Chapter 1 - Dead SimpleEarth, 2265
The 2nd Vulcanian Expedition had been an utter failure. Commander James T. Kirk needed no one to tell him this. He wondered why he wasn't being held responsible for the loss of 11 capital ships. It didn't matter what StarFleet told him-those deaths were on his head.
What had happened there was indescribable. They had barely sifted through the remains of his father's ship, the Constitution, when the anomaly began. Gravimetric, Giga-G 'lightning', cracking through advanced force-fields like they were nothing. As part of the mission-attempting to determine the fate of the lost Vulcanian colony-it had been Kirk's call to place the ships for the search. 20 ships had pulled out-barely-as Kirk shouted orders from the deck of The Republic.He was the senior officer, excluding the unconscious and the dead.
"That was brilliant command thinking, Jim", was what Nogura had said. "You got as many as you could out--a lot of those greenies now shake when they hear your recorded voice."
Jim had a different opinion.
"Sir, I positioned those ships. My task, my fault. I must respectfully disagree with your assessment. Even for those ships I managed to pull out--what about Chris Pike?"
Nogura frowned. No one still knew what the hell had left Pike--like
that.4 MONTHS PRIOR
Captains were arrogant, that's what Pike knew. He liked it that way, and he ran with it. His companion agreed.
"Who else but you would have a damned shuttle re-fitted to this degree? Overpowered Impulse, ridiculously heavy shielding. Captain, are you expecting visitors from Q'Onos?"
"Don't presume too much familiarity, Number One! Not unless you wish to be disciplined."
The attractive woman who was both his First Officer and his wife smiled.
"You men! You're always promising discipline, but when the time comes..."
"Sensor shadow! Move us in."
Number One dropped the playful banter, and fielded the maneuvering controls.
"You think this is what we're looking for, Chris?"
"This is why I took ShuttleX out. A big, lumbering cruiser has blind spots. Physical sighting. Its...big"
"Captain, its Organic!"
"Its huge, organic, and can hide from long and medium-range sensors. Wonderful. Any ideas, better half?"
"Not unless you're of a mind to hear old legends."
"Right this second, I'm more concerned with not becoming a legend myself. Alright, its organic, we scan it as an organic. Three long appendages-- terminating in cranial cavities. One appendage is functional, but does not register as a living organism. One is cybernetic, the third---is charging some kind of weapon—pull out---we..."
Then, they saw. The right, golden head. The left, unliving head. The middle, armored and colder-looking than space itself. As the gravity-beam dispersed across the region, somehow Captain Pike got his shuttle out to the fleet, as the creature retreated, not yet wishing to be found. He heard his wife say a name.
"Ghidorah."
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"As you know, Jim, when we found Mrs. Pike, her hair had gone white. One of the toughest people bar none in Starfleet died gibbering and drooling, anxious to run away from---whatever it was. Of course, gravity storms are known to induce hideous illusions."
"Is Chris doing any better?"
"No. We set him up with a device that puts out a Yes-No response light, but he keeps using it in a 1-2-3 sequence, over and over. We fear he's lost entirely."
James Kirk lowered his head.
"If I had held the fleet closer, then Chris..."
Nogura cut him off.
"Then he would be the same, and we would have lost even more ships. Now, cut the self-pity, Mister! Its unbecoming of a man--in your
position.""What position is that, Admiral?"
The Admiral motioned his door open, and in walked his brother Sam, his pregnant Sister-In-Law Aurelan, his Mother Brianna, and 8-year old nephew, Peter, who jumped up into Jim's arms. Since the month Peter was born, Uncle and nephew had shared a special bond. This bond had only been strengthened, of late. For Jim, it was almost like watching David grow, despite Carol's rejection of him and the life he led.
"Witnesses for my firing squad, Admral Nogura?"
Sam looked at his brother, and rolled his eyes.
"You see, Mom? He even mouths off to superiors! No hope."
"Don't worry, Dr. Kirk. Its your brother's stubbornness that we're counting on, in many respects. You see, Jim, I invited your family here to see you receive something that is as much a Proper Title as a position. Your expertise in getting those ships out will serve you and StarFleet well. Commander James T. Kirk, I do hereby elevate you to replace Christopher Pike-as Captain Of The Enterprise."
