Making Plans - Part 2

Posted on 23 Jul 2022 @ 8:15pm by Captain Jonathan Reynolds & Lieutenant JG Ron Bumble

Mission: Through the looking glass
Location: Ready room
Timeline: MD2 Evening
2191 words - 4.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Previously on Making Plans:

"Apparently they are one of the high ranking concubines of the current Emperor," Jon said. He knew the next question was coming but it still leaving a bad taste in his mouth. Not to mention how awkward this could be going on how he was the mans double.

"The current Emperor Liam Reynolds."

And now the continuation ......

C'Tora nearly spit out the tea he had been sipping and nearly dropped the cup as well. " Your telling us that your BROTHER is the current emperor? " His tail froze and his ears straight up, he had a look of shock and surprise upon his face and set his tea mug on the table. " So are there any other bomb shells we're going to hear about.? " He asked and then thought briefly. " With the emperor being your brother, could that help our mission? Can we research to see how well they get along? Any information we come up with is pure gold and useful Captain. "

"It is not for the first time that my twin has turned out to be the Emperor in a different universe. Believe me," Jon answered.

"Hes newly the Emperor and currently off in further into the Beta quadrant conquering a race," Jon said. He could not believe those words were coming out of his mouth. "So there is no possibly of me coming and using the fact I am his mirror. Cassie however, has not been taken to war and as a high ranking concubine she would be trusted with certain things. So that you can use. Carefully."

" Is there anyone else's twin that we know about in the mirror universe that might be helpful, or at least find further information? " He asked, and then gave the Captain a quizzical glance. " Captain Reynolds, you said that this isn't the first time your brother's been the Emperor before? Then this isn't the first time you've been here then? How did you manage to return to our universe last time, if I may ask sir. "

Natasha gave out a gasp in hearing that about Liam Reynolds. "Okay so.. my question is this, how did my counterpart become in a high part of the food chain, unless she has a brilliant person at her side helping her." she mused, then looked over towards Ron. "Could there be someone there who is Lieutenant Bumble's counterpart?"

"I'm a Concubine!" Cassie blurted out, her brain finally processing what the Captain had been saying "To the Emperor! Well, I obviously went wrong somewhere in our reality if I'm punching that high in a mirror universe!"

Her tone was tongue in cheek but it brought with it certain dangers. She knew from her readings of the other transgressions into the mirror universes that the Empire was often cut throat and promotions were handed out by assassinating those above you. Her supposed position with the Empire would leave her highly vulnerable.

Jon turned to Natasha. "You I don't know. Its all prior to the new Emperor killing the old one and assuming power. The structure has probably been turned on its head and you have managed to hold on to your role. My twin in this universe is either testing you, trusts you or doesn't see you as a threat I guess.

"And ermm I think the less speculated on how you got to your status the better," he suggested to Cassie. It was weird. As Liam was his twin. His brother. Okay not this version of him. This version could be the worst version in existence. The last one his actual brother had told him about had given Liam nightmares. And it was weird as he was Liams exact double except for a tatoo and there was no attraction between him and Cassie.

"Lets just capitalise on it. Hes not here. No ones opinion on that station has to be warranted. And hell if your keeping the Emperor happy knocking boots with him, you wouldn't tell anyone how to make the emperor happy now would you. Thats just dangerous.

Jon scrunched his face up. Had he just said knocking boots? Moving on quickly he added, "What we do need to work out is why the Emperor would send you to this station. The reason. Ideas people?"

"Could it be in regards to what you have just said... What if the Emperor has entrusted Me, erm, this Cassie with conducting this universes Natasha's test of loyalty. It could give us nearly unlimited access to the station and its databases if we execute it correctly." Cassie chipped in almost marvelling at her own deviousness, something she didn't know she had in her!

C'Tora nodded in agreement. " This sounds like our best option so far, But I would suggest that we do some more research into your twin to see if she's done something like this is in character for her. If it isn't we could set off a whole lot of red flags, We need to get closer and learn more about your twin before we act. " He looked about the table. " A little caution is always prudent in all things. "

"There's really not much time and to be honest what the XO had to do to get this, I'm not happy her bargaining further. It could change the balance of power here in a way we shouldn't be messing with," Jon said seriously. "So Doc your going to have to improvise if you set off a red flag. I want you, Cassie and Ron on the shuttle as soon as its retconned enough to not be suspicious and heading over to Sempok Nor. Your mission is to try find anything in the science labs there that might be identical or similar to the science labs at DS21. Information that might help us figure out how we got here and can we replicate it or use that information to get back to our universe."

C'Tora blinked a few times as he stared at the Captain. " Umm.. Ok? I don't believe Any of us have been in the science labs at DS 21. Do we at least have any images or descriptions of what we'd be looking for? I've got no problem going over there and helping to find a device that will send us back home, but do we have any idea of what it is that we are looking for Sir? " Asked the perplexed Caitian.

