When you wish...

Posted on Wednesday October 14th, 2020 @ 8:24am by Captain Tobias Bishop III
Edited on on Wednesday October 14th, 2020 @ 8:37am

Mission: The Forgotten Outpost
Location: Ready Room
Timeline: Current

Tobias was in his ready room, once again nursing a steaming mug and going over the absurd number of PaDDs that had materialized in his office moments ago. He had lost count, but the pile was in the hundreds if not thousands. The one that had appeared on his desk simply bore the words "I told you so." and was signed by the Chief Engineer.

His mind boggled at the sheer number of things listed as needing repair or needing installation. He had never imagined the station was in this level of disrepair.

He sighed deeply, and rocked back in his chair as an air of complete defeat washed over him.

At that moment, the door chime sounded. He figured it was probably Lyra coming to tell "Mister Colonel Bishop Man" just how badly screwed that they were, but he answered it anyway.

"Come." he said simply.

The door swooshed open to reveal an older man in anachronistic clothing with grey hair.

"Hello Colonel Bishop." he said with a wave of his arm and a deep bow. "Allow me to introduce myself." then he paused a moment.

"I am known as Mister Mxyzptlk and I bring you greetings from the denizens of the Fifth Dimension."

His mannerisms and most of his words held no meaning for the Colonel, but he was intrigued to say the least.

"The Fifth Dimension?" Tobias asked, completely confused.

"Yes. The Fifth Dimension." the small man responded. "I don't expect a being of your limited intellect to understand the reference. Let's just say that I have travelled a very long way to come and see you on this auspicious occasion."

Bishop just sat in silence, confounded by this strange little man, and curious as to what else he might say.

"I believe we can help each other. I need one of your shuttle craft, and in exchange I can offer you my services. I can, with a snap of my fingers, make your entire station brand spanking new, right down to that 'new station' smell." he said with a smile. "It's a simple exchange really. A Win-Win one might even say."

"That's a very interesting proposal, Sir, but forgive me if I find myself a bit doubting."

"Oh-Ho! Fear not 'Mister Colonel Bishop Man', I can prove my worth in the snap of my fingers." the tiny figure responded and did indeed snap his fingers.

In a blinding flash of light, Bishop found himself standing in a remote section of the station. The lights in this section were flickering on and off, as was indicated on the random PaDD he has looked through moments before the being arrived in his office.

"Behold and be amazed." he said, and again he snapped his fingers. Another blinding flash, and when Bishop's eyesight cleared, the section of the station did appear to be completely repaired to brand new.

"What's the catch?" Bishop asked, still believing this to be too good to be true.

"Oh, there's no catch. I repair your station, you give me a shuttle craft, I leave, and you owe me one favour in the future. It's simple really."

The words "Ok, fine." appeared in Tobias' mind for just a fleeting moment, and before he could speak anything out loud, even though he intended to protest, Mxyzptlk giggled and said, "Very good, Very good, it is done and sealed."

The Colonel flinched, "Wait, I didn't say 'Yes' yet." and Mxyzptlk responded "Oh, but in the Fifth Dimension, thoughts and words are one in the same. Makes life ever so much easier."

"Be seeing you 'Mister Colonel Bishop Man'." he said, and snapped his fingers.

Another blinding flash.

Bishop found himself back in his office, with five thousand two hundred and fourty two message all trying to come in at the same time. "Oh gods, what have I done?" he asked himself. "This isn't going to end well."

:: To Be Continued ::

Colonel Tobias Bishop III
Commanding Officer
Deep Space Three