Star Trek: The One, Who Knew Too Little.
Chapter: One.
Starfleet has produced some of the most legendary officers and enlisted, from the humble beginnings as the science and defence arm of the United Earth, with a handful of vessels, to one of the largest powers in the galaxy with a fleet of hundreds, if not thousands of vessels. This is the story of one such member of Starfleet who had appeared on the scene, in the most unusual of ways.
The graduating class of 2270 Starfleet Academy, was destined to produce some of the most famous officers and enlisted to serve the fleet to date. During what was to become the Second Golden Age, of Space Exploration with the soon to be relaunch newly redesigned and rebuilt, USS Enterprise NCC-1701. Designed with a sleek new look and the latest technological advancements, Starfleet would once again become a beacon of light in advanced technologies. Trained to operate the new level of advanced technology such as warp drive, shields and weaponry, the graduating class of 2270 Starfleet Academy would lead the charge out into space onboard of the new Starships, which would soon spread out across the known galaxy.
Receiving their graduation diplomas before disbanding into the crowd of Starfleet officers and enlisted, family members and invited guests, the eager young former cadets celebrated their graduation for what could be, one last time together before they moved on from the Academy to their first assignments, wherever that may take them out into the vastness of an active Starfleet service. Greeted by family and friends alike, the latest edition to Starfleet felt as if they had stood on the top of the world itself, after finally leaving what had become one of the toughest years of training yet devised by Starfleet Academy. Although many would leave the world of their either birth or training for what could be many years to come, as deep space assignments had only recently become extended to over the once standard duration of three years. One man stepped through the crowd with a single goal in mind, to locate and to congratulate his young cousin on his graduation.
Being often labelled as shy and awkward in nature, he moved slowly and cautiously towards a handsome officer stood at the centre of the crowd whom had congratulated seemingly every recent graduate in turn as they passed him by, waiting for his moment to step past the Rear Admiral, known throughout the fleet as one of Starfleet's finest starship commanders to date. A nervous smile slipped from his lips as he stepped past the Rear Admiral, only to be stopped mid-step by the Admiral's curious look in his direction.
"Excuse me, do I know you Mister…?"
"Admiral? Wallace. And no, we've never met"
"Wallace, Wallace… you look very familiar to me"
"I get that, a lot. There are only so many faces to go around, there are bound to be people to look alike. Would you not say, Admiral Kirk?" Nervously replied the man, as he shuffled his feet.
"Never thought of it that way. Are you here with a Graduate?"
"Yes, Admiral Kirk; my cousin. He is one of the graduating class. If you will excuse me…?"
One Year Later…
The early launch of the newly redesigned USS Enterprise, had been hailed as a success, in no small part to the resumption of command of the starship by Rear Admiral James T. Kirk and the return of his former command crew during a dangerous situation, known as 'The V'Ger Incident'. Dispatched on a new shakedown cruise to prove the new design as space worthy, the USS Enterprise had earned the coveted title as Flagship of the Federation, due to the presence of a Rear Admiral onboard of said starship as commanding officer. For one strange and unusual human being, life was about to change in the most unusual of ways possible with a call from his own cousin to meet him at a distant Starbase, deep inside of Federation space for a reunion and shore-leave. Packing his bags after booking passage on a civilian owned and operated vessel to meet with his family member, the man stepped onto a vessel for the first time in his life to leave the world of his birth, to head out into the galaxy. Arriving at the leisure world known as Risa, the tall, slender and dark haired man stepped from a shuttle which had descended from high orbit, to walk on solid ground for the first time in weeks as his stomach churned to the point where he was certain to loose the last thing he ate, within moments.
Risa, a world recognised throughout the known galaxy as the place to be to relax and to unwind after a long assignment or a long journey, a world dedicated to leisure and pleasure. What more could a person want than to sit on a beach, to look out onto crystal clear waters beneath the twin stars of the beautiful, if not modified climate of the tropical planet. For one man named Wallace Spencer; it was little more than a distant speck of light as seen from his home world. Stepping towards the hotel in which he had booked a room for himself during his five-day, four night stay on the alien world, his stomach churned once again as it had seemed as if his last meal had yet to settle with him while he stepped up towards the long and large, reception desk as a tall, blonde and beautiful Risan female smiled as she politely spoke.
