The Journey's Trek

By Michael Weyer

My apologies for the VERY long delay between updates, tied up in various matters, including a bit of a block on this. Thank you all for being patient and hopefully not as long between chapters.

Kirk had been through pain before and agony as well. It came quite a bit with the territory, especially a Captain as experienced as he was. Yet, he couldn't help but moan as he was dragged to the cell, limp in the hands of the two guards. His back had been patched up but still bore the mark of multiple whippings, wounds that would have left hideous scars in another time. His shirt was loose over his body, dried blood visible over the wounds as he was unceremoniously thrown into the cell on the hard floor. He groaned as he rolled about, barely aware of the guards leaving.

He looked up at the arms touching him, seeing Adama's concerned face. "Are you all right?" he asked.

"I've…been better," Kirk gasped as he allowed Adama and another soldier to lie him on a nearby cot. He winced out as he felt the pain of his wounds. "Khan had some…issues to work out."

"You got lucky," a young woman beside Adama stated. "He's done far worse, believe me."

"Captain Kirk, Colonel Kendra Shaw," Adama introduced them.

"Pleasure," Kirk winced as he rubbed his aching shoulders.

Kendra studied him. "You really aren't from the Colonies?"

"No," Kirk confirmed. "And neither is Khan." He looked about the cell. "So everyone else in the crew is with him?"

"Willingly or not," Shaw stated. "Most don't even realize what's going on. Cain always ran a tight ship, Khan is just increasing that control." She shook her head. "I just wish I knew what he was after."

"Revenge on me for a start," Kirk stated. "As for the rest…I don't know if even Khan has thought that far out. Whatever he has planned…it can't be good for any of us."

Khan looked quite pleased as he entered the CiC. He had changed to a new uniform, partly to remove the blood left on his previous one, this more like his favorite outfit, open more at the chest. He moved to the communications table as his main aide, Joachim, looked to him. The younger man had the same chiseled looks as the rest of Khan's followers, clad in his own dark uniform. "We have been receiving requests from the Colonial craft," he intoned. "They wish to know of Captain Adama's current whereabouts."

"Let them eat static," Khan remarked as he moved to examine the map on the table.

"They still have not moved into any defensive situation."

"Of course." Khan's voice was full of mockery. "We are all one big, happy fleet." He examined the map closer. "But we cannot count on that lasting long. They'll realize what is happening soon enough. Which means we must take the offensive." He looked back to Joachim. "Prepare for launch of the fighters and open warhead compartments."

"Wait," Cain said, having been silent all this time. "If you want us to attack our own people…"

"I hardly feel you have the moral high ground in such an argument, Admiral," Khan cut her off. "And this was not a request." Despite herself, Cain had to bite her lip as that itching affected her mind once more, pushing her to accept whatever Khan wanted.

Khan paid her no heed as he looked to the nearby screens showing the radar outlines of the fleet. "For all your knowledge and experience and technology, Admiral, your culture lacks a very important ingredient. Sun Tzu. A man whose brilliance in combat has been revered for millennia." He smiled. "I believe it's time we spread such education about."

Sharon Valerri hadn't realized just how quiet her cell was until she got a roommate. The moment Gina was thrown in with her, she'd known who and what she was, of course. She shuffled in her seat and nodded at her. "Hello."

Gina winced, rubbing her head. "Eight."

"It's Sharon."

"Gina." She looked about, rubbing at the cuffs at her hands. "Never thought I'd be here with you."

Sharon frowned. "You know me?"

"You're kidding, right?" Gina stared at the uncomphrending look on Sharon's face. "Wow, you don't know. You're famous in our circles now. Falling in love with a human, becoming pregnant, turning on your own? The Threes weren't really pleased with it."

"That's their problem," Sharon shrugged.

"I'm not judging," Gina told her as she managed to sit onto another cot. "Believe me, I know exactly what you feel. I…" She looked down. "Human emotions are far more addictive than we anticipated."

"Tell me about it," Sharon sighed.

"Or you can tell me."

The two looked up at the face of Spock staring impassively at them from the other side of the bars. The Vulcan had his arms behind his back, a pair of red-shirted guards behind him as he talked. "I am Mr. Spock," he introduced himself. "I have already been in discussion with Dianna Biers but I believe you may be able to be more forthcoming on details regarding your way of life."

"I haven't been in contact with the base-ships in a year," Gina said. "I was sent in to do my job."

"Which, I may surmise, was to get close to Admiral Cain," Spock surmised.

Gina nodded. "Yes. It was just a job but…" She sighed. "Under that hard exterior is a woman in need and…somehow, we connected. That wasn't planned but it happened." Her eyes narrowed. "Then he came to take over and changed her. Changed it all."

