ath: newsspool2.news.atl.earthlink.net!stamper.news.atl.earthlink.net!elnk-atl-nf1!newsfeed.earthlink.net!newsswing.news.prodigy.com!prodigy.net!prodigy.com!border1.nntp.dca.giganews.com!nntp.giganews.com!ngpeer.news.aol.com!audrey-m1.news.aol.com!not-for-mail Lines: 796 X-Admin: news@aol.com From: gojirob@aol.comendspam (Rob Morris) Newsgroups: alt.startrek.creative Date: 17 Dec 2004 02:57:03 GMT Organization: AOL http://www.aol.com Subject: REP TOS Ancient Destroyer Xmas Stories, 3/3 Mime-Version: 1.0 Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 Content-Transfer-Encoding: 8bit Message-ID: <20041216215703.23235.00002319@mb-m03.aol.com> Xref: news.earthlink.net alt.startrek.creative:161602 X-Received-Date: Thu, 16 Dec 2004 18:57:07 PST (newsspool2.news.atl.earthlink.net) Title : The Endless March Author : Rob Morris Contact : gogojirob@aol.comendspam (Take the first go off, then the obvious) Archive : www.southroad.com/brightfame Series : The Ancient Destroyer Cycle AU : of ST:TOS Type : Xover Xmas Short Characters : Peter Kirk, Comic Book Characters from the Big 2 Relationships : N/A Time-Setting : Early December, 2266 Follows ep : Operation : Annihilate Part : 1/1 Rating : PG Summary : Two familiar avatars battle over the dreams of Peter Kirk–using ---- The Endless March by Rob Morris DECEMBER 8TH, 2266 The Captain tucked the boy known only as his nephew in for the night, then sealed the quarters and left. Outside, Spock was waiting for him. "I hate leaving him like this. Especially now. God knows what he remembers about what happened here, and on Deneva." Spock made a shrug-like, yet not dismissive motion with his shoulders. "Put aside as they are for diplomats and visiting authority figures, the quarters young Peter occupies are, if anything, safer than your own." Jim checked the seal again. "Not from what may be chasing him." Inside the cabin and inside the boy's brain, the slow, shambling zombies came after him as they had for weeks. All wore the faces, or parts of the faces, of people he had known on Deneva. It was always the same. They would catch him, fall upon him, and smother him while he screamed, and no one heard. Yet this night, he saw a house--no, a factory. "A toy factory?" Wishing nothing more than to avoid the dread nightmare's precise repetition, Peter Kirk entered what any adventure reader could tell him was a trap. Yet this was not a trap. It was a dream. "Hello?" "Hello, young man. Please sit down. You are most welcome here, and twice as safe." A large, portly man with a small black moustache above his lip smiled, as did an awkward-looking gauntly thin man with largish ears. "You certainly are. Its all right, Peter. Our master is going to give those zombies what for." The portly man looked out an upstairs window. "I should think so. But just in case, we've prepared a force to deal with those marauders. Why, its twice the size of the one that put paid to Mister Barnaby and his ogres." Peter felt safe, was safe, and drank of hot cocoa that was far better than any he'd ever had. Outside, a curious figure in white stood impatiently before the zombies. "I am the master of these places. I am called Daniel. Why do you pursue the boy? Do not attempt to decieve me. I know that you are not dreams, but ghosts." One of the things that still had most of his face and throat pointed up. "That boy is alive, while we are dead. He's the messiah. He should have saved us. We want revenge." Daniel saw himself joined by a pretty if pale girl in black, wearing an ankh. He responded to the dead thing. "That boy is alive, and my sister tells me his passing may not even be in our brother's books. He is not the messiah, who I have seen walk in many paths. You damned yourselves, many times over, and with zealotry. You are not owed and may not seek revenge." The girl nodded and now spoke. "Ya know, I've encountered some rotten parents in my travels---welllll, actually I've encountered all parents. That said, you people rank close to Hitler's dad. Do you have any idea what kind of kids you would have produced, had they lived? Hmm. Sorry, little brother. They should already be with me. There's an interloper, here. Familiar one, too." Daniel looked at her, almost playfully. "Thanos?" The girl winced. "Do not EVER go there. You can be replaced, you know." "Yes, my sister. Then