trans_9 | A Friendly Game of Chess [Closed]

Spock had not completely considered the ways in which this Kirk's Enterprise may have differed from the one he knew. The facsimile provided by the Sensoriums was, however, essentially the same, except in minor details of design.

The chess set, however, looked exactly like the set he and Kirk had used in their own timeline. It was strangely reassuring. "Captain," he said by way of greeting as he seated himself opposite the older man.

"It is fortunate that you have found time for relaxation, given the current state of affairs on the ship."

There was still something slightly off that Kirk couldn't quite put his finger on - aside from Spock looking younger, anyway. Still, he knew him and he still seemed to be the same, logical Vulcan. He grinned in reply. "Well, a captain can't work all the time or else he'll go mad. White or black? And how have you been settling in?"

"Black," Spock replied immediately. White, of course, had the first move, and it would give him an opportunity to assess Kirk's strategy. "I have volunteered my services to the engineering and science departments and received favorable response so far. The crew members I have met seem highly competent if less than disciplined, which is only to be expected given the diversity."

Kirk chuckled and nodded, settling on his elbows as he examined the board. After a moment he moved a pawn forward - a fairly standard but versatile opening move. "Glad to hear it. I can't begin to tell you what a relief it is to have someone from back home here. The crew... diverse as they are... tend to have problems from time to time. Still, you know me. No such thing as a no-win situation."

Spock's consideration was brief before he made his own move, utterly logical as always. He did, however, pause slightly at Kirk's words. "That is technically correct. However, there is a... situation of which you should be made aware." Spock rarely found himself at a loss for words, but he found himself unusually reluctant to just tell him everything. For one thing, he had no idea how Kirk would react.

Kirk studied the board for a few moments and then moved another piece in response. This would be an interesting match. He glanced up, brow furrowing. He leaned back in his chair, one hand rubbing at his chin. "Oh? What seems to be the trouble?"

An interesting match, indeed. Spock studied the other man's face a moment before returning his attention to the board. "I am Commander Spock, First Officer and Chief Science Officer of the U.S.S. Enterprise, serving under Captain James Kirk," he began, then paused to make his move.

"However, I am not the same Spock you know. I am from an alternate version of your universe."

For a moment Kirk forgot about the game. He simply stared at Spock from across the table, mind racing. He couldn't possibly be the Spock from the Mirror Universe - that one had been the same age as his own and had sported a sinister-looking goatee. He frowned. "What do you mean, Spock? An alternate version of my own universe? I suppose it's not out of the question - I've visited one myself - but how do you know?"

Spock had to pause a moment to consider the most concise way of explaining while still providing all the necessary facts.

"Approximately one hundred years in your future, my counterpart - the Spock you knew - was called upon to aid the planet Romulus. A star in their sector was dying, and had become a supernova, threatening the planet. He intended to use a substance known as red matter to create an artificial black hole, which would neutralize the supernova. Unfortunately, he arrived too late to save Romulus, but it was necessary to continue with the plan so that other planets would not be endangered.

"The black hole created by the red matter opened a rift in the space-time continuum, and when a Romulan ship gave chase, they were both pulled into it, and traveled to an earlier point in the timeline. The Romulan ship, captained by a person who called himself Nero, was sent back to stardate 2233. The timeline effectively split from that point."

Kirk certainly didn't remember anything like that happening. He relaxed slightly, rubbing his chin. "...my God. That... well, that certainly could be plausible. From what I've encountered here, I can't deny that multiple universes aren't out of the question. So... we still know each other in this alternate universe? We still hold the same positions aboard the Enterprise?"

"That is correct. The circumstances of our meeting and attaining those positions were somewhat altered, but I'm given to understand that in essentials the crew makeup remained the same. Specific events necessarily differ." On the whole, Spock thought, it might be more logical to save some of the specifics for a later date.

Kirk turned the possibilities over and over in his mind. It was all plausible. It was possible, with what he knew of his own universe's workings He'd never known Spock to lie or joke about such things and the Vulcan seemed utterly serious. He slowly nodded and after a moment, leaned forward to shift one piece on the board.

"...to borrow a word, I think I'm going to have to go with 'fascinating'."

He glanced up at Spock. "Regardless, you're still Spock. You still seem to be my friend. I could use your help here. I'm not going to lie. Things are probably going to get difficult. I think we can manage, however."

"I am always your friend," Spock said calmly. Whatever else was different, despite their rocky start in his universe, Spock was firm in the conviction that they were somehow meant to be friends, compatriots. He knew his counterpart had agreed.

