After three days, a being appeared on Pacifica surrounded by light. His expression embraced anything but light because he only had one goal, and that was his revenge…murder, if that was what they wanted to call it. However, he would make James Kirk suffer first. He would make him watch while his beloved crew died, and then he would make him die an excruciating death.
Jim was standing outside looking up at the stars. He supposed he should get tired of looking at the stars since he was always on a starship, but looking at them from a planet was not like looking out a viewport. Carol leaned on his shoulder. "You love the stars, don't you?" she asked.
Jim smiled. "I suppose I do."
"You'll never be grounded, Jim Kirk."
Jim looked at her. "Not yet anyway. Why don't you join us on the Enterprise?"
"Then I would be one of your subordinates. What's that about the captain fraternizing with his crew?"
"Even captains need companionship."
"Is that all?"
"Maybe not all. I have to leave in a few more days, you know."
"But just think of all the fun we can have before you go."
"I think I've already been thinking about it."
Just then, Jim noticed something that looked like flashing light in the distance. "What was that?" he asked curiously.
"It could have been anything," Carol said thinking he was just trying to change the subject. "After all, we're in deep space." She turned toward the building. "I'll see you tomorrow, Captain."
"Oh, you're not going to call me captain now, are you?"
"It's only proper."
"Okay, Doctor."
Carol smiled and went to her own room. Jim looked back toward that flash of light they had seen. He supposed if it was of any significance, he would find out what it was soon. Right now, he was enjoying the breeze that blew in constantly from the ocean. He had enjoyed spending time with Carol, as he had before when she was on the ship. She had stayed on a space station after a few weeks in space. He supposed she just got tired of space, and being on a ship all the time. Several crew members had gotten tired of it and had let someone else take their place as they had visited space stations and planets with the Federation.
Bones came outside with a drink in his hand. "Are you nostalgic already?" he asked.
"Not exactly. Are you?"
"Absolutely not. At least on this planet, I know the air isn't going to suddenly go rushing out into the vacuum of space and I die before I even realize what's happening."
"Bones, you really need to see a psychiatrist."
"I just look at things the way they really are."
"No. You try to think of the worst thing that could possibly happen."
"You never know what's going to happen. You know, there have been a few times that if we had been in a different place on the ship, we would have been sucked out into space, dead before we ever knew what happened."
"But we weren't."
"Yeah, just by luck. How many more times can we cheat death?"
"Is that what you think we're doing?"
"Isn't it?"
"Just think of all the things you would never have seen if we weren't in space, Bones," Jim said.
"What? It's all mostly gas. It's just shaped in different forms and different colors."
"Come on, Bones."
"You have to admit that's true."
"If you want to look at it in a cynical way."
Jim looked out toward the horizon again. "Do they have storms on this planet?" he asked.
"I don't know," Bones replied. "Why? Are you getting nostalgic for earth?"
"I am sometimes. After all, it's home."
"I think it's going to be a long time before we see earth again."
"Probably. We'll be escorting dignitaries to a summit when we leave here. I believe they're being transported here now."
"Oh joy. We're gonna be escorting a bunch of grumpy old politicians to a conference they would rather not be at?"
"Something like that."
"So what's this talk about?"
"The Coridan System wants to join the Federation, and there are several who don't want that to happen. You know it's rich in dilithium, and there are some who are invading it to get that dilithium."
"So it's all about money, huh?"
"I guess you could say that. Isn't it always?"
"I would say most of the time it is."
They were silent a moment. "So who are these dignitaries?" Bones asked.
"The usual ones who like to argue," Jim answered. "Even a Tellurite."
"Oh great. They just argue for the sake of arguing."
"We just have to make sure they keep the debate off the ship."
"How can we do that? You put a bunch of people who are against each other together in a closed space, and they're just liable to clash."
"Hopefully not. I think I'm turning in. I have more meetings tomorrow. I don't want to be yawning while the admiral is talking."
"Good night."
Jim went to his apartment. He thought he was more rested than he had been in months, but he also thought it was getting a little boring. Tomorrow would be meetings and then they only had a few more days before they were off on another mission.
The next morning, Jim was up early because his meeting was rather early. He thought the admiral did not like him much. If he thought he would be late for a meeting, he was mistaken. He turned on the shower, and nothing happened. "Come on," he said. He called Ensign McCoy who was always around. "My shower isn't working. I have a meeting early this morning."
"I'm sorry, Sir, I will get someone here as soon as possible," McCoy replied.
