Chapter 23: Choices

Khan remained still, but a muscle jumped in his cheek. Of course, Carol would hardly want to see her father killed in front of her eyes, and doing so would be a very poor way to repay her for all her help.

"Back up," said Khan to Marcus' men. "You lose. Give phasers."

"I can't do that," said the men.

"Khan, don't kill the Admiral or you'll be in more trouble than you're already in." said Commander Kirk.

Khan wondered bitterly if that was even possible, but remembered he had only committed a limited number of crimes so far in this time, and his followers none.

"Jupiter Station Personnel, back away from Khan and lower your phasers," ordered Kirk.

"That's Commander Harrison," said one, looking confused. "He's obviously gone off his meds again."

"His real name is Khan Noonien Singh," said a Vulcan officer Khan recognised as Spock. Hope flared in Khan's heart at the sight. Maybe there was a way out after all.

In the corridor behind Kirk, and also behind Marcus men, far more Starfleet personnel flickered into existence. Admiral Pike himself was there, leaning on his cane but with his phaser in his other hand.

"Khan, stand down. You cannot win," Pike said.

"If do, what promise give?" demanded Khan.

Pike blinked at the fractured grammar. "A fair trial, and we don't kill you out of hand right now. Jupiter Station is being evacuated as we speak. We can and will blow it, you, and all your people into dust if you do not stand down."

"You here," said Khan.

"We can beam out. You can't, and Admiral Marcus doesn't make much of a hostage when he's wanted for treason."

"Apply statute of Limitations," said Khan. His voice rose to a snarl. "All tried do now was escape this bastard Federation. Was treated like experimental animal. Am no man's toy! Other Augments done nothing here."

"If that is true, then you are far better off surrendering," said Pike.

"What charges Marcus face?"

"A list as long as my arm, likely including illegal experimentation with Augmented human genetics, treason, imprisonment without charge, kidnapping, breach of medical ethics, among many others. We need to examine all his files before we know what else he has done."

"Murder," said Khan. "Jo's parents dead and they did NOTHING. Jo. Do have him?"

"He is with my father, Ambassador Sarek, and well-cared for." said Spock.

Relief and joy flooded through Khan, tempered with the fact that Jo was a hostage and there was no way out through battle for the Augments. But not all battles are fought with fists or phasers.

"Good," said Khan, still holding Marcus. "Give word you will not kill us, try us only what have done here, now."

"The Federation does not have the death penalty."

"Didn't stop Marcus." Said Khan bitterly.

"I am not Admiral Marcus," said Pike. "I give you my word that I will do everything I can to see that you are treated within Federation Law."

"You all witness," said Khan. There was a ragged chorus of 'yeses, yeah, I saw it, Heard and witnessed! And Yes, I heard that," from Pike's crew, Carol, the awake Augments and a couple of Marcus' group.

"All yours," said Khan, and hauled Marcus stumbling forward into the corridor. He dumped Admiral Marcus at Pike's feet and held his hands up. "I surrender."