He made a move on the board, carefully taking into account Kirk's opening gambit. "I am at your disposal. We have duties to perform, despite the difficulties inherent in the situation. Starfleet and the Federation may no longer exist, but upholding the ideals for which they stood remains a priority."

Kirk studied the board as he replied. Logical and thinking two steps ahead, as always. At least that never changed. He smiled to himself as he reached out to move another piece. "I'm glad we're in agreement. The ideals of Starfleet, of the Federation, shouldn't be allowed to die an inglorious death. I've supported those ideals all my life and I'm not about to stop supporting them because it doesn't meet with the approval of some of the more... cynical members of our crew."

"Indeed, allowing free expression of ideas and opinions while maintaining order among a crew so diverse in their origins and, presumably, their belief systems poses a unique problem." He made his move almost without the appearance of forethought.

"You possess some talent in that area."

"A very unique problem," Kirk nodded as he considered the board for a moment. Logic. Obviously what Kirk needed to do was be illogical. Of course, he and Spock had been friends so long that being illogical had become something Spock practically expected. At least in his own universe. Kirk reached forward and went on the attack, moving one of his knights forward aggressively to threaten Spock's line of defense. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.

"I try, Spock. I try."

He paused and then continued, "If I'm elected Captain again, I'd like you to be my first officer again. I could use you Spock. I need some I can depend on. I need someone reliable. And quite frankly I can't think of another man I'd rather have standing beside me."

Spock moved another piece, setting up a classic flank attack. One of the reasons why Spock found chess with Kirk so enjoyable (though he'd never admit it to the other man) was, in fact, his sometimes-illogical moves. It made things more difficult to predict, challenging him in new ways.

"I would be honored to do so," he said steadily. "Although, given my recent arrival, and your apparently precarious position, I would not wish you to incur the ire of the crew by appearing to them to show favoritism."

"The fact of the matter is I don't really have a first officer at the moment - no one to really fill that spot, if you understand." He considered the board carefully as he spoke. He had to be careful not to fall into one of Spock's traps. He was notorious for planning two or more moves in advance and more then once Kirk had walked right into a beautifully executed fork.

"I think they'd take it well - you know what you're doing, after all." He finally moved another piece. Let's see how Spock reacted to that.

One eyebrow went up slightly at Kirk's move. Surprising. And forcing him to execute one of his contingency plans.

"Despite a few rather hot heads, most of those I have met so far seem to find you trustworthy," Spock acceded. "There is a chance that the few who voice their opinions most loudly and abrasively will sway others to their side, but it seems that your overall popularity transcends dimensions."

His lips may have twitched faintly.

Kirk leaned back in his chair with a grin. There's that dry wit he remembered. This was Spock and a sense of relief flooded through him. "Apparently so. I suppose I can't really help it all that much."

The young monk that ducks into the room after Spock is gone looks in much better shape than when Kirk last saw him. His hair is gone and his head is now shaved. His plantsuit is only pants for him, including the shoes, and otherwise, he's wearing just a simple saffron robe and a red sash around his waist.

He also looks much more well-rested and isn't leaning quite so heavily on that metal staff of his.

"Captain, I don't mean to disturb you, but I wanted to know if you had time for our discussion," says Aang, bowing politely to greet him and in apology for his intrusion.

Kirk looks up from the now-finished game. His conversation with Spock had given him quite a bit to mull over. However, a smile crosses his features and he stands, gesturing to Aang. "Aang! Of course! Please come in."

Aang walks in and leaves his staff leaning against a chair and takes a seat across from Kirk, folding up his legs in a lotus position.

"What's this game called?" he asks curiously, looking at the chess board. "We have a game called Pai Sho, but the board is a circle, and the pieces all have different symbols that tell you what way they can move on the board."

Kirk settles back into his chair, folding his hands in front of him. "It's three-dimensional chess. A descendant of the original chess. It's probably similar to this Pai Sho - however, it's the shape of the piece that tells you how they can move. If you like, I could teach you to play some time."

Kirk could use another opponent besides Spock, after all. Even if Spock is damn good.

"I would like that!" bubbles Aang. "I love new games!"

Incredible how his eyes can still light up like that after all the business with the Nightmare King--and then being shot--but they do.

He takes one of the horsey pieces in his hand, wondering why they left out the bird part and the tail.

"That's one of the good things about this ship--my people were nomads. We used to travel all around the world learning new things, so to have this many people from different places on board, and all the different books and the plays on the screens, and the music is almost like traveling, still. I already got to listen to the music and other things before all of you even woke up."

