Star Trek: Mirrors.
Chapter Two
Journeying from one reality to another through the anomaly had rocked the USS Enterprise harshly throwing the crew from their seats to impact the deck hard while sparks flew across the ship, although the damage to the vessel was minimal due to the new configuration of the vessel's protective shields although depleted to 65.02% of full power, the engineering crews and self-regenerating shield grid had instantly sprung into action to repair the damaged systems throughout the large and powerful vessel. Searching for a place to hide the large Enterprise to repair the damaged systems had become a priority for the Captain of the vessel, discovering a small nebula the vessel swiftly moved inside while the crew began repairs which had lasted three hours and twelve minutes before the ship was once again at peak performance. Utilising one piece of technology as given to the Galactic Alliance of Worlds by their Romulan Republic Allies, the USS Enterprise activated their advanced cloaking systems which had permitted the use of weapons and shields to be utilised during combat situations and legal in their own reality by treaty, in situations of combat.
"Status?"
"Unbelievably sir? Fully operational, the journey here was rough on the ship but the auto repair systems have repaired the damage. Warp engines are at full power, shields and weapons are at peak performance and… the cloak is stable"
"Thank you Mister Scott. Uhura, are you picking up anything?"
"I'm working on it Captain, I can't make this out… give me a few minutes please" She replied from her console to the left of the Command Seat.
"Spock?"
"I have accessed what appears to be a Database from this reality's Federation Captain, adjusting our chronometers to match. The date is November 23rd… 2375, Earth Calendar" Spock replied as he turned to face the Captain with a raised eyebrow.
"That's over 100 years into the future. Kirk to Miss Rivers, get up here now!"
"I am already present Captain Kirk" Miss Rivers called out as she entered the Bridge from the portside entrance. "… I assume that you read the full report sir? The time difference is mentioned on page 2'351 of the Republic cruiser's report. This reality is at a state of war with an empire from a distant quadrant, it is all in the report Captain Kirk! An alliance between the Federation, Klingons and Romulans are fighting for their survival against this threat…"
"And you thought not to inform this crew that we are entering a potentially deadly war?" The Captain growled with anger.
"Captain Kirk, it is all in the Republic's reports along with the sighting a and abandoned facility not to far from here known in this reality as Empok-Nor. Lieutenant Sinclair mentioned the Republic ship made it to that station to begin repairs to their ship"
"What happened to the crew from that ship Miss Rivers?" Kirk demanded instantly.
"No one knows sir, and that is the truth! If I may Captain? Mister Sulu… alter course to 105.005, best possible speeds. You'll find the facility abandoned, a large ring like structure with three docking arms above and below in a curved formation inwards. We have little to go on Captain Kirk… but perhaps we can find some evidence of the fate of the Romulan crew there?"
"Mister Sulu, set course for the facility… best possible speeds. Spock? Keep your eyes on the sensors, if you see any ship in the area? I want to be the first to know about it"
Captain's Log:
Stardate: 52576.6
Lieutenant Commander Worf recording.
USS Defiant on patrol of the Trivas System after intelligence reports of an unknown vessel in the region believed to be of Romulan origin and of an unknown configuration.
Operating so close to the Cardassian Union, a recent member of the powerful and deadly Dominion, alone was not a perfect situation for the crew of the USS Defiant, Starfleet's first and almost legendary Prototype Warship. Patrolling the region under the orders of Captain Benjamin Sisko and Admiral William Ross, Commander Worf, Starfleet's first Klingon graduate had developed a name for himself within the Federation and their allies as a brilliant Commander although often brutal when it came to combat between starships as noted numerous times by his crew when in command due to his Klingon heritage. Patrolling close to the abandoned Nor Class Station, a mirrored design of Deep Space Nine, the course of the ship had been swiftly altered to investigate the station itself after claims by a passing ship had witnessed a large and unknown vessel docked at the station for several hours before leaving the station at high warp whilst pursued by several Dominion fighters.
"Mister Worf, approaching Empok Nor"
"Take us out of warp Ensign Nog" Replied the Klingon to the young Ferengi helm officer of the ship.
"Lieutenant Williams, maintain full sensor readings of the area, I don't wish to be ambushed by a Dominion fleet this close to Dominion territories"
"Aye sir" Replied a young female Ensign. "Um Commander? Sensors are detecting life signs on the station, seven humans… but there are no ships docked at the station"
"Move us within transporter range, I will lead the away mission myself, with a team of five. Lieutenant Calhoun, assume Command of the Defiant until my return"
"Aye sir. Commander, although the station is of similar design to DS9, Mister Nog has been onboard that station twice, he is familiar with the facility?" Replied the middle-aged human male.
