"Say, there's an idea."
Wearing a bright look and an impish grin, Dr. Leonard H. McCoy held up an index finger.
"Maybe I could arrange it so my ex-wife is never born."
Across from McCoy, Mister Spock sat with his arms crossed. As he did, he spoke with just a small hint of annoyance.
"Doctor, do not even joke about such a matter."
"I can't help it, Spock. After all, she did leave me with only my bones." McCoy cast a sly glance at the friend sitting to his right.
"Yes. So you said when we first met," the friend said casually. Ignoring the usual banter between his companions, James T. Kirk held up a menu. "Gentlemen, what shall we order?"
Captain Kirk, Spock and Doctor McCoy sat in Smallville's most famous diner, the Beanery. Coincidentally, that was the name of the restaurant featured in Edie Kirk's novel "Let Me Help," which had recently been turned into a popular movie.
The three men no longer worried if they were overheard. Casual listeners simply assumed the three men were pitching ideas for the latest books by Cassie and Edie.
Cassandra Carver had written a book about the notorious piano-wire strangler before switching to fiction. After her best-selling novel, Edie Kirk had just recently delved into fiction for young people.
As the three men ate lunch, Spock discussed how he had recently begun the practice of "kel'no'reem,' a meditation discipline from ancient Egypt. The practice had been helpful to Spock in at least two ways.
The first benefit had to do with the onset of Pon farr. The disturbing condition afflicted a Vulcan every seven years. Yet by recalling how he and Kirk battled each other on Spock's home planet Vulcan, Spock was able to calm himself..
Hearing that, Kirk responded with a wry grin. "Glad I could be of help."
McCoy chuckled. "Brother, is that ironic. Finding peace and calm by recalling a battle. That could only happen with you, Spock."
A slight frown from Spock. "It is not logical to assume that, doctor."
The "kel'no'reem" had another benefit. Spock said he had also been able to vividly recall his brief encounter with the mysterious Clark Kent. This brought up the topic of their stuck-in-time dilemma.
McCoy had gulped down most of his triple-decker club sandwich when, with a mouth full of food, he posed this question.
"And what do you suggest we do when we find this Clark Kent? Just walk up and say, 'Good morning, Mister Kent. Say, would you mind returning the timeline back to normal?"
"On the contrary, doctor. We do nothing."
"Nothing?" McCoy sputtered.
"We should avoid any interaction with Clark Kent. A kind of temporal Prime Directive, if you will."
"So we just sit around for who-knows-how-long and then when we find him we do nothing?" As he spread his hands, McCoy wore a look that said "are you kidding?"
"It doesn't sound very constructive, I must admit." As he spoke, Kirk casually rubbed a hand over a fist.
Briefly, Spock looked off as people shouted greetings of "Live long and prosper!" The phrase had become popular because of the movie.
After briefly raising an eyebrow, Spock turned back and continued on. "Should we plant in the mind of Clark Kent the idea of time travel, we might cause the very situation we are trying to avoid."
"That's assuming we even find our Mister Kent at all," Kirk said.
"Well, beam me up, Scotty, and get me out of here," McCoy muttered. "Do you know what it's like to practice medieval medicine at Smallville Medical Center? What I wouldn't give most days for a few good hyposprays."
Spock noted that McCoy's medical scrubs looked much like the Starfleet uniform he once wore aboard the "Enterprise."
With a slight smirk, Kirk spread his hands. "You could always teach health at Smallville High with me, Bones.".
Bones grinned. "Think I'll pass, Jim. For now anyway."
As he often did, Spock casually crossed his arms. "In an effort to restore the timeline, we should explore many possibilities. The Stargate found at Giza. The three Stones of Power hidden around the world by a scientifically advanced civilization."
Kirk smiled. "That's very impressive, Spock. With your ability to acquire unusual information, you could work for the 'Daily Planet.'"
"And assuming we find some doohickey to get us out of here, then what, Spock?"
The Vulcan lifted both eyebrows. "Quite simple, doctor. Should the timeline be restored, none of this will ever have happened."
