Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek or any of its characters, only my OC - Kaitlyn Donovan.
This is the sequel to The Ripple Effect.
(The story of Khan and Rachel's past is titled A Shot in the Dark).
Thank you everyone that is still reading/favoriting/following this story after all these years.
A/N: More chapters to come soon.
Chapter 18 – Words of the Weary
Broken Remnants
Chapter 18 – Words of the Weary
Starfleet Headquarters, JAG Offices
Commander Kaitlyn Donovan walked into the unusually quiet office space and headed to Commander Fowler's office. She knocked on the door frame.
Commander Fowler looked up from his monitor and motioned for her to come in. He stood up and raised an eyebrow in question.
"Did we get an ultimatum from the Klingons?" she questioned, realizing what might have prompted his motion in the trial a little while ago.
He gave her a slight nod, "They contacted Federation President Anazi this morning. Two days. They will be waiting outside the Sol system to escort Harrison to Qo'noS." He indicated she could sit down and frowned when she declined. "I was about ready to comm you. My superiors have authorized me to state for the record that Harrison was manipulated by Admiral Marcus, and he had no choice but to comply."
"And the rest of it?" she alluded to what she had stated in the hearing this morning.
"All of it." He nodded. "How many more witnesses to you need to call?"
She walked to the window and contemplated the situation. "If the Prosecution will state all of that for the record, I don't need to call anyone else. I can give our closing statement."
Captain Fowler stood beside her at the window. "You have done a tremendous job as an Advocate for Commander Harrison – is this a one and done case, or are you interested in a job here at JAG?" he inquired.
Kaitlyn Donovan chuckled softly and shook her head, "I have a job on the Enterprise. Commander Harrison's case is a special circumstance." She turned to him and stretched out her hand, then shook his as he returned the gesture. "Thank you for the heads up. We will be ready tomorrow for sentencing." She planted a small mustard seed of an idea in his thoughts, then left the office.
XXXXXX
Secured Facility, MACO Museum
Khan looked up as Kaitlyn entered the holoroom. He stood up from his computer station and watched as she came over to him. "The Klingons?" he inquired.
She nodded, "I will give our closing statement tomorrow and we will move into sentencing." She glanced at his computer screen and saw the plans for the colony that he was adding to. She looked over him carefully. "They will hand down the public verdict and sentence first, then after the room is cleared, they will hand down the classified verdict and sentence. Whatever the verdict and sentence, I need you to remain calm."
Khan looked over her determined expression. He nodded, "You will handle the situation, no matter the outcome. I know you will take care of my crew and the gene-altered descendants. You will also see to Rachel and Lucy?"
"Yes."
He nodded once more, "Then I will see you in the morning."
XXXXX
Enterprise
Kaitlyn sat down at the desk in her quarters and commed Ambassador Spock. She glanced at her packed bag on the couch. She would be leaving as soon as the classified verdict and sentence were read, and she released the deal she had made with the Klingons.
After a few minutes, he answered, then sighed softly. He closed his eyes, he knew that this day would come, but he didn't think it would be so sudden. He heard the Klingons had called President Anazi this morning, that they were losing the small amount of patience they had. "I will be there tomorrow." He sat back in his chair and steepled his hands in contemplation. "Have you spoken to Doctor McCoy about your obligation?"
"I will speak to him tonight."
Ambassador Spock shook his head slightly, "Speak to him now. You do not have much time to prepare him."
XXXXX
Kaitlyn Donovan walked into Medical then headed to Leonard's office and found it empty. She came out and saw Nurse Chapel. "Where is Doctor McCoy?" she questioned.
Christine Chapel frowned, "He was called down to one of the prison facilities – Commander Cartwright has fallen into a coma. He hasn't given me an update on the situation. Do you want me to comm him?" she offered.
Kaitlyn shook her head slowly, "No, I'll talk to him later." She left Medical and stopped in the corridor outside the doors. She hadn't told Leonard what she'd done to Cartwright for his classified sentence yet. She had done what needed to be done, but she didn't think that Leonard would see it that way. She closed her eyes tiredly.
"Hey – you okay?" Jim Kirk questioned as he stepped out of the lift and walked to her.
Kaitlyn took a deep breath as she opened her eyes, "I'm fine. Just looking for Leonard."
"He's down on the planet." He had a feeling she'd found out where he was.
