A/N: Greetings all. This was a lengthy chapter. I was actually going to cut it short, but this one kinda had a mind of its own so I ran with it. Usual disclaimer. Enjoy!

Chapter 6: Oversight

The traditional vodka and orange Screwdriver was set before Uhura as a Cosmopolitan was placed before Carol. Both would give a curt nod to the attendant before focusing on their drinks and the conversation at hand. "Alright so," Carol began in her crisp English accent, flashing her broad white teeth in an anticipatory smile. "You've had me wondering all day about this juicy news you have to share, so…let's hear it!" Unconsciously Uhura gave a glance around the Enterprise's galley and mess. Tables and booths held crewmembers from all over the ship, most simply relaxing over conversation, dinner or a game of holo-chess. As it stood, no one was straining to listen in on the information she was preparing to disclose to the sunny blonde across the table—it was safe to speak. Uhura leaned over just a bit keeping her voice low, the ghost of her own smile beginning to form on her face. "Spock asked me to marry him." Carol's eyes in turn nearly bulged from her head as she took in a hushed gasp, her face lighting up like a Christmas tree. "Oh my god! When? When did he ask you?"

"Last night. I could barely believe it," Uhura responded, her fingertips coming over her mouth to camouflage the giddy expression plastered on her face. "That is so smashingly perfect! Oh my god, this is fantastic! Do you all have a date set?" Carol would gush, the girl trying to keep her voice down in the midst of so many crew within potential earshot. "Oh no, not yet," Uhura replied quickly, neither woman yet having touched their drinks. "It was late last night and after he popped the question we kinda just had lots and lots of unbelievably great sex."

"Oooh!" Carol squealed. "I bet you were nearly late for your shift this morning," she added, her smirk and subsequent brow raise highly accusatory. "Almost," Uhura admitted, finally picking up her drink and sipping at its skinny black straw. It was here that Carol stole a glance at Uhura's naked finger, giving pause before jumping into the next question. "So, are you two going to do rings?" Uhura suddenly appeared thoughtful as if the concept had not occurred to her until that exact moment. "You know, I don't know. I mean, I would like to think we were doing something but…"

"Of course you're going to do something! You have to have a ring to let the universe know that you're taken! It's the rules!"

"Yeah but, it's not like we have a jeweler two decks up with a case full of rings to choose from. Who's to say that Spock didn't think of this before we left Earth? He might have one stowed away or something," Uhura said trying to convince herself, an effort that only drew a largely unconvinced expression from Carol. "Okay then why wouldn't he just give it to you when he asked? It's kind of a package deal. Vulcan or no, he should understand that." Uhura shrugged as she watched Carol finally partake of her own beverage. "True. Maybe he really did just decide to up and ask…but five years is a helluva long time to wait on a ring," she commented twisting her lips into a pout. "I'm sure he'll think of something creative," Carol returned comfortingly.

"Or maybe not. He's got a brain the size of Jupiter and is lightspeed on his feet, but sometimes things like that…don't really occur to him. He is all…Captain Logic and what not," Uhura quipped with a grin before sipping again on her drink. "Haha, this is an accurate statement. But, ring or no ring-and there absolutely must be a ring-are you going to wait to get back to Earth to have a ceremony? I mean, I know its way early to be talking about a set date, but you can't tell me you haven't been thinking about it all day."

"Oh I certainly have been, and over my dead body are we going to wait five whole years to have the wedding," Uhura asserted with determination. "Plus given the senior staff's track record for getting into life threatening situations, I would want to keep my title as 'Spock's wife' for as long as I can." Carol laughed. "Well, that's one way to look at it."

Kirk threw a hard left, faked right and went for his second jab. Each was deflected or dismissed as necessary. He let his feet do the moving after that, keeping his steps light and variable while training his eye on a distinctly unflappable opponent. A left. A right. A focused breath would push out of pursed lips as he planned his next attack. Swing, slap, swing slap. Ineffective. Shift, strike…slap. Shuffle. Breathe. Try again. Slap, slap…rebuff. "Damnit Spock."

"I believe this would be an ideal opportunity to congratulate you on your improvements in unarmed melee combat Captain, however concentration is key if you intend to land an actual blow." Kirk rolled his eyes. "Thanks a lot. Maybe you should try being in my shoes for a bit, you'll see how hard it is."

"Captain, such conjecture on my part will not assist you in your effort to increase your speed, accuracy and by proxy, your technique and skill. I would suggest-"

"So did you ask her?"

Spock frowned at the sudden change of subject. "Ask who what Captain?"

