Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

“The NCC-One Seventeen O One is our world's first Starship. The U.S.S Enterprise.” the speaker waves their hand and projection changes, a model of such a Starship floating around the dome. Through the stars and vastness of space “She made her maiden voyage in two thousand two hundred forty six under the command of Captain Robert April-”

“Forty five.” two voices mutter under their breaths. Not loud enough to disrupt the Starfleet planetarium lecture, however the younger of the two was smart enough to suggest sitting in the back so they could easily slip out as the lecture comes to a close.

“It was clearly bound to happen again.”

“Apologies Oddie.” the older scoffs, expressly shaking their head with a smile “After all your messages to the suggestion site I had hope.”

“Interesting.” He admits folding his arms behind his back, although looking quite a bit cuter than intimidating on a nine year old. “But the pattern of past lectures would suggest that the particular speaker is ill informed about the suggestion site, Ily.” shrugging her shoulders the girl steps aside for her little brother to load first onto the historic cable car before she climbs up as well. Historical sites, art, literature, and San Francisco seems to be keen on keeping cable cars a thing in the 22nd century.

All the way on the outskirts of the city, a one story house, warm colors. No matter the century she can’t ever seem to recall their living space being any cool colors. The warm tones reminded their father of a distant home. 

“Guess who!”

“My daughter Iliad and my son Odyssey.” kicking off her sneakers and slipping on her house shoes, Iliad shuts the door behind them both. Through the open layout of the dwelling she watches their father, Volass, move the prepared meal from the counter to the table, laying out the gloves for both himself and Odyssey. She muses “How are you so good at this game?” making Odyssey lift a small brow and ask “Sarcasm?” eyes flicking to Iliad, Volass confirms “Yes, son. Although it is no fault that your sister is very…animated.” putting a hand to her heart she walks over “I’m touched dad.” and bows her head slightly. A costume they’ve created knowing that Vulcan’s value their personal space and have sensitive nerves.

“You know we’re now in a century with a matter synthesizer.” Iliad brings up as they all sit down. Volass shakes his head “The pleasure of cooking for my children is something I have been fond of through the centuries. But I will admit.” he starts raising a hand to one of his pointed ears “Now that the existence of other life is known on Earth it is a godsend to no longer wear those headdresses and hats.”

“Did I have to wear a hat before we traveled to a starfaring century?” Odyssey asks, making Iliad smirk “We used to stick a beanie over your head because it’s the only thing that would look okay for a baby in the sixties.”

“Yes.” confirms Volass “It was…atrocious.” Iliad snorts, unable to hold in her giggles causing Odyssey to let a small grin through. It was routine and a break, a moment where none needed to hide, and the further in the future they went the more they didn’t have to outside.

“Dishes are done.” Odyssey announces, Volass motions “You are excused for bed then.” running off he leaves his sister alone with their father to continue their exercise as she polishes their badges “Quantum state.” Volass names. Iliad is quick “The state of conjoining, both wave and particle, both here and there, both dying and just born. It is the same concept that the Khronos Union uses to simplify the idea of time.”

“In Vulcan.”

“Wuh fupa s' t'conjoi, fi'pral heh pi'gal, fi' la' heh tra', fi' dying heh aishan pukeshta. Ish-veh nam-tor wuh ka cept ik wuh Khronos Union nam-tor-tor tor sify wuh  t'wak.”

“In Temporus.”

“Yewhpi sa’ lum vanosha. Molta ie vitum drovatr te’. Ghasu shue’ Khronos Union rewcw nra’.”

“Excellent.” she could almost see the hint of a smile. Setting down Odyssey's badge she picks up her own and pins the Starfleet symbol to her shirt, taping it. Clothing instantly transforms to a dark purple uniform with gold accents “Deactivate it.” eyeing her with a raised brow is enough for Iliad to get the message, taking off the badge, returning her clothes to neutral “Better?”

“Done with your meltdown?”

“I said one word.”

“And in that word you spoke your ambition.”

“Is it bad to want something?”

“This.” he picks up the badge “You have already, a promise, waiting for you at Prime Welcome.” leaning back in her chair Iliad rolls her multicolored nails on the table “Can’t I then, I don’t know, join a Starfleet course instead of being an archive runner every new century we jump to?” straightening up Volass reaches out to collect the other two badges, asserting “You’ve graduated from the most advanced versions of academia’s of the galaxy. There would be little for them to offer you.” standing up Volass moves from across the table to a seat right next to Iliad “As Second Chance we each make this journey through time. We don’t know it, we experience it first hand. I did this on Vulcan and you are doing it on Earth. And when we arrive at Prime Welcome you will get to say you wish to remain with the Khronos Union and be activated as a Starfleet Officer.”

Volass holds her eyes no matter how hard she tries to escape the Vulcan. Slowly reaching over Volass turns Iliad’s hand and lightly lays his on top “Do you recall the message of The Day of the Promise?”

“Yes.” she blurts out “Of course! It’s who we are.” leaning in Volass recites the last part of the message that plays at the same time, on the same day, across all Khronos Union issued devices, no matter the year, “Time is as rigid as it is fluid, it is sentient and requires life. We learn and protect that time for the stars above.” with a sigh he explains “You wish to rush through time, but you forget this all happens in a singular moment as it does years. Do not force it, work with it-”

A small beeping, almost a trill, multiple. Both father and daughter furrow their brows. Volass moves over to the counter while Iliad turns, reaching into her bag. Pulling out a sleek device, Iliad waves a hand over the Aveiatas, popping up a flashing screen, silver with purple metallic accents. Facing back, Volass has the same screen flashing silver and yellow. “Portacool launch…” trailing off Volass mutters the rest before exclaiming “Three A.M.'' eyes widening Iliad almost chokes “T-Tomorrow morning? The three A.M that’s happening in six hours-”

“Iliad!” he calls dismissing the message putting his Aveiatas into his pocket “This is no different than the other times we have moved.” taking a deep breath Iliad’s eyes wander to her own screen, something nagging at her “We get a launch alert at least two weeks in advance, never hours.”

“Nevertheless it is an alert.” going back to the closet he pulls out three bags, names switched onto the blue fabrics “Pack only the essentials.” taking her own and Odysseys she nods “Right…Oddie!” calling out to her little brother Iliad sprints down the hall “Oddie!” opening his door she finds the Vulcan boy sitting up in bed, holding his own Aveiatas flashing green “We are launching?” Kneeling down and placing his bag on the foot of his bed Iliad confirms “Tomorrow morning, early early. Do you need help packing?” removing his covers Odyssey grabs the bag “Assistants will not be required, but thank you Ily.” lips moving up, Iliad stands gripping the straps of her own bag, backing up “Of course, go back to sleep when you’re done.” Odyssey begins to move, freezing when he hears Iliad finish “And pack your book!” She knew the drill by now, it was almost like a January first in a way. Every year, and on rare occasions, it would be time to move. Going into her room she knows exactly what to grab, kneeling down and lifting up the covers of her bed to slide a metal box out from underneath. Setting that at the bottom Iliad turns her attention to start putting on her PJ’s taking a final glimpse of the room around her as she settles into bed.

“Guess who?” rolling her eyes at this Iliad giggles “Could it be my dad?” fully opening her door Volass steps in “Just attempting to show you how arbitrary the guess work is.” gaze flickering down to her wrists resting on her knees Volass sits on the edge of the bed placing his hand over them to stop the trembling “You have nothing to worry about.”

“I know.” biting her lip though it was clear to both that a small part of her never had let go of Poland “It was an error.” admits Volass “On my part. I should not have assumed Earth’s history would be that of a similar nature to Vulcan’s-”

“It’s illogical to speculate on the past.” a very Vulcan statement coming from the human girl but one that simply told her father that he had done everything he could have in the moment. Volass agrees “That is a logical argument. Especially when it is the literal future we are looking to brave.” patting her hand he insists “Get some rest.” even when he leaves she can still feel his comfort, his assurance. Enough to get her to lay down and put her hands under her head. It was a big deal now going into a brand new century, 23rd to be exact. Maybe the chill that ran up her spine was just the fault of the air conditioning in her room. Volass and Oddeyssey’s biology keep to that of a desert planet so the rest of the house is a fair bit warmer for her taste. Yes, just enough to get to her to shut her eyes.

Groaning Iliad squeezes her lids close at the purple flashing in the dark. Having rolled onto her stomach Iliad wipes her mouth of drool reaching to her bedside table to view the message “Mhhh nuh, head to…to launch point five three eight seven- Launch point!” throwing her covers off of her she fastens her badge to her shirt tapping it. Her uniform materializes as she straps her phaser to her side and slings her bag over her shoulder “Shit! Shit! Shit!” snatching the Aveiatas Iliad dashing down the hall and out the back door. 

Stars still out, black coating the backyard stretching into the forest patch of the local park. Watching the screen she quickly skids to a stop catching her breath “I’m here, I’m here.” presauding herself this Iliad finally takes in the world around her. “Huh?” eyes flickering down to her device Iliad runs a hand through her hair “Launch point five three six…Wait that was an eight before.” She turns to the new direction, pointing with her finger “Five seven six, no, eight-tw-fou-what?” Iliad stops moving to dismiss the screen and brings it back but still it shifts and changes “This is a really!” getting fed up she smacks it “Bad!” shakes it “Time!” nothing works. “You never break? Are you broken?” she mumbles, flipping it upside down to check before giving up and lowering it “Dad!” calling out Iliad takes a few steps forward “Hey Dad! Dad! Oddie!” She was the only one out there, Iliad was the only one at all in the area “Dad?” 

Beep…beeep…beep…beep, beep, beep, beep!!!

Aveiatas brought back to eye level Iliad's eyes widen at the readings, a shift in literal space…which means a shift in literal time.

“Iliad?” looking back Odyssey stands, still in PJ’s, in the screen doorway turning back into the house “Father! I found her!” stepping aside, Odyssey allows their father to stand in the doorway holding both sides “Iliad!”

“I…” her arm swings out in a large motion “I thought you guys were already out here!” furrowing his brows Volass pulls out his device “We do not launch for another hour!” eyes going back to the time Iliad sees it’s only around 2 AM, not even close to 3. “What are these readings father?” Odyssey brings attention to, eyes peering onto Volass’s screen. The beeping of both sounds gets louder and faster until it drops, every drops off. After a solid minute Iliad shifts her stance, shoulders relaxing “Sorry! It started beeping! Maybe I set my alarm to early-”

A wave of pure scarlet energy, glowing as bright as blast from a Starship. Hands meeting the harsh grass, a spike shoots up Iliad’s spine “Ugh!” Quickly flipping herself around the pulsing of white and red reflects in her eyes, all of their eyes staring at it. Swirling like the waves on a beach but pristine and intentional, a white hot center like a photon star encaving on itself and growing bigger “The hell?” Iliad brings her knees under her slowly starting to rise, tentatively. 