I shall act to expose the interloper." He gestured, and the zombies moved away. At the back of their number stood a gnarled, ugly pale smirk of a creature in a green jumpsuit. "Here now, Morpheus. I had always thought you neutral in the matters of Dream...and Nightmare." Daniel's face grew arch. "Morpheus was a title attributed to another master of this place. And I have no neutrality. With the existent, I craft this realm slowly. It is built from them. Peter Kirk will endure many nightmares, and has already. He needs no aid in this, and I will tolerate no trespassers. You are a crass thing, misliked even by Desire. Now, face punishment, master and servitor alike." Nightmare sneered. "They're already dead, and you can't destroy me without having the Spectre and Eternity--maybe even the two brothers--at war." Emerging from within the toy factory were the portly man and the gaunt man. They shifted form, and became respectively a taller, gaunter man with pointed hair and a pointed beard and a portlier man with a handlebar moustache. "Master, the bo-boy R-Rock is at peace." The taller one nodded. "My brother actually called it right for once. The Laurel and Hardy guises calmed him rapidly." Daniel smiled at his eldest sister, and she at him. He gestured again. "Cain--release our army to deal with these vermin." From inside the factory they came, culled well from an old vid Peter barely remembered seeing. They were like the zombies in every way, but their aspect was joyous. Death took away each of the ghosts in turn, as they fell for all time. Even when the opposition got their heads knocked off, they kept on, uniforms eternally smart, bayonets always at the ready. Very few nightmares, you see, can stand before such embodiments of might that serves right. Nightmare had many tricks prepared, yet all of them had been counters to Daniel's direct power, not this piecemeal, if rapid, decimation of his forces. He began to run, shouting as he did. "What is the Kirk brat to you, Shaper?" Abel pushed Nightmare down, then grabbed him up with a knife at his throat. "He-he's a g-good boy, Nightmare. He respects other people's property. Cain?" "What is it, brainless?" Abel shoved Nightmare over to Cain, pointing at the fallen demon. "Happy Christmas, Brother. Though its not quite that, yet." Nightmare felt himself being strangled by the first murderer, who smiled as he went. "I'll let you go tonight, Abel. After all, even Kenny lived, once in a while. Besides, I like your gift. A lot." Death looked over the rout from inside the factory. "Soon as I deliver these losers, I'll dump Nighty over the divide. The Ancient One will send his apprentice to make sure the border is tightened, same as always." She looked at the sleeping Peter Kirk. "I almost feel I should take him, given what's coming. Spare him the Hall, especially." Daniel shook his head. "I will ask that you not, Sister. After all, heroes are among the workhorses of my realm. His place in this shall be exceptional by any standard." He would face many other bad dreams, but for the boy, this nightmare was over. ------------------------------------------------------------------ THE NEXT MORNING Jim undid the seal, after a thorough check of the ship's overall situation. He saw Peter already up, and watching the viewscreen. The vid playing was beyond ancient, actually a monochrome. He saw a portly man and a gaunt man running from horridly made horrid ogres. "What are you watching?" It wasn't much, but Jim saw on his boy's face just a little more peace as he answered. "The March Of The Wooden Soldiers." --- Title : Lean Your Ear This Way Author : Rob Morris Contact : gogojirob@aol.comendspam (Take the first go off, then the obvious) Archive : www.southroad.com/brightfame Series : The Ancient Destroyer Cycle AU : ST:TOS Type : Santa Claus legend Characters : Saavik Brianna Kirk Relationships : N/A Time-Setting : Mid-2270's Follows ep : TMP Part : 1/1 Rating : G Summary : The adopted daughter of Captain James Kirk is alone and friendless at ---- Lean Your Ear This Way by Rob Morris Part 1 : She Leaves My bondmate ended his life, and they have said this was my fault, for causing him shame. I have been banished. I stay with Jim's Uncle Bill, a boisterous man fond of bad singing. I love him dearly. Sarek says I may one day come back. But do I want