'Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven' - Chapter 14

[nikki4noo]

Jim heard the call back to Khan from one of his people. Obviously, Spock and Burly had been listening to Marla as well and had received her clues. The clever woman had let them know exactly how many people were still in the room and where they were.

Jim had been worried when Khan had told her to fix the system, if she would obey him or not. He had been almost ready to have her beamed right back out of there again. Chekov had run over to the wall unit and tapped into the access that was being viewed by her and he smiled at Jim over his shoulder when Marla told Khan she couldn’t fix it.

“Captain, she can,” he told Jim.

Jim furrowed his brow in Chekov’s direction.

“If she want, she could fix or at least provide some control access. She is lying to them,” Chekov exclaimed, a little smile on his face as he spoke.

“Good,” Jim had nodded back at Chekov, before turning back to look at the communicator that was lying open on the transporter console. Willing her to give them some more information, or try and get the door access opened. Anything to give them an advantage.

He turned back in concern when she told them how to attack the Engineering crew in the Jeffries tubes. He was in two minds. She seemed to be helping them again, but she could have been lying to Khan before about fixing the system. It was hard to gauge her intentions.

“Captain,” Chekov hissed. “If Commander Spock is listening too, she is telling them where to ambush them.”

Jim looked at the communicator, loathe to put a comm through to Spock in case it was intercepted by the Augments.

“Chekov, check the biosignals for our crew in the Engineering area. Are any moving?” Jim asked.

“Yes, Captain. They are moving to intercept the Augments. Commander Spock was listening.”

Jim’s pleasure at the upcoming ambush was tempered by McGivers presence still in that room. If Khan found out, he wouldn’t be happy.

“Chekov, come back to the console.”

“Captain, I have the Engineering room on the screen again and there are new indications on it.”

“What?” Jim asked as he walked back over to see the screen.

“Are you sure that four people are enough to protect you?” they heard Marla ask.

“Clever,” Jim said, admiration evident in his tone.

Khan didn’t seem to like the question, but the ensuing arrogance from him and calling Marla over told Jim that Khan was the indicator positioned in the middle of the room.

Jim scoffed to hear that he was apparently “a young fool who got lucky”. He had worked hard to get where he was and half the stuff they went through didn’t actually make it into their reports back to Starfleet.

Jim gripped the console hard and stared down at the communicator as he tried to visualize what he was hearing. Chekov had come to stand back by him.

“Will she be alright?” Chekov asked when Khan accused her of setting up the ambush.

“I don’t know,” Jim replied. “He did seem to care for her and love can blind people.”

There were calls from the other people in the room, asking Khan for instructions and yelling at each other for more information.

He heard Marla crying out, her voice breaking as if she was crying and then the sounds were muffled and indistinct. Jim heard what he thought might be a scuffle of some sort, clothes rasping against each other and then Khan spoke clearly.

“Shh, it will all be over soon.”

Jim grabbed Chekov’s phaser off the console and flipped it on to kill.

“Get me in there, now!” Jim ordered as he pulled out his own phaser with his other hand and set it on kill as well.

“Captain?” Chekov asked, horror on his face as he started to come to the same conclusion as Jim.

“Now!” Jim yelled as he stood on the pad. “And get Security in there too!”

Chekov started the procedure, his fingers flying fast and sure over the console. “Energizing,” he said.

The last thing Jim heard from him, before he disappeared in the swirl of light was, “Good luck, Captain.”

Jim saw the Engineering room come into focus and he glanced around quickly, hands up and ready to start firing. Chekov had beamed him to a spot behind the others, who all had their backs turned to him and were watching Khan as he dropped McGivers onto the floor. Jim saw the console off to the side, which provided access to the door. He ran over to it and hit the access point, keying in his override as fast as his fingers could type.

“Hey!” one of the Augments yelled, finally spotting him.

He lifted up his phaser and started firing at them, while he put in the final code and hit open. He was in time, as the door started to open and Jim dived out of the way as a shot hit the console and sparks flew up into the air, remembering to grab the second phaser he had placed on the console.

