Jim chatted over coffee in the morning as the team worked in headquarters.
' So all good after yesterday?' He asked Uhura as he leaned on her desk.
'Yeah Mccoy says its fine.' She smiled. Jim nodded earnestly.' I'm glad'.
Spock entered as Jim stood up. ' Okay Team so today's plan is another psychopath hunt. We don't go too far and we will be back by night fall but we will search for him to the east of the ship.' Spock nodded in approval as Nyota listened.
The three got ready. Spock and Jim chatted as Uhura placed a phaser in her belt.
'This will be fun.' a gruff voice spoke over the chatter. Mccoy entered with his own phaser in his belt.
Uhura frowned. 'Wanting to see some action today I see Mccoy?' She chuckled teasingly as Jim chuckled.
'Actually Uhura, he is your babysitter.' Jim teased back.
Uhura frowned and opened her mouth wide in realisation. Mccoy smirked and laughed.
'What? But I'm fine.' Uhura contested. Spock and Jim exited starfleet and began walking.
' Yeah yeah.' Mccoy ushered her from the room towards them.
The team walked quietly for hours. The forest was far denser than their previous mission as they ventured deeper. There were signs of camp set ups and empty weapons. They would be getting closer to any base Khan was nearby at by now if he was in this direction.
Mccoy muttered under his breath as he scanned behind him anxiously.
'Just stay close now guys.' Jim said authoritatively as the sky seemed darker with the thickening canopy above.
A dark sadistic chuckle echoed through the trees. All four Starfleet officers froze. Jim grabbed his phaser outright, Spock froze and Mccoy put his hand on his weapon at his side. Uhura looked around for the sound source.
'Hello again.' Khan's menacing voice boomed as all four turned in the direction. He stood menacingly still.
'You've come to imprison me again however this is my planet. I suggest you leave as I do hold a strong grudge against you and your team Mr Kirk.' He stepped forward. Mccoy and Uhura stood furthest back, Spock and Jim in front.
Jim glared. 'You need to be held accountable for your war crimes. You are sadistic and you killed members of our crew' Jim said with authority.
' Sadistic?' Khan spat.' I would call it advanced. Doing what needs to be done for my and my peoples survival' Khan tested as he walked around the group.
Jim did not drop his phaser, still pointed at him. Spock stood tensely.
'Even my weaponry is far superior to your pathetic Starfleet armoury.' Khan tested as Jim's fingers twitched.
'Come peacefully. Do not provoke us.' Spock warned.
Khan chuckled menacingly with humour.
' Oh you haven't seen provocation yet Mr Spock.' Khan warned. He walked closely to Spock stopping a very short distance from him, challengingly.
Jim glowered. Mccoy stood with his hand on his belt over his phaser as did Uhura.
' Mr Spock, do you know the most effective way to hurt a man?' Khan moved closer, glaring manically. Spock did not answer, his expression calm.
'Through his woman.' Khan glared. Before confusion even crossed Spock, Jim or Mccoy's expressions, a piercing scream broke the cold air.
Uhura fell to the ground on her knees and let out a scream in pain. Bones dropped to his knees instantly, his hand on back, scanning for some kind of injury. Spock turned to her at the first sound of her scream. He stopped as he watched her catch her breath, breathing hard as Mccoy still rubbed her back trying to make sense of the situation. Spock turned instantly furious and lunged at the manic superhuman. Jim interceded, grabbing his shoulder andholding him back with great difficulty. Spock forgot the strength of Vulcans.
Spock stopped his pursuit under Jim's restraint, voluntarily, awaiting Khan's explanation.
Mccoy helped Uhura to her feet, holding her forearm and standing protectively in front of her.
Jim spat. 'What did you do!' He glared at Khan, still holding spock back warningly. He knew Spock was complying with his authority as Captain. There was no way he could hold him back if didn't.
Khan chuckled and walked backwards a few paces.
' Like i said. Advanced weaponry. A strong pain inducing neurotoxin to the central nervous system controlled while in the host's system by this.' He gestured to a small blue device.
Mccoy glowered in fury as Uhura gasped wide eyed.
' My hitman did a good job.' Khan tested, glaring at Uhura.
Spock shouted in rage pushing through Jim's hands, lunging at Khan.
Screaming ensured. Uhura fell to the ground on her back continuing her shouts of pain. Spock froze momentarily in shock.
Mccoy shouted in fear, his hand on her stomach, desperately looking for an attempt to stop it. Jim fired his phaser at snapped back into action, fury on his expression, motivated by his lover's shouts. He punched Khan repeatedly, Jim shot again, knocking the remote device from his hands.
Mccoy sprinted to it standing on repeatedly with his boot, crushing the device. The screaming stopped as Spock pulled himself from Khan, now covered in bruises and weary.
'No!' Khan shouted in fury, scrambling to his feet. He disappeared into the tree density.
Spock moved to chase him.
'Spock!' Mccoy shouted. Spock turned to see him kneeling over Uhura's unconscious form anxiously.
He sprinted to his lover.
' Shes alive! I need to get her to med now.' Mccoy ordered.
Jim sprinted over, lifting her with Spock as she lulled exhausted.