Just want to give a heads up: I'm going on vacation for the next week (at the airport now), and i won't be back until next Saturday night. So you won't see an update from me until Sunday. I just wanted to let you all know in advance so that you're not too disappointed when there's no new chapter next Friday! i'll get it out as soon on Sunday as possible.
Disclaimer: Star Trek isn't mine
The hall was packed with people when the guests of honor to enter from backstage.
Clan Chief Garazha led his team in from one side of the stage, while Jon led the Federation representatives in from the other.
Garazha and Jon took a seat at the small table that held a PADD containing the newly agreed upon peace treaty, while the Klingons arranged themselves behind their lead representative.
On the Federation side, Jim took up a post next to Richard with Nogura on the Admiral's other side. Ambassadors Sarek, Shras, and Maab were there as well, still on the stage but not in the spotlight. Next to them were Spock, Uhura, Vlox, and Shraeter. The lights focused on the stage made it hard to see everyone in the audience, but they knew the tiered room would be completely full. Every seat – roughly four hundred of them – would be occupied, all the way from the shadowed hallway that led to the room's first floor exit, and each row up to the two exits in the back of the room, which offered access to the building's second floor.
All conversation in the hall died as they had entered, so it was with complete silence that Jon began to talk.
"I would like to first take this moment to thank everyone for attending," the Admiral began, gaze sweeping across the packed room though he couldn't make out any specific details – the lights made the audience look shadowed and indistinct. "I would like to thank those who took on the task of organizing this monumental event." He glanced to the side of the room, just barely able to make out Chris and Shay sitting in the front row. "Admiral Pike, Commodore Paris, and Captain One have worked tirelessly to ensure success, and despite some unforeseen circumstances, I must commend them for a well-organized and productive event." He glanced over at the Klingons on the stage. "These talks have been monumental in more ways than one, and I am gratified and proud of the way we have come together to celebrate our differences in the quest for peaceful cohabitation of this universe." He had to pause here as the room broke out into applause.
When the audience had fallen silent once more, Jon continued. "In addition to the efforts made to organize the peace talks, I would like to acknowledge the efforts of a small team whose work began long before any attempt was made to plan the event we have all attended these past two weeks. Captain Kirk led a team of Federation representatives to negotiate an improved and lasting peace treaty with our new comrades the Klingon race. I won't go into the details though if anyone is interested in reading the treaty in full, it will of course be made available once it is signed officially." There were a few chuckles in the audience, as those who knew what such a document would look like imagined the probability of anyone who didn't need to making the effort to read the roughly five hundred page treaty. Jon allowed a small self-deprecating smile as he knew where the amusement was coming from. "I would like to commend Captain Kirk's efforts, as well as the efforts of Commander Spock, Lieutenant Uhura, Lieutenant Vlox, and Lieutenant Shraeter of Starfleet, and Ambassador Sarek of New Vulcan, Ambassador Shras of Andoria, and Ambassador Maab of Capella. Without their perseverance and dedication, none of us would be here today."
Once more, there was a round of applause, and then Jon acknowledged the Klingon sitting next to him. "Which brings us to the occasion you are all here to witness this morning. Clan Chief Garazha and his companions have been working diligently with Captain Kirk and our Federation representatives, and after over a year of hard labor and resilience, we are here today to sign the new Klingon-Federation peace treaty into law."
Jon took up the stylus and with a quick flourish, signed his name at the bottom of the PADD. He passed it over to Garazha, who followed suit.
More applause broke out, and Jon and Garazha let them have a few minutes to celebrate. When it started to die down, the two stood up and shook hands to the flashing of multiple cameras.
Jim had remained stoically silent in the background, embarrassed at the public thanks that Jon had given, but also incredibly proud of the work his team had done to get to this point. He was glad that they were on stage with him, to divert some attention and give them the credit they definitely deserved.
A hint of movement in the shadows drew his attention, and he frowned, listening to Jon with half an ear as he tried to get a better look at whatever it was.
