Chapter Text
The Portland had no shields, no engines, and no weapons, and with one solid hit hit they were surely only moments away from fully disabling the Portland’s engines and moving on to what would be the final and probably greatest challenge: getting rid of the augments while keeping the crew safe.
“Fire on the starboard pylon again, and be ready to come around to reach the port side too.” LeFevre ordered. This must be what it felt like to prepare to take the final shot in the Stanley Cup.
A ray of energy soared through space, another direct hit of the Starboard nacelle. Captain LeFevre’s heart began to race, this time from excitement. After so many struggles, it felt like things were finally turning around. “One more for safety.” He leaned forward in his seat, eyes locked on the screen, and tried to remind himself that it was to early to start feeling a sense of victory.
“Captain, theirs shields are back online.”
“What?!” It felt like a punch in the stomach to go in an instant from having victory in his grasp only to have it knocked away. “How is that possible?” As soon as he spoke, LeFevre was able to answer his own question. Albrecht must have something to do with it. “Never mind, at least we got in two good hits. We’re back to wearing down the shields. Be ready, they should have weapons and engines back any minute now.”
Another burst of energy from the Enterprise’s phasers. The Portland hadn’t yet made any move to evade the attacks or fire back. Something was off, but because it worked in his advantage, LeFevre didn’t stop to question it. What the hell was going on over there?
“Captain,” It was the communication officer again. “There’s been an update from the medical department which requires your attention at you earliest convenience.”
“Then they will be waiting a while, I can’t exactly step away. I’m sure they’ll be fine without me, I’m no doctor.”
“It’s about their research on augment DNA, and methods that could be used to defeat the augments aboard the Portland.”
LeFevre stared at the image on the viewscreen. The Portland hadn’t made any action toward evasion or defense, which made LeFevre want to assume that they hadn’t been able to get their weapons and engines back online, but if that assumption was wrong…
“Arrange for Doctor Kimani to meet me in my ready room. I want Kirk, Spock, and McCoy to join us for this consultation.” Any time he could have the wisdom and advice from people who had dealt with these augments, he welcomed it.
“Of course. Doctor Kimani is also requesting the presence of the prisoner.”
Dammit. LeFevre didn’t like that one of the augments was on his ship in the first place and wasn’t eager to keep company with her, but he did trust that Kimani had her reasons. “Only if she’s restrained and has an armed security escort. I’m not moving my ass from this chair until everyone else is ready, and even then don’t hesitate to interrupt with updates. Number one, I trust your judgment, but advise you to temper your usual optimism.”
It felt wrong to leave the bridge, but in the time it took to assemble everyone for the meeting, little hand changed. The Portland still had no weapons or engines, but her shields held strong. Rarely did LeFevre meet with more than two or three people in his ready room, but now it was crowded to capacity: himself, Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Kimani, Maya Noonien Singh, and her escort Amberg.
“As per your suggestions, Captain, we have been researching the genetic markers that differentiate augments from normal humans, and how these might be used to target them with biological weapons.” Doctor Kimani explained. “We have some leads, but need to have an ethical review before moving forward,”
“Do we really? Because I doubt our enemies would pause for ethical review before acting, and we don’t have any time to spare.” LeFevre gave a look to Kirk, sure that out of everyone in his ready room, he would be the most likely to agree.
“You’re right,”Kirk answered “They won’t stop to think about ethics, but the fact that we will is what makes us better than them. We need to make this quick, however.”
“Of course,” Doctor Kimani replied. For a human, she had such a cold, dry demeanor. “We can use genetic samples to create a virus that targets genetic markers that only the augments have. Biological warfare is banned by the Federation, and, Captain, I understand that the doctor from the Portland had concerns that such measures seemed close to genocide, but I don’t know what other options we have that could spare the Portland’s crew.”
LeFevre nodded. “I’ve thought about this. Create the virus, target the augments aboard the Portland. Any objections?”
“None from me,” Kirk answered, “That would have been my course of action.”
