What is the difference…
"Okay."
Starfleet Commander Tarsi prided herself on being resilient. She had been ever since she could remember, bring tougher, stronger and faster than her peers had led her into the Andorian military and then into Starfleet just in time for the Klingon War to erupt. There, her skill and strength had been put to the test. The Ionian War had simply honed her skills to their greatest height. She was many things, stupid was something she tried very hard not to be.
This situation was more than a bit unbelievable, but she was adaptable, Tarsi was. She gave herself a shake and nodded to the human woman who wore the Iconian symbol over her brow with no apparent distress.
"Are you human?" Tarsi inquired as she forced herself to relax. The Thrall beside Mary did not, but then again, he was clearly her guard. He likely wouldn't.
"Not now." Mary admitted. "The Iconians think I was, once. But I am not sure when that was. Their definitions of time do not mesh well with ours. I know they found me a couple hundred thousand Earth years ago. I was apparently the only survivor of a Federation style ship that they found drifting and I was a mess. They knew time travel was involved, so they were very wary, but they found me and saved me, so I have no regrets. " She made a face. "Odd as it seems? They were kind to me, a lost, hurting child who was turning into energy almost before their eyes. No one knows why or how I was hurt, but they did save me. They had ulterior motives, of course and none have denied that. Said motives changed before I made it back to this galaxy." Tarsi felt her eyes bulge and Mary shook her head. "I don't remember all of my journey, and bits I do not want to remember, but right now? There is a malevolent AI on the Madren's Majesty that needs to be stopped. The Iconians are working hard to keep T'ket from interfering, but they cannot hold her off forever. We need to end this and we need to do it now. I have no right to command anyone, Commander Tarsi. I am asking your help to keep this as legal as I can."
"What ship?" Tarsi asked slowly. Mary looked at her. "You said they found you on a ship?"
"I can pull up what records survive, but they are few and far between. It was a long time ago, even for them." Mary said slowly. Tarsi tilted her head in query and Mary paused, her arm suddenly surrounded by black energy! Tarsi tensed, but Mary just stared at what was clearly a tool of some kind and the Andorian relaxed. "They said it was the only marking they found on the ship was a name, not even a ship designation. Ranger."
She pulled up a hologram and Tarsi hissed as what was clearly a Federation ship appeared. An old style Federation destroyer! A wrecked one! The twin nacelles that extended from the blocky after portion were reminiscent of the more modern Akira class destroyer, but the rest of it was barely recognizable. Far smaller than an Akira class. The ship had been in a battle, that was clear. What had been long warp nacelles were little more than tattered bits and the saucer had taken many hits from both beams and projectile weapons, some that had gone clean through the small starship. Indeed, the ship's designation was gone, and only pieces of its name shone through the damage. Ranger. Both females staring at the holo jerked as new voice spoke.
"The USS Ranger NCC 315, was lost with all hands over two centuries ago." Eshade said very softly as she jumped down to land beside her crewmate. Tarsi and Mary both looked at her and Ferengi made a face. "I was interested in ghost stories and the Ranger just vanished. There were many theories, both crackpot and scientific. You were on that ship?" She inquired.
"I don't know." Mary admitted. "I don't think so, but... I don't know. If I had been there as a human, there is no way I would have survived what the ship clearly ran into. One thing I can say is that the Ranger was not destroyed by Iconian weapons."
"No." Eshade said before Tarsi could speak, earning a glare from her superior. The Ferengi nodded and shut up.
"Iconian anti-proton weapons would have vaporized a ship that size." Tarsi agreed. "Or…" She shook her head. "If this is a trick, it is a very elaborate one."
Possible to pull off? Maybe, but the resources needed, both in time and in materials boggled the mind. Even if time travel was involved (a thought Tarsi shied away from!) that didn't lessen the complexity or mind boggling twist such a plot would require.
"I am a trick." Mary said quietly and both the Starfleet personnel stilled. "But not for you. Apparently, I am a trap for the idiot who made the AI on the Majesty. Beyond that? I don't even know if I am real." Sorrow and fear warred in her tone, but none of that showed on her face. The Thrall beside her stirred, but Tarsi spoke up.
