Yes the title of this chapter is a bad pun. Especially with the contents of this chapter. Thanks to TheOnlyRing 27, AiMila, and XRememberXMe for editing this. And yes I wrote this in 24 hours, and I have no life. Also Plugged In now has a sequel. Go crazy nerds.
P.S. So I was totally watching Stargate for 15 hours in a row while writing this. O'Neil, Jackson, and Judge (Tilk's (sp?) actor name) May have ended up referenced in the chapter. I couldn't help it O'Neil introduced himself as James T. Kirk in an episode (before admitting his name wasn't Kirk but Luke Skywalker)).
This was not what he planned. Not what he planned at all. Admiral Komack paced his office, muttering to himself, glancing occasionally at the flat piece of hardware lying on his desk. This was not what he had wanted when he sent Kirk to that colony. He just wanted to make a point. He wanted to show everyone that he was not ready for such a big mission. The worse that was supposed to happen was Commander Spock having to take over for an emotionally compromised captain who could not handle the strain of handling a colony who had a food shortage. It was suppose to drag up memories of Tarsus IV. That was all. Getting the memo about the report the Enterprise had sent back, the situation was so much worse than Starfleet had predicted.
Now they would be lucky if Kirk and his landing team came back at all. He would be a sacrificial hero, and while Kirk would be out of the way then, Komack didn't want the kid to give up his life either.
A knock at the door, forced the admiral to stop pacing, throwing a snappy "Enter!" over his shoulder as he sat down. He didn't even look up at the officer's entrance.
"Admiral, the meeting to discuss the situation on Brekka V will begin in five minutes."
"Thank you, Lieutenant. I will leave shortly," he murmured, eyes closed. She saluted and left.
Muttering under his breath, he forced himself out of his chair and grabbed his PADD.
The meeting was held in the conference room a floor below his, so it was a short trip, entering just on time. A few other admirals frowned as they had been at the minimum of ten minutes early, a habit hammered into them after being in the service for many years. Komack ignored their stares, and took his seat.
A video of the Enterprise's acting captain appeared on the small screen in the middle of the conference table, showing Montgomery Schott's tired face. "Sirs," he greeted.
"Mr. Scott, I thank you for being able to join us today. I know you have been busy with repairs," Admiral Barnett said, sitting at the center of their gathering. "How are the repairs going?"
"We have done all we can, Admiral. However, we are anxious to have assistance. There is a whole lot I can't fix without docking. We will be arrivin' at Starbase 19 in three days; however, the Lexington will be in four and a half hours. Commadore Wesley has already offered additional supplies and engineers to help us make the last stretch."
"Very good. Now I'm assuming everyone has read their packet, but in case some of you didn't," he gave a few looks to select admirals, "I will give you a brief synopsis. The captain, first office, chief medical officer, chief communications officer, and three security members are currently stranded on a possibly hostile planet that we know little about. An unknown force drove the Enterprise under the command of Lieutenant Commander Scott away from the planet with a single shot that tore through shields and hull, causing a casualty of fifty-four. That is all we received and that is all we know. Is that correct Mr. Scott?"
"Aye, sir. That pretty much sums it up."
"Let me get this straight," Admiral Fitzgerald sat straighter. "Captain Kirk not only put himself in the landing party, he also put his second in command, and two of his senior staff, which includes his chief medical officer, on such a dangerous mission?"
Barnett decided to ignore the fact that Fitzgerald did not read the report as the meeting was very sudden. "Not a surprise since Kirk has been ignoring protocol since he was a cadet. He has shown a repeated tendency to put himself in the middle of the action as well as keeping his XO by his side. While Commander Spock initially stayed aboard at the beginning of their missions, he too has been joining the landing parties more and more frequently."
"To keep an eye on Kirk. Statistics show that Kirk tends to find trouble, intentionally and unintentionally. Spock is always playing damage control. Kirk has a high success rates but only because of Spock," Komack said.
"Commander Spock tends to follow the whims of Captain Kirk. He's as much as a trouble maker as he is," Fitzgerald commented.
"So they're probably in a relationship." Everyone turned to Admiral O'Neil at the outlandish statement. Scotty however looked amused. "What? I'm just saying what everyone is thinking."
