Disclaimer: Star Trek is not mine. TOS belongs to Roddenberry, NuTrek belongs to Abrams.

A/N: Now we get to see Khan's true colors. Hold on to your hats, people!

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Chapter 15: Secret Plans

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At lunchtime, Kirk called Cochrane down to speak with him in the Captain's Quarters. Of course he did so because Spock was on the bridge and he wanted some alone time with Cochrane without the Vulcan listening in.

"You wished to see me, Jim?" Cochrane asked, hoping that the captain hadn't noticed that he'd hacked into Kirk's computer. Of course Cochrane had covered his tracks well, but then Kirk was a computer genius.

But Kirk only smirked at Cochrane. "I wanted to make out."

"I think Commander Spock knows about us," Cochrane said in a rush. Not true - he wasn't certain, but if he had to guess, the Vulcan had figured it out. All he had to do was watched Kirk's reaction to confirm or deny this.

Kirk's face fell. "Yeah. He knows."

"Does that mean we cannot continue our liason?" Cochrane pretended to worry.

"I told him to shove it," said Kirk. "He doesn't control my personal life."

"I'm so glad," Cochrane purred as he advanced towards Kirk and pulled him into a long kiss. This time, Cochrane took control. He was, of course, furious that Kirk had kept his true identity from him and from his crew members, even if Kirk had good intentions. Cochrane was surprised and pleased that he was able to get off on this anger. He didn't last long – and neither did Kirk.

"Sorry, man," Kirk gasped. "It's been awhile since I-"

"I understand," Cochrane said softly. "I'd better change." He grabbed a fresh pair of underwear and disappeared into the bathroom.

As he discarded his soiled undergarment in the recycler, Cochrane thought once more about how to exact revenge on Captain Kirk. The sexual power he had over Kirk was certainly interesting, but it wasn't enough. No, if Cochrane were to truly get the upper hand and free his own crew, he'd have to take the two things Kirk could not live without – the Enterprise and Commander Spock.

"Are you decent?" Cochrane called. He really was enjoying playing the part of the innocent – he knew he was quite a talented actor.

"Yeah. Come on out," Kirk replied.

Cochrane did. "Well, I'd better go."

Kirk looked disappointed. "Are you sure you don't want to cuddle or anything? I don't want you to think I just used you simply for gratification."

"Another time, perhaps," Cochrane demurred, secretly thrilled that the captain hadn't suspected his little change in 'perspective'. "I'm afraid I have to be going." He nodded at Kirk, and then walked out of the room, his head held high.

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Five minutes later

Cochrane accessed the ship's computer from a private room in the gym. He had sent out a message to all of the members of the Botany Bay crew, telling them to meet him in Conference Room B at 1900 hours, which he had already reserved. He was counting on Alice backing him up, but if she didn't, he would just use her as an example to strike fear into the hearts of his people. It was time that they learned who they truly were. It was time that they learned of their past lives, as genetically perfect Superhumans. It was time that they came together and lived up to their potential. Cochrane was just the man to make that happen.

.~.

At 1905 hours, all of the rescued crew of the S.S. Botany Bay was present in Conference Room B. Alice sat at Cochrane's right. The pretty blonde looked mildly concerned, as did the rest of the people. The message had simply said that it was 'urgent' and gave the meeting time and place.

"Cochrane, what's all this about?" Alice asked, breaking the deafening silence and voicing the question that was on everyone's mind.

"We have been deceived," Cochrane said calmly. "Captain Kirk lied to us. He told us that he didn't know who we were in our past lives. Now I know the truth, and now it is time for you all to know."

"What are you talking about?" Alice frowned. "You're best friends with Kirk – more, if the rumors are to be believed. Why would he lie to you?"

"Because he is afraid," Cochrane said calmly. "Of me, and of you and of all of us here. You see, in the 1990s, we were sent away from Earth because of who we were. The ship that they found us on, we were all prisoners."

"Prove it," one of the sandy-haired men said.

"Let me finish," Cochrane said coldly. "I will of course, prove it. I have computer evidence to back up all of my claims." He held up a small portable disk drive. "I shall start by telling you who I was… who I am. My name is Khan Noonien Singh, formerly of India. You will address me as Khan from now on. I was the strongest – physically and mentally - of Earthwide dictators in the 1990s. I am the strongest of all of you here. I was created that way by Earth geneticists in the 1970s, those who wished to rid the planet of the puny humans and colonize the planet with Superhumans instead. You all have the same superpowers that I do. You are physically stronger than the average human. You have higher than average memory. Best of all, you have better than average strategic skill sets. You see…"

"I can't believe this," Alice interrupted, placing her arms across her chest. "I trust the crew of the Enterprise. I searched my own name on the computer days ago and nothing came up in the computer library."

