted to. Everybody, including the Romulans, know about Command Training, Singh. I guess nobody told you about it." He continued to talk, throw things out until you hit a mark, any mark, any weakness. Keep him talking. "I'm not afraid of dying, Singh, are you? I bet you just told the Orions you had an interesting piece of ass to sell to them and they don't know who it is." Kirk watched Singh's eyes widened. He knew he had hit it. He continued to probe as they undressed him and pushed him against the wall. They raised his hands up over his head and locked them into bands of metal. Then they pushed his feet back and locked duplicates around his ankles. "So, the Orions show up, take one look at me, and say no deal. Then, you're stuck with me. If you hurt me now, I'm damaged goods. If you hurt me later, the Federation will have your ass. Let me go, Singh; I'll forget I ever saw you." "You are rich. Here you are, naked, locked to a damn wall, trying to tell me what to do." Nuradeen started to laugh. Then, he walked straight to Kirk and hit him hard, in the belly. "Starship Captain, naked smooth-skinned boy, defender of the weak. You got between my bitch and me. It was not your damn business. You were lucky back on Earth, little man. I didn't expect you to fight as well as you did. But today is a different tale and I'm the only one telling it. I'm going to make you hurt, you pompous, self-righteous asshole. The only reason you were even there was because you wanted to fuck her, too. You're no better than me, just luckier, once, no more." He snarled at Kirk. "What I leave, Starfleet can have, if they can stand to look at you, and they can find you." He hit Kirk again. "You embarrassed me. You interfered in my affairs. You took the side of a bitch who didn't know her place. No damn bitch is going to tell me when they're through with me. I tell them when I'm through with them. As soon as I finish with you, James Kirk, I am going to go back and get Uhura. I bet she tastes even better now. Did she scream for you like she used to scream for me? Sorry, I forgot she dropped your ass too, didn't she?" He hit Kirk again. Kirk grunted with each impact. "Singh, I swear to you, you don't want to do this. They'll be here to get me." Singh stepped back and stared at Kirk. He turned to one of the guards, "Go get me the rod." He turned back to Kirk. "I think you'll get a kick out of this. The rod is an ancient instrument with an honorable history. It causes an incredible amount of pain but leaves very few scars. I'm planning on having so much fun with you, Captain. Just you wait and see. I think even you will appreciate my ingenuity." One of the guards handed Singh a thin tapered carved wand. "Innocent looking, isn't it? But, if I touch you like so," he reached out and softly stroked it across Kirk's mid section. A line of molten lava trailed across his body. Kirk tried to move away from the pain, but there was nowhere to go. He could himself hiss out in pain. "That setting is remarkably kind," Nuradeen continued in a conversational tone. "Now this setting," he stroked along Kirk's left thigh, "is another matter altogether." His captive screamed and Nuradeen laughed. "Such a wonderful sound: screams," Singh paused and leaned back to observe his victim. "Did you know I can change the pitch of your scream by adjusting the intensity, duration and placement of the Rod?" He demonstrated his point. Kirk's voice began as a low moan and rose to a harsh wail of agony, before his head slumped to his chest. "You are going to be especially enjoyable, Captain. You see, I don't require information from you. That, you can resist giving for a long time. All I require is entertainment and I am being amply rewarded right now." He stood back and looked at the man hanging on the wall. He tilted his head from side to side. "Where shall I go next? Decisions, decisions." He leaned forward and jerked Kirk's head up. "Pay attention when I speak to you, please. Tell me again about how Starfleet will rescue you. Tell me to leave Nyota alone again, little man. I would love to hear that right now." Kirk took a long shuddering breath and opened his eyes slowly. "Starfleet will be here. Let me go, Singh and if you touch Nyota, I'll kill you." Nuradeen frowned and let Kirk's head drop. "You are a stubborn man, Captain, but I have the cure for stubbornness." He slowly twisted the Rod up in intensity and began in earnest. Hours later, a small door in the back of the room opened. A tall barrel-chested humanoid entered with two obvious bodyguards. He was dressed in an expensively tailored, dark- brown suit that glistened in the dim light of the room. One shiny, black, braid hung down to his shoulders. He lifted a cloth to his nose. "It smells in here, Nuradeen. What have you been doing to him? I told you not to damage him. Our families don't want Starfleet bringing any heat down on us. We can't afford it." "You have merely to look at him, Sachdev. There's not a mark on him." Sachdev Tabiz crossed over and inspected the unconscious man. He saw faint lines, like small welts tracing their way across Kirk's body. "You've been using the Rod. I told you to leave him alone, damn you." He shouted and crossed over to Singh. He gave Nuradeen a resounding slap. Singh looked up with eyes full of hatred. "I am the head of planetary security. It is my right to question any prisoner." "You are what I made you, nothing more. You don't torture a Starfleet Captain, burn your soul. They will have our hides for this. I gave you permission to embarrass him, rough him up a little, harass him, not torture him. My nephew was a fool. A smaller unarmed man beat Serien. He deserved to be killed for his stupidity. My brother only agreed to a small measure of revenge, in recompense for the loss of a worthless son. Darien has more sons. This is beyond what we agreed on. Do you have any idea what you've gotten us into?" "I'm not afraid of Starfleet." "Then you're a fool," he hissed. Sachdev motioned to us bodyguards. "Take him down and put him back in the yards." He turned back to Singh. "You will tell Starfleet that one of the other inmates did this." "I have the Orions coming to buy him." "The Orions won't want any parts of this. This is too visible, too much attention. They won't deal on him." The guards had Kirk down and were dragging him towards the door. "He is infamous, " Singh went over and grabbed Kirk's face and showed it to Tabiz. "Look at this face. It's as pretty as any woman's. He will sell, if only for his face and his body." "You are demented. He is a 34 year old man and a killer. Mind-blanked or maimed, he is worth nothing. Intact, he will kill the first man who lets his hands free. The fact that you can't see that makes me doubt your sanity. Who would want a grown man who can kill them, over a young boy who can be molded? No matter how appealing his face or body, the man is too dangerous to have around. The Orions will laugh in your face. And, how in the seven hells were you going to explain his absence?" "He was vaporized trying to escape over the powered fence, no body, no proof. He was too proud to accept jail and tried to escape. We do it all the time. I am betting that you are wrong, Father- in law." Tabiz snorted in disgust. "You are insane. You will extricate the Family from this mess, or suffer my wrath. Do you understand?" Singh bowed his head. "I live to comply, Father- in-law." Tabiz stared at him," Or, you will die to comply," he finished softly. He turned and left without a backwards glance. Moments later, an unconscious form was thrown back into the area. The other inmates stepped around him. Someone had already claimed his blanket and his plate. Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 9/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. Areel Shaw was sitting in a temporary office inside the Federation Embassy. Her desk was littered with notes and empty cups of coffee. The door opened. "Ms. Shaw, there is someone here to see you." Areel didn't look up at her adjutant. "Who is it, Peron? I'm pretty busy in here." He stood silently, forcing her to look up at him. She cocked her head at him in confusion. "Who is it?" "Someone you should talk to, in my opinion. I have them in a side room so no one can see them. This should be a private conversation and he will talk to you on the condition that his identity remains confidential, for now." Areel leaned back and stared at Peron. His instincts were always impeccable. "Let them in through the private entrance." She switched on the privacy guards. "Make sure no-one disturbs us until I signal you to lead them back out." Peron nodded and left. Her guest was a total surprise. The information she obtained was terrifying. She went to find Spock immediately. She found him on the bridge of the Enterprise and motioned him to follow her to a private conference room. As soon as the door closed, she began. "Spock, go get Jim out of there... now." "Jim left orders that I was to await the Federation's intervention." "We won't be in time. I have an informant. Jim is not going to make it out of there alive. We have already presented the writ of Habeas corpus, but they have seven days to comply. My source tells me he will have disappeared by then." She paced back and forth. "Whoever is behind this is an idiot. Starfleet will not allow Jim's illegal jailing and kidnapping to go unchallenged. Nogura considers this to be an act of aggression that should be answered by force. He's sending two Starships. If the Federation allows its Captains to be jailed illegally, they will be challenged in every port of call." "Why do you feel he will not be there in seven days?" "My source says some slavers are already here. He overheard a conversation between some prison guards. They said something about the Orions probably wanting to take a test run on one of their prisoners since he had destroyed enough of their ships in the past. The person put two and two together and came up with Jim. He thinks they are going to be offered Jim and I agree with my informant. She sat down and ran a trembling hand across her lips. "He will die in slavery. If they try to enslave him, he will force them to kill him. Even worse, he'll keep trying to escape until they brainwipe him. You know I'm right. We can't let that happen." Spock came and stood in front of her. He steepled his hands under his chin and looked at her intently. "You are asking me to invade the penal system of a member of the Federation. That is against the law, Counselor." "I know the godblessed law, Spock. I'm a lawyer, dammit. What happened down there had nothing to do with the law. He was railroaded and they mean to destroy him." She grabbed his arm and glared at him. "Spock, damn you, don't let Jim die down there." "I have no intention of doing so," he responded calmly. "We already have a plan in place to rescue the Captain. It only requires my presence inside the jail. Can you arrange that?" Her mouth fell open. "Why did you just let me go through all of this?" "I was unsure of your level of resolve until just now, Ms. Shaw. What we contemplate doing is illegal and you are the Federation Counsel. I had no way of knowing if your support would be authentic until you touched me. Forgive my intrusion, but you initiated the physical contact and some emotions even I cannot barricade against." She smiled in triumph. "I know what you are, Spock. There was no intrusion." She took a deep breath and relaxed. "I should've known you wouldn't leave Jim hanging out on a limb." "Yes, you should have." "I'm sorry for shouting at you, Mr. Spock." "The cause was sufficient. If you will take a seat, I will inform you of our present plan." The time was 1310 hours on day two of Kirk's imprisonment. "Get him up," Kirk could hear voices near his head. Someone lifted him from the ground and he bit back a moan. His entire body was on fire. Every place the rod had touched him was in agony. He opened his eyes and saw the same three guards from the previous day. Nuradeen pulled Kirk's head back and forced him to look in his face. "Are you ready to play again? I'm so looking forward to it, Captain. Today, we have guests who want to meet you. You're going to make me a very rich man. That way, I'll feel so much better about not having cut you up or otherwise marring your pretty little face." He sounded positively cheerful. "Please be so kind as to accompany us, Captain. I think even you'll be surprised by the outcome." They dragged Kirk behind him as he went back to the same room at the end of the long dark corridor. The door opened and Kirk could immediately smell Orions. Singh had the guards secure him to the wall again after they stripped him. Nuradeen opened the back door and three Orions entered silently. Kirk heard a gasp. "You fool. You brought us here for this? You risked us being captured for this?" The lead Orion shouted, "What kind of madman are you?" Nuradeen walked towards him with his arms outstretched. "Are you going to tell me that you are not interested in purchasing Captain James T. Kirk? He is the single most deadly Captain in Starfleet. How many of your ships has he destroyed? I am offering you your greatest enemy." "My clan is not at war with Kirk. Also my clan cannot stand the flames from Starfleet that would result from our purchase of him. He is too dangerous to have around. That damn Vulcan would follow him to the ends of the galaxy to rescue him and Starfleet would give him permission to do so. I do not wish to have Starfleet and the clan of Surak both looking for us. If I were you, I would get him a healer, and let him go. This had been a mutually beneficial relationship, Singh. You just ruined it. Our business here is concluded." The Orions turned to leave. Nuradeen called after them. "Wait!" The Orion leader called back over his shoulder, "Send him back to Starfleet, Singh, or live to regret it." They left. Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 10/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. Kirk watched Nuradeen's stiff back with a sense of foreboding. He tried to relax. He knew Singh would be enraged and would take it out on him. He fought done his own rage. He needed to keep a rein on himself. No-one had seen anything but the bodies he had left behind on Tarsus. He had to keep that part of himself back behind the barriers he had built. He had renounced that part of his inheritance, and never regretted doing it. He would make it through this; Spock would be here. The Enterprise would not abandon him. When Singh finally turned to face him, all of his fears were realized and he felt doubt creep through his soul. Maybe he wouldn't be okay, after all. "Captain, you just cost me a lot of credits. I am going to make you pay for each and every one of them." He crossed over to the wall and picked up the rod from where it had been left the previous day. He turned and his look made Kirk nauseous. The man was mad. Singh crossed over and gave him five rapid strokes across his body on the highest setting. Scream followed scream until Kirk felt darkness begin to envelope him. He felt the anger building up in him, the rage at this torture, and the sweet taste of power teased at his mind, knocking, asking for freedom. He pushed the voice away and reinforced the barriers. Kirk awoke when the cold water hit his face. He felt like Singh had scalded him through to the core of his body. He couldn't lift his head, he couldn't see, all he could feel was burning. Singh leaned forward and whispered into his ear. "I'm going to beat you, then I'm going to use the rod some more, then, I'm going to stick the rod up your ass. You'll be begging me to kill you by the time I finish, but I won't. I gave you a little present that will take affect in a few hours, but until then, I have planned some more entertainment. I am actually proud of my little gift. It has helped me sell a lot of prisoners to the Orions and the victims can't testify. They can't tell anything about who it was that screwed them into oblivion. Isn't that special? Oh, and in case I don't have a chance to tell you later, after I finish with you, I'm going to go look for Nyota. Do you want to know what I'm going to do to her? First, I'll fuck her, then I'll use the rod up her ass, then I'll make her suck on it, just like she used to suck my stick. She was very good at that, Captain, excellent. " "Singh," Kirk gasped out, "stop. Don't do this. You don't know what you're doing. You don't know what you're getting yourself into. Stop now or what happens will be on your head." Singh leaned his head back and guffawed. "Damn, you are one funny guy." He stopped, leaned forward again and whispered, "Do you think you'll be as funny when I finish with you? Guess who I will take after Uhura? I'm going to drag that half-breed Vulcan of yours in here. I hear Vulcans are very sensitive, especially their hands. How loud do you think he will scream? Do you think he might like it when I stick the rod up his ass? Vulcans are all such tight-asses, you know." He dragged the rod alongside Kirk's ear. Excruciating pain shot through his brain and made him convulse. He couldn't breathe. He blacked out again to the sensation of Singh beating him with a fist and the rod. When Kirk came to, Singh was sitting in front of him in a chair. He sipped on the glass of red wine. "My dear Captain, I have been waiting for you." Kirk was silent. His eyes were blank. Nuradeen shrugged. "It seems my special gift has begun to work. Fortunately for me, he will still be able to feel the rod's pleasure. This is really quite enjoyable." He motioned to the two guards who stood against the back wall. "Go get him off the wall. I think it's time for my rod to try to reach something a little different." The guards crossed over to Kirk and touched either arm to steady it while they pulled at the metal band around his wrist. They pulled Kirk down and began to drag him towards the flat surface where Singh stood, tapping the rod against the palm of his hand. There was a sickening smile on Singh's face as he beat out a rhythm and hummed softly. Suddenly, Kirk's stood up and he grabbed each man's testicles and pulled up with an unbelievable amount of force. The men screamed in agony, but before they could fall to the floor, Kirk grabbed both of their necks. He bared his teeth and hissed at them softly. The whispered voice that came from Kirk's lips was not one Singh had heard before. James Kirk said one word, "Die." There was an unmistakable crunching sound as both men's larynxes were crushed. The guards began to choke and clutch at their necks. Blood began to run from their mouths, and their noses. They fell to the ground and began to writhe in agony. Kirk began to stagger towards Singh, blindly groping for him, with a look that offered death. Singh looked down at his guards in shock, took one look at his Rod, and decided it was not enough. He bolted from the room and slammed the door behind him. The struggles of the guards stopped finally, and Kirk slumped down to the floor and faded into oblivion. Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 11/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. Spock, arranged a meeting with the Ambassador. The earliest appointment he could get was the same morning at 0800 hours. The Ambassador stood to greet him. "Mr. Spock, we are still working diligently to obtain the release of Captain Kirk. If you will have a seat, I will bring you up to date on what we have been doing." "I do not wish to sit, Ambassador. My visit shall be brief. Your labors have not been sufficient. You must get him out of that jail, immediately." Spock's tone made the Ambassador tense. "We are doing everything we can. He was supposed to have had diplomatic immunity. Strings are being pulled at high levels to ignore the rules of law on this planet. Someone has it in for your Captain and I have no idea who it is." Spock looked at him silently. "Are you sure you have no idea, Sir?" The human frowned. "I will not be insulted in my own Embassy." "This is the Federation's Embassy, not yours, Sir. I have already pursued that line of investigation and I believe you are correct. I will require you to arrange for Dr. McCoy and I to visit the Captain every day. I do not want to hear what you cannot do any longer, Ambassador. Do it." "Mr. Spock...," the Ambassador began. "Sir," Spock interrupted him. "The Captain told you this was going to happen. We both warned you they would imprison him against protocol, the laws of the Federation, and the laws of this world. We gave you evidence of the rampant corruption in the Government of Bracos. You risked his life and well-being out of your reticence to take a risky stand. You have lost my respect. I owe you nothing. You will do as I ask, or I will declare this to be a State of Emergency, under which Military Law governs, and I will accomplish what you can not." "You would not..." Spock leaned forward, slightly, but enough to stop the Ambassador from further speech. "Do you know who I am, Ambassador?" "First Officer of The Enterprise?" he whispered his reply. "I am Spock, cha Sarek, inheritor of Clan Surak, the most numerous and wealthy clan on Vulcan. I am sworn T'hy'la to James T. Kirk. The vengeance of a Vulcan clan is a terrible thing, Ambassador Faraekjos. Vulcan is noted for its thoroughness. Do you comprehend my meaning?" The man's teeth actually chattered as he answered. "I have no power here. There's nothing more I can do." "There is something I can do, however." A new person interrupted the conversation. Spock recognized the voice immediately. "Ambassador Sarek, I had no idea you had arrived." Faraekjos leapt to his feet. Spock could not repress the sense of added power he felt at the sight of his father. A thought flittered across his mind. He wondered if Sarek had heard him threaten Fareakjos with clan vengeance. "Are you aware of everything that has transpired here, Ambassador?" "The Diplomatic Corp. is aware of everything, Ambassador Faraekjos. Perhaps, it would be best if you confessed to your complicity in these events, now, and save us the effort of revealing it to you. It would be the logical thing for you to do." Spock turned to stare at Faraekjos. In front of his eyes, the man broke down into tears. "They said they were just going to scare him a little. They swore they wouldn't jail him or hurt him. I never would have agreed to go along with this if I had known what they intended." Spock felt his vision go green and he fought for control. Shades of ancient Vulcan overwhelmed him and cast his mind into flames. He felt himself move towards the man. "What have you done?" His voice was a harsh guttural sound. "" His thoughts burst through into a calm eddy. Sarek had spoken directly to his son's mind along the parental link. He looked at Spock and once Sarek was satisfied that his son was under control, he turned back to Faraekjos. "I am interested in your motivations." "This is why he did this." They turned as one. Standing in the doorway was The Ambassador's wife, and beside him was a small dark-haired teenaged boy with the face of an angel. "This is my grandson, Chaz. His parents died on the Excalibur. Perhaps you recognize the name, Mr. Spock. Your ship blew it to bits. We are his guardians. They had our grandson in that jail and the only way we were going to get him back was to do what we did. Look at him, Gentlemen." Chaz was an unbelievably handsome, slight, olive-skinned youth. "He would not have lasted a week. They sentenced him to two weeks for supposedly shop-lifting. My Grandson does not steal, but they had him and they were going to destroy him. We did it for him and we would do it again. Your captain is a strong and resourceful man. This is a 16 year old child. What else could we do?" "You could have informed Starfleet of your predicament." Sarek stated calmly. "How much more effective would you have been with him than you have been with James Kirk?" she answered. "We know the system. My Grandson is everything to us, and he would have been raped or beaten to death before we could have stopped them." Ambassador Faraekjos spoke up. "They said they wouldn't jail him or do anything other than embarrass him. Nobody expected Kirk to kill a man. Even after that, they promised us they wouldn't convict him at the trial. They promised." "Who promised?" Spock demanded. "Sachdev Tabiz." Spock recognized the name immediately. He was the head of one of the Five Families and the uncle of the slain man. "I will go and pay a visit to Sr. Tabiz," Sarek said with a bland expression. "Spock, you must be ready to execute your plan at a moment's notice." He turned to Faraekjos and his wife. "Send the boy out." "What are you going to do to us?" Faraekjos asked despondently. "You are relieved of your duties and you will be transferred back to your Homeworld. The Federation is not unsympathetic, but it would have been far wiser for you to solicit our assistance. You would have been surprised at what we can do. Pack your belongings and get your grandson to safer territory. Deal with your family. We do not wish him to blame himself for what has transpired on this planet. He was nothing but a tool. As for our relations with Bracos, this may escalate into a misunderstanding that lasts far longer