Christmas on the Enterprise Chapter 2 PLUS Contest!
Before you get to your reading pleasure, I realized that the anniversary of Broken Gears first writen for the public passed in September. This is signifigant, at least for me, since this is the story that launched me into writing LOSH and Clark+Brainy stories. It's also the first Fanfiction I have ever completed, back in March. So I wanted to have a contest for it, since I haven't before, but I also wanted a LOSH Halloween contest sicne it IS my favorite holiday.
A few people on made suggestions on what to do about a Broken Gears or a LOSH Halloween Fanart contest. I believe it was FunkyFish1991 who made the suggestion of BG art with a Halloween theme. I like that idea but I worry that may take away from people who want to draw a scene from the actual story.
So here's what I'll do: For anyone who wants to participate you can either do FunkyFish1991's idea (BG art with a Halloween theme like Clark and Brainy going trick or treating with Virgil and Richie or something) or submit two entries; one purely Broken Gears and one purely a LOSH Halloween. If there are entries for each kind then I'll divide them up into three different voting sections of the contest. First place winners gets a one shot or their idea, within reason, inserted into one of my already existing stories. 2nd and 3rd place entries, depending on if I get that many entries, will get drabbles. Since Halloween has passed the LOSH Halloween Contest along with the Broken Gears and the Broken Gears with a Halloween theme entries due in March since that's the anniversary of it's completion. March 16th to be exact! It would just have separate voting if there are a lot of submissions.
OOH! Bonus idea! Anyone who enters all two/three contests I will put into a drawing for a FREE Brainy necklace, no beads, that I am making. Examples can be seen in my gallery. All the winner has to do is pay a couple of dollars for shipping.
ENJOY!
Chapter 2
Superman was briefed on the Narada Incident and the destruction of the planet Vulcan by his fellow Legionnaires; who took turns telling him the horrid, and horrifyingly true, tale. Afterwards, Brainy gave him the official Federation report to read. Superman started to do so on their flight to San Francisco to find out what ship they’d be ‘strengthening ties’ with when working on the Vulcan Colony, as well as the flight through space to get there.
Over the first ten minutes of their flight, Superman attempted to read the report. He turned the pad on and off again twice, unable to get past the file’s title. From what he already knew from listening to his friends, he didn’t know what Brainy expected him to get from a report that would engrain the seriousness of what happened - and the aftershocks that were still happening - any deeper into his pounding head.
After a shell-shocked Superman turned off the pad for the fifth time, Brainy slipped it from his hands and set it aside. Once again, that warmth in his chest sprang to life for the young Coluan, almost feeling like basking in a candle’s light; the sole light source in the entire room. It vaguely reminded him of the scented candles his Ma would burn on cold nights back home.
Possibly as a method of distraction, Brainy began reciting past exploits of Starfleet, beginning with the tale of First Contact. He went on to recount several memorable missions and daring feats of numerous starships from history files, as well as the deeds of the former Captain Pike, who had been made an admiral due to recent events.
By the time they arrived in San Francisco, Lightning Lad was yelling at Superman to stop bouncing around; acting like ‘a toddler on sugar’. To go along with that theme, the Man of Steel almost stuck his tongue out at him in a childish motion, but pushed back the urge in favor of watching the city’s landscape go by.
He was about to meet heroes.
Now, Superman knew he hung out with heroes every day, and that he, himself, was one, but they were superheroes.
These people were different. The men and women in Starfleet were normal people, human or of an alien race he had yet to hear of, with little to help them but their minds, quick thinking and a phaser predominantly set to stun.
He couldn’t help but recall the old black and white episodes of Zorro he had used to watch with his Pa after a hard day on the farm. Yet again, that wasn’t even remotely accurate, seeing as Starfleet officers didn’t go around in black outfits and masks, using rapiers to thwart their enemies and carve their initials onto nearby walls to declare their victory.
They landed where Starfleet had sent them the instructions to do so, and were greeted immediately by Admiral Pike; who managed to stand briefly from his wheelchair to shake their hands. They exchanged tense welcomes with other, higher-up officers, who made Superman feel extremely uncomfortable before making excuses to leave them to Admiral Pike’s care.
