Welcome to Star Trek Simulation Forum

Register now to gain access to all of our features. Once registered and logged in, you will be able to contribute to this site by submitting your own content or replying to existing content. You'll be able to customize your profile, receive reputation points as a reward for submitting content, while also communicating with other members via your own private inbox, plus much more! This message will be removed once you have signed in.

Sign in to follow this  
Followers 0
Crash Calestorm

Kirks Head on a Pike

The following Pre-Log is set just after the medal and promotion ceremony seen in Star Trek XI, at Starfleet Command at San Francisco, Earth. I don’t own the characters of Captain Kirk and Admiral Pike, I just play in their universe. Copyright CBS Pictures.

 

As the medal and passing of command commencement ceremony had come to an end, Captain Ashton Calestorm and Rear Admiral Shauna Coyote had retired to the upper balcony area that wrapped around and overlooked the auditorium room below, leaning on the protective barrier and watching as the last of the attendees, cadets, officers, and participants filed out of the room and off to their various assignments or duties. The medal award ceremony to newly minted Captain Kirk and the passing of the USS Enterprise command from now Admiral Pike to Kirk had gone relatively well. The surviving cadets and officers of the Starfleet, as well as the Larentia sector Fleet would now turn to the process of re-assignment and implementation of new assignments. Life moved on after the devastating events that had flash fired across the sectors.

 

A lone and elderly male Vulcan stood on the opposite side of the balcony floor, silently watching the last of the ceremony attendants exit the below area as well. Calestorm assumed the man had been off Vulcan at the time of the planet’s destruction, which would account for most of the survivors at this point -- they had either been off planet, on assignment with the Fleet, or traveling across the sector territories. Not that she had been particularly studying him, but he seemed a bit distant in his mannerisms, as if he were part of the proceedings, but not really. Apparently sensing her scrutiny, he locked gazes with her across the room. Ashton merely nodded in a friendly greeting, and the Vulcan returned the nod solemnly. After a few more moments by himself, the man quietly departed through one of the side access ways that lead away from the upper balcony area.

 

It had been a couple weeks since the incident with Nero, and for the most part, matters had settled to the point where the day to day operations of the Starfleet and Federation were moving forward. The re-establishment of a new Vulcan world was of course the foremost on any sane person’s mind, from the political sector through civilian populations and on up into the Federation council and the Starfleet command admirals.

 

A good chunk of the Federation Starfleet forces had been decimated by the renegade Nero during the battle for Vulcan. Ashton had access to some of the confidential information, but not all. From what she had been able to ascertain with her captaincy level security clearances, Nero had been a Romulan ex-patriot from the future whose intentions had been to reap havoc within the past. There were plenty of rumors and hearsay regarding the “whys” behind his actions, but the fact remained that many lives had been lost due to one man’s bloodthirsty actions.

 

Calestorm had been in command of the USS Vespine when most of the incidents with Nero had exploded within a short period of time. The Vespine had been station keeping with most the remaining Fleet stationed at the Larentia sector, and this secondary task force had not been able to mobilize in time to assist the ships that had been deployed from the Earth space dock in response to the attack on Vulcan.

 

Regardless, the Romulan warlords warped goals had been achieved: several dozen Starfleet ships and their crews had been taken out, the planet of Vulcan obviously and tragically no longer existed, and the Vulcan people were now forced to scramble and re-establish a new colony world in an attempt to rebuild the race.

 

Starfleet itself had rebooted for lack of a better term, and the lead Admiralty was in the process of pulling the most senior academy cadets to deploy onto the surviving ships. The First Threat Response border protection program had been accelerated from a defensive testing standpoint to a full offensive readiness alert and launch; the first line ship for the program, the USS Comanche Creek-- Cale’s brand new ship -- was due for launch in just under a month. The FTR program and the program support ships were all under the purview and guidance of Rear Admiral Shauna Coyote.

 

Ashton admitted, she felt proud that Shauna’s program would move forward boldly now, although she did wish the circumstances were different and the catalyst had not been the carnage visited upon the Fleet as well as Vulcan. At this moment however, the two women were not discussion the semantics of the FTR program: they were discussing Captain James Tiberius Kirk, newly minted captain of the Federation flagship, the USS Enterprise.

 

To put it diplomatically and succinctly, Calestorm was not thrilled overall with the Starfleet’s new Golden Boy.

 

“Shauna, he was academically grounded for illegally mucking around with the Kobayashi Maru training module initially. Then, he compounds that little issue by sneaking on board the Enterprise thanks to the interference of one of the medical staff -- a fellow Southerner of all things but that’s a whole ‘nother rant of mine,” Coyote merely snorted at that, “and then bullied his way to take field command of the Enterprise by taking on the ships rightful commander in some dumb ass counter move to grab the captaincy. I’ve read the updates and reports that’ve been cleared for release to the general Fleet population, it’s all right there, and he gets a medal pinned to his chest and formal command of the Enterprise?”