"Very well, Ensign?"
Hidden behind their cloaking shields, the USS Enterprise instantly detected the arrival of a small yet powerful starship at the station, a vessel of unknown design and purpose. With a team onboard the station as led by Captain Kirk himself and Miss Rivers as the observer, the Enterprise had instantly recorded a transport of five people to the station, four humans, one Klingon and one alien of unknown origin. Under orders, the search teams had gathered together to maintain a watchful eye on the mysterious new arrivals while the large and powerful USS Enterprise quietly moved into position above and behind the much smaller vessel.
"Is this apart of your plan Miss Rivers?" Kirk whispered as he watched a large Klingon male lead the small team through a corridor in the outer ring.
"No sir. I don't recognise them… the Klingon appears to be the commander, I have no idea what that short alien is, but their weapons and uniforms appear to be almost Starfleet"
"How can you be sure?"
"Simple Captain, look at the emblem on their chests? It's similar to our Starfleet. The jamming signal won't last long on their Tricorders, if that's what they are. We know nothing about this reality…"
"Captain, their ship might have detected our life-signs" Replied Lieutenant West as she quietly stepped to their side.
"Kirk to Enterprise, status of the unknown vessel?"
"Holding position close to the station Captain. The vessel boasts an impressive array of weapons, I am searching the database we have downloaded for an identification of the ship… the ship is registered as the USS Defiant NX-74205, officially designated as an Escort Class vessel, assigned to a facility known as Deep Space Nine, a Federation Starbase"
"Mister Spock, I'm seeing a Klingon in what we think is a Starfleet Uniform along with an alien species we've never seen before. Short with large ears… the Klingon appears to be in command of this team"
"One Moment Miss Rivers, a Lieutenant Commander Worf, current assignment, Deep Space Nine. Your description of the unknown alien resembles an Ensign Nog from a species known as Ferengi" Replied the Vulcan officer over the quietened com-link.
"Sir? I'm in Civilian clothing not your uniforms, let me speak with them? Perhaps they know what has happed to the Republic cruiser?" Miss Rivers asked politely with a whisper.
"You're not going alone, Lieutenant West? Remove your jacket and stay at her side at all times. Klingons maybe allies in this reality but in our own? They are still the enemy"
"Aye sir" Lieutenant West replied slowly.
"Helen, switch your top with me? You look like your in a uniform even without the jacket"
Slowly making their way down one of the large spiral staircases towards the lower level of the large curved shaped corridor, Crystal Rivers and Helen West stepped onto the lower level with their hands raised as they stepped towards the approaching Starfleet officers.
"Easy, easy? We're not armed. Please lower your weapons?"
"Who are you?"
"My name is Crystal Rivers and this is my friend Helen West, we're not here to harm anyone… we're just looking for some friends. As you can see Mister Klingon? I am carrying no weapons and neither is my friend" Crystal replied as she raised her black shirt and turned slowly 180 degrees before facing the officers.
"Where are the rest of your people Miss Rivers?"
"Observing. You realise that if we meant you any harm, you'd already be dead right? You all walked into a bottle neck and contained here… we're not your enemy" Lieutenant West said slowly.
"How did you get here?"
"Our vessel is close sir. We are looking for a ship which was last recorded in this area before all but one member of the crew vanished, the ship barely made it home in one piece and the only survivor was half dead"
"Commander? The unknown vessel reported in this region" The Ferengi Ensign replied as he lowered his rifle-like weapon slowly.
"Correct, Ensign Nog. Our assignment is to find that crew and return them home, where we belong. No doubt you have numerous questions sirs? This may take some time to explain… I am Doctor Crystal Rivers and my lovely companion at my side is Lieutenant Helen West"
"You're Starfleet?"
"Not… quiet as you may know it Commander Worf, please feel free to scan me? You may notice something… unusual"
"Sir, take a look?" Replied a young female officer wearing a similar style of uniform yet with a blue under shirt. "I can't be sure, but I think I am detecting a temporal signature and their… quantum signature? Is out of alignment by .002"
"That's impossible!" Ensign Nog called out instantly.
