0100 hours, 10th February 2258
Bridge, the Narada
The Narada dropped out of warp.
The transition from faster-than-light travel to normal space produced a brief tremor that passed through the enormous Romulan vessel, but the ship barely seemed to notice. Its vast, skeletal frame continued forward through the darkness, its countless weapons arrays and jagged protrusions silhouetted against the stars.
Ahead, Vulcan came into view. Nero sat motionless in the command chair, his expression almost completely impassive. The red planet grew steadily larger on the main viewscreen as the Narada approached. Its familiar deserts and mountain ranges were still indistinct at this distance, but he needed no magnification to recognise it.
One of the crew members examined the holographic display projected above his console, his fingers moving rapidly through the data.
"Captain, we have arrived at Vulcan. Starfleet border protection grids are directly ahead."
Nero didn't even look at him. "Destroy them."
The tactical officer immediately began issuing the command. Several torpedoes launched from the Narada.
The weapons streaked through space toward the six unmanned Starfleet security stations positioned around two hundred million miles from Vulcan. The stations reacted immediately. Defensive systems activated, and their shields flared into existence around their compact structures.
It made no difference.
The torpedoes struck almost simultaneously. One station vanished in a brilliant explosion. Another was torn apart by a second impact. The remaining four followed within seconds, their shields collapsing beneath the overwhelming firepower of the Narada's weapons. All of them were reduced to burning fragments drifting through space.
The tactical officer looked down at his readings. "All stations have been destroyed, Captain. However, they managed to transmit a distress call over subspace before we could neutralize them."
"It doesn't matter." Nero's eyes remained fixed on Vulcan. "Take us in."
The enormous thruster assembly at the rear of the Narada flared. The ship began accelerating under impulse power, its immense mass slowly gathering momentum as it advanced toward Vulcan. The planet grew larger. And larger.
Nero watched it in silence. His lieutenant, Ayel, stood beside the command chair, his attention shifting between Nero and the various displays surrounding the bridge.
"As soon as we reach planetary orbit," Nero said, "start the drill."
Ayel nodded. "Understood, captain."
Nero finally turned toward him. "Has the Red Matter been extracted?"
"Our engineers are working on it," Ayel replied.
Nero's expression hardened. "Tell them to work faster. I want it ready by the time we reach core depth."
"Yes, sir."
Ayel turned and walked away, already reaching for his communicator to relay Nero's orders to the engineering teams. Nero returned his attention to the viewscreen. Vulcan continued to grow before him.
Soon. Very soon.
For twenty-five years, he had waited for this moment. The Federation had continued their lives while he remained in the darkness, surrounded by the wreckage of everything he had once loved. They had explored new worlds, launched new ships and celebrated their victories while he had counted the years.
But that would end today. Vulcan would be the beginning. Earth would follow. Then the rest of the Federation. At last, the hour of retribution had arrived.
"Captain?" One of the bridge officers called out while staring at his holographic display with a puzzled expression. "I'm detecting an unusual energy pattern forming inside the ship."
Nero turned toward him. "Where?"
The officer quickly checked the readings. "Docking Bay One."
Nero frowned. Docking Bay One? That was where Spock's vessel had been stored. Had something gone wrong with the ship's systems? Had the Red Matter containment chamber been damaged?
"On screen."
The main viewscreen changed. The image of Vulcan disappeared, replaced by the interior of the Narada's primary docking bay.
Several Romulan engineers were moving around the Jellyfish, while others worked inside and around the vessel. The docking bay appeared completely normal.
That changed when a faint blue glow appeared in the middle of the docking bay. The space around it began to ripple. Smoky blue energy spiralled inward, forming a circular aperture suspended in midair. Delicate arcs of light travelled around its circumference as the phenomenon stabilised.
The Romulan crew members stared at the anomaly in spacetime. So did Nero. He had never seen anything like it.
Then someone stepped through. A humanoid figure wearing a full suit of black armour emerged from the strange opening.