“You might be younger than most of our cadets, but I doubt you need my care,” Pike joked warmly, his eyes shining at them once his fellow officers had fled far enough away to be out of earshot. He turned his chair in a way that reminded Superman of popping a wheelie on a motorcycle and started to roll himself away. “Follow me.”
The Legion did so, ignoring the various degrees of looks the numerous Starfleet members - the majority of them cadets and technicians from how Brainy had described their uniforms to Superman - as they passed. Nearly none of them spoke, falling into silence as they came near, but the few that did muttered ‘Legion’ as though they had smelled something rotten.
Though he could hear them, Superman just decided to ignore the comments. He already knew from the others that their groups didn’t get along: plus Admiral Pike seemed like a pretty good guy so the dislike couldn’t be universal. Instead of dwelling on it, the Man of Steel decided just to take the opportunity to observe the work being done and the ships that were having the work done on them.
The ships were pretty large, though only about one third of the size of the Legion cruiser, which was admittedly titanic. The Starfleet ships were both large and bulky it would seem, lacking the sleek design of their cruiser as well. They were pretty much in the shape of rectangles, except for the front of the ships where you could look into their giant windshields and see the pilot seats.
To keep him from running over any unfortunate cadets, Brainy would occasionally redirect the distracted 21st century hero’s path by gently taking hold of his arm and silently giving him direction through his hands. He would turn away whenever Superman would turn and smile at him in silent appreciation, though.
They continued on until they were nearly out of the hanger, at which point a nearby ensign snorted at something his companion had said.
Instantly, Pike stopped as if he had found a dime and gave nine cents back as change. He whirled to face the two ensigns; the thinning line of his lips and the narrowing of his eyes showed a stalwart fortress of a man rather than just a pair of wheels.
“Something funny Ensign?”
The duo instantly straightened, then turned and saluted the admiral.
“Nothing funny, Sir.”
“Ah, but I heard you snort, Ensign. I assure you, I do have a sense of humor.”
Hesitantly, the pair exchanged looks.
“I simply commented on their uniforms, Sir,” the ensign who had been silent thus far offered.
“And what, may I ask, was so humorous about them?” Pike turned to the other.
“Spandex, Sir,” the laughing ensign admitted, his lips threatening to twitch upwards even as he did.
“This coming from the army fighting in their pajamas,” Lightning Lad didn’t bother to tone down the loud annoyance in his voice.
If Admiral Pike wasn’t between them it was very possible the Legion and the ensigns would, quite literally, have been at each other’s throats. That is, if the death glares on both sides were any indication.
“Ensign,” Pike sharply cut into the tension. “The Legion’s uniforms are not funny. They are honoring the tradition of heroes that came before them, and who saved Earth and many of the surrounding worlds before your great grandfather was in diapers.”
Before Lightning Lad could rub this in too much with his cocky grin, Pike rounded on him. He seemed ready to dig into him the same way he had his subordinates - but then he smiled.
“And at least our uniforms are comfortable.”
An instant red blush streaked across Lightning Lad’s face. Particularly across his nose, in a way that would have made Rudolph proud, as Phantom Girl and Bouncing Boy burst out laughing and the two ensigns bit their lips to keep, unsuccessfully, from smiling.
After waiting for the laughter to calm down, Pike moved so he could face both groups.
“I know that there is a lot of bad blood between the Legion and Starfleet. Things have been said, more than once, that can’t be taken back, and we’re both notoriously stubborn and set in our ways,” he smiled at each group, glancing at the others that had gathered around to let them know he knew they were eavesdropping. “That said, we’re going to have to suck it up and learn, not only how to deal with each other, but to depend on each other and ask for the other’s help. There are just some things that we just can’t let stubbornness and pride get in the way off.” He turned to the ensigns. “Dismissed.”
Soon the Legion was again following Pike out of the hanger in silence.
After leaving the building entirely to go to a separate building, Brainy turned to the admiral.
“Pardon me if this is, how Lightning Lad says, ‘none of my damn business’, but does Starfleet not have any powered chairs available? If not, I could -”
The admiral’s light laugh cut Brainy short.