than either party desires. Currently, Nogura is on war standing. He considers the illegal jailing of a Starfleet Captain to be grounds for military intervention. We can not have anyone attacking our personnel without fear of just retribution. If more people die, remember your role in this, Ambassador. You may leave." Ambassador Faraekjos crossed heavily over to his wife and took her arm to lead her from the room. At the door, Ser Faraekjos turned around, and spoke to Sarek. "Please try to understand why we did it." "Madame, I understand; I do not agree, but I do understand. Now leave us." He waited for the Ambassador and his wife to leave before he gestured Spock to take a seat. "We have to get Captain Kirk out of there quickly. Undoubtedly they plan on moving him out of the compound as soon as possible." "Father, why are you willing to do this?" "Our clan owes Kirk a debt. I owe Kirk a debt. I will not allow him to perish as an Orion slave." "Why are you here?" Spock left the rest unspoken...when you were not at my Pon Farr. "I surmised that my influence might be required. It became obvious through our internal channels that the Ambassador had been co-opted." Spock's face was inscrutable. Sarek sighed, a trait he had picked up from Amanda. "How may I assist you in rescuing your Captain, Spock?" Spock paused. "Why not retrieve him yourself? You are the Vulcan Ambassador and the head of the Clan. You have never required my input in the past." He stared at his son. "You are angry with me and I understand why, but do not doubt my motivations, Son. James Kirk is the most famous Captain in Starfleet. You realize as well as I do that regular Starfleet channels function better in agreeing with already made decisions, versus deciding difficult issues. I can ask Starfleet's permission to rescue James Kirk, if I must, but it would cause an unforgivable delay. Is that what you desire?" Spock's eyes flashed dangerously. "What I desire is for you to have given me sufficient assistance to prevent them from having him in their custody for even a day. You have arrived in a suspiciously short time. It appears as if you were on the way already." "I was. We were aware of the incident with Chaz from our sources. I felt that Fareakjos was ill- equipped to resolve something that was so close to his heart. I was on my way to assist him. I did not know your Captain would be detained. I could not prevent what I did not know was occurring, Spock. This conversation serves no purpose. You must go get him before they begin to hurt him." Spock took a calming breath before he answered. "They are hurting him already, Father. We are too late to prevent his pain. I did not protect him and you did not assist me when I needed you." "You felt his pain?" The Vulcan nodded curtly. "Feel," he corrected his father. "How is this possible? Are you bonded to him? I ask as your father." Spock bowed his head. Tradition demanded that he answer such a query. It was Sarek's right. "We are T'hy'la, Father. I remain unbonded." Sarek looked at his son almost sympathetically. "Spock, how shall you maintain your distance if you remain unbonded? Soon, you will be drawn to complete a bond, if not with him then with another. The role of non-sexual T'hy'la is only possible for Kirk if you are fully bonded with another. You will draw him deeper and deeper into your mind. It is our way." Spock did not respond. "What do you require from me now? I will help you in any way I may." Sarek continued softly. "The subject of the Bond can wait for later." "I need you to get myself and Dr. McCoy into the jail. We will take care of the rest. Mr. Scott has arranged for an accident to occur to the power sources in the jail. It will coincide with a signal from us." "Consider it done." Spock nodded and left without looking at his father. Ebony eyes trailed after him. They were not unsympathetic. Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 12/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. When he reached the ship, the police commissioner called to inform them that they could visit the compound. Spock took McCoy and Giotto and one of his men, Scoria Yotsura, down with him. The Director of the jail met them at the beam down site with lowered eyes. "There has been an unfortunate mishap. Your Captain has disappeared from the main compound. I have no idea how it happened. Of course, you understand that even when we locate him, he will still remain in our custody?" "Now, you just wait a damn..." McCoy began. Spock interrupted McCoy. "We will assist you in locating him," Spock stated quietly. The man looked at Spock in confusion. "How do you plan to do that?" "It is not important for you to know. All you need to do is allow us access to the compound." "I have been informed that you are to be given free access to the entire compound. Your new Ambassador is...very convincing." Spock called back up to the ship. Scotty used the sensors to lead them to a small door at the end of a long corridor. The Starfleet subdermal tracer was active and sending. The head guard unlocked the door and escorted them inside. The room was pitch black and it smelled of urine, vomit, and blood. The second of the guards fumbled for the switch alongside the side of the doorway. Spock and McCoy heard a click, but the lights remained off. The head guard muttered a Bracosian expletive. Spock began to move across the darkened room. McCoy, unable to use Vulcan senses, stayed put. "Try your emergency light, Stawerd." The head guard instructed his comrade. Suddenly, a beam lanced out from a hand-held light. Two men were sprawled on the floor, blood pooled around their heads. Stawerd rushed over to check on them. The men were dead. The head guard ran from the room and bolted the door from the outside. Spock walked across the room and as Stawerd turned to watch, Yotsura hit him, hard. The man was out before he hit the floor. "Get his weapon, Scoria." Giotto said calmly, "and get him out of the way." The two redshirts moved the unconscious man over to the doorway and positioned themselves to in front of it. Spock slowly scanned the darkness with the emergency light until it hit another form. "Jim!" Across the room, James Kirk was sprawled limply on the floor. Thin rivulets of blood ran coated his naked body. Spock rushed over and lightly touched the unconscious form. Kirk's face looked shattered. His left eye was swollen shut. His breath rasped out through his broken nose and his torn lips. "Oh, God, what happened here?" McCoy rushed over to his side. "Oh, sweet lord. Spock, we have to get him out of here. Look what they've done to him. What the hell are all of these welts from? I've never seen anything like this." The tricorder whirled. " There are no neck or spinal injuries. Help me roll him over. " Spock silently rolled him over onto his back. He lifted Kirk gently from the floor, gathered his Captain close and touched the meld points. The link felt muted. Only the surface pain of the body was discernible, nothing of Jim's thoughts or emotions. Spock felt along the other meld points while McCoy did his work. Nothing burned along his fingers. The connections were blocked somehow. "Doctor, I need to know the extent of his injuries, without delay." McCoy was still using his medical tricorder and talking to himself. McCoy began to read out what it was telling him. Kirk's head lolled to the side and Spock caught the battered face and pulled it towards his chest. The Vulcan fought against rubbing his hand over the short hair that was all that was left of his friend's unruly mane. There was no cowlick falling down over Jim's forehead. McCoy's voice became coolly professional while he read the tricorder's results. "Concussion, fractured mandible, fractured nose, fractured base of his left orbit, three fractured ribs, multiple contusions and lacerations of his face and back. Damn, someone whipped him with something that leaves deep contusions, but doesn't cut skin." McCoy took a shaky breath and continued, "He has splenic and hepatic lacerations, and both of his wrists are broken." "Dr. McCoy, can he survive if we leave him here?" "Spock how can you even think..." "Answer me, McCoy, quickly. Is his life in jeopardy?" "Hell, yes. They haven't even tried to help him." "Thank-you. That is all I require." He pulled out his communicator and pushed a button. Then Spock bent down and lifted his Captain into his arms. Giotto and Yotsura appeared at his side. The power flickered and the shouts of the Bracos guards, beating on the room door, faded into the background as the transporter beam took them all away. Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 13/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. McCoy looked down on his sleeping patient. He fought back a yawn. He and M'Benga had repaired all the internal damage and begun the bone knitting. Kirk's facial swelling would have to be treated last and the bruises would be very last. He was angry, unbelievably angry at whoever had done this to his friend. Jim didn't deserve this, no-one did. He really hoped they found the man and hung him out to dry. The door to sickbay opened and his ambulatory patient entered the operatory. McCoy knew who it was without looking around. "Spock, he's going to be okay. Why don't you go get some rest?" "I will rest after I find out why this was done to him. It has no logic." "Spock, there is no logic to a beating like this. This was pure hate. Find out who has a reason to hate James Kirk on that godforsaken planet, and you will know who did this to him." "Did the beating damage his... mind?" Spock's hands reached for the meld points and McCoy slapped them away. "It is my right, he left instructions with you that I have this right." "It may be, but you're not going to meld with him now. I know you well enough to know what you are going through. If you meld with him and experience anything that he went through down there on that planet, I can't trust that you won't go off half cocked and do something foolish." "I am Vulcan." McCoy glared at Spock. "I know who the hell you are. That doesn't change a thing. I've been watching you for a few years. I have no assurance that if you find out who did this to Jim, you won't go down there and kill the guy." Spock turned and met McCoy's eyes. "I give you my word that I will not return to the planet surface and kill anyone. Vulcans do not believe in the necessity of revenge." "Spock, if that's so, why do you have a word for it in your vocabulary?" Spock looked up at McCoy and his eyes flashed dangerously. "We are not always successful in attaining the ideal. Will you honor his wishes?" McCoy sighed. It was true. Kirk had given Spock permission to enter his mind whenever duty required it. He stepped aside. Spock placed his hands on Kirk's meld points and leaned towards his face. "Jim..."he called softly, "Jim," then he began to speak in Vulcan and McCoy stood by in confusion. McCoy noted with interest that the Vulcan no longer used the ritual phrase to enter Kirk's mind. They must have been melding alot lately. He would have to speak to Jim about that, when Jim was better, and he would be better. Spock finally stood up. "Nothing. I am unable to break past a type of barrier that I have never experienced before." "Do you think it is from the torture?" "Unknown. All I can do is wait. I will try again when he has awakened." He turned and left for the bridge. Areel Shaw stopped him in the corridor. She was on her way in to see Kirk. Tension radiated from her. "How is he?" "They have tortured him. He is not able to communicate, yet." Her eyes filled with tears. "We were too late, then." "We do not capitulate on this ship, Ms. Shaw. I must conclude that the Bracos Officials have notified you about our engineered escape. We found it necessary to short out the defense and power web around the jail. Fortunately for them, Their back-up systems kicked in quickly and ancillary damage was kept to a minimum. I understand that there were no casualties." "None reported, but their politicians are spitting bricks. Imperial war mongers, and galactic bullies are the latest epitaphs thrown our way. Ambassador Sarek is handling the heat admirably." "What have you been told to do by Starfleet?" "I got the report from Dr. McCoy and sent it to Starfleet. The official word is for you to clear out and leave the aftermath to us. Nogura plans on making a statement to the planet of Bracos. He is planning on a military sanction for the illegal detention and torture of a Starfleet Captain. The Five Families are scrambling to put the blame on anyone but them. His own brother has remanded Sachdev Tabiz