[Action/Video] Return of the Kirk

[mouth_breather]

[ACTION]

[Those walking near the Bay might notice a man in a long-sleeved mustard shirt, holding a flip-device that makes a short series of identical chirps.]

Kirk to Enterprise. Enterprise, do you read me.

[There's only silence. The device chirps again.]

Enterprise, do you copy, this is Captain James T. Kirk, respond.

[Nothing. His mouth forms a single, one-syllable word that he doesn't fully utter as he snaps the device closed again, pockets it, and sets his hands on his hips with a long-suffering sigh.]

Here we go again.

[VIDEO]

This is Captain James T. Kirk from the U.S.S. Enterprise. Hi.

[Just because he's a captain doesn't mean he can't have a little fun on the job, so he's going to greet people with a grin.]

Now I was here before several years ago, back in the year you call 2013, and a little of 2014. Some of you might remember me. Some of you I'm looking forward to meeting.

And if what I'm reading on this device is correct, one of you better turn on your comm device so I know you're not stuck in limbo again. Lookin' at you, Spock.

[He points at the screen.]

Since we're all stuck here together, come say hi, share a drink if you're up for it. Until I have something more interesting to report, I'm signing off. Kirk out.

Comments

Video

[blindpuppet]

2014 is a long time to still remember this place.

Is it always like that?

Video

[mouth_breather]

It doesn't happen regularly enough for me to give a solid answer. But I appreciate the concern.

[Looks like he's already making himself comfortable at the bar, and he's lifting a small glass of whiskey to her before taking a sip.]

Been here long?

Video

[blindpuppet]

I see.

[Her tone is thoughtful and soft.]

A few months.

[She's still learning about Genessia and it's attaching cities though she rarely goes anywhere outside of Nova City and Genessia proper.]

video;

[innocent_royal]

[The title and the prefix is what caught this girl's attention.]

If I may ask, what sort of captain are you? And the "U.S.S Enterprise" is a ship, correct?

video;

[mouth_breather]

You've got it.

[He grins, obvious pride and warmth seeping into his voice.]

A starship, to be exact, and one of the best in the Federation. I serve in Starfleet, a humanitarian and peacekeeping organization, for the United Federation of Planets. It's our job to explore the galaxy and make contact with cultures capable of achieving space travel at light speed.

So technically I'm doing my job by just being here and gathering data.

[He could do without the whole 'trapped against our will' thing, but if Spock really is here, they should be able to fix the situation by putting their heads together.]

Do you like ships?

Re: video;

[innocent_royal]

You're a space explorer?

[She seems more excited about that.]

I actually think it would be cool to sail through the stars. My people couldn't even see past our perpetual overcast, and the closest I've come was a Holodeck'd simulation.

[Which ended up being less than ideal because of safety protocols being big dummies.]

[amicalolafalls]

[He doesn't mean to click in to respond. He's rusty with smartphones, distracted by what has to be some kind of a joke. That, or he was going crazy.]

Okay, I think I'm back to the head injury theory.

[It's muttered to himself, doesn't seem to be meant to be heard by anyone, but... Well, oops.]

This is all one long hallucination happening in like, a millisecond, and when it's over I'm going to finish dying.

[Maggie was working, wasn't there to hear the slight morbidity. That was good. She'd dealt with his death enough. He hadn't had nearly as long to come to terms with it. Still, some part of him was kind of disappointed it wasn't Sulu.]

[mouth_breather]

[His comm is buzzing. Not the Starfleet communicator (he checks that one first), but the other one. All right, there's...]

[Okay what is he looking at here.]

Hey. Buddy, hey.

[He finishes his drink and plunks the glass down on the counter.]

Stop making plans to die and check your comm. I think you've got the wrong frequency.

[amicalolafalls]

[Glenn opens his mouth and closes it again, finally realizing that the video had turned on. He curses, silently, then runs a hand down over his face.]

That's -- Yeah. Wrong frequency. Didn't really mean to be on any frequency. [There's an attempt at a smile, somewhat apologetic, and he feels like he'd be pretty happy about dropping into the floor right now. There was another apartment below him, the fall wouldn't be that big of a deal.]

Sorry, I just thought I recognized you for a minute. From an, uh, show. Really didn't mean to make an idiot of myself. I was pretty sure Maggie'd broken me of the habit.

[Video]

[zenoh]

[ Ayame is hardwired to be extra polite and formal towards military officers. Although she's more relaxed now than she used to be, she couldn't help but feel her interest piqued at the arrival of an officer. Upon hearing Kirk's introduction, she was compelled enough to respond. Of course, she's not aware of Starfleet's peacekeeper role and assumed he's conventional military. In fact, she's thinking that he's talking about a US Navy aircraft carrier. While at her home and playing a tune on her grand piano, with a glass of whisky on top of it ]

I suppose a welcome back is in order, Captain Kirk. We haven't met. My name is Ayame.

[ She pauses to actually look at the screen, lifting her fingers off of the piano keys to look at the camera directly ]

You might have a long shore leave ahead of you, but it's good to have another military man in our midst. One with a friend who's here too.

[ Ayame lightly hums in thought, taking a sip of her drink and setting aside the thought of how nobody from her world has shown up yet ]

[Video]

[mouth_breather]

Shore leave, heh...

[All right, you got him to grin a little wider as he picks up his drink, giving his head a slow 'oh well' shake.]

That's one way to put it. Always good to meet someone who thinks positive. Here's to you, Ayame.

[He lifts his glass to her, downs it, sets it aside with a sound of satisfaction.]

I take it there are more than just one? Technically Starfleet isn't military, not strictly. We're supposed to be more focused on humanitarian efforts, and peacekeeping. Exploration.

