p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.5545454545454545; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"I /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"He slept, sound and alone, locked away, deep within the research and diagnostics department of Starfleet Section 31. Gunshots and explosionsbr /echoed from behind those closed doors. The cryo chambers rumbled against the immaculate linoleum floor. It was dark, and cold inside the room; when the doors finally opened, the sterile smell quickly dissipated with the influx of billowing smoke. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"A figure stood in the doorway, its shadow cascading down over the sleeping men and women within. The visitor cautiously took a step inside; first one step, then another. There wasn't much time. In haste, gloved fingers pulled back the black hood, revealing a tousled mane of raven tendrils, and emerald green eyes. Her skin was a light cream color, cheeks rosy from exertion, and stained with smudges of soot and dirt. She was dressed; battle clad, head to toe, in the finest of Star Fleet's combat gear. Everything from slip resistant tread boots, to damage mitigating body armor. Her legs, hips, and arms were adorned with weapons; mostly knives and daggers of varying size. She nonchalantly placed her hands on her hips, surveying the room. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"A second explosion went off, this one much closer than the last, and it sent the unknown trespasser reeling into the frozen tombs that lay perfectly in line with the rest; bracing against the cold steel. Her fingers wiped away the fog from the window, revealing the identity of the sleeping individual within. Their faces, mere inches apart, were separated by just a thin sheet of glass. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"It was a man; handsome, with strong features. His mouth was broad and exaggerated, nose long and narrow, and his eyes, even though closed, she knew there were a miraculous blue. Her lips curled into a smile as she discovered the luck of her fall. The man who slept so stoically within the chamber was Khan, and she had come to awaken him. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"It wasn't a difficult procedure, but it was specific, and time consuming. Unfortunately, time was not on her side. She hurried and entered the initiation codes on the console, which was now collecting droplets of moisture from the rooms sudden temperature change. Under conventional circumstances, it would require a hospital and a full medical team in order to successfully revive a "normal" human being. These were not conditional circumstances, and Khan was most definitely not a normal human; however, there was still a margin of risk. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The tube hissed, and the decompression phase commenced. He had only been asleep for two years, since his last awakening, and the young woman was banking on his body's super human abilities, combined with the minimal time spent in coma, to aid in a successful reanimation. As the chamber began its lengthy process, the woman rose to her feet. Her hands slid gingerly down the sides of her hips; fingers interlacing with the handles of two large daggers. The battle was coming to her, and she had fifteen minutes before the process was complete. And even longer still, until Khan himself awoke completely. She took a breath. The weighted footsteps of Klingon warriors were right around the corner. She readied her weapons. There were fifteen, or twenty of them, easily; but, even then, she didn't have the sense enough to be afraid. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The world around her, and even time itself froze, as the first of the Klingon arsenal stepped through the open doorway. Their large and muscular frames appeared even more daunting with the eerie glow of frolicking fire behind them. Before the intruder's had a chance to assess the situation, or the threat this women presented, she flung her right hand forward, expelling one of her daggers deep into the skull of a single opponent. The body dropped, shaking the floor viciously with its weight. Within seconds his comrades charged forward, seeking to avenge their fallen brother. She followed suit, boldly running into battle. The woman fought, just as mercilessly as they, her blades taking life after life, without remorse. One, two, three, four…after twelve, she had lost count of exactly how many Klingon were slain. And just as it seemed as if she was making progress, another handful of reinforcements would filter in. She wasn't sure how long this had been going on, but she understood the strategy. They meant to wear her down, and they had the strength and numbers to do so. It was a game… /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Within another couple of minutes, they had accomplished their goal; she was worn, and her movements had become careless. One of the Klingon warriors lashed out, exploiting her exhaustion, he landed a swift kick to her abdomen. The steel tipped boots sent shock waves into her frame, breaking and cracking several ribs. Gasping as the air was violently forced from her lungs, she instantly fell to her knees. Another kick made contact with her jaw, fracturing bone and sending her fragile body into a set of cryo tubes. Her head hit the metal casing with a startling crack. Disoriented, she slumped to the side, a small pool of blood forming around her agape mouth. Her eyes squeezed shut as she forced her body to move. Agonizing pain shot down every limb, and into her spine. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"One of the Klingon casually approached; he leaned down and locked his claw like hand around her throat. She was lifted effortlessly into the air, coughing and frothing foamy, pink sputum over his fingers. The young woman couldn't see his eyes, no, there were no eyes; just a vacant, expressionless helmet. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The Klingon laughed. "puq HoS SoH. tuHmoH pagh Quj vay' nI'qu' 'oH.…" /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""You are a strong child. It is a shame we cannot play any longer."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""veS wej Qap" Her voice was raw, barely audible from the crushing grip on her neck. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""You will not win."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The Klingon laughed again. She could feel her heart racing, thumping against her temples. A dizzying, almost intoxicating wave passed over, stemming from the lack of oxygen. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Everything became blurry and dim. She felt another hand, this one covering her face; the fingers crushed into her cheeks and temples. Her teeth clenched when the sound of cracking bone echoed within her head. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"It was over, all over. Her arms fell limp at her sides as blood trickled from her ears and nose. Everything became a haze. The world and all things in it, her pain and agony, even the very weight of her being was dissipating. She was drifting into a peaceful unconsciousness; and yet, some horrid noise intruded, it was familiar, violent. The vice of stone that was clamped to her head suddenly released. She felt herself hit the floor, sprawled out like a rag doll against the refreshingly cool tile. She was heavy, all over. Her body had come back to her with its aches and pains and choking groans. She felt herself being lifted, cradled against a warm, protective body. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Oh, my dear Lydia…" The voice, condescending in nature, brought a sigh of relief from her lips. "…always biting off more than you can chew." /spanShe wanted to cry out his name, she wanted to say it with every fiber of her being. She wanted him to acknowledge it, to confirm his identity, his existence…that she was really in his arms, and this wasn't some dream before leaving this world; but, she couldn't. The darkness had come, that sweet, gentle veil of nothingness, pulling her under; Silence./p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt; text-align: center;" /p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"He slept, sound and alone, locked away, deep within the research and diagnostics department of Starfleet Section 31. Gunshots and explosionsbr /echoed from behind those closed doors. The cryo chambers rumbled against the immaculate linoleum floor. It was dark, and cold inside the room; when the doors finally opened, the sterile smell quickly dissipated with the influx of billowing smoke. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"A figure stood in the doorway, its shadow cascading down over the sleeping men and women within. The visitor cautiously took a step inside; first one step, then another. There wasn't much time. In haste, gloved fingers pulled back the black hood, revealing a tousled mane of raven tendrils, and emerald green eyes. Her skin was a light cream color, cheeks rosy from exertion, and stained with smudges of soot and dirt. She was dressed; battle clad, head to toe, in the finest of Star Fleet's combat gear. Everything from slip resistant tread boots, to damage mitigating body armor. Her legs, hips, and arms were adorned with weapons; mostly knives and daggers of varying size. She nonchalantly placed her hands on her hips, surveying the room. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"A second explosion went off, this one much closer than the last, and it sent the unknown trespasser reeling into the frozen tombs that lay perfectly in line with the rest; bracing against the cold steel. Her fingers wiped away the fog from the window, revealing the identity of the sleeping individual within. Their faces, mere inches apart, were separated by just a thin sheet of glass. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"It was a man; handsome, with strong features. His mouth was broad and exaggerated, nose long and narrow, and his eyes, even though closed, she knew there were a miraculous blue. Her lips curled into a smile as she discovered the luck of her fall. The man who slept so stoically within the chamber was Khan, and she had come to awaken him. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"It wasn't a difficult procedure, but it was specific, and time consuming. Unfortunately, time was not on her side. She hurried and entered the initiation codes on the console, which was now collecting droplets of moisture from the rooms sudden temperature change. Under conventional circumstances, it would require a hospital and a full medical team in order to successfully revive a "normal" human being. These were not conditional circumstances, and Khan was most definitely not a normal human; however, there was still a margin of risk. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The tube hissed, and the decompression phase commenced. He had only been asleep for two years, since his last awakening, and the young woman was banking on his body's super human abilities, combined with the minimal time spent in coma, to aid in a successful reanimation. As the chamber began its lengthy process, the woman rose to her feet. Her hands slid gingerly down the sides of her hips; fingers interlacing with the handles of two large daggers. The battle was coming to her, and she had fifteen minutes before the process was complete. And even longer still, until Khan himself awoke completely. She took a breath. The weighted footsteps of Klingon warriors were right around the corner. She readied her weapons. There were fifteen, or twenty of them, easily; but, even then, she didn't have the sense enough to be afraid. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The world around her, and even time itself froze, as the first of the Klingon arsenal stepped through the open doorway. Their large and muscular frames appeared even more daunting with the eerie glow of frolicking fire behind them. Before the intruder's had a chance to assess the situation, or the threat this women presented, she flung her right hand forward, expelling one of her daggers deep into the skull of a single opponent. The body dropped, shaking the floor viciously with its weight. Within seconds his comrades charged forward, seeking to avenge their fallen brother. She followed suit, boldly running into battle. The woman fought, just as mercilessly as they, her blades taking life after life, without remorse. One, two, three, four…after twelve, she had lost count of exactly how many Klingon were slain. And just as it seemed as if she was making progress, another handful of reinforcements would filter in. She wasn't sure how long this had been going on, but she understood the strategy. They meant to wear her down, and they had the strength and numbers to do so. It was a game… /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Within another couple of minutes, they had accomplished their goal; she was worn, and her movements had become careless. One of the Klingon warriors lashed out, exploiting her exhaustion, he landed a swift kick to her abdomen. The steel tipped boots sent shock waves into her frame, breaking and cracking several ribs. Gasping as the air was violently forced from her lungs, she instantly fell to her knees. Another kick made contact with her jaw, fracturing bone and sending her fragile body into a set of cryo tubes. Her head hit the metal casing with a startling crack. Disoriented, she slumped to the side, a small pool of blood forming around her agape mouth. Her eyes squeezed shut as she forced her body to move. Agonizing pain shot down every limb, and into her spine. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"One of the Klingon casually approached; he leaned down and locked his claw like hand around her throat. She was lifted effortlessly into the air, coughing and frothing foamy, pink sputum over his fingers. The young woman couldn't see his eyes, no, there were no eyes; just a vacant, expressionless helmet. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The Klingon laughed. "puq HoS SoH. tuHmoH pagh Quj vay' nI'qu' 'oH.…" /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""You are a strong child. It is a shame we cannot play any longer."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""veS wej Qap" Her voice was raw, barely audible from the crushing grip on her neck. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""You will not win."/span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"The Klingon laughed again. She could feel her heart racing, thumping against her temples. A dizzying, almost intoxicating wave passed over, stemming from the lack of oxygen. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"Everything became blurry and dim. She felt another hand, this one covering her face; the fingers crushed into her cheeks and temples. Her teeth clenched when the sound of cracking bone echoed within her head. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"It was over, all over. Her arms fell limp at her sides as blood trickled from her ears and nose. Everything became a haze. The world and all things in it, her pain and agony, even the very weight of her being was dissipating. She was drifting into a peaceful unconsciousness; and yet, some horrid noise intruded, it was familiar, violent. The vice of stone that was clamped to her head suddenly released. She felt herself hit the floor, sprawled out like a rag doll against the refreshingly cool tile. She was heavy, all over. Her body had come back to her with its aches and pains and choking groans. She felt herself being lifted, cradled against a warm, protective body. /span/p
p dir="ltr" style="line-height: 2.4; margin-top: 0pt; margin-bottom: 0pt;"span style="font-size: 11pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #000000; background-color: #ffffff; font-weight: 400; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;""Oh, my dear Lydia…" The voice, condescending in nature, brought a sigh of relief from her lips. "…always biting off more than you can chew." /spanShe wanted to cry out his name, she wanted to say it with every fiber of her being. She wanted him to acknowledge it, to confirm his identity, his existence…that she was really in his arms, and this wasn't some dream before leaving this world; but, she couldn't. The darkness had come, that sweet, gentle veil of nothingness, pulling her under; Silence./p