Jim knew he did not have time to wait for someone to fix that so he would just have to skip the shower. He got dressed and went out the door, and almost ran right into Ensign McCoy. "Excuse me, Sir," McCoy said.
"I don't want to be late for my meeting, but I'm hungry this morning," Jim said. "How could my shower not be working?"
"I'm not sure, but it will be fixed."
"Good. Let's get going."
Spock came from his room as Jim was passing by. "Good morning, Captain," he said. "You have an early meeting this morning?"
"I do," Jim replied. "Is everything working okay in your room?"
"Not everything. I had to get dressed in the dark this morning."
"Your lights and my shower, huh? What's going on with this place?"
"Where are you headed now?"
"To get something to eat. I hope that's working. I'm starving this morning."
"I will accompany you, as I have something to discuss."
"Fine."
They went outside and were soon on their way. "So what did you want to discuss?" Jim asked.
"Our diplomatic mission," Spock said. "It concerns my father being among the dignitaries."
"Oh. Well, that shouldn't be a problem…should it?"
"No, Captain. I would believe that you will have less trouble from him than anyone else."
"Me too. If he's anything like you…then again." Jim looked at him. "He doesn't have a habit of bringing up rules, does he?"
"Captain, I am first officer, and it is my duty to..."
"I know that, Spock. I was just kidding. Are you concerned about his being there?"
"I have not spoken to my father many times since the tragedy of Vulcan. I think he was somewhat disappointed that I did not embrace the Vulcan way entirely and attend the science academy."
"Oh, and you think you two are not going to get along?"
"No. I am what you call…nervous. "
"Why? Do you think he's going to be angry with you?"
"I am not certain."
"Spock, I thought you and your father parted on good terms."
"I did not see him after he left the Enterprise, and as our mission has taken us deep into space, I have not seen him since. When I spoke to him, it was mostly business of some sort."
"So, you're afraid he's going to confront you about staying on the Enterprise rather than going off with all the other Vulcans."
"Precisely."
"Spock, I can tell you, if my father were here, I wouldn't mind listening to anything he had to say. I don't know why people waste time in conflict with people they love. Captain Pike was more like a father to me than anyone, and when he died, I felt alone in Starfleet, like no one else believes in me or trusts me."
"Your crew trusts you, Jim."
"I don't mean them. I'm talking about officials."
"As far as I'm concerned, you have proven yourself to be trustworthy, Jim."
"Only to you and the crew."
Suddenly, the transport they were in sputtered and stopped. "What happened?" Jim asked.
"I don't know, Sir," McCoy replied. "It's just dead."
"What else is going to happen today? First the shower, and now this."
"I'm sorry, Sir."
"Well, it's not your fault. Are they sure this place isn't falling apart?"
They got out of the transport. "So where is this place you're taking us for breakfast?" Jim asked.
"Just two more blocks, Sir," McCoy replied.
Jim blew out a breath as he looked down the street. "Fine. We can walk the rest of the way." He put his hat on which he hardly ever wore with his dress uniform.
Spock walked beside him. "It seems you're having a bad day," he remarked.
"Oh, the only way it can get worse I guess is having to sit in that meeting and listen to the admiral tell me everything I should do as though I am incompetent, but I'll listen anyway."
"Jim, I do not believe he intends for you to take it that way. It is simply his job to prepare you for anything you may face while you are on this mission at his command."
"Yeah, yeah. Okay. I just don't see why everything has to break down this morning."
As they were walking, Jim's communicator whistled at him. "Kirk here," he answered.
"Jim, some of the crew members have become ill," Bones said. "It's pretty severe."
"Will they be okay?"
"I'm not sure, Jim. It seems like they have some sort of flu."
"Flu? I thought we eradicated that long ago."
"Well, somehow it has gotten to this planet."
"How many of the crew are sick?"
"A dozen, Jim. It's just too many for this to be a coincidence."
Jim stopped walking. "What are you saying, Bones?"
"Nothing. I just don't see how this many got something like this."
"Just take care of them, Bones. Report it to Starfleet Command."
"That's just the thing, Jim. There's no way to communicate outside the planet. The communications array is messed up. They're working on it, but they haven't found what's wrong."
Jim absorbed that a moment. "Are you saying that we can't get a message off this planet?" he asked.
"That's what I'm saying."
Jim thought about everything that had happened that morning. "What's going on?" he asked. "There are too many things happening this morning. I'll get back to you, Bones."
Jim ended the transmission and looked at Spock. "There's something wrong here, Spock," he said.
Spock nodded. "I agree, Captain. Your bad luck, and now the crew has become ill. Perhaps it has something to do with the delegation."
