Into the Mirror - Part 2
Posted on 2024, Mon Nov 25th, @ 1:49pm by Admiral Christopher Townsend & Commander Kate Townsend & Lieutenant Commander B'Orak & Lieutenant Aubrie Fox & Lieutenant Lillian Hansen & Major JB Dersch & Gunnery Sergeant Janet Bruke III & Petty Officer 1st Class Kate Bock & Petty Officer 1st Class Olivia Ponton & Corporal Kate Score & Leela & Bones EMH Mark V & Commodore Paul Sleeford & Commander MOO Richardson IX & Commander Ardon Devasia
2,577 words; about a 13 minute read
Mission:
E1 "Shadows of the Empire"
Location: Unknown
Timeline: Alt Universe
Sleeford had just sat with a fresh coffee, SB113 was minutes away, the admiral was still ensconced in his ready room, all was quite and well, the ship running smooth
The ship shuddered violently, throwing everyone off balance as it lurched forward with a sudden, jarring force. Consoles flickered, and loose items slid off surfaces, clattering across the floor as the artificial gravity struggled to keep up with the abrupt movement. Chairs spun out of alignment, and crew members instinctively reached for handholds or nearby rails, but many were still tossed forward by the momentum. The hum of the ship's engines intensified into a loud roar, vibrating through the bulkheads as if the very bones of the vessel were groaning under the stress.
Overhead, the red alert lights pulsed rapidly, their crimson glow reflecting off the shocked faces of the crew. The bridge crew scrambled to regain control, trying to readjust systems that were flashing warnings and damage reports across the LCARS displays.
B'Orak was launched right over his console, arms flailing as he hurtled toward the viewscreen, a loud, exasperated "Son of a bitch!" escaping his lips mid-air. He hit the ground with a heavy thud, grimacing as he struggled to push himself back up, his Klingon resilience keeping him undeterred even in the chaos.
Aubrie, thrown sideways, instinctively reached out for support, but the force of the lurch was too much. Her feet tangled beneath her, and she landed with a solid thud, gasping for breath from both the shock and the impact. She pressed her hands to the ground, twisting to look around, her face a mix of confusion and frustration. "What the hell was that?!"
Before anyone could respond, the EMH flickered into existence with his usual professional urgency. "What's the medical emergency?" he inquired, scanning the room with a calm, assessing gaze.
At the same moment, another hologram appeared—a female figure clad in the crisp red uniform of Security Tactical. She looked around with a determined expression, her stance ready for action. "What's the security emergency?" she demanded, voice steady as she waited for the situation report, poised to respond to any threat. The two holograms, one primed to heal and the other to defend, added a strange but steady presence amid the chaotic bridge.
Hitting the floor hard, Sleeford felt his left hip bang on the surface of the floor, biting back a scream of pain as his hip cracked again. Slowly getting to his feet to have a gentle dig at the helm officer about their piloting he saw chaos, the two holograms glowing slightly in the centre of the bridge. Limping over to Tactical Sleeford bent to help Aubrie to her feet.
Aubrie took the help from Paul. "Thanks" She quickly started to read her console.
"What the hell just happened. Never mind, get the shields up before they come round for another pass. Weapons if possible. "
'"Understood, Shields are up, Weapons, Well they are currently offline, Working to get them up now" Fox told Paul.
Leaving Aubrie to do her thing, Sleeford turned to the holograms. " Dr. treat the wounded, I think science and environmental, took some nasty hits. Leela, assist Lt Fox, get the shields up and weapons hot and find out what the hell hit us"
"Understood" Bones then disappeared from the bridge allowing the other Bones to take over on that vector.
Leela nodded. "Yes Sir, Running Power up on weapons."
Making his way round to the front of the bridge Sleeford stopped where B'Orak sat on the floor, holding out his hand, Sleeford waited to see if the large Klingon would accept or be stubborn and refuse.
"You should work on your turns big guy, that last one was a dozzy"
"Funny, That was not me, Engineering did that, I had autopilot set" The Klingon said shrugging off the help.
Nodding Sleeford tapped his badge and hoped for the best, "Bridge to Admiral Townsend"
"Coming now" Townsend replied.
"We've encountered a strange vessel, it's first actions where to fire upon us, multiple casualties on the bridge. The 'Bones' is dealing with those. Leela is assisting Fox on tactical." Sleeford reported
Within Minutes Townsend walked onto the bridge. "Alright All Stations Report!" B'Orak starred first.
