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 How outdated), Chekov decides to set off.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

[starcharter]

"Do you have much experience with very serious people?"

[imaginate]

He ducks his head, grinning, and passes over some dessert once it arrives. Damian can be described as extremely serious, really, but Kyle's always found him and Spock easy to talk to.

Uncomplicated. Not like Jim or Clara, even though he cared for them deeply as well, it was difficult to voice his emotions.

'I have a lot of experience with stubborn people.'

[starcharter]

Chekov examines his dessert, trying to find something recognizable in it. He grins.

"Stubbornness can be a good quality for some people."

[imaginate]

'Some people he says,' Kyle jokes. 'Like our - mutual friend, the captain?'

The slip was close, but he catches it, quickly. He'd already made it in front of Shayera, and he'd rather anyone else not know how close he is to Jim.

[starcharter]

He holds up his hands, still smiling.

"I implied nothing."

But he totally did. Chekov's expression doesn't change: he apparently didn't catch the near-slip.

[imaginate]

'I heard nothing, then.'

He finishes the dessert. 'Wow, that was good, huh? Walk back to your suite?'

[starcharter]

He nods in response to both questions.

"Perhaps you could point out important buildings on the way back?"

He can tell what some of the businesses are, but not all of them.

[imaginate]

'Sure,' he replies, getting up and waving over the server so he can pay. 'We can talk to a few people - get you a section of the lab. Plenty of scientists, not enough space.'

[starcharter]

"A lab?"

He lights up. A lab means materials and collaboration and maybe, just maybe, finding a way to stop... whatever this is.

[imaginate]

'Yep, a lab. Mr. Stark and Mr. Wayne have the most well-equipped ones. I can vouch for Mr. Wayne, he's from my world.'

And perhaps because Kyle'd picked up his less charming, paranoid tendencies due to spending several hours of the week with the man. He liked his friends close.

[starcharter]

"What sort of people are they looking for? Do I just speak with them? I have never had to seek a job before."

Straight from the Academy to the 'Fleet.

[imaginate]

He raises his eyebrows. Wow, he'd need to ask Jim more about their future, that kids no longer needed to work.

'Smart people.' Like you goes unsaid. 'You can talk to them directly, I don't think anyone here really bothers with resumes, but if you need a referral letter or something I'd be happy to vouch for you.'

[starcharter]

Well, Chekov's a special case entirely.

He stands after Kyle's done paying, brushing off any crumbs and waiting for Kyle to lead the way out.

"You barely know me. You would vouch for me?"

[imaginate]

Kyle gives him an odd, piercing look, like he's seeing Chekov's very soul in an instant. It's sharp, and it's tactics, but he knows it'll have the desired effect.

'You're one of Kirk's,' he says, evenly. 'He only takes the best.'

[starcharter]

Chekov ducks his head slightly. He's used to people calling him smart. But being trusted based on his association with the captain is new. And oddly... flattering in a way.

Of course, that means he'll still have to prove himself. Stand on his own two feet.

"I will not let you down."