"Really?" Briefly, McCoy looked around at people performing the Vulcan hand salute. Then he leaned back..
Casting a sly glance at Kirk, McCoy smiled. "In that case, Spock, I have a question for that vaunted Vulcan logic of yours." Now wearing a devilish smile, the doctor leaned forward. "If, as you say, it turns out that none of this ever happened, how is it we're doing it right now?"
As Spock frowned deeply, McCoy tilted his head to whisper to Kirk. "We better be careful, Jim. He might break down like one of those androids on Mudd's planet."
Kirk noted Spock's facial expression in which the Vulcan looked shocked, confused and dismayed all at once. What Edie called "the Spock look."
Once again learning in toward Spock, the doctor lifted his eyebrows in a look of mock inquiry.
"Well, Spock, what say you?"
As a nearby radio played a light lyrical comical tune, Spock raised his eyebrows in a look of slight surprise.
"I am quite certain I do not know, doctor."
"Anyway, Spock, how do you suggest we resolve our little dilemma?"
"Since I cannot be certain what to do, doctor, I shall have to...take a guess."
Rising, Kirk held out cupped hands. "A guess? You, Spock? That's extraordinary." He went off to pay his bill.
Spock frowned. "I don't think he understands the gravity of our situation."
"On the contrary, Spock," McCoy said with a grin. "He's saying he feels better about your guesses than most other people's facts."
After he briefly contemplated this, the Vulcan raised his eyebrows and nodded. "So it is a compliment?"
"It is indeed."
"Than I shall try to make the best guess I can."
When Kirk returned, he put on his coat. .
"One thing is certain, gentlemen. We are likely to be in Smallville for a long, long time."
(Scenes of Captain Kirk in Smallville. )
"So you are from the future," Spock said.
"Technically, the future of another world," Leonard Hofstadter said.
"It's not much of a future really," Sheldon Cooper said. "There's no domed cities or flying cars or weather control or robot servants. Still want my own personal Data," the tall lanky physicist murmured.
"By the way, not to be a Nosy O-Donnell, but where is Doctor McCoy?" Raj Koothrappali asked.
"He's at Smallville Medical Center," Kirk said. "How did you gentlemen come to be here?"
"We were transporting Clark Kent in our timemobile," Leonard said.
"Thanks to the Joker, Clark went berserk," Howard said.
"He tore a hole in the timemobile, and we got sucked out," Raj said.
"Fascinating," Spock said.
"So you know the mysterious Clark Kent," Kirk said.
"We know a lot of people," Leonard said, lifting his chin slightly. "We know Colonel O-Neill. We know S-G-One. Eventually Clark will be reunited with S-G-One and they'll restore the timeline."
"Good to know," Kirk said.
"Colonel O-Neill can be a bit of a grouch," Howard muttered.
"Not like you, Spock!"
As Sheldon emitted his gasping laugh, Spock raised an eyebrow.
"We also met a Chloe Sullivan who's traveled to other worlds," Leonard said. "And she's picked up quite a few abilities along the way."
"She even knows the future," Raj said. "From putting on the Doctor Fate helmet. She's really something, our Chloe."
"She is," Leonard said quietly. "In fact, Mister Spock, she mind-melded with each one of us. She said if you mind-meld with us, it would really help you guys."
"I shall do so," Spock said.
As the Vulcan placed fingers on the face of each man, visions unfolded in his mind. And he knew the name of each person he saw.
Samantha Carter ran holding a phaser while an aged Clark Kent intercepted a young Clark. Spock saw an aged version of himself as well as a youthful Captain Kirk and Doctor McCoy. There was also the past youthful version of himself.
And there was Edie. With that truck headed for her. Again.
Spock also saw a mysterious figure. Someone who looked like him but with glowing black eyes.
In the midst of all that, a Terminator head landed on the ground and exploded.
As Spock recovered from both the intense visions and the adjustment back to reality, the four unusual visitors entered a silver vehicle which promptly vanished. .
"Spock, are you all right?" Kirk asked.