McCoy shook his head, “Sorry, Captain. I understand where the Portland’s doctor is coming from. It’s an easy way to pick off our enemies, but to target people and kill them off because of a biological difference…well, people on earth were doing that long before the eugenics wars, that was just when they had the technology to make it easier. Every augment aboard the Portland should be treated as a violent enemy, but I don’t like the idea that we’ve got a small sub-population of humanity that we can easily get rid of.”
LeFevre glanced toward Spock, who raised one eyebrow before he spoke. “This is a difficult decision. In any other circumstances, biological warfare is difficult to justify. I agree that an attack targeted strictly toward those aboard the Portland could be justified, but I also agree with Doctor McCoy, that the ability to target a sub-group of humans sets an upsetting precedent, especially when at least one individual who carries the genetic markers of Khan Noonien Singh serves Starfleet, is deeply problematic.”
“Wait..what?!” Maya had tried to sit quietly and wait her turn, but after hearing that piece of information she couldn’t hold back.
“La’an Noonien Singh,” Spock answered, “Your niece by some order of generations, the former chief of security aboard the Enterprise, and currently an instructor at Starfleet Academy.”
“So I’ve had siblings who lived and died centuries ago.” Maya mused. “I have a feeling that’s not why you want me here,”
“We have to decide what to do with the colony,” LeFevre answered. “However unlikely it may be, we cannot risk a repeat of what happened to the Toyotomi! any augments left on Ceti Alpha V are too great of a liability. You’re the only one who’s been down there, so your insights would be appreciated.”
Maya took a moment to look at each person in the room. Kirk and LeFevre looked irritated, frustrated to be having this conversation in the first place. “You want to use your virus to kill everyone I have ever known, and you’re asking me for my insight?” Her tone was sharp and defensive.
“Nobody is suggesting that.” LeFevre was firm, impatient.
“But you’re capable of it,” Maya accused.
“Only as an absolute last resort, under the most extreme circumstances.” Kirk explained. He was just as firm as LeFevre.
“Admiral, how often do ships like that crash?” Maya raised her voice, her escort gave her a sharp look, but she didn’t notice.
“It’s an exceedingly rare occurrence,” Kirk admitted, still calm yet firm.
“And out of all the planets in the galaxy, what are the odds that another crashes on Ceti Alpha V?”
“I do not have data on shipwrecks committed to memory, but with the relevant information I could calculate the exact probability,” Spock offered.
“That won’t be necessary,” LeFevre snapped.
“Jim…” McCoy spoke this time, almost pleading. “Are you really considering this? Killing everyone in case of some impossibly small chance that the same damn thing happens again? We don’t even know how they’re going to react once their leader is gone, maybe some of them are perfectly happy with subsistence living.”
“I’m not in favor of it unless we have no other option.” Kirk spoke to defend himself.
“And you, Captain?”
“I honestly have a hard time believing that people who tried to conquer the earth would be content to live peacefully.”
“What about the people born there?” McCoy looked toward Maya. “How many?”
She thought for a moment before responding. “At least thirty, including young children.”
“Thirty people, Captain, under the age of twenty-five,” McCoy continued .
“They aren’t all guiltless,” Maya added, her voice growing soft and distant. “Some might be aboard the Portland.”
“And we have to consider that there is still a warp capable ship on the planet’s surface.” LeFevre evaded the ethical issues that McCoy mentioned. “With enough time and working together, I wouldn’t be surprised if those enhanced minds could make it back into something functional.”
“Captain,” Maya spoke again, still soft and low. “When that ship crashed, most of us were more excited to salvage building materials and medical supplies.”
“Bridge to LeFevre.” Commander Dalton’s voice came through on the communicator.
“Go ahead.” LeFevre almost sounded relieved to have an interruption.
“The Portland’s shields are down to thirty percent. I suggest you find a stopping point and return to the bridge.”
“On my way. LeFevre out.” He shook his head as he stood up. “I don’t have time for any of this. I’ve made up my mind about the Portland, go ahead and create the virus and come up with a way to get it onboard. We can figure out what do the about the people down on the planet later, Before we can do anything, though, we need to get those shields back down. It’s time I got back to the bridge.”
“Captain,” Kirk stood up as well. “It’s time we got back to the bridge.”
LeFevre offered a slight smile. “Of course, Admiral.”