3 REVENGE

A STAR TREK STORY

JUANELL HOPPER

Jim Kirk and his crew stop at Pacifica for a much-needed shore leave. However, they do not know that their vacation will be turned to chaos when an arch enemy is released to take his revenge. Can they defeat him again?

He only had one goal as he walked into the Starfleet storage warehouse. It was his only hope. They had tried everything, and nothing had worked. He had read all about James T. Kirk's miraculous recovery, and about a little girl who had suddenly gotten well from a disease that would have certainly killed her. All he wanted was to get a blood sample. If he could just get a blood sample, it would be all he needed. In order to do that, he had to wake him up. It had taken him months to work his way into having clearance to even enter the storage warehouse, but now he was in. The storage warehouse was full of odds and ends that had been found or taken. He was only interested in one area of the place, but he had to be very careful not to be caught. He, Commander Jeffrey Stone, would never have thought of committing a burglary or an act of treason…but this was the life of his wife. All he wanted was for her to be well and this was his only chance.

Stone wheeled the cryotube out of the warehouse and out a back door which led to a little-used catwalk. He would take the cryotube down in the freight elevator which was not being used this time of night. Since he made out the schedules for everyone, he knew when the right time was to put his plan in motion. He would get this cryotube out to a private area and thaw its occupant out enough to get a blood sample.

As Stone arrived at his destination, he made sure no one was around before he unloaded his precious cargo. He moved it into the warehouse that was now empty. He had learned how to activate the thawing process by studying all the information he had access to. It was necessary for the warehouse to know all about the cryotubes in case of an emergency. He now needed that knowledge as he activated the thawing process which took all of ten minutes to complete. He had waited this long, he could wait ten more minutes…but he would only be waiting eight so that the occupant would not be totally thawed.

When the thawing process reached eight minutes, Stone tried to stop it, but it could not be stopped…the cryotube was malfunctioning. His eyes widened as he saw the man in the cryotube open his eyes. How could he be awake? He was not supposed to be able to wake up until he was given an injection.

Suddenly, the being in the cryotube let out a yell of rage and put his fist through the viewport. Stone was stunned and surprised as he backed up. Khan…that's what his name was. Khan. He had heard that this being was invincible. He was a warrior…a superman.

Khan finally sat up and jumped out of the cryotube facing the one who had awakened him. "Where are they?" Khan asked.

Stone was so stunned, he could not answer him. Khan came toward him and grabbed him by the throat and shoved him against the wall. "I will ask you again," he said menacingly. "Where are they?"

"Where is who?" Stone asked.

Khan leaned close to him. "James Kirk and Spock! I want to know where they are."

"Captain Kirk? He and Spock are on a deep space mission. They've been in space for a little more than three years."

Khan narrowed his eyes. "Why have you awakened me?" he asked.

Stone swallowed hard. "I just wanted to save my wife's life," he said.

"Why should I help you? I was betrayed by Admiral Marcus…and then by Kirk!"

"I just wanted a blood sample."

Khan glared at him a moment. "I will give you what you want, but you must do something for me. Find out where they are. I will have my revenge on them."

"I know they're in deep space, on a five year mission."

"Find out where and I will give you what you want."

Stone just stared at Khan a moment. "I'll find out," he said with a nod. "Where will I find you?"

"I will find you."

Suddenly, Khan let him go and then he was out the door before Stone could say anything. What had he done? He had released an angry madman into the universe, and he wanted to take vengeance on Kirk? For what? He had to get the cryotube back to the warehouse.

Stone took the tube back and put it back into the warehouse. He had doctored the surveillance cameras and now he had to find out where James Kirk and Spock were with the Enterprise. They were used to trouble anyway. From what he had heard, Jim Kirk was prone to getting into trouble and always seemed to find his way out. He was sure it would be better if Khan was not on Earth.

Jim Kirk stood in the gymnasium on the Enterprise. "You're going to teach me to do what?" he asked.

"I am going to teach you better self-defense moves, Captain," Spock replied. "As you know, Vulcans are taught many fighting techniques and defense techniques."

Jim scowled at that a moment. "Is this going to involve any pain to my anatomy?"

