Stardate 2261.85
The boy who lops
Ensign Tom Edmund let out an irritated sigh. A rather large clump of jelly had just fallen in a rather obvious spot located on his white lab coat. He rolled his eyes. Getting angry wasn't worth the effort. Things like this happened to him all the time. It was just another tedious, tiresome day.
He wiped the remnants of his sandwich off the best he could with a napkin. Unfortunately, the artificial fruit preservative had already done its damage. A deep, reddish-purple stain had settled on his left lapel.
No matter. Tom thought to himself. It wasn't as if anyone would notice.
He threw his trash in the receptacle and shuffled reluctantly back to his post.
-"You're late," Ensign Patel remarked. "I took the liberty of logging you back in."
"Thanks," Tom murmured. He'd never asked Patel to log him in, but he always did it anyway. As if the commanding officers would notice-they'd never paid any mind before.
"You don't sound very appreciative."
"I'm sorry, Navin…thank you very much." He replied sarcastically. "What's the big deal, I'm only," He paused to look at his watch. "Six minutes late."
"The big deal? The big deal is that I'd like to move up from this remedial station. And everyone knows you get promoted as a team. What with Michael's drunkenness and your, your -lack of professionalism," He glanced down at Tom's jelly stain. "It's a miracle we aren't demoted to deck-washers."
Michael, who was listening from his swivel chair scoffed and whipped around. "Take it easy, we've got it made!" He looked to the both of them, but didn't bother to get up.
Tom knew better than to provoke Navin any further. Despite his melodramatics, he knew Navin was right. Tom had only acquired watchmen duty because he had a high ranking Starfleet commander for an uncle- An uncle that was kind enough to allot his wayward nephew a spot on his ship. Simultaneously, Michael was right as well. It was a nice, cushy position as far as Starfleet was concerned. Exciting? No, but at least it was secure.
"We've, got it made?" Navin mocked.
"Yeah, most prison security's got to worry about keeping the prisoners in line. We've just gotta keep ours frozen."
Navin rolled his eyes. "Speaking of which, have you checked the…"
"I don't need a babysitter, Nav. I just checked them earlier and," Michael paused when he read the charts on the monitor.
His silence peaked both Navin and Tom's attention.
"What is it?" Tom inquired.
"Prisoner's levels… They're,"
"They're what?" Navin pushed him aside as he looked at the charts. The prisoner was no longer in cryo-status.
"Jesus, what did you do!?" Navin spouted towards Michael. "This is your only task!"
"Will you relax? I'll handle it." Michael grunted as he begrudgingly rose from his chair.
"It' probably just a system-read error." He walked to the door that separated them from the cryogenics lab and put in his security code. He turned back to look at his coworkers.
"Don't get all," His words were cut short by the force of a blunt object being crammed through his abdomen.
Navin and Tom jumped back. Frightened and transfixed, they looked in the direction of their bludgeoned colleague. Blood began to trickle from his mouth as he toppled over.
The object that stabbed him appeared to be some sort of metal pole. At the end of it, there was a dark figure. His face was partially masked by long strands of black hair. He yanked the pole out of Michael's stomach.
Navin fumbled to the controls, trying to initiate emergency response. But in a flash, the figure was upon him, knocking him sideways with sheer brutality, the metal object striking him across the cheekbone.
Tom recoiled back onto the opposite side of the wall and watched in horror as Navin Patel- a man he'd known for over a year was gored in the side of his neck and killed.
He turned away, not able to bear the contorted face of his friend. He closed his eyes, and could only listen as the dark, violent figure pulled the pole from Navin's neck. The force of which he pulled prompted blood to splatter about the room. Tom felt the some of it spray his face. His breathing intensified. He pressed his lips tightly together, as tightly as he could. He heard the figure move closer. He could feel him, his presence. The fabric of the clothes made a smooth, transitional sound as the man bent down next to him.
Tom swallowed. His mouth had never felt so dry.
"Open your eyes."
He jumped at the man's voice; it was collected, yet threatening. He quickly complied. The prisoner hadn't bothered to speak before this. Maybe that was a good sign.
Tom eyed the man carefully. "Who are you?"
The man furrowed his brow ever so slightly, "You were a guard, but you've no knowledge of my identity? Tell me where I am."
"USS-Icarus, Sir." Tom scolded himself. This man wasn't a superior officer. He was a man who had just mercilessly killed two of his fellow crewmembers.
"The Icarus." The prisoner stated. "And you, you're Tom Edmund?"
Tom nodded cautiously. "Uh, yeah. How did," He caught his breath. "How did you…?"
The prisoner ignored his stammering and continued to ask questions of his own. "We're not moving, where is this ship stationed?"
"Hong Kong,"
The man looked around. He seemed to have caused no other commotion, and thankfully he'd stopped the man that was about to call for help.
"And the Stardate?"
Tom shivered. There was something about it, but he felt that with every question his life became just that much closer to becoming insignificant.
"2261."
"Two years." The man uttered in a low tone, taking an arduous breath.
Something about his profile struck a recollection, a memory. Tom's eyes widened.
"It was you." Tom declared, rather than accused. "You're,"
"Uninterested in your revelations. Now, it's your job to get me to your pod bay. If you fail to do so, I'll not be as humane with you as I was with your friends."
"Okay," Tom mechanically nodded several times. "First, first we have to clean the blood off."
The man seemed apt to Tom's suggestion. He looked around and furnished some rags. He wiped his face and hands of any remnant, then threw the rag at him.
