"Being hailed."

Burnham looked up her science station.

"Commander Burnham, you are hereby acting captain, we have a starbase under attack," Anderson appeared on the view screen. "I am sorry, the Glenn is out there already helping the Klingons clean up the mess."

"There is no need to apologize," Burnham said, coming from her station to the captain's chair. She slowly slid down into the cool, yet warm chair with a comfortable seating. "Prepare to jump, Airiam."

"Good luck," Anderson said. "Rogue Klingons claim they got a new leader. Says it's one of us."

Anderson vanished off the screen as Burnham's fingers clenched onto the arm rest.

"Black alert," came the announcement through the ship.

The room became cloaked in black then soared into a blue hole where it vanished. A blue light engulfed the room reflecting off the officers. Burnham noticed that the jump was different. Something was being done different. She looked over toward Airiam who shrugged in return and she turned her attention off keeping her facade up. Burnham felt the lives of all one hundred thirty-four officers on her shoulder. She can feel Tilly's confusion in the matter that was occurring with absolute panic rushing through. Burnham allowed herself to send out comforting thoughts to Tilly. There were strange sounds that were coming from the blue portal like they were skating on metal.

The Discovery flew out of the portal coming out to the attacked Starbase.

"Hail the Rogue Klingons," Burnham said.

"Aye, Captain," Richter said. Burnham stood up with a flair as her hands clenched into fists. "Hailed."

"This is acting captain Michael Burnham of the USS Discovery," Burnham said. "If you do not cease attacking the starbase then I will have no choice but to order a attack and a complete assault by our highly advanced phasers. You will burn to death without honor, without any form of back up, or any of Starfleet's sympathy. All in all, you will regret attacking as this attack will destroy any supporters you have left," Burnham watched the attacks on the Starbase recede from all the Rogue Klingon vessels. "Burnham out."

Richter ended the communication as there were looks of awe on the well composed woman.


"It seems they have found their new leader," Terral said.

"And we might have to deal with this threat differently," Georgiou said.

"Perhaps not," Terral said. "They did stop attacking after the reply."

"They have returned to the idea that honor is what should be regarded the most," Burnham said.

"Not that they know you're right about having not many supporters," Terral said.

"I don't know about this," Anderson said. "It seems fishy."

"It is fishy," Georgiou nodded, then looked over toward the holographic representation of Burnham. "You were lucky getting Voq and you might not be lucky with this new one."

"I can try," Burnham said.

"You're stuck in a Mexican stand off," Terral said. "Any attempts might result in fatalities."

"Total destruction of all three ships," Anderson said, rubbing his forehead. "Landry would have handled this better."

"No one can handle a situation like this," Georgiou said. "Landry is dealing with a very bad flu and she wouldn't have gotten this stand off."

The two Admirals nodded in agreement.

"Admiral Archer?" Burnham asked.

"We don't need him in the fray," Georgiou said. "What ever you do, Commander. . . Be sure you are certain that it is the right choice." Burnham regarded the Admiral. "And you might have a officer of mine aboard your vessel."

Burnham tilted her head that slowly straightened up.

"Commander Saru," Burnham said, as the camera panned to display the scene had changed to a lab. The scenery was brighter and whiter behind Burnham making it seem that she was like a goddess dressed in gold. She had a apologetic look on her face. "My deepest apologies."

"There is nothing to apologize for," Saru said.

"There is," Burnham said. "I thought you had left the ship."

"L'Rell is a interesting individual if you haven't noticed," Saru said. "She has been helpful in translating some Klingon messages directed to me."

"I hope it wasn't bad," Burnham said.

"It was not that bad," Saru said. "Not worse than being called a hayless scarecrow."

"Saru," Burnham said, as the Kelpian clicked. "You can't be telling me that you've gotten hate mail from the Klingons."

"Yes," Saru said. "I have."

Burnham shook her head, her eyes still fixed on her Shenzhou colleague.

"You are the most unlikely person to get that," Burnham said

"Despite what you think, it makes me laugh," Saru said.

"We all need a good laugh after what we have seen," Burnham said.

"I did not expect being taken back into the front lines two weeks after Voq's capture," Saru said. "It has been happier."

"Indeed," Burnham agreed. "We will be returning back to Starbase one, shortly, after we deal with this skirmish."

"Skirmish?" Saru asked, staring back. "Michael, what is going on?"

"We are dealing with someone who has taken over for Voq," then reached out grabbing him by the shoulder. "I won't let them walk away."

"I didn't sense death," Saru said. "I didn't sense death for the crew."