Security had swept this room multiple times over the last few days, making sure it would be safe for the treaty signing. No weapons were allowed inside, and everyone had had to be scanned before being allowed to enter. It may be nothing, but he was sure he had just seen something moving around in the shadows off to the side, clearly making an effort not to be seen.
Spock noticed his attention wavering, and took a half step closer to his Captain. "Is there something amiss?" he murmured softly, the words carrying no further than Jim's ear.
Jim didn't look at him. "Eleven o'clock," he whispered back, voice just as quiet. "Could be nothing, but I'm sure I saw movement."
Spock frowned minutely, and looked in the same direction. The room around them erupted in applause, many in the audience rising to their feet as Jon and Garazha stood to shake hands.
At that moment, Jim saw a flash, and was moving before he consciously thought about it. "Down!" he yelled, and then lunged forward, throwing his target bodily to the ground just in time to hear a noise like a bang and feel a searing pain rip through his shoulder.
The cheers turned to screams as people began rushing for the exit. Several more bangs erupted, only adding to the general confusion and mass hysteria. Carol was pulled along by Sulu and Chekov, knowing that Jim would want her safe no matter what. McCoy and April were likewise pushing Joanna down to protect her, as people ignored common sense and were using whatever they could to push themselves forward. Some fell to the floor and were unable to get up as they were trampled by the fleeing masses.
Chris was in the first row when he heard Jim's yell, and though his thoughts were split between Jim's hard impact with the floor and making sure Shay got somewhere safe, his eyes focused on the direction the shot had come from, searching for the culprit.
Another shot rang out, and the screams intensified as one of the Klingon guards fell to the ground. Chris' gaze narrowed. That one had come from a different direction. He was off and running before Shay, still standing at his side, could make an effort to stop him – not that she likely would have.
"Clear the stage!" Jon barked, picking himself up off the floor and looking over at his fellow treaty signer.
Garazha was mostly covered, and appeared to be a little dazed, but he didn't make any movements until his fellow Klingons were at his side, moving Jim away to check their Clan Chief for injury.
"I am unhurt," the Klingon muttered in his own language, and allowed them to help him sit up. He looked over at Jim, who had made no effort to do the same. He could see a large red mark spreading across the man's back, staining the Command gold shirt an ugly maroon.
Before he could make an inquiry however, the Captain's First Officer was there, ripping his own blue shirt off, leaving him in just the plain black undershirt. He pressed the article of clothing to his Captain's injury, and all were relieved to hear a pained gasp come from the man at the contact.
"Move," Jon barked. He would let himself worry later, right now they were all vulnerable.
Security officers flooded the stage and formed a perimeter, ushering everyone back stage quickly. Spock slung Jim's good arm around his own shoulders, and practically dragged him along. Richard was suddenly at Jim's other side, helping as much as he could.
Jim seemed to come to awareness at least partially, because he started to help with the walking after a few steps. His gait seemed uncertain and he definitely needed the assistance, but at least he wasn't completely unconscious.
Security led them to a secured room backstage. The doors were closed behind them, and two officers set themselves at the entrance, phasers in hand and ready to fire.
The Klingons immediately moved to the back of the room, dragging their own injured colleague along, while Ambassadors Sarek, Shras, and Maab stopped in the middle, uncertain of what they should be doing. Nogura immediately pulled out a comm. and he and Jon crowded over it, getting an update on the situation.
A set of hands helped Spock and Richard lower Jim to the ground, and when the Vulcan looked up, he saw Uhura's worried gaze watching him. Behind her, Vlox and Shraeter were hovering, not sure how they could help.
"He needs a doctor," Uhura said, unnecessarily.
Spock inclined his head but it was Jon who replied, leaving Nogura's side and kneeling next to the trio in an attempt to make his own assessment of Jim's health. "We're not going to be able to leave until they neutralize the threat," he said regretfully. "I've already told Security we need medical assistance, but they won't let anyone in until they have the attacker in custody."
"What kind of weapon was that?" Shraeter asked curiously. "It was so much louder than phaser fire."