"Being you're not important enough to even know who you were guarding, I suspect you don't know the whereabouts of the USS Enterprise? They're not in the Federation's manifest."
"What? No, I don't…"
"No surprise there," He spoke and sat down at the computer, pulling up the blueprints of something.
Tom summoned the courage to stand. He turned to the wall, trying not to look at the mangled mess on the floor. Instead, he focused his attention to the fugitive. John Harrison- he remembered his name well. His uncle had been at the base that Harrison attacked before fleeing. He'd heard the stories. Tom carefully glanced over to him.
Harrison had pulled up several things on the computer, but he'd done it so quickly it was rather difficult to keep up. Tom tried to say something, but his voice cracked before he could form anything intelligible.
"Don't speak." Harrison commanded coolly. "When I need you to speak or move I will tell you."
Tom nodded, but Harrison wasn't looking. He was pulling up a list, a list of names on the computer. He seemed to be searching through a sea of faces- so fast that they were merely blurs to Tom. How could he even see any of them?
He was about to ask what it was the prisoner was after- but swiftly remembered his previous warning. He took a step back and waited, cautiously. His eyes shifted towards the door. This wing of the ship was practically vacant, but he prayed someone, anyone would walk by.
"Alright," Harrison seemed satisfied and swiftly stood up. "Those pods, take me to them."
Tom nodded as he turned towards the outer door.
"Now stride normally, the first moment you catch someone's attention, I'll snap your neck. Do you understand?"
His threat was amply received. Tom took a beat then answered. "I understand."
"Good," Harrison remarked and extended his hand. "After you,"
Tom reluctantly led the way down the dark corridor. The likelihood of someone seeing them was slim, but he prayed for it. Simultaneously, he knew that if they did in fact cross paths with others, they would most likely just die along with him. He began to question that alternative- was it better to die with someone, or alone?
Apparently his dreary, clouded thoughts were causing him to walk too slowly. He felt his captor's steel hand press on his back and propel him forward.
"Keep moving."
When they finally arrived at the pod hanger, they did happen upon two officers off duty. But they were so far down in the hangar that they barely took notice there were others present. Tom closed his eyes and sighed in disappointment. They soon walked out of sight.
The fugitive Harrison readied the first pod and prepared it for launch. He turned back to Tom, and took a step forward.
Tom retreated back.
"So that's it? I can go?"
Harrison regarded the man, mocking pity. "No, that is not it. I have further use of you."
"What kind of use?"
Without warning, he pushed Tom into the pod. Tom looked back in surprise. He stammered, "What, are you going to take me hostage?"
Harrison threw something in Tom's lap. He looked down.
It was a communicator. "I thought you wanted to leave?"
"Call your uncle down, Thomas."
"Wait, what?"
"What? You think your being alive was some sort of happy happenstance? I checked who you were." Harrison began moving about the compartment, doing something with the computer.
"I won't, I won't betray my ship." He spoke decidedly- somewhat proud of the resolve he felt through his words.
"Tell him to bring an audience, no matter. But disobey me and I will kill them all before they get within 50 yards of you. I will rip them all limb from limb- then I'll start on you."
His threat was aptly received. "What do you want me to do?"
"I'll spare you- and them" He voiced purposely "As long as you do exactly as I say." He finished whatever it was he was doing and stepped outside of the pod and began fidgeting with the hardware on the outside of the vessel.
Tom was taken aback at the calculated manor in which he had been deceived. He didn't doubt Harrison's sincerity. He stared down at the communicator- whatever this was, it was already meticulously planned. Realizing he would only have a second more to make up his mind, Tom took a breath, and deeply exhaled. "What do you want me to say?"
…
Captain Charles Edmund readied his men. He tried a third time to reach the nearest headquarters for backup, but his signal was jammed. He took a breath, trying to quell his frustration. Any attempt for any of his crewmen to leave the ship had failed as well. It seemed as if they were trapped, without choice or assistance.
"Now I don't want to boast nepotism, but that is my nephew, and he's my blood. But really, he's all our blood- just as much yours as he is mine. We're all a family. And we do not let terrorists come aboard this ship and try to tear apart our family. We're unable to communicate with anyone at the moment, it's up to us. So, let's subdue the prisoner, and get Ensign Edmund back."
He led the way with twelve of his best and brightest down to the east pod hanger. When they approached closer, he noticed the prisoner was standing outside the vessel. His posture was severe, statuesque- as if he were mechanical rather than flesh and blood. The Captain guardedly stopped a few feet away, judging the situation. His men stood in formation behind him.
"Khan,"
Khan pushed his lips into the smallest of smirks. "You know who I am. I figured as much, being you're one of the more seasoned Commanders. They wouldn't have kept the truth from you."
"What do you want?" He looked over Khan's shoulder, noticing Thomas locked in the pod. He allowed himself a small sigh of relief. He was still alive.
"Firstly I wanted to assess the situation, which I have without measurable difficulty. Your crew is a bunch of misfits and haphazard eccentrics. This tells me that you harbor some sort of," He paused, searching for the correct word. "Paternal instinct towards you subordinates."
Khan turned and secured the door to the pod. He pressed the release, sending Thomas out into the sky.
All Phasers immediately steadied themselves towards him.
"Put those down," Captain Edmund spoke, his voice calm. "Where did you send him?"
"I sent your inept nephew into space. But don't worry, he'll be circling back quite soon. In 24 hours to be precise. Unbeknownst that he holds the key to all the lives of the innocent and guiltless people of Hong-Kong."
Khan allowed himself the small thrill. It had been some time since he'd captivated an audience so.
