AN 1: This will likely seem like a shorter chapter, but this chapter's structure challenge is to write 3,000+ words with no sections, which resulted in the same average chapter length but also a sense of "shortness."
AN 2: I am also straying from the multiple third person POV for the sake of experimentation, since this challenge allows for it. It was surprisingly hard and I'm not entirely happy with the result.
AN 3: There is a heavy dose of blending and remixing of both the book and the movie in this chapter. Be Ye Warned.
Uhura was focused on attending to the ship's communications at her station, listening to the ether for anything of potential import. That did not keep her, however, from noticing the Captain's return to the bridge with the civilian woman behind him.
Kirk had been peering down at something on the captain's chair when they walked in. Looking up at the new arrivals, he gave into his curiosity. "What's this symbol for?"
"It keeps unwanted things away," Hari deadpanned as she took up a position leaning against a nearby rail, looking slightly drained.
"Who are you again?" Kirk asked with intense curiosity. "Why is she even on the bridge?" Kirk continued, turning back to look at Spock.
"Really Bones?" Hari asked, eyebrow raised in her best Spock imitation. "I," she stressed at Kirk, "was invited. Speaking of which, why?" Spock stared back at her stoically, silently reminding her she already knew the answer to the question. "Right." She folded her arms across her chest and ensure her lean projected as much confidence as possible.
"As it stands," Spock started, "we've not yet received any kind of orders or recommendations from Starfleet on how to respond to what has happened here. This suggests that even our emergency transmissions are still being jammed, deflected, or otherwise prevented from reaching the nearest relay. Likewise, we have not received word from either the Farragut or the Exeter regarding their status following our confrontation with the Narada. It is highly possible neither survived the confrontation."
Kirk nodded in agreement. "We have to assume that every Federation vessel and planet is a target. Since we still have no idea what's motivating this Nero and his crew, we have no way of predicting for certain where or how he'll strike next, other than a best-guess estimate that he may be heading for Earth." His gaze met Spock's. "If only we knew the 'why' of the carnage he's causing."
"Agreed," Chekov added, "but vhy didn't they destroy us? Vhy all the other ships and not the Enterprise? They have demonstrated vithout a doubt that they have the capability to do so."
Sulu shrugged. "Why waste a weapon? We were seriously damaged and no longer a threat. Especially if they have greater goals in mind."
"That's not it. He said he wanted me to see something. The destruction of my homeworld. If, insofar as we have been able to determine, they are indeed heading for Earth, then their ambition and intent suggests the destruction of a single remaining starship is no longer high on their agenda."
Standing, as usual, slightly off to one side, McCoy was, as usual, finally unable to contain himself. "How the hell did they do that, by the way? Where did the Romulans get that kind of weaponry?"
Spock nodded imperceptibly. "It is a question, Doctor, that I have been mulling over with deep concern ever since our initial encounter. The engineering comprehension necessary to artificially create a black hole may suggest an answer. Such technology could theoretically be manipulated to create a tunnel through space-time, though from what we know of the possibilities, such a voyage would be extraordinarily risky for anyone attempting it."
"Dammit, man! I'm a doctor, not a physicist," McCoy snapped. "Are you suggesting they're from the future?" Then, catching the look on Harriet's face, added, with all the incredulity he could add to his frustration, "Are you serious?"
"I~, well..." Those on the bridge not otherwise involved turned to stare at her. "You can't disregard what has perhaps not been mathematically proven," she hedged.
"What's that supposed to mean?" Kirk asked impatiently.
"Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic," she quoted.
"Saint Clarke," Spock identified, still evaluating her.
"How poetic," McCoy commented sardonically.
"For some, Doctor, the possibility of time travel is nothing less than magic. Or poetry, if you prefer. For the enemy we now find ourselves facing," he turned his gaze back to Harriet, "it may simply be a matter of sufficiently advanced technology."
She closed her eyes and shook her head slightly, restraining herself from pinching the bridge of her nose in a very Snape like manner.
"You are an Ambassador – "
"It's impossible time travel!" She exploded, hand flying out to emphasize her point. "It's dangerous, even more dangerous than jumping an unknown distance!" Her mouth settled into a tight-lipped frown, tone a mix of anger and confusion.
"You are not saying time travel is impossible."
"Whell, look, no – no, not important. The important issue is the impossible time traveler. What could this Nero possibly gain by coming back to this particular point in time?" Bones eyed Harriet with concern – likely in regard for her mental stability.
"His intent in traveling to this point in the past would appear to be to significantly alter it."
"Thank you Captain Obvious. The question is why?" Her nose flared impatiently. The crew stared – had she just said that to Spock? Uhura bristled at her station. "Why would he take Captain Pike?" The 'instead of you' was left unspoken yet the officers on deck became even more uncomfortable for knowing it was a valid question. Who was this woman?
