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Investigation Log 447A12C. Stardate 463221.7. Commander Musiker reporting. It's been nearly a month since I began to investigate the Discovery and all I seem to have are more questions. While reviewing the ship's database, I have come across references to events that do not appear in Federation records. An engagement with the Borg at Wolf 359 that resulted in the destruction of 39 Starfleet vessels and the assimilation of over 11,000 people. A war against the Dominion that saw the Federation, Klingons and Romulan fighting together. The destruction of the Enterprise-D at Veridian III. The death of Captain James T. Kirk aboard the Enterprise-B during her maiden voyage. Khan's use of the Genesis Device in 2285. I've theorised several explanations, but they all seem equally impossible. Commander Saru will be arriving tomorrow. Hopefully, we'll be able to get some answers then...

#############

'Commander Saru,' Raffi said, as she entered the briefing room. 'Thank you for coming. Before we start, I need to remind you that this investigation is classified as top secret under Starfleet Security Directive 145.9...'

'I understand,' Saru said and Raffi nodded, passing a PADD over to him.

'This is the USS Discovery, Crossfield-class. She was found adrift and abandoned in Sector 011 approximately 2 months ago. According to her crew manifest, you are listed as her Captain...'

'That...is not possible,' Saru said. 'There is clearly some mistake...'

'We have...several pieces of corroborating evidence,' Raffi said. 'Firstly, there is the fact that your authorisation was able to access the Discovery's restricted logs. Secondly, there's this. Computer, play Discovery Captain's Log for Stardate 864968.9. Authorisation Musiker 4-4-8 Indigo.

"Captain's log, supplemental. After a journey of 930 years and a return to Earth that we could not have anticipated, we are finally on the verge of reaching our destination: Federation and Starfleet headquarters. Separate entities that must now abide together, a sign of this new time, I suppose. I can only hope that they are as eager for us to arrive as we are to be home."

'Fascinating. That...appears to be my voice. What did he...I...mean by a journey of 930 years...?'

'I...don't know. The computer has recovered most of Discovery's logs, but there's a lot to go through...'

'But, what can this mean...?'

'I'm...not sure...'

'But...you have a theory...?'

'...yes, but not one that I feel...ready to tell Admiral Ross about...'

'And...why not...?'

'Because it's crazy. Alright...I think...that Discovery comes from an alternate reality...'

'I see. I assume that you have evidence to support this...extraordinary claim...'

'...perhaps. I have something I need to show you. Computer, play file A-14...'

'Acknowledged,' the Computer chirped, a holographic image of a human male with light brown hair materialising in front of them. He was dressed in a dark blue uniform with a gold metallic Starfleet emblem on the front of his tunic, his dark pupils giving him a piercing intensity.

'What exactly is the Mycelial Network? At a quantum level, there is no difference between biology and physics. And spores? What are they? The progenitors of panspermia. They are the building blocks of energy across the universe. Physics and biology? No, physics as biology. The Mycelial Network literally extends throughout the universe. It's like...the veins and muscles that hold our galaxies together, an infinite number of roads theoretically leading anywhere...'

'Computer, stop playback,' Raffi said, the image pausing in mid-speech.

'Intriguing,' Saru said. 'Who is he? And what is this Mycelial Network that he spoke of...?'

'His name is Commander Paul Stamets. Starfleet records have him currently assigned to Utopia Planitia as an astromycologist...'

'I see. Another...anomaly...'

'Yes,' Raffi agreed. 'As for the Mycelial Network, Discovery's logs describe an...experimental drive systems that is able to utilise the network to travel to any point in space almost instantly...'

She sat back with a sigh, rubbing at her temples.

'As you can see, we have a lot of questions. Hopefully, with your help, we can bypass the security lockout on Discovery's computer and get some answers...'

##############

Raffi and Saru stepped out of the turbolift onto Discovery's bridge. Saru looked around slowly, crossing to the Captain's chair and stopping next to it.

'Are...you okay?' Raffi asked, after a moment.

'...yes. Yes, it's just that...this feels familiar somehow...'

'Crossfield-class vessels do share design similarities with the Constitution-class,' Raffi said and Saru nodded.

'...yes. That must be it. Forgive me, Commander. We came here for a reason. Computer, do you recognise me...?'

'Affirmative, Captain Saru...'

'Computer, please detail your origin and construction date...'

'USS Discovery was launched from San Francisco Fleet Yards in 2255...'

'Computer,' Raffi asked. 'Explain how USS Discovery came to be found adrift in Sector 11...'

'Unable to comply. That information is unavailable...'