"Commander Spock has strangled Kirk, and, according to the crew logs, they argue on a regular basis. It's a wonder that the commander stays on the Enterprise willingly."
Admiral O'Neil shrugged, "Foreplay."
"We are not here to discuss the captain and commander's relationship or Kirk's methods on how he runs his ship. That will be dealt with if he is still alive as the status of the landing party as of this moment is unknown. As of yesterday at 1400, Captain Kirk, Commander Spock, Chief Medical Officer McCoy, Lieutenant Uhura, Ensign Pennington, Ensign Jackson, Lieutenant Judge are all considered MIA. Starfleet Command will attempt to approach the colony again. However we need a plan of attack or a way to negotiate. The floor is open gentlemen."
"Was there only one ship?" Fitzgerald asked.
"Well, sir, that we could see. I pulled away the moment it became obvious that we were outmatched, but there were no signs of any additional ships," Scotty admitted, looking though his report.
"So we have one big ship with big guns." O'Neil leaned back in his seat. "Now what?"
"O'Neil if you don't have anything useful to say, don't say anything," Barnett rubbed his temples.
"Hey, someone has to state the obvious. We have one big ship but that one ship pretty much ripped through the Enterprise like butter. The Enterprise is our most advanced ship with the latest technology. It can outmaneuver most of our other constitution class vessels. In the hands of a good captain─"
"The Enterprise could take on two or possibly three other vessels of the same size," Admiral Mendez finished for him. "And while Kirk is a genius strategist, it doesn't help when he's not on the ship. While Mr. Scott has done the best he can, he's no Kirk . . . no offense."
"None taken, Admiral sir. I'm well aware of I'm no Captin. Much less Captin Kirk," Scotty said good naturedly.
"How about a diversion? Or send a few scout ships to test their skills and gather information?" Mendez said slowly, deep in thought.
"There's a large chance those ships won't come back," O'Neil frowned.
"Yes," Mendez agreed.
"We can't send them on a suicide mission."
"Then, Admiral O'Neil, what do you consider we do?" Tension filled between the two men, both staring each other down across the conference table.
"We could always consider them a lost cause," Fitzgerald said quietly.
"Now hold on a minute!" O'Neil leaned forward, ready to object.
"Admiral Fitzgerald has a point," Komack said solemnly. "We still have limited resources after the Romulan's attack and our numbers are stretched thin. Khan and Marcus further depleted resources with the assassination of multiple higher ups and crashing into San Fransisco. Both incidences back to back has made it difficult. If this threat is as big as you say Admiral O'Neil, then we might get more people killed trying to help them then leaving it be. And this is not knowing whether or not they're even alive."
"Permission to speak, sir," Scotty asked.
Admiral nodded his head. "Permission granted, Lieutenant Commander."
"Forgive me for saying this, sir, but are ye out of your head? The captin and commander have risked their lives for the Federation countless of times without a second thought and you're just goin' to abandon them? And so help me, I'll turn this starship around to go help them if that is what you decide to do. And I bet my scotch that everyone aboard the Enterprise feel the same way."
"Abandoning the colony wouldn't look good for Starfleet either. After the whole Marcus fiasco and all. Not to mention the possible information we could gain about a possible threat," O'Neil said off handedly.
Barnett rubbed a hand over his face, "Let's call for a vote," he said wearily.
There was nothing left. Jim thought with horror. He vaguely felt Jabari beside him freezing at the sight as well. The colony was barely recognizable. The once dirt roads were covered in a thin layer of white, all the plants that had been green and vibrant were hollow, white husks, crumbling under its own weight. But what was scariest of all was how desolate the entire colony was. What was once a slaughterhouse and a hangout for the guards was now deserted with not a single life form nearby. Not even a cockroach.
What was disturbing though was the bodies that had been left behind in the streets. The body they had stumbled upon had grown white and husk like on the outside too. So much so that the chest cavity had collapsed in on itself revealing the hardened red innards where small spore stalks were growing out of the corpse. The eyes were a disconcerting yellow and bulging from the sockets. Jim actually had to turn away before he lost what little food he had in his stomach. Jabari stared at the corpse a while longer, studying it, but Jim could tell he was unsettled as well if the slightly heavy breathing through his gas mask said anything. Jim had to resist the urge to remove his gas mask to puck or scratch. He had always wondered what would happen if the fungus got hold of you, but this?