"Of course it didn't," Khan said. "It only appeared when I hacked Kirk's personal computer."

"You didn't!" Alice looked horrified.

"Do not judge me until you see the evidence," said Khan. "Here, I will show you that I speak the truth." He plugged the disk drive into the computer and pulled the contents up on the screen. He showed the crew the article about Khan Noonien Singh and the corresponding picture. Several of the women gasped when they saw their leader's picture.

"What other pictures are there?" Alice asked, in spite of herself.

"This is you," said Khan, clicking on another file. Sure enough, there was Alice, only she was listed as one of the geneticists by the name of Carol Marcus. "You are the only one who is not a superhuman. You helped design us, and what did the humans do to you in return? They imprisoned you on this ship."

"Show us more," the sandy-haired man encouraged.

Khan pulled up the picture of the blond, and showed him his name (Joachim) and picture. He did the same for all the rest of his crew. After he closed out the last file, Khan dropped the bomb.

"Commander Spock has told me that if I don't stop hitting on the women of his crew, that he will have my mind wiped when we reach the Starbase. I believe that he and Kirk are planning to mind-wipe everyone in this room, to pay for the violent crimes that they say that we committed against Earth humans in the 1990s. If we want to escape with our memories intact, we need to take control of the ship and find a suitable planet for colonization."

"But you don't know for sure if they will mind wipe us," Alice countered.

"That Vulcan meant business," Khan argued. "He wants us all to pay, even though we don't remember committing any crimes."

"What does their legal justice system have to say about all this?" Alice asked.

"There has never been a precedent for them to follow," said Khan. "Never before have they had a court case with people who have been asleep for 300 years."

"Oh," said Alice, looking downcast.

"We can't let them mind wipe us!" Joachim insisted. "I'm with Khan. We need to strike at them before they strike at us!"

Khan nodded with approval at the man. He hadn't even had to give him a telepathic suggestion! What luck!

"I will not condone a mutiny," Alice argued. "These people revived us. They fed us, gave us access to their computers, gave us knowledge on how to survive in this century! We can't turn our backs on them. And also, maybe we do deserve to be punished, if we killed a lot of people in the 1990s."

"So you wish to be mind wiped?" Khan sounded skeptical.

"Of course not!" Alice said quickly. "But I could understand spending a month in a rehabilitation center. If all we knew were violent ways in the 1990s, I wouldn't want us to accidentally repeat history."

That's enough, Khan thought at the woman. Give up, Alice. Stop talking. Thankfully, the harsh telepathic suggestion worked. Alice, or rather Carol, went silent.

"We need to take this ship," Khan continued. "I will lead us to safety, but I cannot do it alone. Who's with me?"

"I am!" cried Joachim.

"I am!" added an attractive brunette woman.

One by one, they all agreed to help Khan take over the ship, even Alice – although Khan thought she sounded somewhat reluctant. No matter – she'd see reason in time.

"Now, if we are take control of this vessel, we will need a hostage in order to ensure Kirk's cooperation. Does anyone have any suggestions?"

"Commander Spock!" said Joachim.

Khan was again pleased that the man had come up with this answer on his own. Of course he would – he had superior intelligence. Joachim was one of the smartest of all his followers according to the files.

"Ahh, excellent idea," Khan agreed. "I too believe that Spock would be Kirk's 'Achilles heel'. Kirk would do anything to keep him safe, even surrender the Enterprise."

"We need a plan of action," suggested the pretty brunette. "We need to plan for every possible scenario that Kirk might throw at us. We will also need someone on the inside, someone from the Enterprise crew that we can convince to join our cause. Someone who has a personal vendetta against Captain Kirk."

"I have already thought of that," Khan said smugly.

Right on cue, the doors opened to reveal a nervous looking Barry "Cupcake" Giotto, Chief of Security.

.~.

End Ch. 15

A/N: It's starting! I've already seen a ZQ and Captain Fine interview video and they're tossing around vocab words again. ZQ is doing a good job at making me feel ignorant about the English language LOL. Oh well – I guess I will be learning some new vocab thanks to Pinto.