Imbecile Anthem

Part 4: The Ship of Fools

You're the master, we're your tools
We follow your star, we are the ship of fools

When Christine Chapel entered Leonard's office, he gestured to the visitors' chair. 'Nurse, I have to make a proposition,' he said. The computer was not recording their conversation, Spock had told him, and the only witness was Noran. Without Spock, this would be very difficult. Only a few people on this vessel had the necessary knowledge to prevent the automatic logging of every activity on the ship. The Betazoid was in the adjacent storage room, gauging the emotions of the woman. 'I will need you to keep this confidential. I have your word?'

'Certainly, Doctor.'

'A few others and I are going to … Well. This Empire needs some serious change.' He lowered his voice. 'I know that when you became a nurse you didn't do it to inflict pain. I want to give you – us both, actually – the opportunity to be what we were meant to be. Healers.'

'Meaning?' Somehow he sensed it was no good, but for the first time since he had started his service on this ship Jim Kirk had given him an order he wanted to follow. At least if he was successful.

'Meaning that we have to set the world we live in straight. Break the Empire and build one that leaves room for compassion.'

'You speak treason.' She didn't seem frightened. She was actually smiling. The door to the storage room opened and Noran came out. Christine rose.

'Computer, lock door,' Leonard said calmly. The woman froze. Ignoring her, Leonard nodded towards Noran.

'Lieutenant Sulu didn't fully believe the Captain when he spoke to him. But she does.' Leonard closed his eyes, for a moment contemplating the injustice of it all.

'I can't let her go, can I?' Noran merely shook his head. Christine's eyes were wide with sudden terror.

'I … I won't speak of it. I promise.' Leonard chanced a glance at the Betazoid.

'She means it. Now. She will not in a few hours.' Leonard sighed. He had prepared for that eventuality. He produced a hypo from his drawer and both men descended on the nurse, who ran to the door, hammering her fists against it in a pointless effort to draw attention.

'I'm sorry,' Leonard said. 'It'll be quick.' He injected the neurotoxin into her neck, and after five seconds, she sank to the floor, twitching. Only when she was beyond saving, Leonard hoisted her up and carried her out, flung over his shoulders like a wet bag. A crewman with some minor injury and a young doctor stared at him. 'As you were,' he barked. 'You want to ask questions, you'll get some of the same. Noran, you inform the Captain, but first you get back in there. We've got one more conversation to conduct.'

'Of course,' the Betazoid said, looking intimidated, and hurried back into the office and out of sight. It was an act, of course, but no-one else knew that. Leonard wondered briefly if he even still had a soul that was worth saving but pushed it from his mind when Scott entered. His eyes brushed Christine Chapel lying dead on a bed and being covered by a cloth and his eyes went wide.

'What was that?' he asked when he and Leonard were sequestered in the CMO's office.

'I may tell you later,' he said. 'Scott … Hell, how do I say this.'

'Doctor, am I going to end up dead, too?' Leonard swallowed. He hoped not. He really did.

'Oh, Scotty,' he managed. 'I … Look. You know how I hate all this. This place. You know I tried to get out and you didn't tell the Captain. So … I think … you're the right man to talk to. Again.' The engineer's face softened and he reached over to squeeze Leonard's arm.

'Len, if you want out, I'll arrange it. I told you that then.' A slow smile spread on Leonard's face.

'You're willing to risk your life for that?' A short nod, just once. 'Would you risk it for more than just an occasional drinking buddy? If I asked you to rebel against all that we're doing out here?' He raised his hand when Scott wanted to speak. 'Hear me out. I know it's a lot more precarious because we'll be in constant danger. Not just a moment of risk like that would be. But … we're actually four so far, maybe more before the day's out. And we would so need you on our side.'

'What's the plan?'

'Scotty, I can't tell you that.'

'Oh, yes, Len, you can. Is that what Chapel died for?' Leonard didn't answer. He didn't have to. Scott sighed. 'I won't tell a soul, even if I don't agree to it. Do you believe that?'