Jim could see feet rushing in and Marla’s lifeless body lying on the floor, her hair streaming out in a gentle wave. In seconds, Jim was back on his feet and firing off shots toward the Augments as he ran for cover behind the far console. He kept as low a shape as possible as he ran, noting that Khan had his phaser out and was heading in Jim’s direction. Out the corner of his vision he saw one of the Augments backing away from the door. Jim took aim with his left hand and started firing at the woman.

Two shots had her crying out and crumpling down on the floor. Jim didn’t have time to savor the victory as a shot close to his hand had him dropping the phaser. His hand had obviously been sighted just outside of the console. He shook his hand and swore before he listened intently for any movement near him. The noise was chaotic, shots being fired in all directions, people yelling and bodies falling over or crashing into the walls and the consoles. Jim hoped that it was the Augments who were being hit. At least the ones he saw in his first quick look around the room didn’t have phasers on them. Khan did, though, and Jim wanted to get his hands on the man.

He got his wish as Khan stepped into his line of sight, firing toward the open doorway. Jim took his opportunity and fired off a couple of shots. The second one hit Khan, causing him to stumble--hence the third shot missing--and he turned in Jim’s direction, a murderous glare on his face. Jim watched as a shot hit the wall behind Khan, the light casting an eerie glow on the man for a moment. Khan turned to fire in Jim’s direction, so Jim launched himself from his crouching position and slammed his body into Khan’s.

They went down, Jim’s arm trapped underneath Khan’s body. The wind was knocked out of him for moment, which allowed Khan to twist and roll, forcing Jim sideways. Jim kicked out with his leg and held Khan off with his other arm. Jim’s phaser was now lying on the ground behind them but Khan still had one in his hand. Jim was holding onto Khan’s wrist for dear life, trying to keep it away from aiming at Jim.

Jim managed to get a leg free and wrapped it around one of Khan’s legs, rolling Khan back a little onto his side. Khan had his hand in Jim’s hair and pulled hard, causing Jim to yelp in pain. Yet the movement allowed Jim to get his trapped arm out and he wasted no time slamming his open palm into the side of Khan’s face, taking satisfaction from the smacking sound it made as it connected with Khan’s flesh.

Khan growled as he reared back and up, using his strength to twist Jim’s arm back down and started aiming the phaser in Jim’s direction. Jim bucked and twisted, trying to get the upper hand with Khan but he was too strong.

Jim looked in shock as he felt Khan jolt, cry out, and jolt again. Khan’s gripped loosened on the hand that Jim had slapped him with just before. Jim took Khan’s laxness as an opportunity and pulled his fist back. If he had savored the open handed slap before, the punch that he aimed and connected with Khan’s mouth was one of his greatest victories. He felt the skin break over his knuckles and pain exploded as he felt his bones connect with Khan’s teeth.

Khan’s eyes widened with shock and anger as his head snapped backwards. He yelled some primeval noise as he straddled Jim and brought his arm around to fire the phaser.

Jim felt the world move into slow motion as he saw the murderous intent on Khan’s face and then the phaser dropped from his hand, his arms spread wide, his mouth opened to cry out but no sound was forthcoming. Then everything sped up again and Khan collapsed forward onto him.

“Oof,” Jim grunted, as Khan’s solid body connected with him.

Jim blinked as sound came rushing back to him. There was no more yelling and chaos. Instead there was a low dull sound of quiet conversations and the sound of bodies being dragged across the floor.

“Jim,” he heard Spock say.

“Here,” Jim managed to get out as he tried to push Khan off himself. The man was a dead weight, but Jim noted that his chest was rising up and down. He was just stunned and not dead.

Spock came into Jim’s vision, looming over the top of him, and helped Jim get Khan off of him.

As Jim looked down at the man sprawled on the floor, he saw the phaser burns on the back of his clothing. Jim looked at the phaser in Spock’s hand.

“Do I have you to thank for that?” Jim asked.

Spock just looked at Jim, not answering and for Jim, it was answer enough.