Though he looked and felt weary, Spock nodded.
"Captain," he said. "I have seen the future. I know what we must do." As his friend staggered, Kirk helped him stand. "I must warn you, however: we will be here many years."
(October 7, 1989)
"And so that's what happened: it turns out that Danny wasn't dead after all, just half-ascended." Cassandra Carver chuckled. "Can you believe those people in Hollywood wanted to turn Danny and all of S-G-One into young wizards instead?"
As he listened to Cassie tell her stories, Captain Kirk took the hand of his wife Edie. Even years after he first met her, he still saw a glow about her and heard soft gentle violin music when she was near.
Even without Spock's knowledge of the future, Jim Kirk had known for some years that Cassie had some ability to see the future. It was part of the reason her "Star Team" books were so popular.
The sprightly 73-year-old smiled and clapped her hands.
"Ah, Jimbo," she said. "I have so enjoyed your songs in the community talent shows. Especially 'Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds.'"
"I liked 'Rocket Man,'" Edie said with a smile.
"I don't think I'll be recording an album," Kirk said. "But I have enjoyed raising horses."
Edie shook her head. "I can't believe Lewis and Laura want Lana to start horseback riding already. Only three years old."
"Maybe Nell can talk some sense into her at the flower shop," Kirk said.
Edie's eyebrows went up. "You think Nell can be a good influence?"
That's when they heard a noise. Like something crashing.
"What on earth?" Cassie said as the three stepped outside.
"Looks like...meteors," Kirk said.
One of them headed straight for Edie.
Next thing he knew, Kirk lay on his side, gasping and panting and groaning.
He turned his eyes away from the smoking heap nearby.
Cassie reached out her hand. "Jim, I can't see."
Then she fell silent.
In tears, Kirk emitted a gasping sob. Was Cassie gone, too? It would be almost too much.
But then Cassie spoke. Somehow her voice was strong and steady and full of hope.
"Jim, I've seen. Everything. Jim, I know. And it's all right," she said quietly.
"All right?" Kirk roared. "Edie is dead!"
"Oh, Jim. You mustn't think that way. Didn't you have many more years with her than you originally would have?"
Kirk bowed his head. "Yes," he admitted tearfully.
"Yes," Cassie whispered. "Be grateful, Jim. Give thanks."
That was when Spock arrived.
"Spock, take care of Cassie," Kirk ordered.
At the Smallville Medical Center, Spock sat next to his wife.
"Oh, my dear Mister Spock," she said. "I now know where you are really from. Vulcan.."
The Vulcan frownee. "How do you know this?"
She smiled as she clutched his hand. "I know many things, my dear. I saw visions of all kinds of things. Some in the here and now. Some in the future. But I also saw the past. You and Captain Kirk and Doctor McCoy. When Edie almost got hit by that truck.." She chuckled. "You know, I've always been so grateful for my friendship with Edie over the years. Now to learn that it was a friendship that might never have existed."
"But for the intervention of Clark Kent," Spock said quietly. Briefly, the Vulcan felt saddened that once the timeline returned to normal, Edie and Cassie would not have their friendship.
It was most regrettable.
Cassie now placed her hand on his cheek. "Spock, my ability to see the future is even greater now. Mind-meld with me. See what you must do."
Spock did so. After images raced through his mind, he straightened and stood. Without a word, he ran from the room.
A petite Korean nurse watched the tall figure run down the hall in his red jacket and blue sweater. With an inquiring look, she turned to Kirk.
"Where's he going?"
Kirk shrugged. "Don't ask me. He does that all the time."
Twenty minutes later, Spock huddled in the back seat of the vehicle.
"I appreciate your assistance," he said. "May I ask why you are assisting me?"
Briefly, the driver looked back as he addressed his passenger. "I'm on this anti-authority kick right now. My parents want me to go back to school, get a degree in education administration, become a principal."
"And this is disagreeable to you?"