[zenoh]

I see. For a moment I thought you were a regular navyman. You must have many stories to tell about your traversing of outer space...

[ Kirk's natural charisma made that smile contagious that Ayame couldn't help but feel a tug on her own lips as she watches his reaction. The mention of outer space actually made her miss it. ]

We have many military men and women here from different worlds. I don't know them all personally. A lot of them come and go, but the ones I know some served as fighter pilots. I myself have served, but also not in a traditional sense. Our focus is almost the same as your Starfleet's, in fact.

[gotabadfeelingaboutthis]

Name's Captain Han Solo. I'm up for a drink if you want.

Oh shit, the intergalactic friendship I didn't know I wanted!

[mouth_breather]

Plenty of empty seats at the bar, I'll save you one.

[He starts to pat the stool to his left, but it's suddenly taken up by a trucker who plunks himself down and barks 'BEER!']

--I mean this one.

[Gestures to the right, which is still available.]

But I'm warning you now, if a redheaded Orion snags it before you get here, I'm going to have to surrender it to her.

Re: Oh shit, the intergalactic friendship I didn't know I wanted!

[gotabadfeelingaboutthis]

OK, coming.

And it's okay, I get it. I'd probably want to do the same thing if I wasn't married already.

What's an Orion, though?

Private Video

[vulcanyounot]

[Spock is working in his lab when hears his comm chirp. His hands are full so he just… stares at it. Why the hell was Kirk trying to call the Enterprise? He knew it wasn’t here.

He’d be lying if he said it wasn’t good to hear his voice again (though he’d never admit it) but he has to wonder where the hell his captain had gone for the last few months.

Unfortunately, by the time Spock is able to pick up his communicator Kirk has already hung up, but before Spock can call him, there he is! Except he’s not making any sense? He deftly flicks open the video.]

I am here, Captain. Are you injured? You seem to be misremembering your time here.

[Seriously where the hell has he been he almost had to lose the house because he and Bones up and vanished. Speaking of...]

Is Doctor McCoy with you? [Unlikely, but it’s still a possibility.]

Private Video

[mouth_breather]

[There he is. It's subtle, but the set of Kirk's shoulders relaxes a little once Spock finally calls back.]

Misremembering, what do you mean? I remember the giant monster attacking the city that you and I couldn't do much about, and the big-chinned dictator's goons turning me into a punching bag, you really missed out on that one. All crystal clear.

[Down goes the whiskey and holy hell does it burn! He winces and sucks a breath in between his teeth.]

No injuries. And no sign of the good doctor, how long have you been here?

[Just launching straight into the subject before he's even finished answering the question because it's driving him nuts to think that Spock got back before Kirk did when he definitely recalls the Vulcan being there in Yorktown just minutes ago.]

Private Video

[vulcanyounot]

Captain... [He's not making any sense, and yet he seems entirely certain of his timeline. The possibility that he's been here more than once certainly exists, though perhaps the memories of all such encounters do not exist? Best to just submit the facts then and see what comes of it.]

I arrived here on May the 8th, shortly after Doctor McCoy and just hours before you did. The two of you vanished on June the 18th, leaving just me here. During your stay I believe you worked as an automechanic for a private practice while Doctor McCoy took up residency at the Genessia Hospital. We had a house in Genessia City; I still reside there. You are of course welcome to move back in.

[He pauses. It's not his place as the second-in-command to pry, but when has that ever stopped him before?] Captain, may I inquire as to the identities of the individuals who assaulted you?

action |

[initia_nova]

[Scott just happened to be out with his dog because doberman pups don't like to be locked up inside houses for long. They're playing fetch by the bay so there's a high chance a very excited dog just rushed past Kirk, chasing a tennis ball.]

Re: action |

[mouth_breather]

[How long has it been since Jim saw a dog? Cats, sure, they do well on starships because they can keep to themselves in an officer's quarters. Dogs, though, those don't do too well on five-year missions without the great outdoors at their beck and call.]

[And that's why he's standing there, squinting in the sunlight as he watches the puppy streak by, on a mission to get that ball and be a good boy.]

...Huh. Been a while since I've seen one of those.

[Just talking to himself, since no one on the Enterprise is going to indulge him.]

[initia_nova]

[Scott was coming after the dog, the pup gets easily distracted, and hears Jim speaking up. He gives the man an apologetic look.]

Sorry if Horatio caused you any trouble. We were just playing.

[Now that Scott's close enough to get a better look at the other man, he notices the uniform and his eyes go wide behind his visor.]

Oh god...Captain Kirk?

[Video]

[borntolove]

Drinks sound absolutely brilliant Captain Kirk.

Hallo. I'm The Doctor.

[Video]

[mouth_breather]

Glad to know we think alike. Come on down, Doc.

[He jerks his head slightly in invitation. Get over here.]

Do you specialize in any particular practice?

[Video]

[youfool]

["Come say hi"? Doesn't mind if he does!]

Hello, Captain Kirk! Goodness, what fine alliteration. I'd like nothing better than to be regaled by space stories, if you've time. I've a few of my own tame tales if you'd like some turnabout. Doubtless if I rack my brain a little I can tell you of whatever past life you've forgot.

[So long as it's on the network, anyway.]

[Video]

[mouth_breather]

[This guy might be an alien. The corner of his mouth quirks at the sudden wash of joviality coming straight at him. He wanted conversation, he's got it.]

Glad you approve. What's your name, friend?

[He rests his forearm on the bar, hefting his empty glass with a light shake of his fingers to signal for a refill.]

I reckon I could dig up a few stories you'd enjoy. What about you, what kind of adventures have you got stored up?