Star Trek: Mirrors.
Chapter One
Exploring beyond the confines of the Earth's gravitational pull had been left to Probes launched on large rockets into the vastness of space for over a century, until finally the secrets of faster-tan-light travel had been discovered by the once primitive and violent species known as Humanity. Failing to launch his prototype vessel as planned in the early days of April in the year 2063 due to mechanical problems with the vessel itself, the first flight beyond the furthest human exploration almost one century earlier, finally had taken place on May 3rd 2063. Upon his return to his home planet, the records of the first flight by humans beyond the planet's orbit had been transmitted across the planet on all frequencies with detailed high resolution images of the home planet which had never been seen by human eyes from such a vast distance.
In the following years, two new vessels where designed and constructed by a United Earth Government as for the first time in recorded Human history, an era of planetary cooperation had begun with the promise of exploration of the Final Frontier and exploration of the vast and unknown galaxy. Twenty years to the day after the first Warp Flight, the first purpose designed vessel of exploration had launched from the Zephram Cochrane Institute of Advanced Propulsion Technologies with the first test flight of a new engine design capable of carrying a crew of eight humans to the closest planetary neighbour capable of human exploration, the planet Mars. Once again transmitted across the planet as the first humans stepped foot on the distant planet for a three week survey of the planet itself, the crew of eight returned to Earth onboard their vessel known as USS Pioneer, as heroes and living legends. In the following years, a permanent research outpost had been established on the Red Planet and by the dawn of 2100, permanent colonies of humans had arisen on the Earth's Moon and Mars along with plans to mine the asteroid belt for the valuable minerals recently discovered.
Although still confined to the Sol System with a growing fleet of Warp Capable vessels, Humanity was still alone in the vastness of space as extra-terrestrial life had yet to be discovered by mankind by the Earth year 2120…
In the Earth Year 2269.
Once considered as a dangerous, violent and self-destructive species by many within the Galaxy, Humanity had finally come of age by the dawn of 2200 operating a vast fleet of Starships and owning planets and outposts throughout the known galaxy many species had since looked at Humanity as a beacon of light in the galactic community, although hostilities had still arisen between some of the great powers of the galaxy and the ever growing sphere of Earth's influence, Humanity had always found a way to ease the tensions with their violent neighbours while forging alliances with numerous worlds.
One of the most advanced vessels launched from the United Earth Space Probe Agency had been the USS Enterprise, a large and sleek high warp capable vessel which had served the UESPA faithfully of the Flagship of the old United Earth Alliance. Assigned to work along side their Allies of the Galactic Alliance of Worlds, a seemingly ever growing alliance of multiple powers in the quadrants across the galaxy, the USS Enterprise was one of many multi-cultural vessels with crew from the numerous allied worlds under the command of a legendary human male, Captain James Tobias Kirk. Known as a brilliant commander of the Allied fleet and believed one day become the Human representative with the Galactic Alliance of Worlds, a coveted position as sought out by many officers, the tall, blonde haired Captain had quickly become a hero to many humans and non-humans alike for his tactical prowess in combat yet his delicate negotiation skills when dealing with both enemies and unknown species alike.
Leaving his assigned quarters for his daily routine of a tour of his vessel at 0500 hours, galactic standard time, many of the crew had claimed that they could set their watches by the Captain's daily routine as he would enter each department for a brief update on the ship and personnel before beginning his shift on the bridge. Calmly stepping into the beating heart of the vessel, the engine room and largest department on the ship for an update of the status of the ship, one of his closest friends and hand selected officer, his Chief Engineer turned from his console with a cup of coffee in his left hand and a computer tablet containing the status reports in his right hand as he nodded.
"Thank you Mister Scott"
"We're in peak condition Jim. The new upgrades are on-line and we should be ready to exceed our speed records by mid-day" Replied the shaven headed Scottish Engineer.
