[07.22: Where the Shadows Lie]

[Friends in the strangest of places]

--

[Trader's Journal: Day 2322]

[Current Dimension]

Variant of my home dimension

[Current Location]

Fortune's Chance, docked with Carrier, over the nation of Kahndaq

[Trading Report]

I think it's better just to talk broadly in terms of deals made and refer to the properly detailed trading report for this considering the volumes we're dealing in currently. This carrier is a nightmare of logistics to handle, let along our merry band under Lorelei and Waver, so volumes are big, really gods-damned detail Also, the security on the damned thing after the insane events of a few days ago. But, well, it's been a good focus after recent days and the madness that it brought. So, we have; -

Since we're over Kahndaq, let's start there. We've cut a deal with Teth Adom, or, well, technically the nation of Kahndaq, for agricultural technology and some general 'landscaping' as it were. We have earthbenders, an advanced fifty-mile city ship with portals tech, and the small factory setup to help a super-powered being like him. So technically we are providing faintly terraforming-esque tech and equipment to free up the various problems on the Nile, as well as clearing pollutants out from it. Undoing the damage of the previous regime, all while giving Israeli politicians many sleepless nights. Suddenly they are *very* interested in peace deals, and we're sweetening Teth Adom's efforts with med-tech.

Ireland; - pretty much the extension of our existing deal, plus sale of some more 'anti-metahuman' weaponry for the Army Ranger Wing, as well as teaching materials for beginning mages. Also, the establishment of a series of powerful boundary fields over a location I recommended for said 'vocational college'. Largely with the magus craziness under Debbie's watchful eye, though I'm providing the teaching material. Because safety. So, lots of food deals and general dealings through the Irish government.

Britain: - told the world and British public the Tory's are a bunch of Satanists, and we don't deal with Devil Worshippers in this here dimension. Also proof of our claims. They're busy now. Very busy. Serves them right for trying to steal tech we'd given to Ireland. Let's go with – Karma. I'll call it Karma.

Russia: - supplied the tech to make maintaining the Rocket Red Brigade much, much, cheaper than they could ever manage, along with teleportation blocking tech. Been trying to avoid weapons tech for the conventional military, but we've given them some tech that'll even them up against most alien forces, and against the Justice League. I've, politely, suggested to the Orange Lantern that the League really should get some more International Members after his little talk on the subject. I'm, we're, 'helping' that along.

Orange Lantern Corps: - on that note, trade tech with the Orange Lantern Paul, because he has advanced tech, and we have advanced tech. Sure it sounds a bit grandiose calling him a 'Corps' when it's just him, but my home started off the Red Lantern Corps the same. Primarily in medical and some Ring AI functionality technology. Quinn and Isabel were the ones to do the dealing there, and we used the stuff we're allowed to trade, rather than what we've agreed with the League of Aquitaine to hold back. Also detailed information on the local Bleed and dangers thereof.

United States of America: - told them to fuck off, politely. Normally I'd be inclined to help, but, unfortunately, they are the same (almost) bunch of self-righteous, moralistic, do-nothing, morons like on my Earth. At least the upper echelons. So, it was super easy to just ban US companies and the US from any agreement, and that, therefore, removes Wayne Industries, LexCorp, and Mister McQueen's various corporate entities from the equation. If you want to judge us, and use that to demand tech, then no tech-tech for you! Even if we publicly said it's because they've got so many Americans on the Justice League and didn't need it if they were so lazy not to spend on the military.

China: - limited trade. They are the assholes of my home dimension after all, and so they are here to many extents. Still. Limited tech trade, all medical and stuff not so easy to use for control and military. They had very little to give us anyway, being distrustful, so, yeah, that's how that rolled.

France & Germany: - because we made them negotiate that way. No European Union here, but, well, sit down and tell them it's a group deal and it's amazing how far you get. Especially when you kill off a mass murderer and his neo-nazi buddies. So, yeah, they are now the proud owners of the USS Alabama, that nice, modern, US attack submarine that's been lurking around the Carrier since we portalled it aboard. Gave the fishing boats to Ireland though so we could clear that entire area out. Now it's getting filled with soil so it can be a hydroponics bay. Anywho, we traded that and some military tech to them, mostly their own from the League earths, and are getting supply dump of their military surplus. Largely since a lot of our low-end stuff is French/German from League Earths.

Beyond that we've a few smaller deals, but we're now looking set to being fully stocked with everything from canned goods and drinks, through to clothing now. Ideally, it'll be up to a year, and we're establishing a market system of sorts amongst the refugees to distribute – we can't allow lack of work settle in. Pure welfare refugee systems tend to be disasters, and people need both routine and purpose even when they are being fed and watered properly. With the size of the Carrier, it's not exactly hard to convert sections into city-living spaces rather than just camps upon tent camps.

[Diary Entry]

Let's focus on business, I think. The last few days have been stressful, but also oddly cathartic I suppose. That strange stress I've had since coming here has gone. I miss these things, these people especially, but I'm not that man anymore, and I have my own life now. Tis the past, and best left in the past I suppose.

So, yeah, punched a Chaos Lord in the face, and turned a caveman into a blood-horror statue. Bad times, but very much needed. Justice League are gonna Justice League, but, frankly, I don't care anymore. We've got a schedule, and our little display has told everyone we're serious and are open for business. So, the last few days have been very busy to say the least. Everyone wants to talk to us, even moreso than before, and, well – we're ready and willing to trade with them now without restraint. Time is not something we want to waste any more of after the abomination attack to try mind-control us. Not going to run risks now. Trade and go. That's the way, even if we're meeting with the likes of M'gann, and the Zatara's.

Some people aren't completely horrified like they should be on The Team. They are so similar at times, it's frightening.

Anyway, the other thing is establishing a school backed up the Irish government, a magic school. Defences are a bit nasty, but, well, Magus Team helping with that, but that's fine by me. Keeps them busy, and I know the sort who are inclined to attack such places. And Nabu ain't going to be a help in this dimension after my little blackmail negotiations. Well, maybe after we're gone, but not when I'm here certainly. Sad that, but that's the nature of conflict between our perspectives.

But, yeah, certain wayward people need a place and I'll do what I can to help. I've broached the subject with Giovanni Zatara, and while at home he wasn't overly fond I think he might help out here. That and I've recommended Georgeina Snow to the Irish government, if they can hire her, along with one or two of the London scene that aren't bonkers crazy. Also warned them about that crazy woman who SHIELD used as it's first prosecution alongside her serial killer son. Between that and the safe books, between Skyrim Abjuration and Healing, and my own Order based 'safe' spells, it's a starting point to any. Like Gemma. Who's getting a delivery of a series of spellbooks in a few days, with very clear instructions to her mother about the dangers of NOT showing them to her. I remember my dear (former) apprentice's warlock boyfriend vengeance plans after all.

Originally, I'd planned this thing for Jinx, but, well, she wants to join the crew. I'm not inclined to say no, despite constant warnings she can't ever go back. I remember her and Wally. They were so happy. But, well, they aren't together here, and Arty, Arty's with him here. I can't just ruin that, they deserve their happiness and I know Jinx has nothing here. And isn't that depressing?

That poor girl. I tried to persuade her to stay here, to try the school, but I won't deny either. We'll find a job for her, but it'll be mostly training and the like for her if she does come aboard. Maybe she'll have cold feet at the last moment?

Kara's spoken to the Orange Lantern guy as well, partly about herself, or, to be more exact, her 'local self' and maybe having a look for her. Just in case. I can understand, and I agree. Bad things could easily have happened since Clark doesn't seem to know her, at all. I'd wondered in my home dimension, but I just assumed other things were going on. DC dimensions vary heavily, like Zee's age range apparently. So maybe good, maybe bad, and maybe she died on Krypton. I like to think on it. But, just like Babs and Countney, and the others from DC verses, they've got an effort to look out for their alternates here. I've. Well, I've done the same. I exist here, quite happily it seems to me. The Boss will offer power and memories when I'm gone from here, and then its none of my business. We are our own persons in the end, no matter the end and the start.

Now, I shall go. I've wards to check and then a long, boring, trade report to go through with Kara and Quinn.

Slán go fóill.

--

[07.23: Where the Shadows Lie]

[The start of the Anabasis]

--

[Trader's Journal: Day 2347]

[Current Dimension]

Leaving a home-like Earth, never to return.

[Current Location]

Fortune's Chance

[Trading Report]

Our holds are now full, or, well, The Carrier's holds are now full for about eleven to twelve months worth of travel even at 'normal' living standards. Separate storage areas, and we now have an area or two of potential food production I'll just be calling hydroponics, if much of it's just a big muddy field right now. With seeds!

In other news we've been supplied with some surplus French and German equipment, which, as always in DC-land, is slightly less advanced than in non-superhero realities. Thankfully not anywhere near as bad as the emasculated US military is where the M1A1s don't really exist yet, and the nuclear attack submarine and it's technical data we gave to the French is basically a generation ahead. Yes, the joys of the Justice League ensuring the US military is back at isolationist levels with 'please save me hero!' mentality. Okay it's not that bad, yeah, but close.