"Nurse Chapel told me." She rolled her shoulders to try and relieve some of the stress that had just compounded on her. "Where are you off to?" she asked him.
"To find you." Jim Kirk glanced both ways down the corridor to make sure they were alone. "I got a message that said closing arguments and sentencing are happening tomorrow morning."
She wondered who'd contacted him. "Yes."
"Are you going to invoke the Right of Substitution?" he questioned her quietly.
"Who have you been talking to?" she frowned and crossed her arms.
Kirk guided her down the hall, into an empty lab and had the door close behind them. "Have you told Bones? Kaitlyn, I don't care how much you've trained with Khan – the Klingons are going to take out their anger on you. You are going to have to fight all of them. If you survive, they still might sentence you to Rura Penthe." He shook his head and ran his hand through his hair. "We'll find a way to get you out."
Kaitlyn touched his upper arm gently, "You can't go against what they decide. I have contingencies in place. I'll be okay."
"You have to talk to Bones." He knew his best friend would not bode well if he didn't see her before she left.
"I'll speak to him when he gets back." She promised then turned and left.
XXXXX
Leonard McCoy came into Kaitlyn's quarters quietly; the only illumination was from the emergency lighting around the door to the corridor. He came in and took off his white uniform jacket and draped it on the back of the couch. He frowned at her packed bag and the uniforms she had set out to go into her hanging bag in the morning. He touched her MACO cami uniform and sighed softly. Evidently, she was going to reveal her past identity to the Klingons before she fought them – she probably thought that was the honorable thing to do. Jim had told him what they thought she was planning on doing after Khan's verdict was read later today. He sat down on the chair and closed his eyes.
Khan had told Jim last week about the sentence she'd carried out on Cartwright and Jim had in turn told him. At first, he'd thought the sentence was fitting for the man that tortured Kaitlyn's great granddaughter. But after seeing Cartwright and viewing the video of him from the past week losing his mind and going insane – it was too much for him to handle. Cartwright was now completely comatose.
Kaitlyn turned over in the bed and wiped a stray tear away. Leonard wasn't coming to bed. He couldn't forgive her for what she'd done to Cartwright. She couldn't take it, she needed to leave now. She sat up and threw the covers off.
Leonard was standing next to her side of the bed.
Kaitlyn watched him carefully, unsure of what he wanted to hear from her.
He sat down beside her and reached for her hand.
Kaitlyn held his hand and felt it trembling. She glanced at him and saw the tears. "I'm sorry, Leonard." She moved to withdraw her hand, but he stopped her. She closed her eyes and swallowed the lump that formed in her throat.
"Kaitlyn, I . . ." his voice was gravelly. He cleared his throat. "I found myself questioning how you could have been okay with carrying out Cartwright's sentence and then I found myself getting angry at how they could be okay with asking you to do it." He took a deep breath and frowned as he watched her, "Then I remembered that in order for you to have that ability, it had to have been used on you previously." He wiped the tears away that ran down her cheeks, "How in the hell did you survive that?" he questioned quietly. He held her tightly as she started to fall apart in his arms.
XXXXX
Secured Facility, MACO Museum
Rachel lightly kissed Khan's shoulder, then moved to get up and get ready for the day. It wasn't often that she woke up before him.
Khan rolled over and tugged her closer to him. He sighed softly and touched her side. He didn't know what the day would bring.
She ran her fingers threw his hair and saw the look in his eyes. He was worried. She still held out hope that everything would turn out alright. She kissed his lips tenderly. She pulled back and smiled, "No need to worry."
He watched her carefully, "Stay with me for a while longer."
Rachel laid her head on his chest and closed her eyes; she placed her hand over his heart and felt his strong heartbeat.
Khan placed a kiss on the top of her head and rubbed her back gently.
XXXXX
Starfleet Headquarters
The Admiralty came in the room to hand down their sentence for Commander John Harrison.
Commander Kaitlyn Donovan and Khan stood up.
Admiral Barrett looked at him pointedly, "Starfleet cannot bring your family back, or apologize enough for your treatment and suffering at the hands of Admiral Marcus to start a war with the Klingons, but we can help you with your healing."
"We understand your acts of violence were aimed at Admiral Marcus, but we cannot condone your actions and the massive loss of life and damage caused by your single mindedness." Barrett took a deep breath, "John Harrison, you are hereby remanded to an off-world Starfleet Medical Facility to be treated for Post Traumatic Stress for at least twenty years, if, after twenty years, the Starfleet Medical Staff deem that you no longer pose a threat to yourself or others, you will be released." He banged the gavel.