“Thanks,” Jim said as he patted Spock on the arm. He could feel the adrenaline from the fight dissipating from his body, leaving him feeling all the aches and pains. “I want them in the Brig and I want him isolated from them with no means of contact.”

“The prisoners are being transferred there by Security. I will relay your order and arrange for suitable secure accommodation,” Spock said as he bent down to pick up Khan, none too gently, Jim was pleased to note.

Jim finally looked around the room. Scotty was going to be pissed when he saw the state of his control room. Sparks and fizzes were seen and heard from a few of the consoles that had taken some misdirected phaser fire. There was a dent in one of the low panels and his Security crew were removing the last of the Augments from the room, bodies completely relaxed and feet splayed upwards as they dragged along on the ground. They were like some life-sized parody of a doll, heads lolling downwards. Jim wasn’t sure which were dead bodies and which were only stunned.

Lying still in the middle of the room was her, the red of her uniform a splash of color on the grey floor. Jim walked slowly over to her and knelt down on the floor. The auburn red of her thick hair looked soft and Jim reached a hand out to touch it. It was as soft as he thought, and he gently moved his hand under her head and, with his other hand around her waist, he picked her up to rest over his legs.

Her eyes were closed and Jim noted that she was an attractive woman. A heart-shaped face, plump lower lip, with a natural pale pink color that many a woman would try and emulate with cosmetics. With her hair down, it softened her face even more. She looked to be at a peaceful rest.

oOo

Bones impatiently waited for the turbolift doors to open. Spock had called up to Sickbay to let him know that there had been firefight in the Engineering main control room and assistance was needed. He had then let slip that Jim was there but not unduly harmed. Chekov had come bursting into Sickbay at that moment, asking for help as he had managed to regain control access to the Bridge and was reversing the airflow there. Bones told Spock he would send a team down. He left Naxi in charge of Sickbay and the injured that still required treatment, while M’Benga was sent to select a team and go with Chekov to the Bridge. Bones ordered his own team to come with him to head down to Engineering.

As the doors to the turbolift opened, a security officer was standing and waiting for them.

Bones walked out of the lift and started toward the Engineering main control room. The security officer had his mouth open ready to speak but had to quickly catch up to Bones before he could do so.

“I’m Ensign Jones, sir. Mr. Spock told me to tell you that the Captain has sustained minor injuries and we have a number of the Augments who have been stunned. They are being taken to the Brig.”

“Good,” Bones said.

“Also two of our personnel have phaser burns. We are waiting to hear back from our teams who are rounding up the other Augments that were holed up in the Jeffries tubes.”

“Thank you,” Bones said as the doors to the Engineering main control room opened.

Against the console were the two security personnel. Bones noted the superficial burn marks and he turned to his team and told them to check them over. Bones then let himself glance in Jim’s direction.

Jim was kneeling on the floor and he had Lt. McGivers lying in his lap. Spock was standing watch over Jim and her.

“Jones, call Yeoman Rand down here please,” Bones said quietly before he walked over toward Jim, Spock and McGivers.

As he got closer, the stench reached him. He could see the drool glistening on McGivers’ chin and a glance lower showed the stains on her skirt and the pool on the floor. Jim didn’t glance up at him, he seemed oblivious to everything except the body in his lap.

“Rand’s on her way down,” Bones said quietly to Spock. “Let her know she needs to get Jim changed first and he won’t smell so good. I’ve sent M’Benga and a team with Chekov onto the Bridge. Lifesigns are all fine for them. They were just knocked out and should be back to rights in a few hours.”

“Thank you, doctor,” Spock replied. “The Captain?” he asked as he glanced downward.

“I’ll take care of it,” Bones replied. “Please go warn Rand.”

Bones stepped around so that he was facing Jim, the body of McGivers in between them. He knelt down, steeling himself as the stench became stronger with proximity.

“Hey Jim,” Bones said.

“Bones,” Jim said in surprise, looking up at him.

“Rand’s coming, Jim. You need to go with her,” Bones told him quietly.