"Christ Spock. Let's just take a break for now kay?" Jim didn't wait for Spock's reply before he moved away from him, snatching a white Starfleet monogramed towel and wiping his brow with it. He and Spock had been sparring for roughly an hour, or rather, Jim had spent the last hour simply attempting to make Spock try a little harder to defend himself. Jim had been largely unsuccessful. By the time he draped his towel about his shoulders, his Vulcan sparring partner was handing him a decanter of water which he gratefully took.

"Ahhh," the Enterprise Captain spouted audibly, rehydrating before regarding Spock again from where they had left off in conversation. "Uhura man! Did you ask her to be your boo?"

"An archaic shortening and gender neutralization of the slang term beau; used to describe one's significant other," Spock observed. "If you are asking if I have proposed marriage to Lieutenant Uhura, I have. I, at your suggestion, opted to surprise her." Jim's expression immediately brightened. "Atta'boy Spock!" He'd exclaim, clapping a hand on the side of his friend's shoulder. "What'd she say?"

"She did say yes," the Vulcan responded, the rare play of a smile on his face.

"Ha haaa! Boss! Congratulations my friend, I'll be sure to drink a stiff one for ya!" The Captain chirped, grinning widely. "So, what kinda ring did ya get her?"

"While it is customary practice for one proposing marriage to a human woman to present a ring of betrothal, I am regretful that I do not have such a token. It did not occur to me that I would be opting to bond with Uhura until after we left Earth, preventing me from making such arrangements."

"What?" Jim questioned incredulously. "No ring? Spock, come on man, that's a major party foul. You gotta get her a ring. It's the right thing to do."

"And where does the Captain suggest that I acquire this ring? A traditional engagement ring usually comprises a least one cut diamond and a band fashioned from precious metals—neither of which are in abundant supply here on the Enterprise."

"Come on Spock, you gotta get creative! Hell even a ring made of copper would work…it's the idea behind it. You do something to let her know that this isn't just a verbal contract without any type of investment. A ring tells the world, or at least the ship 'hey, eyes off my lady she's off the market'," Jim informed seriously. Spock didn't answer right away, but his expression was telling. "Spock, get her a damn ring even if you have to MacGyver that sucker from phaser guts and string." The Commander raised another brow. "MacGyver? Are you referring to-"

"Spock, get Nyota a ring, that's an order."

Slender fingers would curl around the offered hand assisting her out of the cryotube. Bare feet met booted ones as unsteady legs were used for the first time in centuries. "You look different."

"Hmm. Yes. By design, but a short lived addition I assure."

"…I don't much care for the color."

A smile. "Nor do I. But it was sensible, all things considered. How do you feel?"

"…I'm not sure. How long have we been in stasis? Have we arrived on the new world yet?" Lilith's eyes fell over the room for a moment, more questions forming all the while. "This…doesn't look like the Botany Bay at all."

"Because it isn't. We are in a storage chamber on Earth. This chamber is kept and monitored by an organization known as Starfleet." The word was spoken as if it were the devil incarnate.

"Earth?" Brows furrowed immediately. "But I don't understand we-"

"Three hundred years we have been in stasis Lilith. The star-lock navigation system onboard the Botany Bay…was flawed. We never reached our targeted exile world. I do not know how long we were adrift before our ship was discovered, but I will say that our rescue, for lack of a better term was dubious at best."

Lilith made a face as if she was trying to absorb this startling information all at once. After a second had past, the woman asked the only logical question. "What now?"

"Now, we escape."

"Escape? W-why? Three hundred years later we are still needing to run? Khan I don't understand." Khan only shook his head. "Lilith, as much as I would like to explain the precarious and convoluted nature of our situation, we do not have the time. Assist me with reviving the others whom I designate." For an instant the look in Lilith's searching eyes suggested she wished to question this selective revival, but thought quickly against it. She knew better than to challenge Khan on any of his decisions. "Yes Khan," she'd respond humbly, waiting for her instructions. "Aakar, Aavai, Devindar, Kaida, Roe, Oren, Sven. Awake the latter three, I shall wake the former."

"Yes Khan."

The two spread out quickly scanning each of the cryotubes with only their eyes, fingers flying over panels to rouse the long slumbering members of Khan's crew he saw fit to bring around. There was little order to the arrangement of the tubes given that those who put them there saw no need for particular placement. After several moments, the selected tubes were open and those within were blinking themselves awake. Like Lilith and even Khan before them, each would emerge from their respective tubes in little more than black fitted skivvies. "My people," Khan would say at last when all were standing and coherent. "We are now in a new era. We are again on Earth three hundred years after our original exodus. As when we departed, we are still in peril. We are currently confined to a containment room inside of a building located in the city of San Francisco. As I have explained to Lilith whom I have woken only minutes prior to the rest of you, there is a pressing need to vacate our present position. As of now I cannot afford to move all of us at once. Though the security that I have observed thus far is lax, I am not aware of the mitigating variables that would otherwise permit all of us to leave together. Therefore I have selected each of you given your battle prowess and for your ability to be covert should the situation arise. I do not believe I need to explain to you the merits of lateral thinking. By quietly exiting this building, we give ourselves the opportunity to return better prepared to take back the rest of our numbers without the need for such finesse."

