Part of Khan's dialogue in this chapter is borrowed from Agent Classified from Penguins Of Madagascar. I love Agent Classified, he's one wonderful wolf. By the way, I really need to stop writing stories where everything is twu wuv-this and power of friendship-that, and for that, I have to improve my writing skills. Gotta read masterpieces abound in fanfiction sites and learn...
Chapter Tehrah!
The night was long, and Uhura was talking to Omal in a far corner. Athena was playing with Saaya under Khan and Jaylah's watch, so nothing was to be worried about. "I believe I owe you a dinner." said the Betazoid.
"Why, yes, you do." said Uhura. "Mogo, will you please arrange a dinner for us?"
On it. Mogo replied, and made a beautiful construct table with two chairs. Some construct waiters brought them food from the long tables, and gentle romantic music began playing in the background. "Nyota, I...thank you for returning my niece." said Omal.
"You're welcome." Uhura said, raising a wine glass. "To, Omal. For being the only normal thing in my crazy, upside-down world."
"To, being normal." said Omal, and they clinked glasses.
Uhura made a construct knife to cut off a piece of meat and placed it on her plate. "So, you said you wanted to talk, in order to know each other better. Let's talk. Here's my life so far—faced three space criminals, went head-on against a god of death, one of my former enemies came back with a power upgrade, the man of my dreams turned out to be gay, and here I am, with you! Honestly, you're the best thing that ever happened to me."
"As are you." replied Omal. "I lost my betrothed before we could wed at our majority. I still grieve for her but I know that life moved on, and I tried to move on as well. Real hard. But then, you just had to be there. And...I just fell. Now I can't imagine my life without you. So, may I ask, can we...?"
Uhura's face lit up brightly. "Are you kidding me, Omal? Whatever you're trying to tell me, I agree. But...let's take it slow if we really wanna start dating, right?"
And Omal nodded. The two drank from each other's glasses, and began tucking into the lovely food. Diana watched them from afar and began singing.
DIANA:
And I never really sleep anymore,
And I always get those dangerous dreams,
And I never get a minute of peace,
And I gotta wonder what it means,
And I gotta wonder what it means.
Maybe it's nothing, and I'm under the weather,
Maybe it's just one of those bugs going 'round,
Maybe I'm under a spell and it's magic,
Maybe there's a witch doctor with an office in town,
Oh, is this a blessing?
Or is it a curse?
Does it get any better?
Can it get any worse?
Will it go on forever?
Is it over tonight?
Does it come with the darkness?
Does it bring out the light?
Is it richer than diamonds,
Or just a little cheaper than spit?
I don't know what it is, but it just won't quit.
I don't know what it is, but it just won't quit.
I don't know what it is, but it just won't quit.
I don't know what it is, but it just won't quit.
KIRK:
And there used to be such an easy way of living,
And there used to be every hope in the world,
And I used to get everything that I went after,
But there never used to be this girl,
No, there never used to be this girl.
Maybe I'm crazy, and I'm losing my senses,
Maybe I'm possessed by a spirit or such,
Maybe I'm desperate and I've got no defenses,
Can you get me a prescription for that one perfect touch?
BOTH:
Oh, this a blessing,
Or is it a curse?
Does it get any better?
Can it get any worse?
Will it go on forever?
Is it over tonight?
Does it come with the darkness?
Does it bring out the light?
DIANA:
It's a stairway to heaven,
Or a subway going down the pits...
LANTERNS CHORUS:
Is it some kind of love?
KIRK:
I don't know what it is, but it just won't quit.
DIANA:
I don't know what it is, but it just won't quit.
BOTH:
I don't know what it is, but it just won't quit.
I don't know what it is, but it just won't quit.
KIRK:
There was a time when nothing ever really mattered,
DIANA:
There was a time when there was nothing I didn't know,
KIRK:
There was a time when I knew just what I was living for,
DIANA:
There was a time and the time was so long ago.
BOTH:
There was a time and the time was so long ago.
KHAN:
And I never really sleep anymore...
After the huge success of the Betazed campaign, the Seventh Fleet began racking up victories, mostly thanks to Khan and his overcharged ring. "Khan Noonien!" said Jaylah as she ran in. "Our ship's historian...she said this about you." She held up a recording device.
"This is Dr. Marla McGivers, log entry 007. May 7th, 2264. And with him lies our salvation. For as he gains in strength so do they fall in numbers. The Dominion commands its armies to the North and South, but he controls the fight. The inner circle of death is where he resides—hunting them at the far reaches of the galaxy and beyond. I am a believer now—I feel it is in rage that I have faith. The Dawnbreaker is the spear that stabs at the heart of our attackers, and those that would seek to harm us should feel warned—for there is only one dominant life form in this universe and it carries a blood red sword of light forged from sheer hatred. All hail the coming of the Destroyer—the Dawnbreaker's time is now."
"O-o-h, somebody's got fangirls!" Guy jeered as he followed his fellow Green Lantern, only to be smacked in the back of his head by John.
"Alright, knock it off, fellas." said Kirk. "We've got some important news coming in, from Admiral Nogura."
So everyone went to a clearing somewhere on Mogo, where Nogura was waiting in person. "S...Sir!" said Hal. "Didn't expect to see you here."
"Warlord Aldar called me sometime after your departure, and told me about the existence of the Stairgate, a wormhole connecting to various different sectors of the universe. That was how the Bolovaxian Union could come into first contact with our galaxy. If a species from the great unknown could extend their reach from one chunk of the universe to another, then how much easier would it be for an interstellar nation in the Gamma Quadrant to manipulate the Stairgate so they can invade another quadrant?" asked Nogura.
"So, what's the point?" asked Sinestro.