Jim had seen many deaths in his time and Bones had seen more himself than he wished upon anyone, but a strangling death was not pretty. In this day and age most deaths were quick and a whole lot neater. There was still a lot of blood and blood he could handle. A strangling he had read and understood the technicalities of, but not been prepared for the actuality. It wasn’t just the urine smell, it was everything. All bodily functions were lost in a strangulation and the bruising around her throat spoke to Bones of the viciousness of her death.

“I can’t,” Jim said.

“They need you on the Bridge, Jim,” Bones said. He had seen this before in many others who were close to a particularly violent death. The high as you fight for your life and the lives of others, which is swiftly followed by the crash. Jim had experienced it a few times. Once Rand had him and cleaned him up, Bones knew he would be okay to finish the job they needed to do to ensure the ship was fully back in their hands. But Bones needed to get him away from the body. Later he would talk with Jim and check him over properly.

“The Bridge?” Jim asked.

“Yeah.”

“But who will look after her?” Jim asked, looking back down at the body.

“It’s okay, Jim. I’ll look after her. You trust me?” Bones said, looking earnestly at Jim, who was looking back at him.

Out of the corner of his eye, Bones could see Spock talking with Rand, obviously explaining what was needed from her. Bones didn’t want her close enough to see exactly the state the body was in and only hoped he could get Jim to stand up and move away from her quickly.

Jim nodded at him.

“Good. Why don’t you give her to me? I see Rand over there and I am sure she has some reporting for you.”

Jim bit his bottom lip, it was his ‘thinking things over’ moment, just before he gave in. Bones knew he had gotten through to Jim.

“Okay,” Jim said as he lifted her up a bit to hand her over to Bones.

Bones held his hands out and let Jim transfer the body over. “I’ll look after her, promise.”

Jim slowly stood up, rubbing his hands on his pants as he looked down one last time at the body. He nodded again and then walked slowly over to the main doors where Spock was standing with Rand. Bones watched carefully as Rand talked with Jim, her hands clasped behind her back and, being careful not to touch him. She treated him as if she was giving him a report on a day when they hadn’t had their ship taken away from them. Bones noted that Jim’s posture slowly started to change. He stood up straighter, like the universe was his to command, and he walked away from Rand, making her follow after him. Spock stood still and stoic as usual, watching Jim walk away. When Spock turned back to face into the room, Bones knew that Jim was in the lift and on his way back to their room.

Bones carefully laid the body on the ground and stood up.

“Brewster. Arrange for transport to the morgue for the body, please.”

“Yes, sir,” Brewster replied as he rushed out of the room to comply with the order.

“Spock,” Bones said as he walked over to the First Officer. “I’ll check with my team here before heading back to Sickbay.”

“Yes, Doctor. I suggest you also take the opportunity to change as you requested of the Captain.”

Bones resisted rolling his eyes at Spock. “That’s why I’m going back. Got a change of clothes there. Let me know when all the Augments are rounded up. I will need to do an assessment of their injuries.”

“There are sixteen that have not been apprehended as yet, but Security assures me we should have them in the next ten minutes. The bodies are being arranged for transport to the morgue space.”

“I just bet you are timing them too,” Bones sardonically replied.

Spock opened his mouth to reply but Bones held up a hand. “Don’t bother, I already know the answer. Get Brewster to clean that up once he has transferred the body. Don’t get one of the Engineering staff, they aren’t used to it,” Bones said.

“Very well, Doctor.”

“As soon as I hear anything from the Bridge, I will let you know,” Bones said before he turned and walked away from Spock and back over to his team to get an update.

oOo

“I can do that,” Nyota said as she slowly pushed herself up off the ground. She had been sitting on the step down to the main Bridge area, but when Sanchez started to direct Lt. Alden and the technicians to fix up the Communications Station, she couldn’t sit still any longer.

A wave of dizziness came over her as she stood up too quick and she tried to regain her balance. “It’s okay,” she said as Brent, the nurse who had been checking her, held onto her arm to help steady her.

“You should be sitting down. The aftereffects of the anesthetic are still in your system,” Brent told her.

