Oh! Oh! c h o p s t i c k s, were the books Q-Space, Q-Zone and Q-Strike? I remember those were kickass. Even though I read them years ago...I'd like to read 'em again, but I think I lost Q-Zone...
I have Imzadi, but haven't read it. I've had another comparison to that book, too. O.o I guess I'll read that soon.
I finally got off my ass and got to writing this. Proud? Of course you are.
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Someone was following him. Ever since those idiots had chased after him in that last universe, someone had been after him. He could feel the person as he pushed through the boundaries of the universes around him, following his every movement. Perhaps whoever it was had been simply trapped in his wake...but he was there. Following. Him.
But really, it didn't quite matter any more. He knew Hoshi was in this next universe. The third time was a charm, after all. Just like he could sense his follower, he could sense her there. It was his Hoshi, too, he just knew it. This one would be waiting for him, ready to follow him back into his universe.
The one thing that he couldn't sense was that his jumping from universe to universe had torn the boundaries between them. Members of each universe were now interchangeable, appearing in another timeline with the greatest of ease. If he did find his Hoshi, there may not be a universe for him to go back to.
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Universe 2
The past couple hours had been pure chaos aboard Enterprise. Frantic calls had been made almost nonstop to the bridge, reporting unknown crewmembers, sightings of aliens saying they were crewmembers, people who weren't even part of the crew reporting that they were seeing dead crewmembers and even crewmembers reporting sightings of themselves.
T'Pol had ordered the remaining bridge officers -- herself, Ensign Sato and Ensign Mayweather -- to stay on the bridge as she tried to find out what was happening. Her scans of the ship had become even more confusing, but also even clearer over time. Between communiqués from panicked and confused crewmen, she turned from her station, stating simply, "I believe I have found the reason for the disturbances."
Two sets of eyes turned to her.
"Over the past three hours, multiple anomalies have formed throughout the vessel. The readings these anomalies emit are consistent with what the Vulcan Science Directorate believe are alternate quantum realities."
"I've never heard of them." Mayweather spoke, turning from his station, slight confusion showing over his face.
"I would doubt that you have. In terms that you would understand, alternate universes." The Sub-Commander's reply brought a roll of Hoshi's eyes towards the other ensign, but the Vulcan continued on. "I believe that our 'guest' Commander Tucker came from an alternate quantum reality."
There was a short pause before Hoshi's voice was heard. "What does that have to do with what's going on the ship?"
"It would be logical to assume that Commander Tucker was...jumping from universe to universe, tearing the boundaries of each universe he arrived in or left."
"Which means?"
"It means, Ensign, that there are openings to several quantum realities all across the ship, and more openings will continue to emerge until the boundaries are nonexistent and there is only one universe left from several."
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Universe 1?
Captain Reed ran from his quarters, looking to continue the conversation with Hoshi that had ended so abruptly, but she was nowhere to be seen. It made no sense. She'd only run from his quarters second before.
Run from his quarters with a statement that brought his world crashing down. He needed desperately to talk to Hoshi...and then maybe Doctor Phlox. If he was the father of that baby, then his career in Starfleet was over. If anything, he'd be knocked down to ensign.
At least then you could safely have a relationship with her. His thoughts were almost right. There was only the tiny little fact that Hoshi had broken things off. All the more reason why he had to talk with her, and the woman was absolutely nowhere in sight.
"Hoshi! Come back!" There was no answer. There was no way she could have disappeared so damn quickly. It just wasn't possible...
He started walking down the corridor, calling out the linguist's name now and then. He was about to pause at a console to contact her, when a Vulcan woman he'd never seen in his life came walking down the corridor towards him. Staring for a moment, the man stepped from the panel, forgetting about his disappeared linguist, and was about to address her when she spoke first.
"Lieutenant Reed." The words were almost disbelieving, her Vulcan 'brow arched high as she stood just feet from him.
Lieutenant? The woman obviously had her information wrong. "No, I'm Captain Malcolm Reed. Can I ask what you're doing on my ship?"
"I am Sub-Commander T'Pera." She paused, scrutinizing him for a moment. "I do not believe that you are who you say you are."
"I'm exactly who I say I am. Now what are you doing on my ship?"
"I am science officer aboard this vessel, and first officer to Captain Archer. There is no Captain Reed that I am aware of, only a lieutenant by that name."
What the hell was this woman on? Reed ran a hand through his hair, shaking his head in utter disbelief. "Obviously you are mistaken."
Her eyebrow rose even higher, "You must be correct, as Lieutenant Reed has been dead for over a year."
The man took a short step back, and the Vulcan simply disappeared. His eyes scanned the hall, but just like his missing communications officer, she was gone. He turned, extra speed added in his step as he made his way to the bridge. He needed some answers, and he needed them now.
((Hmm. Pretty good chapter, I think.
Make me happy. Review.))