What Would You Do For Family
Chapter 10 - Fugitives
March 2259
Kirk had received a message from Mr. Scott.
He and Spock ran to him as he stood in the courtyard of Starfleet's grand mall. "I found this in the wreckage."
"What is it?" Kirk asked.
"It's a transwarp beaming device. I came up with the idea and the bastard built it."
"Can you tell where they went?"
"I already did that and your no gonna like it." Mr. Scott said. Spock and Kirk leaned closer and looked at the numbers set. "He went to the one place, we cannot follow."
Spock sighed. "Kronos."
Kirk nodded.
ZzZ
Kirk and Spock ran into the meeting Admiral Marcus was having with top level security personnel to look for security breaches and how to make a net to catch Harrison who had escaped the jumpship, but could not have escaped the planet.
No warp signatures in the area…
No demands.
"Admiral Sir. He isn't on earth." Kirk said. "He's on Kronos." He took a breath. "I request my command be reinstated and seek permission to go after him."
Marcus sighed and looked at those around the table. "You may go." They got up to leave and he started walking. Kirk and Spock fell in behind him as he walked toward his offices. "Kronos. The Klingon homeworld. Is he defecting?"
"We aren't sure, sir." Kirk said.
"He has the girl with him still. Why did he kidnap her? It is not logical to detain a science officer when he could have beamed anyone aboard."
Marcus took a breath. "She has value. She is a bio researcher." He looked at Spock. "And he befriended her. She is a beautiful and naïve young woman." He shook his head. "She is danger. I tried to protect her and she is even more in danger now with him on the run." He sighed. "After the bombing she came to him begging for help when she realized what he had done, but then she was not under his control."
"Wasn't her name, Dr. Pike?" Kirk asked.
"Yes." Marcus said. "She can't even attend her daddy's funeral because this bastard kidnapped her."
"He has taken refuge in the Ketha Province, a region now uninhabited on the planet." Spock said. "The girl is with him."
"Sir, he is hiding." Kirk said.
"Yes, with Dr. Pike as a hostage." Marcus said.
"He knows if we even go near Klingon space, it will be all out war sir." Kirk said.
"But what is the doctor to him?" Spock asked. "She is a bio scientist and pregnant."
"She is brilliant and she carries his child." Marcus said.
"Stockholm syndrome." Kirk said as they entered Marcus's office.
Marcus nodded.
"I do not understand the reference." Spock said.
"It means she is sympathetic to him because he sexually manipulated her." Marcus said. "We cannot trust her while she is near him."
"So she is a prisoner and made pregnant to keep her so." Spock said.
Marcus sighed. "Yes."
"So she is a victim." Kirk said.
"Yes, like her father, but Chris was just killed by him. Harrison raped her mind and her body. She is one of our brightest minds. We cannot afford her loss." Marcus said.
"However, pregnant, she might feel some attachment to the father of her child." Spock said. He then blinked. "Ah this is the Stockholm Syndrome."
"Yes. He thinks he cares for her, but the man has proven to remove those in his way, even innocents. Do we want her blood shed and that of her unborn?" Marcus asked.
"No sir." Spock said.
"Sir, you can't go after him, but I can." Kirks said. "Please sir."
Marcus paused in his pacing.
"Chris Pike was my friend and mentor, sir." Kirk continued. "And now he is dead and his daughter is being held. This murderer needs to answer for what he did."
"War with the Klingons is inevitable, Mr. Kirk. Since we learned of their existence they have occupied two planets that we know of and have fired on our ships at least a half a dozen times." He step to some ship models and sighed before turning back. "London was not an archive. It was a top secret branch of Starfleet, code name Section 31." He looked down. "Harrison and Pike both worked for this branch and worked together. This was a clear message not only to Starfleet, but to me."
Kirk blinked. "Harrison worked for you?"
"Yes." Marcus said. "I reinstate you to the Enterprise. Either you bring Harrison home in chains to face trial or you execute him and save us all the hassle. Either way, we need Dr. Pike back. Once she is safe and her child born, we can deal with Harrison."
