The storm ended. The howling wind fading into nothing more than a low moan. The ash began to settle. Captain Kirk and his small crew headed back out into the wasteland, making their way towards the Black City. Behind the thick blanket of swirling dark clouds, the white sun was beginning its slow descent below the horizon.

"What will we do when we reach Black City?" Jaylah asked Kirk as they walked.  

"Find Spock and the rest of the crew. Then we can try and then get in contact with the ship," He told her.

"How you find them?" Jaylah asked.

"I'll think of something when we get there."

Jaylah gestured towards the distance. "Dara said it is death place. It is very dangerous."

"That never stopped me before," Kirk said with a cocky grin.

"You are good captain," Jaylah told him, her streaked amber eyes carefully watching his. "You would do anything for your crew."

"Yeah, it's kind of in the job description," he joked halfheartedly, grinning a little but the grin quickly faded. He felt exhausted and it wasn't just from the events of the past few days, it was more than that. So much more.

"No," Jaylah told him. "You are different. You would break any rule to save them. You are not a good captain only. You are also good man," She told him, hesitating for a moment as she tried to find the right words to use. "I am...proud to have you my captain," She said, choosing her words carefully.

Captain Kirk turned and stared into her eyes, watching as her streaked amber eyes gazed into the distance. He began to realize just how beautiful she was. Not only that, but she was also someone who was brave and completely selfless in every way. She had helped them on Altamid, giving up her home to help a group of strangers she didn't even know. She gave up years of her life to accompany them on their mission.

He was about to tell her something when suddenly Dara shrieked behind them. Kirk and Jaylah turned to see her pointing a long clawed finger in the distance.

"Sidian! Obsidarian m-en come!" She exclaimed.

Kirk and Jaylah saw the long line of vehicles heading in their direction.

"Do-own! Hi-d!" Dara said. They all dropped to the ground behind a small hill of windblown ash. The vehicles grumbled as they rushed passed them.

"Obsed arch Glishk," Dara moaned under breath.

The caravan passed them without slowing. Kirk realized they were heading in the direction they had just come from. Most likely they were going after the slaves that had escaped from the mine.

"Is there any we stop them?" Jaylah asked, also realizing where they were headed.

Kirk shook his head. "No. We're outnumbered," He said, listening to the vehicles. We go to the city. If they're leaving, that means there's less guarding it," He reasoned, hoping he was right. If he wasn't, he didn't know what he would do. Of course, he would think of a plan, eventually. He always did.

"Artay darak," Dara mumbled, holding Idi close to her. "Re-each sid-ee sue-oon."

The small crew waited until the caravan was far out of sight before continuing on their way through the wasteland.

There was nothing but the stark grey ground stretching on for miles upon miles. Soon, out the ash covered horizon, many tall buildings that reached high into the sky. Low foothills of jagged black stone surrounded the tall walls of the city. There was no cover or way in which they could approach the city stealthily. Nightfall was still several hours away. Several hours that they might not have.

The large walls grew taller and taller, the smooth black surfaces looming high above them. A small town of perfectly rectangular buildings sat just outside the gates. A pale grey concrete road began to rise out of the ash covered ground, leading the ominous black city that laid in depthless pools of shadow.