***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.
Five
Outpost-974, Beta Quadrant, Stardate 59589.9
Lieutenant Commander Huitron stood from the table and paced while rubbing his jaw. He stopped, locked eyes with Theus, and asked, "Any more surprise genocides coming up during this debriefing?"
"That depends on how thorough I'm requested to be with follow-up questions," Theus said.
"You're not exaggerating, are you?" Huitron asked.
Theus shook his head. He knew that the revelations from his briefing would be difficult to hear. Although they were all seasoned and professional officers, nothing ever prepared one for the reality that during their careers a substantial amount of death would be encountered. Theus felt it keenly, and could see in the eyes of all assembled just how deeply they felt such a senseless loss.
"Officers," Igmoha spoke up, "I understand we've assembled to plan the rescue of one of our own, but surely we can do more. Millions of enslaved Vulcans? It's offensive to say the least, not to mention the other sentient species on the planet."
Ooccae said, "We can't. Not only is it impractical but the level of risk is unacceptable. We would be launching an assault on a heavily defended planet that would result in mass casualties on both sides."
Dravot said, "I would gladly accept the risk."
"As would I," zhNon added.
Havmin said, "I hate to be the one push bureaucratic tape, however it must be said that in doing so, we would also be violating our own laws including the Prime Directive."
"Would that be so terrible, sir?" It was Nicarn, Havmin's first officer. "There are no extenuating circumstance or history to take into consideration."
Fenton finally spoke and said, "An interesting distinction, considering this task force was assembled to bring relief to a species that engaged in similar subjugation techniques."
"Sir," Theus said to Fenton, "I had no intentions of leading my briefing down this path. Now that it has been brought up however, I feel it necessary to clarify any interference on our part would not be a violation of protocols or laws. The interphase I spoke of earlier happened with the Constitution-class Defiant. One of our ships went to their universe with technology in advance of one-hundred years from their perspective."
"Is that what gave them their military strength?" Fenton asked.
"The information I have isn't clear on that, sir," Theus said. "But I don't believe it's unreasonable to assume the introduction of Federation technology led to a level of stagnation in their society. They had the means to put down any resistance and only made innovations to fuel their war-effort. Without competition they didn't have the drive to create."
"Which is why I believe we should revisit this topic," Igmoha said.
Fenton said, "I will forward a report of this meeting to Starfleet Command but I don't expect much if anything. The information Commander Eridos has comes from Intelligence and if they didn't do anything then, it's naïve to believe they would change their position now."
"Indeed," Theus said. "If we could get back on track, there's still a lot more to go over."
"Please proceed," Ooccae said.
Theus took a deep breath. "After learning of the horrors the Terrans had wrought on the local group, my team and I focused on locating our counter-parts. It was decided for safety of our mission commander and Bolian engineer that they form a team to explore the non-human levels while Fisher and I explored the station. Major Baresio joined us and played the role of my…my servant while we searched."
"That couldn't have been comfortable," zhNon said.
"In fact, it was the least distasteful aspect of being over there—which is saying something.
Jupiter Station, Mirrorverse
"You two! Come with me!" Theus boomed.
He strutted down the corridor with purpose. Fisher flanked his left and Baresio; head bowed, kept pace at his right. Two passing guards had caught his attention and he ordered them to join the trio. They asked no questions and obeyed instantly. As they walked, Theus noticed one thing and one thing only, fear. Everyone averted their eyes or promptly moved out of their path.
"Escort us to Main Security," Fisher said. "No one is to know we are coming."
"N-no one?" The guard stammered.
"No one!" Fisher yelled back.
It was almost imperceptible but Theus noticed the other guard make a slightly pensive face.
"Is there a problem?" Theus asked.
The second guard open his mouth and Baresio grabbed him by the throat. Effortlessly he hoisted the man up and choke-slammed him on the deck. In a blur, he had removed the side phaser from the man now beneath his boot and fired it at the questioning guard who vanished in a howling echo.