“I’ll be fine,” Nyota replied. “I pulled it apart, so I know how it goes back together,” she insisted as she tried to pull her arm out of Brent’s gentle but secure hold. She glared at his hand encasing her arm. For a slender man, he had a lot of strength.

“Please sit, Lt. Uhura, so I can finish the scan,” Brent said.

Nyota narrowed her eyes as she considered the request. She had made the mess of the station while trying to stay ahead of the Augments, so she should be the one to clean it up.

A hand on her shoulder had her jolting in shock at the contact. She turned to see who had touched her and blinked when she saw Spock. She hadn’t heard the door open, when normally she picked up on all the little things like that.

“Thank you, Lieutenant, I will speak to Lieutenant Uhura.” Spock was looking in Brent’s direction as he spoke.

“Yes, sir,” Brent replied.

“You are well?” Spock asked.

“I’m fine. I need to fix the station,” she said, looking over to where there was a heated discussion occurring about what wire went where.

“Dr. M’Benga,” Spock said, calling over the doctor.

“Yes, Mr. Spock?” Geoff asked as he walked over from where he had been talking with Hikaru and Pavel.

“Your recommendation for the Bridge crew?” Spock asked.

“Replacements have been called up and all are in place. Those crew who were on the Bridge when the narcotic was released have been advised that they are to rest and report to Sickbay prior to their next shift for medical release.”

“Thank you, doctor,” Spock said, effectively dismissing Geoff with a look. He gave Nyota another look, one that told her he was disappointed with her.

She raised her chin up, ready to protest again that she was fine, when she felt his finger tips touch her hand. A gentle Vulcan kiss and the little flutter from his fingers indicated how scared he had been for her.

“I am okay,” she said quietly, ignoring the protestations from Hikaru as Pavel tried to push him out the door.

“You did not hear me arrive on the Bridge,” Spock said.

“No,” she admitted, knowing that he had won the argument. Her senses had been tuned to his presence almost from the first moment he had walked into the classroom where she had first seen him at the Academy. That she didn’t realize just before that he had entered the Bridge, brought home that she did need to rest. She hated making mistakes and if she pressured to stay, she might do so.

Nyota dropped her head down to look at their hands, letting him know that she would do as he requested. He moved his fingers up for a longer caress against hers, sending a tingle down her spine. She knew that the feeling would be more intense for him.

Abruptly Spock dropped his hand away and turned from her. She looked over his shoulder to see Jim had entered the Bridge and was talking with Hikaru and Pavel. Pavel was as animated as ever, hands flashing up in the air, before they landed on his hips and he stuck his chin out in Hikaru’s direction.

Jim laughed at the pugnacious attitude from Pavel, before clapping his hand on Hikaru’s shoulder.

“Captain,” Spock said, getting Jim’s attention.

Jim nodded at Hikaru and Pavel before walking the couple of steps over to Spock and Nyota.

Nyota watched to see Hikaru heading back over to the helm, closely followed by Pavel. She frowned to see him return to his position, seemingly ordered by Jim. He had stopped to talk to Lt. Rahda who was seated at the helm.

“He’s just sending through the tactical logs. He has orders to head to his quarters after he does so,” Jim said, answering the question Nyota was just thinking about.

“Very good, Captain,” Spock replied. “Dr. M’Benga has informed me that all bridge crew have been released from duty and will be cleared by Medical before their next shift.”

Jim nodded as he looked at Nyota. “Nyota, you are okay?”

“Yes, sir,” Nyota said, smiling at Jim to let him know she was well. She realized that the longer she stayed up here, the more people who were going to keep asking her the same question, so it would be of strategic benefit to retreat to the calm of her room.

“Good. Now off my Bridge and rest, doctor’s orders and I am sure Spock would have ease of mind as well.” Jim smiled back at her. “Spock, I want all reports sent to me. I will work on the report in my office. You have the conn.”

Nyota looked at Spock and the look in his eyes promised her that he would come and see her as soon as he had discharged his duties. With a little nod, she left the room, leaving Spock and Jim to do what they do best, take charge.

oOo

Jim wandered into Sickbay and looked around. There were a few crew-members on beds being looked at and Jim walked over to offer a smile and a quick supportive chat with each of them. He had already received the information on what injuries and deaths had been sustained. Alpha shift was over, Bones had sent through the report on the detainees, and Jim was a little concerned that he hadn’t chased after Jim for a check up. This is why Jim was in the Sickbay.

