Prodigy into Darkness

Hi everyone, so I'm new here and I decided to share the strange thoughts from my head. This story is about Khan for all you Khan Lovers out there and there's a little twist. Let's just say Khan made more than just missiles after he was awoken. Khan has also been awake a lot longer than just a year. You'll find out more as the story progresses and I hope you like it. This is my first story so please R&R :) I like to know what people think of my work. So I'll let you all enjoy this now...

Earth date: 2250

The dark blue contrast eyes of Khan Noonien Singh were usually filled with determination and knowledge: the determination to survive, the determination to be right, the knowledge of the galaxy, the knowledge of people and the knowledge on how to kill. But at this moment in time, Khan's eyes were clouded with a strange emotion which was foreign to him and he would never admit, even to himself. The source of this look was the small sleeping form which Khan's eyes watched with intense wonder and curiosity. The small form had a shock of dark hair already despite having only just entered the world. He took in every detail he could as he knew time was short; Marcus hated delays and this one had been the longest of them all, reaching up to nearly nine months.

Time was up and the nurse holding the sleeping child in blankets began to walk away and Khan was sorely tempted to take a step forwards in motions to follow, but he was all too aware of the set of hands on each shoulder and the heavy cuffs which bound his wrists. One wrong move and Marcus who was overlooking the whole situation would make one simple order with a gesture of his claw which would result in something even the mighty Khan couldn't stomach to think about.

Marcus began speaking to a nearby lieutenant who nodded and signalled for Khan to be taken away. Khan estimated it was most likely Marcus would send him back to the lab to continue work, as if the events which had been building up for nine months had never happened.

The great Khan kept himself composed; he didn't need Marcus to have any more leverage over him so he'd act as if he never cared and never would, keeping his head held high as he was escorted thought the tedious base. Who knew what anyone was truly capable of and Khan wasn't too sure if Marcus could back out of killing an innocent child if he thought Khan was drifting from the work which he was awoken specially to do. A job which he would escape from one day. That day would come and Khan imagined that day: he would be free, as would his crew and he would make sure Marcus suffers. Suffer so much by his hand. He would find the child again one day, his child, his son.

Earth date: 2259. Time: 14:35pm

The exams would normally take away any strength you had within your body if you did it properly, so Andrew Fairwright felt thoroughly pleased with himself as he dragged his aching form into the dormitories' of Star Fleet Junior Academy. He pulled himself up onto his bunk and collapsed on top of the crisply made bunk. The simulator was to allow him to experience genuine fear in a 71.8 case: being thrown out an airlock. If you were lucky enough to be wearing suit when supposedly chucked out, the vacuum was so strong that when you clung to whatever you could it felt as if your arms were being lengthened by a few extra inches.

Andrew had spent the best of an hour within the simulator, a strong vacuum pulling him away as he forced his body to manoeuvre across the hull of the ship to activate the emergency door which would open for a grand total of seven seconds. Baring in mind the vacuum was so strong he could barely hold on, let alone make his way across a ships interior. Andrew decided if he was ever to be thrown out of an airlock he would be grateful for the simulator but right now he was exhausted and had ten minutes before he was due in Technical Advancements. He was only nine but he had a full schedule five days of the week and early morning lessons on Saturdays. No other boy in his dorm did, they all had basics until half two, simulators then free time. Andrew was lucky if he got much free time between lessons, meals and homework. He'd been in the Academy for as long as he could remember and during his time he was always given a heavy work load.

In every class there is always is a high flier who is one step ahead of the other pupils in his class, but Andrew wasn't him – Andrew was at least a dozen steps ahead of any 'high fliers' and sometimes his teachers. When new terms started and Andrew was handed over to a new teacher, that teacher would scoff or raise his/her/undecided's eyebrow and believe the work load would be too much and he'd drop out. In a week they'd be thinking otherwise. Wondering how much knowledge can be stuffed inside the head of a nine year old boy.

Andrew enjoyed the relaxation as he welded himself to his mattress but decided to move before he became too accustomed with the rest he was reciving. He jumped from his bunk, swung open his locker and glanced into the mirror to straighten his uniform. Star Fleet Juniors wore red just the same as the rest of the Academy's students, but to inform people of his young status; he and every other junior wore two black bands around his upper left arm of his red shirt, one with his name stitched on and the second holding the Star Fleet logo. His uniform had to be pristine at every moment as this week was Selection Week. This happened to all the junior cadets when they turned nine, in one week, the best and the brightest would be closely monitored and if thought suitable their application to the senior section would begin to be processed, to see if they were good enough to stay at the Academy.

