No One's POV
Immediately settling on one end of the smaller couch, Emily smiles as Kirk joins her, both crossing their legs over each other like they used to during the Academy days as they lounge horizontally facing towards one another. Bones claims the armchair closest to the smaller couch and Uhura claims the other one, leaving the larger couch to Scotty, Chekov and Sulu.
Both intending to stay close to their superior officers, Spock and Khan settle on the floor in front of the couch where Kirk and Emily lounged, their stiff formal forms mimicking each other more than they would have liked.
"So, what happened after the Academy? You like dropped off the face of the earth Em." Kirk asks, his hand resting casually on Emily's leg.
"Well, after graduating I was assigned to the USS Excalibur as a Lieutenant in Engineering. It was only a one year mission though and when I returned I was immediately assigned to the USS Constitution under Captain Garrett. He offered me the position as his First Officer and it was an offer I could not pass up. We were given a three year mission to fine a planet similar to earth that could sustain mankind. Starfleet Command was searching for another planet to make a Federation base. Because of our mission we were absent during the Narda incident. Captain Garrett and I had wanted to return, but Admiral Archer forbid us from doing so. We had not yet found a promising planet and had two years left of the mission. It was of vital importance to Starfleet Command that we succeed. But Garrett died the second year of the mission from a beam down that went south. I took over the Captainship and we finished our mission as Command requested. Out of the many we investigated this is the planet we found to be the most similar to earth and the most promising." Emily recalls, emotions shimmering in her expression.
Garrett had been a wonderful captain to serve under, they were not only comrades but friends. And Madison had learned a lot as his First Commander and it was tragic to see the life leave his eyes. She had also been on that particular mission and could still recall those painful memories.
"I'm sorry Em." Kirk says softly, his hand touching hers.
"Thanks. He was a respected Captain and a good friend. His reputation proceeded him and it was an honor to serve under him and a mantel of Captainship that I could not fail. I had no doubt Command would have asked him to be an Admiral if he had not died." Emily comments lightly.
"Three years. You were absent for both Narda and the USS Vengeance incidents." Kirk sudden pipes in again, understanding suddenly clicking in his mind.
"Yes. When I returned Khan had already been returned to cryo-freeze and Starfleet Headquarters were under reconstruction." Madison confirms, her right hand absentmindedly brushing through Khan's hair before dropping to his shoulder in a casual gesture, almost as if she wasn't conscious of doing so.
Khan permitted the action, mind only half tracking his Admiral's actions and words.
Awareness came all at once, Khan's eyes suddenly flashing open, sight met with glaring white washed walls and bright, blinding lights. He was in a cell. Strikingly similar to the one he was held in on the USS Enterprise.
Khan rose from his position on the bed, eyes quickly scanning and analyzing the room. Solid white washed walls surrounded him on three sides, a large bay of windows encased the outward facing wall, no doors were present, and Khan briefly concluded that he was probably trans beamed into the room. No doubt in attempts to lessen his motivation or opportunity to escape.
The bright blaring lights were almost offensive and gave the nearly bare room, save the small bed and bathroom (if one could call either a bed or a bathroom), a sterile look. The bed was excruciating simple, attached to the wall much like a bed found in prison, a small, thin mattress atop it with an equally insufficient blanket adorning it. And while the so called 'bathroom' had frosted glass surrounding three sides, leaving one facing a blank wall open to walk into. At least there was some privacy. It was pitifully small however, containing a sonic for showering, a toilet and sink. Clearly this room was designed for containment, specifically his containment.
Now turning to face the glass wall, Khan rigidly steps towards the window, observing with shrewd calculation the activity beyond. Several scientists scurried around the room, each peering at various computer screens, quickly keying in observations down on a PADD while a few security officers stand at the doors, phasers and guns in arm.