Kaitlyn watched as the small audience left the courtroom, even the court reporter and the Prosecution team.
Kaitlyn raised an eyebrow at the Admiralty after the doors closed and locked.
She glanced back at Ambassador Spock, Captain Kirk, Commander Spock and Commander McCoy that sat behind them. She noticed Khan clench his fists, then loosened them to try and keep calm.
Admiral Barrett looked at his fellow Admirals on the Tribunal and they each nodded to him. He looked at Khan squarely, "This Tribunal agrees with the recommendation that you and your people will be remanded to an uninhabited planet where you may live out the rest of your days. There are certain stipulations that must be agreed to before you and your people are released."
Khan nodded for him to go on.
"One, you and your people will not be allowed to leave the planet for at least fifty years. Two, you and your people will be available for health and welfare checks. Three, you and your people will not militarize your colony. Four, a group of Starfleet Officers will be assigned to your colony for fifty years to ensure the other stipulations are being meet. They will send out a signal to us each month on the status of you and your people. Five, you and your people will be in cryostasis on the journey to the planet." Admiral Barrett watched as Khan's jaw clenched tighter with each stipulation.
Khan glanced down when Kaitlyn touched his hand momentarily.
Commander Kaitlyn Donovan clasped her hands loosely behind her back, "Counter stipulations?" she proposed.
Admiral Barrett waved for her to make her proposals.
"One, they will not leave for fifty years, but others may visit and possibly live on the planet with them. Two, the health and welfare checks will be conducted by Medical personnel when supplies are delivered twice a year. Three, they will not militarize their colony, but they will have the ability to defend themselves on the planet. If they are attacked by an outside entity, Starfleet will defend them and render assistance as soon as possible. Four, the group of Starfleet Officers assigned to the colony will be recommended and approved by me. Five, the Enterprise will transport them in cryostasis to their planet." She raised her eyebrow in question.
Admiral Barrett looked to the others. They nodded their acceptance of the counter stipulations. Admiral Barrett nodded, "The counter stipulations are accepted." He looked steadily at Khan, "Do you accept these terms?"
Khan nodded, "We will abide by these terms for fifty years." He looked at the Admiralty, "What will happen after fifty years? Will you leave us to our own devices? Will you try and colonize the planet we inhabit? Will you try to remove us from the homes we build?"
"In fifty years, we will send a delegation to your planet and you, and your people can decide if you still want our help, if you want to make an alliance, or if you want us to leave your planet alone." Barrett stated clearly.
Khan took a deep breath and released it slowly, "That is acceptable." It's not like he really had a choice in the matter. He was not looking forward to going back in cryostasis, but his discomfort would be worth it to get his family back.
Admiral Barrett banged the gavel and ended the classified sentencing.
The Admirals looked expectantly to Donovan, they wanted to know what she had agreed to with the Klingons.
Kaitlyn picked up her PADD and sent them a package of information. "I have just claimed the Right of Substitution in place of John Harrison. I will stand in his place for reparations to the families of the Klingons killed by John Harrison and to the Klingon High Council for his actions in their sovereign territory."
Admiral Durkin shook his head, "Commander, you are a Starfleet Officer – we can not just hand you over to another world to do with as they please."
"Might I remind the Admirals that a century ago, the Klingons tried to create augmented Klingons with augmented human DNA, the repercussions lasted for decades and was devastating for their people. They cannot be allowed access to him. As his Advocate, I can claim the Right of Substitution and remove that possibility from happening. This will also prevent us from going to war with the Klingons." She pointed out to the members.
Admiral Kellogg leaned forward in concern for her well-being, "Will you be assigned an Advocate? Will you have access to medical treatment? Will you be treated fairly? Commander, will you be allowed to leave, or will you be sentenced to prison?"
Ambassador Spock stood up and placed his hand gently on Kaitlyn's shoulder. "I am Commander Donovan's Advocate, and she will also be assigned a Klingon Advocate for her Tribunal there. The Aenar will be transporting us when these proceedings are over. A Klingon warbird is waiting for us at the edge of the Sol System to escort the Aenar through Klingon territory to Qo'noS." He removed his hand from her shoulder and moved to stand beside her, "As for your other inquiries, we will have to wait and see."
