Chekov isn't sure how long it's been by the time the doctor returns; though he knows it's long enough for both himself and Sulu to have become tired enough to fall asleep.
When he finally does wake, he sees that Sulu is missing: and it immediately sends him into a wild panic. There's not much he can do in way of searching; he's trapped with way to look for his missing friend.
He struggles to see down the hall of cells; trying desperately to find any sign of Sulu. The entire place is vacant and he quickly realizes is he so very alone here. The thought of where Sulu could be, or what these people could be doing to him, scares Chekov; scares him more than he can even process at the moment: he's in too much of a panic to think straight. The overwhelming feeling of helplessness infuriates him.
Angrily, he storms to the wall of glass and begins loudly banging on it.
"Hey!" He screams. "Hey!"
Chekov pounds violently with both fists and he can feel the thin surface vibrate beneath them.
"Vhere did you take him!" Chekov demands, livid. He's not sure if anyone can even hear him. But he doesn't care.
"Vhere is he!?"
He receives no reply at first, and it takes a few minutes of incessant yelling and shouting for him to finally garner someone's attention.
It's the doctor who finally arrives: this time accompanied by only a single bodyguard instead of two. The men enter the cell the same way they did Sulu's earlier. Chekov still isn't sure what kind of technology allows that; definitely biometrics. Perhaps a matter converter, too.
The man dressed in black stands in the corner, arms crossed, observing. It unnerves Chekov to say the least.
The doctor must notice the ensign's wariness because he speaks up right away.
"Think nothing of him, my boy," he tells Chekov, "he's simply here out of precaution. Better to act as if he's not even there".
Chekov eyes the doctor carefully, taking note of the all too considerate attitude he displays. He knows not to be fooled considering the last time he saw the man; threatening Sulu and nearly injuring him more.
At the thought of his friend, Chekov focuses on nothing but figuring out where the missing helmsman is.
"What did you do vith Sulu," the boy asks, tone serious and unyielding.
The doctor waves him off. "No need to worry," he assures Chekov, "no need at all. He's perfectly fine. Most likely being checked over by our medical staff as we speak".
He moves a step forward and it takes all of Chekov's reserve not to match it by taking one back.
"As for you however, I'd like to have a talk. Get to know you more, perhaps. I'm Dr. Everit," he introduces himself, "though you probably caught my name the last time I was here."
How could Chekov forget? Seeing as Sulu was nearly thrown through a wall the last time the doctor "visited".
"And I suppose there really is no need for introduction on your part, Pavel Andreiveich Chekov," Everit continues. The mention of his full name by some stranger he's never so much as even seen before immediately puts Chekov on guard.
"How do you who I am?" He inquires cautiously.
Everit looks taken back by the question; almost offended by the very notion of not knowing the boy's name.
"I know so very much about you, Pavel; so very much. Like, for example, that you spend your Tuesday evenings after shift practicing in the training center," the doctor says. "With all that, I would so hope I could at least remember your name."
And unsurprisingly, that answer only raises more questions in Chekov's mind; like how in the hell this man could possibly know that. Putting aside the fear that grips at his chest, he presses on, determined to learn more about what's going on.
"I want to know vhy I am here. Vhy you brought Sulu here," Chekov demands, mustering a bravery that even he himself is a bit surprised at.
Everit nods his head as if expecting this. "A very good question, my boy. A very good question indeed. Where to start then…"
The doctor slowly begins pacing; thinking. Chekov's eyes follow the man's every move as he circles back around. He pushes his glasses back and then looks up to Chekov.
"I suppose there's no better start than the beginning then, hm?" Everit asks.
Chekov gives no response. Seeing this, the doctor continues.
"Right, well then. For one, I do truly know very much about you, Pavel. That little bit about your training in the evenings is just the tip of the iceberg. We've been watching you and your friend Hikaru for quite some time now; observing. You see we have intel: 'people on the inside' if you will. And they were assigned to watch over both you and Hikaru. It's how we learned of your abilities".
"Abilities?" Chekov asks. There's a cold feeling that's settled on his chest at the thought of someone watching him; studying him like some kind of experiment.
"Abilities like your intellect, Pavel," Everit explains respectfully, "such youth and yet such an extraordinary mind. It's quite unlike anything I've ever seen".
Chekov knows the doctor's statement is meant as a compliment, but it in no way feels like one.
"Not to mention your accomplishments in such a short span of time," Everit continues. "Only 19 and already having been the chief navigator of a ship for nearly two years is more than impressive. By some standards, it's almost unthinkable. And yet, you've managed to accomplish it all with such ease."
Clearly the doctor doesn't know everything about him, then. Chekov knows that next to nothing about getting to where he is today has been "with ease". He's had enough hardships to last a lifetime before he's even turned 20.
Everit begins pacing slowly again and it's hard for Chekov not to feel like he's on display to be analyzed.
"Vhat does any of that have to do vith why I'm here?" The boy asks, eyes meeting the doctor's almost predatory gaze.