The armour was unlike anything Nero had ever encountered. Its dark surface was broken by luminous white-blue lines that seemed to pulse with energy. The helmet concealed the figure's face entirely, leaving only two bright eye slits visible.
The Romulan workers in the docking bay simply stared. So did everyone in the bridge. The surreal moment ended when about a dozen more figures emerged from the portal behind the armoured stranger, all wearing Starfleet tactical gear and carrying phaser rifles.
Among them was an elderly Vulcan Nero recognised at once. The same man he had marooned on Delta Vega less than two hours ago.
"Spock!" Nero's face twisted with fury. "I knew I should have killed you when I had the chance."
On the viewscreen, the situation in the docking bay erupted into violence. The Romulan workers reacted quickly, drawing disruptor pistols and rushing for cover. The Starfleet personnel scattered as well, several diving behind crates and structural supports as disruptor fire began flashing across the enormous chamber.
The first exchanges were chaotic. Romulan disruptors streaked through the air. Phaser rifles answered. The two sides fought from behind whatever cover they could find. The Romulans possessed the advantage of greater numbers and familiarity with the Narada's docking bay, while the Starfleet boarding party had superior discipline and weaponry. For a few seconds, the outcome was uncertain.
Then the armoured figure moved.
Nero watched as the stranger suddenly launched himself into the air. There was no thruster flare, no visible propulsion system. The figure simply flew. Rising several metres above the docking bay floor, he twisted in midair and extended both hands.
Brilliant rays of energy erupted from his palms. One Romulan was struck and thrown backward. Another barely managed to dive behind cover before a second blast scorched the structure beside him.
Several Romulans raised their disruptor pistols toward the flying figure. A barrage of green energy bolts filled the air.
The armoured stranger twisted sideways. One shot missed. Another passed beneath him. A third struck his chest. But instead of penetrating the armour, the disruptor blast splashed against an invisible barrier surrounding his body. A shimmering energy field briefly appeared around him before absorbing the impact.
Nero's eyes widened slightly.
Four Romulan guards armed with heavier disruptor rifles concentrated their fire on him. The stranger flew erratically across the docking bay, weaving between incoming bolts with astonishing agility. Several blasts struck his protective field, each impact producing a brief flash of blue energy.
The armored figure kept moving while firing every now and then. Each carefully calculated shot managed to take down a Romulan crew member. His presence had completely disrupted the Romulan defensive formation. While the majority of the Romulan crew were concentrating their fire on him, the Starfleet personnel began to neutralize any Romulans who happened to get caught in the open. The advantage was rapidly shifting.
Nero slammed his fist against the armrest. "No! No, no, no!"
He turned toward the communications officer. "Send all available units to the docking bay. Tell them to kill everyone on sight!"
The communications officer immediately began working the controls. "Yes, sir."
Nero looked back toward the viewscreen.
More Romulan personnel began rushing into the docking bay. But the boarding party was already gaining control. The armoured figure swept across the upper reaches of the chamber, firing concentrated bursts of energy toward exposed Romulans while the Starfleet personnel below advanced in coordinated groups.
Nero watched helplessly as the last of his original defenders were driven back. Then he saw something that made his anger flare again.
Spock was pointing toward the Jellyfish. Half of the Starfleet personnel immediately separated from the main group and moved toward the Vulcan vessel. Five of them established a defensive perimeter around it, weapons trained outward.
Nero's jaw tightened.
This couldn't be happening. After twenty-five years, he would not be denied his revenge because Spock had somehow managed to acquire help from Starfleet.
Where had that help been when Romulus burned? Where had the Federation been when his people begged for assistance? Where had Starfleet been when his world broke apart?
They had promised to help, then failed to honour their word. And now they had come running for Spock.
Nero's eyes burned with hatred, but he forced himself to think.
His crew could still win. There were hundreds of Romulans aboard the Narada. The boarding party was small. Even with their superior equipment, they would eventually be overwhelmed by sheer numbers.
But there was one problem. The armoured figure.
