captivity

[full_of_wrath]

Kirk gets called in. Mostly because Khan has made two duty officers guarding his cell ask to be relieved, one of them in tears.

He creates a lot of wear and tear, in general.

Comments

[kobayashiwhatnow]

He glowers at him for the sense he's being mocked. Even if Khan didn't intend it that way, it's incredibly frustrating to watch someone heal in a matter of seconds while he's winded and aching.

"Must be nice."

[full_of_wrath]

"Not out of context."

He says, misunderstanding, licking at the blood dazedly.

[kobayashiwhatnow]

"Not fighting back won't get you any favors."

Because Kirk can't figure out why Khan didn't throw a punch. He hadn't fought back the first time Kirk tried to beat him down either, but that had been different.

[full_of_wrath]

"If I hit you, I'll kill you."

He points out, succinctly.

"I don't want to see you hurt. I've been protecting you, you may have seen, since Qo'noS."

[kobayashiwhatnow]

"And you're still in here."

That would piss off most people.

[full_of_wrath]

"I'm a murderer. I suspect I will be in cells for a very long time to come."

He admits, arm stealing about his knees.

"I'm only sorry it was your man killed in the fire, not Marcus himself. I will break his neck if given half the chance.

[kobayashiwhatnow]

The barest mention of Pike has his adrenaline pumping again, but Kirk is too intelligent to fly off again. Especially with the mention of Marcus.

It's possible Khan is lying about Marcus, but Kirk doubts it.

"And promising you he'll face justice won't make any difference to you."

[full_of_wrath]

"I've seen the 'justice' your Federation believes in. It doesn't have much space for protecting people like me. If he's taken in he'll be put on trial by his peers, who will see only what they wish to."

[kobayashiwhatnow]

"We have evidence."

He looks at Khan significantly. But he's uneasy, piecing things together and not liking the picture he's getting out of it.

[full_of_wrath]

"Do you think he managed what he did to us by himself?"

He spits, dragging himself up the wall.

"Hit me again or get out, but don't stand there pretending that your system will protect my people, not after how close you came to committing the genocide on us yourself."

[kobayashiwhatnow]

That gets him up, glaring up at Khan.

"The only reason your people are still alive is because I wouldn't do what he did. The only reason you're in here is because you're a murderer. I will make sure he sees justice, I promise you, but I am damn sure going to make sure you pay."

[full_of_wrath]

"Torture me to death, for all I care."

He answers, flat with utter conviction, resignation.

"But turn my crew over to them, turn him over to them, and all will be for naught."

[kobayashiwhatnow]

There: that uneasy twist of intuition, again.

"Do you know who worked with him in bringing you out?"

[full_of_wrath]

"Three other admirals. A handful of scientists. But him and Admiral Reed were responsible for the decision to use my- others as hostages. Reed was what I would call a great deal more balanced. Marcus was the one who was more liberal with their use as incentive."

[kobayashiwhatnow]

"I need names."

But his mind is already spinning into action. He turns back to the exit, and looks back to be sure Khan is across the room.

He needs to run by McCoy and get his hands healed before he comes back, he decides.

"Get me names."

[full_of_wrath]

He'd tasted Khan's blood. The worst of the bruising will mend itself, faster than he'd expect.

Khan remains backed against the wall.

"Marcus. Reed. Endleby."

[kobayashiwhatnow]

Then he needs to find out who's loyal to them, which won't be easy. He should go, but doesn't. Instead he reaches up and rubs his forehead--and then realizes he can move his fingers.

He looks at his hands in surprise, and then at Khan.

[full_of_wrath]

"Do you see why good men want to keep us, to use us?"

He murmurs, standing upright and unruffled, now, like it never happened at all.

[kobayashiwhatnow]

"How many people know about this?"

'Healing blood' was not the first--or hundredth--assumption Kirk had made about Khan. But yes. Yes, he can see the dangers in this.

[full_of_wrath]

"A few dozen. Enough of them."

He admits, shrugging.

"The torpedo marked serial number XC137783853131 contains a man who served as my first officer. You need to awaken him, convince him I'm dead, get him and the others a ship. They can remain frozen, if it's convenient, he'll be able to carry on."

[kobayashiwhatnow]

Kirk stares at him for a long moment, thinking about that. Really thinking about it, and what Khan is capable of. What he and his kind were doing before they were frozen.

He's not unleashing that on the universe. He turns away, and goes back out across the glass.

"Get some rest. You'll need it."

[full_of_wrath]

"We're in your hands."

He tells his back, crossing stiffly to go back to the cot, where he was lying when Kirk came in for the fight.

[kobayashiwhatnow]

When Kirk finally sleeps, he dreams about Khan's fingers, the blood smeared on them, the taste of them in his mouth.

He spends his waking hours throwing all his attention into the ship, but he has Spock search for assistants who worked for the three Admirals. It's about two days before he gets back down to the brig.

The problem is, he no longer believes it's safe to hand Khan off. And like hell he's going to give Khan away to be murdered--if anyone is going to kill him, it's going to be Kirk. And Kirk, in Pike's honor, has already decided that isn't going to happen.

It's put him in a sticky position, and he stands outside the glass and just watches Khan.

[full_of_wrath]

"Come for another round, Captain?"

He asks, voice so slow and tranquil he sounds nearly drugged. He's sitting on the ground, cross legged, hands on his knees in a position of meditation.

"Or do you have news for me?"

[kobayashiwhatnow]

It's both, if Kirk is honest with himself.

"I don't make a habit of sharing information with prisoners."

He'd meant to come down here to talk, but now that he's here, and aware of how outmatched he is...well, now he just wants to beat his fists on Khan's unyielding body again.