Episode 31 - Loyalty Screening
Stardate: 41430.2
Earth Standard Date: June 6, 2364.
Location: ISS Stargazer, Sol System, Mirror Universe.
Tyson stood at his station on the bridge. He could sense Lieutenant Jr. Grade Yar's watchful gaze as he moved through one tactical task after another: checking the photon torpedo inventory, running a level one diagnostic on the weapons systems, and so on. He performed each task flawlessly. Yet, it seemed that his proficiency was annoying her as if she had been expecting him to make a mistake or falter in some way. Her frustration was almost palpable; she frowned, clearly dissatisfied with his unerring performance. She seemed almost disappointed that he had completed every task without making an error she could call him out on. For his part, he couldn't help but notice the tension that had been building between them.
"That's enough, Lieutenant. I'm sure tactical will be ready for our next engagement. We'll be arriving shortly, and I want you to join me. I'll wager that today's catch will impress the Junkyard dogs at the Imperial shipyards. They'll be singing our praises back home," Picard ordered.
Data chimed in, "Utopia Planitia, sir. We are in geosynchronous orbit with the Cardassian ship still in tow."
Picard smiled with nostalgia. "The finest shipyard in the solar system. Mr. Barclay, have you been here before?"
Barclay, slightly flustered, responded, "I was stationed here briefly a few years ago, Captain. I'd love to see it again."
The captain nodded. "Fine, then. You're coming along. We're going to pay a visit to the Quartermaster to turn in our acquisitions. Barclay, Tyson, Data, you're with me. Muster up some Security and meet me in Transporter Room 2. Barclay, arrange with them for the transfer of the Cardassian prisoners. Inquisitor, you have the conn. We won't be gone long. Behave yourself."
Troi playfully replied as she lounged in the captain's chair, "I'll try not to get too comfortable."
With their orders clear, Tyson and Vicky, posing as Data, followed the captain while Barclay moved to carry out his instructions. For his part, Tyson was eager to see the legendary Utopia Planitia shipyard for himself.
Picard, Tyson, Data, and Barclay materialized on the surface of Mars, within Utopia Planitia's environmental dome. The barren Martian landscape stretched outside the dome. Tyson frowned. He thought Mars had been terraformed. Maybe that was only in the prime timeline?
Barclay informed the group, "We'll need to head to the 47th floor, Captain." The captain nodded and instructed him to lead the way.
The acquisitions office door hissed open at Picard's approach, revealing a sterile, utilitarian space bathed in harsh fluorescent lighting. He stepped forward confidently, shoulders squared, and presented himself to the security scanner.
"Jean-Luc Picard, Captain, I.S.S. Stargazer," he announced, his voice carrying the practiced authority of command as he submitted to the blue beam of the retinal scanner.
The security barrier flickered and dissolved. Behind reinforced transparent aluminum, a pallid-faced acquisitions officer appeared, his Imperial uniform crisp but his demeanor bored and bureaucratic.
"Picard," the man acknowledged flatly. "What have you brought us today?"
"A captured Cardassian vessel and crew," the captain replied, unable to keep a note of satisfaction from creeping in. "Intact and ready for Imperial inspection."
"Scanning now." The officer's attention shifted as data scrolled across his screen. A flicker of genuine interest crossed his otherwise impassive features. "Galor-class. No torpedo complement or warp core, but otherwise completely intact." He looked up, giving the captain a reluctant nod of approval. "And 382 Cardassian prisoners for re-education. Quite the haul. Credits will be applied toward your commendation as requested."
Picard turned to his officers, the corner of his mouth lifting in a self-satisfied smile. "Everyone will get their share based on contribution. Let it never be said that Captain Picard isn't generous with those who serve him well."
The acquisitions officer snorted. "Took you long enough to bring one in. Been years since your last significant capture."
The captain's smile didn't falter, but something cold flickered behind his gaze.
Outside in the corridor, Barclay cleared his throat nervously. "That wasn't exactly the reception I expected for bringing in a Cardassian warship."
"I'm not surprised," Picard replied as they strode down the hallway. "That's the Empire for you now. No appreciation for actual achievement. Just petty, desperate fiefdoms carving up what remains of our glory." He gestured broadly. "Everyone talks about Terran supremacy while our resources are strained to the breaking point. Without a different way of thinking, Earth's dominance has an expiration date. We're going to have to start making our own new opportunities."
Data suddenly halted mid-stride, his head tilting at an unnatural angle. Without explanation, he pivoted and entered a room filled with blinking consoles. The others followed, finding themselves in a monitoring station occupied only by a pair of Bynars working silently in the corner.
"Commander?" Barclay's voice wavered with uncertainty. "What are you doing?"
Data's left hand began tapping at the nearest console while his right moved beneath it. He peeled away a section of the casing and extracted a cable and connected the cable directly to a port concealed in his temple.
"I'm making new opportunities," he stated, his optics flickering with data streams as information flowed between his neural network and the station's systems.
The captain watched with calculating intensity, not moving to stop the android. "There may be hope for you yet, Data." His voice dropped to a dangerous whisper. "Assuming you don't get us all killed."
"Do not worry, Captain," Data replied, his voice eerily calm as his fingers continued their lightning-fast dance across the interface. "I have disabled all security protocols." His optics pulsed with binary code. "Download complete."
They departed quickly, returning to the Stargazer with their illicit data cache.
As the transporter beam reassembled them on their ship, Tyson found himself staring at the viewscreen showing the red planet. The Empire had conquered countless worlds and subjugated entire species, yet now they'd been pushed back. They teetered on the brink of collapse and according to Picard, still couldn't work together to survive. He couldn't help but wonder if such an empire was even worth saving.
— Star Jumper —
The captain strode toward his ready room, Data following two paces behind. The android's movements seemed more fluid than usual, his posture less rigid. No one on the bridge noticed the subtle changes except Tyson, who knew Vicky had taken control of Data's systems.
He returned to the tactical station. Junior Lieutenant Yar hovered nearby in perpetual suspicion. She leaned against the console, deliberately invading his personal space. "Your targeting calculations are inefficient," she said. "The Empire expects precision when we eliminate threats."
Tyson pulled up his calculations without looking up. "These modifications are secondary settings. They account for shield harmonics specific to Cardassian vessels based on the information we gathered from the captured vessel."
She studied the display but said nothing more, continuing her silent scrutiny.
