Lorca walked down the corridor to his private lab just as the lights dimmed marking the start of the night shift. This was his favourite time, if he had to choose.
Since he'd got here, he'd been tracking down his special toys... if they weren't invented yet...well, they could be created. You just had to have a little imagination.
'Computer, locate Stamets.' Lorca had the sudden urge to talk to the traitor. He was actually someone he preferred in this universe.
'Lieutenant Stamets is in engineering.'
'Of course,' Lorca muttered, annoyed with himself, 'where else would he be.' The man lived his work.
They were passing a star system he'd once obliterated but not before he'd picked up some interesting minerals. Chances were the minerals were here too... he just needed an excuse.
Lorca turned round to head to engineering. He saw Detmer down the corridor practically jump when she realised he was now walking towards her. It was so satisfying he could hardly suppress a smirk.
'Sir!' Detmer stood to attention while still metres away.
'Lieutenant.' He nodded in acknowledgment as he reached her. 'Walk with me.' Her augments intrigued him and another piece of the plan seemed to come together.
'Sir?' Detmer recognised a predator when she saw one but Starfleet training was so ingrained that her question sounded like nothing more than a polite request for direction.
'I read you got your license by the time you turned 12?' Lorca cut straight to the chase.
'Yes, Sir.' Detmer confirmed, falling into step next to the Captain.
'Why did you join Starfleet?' He stopped, as if to emphasise the importance of his question.
Detmer looked at him for a second before replying, 'It was a way forward.'
Lorca tilted his head, waiting to hear more.
'I wanted the challenge.' She smiled, as she saw the approval in his eyes. The man was scary but then she'd always been attracted to danger.
'I have a challenge for you.' Lorca said, raising his hand to touch the implants on the side of her face.