[ jim felt strangely heavy as he walked out of starfleet headquarters. he'd done what was right, damn the prime directive, and he'd been stabbed in the back for it. he'd been busted down, was to be sent back to the academy, and his ship was taken away. he didn't regret his decision, but the betrayal from his first officer, and the disappointment from pike---
to hell with it. he was going to go back to his apartment, change out of his dress greys, and find the nearest dive to drink away the memory of nibiru and everything else. he'd seen spock waiting, which was not like him (so he assumed he was waiting to see him), and bypassed the front entrance to take a side one.
once outside, he took a breath under the awning, replaced his cover, and started walking with purpose. he may not be a captain anymore, but he damn sure wasn't about to leave there without his head held high. ]
[Three hundred years later, everything on this damned planet felt utterly wrong. His people taken hostage - no choice but to take command of them - not that he didn't already look after them, and the commander.
That's his duties now, damn what Marcus wanted. Wars. He'd seen enough of them, but - it currently served his purpose.
There's still one of them - one of his, that is missing. Haphazard, reckless, still one of their own. And it's a huge genetic fault not to leave one of them behind. Not that he would.
When he first sees him, it's - odd. Seemed like just yesterday he got to close to the waterfall. Nearly drowned, nearly ... would have died if he hadn't gone after him. Before stealing Botany Bay obviously.
Does he recognize me? He strides with purpose to... bump into him. Properly. Surely then he'd...
[ jim must have been in his own little world. so much that he wasn't paying as much attention to his surroundings as he should have. his feet felt like bricks, and his shoulders felt heavier than they had when he'd watched an entire planet get swallowed by the void. he was snapped sharply out of it when another man's shoulder met his and jarred him enough to falter in his step.
he reached out, instinctively, to steady both himself and the other guy if he needed it. then he offered an apologetic smile. ]
God, sorry. I should have been paying better attention. [ the guy was in civilian clothes, but that didn't mean much these days. he could have just been off duty. ] You ok?
[He steps back... surprised, getting a good look at him. He's not grown, but his stature seems elevated. Stands up a little straighter. Or had. Still... kind-hearted. Too much.]
John. S-sorry I didn't look where I was going. [He gives an awkward laugh and his second false name. Don't you remember me picking you up out of the water?
No. I'm not alright. What's happened to you, Christopher?]
[ he mistakes the surprise for hurt. he licks his lips and takes a step closer, concern clear. ]
John? I'm Jim, and I guess that makes two of us. Sorry for barreling into you. [ he watches the other guy---his eyes---there was something almost familiar. the timbre of his voice.
he thought of making excuses to leave then, but what excuse did he have outside of getting out of his dress uniform and into civilian clothes. and it wasn't like he wouldn't mind the company. ]
Can I make it up to you? There's a place I know just off HQ. [ he gives a grin and raises his brows in expectation. ] Unless you've got somewhere else to be.
[There's a small smile on his face, a bit shy and flirtatious. You don't know me, do you? It hurts a little. Not knowing.]
Yes, yes of course. Might do. [Chance to talk.]
I have nowhere that requires my immediate attention. [The attack can wait. Christopher. Chris, of course you can make it up to me. For saving your sorry arse off that waterfall all those years ago.
He may intend to follow, not wanting to leave his side.]
Well, I can tell you where it is, or you can follow me back to my place so I can change out of my uniform.
[ he starts to walk, hoping that john will walk with him a little while at least. maybe even follow him back to his place too. ] If I do tell you, though, I'll be hurt if you stand me up.
[ he's more than a little pleased when john decides to follow him. his apartment isn't too far off base, a quick hop on a trolley, and there we go. he feels a little better, focused now on something more than his ruined career in starfleet. when they get to his building, he heads to the elevator, and waits for him, glad for the company. ]
So, what's on your mind that had you not paying attention? Something super important?
[ well, he wouldn't know that (yet), now would he. as far as he's aware this is the first time he's had the fortune of shoulder checking this guy in particular.
jim offers a shrug at the explanation. he knows better than to push for information, but then he says admiral and he can't help a little bit of curiosity. ]
Which one? [ considering he just got out of getting his ass chewed by pike. that's going to smart for a while, he's sure. what's worse is the disappointment. pike was like a father to him, and to see him so---yeah, he needs to push that out of his head right now.
he heads in, taking off his dress grey jacket with care, and hangs it up on a hanger near the door, setting his cover on a hook as well. there's a record player, his old style chess set (though he does like three-dimensional), and books. lots of books. most people bypass it or think it's just a quirk of being jim kirk. they dismiss it.
not this guy. not john. he stops when he says that, and heads back over to the other man, smiling in earnest now. ]
You got a thing for old-fashioned things? Feel free to put something on and look around. I just pick things up at markets, or get it from people who find it at random. I love it.