"Perhaps, but the best trainer is learning from experience. Is it not?"

"If pain is a teacher, I've learned all I want to learn. I want out of its class."

"If one does not face the actuality of being injured, how can one fight the consequences of not learning self-defense? You just showed your dislike of pain, so it is logical that if you faced the possibility of being in real pain, you would fight harder and learn the techniques more thoroughly."

Jim frowned at that statement. "I know that makes sense somewhere," he said.

"It makes perfect sense, Captain. If you would just try to see the logic in learning from experience."

"I know the logic of learning from experience, but I don't think I have ever learned anything good from pain."

"You learned that it is unpleasant."

"Very."

"Therefore, it will be much easier to teach you to avoid it."

"How much pain am I going to be in?" Jim asked. "And when you call me captain it means you're trying to bribe me."

"I do not use such techniques, Jim. My calling you captain is purely out of respect for your position."

Jim thought he might as well not argue with a Vulcan. "Okay, Spock. What do you want to teach me? And before you start, I want to say, don't use a Vulcan pinch on me."

"I would like to teach you how to use the technique yourself."

"You've already tried to teach me that before, Spock. I just don't get it."

"Captain, you have not truly tried to learn the technique."

"Why don't you just teach me how to resist it?"

"That is impossible, Captain."

They stood facing each other for a moment. "The first thing I will teach you is how to break a choke hold," Spock said.

Jim took a deep breath. "I think I need to know that," he said. "People usually try to choke me to death…even you."

"I am sorry about that, Jim."

"Forget it. That was years ago anyway."

Spock suddenly grabbed Jim by the throat. "Now, what do you do if I grab you like this?" he asked.

"Gag," Jim replied.

"Captain, you are not being serious." Spock tightened his fingers slightly to make Jim uncomfortable.

"Hey."

Jim grabbed his wrists. "That is not the way to break a choke hold," Spock informed him. He let go of Jim's neck.

Jim rubbed his neck. "Don't choke me."

Spock stepped back a step. "Choke me," he said.

"What?"

"Choke me. I will show you the proper way to break a choke hold."

"Come on, Spock. Can't you just tell me?"

"Captain…"

"Okay. Okay. Experience."

Jim took a deep breath and blew it out and then he grabbed Spock around the neck. Spock moved so quickly, Jim did not know what happened, but he was suddenly in a choke hold with Spock's arm around his neck from behind. "Okay, so how did you do that?" Jim asked.

Spock released him and Jim turned around and looked at him. "You see?" Spock asked. "Now that you have seen what can be done, you are interested."

"Yeah, so how did you do it?" Jim asked. "It was too fast for me to actually see what you did."

"When one is defending one's self, they must be fast in order to have the element of surprise on their side."

"Right."

"Moving quickly gives your opponent no time to think of how to retaliate."

Jim nodded, but Spock still thought he looked unsure of himself. "One must also have confidence in their skills," he said.

Spock stood in a fighting stance, and Jim instantly crouched himself. "You have the instinct to fight," Spock said. "You also need the skills."

"Are you saying that I don't know how to fight?" Jim asked.

Spock considered that only a moment. "Yes."

"I resent that. I've been in plenty of fights."

"Not many of which you have won."

Jim scowled. "Well…why does that matter now?"

Just then, Bones came into the room dressed in his gym clothes. "Oh, I guess I'm right on time," he said. "Are you two finally so at odds that you're going to fight?"

"No, he's going to teach me how to defend myself," Jim said. "And how to fight."

"Fight? You ought to be an expert at that by now."

"But not at winning fights," Spock said.

"Hey, don't criticize my fighting skills," Jim said.

"How can one criticize something that does not exist?"

Bones laughed out loud at that. Jim wondered if he had ever heard Bones laugh since he knew him. "I must be the ship joke if you can get him to laugh," Jim declared.

"Hey, I laugh to myself plenty of times," Bone said. "I just don't recall any of them right now."

Spock had not moved out of his fighting stance so Jim crouched again and faced him. "Okay, so what are we doing first?" he asked.

"I will attempt to show you how to get out of a choke hold," Spock replied.

"Just don't choke me."

