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Bridge2sickbay ficlets from 1/23/11
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bridge2sickbay was a bingo card. Two, actually. By the end of the fest we'd completed one full-card bingo and much of the second. Here are my contributions:
Prompt: Kirk - I got ya
Best Man
″Thank you, Ambassador.″ Jim walked to the center of the room as Ambassadors Sarek returned to his place near his son and new daughter-in-law. ″Well, now that the family members are done with their most-excellent speeches, I guess it's time for the best man's speech, and wouldn't you know it, that would be me.″ Jim' smile grew at the groans and laughter that swept the room. A number of guests were clearly expecting a toast more resembling a roast than wishes for a bright future.
He turned his smile on the newly wedded couple and noted Spock's lips pressed into a tight line and Uhura's wide eyes. Yup, definitely rethinking their decision to allow him in their wedding, he'd bet. Jim turned back to address the entire room.
″I know you all expect me to comment on the groom's bravery,″ Jim grinned as a chuckles spread throughout the room and he caught more than one pair of eyes rolling towards the ceiling. ″Or the bride's patience.″ Jim noted even Uhura's lips had twitched at that. ″And I could tell you about the days that I met each of them, under less-than-ideal circumstances, both, I must say.″
Jim paused and let his smile soften a bit, become less showy and more reflective of his true feelings of the day. ″Instead, I figured I'd keep it simple and tell you why I am so happy today. Both Spock and Nyota – yes, I said it, I warned you I would – are people I regard very highly. They are intelligent, resourceful, loyal, and strong members of my crew. They work hard and aren't afraid to tell me the truth, even when I don't particularly want to hear it, and don't back down from a fight when it's important. They've saved lives, including mine a time or three... dozen, forged peace on warring worlds, fought off space pirates, and made contact with brand new species. They have also risen to every challenge they've faced.″
Jim looked over at two of his best friends again, this time seeing the hands they'd clasped together, fingers entwined. ″These are traits that will also translate well towards building their lives together, as well as for the expected marital spats and fireworks to come. I wish you both the best.″
The gathered crowd clapped as Jim walked towards his friends, opening the floor up for whomever wanted to embarrass or laud the couple next.
″I told you not to worry,″ Jim said as he stepped into Uhura's tearful embrace. ″I got ya.″ Uhura just sniffled and squeezed him tightly before releasing him with a kiss to the cheek.
″Indeed, Captain. You do.″ Spock replied, and them stoically submitted to a firm Jim Kirk slap on the shoulder.
***
Prompt: McCoy - Please state the nature of the medical emergency.
Things to Come
″Please state the nature of the medical emergency.″
Leonard scowled as he took in the figure before him. ″So this 'Holo-Doc' is going to be taking over for real-live flesh and bone in the Medical Bay? You think programming can exceed the abilities of a real doctor?″
Leonard jumped slightly when the hologram turned to face him, a scowl spreading across its face as well. ″Simply having a few extra letters after one's name does not make one immune to the usual and unusual dangers of space exploration, Doctor McCoy, as I'm sure you know. My programming, once completed, will allow for backup medical assistance in the event that a ship's medical staff is overwhelmed, injured, or killed in action.″ The hologram paused and shimmered slightly before stabilizing. ″And, as my programming will allow for continual updating of Starfleet Medical databases, case studies, codes, and procedures, I will be able to advance my practice at a faster rate than a lifeform that must rely on reading, educational sessions, and memory to function.″
″Lippy piece of tech,″ Leonard growled, turning to raise an eyebrow at the men partially responsible for the headache standing – well, floating - before him.
″Err. I might've begun the personality programming already, Doc. Figured it'd help me shape the hologram, and all.″ Scotty's voice sounded a bit off, as though he were attempting to sound contrite while resisting bursting into gales of laughter. Chekov didn't even bother to try.
Leonard simply scowled at the room in general and the hologram and its tinkerers in specific.