"Warp 9.9? That'll make us the fastest ship in any fleet of the Alliance"
"Aye sir! We'll be leaving the others chewing in our space-dust. Once these upgrades are fully tested and approved by Command? We may have to recalculate the warp charts"
"One thing at a time Scotty. You've changed the coffee, what is it?" Kirk said as he sipped from the cup in his hand.
"I added a little spice this time, gives it more of that kick first thing in the morning. It goes great with Scotch in the evening"
"I'll take your word for that, see you at the morning briefing at 0830"
"As always Jim!"
Lasting one hour and thirty minutes to tour the ship, the Captain finally returned to his quarters to change from the off-duty fatigues into the standard uniform for his duty shift. Black boots, black trousers with pockets on each thigh and hips, a black v-neck undershirt had been the standard uniform for all officers of the United Earth Alliance, separated only by a black uniform jacket with a stripe across the chest which ran across the uniform and across the back with the departmental colours, Gold for Command operations, Blue for Sciences and Medical, Red for support and specialist crew such as Engineering and Green for Security and Military personnel. On the left breast of each uniform of crew, displayed the Standard Emblem of the United Earth Alliance, a metallic brushed silver, arrowhead emblem with a hollow circle behind the arrowhead, on the left shoulder a patch denoting the assigned vessel of the wearer whilst on the right, the emblem of the Galactic Alliance of worlds. Denoting rank of both officer and enlisted, the collar of the jacket proudly displayed the rank pins of each member of the crew as an homage to the old US Military rank pins.
Finally leaving his quarters as he nodded to each officer and enlisted he had passed on his route to the bridge of the ship, the Captain finally took his seat at the center of the bridge deep inside of the vessel before accessing the console to the left of his seat to announce his arrival on the bridge and assume command from the Night-shift commander.
"Captain Kirk, receiving a communication from Command. We are ordered to hold position and await the arrival of the USS Lantree"
"The Lantree is an old NV Class cruiser Captain. At their maximum speed, it will take fourteen hours for them to rendezvous at their last recorded location…" Called out the Helm Officer. "… Sir, at warp 8, we could rendezvous with the Lantree in one hour and fourteen minutes if we reverse our course?"
"Any indication as to why we have been ordered to hold position Lieutenant Uhura?"
"No Captain. By order of Admiral Barker" The young and beautiful Communications officer replied with a smile.
"Very well, Contact the Lantree. Inform them that we will reverse our course and meet them… Sulu, alter course"
"Aye sir, altering course to intercept the USS Lantree"
The most powerful ship in the Earth Armada, a long and sleek twin hull vessel began to turn slowly 164degrees towards the last known location of an old and over-worked science vessel of 40 years faithful service to Earth. Considered as perhaps the most powerful ship as created by human kind and pride of the United Earth Alliance, the sleek vessel with a forwards facing oval shaped primary hull which connected directly to a lower secondary hull seamlessly powered up the four large warp nacelles above and below the secondary hull in a cross shallow formation before leaping into warp speeds towards the USS Lantree.
Ship Log.
June 4th 2269. (Earth Calendar)
We have rendezvoused with the USS Lantree, a Science Vessel dispatched to meet with the Enterprise several hours ahead of schedule. Under the orders of Admiral Joseph Barker, we have taken onboard a guest of which I am more than familiar with due to her extensive criminal record against the Galactic Alliance of Worlds.
For the record? I am not pleased with her arrival on my ship nor her orders as personally signed by the Admiral, the Joint Chiefs, President of the UEA… and co-signed by the President of the GAW.
How did this… woman, get a full pardon for her crimes?
They say that good news travels at impulse speeds, but gossip travels at high warp and that was a fact onboard of the USS Enterprise as to the arrival of the young woman once a highly wanted criminal across the galaxy and more so due to her attire as she wore the Uniform of a Starfleet Officer with a rank proudly displayed on her green trimmed uniform. Against the orders as signed by the most powerful people in the joint Alliance, Captain Kirk had ordered a guard to remain at the side of the young woman during her time onboard his own command when she was not confined to the brig of the ship. Stepping into the observation room behind the bridge of the ship under heavy guard, looks of distaste echoed from each of Kirk's own command crew as she stood before the large curved table and her eyes scanned each of those before her as she spoke.