Bones was standing over at the far corner and talking through something on a PADD with M’Benga. He had glanced up and nodded at Jim, when Jim had first entered and then gone back to his discussion with his second in command.

Jim finished up a final chat with the last remaining patient, who had missed most of the action because of the air-borne virus that had infected them the day of the Botany Bay’s discovery. Jim gave a pat on the knee to G’der and then walked slowly, trying to make it look casual, over to Bones and M’Benga.

“Captain,” M’Benga greeted him, while Bones kept looking at the PADD for a moment before he too looked up.

“Jim.”

“Reporting for my medical,” Jim said, deciding to cut right to the chase.

It had been strange to realize that he had gotten through the rest of the shift and hadn’t had a call to be checked out after the engagement.

“Talk to you later, Leonard,” M’Benga said as he walked away, leaving Bones and he alone.

“Fine, up on the bed,” Bones said, turning away to put the PADD down on the trolley.

“Here?” Jim asked. Normally Bones would see to him in one of the side rooms.

“Yes, here. Now get up.” Bones had turned back and had the scanner in his hand.

Jim hopped up onto the bed, swinging his legs up before Bones could glare at him. Bones pulled the screen around and was looking at various readouts before he started to run the scanner over Jim’s body. He alternated looking at the screen and checking where he was scanning. It was very different to a normal check-up, where Bones or he would be talking.

The silence was driving Jim a little nuts. There was still the normal sounds happening around them, but there wasn’t even a grumble for Bones about Jim’s injuries.

“The prisoners are okay?” Jim asked for wont of anything better to say.

Bones stopped his scanning to look at Jim. “You didn’t get the report?”

“Yeah, I got it.”

“And you didn’t read it,” Bones said almost under his breath as he went back to scanning.

“I read it,” Jim protested and hoped he didn’t sound like a petulant child as he spoke.

Bones sighed.

“It was just a conversation starter, sheesh,” Jim complained, knowing that there was no way to stop him sounding like a little kid. Bones was definitely a little ‘off’ and the talk was making it worse. “I hadn’t heard from you all afternoon, that’s all.”

“Been busy.”

“Never stopped you before.”

Bones slammed his hand down on the edge of the bed and Jim waited for the explosion of temper. It didn’t come, because Bones took a deep breath before speaking again.

“I knew you had things to do. Spock kept me updated and I had things here.” Bones had moved away as he spoke and picked up a regenerator from the trolley before stepping back over to the bed.

He picked up Jim’s hand and gently held it while he ran the regenerator over the top, healing the broken skin and the bruising from where Jim had punched Khan. Jim tried not to shiver from the little tingles that were always evident whenever skin had to be regenerated. He concentrated on the feeling of warmth from Bones’ palm instead.

“I’ve made an appointment for you with the counsellor for tomorrow. Don’t you dare protest.” Bones looked up at Jim at the last part. “Rand has the time and you will go. I have one too.” Bones stepped away and back to the trolley, moving things around and keeping his back to Jim. Jim knew he was avoiding something. If they were alone, Jim would have gotten off the bed and touched Bones. That Bones had made him get on a bed and be looked at in the main area, spoke volumes to Jim about Bones not wanting to be questioned about something.

“When?” Jim asked.

“1100,” Bones replied, standing still next to the bed. The regenerator was still in his hand. Jim was sure now that Bones’ little trip back to the trolley was definitely an avoidance tactic.

“Good, I need you at the start of the shift. We have to see Khan and the others. Protocol,” Jim said as he sat up.

“The Articles,” Bones stated, understanding exactly what they had to do tomorrow.

Jim could have organized it for this evening, but with all the adrenaline still likely to be running through people’s veins and the setting the ship back to rights, he was sure it would have been a stupid move. Scotty and Bones were needed as senior officers and Jim was sure a nights sleep would have them feeling a little more composed about standing in front of Khan and his people. For all his own temper, Jim knew he could hold it in better than those two, and Khan pushed all his buttons in the wrong way.