“Ah!” A black form is suddenly flung out of the center, expanding limbs like wings, light swirling around it in a giant flash. One of its arms claws its way forward making Iliad jump back as it struggles to free itself. Volass’s jaw clenches as he moves Odyssey behind him “Iliad, run!” Spinning on her heel she makes a dash back through the woods. 

The more the creature pulls loud almost shrieks, like scrapings of metal follow it until it’s able to fully pass through. Sprinting across the back yard Iliad is just about to cross the halfway point when her bag scrunches at her armpits flinging her back “Uh!” legs being drawn back against the grass “Let me go!!!”

“ILIAD!!!” shouts Volass quickly sprinting out and grabbing his daughter's arms, holding tight. His Vulcan strength being the last thing to keep them both in place. The red glow brighter and it seems the creature has a burst of energy having Iliad’s arms slip back and for Volass to grip her hands instead, bringing them together to hold tight “Dad!” a flash of pure fear and desperation “I have you!” he promises…a hope…not a lie, Vulcans do not lie.

But it would not fully be the truth.

Flesh slips from flesh and Iliad screams out a final time watching her father fall to his knees. His face and her little brother warping and stretching in red before becoming fully engulfed and in a brilliant white, gone. A solid floor hits her feet before she tumbles back, slamming into a metal wall. Head lulling to the floor Iliad sits in the dark, sparks flickering from a loose wire above Iliad “Oddie…” she pants out “...Dad.” 

They were gone, she was gone, to where? No clue…but wherever that red…creature? Insect? Angel? Whatever it was, where it took her is what she needs to figure out. Putting her hand behind her Iliad freezes at a wetness, a clump on her fingers. In the light of the sparks she brings it in front of her face “That’s…blood.” using her other hand she goes to reach for her Aveiatas to feel a dent and broken glass “No.” she pleads smacking it, the glow dying it and the device completely busted and broken nine ways to Brooklyn. “No-dammit!” bringing her bag around she carefully wraps it before setting it inside and standing “Okay, you can do this, you can do this…hopefully you can do this.”

Chapter Text

Iliad removes the phaser from its holster and engages the flashlight almost gagging. A human body, twisted, braided, another beside it mauled. Tilting her head Iliad narrows her eyes at this using the light to look at the other bodies around “Two different causes of death.” shifting the beam she spots claw marks slashed right through the metal walls “One of which is probably caused by that. Okay.” closing her eyes Iliad stands still allowing her other senses to heighten, growling, prowling, on the other side of wherever.

Right, the first thing to figure out. Flashing the light around the hall she comes upon an intact print beside a destroyed panel “U.S.S Glenn. It’s a ship! I’m a ship!” her face falls “Oh my god…I’m on a Starship…a Starship that is most probably in space…Sweet fuck I’m in space!” a giddy laugh releases from Iliad who immediately puts herself back “Need to find a working computer…Engineering. Basic layout should be the same.” It was almost like the ship was haunted, souls of dead sailors either disfigured or some form of eaten. Iliad wasn’t new to the dead, she just hadn’t seen much of it in a while. The last time she could recall seeing anything like what is around her was when she was fifteen. Fifteen years old quickly living in 194- she wouldn’t dare to ever think about it again, not that year.

Not the time that four became three.

The Engineering bay is actually lit for once. It seemed a bit small for that of a standard Starship but there was the possibility that along with being in a different location time could also be a factor. On the left side a workstation and on the right a white glass chamber with a machine, like a giant backpack sitting in it. The red glow of the power drive offers enough light for Iliad to shut down her own phaser still up. 

Securing the straps of her bag on her Iliad moves to the workstation, eyes raking over the control deck. Still a literal glass screening meaning the same tech as the 22nd century. When tapping it Iliad notices the interface is high def but still glitchy, no wonder it’s a wrecked ship! Nothing, Iliad assumes, a little advanced tinkering can fix “Thank you dad.” She sings a bit, getting the panel to be steady enough for basic functions to run “Computer?” no audio response but it is listening “What’s the Stardate?” a small number pops up at the bottom.

1207.14

Leaning her head back, Iliad uses her fingers quickly calculating “January second, Earth calendar…two thousand two hundred fifty seven.” The day remains the same as in the past but the entire year has changed, an entire century's changed “This is the 23rd Century.” biting her lip Iliad taps her nails on the panel before lifting up a finger to her badge “Science vessel uniform. Year: two thousand two hundred fifty seven.” A glow replaces the dark purple uniform with a blue fitted suit, the shoulders circled in silver strings, the Starfleet symbol now upon a rectangle with lines behind it to indicate a final year cadet. She looks down at herself, it could be worse, warmer colors tend to not go so well with bright blonde hair.

“Computer pull up logs…Computer? Com-” frizzing out, Iliad could take it as if it was laughing at her situation. “Computer, pull up anything in the Starfleet database corresponding to these words: Khronos Union.” that the computer was able to do, considering it left Iliad with a big fat zero search result making her ball her fists “Halfway through the next century and still not at Prime Welcome.” letting out a sigh Iliad slumps her weight onto her hands staring down “I can’t go back. No, think like dad. The logical approach would be for the three of us to meet back up at Prime Welcome. That’s the only date we know we’ll all be at.”

How to get there was the question though. She can’t contact the Khronos Union, not with her Aveiatas in the state it was and Iliad doubted the 23rd Century harbored the correct technology to fix it properly. Good thing she only needed it to be fixed enough to send one message.

“Set phasers to kill!!!” an echo travels down through the corridor she went through earlier. Flicking her wrist Iliad removes all information from the screen kneeling down quickly, phaser positioned at the ready. A man rushes in first standing by the door “Come on!” three more women follow in after, a final member screaming “Help me!” before a nauseating crunch is heard and the man seals the door to engineering. Aiming slightly above the man, Iliad fires a warning shot making all those in the company go on guard. They seemed human but Iliad had no translator “Nǐ shì shéi!?” she calls out slowly, raising her feet, keeping her stance, trying again “Quién eres?” maybe a language not of Earth “Vi nam-tor du?”

One woman steps forward, short curly brown hair and an umber complexion, she puts her hand to her chest “Hali-sutra t’ wuh U.S.S Discovery.” she spoke Vulcan making Iliad slightly lower her phaser “Tor-du stariben eingelsu?” the woman nods “Yes, english. We all speak english. You are a crew member of the U.S.S Gle-?”

“Yes!” faster than she could think the lie was out of Iliad’s mouth “Cadet Specialist Iliad.” the woman goes on “Michael Burnham.” she points to the shorter woman who gruffs “Commander Landry.”

“Sylvia Tilly!” the red haired girl calls with a slight tremble in her voice. The man moves away from the sealed door “Paul Stamets. Do you know what that goddamn thing is?!” shaking her head, Iliad relaxes more. “I was in my quarters…next thing I know all of the powers shot…I work in engineering-I uh-work with the sciences so I came here hoping to barricade myself in.” Paul nods at this, pointing his flashlight to Michael “Burnham, download all the ship’s logs. Tilly, pull all telemetry and check the spore containment status.” nodding Tilly moves off in a slight daze. Paul is fixated on his friend, twisted out of shape “I’m sorry, my friend.”

A giant roar makes them all face the door, the thudding on the door rattling the entire room. Groaning Michael reports “Log data’s corrupted.” motioning at her Iliad agrees “I already tried, trust me.”

“There’s some kind of navigational hack over here.” Tilly also reports to dismay, making Landry irritated “Get what you're getting, please!” rushing over to Tilly, Paul motions to the device box on top “This is coming with us, help me get it off please.”

“We should be going.” Iliad insists “Leaving, off the ship-”

“Hey, hey, hey.” Turning to her, Michael puts a hand on her shoulder “We’re getting out of here.” her eyes flicker up to the upper door “You know the passcode?” facing the same way Iliad heads up the stairs kneeling down beside the panel. With one arm she reaches for the bottom pulling off the outer casing, beginning to manually move things around “Simple lock, I’m overriding it.”

The doors slide open as Iliad stands, Michael’s eyes widening “Nice work.”

“Go!” Paul calls, leading himself and Tilly, the two holding the backpack shaped object from inside the chamber “Now!” The door led into the main shuttle bay. A screen of energy keeping everyone from being sucked out into space, into the stars. In the vast, hollow room Iliad stops herself.

She’s on a Starship in space…She’s in outer space.

“Let’s move Cadet!” Landry shouts at her from the ramp of a docked shuttle. Able to get her feet to move, Iliad holsters her phaser, gripping her bag, stepping inside, able to let herself breath. Head leaning back and eyes shutting as the shuttle takes off.

White and silver walls are more comforting with the blue glowing accents. It’s a fine Starship indeed, one of the best Iliad has ever seen. Upon arrival Tilly suggested medical be requested, Iliad denied this. No medical personnel in this time could treat her, none before Prime Welcome could treat any of her family. It’s why Volass took such care in learning medicine, it would be one thing for her to be treated and tests coming back with doctors having lots of questions and another for her brother to be bleeding and his blood being green would cause problems.

What if that thing that brought her here went back for them. Of course, the second her life is no longer in danger Iliad plagues her own mind with thoughts and images of the worst. Shutting her eyes Iliad stops her pacing “No, can’t think like that. Protocol…follow protocol.” going to her bag on the bed she presses her hand against the top of the metal box, a purple outline traces her hand, blinking twice and the lid pops open. There are various rectangular objects, she ignores them digging around for a see through card, almost like an ID.

Iliad closes the box as she pulls it out, waving her hand over it. A profile pops up with her picture, information from the last century “Automatic time shift update.” a computerized voice chimes, the information shifting. Her birth year moved, birth city updated, graduation years shifted, her profile picture resembles her new uniform. Tapping one part of the hologram Iliad zeros in on stations “Manual update. U.S.S Glenn.” the information appears, the voice asking “Is that all?”

“Yes.”

“Uploading to Starfleet database.”

In a white stream the hologram floats up into the ceiling, dispersing along the lines in the walls. A ring resounds in the room making Iliad shove the card back into her bag, hands behind her back facing the door “Come in.”

A man walks in, command rank, judging by the gold on his uniform instead of silver. Joined by a Kelpien, a bit worrying to Iliad knowing of their Threat Ganglia, known to wave around when danger or unease presents itself. The man looks her up and down before smiling slightly “So you’re the survivor?”

