Chapter 13: To Hell and Back
"The serum is ready?"
"Yes sir…Project Chrysalis was successful"
"I think you mean part one was successful. Part two on the other hand is only about to begin"
"What?"
"You heard me. We've spent enough time waiting around and our window of opportunity has shrunk down to only a few hours. Thanks to that bastard Khan I only have so much time left before she's legally discharged from the section. Might as well make the most of it"
"Are you sure this is wise?"
"We've run out of time to worry about wisdom. We have no other option. The board wants to see some small shred of proof that we can raise a fully grown augmented human and integrate them into normal society."
"But even if this works she'll still mentally be a fourteen year old girl."
"The council didn't specify mental or chronological age just the physical, besides you and I both know that girl can be more mature than any normal child when put in the right circumstances.
"But sir what about…about him"
"Just do your job with the child and I will deal with Khan."
"It's not Khan I'm worried about? It's Kirk you know how meddlesome he is-"
"Kirk? Ha! He likes to think he's an invincible Captain but in reality he's still just a stupid idealistic farm boy that gets to sit in a fancy chair all day long, just like how Khan is nothing more a savage beast at his core. It won't take much to deal with them I assure you"
"Might I remind you that Admiral Marcus thought that as we-"
"Ah but I am not Marcus. I will not make his mistakes and I will most certainly not be disobeyed. Is. That. Clear?"
"…"
"I asked you a question! Are my orders clear or not?!"
"…yes sir…crystal clear"
"Good then hop to it or else it won't be the Augment's I'll have my agents hunting"
"So let me get this straight…Khan was married?"
"Yes…"
"As in had a wife or whatever, took vows, exchanged rings the whole shebang?!"
"Yes Jim!"
Kirk stared dumbly at Uhura who stood in front him looking very uncomfortable indeed. They were all in a private little common room that was usually set aside for Admiral Lance; however the older man had been generous enough to allow them to use it for Kirk and his crew's private discussions.
"The name of Khan's partner…" Spock quirked an inquisitive brow calmly as he stood beside his Captain. "Was it Helene?"
Uhura nodded readily and Kirk clapped a hand to his forehead turning away.
"God…Khan…Married?! With a wife…" he breathed almost it seemed with disbelief.
"Captain I fail to see how you cannot grasp the concept when Lieutenant Uhura has clearly stated several times-" Spock began before his captain put a hand up to silence him.
"Spock I get it ok…it's just…of all we've seen of him…I just never thought him to be the marrying type that's all"
"Well apparently he is" Uhura shifted the weight between her feet anxiously "and he seems to love her very much."
"And you figure this out how?" Spock enquired further still resolutely calm.
"Because…" Uhura spared him a slightly irate look that she usually used on Kirk when he was being especially thick headed. "He's holding onto her wedding ring…and according to Dr Watson, he was really upset when he found out her pod was empty. Also I seriously doubt that a guy like him would do something as serious as marriage for mere convenience's sake."
Spock paused as he digested this information before quietly asking.
"And this other male augment…Ronan…is his brother in-law?"
"Yes…at least that's what I heard"
Uhura bit her lip and looked away from both men.
"Uhura" Kirk frowned concernedly.
"I'm sorry Jim-captain" she shook out her head as she corrected herself quickly as she remembered their location "It's just that…well…Khan…I know he's done so much damage… but …"
"You pity Khan's situation despite his previous actions towards Starfleet?"
Spock's voice was subtly tense, but they all knew that he wasn't really that angry, just confused. He probably didn't understand why Uhura was currently feeling the way she did… but Kirk, could.
"I guess it makes sense" he muttered quietly "I mean he may be our enemy…but...It's no wonder he was so desperate to kill Marcus…"
"Your point being captain?"
"My point being Spock, is that Khan wasn't just trying to avenge his race…he was also trying to avenge the love of his life he thought he'd lost…I mean think about it, if someone you loved was in danger or had been killed wouldn't you do anything in your power to save or avenge them"
Kirk's eyes quickly glanced at Uhura. He knew more than anyone that the Vulcan preferred to keep his relationship with the lieutenant as quiet as possible so Kirk rarely brought the topic up…and if he did it was always in as subtle ways as he could think of.