Andrew had been reassured multiple times before that his high IQ and exam results would not only hold a place, but anchor it in the higher Academy classes. Despite the recurrence, Andrew was still nervous all the same just as the other cadets. Andrew smoothed down the slightest crease in his uniform and straightened out his dark hair. He looked into his reflection, his own blue eyes staring back at him before with a satisfying nod he pulled his red junior cadet cap down onto his head, grabbed his Technical Advancement study book and closed the locker door.

He left the dormitory, passing some other exhausted, but cheerful, cadets who were buzzing around as lessons ended after the simulator session. Andrew had never shared in their joy as when his lessons finished it was dinner time, where he would eat before rushing off to combat class and then proceed to do homework before collapsing in bed, resting before having to repeat the whole circuit over again.

He walked the length corridors, passing many of the junior classes which were all breaking up. As he reached the higher part of the Education block, the corridors became less dense as the older cadets were still in lessons. Andrew descended some steps two at a time just the same as always and pushed the glass door open which lead down the Technical corridor. Outside his classroom stood Commander Donovan for some unknown reason.

Donovan was a man reaching the peak of fifty with fast fading hair beneath his cap. He was a strong build beneath his stark grey uniform and his physical build clearly told everyone he was a combat champion in his prime. But now he had long since passed his prime but still kept in shape as you never knew when the Federation would need you out in the field. Donovan had become the high principal of the junior cadets when Andrew had first arrived at the Academy at the age of two weeks. Since then he and many others had kept their eye on Andrew and his educational progression, watching how he tackled over flowing study work and gruelling practical.

The aging man was always stood to attention but let loose when Andrew came into his line of vision.

'Sir,' Andrew gave a respectful nod towards the higher ranking man as he headed towards the classroom door, not certain if Donovan was there for him or not.

'Walk with me Andrew.' Donovan had already reached the exit to the Technical Advancement corridor and Andrew knew if Donovan had planned this in advance then he was excused from class which he was grateful for as he still ached from the simulator. The young boy hopped to keep up and fell into an easy stride as he walked along the carpeted corridors. They reached the lift and Commander Donovan called the transport to reach them. Andrew knew he should let the man speak first but his curiosity had always gotten the better of him, in good and bad situations.

'Am I in trouble sir?' Donovan smirked.

'We both know, Andrew that you've kept you record straight for the last month, building up for Selection Week. No, you're not in trouble. The very opposite in fact.' The lift arrived and Donovan stepped into the glass lift. Andrew joined him and cast a blue eye over the shrinking skyline of the city of San Francisco as the lift rose and headed up towards, what Andrew assumed, was Donovan office. He'd been here all his life yet he was thankful he had never needed to step into the man's office. You had to do something spectacular to get there, or an insane amount of damage.

The lift froze and allowed and exit into what was clearly the office of Donovan. The man liked everything in order, from a coaster mat to his collection of Star Fleet ship models on the shelf. Andrew followed his commanding officer and seated when given the permission. Donovan had his file on the surface of his glass desk. Andrew could clearly see his name typed at the top and documents spread out, from his latest test score to the medical records from the hospital where the Academy adopted him from.

Donovan wiped an imaginary speck of dust from one ship model before sitting at his desk and taking an extended sip of coffee. The longer Andrew sat in suspense the more agitated he became. Finally Donovan drained his mug and set it down and faced Andrew with intense green eyes tha had seen their fair share of the battle field. Andrew was happy when the man got straight to the point of the meeting.

'You've been assigned.' Andrew just stared, unsure if his hearing was working properly. Donovan easily read the boy's expression and smirked. 'I know it must come as a shock. I was fourteen when I had my first experience on a ship and that was the youngest you could be but you broke it Andrew, you broke the rule.' Donovan continued to smirk and Andrew remained shocked. Donovan pulled up a 3D projection of a transfer file.

'We've never had anyone like you before Andrew. You could recite the square root of pi before any nursery rhyme, you could answer equations senior cadets would struggle with by the time you were five. It's clear – you're special, smart, unique, or what other title you prefer. I've always thought you were meant for more than just school work here. I've been haggling with every senior commander for the past year just to have it considered. I first mentioned your age they laughed and thought I was joking, but they finally looked you up and were impressed. Very impressed.'

'Assigned?' Andrew managed to stutter out. Donovan continued as if he heard nothing.

'I've even been on the com to Admiral Pike. He's never seen any scores like yours. Even Admiral Marcus has inquired about you.' Andrew felt shock course through his veins. Donovan suddenly became serious.

'This is serious business Andrew, it isn't child's play. This assignment isn't much but it's more than anyone your age has and ever will be offered.'

'What is it?'

'You've heard of the U.S.S. Enterprise haven't you?' Andrew seemed paralysed but just managed to nod. Everyone had heard of the U.S.S Enterprise and its crew. There were fan clubs and many other crazy obsessions with them. Andrew owned a small toy model of the ship which he won during a maths competition. Donovan typed a few keys and the projection shifted. A model of the Enterprise came on screen.