Nero watched as the stranger flew through the docking bay again, another brilliant blast erupting from his hands and knocking a Romulan off his feet.
Nero had seen him absorb multiple disruptor blasts without apparent injury. Even concentrated fire from four disruptor rifles had failed to bring him down. And while the armoured figure occupied the Romulans' attention, the Starfleet personnel were systematically eliminating everyone caught in the open.
The Narada was a mining vessel. Its armories had never been stocked to fight something like this. There were no portable weapons aboard powerful enough to reliably penetrate that strange armour.
Taking that thing down would not be easy.
Nero looked toward the docking bay again. The Jellyfish was still there, surrounded by Starfleet personnel. Then he glanced at another display.
Vulcan.
The planet now filled much of the screen. The Narada was almost within operational range.
Nero's mind began working. If he couldn't defeat the boarding party directly...
Perhaps he didn't have to.
His gaze shifted between the two displays. The Jellyfish. Vulcan. Slowly, a grim smile appeared on Nero's face. He stood from his command chair.
"Ayel."
His lieutenant turned toward him.
Nero's expression had hardened into cold determination. "There's something I need you to do."
---
0113 hours, 10th February 2258
The Narada
Ben came down from the air and landed in the middle of the docking bay with a dramatic superhero landing. The impact sent a small cloud of dust and debris skittering across the metal surface. His faceplate retracted, revealing a broad grin beneath the helmet.
"Well, that was easy."
Jim Kirk lowered his phaser rifle and gave him an flat look. "Easy for you, maybe. The rest of us were busy dodging disruptor blasts." He glanced over Ben's armour. "Where did you get that armour, anyway?"
The battle was over. For the moment, at least.
The docking bay was littered with the unconscious bodies of approximately three dozen Romulan crew members. Most had been taken down by the Starfleet boarding party, though it was fairly easy to distinguish Ben's handiwork. The Romulans he had blasted tended to be somewhat more thoroughly battered than their companions.
Fortunately, Romulans were far more resilient than humans, and none of them appeared to be in immediate danger. Besides, as far as Ben was concerned, they had been trying to kill him first.
"I made it," Ben replied. He glanced down at his armour and shrugged. "I once needed to rescue a hostage from underneath a lake, and I really didn't want to get wet. So..." He spread his hands. "I came up with this."
Ben looked toward the younger Spock. "Commander Spock, would you mind taking a little peek inside their heads?" He tilted his head toward the unconscious Romulans scattered across the deck. "Maybe find us the quickest way to the bridge?"
Commander Spock looked at the fallen Romulans, then back at Ben. "You are suggesting that I initiate a mind meld with one of the Narada's crew members?"
Pike glanced toward him. "Could you?"
Before Commander Spock could respond, Ambassador Spock spoke. "Vulcans and Romulans share the same genetic ancestry. Our physiological similarities allow us to share and extract thoughts, memories and feelings with relative ease."
Pike nodded and turned to Commander Spock. "Then see if you can find the ship's access codes as well."
Giving Pike a short nod, Commander Spock walked over to one of the unconscious Romulans and crouched beside him. Raising his hands, he placed his fingertips against the sides of the Romulan's face and closed his eyes.
After a few moments, Spock withdrew his hands and stood. "I have located the fastest route to the bridge," he announced. "As well as the ship's access codes."
Pike nodded approvingly. "Well done, Mr. Spock." He turned toward Lieutenant Johnson. "Lieutenant, secure the Vulcan ship. Take up positions alongside it. Make sure the Romulans don't get their hands on it."
Johnson nodded. "Yes, sir."
He gestured to several members of his team. Half of the security contingent moved toward the Jellyfish, taking up defensive positions around the Vulcan vessel and the surrounding docking area.
Pike turned toward the remaining personnel. "The rest of us have one job. Get to the bridge as fast as possible, take down Nero and get control of this vessel." He raised his phaser rifle. "Let's move out."
The boarding party set off.