"It's just a single pod. It can't possibly destroy all of Hong Kong."
"Of course not. But it can be programmed to open lethal fire, which it has been, on my command. And, if I'm not mistaken, this particular series is powered by a nuclear core. Icarus is one of the last remaining nuclear vessels. If, wielded properly…well, you've all had your remedial science courses. You know what happens."
"We'll shoot it down in space, we can't allow it to circle back." the officer standing to the left of the Captain spoke. He cowered back after speaking, realizing what that action would mean for his superior officer.
Khan did not wait for Edmund to react. "Of course that might be possible, if the pods hadn't a shielding device."
"We can locate it," The man continued bravely.
"Can you? Well, I'd be amiss in my assumptions then. And I assure you, I am not. You will not be able to find them."
"Them?" Edmund interposed.
"I have it programmed for that pod to open fire upon its arrival 24 hours from now. I'll have it target landmarks- locations in the city of my choosing. Anyone who tries to shoot it down will be greatly dismayed to learn that when fired at- the ship becomes an imploding nuclear weapon, capable of a ten mile radius blast range." He took a breath, admiring his ingenuity. He had planned, worked out, and accomplished this in less than an hour. And judging from the astonishment and horror on the faces of the Icarus crew, he had delivered his message with ample audacity. Now for the clincher…
Every one of their faces continued to allow him their undivided attention. He scanned the crowd. He saw anger, disgust, but mostly fear.
"And yes, them. It's not the only one. See, I've launched twenty seven more."
"What?" Edmund looked at each pod bay. There were none left.
"Yes, I've overrode your system to manipulate your controls." He held up a device. "They're now being sent to target cities across the globe each designed to behave accordingly with the pod in Hong Kong." If the pod in Hong Kong strikes, so do all the others."
Captain Edmund had to brace himself inwardly. In his 30 year career, he'd made impossible decisions, decisions he'd never fully reconciled to making. But this, this was too much for one man to bear. All the same, he resigned himself to his fate. There was no other man available. It had to be him.
"Well, if you wanted to succeed in getting our attention- you have it." He stammered. "And you know I have to find the most peaceful, least obtrusive solution to stop you from doing this. The cards are in your hands." He seethed, not able to conceal his contempt for this monster. "You're a god damned bastard."
Khan ignored his insult. It was of no consequence.
"Okay, I understand. You have intent to do all of this. But there has to be something you want, some end desire. What's the 'Unless'?"
That's all that mattered. His monologue, the loaded peril, the theatrics, it was all for that yielding word.
Khan grinned.
"Unless, you bring me Dr. Charlotte Kirk."
"Dr. Kirk," Captain Edmund mused for a moment, "I assume she's,"
"Every second you waste contemplating your instructions, the closer you become to being responsible for the deaths of thousands of people."
"You've blocked all our communications and ship controls. I have no way to find her."
"The block was only temporary. You'll find the ship in full working order now."
"How do we know where to find her?"
"Oh Captain," Khan scolded, "You're a member of the Federation- the most powerful government force in this known universe. I'm sure you can locate one little human."
"And I suppose you want me to do this without,"
"All without notifying your headquarters, yes. But don't worry, as soon as bring her to me, you may contact any and every one you want."
Edmund looked to his crew, unable to reason another alternative.
"Alright," He nodded and gestured for his crew to follow him out of the hangar.
"Tick tock, Captain. Let's not waste time. And let's especially not do anything rash,"
Edmund seethed. He felt powerless on his own vessel, he had to do something.
As soon as he was confident they were out of earshot he turned to his superior Lieutenant Officer and whispered.
"Contact the Enterprise, and tell them everything."
His lieutenant turned to him nervously. "But, Sir the fugitive said,"
"He said not to contact headquarters. Look, this all has something to do with that ordeal that happened between him and the Enterprise. Didn't you hear that doctor's name, 'Kirk'?"
The lieutenant nodded, "She's related to their Captain,"
"Yes, and if they can get to her before we can, well, we can't be blamed for not finding her. It might buy us some time." He gestured for his lieutenant to go to the nearest communications helm.
The lieutenant nodded. "Yes Sir,"
…
It was raining.
Charlotte didn't mind. She savored it, in fact. Unfortunately, the downpour meant the roads would flood and there would be no way her and her team could go anywhere tonight.
It was warm outside. The rain soothed her skin. And after a long day of being stuffed on a commercial shuttle, it was nice to feel connected with something other than the sweaty arms and bodies of fellow passengers.
But that was no matter. It's what Charlotte loved about Peru- it wasn't easy. Everything wasn't built for convenience as it was in the states. Technologies were only used out of necessity, in their most basic forms. And everything in Peru was regionalized. That meant that when she was there, she could forget about everywhere else. It was an amazing feeling. It warranted a great respect for the fascinating land. This was her third time to visit in less than a year. Still, it didn't fail to astonish her every time.
"Dr. Kirk," Dr. Ruzicka hailed her attention.
Charlotte turned towards him. "Yes," She made her way to the rest of the archaeological team. They were huddled under the shuttle station's metal roof. The rain clanked loudly above them.
Dr. Ruzicka grinned. "Look at you, all swept up in the romance of it. So much so, it slipped your mind that they lost all of our luggage." He gently teased.
Charlotte shook her head. "I don't mind."
Dr. Ruzicka didn't doubt it for a second. His young colleague never seemed to mind being in the thick of it- no matter the venture. In fact, she seemed to crave it.
