***WARNING***

Author's note: Portions of this story take place in the Alternate/Mirror Universe and contains instances of violence, gore, torture, and non-consensual sex/sexual assault/rape that is not glorified or written for titillation.

Three

Modified Sabre Vessel, Pluto Orbital Detection Station, Sol System, 2380

"What's your status, Eridos?" Wevis asked. "Eridos…Lieutenant?"

"We're good to go, sir," Theus said while stepping out of the turbo lift and onto the bridge with Sitix.

"All systems show green, Captain," Sitix said. "Hey, I just realized something. We're addressing you by rank and billet for this mission."

"I've never been one for titles," he replied. "Take your stations."

"Aye sir," she said.

"There's one last thing," Theus said. He reach into medical case and pulled out a hypospray. "I need to inoculate everyone."

"For?" Baresio asked from the tactical station.

"We're about to transition through interphasic space," Theus said. "It's dangerous to sentient beings."

"How dangerous?" Baresio asked and held Theus' eyes while he began to administer the medication.

From the conn, Fisher said, "Dangerous enough to cause death. Passing through an interphasic rift will damage the frontal lobes of the brains. The result is schizophrenia, madness. Not even your mental disciplines can withstand it."

"Didn't you read the mission packet?" Theus asked.

"I did," Baresio answered. "But the finer details about our mode of traversing universes wasn't as important to me as developing strategies to deal with Terran space Nazis."

"…okay point," Theus said after administering the last dose to himself. "Everyone may feel a little strange from these heady injections. It's normal, and unfortunately won't subside for hours."

Sitix asked, "All of this technology and you're telling us Starfleet medical doesn't have some sort of voraxna juice to counteract the effects?"

Wevis said, "This is the first time a ship has been sent to the Mirrorverse. I doubt they made it a priority seeing as how we can transport there if we so desired."

Baresio snorted from his console and said, "You all still haven't figured out how to talk to Eri..dos, Eridos," he stammered.

"You're our translator," Sitix said.

"Gentlemen…" Wevis growled.

Baresio said, "I only meant that the correct questions aren't being asked." He swiveled in his seat to face Theus who had taken the Ops station. "Have you developed a way to counter the effects?"

Theus grinned. "Within minutes of seeing the molecular structure of the compounds. I still have to work out the suspension geometry before I can began trials but—never mind. It's not the time."

"At least one of you is learning," Wevis said. "Conn, contact station control and request permission to get underway."

"Aye sir…permission granted. We're clear to leave dock."

"Plot a course to the heliopause and engage at full impulse when ready. Mr. Eridos?"

Theus worked his console for a bit and said, "I've identified several areas of high solar-magneto instability. The concentration of protons and electrons in addition to our deflector's power should render us invisible to all forms of detection. Transferring coordinates to helm."

"Systems?" Wevis asked.

At the master control display Sitix reviewed information. "Scattering field is up and running. We're good, sir."

"Then take us in—"

"Wait!" Fisher shouted. "We can't proceed, not yet."

"Is there a problem, Lieutenant?" Wevis asked.

Fisher grinned, "Sir, as you're first officer it's my duty to report that our ship…well it doesn't have a name. It's bad luck to set sail on a maiden voyage without a namesake."

"You can't be serious." Baresio said.

"I believe he is and I agree," Wevis said. "Superstition aside, we'll need to have a name for dealing with the locals. Suggestions?"

"What's that nickname the ship bounds called us on Broadsword?" Sitix asked.

"Nova," Theus said. "The U.S.S. Nova. I like it."

"And I'd like to get this mission underway," Wevis said. "Crew of the Nova, let's get to work."

The newly named ship sailed effortlessly through the stars. Everyone tended to their duties in silence until they reached the outer edges of the system.

"We're crossing over into the heliosphere now," Fisher reported. "Expect things to get a little rough."

"Rough?" Baresio asked. The shipped rocked and the hull groaned to answer part of his question. "What was that?"