"I can't see myself hassling kids. 'Felice Chandler, what's the problem?' 'Justin Gaines, you should go home.' Or I might have to get on some poor guy's case because he got pushed into the pool. Or lecture some young woman because she dived into the pool in her underwear."
Spock jerked in the backseat. The man's driving was producing erratic movement of the vehicle. Should this man ever have offspring, his prodigy was quite likely to hit someone.
Spock heard sirens. With his knowledge of the future, Spock had often walked around Smallville talking to himself. Much like the Nelson Kent he had seen in his visions.
This strange behavior was one reason he was a person of interest to the Smallville authorities. Whenever a crime occurred, Spock was questioned. As, for example, in 1961 when Louise McCallum was shot.
Now there was the aftermath of the meteor shower. No doubt some nefarious individuals had used the natural disaster as a cover for criminal activity. Thus, Spock decided it was best to employ stealth in leaving Smallville.
Apparently oblivious to his wild swerving, the driver went on.
"It's like Jackie says in the 'Star Team' books: 'I've spent my whole life sticking it to The Man. I can't be The Man.'"
"And so to rebel against authority, you decide to give a car ride to a stranger?"
As the driver glanced back, the car made another wild swerve. "No, man. It's because you're Spock. The people in this town, they judge you and they don't even know you They think because you're strange you must be some kind of dangerous criminal."
"An illogical position, I concede. But an unfortunate aspect of human nature, I have found."
Oddly, the car came to a slow gentle stop.
"Here we are, Mister Spock. The Kawache caves. If you need my help again, look me up."
"In that case, may I ask your name?"
"Kwan," the man said. "You can just call me Kwan. It's probably not a common name in Smallville."
"Thank you, Mister Kwan."
Once Spock was inside the hidden chamber of the cave, he used the octagonal disc to transport to his Fortress.
Spock's private Fortress was a result of his global search. Once he obtained the Stones of Power, he duplicated them. As a result, he created his own duplicate Fortress in Antarctica. Jim called the place "Fortress Spock."
It was in that Fortress that the Vulcan heard a gentle voice.
"Greetings, Spock. I am Jor-El, your 'brother.'"
"Greetings, Jor-El," Spock said as he performed the Vulcan hand salute. "We have much work to do."
Kirk did not bother to ask why Spock had not warned him of Edie's death. He knew. His friend only wanted to spare him the agony of knowing.
When he and Spock were back in the Depression era, Kirk learned he had to let Edie die. For days, that filled him with a sense of dread. Imagine being filled with dread for years. It was good Spock had not told him.
Kirk recalled something else. Some years ago he had been told when the timeline was restored, he would retain memories of his time in Smallville as a kind of vague dream.
As captain of the "Enterprise," Kirk would never be free to live the kind of domestic life he lived in this town. Nor was it his true destiny.
But if he knew that somewhere he had lived such a life, it would enable him to go on after Edie was hit by that truck. It would help him deal with Edie's death. It would make him an even stronger captain.
So Kirk reflected on happy times with Edie.
"Hey, mister! Why you wearing that cap? You cold or something?"
The boy stood on a stool as he pulled the black cap off Mister Spock. With a look of mild annoyance, the Vulcan quickly pulled his cap back on.
"Young man, I will thank you not to touch my cap."
The boy made a face. "Hey! Your ears are pointed! You some kind of overgrown elf?"
"Ah. Little Perry White." Kirk chuckled as he scooped the boy up in his arms. "That's some imagination you have there. You should write stories about monsters for the school newspaper."
Little Perry frowned. "I don't write for newspapers. I deliver newspapers."
"Better get to it then," Kirk whispered sharply.
"Yeah, sure, I'll be a reporter," Perry mumbled as he was ushered away. "If I want to do something that doesn't matter."
Once Kirk had the boy out the door, Edie gave her husband a pointed look. "What was that all about?"
Waving his hand, Kirk responded with an "aw, shucks" demeanor. "You know Perry and his wild imagination."
Edie's look became more pointed. "A lie is a terrible way to say 'hello,'" she said. It was a reference to their first meeting.
