Toys of Forever
© 2008 CBS, Inc.
By G.N. Jacobs
"I hate this place," Kirk said.
Captain James Tiberius Kirk put on a face remarkably similar to a face worn by Spock as a child when the mean children dared him to eat a steak because that's what humans do. Spock had gotten even when he'd hacked the ringleader's homework. But, the face hadn't been good to see then, nor was it welcome now.
"Captain, it is highly illogical to blame the Guardian for past events," Commander Spock said. "Of course, I have never lost a woman like Edith Keeler nor been tortured by evil time traveling pirates, so perhaps from an emotional point of view your apprehension is completely justified."
Kirk shut off the view on the briefing room table. He shrugged and straightened his gold tunic as he stood. The cold visage of duty returned to the Captain's face.
"Well, I don't always get what I want," Kirk said. "So once more into the time travel breach, dear friends."
Kirk and Spock left the room.
John Henry Lucas still wore his At Sea khakis as he packed out the room that overlooked the statue of Admiral Halsey. Eighteen months ago, he'd lived in the room across the hall and three doors down. He had been lucky with his view; he got to see the water.
John found boxes for the toy phasers, communicators and tricorders. He felt nothing until he came across a photo of the room's occupant and him as kids. They wore Star Trek gear even then; it is good when brothers share passions. He listened to the raucous cheers of those graduating today and felt weird.
He could thank traffic, a missed connection out of Germany and a classified date with a sniper rifle in reverse order for missing his brother's big day. James Tiberius Lucas would understand about duty having followed his big brother to Annapolis, but...
"This is new," James said from the open doorway. "We don't have to be packed out until tomorrow."
John had almost jumped out of his skin, a reaction that SEALs work to control. Well, he was still new at it.
"I couldn't think of anything else to do to make up for missing your commencement and commissioning by fifty minutes," John said.
The brothers hugged and then went to work on the room. They had both been the Star Trek experts all through their youth and subsequent schooling. High marks in everything, the ability to throw a hard punch and some real leadership skills, according to their fit reps, had kept the teasing of others to manageable levels.
John picked up a hunk of metal that his brother used as a paperweight. It was a misshapen ring that might have stood in for the Guardian of Forever. It didn't match any known Star Trek swag then currently for sale. He held it up for James to see.
"Oh, that I picked up on a cadet cruise out of San Diego, last year," James said. "Just had to have my own Guardian of Forever."
"I hope it came cheap," John said.
They went about packing out the room. James tossed the ring into a box. Neither noticed that it began to glow.
"I AM THE GUARDIAN OF FOREVER," said the full-size ring as it flashed. "I AM ALL POSSIBILITIES."
"Now, why are we here again, Spock?" Kirk whispered.
"Captain, a focused beam of Space-Time ripples led us here," Spock said. "Apparently, we have been summoned for an audience."
"Guardian, I command the vessel that you touched," Kirk said. "Please state your purpose."
The ring sent out a probe beam that dazzled across the visual spectrum. The light played over Kirk and then winked out.
