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 VI...

"So, you've come back through the temporal/space rift to find out why the alien invaders sent in Ms. Singh?" Calvin asked his descendant/counterpart, that heroic champion of galactic exploration and freedom, plus acquirer of umpteen new worlds, Spaceman Spiff, who'd slipped in via the said rift in spacetime to take charge of dealing with the alien menace threatening Earth's timeline and towarn his fabled ancestor Calvin of the terrible danger he faced at the hands of Singh the Merciless, currently masquerading as an innocent if far younger (and cuter...Hobbes beamed. Shut up, Hobbes!) instructor at Calvin's school.

"Ms. Singh? I thought there was something suspicious about her and her cookies." Calvin noted thoughtfully.

"Singh the Merciless, alien commander. Don't let her smile or her cookies fool you, Calvin. She's already got you doing more homework, right? That's just the first step..." Spiff sagely nods.

"Oh my God!" Calvin gasps. "You're right, I am doing more homework. And I almost didn't mind! What kind of fiendish vixen is she?"

"You may have faced down Commander Wormwood, surely a worthy opponent, till I defeated her and her people recalled her in disgrace, but Commander Singh is far more dangerous. You must take care, ancestor Calvin, great care. She's here for you." Spiff, with fixing gaze on Calvin.

"Yikes!" Calvin, fingers to mouth. "What'll I do? I can't fight with a teacher."

"Her disguise is admittedly, clever." Spiff nodded. "But you have Spaceman Spiff in your corner, plus Science Expert Hobbes." Nod to Hobbes who offered firm nod back. "Not to mention Tracer Bullet and the intrepid reporter Calvin Calvin who broke the story."

"Fat lot of help Tracer'll be. He's thinks she's cute and loves her cookies." Calvin glared. "But if she is pure evil, why did she help me with Moe, the disguised Bullulumian Commander?"

"Clever ploy, I'd say. Offer an alliance against the Bullulumians and lure us into a false sense of security." Spiff pondered. "But for now, you can't let her know you know her game. That means..."

We get to eat cookies! Hobbes beamed.

"Hobbes!"

"Well, to an extent, Hobbes is right." Spiff glared at the "so-called science expert". "Best to go on eating her cookies and doing the extra homework..."

Calvin, blanching...

"I know it's a terrible sacrifice, Calvin, but it's not only for your own safety but that of Humanity and the future of the galaxy." Spiff, consolingly.

Hmmph...Hobbes frowned. I think she's nice.

"Shut up, Hobbes." Spiff and Calvin.

"I'll be guided by what you say, Spaceman Spiff." Calvin noted. "At least the cookies should mitigate things a bit."

I'll say. Hobbes beamed.

...

"So, how do you think it's going with that Calvin...?" Principal Pike eyed Christina Singh, Calvin's new principal teacher, currently standing in his office. She shrugged.

"I think I'm making progress. He's a sweet kid, Chris. And Erna was right, what an imagination." Smile. "But he is coming for the extra sessions and I think he's making some headway."

"Well, good. He does seem to be a brilliant kid. Hate to lose him through the cracks. But don't let him take all your attention, Tina." Smile. "There's a lot of kids who need you in that class. I don't want you burning out over Calvin and from the record, we have had a few." Shake of head.

"Well, I think we have a connection. He's really close to his stuffed tiger and I was like that at his age..."

"Firing dart guns at 'space freak' bullies in the hallway and sending 'duplicate' selves to school with different personalities?" Pike eyed her.

"Actually..." she grinned. "You remember I told you I did pretend to be a twin sister for a month at about his age. And I had no sisters."

Pike sighed. "Well, just be careful. You know, boys at that age, especially ones like Calvin, are likely to get very attached to their teachers, especially pretty ones."

"Chris?!"

"C'mon. I was his age. I was him. And that year, Mrs. Moore..." sigh.
"Oh, geesh, what fool I made of myself that year."

"Wait, was that the one you recited Shakespeare to?"

Pike nodded. "At night, right on her front lawn...Her kid beat the crap outta me thinking I was teasing his mom. Then he did it again after he believed I was crazy about her." Sheepish smile. "If he doesn't have a crush on you, he will...And given he's shown up and started doing the extra work, I'd say you've got him hooked."

"I do tend to..." she grinned. "You really were him?" arch smile. "That hair...?"

"God, yes. Even the stripped shirt." Pike nodded. "Though for me it was Star Trek and my toy robot. Anyway, be careful...Don't break his heart. Or anyone else's." wan smile.

"I'm only merciless with guys I dislike." She grinned. "But do I detect a bit of jealousy in my fiancée?" she eyed him.

"Of a cute little kid? Of that cute little brilliant psycho of a kid? God, yes." Pike grinned.

"Well, then I'll try to be Singh the Merciful to you both." Chuckle, raise of hand. "Don't worry, Chris, as to his heart. I'll be gentle. But..." smile. "...I don't mind keeping you on your toes with him. Always good for one's guy to have a strong rival." Fond nod. "See you tonight..." she came to him and hugged, kissing him.

"You'll be...Wrapped around my finger..." she hummed, leaving Pike's office as he watched.

"Calvin, bro...I feel your coming pain." Pike shook head on hand, leaning on elbow, eyeing photo of Calvin in his school file. "But, as I recall in my own case, it wasn't all bad by any means." Grin.

"And she did gain a hundred pounds over the next ten years."

...