In his gold sweater, Kirk shrugged. "It's Spock. The accident he had with the rice-picking machine. He's sensitive about his ears."
Edie raised an eyebrow.. "Spock? Sensitive? Since when?"
"Since always."
They both smiled.
Sitting in his command chair in the living room, Kirk told Edie what happened in gym class.
"Clarkie fell off the ropes claiming he could see Petey's muscles. And Petey kept yelling, 'He's an alien! He's an alien!'"
He didn't tell Edie how he had to grab on to Clarkie's arms as they both did a kind of fight dance around the gym while the marching band played fight music.
"I think they were both on L-D-S," Kirk said.
"You mean L-S-D," Edie said.
"What?"
"L-S-D. It's a drug. You said L-D-S."
"Oh. Must be a little tired. Long day."
Edie gestured to the kitchen. "Which may explain why you haven't said 'hello' to Cassie yet."
From the kitchen, the redhead smiled.
"Oh, Jimbo. Where did you learn your manners?"
"On a farm," Kirk said pointedly.
"In Iowa," Edie clarified cheerfully.
"Perry White! We meet again."
"Oh, yeah. Hey." The tall lanky young man seemed distracted. "I didn't think much of the 'Warrior Angel' movie. I mean, that whole spinning-the-Earth-backwards thing? What was that?"
Edie, now with patches of white in her dark hair, held a hand to her heart. "I thought it was romantic. Turning time back to save the woman he loves."
"Yeah, but think about it," Perry said. "While Warrior Angel is saving Penelope, the other Warrior Angel in the past is out saving other people."
Kirk grinned. "A certain someone I know would say you're being overly emotional. What's your point, Mister White?"
"My point is: What if the two Warrior Angels collide? Wouldn't that destroy the space-time continuum or something?"
Kirk smiled. "Maybe you should be a comic book writer instead of a reporter, Mister White."
As Kirk lay in a hospital bed, Edie held his hand.
"You are going to be around for a very very long time, Jim Kirk."
The white-haired Kirk smiled.
"Worlds collide," he said. "Galaxies disintegrate. But a woman is always a woman."
As images of the past faded away, James T. Kirk returned to the present. He should go comfort Cassie. Just as she had him.
(October 7, 2000)
"I'm sorry, Captain Kirk." Eighth-grader Chloe Sullivan fumbled nervously through her notes. "This is my first assignment for the 'Torch.'"
Kirk grinned. "Don't worry, Miss Sullivan. You're doing fine. I'm sure you'll be editor of the school newspaper in no time."
"Not the way I'm going."
Kirk gestured to a large rectangular black volume on Chloe's right. "What's this?"
"Just a scrapbook of some articles I cut out. About all the strange things that happen in this town."
Kirk thought for a moment. "You might consider hanging them on a wall. It would help you think outside the box, run various scenarios, make connections."
Chloe responded with a bemused grin. "If I hang up a bunch of clippings, wouldn't someone think I'm going to nuke the town or something?" She held a hand to her mouth as she glanced around. "Oh, I hope Principal Kwan didn't hear that."
"Kwan is not big on free speech, is he?"
Chloe shook her head. "He gave me detention for talking about 'them.'" She said the word in an ominous low whisper.
The white-haired Kirk leaned forward. "Who's 'them?'"
After glancing around, Chloe leaned in and mouthed the phrase "meteor freaks."
"Ah, 'them.' Kwan gave you detention for talking about 'them.'"
With a dour look, Chloe nodded. "I felt so angry I just wanted to scream. So I did. I went out to the football field and I looked up at the sky and I shouted, 'Kwa-a-a-an!'" With an impish grin, she shook her head. "Have you ever wanted to do something like that?"
"At times, I'm sure. But as part of your interview I'd like to tell you my deepest darkest secret."
Wearing her brightest smile, in which her eyes got all squinty, Chloe pointed. "Let me guess. You're from outer space."
"No, I'm from Iowa. I only work in outer space."
Chloe hunched as she whispered. "Did you kill a man? I like to think so. It's the romantic in me." She held a hand to her heart.
