Landry exited engineering.
"They are very mad," Landry said. Stamets tensed. "But I got through to them."
"Is that good or bad?" Tilly asked.
"Somewhere between because they plan to destroy the ship," Landry said.
"Oh shit!" Tilly took Kowski's lantern and fled.
"Follow the light!" Stamets said, running after her.
"Wait up!" Kowski shouted.
Landry ran after the two. Burnham looked over then walked into the room. She kept her terrified feelings at bay. The fog had cleared to reveal a very unique like individual with some feminine to them and masculine muscles. She took out the communicator. A test version being handed out among the Discovery crew. She stepped forward placing the communicator onto the table.
"I am first contact specialist Michael Burnham. . . ." she came closer toward the dark brown ant like being. They were seven feet tall compared to the five foot woman who admired them. "You are a fascinating specimen," Burnham added. The engineering station was glowing a shade of red. The communicator repeated after her. "What is your name?"
"Barkos," Barkos said.
"You are hereby declaring war against the federation by destroying a federation starship," Burnham said. "your people will not be welcomed for your hindrance in the war with the Klingons."
Barkos tilted their head.
"That Klingon?" Barkos asked.
"Klingons is plural," Burnham said. "That is a Klingon."
"Your words are . . different," Barkos said.
"Do you use plural to describe one?" Burnham inquired.
"One represents a entire species," Barkos said.
"There is more where he came from," Burnham said. "They are rogue and do not speak for the rest of their civilization." She looked down toward the bleeding red corpse.
"Qo'Nos," Barkos said. "hunters. Warriors. Poets. Honorable."
"That they are," Burnham said, looking up toward the tall individual as the red light died down on the consoles. Barkos wore armor that fit long their muscular body yet there was no helmet. They had gear attached to their belt. "The rogue Klingons will go to your people for alliances and together, they will get rid of a species that cultivates mushrooms. A environment that flourishes with mushrooms not found on most planets."
"There are exotic mushrooms on Earth?" Barkos asked.
"Indeed," Burnham said.
"They wouldn't do that," Barkos said.
"Klingons do not normally take prisoners," Burnham said. "There are those who do. It is not many."
"That is going too far destroying a planet," Barkos said.
"As is destroying property that is not yours," Burnham replied. "It would not be logical to destroy a collection."
"I don't like sharing my collection," Barkos said. "They touch it."
"There are several shuttle crafts aboard this vessel that can be used to become a living walk in museum," Burnham offered. "Collections are made to be observed. Which is why they make rules for these reasons. Are they not?"
"Yes," Barkos said. "You're right about that."
"After the war, Starfleet will look what it can do about your collection . . . Hopefully," Burnham explained. "possible transferring it to a more permanent series of shuttle crafts under your ownership."
"Everyone hates my collection," Barkos said. "What makes you think they will like it?"
"If one person doesn't like it then there are bound to be people who do," Burnham said. "Don't judge the entire universe over one persons taste." Burnham's communicator was rapidly beeping with insistence. She stepped forward unlinking a hand from behind her back. She came closer toward the ant like being. "I come in peace."
"Starfleet," Barkos said, extending one leg forward. "I accept your proposal."
"I do not speak for Starfleet," Burnham said. "That is the captain who does."
"Then who do you speak for?" Barkos said.
"I speak as part of a group who does not wish to die," Burnham said. "It is a proposal. It is a recommendation."
"Your recommendation is ideal," Barkos said, as the doors behind Burnham opened to reveal Kowski. "human."
And they gently shake hands as a smile appeared on Burnham's face.
"Commander, step away!" Kowski shouted.
Burnham turned toward the human man.
"Kowski," Burnham said. "He is not a threat."
"He killed, he turned, he-" Kowski's hand was trembling. "you didn't see the bridge. What he did."
"It is they," Barkos said.
Burnham let go of Barkos hand then slowly approached Kowski.
"Lower the phaser," Burnham said, as the beeping was insistent from the communicator. "Ensign."
She reached forward toward the man as the phaser was aimed above her shoulder.
The ensign pressed the trigger.
In a matter of seconds, the phaser flew over her hurling toward Barkos where it struck the compound eyes. Barkos screamed then chased after Kowski. Burnham turned toward the approaching ant being then stood in the way acting as a shield. Barkos tossed aside Burnham sending her crashing among a pile of mushrooms. Burnham regained consciousness. She looked over to see that Kowski laid beside her with open, lifeless eyes. She scooted herself up feeling a dulled in her legs. The fog was no longer there. Barkos's healed carbon seemed to be patched up with a large, gray piece of metal.