Well you know, most people, they prefer holovids or that sort. [He gestures to the chess set.] Three dimensional chess. Most people don't even read a proper manual anymore, as a matter of convenience. Haven't for over three hundred years. [He sees Kirk's badge. A false identity, but he didn't. He didn't remember. That was rather clear. Starfleet. He can't let him in on the plan, not yet. But he can't leave Christopher behind. It's not in his... genetics. He looks through the records, carefully.]
If I'm watching holovids, it's old movies from the 20th century. Just something about the stuff from that time, and the history. I love it.
[ he watches him look through the box of records, and there's something warming in finding someone else who doesn't think it's a waste of time or space to have it. ]
Make yourself comfortable. Synthesizer's in the kitchen, but I've got some stuff from the market downtown in the refrigerator. I'm just gonna change real quick.
[ and ignore the message from spock on his communicator. he snaps it shut after looking at it, tosses it on the coffee table, and then heads for his bedroom to change. ]
Are you this polite to everyone who enters your quarters? [He's curious, giving his best disarming smile. Comfortable. What is comfort? What is safety, what is - any of this. He'd been distracted but now he's on alert. Christopher still likes to attend cooking duties. Endearing, really. He retained all of his qualities. Just not his memories. Soon now, the attack is imminent. He picks up the communicator, carefully. Contemplates discarding it, but he can't. Not so early. Chris has to trust him first. That's what's important. Trust him enough to go with him, when they start the war, distract Marcus enough to flee.]
[ he catches the smile as he walks back and forth in his room, door still open. he's never been one to hide away. shame, what's that? it's mostly his being polite that keeps him changing just out of sight. he's still got his dress grey pants on when he strips off his shirt, pulls on a dark blue long sleeved one, and peers out at john. ]
I can't tell if you're wondering why I'm not actively flirting, or if you're fishing for a number as to how many people I've had in my quarters.
[ it's teasing, and he ducks back after he says it. slipping out of his trousers, and then into a pair of jeans. then he pads out barefoot to get his boots. his leather jacket is by the door. ]
[He puts back the communicator.] Oh I'd assume you are actually flirting.
[Though the thought of Chris and others makes him uncomfortable. Chris didn't know but that's not very much comfort. He smiles again, grinning at him. He'll have to remember not to call him... Chris. Kirk. That's what he's supposed to call him, as wrong as it sounds.]
[ as far as jim kirk goes, one on one has never been a thing he's been into. though, he has made exceptions in the past. with the right person, monogamy could be fun, but otherwise? well, it was a little boring.
the grin on john's face brings a wider one to his own as he looks up at him, and pulls on his boots. ]
Would you? Well, I'll make sure I'm on my game so I don't disappoint you.
[ there aren't a lot of people that can a) keep up with him and b) put up with him. he finishes pulling on his boots and tying them, and then grabs his jacket to slip it on.
he turns his head to john, and grins. ]
Flattery will get you everywhere. Come on, I've got an apology to make best left to drinks and who knows---night's still young.
[ he wasn't going to ditch his communicator, but it goes off again. it's something else from spock. then another thing from bones, and he's really not in the mood for this right now. his jaw works and his eyebrows knit together before he closes the communicator, and tosses it back towards the couch. he pulls open the door. ]
[He smiles. You shouldn't apologize for bumping into me, Christopher. He watches him ditch the communicator, and says nothing. Good. You should. You know you don't really belong with them. He'll wait until they have a few drinks. Then he'll tell the man everything.]
[Khan does follow, he does not often. Christopher is so easily distracted.]
Have you been to The Well-Keeper? [Instead of the usual hangout for Starfleet Officers. Steer him away from there. Just in case. The constant beeping. Harewood's daughter will live. Small good it does, in comparison. Distract him. Distraction.
A bit different crowd than Starfleet graduates or undergraduates. If you'd ... be amenable. [Keep Christopher away from those that would ensnare him into something there is no need of him to be there. He seems charming.]
