Chapter Text
Maya was still asleep when they reached Ceti Alpha V, but the first thing she did when she woke up was rush to the window to see the view of her home planet from space.
This was not her home planet.
Ten years ago was the first and only time she viewed this planet from space. Back then, Ceti Alpha V didn’t look so different from Earth; the continents were different shapes, yes, but it had still been mostly blue with green and brown landmasses and wispy clouds. Now though… Ceti Alpha V was an angry rusty-orange ball, and the sight of it gave Maya a deep sense of wrongness, as if some horrible mistake had been made and they weren’t even at the right planet. No…that was stupid. This was her home, only everything was gone: the riverside where she and Katya would sneak away to walk alone and hold hands, the trees she climbed when she was a child, the bright pink orchids that made your hands swell and itch if you touched them. Nothing remained except some sad husk of a world.
0730. Thirty minutes to get dressed, eat, and try to force herself to forget the creeping anxiety that tried to grow inside of her.
She arrived early to shuttle bay 3, where she was greeted by Saavik and Demora Sulu. The Captain and the pilot were already geared up in their EV suits (sans helmet)s) and as Maya wrestled her way into her own suit, Joanna McCoy arrived, just on time at 0800 on the dot.
“Great news everyone!” She announced, holding her arms open wide and wearing a smile on her face. “I’m here.”
Demora struggled to suppress a chuckle, Maya rolled her eyes, and the only shift in Saavik’s controlled Vulcan visage was a slight raise of one eyebrow. “Nurse McCoy,” she began. “The shuttle is loaded with supplies, and we will be able to depart as soon as you are ready.”
Joanna began to slip into her EV suit. “What’s the old saying? If you’re early you’re on time, if you’re on time you’re early, and if you’re late you may as well not show up.”
“I find tardiness more forgivable than absenteeism.” Saavik replied.
“What a relief.” Joanna rolled her eyes as she wiggled her arms into the sleeves of her suit. “I’m ready as soon as someone closes up my back”
The four women sat in the shuttle with their EV helmets in their laps, and when the shuttle bay dies were open, Demora began to enter commands into the console. “It’ll be nice and easy to start, but once we get into the atmosphere, it’s high wind and sandstorms all the way down. Hope no one gets space sick.”
The shuttle lifted off the ground flew out the open door. As they crept closer to the planet, all the creeping feelings Maya felt from the morning tried to rise back up to the surface. Maya closed her eyes and look a deep calming breath.
“You holding up alright?” Joanna asked.
Maya sighed. “Still not sure if I give a damn if the people down there live or die.”
“Well, it’s a little late for second thoughts.” She shrugged.
“I’m going to try to not let my personal hang ups get in the way.” Maya gave a slight glance toward Saavik, but the captain kept her eyes forward. “I’m here to trust the Captain’s judgment, and give a little extra support when needed.”
Just as Demora had predicted, the first leg of their flight was smooth and easy, but after they broke through the atmosphere, the tiny shuttle was tossed about by violent eddies of wind. In the higher altitudes it was only wind, but closer to the surface they were also buffeted by swirling sands. Demora and Saavik remained calm and unfazed, while Joanna looked as though she was about to be space sick and Maya sat tense and stiff as if keeping perfectly still would prevent any further unexpected turbulence. After such a rough flight, the landing was pleasantly uneventful, just a soft bump on the planet’s surface and all of the uncomfortable motion stopped.
In the moment of still silence before anyone moved to action, Maya spoke first. “I have one more piece of advice, as a consultant.”
Saavik turned to face Maya, and even though her expression was still neutral and unreadable, it made her heart flutter. No one had any right to be so perfect.
“Go on.”
She took a deep breath. “Diplomacy with the Augments might require me to bluff, or outright lie, anything to not appear weak. Don’t contradict me.”
“Understood.” Saavik responded. “If there are no further questions or comments, we should proceed.”
The landing team donned their helmets and carefully went through the final safety checks to ensure that their EV suits were sealed and the equipment was all in good working order. When the shuttle’s door opened, a blast of sandy wind raced by. Though it was only a few meters from the shuttle, in the hazy air the structures where the augments made their new home looked like a vague blob in the distance. The group walked in pairs, each pair working together to carry a container of supplies.
“Are you sure there were any survivors?” Joanna’s voice rang out through the communicator. Even though she spoke clearly, her words were muffled by the sound of howling wind. “How can people live in this?”
“The ship’s sensor confirmed human life signs,” Saavik replied.