Spock's head inclined to the side slightly as he pondered his friend's words…though he was thinking about a very different example that was more suitable for that statement than his and Uhura's relationship.
"I believe captain…that your point is logically sound" he nodded softly and Uhura gave a small warm smile at that "However that does not change his past actions or condone them completely"
Man can he really hold a grudge!
Kirk resisted the urge to roll his eyes.
"Of course not Spock…but still…the past is the past…and who's to say an old dog can't learn new tricks"
"Captain might I remind you that Khan Noonien Singh is no four legged canine but rather a fully grown augmented-"
"Oh god Spock!" Kirk groaned with exasperation.
"That's it! For your next birthday I'm giving you a Terran phrase book" Uhura sighed heavily, the sound mingling with the hiss of the door to the room as it opened softly.
They all turned to see Layla stepping in looking nervous.
"Um hey…can I join you guys…"
"Yeah sure" Kirk looked a little perplexed as she made her way over to a couch and sat down. Was it just him or did she look a little…dejected. "Is everything ok?"
"hmm?" Layla looked up distractedly. "What? Oh…yeah…yeah it's fine. Father just wants me to wait here with you guys until he's finished talking to Ronan and wakes up the other four…"
She trailed off.
"I'm sure he has his reasons for keeping you…away from them" Kirk said quietly.
I know I have ten thousand or so.
Uhura's eyes turned to the ceiling as she bit her tongue to force herself from voicing her opinion.
"I'll go check up on Scotty…see if he's finished evaluating those empty cryotubes" she announced to the room at large as she walked out the door. She could take dealing with a happy Layla but did not feel equipped to take care of a sad one.
Besides…Kirk seemed to have a much better grasp of the situation…surprisingly.
Layla just nodded mutely still looking rather lost.
She didn't think she felt up to telling any of them how distant he'd suddenly turned on her when he'd told her to leave the room. Almost like ice he was, cold and untouchable and it felt like barriers had come over his eyes…and suddenly she could not see him anymore…he'd shut her out…
And…it hurt…
Kirk made his way over to her his face etched with sad sympathetic understanding. He knew just how confused she must have been…being thrown around like between people like a pair of juggling clubs not knowing where or with whom she belonged, only knowing what she could and couldn't do even if it probably just barely enough to survive…but not live with certain happiness or security…scared and alone…
In any other circumstance like this he would've done something like pat her head or put a hand on her shoulder but he knew he shouldn't…at least not until she trusted him enough to do so. So he did the next best thing.
He sat down in the spot next to her on the couch and gave her a small smile, hoping that she wouldn't mind the closer proximity, and hoping that it would in fact provide some comfort. He was relieved to find that she wasn't flinching away from him, though that may have been because she was too distracted with her thoughts.
"He probably wants to explain everything to them and make sure they're prepared to meet you"
"Yeah…I suppose so" Layla muttered.
"…I know it probably sounds weird coming from us but…he does care about you…Khan I mean…"
"How…how can you possibly know that?" Layla mumbled. "One minute he lets me in and it seems like we're going somewhere but before we can actually reach something he shuts me out and locks the door on me…it's like dealing with a faulty turbo lift"
Kirk sighed and then paused, suddenly realising that he'd sighed more in the span of this past week than he had any year of his life.
Apparently Spock shared his view because he chose that moment to step forwards, though he maintained a good distance from his spot on the other side of the coffee table.
"Miss Singh you are currently Khan's only known living blood relative as well as his only known living offspring. It is both logical and necessary that in such circumstances when one's species population is dwindling that they strive to protect and care for whatever younger generations they have left to them to preserve and continue on their genetic lines"
Kirk almost put his face in his hands. He knew Spock was saying this out of the kindness of his well hidden secretly emotional heart but did he have to sound like such a goddamn textbook?
Spock seemed to realise his error from the look on his captain's face and quickly spoke in what was a slightly hesitant tone.
"On a different note…I notice you've changed your attire as well as the cut of your hair into something more suitable for life on Earth. I take it then that your first exploits in the outside world were fruitful?"
Layla blinked up at the Vulcan blankly. He blinked back.
She promptly burst out laughing.
"That is seriously one of the worst deflections I have ever heard in my life Mr Spock" she giggled after a minute or so.
