AN: Disclaimer - I do not own any of the characters in this fanfiction, I only borrow them. No copyright infringement intended.
A word from the author to follow chapter. Enjoy. :)
Chapter 1 - The Old Hiding Places Remain The Best
Her hands were clammy and her shoes were gratingly loud as she paced restlessly in front of the courtroom doors. She kept telling herself she should not be nervous; she was an augment, a being superior in every way to each and every person on the other side. They couldn't deny her intellect, her thorough research, her unmatched experience on the matter. But they didn't know that. And for all her superiority, her life, and the lives of her 72 brothers and sisters entrusted to her, was soon to be completely in the hands of a bunch of inferior, ignorant humans, with seemingly every reason to be distrustful and hateful of her kind; from events both past and present.
It was her job to change that. Or at least that was the task she had set herself, she could only hope it was in sync with her prince's plans. Lord Khan's instructions had been vague and rushed, as that was all their situations could allow. She was the cavalry, a backup to his own complex schemes, should anything go wrong; and it was quite clear things had, in the most spectacular and disastrous fashion. His actions had branded him such a dangerous individual that rather than being simply imprisoned pending trial, he had been sent back to cryogenic sleep once more, and as such couldn't advise her on their next steps.
Part of her wanted to believe it was his faith in her own initiative and ability to fix this that allowed his extreme behaviour, but augments weren't in the habit of lying to themselves; it was an inferior trait. In reality she doubted he'd thought of her at all during his catastrophic return to earth. She had read the reports and knew of the cruel trick played on him by the crew of the Enterprise, she could imagine perfectly well the strength of his grief and his rage as his future crumbled before him. She had little doubt he hadn't planned on surviving the ship's crash, or the retribution of the vengeful Vulcan. He hadn't intended for her to have such a daunting job ahead of her defending her fellow augments because he hadn't believed there would be any survivors left to defend. And yet there were, every single one of them was safe, sleeping on in their cryogenic tubes. She could not fail them, or their prince now.
18 months earlier
Consciousness returned with a trickle of warmth through her veins, from her chest out towards her fingers and toes. One of the first essential functions of her body made itself known in the form of the large involuntary gasp for oxygen she took to fill her empty lungs. Years of battle-trained instincts rose to the front of her mind, and she snapped open her eyes as soon as she was able, trying to take stock of her environment. Outside of the view-window of her pod was dark save for the slightly blue artificial glow she assumed came from the other pods. Her own continued its awakening process, and there was a slight hiss as the hermetic seal was released and the lid started to slide down. Immediately she heard two things that put her on high alert. The first was the lack of the engine humming that told her they were no longer aboard the SS Botany Bay. The second was far more pressing; an alarmed female cry from her right and unholstering of a weapon.
"What the-"
The shout was cut off with a thud, a cry, the sound of some kind of weapon being fired, and the far heavier whump of a body hitting the floor. In one lithe move she leapt out of her pod and into a fighting stance as she searched for the attacker. She soon realised she had nothing to fear however, as she saw and recognised the room's only other occupant.
"Khan, my Lord." She dropped her fighting stance, instead bowing her head to her prince.
"Kati." He acknowledged with a nod. The name rang through her with an odd dissonance, the feeling that she had not heard that name in a long time, and yet had heard it as though yesterday. She knew it was simply the lingering effects of waking from cryosleep, and shook the feeling off as he continued speaking. "We have little time. Get undressed, you will switch clothes with this one and she will take your place in the pod."
Immediately Kati complied with his order, feeling no self-consciousness in removing her clothes in front of him, as he laid down the weapon and started removing those of the unconscious woman. Once changed, she helped lift the body into the pod and stood by as he reactivated it. Finally he passed her the phaser to holster it. Before she did, she looked it over: the curving design and technology itself were unfamiliar to her, prompting her to wonder how long she had been asleep.
"It's only set to stun. You shouldn't need to use it." Was his only explanation. He looked about the room, and then over her apparel, before giving a nod of satisfaction and heading for the door of the room. "You are my security escort, keep close behind me and pay no heed to anyone else unless directly addressed until we get to my rooms."
Without awaiting any answer he set off, and she fell in behind him as she always had. As familiar as the action felt however, their surroundings were far from familiar. Keeping her eyes forward on Khan's back, she used her periphery vision to take in as much as she could as they marched down white washed corridors, past laboratory doors, through grey and greasy engineering pits, full of sleek machines unlike any she had ever seen. This was clearly some kind of military complex devoted to scientific research, but it wasn't like any she'd ever been in before, and like all augments, she had spent far too much time in such a facility. Sliding doors hid most of its secrets, but one of the most immediate noticeable differences were in the people themselves, some of whom clearly were not human. Whether they simply augmented to a greater degree than herself and her companion, or completely alien she was unsure, though the later seemed more likely as she beheld a woman with huge eyes set in a smaller, more angular head, walking by. Moments later, a pale, bald man, almost a foot taller than even her companion overtook them and turned away into one of the rooms they passed, supplementing her theory.