Kirk's nephew smiled in his face, but he felt confused.
"After that debacle--you're giving me a Constitution-Class?"
Nogura, with Kirk's family seconding him, made it clear that this was the right choice for the right man. The Admiral pulled Brianna Kirk aside, later.
"Bri, he does deserve it, and we need him. But, that was also for George. I owed him my life, three times over."
"He never thought of it that way, Heichi. But Thank You. Now, if my grandson would just give me a hug after asking his uncle questions, my evening would be complete."
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Delta Vega, 2266
"Gary, you are not a God".
The transformed man smiled.
"That's where you're wrong, Jim. I am quite the God, and I'm growing stronger. I touched--something in that barrier---and it liked what it saw in me."
"A fellow God?"
"Actually, a higher-up. You'll meet him, soon enough."
Shaking at his former best friend's insanity, Captain Kirk conferred with Spock and Scott about what to do next.
"Plotting against me, Jim? Good. Three Heads are better than one, after all."
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Earth, the same moment
"Commander Cartwright, you stand accused of allowing the slaughter of a group of insectoid pilgrims by a group of Earth colonists of a xenophobic bent. How do you plead?"
"Guilty. Space is better, if its cleared of their kind."
"Good. Now take the oath."
"I do hereby pledge my soul to the purpose of bringing The Ancient Destroyer to our quadrant, that he may cleanse the galaxy for humanity's perpetual rule. All for the cause, all for the goal! Humanity Prevails! Ghidorah!"
A cry went through the Chamber in Admiralty Hall.
"GHIDORAH!"
Thus did the Terran Order Of The Ancient Destroyer recruit its most ambitious member to date. Cartwright would succeed, where others had failed. With this, Ghidorah's coming became all but inevitable.
Chapter 2 - Life In One Day
2255
It was a mixed moment for James T. Kirk. Bursting with pride, he held his three-week old nephew Peter in his arms. But he also held the hard copy of the hard news. This Christmas saw himself, his mother Brianna, his brother Sam, his sister-in-law Aurelan, and his friend Gary Marshall in mourning.
"Jim, Starfleet just confirmed. The Constitution has been declared lost. Until another Vulcanian Expedition can be mounted, we'll never know what happened to her."
Brianna Kirk muttered a curse underneath her breath. George Samuel Kirk, Sr. had finally done it. He had deprived her boys of a father. She couldn't even feel good about her 1st grandson.
The baby cried, as the space-born demon that would repeatedly destroy his life struck its first blow at his family. For in a sector of space so remote that the stars of the Delta Quadrant were actually visible, The Constitution, a ship of the line, had encountered King Ghidorah and now was no more.
"Shh. Peter, it'll be alright. Don't cry. Your Uncle Jim would never let anything happen-to his little Christmas present."
Gary looked over.
"Good work, Unc. But why doesn't he like me?"
"Like many a woman we know, Gary, the kid has good taste."
It was humor amidst the ruins, but life would go on-for at least another 31 years-then all bets were off.
2265
"As I assume Command over this ship, I serve notice that I expect the very best you have, and will give you in return nothing less than my own best. Death takes many forms, out here, and you just never know what to expect. I, James Tiberius Kirk, now willingly and joyfully assume Command over the USS Enterprise, for a period of no less than 5 years, and may God have mercy on you all--because I won't."
Kirk said that last part with a smile, but nothing could much assuage the crew's feelings of loss over Christopher Pike's crippling. Even more dreadful was the still-unknown question of what had done that to him. Death takes many forms, but one was certainly more terrible than all the others.
Where No Man Has Gone Before
"Mr. Spock, if I had listened to your advice, Kelso and Dr. Piper would still be alive-perhaps even Dr. Dehner. There might even have been some future hope for Gary, but who knows? What I do know, is, I need an Executive Officer who can talk me down. Gary and I were too much alike. Will you serve as my counterweight, and assume the position of First Officer, in addition to your duties at the Science Station?"
"Indeed I shall, Captain. I think you will find, in many respects, I am fundamentally the superior of Lt. Commander Marshall and virtually all other candidates."
"S'Funny. I'd heard of Vulcan humility before, but to actually SEE it, wellll..."
"Doctor McCoy, humility is chiefly an emotional affectation held by those who wish to explain their limitations. Since I posses neither emotions nor your limitations, I see no need for it."