"Whom are you speaking of?"

"Khan," Gina spat. "He used something to warp her mind and the crews and took the ship. He's in charge now and…"

Being Cylons, Gina and Sharon were unaware of Vulcans and their history. Thus, they didn't know that when a Vulcan showed an expression of shock bordering on horror, it was time to be very, very afraid.

Spock was on his feet, moving quickly toward the nearest communicator. "Mr. Scott, put us to Yellow Alert and raise shields. I shall be up to the bridge momentarily." He moved quickly to the door, letting it shut behind him.

Gina looked at Sharon with a frown. "Was it something I said?"

"The Enterprise is moving out of position," Joachim announced.

"As expected," Khan stated, leaning back from the main screen. "Launch fighters and aim main guns at the Galactica."

The technicians obeyed him as Khan smiled. It had been far, far too long since he had embarked on a plan of conquest and yet the thrill had never left him. It would feel good to once more savor victory's sweet taste.

"Sir, Pegasus has just launched its fighters!" Felix Gaeta called out from his seat in the CiC.

Tigh frowned as he moved to observe the screen. "The hell is she playing at?" He muttered. He tapped a finger on the console before backing up. "Get word to Apollo, have him launch ours. It might be some sort of exercise but better safe than sorry."

He frowned as he checked the board once more, unable to shake the bad feeling filling him up.

"Galactica has launched fighters."

"Move us ten degrees starboard."

Spock entered the bridge, Scotty already rising from his seat to allow the Vulcan to sit back down. Spock looked to Sulu. "Has the ship moved closer to firing position?"

"They have, sir," Sulu confirmed. "And it appears they are readying guns."

Spock nodded. "Prepare to engage and scan the Pegasus for Captain Kirk's life signs. Mr. Scott, you should get to Engineering at once, I believe your services shall be required there." The Scotsman nodded as he headed to the lift.

"Fighters from both Battlestars now launched, sir," Chekov called out. "They appear to be converging on one another but not firing yet."

"Be alert but do not fire until fire upon."

"Enterprise is holding back."

On the main radar, Khan took in the movements, the blips of the Vipers flowing toward each other while the two Battlestars now ran at parallel lines. The civilian ships were pulled back in each fleet, most unaware of what was to come. The large blip of the Enterprise was a distance away, just enough out of range.

Khan's smile was a terrible thing to see. "Contact the Ahab. Tell them to move into position."

From the fleet of ships by the Pegasus, a single shuttle slowly broke away from the rest of the ships. Its pilot had no cares for what he was about to do. It was orders, orders he had to obey thanks to the creature within his head. He adjusted the controls, completely focused on his task to the point where he didn't even bother to look back at the stack of explosives filling the hold of his shuttle. Adjusting the controls, he entered the calculations and then sat ready, staring out at the craft before him.

"Lock weapons onto Galactica."

"Weapons locked."

"Prepare to fire upon Pegasus if need be. Lock onto their engines."

Like their waterbound counterparts of another time and place, the two massive Battlestars moved to within striking distance of each other, cannons aimed at the opposing ship. The two Viper fleets were a distance away, the tension high and just ready for one wrong move to spark a conflagration. And the Federation starship flew beyond it all, ready to act.

"Ships in position, sir."

"On my mark…jump!"

The flash of light may have caught the attention of the people on the Enterprise's bridge but it wasn't considered as important as the conflict before them. They were confident of their chances not only because of their superior firepower but also because of the shields as they knew it was impossible for anyone to get through it, even by transpoter.

Unfortunately, the Federation scientists had not taken into account what would occur when someone was able to merely jump through space itself and through the shields. Such occurred when the Ahab flashed back into being, the shuttle appearing right at the rear of the ship near the cargo bays and engine room. It wasn't as precise a jump as Khan wanted as only the rear of the ship solidified into the Enterprise's hull, the majority out in space. But it was more than enough to achieve the wanted goal.

Simple physics followed: The impossibility of two objects comparing the same space at the same time.

The explosion rocked the entire ship, blasting debris outward, along with whoever was unfortunate enough to be on those decks at that time. The bridge rocked back and forth, everyone more shocked at the explosion than the cause. Spock held onto the main chair to steady himself even as he hit the console. "Engineering, report!"

There was static before Scotty's excited voice came over the comms. "Severe damage, sir! We've lost shields and life support is fading on decks 14 through 19!"

"Can we still fire weapons?"

"Sir, we're lucky to not have lost all power! If we take another hit, the reactor can overload!"