to? Though he does not try to proselytize me, Uncle Bill teaches me of Christmas, and its traditions. I am told of a man who does naught but love children and make them gifts. There are worse myths than this. We two are going to the North Pole for Christmas. Part 2 : She Searches We were shown a reindeer. Some were thrown that it was not cuddly. I found it beautiful. Some thought it odd that a Vulcan should be at The Arctic Circle. But Hellguard was cold. Despite the heat, I have found Vulcan even colder. Unseen by Uncle Bill, I make my way across the Circle, to seek Saint Nicholas. All legends have a base in fact. Before the cold takes, I see a bright village that should not be. I will make this place my home, and here, I will be happy. For Santa will not turn me away. Part 3 : She Finds When I awake, I am in the presence of Santa Claus. He is indeed the Bishop from Asia Minor, made Immortal by his faith and philanthropy. He tells me that I may dwell in that place, where he no longer makes toys, but rather, puts extra joy into gifts given and received. I am pleased. Sri Sarek and Sra Amanda are good people. But I am so alone on Vulcan. There is no one there who is just for me. I wish there was. Santa then asks me if I will deliver a gift for him. My joy is complete. Part 4 : They Look To Find Her.... "In the news, a Vulcan child named Saavik, the adopted daughter of Captain James Kirk, has vanished while visiting The Arctic Circle." "This could be the second such tragedy to strike at Captain Kirk, who lost his adopted son and nephew six years earlier." "In an odd twist, a note was found from the young woman stating her desire to find if the legends of Father Christmas are at all real." "Perhaps odder is the public reaction to this. When polled, most said they hope she finds him." "This world is with you, Saavik, as you search for Santa Claus." Part 5 : She Gives A Gift..... In my new home with Saint Nicholas, I must earn my keep. So it is that I exit through an odd door, to deliver some gifts. They are two earthenware bowls. In a land not cold, I see a boy crying. I see a distant procession. His bowls have shattered. Perhaps he cannot feed himself, now. My gift is so welcomed, he forgets to be afraid of me. He stretches skins over the bowls, and joins the procession. These are now sounders, which he plays for a newborn. The child smiles at us both. I have given and received a gift. Part 6 : She Must Leave.... I see in Santa's eyes that I may not stay here any longer. But I have no regrets. He has been kind, and shown me about giving. I will leave this place, but it will not so easily leave me. I fall into the ice and snow as I leave. Strong, comforting arms then grasp me up. It is Sro Jim--my adoptive father. "Bones, I've found her!" "Good news. The frostbite's mostly superficial. Your little girl's a tough one." "Bones---I swear I saw a house around here---" "Jim, the cold and ice can make you believe----anything." FOUR YEARS LATER.... The coverage of my rescue forced T'Pau to undo my unjust banishment. I was returned to Vulcan. I miss my Uncle Bill. They all took pains to tell me that what I saw was an illusion brought on by the cold. I never believed them. Santa said my loneliness would end. I would find someone who was just for me. This Christmas night, I climb into his bed, but not to mate or 'pet'. We merely hold each other and are happy. I write a special, undeliverable letter. "Dear Santa--thank you for my Peter. I will love him always." ------------------------------------------- Writer's Note : (Contains a secret) Love And Loss. Joy And Sorrow. God's Gift and a Slaughter ordered by a wicked king. The dreaded family reunion. The joyful family reunion. Bright Lights and grimmest poverty. How can one day possibly contain it all? We find it in a boy who finds a nice little tree, despite the taunts. We find it in a kind old philanthropist, vilified roundly by Right And Left. Did this story work for you? Being a series of drabbles, did it cut out too much? Did it seem too silly, even using an AU Saavik? Please let me know---and Merry Christmas! -- Title : There’ll Be Scary Ghost Stories Author : Rob Morris Contact : gogojirob@aol.comendspam (Take the first go off, then the obvious) Archive : www.southroad.com/brightfame Series : The Ancient Destroyer Cycle AU : ST:TOS