Chapter 73:
[Research, 2101]
The official in charge of finding mycelial spores was annoyed and bored. With a prize in latinum equivalent to the price of 10 starships, all sorts of creative attempts found their way to her office.
She told yet another claimant, "An exact appearance match is not enough, it has to show characteristics of being in the universal mycelial network."
There were several attempts to genetically engineer something to be what would be what was requested, but never could actually pass the test.
Finally an Orion broker arrived. After passing the first test, then the next test was done, based on later part of the Discovery episode, Context Is for Kings, and some of the following episodes.
A grand announcement was made. The Orion broker kept 30% of the total, much of which would be split with various levels of the Syndicate, and 70% to the original discoverer, half of which went to her non-Orion exploratory mission investors. The Orions ensured the security of the claiming process, that the discovering group is the one that actually got the credit. It was considered worth paying 30% of an eventual claim to have Orion security during the exploration process all the way through the actual claiming the prize.
The area where the discovery was made was purchased by Starfleet for an equivalent value of the price of 5 starships.
The next few years involved applying all that was known from Canon to the development of the Spore Drive. There were many hazards in that research and an entire new plane of existence to discover, in addition to fast transportation.
[2107, Spore Drive research]
The lead Spore researcher presented his findings, "In Canon they first used a tardigrade to navigate the mycelial network, but that was only necessary due to that species absorbing DNA from the mycelialium spores. They later used a Human for the same role after transferring DNA.
We did careful testing of many species. The best we found was Aquatic-Xindi. We have a list of other species that are promising, although individual DNA results in variance in suitability."
A ship designer presented next, "Spore Drive ships will grow their own spores. There will always be at least two crew members who can navigate the mycelial network. If either mycelial navigator becomes unable to function, another will be prepared. Many will have the initial training, but few will have the genetic modifications needed.
The first tests were done with the Crossfield class modeled on the USS Discovery from that series. Now we are adapting the Enterprise-A class ships that is the major part of Starfleet. While the Crossfield class had counter-rotating sections of the main saucer, the modified Enterprise A simply has heavy flywheels above and below the saucer. There is not a huge amount of mass in the saucer section, so having external mass is more efficient in ship's operations than having inhabited portions rotating."
Another presenter added, "Yes, Spore travel is more dangerous than Warp travel. We are learning and expect to have procedures to minimize those dangers. We still have not encountered the universe travel shown in Canon, but every jump includes live telemetry up to the time of the jump. Even if a test ship does not return, we will have considerable data about what led to that jump. Of course if they do return we will have much more data. Our goal is to prevent accidental universe travel once we understand its causes."
Another presenter added, "We are aware that Spore travel can cause hazards and damage to lifeforms within the mycelial network. We are using Canon information and experiments to learn about this phenomenon and to mitigate it. We also note that Warp travel causes its own damage. Spore travel might wind up being safer to the background subspace dimensions than warp travel if we learn more."
[2109, Spore Drive testing]
At the end of a long sequence of test jumps, Captain Shrav said, "I'd like to drop in on my homeworld, set next jump to near Andoria."
When they arrived the subspace background communications were different. The ship's computer announced, "Jump was to an alternate universe. 91% probability of Canon Mirror Universe. Continuing to analyze. Information about that universe being posted to screens."
While this was being announced, a ship hailed them over subspace, "ISS Avenger hailing unknown ship."
Captain Shrav nodded to the communications officer and video communication was established, "Captain Shrav of the Alliance of Civilizations Ship, ACS Quiberon speaking."
The Avenger answered, "An Andorian as Captain? Terrans on the Quiberon, assistance is here, seize the ship while we board!"
The Quiberon's shields blocked beam fire aimed at its warp engines and disruptor ports. Phasers destroyed a series of torpedoes.
The Navigator, a Human said, "ISS Avenger, please halt your attack. We are not from your universe. I am Lieutenant Franklin, from Earth."
The Avenger answered, "That would seem to be prudent. Cease fire ordered. What year are you from?"
Franklin answered, "Earth year 2109."
The computer announced while not transmitting the announcement, "The Avenger sent out a message, and several ISS starships are headed towards this location."
The Avenger answered, "You are much more advanced than in our universe and Andorians are partners instead of subjects to Terrans?"
