Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

It was another Tuesday morning in Cafae Latte, when a stranger walked through the door. A rather tall man walked in with a grey great coat covering what appears to be a science fiction comic con costume. Ungodly handsome with a well trimmed beard. Dark hair with an undercoat of purple. The pale skinned skinned with a violet hue and violet eyes and slightly pointed ears. His hands are covered in gloves. He walked up to the counter where Husniya said, “Hello, welcome to Cafae Latte. How can I…You looked strangely familiar.” “I have that ‘face’,” the stranger said. Several of the staff looked up from what they were doing. The stranger continued, “May I please speak to the proprietor of this establishment.”

Bob came walking out from the kitchen and said, “I am Bob the owner of this establishment. How may I help you?” “Yes. I have a problem,” The stranger said. “And what is your problem?” “I really can’t speak with ears about.” “Ears?” “To be plain, I am under certain rules that state that I must speak to you and only to you.” “Oh okay. Let's talk in my office, “Bob said. Cyrus chimed in, “You look like you are going to a comic con.” “Yes,” The stranger said. Both he and Bob walked into her office. The other staff and Nicole made a comment that he looks familiar.

Past the tables and ovens and racks of cooling of baked products, they wound through the kitchen. In the smallish office they sat down. Bob in front of a battered metal desk straight from the sixties, and the stranger in an old folding chair that was way too small for him. Bob said,” I assume that you are from the future.” “And in that you would be correct. I will make it clear at this point that I am not at liberty to discuss future matters. Or to give too many details,” The stranger said. Bob lifted an eyebrow. “I am fae, I can not lie,” The stranger said. Bob decided not to press the issue since she could see his slight pointed ears. She wondered who his parentage.

Then Bob asked, “What problem do you have?” He said, “ Without giving too much detail the ship that I am in managed to go to a magic induced time portal. What I need is a spell that I could perform, to get us back.” Bob asked, “Why come to me?” He answered, “One you are powerful in magic. Two you are far more practiced. Three your discretion.” Bob took it as a compliment before asking, “Why can I not do it?” “Because of all the time traveling rules.” “And the price? I do not work for free.” “Would three solid gold Soverns work? Granted they would not be used until later.” “Deal,” Bob said. He took out the three coins and slid them over. Bob wrote up the spell. “I hope this works for you.” “It better. I have over two thousand souls riding on me being correct on the application.” Bob heard the steadfastness in his words. She asked, “Anything else?” He said,” from me nothing. From my Captain, A letter.” He produced a small envelope, along with two gold coins. He pointed to the writing saying, “This is the address. And this is the time stamp that this letter needs to be.” It states the Department of Temporal Investigations. December 24, 19:53 2739. “Will do,” Bob said before pocketing the coins and placing the letter in a safe. With everything all said and done, both stood up from the chairs. Bob being five foot eleven inches being dwarfed by the stranger by six inches. They snaked their way out the office and the kitchen, where Drek began his shift. As soon as they went to the dining room, He strode out the door. Cyrus asked, “Did he say anything important?” Bob replied, “He was not at liberty to discuss much.” Jennifer Charles said, “He looks alot like you Bob.”

Chapter Text

USS Constellation
Heavy battlecruiser
193000 tons

The shuttle from Earth with the stranger on board. The stranger name of commander Marven. He strode off of the lowering ramp of the shuttle. The shuttle bay smelled of oil and fuel. In the bright led lights his clothes turned grey. He saluted the flag on the wall before turning into the dimly lit corridor. The only constant noise was the low rumble of the engines, with a spattering of notices. He climbed up the stairs and turned left. He Turned the lock and opened the door of the bridge. Even here there was very little noise. He found out the Captain was in his office.

