Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek 2009 or anything else connected to the Star Trek franchise.
Warnings:
Slash Spock/Kirk
Mentions of rape
Swearing
AU fic
POSSESSED
Chapter 7 – Break
The horizon glowed with predawn light, slowly encroaching on the twinkling lights dominating the deep violet of the fading night. Not even a breath of air disturbed the sands of the never ending desert, the dunes cold and silent. Silhouettes in the night slowly began to gain detail, revealing wind-cracked rocks jutting into the sky in their attempt to pull away from the sands that anchored them.
Lieutenant Echles shivered in his coat, shifting closer to the little heater in the lonely little guard post partially buried in the desert dunes. His partner, Corporal Jack, tightened his scarf as he shifted closer to the north view, tired eyes sweeping over the still sands of the foreign planet.
"Give it an hour and we'll be boiling," Jack grumbled from behind his scarf, shuffling over to the heater to warm his hands. Command did try to provide a few comforts that at least helped them to survive the huge variation in temperatures between day and night, but an uncomfortable guard was an awake guard, so they didn't try too hard.
Echles chuckled, "Deserts everywhere, don't even know why we bother anymore."
They were nearing the end of their 3-hour guard shift, and by the time their relief came, they would have to trudge the 3 kilometers back to Earth Base with the sun beating down on their heads.
The Lieutenant shrugged further into his coat as his eyes scanned the vacant horizon, "Jack?" he called beckoning his companion over, his eyes fixed on one of the rock pillars, "Do you see that?"
"See what?" Jack questioned rubbing his hands together as he shifted over to look out at what Echles indicated, "It's a rock isn't it?"
"It moved," Echles replied, reaching for his rifle, "Something is moving out there."
"Where, I don't see it?" Jack asked, feeling the urgency of his senior officer as he reached for his own rifle.
"There," the officer pointed excitedly the dawn light illuminating a figure stumbling over the crest of a dune, "Alert the base."
"Yes sir," Jack said grabbing for the communicator, "Outpost 4 to Base, outpost 4 to base. We have a bogie repeat we have a bogie over."
The communicator crackled, a female voice coming through the speakers, "Base to Outpost 4, what's the bogies status over?"
"Bogie is currently 50 meters out, moving from the south," Jack answered, checking for his lieutenant's observations.
"It's moving closer," Echles growled, bringing his gun up, scope snapping into place, "It appears to be humanoid in shape, pace slow. Appears to be alone. No weapons visible. Low light makes it difficult to see any details beyond that."
The corporal repeated his senior officer, waiting a reply.
"Hold your positions a patrol is being sent your way," crackled the radio operator, "ETA 10 minutes over."
"Rodger that base, holding positions, over and out." Jack signed off keeping the communications open and ready before taking his position next to his companion.
"Whoever or what ever that is it's coming directly at us," Echles said rifle steady as he readied to fire.
"It doesn't look threatening," whispered Jack finally, getting his scope up training it on the figure as it stumbled into a rocky pillar, "It looks injured."
"An injured Vulcan is just as dangerous as a healthy one," Echles growled, adjusting his grip on the trigger.
"Why the hell would a Vulcan be stumbling around out there?" the Corporal growled back forgetting himself for a moment in the tense atmosphere.
"Um sir," he added on at Echles dark look.
"How would I know Corporal, I don't know how the pointy-eared bastards think," the Lieutenant growled back, the easy comradely they shared melting away as the relaxed guard posting became an unknown security threat.
"Sir, Bogie's definitely spotted us," Jack hissed as the figure veered towards them, its hooded face seemingly focused on their little camouflage guard post.
"Hold your position, Corporal," Echles ordered, adding, "Bogie is 30 meters out."
"Sir, I don't think its hostile," He said, heart freezing for a moment as the figure dropped out of site, seeming to fall down a dune. It appeared again struggling to gain its feet as it came over the next crest.
"Don't assume anything," the Lieutenant said in warning, "Bogie 20 meters out."
"What the devil is it doing?!" Echles exclaimed as the figures hands moved up and down before they came together in the middle and repeated.
"I think it's signaling sir," Jack pointed out hand slowly relaxing on the trigger.
"I can see that," the Lieutenant growled back, "But why the hell is it doing that?!"
The repeated pattern became shaky after the fourth repeat a stumble caused it to break as the figure fell to its knees struggling to get up, "Sir I think he's one of ours," Jack whispered recognizing the certified signal of peace and friendly, finally seeing the bogie as something human.
"Hold your position," Echles ordered realizing what his Corporal was thinking but he wasn't quick enough to stop him as he dashed out of the post, the figure in the distance collapsing into the sand.
"He needs our help," Jack shouted as he ran over the dunes, Echles cursing at his heels.