The communications panel chimed. Inquisitor Troi stood at her station, her severe black uniform accentuating her imperial authority. She pressed her hand to her ear, listening intently to a message only she could hear.
"Acknowledged, Captain," she said, her voice carrying across the bridge. All activity slowed as crew members tensed, sensing an announcement.
She turned to face the bridge crew, her dark gaze sweeping across each face. "By order of Captain Picard, all personnel will undergo mandatory Empire loyalty screening, effective immediately." Her lips curved into a smile that never reached her depths. "Standard procedure, of course. The Empire values loyalty above all."
The temperature on the bridge seemed to drop several degrees. Crew members avoided contact, focusing intently on their stations.
"Lieutenant Tyson," she continued, fixing on him. "You will be first."
Yar's expression darkened further, a muscle twitching in her jaw. Her hand unconsciously moved toward her phaser, then stopped. She darted between Tyson and Troi, calculating something behind that hard stare.
"Is there a problem, Junior Lieutenant Yar?" Troi asked, her tone deceptively gentle.
The younger woman straightened, her face immediately blank. "No, Inquisitor. No problem."
"Good." Troi's smile widened slightly. "Because questioning the necessity of loyalty screenings would be most unfortunate."
The unspoken threat hung in the air. Everyone on the bridge knew what happened to those who failed loyalty screenings, or those who objected to them. Execution was the merciful outcome. The unlucky ones disappeared into reeducation facilities, returning months later as hollow shells of their former selves.
This was unexpected, but Tyson wasn't worried. His earlier conversation with the Inquisitor had established a tentative alliance. This screening could provide them private time to strategize further.
"I'm ready, Inquisitor," he said, stepping away from tactical.
Yar watched him go with something that might have been envy, suspicion, or fear.
He found himself once again in Troi's quarters. She sat beside him on the couch, close enough that he could smell her faint scent.
"Your performance at tactical was exceptional," she said, her voice dropping to a silken purr.
"I'm an expert in Ship Tactics and Combat, with an Operations Subspecialty in Piloting."
She leaned back slightly, her fingers tracing invisible patterns on the couch between them. The subtle movement drew his attention. "Tell me something more interesting, Lieutenant. What do you think about the state of the Empire?"
He knew this wasn't idle conversation. This was a test.
"I'm not sure the Empire will survive without major changes," he said. "I witnessed the bureaucracy on Mars at Utopia Planitia firsthand. I've seen the petty squabbles on the Stargazer. Terrans are more likely to plunge daggers into each other's backs than work together toward common goals."
"Our enemies have ties that bind them to united causes," he continued. "Klingons have their sense of honor, twisted as it may be. Cardassians possess unquestioning loyalty to their state. The Terrans have nothing unifying them beyond fear. The Empire's loyalty exists only through indoctrination and the idea of personal advancement. If Terrans want to move beyond their current boundaries, they must conform to at least a minimum level of cooperation."
"Okay, so what do you suggest then?"
"Honestly, I don't have an answer. I can identify the problem, but the solution is more elusive. I'm not well-versed in intergalactic policy or governance. My expertise lies in making weapons hit their targets, not rebuilding civilizations."
"It's a complex issue with no easy answers. But it's heartening to know there are people who recognize the need for change and consider alternative approaches." She leaned closer, her breath warm against his ear. "It's through conversations like this that we break down the barriers that have held us back. Perhaps we could work together toward a better future." The words would sound treasonous in Imperial ears, yet her manner carried conviction beneath the danger.
She leaned back, creating space between them that felt calculated rather than casual. "And what do you think about Captain Picard's leadership?" Her attention never left his face, watching for the slightest tell.
The conversation had veered into dangerous territory, and now she wanted his opinion on the captain? He considered his words carefully. From what he'd observed in his brief time in this universe, praising a superior could mark you as a sycophant; criticizing them could get you killed. The truth lay somewhere in between, and truth was what she seemed to be seeking. It didn't help that she was a telepath, and he couldn't hide the entirety of his thoughts from her.
"Respectable," he finally said. "He treats his crew fairly with proper compensation, which builds loyalty beyond fear. He isn't as short-sighted as other officers on this ship and makes reasonable decisions based on facts rather than ego. I hear whispers in the corridors from crewmen saying he's soft. I disagree. Those people would stab him in the back to sit in the chair, only to be stabbed by their next challenger within a week." He paused, aware he was stepping onto thin ice. "The captain could be someone who could bring great changes to the Empire. Someone like him in a higher position, dictating policy and shaping culture, would be a positive change. The Empire needs leaders who build rather than simply conquer. Your presence here and the trust he places in you are proof of that. He sees your value where the other Terrans would see you in chains."
She nodded thoughtfully. Something in her demeanor shifted, like she'd made a decision. "You're right. Captain Picard has a unique ability to look beyond the surface. He treats his crew well, not as disposable tools but as assets to be maintained. It's a rare quality among Terrans." Her fingers stopped their idle movement on the couch. "Perhaps he could be the catalyst for change that the Empire desperately needs, as you said."
"But that's enough about the Captain and the Empire. Can we talk about us?"
She tilted her head slightly, shifting to calculated confusion. "Us?"
"Yes, us. You and I." He maintained his steady focus, refusing to look away from those dark, perceptive depths.
"You're asking." Her tone shifted darker, gaining an edge that hadn't been there before. Her lips curled into a knowing smile. "Terrans don't ask, they take..." She paused, studying him with renewed interest. "But you aren't a Terran, are you?"
So he moved closer, locked on her gaze. He could sense the challenge in her words, and he was not going to back down. As the distance between them diminished, he reached for her and gently took her lips in his.
At first, their kiss was soft, testing the waters of their connection. Her initial surprise gave way to a slow and cautious surrender, her lips parting to allow him deeper access. As they pulled apart, he looked into her depths, searching for a sign, and he saw desire.
"Did you like that?"
"Perhaps Terrans should learn to ask. That was rather nice," she murmured, her voice soft and seductive.
His gaze lingered on her after their passionate kiss, noticing how her skin had taken on a flushed hue. The warmth of the moment seemed to radiate from her, adding to the captivating aura that surrounded her. She was dressed in a figure-hugging blue gown that showcased her curvaceous form. The fabric clung to her body, emphasizing her hourglass figure and drawing attention to her deep cleavage. As she lay on the couch, one leg was exposed, accentuating the length and elegance of her limbs.
