Star Trek: Strange New Worlds… "Spiff's Rift…"
Summary: Spaceman Spiff takes on the crew of the Enterprise…
Note: After a recent Calvin and Hobbes meme, I just had to…
Part II…
The transdimensional boundaries of space and time or spacetime are difficult but not impossible to breach. Not impossible that is if you are the good friend of that intrepid traveler, Spaceman Spiff.
While at the very moment on 21st century Earth, his alternate and good buddy Tracer Bullet, while attempting to contact him was engaged in desperate hand to hand combat with a savage and implacable foe.
"I said…" the unibrow large figure in T-shirt standing to block the entrance to the boys' restroom. "Gimme yer lunch money or I'll pound you, twerp."
"Who, Moe?" Calvin eyed the large lump.
A cruel and ruthless commander of the Bullulum Empire, sent no doubt to stop Bullet from making contact with the one man in the Galaxy who could save Earth from the threatened invasion by, it now seemed, multiple hostile powers.
However, not a very bright one…Tracer reached slowly for his "little friend" in his inside holster.
"C'mon, I gotta go too. Hand it over!" Moe insisted.
"Eat lead, space freak!" Tracer fired at point-blank range.
"Ow! Those darts? I'll pound you, kid!" Moe hollered, the alien lunging for the lithe detective but too massive to move quickly, Tracer effortlessly slipping out of…
Ooops… As Moe grabbed and lifted him, anger perhaps having a beneficial effect on his reaction time.
"I'm gonna punch you so hard…"
"Put that boy down!" a stern cry.
Moe, looking down hall, reluctantly released Calvin as an angry Ms. Singh glared at him.
"We wus just playin'. Right, lil bud?" Moe eyed Calvin.
So…Tracer pondered the sit. Seems the new alien may not be back-up or an ally.
And the enemy of my enemy is…Well, something…
Impressive though that Moe seems capable of even clumsy deception…At least the attempt.
But best to see how the situation resolves. I might need the lumpen one if this Singh dame is the treacherous alien type.
"Yeah." He agreed.
"Well, boys, this is class time. Calvin? Did you get to the bathroom?" she eyed him.
"Not yet, ma'am."
The creature hadn't yet guessed his true intent…Meanwhile the lumpen alien was withdrawing, likely to his ship.
Oh, right…He's actually gotta go too.
"I think I'll wait here for you, Calvin." Ms. Singh noted. "Lets make this quick, fellas."
"We must defer our battle to another time, pathetic human guy." The lumpen alien noted as they entered the restroom. "But this…Is not over." Grim look. "And even Spiff himself cannot save you from my wrath."
"So next time you better have some money and fork over…" Moe noted.
Tracer made for the nearest safe area, an unlocked but lockable stall, locking it behind him.
The alien made off, muttering in defeat…
Curious, the dame alien had helped him. But was it just a clever ruse to gain his trust? Tracer Bullet knows all about clever dames with clever ruses.
Well, time to concentrate on getting word to Spiff…
Hey!
Calvin jumped in the stall as the ferocious animal that had just appeared before him, grinned at him.
Nervous, are we?
"Hobbes! Where were you when I needed you?"
Back in class, under your chair.
"How did you get here?"
Smug smile…I walked, with the new lady. Physically I'm still tucked under her arm. I'm sure you noticed unconsciously.
Or I could say, wrapped in her embrace…Wagging large eyebrows.
"What? With the alien commander?"
Alien what? Your new teacher brought me. I understand Ms. Wormwood retired?
"She brought you? How did she know you were under my chair?"
I introduced myself when she came over. She asked if I wanted a ride over to see you as she was going. I wasn't about to say no.
"How could you sell me out to the new alien commander? After we just got rid of Commander Wormwood?"
She retired…Hobbes noted. Though I can see where we may have sped that retirement along. As for the new teacher…Methink thou doth protest too much.
She's a cutie, beam.
"What!? Thou doth, doth thou?! Varlet of the deepest crimson treachery!"
Oh, come on.
"Hobbes, she's the Enemy. Bad enough when you get gooey over Derkins."
Oh, that right…We got two babes. Great, one for each of….
"HOBBES!"
…
"All set now, Calvin?" Ms. Singh asked at the door as he emerged from the restroom, cautiously having allowed Moe to precede him.
"Absolutely, ma'am."
"I have your stuffed tiger right here." She raised an arm to reveal Hobbes' physical form. "He's very cute." Smile. "You know, when I was your age I had a stuffed zebra, Wilson. I never let him out of my sight."
Oooh…I like her. Hobbes noted.
How'd you like to be locked in a box to China with Wilson? Calvin frowned.
"Calvin?"
"Oh, yeah…I'll never let Hobbes go unwatched again. Ever." Calvin smiled.
Ever, he noted grimly as she handed Hobbes to him.
"Well, it's fine. He was just under the desk. Calvin?" earnest tone. "I want us to be friends."
An alliance with the enemy commander? Intriguing.
Oh, yes it is.
Shut up, Hobbes.
…
She coolly regarded Bullet as she stood in her alien outfit of red and black, clearly the uniform of a conquering race.
"I propose, Mr. Bullet, that we consider the mutual benefits of an alliance between Earth and my people. Is that of interest?" coy smile.
"I'm listening, sister, not pumping you full of lead."
"Pointless as my suit is impervious to your projectile weapon." Smile. "But have you not wondering why I protected you against the Bullulumian Commander? Who would certainly have pulverized you?"
"Still listening, not shooting…"
"Excellent." Narrow smile.
"But remember, lady…I'm not alone."
"Yes…I'm aware you are in communication with that legendary hero, Spaceman Spiff. In fact, I wish to include him in our…Negotiations."
"Oh, really? So, what's in it for my legendary friend…And me? Not to mention, Earth?"
"Please, return with me to the interrogation chamber…And we can discuss further." Smile, slinky step, turning around to him again.
"Because I really do think you could help me as much as I could help you, Calvin." Ms. Singh noted. "I need to get to know all of you."
Bullet eyed the alien dame carefully… He had her number.
So, it's to be torture to extract whatever I know about Spiff, eh? Well, sweetheart…
Oooh…I think she likes us.
HOBBES!
…