Four

U.S.S. Nova, Outer Edges of Sol System, Mirrorverse, 2380

"That's it, I'm in!" Sitix yelped. "Combing their nets now."

"Outstanding work, Lieutenant," Wevis said. "Mr. Fisher, how goes your preparations?"

"Just awaiting your order, sir," Fisher answered.

Theus heard the standard bridge commotion and paid it no mind. After a twelve hour stand down to assess their situation and gather their bearings, the crew of the Nova set to their first task of intelligence gathering in this new universe. He had been trained in multi-echelon decryption techniques, but his scientific specialties were not in programming or other digital languages. Sitix had worked tirelessly even through her discomfort to hack into near listening post, and with access finally obtained he wanted to give her a break.

"I'm getting a lot here," Theus reported.

"Can you be more specific?" Fisher asked.

"Sorry, sir," Theus said and internally chided himself. "There's a lot of information that I can access through this post. It's connected to Starfleet's…the Terran Fleet's main system-wide communications hub and has data priority as a military asset."

Wevis sighed audibly and asked, "Is there any specific information that can help us accomplish our mission?"

"I-I don't know," Theus finally said.

Everyone on the bridge went silent. Theus had not come up from his console until he noticed the quiet and look around to see everyone staring at him intently.

"Are you sure you're alright from the interphase? Because those are the last three words I expect to hear from you," Baresio asked.

"I am, but that doesn't change my assessment." He turned to Wevis and said, "Captain, I'm not sure what to make of this information. We have access to ship movements, resupplies, cargo transfers, and more. This is in addition to the news feeds and private net channels we can intercept effortlessly."

"You didn't provide an assessment," Wevis said.

"He didn't need to," Sitix said. "Sir, I see it too. It's not just that we were able to access the listening post, but also the borderline buffet of information available at our disposal."

"Wasn't that your intent with your efforts?" Fisher asked.

"Not really," She said. "Even under the best of conditions it would've taken about the same amount of time for me to infiltrate their systems. I only wanted a free port or to piggyback onto an existing open socket to download data. As it stands now, not only do we have full access, but anyone monitoring or assigned to anti-intrusion would see us as having proper credentials."

"Full access?" Baresio repeated. "Captain, I don't like the look of this. There's no way a military organization in any universe would be so careless, let alone the Terrans. It goes against every time honored procedure of operational security and need to know. Having a clearance level doesn't mean you are cleared to know everything at said level."

Wevis stroked his thin jaw for a moment and asked, "Sitix, are you certain that we aren't being monitored?"

"All indications say no," she said.

"What about ships? Anything on sensors or stray impulse readings?"

Fisher said, "Navigational reading show substantial activity near Jupiter. Looks like commercial and civilian commerce."

Baresio said, "I've conducted as detail a scan as I'm able with reduced power. The only ships remotely close to us are exiting the system at warp well before they are in scanning range if they were even looking. Neptune is halfway through its orbital revolution, so most can engage after they've cleared Uranus."

"Let me know if that changes," Wevis said. "In the mean—why are you two smiling?" He asked Fisher and Theus.

Fisher said, "Nothing sir, just an old joke about the seventh planet in Sol."

"Humans." Sitix scoffed and rolled her eyes. "Sir, while the adolescents having been joking, I've taken the liberty of compiling some very preliminary information on Earth."

"Let's have it."

"Aye sir. As our briefing packets suggested, the Terrans are in disarray. Alien species come into Sol for commerce and shady business practices, but Humans don't leave. In general anyway, they still have diplomatic envoys and the like. But Earth is for humans only and their slaves."

"Enslaved," Theus corrected. "All lifeforms; especially sentient ones, are born with guarantees. Others suppress or deny them through enslavement."

"An important distinction," Wevis nodded.

"Sir," Theus continued, "I've compiled additional preliminary data. The listening post is also used for advertising."

"Advertising what?" Fisher asked.