Her dark, voluminous curls framed her face, highlighting her expressive features and full lips, which still bore the remnants of their passionate exchange. She placed a hand on his chest, gently but forcefully pushing him back into a sitting position. "As much as I'd like to continue, I have to interview the entire crew over the next few hours. Maybe you could come back tomorrow..."
She winked and smiled, and he almost melted. The Blood Fever started pulling at him, making him want nothing more than to stay with her. But he left as she requested.
She tapped the Imperial communicator on the wall, her lips still tingling from his kiss. "Captain, I've completed my initial assessment of Commander Tyson," she said, dropping to a professional coolness that contrasted sharply with the warmth she'd displayed moments earlier. "He's proven himself an excellent candidate for full indoctrination. His loyalty to you remains unquestionable, and..." A satisfied smile played across her features. "He's thoroughly captivated by me."
The communicator crackled. Picard's response emerged. "Very good, Inquisitor. Your methods continue to yield results." A pause. "Proceed. Picard out."
The connection terminated with a soft chime. She leaned back against the couch cushions, trailing her fingers thoughtfully along the edge of her blue gown where he had touched her.
— Star Jumper —
Data waited a little ways down the hallway from Troi's quarters. His yellow optics tracked Tyson's approach. As he drew near, the android tilted his head slightly. He spoke, but the cadence was unmistakably Vicky's. "I accessed the Utopia Planitia shipyard network while interfacing with their systems."
He glanced around the corridor, confirming they were alone. "What did you find?"
"The Terran Empire has completed construction of their version of the Enterprise-D. The specifications are impressive. Significantly more weaponry than your universe's counterpart."
"Let me guess. The captain has his sights on it."
"Correct. Captain Picard has begun formulating a strategy to seize command of the vessel, intending to eliminate or turn the current command crew and install himself as captain."
Tyson rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Not surprising. A ship like that would give him significant leverage within the Empire."
"Indeed. The vessel represents a substantial upgrade from the Stargazer. It would make him the most powerful starship commander in the Empire."
"Which would put a target on his back."
Data-Vicky nodded. "Precisely. His plan appears to be in the early stages. I will continue monitoring and alert you to any developments."
"Good work." He glanced at a passing crewman, who gave them a wide berth. "Anything else I should know?"
"Nothing urgent. I have compiled a detailed report on Empire fleet movements and command structures. It will be accessible through your Gray Goo Suit the next time you don it."
"Alright, thanks, Vicky."
Data-Vicky inclined her head slightly. "I must return to my duties."
They parted ways at the junction, the android continuing toward the turbolift while he headed for his assigned quarters.
He reached his quarters and the door slid open with a soft hiss, revealing the spartan interior. A narrow bed, a small desk with a terminal, and a basic refresher unit occupied the minimal space.
Ensign Ro sat perched, tense, alert, on the edge of his desk. She wore the sleeveless uniform of the Terran Empire. "Took you long enough," she said quietly. "I was beginning to think they'd thrown you out an airlock."
"Nice to see you too." He crossed the small quarters and dropped onto the floor, folding his legs into a meditation pose. His shoulders slumped forward as he closed his vision, his breathing deliberately measured.
She watched him with narrowed scrutiny. The confident, resourceful officer who had guided them through this hellish mirror universe suddenly looked... vulnerable. His usual alertness had given way to something else—something that made her uneasy.
"Is everything alright, Tyson?" she asked, sliding off the desk.
He sighed. "I was just interviewed by Inquisitor Troi, and I'm... tense after the loyalty screening."
She stiffened at the mention of the other woman. She had met Troi briefly. Even in that short encounter, she had recognized the predatory nature beneath her sultry exterior. The Inquisitor wielded her sexuality like a weapon, particularly against Terran men, who were easily swayed by their base instincts. The thought of him falling into her trap sent a chill through Ro. He was their only hope of returning to their universe. Without him, her situation would be far worse.
She studied his face, noting the tension around his features, the slight tremor in his hands. This wasn't just about Troi's interrogation. Something else was happening.
"Is it the inquisition that's getting to you, or the Blood Fever?" she asked bluntly.
He frowned, opening his focus and breaking his meditation. "It's the Blood Fever. I only have a week. It's been 3 days."
She crossed her arms, leaning against the wall. "We killed plenty of Cardassians on their ship."
"It needs to be a worthy opponent," he said, frustration evident. "The Cardassians aren't a challenge. None here would be. I can't beat this one through combat."
She considered this information carefully. She had heard stories about Vulcan biology from her time at the Academy, whispered tales about their mating cycles and the madness that could overtake even the most disciplined Vulcan mind. If he was experiencing something similar, they were in even more danger than she had realized.
"Well, what are you going to do?" she asked.
A hint of frustration entered his reply as he said, "I don't know, Ro. Seduce the Inquisitor?"
"That doesn't seem like much of a plan, Lieutenant. She's a manipulator. The woman reads minds."
"That doesn't mean she won't sleep with me," he countered. "I think it's rather more likely, actually. We've established a... connection."
"A connection?" She scoffed, her voice rising before she caught herself and lowered it again. "Manipulators don't give up their advantage. That's the whole point. She'll string you along, extract every bit of information she can, use you as much as possible, then discard you when you're no longer useful."
"This isn't high school, Ro. We're not passing notes in class or playing games. This is survival."
"You think I don't understand survival? I grew up in a refugee camp. I watched Cardassians execute my father when I was seven years old." Her voice remained low but took on an intensity that filled the small quarters. "I know exactly what manipulators look like. I've seen them work. They offer hope, protection, and comfort. Whatever gets you to lower your guard."
"I appreciate your concern, but—"
"No, you don't," she interrupted, stepping closer to him. "You think I'm being paranoid or prudish. I'm being practical. She isn't just any officer. She's an Inquisitor. Her entire purpose is to root out disloyalty. What happens when she decides that turning you in is more valuable to her than whatever else you might provide?"
"You're right that she's dangerous. But she's also ambitious. And right now, I represent something unique, something potentially valuable to her ambitions."
"And when you're no longer valuable?" she pressed.
"Then I'll deal with that situation when it arises." His manner hardened. "Look, I don't have a lot of options here. The Blood Fever is real, and it's getting worse. If I don't find a resolution, I'll lose control completely. And that puts both of us at risk."
She paced the small confines of the quarters. She didn't like any of this. Not their situation in this brutal mirror universe, not his deteriorating condition, and certainly not his plan to seduce the ship's Inquisitor.
