Disclaimer: This is fanfiction. Anything you recognize is not mine. All characters and events in this story are entirely fictional.
-=oOo=-
"Morning Jarvis. Make me coffee."
"I took the liberty of having breakfast delivered. It will be here in a few minutes, including fresh coffee."
"What time is it?"
"Two thirty in the afternoon."
"Boy I overslept. Anything happen while I slept?"
"Shield was uncovered to be infested with almost thirty percent Hydra agents. The matter has been resolved."
"What? Your kidding right?" Tony raced to a console and began to type, even as he tried to focus.
"I assure you sir, there is no cause for concern. They are now all locked up in various facilities. The Alliance ship had someone discover it and they spent much of the previous hours dealing with the issue. I must say, matter transmission seem such a useful device."
"Really? Cool. I have to make one of those, just as soon as I get a clue how to do it."
Doctor Bashir beamed down.
"Hey, want breakfast? It should be here really soon," said Tony.
The door chimed. Pepper walked in with another guy bringing in the food.
"Hey Pepper. We have a visitor." Tony turned and asked, "Who are you?"
"I'm Doctor Julian Bashir. I have been waiting till you finished sleeping to talk to you. You do know that forcing yourself to stay awake for days at a time is extremely bad for you correct?"
"He does. He does not listen," said Pepper.
Pepper picked of a croissant and a cup of coffee and began eating. Tony picked up a cheese danish.
"And the food is remarkably healthy as well," noted the doctor.
"If you complain, you can't have any," said Tony.
Doctor Bashir picked up a nutty piece of cake and took a bite, then grabbed a cup of coffee to wash it down with.
"Why are you here Doctor?" asked Pepper.
"We did promise to repair his chest. We can do that today, if you want."
"Really?" asked Pepper.
Julian nodded.
"Is it risky?" asked Pepper.
"It's major surgery, but he should be fine."
"Their ship utterly spanked the invading force. If their medical tech is comparable, I'm in good hands."
"What about the arc reactor and the suit?" asked Pepper.
"I started to say we have no interest in either one, but actually his suit is interesting. It is, however, his suit. We aren't offering to trade or anything. We will just fix Tony and if he and the others want to talk they can."
"Cool. Can we get this over with?" asked Tony.
"After I eat one more of these," said Julian.
Pepper laughed, then asked, "Can I come?"
"I don't see why not."
-=oOo=-
Tony patted his stomach. Fresh pink skin shown clearly where the hole was, but he was whole. They even fixed some random other stuff that he didn't pay attention to. He looked around. A woman with an odd nose was beside Pepper.
"It's done right?" he asked.
"Yes, your fine. The cleaned arc reactor and housing is in a tray beside you," said Pepper.
Tony turned and looked then looked back. "They removed the core then."
"Yes, we removed it and discarded the palladium and the toxic byproducts. The reactor is functional. I even repaired a couple small things. You do know you were poisoning yourself right?" asked Neela.
"Didn't have a choice at the time, and hadn't found one since."
"Well your good now. I do encourage you to find an alternative power source. It isn't nearly as bad if its not inside your body, but it is still not ideal."
"Sure, come up with an alternative to palladium. That's going to be fun."
"I can help a little, but not a great deal, not unless you perhaps want to come work for us," said Neela.
"Who is us?"
"The Bajorans, The Abh, Federation, and others. Your more than good enough to get a job offer. Once you learn some things you don't know, well employment will not be a problem for you, but you can't bring it back here, not less we approve the change."
"So free toys, all the wonders of the universe, but I can't keep it."
"We won't mind if you say no."
"The doctor mentioned an interest in my suit."
"L'Nea and Jadzia are actually already working on a copy, just based on visual records. We are not copying your design."
"Any chance of looking on?"
"I can ask, but the problem is you are clever enough to figure out some things even from a limited exposure."
"Would I do that?" asked Tony innocently.
Pepper coughed.
-=oOo=-
Riker walked in about fifteen minutes later.
"I've decided to allow you a short time with Jadzia, L'Nea and Neela as they work on a suit design. I've told them to keep it reasonable."
"Any particularly reason?" asked Tony.
"You stopped selling weapons to others. I of course am in the camp that sometimes they are needed, but you were concerned they were getting abused so you stopped, rather than rationalizing continuing. For what it is worth, that offer of employment was quite real," said Riker.
"I'll think about it," said Tony.
Riker nodded, apparently unconvinced.
-=oOo=-
Pepper and Tony were led into the interior of the ship by Captain Riker. The door they went to, unlike the others, did not open.
"Computer Authorize visit to Pepper Potts and Tony Stark by my authorization."
"Second authorization required to access secure design center."
Jadzia opened the door and said, "Computer add me as the second authorization."
"Authorization confirmed."
The door remained open.
Tony and Pepper walked in. The door closed behind them. The room was nothing but a big black room with yellow lines.
"Um, this it the design center?" asked Tony.
Jadzia rolled her eyes. "Computer reactivate sim authorization Jadzia A932."
"Voice based security?"
"It changes often enough and the computer is very good at making sure you are who you say you are," said Neela from beside her.
The room seemed to grow before their eyes. In the middle was a floating model of their current suit.
"Black and silver? You have no taste," said Tony.
"I'd say they have more than you," added Pepper dryly.
Tony touched a piece of it and moved his hand towards him. It seemed to pull away in his hand, fully solid. He examined it in detail, pulling it apart piece after piece.
"We haven't been working on it that long. A lot of it is automatically generated for now," said Jadzia.
"It's impressive work for the time. Any idea if it will fly?"
"Theoretically it will. We aren't sure about stabilization yet. Feedback to the end user and making it intuitive is still a work in progress," said L'Nea.
"We are fairly sure how we are going to solve that, but unfortunately we can't discuss that with you," said Jadzia.
"Ah come on. Your just getting to the good stuff," said Tony.
"They are baiting you," said Pepper.
"Well, of course they are. I'd do the same thing."
"Correction, you do the same thing," said Pepper.
Tony nodded.
"It's a pity, but I have a lot of work if we are preparing to fight the guy who did all this, so I guess we must part," said Tony.
"You do know we are going to make sure that is taken care of right?" asked Jadzia.
"I don't like relying on the kindness of strangers," said Tony.
"Tony," said Pepper.
"But I do thank you for the fixed chest."
"It isn't a problem. The doctor and Celeste and Ami did that anyway," said Jadzia.
Riker's com badge chimed. He tapped it.
"Captain, we have an emergency. Your guests need to stay or go," said Sobaash.
Riker turned to them.
"I'll tag along, if Pepper doesn't mind. What about you Pep?" asked Tony.
"I'm staying."
"Come on. I need to get someone to take care of you two, before I head to the bridge," said Jadzia.
-=oOo=-
"So who are you two?" asked Tony, after they were dropped off.
"We are a couple of engineers that worked for two companies they setup to trick our world to produce enough carbon free energy to save ourselves. I'm Renee. This is Alex."
"And your here because?" asked Tony.
"Tony, be polite," chided Pepper.
"They offered to take on one hundred of us. We could go and join worlds and companies we wanted. We wanted basically everyone in the company to have an option, well and their families. They quickly said we couldn't do that since they needed our companies to actually do the work. I think everyone that is still there is working on hiring more people, so they can go," said Alex.
"So you two got picked for the tour?" asked Pepper.
"Yes, we think they might have picked us since we were the oldest, not that we will complain," said Renee.
"And this emergency?" asked Tony.
"No idea. Let's see if the computer will tell us. Computer details of emergency," asked Alex.
"A stellar core fragment has been detected and will interact with a colony world in FSP controlled space likely causing major damage."
"And what are they doing about it computer?" asked Tony.
"Operational plans are above your current level of security."
"Untrusting thing," muttered Tony.
"How would you stop such a thing?"
"Computer, what is the mass of the fragment?" asked Tony.