"He was afraid," Burnham said, shaking her head.
"He hurt me," Barkos said.
"Have my people tried contacting you?" Burnham asked.
"Repeatedly," Barkos said. "For the past hour."
"Past hour. . ." Burnham recoiled internally. "Why?"
"I will not talk to the organization that has twice tried to kill me," Barkos said.
"He does not represent Starfleet," Burnham said, helping herself up. "and nor do I." the communicator beeped. "Answer it. The captain is losing his patience," Barkos stared after the woman. "I would destroy this ship if I were him. This is a biological hazard and a lost cause to aid in the war."
"It's not a biological hazard!" Barkos said.
"Then tell that to him," Burnham said, calmly. "Reason with him."
"If it's not a biological hazard, why are you still in that suit?" Barkos asked.
"We don't know how the mushrooms are spreading," Burnham replied.
Barkos picked up the communicator with great care.
"This is acting captain of the USS Glenn," Barkos said, holding the communicator close to their mouth. "One of your officers are alive and if you listen to me rather than shoot first I will let them go unharmed."
"I need evidence that my officer is unharmed," Lorca's voice came over.
Barkos turned toward the human.
"I am fine, captain," Burnham said, calmly. "For the sake of the Glenn, listen to them."
"I am listening, what do you want?" Lorca asked.
"If you let me do this, then you don't need to give me anything, Captain," Barkos said. "No firing shots, not abrupt beaming, and no back stabbing."
"We don't backstab our allies," Lorca said.
"I have been backstabbed twice in the past twenty four hours," Barkos said. "Don't tempt me. Barkos out." Barkos crushed the communicator to Burnham's dismay then he turned toward her. "If I reverse it, you will be alone in quarantine from your people."
"I accepted that risk as soon as I came in," Burnham said. "The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one."
"Who said that?" Barkos asked.
"Surak, one of Vulcan's great philosophers," Burnham said.
"He must have made a ideal image of what it means to be Vulcan," Barkos said.
"He did and it costed him everyone that he knew," Burnam said, regretfully. "Not everyone liked change."
"My people won't like this change," Barkos said.
"What change?" Burnham asked, curiously.
"Starfleet calling us squatters," Barkos said.
"Legally, that's what you are," Burnham said.
"My species call themselves the Degarons," Barkos said. "I hate for our peaceful reputation to be ruined by criminal activity. We don't like that."
"No one likes someone ruining their image," Burnham said, with the smallest of a comforting smile back at Barkos. She placed a hand onto the side of their long spikey shoulder that was partially covered by unusual armor. The thorny spikes were a shade of red.
"And whatever happens after this. . ." Barkos approached a station of mushrooms and panels and bulky machinery with knobs, buttons, and rotating small devices. "Don't fall asleep during the process. You will be permanently genetically altered."
Burnham raised an eyebrow.
"Just how long does it last?" Burnham inquired.
"Twenty-four hours," Barkos said.
"Long enough for your escape," Burnham said.
"Long enough to undo and preserve my collection," Barkos said, pressing several buttons on the station. "Pick a position. You will not be able to move in the first twenty-four hours," they turned their attention onto their screen. "A tedious task."
"You mean this is a gravitational and genetic change?" Burnham asked.
"Of course," Barkos said. "Some of my mushrooms can live in a environment that has a certain gravitational pull on them." he looked over toward the woman. "You need to find a position that will you not fall asleep in."
Burnham came over to the stairs then seated down.
"This is preferable," Burnham said.
"And you won't be able to move your eyes," Barkos said. "Have them closed. It is a very nasty process, actually, can blind a individual if they look at it for too long." Burnham closed her eyes as a high pitch noise echoed in her ears.
Burnham entered a heavy meditation trance as she heard Barkos walk out of engineering.
"This person has been inside the Glenn for longer than twenty-four hours, we have to quarantine her, and afterwards perform the medical tasks of removing what has been latched onto her," Soval informed the nurses. "Only if some of them have not been growing inside her skin."
The Vulcanian doctor observed the two nurses.
"What we faced earlier with the crew of the Glenn will seem like we were having a drill," Soval said. "Are we clear?"
"Yes, doctor," replied the nurses.