″So, Scotty, Chekov. Am I to assume that you had some... inspiration, for your programming suggestions for Dr. Zimmerman’s hologram prototype?″
″Yes, Cap'n. I'd say we did. Just a bit.″ Scotty flashed him a grin. ″Having spent so much time out in space and on dangerous missions and all, Dr. Zimmerman figured that we'd have some valuable suggestions to make on his pet-project, here.″
Jim nodded and Leonard couldn't help but ask, ″How long does he expect it to take to turn this piece of work into a functional shipboard resource?″
Chekov shrugged. ″Is not known yet, Doctor McCoy. The technology necessary to maximize its usage is not quite where we need it to be, however progress is being made every day on improving holo-technology. Doctor Elliot Zimmerman is very enthusiastic about his work in this area, and his son, Theodore, is completing his studies in computer programming and holographic specialties now..″
″They're turning this into a family affair, are they?″ Jim asked.
″Yes sir, the Zimmermans are devoted to seeing their ideas reach fruition.″
″Well, I wish them luck, I suppose.″ Leonard was still scowling at the hologram, but he shrugged when he looked up at Jim. ″Lord knows the medical staff could use all the help we can get out here in the black of space with you crazy lot of adventure-seekers.″
Jim threw an arm around his shoulder. ″That is the idea, Doctor.″
***
Prompt: Mulan
Big Damn Heroines
Leonard was scrambling to staunch the blood streaming from Spock's shoulder with his tunic even as he tried to count Jim's respirations out of the corner of his eye. Rather difficult when the cut on his forehead was sending his own blood streaming into them to block his vision. Leonard rubbed his arm over his face, hissing at the pain from the cut as he irritated the torn skin. He likely look a sight when rescue finally arrived, covered in red and green blood as he was.
″Stay with me, Spock. Don't you dare lose consciousness, too, you green-blooded hobgoblin! I can't carry the both of you out of here on my own and I need you to put pressure on your wound while I go check on Jim.″
Spock raised a hand and did as he was told with argument. That alone was enough to raise Leonard's level of alarm further than even the Vulcan's dazed expression and his estimation of Spock's blood loss had already done. Shit.
Leonard scrambled over to Jim's prone form and pressed a finger to his pulse, relieved when it fluttered strongly against his fingers. His assessment was cut off, however, by the booming explosion coming from some distant part of the alien installation. What now?
As he checked Jim's skull and neck for injury, he could hear the sound of phaser-fire coming closer and closer to their position. ″Over here? We're down here!″ He called after he'd determined that the Captain wasn't bleeding from anywhere that he could access under the current conditions.
As the sound of the battle drew closer and he was able to hear the clang of boots on the metal grating on the corridor, Leonard stood up and stood between the door and his injured patients. He didn't have anything to fight with, but if the wrong side was about to burst in on him he'd do his damnedest to slow them down.
There was a horrific clang followed by a loud squelching sound from directly outside the cell before he heard something being dragged away and the door swung open. The bright light was blinding to his dark-accustomed eyes, but when he wasn't immediately shot where he stood, Leonard figured that was a good sign. ″What the hell took you so long? Jim and Spock are injured and we've got to get them to Sickbay as soon as possible.″
Leonard squinted into the corridor and his mouth dropped open when he was finally able to bring his rescuers into focus. Uhura and Chapel jogged into the room as Security Officer Roy stood guard in the hallway, her sharp eyes glancing around continuously for signs of enemy discovery.
″Don't look so surprised, Leonard.″ Chapel shined a light into his eyes to check his pupils, sending flares of pain into his brain. ″You don't expect us to leave all the rescuing to the boys, do you?″
***
Prompt: Cupcake – Cupcakes
Cupcakes for Cupcake
Miles Chester flew into Rec Room One at a dead run with a full security team hot on his heels, phasers in hand, and stopped dead, which was impressive given that he still wasn't at full strength after last week's landing party where he'd taken a phaser shot to the hip that had been intended for the Captain.