"No Ensign, it is not. This is not the best of places to discuss such a conversation considering the current hostilities in this region. Is there someplace that we can speak with your superiors? I give you my word that we are not hostile, we're just here to find our people and return them home, safely"
Station Log
Stardate: 52577.6
Delayed Recording
The USS Defiant has returned to the station while escorting a cloaked vessel claiming to be from an alternate reality. Since I have assumed command of Deep Space Nine, I have had several experiences with an alternate reality but nothing had prepared me for what I was about to see onboard of that cloaked vessel, and who was in command.
Returning to the Assigned base of operations for the USS Defiant, the full extent of the struggle for the Alpha and Beta Quadrants was finally revealed to the crew of the vessel from another time and another reality, a vast fleet of Federation, Klingon and Romulan ships orbited a space station of almost identical design and construction as the station they had left hours ago. Having secretly downloaded a large portion of the Federation's Database for analysis, Doctor Rivers had begun to assist Commander Spock with the analysis due to her speciality in the Multiple Reality theories.
"This is amazing Commander, it seems that your Vulcan brothers encountered Earth in the mid 2060's and eventually forging an alliance with the Humans. That never happened back home… Doctor Cochrane's warp ship was not ready at the time…"
"Fascinating"
"All because one piece of technology was flawed, they had to replace… a simple door lock after which? Bad weather delayed the first launch and test. It says here that a Vulcan detected the warp signature and made official first contact. Remarkable!" She said with a large smile.
"Your orders are not to concentrate on the historical texts of this reality Doctor Rivers, but the current situation"
"You can't blame a girl for trying Spock? Just a theory, Computer… display any file on Doctor Crystal Rivers, use my own file and DNA signature as a template. Did I exist anywhere in this reality?"
"No stated file has been found in the Federation Archives" Replied the computer.
"Fascinating, is it possible that I never existed here?"
"Doctor Rivers, your orders are clear!" Spock replied once again.
"Of course, forgive me? It seems that this reality has had it's share of wars. This war with the Dominion? Has cost countless lives so far" She replied as she looked at a second screen. "There is no mention of a ship matching the Republic cruiser in these files. But? You might find this interesting Mister Spock? Your counterpart here is still alive… he is the Federation Ambassador to the Romulan Empire. My god, he had one hell of a Starfleet Career. First Officer of the USS Enterprise NCC-1701 and later the 1701-A under Captain James Tiberius Kirk?… Oh my god! I need to speak with the Captain right away"
Studying the new Federation Reality in the large science lab as directly under the command of Commander Spock and his department, Doctor Rivers left the screen active as she stood and ran from the room while the First Officer turned towards the screen she was reading before following her from the room towards the bridge. Bursting into the large command center of the ship with her guard at her side, her words seemed to be almost a jumbled mess as she spoke at high speeds while gasping for breath.
"Calm down, Miss Rivers and start again"
"If I may Captain? You can't meet with the Federation Captain and Admiral, none of you can at the moment"
"What are you talking about Miss Rivers?" Kirk replied slowly.
"Sir, your counterpart in this reality is considered as a legend here, many officers aspire to be like Captain James Tiberius Kirk, considered as an almost Prototype of what a Starship Commander should be… each of your command crew here is as highly regarded, as you all revere Captain Archer and his crew in our reality. The mere mention of his name is an honoured one amongst their Federation and both revered and hated in the Klingon and Romulan Empires here…"
"Tiberius, my grandfather always hated that name. He changed it to Tobias when he joined the Academy" Kirk said with a frown.
"I know sir. Believe it or not? I am familiar with your file. The balance of the alliance against the Dominion here is young and fragile, not that long ago? The Klingons and Federation where at war and the revered James Kirk, even you sir! May alter that balance. We need the help of these people to locate the crew of that ship"
"Mister Scott, how long can we sustain the cloak before it fails?"
"Roughly five hours Jim, it's beginning to overheat from the strain as it is…" The Scottish Engineer replied quickly from the Engineering slave station on the bridge.
"Miss Rivers, Doctor Rivers? I understand your plea here, but the situation requires my attention. Lieutenant West? Please escort the Doctor transporter room one to meet with our… guests and escort them to the observation lounge behind the bridge"
"Yes Captain, this way Doctor" The Lieutenant replied with a nod.
