Chapter 6

"I find it extremely amusing that a medical professional takes to smoking," Khan said lazily as he strolled next to her through the quad.

The gardens were located just outside of the ground-floor foyer, and it was as far out of the compound as The 73 were allowed to go. Khan hadn't exposed any dissatisfaction at this fact, although Mara knew he had to be.

"It's not my fault you chose to come with me," Mara replied, taking a drag of her Marlboro. She glanced sideways at him, watching as he walked. The typical black clothes he wore were very fitting, hugging his chest and biceps. Although the sun was shining brightly, he didn't seem to mind the long sleeves. He actually seemed more comfortable in them. The psychoanalyst in her told her it had something to do with the regular blood-tests.

"So what is it you tell your patients who smoke?" he asked, glancing at the plentiful Rowen gardens. The openness of the quad was deceiving—it made the compound look free and spacious, when in reality, the entire place was surrounded by twelve-foot-high barbed and electrified fencing. Sometimes Mara wondered if they were trying to keep people out… or in.

"The same thing I tell all my patients—that it is bad for their health and they should quit as safely and quickly as possible. I just don't listen to myself when I talk. I make me very mad," she said with a smile, taking another drag. When he chuckled in return, Mara realized it was the first time she had heard him do so. And, like his smile, it was equal parts charm and danger. Like a genuinely amused Disney villain.

Khan walked like a soldier. He had never been taught or trained to do so, it was simply something he did by nature—spine straight and shoulders back, chin up. He held his hands behind his back, the top of one resting in the palm of the other. Even his steps were measured.

"So," she began anew, picking a magnolia even though she was certain she wasn't supposed to. She twirled it in her fingers, watching as the petals spun like the dresses of a coquette. "Khan," she continued, watching the flower. She could see him turn to her from the periphery of her vision, but did not face him. "That's a strange name. For London, anyway."

He smiled again, and she could tell there was a long string of thought occurring that eventually ended in amusement. "I am a genetically engineered super-human. Would you prefer I was called 'Bob'?"

Mara snorted so hard she began choking on her cigarette smoke.

"If you didn't smoke, that would not have happened," he pointed out with a toothy grin.

"Oh, shove it," she said as she suppressed the coughing fit. "I just meant that…"

"I know what you meant," he interrupted, his smile widening.

So you were just shitting with me? Why am I not surprised.

"The technicians working on this project were each assigned specific… specimens…"

As Khan found it difficult to choose a word to describe himself and the others, Mara found herself wondering if he had not been truthful when she initially asked him if he felt anger over what he was. If he silently harbored regret, guilt, or… anger.

"To work closely with," Khan continued. His face betrayed no emotion, and Mara couldn't find any explanation for his verbal stumble. "The man assigned to monitor me was from Kolkata, India. He was given the opportunity to designate a name for me. He did so."

"I would really like the chance to talk to him about that… ask him why," Mara said, taking another drag on her cigarette.

"As would I," Khan said distantly.

"Khan! Dr. McGivers!" a tech called from the edge of the gardens.

Mara turned, Khan doing the same, but in military fashion—pivoting on one heel, then standing on point.

"You're needed on E-Level," the tech called, a knowing grin on his features, "Both of you."

Khan inclined his head once in response, and headed inside. No "after you," no "ladies first." Mara wasn't surprised. As she was learning, Khan was completely unaware of social mores and standards. Either that, or he knew, and disregarded them wholeheartedly—which seemed more likely.

E-Level was new to Mara, and she was discovering why. The entire level was open—no rooms, no hallways. There were recesses on four selected areas on four opposite walls for bathrooms, but otherwise it looked like a nine-foot tall airplane hangar. There were mats spread all over the floors, and at random intervals there were punching bags, weights, and other paraphernalia. Khan seemed at home, keying in Mara that he had been here in his last week.

"Ah, Khan, welcome back," Director Pierce said from the center, walking toward them. He was absent of his usual white lab coat, and now just wore khakis and a button-down. The snake sheds one skin for another, Mara thought with amusement.

Mara jumped as she heard a pained yell. She turned just in time to see one of the 73 slammed to his back on the mat by another. They were wearing knuckle gloves and pants, nothing else. And it was clear they had been sparring in some form of martial arts. And someone had just lost.

The man who had been thrown down, instead of grumbling or complaining, accepted his opponent's skillful win and extended his hand to request help up. The two of them smiled and discussed their techniques as the victor pulled his competitor to his feet.

Although it had only been a week, never had Mara seen The 73 adhere to the social customs of flattery and joking displays of affection than with each other. It was almost as if… they didn't know what to do with humans. But with each other, they understood. It was odd.

"You're next," Pierce said, approaching Khan and clapping him on the back. Khan did not react or stumble. If anything, he looked mildly annoyed.

Khan stepped forward, obviously pleased to be able to exercise his abilities. He took a pair of gloves from one of The 73, and thanked them. Again, Mara had never heard him say thank you. Only to them.

Khan stepped onto the mat and pulled his shirt off. Mara's instinctual reaction was to take in a stunned, impressed breath. She had seen his body before, and knew it was perfect. But to see it in motion was almost art.

Khan adjusted his gloves, peering around at the others present. They all smiled, as if any of them would be glad to prove themselves in a fight against Khan.

"Not against them," Pierce said. Khan looked stricken, straightening. "I would like you to meet Jonathan. He is a lab technician. He is also a seventh degree black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsi and sixth-degree in Judo. I believe he'll hold his own."

Something akin to anxiety crossed Khan's features, and the smiles wiped from the others' faces. Mara knew it wasn't because Khan was worried he couldn't do it—of course he could. That meant he must have been worried about what was expected of him. How far was too far?

The man named Jonathan stepped forward. If The 73 had been modeled after anyone, it was him. He was an example of a near-perfect human body—six feet tall and all muscle. He was young, and combed his hair to the side like a Hollywood heartthrob. Mara could tell that upon first glance, Khan didn't like him. Something about that made her smile.

Jonathan received a pair of gloves from one of The 73, but it wasn't nearly as willing of a gift this time.

Stepping onto the mat, Jonathan smiled. "Wouldn't it be somethin'… if I managed to beat one of you?"

This struck a nerve. Khan knew he was better, and didn't like being toyed with as though he wasn't.

"Yes," he drawled in response, the words coming out like dry ice. "It would."

Author's note: I realize that, going with Abrams' configuration of Stardates, 1994 would not make Khan 300(+/-) years old in "Into Darkness." Given that "Into Darkness" takes place in 2259, it would make him only 265. HOWEVER, I decided to go with 1994, the original dates of the Eugenics wars from the original series, because in order to make him 300+, I would have had to place the Eugenics Wars in 1959 or before. Genetic experimentation is believable in the 90s. Not so much in the 50s. So either Abrams doesn't know how to do maths, or he was simply having Bones round up. You be the judge. Just know that I did, in fact, do my research :-)