Disclaimer: Crew and passengers are mine. Genetically engineered humans are not nearly.

Chapter Four

"What is your name, Doctor?"

Khan was staring at the Botany Bay's viewscreen, which was an image of the space that they were flying through at the moment. His back was turned to the doctor, so he could not see what kind of expression was on the man's face. His voice was carefully guarded, as appeared to be normal for him.

"Bashir. Julian Bashir." He glanced around the ship. "If this really is the Botany Bay, how did you refit her? Tech manuals from the Enterprise?"

Khan ignored the question. "What is your purpose on this voyage?"

"What's yours?" he shot back. "You didn't answer the first time I asked."

The command chair swiveled around to reveal an angry, lined face. "I do not answer to others, but I expect them to reply to me."

"Oh, undoubtedly. How many have actually answered you? And how many have you killed?"

"Answer my question, and I will think about answering yours."

Julian smiled faintly. "I am on my way to a medical conference on Meezan IV. That, as the captain has undoubtedly told you, was the transport's first stop."

"He did indeed." The expression on his face could have been interpreted as the beginnings of a staring contest. That was something that Bashir was certain that he would lose, so he did not let it play out. Instead, he took the opportunity to glance around the bridge.

It was not very advanced, since this ship was not originally designed for warp speed- though it obviously was now. That meant that due to the time involved in interplanetary travel, the passengers would spend the majority of their time in suspended animation. Still, it was larger than the transport ship's cockpit. Large enough to accommodate two guards, who could stand off to the side without interfering with normal ship's operations. Clearly, they were both suspicious of Bashir.

"We escaped Ceti Alpha V," Khan said finally, "Only to find ourselves pulled through a spacial anomaly that brought us through time and space… here. And we find ourselves in a world that, like the one of the past, needs us to govern it."

"A world that will reject you," Julian responded softly. "Like the world of the past. More and more non-humans are being accepted by the Federation, but anyone who deviates from normal standards for his or her respective race is not widely accepted."

"We will see about that. In the meantime, I want you to tell me what you make of the anomaly we passed through."

Julian allowed himself to be pulled over to one of the ship's sensors. His quick fingers raced over the keys as he attempted to analyze the phenomenon. There was something about it as he played back the effect and its point of origin…

"No good," he said finally. "I have no idea what caused it."

…It was something that he would want to have a closer look at if it hadn't been a guard standing over his shoulder. It was something that they would not have had the training to notice, but every cadet in Starfleet did.

A movement on his left side made him reflexively bring his hand up to guard his face. That did little to stop the force that sent him flying halfway across the room. The hand did absorb some of the impact, but barely enough so that he was conscious as he lay dazed on the cold floor. An array of bright colours danced around his eyes, and he tried to regain some kind of focus.

His eyes shut, and as he concentrated on determining which way was up, he felt someone grab the front of his shirt and haul him to his feet. "You lie."

"No, I…"

Thud!

He plunged to the ground again, and he realized that there was blood trickling from his mouth. It was probably from the impact when he was hurled across the room. Or maybe the second time when he was dropped. How had he landed? A blow like that could have seriously damaged bones, organs… anything.

"I ask you again, Doctor. What caused the anomaly?"

"I'm a doctor, not a scientist." He was aware of how slurred his words sounded. "Besides, why could you possibly need to know if you intend to stay in this time?"

"You irritate me, Doctor. The captain of this vessel capitulated with a few mere slaps from one of my men. What is it about Starfleet arrogance that makes you believe that you are nor required to do as you're told?!"

A hard boot caught him in the stomach, which told him that he was on his side. That somewhat oriented him, despite the fact that he was doubling over in pain at that moment. There was a sound like a very soft wind, which told Julian that Khan was about to kick him again.

It was aimed towards his face.

True to his split-second prediction, the doctor was soon sprawled out on the Botany Bay's floor, unconscious.

Khan stood over him, with a twinge of satisfaction. It had been a while since he had hit anyone like that. His men were obedient, and he hadn't needed to for quite some time. Still… the Federation irritated him.