Well, you seem to be the expert. I'll defer to your good judgement.
[ it's a stop or two before hq, and far enough away that he sees why not many starfleet types hang around. hopefully there aren't any of the groups that end up disliking federation types (it's happened before), and they feel up to a fight.
though, with how he's feeling, maybe a fight would be just what he needed. ]
[Khan smiles, sliding into a seat at the bar. He's never really been here, only on occasions. But they won't be found out. Then he can leave with Christopher of course. The idea is to get him drunk enough first. And it's loud, fairly good for conversation that shouldn't be overheard.]
The Admiral is trying to start a war with the Klingons. [Get him over to his side, first.]
[ jim orders a whiskey as they sit, downing it, and he's glad he did when john opens his mouth. he might have choked otherwise. he chuckles disbelievingly. ]
The Admiral, huh? You'll have to narrow that down. There's a few of those out there.
[ he looks around to make sure they weren't overheard. ] And if this is your idea of hitting on me---you might want to change tactics.
Admiral Marcus. [There's hate glittering in blue eyes. He flashes Christopher a smile.]
The Admiral wants a war to overtake certain systems, starting with the Klingons. Don't worry about being overheard, the entertainers are rather loud for a reason of private conversation.
Section 31, the security section. A bit like... MI-6. A very long time ago. He's using members of us - if we have a weakness, to ... execute this mission.
[Please remember, Christopher. Remember us fighting the last of them?]
[ jim is not drunk enough for this. he doesn't plan on getting drunk enough for whatever this is. it's quickly going from awkwardly cute to straight up disturbing. ]
Admiral Marcus, the head of Starfleet wants to start a war with the Klingons and he's willing to be the one to start it? Yeah, I've never heard of Section 31.
[ he knows MI-6 from history, but---then he says us. jim leans away from him a bit, frowning deeply. ]
Ok. I don't know what kind of prank you're trying to pull---and I sincerely hope it's a prank---but I'm out of here, sorry. Drinks are on me, but we're done.
[He sniffs. That's how it's going to be then. Is it.] I'll give you a ride back I have a shuttle. Courtesy. My. Apologies.
[He's trying to save too many lives at once.]
One more, thing. You'll indulge me. When you get home, you'll find - there's been an attack, a very precise attack on Starfleet. The idea is to end this war, it is - a group of people fighting against this idea of war with the Klingons. One we will lose, and they will destroy Earth's resources as they have destroyed Praxis.
If you want to know more, then - you'll know where to find me. [He begins to walk away, hating the instincts that won't let him. Damnable genetics.]
You don't ... remember the falls, do you. A long time ago, but you seem the sort that would remember when another saves your life.
[ today is just intent on getting worse for him, isn't it? his head is starting to hurt, and he's not sure if it's just the stress of the day or the crazy coming out of this guy's mouth.
he watches him, incredulous, after he sets down a few credits for the drinks. then the guy keeps going, not that jim had any intention of taking the offer of the ride back to the shuttle. he starts to turn, and that's when jim shifts and moves in, grabbing for john's elbow. ]
I'll indulge you when you've suddenly brought up what might be a credible threat against Starfleet and its interests? You expect me to just walk away. I should turn you in.
[ then why hasn't he? why hasn't he borrowed a communicator and called admiral pike or spock or even admiral marcus himself? why is he still talking to john? why does he still want to? then he mentions the falls and he falters, blinking rapidly and licking his lips. ]
The falls? [ unbidden the sound of rushing water hitting water comes to mind. he can almost feel spray on his face. but why would he---? ]
I don't---[ he licks his lips again, breath coming a little sharper, and he imagines cold, wet rocks under his palms and slipping. hitting the side of a cliff, and plunging into water cold enough to shock even him. why should that be a surprise to think of? ]---the water was so blue.
[ jim pulls back from where he'd invaded his personal space then, confusion clear on his face. ]
[Khan allows him to grab him. Good. Closer, this is a good idea. The credible threat to Starfleet is the war of a madman. Not... him. Then Chris keeps talking. He's still as strong as Khan remembers him being. Obvious. So obviously not-human. Not... completely.]
You were curious. About the fish, if there were fish, because we'd read about them but didn't know if we could catch one. You always were the curious one, the one that took too many risks and I had to fish you out - [You just don't remember. Do you remember our family, Christopher?] obviously you've conveniently forgotten that.
