What Was Planted

Time was re-written, but the seeds of what could have been persist through dimensions. For Carol Marcus, this means playing a dangerous game with Earth's most ingenious weapon of mass destruction.

- Prologue -

"No other planet in this solar system spins as fast as Jupiter."

She couldn't remember where she heard that simple fact, but it seemed beautifully relevant now, staring down at the gas giant through the space station's few windows. The planet was barely even a planet at all, she remembered vaguely. Most who were interested in astronomy knew that Jupiter was on the path of becoming a star, but somehow failed. Some say it was because it just wasn't big enough to get the fusion reaction going.

But she knew better. Jupiter was a planet because it didn't want to be a star. It wanted moons and storms, ice and fire… it wanted to be unique in all the galaxy. The whole universe, even. And it succeeded.

Slow, even footsteps came from behind her. With a sigh of resignation, she turned to face the Admiral for what was to be a very uncomfortable meeting...

"Good evening, Carol."

Her eyes widened, and a scream would have echoed through the dark chambers of the station's underbelly if it wasn't for the hand that covered her lips with lightning speed.

"I'm afraid that your father never received the invitation for this little meeting. Fortunately," he whispered into her ear, the words dripping with venom. "I did."

Carol knew this was the end. The fear in her veins prevented her from sobbing, but the sense of impending doom made her heart beat painfully against her ribcage. It brought her no relief that the hand on her mouth moved to her waist because she had seen what those hands were capable of doing. He could rip the better part of her liver out without much effort, but she doubted he'd be so kind…

"I need you," she said breathily, keeping her eyes fixed on the Starfleet insignia on his charcoal uniform. "To let me explain."

"You think I came here to hear another fairy tale, my dear?" he rumbled, drawing her closer. "As much they comforted me during a brief imprisonment, I have no time for them now. Not after what was done to my family." His grip on her tightened, but she knew that there was no force on earth that would have stopped him from killing her on sight if he believed his family to be dead. There was a shadow of a doubt in his mind, and it was the one thing keeping Carol Marcus alive.

"We're all nothing but stories, Commander." She replied softly, gazing into azure eyes that were very different from her own. "I wouldn't be alive if mine weren't of interest to you."

He smiled at her then, and it was simultaneously that most terrifying and alluring sight she'd ever witnessed. With one hand tracing the contours of her face, he answered, "No… you would be a very lovely stain on an otherwise immaculate floor. I suppose I can guarantee your safety until you finish explaining everything that you know."

She didn't mean to collapse to her knees, but the relief brought about by his words numbed her aching muscles. The danger was not completely gone, but the ebb and flow of adrenaline leaving her system made her head spin wildly.

"You've had your moment of weakness, cadet, and I feel the need to remind you that there is breath in your body merely because you need it to speak." Came the voice of the darkly dressed man, now sitting in a chair that was almost hidden in the obscurity.

Carol remained knelt on the floor, her hands folded gently across her lap. She expected her voice to shake when she began her story, but it emerged surprisingly clear.

"It began, Mr. Khan, with an invitation from someone you know very well…"

Author's Note: So I meant to add a new chapter, but this lovely little scene appeared on the Word document and I felt it belonged before the chapter which I intended to be the first in this story. Sorry, but I hope you enjoy it. Sets the tone of the story a little better than what I had before.