Type : Christmas haunting story Characters : Peter Kirk Relationships : N/A Time-Setting : 2nd Five Year Mission Follows ep : TMP Part : 1/1 Rating : PG-13, for grim concepts Summary : A survivor learns that even the worst of Christmases are not as bad ---- There'll Be Scary Ghost Stories by Rob Morris I finally understand it all. While I was away, some kind of apocalypse occurred. I walk alone through an empty Earth, abounding with ghosts in denial. It doesn't look empty, though. The dead live in a world that is a near-duplicate of the one they lost. But if the end came, where are the Klingons, Romulans, or Kzinti? Why wouldn't they occupy us? The odd thing is, I know the face of the Omega, the aspect of the beast. There are a lot of things I can't remember anymore, but I know that it likely wouldn't leave even a lifeless planet in its wake. Its worst at Christmas. It always meant so much to me. While awaiting the refit of the Enterprise--or so they tell themselves--the crew assembles at Uncle Bill's house in Montana. Jim and Nyta are playing with this little Vulcan girl. Mister Sulu has a wife, but its like she's not there, even as a ghost. Mister Chekov is recreating that great battle in Israel via holoproj, and it seems odd to see a tale of lights that never went out when all light has. Doctor McCoy and Scotty do their best to coax Spock out of his corner, but he merely sits there, on occasion taking in popcorn. He's looking. Looking at something. On occasion, he mutters something, and I try to listen. "I am sorry. Please stop haunting me." At last it sinks in. He can see me. His telepathic mind lets him see me, the last survivor. As he walks outside, I follow him. I'm no longer alone. Through him, I can talk to the other dead people. "I did not mean to leave you behind. You or the girl. But I cannot tell the others that you yet live. I can never openly acknowledge your continued existence. Now leave." I don't wish to cause him pain. I should have realized. I am a reminder of all that has been lost to the one person who realizes the truth of the dead world. I walk, and I walk, and eventually--quicker than I can really account for--I'm in San Francisco, the grand capitol of a lost Starfleet. I wonder where the people I see beam out go to? Do their astral ships wander the stars that have blinked out? I see it, though I would give anything not to. A place that resembles the old Biblical passages about a palace beautiful on the outside, yet with pillars filled with the dust from the bones of the living. It is corrupt. It is corrupting. It is corruption itself, and yet I go in. Down through its passages I go, til I encounter its most guarded spot. Inside the cryo-pod, I spot the truth. And I rejoice. For my world is alive. My heroes are alive. I will be freed. Christmas, at its center, is about a promise that was kept. This promise will be kept for me one day, for some Christmases are better than others. With the promise, I can get through this one. The world did not end. As my faith teaches me, on this day, it began anew. --------------------------------------------------------------- The guards grumbled about drawing this duty. "I had some sure things lined up. Why does Cartwright want this brat watched?" "He just does. Its nuts. Do you suppose he dreams in there?" "In a medicated cryo-pod with massive psi-inhibitors set to max? Don't be stupid." Yet the other guard sometimes swore he saw the astral image of the boy in the pod. At those times, he wondered if anything could truly hold Peter Kirk's spirit captive. DECEMBER 25TH, 2271 -- Title : The Cup Author : Rob Morris Contact : gogojirob@aol.comendspam (Take the first go off, then the obvious) Archive : www.southroad.com/brightfame Series : The Ancient Destroyer Cycle AU : ST :TOS Type : Christmas Characters : Sarek, Amanda, Saavik, Peter Kirk Relationships : S/A, PK/Saav Time-Setting : 12/2278, nine months after Peter Kirk’s rescue from Admiralty Hall Follows ep : Using canon TOS time as a measure, between TMP and TwoK Part : 1/1 Rating : PG-13, for adolescent angst and religious questions Summary : Overwhelmed, Peter makes a desperate plea to the Almighty. The answer ---- The Cup by Rob Morris December 24, 2278 Peter got down on his knees in what was once Spock's room. He clasped his hands together, and closed his eyes. He