The Narada did everything it could to make their journey unpleasant. The corridors were enormous, twisted and unfamiliar, with strange Romulan architecture rising around them like the interior of some gigantic machine. Their path was repeatedly interrupted by defensive positions hastily established by Nero's crew. Romulans appeared from side passages, fired from elevated walkways and attempted to catch the Starfleet personnel in ambushes.
On several occasions, the Romulans abandoned their disruptors and attacked at close quarters, using blades and other melee weapons in the cramped sections of the ship.
It would have been an extremely difficult fight under normal circumstances. Fortunately, Ben had several advantages.
His helmet display continuously tracked the surrounding environment, the Homenum Revelio charm allowing him to detect nearby humanoid lifeforms through walls and other obstructions. The magical sensors didn't care whether their targets were human, Vulcan or Romulan; if there was a person nearby, Ben could generally detect them.
Then there was Magesight. Charged weapons and energy-based traps appeared to his enhanced perception as concentrations of energy, allowing him to identify threats before they became obvious to everyone else.
"Three ahead," Ben called as the group approached an intersection. "Two behind the wall on the left. There's another one above us."
Pike immediately signalled the security personnel. Phaser fire flashed through the corridor. The Romulans were caught before they could spring their ambush.
Whenever the architecture allowed sufficient vertical clearance, Ben took to the air. He would shoot upward, scout ahead and return with information about enemy positions. When necessary, he attacked from above, forcing the Romulans to divide their attention between the Starfleet personnel advancing along the deck and the armoured wizard flying through the air above them.
Twice, the Romulans realised that the boarding party possessed their access codes and changed them.
Twice, Commander Spock simply found another unconscious Romulan and performed another mind meld. Each time, the new codes were acquired.
The boarding party continued deeper into the Narada. Fifteen minutes after leaving the docking bay, they finally reached the last corridor before the bridge.
The reinforced doors at the end of the passage were unlike the others they had encountered so far. They were much thicker, with several layers of armour built into their structure. A strange interface was mounted beside them.
Commander Spock stepped toward it and began examining the controls.
Pike glanced back down the corridor. "What's the situation?"
"I'm afraid the access codes will not help us here," Spock replied. He examined the interface more closely. "This door is biometrically programmed to allow access only to authorised ship's officers."
"Is there a way around it?"
"There is a secondary algorithm that can be solved to gain access to the bridge." Spock began working on the interface. "It is quite advanced." He glanced toward Pike. "I will need some time."
"Allow me," Ambassador Spock said, stepping forward. "I am somewhat familiar with Romulan systems. I should be able to assist."
For a moment, the younger Spock studied his older counterpart. Then he stepped aside. Ambassador Spock approached the interface and began entering commands.
Ben glanced toward Kirk. "Jim, may I have a word?"
Kirk followed him several steps away from the others. "What?"
Ben looked at him through the open faceplate of his helmet. "Am I right in believing that when we get to the bridge, you'd like to beat theshit out of Nero for what he did to your dad?"
Kirk's jaw tightened. "...Maybe."
Ben raised his hand. A small crystal vial filled with a turquoise-coloured liquid appeared in his armored palm. "Then you'll need this."
Kirk looked at the vial. "What is it?"
"Strengthening solution. It temporarily increases the strength and agility of whoever drinks it."
Kirk looked at him defiantly. "I can do this by myself."
"Jim." Ben's voice became more serious. "There is a time and place for sticking to one's beliefs. This isn't it."
Kirk said nothing.
"Just like Vulcans, Romulans are, on average, about three times as strong as humans. Trust me, no one wants to see you get thrown around like a rag doll across the bridge because you underestimated your opponent. You're a smart guy. Don't let your anger compromise your judgement."
Kirk looked at the vial for a few seconds.
Finally, he sighed. Slinging his phaser rifle over his shoulder, he took the vial from Ben. He pulled the stopper free, then drank the entire thing in one gulp.
His face immediately twisted in disgust. "Urgh." He swallowed with difficulty. "Tastes like a dead boar that died twice."
Ben grinned. "How do you feel?"