"Any and everything, sir. The Terran military industrial complex fell with the rebellion. As such, space faring enterprises are utilizing Fleet assets to sell extra-solar customers. These posts serve as early warning detection, and beacons to give instructions to those who want to do business. Namely, directions on how to proceed to Jupiter Station."

"It's a start," Wevis said. "Listen up people, we need to reach Sol to deploy our payload and change its quantum frequency. No government allows for solar studies without extremely detailed plans that have to be approved at multiple levels. Eridos, do you believe we could utilize Jupiter Station to help complete our mission? Maybe charter some sort of passage?"

"Possibly, sir. But we have no information on dealing with civilians. We'd have to speak with someone before we make any plans."

"Which presents two problems," Baresio said. "Sir, I don't recommend moving the delivery system around too much. Maybe one transport is fine, but the energy from the targeting beam has the potential to destabilize the matrix."

"And the second?" Fisher asked.

"The listening post. I've been trying to come up for a reason for the level of access we achieved. Sir, I can't think of any other reason except that we were allowed in."

"Allowed? As in someone knows we're here?" Wevis asked.

"Maybe not directly," Baresio continued. "We know from the reports Captain Sisko provided to Starfleet that multiple species are aware of our universe. And that in some cases they have orders to kill us immediately. They may have some sort of detection?"

Theus said, "Even if they did, our technology is still much more advanced than theirs. The listening post for example still uses isolinear circuitry. I doubt they could see through our stealth measures."

"Okay," Wevis said, "let's not get ahead of ourselves people. We can traverse the system up until Jupiter Station so long as we plan to conduct business. Let's start there and adjust accordingly. What do we have to barter with?"

"Plenty," Theus said. "It just depends on what you're willing to provide them with, knowing they will most likely use it to exploit someone."

"Then we'll stick to commodities. Dilithium isn't native to the system, and I'm sure they're more than eager to get their hands on premium crystals. Download the instructions, activate external holographic skin, and set a course for Jupiter. We also need to change clothes and get into character."

Jupiter Station, Alien Port

Theus waited impatiently in the docking gangway with his team as the hatch controls to enter the station cycled through the atmospheric seal protocols. They were much longer than any modern dock he had been to and he attributed it to the paranoid nature of the Terrans.

"What's taking so long?" Sitix asked aloud.

Fisher said, "It's understandable to an extent."

"Trying to empathize already?" She asked.

"Not even a little," Fisher said immediately. "However, when you consider all that these Terrans have done to the quadrants, it's a logical precaution to prevent weapons smuggling or terrorist attacks."

"I suppose," she said. "Hey speaking of logic, are you sure it's safe to walk around without any form of disguise?"

The question was directed to Baresio and he said, "I'm fine. If anyone asks, I'm a Romulan southerner. It's not like I'm emotionally deficient over here or anything."

To which, Theus said, "But you do have a pretty strong accent that's native to Earth. Choose a Romulan dialect and let the UTs do the rest. In fact, the only ones who should speak Federation standard are Fisher and I."

"Good catch," Wevis said.

"We have to take it further," Fisher said. "Sir, you and Sitix need to speak the native languages of your planets. I'd like to approach more cautiously, Eridos, so I hope your English isn't rusty."

"You don't think language has become homogenous, do you?" Theus asked.

"It's a possibility."

Decontamination scan complete, no pathogens found. Proceed to the off-world office and do not deviate.

The instructions from the computer were clipped and direct. Theus looked to Wevis, and he took point while they walked onto the station. From the outside, the half completed section looked condemned. Inside however, it was a bustling business station of spartan but well maintained equipment, kiosks, and vendors. All going about their business and not paying attention to anything other than their pads.