spoke in low tones, despite having the sound dampeners on. "I don't hate you anymore, for what happened." He got up and got some water, formed as always from a hollowed-out ice-cup. Putting the cup back into the hydro-cycler, he resumed his prayers. "I'm sorry for the things I said, while they were hurting me. I know it wasn't your fault, but I was so scared. I tried to fight them off—but they were too strong. I was too weak." In the next bedroom over, Saavik felt herself assaulted by images of hateful men and women grabbing, punching, and doing damned well whatever they pleased to their young captive. The sights and sounds of gang rape. "Be strong, Peter-Kam. You are safe here. For I will destroy any who would hurt you." Peter felt her presence, as well someone might when they were klaefthe--born bonded with another. Though comforted greatly by this, he did not get up. He had business yet, with the being his dear late grandmother said had forged Creation. "I'll get straight to the point. You've chosen poorly. You've got the wrong man. I Am Not The One You Want." Unbeknownst to Peter, Sarek often listened in to his private musings. Though disgusted by having to do this, Sarek realized that a boy so badly hurt could easily attempt suicide with little or no warning. So the sound dampeners were set to 'edit in' certain distressing keywords. Words--like Ghidorah. "Again, Peter, I fail a young man who dwells in my house. I should have waited to tell you of your destiny. But you are so very strong--I forget what you have borne." "My Father is James T. Kirk. Captain Of The Enterprise. He can stop King Ghidorah. I Can't. He's too powerful, and his followers far too evil. I don't want everything. I just want my life back. Not to be arrogant, but How Dare You throw this in my lap? Why Me? I was doing chores when I was three! Sam and Aurelan virtually dumped the care of Little Marc on me. But I loved my little brother, so I did it. Then they were all taken away from me. Even to Grandma, who I had finally made peace with. Every last person on Deneva, lost to madness. Finally, The Hall took me. They made Uncle Jim-my Dad-think I was dead. So I think I've suffered enough. And if that sounds like self-pity, well that's just too damned bad." Peter then removed all traces of attitude from his voice and spoke his final plea. "Pick Someone Else." Suddenly, as had happened on the night he was kidnapped, Peter Kirk found himself in a white void. Before him was the crew of The Enterprise--his family. Kirk spoke first. "You Are The Rock." "Once and for all, who are you people?" Ignoring him, Spock spoke next. "The Rock Bears The Mark Of Ghidorah." Sulu now. "The Rock Bears The Mark Well." "Please, I don't understand." Chekov nodded. "The Pain Is Yet Fresh. It Will Pass." "What do you know about pain? You don't even exist." The McCoy image slapped Peter on the hand. "Why Does The Rock Assume Its Pain Is The Greatest Of All?" "I know others have suffered. But I can barely see past myself, for all the rage I feel. Give me time, I beg you." Uhura looked at him, and shook her head. "There Is No Time, As You Call It. Your Universe Is Dying. Ghidorah Must Fall." "Yes, I know. But can't God---or, I don't know, pick someone else?" Kirk stood firm. "Would The Rock Have The Creator Do More For Him Than Your Beliefs Say He Was Willing To Do For His Own Son?" Peter crumpled at the thought. "I understand. But I can't do it alone." Suddenly, Saavik was among them. "The Rock Is Not Alone." Back in linear time, Peter fell asleep, digesting his Vision. Over distant planet Bajor, a light appeared in the heavens and then vanished. A sleeping Peter then heard a commotion coming from the living room. "Oh, My! Sarek, where did all this come from?" Peter was stunned. So were they all. The empty corner was empty no longer. Now, there was a Christmas Tree. "Guys, I asked you not to do this. I don't want to force my beliefs on you." Saavik stared at the trimmed and fully decorated symbol of promise, and felt part of her missing childhood return. The Tree held some ecumenical spirit beyond sentient comprehension. Amanda had not yet lifted her jaw. Sarek shook his head. "The message of a simple decent person proclaiming the redemptive value of peace is hardly a Terrans-only belief, Peter. But the fact remains - we did not do