Disclaimer: If I owned them, then the second movie would be out by now. Simple as that.
Author's Note: Greetings from the Goldilocks planet. I am currently enjoying my twenty-four day year. It's very nice here; very secluded. Kinda windy, though. Oh well.
In case any of you have no idea what that means, scientists have recently discovered a planet that has conditions extremely similar to ones here on Earth which they are now calling the Goldilocks planet. Look it up on Google if you are interested.
Welcome to the madness of what I'm calling the project of pure insanity, love, and not just a little bit of terrifying cliffhangers. This is something I started over a year ago when I was watching Journey to Babel (a really good episode of TOS) and really wanted to write a story from the reboot Star Trek about it. And then a few months ago, I was reading this epic Firefly FanFic called Forward and decided that my Journey to Babel story needed to become the first in an epic story. So, what originally started out as roughly a fifteen paged, ten chapter story turned into a mammoth 18-paged outline of what is going to be essentially Star Trek: The Reboot Series. Yep. And the more I started writing this outline, the more I got inspired for the Quirks of Jim Kirk story... and then the two ended up merging together in an insane fashion. There are mentions to Quirks of Jim Kirk in here and mentions of this story in Quirks of Jim Kirk. You do not have to read Quirks of Jim Kirk in order to understand this, but it is highly reccommended.
So. You are hereby cordially invited to join me on the adventure I would like to call "The Voyages of the USS Enterprise." This will be a tale of friendship, adventure, love, heartbreak, insanity (both good and bad), war, peace, destruction, and a whole lot of dramatic angst thrown in for kicks. Assume that you know absolutely nothing, for everything that you know will come to be false. Expect the unexpected. Predictions about what is going to happen should be taken with extreme care because you are most likely going to be wrong.
Reviews are appreciated. Constructive criticism is welcome. Blatant hate mail is neither appreciated nor welcome and if you do so, I will block you and report you. You are hereby warned.
And with great enthusasim:
The Voyages of the USS Enterprise
Arc 1: The Journey to Babel
Summary of arc: For it's first mission, the Enterprise is assigned to see foreign ambassadors of different planets to Babel, a neutral planet in the middle of the solar system. What should be an easy mission goes drastically wrong as the ambassadors decide they don't like each other, a murder occurs, and the Enterpriseis nearly destroyed by an enemy ship.
Chapter 1: Tellarites, Andorians, and Vulcans. Oh Shit.
Jim fiddled with the sleeves of his dress uniform, itching absently at the skin underneath. He stopped instantly at a glare from his best friend and CMO, Leonard 'Bones' McCoy.
"You're not gonna have any skin left on your wrist if you keep doing that," the doctor growled. "And I just finished repairing that one too. Don't do anything to mess it up."
Jim rolled his eyes and sighed, forcing his hands to still by his side. He was nervous. The fledgling crew of the Enterprise was playing host to several different ambassadors who were on their way to a peace treaty conference in Babel. The crew was only supposed to play host and keep the peace, not take part in any discussions about the conference. This would be the first real mission the Enterprise had had since the whole Nero debacle. Jim was determined to make sure everything went right.
"Shuttle craft seven approaching," an ensign reported from the controls. "Shuttle bay opening."
Jim took a deep breath and plastered on what he hoped was a friendly smile as the rest of his crew prepared for the arrival of their guests.
"Relax, Captain," Spock said from behind Jim. "It is the Vulcan ambassadors. They are highly honored to be meeting you again after you saved their lives."
Jim felt a tinge of regret and guilt shoot through him. He didn't deserve the Vulcans' respect. He hadn't done enough to save their planet. He had let billions of innocent Vulcans die in the black hole because he had been too slow to figure out what had been happening. He wished someone would understand that.
The doors to the Enterprise from the shuttle bay opened, revealing a very familiar Vulcan and a small party of younger male Vulcans. Jim couldn't help but smile at the sight of Sarek. He had developed a genuine fondness for Spock's father after the older Vulcan had saved his life.
He walked forward to greet them, his fingers parting in the traditional Vulcan greeting Spock had taught him hours before hand. Spock trailed behind him.
"Welcome aboard the Enterprise, Ambassador Sarek," Jim said, nodding his head respectfully to both men. "We are greatly honored with your presence aboard our ship."
"It is we that are honored with your presence, Captain Kirk," Sarek said lifting his hand in the greeting as well. "Live long and prosper."
