Chapter Text
Five months prior, Terran Empire
Desperate times called for desperate measures, and Admiral La’an Noonien Singh was three steps past desperate and creeping into the territory of depraved. The Terran Empire was dying…some might say it had already died now that Commander in Chief Spock insisted on renaming it the Terran Republic and abruptly cutting away all of its power. La’an had not abandoned hope just yet, which was why she took command of the ISS Portland and set in a course for Ceti Alpha V to chase after a wild rumor. She might not be able to retake the Empire on her own, but if the rumors were true, she might be able to earn a powerful ally.
“Admiral, we’ll be in orbit over Ceti Alpha V soon,” said the helmsman, a young woman with long red hair and a sharp face.
“Very good, lieutenant.” La’an turned to address the ship’s captain: a willowy woman with round eyes. “Captain Albrecht. I need to consult with you in your ready room. I would like your input as to who should be on the away team.”
“Of course.”
La’an rose from the command chair, but before the two women could turn to go, the communications office interrupted them.
“Admiral, they’re…hailing us.”
“That can’t be possible.” A look of shock and confusion appeared on her face. Khan and the augments had been left with nothing on Ceti Alpha V, a cowardly sidestep from a captain who couldn’t defeat them. It wasn’t guaranteed that any of them would even have survived, so how in the hell did they have modern communication technology. “Put them on screen.”
The viewscreen showed the interior of a ship’s bridge, busted and broken as if it had crash landed. That explained everything. In the command chair sat a young woman who bore a resemblance to to the old photographs from the historical records.
“This is La’an Noonien Singh, a direct descendant of Khan Noonien Singh, from the Terran Empire.” She couldn’t bring herself to call it the Terran Republic. “I need to speak to Khan. I have a proposal that might interest him.”
The young woman chuckled softly. “Oh, Admiral, I’m afraid you’re too late. It’s been less than a year since I killed my father and took his place.”
Damn. La’an was well aware of the possibility that she might go through the trouble only to find out that Khan had died, but the realization was still jarring. However, all was not lost. This could still turn in her favor. “Impressive. I would be even more honored to work with the woman who usurped the infamous Khan Noonien Singh. Tell me your name.”
“Maya.”
“Maya, I know almost nothing about you, but I do know that you, your family, every person living on that planet has suffered a grave injustice. You were meant to rule, but instead you were forced to scrape out a meager existence on a harsh planet. I can give you the empire you deserve.”
Maya leaned forward with a look of curiosity in her face. “I’m interested, but I need to understand how you are in the position to grant such a thing.”
“The Terran Empire is dying, currently led by a man who has stripped it of its power, outlawed long standing traditions, and set it down a path that will surely lead to ruin. I intend to retake the Empire and correct those mistakes, but I cannot do this on my own. I need the advantage of a genetically superior team to back by efforts, and while I would have liked to bring back on of our greatest rulers, I think you have your own unique strengths. For example, you’ve already staged a successful coup.”
“I’m interested. Tell me more.”
“I’d like to continue this conversation in person, aboard the ship.”
“And while I look forward to this discussion, I’m sure you understand that I’m not comfortable going to your ship alone. I need to be accompanied by a party of five.”
“I can’t accommodate that. You may bring one escort.”
“You can’t allow for two?”
“I could turn this ship around, leaving you with nothing but the knowledge that you wasted the only chance you will ever have to rule an empire because you were too stubborn to cooperate.”
Maya paused, taken aback. “I understand.” She spoke softly, defeated. “One escort it is.”
“Hail us again when you are ready to come aboard. The transporter room will be standing by. End transmission.”
La’an turned her attention back to Captain Albrecht. “Well, Captain, we have guests to greet. To the transporter room.”
Once they were off the bridge and on the turbolift, Albrecht gave La’an and sly look. “I’m surprised. You didn’t see, the least bit disappointed to learn that Khan is dead, unless you hid it well.”
“And I’m surprised you haven’t seen how this is a favorable change, with Khan the best I could hope for is to be the Emperor’s right hand, but this girl is young, inexperienced, and presumably easily manipulated. If the augments are indeed loyal to her, if I can bend her to my will, I can bend them all.”
Albrecht’s smile grew. “And with a scheming mind like that, it’s no surprise you became an admiral.”
“Speaking of scheming…I’ve having trouble reading the dynamics on your ship. I hope you might indulge a few questions.”
“Of course, Admiral.”
“Who are your greatest threats?”
“First officer Conroy, and also the helmsman, Reese.”
La’an nodded. It was no surprise that the first officer had his eyes on Albrecht’s command. That was always how it went for those who were close enough to power to taste it. The helmsman, however, seemed unremarkable. “And who is your…consort?” La’an wasn’t sure what Albrecht’s preferences were.
“I haven’t got one,” she answered with a slight shrug.
“Captain!” La’an’s eyes were wide with shock. “Don’t tell me you’ve abandoned tradition because of some new, unenforceable regulation.”