this." Peter smiled, and drank from the egg nog he was offered, for Amanda had insisted on that much. The cup he used he had taken from under the tree. He did not see Saavik doing the same. Both cups had a stylized letter 'K' inscribed. "He must have had The Enterprise dart by at warp, and somehow Spock worked out the coordinates....." Saavik stopped him. "Peter---On this day, we are permitted to indulge in comforting delusions." "Your point, Saavik?" "Our benefactor was obviously a noted gift-giver of Terran legend. Now that that is settled, what is the significance of this greenish twig with red berries?" Her slight smile belied her seeming ignorance. He kissed her, but lightly in front of Sarek and Amanda. She whispered to him. "Perhaps, sometime in the New Year, those things we have discussed...those physical things...can come to be." "In those feelings, Saavik...You Are Not Alone." Peter then offered up a toast. "To the day that we will all bring about. To that Christmas when a child will see a red streak in the sky, and ask 'Is It Ghidorah?'. To which the parent will respond that 'Ghidorah is dead. So it must be Santa Claus'." And Peter gave a silent prayer that all peoples, whatever beliefs they held dear, would one day be able to make a like statement to their children. He then took the cup given to him by his father, and drank deeply from it. Aboard The Enterprise, James T. Kirk stared at a picture his children, by blood and by heart, had sent of the two of them together. He loved them both, but his eyes teared when he looked again at the restored Peter. "Merry Christmas, Son." --- Title : The Origin Of Scrooge Author : Rob Morris Contact : gogojirob@aol.comendspam (Take the first go off, then the obvious) Archive : www.southroad.com/brightfame Series : The Ancient Destroyer Cycle AU : ST:TOS Type : Cynical Xmas story Characters : Saavik, Bunny Serenity Relationships : PK/Saav Time-Setting : 2282 Follows ep : N/A Part : 1/1 Rating : PG, for cynicism Summary : Saavik learns how a bubble-headed, selfish roommate can ruin even a ---- The Origin of Scrooge by Rob Morris "Bunny Serenity!" The extra-dimensional exile still wasn't used to being called that. Serena Usagi also wasn't used to hearing her Vulcan roommate at Starfleet Academy shout. "Geez, Saavik! You scared the life out of me!" There were times that Saavik seemed almost human in her mannerisms. Right then, though, she just seemed pissed off. "Then I spoke in the correct tone of voice. Bunny---did you purchase the new uniform I gave you access to my Vulcan Embassy account for?" Shrugging it off in her insufferable way, the once and future Sailor Moon was digging her own grave. "Ooops--No. Guess I just forgot." "Then--what did you purchase?" "errrr--nothing?" The blonde human was smiling. The brunette Vulcan was not. "Try again?" "Errr--something? Something small?" Saavik opened one of the suitcases that 'Bunny' had packed, as she, Saavik, Peter Kirk and his Academy roommate were to spend Christmas at Uncle Bill Kirk's ranch in Idaho. She poured out of said suitcase endless wrapped candies, 'Peppermint Nougat', with red and green stripes and a Christmas tree pictured in the middle. There were hundreds, perhaps thousands of the little dental nightmares. Bunny folded her arms over her chest, nervously awaiting her fate. "Gee---I sure bought a lot of those, didn't I? They are just sooooo addictive. I can't get those, back in my uni---my hometown." Right now, her 'hometown' universe of Japanimeopolis was looking better than ever to the heartsick hero. Saavik hit a lot harder than Rei, and she wasn't smiling. "I went to purchase a gift for my Peter. This holiday means a great deal to both of us. But my access has been denied by Sri Sarek. So guess what I am going to do?" "Errr--let this all go, and be a real and true pal?" Saavik whispered. 'Bunny' laughed. "Don't be silly. Sure, that hurt Peter when you got upset. But that only works on boys." Later, at the transport to Idaho, Peter Kirk took note that his Saavik-kam's roommate was thankfully quiet--and walking all hunched over. Oddly, her voice seemed higher, somehow, as well. For you see, an annoyed Vulcan dealing with Christmas stress will tend to find a way around certain rules. (A bit cynical, I know. But 16 years of working X-Mas retail drains you) NewMessage: