Disclaimer: I do not own Star Trek.
AT: Thank you for your reviews, favorites, and follows. This coming week, I should be able to update with a few more chapters. HUGE thanks to DLB48, my first beta reader, for saving this story from numerous atrocities. Your assistance has been amazing with the story!
Chapter Two
His own shift had ended but Jim did not leave the command chair.
He observed Spock and Uhura's exit, envious their lot in life did not encompass a madman at the moment.
Kodos had boarded the Enterprise with a haunting presence. Only the constant faithfulness and murmur of the bridge calmed the paranoia setting in Jim.
Taking his PADD in hand for the duration of what would otherwise be an uneventful next few hours, Jim fashioned strategies for dealing with the million ways Kodos the Executioner could reach him. Obviously, he knew where he was. Years ago Kodos had vowed publicly at the trial to learn the name of the boy who had escaped the slaughter with other children- and to give him a slow, torturous death.
The unthinkable happened after Kodos was en route to prison. He escaped.
And now, the man had struck out where Jim was vulnerable. It stirred a rage in Jim, matching the anger he had for Kahn.
It was highly probable that Kodos knew the whereabouts of the other eight individuals who had identified his face. Instead of taking only the first play in this game, the ex-governor had played two.
Meanwhile, I have nothing to play except the resignation of my captainship to ensure the safety of my crew.
"Captain?" It was Carol. He'd not noticed she had stayed past the duration of her shift as well. His distraction could not be deemed that unusual, considering.
"Dr. Marcus," said Jim, noticing a paleness about her face. "I do believe you overextended your shift."
"As have you," she softly responded. "I'll return to my quarters if you do." She said this teasingly, and his heart jumped at the slight concern she had for him.
He nodded. "Very well."
Their walk was silent. Not awkward, but- comfortable.
Kirk walked Dr. Marcus to her door. He looked at his feet, suddenly remembering he had not thanked her for the birthday cake.
"Dr. Marcus," he gave her a smile. "Please forgive me for not thanking you for the cake. I enjoyed it."
"You're welcome, Captain Kirk."
"Call me Jim."
Her mouth softened. "Jim. And I'm Carol."
"Carol." He grinned at her, wanting to pull out the charm but he did not know what else to say. I can't buy her a drink. I don't want to buy her a drink. I just want to stand here and look at her.
"Goodnight...Jim." She slipped into her quarters. Jim stood there for a moment, wondering how the science officer affected him in such a way. It was unexplored territory, a metaphor for the journey he and Enterprise were taking.
If I survive Kodos, I do believe I will do my best to rectify that situation- someday. It was a glimmer of hope Jim held on to as he returned to his own quarters, even though the final hours of his break were as sleepless as ever as he planned to resign soon.
Having paced his bedroom for several more hours and finding himself, oddly enough, repeating Shakespearean lines in his head to pass the time- Jim was relieved to hear his comm.
"Commander Spock to Captain Kirk."
"Yes, Commander." Jim checked the time. Oops.
"You are needed on the bridge."
"I will be right there."
"It's about time," Bones muttered in Jim's ear as they both walked towards the lift. The doctor had met him there, the good friend he is.
"I'm going to have to tell them, Bones." After I resign. Bones will have a fit.
"Kid, I'm sorry." Bones understood that Jim referred to his crew. McCoy's frustration mirrored the defeat Jim felt deep within his soul.
"I can't do it, though. I've always known that."
"Um, so, how you propose telling them about your crappy holiday on Tarsus IV without telling them? That's like, flying a ship without a ship!"
"I recorded a message awhile ago in case something like this would happen. I'll let you hypo me so while I sleep you can show it. That's what the box I gave you is for. It reveals more than just words." His eyes showed Bones the raw emotion Jim Kirk never laid before anyone else but him.
"Jim, no!"
"Bones, please don't..." Jim stopped when they reached the bridge.
"Here," McCoy gave him a protein bar and a cup of ice. "It's obvious you haven't slept since that lovely message nor have you eaten. I need you to get to medical when you can. Okay?"
Jim took a step but Bones grabbed his arm, turning both their backs towards the bridge crew. "What," Jim whispered to his friend. "You almost spilled my ice."
"Don't do anything brash."
"That's highly improbable."
"You're holding up better than I figured, which is a surprise. I'm worried for you though I should be worried for us. I got a bad feeling," Bones murmured.
"So do I. Will you let go of me? I'll be fine. You're attracting an audience."
Spock and Sulu caught the exchange between Captain Kirk and Dr. McCoy in the lift.
"Commander, Lt. Sulu," the Captain said as he passed them by to get to his command chair. He chewed his ice loudly, then winked at Uhura when she threw him an exasperated look.
"What was that all about?" Sulu questioned Spock quietly.
"Trouble. If I have to leave the bridge," Spock spoke into his ear, "and the captain is incapacitated you have the conn."
"Yes, sir." Sulu replied.
"Captain, we are being hailed by Starfleet Command. Admiral Cartwright is seeking a conference." Uhura acknowledged the reason Spock called Jim to the bridge.
"Go ahead, Uhura."
Spock noted the tension in Admiral Cartwright's shoulders immediately.
"Captain Kirk."
"Admiral." Jim nodded respectfully.
"Let me cut to the chase, Kirk. We were hailed by an enemy of the Federation one hour ago, ex-governor, Kodos the Executioner, of Tarsus IV. Unless an unnamed ring leader gives himself up within 24 hours, the allusive SOB is planning to kill those who had testified against him shortly after his capture. This ring leader, whom we know was a kid himself but could not locate during Kodos' hearing, managed to rescue and save children- those individuals who made up the infamous Tarsus 9 during Kodos' martial law. If the ring leader does not reveal himself on Revlair, a planet we know next to nothing about, he will begin to kill the other eight of the Tarsus 9, one by one." The Admiral paused, allowing Spock to speak.