"Welcome to Risa. Do you have a reservation for a room? If not, we have several which are vacant"
"Re-reservation for Wallace Spencer?"
"Spencer, Wallace. Ah yes, here it is for four nights. Room one-fourteen, fifteenth floor…" Politely smiled the receptionist.
"Fif-fifteenth floor? Do you have anything… on a lower floor? I am not, fond of heights" Asked the man, with a squirm at the thought.
"One moment, yes I have a room available on the third floor, would that be satisfactory for you, Mister Spencer?"
"Third floor, will be fine thank you" He replied, with a sigh of relief.
"Very well, room eight-three, third floor. The elevator is to your left, follow the signs to your room. Is there anything else that I can help you with?"
"Actually, there is. I am expecting my cousin to arrive on the USS Harrow this afternoon, Ensign Paul Wallace. Would you please inform him of what room I am staying in?"
"Did you say, the USS Harrow?" Called out a second Risan woman, as she stepped to the side of the first woman with a polite smile.
"I did, is there a problem"
"We received a message from the USS Harrow, we have several members of their crew staying at this resort for shore-leave. They have informed us that they will arrive in three days, not this afternoon…"
"No, this is not…" Complained the man, with a deep sigh.
"Mister Spencer, your cousin is amongst the members of the crew that we have been expecting. As such, your stay has been extended, if that is your wish? We have much to offer and of course, complimentary"
Holding back his disappointment at being asked to wait and to extend his stay by a further three days on the alien world, Mister Wallace Spencer seemed to let out a slight groan as he politely stepped away from the reception desk towards the nearest elevator, before stepping inside to call out the correct floor to the computer inside of the elevator car. Finally finding his way to the hotel room where he had been booked to stay for what had become an extended stay, the touch of his left thumb against the door lock had recognised his unique DNA profile and thumb print to unlock the door to the medium sized suite as he stepped inside to see with his own eyes, the beauty of the room's décor. Stepping from the reception room of the hotel suite, to walk into the bedroom which contained a large, king-sized bed and dresser for clothing, to the left of the entrance another room, the room which contained a private shower, wash basin and toilet.
With the arrival of his bags and personal belongings which had been brought from the reception by one of the hotel porters, the unusual man named Wallace Spencer began to unpack his personal belongings to place inside of the dresser before stepping into the reception room of the suite, taking a seat on the large, white leather-like sofa as he picked up a computer tablet which belonged to the hotel and the room, a tablet which contained information on the hotel and the services they provide to the visitors.
Finally moving to what he had thought was a light entertainment, he began to read what was claimed by the computerised brochure as 'Experiences'. Experiences such as learn how to fly small atmospheric hoppers, archery lessons, rock climbing lessons for the novice and for the those with more experiences or required more entertainment, mystery experiences where a visitor would attempt to solve a mystery. Having spent his entire life living in a small town on Earth, his only passion had been reading mysteries and sometimes participating in mystery weekends, such as the old-fashioned murder mystery weekends which had thrilled many throughout the ages. Smiling slightly to himself after reading a brief on a murder mystery, his finger touched the third mystery on the list, which to the man himself sounded almost exactly the same as what he had enjoyed, numerous times while in his hometown.
"So, it begins at Eight P.M? I could do that, sounds very familiar. I won't take me long to figure this one out. Looks like I've done it before anyway, it will be interesting to see their take on this old one" He mumbled to himself as he stepped from the sofa to walk into the bedroom, before stepping into the facilities room.
