We learn more about the Romulans' plans and Kirk makes plans of his own.
Thank you to T'Arrah for being such a great better.
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For several moments, Jim just stares dumbstruck at the smirking Romulan commander, but he manages to shake himself out his stupor. He can't let this guy think that he has the upper hand in this.
"Okaaay. I can sort of see why the Romulan Empire would want to go to war with the Federation. Starfleet is weak after Nero's attack and the Federation is spending all it's time relocating humans after Earth became un-inhabitable. You actually picked a really good time for an assault. Bravo."
Kirk gives a little clap to emphasize his point. The Romulan on the screen has now stopped smirking and is now frowning in confusion. He was obviously not expecting this reaction.
Kirk begins rubbing his chin in an attempt to attempt to look overly thoughtful, rather than nervous, which is how he is actually feeling. He knows from experience that your can't show any weakness in front of this race.
"What I don't get is why you spent so much time and resources getting a spy onto Vulcan so they could get on board this ship and then send a signal to you so that you could follow us. Wouldn't it have been easier to just attack the closest Star Base? You would have gotten the same results with far less work on your part Commander..."
Jim trails off and eyes the other captain expectantly.
"My name is Keras, Captain. . The answer to you question is simple. It was a matter of pride and psychological warfare. The U.S.S Enterprise was the key player in the destruction of our brothers from the future, who were on the Narada. They deserve vengeance and we are here to deliver it."
Jim wants to object. The only thing Nero and his crew deserve is to be brought back to life so that they can be thrown into the sun a second time. However, before he can open his mouth, the Romulan Commander continues his explanation.
"Also, your ship is seen throughout the Federation as their guiding light, their one true hope for a brighter future. Your destruction will be a powerful blow to your fleet's morale. It will not be hard to claim victory once you are out of the way."
Kirk stops himself from showing any sign of surprise (but just barely) when he feels fingers brush against his neck as a hand is placed on the back of his chair. In his peripheral vision he can see that Spock is now beside him.
'You could have warned me, Spock. You nearly gave me a heart attack.'
Spock does not remove his gaze from the view screen, but his fingers, which are out of view of everyone, begin to caress his bond-mate's neck.
'I am sorry, Ashayam. I merely had a question to ask the Commander and I did not realise my hand placement until it was too late to correct it. I can move if you wish me too.'
Jim responds quickly. 'No! I mean... it's okay if you want to touch me. Just warn me next time so I don't squeal like a little girl in front of the Romulans.'
'Agreed, t'hy'la.'
Jim now returns his full attention to the screen before him and waits for Spock to voice his question to Keras, who is now staring at Spock with a mixture of curiosity and disgust.
"Your explanations for your actions are quite logical, Commander, but what I fail to understand is why you have not yet destroyed us. Why keep us alive,just to tell us that you are going to kill us? As the Earth saying goes, 'actions speak louder than words'."
The Romulan's eyes narrow as his eyes, once again, take in the Vulcan XO.
"You are an unusual Vulcan."
Spock's eyebrow shoots up.
"Indeed, but my nature is not the topic of conversation at this point in time, your intentions are."
Keras snarls at Spock before his gaze shifts back to Kirk. Obviously, Spock's ill-mannered words have pissed off the Commander. Jim can't help but feel proud.
"I have spared your ship for the time being because I need something from you, Captain. You are to come aboard my ship and if you answer my questions in a satisfactory manner then I will allow your crew to leave in the escape shuttles before I blow your ship up. If you do not comply to my demands, then your crew will perish."
Before Jim can agree to the conditions set forth by the Romulan captain, Spock steps forward and a set black eyes snap to his rigid form.
"And what of our captain? What will be his fate once he answers all of your queries?"
The Romulan bows his head solemnly. Jim's heart sinks.
"He will receive a warrior's death. It will be quick and relatively painless."
Jim inwardly scoffs. 'Well as long as it's relatively painless. That makes my immanent death so mush more tolerable. What a douche!'
Kirk inhales deeply before standing from his seat and addressing his opponent.
"I accept your terms. Just give me 30 minutes to get everything sorted out on this end and I will beam over to you guys. How does that sound?"
Commander Keras stares at him with new appreciation.
"It sounds like you are the man I hoped you would be. A true captain, worthy of your title. I look forward to meeting you in the flesh."
Kirk knows he is being rude by not answering in kind, but he is pretty sure that where ever his mother is, she will not be to disappointed that he isn't returning his executioner's sentiment. Instead he just signals for Uhura to cut the connection. He doesn't spare a glance at Spock, who he knows is glaring daggers at him, as he makes his way towards the turbo-lift.
"Uhura, contact Dr McCoy and Mr Scott and tell them there will be a department heads meeting in the main conference room in 5 minutes."
"Aye, sir."