"What about medical options?" she asked. "Surely there must be something in this universe that could help suppress the symptoms."
He shook his head. "The Blood Fever isn't just a physical condition. Drugs might mask the symptoms temporarily, but they won't solve the underlying problem."
"And you're certain she is your best option?"
"She's taken an interest in me," he replied.
She stopped pacing and faced him directly. "Interest might take too long."
"I know, but its what I've got right now. If I don't address this, the Blood Fever will progress. I'll become increasingly irrational, aggressive, and unpredictable. Eventually, I'll lose all control. How does that help our situation?"
She still felt the current plan wasn't enough. She'd seen too many people make desperate choices in dangerous situations, only to find themselves in even worse circumstances. "What if there's another way?" she suggested. "What if we focus on getting back to our universe instead? Q sent us here. Maybe we can find a way to contact him and convince him to send us back."
"Q doesn't work that way. He's playing a game, and we're the pieces. He won't return us until he's satisfied."
"Then what does he want?"
He answered, "Obviously, he wants to watch me get it on."
"What about finding someone who's not the Inquisitor? Someone not tied to the ship's command structure?"
"In the next four days?" He shook his head. "Not likely."
She crossed her arms again, frustration evident in her posture. "So your plan is to seduce the most dangerous woman on the ship and hope she doesn't turn on you once she gets what she wants?"
"When you put it that way, it sounds terrible," he admitted with a wry smile. "But yes, essentially that's the plan. Unless you have a better one?"
She fell silent, her mind working through possibilities, each more unlikely than the last.
She finally said, "In the resistance, many of the fighters would frequently engage with each other. We never knew if it would be our last fight, if the Cardassians would find us, or if we'd get killed trying to free our people. This world is becoming more like the one I escaped from, day by day."
He looked up at her, shifting from frustration to something more attentive. "The Bajoran resistance?"
She nodded, her fingers absently tracing the ridges on her nose. "I was young, but not too young. The older fighters taught me how to survive, how to fight." Her voice grew quieter. "How to live with the constant fear."
"I didn't know you were part of the resistance."
"It's not something I advertise in Starfleet." Her lips curled into a humorless smile. "Most Federation officers can't comprehend what it was like. They've never had to make the choices we faced daily."
"What kind of choices?"
She sat on the edge of the bed. "Survival choices. Moral compromises. Things that haunt you later when you have the luxury of peace." She looked directly at him. "Sex wasn't about romance or even pleasure most of the time. It was about connection, about feeling something when everything around you was death and suffering."
He shifted his position, recognizing the importance of the direction of the conversation. "I can understand that."
"Can you?" she challenged. "Have you ever lived knowing each day might be your last? That the people you care about could be tortured or killed at any moment?"
"Not in the same way you have," he admitted.
Her gaze was unflinching. "This mirror universe is just as brutal as Bajor under Cardassian rule. Maybe worse in some ways. The constant vigilance, the paranoia, the knowledge that showing weakness means death." She paused. "I recognize it all too well."
"I'm sorry you have to experience it again," he said softly.
"Don't be sorry. Be smart." She moved forward. "In the resistance, we learned to rely on each other, not outsiders. Especially not outsiders with power over us."
He considered her words carefully. "You're suggesting I shouldn't trust her."
"I'm suggesting that trusting her is a gamble with terrible odds." She stood up and paced again, her movements betraying her agitation. "Look, I understand your situation. The Blood Fever isn't something you can just ignore. But there are other options besides the ship's Inquisitor."
"Such as?"
She stopped pacing and faced him directly. "Such as me."
The statement hung in the air between them. He blinked, clearly caught off guard. "Ensign, I don't think—"
"This isn't about rank or protocol," she cut him off. "This is about survival. Your condition puts us both at risk. If addressing it means we have a better chance of getting home, then it's the logical choice."
He stood up slowly, guarded. "Ro, I appreciate the offer, but I can't ask that of you."
"You're not asking. I'm offering." Her voice was matter-of-fact. "This isn't about feelings or attraction. It's about practicality. You need this to function, and we both need you at your best if we're going to survive here."
"It's not that simple," he argued.
"I know." Her expression softened slightly.
He was conflicted. "It wasn't supposed to be like this. If we hadn't been sent here, this would have never been an issue. I had options. Now, I'm stuck. It's exactly what I should have expected from Q."
"None of this is what we expected," she replied. "But we adapt. We survive. That's what I learned in the resistance."
"And what about after? If we make it back to our universe?"
"Then we go back to being Starfleet officers. This stays here, in this reality. No different than any other survival decision we make." She stepped closer to him. "I wouldn't have offered if I wasn't willing. I've made harder choices than this to stay alive." she pointed out with a touch of dark humor. "I think we're well past worrying about the chain of command."
Despite the gravity of their situation, he found himself smiling. "Fair point."
She reached out, her fingers brushing against his arm. "This doesn't have to be complicated. It's a solution to a problem. Nothing more. Treat it as what it is. Two people helping each other survive in a hostile world."
"I won't take advantage of your offer," he said.
"It's not taking advantage if I'm the one making the choice," she countered. "In the resistance, we learned that sometimes the only freedom we have is in choosing how we respond to impossible situations."
He took a step back, creating space between them. His expression grew serious as he met her gaze. "I don't want to become an impossible situation," he said. "I don't want sleeping with me to be a difficult choice that you have to make for survival. Listen, Ro, you're attractive, but I'm not going to coerce you into having sex with me. Conditional, situational, or however you frame it, it would be coerced."
Her eyebrows rose slightly. "That's not what this is."
"Isn't it?" he challenged. "We're trapped in a hostile universe. I'm your commanding officer. The power imbalance alone makes this inappropriate, though admittedly, I care less about that than the circumstances."
"I've faced worse circumstances and made harder choices," she countered, crossing her arms defensively. "Don't patronize me by assuming I can't make my own decisions."
"I'm not questioning your ability to make decisions. I'm questioning the context in which those decisions are being made. In our universe, would you have made the same offer?"
She hesitated, studying him. "That's irrelevant."
"No, it's entirely relevant." He paced the small quarters. "If the answer is no, then this is exactly what I'm talking about. The situation is coercing you. The effect is the same."
"You're overthinking this," she insisted. "We're adults in an extreme situation. Adults sometimes have sex. It doesn't have to be complicated."