Jim felt his cheeks heat and stepped aside to allow the Vulcans to past.
"Commander Spock will show you to your quarters," Jim said, walking to stand beside his First Officer and CMO. "The rest of the ambassadors are already on board. Dinner will be served in the galley in one hour. If you have any needs, please feel free to contact the Commander."
The Vulcan ambassador nodded. Spock left Jim's side to lead the Vulcans to their quarters, leaving Jim and Doctor McCoy alone.
"You are dismissed," Jim said to the crew. "Be sure to report for dinner in an hour."
The crew members nodded before dispersing. Jim made to leave as well, but Doctor McCoy put a gentle hand on his shoulder.
"Jim," the doctor said quietly. "Are you okay?"
Jim turned, plastering another fake smile on his face.
"Yeah, Bones, I'm fine," he said.
It wasn't entirely true. A little over two weeks ago, Jim had been shot trying to play the hero when someone brought an antique gun to the Academy and shot up the place. Jim had been trying to save a bunch of first-year cadets from said mad-man and ended up being shot twice in the chest and once in the wrist. The wounds were slow to heal, since Jim was allergic to the majority of the medications needed to help speed up the process.
"Yeah, and I'm a physicist," Doctor McCoy growled. The older man sighed. "Take it easy for a while, okay? I'm not quite ready to lose your stupid ass just yet."
"Aw, Bones, you're sweet when you're an over protective bastard," Jim said, smirking. He clapped a hand on a scowling McCoy's shoulder. "I'll be okay. I swear. Besides, it's a diplomatic mission! What could possibly go wrong?"
"This is you we're talking about, remember?" Doctor McCoy asked. "You can't go into a school without being shot at or beat up or poisoned."
"Hey, that last time was not my fault," Jim said defensively. "How the hell was I supposed to know that a Romulan was at a McDonalds and just happened to be sympathetic toward Nero's causes?"
"You had a damned McFlurry, Jim! And you nearly died!" Doctor McCoy exclaimed. "You passed out in front of the damned play area. If Chekov hadn't found you, you would have died."
"Well, it's a good thing Chekov wanted a Happy Meal, isn't it?" Jim said with a smile. "I'll see you at dinner."
He heard his friend sigh and grumble some form of swear word. Jim's smile grew into a grin as he left the shuttle bay and headed toward his quarters.
There was only one word to describe the dinner Jim walked in on and that was chaotic. Everyone was yelling and shouting at each other, demanding to be heard over their fellow allies. He stood in the doorway, shocked and slightly amused at the sight of supposed dignitaries at each other's throats.
He spotted Spock standing in the corner, looking composed and expressionless, as usual, though Jim would have sworn that he saw something akin to disdain in the older man's eyes.
A blue skinned Andorian and a pair of Tellarites stood next to Sarek, carrying on a conversation. From the looks of one of the Tellarites, the conversation was a heated discussion that might eventually turn into something worse. Jim walked over to them, thinking that it wouldn't reflect well on him if he wound up getting an ambassador or two killed.
"Are you implying that the Tellarites are keeping Coridan out of the Federation so we can continue with our alleged antics of stealing the dilithium?" one of the Tellarites, (Gav, Jim remembered) demanded.
Sarek looked highly affronted for a Vulcan.
"I never said such thing," the Ambassador said.
"Perhaps what Ambassador Sarek means is that it is merely coincidental that the Tellarites have a prosperous supply of dilithium crystals although it is true that the crystals are not found on your home planet," Jim interrupted, sensing that if he didn't intervene that something was going to happen. "I am sure that it is merely, as I said a coincidence."
Gav looked annoyed and turned to his Tellarite friend, grumbling something in their native language before wandering off with dark looks on their faces. The blue skinned Andorian chuckled.
"Gav is a highly emotional creature," the man said. "Excuse me, Ambassador Sarek. I have matters that I need to attend to. It was most pleasant seeing you again in the wake of your recent tragedy. Best wishes to you and yours."
Sarek bowed his head once with respect as the Andorian left.
"What was that about?" Jim asked.
"The Tellarites wanted to know my position about Coridan being let in to the Federation," Ambassador Sarek said.
"Aren't the decisions supposed to be kept quiet until you reach Babel?" Jim asked.
"Precisely, Captain," Ambassador Sarek said. "Excuse me. I must retire to my quarters for meditation."