Spock suddenly grabbed Jim and soon had him down on the mat on his back and had him in a choke hold. Bones came over there and looked down at Jim. "Well, that was fast," he said.

Jim wanted to make a retort to that but at the moment, he could not. "Use your hands," Spock said. "You will not be able to pull someone's arms or hands loose when they are choking you. Their focus is on squeezing your neck. You must attack the face or other areas of the body to reduce the grip on your neck."

"How can I do that?" Jim said and gagged slightly. "I don't want to hurt you."

"Captain, you are in training, and the doctor is present."

Bones was standing and watching with his arms folded and one of his hands on his chin as though he were very interested in the situation.

Spock let go of Jim's neck for a moment. "You are not concentrating," Spock said.

"It's hard to concentrate when someone has you in a choke hold," Jim replied. "And he's standing there staring like he's a spectator."

"That is precisely why you must learn to focus even when you are in grave danger. The ability to think and act while in this situation will serve you in the future, Captain."

"Okay, Spock."

"You better cooperate, Jim. He's liable to choke you to death before you learn it," Bones declared.

"Doctor, I have no intention of inflicting any harm on the captain," Spock said, and then put his hands around Jim's neck again. "Concentrate, Jim. You must use momentum. Do not think of being choked, think of how to get away."

Jim thought about what Spock was saying and realized what he meant. How could he do that without inflicting harm on Spock? "This isn't working," Jim said.

"Do not worry about hurting me," Spock said. "Defend yourself!"

Jim gagged as Spock squeezed a little tighter. Jim shook his head and Spock let him go. He just looked at the captain. "I don't want to do any of the things to you that I'm thinking of doing," Jim said gasping for air.

"But you did see what I mean."

"Yes. Now, let me up."

Spock stood up and pulled Jim up. "We will try something less violent, Captain," Spock said.

Jim rubbed his neck. "Thanks. I would like to do something that doesn't require me being choked."

"Very well."

By the time he left the gymnasium, Jim thought he had several bruises, but he thought he had given a few to Spock too…at least, he hoped he had. He thought maybe he had learned a few things too. He went and got a shower and got his uniform on.

Jim went to the Bridge and sat down in his chair. "Where are we, Mister Sulu?" he asked.

"We are almost to Pacifica, Captain," Sulu replied.

"Lay in a course. Shore leave sure sounds good right now."

"It does, Captain."

Pacifica was an ocean planet, and had the most beautiful beaches in the galaxy. Most of the crew of the Enterprise had never been there, but they had learned about the planet, and it was a common stopover for Federation ships for shore leave. They would be spending a week there.

Jim was glad they would be having shore leave on a planet that was controlled by the Federation this time. It would be a chance for them all to relax. Of course, he would be tied up in meetings part of the time, but at least he would have his feet on the ground with real gravity. Not that he did not like being in space, or that he did not love the Enterprise, but it got very monotonous at times.

Spock came onto the Bridge as they had Pacifica on the view screen. He stood beside Jim with his hands behind his back. "Perhaps this will be a week that you will not have to worry about fighting, Jim," Spock remarked.

"I hope so," Jim replied. "I'll be tied up in meetings some of the time but at least I'll get to walk on a beach and maybe even swim."

"I will be glad to attend some of the meetings in your place, and attend with you, if you wish, Captain."

"Are you telling me that you're not going to the beach with Uhura and see her in a bikini or something?"

Spock was silent for a moment. "I am sure I will. However, I am not required to spend the whole time on the beach. You should not have to bear the whole burden of business."

"Thank you, Spock."

Bones came onto the Bridge next. He looked out the viewport at the planet. "It's going to be good to be on a planet for a while," he declared.

"But?" Jim inquired.

"But what?"

"Oh come on. There must be something sticking in that doctor's brain of yours."

"Well, it is a strange world. Might get sunburn and could step on some sea shell that turns out to be a poisonous blue-bottle-like creature that secretes an instant death."

"I knew you could think of something, Bones."

"Maybe they have giant jellyfish that eat humans instead of fish."

"Doctor, I am certain that if such a creature existed on this planet, we would know about it," Spock said. "Since this planet is controlled by the Federation, there is much information about it. I have studied the planet, and there is no such danger to us while we are on this planet."

