Snippet 2 kkkkkkk

"Mmm...no," Kirk mumbled, one eye partially cracked open while the other still seemed to be trying to open. He licked his lips, grimacing. "...m' thirsty..."

McCoy's hand shot out to Rorek. "Water, Rorek. Right now."

"Yes, sir," Rorek said, giving him a look before smoothly handing the water over. "Don't spill it, now."

McCoy snatched it and quickly lifted Kirk and put the cup to his mouth. "Slowly now Jim...not too fast."

Kirk tried to drink slowly, but he took it all in great gulps so that some dribbled down the side of his mouth. He finished the whole glass in no time, and then took in a deep, shuddering breath. "...I feel like I've been rubbed on a 20th century cheese grater," he mumbled, grimacing in pain. "...hurts so bad..."

"Well it should," McCoy said under his breath, helping him to get more comfortable. "They beat you up pretty damn well, Jim. Can you feel your leg?"

"Yeah. It's burning, just like everything else," Kirk winced as his head made contact with the ground again, his left hand moving to seek blindly for McCoy's. "...least I'm alive, though..." he moved his head slightly, trying to look around. "...is Spock okay?"

McCoy nodded. "Don't you worry about him. We've got to keep you as healthy as possible until we can make it back to the ship."

"I wanna know how Spock is, Bones," Kirk insisted, closing his eyes and grimacing again. "...can't be healthy if he's dead. Seriously."

"He's fine," McCoy grouched, setting down his head again. "Is that comfortable?"

Suddenly the cell door opened and an Andorian stepped inside. "Rorek," he snapped, glaring at the human. "Come with me immediately."

Rorek cursed under his breath, setting aside the cloth he'd been using to brush at the lacerations on Spock's forehead. He discreetly squeezed the Vulcan's hand once, before standing up. "Again? You know we already tried all the transmission channels today."

"This is not about your precious Federation," The Andorian snapped. "MOVE!"

Rorek frowned. He glanced back at McCoy once, before looking back to the Andorians, and stepping out of the cell after them, not saying another word.

The Andorian wasted no time in pushing him down the hall. "There is a Federation ship that appeared and requested a rondevous. What do you know about this?!"

"Nothing. You have our communicators, and you've never left me alone with the transmitter once," Rorek said evenly, keeping his expression schooled, but firm. "What is the name of the ship?"

"The Kepler," The Andorian snapped, pushing him through to their version of a bridge. "I think you'll recognize the captain. Play the transmission!"

"Andorian ship this is Captain Kirk of the U.S.S. Keplar. We've received a transmission that you are holding hostages and wish to negotiate your terms. Please respond."

Rorek's eyebrows lifted slightly. He glanced over at the Andorians slowly. "I am unfamiliar with the name of the ship. The captain's name, however, sounds familiar. You didn't happen to get a first name on him, did you?"

The Andorian looked over to one of the communication officers. "What's the name of the captain of the ship?"

"Sam Kirk, Sir."

Rorek's eyebrows lifted further. He glanced at the transmission readings before glancing up again. "Well, I'm surprised you didn't figure it out already. That's Captain Jim Kirk's brother. His ship heard about the situation and came to see what was going on. Are you surprised?"

The Andorian clenched his teeth and pushed him forward. "You get him away from us! Telkot! On screen!"

The screen blipped, and the handsome face of the older Kirk brother appeared. "Andorian ship, this is Captain Sam C. Kirk of the U.S.S. Keblar. Please explain your presence here."

"Captain Kirk, this is Commander Rorek," Rorek spoke, his voice rehearsed - but also a bit more pointed as he looked at the viewscreen. "All is well, here, Captain. The Andorians are simply waiting to negotiate ransom terms with the Federation. Is that why they sent you?"

"The Federation did not send me Commander," Sam said from the screen. "I've been monitoring the Andorian activity for weeks. We have them right where we want them, and you would do well to tell them that holding them hostage any longer will only make it worse for them in the end. We have enough weaponry to destroy them many times over."

Rorek, keeping his face schooled, turned slowly to look at the Andorians, one eyebrow expertly raised.

The Andorian watched the screen for a moment longer before motioning for it to be cut off. He turned to Rorek. "What is his weakness?"

"With the Kirks, it's always hard to tell," Rorek said, lying mildly. "Obviously he knows that you've got his brother here, but other than that, I can't think of anything. I don't know Sam Kirk at all."