Imperfect Reflections
The swirling lights of the transporter beam faded from Kirk's sight as he blinked several times to clear his vision. The familiar sight of the transporter room swam into focus. Blinking again he frowned, that wasn't right, hadn't they just transported from the ship? Movement from his left caused Kirk to turn his head in that direction, there stood Spock a slight furrowing of his brow the only visible sign that he didn't know what was going on either.
'Se – security to the transporter room!'
Kirk's head whipped about and he took a small step forward at Ensign Chekov's startled cry. He watched in astonishment as the young man lurched to his feet, fumbling at his right side before pulling out a phaser and pointing it at his captain and first officer.
'Stay where you are!' the young man commanded. 'Don't move!'
'Chekov!' James Kirk barked in his best Captain's voice. 'What is the meaning of this?'
Kirk hadn't authorised anyone to carry phasers. And even if he had, unless there was a clear and present danger there was no way they'd be allowed to have the weapon set to kill, not stun.
'Curious.' Spock spoke quietly and it was only then that Kirk realised that Chekov was more interested in pointing the phaser at Spock than he was at him.
'Spock?' Kirk asked. 'How'd we get back on the ship?'
The Commander tilted his head to one side. 'I do not know, Captain.'
'Quiet, Wulcan.' Chekov shouted as his phaser wavered between the two men.
The young ensign almost sagged with relief when the doors opened and a team of security guards rushed into the room, phasers out and at the ready.
'Hands up!' one of them barked.
'Hey, guys,' Kirk said, 'what's with the practical joke?' No one seemed to be paying that much attention to him, once again the security team were much more interested in Spock than him. It was almost enough to insult a guy. 'Did Bones put you up to this?'
'I said get your hands up!' the man shouted again, as the other members of the security team began to crowd forward. 'That's an order!'
'Order?' Kirk scowled at the man. 'I am your Captain, man; the only one giving orders around here is going to be me.'
'I do not believe it is wise to antagonise them, Captain.' Spock said as he calmly raised his hands.
'Antagonise?' Kirk shook his head in disbelief. 'I haven't even begun yet.'
'Perhaps we should –' Spock's words were rudely interrupted when one of the guards lunged towards him and shot the Vulcan.
'HEY!' Kirk yelled in disbelief this could not be happening, not on his ship. Although, at least on the bright side now all the weapons were pointing at him.
'Put him down!' the lead security guard ordered.
Kirk saw a flash of light and felt a dull pain begin to radiate out from his chest before his whole universe went dark.
# # # #
Captain Christopher Pike leant heavily on his cane as he limped towards the brig. A Vulcan on his ship? As soon as he found out how this happened, heads were going to roll.
The doors of the brig opened and Pike stepped into the room. It was quiet, the only people inside were the two prisoners and a lone security guard manning the central console. Captain Pike stopped just inside the room quietly acknowledging the guard as he observed the prisoners. They hadn't noticed him yet, as both were standing to the back of their cell talking intently with each other.
Pike took the opportunity to study the two men. They were young, both of them, and appeared to be in their mid 20s, much like the majority of his crew on the ship, which just made Pike feel old. They were both wearing Starfleet uniforms but they weren't quite right, like someone had a basic idea of the cut and colouring but had never seen one up close. The human was in a Command uniform but the colouring was lighter, more yellow with a less khaki-green tone than his own. While the other one, the Vulcan, was in a Sciences uniform but here too it was the wrong shade much darker than it should be.
A Vulcan in a Starfleet uniform, Pike just shook his head at the thought; did they really think they could infiltrate his ship in such a fashion? Did they presume his people would overlook the damn ears? Pike didn't know what the intentions of these two were but he was damn sure he would find out.
As he walked towards the pair the Vulcan noted him first. The dark haired alien tilted his head to one side, his actions stopping the other man in mid conversation. The human turned to see what had captured his fellow prisoner's attention and seeing the man walking towards him rushed to the front of the cell.