Deep breaths.

"And that's the first thing I guess I should talk about. I've met the Daligig. The original crew."

Kirk laughs. He's actually delighted to see Aang in such good spirits. The idea he expresses - one of joy, of discovery, of exploring the unknown, meeting new people, seeing new places - it's one Kirk holds dear. He nods. "That's certainly true. It's one of the things I have to say I enjoy as well. My mission back in my own universe was one of exploration - of learning and discovery. I'd be pleased to share some stories with you later."

He leans back, expression turning serious. "I'd be lying if I said I wasn't hoping that was case. Can you tell me - is what they've told us true?"

Aang frowns.

"The Daligig are...complicated," he says. "When I woke up on the ship, it was in Special Weapons Division and something horrible had happened with another person in there. Her powers were similar to the Nightmare King's and they said it was so bad that they'd had to wipe my memories because they were so painful. They had to go even farther back than my time on the ship. Supposedly I'm from around when Sokka and Katara are, after the end of the war on our world, but I don't remember all of it--only bits in pieces. I went from being twelve to fourteen in what felt like a minute."

Grey eyes fix on the captain's. "Later on, when I was more stable, they showed me the destruction of my world, but if they can erase memories, that means that they can possibly create ones that aren't real."

He pauses.

"It felt real, though. Seeing it. There's something in me that feels that something is wrong with the world of the Four Nations, that something has changed. I trust that instinct, because, well," he says, rubbing his head. "I kind of am my world."

Kirk raises a brow. He's used to quite a lot of things and he's run into beings of incredible power before. However, very rarely has one ever claimed to be a world. He slowly nods, although he looks curious. "That sounds plausible - the same thought had occurred to me. If they can take and give memories, they can create them as well. Still... I'd like you to explain what you mean by 'being' your world. I've encountered energy beings before, but you're clearly not one of them."

Curious.

Ah, but that's just because all the energy is crammed into a human body, Kirk.

"I'm the spirit of my world. A thousand lifetimes ago, the spirit of our world--that's me--saw that the Four Nations were divided, and decided to take human form on Earth to bring balance back to the world. Every time the Avatar lives, I master all four of the elements, starting with the form of Bending of the Nation I was born into it, and every time I die, I get reborn into a different nation, in a never-ending cycle: Air, Water, Earth, and Fire. It was my job to maintain the balance of my world, between the Four Nations, between man and nature, and between the human world and the spirit world," Aang explains.

Aang fiddles with the horsey-piece.

"The reason the Avatar spirit took a human form in the first place was so that lifetime after lifetime, it would learn what it meant to be human, and understand the people it protected, and how precious life is, rather than looking down on them from a mountaintop."

Yes, Kirk, you are sort of talking to a deity of a sort. One that stops fiddling with the chess piece and looks back to Kirk.

"It was my job to protect my world. Being in a human form means I wouldn't have died with it--I would still be here if it was there or if it wasn't, but something feels...wrong. So I think there's some truth to what the Daligig have told us about what happened to our homes."

Rather pesky when that happens. They've been known to take human shape before.

Kirk blinks, taking all of the information in. Very interesting. He wouldn't credit it, but he's seen what Aang can do up close. He simply nods. It's much like finding Apollo - that was a rather interesting adventure in of itself. "Yes... I think I understand. So, we can at least be somewhat sure that something's happened to our worlds, if not exactly what."

He pauses and shakes his head. He can't imagine that amount of responsibility on this young man. Then again, dealing with the Nightmare King should've told him that Aang's no ordinary teenager. "Of course, that doesn't give us a picture of the truth. Is there anything else you can tell me about the original crew or the ship before we move on?"

"The Captain was crazy," is the first thing that pops out of his mouth. "Some of the Daligig were good people, some were...not very nice people, some were good people ordered to do bad things. I was kept in Special Weapons Division and after I was feeling a little better, they did 'tests.'"

This is the part he doesn't like talking about.

"They wanted to use me as a weapon against the Ohm, find ways to make me more powerful, to go into the Avatar State on command. They didn't care if what they did hurt me. ...But at the same time, some of them did. Some of the doctors and nurses refused to work on the 'project'--that's what they called what they did to me. The one doctor that did, Dr. Lignok, he stayed on the project, but...I think it was so someone worse didn't take over."

Aang squirms a little in his seat. This is clearly an uncomfortable subject, and for good reason.