Instinctively Khan's nostrils flare, hoping to pick up any trace of the scent he had smelled while still in stasis. But the pleasing scent was absent, other various scents, of varying repulsion or irritation clogging up his senses instead. Khan would pretend he did not feel disappointment. He did not want a human mate. He refused.
"Vitals are stable and looking good. Alert the Admiral subject 20138 has awoken." A voice relays, Khan easily able to pick up on the words, despite the thick glass between him and them.
"Why have you awoken me!?" Khan growls suddenly, his hand slamming angrily into the glass with a loud thump.
The action startled the scientists, all looking up with slightly wide, fearful expressions.
"Subject 20138-" One scientist begins to speak.
"My name is KHAN!" Khan growls, lips curling into a vicious snarl.
"Subject 20138, it is not my orders to give you information at this time." The scientist informs.
Snarling again, Khan pounds the glass wall once more before aggressively pushing away, turning to stalk across to the other side of the room.
Moments later a hiss of a door indicates the arrival of another, and from the quick scuffing of feet and immediate alertness of the scientists and security officers, Khan guesses it was the Admiral.
"Admiral, subject 20138 has exhibited-" The same scientist begins to inform.
"I do not need the report right now. I have little time." The Admiral cuts off, dismissing the scientist mid-sentence.
"Sir." The scientist complies, a swish of a lab coat indicating they had turned away.
The Admiral's footsteps approach the glass.
"Why have you awoken me!?" Khan snarls, quickly turning back towards the observation window, movement aggressive and agitated.
"My name is Admiral Archer. Starfleet has a proposition for you. We believe it to be fair and something to be of value to you Khan Noonien Singh." Admiral Archer informs calmly, hands clasped behind his back.
"I will not listen to your talks about fairness and value Admiral. Starfleet knows nothing of those values. You lie and manipulate in the service and liars and manipulators. You may pretend to be separate, to be different than those before you, to have your own code, something that makes up for the horrors and crimes Starfleet has committed. But they cannot and they will never go away. I will not work for Starfleet and I will not allow you to use my family against me! You should have let me sleep!"
"I see." Archer says simply, his expression portraying little as he turns away from the cell, leaving the room all together.
Khan snarls in frustration, spinning around quickly to return to pacing and stalking agitatedly around the cell.
It would not be the last Khan would see of the Admiral.
Several days passed, each day with Admiral Archer returning, attempting to engage Khan in conversation. But each time Khan would ignore the Admiral, refusing to answer or to listen.
Archer questioned why and how his niece thought this was an even remotely promising venture to begin with and what she thought they would gain from Khan's clear coldness and stubbornness. It was utterly pointless.
Much to Khan's annoyance and anger, Archer returned every day with the same clipped, rehearsed words he had said the first day. Khan never let him get further than that, responding with various harsh words and curses.
Furthermore, Khan had quietly observed the outside world beyond his containment cell, nostrils flaring with each and every new person who entered the lab. But the smell of his mate never once passed his senses. He was irrationally furious at this despite his determinedness to not accept a human for a mate. How dare his mate not come visit him in his confinement? The instinctual side of his mind screamed at him to find her.
A week later Khan had enough of Archer's persistence, and with the added agitation of not having his mate close or known, finally prompted him to respond.
"Admiral." Khan acknowledges, turning to face the glass.
"Khan." Archer responds with a short nod.
"I am willing to listen to your proposition. But under one condition." Khan begins.
Archer looked surprised and gestured for Khan to continue.
"I have observed for a week, the goings and comings of various Starfleet officers and personnel. One particular person has not entered or exited the lab. One is missing. They visited while I was in still cryo-stasis and not fully awakened. Find them. I will converse with them, and only them. Any messages you or Starfleet have will come through them. That is my counter offer."
"And this person, that is apparently missing. What is your purpose or wish in meeting them?" Archer asks, eyes narrowing minutely in a defensive nature, an action Khan's keen eyesight picked up on.