[ john is talking again and his head is starting to hurt even more. he's not even sure why. maybe he---it could be stress, but that sounds stupid even to him. he should leave, call HQ and then try to get bones to meet him. ]
No. No, I can't have forgotten that. It never happened, this is some kind of trick.
[ this time, however dazed, he is trying to walk away. put distance between himself and john. ]
No. My name is James Tiberius Kirk. I was born on medical shuttle 37 from the USS Kelvin. I don't know who you are, or the other people you're talking about.
But you do ... remember the waterfall, and slipping and nearly drowning? [Please remember that, at least. Perhaps he's thrown everything away for nothing.
[ jim's brow furrows and he shakes his head, but not because he doesn't remember. something about it, what he's saying---he's remembering something but that can't have happened. he's never seen this man before in his life.
he unconsciously touches his left forearm, the one he'd fractured during his fall. ][ a lie. he remembers something, but he's not sure what. or how. ] I don't, and I'm leaving.
[ he takes a step away and heads for the door. he needs to get to hq or get a communicator off someone else and contact admiral marcus before something terrible happened. ]
[He's furious, but Khan angry makes him calculated. He descends on the meeting, attacking, and then ... fleeing, to where his crew are hidden.
There is a broadcast message, hacked into all channels, an angry tense one.]
Your admiral will have the war with the Klingons. The war he always wanted. He is not an explorer, as Starfleet claims to stand for, he violates the Prime Directive with his very existence and this commission for war against a people that have not yet attacked you, and will defeat you if provoked.
[ jim had tried to get to admiral marcus, and the others, but he'd already been in the debriefing, along with admiral pike and spock. the warning came in enough time for a partial evacuation, but ---admiral pike. over a half dozen officers had been killed, and over a dozen more killed. the admiral was still alive, but in critical condition.
if you want to know more, then - you'll know where to find me.
he left his apartment in a daze, and started walking. he wasn't sure where, he just started walking. he needed to clear his head to---his communicator was chirping at him again. and then---
well, he wasn't even sure where he'd wandered to. ]
[Khan dropped in front of him, carrying a cylindrical device.]
You're last of all that we had. And I won't lose you.
[He puts his arm firmly around Christopher to subdue him, and hits the button. Beams himself and Christopher right aboard the Vengeance. Close to Jupiter.]
[ the last thing he expected, after all of this, was to have this
man---john harrison, drop down out of nowhere in front of him. he
barely had any time to react before the guy was all in his personal space,
and then there's the familiar disorientation of a transporter beam.
then they were most definitely not in the city,that he could tell. it
looked like the inside of a ship, but none he was familiar with. he shoves
at john, trying to get him off of him ]
You've just kidnapped a Starfleet officer. [ he has got to be
absolutely out of his mind. he shifts, finally breaking away, and bolting
from john's side. there has to be crew of some kind on whatever vessel this
is. he can get to them, explain things, and hopefully get back in touch
with starfleet so they can stop this maniac. ]
[ He locks down the ship, including outgoing transmissions, and then locks Christopher into the medical bay, closing the doors behind him in a tightly controlled airlock. ]
You're going to be experiencing a withdrawal within the next seventy-two hours. By then, we'll be safe.
[He gears up the ship for hyperspace, and punches the button, staying in the captain's chair. There's silence for several minutes.]
I know you're angry with me, but it was kidnap or risk you being terminated.
[It happens a bit too fast for Jim to do much more than stumble along. He's not strong enough to fight this guy off, which doesn't bode well for him saying what he was, and then he's--- Jim slams a fist against the doors to the medical bay once they are sealed after he's pushed in. ]
You're insane! There's not going to be any withdrawal, I told you I'm not who you think I am!
[ But then he feels the ship powering up, the thrum in the engines, and he knows the guy, John, is running. There's silence, and he doesn't have time for this. He can't deal with this right now, not with Pike in critical condition at headquarters, and this guy a continuing threat to the safety of Starfleet and her interests. ]
I think we're past angry, man. You're obviously confused, and I don't feel like chatting with crazy.
[ Jim keeps talking while he looks through the medical supplies, trying to find something he can use to pry open the panel near the door. If he can rewire it, he might be able to get out. There didn't seem to be any other crew on board besides the two of them, and John was on the bridge.