The lift's doors open and Kirk steps in. He turns around to face the bridge. Spock is quickly making his way towards him. Jim panics and presses the 'close' button to his left. He can't deal with Spock right now. He needs to keep his head in the game. He can't give the Vulcan the chance to talk him out of it. The fate of this crew... no, his crew, is on his shoulders.
He hears Spock growl just as the doors slide shut. He closes his eyes as a torrent of fear and anger enter his brain. The fear can easily be claimed as his own, but he is certain that most of the anger is Spock's.
'You cannot run away forever, James. You are mistaken if you believe we will not be discussing this.'
Jim slumps against the slumps against the wall. He had forgotten about the bond. It seems it will be a lot harder avoiding Spock than he had originally thought.
'There is nothing to discuss. I am going and that is final.'
Spock is silent, but Jim knows that this conversation isn't over. This Spock isn't exactly known for giving up easily, so he would be a fool to think that the Vulcan has done so now.
Kirk steps over to the comm unit on the other wall and types in the code for Selik's room. It only takes a couple of seconds before the old Vulcan answers. Jim doesn't beat around the bush.
"Selik, I need a favour."
Jim seats himself between Scotty and McCoy in the conference room, once all the department heads are present. He avoids making eye contact with Spock, but that doesn't seem to stop the Vulcan staring holes through him. He has managed to block out most of Spock's frustration and anger that is flowing steadily through the bond, but he knows it's there, waiting for the moment when his shields crack.
'I just need to keep it up until I get aboard the ship and then I'll let him in. It will be too late by then for him to stop me.'
"Okay first things first. McCoy, how is Captain Pike?"
The older man next to him rubs his hands over his face and sighs deeply.
"Those goddamn disruptor are vicious things. He's spinal cord was severely damaged. It was touch and go for a while there, but he is stable. We have placed him in an induced coma to help with the pain and to give his spine time to heal, but he will most likely never walk again."
Jim releases a small sigh of relief. Pike is alive and he know for a fact that the man will flourish without the use of his legs. He has seem it first hand. He looks around and notes all the saddened faces and realises that these people have not been privy to the same information. He decides to distract them by lightening the mood.
"Well now that we have been updated on the Pike's status, let's move on to more pressing matters and let's do it quickly, because I have less than 25 minutes before I'm expected at a Romulan party. Let's hope they throw a better shindig than the Klingons. Those guys are real downer, must be why they have all them frown lines on their foreheads."
Kirk's attempt at humour falls flat. Uhura staring at him with tear filled eyes, McCoy is scowling and Scotty looks like someone has just eaten his last sandwich (which Kirk did once in his own universe, thus the reason he knows that expression so well). He takes a quick glance at Spock. He should have known that would be a mistake. The Vulcan is practically vibrating with rage. Jim fears he might spontaneously combust if his eyes linger on his bond-mate any longer, so he instead drops his gaze to his PADD in front of him.
"Look guys, I have to go. There is no way out of that, but the good news is that they won't get anything useful out of me since the Starfleet security codes of this universe, which is surely what they want me for, will be entirely different to the ones I know from my universe. They may be able to torture me into giving them codes, but they won't get the correct codes."
Jim lifts his head to discover the occupants of the room staring at him in confusion (except for Spock, who still just looks really pissed). McCoy is the one who finally voices the question everyone is dying to ask.
"If you plan on going then why did you call this meeting? Shouldn't you be preparing the evacuation of the crew and tying up any loose ends?" The doctor pointedly looks over at Spock after his last comment.
Kirk shakes his head. "There is no point in an evacuation yet, because the moment those Romulans have all the information they need, they will kill me, blow up this ship and then they will destroy the shuttles, and it might not be in that order. They won't want any one tipping off the rest of the fleet to their plan. They need the element of surprise for them to win this war, but we are going to be the ones that surprise them. I called this meeting because I have a plan to defeat them and stop this war before it even starts."
That gets the attention of everyone in the room.
"They are overly confident. They don't see us as a threat and I can guarantee you that after I beam aboard, they won't bother raising their deflector shield and that cockiness will be their downfall."
His head turns to the chief engineer that is at his side.
"Scotty, are you capable of beaming a small device, let's say the size of a communicator, aboard the enemy ship without them noticing?"
The Scot takes a moment to think it over before answering. "Aye, I could, but what exactly would I be beaming?"
Instead of responding, Jim turns to face Spock, who has lost most of his rage and now staring at him in curiosity.
"Spock, Do you happen to have any Infernite and Cabrodine in your labs?"
Spock nods. "You wish me to make an explosive device."
It is not a question but Jim decides give him confirmation anyway.
"You catch on quick, Mr Spock. Yes, you are to make an explosive device and give it to Scotty, who will then beam it into the Romulan's engine room."
Spock's eyebrow lifts. "And you? What is to happen to you?"
