Chapter 8
Year: 2258 Location: Section 31
"So your feline friend, she isn't a Caitian is she?" Markus inquired as he stood at the edge of Khan's working desk. His tone was goading at best and his piercing blue eyes were glinting with wicked intent. Khan was in the middle of running checks on the operational system of the Admiral's new ship, when Markus had arrived.
The commanding officer had made it his personal mission to irritate Khan, with his relentless comments and questions regarding his past. Thankfully for Khan's sanity, the man only once a month to check up on the Augument's progress.
Khan pressed on the touch screen of the monitor in front of him, a little harder than necessary. He couldn't help but notice the tempting presence of his sharp pen that could easily pierce the Admiral's jugular.
"But she looks a lot like one, minus the tail and the excessive hair growth." Markus commented while toying with one of the miscellaneous piece of machinery on Khan's desk. "Tell me, Harrison. Who was she to you?"
Khan had to award the Admiral for being able to weave antipathy inducing ways into one sentence.
"Part of my crew." He muttered out, his jaw muscles clenched in aggravation. The wrinkles around Markus's mouth deepened in a sinister smirk, seeing the irritation in Khan's stance and stoic expression.
"Strange, she isn't an Augment, why would you keep her around?" the Admiral pondered while rubbing his squared chin "You weren't chasing some hybrid tail were you?"
"Do not speak of what you do not know." Khan had to commend himself for keeping his tone so monotonous, despite being on the precipice of committing assault.
"She must not be worth much. You are hardly bothered by her absence." Markus muttered unkindly as he folded his arms behind his back.
Khan focused his incensed gaze on to the screen. The soft pallid glow of light deepened the shadows on his strong features. With typing he brought up an animated profile of Star Flee space ship. The ebony paint of the image gleamed at each slow spin.
"I've added the weaponry and modifications required for the ship. Minimal crew is required, one if necessary. Advanced weaponry, warp core capabilities and speed."
"Excellent, when will the Vengeance we ready." Admiral inquired, the malice in his voice had left and was replaced with a cold, commanding seriousness.
"In a few months time." Khan answered. He hoped that diverting Markus's attention to the details on the ship would throw away any suspicion off Khan. After all, he was running his own tests and modifications on a few torpedoes. If all went according to plan, he would be able to smuggle out his remaining crew.