"I've been," Ron piped up. "I asked Captain Keiben for a tour during shore leave and was granted it. I was intrigued what the Cardassians were up too. There is a lot of data stored. And some alien devices at DS21. They are still hypothesising and testing. Not to mention trying to decode and understand some of the alien languages. One of the technicians thought it may be T'Kon or Iconian. Or another race we are not aware of but of that time. There was talk of gateways. I wondered if it might be similar to the one we went through to the Cartels."

Jon smiled. Ron might be awkward at the best of times but like any other science man, science won out. And that's why he liked having him around. "Ron get in there and see if anything is simular and has also recently been tested or used. There has to be a connection between something in the lab. Remember they said just as it happened energy was building up."

"Sir, do we have any idea what type of person I am here... I need to live up to her or we won't be successful!"
The worry about the mission starting to show in her voice but she forced that worry away into a small box at the back of her mind, something for her to deal with another time when their lives were not in danger.

"If you impressed the Emperor and he enjoys your company and trusts you, you are not only beautiful and beguiling but smart. The emperors sole aim is to keep power. He will use any thing at his disposal to do that. Also he would not send in someone if they were not capable of keeping the people running that station in check. Oh we do have some photos of ....."

He brought up the images obtained from the crowning of Liam. It was certainly NOT Cassies normal attire.

Cassie saw the Captains subtle change in his posture and knew he had seen something in the information that he had not really wanted to see. She moved quickly to the edge of his Desk and caught sight of the attire...

"It's two belts and a loin cloth... And the belts cover more than the loin cloth!"

“That’s … erm …” Jon swallowed, “certainly a colourful way to describe things. I’m sure you can find something more comfortable but in … erm the same vein. I’m not going to ask you to wear exactly that.”

Natasha held her tongue just listening to what was being spoken about, she was also worried about Ron going but he was rather capable of getting things done. He proved that when they faced the planet killer and got all of the data. It was where her feelings for him were coming more into focus. She spoke up, "You are definitely going to be the perfect one to get more information." looking at Ron with a great deal of confidence in him.

" Captain, You said our shuttle is being retrofitted to blend in. Just how much difference is there between our universe and the mirror universe technology in years would you say? " C'tora looked to Captain Reynolds. " This information could be the difference between success and failure. That and I will need permission to get a few items from the armory. I will need two flash bang grenades and two smoke grenades for the bodyguard outfit. Of course the grenades are non lethal. That and to have a functioning lyran disruptor replicated by the armory, since it can't be replicated anywhere else on the ship. I take it we'll be departing soon? "

“Take the lethal smoke grenades doc,” Jon said. “This is the mirror universe. If anything goes south they will not hesitate to hurt you. And technology… never my strong suit. Speak with Chief Hawkins. He’s reviewed what Commander Fox was able to find out. And I want you to set out as soon as Hawkins finished the retrofit.”

C'tora gave Jon a surprised look. " Umm.. Captain, the only lethal smoke grenades I'm aware of are Neuro toxins. They could effect us as well hundreds of innocent victims, besides I don't think we have any aboard the ship since chemical warfare has been banned by the federation. "

Natasha commented. "And while you are out there, we'll be needing to keep ourselves on alert just in case there is someone looking for us or even mistaking us for possibly the counterpart of this ship." the dark haired woman giving a nod towards Jon.

" Ok, got to go to the armory, change out into mission gear, Talk to Chief Hawkins and head to the shuttle. " Stated C'Tora. " so we're going in and gathering what information we can and come back home with it, Do we have any other objectives while we're there? " C'Tora asked.

"And I'll go and get undressed... apparently!" Cassie offered, less than enthused at the total fabric content of her supposed disguise.

C'Tora glanced at Cassie. " I'll bring along an extra robe for you can use if you'd like to cover up with. It's a Caitian civilian wear, but it's comfy and light for the jungles of Cait and has a nice bright cheerful color to it. It will do well enough to cover you. If I am to be a bodyguard, then it is my duty to keep you covered and safe, Correct? " He asked.

"I appreciate the sentiment Tora but I get the feeling that Cassie here is somewhat shameless... And if I bend over wrong in this get up, you'll get an eyeful!" She turned the desktop console so the Chief Medical Officer could see the garb for himself before she started towards the door. "I will meet you in the shuttlebay!"

C'Tora chuckled. " I'm a Doctor, There's not an eyeful of anything that's going to surprise me. I'll get prepped and meet you in the shuttle bay. " He scanned an image of the outfit and went to the armory to get the authorized items per the captain. He outfitted his costume with his hunting gear and other items. He stopped by to say goodbye to M'Tara and let her know that he was departing and promised to return as soon as he could and went to the shuttle bay. " You did remember to bring our entry tickets to the costume ball didn't you? " He asked with a wiry grin.

OFF:

Captain Jon Reynolds
USS Andromeda - CO

Lieutenant Cassandra Higgins
USS Andromeda - Ships Counselor

Lieutenant C'Tora Kuroka
Chief Medical Officer
USS Andromeda

Commander Natasha Blackthorn
Diplomat
USS Andromeda

Lieutenant Michael Hawkins
Chief Engineer

Lieutenant Ron Bumble
NPC Jon Reynolds