'I do. But I'm not the one who decides if you're to be believed?'

'Mr Spock?' Leonard shook his head and the engineer's eyes widened. 'Aaah, that Betazoid of his. Lurking about somewhere.'

'You're too intelligent for your own good.'

'Can I have a drink? Seeing how it may be my last?' Leonard smiled.

'Sure.' He walked to his cupboard and poured him a generous amount of Scotch. 'So here's the deal. We need to take over the ship. One by one. Get rid of those that aren't on our side. Spock and Jim know a Captain or two who might also be game. We'll have to invite them over, of course, and kill them if necessary. We'll also try to get a cloaking device.'

'How?'

'We're not sure yet. But Spock reckons his contacts can help. That's part of why we'd so sorely need you.'

'To hook it up to the Enterprise.'

'And other ships, if we're lucky.'

'And then?'

'Then we start converting the peoples of the Empire. Starting on Vulcan.'

'They're slaves, most of them.'

'And I'm sure they don't like it very much.' Scott nodded slowly.

'Solid. Dangerous but solid.'

'What do you say?'

'Can I think that through?' Leonard shrugged.

'Noran!' he called. The Betazoid came out of the sideroom, and Scott chuckled. 'What's the verdict?' Leonard asked, dreading the answer.

'He has time. And he does not have to die, whatever his decision.'

'Isn't that risky? Even if I don't choose to talk, I could be forced to.' Leonard decided to ignore that remark.

'Go and make your decision, Scotty. And tell me when you know. Or any of us.' He swallowed. 'Noran … let's tell Jim about Christine.'

Ϡ

Jim was already looking sour when Leonard joined him for dinner. 'What's eating you?' he asked. Jim gave him a baleful look.

'You'll have to kill me after all. Got the third and last reminder to destroy the Saleeans. And I'll do it. Because if I don't someone else will and then I hang.' Leonard had feared it. They were in orbit too long already. The Saleeans hadn't met the Empire's agreement, so they had to go.

'Why do we have to kill you?'

'You said I had to spare them if you were to rescue me. I can't spare them.' Leonard made a face.

'But you tried. Jim, we'll make this right. We must. We're digging that hole deeper and deeper. We can't stop now.'

'No.' He swallowed. 'Sorry about Chapel. Sulu's dead, too. First seemed to think I tried to trick him, but an hour ago he came and tried to blackmail me. Chekov wanted time. Seemed relieved that Sulu's gone at least.'

'Sulu raped him a couple of times,' Leonard said. 'Small wonder he thinks he's good riddance, and I must say I won't lose sleep over him. Uhura?'

'No idea. Oh, look.' The door had revealed Scott, who was approaching them with the purposeful strides of a man who was focussing on walking a straight line. He managed, but it looked more than a little clumsy. Apparently, his thinking had been aided by scotch.

'I'll do it,' he said without preamble, and Leonard beamed at him.

'I knew it.'

'Good. Very good,' Jim said. 'Now we need to see where Spock got. He should come any moment.'

Ϡ

Spock, luckily, was successful as well. It was a start, and not the worst possible. Leonard let the rest of the evening pass before his mind's eye. Spurred by their success so far, he had called nurse Maria Glaine to his quarters, in order to end the day with a bit of good sex. He had succeeded only in making a fool of himself and probably prompting her to go tell everyone that he couldn't get it up. He'd told her that it was because she didn't have a dick, but in truth, that wasn't the problem. He had never been picky about who he fucked, but tonight, all he could think of was a tall, forbidding Vulcan.

So far, Leonard had successfully told himself that his crush would pass, but the facts remained as they were. He had had less and less sex since that particular conversation and now, it seemed, his body had decided that if he couldn't have Spock, he'd have no-one. He'd told him he liked him. What an understatement.