His team, highly trained as they were, managed not to crash into him, though they did all join him in gaping at their surroundings. Instead of finding an emergency situation, they'd walked into a... party? There were balloons and streamers and a crowd of people all looking at him and smiling. In the center of it all stood the captain, smirk plastered across his face and with a large table set up in front of him.
The table was covered end-to-end with cupcakes of varying sizes, shapes, and flavors. In the center, an extra-large cupcake with frosting the same shade of red as Miles' tunic boasted a single burning candle.
Miles looked back and forth between the table and his Captain several times before noting his CO's raised eyebrows. ″I can't decide if I want to thank you or punch you and accept the court martial, sir.″
″That's pretty much the goal, actually, so my work here is done. Happy birthday, Lieutenant Chester.″
***
Prompt: Does anyone remember when we were explorers?
A Better Way to Debrief
The rest of the command staff were already two rounds ahead by the time Kirk and Spock were finally able to join them at the hole-in-the-wall bar they'd selected mostly for its location well off Fleet grounds.
Kirk immediately downed the shot that McCoy had waiting for him and then ordered a beer for himself and signaled for another round for everyone to be placed on his tab.
″These debriefings seem to get longer and longer each time we report back to Earth, don't they?″ he complained, flipping his chair around to straddle it and rest his chin on the back.
″Sit up, Jim. You don't know when this dive last disinfected its surfaces and these chairs could be crawling with bacteria.″ McCoy emptied the last of his drink and looked around to see if the waiter was on his way with the fresh round and nodding when Uhura apologized after bumping his shoulder as she slid further into the booth to make room for Spock.
″While the actual time frame for the interviews to be conducted has not increased significantly, the nature of the discussions does, perhaps, give the impression that the sessions are increasing in length, Captain. Were we to have less unusual or involved reports to elaborate on, this would perhaps not be the case.″ Spock sat on the edge of the booth that Uhura had vacated and accepted the water she pushed towards him.
″I don't know about your sessions,″ Chekov said with a groan, ″But I think it would be better if the people conducting my debriefings had a better understanding of the science and mathematics involved and I did not have to spend so much time explaining every last detail to them.″ The new drinks finally arrived and Chekov sighed gratefully.
″I agree that they seemed to have done an insufficient study of the numerous reports we have sent them over the course of our recent missions.″ Spock didn't frown in puzzlement, but the impression that he had was there nonetheless.
″You've got to admit that some of our encounters have been rather... farfetched.″ Sulu said, hastening to add, ″To others, of course. Certainly not to those of us who were there. Maybe they just can't believe it? I mean, another alternate reality? Guardians of Forever?″
Uhura chuckled. ″Sex pollen, sentient tentacle creatures, child dictators, and creatures that communicate entirely with their eyebrows? Yeah, I can see why some of our reports are a little difficult to take in at first glance.″
″And so, more debriefing meetings tomorrow.″ Chekov added, frowning down into his vodka.
They all groaned at that and Sulu threw a wadded up napkin in Chekov's general direction.
″Does anyone remember when we were explorers?″ Jim asked, petulantly.
″What, last week? It hasn't been that long, Jim,″ Uhura replied with a roll of her pretty eyes.
″Don't worry, Captain. A couple more days of debriefings followed by a couple weeks of shoreleave and we'll be back out having adventures again, don't you worry.″ Scotty raised his glass and waited patiently for everyone else to raise theirs along with him. ″Cheers!″
They all clinked their glasses and set about defeating another round.
***
Prompt: The Quick and the Dead
High Noon
Gaila closed her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief when she materialized on the transporter deck in the familiar surroundings of the Enterprise with Jim's unconscious form pressing against her legs.
When she opened her eyes again it was to see Commander Spock and Chief Scott staring at them, no doubt taking in their dirt-smeared and tattered uniforms and the two well-oiled projectile weapons that she held in her hands. She coughed, trying to clear her throat of the dust that had taken up residence in there ever since they'd beamed down to the crappy planet below eighteen hours ago, and placed the weapons on the deck.