So German Panzers and French Dassault Rafales, just to have a little added defensive ability aboard the carrier proper. Well, nine jet fighters in total, and we have pilots amongst the refugees for that. The Chance is fine by itself, but the Carrier is sorely lacking outside its defence systems and magic casting through the hull. So, I'd like some extra air ability, along with a few tanks to use inside the vessel in case of invaders. Sure, no space abilities, but it's something, I guess. Keeps the military men over there busy, and it's helpful for giving something resembling national normalcy alongside the defensive preparations.

Finally got some industrial equipment in as well, so that's some capacity to handle internal (civie) needs one would hope. Considering we've only lost about two thousand choosing to stay here, in alternate Japan, and only about ten magus, it's needed. So lost them, gained Jinx for the crew.

[Diary Entry]

Yeah, time to leave. It's been nice, and horrifying. I'm glad to go to be honest. I've talked to other M'gann, and with other Zee and her father, and that was pleasant, but it's time to go. Especially since the Bleed is rather active, and looking to get more active, as whatever was lurking earlier might be lurking about and so we're taking the long route back. So not going back into the shattered dimension where various strange alerts are pinging off our remaining drones. See, Bleed-things can't enter fully formed dimensions like this, but clearly the shattered one is not off limits considering all the barriers are long gone, and where the Bleed begins and the dimension ends is very, very, blurry. Which be a problem when said dimension is a broken husk only a few, dead, solar systems strong.

So, off into the wild crimson yonder it is. We'll sacrifice one of the Monitor drones to lay a false trail partially back the way we came, all while it powers off as if it were us. Considering the thousands upon thousands of dimensions in the local multiversal cluster we've plenty of room to hide amongst as we make our way through the fringes of the Bleed. Out, and then back in through another dimension or two. Of course, that's a bloody complicated danger scenario, along with being time consuming as the need for supplies shows. It's where our other dimensional 'tools' like the celestial etherscope and other devices are badly needed as we're stepping outside the DC-verses bubble to travel home.

So, meetings. Lots of them. With our recovering Jenny in what I'd loosely call training mixed with grief management. Then with the mad people aboard the Carrier that we're, in-theory, rescuing. Also constantly watching for any sign they might betray us and try steal our ships, because that's how they are. I'd say drowning man, but it's now more the fact things are settling down and they've got time to focus on other things. Like their own power and the nature of the multiverse they are getting aware of. See, I've read enough history, and have memories of similar sorts, so, yeah, being extra careful here on an extended voyage. Hopefully there won't be a sudden, yet inevitable, backstabbing. But if there is, we hopefully will be ready for it.

Unto the crew, yes, one is pregnant, and the new crew members are acclimatizing to roles. We have a scary kitchen staff now to be honest. But, beyond that, it's going relative smoothly after recent events, along with planning departure, so good, I guess. I worry about such things, but everyone has what they need, and we could acquire for them based on requests they've given. Money isn't really a matter of much import considering crew and dimensions, so we've gotten a few book additions from local arcane sources. Also, the technology we acquired through trade. Quinn's happy with that, along with Doctor Stone and his team, but they are still mostly focused on the Star League cache data. Good, good, good.

Now I'm back to work. We've a spelljammer to get moving and the past to leave behind.

--

[Trader's Journal: Day 2353]

[Current Dimension]

The Bleed

[Current Location]

Fortune's Chance

[Trading Report]

N/A, travelling in the Bleed fast while trying to be stealthy so no grabby.

[Diary Entry]

We're counting by internal chronometers again, back in the place with screwy time and space, possibly being hunted by horrors from the void. Or the Bleed anyway. Monitor systems warn of such things, and their minor alerts, but still alerts, so we are doing the cautious thing of running away, quietly. It's fine as we have a planned route, kind of, and that route is the one we're taking anyway, regardless of things out there that might be lurking around behind us. Myself, Kara, Quinn, and Babs have had a lengthy conversation on the subject, consulting with Burt and the other senior officers, and it's better than risking a more direct route back. Much longer than intended, but at least we've warned home base that we will taking such a lengthy and off path route back towards the League.

Jenny is oddly content at this, especially compared to the likes of Lorelei and company, but most of the crew are content enough with the overrun, even Azula and her little band. I think she's assuming her brother and Uncle will keep things in line for. The goblins are happy with the extra pay, especially after the recent actions we had them perform. Quinn barely notices, he's just happy we're gone from not-my-home and can once again get back to focusing on research. Me, I've some mixed feelings, as doesn't M'gann, but overall, I'm glad. It was strange, but, even with all the nastiness, it was good to get through. Even from beyond the point of trading for things we desperately needed for our extended voyage. Simple voyage to investigate something my ass!

Well, we are where are now. Back to training routines, and it is such a relief not to have the constant demands for trade deal and security attention that being onshore requires. Everywhere being potential hostile after all, and it's sad that being out here, on the dangerous 'seas' can feel safer than being in port on a supposedly civilized world. Still have to think about mutiny on the carrier true, but that's a concern in either place, and so far the inter-dimensional horrors are distant. Plan so far is to start breaching 'frontier' dimensions in our path as there's a breach-point at the very edge of this multiverse cluster out into the dimensions beyond. Monitor systems indicate a potential route back into the Bleed, but we'll see.

Me? Well, I'm getting back to my Ring Project as I've gotten a good bit of info from the Lantern we left behind, though that's filtered through Quinn. I'm going to coordinate with him over the next steps considering I think I have most of the material now to start and complete the process. It'll require a team to do it, and a forge site, but I think it's doable with the resources I've amassed, as well as the contacts I've made. Thank the Boss I've had a few days to get back into the subject and the work, so maybe we can finally make some progress. One can only hope so, because I want to get them ready if I'm to do what I want to ask when I want to.

Other than that; the Emiya-clan and Jinx are settling in well, and I think Medea and her husband are too judging from the giggly happy interactions she has with the Arcane Research team of the ship. Haven't been interacting massively with her or the former assassin she's married, but reports are good. My dealings are with Jinx and Jenny, our currently youngest members in terms of mental age, even if me and M'gann and some of the goblins are effectively younger in pure birth age terms. They've interacted okay with each other, so there's that, and they both at least respect Azula. Ty Lee's in the age bracket and is much more personable, even Jenny's own mentality is a bit Azula-like at times.

Now it's off to the crimson-dark yonder, and through a likely dead dimension. Out here we ain't taking chances as their usually bad, especially when the Monitor's system 'nuked it' so to speak. No matter, in and out and then travels beyond. Slán for now.

--

[07.24: Where the Shadows Lie]

[Star Trekkin' across the Lantern-verse…]

"Silent as the grave" I muttered as The Carrier practically raced through our current dimension, sensors not exactly loud, but a soft, ominous, undercurrent as we skimmed along the edge of this particular dimension of the DC-verse "Dammit"

This was a Black Lantern Victory Universe….probably. The systems only gave the most barebones of overviews on such things, just passive scans as we used our magic and Jenny to 'cloak' the Carrier as best we could. We had absolutely no intention of investigating ANYTHING in the potential zombie-verse, even if the entire fragment appeared to be actually 'dead-dead' rather than 'dead-undead' as it were. The Monitors were quite firm about quarantining such dimensions, for good reason, and the fact we were even directed through this spacial-time-region indicated it was considered 'safe' by the Monitor systems. After all the Bleed was flooding into this dimension much like all the other 'wreckage' in this region…

I sighed, bringing up he holographic displays, icons and arrows flashing up as I took a personal hand at 'sailing' the Carrier alongside M'gann, and this time around, Jenny Quantum. Things were dangerous here no matter what, but that was the case no matter where we went on a 'border' of the DC-Bleed. Coming through from the League of Aquitaine Earths had initially brought to one of the Monarch's old bases in the Deep Bleed, and other routes were supposedly just as deadly. Still, expecting it, and living it were two different things "Approach vector looking good"

"Nothing to slow us, faster than light travel-wise" Quinn's voice came over from his display, a small hologram of him over on Fortune's Chance amongst the bridge displays "Similar to the last dimension that was dying, and the one that was shattered. Also, you're dodging every system we might cut across"

"True" I replied with a nod, because we most definitely were doing that the last day or so "With good reason of course, just in case the remaining systems are infested. Just because passive scans say they are….doesn't mean we can't be careful. Anyway, I don't like those blips following us through the bleed the last few days neither, so, let's play it safe in what real-space areas we can run through"

"Boys, no need to repeat the arguments we all agreed on already" Kara said with amusement from the Chance's bridge "We are approaching the Breach Point, I think we should deploy drones"

"Agreed" I voiced and a half dozen Monitor drones were deployed from the Carrier as Jenny gave me a pouty, unhappy at waiting, look as we waited far out from what might have been Oa. It was wrecked and shattered, and swirling with various dying lights, with White mixed in, but mostly the crimson-nothingness of The Bleed washing over most of the system. Sure, in-theory, that meant Black Lanterns go bye-bye as it would be like swimming in acid, but that wasn't something I was taking chances with. So, drones went in, scanning carefully as the Carrier slowly and carefully followed in their wake, the Chance ready and armed if it needed to deploy at a moment's notice.

Thankfully there wasn't any such need as the hour passed by in a blur of dull small talk and professional orders and reports between us all. It was…interesting, amidst the creepiness and wariness, to observe the Breach Point, which had clearly been created as a barrier to the Black Lanterns somehow. I'd say they were arcane symbols, but the Green and Blue energy matrixes, buffered by White, were made up of Oan writing according to the Monitors systems. Right at the 'heart' of what had been Oa, where the Central Battery would have been I suspected, though the sheer level of destruction didn't make anything identifiable. Just shattered worlds and maybe ships, and maybe rings, but a whole lot of other maybes we carefully made our way around till we moved towards the Exit.