"The post guard has some cots. He's been kind enough to let us stay here for the night. There's no way we're making it up the mountain or across the river. There's too much flooding."
"Pardon," The station guard called towards them.
"Oh yes," Dr. Ruzicka was reminded. "There's a communication, sent through for you in the offices. We'll give you a minute before we all come in there. It's cramped quarters- and hardly conducive to a private conversation."
"What, who is it? How did they find me?"
Ruzicka chuckled. "Why, do you not want to be found?"
Secretly, that was part of the thrill. "Not really, just." She didn't remember telling anyone about this trip. Well, not anyone who would know how to contact her.
The guard emerged and escorted her to his office.
"Te voy a dar un poco de privacidad,"
"Gracias," Charlotte acknowledged as the man shut the door. She flipped on the communicator.
"Jim," She spoke in utter surprise, seeing her brother's image before her.
"Hey," He spoke with an uncharacteristic urgency in his voice.
She lowered her brow. "What's wrong?"
He examined her surroundings the best he could. The reception was mottled. "Are you alone?"
"What's going on? Are you,"
"Look, we don't have time right now. I need you to listen and I need you to trust me."
Normally, she'd tease him for being so strange. But there was something about his demeanor that told her he was dead serious.
She nodded in compliance.
Jim allowed himself a small sigh of relief. "Look, in about five to ten minutes a Starfleet lesser vessel is going to find you- and try to take you with them."
"What?! Jim,"
"Lottie, save the questions for later, please I'm begging you."
She gave him a small nod.
"Okay," Jim shifted his shoulders a bit and leaned into the screen to whisper. "Look, you need to run."
Something was seriously wrong. Charlotte looked over her shoulder to make sure no one had heard. She leaned in herself. Following blind orders was not something she was accustomed to. But under the circumstance, and the fact that the orders were coming from someone she completely trusted, she accepted them.
"Where?" She spoke as quietly as she could.
Jim sighed, thankful that his obstinate sister had complied. "I can't find your damn location. We're either too far out from Earth or you're too far out in the middle of nowhere."
"Okay, well that doesn't help me," Despite the situation, she couldn't help but to argue.
-"Can you get to Tarapoto?" Another voice interjected itself into the conversation.
Jim turned around. "Damn it, Spock. Don't do that."
Spock looked onto the projection screen. "I assume that is your half-sister, the archaeologist you are intent on beaming up here. And if my summations are correct, Tarapoto is the nearest city to her."
Charlotte reminded herself not to get easily distracted. "Yes, it's about a two mile walk."
"Then run." Jim encouraged. "Don't tell anyone where you're going and take the communicator with you. As soon as you get there, call us. We'll be able to bring you here and I promise I'll explain." Jim hesitated for a moment, but said it anyway.
"Love you, brat." he sighed.
"Love you, moron." Charlotte reciprocated as the message shut off.
She took a quick, heavy breath as she slipped the communicator into her pocket. She had no idea why she was doing what she was about to do- but something told her she did not want to fail.
Charlotte used the window to the Post Guard's office and climbed out of it. She pressed her back to the tin of the building. The rain was still falling down heavily. Running in this mess would not be an easy task.
She could hear her team and the station guard still chatting on the other side. She walked slowly along the tree line until she was out of their vision. When she was confident they couldn't see her, she ran as fast as her legs could carry.
Charlotte was never a great runner. Sure, she was okay but her short stature had never inclined her taking the sport up professionally.
It wasn't until after a few minutes of exerting herself as best as she could that she realized how difficult this was. The road was flooded all over in several inches of water, and additional water was falling down the hills onto the road from both sides. She laughed to herself- hiking up mountains and repelling off cliffs was no problem. But running down a man-made road was proving to be cumbersome.
After what seemed like an eternity, Charlotte stopped at the sight of the city of palms. She could see streetlights in the proximate distance. She pressed her arms and hands into her thighs as she struggled to catch her breath, feeling secure she could slow to a walk now.
She grinned in triumph. It couldn't have been more than 12-15 minutes since she'd began…a small victory in her eyes. She pulled out her communicator, and turned it on.
"Jim, I,"
Before she could speak further, a flash of brilliant, yet blinding light shined above her.
Charlotte shielded her eyes, too stunned to move, although the wind force of the vessel nearly knocked her off her feet.
She could only presume it was the Starfleet vessel Jim had warned her of.
"Damn it," She murmured under her breath, dropping the communicator and kicking it aside. She watched it as it flowed several yards away in the rushing water. She was caught now; there was no sense in getting Jim in trouble for trying to help her from whatever this was.
Four officers clad in black tactical uniforms emerged from their ship.
"Dr. Charlotte Kirk?"
Charlotte nodded. There was nothing more to do now, she was face to face with them.
"I'm sorry; we're going to have to ask you to come with us."
"You're sorry? Am I under arrest?"
"No, but this is a matter of which you have no choice. If you do not comply we will apprehend you."
Well, they didn't beat around the bush.
"Okay, well," She looked around- disappointed when she saw no other method of escape. "I see no reason why I shouldn't comply."
"Very good," One of the men stated and ushered her to the ship.
…
Charlotte had never been on a Starfleet ship before. They were far more advanced than she would've ever imagined. A part of her resented the fact that they were so highly funded. She envied it, wishing she'd have a quarter of their funding. But simultaneously, she possessed an almost childlike captivation to it all. Ships had certainly changed.
In fact, it had been ten years since she'd even left earth. When she was sixteen, her Mom had decided to take her and Jim to one of the vacation planets for Jim's graduation. Beachscapes had never particularly fascinated her. Tropical landscapes, sure. But they had to have some type of story.