"Captain, your orders are clear. The guard is not needed"
"On my ship? I make the rules… the guard stays. Lieutenant West, have you checked this… woman for weapons?" Kirk replied with a deep anger for the woman stood before him.
"Yes Captain, the Lieutenant and I had great fun, checking each other for weapons. She can be very… thorough in her checks" She replied with a wink to the Lieutenant. "Captain Kirk? I am here under the orders of some very powerful people, beyond even you! And my orders are clear as are yours. You will proceed to the system as denoted in your orders and await further orders from me!"
"From you?" Lieutenant Sulu called out in anger.
"Yes, Lieutenant Sulu. From me! I have been given the full authority to take whatever actions are needed to complete the assignment, if that means that I must assume command of this ship? Then I will do so… but! Kirk is your Captain and I trust him and each of you. I have been granted a temporary rank of Brigadier General to fulfil this assignment, the clearance in the orders. Captain Kirk… Jim, you once trusted me and I am so very sorry for what I did to this crew… I can't explain everything to you sir, but I will bow to your command. With your permission? I will relinquish my given rank and assume the rank I had once earned… Lieutenant Junior, but this mission is of importance to the Alliance"
"I have… read over your orders, I know the importance to the Alliance. Lieutenant? Please take a seat… Miss Rivers? You will given no rank on this ship, you will act in the civilian observer roll only and at my will. But I am warning you, if this some game? I will throw you from the nearest airlock myself. Clear?"
"Clear, Captain Kirk. And thank you. I will serve this ship, her crew and yourself with everything that I have…" The short, strawberry blonde haired woman said as she sat at the end of the long table slowly. "Have you informed your command staff of the current situation Captain Kirk?"
"That is the reason behind this… briefing, Miss Rivers"
"Very well. Lieutenant Uhura, will you please activate the view behind the Captain?"
Turning to face the Captain as if to validate the request, the Captain nodded once before turning to face the view screen embedded in the wall behind him, displaying the standard standby screen with the Crests of the United Earth Alliance and the Galactic Alliance of Worlds side-by-side, the screen changed to an image of a distant star system beyond the frontier of the Galactic Alliance of World's territories while the former officer stood and slowly stepped to the screen as she spoke with a young and soft voice with an apologetic tone whilst giving the report as per her orders from the two governments.
"Sixteen days ago a ship from the Romulan Republic disappeared in the system displayed onto to reappear six days ago, the ship was found dead in space, onboard that ship was a high ranking Romulan Senator and Cousin of the Praetor herself, her favourite Cousin actually and some believe to be next in line for the position once the Praetor's term in office ends in three years. Only one member of the crew remained onboard, the Human representative to our Romulan Allies, Lieutenant Junior Tara Sinclair. She suffered multiple injuries and as such, spent several hours in surgery, Doctor McCoy? I will release the medical files for you to look at shortly along with the reports from the Romulan Doctors…"
"What does this have to do with us Miss Rivers?" Lieutenant Sulu asked with a tone of anger in his voice.
"Forgive me Lieutenant, my orders are clear and I will follow them to the letter, I will get to that shortly. Tara Sinclair finally recovered from her injuries after hours of surgery to save her life and as such submitted her report directly to Republic Command. In the system displayed? The Romulan ship discovered an anomaly in space, loosely put? A hole in space and time was recorded by the vessel's computers, once they where repaired…"
"Repaired?"
"Yes Mister Scott, somehow the Republic Cruiser's computers where… what is the word, Scrambled? It took days to rebuild the database for analysis but what they found in the files was startling… the ship passed into the anomaly and emerged in what could only be called… an alternate reality"
"This is ridiculous!" Lieutenant Sulu called out with laughter.