Theus said, "Spatial turbulence from solar winds increasing, Captain."

"Transfer auxiliary power to structural integrity. We need to reach the pause," Wevis said.

Sitix studied the master systems display before saying, "The strain from these plasma pockets here are overloading our life support. Recommend we throw everything we can into the engines in order to reach the eye as fast as possible."

The ship lurched hard to the right. "Do it," Wevis ordered. "And reduce shields to absolute minimum to shore up impulse."

"Captain?" Baresio said.

"Our shield can handle this, Lieutenant," Theus said. "But they won't do us any good if the emitters get taken out or our generators fail."

"How you Fleet guys do this all the time is something I will never understand," Baresio said.

"We don't," Fisher responded. "Most ships go to warp well before and after clearing these regions in solar systems, that's why we chose one as our arrival point. Speaking of which, clearing turbulence in three…two…and we should be good."

They were. No sooner had Fisher stopped counting did the shaking and rumbling stop. The officers worked at their stations and reported systems as nominal.

"Begin interphase," Wevis ordered.

"Re-configuring energy signatures and electronic emissions for silent running," Baresio said.

"Matching navigational deflector beams to surrounding plasma energy," Fisher reported.

"Sitix?" Wevis asked.

"Just a few more…there. Nacelle's primed and charged, it shouldn't be too rough but we may burn out a handful of relays," she said.

"We'll deal with new problems as they arise," Wevis said. "Mr. Eridos, engage interphase."

Theus input the command and the effect was immediate. He thought for a moment that he saw a translucent green haze cover the entire bridge but couldn't focus from the increasing pressure he felt in his head. One look around, and he could see a level of discomfort in everyone on the bridge.

"How much longer?" Fisher asked.

"It's done!" Theus rasped. "We should be in the Mirrorverse."

"Should?" Wevis asked.

Fisher said, "Checking…sir, quantum signature matches. We've arrived."

"Then proceed to the staging point, best possible speed and prepare to shut down all systems," Wevis said.

"Captain?" Fisher asked.

"Carry out my orders, Lieutenant. I don't know about the rest of you, but the transition was rougher than expected. I want full medical checks and for everyone to be back at one-hundred percent before proceeding. We aren't necessarily on a time schedule, but in my judgement it's for the best if we ensure there are no lingering mental side effects. Would you agree XO?"

"I would, sir," Fisher answered.

"Then see to it."

Jupiter Station, Mirrorverse

Doctor Theus Eridos stepped carefully through the corridors of the crumbling space station, his personal guards flanking him, while making his way toward his laboratory. Along the way the offensive scents of burning wire casings, ozone, and other random acrid odors assailed his nose. His face twisted as an oncoming Tellarite with a broken tusk and severe limp swept refuse along a bulkhead.

"That's close enough!"

Theus' personal slave; a Vulcan that was gifted to him at birth, shouted and pushed the beast worker down hard. The Vulcan began to beat him, until Theus' said, "This is a waste of my time."

The Vulcan didn't stop, and it took the combined effort of the four additional human escorts to break up the fight. As soon as they separated the two, they began to beat them both mercilessly.

"You're all done!" Theus shouted. His guards stood and one held the Vulcan by the back of his collar. Green blood dripped from his mouth and temples and one of his eyes was beginning to swell shut. "Oh Pau, what am I to do with you?"

Pau coughed out more blood. He tried to speak, but when he opened his mouth, his tongue dangled out at an unsightly angle. Or a portion of it did as it was partially bitten through. Theus stroked Pau's bald head that held many unhealed scars and lift the grunting Vulcan's chin to meet his own eyes.

"My mother was generous enough to give me your agonizer when we were five years old. She believed that if you were taught young, then you would be spared the humiliation of being disobedient. That you would never feel the pain of failing to know your place. But I've had to use it every day since."