"Sir, Flight is clear, We were manually dropped out of warp, Internal Sensors of Engineering are not reading anything at all, I have tried comms to them but nothing, We still have warp, but it seems we well, We pulled out of warp"
Fox then started. "Sir, Shields are up, Weapon still powering up, But Sir, I just detected massive amounts of Contrition Particles near our aft nacelle"
Townsend turned to Science. "Is that true?" The Petty Officer in charge nodded. "Yes Sir, I got similar readings right before we were dropped out, If I'm not correct the same type are used during time travel."
=/\= Sickbay to bridge, we've got 53 injured here, so far no fatalities. Ardon out. =/\=
"Well thats a relief, if nothing. So if it's time travel, what era are we in and where are we?" Sleeford asked.
"Townsend to Temporal Observation, What year we in?" Townsend asked feeling really stupid for asking.
"Sir, We are in 2402, But....Wait, This is odd, Our databases have sync with what looks to be a Nearby Terran Empire Vessel, ISS Harlow..." Townsend paused and turned to Flight right as the Proximity alert sounded.
"Sir! ISS Harlow Approaching from our Aft, Turning us about now" B"Orak quickly replied. Townsend quickly reacted.
"FOX! Disable weapons! Keep Shields Raised" He then spoke to the Lt. in charge of Temporal Observation. "Lt. Who's the captain of the Halo in the Terran Universe?"
"Let me check, Scanning,.....Found it! It appeared Our Commander Ardon is Sir, But He is under the rank of Fleet Captain!"
Comms spoke. "Sir...They are hailing, Requesting to speak with Fleet Captain Ardon, If we don't respond in the next 30 seconds we will be fired aupon."
"You just gotta love the Alt Universe, Damn Pricks" Chris turned to Ardon. "Alright, Listen up, We won't be able to show ourselves, So When we accept hail, Play it out, Engine Problems, View screen is on of the back effects, Remember, You have to play your alt self, Just act mean and like a badass"
"Understood Sir!" Ardon replied.
Sleeford relaxed slightly, knowing they where in the mirror universe settled the problem a bit. There was still danger, but it was a known danger, every vessel here was in command of an egotistical maniac, who actively participated in the death of his or her senior to gain advancement, if they could. It was rumoured that every member of the federation from the president down had a counterpart, some good, by the mirror universe standards and some down right evil. it had never crossed his mind until now, what his would be like. Now however it was a real possibility they'd meet.
"Comms, Open the Channel, Audio only...." He then whispered to Ardon. "Your up Cap"
Townsend quickly sent a message to the Chief of Security knowing full well he was most likely trying to gather a damn army, but if they were in the Alt Universe now they were not gonna need them storming into the bridge, Since the Terran Empire loved a good fight no matter the costs.
"ISS Halo this Captain Kathrine Janeway ISS Harlow why the hell is your View screen not emitting? Or Shall I blow you and that piece of scum ship back to Netherlands like those Rebels We just dealt with?"
"Captain Janeway, as pleasant as always, Ardon almost growled. "We ran into a cluster of chroniton particles, we have some temporary damage nothing that isn't being corrected presently. My Helmsman was placed on leave in the booth for his carelessness. What is your status?" Ardon bellowed.
"Getting Ready to leave to meet with emperor Crusher, Don't forget, we will need to be at Earth in 4 days for the Party, Janeway out" Janeway then disappeared off screen.
Moo Richardson, currently dressed in is bulky Starfleet uniform with a few surprises underneath, spent several minuets observing before quietly working his way to Townsend, then whispered..."naaaaa. What's up doc?"
"Well commander, You will be informed in the briefing room, All Senior Staff, Ready room" Townsend ordered.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
"They would..." Chris began, but he didn’t have time to finish as the ship suddenly lurched forward, hurling him and Ardon toward the exit. He collided hard against the frame, a sharp pain radiating from his temple as he felt warm blood beginning to trickle down his forehead.
The piercing blare of red alert klaxons filled the air, and the ship’s systems immediately shifted into an automatic red alert. Around them, the LCARS panels flared to life in deep crimson hues, each display pulsing rhythmically with the alarm. Gone were the usual cool blues and purples; in their place, an intense, throbbing red seemed to fill every screen and console, breathing in and out like a heartbeat in sync with the blaring sirens. The dimmed overhead lights allowed the crimson glow to dominate the bridge, casting ominous shadows across the stunned faces of the crew. The entire bridge seemed alive with urgency, as if the ship itself sensed the gravity of the threat.
Chris wiped at the blood on his face, eyes darting over the scene as he braced himself against the console, trying to make sense of the chaos unfolding around him.
"Are you alright, Chris? That gash looks like it smarts". Dr Devasia said.
"I'm fine, We need to get to the bridge" Townsend said shrugging off the doctor.