“Yes sir.”

“I’m Captain Gabriel Lorca.” he introduces before motioning to the Kelpien “And this is Commander Saru.” waving a pale pink hand Saru bows his head “Kayf haluk?” recognizing the Arabic Iliad shrugs “Laqad qumt bieamal ‘afdal.” Lorca raises his eyebrows at this, turning to Saru who motions to himself “I asked how they are doing. And they responded that they have been better.”

“Well I can only imagine.” Relents Lorca facing Iliad once more taking out a PADD “Cadet Specialist Iliad, stationed on the U.S.S Glenn, our sister ship.” scoffing Lorca asks “Ship full of scientists and a cadet is considered a specialist?”

“My credentials speak for themselves, Captain.” Looking back down Lorcas’s eyes blow open wide “A graduate of Starfleet Academy and the Vulcan Science Academy. Highest honors.” Saru tilts his head to the side “An impressive feat…if I may though, you are huma-” Iliad already knew where this was going “My father is Vulcan. So are my siblings.”

“Where you place?”

“Middle child.”

“Damn, stuck between two Vulcans? I can’t even handle one.” keeping her head high Iliad quirks the right corner of her lip up “I learned to keep up.”

“Clearly!” Lorca laughs out “I mean how many languages do you know?” mulling it over for a second while tossing her head back and forth Iliad shrugs again “Enough. Earth standard and Federation.”

“Klingon?”

“All five dialects.”

“Again.” The Kelipen states “Very impressive. You are not a specialist in communications?” still stiff Iliad rolls her shoulders back “I just got shipped out from Earth. I wasn’t on the Glenn long…so I’m not exactly sure what I was supposed to be helping with but my special classification falls under the field of relative quantum mechanics.” there’s a shift in Lorca’s gaze, a glint in his eye “Three simple words, they pack a hell of a punch…” he moves back down to the PADD “How old are you?”

“I turn twenty two on the thirtieth.”

“Well then.” putting the PADD under his arm Lorca offers his hand “Welcome to the Discovery Cadet Specialist Iliad.” dropping her arms from behind her back Iliad shuffles a bit “Sir?” holding up a finger Saru faces Lorca “Captain, although clearly suited to the task. Cadet Iliad has never been deployed before, let alone in this manner.” Lorca shakes this off “Best way to learn is to experience.”

“...My father would agree with you on that.” Iliad says, shaking Lorca’s hand “Thank you, Captain.” nodding to her Lorca steps back “Get what you have unpacked and you’ll get your first assignment tomorrow.” The doors slide open as Saru follows close behind before stopping and tilting his head as he looks back at her. Iliad tilts her head mirroring his movements, the two simply blink at each other. Suddenly Saru’s hand slightly flies up to graze the back of his neck “Good day!” he spittles out before marching out.

The room was meant for two people, she only occupied one side. The thought of knowing you could be with another right now and yet you are completely and utterly alone. Moving off into the bathroom, Iliad turns on the water and runs the shower before gripping the sides of the sink in a vice grip “AAAAAAHHHHHUGH!!!!!” silently the streams wash down her face, a scream that falls on deaf ears. The metal rim of the sink is slightly dented, two bumps pushing out, four pushing in, barely noticeable. 

Void.

Empty.

But a prayer stays on her lips, softly at first “Vesht sarlah nash-veh ha kel…Vesht sarlah nash-veh ha kel…Vesht sarlah nash-veh ha kel… I am coming home. ”

Chapter Text

“No, no, no!” Paul resounds, marching back to his workstation, Iliad follows closely behind “I’m not having a first time spacewalker touching any of this.” 

“Maybe that could be revised if I was simply briefed on what this is?” Iliad points out looking around engineering. Scowling Paul sighs glancing up from the computer “Take it up with the Captain.”

“Captain assigned me to you.” pausing abruptly at this Paul finally looks at Iliad. She’s simply patient, painstakingly patient. Shutting his eyes for a second Paul groans “Here!” turning to the wall of glowing tubes behind him he pulls out one canister, flowing blue particles shifting and twirling inside “Mycelium Spores.”

“Part of the fungal species Prototaxites stellaviatori.” thrown off for a second Paul regains his train of thought “...Yes.” And continues as he points to the door to the left “We grow it in our cultivation bay. The Mycelium Spores are connected to a larger web.” He returns the canister back, getting in close to illustrate with hand movements “Imagine a microscopic web that spans the entire cosmos. An intergalactic ecosystem. We are creating a way to travel off that, an organic propulsion system…which is what the Glenn was already traveling on, back and forth from the Beta Quadrant, ninety light years away, in one point three seconds.”

“What?” Iliad’s brows severely furrow inward at this because it makes no sense, not even in the world of futuristic and advanced sciences her father teaches. Laying her hands on the other side of the workstation she stares down at the work, the calculations, the wish made reality “Ninety light years in one point three seconds is almost instantaneous. Einstein’s theory would suggest the faster we go the slower time gets around us. That’s why when warping it’s like you're stuck in a tunnel, but this is…it’s blinking!”

“Arbitrary way to put it.” Paul argues but nods “Yes, blinking. But not on the same plane as we currently exist on but on the Mycelial Plane. An infinite number of roads leading everywhere, already mapped out; so far the Discovery has only been able to jump a few hundred kilometers.”

“Can’t it cover the same amount of ground as the Glenn?” After a long pause Paul sighs “Navigation tends to kick us out of the jump before it can’t compute the route end destination.” pouting with duck lips for a second Iliad shrugs “Why not map it out?”

“Please!” rolling his eyes Paul grabs his PADD and walks back around “Did you not just hear me? We keep getting kicked out before we reach the mark. We’re not even in there for long enough to record the data.”

“Why not pull data from Maintenance?” pausing at this Paul watches as Iliad goes around to his work station. She pulls up past logs, from the docking bay, to the hull, even the thrusters, all of which have sensors of their surrounds including during the jumps. Dropping his PADD, Paul comes around to peer over Iliad’s shoulder as she works compiling everything the Discovery has recorded from multiple departments. With one one tap of the screen she pulls up the map they had so far, sparse, barely any paths “This is what you thought you had.” Expanding her fingers she enlarges her own additions, much more full, and complete “This is what you actually got.”

“Well I…You just-” putting a hand to his lips Paul stares at it muttering to himself before glancing between the map and Iliad “You…You are staying right here.” nodding to this Iliad’s feet do a little dance, heels swerving, the balls of her feet planted as she sing-song says “Yes I am!” Paul walks back around slapping a hand on the navigation unit they took from the Glenn “Try anything you can to fill in as many gaps as you can. Quicker we get that, the quicker this war can end.” are his final words before stepping to the side to go check over something else leaving Iliad frozen.

They were in a-...What war?

“Gespar and Plomeek Tea.” The voice line on the food synthesizer accepts Iliad’s meal request and the fruit delicacies and drink appear on the tray much faster than the synthesizer in her home from the last century. Taking the tray Iliad scans the mess hall eyes spotting Michael, outcasted, sitting alone. Naturally Iliad was drawn to them “Nam-tor nash ku-san?”

Is this seat taken?

Snapping back to reality Michael stares at Iliad for a second before motioning “Sanoi.”

Please.

Iliad slides into her chair, setting down her tray beginning to peel at the outside ridge of the blue icy fruit “Thanks for saving me.” shrugging Michael nods “We’ll we weren’t just gonna leave you behind…You haven’t been in space for long have you?”

“Does it show?”

“Enough.” leaning forward Michael takes the chance to slay her curiosity “I need to ask, where did you pick up Vulcan?” Popping a slice of the fruit in her mouth Iliad holds it up slightly “Home spoken. Dad likes to switch it up on me, keep me on my toes.” After just one bite Iliad almost glares at the fruit, the one her little brother begged for in the morning to snack on with her. Iliad sets it down on her tray and pushes it back. Michael takes note of this “I never knew of another human raised on Vulcan.” looking at Michael Iliad crosses her arms trying to relax “Oh we didn’t live on Vulcan, lived on Earth.”

“Where?”

“Everywhere!” Iliad muses thinking “Uh, I’ve lived in Egypt, Greece, Norway, Japan, Africa, Italy, China, UK, Poland, Canada, America. Right now my families back in San Francisco…I think-”

“Hey.” jumping in Michael waves it off shaking their head “We don’t have to talk about it. The war’s been tough on everyone.” 

“War?”

“...The…The Klingon War?”

“...right.” Michael knows that look, when you regret and miss something so bad but you know the only way to focus is to push it away. “I never caught your name?” inquiries Michael trying to change the subject. Giving a polite smile Iliad lets out a breath “Cadet Specialist Iliad. And you are…”

“...Michael Burnham.” Watching Iliad’s face Michael’s thrown, no shock, no distance, Iliad had no idea who Michael Burnham was. She points to Iliad’s tray “Mind if I have a piece? Used to love Gespar when I was a kid.” motioning a hand Iliad laughs “Go ahead, just make sure to eat it before it starts to smell like shit.” laughter was unable to be contained from either. A war with the Klingons, not entirely impossible in Iliad’s mind, just a bit surprising since back when she knew the Klingons mostly kept to themselves, wishing to have nothing to do with the Federation. Then again political matters were more suited to her siblings skill set rather than her own. 

“Cadet Specialist Iliad to Engineering.” head leaning back to look at the speakers Iliad presses her hands to the table “I just got lunch.” 

“Nuh-uh.” shaking her head Michael grabs Iliad’s tray “You mad! You ain’t acting like that! You get called, you go.” Iliad just stares at her making Michael kick her foot “Now!” Jumping up at the contact Iliad shakes out her ankle “All right!” She mutters as she walks off “...Sas-rzah.”

Asshole.

Michael leans back watching them “I heard that!”

“The Glenn crashed into an undetectable Hawking radiation firewall when it exited from the Mycelial Plane. As a result-” The doors to Engineering slide open, Iliad grabbing the railing as she heads down the steps. Paul stands in the middle of the room arguing with Lorca as Saru stands by “All the biologicals on board spun out.” Paul finishes eyes flicking over to Iliad, about to speak when Lorca gets in his line of sight “You can prevent that from happening again, right?”

“Yes.”

“So, what’s the problem?” 

“Captain, as I’ve explained to you, everytime we try a long jump we lose navigational stability. Remember? Jumping is probabilistic. The longer the jump the more possible the outcomes-”

“But I saw!” Lorca raises his voice slightly to stop Paul “I saw the map was updated…soooo?” putting his PADD under his arm Paul curls his fingers to his palm having Iliad step off the stairs where he then points to her station “That was the work of our newest addition.” throwing out his arms Lorca blinks “You’re welcome!” he calls as he was the one who assigned Iliad to Paul’s department. “Cadet Iliad!”