And so the first shots were fired.
The Corbomite Maneuver
"You are impressed by my ship, Ambassador Bailey?"
"Well, of course, Balok. Who wouldn't be? But why so very large a ship?"
"Why, for so large a foe as we might face, of course."
"Who would be that big? And what would you do if they showed up?"
"Have some trillia, of course. About six or seven kegs worth."
What Are Little Girls Made Of?
"But the Old Ones were evil, weren't they, Ruk?"
"Yes, the Old Ones were evil. They were driven by fear-fear of the Oldest One of them all!"
Dagger Of The Mind
"Let my machine free you, Captain. All minds must be cleansed, for what is to come. If you only knew what lay at the bottom of life's pit....waiting...."
Miri
"The Grups wanted to live always. They were afraid of him."
"Who him, Miri?"
"HIM! Everyone know who him is. Right, Jahn?"
"Everyone cept' stupid Grups! The Three-Him! Don't Grups know anee-thing?"
The Conscience Of The King
"Humor me, Karidian. Just read these words."
"The 5000 who die today...Die In The Name Of The Order! I am but the Bailiff, though today I am Executioner! Await, await the Coming Of Three Judges!"
Court-Martial
"Come out, Ben. Its over. Or do you want me destroyed so badly that you want to put Jamie at risk, too?"
"You're wrong, Jim. I wanted revenge, but they wanted you dead! All those fine ladies and gentlemen, Admirals All! They serve something hideeeeaaaaaggghhh!!!"
Ben Finney died at the phaser of Space Command Representative Lindstrom.
"I'm sorry, Captain. But he was obviously insane."
While Kirk hurried to undo the damage to the Enterprise, Lindstrom called StarFleet Command.
"Admiral Komack? Finney's done. He almost betrayed us to Kirk, but I got him. Ghidorah!"
"Good, Lindstrom. As soon as you can, get Jamie Finney to Admiralty Hall on Earth. He---demands a sacrifice, and people are starting to take note of the missing infants. Humanity prevails. Komack out!"
"Humanity prevails!"
Lindstrom then grabbed hold of an exposed power source. In a nanosecond, he was dead.
The Menagarie
"Yes, Christopher. Three. We Talosians suffered much upon his first arrival. But we now hope to survive-if any can."
Still, Captain Pike's lights blinked in a One-Two-Three sequence.
The Squire Of Gothos
"Capitan...Hauptman...CAP!!! I'm hardly the worst thing in the
Universe...He's next."
Arena
"You are a promising race, Captain. You will need that promise, to face what comes."
Return Of The Archons
"The Body must be Cleansed. It must be made ready for the Ultimate
Evil which must now come. This is the will of Landru."
The Devil In The Dark
"Odd, Captain. The miners have apologized, and changed their ways. While the Mother Horta appreciates this, she has told me that the end of all Life is still approaching."
Errand Of Mercy
"It is true that one day The Federation and The Klingon Empire will together endure The Ultimate Tragedy."
The City On The Edge Of Forever
"Guardian, why are there gaps in your chronology?"
"Those gaps involve two beings that predate this or any other entity."
Catspaw
Sylvia laughed.
"I am many things, Captain. But I am not The Enemy."
Metamorphosis
"The man is protected. Safe here, against the coming of The Enemy."
Who Mourns For Adonais?
"Why, I made the rain that gave you life and the food that gave you strength. Think You Me The Enemy?"
Friday's Child
"This baby is possessed, and should die. It is of The Enemy."
Amok Time
"Thee faces within thy mind a powerful foe. Just as powerful, in its own way, as Gh'draeh, The Enemy Of Eld."
The Doomsday Machine
"Just what kind of Enemy was that Hell-Maw built to fight?"
Wolf In The Fold
"I have existed since the Beginning Of Time and will exist past its end! Yet still, even I serve at the whim of The Enemy!"
The Changeling
"Must...sterilize..Error...Error...Life must be cleared away...Life attracts the Enemy...Errror!!!"
The Apple
"We feed Vaal. In turn, Mighty Vaal keeps back The Enemy."
I, Mudd
"Your Kind is chaotic...and quite unprepared, Captain."
"Unprepared for what, Norman?"
"Again, you prove my point."
