Dark Mirror by Admiral Ael Danks
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Deception
Disgrace
Evil as plain as the scar on his face
Deception
Disgrace
He asked for trouble the moment he came
Born in grief
Raised in hate
Helpless to defy his fate
Let him run
Let him live
But do not forget what we cannot forgive
And he is not one of us
He has never been one of us
He is not part of us
Not our kind
Someone once lied to us
Now we're not so blind
For we knew he would do what he's done
And we know that he'll never be one of us"
-"One Of Us", TLK2 Soundtrack
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Prologue
"In every revolution, there is one man with a vision," the other-Kirk said to him that day.
"One man cannot summon the future," he had argued.
"But one man can change the present!" the other-Kirk declared.
The other-Kirk had stepped onto the transporter pad, ready to return to his own universe, presumably never to be seen again. But Spock was not finished yet.
"Captain Kirk," he had said with the first sincerity he had shown toward this gentle double, "I shall consider it!" And then he had activated the transporter; the other-captain disappeared in red and blue diamonds.
A moment later, the real Kirk had materialized in the transporter room, along with his officers. Each one glanced down at their uniform and smiled slightly, but the smile on Kirk's face was that of a deadly predator.
"Mister Spock," he demanded as he stepped down off the transporter pad, "report!"
Spock had stood at attention, saluting the captain. "Sir, the transposition was only temporary. I surmised your dilemma and was able to identify your counterparts within a short amount of time."
"How short?" This was certainly the true captain, for he was demanding and unforgiving.
He kept his face calm and neutral. "Three point four hours, Captain."
Kirk's temper flared, and he turned on his first officer. "You allowed such an obvious deception to continue for so long without realizing...?"
"Captain," he had said, "your counterpart was an excellent actor, and a very perceptive man. He was able to put on an extremely convincing performance." Before Kirk's wrath was stirred any further, he added, "You should be proud to know that you should have those same abilities. It is unfortunate that you have wasted those talents."
Kirk's eyes had narrowed as he looked upon the Vulcan in disgust. "I will not tolerate such insubordination. Guards, escort Mister Spock to his quarters and confine him there. Prepare the Agony Booth; full intensity, full duration." His cold hazel eyes bored holes in the other man. "I will tolerate no insult aboard my ship. This is not that reflection universe; this is the true universe. There must be discipline! I will not allow the shadows of the reflection universe to influence my officers further." He indicated the door with a jerk of his head. "Get this traitor out of my sight."
The redshirt guards took out their phasers and escorted the Vulcan out the door. As the red entrance panel slid back to reveal the dark gray corridor, Spock looked over his shoulder at the true landing party and repressed a shiver of fear. Kirk was well-known for his single-minded drive and incredible anger. With the proper motivation, it was possible that he would find a way to destroy that which was his target.
The universe of light.
Behind him, Kirk smiled wolfishly, making a mockery of the other-captain's charm. His fists clenched tightly, he hissed, "Victory! That shadow Kirk is in over his head."
Eyes flashing a dangerous gold, he strode out into the hallway and began to make preparations.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
"Deception
Disgrace
Evil as plain as the scar on his face
Deception
Disgrace
He asked for trouble the moment he came
Born in grief
Raised in hate
Helpless to defy his fate
Let him run
Let him live
But do not forget what we cannot forgive
And he is not one of us
He has never been one of us
He is not part of us
Not our kind
Someone once lied to us
Now we're not so blind
For we knew he would do what he's done
And we know that he'll never be one of us"
-"One Of Us", TLK2 Soundtrack
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Prologue
"In every revolution, there is one man with a vision," the other-Kirk said to him that day.
"One man cannot summon the future," he had argued.
"But one man can change the present!" the other-Kirk declared.
The other-Kirk had stepped onto the transporter pad, ready to return to his own universe, presumably never to be seen again. But Spock was not finished yet.
"Captain Kirk," he had said with the first sincerity he had shown toward this gentle double, "I shall consider it!" And then he had activated the transporter; the other-captain disappeared in red and blue diamonds.
A moment later, the real Kirk had materialized in the transporter room, along with his officers. Each one glanced down at their uniform and smiled slightly, but the smile on Kirk's face was that of a deadly predator.
"Mister Spock," he demanded as he stepped down off the transporter pad, "report!"
Spock had stood at attention, saluting the captain. "Sir, the transposition was only temporary. I surmised your dilemma and was able to identify your counterparts within a short amount of time."
"How short?" This was certainly the true captain, for he was demanding and unforgiving.
He kept his face calm and neutral. "Three point four hours, Captain."
Kirk's temper flared, and he turned on his first officer. "You allowed such an obvious deception to continue for so long without realizing...?"
"Captain," he had said, "your counterpart was an excellent actor, and a very perceptive man. He was able to put on an extremely convincing performance." Before Kirk's wrath was stirred any further, he added, "You should be proud to know that you should have those same abilities. It is unfortunate that you have wasted those talents."
Kirk's eyes had narrowed as he looked upon the Vulcan in disgust. "I will not tolerate such insubordination. Guards, escort Mister Spock to his quarters and confine him there. Prepare the Agony Booth; full intensity, full duration." His cold hazel eyes bored holes in the other man. "I will tolerate no insult aboard my ship. This is not that reflection universe; this is the true universe. There must be discipline! I will not allow the shadows of the reflection universe to influence my officers further." He indicated the door with a jerk of his head. "Get this traitor out of my sight."
The redshirt guards took out their phasers and escorted the Vulcan out the door. As the red entrance panel slid back to reveal the dark gray corridor, Spock looked over his shoulder at the true landing party and repressed a shiver of fear. Kirk was well-known for his single-minded drive and incredible anger. With the proper motivation, it was possible that he would find a way to destroy that which was his target.
The universe of light.
Behind him, Kirk smiled wolfishly, making a mockery of the other-captain's charm. His fists clenched tightly, he hissed, "Victory! That shadow Kirk is in over his head."
Eyes flashing a dangerous gold, he strode out into the hallway and began to make preparations.
