“Jim! Can you not even take a simple training cruise without stirring up trouble?” Admiral Pike heaved a sigh of half amusement, half annoyance.
Jim had contacted him on the most secure video link he could, so obviously it was important. But what could happen on a simple training mission?
“I’m sorry, Sir. A new wormhole opened up and brought us an unexpected guest.”
“Can’t you send them back?” He asked. “We’ve had enough problems with visitors from other universes.”
“I don’t think we’ll have problems with this particular person,” Kirk said, with a very wry smile. “But no, we can’t send him back because the wormhole self-destructed. We barely beamed him on board in time and got the heck out of there. Heading back to space dock.”
“Then why all the security?” Chris asked.
“Because our visitor is another Christopher Pike, Sir. I thought you should know.”
“Oh.” Talk about a curveball. Chris had no idea what to think about this. He knew he shouldn’t be too shocked about there being another version of him, After all he’d met Spock The Elder. It was still very weird, though. Meeting yourself from another universe? Could he do it? Was he allowed to do it? Would it disrupt the timeline?
“I’ve stunned you into silence for once,” Jim gloated. “Never thought that would happen.”
Chris mildly scowled at him.
“Yeah, well, show me the proof, kid.”
“Alright. Come on over, Captain.” Jim nodded and another gold shirted figure appeared beside him.
“Admiral Christopher Pike, meet your other self, the Captain version.” Jim was grinning like a maniac.
The other Chris smiled back sheepishly. The Admiral felt suddenly quite old and rickety in comparison to this younger version. He’d never been quite that muscular even in his own prime.
“Damn. You found the advanced model,” he commented. “Wanna trade places?” He playfully asked his other self.
“No, thanks,” the other Chris replied good naturedly. “I’m not ready to get kicked upstairs. What did they threaten you with to make you accept the promotion?”
“Threat is the operative word.” the Admiral agreed with a snort of derision. “But at the time, it wasn’t certain if I would walk again, so I finally agreed. Big mistake. Now I’m stuck with paperwork and bureaucracy—and smoothing over the messes Jim causes. Tell me, Captain, do you also have a Kirk as a genius thorn in your side?”
He looked pointedly at Jim, who shrugged innocently, giving his best “Who, me?” face.
“Yes, I do, but it’s actually more caused by Sam Kirk than Jim in my experience,” Captain Pike responded. “The science types can cause a surprising amount of chaos.”
“Damn right they do,” the Admiral agreed heartily. “I should thank my stars Sam didn’t join the Fleet in our timeline. Dealing with one Kirk is more than enough for me.”
“Hey!” Jim protested. “I’ve grown out of that, haven’t I?”
“You’re still a master at pushing the admiralty’s buttons, Jim,” Chris reminded him.
“Who do you think I learned it from?” Jim retorted, giving his superior a pointed look.
“I take it you two are close?” Asked Captain Pike, observing their lively interaction with great amusement.
“Yeah. He was the reason I joined Starfleet in the first place,” Jim admitted. “He’s put up with me for years. But we digress. What should we do, Admiral?”
“Keep it quiet for now,” the Admiral said firmly. “I may tell Richard because he was there when the other Spock showed up, but other than that, limit it to your senior staff.”
“Will do,” Jim nodded. “I’ve got Spock, Scotty, and Carol working on a solution. If they can’t figure it out, well, no one can.”
“I’ll trust their genius,” Admiral Pike said. “And Jim, let me know when you’re back in space dock. I want to pay myself a visit.”
Jim laughed out loud and both Pikes smiled.
“Oh, this is going to be great!” Jim said, rubbing his hands together gleefully.
“You’re gonna be a pain in the ass about this, aren’t you?” The admiral sighed.
“Of course,” Jim grinned, and his mentor rolled his eyes and ended the connection.
“Don’t mind him, He’s always testy when his wife’s been out in the black awhile.” Jim remarked.