Against his will, the word love slipped into Leonard's mind. It frightened him to the core. Not only did Spock tell anyone who'd listen that he didn't have emotions (which was bullshit, that much Leonard knew for sure), but he also was a Vulcan. Their peaceful nature had driven almost all of them into some form of slavery, their entire planet was taken by force by the Empire, and if there was sexual contact between humans and Vulcans, the Vulcans rarely consented. Spock's position as first officer was something extremely rare and had come to be before Jim had been turned into a complete minion of the Empire. Leonard would be a cause for ridicule if he let the Vulcan into his heart as well as his bed, never mind if he bonded to him.

But then again, he wanted change. He certainly didn't want a slave in bed. He had loved once, and it hadn't worked out. At all. Now … could it? The important question was if he could be faithful. A small voice in his head said that he'd done it before and hadn't missed anything. Against his better judgement, against his will, Leonard felt he was drawn out of his quarters and to the first officers'. He stood there, contemplating the door, before he signalled. 'Come,' the deep voice called, and he stepped into the lion's den.

Something about his stance must have given away that he felt insecure because Spock frowned at him for a moment before he approached. 'Is something wrong?' Leonard shook his head. His heart was beating way too fast. He was an adult, damn it, not a teenager.

'Spock, I … want to tell you something. Ask you something, really. No, tell you.'

'Doctor, you appear to be slightly confused. I do not smell alcohol on you, so I wonder if you require medical attention.' Leonard grinned. He must look very sheepish.

'No. I … wanted to tell you that I meant what I said. A while ago. That I like you.'

'I cannot offer …'

'Wait. Please. I want you to consider … trusting me. With more than you already do. I know I said I can't be exclusive, but you're so worth it.' Spock's eyes were warm and soft, and yet, Leonard knew the rejection would come.

'I cannot.' He looked away, feeling heat crawling into his face. 'Leonard … not without a reason to believe you can indeed be faithful.'

'I'll prove it,' he heard himself say, and to his own astonishment, he meant it.

'Let me meld with you. Create a slight link. If you do not break it – and even the intention to have sexual intercourse with someone else would do that – I shall consider it.' A smile stole onto Leonard's face. On impulse more than anything, he stepped closer and pulled Spock in for a kiss. For a moment, he was rigid, then he seemed to warm to the touch. When he broke away, Spock held him tightly. 'You are making it difficult to wait.' Leonard leaned close.

'I'm so not sorry. Now create that link of yours. You'll see.'

Ϡ

The vessel appeared out of no-where. Spock could feel the tension on the bridge in his very bones. Humans … they never stopped broadcasting. Spock hardened his shields against the onslaught. 'Captain there's a …'

'I see them, Chekov.' Kirk sounded strained. Small wonder.

'Incoming message.'

'On screen.'

'If I talk to anyone it will have to be your Vulcan.' Jim turned in his chair and smiled. It was that horrible leer he was capable of. If Spock didn't know that they were on the same side, he would be very wary indeed.

'All yours, Spock.'

'Peace and …'

'Cut it out,' the Romulan female on the other ship interrupted. 'You want something?'

'I want to call in the favour you owe me, Ter…'

'Shut up. My name has no business on your ship. What do you want?'

'You know what I want. I requested three cloaking devices.' Two ensigns turned to stare at him. Some of the few who didn't yet know what was going on on the Enterprise. All others were either on their side or dead, the crew reduced to some seventy, probably fifty by the end of it.

'I have them. What do I get in turn?'

'My silence and an end to your debt.'

'Vulcan bitch. You squeal nicely in you Captain's quarters?'

'You will either speak to my first officer with more respect or we'll incapacitate you and take the devices by force. And kill you all.' Kirk's voice was conversational, but there was no doubt about his intentions. The Romulan's eyes went a little wider. 'You were saying?'

'We will beam them on board.' The screen went blank. Spock made to go to the transporter room when Jim called him back.

'You stay right where you are, Spock. Security to transporter room, there's three devices coming. Check them. Thoroughly. Once done, one each goes to our allies, one to Mr Scott.' He cut the connection. 'You're way too valuable. This might be a trap and I won't risk you getting caught by an explosion.'

'Another message, from the Irving.' Kirk made a gesture at Uhura and the Captain of one of their allied vessels appeared on the screen.