Franklin answered, "Correct on both counts. We advanced far more quickly with an Earth-led Alliance than your Terran Empire did."
The engine room reported, "Ready for a jump back to our universe."
Franklin continued, "It is time for us to return to our universe." and then jumped back.
[Alliance meeting, 2109]
Karampreet Singh said, "The Mirror Universe is not that interesting to us. However, we must worry about them being able to infiltrate this one."
Q popped in and said, "I never found that plot thread to be too interesting. You can visit them and I'll remove their memory of it. They'll never find their way here. It goes along with not allowing consequential time travel. The same goes for consequential universe hopping.
Same rules apply to other universes. Send a Picard as Captain of the next experiment.
Oh, don't bother trying to learn technology or bringing things back. All will be left behind." Q then snapped his finger and disappeared.
Karampreet said, "Ok, then. Who do we have?"
Hyperion Malfoy answered, "Jean-Michel is the best Picard qualified. He has no Starfleet rank, but is quite experienced in exploration and discovering ancient mysteries."
Karempreet said, "Make him acting Captain. Make sure he follows the tactical advice from his crew, but let him direct what the ship's mission will be after the experiment presumably carries them to some other universe.
Stock the ship with extra supplies and trade goods. Fully inform the possible crew that they could be stranded in a different universe. Find a crew of volunteers. Tell Jean-Michel that Q has requested a Picard, presumably from the main inheritance line, and it is either him at age 72 or his son or grandson. He'll agree to go. Give him the Enterprise."
[Starship Enterprise, 2110]
Captain Jean-Michel Picard saw all of the data of the visit to Mirror Universe. "Spore jump to a little beyond the orbit of Saturn."
The ship's computer said, "Arrival in a different universe. Not a Canon one, but it has a Federation."
The Communications Officer said, "Subspace has much unencrypted data. There is much propaganda. I see this repeated a lot. He then played a voice saying, "300 billion stars, 1 Federation. A galaxy at peace, A galaxy without want, a galaxy together, a galaxy contributing, a galaxy reaching their potential"
Captain Picard sent out a message, "This is Captain Jean-Michel Picard of the Alliance of Civilizations starship ACS Enterprise. We are from a different universe and wish to establish contact."
A ship arrived and said, "ACS Enterprise, welcome to our timeline. You are welcome at Starbase Sol. You can dock there and arrive at the visitor's center, or we can shuttle you over if you prefer. There are some probable relatives of yours that are on their way to meet you."
Captain Picard replied, "We are on our way. If it would be possible, could you send information on the history and culture of this timeline."
They quickly reviewed the information they were sent. 25 of them would go aboard the Starbase at a time.
The briefing information was read over the intercom, "This is a Q influenced timeline, possibly the Ravenclaw one mentioned by Q. There was an individual called Tom Picard who seemed to be behind changes in the timeline starting in 1991 along with Luna Lovegood Picard who is a true seer in this timeline. The Federation is a fair bit ahead of our Alliance in both technology and territory. They fought wars against Romulans, Klingons, and Gorn. Khan Singh is not part of this timeline, but there someone who had a secondary leadership role in the same era, Vadim Morozov, who resembles him. They had the start of a civil war in the 2070's after many of them starting evolving in the direction of becoming the Borg, but resolved it with an agreement to limit these evolutions."
After clearing decontamination and inspection to get onto Starbase Sol, they were guided to a spherical meeting room, with video displays in every direction."
After 3 days of meetings and being tourists on the station they met a group. A man about Jean-Michel's age stepped forward and said, "I am Jean-Philippe Picard, I suppose we are sort of related. This is my aunt, Renée."
She looked like Captain Jean-Michel Picard's mother Renée, both having the same appearance as the Renée from Canon.
After more greetings, she said, "Here is why our timelines might be different, let me introduce my father, Tom and mother Luna and my husband Rojor of the Romulan House Radaik."
Jean-Michel said, "Amazing, you look identical to my mother, but both of your parents and your husband are different.
Luna, you must be originally Luna Lovegood. I studied the people that Draco Malfoy went to school with."
Luna answered, "Yes. You are not related to him, so your mentioning him must be because he was the one influenced by Q?"