'Admiral!' the dark blonde exclaimed.
For a moment Pike watched as the young man's face seemed to light up with happiness, before the light faded from his blue eyes and he stopped short before the clear wall of the cell, his hands falling to his side and clenching into fists.
Pike stopped before the two prisoners. 'There are no Admirals here, son.'
The human gave a short bark of bitter laughter at the captain's words, his face grimacing slightly before he turned his back on Pike and walked to the rear of the cell. The Vulcan reached out as the human passed, briefly clasping a hand on the young man's shoulder in sympathy before walking forward. 'Captain Pike, I presume?' he said quietly, hands tucked behind the small of his back.
Pike scowled at the Vulcan. 'How did you know my name?'
The Vulcan opened his mouth to speak but before he could get any words out the other prisoner spoke.
'Simple really,' the words came out hoarse and emotionally tinged as the young man spoke from the back of the cell. 'It's because we're not from this universe.'
Pike frowned at the absurdity of those words as the human cleared his throat and ran a hand through his hair before turning and walking back towards the other two men. Whatever he had been thinking and feeling when he first laid eyes on Pike the young man had seemed to put that aside. The man who now stood next to the Vulcan radiated control and a steady command presence; he really seemed to embody the uniform he was wearing.
'What do you mean, "Not of this universe"?' Pike demanded to know.
'Well it's obvious,' the young man said, 'because in my universe you're dead.'
The intensity of those words caused Pike to rock back on his heels. 'Who are you people?'
Turning his head slightly the human acknowledged the slight nod from the Vulcan before turning back to speak to Pike. 'I'm Captain James T. Kirk, of the USS Enterprise.' He announced before gesturing to the Vulcan next to him. 'And this is my First Officer, Commander Spock.'
'I'm the Captain of the Enterprise.' Pike said.
Kirk's smile was bitter-sweet. 'Yes you were, and probably the best in any universe.'
Captain of the Enterprise, just what kind of trick was this? This kid was too young to be a captain of anything let alone the flagship of the Federation. Pike turned and addressed the security guard. 'Anatova, check Starfleet records for any Kirk serving past or present.'
The woman nodded as her fingers flickered across the console. 'Yessir.'
Pike turned back to address the two men. 'Do you really expect me to believe you're from another universe, one where I'm dead?' Pike shook his head. 'Are you saying that when you planned on infiltrating my ship this was the best option you could come up with? This has to be the dumbest story I've ever heard.'
'Well what other story would you prefer, sir?' Kirk snapped back. His hand briefly reached up to rub at the spot on his chest where he was shot, a grimace crossed his face and was as quickly gone.
'How about the truth?' Pike was as quick to snap back. 'Of how you got onto my ship in the first place, your intentions towards my crew and why,' he gestured towards Spock, 'you're with a damn Vulcan?'
'Curious.' Spock spoke up. 'There seems to be an increased antagonism towards my person since we boarded.'
Kirk just shook his head at the Vulcan. 'You think?'
Spock raised an eyebrow at Kirk's words. 'That is what I stated, Captain.'
'Captain,' Anatova spoke up from her station. 'I have that information you requested.'
Both Pike's and Kirk's attention snapped towards the Ensign. Pike's command of 'Report!' was a split second behind Kirk's own order.
'Uh,' Anatova looked from one officer to the other before directing her attention to Captain Pike. 'There has only ever been one person with the surname of Kirk who has served in Starfleet, sir.'
Pike looked from Anatova to Kirk, curious at the young man's almost expectant expression. 'Continue.'
Anatova looked down at her console. 'A George Kirk, sir, First Officer on the –'
' –Kelvin.' Kirk finished for her.
'Yes Cap–, uh yes,' Anatova corrected herself quickly. Her fingers flew across her console. 'An exemplary record, from what I can see.'
Pike looked over at Kirk. 'Where is he now?'
'Deceased, sir,' Anatova answered.
