Chapter 12
The minute Jamie materialized onto the transporter platform of the Klingon ship, she felt sick. Oh, no. Not again. The last place she wanted to find herself was on board a Klingon battle cruiser. Let it be a bad dream!
Marrid relaxed her crushing grip on Jamie's arm and stalked down the steps shouting, "K'traz!"
"A Klingon ship," Nan whispered from behind Jamie. "I never dreamed of such a possibility." She pushed past the two girls and followed Marrid off the platform. A smile played across her lips.
Jamie shook her head. "You don't want to be here, Nan."
"Nonsense."
"What is all this?" A loud, exasperated voice cut short Nan's excitement. The voice belonged to a huge, angry-looking Klingon male dressed in garish ceremonial robes. He glared at Marrid from beside the transporter controls and demanded an explanation.
Thanks to her subcutaneous translator, Jamie understood every harsh, scary word.
"My prisoners," Marrid gloated, prodding Nan in the back. The newswoman tripped and sprawled at the feet of the huge Klingon. "This human is a news reporter. She's been longing for an interview. I thought we might arrange one for her."
Nan pulled herself to her feet and backed up to where Jamie and Meyla stood together, holding hands and watching in stunned silence. She put her arms around the girls and said, "There is no need to treat us like cattle."
The Klingon grunted. "Which one is the princess?"
"I am," Meyla replied, stepping bravely down the steps. Her earlier fear seemed to have dissolved, and she glared at the Klingon with contempt. "I demand we be returned to the Federation vessel immediately."
The Klingon's attitude changed abruptly to deference. He bowed. "Your Highness, welcome aboard the Korbin. I am K'traz. As for your demand"—he smiled—"I trust you will find your stay aboard our ship pleasant. Your advisors and attendants await you in specially prepared quarters. You will spend the remainder of your voyage aboard the Korbin, per the agreement."
"I do not recall any such agreement."
"Your advisors arranged it. Please accompany the guards."
"And my friends? Are they part of this agreement?"
"No." K'traz gave Marrid an angry look. "It appears she has acted on her own." He waved to the guards, and they surrounded Meyla. She had little choice but to accompany them.
"I'll try to arrange for your release," she promised.
With the princess out of the way, K'traz turned on Marrid. "What do you mean by bringing these humans aboard? We have no use for them."
"It is my right," Marrid snapped, "and I've plenty of uses for them."
Jamie didn't learn what Marrid planned to do with them, for at that moment the doors whooshed open and another Klingon—his face dark with anger—entered.
Jamie knew immediately this was the commander of the ship. He reminded her of Koloth, the Klingon commander she'd accidentally met almost two years ago.
"Your operative had better be worth the trouble I've gone through to get her here," he barked.
"I assure you, Commander Kor, I am worth your trouble." Marrid glided over to stand in front of Kor. "I've brought you the princess. She will now spend time aboard the Korbin."
Kor crossed his arms over his chest. "Indeed? What kind of impression do you think kidnapping a princess will make on the royal family?"
Marrid drew herself up. "Remember to whom you're speaking, Kor. I get my orders from the Council itself, while you—"
"Who are they?" Kor interrupted with a sudden roar. He hurried across the room. "What are these humans doing aboard my ship?"
Jamie clutched Nan's hand. The Klingon commander looked furious.
"They were beamed aboard with the princess," K'traz explained. "Marrid has her reasons."
"Beam them back. I want no Earthers aboard my ship."
"They're mine," Marrid said. "I say what happens to them." She pointed to Nan. "She is a newscaster, someone who can be persuaded to report the events of the trade conference in our favor." She smiled cruelly at Nan. "It won't take long to educate her as to what she will say."
Before Nan could express her outrage at such an idea, Marrid reached out and ripped Jamie away from the newswoman's side.
"This brat is responsible for foiling my plans aboard the Enterprise. She's kept me from the princess time and time again. She's mine, I tell you."
Jamie jerked away from Marrid. "Let me go!"
Kor cracked a smile. "What do you plan to do with her, woman?"
Marrid focused an icy gaze on Jamie. "Anything I want, but vengeance will come later. For now, I will use her to control Meyla. We want the princess in the right frame of mind during the trade negotiations."
"I see," Kor said thoughtfully. "Not a bad plan. But how will this small scrap of humanity serve such a purpose?"
"Easily, Kor. The girls are fast friends. This brat saved her life, and the princess is in her debt. Meyla will do as we say to keep this girl from being harmed."
"Who is she?" Kor asked casually. "The princess's handmaiden?" Marrid barked a laugh. "I wish! It would have been a simple matter to dispose of her if that were the case. No, Commander. She's that wretched starship captain's brat and much harder to get rid of." "No." Kor's eyes widened. "You must be mad—or stupid—if you think you can get away with kidnapping Kirk's daughter."
"It is Marrid's right to demand retribution," K'traz put in.
"Enough!" Kor raised his hand to stop K'traz's words. "Perhaps we can get away with keeping the princess. After all, her countrymen are aboard. But the newswoman, and especially the child, absolutely must be returned to the Enterprise."
He turned to his transporter chief. "Send them back as soon as we are in range."
Marrid tightened her grip on Jamie. "They stay."
Jamie squeezed her eyes shut. She was so frightened that she hardly felt the crushing pain to her arm. A hot, sick feeling rushed through her, and for a second she thought she might throw up. She groaned. "I feel sick."
Marrid released her, and Jamie crumpled to the cool deck, clutching her stomach.
Don't let me throw up on the Klingon ship! she pleaded silently.
Nan rushed over and gathered Jamie into her arms. "How dare you frighten this child! Keep me here but send Jamie back. She's just a little girl."
"Silence, human." K'traz raised a fist.
Kor shoved the older Klingon aside. "Enough of this foolishness, K'traz. I will not put my ship in danger over Marrid's distorted sense of Klingon revenge."
"You command this ship, Kor," K'traz said, "but I command the mission." He turned to the guards. "Take the newswoman and the girl and put them in detention." As the guards pulled the two prisoners to their feet, K'traz bowed to Nan. "We shall see to your education at the earliest opportunity."
Jamie struggled to her feet and turned a helpless look on Commander Kor. "Please send us back, Commander."
Kor sighed. "I would send you back if I could, but you do not belong to me. You belong to Ms. Feldman, which is your misfortune." He raised a hand in a Klingon salute. "Survive and succeed, young Kirk." With that, he turned on his heel and headed for the door.
Jamie stopped Kor with a terrified shout. "If my dad doesn't get you for this, the Organians certainly will!"
Kor paused briefly but did not turn around. "You're probably right," he said with a sigh, then hurried out of the room.