'Figures,' Raffi muttered with a sigh and Saru turned towards her.

'Commander, if I may, reviewing Discovery's internal security footage may provide additional information...'

'Well, it's not like I've got any better ideas...'

##############

'Computer,' Raffi said, sitting down at her terminal in her office. 'Display latest internal security footage from USS Discovery...'

'Working,' The Computer said, an image of her and Saru entering the turbolift appearing on her terminal.

'Computer,' Raffi said. 'Display security footage from stardate 434512.7...'

'Working,' The Computer reported, the image changing to show four figures in starfleet uniforms transporting onto the bridge.

'That must be the away team from the Hood,' Raffi said. 'Computer, go back in hourly increments...'

'Acknowledged...'

The crew of the Hood vanished as the image flicked backwards until two figures in black jumpsuits appeared.

'Computer, play footage,' Raffi said.

'I'm still unable to locate the cause of the instability in the Spore Drive,' a shrill voice said, as alarms started blaring on the bridge.

'Report...'

'The Mycelial Network is destabilising. Attempting to compensate...'

'It's too late. We need to abandon ship...'

'Computer, freeze playback,' Raffi said, leaning closer. 'According to the time code, this was the last footage recorded before Discovery was found by the Hood...'

'What does that mean...?' Saru asked and Raffi frowned.

'I'm not sure...I need to speak to Admiral Ross...'

##############

'I'm sorry, Commander? Say that again...'

'I know it sounds unlikely, sir,' Raffi said, standing to attention in front of his desk. 'I believe that Discovery may have come from an alternate reality...'

'Unlikely is not the first word that came to mind, Commander. Aside from your theory about the Spore Drive, do you have any evidence to support this...?'

'...yes, sir,' Raffi said. 'Firstly, there is the discrepancy of the Discovery's logs compared with our own records. Secondly, the computer has recovered several logs that detail contact with an alternate reality ruled by a dictatorship where any dissent is punished harshly...'

'The Terran Empire,' Ross said, pinching the bridge of his nose.

'Yes, sir,' Raffi said. 'According to Discovery's logs, an accident with the Mycelial Network may have transported them to this universe...'

'Alright. Assuming I accept this theory, is there any way to corroborate it...?'

'...yes, sir,' Raffi said, handing him a PADD. 'This is Lieutenant Stammets. According to Discovery's logs, he was responsible for navigating through the Mycelial Network. He's currently assigned to Utopia Planitia as an astromycologist. If he can study the Spore Drive, he may help to confirm, or disprove, this theory.

'Commander, if we keep bringing in more people, this won't stay covert much longer...very well, I'll order Stammets to report here as soon as possible...'

'...thank you, sir...'

##############

Investigation Log 468A342. While waiting for Lieutenant Stammets, Commander Saru and I have continued to review Discovery's logs and security footage. It appears that someone was using Discovery as a bridge to open numerous gateways into the Mycelial Network. Apparently, this was motivated by a phenomenon called the Burn, a spontaneous dilithium chain reaction which destroyed hundreds of starships. While I'm keen to resolve this investigation, I'm also looking forward to meeting Stammets. He seems to be an...interesting individual...

'Lieutenant Stammets,' Raffi said, as he stepped off the Transporter Pad. 'Welcome to Starbase 1...'

'I was ordered to come here, Commander,' Stammets said. 'During a crucial stage of my research, by the way...'

'I apologise for the inconvenience, Lieutenant' Raffi said. 'Please, follow me. I'll explain everything in my office...'

'This is the USS Discovery,' Raffi said, handing Stammets a PADD. 'She was found adrift nearly two months ago. She's equipped with an experimental drive system that uses the spores of the fungus prototaxites stellaviatori to enter a subspace dimension known as the Mycelial Network...'

'I don't see what this has to do with me,' Stammets said.

'Discovery's manifest lists you as a member of her crew. We also have security footage that shows you onboard...'

'That's not possible...' Stammets said and Raffi nodded.

'We... have a theory that Discovery comes from an...alternate timeline. We were hoping that you would be able to help confirm, or reject, that possibility by giving us your insights into the Spore Drive's operation...'

'...alright. I'll take a look, but I can't promise anything...'

The door to the Drive Room hissed closed behind them as Stammets looked around.

'This seems to be a control interface,' he said, gesturing to a transparent aluminium cube in the corner and Raffi nodded.

'That was our assessment, too,' she replied as Stammets crossed to the wall opposite, removing a container from the storage unit.

'Mycelium spores,' Stammets said, pulling out his tricorder and scanning it. 'I've never seen a concentration this strong...'