'The crew is taking a breather of sorts. There's an indigenous species on the planetNibiru. They're a primitive culture. According to Admiral Pike they've barely invented the wheel. It's just survey work, a maximum of three months. It's all record work, Andrew, no space battles as you wish but this is pretty advanced all the same. A ship advanced as the Enterprise would normally never take on a cadet like you but the world surprises us. I've spoken to Captain Kirk and he seems to like the idea of you onboard, passing on his influence he says. God help you if you end up just as reckless.'

For the next five minutes Donovan rattled on about procedure and Andrew watched in awe as the information sunk it. The U.S.S Enterprise, it was the newest ship in the fleet and the chance just to be in the same airspace as it was a big privilege. But to be on board and to witness the crew at work – Donovan must have done a lot of arm twisting to get this.

'Do you accept this, Andrew?' Donovan didn't even need to ask.

'I do sir! You won't be disappointed!' Andrew beamed as he stood tall. Donovan gave a quick smirk before seriousness returned.

'No funny business Andrew. One wrong move and you'll be safer with the Klingon's than you will be with me.'

Earth date: 2259 Time: 16:07

The seconds ticked by in Andrew's head as he reached the shuttle bay of Star Fleet HQ. He had flown here within ten minutes of his meeting with Commander Donovan, enough time to run back to his dormitory to pack a few required things and to tell all of his roommates the good news. Some were jealous, others were happy for him. Andrew's good marks reflected on the whole dorm so they were high up the ranks and they would push them to get more points than other dorms. In a few minutes Commander Donovan returned and Andrew bid his friends goodbye. He received a lot of pats on the back and his best friend Chen gave him a high five before he was escorted away.

Donovan had gone now and Andrew was on his own in the shuttle bay, sitting in the command centre where a member of the Enterprise was to pick him up before taking a shuttle into space. He'd never left the planet's atmosphere and Andrew was half dreading half excited about it. His nerves were flailing every time the door opened but calmed in a disappointed manner when he escort wasn't present yet. Andrew was silent as he sat in the centre, twirling the small model of the Enterprise around in his hands, still unable to believe that in just over an hour he would have just docked in the actual life size ship.

The door opened once more and clearly dressed was an officer from the Enterprise. He was a tall man with dark hair and dressed in a blue Star Fleet shirt, labelling him in either the medical or the science team of the Enterprise. He noticed Andrew straight away and strolled over.

'You must be Andrew Fairwright? I'm Doctor Leonard McCoy, chief Medical officer onboard the U.S.S Enterprise, but you can call me Bones, everyone does.' Bones finished shaking Andrew's hand, picked up the small shoulder bag which Andrew packed all his necessities and the pair left the centre into the hanger bay. The entire metal room was amazing in Andrew's eyes. He'd never been inside a base before and the sight of all the shuttles were amazing to him, all the Star Fleet officers, Commander's and Captains rushed around, each on duty or heading to a shuttle to take them to their ship, whilst other climb off and rush in search of their families. Doctor McCoy stops at a terminal to check them both in and across the bay besides another shuttle, Andrew caught sight of a Star Fleet officer hugging his family close, clearly just back from service. There was a boy about Andrew's own age with the family, clearly the officer's son and Andrew's mind strayed towards his own family but snapped out of it when Doctor McCoy snapped his fingers beside his ear.

'You were miles away kid. Come on the shuttle won't wait up.' Bones climbed the ramp and Andrew glanced back at the family before climbing up the ramp after the crew of the Enterprise.

The shuttle passenger bay is only small which was useful as a lot of the members of the star-ship were already onboard. All that were in the passenger area were a few other officers and lieutenants. The cabin was a buzz of chatter but once Andrew stepped onto the threshold every conversation in the air froze and many sets of eyes all turned towards him. Bones pushed thought the space between Andrew and a row of seats and sat down. Doctor McCoy nodded his head towards the seat beside him and Andrew shuffled through the space and sat next the window. He glanced out into the less occupied hanger as the lights within the shuttle dimmed and the whirr of the engine could be felt beneath his feet. The shuttle began to vibrate and Andrew felt a sudden jolt when the craft lifted up from the ground. Floating around in a simulator was one thing and it didn't really prepare you for the actual thing.

He glanced back into the hanger bay before the shutters closed to protect the shuttle clamped down. Andrew felt as if he was leaving his old life at the Academy behind as he glanced back once more, scanning around, not noticing the blue eyes watching him across the hanger bay threshold as the shuttle rose and flew off towards the outside edge of the earth's atmosphere where the U.S.S. Enterprise was waiting for him.

What'd ya all think guys? Please let me know :)