Chapter 19

Apologies again for the wait. This week has just been awful. My family has been going through a lot lately, and schoolwork has peaked with a ton of essays and tests….

-XXX-

"Stop," Khan commands for the seventh time in an hour. I immediately cease twisting my hands in my lap, scowling. An hour ago, he informed me that we were fast-approaching Cylfax. Along with this, I was told that his crew was eagerly awaiting our return – though he did not use the word "eagerly." That simply is not an adjective that could be applied to Augments.

"Sorry," I murmur, squeezing my hands together firmly. From where I sit, on the floor beside the captain's chair, I shrink, making myself smaller in the hopes disappearing altogether.

He casts me a quick look before turning back to the console. He's not asked what troubles me – though I have no doubt he's well aware of what has so struck my nerves.

The very idea of interacting with this species is one of sheer terror. They'll be angry. Hostile. I am one of those that had forced them to hide away. I wonder how much he has told them of his revival. If it's been much, their frustration will be unimaginable.

I now can greatly sympathize with Napoleon Chagnon, the anthropologist who worked with the Yanomamo of Brazil, a highly aggressive and violent native group. He arrived upon a group of hunters, and in his time heard and saw many deaths. They were, as he said, in a chronic state of warfare. As him, I shall be walking into a culture of great brutality. Though, not with any scholarly intentions.

How shall they take me? The human?

With a pang, I remember that I am true outcast, and shall likely be even more isolated on Cylfax. No longer accepted by other humans, not one of the Augments….A sense of immense loss sweeps through me. I feel sick. My stomach sours.

"You're doing it again."

I blink, already staring at my hands. "Oh."

Glancing at me, Khan frowns. "You are being quite unreasonable."

"They shall hate me," I say softly.

"Are you not used to working with foreign, unfriendly groups in your work?"

"Not ones of this caliber. Not ones I am being so forced to live with."

"I shall not let anything happen to you," he assures me. "You are under my protection."

I look away. "I should not have to be."

His hands curl to fists briefly. We do not speak again as we begin to descend.

-XXX-

Instead of the distant clearing, we land directly in the camp across the river. I nervously watch as we near the line of trees, the overhang of rock. From the window, I can see people – surrounding a fire, fishing in the river, in between the trees. From this distance they are indistinct.

Khan steadies the craft, then removes himself from the console. Turning to me, he offers a hand. From the floor, I gaze up. His eyes are dark in shadow, the ship's lights being dim. I cannot read them.

"Alya," he says. "Come."

I hesitate.

"I will protect you."

This is not enough to comfort me. But I take his hand away, having no choice. If I did not go of my own volition, on my own legs, I have no doubt that he would carry me out. Kicking and screaming, if necessary. I rise slowly.

The door opens, cutting a sharp line of sunlight in the shuttle. I blink it back, shifting away. Khan takes my arm, releasing the hand, keeping me close at his side. Already, Augments are abandoning their work to approach. There are roughly sixty so far, I believe, with the others likely nearby.

Like Khan, they all muscular, mostly slim, though there are a few broader characters. For the most part everyone has darker hair and skin – much like me. Still, several differ with light hair, lighter eyes, pale skin. Khan is by far the fairest. It makes me wonder what nations the scientist who created this race were working in. Most seem to be Western Asians, or of Middle Eastern descent.

They peer at me curiously, eyes running up and down with narrowness. I move to shift behind Khan. Again, he takes my arm to hold me near, refusing to let me hide or shrink away.

-XXX-

"My prince, we are pleased with your return. We feared they had managed to keep you," the good-humored Patel says first as he moves to the head of the crowd.

Khan's lips press in a small smile. "As had I. How do you progress?"

"We've started collecting lumber. The solar power packs are charging. And Elhar has lead a party in hunting. Our fishing efforts have proven to be…less successful." The broad Patel's dark eyes sparkle. "But we shall thrive, I think."

"Good." Khan peers into the crowd, examine each face in turn. There is mostly curiosity directed towards Alya, mingled with something akin to wariness loathing, though others focus their attention on him. Most are happy to see him back again. "It is good to see you back again."