7.3214 times ten to the twenty fifth kilograms.
"That's more than ten times the mass of Earth. That's bad," said Tony.
"How close will it come computer?" asked Renee.
"It will come to an estimated eight hundred and forty two thousand kilometers from the planet at its closest point."
"That's what double the distance from the Earth to the Moon by something that ways ten times the mass of Earth. That's world ending," said Tony quietly.
Ami walked in. She said, "I was asked to keep an eye on you two. I noted your first queries. We believe we can deal with the issue."
"How?" asked Tony.
"Sorry, we are trying not to give you information that would change your tech development. I know we are seeming unreasonable, but we do recognize how smart you are. You're actually quite comparable to my own intelligence."
"What are you saying your all genius level intellect?"
"No, nothing like that."
"How are they saving that world?" asked Tony with a clipped voice.
"Part of the solution is to bring a total of fifteen ships here," said Ami.
Pepper snickered. "They aren't going to answer any questions that actually answer your questions."
"I could say I'm going to join them."
Ami smiled. "You could."
"They are on to you Tony. I don't suppose I could offer to pay someone from your organization to make Tony behave?" asked Pepper.
"I doubt it. We should be moving back into real space soon. I should get to the bridge."
"Can we at least watch?" asked Tony in a whining tone.
"Alright. Computer authorize the people in this room to display visual data outside the craft. Scale is to remain one to one. No extended information or metadata is to be available. Raw visual only, but with suitable filters for remaining safe."
"Confirmed."
"Display on what?" asked Tony.
Ami smiled in amusement and walked away.
"It's like they have everything I've ever dreamed of but won't give me it," pouted Tony.
Renee, Alex, and Pepper laughed.
"Okay computer display visual data outside the craft," said Tony.
The side wall seemed to vanish and see out into space.
"Still getting that same feeling Pep," said Tony.
"You'll get over it," said Pepper.
Another ten minutes lapsed. You could see the variety of Alliance ships slowly form up.
"Those cheating bastards. They are moving the planet, not the star," complained Tony.
"You mean you didn't think of doing that?" asked an amused Alex.
"I wouldn't know where to start, but math wise sure, the mass is much lower, and if you can move it, you can move it back."
"They are establishing a regular pattern over the planet, well from what we can tell. I really wish she didn't lock it to this view," said Renee.
"She didn't, or I don't think she did. Computer rotate viewpoint. Show us a circular flyover above the equator same distance from center of the planet, but obviously preserve scale to meet current limitations. Span the flyover over a five minute period," said Tony.
The view began to slowly rotate.
"How are they doing that?" asked Pepper.
"Probably using all the ships visual data," said Tony.
"It does look like I was right about the pattern. It's not perfectly even, but then I suspect they are adapting for what they have. If they had enough identical ships they would have used them," said Renee.
"Probably," agreed Tony.
"What did you do?" asked Pepper.
"Our two companies built solar panels, batteries, electric motors, cars, and heavy equipment. It seemed we were building everything at the end. We were spreading so fast. It was only at the end that we found out why," said Alex.
"Lafiel and Beneej didn't want to make running our companies a lifetime assignment," said Renee.
"So they helped you build whatever you needed then got out? That was awfully nice of them," said Pepper.
"No kidding. That is why when they offered the chance to come with us we all wanted to sign up."
"Want a job?" asked Tony absently.
"Why do you ask?" asked Alex.
"I figure if you are using their methods, even if they are dumbed down so as not to give out much tech, well you would likely be worth many times your weight in gold. We know their methods work, otherwise you couldn't have done what you said," said TOny.
"Perhaps, perhaps not. Many of the ideas were already available. Many managers believe that just in time production is how it must be with no inventory, but real life is not that simple," said Renee.
"True, you have to add enough buffers to let people deal with problems. That's pretty obvious stuff, though my competitors oddly never learn."
"Some problems it seems are universal," said Alex dryly.
Tony nodded absently. "I meant that about the offer. We might check your skills, but I know they dropped off probably many of those plans with Fury, and he will want me to do something with them. I'd really rather give the job to say the former employees of the company that already has done the job."
"That's an idea. Some of us might help with that," said Renee thoughtfully.
"Did you just poach a bunch of employees from another world to do a job you haven't gotten yet?" asked Pepper.
"We are going to make a ton of money," said Tony.
"We would want to keep the profits reasonable. The goal is to get the tech that helps out there," said Alex.
"Fair enough, but even a percent or two on a large volume is a lot," said Tony.
"This is true. Perhaps we could use some of the money to do something else useful?" asked Renee.
"Get with Pepper. I prefer charity that actually reduces the problems long term, when possible," said Tony.
"So do they," said Renee.
"Stark International donates to a great many causes," said Pepper.
"DId you just see the planet shimmer? It shimmered, and it is kind of glowing now, right?" asked Tony.
"They have begun. You can kind of feel the ship vibrating. Whatever is going on is doing something," said Pepper.
"Computer resume original viewpoint."
"Cannot comply. Instruction would result in an effective scale change."
"Okay computer turn and let us see the stellar fragment."
"It allowed that, but your still seeing something farther away," said Pepper.
"They don't allow true AI in general, at least in computer systems. I know that much," said Alex.
"Jarvis would be so annoyed. I wonder why not," asked Tony.
"Computer what is the reason for not allowing true AI in computer systems?" asked Pepper.
"Artificial intelligent systems that can be replicated quickly can present an existential threat to sentient life."
"Can you give me some examples computers?"
"One example is the Cylon race in which less than a hundred truly artificial intelligent lifeforms used many thousands of drones and related systems to kill an estimated thirty billion lives."
"My God," exclaimed Pepper.
"No kidding," added Renee.
Alex just looked troubled, as did Tony.
"Jarvis is not like that," said Tony.
"I know Tony, but imagine if you could replicate something. It would be such a nightmare. Would the human race even survive?" asked Pepper.
"Computer what happened to the Cylon race?" asked Tony.
"The Alliance issued the final sanction."
"They killed them all," said Tony.
"Confirmed."
"What else could you do?" asked Alex.
"What else indeed? Wait, computer were their any survivors?" asked Tony.
"Confirmed. Five thousand one hundred and four survivors survived along with the Battlestar Galactica. The Alliance relocated them to another universe before proceeding to address the Cylon Empire."
"Computer, can you detail the tactical assets in the Cylon fleet?"
"Seventy nine base stars each with a nominal complement of two hundred and four fighters. The base stars were primarily responsible for the death of the populations."
"Alright compare a Cylon Base Star with the ships at our Earth recently that the Alliance Destroyed. Could a single base star have destroyed them."
"Confirmed with a seventy two percent probability."
"So, if the Alliance can crush the Cylon empire, which presumably had around one true AI per big ship, and one of those ships could crush the invasion. Fury is right. We are so hilariously outgunned it is ridiculous," said Tony.
"I think the fragment is moving farther away," said Pepper.
"They are actually moving a planet. This is ridiculous, but they are doing it, and they didn't even need my help," pouted Tony.
"I'm sure you will get over it Tony. I'm more interested in that they wanted your help. Aren't they powerful enough?" asked Pepper.
"No idea, but it is a good question."
The others nodded.
"Their suit model looked credible. Not done, but something I think they could finish. I'd be unsurprised if it flew better than mine when they are done. That doesn't mean they are better engineers, but they do have better toys," said Tony.
"And this ship, the little we have seen at least?" asked Pepper.
"Oh its awesome. I wonder if walls with a view are everywhere.. Wait. Computer make this room the center of the viewpoint and show all around the ship in real scale."
The ship vanished.
"Tony, I really really don't like this," said Pepper, as they seemed to be standing on nothing in space.
"It's not fair Pepper."
"Change it back Tony."
"Okay computer restore previous view."
"That's at least less disturbing," said Pepper.