"Are you sure you want to do this. One cut and it's over. The spores are too thick here."
"If there's a chance they made a replant, antifungal spray or something before this or even started on it, it could prove useful. Any knowledge I can find about it will at least help us prevent it from spreading."
"You're crazy," Jim muttered, wandering farther into the colony. "Only a biology nerd like you would try to do this in the middle of hell."
"Then I guess that makes you crazy for coming with me," the younger male could hear the grin in his voice.
"Like I'd let you go alone," he huffed, keeping his eyes focused on the research building.
With the lack of guards they made it quite easily to the research building, as the fine layer of dust laid undisturbed before their presence. It had been a long time since anyone had returned.
They reached the door when Jabari turned his partner. "Jim, could you remain out here to keep guard? I don't know how long I will be."
"Just don't spend all night in there. I know how you wanna be doctors like to poke and prod at things."
Jabari gave a small smile. "Remember what I taught you. If the trip wire fails─"
"Jabari," Jim said interrupting impatiently. "I got it. I had a good teacher."
For a minute he swore he saw Jabari blush, but the older boy turned away before Jim could really see. "I'll be as fast as I can."
Jim walked around the perimeter to make sure there was no trace of unwelcomed visitors then placed his pack down carefully, pulling out small glass jars with care. Hopefully they worked.
Jim placed the jars carefully into his sack, making absolutely sure they wouldn't jostle around too much. The smell of cooked meat permeated the room, making his stomach twist angrily. Everyone else was gathered around the fire, eating a small portion of the meat Jim had hunted the night before. Jim could have eaten more than an ounce. He had built up an immunity, but it was only fair he eat the same amount as his crew.
"Why are these potions so damn small?" the doctor grumbled, pushing the food around on the clay plate.
"Precaution," and that was the only reply Jim offered to give. He ignored the doctor's look of sadness directed at him and tried not to acknowledge Uhura putting a comforting hand on the man's leg. He knew he was growing further and further away from his friends, but he couldn't stop himself. He wouldn't. It would be better this way in the long run.
He placed a blanket in the sack to minimize the jars movements and packed the last of his items. He almost did see Spock come up beside him and take a portion of the meat. "Spock . . . don't."
"By your own rules, by the end of tomorrow, this must be thrown disposed of. I do not wish to see so much go to waste."
"We still have rations," Jim argued quietly. He felt sick, seeing the meat on Spock's plate. "You don't have to right now."
"Jim─"
"Please," he whispered. "Don't eat it just yet. Wait a few more days. I'll try to find you more berries while I'm out. Please."
At the desperate plea, Spock slowly placed his plate on the floor. "I will eat the rations."
Jim nodded sharply, and looked back at his bag, refusing to look at Spock. Once he finished packing, he left, muttering about looking around some more.
Once Jim was gone from the cave for a good five minutes, Spock picked up his plate again, adding a small portion of the ration with the meat.
"You won't get sick on me will you?" McCoy asked as Spock took a seat next to him. "You shouldn't have the necessary enzymes to break down complex proteins like that."
"I will be adequate. While the thought of consuming meat is not appealing, I have been focusing on creating the enzymes as soon as I realized we will be here for a longer duration than anticipated. At the most a slightly upset stomach though ideally I should be able to consume it without difficulty or side effects."
"As long as you don't vomit on me," the doctor stated gruffly, continuing his meal. "And I thought Vulcans couldn't lie."
"I did not lie. I stated that I would consume some of the rations, and I am."
"Technicality. Jim is going to freak when he finds out."
"He will not unless you say something doctor," Spock stared at the human long enough to make him uncomfortable. "His request was illogical, and I did not wish to aggravate him additionally."
McCoy sighed. "Spock, a word," he said standing up and expecting the resident hobgoblin to follow.