"Gun," Jim groaned, bringing all of their attention to him. Jim attempted to sit up a little more and opened his eyes, but closed them again when the lights almost blinded him. He shook his head a few times trying to clear his vision, and then opened his eyes again. Still hazy, and now he was nauseous too. Not exactly what he had intended. Resigning himself to the blurry vision, he sighed. "Old fashioned weapon," he explained to the young crew member. "Haven't been used on Earth since phasers were invented, but that doesn't mean they can't be found. The Franklin was full of them. They fell out of fashion because they're messy and crude. Fuck that hurts," he winced at the pain in his shoulder. "Is there an exit wound?"
Spock frowned and examined the injury. "You are only bleeding from one location, Captain. It appears the projectile entered your back, but I do not see a matching wound on your chest."
Uhura shook her head, amused at her boyfriend's need to fully explain everything rather than just go with a simple yes or no.
Jim grimaced. "Shit," he muttered. "I don't suppose you can tell me how big the entry wound is?"
"There's too much blood," Jon said briskly. "Stop trying to self-diagnose. We'll get a doctor in here as soon as possible."
He knew that Jim was trying to see how bad it was, and knowing there was still a bullet somewhere in there made Jon just as nervous, but Jim seriously needed to relax right now. They had no idea how long they would be stuck in here.
There was an increase in noise from the group of Klingons, and when the Starfleet officers looked over, they saw Garazha waving away his guards and whatever objections they were giving to his planned actions. He stood up and made his way over to the other side of the room.
"How is Captain Kirk?" he asked, frowning when he saw that the man's shirt was practically saturated with blood by now.
Jon bit his lip, looking back at his young friend. Jim had closed his eyes once more, seeming to take Jon's instructions to heart. "Potentially serious, he will need medical attention soon," he finally replied, turning back to the Klingon.
"Still breathing, Jon," Jim's voice was soft, and when they all looked at him his eyes remained closed.
Jon rolled his eyes at the predictable response. "How is your officer?" he asked, looking back at the Klingon.
Garazha almost smiled. "Much like Captain Kirk, he insists that he is fine and there is no need to fuss. The projectile seems to have entered his leg but there is not as much blood as from the Captain's wound."
Jon nodded, relieved. "That's good. We'll get doctors here as soon as possible, but we're on lockdown until they find the shooter or shooters."
Garazha looked like he had expected that answer, so he didn't protest. Instead, he turned to the Captain on the floor. "I cannot thank you enough for saving my life, Captain. You have the Klingon Empire's gratitude."
Jim still didn't open his eyes, but his hand jerked slightly, in a 'don't worry about it' gesture.
Uhura frowned. "Admiral, we can't wait until it's clear. He's going to bleed out."
"Not that bad," Jim muttered, but none of them bought it.
Jon grimaced, and looked at Nogura. His fellow Admiral looked apologetic, but shook his head. "Security won't let us out until they're done. I can't override it."
"This is unacceptable," Spock's eyes flashed angrily, and they were all so stunned to see him showing emotions so clearly, that the room was silent.
"Spock." The Commander's gaze lifted to see his father watching him compassionately. A silent conversation seemed to be held between father and son, and then the younger turned his gaze away, anger fading slightly as he returned his attention to his Captain and friend.
Uhura lay a hand reassuringly on his arm, but didn't say anything.
And the rest of the room continued to watch.
XXX
Chris demanded a phaser from the nearest Security officer he could find, and was off and moving as soon as he had the weapon in hand.
He was pushing against the crowd of fleeing delegates, and unfortunately it seemed like the Security officers were too busy controlling them to actually look for the shooters.
"Chris!" the Admiral jerked, and then wilted in relief at seeing Shay rushing towards him. Guilt kicked in briefly, realizing that he had just run off and left his pregnant wife behind. "What's going on?" she asked quickly.
Chris gave her a quick but intense hug, before pulling back and shaking his head slightly. "Get out of here, hole up in the closest room you find, and lock the door," he ordered, not giving her a chance to argue.