Kirk rolled his shoulders. "...Warm." He flexed his fingers. "And tingling. All over." He clenched his fist. "Strong."
Then he threw a few rapid punches into the air. His eyes widened. "Whoa. That feels great." He looked toward Ben. "Thanks."
"No problem."
A few metres away, Ambassador Spock straightened from the interface. "That should do it."
The reinforced doors remained closed for another moment before the locking mechanisms finally disengaged with a deep mechanical clunk.
Ben walked toward the front of the group. He stopped directly before the doors and raised his left hand. A translucent barrier suddenly formed in front of the boarding party, large enough to protect the entire group. In his right hand, Ben produced a metallic spherical object, a stun grenade.
"Let's go."
---
0130 hours, 10th February 2258
Bridge, the Narada
The reinforced doors had barely opened when a storm of green disruptor fire erupted from the bridge.
Green bolts slammed into Ben's shield in rapid succession. Each impact produced a brilliant flash of blue-white energy. The barrier rippled but held, absorbing and dispersing the incoming fire before it could reach the Starfleet personnel behind it.
Ben hurled the stun grenade through the widening gap. "Take cover!"
As the grenade bounced across the bridge deck, Pike and the others turned away.
A blinding flash filled the bridge, followed by a concussive pulse that reverberated through the chamber. The Romulans cried out and staggered backward, several dropping their weapons as the disorienting effect overwhelmed their senses.
The Starfleet personnel did not let this opportunity go to waste. One Romulan after another collapsed, their bodies falling harmlessly to the deck as the phasers rendered them unconscious. Within seconds, the exchange of fire had ended.
Silence descended over the bridge. The only sounds were the faint hum of the Narada's systems and the heavy breathing of several members of the boarding party.
Ben dispersed his shield. Pike stepped forward cautiously, scanning the room. Then a voice came from the front of the bridge.
"Bravo."
Everyone turned. Nero was still sitting in the captain's chair. He had deliberately kept his back toward them throughout the fight. Slowly, he turned the chair around.
His eyes swept across the boarding party before settling on the elderly Vulcan standing among them. "We meet again, Spock."
Ambassador Spock met his gaze without flinching. "Nero."
Nero's eyes moved over the others. The armoured figure immediately caught his attention. He studied Ben for a few seconds, his expression unreadable. Then his gaze shifted to the younger Spock. Finally, he looked back at the older Vulcan.
"I must confess, I underestimated you." Nero rose from the captain's chair. "When I put you on that frozen planet, I never imagined you would find your way back to this ship so quickly." His eyes swept over the boarding party. "And with company, no less."
Pike stepped forward. "I am Captain Christopher Pike of the USS Enterprise."
Nero regarded him for a moment before giving a faint nod. "Hello, Christopher. I'm Nero."
Pike kept his phaser rifle lowered but ready. "Captain Nero, you are charged with the unprovoked attack on the USS Kelvin, which led to the ship's subsequent destruction and the loss of fifty-seven of its crew members, including its captain and first officer." He paused. "Under the authority granted to me by the Europa Convention, I am ordering you to surrender your vessel and come with us."
Nero almost smiled. "I am afraid I cannot comply." He spread his hands slightly. "You see, I'm on a mission."
"So I've heard," Pike replied. "You intend to commit genocide against the people of Vulcan."
Nero's expression hardened. "No. I'm here to prevent genocide."
He gestured toward the vast bridge surrounding them. "Where I come from, Christopher, this ship is just a mining vessel. I chose a life of honest labour to provide for myself..." His voice faltered for the briefest moment. "...and my wife, who was carrying our child."
He looked toward Pike. "I stand here now... knowing you as enemies. Not just of today." His voice became colder. "But of tomorrow."
Nero stepped forward. "I watched as your Federation and the Vulcans did nothing. They let us burn to death..." His jaw tightened. "...as our planet broke in half."
Pike's expression softened slightly. "I'm sorry for your loss."
Nero stared at him.