"You did get what you asked for," said Renee.
The door opened and Ami walked back in. "Yes you did. No I'm not actively monitoring, but I did read the transcribed conversation before I entered."
"Aren't you still part of moving a planet?" asked Alex.
"We are actually past the point of greatest danger. We have now begun to ease the planet back to its original trajectory, which occurs at roughly half the original rate. We are fine, though we may have to tweak one or two things to fully reestablish the original orbits."
"Do you move planets often?" asked Tony.
"First time actually. Moons and such have been moved before."
"So what is next?" asked Renee.
"You tell us. We can drop you somewhere, or back off on your home planet. Really it is up to you. I believe we mentioned that before," said Ami.
"You did."
"We were considering taking Tony's offer of employment to help build the tech you provided, at least for awhile. We aren't sure who will want to help, but some surely," said Alex.
"It all matters, and yes, you could make a difference there. We obviously must finish the current mission which is another four hours, but afterward we could swing by your home and see how that is going, and see if anyone is interested in this idea."
"And us?" asked Tony..
"Are presumably returning to your home afterward," said Ami in a touch of confusion.
"But... Toys..," said Tony.
Ami laughed. "I suppose I can show you one more that will vastly annoy you, at least if anyone is hungry?"
"The replicators?" asked Renee.
"Yes. Let's get something to eat."
"Your doing matter replication for food? Really? The energy requirements are..."
"Tony, we are moving a planet. Admittedly, on the first part of the move, I doubt we had spare energy, but it should be fine now."
"How old are you anyway? You look barely out of high school."
"Tony," complained Pepper.
"I'm twenty one, I think. Haven't really focused much. We are usually too busy to celebrate birthdays."
They began walking towards the kitchen.
"So, why are you on this ship. I'm curious," asked Tony.
"My world is a bigoted mess. We keep meaning to go back and try to fix it, and we keep putting it off."
"Bigoted how? Are they discriminating against bright attractive Japanese geniuses or something?" asked Tony.
"If you must know, I'm bi. They caught me kissing a friend and since we had a loss of population they are a bit freakish about this kind of thing. Wanted me married and pregnant within a year. The Alliance offered an alternative, and me and my friends took it."
"Well, if you come work for me and anyone tries that I'll ruin them for fun and amusement. Besides bisexual women are hot," said Tony.
Pepper rolled her eyes.
"Is he hitting on me?" asked Ami curiously.
"No, Tony is just an ass. He is more overt when he is hitting on you," said Pepper.
"Why would I want to work for you? There is endless appealing work here, or with my other friends, or on countless worlds. Yours is just one of many."
"Your not one I could persuade with money are you?" asked Tony.
"No."
"What would persuade you?"
"Figure out how to fix my world, and I'll consider it. It has to work, not just sound good."
Tony swallowed.
"Don't worry the offer will remain open indefinitely," said Ami brightly.
"It would require me to take a ton of resources there and literally try to reshape the politics in your world. It might be the work of a lifetime, and I could still fail. Don't get me wrong. You need my help, and if it is a reasonable amount of my help, I'm there, but I can't commit to what is required," said Tony.
"I'm not surprised. We have avoided it for similar reasons. It requires a large commitment to fix a problem that affects a small number of people."
"Then the Alliance is doing nothing?" asked Pepper in concern.
"No, we have a runabout. No, I think they now have a small cloaked space station where they are removing people that run afoul of the law, and I do believe they are trying, in small ways to change it. Only a few people are manning it. Finding enough people we trust is hard, and they are interacting in a first contact situation, though mostly trying to avoid them finding out they exist. I know I think twenty seven have been brought to other Alliance worlds last we heard, though the majority were helped more subtly remain on the planet."
"Some of us might be able to help there as well," said Alex.
"We might take that offer," said Ami honestly.
They entered teh galley and had the replicator create meals. Tony ordered medium rare steak with all the trimmings before the others ordered more modest meals.
"I think of the energy required to create this and I'm just amazed," said Tony.
"It is hard to get one's mind around," agreed Ami.
"What did you plan on doing with life before you had to leave?" asked Pepper.
"Oh, I was going to be a doctor, but I still am. My mom is on Mid-Childa practicing, and I'm studying part time for my formal requirements. I'll be done in four or so more years, but then I'm also studying a variety of other fields. I should have completed the Alliance equivalent of a doctorate in all those fields at about that time."
"That is very impressive," said Renee.
"Yes, I realize how fortunate I was to be born as I am."
"Did you ever get lonely?" asked Tony softly.
"No, not here. The other engineers are very smart here. I can always work with them on whatever they are doing, or with Julian who is just as intelligent and I know everyone here has my back and we will all do everything possible to help each other."
"I have literally no way to temp you. Your doing a better job at tempting me," said Tony ruefully.
"Are you going to build a starship?" asked Ami curiously.
"Huh? Come to think of it, I probably could build one, couldn't I? I was thinking of how to get to parity and that was sort of in my mind. I don't have any FTL tech though."
"Well first you need an energy source that lasts. Your micro reactors scaled up will still use far too many consumables to be a great idea," said Ami.
"What's the alternative though? Nuclear?"
"That is certainly doable. Purified water can be vaporized as a propellant. You trade a rare material for a non rare one, but have to lift it out of a gravity well."
"The asteroid belt. There is some ice there," said Tony.
"Now your thinking. You may not have all the toys, but it doesn't take a lot of reaction mass, assuming you have its delta-v high enough at least for in system work."
"Possibly."
"Wait, your saying Tony could build a spacecraft that would fly around our solar system?" asked Pepper.
"Are you doubting me? I'm hurt Pepper," said Tony.
"You don't sound hurt," said Pepper.
Ami smiled.
"Your helping tech development," noted Renee.
"A little. He would have come up with the same path soon enough. I wanted to make sure they came up with a path that was stable."
"Right, I could make, well, fighters, that use arc reactors and the repulsor tech," said Tony.
Ami eat a bit of her rice, her lips curled a bit into a smile.
"It's probably best that you don't work for us. Tony gets into enough trouble with just himself around," said Pepper tiredly.
"Did I mention I'm hiring Bruce?"
"No, you didn't mention that. I take it you have a plan for his alternate form?"
"Not making him mad?" tried Tony.
"Tony," complained Pepper.
"Details please?" asked Ami curiously.
"You don't know that Bruce Banner turns into a giant green overpowered rage monster that seems to like to smash things? The guy experimented with gamma rays and now is somewhat of a danger to everyone around him if he gets too angry. He is a certified genius every other moment of the day," said Tony.
"No, we should probably try to get him some help. Thanks for letting us know. I'll mention it to Julian and the others. Maybe we can help him."
"I'm sure he would appreciate it," said Tony.
-=oOo=-
They completed their mission and were on the way back when there was the sound of an explosion. The four remained in the same cargo area they had been given for a shared area.
"Attention all hands. A major failure has occurred in our ID drive. We are investigating the situation. Stand by," said Riker.
"That sounds very bad," muttered Tony.
"Where are we anyway?" asked Pepper.
"Computer, can we see outside?" asked Tony.
Text appeared along the wall. "I'm approving your request. Busy atm. -Ami."
The fall wall in their room showed the violet and white of their new form of travel, but it seemed angrier somehow.
"If their drive got us in this space and it just ate itself, then is there any path out?" asked Alex.
"Another good question. I really wish they would let me help," said Tony.
Ami walked in a few minutes later.
"I want your word that you will not use anything you learn during helping us without our approval. We have agreed to give you the needed access. You will have a lot of reading to do, before you can give valuable input. I'm going to try to bring you up to speed. Please sit."
"It's that bad huh?"