Curious, Spock did follow. They went as far as standing just outside the cloth door. The night air was cool enough that the human crossed his arms to stave off the goose bumps forming on his skin. Spock did no such thing and placed his hands behind his back as usual. "Look, you shouldn't lie to Jim. Don't even mislead him or omit stuff from him."
Spock's brows furrowed. "I do not understand, Doctor McCoy."
"Jim… I don't know if you noticed, but Jim's been increasingly distancing himself emotionally and physically from me and Uhura. The only person who's gotten through the walls he's putting up is you and the kid, but he can't and he won't tell that kid everything going on with him. That leaves you. If you catches you lying in anyway shape or form, he's not going to trust you anymore."
"I am not certain that is the best course of action."
"Look here, you bloody hobgoblin. I get you want to do what's best for Jim, but Jimbo's reliving his personal hell right now. He might not be having straight out PTSD but if what you told me is true, that Jim was about to kill Commodore Decker without a second thought, it's close enough. He's going back to the way he was on Tarsus, Spock. We have to do everything we can to prevent him from losing himself, and the biggest thing right now is making sure he trusts us. It wasn't a luxury he had there."
Spock's eyed the direction Jim had taken. "I understand."
Sighing with relief, the doctor followed the Vulcan's gaze. "You know Spock, we might not survive this. Telling him now might be your only chance."
Spock kept staring out into the distance when he replied, "Perhaps you are correct doctor. I shall consider it."
They both walked back in, gaining curious glances from Uhura silently asking what that was about. Spock and McCoy didn't acknowledge them, eating the rest of their food in peace.
"I admit, Kirk isn't anything like the rumors," Decker said, having a much larger piece of meat than the others. "I always heard how cocky, self confident, and talkative he was even during a crisis. I got to say he's everything but. I don't think he's said a single word to me since I joined the group."
"He's not normally like this," Uhura supplied. Her plate was completely clean of any remains, but she ran some water over it to clean it anyway before putting it away. "This mission is just … different from the others."
"I guess it is a pretty shitty mission. Enough stress to break anyone one with command," Decker wore a tight smile.
The smile made Spock tense. "The captain tends to excel under stress. It is a peculiar trait that I find not enough humans possess."
Decker's eyes widened at what he felt to be a hostile response. When Spock didn't say anything else, Decker stayed alert never drifting his attention from the Vulcan long.
"If I may ask, Commodore, what is the situation right now out there?" Uhura sat beside the Commodore, giving him her full attention.
The commodore sighed loudly, putting the now empty plate with the others. "Not much to say really. The only thing I know for sure is that there are many small factions, groups, of survivors. From what I've seen I don't think there's a group any larger than 100.
The colony was scorched about a month ago to help stop the spread of the fungus. It must have worked somewhat because the governor and members of his faction are still held up there. The factions were a great idea at first, but now there just seems to be an increase amount of violence within the groups. That's all I really know."
Spock watched the commodore, feeling like he was with holding something. He remembered the words Jim said to him. The only words Jim had said since finding him. "Why have you not joined a faction, Commodore? And where is your crew?"
Decker grew visibly uncomfortable, not meeting their eyes as he explained. "I had gotten pissed off at something my XO said to me. Despite what my common sense told me, I went out for a walk. Apparently, I had just missed the initial outbreak of violence doing so. On my walk, there was some lose soil that caused me to fall down a hill and hit my head. I lost consciousness. I don't know how long, but by the time I returned, the colony was in ruins and my crew was gone. I found a few of them dead, but I don't know where the rest of them are at this moment."
There were holes in his story. A glance at Uhura confirmed what Spock was thinking, picking up the same questions he had. She looked back at him and he conveyed that they shouldn't ask. Not yet.
"Let me take a look at you head," McCoy commanded in his usual gruff demeanor. He blatantly ignored Decker's reassurances that he was fine, and continued to look him over. The conversation was over for now.
Spock glanced at the child standing away from all of them near the entrance. His body was tense and his grip on his knife was turning his knuckles white watching them all with hawk like eyes. Spock moved to get up and drew the child's focus, eyes narrowing just enough for him to notice. Spock moved slower than he normally would with exaggerated movements to let the child know everything he was doing before he did them. Luca was wound up as tight as Jim had been after he had killed those men.