"Sex is always complicated," he replied. "Even when people pretend it isn't. Add in our professional relationship, this twisted universe, and my condition, and it becomes even more so."
She watched him pace, thoughtful. "You're afraid of taking advantage."
"Of course I am," he stopped pacing to face her. "And I should be. So should you."
"I've survived by making practical choices," she said, her voice quieter now. "Sometimes, that means setting aside personal feelings or societal norms. The resistance taught me that survival isn't always pretty or proper."
"I understand that. Trust me. I'm not one to complain about unconventional relationships or going against societal norms." He acknowledged. "But we're not just trying to survive physically. We need to maintain who we are, our principles, or what's the point of surviving at all?"
Her lips quirked into a small, sardonic smile. "That sounds very Federation."
"Maybe it does," he admitted. "But I believe it. And I think you do, too, or you wouldn't have joined Starfleet."
The comment struck a chord. She turned away slightly, her posture stiffening. "I joined Starfleet for my own reasons."
"Which included believing in something better than mere survival," he suggested gently.
She didn't immediately respond. She moved to the small viewport, staring out at the stars streaking by. They were the same stars as in their universe, yet everything else was so fundamentally different. After a moment, she spoke without turning around.
"When you grow up the way I did, you learn to be practical above all else. Sentiment gets people killed. Hesitation gets people killed. Waiting for the perfect solution instead of taking the available one gets people killed." She turned to face him. "Your Blood Fever is a problem. I offered a solution. It seemed straightforward."
"I appreciate that," he said sincerely. "But there are other solutions we haven't explored yet."
"Seducing the ship's Inquisitors seems far more dangerous than my offer." Her tone was skeptical.
"Maybe," he conceded. "But it's my risk to take."
"It's our risk," she corrected him. "If you lose control or get caught, I'm going down with you. We're in this together, whether you like it or not."
He sighed, acknowledging the truth in her words. "You're right about that part. But I still can't accept your offer, Ro. Not like this."
"So you'd rather risk both our lives with your Troi plan?" she challenged. She studied him for a long moment, unreadable. Finally, she gave a small nod. "You're stubborn. And idealistic."
"Guilty as charged."
She moved away from the viewport, her posture relaxing slightly. "Those qualities might get you killed in this universe."
"The Blood Fever will kill me before any Terrans do," he said confidently.
The statement hung in the air between them. Her expression softened almost imperceptibly.
"Fine," she finally said. "We'll try it your way for now. I'm giving you two days to figure this out. If you haven't resolved your Blood Fever by then, we're going the coercion route." She warned. "That is, I'm going to coerce you into sleeping with me."
He blinked in surprise, then laughed despite himself. "Is that so?"
"Absolutely," she confirmed. A hint of mischief entering her demeanor. "I can be very persuasive when necessary."
"I don't doubt it," he said, still smiling. "Two days it is, then."
"Two days," she agreed. "And then we do things my way."
"Fair enough."
"And Tyson?"
"Yeah?"
"Try not to get us killed with your principles." There was no malice in her manner, just practical concern.
He paced the small quarters, his mind racing. Her offer had been pragmatic, direct, exactly what he would expect from her. Yet something about it didn't sit right with him. Not because he wasn't attracted to her, but because of the circumstances. The power dynamics at play were too complex, too fraught with potential for regret.
He stopped pacing and turned to face her. "You're right. Whatever happens to me, happens to you. So let me fill you in on what's going on."
She shifted from frustration to alert interest. "I'm listening."
"The Terrans built their own version of the Enterprise," he revealed. "The captain got wind of it while we were on Utopia Planitia and is going to try to take over the ship."
Her attention widened slightly. "The Enterprise? Here?"
"Not exactly like our Enterprise, but yes. A powerful new flagship for the Terran fleet." He leaned against the wall, crossing his arms. "He has just begun planning this move. The Stargazer is just a stepping stone to what he really wants."
"And what does Inquisitor Troi know about this?"
"If she doesn't know, she'll know soon. It's bound to be the reason behind the loyalty screenings they're doing now. Figuring out who they can trust, while the rest will be left behind."
"What do you think about it?" she asked.
"I think that he is decent for a Terran. He doesn't target non-humans or dole out punishment unnecessarily. If any of them is going to captain the ship, it should be him." He paused, growing more serious. "But the problem is, if the Terrans launch the Enterprise, they'll be able to start taking back territory."
"They'll be fighting the Klingons and Cardassians, who are just as bad," she pointed out, matter-of-fact. "So what's the problem?"
"I brought this up to you because the Bajorans are aligned with the Cardassians in this universe. I don't know what conditions are like on Bajor, and I know it's far from Earth, but if the Terrans are eventually able to push the Cardassians that far back, what would happen to your people?"
She went completely still, her face a careful mask that couldn't quite hide her shock. "Aligned with the Cardassians?" she repeated, still unable to believe it.
"From what I've gathered, yes. It's not a relationship of equals. More like the Bajorans serve as auxiliaries to the Cardassian military, but they're definitely on the same side against the Terran Empire."
She moved to sit on the edge of the bed. "That's... difficult to imagine."
"I know," he said softly. "In our universe, the Cardassians occupied Bajor. Here, they found a common enemy in the Terrans instead, forming an alliance of a sort."
"An alliance," she repeated, the word sounding bitter. "There's no such thing as an alliance with Cardassians. Only varying degrees of subjugation."
"I don't have all the details," he admitted. "But I thought you should know, especially if we're going to be involved in his plans for the Enterprise."
Her focus flashed with sudden intensity. "What exactly are you suggesting? That I should care about what happens to this Bajor? To Bajorans who chose to ally with the people who, in our universe, slaughtered my family and enslaved my world?"
"I'm not suggesting anything," he replied calmly. "I'm giving you information that might be relevant to our situation. I'm asking for your opinion."
"These aren't my people. This isn't my Bajor."
"No, it's not," he agreed. "But they are still Bajorans."
"Bajorans who made different choices," she countered. "Who apparently sided with oppressors rather than fighting them."
"We don't know the circumstances," he reminded her. "Maybe they had no choice. Maybe the history between Bajor and Cardassia is completely different here."
"So if he gets the Enterprise, he'll use it to fight the Cardassians, and by extension, the Bajorans."
"Eventually, likely yes."
"And if we help him get the Enterprise, we're potentially contributing to a campaign against Bajor." Her voice was flat, emotionless.
