Within The Stars

Chapter 15

I stumbled into the cell as they locked the doors behind me, it wasn't clean like the ones on the ship, nor was it white. It was the opposite actually, rusty and dirty. My cell wasn't even a normal cell, it was a huge cage stuffed in a corner. It was as if I was some animal sent off to an auction in a black market. I chose a corner and sat down silently.

I tapped my nails against the bars and the cold echo floated through the room, the soldiers that were meant to keep an eye on me was sitting in the middle of the room, they were all playing cards and joking around with each other, having the time of their life, which I can't relate. If I don't get out fast enough, I won't be able to help the others. What good would I be if all I do is to get captured and only be a burden?

I have to get out of here first, then try to get an upper hand in this ship, something that could stall the ship and give everyone else some more time. I slowly breathed out before aiming at one of the bars with my left leg and kicked out, hoping it would give way.

"Hey! Keep it down!" One of the guards yelled without a glance in my direction

The bars were rusty, but they held. I growled quietly in frustration, the soldiers took all my weapons and I can see them near the door in a box. I don't have any other way to get out of here, nothing. My weapons are too far to get, my strength won't do either.

"This suck," I groaned as I pulled my legs towards my chest.

Suddenly alarms around me blared and red lights started flashing. Startled, the men all simultaneously jumped up and raced out of the room, not sparing me another glance. As soon as the door slid open and the soldiers rushed out, I quickly took a sniff of the air. I could recognize two familiar scents, Jim and Spock.

Realizing that I was now alone, I can try and find a way to get out of this cage. I turned to the lock and this time I used both of my legs and kicked the bar. It made a huge sound and I could feel the impact vibrate through my leg and up to my hips. I groaned as I waited for the pain to subside then looked at the lock.

To my surprise, it was actually a little bent. I just need the gap to be a bit bigger so my hand can fit through and rip off the lock. I tried kicking again but it didn't really do anything other than creaked a bit.

"Come on!" I snapped in frustration "I don't have time for this!"

Catching my breath, I looked at the floor. I had kicked the bar for more than 10 times and my leg was throbbing from the pain. That was when I remembered my markings. How can I be so stupid?!

I took a deep breath and concentrated in clearing my thoughts.

"Radia," I whispered and kicked the bar with all my might.

To my luck, the cage door didn't just make a hole big enough for my hand to fit through, it flew off the cage structure itself. It smashed to the floor with a huge bang, mixing the dust into the air. My heart was beating so fast that I felt like it was next to my ear.

"I'm out!" I laughed with glee "That actually worked."

I bolted from the room while snatching up my weapons on the way. As soon as the door opened, I was greeted with the foul smell of death. I couldn't breathe past the rusty scent of blood and gunpowder as I tried to find my way back to Captain Pike. There were tremors throughout the ship, but I was able to find my way back to where Captain Pike was detained. If I can get him out and find a way to contact the other two. It would make their life easier.

"Captain!" I yelled as I barged into the room

"Leona!" Captain Pike's eyes widen as his head turned towards me

"Let's get off this ship." I quickly ran forward to untie him

"No, get aw-,"

Captain Pike was cut off when I felt someone grabbed a fistful of my hair and pulled me back roughly. I let out a cry of pain trying to get the person's hand off, it only tightened in response. I glanced back at my attacker my scalp continues to catch on fire. It was one of Nero's men.

"Let me go!" I snapped as I used my bow and rammed it into his face, he crumpled to the floor with a groan.

"You bit- "

"Tsk," I gave him a blow to the face with my knee, "Never use such vulgar language towards a young lady."

I quickly turned around and started undoing Captain Pike's restraint, and in less than a few seconds I had him lean on me and we were out the door and back to my space shuttle. Before long, we were engaged by a lot more of Nero's man. I was able to take some of them out, but we were overpowered, we got stuck at an empty hallway while the barbarians just around the corner. I can only keep them off for a few more minutes before running out of ammunition.

"Leona! We won't last if this goes on," Captain Pike grabbed my arm.

"I know, so shut up and let me think!" I yanked my arm away to shoot a few more rounds before ducking away

"If you run out of ammunition, we'd be as good as dead."

"I said I know, so please just shut-" I snapped but Captain Pike suddenly grabbed my arm roughly and pulled me towards him

"You don't get it. What I am saying is that you should just get out of here."

"In case you somehow forgot, that is what got us into this situation."

"They need just one person as a hostage, they don't need two. Just get out of here."

"You-"I took in a deep breath "I came here because I wanted to save you and get you back, I didn't go through all the trouble and ignore pointy ears orders just so you can say that!"

"You didn't get permission from Spock to come here?" Captain Pike frowned

"I'm surprised you didn't point out the fact that I called him pointy ears." I let out a chuckle before realizing something

"Is it just me or did they stop shooting?" My ears twitched as they tried to pick up any sound of reloading ammunition but all I can hear was empty silence

"They definitely stopped shooting," Captain Pike nodded.

I poked my head around the corner hoping that no one would blow my head off. Nero's men were lying on the floor and the smell of burnt skin got my ears curling. A sudden movement at the end of the hallway got my attention, my eyes squinted unconsciously as I made out their appearance. My eyes widen as their head snapped so fast in my direction that I thought it would snap off.

"You!" They pointed at me with an extremely frustrated tone

I honestly just wished that Nero could have kept me in a sturdier cage.