'I report all hands in line.' Another smile, this one warm.

'Thank you. We'll be done in three days as was scheduled.'

'Why are they faster than us?' Spock asked automatically. Kirk allowed himself a sigh.

'Because Grabherr isn't as fussy as us. They either get an outright yes they believe is honest or you die. No second chances.' Chekov blanched visibly in his chair. Apparently, the Captain had noticed, too. 'While some of us here have never voiced their agreement, I believe that I have their answer all the same.' He shot the Russian a smile before turning his gaze on Spock. After a moment of hesitation, he walked over to the science console. 'Am I a fool?' he asked in an undertone. 'Tell me. Am I not careful enough?'

'I believe that Mr Chekov has indeed decided to side with us. Your take on the situation has been unconventional, but so is this entire endeavour.' His answer was equally quiet. 'If I believed that your faith in any particular crewmember was misplaced, I would let you know.' Kirk nodded.

'Good. Thank you.'

Ϡ

Leonard read the communiqué with a degree of amusement.

Due to recent complaints, I have designed a set of rules, a moral code of conduct, if you will, which we all have to adhere to. We want change. If that is the case, one of the first things we need to fight is corruption and infighting.

The first and most urgent rule that seems necessary is as follows:

No member of this crew from myself to every single cadet is allowed to use sex as a means to exert power. That means not as a bribe, or worse, a form of violence. Anyone who refuses to obey that order will share the fate of those who decided not to agree with my decision to turn to what Starfleet calls piracy. You voted for change. Live it.

What I am not saying is that no sexual contact is allowed. I am aware that there are several couples on board. I am also aware that there are crewmembers who choose more casual relations. I have nothing against that as long as it is consensual. And I do not consider coercion consent.

I hope I am clear.

All other related instructions are available in the current orders folder in the public files. They are effective immediately.

JTK

He knew that he had told Jim about a yeoman approaching him, wanting drugs for sex and threatening him when he refused. He had been unaware that there were other such instances, but it was only logical. The entire Empire was corrupted.

'Approaching Vulcan space,' Uhura's voice announced shipwide.

'Cloaking device will be activated before visual contact is possible,' Jim continued. 'All hands be prepared for battle.'

Suddenly nervous, Leonard wrapped up his work in sickbay and retreated to his quarters. He was going to be among those who visited the planet. He and Jim and Spock. Uhura had wanted to come, but recently Jim had been very protective of the woman and decided that she remain on board with Scott in command. It was the first time that the Captain would leave the ship. A test on more than one front.

But before that, they had to clear the area. It meant combat. Leonard's door opened and closed, permitting Spock. Recently, he'd taken to visit at a certain time. Today, he was early. There was a chance none of them would be alive at their usual meeting time. 'Doctor, I wish to speak with you.'

'I figured,' Leonard said. Boy, was he scared. 'It's now, isn't it? God. We'll all die.'

'I hope not.' Spock sat, tight-lipped and more silent than usually. He wasn't unaffected. 'There are currently four vessels protecting Vulcan. We will attempt to take out three at once and the fourth before it can ask for help.'

'And then? How will your people greet us? What are the chances of them destroying us on sight?'

'There is that possibility. We have to uncloak to attack, and even if we re-activate the device afterwards, they would be able to track us.'

'Track us, or tell the Empire just how we managed to pull it off.'

'Logically, we have to destroy them if they do not agree to fight.' Leonard swallowed.

'Jim won't do that.'

'He might not. The other two ships …' Leonard shook his head and reached for Spock's hand.

'Listen. No-one's destroying your home.'

'You do not know that. In the unlikely event that someone does, I have a question.'

'Fire away.'

'Will you offer me a new one, Leonard? Can you truly do that?' The warmth that filled him was unlike anything Leonard had ever felt.

'Yes. I can and I do.'

'If we wait we might never have an opportunity to share the intimacy we both desire.' Leonard swallowed. He hadn't expected this. Not so soon, not before this was done. Spock's suggestion shot directly into his loins.

