Prologue

Emmy Gonzalez came from a family of well known and very well respected mechanics. At least on her mother's side. Emmy's father wasn't exactly. . . .human. Idris Ladaea, Emmy's father, was known as a "Celestial." From what she'd been told, Celestials were ancient beings found in the very far corners of Space. Emmy had been told that there were three different factions when it came to Celestials—the Nomadics, the Traditional, and the Latter Days. Her father was a Nomadic, so when they came to Earth, it came as a bit of a shock when he fell in love with a human. Emmy's mother always said that, from what her father had said, Celestials only married within their own kind. But Emmy's parents never married, they only had a brief romance for one summer before Idris had to leave, only occasionally returning to Earth.

Emmy had met her father only four times in her life—once during Christmas when she was very little, once on her eighth birthday, once over the summer after her fifteenth birthday, and the last time was only a couple months ago. During those visits, she became increasingly withdrawn and hostile to him—she tried her best not to, but he was never really in her life, and she found it hard to trust him.

But, as Emmy always told herself, her father wasn't important.

She focused on the family business—being a mechanic. Emmy's mother, Helene, taught her everything she knew on how to be the best mechanic, just like everyone else in her family.

It was something she thoroughly enjoyed. And something she excelled at.

"Emory Elizabeth Ladaea-Gonzalez."

She sat across from Christopher Pike as he regarded her resume. Emmy had put a lot of time and effort into making it—she'd heard wind that, apparently, the Federation was in the works of building a new ship for Space travel—a friend of hers who worked for Starfleet said it was going to be called "the Enterprise." Emmy always had a fascination with Space and all the things that came with it.

But after hearing that a new ship was in the process of being built, Emmy wasn't going to pass up the opportunity to help build it.

"You have a very impressive history," Pike said, sounding a little impressed.

"Thank you, sir," she said.

"What makes you think we'd want you helping with the Enterprise?" Pike put down Emmy's resume and looked at her. He had to admit, her history with mechanics was very impressive—she had knowledge on how to build engines for cars and other means of travel; she could take things apart and put them back together without any trouble at all.

Emmy tried for a professional smile. "I can help quicken the development." The look on Pike's face told her he wanted a more detailed explanation. "If there's anything wrong—something malfunctions or it wasn't properly put together—I can fix it within the next hour or so; I. . . ."

"Ms. Gonzalez, I know from your resume that you're an astounding mechanic," Pike said, carefully interrupting Emmy. "I've heard about your family, they're very good when it comes to fixing, but what is the real reason you want to help with the Enterprise?"

A surprised look swept across Emmy's face. Well, I wasn't expecting that, she thought.

"I want to help make something big," she said slowly, thinking over her words carefully. "I want to know my work can do more than just fix a few busted up cars."

Pike regarded Emmy closely before he nodded.

Emmy had gone back to her apartment, a feeling of disbelief and shock still bubbling through her body. Pike had given her the job, saying that, after performing an extensive background check and have the proper tests performed, she'd start working on the Enterprise as soon as possible.

I have to tell everyone about this! Emmy thought excitedly. Her family had been a bit skeptical when she told them her idea to work on the Enterprise, saying they didn't just let anyone in. But if there was one thing her family knew, it was that Emmy was stubborn—very stubborn. It, unfortunately, was something that ran in the Gonzalez family.

So, after nearly ripping her feet off trying to take off her shoes, Emmy quickly called her family to tell them to news.

Author's Note:

Sorry for the wait, I got sidetracked by responsibilities for a little while and my internet kind of acted up a little. But, if you liked this chapter, let me know; if you think it could use improvement, let me know. If there's anything you think I got wrong in this chapter, let me know and I'll try and fix it as quickly as possible.

I own nothing in the Trek universe. All I own are my fillers and the coffee I drink.

This will eventually be a Kirk/OC story, but don't expect any romances early on.

Let me know if I get the characters wrong, if I get anything mixed up let me know. This is my first Trek story—I'm a fan of the franchise, but that doesn't mean I'll get everything down right off the bat.

Anywho, I'll wrap this author's note up!

Leave a kind and helpful review, please!

Thank you.

Susan Strong