"Do any of us?" The Andorian inquired with a smile. "I am what I am, Mary." She inclined her head to the woman in Alliance uniform. "That is good enough for me. I leave existential thoughts to philosophers or others with far too much time on their hands." Mary gawped at her and Tarsi's smile became a grin. "Besides, we have a fight we are missing and my co-pilot hates missing fights. What do you need?" She asked.
"I…" Mary stared at the Commander and then she gave herself a stern shake. "I am the focus of this. Apparently, the master of the AI thinks he can use me to access the Iconian network and subvert it with his AI." Tarsi tensed, but Mary just scoffed. "Might work, if they hadn't faced such many times in the past."
"That would make him very powerful." Tarsi said softly. "We could not face the Iconians in any way. What in this universe could he possibly need that kind of power to fight?"
"Nothing in this universe." Mary said very quietly and both Starfleet personnel stilled again. "From what little I was told, the perpetrator is wanted in several universes for crimes that boggle the mind."
"Tell me he isn't going after the Mirror universe!" Tarsi all but begged and Mary shook her head.
The less said about that alternate reality the better! A place where every person was a dark or twisted version of themselves was a nightmare at the best of times. The fact that they kept trying it invade this reality made it worse.
"I don't think so. They would be far harder to conquer." Mary reassured the Commander. "Between their technology and their extreme xenophobia, anything that threatened their status quo would be smashed in sort order. Hand to hand or fleet to fleet, they can be beaten. They have been. But the entire reality?" She shook her head. "Even with Iconian tech and an AI, that would be a tall order. The guy is crazy, but even he has to know that such is impossible."
"Good." Eshade said sourly, earning another glare from Tarsi that the Ferengi ignored.
"That said? I am what he wants." Mary said softly. "He took Jhinis to access me." Her face fell. "Jhinis is in stasis at the moment, for fear of what she and I together might be able to do. He and his pet mad scientist used her brother to try and subvert my mind. I was saved from that by my Mother. I can stop him, but not alone."
"And the Iconians?" Tarsi asked, eyeing the Thrall that still stood silently beside Mary.
"Are powerful, as you said." Mary was still quiet even as work on the ship nearby finished up and the crews moved away, warily watching the Thrall who ignored them all. "Too powerful. Someone said them acting would be like using a photon torpedo to kill a small biting insect." Both Federation personnel made faces at that and Mary nodded. "It would work, but the collateral damage would be insane. Add to that? The nut seems to want the Iconians to act. He seems to want T'Ket to act and whatever reason he has cannot be good. Maybe he has a better means of subversion if he gets direct access to them? I don't know." Mary admitted. "We need to stop him and I know how to do it."
"How?" Tarsi asked. "And why would you need… legal…?" She paused and then hissed." No. Not going to happen!"
"The Denali was abandoned." Mary said softly. "I assume its computers were wiped of all sensitive material before that. Standard procedure. That leaves the ship as salvage, no?"
"I am sure Madren has already claimed it." Eshade snapped, her fury at the male member of her species fully fanned.
"Which is why we need actual Starfleet personnel to reclaim it before he can take ownership." Mary replied with aplomb. Tarsi stared at her and then at the Ionian beside her. "Lawyers and such can argue the legality for as long as they want. We need to end this situation before it gets totally out of hand."
"Incoming warp signatures." Came from the Thrall and everyone stared at the Iconian warrior. "More automated Federation ships have arrived as well as others with no life signs. We can do it, Mary. We can take the ship."
"But it won't be legal unless a Starfleet Officer is with us." Mary said sharply. "I am not Starfleet, You are." She nodded to Tarsi.
"You are asking me to help you commit piracy." Tarsi said slowly.
"Not piracy. Is the AI a valid government?" Mary asked with a shrug. "Is Madren? And even if he has a claim, possession is nine tenths of the law, right?" She smiled as Eshade snarled.
"You want to steal our ship." The Ferengi was not amused by this.
"Not steal, recover. You abandoned it." Butter would not have melted in Mary's mouth now. "I just want to keep it out of Madren's hands." Her amusement faded. "And the AI's."
"And when they realize you are aboard?" Tarsi asked, concern for this odd being rising. Mary might not be human or Starfleet, but she was brave.
"All hell breaks loose." Mary said with a sigh. "I need access to the ship, Commander. Get me aboard and get clear. I don't think the ship will survive what happens and enough people have already died for me." Tarsi stared at her and Mary spoke again. "All but two of your shuttles made it to warp." She said sadly. "Your fighters… You saw."