Spock's mind whirled even as Chekov yelled out. "Fighters have targeted us, sir!"

"FIRE!"

The batteries on Pegasus unleashed, their cannons far more powerful than those of the older Battlestar. Thus, the blows were severe, rocking the Galactica hard at its main nacelle, explosions erupting across its hull. On the CiC, Tigh gripped the main table for support as he barked out orders. "Tell the Vipers to go hot! Get what we have aimed at that bitch's ship and ready to-"

An explosion shattered the screen, Tigh crying out as he felt glass rake into his eye. He gritted his teeth, holding a hand to the bloody orb even as he continued to order. "And get cover to the rest of the fleet! I want that bitch blown out of the sky!"

"Their Vipers are moving in, sir."

"Excellent." Khan nodded to a nearby technician. "Upload the virus." He turned to smile at Cain. "Well, we now know just how your precious Gina could be such an expert at this, do we not?"

Cain gritted her teeth as the technician worked away, entering a series of commands. "Prepared, sir."

"Do it."

"Okay, get ready," Apollo called over the comlink as he sent his Viper toward the opposing forces. "Do not fire until fired upon and-"

His voice broke apart in static as the lights on his console flashed on and off. "What the frak?" he blurted as he felt his Viper slow down and then float. "Everyone, sound off!"

"My board's dead!" Kat cried out, her words echoed by the rest of the pilots. "I've got life support, light propulsion but no weapons or control!"

"We're dead in the fraking water!" Starbuck cried out.

Apollo cursed as he flicked switches to no avail. Around him, Vipers floated, barely able to keep from hitting each other, a terrible déjà vu for those who remembered the initial Cylon attacks. He looked up, close enough to see the smug looks on a few of the opposing Vipers and realized they had just lost what little advantage they may have had in this fight.

"Sir!" Sulu yelled out as sparks flew from the consoles around the bridge. "Galactica's fighters have ceased to function!"

"Shields are still non-operative!" Chekov added, wincing as he saw another trio of missiles fired at the screen just before impacting the hull of the ship. "Life support is down to 74%!"

Vipers flew like locusts upon a waiting corpse, unleashing hails of missiles and bullets upon the Enterprise, raking its dish section hard to cause more fires. An eruption blasted apart a section of one deck, opening it to space and sending a dozen people flying into the cold vacuum that was filled with the fire of ships of war.

Uhuru gasped as she held onto her console. "I can't raise any of the ships, sir!"

Spock's mind whirled about but the only logical option was clear to him. "Mr. Scott, can we attain warp power?"

"I can give ye enough for a quick push but not enough to get us out of the system, sir!"

"Mr. Sulu," Spock called out. "Take us eighteen degrees and lay in warp course immediately."

Sulu was jarred but knew better than to question the order. He quickly moved the ship away from the battle, a few stray shots hitting the rear of the vessel. Punching in the commands, he hit the main buttons and a flash of light erupted as the Enterprise entered warp and flew off, howling as if in agony of its seemingly mortal wounds.

As he watched the dot indicating the Enterprise vanish from his screen, the smile on Khan's face widened. "Gone to lick its wounds. Well, I can hunt it to my pleasure later." He looked up at Cain. "Have Kirk and his colleagues brought here." She glared at him even as she relayed the order to some guards who left the room. Khan turned to a woman at a nearby console. "Open up a ship-to-ship broadcast to that fleet."

As soon as she nodded, Khan lifted the phone off the main console before him and pressed down upon it. "I am to assume I address Colonel Tigh?"

There was loud static before a growl came over the line. "Who the frak is this?"

"Excellent. And I am to assume President Roslin is listening in?"

After a pause, her voice came on the line. "Whom am I addressing?"

"Ah, to the point, I respect that in a female." Khan placed the phone down adjusting it so he could speak to them both at once. "I shall come to my own. As you have discovered, your Battlestar and your Vipers are currently affected by a replica of the same virus the Cylons used in their attacks. It is reversible but only I have the cure. My own forces are currently operating weapons hot and have you targeted. My terms are simple: Complete surrender now or you will be destroyed."

There was a pause before Roslin spoke. "We are not open to that option, Mr…"

"I am Khan Noonien Singh," he declared with pride. "And without the Federation ship to provide protection, my terms are far more lenient than you should expect." He looked up as the doors opened to show Kirk, Adama and Billy being pushed ahead by guards, Kirk still holding his side but defiant as ever. "Perhaps it would help to know that your Commander Adama is my prisoner here?"

He heard the sharp intake of breath from Roslin. Adama himself was leaning forward as much as he could. "Tigh? What's your status?"