Kirk face suddenly split into a grin of his own. He couldn't help it. The girl's smile was infectious and soon he too was chuckling softly. Spock just stayed calm though both of them could tell he was a little uncomfortable, if his crinkled brow was anything to go by.
"I was not deflecting Miss Singh; I was merely stating a fact and asking a personal query about your time with Lieutenant Uhura outside. I had been meaning to ask before but certain situations made me stray from my task."
"Ok! Ok! Yes…it was quite…amazing going outside" she admitted almost giddily "I kinda think I can see why so many authors and poets wrote about it. Everything is so lively and unique, and it's always changing. Everything…the people, the wind, the sun, the rain…I can't wait to see it all again." She sighed longingly her giggles softly dying though the grin never left her face and once again the two adults saw the same happy girl from that morning blossom into existence in front of their eyes.
There was a beep from Kirk's pocket as a com link was established from his unit. He quickly flipped out the device and put it up to his ear.
"Jim you there?" a familiar gruff voice grumbled irately.
"Right here Bones, what's happening down there?"
"Khan's almost got his squad ready, there's just one more that needs to thaw out completely before he briefs them of the situation."
"Roger that…" but then he added quickly "Are you sure you and Dr Watson are ok down there?"
"Seriously Jim you ask me this now?" Kirk could almost see the Doctor rolling his eyes before he sighed "yes we're fine. One of them wasn't too friendly in the beginning but Khan's keeping all of them under control for now. They're quite curious to meet the kid…some more than others"
Kirk nodded noticing through the corner of his eye how stiff and terrified Layla seemed to be now.
"Tell him we'll bring her down with us now,"
"I'm afraid Mr Singh is going to have to wait for a while" came a voice from the doorway.
Layla looked up and saw a familiar head of grey hair and dark skin.
"Dr Jefferson, your appointment with Miss Singh is supposed to be scheduled for tomorrow" Spock frowned slightly exchanging a suspicious look with Kirk who returned the expression in silent agreement as the doctor ignored him.
"Layla you're going have to come with me right now" Verity's green eyes were slightly hardened with severity that Layla reciprocated with interest.
"Not gonna happen"
"Layla this is urgent it's either you come with me now we get the guards"
"Do that and I'll set the bitch on them" Layla snarled as in the back of her head she felt Kali peeping out from behind a metaphorical doorway to peer out hopefully.
"That won't be necessary" Kirk quickly stepped forwards quickly before the doctor could open her mouth "Perhaps if you could explain your reasoning's as to why you would like Layla to come with you she might be more inclined to accept your request."
"Admiral Lance wanted me to push up the timetable a bit. He has an urgent meeting with the other heads of Starfleet at Starbase 1 tomorrow and he would like to be able to see the results."
"Results of what?"
Verity heaved a huge sigh of remorse something metallic glinting in her hand though it was quickly hidden under the sleeve of her white medical coat.
"You ask too many questions for your own good Captain"
"GAH!" Kirk cried out in pain as the female Doctor compressed the hypospray, expelling the contents of a clear liquid, directly into his shoulder above the spot where his heart was.
His vision blurred drastically, blackness creeping over the edges of his eyes as he fell hard onto the floor clutching at his shoulder.
"Jim!" Spock called dashing over.
"Don't even think about it Mr Spock, for yours and your captain's sakes" Verity snapped as the sounds of many feet came thundering against the ground close by just at that moment.
Layla turned on Verity her face shocked and angry but before she could react the doctor had swiftly injected her too with a second hypospray except this time she'd managed to reach the back of her neck and inside was a liquid that was a luminous apple green in colour.
Kirk watched as if in slow motion Layla's body drop to the floor beside him though she was already unconscious before she hit the ground with a dull thud. But that was all he noticed as the darkness finally consumed him
"YOU!"
Kirk's eyes opened at once and he gasped. He was lying on his back on something soft like a bed, his arms and legs strapped to the sides to prevent him from moving too much. His head felt like it had been hit like a train and his body was as fatigued as if he'd had to run ten marathons.
"How. Dare. YOU!" a deep voice growled.
The voice was coming from his right and whilst it wasn't directed at him it still gave him the shivers.
He turned his head and saw the tall imposing figure of Khan holding Admiral Lance by the throat against the wall, his face a mask of fury.