"We were blown way off course. We no longer have a dimensional reference, which gives lost new meaning. The drive itself is charcoal. It has severely damaged the primary power generator. The secondary has taken over, but is also damaged, and the damage increases as we use it. If shields fail we are dead. My team is connecting power from the runabout reactors to take the secondary offline. If we lose it, we will lack the necessary energy potential to bridge out of this realm and we will likely spend the rest of our lives here, unless we can repair one and create at least a makeshift drive, so yes, it is bad. Now please sit down, focus, and be serious. If you are going to help I need to teach you what I know telepathically. Time is not on our side."
"Why are you just not helping?"
"Because, while I sort of understand this stuff, I'm no L'Nea or even Jadzia when it comes to theoretical dimensional physics. This drive is entirely new. The principles it operates on are completely new. The realm we are in is not a place anyone else can go and search for us, and even if it was, we were blown so far off course no one will ever find us. Apparently Q has been flat our told he loses his power if he even tries to help us. No one can help us but ourselves."
"Why would they do that?" asked Pepper.
"They said that is the responsibility of scientists and explorers, to ultimately live with the consequences of their actions. Stupid Q," cursed Ami.
"I understand. I'll be serious promise. It's work time." Tony sat down and tried to calm himself. Ami did as well.
"How do we begin?" asked Tony.
"We don't. I have to calm down first or I could hurt you," said Ami.
Piper walked in. Her black hair was a bit of a mess. Her blue eyes gleamed with worry.
"Hey Ami," she said softly.
"I know I'm not reacting well," said Ami.
"Let me take the burden. I can't solve the physics, but I can lend your mind my mental stability for now. I can help you both to focus at least," said Piper.
"And take all our anguish onto yourself on top of your own?" asked Ami.
"Yes. Let me do this. Celeste volunteered as well, but someone needs to stand by for others. There are a lot of people on this ship."
"And she would have a harder time separating her emotions. Fair enough." Ami turned to her and looked into her eyes. "I promise I will pay you back for this kindness."
"Don't worry about it. Your helping to save us. We each do our part."
"I can't believe I'm acting as emotional as Usagi. What has become of me?"
"You saw something that terrified you. It happens," said Tony softly.
Piper sat down and took Ami's hands. The stress seemed to melt off of her, but at the same time Piper's face grew pinched. They each reached out and took Tony's hands.
-=oOo=-
Tony was lost in the wonder of this new state. He could figure out anything and now he knew he, or rather they, knew so much more about the fundamental nature of the universe. He began exploring that knowledge, from first principles to next and so on. Their combined mind moving at a blistering rate as he absorbed knowledge in minutes that would have taken days before.
He or rather they knew they would have, at minimum, an amazing headache from this. Brain damage was also possible. They needed to focus on what was needed and avoid extraneous thoughts. They continued to focus and learn.
-=oOo=-
Pepper looked on in worry as she sat on the edge of the cargo bay they had been using.
"I know your worried, but these people really are the best," said Renee.
"So is Tony, for all his arrogance," said Pepper.
"Then I'm sure we are in good hands," said Alex.
"Assuming Tony doesn't blow up the universe or something with his new knowledge," joked Pepper.
They ended up sitting quietly for well over an hour before the three pairs of eyes opened again.
"Oh someone get the plate on that truck that just ran over me," exclaimed Tony in obvious pain.
Ami shook her head. "Hold on I can help. I have to focus a bit and maybe cheat a bit. It should still work here, probably." She pulled out a fancy blue pen from nowhere and muttered, "Mercury Crystal Power Make Up!"
"Look away," commanded Piper. Tony and Alex warily turned around as Ami transformed.
Piper turned back to Ami. "Were you that beat that you needed to do it the old way?"
"There is some healing that comes with the standard transformation, and it helps to focus some. A boost of magic helps to accelerate thought for a short time."
"That's so cool," exclaimed Pepper.
Ami took Tony's head in her hands and let healing magic flow into him. "Better?" she asked.
"Yes, actually. Whoa that was a lot of learning in little time," said Tony.
"I'm going to sit here and rest, that is assuming your well enough to walk Tony to the others Piper," said Ami.
"I'll be okay. It was your brain that was ransacked at lightning speed," said PIper.
"Thanks for your help. I do feel better now, but how about you?"
"I'm going to go cry in Pyrrha's arms, or something like that. I'll be fine," said Piper cheerily.
Ami smirked. "I'm sure you will. If it wasn't so serious, I'd consider the same, with well others people."
"Double? Now I really want details," said Tony jokingly.
"Go away annoying man," said Ami tiredly.
"Tony Stark driving women to lesbianism for like five years running," chirped Pepper.
"Hey. Your not, are you?"
"Hmm, there are a lot of very pretty women here. Maybe I should give it a try," said Pepper.
Tony look worried for a minute before Pepper smiled.
"Let's go Tony," said Piper.
-=oOo=-
"Remember, if they say they are too busy to talk with you, you listen," said PIper.
"Understood."
Jadzia was at the controls of a runabout. "Things are ready up here. What do you have Neela?"
"We are ready here. What about you Sobaash?"
"The second runabout is ready to provide power, at least assuming L'Nea's work is complete."
"I just finished and checked. Bring both warp reactors online," said L'Nea.
"Warp reactor is online," said Jadzia.
"Online here as well," said Sobaash.
"Good. Computer, verify Falcon runabout control interlinks are established and online for both runabouts. Also verify power transfer conduits are within specified operational conditions," said L'Nea.
"Controls are established and online. Secondary power transfer conduit is running at 0.1% below target."
"Note the discrepancy as due to the additional power cable required and adjust primary runabout's power generation profile to compensate."
"Adjustments made."
"Begin transfer of power starting at 5% over ten seconds from Falcon's remaining reactor to runabouts."
"Transfer is completed. Now at 5% draw from runabouts."
"Recheck power connections. Extrapolate to full power. Will this work?" asked L'Nea.
"Loss in the power linkage cables will make it difficult to effectively cool this part of the ship, but is sufficient to maintain current power usage. Replicators and other systems will remain offline in the ship."
"That's fine. Increase to fifty percent over the next minute."
"Increasing."
"Process completed."
"Recheck. Is everything remaining within plan?"
"Confirmed."
"Completely transition current power usage to the two runabouts over the next two minutes."
"Transition beginning."
Jadzia blew out a breath as the time ticked down.
"Transfer complete."
"Is everything still withing spec?"
"Confirmed."
"So we don't have to worry about dying now?" asked Tony to Jadzia.
"The power transfer cable isn't intended for this usage. It is near superconducting, but does have losses. Then again the power taps on the runabouts aren't really made for more either. The replicators aren't a problem. The runabouts have replicators which can be used. Not having enough energy to run our design center is a problem," said Jadzia.
"How long will the runabouts last?"
"Six months or so with our power draw, then we will have to replace dilithium. We have some. Enough for another year maybe, if it comes to that," said Jadzia.
"Do you have two more runabouts to switch to?" asked Tony.
"No, just one, and we are leaving that for emergencies, if possible."
"Still we could switch out one early if we had to," said Tony.
Jadzia nodded. "Do you have any clever ideas how to fix our missing ID drive?"
"Honestly no. I presume repairing the power sources is your primary focus."
"It is. We need the industrial replicators to do serious work. The design center would be nice as well," said Jadzia.
"Don't you have a machine shop or?"
"No. We assume we will have sufficient replication resources available as part of the fundamental set of design choices. You can only fit so much in a ship. We ordinarily would have three replicators on runabouts, as well, though two runabouts will be limited in what they can make, and none of them are the same as the big ones."
"How did the engine blow?"
L'Nea joined them in the runabout where Jadzia was. Neela was right behind.
Jadzia gestured to L'Nea.
"We think the stress of moving the planet was the primary cause. It introduced variance we didn't detect in the reactor, which ran the ID drive out of spec in a way we never fully simulated. We did simulate a lot of variations, but not that one. This lead to the cascade failure in the drive," said L'Nea.
"I take it drive explosions weren't planned?"