They stopped just meters shy of the figure slumped in the sands, hands straying to their hand phasers as instincts of long campaigns and desert skirmishes kicked in.
Echles motioned for Jack to move forward, phaser coming up to cover him.
The soldier kneeled down beside the body carefully turning him over. The face revealed was quiet young, sand sticking to one cheek where he had fallen. Jack released a relieved breath when human eyebrows and rounded ears became evident as the hood fell back.
"He's definitely human sir," Jack reported checking for a pulse, "And alive."
"ID?" Echles asked.
"No sir, no tags. Just a weird necklace. Could have an id chip," Jack said checking the back of the man's neck, finding a slight lump where he too had one; a micro-chip slid under the skin to replace the 20th century dog tags.
"Check him for weapons," Echles ordered eyes scanning the desert sands alert to any possible threat.
The Corporal ran his hands over the man finding tears all over the heavy robe, edges stained a reddish brown, "He's injured sir," he reported pulling the largest rip apart to relieve bandages underneath.
"Weapons, Corporal," Echles prompted, making it priority, eyes staying focused on their surrounds.
Searching further Jack found a lump at the small of his back, "One phaser Sir, charge low," he said pulling the robe aside to find the weapon tucked into the man's pants. He moved to inspect the bag awkwardly stuck half under the man, the strap secured over his shoulder making it difficult to pull out.
A groan had him stumbling back startled as the figure began to move, blue eyes blinking open.
"Who are you?" Echles demanded glaring at the man, phaser held ready.
Clouded blue eyes blinked as they rolled trying to focus on the owner of the voice, "James," rasped the man, swallowing in an attempt to wet his dry tongue, "James," he tried again, "Captain James Kirk."
Jack gasped, eyes flickering to his superior officer then back to the figure lying in the sand as blue eyes became unfocused.
Captain James Kirk had been presumed dead after Vulcans attacked the shuttle supposed to be returning him to Earth base after a prisoner exchange. That was three days ago and the Earth council was still coming up with a way to retaliate against the Vulcan's after a blatant display of disrespect and hostility towards an agreed treaty.
Now he lay in front of them severely dehydrated and injured, but alive.
"Contact base immediately," ordered Echles stuffing his phaser back into its holster, "We need a medic and ambulance out here now."
Jack scrambled to his feet sparing a glance at the man as his Lieutenant struggled to lift him.
"Now, Corporal," Echles growled, straining under Jim's dead weight.
Jack didn't look back as he ran back towards their little guard post. Clouds of sand rose in to the air behind it, the Earth Patrol had arrived.
POSSESSED
Jim lurched up eyes snapping open as he scrambled to gain his feet. He needed to keep going he had to get to Earth Base he had to stop this war. He struggled against the desert trying to pull him down, the heat, like hands pushing at his heavy limbs.
"Jim," A familiar voice cut through his panic, "Calm down man your safe, you're at Base. You're safe."
"Bones?" Jim rasped, blinking as the reality of the soft bed beneath him and the med bay around him came into focus, "Bones!" he coughed grabbing at his best friend, who's warm hands held him steady. The man's concerned face hovered in front of him, brown eyes checking him for any further injury.
"Now I'm gonna get you to lay down, you need to stay in bed," Bones voice was gruff and soothing as he pushed him back on to the bed carefully adjusting the drip in Jim's hand, "I'll get you a glass of water."
Jim blinked up at the white ceiling, trying to process being back at Earth Base. The ache in his muscles proving it wasn't all a dream. He coughed, his throat feeling like someone had attacked it with sandpaper.
The last thing he remembered was the cliff. No, the pillars of rock near Outpost 2 no 4. Outpost 4. He vaguely remembered signally the guards he could just see nestled amongst the dunes. But mostly he could remember the heat and the thirst. The cold biting into his flesh when the stars came out. Once he'd gotten away from the Romulans, he'd worked out the direction of Earth base and attempted to walk there with the few supplies he'd scrounged from the shuttle. He'd run out of water by the second night and he'd been sure he was totally screwed. Jim blinked at the ceiling thinking, guess he'd made it after all.
Cool liquid at his lips drew him back to the present as Bones adjusted the bed so he could sit up, "Just sip it slowly. Don't want ya to choke after your ass just got saved."
Jim spared him a scathing look as he curled his bandaged hand around the cup the doctor held out. He was careful to only take small sips, almost coughing up the first as the cool liquid hit his dry throat. Bones tried to take it off him then, but he held on taking another small sip, smiling in relief as it soothed the burning tissue.
"More?" Jim managed, his throat feeling a lot better as he held out the empty cup.
"A bit later," Bones said taking it off him, placing it on the small bedside table.
"But I'm thirsty," Jim couldn't help but whine, feeling safe finally being home with his family. Even if it was just Bones for the moment.