Behind the figures on a bed not too far away Layla was lying in her own bed. Kirk's eyes widened as he assessed her.
Oh god what had Lance done?! The poor kid looked like she was going through hell. She was writhing and whimpering in pain, restrained just like he was but with much stronger bonds, tears streaming down her face and a gag in her mouth to stop her from full on screaming.
There was a small spluttering and Kirk turned his gaze back to Khan whose grip around Lance's throat was so tight the man's face was beginning to turn blue.
"What. Did. You. Do. To. Her?" Khan's voice came in sharp guttural snarls.
"The last of her *wheezes* tests…was set up *chokes* when she was *chokes* small. If she was to be *wheezes* released into the outside world she was to be given it."
Lance spluttered but Khan's grip only tightened.
"What does it do?"
"I-I don't know"
"LIAR!" The roar rang throughout the ward, the sound reverberating off every surface and making Kirk's ears ring.
"Mr Singh please don't yell you're distressing her more" came the worried voice of Dr John Watson who chose that moment to come rushing in through the door with McCoy and Spock who both quickly dashed over to Kirk's side.
"Damn it Jim who the hell tied you to this thing a sailor?" the doctor hissed as he and the Vulcan began untying Kirk from the medical bed.
"Bones…Spock…W-what happened? What's going on?" Kirk coughed. His throat felt dry like sandpaper.
"Spock get him some water he needs to hydrate at once" McCoy ordered. Spock nodded diligently and went off immediately to the replicator. "It seems as if our friends from the section have decided to give the kid one little goodbye present before they hand over custody" McCoy mumbled.
"Custody? I thought that was already dealt with?"
"No, it's not. Or at least not until the paperwork goes through tomorrow morning. Till then she's still apart of the section"
Kirk winced as he heard Layla wail with pain and fright from her bed as Dr Watson gently tried to calm her down.
"Shh…its ok, you're ok. It's just me, it's John, remember? Here try and drink this…it will make you feel better" He gently held up the back of Layla's head with one of his hands whilst the other held a glass of water in front of her lips.
She accepted it at once, her mouth voraciously sucking down the liquid as if she were trying to extinguish a fire down her throat.
"That's right just keep drinking" John soothingly stroked his hand through her hair at back of her head as she strained against her bonds.
There was a soft snarling sound as Khan's voice lowered down to a deadly hiss.
"If she dies from this…I will not hesitate to return the favour… with interest" he released Lance from his grip and the man dropped to the floor. He struggled on the ground for a moment before Khan's leg quickly flicked out in an almost casual sort of way that nonetheless managed to send the fully grown man sliding a few feet away across the floor, winding him right in the guts.
Nobody came to his aid.
Indeed John just glazed his eyes over the Admiral to call to Khan "Mr Singh could you come here for a moment I might need your help".
"What's wrong?" Khan clipped through gritted teeth as he looked upon Layla who had stopped drinking and was once again writhing in agony, biting down on her lip so hard it was bleeding profusely.
"Could you hold her down? I need to take a blood sample to see what they put into her system"
"You don't know what he did to her?" Khan asked but nonetheless made his way over.
"No…it doesn't seem to be anything recognisable. But that's why I need the blood sample, could you please restrain her arms at least, she's almost pulled free." John looked up and could have sworn he saw something like fear cross over the man's pale face as he quickly grabbed at Layla's wriggling wrists which she had almost managed to tug out of its restraints.
Everyone winced as she let out a piercing shriek when skin met skin.
"It won't kill her" Lance choked as he clung to the wall for support.
"Oh yes because that makes everything alright" Kirk muttered under his breath as Spock came back with a large glass and pitcher both filled with clean water.
There was a hissing sound as the door opened again to reveal a very tall man with curly red hair and a narrow face. He was fully dressed in the same black Starfleet uniform Khan was wearing, though his was slightly loose given his long, lean physique.
McCoy's eyes widened. He recognised that face…it was the man they'd found when he and Carol Marcus had opened up that back on that planetoid all those months ago. The one whose cryotube they'd used to preserve Kirk's almost dead body while they were waiting for Khan's blood transfusion.