"No, we covered the possibility as well, though we didn't expect it to breach containment and destroy the primary and damage the secondary generators. As it is, those rooms are lethal to be in. We may have to do the cleanup via kinetic manipulation and cameras," said L'Nea.
"The reactors are based on artificial singularities. They can't actually be shut down, at least with the equipment on the ship. Thankfully we are stationary, and we got lucky. Both must be brought under control or ejected before we can even think about making a new drive," said Neela.
"So I take it your not using artificial singularities because they are the safest form of power?" asked Tony.
"No, we are using them because have the absolute highest energy density of any source we know of," said L'Nea.
"These are also special, compared to the typical ones generating nearly four times what the first generation ones did," said Neela.
"Of course they are," muttered Tony.
"You can't do big things without taking some risks," said L'Nea.
Tony nodded. "I could probably work on a suit that would let me work in there, or others if need be. What are we facing?"
"Highly radioactive and poisonous. It's bad. We can build a robot that will survive in there, if we must, but no human, no matter how well protected would last more than minutes, and it is highly unlikely we could save their life if we pulled them out before," said Neela.
"Better and better. Can we shunt the atmosphere to the outside?"
"Maybe, but the stuff in there is stuff we need. A lot of the exotic matter can't be replicated," said L'Nea.
"We could build an exterior module inside the ship and port it to the outside, where it attaches and seals, then opens a hole. The everything would have to be sucked into the module.. We could then possibly work in there," said Jadzia.
"I don't know how to make a pump that will survive those conditions, even briefly," said L'Nea.
"Well if you can move stuff kinetically build something that attracts the valuable stuff then move it into the external area?" said Tony.
"That could work. It would also make it way easier to reuse if we could build selective attractants to our base material. Neela. Will you work on the external room? Make sure we don't lose anything and make it about as big as that engineering section. You can sacrifice anything we don't need to survive this and get home to to get it done," said L'Nea.
"Alright, I'll get to it. That is a task I can get help with so it should be doable."
"Now we need to build collectors for our exotic materials."
"We don't have to save all of it, but we really do need the majority of it if we are going to be able to build a drive. I can fudge it a little, but the only safe way out of here is to rebuild, exactly what we built," said L'Nea.
"That one that blew up," said Tony.
"We will look at it and consider changes, but our primary goal has to be build to return to real space and seek help. We can fix the drive design or if need be scrap it, and go back to the old one after that," said Jadzia.
"I could probably get us home, if we managed to reach real space in any vaguely normal dimension. Regular dimensional travel is very well studied and known, at least by my people and a few others," said L'Nea.
"There is no need. Once we hit real space the Enterprise or one of the others can tow us."
L'Nea nodded.
"Have you considered reversible catalyst type reactions to shift your toxic materials into a more stable form, and then return it when you need it?" asked Tony.
"There are a few. Damn I can't even remember all of it. We will have to open the Iconian data store, probably on the remaining runabout, to keep it secure. There is information there we need,' said L'Nea.
"Do we really need to worry about that?" asked Tony.
"Yes, that knowledge base is very dangerous. There is a locked copy in the design center, but we lack the power to run it. The final runabout will work. It can be locked and guarded. It is not as if using the computers is going to hurt it."
"Let's get going then," said Jadzia.
-=oOo=-
Tony put in fourteen hour days. At night he would just collapse next to Pepper. They had replicated for each room a small sink barely enough for several cups of water. They cleaned the water they washed with. Many did not even have that. They were replicating more as they could. Food was rations, which wouldn't last forever, but hopefully they would have replicated other higher priority stuff before they ran out.
One night nearly two weeks later Pepper held him as he tried to sleep.
"We are making progress Pep. I promise we are."
"I know you are Tony. I know we are getting out of here."
"They discovered a whole new way to travel between dimensions and space, essentially finding a realm that intersects all. It was clever beyond all reason. That drive shouldn't have fried.. It probably wouldn't have without moving a freaking planet damaging the primary reactor, but we are going to fix it. We are," said Tony.
"Do you know about when? They mentioned a big event tomorrow, that is the first of the key steps," said Pepper.
"That big room thing Neela and the others are building in the cargo bay gets installed tomorrow. We need room to work, which means beginning to decontaminate engineering. We considered dumping it into this void, but we need it, just can't survive in it," said tony.
"Should you be telling me all this?" asked Pepper.
"Doesn't matter. No details you could actually use, and you wouldn't. I know you."
"Food is becoming scarce. They don't think anyone will starve, but this ship has like seven hundred people on it," said Pepper.
"Nah. They have like eighty percent of the rooms with the sink things. Once the remaining are replicated that will cut down water usage. We can keep up replicating what we need to survive. The main thing is to get the main reactor back online. That buys us time," said Tony.
Pepper pulled him to her. Tony fell asleep. Pepper pulled the covers over them.
-=oOo=-
Piper, Ami, Celeste, Pyrrha, and Jadzia focused as one as the rather large room that was constructed in the main cargo bay vanished, followed by a small thud as it sealed onto the outside of the ship.
L'Nea and Tony stood at a nearby station as they reviewed the connection process.
"Looks good. Atmosphere is good. All our traps show as ready. Do you see anything?" asked Tony.
"No, but I'm still checking."
"Well our little robot friend seems to be ready," said Tony in amusement.
L'Nea nodded as she went through the figures one more time. "Alright, activate Roy. Why did we name that robot anyway?"
"Things need names, and he is activated. He should have a hole in the hull in twenty minutes or so. For as much as your shields absorb, you certainly didn't skimp on your hull," said Tony.
"We assumed sooner or later we would be up against something that would batter through our shields," said Jadzia.
"Your design is fine, other than not monitoring specifically for power variations like you saw. Add a couple layers of redundancy there and you will be good," said Tony absently.
"We are going to add more isolation as well. Four crew quarters will be sacrificed, when all is rearranged, but I want both systems that extract energy from the artificial singularities far better protected, and of course the main drive as well. We will have to devote more space to absorb most of the energy and mess from a possible future explosion, but under no circumstances can a main engine fail take out power generation again. The systems redundancies assume we at least have power to work," said L'Nea.
"I'd say you were lucky the explosion wasn't more volatile, but that was more your design than anything," said Tony.
"It was important that we not make a ship that was substantially more hazardous just to save trip time. Some risk was acceptable, but this was higher than predicted by a fair amount," said L'Nea.
"The software fix you have already implemented will catch the issue. The hardware fix you are talking about is just in case, somehow, we are wrong," said Jadzia.
L'Nea nodded.
"Well Roy is doing pretty good at cutting through," said Tony.
"The main thing is Roy doesn't have a lot of power. It should be enough for this and a few days of moving around, hopefully. If not we will likely have to build another, though the telepaths may manage a power module replacement," said Jadzia.
"It will be fine."
"What do you base your optimism on?" asked L'Nea curiously.
"Not having any other options," said Tony. L'Nea nodded.
A short time later Tony announced, "Roy is through. The chunk didn't fall though. The atmosphere had already equalized."
L'Nea turned to Celeste.
"I've got it. Porting the detached piece to the sealed box in the lab," said Celeste.
"I'll go examine it, and see if I can get any estimates of what went on in there from the hull material," said Neela.
L'Nea nodded, then added, "The air is diffusing, more or less as predicted. Activating the large particle air filter."
"That's going to take a few days, but hopefully it lasts long enough," added Tony.
"If necessary we will replicate more. The room can be torn apart in the void if need be. We can replicate it," said L'Nea.
"Not sure I'd dump it yet, but it isn't crucial. We should get back to building the new drive," said Tony.
"Your particle accelerator, is not how I would commonly create matter I couldn't replicate, but it is working and thankfully it is creating the only thing we can't reasonably filter," said L'Nea
Tony nodded.
-=oOo=-
"I would like to thank everyone for coming to the Cargo bay, or at least everyone that could for our informal concert. Many are still working very long hours, so remember to thank them," said Riker.