"You're very good at quoting 'Casablanca,' Miss Sullivan."
"Let's hope Kwan didn't hear that. He's irony-impaired.". As Chloe lowered her head, she also lowered her voice. "If you know what I mean.".
Kirk shook his head. "What do you mean?" he whispered back.
"He doesn't understand when someone is joking. He treats it like it's a real threat. He's one of those tin-plated dictators."
"Oh, one of them." Kirk smiled as he folded his hands. "Well, rest easy, Miss Sullivan. Principal Kwan is nowhere to be seen."
Abruptly, Chloe's head shot up. "Then why are we whispering?" she said loudly, and they both laughed. "So, Coach Kirk. Tell me about this deep dark secret of yours."
"I hate peas," Kirk said.
(October 7, 2001)
"Coach Kirk?"
Captain Kirk turned and found Lana Lang looking up at him. Briefly, Kirk thought how the petite young woman probably had to look up at most people.
Besides wearing a white jacket over her red and yellow cheerleader outfit, Lana wore a serious look.
"Ah, Miss Lang," Kirk said. "Hello again. How is Nell?"
"She's good. Thanks for asking." Tilting her head slightly, Lana looked at him with big brown eyes as she spoke in the shy soft voice of youth. "I was wondering if you'd consider coaching the football team again."
"I think Mister Arnold has things well in hand, Miss Lang." As he spoke, Kirk thought of the stories he'd heard about Walt's fiery temper. Even as an assistant coach, Walt was a bit on edge.
Lana now wore a look of concern, which was also reflected in her voice.. "It's just the whole cheating scandal and everything."
"Yes, I heard," Kirk said quietly. Several football players had been accused of cheating on their math midterms and so they would not be allowed to play in the big game. Just as Walt was about to have his 200th win.
Now wearing an uncertain look, Lana tilted her head slightly. "To be honest, the whole thing is making me think about quitting cheerleading."
Before Kirk could respond, someone shouted a greeting.
"Hi, Coach Kirk!"
From a few yards away, Chloe Sullivan smiled and waved. Behind her stood the tall Clark Kent and the medium-sized Pete Ross. While Clark offered a frozen hand-in-the-air greeting, Pete flashed a smile as he gave a quick wave.
While Kirk gave a quick nod and wave, Lana gave the three a sideways glance. As she turned back to Kirk, it almost looked like she was rolling her eyes. Or maybe that was just her usual worried look, Kirk realized.
With that worried look, Lana shrugged. "I just feel like I have to do something. Take a stand, you know?"
"I understand, Miss Lang." With a gentle nod, Kirk turned to go. "Whatever you decide to do, it will all work out for the best."
Lana smiled. "You mean for that bright future you keep talking about?"
"Yes," Kirk said as he lifted his hand in a gentle wave. "Go, Miss Lang, where no cheerleader has gone before."
"How about if I just go where no person has gone before?"
"You can do that as well."
"Okay. Thanks," Lana said with a smile and a wave. "Live long and prosper!" she shouted after him.
As he walked away, Kirk thought how it was too bad Lana would never serve aboard the "Enterprise." She'd make an interesting crew member. Especially with all the powers she would one day have.
Shortly thereafter, Kirk found his new destination.
"Mister Kent."
When Clark abruptly turned, he looked alarmed. Instantly, Kirk realized his error. Clark was always trying to hide his secret. Someone suddenly approaching him could be a potential threat. Someone trying to expose his secret.
And the way he quickly turned around Clark could accidentally hurt someone.
Fortunately, that wasn't the case here. Instead, Clark relaxed and smiled.
"Coach Kirk," he said.
"I didn't mean to scare you," Kirk said. "I'm sorry."
"That's all right. I've just got a lot on my mind." Grabbing some books from his locked, he gave Kirk an inquiring squinted-eyes look. "So what's up?"
"I heard you were thinking of joining the football team."
"If my dad lets me. You know how my dad is."