'You sure?' The Vulcan gave him a curt nod. 'Come here, then.' He stood and pulled the taller man into an embrace. 'Let's make love, Spock.'

Ϡ

From the moment the klaxon started to scream the red alarm, everything happened so fast Leonard would be hard pressed to give a detailed account. He had gone to the bridge with Spock. The look Jim had given them had been knowing enough to make Leonard blush crimson. Next thing he knew, they had fired, and an explosion lit up the screen. One more photon torpedo and a second ship went up in flames while their allies reported success, too. The triumph Leonard felt was dimmed by the fact that 1600 had died without so much as a warning. 'More blood on our hands. Isn't that great,' he muttered. Jim glared at him.

'If you had a better idea there was time to say so. And settling peacefully on some backwoods planet isn't an option unless we have to run.' Leonard raised his arms. Jim's temper was still bad, and he didn't want to be the centre of an escalation.

'Yeah, I know.'

'You're right, though. More blood. Fuck.'

'We had no choice,' Spock said quietly, earning a sharp look from the Captain.

'I know that. We all do.' He took a deep breath. 'A channel to T'Pau, Nyota.'

'Open.'

'This is James Kirk of the I.S.S. Enterprise. We need to talk.'

'If I refuse, you will wipe out all life on the planet?' The voice was acerbic, if that was possible for a Vulcan. 'How do you even know how to contact me?'

'I have my sources.'

'The half-Vulcan. I know.'

'Actually, no. He had nothing to do with that bit. T'Pau, we will not hurt anyone on your planet. I actually have an offer to make. And I want to speak with you. I would like to come down with two of my staff and discuss this in private.' There was a minute of silence before the woman answered.

'Why would I believe that this is not a trap?'

'T'Pau, please hear me,' Spock said. 'If you believe that the status quo is acceptable and as it should be, you may send us away. If you do not, you need to speak to us.' There was another moment of hesitation.

'How many of you would come?'

'Three.'

'Very well. You have my coordinates, I assume. Beam down at once. Come unarmed or you will be taken into custody at once. T'Pau out.' Jim contemplated his hands for a few moments. Then he stood and looked first at Spock, then at Leonard.

'Very well, gentlemen, let's do this. Mr Scott … If you are found, get out.'

Ϡ

T'Pau was a grim woman. Tall, harsh, and as Vulcan as Spock before he had opened up. She was flanked by five guards. Their instruction was no doubt to shoot at the first sign of trouble. They had also searched them rather thoroughly for hidden weapons.

The Vulcans had led them silently into a large conference room of the building they had materialised in. 'What do you want, Captain?' T'Pau asked once they were inside. 'You have destroyed four Empire ships, to what end I do not know. I can only assume that it is either to impress on me how powerful you are or to feign an alliance.' Jim sighed.

'We … do not intend to feign anything. I wouldn't have ordered the death of so many to coax you into compliance.'

'And I am expected to believe that. What is your intention?' Jim opened his mouth and closed it.

'Spock, would you?' he asked after a moment. T'Pau raised her hand in protest.

'Spock is your Vulcan subordinate. I have to assume that he must do your bidding. If you say to lie, he will do so. If you say to spread his cheeks, he will as well.'

'He would not,' Spock said sharply. 'I do not belong to anyone.'

'I'd also have something to say about that,' Leonard muttered. The suggestion was outrageous, degrading for all of them. Jim looked pointedly at T'Pau.

'Well, here it is. I am a renegade. I'm sure you can hear Starfleet channels, and I'm also sure you know exactly what we are in the eyes of the Empire. I am wanted, so are the Captains Grabherr and Mallone. I have been called a pirate, a murderer, a dissident. And I am. All of those.' He shook his head. 'Because … I cannot keep looking the other way. I cannot … let them take what they want … cannot be their tool. Anyone's tool.' His expression hardened. 'If I were under orders from Starfleet, we wouldn't be having this conversation. That you even speak to me, when you must know what I am, is a violation of every rule pushed upon your planet. Yet I am here. Not up there, destroying all life like you said. You aren't meant to be slaves. You're meant to be free and calm and strange. I offer that. All I need is for you to believe me and help to undermine that system. With me.'

