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After what seemed like a very short and troubled night, James Kirk awoke in a darkened room. It took him a good five or six minutes to get oriented to his surroundings. Only then did he realize where he was and why he was there. Throwing back the single blanket that covered him, he rolled to one side and planted his feet on the floor.
No sooner had he done this, he realized it was a mistake. His head was spinning and his stomach felt as if it were inhabited by a flock of butterflies; or was it a swarm?
McCoy appeared suddenly and helped his old friend back into the bed and to lay back down. "Now I hope that'll teach you a good lesson on following the doctor's orders." His superficial gruffness melted away as he studied his friend's face. "What's wrong, Jim? What are your symptoms?"
Kirk was quiet for a moment, as if he was taking stock of his feelings, then explained his discomfort, in detail, to the doctor. After he was finished, he looked lost.
"Hmmm, sounds like a reaction to the medication more than anything else, but let's check to be sure." The CMO began taking a variety of readings and nodded an approval at each one. "Just as I thought, a reaction to all the medication and on an empty stomach at that. "I take it you didn't get a lot to eat on Romulus. Instead of socializing when you came aboard, you should have grabbed a sandwich. So, let's get you fed then we'll continue treatments. Anything strike your fancy."
The former captive smiled devilishly, "Steak and eggs, home fries and lots of juice and coffee."
The surgeon shook his head, "Not on your life or mine! Besides, I thought you said your stomach was queasy."
"You said my problem was lack of food. So I'm just trying to fill your prescription... and my stomach."
Studying his friend for a moment, McCoy relented. "All right, Jim, but go easy, and try small amounts to begin with, okay?" Turning, the doctor tabbed the intercom, "Duty nurse, this is doctor McCoy, I need you in I.C.U."
A melodious voice responded from the other end. "Yes, Doctor, I'm on the way."
Continuing his lecture, McCoy explained, "I want you to get your strength back slowly. When you finish your breakfast, I need to begin the debriefing and do some additional testing. From now on, we take it slow and easy. You don't leave sickbay unless I say so and we need to keep your visitors to a minimum, okay?"
The duty nurse appeared behind McCoy and waited until the doctor concluded his instructions before announcing her presence. "You wanted to see me, Doctor?"
Quickly, McCoy moved to brief the nurse and gave her all the necessary information, including one final item. "Lastly, I must warn you, Nurse Panee. If he does begin to feel better, watch yourself. The Admiral has a very shady reputation when it comes to the ladies."
The young Hawaiian nurse blushed slightly then recovered. "Don't worry, Doctor, if he tries anything, I'll put him back in stasis!"
McCoy and Panee laughed, but Kirk did not. "All right you two, how about breakfast?"
Turning to leave the I.C.U., McCoy added, "Don't forget, Jim, debriefing in an hour."
After the doctor left, James Kirk stared at the lovely, long-haired beauty in front of him.
"What can I get you, sir?"
Kirk thought of a snappy comeback, but decided against it and placed a moderate order, as McCoy had suggested.
The breakfast really hit the spot and before a full hour had elapsed, McCoy returned as promised; or was it a threat? Kirk was dismayed as his friend dismissed the nurse.
"Okay, Jim, time to get to business. Feeling any better?"
"Yes, Bones, but I'm not sure if it was the food or the nurse."
McCoy smiled at the comment; James Kirk just might be getting better after all!
"How's Rameriz?" Kirk's voice was filled with genuine concern.
"Not too bad, Jim. His injuries are serious, but he should do fine. Of course, there were some complications due to the long term stasis effects." McCoy studied his old friend for a moment. "How much contact did you have with Miguel?"
"Before our capture, not much, but afterwards, occasionally, why do you ask?"
"Actually, I was hoping to find out why the two of you were experiencing such different recovery rates, any ideas?"
Kirk rolled his eyes in an exaggerated manner, "The stories I could tell you!" He ended the statement with a half-hearted smile and laugh.
"Why don't you, Jim? How about from the beginning?" McCoy put his hand on his friend's arm. "Starfleet is very curious about what exactly happened to you and the others. Maybe I can figure out why your recovery rate is so much different than Miguel's. By the way, this is being recorded for Command and the Surgeon General, so no 'colorful metaphors,' okay?" McCoy put an additional pillow behind Kirk, then pulled up a chair and took a seat close by, watching his friend intently. Kirk was not completely himself, but was trying to be; maybe a little too hard.
"From the beginning, Bones?" Kirk sounded overwhelmed.
"How about starting at the point the Vikrant was attacked?"
A very uneasy Kirk took a deep breath and began to relate the tale. "The Inspector General's team: Shaya-tar, Rya, Rameriz and Mani, plus myself, were transferred from the Lyon to the Vikrant. As you probably know, I was added at the last minute as part of my new duties. Rya and I were having a late lunch when the ship was attacked. I only saw two Romulan ships, but judging by the weapons impacts there were several more. We went to the bridge to see if we could help, but there was little to do except initiate the auto-destruct sequence to prevent the ship falling into Romulan hands. Just as the Vikrant's scuttling charges started to detonate, the Romulans transported a number of the crew including the bridge complement and, of course, me.