Moments later Doctor McCoy and Nurse Chapel burst into the room and began waving tricorders around, taking vital signs, and hustling Jim off in a gurney and ordering her to report to Sickbay as soon as she was done reporting to Commander Spock.
″Lieutenant, engaging the indigenous peoples in a contest to determine marksmanship was not part of the mission parameters.″
Gaila took a deep breath, coughed again, and stood at attention while responding. ″We didn't have much choice, Commander. If we refused the duel they would had executed us immediately. This way we had a chance to either win the duel or at least survive long enough for you to locate and retrieve us.″ She paused for a moment. ″There is apparently symbolism attached to holding a duel at the time when the sun is highest in the sky.″
Commander Spock cocked his head to the side. ″Fascinating.″
″Indeed.″
The commander raised an eyebrow, but she hadn't been mocking him, merely agreeing.
″They call it the contest of the quick and the dead,″ she added.
Spock compressed his lips together for a moment before asking, ″I take it from the captain's unconscious state that you lost the duel?″
″No sir, we won. Turns out we're the quick and they're the dead.″
″Then what is the cause of Captain Kirk's unconscious state?″
Gaila's mouth quirked up in a smile. ″After we dispatched our opponents he exchanged some heated words with the Protector of the Law of the main community, who ordered us to 'leave town and not come back.' The captain informed him that we didn't need to be kicked out because we were leaving his 'dinky little town' anyways.″
″And this person then struck the Captain?″
″No, sir. The Captain didn't watch where he was going and tripped over a watering trough and hit his head. As I was determining his status we were beamed up. It... wasn't the most graceful exit we could have made.″
″Indeed.″
***
Prompt: Scotty - Mechaphilia
Protecting His Girl
Scotty finished reading the list of upgrades and refits that the Starfleet Engineers had planned for his girl with gritted teeth and furrowed brow. They were due to arrive in Earth spacedock in thirty hours and the work on the ship was to start in forty-eight. The Captain had hand-delivered a PADD containing this list of atrocities those idiots wanted to inflict upon his ship with orders to review and adjust as necessary.
For some reason these clumsy-fingered upstarts had gotten it into their feeble minds to mess around with his girl without clearing every piece of code and tech with him first, trying to bypass the need for his authorizations by going straight to the admiralty. Fortunately, the Captain had an excellent contact amongst those ranks and was given the heads up before the morons had the chance to really bollocks up his hard work. Trying to work around him, indeed.
Scotty was going to make sure they knew how very stupid that decision was.
The only people who could possibly ever even come close to his love for his girl, the Enterprise, were Captain Kirk and Admiral Pike, and they all had her figurative back.
Scotty set the PADD down on his desk with a bang and walked out onto the main engineering deck and stroked his hand along his girl's hull. ″Don't worry, Lassie, I'll take good care o' ye.″
***
Prompt: Gangsters
An Offer You Cannot Refuse
″Lieutenant Uhura.″
″Yes, Captain?″
″Please tell the Magistrate that, while we are aware of the dangers that he faces and certainly have the power and resources to ensure that he and his people can continue to live in peace, it wouldn't be without cost. In order to ensure they receive our protection, they must first prove to us that they have something worth protecting that makes their continued existence worth the Empire's time and efforts.″
″Right away, sir.″
Commander Spock walked up to stand beside the Captain's chair, and though Kirk tensed, he showed no other outward sign of awareness of a threat to his person.