"But regardless of what happened in your reality, in this universe Romulus has not been destroyed. How can you blame the Federation for something that hasn't happened...?"
Nero's face suddenly twisted with rage. "It has happened! I watched it happen! I saw it happen!" His voice thundered across the bridge. "Don't tell me it didn't happen!"
The bridge fell silent.
"When I lost her," Nero continued, his breathing becoming heavier, "I promised myself retribution." His eyes burned with hatred. "I intend to keep that promise."
Pike's expression hardened. "Then we have nothing left to discuss."
Before he could say anything more, Nero turned toward Ambassador Spock. "And do you also have nothing to say to me, Spock?"
The older Vulcan regarded him calmly. "I am truly sorry for your loss, Nero. I understand that nothing I say can restore what you lost. But there was nothing more I could have done."
Nero stared at him. "If you are truly sorry...then perhaps you will grant me a small request."
Ambassador Spock's expression remained composed. "What is your request?"
"Fight me."
A murmur of surprise passed through the Starfleet personnel.
Nero continued. "I have no intention of submitting to some sham trial conducted by Starfleet. I will not sit in a cell while Federation officials debate over what is to be my fate." His eyes remained fixed on Spock. "I want you to fight me. Here. Now. To the death."
Spock said nothing.
"If I die," Nero continued, "then Starfleet is spared the inconvenience of conducting a trial." His lips curled into a grim smile. "And if you die, I can consider at least a small part of my vengeance accomplished."
Before Ambassador Spock could respond, another voice interrupted.
"Your challenge is accepted."
Everyone turned toward Jim Kirk.
Kirk stepped forward. "But not him." He pointed toward Ambassador Spock. "You'll be fighting me."
Nero studied him. "James T. Kirk. I know your face from Earth's history." Nero tilted his head. "Why do you wish to fight me?"
Kirk took a breath. "My father, George Kirk, was the first officer aboard the Kelvin. He died protecting the crew of that ship...from you."
Nero stared at Kirk for a moment. Then he nodded slowly.
"You wish to avenge the loss of someone you loved." Nero's expression became almost respectful. "I understand that. It is an honourable quest."
He stepped away from the command chair and looked directly into Kirk's eyes. "Very well, James." He raised his hands. "Let us fight."
Pike caught Kirk's arm. "What the hell do you think you are doing?"
Jim turned toward him. "Please, sir." There was no anger in his voice. Only determination. "I have to do this."
Pike stared at him. Then slowly, he released his grip.
Kirk stepped forward. Nero met him halfway. The two men stopped in the centre of the bridge. For a moment, they simply stared at one another.
Then Nero attacked. He moved with startling speed, his fist shooting toward Kirk's face.
Kirk barely managed to raise his forearm in time. The impact drove him backward several steps.
Nero followed immediately with a second punch.
Kirk ducked. The fist passed over his head. He countered with a straight punch to Nero's ribs.
Nero absorbed the blow, grunted and retaliated with a brutal elbow. Kirk twisted aside. The elbow grazed his shoulder.
Kirk swung again, this time connecting squarely with Nero's jaw. Nero's head snapped sideways.
For a fraction of a second, everyone on the bridge seemed surprised.
Then Nero smiled. He wiped a thin line of blood from the corner of his mouth. "Interesting."
He charged. Kirk met him head-on. Their fists collided.
Nero was stronger—considerably stronger—but Kirk was no longer fighting at his normal physical limits. The strengthening solution coursed through his muscles, heightening his strength, speed and reflexes.
Nero threw a powerful right hook.
Kirk blocked it.
He immediately drove a knee into Nero's abdomen.
Nero doubled over.
Kirk grabbed him by the shoulder and attempted to throw him across the bridge.
Nero planted his feet.
The two men struggled for leverage.
Then Nero headbutted Kirk.
Kirk staggered backward.
Nero grabbed him by the uniform and hurled him toward the deck.
Kirk rolled as he landed and sprang back to his feet almost immediately.
Nero charged again.
