Turtles: the final frontier

[starcharter]

Characters: Chekov and YOU
Date: Today-ish
Location: Absolutely everywhere
Situation: Chekov has been snatched from the Enterprise and dropped shoeless and confused into a city on the back of a turtle. Clearly the solution is to look around and go shopping.
Warnings/Rating: None


At first, he'd thought it was a very, very strange dream. Of course, that theory was debunked about two minutes in when he pinched himself. Then he was carted from a grand palace to a reasonably large city. He couldn't identify this particular race of aliens, but it's clear that their technology lags far behind the Federation's. So he stays quiet. So do they, actually. The few questions he asked-- generic questions-- he'd gotten little scraps of information and a lot of 'that's the Emperor's business.' A monarchy. That explains the palace, he supposes.

Once they show him his suite (it was pretty nice) and dropped some money into his hands (money? How outdated), Chekov decides to set off. He needs to change out of his uniform, just to be safe. The Prime Directive is that one rule you don't want to break in Starfleet. Even hinting at the fact that he was from a world more advanced than this one is a bad idea. He needs to blend in as much as he can.

A little hard to do when you're standing shoeless in the middle of Metal Sector.

Alright. He focuses: clothes, food, crew, answers. Without any kind of Starfleet communication device, he's going to have to hoof it around the city. Just as well: not having a mental map of this place bothers him; he might as well start making one now.

Comments

[jirk]

It's been a weird month.

Eventful.

But weird.

It's one of those months that has Jim feeling like he's alternately gone on a bender and saved the planet, so... it's pretty much like the afterparty they pitched upon Nero's defeat. He's feeling - and here's a term for the head-shrinkers - emotionally hung over.

And he's sitting in one of the reasons why.

His dad's old car. Perfect, pristine. It's in the same shape it was when he drove it off a cliff once upon a time (but before it hit the bottom, naturally) and he... has no idea how to feel about that.

(The scientific part of his mind is going 'okay, so how did it end up at the bottom of an alien ocean in one piece completely re-conditioned?' but he's ignoring that part. And the one that wants to bring up the fact that Pike's class ring was in the glove box.)

He's gone back and forth on whether or not he should drive the damned thing. On one hand, it's a car. It's meant to be driven, the same way the Enterprise is meant to be flown, and Jim's... old enough now to appreciate what it means. The care and work his old man put into restoring her. The car was - should have - gone to George, but better it get trashed than sold off for whatever the hell his stepfather would have wasted his money on that week.

But it's here, and it's his, and Jim is parked on the side of the street outside metal (looking for parts, as good as the condition of the car is, he remembered something about his mother claiming the ball bearings tended to go on the driver's side) when he sees-- Chekov?

Holy shit. Wait. What?

Rewind.

He stares, leans out of the side of the car.

"Chekov?" And lucky he's loud enough that carries the half-block between them. Jim grabs the keys out of the ignition, vaults out of the convertible (hell yeah he's got the top down) and practically runs to the kid. "Whoa, you-- what--"

He skids to a halt just in front of him. Tries to calm down. There's a time and a place to act like the kid's big brother, and there's one to act like a captain. This is... probably the latter time.

"Took you long enough, Ensign. Got a report for me?"

[starcharter]

It's impossible to ignore a shout like that, particularly when it comes from the Captain. Chekov sees Kirk vault out of a vintage car and practically run over. He's a bit startles at first (why does Kirk seem surprised? Didn't they all end up here?).

When Kirk asks for a report, Chekov snaps to attention but seems a touch sheepish.

"I am sorry, Captain. It seems I arrived very unprepared."

[jirk]

Jim's brow furrows, and he. Sighs. Slings an arm around the kid's shoulders. Is it just him or is he actually taller? Ignoring for a moment the fact that he's not wearing any shoes (damnit, Chekov) he definitely seems taller.

Give Jim a moment.

"You're not unpre-- look, it happens to everybody. Transdimensional nexus melting pot that pulls people from infinite points of possibilities across infinite numbers of galaxies. You get used to it. What's the last thing you remember?"

[starcharter]

At first, Chekov wonders if he gave the wrong answer (but it was the only answer he could give). Then Kirk starts explaining and things click a little.

"Then they are hiding their advanced technology?"

Because he was brought in on a cart.

The question doesn't seem to bother him-- Kirk did act as if he'd been here longer. Somehow.

"I had just finished my shift on the bridge and was preparing for bed." He looks down at his bare feet, wiggling his toes. "That is why I have no shoes, Captain."

[parallels]

Clara would recognize that uniform anywhere by now, she spends far too much time with Jim and by proxy Spock and Bones, not to instantly connect it with Star Fleet. But she hasn't seen this one around before and judging by his expression (and lack of shoes) he's likely just arrived.

She finishes up her business at the stall, picks up her turtle egg (she's currently on duty), and rushes off after him. Thankfully, the uniform makes him easy to spot and she ducks under a few people's arms that are reaching for merchandise to catch up with him. Finally, she walks next to him, but needs to walk swiftly to match his stride.