"No sir, it's not! For every action, or choice that we make a counter is played out in a new reality according to the Multiple Universe theories. The thing is? We have just found a way to explore one such reality where the United Earth Alliance and the Galactic Alliance of Worlds does not exist, in it's place is an authority known as The United Federation of Planets. The reason I am here? I once theorised such a possibility as a part of my graduation thesis at the Academy and as you know I do hold a Doctorate in such theories. Admiral Barker personally pulled me from my incarceration for my crimes to assist in the investigation into this discovery…"
"I personally spoke with the Admiral before I called for this briefing…" Replied the Captain with a sigh. "… Enterprise is the closest and most advanced vessel in the region and our orders are to locate the Romulan crew and return them home. I don't like this anymore than each of you but our orders are clear people, we have little or no idea of what we may face in that reality but there is one thing… that region of space is controlled by this Federation of Planets and as an Earth ship? We maybe more likely to pass through their space without being challenged"
"The Captain is correct, at maximum warp for this ship? We should be within range of that system in sixteen hours. With your permission Captain Kirk? For the moment this is a need to know operation only, keep this one close to your chests. If anyone asks of my presence on the Enterprise? I am merely an observer on this ship as a part of a joint exercise with the Romulan Republic. I will remain either in the Brig or assigned quarters if I am permitted to do so, Lieutenant West will remain as my guard with her agreement. I am not what you think I am people, I have changed and I hope that this assignment will allow me to rebuild my life into something better… Captain Kirk? I will provide you with a list of names of my former contacts within the Raider organisation, with those names you can collapse their organisation"
"Miss Rivers, you sold classified Starfleet and GAW secrets to the Raiders, information which they have used to raid worlds and vessels across the quadrant…" Lieutenant Chekov called out with anger in his voice.
"No sir, I did not… but I am guilty of covering up the sale of those secrets, I took the fall for another and that was not my first crime against both the UEA and GAW of which I have taken full responsibility but what hurts me the most was my actions against this ship and each of you and for that I can only apologise"
"To little, to late Miss Rivers. I want a cross ship departmental readiness report in two hours, dismissed. Lieutenant West? Please escort Miss Rivers to guest quarters for the duration of this assignment and you will remain at her side at all times, never let Miss Rivers out of your sight" The Captain called out as he stood to examine the footage before him.
"Yes Captain. This way Miss Rivers, I believe that you know the way?"
Ship Log. Secured Entry.
June 4th 2269. (Earth Calendar) Supplemental.
Having Former Lieutenant Junior Crystal Rivers onboard this ship is not the most ideal of circumstances for this assignment as her crimes are known by all, although Miss Rivers is correct in one thing, her qualifications in this most unusual field are astonishing. Prior to recording this entry I read her graduation thesis and although I understand only a fraction of the 1'701 page long thesis? Her theory is exemplary and ground-breaking which had earned her a Doctorate in the field which is astonishing for someone of such a young age of 22.
Joining the Starfleet Academy at the young age of 14 human years old and graduating three years later, her first assignment was as a researcher at the Hawking Institute of advanced physics until her 18th year when she was of age to serve onboard a Starship. Although I have never seen so many reprimands and complaints about a single officer in one file and with one recorded demotion from Lieutenant Junior to Ensign? Her file is less than perfect.
But, I gave her a chance onboard this ship, an officer with her intelligence could have become the youngest Captain in recorded history until her betrayal, but who is she protecting and why? I must discover that truth.
Additional Entry, Delayed Recording.
The Enterprise is in prime condition and with the activation of the new Warp Propulsion upgrades as created by Mister Scott and his engineering department? Our warp speeds have been increased and most astonishingly? Both shields and weapon systems of the Enterprise have benefited from the new systems by 35.354% I could not be more impressed with my crew.
We had no idea what we where about to face in what we had called 'The Federation Reality', our new weapons and shields where about to be tested for the first time as we had not only crossed into another reality, but different point in time… the date? August 23rd 2375 and the Federation Reality was at war with a highly powerful and seemingly unstoppable enemy force, known as 'The Dominion'.