"My boy, it has everything to with why you're here," Everit answers, "Hikaru, too. You see, we chose you, Pavel. Both of you. Out of everyone on your ship, out of every possible candidate, we chose you. That's why we had our men observe you from then on. We wanted to know as much about you as we possibly could".
"Chose us?" Chekov asks, both confused and frustrated at the doctor's vague explanations. The term candidate doesn't bode well at all. "Chose us for vhat?"
"To change the universe," Everit answers, wonder filling his voice. "To create a new way of life for every creature throughout all of space".
This most certainly isn't an answer Chekov was expecting. He waits cautiously for the doctor to continue.
"I'm part of a special organization, Pavel. One whose ultimate goal is to achieve civil order throughout the universe in our lifetime. Is it a daunting task? Maybe. But through our work, through our perseverance, we can make the impossible, possible".
Chekov has a daunting feeling growing in the pit of his stomach.
"Now how to go about that you might ask? Well, at first thought it may seem convoluted: how to create peace, to end the suffering so many feel." Everit is impassioned as he continues; animated as he now and again gestures with his arm to emphasize his words. "But when one traces back through time, when one follows the lines of effect back to the source of cause, there is but one overpowering force that's been harboring the unease in this universe for so very long. And that force is the Federation".
The words wash over Chekov like freezing ice water and his mouth suddenly feels very dry. He stares at the doctor a moment, trying to make sure what he's heard is serious. It is: there's not a single bit of doubt on Everit's face.
"The Federation makes peace vith others in the Universe," Chekov argues. "It alvays has".
Everit shakes his head, chiding the younger man. "So brilliant and yet, so misunderstood. Don't you see, Pavel? You work for an imperialistic, driving power that will not settle for anything less than another species' surrender. The Federation gives rise to unrest. It places itself directly in matters that would do best without its intervention. Not to mention its weakness: standing on a pillar of proclaimed peace; presenting itself as a humanitarian armada. Such a thing does not exist. No, the only way to create order, to allow true freedom in this universe, is to destroy the Federation, and everyone who stands by it".
Chekov inhales sharply, the doctor's words resounding as faded echoes in his ears.
Destroy the Federation.
It seems so inane; an idea only contrived by the most ludicrous mind to exist. And yet, Everit is all too serious in his deliverance. He, and whoever he works for, truly believe that putting and end to the Federation, that erasing the very existence of it, is the only viable solution. Chekov can't quite wrap his head around that.
"I stand by the Federation," Chekov says boldly, trying his best to stand tall. "Vhy not kill me, like you plan on doing to the others?"
Everit laughs almost genuinely; almost.
"A logical conclusion it would seem," he says, pacing with his hands clasped formally behind his back. "But in light of circumstances, not so. You see, when I said we chose you, Pavel, it wasn't just mincing words for form of flattery. You have skills, intelligence. Abilities that can help us further our cause; help us achieve our goals. You are a piece of a much larger mechanism, my boy, one which will see to the end of the Federation; no matter the cost nor the bloodshed".
And suddenly, Chekov finds it hard to breathe.
"You vant me to help youto bring down the Federation? To kill innocent people?"
He shakes his head in disbelief. These people can't seriously think he'd willingly do something like this.
Everit is unyielding. "Innocence is a powerful term, Pavel. No one who supports the Federation is innocent. They bear the blood of those who have fought against the assimilation their "humanitarian" organization demands".
"And yet you vould justify killing those people? To bring about more bloodshed?" Chekov asks.
Everit sighs. "A means to an end, if you will. There's no telling the number of lives we would be saving should we succeed in bringing about the end of the Federation."
Chekov shakes his head again. Everything, all of what the doctor speaks, is insane. And to think that these people believed he would help them. It's almost beyond comprehension.
"I von't do it," Chekov answers boldly. "I von't endanger the lives of innocent people so you can settle vhatever revenge you seek against the Federation".
Everit looks earnestly at the boy. "Think, Pavel. That's what you're so accustomed to, isn't it? Thinking? Without the Federation, the universe will be free. It won't have to live in fear any longer!"
Chekov lowers his tone gravely, making so very sure this man knows where he stands.
"No," he simply mutters.
And hearing this, with a large exhale, the doctor sighs; shaking his head as he does so.
"I truly hoped it wouldn't have come to this, Pavel," he utters, disappointment evident, "but you have given me no other option. I would have rather you'd join willingly, but seeing as that is a grave impossibility, we will have to opt for another route then, shall we?"
Chekov eyes the doctor cautiously, unsure of what he means.
"Hikaru," Everit calls over his shoulder, not taking his eyes off Chekov, "would you come here please?"
Chekov watches in disbelief as Sulu, looking unharmed, enters the cell swiftly. He's dressed all in black: an exact replica of the suits the men who brought them here wore. The older man approaches Everit quickly and then comes to an abrupt halt next to him, arms orderly placed at his sides.