"Kirk, you're making a mistake here"
"I am not him, Doctor Rivers… my assignment is clear. May I remind you that you are here at my discretion only? And I will only tolerate your outbursts so far, before I confine you to the brig for the duration of this assignment"
Orders, I hate orders! Both giving and receiving, perhaps that is one of the reasons why I did what I did and why I left the Starfleet in my reality? My crimes against the Galactic Alliance of Worlds are numerous, but I have never sold classified information to another power although I am guilty of a cover-up, for the true criminal in that case and when my ultimate judgment arrives? I will accept that judgment with pride.
But I believed and still believe that Captain James Tobias Kirk was making a large mistake by meeting with the Federation Officers, his mere presence was a disruption to the delicate negotiations. Although our Enterprise was considered to be vastly superior to the Federation vessels, even of that era? We had agreed that we had needed their help in locating the crew of the Republic vessel, although we held back the connection between the crew and the Romulan leader.
Materialising on the transporter platform of the ship out of time and her own reality, four officers stepped from the platform while an honour guard stood present to greet the Admiral. Wearing their dress uniform for the occasion, Doctor Crystal Rivers finally stepped forwards wearing civilian clothing to shake the hand of the Admiral before turning to shake the hand of each of the officers before her, including Lieutenant Commander Worf.
"Admiral Ross, Captain Sisko, Chief Petty Officer O'Brian, Lieutenant Commander Worf. A pleasure sirs. I am Doctor Crystal Rivers, this is Lieutenant Helen West, Lieutenant William Harkin and Petty Officer Jonas Wallaby. On behalf of the United Earth Alliance and the Galactic Alliance of Worlds, welcome aboard. The Captain has requested a meeting in the Observation lounge behind the bridge, if you will follow me gentlemen. Mister Worf, please forgive the crew as where we come from? The Klingon Empire is not entirely a friendly state"
"Very well" Worf said with a polite nod.
"Amazing vessel. You are cloaked?"
"The Cloaking shields are a standard feature on all Alliance vessels Mister O'Brian. During our time here? We have had to utilise the said technology almost beyond the design limits and as such our time is short sirs, if the cloak fails and your enemies see this ship? They will hunt her down and we can not allow this vessel nor her technologies to fall into the hands of your enemies. This way gentlemen?"
"How large is this vessel Miss Rivers?" The Admiral asked politely.
"With respect for your rank Admiral Ross? That is classified information until the Captain chooses to release said information" Replied Lieutenant West, with a polite bow. "Suffice to say that this ship is not the largest in our fleet…"
"Nor, the most advanced" Replied Chief Petty Officer Wallaby with a strong Australian accent. "But she can still kick ass when needed. I must admit though, your Defiant is impressive for her size"
"And as Classified!" Captain Sisko replied with a polite nod.
"Of course Captain. If you will excuse me gentlemen, ladies? I have to get out of this Dress Uniform and report for duty. A pleasure gentlemen"
Far from the elegant design of the standard duty uniforms, the dress uniforms as worn by those from the mirror Enterprise appeared as a white suit with a white peaked cap and black tie, reminiscent of late 20th and early 21st century military dress uniforms each displaying the ribbons of the medals and citations as awarded to the officers and enlisted along with the rank emblems and symbol of the United Earth Alliance's Starfleet worn beneath the ribbons. Turning in military fashion after saluting the officers, the Petty Officer walked down the corridor to disappear into a corridor to the left. Led by the Doctor and Lieutenant West towards a highly secured door, the Doctor turned slowly to face the Federation Officers and spoke with a whisper in her voice.
"Gentlemen, this is the entrance to the Observation Lounge above and behind the bridge. Inside are the Captain and the Command Staff as requested. I have had a chance to look over your database I had downloaded without your knowledge before we discovered your team Mister Worf. Standard procedure for our Starfleet, you can relax it was nothing classified. The anomaly which had brought us here was only across the boundaries of realities, but through time itself, over 100 years into the future, from our point of view. From what I have seen of the database I read on the counterparts of this crew? I have no doubt that you will all instantly recognise the Captain and Command crew. For the record? I was against this meeting however? The Captain believes that you can help us to locate our missing comrades"
"Very well Doctor Rivers" The Admiral replied with an almost anger appearing in his voice.
"Admiral William Ross, Captain Benjamin Sisko, Lieutenant Commander Worf and Chief Petty Officer Miles O'Brian…" The Doctor Replied as they stepped into the room. "… This is Captain James T…"
"Kirk?" Sisko replied with a slight smile.
"A pleasure gentlemen. Please, take a seat… we have much to discuss"