"We haven't even started that yet."
"Perhaps someone wants to stop it from ever getting started."
"What kind of diplomat can sabotage the communications array here?"
Spock considered that. "That is a good point, Captain. Do you think someone is out against us?"
"I don't know. I don't want to jump to conclusions but something weird is going on around here. It started last night when…" Jim scowled.
"What happened last night, Captain?"
"Nothing. I…I just remember seeing something like a flash of light. Now that I think of it, it could have been a transporter light."
"But who would come here to cause us problems?" Spock asked.
"It may be nothing. I'm just wondering why all this is happening."
"Sometimes simultaneous events happen and it seems that there is a force at work, but it could only be a coincidence."
"What about this flu?"
"I am not certain, but it does bear consideration."
They walked on down to the place where they were eating. Jim hoped there was something good that he liked eating. He was still concerned about the events of the morning. He and Spock sat at a table and ordered their meals.
"So, have you and Uhura enjoyed this vacation?" Jim asked.
"Absolutely," Spock answered. "We have had a lot of…fun."
"You had fun?"
"It is not against the Vulcan custom to have fun, Captain."
"And since you're half human, you make the most of it, right?"
"Yes."
Jim smiled at his friend's seriousness. He always took everything literally. He thought Bones and Spock made the trip through space more fun. Bones was always cynical about everything, and Spock was always serious, and tried to explain everything in a philosophical or logical way. It all made for a very interesting trip.
When they were finished eating, they went outside. "I have another transport for you, Captain Kirk," Ensign McCoy said.
"Oh great," Jim replied. "Are you sure it's not going to break down?"
The ensign looked a little bewildered for a moment. "I hope it won't, Sir."
Jim and Spock got into the transport. "Captain, do you believe the admiral will allow me to attend the meeting this time?" Spock asked.
"I don't know," Jim replied. "I don't see why he wouldn't. You have to know what's going on anyway."
They arrived at their destination this time, only to find everyone outside. They walked over to Admiral Carson. "Admiral, what's going on?" Jim asked.
"The sprinklers inside the building went crazy," Admiral Carson replied.
"Do you guys usually have this much trouble?"
"Never."
Just then, Jim's communicator whistled at him. He opened it. "Kirk here," he said.
"Jim, this flu is severe," Bones said. "It's not responding to any kind of treatment. Three people have already died."
"What?"
"I'm telling you, Jim. I've never seen anything like this. The scientists here are trying to help me. They think we might have come in contact with something out in space and it's just now starting to affect us."
"That's impossible…isn't it?"
"I don't know, Jim. But I know they're about to quarantine us all."
"Even me?"
"Yes, sir, even you."
Just then, Jim heard Admiral Carson's communicator whistle. "What can we do about this, Bones?" Jim asked.
"I don't know right now," Bones answered. "But if you start feeling sick, you come to me right then. Even Doctor Marcus is here trying to help."
"Have you found out anything about it?"
"It doesn't seem to be contagious from person to person."
Jim absorbed that a moment. "Are you saying it was distributed to the crew?"
"That's the way it looks, Jim."
"How?"
"I don't know. Maybe through something they drank or ate."
"Keep me informed, Bones."
Jim ended that transmission and looked at Spock. "Who would do something like this?" he asked. "And why?"
"I do not know, Captain, but I think a better question at the present would be how."
Admiral Carson came over to them. "Captain Kirk, you should report to the hospital immediately," he said. "And you too, Commander Spock."
"Sir, Doctor McCoy just contacted me about what's happening," Jim said. "He said that…"
"Go to the hospital, Kirk. That's an order, and Ensign McCoy, you go with them."
Jim could see the fear on the Ensign's face. They went to the transport. "Take me to my apartment first," he said. "I'm not wearing this uniform all day."
"Sir, do you think we're all infected?" McCoy asked.
"I don't know, but we'll know soon."
After they were changed, Jim and Spock went to the hospital. Spock was shocked to see Uhura lying on a bed. He went over to her. "Nyota."
"What's happening, Spock?" Uhura asked.
"I do not know but the doctor is trying to find a cure. You did not tell me that you were here."
"I didn't have a chance."
Jim stood there and looked at Uhura and then at Bones. "What's happening?" Jim asked, and then he noticed that Bones had sweat on his forehead. "Bones?"
Bones looked at him and then almost fell but Jim caught him. "Bones!" He got him onto an empty bed.
"I'm sorry, Jim."
"Sorry for what?"
"I don't know how to cure it."