″Captain, I was not aware that this planet has any wealth or resources that would be of interest to the Emperor.″
″They don't, Commander. The value of this planet is only in its ability to act as an example to others.″
″I see.″
″Watch and learn, Mr. Spock. After this planet's destruction, everyone else in this sector will be falling over themselves to earn our regard and protection. More boring this way, unfortunately, but far more lucrative.″
″Indeed.″
***
bridge2sickbay was a bingo card. Two, actually. By the end of the fest we'd completed one full-card bingo and much of the second. Here are my contributions:Prompt: Kirk - I got ya
Best Man
″Thank you, Ambassador.″ Jim walked to the center of the room as Ambassadors Sarek returned to his place near his son and new daughter-in-law. ″Well, now that the family members are done with their most-excellent speeches, I guess it's time for the best man's speech, and wouldn't you know it, that would be me.″ Jim' smile grew at the groans and laughter that swept the room. A number of guests were clearly expecting a toast more resembling a roast than wishes for a bright future.
He turned his smile on the newly wedded couple and noted Spock's lips pressed into a tight line and Uhura's wide eyes. Yup, definitely rethinking their decision to allow him in their wedding, he'd bet. Jim turned back to address the entire room.
″I know you all expect me to comment on the groom's bravery,″ Jim grinned as a chuckles spread throughout the room and he caught more than one pair of eyes rolling towards the ceiling. ″Or the bride's patience.″ Jim noted even Uhura's lips had twitched at that. ″And I could tell you about the days that I met each of them, under less-than-ideal circumstances, both, I must say.″
Jim paused and let his smile soften a bit, become less showy and more reflective of his true feelings of the day. ″Instead, I figured I'd keep it simple and tell you why I am so happy today. Both Spock and Nyota – yes, I said it, I warned you I would – are people I regard very highly. They are intelligent, resourceful, loyal, and strong members of my crew. They work hard and aren't afraid to tell me the truth, even when I don't particularly want to hear it, and don't back down from a fight when it's important. They've saved lives, including mine a time or three... dozen, forged peace on warring worlds, fought off space pirates, and made contact with brand new species. They have also risen to every challenge they've faced.″
Jim looked over at two of his best friends again, this time seeing the hands they'd clasped together, fingers entwined. ″These are traits that will also translate well towards building their lives together, as well as for the expected marital spats and fireworks to come. I wish you both the best.″
The gathered crowd clapped as Jim walked towards his friends, opening the floor up for whomever wanted to embarrass or laud the couple next.
″I told you not to worry,″ Jim said as he stepped into Uhura's tearful embrace. ″I got ya.″ Uhura just sniffled and squeezed him tightly before releasing him with a kiss to the cheek.
″Indeed, Captain. You do.″ Spock replied, and them stoically submitted to a firm Jim Kirk slap on the shoulder.
***
Prompt: McCoy - Please state the nature of the medical emergency.
Things to Come
″Please state the nature of the medical emergency.″
Leonard scowled as he took in the figure before him. ″So this 'Holo-Doc' is going to be taking over for real-live flesh and bone in the Medical Bay? You think programming can exceed the abilities of a real doctor?″
Leonard jumped slightly when the hologram turned to face him, a scowl spreading across its face as well. ″Simply having a few extra letters after one's name does not make one immune to the usual and unusual dangers of space exploration, Doctor McCoy, as I'm sure you know. My programming, once completed, will allow for backup medical assistance in the event that a ship's medical staff is overwhelmed, injured, or killed in action.″ The hologram paused and shimmered slightly before stabilizing. ″And, as my programming will allow for continual updating of Starfleet Medical databases, case studies, codes, and procedures, I will be able to advance my practice at a faster rate than a lifeform that must rely on reading, educational sessions, and memory to function.″
″Lippy piece of tech,″ Leonard growled, turning to raise an eyebrow at the men partially responsible for the headache standing – well, floating - before him.
″Err. I might've begun the personality programming already, Doc. Figured it'd help me shape the hologram, and all.″ Scotty's voice sounded a bit off, as though he were attempting to sound contrite while resisting bursting into gales of laughter. Chekov didn't even bother to try.
Leonard simply scowled at the room in general and the hologram and its tinkerers in specific.
″So, Scotty, Chekov. Am I to assume that you had some... inspiration, for your programming suggestions for Dr. Zimmerman’s hologram prototype?″
″Yes, Cap'n. I'd say we did. Just a bit.″ Scotty flashed him a grin. ″Having spent so much time out in space and on dangerous missions and all, Dr. Zimmerman figured that we'd have some valuable suggestions to make on his pet-project, here.″
Jim nodded and Leonard couldn't help but ask, ″How long does he expect it to take to turn this piece of work into a functional shipboard resource?″
Chekov shrugged. ″Is not known yet, Doctor McCoy. The technology necessary to maximize its usage is not quite where we need it to be, however progress is being made every day on improving holo-technology. Doctor Elliot Zimmerman is very enthusiastic about his work in this area, and his son, Theodore, is completing his studies in computer programming and holographic specialties now..″
″They're turning this into a family affair, are they?″ Jim asked.
″Yes sir, the Zimmermans are devoted to seeing their ideas reach fruition.″
″Well, I wish them luck, I suppose.″ Leonard was still scowling at the hologram, but he shrugged when he looked up at Jim. ″Lord knows the medical staff could use all the help we can get out here in the black of space with you crazy lot of adventure-seekers.″
Jim threw an arm around his shoulder. ″That is the idea, Doctor.″
***
Prompt: Mulan
Big Damn Heroines
Leonard was scrambling to staunch the blood streaming from Spock's shoulder with his tunic even as he tried to count Jim's respirations out of the corner of his eye. Rather difficult when the cut on his forehead was sending his own blood streaming into them to block his vision. Leonard rubbed his arm over his face, hissing at the pain from the cut as he irritated the torn skin. He likely look a sight when rescue finally arrived, covered in red and green blood as he was.
″Stay with me, Spock. Don't you dare lose consciousness, too, you green-blooded hobgoblin! I can't carry the both of you out of here on my own and I need you to put pressure on your wound while I go check on Jim.″
Spock raised a hand and did as he was told with argument. That alone was enough to raise Leonard's level of alarm further than even the Vulcan's dazed expression and his estimation of Spock's blood loss had already done. Shit.
Leonard scrambled over to Jim's prone form and pressed a finger to his pulse, relieved when it fluttered strongly against his fingers. His assessment was cut off, however, by the booming explosion coming from some distant part of the alien installation. What now?
As he checked Jim's skull and neck for injury, he could hear the sound of phaser-fire coming closer and closer to their position. ″Over here? We're down here!″ He called after he'd determined that the Captain wasn't bleeding from anywhere that he could access under the current conditions.
As the sound of the battle drew closer and he was able to hear the clang of boots on the metal grating on the corridor, Leonard stood up and stood between the door and his injured patients. He didn't have anything to fight with, but if the wrong side was about to burst in on him he'd do his damnedest to slow them down.
There was a horrific clang followed by a loud squelching sound from directly outside the cell before he heard something being dragged away and the door swung open. The bright light was blinding to his dark-accustomed eyes, but when he wasn't immediately shot where he stood, Leonard figured that was a good sign. ″What the hell took you so long? Jim and Spock are injured and we've got to get them to Sickbay as soon as possible.″
Leonard squinted into the corridor and his mouth dropped open when he was finally able to bring his rescuers into focus. Uhura and Chapel jogged into the room as Security Officer Roy stood guard in the hallway, her sharp eyes glancing around continuously for signs of enemy discovery.
″Don't look so surprised, Leonard.″ Chapel shined a light into his eyes to check his pupils, sending flares of pain into his brain. ″You don't expect us to leave all the rescuing to the boys, do you?″
***
Prompt: Cupcake – Cupcakes
Cupcakes for Cupcake
Miles Chester flew into Rec Room One at a dead run with a full security team hot on his heels, phasers in hand, and stopped dead, which was impressive given that he still wasn't at full strength after last week's landing party where he'd taken a phaser shot to the hip that had been intended for the Captain.