"Know that you are in the presence of your superior…and a man of higher rank!" Baresio shouted and then spat on the guard's face. "You—argh!"
Baresio screamed and Fisher drove the agonizer deeper into his back.
"You dare touch a Terran?!" Fisher asked.
"Get up! All of you!" Theus shouted. They all did so and after they composed themselves Theus said, "Does the unprofessionalism of your staff have a bottom? My slave may have been over-zealous, but he—it has a point."
Fisher stumbled over his words, "I-I…"
"The security officer, Commander!" Theus demanded.
The guard continued to lead the way. With such a public display of violence, everyone down the corridor seemed to disappear or to be packing up their equipment. When they reached the department, all those present froze.
"Who is in charge?" Theus demanded.
"I-I am, sir," A frightened Lieutenant Commander said.
"In your office, now," Fisher said. "And take this one to a booth," he said and gestured to the guard that had brought them here.
The Lieutenant Commander showed them in to his office, the door shutting and drowning out the screams of the unfortunate first guard.
"I'm looking for something," Theus said. "Can you help me find it?"
"Of course, sir," The security lead said.
"Good. Input your access code, I want to see everything about everyone that you can show me." After Theus got what he wanted he said, "Get out, and make sure no one comes through this door."
The security lead practically ran out of the office. The audible sound of mechanical locks and force fields raising could be heard and once the measures were in place Theus dropped his face into his hands.
"Dear god!" Baresio shouted. "Don't these people believe in a stun setting?! I didn't want to—I didn't mean to kill that man!"
"Get it together, Lieutenant!" Fisher shouted. "We know you didn't, but why did you start that brawl?"
"You repeated yourself, Fish," Theus said weakly. "I'm not blaming anyone but we can't show even the slightest amount of weakness or charity here."
Baresio said, "I noticed the body language of the other guard. He thought something was strange about you being lenient and I had to act."
"Sorry about the agonizer," Fisher said.
"Respectfully sir, stop that!" Baresio yelled. "We need to remain in character if we're to get through this. These little slips are a result of us switching back and forth. I recommend that we be blunt in our interactions with one another."
"Agreed," Theus said.
"Then that's how we'll proceed," Fisher said. "Let's start sifting through their data. Eridos, look for your counter-part while I look for mine. If anyone knows how our reflections think it's us, no matter how dark they are. Try your own passwords and codes if you run into their personal files. Baresio, look for the others."
They all set to task. With the access granted from the security lead it was simple enough to find most of what they needed.
"I've isolated Doctor Eridos' biometrics," Theus said. He brought out his tricorder and placed it on the terminal. "Everyone do the same. I'm programming mine with his signature to be able to locate him anywhere on the station. It will give us all a heads up to track movements as well."
"Good job," Fisher said. "Our plan should be to find and detain them as soon as possible. The more interaction we have and orders we issue, the greater the chance of us sending out conflicting information."
"Have you found your double?" Baresio asked.
"Not yet," Fisher said. "I have his signature and even his commbadge frequency, but I'm having some trouble locating him. Can you find him, Eridos?"
"I could help."
Everyone went silent and looked about the office. The voice belonged to Fisher and yet he hadn't said the words.
"Who—" Baresio asked and stopped short.
In the corner of the office the wall shimmered and a hologram faded. It revealed a grinning Commander Fisher who had a phaser leveled at them all.
Lieutenant Fisher stepped forward without hesitation. "I lead this team. If you're going to torture someone, start with me."
"Ugh!" Commander Fisher made a disgusted noise. "The Doc wasn't exaggerating about you people."
"You know who we are?" Baresio asked.
Commander Fisher's face twisted into absolute revulsion. He kept his eyes on Baresio for a long time before saying, "You don't speak to me, Vulcan!"
Baresio began to approach him and Commander Fisher holstered his phaser before loosening his neck collar and bringing up his guard.
