It was late evening when Jim was thinking about his brothers visit. He wished he had stayed longer it was too short. He felt strange being in charge of his big brother. He was the younger one, it wasn't fair that fate had dealt him this hand. If only someone else could take over, to make the decisions. It just wasn't something a teenager was prepared for. James Kirk had to face the truth, he was dealt a bad hand, but he wasn't going to jeopardize his brother's life, to be a coward now.
The door slowly opened, breaking Jim's train of thought.
Kodos entered the room without knocking, which was becoming the norm. He gazed at the young man, sitting on the bed. He instructed James to come towards him. James complied reluctantly.
"Did you miss me James?" Kodos replied flirtatiously.
"Of course not." Jim replied coldly.
"Too bad, I missed you." Kodos replied touching Jim under his chin. Jim turned away from the touch, like it burned.
"What do you want of me? Besides the obvious."
"I see your brother came to visit."
"Yes he did. I didn't realize we were guests here. That is what my brother thinks. Why did you drug him? He has no idea what's going on, what evil you have brought upon me and the people here on Tarsus IV. My god man, you have killed half the population."
"You don't understand James what I did. I did it because it was necessary. The supply of food is limited, and I believed and still do, that a decision had to be made. The weak and the old cannot continue to live when the rest of us are more strong more useful to society."
"What about the very young? Are you fucking around elsewhere besides doing it with me?"
Kodos cringed at the word. Kodos had others, in the past, but never one so young. James was someone quite different. He was much wiser beyond his years.
"No James I am not. You are my precious one. To love and to cherish, there is no other but you. About your brother, I had to curb his enthusiasm. I need him for leverage. If he dies well I know you would surely want to die with him and I cannot allow that."
"What did you come here for anyway? Or, I can take a guess. Do I strip now or later?"
"Not today my child. Today I have something else in mind. I want you to read something for me."
"What is it you want me to read?" James asked curiously.
"Have you heard the works of William Shakespeare?"
"Yes. I enjoy Shakespeare." Jim responded, wishing he had curbed his enthusiasm.
"As do I. There is a passage I want you to read. I have always enjoyed his work. I even think of myself sometimes as an actor who plays many parts. Maybe, I shall perform. I do enjoy the theatre. This is what I want you to read, and you must read it with sincerity and conviction."
Jim looked at the PADD he showed him and laughed.
"You expect me to grovel at your feet and read this?"
"Yes I do."
"I won't do it." Jim through the PADD right back at Kodos which he caught in one hand.
"James, don't be such a stubborn child. I wish for you to read it."
Jim bit his lip and asked softly.
"Do I have a choice?"
"No, you do not."
"When are your sick games going to end Kodos. You need help."
"Silence! On with the play. You must be submissive while reading."
Jim looked at the PADD and quickly looked at it and handed it back to him. He knew the part by heart which pleased Kodos immensely. Jim began to recite.
"Sonnet LVII Shakespeare. Being your slave, what should I do but tend upon the hours and times of your desire? I have no precious time at all to spend, nor services to do, till you require.
Nor dare I chide the world-without-end hour whilst I, my sovereign, watch the clock for you, nor think the bitterness of absence sour when you have bid your servant once adieu; nor dare I question with my jealous thought where you may be, or your affairs suppose, but, like a sad slave, stay and think of nought. Save, where you are how happy you make those. So true a fool is love that in your will. Though you do anything, he thinks no ill."
"What voice. You were breathtaking."
"Now leave. I did what you said now I am going to bed."
"Not just yet James. I haven't marked my slave."