“No.” Paul warns “No, no-”

“Cadet Specialist Iliad!” The room goes a bit rigid, Iliad’s finger stopping above the screen as all three stare at her, the Captain expectantly. With a sigh Paul nods to her to join them “Yes sir.” she says walking over, Lorca continues “Trial and error, I get it. Let’s try something.” Paul is ready to throw hands “We lack the processing power to make the requisite number to make the proper amount of calculations to hold a course.”

“So what were they doing that we’re not?” Lorca asks Iliad. Biting her lip she looks over to her station, pointing to the new navigation unit “We took this from the Glenn and incorporated it into Discovery’s drive unit; however to function optimally it requires a…another component that is capable of advanced computing.” Tisking Saru puts his hands behind his back “Some sort of “supercomputer” then?” blankly again their eyes meet, Iliad’s head tilts, Saru’s matches. Eyes narrowing slightly, Iliad lightly tucks in her chin “Yeah, a supercomputer.”

Lorca jabs a thumb over his shoulder at the chamber “And what’s that thing.” The backpack/seat shaped machine from the Glenn sits inside. Iliad speaks up “Lieutenant Commander Stamets took it from the chamber on the Glenn. It interacts with the Spore Drive.”

“How?”

“...Some…how.”

Clearing his throat Saru steps forward looking up from his PADD “In exactly five hours, forty nine minutes and forty six seconds the Klingons will take Corvan 2.” hearing this Iliad leans her neck forward a bit “K-Klingons…li-like like this is an actual mission?”

“This can’t be rushed!” Paul jumps in but Lorca doesn’t care, getting right up in his face “Now you listen to me, Mr. Stamets. They need us, now. Get it done…And you!” Lorca turns his furry and urgency onto Iliad “Relative Quantum Mechanics, make it relative to this. Keeping you here had better not be a mistake.” and quickly he moves off out the door, Saru keeping his eyes on Iliad only following Lorca again when she meets his gaze. Nails tapping on the metal Iliad lets her shoulders fall. Worst case she gets sent back to Earth. 

Solid ground, yes. But that thing put her on the Glenn at the time that the Discovery crew was searching it. Where’s the parts of the Glenn? On the Discovery! Where’s the crew that was searching it? On the Discovery! Along with seemingly the most advanced equipment and tech of the current Starfleet that could maybe get her device to work well enough to send one message. She has every reason to fight for her place on this ship rather than going back to Earth.

The next time Lorca attempted to put the ship on Black Alert and make a jump, as expected, the Discovery was kicked out of the network and Paul hit his nose having to go to infirmary leaving Iliad with the instructions to try whatever she could. Her nails make a clicking noise as they skim each other, a nervous habit. A need to get something out, normally she’d vent to her dad…thankfully there was someone on the ship who knew Vulcan.

After asking around she managed to learn Michael’s location, walking down the hall Saru turns out of the room Michael was in. Iliad keeps on walking, the two keeping their eyes locked, Saru nods “Calimare nos tras.”

On your way Cadet.

“Lumentra.”

Commander.

Her response was without a second thought, but one that made Saru stop dead and watch her disappear from the hall. Versed in languages, she proved she was well taught, but as the only Kelpien in Starfleet Saru wonders what the benefit of her knowing the Kelpien language could possibly be and how she learned it to begin with.

“Michael!”

“In here!” The doors part open for Iliad who stops, teetering on her heel. The mini lab was jam packed with, well, weapons. Various races, various cultures, all having the ability to deal damage. Toeing her way into the room Iliad purses her lips “What is this room?” Michael turns from a containment chamber to look over a screen “Lorca’s personal lab.” Iliad eyes a traditional Vulcan weapon hanging on the wall “It’s quite the collection.” She tries running her hand along the staff of the Lirpa. Knowing that tone Michael stops and faces her “What is it?”

“Just the constant threat of being kicked off the ship.” Iliad is trying to make light of her situation. Looking around Michael she spots the information on the screen, a bioscan of a large worm/sea slug like creature “So why are you looking at bio files of a Tardigrade?” chin tucking in and eyes widening Michael grabs the screen turning it parallel “Tardi-What?”

“Tardigrade.”

“...You know what this is?” Stepping forward and holding onto the screen as well Iliad shrugs a hand towards it “My little brother loves galactic biology, taught me all about them.”

“...How old’s your little brother?” Without looking at Michael Iliad casually answers “Eight. But they’re really interesting, in fact part of their genetic makeup is shared with Prototaxites stellaviatori.” facing Michael Iliad simplifies “It has similarities in its DNA with the spores.” furrowing her brows Michael trails off “Similar DNA…” before her eyes blow wide “Oh my god!” holding up both her hands Iliad steps back “What did I do?”

“Well for starters, you're not getting kicked off the ship.”

Rushing into Engineering Iliad grips the PADD in her hands, Michael trying her best to keep up “Slow down!” hearing the commotion Paul descends from the upper station “What’s going on?” his eyes fall on Michael where he gives a false smile pointing at her “Burnham! Out of my dock!”

“No wait!” Iliad calls out “Commander please! Just hear us out.” tapping a few files on the nearest workstation Michael pulls up photos from the Glenn “These are Tilly’s tricorder images from our mission on the Glenn- Look.” Michael highlights the steel door that shielded them in Engineering “The doors to the engineering room were blown outward. The shatter pattern of the reaction cube, the destruction, like something inside was going crazy. A very big something. Then there’s the excess shielding surrounding the room. It’s as if the crew was trying to keep something in.” now interested in the point Paul hums “What’s your hypothesis? That Straal was holding that thing in his lab?” Putting her arm between the two Iliad shows the pulled up logs on her PADD “On the uncorrupted logs from the Captain it reports they found the Tardigrade-”

“Tardi-what?”

“-on the lower decks. Now the Glenn doesn’t have the ability to grow spores like the Discovery so they stored their mushrooms dry and in tremendous quantities, naturally, in the lower decks.” pulling her arm back Iliad grips the PADD getting to the point “It entered the ship in pursuit of spores.” walking over to the installed navigation Iliad puts a hand on it “The Glenn had the navigation problem cracked. I told the Captain somehow it needed a supercomputer. The Tardigrade is the how.” thinking on it Paul nods “Yes, that could…that could work.”

“Then we have no time to waste.” Michael insists on grabbing a scanner and moving to stand before the Cultivation Bay door. Biting his lip Paul begins to input coordinates into his communicator “Get over here Cadet.” Iliad joins them as the door opens to a forest of lively, growing mushrooms. Paul then lifts his phaser making Iliad give him the side eye “Tardigrade aren’t predators but we’ve seen what self defense can do.” She reminds him, making Paul groan, lowering it slightly “Think of it as a placebo for my skepticism.” he flips over his communicator “Energize.”

A haze of yellow light and gold flecks materialize the Tardigrade in the middle of the cultivator forest of mushrooms. Immediately it crawls over the fence into the fungal sea “My God.” Paul exclaims “You’re right. Look how it interacts with the spores. It’s as if they’re communicating.” Michael steps closer taking note of the readings “My tricorder is detecting energy transfer. Some form of symbiosis.”

“It’s talking to them.” simply states Iliad folding her arms behind her, each hand gripping an elbow. Dropping his phaser Paul turns to her “That hardly seems fair. I always wanted to converse with my mushrooms.” shoulders scrunching Iliad peers around at Michael “Maybe even tell them where to go?”

“Yeah!” nodding vigorously Michael smiles “You figure out how to have it interact with the tech from the Glenn, we’ve got a navigator.”

“Mr. Stamets, are you ready?” The ship wide coms carry Lorca’s voice into Engineering. Paul stands at the furthest work station “Stand by, Captain.” feeling a hand brush her arm Iliad turns to Michael who nods their head “Get moving Cadet.” it’s said with a bit of a joking manner. Iliad smirks moving quickly to the workstations “Right.”

“Bring up Black Alert.” Paul instructs and Iliaid’s fingers glide across the screen “Black Alert, go.” she informs; the computer reporting the mode to the whole ship as Paul loads up one of the spore canisters “Energize.” At his command the Tardigrade is Warped into the reaction cube. They all watch in awe as the tech from the Glenn suddenly activates. The arms of the initiation device, all four attach to the Tardigrade’s hide making it wriggle a bit. Suddenly Iliad’s most recent version of the star chart appears before her, the empty spots filling in and great detail being added.

“This is every charted star system.” marvels Paul “The Tardigrade is holding all these coordinates in its head.” quickly he makes work of setting the location “Course is set for Corvan 2. We’re ready to jump, sir.”

“Is anybody not ready?” Lorca strains before initiating “Go.”

Three Klingon ships fire on the defenseless city on Corvan 2 lowering their shield to three percent. Wreckage falls on the residents, running and hiding, parents holding their children as they await their impending doom. In a flash of light the shields fall away and the Klingon’s attacks begin to hit and bomb the city. Making a round about to go back in for another attack the Klingon’s are cut off by a massive starship blinking into existence. The Discovery quickly engages, destroying two of the Klingon ships effectively. On the bridge Saru reports “Targets one and two destroyed.” nodding, Lorca surprisingly commands “Full stop.”

“Captain?”

“Initiating full stop, Captain.” obeys Lieutenant Commander Keyla Detmer bringing the Discovery to hover above the city. “Multiple Klingon vessels converging.” hearing this Saru jumps into action “Diverting all nonessential power to shields.”

“The Birds are at one thousand kilometers and closing, their phasers are locked, Captain, and closing.”

A green blast begins to approach Discovery, Lorca grips the railing “Hold tight everybody!” everyones rattled a bit “Steady!” 

Saru informs “Shield's holding at eighty percent, seventy five, sixty five.” gritting his teeth Lorca calls over the coms “Engineering!” 

Loading in a refreshed spore canister Paul motions to Iliad “Spore drive is primed, Captain!” 

“On my order!”

Bringing up the star chart Iliad swiftly inputs her calculations without even looking down at her “Coordinates input! We’re good to go!” her voice rings across the bridge as more phaser blasts assault Discovery. The Birds of Prey getting closer with each passing second. Airiam’s technical voice calls “Captain! Lieutenant Stamets advises that the ship is ready to jump!”

“I need them closer! Let’s send our Klingon friends a message they won’t forget. And…GO!” spinning in a blue phased circle, the Discovery blinks out of its location in space leaving the approaching Birds to crash. An explosion consumes all remaining attackers leaving the citizens of Corvan 2 to gaze upon their salvation.

