An Unexpected Request

Posted on 18 Aug 2022 @ 9:45pm by Lieutenant JG Harper Matthews & Captain Jonathan Reynolds & Commander Amelia Fox

Mission: Through the looking glass
Location: XO's Office, USS Anrdomeda
Timeline: MD3 Evening
1372 words - 2.7 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Amelia was on her way back to her quarters from engineering when the comm system beeped.

"Bridge to Commander Fox. There's a transmission coming in for you from the Maelstrom."

Amelia paused and frowned "For me?"

"Yes Commander, by name."

Amelia started walking a bit faster "I'll take it in my office, standby."

Amelia entered her office and tapped her com badge. "Ok, patch it through."

The wall monitor lit up with a young human male. He looked downtrodden and miserable and he did not meet Amelia's eyes. "I heard you visited the station. I have something for you, from my mistress."

Amelia folded her arms. "Hang on a moment, who are you, how did you know I've been on the station and who?..."

"I Think you know who..." he interrupted her "She looks just like you."

Amelia's face fell as she realised. "What is it?"

The man looked around nervously. "It's a message. She gave it to me 10 hours ago, giving me just 2 hours to get it to you before she... she punishes me."

Amelia looked at him in disbelief. "How can she punish you? She's not even in this universe! She's supposed to be in a Federation Penal Colony!"

"She was here... she's gone now, I don't know where. She has access to a cross-dimensional transporter. I believe she took it from a dead Terran. Look, I don't have much time. Meet me at these coordinates in thirty minutes on the station so I can give you this." he held up a Federation PADD.

Amelia's mouth went dry. She thought for a moment. "I don't trust you and I'm not coming alone or unarmed."

"Fine. Just be here. 30 Minutes."


Amelia's mind was racing. How had she managed to escape? Was he lying?

"Computer, where is the Captain?"

The computer responded, "The Captain is in the Ready room."

Amelia was walking out of the door before the computer had finished.

The trip up to the bridge was over in a heartbeat and Amelia headed straight to the Ready room and pressed the chime.

"Come," said Jon finishing up and hoping to get some time with Harper now she was back.

Amelia entered, clearly agitated. "Captain! We have a problem. I was just contacted by someone who claims Mirror Fox was on the Station about 10 hours ago and she left something for me, a PADD. Permission to beam over with an armed security detachment."

"Have you considered it may be a trap to get you back over there? Someone saw JTan meet with you. An enemy of his perhaps?" Jon asked. He could not imagine how or why Mirror Fox could be playing post woman.

Amelia took a breath. "I've considered the possibility that it is a trap, that's why I want to take an armed security team. If she has escaped and she is still here, we might be able to catch her but the informant implied she'd gone already. The transporter sensors should tell us if there are any unfriendlies lying in wait." She fixed her gaze on the Captain. "I need this to be over and I need that woman out of my life. I don't like the idea of her leaving notes around for me. Maybe this person can provide some intel on her, where we can find her..."

Jon mulled it up. If there was a chance of her being here they needed to try bring her in. But still something felt wrong. "Tread very carefully. And not alone. She's slipperier than Dogartian grease and downright diabolical."

"Sir, with your permission, I'd like to get Lieutenant Matthews in here."

Jon nodded. The downside of seeing the Chief security officer. Now Harper was off again as soon as she was back. But she was the best and if his XO was going out into this situation the best was needed.

Amelia tapped her Comm badge "Fox to Lieutenant Matthews. Would you join us in the Captain's ready room."

"On my way, Captain." Harper responded and was soon in front of her other half and the XO.

Amelia wasted no time. "I need you to assemble a security team and break out the compression phaser rifles. It seems Mirror Fox has escaped her imprisonment and was here in this universe, onboard the Maelstrom not so long ago. She appears to have left something for me. We need to find out if this is genuine and if she's still here, apprehend her. We're going back over there."

"Of course, Commander. I know just the team to bring and we'll get what you need. I'll fit us with tactical vests, phaser, rifles and a few other nice things just in case of a surprises." Harper replied but was hesitant before commenting. "Forgive me, but this sounds like a trap. I know you will have thought of that... if it is we will only have so much protection from the equipment we bring."

Amelia nodded. “I agree entirely. If Mirror Fox is involved in any way, I’d be expecting a trap. This person, whoever he is has a Federation PADD. We need to get it back and if it does contain a message for me from her, I need to see it. As they use to say in the old west, let’s lock and load and saddle up. With your permission, Captain.”

"This is the mirror universe. Do not abide by Federation rules. Take concealables as well," Jon said his eyes locking with Harper. "And try to do this- hopefully bring her in ... with the minimum of fuss number one. I do not wish us to end up on anyone else's radar at their version of the crossroads. It's bad enough that we have had to deal with their version J'Tan."

"Captain, I don't like this any more than you do and, I want to be out of the Universe as soon as possible. We'll make this quick."

He nodded. "Permission granted then."

Amelia turned to Harper. "Assemble the team and meet me in transporter room 3. Let's go."

And with that, Amelia headed for the door.

"Yes, Commander. I'll get them together as soon as possible." Harper replied as the familiar swoosh of the doors came to life as Amelia left. For a moment Harper hovered and looked at Jon but said nothing, instead giving a knowing smile before turning for the door.

"Lieutenant," Jon said after Harper calling her back. He let the door of his ready room close again before moving closer to her. "I know I don't need to tell you to be careful or anything like that but the XO is vulnerable when it comes to this variant of her."

He reached out for his girlfriends hand. Squeezing it gently, he then pulling it up to his lips, he kissed it wishing there was time for much more before adding, "She can get emotional. You may need to reign her in. She takes this very personally especially with what her variant did to Syvar and Aidan. And the other one knows it. Don't let her needle the XO. And," he pulled her in closer placing a kiss on her lips this time, "Come back to me. Make sure all of you come back."

"I'll make sure we come home safe." she said just before he kissed her. She clasped his face before pushing her hand around the back and through his hair. The hair on her arms, on the back of her neck rose and she had goosebumps on her arms. Jon was a good kisser and she always felt safe in his arms... unlike where she was heading now.

"You know I'll put my life in front of hers, in front of anyone's." She added, maybe not the best thing to sway his worry but she felt it needed to be said to emphasise her confidence. "I have a good team, been training them myself. Each have superior skills in both ranged and close combat so I am sure if anything happens we will adapt."

"Yes we will. Stay safe."


OFF:

Amelia Fox
XO
USS Andromeda

Captain Jonathan Reynolds
CO, USS Andromeda

Lt. JG Harper Matthews
Chief Security/Tactical Officer
USS Andromeda