They took an elevator up to a more deserted floor, which she assumed were the living quarters. Khan led the way down two more gleaming corridors, before stopping outside one of doors and inputting a code into a panel to the side of it. If it wasn't for her superhuman hearing she probably would have missed his low muttered words as he did so.
"Remain by the door until the next guard comes by to relieve you. Then take the next left and two doors down you will find an unlocked cupboard with a maintenance hatch in the back. Follow the shafts back to these rooms. I already took the liberty of sweeping them for surveillance bugs this morning, but should you find anything else, do bring it along for my inspection."
Into the room he disappeared, and she took up her position guarding the door. The wait gave her a much needed chance to process all she had seen so far. Two things were clear: The first was that their attempt to escape earth on the SS Botany Bay had somehow failed. The cryosleep was supposed to last only a year, enough time for the shuttle to reach deep space, when they would awake and start their search for a new world. So either their shuttle was captured, or had malfunctioned somehow, as even without stepping outside she was sure deep in her bones that this was earth, but that many years had passed, not just one. Was it decades, or centuries? She couldn't tell, but she felt it was important.
The other was that Khan Noonien Singh was not a free man on this brave new world. The guard she played had not been one of his own, rather one set on him. It made her anxious to think that anyone could hold power over the Warlord she knew, but this well-planned rescue of her from her pod reassured her that he had a plan, and surely they would all be free soon enough. It went without saying that she would do everything he needed from her in execution of this plan.
The next guard arrived, giving her a nod but saying nothing. Nodding back, she moved aside for him to take her place, then walked away without looking back, in the direction Khan had told her. She found the cupboard as he described it, with the maintenance hatch askew, allowing her to move it aside. Peering in, she found only a narrow duct, around a meter squared, running straight up before branching out above, presumably to all the rooms. It was a squeeze to get in and crouch down to pull the hatch back into place, but she was flexible enough. The hatch however seemed to firmly seal itself as she pulled it into position, some kind of electromagnetic sealing system she supposed, but for her it meant no turning back.
It was no problem at all for her to jump straight up the duct above her, grasp the ledge and pull herself up into the right duct. Up here, a strong air current rushed past, as the ventilation systems did their job, though her ears couldn't detect the soft whump-whump of a fan coming from anywhere. She crawled along in the same direction of the current, passing over vents and catching glimpses of the rooms below: same sterile white decor, same soft lighting coming from wall panel lights, the only differences lay in the occupants. Yet despite their varied appearances, something human still remained in the forms of leisure they sought in their down time: each room boasted plenty of screens, on the walls and on tablet computers. One room even had some sort of chess set, though it seemed a new third dimension had been added to the game via platforms. But she would have known Khan's room when she saw it, even if her internal compass didn't tell her it was so. The white tiled floor had been mostly covered by a large, red-hued, Persian rug; a comfort he had acquired a taste for during their time ruling over a large portion of the eastern continents. As well as this, a large portion of the wall was covered by a large shelving unit, completely filled with books, looking old and worn, but cared for none-the-less. She could see Khan himself lounging on the sofa, which was facing away from her, though even in repose he always looked alert, ready to leap into action in a split-second. He didn't look up, but she suspected he knew she was there, and was simply waiting for her to enter.
Kati reached out to try and push the panel, but her hand hesitated centimetres from it. There was a node on the edge of it which hadn't been on the other vents. Her hand went to this instead, wrapping her fingers completely around it to obscure any kind of camera, and with little strength broke it away. Keeping it wrapped tightly in one hand, she used the other to push on the vent in an attempt to open it. But like the other end, it was sealed tight somehow, and it resisted, though she pushed as hard as she dared without breaking it. Taking her hand away to approach it differently, she noticed the tiniest bit of give as she released it. That was all she needed to tell her what she needed to do. She slid her fingers through the gaps in the vents and, getting enough of a grip, pulled it inwards just slightly, then released it, and the whole panel fell. Before it could clatter to the ground however, Khan had already whipped around, his arm sticking over he back of the sofa to catch it. Getting up, he laid the detached panel on the coffee table and walked around the sofa, coming to a stop before Kati as she dropped down and looking at her expectantly.
Without a word Kati held out the hand still wrapped around the device she found in the vent. He took it from her, both careful not to uncover it, and with the slightest flex of his muscles he crushed it in his hand. Only then did a smile break out on his face.
