Note: Some of this chapter is told in the past, so I wrote the "past happenings" in italics, for it to make better sense. Also, I am going to start deviating from the actual script pretty soon. Some of that is evident in this chapter. My story takes a different turn than the movie. I hope you guys don't mind too much. I had to rewrite this chapter a lot in order for it to make sense to me. I don't have very many excuses for not updating, and for that I'm truly sorry. I wish I could make it up to you guys in some way! Enjoy this chapter!

Officer Green made his way towards the torpedoes. His fingers aptly moved around the device, locating the proper parts to disable them. His face was contorted with concentration, as he knew that one wrong move could arm all the torpedoes, taking down the Enterprise as well.

"You really know your stuff don't you?" A much younger officer made his way towards Officer Green.

"I've read a lot about history; ancient technology, things like that. Right now it's paying off. If I hadn't read any of those books, I wouldn't even know where to begin. Cryotubes are beyond the general knowledge of most people."

The younger officer stuck out his hand. "Jack."

"Come again?" Officer Green asked, not bothering to look up from his work.

"My name's Jack. Jack Tredeaca."

Officer Green took the time to smile at Jack. "Well, it's a pleasure having you onboard."

"This trip hasn't exactly been a pleasure." Jack gently touched the torpedoes gently, almost caressing the smooth surface.

"Why do you say that?"

"Well, between the whole thing on Kronos and having a person like Khan onboard this ship…hasn't exactly been the best trip. I'm not even sure if I should consider Khan a person."

"I call this trip an adventure." Officer Green pushed his way past Jack to get a better look at the torpedo.

"I don't think we should be taking so many risks on this adventure."

"What risk? We are in space. There's great risk upon us even if we were just floating along doing nothing."

Jack edged around Officer Green, still desperate to touch some part of the torpedo. "I just don't think it was a good decision to bring Khan on-board. It wasn't a good decision to bring the torpedoes on-board."

Officer Green stopped fiddling with the torpedo. "I think that should do it. Also, I don't believe Khan is a bad as we believe him to be."

Jack quickened his pace in order to keep up. "You can't be serious."

"I'm deadly serious. Khan is damaged. Everyone is damaged in some way. His is just more obvious. I'm not sure what damaged, but just because he's acting out of his anger doesn't make him a bad person. People act the way they do because of the emotions they feel. Sadly, his emotions seem to have taken control over him and now he can't get out. Doesn't mean he's a horrible person. Just means he needs someone to help him overcome."

"I think you would enjoy talking to my friend. He graduated in the same class I did. He's also brand new to the ship."

Officer Green turned a sharp corner, coming face-to-face with throngs of people working on more of the torpedoes. "I'd love to meet him. However, you seem to be avoiding whatever I say."

"I'm not one to start arguments. May seem like it, but arguments just give me anxiety and high blood pressure."

"Jack!"

Another crew member sauntered over. He had thick black curls that almost covered his almond shaped eyes.

Jack grabbed his friend and pulled him towards Officer Green. "Officer, this is my friend Matt Osnima."

Matt stuck out his hand and smiled. "It's a pleasure to meet you."

"Pleasure to meet you as well."

"Look at all these people." Matt's eyes travelled through the crowd. "Some operation that's going on."

Jack nodded his head in assent. "Officer Green knows all about the torpedoes."

"Wish I had that talent." Matt looked to the ground. "My only talent is being a fast learner, but it's not a useful talent when nobody is around to teach you."

"Maybe I'll be able to show you at some point. Not with these torpedoes, but I'll give you the books I read. They helped a lot with the torpedoes."

Jack smiled. "Can you show them to me as well? I'm eager to learn."

"I suppose I can do that." Officer Green grinned.

"I better head off." Jack said. "I promised another Officer that I would shadow him as he worked."

Jack left Matt and Officer Green standing next to each other.

"So…umm…what do you think of Khan?" Matt asked.

Officer Green turned towards Matt. "I have a mostly neutral opinion about him. He certainly is an interesting character."

Another Officer waved for Green to assist him. "I'll be back."

Matt traced a pattern on the floor, lost in the words Green had told him about Khan. "Yes he is."

"Wait!"

"Yes, Mr. Spock?"

"Khan, you have your crew. I'm sure you've noticed that the torpedoes have been disarmed. Your crew is safe."

"Your observation skills are truly amazing." Khan sneered.

"Khan- I know you better than you think I do. I know you shared something very personal with Bones. He refused to tell me what you told him, but I know you opened up to him. From experience, I can tell you that once you open up to someone about something personal, it changes things. Your relationship strengthens. Look me in the eye, and try to tell me that you don't care for Bones."

Khan remained blank-faced on the screen.

"I know you do. You placed a great amount of trust in Bones. He hasn't done anything to you that ruins that trust. If you care for Bones, then you care for his crew. You wouldn't be able to live with yourself if you destroyed this crew. More importantly, you can't destroy the Enterprise without killing Bones as well. You aren't heartless, Khan. You wouldn't do that."

Khan swallowed the dry lump that had begun to build in his throat. "You have a point, Mr. Spock. I'm just not sure if I can trust all of you."

"You trust Bones. If you trust him, trust us. Don't do something you'll regret."

Carol sat up on her gurney in the medical bay. Her leg was still on fire from being snapped and the image of her father's head getting torn off wouldn't easily leave her mind, but she was extremely thankful she was able to get off the Vengeance when she did.

Bones, Kirk and Scotty stood off to the side of the gurney, discussing the events that had happened on the other ship.

"He's just petrified, that's all. He has a hard time understanding the concept of friendship and trust—and for good reason." Bones stated, moving closer to Carol.

"You weren't kidding. You really think he's still going to join us?"

"Kirk, I know this whole situation doesn't seem promising, but I wholeheartedly believe that Khan will join us. He just wants his crew. That's his family. Once he has his family, he'll be a lot easier to talk to."

"I sure hope your right."

Without warning, the Enterprise gave a jolt.

"What the hell was that?" Scotty asked Kirk.

Kirk's stomach churned with the very thought of what had just happened.

"The torpedoes."

I hope you enjoyed that! I'm actually pretty pleased with how this turned out. I was going to make the conversation between Spock and Khan longer but I didn't want it to drag on. It was a big pain editing this chapter. I still know there are mistakes so once again, I apologize for all the errors you may have found. The next installment is coming soon! Who did you think activated the torpedoes? If you know a little bit of Italian, I think you might be able to figure out who did it! If you manage to figure it out, don't spoil it for others though! So…try not to put it in a review. Speaking of reviews, please review! They make me feel good inside!

Also, 100+ followers, 70+ favorites, 30+ reviews and 20,000+ words! So crazy!