The Trouble With Tribbles
"Hell, I don't know, Jim. Maybe this reproduction rate is a hedge against some kind of evolutionary disaster, or a predatory Enemy."
The Gamesters Of Triskelion
"A billion credits that this human, Kirk, can defeat The Enemy."
"That, my fellow Gamester, is a fool's bet."
Assignment: Earth
"We're leaving Earth? Really? But, Gary I thought you told those
space-guys that our mission was to ensure Earth's....""Our mission, Miss Lincoln, is a failure."
Spock's Brain
"You are not Morg. You Are Not Imorg. Are You The Enemy?"
The Empath
"We can only save one species...when the Enemy Comes."
Requiem For Methusaleah
"This planet is remote, Captain. Galactic civilization has died before. Here, it has a chance to survive--against any Enemy."
The Savage Curtain
"Good...evil..Neither concept suits us. Both seem so...unprepared."
Turnabout Intruder
"No! Please! I tried to kill The Captain! But he was too strong! I....eeeeehhhhdh!!!"
"You pledged to kill and replace James T. Kirk, Doctor Lester. You also pledged your heart to Ghidorah. You failed the one pledge. What I hold in my hand ensures that your second pledge is kept."
As a cryogenically held Peter Kirk was forced to watch, Janice Lester's heart was placed in the left head of the baleful shrine to Ghidorah. As he tried to resist their efforts to break him, his mind flashed back to how this nightmare began.
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2271
"One month? That's all the re-fit is going to take?"
"Jim, the Admiralty wants you back out there as soon as possible. We're dropping all other projects til you are re-fitted and ready!"
"Has there been any word...."
"Jim, we've told you. There have been no breaks in the murder investigation. You have my word, that as soon as we know who killed your mother and nephew, they will be found and punished."
"Thank you, Admiral Bunson."
Again, it was with mixed feelings that Jim re-assumed his First Best Destiny. In Admiralty Hall, Admiral Bunson looked down on the torture of Peter Kirk.
"Oh, Peter. Your uncle was asking for you, today."
As Peter Kirk looked up, he saw not a beautiful, disrobed woman with a twisted mind. He saw the true face of The Enemy.
Chapter 3 - The Mark Of The Ancient Destroyer
2266, Denev 3
If StarFleet ever found out his Uncle Jim had left it behind, he might well be court-martialed. For now, though, Peter Kirk was massively thankful that he did. The small hand-phaser he wielded was the only thing keeping the monsters off of him. Using speed he didn't know he had, and aim he was sure he didn't have, the boy was the only one on the whole planet not possessed. But now, he had made his way back home. He would have to tell his Father and Mother there was no help to be had, anywhere.
"Peter! Get Out!"
To his horror, Peter saw that an air vent had been burst open on the ceiling. The things, which looked like so many flying pasta shells, were in his home. His father's warning came just before his collapse. George Samuel Kirk, Jr., was dead. His wife Aurelan was unconscious. Somehow, Peter fought past the horror of seeing his essentially dead parents and took out any number of the invaders. They couldn't be killed, but it would buy him time. He wondered what his heroic uncle would be doing in his place. He, too, would be buying time. But for Peter, time had run out. He looked in on his infant brother, Mark. There was a buzzing sound.
About a hundred of the monsters hovered over the baby's crib, waiting to strike. In Peter's mind, a dry, raspy voice older than time or death spoke, each word a violation of all that was decent.
"It can be you, or it can be your little brother. Now which is it?"
He walked over, kissed his baby brother on the cheek, and pushed the crib across the room. He then walked back to where the things were, and threw the phaser away. In Peter's case, they didn't merely sink their tentacles into him. He had defied them, and through them their master. On a psychic level, Peter Kirk was branded with the Mark Of Ghidorah. In the boy's mind, three giant mouths devoured all of Denev. In the real world, the infant brother he had sacrificed himself for died of neglect scant hours before, as they say, the calvary arrived.
Three Weeks Later
"I love Grandma Bri. But I want to stay here, with you, Uncle Jim! Live aboard the Enterprise! Explore Strange New..."
"Peter, this is not open for debate, and certainly not on my Bridge. Regulations forbid...."