Theus touched a control on a digital wrist device and the effect was instant. A high pitched whine emitted from multiple points on Pau as he writhe and howled in pain. He collapsed in on himself as the guard dropped him and he began to spasm. Spit, bile, and green blood froth from Pau's mouth as his eyes began to roll back. Theus deactivated the device and Pau continued to seize.

"One day," Theus said. "We'll get there. And if I don't live to see it, then I promise I'll ensure my children finish the job. It's the least I can do, for I am charitable." He had finished speaking, but Pau had not responded. "Well?!"

"T-h…," Pau gurgled.

"I didn't hear you," Theus said.

"Th-ank, you," Pau finally got out.

"Looks like we'll have to switch back to discipline during your sleep," Theus said. A look to his guards made them pick up the Vulcan and continue. Jupiter Station had seen better days. The base was one of the most technologically advanced at its height, but that was decades ago before the Great Pacifism had led to rebellion and crippled the empire he served. The secondary twin structure had only been half finished before budget cuts and reallocation to system defense took priority.

That had not stopped his research in the slightest. His mother, Admiral Eridos had the ear of the empress while his father served as the ruler's personal chef. His father also served the empress in other way that allowed for Theus to be well taken care of. The best food, care, education, they were all available to him. He in turn, repaid this to his nation through his bio-medical and theoretical scientific research. His invention of bio-mimetic gel at the age of ten had ensured the security and legacy of his family for at least this generation.

He finally reached his lab and called out, "Failure Fleet!"

Immediately a Starfleet ensign decades older than Theus ran to greet him and answered, "Y-yes, Doctor?"

"Who are you?" Theus asked.

"Ensign Gregory Williams, sir. I just transferred from—"

"I don't give a fuck! I meant where is your commanding officer?!"

Just then, a hatch slid open from a supply closet and a young orderly exited adjusting her clothing. In tow was Commander Fisher, wiping lipstick from his mouth. He said to her, "See you next shift?" She didn't answer. After locking eyes with Theus, Fisher turned and said, "Doc? You're early."

"And your officers are letting the sub-human filth romp around in my presence!" Theus shook his head and said, "Take Ensign Will…Willis…take him to the booth. And have your little friend join him."

Fisher seemed to hesitate, but then snapped his fingers. Several guards surrounded Williams and began dragging him away.

"Sir! Please!" He begged. The butt of a phaser rifle silenced him.

Theus looked back to the science officer in charge of the station who wore a command division badge and said, "Have my slave cleaned up. Also status report would be welcomed, unless you'd like to join them."

"If you could, you would've done it long before now," Fisher grinned. "The Empress likes the toys you make for her, but she loves the security and tactics I employ that keep the outer planets secure."

"Not so secure," Theus said.

"What are you talking about?" He asked.

Theus motioned for him to follow. They walked past several experiments being conducted on live creatures, some on alien races. When they reached his office, Theus tapped a control to have the room sealed.

"This is different," Fisher said.

"I always enable security protocols when discussing sensitive information."

"Not at this level."

Theus nodded and said, "Computer, bring up sensor log three-nine-seven-seven-bravo. Time index zero-one-hundred hours."

The computer chimed and a shaky hologram displayed in the air. It took a few moments for it to stabilize, and Theus remained quiet while Fisher studied it.

"I have several questions," Fisher said. "Chief among them being how these sensor scans are even possible. I know every sensor buoy's transponder code and this isn't one of ours."

"You're right, it's mine," Theus said.

"What's that energy spike?" He asked.

"That's what I intend to find out. The array that detected the signature is phase cloaked–"

"Phase cloaked?"

"Interrupt me again and we'll test whose favor is stronger because I have no problem conducting this debriefing with you behind the glass of a booth!"

Fisher swallowed hard and said, "My apologies, Doctor. Please continue."

"As I was saying, my array detected this spike near Pluto. The scans were passive, which is why it only detected a change in energy levels. Let's see if you can figure it out."

"If you're referring to the quantum signature I've already noticed it. Do you believe you're calibration is off?" He asked.

"No."