He could try to disable the engines, steal a shuttle and head back to Earth. God knows how far they were from it by now. He'd rather risk a few years at impulse than hang around with this guy. ]
[Khan punches in the codes for autopilot, to direct it through and around planets, to Deep Space.
He's never been this far before.]
If you're worried about your friends. I have no intention of hurting them, or causing further harm.
[But it's time Christopher knew the truth, which he will, soon enough.]
There's no point in you trying to override anything, I've locked it so only I have the code for that.
[Maybe Kirk is clever enough, but doubtful. He just has to wait it out, until the withdrawal kicks in.]
It starts with confusion and disorientation. Not that you aren't confused or disoriented now. You may need medical treatment, I engineered the Vengeance to autopilot properly.
[ Jim has headed out pretty far, but he's got no clue where they are headed right now. ]
Do you ever be quiet? [ Yeah, sure. He hacked the Kobayashi Maru simulation in the Academy. He hacked the Enterprise's water turbine system when he didn't have access to. Go ahead and keep thinking that. He'll believe it when it doesn't happen. ]
It's going to start with me kicking your ass if you don't turn this ship around.
[ He stops when he hears him mention the autopilot. Shit, that means he's coming down there to him. He backs off the console, and starts looking for a weapon he can use to defend himself. ]
Kirk, [He hates the name they gave him, it sounds so harsh when he forms the name with his lips, unlike Christopher, which sounds melodic.] I can't turn the ship around. They'll blow us out of the sky if they discover us. They won't ask questions, you know how this work. You work differently, you always have.
Trust me. It's going to be alright now. We'll be safe.
[ Dammit. Dammit. He's not feeling as foggy headed as he was earlier, but that's because fight or flight is a beautiful thing. Adrenaline is heightening his awareness, giving him a jolt of energy just when he needs it. ]
You can turn it around, you just won't. You think I want anything to do with you after what you did at Daystrom? After what you did to Admiral Pike? Stop talking about me like I'm someone else!
I've got no reason to trust you, especially with that in your hand. I'm nowhere near safe with you.
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Present:
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to hell with it. he was going to go back to his apartment, change out of his dress greys, and find the nearest dive to drink away the memory of nibiru and everything else. he'd seen spock waiting, which was not like him (so he assumed he was waiting to see him), and bypassed the front entrance to take a side one.
once outside, he took a breath under the awning, replaced his cover, and started walking with purpose. he may not be a captain anymore, but he damn sure wasn't about to leave there without his head held high. ]
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That's his duties now, damn what Marcus wanted. Wars. He'd seen enough of them, but - it currently served his purpose.
There's still one of them - one of his, that is missing. Haphazard, reckless, still one of their own. And it's a huge genetic fault not to leave one of them behind. Not that he would.
When he first sees him, it's - odd. Seemed like just yesterday he got to close to the waterfall. Nearly drowned, nearly ... would have died if he hadn't gone after him. Before stealing Botany Bay obviously.
Does he recognize me? He strides with purpose to... bump into him. Properly. Surely then he'd...
Has he been waiting for me?]
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he reached out, instinctively, to steady both himself and the other guy if he needed it. then he offered an apologetic smile. ]
God, sorry. I should have been paying better attention. [ the guy was in civilian clothes, but that didn't mean much these days. he could have just been off duty. ] You ok?
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John. S-sorry I didn't look where I was going.
[He gives an awkward laugh and his second false name.
Don't you remember me picking you up out of the water?
No. I'm not alright. What's happened to you, Christopher?]
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John? I'm Jim, and I guess that makes two of us. Sorry for barreling into you. [ he watches the other guy---his eyes---there was something almost familiar. the timbre of his voice.
he thought of making excuses to leave then, but what excuse did he have outside of getting out of his dress uniform and into civilian clothes. and it wasn't like he wouldn't mind the company. ]
Can I make it up to you? There's a place I know just off HQ. [ he gives a grin and raises his brows in expectation. ] Unless you've got somewhere else to be.
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Yes, yes of course. Might do.
[Chance to talk.]
I have nowhere that requires my immediate attention.
[The attack can wait. Christopher. Chris, of course you can make it up to me. For saving your sorry arse off that waterfall all those years ago.
He may intend to follow, not wanting to leave his side.]
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[ he starts to walk, hoping that john will walk with him a little while at least. maybe even follow him back to his place too. ] If I do tell you, though, I'll be hurt if you stand me up.