"On the Romulan ship, the survivors of the Vikrant were 'sorted' by rank and importance, and we were moved into different holding areas. At that point I was recognized, as were a few others. Those deemed important, such as the I.G.'s team, and the ship's senior officers, were put in separate holding cells. I never saw any of the others again. When I asked about them, I was either ignored or told to remain quiet, or else.
"Then we were transferred to another ship and sent to Romulus. They took our universal translators so we could not understand what was being said. But Rya was able to learn a bit as he had studied languages and could pick up about 25% of their conversations. We were prizes for the Preator, to be put on display in public places as proof of Romulan superiority. They were especially interested in the Inspector General and me."
McCoy harrumphed, "No doubt due to your theft of a cloaking unit and one of their officers."
Kirk smiled at the statement. "They do have a long memory, Bones, and made a point of reminding me of that on many occasions. But I'm getting ahead of myself.
"On the Romulan ship, we learned of a movement to restore the 'greatness of the Romulan Empire.' I think that's what the revisionists are."
The doctor nodded in understanding. When Kirk became quiet, McCoy prompted him. "Sounds about right, but what about your treatment?"
"At this time we were being treated okay, no beatings, no questioning, nothing... basically, they ignored us. Then we got to Romulus... that's when it hit the fan.
"By this time, there were only eight of us, total. Myself, the I.G. team, Captain Blanchard, Vikrant's Chief Engineer, Varni and the ship's C.M.O., Stein. Again, I don't know what happened to the rest of the prisoners although during one of Rya's interrogations, a Romulan junior officer hinted they were executed as they were 'not important enough' to keep alive. All they kept was the senior officers as they figured we had information they wanted, especially Shaya-tar. As I.G., there wasn't much he didn't know."
"But what about you, Jim, weren't you considered 'valuable?'"
Smiling at the left-handed compliment, Kirk continued. "Only because of those previous encounters we had with them; stopping their invasion and finding out the weaknesses with the plasma weapon and taking the cloak and their commander. By the way, it did not go well for her. She was executed for incompetence, shortly after we sent her back."
McCoy looked stunned, "Good Lord!"
"The Romulans don't really have a 'forgive and forget' philosophy when it comes to their command structure and civilian leaders. That went a long way to explain a lot of turnovers in the military and government, even their Preators!"
"How did you learn about all this, Jim?"
Sighing heavily and shifting uncomfortably in his bed, Kirk explained, slowly. "Let's start from the beginning on Romulus. Our first few months were spent being 'debriefed' by the Tal Shiar, Preatorian guards and other agencies; most didn't bother to introduce themselves. They wanted specifics on all types of classified information, which none of us revealed. That sent them off on all sorts of violent rampages."
Kirk laughed, "Boy, did we disappoint them. The Preator made all sorts of promises to the Senate and his people about defeating the Federation and subjugating the Klingons and other such nonsense, because of our capture and the information we would provide."
"Let me guess... when he couldn't do it, he executed the persons responsible for kidnapping you and the others."
"Yup! Then the military killed the preator for failing to deliver on his promises! The Romulan Senate went crazy over that. From there it went downhill fast, for everyone, including us prisoners."
"How'd you learn all of this?"
Kirk shrugged, "Bits and pieces here and there, during my interrogations." Stopping, he picked up his cup of nearly cold coffee and took a long drink, making a sour face afterwards.
McCoy rose from his seat and retrieved a replacement cup for his friend. Along the way he probed for answers to other questions. "So when did you see Rameriz and the others?"
"During the many 'softening up' and questioning sessions. Now and then we were dragged before the Preator and offered another chance. The last time, they insisted either we told everything we knew or our fate would be settled once and for and all."
Seated once more, McCoy presented the fresh cup of coffee to his friend. "That had an ominous sound to it."
After a tentative first sip, Kirk continued. "That's what we thought, too. So we planned an escape."
The ship's chief surgeon was positively amazed. "You're joking! Inside the Imperial Palace, in the heart of the Romulan Empire, you thought about escape?"
James Kirk grinned broadly. "Idle minds are the devil's workshop. Besides, it was my duty."
"I know that. You don't have to quote me chapter and verse on regulations and duty. Did you escape?"
"Of course! But we were recaptured almost immediately and instead of being put into another jail cell, we all went into the stasis units. And that's where Sulu and Chekov found me."
A very confused McCoy stared at his friend. "And that's it? Miguel gave the impression there was a lot more to it."
Looking away from his doctor, Kirk took another swallow from the cup in his hand, cradling it as if it were a close friend. He swung his legs over the edge of the bed and sat upright. Looking into the cup he tried to inject some humor into a painful subject. "Have you been making the coffee around here, Bones? This is really awful."
Sidestepping the barb, McCoy prodded further. "Jim, you're not telling me everything, why not?" When his friend failed to respond, McCoy pressed even harder. "Give it to me straight; what is it you're not telling me?"
"Let it go, Bones, I'm not in the mood, okay?"
The ship's surgeon knew he was on to something and continued to press. His voice became firmer and more than just a little louder. "No, Jim, it's not okay. Either we talk this out now or I call Spock and have him do a forced mind meld!"