As he approached the child subtly repositioned his grip on the knife. Luca was obviously used to using it as a weapon. Spock stopped just out of arm's reach in front of him. "Do you have knowledge of the captain's intended purpose is with this outing?"
The boy didn't budge, measuring Spock up. "Why do you need to know?"
Spock had to think. What answer would get this child to answer his query. "I am worried," he said softly, so the others couldn't hear.
Luca assessed him once again, his lips thinning. Spock thought he had said the wrong thing when Luca answered, "I think he left to set up traps."
Curious, he asked, "Do you know what type of traps?" The child shrugged casually obviously not planning to tell him anymore. "Have you obtained sustenance?"
"Sustenance?"
"Have you eaten?" Spock corrected himself.
Luca shook his head. "I'll wait until Jim gets back."
"As you wish," Spock bowed his head and went back to the group. He debated going to find Jim, but in the dark he could be more of a hindrance and might accidentally set off one of the traps. Instead, he went towards the back of the cave where he had the communication device pulled apart and arranged accordingly. The most he could do to help Jim right now was to get this working. He wouldn't let him down.
Jim pounded on the door, desperately. Why the hell did Jabari lock the door? Didn't he hear what was going on outside. He had been in that lab for almost three days. The door opened and Jim was met with a knife to his neck. He glared at the wielder. "Fucker, we have to go."
Jabari lowered the knife. There were bags under his eyes from lack of sleep and his hand trembled as he put it away. It was obvious he hadn't slept since he stepped foot in the lab. The bag Jabari had carried with him was packed to the brim and looked heavy. It wasn't ideal for the situation they were in. "The guards?" he asked roughly.
The younger boy could only nod as they exited the building through the lab's window. Everything was burning. The flames were high and the air was filled with spores being released before the stalks died and burned. If anything the fungus burned too well, as they were quickly becoming surrounded. It was only luck that one of the buildings collapsed and allowed them an escape. The guards were spread thin, so it was easy to slip through the security surrounding the colony. Before they knew it, they were heading back.
Once far away enough from the infection, they stopped to dispose of their clothes with their own fire and washed their bodies thoroughly and their bags and as much as the supplies as they could. Hopefully the heat of the fire killed most of the spores.
They were almost back to their cave when he finally asked. "So, what did you find out? You were in there forever."
Jabari's eyes kept straight ahead. That was never a good sign. "The research was scattered and disorganized, but from what I was able to piece together in the reports and from my own tests, it has the reproduction cycle of a fungus, but it essentially acts like a virus. It takes over living cells and tissue, converting it for its purpose to reproduce and grow. In a sterilized environment where there are no living cells, it is nothing more than an inanimate object. You couldn't even consider it to be alive. It just lays dormant until a living organism is close by."
"A virus," Jim repeated already knowing what Jabari was saying. There was no cure.
"Yeah. Either the fungus will provoke an immune response, rending it useless in the host's body, at least in small amounts, or you will get infected, and you will die."
Jim closed his eyes preparing himself. "What can we do?"
"It seems to be rendered ineffective with strong heat, like the fire, but if it is visible on the host, even a little bit. It's too late to do anything. The entire body is already infected. It's only a matter of time before something they touch gets infected or spores start to be released." Jim nodded, seeing the cave come into view. "Jim … someone bioengineered this."
"I picked that up, thanks," he replied sharply. Jabari wasn't at fault. He just confirmed what Jim had already known. He had hoped he was wrong.
One of the children came out. A young boy, age eight, with a small smile on his lips. "Nii-chan, you're back. Good news?"
Jim couldn't tear his eyes away from the long cut on the boys arm, small white particles were always visible in the wound, no matter how many times they washed it and cleaned it out, and day by day there was a little more.
Jim tensed at the hand on his shoulder. "I can do it, Jim."
"Yuji," Jim said ignoring the teen. He gave the child a weak smile and held out his hand, "come with me for a bit."
The boy didn't hesitate to grab Jim's hand, looking up at him excitedly. "Where are we going?" Yuji asked.
Jim could feel Jabari's dark eyes follow him as he led the boy towards the marshes where they buried their dead. "To a better place."