She quickly shook herself out of her mind. There were more pressing matters at hand. Like the fact that she was with the very people her brother wanted her to run from.
"Dr. Kirk,"
Charlotte looked up. A man in a yellow uniform approached her. It was the same color Jim was wearing when she'd spoken to him. This man must've been some sort of pilot.
"Welcome aboard the USS Icarus. I'm Captain Charles Edmund," He reluctantly sighed. "Commander of this vessel, I'm sorry we cannot meet on more pleasant circumstances."
Charlotte saw no need for formality. For all she knew, this man was her foe. "And just what exactly am I doing aboard you ship, Captain Edmund?"
…
By the end of the story, Charlotte was shaking. It was a mixture of adrenaline and fear. But mostly it was anger. And it was not for the man they called Khan's threat…although it was horrible and terrifying. It might have been petty, but all she could think of is that, because of him, she almost lost her brother- the only family she had left in this world. The person she loved the most in this world, and all others.
"You have to see what he's doing. He knows that my brother and his crew killed his men. He wants to get to me to hurt my brother somehow."
"Yes, we've presumed as much."
"Then why am I here? In any hostage negotiation the goal would be to free and escort all hostages out of danger- not to hand them over to said terrorist."
"Let me assure you, we have no intention of handing you over."
"Could've fooled me."
"We have everything under control."
Charlotte scoffed. "Have you even read about the Eugenic Wars? He's a sociopath, they all were. It's how they were programmed- how they were engineered." She sighed. "And this particular one has nuclear weapons aimed at several of the Federation's major cities. So naturally, you're giving him visitation rights."
"Dr. Kirk, please. We will assure your absolute safety. We know what we're doing."
Charlotte pressed her lips together. She was beyond infuriated- now understanding full well why Jim had wanted to get to her first.
"Well let me assure you, the only person that knows what they're doing on this ship, is him."
…
Khan waited in a holding room. It was identical to the one he'd been placed in on the Enterprise. Naturally, he'd already discovered its pressure points, engineering flaws. He could easily get out. But he had learned through experience that it was sometimes wise to not reveal the complete ineffectuality of one's opponents and their devices. Besides, it was more pleasurable to take one's time with such things.
It was then he heard it, a small stampede of Starfleet combat boots marching down the hall. They entered the room.
It was then that he saw her.
Yes, this must have been Captain Kirk's sister-and to his knowledge, his only living relative. It didn't matter that she wasn't in Starfleet uniform. Her wild, incensed glance towards him gave her away.
"Dr. Kirk, so glad you could join us." He paused, studying her form.
From her file he'd learned she was 26 years old. She held a doctorate in Archeology- a Conservator.
She couldn't have been over 66 or 67 inches tall. She was thin, but her muscle tone was somewhat defined, moderately healthy. She had dark brown hair and pale skin. So fair, she was having difficulty hiding her red cheeks- ones he surmised had flushed in stubbornness or anger. She very much resembled her sibling in that respect- but more sentiment than physicality.
"You can all go now." Charlotte spoke surprisingly.
Captain Edmund looked towards her. "I told you, we won't leave,"
"This isn't going to get anywhere if you're here. I'll be fine, you assured me, right?" She walked up to the glass cell and knocked on it. "Impenetrable, is it not?"
Khan glanced at her. She seemed just as infuriated with Starfleet as she was with him. He took note of it and stored that knowledge for later.
"She's right; I've requested a private audience. And as you've requested I am incarcerated. Besides, we know you'll be watching on surveillance."
Edmund gave Charlotte an apologetic glance as he walked up to her.
"You're okay with this, us leaving you here in the room with him?"
"Not that it matters, but thank you for your concern." She spat, even a little too bitter for her taste. "I'll be fine."
Commander Edmund and his men left the room- something Charlotte suspected they had planned to do anyway.
Khan pursed his lips, satisfied that his plan was moving forward. "Now, let me introduce myself."
"I know who you are. There's no point in that. Besides, I couldn't care less what your full name is." She spoke with sincerity, trying to maintain her composure. Her anger and fear were ripping her apart inside. But despite that, she tried her very best to remain calm as she stood before him. People like him fed on weakness, she couldn't display any.
"Of course, I'm sure your brother has told you all about me."
Charlotte smirked. "Don't flatter yourself. And we can skip the pretense. I know what you want me for. Just give me the courtesy of letting me know how and when. I want to prepare myself."
Khan raised his brow. "That's very pragmatic. But what makes you think I'm going to…"
"Don't condescend; it only will make me less cooperative."
He narrowed his eyes. She possessed a level of insight that he'd not anticipated. It was certainly a trait that her brother could've used. Sure, Captain Kirk was intelligent and insightful, but he lacked an emotional insight or intelligence regarding others. Like Khan, the female Kirk had the ability to look beyond what was simply being said and evaluate a person rather quickly. It left him feeling somewhat exposed, but in a flicker of a second, he moved past it.
"Well then, you already know that I'm going to take you as my prisoner."
"Get it over with so I can find my opportunity to stop you."
He smirked. "I appreciate you being upfront about it. But you must know you are out of your depths." Without a warning, he proceeded to strike the glass at various points. Moments later, it came shattering to the ground.
Charlotte jumped back, but resolved not to back away any further.
Khan stepped out of the cell and grabbed Charlotte's arm.
"Come with me," He dragged her along as they moved towards the door.
By this time, Edmund's men began to flood into the room.
Khan seemed to pay no regard to their presence. He pulled something from his pocket and began toying with it.
Charlotte looked back and forth between Khan and the Icarus crew. If she was going to get away, now was her chance.
She took a step away but was pulled back. She whipped around and punched her aggressor in the jaw.
Khan barely flinched, but hinted annoyance in his expression. She was angry and brash, but she was not his objective at the moment. He pushed passed her and attacked one of the officers coming towards him.
Khan grabbed the man's phaser and shot several others surrounding him. He reached down and grabbed a PADD from the man's jacket.
He turned around and shoved it into Charlotte's hands. "Use this to transport us to the Cryogenics lab on this ship. I've punched in the coordinates."
Charlotte looked at the device. This was Federation issued, nothing like the PADD she had for personal use. If she could stall him, she might gain an advantage.
Khan had taken five more men out when Charlotte looked up. He was now standing before her, waiting.
"What are you doing? All that talk earlier and now you're in shock?"
"I don't know how to use this."
Khan had managed to subdue the room, there were others that stood at the threshold, but seemed apprehensive to get to close after their colleagues were so callously injured.
He angrily snatched the device from her hands and fumbled with it. It couldn't be that hard. There was also the possibility she was lying, but there was no time for that. He grabbed her and placed his left arm around her neck. The other held the PADD before her.
"Do it now,"
Charlotte gripped his arm in futility, unable to breathe. He was pressing too hard on her throat. The next flood of crew members ran in, this time with Captain Edmund. But his arm wrapped around the young doctor's neck seemed a sustainable enough threat- At least it was enough to keep them all at bay.
"Khan, let her go."
"Captain Edmund, your appeals are in vain. Dr. Kirk is no longer your concern."
Charlotte began tapping on his arm, indicating a lack of oxygen.
Khan momentarily loosened his grip.
Charlotte gasped, sucking in the air she could.
"Dr. Kirk, I'm waiting." He pulled up the PADD in front of her face.
"I told you, I don't know."
"Do not lie to me. You demanded forthrightness with me, so I expect the same from you. Given that the Federation furnishes these inept "guards" with a device, surely they trained you to use one."
"I don't work for the Federation."
"Well, then you better pray you're as intelligent as one of their officers. Complete the transport."
Charlotte maneuvered her arms and flipped through the PADD. She knew she could figure it out with ease, and soon proved such.
Khan grinned as he and the doctor started to dematerialize. This was going along rather smoothly.
Seconds later, they were back in the Cryo-operating lab. Charlotte jumped at the sight of two dead bodies on the ground. But she only had a moment to glance. Khan dragged her into an adjacent room and shut the door behind them.
The door locked and bolted. Khan put in some kind of code in and yet another layer separated them. He allowed Charlotte to pull away as he approached the room's computer.
"What are you doing?"
"Nothing that concerns you at the moment," He barely paid her any mind.
Charlotte looked around. There was no other exit. For some reason he was barricading them in this room.
"Um, I believe it does concern me since you've decided to drag me here."
Khan ignored her. He had to time this just right. He could already hear footsteps in the distance clanking down the hallway.
Charlotte approached behind him carefully. Her eyes widened in horror when she read the screen. "No!" She ran up towards him and the computer, in attempts to change the orders he put in, but Khan shoved her away. She stumbled back several steps and ran into a metal table.
"Defy me, and I'll throw you out there with them."
"No you won't, you need me." Charlotte challenged.
"Only for one purpose and I think you already know what that is." He turned and walked towards her. This time, Charlotte couldn't help squeeze the table behind her, not able to press into it anymore. Despite her pride, he was terrifying.
Khan glared at her, coldly. "Don't make this any more difficult on yourself, Dr. Kirk. And make no mistake; I won't lose any sleep over making you suffer."
She swallowed, and continued to stare at him. He seemed to be waiting for an acknowledgment; she gave him a small nod.
Khan turned back to the window. The ship's main alarm began to go off.
-"Contaminate purge initiated." The computer's voice announced over the ships emergency system.
Charlotte looked out through the window as well. Members of the Icarus crew were on the other side of the door, banging and pleading. Commander Edmund emerged in the swarm of faces.
"Khan, turn the purge sequence off."
Khan stood still, staring coldly at the faces on the opposite side of the glass.
"Khan, this will kill us all. Take me, kill me. Don't kill all of my crew."
"Your crew is just as guilty." He spat viciously. "It is no fault of mine they have decided to join a regime that carelessly kills what's left of a race, my people."
"Khan, you don't understand."
"I understand perfectly." His eyes were thick with tears of anger. "I understand the principles and practices this Federation represents. And I promise you, I will put an end to it all."
"Don't do this," A voice spoke from behind him, but it barely registered. Khan had sunk too far into the depths of retribution. He'd already thought his crew were dead once before. Finding they were alive gave him hope. But having that hope dashed away for a second time- that was too much to bear. The only solace would be the destruction of all who had caused him this grief- the humans, Starfleet, but namely the crew of the USS Enterprise.
He'd been so lost in thought that he'd barely noticed the woman in the room with him. She was once again trying to run to the computer and stop the purge.
"Threats be damned, I can't let you do this."
Khan intercepted her attempt and threw her back across the room. This time, throwing her into the wall, this knocked the wind out of her. Charlotte grabbed her stomach and gasped for air.
"Have you already forgotten our conversation?"
"You're going to kill me anyway." She shook her head, still gasping for air. "How you do it, and how long it takes, none of that really matters in the end."
