Chris was facing the dreadful prospect of yet another long hearing listening to the mountains of evidence pulled from the Vengeance and Marcus's seized records. The appalling record of the treatment of the augments was just the tip of the iceberg of the late admiral's misdeeds. Currently, they were in disagreement as to what to do with Khan and his people.
"For the safety of the Planet, they should all remain in cryostasis until further notice," decreed Nogura.
"Khan at least should face trial for what he did," put in Komack. "I'm sure his evidence would help root out more Section 31 agents."
"Likely," agreed Barnett. "But even if we lock him up for life, that doesn't help his people any. They weren't involved in this. Who knows how long those cryotubes will last?"
"Are you suggesting they be awakened?" gasped Komack in horror. "They're still very dangerous."
"No, I'm just asking pertinent questions," Richard replied. "We can't make any decisions until we know what Khan knows."
"I agree," Chris put in. Not enough information yet. I don't see the sense in punishing the whole group for what Khan did, but we have to find out if they can live peaceably."
"I think you'll find that impossible," James said tensely. "They were bred-or designed-for ruthless savagery. Who knows what would set them off on a rampage again?"
"They have the capability for that, but is that how they are all the time?" Barnett put in.
"They ruled with an iron fist. What if they decided they wanted to conquer earth again? We can't risk it! I say, either permanent cryostasis or find them their own planet at a safe distance."
Much as he hated to admit it, Chris thought some of Komack's concerns were valid. Yes, Khan had been driven to desperation by Marcus's cruelty, but could the augments live peaceably among the very "inferior" humans that had caused them so much trouble? He determined to have a talk with the augment himself, after he'd watched the security tapes from the Enterprise.
It was very enlightening as to Khan's motivations and reasoning, but what struck him was the barely concealed rage in Kirk's eyes and voice as she interacted with him. When he called in Spock to ask the Vulcan's opinion of the augment's condition, he also casually expressed surprise at Jenna's fury.
"The Captain was severely emotionally compromised by your supposed death, Admiral," Spock explained. "Both Admiral Marcus and Khan used that fact to their advantage."
"I never imagined she'd get that riled up over me, but I'll take your word for it." He remarked.
Spock shot him a look that was the Vulcan equivalent of "You've got to be kidding me."
"Admiral, she physically assaulted Khan on Kronos, beating him repeatedly until she realized it had almost no affect on him. There is no doubt she holds you in very high regard."
He sighed. Yet another regulation broken by Marcus. Jenna should never have been in that chair under those conditions. He wondered how things would have played out if he hadn't been hurt. Would Marcus have threatened him that way? Or would he have found another way to sideline Chris? He felt sick at the thought, but Those weren't the important questions right now. He needed to know more about Khan.
"Spock, I need your honest opinion about Khan. Is it safe to unfreeze the augments and try to get them acclimated to living with inferior beings again Or would that be asking for trouble?"
"With Khan's anger at Starfleet still simmering, it would not be advisable to awake his people, lest they be stirred to anger by his imprisonment. Yet, condemning them to permanent cryosleep is unjust. However, If Khan is not willing to be separated from them during his long prison term, it may be the best course of action."
"Which means we'll have to talk to Khan," Chris sighed, not looking forward to that experience.
Nevertheless, he soon found himself navigating the tunnels of the Max security prison where the augment was being held.
Khan was a smug SOB, that much was certain just looking at him. Anger welled up in Chris thinking about how he'd beaten the crap out of Jenna and threatened to murder her in front of the entire crew. Yeah, he wanted him in the deep freeze or off the planet for good.
"Mr. Singh," he began calmly, when the guards had activated the communications system to the cell. "I have some questions for you."
"And why should I answer?" The man said coolly, keen eyes assessing Chris, who didn't back down from their stare.
"Because we have to prevent this gross mistreatment and resulting rampage from ever happening again," Chris replied firmly. "Your crew are safe. Spock removed them from the torpedoes before he beamed them over to the Vengeance."
Khan's fists clenched And he sucked in a breath, standing up even straighter, if that was possible.
"Are you speaking the truth?" He inquired urgently.
"I am," Chris confirmed. "The question is, we need to know how to proceed. They won't be imprisoned for your actions, but we don't know how long the cryotubes will sustain them. They're bound to wear out. Also, you've got a trial coming up and cooperation might shave a decade or so off your sentence."
Khan looked understandably skeptical, but nodded somberly and contemplated his options.
"I no longer care about my own fate, but they must be spared somehow. The cryotubes may only last a few years at most; several already have failed. Does Starfleet have the understanding of how they function?"
"Yes, but to build new they would need your cooperation, because a lot of that tech isn't used at all.
"Naturally. Well, you shall have it. I am prepared to do whatever it takes to keep them safe—as long as Section 31 is in no way involved."
Chris shuddered and promised they wouldn't be. The visit ended up being more productive than he'd hoped and he left the prison prepared to take his info back to Headquarters. However, his comm rang just as he left the building and the message had him heading for the hospital as fast as he could.