The first thing Kirk noticed when he regained consciousness was the cold.

He sat up from where he was lying on the floor and looked around. He appeared to be in some kind of cell. Despite the dim light, he was able to make out the dark walls around him and a barred door straight ahead. He started suddenly as he remembered what had happened, but relaxed when he saw Spock lying on the floor next to him.

"Jim, you're awake, are you feeling alright?"

McCoy's voice came from the left. Turning, Kirk saw him leaning against the rough wall of the cell.

"I'm fine," Kirk answered, then returned his attention back to his first officer. "How's Spock?"

"He's weak and unconsciousness, but he's doing alright."

Kirk nodded and stared fondly at Spock. He almost reached out for his hand, but managed to stop himself at the last moment.

McCoy noticed the look and raised an eyebrow, but said nothing.

"Where are we?" Kirk asked after a few moments, turning back to the Doctor.

"I woke up in here a little while ago. We seem to be in the dungeons, and judging by the cold I'd say we're pretty far underground. They took our phasers and communicators as well."

Kirk nodded and stood up. He moved toward the door of the cell, but was stopped by McCoy's hand on his arm.

"Careful," he said, a warning look on his face.

Kirk nodded and continued to the bars. Looking out, he saw the same dim tunnel extending as far as he could see in either direction. Cells lined both sides, and several guards were standing along the corridor at regular intervals. They also wore all black; long, flowing, hooded cloaks that covered their faces in shadow. Although they were dressed similarly to the mysterious creature they'd met in the tunnel earlier, these guards were not as tall, and didn't command nearly the same sense of power and authority.

Kirk leaned farther toward the bars, craning his neck to try and see the end of the hallway. He was rewarded with a sharp hiss in his right ear. He whipped around to see one of the creatures standing right next to the cell. Odd; Kirk hadn't seen him approach.

The creature bared its pointed teeth and slunk out of view, disappearing with its warning. Rebellion is obviously discouraged around here, Kirk thought.

Suddenly, he heard a noise from the back of the cell. Kirk turned and noticed Spock was stirring. In less than a second he was on the ground next to him.

"Spock," he said softy, searching his eyes for some indication that he was okay. "Spock, are you alright?"

"Doctor McCoy's potion is acting like all his potions—turning my stomach. Other than that, I am quite well," Spock pointedly replied.

"If your blood were red instead of green, you wouldn't have an upset stomach," McCoy piped up from the other side of the cell.

"Just what do you think you were trying to do?" Kirk asked him accusingly.

"I surmised you were unaware of the trap on that door, so I–"

"Stepped in front and took the blast yourself," Kirk finished disapprovingly.

"I assure you, Captain, I had no intention of doing that. It was merely my own clumsiness which prevented me from moving out of the way," Spock explained.

"I see. Well next time, just yell. I can step out of the way as quickly as the next man," Kirk grudgingly told him, his voice hiding the true extent of his concern and relief.

"I shall do so," Spock replied.

"Trying to get yourself killed. Do you know how much Starfleet has invested in you?" Kirk muttered.

"122,200—"

"Never mind," Kirk interrupted. "But... thanks," he finally murmured, glad to see that the Vulcan did, in fact, appear to be alright.

Spock nodded slightly in acknowledgment, then turned his head to the side to try and see more of their surroundings. "How long have I been unconscious?" he asked.

"Only a few hours," McCoy answered from against the wall. "You've got several broken ribs, so don't try to get up." McCoy added this last part as he noticed Spock attempting to raise himself into a sitting position.

Spock hesitated, then complied with the Doctor's order. He continued to crane his neck in an attempt to search the cell for any possible escape routes.

"There's no way to get out of here without those shadow demons seeing us," McCoy informed him, referring to the guards outside their cell.

Spock nodded, then said, "I suggest we wait for a more opportune time to attempt an escape."

"I agree," Kirk joined in. "Whatever those creatures have in store for us, it can't be good."