Jim returned early morning, the sun already peeking over the hill. His bag was significantly lighter and he felt more at ease with the situation. This was a good defendable location with an easy escape route. The traps would alert them to any intruders.
Jim nodded at Luca, who was still standing by the entrance awaiting his return and Luca smiled back before schooling his expression. "We have a problem."
"What problem?" At his request, Luca looked over to McCoy. Jim stiffened as he approached his friend. The doctor was curled up on his side, sweating profusely and shivering uncontrollably. A soft groan escaped his lips in his unconscious state.
"Anyone else sick?" Jim asked, kneeling beside his friend to try to judge how high his fever was. He was burning up.
"No. Just him."
Jim sighed in relief as he poured cool water onto a cloth and draped it over his friend's forehead. He carefully dragged him away from the fire into the cooler part of the cave without waking up the others.
"We should kill him," Luca stated without batting an eye.
"No. He could still get better. His body could be taking longer to fight it off because he's older. If it starts to show on him, then I'll do it."
Luca looked doubtful. "Trust me. I've seen it before. Sometimes they do grow an immunity even after this," Jim reassured him. It was a slim chance. Most who got this sick he had to put down a week later, but there were two or three that had gotten better. The meat only contained a small dosage otherwise everyone would be sick, McCoy could still be fine.
Luca still looked reluctant. Thankfully, he didn't object, already taken to Kirk's orders as if he was one of his subordinates.
He did check to make sure no one else was showing symptoms as well as check Spock's progress with the communicator without disturbing the Vulcan's meditation. It looked like Spock was dividing the parts into categories: parts that needed replacements, parts that could be saved, and parts that were good. A little too few in the good parts list, but it looked like majority of the bad parts could be saved.
He ate some of the meat, not worried about getting sick then changed McCoy's rag for a cooler one. He sat beside him, waiting for the others to wake up.
There were so few of them now. Jim thought as he entered behind the vines hiding their new hideout. At some point, he had managed to make the group grow to almost thirty kids. Maybe that was their downfall. There had been too many. Now there were only eleven. Kevin was waiting for him, taking the bag of phasers and putting it with their stockpile of supplies. They would be handed out tomorrow.
Jim planned to get some shut eye but the yelling told him he would have to resolve that first.
"Take off your shirt," Jabari said calmly, but even Jim could tell he was annoyed and growing impatient.
The girl he had been talking to was named Lynda. She was average looking, with average light brown hair and eyes. She had been Jim's partner occasionally. While she looked for confirmation of being alive with their joinings, Jim was looking for a way to take the edge off the increasing tension. Perhaps in a different situation, he'd feel different about using her even as she used him. Despite the intimate act, there was never any vulnerability between them and nothing intimate about it. They would both part and never speak of it until the next time. They weren't friends, and often they couldn't stand each other.
Jabari of course knew of their activities. While he said nothing about it, he would always be busy the day after and would barely speak to Jim. Jim didn't understand why until Jabari had kissed him that night so many months ago. How long had it been? How long have they been stranded here? Even knowing Jabari's feelings, Jim kept going back, though less and less often, as the months went by. It had been at the very least three weeks.
Lynda was on her knees, glaring at Jabari through her tears, clutching her shirt like a life line. "Go to hell niger!"
Jim's temper flared at the racial slur. He didn't think he ever heard anyone say that word outside centuries old books and movies. He let his hand fly, striking her cheek with a hard slap, vaguely thinking she was lucky it wasn't a punch.
Jabari's eyes widened in surprise at both Jim's presence and actions, but stayed silent as usual.
"Take. Off. The. Shirt." Jim didn't raise his voice, his actions having done enough to stun the girl to silence and stopped her crying. There was no modesty here. Everyone had seen everyone else naked on a daily basis. There was no such luxuries such as privacy. That was only found outside the group and outside protection.
Jim and his trysts with the girl were always somewhere close by where Jim could run back quickly. Jabari wasn't the only one who had walked in on them and neither were ever embarrassed by it. No time, no energy, and no illusions, and Jim never lost himself to the pleasure of it and always had his phaser within arm's reach. Those who did not want to see them due to their experiences stayed away and avoid looking at Jim for a few days, but there was no judgment as long as he stayed with one specific person, and she was not harmed or showed signs of being a victim.