"Well done." He commended, before walking away and opening a hatch in what she had to assume was the kitchen of the small apartment. Dropping the mangled device inside he continued, "It seems they wasted no time is restoring their surveillance on me though, we should make this brief. Tell me what you have gathered about our situation." He opened another which appeared to be a simple cupboard - or perhaps refrigerator, it was hard to tell - and drew out a bottle of water which he threw to her.
Kati opened the bottle and took a sip before answering, relishing the taste of water far more than she expected, remembering that she had been so long without.
"We are on earth still. A long time has passed since we tried to leave. You're being held captive by … someone." She succinctly summarised her suspicions.
"306 years, to be precise, have passed since our attempt to escape this planet. Our systems malfunctioned, all emergency backup power was rerouted to the pods and we were left to float in space for centuries, until we were discovered and brought back here by an organisation known as Starfleet." Khan explained, taking his seat one more on the sofa and directing Kati with his eyes to a nearby armchair.
"And they made you a prisoner?"
"Not the organisation as a whole, for the most part they are unaware of my presence. Just the one man, though he is an Admiral with them, and therefore holds much power. He wouldn't call me a prisoner though, more a reluctant ally. I have a measure of freedom, and comforts." He waved a hand at his surroundings, "So long as I play by his rules and help him in his goals."
"And his goals are?" Kati asked with some trepidation.
"War." Khan announced darkly, "On a scale this planet hasn't seen in… well, 300 years. That's why he needs me, or my mind rather."
His displeasure was palpable, and echoed in Kati's own thoughts. Despite what many believed, Khan and those who followed him took no pleasure in war, on the contrary, they longed for peace. They were brilliant warriors by design, but they fought to eradicate it. Not all of the Augments had felt the same; the circumstances they had been raised under, the training drilled into them had had a polarising effect on their kind. But those who survived the Eugenics wars, who had followed Khan aboard the Botany Bay had believed wholeheartedly in the calm after the storm. She knew it must rankle her Prince to be asked to help create that which he hated.
"And if you don't?" She had to ask, to know what they were up against.
"I was allowed to see the pods today as a reward for 3 months good behaviour. They are on site for 24 hours and then will be once more removed from my reach." His fists slowly flexed and clenched on his knees, a controlled reaction she knew. "If I do not comply with Marcus's wishes, he has made it clear our family will pay with their lives. I took a huge risk freeing you. But I think, we shall be safe. The extreme secrecy of this sector of Starfleet has it's uses; no one will be asking what happened to the guard whom we froze in your place." A sinisterly satisfied smile crept up his face.
"You have a plan to extract the rest? You cannot intend to bring us back one by one, the increased odds of detection-"
"Make it impossible to save them all." He finished for her. "I am aware, and I will not take that risk. Besides, it would be too slow. I have another plan, though it will take some time, but it will return all our people to us. Until then, we are on our own."
Kati had suspected that was the case, and showed no outward sign of surprise, though internally she marvelled that he had chosen to wake her, of all the others. She had no doubt she was chosen; it was not like Khan to chose anything at random, and she bore no closer resemblance to the guard than several other of the female augments, and the guard who had relieved her could have been a fitting replacement for some of the males. Joaquin had always been Khan's right hand man, and so she could only conclude that if he was still asleep, and she was here, that Khan must have some very specific purpose in mind for her.
"What do you need me to do?" She asked in full preparedness to follow to the letter.
"What we neglected to do in our last lifetime." Khan answered cryptically. He eased up from the chair, pacing the rug as he explained. "Our people are perfect warriors, we fought well in the eugenic wars, and we came out victorious. But we were not prepared for what the humans had in store for us afterwards, their so called 'justice.' They called us criminals, for all we had done for them." His teeth were gritted with the emotion of it, and his fists tight. Even after 3 months in this new world it still festered in him, but for Kati the sting was still fresh, it being but days ago to her mind.
They hadn't even had time to wash off the blood and sweat from their final skirmish against those those once called brothers. Returning triumphant to their keep, the humans had been waiting for them - The humans they had bled to save! The were surrounded, the numbers against them far to great for even their strength, and told that they were to be tried as criminals, and if they came quietly it would be better for them. The betrayal burned hot and sour in her gut, singing in her blood for a violent answer, despite the overwhelming odds. She knew her brothers and sisters felt the same, she could feel it in the air, they all but waited on their lords answer, as the humans waited on theirs.
She still remembered the look in Khan's eyes as they met hers, met each and every one of theirs, weighing up the matter. He turned away, signalling them to hold their position as he stepped forward, causing the humans to ripple back in fear. Then came the shock like a bucket of ice-water quenching the fire, as he presented his hands to them to be cuffed, keeping his princely manner all the while. One look from him had the rest of them surrendering too, and they were led away, locked away in their own keep pending the trial. That night they were all silent and morose, but she had seen Khan staring out the window away at the stars, and could swear she saw hope in his eyes.