He walked over and knocked twice. He was told to enter. As he did so, he took off his black gloves showing a gold ring on his left hand. His white skin looked pale. He reported what had transpired down on earth. Captain Sherman then asked, “Did they recognise you?” “No Captain. They did not.” “Are you sure?” “They made the comment that I looked familiar to them,” Marven said. “Was there anything else?” “No sir. I followed the rules and the instructions. I have the instructions for the magic in my hands. I’ll need six hours to prepare before doing it,” Marven said. “What shall we be doing beforehand?” “Make best possible speed out of the system.” “What time?” “Just after ‘Morning colors’.’ “See you then.” Marven saluted his Captain and left the office.

The following day after ‘Morning Colors’ Commander Marven was ready to do the spell. The Constellation was headed toward the direction of where they were back at their proper time. Marvin started the spell. The spell that Bob gave him. He read and took great care to get right. The confluence of the spell and science made it possible for the ship to return to its proper place and time. When the ship systems returned, they were five hours later than when they left.

Marven stanched the blood from his nose. The spell took a toll. He was then ordered to go to sick bay. The captain called Admiralty house. He reported what happened. Then he received a call from the Department of Temporal Investigation. Afterward, the ship went back to space station 719. The bridge officers were debriefed.

The fleet was on high alert due to the actions of The Federation faction. A remnant of The old American Empire. A dark history of blood and violent part of the history of humanity and para’s from other realms. As Commander Marven walked off the ship onto the gangplank, he was called by a young Lieutenant. A young lady jogged up to him and asked, “Commander, did you enjoy looking at your past?” He answered, “It was several years before my time.” She did not like the answer and showed it on her face.

He went back to his little corner apartment in a city of the colony planet. His lovely wife was there. She was Older than he was. Their children went off to their lives years ago. One is working for his mother, Bob. She owned a coffee shop off of earth as soon as it got glassed in the early days of the Federation/Alliance war in the early twenty second century. He received a call from his mom. As soon as he placed the phone to his ear, she tore into him. Grim faced him and waited for her to stop. He simply replied,”There are rules I must follow even for you.” Bob gave her usual fourth wall break, ‘yeah I know’. Before he hung up he said, “Please give my regards to uncle Cyrus and Uncle Raytheu.” Bob looked down at her phone. She looked at the pair. Cyrus young looking as ever said, “How he guess?” Bob replied, “Well he is his fathers son in certain regards of his magic.”

Chapter Text

Cafae Latte.
January first. 2025

After the stranger left there was much gossip about him. Bob didn’t sleep well that night. The stranger looked way too similar to her. Maybe he was her child, or she was glamoured in the future. In the days and weeks the gossip died down. Karens got cursed and trouble got dealt with. Husniya told her CIA handle of a stranger. Since she was not in the discussion, she could not spill on what was said.

Years pass and the world turns. Her human staff grew older and passed away. Bob managed to get married to a human wizard and have a child. She raised him along with the father in classics, swordplay, mathematics. Along with history, civics and magic. She had to protect him from corrupt members of the CIA.

In time, she saw America go from a democratic republic to full on dictatorship. It managed to grab chunks of Canada and Mexico. And shed any pretense of it not being an empire. The world fought back in what would become the first Federation/Alliance war. Most Paras left North America for europe. While America fought everyone, it allowed itself to internally fall apart.

Bob was in Ireland, where she started on earth. As the war got worse, the world called in on the debt that America owed. They said no. Then the nuclear bombs got used. Soon the global south rose to equal status.

Some humans went to other realms as refugees. Others on the other hand accelerated space travel ultimately breaching the faster than light barrier. They managed to colonize other worlds, both habitable and inhabitable. The second Federation/Alliance war went to the stars.

The horrors didn’t stop with weapons. The American faction let loose their bioweapons. Monsters that they engineered of those para they cut up and used as fodder in their unholy experiments. These monsters once let loose, turned on their masters.

Bob along with her family, Cyrus, Rethu, Janine, Patrick. Even young Drek. Her husband died trying to protect her and Marven in his realm. Surprising to her, she still misses him. Colony planet was a safe option for most of humanity. In time Marven grew up and joined the Alliance navy. Along with magic he was academically gifted and a gifted warrior. He proved this by taking out several of his government kidnappers. Others, he cursed them and their bloodlines.