As they moved forward, Maya’s heart began to race, her stomach turned, and her head spun. Setting foot in her home planet and seeing it in this state triggered an overwhelming since of…everything. Fear, anger loss. When they were closer to the settlement, they could see a tall human form standing just outside: an Augment dressed in layers of robes and protective clothing to shield them from the sandstorm. The sight of this person sent a jolt through Maya’s body as though she had stumbled into sudden danger. She needed to use all of her willpower not to drop the container and sprint back to the shuttle.
The figure gestured toward the door on the side of the structure, and the team paused before continuing forward. After the door slid open, the team stepped inside and the door shut immediately behind them. Inside, the air was still and warm, but the wind could still be heard howling outside. The Augment began to remove protective layers to reveal his face, and even though he seemed to have aged twenty years instead of ten, Maya recognized him instantly. This was Claudius—simply Claudius—one of the original survivors from the Botany Bay. He was one of Khan’s closest friends, and Maya was surprised to see that he hadn’t been with her father and went down with him on the Portland. The team set down the supply containers and began to remove their helmets.
“Unexpected guests, but not unwelcome.” His cold gaze landed on Maya, and a twisted smile curled onto his face. “Except for you. I thought you had died aboard the Portland.”
Maya inched back but still stood tall and held her head high. “Likewise. I suppose my father didn’t think you were important enough to have you by his side in his moment of glory.”
Claudius’ jaw dropped, but he regained his composure “Such a simplistic understanding. Someone both highly competent and deeply trusted had to remain behind as a contingency, which proved to be a necessary measure.”
“Sir…” Saavik began.
“Claudius,” he corrected.
“Claudius. Your statements have led me to the logical conclusion that you are the leader. I am Captain Saavik of the USS Enterprise. Starfleet has recently learned of the damage your planet had endured. As your exile was the result of choices made by Starfleet officers, we have come to make amends. Supplies we will give without condition, and anyone who wishes to leave this planet will be able to do so and start a new life on Earth.”
“A new life as a prisoner,” he scoffed. “And your assistance would have been of more use five years ago.”
“Regrettably, the discovery was recent. Federation ships have avoided this system after the crash of the Toyotomi. Those among you who have a sordid history on earth will face consequences for their past transgressions. However, I am aware that your numbers also include those who were born on this planet who have no such history and may be able to integrate into society.”
“And why is James T. Kirk not here to make amends himself?”
“Kirk died years ago,” Maya blurted out.
The wicked smile on Claudius’ face. “Pity I wasn’t there to see it for myself.” With two long strides he came closer to Maya, and she instinctively backed up. He towered over her. Among unaltered humans, Maya was just over average height, but as a half-Augment whose human mother had a small frame, Maya looked small and delicate next to a full Augment, “And I have even more question for you. What was your role in all this?”
Maya took a deep breath. “Starfleet took me as a prisoner.” She had a carefully planned alibi, many of the finer points she discussed with Saavik over the few chess games they shared before the captain decided she didn’t have time for such things. The facts were mostly true, only told with a spin that cast them in a certain lights. However, even with the perfect tale to tell, twisting the truth was a gamble. Her father could practically smell lies, and it was possible Claudius had the same ability to see through the best poker face too. “They used me, they turned me into a weapon, a vector for a virus made to target and weaken us. That’s what turned the tide on the Portland, and as compensation I was allowed to return to Earth.”
“As a prisoner?”
“Initially…yes.”
“You’re already doing a poor job of convincing me that Earth is worth returning to.”
Fear gripped Maya and made her throat feel dry and tight, but she still pushed through to speak her mind. “None of this was my idea, and frankly it makes no difference to me if all of you die on this rock or not.”
Claudius was mostly unfazed, aside from a momentary look of confusion. In the years since they had last spoken, Khan and Marla’s meek child had learned to stand up for herself. “Come. Let me show you something that might stir your compassion.”
He led the party down a short hallway and into a wider room. With space at a premium, every inch of the vertical walls were used for storage. It looked like clutter and bric-a-brac at first glass, but a closer inspection revealed that it was all utilitarian: tools, weapons, jars with various contents and other supplies. A young Augment tended a hydroponic garden by the far wall, but the plants were brown and wilting. He paused in his work and turned his head to face Claudius with an expectant look in his eye.
“Get the others. Everyone.” Claudius ordered, and the young man dashed away behind another corner. Moments later, more Augments began to trickle into the room. Maya silently counted them…one…two..three…only nineteen altogether. Unless McCoy had been mistaken when he spoke to her in Bellingham, one more might have died recently. Only one other of the survivors was from the original Botany Bay crew, the others were adults born on the planet, a handful of teenagers who had been young children when Maya left, and one young boy who appeared to be about ten years of age.