[ he's more than a little pleased when john decides to follow him. his apartment isn't too far off base, a quick hop on a trolley, and there we go. he feels a little better, focused now on something more than his ruined career in starfleet. when they get to his building, he heads to the elevator, and waits for him, glad for the company. ]
So, what's on your mind that had you not paying attention? Something super important?
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He can't say that.]
Starfleet business. [He shrugs.] An errand for the Admiral, nothing that won't wait, really. I was just - in a hurry, that's all.
[Then he opens the door to his quarters and there's... relics. The record player.]
Well that's... something I've not seen for ages.
[Crying over a record player, how stupid! He's looking through them, longing, really.]
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jim offers a shrug at the explanation. he knows better than to push for information, but then he says admiral and he can't help a little bit of curiosity. ]
Which one? [ considering he just got out of getting his ass chewed by pike. that's going to smart for a while, he's sure. what's worse is the disappointment. pike was like a father to him, and to see him so---yeah, he needs to push that out of his head right now.
he heads in, taking off his dress grey jacket with care, and hangs it up on a hanger near the door, setting his cover on a hook as well. there's a record player, his old style chess set (though he does like three-dimensional), and books. lots of books. most people bypass it or think it's just a quirk of being jim kirk. they dismiss it.
not this guy. not john. he stops when he says that, and heads back over to the other man, smiling in earnest now. ]
You got a thing for old-fashioned things? Feel free to put something on and look around. I just pick things up at markets, or get it from people who find it at random. I love it.
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[He gestures to the chess set.] Three dimensional chess. Most people don't even read a proper manual anymore, as a matter of convenience. Haven't for over three hundred years.
[He sees Kirk's badge. A false identity, but he didn't. He didn't remember. That was rather clear. Starfleet. He can't let him in on the plan, not yet. But he can't leave Christopher behind. It's not in his... genetics. He looks through the records, carefully.]
I haven't seen these in years.
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[ he watches him look through the box of records, and there's something warming in finding someone else who doesn't think it's a waste of time or space to have it. ]
Make yourself comfortable. Synthesizer's in the kitchen, but I've got some stuff from the market downtown in the refrigerator. I'm just gonna change real quick.
[ and ignore the message from spock on his communicator. he snaps it shut after looking at it, tosses it on the coffee table, and then heads for his bedroom to change. ]
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[He's curious, giving his best disarming smile. Comfortable. What is comfort? What is safety, what is - any of this. He'd been distracted but now he's on alert. Christopher still likes to attend cooking duties. Endearing, really. He retained all of his qualities. Just not his memories. Soon now, the attack is imminent. He picks up the communicator, carefully. Contemplates discarding it, but he can't. Not so early. Chris has to trust him first. That's what's important. Trust him enough to go with him, when they start the war, distract Marcus enough to flee.]
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I can't tell if you're wondering why I'm not actively flirting, or if you're fishing for a number as to how many people I've had in my quarters.
[ it's teasing, and he ducks back after he says it. slipping out of his trousers, and then into a pair of jeans. then he pads out barefoot to get his boots. his leather jacket is by the door. ]
I'm plenty polite to everybody though.
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[Though the thought of Chris and others makes him uncomfortable. Chris didn't know but that's not very much comfort.
He smiles again, grinning at him. He'll have to remember not to call him... Chris. Kirk. That's what he's supposed to call him, as wrong as it sounds.]
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the grin on john's face brings a wider one to his own as he looks up at him, and pulls on his boots. ]
Would you? Well, I'll make sure I'm on my game so I don't disappoint you.
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Captain, I doubt you could ever disappoint me, even if you attempted to.
[Now it's his turn to flirt. Chris isn't even inebriated yet.]
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he turns his head to john, and grins. ]
Flattery will get you everywhere. Come on, I've got an apology to make best left to drinks and who knows---night's still young.
[ he wasn't going to ditch his communicator, but it goes off again. it's something else from spock. then another thing from bones, and he's really not in the mood for this right now. his jaw works and his eyebrows knit together before he closes the communicator, and tosses it back towards the couch. he pulls open the door. ]
Ready?
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Of course.
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he walks with him, back to the trolley to take back towards base, and slouches a little as he sits, just enjoying the ride. ]
I love nights like this. [ a good breeze comes along and he can smell the salt water on the air. ]
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Have you been to The Well-Keeper? [Instead of the usual hangout for Starfleet Officers. Steer him away from there. Just in case. The constant beeping. Harewood's daughter will live. Small good it does, in comparison. Distract him. Distraction.