"… and that means….well, it's a curious structure"

I nodded to Quinn's long-winded description of the shimmering energy matrix before us. The Carrier wasn't technically going through as it was, more 'teleporting', as the size of the matrix was building sized, and The Carrier was fifty miles by thirty-five when you came to it "Stop others following it, those of the non-living variety I imagine. Thankfully we've got the Monitors helping hand to let us access it. Skeleton key of the local multiverse clusters"

Took a breath, let it out as I 'submerged' into the systems along with M'gann "Are the dimension drives ready? Slide drive and the others?"

Quinn's avatar nodded idly "Yeah, yeah, of course. No need to keep asking"

"Okay, preparing to access and transit. Don't know how long this'll take, so everyone brace" I wanted to give him a glare but was true I was wary and constantly rechecking things. Simply nodded instead as I closed my eyes, 'opening' my other senses as the Monitor's systems access the Oan device and….

Blinked. Just like that apparently….

"Real-space" Barbara announced from behind be, displays flashing as the Monitor drones came through with us moments later, the breach sealing behind us. I frowned as she spoke what I noticed "Breach Point sealing, it was one-way like we guessed. Systems are starting to scan local dimensional effects. Cloak down, we are…at the edge of a star system…I think it might have ejected us randomly outside a gravity well?"

"Maybe" I answered, unhappy that might be the case. It wasn't a fixed-point breach, but apparently one that 'randomly' deposited you the systems seemed to indicate "Are we seeing activity?"

"We have energy readings…" Barbara replied as I 'felt' things out, moving the ship as everyone worked together as a team. Then I felt it…

"Energy build-up! Two of them!"

…and there were two starships coming out…

"Lantern detected!"

…and a Red Lantern too. Those were Klingon Birds of Prey…

"Jumping out as per contingency" I replied, using the Chance's drives now, forming a massive Slide Portal and then 'pulling' The Carrier through it as the distant starships and Lantern start to approach at a worryingly fast speed. Then cutting the Slide Portal instantly the very second the Carrier was through "Back in real-space?"

"Still in real-space Captain, same location though…and that system is still inhabited here too!"

There was only my nod back to Barbara's words as myself and M'gann were one within the Carrier, directing the massive vessel away from said system as fast as it could manage in the local dimensional effects. It took time to adapt to such things, and right now we were brute forcing things right now to get that speed, and generally re-establish sensor blocking…

And more ships distant again, sensors ping off in our general direction. No Lantern this time around at least as we 'sailed' out into Deep Space as fast and far as we could before those ships started moving out to investigate just who we were. Then the Slide Drive went active again, breaching space and time as it appeared before The Carrier and then we were through into the same place, just in a different dimension. Sweat came to my brow at that, the shielding cloak effect flickering again, but slowly starting to stabilise. We weren't invisible anymore despite our arcane efforts, but the sensor baffling was functional once more as the ship pushed ever forward into deep space so as to avoid system sensor nets. Which was ironic as we needed to find a system to enter to help finalist the 'dimensional reboot' as it were for The Carrier.

As Jenny asked, frowning and trying not to look confused "Why's the Carrier acting up like this?"

"We're outside the multi-versal territory it was designed and built for" I answered, partly to help her understand, but also partly to think on something else after we'd just completed yet another 'Jump' "So it's….learning for lack of a better word. Dimensions are radically different at times, on lots and lots of levels, some minor, some major, from your home dimensions various variants. It's getting there…..but we can't keep jumping like this either guys. We'll need to recharge and rest soon enough. How are we looking here on sensors?"

And that applied to The Carrier and the Fortune's Chance as much as me and M'gann. It had already been a long day, and now all this effort post arrival wasn't the most fun time either. The last thing I wanted to do was burn out drives trying to stay at this blindingly fast pace, and we badly needed to find a place to get our bearings again so we could resume travelling. Wherever we'd come out it seemed to be a 'Star Trek' verse based on my brief viewpoint, one with Lanterns apparently, and the next few had similar variations as we seemed to be popping up at the edge of Klingon/Federation space. I didn't think they were actually seeing us, outside of the first dimension, but moreso the energy output of the Slide Drive itself activating and then deactivating.

"Clear for now, but we're out in the black so to speak" Babs came back with as the star charts were again updated, though not by much, as well as energy readings. Most importantly there were star systems within reach that *weren't* giving off energy readings "But no guarantees Boss, not when we're making approach towards a system soon"

"Fair enough" I muttered, nodding "Okay. M'gann you have a quick break, and then I'll do mine when your back, and they we'll head towards a system and conduct scans…"

--

[07.25: Where the Shadows Lie]

[Hiding: - throwing up a thin veneer of civilization]

Jonathan and Rose, our resident sci-fi nerds, along with their 'comrade-in-arms' Brewster, were our research team as much as bridge crew currently as the Carrier hovered in the upper atmosphere of a gas giant of a largely empty star system. It served to hide the bulky, largely unarmed, titan we had to sail. Or, currently, hide away and work towards restoring the cloaking systems to function in the local multiverse. Which wasn't looking good unfortunately, even if we were getting quite a long way with being invisible in terms of non-visual sensor systems it looked like.

Or so it seemed at least, as well as having our sensors adjust to the 'local conditions' in terms of the multiverse we'd moved into. For good or ill that was a series of Star Trek related dimensions, which was good and bad I supposed as I listened to the talk by Jonathan on narrowing down where we might be. Advanced technology, and functional abilities like my magic, and Kara's nature, in the background….but also advanced interstellar civilizations. Ones not like the Inner Sphere or the Star Wars galaxy in that these star nations had advanced sensor systems, and highly mobile vessels to back those up. It also had the likes of the Q, and a variety of other 'cosmic horror' level powers lurking about as well. Even if this seemed to be the 'Kirk Era' as Jonathan laid out on the bridge to our meeting.

"If we want to investigate this particular variant, we'll have to use the Chance" Kara stated after Jonathan finished up his team's guesses as to where we might be. Or at least one or two of the ones we'd passed through on the way here, from the Lantern Trek one at the start, and then jump five with those starships that had tried to scan us "It's got invisibility, speed, and is armed too. The Carrier can't go out there and travel around like we need to do"

"I'm loath to leave the big flying target on its own, let alone with the people aboard" I replied sipping my coffee as said big flying target easily held position amidst the massive planets gravity and atmosphere that'd kill us if we were outside without protection "But, yeah, I agree that is the case. I've been studying the various tools….and we've a long ways to go to just get back on a route home. More data would be…ideal let's say"

Travelling the Planes was confusing to say the least, and even if we had a 'Home' location locked in, which itself was still distant from the actual League of Aquitaine so it didn't open up dangers of it being stolen from us. Despite that useful detail the truth was…while we weren't lost, we were now quite a way from anywhere known to my methods, or those databases handed down from the Monitor. Just their nav-logs and methods combined with my own 'compass' like the Celestial Etherscope to find a way home safely. As expected, we had to figure out local conditions and then, slowly, work from that point forward. Quinn nodded, very interested, but more so at the potential tech we could acquire I suspected.

"Yeah, we can't rig up an optical illusion with the size of the Carrier, and your magic illusion thingie?"

I shrugged "Oh, we could do it, with a large enough team…but we'd burn out in a little over an hour and then we'd be…well burned out for the day"

"So now magic cloaking device" he agreed "So, really it's the ship we have that can go invisible and silent we need to send out"

"Well, the drones, the Monitor's ones at least, are that too, but they don't have the legs in these dimensions for that kind of running" Kara pointed out gesturing at the stat map, one different than our home dimensions by mild margin, albeit not dramatic. Overlaid was the Sci-fi Research Team's estimates of where the various Star Strek powers 'should be' for a variety of 'estimated' timelines "Sooo…..who's staying and who rides herd on the refugees?"

I sighed, deeply, looking at the maps "I'd love to stay behind and handle them, or to be more honest I'd like to be here to stand boots on them….but we need full spelljammer capacity, and that means me on the Chance and a number of others. M'gann can handle the Carrier, but…"

Kara nodded. But not the Fortune's Chance, so that was one allocation "I thought that would be the way. We'll have to split security teams….we could, in-theory, take a few of the military refugees on as training. It'd give you a bit more onboard, even if trouble might be unlikely. I'll handle the Carrier with Burt as Executive Officer"

'Because Burt brings Debbie and S'tella with him, and if we throw in Medea and her husband…yeah that's a decent force if we leave two squads behind' I thought after a moment, then nodded at her brief outline. We'd draw up a proper schedule, but it was feasible at least in outline. Splitting the party was rarely a good idea, but times like this tended to force such actions so we weren't just sitting around, too afraid to move for fear of detection. Which would be a problem as we needed to be mobile so could try get out bearings and locate a dimensional nexus, or simply potential data on Bleed points, or even just energy flows within the dimension we were in. So, I agreed to the plan, and then we went to work on it…

--

{Two days, five hours, later…}

The Mimic drive's mimicking of the Oan FTL was slow as molasses compared to DC, where could have gone from one end of the dimension's Milky Way to the other before the day was out. But it got us a few systems to where we needed in a reasonable time period…compared to the 'home base' earth dimensions where it was even slower due to local dimensional physics. That combined with the soft-softly approach I was insisting on as we moved in full stealth inside a star system with a largeish colony on the fourth planet in-system, staying nearer the outer planets. Just close enough to passively listen in, without giving ourselves away as we maintained both a technological and arcane invisibility and heat-masking cloak.