They all sat back to listen as combinations of nearly a hundred crew members played seven different pieces. It was a bit of a normality in the second month of their being stranded. Their plan was working. It just wasn't fast. They were reassembling a very complex piece of equipment with a lot of parts that couldn't be replicated by a much more complex process to assemble matter atom by atom. The computers did the bulk of the work, but it was still very slow.
Their ability to minimize their use of the replicators grew. Some wanted to grow plants, but they had no living seeds and replicated ones would not grow. They did, however, figure out how to replicate what was essentially food pellets to give them what they needed and no more. They would likely take weeks to recover when they got out, but it kept them alive. Their plan to get one of the reactors back online wasn't really proceeding much faster than the build of the new drive, mostly because the primary reactor that failed was still emitting toxins their filtering process was removing.
-=oOo=-
"We have to change our plan. If we wait for the primary reactor to stop bleeding all over the place, we are never getting out of here, and that core isn't even properly shielded," said Tony.
"We agree. L'Nea and I were discussing it earlier. We are going to link with Celeste and PIper and port hand phasers in, then with kinesis try to carefully separate the primary reactors key components and port them out of Falcon," said Jadzia.
"Roy is dead then?"
"We could build another power module and get a little more use, but we have the phasers, we might as well use them," said Jadzia.
"Sounds like a plan then."
-=oOo=-
All four focused as one as they kinetically set the hand phaser to cut the base of the reactor away. Gravity was already lost in the room. The first phaser lasted a minute before it died. They ported another in and kept going. Twenty phasers later the reactor, or what was left of it was fully free. They focused and it vanished from the ship along with the last now dead phaser.
-=oOo=-
Two days later Riker asked, "How goes things?"
"Good actually. You might actually survive ten minutes in that room now," said Tony.
"What does that mean for the final decontamination time?"
"Another week, maybe two. It will work now. That primary reactor was just too badly damaged. It had to be gotten rid of," said L'Nea.
"Good work."
-=oOo=-
Nine days later they were able to port into the sealed off areas wearing special suits.
"Well it is still a mess, but not a totally lethal mess," noted Tony.
"We still don't want to be here long," said Jadzia.
It took them the better part of two hours, and then Julian insisted they spend time under his Celeste and Ami's hands to repair their bodies. That place was still not exactly healthy to be in.
It took them another week to finish decontaminating the secondary reactors power converters, repair it all, and make sure it was reliable. They ran it for two days with power just directed to their design room. There they rechecked all their work and made finishing touches on the repaired reactor. The next morning Riker gave the order to transition back over to the secondary reactor. It went without incident. They sealed off the room attached outside by reinstalling the plug and then fusion welding it in place. They spent several more days repairing the interfaces and connections to the drive before finally installing the new drive one day later.
-=oOo=-
Tony was on the bridge at his own station. "The checks looked good to me."
"I'm running through the full extended series. We absolutely cannot fail here," said L'Nea.
"Remember our goal with the drive is to be found by the Alliance somewhere, nothing more. That drive will never be used for normal travel," said Riker.
"I'd take if it you don't want it," said Tony.
"Nice try, but no," said Riker.
"I'm not too worried about it working. What I am worried about is how far we drifted while we were there," said L'Nea.
"One problem at a time," said Riker.
"The diagnostic is good. Lafiel, Jinto, as gentle as you can shift us back into real space somewhere," said L'Nea.
"We will do our best," said Lafiel as they engaged the drive and a few minutes later they appeared in normal space.
"Reading zero light, zero matter, and zero radiation. Rechecking," said Jadzia.
"We've gone beyond all known space into what is beyond. Oh boy," said Tony.
"Check confirmed. So far nothing," said Jadzia.
"Celeste, Piper, do you have anything?"
"Actually yes. Let's get Ami up here. She may be our salvation," said Piper.
"Her strange seemingly unlimited link to her dimension and planet?" asked Riker.
"Yes."
Riker pressed a button. "Will Ami Mizuno come to the bridge?"
"On my way," said Ami tiredly.
"That didn't sound normal," said Riker.
"She has seemed a little sick lately. The doctor checked and he didn't see anything," said Piper.
RIker nodded. Ami walked in though was helped by Pepper.
"Are you okay?" asked RIker.
"No. It got a lot worse when we stepped out of that region. I am not alright."
"Lafiel, reverse course. Go back."
"Returning."
They were soon back into their new form of travel.
"That helped. Thanks."
"Think you could link with Jinto and Lafiel, or any combination to lead us back to civilization?" asked Riker softly.
"My link... Yes... I think so." She seemed to be panting.
"Let me see please," said Celeste.
Ami nodded, and tried to hold still as Celeste cupped her face in her hands and energy passed into her before gently stopping.
Celeste turned to Jinto. "That time so far out hurt her badly. I need you to separate from Lafiel and give Ami your seat."
He did so, helping Ami to sit down.
"Okay, we are going to just trickle energy slowly into Ami. Lafiel you have to work with her to find the way. I suggest hurrying. I don't think she has time," said Celeste worriedly.
"Do what you have to do," said Riker.
"Understood," said Lafiel before taking Ami's hand. Celeste and Piper sat on the floor taking her other hand as they cruised at high speed back towards known space.
Ten minutes later Ami was slumped against Lafiel.
Twenty after that Riker asked, "Is there anything more we can do?"
"She is alive. It is not that we are out of energy. We are trickling as much as we dare into her to keep her body alive," said Celeste.
"I think she is regaining energy slowly as we get closer. I'm just not sure it is fast enough," said Piper.
"What about the Asgard? They live a long time. Do they have any magic answers?" asked Tony.
"I don't know, but I think she needs to return to the planet that she is linked to," said PIper.
"Continue direct flight. If we get in range where we can send a message using the new system, get a message out, including the possibility of help from Asgard. Request help to meet us there."
"We are now in violation of oaths we swore, since this drive is not certified and was built from scraps. I'm not suggesting we stop," said L'Nea.
"I'll take full responsibility. Save her," said Riker.
"Like hell you will. We all made this decision," said Jadzia fiercely.
"Agreed," said Sobaash which was followed by the others.
Q appeared.
"Can you help her?" asked Riker.
"We aren't at that moment yet. Keep going," said Q quietly.
"How is the drive?" asked Riker.
"Within limits. There are issues, but none warrant stopping in this circumstance," said L'Nea.
"If you have to stop it do so. I don't know where that line is, but the ship has to come first, no matter how much I don't like it," said Riker.
"Another half hour. We can make it that far," said Tony.
"I agree," said L'Nea.
"Agreed," said Neela.
"Agree, probably. We need to watch it," said Jadzia.
"Understood."
Time ticked down. Just over thirty five minutes later L'Nea said, "Shut down the drive Lafiel."
"Understood. Transitioning back to normal space."
"Thankfully they agreed to let me do this one thing. I'll take care of her," said Q, before snapping his fingers and both vanished.
"Position?" asked RIker.
"Still well outside of any galaxy, but we can at least see light now, so we know which way to go," said Jadzia.
"I think the Alliance got our message, though I can't be certain," said L'Nea.
"Can we repair the drive again?" asked Riker.
"Probably. It didn't fail. It will be a day before it is safe to work on," said L'Nea.
"Then that is the plan if we don't hear from anyone. We will repair that, wait awhile for Ami to return, and if necessary continue back to civilization," said Riker.
"Do you have any idea what Q is doing with Ami?" asked Piper.
"More than we could, and I'll take it. Hopefully she is fine," said Riker.
-=oOo=-
Ami woke up and was surprised to see Loki near her. They were in a cave of some kind. The walls were softly glowing.
"Are we in a radioactive cave?" asked Ami.
"It's mostly harmless, particularly to you. Do you know where you are?"
"I'm on Mercury? We should be melted."