He opened his mouth to say so to Kirk and Spock but the Augment seemed to have sensed his gaze because his eyes, which were the most astonishing shade of leaf green they'd ever seen, quickly glanced over in their direction with faint curiosity, though that was quickly disposed of as he turned his attention back to his leader who was still struggling to hold Layla still on the bed.
"Khan the others are wondering if-Good Lord!" his eyes widened as he finally caught a glimpse of the young girl writhing in the bed.
"Ronan hold down her legs, but be as gentle as you can" Khan ordered. Ronan hesitated for only a split second but did as he was told.
His hands wrapped easily around Layla's ankles though it took a lot more effort to keep them in place against the sheets.
Thank goodness for that super strength
John sighed with relief as he saw both male augments manage to hold Layla mostly still. Her bonds around her wrists had been strained badly almost broken from the sheer strength of her acting on impulse alone. He'd shudder to think about what she'd manage to achieve when she was fully focused.
He quickly prepared the hypo to take her blood noticing with disturbed pity that she was still struggling horribly like a tortured snake amongst the sheets.
Kirk leant forwards curiously as he saw Ronan lean over from his spot at Layla's ankles to hiss at Khan.
"Do something"
"What?" Khan looked back at his subordinate with a raised eyebrow.
"She's terrified and in pain, just do something to comfort her," Ronan almost rolled his eyes but resisted the urge. Novice parent or not Khan was still not a force to be reckoned with.
"Like what?" Khan muttered softly feeling a little confused.
"I don't know, you're her father. Talk to her or hug her or whatever else that comes naturally?"
"I don't think I'm naturally capable of doing those things" Khan admitted and for the first time ever since they'd ever met, Kirk thought he heard something akin to embarrassment and self-doubt in his voice.
"Naturally capable! Khan there must be something you can do?"
"I told you I don't know!" Khan grunted with slight strain as Layla gave a particularly violent jerk, crying out in a spasm of pain.
"Oh come on use that goddamn brilliant brain of yours and think…is there something she likes…something she's told you so far?"
Khan thought for a moment his mind going over all the conversations he'd had with her over the past few days. He was ashamed when he saw that they'd not really had much time to talk but he was at least glad to say that whenever they did it always made some progress.
Finally his mind settled on the memory of last night.
"-then at the end of the day she would brush out my hair and sing me to sleep."
Brush out her hair…
Khan's brow furrowed. Now that he thought about it Layla always did respond well whenever he'd stroked her hair, in fact she always seemed to be calmer.
He let go of the arm furthest from John and quickly brought it up to her brow, stroking her hair away from her face. It felt slightly different now that it had been cut, but it was still thick and smooth.
"Layla…Layla I need you to listen to me…you need to calm down alright…" Layla didn't still completely in her movement but her struggling did settle down slightly as Khan's long fingers proceeded to stroke at her hair, brushing through the tangled black mass as gently as he could.
"Alright I'm gonna take the sample now" John said quietly as he approached her left arm which Khan was still holding down. The Augment nodded though when the hypospray made contact with her skin he had to redouble his grip as she once again screamed with agony.
"Shit" John kept his hand steady as he turned his head to look at the monitors scanning her body. Her heart rate had increased dramatically and her body was going through severe distress. "Sorry kid I know you must really hate this" he muttered before looking up at Khan who'd also spotted the monitors his face going even paler than it already was.
"Could you do what you did before with the hair and stuff? It really seemed to work with you know…calming her down…"
Khan nodded, not thinking twice about the sceptical look Ronan was giving his way at the sound of the doctor's order. He may have been a leader on the physical and political battlefield but even he would not argue with a doctor in these kinds of circumstances.
He leant back over Layla's head murmuring softly to her.
"Come now Layla" he murmured as he quickly brushed the stray hairs away from her face "just stay calm and just take deep breaths. In…and out…In…and out…"
Layla's breaths were not as deep or as composed as Khan's but nonetheless they managed to sooth her down somewhat as red liquid began to fill up the hypospray in the doctor's steady hands…no not just sooth her.
"Khan…" Ronan's voice turned very worried as Layla's eyes began to roll back into her head, exhaustion finally taking hold of her.
Ok...other augments to appear in the next chapter almost got them all planned out.
Phew! I'm pooped. just a heads up writing may be slow over the next few weeks so please be patient with me.
Keep R&Ring for more.