Last chapter for awhile. R+R
It was early Gamma shift when Jim walked onto the bridge, making his way to the door of his ready room, he was stopped in his tracks by the voice of the communications officer.
"Sir. We're being hailed. Source unknown. I think its Thane." The communications officer, turned in his chair, looking disgruntled towards Jim.
"Commander Finney." Jim addressed the man currently responsible for the bridge. "I want you to answer it but tell him that I had requested to be there the next time he hailed the ship. Then stall for a few seconds until I can get Bones and Spock down here. Broadcast ship wide please." Then turning to the communications officer. "Get the Command crew down here. They won't be asleep. Trust me."
"Yes sir." Obeyed the communications officer, as he flicked a switch on his console.
"On screen please Lieutenant." Finney ordered.
The view screen flicked to life and the dark figure of Thane once again filled the screen. The smile that was on his face was wiped out when he saw who was fielding his call. "Where is Captain Kirk?"
Jim was afraid that Finney would panic, but he was proven wrong. "Funny you should say that, because he has requested that he be present if you commed again." Finney said, the epitome of calm.
"Good. Get him, I wish to speak to him." Thane said.
Finney couldn't help but have a little fun. "Please hold." He said, smiling pleasantly.
Then the screen turned black. Shaking his head at the audacity of his crew, and seriously how did he manage to get such an awesome crew? "Is he still there Lieutenant?" Jim addressed the communications officer.
"Yes sir." The man smiled.
Before Jim could respond the Command Crew walked onto the bridge. Followed by a very weary looking Rebekah Hogan. "Commander Hogan." Jim paused thinking. "Rebekah, you shouldn't be here."
"I have every right to be here captain." She whispered facing the floor.
Scotty had a look of sorrow on his face. Who is this man, that he has reduced this once proud and confident woman, to a whispering, shy girl?
"Alright. But stay out of sight for now, ok?" Jim said, oozing compassion.
"Put him back on screen please Lieutenant. Spock, Bones with me, as for the rest of you, stay out of sight as well." Jim ordered, his gaze lingering on Rebekah.
"Ah Captain Kirk. I'm just checking to see the progress of my little present." Thane skipped all pleasantries and got straight to the point.
"Commander Hogan is doing well, considering what she has been through." Jim was cold, he took the que from Thane to skip the pleasantries, so he got straight to the heart of the matter. "You have assaulted an officer of Starfleet. Do you have anything to say in your defence?"
"Oh I intend to do more than assault her. I sent her back to get fixed up or to die before she could. But you are telling me she's still alive, kudos to your doctors. They must have some skill. Now I'm coming back for her. She was close to breaking and It's always easier to break someone the second time." The cold announcement left the people on the bridge with chills.
"You will not touch her again. We will not let you." Amazingly it was Spock who rushed to help Rebekah.
Sparing her a brief glance since Thane was busy with Spock, Jim could see the fear and hurt on her face, and then it cleared to show defiance. Seemingly on impulse Rebekah stepped into view, dodging Scotty's attempts to hold her back.
"No. You will not touch me again. News flash. I didn't break before and I won't break even if you try a second time. I'll kill you before I let you touch me again, and don't doubt me. You've pissed me off enough to make it slow for you. It is well within my capabilities to end you, and trust me. I'm coming for you." Rebekah never let any fear or hesitation show, and everyone on the bridge believed what she said. All except Thane.
A slow laughter was all that could be heard from the view screen. Looking up Jim could see that Thane looked as if someone had told him Christmas had come early. "Oh my dear. You won't lay one finger on me." Then the familiar swirl of lights surrounded Rebekah. Scotty clearly realizing what was going on, ran and held her tightly, refusing to let her go alone into the hands of that mad man.
The lights cleared and Scotty was still standing on the bridge, his arms now wrapped around nothing. When Scotty opened his eyes all hell broke loose… "Damn it…Son of a Bitch…I'm going to kill that little smug prick…Take her away from me again…If he lays one hand on her, she won't have time to kill him I'll be doing it for her…I swear to God that man is not going to know what hit him…Stupid asshole… I'm going to blow him to kingdom come when I next see him." When Scotty finished his rant, the whole bridge was looking at him as if he'd grown a second head. "What?" he said, completely unashamed of his outburst. "Chekov, please tell me you had the intelligence to track the signal?"
"I did. The results should be coming up shortly. I'll get back to you." Then getting out of his chair, he walked off the bridge.
"Scotty I understand you're upset, but if you treat any member of my crew like that again, I'm going to confine you to quarters until this thing is over." Jim said, putting a hand on Scotty's shoulder and looking him in the face with an earnest expression.
"Yes sir." He said, following Chekov off the bridge.
Haha, sorry. Couldn't resist the cliffhanger.