He grew into his role as a naval officer. He soon married a goddess and had a family of his own. After a brief time he went to his fathers realm and learned the other side of his magical heritage. Then returned to the navy. As a mother, Bob worried for Marven.

Chapter Text

Colonial planet.
Unnamed city near the naval hippodrome.

Marven was in his kitchen with his wife. Bob, Cyrus, and Rythu came through the front door. The sun was shining through the large windows. Mareven was reading the newspaper on an e-reader. “The game sucked for you uncle Cyrus,” Marven said. “Yeah,” Cyrus said in a sad voice.

The small apartment was bright, with light wood stained shelves filled with books and trinkets. The furniture was retro futuristic in nature. On mannequins were armors. One was for the wife, while three were Marvin’s. One was a full Hauberk woven into a unicorn hide and wool cloth covering with helmet. The next one was full plate armor of spring rainbow steel. It has heavy leather covered sabatons and a close helmet. The third was his dueling armor. With crushed dragon scale and unicorn blood. It had a full coat of plate underneath it. The swords were on the wall displayed. All in working order and protected by magic from theft.

Marven being a magical being was constantly having to protect himself from those with big egos, which will play out in the future. The day was quiet and uneventful. No navel movement, no magical emergence. A family spending the day playing board games.

There was a knock on the door. The goddess opened it and was handed a letter. It was addressed to Marven the hammer. It read, “To Prince Marven Smith. I, the red prince of the fae realm, do challenge you to a duel to the death. You are a half breed, a mongrel amongst the royal family. I, the heir apparent, can not allow this ....” “Is this guy serious?” Marven asked his mother, handing the letter. Bob read it. She then said, “My uncle is a great warrior. Stubborn and arrogant, but he is serious.” Marven then responded to the letter. He will fight the prince.

Chapter Text

After he sealed the letter, he sent it by herald. “This sucks,” He said. Dinner then sex with his wife happened. Marven took time off to deal with the ‘problem’. After weeks, Marven got his armor on. He then got the sword that he uses for duels. He then made a portal to the fae realm. He walked to the dueling ground and waited. There came the crowd of the royal party. The king, his wife, and the arrogant prince all dressed in red armor. The prince talked a big game and tried to scare Marven. The King said the duel should start. To say the least, the duel was short, violent and bloody. Marven sliced open the prince's belly like a bag and beheaded him. The king demanded the prince’s head. Marven pointed his sword dripping in blood and said, “I’ll do no such thing. No this, you failed your son by not teaching him humility. And to repay the insult to me; I demand a pound of flesh.”

And with that, he walked out of the arena. Two guards tried to stop him, but Marven twitched a hand and both flew against the far wall as rag dolls. He kicked open the door and walked out of the arena into the dark tunnel. The threat still hanging in the air.

Out in the wilderness of the realm of the fae, Marven paused long enough to open his visor. He planted the severed head into a pink box, put the cover on it and tied a blue ribbon over it. Then he continued to the portal. He walked to the small Missotian town where Cafae latte was. It was a chilly grey spring day.

Chapter Text

Another late morning in the quaint coffee shop run by Bob. Drek was picking up dirty dishes and Cyrus was at the counter. Nicole was in her chair doing her business, while J C was in the back baking. Marven walked in from one realm to the other. His sheathed sword on his waist and a box with the bloody head of the prince. His helmet on the other hand he walked up to the counter and asked for a mocha.

Marven minded his own business as not to taint the timeline. He cleaned the blood from his sword. After oiling up the blade, he sheathed it. Biding his time he stood out like a sore thumb in his armor. He wrote in a small canvas book while his drink steamed lazily. The cafe was dim in the grey and uncertain spring sky. Marven looked up when a shadow crossed his light. Nicole stood there stimming with her hand. She asked, “Can I ask a question?” Marven responded, “I promise no answers.” He put his pen away and closed his notebook. His helmet and gauntlets on one side. He sat back, his stiff armor kept him upright. She sat down across from him before asking,” What type of materials are used in making your costume?” Marven took a breath before saying,” The materials used in my armor are crushed dragon scale rainbow steel hardened steel, over unicorn hide quilted gambeson partially covered in plates. Full sabatons, gauntlets and visored helmet.” “That seems excessive for L.A.R.P.,” She said. “Not if it involves death and duels,” he said. Nicole raised her eyebrows with questions.