Admiral Hastings watched and noticed that none of those with her had been surprised by her invoking the Right of Substitution. They had known what she was going to do before she had stated it – even Khan and Ambassador Spock. She had a support group, and he wouldn't be surprised if they had contingency plans in the works, depending on what happened at her Klingon Tribunal. She was right, they could not afford a war with the Klingons. He stood up, "Commander Donovan, on behalf of Starfleet and the Federation, I thank you for keeping us from going to war with the Klingons. I wish you a speedy trip and a safe return to us."
The other Admirals stood up and nodded their thanks, then left the room.
Khan looked to Kaitlyn, "I did not think you would have to leave this soon."
Kaitlyn gave him a slight shrug, "Best not to anger the Klingons any further." She indicated Commander Spock, "Commander Spock will continue to help you and the others get ready to move." She turned and handed a PADD to the Commander, "Make the list of Starfleet Officers we have in the gene altered descendants that we can use as the Starfleet Officers assigned to the planet. Tell them of the opportunity they have to keep their Starfleet jobs while on the planet."
Commander Spock nodded, "Is there anything further that I need to prepare for?"
"Riker is making a list of needed resources for them on the planet, use the account I have listed in there to make all of the purchases and have everything stored in the San Francisco warehouse indicated." Kaitlyn explained. "There are also apartments available for them to move into. Their ship will leave in a little under a month to head to the colony, I should be back by then if all goes well."
She turned and gave a small smile to Captain James T. Kirk, "Keep him safe." She indicated Leonard as she handed him her First Contact Officer PADD for safe keeping until she returned.
Kirk shook his head, "He's your problem – he's going with you. We need you back and he's the best one to patch you up."
Leonard looked shocked, but he was relieved – he wanted to go with her. "I don't have anything packed."
Jim grinned, "I packed your clothes, Chapel packed some medical supplies for you. They're waiting for you on the Aenar." He shook his best friend's hand, "We need you all back. Take care of them."
Leonard nodded to the younger Spock after a quick glance at the elder Spock, "We'll all be back."
Kaitlyn watched as Jim and Spock left. She looked at Khan, "I'll see you soon. Take care of Rachel and Lucy and get things prepared for life on the colony." She tilted her head slightly. "E.L.S.I.E., transport Khan to the secured facility. Authorization KDR 111." The secured system beeped, and Khan was transported away. She took a deep breath, "E.L.S.I.E., start Protocol 999 until my return, or the return of 002. Understood?" she questioned.
The computerized system beeped again, "Protocol 999 has been initiated. Authorization?"
"Authorization KDR 000." Kaitlyn replied.
"Authorization accepted. Safe travels, General Donovan Reed." E.L.S.I.E. stated and ended the transmission.
Kaitlyn looked at the two men giving her inquisitive looks. She shrugged, "Let's get to the transporter room gentlemen."
XXXXX
Aenar, in orbit above Earth.
When they materialized in the Aenar's Transporter room, Commander Garov and his Second in Command was there to greet them.
He smiled to his aunt, "It is good that you are here. The Klingons are getting impatient."
Kaitlyn walked over to him and touched her forehead to his, "Thank you for transporting us, Garov." She indicated the others with her, "You remember Ambassador Spock, and this is Doctor McCoy."
Garov nodded, "I hope you are still doing well Ambassador Spock. Your replicator has been installed in your quarters."
"Thank you, Commander." Ambassador Spock nodded. "I think I will meditate. If you will excuse me?" he requested his leave.
Kaitlyn touched his arm gently and his tiredness radiated to her. She patted his arm gently, "Go meditate my friend."
Garov indicated for Lt. Commander Shon to escort Ambassador Spock to his room. He waited until the door closed to question Kaitlyn. "He has not improved?"
Kaitlyn gave him a small smile, "He has not gotten any worse." She wanted to change the subject. "Garov, I'm sure your father and Tala spoke to you. Do you have a room for Doctor McCoy and I, or are we going to have to sleep in the bunk rooms?"
Garov grinned, "I would not have the two of you sleep in the bunk rooms, I will show you to your room. It is shielded, no one will be bombarded with your emotions while you are in there."
Leonard McCoy frowned, "What do you mean?" he questioned the Aenar as he walked them down the corridor.