"Later," Bones growled, snatching up his tricorder and scanner from the bedside table. He ran the scanner over him checking the readings as he went.
"How long have I been out?" Jim asked coughing slightly as he got used to speaking with saliva, "What happened to the others? Colonel Bognart?"
"5 hours since they brought you in," McCoy said not looking up from his tricorder.
"The shuttle?" Jim prompted as the doctor put aside the tricorder and started to fiddle with the bio bed settings.
"Not recovered," Bones finally answered placing a hand of comfort on his shoulder, as he watched Jim's expression.
"No one, no one got out of the shuttle? But…" Jim tried to question. He knew the Vulcan Askital had gotten there in time. He had heard the fighting; He had seen their hover ship before he'd been forced to run. There were definitely people alive in the shuttle when the Romulan attacked him, people that the Askital would have saved. More than likely, he thought, taken back to ShiKah.
"The Vulcan's destroyed everything, both pieces of the shuttle were burnt to a crisp. No bodies could be found," Bones explained squeezing him shoulder, "It could mean they were taken as prisoners but we can't be sure. The reports say it was a pretty big mess."
"Not the Vulcans," Jim jerked up groping at his chest and panicked when he couldn't feel the data chip around his neck, "My necklace, where's my necklace?"
"What the hell do you mean it wasn't the Vulcans?!" McCoy demanded, both hands now on his shoulders, trying to get his panicked friends attention, "Jim," he shook him forcing him to focus, "Jim, what do you mean it wasn't the Vulcans?"
Jim, eyes wide with panic, searched his friends face hands still clutching at his chest hoping the necklace would miraculously appear under his hospital gown, "It wasn't the Vulcans who attacked us," Jim blurted, "It was Romulans; they were the ones to shoot us down."
"I swear it's true!" Jim grabbed at McCoy's arms, hands digging into his tensing muscles, his friends face showing only incredulous disbelief.
"What the devil would Romulans be doing on Vulcan, and how the hell would we not know about it?!" McCoy growled, pulling out of Jim's grasp.
"It's… my necklace, I need my necklace. That will explain everything. But we, I didn't know before, not until they attacked the shuttle. We didn't know who was doing it. Now I do. It was the Romulans. They were the ones too…" Jim rambled grabbing at Bones' arm, stopping him from moving away.
"You're not making any sense," McCoy cut him off, voice settling wary of his friends mental state, "Who's this we?"
"I…," Jim started as be realized telling Bones now would not convince him he was telling the truth. Not after he just spent the better part of the last two days in the desert and could still be delirious from dehydration, "My necklace, I just need it," Jim tried, releasing his friend as he slumped against the pillows trying to appear exhausted. He didn't exactly have to try very hard to pull it off as McCoy's expression softened slightly.
"Fine, it's here," the Doctor said reaching in to the draw of the bedside table, "But you gotta explain to me what you meant by all that babble."
"Later," Jim tried a tired smile as he took the chain Bones held out for him and slipped it back his head after checking to make sure it was still intact "It will make sense when I explain it properly."
"Good, cause I don't want to have to add anymore crazy to your psych eval," McCoy smirked, leaning his hip against the side of the bed and crossing his arms across his chest.
"I didn't think you could," Jim grinned, settling back against the pillows feeling a lot calmer now that he knew the data chip was safe and undamaged.
"So what's with the necklace? I've never seen you wear anything around your neck, let a lone anything with so much bling," The doctor asked, casually prying for information once he knew his friend wasn't going to freak out on him again.
"It's just important, It's.." a yawn cut him off as he slumped further into the pillow, his eyes dropping, "It will explain a lot."
"Ok fine, we'll talk about this later," McCoy grumbled pulling the covers up to Jim's shoulders, "Go to sleep kid. You can tell me more about everything once you're properly rested and hydrated."
"Kay," Jim mumbled, snuggling into the blankets as Bones lowered the bed flat, happy not to fight his exhaustion. Especially when it got him out of explaining to Bones about Spock.
He drifted off, the doctor checking Jim's drip one more time before he grabbed his tricorder and left nodding to the nurse on the ward as he passed.
POSSESSED
Hours later Jim had woken, enjoyed a refreshing shower and eaten a small feast. He was recovering quickly from his trek across the desert, his side healing nicely and his strength returning. Bones said he was lucky not to have suffered from heat stroke, only exhaustion and dehydration. The robe he'd been wearing was specially designed for life in the desert and along with the provisions he'd collected from the shuttle, it was one of the main reasons he was still alive.
Jim sighed knowing he had Spock to thank for that since it was he that had insisted he wear it for the exchange. But he couldn't think about him when he had to think about what he was going to tell Bones when he asked him about the Romulans. If he couldn't convince his best friend, then he didn't know how he was going to convince the General or the Earth council.