He then continued,” I wish I could do roleplay, but my life is so serious. And deadly.” But that armor is way too pretty,” she said. “Pretty it may be, but just as effective as others in my possession,” He said. He observed her sketchbook, and asked, "May I see?” Nicole nodded and handed it over. She stimmed with her hand as he looked it over. He took note of him in pencil. He remarked, “You do have a steady hand.” He handed it back. The sun was low in the sky, when his pocket watch alarmed ‘jingle and chimes”. He looked at it and noticed the portal to send him home was opening. He drank the rest of his tea, put on his helmet and greeves and picked up his package. He walked past the verge of door and then he was gone.

Chapter Text

USS Constellation
Present day.

After the duel kerfuffle, Marven took his place back onto the heavy cruiser. The Uss Constellation set sail on its cruise. In his smallish berth, he went about his business. Then there are the hours on duty on the bridge. A low hush was to be heard. In the semi darkness with blue lighting, the day passed by slowly.

Days pass, as routine sets in all around the ship. Marvin, as executive officer, spent time making sure that the ship runs smoothly as the captain makes the important decisions. There were gun drills, fire drills launches, landings, and the dull drumbeat of routine. Weeks later the ship received orders to go to an outer colony. The colony sent a distress call. Captain ‘ dreadnought’ Foster put the ship into hyperspace to the colony. SEven hours later they arrived. The captain said, “Action stations.” Klaxons blared and Commander Marven went into the Cid.

There were pirates. It took a better part of three hours for the ship to beat the four heavily armed ships. Soon the ship got their prizes underway and the ship secured. The ship stayed in orbit for several weeks taking part in cleaning the banditry. Prize money was to be had. Marven was lauded as being rather good at his job. He didn't even have to use magic. He received letters and wrote them as well. He misses his family.

Bob, Cyrus and company at the Cafae heard the news of pirates. Apparently, naval intelence is looking into it. The Alliance government sent her son’s ship to deal with it. Seven pirate ships were taken. There will be more naval ships going.

Chapter Text

Citron Anchorage, admiralty house and Anchor slipway #231

After an eight month deployment, the USS Constellation returned home. It went to Citron Anchorage’s refueling depot. Back into its berth, the crew got demobbed. While the captain debriefed, Marven was told to report to the admiralty house. In his black dress uniform, he went planetside in a drop shuttle.

Marven took a grey utility car to the house. A neo classical type that looked like a mansion from the Georgian period. As the car drove up the long driveway, the sun peek out over a grey sky. Maeven was not a happy camper. He got off the ship without coffee or breakfast. He was in the Presidium system. As the ships they took got sold off, he made bank along with the rest of the crew.

In the same system, was the capital planet on the other side of the system.. He had a single story shotgun house on a medium size plot. The planet he was on was perennially cold, grey and cloudy. His place was in a rather affluent town called Harbor bay. He was lucky early in regards to money. Unlike his neighbors he was restrained in his spending.

The car stopped in front of the admiralty house. He got out and walked up the steps. The thick oak doors open. It looked like a country house in England in days of old. He strode through the parquet wood floor. He walked up to the desk and said he was needed. Marven gave his report. The admiral said,”Well there is a payday.” “Indeed,” Maeven said. The admiral handed Marven a cup of tea while saying,” You are rich as croesus, but you live in a small house driving a blue Mini.” “It’s called financial discipline.” On his drive home he stopped by Danny’s Donuts. A stack of pancakes, sausage, eggs and coffee. He went to his house. He called his wife and updated her. The night brought a long torrent of rain. In the bleak light of dawn, he woke up.