"You see, Pavel," the doctor begins, and a chill runs down Chekov's spine at the new, grave and threatening tone the man's voice has taken on, "Hikaru didn't see our reasoning either; he argued much like you did, going on about peace and humanity. He refused. A shame really, I was so hoping to have you both willing accept our proposal. Alas, these things do happen. But I pride my organization on adjusting to circumstances; especially any concerning disagreement. And luckily for us, they've found a way to do just that".
Everit turns to Sulu.
"Hikaru, take out your gun," the doctor instructs.
And in utter disbelief, Chekov watches as Sulu reaches to the holster of his belt and retrieves a phaser. He holds it firmly in his hand, waiting.
"Good," Everit praises. "Now Hikaru, point the gun at me".
Sulu does so immediately, taking a step back and aiming the phaser right at the doctor's head.
Chekov feels his heart race.
"Hikaru, vhat are you doing?" He asks fervently, not understanding why his friend is obeying every command like some kind of machine.
"He's doing as he's told," Everit answers the younger boy simply, taking a step forward. Chekov notices that Sulu follows the doctor's path with his gun, still obeying the order he was given.
"It's quite fascinating, yes? Quite a unique solution our scientists have come up with. A serum injected into the bloodstream that, when having reached the brain, will allow any administrator of the serum to command the subject by his will".
Everit gives a simple, calculated smile.
"Hikaru," he calls once more, eyes never leaving Chekov's, "I want you to point that gun at Pavel now".
And without missing a beat, Sulu brings down his phaser, steps forward, turns his attention to Chekov, and raises the gun firmly.
Chekov feels as though time itself has stopped around him as he stares down the aim of a gun pointed at him by one of the only people in this world he could trust his life with. He freezes; afraid he could trigger a reaction simply by breathing.
He sees Doctor Everit smile as he glances back and forth between the two helmsmen.
"Riveting isn't it?" He directs his question to Chekov, who is still panicked as his eyes never leave his friend. "To have the unyielding power over another person's every decision. Every move they make is determined by you. Every step they take: it's not done without command. Such power this ability holds."
Chekov is unnerved by the very delight the doctor takes in those words; though not quite as unnerved as he is with Sulu pointing a gun directly at him. He breathes slowly and evenly, careful not to make any sudden movements.
"Hikaru," Chekov speaks, voice timid and shaking, "please, don't listen to him".
Sulu doesn't even blink in response.
Meanwhile, Everit laughs. "I'm afraid that's not going to work, my boy," he says. "He'll only listen to what I have to say now. Like for example: Hikaru, your weapon seems to be on stun. Would you please switch it to its alternate setting?"
Chekov watches as the gun quickly flips from blue to red, indicating it's set for one thing, and one thing only: to kill.
"You finger doesn't seem to be on the trigger," Everit chides. "Fix that please".
Obediently, Sulu moves his finger so that it's just barely hovering over the trigger of the gun.
Chekov can't move; he can't breathe.
A tense moment passes. Then two. Then three. It seems an eternity as they all stand there, unmoving, unyielding. One could hear a pin drop at the end of the hall.
Chekov sees Everit glance between the two officers again before nodding once.
"Good," he quips, moving forward toward Sulu, "I think we've put on quite a show for young Pavel here. Put the gun away, Hikaru".
And Sulu does so; swiftly and silently re-holstering the weapon at his side before standing at attention once more.
Chekov releases the breath he hadn't realized he'd been holding in an exhale of relief. His knees feel like they'll buckle beneath him in an instant and he struggles to remain upright. He unconsciously puts a hand to his racing heart; he can feel it pound fervently beneath his chest.
"Now then," Everit chimes, causing Chekov to glance up immediately, "Sigmen here will escort you to the lab, where you'll undergo some preparations before the procedure".
The doctor motions towards the guard in the corner, who Chekov had honestly disregarded until just now. The hulking man takes a step forward and the young ensign's eyes widen in fear.
"Not to worry," Everit says calmly, "everything will be just fine. You won't even feel a thing. I promise."
And somehow, that doesn't make Chekov feel any better.
Sigmen approaches him, reaching out a hand to grab him by the arm. In a last ditch effort, Chekov ducks the man's reach and races forward to get away.
He feels a strong grip latch on to the back of his shirt and he's very suddenly pulled away and thrown violently back. Chekov's head connects painfully with the wall behind him and he's disoriented as he slides to the floor, unable to move.
His vision is swimming and he can vaguely hear Doctor Everit berating the body guard for injuring him further. Nonetheless, when Chekov looks up, he's able to make out Sigmen coming towards him again, this time with a needled-tipped cylinder gripped firmly in his hand.
Head still swimming from being thrown, Chekov tries his very best to fight his way out of the stronger man's grip. But it's of no use. He senses the sharp prick of a needle on his arm and instantly feels the affects.
He drops to the ground, unable to move and vision dimming.
The last thing he sees is Sulu looking down at him, face emotionless, and uncaring.