“Thank you for the offer Brainiac Five, but Starfleet has no shortage of powered chairs.” He chuckled again, glancing up at the youngest Legionnaire. “You should have seen the box with wheels they wanted to encase me in.” His smile fading somewhat, he pushed himself forward. “No, I chose to have a manual chair; something that I could control myself and still get what little exercise these quacks allow me outside rehabilitation training.”
“If there’s one thing I would like to add to the Legion; it’s an official doctor,” Saturn Girl admitted, as the doors opened for the group once they came closer.
The spark in his eyes returning, Pike seemed to be struggling not to smirk or laugh.
“Trust me when I say that you don’t want one of our doctors. They can be a little crazier than most. There are several debating whether or not a holographic doctor would have better bedside manner.”
Superman could almost see the gears turning in Brainy’s mind as he theorized whether or not such a feat would actually be possible.
“So, what ship will be getting the pleasure of our company?” Phantom Girl phased into the building beside Pike, grinning in a way that begged the question of how pleasurable her company would actually be.
The admiral smiled in a way that reminded Superman of the President, when they had asked her about why she called.
“The Enterprise.”
This time it was Brainy who Superman nearly walked into as he seemed suddenly frozen in place. He almost asked why, when he saw that Brainy was a lighter shade of green then he could ever recall seeing him, and that he was looking towards the door they just came through as though it was his salvation.
“Did you say, ‘the Enterprise’?” Brainy sounded like he was praying that he had misheard.
“Yes, I said the Enterprise. She is the finest in the ‘Fleet, our flagship -” Pike began to brag - but stopped when he turned to look at Brainy and saw how he looked like he was going to be ill all over the floor.
“Sprock no,” Brainy groaned and squeezed his eyes shut as if it would make it all just disappear.
“Sprock yes!” a voice cheered from just ahead of them.
In the entry way to the meeting room stood a man not much older then most of the Legionnaires. He had short spiky blond hair and eyes such a brilliant blue that their gaze could capture you from across the room and hold you until they were willing to release you. His smile was so wide and big you could almost imagine him as a wild adventurous child that was having fun pretending to be and adult and forcing others to take him seriously in his golden shirt of captaincy.
“Grife,” Brainy swore, “you again.”
“You know you missed me Brainy-kins,” the captain grinned.
The Legion stared as Pike managed not to roll his eyes.
“Everyone meet-” the Captain practically leaped forward, interrupting the Admiral and declaring, “James T. Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise.”
A few people on made suggestions on what to do about a Broken Gears or a LOSH Halloween Fanart contest. I believe it was FunkyFish1991 who made the suggestion of BG art with a Halloween theme. I like that idea but I worry that may take away from people who want to draw a scene from the actual story.
So here's what I'll do: For anyone who wants to participate you can either do FunkyFish1991's idea (BG art with a Halloween theme like Clark and Brainy going trick or treating with Virgil and Richie or something) or submit two entries; one purely Broken Gears and one purely a LOSH Halloween. If there are entries for each kind then I'll divide them up into three different voting sections of the contest. First place winners gets a one shot or their idea, within reason, inserted into one of my already existing stories. 2nd and 3rd place entries, depending on if I get that many entries, will get drabbles. Since Halloween has passed the LOSH Halloween Contest along with the Broken Gears and the Broken Gears with a Halloween theme entries due in March since that's the anniversary of it's completion. March 16th to be exact! It would just have separate voting if there are a lot of submissions.
OOH! Bonus idea! Anyone who enters all two/three contests I will put into a drawing for a FREE Brainy necklace, no beads, that I am making. Examples can be seen in my gallery. All the winner has to do is pay a couple of dollars for shipping.
ENJOY!
Chapter 2
Superman was briefed on the Narada Incident and the destruction of the planet Vulcan by his fellow Legionnaires; who took turns telling him the horrid, and horrifyingly true, tale. Afterwards, Brainy gave him the official Federation report to read. Superman started to do so on their flight to San Francisco to find out what ship they’d be ‘strengthening ties’ with when working on the Vulcan Colony, as well as the flight through space to get there.
Over the first ten minutes of their flight, Superman attempted to read the report. He turned the pad on and off again twice, unable to get past the file’s title. From what he already knew from listening to his friends, he didn’t know what Brainy expected him to get from a report that would engrain the seriousness of what happened - and the aftershocks that were still happening - any deeper into his pounding head.