"That's not your fault."
Jim had to step back as doctors and nurses began working on Bones. Spock came over to him. "Captain, this is very serious."
Jim backed up till he was against the wall. "How do we find an answer, Spock?" he asked.
"I do not know, but I will join the other scientists who are looking for a cure."
Jim looked at him. "Why are we not infected?"
Carol Marcus came over to them. "I have to take blood samples from the two of you," she said. She moved closer to Jim. "Captain, I believe the virus has been genetically altered. It is resistant to all the cures we have tried."
"Are you saying that someone…deliberately infected my crew with a genetically altered virus?"
"It seems to only be affecting the crew of the Enterprise. We are not certain how they became infected."
Jim and Spock gave the doctor blood samples and then sat to wait. Jim sat beside Bones, who had IV's in both arms and could not even raise up his head. "I'm usually the one who is always trying to save everyone else's lives," he said. "What's happening, Jim?"
"I don't know," Jim replied. "There are several working on it. Just hang in there, Bones."
"I told you space was full of deadly viruses and…" Bones closed his eyes.
"Bones?"
"I don't remember ever feeling this bad."
"I wonder if it's worse than the Melvarian mud flea vaccine makes you feel?"
Bones smiled slightly. "For a while there, I thought I might have killed you."
"How could they alter the virus, Bones?"
"Cause it to mutate. I don't know."
"Why are Spock and I not infected?"
"Are you suggesting that someone infected us deliberately? Who? Why?"
"I don't know, Bones, but I have to find out."
Jim was standing out on the balcony of the building that evening when Carol came out, along with Spock. "You and Spock are not infected with the virus," she said.
"How is that possible?" Jim asked. "If it's a virus…"
"As far as we can tell, it's not contagious from person to person. It had to be ingested either by drinking or eating something containing the virus."
"Then it was deliberate."
Carol paused a moment. "It appears to be, Captain."
Jim and Spock just looked at each other. "I am just as puzzled as you are, Captain," Spock said. "However, I would surmise that whomever is responsible for this attack wants you and me to suffer because our crew is sick and dying and we can do nothing to help them."
Jim scowled at that. "Why? We haven't done anything to anyone…" He stopped midsentence as a thought came to him.
"Captain, I would like to know what you are thinking. There is only one person whom we took his crew from him, and he may have thought his crew truly died…"
"That's not possible, Spock. He's frozen in a warehouse on earth."
"We assume he is, Jim."
"How could he escape?"
"Someone would have to free him from stasis."
"Why? Don't they know how dangerous he is?"
"Someone desperate. Perhaps someone who heard or read about your miraculous recovery. I have been thinking about this, Captain, and it is the only logical explanation."
Jim was not sure what to say now. "If he's on this planet…"
"Captain, everyone is in grave danger if he is on this planet."
Jim looked out across the darkness. "That flash of light I saw. I knew it looked like a transport." He grabbed his communicator. "Kirk to Admiral Carson."
"Captain," the admiral answered.
"Admiral, we think there's a very dangerous being on this planet. Khan. He's on this planet! I don't know how, but he's…"
Just then, encircling light appeared behind Jim, and as he whirled around, he was looking right into the evil stare of Khan himself. He suddenly grabbed Jim by the arm as he was shocked by the sudden appearance of him.
"Captain!" Spock exclaimed and started toward Jim, but he was hit by a stun beam from Khan's weapon as he and the captain disappeared in transportation.
Carol was stunned by the whole event. She looked at Spock who was lying on the floor. She knelt beside him but he was out cold. She hurried inside and alerted everyone of what had happened. The whole place was soon on high alert. Bones wanted to get up but he could not. "He'll kill Jim!" he said.
"Doctor McCoy, you have to calm down," the nurse said.
"You guys have to do something to help us so we can rescue Jim!"
Just then, Keenser walked up beside Bones. He looked very sad, and Bones knew Scotty was sick too. Then he realized Keenser was not sick. "Hey, why isn't he sick?" he asked.
Carol realized what Bones was saying. "Keenser, have you been tested?" she asked.
Keenser shook his head. "Come with me," Carol said.
Bones wished he could get up and help. He knew what they were thinking…maybe Keenser was immune to the virus. If he was, they might have a way to make a vaccine. Right now, he was concerned about Jim…he was in the hands of a madman.
As Spock woke up from being stunned, he was concerned about Jim as well, but he was concerned about the crew. He was no longer confined to the hospital since he was not infected with the virus. He would find out where Khan had gone with the captain, and he would do something…