It was a United Federation of Planets colony as we'd hoped, and we were within Federation borders here it looked like, though we had been in Klingon territory in the first dimension we entered. So, this seemed to be a border region that had minor and major shifts dependent on a whole host of factors beyond our currently available knowledge for dimensions history. There were defences here too, so that backed up Jonathan's and Rose's view it was a border colony, and of the 'when' we were looking at in terms of period. That helped me as I studied 'maps' and 'currents' with my various tools while Quinn used his own and the Monitor systems to help me navigate the wider currents. Such as the fact that…

"….the United Federation of Planets, in alliance with the Klingon Empire, is at war with the Minbari Federation"

…we were in a nexus-verse of some sort, and the 'currents' of the 'seas' indicated we might have to head on through that nexus to a more stable variant of the other side. Jonathan was quite excited about that, but it did have the big problem of…

"So, the Federation and Klingon war fleets are going in the direction we kind of want to go?"

He nodded "Yep, led by Kirk and Kang!"

I couldn't help but snort in amusement "Don't sound so happy about it, please? We have to find our way through the mess from the looks of our compass"

"Well….that is true Captain" he replied with an unhappy sigh "Are we not going to try, ya'know?"

"Landing party?" I replied, and he nodded as I continued "No, no we're not. Not in a civilization with teleporters and sensor systems that make Big Brother drool…."

"Hey the Federation isn't…"

I waved him off "Yeah, I know it's not, but it'd pick up our playing secret agent man….because they've got the detection systems, and play that game themselves often enough. So, no, I'm sorry, you guys don't get to play tourists in Star Trek"

"It's only Kirk's era, not like it's TNG….Kirk's usually too busy with the green alien babes…" he paused "Oh. We'd better hide Megan and Munvee!"

I sighed "Yeah, I'll let her know, but yeah, even early era is still a dangerous mix for us. The Federation throws away and pretends it didn't create more super-weapons than many mad scientists or evil empires do. So, listen in, see what we can figure out and then we'll head back to the carrier"

'Because I really don't like being away' I didn't say, even down to missing Kara it was always concerning as we were the 'armed forces' of our flying city-state. Scouting at distance like this just naturally made me nervous, even if we had to make our way through, and then out, if this dimension in coming days. And that looked to be much more difficult for the flying city to do compared to hiding in an empty system as it was right now, not with a war on ahead of us. One with clearly insane people on the other side according to Rose and Jonathan based on their knowledge of the forces active other there. And over here. Damned First One species…

I nodded "Maintain cloak, and deploy two of the Monitor drones in stealth mode…"

--

[07.26: Where the Shadows Lie]

[Captain's Log….]

--

[Trader's Journal: Day 2362]

[Current Dimension]

Dimensional Overlap of a Star Trek variant and Babylon 5. Yeah, I know we now have a big, long, number system, but that doesn't highlight for me.

[Current Location]

Fortune's Chance, current outer edge of Federation space

[Trading Report]

Unless you count gas and a few rocks taken in to try process into fuel, then, no. Nothing.

[Diary Entry]

Right, skimming the edges of Federation systems is a nerve-racking experience let me tell you. Mostly because they are very jumpy after these Minbari decided to genocide a colony and otherwise raid about and are therefore very active in this general area of space to watch for raiders. Which we could technically fall into in their minds unfortunately as we are a cloaked vessel poking around in the general area of a warzone, or simply put in the path of a major front for the war due to that attack. Lots of activity in the systems we've been skimming to put it simply, and they are looking for any signs of FTL. Both their own subspace signatures, and that of the Minbari with hyperspace.

So far, we've avoided detection. We think, because that's impossible to know beyond ships coming towards us trying to get a better look or simply guns a blazing. With that in mind it has been a time of figuring out the lay of the land, and our possible routes to where we might need to go. That part, problematically, is in the general direction of said warzone unsurprisingly. Because that's where the big dimensional breaches are, and those tend to be the sorts of places we'd want to navigate through in a spelljammer. If it was just the Chance it wouldn't be a problem as we'd maintain stealth, travel out in the 'dark' between stars, and make our way through as quickly and quietly as possible.

That's not the case though, as we've the Carrier to get from Point A to Point B, and that's very hard thing to hide. Well, have to plan around that now. So, information and scouting is now key, as it often is. Though we're heading back to our mobile home base now, as I don't like to linger far from it for any length of time. We'll still investigate a number of systems on the way back, which'll give us a good overview of all surrounding systems along with time to work on a plan of some sort. There are options out here since it's the 'frontier' of the Federation and Klingons rather than deep core, even if activity is going to keep going up in the coming weeks and months unfortunately.

--

[Trader's Journal: Day 2365]

[Current Dimension]

Star Trek/Babylon 5 variant dimension

[Current Location]

Fortune's Chance, redocked, home sweet home and fire out as they say.

[Trading Report]

N/a

[Diary Entry]

I'd like to say things have settled fully down on the carrier in our absence, but, sadly, no, they haven't. Two more deaths, one a suicide and the other violence breaking out over something. So, we (they really, in the refugee 'Council') have established a prison area to handle this and all the other, thankfully small-scale comparatively, criminality that's threatening to break out constantly. Even with something resembling 'civilization' over there, it's still a problem that lurks below the surface, along with conspiring Magus and other empowered groups amongst them. People have separated out I've noticed now I've been away a few days and now return with 'fresh' eyes.

Other than that Jinx is fitting in well, and started her lessons, and the other new crewmembers all seem happy enough so far, and are fitting in. Kara's been handling it while I was away, and we'll do a few days review before we head out again just to keep everything in line and everything ship-shape. I know, I know, overthinking things maybe, but it's a Captain's concern, especially an Arcanist-Captain of a Spelljammer filled with mages and others so empowered. That's just how it rolls, as money means little, save as a tool for bartering the actual things they want, from experience, to knowledge, to obscure technologies and items of other worlds and strange lands.

Right, unto other matters. Like travelling. We've discussed it in-depth today, about moving and doing what we need to do, and we a few options. We could jump between dimensions, and then back, in a movement towards where we want to go to – which is good to a point, as the nexus is in THIS dimension solely from our immediate point of view. There are likely other parallels, but they might be locked off the closer we get to the nexus point, and it's a risk in of itself. That and it's draining on the batteries as the carrier doesn't have a Slide Drive or Spelljammer Core, we have to use the Chance, and there is a big difference in power usage – one that's bloody apparent after multiple jumps, one after another, by the Chance opening Slide portals the size of the carrier.

Basically, Quinn doesn't want us burning out the drives trying to do what we did earlier, at least not without planning it out, and not trying to do it continuously. Because that would be bad. I agree, and the spelljamming methods out with the sheer size of this beast, so that leaves the Bleed Drive as our primary. Not ideal, but that's how the cookie crumbles and it's just a matter of rationing the Slide Drive – hence plan A not the most viable as a long-term.

So, Plan B. We're going to use the Fortune's Chance to 'trade' with a local, far out, not-official-Federation, space station or colony. There are a few out here, and we can mimic a trade ship, a local one, as we are a trade ship, and we have the disguising systems up and functional under local conditions. We very much doubt it'll stand up to serious sensor scans of later generations, but it *should* hold up against the forces in the current scenario with a little physical work atop the illusions our part. We can drop the outer hull size shrinkage for one, though, obviously, the internals aren't because we need all that space and they are anchored in, therefore undetectable through the hull.

Right. Need to plan to find a smugglers haven, or, better yet, an independent colony we could trade with and establish credentials. Mostly so we can test out the lay of the land and have groundwork to try and see what we can do negotiations if we have to. With the Federation, assuming they're not an evil alternate, as the Klingons I wouldn't trust, and they get more trust than nearly everyone else in the local sector. No fancy attempts at sneaking in as Jonathan suggested, or Babs would like to try – No, we go in the front door as an independent trader/totally-not-a-smuggler approach. Kara's all for that, so few days here to plan it out, make sure we rotate the crew, and go from there. Slán for now.

--

[Trader's Journal: Day 2369]

[Current Dimension]

Variant of Star Trek/Babylon 5

[Current Location]

Fortune's Chance

[Trading Report]

N/a

[Diary Entry]

Kara and Quinn are staying behind on the carrier again with M'gann, and I'll take Babs and Azula with me for command, and we're doing the same with security. We've picked out a nearby world that looks like it's kinda-sorta Federation affiliated. Or at least does trade with them from intercepts of civilian transmission during our period on their outer system. It has ships going in and out, and we've, finally, gotten managed to get Mimic drive to copy the Warp drive signature. That's kind of important, even if it's energy intensive and inefficient as it's copying the effect rather than actually being said drive. Maybe we can find a way to acquire one?