Chapter Text

“It's a shame you both will be leaving us so soon.” Dean Liddell sighs, staring out over the murky waters that make up London’s Thames. Four sit on the grassy bank around a small table sharing a spot of tea. All in their Victorian attire, although the youngest among them, struggles to still get comfortable in the restricting suit. Hair swept back to cover the points of his ears Volass sighs “A shame, but it would be scandalous to deny our dear Queen Victoria herself.”

“But to insist on you and your son.” The younger beside Volass keeps their cool demeanor but inwardly cringes at the sound of the word “Completely leaving Oxford. Arguably losing our top student and professor.” Liddell boasts leaning over to the fourth man “No offense I hope Lewis.” Volass’s oldest shakes their head “Apologies Mr. Carroll.” letting out a laugh the writer shakes his head “None taken, Aeneid. If anything it’s an honor to be the first student accepted into the Royal Holloway College.”

“If you can even call it a College.” scoffs Liddell making Aeneid’s face harden slightly “Please, elaborate.” rolling a hand through the air Liddell finds his point and points over at the picnic blanket not far from the table. Four girls, all in stuffy day dresses sit chatting and babbling. Three with dark brown hair, Liddell’s own daughters Lorina, Edith, and Alice. Blonde curls being held back by a black ribbon is the fourth girl, swaddling her new born baby brother in her lap, careful to keep the bonnet over his pointed ears.

“Simply that Royal Holloway is a co-ed college.” raising a brow Volass sets down his cup glancing over at the girls “You say this as a man with three daughters of your own?”

“I’m not saying I don’t value my children, in fact all three are already promised to Lords and a Barron. I mean look at your own daughter.” They all study Iliad. Young but easily able to hold a conversation while maintaining Odyssey in her arms “Thirteen and she’s a natural mother. Surprised you haven’t promised her to anyone.” about to forget themselves and let words fly, Aeneid is stopped by their father’s lips quirking up slightly “I do not intend to promise my daughter at all.”

“Wh-What? Volass you jest!”

“Iliad!” Turning her head over her shoulder, her big eyes blink “Yes, father?”

“Can you come here please?” holding onto Odyssey tight she gets to her feet. When at the table Volass reaches over take Odyssey as he speaks “These are all my children and all my children deserve the same chances as one another.” seeing that the two grown men were looking at them Iliad instinctively moves over to her older sibling, hooking her arm through theirs and stepping behind them slightly. Sensing this Aeneid softly brings their opposite hand to rest lightly over their little sisters protectively. “What I can promise you is that one day all of my children will become so bright they will have no choice but to dwell among the stars.”

Among the stars…

It’s not like her dad was wrong, she’s just here for all the wrong reasons. It was black, from earth you can barely see the stars but here, even when they’re right up in your face she concluded space was void compared to the view from the ground. Such wonder, beauty, and a terrifying line to tread of ensuring you focus on that rather than the inky suction of the galaxy threatening to swallow you whole.

“Reconstruction complete.” hearing the computer Iliad jumps to her feet rushing to the materializer. Carefully she picks up the small unit she had to design herself and takes it over to her hidden work station on the floor in the back of the closet. Turning on her flashlight it illuminates the broken up Aveiatas. Carefully turning one part of the casing over Iliad discard the smashed pack panel, tiny little flecks of green illuminating all the scraps, dimmed in the light. Letting out a long breath she precisely inserts the unit and uses a welding tool she snatched to attach the still damaged wires. A spark makes Iliad let out a yelp leaning back “Shit! Shit!” grabbing the fire kit she quickly takes part of the retardant cloth and smothers her device with a groan. Removing it she picks out the just made unit, wires welded to it, fired, blackened, absolutely useless!

Throwing it into the mini-trash pile Iliad rocks back, bringing her knees up to rest her chin and hold her legs. It’s not like the tech was something new! But maybe that was the issue that she didn’t want to accept since she’s technically attempting to repair something that hasn't even been invented, nor have most of the parts “Back to the basics.” She figures talking to herself “Build the parts from scratch…” huffing as she gets up Iliad carefully folds up any evidence of the device and brings a chair into the closet. Standing on it she takes out the grate to the top vent and places all the pieces and stolen parts concealed inside.

Holding up her tray, Iliad stops before Michael and Tilly’s table “Rom asal.” she greets Michael sitting down before turning to Tilly “Good morning.” smiling big at this “Andorian?” giggling slightly at this Iliad collects egg on her fork as she greets “Lexom fr huma.” and then takes a bite. Shaking her head Tilly lifts her hands “It’s insane! It’s amazing and insane!”

“It’s nothing really.” Iliad puts down before she swallows, words more clear “Commander Saru can do the same.” disagreeing Michael says “But he didn’t have it down by twenty one.” there’s something disheartening and drab about her tone. Tilly speaks up first “Okay, you’re gonna tell us what’s going on with you.”

“There’s nothing to tell.”

“Liar.” Iliad laughs, making the two stare at her “What?” she asks looking at Michael “If I can read a Vulcan…pretty well, I can read you.” seeing as there was no hiding Michael shrugs “I’m out of sorts.”

“About?” asks Tilly with a mouth full, Michael says “I’m preoccupied. The Tardigrade. Each time we use the spore drive it gets weaker.”

“You’re stressed.”

“I barely have a job here. I’ve never been less busy.”

“Then that gives you the time and space to actually process what you’re going through emotionally.” pausing at this Iliad simmers on Tilly’s advice, indirectly it also gave way to her own situation. She’s been here a little over a week and has made no progress except in being a thief. Everyday it’s been a handful of missions and she had to admit warfare in this century was certainly more mundane than in the 20th.

“Red alert! Red alert! Attention Discovery.” Commander Saru’s voice is heavy over the coms making everyone in the mess hall put down their utensils. “Captain Lorca, while on his shuttle from the ship, was captured by the Klingons. We do not know where the Captain has been taken but we do know his last location. Rest assured as acting captain I believe I, and us all, will do whatever we can to ensure the Captain’s safe return. All hands to station.”

The three girls all gaze at each other before abruptly joining the rushing chaos around them “All hands to station means we’re jumping.” Tilly reminds “If we are hurting the Tardigrade shouldn’t someone tell the Capta- Acting Captain.” putting her tray on the stack Iliad moves her arms into an X “No way, I'm pretty sure Commander Saru really doesn’t like me.” Michael steps up to the challenge “I’ll talk to him, you take Stamets. Have Dr. Culber go with you, I talked to him earlier.”

“You should know, despite what Burnham thinks Lieutenant Stamets rarely listens to me.” Hugh admits adjusting his white uniform as he and Iliad descend the stairs in Engineering. Not looking up from his station Paul calls “Cadet Specialist Iliad, you’re late.” eyes moving up Paul frowns seeing her guest “And now I know why. And speaking of why, why are you here?”

“Burnham’s worried about the physical effects that Discovery’s jumps are having on the Tardigrade.” explains Hugh “I’ve done my own evaluation, and I must concur. Scans of its frontal lobe show significant cumulative deterioration every time we go to Black Alert.” Iliad agrees “We need to find a work around, one that is sustainable for the Tardigrade and your invention.”

“We could lose them both. And with them, any chance of saving Captain Lorca.” Paul crosses his arms narrowing his eyes at Hugh “Aren’t there actual people who require your attention, Doctor?”

“Actually, the CMO does need my help with an Andorian tonsillectomy.” giving a supportive glance at Iliad she whispers a thanks to Hugh as he leaves. After Hugh’s gone Paul starts “To be clear the Tardigrade was you and Burnham’s contribution. I never intended to utilize a living creature as a navigation tool.”

“Neither did I.” she owns up to simply not caring to add another weight to her shoulders “It’s like the pioneers of engineering, gas power worked until it didn’t so they found a new source of energy, a sustainable one. What’s stopping us from doing that?”

“Well I-....” trailing off Paul’s tongue pokes at his cheek “Fine, Cadet Tilly!” He calls her over from her station, all three moving to the holoboard of all the collected information so far. Paul begins “We need the spore drive to save Captain Lorca, but the spore drive is killing the Tardigrade. Let’s start with our mushrooms, Prototaxites stellaviatori.” a picture of the spores themselves are brought up “A species made up of exotic material found not only in normal space but in a discrete subspace domain known as the Mycelial Network. Its fungal roots, aka mycelium, spread across the universe, fanning out into infinity to create a matrix that serves as our intergalactic freeway system. Then comes the Tardigrade.” Its picture and genetic makeup joins the photo of the mushrooms being projected “Whose unique genetic makeup allows it to navigate through the network because of its symbiotic relationship with the mycelium’s spores. Like its microscopic cousins on Earth, the Tardigrade is able to incorporate foreign DNA into its own genome via horizontal gene transfer. When the Tardigrade borrows DNA from the mycelium, it’s granted an all-access travel pass.” understanding Tilly jumps in “Once you convey the coordinates of a selected destination directly into the Tardigrade.” she expands the display “It knows exactly where to go. Half the Tardigrade’s DNA is already sequenced into the computer. Can’t we build a virtual version? Trick the mycelium into thinking it’s communicating with the real thing and then navigating the ship that way.”

“That’s what I was doing with my earlier research. Trying to use software to engage with the network.” it was Iliad’s turn to jump in “And you were only able to achieve small blinks then a bit bigger after I filled out more of the map.”

“Jumps.”

“Blinks. But you only kept making smaller blinks until you introduced the mycelium to an animate copilot. We just need to integrate the same sequence into a compatible species, one that understands its role in this process and engages willingly.”

“You guys, this is so fucking cool!” Tilly laughs, making Iliad smile “Yeah it is.” Both their laughter dies out as Paul glances between them “Sorry.”

“No, Cadets.” he smirks “It is fucking cool. Let’s do it! We start by taking the spore drive offline.” For a while they work, trying anything and everything that is possible to them. So far the DNA was rejected in everything they tried “I don’t understand.” Paul muses beside Tilly as Iliad secures through the database for an answer “You think any number of the species would be compatible recipients of the Tardigrade DNA sequence.”

“Look.” sighs out Iliad “I’ve had the computer run all known life-forms in the Federation database. I’m just gonna put it out there, it’s not hard to access the…” she coughs “Uh classified database-”

“Which is something you will not do! Cadet!”

The three reel to the top of the steps seeing Saru, furiously marching down with Michael trailing behind them “Why did you shut down the spore drive? Up on the bridge, we were trying to pinpoint the coordinates that will lead us to Captain Lorca.” stepping forward Paul takes on the confrontation from the Acting Captain “We’re working on something extremely important. A substitute to the Tardigrade.”