Khan smirked. "You're not unlike your brother in your bravery and misguided heroism." He shook his head. "But you cannot overpower me, you're embarrassing yourself."
"How is it embarrassing that I want to prevent mass murder?"
Khan growled as he turned towards her. He grabbed a pair of restraints and strapped her right wrist to a table leg. Charlotte glared at him as she tugged on the irons.
"Let me go,"
"Yes, Dr. Kirk of course. After all the trouble it took to get you here, I'm just going to release you."
Charlotte kicked the table leg with her boot. She took a labored breath, boiling over in anger.
"Being deprived of Oxygen is an easy death, it's more than they deserved."
Tears fell in silence as Charlotte watched the last of the Icarus crew collapse. The entire ship was deprived of its oxygen. No help seemed to be coming. Since they'd picked her up in Peru, she had no idea where they were.
Khan remained vigilant as he watched the last of them fall. His eyes remained peering through the window- staring.
A few minutes later, the ships computer began to speak. "Purge complete, all life forms exterminated. Oxygen levels resumed."
Charlotte closed her eyes. This was a nightmare. Earlier this evening, she was in Peru. The rain was falling on her skin, she was free, and she was smiling. She wondered if she'd ever smile again.
"Why didn't we lose oxygen in this room?"
"This room is not on the ship's manifest. It's not even supposed to be here. It operates on an entirely different system."
"What?"
"In other words, it was designed to hide me." Khan allowed himself a sigh. The Icarus crew was dead. He now had a ship.
"I'm going to dispose of the bodies."
"Yes, wouldn't want to be reminded of what a monster you are."
"I am not a monster. What happened here today was bound to happen. It was inevitable."
"You can rationalize it all you want, it was barbaric. You are barbaric."
"Perhaps I am, but only because I possess the aptitude to administer vengeance swiftly and without remorse. The members of the Icarus Crew got what they deserved. It was justice."
"Justice?" Charlotte scoffed. "This was murder. None of those people deserved to die. They had nothing to do with killing your people."
"So you're saying that the ones responsible for killing my people deserve what's coming to them?" He turned to look back at her.
She looked to him, wild with rage. "If you hurt my brother, I will kill you."
Khan smirked. She'd let her emotions get the best of her. She was unable to counter an argument.
He walked to the computer and turned the ship's controls back on. The door opened, Khan turned back to her before he left.
"I'll return for you soon."
Charlotte stared at the door that shut and locked behind him. She was thankful for the reprieve. Being in his presence was difficult.
Luckily, she'd been restrained in irons before. It was difficult, but not impossible to get them off. The only reason she had the possibility is because she wasn't frisked before boarding Icarus. Charlotte had a pocket knife.
She'd only ever used said knife to cut excess rope, or slice fruit that she'd bought at a market. She now wondered if she had the fortitude to use it on a person, her captor.
After some maneuvering, she managed to stand up. Charlotte used her free hand to retrieve her pocket knife and deactivate the handcuffs.
…
Jim had tried for hours to get through to the Icarus, but there was no response. He slammed his fist upon the table in rage.
"Damn it!" He screamed.
Spock approached his friend calmly. "Captain, I think it's time we've notified Starfleet. Icarus might have believed they had no choice, but we could benefit from using their assistance in retrieving your half-sister and the Icarus crew."
"You know damn well what they'll say. We can't notify them. Khan will blow up those pods. God knows what he has planned for Charlotte."
"He will most likely do whatever he has planned anyway, despite what course of action we choose."
"Thanks, that makes me feel a lot better."
"You are welcome."
Jim didn't even bother to roll his eyes, he was too angry at himself for not getting to Charlotte in time. And he knew the truth, Starfleet would much rather see his sister die than have the pods detonated. As Spock had reminded him before- the needs of the many would triumph the needs of the few. He had to handle this himself.
"Khan wants us, if we can appease him without hurting or affecting others, that's what we're going to do." Kirk spoke decidedly.
"Captain, may I have a moment to speak with you in private?"
Jim sighed and followed as Spock led him into the hallway.
"What is it?" He snapped.
"I feel compelled by both duty and obligation to take full responsibility for this predicament. Khan believes that his crew is dead because of my actions. I realize he has taken Charlotte to retaliate against us…but being that it was my decision to deceive him,"
"No," Kirk shook his head. "You made the right choice. If Khan found out his people were alive, he'd wake them up. Look at all the problems he's giving us now. What do you think our universe would be like if there were 72 more of him running around?"
"I only mean to say that we should bargain some kind of exchange. And if the jeopardy of Earth is at stake, not to mention the life of your,"
"No, Spock."
"Please, Captain, allow me to finish."
Kirk pressed his lips together, exhaling a labored breath.
"Captain, at this moment Khan's vengeance and desperation is consummate. I can declare with the utmost certainty that he intends to kill Charlotte, and detonate those bombs."
"I don't want to hear this. We're not giving that son of a bitch anything or anyone."
"I only suggest we tell him his crew is alive. That will at least buy us some time."
"No!"
"Captain you must see that if we do not at least attempt to negotiate that Khan will most certainly,"
"I don't want to hear it!" Kirk stopped him. "There's no negotiating! End of story," He yelled, then took a beat. He was losing self-control. He couldn't handle hypotheticals anymore. He turned and the door opened back to the bridge.
Spock laced his fingers together behind his back and followed.
"For now let's think about strategy." Kirk decided. "Sulu, how far are we from Earth?"
"At warp speed? Estimated time is two months, eleven days."
"Set course."
"There's nothing we can do. Those pods are set to detonate in 19 hours." Spock reminded.