into Starfleet custody, and we can't locate Nuradeen Tabiz. No telling how far he will run before he holes up." "Who was your source, Ms. Shaw?" "He told me I could tell you his name. He wants to see Jim after he's better to apologize for what happened to him. The poor baby thinks it's his fault. I told him it wasn't, but I think he will only believe it if Jim says so. Knowing our Jim, he'll make sure the boy doesn't blame himself." She paused, "It was the Ambassador's grandson, Chaz." Spock eyes widened in surprise. "I just met him. He was held in the jail at Bracos" "He's a brave child, Spock. He didn't want them to hurt Jim. It seems that our intrepid Captain is his personal hero. You know his parents died on the Excalibur?" Spock nodded. "Jim paid him a visit after the memorial service to give the boy his condolences and explain what happened. Jim made him believe that his parents' sacrifice kept M-5 from destroying the Fleet. It made a grieving child feel special." "Jim has that affect on many people," Spock replied softly. Areel Shaw raised up on her toes and kissed the Vulcan gently on his cheek; he allowed it. "Thank- you for being his friend, Spock. He talks about you all the time. I don't think he would've survived this long without you, and we all would've been the poorer for it. If I had had any sense, I would have married him, but I never, ever, knew what was good for me. Thank-you for sharing him with me." "He is not mine to share. I have no control over what he does or whom he chooses." "Then you haven't truly figured Jim out yet. If I went to him and told him I needed him to give me a thousand credits, he would just write the chit. But, if you asked him to die for you, he would slit his own throat. Who has more influence? That's a lot of power to have. Learn to appreciate it." "You understand him well, it seems." "I try to. I loved him, still do, in my own warped way, and I believe he loves me, but he wasn't what I needed. I wanted him to give up his career for me, and he needed the same thing from me. It was not something that was meant to be. Until we both find what we need, we ...help each other through the rough spots, without strings." "You honor me by your sharing," Spock gave the ritual response. She smiled gently. "Take care, Vulcan. I'm going to go see my friend and then I'm going to return to the fire-fight we have unleashed. Good thing Ambassador Sarek is here. He seems to make things happen when he's around." She entered the sick- bay. Spock's trip to the bridge was a whir of confusing emotions and battles for control. He had his friend and Captain back, but he still felt uneasy, lost. His T'hy'la's paramour was thanking him and his Father was warning him. He couldn't feel the tendril of awareness he had shared since the first year after he met his Captain. He felt abandoned and lost. Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 14/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. He stepped onto the bridge and fought down a momentary sense of disorientation. It was first shift and the Captain was supposed to be occupying the center chair. "Mr. Spock," Uhura's quiet voice at his side broke his reverie, "Can I speak to you?" "Concerning what, Lieutenant?" "I think I know who beat the Captain." He turned his full attention on her. "Speak." She looked uncharacteristically embarrassed. "Is there somewhere I can speak to you, in private?" "Come." He led her from the bridge to the closest small conference room. "Sit, Lt. Uhura. I would welcome any information you have that would lead to the perpetrators of this act." She looked down at her hands and slow tears began to fall from her eyes. She wiped at them angrily. "This is all my fault." Spock waited for her to continue. He willed himself to be patient. He considered Uhura's one weakness to be her propensity for crying. It was illogical and wasteful of water. She cleared her throat. "I'm sorry for the tears, Mr. Spock, but I cry when I'm mad and when I'm sad, and I'm both right now." She dried her face and took a calming breath. "A long time ago, the Captain and I met at a club and he walked me home. He was just a Lieutenant then and between assignments. I was hoping to be assigned to the Enterprise, but I was at Starfleet Command..." "I fail to see how this is related to..." "Please, Mr. Spock, let me finish. I had recently broken up with a young man by the name of Nuradeen Singh. He tried to beat me once and then continued to stalk me. I didn't report it because I was afraid if I had a pending case, the Enterprise would pass me over for assignment. Nuradeen was...frightening. He once told me that if he could not persuade me to marry him, he would kill me. I thought if I could avoid him until I left on the Enterprise, he would give up. I became a prisoner in my own home. I went nowhere but to Starfleet and back to my own apartment. I had Starfleet security block him at work and my apartment complex had full security also. I thought I could make it. I was wrong. Nuradeen decided to beat me on the way home from the club that night, but Jim was with me. Needless to say, Jim sent him away, forcefully. I never heard anything from the man again. I'm pretty sure Jim paid him another visit to make sure he never bothered me again, because I found out Nuradeen had been found unconscious in a dumpster before Jim shipped offworld." She took a breath and tried to gauge the impact of this tale on her First Officer. She felt dirty, and guilty. "I don't normally let other people fight my fights, but. . ."she shrugged," you know how Jim is; 'Blindly rushing in where angels fear to tread,' even then. Somewhere, deep inside of us, everyone wants a hero to come and rescue him or her. Jim was my hero, still is, I guess." She sat quietly. "I've grown up a lot since then." "Are you under the impression that this Nuradeen is behind the Captain's torture?" "Nuradeen used to send me one purple Bird of paradise all the time. When the Enterprise docked at Bracos, there was a purple Bird of Paradise waiting for me. Someone has sent me one every day since we've been here. "I just know it's Nuradeen. The flowers were coming in diplomatic pouches so I decided to look and see who in the Bracos government and the Embassy staff would have access to those pouches. The Director of Planetary Security is a man named Nuradeen Singh Tabiz. On Bracos, the man takes the surname of the wife if he marries into a more powerful family. I think this is the same man, but there is no picture of him in the Embassy data bank, so I can't be sure. I know Nuradeen is the type of man to hold a grudge. I also know he likes to beat people, especially when he has the upper hand." Spock leaned forward. "When was the last time you saw him?" "I haven't seen the man since Jim sent him away. That was nine years ago." "Do you have any pictures of him." "Actually, yes. I pulled up a data file on him a few years ago. We were going to his homeworld and I wanted to avoid him. He no longer lived there so I stopped worrying about him." "Send the information to my terminal." "Yes, Sir." Spock turned and looked at the wall. Uhura couldn't miss the tension in the usually calm man. "Mr. Spock, our relationship was over before Captain Kirk ever came aboard this ship. He has been a good and true friend. We decided early on that it was not a good idea to try to go back to old territory. I just wanted you to know that." "There is no requirement for you to explain your relationship with the Captain to me, Lt. Uhura. You are an adult and it is not my place to judge you." "I don't want you to think we have been hiding anything from you." "What I think is not relevant." "What you think about the Captain is the most relevant thing in the world to him, Mr. Spock. Jim is a wonderful person, but he's better when you're beside him. He's more balanced when you're around. Truth to tell, in some ways he was just as scary as Nuradeen in his younger days. He was never violent or anything, but he started to take over my life, and I was allowing him to do it. It scared me. I felt like I was losing myself to an unstoppable force. It's different for you. You're his hero and his friend. He tries to never disappoint you and to give you your own space. He didn't know how to do that, back then." "I am his First Officer. He is my commanding officer. We have merely learned to trust each other's judgment." "That's not what I'm saying and you know it." "Then I do not understand what you are saying, Lt. Uhura." She sighed and decided to change the subject. "I'm the one that left him, because I was afraid of how close we had gotten. He tends to overwhelm a person. It's not his fault; it's just part of who he is. I decided that a committed relationship with him would ruin my chances for advancement on my own merits. It was my choice and he has been a complete gentleman about it." She was trying so earnestly to convince him that she and the Captain were not involved in an illicit dalliance that Spock felt a need to reassure her. "I have known about the extent of your past relationship for some time, Lieutenant." Spock relented. "Who told you?" Uhura's voice betrayed her surprise; James Kirk never broke his word. "Captain Kirk honored your request. He has never spoken of it. My source was Dr. McCoy and your own advice freely given when I asked you about the nature of friendship." "Oh, right... the aftermath of the PSI virus was a little ugly." "I agree." "I guess I should never have thought it could remain a secret, even though we tried to be discreet. It's hard enough for a woman to get Command in Starfleet as it is. It would've been even harder if people thought Jim kept me here because I was one of his old flames." She straightened her shoulders. "I'm on the ship because I'm the best there is at what I do." "You excel at your functions, Lieutenant. Be assured that the Captain and I value you and your work." He fell silent for a moment, deep in thought. "I concur with your appraisal of the situation, Lt. Uhura. Nuradeen Singh does seem to be a likely culprit. Forgive me if I intrude, but are you and Mr. Sulu still enamored of each other?" "Yes, ever since the Shoreleave on Antares. Why do you ask, Mr. Spock? It doesn't interfere with our performance." "I meant no disrespect. This new information sheds further light on why this Singh would have been after Sulu and Jim." "I understand. I'm not ashamed. I made a really bad judgment call with Singh, and I got away from him as soon as I understood who he really was. Before I dated Nuradeen, I had never met a man who considered a woman to be chattel. That was the first and the last abusive relationship I ever participated in. Jim rescued me. I guess it set a pattern for both of us. He still runs to the rescue whenever I need him." Uhura sighed. "I feel like its all my fault. Jim, Sulu, and you were attacked because of me. Jim is lying in the sickbay because of me." "Would you have rather stayed with Singh and been beaten?" "Hell, no. Pardon my language, Sir." "Then you made the correct decision to leave the relationship. Jim assisting you is consistent with who he was and still is. No doubt Jim did something further to Singh to convince him to never return to harass you. Both of you acted in manners consistent with your personalities. There is nothing to feel guilty about, Nyota. Please do not blame yourself for a cruel man's acts." She bowed her head and wiped angrily at her eyes. "What are you going to do with this information, Mr. Spock?" He stood and straightened his shirt. "I intend to find one Nuradeen Singh, and question him. If he is the one who has done this to the Captain, then I intend to allow justice to be served." She watched as he left the room and for a millisecond, she felt a twinge of pity for Nuradeen Singh...a very brief twinge. Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 15/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. "Spock, I'm going to let him wake up. Do us both a favor and don't ask him too many questions right away." The Vulcan stood silently. McCoy injected Kirk. The hiss seemed very loud against the backdrop of the regular beep of the monitor. They stood and waited for the injection to work. While they were waiting Spock asked the question he had refused to ask earlier. "Was he raped?" "No, at least there are no signs of rectal trauma. Someone did shoot some current through his genitals though. I had to repair a lot of small hemorrhages from the results of that. I don't think there will be any functional damage, but I can't be sure. Whoever did this was an evil man." McCoy wiped his hands across his mouth. "I want to kill the man who did this, Spock. I want to make him hurt the same way he made Jim hurt, and that's not me. I'm having trouble dealing with the idea that anyone would do this to a sentient being. The worse part is: Jim was tortured and neither one of us was there to stop it." McCoy watched as the Vulcan's hands clinched. He knew how much force those hands could generate, and he was glad none of that force would be directed at him. McCoy leaned over and touched the Captain. "Jim, wake up Jimboy, you are home." "Did you give him a sufficient dose to awaken him?" "I know my profession, Spock. He should be waking up now." "Enough waiting, I must know now." He leaned forward and placed his hands at the meld position. "Spock," McCoy shouted, "Stop it. You failed once. Why think it will work now?" "I must know if he is intact, Doctor. If he is not, then he cannot command the ship; he cannot stay in Starfleet; he will not have the life he was meant to have. I must know so I may plan for his future. I am his First Officer. It is my duty to know." "I don't give a damn what rights you claim. I'm still the Chief Medical Officer on-board this ship. I'm telling you that you may not meld with him again. If you try to do so, Spock I will call security in and embarrass the hell out of both of us." McCoy moved to stand between Spock and Kirk. "There was nothing you could have done to save Jim. I should've kept my damn mouth shut a minute ago. Starfleet and our own Ambassador let him go to jail. Some unknown asshole planned it all to get Jim and Sulu. This is not your fault, Spock." Spock looked away. "I was with him. I should have been the one who went to jail. I should have protected him. It is my fault he has been beaten and tortured. If I had been a better shield, they would never have had him at their mercy." McCoy didn't know what to say. He had never seen Spock so racked with guilt. He reached out; the Vulcan jerked away as if McCoy's touch was deadly. "Spock, listen to me, this is not your fault. You might as well blame it on Uhura, or Sulu. This was a set-up designed to get Sulu and Jim. There was no way any of us could have anticipated something like this. This wasn't about Starfleet, Klingons, Orions, or Romulans. This was about an abusive man... an obsessive man, who couldn't stand to see one woman leave him and succeed. So he decided to destroy her, by destroying the people he knew she loved. If you let this destroy you, or Jim, he wins. Is that what you want? Do you want Tabiz to win?" "I do not desire anything beneficial for him." McCoy waved a hand at him. "Stand in line and welcome to your human half." "No, Doctor. My Vulcan half wishes to tear him limb from limb. My human half solely wishes to hurt him." "Spock..." the voice intruded on the conversation and pulled both of their attentions immediately back to its source. James Kirk was struggling up from unconsciousness. His eyes were still closed as he called for his friend. "Spock... Spock... where are you? Stop... stop dammit. Oh God, tell them to stop. Spock... tell them to stop." They both rushed over to the side of the Biobed. "Jim," the Vulcan's voice was soft, soothing, "I'm here. We brought you home. You're safe now." Kirk's eyes flew open. He gasped for breath and began to shake uncontrollably. "Spock... Spock... where are you? I can't hear you anymore. Where are you? I don't believe him. You didn't leave me here. You wouldn't leave me here. I don't believe it. I'll kill you Tabiz! I'll kill you for this!" Spock began to shake him gently, "Jim, I'm here, I'm right beside you. Look at me. Bones is standing here with me." "No, don't touch me. Don't touch me. Spock... Bones, I know you can hear me. I know you're still alive. Where are you?" The Vulcan's eyes widened in alarm. He turned to McCoy, "Why is he unable to see or hear me, Doctor?" "I don't know." McCoy turned and rang for help. Spock watched as McCoy brought in more equipment to evaluate the Captain. It seemed to take forever. Kirk continued to yell and fight against the restraints. Finally, after McCoy took more readings he motioned Spock over to the Biobed. McCoy pulled Kirk's hands up towards the Vulcan's face. Spock immediately understood and let Kirk feel the outline of his ears. That quieted Kirk immediately. "Spock?" The Vulcan shook his head up and down: yes. Kirk's voice was hoarse from hours of screaming and muffled from his fractured jaw. The human ignored the pain and smiled in Spock's direction. He outlined Spock's face with his hands: eyebrows, eyelashes, hair, lips, and ears again. Spock stood absolutely still. As Kirk finished, he pulled the Human's hands towards his left eyebrow and raised his eyebrow slowly. He was rewarded with a chuckle. Kirk placed his fingers against the Vulcan's temples, rested them there lightly, and then groaned. "I can't hear you." He whispered weakly. "I can't see you. I can't feel you in my head. What did that bastard do to me?" The Vulcan shook his head from side to side. "Where's Bones?" McCoy then pulled Jim's hands up to his own face and could see a smile forming through the bruises, swelling, and lacerations. "That's right, Jimboy, you know who all these lines and wrinkles belong to. You're home. We have you." "Bones?" McCoy nodded. "The Enterprise?" McCoy nodded yes, again. "Its fine then; I'll be okay. I'm home?" McCoy nodded again, but his eyes told a different story. "Stay here, Spock and let him touch your face. You can do anything to reassure him, except try to meld. If Singh used what I think he used, we may be in trouble. Now you definitely will not meld with him until I say so. Martinez! " McCoy waited for the assistant to enter. "Stay here and if Mr. Spock so much as touches the Captain's temples, call for security first, then me." He turned and left behind a stunned assistant and First Officer. Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 16/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. When McCoy returned, Spock was sitting on the edge of the bed tapping on Kirk's chest. Kirk laughed and began to beat a rhythm on Spock's chest. Spock obviously had not left the bedside. "What the hell are you doing?" McCoy asked. Spock beat another rhythm out on Kirk's chest. "Hey, Bones." Kirk's voice was muffled but calm as he greeted his friend. "How does he know I am here?" "Morse code," Spock replied and continued to tap on Kirk's chest. "You mean to tell me that you two are talking to each other?" "Since shortly after you left, Doctor. You said to reassure him." McCoy smiled but his fatigue shone through. "Tell him it is time for him to sleep and I'm going to give him a shot to put him out." Spock tapped the message out on Kirk's chest. "Okay, I'm pretty tired anyway." Kirk answered out loud. "Don't worry, Bones, I'll be okay." He tried to smile but the swelling marred it. McCoy dialed and delivered a dose of medication. It took only a few seconds for Kirk to fall off to sleep. Only when the human was fast asleep, did Spock's hand leave Kirk's chest. McCoy chose to ignore that. He had more important things to discuss. He pulled a chair up and slumped into it in exhaustion. "Bad news," McCoy hesitated. "Tell me, Doctor." "Singh used Thelamas Weed." McCoy waited for Spock to digest the news. "In high doses. It is a competitive inhibitor of sensory neurotransmitters and it is used as a form of punishment on Non-Federation worlds. It makes humanoids deaf, blind, without a sense of taste, and anosmic: no ability to smell. The only sensory neurons spared are proprioception, vibration, light touch, and temperature. Speech is motor, so they can still speak, walk and be visible evidence of their own punishment." "I am familiar with the theory, Doctor." "Indulge me, Spock. I have been racking my brain and reading everything I could get my hands on. Officially, there is no known agent to force it off of its binding sites. It is considered to be temporary, but a lot of people go insane or kill themselves because of the lack of stimuli. They are ostensibly locked in and there is no clear way for them to communicate effectively with the outside world because most have no experience with sensory deprivation, blindness or deafness. It wears off, but there is no way to predict when it will do so. In the meantime, Jim is deaf, blind, can't taste, or smell, and obviously your link is blocked. That means the meld will be ineffectual." "I sense a but, Doctor. I see no point to this recital of information unless you mean to offer hope. It would be unlike you to take so long to be the harbinger of only bad news." McCoy smiled a weary smile. "But...Starfleet Medical was so concerned about the drug, that they have been doing specific research on it. The drug has a few potential antidotes. You can induce the brain to recall especially strong memories. When it does that, taste, smell, sound, sight all accompany the memory. Memory research shows that packets of recall are housed in separate areas, but conduits exist between associated memories, and the parts that comprise the memory. There is no way to predict how effective that will be." "What is the other option, Doctor?" "We use synthistarol." "It is illegal." "It works." "It is potentially lethal and often causes pain in those who utilize it. The pain proceeds the pleasurable sensations; both are reputed to be extreme." "It works." "It is addictive. "Not after one use and it works." "100% of the time?" "Yes." "How does it work?" "It causes a massive release of endorphins, enkephalins, and all of the aminopeptides associated with memory. They, in essence, drive the Thelamas off the receptor." Spock sat silently. "I believe I can synthesize it in the labs. I can have it ready by tomorrow." "Spock, I said it is illegal. The whole lab staff would be busted to ensign if they allowed us to do that. Anyway, I have to put this on his official report, and if he is mysteriously cured on this ship, it will be obvious how we did it. You can't even amend the logs like you've done in the past." "Very well, I will have an agent of the clan procure a supply for me. Vulcan law does not acknowledge the restriction of any medicine that is required for therapeutic purposes. We will go to Vulcan. When will he be able to tolerate its administration?" "Probably in a week." "I must arrange for the ship to be allowed to travel to Vulcan. I believe Ambassador Sarek's shuttle will be available for us. Baring that, Jim and I will take a private shuttle." Spock moved towards the door. "Spock, what are you going to do to Tabiz?" "I shall leave him for Nogura. That will be sufficient punishment." Spock paused and looked back at McCoy. "No, correction, I will notify Jean of the particulars of what they did to him; no other call will be required." The door closed on McCoy's nodding agreement. Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 17/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. The light was off in Uhura's quarters. She was balled up in a fetal position on her bed. The sounds of soft sobs could be heard from the doorway. Sulu stood and listened quietly before he crossed over to join her in the bed. "Nyota, it's not your fault. They were after Jim and me. Singh is an animal. There was no way you could predict what he would do to Jim and there was no way for you to stop it. You have to stop beating yourself up. You know Jim would tell you the same thing." She shuddered and began to sob openly. "Penda, please sweetheart, don't cry." "Did you see him?" she moaned. "They almost beat Jim to death. Nuradeen did that just because of me. If I could get my hands on him, I would beat him to a pulp." Sulu turned her over to face him and hugged her tightly. "No, Penda, he did that because he's an animal and he didn't get his way a long time ago. He did that because he's stupid enough to think that women are second-class citizens. He did that because you're happy and he's not. He hurt Jim because he knew that would hurt you. Don't let him destroy us, Penda. Don't let him win." She took a long deep breath, and tried to calm herself. "Jim's never done anything but be my friend. He didn't deserve this, Hikaru. He protected me then and he was protecting you a few days ago. I should've transferred off the ship." "You wouldn't have met me on another ship... and you wouldn't have been with Jim. There is no better Captain to serve under and there are no better friends to have. Plus that, I'm the best helmsman lover you're ever going to find." He chuckled at his own joke. "Where would you have gone, Penda? Who would you have worked with that you enjoy half is much as you enjoy us? Face it, you're here for the duration. It's where you're supposed to be." He reached up and dried the tears from her eyes. "You know Jim doesn't blame you, so you shouldn't blame yourself." He reached down and gently put a finger below her chin and tipped her face up to look at him. "Please stop crying, or I'm going to start crying with you." A faint smile touched her face. "That's a little better. I'm going to go get you some dinner and we are going to eat in this cabin together. Then, you're going to sleep. I'll stay here with you all night. Tomorrow, Leonard will let us see the Captain, again. I want you to have your brave face on when you see him or else he'll worry about you. Now," he smiled, "do we have the coordinates and is the course locked in?" She nodded and hugged him tightly. "You are being such a dear about this. My dirty laundry has been tossed in your face. Someone tried to beat and humiliate you for sleeping with me, and you are making jokes and holding me. You are my best friend, Ru." "You are my best friend, too, Penda." Eventually, he pulled away and left to go get the food. Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 18/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. Spock beamed down to the Federation Embassy. The planetary police had no jurisdiction on Federation territory. He went straight to the Federation Ambassador's office. The Secretary immediately let him through. Sarek looked up as he crossed the plush carpet. "How is he?" "They beat him, they used some type of rod on him and then they injected him with Thelamas." Sarek closed his eyes, a Vulcan sign of a need to absorb and dissipate emotions. Spock waited patiently. He felt a twinge of guilt at the manner in which he had delivered the news. He would meditate on his continued ire at his father. Jim was right. He needed to let the anger go. Sarek finally looked up. "You have a call from Starfleet on fully encoded channels. You may take it in the inner office?" He sat and hit the button. Jean Little's face jumped into view. "Spock." "Ambassador Little." "This line is absolutely secure. We may speak more freely than our norm in the past. I heard you have rescued him and he has been tortured." "Yes." "Will he recover?" "I will not contemplate any other outcome." "What was done to him?" He told her. "How many men were dead in the room when you entered?" "Two." "When he woke up, did he sound like Jim?" "Yes." She let out a soft breath and wiped a hand across her eyes. "Thank God." She looked back up at him. "You need something else." "I plan to ask Ambassador Sarek for the use of his transport ship to take both of us back to Vulcan. Jim needs synthistarol and it is illegal for a Federation ship to synthesize it. " "The synthistarol will be there when you arrive" She leaned into the screen and asked him another question. "Who did this?" "Nuradeen Singh, the planetary chief of security. He is also the son-in-law of Sachdev Tabiz." "Where is he?" "He has escaped and the Bracos authorities have been unable to locate him." "Fine. I would like you to leave him for me, if you would be so kind." The predatory gleam in her eyes shone like a beacon. "You have until Jim and I return from Vulcan. After that, he belongs to us." Jean nodded. "Agreed, don't expect to find him when you return. I do not like anyone messing with my family." "Nor do I, Jean Little." The screen went blank. Spock crossed over to his Father's new desk. "I am ready to leave, Father. I request the use of your transport, with the full crew." "I will notify the crew to be ready for you." Spock left; Sarek leaned back and looked at the ceiling thoughtfully. Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 19/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. Spock walked down the Embassy's corridor. As he neared the transporter room, he felt a sharp impact in his back. He turned to see the smiling face of Nuradeen Singh holding a dart gun. The Vulcan could not resist his slow slide into oblivion. Spock awoke in complete darkness. He tried to raise his hands and felt the shackles that bound them to a hard surface. His legs were similarly bound. He could hear the sound of soft breathing. The faint smell of red blood tickled at his nostrils. "Well, you're definitely not going to be as fun as James Kirk, but beggars can't be choosy." "Singh, you will die for this." "Possibly, but not before you die, my dear Mr. Spock. You see, the only thing better than hurting Kirk, is hurting Kirk by hurting you. It seems I can't get anywhere near Nyota Uhura. So, I'll just have to make do with you." The lights came on and Spock reflexively closed his eyes tightly against the brightness. The room was nondescript. There were no windows. There was only one door. He was naked and strapped to a table in the middle of the chamber. "How do you like my private office?" Nuradeen waved an arm around him to emphasize his point. He leaned forward into Spock's face. "Only my closest friends are invited here. Allow me to introduce you to... Mr. Rod. Let's see if you handle it any better than your Captain did. His screams were very gratifying." He stroked Spock's chest lightly with the rod. Spock felt the pain trace across his body. He fought to isolate it and negate it. Screams escaped his lips, even as he fought to subdue his mind. "Pain is an illusion, it does not exist." "I forgot, Vulcans can block pain. As a touch telepaths, I bet your fingertips are exquisitely sensitive. Let's see if that's the case, shall we?" Spock felt flames burn through his mind as Nuradeen's Rod traced his nerve endings. He could not wall it off, he could not resist it. It bathed him in acid and ate at his nerve endings. He resisted and rebuilt his barriers brick by brick until the pain was walled off and distant. Nuradeen paused. "Do you wish to know what you can tell me to make me stop?" Spock remained silent. "Tell me how James Kirk killed my two guards. He said die and crushed their throats. He shouldn't have been able to stand up on his own, nonetheless, kill two healthy men. Tell me how he did that, and I'll let you die quickly." "I do not know what you are talking about, Singh." "I will require that information from you before I allow you to die. I have decided that your Captain is a fraud. That explains why he was able to defeat me 9 years ago. He isn't human. You will give me the proof and I will reveal the truth to his enemies. It will be the final stone to crush his soul, I think. Very elegant, don't you agree, Mr. Spock?" "He is Human." "You are lying, Vulcan and I thought Vulcans didn't lie." He clicked his tongue against his teeth. "You should be ashamed of yourself." He leaned against the table next to the Vulcan. "Tell me, and I promise to let you die a sane man." Spock didn't answer. "Commander Spock, you are going to have to last a little longer than I usually aim for. I require that bit of information from you before you go on to greater glory. I see this is going to be a long process, but we have plenty of time. No-one knows about this particular little hide- away, so we will be alone...until death do us part. I believe that's what they say on Earth." "Captain Kirk will find you Singh, and if I am dead, he will kill you." "Oh, surely not with his vaunted morality and the spirit of Federation justice looking over his shoulder. He wouldn't kill me for just killing an unemotional, half-breed, Vulcan, Science Officer, would he? Are you more than that to him? What is the story between you two? I had no intention of you being with him for his beating on Bracos, but it turns out you never allow him to travel alone. He never sets foot on a planet without you in tow. I checked it out, Vulcan. What are you two to each other?" Spock remained silent. "Are you a pervert, Spock? Are the rumors about you true? Are you are too much of a coward to command? Is that why you let yourself be commanded by a lowly human? Are you too stupid to take the power yourself? Why serve when you can rule, Vulcan? Maybe Kirk has some power over you. Is that it? He has some dirt on you and you have to do what he says." Spock said nothing. Singh shrugged. "Ah well, it doesn't matter. By the time I finish, you will tell me everything." He turned the Rod up a notch. "It's time to play, Spock. Let's see how you do." He held the Rod against Spock's temporal meld points and the pain lanced through his head like a phaser. Spock was surprised to hear himself scream. Spock mentally repeated his litany again and again until he retreated and choose oblivion. Singh continued to stroke the Rod along the Vulcan. At first, he elicited very satisfying screams and moans, then the Vulcan passed out. He pulled back in frustration. This was going to take longer than he had anticipated if the damn Vulcan was going to keep on passing out on him. He decided to lower the setting on the Rod. That way he could prolong the pleasure when his victim came to. He sat and looked at his captive. The Vulcan was formidable, even naked and unconscious. He got up and checked the restraints. They were secure. He suddenly realized he was tired and hungry. Food and a short nap would help him enjoy the events to come. They weren't going anywhere and no one knew about this particular retreat. After he finished with the Vulcan, he'd leave on his small flyer and disappear for a while. But, not before he gave Kirk the news. The one thing he regretted was that he wouldn't be able to see Kirk's face when he found the Vulcan's mutilated body. Scotty was sitting in the center seat when Ambassador Sarek called the ship. "Commander Scott, have you heard from Mr. Spock?" "No, Sir, he told us he was going to be with you. Isn't he there?" "He left my office but never arrived at the transporter room. I must conclude that he has been abducted from inside of the Embassy." Scotty jumped up. "We'll send security down there right away." "No, I already have the Embassy security working on it. I will beam up to your ship. Ambassador Sarek out." "Uhura, notify Starfleet that Mr. Spock has gone missing." He turned around and looked at the screen, "What the hell can go wrong next?" He then went to meet Ambassador Sarek. McCoy sat and watched the bio monitor above Kirk's bed. He seemed to be stable but there were some strange readings that he had never seen before. He had stopped all of his internal bleeding and begun the healing of both of his wrists. The rest would take time. He was not surprised when he heard the door open behind him. He had been expecting Spock to return at any moment. Vulcans believed that no one should be alone while they were healing. It had something to do with being a telepath and sensing people nearby. Spock swore it made the healing trance go faster with any Vulcan. The First Officer never let Jim be alone if he was sick. Damned, if it didn't seem to make Jim get better faster. It didn't matter. Whether it worked or not, Spock would be here. "Dr. McCoy," McCoy turned in surprise at the unexpected voice. "I need to speak with you." He jumped up and escorted Sarek into his private office. "What's going on?" Sarek took a seat. "I believe Nuradeen Singh has my Son. If that is so, he means to torture him and then kill him. He thinks, and rightly so, that killing Spock is the best way to get revenge against James. We have to stop him." McCoy grabbed his head in shock. "Damn, damn. There's nothing I can do. That asshole used Thelamas weed on Jim. He can't see, hear, or smell. I have no idea when it's going to wear off. Now, I know why he did this. Jim can't help Spock, but he'll live to know how Spock died. This bastard needs a killing in the worst way." McCoy sat down heavily. "What can we do?" "I want you to leave the Sickbay. When you come back, the Thelamas weed's effects will be gone." "You can do that?" Sarek nodded. "I think I can." "Here, somehow this got inadvertently synthesized as a by product of a failed experiment. It should make it easier for you to get Jim back." Sarek raised an eyebrow. "Is this synthistrol?" McCoy nodded. "I would imagine that this is the correct dose for a human of Kirk's size." McCoy nodded again. "It is fortunate for you, Doctor, that I was carrying some in a diplomatic pouch from Vulcan, where it is legal." "Damn fortunate." McCoy gave a lopsided grin. "Jim's my best friend and I love him. I even care deeply about your son. You have no idea how hard it is for a cantankerous bastard like me to say that. Do whatever you need to do and I'll change the medical log to explain it." "There will be no need for you to do that, Dr. McCoy. I will take care of that. I taught my son everything he knows about computers." McCoy escorted him to the bedside and left quietly. Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 20/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. Sarek looked down upon James Kirk. "My son has chosen you, Human, even though he has not yet come to terms with his choice. It is not permissible for him to die. You will save him, because that is what a T'hy'la does." There was no sign he had been heard. "I wonder if you comprehend what you are now involved in?" He sighed. "You are what he has always needed, Human. Even I understood his isolation, though I did not have the skills to heal him. What is it that pulls our family towards your world so inexorably? Your auras call to us, your coolness calms us. Your passions scorch our minds. My son is a fool if he thinks he can resist your flames. And you, you have no desire for a man. What will become of you both? Without a Bondmate, Spock will be lost. Without Spock, you will burn up in re-entry. You two were never meant to be alone. Having found each other, how will you return to a life of solitude?" Sarek administered the synthistarol. He waited and then reached down to touch Kirk's forehead. Kirk's eyes shot open. Sarek began to whisper. "My mind to your mind, my thoughts to your thoughts. Hear my voice, allow my entry." Kirk began to move restlessly. Sarek probed with all of his strength. He felt the meld points began to tingle. The drug was working. Kirk whispered. Sarek stated truthfully. A mindvoice whispered again, Sarek felt all resistance melt away. He dove in and pulled mentally as hard as he could. There was no time for subtlety. Kirk screamed and Sarek pulled. . until only the sound of harsh breathing filled the room. Outside, a doctor heard the screams, cried, and silently vowed to never let anyone into his own mind. Sarek came and stood beside McCoy. His shoulders drooped slightly, his only sign of fatigue. "You can go in now." McCoy rushed in. Kirk was sitting up in the Biobed holding his head in his hands. "Jim," he grabbed his shoulders. Kirk looked at him. "I hear you, Bones." McCoy felt dizzy. "How the hell... never mind, I don't want to know. How do you feel?" "Like hell. Where's Spock?" McCoy looked at Sarek who nodded, yes. "We think Nuradeen Singh has him." Kirk looked up with the coldest eyes McCoy had ever seen in his life. "Get me some clothes." "Jim, you're not ready to..." "Get me some clothes." "I think you should do as you are asked, Dr. McCoy." Sarek commented mildly. "This would not be a good time to be stubborn." McCoy took one look at the Ambassador and rushed to get the clothes. Kirk dressed in silence. Each move was obvious agony. "Call Scotty in here." McCoy did as he was ordered. Scotty was there in moments. "Captain, I thought you..." "Have Uhura find out where Sachdev Tabiz is. He'll know where Nuradeen Singh has his private little playpen. I heard his name mentioned while I was in the room with Nuradeen. I want to go talk to him, now." Kirk struggled to his feet. He almost passed out. McCoy grabbed his arm to keep him upright. "Jim, you're in no condition for this." "I don't have any choice. I know what Singh will do to Spock. I'm not going to let that happen." He walked slowly, painfully across the floor and out of the door. McCoy turned to Sarek, "Are you happy now? We're going to end up killing him one day." McCoy stalked away angrily. "If you only realized the truth," Sarek thought. Kirk beamed down to where the Federation had Sachdev Tabiz in custody. He wasted no time. "Tell me where Nuradeen Singh takes the people he wants to spend private time with and you know what I mean." "I have no idea what you are talking about, Captain Kirk. I am a member of one of the leading families of this world. I object to this illegal detention." Kirk moved forward and simply stared at Sachdev. Something in Kirk's eyes made Sachdev tremble. He tried to think of something to say, but he began to feel a crushing fear envelope him. He suddenly realized that Nuradeen had pushed this Human past any place where mercy lived. Kirk looked more heartless than Singh had ever looked. Singh got pleasure out of torture. It was entertainment for that fool. This man standing quietly in front of him, would kill him, without pleasure...and without hesitation. He would decide he needed to kill and he would do it. Tabiz felt a overwhelming need to talk. "I told him not to do this. I warned him this would happen. This is not our fault. This is all Nuradeen Singh's doing. All we signed on for was to embarrass you a little. I'll tell you everything you want to know if you promise not to prosecute our family for what he did to you." "You have my word that all of my wrath will be directed at Nuradeen Singh." His voice was so soft, Tabiz had to strain to hear him. Sachdev thanked all of his gods that he was not Nuradeen Singh. "Get me a map and I will show you all of the ones that I know about. I even know about some that he thinks the family was unaware of. I marked those, too, with the traps and alarms." Kirk left with a map and a purpose. Giotto had rounded up all of his security team, 36 men and women. They were waiting in the transporter room for Kirk when he beamed back up to the ship. They were fully armed and armored. Kirk walked up to him and silently handed him the map. "Find him, and when you find him come get me. I'll take care of the rest." Giotto was just fast enough to catch his Captain before he hit the ground. He carried him back to Sickbay and left him in the care of Dr. McCoy. He then went down to the planet's surface to find Nuradeen Singh. It took them 4.5 hours. Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 21/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. "Jim, Jim, Giotto's back." McCoy moved out of his line of sight. Giotto's calm face stared at him. "Captain, we located all the hidden facilities on the map. Only one has the type of shields meant to keep us from prying. Unfortunately for Singh, our technology is better. There's one Vulcan life form inside the building. He had several alarms and at least two fail safe mechanisms. We have disarmed everything and we're ready to go on your word." Kirk sat up slowly. Giotto handed him body armor and helped him put it on. McCoy stood in the background. He knew there was nothing he could say to prevent this. Kirk still looked like a mess. His wrists were only half healed and his face was a mass of bruises and swollen flesh. The newly sealed surgical scars, the results of McCoy's interventions, shone in the light of the sick-bay. He shouldn't be awake, not to mention walking. What Sarek had done...was impressive. McCoy ran the medical scanner over his Captain one last time. He knew it didn't matter what results he got, but at least he'd be able to anticipate which of Jim's body parts would fail first. This was all going to have to play out on the planet surface. "I'm going with you," McCoy declared. Kirk just nodded. They made their way to the transporter room and down to the surface. On Kirk's word, Giotto imploded the door. They flew through the debris and to the next door. They were through that one in seconds. They were just in time to see Singh rushing towards Spock with the rod held out and aimed straight toward Spock's head. Giotto fired first and hit Singh with a blast that knocked him from his feet. Kirk walked straight over to Spock. He was alive. Kirk didn't have to motion McCoy forward, Bones had already started moving towards the Vulcan. Kirk released Spock's restraints, turned, and moved towards Singh. He picked the man up by his shirt and dragged Singh towards the wall. The Starship Captain struggled to place Singh in his own cuffs. The redshirts stood and watched in silence. Giotto held them all back with a glance. This was not for him to stop. Kirk touched a spot on Singh's neck and he came awake with a scream. Kirk leaned forward and whispered in Nuradeen's ear. He felt a frisson of power flow through him. Kirk wanted to hurt him. He wanted to make Singh pay for bringing him to this point, for reminding him of Tarsus, for hurting Spock, for making him kill, for threatening Sulu, for making him scream, for trying to take away his friend. He had lost too much, Sam, Aurelan, Edith, the Excalibur, in too short a time. He would make Singh pay dearly for threatening Spock and he would enjoy it. Kirk's voice was soft ice, and Giotto shivered as he listened. He stood rooted to the spot and his men did the same. They would follow Giotto's lead and he had hand picked his squad. These were men and women who would never tell what happened in this room. These were men and women who understood the bond of Warriors. If Kirk wanted to kill this man, then, and only then, would Giotto stop him. Singh had threatened their very existence and he deserved to die. If his Captain needed to hurt Singh to make himself whole again, then Singh would be hurt. Giotto would figure out how to explain it later. Kirk was his Captain. Singh was trash. Kirk smiled and Singh began to sweat. "Fancy meeting you here. I missed you so much. Do you want to know how much I missed you, Nuradeen? I'm about to show you how much I missed you." "You won't hurt me. You're Starfleet, Kirk. There are laws against torture in Starfleet. You won't break your own laws." "Watch me." He rammed a fist into Nuradeen's groin. "You won't be needing these any more. I hope you won't mind my damaging them a little." He hit him again. "You like to torture people when they're tied up. Let's see if it feels as good to you when you're tied up." Kirk pulled back his fist and let loose a hard blow to Singh's face. Then he went to do it again. The impact of his fist on Singh's face was good. It more than made up for the pain in his wrists each time Kirk hit the man. He pulled back to hit him again. Something stopped him. He turned and Spock stood behind him. "No, you will not do this. You will not become him." Something ugly welled up in Kirk. Spock felt Kirk's energy surging under his fingertips. A pressure was building in Kirk, rising up out of hidden and always barriered depths. Jean's words came to Spock. "That which Jim fights is the destruction and chaos which lives in his soul. It lives in the soul of all humans, but in him, it is powerful beyond your understanding. It is who we were and will be again. It is who we are and can be. He must never let it free, ever. Do whatever you must to help him bind it, and keep it caged. Kirk yelled in Spock's face, "He tortured you. He was going to rape Uhura. He beat me and tried to sell me to the Orion's. He deserves to die. I'm going to kill him. Leave me alone, damn you." Kirk tried to pull his arm back, but Spock held him fast. "Leave me alone. Let me finish." "If you do this, I will leave the ship. If you become him, you will lose me." Kirk pulled back in shock. "You're bluffing. You wouldn't do that to save him." Spock held the newly healed wrist even tighter, then he let Kirk go and stood back. "I would do this to save you. Choose bloodshed and revenge, or justice. Who will you be James Kirk?" The only sound in the room was the low moans of Singh and the rasping breath of a wounded James Kirk. His face was still swollen and discolored from being beaten. His unruly lock of hair was no more. Sweat coated him and even blinking took too much energy. Spock knew that only Kirk's blitzkrieg phase still had him standing upright. This was a node, Spock realized, this was a point in time when Kirk decided who he was and who he would become. Jean had hinted at something like this once. She had told him "Stay near him, Anchor, to keep the beast at bay. He will listen to you, always. You can force his heart to calm and his mind to center. Then his decisions will come from the right place. He will know what to do." Spock saw glimmers of alternate realities where this man ruled the Federation with an iron hand, or destroyed it with a gloved one. Kirk blinked slowly and something about him changed. His expression softened and shoulders slumped. He turned slowly to face Singh. "You're not worth it," he rasped out between cracked lips. He turned back to Giotto. "Get him out of here. Take him to the Federation Embassy. I don't want to see him again." Giotto motioned two redshirts over. They put Singh in wrist and ankle shackles and led him away. Kirk swayed on his feet. McCoy and Spock caught him and lowered him before he hit the ground. He looked up at Spock in exhaustion. "I'm sorry I lost control." Spock's eyes smiled gently. "The cause was sufficient." "Are you..." "I am well, Jim. Singh had no understanding of how to torture a Vulcan. I imagine I was very frustrating for him. The