"Stop!" Theus shouted. He grabbed Baresio by his wrist and pulled him back. "We're not dead or shooting at one another. I'm taking that as a sign that you want to talk."
"I guess you're the smart one no matter the universe," Commander Fisher said. "He's right, I do want to speak with you two."
Baresio sneered.
"I hope you don't mind if we skip over the pleasantries," Commander Fisher continued. "You all are from our counter-part universe filled with do-gooders, tolerance, and rainbows. We know everything about you that you know about us."
"Why aren't we dead?" Lieutenant Fisher asked.
"Isn't it obvious?" He asked. "Because I want something, or for you all to do something to be more precise."
"We're not helping you with a damn thing!" Baresio shouted.
"Would you like to borrow one of my agonizers?" He asked. "They're quite effective at breaking beasts and they're of your design no less."
"Oh fuck this guy," Baresio said and charged him.
Commander Fisher wasn't fast enough and Baresio rammed him into the wall. As Theus and Lieutenant Fisher pulled him back, Commander Fisher pulled a hypo from his sleeve and stabbed it at Baresio's neck.
"What was that?!" Lieutenant Fisher demanded.
"Just something to ensure compliance," he said.
Theus was running his tricorder over Baresio's neck and said, "It's more than that, his scans are showing a decrease in his neuropeptide levels. He's down almost three percent as we've been speaking. Sir, if this continues then Baresio will become vegetative."
"We use it to destroy the mental defenses of new-born Vulcans. It makes the process of domestication so much easier. Wanna guess who designed the formula?"
"Give me the cure!" Theus shouted.
"Do I have your attention now?" Commander Fisher asked.
The Federation officers remained silent.
"Good," he said. "As I'm sure you know, the only thing that matters in my universe is power. Even on this station my billet as the highest ranking officer is meaningless. It doesn't even provide protection."
The way he had emphasized the last word puzzled Theus. Commander Fisher had looked to him when he said such and there was a moment when Theus thought the Terran had shuddered.
"I want to be in charge," Commander Fisher said. "The only way I can do that is to remove the only one who stands in my way."
"Is this to be some sort of enemy of my enemy situation?" Lieutenant Fisher asked.
"Possibly," he said. "I still don't know why any of you are here. For all I know this could be a precursor to a full-on invasion force."
"The Federation isn't an imperialistic nation," Theus said.
"I'm still having difficulty comprehending that," he said. "Here's how this will go. I have a plan to eliminate the Eridos from my universe. In order to do so, I need your full cooperation and for you all to follow my plan exactly."
"Which is what?" Lieutenant Fisher asked.
"In time," he said. "For now, Eridos and his pet Vulcan will wait for our return. Honestly how does that constant remain the same across the multiverse?"
"You want Baresio and I to wait in this office…Keln? Keln?!" Theus shouted.
"Your plaything will be fine. It has thirty hours minimum before any permanent damage is done," he said. "I have a location where you two will sequester."
"What about me?" Lieutenant Fisher asked.
"You will stay at my side."
"As a hostage?"
"To be briefed on my plan and to not flounder about with the increased chance of being shot," he said. "Everyone we run into will think you to be a paid contractor who is wearing my face. Assassinations are a common occurrence here. Are we finished?"
Commander Fisher didn't give them time to answer. He input commands into the console and they all dematerialized to reform in what looked like a storage area. It was the size of a great room and also terribly uncomfortable. The lights above head flickered and there was a rank, fetid smell throughout. Heavy containers and other detritus were piled about with the entire area colder than any other part of the station.
"You can't expect anyone to stay in here," Lieutenant Fisher said.
"I don't expect, I demand," he said. "We will be back for your colleague and filth in a few hours. Unless your Starfleet is so soft they cannot withstand even the mildest of inconvenience?"
"I'll be fine," Theus said. "Sir, the quicker we get done with what he want, the quicker we get the cure for Baresio."