We're going to voyage out again, hit the local trade areas over the course of a few days/weeks and then, stealthily make our way back to Kara on this brute of a ship. Yeah, still not super enthusiastic about this, but it's a viable plan, and most of my senior officers agree with said plan. And that they can hold down the magical wild west, though we're doing the 'training' thing with soldiers from against the refugees again. It's a militia, kinda, so, getting training in there helps us, and fills in the gaps for the forces we're leaving behind to make sure the carrier if fully secured against mutineers. Just in case. Always be prepared and all that jazz.

Right now, I'm going to spend time with my beautiful lover before I have to sail off to dangerous lands once more.

--

[07.27: Where the Shadows Lie]

[Some travel far, and some read books]

'This…is rather nice' Rin Tohsaka thought to herself as she sat in the library of the ship, sipping a nicely hot cup of tea, and having a moment of peace, and quiet, and serenity. Also, of learning from the tome before her, even if it was, in truth, merely a fancy yet crude dictionary of sorts. There was so much knowledge locked away in the tomes here, but most came with the unfortunate problem of being in another language entirely, or a series of Runic Inscriptions that had various meanings. Something that was problematic when you wished to use said implied powers and confusing Wet with Cold would be very dangerous in practice as a spell crafted in such a way might activate with such confusion. Then finding out if it was Cold or Wet in meaning could be problematic.

Rin closed the book after putting a placeholder, as well as her own 'spellbook' as some of her new crewmates were wont to call her glorified notepad. It was mildly irritating at time, while being amusing at others, and further proof of the almost alien nature of even the magi amongst them. She would call them 'mere spellcasters' but for the fact many had greater powers than any magus she knew, but their view of the Root was that of indifference at bet. Or outright amusement or mockery at worst. It was frustrating then, because of that difference between them, to have to reframe the educational materials to account for that almost alien viewpoint in the goals of said educational materials. That and her new colleagues' attitudes towards such learning as she discovered.

Like the attractive grey-black skinned non-human coming to sit beside her, a friendly smile upon her almost elven face. Brelyna Maryon, of House Telvanni, though Rin could follow the 'Dunmer' girl's attitudes somewhat better than some of her new human crewmates as the non-human seemed to understand a magus's perspective better than most "Greetings Rin, I see you have been studying Nord Runes again? I can organise a study session with Onmund and myself if you wish to have some aid on the subject?"

From a magus that would be either an insult in insinuating ignorance most likely, or from others it would be a simple offer out of bizarre generosity. But, with this girl it was partially compassion, but also an invitation to collaborate for advancing mutual development of their abilities as magus. Nice, friendly, and a bit odd the girl was…but she also had feel of one of the Magi from the Clocktower who had family name and power behind them. Even if they were being rebellious, which was a category Brelyna seemed to fall into for Rin due to attending this 'College of Winterhold' rather her House choices owing to…family reasons. Something that smelled of all too familiar House politics in the Clocktower. So, Rin smiled "That would be much appreciated Breylna, it is an interesting topic, and Shirou might be able help with some of the ritual-work we discussed earlier"

Taking a seat, a bright smile of her face, Brelyna gave a nod "Yes, that would be most pleasant, we could call it a working lunch as the captain put. Or a double date as others refer to it, I'm told"

Rin gave a faint smile at that. See, this girl got it and was being helpful "Yes, that it would be, but I believe it's best to call it the first rather than the second"

Because that way it would ease off the inevitable explosion from Ilya, and most importantly Rider, Medusa, who had established herself as a Queen Bee of sorts of their….relationship situation. Only the fact Taiga wasn't competing for Shirou for intimate time, instead settling for a sisterly or motherly relationship, eased the competition. Rin wasn't going to object to the situation anymore, even if she refused to admit the situation was far more pleasant than expected. She got to enjoy a relationship, mostly on her terms, with someone she both lov…cared for in some manner…while getting support as a magus should. After the hell everything had become when the Grail War turned into the Nightmarish End of All Things this was a veritable heaven.

Brelyna continued her smile at that "Oh, yes, best that is used for the words indeed. Onmund will be told as such too"

Rin nodded "Good, and we have….landed?"

And wasn't that a strange thing?

They were using the Wizard Marshal's Sorcery and travelling not only between parallels, but between the stars to other worlds. Filled with both mortal Types and also the Nightmarish Types Rin would have expected to fill the stars. This world was supposedly particularly boring in that it was a world of farmers, with cities and technology yes, but a bunch of crude peasants by the standards of this dimension. No magecraft so she had no interest, and she doubted the Magus who was Captain would be overly fond of her and the others being risked outside without training.

"Ah, soon I think, we are on Alert. Consider this telling thee of this" the other woman replied "So it was best to come here and study in case we must fight"

"You didn't want to walk upon this world?"

Brelyna shook her head "No, not greatly. There is little magick here, and spending time on my studies seemed more beneficial. J'zargo has gone…so he will tell us all tall tales later, along with anything useful he has learned amongst making up those tales"

'Ah yes…the cat-man' were Rin's thoughts on that, mild amused, but also remember that the strange cat, while a braggard as best she could tell, was actually rather powerful in destructive spellcrafting "Hmm, yes, that is true, though I would prefer to see your college over hearing of this world some of Shirou's friends gush over"

Surviving friends being the operative words there. So many people had died, and only her strength as a Tohsaka, as a Magus, had allowed Rin to get through the horror of it all. Best and worst was the Fuyuki City had more survivors than most other cities of its size, mostly from her school and their families. Her…friends?...amongst her classmates had survived, largely thanks to her efforts after Shirou's pushing after….after…Sakura…

"When you do, dress very warm. It is cold, very cold, there" the 'Dunmer' girl replied "Onmund misses that, and while I do miss the College, I do not miss the cold. It's a Nord thing. But I would be most happy to show thee the grounds upon our return. Assuming the Archmage allows it, but Captain Callum and Lady Kara could get him to agree"

"Assuming we get there alive of course"

The other girl almost pouted "Oh, we will, just not for several seasons. That's not so bad, life on the ship is very good. Are you enjoying this?"

"Yes, I do, surprisingly. Certainly, more than I'd expected" Rin admitted "Though that is…well, the world ended, so that's a bad match…but, well, it's…"

Brelyna gave a grin as Rin realised she was getting flustered a little, falling into silence as the other woman waved it away "I know, I do know. Mine was easier joining, nothing such as that, but some others amongst our ranks have lost much, or even everything. Zyanya for one, but it is good you have those you love. Barbara says this is the love, and then hums this funny tune afterwards"

Rin didn't blush at that, using her training as a magus to keep her emotions in check "Ohh….um, okay"

"Is it a kitchen staff thing for concubines and a Head of Family?"

"I have no idea" Rin answered rapidly "I've spoken to Chao only once or twice, even if she is working with Shirou….we…ahh…"

"Oh, sorry!" the girl apologised blinking "I was meaning to ask if it's a custom of mages of your world"

"Nooo…maybe, at times, but…no. Mostly no" Rin replied awkwardly. Because there were magus families in the Clocktower or Atlas like that for the purposes of improving the bloodline, or raising cadet branches occasionally. Hers and Shirou's was more…circumstances. Yes. That "Ours is an…unusual development, in part due to my Shirou's….uniqueness. Yeah. Let's go with that. He's unique"

"That is good"

Rin nodded "Yes…good. Now, ah, can we talk about this dimension?"

"Oh, sorry. Miss Medusa seemed to think you wished to discuss the…"

'Rider' Rin thought as Brelyna chattered on a moment, momentarily seeing the imaginary grinning, mocking, face of Shirou's Servant like a ghost behind the grey-black elf girl 'I am going to strangle you'

Then it was unto more pleasant topics at least….

--

[07.28: Where the Shadows Lie]

[Watching the galaxy burn…]

Burt Jameson thanked Oscar for the sparring session as the alert on his watch pinged indicating it was time to finish up and prepare to have bridge duty. He liked the Irishman, and the special forces soldier and a few of his other friends in the security had been a massive help in helping get Burt back into the…into the man…he had once wanted to be. Kid Raven might be a thing of the distant past, and he would never be the 'new' Detective Dark like his alternate had become….but Burt Jameson could still be all he could. Could still help people and relearn how to fight so he could protect them.

Most because, unlike his Debbie Downer and Sunshine S'tella, he was merely a mortal man without natural superpowers, or shadow sorcery to wield. Looking at himself in the mirror as he took to the shower showed the fat had turned to muscle, where it hadn't just gone, and it was closer to what he wanted to see each day rather than what he'd gotten all those years. It was a hard, long, tiring, journey…but he felt good that he was climbing that mountain. Even if it was in the bizzarest ways, travelling to bizzarest places, and generally seeing the wonders and horrors of the wider multiverse. Or it was far better to see those things than live in the misery of his lost past.

Dressing into his uniform, the former SLDF ones they'd gotten, something he preferred unlike several others in the crew, he felt ready for another day dealing with ship and whatever lurked out in space. Or the people on the ship most likely. Because they were the larger problem at times. The bright side was that carrier at least was liveable now, even if not like his room back on the Chance, nor the same facilities. But, unfortunately, the Fortune's Chance needed to be mobile and investigate the galaxy while the carrier stayed in hiding…so Burt and his two lady loves were part of the carrier crew shift this time around. Just like those waiting in the command centre of said carrier as he entered to start his shift, walking pasted the sentry Assaultons as the large circular metal security door closed behind him.