His team, highly trained as they were, managed not to crash into him, though they did all join him in gaping at their surroundings. Instead of finding an emergency situation, they'd walked into a... party? There were balloons and streamers and a crowd of people all looking at him and smiling. In the center of it all stood the captain, smirk plastered across his face and with a large table set up in front of him.
The table was covered end-to-end with cupcakes of varying sizes, shapes, and flavors. In the center, an extra-large cupcake with frosting the same shade of red as Miles' tunic boasted a single burning candle.
Miles looked back and forth between the table and his Captain several times before noting his CO's raised eyebrows. ″I can't decide if I want to thank you or punch you and accept the court martial, sir.″
″That's pretty much the goal, actually, so my work here is done. Happy birthday, Lieutenant Chester.″
***
Prompt: Does anyone remember when we were explorers?
A Better Way to Debrief
The rest of the command staff were already two rounds ahead by the time Kirk and Spock were finally able to join them at the hole-in-the-wall bar they'd selected mostly for its location well off Fleet grounds.
Kirk immediately downed the shot that McCoy had waiting for him and then ordered a beer for himself and signaled for another round for everyone to be placed on his tab.
″These debriefings seem to get longer and longer each time we report back to Earth, don't they?″ he complained, flipping his chair around to straddle it and rest his chin on the back.
″Sit up, Jim. You don't know when this dive last disinfected its surfaces and these chairs could be crawling with bacteria.″ McCoy emptied the last of his drink and looked around to see if the waiter was on his way with the fresh round and nodding when Uhura apologized after bumping his shoulder as she slid further into the booth to make room for Spock.
″While the actual time frame for the interviews to be conducted has not increased significantly, the nature of the discussions does, perhaps, give the impression that the sessions are increasing in length, Captain. Were we to have less unusual or involved reports to elaborate on, this would perhaps not be the case.″ Spock sat on the edge of the booth that Uhura had vacated and accepted the water she pushed towards him.
″I don't know about your sessions,″ Chekov said with a groan, ″But I think it would be better if the people conducting my debriefings had a better understanding of the science and mathematics involved and I did not have to spend so much time explaining every last detail to them.″ The new drinks finally arrived and Chekov sighed gratefully.
″I agree that they seemed to have done an insufficient study of the numerous reports we have sent them over the course of our recent missions.″ Spock didn't frown in puzzlement, but the impression that he had was there nonetheless.
″You've got to admit that some of our encounters have been rather... farfetched.″ Sulu said, hastening to add, ″To others, of course. Certainly not to those of us who were there. Maybe they just can't believe it? I mean, another alternate reality? Guardians of Forever?″
Uhura chuckled. ″Sex pollen, sentient tentacle creatures, child dictators, and creatures that communicate entirely with their eyebrows? Yeah, I can see why some of our reports are a little difficult to take in at first glance.″
″And so, more debriefing meetings tomorrow.″ Chekov added, frowning down into his vodka.
They all groaned at that and Sulu threw a wadded up napkin in Chekov's general direction.
″Does anyone remember when we were explorers?″ Jim asked, petulantly.
″What, last week? It hasn't been that long, Jim,″ Uhura replied with a roll of her pretty eyes.
″Don't worry, Captain. A couple more days of debriefings followed by a couple weeks of shoreleave and we'll be back out having adventures again, don't you worry.″ Scotty raised his glass and waited patiently for everyone else to raise theirs along with him. ″Cheers!″
They all clinked their glasses and set about defeating another round.
***
Prompt: The Quick and the Dead
High Noon
Gaila closed her eyes and breathed a sigh of relief when she materialized on the transporter deck in the familiar surroundings of the Enterprise with Jim's unconscious form pressing against her legs.
When she opened her eyes again it was to see Commander Spock and Chief Scott staring at them, no doubt taking in their dirt-smeared and tattered uniforms and the two well-oiled projectile weapons that she held in her hands. She coughed, trying to clear her throat of the dust that had taken up residence in there ever since they'd beamed down to the crappy planet below eighteen hours ago, and placed the weapons on the deck.
