Paradise in Purgatory or The End or Progress

I. The Captain and Spock Talk

Captain's Log Stardate 3417.3

Supplemental: I think I just found the answer to the spore issue. In order to get the crew back aboard I need to "convince" my first officer. I will have to use force but I must

take the risk. He's strong and if angered he could kill me. I'm out of options at this point. I must get my first officer back.

The coms blink in the transporter room

"What's up Jim? We're waiting for you to beam down."

"Spock, I've just realized that there is some important equipment we need. If I beam down nobody can beam us back up"

Spock closes his communicator.

"Leila, I don't think the captain is being genuine about the concerns he just realized."

Leal gives a questioning gaze.

"My dear, Jim probably needs some help locating the equipment to beam down. Why would this concern not be genuine?"

"The computer can be automated to beam somebody up all he needs to do is beam down the necessary computer and auxiliary transporter pad."

"Why don't you tell him that then?"

The communicator rings.

"Spock, I need your help, I can't do this alone."

"Jim, I need you to beam down the transporter pad in the auxiliary control room and the computer that is beside it."

"Spock I can't do that by myself!"

"Jim, do not challenge my intellect. There is a guide in the Starfleet handbook. I will not challenge your intellect. If memory serves it should be in Section 31, Paragraph 3,

subsection Q. Spock out."

"SPOCK!… shit."

II. Jim Looks up Section 31

Captain's log Stardate 3417.31B

My plan to make my first officer join me failed. I may as well look up what the Starfleet handbook says that he's mentioning.

Cut to Kirk's personal quarters.

"Computer, bring up the Starfleet handbook on my screen."

AFFIRMATIVE: What section of the handbook would you like to bring up?

"Bring up Section 31."

ERROR: Section does not exist.

"That's odd, although Spock did say if memory serves. Wait a minute."

Kirk looks at his curios and awards, he sees an old tome. It is Fatter and taller than the handbook.

"I don't remember putting this here. What could it be?"

Kirk opens the book. Something emanates from the book. There is a flash of light and Kirk falls:

"Captain's log supplemental I think I fell asleep but I'm not sure I'm In a vast open space with a floor and a bunch of light, the same light I saw from the tome. HELLO?

ANYONE…"

"There's no need to shout." A peaceful voice speaks

You were about to ask about Q

Kirk cocks his head to the side

"I don't know what you mean by Q. I thought it was just a book with rules no one actually follows."

"James Tyranous Kirk, or do you prefer Tiberius?"

Flashback to stardate 1312.4

"Gary, are you responsible for the spores?"

"More than that captain. Much more."

"Gary I don't know where you are but I'd like to speak with you in person."

Flash of light and sound

"I will speak for "Gary" Welcome to heaven by the way."

"And who are you?"

"Isn't it obvious?"

"No, I have no Idea"

"I am the caretaker of heaven but you can call me "Q".

"Okay "Q" what happened to me?"

"You summoned heaven and so here you are. Time is meaningless here; this is the end of all things and the beginning. You have lost everything and can't go back home."

"Q that sums up things rather nicely. Only thing is I had a five year mission. I am in my second year and I want to finish that mission."

"Q and I have been watching over you captain, we want you to succeed but you have a choice before you: get your crew back by tooth and claw or join us and…"

"Gary, you are a terrible god if you are one."

"WHO SAID I WAS GARY MITCHEL."

"You are what then?"

"Jim from Q to Captain there is a leap of logic let alone from human to Q. God's will is not for you to change. If you want progress you must join us and shape the future. Your

future and your crew is in your hands. If I were in your shoes I would not question God. We will help you as you go along but please consider our offer."

"What if I'm not captain? Will I be accepted by my crew? My duty…?"

There is darkness and another warm feeling inside Kirk's heart yet there is a cold part of his heart.

"I am what I am. I will not change."

The heart grows colder and colder until he sees and feels everything ahead of him.

"The Star Trek movies, Television? What is this?"

"This is the future and the past. They are one and the same. The future here is not as bright in this place compared to your own place."

"What are you trying to tell me? Even a child could have figured that out."

Q looks at Kirk with an intense gaze.

"You can, they can not. These may be curtains if you live in paradise instead of going to heaven. You know that your crew will not walk out of the garden of Eden; you have to

kick them out or they will die in their sin. They will forget what brought them to this place. You know they'd rather stay when left up to them."

I am in agreement. Where there is no suffering there is not peace. There is calm until the calm is disrupted. There is always noise… even if you can't hear it somebody will or

eventually you will.

"Thank you Q. And thank you god. Peace be with you"

III. The Return

A flash of light brings Kirk back to the transporter room. Before he failed.

Captain's log Supplemental: I think I can counteract the spores and if I can so can the crew.

I have to get Spock to kill his spores.

Kirk suddenly remembered how to get back his crew using radio and the communicators. I need Spock aboard, I have an idea.

On the planet's surface Spock's communicator hums.

"Jim? What do you need?"

"I need you to beam up to help me with something. It has to do with section 31Q of the starfleet handbook."

Spock turns to face Leila.

"This must be important. Leila I will not keep you waiting too long."

Leila hugs Spock.

"Do what you must, Spock. I'll wait for you."

The transporter hums and Spock materializes.

"What's the deal Jim, are the Q messing with you?"

"They did and I know what the spores do and how to kill them on a mass scale."

"Now why would you want to do that? Jim everybody and their mother is on the surface. Join us. Please."

"Strong emotions kill the spores Spock. Can you understand what that means for the surface?"

"Yes, I see I can see clearly but what I see… AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

Spock falls down in pain.

"Spock, are you alright? Spock!"

Spock gets in a fetal position.

"I can't see any more, I'm dead! DEAD!"

"Spock, there is no one to help you in sickbay. You need to help me so I can help you. You are alive and in front of me. Are you blinded?"

Spock slowly gets up. He blinks a few times.

"I am not blinded captain and I am not dead. Thank you. I can see the implications of living in paradise, it's a garden of eden."

"That's what god and q told me. He also told me that radio and the communicators would get the whole crew back and the settlers."

"Thank God and thank Satan too. I would be lost without you Jim. I'll get back to work."

END

Thank you for reading my first proper fanfic. The last few have been crap. I recently watched This Side of Paradise (3417.3) . It really spoke to me in a way it had not before.

I wanted to Share how I would have tried to get the crew back if I were in Kirk's shoes.