"Burt" a tired Captain Kara, the Supergirl, greeted him as entered to relieve her of duty "Good to see you, even if a bit early?"

He smiled "Must have gotten here quicker than I'd planned then. You go to rest early if you…"

She shook her head, waving him off as the 'bridge' was quiet, but filled with usual holograms and activity of those on duty "No, no, I'm down for another hour and I'll see it out. Callum sent word, and we've a few things to think on"

"Good news? Bad news?"

Kara shook her head "Both? Neither? They've sent one of their encrypted bursts and it's that they've landed at two colonies and figured out what to trade. But…"

Burt nodded "But?"

"Less beneficial information on the travelling part" she clarified hand moving and changing the display to the galaxy map "It's more sensor readings from the Chance than what the locals were saying, but….lots of activity already"

He studied the 'star map', lots of icons on, and signals that indicated 'warp signatures'…all headed towards the energy signal that indicated the 'passage' or 'tunnel' in space-time "Your right, and what we expected I think, and that will only get worse you understand?"

"Yeah, yeah" she replied tiredly, nodding "Though I think Callum and Babs are trying to hope otherwise, even if he knows better in the report he sent"

"Hope for the best, plan for the worst" he reminded her in a friendly tone, and Kara nodded, a faint smile on her face.

"True, he does say that. But it's looking likely we will have to find another route, or we will have to talk to the local governments"

"By that you mean the Federation?" he mused "They seem to be one of the better ones from our databases, and aren't likely to try seize the ships by force"

"That's what it looks like, but, well…as things are" she gestured at the displays "If it goes wrong, we will have to jump out fast into the last dimension we came through"

"Sounds good to me, after all we're standing on a very big target, even if it's shielded and armoured"

The problem was the Fortune's Chance could run, and/or, fight, with ships in this reality…the carrier far less so despite its titanic size in comparison to the ship he lived on. Oh, it had some defences, but not for a place like this where the dimension had advanced spacefaring star nations with powerful ships and fleets. Not when they had to navigate through that region with all those starships and fleets, and it wasn't like that Inner Sphere place where they had some advantages. Thankfully they could travel between dimensions so immediate escape was nearly always an option, even if not as fast as he'd like sometimes. Then nodded at rest of the 'bridge', at the hologram showing the Carrier in its entirety "And our passengers?"

Kara shrugged "So far, quiet….well quiet as they get. Our getting them to have their own policing is helping I think, even if the groups have separated out a lot more than I'd like"

He shook his head "That's a good thing Captain. Trauma and racial problems? That's just asking for trouble, with them in their own little enclaves, self-policing, and us helping keeping the market of sorts safe….it's not nice, but it's the best option. Suicides have mostly stopped, and the violence is low since we've put them to work and got everyone fed and clothed. I'll do a review on my shift now and we can go through in detail tomorrow?"

She nodded "Sounds good, haven't had time, been talking to Quinn about his….well, we'll discuss when he's got this prototype safe to be tested"

'Well, hopefully it helps with stealth' Burt thought on that as he answered "Let's us hope it's a success, and safe in that success. M'gann and Rose are next watch I see…."

--

{A few days later…}

'I will be glad to get back to our actual room' Burt thought as sat on the three pushed together beds in 'his' room of the carrier. It was conformable, but it was like staying in an average hotel, except without the bar service and other little things. Or the best found from the ship's kitchens, but he wouldn't say that out loud as it would only lead to Chao and her team getting big-headed once his S'tella told her. Sure S'tella could cook, well, but…best not to say that without guidance she could be a bit odd in taste profiles. Especially not when she looked as sexy as she did right now coming out of the shower in that towel, beaming a smile as she saw him and Debbie relaxing on the bed.

"Oh, joyous times! You have returned!"

It was almost like the old S'tella was back of late, the self-confidence, but also odd innocence, that so defined her as Stellar Flame, despite the suffering. The dark days in that asylum were slowly being washed away between them and Doctor Chen, but also helped by S'tella's Iscallarian biology 'reverting to normal' after years of arcane restraint. It was a little unfair really as he and Debbie had to work hard to get back into shape, really hard, while S'tella's was a much more gentle slope…even if it required more sunlight and positive emotions to achieve. Beside him Debbie stretched out lazily, or maybe grousing silently about the pushed together beds not being as comfortable enough for her 'poor back' again "Oh, yes, had to drag him away from the bridge again Stellar"

Burt gave a snort "Oh, is that how it was, hmm?"

Debbie gave him a playful kick in the leg "Yes, you were very intent on more work I recall"

"Hmm….maybe" he admitted, both of their eyes on S'tella, who was listening curiously, while drying her hair after pulling off the towel "Hmm…hmm…oh, yeah, well…Captain Callum's on the way back…"

"Oh, glorious glasneiks! The rooms that is ours by rights shall return!"

"Yes, that too, yes" he replied to S'tella with a wide smile "But mostly because he has signalled with the local power about discussions. We have revealed ourselves apparently to try and negotiate a way through"

"Figured it would come to that" Debbie offered "There was no way through…though this Federation seems nicer than the one I remember from stories. No Captain Khan for one"

"Yes, but that's just multiverse theory, we can't judge based on that" Burt reminded her "That's why we've scouted out so much in recent days to figure out are they even minimally trustworthy. Though the true deciding factor is…no way we can sneak through all that to where we want to get, not when we need to move through this dimension's nexus point"

Debbie sighed "One can live with that, and maybe we will lose more of the….refugees to them…staying here in…Stellar, must you?"

"The stretchings are of the important before the beddings!"

Burt nodded "Yes…yes they are. More than boring work talk"

--

[07.29: Where the Shadows Lie]

[Meeting the galactic neighbours]

Captain Ichika Sato resisted emitting a gasp of surprise, albeit a very small one, at the sight of the massive vessel emerging from the large gas giant's atmosphere. It was larger than any Federation or Klingon space stations and it was moving at a fast sub-light speed for a cruiser, let alone a hulking monster that dwarfed her own USS Zhang Heng. Instead, she merely frowned, instead glancing at her Andorian First Officer as she stood with her hands behind her back and attempting to look confident "It appears that they were true to their word Shrohr"

Shrohr Th'atheliar started to shake his head…body language agitated, before nodding and straightening "Yes Captain, more than expected I will admit. When it was stated to be a mobile space station…"

"Expected something more normal, not something the size of a flying metropolis...yes, I feel the same" Ichika agreed continuing to frown, thinking on how this negotiation had just gotten more complicated potentially due to Star Fleet Command underestimating…this. The concept of interdimensional travellers was concerning enough, not after Captain Kirk's reports of an alternate Enterprise, and an alternate, very much hostile, Terran Empire 'adjacent' to their dimension. The Fortune's Chance as it was called had been concerning for that reason, and the further reason of the timing of the event; - Star Fleet was going to war. And this starship they struggled to track had appeared, made some very dangerous claims, and then noted it wanted 'safe passage' through the warzone.

Ichika had hoped it was all a wild goose chase, or someone simply making delusional claims, when her own Miranda-class had been ordered to this star system to investigate, confirm, and then negotiate if the first two things were true. Now that she could do the first two from visuals alone…well, she felt very much not happy about this eventuality as it was concerningly outside of her experience. The USS Zhang Heng had only been sent because she was the nearest least miliary vessel available to send, and her Brief had been based around the assumption of either a potential conman, or more likely someone overplaying their hand. Now that this had been proven very much not to be the case…

"They are hailing us Captain"

Ichika's introspection was cut off by her communications officer, and she nodded to her "Put them on the main screen Lieutenant Zheinak"

"Onscreen…now Captain"

Ichika turned her gazed away from the Vulcan woman, watching as the screen changed from the stars and the large gas giant from which the gigantic vessel was emerging from, and too an odd bridge, just as reported from the First Contact to the colony administrator. A strange mixture of almost early era starship bridges, but also filled with what looked like a ship from the age of sail in Earth's history…there was even a ship's wheel it seemed in the corner of the video feed. That though was for study late as two figures stood prominently on the screen, two humans by appearance, and in naval uniforms unfamiliar to Ichika but they did have a pre-First Contact Earth feel from them. But she forced herself to be calm and confident, polite and friendly, but not overly so.

"Captain Outis I believe?"

'Captain Outsider in a Terran language, well…that is what they claim, and to seem to, be' she thought as the man gave a nod "Yes, and this is my co-Captain Kara of House Zor-El, and you would be Captain Sato here to negotiate?"

He smiled politely "I trust that our claims are verified?"

Ichika gave a nod "Indeed Captain, they are, and your terms have been acceptable. So far"

"Oh, we are most reasonable people, and we would hope the United Federation of Planets of this dimension lives up its stated ideals"

'Is that a reference to the Terran Empire? Or other version encountered?' she wondered, trying to show none of that internal debate as the sensors struggled to even see the massive vessel. Yes, it was on visuals, but sensors were struggling to actually 'see' it in any other manner than with those visuals "I can assure you Captain that such is the way of Starfleet and the wider Federation. In this dimension at the very least. Though you must understand you have arrived during turbulent times, and your requested route of transport is less than ideal"

"That we are aware of Captain Sato, that we are very much aware of" the other man replied politely "Now if your vessel wishes to dock with the Carrier, or simply to shuttle over you can come aboard. I'm afraid teleportation is blocked, largely due to technical reasons related your local dimension and how it interacts with our hull and shields"

She nodded. Not unexpected truly, not when this monster of a vessel was here "And your vessel?"

