Chapter One
Captain's Log, Stardate 2258.67. Having recently been put in command of the newly christened Enterprise, I can't say that I am not happy to receive our first mission, the first extra-galactic probing ever conducted in human history. Utilizing the new engines of the Enterprise, combined with the upgrades made by Scotty on our mission against Nero, we will be able to reach the galactic barrier in a little under 5 hours. What we find there will be a mystery, and hopefully a wonder.
The newly commissioned NCC-1701 had had no shakedown cruise. Their 'maiden voyage' as it was was an attempt to stop the war criminal Nero, who had destroyed the planet Vulcan in an attempt to exact vengeance against an alternate timeline's Ambassador Spock. Though Ambassador Spock was technically the same person as Commander Spock, currently First Officer of the Enterprise, he is indeed not the same personality. However, these are not the adventures of Ambassador Spock. These are the adventures of Captain James T. Kirk, and First Officer Spock.
The two colleagues just mentioned sat in the Enterprise Dining room, playing a game of three-dimensional chess. A battle between logic and instinct, as Kirk had put it. At the same time, Kirk was also viewing the screen next to him, which showed a forward view as the ship travelled at Warp, the blue streaking effect that had become so common by now to Kirk whooshing by. But back to the game of chess. It was 34 moves into the game, Spock's turn. He moved his pawn to grid D-7 on the third level.
"Your move," he told a distracted Kirk.
"Huh," Kirk grunted back"
"I'll have you checkmated in six moves."
"Must you always be so 'logical' Mr. Spock. Need I remind you that it was not logic that helped us defeat Nero before he destroyed Earth."
"You need not remind me of the incident, Kirk. I am full aware that you're 'instinct' helped save us in our latest predicament. However, this is a game of chess, not a battle against an irrational man. Emotion cannot change the outcome in a game of strategy. I repeat, I'll have you checkmated in six moves."
"For a man who does not understand emotions, you can be quite irritating."
"I shall take it as a compliment."
Kirk chuckled a bit at this, then proceeded to make his move. However, it was not the logical move that Spock had intended Kirk to make, rather the move came, to coin an Earth expression, 'out of the blue.' Spock stared in wonder at what his opponent had just done.
"Irritated yet, Mr. Spock," a smiling Kirk asked.
However, before Spock could respond to Kirk's quip, the sound of the comm was heard. Kirk pressed the button on the viewer next to him to answer, and the blue streaking of warp drive was replaced with the image of Chekov on the bridge.
"Yes Chekov," Kirk asked.
"Afternoon Keptin, I hope I am not disturbing."
"No not at all. I thought we weren't supposed to reach the galactic rim for another four hours."
"Ve are not at the galactic rim no. But sensors have picked up something starboard."
"Define 'something,' Mr. Chekov."
"I am not sure, sir. It appears to be an object, yet it's wery small sir."
"Drop to impulse, let's check it out. Spock and I will be at the bridge in a few moments."
"But what of our game of chess," Spock asked.
"I'm sure it'll be waiting here when we get back. Don't tell me that my emotionless first officer is actually desiring to play a game and ignore duties," Kirk replied as Chekov's image on the viewer was again replaced by the blue warp.
"Absolutely not, sir. I was merely suggesting–"
But Kirk cut him off. "Then let's go."
Both of them left their chess game as it was, and headed to the bridge. They met Sulu in the turbolift.
"Commander, Captain," he acknowledged.
"Hello Mr. Sulu," Kirk said. "How went the fencing practice."
"Fine sir. Granted after fighting Nero's minions, practice feels a bit too... tame." Kirk laughed at this. "How did the chess match go?"
"He played most illogically," Spock said. Kirk motioned with his hand across his neck, indicating his defeat of Spock.
"Kirk, may I remind you that the game is not over. And at the last point in the game, I had the 'upper hand.'"
"Mhmm... sure Spock."
At this point, they arrived at the bridge. Sulu took his station at the helm, Spock at the science station, and Kirk in the captain's chair.
"Analysis Chekov."
"It appears to be a small object, about twelve kilometers off the starboard bow. But oddly enough, it's not that large, barely a meter across."
"Too small to be a ship," Kirk remarked.
"Too small even for a life boat. A data recorder," Spock asked Kirk.
"Possibly. Is it small enough to beam aboard Mr. Chekov?"
"Aye Keptin," Chekov said.
"Do you think that wise," Spock asked.
"I don't know yet Mr. Spock, but I'm about to find out. Sulu, bring us within transporter range. Spock come with me."
"Yes Sir."
The two men left the bridge as quickly as they came. On their way out, Kirk hailed Mr. Scott, better known as Scotty to his friends.
"Scotty, we're about to beam a small object on board. Chekov should have sent down co-ordinates, do you have them?"
"Aye Captain. I have the beaming co-ordinates, Awaiting your order to energize."
"Wait for us Scotty, we'll be down there in a minute."
And truly not more than a minute later, Kirk entered the transporter room, and gave Mr. Scott the order to energize. Kirk, Spock, and Scotty all watched as the object that they had detected appeared on the transporter pad. It truly wasn't more than a meter across, and only about two-thirds of a meter high. Spock's initial guess was accurate however, the device appeared to be a data recorder.
"It appears badly damaged," Spock noted. Kirk had to agree.
"The blast pattern however," Kirk noted, "doesn't seem consistent with attack, more like ship damage."
"I have to concur," Spock agreed. "Mr. Scott, can you see if it may be possible to extract the tapes from the–"
But Spock stopped mid sentence. The device had already begun transmitting, beeping at the same time.
"Mr. Spock..." Kirk asked.
"I am not sure captain." He pushed Scotty aside, and used the console. "The device is transmitting it's data into our ship computers. But the data appears fragmented. It may take time to extract any meaningful info from it.
"Alright," Kirk said, "Until then... I'm putting the ship on Condition Yellow."
No sooner was the order issued and executed than Kirk and Spock began to again stare at the flashing, beeping data recorder.