As Captain Kirk watched his orphan nephew storm off, the pain of losing his brother kicked in anew. He didn't want to send the boy away. But Jim had been told that no arrangement could be made, in no uncertain terms. Not wishing to leave things as they stood, he left the Bridge.
"Mr. Sulu, you have the Conn."
Unless there was an emergency, Sulu didn't like to physically assume the center seat. But he did speak up, when the Captain had left.
"Anybody catch the look on that kid's face? Pure fear, like the devil himself was coming to get him."
"Vhy Not? It already keeled his entire family. Still, no 11-year old should look so haunted. Ve should do something."
"Gentlemen, I do believe our Christmas Party has gained a guest of honor."
With Uhura's prompting, Peter had a memorable Christmas aboard the Enterprise. But nothing could erase that haunted look. For, it was quite true. The devil was coming.
2268
"Sit down, Jim. I've something to tell you."
"Can it wait, Bones? I've got..."
"Whatever you've got, it'll wait. I'm temporarily relieving you of Command."
"Doctor, if this is your idea of a joke, its unappreciated."
Spock stepped out of shadow.
"Captain, please. The Doctor is quite serious. If you would, Doctor."
"Thank You, Mister Spock. Jim, its bad news on several fronts."
"The Denevan Plague survivors?"
"Yes. As you know, every person afflicted by those creatures is now dead. It took a year, but all except two succumbed, even though the creatures were destroyed. Spock?"
"Captain, only myself and your nephew have experienced no side effects. We have both been tested, but the results of those tests have been lost somehow. There is more, sadly."
"What is this, a tag-team effort?"
"Please, Jim. There's no easy way to say this. Starfleet Intelligence has told me that your Mother's home in Ottumwa has been broken into. Brianna Kirk was found dead. Someone attempted to make it look like suicide. Peter Kirk is missing and presumed dead. Jim, I am so damned sorry. There was no way to do this properly. They believe it was some unknown anti-Federation terrorist group."
"Captain, can we aid you in any way?"
Kirk got up from his chair, picked it up, and threw it at the sickbay wall. There, it shattered one of the bio-bed scanners, which then fell off.
"You can tell me, Spock, why I feel like my entire family is being targeted by some kind of Enemy!"
Kirk made for his quarters, where he placed a subspace call.
"Jim? I haven't told David yet, but soon, I promise, then he can come and visit..."
"Don't tell him, Carol. You were right to begin with. David shouldn't be a part of my world. Keep him safe with you."
"Jim? What happened?"
"Mom. and Peter. Can't talk now. Be well, Carol."
That night, David Marcus asked his Mother if he could stay with a friend. She told him no, then annoyed him by hovering over him all night.
2274
"Who are you?"
"I am Sarek. Do I know you, boy?"
"I'm Peter. Peter Kirk."
"Nephew to the Captain whom my son serves with. It is said that you are dead."
"No. I just wish I was. They're using me, somehow. My body and mind bear the Mark Of Ghidorah--as do yours."
Then the dream ended, but Sarek uncovered evidence that led him to free Peter from his captivity beneath StarFleet's Admiralty Hall.
2276
"Good news, ADMIRAL Kirk!"
"Another 1-month refit, then back out?
"No---1 week. Idle hands, and all that."
The last thing the Admiralty wanted was James T. Kirk on Earth, within reach of his nephew. The Boy was a living transmitter with which to call Ghidorah, whom the bigoted fools saw as serving them. Meanwhile, Sarek had triangulated Peter's place of captivity by playing the diplomatic denial game. Whoever protested the loudest-was the most guilty.
2278
"Ambassador, why do I feel your thoughts?"
"The drugs and techniques which they used upon you may have activated a latent telepathy, Peter."
"I HATE THEM!!!"
The still-13 year old man was bitter from mental, physical, and sexual abuse at the hands of Ghidorah's worshippers within Starfleet. 10 years of cryogenic hell had not helped matters. Sarek knew this.
"You have two options, then. Hate them, and always feel their hand in your back, or destroy them, and all their plans. You cannot do both, for they are clever foes."
The boy-man learned to channel his hate.
On the Enterprise, Spock received a call from his Father. He invited his Captain and Best Friend to listen in.
"Captain Kirk, I believe you may know this young man."
"Peter?"
"Hello, Uncle Jim. I'm alive."