Sulu was the only officer to venture a response into the ensuing silence. "As Captain, he does know details of Starfleet's defenses. He knows as much as any admiral. If their next target is Earth and they felt certain of being able to penetrate its defenses, why else would they want him except to extort information?"
Spock took a seat in the captain's chair, an act which immediately annoyed Kirk.
"We need to catch up to that ship. Disable it, take it over, and get Pike back," Kirk growled.
"We are technologically outmatched in every way," Spock said, letting the matter of possible time travel drop. "A rescue attempt would be illogical."
"Even though we think ve know their destination, Nero's ship vould have to drop out of warp for us to overtake him," Chekov pointed out.
"Then, what about assigning engineering crews to try and boost our warp yield, if only for a short period of time?" Kirk forced out, doing his best to ignore Spock's perceived indifference. "As you'll remember, we were required to consider such possibilities as part of courses dealing with emergency situations."
"As you might remember, such possibilities remained only possibilities as they risked complete destruction of any vessel daring to attempt such extreme manipulation of its warp field. Engineering is fully occupied restoring our drive capability and helping repair damage, without which we cannot communicate with Starfleet."
"Okay, alright. There's got to be some way..."
"We must gather with the rest of Starfleet, to balance the terms of the next engagement."
"By the time we rendezvous with the fleet and the fleet is redeployed, it'll be too late. Too late for Captain Pike and too late for Earth. You know how Starfleet operates – by the time they decide on a strategy and issue orders to move against Nero, he'll be finished with Earth and on his way to still another doomed system. How many planets are you going to risk?"
"And how shall we effectively assist those planets? When thoroughly analyzed, the information we've gathered about the enemy warship may point the way toward some method of defeating them – but only if we assemble the fleet to balance the terms of our next engagement. It may be that by bringing sufficient firepower, even if it is inferior firepower, to bear, it may be possible to destroy their advanced vessel through sheer force of numbers."
"There won't be a next engagement," Kirk insisted. "By the time we've gathered, it'll be too late – "
"Unfortunately true." Harriet cut in firmly before Kirk could truly get started with his nearly insubordinate rant. "With every passing hour, his chances for survival dim." That threw cold water onto the conversation. "However, I maintain this isn't about Captain Pike. This is about Nero and the Narada and impossible time travel."
Kirk let out a breath sharply. "What the hell is that supposed to mean!" When Harriet's only answer was to look at him as if he were a few stars short of a constellation, he changed tactics, refocusing on Spock. "With all due respect, what about loyalty to one's commanding officer?"
Ignoring Kirk, Harriet kept the conversation on task and away from the more sentimental arguments; they would do little to nothing to sway Spock and the vast majority of them knew it. "If they're headed straight toward another target, which they very likely are, regrouping with the fleet will cost you more time than it already has."
Although thoroughly angered, Kirk nonetheless attempted to continue the momentum behind his previous argument. "She's right, whoever she is. Captain Pike also ordered us to go back and get him. You're Captain now, you have to – "
"I am aware of my responsibilities, Mister – "
"When did he say he wasn't?" Both her voice and the look on her face very clearly conveyed her irritation and raising anger at his hyper focus on rescuing only Pike. "Really, Bones."
"Not the time Hari," McCoy bit out, concerned for both his friends and desperately trying to remain out of it.
"You're Hari? Why are we supposed to keep track of you? Who. Are. You?" Kirk's tone was getting progressively aggressive.
Again, Harriet wondered at his ability to follow a single train of thought. "Keep track of me? Ah, yes, well I suppose he would say that…" She furrowed her brow. "Well, given everything, I suppose this is where that promise I made to Fleet Command comes in…"
"What promise?" Kirk demanded, as if he himself was Captain.
She turned her head to look Spock directly in the eye. "Well then, officially, I stand by what I said: this is about Nero and the Narada and impossible time travel: we really can't let that go unchallenged. Rescuing Captain Pike would be a very pleasant bonus."
"Bonus?!" Kirk lost all pretense of calm and took a step forward.
"Jim!" McCoy called, restraining him physically with an arm on his shoulder. The other officers on the bridge looked on uneasily. This was no time for a confrontation.
Harriet stood her ground, unmoved by the aggression and face schooled in a manner so Spock like, it was disconcerting to the rest of the bridge and like oil to fire on Jim's anger. After a tense moment of disblief, Harriet lifted herself off the railing and angrily addressed the officers before her. Following Kirk's outburst, her voice rang like a bell in the relative silence of the bridge.