"One of the most talented players I ever coached," Kirk said. "I also know fathers and sons have their conflicts." He nodded absently. "I just wanted to let you know whatever you decide to do, I'm sure it will all work out."
"Well, you're the one always talking about the future." Just as Spock had his Very Serious look, so did Clark. "Thanks, Coach," he said quietly.
"Live long and prosper, Mister Kent."
"You, too."
As he walked through a school parking lot, Kirk thought of his encounter with two Men In Black, J and K, who had arranged for the Metropolis division of the Men In Black to protect Clark.
It was not coincidence Kirk thought of this. The thought was sparked by the unusual figure moving toward him.
The very tall man wore a black suit, a black tie and some very unusual sunglasses. One might call them "bug-eyed" sunglasses.
Despite the infirmities of old age, Kirk quickly approached the stranger. "Is everything all right? Is it Clark? Is he in danger?"
"Clark is fine, everything is fine," the man said. His tone of voice was a little snide. "I'm just here to personally check on the situation. You can call me Agent Q."
"Give me a progress report," Kirk ordered.
Smirking, Q raised an eyebrow. "My, you're a bossy little thing, aren't you? It's no wonder I stayed away from you and pestered Pee-card instead."
Kirk looked skeptical. "I don't think you're one of the Men In Black. Whoever you are, you remind me of an imp named Trelayne. Same attitude."
"We are distant relatives." Adjusting his shades, Q glanced around casually. "How do you like my shades? They're the same as the ones worn by S-G-One."
Kirk looked and sounded surprised. "You know S-G-One."
"I know everyone. And all is well, Captain Kirk. S-G-One is restoring timelines. The Clark who was on their team is recovering nicely. He'll soon be back with them. And the Q should overthrow the rogue Q shortly."
"I don't understand most of that," Kirk admitted.
"It's all right. I must be getting back." Q gave the captain a saucy look. "Haven't you heard, Kirk? There's a war on."
"Then why are you here?"
"We all need a break now and then. I'm sure you understand that, Kirk. You've been on a break how many decades now?"
Scowling, the white-haired man waved his hand. "Go on. Get out of here. Scram!"
Q smirked. "Yes, you are very bossy. Good luck with your speech tonight, 'el capiton.'"
The arrogant one snapped his fingers. With that, Q was gone.
(Smallville High gymnasium, that evening.)
"Ladies and gentlemen. We are lovingly gathered here at this mandatory assembly to honor one of our leading citizens."
As Principal Kwan addressed the audience, Chloe Sullivan paged through old newspaper clippings that involved Captain Kirk.
As she did, Smallville's resident cynic thought how Kwan was his usual oblivious self. Of course she was just mad because Kwan had given her detention for using the term "meteor freaks." Yet again.
She recalled when that happened before. It was about the time she interviewed Captain Kirk for the "Torch." Her experience with Coach Kirk had boosted her confidence so much she went on to become a great reporter and now she was editor. Just like Captain Kirk said.
She still thought it odd that the Global Consortium required that anyone in authority be called "Captain." Even though the practice had been in place for decades, Chloe still found it weird. Almost as weird as the things that went on in this leafy little hamlet. .
Of course as a teacher Captain Kirk had always practiced mutual respect by calling his students "Miss" and "Mister." Unlike the tin-plated dictator Kwan. For him, respect was a one-way street.
When Chloe looked up at the podium, she saw that Kwan looked like he might actually be smiling. As he made that attempt, he held out a hand.
"Ladies and gentlemen, here to receive the Humanitarian of the Year Award: Captain James T. Kirk!"
As the audience applauded, Chloe thought how Captain Kirk's middle name was "Tiberius." What was up with that? Sounded like the name of some kind of dictator.
Chloe also noted that some years ago Captain Kirk's friend Doctor McCoy had disappeared. It was about the time Mayor William Tate was only a sheriff and there was that shooting of Louise McCallum. Naturally, there were all kinds of wild stories. How McCoy had been taken off into some other dimension by an evil being. No doubt some doppelganger of someone in Smallville.
Of course, with Smallville, you never knew, Chloe thought.
