Chapter 13
Once settled in the brig, Jamie relaxed. She was away from horrid Ms. Feldman, and a Klingon detention cell was better than being surrounded by Klingons. She climbed up on the metal cot, leaned against the wall, and said, "We're in trouble."
Nan hiked herself onto the cot and reached for a covering. "Things aren't so bad, Jamie. Councilor Grayson says the Klingons are all bluster. Captain Kirk will arrange for our release, and we'll be home before supper."
She settled the blanket over Jamie's lap and gave her leg a gentle pat. "Don't worry, honey. I may even get my interview."
Jamie's mouth fell open. "Ms. Rushmore . . . Nan . . . you may be a smart, famous news reporter, but you don't know anything about Klingons. That huge Klingon, K'traz, is going to make you say all kinds of things you don't want to say. He'll make you lie for them."
Nan laughed. "Don't be silly, Jamie. I'm a professional. I've been threatened before to tell the news according to someone's agenda. I didn't kowtow to anyone then, and I won't back down now."
"Yes, you will. You'll do exactly what they say."
"I'll never cooperate with them."
Jamie took a deep breath. "Rule number one: Survive and succeed. That's a Klingon rule, and we're working on the first part right now, surviving. As long as they think you're useful, they'll keep you alive."
She blinked back tears. "Please, Nan. Be useful to them. You need to stay alive, because I'm scared. I need you."
Nan opened her arms. "Come here. You look like you could use a hug."
Jamie snuggled close to Nan and laid her head against her warm body. But her relief at being away from Ms. Feldman dissolved as she realized it was only temporary. She was trapped aboard the Korbin, with a Klingon woman crazy for revenge.
"I want to go home," she said. "Ms. Feldman is scary-crazy. She's going to do something bad to me. I just know it."
Please, Daddy, come and get me. Hurry! Jamie couldn't stop shaking. She buried her head in Nan's shirt and burst into quiet sobs.
Nan said nothing and held her tight.
When James Kirk realized he had been tricked, he was ready to burst. Kor had not only snatched away a Klingon operative, the Jovitian princess, and a Federation newswoman, but he had taken his daughter as well. There was no excuse for that, and Kor would pay!
After checking on his injured crewman and giving some placating assurances to Ben'yla about Meyla's safety, Kirk returned to the bridge breathing fire. He plopped down in his chair and barked, "Hail the Korbin, Lieutenant."
"What do you intend to do, Kirk?" The councilor had dogged his heels all the way to the bridge.
"Do?" Kirk swung his chair around and faced the irritating man. "Why, I intend to get my people back. And I'd appreciate it if you would stay out of my way and keep your comments to yourself. Interfere and I'll clap you in irons."
Grayson opened his mouth to protest, but the look on Kirk's face silenced him. He found an empty seat and sat down.
"I have Commander Kor," Uhura announced. "On screen."
The view screen lit up, revealing the Klingon commander. He looked unhappy and a tad worried. "I've been anticipating your hail, Captain."
At the very least, Kirk expected Kor to gloat over his captives, harass the captain, and try to provoke him. But he didn't. His quiet statement took the wind from Kirk's sails.
"You have my people," he said simply.
"Yes," Kor admitted, "but they are not here by my design."
"Send them back, and I'll forget the mockery you're making of this trade conference."
"I'd like nothing better," Kor said, "but it's partly your fault they're here."
"My fault?"
"Yes, Captain. It was awfully sloppy of you to allow your people to be kidnapped right out from under your nose." He glared at Kirk. "I don't want them here. They greatly complicate my life."
Kirk was taken aback by Kor's honesty. What is going on over there?
His mental question fizzled away as Marrid Feldman entered the bridge. She was dressed in Klingon garb and stood next to Kor's chair.
Kirk caught his breath. I promised Jamie that she and the princess were safe aboard my ship, he remembered with a stab of regret. I was wrong. I should have bio-scanned them all last night, and to blazes with diplomacy!
The woman's half-human/half Klingon heritage mocked him. "You're the saboteur and the killer," Kirk said wearily.
"Yes, Captain. And it would have worked marvelously if not for your brat."
A garishly dressed Klingon male took his place near Kor's command chair. He gave Kirk a toothy smile. "Greetings, Captain Kirk."
Kirk ignored him and looked at Kor. "What about it, Commander? How do I get Ms. Rushmore and Jamie back?"
"You don't," K'traz answered for Kor. "The princess is here among her own people, and the newswoman and the girl are spoils of war."
"We're not at war."
K'traz grinned. "Perhaps not officially."
Kirk glared at Kor. "This act jeopardizes your position at the upcoming trade conference, Commander. Advisor Ben'yla is beside himself with worry over the kidnapping of his niece."
"I cannot imagine why he should feel that way," K'traz broke in. "The princess is resting comfortably with the others of Jovita. Her uncle may speak to her at any time. Just let us know when, and we'll pipe it down to their quarters."
This brought Kirk up short. "Believe me, I will make the arrangements."
"Excellent."
"I would like to speak with Ms. Rushmore and Jamie," Kirk added.
Marrid sniffed. "There's no reason for that."
"I want to assure myself they are all right."
"Why should I care whether you're assured, Captain?" Marrid ended the transmission with a sweep of her hand.