After a shell-shocked Superman turned off the pad for the fifth time, Brainy slipped it from his hands and set it aside. Once again, that warmth in his chest sprang to life for the young Coluan, almost feeling like basking in a candle’s light; the sole light source in the entire room. It vaguely reminded him of the scented candles his Ma would burn on cold nights back home.
Possibly as a method of distraction, Brainy began reciting past exploits of Starfleet, beginning with the tale of First Contact. He went on to recount several memorable missions and daring feats of numerous starships from history files, as well as the deeds of the former Captain Pike, who had been made an admiral due to recent events.
By the time they arrived in San Francisco, Lightning Lad was yelling at Superman to stop bouncing around; acting like ‘a toddler on sugar’. To go along with that theme, the Man of Steel almost stuck his tongue out at him in a childish motion, but pushed back the urge in favor of watching the city’s landscape go by.
He was about to meet heroes.
Now, Superman knew he hung out with heroes every day, and that he, himself, was one, but they were superheroes.
These people were different. The men and women in Starfleet were normal people, human or of an alien race he had yet to hear of, with little to help them but their minds, quick thinking and a phaser predominantly set to stun.
He couldn’t help but recall the old black and white episodes of Zorro he had used to watch with his Pa after a hard day on the farm. Yet again, that wasn’t even remotely accurate, seeing as Starfleet officers didn’t go around in black outfits and masks, using rapiers to thwart their enemies and carve their initials onto nearby walls to declare their victory.
They landed where Starfleet had sent them the instructions to do so, and were greeted immediately by Admiral Pike; who managed to stand briefly from his wheelchair to shake their hands. They exchanged tense welcomes with other, higher-up officers, who made Superman feel extremely uncomfortable before making excuses to leave them to Admiral Pike’s care.
“You might be younger than most of our cadets, but I doubt you need my care,” Pike joked warmly, his eyes shining at them once his fellow officers had fled far enough away to be out of earshot. He turned his chair in a way that reminded Superman of popping a wheelie on a motorcycle and started to roll himself away. “Follow me.”
The Legion did so, ignoring the various degrees of looks the numerous Starfleet members - the majority of them cadets and technicians from how Brainy had described their uniforms to Superman - as they passed. Nearly none of them spoke, falling into silence as they came near, but the few that did muttered ‘Legion’ as though they had smelled something rotten.
Though he could hear them, Superman just decided to ignore the comments. He already knew from the others that their groups didn’t get along: plus Admiral Pike seemed like a pretty good guy so the dislike couldn’t be universal. Instead of dwelling on it, the Man of Steel decided just to take the opportunity to observe the work being done and the ships that were having the work done on them.
The ships were pretty large, though only about one third of the size of the Legion cruiser, which was admittedly titanic. The Starfleet ships were both large and bulky it would seem, lacking the sleek design of their cruiser as well. They were pretty much in the shape of rectangles, except for the front of the ships where you could look into their giant windshields and see the pilot seats.
To keep him from running over any unfortunate cadets, Brainy would occasionally redirect the distracted 21st century hero’s path by gently taking hold of his arm and silently giving him direction through his hands. He would turn away whenever Superman would turn and smile at him in silent appreciation, though.
They continued on until they were nearly out of the hanger, at which point a nearby ensign snorted at something his companion had said.
Instantly, Pike stopped as if he had found a dime and gave nine cents back as change. He whirled to face the two ensigns; the thinning line of his lips and the narrowing of his eyes showed a stalwart fortress of a man rather than just a pair of wheels.
“Something funny Ensign?”
The duo instantly straightened, then turned and saluted the admiral.
“Nothing funny, Sir.”
“Ah, but I heard you snort, Ensign. I assure you, I do have a sense of humor.”
Hesitantly, the pair exchanged looks.
“I simply commented on their uniforms, Sir,” the ensign who had been silent thus far offered.
“And what, may I ask, was so humorous about them?” Pike turned to the other.
“Spandex, Sir,” the laughing ensign admitted, his lips threatening to twitch upwards even as he did.
“This coming from the army fighting in their pajamas,” Lightning Lad didn’t bother to tone down the loud annoyance in his voice.
