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

[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.

[full_of_wrath]

"Then by all means."

Standing upright, gesturing for him to enter, a little more tired looking than before.

"You would tell me if their status had changed? If harm had come to them?"

[kobayashiwhatnow]

He steps through, still expecting Khan to grab him the second he does.

"Yeah. I would." From one Captain to another. "But if anything happened to them, you'd know, because the ship would be in flames."

[full_of_wrath]

He watches him warily, trying to assess whether that's true or not, and folds his hands behind his back again.

"Is it better or worse if I cry out?"

[kobayashiwhatnow]

"It's better if you don't act."

He's surprised at himself for how easily the answer comes--there's nothing even snide in it, just brusque honesty.

When he hits him this time, he's not even angry.

[full_of_wrath]

He folds his hands away carefully, again, squaring his stance a little better so he doesn't end up on the floor again. That knee to the chin wasn't fun, even for him.

He works on centering his breathing, vacating his body.

[kobayashiwhatnow]

Without rage, Kirk doesn't hit as hard, but his stamina is incredible when he's focused on controlling himself. This is the most bizarre way of letting off steam he's found, and he's tried a few.

[full_of_wrath]

It's like last time. The way he'd buckled and slid down the wall, this time he's suddenly gone from standing, unflinching, to sitting at his feet, with one last blow to the face. Words, he finds, are just as far away, and his vision is white.