Explanations
Posted on Sat Sep 15th, 2018 @ 12:34pm by
Edited on on Sat Sep 29th, 2018 @ 2:22am
2,236 words; about a 11 minute read
Mission:
Episode 4 - The Sum of Our Parts
Location: Peldaran IV
Timeline: MD001 - 1600 hrs
The king, dumbstruck by the sudden display of power that went far beyond anything he had imagined possible, simply assented. He would have to reconsider his idea of carving out a greater domain for himself at the expense of an empire that suddenly didn't look quite so weak any more, no matter the mere handful of soldiers it was sending on its missions.
After Andrew re-materialized he walked over to the desk and dropped his compin on it, "Alright, Lieutenant, what the hell is this?" he growled, having seen one Lieutenant j.g. Sophia Meridiha listed in Counseling reports from Empok Nor, "You've got some some explaining to do and you'd better do it quick.'
May 28 2394 1600 hours (relative time)
After Andrew re-materialized he walked over to the desk and dropped his compin on it, "Alright, Lieutenant, what the hell is this?" he growled, having seen one Lieutenant j.g. Sophia Meridiha listed in Counseling reports from Empok Nor, "You've got some some explaining to do and you'd better do it quick.'
"Have a seat", the Empress offered. "What is Starfleet doing on my world?" She could feel there was something wrong with him. "Or rather, what are you doing here? There's no ship in orbit, and you're confusing me with someone in your organization, it seems." She took a deep breath. "I am Rina Meridhia, I am developing this world."
Moore bit his lip and sat down, "Well, Empress, I have no clue how I got here," he answered honestly, "I woke up in a field a few clicks outside of town where your people found me and went into blending more, the Prime Directive seemed to apply at the time," he explained, intentionally leaving out the attack on Pioneer, "and yes, a Lieutenant Sophia Meridhia, a Counselor on a station in my AO," he added, completely dropping the accent and going back to terms and abbreviations he was used to, watching the woman in front of him closely as he gauged her reaction.
"Fascinating. I don't know a Sophia, but it sounds like a human name", she replied. "I've been on this world for almost three hundred of your years, so forgive me if I'm not up to date on galactic politics, whether that's in your universe or mine." She stood and walked over to a cabinet, retrieving a tricorder. "It is clear to me you've arrived here through an anomaly. I felt something wake me from an unrestful sleep, I couldn't find any explanation, but here you are." She switched it on and started taking readings. "And what is the prime directive? My knowledge of Starfleet is limited. I did encounter the starship Enterprise, Jonathan Archer commanding, many years ago."
Andrew stood and turned, "Just what year is it?" he asked as she ran the tricorder over him.
"I don't know", the Empress responded. "Let me check my logs." She switched off the tricorder and used the console on her desk. "According to human time keeping, 2395. So my knowledge of what humans are up to these days is more than two centuries out of date." She sat down, then said. "I ask again, what is the prime directive?"
"Non interference directive, what you're doing here... it's the polar opposite," Moore replied simply, "how long have you been here?" he asked, deciding to change the subject before he started lecturing.
"For 220 of your years, give or take", the Empress said. "I can see you don't like what I'm doing here. But the facts are, this society used to have aggressive imperialism, with towns being sacked, the populations killed or enslaved. They were fighting for power, for money, for notions of whose imaginary friend was the more powerful... religions are always the hardest to cure, but they were useful to make them believe I'm their magic empress. Since then, we've had peace, and this Empire of mine is not one of conquest, and slowly spreading and increasing the quality of life for all concerned."
Andrew nodded and sat on the edge of the womans desk, "So, what now then? I have no idea how to contact or get back to where I belong and you've labeled me a magic thief....and my day started so well," he said with a shake of his head, deciding to leave his further feelings about what she was doing out, he needed her as an ally not an enemy right now.
"Now you get your behind off my desk and in a chair, like a civilised person", Meridhia said. "I can give you access to a subspace communications array, and you can contact your people. Whether they'll help you if you're from another universe, I don't know. I have limited resources." In her mind, she added, 'And I have to keep on the good side of the Bajorans if I don't want them to come in and take over.'
Moore chuckled and stood before pausing, "Wait, another universe? So, not time travel, just some interdimensional hopping...." he said then dropped into a chair and rubbed his face with both hands, "You like getting hopes up and then letting the other shoe drop, don't you?" he asked, his tone more playful mixed with a hint of frustration.
"No time travel", she affirmed. "I'd know. Sensor readings are not mistaken either. There is nobody on this planet who can help you. I'm the only one here who knows anything about modern technology. Are you an engineer, by any chance?"
"Behavioral Specialist, I do eval and intake for the counselors," he replied, leaving out his service as anything else, "I took an engineering extension course, though," he offered.
"That means we will not be able to build a transdimensional portal", Meridhia said. "I'd need an engineer's help, and a good engineer's help at that. You could, of course, stay here and hope your friends from your universe come to get you. If you don't leave here, they should have an easier time finding you."
Moore shook his head and sighed deeply then stood up and moved to the nearby window. He looked out over the grounds to the horizon then turned back, "You said no one on this planet... what if I... borrowed someone from Starfleet?" he asked then motioned to the computer, "You said you don't keep up, but, it seems like your computers still collect data?"