"I saw." Tarsi felt sorrow, rage, all of that. But she passed them and kept herself calm through sheer force of will. "So what is your plan?"
"There are hostages on the Madren's Majesty." Mary nodded approval. "In order to save them, we need to distract the AI and its master. I am what they want. The Denali is empty. No one will get hurt but me."
"You do not go alone." The Thrall said repressively.
"I have to!" Mary snapped right back. "If they sense anyone else, they will know it is a trap. They will think they can take me. I will flee. It is big ship and I can hide. That will leave others time to rescue Jhinis and any others."
"And if they do access the Iconians through you?" Tarsi asked, eyeing the Thrall.
"Then everyone here blows the Denali out of space." Mary snarled as everyone eyed her again. "We do not have time for dithering! I need a Starfleet officer to make this even remotely legal, Commander. I am asking to salvage the Denali. Will you let me?"
"I…" Tarsi stared at the now stern woman in front of her and then slumped. "If I do, Starfleet Command will have my head."
"Talk to Captain R'Rollow about such things." Mary smiled at the Andorian as Tarsi jerked, remembering a very big legal mess that happened after the Iconian War ended. "And… The Alliance is always recruiting. We could use good pilots who won't shy away from long odds."
"What?" Eshade and Tarsi chorused.
"She didn't mention the best part." A new voice sounded and a female stepped into view from the far side of the Baltiim raider. She wore Alliance uniform but… Was she Catian or Ferasen? It was hard to tell. just like Mary, she had an Iconian Meridian over her brow! "Mary, the ship is ready."
"I am not, Wing Commander." Mary admitted, her face falling. "I know it will hurt. I just… I wish I could do it alone. I don't want anyone else hurt for me. You don't need to come, K'Mir!"
"I do." The Ferasen moved to Mary's side and laid a hand on the woman's shoulder. "It will be okay, Mary. R'Rollow is needed on the bridge, I am not. You are one of us now, Mary, never doubt that."
"Well, you are still crazy." Mary grumbled, much to everyone's amusement. Even the Thrall seemed amused!
"True." K'Mir smiled at Mary but then turned to Tarsi and nodded. "Wing Commander K'Mir, at your service, Commander Tarsi. We need to get moving. You coming?" She started to lead Mary towards the Raider! The Thrall followed.
"What?" Tarsi asked, stunned.
"We need a pilot and a weapons officer." K'Mir said as Mary sputtered in her grip. "Interested?"
"You… want us.. to fly… that?" Tarsi waved at the Iconian ship as Eshade gaped. The Ferengi was all but drooling. Iconian escorts were fast, lean, and lethal beyond belief.
"We are going to have to shoot our way in." K'Mir said as Mary shook herself free and stopped short. "Mary!"
"We didn't say the rest." Mary said firmly and both of her escorts stopped with her. "I am not taking the Denali for myself, Commander. I am taking it for the Alliance who I swore an oath to an hour ago."
"You are-" Tarsi broke off and then nodded slowly. "That is legal with my presencel." She smiled wide as Eshade just eyed the Iconian ship, eyed huge. "Close your mouth, Weapons Officer. We have a ship to learn how to fight while flying!" She ran up to join the group, with the Ferengi belatedly rushing to catch up. Eshade couldn't take her eyes off the sleek, almost organic lines of the raider and Tarsi frowned. "We will need time to familiarize ourselves with the controls." She warned Mary as the group started towards the escort again.
"The controls have been reset with Alliance standard interfaces. They will be familiar to you." Mary reassured her as they walked. "Iconians work fast." She smiled a both Starfleet stared at her.
"That they do." Tarsi shook her head. "So who is in charge?"
"Mary." K'Mir's tone brooked no argument. "She is the first Iconian recruit to the Alliance and we need to see how she handles command." Mary made a face, but K'Mir was unfazed. "That said? We also need to try and make sure she survives. L'Miren knows that Mary is a bit headstrong, hence why she sent Thrall Jonod and his cohorts to keep an eye on her. They are not gods however, so we all need to keep an eye on her." Mary pinked just a little at that, but did not deign to respond.
"You will take the ship for the Alliance." Tarsi nodded slowly. "Retake it, if Madren put people aboard." Mary nodded as she walked right up to the Raider. "Um… Hatch?" Mary's expression became a grin. "No!" Tarsi snapped. "Don't you dare!"