"Death is like that Saru," Burnham said, then let go of his shoulder. "I will do everything in my power to make sure it doesn't happen."

"This is like a year ago," Saru said. "A event that could mean the beginning or the end of a war, a skirmish, deliberate attack . . . You in the seat of the captains chair and I ready to become first officer."

"Times have changed," Burnham said, looking up toward him. "And our ship is not going to be destroyed."

"Certainly," Saru agreed.

"You can stay in the lab if you like," Burnham offered.

"Actually," Saru said. "I would like to be there. I wasn't there last time when I should have been."

"I do need a first officer experienced with Klingon combat for this mission," Burnham said.

"You are not considering asking them over." Saru asked. "If so, there is a better course of action to nab the new leader."

"That is exactly what I am considering, Number One," Burnham said. "This time, it won't be out of desperation."


Paul had a bad feeling resting in his gut. He felt like a traveler in a moment of history before the truth was told. He felt it was time that Burnham knew his secret. Paul observed the discussing officers. Burnham's hands linked behind her back rather than unlinked and by her side much like Saru's waving arms while in blue uniforms that were silver and golden. In a single second, the familiar additions were gone. Almost like a glitch for that matter. The corridors of the Discovery were familiar and different at the same time. He had grown to appreciate that. And he still appreciated it with his being. He came to a stop in front of the two.

"Captain, Commander" Paul said. "I think you might meet someone from a different universe."

Saru tilted his head at first then looked over toward Burnham.

"And this must be your astromycologist," Saru said.

"One of the best," Burnham said. "A little eccentric."

"I am not actually from this universe," Paul said, earning their attention. "Lieutenant Stamets died getting the Discovery out of a little pot hole. He switched places with me," he waved his hand in mid-air, slightly. "and I am sensing that you shouldn't trust that person as they're from a bad parallel universe."

"How do you know?" Burnham asked.

"I was the navigator. I am part tardigrade," Paul said. "I can see things from the future at some moments and then some. . . I just sense it."

"What else do you sense?" Burnham asked.

"It's not going to end well for someone," Paul said.

"Understood," Burnham said. "You must keep this information to yourself. Is that clear?"

"Crystal clear," Paul relaxed. He looked off toward Saru. "Wherever I go, you are still a first officer." Paul shook his head bemused then walked off leaving Saru confused.

Saru pointed in the direction of the officer with his thumb walking past them.

"Is this normal?" Saru asked, concerned.

"On our ship," Burnham said. "It is."

Burnham walked on ahead of Saru.

"Most interesting," Saru said, catching up with Burnham.

"You wouldn't know the half of it," Burnham said. "I left out lots of things in our conversations."

"Such as?" Saru asked.

"That would be telling," Burnham said. "You have to see it for yourself."

"So it's the kind that I won't believe," Saru said, as they walked into the transporter room flanked by two security officers. "Perfect."

In a orange sea of light appeared a figure that solidified within seconds and the light retreated from the darkness coming over. There was complete silence in the room. Not a move was being made. The camera turned around from the figure toward the emotionless Burnham and the surprised Saru. The camera turned back to reveal a blue eyed, weathered Gabriel with a healed scar from the side of his face. What struck Burnham was darkness standing out outlining him. His eyes didn't glow back at her. It was as though she were staring back at shadow demon using the skin of Lorca to wage a war and communicate with humans. Her composure did not fail her. Saru observed what seemed to be a circular glowing glass contrasting against the dark armor that he had came in. A smile grew on the man's face.

"Hello there, Michael," Gabriel stepped off the transporter padd while his eyes squinted. "It seems the hands of destiny brought us back together again."

Burnham stepped back and the two security officers stood in the way with their phasers aimed at his chest.

Burnham glanced over toward Saru then gave him the nod.

"I see you were pardoned and rightfully so. I got your message that you were ready to join my cause." were the chilling words that made Saru come alongside the security officers. "Number One," the imposter smiled back widely at Saru. "Your mutiny got you not so far."

"I am not your first officer and she is not your friend," Saru said, as his threat ganglia came out. "However. . . as meek and subdued my counterpart may have been where you're from, you will find quite the opposite should you attempt to pose us harm."

"You wouldn't strike a superior officer," Gabriel said.

Saru looked toward the security officers with a side glance then back.

"You're not," Saru said, his eyes turned into a glare.

Gabriel hit the stair step of the transporter padd then clenched onto his injury.

"Number one, that is enough," Burnham said, as the two officers came to Gabriel's side then disarmed him. Gabriel's eyes sunk at the towering Kelpian. "We need him alive for the next leg of the mission."