“Why?”

“Cadet Iliad informed me that our jumps-”

“Blinks.”

“-Are depleting it.” Paul stresses giving Iliad the side eye for her interruption. Saru glares at Iliad putting his hands on his hips “Burnham brought these concerns to me as well. And I told her to stand down until Captain Lorca was safely back on board Discovery. Obviously, this was not the response she was hoping for so she devised a tag team of sorts with Cadet Iliad.” walking out from her work station Iliad picks up the one thing they’ve been able to come up with so far “Hey, we have found one work around. This hypospray contains Tardigrade DNA and replication catalysts that will initiate rapid horizontal gene transfer in a host. It requires an evolved organism, a species with a highly functioning nervous system. And one that, like the Tardigrade, shares genetic information with mushrooms. If push comes to shove Homo sapiens still share over half of our DNA with them.” gasping slightly Saru narrows his eyes “You want to use a human.” he summarizes appalled “Eugenics experiments are forbidden.”

Wh-What? 

She knew it was bad, she definitely knew there had been some major hiccups in history with it. For it to be forbidden wasn’t her fear, assuming it is though would also assume it’s illegal for one of it to be in Starfleet. Walking to the front of Saru, Michael takes a stand “We need more time.”

“I gave you an order!” the Acting Captain thunders “Do you understand?”

“Captain Saru, I understand that you are upset. You’re in command. It’s a time of crisis. And your culture trains you to be on the heighted lookout for enemies. But I assure you I am not one of them.”

“How dare you treat me like one of your xenoanthropology subjects. You’re not an enemy, Burnham. You are a proven predator. And I know this not only because my instincts tell me that you are, but because your actions show me that you are. Saving this Tardigrade will neither bring back nor change the fact that this is exactly the king of behavior that killed Captain Georgiou.” 

It’s a hard, tough silence before the beep of the coms alerts Saru “Bridge to the captain. We believe we have identified the battle cruiser that is holding Captain Lorca.”

“Acknowledged.” reports Saru looking at what he deems the only competent mind in the room “Lieutenant Stamets, bring the drive back online and prepare the Tardigrade to jump.” leaning in to Michael, Saru orders “Confine yourself to quarters immediately.” looking back behind her Saru keeps his eyes on Iliad “And you Cadet will come with me to the bridge so I may keep an eye on you.”

“What?” Tilly lets out gazing at Iliad, Paul shakes his head “Captain, I need her here-”

“My decision is final!” He stares at Iliad stepping to the side to allow her to go first, more likely so he can actually see that she is obeying him. Setting the device in her hand down on her work station Iliad lets out a breath nodding “Yes, Captain.”

Humiliate was one word for it, never had she really experienced it either. Or at least enough to make her fingers curl into fists. Walking onto the bridge Saru takes his place in the captain’s seat, speaking “Commander Airiam, set displacement parameters to bring us within weapons range of our target Bird of Prey.”

“Aye sir.”

“Stand here.” he points to the spot left of the captain’s chair. Everyone sneaks a glance at Iliad made to stand by having to grip her arms by the elbows behind her back. “Lieutenant Stamets, are you ready?”

“Yes, Captain.”

“Black Alert!” The yellow lights of the bridge change to its black and deep blue stealth shade. Iliad’s face winces at the thought of those limbs being stuck into that innocent creature, hurting it simply for the ship's benefit, so much so her stomach feels a bit off. 

“Go!”

Keyla taps a button on her console beijing to rotate the Discovery’s two saucers powering up for a Jump (Blink!) . Rotating in place the Discovery displaces itself in space arriving near an orange nebula. Systems return to normal, lights returning back to their proper glow, and the sick feeling in Iliad growing worse.

“Captain!” the doors open allowing both Paul and Hugh to walk in, Saru stands “Dr. Culber.” he greets before the news is delivered “The creature has gone into a state of extreme cryptobiosis, by reducing the water content levels of its body to less then one percent.” the doctor informs “Its vital signs have slowed to the point we can barely detect them.”

“Well, rehydrate it and bring it back.” is Saru’s simple solution looking past them to a bridge member “Mr. Rhys, have we been detected?”

“Negative.”

“Captain Saru-” Hugh is cut off by Saru’s hand allowing himself to speak “Location of the Klingon prison ship.”

“Point seven AUs from our position. Bearing one three mark five nine.”

“Match their course and speed. Maintain our distance. Cut all systems and run silent.” Hugh tries again “Captain, we’re not done here. This isn’t like waking someone from a nap. This is an extreme reaction to adverse conditions. The Tardigrade is in survival mode.”

“So are we, Doctor. Crack it open if you have to.”

“In my opinion, that will kill it.”

“As it is our only way to get out of Klingon space, it is a risk we must take.”

“Captain, neurological tests indicate that this creature may be sentient.”

“If that ends up being true, I will face the consequences of my actions. I do not enjoy being in this position, but I have one hundred and thirty five souls to protect today. Be ready to force the creature to comply.”

“I will not be party to murder.” stands firm Hugh where Saru shakes his head moving his gaze to Paul “Doctor, I wasn’t talking to you. Do you understand my orders and can I count on you to follow them, Lieutenant Stamets?”

“Yes sir.” Iliad and Hugh’s eyes blow wide, snapping to face Paul as he walks out…sending them a wink when Saru turns back to the front of the bridge. Eyes glancing at Iliad she quietly mouths “I would prep Sickbay.” pressing his lips into a thin line Hugh nods and follows Paul out. Hearing the footsteps Saru whirls around, eyes dead set on making sure Iliad is still there. Eyes meet and a gaze is held, both tilt their heads slightly before Iliad catches him off guard “Have you decided if I’m a threat finally?” walking closer Saru narrows his eyes “Careful with you next few words Cadet-”

“Why do you think I’m dangerous? Because I’m young? Because I know languages? What is it about me that unnerves you Captain-”

“Out.” The commander points to the side room of the bridge “Into the captain’s office and get off my bridge.” 

“Of course.” calmly Iliad steps away into the small room with a desk and a few other decorations. The second the doors close, Iliad goes over to a comms unit on the walls, blocked by a password “Oh please.” She hums, swiping up to the mutual settings and through their using it as a backdoor to bypass the lock in order to use the private coms. Just then a Warp alert pops up signaling two have come aboard, one of them being Captain Lorca.

“Black Alert!” the ship's computer calls out while Iliad makes quick works of the coms selecting Engineering “Engineering this is Iliad. Lieutenant Stamets you don’t have to do this!”

“...Yes, I do.” It’s certain and even, something that does not require convincing “Okay then.” she agrees and takes her hand off the coms, removing any trace of her use. 

The Discovery makes its jump and appears back in uninterrupted space, far from any Klingon vessels of any kind. Leaning against the wall Iliad lays her head back, the quiet and still so suppressing. “Build the parts. Send the message. Go home.” it sounds simple, in reality though she couldn’t even complete the first step. And the last step she didn’t even know what “home” is, what it’ll look like. The past few launches to new centuries have moved towards advancement but the world was still familiar. Reaching her hand up to chest, Iliad digs her nails lightly into where her heart is uncomfortable with pressure and ache.

Suddenly the doors open and Iliad can’t move for the first time. Saru enters with Michael, their own previous conversation having enlightened the Kelpien a bit. “Cadet, I’d like to apologies for my earlier actions-” 

“It’s alright.” Iliad covers, the two clearly able to hear the strain in her voice. Standing up straight she asks “Permission to head back to my quarters.”

“...Permission granted.” She exits first with Michael not far behind, the two the only ones left in an empty quarters hall “Hey, wait up!” Michael has to jog to catch up “Can you stop for a minute-”

“No.” Iliad asserts whirling around “No, I can’t afford to stop Michael.” she admits lifting her hand back up to her heart “Because when I stop, when I am given a moment I’m just reminded that I don’t know what the hell I’m doing.” tilting her head Michael rolls her eyes “Oh come on. Look I get the past couple of days are…new is one word for it, but for your first time in space you’re doing amazing, you’re brilliant-”

“You wanna who is brilliant?!” Iliad unnatural shouts “My dad! You wanna know who is amazing? My brother!” taking a huge breath Iliad throws her arms out “And they’re gone, Michael! They’re gone and I’m lost! I don’t know which way to go…” she mumbles out letting a stray tear fall to the floor. Stepping towards Iliad, Michael holds their shoulders lightly, understanding a Vulcan upbringing herself “My foster mom used to read to me “It doesn’t matter where you go as long as you get somewhere” . You just gotta keep moving, Wonderland.” Calming down a bit, Iliad tilts her head at the nickname, Michael shrugs “Lost doesn’t mean lost, sometimes it just means taking a little detour. Come here.” wrapping her arms around Iliad Michael feels her stiffen a bit, it makes her smile. The first time Captain Georgiou showed Michael affection she froze, not used to being touched that much either “You’ll find your way, we all will.”

Chapter Text

“No! Okay, fine he’s a little hot.” Keyla Detmer gives into sweeping a bit of hair behind her augmentation on her temple “He is, what you would consider.” Airim begins turning her metal face back to the table “Attractive.”

“Iliad, what do you make of the new guy?” Keyla asks, leaning back over her hair to the table next to theirs. Barely looking up from her holoscreen, Iliad’s eyes continue to review the information as she speaks “New guy, Lieutenant Ash Tyler…took out six Klingon warriors in hand-to-hand combat.” recounting the gossip did make her pause, one Klingon she could take but for someone to take on six.

“Speaking of…” Iliad hears Keyla snicker Airiam shushing her and the two try to suppress their giggles. A shadow falls over Iliad's table “This seat taken?” eyes flicking up, Iliad meets the face of one Ash Tyler, tray in hand “Be my guest.” giving a curt nod he sits eyeing the contents on Iliad’s screen “Elite electro-sufficient engineering? Studying for the Ensign’s exam?”

“No…” she says half listening “I finished this when I was fifteen just doing a bit of review.” looking at the number of pages Ash scoffs, “Review?” pausing Iliad shuts off the screen taking a sip of her drink “I’m not a Cadet Specialist for nothing.” hearing the title Ash points “You’re Iliad.”

“...I am?” Seeing her confused face Ash smiles “Lots of the crew talk about the only survivor of the Glenn. Survived monsters and Klingons.”

“Scuttle butt is you took out six Klingon warriors in hand-to-hand combat.” The two look to the side where Iliad smiles at Tilly sitting, both her and Michael in work out uniforms. Ash shakes his head “You can’t believe everything you hear.”

