Author's Note: Just something I wrote while trying to make sense of the John Harrison = Khan reveal.

Everybody Lies

He opens his eyes, blinking. It feels like only seconds have passed since he sealed himself into the tube, but he knows that doesn't mean anything. It could have been years, or even decades.

"He's awake," someone says. It's a voice he's never heard before, and he turns his head to the left to see a woman staring at him. Brunette, petite, dressed head to toe in black. She's not alone, and his gaze flickers over her companions, taking in their appearance and making connections. There are three men with her, all dressed in the same black jumpsuits as the woman - some kind of uniform? It doesn't look like anything he's seen before.

One of the men, clearly the leader, takes a step forward and he tenses, ready to fight.

"How are you feeling?" the woman asks.

"I'm fine," he replies, not taking his eyes off the man beside her. He pushes himself to a sitting position and adds, "Who are you? What year is this?"

It's the man who answers. "I'm Admiral Marcus. This is Doctor Richards." He gestures to the woman next to him, before continuing, "And the year is 2258."

"More than two hundred years," he breathes. They'd never imagined being frozen that long.

Marcus smiles insincerely. "I'm sure this is all very confusing for you, but we need to ask you some questions. Are you the leader of this vessel?"

He nearly laughs at that. Leader? Maybe among normal people, but his... family are in a league of their own. He swings his legs over the side of the tube, barely restraining a smirk when one of the men at the side draws what he assumes is a weapon. Really, you think that'll stop me? "What makes you think that?" he asks.

This time it's Richards who answers. "We... assumed that the leader would be revived first."

He would have, he thinks. Something must have gone wrong. But if there's one thing he's learned from their great leader, it's how to work a situation to his advantage, and these people will clearly believe anything. "Yes," he lies smoothly. "I'm their leader." He gives them his most charming smile and adds, "You can call me Khan."

Marcus and Richards exchange glances. "Well, Mr Khan," Marcus says after a moment, "we may have a proposition for you."

"Khan" studies them both with narrowed eyes, already making plans of his own. "I'm listening."

Oh, this is going to be fun.

So, that's my theory, although I also like the one someone on TV Tropes came up with - that Section 31 changed Khan's appearance to better maintain his cover. Anyone thought of any others?