“Chin up,” Bones said as he reached a hand forward to tug down the edge of Jim’s shirt and undershirt so he had more skin showing on his neck.

The touch of Bones’ fingers on his skin had Jim bringing his own hand up to grip gently around Bones’ wrist. Not to stop him, but to make sure he didn’t lose the connection.

Like anytime Bones touched him, he felt the rush of light-headiness from shallow breathing, a flush on his skin and he flicked his tongue out to moisten his dry lower lip. He was alive, Bones was alive, and through not everyone survived, Jim wanted that connection with Bones back.

Jim was sure his lips were quirking up in a slight smirk as he noted the heat in Bones’ eyes as he stared back at Jim, the shallow breathing that Bones was doing, as if he had just run laps.

“Jim,” Bones whispered in warning, reminding Jim that they were in a very public place.

“Just glad to be here. Now, fix me doctor,” Jim said as he tilted his head back, but keeping an eye on Bones’ expression as he did so.

Jim’s smile got wider as he saw the flash in Bones’ eyes before he lowered his lids to focus on Jim’s neck and bring up the regenerator and get it to work on the bruises on his neck. Later, Jim promised himself, he would get Bones to open up about what he was trying to avoid telling Jim.

oOo

“Burly, how is our prisoner today?” Jim asked.

“Testy,” Burly replied. “He’s complaining about his meals and his accommodation.”

“Probably thinks he deserves to be in the Taj Mahal,” Bones said in what he probably thought was a sotto voce tone.

“Bones,” Jim warned.

“What? You know that man has a heightened opinion of himself and he’s damn lucky he wasn’t sent out an airlock. And don’t you laugh,” Bones complained as he pointed a finger in Burly’s direction. “Cupcake!”

“We have rules and regulations, Doctor, and name calling is the code of the schoolyard,” Spock replied before Jim could try and get Bones to shut his mouth.

Jim knew why Bones was griping. They were about to come face to face with Khan again after everything and this was Bones’ way of getting his nervousness out of the way.

“At least he has stopped calling me that, you don’t seem so lucky,” Burly replied to Bones.

“Just you wait until it’s booster time,” Bones threatened.

Scotty tried to hold his snort of laughter in but he wasn’t successful.

“Gentlemen,” Jim warned.

“Fine,” Bones grumbled. “Lets get this over with.”

Burly opened the door and they all walked in. Jim noted that Security were taking no chances with Khan. He was secured to the wall by his arms, at a generous distance, and the three other cells were empty. Khan could still walk around in his holding cell, but his movements were restricted away from the front of it. His people had also been kept away from him, so that he could not plan another escape.

“How nice, visitors,” Khan said with a mocking tone.

“Khan Noonien Singh, I Captain James T. Kirk, under the authority invested in me by Starfleet Command, do hereby declare that you are to be held under arrest by order of Starfleet Security Protocol 11. You and your people will be held until we dock with Starbase 12, where you will be handed over to Starfleet Command for trial in relation to the death of Lieutenant Marla McGivers and the attempted takeover of a Starfleet vessel. You do not have to respond to these charges at this time. Anything you say can and will be used against you in the court of law. I state this to be a true and correct accounting of the matter,” Jim said.

“Captain, you have the authority,” Spock replied, ending the official notification that was required in the presence of four other Senior Officers.

“How pitiful,” Khan replied. “You can not order my execution. I was right to think you a weak and toothless tiger.”

“We have rules and regulations to follow and abide by. It is what sets us apart from barbarians,” Jim replied.

“Hah!” Khan replied. “You sent a woman in first. Scared to face me?”

Jim gritted his teeth at the mention of Marla. He thought back to the satisfaction he felt when his fist met Khan’s flesh. It wouldn’t bring her back, but for a moment, it gave Jim a sense of rightness.