"He was the one that eventually took me to the Captain, and had him talk to me. After that, it was like he finally realized I was a person, and they stopped the 'tests' and treated me like a member of the crew. I went on missions with them against the Ohm."

He adds, "The thing is, I found out later that a LOT of the crew lost their families when one of the bases where they hid them got destroyed--the captain was one of them. They said after that, that he was never the same."

Aang shakes his head.

"The Daligig are like any other people, Captain. Some of them are good people--and I'll miss them, some...aren't very nice, and others are good people that do bad things. I don't know if they have our best interests at heart like they say, but I do think that if they don't, it's not out of ill will--it's out of desperation, which can be almost as dangerous."

He knows that from the war with the Fire Nation--Jet, General Song...

When people are pushed, sometimes they go to extremes.

"Because the Ohm are every bit the threat the Daligig say they are. I've seen what they do to people in person. I've seen what they do to worlds. Even if how the old crew treated me at the beginning was wrong, I understand that desperation--I only hope that during all this, we don't ever feel that desperate ourselves."

Once again, Kirk listens. He processes the information, files it away. It will be useful later. The crew will need to hear this, of course. Probably from Aang. First-hand reports will go a long way towards impressing on them the seriousness of the situation. For a few moments he's silent and then he replies.

"...I'll be honest with you Aang - I don't think desperation is an excuse for violating your own personal ethics or morals. Nor do I believe 'following orders' is a good reason to experiment and test on someone. We established that on my planet several hundred years ago. I can understand it and I can understand why people would go to such extremes. That doesn't mean I think it's right."

He leans forward to look Aang in the eye. "I can tell you this: no matter how desperate things may get, no matter how desperate we might get, I will fight tooth and nail against going against the morals I believe in. If we sacrifice our own morality in order to win... I don't know what we become. We'll certainly be the poorer for it."

"This information, however, is both troubling and enlightening. It gives us something to work from. Perhaps something to unify the crew a bit more as well. I hope that you'll be willing to work with me or whomever may end up becoming captain to maintain crew coherency. You have more experience than anyone aboard dealing with both the Ohm and the Daligig. We're going to need you Aang. All of us. Now, I think you understand that. You're a very honest, trustworthy young man and I find that admirable. As I said, we owe you quite a bit."

Aang just shakes his head. He doesn't want to talk about what the Daligig did anymore, but he is reassured by what the Captain says.

"What I did was...it was what I'm supposed to do. It's what I am. It's what I wanted to do--I wanted to keep everyone safe. And even then, there are a lot of good people in the universe, Captain. There's a lot of them that would've done the same. No one really owes me anything."

Taking a deep breath, he moves on to the next thing he needs to discuss.

"What I want to do now is talk to the crew, tell them everything I know of the Daligig--and the Ohm, so they understand how bad our situation really is--how bad a situation the whole universe is in. And what I want to ask you to do is, when I arrange for a meeting of the crew, to trust me as your mediator. I've helped unify many different peoples from four different Nations lifetime after lifetime. This is a different situation, but I think I can help everyone overcome their differences. Everyone has to trust me though, and actually listen to each other--and that means you have to listen to the crew, too. I know it's really annoying when people don't get along and don't listen to you, and I'm not sure what exactly you said to Roxie, but it sounds like you lost your temper. You apologized for it, which is good, but we all have to listen to each other, that means if I do this, I'd be telling you to listen, too."

"As Avatar, I've never really chosen sides--I've always tried to do what was best for the world--even if sometimes I made mistakes, too. But sometimes that's meant making people obey and respect their leaders--their Chiefs, or Kings, or lords--and sometimes it's meant deposing those leaders because they didn't listen to the will of the people or were hurting people."

He smiles. "But I can tell you're a good person, and only want what's best for everyone and for the universe, so I don't think that will be a problem. If you're willing to trust me with mediating a crew meeting, I can have one soon."

Kirk rubs his chin again. Aang has a lot to say, but Kirk is used to both listening and speaking. Give and take. He shrugs slightly, lips pressing together into a tight line.

"I'm not quite used to this. On the Enterprise, I was the captain. No ifs, ands or buts. Here... well, you know it's just a bit different. In theory, I've been elected and in theory, I have authority, but more often then not I tend to get the cold shoulder from those members of the crew who think they know better. Sometimes they might or do. However, there are productive methods of doing it and methods that aren't. Directly challenging my authority without going through the proper channels isn't going to get us-"

He cuts himself off and raises a hand. "Forgive me. I could probably talk to you all day about the vagaries and difficulties of command."