"To an extent, but more his father Lucius, together with Khan Singh who diverged our timeline."
Luna answered, "Interesting, in our timeline Lucius stayed loyal to Voldemort and didn't survive. Draco after being warned accepted a non-political role. What of me in your timeline?"
Jean-Michel answered, "I know you were the chief seer in this timeline, but in ours your abilities were less so, more like that in the Harry Potter Canon. One of Draco's early moves to establish power was to defend you against bullies in Ravenclaw. You eventually married Neville Longbottom.
Lucius was the main one influenced by Q, similar to the role of Tom Picard in your timeline. He prevented Voldemort from returning and then started taking over the world in cooperation with Khan Singh.
Q tasked him with using Slytherin methods, saying that there was another timeline where Ravenclaw methods were used. Our timeline has been more peaceful than yours, but less advanced as of the same year."
Luna said, "And you probably never had the start of a Civil War with some in the Federation evolving into something like the Borg?
Jean-Michel answered, "No. We are all very aware of needing to fight the Borg some day. I don't think any of us want to become like the Borg. We kept the name Alliance deliberately to make it less coercive. However, we have tended to merge cultures and share genetic engineering.
Just to let you know, after we recently visited the Canon Mirror Universe, Q told us that their memories of that visit would be removed and that they would never visit our universe. He said the same would happen in with other universes, but that I should be the Captain of this ship, presumably to visit this timeline. I have been a researcher of ancient civilizations, and have never been in Starfleet before this mission. He said I cannot bring anything back, nor keep any technologies learned."
Q popped in and said, "I just wanted this meet-up. It won't change this timeline, but I thought it amusing. The Slytherin timeline just discovered the Spore Drive, which in Canon resulted in travel to the Mirror Universe.
The Slytherins not only believe in violence as a method, they practically became Klingon instead of fighting them. The only war the Slyherins have been in has been against the Gorn, although I suppose you have to count the Enolians also, but noone was killed in that war. Can our Ravenclaws explain why you have been in more wars?"
Pythia the seer said, "Slytherins do not seek conflict. If they have an overwhelming advantage or disadvantage they'll settle without a fight. Ravenclaws perhaps do not have the skills to make it clear what outcomes certain actions might have."
Luna asked, "Who is doing better at becoming the Q?"
Q answered, "You are. You are part way there already. The Slytherins are playing at being warriors. Maybe they'll do better in the next century." Then Q popped away again.
Pythia asked, "What other differences are there between our timelines? One obvious one is we never developed the Spore Drive. We thought it was too hazardous and would be supplanted by transwarp. We'll have that probably in a couple of decades."
Jean-Michel answered, "The timelines are different without our influences. Different Harry Potter Canon and different Star Trek Canon. We dealt with the Delphic Expanse. Actually Renée Picard was the test pilot who discovered how to get past it in 2024. After that we recruited the Xindi to the Alliance.
The modifications were first Lucius Malfoy made sure that Voldemort would be revived. Then Khan Singh delayed his Canon planned actions to watch how Lucius was taking over Britain and Albania. Then they worked together and found a way to succeed instead of having magicals be wiped out."
Luna answered, "We too in our timeline assumed that the genetically modified in Star Trek Canon would be those with magic in our combined timeline."
Jean-Michel said, "Khan Singh led a group of magicals. They were going to claim to be genetically modified with enhanced strength and other abilities. If the story went the way it did in Canon, all those they would find with magical genes would be wiped out."
Luna answered, "Similar origins. Are you still Slytherin or is your timeline more Gryffindor now?"
Jean-Michel said, "I am one of the Alliance Council members with full information. I was given permission to speak freely to your group if I encountered them.
Our power is much more limited than it would appear. We can set trends in motion, but defying them is difficult. One of the trends that led to the Klingons peacefully joining the Alliance also had many of us drawn to warrior ideals. Now we are trying a general emphasis on research and rewarding its results. We also recently moved to a post-scarcity economy."
Tom Picard said, "We also learned of the limits of our influence and almost had a civil war due to it. We are trying to instill a set of ideals now. There are many similarities between our timelines."
After some more visiting, the ACS Enterprise returned to its home universe. The information from before the jump was sufficient to make sure that no accidental universe jumps would happen again.