Only when they were away from Vulcan and hiding behind an asteroid did Alhana allow herself to breathe a little easier. The report from engineering was not great; it would take at least twenty four hours to get the cloaking device back up and running. The trouble had been caused by a fluctuation in the plasma coil; it was now operating normally according to Vrenn, which was typical. Her thoughts turned to those she'd been forced to leave behind on Vulcan; hopefully they'd be able to find a place to hide until they returned. It would have to be after the cloak was fixed, that couldn't be helped.
Alhana was about to go and see if there was anything she could do, she wasn't the most competent engineer but she knew enough to keep the ship running. Maybe another pair of hands would be useful but she was prevented by Akhil. "It's that star ship captain again," she said. "He wants to talk to you again."
"The same one as before?"
"Yes."
"What on Praxis does he want now?" Alhana said, more to herself than anyone. They must have seen them before they fled Vulcan. "Put him through." The handsome face of the young Captain appeared once more and Alhana painted her best smile on her face, "We meet again."
"Sooner than I thought too," he said, "Good day Captain."
"How can I help? We're a little busy repairing our ship at the moment but I will do my best to assist you."
"Actually, there is something you can do for me Ms De Torres," Kirk said, the smile on his face was bordering on smug. She wanted nothing more than to beat it from his features.
"Oh?"
"You can explain how you managed to escape Star Fleet custody two weeks ago. Why you lied to me the other day when we asked about the fugitive and what you hope to achieve by allowing him to escape." Kirk said. His eyes narrowed, there would be no point trying to feign ignorance, he was too intelligent for that and she wouldn't insult him that way.
Alhana smiled as she swung in her chair a little, "The manner of my escape is simple. I'm sure you watched the video on your screens and don't need me to explain it to you again."
"Please, explain away."
"Very well. I dislocated my thumb to get out the cuffs attaching me to the bed. My companion merely broke his cuffs. The rest was a case of fighting our way out the building and allowing my shipmates to beam us out." Alhana said. It seemed so simple now after the event and yet, it had seemed so hard at the time.
Kirk nodded, "What did you do with him when you were free?"
"What any sensible being would have. I shot him and threw him in the brig." Kirk exchanged a glance with someone off screen.
"And then?"
"We talked. We discussed some interesting points about his situation; how his crew were killed by a member of your crew, how he'd been used by Star Fleet to develop weapons to use against my people. Rather fascinating really. I knew humans were capable of dishonourable acts but that was certainly illuminating." Alhana said, keeping her tone level.
"What did you do with him?"
"Are you anxious to get him back?"
Another crew member moved to stand behind the Captain's chair. He was a young Vulcan, not dissimilar looking to T'Kir. His face was serious when he raised his head to speak to her. "He is a particularly dangerous man, responsible for the deaths of many, including the Captain here."
"He looks fine to me," Alhana said before she could stop herself.
"I was healed by the restorative power Khan had in his blood." Kirk said. Alhana nodded, interesting, she'd have to ask about that detail later. "But that's beside the point, where is he?" Beside the point indeed, if Star Fleet had the ability to cure death what would that mean for everyone else in the galaxy?
"Truthfully? I don't know." She said, "I saw no reason for our alliance to continue and neither did he. I let him go on Cestus III and have heard nothing since."
"How do we know you are telling the truth?"
"You don't." she said with a shrug.
"Would you mind if we came aboard?" Kirk said.
"Are you simple?" she snorted, her eyes widening, "This is a D-12 class Warship. Admittedly she has had some modifications done and she has seen better days but the fact still stands. We may not be members of the Klingon Empire but I'll be damned if I will be the one to give Star Fleet her secrets. I know you don't have cloaking technology."
"It would appear that you do not either," the Vulcan said.
"You're not coming aboard this ship." Alhana said with a cutting gesture of her hand. "I mean no disrespect but I fear the Empire's retribution more than yours." This much was the truth at least.
"We could just beam aboard." Kirk said.
"Where would that get you?" she asked folding her arms, "Except surrounded by a large amount of angry Klingons?" and one very pissed off generically engineered human, "You'd be thrown in the brig and turned over to the Empire."
"You are no friend of the Empire."
"Trespassing aboard my ship would make you my enemy. The Empire is not my enemy." Alhana said. She was trying to keep the edge from her voice. She let out a deep breath and relaxed her grip on her chair.
"I don't suppose you're willing to wait for us while we journey to Cestus III and check your story?" Kirk said.
"I have work to do Captain," she replied. "I cannot wait around for you to search the galaxies for a prisoner you were unable to keep captive."
Kirk seemed to ponder her words for a moment before shifting his weight in his chair, "What were you doing near Vulcan?"
"Working." She said.
"On what?"
"I don't have to tell you that." Alhana replied. "Is there anything else Captain? I have a ship to fix."
"Just one thing, why were you so eager to avoid being seen while around Vulcan?" he said. Alhana rolled her eyes.
"In case you forgot, I am a half Klingon flying around in a Klingon War ship in Federation space. I have business on Vulcan but this would scream suspicious. Low and behold, here you are and we're having this conversation." Alhana said folding her arms, "Are we done?"
"We'll be in touch Captain." Kirk said. She nodded and the screen returned to displaying the stars. Sighing, she got to her feet and glanced around the bridge. Akhil nodded and Alhana left for engineering.
When she arrived, Khan and Vrenn were busy. There was a host of tools scattered on the floor and some hastily shouted words battering back and forth. "Hey!" she shouted. They both looked around. "Any news?"
"We can get this fixed in twenty hours, more or less." Vrenn said
"Normally I'd sing praises at that but we need it done faster, I've just sent the Enterprise off to Cestus III on another chase but chances are they won't be gone for long. They're really pissed at you Khan." She said looking at him. "Anything you can do to get this done faster?"
"Some of these parts are fried, it's going to take a lot to bodge it together and get it working again." Vrenn said. Alhana nodded.
"I know you'll do everything you can." Alhana said. "Khan will help." He inclined his head a touch. "Call me if you have anything to report." She turned away and headed back to her own room. The door had barely shut before it hushed opened again.
"Wait."
"What's the problem Khan?" Alhana said. The sweat from their fight earlier was beginning to stink and the bruises to appear, the strain from the conversation with Kirk was showing and all she wanted to do was shower, maybe catch a couple of hours sleep so she was refreshed again.
"There is no problem."
"Then what do you want?"
"I know how petulant Kirk can be. I feel I should thank you for hiding me." Khan said. He placed his hands on her shoulders and smiled that enticing smile of his. Blood rushed to her cheeks but she held his intense gaze, refusing to back down. "I'm grateful."
"It's OK." Alhana said. He trailed his hands down to her forearms and gave them a gentle squeeze. "Was there something else?" she said.
"No," he said. "I will return to the cloaking device." He released her and she watched him go. She starred at the door long after it had shut. Shaking her head she decided to hit the shower; at least that would make her feel a bit more comfortable.