"We are currently aboard, as it is docked aboard the Carrier for ease of discussions as our civilian representatives from our refugees may wish to discuss further in depth during our conference"

'But first…best to signal Starfleet Command before we risk docking aboard the mysterious mobile space station from beyond the universe' she told herself even as she nodded "Of course Captain, please, send us advisory notes on such a procedure and we will endeavour to do as requested to meet in person…"

--

{Several hours, many words, and concerned learnings later…}

"…most concerning Captain Sato"

"Yes, I admit that is so Admiral" Ichika replied to Admiral Tapin as she sat in her ready room after a very long, very informative, albeit worrying, series of meetings and touring "If they are lying to us about their origins…it is possible, but I and my crew deem it unlikely. While the larger vessel…" and wasn't that an understatement "…what I saw of a tiny portion of it, has the feel of an advanced, but often empty, station, the starship itself they have is clearly well used and understood. Even if the technology appeared somewhat…out of place at times, their explanations do appear to match some of our efforts with interacting with pre-Warp civilizations, and likely cultural preference"

Admiral Tapin nodded on the screen, frowning, or perhaps scowling "This is not only bad timing, but the refugee situation is not entirely what would be desired. And I don't mean for the fact of a refugee vessel larger than San Franciso wishing to warp into a warzone, either Captain"

Ichika resisted a wince at that. What she had seen of most of the refugees…well, a number were at the very least worrying despite being human. Revulsion of some based on the descriptions of their 'culture' had been a worry for her amongst her, human, crewmembers once it became known "I understand Sir, and I will confirm such abilities and phenomena were demonstrated for my science officers to confirm they were no mere parlour tricks, even if not on the level we have encountered with…certain species"

"I'm less concerned about that Ichika, than about the would be Augments amongst them"

She did wince that, nodding but likely looking uncomfortable "I will admit they…concern…me as well Admiral, but I would confirm they appear to be not so extreme as…that. Though I would state, based on noted cultural mores of certain subgroups of those refugees, allowing them into the general population would be inadvisable. While they are not Augments, I do believe they are threading close to the sociopathic psychopathy of such vile eugenics"

"So can we even deal with them?"

She nodded "The crew of the….Fortune's Chance, the smaller vessel, and it's officers, do not appear to reflect such values, and were focused on ensuring there were no…."

Ichika took a moment, finding the word "Misunderstandings between us. Nor that they were in ideological agreement with those they were rescuing. It's a city in there Admiral, and it is fairly clear if they did not have that problem they would not be approaching us at all, but merely exiting our dimension. What is somewhat worrying there is they have likely dealing with alternate versions of our dimension potentially ahead in time…or have contact through this League of worlds they serve"

Tapin gave her a questioning look, and she sighed "They are equipped with photon torpedoes. Romulan ones, which raised concerns obviously, and part of their interest is in acquiring more, of ours, for their stores, but I'm unsure they realised they were more advanced than we have. Or have seen from the Romulans. By at least a generation or two more advanced, and the chronotron readings are…well, my First Officer backs up that future dimension theory as they have a phaser bank, Federation from visual observation on the starship, and we don't recognise it. But it has Starfleet design at a distance. Hinting they know far more about us, than we them, and that is without them noting they will deal with the Ferengi, who I have never heard of…and the Klingons. But only through us with the Klingons"

--

[07.30: Where the Shadows Lie]

[Wir zogen in das Feld]

"Mercenaries, really?"

I nodded back to Barbara as we left from our practice sparring, now back to talking business again, while all showered and prettied up for the tourists so to speak "Well, non-combat, rear area support mercenaries rather than us charging bravely forward into the Minbari guns"

She hummed in thought as we walked through the halls of the Chance "Kara signed off on this?"

"Unanimous vote of me, her, and Quinn" I answered "We've all looked at the situation, and you were a big voice of us not sneaking through it all. So, this was the quickest, securest, way through to where we need to go"

"That is true, yes" she admitted "I just didn't think you'd jump for the getting involved in things plan"

"Yes, well…I'd rather not, but options are limited as they aren't exactly eager to allow us wander across the region about to become a warzone. Even if we hadn't got dimension-tech and weren't flying about in space with a mobile city"

We were both in our former SLDF Naval uniforms, now League of Aquitaine ones, much to her annoyance as she liked casual or, more commonly, Batgirl costume. Sadly, that wasn't ideal right now when presenting a professional front was the way to go, as even I opted for the uniform over my usual suit. This was going to be several weeks, at the very minimum and I expected it could drift up into months as we depended on the Federation to get through from here to where we wanted to go. So, while not ideal, it was logical from our position, and maintaining supplies…meant needing a supplier for those supplies during that period, however long that stay would be. At least I didn't have to bother with my human disguise, instead being most always as a half-orc that I was now.

For now, that meant meeting up with a Starfleet starbase at the edge of the conflict region, which was where we were now, in-system, hiding, rather than docked with it. While the Carrier wasn't a combat vessel and was really just a giant transport ship...it's sheer size and internal space combined with its mobility did make it usable for support operations. While neither me nor Kara were enthused about doing that, it might hopefully speed up the Starfleet-Klingon advance, and ensured we'd have an escort once word got out. And if they decided to betray us…well, we'd have our engines running and Slide Drive prepped to slide out at a moment's notice if we had too.

Azula had been a big part of the negotiation, even if she didn't particularly like Starfleet and the wider United Federation of Planets, as our 'Official of the League of Aquitaine', over the past few days. It was all rather dull compared to previous dimensions as we got to know Captain Sato, and through her the other Federation officials, and they took a very softly-softly approach with us. They neither wanted us to simply leave without providing information on dimensions, but nor did they want us travelling into the UFP proper, for fear we'd offload our problem 'children' aboard the carrier. The one we also needed to help create occasional arcane tools and artifacts to trade unfortunately.

"So, what you want me to handle ol'Cap'n Callum Sir?"

"Oh shush you" I muttered back at her teasing tone "We're trading them medical technology firstly, and also some basic things that'll allow them to interdict…well, thing we're using to trade. But, obviously not till we're about to leave this dimension for that tech"

Barbara gave an amused snort "Yes, obviously. Interested in dimension travel, are they?"

I paused, then shook my head "I'd say no, not from the point of view of actual exploration. More they encountered evil mirror dimension…"

"Oh" she almost deadpanned unhappily "One of those"

"Eyup, evil twins" I replied as we made our way to the conference room that was being set up for the official delegations later in the day. Stage managing this, with both Starfleet officers being present along with our dear Lorelei and her faction leaders….well, it was headache all in all "So they are concerned about that, especially with this dimensional nexus that connects them to the Minbari and the so-called First Species beyond. Which we have vague, but still useful, information on of alternate versions. Thankfully we aren't having Prime Direction quotes being thrown at us at least!"

Thankfully this era was before Starfleet turned into self-righteous pacifists generally smugging at the universe about how civilized they were…till the God-like being with the one letter name showed them how wrong they were for doing that with letting them meet certain neighbours early. The fact they were at war likely helped us as much as it hindered us with suspicion, but as we discussed the preparations, as I handed Barbara the datapad with guest list, foods present, and a thousand other tiny details, it let us get this far. Dealing with the Klingons came next, though we, I, had blundered a little in thinking they had met the Ferengi as yet. Unfortunate, but we had plenty still to do…

--

{Hours later, and the party is in motion….}

Diplomatic parties were often boring affairs, or at least dreary feeling compared to our staff parties as everyone walked about in uniform, sipping carefully at drinks, and seeking out 'informal' information gathering in a very formal manner. That was the nature of the beast I supposed as I did the same thing, Kara with Azula across the room talking with Lorelei and the two officials from the Federation's government. I, standing with Barbara, got the joys of the 'military' side of such discussions as Captain Sato approached with a Vulcan female in tow, a Commodore in Starfleet.

Commodore Luril was her name apparently as Captain Sato introduced us despite already knowing the names of everyone here already. I smiled politely after introductions were made, as the Vulcan woman was polite at least, and Captain Sato had been most helpful so far from our first contact. Blathering back pleasant-sounding pleasantries and allow them to lead the conversation and see where they went "…in furtherance of our agreement with Starfleet and the wider Federation"

"Yes, in the wake of recent events Starfleet is must appreciative of those future contributions" the Vulcan replied face blank in that stoic way of theirs "The information provided on the other side of the nexus as you call it, has been evaluated as useful"

"One would hope so…" I began as Barbara began to talk to Captain Sato as my eyes surveyed the room, watching for trouble "…though we again warn such information is drawn from secondary sources, and can vary from variant to variant. Hence why we detailed what we believe to be the situation based on Starfleet's own information so far to narrow the variant likelihood as accurately as feasible"

"Such variation is expected and has been factored into Starfleet's projections. We will still make use of this information to prepare contingencies based upon potential developments that differ" she replied as coldly as before, taking up a glass of the delivered Vulcan version of the champagne from the table behind us "Captain Sato has discussed such I believe, it is most curious to hear of such situations. You have encountered many such variations?"

