Lightning
~ Years later, after the Enterprise finished their first five year mission ~
Boom.
Thunder echoed overhead as a storm raged above the city of San Fransico. Lightning crackled and left violent streaks in the sky. The people huddled inside where the warmth was. Only a few ambitious souls dared to brave the vicious storm.
It was unnatural to the eyes of most. It had come so quickly, taking only but a few moments to turn aggressive. It almost seemed as if someone, instead of something, had caused it.
Boom!
The largest bolt of lightning San Francisco had ever seen crashed into the ground, right in the heart of the city. Thunder rumbled like the heart of a lion and the ground shook with the force of an earthquake. There was a power lost to the buildings within a mile radius.
What the hell just happened?
Right where the lightning had chosen to strike was a hole about five feet deep. It looked almost as if a tiny meteor had struck.
Well, technically, it had.
In the middle of the gapping pit was a silver hammer with ancient runes carved into the sides. Leather wrapped around the handle and formed a loop at the end. It was the most mysterious thing ever. Since when did it rain hammers?
Sirens bellowed in the distance as emergency vehicles barreled their way towards the “crash site”. They separated within a mile of the hit, one ambulance driving right up towards it.
As the first responders clamored out of the hover car, one caught a glimmer near the edge of their vision. Turning, she gasped, loud enough to alert her companion.
Human curiosity tugged them towards it. The first responder, a black haired woman, decided to slide down into the hole with warnings from her friend. She took a moment to gaze at the hammer. It was beauitful and truly unique. Then - because what else would you do? - she grabbed the handle and pulled, only to find it would not budge.
”Hey! Help me with this will you?” She called.
The other paramedic joined her, grasping the handle as well. Together, they pulled with all their might. Still, the hammer did not move an inch.
”I think we need to call either Starfleet, a historian, or the police.”
~
Just a few miles away, near Starfleet Headquarters, there was a second strike, thunderous and loud. It left the ground burning and struck fear and worry into the officers that were still working.
Admiral Pike glanced at the window before trying focus on his work only to do a double take. There was man standing right where the middle of the lightning bolt had been. He stood strong though his clothes, which were a Starfleet uniform, smoldered at the force of the blast.
Curious, Admiral Pike stood and grabbed his cane, joining the small crowd that had gathered at the door. The man seemed familiar some how. Cautiously, Pike stumbled outside to meet the security guards who were slowly edging closer towards the man.
That’s when Pike saw his face.
And he froze.
The man seemed to recognize him as well as his all-too familiar face lit up with joy.
”Chris?”
It was the same deep, friendly voice he had come to know all those years ago.
”George?”