"Let me guess, coming here isn't Star Fleet business."

[starcharter]

"Wh-- ?"

Then it registers-- she's human. She'd know about the Federation and Starfleet, wouldn't she? Still, he's startled for a moment because that was definitely not something he was expecting.

"No. But, ah, I should be careful. The Prime Directive."

[parallels]

"The prime directive." Clara agrees in a slightly conspiratorial voice that doesn't betray that she has no idea what it is. "Right. Suppose you're looking for Jim then?" A glance down. "Jim and some trainers?"

[starcharter]

"Do you know where I can find him?"

Shoes <<<< finding the captain.

[urbanmagic]

Oh hello, shoeless wonder. That was new.

Well, okay, people dropping in unexpectedly and looking hopelessly lost wasn't, but they usually had footwear. That kind of came with the package, didn't it? Or maybe they didn't, and they thought it'd be funny if he had no shoes. Traci certainly found it-- well, not so odd, she had that happen to her to before, but to be fair she was the one dragging herself to new places.

Right. Derailed. Shoeless, confused-looking little man in the middle of the street where kedan were bustling around. She discreetly waves her hand to make the paint bucket and brush disappear, and while her clothes were still a mess due to spilled paint and smelling of it, it was better than accidentally tipping it on him while trying to help.

"You might want to step aside before someone steps on your toes, mister!"

[starcharter]

A lot of people seem to be commenting on his shoelessness. He wonders if it's good or bad that that's the oddest thing about his arrival.

"Ah, I am not too worried. The kedans seem to be avoiding me unless they try to sell me something."

Which is still so odd for someone who is unused to commercialism.

Still, he moves out of the main avenue of traffic and smiles at the young woman.

"I suppose many people don't arrive here without shoes?"

[urbanmagic]

"Not one I've met before, but you'd be surprised anyway." Main traffic issue go, so are the vendors. That's good. She usually didn't like it when they got overenthusiastic.

"So that confirms it. You're new here?" And she extends a hand in greeting, handshake and all. "The name's Traci. What's yours?"

Market | Food

[storm_warning]

Half the city seems to be hitting up the ruins and the other half holding sales on their stock in an attempt to lure customers back from the Dark Side. Ororo did her tour of Sinbrilee in the first couple days and frankly, it's a bunch of ruins and ghosts. That's not her idea of a good time -- sure, it had a couple good points, like meeting Korra and helping reunite Jack with an old friend, but on the whole? Haunted cities aren't her thing.

Which is why she's at the marketplace and looking over a spread of strange fruit-and-vegetable salads that are ready to go. They're weird, but she's developed a taste for them.

There is, however, only one container of the particular variety she likes and she spies another Foreigner looking at it -- even in vague curiosity. "Hey," she calls over to him. "I call dips on the purple-and-red one."

[starcharter]

Chekov is simply looking at the odd food, trying to place it. He doesn't recognize any of it-- there's no hint of what sector of space he might be in. (Though, that's assuming he's still in his universe. Kirk's explanation seemed fantastical, though Chekov doesn't outright dismiss it.)

He looks up when the woman speaks and smiles slightly. Not quite embarrassed but smiling as if there's a misunderstanding. He picks up the salad and holds it out to her.

"Here, before someone less polite tries to take it."

[storm_warning]

Ororo stares at the salad that he's holding out for a good thirteen seconds before she takes it, one eyebrow raising up slightly at how polite he is about it. And, to be fair, how his accent sound very vaguely familiar.

"Uh, thanks?" said as she looks him over. "You're a sweetheart. You now?" Because most nice people get jaded pretty quickly around here.

Chekov's suite!

[selfsacrificing]

Spock received a dizzying number of messages from the Captain in quick succession, about Chekov and his location and the five year mission, Spock, the five year mission! so it shouldn't be a surprise that he shows up on Chekov's doorstep, knocking briskly.

He isn't usually one to make personal appearances; he'll figure out the whole diplomat thing later in life (much, much later), but since Nero the crew of the Enterprise has become something Spock is entirely too attached to. They are the only people that he has left. So here he is, all stiff Vulcan lines and out of his element because he cannot afford to lose much more (and because he may or may not have been informed that he's not personable enough and could stand to make an adjustment.)

It doesn't hurt, of course, that Chekov has a brilliant mathematical mind and has never given Spock reason to believe he would make unpleasant company.

"Ensign Chekov. May I enter?" Manual doors. He will never get used to manual doors.

[starcharter]

Chekov is putting away a handful of groceries-- he'll have to figure out how you're supposed to eat this unfamiliar food, but that's an issue for another time.

He hears the knock on the door and a very familiar voice. It's a bit selfish, considering he's stuck here, but it's nice to have some familiar faces around.

Chekov opens the door with a smile.

"Of course. Come in, Commander."