Lieutenant Fisher nodded and left with his counterpart. Now alone in the dank room, Baresio opened his eyes and asked, "How'd I do?"
"Terrible, considering you didn't put that asshole down," Theus said.
"C'mon now, don't let this place get to you," Baresio said and scratched at his injection.
"Don't," Theus warned. "He must've believed you were a full Vulcan because the compound isn't as effective as he estimated."
"Perfect, it gives us time to come up with an escape."
"I said it wasn't as effective," Theus said. "It's working, just slower. Keln, I want to put you to sleep."
"Say what?"
"I still have my gear and can give you a pretty potent sedative. It'll slow the rate of decay."
"Nuh-uh, no way! I'm not sleeping this out while my team is in danger," Baresio protested.
"It would only be until evil Fisher returns. I can wake you up no problem and give you a stimulant to rid you of any lethargy. Please, Keln, I'm really worried that if I don't there's an even greater chance of us not being able to reverse the effects."
Baresio shook his head and swore. He mulled a bit and finally lay flat on the deck. "See you soon."
He raised his pointer and ring finger that Theus touched with his own. Theus curved his cup Baresio's before kissing him softly and administering the hypo. Baresio's eyes flittered for a moment, then closed.
Theus stood and said, "Now the boring part."
His eyes were attracted to movement and Theus went on guard. Oddly enough, Commander Fisher had allowed them to keep not only their equipment but also their weapons. Theus had his phaser drawn and yelled, "Come out!"
He heard someone shuffling on the deck slowly, their decks and breathing labored. In the dim light it was difficult to see until the figure got close. Once it did, the phaser fell from Theus' hand in addition to tears from his eyes.
"K-Keln?" Theus barely got out?
Before him was a badly beaten, bruised, and still bleeding Baresio…or a version of him. His ears were rounded like a humans but the upswept eyebrows remained. He was just as tall as the man who lay on the floor, only more bulking muscular instead of lean. Scars covered every centimeter of his visible skin and when Theus looked him in the eye, he instantly turned from him.
"Oh my gods!" Theus rushed to him.
The Baresio doppelganger brought up his hands to shield himself and let out a wail of absolute fear. He crouched and shook uncontrollably, stopping Theus and making him bring his hands over his mouth.
"What have they done to you?" Theus said to himself.
He knelt down in front of the man and took out his tricorder. It confirmed what he suspected of years of physical abuse and improperly healed wounds. The scans also showed the excruciating amount of pain he was in.
"It's okay…I'm not going to hurt you."
He began to bring down his arms but the shot back up.
"It's alright, here, give me your arm," Theus said gently.
He didn't look at Theus and still had one arm up but immediately outstretched the other. It was so tense his veins bulged, like he was anticipating something. Theus injected a strong nerve block and he brought back his arm slowly, looking at it in confusion.
"I'm going to help you," Theus said.
"No! No...I'm sorry, this slave will be good! Pau has learned and today is the day! You've taught Pau to be good! Pau knows its place!"
Theus was fighting back deep sobs now. He gritted his teeth that anyone; let alone a version of himself, was capable of such cruelty.
"Pau, that's a beautiful name, a strong name. I want to show you something, Pau," Theus said.
Theus took the man's hand and positioned Pau's finger along his temple. He reached out mentally, as he had done with Baresio so many times. At first nothing happened, until Pau finally looked at him. He seemed to be on instincts now, when he reach out with his other arm and placed his other hand on Theus' temple.
"Look as much as you want," Theus said directly into his mind.
With Pau occupied, Theus opened his emergency medical kit and began to mend the Vulcan. He could feel Pau touching every emotion and memory Theus held about Vulcans. Every moment Theus had every felt joy…and then he got to love. Pau's eyes became rivers. Theus' did as well, only it was bitter sweet. From the link, he knew this was literally the first time in his life Pau had ever smiled.