Shay watched him rush back in the direction of the auditorium they had just left, and wished she could help. Logically, she knew he was right. She was pregnant, she had no business putting herself in danger. But it still hurt.
"Captain One!"
Shay looked around at the shout, and then saw a trio of Enterprise officers running towards her.
Chekov was the one who had called her name, and he and Sulu seemed to be focusing half their attention on making sure Carol didn't try to run away and look for Jim.
"What's the situation?" Sulu asked briskly as they drew closer.
Shay grimaced, but drew them all into a nearby room, out of the crowd of people, before she answered. "Chris is looking for the shooter. He told me to lock myself in a room until it's over. Logically I know he's right, but I want to be out there with him."
"Where's Jim?" Carol asked desperately. "I saw him go down."
"We don't know what happened on that stage," Shay said softly. "Protocol would have them all holing up in a protected room until the threat is neutralized. He's got Jon, Richard, Spock, Uhura, and everyone else looking out for him."
Sulu nodded in agreement. "Carol, stay with the Captain. Pike's right, lock yourselves in here and don't open the door until we come back."
Carol looked like she wanted to argue, but then wilted. She knew she couldn't go off looking for danger right now. Besides, she may have a specialty in advanced weaponry, but that was design not practice. She wasn't Security trained. She nodded in acceptance, and watched as the two left the room.
Shay quickly bolted the door behind them, and then turned back to the young Lieutenant. Carol was unfortunately in a similar position to herself; the two had told her about their own upcoming addition to their family, and she was thrilled for them. But it also meant that while Carol may want to go charging in to help, she now had to think about her unborn child as well. It wasn't fair that the fathers could go running off into danger while they had to stay behind, but that was biology, and they couldn't change it. All she could do right now was try and calm the younger woman down and make sure that she didn't work herself into a panic that could actually have health-related consequences, particularly when one took into consideration everything else Carol had gone through in the last couple weeks.
"You'll make yourself sick with worry," Shay advised wisely. "I've known Jim long enough to know that the man has an uncanny ability to beat the odds. The best thing we can do for our bullheaded significant others is to keep ourselves safe so that they don't have to worry about us."
Carol bit her lip and sniffed a few tears away, but nodded grimly and let Shay pull her to a seat far away from the door and any windows.
XXX
Sulu and Chekov also had to find a Security post so they could get weapons, and it was a little harder to get the officer to agree than it had been for Admiral Pike, but soon enough they were able to join in the search.
By unspoken agreement they stayed together as the crowds began to thin. Most had already left the immediate vicinity of the auditorium, but there were a few bodies lying on the floor, having been knocked over by the fleeing masses.
The two had to make a quick decision, and ultimately ended up pausing in their search efforts to drag any bodies they saw to the nearest rooms. Most were unconscious, though there were some who were only dazed from the fall, but had broken legs or other injuries that made it impossible to walk. They gratefully thanked the two officers for their help, and Chekov and Sulu were soon on their way.
There were more injured closer to the hall they had escaped from, but no more rooms to hide people in. The two officers had to be content with dragging them to the side of the hallway and hope that no one came looking to finish the job.
"Let her go!"
The shout echoed from the large hall where the treaty had been signed, and Chekov and Sulu looked at each other, wide-eyed. They recognized Pike's voice, and quickly hurried forward, hoping to help.
When they entered the room, they kept to the shadows, hoping to get an idea of the situation before they barged in.
They could see Chris' profile, by the stage. He was in a defensive posture, attention focused on whatever was happening in front of him. His phaser was locked on something, but neither Sulu nor Chekov could see what.
"One more step and I pull the trigger," a male voice warned.
"Just do it! Kill them all, father."
That voice was female, and both of them recognized Lenore. So the male voice had to be Kodos then. They crept forward, trying to see further into the room and hopefully help get what sounded like a hostage out of danger.
One more step, and Chekov could see what was going on. Kodos was standing a few rows up, holding a young woman in a tight grip. The woman looked terrified, and there was a large bruise covering one side of her head, showing where she had likely been struck, either by Kodos or the fleeing crowd in their haste to leave.