“Of course not, I value tradition just as much as you do. Doctor T’Ralia used to be my woman, but when the novelty of being with a Vulcan wore off no one else held my interest.”
“My advice, Captain, is to stop being so picky and find someone who will suffice. They’ve taken away our agonizers and outlawed promotion by assassination. You have few means left to demonstrate your authority. It would behoove you to use them all to maintain the respect and obedience of your crew.”
“Admiral, you offer sound advice.” Albrecht stepped closer, leaving only inches of space between the two of them, and she looked La’an in the eye. “But it’s more in my nature to submit to one above my station.”
La’an leaned in even closer, raw hunger in her eyes, “That’s a bold proposal, Vivienne.”
“Not yet it isn’t. I wouldn’t give myself to an admiral, but to an emperor?”
A wicked smile appeared on La’an’s face. “How cruel of you to make me wait. Luckily for you, I can be very patient.”
When La’an and Albrecht arrived in the transporter room, the technician greeted them with a Terran salute. “Admiral,” he began, “We just received word that the two augments are ready to beam aboard.”
“Let’s not leave them waiting a moment longer. Beam them aboard.”
The technician shifted his focus to the console and went to work. Moments later, two young women materialized on the transporter platforms: Maya and an unknown augment. Maya’s escort had a long, lean form and held herself with elegance.
La’an, Albrecht, and the technician greeted the pair with a Terran salute before La’an stepped forward. “Maya. It’s an honor and a privilege to have you on board.” She looked toward the other augment. “And who are you?”
“Ekaterina Mikhailova Petrova, or Katya. Maya is my…” she stopped short as Maya narrowed her eyes and gave her a sharp look. “…My most trusted friend”
Well that told La’an just as much about their relationship as if she had openly admitted the truth. However La’an said nothing. Those details did not matter. “An honor to meet you as well.” Simple and professional “I’d like to get straight to business. Come. We will discuss my offer in Captain Albrecht’s ready room.”
Each of the four people gathered around the table brought a unique sense of anticipation to the meeting. Maya tried to seem cool and confident, but it only thinly veiled a youthful sense of excitement. Katya seemed tense and impatient. Captain Albrecht was calm and easy, sitting back and ready to simply was the whole affair unfold around her. La’an, however, had the boldest presence in the room. The commanding gravitas of someone who knew they were in control.
“So, Admiral.” Maya spoke first, ignoring any standards of decorum and respect. “Tell me how you plan to make me an emperor.”
La’an wasn’t sure if it was an act of ignorance from someone who had no idea how the world worked, or if the young woman was trying to assert control over the situation. Regardless, it didn’t faze La’an. “Try not to get too far ahead of yourself. Taking over an empire that spans through many star systems is a more complex task than taking over a single small colony, even if you did defeat one of history’s greatest rulers. You aren’t ready to be an emperor yet.”
“You lured me here with lies!” Enraged, Maya rose from her seat.
“I said what I had to say to earn your confidence.” La’an spoke firmly but did not raise her voice. “Let me remind you that you are in no position to make demands. I can easily send the two of you back to Ceti Alpha V and act as if this conversation never happened.”
Maya sat back down. “Then what is it you have in mind, and how will it benefit me? Because it’s starting to seem like you intend to use me to achieve your own ambitions.”
“I want to make myself Emperor, with you as my successor. You’re an advanced type of Terran, but you’re young and inexperienced with no knowledge of how our society works. Follow my example, learn from me, and when you’re ready you will be set up for success. What I ask in return is only cooperation from you and your people. I need a team of your best to stage the coup, and once my position is secured, I will have each and every augment brought to Terra Prime where you all can live as an elite ruling class, just as you deserve.”
Maya paused to consider the offer, and she looked toward Katya. The two said nothing, only looked into each others eyes before Katya gave a slight nod.
“I accept your offer, but I have a few unanswered questions. How many of my father’s genetic enhancements have survived the generations?”
La’an considered her answer carefully and chose to speak the truth. “None, I’m afraid. Only a few unique genetic markers.”
“And, Admiral, do you expect my people to accept a leader who is objectively inferior?”
“I expect them to remember who saved them from exile, and I expect you to help me remind them.” Now there was a bite in La’an’s voice, her jaw clenched and her patience was wearing thin.
Maya gave Katya one more quick look before she answered. “Understood. What are our next steps?”
“Come back to Terra Prime with me. There we can take time to finalize plans with my supporters and to fill you in on the history and culture of the Terran Empire.”
“I have reservations about leaving my people for so long.”
“Why? Is your position of power so fragile that you fear they will turn against you in your absence?” La’an taunted.
“No, of course not!” Maya snapped. Katya look toward her and placed a hand on her shoulder, but Maya flinched away. “I only meant…to leave my home and my responsibilities to travel through the stars, and to place my trust in a total stranger…”
“You aren’t nervous, Maya, are you?”
“Of course not. This is what I was meant to do.”
“Good.” La’an stood up, and in turn so did Albrecht, Katya, and Maya. “We’ll have you beamed back to the planet, so you can get your affairs in order.”