"You can access subspace communications and see if you can contact Starfleet in this universe", the Empress offered. "I shall not tolerate any interference in the affairs of this government, however."
"That wasn't what I asked," Andrew replied, "if I'm where I think, I'm not contacting this universe's Starfleet, I'm going to take a slightly more....direct approach. If I have to stumble around on my own I can't guarantee they won't come looking. However, if you have information you can give me access to in order to be unseen and unnoticed they won't know a thing. So, does your computer still gather information from around outside the planet?"
"I keep a planetary defense grid, including the sensors it needs for threat detection", she responded. "Tell me what you intend to do, I'll see what I can help you with." She decided to overlook his threat about poking around and producing an accident, she understood he was in a stressful situation and was probably not in full control of his faculties. Otherwise, he would have grasped in an instant that there was nothing stopping her from neutralising him as a threat immediately, with not even the need for a justification, if she wanted to.
"Maybe, but like you said, you're two hundred years behind....I don't say that as a jab, more of an offer," the man replied, "I need history and current geopolitical information as well as access to a ship of some kind, identification and schematics of the nearest research outpost," he said, deciding he didn't need to cover his skills anymore, if he wanted her trust he needed to give some, "in return I can help you get schematics for upgrades. If this is anything like my universe I can even give you the location of a planet that was encountered in the twenty three sixties that had a planetary cloak," he offered, "I know I can't ask for something for nothing."
"I'm not two hundred years behind, I'm two hundred years out of touch with your species. There's a big difference." She sighed. "That said, I don't say no to free intelligence. I wonder if the Aldeans have perfected theirs." She pursed her lips. "That could be useful, in some situations. But their defensive systems are more valuable. Sadly, they have refused to share them."
Moore nodded, "I can take the long trip to the outpost and lend my other... skills if you can help me get this information, I realize it's all a big ask, so, that'd be the least I can do."
"I'll put out a call", the Empress decided. "You should get comfortable, in the meantime. It might be some time before a ship is available. This palace has everything you'll need, but beyond these doors it's back to what you'll consider the primitive world. Take a good look around, these people are happy and safe. I just make sure they'll stay that way."
Andrew nodded, "Ok, lass, would ye mind removin' th' thief title then?" he asked, slipping back into his bad accent.
"Drop the accent", Rina chuckled. "And yes, I'll let Vanidha know. She'll be returning here in a few days time. Nobody else is even aware of your existence. There are no news media the way you're familiar with them. Things are pretty much limited to word of mouth and imperial proclamations. Dictatorial, I know, but I happen to believe that a benevolent dictatorship isn't such a bad thing. Once this world is globally connected, and has weathered the transition from pre-electronics to a modern society without the detour through pollution, genocide and mass extinction events, I will relinquish control and build a representative democracy. But this will take another two, maybe three hundred years."
She walked over to the replicator and retrieved a knapsack full of useful items for him. "Take this, it contains clothes, currency, a dirk for defense, though I hope you won't need it. You can contact me using your combadge, and you can speak openly. The signal cannot reach beyond low orbit, there's a dampening field in place. Do not sabotage their belief in my magic, local laws and customs shouldn't be a problem for you. There is no death penalty in the Empire. Leave its borders, my influence has limits."
Moore stepped over and took the knapsack then bowed his head slightly, "I appreciate this.. and Empress, I'm Chief Petty Officer Andrew Moore," he replied with a smile, "it's good to meet you."
Rina chuckled. "Chief Petty Officer? That's a funny title", she said. She figured if one was used to the term, had never known any different, it ceased to be funny. But Rina was amused. "Now, I'm not turning you out the door. You're welcome to stay in the palace if you like, we've got guest rooms envoys and messengers. None of that superfluous pomp you're probably expecting from an imperial palace, though."
Andrew shrugged, "In my former line of work I got more comfortable without the cushiness of a starship or base, I'm sure it'll be fine," he replied, "with your permission I'll go get settled in and maybe join your Knights for training?"
"Of course", she said. "You're a free man. Ask nicely, they might say yes. But they're a security force, not a military organization. My Empire doesn't have an army, it is not needed."
Moore nodded, "I'll play nice, promise," he replied with a smile and bowed slightly before walking out, he had to figure out what the hell happened and hoped the Empress kept her word, something still felt off to him but he couldn't put his finger on it.
Rina went to work logging the signature of his communicator into the orbital communications array, and made sure the device wasn't going to intercept signals not meant for it, nor able to communicate with any other device except her own.
She was wary of her visitor, as he had expressed disapproval for her role on this world, and she wanted to watch his activities to see whether he played by the rules. To get him off her world, she figured she'd best request a ship promptly, so a message to El-Auria, which hadn't been wiped out by the Borg in this universe, was sent. A few thousand light years, with the transwarp drive taken from the defeated collective, that was a question of days, rather than decades.
A Joint Post By
Chief Petty Officer Andrew "Chaos" Moore
Behavioral Health Specialist, USS Pioneer
Lieutenant Junior Grade Sophia Meridhia
Chief Counselor, Empok Nor
PNPC Niall
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