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So few survivors. Fewer than Khan expected, a mistake in his estimation. It would seem that the people of this century had a stronger sense of conviction and were more willing to die than compromise their ideals and bend the knee to a superior man. No matter. He did not need them, it was his great compassion that compelled him to spare the life of one who would submit willingly.
One yet lived even though she resisted more fiercely than any of the others, even Captain James T. Kirk. Khan expected no less from his only surviving heir, and in a way he felt a sense of pride. There was an amusing sense of irony in it, to see the security chief now locked in the brig. La’an wore every sign for recent struggle—her bruised and bloody face, her torn shirt—as a mark of pride. She made no move when Khan entered; she only sat on the cot in her cell and stared unblinking at the wall across from her.
“There is a place for you at my right hand.”
No response. Unsurprising. La’an would not be so easily swayed.
“I have studied the history of Earth that I missed. My children did not meet a kind fate. Exile, forced sterilization, execution…it seems the only conceivable solution to Eugenics was further Eugenics.”
Still nothing.
“It pleases me to know that at least one of my children survived long enough to have children of their own.”
Now La’an turned her head to face Khan: bruised and bloody but the fire in her eyes showed that she was not yet broken. “You’re a coward,” she spat. “It’s bad enough to have run away rather than face defeat, but you left your family behind to clean up your mess and face consequences meant for you.”
“My reasoning was complex. I cannot expect a small mind to comprehend such nuance.”
She snapped her neck to turn back away and went back to staring intensely at the wall. La’an was a strong woman, but one who would eventually fold,
“We will speak again, La’an. Currently we are en route to the Romulan Neutral Zone. I intend to retake Earth, but cannot do it on my own. The enemy of my enemy is my friend. My offer still stands, and always will. The choice is yours, whether to remain a prisoner for the rest of your days or become a princess.”