James Kirk looked up at his old friend as if the words hurt physically. "You don't understand... "
"You're right, Jim, but I want to understand. Please talk to me!"
Kirk looked absolutely pained but began to speak, very quietly. "From time to time, the Romulans took me out of stasis and paraded before the latest Preator. There were a succession of them over... well, I guess it was eight years. I actually met six of them; Beren, Quintas, Tomador, Braxius, Detriex and Redian. Usually I was alone, but sometimes it was with a few of the others. Each time they would ask the usual questions. Of course, we all refused to answer." He stared blankly at the wall behind McCoy and continued, slowly. "One time, they didn't ask any questions. I was led to a small room and put in a special chair. You remember that device we found on Tantalus Five, the neural neutralizer? Well, this thing was similar, but even worse, if that's possible."
McCoy said nothing, but now he was begging to understand the source of Kirk's pain. It was plainly visible on his friend's face.
"They used it on me quite a few times, Bones. I didn't think I'd survive the first encounter, but I did. I survived just so I could get back somehow. I survived simply because I didn't want to die!" He looked tired again, but now struggled to finish. "I even managed to escape again, by myself this time. I probably would have made it if it weren't for the bright red uniform! They found me hiding in a storage room. I was trying to remove my restraints but I guess I made too much noise. Anyway, the Romulans were not happy. Then they threatened to execute one of the other captives if I didn't talk."
McCoy stiffened, "What happened?"
Kirk looked trapped, almost guilty. "That's when they executed Mani. I guess I took too long to respond, but that mind scanner thing scrambled my brain so bad... " His voice tapered off and he was silent for a moment, then gathered his thoughts and continued. "I was subjected to a full day of mind scanner and frankly, Bones, I just gave up." Finished, Kirk slumped over and put his face in his hands, mentally drained.
"Jim, are you saying you talked? You told the Romulans what they wanted to know?"
Kirk merely nodded in agreement at first, then amended the confession. "Actually, I don't know what I said. I just gave up trying to dodge the questions, making up things, being clever and playing word games."
McCoy tried to be logical about the situation. "Jim, I know you lost track of time and your thought processes but I think your blaming yourself for nothing."
"Bones, please don't try --"
"No! You listen to me! If you or any of the others had 'spilled the beans' don't you think the Romulans would have used the information right away? Jim, the Romulans haven't lifted a finger against the Federation since the Vikrant disappeared. Since after you --" he caught himself as he was about to say 'died' "-- after you disappeared."
James smiled weakly, "You wouldn't just say that to make me feel better, would you?"
"Check computer records or ask anyone on board, but it's true! You're blaming yourself for nothing!" McCoy stood and folded his arms across his chest, in a defiant manner. "I want to help you, Jim, but you have to begin the healing process by taking the first step. Stop the self-destruction, okay?" McCoy finished his 'speech' with a smile.
Kirk eyed the good doctor suspiciously. "Is this part of the treatment?"
"Absolutely!" The doctor then produced a familiar bottle of Saurian brandy from what seemed like nowhere. "And so is this. You're still not 100% yet, so just a little for now. Sound okay to you?"
"Sounds wonderful, Bones, but I've got about a million questions to ask you, too."
McCoy looked surprised. "Only a million, huh? Like what?"
As the surgeon poured the small drinks, Kirk rose slowly from the bed. "Well, to begin with, who came to my funeral?" He finished on a devilish smile that was instantly recognizable as typical Kirk.
Laughing, Leonard McCoy handed his friend the drink. "I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of this."
Jim was confused, "Tired of what?"
"First Spock dies and he comes back. Then you die and now you come back..."
Raising his glass in a toast Jim Kirk declared, "Here's to you, Bones. Next, it's your turn!"
Shaking his head, McCoy took a swallow from his drink, "No, thanks... I'll settle for a nice long life, simple and basic."
"To your long life, Doctor." Again, Kirk raised his glass and smiled.
After another swallow of the potent liqueur, Kirk changed his expression to one of confusion, then asked, "Was I hallucinating or having a nightmare earlier? I thought I saw a Romulan in here."
The doctor almost spit his drink out. He had totally forgotten about Tavar and what his presence might mean to Kirk, given his captivity and treatment. "Sorry about that, Jim. He's a friend, really; he defected from Romulus years ago. He's been quite helpful in getting you back on your feet. I'll introduce you to him."
A somewhat uneasy Kirk held up his hand in protest. "Let's hold off on that for a while. I have a lot of adjusting to do, but a 'good' Romulan may be asking too much." He finished the statement on a smile that indicated McCoy was having his leg pulled.
McCoy now knew that his friend was indeed on the path to recovery. But he would need lots of time and the doctor would continue to monitor his friend's sleep patterns very closely. He talked to his friend for many hours and learned much about what Kirk and the other captives went through. In all those conversations, neither man smiled very much. McCoy noted that the hair on the back of his neck was prone to standing on end and it was all he could do to keep from going just a little crazy himself.
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© 2024 Brad McDonald / U.S.S. Kitty Hawk
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