[He has to phrase this very carefully. A trap, to box Khan in. He has to set snares and wire traps and close him in a cage and throw away the key.
Jim is briefly silent, but he knows he can't leave it too long. Khan's not much, compared to Gary Mitchell, and he thinks about those soulless silver eyes.]
As long as you're here, you answer to me. Don't harm or antagonize anyone here, kedan or foreigner alike, that includes my crew. [Jim leaves himself conspicuously absent from the caveat. He doesn't mind being a target. God knows he's done it before.] These people are not your cannon fodder. If you're building something, I want to hear about it. If you're planning something, I want to know. If you so much as think I want to be aware of it. I'm pretty sure we can both agree that your mind's more dangerous than the rest of you.
[His tone is steady and purposeful, he doesn't flinch away. But after a moment, he lowers his voice.]
My fight's with Marcus. He used us both. Everything that happens between us is basically a case of wanting the same thing on different sides and being manipulated by Starfleet. Marcus goes against everything I stand for, everything I have ever stood for and believe me, if we get out of this I want nothing more than to take him down.
[He draws a breath. Holds it briefly, lets it out. This feels a little like signing his soul over to the devil, inked in art and blood and he doesn't even hesitate. Maybe that should worry him.]
I will work with you and I swear I will do everything in my power to help you get your people back. But if you betray me, or go back on our deal, all bets are off. I'm not going to threaten them, or you. If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead. And I'm not going to murder your people or by inaction allow them to come to harm. Whatever else you've done, you all deserve a fair trial. But I'm not going to stand idly by while you endanger anyone here. Do I make myself clear?
action;
Jim is briefly silent, but he knows he can't leave it too long. Khan's not much, compared to Gary Mitchell, and he thinks about those soulless silver eyes.]
As long as you're here, you answer to me. Don't harm or antagonize anyone here, kedan or foreigner alike, that includes my crew. [Jim leaves himself conspicuously absent from the caveat. He doesn't mind being a target. God knows he's done it before.] These people are not your cannon fodder. If you're building something, I want to hear about it. If you're planning something, I want to know. If you so much as think I want to be aware of it. I'm pretty sure we can both agree that your mind's more dangerous than the rest of you.
[His tone is steady and purposeful, he doesn't flinch away. But after a moment, he lowers his voice.]
My fight's with Marcus. He used us both. Everything that happens between us is basically a case of wanting the same thing on different sides and being manipulated by Starfleet. Marcus goes against everything I stand for, everything I have ever stood for and believe me, if we get out of this I want nothing more than to take him down.
[He draws a breath. Holds it briefly, lets it out. This feels a little like signing his soul over to the devil, inked in art and blood and he doesn't even hesitate. Maybe that should worry him.]
I will work with you and I swear I will do everything in my power to help you get your people back. But if you betray me, or go back on our deal, all bets are off. I'm not going to threaten them, or you. If I wanted you dead, you'd be dead. And I'm not going to murder your people or by inaction allow them to come to harm. Whatever else you've done, you all deserve a fair trial. But I'm not going to stand idly by while you endanger anyone here. Do I make myself clear?