And then steal the ship, that's the idea.]
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No, is it any good?
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[Keep Christopher away from those that would ensnare him into something there is no need of him to be there. He seems charming.]
A different selection of brew, as well.
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[ it's a stop or two before hq, and far enough away that he sees why not many starfleet types hang around. hopefully there aren't any of the groups that end up disliking federation types (it's happened before), and they feel up to a fight.
though, with how he's feeling, maybe a fight would be just what he needed. ]
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The Admiral is trying to start a war with the Klingons.
[Get him over to his side, first.]
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The Admiral, huh? You'll have to narrow that down. There's a few of those out there.
[ he looks around to make sure they weren't overheard. ] And if this is your idea of hitting on me---you might want to change tactics.
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[There's hate glittering in blue eyes. He flashes Christopher a smile.]
The Admiral wants a war to overtake certain systems, starting with the Klingons. Don't worry about being overheard, the entertainers are rather loud for a reason of private conversation.
Section 31, the security section. A bit like... MI-6. A very long time ago.
He's using members of us - if we have a weakness, to ... execute this mission.
[Please remember, Christopher. Remember us fighting the last of them?]
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Admiral Marcus, the head of Starfleet wants to start a war with the Klingons and he's willing to be the one to start it? Yeah, I've never heard of Section 31.
[ he knows MI-6 from history, but---then he says us. jim leans away from him a bit, frowning deeply. ]
Ok. I don't know what kind of prank you're trying to pull---and I sincerely hope it's a prank---but I'm out of here, sorry. Drinks are on me, but we're done.
[ today was just really not his day. ]
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I'll give you a ride back I have a shuttle. Courtesy. My. Apologies.
[He's trying to save too many lives at once.]
One more, thing. You'll indulge me. When you get home, you'll find - there's been an attack, a very precise attack on Starfleet. The idea is to end this war, it is - a group of people fighting against this idea of war with the Klingons. One we will lose, and they will destroy Earth's resources as they have destroyed Praxis.
If you want to know more, then - you'll know where to find me.
[He begins to walk away, hating the instincts that won't let him. Damnable genetics.]
You don't ... remember the falls, do you.
A long time ago, but you seem the sort that would remember when another saves your life.
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he watches him, incredulous, after he sets down a few credits for the drinks. then the guy keeps going, not that jim had any intention of taking the offer of the ride back to the shuttle. he starts to turn, and that's when jim shifts and moves in, grabbing for john's elbow. ]
I'll indulge you when you've suddenly brought up what might be a credible threat against Starfleet and its interests? You expect me to just walk away. I should turn you in.
[ then why hasn't he? why hasn't he borrowed a communicator and called admiral pike or spock or even admiral marcus himself? why is he still talking to john? why does he still want to? then he mentions the falls and he falters, blinking rapidly and licking his lips. ]
The falls? [ unbidden the sound of rushing water hitting water comes to mind. he can almost feel spray on his face. but why would he---? ]
I don't---[ he licks his lips again, breath coming a little sharper, and he imagines cold, wet rocks under his palms and slipping. hitting the side of a cliff, and plunging into water cold enough to shock even him. why should that be a surprise to think of? ]---the water was so blue.
[ jim pulls back from where he'd invaded his personal space then, confusion clear on his face. ]
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You were curious. About the fish, if there were fish, because we'd read about them but didn't know if we could catch one. You always were the curious one, the one that took too many risks and I had to fish you out - [You just don't remember. Do you remember our family, Christopher?] obviously you've conveniently forgotten that.
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No. No, I can't have forgotten that. It never happened, this is some kind of trick.
[ this time, however dazed, he is trying to walk away. put distance between himself and john. ]
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It's ... encoded, not to leave any of us behind.
We can, we are capable of it. But it's against our instincts.
[This is why you can't leave your crew behind.]
The rest of us are hidden. I cannot tell you where, just now, it's not safe to do that.
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[ jim wants to go, but he doesn't at the very same time. what is this? ]
You don't have any proof! None. Nothing but what you're telling me and that isn't enough.
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That's your name. You wanted that name, we all picked our own, when we escaped. We were tired of being numbers and experiments.
And you were always curious. Reckless.
Affectionate.
[Softer now, treading into deep water.]
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I'm not whoever you think I am.
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[Please remember that, at least.