Moments later Doctor McCoy and Nurse Chapel burst into the room and began waving tricorders around, taking vital signs, and hustling Jim off in a gurney and ordering her to report to Sickbay as soon as she was done reporting to Commander Spock.
″Lieutenant, engaging the indigenous peoples in a contest to determine marksmanship was not part of the mission parameters.″
Gaila took a deep breath, coughed again, and stood at attention while responding. ″We didn't have much choice, Commander. If we refused the duel they would had executed us immediately. This way we had a chance to either win the duel or at least survive long enough for you to locate and retrieve us.″ She paused for a moment. ″There is apparently symbolism attached to holding a duel at the time when the sun is highest in the sky.″
Commander Spock cocked his head to the side. ″Fascinating.″
″Indeed.″
The commander raised an eyebrow, but she hadn't been mocking him, merely agreeing.
″They call it the contest of the quick and the dead,″ she added.
Spock compressed his lips together for a moment before asking, ″I take it from the captain's unconscious state that you lost the duel?″
″No sir, we won. Turns out we're the quick and they're the dead.″
″Then what is the cause of Captain Kirk's unconscious state?″
Gaila's mouth quirked up in a smile. ″After we dispatched our opponents he exchanged some heated words with the Protector of the Law of the main community, who ordered us to 'leave town and not come back.' The captain informed him that we didn't need to be kicked out because we were leaving his 'dinky little town' anyways.″
″And this person then struck the Captain?″
″No, sir. The Captain didn't watch where he was going and tripped over a watering trough and hit his head. As I was determining his status we were beamed up. It... wasn't the most graceful exit we could have made.″
″Indeed.″
***
Prompt: Scotty - Mechaphilia
Protecting His Girl
Scotty finished reading the list of upgrades and refits that the Starfleet Engineers had planned for his girl with gritted teeth and furrowed brow. They were due to arrive in Earth spacedock in thirty hours and the work on the ship was to start in forty-eight. The Captain had hand-delivered a PADD containing this list of atrocities those idiots wanted to inflict upon his ship with orders to review and adjust as necessary.
For some reason these clumsy-fingered upstarts had gotten it into their feeble minds to mess around with his girl without clearing every piece of code and tech with him first, trying to bypass the need for his authorizations by going straight to the admiralty. Fortunately, the Captain had an excellent contact amongst those ranks and was given the heads up before the morons had the chance to really bollocks up his hard work. Trying to work around him, indeed.
Scotty was going to make sure they knew how very stupid that decision was.
The only people who could possibly ever even come close to his love for his girl, the Enterprise, were Captain Kirk and Admiral Pike, and they all had her figurative back.
Scotty set the PADD down on his desk with a bang and walked out onto the main engineering deck and stroked his hand along his girl's hull. ″Don't worry, Lassie, I'll take good care o' ye.″
***
Prompt: Gangsters
An Offer You Cannot Refuse
″Lieutenant Uhura.″
″Yes, Captain?″
″Please tell the Magistrate that, while we are aware of the dangers that he faces and certainly have the power and resources to ensure that he and his people can continue to live in peace, it wouldn't be without cost. In order to ensure they receive our protection, they must first prove to us that they have something worth protecting that makes their continued existence worth the Empire's time and efforts.″
″Right away, sir.″
Commander Spock walked up to stand beside the Captain's chair, and though Kirk tensed, he showed no other outward sign of awareness of a threat to his person.
″Captain, I was not aware that this planet has any wealth or resources that would be of interest to the Emperor.″
″They don't, Commander. The value of this planet is only in its ability to act as an example to others.″
″I see.″
″Watch and learn, Mr. Spock. After this planet's destruction, everyone else in this sector will be falling over themselves to earn our regard and protection. More boring this way, unfortunately, but far more lucrative.″
″Indeed.″
***