The familiar snap of an Iconian teleport had all of them materialize in an open area. What had to be an Iconian bridge! Tarsi gasped as she looked up to see nothing between her and the top op the hangar bay except a force field. Mary indicated a golden globe that had numerous metallic protrusions. When the Andorian looked at it, a familiar set of holographic controls appeared, Federation standard helm systems but with far more power available and a few icons she didn't know. The name was odd, but she had seen stranger names for starships than 'Painful Truths'.
"Sorry about that." Mary was grinning ear to ear as Tarsi stared at the controls. "Hatches are structural weaknesses. Iconians do not use them."
"You did not just quote Mass Effect!" K'Mir asked, stunned. Mary grinned wider and the Ferasen or whatever she was sighed. "Mary…"
"Uh, boss…" Eshade had found the weapons console and she looked like she was about to swoon. 'Um… This has Iconian weapons?" She all but begged Mary.
"Herald antiproton weaponry, yes." Mary smiled at the Ferengi's almost love-struck expression. "Only one turret aft, but um, I think the rest makes up for it."
"I will say." Eshade sounded so faint that for a moment, Tarsi thought she might keel over. "Torpedoes. Cannons. Beam arrays… This is…"
"Needed." Mary said quietly as a holographic display of space appeared in front of them. The Alliance ships were surrounded by several dozen AI ships and several other ships of various kinds that had no life signs aboard. Klingon, Romulan, Dominion, Breen, Elachii. No life. The Juggernaut was still firing at every enemy, but it had far fewer weapons operational now. The Fencer and the Organia were covering the K'Valk's Honor as its fighters took out drone after drone. They were heavily outnumber though and every enemy ship moved in concert. Away from the battle, the Denali hung in space, lifeless. "No life signs on any of those." Mary said sadly. "He killed their entire crews. Any of those or the AI ships and drones, you are weapons free, Lieutenant Commander. The Denali? Any life signs?" She asked K'Mir.
"I can't tell." K'Mir said after a moment of scanning her own console. "Too much interference."
"Okay, the hard way it is." Mary said with a nod as she moved to stand by the large console in the middle of the bay. "Commander?"
"I can fly this." Tarsi said weakly, almost to herself. "I… I get to fly this…" She all but giggled. "Do you have any idea how long I have wanted to fly one of these?"
"Since you flew against them the first time." K'Mir retorted and the two mismatched females shared a grin. "Me too."
"I think I am in love! Can we keep this?" Eshade all but begged as she worked her controls.
"I am afraid not." Mary replied. "But… if you come work for me? I think I have an 'in' with the manufacturers. I might be able to get a couple for the Denali if the carrier survives this." Eshade and Tarsi both gawped at her and then focused on their tasks. They were both smiling. "I hope you don't mind music? The AI has committed its reserves so ours are inbound and one of them apparently likes to make an entrance."
"An entrance?" Tarsi and Eshade chorused and both stilled as an eerie wailing sounded. Loud! "Oh no." Tarsi groaned. "Not her!"
"What can I say?" Mary shrugged as two more ships appeared, an Alliance battlecruiser with the designation Leyte and another Federation Constitution class ship with the designation Wisconsin! The music was coming from the battlecruiser. The Constitution was a carrier from the small craft that started launching. "I like Captain MacDonald's taste in music.
"You like bagpipes?" Came from everyone, even the Herald!
"It is an acquired taste, but yes, I do like bagpipes." Mary smiled wide at the visible expressions. "Nothing I have ever encountered is quite like them. Not even Klingon Opera."
"For good reason." Tarsi said sourly and everyone else nodded. Then she straightened sobered and spoke formally. "Ready, Captain Owlna." Mary took a deep breath and looked at Eshade no nodded as well. A glance at K'Mir and the Wing Commander nodded. They were cleared.
"Launch."
The Baltiim Raider 'Painful Truths' slammed out of the K'Valk's Honor at battle speed to join the fighters and frigates that were sweeping around the small fleet. All of the small craft moved into battle beside the larger ones to the skreel of bagpipes. 'Scotland the Brave' sounded all across the cosmic battlefield as the fleet moved for the Denali.
Escorting Mary towards her fate.