Saratoga Shuttlebay
2:30 PM
Kirk stood rigidly at attention as he watched the Enterprise shuttle, Warrant slowly pull inside
of the shuttle-bay.
He glanced at his First Officer and Chief of Security, who had accompanied him. Arex and Akari were still
on the bridge and the rest of his senior staff where waiting in the Briefing room. He'd chosen Thelin and Hatcher
to accompany him and glanced at them both.
He knew that McCoy had wanted to accompany him when he first met with the other Kirk, but his best friend
had been seething from the moment that the other ship had first arrived and he wasn't quite sure that the irascible
southern doctor wouldn't say something unpleasant when he first saw their old crew again.
They're not the same crew, he kept reminding himself.
But knowing something in his head and feeling it in his heart were two very different things.
And original Enterprise crew or not, the result was the same-a knife twisting in his heart.
As he watched the Warrant land he silently held his breath and braced himself.
After a moment the door opened and Kirk beheld…himself.
A wide eyed James T. Kirk stepped out of the shuttle and his eyes grew wider still as they beheld him.
This is mind-bendingly strange, Kirk thought.
Three other very familiar figures stepped out of the shuttle.
Spock…
Scotty…
Uhura…
Kirk stared at them in both fascination and pain.
I haven't seen them in three years but…
He angrily chided himself.
They're not the same crew! Remember that, Kirk!
His eyes widened as another figure stepped from the shuttle.
Another McCoy….
More and more mind bending.
He nodded politely once all had exited. "Captain Kirk. Welcome to the Saratoga."
His double smiled and nodded back. "Captain Kirk. Thank you for having us."
After Kirk had introduced Thelin and Hatcher, his double introduced his staff with obvious pride.
"This is my First Officer, Commander Spock. My Chief Medical Officer, Doctor McCoy, who I believe
you know. My Chief Engineer, Lieutenant Commander Scott. And my Chief of Communications,
Lieutenant Uhura."
Kirk once again nodded. "I'm familiar with all of your Senior staff, Captain."
Very familiar.
He noticed that Spock was gazing at him intently and no doubt formulating all sorts of observations and deductions.
I'm sure this is all quite fascinating for you, Mr. Spock. No doubt, I'd make an interesting science experiment.
He recalled those dark eyes going over readings, searching and categorizing the tiniest detail.
Those same dark eyes gazing at him in coldness and disproval. Seeing only supposedly unprofessional behavior
and completely blind to the bleeding wounds that had caused it. Seeing the slightest detail but completely blind
to another's pain.
Uhura was staring at him as well.
Do you find anything you disprove of, Uhura? You were so quick too before.
A maestro of languages, but speaking nothing but harshness. Incredible ears but deaf to another's pain.
His eyes warmed as he looked at the other McCoy. "Hello, Doctor. I'm sure that you and my McCoy will have a lot
to talk about."
The wide eyed doctor nodded. "Should be interestin'."
"This is one wee hangar bay!" Scotty noted. "I'm surprised we were able to fit!"
No ship will ever be as good as the Enterprise in your eyes, Scotty. I'm sure this ship is just a 'wee tub' in your eyes.
And I see that you haven't changed…still so quick to form opinions.
Just like...
Trying desperately to ignore the knife twisting in his chest, he turned toward the door. "If you'll all come with me,
the rest of my Senior staff have assembled in the Briefing Room."