"What if she puts up a fight?" Kirk asked.
"Subdue her and bring her home. The death of a pregnant woman would make us look like fools, but the death of a bomber, we would look like heroes. Dismissed." Marcus said.
The pair saluted and left.
ZzZ
Katie woke.
She moved and found herself alone in the bed and the embers low. She looked about and gasped as she sat up, a hand on her belly. "Khan." She called.
She gasped as he appeared in the mouth of the cave. "Yes?" He asked.
She sighed and relaxed. "Why are we here?"
"To protect us. The Federation can only come here as an act of war." He smiled a little.
"The war Marcus claimed?"
"Exactly so." He nodded. He lifted a pouch. "You need to eat. The child will need nourishment." He set it in her lap and turned to bring more wood he had gathered to the fire.
She took a breath. "Marcus only cared about the child too."
He whirled to face her and took her face in his hand. "I do not just care for the child. I care for you also. It is growing faster than a human and you will deliver at least three months early." He said.
She gasped. She was already five months along, but that also explained the size of her and her fatigue. "Then sometime next month?"
He took a breath lifting a tricoder. "Actually I have no idea." He said. He swallowed. "This is new territory. Augments are not supposed to breed." He studied the readings on the screen.
She touched her belly as the baby moved. "Breed…you make me sound like a brood mare."
He looked up and shook his head. "Of course not." He took a breath. "But I hope to get us off this planet and to another where you can safely deliver with proper medical facilities."
"You speak like I am in danger."
"You are." He said honestly. "We all are, but you most of all. The child you carry is something that has never existed before." He took a breath. "If it starts to endanger your life, I will remove it."
She looked at him horrified. "But that could kill it."
"I would rather have it die than its mother." He said looking at her. "I need you Kathrin."
She swallowed. He was being frank with her. Also she could not help, but notice he was not thinking about the superhuman she carried, but her. He did love her.
ZzZ
It was nearly a week later.
The pair had ducked the Klingon patrols. The planet was a wasteland and many of the inhabitants has moved to a new home.
For now they were in a small cave in a rocky outcrop and Khan's communicator beeped. He lifted it and looked at his wife as she sat folding something.
"Attention John Harrison. This is Captain Hikaru Sulu of the USS Enterprise. A shuttle of highly trained officers is on its way to your location. If you do not surrender to them immediately, I will unleash the entire payload of advanced long range torpedoes currently locked onto your location. You are to release Dr. Kathrin Pike to the Federation. We will not have her or the child she carries harmed. You have two minutes to confirm your compliance. Refusal to do so will result in your obliteration." He paused. "If you test me, you will fail." The communication went dead.
Katie looked at her husband. He took a breath and looked at her. "What will we do?" She asked.
He closed his eyes and then moved to their food. He pulled out a meal and gave it to her as he too ate it. She could not believe he was eating at a time like this, but she complied and ate some as well.
She was mostly done when her hand went to her head. "I feel strange." She said. "Can I have some water?" She asked.
He nodded handing a canteen to her. She took slow sips and then blinked. Her husband was watching her. He gently touched her head and then she dropped backwards. He caught the canteen with one hand and her limp body with the other.
The drug had worked faster than he had expected. He looked at her dreamy face and then laid her down on the soft moss and pulled a blanket over her to keep her warm. He looked about and then rose to his feet. She would be safe here and they would not harm her.
He then went out to meet the challenge alone carrying two large weapons. He had his hood up and a face cover on as he looked about.
He looked up as Klingon patrols moved and seemed to be following a ship that was flying low. The other ship landed and the Klingon ships hovered even as one landed.
He waited to see.
A human woman walked out to speak with the captain. Brave. And stupid. The Klingons did not care about life anymore. Humans on the planet would start the war…assuming the patrol made it back to report.
Khan took a breath and decided. He would surrender to the humans if the number of torpedoes matched the tally he had and if they beamed his wife aboard.