There were a few more bodies in the room, but Chekov couldn't tell if they were still breathing.
Lenore was standing behind her father, her own weapon locked on the row of chairs Chris had taken cover behind. It looked ancient to the young navigator, not like the current phasers that Starfleet officers carried.
It didn't look like Pike had a clear shot of either criminal, having to keep himself out of view as he knew the moment he gave them a chance they wouldn't hesitate to shoot. And if he tried to get in a shot, Kodos would kill the hostage.
Chekov's view of the criminals wasn't that much better, blocked as he was by the curve of the wall that formed the hallway they were standing in. He looked back at Sulu and nodded slightly, eyes wide.
Sulu grimaced and crept forward to join him.
"You're not walking out of here," Chris said, voice calm. "Don't make this worse."
"I've already been sentenced to life in prison," Kodos sneered. "What more can you do? Federation weaklings outlawed the death penalty decades ago."
Chris knew that but couldn't help wishing they could bring it back for this man. He would certainly sleep better if this asshole was permanently taken care of, and he was sure Jim would as well. For everything Kodos had done, for all the lives he had destroyed and all the people who would be scarred forever due to his actions, this man deserved to die.
But Chris was a Starfleet officer first and foremost, and he wouldn't disrespect the uniform he wore.
Chekov and Sulu were so focused on Chris and Kodos, that the new sound of a phaser's whine almost had them jumping from surprise and giving away their location.
The shot had come from the back of the room, where the rear exits were located. The shot impacted Kodos' back, and he and his hostage fell to the floor in a tangle of limbs. The hostage quickly crawled away, trying to hide in the row of seats next to her.
Lenore let out a furious shout and whirled around with her weapon raised. Before the Chris could stand up and fire however, Chekov popped out from their hiding spot and fired two shots in quick succession. Lenore dropped as well.
Chris looked at the young officer and nodded in approval, before turning his attention to whoever had fired from the top of the room. "Show yourself," he called out, grippig his phaser tightly but without the tension he had had when facing off against Kodos. this person was far more likely to be an ally.
"Coming out!" A female voice warned them so that they wouldn't shoot, and a moment later, April was there, holding up a phaser nonthreateningly.
She rushed down the stairs, almost smiling at their obvious surprise. "Len and I were on the second floor, helping some of the injured," she explained. "There were a lot of people trampled by the crowd. I heard raised voices in here, so I thought I'd check it out. Wasn't really expecting that," she gestured to Kodos' unconscious form.
"Nice shot, and excellent timing," Chris approved. He pulled out his comm. and called for Security to remove the prisoners, and then looked over at Chekov. "You too."
Chekov was too busy glaring at Kodos to respond, and as Chris saw April giving the man the same look, he knew what they must be going through. It was a fitting conclusion, he had to admit – two victims of this man's crazy ideals being the ones to bring him to justice. It felt much more right than if he had been the one to fire the shot that brought Kodos down.
Security officers arrived and interrupted anything else that might have been said. They quickly locked handcuffs around Kodos and Lenore's wrists, as more officers arrived with Commodore Paris.
Chris quickly gave his report and gestured for the officers to let April begin checking the bodies still in the room. His report was followed by a demand for more doctors, and Paris nodded.
"We've already requested the hospital send people over," she assured them. "They were stuck outside until we could neutralize the threat, but I will have them sent in as soon as these two are taken away and Security sweeps the building. I believe they were working alone, but we don't want to take any chances."
They all watched in silence as Security removed the two criminals from the room.
Paris turned back to Chris with a sigh. "We owe you a debt of gratitude, Admiral," she said with a soft smile. "And to you all," she acknowledged the other officers in the room. "I'm afraid Security was so busy with crowd control, they were unable to mount a successful search for the perpetrators."
Chris shrugged. "We all do what we can. How are the Klingons and everyone from the stage?"
Paris grimaced, eyes apologetic. "I'm afraid they are still on lockdown. I have received Admiral Nogura's request for medical attention, but we couldn't let anyone in or out until we had those two in custody."