rod was not an effective tool for me but he was too enamored of it to give it up. I simply distanced myself from the source of pain. It is fortunate you arrived when you did, however. He had decided to try another approach and I surmised that his next choice would have been far more effective." "Spock, don't go. I won't do that again. I..." "Shh, I will not leave. I am your anchor. I will not allow you to drift." "Jim, you're exhausted and this is as far as this horse will run." McCoy reached forward and Kirk felt a hiss. "Go to sleep." McCoy's soft voice lulled him away. "Everybody's safe. Rest. We'll get you home." Kirk closed his eyes and slept. Title: The Rod/ Draft Author: Istannor Series: TOS Part: 22/22 Rating: [PG 13] Codes: Violence, non-slash for the faint of heart, and pretty gen. Summary: This is a live experiment in NG beta/writing. The story should not be archived, because we have no idea what it will look like when we finish. The next day, Spock sat in his Biobed and read quietly. Kirk had slept for the last 26.5 hours. The door to the Sickbay hissed open and he turned to see Sarek enter. Sarek walked over to Kirk and ran his fingers across his meld points. He nodded in satisfaction. "He is doing much better. He is a formidable choice for a T'hy'la. I will register his status in the clan records. Does he speak Vulcan?" "He is fluent. He was prior to meeting me." "Indeed. That was not in his records. You Captain has many secrets. You must begin to train him in the rituals and clan expectations." "Indeed, as you wish," was his only response. Sarek sighed and started towards the door. "Father, Dr. McCoy told me what you did for Jim. You got rid of the Thelamas weed. You also must have accelerated his healing. There is no other logical explanation for his being able to walk so soon after his ordeal. I am in your debt." Sarek crossed back over to his son. "You still do not understand, do you? It is I who was in his debt. He saved my son's life and he is your T'hy'la. His death would have been wasteful. I also did not wish to see my son, and the finest First Officer in the fleet lose that which he values so highly. My actions were logical. "I am still your Father, Spock cha Sarek, clan Surak. I will be there whenever you require my aid, if you allow it. However, I suspect you know that, or you would not have proffered ash'cevzh to Ambassador Fareakjos. Our clan vengeance is thorough." Spock watched his Father's retreating back in silence. "Way to go Spock." McCoy entered the room. "How long have you been in the doorway, Doctor?" "Long enough." McCoy crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway. "Your Father is the reason you're alive right now. He fixed Jim up enough for you to get rescued. At least you could show a little gratitude." "Doctor, it is not your concern, but I did tell him I was in his debt." "Debt, schmedt. He reprogrammed the computers in sickbay to make it look like he brought the Thalamas weed instead of me. He melded with Jim and did some of your Vulcan healing magic. All because Jim is important to you, and if you can't see that, you are blinder than I thought. He loves you, Spock." Spock stared at McCoy in silence, laid back on the bed and closed his eyes. "Stubborn son of a ..." McCoy muttered as he left the room. Aftermath Spock read his journal at Kirk's bedside. Kirk had awakened briefly, after Sarek left. They had spoken, but Spock doubted his Captain would remember the conversation. James Kirk had been asleep for three days since then, definitely uncharacteristic. He usually roared back to consciousness. Singh's trial had already begun. The penalty for murder, kidnapping and torture on Bracos was decapitation. It was an archaic and savage form of punishment, but somehow fitting for an archaic and savage man. Singh had tried to defend himself by saying Kirk had killed the two prison guards. Fortunately no one believed the story, except those who knew the truth. Spock put his journal Padd down and looked at his T'hy'la. How had he killed the men with two broken wrists? Kirk probably didn't even know. He had no memory of the event and Spock knew from an earlier touch that Kirk truly did not remember. Nevertheless, the men were definitely dead. Their entire anterior larynxes had been crushed. It had been a painful way to die. Spock had put a call through to Jean and she had reassured him that Kirk had no control over what had happened. Singh had caused it. She also believed Kirk's inability to see Singh, because of the Thelamas root, was the only reason Singh had escaped the first time. Spock stared and wondered at his total loss of objectivity. He had meant what he said. He would do anything to make Kirk do the right thing. The fact that his presence meant enough to stop the Human's murderous rage was...strangely satisfying. Kirk began to stir. Spock started to put the PADD down. The monitors showed the human was waking up and a silent alarm was set off. McCoy rushed in, still in his bedclothes. He quickly appraised the situation and injected Kirk. "Jim," he called out softly, "You're in sickbay. You're doing a hell of a lot better. Spock's here, the ship's safe." He went around and sat on the other side of the Biobed. "Take some slow deep breaths, let the medicine work." Kirk sat straight up and began to moan loudly. His teeth were clinched and his hands were held rigidly at his sides. Kirk's eyes flew open. Suddenly, he reached out and grabbed McCoy around the neck and began to squeeze. McCoy tried to pull at the hands that held his throat, to no avail. Spock jumped from his bed and pulled at both of the thumbs pressing down on McCoy's throat as he pushed his Captain back down on the bed. Freed, McCoy fell back on the floor and coughing,gasping, and holding his bruised neck. Spock grabbed Kirk's shoulders and held him down. "Jim, Jim, you're safe, it's over, you're safe." He kept repeating the phrases over and over again. Kirk's eyes were completely unfocused. Spock continued to speak softly until Kirk's shaking began to subside a little. Kirk still seemed far away. "What did I do? Tell me I didn't kill him. Bones, Bones, Oh God, I'm sorry. Please, is he okay, Spock. I'm sorry, Bones, I'm sorry." McCoy got up slowly and went to grab his tricorder. He took some readings, grunted, and then coughed again. "Damn, Jim, that's the last time I'll try to wake you up with sweet words. I'm okay, thanks to the elf, here." Kirk shuddered and slowed his breathing. "I'm sorry. I don't know what made me do that. I killed Singh, I was killing him, I thought you were him. I would never hurt you, Bones." "Jesus, I know that, Jimboy." Spock shook Kirk gently. "Jim, you made the right choice. Singh is in custody. You didn't kill him." Kirk took a shuddering breath. "He hurt you. I wanted to kill him. I know I killed him. I dreamed I killed him and I enjoyed it." "I know you wanted to," McCoy answered. "But you didn't kill him. He's still alive, at least for the moment. His own father-in-law is testifying against him. They caught the Orions and the prostitution ring in the jail has been broken up. Lots of heads are rolling right now. Nogura has two Constitution Class ships here and Bracos is bending over backwards to make up. You did good, Jim. You did real good." Kirk finally relaxed back onto the Biobed. His grip on Spock's arm loosened. "Spock, did he...are you..." "I am fully recovered. It is you who require more rest." Spock stood up to go get a chair. "No, don't leave...please don't leave, Spock. I need both of you to talk to me. I need to hear sane voices. I keep hearing Singh. I keep seeing him coming towards me with that damn Rod." McCoy started to dial the hypo again, but stopped and put it down. "Tell us about it, Jim. We aren't going anywhere." They sat quietly while Kirk, with occasional help from McCoy, told them what had happened in the small room at the end of the corridor. When Kirk finished, McCoy reached up, grabbed his friend's shoulder, and shook it gently. Then he wiped the moisture from his own eyes. James Kirk's face was dry. "Jim, get some rest." "Okay." Kirk gave a small smile. "I feel alot better, Bones. Maybe you ought to try a career in psychiatry. At this rate, I'll be ready to be back on the Bridge by tomorrow." McCoy snorted, but he could see Kirk healing in front of his very eyes. "Not bloody likely. You both have been in enemy hands. You know the routine. You can't return to duty until you pass your Sigmond psych tests. So rest and I'll let you know when you get your jobs back." Kirk smiled again and closed his eyes. Maybe being an Anchor meant nothing more than listening to a friend, McCoy mused. "I am going to go get dressed and then I'll be back to work on those wrists some more. Spock is going to stay, aren't you, Spock?" The Vulcan nodded and McCoy left. The next day, the door hissed open and a voice called out. "Mr. Spock, is he awake?" It was Uhura. "Yes, Lt. Uhura." Spock looked at Kirk who smiled and nodded once. "Enter please." She came in and stared at her Captain and friend. His hair was cropped, his face was bruised and he still had a black eye. He looked exhausted. She felt her eyes began to mist over and fought her tears down ruthlessly. She was not going to embarrass them both in front of Spock. "Jim." She crossed over, leaned down, and kissed him gently on one of the few areas of his face that had no bruises. "Penda." His voice sounded raspy still. "I wanted to see you and let you know how sorry I am for everything that happened." "It wasn't your fault, Penda. Singh is a very sick man." He smiled slightly. "It's probably partially my fault, too. I shouldn't have beaten him up as badly as I did, back then. But, I was pretty mad at him for bothering you and then trying to jump me. I just reaped a little of what I sowed." She leaned down and placed her fingertips over his lips. "Stop, don't you ever blame yourself. You were my knight in golden armor 9 years ago, and nothing about this was your fault." He laughed. "How about we both agree to share the blame a little, but we put the lion's share on Singh?" "Deal." She smiled and kissed him again. "You are my hero, James Kirk." "You keep complimenting me, and I'll..." he stopped and looked uncomfortable. Uhura immediately understood the problem. "I told Mr. Spock the whole story. You won't be breaking your promise." Kirk relaxed immediately. "Good. If...you keep complimenting me, my head might get big and... I'm conceited enough, as it is." "You cleaned that up." She smiled and winked. "I tried really hard." His grin was relaxed. "I want you to make me a promise right now." "Go ahead," he answered warily. "I don't need you, or anybody else coming to my rescue anymore. I'm a big girl now, and if someone does me wrong in the future, I want you to step aside, so I can kick their butt, okay?" Kirk smiled. "I like protecting you, Penda." She smiled softly. "But it doesn't do either one of us any good, does it?" She stroked his face gently. "Promise me, now." He sighed. "I promise I won't protect you. . .unless you ask me to." "Sneaky Captain." They both laughed. She bent down and gave him a quick peck on the cheek. "I have to go. It's time for my shift. I'll be back and I'll sing for you and tell you stories." "I'd love that. We'd both love that, wouldn't we, Spock?" "I would find it to be esthetically pleasing." "See you later, Captain Jim." "See you later, Lt. Penda." She left and Kirk turned his smile on Spock. "I hated not being able to tell you about us." "I knew; McCoy told me." Kirk laughed. "I should've guessed Bones would've known. He is a regular Sherlock when it comes to my business." They sat in companionable silence for a while. "Spock, I killed somebody down there, didn't I? Sometimes I remember men dying and sometimes I don't." "Yes." "Who?" "The two prison guards who were assisting Singh." "All I can remember doing is thinking about dying. I vaguely recall someone screaming and then I passed out. Does Jean know I did that?" "Yes." He sighed. "It must be okay with her, then. Killing Singh would not have been okay. You were right to stop me." "I know." The Vulcan shifted his position slightly. "What I still find fascinating is that I could stop you." Kirk smiled. "Trust works both ways, you know. I have to trust you to want me to do the right thing. If I can't trust you, who can I trust?" He grabbed the Vulcan's arm again. "Spock, thank- you." Spock looked at his Captain. He felt light, filled with warmth, and all his earlier confusion was gone. "Jim, thanks are illogical." Kirk smiled again, and this time his whole face seemed to glow. "I know." The End