Alik, more towards the back, shifts. Hot-headed, he is clearly soured that his leader thought to leave so abruptly after releasing them. "It took you long enough to grace us with your presence, my prince."

The group is not surprised. Challenged of authority are nothing new among the Augments. He does not doubt at all that they were breed for aggression. Despite being a family, there are plenty of moments of discontent and conflict among them – even he is fought, at times. His leadership does not go undisputed. This is not the first time Alik has spoken out.

Khan turns to him coldly. "If you have any issue with my decision to fetch the anthropologist, Alik, do not hesitate in bringing it forward. Though, I warn you, should you displease me, you may find yourself without tongue."

The Augment hisses softly. "You abandoned us for what? This? What is she to us? A scholar of Starfleet? A weakling."

"She has her uses." He bares his teeth. "Though, what they are do not concern you."

Another Augment calls out. "Why bring her to us? She is like them."

"Human," Alik snorts.

Nerita, a wiry female with a white, whip like coil of hair, huffs in agreement. Dissent migrates through the crowd in dark murmurs. Several stand resolute, however, not showing emotion either way. Yet they are a minority. More are wary than not. But Khan will not stand for it.

"She is my choice," he says with great finality. "Alya showed me compassion and loyalty against her people –" He felt her wince at his words, but ignored her to go on. "—and had proven to be a friend. I am more than pleased to allow her to stay with us."

"There are many women here, my prince," one voice calls out angrily. "Many strong Augments that would be more than happy to serve you, to be consort. Why a human weakling such as she?"

The others rumble in agreement. "She could not bear you any kind of heir!" another shouts.

"She will be a fine mother," Khan sooths. "She is young and healthy, intelligent. She will provide fine children. I choose her because she has been wise in supporting out cause, and she will provide a good alliance between our peoples. We are small in number, my friends. We cannot expect to take on the whole of the Federation."

"For now."

The group still appears unsure. Beside him, Alya has gone very stiff. He can see that several of his crew eyed her contemptuously. One hand goes to her waist, pulling her possessively close. He stares out at the crowd for several very long, very silent seconds, holding the gaze of all those who appeared the least bit defiant until they are cowed. Alik is still unhappy, and he has no doubt that they shall share words in private later.

"I cannot express my happiness at being with you once more. We are together again, and woe be upon any set upon separating us. We will not be trifled with." His sincerity rings clear. The group is pleased with this. And with that, they are dismissed to arrange shelter and food.

He maintains his hold even when they are alone. That is, until he notices her shaking. Khan looks down to see his human quite distressed – so much so that her hands curled into fists so tight that her nails had broken the soft skin of her palms, causing blood to seep down her fingers. He worked to unfurl the offending fists.

"Stop," he orders when the fingers refuse to yield.

"No, you stop," she hisses beneath her breath. "What was that? Consort? Mother? What the hell, Khan?"

He stares at her coldly. "They needed to be convinced of your worth to me. The only way you'll even begin to receive their respect is if they see you have regard in my eyes."

Now she is uncertain. "So…those were just words? You don't mean to…." Alya cannot finish.

"To what?" he asks sharply.

"Have me mother your children!" the young doctor bursts out. "Make me your consort, all of that?"

"Yes," Khan answers shortly. His gaze has locked onto hers, unrelenting. "Of course I do."

Alya falters at his response. She stares right back, completely stunned. "What…what do you mean? No, no, no, I -" Flustered, she steps back. Khan allows her, but edges forward, brow furrowed. "This can't be."

"You know of my feelings," he warns her.

"But this is permanent," she says, distressed. "I can't."

"It's the only way I can guarantee your safety here."

"Then you shouldn't have brought me here!" Alya screams. "I did not ask for this. I never wanted this, I never wanted to go with you. I want to go home. Let me go home!"

In a flash he's inches before her. Hands pound on his chest, but he ignores them as though they're merely flies rather than curled fists. Khan takes her by the wrist, locking flailing arms down at her sides.

"I brought you here for your own safety," he says calmly. "I will take you on as my consort for your safety. All that I am doing I am doing to protect you."

"Bullshit," she spat.