"Can we not arm ourselves with something more than our fists Khan?" It was Roe, a youthful platinum blonde man with pale blue eyes. His body was lithe and toned but he was shown to be slight, especially when standing next to the much larger frame of Sven. "Take a gander at the starkness of our surroundings Roe," Khan would regard sternly, his eyes growing hard as they focused on the young man. "We have only ourselves and our superiority to lean upon. Clothing and other such luxuries will have to wait until we are not at risk of being immediately eradicated." The tone of Khan's voice suggested he was not entertaining anymore questions. "I shall open the door and clear the area. You will follow on my mark and move as a unit to reduce our footprint. There are decorative stone planters just to the left of this chamber. Once I give the signal we-"

"Khan," a soft voice interjected. Khan would pause, eyeing the new speaker, waiting to see if his ire would be well placed. Kaida, a dark eyed and bronze skinned beauty would give a sheepish expression, but spoke quickly. "Forgive me please but, Khan, what is that?" Immediately all brows creased as Kaida raised an arm, pointing her finger at a small thin cylinder perhaps five inches in length and greatly resembled an ancient pitot tube. It hung from the ceiling high above in the upper right hand corner of the room. Khan stared at the object, his mind whirring in an attempt to place the purpose of the item he himself had not noticed before it was pointed out. "…"

"…"

"…"

"…Ready yourselves."

Nary a second had passed before the doors slid open fully and a barrage of white phaser fire poured into the chamber, all of it aimed at the now scattering super-humans. Bodies dove behind the only cover at hand, the cryotubes of their brothers and sisters. Khan, who had ducked by an open tube, scowled at the rapidly spiraling pandemonium. How had this happened? How could the enemy have been alerted? Was it that object Kaida pointed out? There was no other explanation…that single sentry couldn't have found them out simply by overhearing them, could he have? No, the door was much too thick for that. Regardless of the how or the why, they had been discovered and the very thing that Khan was hoping to avoid was currently unfolding in a hail of debilitating energy blasts. There were only nine of them and at the moment they were being pinned down with few options afforded. Fortunately Khan seldom allowed himself to be without any sort of recourse. From the folds of his clothing he produced an item. He had constructed it along with the host of other things he had fabricated for his plot, though it had limited use as best. He minded it not…there were times where he need only create an opening. A small projectile firearm. Small ball bearings fashioned into full metal shells. The derringer-styled weapon was in Khan's hands in an instant, his still-brown eyes searching for the thing that could give him leverage in this battle.

He chanced a look as phaser fire crackled by him. He counted nine Starfleet security officers.

Keeping low to the ground, he would find a target and pull the trigger.

And then there were eight.

A small device suddenly bounced into the chamber, the round object spitting a white mist at high velocity in all directions. They were trying to incapacitate them. With another scowl, Khan made his spot-checks to find a better vantage point. A viable one in sight, the leader of the insurgent band would tuck and roll hard under the expanding white mist and let off another round from his tiny weapon. Seven now. Toward the back of the room he could hear the coughs of his newly awakened group. Time was running out before the lot of them were completely outnumbered and largely outgunned. From the corner of his eye, he was sure he had seen Sven charge the straight away, drawing the bulk of the fire to himself. A noble sacrifice that bought them all precious seconds to turn this last stand into something salvageable. Khan fired off another shot, another human went down. One round left, best to make it count.

In the shadow of the still expanding mist, a diminutive figure skirted the far wall of the chamber and to Khan's great pleasure, a litany of cries would raise as one of his people had fought their way into an advantageous position. Pulse rifles clattered to the ground as the sounds of snapping necks rang free. From behind the other cryotube, popping over it, Khan found a target and dropped him quickly…right between the eyes. Garbled gasps reached his ears as more Starfleet security officers were subdued. The phaser fire continued for a few shots more before that last human too was quieted. Sven was already being assisted to his feet by Aakar and Devindar. Oren looked phased but capable and the girls had adjusted well. Roe and Aavai were by his side asking after him. "Khan, are you well?"

