A/N: Hey, this is my first fan fiction in the Star Trek universe. I don't really know where I am taking this, I haven't planed anything beyond the first chapter XD. I apologise in advanced for any mistakes, they always find their way in no matter how many times I have checked. I will do my best to keep everyone in character and apologise if they seem OOC. This story is mainly based on my OC Skye but it will feature James/Spock. Constructive criticism is always welcome! Any warnings for a chapter will be listed in the A/N. Thoughts communicated through a mind link or a bond will be in bold italics.

Warnings: Includes Tarsus but nothing too graphic

For the World is Hollow

- Prologue -

"Hope in reality is the worst of all evils because it prolongs the torments of man" - Friedrich Nietzsche

Stardate: -90136.75

Location: Unknown

The Ship was gradually drifting through space, gliding past their burning world. The gentle hum of the engines had long ceased and now they were rendered immobile, with only their promise of assistance keeping them from slipping into the arms of panic. From where he was sitting, the Captain could see the weary glances from crewmembers as they awaited their next order. In the distance, he could hear the voices of his Chief Engineer repeating the damage report he had asked for yet again. There is nothing more we can do down here captain. What are your orders? Orders. Once he had many, now he had none. No words would come through no matter how hard he concentrated and those words he had were better left unsaid. I am sorry was not enough and it would never be. He straightened himself up; hands gripping his arm rests as he dismissed their worried glances. He had sat for so long that his muscles ached and his injuries screamed at him to sleep. He was exhausted and yet he could not sleep.

"Lieutenant, try hailing Starfleet again," he commanded finally breaking the uneasy stillness that had settled on the Bridge.

"Aye sir," came her swift response but she knew as well as he did that it was futile.

It was then that dread coursed through him when he realised that they would not be coming for them and it was only a matter of time before they came back to finish what they started. He returned his gaze back on on the distant stars around them but it bought him no solace. What they now knew could destroy everything. The deeper he got lost within his thoughts the more the numbness, he mistook for that head injury that he had received back on the planet's surface, was taking over. Then he sensed it, a slow prodding deep in the back of his mind, the beginning of an invasion. He clenched his jaws focusing, bringing up his mind shields. The all too familiar colour took over the viewing screen, blazing stars dancing around, sending hands shielding faces. The ship shook violently, the hull creaking as they charged towards the void. He saw them all around him fall one by one in agony as they held their heads. He shut his eyes. No. His crew – his family. The discomfort in his mind grew into a piercing sting when his shields began to cave in, bending unnaturally, as they begged - demanded entrance. He grunted in pain trying to force them out but he fell from his command chair, eyes opening as crimson blood pooled down his face. Around him, their faces twisted in anguish and he forced himself to look at them. Let us in. The voices were all around him and their high pitch noise increasing. I warned you not to dig deeper. They were deep in his mind, manipulating him, twisting his memories. It all flashed before him, a whole childhood growing up in Iowa, his smile and her love. It was all theirs now. The fire consumed him, everything that he was and everything that he would have been. Everything swirled into one. The ship gave one last almighty creak before it plunged forwards.

Somewhere in the distance, a baby was crying.

You're a fool.

449 mental screams erupted, each echoing of each other until they merged into one horrifying drone. He felt their agony as they projected outwards shattering the remainder of his shields. He tried to remember all of them, all the souls he had damned.

I wish we never met.

He shouldn't have made the order. He should have left it be.

I don't love you.

It was a mere matter of seconds before he felt a flash of pain followed by a bright light that engulfed him. His smile was all that he could see. George?

God forgive me.

I can't. I won't.

Then there was nothing.

And he ceased to exist.

-x-

Cassius:

"The fault, dear Brutus, is not in our stars,
But in ourselves, that we are underlings."

Julius Caesar (I, ii, 140-141)

Location: Tarsus IV

Stardate: -77611.12

The purple night sky stretched on for miles above them but tonight there would be no stars. Where they were was pitch black, there was no sound apart from the buzz of their emotions swirling in vivid and violent colours. She could no longer tell which belonged to who as he had completely destroyed her. Even though she wanted to pull away, her hand remained firmly intertwined with Jim's as his thoughts flooded though her, her shields useless. We're all going to die. I should have done more. Darkness. Hollowness. RAGE. Flinching she turned away. His thoughts and emotion blinding her. She was trying to keep herself focused on the regular sounds of his breathing to keep the horror, agony and dread away. The floor was cold underneath her and it did nothing to help the wounds littering her body. Shuffling caught her attention as she became aware of Thomas shaking again. She pulled him close to her side trying not to disturb Kevin who had finally fallen into a nightmare-ridden slumber. She too wanted to succumb to darkness as there was nothing left but she knew that she must fight for a little longer. Why? That was a question that seemed to have no meaning for there was no answer. She felt numb, as the screams, echoing off the walls did nothing to unsettle her. They were all too familiar, a torturous song that they had all heard repeatedly. Their red blinded her making her shudder. The others projected outwards for help that would not come and it reached her telepathic mind. Jim noticed as he looked at her and squeezed her hand.

You still there?

With immense strength, she pulled through to their bond and she blocked everything else.

Yeah.

I am sorry.

Jim-

This is the end of the end of the road Skye. I need you to know, I want you to know that I-

I know Jim. I know.

There was no need for any more words. It had all been said. The anger, pain and betrayal. Time was nothing in here. There was them and then there was him. He had destroyed them. No words would ever be enough. Not that she needed words. She had their thoughts and their emotions.

His grip was becoming weaker and she knew the cause was from the many broken bones and infested wounds all over his body. Jim leaned on her ever so slightly. She pulled Kevin closed to her and she felt his bones through his torn clothing.

"Skye?" Kevin croaked now conscious.

"Yeah?" she whispered for the first time in days, scared that she would wake Tommy.

For a long time, there was no reply and she waited feeling his radiating emotions swirling in colours of a blue. She sensed some words even though they did not touch Cold. Tired. Mummy. She was helpless and she would have cried but she no longer wanted to. Even if she did, there would be no point. There were no tears left to cry.

"Look at the stars" he whispered.

"Shhh," she whispered sending waves of calm through their contact.

She stroked Kevin's hair trying to calm him, the fever that had claimed Tommy was now claiming him. Skye looked at Jim tugging at his hand she could feel alertness though their familial bond. Both of them shifted their sore stiff bodies to the direction of the little slit in their cell. Kevin was right, little lights were dancing in the sky.

Skye look!

Jim they're not stars there ships.

Turning to face the window they waited as they came closer. There was no relief, no joy, only numbness. They filled the Sky like shooting stars stretching along the darkness. The colours of emotion overwhelmed her and the thought of those she touches plagued her. With her last remaining strength she blocked everything she could, even though it would not last. She reached for Jim.

James?

Yeah?

Hold me?

Always.

They had finally come. For her it was too late. Of her, there was nothing left.