You can (not) go home again

Posted on Sun Oct 27th, 2024 @ 5:19am by The Commander & Doctor Intharia T'Zor
Edited on on Sun Oct 27th, 2024 @ 5:20am

1,221 words; about a 6 minute read

Mission: DownTime [1]
Location: unknown
Timeline: after 'I'm with Cupid'

The humming glow of the transporter that dematerialised Intharia took her somewhere empty, dark and weightless. She was suspended, still, and not uncomfortable other than one would be when suddenly surrounded by a dark, silent void in existence. She could not move but did not feel restrained, it was more as though she could facing forward see all there was to see.

Light appeared before Thari’s eyes. The image of a man, tall and thin with styled red hair and heterochromic blue-green eyes. A Starfleet Commander from the 23rd century, by the look of his gold uniform shirt’s sleeves.

“If you can hear me, I am the Commander of this vessel. This message is to let you know that I cannot interfere with what comes next, and that you need to take it seriously. It is not a simulation or simulacrum; the consequences will be as real as any other time in your life.”

His voice was finely tuned and sturdy, he had a fey, almost Vulcan look to him, but there was no sign he was anything but human. From what Intharia could see, he was the only other thing in the universe, and a source of light.

“Eventually, I will be able to retrieve you from it, and it will be up to you whether or not you wish to leave. If you do not join me, I will not stay, and there will be no further return to your point of origin possible. When you are ready to begin, press the button.”

In the space that appeared to be within arm’s reach for the asari, a large red holographic button appeared in the shape of her palm and fingers. She pressed it with resignation.

Suddenly, Thari was waking from sleep to the sound of an alarm. She would soon find she was in her bedroom aboard the exploratory cruiser she’d been serving on shortly before crossing between universes.

Intharia was disoriented for a moment. The remembrance of everything that had happened previously returned to her all at once. It was an intense feeling to be where she came from, even if her scientists mind told her it was all a trick. She felt intense nostalgia, déjà vu and relief all at once.

She realised the beeping was coming from her arm. The microscopic implant that housed her omni-tool. A holographic fluorescent orange device encased her arm as she brought it up, showing the face of a Turian Lieutenant on the bridge. They were a lean species of bipedal avians wih a partially metallic epidermis.

“Sorry to wake you ma’am, but you said you didn’t want to miss any traders. There’s one here now, he’s leaving in 20. Thought you’d want to know.” The Turian told her.

“Uh. Thank you, Lieutenant. I’ll be there shortly.” Thari stood up and dressed herself. This morning wasn’t that long ago. It was her last day in her own world.

She reached the docking bay where the volus merchant had set up in the opened-out back of his shuttle. The volus were a species of diminutive but rotund beings known for their encounter suits.

“You want, thessia-clan? Many fine goods here.” The volus told her.

She still remembered his wares from the first time. It wasn’t garbage, but there was nothing she would consider. A couple of interesting pieces of jewelry, a few antique and heavy-duty weapons. But she knew he kept his greatest treasure out of view.

“What else have you got?” Thari asked with indifference.

“You hurt me, thessia-clan. This is merchandise of quality you will not find elsewhere in the sector.” The volus said.

Intharia made a ‘hurry up’ gesture with her hand.

The volus sighed, returning to his shuttle for a moment, and returning with a small, sturdy-looking case. “This is one of a kind, thessia-clan. I should charge you just to look at it.” The merchant opened the case, revealing a vaguely gun-shaped device with a large domed container of fluorescent green fluid emerging like a dorsal fin.

“3,000, final offer.” Intharia said, remembering that in the original deal she’d got him down to 2800. He had no idea what it was.

“I – uh.” The merchant seemed to want to argue, but suddenly he lost the energy for it. “Fine. 3,000. But if anyone asks I will tell them how you swindled me!” The merchant said, handing over the case with the device in it.

She sent him the money from her omni-tool and ignored him completely. This was where everything had changed for her. This device threw her from one universe into another, until she found safety aboard Deep Space 13. She beheld it like something she’d brought back with her as she woke from a dream.

The Commander had told her that he’d return for her, but she should treat this like her life. So what should she have done, she wondered. Immediately she summoned the science department of her ship together and a lot of the engineers for an all-hands meeting where she presented the device.

They briefly expressed doubt, but when she fired the device into the wall, opening green portal through which a probe found another version of their own universe where they’d lost the great war against the reapers centuries ago.

Every mind aboard was now focused on this device. Thari told them everything about her adventures so far, and that she probably didn’t have long. For what felt like hours she moved between teams as they began to inspect and attempt to understand every facet of the machine. Its operation was quickly determined, compressing the rear trigger projected a portal that would stick to a solid surface or stop in the air after a certain distance. The settings were found in an interface on the top, near what came to be known as the fluid chamber.

It was wider horizontally than any gun she’d seen, with three green emitter diodes along the front opening. They’d travelled to a few different locations with probes already. One where vast fields of mind-enhancing fruit were stalked by vicious and lurid predators. One where the sky was empty of stars. One where everything seemed to be made of chocolate.

Within four hours, she’d gained a rudimentary understanding of the device, and some idea of how its function could be replicated.

Suddenly the Commander’s voice filled the air, a repeating message.

“If you can hear me, I can now retrieve you if you press the button in front of you. If you do not come, you will remain here for the rest of your natural existence. This message repeats five more times before discontinuing.”

“Alright everyone, the time I said was coming is here. I hope this remains valuable to you, but I have to go now. One day, I’ll be back on my terms. But not like this. Until then.” Thari said to the crew, who snapped to attention at her announcement.

Thari pressed the button, and awaited whatever came next, the knowledge of the device firmly entrenched in her mind.

Around her, everything once again dispersed into darkness, and consciousness drifted from her. The gentle hum of a transporter would awaken her an uncounted time away.

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