As the time approached before the start of the 'Show', he showered and dressed in a style of clothing that he had always wore on similar events. A mid-grey suit with white shirt, black tie and an old-fashioned, Earth style trench coat which to his own mind, made him feel as if he was an investigator or police officer from the ancient Earth mystery stories. As the appointed hour approached, he stepped from his hotel room and moved through the beautiful Risan hotel, towards the bar area to await the start of his selected experience, a Murder Mystery. Leaning against the bar as he slipped into the character he had created for himself and had used several times in the past during similar events, he ordered a drink from the large, male Risan bartender as his eyes began to scan the room and the patrons of the bar as the bartender placed the drink before him and whispered.
"You are Him?"
"I guess you could say that" He whispered with a slight gravel sound to his voice.
"The Romulan has instructed me, to tell you to wait for the contact by the fountain. There you will receive further instructions and… necessary equipment"
"Of course, to the Fountain"
Stepping between the tables with a slight swagger to his step as his confidence began to build with each passing moment, the man known as Wallace Spender could not have known what was about to happen, what situation was about to present itself while he sat on a seat, facing a large and ornate fountain.
At the bar in the restaurant, the tall and powerful looking Risan male let out a sigh of relief as the man slowly and calmly stepped away. Leaving the bar unattended as he stepped into the rear of the bar area, only accessible for employees of the hotel's restaurant, he reached into his trouser pocket to pull out a small, alien designed and built communicator which he activated, awaited a signal before he spoke with a nervous tone to his voice.
"This is Revan, the contractor has arrived. He is awaiting your arrival by the Fountain"
'Good, do not underestimate him, Revan? He is a very dangerous man'
"I see that, Revan out!"
Within a matter of minutes after the Risan male had returned to the bar, a tall and beautiful, dark haired female entered the restaurant wearing a long, tight fitting and revealing black dress and black high heels. Seeing a nervous look and nod from the Risan male, towards the single person sat before the fountain on the balcony, the woman took a deep inwards breath and exhaled slowly as she gracefully stepped through the restaurant, towards the fountain on the balcony and finally stepping towards the only person sat outside of the restaurant.
"You, are him?"
"I am. You are the… Contact?"
"I wasn't expecting… What are you, Starfleet Intelligence?"
"I am, a private consultant in such matters. They call me, King"
"The contract, lists a name… Spencer" She replied with a deep sigh, as the man's eyes opened slightly wider, with surprise.
"That is one of the names I go by, but please call King. You'll destroy the image I'm trying to work with"
"Very well, Mister King. The instruction and equipment are in my Suite. Follow me please!"
"Are you certain that you wish to be alone, with such a… dangerous person as myself?" The man boasted, with a large smile as he stood.
"Mister King, if I believed that you are dangerous in any way beyond the assignment? I would have killed you, before you even saw me. Now, follow me"
Arriving at the young woman's Suite, at the top level of the hotel, the Penthouse Suite, the man with now two names both Wallace Spencer and known only by the woman as Mister King, seemed to cower slightly at the thought of being on the uppermost level of the tall hotel building. As his hands shook, he slowly and cautiously stepped into the large three level penthouse suite as she slowly and as some might say, seductively stepped up the stairs to the second level of the suite with the third level, being a private swimming pool on the roof of the hotel. Choosing to overcome his own fears of being so high in the Risan skies, his hands clenched into tight fits as he slowly followed the woman up the stairs into what looked like, a large bedroom.
"What is wrong Mister King, do you not like women?" She called out with a smile, as she removed her dress while he turned his back on her, instantly.
"I find that a, single mindedness is best, during such… assignments"
"On a world dedicated to pleasure, you deny yourself one of life's simplest of pleasures? I find your professionalism to be most… refreshing, Mister King. Even now, I can see that you stand ready to strike, your fists are clenched"
"I prefer to be in a situation which I alone, can control. You have further instructions and equipment?"