"Stop picking at the blanket," Bones growled at him dropping a jug of water on the tray in front of him. It had an interesting blue ting, which Jim knew to be an infusion of electrolytes, perfect according to Bones, to help cure dehydration.
Jim quickly tucked away the frayed edge of the blankets, "I'm not picking."
"Sure your not," The doctor grumbled shoving a glass of water into his hand, "Drink up, then we'll talk."
"I've had like 30 cups of water in the last hour," Jim groaned shoving the glass back.
"And how much have you pee'd?" Bones glared down at him and shoved it back, "You need to replace all your fluids, the drip helped but its not enough. So drink."
Jim huffed sipping at the water, cheeks flushed, "So where's everyone else?" he asked between sips, decidedly changing the topic from his drinking needs.
"They were reassigned," McCoy sighed pouring Jim another glass of water.
"Where?" Jim took it from him, eager to hear more news about his old platoon.
"General's assigned them to Captain Decker's platoon," McCoy said taking the seat beside the bed, "They're out on patrol, other wise they'd be pestering me to visit. I doubt they even know your back yet."
"Why aren't you out there?" Jim asked putting the half full glass of water on his little tray, "Why aren't you looking after them?"
"I'm a doctor Jim, not a babysitter. They're all adults, they can take care of themselves," McCoy replied smirk pulling at his lips. He slid his leg over his knee, leaning back in the chair to get more comfortable.
"So what have you been doing then?" Jim was curious, his friend seemingly having given up fieldwork.
"I run the ward," Bones sighed rubbing at his forehead, "Which is a hell of a lot easier then running around after a helpless child like you."
"Hey, I'm not that bad," he pouted pushing the tray over his bed away so he could lean forward.
"You really want me to answer that?" The doctor grinned his eyebrow rising.
"You loved it," Jim grinned back eyes twinkling, "I missed you, you know."
"I missed you too, kid," McCoy admitted having to look away emotion clouding his voice. The doctor finally looked back up, eyes taking in the young face, "We didn't stop trying to get you back."
"I know," Jim's voice was soft as he swallowed, finding his next words, "I was allowed access to news feeds; I saw the reports when you tried to breach ShiKah's defenses. I.. it's too bad you didn't make it," He tips twitched trying to lighten the mood.
"Those damn Hobgoblins are tricky bastards," Bones smiled back patting his knee over the blanket, "Sulu and Chekov, the idiots, volunteered to go on the exchange. I wanted to go to give that smug pointy-eared bastard the nastiest concoction I could come up with, but the Generals wouldn't let any of us go. Said it had to be handled by someone of higher rank," he grumbled slumping back into the chair. He didn't need to add the fact the Generals just didn't want anyone with emotional attachments if the whole exchange went to shit.
"I'm a little glad you didn't," Jim confessed blue eyes darting down to the frayed blanket edge that had found its way back into his hands. "Go I mean."
"Mmmm," McCoy agreed nodding, not really wanting to say anything more on the topic, "So you gonna explain that necklace and the Romulan thing."
Jim's head snapped up, his eyes darting around the room. A nurse stood checking charts four beds down. Five other beds held patients all in various states of consciousness. The man two beds down with a nasty dislocated shoulder and broken ankle looked over at the doctor's question curious as to why anyone would mention the elusive Romulans.
"Think we could take this discussion somewhere more private," Jim kept his voice low, hand automatically going to his chest, the necklace hard against his palm.
The Doctor eyes searched his face, presumably finding what he was after when he stood, "Wait here a minute," he said darting down the ward stopping briefly to say something to the nurse before disappearing out the door.
Two minutes later he had returned holding out white med bay issue dressing gown and slippers, "Put these on and try not to hurt yourself getting out of bed. We can go to my office."
"Sure thing Bones," Jim grinned, flinging back the blankets to accept the gown. The drip had been removed an hour ago so he was unhindered when he stepped into the slippers.
It didn't take them long to reach McCoy's office as they made their way through familiar corridors, Jim eager to stretch his legs.
"So you gonna tell me what you were ranting about when you woke up?" Bones prompted as he dropped into his chair, motioning for Jim to take the one in front of his desk.
Jim sighed, preparing himself for what he knew would be a hard explanation, "Probably should be reporting this to the Generals," he said rubbing a hand over his face feeling stubble scratching at his fingers. He hadn't had access to a shaver when he'd taken his shower.
"Yeah well Pike wants to debrief you, but I told him to back off until I deemed you fit," McCoy growled, slamming drawers and cupboard doors as he grabbed his bottle of whiskey and a glass.
"Thanks Bones, you're a gem," Jim grinned pointing at the empty glass, "No glass for me."
"No," The doctor didn't bat an eye as he poured himself a glass of the amber liquid, "You get water."
