Lady A: Hello Everyone! Welcome to The Carmine Conundrum! If you have not read the prequel, Sparkling Crimson, then please do so now. If you don't, you will be wondering what the heck is going on. Now onto the insanity of my Doctor Who / Star Trek: Into Darkness crossover story!
Lock: *crawls out of bed and slinks over to her computer* Why are you typing this at 8 am? *yawns*
Lady A: I forgot the bug exterminator was coming today at the absolutely horrific hour of 9 am. This is keeping me awake long enough to supervise since mum had to go to work. *yawns herself*
Lock: *mumbles something about sunlight being evil*
Lady A: *grumbles her agreement* On with the show!
Chapter One: Remember, Remember
Two years…two very long years since that incredible night. The night that had changed him in so many ways. After he and his crew had returned to the ship, Bones had discovered a very strange energy flowing through every cell in the captain's body. The odd thing was that the energy was hurting him in any way, but rather protecting him. After almost two days of testing, the chief medical officer deemed him fit for duty, despite the energy still being present
Jim sat in his quarters drinking some very old Scotch, a parting gifting from his mentor, the late Christopher Pike. He replayed the message he had received less than week after his encounter with the crimson haired woman. It was from Captain Pike, the date indicating that he recorded it about six months prior to the Khan incident.
"Jim, if you're seeing this that means two things: the first being that I'm dead…try not to get too choked up about it and the second is that you have met a woman simply known as Artz. By now, it has been discovered that there is a non-threatening energy coursing through your body. There is no reason to be alarmed. That energy will protect you until such time that it has deemed you unworthy. I know you have questions about her, about the energy, but in all honesty, Jim, I don't know a lot of the answers so you'll have to get them from her.
No doubt you are curious about how I know her. I met her a long time ago, shortly after I had been assigned to my first ship. Like you, I met her and was drawn to her. In fact, the Scotch was a gift from her so enjoy it. I can tell you that Artz is half human, but her other half is a mystery and is classified at the highest level. I do know that her people are allies of the Federation. She has a long and truly mind boggling past and I have a feeling that you will see her again.
I remember when she told me about you, the delinquent with the brain of a genius. That's right, Jim. She's the one who brought you to my attention and said that talent like yours shouldn't be wasted. She has a knack for finding truly unique individuals and giving them the chance to explore their potential.
She was always asking about you and I told her all the crazy stunts you pulled, both in the Academy and as a captain. It made her happy, knowing that you were doing so well. I don't think I've ever seen her laugh so much. Like you, she doesn't believe in a no win situation and always looks for the craziest solutions that are known and not known to man. She's the impossible woman, capable of doing impossible things.
I know that there will be times that you are overwhelmed by everything that she is sharing with you; about herself, her ship, and her past, but she's worth it, Jim. Honest to God, she's worth it. My friendship with her help me discover and define the person I am today and if given the chance, she'll do the same with you.
Believe in her, Jim. Never let that faith waver because no matter how strong she appears to be on the surface, she is much more fragile than you think. Hold fast to the things you experience with her and never let her go. Take care of her, Jim, because she needs someone and I honestly believe that someone is you.
Pike out." The message clicked off.
And for two years, he dreamt of her. The place where she always appeared was completely impossible. It had a forest, a control room, a giant library, a swimming pool, an ocean, a star going supernova, a kitchen, an assortment of bedrooms, and even a room that contained the cryotubes of Khan and his crew. He didn't really believe that last one.
Jim closed his eyes and focused on the energy that still flowed within him. It hummed through his body in its own melody and beat alongside his heart. The energy had never waned. It was still as strong as it was back then. Its constant warmth reminded him every moment of every day and night of the crimson haired woman that turned his world upside down.
"Remember, remember." The captain whispered.
Lady A: *yawns* There you go. Be on the lookout for Chapter 2: Spacial Rift. *curls up next to Lock and goes back to sleep*
Lock: Leave a review or I'll slap you. *goes back to sleep*