“I’m Cadet Sylvia Tilly, you’ve met Iliad and this is Michael.”

“You’re Michael Burnham.” he states, making her sigh “The same. You probably can believe everything you hear.” There's a tense moment before Ash offers a grin “I tend to assess people in the here and now. You’re a functioning crew member of a Federation Starship. Right here, right now.” giving a bit of a grin back Michael brushes this off turning to Iliad “So Wonderland what do you wanna do?” At these words Iliad’s eyes widen, dropping her utensils “What the hell.”

“Wanna do what?” Tilly jumps in making Michael shake her head at Iliad’s lack of sharing “It’s Wonderland’s birthday tomorrow.” dropping her head into her hands Iliad groans as Tilly begins to shake “It’s your birthday!-”

“No!” Iliad claps back “...I mean yeah, but no!” 

Michael stands abruptly, hand finding her stomach as she stares off into space. “I…I should go.” Ash tilts his head “You okay?”

“Yes…No!” she wheezes out holding the back of her chair before collapsing to the ground completely, clutching her side in complete agony “Michael!” Tilly calls but Iliad is the first to get to the ground furrowing her brows. She wasn’t injured at all but she’s only able to mutter out the words “Sarek…” and her eyes shut completely, her body in a moment of peace; however her eyes move rapidly beneath her lids showing consciousness…but not in her own mind.

“Yes, yes…” Volass confirms overlooking the skyline of one of America’s most influential cities, maybe one of the most famous on earth. He places a hand into his suit pocket watching the flecks' greenery poke out through the snow of Central Park. Holding the mic of the telephone in his hand Volass doesn’t stray far from the call table it's set on “Seven thirty in a box at the Cotton Club, that is correct.”

Volass’s office door opens and Aeneid walks in with papers in their hands. Volass holds up a hand signaling he’s speaking on the phone “Special occasion? Birthday…No, no, not mine, my daughter’s…Yes…Thank you for all your help.” returning the mic to its proper placement Volass faces his eldest child “Aeneid.”

“Father.” they greet handing him the folders “Our numbers are up, once again our predictions were accurate. And a share of the money has been deposited automatically into the charity fund.” eyes looking up from the sheets Volass nods “Excellent.”

“A broker from Wall Street called, they wish to meet.”

“And I am to be correct when I assume you told them no.”

“As were your wishes, Father.” 

“Good.” setting the folders down Volass loops his hands behind his back “The work is done for the day and I…” moving his sleeve he looks at his watch “Must pick up your sisters gift before the department store closes.” being reminded of this Aeneid lets out a sigh “Yes, about that…” trailing off makes it known to Volass that Aeneid hasn’t gotten her anything “Iliad’s birthday is tomorrow.”

“I know, I just can’t fathom what to get her. That and getting a fourteen year old a gift is the least of my concerns with-”

“Aeneid this is your sister. And I seem to recall the feast that was thrown in your honor on your fourteenth birthday.”

“Firstly Father, that was Norway. And second, King Cnut used any excuse he could to throw a feast-”

“And your excuses are simply not working.” Volass says walking up to Aeneid “That girl idolizes you with all her heart, you must show her you care because I know you do.” biting their lip slightly Aeneid nods, jaw clenching “Of course, Father.”

“SAREK!!!” Michael shoots up from her place in Sickbay where Hugh puts a hand on her shoulder pushing her back down “It’s okay, Burnham. You’re in Sickbay.”

“What’s the matter with her?” Lorca lords over to the side as Hugh checks her heart “I have no idea. Nothing shows up on any of her scans.” Standing by Iliad shakes her head “It’s not Michael.” she speaks up, getting the two to look at her “It’s whoever Sarek is.”

“He’s in trouble.” Michael is able to get out horsley where Iliad reaches over to hand her some water. Lorca furrows his brow “How do you know that?”

“I share part of his katra.”

“His eternal life force.” Iliad simplifies “Like a Vulcan soul.” Hugh puts his PADD under his arm in shock “I’ve heard stories, I just…assumed it was an ancient myth.” holding up his hands Lorca gets to the bottom of it “How can you share a soul with Sarek. You’re not Vulcan.”

“You don’t have to be.” interjects Iliad where Michael nods “After my parents were killed at a Vulcan outpost-” knowing the story Lorca finishes “Sarek and his human wife Amanda took you in. Your story’s well-documented.” 

“He believed I could serve as humanity’s potential.” says Michael making Tilly grimace “How could he put that kind of pressure on a child?”

“Well, not everyone agreed with him; a group of logic extremists. They didn’t want humans in their culture. They tried to stop him by killing me. They bombed the Learning Center where I was educated.” everyone freezes at this, Hugh stepping tentatively as he clarifies “Vulcans tried to murder you?”

“Renegade Vulcans, a small faction. And they didn’t try, Doctor, they succeeded. I was dead for three minutes. The katra has healing powers. Sarek used it to save me. A kind of soul graft, it’s a procedure that’s frowned upon, and rare.” getting the idea Lorca also asks “So you’re “linked” with him? He gets wounded, you feel pain. This has happened to you before?”

“Once…The start of the war. He sensed my distress. And came to me. But this is different.” says Michael staring up at the ceiling “I can feel him slipping away. I don’t think this is a conscious effort on his part. Sarek is delirious. He might be dying.” with a shaky breath she bores her eyes at Lorca “Captain. Please. Captain, help me find him.”

“We’re going into the nebula then?” Paul asks as Iliad walks down the stairs into Engineering. Ever since the Tardigrade was released Paul had been demeanor to him, maybe it was his new connection with the spores he had injected himself with. Shrugging, she goes to the reaction cube screen “I guess-”

“Woah!” Paul lets out looking down at his PADD, Iliad turns “What?” Just then the door opens and Lorca and Michael walk in. Rushing up to them Paul turns his PADD around showing plans for a new device “This for the mission? Gotta say the idea of even building a synthetic mind-meld augment is…Groovy!” again hearing this Iliad states “What!”

“Clearly, your trip down the mycelium path has lightened your mood, Lieutenant.” says Lorca, noticing the change in Paul who nods “Once you’re past getting stabbed by needles, it’s pretty great.” Michael jumps in “I’m guessing, from your reaction, that modifying this neural enhancer is a viable method to achieve what I need.”

“Sure! Hey, why not!” at this Iliad scoffs “I can think of a couple.”

“We boost your neural impulses to reconnect with his katra, then pump those same signals into your noggin, and…voila! Sarek vision! I gotta say this katra stuff is way cool. An uncharted superhighway connecting all of consciousness and life?”

“We don’t have time for metaphysical implications!” The three all turn to Iliad who’s wide eyes and frightened expression cease from her face before she finds her words “I mean, we should hurry.” agreeing Michael reports “I can sense that Sarek is unconscious. I want to use this mind-meld to wake him up, so he can activate his ship’s transponder.”

“Just one thing.” taking Paul’s PADD Iliad moves her fingers across the surface drawing up her calculations “Radioactive interference from the nebula is gonna diffuse the signal. You’d never be able to make the connection from out here and we’re certainly not taking the Discovery in there…we’d blow up.”

“That’s fine.” muses Michael with a sly grin “Because we’re going in a shuttle.” pausing Iliad peaks up “We’re?”

“Yes Wonderland, we’re.”

“You suck.” grumbles Iliad helping Michael install the device into the shuttle's hardware “You have yet to go on a mission outside the ship.” points out Michael with a smile “It’ll be good for you.” 

“Little birthday fun!” cheers Tilly strapping herself into her seat making Iliad glare at them both “Stop that, alright.” shutting the final panel she turns to Ash in the pilot's seat “Good to go.”

“Okay!” he calls, waiting for Michael and Iliad to strap themselves in “Let’s do this.” powering up the thrusters the shuttle zips out of the shuttlebay, out of Discovery and into the surrounding space. The ship is rattled as they enter into the colorful nebula, swirling with lights of green, red, and blue. Tilly unbuckles herself to begin setting up, noticing Michael’s expression “Hey, where’s that old Burnham bluster, huh? Badass lady who’s always pushing me to be the best I can be? Do you know what helps me when I’m feeling freaked out? Talking.”

“You know where Sarek’s mind is? Where his dying thoughts have taken him?” she suddenly blurts out eyes slightly in a haze “To me.”

“I mean that’s kinda beautiful-”

“No…No, you don’t understand. I was supposed to be his proof that humans and Vulcans could coexist. As equals. But I ended up being his greatest disappointment. That’s what he’s reflecting on. I was rejected from the Expeditionary Group for being too human. My failure is his last thought. He doesn’t believe in me but I’m supposed to be the one who saves him.”

“We’re at Sarek’s last known location!” calls Ash turning in his seat with haste “Can we do this before we get torn to pieces?” Tilly picks up a PADD and hands it to Iliad “You monitor.” and then she picks up the headpiece and gives it to Michael who slips it on “And you get that. Provided this thing doesn't fry your brain.” pausing at Tilly’s joke Michael looks to Iliad as she lays down “Will it?”

“No.” Iliad assures glancing over the readings “Hopefully not.” she mutters under her breath. Michael straps down her feet and takes a deep breath “Fighting him is gonna put a strain on me.” she admits. Iliad looks at her “You want me to pull you out?”

“No, no matter what the sensors say you leave me in Wonderland.” shutting her eyes Michael nods “I’m ready.” placing all her fingers on the PADD Iliad powers up the device, Michael’s body relaxing completely as the artificial mind-meld is activated.

“I have a memory of a lovely refrain

And in my heart it will forever remain 

Our song was like a blue white gem

My darling, do you remember?

That night in Manhattan!” The great and boastful power of an entire orchestra is boomed out of a table side radio. On the couch beside it a pair of shoes have been discarded to the floor as stocking covered feet swing back and forth in the air behind a head of blonde hair.

The door creaks open, Aeneid raises a brow at this and starts moving the door back and forth to test the creaking. After a bit Iliad narrows her eyes, turning her head parallel with her shoulder “Stop please!”

…….

“Much appreciated!” attention focusing back on the book before her Iliad is still unaware of her companions identity. Aeneid takes a breath closing the door behind them with a final squeak! “May I inquire what you are reading?” Hearing her sibling's voice Iliad sits up, smiling instantly beaming on her face at the sight of Aeneid “Great Gatsby, it just came out.” 

They stand there, watching, looking. Iliad lowers the book a bit, smile diminishing slightly “Did you need something? Did you want to join me!” Aeneid shakes their head “No, no…I just came to ask what would you like?” tilting her head Iliad bookmarks her place by folding down the page corner and places her hands in her lap “What would I like?”