Blue eyes slid over to the pitcher of water on the side table Bones jabbed at, "No thanks, and aren't you on duty anyway."
"Chapel's in charge for the rest of shift," McCoy replied taking a sip, "And I figure I need this cause I know whatever your going to tell me can't be good."
"Probably," Jim nodded hand playing with the chain around his neck.
Bones placed his glass on the table eyes focused and waiting.
Jim took a breath forcing his hand away from his fiddling, "It wasn't Vulcans who attacked the shuttle. It was a group, platoon, whatever they call it of Romulans. They shot down the shuttle, and if what you say is right, killed the soldiers that survived the crash. I was in the other half of the shuttle that blew up when the engine over-loaded. I was able to get out and get to the other half of the shuttle where a Romulan attacked me. He told me what he was."
"Jim," McCoy spoke as he trailed off attempting to keep his voice even, "What did this Romulan look like?"
"He looked," Jim became frustrated running his hand through his hair as he tried to find an explanation, "He looked like a Vulcan, ok. They all did. But they weren't Vulcan. I know they weren't."
"There were Vulcans found at the crash site; four dead, all in Vulcan military garb," The doctor told him hand going to his whiskey glass.
"What did their uniform look like?" Jim asked trying to spell out to Bones what he knew to be true, "The Romulans were wearing old Vulcan military uniforms. Not the ones they wear now. I've seen them Bones. I've been in a Vulcan Military base for 3 and a half months, I know their uniforms."
"So you expect me to believe that Romulans look exactly like Vulcans?" McCoy took a gulp of his whiskey, putting the glass down a little too hard.
"How hard is it to believe; we have never seen a Romulan, and I know you've heard Uhura say their language is pretty similar to Vulcan," Jim pointed out ,leaning forwards as he tried to push his point forward.
"Fine, ok," Bones said laying a hand on his desk as he too leaned forwards, "Say I believe you. Then what is a bunch of Romulans doing attacking an Earth Base shuttle? Hell what are they even doing on Vulcan and how did they get here undetected by both Base and the Hobgoblins?"
Jim took a breath twisting his hand into the pocket of his robe, " I don't know how they are here undetected," He said making sure to match Bones eyes, "But I know why they are here, and why they're attacking Earth shuttles. They've done this before."
The Doctor frowned, whiskey forgotten as he looked over his friend checking for any sign of delirium, "And when would that be?" he asked finally.
Jim pulled his hand out of his robe and placed both hands on the armrests. He told Bones about the sacrifice and what Spock had found about the attacks that weren't recorded. He told him the correlating Earth documents and what he had discovered about the attack patterns. He informed him how the Vulcan council had written up a ceasefire and that he was going to present it to the Generals.
"It's all on this," Jim finished reaching into his hospital gown and pulling out the necklace placing it on the desk between them, "All the documents and the treaty."
"So the we you were talking about was Commander Spock and he was the one to collect most of this data," McCoy said pointing at the necklace.
Jim nodded.
"The Vulcan Commander that ambushed and captured us."
Jim nodded again.
"How the hell do you think you can trust him, Jim?" Bones exploded from his chair, "What the hell are you thinking man. He was the one to…" He clenched his teeth together unable to finish the sentence.
"Rape me," Jim said trying to keep his voice even.
"He violated you! He…" Bones tried again.
"Don't you think I know that!" Jim growled, gripping the armrests, knuckles turning white anger surging suddenly, "I was the one he tied down and fucked," Jim yelled standing, the chair crashing to the floor, hot tears slipping down his cheeks, "I was the one that bastard violated and humiliated."
"Jim," Bones spoke voice gravelly as he saw the pain his friend was in, "Jim I..."
"Don't," He growled, wiping angrily at his cheeks. He didn't understand it, he thought he was over this shit. He'd let Spock fuck him more then once and he'd enjoyed it. Hell, he'd even admit to liking the bloody Vulcan. But he wasn't; he hadn't cried, not since that night. Not once, and now three months later, he was bawling like a baby.
He chuckled darkly, covering his sobs his hands shaking as he righted the chair trying not to look as the Doctor's face melted into sympathy, "I wanted to kill him you know, I wanted to strangle him. Make him feel as helpless as I did."
Jim sat eyes landing on his hands trembling in his lap, "But I couldn't. I had so many chances, but I couldn't do it. Then I got to know him, I…"
Bones didn't speak as he squatted in front of him, just placed the glass of whiskey in his hands. He took it drowning the whole thing in one go feeling the liquid burn its way down his throat. He coughed handing the glass back asking for another.
The Doctor ignoring his request placed the glass out of the way, forcing Jim to look at him as his hands came to rest on his shoulders, "Jim, look at me, you couldn't kill him because you are a good man. There is no shame in that. What he did to you was inexcusable."