 

“Look, Cale, until the classified details are cleared for release among the command track officers, I can’t go into extreme detail. However, I can tell you that Kirk rescued Chris from Nero’s command ship. That’s worth something.”

 

Ashton winged an unconvinced and irate eyebrow at her former starfighter pilot comrade in response to that one. “Mm. One good act doesn’t make up for the reprehensible ones Skipper. You know if we pulled half the crap back in the day that Kirk did, hellfire, we’d be tied to a gun carriage and left out in the rain.”

 

“Chris Pike recruited Kirk, and then field commissioned him as the ships First Officer under Commander Spock, and you know Pike; he wouldn’t have made the effort unless he spotted some potential there. The man has a natural talent as a Fleet recruiter. “

 

“And Chris could’ve just as easily recruited him because Kirk is George Kirks son. You know Chris and I both served with Kirk Senior during our Kelvin days. Senior was a damn good XO.”

 

“Oh, I don’t doubt that. But I’d also wager that Jim Kirk is his own man, and that’s what Chris spotted in young Kirk. Besides, with Kirk taking on the Fleets lead flagship and you taking on a lead line ship for the FTR, I still have to informally introduce you to him and then maybe we can all live happily ever after.”

 

“Sure...doesn’t mean I have to like Mister Kirk though. Is Chris on his way? It’ll be nice to see him away from the pomp and circumstance, even if it’s just for a few minutes. It’ll be real good to see him out and about…nasty business he got into with that nutcase Nero.”

 

“Aye; I grabbed him just after the ceremony and told him to stop up here to meet us. Chris looks pretty good as well, seems to be recovering quickly.”

 

The two women continued talking in low and hushed tones for the next few minutes, mainly discussing non confidential Fleet business regarding the FTR program and waiting for the other two arrivals. Soon, Admiral Christopher Pike emerged from a turbo lift elevator set off to one side of the open balcony level and began to roll over to the area that Calestorm and Coyote had claimed for the informal meet and greet.

 

Admiral Christopher Pike was currently confined to a wheelchair due to the injuries he sustained while held captive on Nero’s ship; whether or not he would fully recover the full use of his legs remained to be seen. He was a good looking man, light skin, rugged features, dark sandy hair with the temples starting to gray, and square jaw. He had an athletic body without being overly muscular. His overall health and fit makeup was probably what enabled him to survive the POW torture stint on the Narada at the hands of the Romulan.

 

Calestorm spoke in an even lower tone to Coyote, so there was no chance that Pike would pick up on it. “If Chris hadn’t been injured by Nero, he’d have still been in command of the Enterprise – you know that Shauna. Pike deserved that ship, not Kirk.”

 

The rear admiral reached over to place a gentle, though restraining hand, on Ash’s upper arm, and the message was clear through the physical contact: cease and desist for now. She turned and favored Pike with a small smile as he came closer.

 

Ashton’s attention now shot towards the general direction of Pike as he rolled up to the two women in his silver color toned wheelchair. The newly promoted admiralty officer stopped, mid roll, and regarded his former command track contemporary Ashton.

 

“Whoa. Okay I haven’t seen that look since that one shore leave when we both landed -- yes yes, I know I threw the first punch -- in the local jail.”

 

Obviously Cale’s displeasure with the Jim Kirk situation was clearly written all over her face, but that was unfair as Chris Pike certainly didn’t deserve to be the target of her ire. Yes, he was no longer in command of the Enterprise and had initially recruited Wonder Boy, but the fact remained that Pike would make a damn fine Admiral. He deserved the promotion and couldn’t be faulted for doing his job as a Fleet recruiter with the particular focus client of the conversation.

 

Coyote smirked and walked the short distance over to where Chris stopped to shake his hand. “She’s just complaining about the new commander of the Enterprise.”

 

Ashton chuckled, shaking off the darkest vestiges of her mood, and walked over and shook Pikes hand as well. “Didn’t mean to nail you with the command staff look on stun, my tempers just getting the better of me today. Congratulations on the promotion Chris. You deserve it, had it coming for about five years now.”

 

Pike’s deep and easy voice rumbled. “And my congratulations on the Comanche command. Are you doing alright with the personnel recruiting? I have some more candidates to throw your way, if you’re interested?”

 

“Aye, I was gonna ask you if there were any likely candidates among the senior cadet survivors? I’m fine with the XO question -- got a prime candidate all lined up to take the spot. The process to place all the department heads is goin’ pretty good as well.”

 

Soon, the general talk of recruiting waned when the two Admirals and senior Captain made a collective note that Captain James Kirk had arrived on the upper balcony level as well, from the opposite side, and slowly made his way over to where the three line officers stood talking amongst themselves. He stopped just outside their personal perimeter, giving them space and waiting to be given the “go ahead” to continue forward. The new Captain of the Enterprise was young, yes, not yet out of his twenties. But he had hawk like eyes that took in everything around him, and the way he walked and carried himself spoke of an inner confidence. The young captain was in his prime: dark blond hair, blue eyes, wide shoulders and was the perfect poster boy for the Starfleet. If he had what it took to continue in a leadership position as well as he seemed to, he’d have success as a ships commander. Time would tell.