The trial was a farce. They stood lined up and bound, not given a chance to defend themselves as they were condemned simply for being alive, after human augmentation experimentation had been outlawed, as if they had had any say in the manner of their creation. They were accused of attempted genocide, and every action, every hard decision they had made in war was ripped apart in search of evidence against them. Despite their promise of leniency, the human hadn't hesitated to condemn each and every one of them to death, for their supposed crimes.
It was then, at the announcement of their sentence, that Khan said 'No'. He needn't say any more, as at his word his augmented brothers and sisters rose up around him, breaking their bonds and fighting their way to freedom. There had been far less resistance than the previous day, but they still lost 5 good people in their escape, though each loss served to spur them on more. Finally they broke away, and then they ran, fast and hard to throw off any pursuit. Khan lead them to the facility housing the experimental deep-space vessel, the SS Botany Bay, complete with 80 cryopods. They met no resistance as they commandeered it, and made their escape off planet.
And now here they were, 300 years in what felt like the blink of an eye, and they were once again prisoners, and pawns in the humans' endless wars. So Kati didn't need reminding what the humans and their 'justice' had done to them; it still burned in her blood. But like everything he did, Khan had a purpose in bringing it up, and he got around to it now, stopping his pacing to stand before her, pulling all her focus upon him.
"Times have moved on, and though Marcus may wish for war, the rest of the planet - or federation of planets as it has become - lean far more heavily than ever upon diplomacy to accomplish their purposes. This is what we must have a defence prepared for. The creation of augmented beings is still prohibited, but perhaps in this age they will be more willing to accept that those of us already transformed should have a right to our lives. Time and history may have painted us black, but history is told by the survivors, and that now falls to us. I will remain here and prepare to free our people from Admiral Marcus, but you must get out there and prepare to free us from anyone who tries to imprison us again."
Kati sucked in a breath after his speech, inspired by his words, yet feeling the supreme weight of the task settle onto her shoulders like Atlas's burden.
"How?" She asked, not knowing where to start with such a mission.
Khan answered by turning away, going to the bookshelf and pulling out a large volume. Opening it up, she saw that many of the pages had been cutout for a hiding space, from which he extracted some papers and a tablet computer.
"So few books remain on this world, it almost pained me to have to destroy this one. But the old hiding places remain the best, I find." He mused, handing the contraband over to Kati, "Your new name is Kathryn Lukas, you are about to start as a law student at Kings College here in London. I've already put you in the system, when you arrive they will have accommodations for you. Study hard, but don't draw attention to yourself. Make allies where possible, but don't get too close. Be ready for when I need you."
Kati listened to his instructions carefully, while examining the supplies she had been given.
"There is no money in here?" She queried.
A smile of begrudging respect turned up the corners of Khan's mouth, as he replaced the book and walked over now to a chest of drawers "The humans have moved beyond money. They work for work's sake, and everyone is given what they require. There is a credit system, and you can earn extra credits for spending on extravagances, pleasures… but the credits society provides you with should be more than enough for your needs. I know, it sounds a lot to take in, but you will understand soon enough when you get out there. Here, change into these, and I'll dispose of that uniform." He added, passing over some new clothes.
"You said here in London, will it be possible for me to reach you, or will I be on my own?" Kati asked as she swiftly changed into the form-fitting tunic and leggings ensemble, that she assumed was typical of modern fashion. Either way she could manage, but she needed to know where she stood. Khan considered this for a moment, looking past her rather than at her as she dressed.
"As I said, I do have a degree of freedom, which does include freedom to come and go from the facility, though I have rarely taken up on it; there's not much for me out there and Marcus knows it. But there is a bar, across the street, called Saturn Five. If you need me, look for me there on a Friday night. Otherwise, you must walk your path alone."
He walked her back over to under the vent when she was done, and despite the fact she could get up alone, cupped his hands to give her a boost up into the duct.
"There is a public archive six floors up, with access to the street." He called up after her. "Until we meet again, have strength my sister."
"My lord." Kati gave a bow of her head, and slipped away, hearing him close the vent behind her.
AN: Hi guys! So anyone who's read any of my previous stories before will probably realise that I'm stepping way outside of my comfort zone on this one. But that's okay, because I recently read a quote from Benedict Cumberbatch saying stepping outside of your comfort zone is the most fun you can have, and so I'm trusting him on this. Another way I am stepping out of my comfort zone than just writing something other than Sherlock is that I haven't written tons in advance, I only have a loose plan on where I'm going, so my updates aren't going to be as regular and scheduled as usual. I just hope I can keep it up, not make a huge mess of it, and actually reach the end.
Feedback would be MASSIVELY appreciated, I'm going to need the reassurance, so just pop into the reviews, let me know that you're reading and what you think, okay? And thanks already for reading this far.