CAPTAIN'S LOG, Stardate 52069: In the last four months, we've started taking the offensive. We've taken the Chin'toka system, and have knocked the Dominion out of much of our pre-war territory. Still, I'd feel a lot better the sooner this thing is over.
“You wanted to see me, sir,” Andrea stated as she entered his ready room.
"Yes, Andrea," Richie replied. "How have things been going with the Nimitz?"
"I'm doing well," Andrea replied.
"Good," Richie answered. "I've been talking to Starfleet command lately. They agree that you've been doing a fine job, but they also feel that your uniform is a tad out of order." Richie paused to allow Andrea to interpret his words before presenting a fourth rank pip. "For exceptional service in the line of duty, I hereby promote you to the rank of Captain. Congratulations, Andrea, you have shown yourself as a excSusant starship captain."
"Thank you, Richie," Andrea replied.
"Might I ask what you want with one of our ships?" Weyoun asked.
Khan was a very good strategic planner for the Dominion. He devised the plan to take Betazed and Benzar. Even though the Federation has made inroads into Khan's stratagy, the Dominion has held its own, keeping the founders out of Harm's way. "There is one man that has beaten me that is still alive. I want revenge. I want him to have an unhappy birthday."
"All right, but how do you plan on getting to him."
"I don't," Khan replied. "I expect him to come to me."
"The founders would be willing to spare you two ships, as long as you bring them back in one piece."
"I understand," Khan replied.
"0300 — Stephanie, anything going on out there." Jaimie said.
"Nothing on sens — hold on, I see a disturbance in section 165."
"The Nimitz is a lot closer: Baldwin to Nimitz, are you seeing the same thing. Stephanie, set cource for the Nimitz."
As Stephanie entered the course into the ship computer, Richie stepped off the turbolift door. "Stephanie, set course for the Nimitz and engage at maximum warp."
"Something wrong, Rich."
"I don't know, but I've got a bad feeling about this."
Andrea had been knocked out briefly, awaking dazed and confused. "Report," she said.
"Most of our major systems have been rebooted," Betsy replied, "It appears we were out for 5 minutes. The Baldwin is right off our port bow, and they're hailing us.
"On Screen."
"What the heck happened, Andrea."
"I wish I knew. All I remember is seeing this blinding white light. The next thing I remember was waking up in my chair."
Richie was all-too familiar with the technique, "Is Katy there?"
"Roberts to Cassoday — Katy, are you there," there was no response. "Computer, locate Commandar Cassoday."
"Commandar Cassoday is not aboard."
Andrea was surpised at the computer's answer, but Richie showed a look of gloom.
"Aimee, do you know what's going on in shutllebay 1."
"I'm afraid Richie is leaving me in the dark about it, too. All I know is that he's been in there most of his waking hours — It's his perogative."
"I know, but what is he planning? It's been three days since Katy disappeared. I would expect him to be invistigating what happened, but so far nothing has been turned up — although I expect he may shed some light on this today. He's called a senior staff meeting."
"I'll be there," Whitney responded.
"All Right," Richie started, "I'm guessing the first thing on you mind is 'what am I doing to find Katy.' The answer is, I know where to find Katy — getting her back is the doozey. As you heard, Andrea reported a blinding light. As I have gone through this, I feel this is the same type of attack that plagued the Baldwin nearly seven months ago.
"Are you saying that the Dominion is involved?" Karen asked.
"No, I am saying that Khan is involved," Richie replied. "I managed to beat him fair and square, and he, to put it mildly, is holding a grudge."
"What does this have to do with Commander Cassoday?" Gloria inquired.
"A message from Khan saying that it's personal, Miss Dawson. I guess I have to explain. I've known Katy for about 10 years. We met when Anna was up in Minneapolis for a basketball competition. Katy's older sister Susan was doing a story on the competion for the school newspaper. I was doing the holo-imaging for her, and Katy was at her side. Since she was a sister of my coleague, I wanted to be nice and introduced myself, told her she was cute and asked if the two sisters could pose for a picture for me. Turns n out she loved to be photographed. Even more so, Katy and I had what I would definitally call a strong chemistry. I remember how she once said that I could always put a smile on her face."
"So," Reinette noted, "Khan thinks that by swiping Katy, he's going to convince you to confrot him."
"Yes, and he's damn right about it too. I want to make it clear – I am going alone. I've secured two weeks of shore leave. If I'm not back by the end of my leave, I want you to search this area for any remains of the Neosho"
“Are
you sure we can't convince you not to do this
alone?” Bridget inquired
“I'm afraid not,” Richie said to his friend. “Tell Reinette to take care of the Baldwin and to take care of herself too.”
“I will,”
“And relay this to both Reinette and to Gloria: tell them I love them, and I care for them. And I love you too, Bridget,” Richie contined as he reached to give Bridget a hug.