"Bad, Bill," his old friend had to admit. "Damage all through the ships, Vipers are dead and our weapons systems off-line too." From the pain in his voice, Adama guessed Tigh himself was injured but wouldn't relate it now.

"I do not wish to become a party to a massacre," Khan stated. "But stand down and you and your fleet will live. For now, at least."

"And how do we know you'll keep your word?"

"Oh, I have given you no word to keep, Madame President," Khan said with a light air of amusement. "In my estimation, you simply have no other alternative."

They could almost see Roslin biting her lip in thought. "I…will have to discuss this with the Quorum. The entire fleet needs to-"

"I do not have the time to waste on this," Khan snapped. "You shall make your decision now."

"You can't have me decide the fates of 40,000 people in an instant."

"Are you not used to that after the last year?" Khan sighed. "I had hoped to settle this in a peaceful fashion, Madame but you have forced my hand."

In a blur, he whirled around, his hand coming off his belt to hold a pistol. In a single move, he aimed it at Billy's head and before anyone could react, pulled the trigger. The young man never had a chance to scream as the bullet ripped into his forehead, blasting out the back of his skull. He jerked in place, standing still with a look of wonder on his face. Then, he collapsed to the deck, lying still as blood pooled around his head.

Adama yelled and tried to lunge at Khan but was held back by the guards. Kirk stared at the young man's body, then slowly gazed up at Khan, hate in his eyes. "You didn't have to do that," he stated in a flat tone.

"Example must be made," the man stated with the same assurance as if swatting a fly.

"What happened?" Roslin's voice cried out. "Adama, are you there? What just happened?"

Khan moved back to the phone. "What happened, Madame President, is that your personal aide is now dead."

A stunned silence came over the line. In her office, Roslin slumped back in her chair in shock, staring outward. "You son of a bitch," she whispered, decorum for her office gone in rage and anguish.

"I can easily add Commander Adama to that pile," Khan stated. "Or order my ships to destroy any of the civilian boats in your fleet. But I would prefer you kept intact for now." He leaned forward, his voice dropping lower and more dangerously. "I am not a man known for my mercy, President Roslin. This opportunity is fleeting and you should take advantage of it while you can. You wished to keep your people safe, they shall be. As long as they do as I say. The choice…is yours."

The silence was long and heavy. Adama knew Tigh was ready to ram the Galactica full-on into the Pegasus if need be but was ready to follow orders. Finally, Roslin's voice came over the line, sounding more quiet and defeatist than Adama had ever heard before. "We….officially…surrender our fleet to you, Khan."

"Lord Khan, if you must make it official," he stated with a smile.

"Madame President, you can't-" Adama began.

"Stand down, Commander, that's an order." A pause before she spoke again. "Will you…return Commander Adama and…Billy's….body to us?"

"I shall make such arrangements soon," Khan stated. "Your Vipers should have enough power to return to your ship. Inform the rest of the fleet that my forces will ensure no one acts against your orders. I shall be over presently to discuss matters further." He hung up the phone and sighed. "Victory. It has been far too long since I inhaled its sweet scent.

"What happened to you, Khan?" He turned to see Kirk glaring at him. "The Khan Singh I read of was a man of honor. Not a murderer."

Khan's lips thinned. "You are the reason for that, Kirk." He turned to Cain. "Make sure the Commander gets to his ship intact. We shall need to consolidate our forces quickly to catch up to the Enterprise."

"What?" Kirk blurted. "Khan, my ship is already a mess, you can't just-"

Khan's fist lashed out to smash into Kirk's face. "I do what I will, Kirk," he hissed. "And that means finishing what I began."

Kirk spat out blood to glare at Khan. "Just kill me, Khan. You have me, fine, just kill me and be done with it."

Khan's face became shockingly calm which made his words even more chilling. "Kill you? I don't want to kill you, Kirk. I've beaten you. I've hurt you. And I will continue to hurt you. I will do to you what you did to me. To her. I shall take away all you hold dear. All you care about. I shall ravage your faith and your soul. I will not rest until all you care of is brought down to ruins. Then, and only then, shall I leave you adrift, alone on some moon or planetoid. Buried alive for all eternity. Buried alive."

Kirk lunged at him but only got a few steps before the guards grabbed him, one clubbing him in the stomach before they began to drag him away. He struggled as best he could, his face now livid as, for once, rage overtook his reason and as he was dragged out of the room, he let it out in a massive scream that echoed through the halls of the Battlestar for decks away.

"Khaaaaan! KHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAN!"

Come on, you know I had to do that last bit. Well, hopefully still interest out there for this, let me know via reviews and again, apologies for such a massive delay.