If Admiral Pike wasn’t between them it was very possible the Legion and the ensigns would, quite literally, have been at each other’s throats. That is, if the death glares on both sides were any indication.
“Ensign,” Pike sharply cut into the tension. “The Legion’s uniforms are not funny. They are honoring the tradition of heroes that came before them, and who saved Earth and many of the surrounding worlds before your great grandfather was in diapers.”
Before Lightning Lad could rub this in too much with his cocky grin, Pike rounded on him. He seemed ready to dig into him the same way he had his subordinates - but then he smiled.
“And at least our uniforms are comfortable.”
An instant red blush streaked across Lightning Lad’s face. Particularly across his nose, in a way that would have made Rudolph proud, as Phantom Girl and Bouncing Boy burst out laughing and the two ensigns bit their lips to keep, unsuccessfully, from smiling.
After waiting for the laughter to calm down, Pike moved so he could face both groups.
“I know that there is a lot of bad blood between the Legion and Starfleet. Things have been said, more than once, that can’t be taken back, and we’re both notoriously stubborn and set in our ways,” he smiled at each group, glancing at the others that had gathered around to let them know he knew they were eavesdropping. “That said, we’re going to have to suck it up and learn, not only how to deal with each other, but to depend on each other and ask for the other’s help. There are just some things that we just can’t let stubbornness and pride get in the way off.” He turned to the ensigns. “Dismissed.”
Soon the Legion was again following Pike out of the hanger in silence.
After leaving the building entirely to go to a separate building, Brainy turned to the admiral.
“Pardon me if this is, how Lightning Lad says, ‘none of my damn business’, but does Starfleet not have any powered chairs available? If not, I could -”
The admiral’s light laugh cut Brainy short.
“Thank you for the offer Brainiac Five, but Starfleet has no shortage of powered chairs.” He chuckled again, glancing up at the youngest Legionnaire. “You should have seen the box with wheels they wanted to encase me in.” His smile fading somewhat, he pushed himself forward. “No, I chose to have a manual chair; something that I could control myself and still get what little exercise these quacks allow me outside rehabilitation training.”
“If there’s one thing I would like to add to the Legion; it’s an official doctor,” Saturn Girl admitted, as the doors opened for the group once they came closer.
The spark in his eyes returning, Pike seemed to be struggling not to smirk or laugh.
“Trust me when I say that you don’t want one of our doctors. They can be a little crazier than most. There are several debating whether or not a holographic doctor would have better bedside manner.”
Superman could almost see the gears turning in Brainy’s mind as he theorized whether or not such a feat would actually be possible.
“So, what ship will be getting the pleasure of our company?” Phantom Girl phased into the building beside Pike, grinning in a way that begged the question of how pleasurable her company would actually be.
The admiral smiled in a way that reminded Superman of the President, when they had asked her about why she called.
“The Enterprise.”
This time it was Brainy who Superman nearly walked into as he seemed suddenly frozen in place. He almost asked why, when he saw that Brainy was a lighter shade of green then he could ever recall seeing him, and that he was looking towards the door they just came through as though it was his salvation.
“Did you say, ‘the Enterprise’?” Brainy sounded like he was praying that he had misheard.
“Yes, I said the Enterprise. She is the finest in the ‘Fleet, our flagship -” Pike began to brag - but stopped when he turned to look at Brainy and saw how he looked like he was going to be ill all over the floor.
“Sprock no,” Brainy groaned and squeezed his eyes shut as if it would make it all just disappear.
“Sprock yes!” a voice cheered from just ahead of them.
In the entry way to the meeting room stood a man not much older then most of the Legionnaires. He had short spiky blond hair and eyes such a brilliant blue that their gaze could capture you from across the room and hold you until they were willing to release you. His smile was so wide and big you could almost imagine him as a wild adventurous child that was having fun pretending to be and adult and forcing others to take him seriously in his golden shirt of captaincy.
“Grife,” Brainy swore, “you again.”
“You know you missed me Brainy-kins,” the captain grinned.
The Legion stared as Pike managed not to roll his eyes.
“Everyone meet-” the Captain practically leaped forward, interrupting the Admiral and declaring, “James T. Kirk of the U.S.S. Enterprise.”