“You must really love Katy to do this for her. Would you do if it were one of us,”
“I probably would, but I think Khan knew where to hit me the hardest.”
“Richie,” Jaimie announced over the intercom, “you have an incoming call from the Ottawa.”
“That's probably Susan — I'll take it down here, JP.”
“Rich,” Susan started as she appeared on a viewer aboard the Neosho, “I heard you were going to go after Katy.”
“That's right. Katy's all right for now — It's me that Khan is after.”
“How do you know Khan is out for you.”
“Because I fought him directly and won. Knowing Khan's history, to him, it is intolerable.”
“That makes sense,”Susan responded. “Take care of yourself, and be careful”
“Understood,” Richie said. “I'll keep myself in one piece, and bring back our lost sheep. I'll see you 2 weeks. Kennedy to bridge: I'm ready to go.”
“Acknowledged,” Novak responded, “And Rich, we love you too. Don't get yourself killed.”
“Thanks, Shan. I'll keep that in
mind,”
Richie engaged the thrusters to full power. As the small runabout deaparted the shuttlebay and moved away from the ship, Richie looked back, “Now,” Richie commented, “the fun begins.” Richie looked ahead to the stars that lay before him and selected the one where he had faced Khan before. “Computer,” Richie said, “Engage cloak.”
CAPTAIN'S PERSONAL LOG, Stardate 52083.8: I am now approaching the planet where I have encountered Khan before. He told me this this matter is personal — believe me, it is.
Richie dressed in his camoflauge outfit as the Neosho landed in the moutain field. As Richie stepped out off the runabout, he thought about the friends he made during his nine years in service to Starfleet as well as the ones he has held onto for longer than that. There is no way, Richie thought to himself, that he was gonna let some 20th Century nutcase mess with him or his friends. You want me, Khan, you've got me; Richie thought to himself; just leave my friends out of this. Richie was emotionally charged as he approached the compound. There were no Jem'Hadar soliders in sight, even on Richie's infrared scanner, but Richie was taking no chances. He stealthfully approached the front gate and slipped in. "Khan," Richie said, "you wanted me, you've got me. Now, where are you."
A familiar voice boomed throughi the speakers of the compound, "Mr. Kennedy," Khan replied, "I have been waiting for you."
"Where's Katy," Richie demanded.
A Jem'Hadar arrived with a tied-down Katy at his side. "As you can see," Khan replied, "your little lady-friend is all right. The question is — will you be?" Khan appeared from out the door of a nearby building.
"If you're trying to push my buttons, you're hitting them squarely at the bullseyes," Richie replied.
"I see that you have not underestimated me," Khan replied. "I'll try not to underestimate you. I haven't won a good, clean, old fashioned fight in over 300 years. I may be a little I rusty, but I'm certain that I am still superior to you in every way."
"If that's all this is about," Richie replied, "then I certinally would be willing to take you on,"
"Rich, don't —"
"If you value your friend as much as he values you, I would suggest that you stay out of this."
"All right, then — what are the stipulations."
"You simply have to be the last one standing to win. If I win" Khan replied, "You'll have to watch your dear Katy die before you do."
"And if I win," Richie followed "you have to let us go. Also, I don't want anyone — not even Katy — to interfere with this match."
“Are you sure that's wise,” Katy commented.
“You're enough of an inspiration just being here,” Richie said. “I may be protecting both our lives, but be assured that this man is not after you — he's after me.”
“Very well. We shall start.... right now.” Khan immediately went to work on Richie, making swift kicks to Richie's midsection that Richie was only partially able to block. Khan went for a punch to the head, but Richie ducked. Another punch — he got him. A vorta came out to adminster the count — if Richie doesn't stand up by the time the Vorta reaches the count of five, Richie's torture would just be beginning. One, two — Richie gets up.
Richie attempted to bring some offensive momentum into his favor. Richie swiftly delivered several kicks to the midsection. Richie lured him out of the compound and into an open field as a small thunderstorm began. He dodged Khan's blows and got kept going for his abdomen.
“I did not exptect you to be this difficult to take down,” Khan noted.
“I'm sorry to disappoint you, but I did want to raise your expectations and put a solid effort.” Richie dropped his guard for a moment, allowing Khan a few free shots. “I haven't dropped my guard yet,” he said as he grabbed a stick and began using it as a weapon. Khan moved back until he was up againt — what appeard to him to be nothing. He felt it, but couldn't see it. By the Time Khan could find his way around the cloaked obstruction, Richie has bolted several kicks and stick jabs. Richie planted one last kick to the head, knocking him down.
“One — Two — three — four — five” the vorta counted as the rain began to fall. “I am sure that the founders would not like the idea, but I will honor Mr. Khan's agreement. You have fought well.”
“It's more of stratigic thinking than luck. Computer, uncloak,” a wet but relieved Richie said as his runabout became visible. “Katy, let's go home.”