“Maya, look.” Claudius gestured toward the small crowd gathered before them. “One third of our population never returned from the Portland. And the others…I don’t think I need to elaborate. In any case, the prodigal son—or daughter—has returned to so selflessly help us in our hour of need, but five years earlier might have spared us more hardship.” His voice dripped with sarcasm. He turned his attention to Saavik. “Captain, repeat your offer so everyone can hear it.”
“We have brought supplies,” Saavik began. “These, and anything else you may need are given freely. Anyone needed medical attention may seek it with Nurse McCoy, and anyone who wishes to leave the planet.”
“Don’t omit details, Captain,” Claudius pressed. “Under which conditions?”
Saavik raised an eyebrow. “There are no conditions, however the degree to which each individual can expect to integrate into Federation society will be contingent upon each person’s personal history and psychological profile.”
“Now, I think we deserve more than that,” Claudius taunted. “What I see before me is four hostages who will be instrumental in securing a more favorable outcome. Or, perhaps, I should say three hostages.” He gave Maya a pointed look. “The usurper needs to answer for her crimes.”
A fit of panicked rage gripped Maya, the likes of which she had only experienced before when she was pushed past the edge and killed her brother. She drew her phaser and fired a warning shot into a shelf on the wall. The blast his a glass jar full of sand and gravel, shattering the glass and sending the contents into a dusty explosion. To the floor fell a mature Ceti eel. The creature scuttled around on the ground for just a moment, before Maya turned her phaser on it and killed it instantly.
She raised her weapon and aimed it at the crowd of Augments. Every muscle in her body was tight and tense, and here eyes were full of fire. “I killed my own brother just to watch him die, and I’ve had ten years to think about the ways in which I’ve been wronged. I am Khan’s only living heir, and if you have any respect for my father, honor this one request. Your quarrel is with me. Let the others go.”
Despite the threats and the phaser fire, Claudius remained calm and unbothered, the same stern look still on his face. “Maya, what are you?”
Her face fell, and she lowered her weapon. All of her bold bravado was gone as she vividly remembered being a small, frightened child constantly reminded of her own inferiority. This was a question her father, and later her half brother, asked when they thought she was getting out of line. There was only one acceptable answer.
“Half-breed.” Maya answered, her voice soft and weak.
“And not the heir, either,” added another Augment, Francesca. She had been pregnant the last time Maya saw her, and beside her stood the one young child. The implication was clear: the boy looked exactly like Maya’s brother when he was young.
Maya began to breath heavily, and her fingers trembled. In only a few minutes her plan dissolved away, and her head was too filled with painful memories to let her think straight enough to regroup.
Saavik remained a calm, steady presence, not so much as a raised eyebrow this time. “I would like to propose a counter-offer. As the captain, I am the most valuable hostage. Allow Lieutenant Sulu and Nurse McCoy to return to the ship, where they can give a detailed account of what happened here and convey the gravity of our situation.”
“Captain, please!” Demora begged. “Don’t do this, if anything happened…”
“Thank you, Lieutenant, for proving my point.”
Claudius stepped closer, only inches from Saavik, and narrowed his eyes as he studied her closely, but the Vulcan did not flinch. “And what do you stand to gain from sacrificing yourself in this manner.”
“I am unsurprised to see that altruism is a foreign concept to you. Maya is a civilian, and as a Starfleet officer I am sworn to protect civilian. I would be in violation of that oath to willfully leave her behind. Furthermore, it is unlikely that you would allow this exchange to end without taking a hostage, and I cannot in good conscience allow a member of my crew to stay behind. My safety is forfeited in any outcome.”
“A logical conclusion,” Claudius noted.
“And an obvious observation.”
“Very well. Send the others back to your ship with the following demands: a ship of our own and full Federation citizenship. No restrictions, no consequences, no questions asked.”
“Understood. Sulu, McCoy. Return to the shuttle.”
“Captain, you can’t be serious,” Joanna begged, her eyes wide with desperation. “No one’s leaving unless we’re all leaving together. Nobody gets left behind.”
“That was an order, McCoy.” Saavik’s voice remained even and steady, but she spoke louder and with a heightened sense of stern force and urgency.
Demora and Joanna hesitated, and a pair of tall Augments inched forward. That was the only other encouragement they needed to get on the move.
“Well,” Claudius began again, this wicked smile back on his face. “Now that our terms are settled, allow me to welcome you both to Ceti Alpha V.”