The woman was lifted by her throat and Khan made his move. He fired every direction at the Klingons. There were three ships full of them. The humans fought, but he protected them firing a laser canon and phaser at those about.
He fired taking down the second ship and then dropped the laser canon. He pulled down his face cover revealing his face to the humans who were cowering together. He stood looking at them a moment. He had a long coat about him. He narrowed his eyes and then fired, leaping into the air at the last few Klingons left.
He landed and drew a knife, hitting one in the throat, he tossed down the phaser rifle as he grabbed the knife from the falling body and plunged it into another. He withdrew it, kicking another, and throwing it into the last. He reached down and picked up the phaser rifle and walked forward, pulling down his hood.
"Stand down." Spock said.
"How many torpedoes?" Khan asked.
"Stand down!" Spock repeated.
Khan looked at him, his hair falling into his face as he fired, knocking the phaser rifle from Spock's hands. "The Torpedoes. The ones you threatened me with in your message. How many are there?" He said holding his rifle on Kirk. Kirk looked at him, his face bleeding.
Spock sighed and spoke calmly. "Seventy-two."
Khan took a breath. "Seventy-two."
"Yes."
"Where is Dr. Pike?" Spock asked.
"Safe. I surrender." Khan said throwing his rifle down. "She is at this coordinates." He said lifting his tricorder to Spock who took it and lifted the rifle to aim at him.
Kirk rose to his feet slowly. "On behalf of Christopher Pike, my friend, I accept your surrender." Khan watched him. Kirk turned away and then punched him. Khan took the blows, letting the man hit him, and not fighting back.
Khan stood letting him until the woman cried out. "Captain!"
Khan watched Kirk and then spoke. "Captain?!" He hissed.
Kirk took a breath and looked as though he were going to hit him again, but did not. He turned away. "Cuff him." He said softly to the other two.
Khan allowed it.
ZzZ
On board the Enterprise Khan walked with his hands in cuffs before him, surrounded by a security team. He was taken to the brig and made no move to fight as he was led there.
Kirk, Spock, and Uhura walked behind them. "Bones. Did you beam everything up from that cave?"
"Yes sir."
"And?"
"There something you should see."
Kirk nodded and moved to go to the sick bay. He walked in and found Bones looking over a young woman. She was sleeping, on her side, her belly revealing her pregnancy.
"Is she all right?" Kirk asked.
"Yes." Bones said. "Drugged to make her sleep. I was just about to wake her."
Kirk nodded as Bones pressed a device to her neck. The girl's eyes fluttered and she took a breath. "Khan…" She whispered, but Kirk heard John.
"It's all right. You are safe now." Kirk said gently. "He can't hurt you anymore, Dr. Pike."
"Dr. Pike?" Bones looked at Kirk. "She's…his daughter?!"
"Yes." Kirk said. He pursed his lips as the girl sat up.
Bones examined her. "Other than being a little dehydrated you are fine." He lifted a glass of water. "Drink this down and I will get you more."
"Where am I?"
"The Enterprise." Kirk said.
"Dad's…I mean Captain Pike's ship?" She asked.
"It was." Kirk said softly.
She blinked. "Was? He was reassigned again?"
"No." Kirk sighed. "I am not sure how to tell you this, Kathrin other than just to say it." He took a breath. "Your father is dead."
"What?!" She gasped. She gasped and her hand went to her belly. She didn't even notice he had called her by her given name and not Dr. Pike.
"Whoa, calm down, sweetheart." Bones said gently seeing her vitals jump.
Kirk looked at her. "I'm so sorry." He touched her arm and she took a breath. "He was my friend. I mourn him with you…"
She jerked her arm away and got off the bed. "You lie!"
"Do I?" He asked. "He died when Harrison opened fire on the room."
"He could not have…not my father…he…" She was breathing hard and she went to the glass partition and cried out, punching through it.