'Well, expected I suppose' I nodded "Of this multiverse region? Not in detail, no. But current circumstances have demanded changes to our normal deployments and operations"

It was clear that the interest was in multiversal nations, and she was oblique about it initially, beating around the bush with many words meaning little, but hinting towards the point Starfleet were probably most concerned about mon with multi-dimensional polities?"

So, I decided to answer in a relatively straightforward manner, as they had been honest with us so far, and it keep the same story as the rest of my crew "As with all things in the wider multiverse I expect such vary very greatly, even if there are commonalities at times. I have been told, by far more eminent Planeswalkers and Researchers than myself, that such entities tend to fall within a certain range, often dependent on how they discover their travelling method. Or the type of entity that discovers it"

"The difference between civilizations, or between individuals?" she queried "Or is it technical levels as it were with the development of warp drives for travel between star systems in this dimension?"

"Development of dimensional travel can occur at most any technological level, nor does technology always advantage as we have seen before. Oh, our methods are technological in basis…" and no point in giving away the fact that we could do it individually, like I could, or through other means than the ships "…but natural dimensional breaches are feasible, of any size from inches to whole planets or star systems. Then there are born abilities, or those that learn it through non-technological means. All mean differing outcomes. The League of Aquitaine is one response of various worlds to promote and control trade between our realms, but more importantly in mutual self-defence from multiveral powers that developed differently"

"Indeed?" she nodded "Hostility, but based around one planet?"

"Multiple iterations of one world" I replied, discussing the Kromaggs "As I understand it….it is not uncommon to hear of such, though we have only encountered the Kromagg Imperium that advances so, so far. While certainly advanced enough to travel the stars, as their weaponry and vessels show, early adoption of dimensional travel can lead to easier movement along a chain of variant homeworlds versus galactic travel. Even assuming the local dimension even allows function faster-than-light travel if the background physics vary"

I shake my head sadly "Or where a lone dimensional traveller of sufficient ability in one dimension may travel to another and establish themselves as a ruler, or other such task. We have been told, and observation of broken dimensions, have indicated that too much aggression, too quickly, usually leads to the destruction of such hyper-aggressive dimensional powers, especially at the level of multi-planetary, multi-dimensional, conquerors….as is oft the case with overly aggressive ftl-capable species in dimensions such as this. Different starting points, differing methods, differing results and polities"

'Read; we are friendly, but many others are not' was what I was saying, quietly, but with their knowledge of their evil versions it shouldn't be a surprise. There were worse places we could have ended up, but it didn't mean we didn't have problems here to get through. Nor that maintaining relationships would be all that easy either, especially with differing points of view and internal biases…

--

[07.31: Where the Shadows Lie]

[To explore strange new worlds…]

"The NX-01 class are a piece of junk!"

I sighed, then gave an amused smile at Jonathan, and Rose who beside him nodding in agreement with his words as put down pad "It's a Columbia-class we're looking at actually"

"That's a fancy NX, but still crappy. We should get a Constitution, or even a Miranda, because that's a little…"

"Yeah, I'd doubt they'd even consider that" I interrupted, giving an honest answer to my Star Trek 'experts' from where I sat "Heavens and Hells they aren't exactly enthused about this idea of Quinn's, and that's for 'piece of junk' as you put, directly from mothballs in some Starfleet junkyard somewhere. Sell us a modern warship? That's not going to happen, not after a only a weeks saying hello and generally scaring them all"

Rose pouted "But a Connie…"

"Would be fantastic, yeah, but we ain't getting it, so no point in asking. Don't try to make deals that can't be made with the supplier" I pointed out, shaking my head a little "Not that it's going to make a huge difference as we've no one to properly pilot the…"

I pointed at the duo as they were about to saying something along the lines of 'I could!' or some variation of that phrase "No, you couldn't. We have this ship to pilot and man. No, I was going to say an older model at the very least is understandable, I hope, to our sponsors back home. And for ourselves let's be honest. The human resources we have are refugees outside of our limited numbers, and they are at twentieth century engineering levels. Not Starfleet now levels"

If I was to be brutally honest taking such a ship aboard without staying for far longer than we intended would likely lead to it staying aboard the carrier, doing nothing, just that submarine we sold. But I did agree with Quinn if we could get it functional, and pilot it, it would be a big, big, help out in the journey. Even if it wasn't, which I expected…then it would be a massive help upon our return to the League of Aquitaine as it was within a few generations of understanding technologically. Probably more than the Star League's vessels would be, and the small size of the United Earth, then Starfleet, starship class was a win in of itself. Massive, hulking, monsters like the Carrier were extremely limited for dimensional travel after all, or for standard faster-than-light travel.

"We figured this starship out, and the Carrier"

"Sadly, unlike either of those, Starfleet vessels are tech only, and we aren't exactly near a spelljammer harbour to undertake work to make that otherwise, or Monitor-tech to plug and play" I answered, and then sighed "We probably…could jury rig something, yes, in a desperate emergency. But would either of you like to be on such a ship for anything other a very serious emergency?"

Both looked at each other, then shook their heads as they turned back to me. I nodded, holding out the data-pad for them to take and peruse "Yeah, I thought not. Now, here we go, your homework. Quinn's enthusiastic but I'd prefer both of your honest opinions in report form"

Jonathan nodded "How long…time and length?"

"However long you like for length, even if it's just a summary of bullet-points with referenced information for me to look through. Two days from now in terms of when, as we'll be negotiating it in four to five days from the looks of things"

"Got it Boss" Rose replied nodding as she gripped the data-pad "Anything else?"

I shook my head "No, that's all. Go, relax and enjoy your time off first"

"On it, Captain" Jonathan answered with a salute, and directing Rose out the door with "…to the bar!"

Azula came sashaying in after they left, which was better than stomping in like many months ago when this all started, actually in the SLDF uniform now. Crew unity and a command structure in a more formal manner than usual, at least while we were here, and it was merely a formal showing of the usually more informal command structure anyway. She came to stop across from me as I filled myself a mug of coffee after I'd stood up and walked to the kettle, getting a nod back from her that she wanted one as well "No sugar"

"No problem my dear. Training go well?"

"My firebenders skills remain…adequate" she replied as I came back over with two mugs, and then taking out some chocolates on a plate "What were those two here about?"

"Oh, the ship purchase proposal. They know a lot about various similar dimensions, and separately they have the technical skills to do a proper analysis. I trust Quinn's and Isabel's proposal, but I like to get a second set of eyes, as he can simply ignore certain impacts at times" I replied sitting back down "Since we have to consider meeting with the Klingons"

"They are proper warriors, even if they are….not attractive as some have told me" she answered, frowning "I will likely have to establish dominance as a short female"

"Try not to kill any of them in the process" I reminded looking at coffee "They are allied with our current trade partners in this war, and let's avoid blood feuds or dead ambassadors if we can avoid it"

Azula nodded idly in agreement with that "I hope Zuko and Uncle are doing a good job in my absence"

"I'm sure he, they, are"

"Hmm, yes, Mai has a firm hand on my brother of course, and Lady Haeletoth is may be able to temper his soft-heartedness. He is such a woman at heart. I worry for him and home"

I gave he an amused look "You know…you are a woman?"

"An attractive woman, yes" she sniffed back at me "But I am Firelord, and that must have a warrior's heart and not just….softness. Yes, yes, it is needed at times as you have shown me, but hard times can mean hard choices must be made"

"Well, let us hope in our absence hard times stay away from your home. I'm sorry that the voyage extended far longer than intended"

She waved me off "It was always a strong possibility of a longer time at sea. Longer than desired, but it will be most beneficial upon our return. Even on the successful learning of how to establish a colony"

"You want a number of the Magus?"

"No"

I smiled at her straightforward response "Really?"

"Some handful perhaps, the most stable ones, and certainly a number amongst the survivors who will have honoured positions once healers ensure they bring no plague into my lands" she told me in a matter-of-fact manner "But they are, as you say, not all there"

"Yeah, that they aren't, but they are cooperating for now" I replied, and I knew her general thrust on her plans here and now. Azula was very much looking to pull a Meiji Restoration style transformation of her world, or the Fire Nation at the very least, and an educated refugee population would be a big help with that. In some ways the extended trip wasn't entirely a bad idea for her as Zuko, assuming he didn't go mad with power, could stabilise things before she embarked on her aggressive development plans. Once we got back…months from now from the looks of it.

"Exactly" she nodded back to me "There are enough vipers in the Fire Nation nobility without adding more to the snakepit"

"True, but would you prefer the Federation…"

"No" she stated back before I could finish "Those we have met…are tolerable I suppose, but what our would-be scholars show of possible futures…no. I would not wish the League to develop in such a manner"

I nodded "Oh, you won't get an argument from me on that. I quite like the United Federation of Planets, but it wouldn't function well with the mix of worlds that make up the League. Different cultures, different rules, and different physics occasionally. Still, there is much you can learn from them"

Azula paused, then nodded after taking a sip of her coffee "That is accurate, as from the others. Now, do you seek other items from these other nations"

"I'd love even a completely obsolete cloaking device from the Klingons, since I doubt the Romulans will turn up, and the Ferengi aren't around, but I doubt they'd trade for it" I admitted "It would be useful to have such for the ship I want to get, as we it'll be quite some time before mages are a common enough population to be able to spell-cloak spelljammers….or even sail said vessels. Still, we can see what they'll do when they arrive…"

--