Lynda was sobbing as she pulled off her shirt. The result wasn't a surprise to Jim. There was only one reason why someone wouldn't take off their clothes in front of the others if they hadn't been a victim. On her back was the fungus, in the late stages about to release spores any day now. She must not have gone bathing to scrub it off if it looked like that so fast. Then again, it would only delay and not cure the problem. And bathing would have led to an earlier discovery.
"Follow me," he said emotionlessly.
"No!" She practically screamed. "You can't make me!"
Without hesitation, Jim grabbed her wrist, and proceeded to drag her out. She kicked and screamed, digging her heels into the ground. "Help me! Don't let him do this!" She looked around desperately, trying to catch anyone's eyes. No one looked up, continuing their chores and pretending not to see her. She sobbed, begged, cursed at everyone until Jim picked her up and carried her outside. Her cries were heard for several minutes until it suddenly stopped. Twenty minutes later, Jim came back alone.
Jabari caught the sight of blood on Jim's sleeve. Jim's expression hadn't changed since he dragged Lynda out. Still eerily calm and impassive. "Are you okay?"
"Why wouldn't I be?" he asked, still impassive. Jabari nodded his head, walking away.
"Jim?" Ester, a young four year old and one of the last four children under 10 left, tugged on his hand. Jim turned cold eyes to her. There was no warmth there. All the children had grown used to that look though. Especially on Jim. "Did you take her to the nice place?"
The teen opened his mouth ready to bite out a no, there is no such place, when Jabari calmly answered for him. "Yes. She went up to heaven with the others. I bet she's happy and playing with them right now."
Ester smiled up at him. "That's good. We'll get to see her someday right?"
Jabari smiled at her, nodding. "Someday, but not today."
With hope in her eyes, the girl wondered away, going back to her chore of drying the dishes.
Jim lazily looked over at his right hand. "You shouldn't lie to her. There's no such thing as heaven, and there is no God."
"Maybe, maybe not," he conceded, handing Jim the liquor bottle he had left to fetch. "But believing there is an afterlife for those who fear death makes it easier."
Jim snorted his disbelief. "Whatever." Louder he announced, "Everyone strip of your clothes and put them in the wash. After that, save what you can and burn everything else. We need to abandon the hideout." Everyone, young and younger shot up to do as Jim told them with haste. Jim stripped off his clothes too. It was the easiest way to see who else was infected without drawing the attention to any specific person and gave those uneasy with being nude with a sense of security when everyone else was too.
The next morning, Jim sent everyone out to collect supplies Spock asked for while he watched over McCoy who had yet to awaken. If Uhura was honest, she was worried. Their doctor was sick and not waking up, their captain seemed emotionally unstable, and Spock was refusing to tell her anything that was going on. This wasn't the first mission to go wrong and hopelessly so, but this was the first time where she was witnessing the golden command team falling apart.
She placed another small crystal into the bag Jim had given them. The situation did seem increasingly hopeless. "Did you find anything, sir?" she asked Decker. Decker wasn't so bad a guy. He was eager to help. A little bit jumpy, but he genuinely seemed like a nice guy.
"Just trying to see if this piece of metal will be helpful," he muttered.
Uhura turned around seeing the admiral bent over looking at something. She frowned. The admiral's dress shirt had shifted up showing a sliver of his back. There was something white on his skin. "Commodore, there's something on your back."
Decker sat up straight, smiling uneasily. "It's nothing."
"Are you okay?" She moved to lift the shirt up again, but Decker took a step away.
"I'm a bit sick," he admitted. "It's a side effect, but I'll be fine. With the doctor sick and all, I don't want to worry anyone else until he gets better."
"Sir, Spock is a science officer. He might be able to help somehow."
"Please Lieutenant. If the doctor doesn't get better in a few days, I'll talk it over with Commander Spock. Until then, can you keep it quiet?"
Uhura looked unsure, biting her lip as she thought it over. A few days shouldn't be too bad. "Yes, sir. I can do that."
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