 

Ashton continued to mentally size him up, and then spoke out the side of her mouth in a whisper to her two long time comrades. “…speak of the devil.”

 

His back to where Kirk stood waiting and his actions therefore concealed, Pike wagged a finger at Calestorm. “Behave.”

 

She gave Chris a brilliant smile, showing all her teeth in a predatory smile just shy of insane. “Don’t I always?” Her Earth Southern accent deepened a bit, putting a vocal emphasis on the I and always.

 

Shauna waved Kirk on over, and then as the lead Admiralty line officer for the purposes of the off the record meeting, began to make the introductions among the senior command officers.

 

“Captain Kirk, allow me to introduce Captain Ashton Calestorm. She’s due to take command of the USS Comanche Creek.”

 

Just as Calestorm had sized up Kirk without thinking, Jim as well mentally took some notes on her. Good looking, but well into her early middle age years. Light blond, shot through with some silver. She was tall for a female, athletic and lean, probably a tomboy in her younger years. She came up through the ranks, worked for her positions, and was used to giving orders and having them followed, if he was any judge of her stance and carriage.

 

Kirks eyebrows shot to his hairline. “Lead ship for the FTR program launch? My congratulations Captain.” He offered his hand for the customary hand shake to go along with the statement of congratulations.

 

Ashton made no move to reciprocate the gesture. “Thank you Captain Kirk. I’m just hoping that my First Officer doesn’t jump me for my command after we launch out and get out in the middle of nowhere.”

 

You could have heard a pin drop in the resulting silence. Admiral Pike merely pinched the bridge of his nose between his thumb and forefinger in a silent response to Cale’s rather cutting statement to Kirk.

 

Jim quirked an eyebrow in amusement, but didn’t dare crack a smile what with the tension that had settled on the group and the conversation. “Do you have a … problem with me, Captain Calestorm?” He deflected his hand, and pointed slightly at his chest with a thumb at the ‘me’ part of the sentence.

 

Ashton lifted her chin slightly, not an aggressive gesture, but definitely one of defiance. “Yep. I think your command methods leave a lot to be desired, you should never had jumped up the command track as quickly as you did, your instincts and deflecting that crazy son of a b*tch Romulan aside.”

 

Coyote was less demonstrative then Pike’s reaction, and chose to vocally intervene in the conversation, her friendship and past service with Ash not withstanding. “Captain Calestorm.” Her tone brooked no nonsense.

 

Kirk put a preemptory finger up in the air, respectfully, to head off whatever else Coyote was about to say. “Admiral Coyote, with my respect, it’s fine. The Captain is entitled to her opinion, and I can respect that. Let’s just say I did what I thought was necessary … and leave it at that.” Matching Cale’s slight defiant gesture, both of Kirk’s hands dropped to rest on his waist, showing that Kirk was comfortable taking part in a war of the words and could hold his own if needed.

 

Well now. His honesty and good grace was a surprise. I may not care for him, but one good turn deserves another. She cocked her head to one side as she continued to regard the younger male captain. “Honestly Kirk, I may not agree with the methods that got you where you’re standing today, but I wish you and your crew luck and Godspeed. And treat your Lady Enterprise with respect, Captain.”

 

Captain Calestorm still held a displeased edge about her attractive and weather worn features, but her tone was now a positive offering of honesty rather then being full on blunt honest, and the younger Captain Kirk picked up on it.

 

Now, it was Ashton who offered a hand for a shake, and Kirk returned the gesture with no further posturing from either captain. “Thank you Captain Calestorm. I intend to do just that.”

 

Admiral Coyote cleared her throat, and her tone emerged with a brisk sarcasm interlaced with a business of the day tone, indicating that the conversation was moving forward. “Well, while I’d rather not interrupt this spitting in the wind contest between two of my line Captains, we do have some business to contend with.”

 

The raven haired woman of Earth Comanche bloodline then turned her attention to the dark blond haired Kirk. “Mister Kirk with me please. I have an update briefing to go over with you on what the Enterprise’s next mission will be. If you’ll both excuse us, Admiral Pike, Captain Calestorm, and thank you for coming.”

 

Watching and waiting until both Captain Kirk and Rear Admiral Coyote were out of earshot and had exited the upper balcony area, Pike turned his attention to his former lover and romantic interest, his eyes dancing with equal parts glee and exasperation; it may have been Pike who had threw the first punch and started that shore leave brawl those twenty odd years ago, but it had been Calestorm who initiated the start of the whole mess by leading with her heart, temper, and mouth. It was a good quality to have, that passion of hers, but on days like today -- and back then -- when she got her temper up and made her opinion known, it could cause some issues.

 

“You always did know how to make friends, Crash Calestorm.”

Share this post


Link to post
Share on other sites

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account in our community. It's easy!


Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.


Sign In Now
Sign in to follow this  
Followers 0