"Potentially," he acknowledged. "Though that would be far down the line."
She stopped by the viewport again, staring out at the stars. "You know what the irony is? In our universe, I would have given anything for the Federation to take a more aggressive stance against the Cardassians during the occupation. To send ships like the Enterprise to liberate Bajor." She turned to face him. "And here, the mirror version of that scenario would mean Terran ships attacking my homeworld."
"Everything familiar, yet fundamentally wrong." He agreed.
"So, what's your plan?" she asked. "Are we helping him get the Enterprise or not?"
"I haven't decided yet," he admitted. "On one hand, he is probably the least brutal option among the Terrans who might command that ship. On the other hand, helping strengthen the Terran Empire doesn't sit well with me."
"We could sabotage the Enterprise," she suggested. "Ensure it never launches."
"That's an option."
"At least sabotage would align with Federation principles. We wouldn't be helping any of these factions." She pointed out.
He said, "True, but we'd be taking away their chance to push back. I gathered that the war isn't going well for the Terrans. If nothing changes, they'll likely be conquered soon as well. If we let the ship launch, the other races will be at risk of being subjugated. If we do nothing, the Terrans will be subjugated."
"So either way, someone gets conquered."
"That's the reality of this universe," he confirmed. "It's not about peaceful coexistence or diplomatic solutions. It's about domination."
She paced the small quarters. "The Terrans subjugate non-humans. The Klingons subjugate through combat and honor. The Cardassians..." Her voice hardened. "The Cardassians strip away identity and dignity along with freedom."
"And we're caught in the middle of it all," he added.
"No," she corrected him sharply. "We're not caught in anything. We don't belong here. This isn't our fight, our universe, or our problem."
"But we are here," he countered. "And while we're here, our actions have consequences."
"Our only responsibility is to survive and find a way home. Getting entangled in this universe's politics is dangerous and pointless."
"I agree that our primary goal should be getting home," he said. "But we can't ignore the fact that while we're here, we're influencing events. Whether we help him, sabotage the Enterprise, or do nothing, we're making a choice that affects this universe."
"A universe that shouldn't matter to us," she insisted.
"But it does matter."
Her demeanor hardened. "You sound like a Federation idealist. That kind of thinking will get us killed here. There's a difference between abandoning principles and being practical. The resistance taught me that sometimes you have to make hard choices to live another day."
"I understand that," he said. "But we're being pulled into a position where our actions could affect the balance of power in this quadrant."
"All the more reason to focus on getting home and not getting involved," she argued.
"I understand your perspective," he said. "And I don't have an easy answer. But I do know we need to make some decisions about how we're going to interact with this universe."
She was quiet for a moment, processing everything. Finally, she asked, "What do you think Q's purpose was in sending us here? Just to torment us and see your bit call."
"Q rarely does anything without multiple layers of purpose," he replied. "He could be testing us, teaching us something, or simply amusing himself. Probably all three."
He continued, thoughtful. "But I don't think it's a coincidence that he sent you here with me."
"Why is that?"
"Think about it," he said, gesturing with his hands as he organized his thoughts. "Right after you arrive on the Enterprise, we're sent to a universe where Humans are fighting Cardassians. And you're what? The only Bajoran in Starfleet? It's too convenient."
She crossed her arms, defensive but showing interest despite herself. "There are other Bajorans in Starfleet. Not many, but I'm not the only one."
"But you're the only one on the Enterprise. The only one who happens to be under my command. I had other Companions he could have sent with me. Plus I was inflicted by the Blood Fever... and well, look at you."
Her eyebrows shot up. "Excuse me?"
"I didn't mean it like that," he quickly clarified, though his gaze briefly swept over her before returning to her face. "I meant Q specifically chose to send me here with a condition that requires... intimate solutions. And he paired me with someone who would be personally affected by the politics of this universe."
"You think Q is playing matchmaker?" she asked incredulously.
"Not exactly. I think he's creating a scenario where our personal and moral dilemmas are maximized." He pushed away from the wall, moving closer to her. "He could have sent me here alone. He could have sent me with Vicky or anyone else. But he chose you."
"To what end?"
"That's the question, isn't it?" He ran a hand through his hair. "Q likes to test humans. He likes to put us in impossible situations and see how we respond. What better test than to force two people with different backgrounds and perspectives to work together in a universe where everything is morally inverted?"
She considered this, thoughtful. "So you think this is all some elaborate moral test?"
"I think it's at least partly that. Q wants to see what choices we make when everything we believe in is challenged." He paused. "Will we compromise our principles to survive? Will we intervene in this universe's affairs or remain neutral? Will we give in to our baser instincts or find another way?"
"And what about your Blood Fever?" she asked directly. "Is that just another variable in his experiment?"
"Absolutely," he admitted. "It adds urgency and complication. It forces us to confront uncomfortable choices."
"Like my offer?" she asked flatly.
"Like your offer," he agreed. "And my refusal. Q probably finds that hilarious."
She made a disgusted sound. "So we're just entertainment for an omnipotent being with too much time on his hands."
"Entertainment, experiment, lesson—with Q, it's usually all of the above." He sighed. "The question is, knowing that we're being manipulated, how do we respond?"
"So we're back where we started," she observed. "Deciding what to do about the captain, the Enterprise, and your condition."
— Star Jumper —
His combadge chirped, interrupting their discussion. Captain Picard came through, clipped and authoritative.
"Lieutenant Tyson, report to transporter room two immediately."
He exchanged a quick glance with her. "Acknowledged, Captain. On my way."
She said, "Be careful."
He made his way through the ship. When he arrived at the transporter room, he found the captain waiting with Commander Data and Junior Lieutenant Yar. The familiar sensation of the transporter beam enveloped them, and moments later, they materialized on the surface of a planet. He immediately noticed they stood inside a large dome, protecting the settlement from the harsh Martian environment.
Unlike the utilitarian and militaristic design of the Stargazer, the settlement displayed a level of sophistication and comfort that surprised him. Clean lines, abundant greenery, and open spaces created an atmosphere more reminiscent of the Federation he knew. The captain led them through wide avenues toward a residential complex.
"This is the first place I've seen that actually looks like home," he murmured.
Yar shot him a suspicious glance. "What do you mean by that?"
"That it's more luxurious than the Stargazer," he corrected. "Impressive what wealth can buy even in wartime."