Wevis took measured steps with his head bowed slightly. He made it a point to quickly turn from the few gazes he received. Sitix was scantily clad in a rich royal violet dress that was sleeveless, backless, and split on both sides of her legs. She groped and fawned over Fisher who wore shades and a professional suit, which was casually open at the shirt. Baresio wore a dark, unimpressive hooded jumpsuit the same as Theus, only he had an addition multi-color waist sash that displayed all the flags of the Romulan Empire.

"Awfully quiet in here," Fisher noted.

"Indeed," Wevis said. "It is somewhat unsettling to see no forms of entertainment."

They reached the office and proceeded to the registration desk. From there, a disheveled looking human didn't even look up when he asked, "Name?"

"Wevis, I'm captain–"

"I don't care," the man said. "Where's your payment authorization?"

"My what?"

That made him look up. "I'm going to say this once alien, show me a receipt for your docking fees, or you'll get sent to the Terran side!"

"I wasn't aware of the fees. If you'll tell me where and how to pay, I'll gladly do so."

"Gladly?!" He bellowed. "Are you some sort of comedian?!"

Baresio stepped forward and said, "We just want to pay and get on with our business!"

"You're pretty mouthy for a Romulan…wait…you?!" He shouted. The human pushed a button at his terminal and an alarm sounded. A force field snapped into place around his desk and the entrance to the office was sealed. "As good as you have it and you're trying to escape?!"

"Uh…guys…" Sitix said as four security officers materialized in the office.

Their phasers were drawn, and instinctively Baresio charged at the nearest while grabbing his hand and slamming him into a wall. Fisher took the next one down with a leg sweep and Theus threw a punch that missed another.

"I'd better be rewarded for providing the Doctor with new test subjects!" The man behind the desk shouted.

The guard Theus swung at fell back. They were in such close quarters that no phasers had been fired yet and he wanted to keep it that way. Theus pulled off his top, and threw it in the face of the guard. She snatched it off and leveled her phaser at him, then stopped, her mouth agape. All the guards stopped.

"Doc—Doctor Eridos?" She stammered in confusion. She went erect as her posture changed to that of a soldier going to attention, beat a fist on her chest, and shot her arm out with her palm facing him. "Sir, forgive me!"

Theus looked around and saw the other security officers doing the same. They were all in Terran Fleet gold and held their arms. It was then that Theus remembered the greeting and saluted back. The senior of the detail was a junior grade lieutenant, and he approached promptly.

"Sir, we didn't recognize it was you!"

"And…and whose fault is that?!" Theus asked.

"I-I…"

"I don't care!" Theus said while emphasizing each syllable and starring at the horrified man behind the desk.

"He called us, sir," The lieutenant continued. "He lied and said that your slave was escaping."

"Slave?!" Baresio said.

Fisher slapped Baresio across the face hard enough to draw blood. He pulled at his collar and forced the Vulcan to his knees before saying, "We've been giving you too much freedom to speak lately. We'll take care of that later!"

Theus strolled over to the desk. He hadn't planned on being thrust into character so quickly but proceeded when he demanded, "Drop the field. Now!"

The man did as instructed. From this distance, Theus could smell the alcohol on his breath and the reek of sweat as it poured out. The security lieutenant asked, "Should we take your slave and this idiot to be executed?"

"What?! No!" Theus shouted.

"Sir?"

Fisher said, "What the hell is going on with this station?! Does everyone question orders?!"

"Commander? Is that you?" The lieutenant asked.

"You ask too many questions," Theus said. "I have one for you. Do you believe I want a quick death, or to make it linger?"

The lieutenant smiled wickedly and said, "Understood sir. I'll oversee their discipline in the booths myself."

"No one touches the Vulcan, he's mine!" Theus boomed. "Take care of the docking for my vessel and beam me along with my associates to a secure office. I have business I'm attending to and don't want to be disturbed!"

"Yes sir!" He shouted.

"No one is to know we were here. Sensors, security logs,…and witnesses," Theus said. "I will follow up with you in a few days and that idiot had better be alive."

"I understand."

"You will be rewarded for you service. Now energize!"