"There's always something," Bones said, not willing to give up his dire outlook about strange worlds.

Jim smiled at Bones' cynicism. "Captain, we're being hailed," Uhura said.

"On screen," Jim replied.

Jim stood up as Admiral Gary Carson appeared on the view screen. "Captain Kirk," he said with his commanding voice.

"Admiral," Jim replied. "It's good to see you, Sir."

"So you're getting tired of space and ready for shore leave."

"Not tired of space, Sir, just needing a little rest."

"I'm sending you the coordinates now, Captain. I'll see you when you land."

"Thank you, Sir."

The transmission ended. Jim thought he would never stop being nervous about talking to admirals and high officials. He looked at Spock. "Well, you know where I'll be when we disembark," Jim said.

"I will accompany you, Captain," Spock replied.

"Thank you."

"You are welcome."

It was dark…so dark, in fact, that he could hardly see anything, but he had received a message to meet Khan out there in the alley behind the hospital that he spent so much time in. Stone stood there almost shivering as it was cold.

"Do you have the information?"

Stone almost gasped as he realized Khan was standing right beside him, and he had not even heard him walk up there. He could see Khan's pale skin in the dim light, his narrowed blue eyes staring coldly at him. "Yes," he said and swallowed hard. "Do you have the sample?"

"I will not give you what you want until you give me what I want. I have learned never to trust a human."

"The Enterprise is on Pacifica for a week of shore leave…a vacation."

"And you are certain of this?"

"Yes. I found out from the computer system that keeps track of all the ships."

Khan just stared at him coldly for a moment. "I will give you what you want," he said, and gave Stone a vial. "If you betray me, I will hunt you down, and I will make you die the most painful death that I can inflict upon you."

Stone swallowed hard. "I won't."

"See that you don't."

Khan turned and was gone as quickly as he appeared. Stone was still nervous after that encounter. He knew Khan was dangerous, but he looked at the vial of blood in his hand. It would cure her. He hurried into the hospital, and forgot about the terror he had released on the universe…on Jim Kirk.

The Enterprise moved into its slip at the dock. Jim sighed as the door that led "out" of the ship opened. They walked out into a building that looked a lot like a big train station, but it was more like a space port. He watched as the crew scattered in different directions. He knew they were all looking forward to getting to spend time having fun rather than on duty. He, however, had to put business before pleasure.

Spock walked up beside Jim. "Are you ready for the meeting, Captain?" he asked.

"I'm as ready as I'll ever be, Spock," Jim replied. "At least we get to walk in the sun on the way to another building."

Just then, a Starfleet officer walked up to Jim and saluted. "Captain Kirk, Sir, I am here to escort you to Admiral Carson's office," he said.

"Oh. Thank you."

"This way, Sir. I have a transport waiting for you."

"A transport?"

"Yes sir."

"And you are?"

"Ensign John McCoy."

Jim scowled. "McCoy?" he asked.

"Yes sir."

"John?" someone said.

Jim and Spock looked around to see Bones coming up behind them, and looked surprised, if not bewildered. "How did you get here?" Bones asked.

"I was assigned here," John answered still standing at attention. "I am a member of Starfleet."

Jim looked at Bones. "Are you two related?" he asked.

"Yes," Bones answered. "He's my younger brother."

Jim looked at John, and thought he could definitely see the resemblance now. "I've heard about you," he said.

"We have all heard about you, Captain Kirk," John replied.

Jim just stared at him a moment, wondering if that was a snide remark. "Hey, just watch how you talk to my captain," Bones said. "He's also my friend."

"I have great admiration for Captain Kirk."

Jim was not sure what to say next. "Well, let's get going," he said. "The sooner I get there, the sooner I get out of that meeting."

Spock and Bones followed Jim to the transport, and John opened the door for him. Spock got in next, and Bones stopped a moment to look at John. "It's good to see you," Bones said.

John smiled slightly. "You too, older brother."

"I'm not that much older."

John's smile widened. "How about a game of beach volleyball?"

"You're on."

"I'll see you at seventeen-hundred hours."