"But it is excusable," Jim cut him off eyes dropping back to his lap, "He did it to end this war. He did it because he needed me. Hell, he's not even a bad person. He didn't have a choice either."
McCoy shook him gently getting him to meet his eye, "No Jim, it was his choice. It's all on him. No excuses."
Jim eyes dropped again before looking back up, "I can't dwell on it or let it cloud my judgment. I don't trust him, I can't. But I know him Bones, I lived with him for the last 3 and a half months. I met his parents. He took care of me. He…"
"It sounds like he's trying to court ya," McCoy tried a small smile. Jim lips twitched up in return, thankful his friend was starting to understand.
"He wants to end this war as much as I do. I've checked those documents. I know they're legitimate and if I can convince the Generals, then maybe this war can end," Jim continued, "And that's a chance I can't let go. It doesn't matter who gave it to me."
"He didn't do anything to mess with your head?" Bones asked coming to his feet hands dropping from Jim's shoulders.
Jim blinked at him eyes rimmed red as he tried to understand what Bones was asking, "No."
"So he didn't go into you head at any point while you were a prisoner, or any other Vulcan?" McCoy prompted arms crossing over his chest as he leaned back against the desk.
"Once," Jim finally answered fingers digging into his legs, "When he. Why do you even have to know? He just made my muscles… he didn't touch my memories."
Bones sighed dropping his arms, "I need to know because it's the first thing the Generals will ask when you give them this information. And how would you even notice if he did get into your memories. As a human, we don't have any defense against their mind tricks."
"He just didn't okay," Jim growled, forcing his hands to relax glaring up at the Doctor, "My mind's the only thing he didn't fuck with."
Bones frowned knowing the psychological trauma of rape would far surpass the physical, "Ok, what about the Earth documents you said he had. Where did they come from?"
"From the attack, eight months ago now; the one on Base. He managed to hack into the computer systems and get the files he needed before they retreated," Jim explained calming as they moved to more secure ground.
"He organized the attack?" McCoy asked eyebrows rising as he returned to his side of the desk pouring another glass of whiskey.
"Yeah, he said as much," Jim nodded, eyes fixed on the edge of the desk.
"You do realize that in that attack 53 human soldiers were killed right? And he was the one to cause it?" The doctor's voice was low as he sipped at his drink.
"I know, but," Jim spoke hands twisting back into his dressing gown, "if it means the end of the war then you have to admit 53 isn't such a bad number."
"Good god man! He has fucked with your head," Bones growled slamming the glass onto the desk, "The Jim Kirk I know would never.."
"Bones, stop," Jim cut him off trying to explain, "He didn't, I'm not... Fuck… It's not justifiable. I know that, okay? But this war needs to end before any more people die. We can't handle another 40 years of this shit. None of us can, not even the Vulcans. If we keep going like we are now, nothing is ever going to end; we are just going to keep killing each other."
He grabbed the necklace off the desk, waving it in the air, "These documents could mean the end of this war. They could mean putting a stop to the bastards that keep forcing it to escalate. We need to at least try."
"Ok, ok," McCoy replied placing his hand over Jim's as he lowered it back down to the desk trying to hide his skepticism, "I believe you. I'll talk to Pike and get you an audience with the Generals. They'll want to debrief you anyway."
"Thanks Bones," Jim sighed relaxing back into his chair eyes sliding shut for a moment before he opened them focusing on his best friend, "Can I have another," he forced a smile indicating the bottle of whiskey still sitting on the desk.
"Just one," the doctor growled pulling another glass out of his draw and filling them both.
POSSESSED
"So you're telling me after surviving the crash you attempted to assist your fellow soldiers and defended yourself against an armed gun man, before you, in an effort to get away from your attacker jumped off a cliff," Pike stated, expression disbelieving as he leaned over the lectern bench hands clasp in front of him.
Two other Generals sat beside him, Archer and Barnett, sharing the same look of skepticism as Jim attempted to describe to them what had happened after the Prisoner exchange.
He resisted the urge to pull at the collar of his uniform; instead folding his hands together behind his back in parade rest fraying the bandage around is right hand. Bones had kept all his things after his capture since he had no one else to send it to, including his really uncomfortable dress uniform, "Yes sir, that's what happened."
"And how did you survive this, what you would describe as a .." Pike prompted for clarification.
"40 meter drop, sir," Jim filled in.
"40 meter drop?" The admiral finished his question, waiting for a believable answer.
"I was fortunate enough, sir, to land on a Sha'vokh, which as you know is a bird similar to the North American Condor. It was able to hold my weight long enough for it to lower me closer to the ground, so I would reduce the risk of severe injury," Jim tried to explain know it sounded completely ridiculous. He remembered back to the flash of white knowing by instinct it was one of the large birds that inhabited the Vulcan forge. He'd taken the leap just as the huge animal flew under the edge of the cliff.