'Hey!' Raffi exclaimed as Stammets opened the container.

'It's perfectly safe. The tricorder detects no pathogens...' he began, his eyes rolling back into his head, the cannister clattering to the floor as he collapsed.

'Lieutenant Stammets?' Raffi said, kneeling next to him and checking his pulse. When there was no answer, she tapped her commbadge.

'Musiker to Transporter Control. Medical emergency. Two to beam to Sickbay...'

##############

'He's coming round,' Dr Yoneda said as Stammets' eyes flickered open.

'...what...?' he said, focusing on Dr Yoneda. 'Where's...Hugh...?'

'Hugh...?' Dr Yoneda asked.

'Dr Culber,' Stammets said, struggling to sit up. 'Where is he...? What's going on...?'

'You need to stay calm,' Yoneda said.

'No,' Stammets said, glancing at Raffi and then catching sight of Saru. 'I need to know what's happening. Captain, where am I...? This isn't Discovery...'

'What's the last thing that you remember?' Yoneda asked, taking out her tricorder.

'We just arrived in the 32nd century...no, we've just returned from Terralisium...we're getting ready to jump to Pahvo...what...what's happening...?'

'Your neural activity is increased,' Yoneda said. 'It might be a reaction to your contact with the spores. I need to run some more tests. Until we know more, I'll need to keep you here for observation...'

'Thank you, Doctor,' Raffi said. 'I need to talk to Admiral Ross. Please let me know if anything changes...'

##############

'What the hell were you doing?' Ross demanded.

'I hoped that Lieutenant Stammets might have some insights into the operation of the Spore Drive...' Raffi replied.

'Well, now we have an added complication,' he snapped, just as Raffi's commbadge beeped.

'Dr Yoneda to Commander Musiker...'

'Answer it,' Ross said.

'Yes, sir,' Raffi replied, tapping her commbadge. 'Musiker here...'

'Lieutenant Stammets is asking to speak to you and Admiral Ross...' she said, Raffi glancing at Ross, who nodded.

'We're on our way...'

##############

'Report, Doctor,' Ross said.

'Lieutenant Stammets is extremely agitated. He keeps saying that he knows what's happened. I'm considering giving him a sedative...'

'Let me try talking to him first...' Raffi said.

'...alright,' Ross said.

'Lieutenant Stammets,' she said, as she approached the biobed. 'What did you mean when you said that you know what happened...?'

'The events that I was talking about...the return to Terralysium...the jump to Pahvo...The Doctor thinks that they were caused by heightened neurological activity, but they feel more like...memories. Or...ghosts of memories. Commander, your theory about Discovery being from an alternate reality is correct...'

'That...seems...unlikely...' Ross said.

'I think I can prove it,' Stammets said. 'Commander Musiker, check Discovery's logs for missions to Pahvo or Terralysium...'

'...Computer,' Raffi said. 'Are there any files in Discovery's logs with references to Terralysium or Pahvo...'

'Working. Affirmative. 237 files identified that meet the requested criteria...'

'See?' Stammets said and Ross frowned.

'Assuming we accept this, how do you explain these...memories...?'

'If I was Discovery's navigator, it's possible that exposure to the spores has triggered some form of...genetic memories...'

'...alright,' Ross said. 'Lieutenant Stammets, thank you for your help. You're to remain in Sickbay until Dr Yoneda is satisfied to release you. Regardless, everything discussed here today is classified. Is that understood...?'

'Yes, Admiral...'

'Good. Commander, follow me...'

'Yes, Admiral,' Raffi said, following Ross to the other side of Sickbay.

'...how do you explain this, Commander,' Ross asked.

'It appears that Discovery was being used as a bridge to provide access to the Mycelial Network for prolonged interstellar travel. It's possible that this caused the network to destabilise...'

'And that's what caused Discovery's appearance...?'

'There...may be more to it than that. If the Mycelial Network connects to alternate realities, there's no reason to assume that that damage would be contained to just one...'

'What are you saying, Commander...?'

'...I'm...not sure, sir. Theoretically, it's possible that the aftermath of the collapse may have resulted in the creation of an entirely new reality. It would explain the conflicting logs from Discovery and Stammets' unreal memories...'

'...alright. Until further notice, this investigation is closed and I'm ordering the Discovery files sealed...'

'Sir...'

'That's an order, Commander. As of now, you're on 48 hour leave and you are to discuss this with no-one. Dismissed...'

'But...'

'Dismissed, Commander...'

'...aye, sir...'

Thank you for reading. I hope you enjoyed it. Any reviews, comments or constructive criticisms are very welcome.