"Good," Soval turned toward the short Denobulan, her assistant. "Parchi, you don't need to be here."
"I am your assistant," Parchi said. "And you forgot your medical kit." Parchi held up the medical kit in one hand.
"That's because we have the equipment for it," Soval said.
"No, you just rushed your nurses out to the transporter room without getting a gurney," Parchi said. "I must remind you that you had a brain fart in a time of crisis." The gurney finally rolled in. Soval stared back at the shorter woman then rolled a eye.
"All right, fine," Soval said. "but brains do not fart."
". . . That's not what a brain fart is, doctor," Parchi said.
"Preparing to beam over one human," came one of the transport technicians.
"Look alive, nurses," Soval said.
A sitting golden figure appeared on the transporter padd then solidified. Burnham's body landed onto her side. The nurses came to the woman's side then helped her up. Soval unvelcrowed the uniform sliding it off with help from Parchi. The transporter technician watched with curious eyes. Her hands were covered in mushrooms. The helmet was slid off her head to reveal small mushrooms growing along her cheek. The uniform was handed over to a waiting biohazard team. Soval applied a gloved hand alongside her neck then nodded. One of the nurses carefully removed several small mushrooms into a small vile for further study then placed it into a container. Soval carefully placed her arms onto the gurney laid against her side.
Burnham was whisked away from the transporter room.
Burnham slid out of her meditation trance and her eyes opened to see Tilly waiting by her side slouched in a chair. Her mess of curly hair was laid on her shoulders. Some of them were against the side of her face while her eyes looked down toward her hands. She was in a dark blue shirt with sleeves that ended at the elbows. And a matching pair of jeans that seemed to be fitting along her figure. Tilly's skin was radiating before Burnham's eyes. She stood out like a bright colorful light against the gray large sick bay. On both sides of the health monitor was purple lighting.
"Do you not have other activities to do, ensign?" Burnham asked.
Tilly looked up with a smile.
"Bestie, you came back!" Tilly brought the woman into a hug.
Burnham raised a eyebrow.
"I never left," Burnham said. "What makes you say that?"
"Well, you were out for two days," Tilly said. "Most of the second day was spent getting the mushrooms out of . . . various. . um. . ." she let go of the woman then leaned back fumbling with her fingers. Burnham reached her hand out grabbing hold onto the fiddling hands. "parts of your body."
"I did not rest," Burnham said. "I was not altered in any way."
"Not like I was scared that you were stuck in a coma," Tilly said.
"It is okay to admit you have weakness," Burnham said. "Our weaknesses make us stronger. As do our feelings."
"Wow," Tilly said, sitting on the side of the biobed. "Are you a old soul or something because I hear wise words coming from you left and right."
Burnham had the slightest of a smile at Tilly.
"Being wise is not letting your feelings get in the way," Burnham said.
"I can listen to your wise advice all day long," Tilly said.
"Is that what you want?" Burnham asked.
"Yes," Tilly said. "Because you are the coolest, beyond the coolest, roommate I ever had."
Burnham felt the existing bond warm between them.
"I accept," Burnham said. "Is this a platonic or romantic request to hear my wise phrases everyday?"
"Both!" Tilly said. "I have a thing for soldiers."
Burnham had a warm look in her eyes toward Tilly.
"Do you accept the full package of being my company?" Burnham asked.
"Yes," Tilly said. "Every bit of it."
"If it doesn't work past platonic," Burnham said. "I will cease activities."
"Let's just see where our friendship goes, first," Till said. "alright?"
"I give it thirty days," Burnham said.
"Two months," Tilly said.
"Forty-three days," Burnham said.
"Less than a year," Tilly said.
"I take that challenge," Burnham said.
"This is going to be so fun learning from you," Tilly said, with a grin.
"I hope you do have fun," Burnham said.
"Commander Burnham," Soval said. "You will be discharged in a hour and thirty two minutes. But I do recommend that you take some medication for the next seven days," the doctor placed a container onto the table alongside Burnham. "It is for a issue that removing a few of the mushrooms had given you. Moving won't be pleasant because of it."
"I shall take it," Burnham said, then took the item.
"Afterwards," Soval said. "It won't bother you ever again." Burnham carefully read the medication's small text scrutinizing it. "The medication makes sure of it."
Burnham looked up.
"This is a prototype," Burnham saaid.
"It had to be made in short order," Soval said. "and retrieved. If it works, it'll pass its first trial."
"First trial," Tilly said, in horror.