"It is of no consequence to you, Admiral. Bring them to me or you will not gain the knowledge and deal you seek." Khan snarls, stalking away from the glass, effectively ending the conversation.
Admiral Archer simply sighs, quickly retreating.
Madison's gesture and interaction with Khan did not go unnoticed to Kirk or to his crew, across on the couch Sulu, Chekov, Scotty and Uhura gapped opened mouthed and Bones just furrowed his eyebrows together in confusion before grumbling something unintelligently.
"Anyways, as new Chief of Staff and head of the Council, Admiral Archer asked if I would accept Admiralship and a position on Council. He need people he could trust to do what was best for Starfleet it its entirety and the remaining Council members hoped that my specialty in astrophysics, mechanical engineering and warp core technology could help decipher and recreate the technology used on the USS Vengeance when others had already failed. I of course accepted. It was an opportunity I could not pass up and challenge that I would not back down from." Emily explains simply.
"I don't understand why the Council would ask that of you. It makes no sense! That's what started the entire mess in the first place!" Kirk objects.
"Marcus acted on his own, without the backing of Starfleet Command or the Council's knowing. He did it with intentions of starting a war and gaining control over the Federation. He was corrupt and he had no idea what he was getting himself into or how to handle it. He believed he had control over the situation when he had none. He was an idiot. And that only made him more dangerous." Emily explains.
"Current Command does not seek what Marcus did. When I returned from my three year mission aboard the USS Constitution Klingon threats had begun to increase and there were an unfortunate rise of attacks on Starships in neutral sectors and on Federation boarders. Starfleet wanted to recreate the technology to better arm the current Fleet ships and have a fleet in reserve, were a war to break out. But, under no circumstances were they to be used to instigate a war, as Marcus had intended. If they were shipped out it would be for exploration of further deep space quadrants that remained uncharted. Otherwise they would remain at a classified, undisclosed Starfleet base and to be overseen by an Admiral that corresponded with Headquarters and Council frequently." Madison continues.
"And you're that Admiral." Kirk interjects the obvious, trying to wrap his head around everything.
"Yes. The Council asked me to oversee the new Starfleet division once the plans had been deciphered and approved. But at that time, that proposition wasn't even on the table. I had already been promoted to Admiral by Archer when Council got wind of my advanced degree and work in astrophysics, mechanical engineering and warp core technology and they then asked me to take on the project."
"Okay. So Archer then?" Kirk hedges.
"He was not necessarily enthusiastic about me taking on the project, nor was he a huge supporter of the plan in the first place. But he saw its value. He would never allow it to become what Marcus intended to be Kirk. You know my uncle. He didn't even want to be Chief of Staff or Head Council. He did not, and does not seek power. The remaining Admirals asked him to take up the mantle and the support of many of the Federation's Ambassadors had chimed in their approval as well. Otherwise I highly doubt he would have even offered, let alone try to take the seat."
Emily thought back to the argument she had with her uncle regarding her even talking to Khan. Not enthusiastic was a complete understatement to how Archer felt about and reacted to the entirety of the assignment, especially being that his niece was involved, both playing an intricate piece and center to the success of the mission.
Meanwhile, unbeknown to Khan, Admiral Archer and newly Admiral-shipped Emily Madison were arguing.
"What the hell were you thinking Emily!?" Archer demands, bursting into Madison's office.
"You'll have to be more specific uncle. I do a lot of thinking." Emily smirks with sass, looking up from her work.
"Don't sass me young woman! I'm referring to the idiotic idea that you should enter the labs when Khan was being awoken from stasis! So, again, what the hell were you thinking!?" Archer demands loudly, getting red in the face.
"Well- I was thinking, that the Council asked me to oversee this assignment, Khan being vital to the mission I found it in the best interest of the assignment to ensure the quality and care they took in awaking Khan from stasis. So, I was thinking of doing my job uncle." Emily deadpans.
