Starfleet Commander Ananda Greydon is a graduate of The University of Betazed and, a member of the newly formed Starfleet Counseling Service.
Half human, half Betazoid - her silhouette could be described as imposing: A tall woman by any standard, sh...
As Khan snakes his way through alleys and side streets on his way to the campus of Starfleet HQ, he is haunted by Ananda's voice:
"Come back, Noonien. Come home to me... I love you."
Momentarily shaken by the presence of Ananda's voice inside his head Khan hunkers down and presses forward. But finds he cannot rid himself of those words, that feeling. The need to forge ahead, while struggling with his desire to return to the warmth of Ananda's arms.
Midway down the next block, he stops, turns around and heads back to her. He feels lighter, as if a weight has been lifted from his very soul. Yes, this is the right decision. Go back. Back to the comfort and warmth of Ananda's home - the place where he is beginning to rediscover his humanity. A place where...
Just then, a red dot flashes on Khan's heads up display. He's gotten a ping on Ananda's repurposed communicator. According to the reading, he is mere blocks away from Admiral Ericsson's current location where he is certain to find Carol Marcus in his company. Knowing he may never have this chance again, Khan re-dedicates himself to his original task. He does not try to rationalize what he means to do. He does not attempt to give himself the emotional cover that his actions will rectify a great wrong, or serve a larger purpose. Verily, there is no purpose other than satisfying his need inflict an epic amount pain.
This moment feels right. And even more than that - Khan has decided that he is more than willing to accept the consequences of his ignoble intentions.
Once he has drilled down on the exact location of the signal, he finds himself staring up at an imposing urban monolith.
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Khan shuts off the bike and walks it to the building's darkened service entrance. Once there, he hacks the keypad with a code that allows him access to the building and disables every security camera in his path. He continues to follow the locator inside to a bank of elevators but, opts for the stairs. Khan jogs up dozens of flights until he gets the strongest signal yet. He steps into the hallway and trots down to the Admiral's door. Not wanting to use the most obvious point of entry, he chooses to traverse the terrace at the end of the hall to enter through Ericsson's patio, using his reset code to enter. Were he not on a search and destroy mission, he might enjoy such a place. In a city almost completely devoid naturally occurring greenspaces - save the few curated by scientists - this terrace is indeed a luxury. Planters filled with lush exotic greenery, punctuated by shade trees with a well manicured patch of grass for sunbathing. Comfortable furniture has been very deliberately placed to give the impression of having been casually strewn about. The single feature that captures his attention is the waterfall and koi pond. So eerily similar to Ananda's, that it nearly gives him chills. Khan remembers finding Ananda lying on the ground clutching the lifeless body of her beloved feline. The sight of her grieving so deeply, and the sound of her wailing so inconsolably made an indelible impact on him. For a short time, he actually thought she'd rather lie there by the koi pond and die than live without her animal companion.
That memory... That day has become indelibly etched into Khan's brain. He is determined to make things right for Ananda, having decided that her wellbeing is more important than lashing out in anger. On that day, his role in Ananda's life changed forever: Protector. Healer. Lover. His task was to set things right. And for a short time, he had done just that. Until a more depraved intrusion by Marcus and Ericsson shattered their calm and struck at the heart of who he is. He might have been better able to weather the humiliation of being attacked had it not been for the memory of Ananda's tearful silence. Though she had endured physical pain, Ananda refused to give them the satisfaction of witnessing her emotional surrender to their brazen scheme.
Tonight, the balance will be redressed.
Khan taps the device clamped to the shell of his ear and turns in the direction of the locator beacon. Having found his target, he moves quickly and full of purpose. When he finds the sliding glass door to Ericsson's pied-à-terre, he chuckles to himself. Jack Ericsson was so full of hubris, that even after committing an horrendous act of brutality against someone - he would carelessly leave an entry door ajar without a second thought. Such was the measure of Jack Ericsson. Arrogant, unapologetic bastard that he is. But not for too much longer.
Khan is in full on stealth mode. He stands stock still as his eyes adjust to the darkness and surveys the Admiral's abode.
He reconnoiters the entire dwelling before happening upon just what he was looking for - the lab equipment storing his stolen biologicals and the theives themselves. Khan finds the duo entwined almost sweetly, in post coital bliss. Good for them. As it turns out, their last moments will have been spent pleasuring each other in celebration of their alleged victory over him and Ananda.
He screws his eyes shut and clenches his hands into fists as he stands above them. And so, with his next breath - Khan decides to rid the world of their repugnant presence.
But first, there's at bit of unfinished business he must consider...