'If I refuse?'

'I will leave.'

'With no harm to anyone?'

'Of course.'

'Give me your thoughts.' Jim gave her a long-suffering look.

'Vulcans. Well, if that's what it takes to convince you, that's what you'll get.'

Ϡ

'The planet we are approaching is called Pri…' Spock faltered in mid-sentence. He frowned at the computer signal. He was naked, spent, and had Leonard in his arm and certainly did not want to talk to anyone else.

'Spock, transmission from Starfleet. It's hilarious. Whenever you've got time.' The Vulcan raised an eyebrow.

'Aren't you curious?' Leonard asked.

'Computer, play transmission.'

… another sighting of the Enterprise in sector 30. The reports have come from one of the outposts of the Empire and are currently being investigated. In the meantime, Starfleet Command reminds everyone that the three stolen vessels couldn't be tracked down, which very likely means they were all destroyed, including the people aboard.

Should we receive genuine evidence that one or more of the ships are still out there, we will take immediate action. The people in charge of the tactics in that event still hold occasional meetings.

I know all the arguments. Yes, Kirk is a very intelligent man. Yes, Spock as his science officer and second in command and who knows what else he's doing for the traitor, is a strong asset. Yes, McCoy has vast knowledge of medicine. But ultimately, they are all selfish men. Kirk is driven by his ego, Spock by fear, McCoy by bloodlust. They will destroy themselves if they haven't already done so.

So anyone else who feels they need to report sightings of the Enterprise, you'd better have proof. You know what awaits you if your sightings lead to nothing. Chances are the recent rumours will lead to a few truly … agonising hours for the man reporting the incident. No pun intended.

'Sector thirty?' Leonard asked. 'What would we be doing there?'

'We do have a Romulan cloaking device.' Spock's hand was idly stroking Leonard's chest as he spoke. 'All in all, they truly believe we are dead.'

'Drifting in space, a ship full of corpses because I ran amok and stabbed everyone?'

'Judging from Commodore Stocker's words, one would think so.' The Vulcan turned to his side to face him. 'You were not too far from it. I did not believe you could be … like this.' Leonard smiled.

'Me neither. But I didn't really think that Jim would ever be Jim again.' Spock regarded him solemnly.

'You. It is really you. You brought us all together.' He leaned down and kissed Leonard. 'I was saying, the planet on which we will establish a base was called Prinat by its original inhabitants. It has been used for testing various weapons and vast areas are uninhabitable, the humanoids that lived there wiped out. But there is a continent with mountains and a rainforest that seems ideal for us. The various metals in the mountains make scanning difficult. It would be easy to hide there, and it is an ideal retreat for an extended leave once we managed to set up a transporter on the planet surface. It has all we could ask for.' A small frown formed on his face. 'For some reason the planet was renamed into Pripyat. Grabherr burst into rather undignified laughter when Jim used the name. I can only assume that it has some historic connotation I am unaware of. Grabherr has extensive plans that will be put into action immediately upon our arrival. Our facilities should be complete within a year. We will keep a low profile during that time. Once we are finished, T'Pau should have the support of a large proportion of my people as well. It will be interesting to see how much we can achieve.' Leonard snuggled closer to the Vulcan.

'Oh, we'll manage. And those standing in our way never see it coming. Literally.'

'Indeed. A waste of life, but necessary.' Spock closed his eyes, letting his heart slow down in preparation for sleep. He sensed the anxiety the transmission had left in his bondmate, the reminder of the darkness in his past that had threatened to consume him. He sensed a very clear memory of Jim Kirk in sickbay, half drugged into sleep, doubting there was a way for them to redeem themselves. 'We have destroyed more lives than we have saved. But we can further tip the ratio in the right direction, Leonard. Now sleep. You need it more than I do.'