"Yes I'm fine," he snapped hotly, jumping to his feet and exiting the chamber. "Arm yourselves quickly with those rifles, more will be coming." This statement went without saying. Alarms by then were blaring and automated voices were outlining directions to the site of the firefight. In moments the building would be under complete lockdown and escape would be neigh impossible. "Khan, Sven is-"

"Does he live?"

"Yes but,"

"Bring him then!" It was Khan's last order before he rushed the halls with his band following—barefoot and unaccustomed to the threats they were facing. Though he barely had time for the thought, Khan couldn't keep it from flashing in his mind. His people were good soldiers. They had been awake for less than ten minutes, yet they leapt into battle against enemies unknown in nothing but their underwear. Nevertheless, a sense of failure managed to worm its way into Khan's consciousness even as the forward part of his thinking focused only on escape. There was something so critical that he had missed. Little though it was, the impact had been enormous and it, tragically, might have cost him the remaining sixty-four members of the maligned Botany Bay. The thunder of footsteps filled the corridors as more of Starfleet security raced to intercept them. Having claimed a pulse rifle himself, the warlord had his acquired weapon poised to fire on the first uniform, the first human he saw. Around him his warriors had formed a delta storming pattern brandishing guns they had never used as if they were standard issue for them. "Thirteen yards ahead on the left there is a stairwell that leads to the ground floor. That door will be secured. Defeat it quickly."

"Yes Khan," the forward members would affirm as battle prepared to begin anew. At once streams of phaser stuns blazed in their direction. In this portion of the hall there was no cover to take and in so, they rushed headlong into the barrage. "Keep Sven in the center, I'll cover the rear." Letting the group move ahead a few paces, Khan eyed their blindside, expecting fully an assault to come from behind. He would not be disappointed. "HALT!" One of the officers cried amid the chaos. Khan returned by blasting him in the chest, a smoldering depression at the site of the shot. The humans had their rifles set to stun, Khan had set his to kill. This of course was not met affectionately by their pursuers, who immediately opened fire. A wail erupted from one of the women as a stun blast struck her left shoulder. "Surrender immediately or we will use lethal force!" Khan's steely orbs were alight with focus as he discharged another shot, turning that other man's face into a burnt pit. Surely that was Starfleet's last straw when the white stun light of the phaser fire had taken on an angry orange quality. Barks of pain and surprise lit up on both sides as Khan made the seemingly longest thirteen yard push of his life. He had already been struck twice. First a graze on the left thigh that was shrugged off with relative ease, but a second hit to just below his right knee had toppled him completely, third degree burns searing his flesh. A growl escaped his lips as the security officers seemed to clone themselves. For every one he killed, two more sprung up to replace them.

"Khan!" Devindar shouted as the man scrambled to pick his leader up and provide suppression fire at the same time. A flash whizzed by Khan's face as Devindar fell to his knees, shot in the stomach. Undaunted in the midst of bloodshed, Khan's vision panned quickly. He couldn't afford to lose track of his crew or their objective. He also needed to see just how many more officers there were to cut down before they could reach the stairwell. "Ruuhhhaa!" Khan would howl at the top of his lungs. Despite this, he couldn't be bothered to assess the new damage he had just taken. The burnt hole in the side of his shirt only hinted at the charred ribs he was suddenly in possession of. He held his breath as his vision blurred ever so slightly. Whatever happened past this point, Khan only knew one thing. He would not, could not meet his demise here. There was too much left to do and a gaggle of trigger-happy, no-name, lucky-shot bastards would not keep him from his conquest. In an instant however, Khan had the sensation he was being drug, though he couldn't be sure.

"Go, hurry! Down the stairs!"

"Khan, Khan!"

His head was swimming and the voices he heard, though familiar, were muffled and distant.

"Khan! Khan you have to tell us which way! They are coming!"

"Don't let him close his eyes!"

"Khan, please, tell us what to do!"

His lucidity was flowing from him, but through the dim forest of his senses, a part of him was aware that his people needed him. Without his guidance, they would be slaughtered where they stood. "Keep…keep to the far right overpass. A…a manhole there." It was a struggle to simply move his lips. It was more of a struggle to use words and have them make any sense. 'Just let them get out of here,' the voice inside of his head whispered, but to whom? All at once there was a loud noise and a burst of cool air on his skin. There were bright lights. He felt himself being bumped and jostled. There was yelling, a terribly great deal of yelling and the sounds of phaser rifles discharging. The world was even more blurred than it had been and now it was to the point that nothing seemed distinguishable any longer—he tried to look, but couldn't see anything. At last there was large and heavy clank and the world went quiet. Lingering. Still.

Cold.

A/N: Not sure when I'll get the next chapter up, but something tells me it might not be as long as this one was. We'll see however. Thanks for reading. Review as you feel. See you later!