One hand went to her jaw, forcing her to look up, to meet his eyes. Beneath is grip she shuddered. "I won't lose you to your own pettiness. You are a part of this family now. You are one of mine, and I intend to claim you before my crew."

Pressed against him, Alya could barely move. But she still somehow managed to twist from his grip when she made the decision to strike a more tender area of his anatomy with a well-aimed jerk of her knee upwards. Khan grunted, pulling back. And Alya ran like hell.

Behind her, the augment roared.

-XXX-

I run for the treeline, ducking into the underbrush like some kind of overgrown bunny. Not even a minute into my flight and my heart is pounding like it's ready to fall from my chest. In my dash for temporary freedom, I twist my way through thick forest undergrowth, stooping and sliding, getting slapped with all sorts of leaves, twigs, and what not. I'm grateful that my hair is now at a length less-likely to catch various bits of nature. It's all I can do to simply swerve around the trees.

All the while, I can hear him behind me. Honestly, it's difficult to believe he's not found a way to out-run or out-maneuver me. I am lead to suspect that he's perhaps giving me a lead. Or something.

I am doing fine until I hit a bit of a dip. Or rather, a small ravine, of sorts. I slide bum-first into the muddiness below. For several seconds I struggle to get my bearings, to stand, gasping for air. When I look back up from where I've fallen, I see Khan. Looming.

He's utterly impassive. The blank glaze of his eyes gives me an eerie feeling – far more than any rage might.

"Alya," he snarls.

My instincts beg me to freeze. But I overcome to surge on. The ankle-deep mud isn't helping any, but I choose not to climb up to the other side, but follow the sludge down. Khan maintains the high ground, darting along at a much faster rate. I wait until the brush between us is thick enough to hide me for several moments, then I press myself against the ravine wall. Now that I'm relatively silent (save for my dying heart), the sound of him crashing through the forest is easily discernable. With great care, I creep back the direction I came, then cross the muddiness to start up the other side, keeping as quiet as possible. Once I've reached the top, I pause to look back -

With no sign of Khan, I set off at a steady jog. Not only am I going in the opposite direction, but I'm on the other side of the bank.

I know I'm not going to keep this up forever, by any means. Either he'll find me eventually, one of the crew will, I'll come back with my tail between my legs, or I'll simply die out here.

"Grim prospects. Sure you just wouldn't be okay with being a consort?"

-XXX-

Somehow, I manage to last one hour, then two, three, all the way into nightfall without being apprehended. By then I've come to a bluff which ought to afford me a nice view of the campsite. I scale the walls until I find a shallow cave, not unlike the one Khan found for us our first night here. And just in time – it's started to rain.

With some regret, I watch the rainfall patter down. Of course, I hadn't had time to grab any supplies. They would have slowed me down anyways. But it would have been nice to have a fire or a blanket or a small knife or something. At the moment, all I have going for me is some sweaty, soggy leggings, a torn tunic, a belt, boots, and an extremely light jacket.

"Still better than nothing."

A taste of freedom. The first in what feels like…years. Now knowing that I've been monitored since leaving the Union, then virtually trapped in San Francisco by Khan's trial, always surrounded by a city I could not trust, being so very alone feels refreshing. And just within the last week alone, after being kidnapped by Khan, counter-captured by Starfleet, and finally given back to my original kidnapper, it has certainly felt as though my fate has been far out of my hands. And with Khan's announcement that I'm bound to remain here with his crew to becoming his breeding stock, no less, well, I cannot help but feel frozen. Utterly helpless against changing my circumstances.

"But do you even want to go back?"

The question tingles at the edge of my mind, threatening to answer itself. I dearly want to ignore it, yet I am forced to consider; do I wish to return? Go back to a world ruled by Starfleet, a body of corruption and control? Return to days of pouring over brittle documents in the hope of discovering something that, in all honesty, won't affect even a small population of the academic world? Remain under the eye of a society who will under no circumstances trust me now that I've been associated with a known terrorist?

Is that what I want?

Would staying be so bad? Yes, Khan is boorish and terribly annoying sometimes in his brutality and cold nature. But we do get along well enough – he trusts me, and while I cannot claim the same for him, I feel significantly safer in his presence. His family clearly is not a big fan of our association, but he promises I'll win them over in time. Especially if I concede to helping him start a new generation of his species.