The lieutenant carried out the orders and in a flash of light the five Starfleet officers were transported to a medium sized suite. It was decorated in the standard of any starship quarters only it had multiple trays of refreshments out on display.

"Can someone tell me what the hell just happened?" Theus asked the room.

"Fisher hits like a tribble is what," Baresio said. Wevis gave him a hard stare and he asked, "What? Just trying to lighten the mood."

"Not the time," Sitix said.

"Would I be a rebellious slave if I didn't listen?"

"Everyone stop talking!" Wevis ordered. "XO, give me a sit-rep."

Fisher nodded and said, "Sir, I believe we were negligent in our preparation. We know the basics of how to behave in this universe, but we failed to research the locations and current standings of our counterparts."

"They called me doctor," Theus said. "And you commander, Fish."

"I know, which suggests that both you and I are well-known or…"

"Or what?" Wevis asked.

"Or that our counterparts are on the station," Theus said.

"And the slave," Baresio said with a raised hand.

"Get us some answers, Eridos," Wevis said.

Theus went to a wall panel and started to work. Several queries into Terran Fleet records produced nothing, so he expanded the search to public records. What he retrieved almost made him nauseous."

"My gods!" Theus gasped. He stepped back from the panel and started pacing.

"Lieutenant?" Wevis asked.

Sitix was reading the information on the panel and said, "Sir, Doctor Theus Eridos is the Empire's preeminent bio-medical engineering researcher. He's in charge of the civilian contingent on the station where he conducts all forms of experiments. On all forms of life, most of them still alive."

"Shit!" Baresio said. "According to this, he's created numerous bio-weapons that have been employed throughout the quadrant, some even on Earth. Tailored to the genome of specific species. He also heads the most profitable medical and pharmaceutical industries on the planet as well as offering…."

"What?" Fisher asked.

Baresio swallowed and said, "He also offers products to 'properly break' slaves."

That was all it took when Theus dropped to his knees and began to vomit. Tears were flowing freely from his red, angry eyes and he demanded, "Stop it! Please."

"What about me?" Fisher asked.

Sitix continued her search and said, "You're the Terran Fleet station commander in charge of security for the outer planets. Several attempts to breach Sol defenses were thwarted under you're leadership. Several fleets of ships fall under your jurisdiction and your flagship is the I.S.S. Excelsior."

"I was given a command?" Fisher asked.

"You took your command," she corrected, "after assassinating the captain and first officer."

Fisher read the panel and muttered, "Parricide? I killed my own parents for command…"

Baresio asked, "Do I even want to know?" Sitix looked away from the screen so Baresio went to read the information himself. "Vulcan…it's gone," he said.

"Gone?" Wevis repeated?

"The Terrans blamed this universe's Spock for their demilitarization. As such, after the rebellion had won they bided their time to plan their revenge. Colonel Baresio led a small team of MACOs to an atmospheric processor on Vulcan's surface. It was a distraction while Captain Eridos of the I.S.S. Spite ignited the atmosphere. The house of Pau and several others were taken as prisoners and my mother…given to the Colonel as a reward."

Baresio walked from the panel and approached Theus who had stood and cleaned himself up slightly. Through puffy eyes Theus said, "Keln…I don't—I'm–I…" And he never finished as Baresio brought him in and held him tight.

Everyone was silent as they absorbed the information. Sitix worked on the panel more and after she was done said, "The Terrans don't keep records on anyone other than themselves and those they consider slaves. Vulcans are their preferred labor, and according to these statistics there are a little over three-million on Earth."

"That's not what we're here for," Wevis said. "Team, I understand this is a lot to absorb right now, but we still have our mission. Take some time to collect yourselves, but I don't want to be on this station any longer than we have to be. In one hour, I want options on how we proceed. If the mirror Baresio, Eridos, and Fisher are indeed on this station then we need to find them and replace them before they are made aware of us."