Suddenly, they heard the screeching sound of a door being opened. Outside stood half a dozen of the cloaked guards. They seemed to have appeared out of nowhere. It was an uncanny ability.

"He will speak with you now," one of them announced. His voice seemed to slither its way into their ears, not unlike the sinister hiss of a snake about to strike.

The cloaked men parted themselves down the middle, revealing the same mysterious creature they had seen earlier. He stood in the dimmest light of the tunnel, in the half-shadows near the wall. When he spoke, his voice was rich and strong, in stark contrast to the guard's airy hiss.

"Hello, Captain Kirk. I trust you find the accommodations... satisfactory?"

"We'll manage," Kirk answered, face set.

"I'm sure you will," the creature said, a demonic edge to his voice.

"Our ship will come for us," Kirk informed him.

"They won't rest until we've been rescued."

"Indeed, Captain. And when they do come, you're going to order your men to serve me as the new captain of the Enterprise."

Kirk narrowed his eyes.

"You must know that's impossible. Starfleet regulations—"

"Can be circumvented, I'm sure," Asmodeus interrupted him. "I've been monitoring your communications," he announced. "In the end, the only person that I really need to obey me is you. By ordering your people to serve me, your precious regulations will force them to do whatever I may wish," he continued.

"You see, long ago there were others of my kind. We used to rule the galaxy, building an empire that would put even the stars to shame. Once I stretched out my hand, and Earth trembled. Search your most distant memories, those of the thousands of years past, and I am there. Your fathers knew me, and your father's fathers. I am Asmodeus. My people's creations spanned all across the known universe but this planet here—this was our home. We had beautiful cities reaching from the shining crystal mountains of the north to the deep underwater palaces in the south. We used to rule—together—but they were arrogant, idiotic fools. They deemed my people and I to be 'too violent for coexistence.' So they destroyed virtually everything on the surface and left us here to suffer, isolated and alone, until you came along with your lovely starship. My kind have been trapped upon this worthless piece of rock for far too long, Captain. It is time we ascend to the sky to take our rightful place among the stars."

"Do you really believe I could be made to order my own people to accept your command?" Kirk asked him calmly.

"I believe this, Captain. That you would do almost anything rather than see these two dear friends put slowly to death," Asmodeus replied, his voice nauseatingly soft and sweet.

The creature suddenly drew its arm away from its body and extended a hand out to Kirk. In it was one of their communicators.

"Take it, Captain Kirk. Now do save us all a lot of unnecessary trouble and issue the appropriate orders," he purred.

Kirk stared at him for a long moment. Finally, he reached out a hand and took the device.

"Jim," McCoy said warningly.

Kirk paused for a moment, then flipped the communicator open. "Kirk to Enterprise."

"Bridge. Scott here," came the engineer's voice. "We were becoming concerned, Captain. You were a bit overdue."

Kirk paused again. A low hissing sound came from Asmodeus' direction. Finally, Kirk said, "Condition Green, all's well. Kirk out." He immediately flipped the communicator closed.

"Guards, take them," Asmodeus announced, the malicious pleasure clear in his voice. "Let's start with the Vulcan."

Kirk narrowed his eyes angrily, moving to stand in between Spock and the creatures.

The first one that entered the cell tried to grab his arms, but Kirk swayed out of the way and landed a strong jab to its face. While he was preoccupied, the second guard stepped in and punched him in the stomach. Kirk gasped, then suddenly felt an iron grip on his wrist. The third guard then twisted his arm and hurled Kirk into the wall with surprising force, driving the last of the air from his lungs.

When he was finally able to sit up, he saw McCoy on the ground a few feet away. The Doctor groaned and raised his head, a large welt forming on his left temple.

They both turned, Kirk already up and racing to the now-locked door of the cell. He looked down the corridor and felt his heart sink as he saw Spock being dragged along behind one of the guards, unconscious again.

"Spock!!" he yelled down the hall at the top of his voice.

But it did no good; Kirk was powerless to stop them from taking Spock away—off down the endless, shadowy hallway toward the unknown tortures that awaited him.