"You better be ready."

"Don't worry. I'm always ready for you."

Bones rolled his eyes and got into the transport. Jim and Spock looked at him. "I wasn't expecting to see your brother here," Jim said.

"Neither was I," Bones replied.

"Beach volleyball, huh?"

"Well, what else do you play on an ocean world?"

"You didn't have to come with us, you know," Jim said.

"Why not?" Bones asked.

"Don't say there's nothing to do on this world."

"I can't say I'm in much of a mood of having fun."

"You just need to relax."

They soon arrived at the Starfleet headquarters where Admiral Carson's office was located. It was like most Starfleet buildings, Jim thought. It was mostly gray except for the monitors and electronics that went along with it, and dimly lit. He would be glad to get out of here and be in some natural, bright light for a change, and feel warmth from it.

Ensign McCoy opened the door for Jim as he got out of the transport. "Right this way, Captain Kirk," he said.

Jim wondered why he had to be so formal, but he supposed he would feel like he had to be when he got into that admiral's office. He made sure his gray dress uniform was straight as he walked. He thought the ensign was making him more nervous than he would have been if he were alone. He looked at Spock who was walking, looking straight ahead. Jim never demanded such formality when they were on the ship, although the crew always respected him as the captain.

They soon arrived at the admiral's office. Ensign McCoy stood even straighter as he entered the office. "Admiral Carson, Captain James Kirk has arrived," he said.

"Thank you, Ensign," Carson replied. "You're dismissed."

John left, not without a grin at his brother. Bones thought he might be looking forward to playing a game of beach volleyball. He thought there might even be some pretty women out there to watch. His thoughts were interrupted as they entered the admiral's office.

"Captain Kirk," Carson said as he came around the desk.

"Admiral," Jim replied. "It's good to see you, Sir."

"I'm glad to see you in one piece, Captain. From all I've heard, you've caused quite a stir out in deep space."

Jim was not sure what to say to that. He had always been known as a reckless one. He did not think he was so reckless now. "I wouldn't say I've caused a stir, Sir. I suppose I've left my mark."

"At ease, Captain," Admiral Carson said. "So, are you still so enthused about space after more than three years?"

"It does get monotonous at times, Sir, but that's why we're here."

"A little shore leave."

"Yes sir."

Carson stood in front of Jim. "There is a mission that I would like you to undertake when you leave here," he said. "It's a diplomatic mission."

Jim hoped it did not involve him trying to negotiate with stubborn beings who did not want to cooperate. Carson looked at Spock and Bones. "They don't have to be here, Captain," he said. "They can go on and enjoy their shore leave. You can explain the mission to them later."

Jim looked at them. "Sir, they're here because they wanted to be," he said.

"You don't have any reason to be nervous. You don't need your friends here." Carson looked at the other two. "You're dismissed."

Spock knew there was no need to argue, and it would not be wise to. "Yes sir," he said.

Bones and Spock left the office. "Well, that was kinda rude," Bones said. "Is that a nice way of kicking us out?"

"Obviously, he wants to speak to Jim about something that he does not want us to hear," Spock replied.

"Like what? He tells us everything anyway."

"I am not certain what he would tell Jim that he would not want us to hear."

"So, are we going to hang around here and wait for him so he can tell us right away or are we going on to the beach and wait till later?"

"Either way, I am certain that we will learn what he did not want us to hear."

Bones pulled at the collar of his dress uniform. "I got into this thing for nothing," he said. "Looks like they could figure out how to make a uniform that didn't choke you or itch you to death."

Spock thought Bones could always think of something to complain about. "Doctor, I believe that it is not the uniform, but it is your feelings about wearing it that cause your discomfort," he said.

"Are you saying it's all in my head?"

"Precisely."

"Thanks a lot. I think I'm going to get out of this thing and go to the beach. I'll find Jim later."

"Have fun, Doctor."

"Later."

Spock sat on a bench outside the admiral's office to wait for Jim. He had thought Jim was a little nervous about meeting the admiral, and he was not certain of the reason. He could not think of anything that would warrant discipline. Their last mission had not gone quite as planned…of course, but it had turned out well.