"Down to business it is, then. The required contract states that only the best, is required. Your name, comes highly recommended Mister King as are your… set of skills. Open the box on the dresser. Inside you will find a dossier on the target which my employers would like to be… taken out, to employ an ancient Human term"
Stepping towards a large and ornate dresser, the man now known as Mister King picked up a small box as he stood with his eyes barely looking into the reflection in the large mirror of the woman as she began to dress while stood behind him. Pulling out a small paper file, with the words 'Operation: Payback', written in the Human language of English on the file, he opened the file to see an image of his target, a human male wearing a Starfleet Uniform.
"Admiral James Kirk. That's impressive, you got him involved in this"
"Kirk is very… involved in this, Mister King. My employers and now, your own? have had dealings with Kirk in the past and each time, he has foiled their… plans. From the destruction of a prototype vessel, to the theft of a cloaking device. James Kirk's life is soon to be forfeit as payment. As for your payment in his, assassination? Half upon acceptance and half upon completion" Called out the woman, as she finally stepped to his side with a smile.
"If I do this, I will have to disappear, forever. My fee, will be double…"
"Double?" She called out, in shock.
"No, triple my usual fee. Or I shall alert James Kirk myself. And you can tell your employers, exactly that. Do not cross me, Miss… as you know from my reputation, I am a very dangerous man with connections that run deep into places that you and your employers do not even known exist!"
"Triple? I am aware of your reputation Mister King. I will speak with my employers. That Tal'Shiar, will be very impressed if you can complete the assignment. If course you realise, that his death will have to look like an accident? Even though he is heavily guarded by Starfleet and the crew of the Enterprise"
"Leave that one, to me… I know how to get close to him. This, will not be needed…" He called out, as he pulled out a small hypospray like device. "… I have other ways, of killing a man"
Captain's Log. Supplemental.
Enterprise has been in space for a year now, testing each and every new system onboard of the ship. I must say that the ship has performed perfectly, beyond expectations for the new design of this ship. As such, I have decided to grant the crew two days of shore-leave, especially as we are close to the Risan system. A couple of days of fresh air, sun and fun… is exactly what the Doctor has ordered and most importantly? Our arrival tomorrow afternoon coincides with an unofficial, graduating class reunion, which I wasn't certain that I could attend.
A year had passed since the USS Enterprise NCC-1701 had launched early in order to intercept a large and unknown object which was quickly approaching Earth, after devastating star systems, facilities and vessels along its path, the now latest and most advanced vessel yet created by Starfleet proudly entered service as the Flagship of the United Federation of Planets. A sleek, pearly white vessel boasting the most advanced technologies yet to be installed onto a Starship, presumably as a testbed for the next generation of Starships which had still remained on the preverbal drawing boards. Elegantly slipping out of warp speeds as the newly redesigned and rebuilt USS Enterprise approached the Risan star system, Rear Admiral James Tiberius Kirk stood from his post at the centre of the bridge to step towards the helm station as he looked out towards the planet known throughout the Federation as the ultimate recreation spot for Federation citizens.
Entering the bridge from the portside entrance, Doctor Leonard H. McCoy; stepped towards his commanding officer and friend of many years with a slight smile upon his face as he looked at the planet which seemed to grow in size on the screen before the bridge crew.
"What do you think Bones, up for a little shore leave?"
"I though you'd never ask, Jim. But I can tell you one thing, if I see another six-foot-tall, white rabbit? I'm coming back to Enterprise" Called out the Doctor, as the bridge crew laughed slightly.
"Wrong planet, Doctor. Spock, are you certain that you want to stay onboard ship? It's not often we get a chance for some leave?" Politely asked the Rear Admiral.
"I am certain, Admiral. I do not require shore leave, at this time"
"You're missing out Spock, I've heard stories about this place, that will make your blood turn red" Laughed the Doctor. "One thing Jim, a class reunion?"
"I missed the last one, but it's not often that so many of my former classmates are in the same region at the same time. We just thought it would be a chance to catch up…"
"Are you certain you're not just going to brag about your ship and your rank?"
"Rank, has its privileges Doctor. Spock? You have the bridge; I'll be in my quarters packing. Two days of rest and relaxation. I can't remember the last time that happened"