Chris felt his heart stutter at the knowledge that they needed medical help. He remembered Jim going down and knew immediately who would have been the cause of that call for aid.
The door at the top of the room slammed open, and everyone automatically raised their weapons at the intruder.
McCoy glanced around the room and raised his hands in surrender. "I heard phaser fire," he said slowly.
April popped up from her spot in one of the rows of seats, where she had been assessing a young Andorian's broken ribs. "It's over, Len," she promised. Her eyes were weary but relieved. "Commodore, now that the situation is resolved, perhaps Doctor McCoy could go check on our Captain?"
Paris looked between the two doctors and nodded. "Take Doctor McCoy to the safe room," she instructed two of the Security officers that had stayed with her.
They acquiesced and led McCoy towards the stage, disappearing quickly behind it.
Paris turned back to April. "We're getting more doctors to help, but we appreciate you pitching in however you can." April nodded her agreement.
Sulu suddenly frowned as he thought of something. "April, where's Joanna?"
The doctor immediately smiled. "Safe," she promised. "Kevin took her when Len and I decided to circle back and help. He promised to get her to a room and lock the door. He won't open it until someone he trusts gives him the all clear."
Sulu and Chekov nodded, relieved to hear that the teenager was safe. "Carol is with Captain One," Sulu informed everyone. "They have the same instructions."
Paris took her leave, needing to coordinate with the Security teams; they would clear the building and do another sweep to make sure the danger had completely passed. All attendees who had fled during the madness had been detained in a nearby building, and they wouldsend along any who hadn't managed to get out of the building before they had locked it down and had simply hidden themselves until the situation was resolved. Security teams would be taking statements and having everyone checked by a doctor, before they would be released back to their rooms.
Paris would need to work with Jon to reorganize the schedule yet again. There had been a few more events that were supposed to take place after the treaty signing, but it might be best to just skip to the farewell dinner and call these talks before anything else could go wrong.
Chris followed Sulu back to the room the pilot had left Shay and Carol in, while Chekov got Kevin's location from April and promised to stay with them through any debrief.
XXX
The Security officers with McCoy quickly informed those at the door that the threat was over, giving a code word that ensured they knew the order was coming from the Commodore and not because they had been coerced or threatened. The officers at the door obligingly stood aside to let the doctor enter.
McCoy barely took a second to take in the room before he was quickly moving to the group clustered against one wall. Vlox and Shraeter stepped back immediately, and Uhura also moved to let McCoy take her place at Jim's side.
Spock refused to budge. He hadn't moved from his position holding the now blood-soaked blue shirt against Jim's injury since they had entered the room, and he hadn't spoken since his last comment that their actions were unacceptable.
McCoy had to physically peel the Vulcan's hands away so that he could remove the shirt and see the damage. Jim stirred weakly but didn't seem to be completely aware.
It wasn't pretty, and McCoy couldn't even see what was wrong because of all the blood. "What the hell were they firing?" he muttered disgustedly. This wasn't a phaser wound.
"A gun," Uhura supplied helpfully. "There's no exit wound, so the bullet is probably still inside."
McCoy looked at her incredulously, and then hurriedly barked out orders, "I need a gurney in here now. He needs an OR."
One of the Security officers pulled out his comm. He spoke into it briefly, and then looked back at the doctor. "It may be a few minutes," he said regretfully. "They're still clearing the entrance and the doctors won't be allowed in until that happens."
"Not good enough," McCoy growled. "He's already lost too much blood."
"Perhaps I may?" Spock spoke for the first time, and McCoy watched with a raised eyebrow as the Vulcan gathered Jim up in his arms and stood up. "Doctor, you said it was urgent?"
McCoy forced his expression back to its normal scowl, and stood as well.
The officers all stepped aside as the two rushed from the room. Behind them, Jon requested another doctor be sent to see to the Klingon's injury as well. The Klingons couldn't begrudge McCoy for seeing to the human first, he was clearly in worse shape, but their companion would still need to get his injury seen to, and sooner would be better.
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