Bones and Kirk gasped as glass cut her arm and hand as she began to sob. Bones came to her and lifted his device. He pressed it to her neck and she dropped into his arms. He lifted her into his arms and laid her down on the bed again. He looked at Kirk as he narrowed his eyes. "That could have gone more smoothly." He said pulling out the glass and healing the cuts with his tools.
Kirk looked at the glass. "That was four inches thick. She should not have been able to break it."
"You said you had Harrison on board."
"Yes. He took down an entire Klingon patrol. I want to know why."
"Sounds like we have a superhuman on board."
"Maybe, but I want to know."
They went to the brig. Harrison was pacing on the back step like a wild cat caught and being caged. He was watching them as they came to the clear front of the cell.
Bones moved a small hole over and widened it. "Put your arm through the hole. I want to get a blood sample."
Khan regally stepped down and then pulled up his sleeve. He inserted his arm through the hole and uncurled his fingers as he looked at them.
Bones set the device to his arm and Khan barely flinched.
"Where is my wife?" Khan asked. "She should be here with me. She is a danger to you if she is angered."
"Your wife?" Kirk said. "She is Dr. Pike, daughter of my friend, whom you murdered." He took a breath. "You raped her and she carries your baby, you murdering coward." He hissed.
Khan winced a little. "I never raped her. She was more than willing. Perhaps you should ask her." He sighed. "It was Marcus who was holding her hostage. I merely liberated my wife, but now she is your prisoner as well."
"She is not a prisoner. She is in the med bay being treated for dehydration, pregnancy, and her wounds." Bones said.
"Wounds?"
"She cut herself on some glass." Kirk said. "Nothing serious though."
Khan watched his blood going into the vial before he turned his head to Kirk again. "Why aren't we moving Captain?" He took a breath. "An unexpected malfunction perhaps, in your warp core? Conveniently stranding you on the edge of Klingon space."
"How the hell do you know that?" Bones asked.
"Bones!" Kirk hissed.
"I think you would find my insight valuable, Captain." Khan said. "But I would also see my wife."
Bones moved the hole back as he withdrew the device and Khan pulled his arm back. He pulled his sleeve down and held the place a moment as Bones walked away. Kirk and Spock tuned away and Khan raised his voice. "Ignore me and you will get everyone on this ship killed!"
Kirk paused in walking away. Spock looked from Kirk to Khan and back. Khan was watching them intently.
"Noted." Kirk said. "Go."
Spock nodded and walked away.
Kirk took a breath and turned back. Khan turned fully to him as Kirk walked back to him. "Let me explain what's happening here. You are a criminal. I watched you murder innocent men and women. I know how you seduced and raped Dr. Pike and then kidnapped her. I was authorized to end you! And the only reason you are still alive, is because I am allowing it…so…shut…your…mouth!"
"Oh Captain…are you going to punch me again, over and over until your arm weakens? Clearly you want to. Tell me, Captain. Why did you allow me to live?" He cocked his head slightly. "You knew where Kathrin was on your scanners. You could have retrieved her and killed me, why didn't you."
"We all make mistakes." Kirk said.
Khan shook his head. "No." Khan looked at him. "I surrendered to you, because, despite your attempt to convince me otherwise, you seem have a conscious, Mr. Kirk." He took a breath. "If you did not, than it would be impossible for me to convince you of the truth. 2-3-1-7-4-6-1-1. Coordinates not far from Earth. If you want to know why I did what I did, go and take a look." He said.
"Tell me one reason why I should listen to you."
"I can give you seventy-two, and they are on board your ship, captain." He watched Kirk. "They have been all along. I suggest you open one up." He said calmly before turning away to walk to the back of the cell once more.
Kirk watched him. "When Dr. Pike is conscious again, I will bring her to you if she is willing."
"You suspect she would refuse?"
"I do not know, but she is a victim."
"Yes, she has been played as we all have."
"What do you mean?"
"I will explain more after you know what those tubes contain."
Kirk sighed and walked away leaving Khan to look after him.