"But- don't- I-You!" Archer begins to rant, his face practically purple with rage, but realizing he actually had no argument.
It was logical and reasonable he knew, she was acting with full responsibility and maturity that he knew she would with any task. It was one of the many reasons he had appointed her as an Admiral. It just wasn't acceptable when her logic, responsibility and sass was pointed at him in an argument, because damn it! She wasn't supposed to sass him or be reasonable with him! Seriously, Archer was convinced she could probably out logic a Vulcan all the while sassing them all at the same time.
"Okay breathe uncle. You're going to have an aneurism. Seriously, what's this about? I even took the security team you assigned to me." Emily points out, rolling her eyes at her uncle's indignation and sputtering.
"What's this about!? WHAT'S THIS ABOUT!? THIS IS ABOUT SOME PYSCHO- MANIC DOWN IN OUR CONTAINMENT CELLS THAT IS DEMANDING HE TALK TO YOU, AND ONLY YOU!" Archer punctuates with force, flailing arms around wildly and pointing in the direction of the floor, obviously indicating the sublevel where Khan was being held.
Madison simply blinked at her uncle.
"He asked for me? He doesn't even know me." She asks surprised.
"Well apparently the bastard knew you were in the lab when he was being awoken and what's worse is that he knows you haven't back come to the lab now that he is awake. How I have no fucking clue! But he told me he would only converse with the person who had visited him while he was in cryo-stasis and not fully awoken and that he knows they have not entered or exited the lab the past week. The only personnel member who hasn't signed into that lab downstairs is you! And I checked!" Archer begins to rant again.
"Okay. So fine. I go down and see what he wants. That way he gets what he wants and we get the chance to ask him about the USS Vengeance. Win, win." Madison shrugs nonchalantly.
"Okay!? No! It is not okay! I am not risking you just to get the psychopath to cooperate!" Archer thunders.
"Your name calling would infer that you are defensive and that you find his existence somewhat valuable." Madison parrots smugly.
"EMILY MADISON!" Archer screams in frustrated, throwing his hands up in the air.
"Yes?" She replies, looking quite proud at herself for being able to rile her uncle up so thoroughly.
"Now you listen to me young lady! Your parents will kill me if I let you come into harm's way, let alone if I put you in it knowingly. That man is a deranged superhuman who's pissed at Starfleet for the actions of one equally deranged man, and I'm not about to let you be in a room with him! So damn it! Listen to me and do as I say! I am your superior!" Archer fumes.
"Is that an order, sir?"
"You are the most annoying, sassy, insubordinate officer I have ever had the displeasure of appointing!" Archer growls, jabbing a finger her direction.
"But you love me anyways. Besides you'd get bored if I followed your every order uncle." She replies smugly.
"You." Archer just growls.
"Not to add fuel to the fire here uncle. But technically I'm not in the same room as Khan. He is in a room sealed off with 6 inches of the strongest glass compound known to the Federation. I am merely in the adjacent room." She points out.
"I am not okay with this Emily." Archer harrumphs. "If anything were to happen to you."
"I know you're not. I'll be fine. You appointed me as an Admiral and the Council asked me to take this assignment. Let me do it. I'll even take my security team, if it makes you feel any better." Emily concedes.
"Why do you have to be so reasonable?" Archer groans in reluctant agreement.
"I'll be fine. Really. I promise. You don't need to worry uncle." She assures.
"Fine. But you will take your security team, no complaints. And I expect a full account of this afterwards." Archer demands.
"Yes sir." She salutes, giving Archer an easy going grin.
"You're going to be the death of me. I'll be in my office when you're done." Archer grumps, shooting one last futile glare at his niece before stomping out of her office to his own.
"Wait… Admiral Archer is your uncle!?" Uhura chimes in with clear disbelief and shock.
"Yes. Well not biologically. My parents and Archer have been close friends since before they got married. I've known him all my life. He's always been around, he as close as any real family would or could be." Emily shrugs.