He steps back, giving Spock space to enter.

market || window shopping

[grigio]

There isn't really much that Julie can do back home. Mostly because there's nothing to do, and partly because there isn't time to do anything but train and work and salvage and go after zombies.

Since she arrived here, however, she's found herself with plenty of time to relax and wander and do absolutely nothing.

Today was a day for window shopping, a small bag of cookies in one hand and her eyes on merchandise set on display in shop windows. It's nothing she can afford just yet, but one can dream.

Some day, the pair of plain boots she's eyeing will be hers. They look much more comfortable than the combat boots she sports at the moment

She's so distracted by these boots that she almost runs into Pavel, stopping herself at the last second when she notices him.

"Sorry. I wasn't watching where I was going," she says with a sheepish and apologetic look on her face. "You okay?"

[starcharter]

Chekov is doing some wandering of his own, though it's more to get oriented than window-shopping. At least he has shoes now, courtesy of Captain Kirk. He's so absorbed in observing that he doesn't notice Julie nearly walk into him.

He smiles back, seemingly not bothered at all.

"Perfectly fine, no harm done. I am guilty of being distracted too-- still learning my way around."

[grigio]

"Ah, you're new. Okay." Julie offers another grin, nodding slightly. "Welcome to the Turtle."

Thank God he was new. A lot of people seemed to know her as the Zombie girl and that can get unnerving after a while. A fresh start with a new face would be amazing. Her hand extends as she introduces herself, now o intent on making a good first impression and not as concerned about the shoes she saw earlier.


"Julie Grigio."

And then this happened

[alphatar]

Now that her care for the turtle egg was done for the day, Korra was out of her suite and about the Metal Sector. Riding Naga was something she had missed for the last three months, and now she was taking every chance she could get to make up for lost time.

With occasional grumbling kedan at getting bumped by the shoulders of the large polar bear dog, Korra was looking up at one of the taller buildings when Naga suddenly stopped. This grabbed her attention and she stood on the stirrups to see what the hold up was.

“STARFLEET!” Korra said loudly and happily. She quickly hopped off Naga, who was very intent on sniffing at the young man and probably about ready to lick his curly hair.

“Command track; that’s what gold means, right?” Korra walked up to him and was surprised that she was a little taller than he was. Normally, she was shorter. But then something clicked when she saw his face more clearly. This person was in Jim’s dream. “You drive the Enterprise?” her voice was hardly containing her excitement.

[starcharter]

Chekov's not entirely sure what just happened. He was minding his own business, shopping for new clothes (apparently his command golds were very easily recognized. Not that he wasn't proud of his rank, but blending in is probably a good idea).

So he was looking at a rack of clothes at an outdoor stand when suddenly he hears someone scream 'starfleet!' He turns just in time to see a girl in blue and the tongue of a something lick him.

"AY!" He gets out of range the moment he can and is immediately peppered by questions.

"No I-- you know about Starfleet? How?"

[alphatar]

“Naga, stop.” At her command, the white polar beard dog padded over to her, its tail slightly drooped.

That didn’t stop her enthusiasm at all though. “Captain Jim Kirk! He’s a friend of mine. Because of him I got to be in the sciences and medical division!” she nodded impressively, as if this was some great accomplishment. “Space is so amazing, I can’t believe you get to drive through it.” That dream was still very fresh and her mind, so much that she just assumed he knew that she referencing the dreaming that was going on at Sinbrilee.

Then it hit her.

“Oh, wow. Sorry, got carried away. This is Naga, she’s my polar bear dog.” A light bark and happy panting ensued. “I’m Korra. Nice to meet you!” she held out her hand. “When did you arrive on Tu Vishan?”

[imaginate]

Sinbrilee is the place to be, if one discounted all the mysterious archways, but Kyle's not feeling it after reliving some of his worst nightmares. Instead, he takes to the streets of Keeliai, intending to indulge in some retail therapy. Shayera needs some groceries, after all, and if they're going to wall up at her place they need to be able to withstand a siege.

It's during this ill-advised adventure that he runs into a familiar looking uniform on a much tinier person, who has shoes, and is looking at the window of a small clothes store. Kyle hasn't bothered much with his appearance, but hey, if this is one of Jim's, it's a detour he can afford.

'Hey,' he calls out. 'Short on cash?'

[starcharter]

Chekov turns when he hears a voice (he should pay more attention, but he's busy taking in the sights, trying to commit as much information to memory as possible). The question clearly surprises him, but he smiles as he prepares to dismiss the stranger's generosity.

His accent is thick and clearly Russian, but he's not too difficult to understand.

"No, the kedans gave me some juulans. I just do not go shopping for clothes often."

Because space.

[imaginate]

Thick accents aren't a problem. All kinds of species are in the Corps (some don't even use words, it's more like a series of strange whistles that Kyle wasn't even going to try and replicate), so he flashes Chekov a bright smile.

'Well, my friend, you're in luck. I happen to know exactly where an enterprising Starfleet man can get some threads.'

Hey, he's cool.