Kirk's eyes closed at those words and he reached up again to rub at his chest.
'How?' Pike asked without taking his eyes off Kirk.
'In the line of duty, sir. The Kelvin was attacked, all on board was lost.'
'All on board?' Spock interrupted to ask. 'When did this happen?'
'Captain?' Anatova looked nervously at her commanding officer, unsure whether or not to even acknowledge the prisoner's question let alone reply.
'Answer him.' Pike ordered.
'It was,' Anatova glanced down at the console. '2240, he died in 2240.'
'What?' Kirk's loud demand overrode Spock's request for information on who had attacked the ship. 'That's not possible.' The young man stepped forward, all his attention focused on the ensign. 'A son, did Commander Kirk ever have a son?'
Anatova waited for Pike's nod of consent before checking the records. 'Yes, a James Tiberius Kirk, he was born 2233 in Iowa.'
'Sonofabitch.' Kirk's face creased in pain and he seemed to stagger slightly. 'Seven years,' he looked to the Vulcan. 'Spock, he had seven years.'
Spock noted the sheen of sweat on Kirk's brow and the way he seemed to be leaning forward slightly as if in pain. 'Captain?' he moved towards his friend.
'I'm fine,' Kirk waved away Spock's gesture of help. 'Do you know what I would have given for seven years?'
Pike looked from one prisoner to the other. 'What is going on?' But both of the men ignored him.
Spock stood in front of Kirk. 'As first officer of the Kelvin, your father wouldn't have spent much time at home.'
'Anytime would be better than nothing, Spock.' Kirk replied. 'What would you give to have had more time with your mother?'
Before Spock could formulate an answer Kirk gave a small cry of pain. Reaching out Spock grabbed the other man's arms before he could collapse to the floor. 'Jim!'
Helping Kirk towards the bed along the cell wall; Spock carefully sat his friend down before crouching in front of him. Turning his head he addressed Captain Pike. 'Get Doctor McCoy, now.'
Concerned Pike turned to address Anatova. 'Get senior personnel from Medical and Security here, on the double.'
Kirk sat on the bed hunched over with his head in his hands.
'Jim?' Spock asked over his friend's ragged breathing.
Kirk dropped his hands to rest on his knees and looked up at his friend. Spock was shocked to see the fear in his captain's eyes.
'Is it the radiation?' Kirk asked him. 'It feels . . .' he tried to find the words to express what he was experiencing, 'it feels like I'm burning up and falling apart at the same time.' Kirk reached out and grabbed at Spock, bunching the fabric of the Vulcan's sleeve in his fist. 'Bones gave me a clean bill of health, Spock, what if he was wrong'
Spock placed his hand over his friend's fist. 'It is not the radiation, Jim.'
'Really, are you sure?'
It pained Spock to see his friend so worried about something that should be in his past. He hesitated for a moment before replying. 'I do not know.'
Kirk smiled a little at the Vulcan's response. 'What you couldn't sugar coat it first? You bedside manner's worse that Bone's, you know that?'
Spock raised an eyebrow at the comment. 'I do not think that is possible, Captain.'
Kirk's laugh was genuine, the first Spock had heard since they arrived in this place. It was comforting to hear the sound.
'Help me up.' Kirk ordered.
'Is that wise?' Spock asked, even as he helped his captain to his feet. 'You are ill.'
'I feel better already,' Kirk replied, and indeed his colour was returning. He no longer stood hunched over in pain and his breathing was more normal. 'Besides it doesn't pay to negotiate from a position of weakness.'
'Are we negotiating?' Spock asked as let go of Kirk's arm and let the man stand by himself.
'Everything's a negotiation, Spock.'
# # # #
Both men moved back towards the front of their cell, just as the door to the brig opened and four people rushed in.
Kirk's face lit up as he recognised the first two people. 'Carol! Bones!'