"We've got to do something."
-"Captain," Uhura interjected. "It's Icarus."
Jim squared his shoulders and prepared himself.
Spock noted his visible discomfort. "Captain, are you sure you want to…"
"On screen."
Khan appeared before the Enterprise. He wore a determined, placid stare.
"Why, Captain Kirk and his merry crew."
"Khan, where is my sister?"
"Aren't you Captain of a Starfleet vessel? Shouldn't you ask where your fellow Federation members are?"
"Being that you're in control of the ship, I can only assume that you have taken them hostage, or they're,"
"Dead, yes."
Jim closed his eyes. "All of them?"
"Yes," Khan spoke, without missing a beat.
"Where's Charlotte?"
"Alive, but- I'm afraid we've had a rather shaky introduction."
"I want to talk to her."
"She's indisposed at the moment."
"I highly doubt that."
"And what of the pods you intend to use as a nuclear device?" Spock interrupted.
Khan and Kirk turned their attention toward him.
"Mr. Spock." Khan's face turned solemn. "I was hoping you were aboard." He gave him a determined glance.
"That doesn't answer my question."
"And you think I would be apt to answer any of your questions? You murdered my family. Therefore, because of you I am now going to,"
"Your family, as you so call them- or rather your crew, is alive." Spock announced.
Khan stopped his speech.
Kirk, and the rest of the crew all turned their attention to Spock.
"Spock," Kirk warned, but Spock ignored him.
Khan remained silent. He felt a lump rising in his throat, a feeling of shock, and a glimmer of hope. He quickly reminded himself of what it felt like to have that hope taken away. So he suppressed it. "Mr. Spock, I watched on the screen, I felt the explosion,"
"You watched and felt 72 torpedoes detonating. I removed your people and placed them in cryo-tubes."
"You're lying."
"As I told you before, I do not lie."
Khan glanced over at Kirk-gaging his reaction. He seemed incensed towards Spock. The Vulcan seemed to be telling the truth.
"Now that you know, we may start the negotiations." Spock suggested.
"No negotiations, Khan, I want to see my sister." Kirk demanded.
Khan was in deep thought. His whole plan, his whole stratagem had just been altered. He stood up and turned off the communications.
Kirk looked over to his first officer. "Spock, what the hell were you thinking?" he yelled.
"I was thinking that by gaining leverage I might've just saved the lives of innocent civilians. Including your sibling."
"Now Khan will stop at nothing to find his crew."
"And being he has no idea where to search for them, he'll need our cooperation. And to gain that,"
"I understand what you're saying. But it still doesn't change the fact."
"We now have the upper hand."
"In our dealings with him, when did we ever have the upper hand? He is always 10 steps ahead of us. All you've done is given him fuel. Now, who knows what he'll do."
…
Khan returned to the Cryo lab and looked in. She had somehow freed herself from her restraints and was attempting to open the door with the computer.
Khan put the code in and stood at the threshold. She stood completely still and looked up to him.
"What? Were you planning on going somewhere?" He mocked. "We are in the middle of space."
"I didn't want to be in here anymore. Especially tied up,"
"How did you get out of your handcuffs?"
Charlotte shrugged. "I participated in a lot of protests when I was younger. You had to learn how to get out of situations rather quickly." She answered candidly.
She heard the dull hum of the ship. Everything seemed so quiet, too silent.
"What did you go do?" She swallowed.
"I spoke to your brother."
Charlotte's heart leapt. "And?"
"And what?"
"What are you planning to do with me?"
"Fortunate for you your, value to me has changed."
She nodded slowly. "How?"
"At present, you are worth more to me alive."
She furrowed her brow, almost certain that he had come back in here to kill her.
"Okay,"
He approached her slowly. Charlotte backed into the table again.
Khan noticed that she was trying her best to not to show fear. He admired that, to an extent. But it was also ridiculous. Her true feelings towards him were completely transparent.
"Come here,"
She shook her head in protest.
He reached down and grabbed her right wrist. The Federation cuffs were still dangling from her arm. She hadn't had the opportunity to take it off yet. He grabbed hold of the loose cuff and pulled her forward abruptly, enjoying the fear that appeared in her eyes as he did so. He encircled his left wrist to the other cuff and attached himself to her.
"What are you doing?" Charlotte tugged in futility.
"It seems I cannot trust to leave you alone. So now, I will be able to watch you without unnecessary protest. And being you are at my side, perhaps you won't be as motivated to test me."
"I don't want to be around you. Just lock me up." She seethed.
Khan smirked. "Dear Dr. Kirk, first you try to escape the room you are locked in, now you want me to put you back in one?"
She swallowed, "Yes,"
He amused her. She was simply being belligerent for belligerent sake. "Well, I could lock you up. But you'd soon find that inner space is so much more interesting, because outer space is so empty."
"You're going to pretend you're an intellectual now? Quoting literature?"
"I am most certainly an intellectual, as are you. And being so, I am not entirely unversed in your biography, Doctor. Literature was a great part of your studies."
"Don't pretend we're going to become friends."
"I wouldn't presume such." Khan agreed. "But we've a long journey ahead of us, and left alone, you'd soon go mad. You're not habituated in the vast darkness and loneliness that is deep space. Moreover, I need you coherent."
"I'll take my chances."
"How very valiant…Unfortunately, I'm not giving you a choice." Khan sighed. She was infuriating. But simultaneously, that made her exciting. And despite the fact that she was his captive, for the first time in what had been an eternity, he had a companion.