“Leonard, see these inferior beings you are a part of? You are a man of courage who sent your women away and faced my men and I. You didn’t hide behind the skirts of a woman.” Khan was smiling in Bones’ direction and Jim felt him tense slightly.

“That woman was braver than I,” Bones replied. “She knew you and still offered to go in there.”

“She was weak and not worthy.”

“She was worthy of Starfleet,” Jim said. “She helped us bring you down. Your dream of ruling has come to an end.”

“This is such a small world that you rule, Captain. Only 800 people. A ship like this at your disposal and you just float around observing. What happened to our ambition?” Khan asked.

“That ambition was your undoing, Khan Noonien Singh,” Spock pointed out. “It was your downfall in the 1990s and it was your downfall again. A superior being would have learned from their mistakes, not repeat them.”

“I do not make mistakes,” Khan proclaimed.

“I think the bonds you are currently in might beg to differ,” Burly pointed out.

Scotty and Bones tried to hide their laughter. Khan just glared at them and raised his chin in an attempt at a defiant but ultimately empty gesture.

“You think you are superior because of your technology. Nothing ever changes, except man. Your technical accomplishments? Improve a mechanical device and you may double productivity. But improve man and you gain a thousand fold. I am such a man. Let me out of here and I shall show you the adventure you all crave. The worlds that can be conquered and ruled with the technology at your hands.”

“The only ruling you will be doing will be in a penal colony, which seems apt considering the name of your ship,” Scotty pointed out.

“We serve the Federation. We have adventure and see the wonder of new worlds and people and appreciate it all without restricting via the bonds of captivity,” Jim added.

“‘Better to reign in Hell than serve in Heaven,’” Khan quoted.

“Milton,” Jim replied with a disdainful snort. “Apt that you quote Satan. He did end up believing his own lies, and he lost. We Humans went on. He was all about his own desire for power, like you. The rights of the individual are beyond the learning of creatures like Satan. I can only hope that you end up learning the lesson of Paradise Lost. Gentleman, I think we are done here.”

Jim turned and walked out of the room, ignoring Khan’s cries for him to return. Once the door had closed behind them all, Jim turned toward Burly.

“Keep him under continual surveillance. I don’t think he will ever stop wanting to escape and the sooner he is off my ship, the happier I will be,” Jim said.

“You and me both, Captain,” Burly replied.

“I hate to say it, as a Scotsman, but I am not familiar with the quote,” Scotty said.

“It’s what Lucifer said as he fell down to the pit. I think it’s an epic you would appreciate, Scotty.”

“Maybe Captain, but not sure if I could read it and not think of that one,” Scotty said as he tilted his head in the direction of the Brig.

“True. How’s the repairs going in Engineering?” Jim asked slapping Scotty on the shoulder and directing him toward the outer door and back out into the corridor.

“Well, there are one or two little improvements I might like to suggest to you, Jim,” Scotty said with a sly smile.

“I might consider them while we have a discussion about these areas within the Jeffries tubes’ that seem to be able to override the control rooms,” Jim replied, not even bothering to hide the smirk on his face.

“Well, I think I should be getting back to Engineering. Lots to do after all,” Scotty turned and walked quickly in the opposite direction.

Jim laughed at Scotty avoiding the conversation. He grinned at Bones who was just standing there, with his arms crossed but a little smile playing across his lips.

“I wonder if Lieutenant Commander Scott will realize that it will take him 4.23 minutes longer to get to Engineering via the circuitous route he is currently undertaking?” Spock asked.

“Doubt it. I also wonder if I will get back the 2 minutes it took you to just say that he’s going the wrong way in order to not have to talk to the pair of you?” Bones asked.

Jim laughed at the affronted look on Spock’s face; which meant that there was a little tick on his forehead as he strongly resisted raising an eyebrow in Bones’ direction.

“On that note, Jim, Spock, I shall copy Scotty and head back to my section,” Bones stated before he too walked off, down the side corridor toward the turbolift that would take him back closer to Sickbay.

“C’mon Spock, let’s get back to our Bridge,” Jim said as he gestured down the corridor.

“Indeed,” Spock replied.

oOo

Epilogue this way