Captain Kirk launched into one of his usual speeches. First, he joked about how he and Spock were actually from the future. He then described the wonders that lay ahead many centuries hence, things like transporters and warp-speed space travel.
That Captain Kirk. What a joker.
From her front-row seat, Chloe grinned. It was Coach Kirk's usual teaching style: use humor to draw people in. Teach them something without them knowing it.
She found she liked Kirk's speech better than Kwan's introduction in which the principal joked that Kirk had spent decades teaching others how to be a captain.
Yeah, Principal Kwan wasn't so great at telling jokes.
In contrast, Kirk was a grand speaker with a great sense of humor. Somehow, the man spoke in a strong clear voice without faltering or stumbling once, even though he was nearly a hundred years old.
Chloe sometimes wished she could go back in time and meet the young Captain Kirk.
The white-haired Kirk, with only a few lines on his face, smiled as he finished his remarks.
"And so, my friends, we can face the future with confidence."
Along with others, Chloe rose to applaud. She thought how it was amazing Kirk still did charity work in honor of his wife Edie. He helped Martha Kent with Mobile Meals and food drives for the food pantry.
Edith Keeler Kirk, Chloe thought. Rescued from a car accident years ago by the mysterious Hero. It'd be interesting to look into that. If she wasn't so busy with all the other mysterious things happening in Smallville in the present.
One thing was certain: life in Smallville would be a lot different if Edith had been hit by that truck.
The applause became so loud that at first Chloe didn't really notice it. But then she realized she had heard some kind of sharp noise, like a loud crack. When she saw Captain Kirk lying next to the podium, she realized what that sharp crack was.
A gunshot.
An invisible Q surveyed the scene.
So many people were focused on the podium that only a few saw Van McNulty run out of the gym.
No one saw him get into the unmarked black van. If they had, they would have been quickly taken out by Jaffa soldiers with staff weapons.
Once inside the vehicle, Van found not only the Jaffa soldiers but Amanda Waller. Van had the unkind thought that she was so large it was a wonder she could fit in the van. As it was, she could barely move and her black dress looked more like a tent.
Van was glad she wasn't a meteor freak who could read minds. Q thought of temporarily granting that gift. Instead, he let the situation proceed.
"Good work, Agent McNulty," Waller said.
"Thanks," Van said tightly. Good grief. Even when the woman tried to be friendly, she sounded so cold.
"Excellent work, both of you."
A figure emerged from the darkness. A smirking bearded figure.
Ba'al, Van thought. But then he realized this was not the real Ba'al, leader of the Global Consortium. Just one of his many clones.
"Align yourselves with me," the "Ba'al" said as he used his hands to gesture lifting. "And I will raise you up."
Q turned away from the evil figures. This, too, shall pass, he thought. Like most evil, it was temporary. Not worth bothering with.
Q turned his attention to a far more important scene.
Even those physically close to Captain Kirk, whether it was Chloe Sullivan or Principal Kwan, didn't know that for a few moments Kirk was conscious.
And in his mind, he was back aboard the "Enterprise."
His crew members were there. Sulu. Chekov. Uhura. Scotty. Bones.
With Spock were Edie and Cassie.
Next to them stood Clark, Chloe, and Lana.
In front of the turbolift were the members of SG-1: Colonel Jack O'Neill, Doctor Daniel Jackson, Major Samantha Carter and Teal'c.
O'Neill gave Kirk a casual salute, lifting two fingers to the edge of his cap.
"See ya," he said.
Next to Teal'c were the "Big Bang" guys: Howard Wolowitz, Raj Koothrappali, Leonard Hofstadter and Sheldon Cooper.
"Thanks for everything, buddy," Howard said quietly as Raj and Sheldon stood with their heads bowed.
"We'll see you again next time," Leonard said somberly.
"Yes, Mister Hofstadter. I suppose in a way you will." After a quick grin and a nod, Captain James T. Kirk turned in his chair and spoke in a quiet authoritative manner.
"Mister Sulu," he said. "On to the next part of our journey."