"Do any of you properly understand that the mere act of his time transverse has altered the flow of history in ways no one can truly comprehend? That he's effectively split time?" She was practically hissing. "It's absolutely irresponsible! Further," she continued with ner a breath, "any knowledge of the future he may have brought with him is absolutely useless. If this is not the first, but second, time jump he's made, we're effectively living in an alternate reality. Does that mean nothing to anyone?!" She took a deep breath. "Fine! As a Special Envoy, I have this to say: remember Directive 10 was respected, Article 14, Section 31 applies, Regulation 191, Article 14 no longer applies, Code 1 is particularly relevant, and implementation of Regulation 13982 by ANY member of Starfleet will be seen as a breach of trust."
Kirk stepped away from Bones' restraining hand and looked around the bridge, finding confusion very similar to his own, adding further to his anger and frustration.
"The merits of time travel aside, we could speculate on an infinite number of possibilities, any of which might prove fruitful but none of which exist at the moment. And at the moment I am charged with carrying out Captain Pike's last order," Spock rejoined. It was clear he, at least, wasn't confused by the non-uniform wearing woman known as Hari.
"And what was that order, precisely, because this isn't something that can just be allowed." She was pushing the bounds of acceptable behavior on the bridge, but it was the truth.
Kirk cut in before anyone else could. "If all else fails, rendezvous with the fleet."
Spock hesitated. "While not precise, that is correct."
"There is more left to 'fail'!" Kirk insisted. At this point, those who knew something of Kirk expected him to explode. He did not. "Captain. Spock. We've all been through a lot the last couple of days. You more than anyone. But I ask that you separate your feelings from – "
"I have," Spock broke in. And he had. Somehow, Harriet's rather vile concoction had helped. "You may rest assured on that point. Were I not to do so, I could not reasonably remain in command. Must I point out that while I have lost the bulk of my species I have acted and continue to act in a wholly rational and logical manner, whereas you – "
"Every second we spend discussing alternatives, Nero's getting closer to his next target and probably closer to extracting what he wants to know from Captain Pike!"
"Then we are in agreement," Spock replied tightly. "Therefore, I'm instructing you to accept that I alone am in command and that I alone am the one responsible for making decisions that govern the actions and response of this vessel."
Kirk responded with an entirely different argument that, in all honesty, lacked common sense.
"Not if the ship's Chief Medical Officer says you aren't."
McCoy stared at the back of Kirk's head in horror. "Oh crap. No, don't do that. Jim – "
Spock's gaze was as hard as his voice. "Your attempt at subterfuge is insufficiently subtle to disguise your true intentions, Lieutenant. You will cease this course of action or suffer the consequences."
Kirk didn't allow him to finish before he was talking again. "Under Regulation 121," Kirk declaimed, "I'm citing you as being emotionally compromised and therefore unfit …"
This time it was Spock who stepped forward. "Yet you are the one acting emotionally, as I am certainly willing to have a board of inquiry determine. As of now you are relieved of duty – if you were ever formally placed on duty."
Kirk's eyes swept the bridge. There was some sympathy in the eyes of his fellow officers, maybe even some understanding – but no support. He had chosen to cross a very dangerous line, and it was now clear that he had crossed it by himself. Again.
"If I confine you to the brig, the very resourcefulness that makes you potentially a good officer will likely result in your escape. You will be transferred to a venue where you can utilize your talents to whatever degree you desire, but where you will not be able to adversely impact this vessel's assignment. Security, escort him out."
Two security personnel stepped forward to firmly grab Kirk's arms while McCoy looked on in a mix of horror and disbelief. His expression only intensified when Kirk shrugged the personnel off and swung hard to his right, quickly throwing a follow up elbow to the back of the other as he continued twisting. The first officer reached for his side arm. As he began struggling for control over the phaser, Spock approached quickly, efficiently ending the scuffle with a Vulcan nerve pinch. Kirk immediately fell to the deck, unconscious.
"Get him off this ship."
Prompt: 3000+ words with no sections [almost made it!] ; Incomprehensible time travel (inspired by Ryuus2)
(Starfleet Charter) Article 14, Section 31: The exact language has never been cited, but certain lines in this section permitted the use of "extraordinary measures" in times of dire emergency
Directive 10: "Before engaging alien species in battle, any and all attempts to make first contact and achieve nonmilitary resolution must be made." (VOY: "In the Flesh")
Code 1: Signaled either a total or imminent disaster, a possible invasion, or indicated that the Federation was either currently or about to be engaged in open warfare with a hostile power.
Regulation 121: The chief medical officer has the power to relieve an officer or crewman of his or her duties (including one of superior rank) if, in the CMO's professional judgment, the individual is medically unfit, compromised by an alien intelligence or otherwise exhibits behavior that indicates seriously impaired judgment
Regulation 191, Article 14: In a combat situation involving more than one ship, command fell to the vessel with tactical superiority, should there not be a higher ranking officer present.
Regulation 619: The commanding officer must relieve themselves of command if their current mission leaves them emotionally compromised and unable to make rational decisions.
Regulation 13982: Allows a Starfleet captain to conscript almost any person into service during a time of war.