Doctor Carol Marcus stopped short as she saw Spock standing in the cell, causing the three men behind her to move quickly to either side to avoid knocking her down. The blonde's eyes narrowed as she realised a stranger seemed to know her name. 'How –?'
'Annoying, isn't it?' Pike said, dryly. 'Let me guess,' he turned to address the two prisoners. 'She's dead too?'
Kirk failed to answer Captain Pike because he was too busy staring at the other three red shirted men. 'Bones, what are you doing in that uniform?'
Leonard McCoy stepped forward and placed himself between Doctor Marcus and the two prisoners, his right hand firmly resting on his holstered phaser. Ignoring Kirk he turned to address Pike. 'So it is true, you've got a damned Vulcan here, why wasn't I notified earlier?'
Pike's mouth twitched at McCoy's insubordinate tone. 'It was under control, Chief, and you had your mission to prepare for.'
'Chief?' Spock asked. 'Are you not a doctor?'
McCoy ignored the Vulcan entirely. 'Anything to do with those pointy eared bastards is my mission.'
'Bones, Doctor McCoy, answer Spock's question.' Kirk snapped in his Captain's voice.
Reluctantly McCoy turned to address Kirk. 'I'm Head of Security,' he barked back tugging at the bright red uniform he wore, 'not a damn doctor! And I'll not talk to any traitor or bastard Vulcan, either.'
'Captain,' Doctor Marcus stepped around McCoy to address Pike. 'Why were we called here? As your Chief Medical Officer I would think you could make better use of my time.'
'One of the prisoners is ill.' Pike answered.
'Well he's not the only one,' Carol glanced down at the slim PADD she held in her hand. 'As of nine minutes ago we were registering several reports of unexplained illness amongst the crew.'
'Fascinating,' Spock said.
McCoy strode up to the cell wall and slapped his palm hard on its clear surface. 'Oh, you'd like that wouldn't you?'
'You misconstrue my words, Mister McCoy.' Spock turned his attention to Doctor Marcus. 'Have these reports now subsided?'
'Well,' Carol checked her medical reports. 'Yes, yes, they have.'
'I'm feeling better too.' Kirk added, 'if anyone's interested.'
'Have you found a cause for this illness?' Spock asked.
'Well, no, not as yet.'
'I think we're looking at the cause right here,' McCoy said, 'seems to me everyone was fine until you two came on board.'
'That's not exactly true,' Doctor Marcus said, as her fingers scrolled up and down her PADD. 'We had one other report of a spate of illnesses just over an hour and a half ago.'
'Right before our two "guests" arrived.' Pike noted.
'If the reports occurred before we arrived,' Spock said, 'then logically we cannot be responsible for the illness.'
'Logic,' Doctor Marcus folded her arms, hugging her PADD close to her chest, 'curious choice of word for a Vulcan.'
Spock tilted his head to one side as he addressed Carol. 'Is it?'
Kirk raised his hand to get everyone's attention, 'As much as I'd hate to interrupt the makings of a good vocabulary lecture. I think we should concentrate on more important matters like why,' he gestured towards McCoy, 'Bones, here, isn't a doctor. Hell, man, your bedside manner sucked, but you loved that job.'
'Well, the Chief was a doctor.' Carol said. 'Before he gave it all up and joined Starfleet.'
McCoy turned in surprise to look at Doctor Marcus. 'How did you know that?'
'I am the CMO of this ship. I read it in your files.' She replied.
'She's not the only one who read it,' Pike said. 'I too read your file and thought having that extra experience on board couldn't hurt.'
'Why did you give that all up?' Kirk asked.
McCoy pointed at Spock. 'Why don't you ask him?'
Kirk turned to see Spock with that look that said he was calculating the variables of a puzzle. The faintest expression of surprise crossed his face as he came to some sort of conclusion and he stood up straight with his hands clasped behind his back. 'How long have you been at war with Vulcan?' he asked the officers in front of him.
'What?!' Kirk exclaimed.