A grin spreads on his face. "Wouldn't trade it for the universe, though. I belong on the bridge of a starship. You're quite right, of course. There needs to be give and take on both sides - however, from my perspective it's been mostly take on the side of the more independent-minded members of the crew. Independence is all very well and good, but in a situation like this, people need to listen. As for Roxie - I didn't lose my temper. I was simply trying to get her to understand that the chain of command is there and will act when necessary."

His smile turns rueful. "That doesn't make me any less incorrect - however, I do believe that restricting some magical or power activity would be necessary if it posed a genuine threat to the crew."

Kirk frowns. "...now I'm just getting off track. I'd be pleased to have you act as an intermediary, Aang. You're probably one of the most impartial members of the crew. You haven't been here for any of the unfortunate politics or the... near-civil war we almost had."

Oh, that was difficult. The jury's decision needed to be supported, however. A precedent needed to be set.

"I understand, Captain. Believe me, I do. In my world, I had an entire Nation that no longer respected my authority as the Avatar, and wanted to imprison me--or kill me--so I wasn't a threat for their final attempt to conquer the world. And...and I agree with you about sometimes restricting someone's power."

Sometimes. Apparently that's how things ended for the Firelord.

"But you have to understand, for many of us, our abilities are just as natural and a part of us as breathing. It would be like taking away someone's eyes or their arms or legs. It would be very cruel. If it's ever done, it would be wise for it to be like you said, where it was a genuine threat to the crew--and only if there was no way to just safely imprison them. A loss of freedom of one's self is enough punishment for most--a loss of a part of one's self like that should be considered just as extreme as taking away someone's limb as punishment, and the consequences of that need to be understood."

After hearing what he did to end the war, he didn't suffer any delusions that it was perfectly okay. It had been only a step down from killing the Firelord--only a step.

Well, Kirk can imagine a whole nation wanting to kill you. He has (well, had) the Klingons to deal with. Not that he ever had any authority over them in the first place. He nods at Aang.

"...I'm afraid I wasn't thinking of it quite like that. I don't have powers, so my perspective is different. However, now that you've brought that up, I can understand why many of them, why you would be hesitant. It's interesting to think on. As it is, we're still working on a constitution - a framework for a shipwide government. I think it will be ready soon. I'll have to check with Mister Petrelli."

"Having laws is definitely a good first step," says Aang with a nod. "What I think I'm going to do is tell everyone we're having a meeting, but it should be in a week or so--that will give you time to get the ideas for your laws together to show everyone to see what they think. And it will also give me time to meet the crew, so they can get to know me, and so I'm not a stranger to them. That way, hopefully, they'll trust me to mediate, too."

"Frankly, after what you've done for us it would take quite a bit for me not to trust you, Aang." Kirk grins. "That sounds about right for me. If Mister Petrelli isn't ready yet, he's going to have to be."

"Is there anything else you need from me, Captain? Because otherwise, I'd like to get out there and meet everyone."

Kirk shook his head, "Not at the moment, no. If anything comes up, I'll contact you by comm-ring or via the omnicomms. Anything I can do for you while you're here?"

"Just remember that you promised you'd teach me to play chess. When we both have more time, I definitely want to learn."

With that, he gets up, and bows again, politely, and then picks up his staff from where it rests on the chair.

"Thank you for taking the time to talk to me."

"Of course. Just let me know and I'll make some time on my schedule."

Kirk smiles and stands. He bows slightly and extends a hand to Aang.

"My pleasure."

"Oh. Uh."

Aang sticks his hand out, too.

...Although he doesn't shake Kirk's. Becaaauuuse, he doesn't know that it isn't just a sticking-hand-out gesture. Bowing's pretty big where he comes from, Kirk.

Kirk blinks for a moment and then laughs. He takes Aang's hand in his slowly and gives it a firm shake. "This is a traditional gesture of greeting or goodbye in my culture. Much like bowing in yours, I imagine."

"Oh!" he laughs. "Hey, that's neat!"

He learned a new thing today! Now he has to go try it out on people.

He still bows again a little anyway as he shakes his hand--it's sort of reflexive.

"I'll talk to you again soon, Captain."

"I look forward to it. Enjoy the rest of your day and try to get some more rest, if you can."

Kirk grins. Teaching isn't precisely part of his job description, but he's reminded of some of the cadets or fresh-faced ensigns who've come aboard the Enterprise and the sheer joy on their faces from learning.

A Friendly Game of Chess [Closed]

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