"This is an area separated by your people very long ago. I believe it was where your initial bond was established. Q left, after delivering us here."
"Why are you here?" asked Ami.
"Q wanted you to have a choice. You used up much of your own life essence. The magic here helps, renewing and healing you, but it will be many years before you will be able to leave as you are. Q assured me that he would bring food and make sure you had company."
"And option B?"
Loki reached behind his back and pulled out an apple.
"An apple? Somehow I don't think an apple is going to fix this," said Ami dryly.
"This is a Golden Apple of Idunn. They are grown only on Asgard and can only be picked by Idunn. She is a goddess that has done me a few favors from time to time. This spare apple is one of them. Think of them as your wine, but much much stronger."
"So if I eat that, I become what, Immortal?"
"Technically not. You need to eat one every century or so for that. Your aging would be greatly slowed. It would resume after about a century at a rate of about ten percent. I honestly don't see it is going to matter with your group. You were already kind of going this way."
"Yes, we noted the wine was slowing our aging. So, stuck here for what, how many years?" asked Ami.
Q appeared. "If you, Celeste, and maybe Ekuryua stayed here together and worked on it, perhaps a few years. They could even share your link to this planet if you wanted."
"Could I have children if I stayed young?"
Q nodded.
"What about the others. If I create something with my energy?"
"More potent, particularly in a month or so once you catch up. Basically, if things stay the same aging will slow down more particularly for those who are close. It may stop," said Q.
Loki also nodded.
"But there is nothing else?" asked Ami.
"Nope. The biggest issue is how it will affect you and the others," said Loki.
"Once we know apples are possible, or more likely whatever variation you somehow did to enhance that fruit... We repeat what you did to the fruit, or some variation, producing. Oh." She trailed off.
"Well that took her what two minutes to figure out?" asked Loki dryly.
"Why? Wouldn't it be better if I just died?" asked Ami.
"Than your group learning this secret? Well, I'm taking a bet that it won't. Do try not to disappoint me," said Q.
"And do not tell the Smith or any you do not trust absolutely about this," said Loki.
"I won't. I promise," said Ami.
Loki held out his hand. Ami took the apple from it and carefully bit in, energy flowing into her as she carefully consumed it.
"Make sure to eat the core. It is required," said Loki.
Ami nodded.
"The link you have can be useful from time to time. Not specifically that one, but having one. I truly was not allowed to help Falcon. You saved yourselves. I simply did a small thing to help you," said Q.
Ami turned to Q after she finished swallowing the core. "Thank you."
"Your welcome," said Q.
She then turned to Loki and said, "It seems I owe you a debt."
"You don't owe me anything. I figure what your friends did to save me and the apple is about the same. I do hope you still intend to help us kill Thanos and his people though," said Loki.
"We do. Hopefully we don't manage to almost kill ourselves again before then."
"Loki can return you. You might appreciate his unique way of traveling. I'll tell them to pick you up on your Earth. I doubt you will enjoy his method so much that you would appreciate the trip back to Asgard," said Q before vanishing.
"So, shall we return to your wretched world?" asked Loki.
"Must we? Wait, slightly radioactive right?"
"Yes."
"Can you take us to the Hikawa Shrine in Juuban Tokyo?" asked Ami.
"If you will permit me to read your memories of that place," said Loki.
"Alright."
Loki cupped her face gently with one right hand. He then moved beside her and clasped her left hand in his larger right hand before taking a most unusual step.
-=oOo=-
"I am never ever doing that again. It felt like we were falling forever," complained Ami.
Loki shrugged and said, "You get used to it."
They walked up the steps. The shrine master came out. "Ami, you have returned. Oh thank the Kami you are alright. How is Rei?"
"She is fine, last I heard, which has been awhile actually. I formally request sanctuary at the shrine, likely only for a day or two, for myself and my friend."
"Of course. You will have to take Rei's old room and your friend can stay in the guest room."
"We will of course work to earn our stay," said Ami.
"It would be better if she rested. She just got over a sickness. I shall help," said Loki.
"Very well. Could you get some firewood for the sacred fire? I can never keep up now that Rei is gone."
"I'm sorry. Things were a bit crazy. Have the prejudices reduced any?" asked Ami softly.
"A little. Mostly they are determined to track down the evil villans who are abducting our youth."
Ami's eyes widened. "Speaking of evil villains who are abducting our youth, we probably could stay, um, with them."
"You are involved," said the priest.
"Not directly."
"They are well then?" asked the old shrine master.
"As best as we can, yes."
"You need not run off. Please enjoy the peace of the shrine. I doubt anyone is still looking for you."
"Thank you. We should check in though."
Ami tapped her com badge. "This is Ami Mizuno of Falcon. Can anyone hear me?"
"This is Nelis. We were informed that you may come this way. Do you require aid?"
"First is Falcon safe?"
"Plakia Lexshue took the previous version of that ship out to get them. They are being towed to where the ship was built. Shall we request transport for you to that location?"
"Yes please, though it is not urgent. I also believe Loki here could use a ride back home."
"I shall let them know. Is there anything else you require?"
"Can you replicate some money for me, say one hundred thousand yen? I know its a gray area, but that is not that much money and I want to order way too much food. After eating rations for months I'm very hungry."
"We actually have far more than that here, from people who have left."
"Oh, in that case just give me twenty thousand. It's probably enough. I don't want to use a lot of real money."
"As you wish. We will beam it down shortly."
"I take it food is expensive here?" asked Loki.
"Partly, but the denominations are higher too, so it works out," said Ami before turning to the priest. "Can I use your phone to order takeout?"
"Of course."
-=oOo=-
Captain Picard beamed down to the shrine, after changing into suitable Japanese clothing. He then walked up the steps and was soon let in by the priest who brought her to Loki.
"Thanks for coming," said Loki agreeably.
"We did contact Ami's communicator, but there was no answer."
"She did eat her fill and more of Okonomiyaki. The method used to cure her made her ravenous, but her stomach wasn't quite ready. She is recovering now. I assume she is still asleep. It was a long night."
"I see. I'll ask Doctor Crusher to beam down and look at her then."
"I did check her. She was fine as near as I can tell, or will be," said Loki.
PIcard nodded.
-=oOo=-
Doctor Crusher shined a light into her eyes. "Too bright."
"Why did you gorge yourself after fasting for so long?"
"I was so hungry. I knew it was stupid, but I was so hungry and it was so good."
"Well, no long term harm done. If your ready, we can beam you and your friend up."
"Oh, I have to clean up the mess I made."
"I'll help you."
"Thanks."
-=oOo=-
Ami beamed onto Enterprise.
"Welcome aboard Ami. Did you want to go to Utopia Planitia right away or remain onboard for a time?"
"Pardon?"
"I believe the captain refers to it being nearly two months until your ship is ready for service," said Data.
"Oh, I don't know. I'm fine now. I suppose I could stay here for a time. I'll make sure to send them a message. Do you have any work for me?"
"Your rank is listed as Ensign. What are your skills?"
"Rank? We mostly ignore rank. I mean its Riker, Sobaash, Jadzia, and whomever makes sense for chain of command, but we just do whatever is needed, and not just the bridge crew, everyone. Let's see, I have all the nurse accreditation, but do not have the second doctors recommendation to be allowed to treat in general. I'm working on all the medical. I have basic and intermediate engineering, science, theoretical physics, dimensional engineering knowledge, and several languages. I believe that is most of it."
"Doctor Bashir has given your first accreditation?" asked Picard.
"Yes."
"Why not ask Doctor Crusher if she will supervise your work and get that second accreditation?"
"I'll be glad to. May I report to medical now?"
"Agreed. Dismissed."
-=oOo=-
Picard met his department heads in the meeting room the next morning.
"Beverly, how goes things with our newest temporary crewman?"
