What happened after Space Seed and before Wrath of Khan?

After Star Trek: The Wrath of Khan hit theaters, I thought about writing some fanfic about what happened to Khan and his people on Ceti Alpha V after Captain Kirk left him in Space Seed and before Chekov encountered him on “Ceti Alpha VI” (really  V). I wanted to explain questions raised in the movie. How did Khan know Chekov? Why did Ceti Alpha VI blow up? How did Khan learn the Klingon saying “Revenge is a dish best served cold?”

I didn’t say they were great questions.

I had a title, “Seed of Wrath,” and a an idea. but I don’t really have the talent. My dialog sucks. So I never wrote the story. Here, though, is a summary of my original story idea:

Just after Captain Kirk has sentenced Khan, his crew, and Marla McGivers to Ceti Alpha V, new Ensign Chekov is overseeing the delivery of cargo pods with supplies on the planet surface. Khan questions him and Chekov bristles. Pavel is very upset at the lenient sentence Khan, et al, has received. Khan is amused by his loyalty but scoffs at him.

While the Enterprise is orbiting Ceti Alpha V, a Klingon battelcruiser, the IKS D’Raugr, is hiding behind Ceti Alpha VI. Its commander, Captain Korybas, doesn’t understand why Starfleet is setting up a colony in this obscure system. The High Command had chosen the Ceti Alpha system for final testing of a devastating new weapon precisely because of its remoteness. They felt this provided the best conditions to verify the power of the weapon before demonstrating it on an unruly planet in the Empire. [Star Wars had absolutely no influence on plot points in this story…]

After Captain Kirk beams down for a final word with Khan, the Enterprise crew returns to the ship and warps out of the system.

Korybas orders intensive surveillance of the colony on Ceti Alpha V. His science officer doesn’t understand. The colony appears primitive, with no significant modern Starfleet technology. She doesn’t even detect any communications or sensor off-planet. Korybas proceeds to investigate more closely. He is concerned Starfleet has learned of the weapon and this colony is a ruse to steal or sabotage it.

On the planet, Khan and his people begin settling in. He sends out survey parties to scout the surroundings. One of them comes back with an injured man. He had gone into a cave and staggered out clutching his ear before he collapsed. Medics from Khan’s crew attend the injured man but can only make him comfortable. After three days of excruciating pain the man falls silent and dies when a strange animal slithers out of his injured ear. His rage barely under control, Khan stomps on the creature. The Ceti Alpha eel has claimed its first victim.

Khan leads a group to explore the cave and discovers a fully grown eel. He captures it and puts it into a makeshift cage. Khan keeps the pet in the cargo container he shares with Marla. Khan may regret this decision in the future…

In orbit around Ceti Alpha V, Captain Korybas decides this is not a Starfleet colony. It’s something else. Monitoring the movements below, Korybas identifies the group’s leader, Khan. When his sensors show Khan is separated from the group, Korybas has him beamed aboard. Immediately upon materializing, Khan is put in restraints and brought before the Klingon captain.

From his reading on the Enterprise, Khan is aware of the Klingons but knows very little about them. Just as he did with Kirk, Khan is cagey but friendly with the alien commander.

On the planet, Khan’s people are frantic. They think Kirk has return and abducted their leader. Marla thinks it must be something else. For now, they must prepare for anything and wait.

Korybas finds himself liking Khan. They have similar viewpoints and goals. Khan tells of his experience with Kirk and Korybas assures him he’ll get even eventually. “‘Revenge is a dish best served cold’ as the Klingons say,” Korybas tells him.

Korybas tells Khan much, but does not mention the weapon or his mission. After deciding Khan is no threat if left on the planet, Korybas has him returned. Now the Klingons return to Ceti Alpha VI to complete their testing.

On Ceti Alpha V Khan tells his people little of what happened with the Klingons. He seldom confides in anyone but Marla insists he tells her everything. She becomes very upset when Khan tells her a Klingon warship is in the system. He has no idea what they’re capable of!

The Klingons deploy the weapon and Ceti Alpha VI is obliterated. But the weapon is even more powerful than the Klingons expected. The D’Raugr is destroyed with the planet. Other planets in the system are disrupted, ping-ponging around like worlds in collision. When they finally settle, Ceti Alpha V is now the sixth planet in the system. No planet is left in its original orbit.

The surface of Ceti Alpha V is ravaged and its atmosphere almost stripped into space by the catastrophe. The castaways somehow survive but very little indigenous life remains on the planet. Except a pet eel. Which finds its way out of the makeshift cage and releases its young near Khan and Marla’s bed…

You can guess what happens next.