I've never particularly wanted to be a mother. I figured a life of exploring would likely make the maintenance of a family difficult, so as soon as I'd set myself on the track of anthropology I'd cast all considerations of building one of my own from my mind. I don't even know the first thing about babies or raising children – and I would surely not leave it to Khan, least we end up with homicidal sociopaths. Certainly that's what he would prefer, but if we're going to achieve any level of peace between us and the Federation it will have to start with our youth –

"You're already making plans," I scold myself. "Considering the situation like it's actually going to happen…."

Sighing, I tuck into the furthest corner of the cave, curling into myself. Sleep wouldn't be comfortable by any means, though I imagine it would be a step up from jogging. Propping my head against the rock wall beside me, I watch the rain, eyes drifting closer and closer to closing. The occasional roll of thunder only serves to relax me further. When I was a child, my parents would play audio recordings of storms to sway me into sleep. There is a certain level of familiarity and comfort in the sound of a thunderstorm.

I wonder how Khan in fairing in all of this. If he's given up, and returned to camp. Finally seen me as a lost cause…."Unlikely."

It's when I am on the very edge of sleep that it happens. I am literally seconds from drifting off into a deep and restful doze when a loud clap of thunder startles me. The lightening that follows gives me an even bigger scare, however, as it silhouettes a tall figure standing at the mouth of the cave. I utter a low cry, shrinking back before climbing to my feet.

Khan stands before me, completely soaked. His dark hair lies plastered to his head. Beads of water have accumulated on his face, which is starkly pale in the bluish cast of evening. He is far from happy.

I cannot bring myself to move this time. We simply stare at one another in utter silence for what feels like an age.

Finally, he crosses to me. I suppress the urge to bolt in a dead run. Stopping just before me, the augment looks down. His eyes are unreadable.

"That was clever," he says finally. "Going back and crossing behind me. Nearly thought you'd given me the slip – but I found you soon enough."

"How long have you been following me?"

"Three hours." Something like a smile graces his lips thinly. "Thought I would let you wear yourself out before I took you back."

I sink against the stone behind me. I suppose this is better than dying alone of hypothermia. Exhausted, I close my eyes. "If you want to go back tonight you better plan on carrying me."

Within a few seconds I feel him beside me. Khan shifts me until I'm practically on top of him, curling into his neck. Brave man – I probably smell gross. He certainly isn't any basket of roses. I mention this, and I can practically here him roll his eyes.

I'd normally be adverse to this level of contact, however, I am freezing and out current position is very encouraging of warmth. Khan claims my hands. He draws them into my chest, locking his forearms against mine in a cage of an embrace. Despite our closeness, I am trying to keep something of a distance, though my weariness doesn't allow for much motion. Sighing, I opening my eyes.

"You could have at least discussed your little plan with me," I grumble. "Or something."

"I did not particularly care to have you angry with me any longer than necessary."

"At the moment it's indefinitely."

"You can't hold on to your anger forever."

"It certainly seems as though you can," I protest.

"This will only be come difficult for you if you resist me," he murmurs against my hair. "We're tied together now. You're a part of my family."

"No, I have my own family back on Earth. A job, a home…everything."

"You're going to make a new home now, with us. Here," Khan says with heavy finality.

"And what…have your children?"

"In time."

I cringe. The arms around me tighten.

"It will not be so bad," he whispers. "We have regard for one another. I will not let anything happen to you. You will be safe. And to think, you shall be instrumental in the development of an entirely new species. You will be a good mother, I know."

"That's not what troubles me."

He is silent. I have no doubt he's fully aware of what it is I fear, what makes me resist this so.

"I will let nothing happen to you, Alya," he insists. "I care for you as I do no other. I wish for nothing but your happiness."

"I don't know if I can have that here."

Another squeeze, gentle this time. "I am happy that you are here," Khan says quietly. "And in time, I hope you can be, too."

-XXX-

Drama, drama, drama….

4 more chapters to go! What'd you think of this drama-fest?

Reviews would be awesome, I could really use them at the moment.