Perhaps he's thrown everything away for nothing.
Not the first time it's happened.]
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he unconsciously touches his left forearm, the one he'd fractured during his fall. ][ a lie. he remembers something, but he's not sure what. or how. ] I don't, and I'm leaving.
[ he takes a step away and heads for the door. he needs to get to hq or get a communicator off someone else and contact admiral marcus before something terrible happened. ]
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There is a broadcast message, hacked into all channels, an angry tense one.]
Your admiral will have the war with the Klingons. The war he always wanted. He is not an explorer, as Starfleet claims to stand for, he violates the Prime Directive with his very existence and this commission for war against a people that have not yet attacked you, and will defeat you if provoked.
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if you want to know more, then - you'll know where to find me.
he left his apartment in a daze, and started walking. he wasn't sure where, he just started walking. he needed to clear his head to---his communicator was chirping at him again. and then---
well, he wasn't even sure where he'd wandered to. ]
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You're last of all that we had. And I won't lose you.
[He puts his arm firmly around Christopher to subdue him, and hits the button.
Beams himself and Christopher right aboard the Vengeance. Close to Jupiter.]
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[ the last thing he expected, after all of this, was to have this man---john harrison, drop down out of nowhere in front of him. he barely had any time to react before the guy was all in his personal space, and then there's the familiar disorientation of a transporter beam.
then they were most definitely not in the city,that he could tell. it looked like the inside of a ship, but none he was familiar with. he shoves at john, trying to get him off of him ]
You've just kidnapped a Starfleet officer. [ he has got to be absolutely out of his mind. he shifts, finally breaking away, and bolting from john's side. there has to be crew of some kind on whatever vessel this is. he can get to them, explain things, and hopefully get back in touch with starfleet so they can stop this maniac. ]
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You're going to be experiencing a withdrawal within the next seventy-two hours. By then, we'll be safe.
[He gears up the ship for hyperspace, and punches the button, staying in the captain's chair. There's silence for several minutes.]
I know you're angry with me, but it was kidnap or risk you being terminated.
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You're insane! There's not going to be any withdrawal, I told you I'm not who you think I am!
[ But then he feels the ship powering up, the thrum in the engines, and he knows the guy, John, is running. There's silence, and he doesn't have time for this. He can't deal with this right now, not with Pike in critical condition at headquarters, and this guy a continuing threat to the safety of Starfleet and her interests. ]
I think we're past angry, man. You're obviously confused, and I don't feel like chatting with crazy.
[ Jim keeps talking while he looks through the medical supplies, trying to find something he can use to pry open the panel near the door. If he can rewire it, he might be able to get out. There didn't seem to be any other crew on board besides the two of them, and John was on the bridge.
He could try to disable the engines, steal a shuttle and head back to Earth. God knows how far they were from it by now. He'd rather risk a few years at impulse than hang around with this guy. ]
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He's never been this far before.]
If you're worried about your friends. I have no intention of hurting them, or causing further harm.
[But it's time Christopher knew the truth, which he will, soon enough.]
There's no point in you trying to override anything, I've locked it so only I have the code for that.
[Maybe Kirk is clever enough, but doubtful. He just has to wait it out, until the withdrawal kicks in.]
It starts with confusion and disorientation. Not that you aren't confused or disoriented now. You may need medical treatment, I engineered the Vengeance to autopilot properly.
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Do you ever be quiet? [ Yeah, sure. He hacked the Kobayashi Maru simulation in the Academy. He hacked the Enterprise's water turbine system when he didn't have access to. Go ahead and keep thinking that. He'll believe it when it doesn't happen. ]
It's going to start with me kicking your ass if you don't turn this ship around.
[ He stops when he hears him mention the autopilot. Shit, that means he's coming down there to him. He backs off the console, and starts looking for a weapon he can use to defend himself. ]
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Kirk, [He hates the name they gave him, it sounds so harsh when he forms the name with his lips, unlike Christopher, which sounds melodic.] I can't turn the ship around. They'll blow us out of the sky if they discover us. They won't ask questions, you know how this work. You work differently, you always have.
Trust me.
It's going to be alright now. We'll be safe.
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You can turn it around, you just won't. You think I want anything to do with you after what you did at Daystrom? After what you did to Admiral Pike? Stop talking about me like I'm someone else!
I've got no reason to trust you, especially with that in your hand. I'm nowhere near safe with you.