"I'd put her in for a promotion to Lieutenant Junior Grade, but it would be inappropriate given she just got here. What is Riker doing or rather not doing?"
"I think they just don't care, but I'll make sure he remembers promotions. If you can legitimately do so, then do so. It is not inappropriate to do so, once she is here a few weeks. It, does, however, look bad on Will's record. Most likely he will forward a promotion once I bring it up. I assume your going to sign her second recommendation?"
"She has to treat a hundred patients where I monitor the treatment process. It doesn't have to be me standing over her shoulder, but the second review is harder than the first. I need to have clear documentation of before and after and what she did."
"Well then it is good we have a relief mission. There is a new plague out there that the TSAB wants us to address. It is in their controlled space but our medical knowledge is possibly greater. Thankfully, it is generally not lethal, but it is, apparently, airborne and highly contagious, and so far has mutated once to avoid a vaccine they created."
"Lovely. Hopefully it is not some nutcases designer germ," said Beverly.
"You will be in charge of all procedures, but first we are proceeding to Starbase One and offloading non essential personnel."
"Do they not think we can avoid spreading it to the ship?"
"It has spread to at least one TSAB ship, and even when you're over the disease you still seem to spread it. We are not taking any chances."
"Understood."
-=oOo=-
Ami was ordered left onboard when half of the remaining medical staff went down in well equipped runabouts to begin treatment. The CMO had reluctantly decided to stay onboard as well since her primary duty in a situation this contagious was to make absolutely sure it did not spread to the ship, such as it was. With half the medical staff down on the planet they had seventy people left on this massive ship. Normally they would have sent more, but the generally non lethal nature of the threat had them even more cautious.
Ami once again studied the detailed scans. It once again wasn't here. Annoyed she got up and started out.
"Did you find something?" asked Beverly.
"Pardon, I didn't mean to presume, but it is what I'm not finding that is annoying me. I was going to ask for full access to all of the ships sensor suite from the bridge. I suppose I could just call the request in, but I wanted to walk a bit."
"Why not. It is not as if I'm finding anything either. Tell Jean-Luc I support the decision if you need to."
Ami nodded, and resumed her journey to the bridge.
-=oOo=-
"Number One, can you tell me anything of use?" asked Picard.
"I have done scans on the planet trying to locate a contributing factor and I have, as yet, not found one."
"Captain Picard," addressed Ami after she walked in.
"Yes Ensign."
"I was coming to request use of the main sensors, but I see they are in use. May I borrow a station and begin reviewing the data collected?"
"No luck in sick bay either?"
"No."
"Go ahead."
She sat down, logged in, and quickly began reviewing the data, first using the overview Data had presented. She was at it three hours later when Mr. Data walked over to her station.
"Have you found something?" he asked.
"Maybe," she said hesitantly.
"If you have something, we need to know," said Picard.
"The sensor readings are themselves too perfect. It may mean nothing, but if I was intending to hide something and wasn't careful enough to introduce enough variation to mask that a cloaking field or something was involved. I am guessing. The absence of evidence is not necessarily evidence."
"An intriguing theory," said Data.
"Can you test it Data?" asked Picard.
"Perhaps. I will endeavor to do so."
"Can I help?" asked Ami.
"I will make my work available as I create it. Please review it," said Data.
"I'll try, but I suspect it will remind me of the time Piper linked Tony and me. Trying to keep up with his mind's rate of queries was headache inducing."
"Do what you can," said Picard.
"Always."
Twenty minutes in she turned to Data. "I have noted some additional avenues I would explore on your early work. Since you can explore them much faster than me, I have, for now sent them to you. You can of course return them and I will do so."
"That is not necessary. I see them and will begin immediately."
"Thanks." She turned the Captain and fought off a yawn. "Permission for coffee break?"
"Approved of course."
After she left Data said, "Her suggestions are intriguing. We may need to obtain Falcon's information on the Iconians and L'Nea's help."
"Why?"
"The cloaking formulas she has entered under the highest possible security are of Iconian origin, and they do appear to fit the available data. She has also noted that the information she has is from her memory and she cannot confirm some of it."
"Can you give me anything else before we would have to choose between leaving and staying, or ordering another ship to pick up the required personnel?"
"I would recommend ordering another ship. We have considerable work ahead of us that I would not interrupt," said Data.
"Odds of this information being relevant?" asked Captain.
"Sixty two percent, though the error bars are still quite high," said Data.
"That is good enough. I'll get the required people to come here."
Data nodded and resumed working.
-=oOo=-
L'Nea and Celeste materialized on the Defiant.
"Welcome aboard," said Sisko.
"Thank you for taking the time to bring us," said L'Nea.
"I prefer the taxi service actually, since I can spend more time with my family," said Sisko.
"Nevertheless, we are grateful. Are there any duties you require while we are here?" asked Celeste.
"No, but I shall avoid jinxing myself by stating the journey will be uneventful."
Celeste laughed. "Yes, we tend to not make such optimistic predictions these days as well."
"Helm, when you are ready set course and get us underway," said Sisko.
"Course is laid in. Engaging dimensional drive for the first part of journey," said Miles.
Thirty minutes in Worf said, "Alliance detection net has forwarded a request from Romana on the Asgard home world to also be present on this mission."
"There is always something. You are familiar with her, correct?" asked Sisko.
"She would no doubt be an asset. I recommend going and collecting her," said L'Nea.
"Is it quicker to get her now?" asked Sisko.
"Marginally."
"Your decision then," said Sisko.
"Then please divert," said L'Nea.
"Diverting. Forty eight minutes to first destination," said Miles.
"The general information published was fairly vague since anything with Iconian technical data is classified. She would have seen the possibility of Iconian or other unknown cloaking technology at work, but no details," said L'Nea.
"Do you think it could be your peoples work?" asked Sisko.
"I honestly hope it was not. Interfering with a race like that was not something we would normally do. It could also be someone robbed our technical data, or it could be a similar technology."
"Jadzia could not come?" asked Sisko.
"One of us needed to stay and monitor the refit. As this is directly related to my people, or potentially so, I came. She did volunteer to come if the priority increased, or if she was needed of course."
Sisko nodded.
"Do you think your new drive system will replace what we are using now?" asked Miles.
"Honestly, I doubt it. We are staying with it because it is faster, and they are going to build more, but I believe they currently plan only a half dozen. The additional risks and complexity, do not seem to justify everyone using it, and if it wasn't for time savings sometimes meaning lives we might be reverting," said L'Nea.
"But you believe you solved the issues?" asked Miles.
"We certainly believe so. If you can establish a secure enclave, I can give you a copy of the technical data. It would need to be guarded suitably. The biggest issue was patched with software. We established a far better physical containment to handle if we are wrong, as well as an additional layer monitoring on top of the software layer, in the reactor converters."
"Good. Too many do not appreciate the belt and suspenders approach," said Miles.
"Pardon?" asked L'Nea.
"It's a very old saying. A physical loop of leather was sometimes worn around ones waist to keep ones pants from falling down. Suspenders were an elastic band that was wore around your shoulders and attached to your pants to do the same thing. Basically, it is an appeal to proven redundancy," said Miles.
"That makes sense."
"I just want pockets. Whoever designed these uniforms was an idiot," said Miles.
"Then why not modify yours and create a modified replicator program, or just pay someone to hand modify them and scan them in? Mine have pockets," said L'Nea.
"You do have a point. I guess I was not wanting to be different."
"Fix your clothing and make me a set chief," said Sisko.
"Alright."
"You can always copy our replicator blueprints if you get within direct coms range, which you might if we head back that way."
"Do you have anything else useful?" asked Miles.
"A lot of it is Falcon specific, but your welcome to come take a look."
"I might at that. As for your design. If we do return that way, and we can spare some time, I'd volunteer to take a look."
"Plan on it chief. Even if we can't stay then, we can likely return later," said Sisko.
Miles nodded.
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