The landscape on Ceti Alpha V was magnificent. It all seemed to be two or three times larger than it was on Kronos. Everything from the trees to the life forms, the mountains and rocks, even the blades of grass were huge. Most of her crew had decided that this meant everything alive was worth hunting. Kang and Tig had split most of the crew into two parties and the challenge had been set; whoever killed the most won, the losers were doomed to cook the food for the winners. Tavana and Vrenn had remained aboard but were due to swap with Ranka and Emony in the next half hour or so. Thankfully, the plasma coil had been fixed and the leave was due to finish in a couple of days.
Alhana sat on a hill watching a troupe of giant ants go about their business, the way they marched back and forth reminded her of some of the fetch and carry missions they'd done in the past. Except these creatures were the size of house cats and looked particularly mean. Some easy work like that would be rather welcome after the madness of the last few weeks. "This is a good planet." Khan said from behind her. Alhana jumped as her thoughts were interrupted.
"It's rude to sneak up on people," she replied leaning back to look up at him. He peered down at her with intense blue eyes before sitting next to her. "Why is this planet good?"
"I believe you could live here and lead a satisfactory existence without too much effort. There is enough game here to keep your Klingon fellows happy, which means good hunting. The trees are large enough to build decent habitation and there is plenty of everything." Khan said, pointing to the items in question as he spoke.
"Are you getting fed up of life in this century then?"
"No. Of all the planets we have been to during the last few weeks, this one is the most hospitable."
"Yes, I suppose you're right, no natives to get in the way either," Alhana nodded. "How are you getting on with Klingon?"
"I am sufficient enough to read most of the words in the computer," he said, "However, it is good to speak in my own tongue at times," he added switching to English, he then uttered something incomprehensible.
"I'm sorry." Alhana said, "What language is that?"
"Hindi, the language of the country of my birth, back before Earth became the single state it is now, do not trouble yourself, not many speak it now and I have not spoken any for many years," he said. "Except perhaps to curse in."
"Do you miss your home?"
Khan didn't answer straight away and she didn't press the issue, he would tell her if he wanted to. The silence stretched between them and Alhana let out a small sigh, she knew she should return to the Warbird and begin making the necessary preparations for the next part of the journey. "I would give anything to see the sun set behind the Taj Mahal once more." Khan said, his voice no more than a whisper, "Not a day passes where I do not find myself thinking about my lost friends and family." Alhana turned to look into the eyes of her friend.
"I'm sorry you lost them," she said pushing her hair behind her ear.
"It's not your fault, I failed them. I promised to lead them to a new world when we left Earth in 1996 and instead they exploded inside torpedo pods. I should have done so much more." Khan said. Alhana was content to listen to his thoughts and she wondered if he'd spoken to anyone else about his dead crew. Who else was there? They weren't exactly the most tactful when it came to sensitive issues like this but then again, neither was she.
"Tell me about them," she said resting her chin on her hands. If he needed someone to listen, then that was something she could do. He looked into her face for a long moment, getting the measure of her eyes, nose and chin; a smile tugged at her mouth and she licked her dry lips. He smiled back at her, a gesture that softened his harsh eyes and chased the cares away making him look younger and yet older at the same time.
"I do not wish to speak of them," he said with a shake of his head, "It is a bright day and I shouldn't dwell on dark thoughts. There is time enough for that while in space. What do you usually do while on leave?" he asked.
"I normally assist with the repairs of the ship but the plasma coil is beyond my skills. The files are up to date and there are no additions to the charts to be made at this time. I can't remember the last time I had nothing to do." Alhana said.
"That is something I can relate to."
"What a pair we make." Alhana said with a laugh, "No longer remember how to have fun."
"We could fight?"
"I haven't the energy." Alhana replied licking her lips again.
"A walk then?" Khan said getting to his feet.
"Very well. Is there something you want to show me?" She eyed him suspiciously, knowing there was more to this than he was saying.
Khan merely smiled and held out his palm to help her up. She accepted and he pulled her to her feet. His hand was cool in hers, a wave of heat flashed through her and she stumbled. Khan caught her and for the brief moment that he held her against him her heart refused to beat. Their eyes locked for a second that lasted an eternity. Slowly, he released her, "Steady."
"It's OK," she murmured as she took a step backwards. The gulf between them widened and Alhana felt cold for a moment. She shook her head, dismissing the silly notion and gestured for him to lead onwards. Instead of striding ahead, Khan fell in beside her, they walked in silence over the hill and down into a small grove of trees. The main feature of the grove was a clear pool of blue water which was surrounded by lush long green grass. It was a beautiful place.
"Do you swim?"
"What possible practicalities would I have for swimming Khan?" Alhana asked, "I work and operate a spaceship."
"You should learn! The rush of cool water over your hot skin on a summer day is so pleasurable I cannot describe it." Khan said as he removed his shirt. Alhana raised an eyebrow and smothered a grin. He was rather nice to look at, even if he was human. His boots followed and he looked at her sidelong as he bent over. She suddenly found the long blades of grass next to her fascinating; she didn't look up until she heard the splash of him diving into the pool. Then she watched Khan swim for a while.
"Come on, the water is nice."
Alhana walked to the water's edge and removed her boots. She placed them next to Khan's and rolled her pants up to above the knee. Flopping down on a rock she dangled her legs in the water, Khan was right; the feel of the cool liquid on her skin was wonderful.
"You won't come in?" he said.
"I can't swim."
"I can teach you." Khan said. She shook her head. He took a deep breath and sank below the surface. Alhana didn't see where he went and looked around, what if he didn't surface, what if… Something grabbed her foot and she squealed. One swift jerk and water engulfed her. The cold liquid penetrated her shirt, swamped her hair and flooded her very being. Hands guided her back to the surface and she swallowed a lungful of air. "Feels good doesn't it."
"No!" Spluttering out water that ran into her mouth, she gave him a scathing look. She struggled to reach the bottom of the pool, kicking her legs and waving her arms, causing a splash.
"Be still," Khan said, "You'll make it worse. Relax, I won't let you go." Alhana stilled her legs but kept her arms spread wide on the surface of the water.
"I don't like it," she whispered.
"Just imagine it as being a large bath." Khan said. The thought didn't help, the hands encircling her waist did and she tried to do as he asked. He opened his mouth to speak when a decidedly electronic beeping filled it.
"Captain?" It was Maeill. Khan boosted her back onto the rocks and she retrieved the communicator with a dripping hand.
"Yes?"
"We need you on board, there's something you need to see." He said.
"Very well. Two to beam up." She said. The warmth of the transporter kicked in a moment later and they were back on board in seconds. Both were dripping wet and the semi-naked state of Khan raised a couple of eyebrows. "This better be important," she said as she left the pad and headed towards the bridge.
"This is like nothing we've ever seen before," Maeill said as he led them both to the command centre of the ship, "There's a strange energy reading coming from the Ceti Alpha VI."
"What type of reading?" Alhana asked.
"Strange, like a pulsing. That in itself doesn't mean anything but it's coming from the centre of the planet." Maeill said.
"Get it on screen," Alhana said as they walked through the doors of the bridge. Maeill nodded and the bright red of the planet appeared in the middle of screen. There was nothing she could see that was odd about the planet; it looked like it always had.
"There." Khan said. He pointed at the screen. Alhana tried to follow his finger but there was nothing out of the ordinary she could make out. Suddenly, there was a flash before the entire screen turned white. What happened next was catastrophic.