"The Federation Alliance representatives decided to launch an all-out attack directly towards the heart of the Dominion on next Taco Tuesday, using the Stairgate." Nogura spoke. "And you, Tomorrow Knights, will be carrying out a very special plan."
"If it is, then it might require a diversion." Khan piped up.
"I am the first officer of the Enterprise, and you are a convicted criminal. So it might be obvious who gives the orders around here. Much as it pains me, I need you to act as our diversion for our operation, understood?" said Spock.
"Nope! This is our plan, and it requires you to cause a diversion." Khan retaliated.
"Dee-version." said Spock.
"Dye-version!" Khan yelled.
"Dee!"
"Dye!"
"Dee!"
"Dye!"
"Dee!"
"Dye!"
"Dee!"
"Dye!"
"Dee!"
"Dye!"
"Dee!"
"Dye!"
"Dee!"
"Dye!"
"Dee!"
"Dye!"
"Gentlemen, calm down!" Nogura said, and the two shut up. "So, Lantern Commander Singh, what was it you wanted to say?"
"Everyone, you're all so talented and imaginative, and I respect that. 300 years ago, when I had a plan and we were working together, we conquered a quarter of the Earth. Now you're an elite unit, just imagine what could happen if you did that. You could save the universe." Khan told his teammates.
"Well said, Khan. Well said." said Kirk.
"Really?" asked the Red Lantern.
"It be a fine speech there, laddie." Scotty added.
"Hold up." Spock cut in. "Whatever plan he's going to come up with, it is bound to fail. My plan will work so much better."
"So, what are we gonna do?" said McCoy as he cast a nervous glance Kirk's way.
It was Aya who spoke first. "Plan-off."
"Thanks, Aya." said Spock. "So, Khan, you dee-vert the Jem'Hadar away from their posts while we breach the hull with Aya's help and travel undetected to the light-based weapon storage. Once inside, Mr. Sulu will provide lookout to make sure we're not being followed. Then we hack into the storage's security system and disable the shield, and release the light to destroy the Capital and end everything once and for all."
"Alright, I guess it's my turn now. I call this, the Dawnbreaker's plan to get inside the Capital, destroy their light storage and save the world, in five steps." said Khan as he began unfurling his plan. "Step one, while you blowhards dye-vert the Jem'Hadar from their posts, Kirk, you jam the security systems with a swarm of tribbles."
"Tribbles?" asked Shenara.
"Oh, dear. I forgot you Klingons have a grudge against tribbles, but you're gonna carry on anyway, right?" asked Khan.
"Anything for the universe." replied Shenara.
"Step two, we break into the Founders' dwelling and plunder their collection of relics to disguise ourselves. Step three, Mr. Scott, you and Miss Ferris sneak their way into the Master Control Room. Once inside they'll use their technical know-how to disable the light-based weapon storage's shield. Step four, knock-knock."
"Who's there?" asked Jaylah.
"The Dawnbreaker." replied Khan.
"The Dawnbreaker who?"
"The Dawnbreaker who doesn't have time for knock-knock jokes 'cause he's too busy initiating a blackout to switch off all the lights they collected! Step five, mission accomplished. See that? I don't even look back. There's a huge explosion, and I just keep walking."
"Whoo! Way to go, Khan Noonien! That's our Ultimate Hope, sucker!" Jaylah cried.
"Nicely done." Diana added.
"Hands up for Vulcan plan." Aya said, and one hand went up. It belonged to Spock.
"Hands up for Dawnbreaker plan." Aya said again. This time, everyone's hands went up including Nogura's, save for Spock, who kept his arms crossed. So it was decided. They were going with Khan's plan.
Later that day, Scotty handed out devices that allowed Lanterns to communicate with non-Lanterns. A safety measure was installed on Khan's; one that would release an electric current that would even make Khan's heart stutter once he initiated a blackout—courtesy of Spock, of course. The device would be a testament to Spock's superiority.
"Whatever you're plotting, don't." a voice said from next to him. It was Omal.
"Ambassador Nexi!" said the commander, surprised.
"Lieutenant Uhura told me you broke her heart on several occasions, and don't feel remorse about it. And right now, I sense your malicious intent towards Lantern Commander Singh. What did he ever do to you that you're acting hostile to him?"
"Did you see the crimes he committed?" Spock snapped.
"I did. Given the severity of the crimes, he was punished properly and would be again had there been no war. But right now, there's no choice but to work together, even if you don't want it." Omal spoke calmly.
At the Capital, Lord Okaia, the supreme ruler of the Dominion, was admiring his collection of relics. He, like the rest of the Founders, was a changeling, a liquid being that could shapeshift and right now, he was in his monster form, his favorite. General Luen entered the relic chamber and saluted him. "Oh, welcome, my prized warrior." said the tyrant.
"I overlooked the process of developing new weapons using the emotional energy we drained. They seemed to be loading the light into...something big." said Luen.
"You'll get to know in due time." said Okaia, as he placed one large hand on the other Founder's shoulder.
Luen sighed. In fact, she was fed up with the Founders' beliefs and instead gained an appreciation for solids over time, as she had learned her people's methods were not what she thought they were at some point in her life, and she learned that the hard way. She was especially fascinated with the solids that had freed Betazed from Dominion control, she wished she could know more about them in time.
Suddenly, Luen received a transmission. It was from Dr. Yolnut, the Vorta scientist. "My lord?" she told Okaia. "The Think Tank is completed, and our loyal Jem'Hadar soldiers are bringing in fuel."
"That's good!" said the ruler, and the two moved to another room. All colors of Lanterns had been captured, and Okaia greeted them. "Hello, everybody! Nice to meet you guys! Welcome to my Think Tank!" he said as he pushed a button. The ceiling peeled back, revealing thousands of light-sucking cells where the Lanterns were soon strapped into.