"We never had anything like this, ensign," Soval said. "So this is a first for the medical community."
"What if it does not work?" Tilly asked.
"We will find a way to fix the issue," Soval said. "The container has the list of what to be alarmed should it back fire." the two women looked toward the container then back over toward the lighter Vulcan. "Which I am certain it will not."
"Doctor Soval, Yeoman Kram's got bad cramps," Hugh called. "Asking for you."
"Excuse me," Soval said, then walked away.
"Michael Burnham report to Captain Lorca's office."
Burnham had finished applying the medication to where it had been recommended on the item. She made herself comfortable in a familiar, Vulcan scented outfit. It put a dimmer on Burnham's plans to run with Tilly for the next seven days. It was uncomfortable to walk around with several sore parts of her lower body. She hated it, and now, there was more regret on going in than she had earlier. She came to the captain's cabin then slowly made her way into his office. Lorca sat on the edge of the desk petting along a light brown furball.
"At ease," she eased. "You could have spared yourself but instead you went in."
"We didn't have a chance of making it to the shuttle craft alive," Burnham said.
"You took a big risk to yourself," Lorca said, placing Merkin onto the edge of the table.
"I threatened the away team with my decision," Burnham said. "Request to be demoted to Lieutenant."
"I would. . . had you actually screwed up," Lorca said. "we lost one officer today. Just one."
"We could have lost no one because of me," Burnham said.
"And we would have lost one hell of a ship," Lorca said. "Not just that." he shook his head, folding his arms. "A fine first officer, a astromycologist, a engineer, a security officer, and a first contact specialist. I should add a reprimand to your file for disobeying a order."
"I wasn't ordered to leave or to go to engineering," Burnham said. "She said we had to go."
"Which is a order," Lorca said.
"She did not say, 'You are to report to the bridge'," Burnham said. "and yet, you haven't added it despite your argument."
Lorca relaxed, growing a smile, easing where he was before the woman. He poured a glass for himself then offered one to Burnham. Burnham shook her hand.
"Burnham, you rescued a federation starship," Lorca said. "Now given that we have a promise to keep after the war with a new species."
"The Degarons," Burnham said.
"You deserve a purple heart after the war," Lorca said.
"It is not me who deserves the purple heart," Burnham said. "there are more people more up for that."
"Feel like you are not worthy of something so great?" Lorca said. "Don't be. You are worthy."
"I am not worthy because I didn't act on direct orders from the first officer," Burnham said. "We had a breakthrough with Lieutenant Stamets. He is the one who made the bridge for me to speak with Barkos. He deserves the purple heart. That is my logic. If I am given it, I will give to him, as he deserves it more."
"That was honorable of you to say," Lorca said. "I am sure you know this was a test of your skills in a hostage situation." Burnham tilted her head with a raised eyebrow. "You passed with flying colors."
"Captain," Burnham said. "Why do that?"
"I wanted to be sure that Admiral Georgiou was right," Lorca said.
"Admiral Georgiou is not the kind to lie," Burnham said.
"My second officer wasn't ready for the war," Lorca said. "I was told he was perfect for the Discovery. I didn't read his file because I trusted their words when this war began," he placed Merkin into his lap. "He got himself killed last week claiming no one could kill him and that he was protected by 'plot armor'."
"He had lost his mind," Burnham said.
"Losing people and surviving, guilt tripping, slowly losing his sanity," Lorca said. "No one knew it until the last moment." his face grew dark. "I don't like a sham being handed over. You were different. I knew you were different as soon as I hear about your little experience at the Battle of the Binary Stars. Though, your glowing reviews have told me that I was right and your reputation was validated by this test." he came over to the desk.
"If you knew that I was different then why the test?" Burnham asked.
"To be sure," Lorca said, sitting down into the chair. "Always good to be sure you got the right deal." Logical. "When you do disobey a direct order you are going to given a reprimand on your file."
Burnham nodded.
"I understand," Burnham said. "I won't make his mistake."
"Which is?" Lorca asked.
"Not seeking help when it is needed," Burnham said.
"Part of me blames myself for not noticing," Lorca said. "Alas, that is life." he took a sip from the glass. "Nothing goes the way that we planned. You are dismissed. . ." Burnham turned away. "And if the situation arises that requires your demotion, I will carry it out."
"Nothing pleases me than serving with my crewmates as a officer," Burnham said, as she left.
And she sounded. . . pleased?