"And this bird let you ride it to safely land on the ground?" Barnett questioned eyebrows rising as he tried to decide if Kirk was sane.
"I wouldn't exactly say that, sir," Jim grimaced, remembering the giant bird and its sharp talons, "It attempted to throw me off multiple times before it eventually succeeded, but because of my weight this happened only about 5 meters off the ground. It then proceeded to have ago at me before it was scared away by an explosion, which I now assume was the front half of the shuttle igniting."
The Admirals regarded him sternly weighting the probability of him actually telling the truth.
"I have the injuries from the bird to prove it," he added hand going to the clasp of his uniform jacket.
"That won't be necessary son," Pike stopped him before he could start stripping in front of them and turned to McCoy who stood in the corner next to the Corporal taking notes, "Can you verify his injuries Doctor."
"He does have lacerations and small size puncture wounds consistent with what you would presume to see on someone attacked by a large bird. The robe he was wearing however seem to protect him from the worst of the damage," McCoy answered evenly as he stepped forwards to stand beside Jim. He too was wearing full uniform.
"Okay Captain," Pike nodded deciding to believe him for the moment as he looked down at his own notes he had written, "After surviving the cliff you then proceeded across the desert, with the rations you had acquired from the shuttle, towards Earth base when you were spotted by Outpost 4's Lieutenant Todd Echles and Corporal Ignatius Jack, correct?"
"That's correct," Jim nodded deciding it was unnecessary to add in the part when he had been hunted by a pack of Le'matya. He'd lost the knife Spock had given him to hide in his boot and almost ran out of phaser packs when he was forced to defend himself against the creatures. The robe once again saving his life to protect against the poisonous claws of one that had gotten too close.
"Do you recall what happened after you where picked up by the assigned patrol?" the General asked to finalize the report.
"No sir," Jim shook his head hands once again behind his back, not picking at his bandage, "The first memory I have after Outpost 4 was waking up in Medical, with Doctor McCoy here stopping me from getting up."
"Very well Captain, the report will be filed," Pike said nodding at the Corporal in the corner who took his pad and disappeared out the door of the formal briefing room.
Once the door shut behind the man, the General cleared his throat eyes measuring the Captain that stood before them, "Now Doctor McCoy informs us you have something of importance to tell us."
"Yes, sir," Jim nodded pulling out the necklace out of his pocket as he walked forward and placed it on the desk in front of them, "In this necklace is a data chip with information regarding the beginning of the war and the attacks Vulcans presumably made on Earth ships and settlements during peace talks."
Jim pointed to the necklace, "The data on that chip proves that a third party has been staging these attacks to encourage Earth forces to break peace talks and cause the war to escalate. This third party is the reason this war has been going on for 40 years."
"If that is true then how do you explain the attack on your shuttle and the Vulcans blatant disregard for not only the lives of Human soldiers, but also for an agreed treaty between our two councils?" Archer questioned, eyes hard as he leaned forward to inspect the necklace briefly.
"Up until this point, the data collected didn't reveal who this third party was, but now I know," Jim continued stepping away from the bench, back to where Bones stood, "It wasn't the Vulcans who attacked the shuttle sir, it was a group of Romulans. The person who attacked me when I went to aid Colonel Bognart and the others, confessed to being a Romulan when he had me pinned."
"You're sure of this?" Barnett asked, leaning on the desk, his eyes hard as he processed what Jim was telling them.
"Yes. They're actions, along with their out of date uniforms, are not enough for them to pass as Vulcans when your familiar with the Vulcan Military," Jim added, hands finding their way behind his back once more to tug at the bandages around his hand, "Which is a likely reason why these Romulans attacked civilian settlements and shuttles rather then military posts."
"The only intact bodies found at the crash site were identified as Vulcans," Pike told him eyes unsure.
"I know sir, but they aren't Vulcans. No one has ever seen a Romulan until now. They look almost identical to Vulcans. Even I thought they were Vulcans to begin with," Jim tired to plead his case needing the Generals to believe him, "But whoever they are, they are not part of the Vulcan Military or under orders from the Vulcan council."
"Captain," Pike sighed running a hand over his face, "What your telling us is difficult to believe. If it is true, then this third party, these Romulans, have been dictating this entire war without being detected by either side."
"If you read the documents like I have you'll be convinced. The Vulcan council was and that's why they want to sign a ceasefire," Jim urged them realizing his mistake too late.
"How would you know if the Vulcan council wants to sign a ceasefire?" Barnett asked, eyes darkening as he rose slightly in his seat, distrust forming in his face.