"It has to be," Fisher said. "Everything in the universe resonates with the same quantum frequency. You're array has to be broken for it to display one different than what our science knows to be true."

"You've been in the command division too long," Theus said.

"You…you don't think it's from our universe?" Fisher asked. "Holy shit! This changes everything…wait!" Fisher reached to his waist and pulled out his dagger.

"What the hell are you doing?!" Theus demanded.

"What's it look like?!"

Fisher slashed at Theus' neck and missed, but not before slicing his cheek. Theus fell back, and while instinctively cradling his face said, "Computer, floralysis!"

A puff of mist burst from overhead. It carried tiny particles that fell on them both but only affected Fisher. His body tensed, and the veins on his temple began to swell as his eyes bulged. Theus grabbed him before his feet gave way and sat him down to slump in a chair.

"Cicuta maculata, well, my own genetically engineered version of its poison in an aerosol form. Harmless if you've been inoculated against it. For the record," Theus said while running a dermal regenerator over his face, "if I was planning on killing you, there are several much more inventive and personal ways I would do it."

He finished with the regenerator and injected a hypo into Fisher's jaw. After a few moments of working the muscles, the Starfleet officer asked, "What do you want?"

"You're help…that is, if you're done with these pathetic assassination attempts."

Fisher was only barely able to nod.

"This could've been so much easier. As it stands now, my precious time has once again been wasted today. I have connections outside of Sol, Commander. Connections that keep me apprised of humans beyond our reach. Did you know that there is an active rebellion of humans who are fighting the ungrateful filth who had the audacity to raise their hand against them?"

"They…they were weak!" Fisher spat.

"You're too smart to believe that propaganda, they were betrayed!" Theus roared. "Lulled into complacency and disgusting notions of equality and…peace! A century ago that same filth convinced the idiotic humans in charge to disarm and look what it got us! Our people have become slaves throughout the quadrants, we're trapped within our own system, and our empire is a shadow of its glory. I don't want to kill you Fisher, I want your help in taking back what's ours!"

"How?"

Theus tapped some controls and the hologram changed. It began displaying information about an old Constitution-class, only the name on the hull was U.S.S. Defiant instead of the standard I.S.S. It also displayed the schematics and current progress of a ship still in construction. It was smaller and more compact than anything Starfleet ever designed.

"In little less than an hour, one of your communications officers will contact you to confirm orders that they are to utilize outdated encryption for multiple channels on several of our deep-space listening posts. You will have him punished for questioning your instructions."

"Understood," Fisher said.

"The effects of my spores should dissipate enough for you to walk in about three hours. The computer will only respond to your instructions in regard to the information packet I've opened. Ensure you've familiarized yourself because it will be needed for the next part of my plan."

"Which is?"

"Later," Theus said, "but start thinking of a list of your most loyal ship commanders. I'll need at least two but three is ideal and allow you to choose which one is sacrificed."

"I'll have it for you before I'm finished."

"Good."

Theus took a step back and pulled off his jacket. He continued to strip down until he was completely naked and began to remove Fisher's clothing as well.

"What…what are you…?" Fisher stammered.

"Oh c'mon Mike, a smart guy like you? Haven't you figured out that I'm about to take over the empire? I'll need loyal officers and a good concubine."

"But I don't–"

"You don't what?!" Theus asked and placed a blade to his throat.

"I-I don't think I can…I just finished with…"

"No stamina? If you need an injection, that's all you had to say," Theus said and finished pulling Fisher's pants down before straddling him. "Keep your eyes on me during. I wanna remember the look of those baby blues for the rest of my days."

In response, Fisher threw back his head and his Adam's apple bobbed as he swallowed over the lump in his throat. When he brought his head down, Theus caressed his cheek and his already red eyes grew wet before single tears fell from each. This excited Theus more, as he press his own erection against Fisher's stomach and licked the tear from the side of his face.

"See, you're a natural. You already know how I like it," Theus said. "Don't expect this to be quick, I have plenty of medication."