They approached a security checkpoint at the building's entrance. Data stepped forward without hesitation, interfacing with the control panel. His fingers moved with inhuman precision across the surface.
"Security protocols disengaged, Captain," the android announced after a moment. "We have full access to the target residence."
The captain nodded. "Excellent work, Commander. Proceed."
They entered a lift that carried them to one of the upper floors. The corridor they emerged into featured plush carpeting and ambient lighting that created an atmosphere of wealth and privilege.
Data approached another security panel outside one of the suites. "Access granted," he announced as the door slid open with a soft hiss.
Tyson moved forward, entering the suite first with his phaser drawn. The living space before them was tastefully appointed with furnishings that would not have looked out of place in an upscale Federation residence. Large windows offered a panoramic view of the domed settlement below. He swept through the main living area, checking adjacent rooms before returning to the others. "Clear, Captain. No one's home."
The captain stepped inside, surveying the luxurious surroundings with a calculating assessment. "We're waiting for our mark to arrive. We've received intelligence that he'll be coming here, and we need to intercept him."
"Understood, Captain. What should we expect from the target? Is he dangerous?"
"He could be, but we're hoping to catch him off guard. Our objective is to gather information and, if possible, secure his cooperation."
"And if he doesn't cooperate?" he asked, already suspecting the answer in this brutal mirror universe.
"Then we employ more persuasive methods," the captain replied coldly.
Data's fingers flashed over the security panel, his optics scanning the incoming data streams. "Captain, our target approaches. ETA forty-five seconds."
The captain straightened his uniform with a practiced tug. Tyson recognized the action as something his universe's version did also. "Places, everyone. Remember our objective. We need his trust, not his fear. Holster your weapons and look natural. I'll handle the conversation."
He tucked his phaser away, positioning himself near a plush armchair where he could appear casual while maintaining a tactical advantage. The others dispersed throughout the luxurious suite, adopting relaxed postures that belied their readiness.
The door whispered open. A dark-skinned man stepped through, his face partially obscured by an unusual optical device. Twin monocle-like lenses covered his vision while leaving the bridge of his nose exposed, a modified version of the VISOR he recognized from his universe. Geordi LaForge froze at the threshold, body tensing before recognition softened his stance.
"Captain? Commander Data?" Confusion rippled across what was visible of his face. "What brings you to my quarters unannounced?"
The captain spread his hands in a disarming gesture. "Lieutenant, we have matters to discuss. Important ones."
Geordi's attention swept the room, taking in each visitor before he moved toward the replicator. "Seems serious enough to warrant refreshments." His fingers danced across the panel. "Computer, beer. Five mugs, Andorian ale."
The drinks materialized in a shimmer of light. He distributed them before settling into a chair opposite the captain. "So what's this about?"
The captain took a long pull from his mug, foam clinging to his upper lip before he wiped it away. Tyson struggled to reconcile this man with the tea-sipping diplomat he knew. This version drank like a man accustomed to tavern brawls rather than diplomatic functions.
"Data has been busy," he said, setting his half-empty mug down with a solid thunk. "He accessed some rather interesting files at Utopia Planitia. Files concerning a vessel called Enterprise."
Geordi's fingers tightened around his mug. "That's classified information, Captain."
"Nevertheless," the captain continued, "we know about it now. And we believe this ship represents an opportunity. One that could strengthen the Empire considerably."
The engineer moved forward, the lenses of his modified visor catching the ambient light. "I've been working on the Enterprise project for months, but it's beyond top-secret. How much did you find?"
Data tilted his head. "I bypassed seventeen security protocols to access the main database. The information was comprehensive, if somewhat encrypted. My intrusion was undetected and necessary for our current strategic objectives."
Geordi's face hardened. "So, what exactly do you want from me?"
The captain abandoned his mug on the table and moved forward, elbows on knees, burning with intensity. "Your expertise. Everything about the Enterprise. Its capabilities. Its vulnerabilities." His voice dropped to a conspiratorial rumble. "How we might bend such power to our advantage. Perhaps form an alliance of mutual benefit."
Silence stretched between them as the engineer weighed his options, fingers drumming against his thigh. The room seemed to hold its breath.
"I've spent years being overlooked," he finally said, tight with long-suppressed frustration. "All my innovations, my breakthroughs—and what do I have? Quarters planetside while lesser minds claim the glory." He nodded once, decision made. "Fine. I'm in, Captain. You treated me fairly on the Stargazer when others wouldn't. But we need terms." His jaw set firmly. "If this leaks, we're all facing execution. I want the Chief Engineer position and the second-largest profit share after yours."
The captain's lips curved into a predatory smile. "Done. Now, where in blazes is this ship hidden?"
"Follow me." Geordi rose and led them from his quarters.
The environmental dome of Utopia Planitia stretched above them as they walked an elevated causeway. The thin Martian atmosphere created an eerie, rust-colored twilight despite the artificial lighting.
He stopped abruptly and pointed toward what appeared to be empty space. "Right there."
The captain squinted at the nothingness. "Nonsense. We scanned the entire facility from orbit. They wouldn't build something this significant in such an obvious location." His hand drifted toward his weapon. "LaForge, if you're playing us for fools—"
"It's under a cloaking net," Geordi interrupted. "Took six modified Klingon cloaking devices linked in sequence. The system isn't flawless. It creates a visual distortion that only those of us who installed it can recognize." He gestured toward the horizon and handed over a pair of binoculars. "Mars has minimal atmospheric interference. Look closely."
The captain fell silent. He held up the binoculars and stared at the seemingly empty space. Minutes passed.
When the specialized binoculars finally reached Tyson's hands, he saw what had drawn their attention so. Through the viewfinder, he could make out the diagonal sweep of the saucer section's underside. It was unmistakably the Enterprise-D, yet fundamentally altered.
A massive phaser lance protruded from the saucer's ventral surface. As he adjusted the focus, the third warp nacelle came into view, mounted above the stardrive section.
Cold realization washed over him. This wasn't a Galaxy-class vessel. They had constructed a Galaxy-X class warship.
The group stood transfixed by the revelation, each contemplating the power such a vessel could wield for the Terran Empire. For him, however, the implications were far more chilling. The standard Enterprise could handily dispatch Galor-class vessels, perhaps two or three simultaneously. But a Galaxy-X? The only time the ship was seen in the series was the finale, and he mostly recognized it from an old Star Trek strategy game it had appeared in. He didn't even know the limits of its combat capabilities.