Jim glances next to him at Mr Scott, who seems to been listening with half an ear as he runs the calculations he will need in his head.
"If you can beam me back before the bomb blows then do it, but your first priority is to protect this ship and this crew. Do I make myself clear, Mr Scott?"
The engineer salutes to the blond.
"Aye, Captain."
Jim claps his hands and stands from his chair.
"Okay, so now that we all know the plan, all we need to do is implement it. Scotty, you are to go get the transporter ready for my departure. Spock, you have very little time to make the explosive device and deliver it to Mr Scott for beaming. I want it sent 15 minutes after I have left. We need them to think we have given up. Uhura, I need you to organise the evacuation list for the shuttles and distribute it. I want everyone to be ready to go and make a run for it if this plan fails."
Kirk spins to McCoy who has also gotten to his feet and is looking at him expectantly.
"Bones, I need you to be all set for my return, because if I make it back you can be sure that I'm going to be hurt... and probably really badly. It is usually how these things go for me. Strangulation seems to be a common theme if that helps any."
McCoy rolls his eyes. "I really shouldn't be surprised. I have known you a little over a week and I have wanted to choke you a few times."
Kirk just shrugs. "What can I say, I bring out the best in people. Now that we all have a duties, let's get to it. Dismissed."
It does not take long for the room to empty and soon the only people left in the conference room are Spock and Jim. The Vulcan is now standing near his seat with his hands clutched behind his back. Jim gives him a puzzled look.
"Spock, we have no time to waste. You need to get down to the labs and start working on that device and then you need to take charge of this ship. What exactly are you waiting for? An engraved invitation?"
Suddenly Spock is in front of him and while Kirk tries to figure out how he missed the Vulcan's movements, Spock takes the blond by the shoulders and pulls him into a desperate kiss.
They are both panting by the time Spock pulls back and buries his face against Kirk's neck. He can feel the Vulcan's warm lips brush his skin as he speaks. "I cannot let you go, James."
Jim wants to just melt into his bond-mate and forget about everything else, but if he does over 400 people (including Spock) will die and he could never live with himself (not matter how small a time that may be) if he allowed that to happen.
"Ashaya, you know I have to go. I need to buy you and Mr Scott some time. I promise to do everything I can to to get back to you, but I need to do this."
Spock lips press more urgently against Jim's neck and he feels, more than hears what the Vulcan says next.
"That is unacceptable."
Kirk knows what Spock is planning even before the warm hand on his shoulder begins creeping up towards his neck.
'Wasn't really a fan of the neck thing the first time, so it's definitely not happening a second time.'
Jim pulls the phaser from his belt and presses it against the Vulcan's abdomen. He had retrieved the phaser from his quarters before this meeting knowing that he would probably have to use it against Spock. He had hoped it wouldn't come to this, but he is now glad he came prepared.
Spock's hand freezes just before it reaches it's destination as he becomes aware of the phaser pressed to his stomach. He lifts his head from the Human's shoulder and gazes pleadingly at his bond-mate.
"Please James, do not go. I fear that if you do, you will not return."
Jim gives him a cocky smile.
"I'll just have to prove you wrong then."
A sudden flash of rebellious determination enters Spock's eyes and his hand is moving again. He is fast, but Kirk is faster. A flash of blue fills the room as he pulls the trigger and then Jim is catching his Vulcan mate before he slumps to the floor. He gently lays him down on the carpeted surface and then makes his way over to the door.
It swishes open and Selik is waiting on the other side.
"Thanks for coming. I was hoping I wouldn't need you, but he just wouldn't let me go."
Selik bows his head in sympathy for both Kirk and Spock. He knows it must have been difficult for Jim to attack Spock so that he could complete his mission, but he can also understand the feelings behind his counterpart's actions. If he knew his t'hy'la was going to his death, he would do all he could to stop him too. The only reason he is not doing that now is because he has spent enough time in the presence of James T. Kirk to know that this will not be the death of him. He will find a way out of it. That, he knows is a universal constant.
"Give me three minutes, so that I can get down to the transporter room and then wake him up. Escort him down with to the labs and help him with the bomb. Tell him..."
Jim trails off as he tries to think of a meaningful and poignant message for Selik to deliver to Spock, but he realises that everything he comes up with sounds too much like 'goodbye'. This is not goodbye. He is coming back.
Selik is still standing there patiently waiting for Kirk to continue. He doesn't leave the Vulcan waiting long.
"Actually, forget it. I'll just tell him when I come back."
The two men smile at each other, not in happiness, but in understanding. After the moment has passed, Kirk walks determinedly out the door. He is gone, leaving Selik alone with his unconscious younger self.
"Good luck, Jim."
/
Can anyone see what I did with the Romulan Commander's name?
Next chapter will be up on Sunday as a special treat.