Episode 7: Mirror, Mirror On The Wall

ISS Enterprise

Commander Spock stroked his forbidding beard and watched via the Tantulus Field as Captain Kirk made his way to the Engineering section, accompanied by his guards. Spock took a quick glance over to the unconscious woman draped over the bed, the victim of his nerve pinch. Turning back to the viewscreen, he murmured quietly to himself.

"In every revolution, there is one man."

Spock agreed with the logic of that statement, and reviewed in his formidable mind the illogic of the Galactic Empire. The alternate Kirk was, of course, correct. The Empire simply could not last on the course it had chosen. The method of enforcement and promotion alone prevented any kind of productive change in its environment, and such stagnation would lead to eventual collapse. There could be no other consequence as far as his logic could conceive.

"Or perhaps," he said aloud, studying the Field's controls, "one Vulcan."

Kirk entered the Engineering section and walked over to Mr. Scott, his guards flanking the door. Kirk smiled and placed a hand on the Engineer's shoulder.

"Mr. Scott, I don't believe I have had the time to thank you for assisting in our transport to that other Enterprise. I found the stay in their Brig refreshing, didn't you?"

"Sir?"

"A good Engineer should have been able to predict the effects of the ion storm, don't you think?"

"Captain, 'twas not ma fault! I was caught in that rift same as you!"

Kirk slapped the man with the hand that was resting on the Engineer's shoulder, "The only thing I hate worse than back-talk is excuses, Mr. Scott! Perhaps an hour in the Agony Chamber will teach you a much needed lesson."

"No Captain! I swear there was nothin' that coulda been done!"

"Guards, get him out of my sight," Kirk spat. The guards quickly advanced on the trembling Engineer, dragging him into the hallway despite his loud protests. Kirk ignored them all, shooting a venomous look around the Engineering staff.

"What are you all looking at? Get back to work!" he screamed, spittle flying from his mouth.

"It appears the Captain's recent journey has left him ill-tempered. This is indeed a marvellous device," Spock mused to the sleeping woman. His finger gently touched one of the buttons on the device. Kirk was alone now in Engineering, the staff having quickly found work to do elsewhere. Spock watched with some minor astonishment as Kirk raised his eyes, looking around and then settling his eyes, as if he could sense Spock watching him. Perhaps he could. Kirk was anything if not cunning.

"Fascinating," Spock whispered. Spock regretted what he was about to do. His time with the Captain had been profitable, however illogical it was in the long run. Making up his mind, he reached once more for the controls when a red glow near the Captain caught his attention. The Captain had turned towards it as well. Was this some by-product of the Tantulus Field, Spock wondered?

The field coalesced into a fountain of red sparks, and then quickly took on humanoid shape. After a brief moment a large metal construct stepped out of the wavering field, the dual-pointed head surveying its surroundings. Kirk made his way quickly for the nearest comm. panel. Spock, however, was quicker.

"Spock to the Bridge."

"Uhura here, Commander."

"Uhura, disable the comm. channel to Engineering."

"Sir?"

"Do it now or regret it later," Spock said firmly.

"Aye sir."

"Spock out," the Commander said, watching as Kirk hammered on the comm. channel, cursing loudly.

"TRANSPORT 4117 COMPLETE. HUMANS PRESENT. TECHNOLOGY CONSISTENT WITH TWENTY-THIRD CENTURY TIMEFRAME. THREAT ASSESSMENT: MINIMAL."

Spock wondered if Kirk would run for the corridor. No, he mused, the Captain never backed down from a fight, even if his clothing was torn. Especially then, Spock realized. It seemed to infuriate the man. Of course, this metal construct represented a huge threat to the ship, standing as it where in the middle of Engineering. Spock would watch for now, however. The Tantalus Field gave him the advantage anyway. Fool that Kirk is, having such power and doing little more than advance his own petty ambition.

"What are you? What are you doing on my ship?"

"TECHNOLOGY INFERIOR TO PREVIOUS EXPIDITION TO SIMILAR REALITY. ACCESSING AND DOWNLOADING DATABANKS."

"How dare you ignore me!" screamed Kirk, "I am J. Tiberius Kirk!"

Kirk tucked and rolled over to a console, using it for cover. Ripping his phaser from its velcro holster, he pointed and fired at the construct. The beam struck the construct to little effect. Kirk quickly adjusted the controls.

"Bridge to Mr. Spock," the comm. channel echoed.

"Spock here."

"Commander, something is accessing our data files."

"Acknowledged. Send a security team to Engineering section. Have them enter Engineering on my order only."

"Yes, sir."

Kirk had reset the setting on his phaser and fired again, the end result roughly the same as the last. The construct swivelled its head, seeming to peer at Mr. Spock. Spock took an involuntary step back from the viewscreen.

"DOWNLOAD COMPLETE. UNUSUAL ENERGY PATTERN DETECTED. THREAT LEVEL: INCONCLUSIVE. PREPARING FOR TRANSPORT."

So it can detect the Field, Spock said. His worry increased. And it appeared as though the construct was not going to do the job of eliminating the Captain as he had first hoped. Where had this metal being come from anyway? Spock wondered. The robot turned and moved towards the Captain. Spock drew closer to the screen.

"ALERT STATUS. SUBSPACE VARIATIONS DETECTED IN HUMAN. CONCLUSION: RECENT ORGANIC TRANSFER TO ALTERNATE REALITY. COURSE OF ACTION: CAPTURE HUMAN FOR FURTHER STUDY."

Kirk heard this and didn't like where this was going. The construct began to lumber over to his location. Kirk jumped up and headed for the door.

"Computer," Spock said coldly, "disable Engineering section entrance. Authorization Spock 007-1 Alpha."

"Acknowledged," the computer returned.

Kirk bounced off the door and went sprawling to the floor. Turning, he rose just as the construct grabbed in with a clawed hand. Kirk bellowed in anger, striking at the arm as his phaser fell to the floor.

"INITIATE TRANSPORT."

The robot and the Captain both vanished in a field of red sparks, the Captain's cry of rage echoing in the empty Engineering section until all was quiet. Spock nodded. Truly a series of fortuitous events to say the least. He disabled the lockouts in that section and dismissed the security team. Turning, he left the room and headed for his own quarters.

There he would wait for the reports of the Captain's disappearance.

He almost smiled at that.