"Bridge to Admrial Townsend"
Townsend tapped his comm badge and spoke. "Coming now, Doctor, With me"
"Aye Sir" Ardon said hustling behind the admiral.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Moo looked around and noticed several marines were observing the fight but it looked like now one had had noticed the sound dampining field. Right before sensors went off line, I detected a massive Gravaton pulse, and we were shoved down hard. I have never seen reading like that. My first guess would have been that a romulan singularity that they use to power there ship had detonated, but if it was, they had a dreadnaught classed ships blow up just above the atmoshpoere. I have talked with engineering, and them with an explanation. One of the Engineering crewmembers was sugensting a black hole colapsed, or worm hole event occured. To present I do not have a satifactory explanation... But there may be a classified reason. I assume you know when to keep your mouth shut, but consider this a test."
The ship shuddered violently, throwing everyone off balance as it lurched forward with a sudden, jarring force. Consoles flickered, and loose items slid off surfaces, clattering across the floor as the artificial gravity struggled to keep up with the abrupt movement. Chairs spun out of alignment, and crew members instinctively reached for handholds or nearby rails, but many were still tossed forward by the momentum. The hum of the ship's engines intensified into a loud roar, vibrating through the bulkheads as if the very bones of the vessel were groaning under the stress.
Overhead, the red alert lights pulsed rapidly, their crimson glow reflecting off the shocked faces of the crew. The bridge crew scrambled to regain control, trying to readjust systems that were flashing warnings and damage reports across the LCARS displays.
Score went flying into Moo, While Dersch was launched towards the weight rank. And Janet quickly grabbed the ring stabilizing her self
Before anyone could respond, the EMH flickered into existence with his usual professional urgency. "What's the medical emergency?" he inquired, scanning the room with a calm, assessing gaze.
At the same moment, another hologram appeared—a female figure clad in the crisp red uniform of Security Tactical. She looked around with a determined expression, her stance ready for action. "What's the security emergency?" she demanded, voice steady as she waited for the situation report, poised to respond to any threat. The two holograms, one primed to heal and the other to defend, added a strange but steady presence amid the chaotic bridge.
Moo rolled off of Score, not quite certian how the female had moved so fast. The Flashing lights got his attention, and Moo yell "Computer, cancel sound dampening field." Jumping to his feet, he stuck a hand down, and yanked Score to her feet. Seeing both emergency holograms materialize, Moo yelled "Boot's and Saddle's!" This was the age old call to arms that armies had used for Eon's. Moo hit his com badge, "Computer, CSEC, Status of inter-ship transporter system?" The computer replied, [The ship's interal Transporter network is online and on standbay.]"
Moo yelled, "Attention on Deck!" His next move was to hit his com badge, "Computer, transport all Marines and Security Personel to there quarters for Arming and deployment." A quarter of a second later, he was in the Marine Berthing. He let go of score's arm. Moo said, "Time to get ready for the ball... Score!" Moving over to the Arms locker he used his palm print to open the locker, grabbed a full set of armor, and three heavy weapons. Taking a second glance at the arms locker, Moo grabbed several stun gernades. Not seeing a combat tricorder, he said," HUH, I would have thought that combat tricorders would be manditory! WE, will have to fix that." Moo closed the locker and stepped out of the way and promptly got dressed.
They didn't even have time to gear up fully when Red Alert was set down and turned off, then a message from the Admiral said to stand down any Security Response and for Commander Moo to report to bridge immediately, but enter quietly.
Moo stood still, his eyes blinking for a second. Turning to Score, Moo said "Score get your team ready, I think its time for a Covert security sweep. Cover Engineering first, Ops, Weapons, Propulsion, and then observe command and control. Send me encripted text messages to my Padd. Be extreamly inquisitive in engineering, underfoot but not in the way. Moo took his outer armor layer off, showing up with three layers of armor to the bridge, tended to make the young ensigns nervous. Putting his heavy outer armor into the Arms locker, he put two of the stun pulse gernades back into their slots. The third he concealed in the slot beneeth his under armor shirt and the center of his back. smothing hi tunic over it, he looked over at Score, held his finger to lips, and said " Don't tell any one!" Moo strode out of bearthing at a brisk pace. He chose the route that would let him pass by main Engineering. Not seeing anything out of line, he headed towards the bridge. He didn't plan on jumping out and scaring anyone, but he did't want to get caught with his pants down. What self-respedcting Klingon would. It didn't hurt to have his staff out investigating... It was good practice, aslong as they didnt get trigger happy and start shooting. He entered the bridge via the rear turbo lift, nothing looked suspisous but then most crooks that survived a while tended to be low-key.
RSS Feed