"I...," Jim stopped taking a breath thinking his way past his slip, "The prisoner exchange was to cover the true purpose of my return to Earth base from the Romulans. It however didn't work and the shuttle was attacked," He spoke evenly, deciding to lay it all out as he intended, the Generals staying silent as they listened faces neutral, "My purpose was to present to you this information that has been collected and ask the Earth Council to consider the Vulcans offer of a ceasefire so action can be taken towards finding out who the third party is and why they want this war to continue. Ultimately putting a stop to their attacks," Jim took a breath taking the Generals in front of him, looking each one in the eye, "If this ceasefire is successful, then it could mean we are one step closer to ending this war."
The room fell silent as Jim finished his speech. The Generals gave little away, Jim doing his best to stare them down as McCoy shifted restlessly beside him.
Finally Archer spoke, his words searching for answers, "You said you had to convince the Vulcan council with this information before they offered a ceasefire," Jim nodded to confirm, eyes not wavering from the General, "Then can you tell me Captain where this information came from, you being, as far as we are aware, a prisoner of war for the last 3 and a half months?"
Jim took another deep breath as he squared his shoulders, "The information was presented to me by Spock, a Commander in the Vulcan military and my captor. He had orchestrated my platoons capture to give me this information and asked if I would present it to my superiors with the Vulcan council's permission. So in truth, he was the one to convince his Council to offer a ceasefire."
"So you're just the messenger," Barnett cut in, hands hitting the bench a little hard as he allowed accusation to seep into his voice.
He sighed his eyes flickering down for a moment before he forced them back up, "Essentially yes, I am. But I would not be doing this if I didn't think it was the right thing to do."
"You are convinced that what ever the documents are in this data chip are the truth and not a fabrication of the Vulcans to attempt to coax a ceasefire agreement because they are realizing the war is becoming too costly for them?" Pike spoke, his regard for Jim and his concern for him evident in his voice.
"I'm fully convinced yes. There are also documents from Earth servers to compare to Vulcan reports," Jim pushed as much conviction in his voice as he spoke doing his best to brush over the whole fact Spock hacked secure servers.
"And how were these Earth documents acquired?" asked Pike not missing a beat, "I assume you weren't the one to allow a Vulcan access to them."
Jim couldn't help it as he ran a hand through his hair, this really wasn't going to plan and Bones shifting anxiously next to him wasn't helping matters, "I wasn't the one to give it to him, no. Commander Spock took the opportunity to download them from our servers during the unsuccessful attack on Earth Base 8 months ago," He explained it as best he could without mentioning the fact Spock had been the one to organize the attack.
"I see," Pike eyes narrowed slightly at his admission, "And you trust this Vulcan to be telling the truth?" His target changed too quickly for Jim to answer, "Has he been checked for evidence of mind alteration or tampering Doctor?"
Bones jumped at being suddenly addressed hiding it quickly as he found his voice, "I have questioned him and his brain scan shows no signs of unusual activity."
Jim tried to hide his surprise, when the hell had Bones had time to do a brain scan, he thought.
"So you are in your right mind," Pike said turning back to him before any of the other Generals had a chance to speak.
"I am General, and I have to point out that I don't trust Commander Spock, but I do trust the documentation and the evidence they provide," Jim decided to make one last stand knowing that if this dragged out much longer they would get no where.
"You seemed to be convinced Captain that what you have said is true," Archer put in, deciding he didn't like being left out.
"I am, and when you read the documents, I am sure you will be too," he finished, falling silent as he waited for the Generals verdict.
Pike picked up the necklace all eyes trained on him, "Alright Captain Kirk, we will review these documents and give you our decision as to whether it will be presented to the Council," Barnett tapped the desk 3 times, signaling something. Pike sighed placing the necklace back down, "And you will be confined to quarters until we can determine if your loyalties have been compromised or not."
"Sir," McCoy spoke up, but the words he was about to speak were never heard, the doors slamming open.
"General," shouted a gasping Lieutenant as he leaned against the open door obviously having run a long distance to get there, the marking on his uniform telling them he was from guard post 9.
"This is a closed session Lieutenant," Pike rose annoyed at the interruption.
"I'm sorry sir, but it was urgent," the Lieutenant said regaining his breath as he straightened up to perform a proper salute.
"Then spit it out," Archer demanded rising from his chair, Barnett doing the same.
"It's a Vulcan sir, a Vulcan's been captured just beyond the main force field," the Lieutenant reported excitedly his chest heaving, "And he's demanding to see you Sirs, says he has information that could end the war."
Jim's eyes widened knowing only one Vulcan that might be stupid enough to enter Earth territory and risk imprisonment.
POSSESSED
AN: Thanks for reading. Now Please please please REVIEW.
And a BIG Thank You to HyenaGreyScale for being the best Beta ever :D