The stakes had just risen exponentially.
Episode: Star Trek Mirror Universe - Loyalty Screening Complete!
+50 RP
Reality Points: 1650
— Star Jumper —
Tyson
Origins: Human, Humanoid, Drop-In, Space Pirate, Bad Guy, Officer (Lieutenant), Displaced
Race: Augment Human-Betazoid (Hybrid)
Character Points: 400, [250 KOTOR (Vicky)]
Reality Points: 1650
Ship Points: 2650 [1100 Mirror Universe]
Credits: 115,350
Status Effects: (none)
Drawbacks:
Gauntlet (Locked)
Ensign Marty Stu
A Simple Re'Q'uest
Hybrid (Betazoid)
Amok Time/Blood Fever
Outlawed
Divine Voyeur
Black Coat Society
Alien Threat
The Science Directorate Has Determined...
Spoils of War
Perks:
Cosmic Awareness
Out of Nowhere
Going Native
Live and Let Live
This is (Not?) Rocket Science
Kinda Bland
Determinator
Painted On
Snakeskin
Adaptable
Duelist
Master with your Hands
Best of the Best
Everything Is A Weapon
Augment
Force Specialization: Intelligence
Tactical Info
Sever Force
Specialty: Operations; Sub-Specialties (Communications, Engineering, Piloting)
Speedy Promotions
Untainted
Q This
We Are Still Starfleet
Fit For Duty: Command Division - Expert Ship Tactics and Combat, Expert Ship Command
Change The Present
Items:
Laser Blade
Spacesuit
Agony Booth
Cloaking Minefield
Lightsaber
Gray Goo Suit
Transwarp Beam Equation
Iconic Item: Iconic Interceptor
Evidence Of Integrity
Dressed For Success And Murder
Companions:
(Vicky) V-KO IV Nursedroid: Access Key, Artificial Intelligence Upgrade, Gray Goo Upgrade, Master With Your Hands, Light Weapon, Jumper's Master Key, Scaling Cloak, Origin: Jedi, Force Specialization: Intelligence, Enhanced Mind, Lightsaber, Armored Robes, Battle Meditation, Origin: AI, Origin: Elite, Memory Banks, Social Algorithms, Above Law and Reason, Pedigree, Planetary Domicile, Photonic Rapier, Security Features, Quantum Locked BUS, Adaptive Personal Force Field, False Star Forge.
T'Pol: Access Key, Origin: Rubber Forehead, Origin: Elite, Above Law and Reason, Pedigree, Distinct Feature, Everone Likes Green Chicks, Planetary Domicile, Photonic Rapier, Protector Drones, Space Elf, Space Wizard, Symbol
D'Lavina
Personal Reality:
Access Key (Additional Keys, Key Link)
Control Room
Security System
Antechamber
Warehouse
High-Security Inter-Reality Connecting Door (Star Trek Enterprise, Star Wars Knights of the Old Republic)
Medical Bay (The Nano-Medical Lab, The Bio-Synthesis Lab, Microbiome Replacement Lab, The Counseling Bay)
Housing Complex (Basic Nutrition, A Little Less Basic Nutrition, A Lot Less Basic Nutrition, Choice Apartments, Luxury Apartments, Who's Got the Powa, Pipes Pipes Pipes)
Playing With Portals (Portal Link, Portal Control Rod, Free Portal, Portal Aperature x4)
The Mystical Menagerie
Guardian's Greenhouse
Ship Sections (Cryo-Chambers)
Personal Mini-Reality (The Village, Wildlife for Your Wild Life, The Meaning of Life)
Digital Extranet (Voice Over Wharehous Protocol Cellular Service)
Spaceships:
Tramp Freighter (Destroyed - Respawn on 02/28/2365)
Sith Interceptor (Destroyed - Respawn on 04/18/2365) (Bridge Upgrade)
Automated Repair Station (Ship Size Rating: IV, Station, Bridge, Space Hulk, Artificial Gravity, Cryo-Chambers, Auto-Repair System, Synapses, Distributed, Automated Ship, Analytic Suite, Docking Port, Transporter Room, Matter Printer, Negentropy Reactor, Deflector Shields, Clarketech Module, Production Lines, Hangar, Cargo Bay, Living Quarters)
Narada (Ship Size Rating: IV, Artificial Gravity, Alcubierre Drive, Auto-Repair System, Exotic Materials (Nanomaterials), Cargo Bay, Hangar, Hyperdrive (Transwarp), Antimatter Reactor, Navigation Suite, Analytic Suite, Deflector Shields, Missiles, Cyber Warfare Suite (Mining Drill)
Interdictor (Destroyed - Respawn on 04/18/2365) (Ship Size Rating: III, Artificial Gravity, Hangar, Hyperdrive, Fusion Reactor, Navigation Suite, Point Defense, Deflector Shields, Jump Suppression Field, Beam Weapons, Follower Crew)
False Star Forge (Destroyed - Respawn on 05/01/2365) (Ship Size Rating: III, Station, A.I. Core, Entertainment Deck, Exotic Materials: Nanomaterials, Modular, Secure, Nanite Shroud)
Symbol (Ship Size Rating: II, Station, Distributed, Battery Banks, Physical Armor, Beam Weapons, Gravitic Shields, Exotic Materials: Crystal, A.I. Core, Modular, Inertialess Drive)
Iconic Interceptor (Ship Size Rating: IV) (General Upgrades: Articial Gravity, Auto-Repair System, Bridge Upgrade, Modular, Exotic Materials: Nanomaterials, Exotic Materials: Crystal, Secure) (Sections: Cargo Bay, Cryo-Chambers, Hangar, Living Quarters, Production Lines) (Controls: A.I. Core, Distributed, Synapses) (Crew: Follower Crew, Automated Ship) (Propulsion: Alcubierre Drive, Hyperdrive (Transwarp), Hyperdrive, Inertialess Drive) (Reactors: Battery Banks, Fusion Reactor, Antimatter Reactor, Negentropy Reactor) (Sensors: Navigation Suite, Analytic Suite) (Shields: Physical Armor, Point Defense, Deflector Shields, Gravitic Shields, Jump Suppression Field, ) (Utilities: Docking Port, Entertainment Deck, Transporter Room, Clarktech Matter Printer) (Weapons: Beam Weapons, Missiles, Cyber Warfare Suite (Mining Drill), Nanite Shroud)