Kirk sidestepped him and drove his elbow into Nero's back.
Nero stumbled forward.
Kirk followed with a kick to the back of his knee.
Nero dropped momentarily.
Kirk grabbed him from behind and tried to lock his arms around his neck.
Nero slammed his elbow backward.
Kirk released him.
Nero spun and threw another punch.
Kirk caught his wrist.
For a moment, the two stood locked together.
Then Kirk twisted.
Nero's arm was forced behind his back.
Nero snarled and drove his shoulder into Kirk's chest, breaking the hold. He spun and struck Kirk across the face.
Kirk stumbled.
Nero hit him again.
And again.
Kirk blocked the fourth strike, caught Nero's arm and retaliated with three rapid punches to the torso.
Nero staggered.
Kirk stepped forward and delivered a powerful kick that sent Nero crashing backward.
The Romulan hit the deck.
Kirk didn't give him time to recover.
He lunged forward.
Nero rolled aside just as Kirk's fist struck the floor.
The impact cracked the deck plating.
Nero rose and swung.
Kirk ducked beneath the blow, grabbed Nero around the waist and drove him backward.
They crashed into one of the bridge consoles.
Nero shoved Kirk away.
Kirk came back with a punch.
Nero blocked.
Kirk punched again.
Nero blocked that one too.
Kirk changed direction, striking low before driving his fist upward.
The punch caught Nero beneath the jaw.
Nero's head snapped backward.
Kirk followed with a spinning kick.
It connected.
Nero staggered sideways.
Kirk advanced.
Another punch.
Another.
Nero tried to counter, but Kirk slipped beneath the blow and struck him across the ribs.
The Romulan stumbled.
Kirk seized the opening.
He grabbed Nero, twisted his body and slammed him onto the deck.
The impact shook the bridge.
Nero tried to rise.
Kirk kicked his arm away and drove him back down.
The next moment, Kirk was on top of him.
His fists came down again and again.
One punch.
Another.
Another.
Nero's face began to bleed.
Kirk's expression was no longer one of controlled anger. Twenty-five years of grief and resentment seemed to have condensed into every blow.
Ben watched him for a few seconds. Then he stepped forward.
"Jim."
Kirk didn't hear him.
He raised his fist again.
Ben grabbed his wrist.
"That's enough, Jim."
Kirk stopped. He looked toward Ben.
Ben's voice remained gentle. "That's enough."
Kirk stared at him for a moment. Then his gaze shifted downward.
Nero's face was bloodied, his breathing heavy, but he was still conscious.
Kirk slowly released his clenched fist. He climbed off Nero and stood. "You've lost."
Nero remained on the deck. For a few seconds, he said nothing. Then he smiled. A cold, unsettling smile.
"Have I?"
He suddenly shouted: "Do it! Now!"
---
In Engineering, Ayel heard Nero's voice crackle through his communicator.
"Do it! Now!"
Ayel closed his eyes for a brief moment and took a slow, steadying breath. He knew exactly what his captain was asking him to do—and what would happen once he did it. Opening his eyes, he reached for the enormous mechanical lever mounted beside the warp core control assembly. With both hands, he pulled it down with a heavy metallic clunk.
The warp core's output immediately began to fall. One by one, the ship's primary and auxiliary systems started powering down.
---
For a moment, nothing happened.
Then every light on the bridge went out. The consoles died simultaneously.The main viewscreen went black. The entire bridge was plunged into darkness, before the emergency lighting flickered on. Everything was bathed in an ominous red glow.
Pike looked around in confusion. "What's going on?"
No one answered.
Then the entire ship lurched violently. The deck tilted beneath their feet.
"What the—?"
The massive vessel had been holding position in Vulcan's upper atmosphere. Now, deprived of the power keeping it there, it began to tilt forward under Vulcan's gravity. Outside the viewscreen, the red planet slowly began filling the darkness ahead.
Nero's laughter echoed through the red-lit bridge.
The Narada was falling.
And it was falling directly toward Vulcan.