"We can pick up on Aunt Kaitlyn's emotions when they are heightened. We would never read your thoughts without permission, but sometimes her heightened emotions and thoughts bombard us." The Aenar tried to explain delicately to the Doctor.
"Oh." Leonard nodded slowly, still not really understanding.
Garov grinned at Kaitlyn, "He's still confused. You'll explain it to him better?" He had the door to their room open.
Kaitlyn patted Garov's shoulder, "Yes, I will. How long until we meet up with the Klingon vessel?"
"About five hours, we're not in a rush – and that will get us to them before their time limit is up." Garov stated.
Kaitlyn nodded, "I'll be on the Bridge to meet them."
Garov nodded, then headed for the Bridge to get the ship on its way.
Leonard walked in the room and looked around. There was a table for four, a couch and chairs with a coffee table in the front room. Their bags were on the rather large bed in the separate room and there was a nice bathroom adjoining the bedroom. He came back in the front room. "What was all that about – the room is shielded?"
She looked up at him and smiled as he stopped in front of her. "When I'm in pain, or very angry, or really excitable – my emotions can be felt by the Andorian and the Aenar." She ran her hands along his sides.
Leonard raised an eyebrow slowly as he realized what she meant, "Oh."
She touched his cheek gently, "Leonard, I'm sorry about this morning – that's not how I wanted to spend our last morning together."
He leaned his head into her touch, "Luckily, Jim took care of that for us and sent me with you." He wrapped his arms around her, "What do you need me to do?" He wondered if he could give her some type of adrenaline before she fought the Klingons, or if he could even deaden her pain receptors so she wouldn't hurt as much from her injuries.
"Right now, I'd just like you to be with me." She kissed him gently.
XXXXX
Kaitlyn Donovan pressed the panel to gain entrance into Ambassador Spock's quarters.
A minute later the door opened.
Ambassador Spock nodded and indicated for her to come in. "I trust that Doctor McCoy is asleep?"
Kaitlyn smiled, "Yes, finally. I think he's overthinking the unexpected." She thought Leonard would be a bit miffed if he found out they were talking about him like he was a toddler getting put down for an afternoon nap. "He had some interesting suggestions." She watched as Ambassador Spock sat down in one of the plush chairs and gestured for her to sit down. "I came by to see how an old friend is doing."
Ambassador Spock looked to her with a bit of a haunted look in her eyes, "I find myself unsettled." He admitted softly.
She indicated for him to continue.
"I have dealt with the Klingons many times, but how to approach this unique situation alludes me." He stated tiredly, with a hint of frustration in his voice.
Kaitlyn hadn't missed it, she leaned slightly forward in her chair, "Is there a situation that is tangent or remotely similar that we can use to help us in this situation?" she suggested, trying to help him focus on his past experiences.
"Possibly." He closed his eyes tiredly, then looked at her with apprehension. "I have found myself disoriented as to which universe I am in. It passes after a while." He tried to reassure her when he saw the shocked expression on her face.
"Could you explain it to me?" She was concerned. This was a new condition for him that she hadn't been briefed on, then she realized he hadn't told anyone else.
"I have touched many minds here and in my universe, so I have some of their experiences in my memories. Recently I find myself reliving a memory that I learned about from touching their mind." He tried to describe the situation.
"Have you been meditating daily, has it not helped?" she questioned, quickly trying to decide how she could best help him.
"I meditate, but it is not restorative, and I also find myself wandering into these other memories."
"Could I help you meditate and re-center yourself, help you sort through the intrusive memories?" she offered to help.
He raised an eyebrow, contemplating. "It might work."
They moved on the floor and sat with the coffee table between them. The elder Spock lit the candles for meditation.
Kaitlyn initiated the Mind Meld to remain in control and to help him re-center his mind. As he called up various memories, she helped him sort through which ones were his, and which memories were from other people. She felt a pull, then a harder yank in her mind as he went through the memory of him being pulled into this universe. Next, she saw a Klingon Monastery. She frowned, she didn't know this situation, or who's memory it was. She focused and tried to search his mind for where this memory was from. It felt like a door slammed and closed her out. She sat back and took a deep breath.
She opened her eyes and found herself somewhere completely different from where she was a few moments ago.
A much younger adult Spock sat across the coffee table and raised a curious eyebrow. "Who are you and how did you get in my quarters?" he questioned the female in front of him.
XXXXX
TBC.
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