For James T. Kirk, one of the worst things that ever happened to him was suddenly negated, even if Sarek's explanations of a terrorist stashing Peter somewhere in cryo didn't hold water.
2281
"I am and shall always be your friend. The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few or the one."
"I just can't believe this is goodbye, Spock. Just like that. I don't know if I can bear losing you like this, old friend."
"Oh, stop it, Jim. Its not like he's dying. I, for one, cannot think of a better Federation Ambassador To The Klingon Empire."
"Thank You, Doctor. Also, Captain, is your young nephew not now in his first year at StarFleet Academy? Doubtlessly, he continues your family's tradition there."
Admiral Teresa Bunson was frustrated, in more ways than one. Even though Peter Kirk was back on Earth, they had been unable to re-take him. Worse, he violated curfew to harass the Admiralty, who couldn't say a damned thing about it. But she had the luxury of a state-of-the-art Security system. No pranks pulled on her, to be certain. As she got into bed, she hit something cold and metal. She turned on the light to discover the metal statue head of Ghidorah had been placed in her sleep chamber. She screamed, loudly, when she saw the note which said "Admiral, I Disrespectfully Refuse Your Offer, signed, Ensign Kirk. PS-They sag."
2282
"Wish me luck, Captain Kirk?"
"How can I not, Captain Sulu? The Cooper's gain is my loss, though. Just watch the Tholians, and keep your environmental suit charged!"
2283
"Vish me luck, Keptin?"
"Clark Terrell had better be aware of what a great XO he's getting, Pavel. The wonders you've done with Xon will make the mysteries of the Beta Quadrant seem a trifle dull, I should think."
"No harder, I should think, than breaking in Will Decker, sir."
"When did I do that? Gee, I wish someone had told me!"
2284
"Insanity."
"It happens, sir. I--lost my ship. Granted, the Tholians are cresting like never before, as though they alone have to populate the universe, but I--blew it."
"Belay that kind of talk, Sulu. Those meatballs at Admiralty Hall are going to hear from me on this! As far as I'm concerned, a peer and fellow Captain has been unfairly demoted. You were sent in with no chance of getting out. Plus, now I have the burden of an overqualified helmsman."
Sulu smiled.
"With all respect, sir--supremely overqualified. So why does it feel like I've come home?"
"Captain, there's news from Earth."
"Put it on audio, Commander Uhura."
"Reports are sketchy, but this much has been confirmed : Admiralty Hall within Starfleet has been reduced to rubble, the High Staff all killed. This is believed to be the work of terrorists."
"Insanity."
2285
"Commander Chekov?"
"Yes, Captain Terrell?"
"I have a question about the Beta Quadrant."
"Vhat might that question be, sir?"
"Why isn't it here anymore?"
"I don't know, Keptin. I vas kind of hoping you could tell me."
They looked at the starless expanse, the planetless, wave-less void in front of them, and said the same thing together.
"We should contact Regula 1."
2286
He stepped off the transporter platform. There waiting for him and Saavik was a man with a face Peter knew since before he could think.
"Lieutenant Peter Kirk reporting for duty, Sir!"
"We're in private, kid! You call me by my proper title, or I'll have
you court-martialed! C'mere, You!"Despite all he had been through, and the slight embarrassment he felt, Peter let his Uncle bear-hug him. Just for a moment, he was a 9-year old who did not carry the fate of the Universe in his hands. The only worry was whether Uncle Jim would make it for his visit. Then, he pulled back. He was not 9 years old, and Ghidorah was quite real.
"Do you have any idea how much I've missed you?"
"I have a vague idea, Uncle Jim."
"Look, Peter. I have a---special assignment for you, very soon. I hope you'll be willing to help me out. It involves some VIP's who'll be coming on board, soon."
"You're the Captain--Unc."
Saavik and Kirk's nephew left to stow their gear, while Kirk and McCoy talked.
"Special assignment, my Aunt Fanny! Jim, when he finds out, he'll commit Uncle-cide."
Captain Kirk smiled a cat-canary special.
"Those are the risks we take, Doctor."
In Romulan space, specialized tractor beams dragged a three-headed demon ever closer to Romulus, thinking to rule over the unspeakable.
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The Prequels Are Done. Soon, you will "Behold, The Ancient Destroyer!"
The Final Frontier meets its final fate.