Jim watched in reservation as the older Vulcan turned and left the room. By now, most of the arguing had died down as the dinner party began to decrease in size. Jim spotted Doctor McCoy enter the room, looking ill at ease in his dress uniform. Jim hid a smirk as he walked over to his friend. Spock joined them as well, his hands in their usual position behind his back.
"This is going rather well," Jim said dryly, standing in between his two friends.
"Captain, I must admit, I do not understand your statement," Spock said, looking quizzically at Jim. "Things are going, to use a human phrase, 'to hell in a hand basket'."
"It's Jim," Jim said shortly. "And I was being sarcastic, Spock. But hey, look at the bright side, no one has died yet."
"You say that like it's inevitable," Doctor McCoy groused.
"You two are so delightful to be around," Jim said sarcastically, rolling his eyes. "I think I might go enjoy a rather engaging conversation with the lovely woman in blue. I hear she has a tribble."
"The woman in blue does not speak any known language," Spock said in his usual crisp manner. "I doubt that even if you were able to talk to her the conversation would be engaging."
"Sarcasm, Spock," Jim said. "It's called sarcasm."
Spock looked passive while Doctor McCoy looked as though he were about to burst out laughing. Jim smirked.
The ship's intercom squawked with Uhura's voice, demanding for Jim to call the bridge. Jim exchanged a look with Spock before walking over to the nearest communicator.
"Kirk here," he said, speaking quietly so he would not disturb the rest of the party.
"Captain, we have detected a strange anomaly on the ship's sensors. It appears to be a ship of some kind," Uhura said.
"I'll be right there," Jim said. "Kirk out."
He turned to Spock, signaling for the Vulcan to follow him. Spock did so instantly.
"What is it, Captain?" the First Officer asked.
"Lieutenant Uhura has detected a ship on our sensors," Jim explained. "Keep an eye on everyone for me while I go check it out, will you?"
Spock looked as though he wanted to say something about what Jim said but then changed his mind. He dipped his head in acceptance.
"Yes, Captain," he said.
Jim nodded once before turning on his heel and striding out of the party.
The bridge was a welcome escape from the chaos of the party in the mess hall. Jim felt himself instantly relax as he walked through the turbo lift doors and onto the quiet bridge.
Uhura, Chekov, and Sulu were alone at their stations. At any other time, Jim might have rattled off a suggestive comment, but frankly, he was exhausted and wanted nothing more than to take care of the issue at hand and go to sleep.
"Captain," Sulu greeted.
"Sulu," Jim replied. He turned to Uhura. "What is the status on the anomaly, Lieutenant?"
"It is definitely some kind of ship, sir," Uhura said. "We are uncertain as to the identity, though we are positive that it is neither Romulan nor Klingon."
"Have you tried hailing them?"
"Multiple times. We have received static in response."
"Lovely. Keep me posted, all right? I'll be at the party."
Jim turned, reluctant to leave the peaceful bridge and return to calming insane diplomats. But, as his duty as Captain of a Federation flag ship, he knew that he was obligated to look after the diplomats, no matter how impossible of a task it may have seemed.
"Jim?"
At the sound of Uhura's soft voice, Jim turned, raising an eyebrow in surprise. Since Bones and Spock had rescued him the insane gunman, the ship's crew had been perfect. Even Uhura and Bones had refrained from their usual cracks at Jim.
"Nyota?"
Uhura smirked ever so slightly. "How's the party?"
Jim rolled his eyes and left the bridge, not even bothering to dignify that with a response. Everyone on the Enterprise was well aware of the fact their Captain hated diplomatic proceedings, but they also teased him mercilessly for it. Jim knew that he wouldn't have it any other way.
Jim wandered down the empty hallways of the ship, in absolutely no hurry to get back to the mess hall. Bones would probably bitch him out later for the delay, but Jim didn't care. He needed to be alone for a while. After the events at the Academy everyone had been suffocating him. Jim had hardly time to catch his breath and process what had happened, let alone make intelligent decisions about the ship and the daily running of it. He needed a break, if only for a little while.
Jim sighed heavily as he meandered down another hallway, thinking that for all the time he had known about the ship and had been Captain of it, he still knew next to nothing about the layout.
He passed the entrance to the engineering deck, stopping when something caught his eye. It was a body, locked in the antigravity chamber. Jim recognized it with a start. It was Gav.
"Oh shit," he said. "That is so not good."