"Admiral, are any of the other individuals of the Tarsus 9 under military protection yet? If so, and they cooperate, we could find this ring leader."
"Unfortunately, we know the locations for only three and have yet to bring them in. Kodos is holding hostage one of the Nine already, Kevin Riley. When you watch the video yourself, you will hear Riley acknowledge who he is but courageously deny before Kodos knowing the name of the ring leader. All we know about Revlair is this- it's an ice planet within reach of the Enterprise." The monitor divided to show a muted video of Kodos speaking on one side, the Admiral on the other.
"Kodos told us nothing else, other than this message had to be given to each Starfleet ship, beginning with the Enterprise. Therefore, we now have a serious situation at hand, Kirk, and if you have any inclination as to who this leader is, now's the time to tell us."
"Sir, in the event that we find this leader, what would you like us to do?"
The strain in the captain's voice prompted Spock to observe Kirk. I do not like what I see. Kirk's hands gripped the arms of the command chair until his knuckles were white and shaking. The short and shallow breaths deprived the captain of the oxygen his body needed to function properly, and the sweat was a nuisance Kirk wiped with his sleeve. He is well-likely headed towards another panic attack.
"Admiral," interrupted Spock, "pardon my interruption, but I require a moment to converse with Captain Kirk."
"Commander Spock," the Admiral said reluctantly. "One minute. We don't have time to spare."
"I understand, Admiral. Thank you." The monitor faded to black.
Spock stationed himself in front of Captain Kirk.
"What is it...Spock?" Captain Kirk's head rested on his hand. A trembling hand.
"You are unwell."
"No, no...I'm good."
I could quite accurately predict such an illogical response from our captain at such a critical moment.
"No, you are not. Doctor, please inform Jim the signs he is showing are similar to the panic attack he had a few days ago."
"He's right, Jim. You don't look too good." Dr. McCoy frowned at his tricorder. "It's more than a panic attack, Jim, and- "
"Uhura," Kirk interrupted, "please put the Admiral..." As the Captain lifted himself out of command chair, he weaved then collapsed.
"Lieutenant, do not listen to the Captain." Spock ignored the blame-like glare Kirk sent his way and relayed the logic he knew to be sound and of assistance. "Your attempt to sit up and give attention to what is at hand is failing, Captain. I insist that Dr. McCoy takes you to sickbay."
"Fine." Kirk threw a response at him he did not expect. "Spock, I'll need a full report, in sickbay, even if it is on my deathbed! And Bones, if you come near me with a hypo that is even close to a sedative..." The Captain's threat dangled.
"Commander, Admiral Cartwright is hailing us again," said Uhura.
"One moment, Lt," Spock said. When Jim wilted even in his chair, Spock lifted him, his hand encircling Jim's waist and placing Jim's arm over his shoulder. "Doctor..."
"Jim, it's highly unlikely to avoid one of those with you, but I'll try."
"Thank you, Commander Spock, for being so attuned to the captain's well-being," a soft-spoken Dr. Marcus said.
Spock graciously accepted. "You are welcome."
He gave the Captain to Dr. McCoy. "Dr. Marcus, would you please help Dr. McCoy take the Captain to sickbay."
"Certainly, Commander," agreed Dr. Marcus. She was slight, but as strong as Uhura.
" 's not 'mander, 's At'n Cap'n." Kirk grasped Dr. McCoy's shirt as he leaned into the doctor's chest. "Spk, uvgta da con."
Spock exchanged a look with McCoy at the slur of Jim's words. The doctor shook his head.
"Tricorder shows he's been drugged, Spock. It doesn't look good," murmured McCoy. Dr. Marcus' face paled, but she did not struggle with her share of the burden.
She cares for Jim- deeply. Amidst this all, I find that quite gratifying to know.
"Do everything you can, Dr. McCoy. Meanwhile, assure him the Enterprise is being taken care of."
"Of course."
"Uhura, inform security of the breach and resume the conference with Admiral Cartwright."
The Admiral's face reappeared.
"I apologize for the delay, sir."
"Spock, where is Kirk?"
"Admiral, the Captain has been drugged and is being taken to sickbay. He has advanced me to Acting Captain."
The Admiral slammed his fist. "This just makes this situation even worse. And I'll be honest with you- Kodos has to be behind that drug."
"Please explain, Admiral."
"Kodos gave Starfleet Command explicit instructions that if this Tarsus hero, for whom we don't even have a name, does not turn himself in, Kodos' ships will fire on the Enterprise. As you are on your five year mission and any type of aid is more than 18 hours away, I fear you are on your own. He gave me your coordinates. He knows where you are. This ice planet, Revlair, is within a reach of 24 hours. If you don't succeed those eight individuals of the Tarsus Nine will die and the Enterprise will be destroyed."
Memphis always blended in. Even on Tarsus, he'd just been "that friend." James T. Kirk had not noticed him, not even when he first came to the planet and saw Memphis hang out with William, JT's cousin.
Yes, Memphis was absolutely normal. Nothing about him terribly different. Except when Kodos agreed to remove him from JT's hopeless rescuing. Kodos helped train Memphis to become more than just a survivor.
And now, Kodos would be even more pleased with Memphis. The deed was done. As JT was guided through the corridor and passed Memphis, he saw the distress on Dr. McCoy's face.
James T. Kirk was about to lose all, just like Memphis had.
The obliteration of what JT holds dear was the climax of Memphis' hard work. The entrance to the Academy, reaching status as a member on the Enterprise.
He'd done it.
For her.