“We lived it and we loved every part of it

The glow of moonlight in the park

The lights that spell your name!”

The music was grating on the Vulcan, ears not particularly fond of this new age jazz. Briskly walking over they turn down the radio completely, able to hear themselves better in the silence “What would you like for your birthday?”

“My birthday?” repeats Iliad staring up at Aeneid “What do you mean what do I want?” placing their arms behind their back Aeneid is direct. “I mean that exactly, what do you wish to have?” shaking her head Iliad laughs “The whole point of the birthday present is for the gift to be a surprise.”

“Surprise breeds uncertainty which can lead to disappointment.” 

“How could you disappoint me?” she asks while slipping her shoes on, taking her book and standing up “You literally know everything-”

“Iliad!” they call over her “Just tell me what you want so I can get back to work.” At this sudden outburst, Iliad’s caffs hit the coach in an attempt to step back. Her hand fists around the book and her eyes find the floor “You don’t have to get me anything.” she murmurs as her lip starts to quiver, making her push past Aeneid “Just forget it!” running for the door Iliad slams it behind her leaving Aeneid to question the outcome of the conversation.

“Michael!” Iliad shouts when she shoots up panting. Shuttle shaking violently Ash bites his lips flicking as many switches as he can “Laying in a course back to Discovery.” peering over Michael shouts “No, you’re not! I’m not leaving here without Sarek.”

“Those are not my orders, Burnham-”

“AH!” letting out a hiss, Michael trashes against her leg restraints making Ash stand abruptly “Sarek keeps blocking me, fighting me.” she looks at him “I can’t fight you too.” grinding his teeth Ash gives in “What do we do?”

“His thoughts are fixed on my graduation day, but the emotions from that memory are too difficult for me to handle.”

“Maybe it’s hard for him to.”

“Or not.” suggest Tilly “He’s a Vulcan.”

“Vulcan’s feel.” jumps in Iliad “In fact they feel so much that if they don’t repress it they might not be able to control it.” it’s an assert, a belief, a truth Iliad will never let go of. Gripping Michael’s shoulder Iliad asks “Why that day?”

“Because? Because I failed him-”

“No.” keeping Michael’s gaze Iliad has her take a deep breath with her “When you’re dying, when you’re afraid, when you’re entirely lost and on your own you don’t think about who failed you…you think about the people you love…and the regrets you might have brought on.” she couldn’t be more truthful then that and Michael knew that “What does Sarek regret?” 

Chest rising and falling Michael settles back down tapping the neural device against her temple “I’m going back in.” Ash glances at Iliad, she nods to him and Tilly. They all resume their positions and try a second attempt “Activating mind-meld, take two.”

A bright round of applause resounds throughout the Cotton Club as the conductor takes a bow before turning to start up the next selection of jazz. Volass takes out a package from next to him, setting it before Iliad on the table “Iliad.” Beaming, she slides off the ribbon and opens the box to take out a framed photo “Oh dad…” she trails off taking out the time appropriately taken photo on the beach at Coney Island. Volass, herself, Odyssey in her arms, and Aeneid. All wearing glasses due to the solar eclipse historically recorded on that day. Also stuck in the frame are all four of their tickets, each with their name signed for entrance “I love it!” reaching over Volass carefully expects her embrace, a tinge of a smile playing on his lips “Happy birthday, my daughter.” 

Taking a deep breath and swallowing their nerves Aeneid reaches down beside them taking out another box. Seeing this Volass pushes Iliad softly back turning her to face her sibling, her face falls. Aeneid places the box on her lap “Happy birthday.”

“...I said you didn’t...” she whispers, slightly undoing the bow and slipping off the lid “You didn’t have to get me-OH MY GOD!!!” her mouth gaped open looking from the box to Aeneid and then back to the box throwing out the tissue paper “But where did you get them!!!” she pulls out a pair of light blue satin, low heeled shoes with a white leather trim “The Mary Jane’s were sold out everywhere after Christmas!!!”

“I had a friend on Wall Street get a pair.” they admit meeting their father’s eyes “After agreeing to attend one small meeting. And then I added a couple things.” Aeneid admits holding out their hands. Iliad gives them the shoes and they pat the cushion for her to put her feet up. Unbuckling the straps of her current shoes Aeneid shares while slipping the new Mary Jane’s on “They will not wear, tear, and you won’t be able to stress them out.” placing her feet back on the floor Iliad admires the shine in the light. Aeneid stands holding out their hand again, “You will be able to dance as much as you like in them.” laughing happily, Iliad carefully takes their hand walking with them onto the open dance floor. Aeneid gives a brief smile facing their sister “You remember the steps to the Charlston?” 

Volass laughs a bit allowing himself to beam wide in the dark candle light watching children dance and move. A memory and moment he will always hold dear and near in his heart.

BEEP, BEEP, BEEP, BEEP!!!

“I got it!” calls Ash “I got his transponder!” At that second Michael gasps, her eyes flying open. Tilly carefully moves to remove the neural enhancer from her head and Iliad helps Michael sit up “Careful! Hey, hey!” she snaps her fingers, getting Michael’s attention centered “We got him, he’s okay.” with a wheezed smile and a relieved face Michael allows her to lull her head and shut her eyes to finally give herself a break.

“Shuttle in sight.” reports Ash steadying their own shuttle beside the Vulcan designed one. Rushing from her seat to the medpack on the opposite wall Iliad nods to Ash “Beam me over.”

“Beaming over.”

The golden light surrounds Iliad joined with sparks of damaged hardware making her cover her eyes instantly when aboard the deteriorating ship. Close to the front a body has one arm draped over their side, trying to push themselves up. Rushing over she kneels down beside Sarek making him turn suddenly, panicked, she assures “Kevet-dutar Sarek, alh ne-lan spitsha Iliad t’ wuh U.S.S Discovery.”

Ambassador Sarek, I’m Cadet Specialist Iliad with the U.S.S Discovery.

Quickly she takes the medpack, ripping the casing open and softly placing it against Sarek’s wound. Sarek brings up a hand to keep it steady, Iliad pulls out her communicator flipping it open “Two to beam back!” another quake ripples the shuttle making her grunt to keep steady “Energize!” The golden energy surrounds them both bringing them over to Discovery’s shuttle. Tilly rushes over with more medical supplies “Get us out of here!” Iliad pleads with Ash who quickly makes work of doing just that.

Kicking her legs out Iliad continues to dance around in her new shoes to the radio music, even her pajamas. Fluently opening the door this time Aeneid steps in shaking their head “I know I said you could dance as much as you want but I believe it’s a bit late to be putting that theory to the test.” laughing at getting caught Iliad takes off her shoes and slides into bed. Coming to the edge of her sheets Aeneid sits down securing the blanket around her “How was your birthday?”

“Best day ever!”

“Well, never forget what tomorrow could bring.” they offer their words of advice as Iliad snuggles down into her covers. A feeling stirred in Aeneid one that had them speak without much thought “I have one more gift for you.” Iliad attempts to raise one brow but both go up instead “Really?” Aeneid leans forward placing their thumb to Iliad’s chin, pointer finger below her eyes, and the final three across her forehead to her temple with eyes shut “My mind to your mind…My thoughts to your thoughts.” an exploding warmth takes its place in Iliad’s chest, spreading to her entire being making her sink her eyes shut. Everything against what it is for a Vulcan to openly say translated to the sweetest of dreams in her mind. A glow around her skin, a barrier of given protection and sacrifice.

You are the best little sister one could ever ask for.

I am so very lucky to know you in this lifetime.

I promise to always be here and protect you.

I love you sister, eternally.

“So what should be do with this now?” Iliad wonders, holding the containment for the neural enhancer. Paul looks up from his PADD shrugging “Keep it in storage until we need to enhance the link between another human and Vulcan.” he jokes making Iliad roll her eyes as they pass by sickbay “Hardy, har, har!”

“Wonderland!”

Skidding to a stop on her heels Iliad spots Michael waving her over from inside sickbay “One minute!” she calls back where Paul reaches over taking the container “I got it, meet you in Engineering.” Iliad wipes her hands off on her uniform “Thanks.” and jogs into the stark white room. When Iliad comes in Michael turns to the side motioning to her foster father in one of the hospital beds. Seeing the Ambassador she quickly raises her hand, palm spread forward, thumb out and fingers parted in pairs between her middle and ring finger, a traditional Vulcan salute “Kevet-dutar Sarek, tor gla-tor du nam-tor muhl.”

Ambassador Sarek, I am glad to see you are doing well.

Thoughts much clearer now healed, Sarek raises a brow at this “We may converse in Standard Earth English, although I appreciate the use of a formal Vulcan greeting.” motioning a hand to Iliad, Michael introduces “Sarek this is Cadet Specialist Iliad, one of the crew on the mission to your rescue.” letting out a long breath Sarek nods, eyes scanning Iliad’s face “As I thought.” Quirking up one corner of her lip Iliad starts “Sir? I’m not quite sure I understand?”

“You have a Vulcan father.” Sarek lightly points a finger “Volass.”

Her throat is suddenly dry, air stale, she couldn’t speak. It was Michael who had to ask “You know her father?” setting his hand back in his lap Sarek meets Iliad’s eyes “When I was younger your father and I attended the Vulcan Science Academy together. He was one of the first to believe and share my views on Vulcan’s involvement in a wider galaxy.” staring off for a second Sarek thinks back to one of his first supporters and, what humans could call, best friend. “His family left after about a year.”

Iliad lets out a curt giggle, her head leaning back with a smile “That hypocrite.” she mutters with a groan but couldn’t stay mad. It was just as her Father said, she is making her journey through time on Earth as he did on Vulcan. Recalling she’s still with people, Iliad rearranges her thoughts “Apologies, I simply…I mean it’s…it’s nice to hear about him.” hearing the tone in her voice Sarek sits up a bit “What happened?”

“I…I lost them…they’re gone.” she’s been good at masking this part, she’s cried all the tears she could because in the back of her mind will remain her plan, a plan that will work. Still a but unconvinced Sarek starts his story again “Many years later we reconnected. Your older sibling Aeneid was about six and you were no more than an infant.” Confused by this Iliad shakes her head “I…I’ve never been to Vulcan.”

“I would not expect Volass to tell you what transpired. He made it very clear that although not human you were his child and the Separatist were not fond of that.” hearing this Michael glances over at Iliad crossing her arms “They tried to kill her like they killed me, didn’t they?” Iliad’s gaze turns a slight pleading to know more and Sarek confirms “You were at our estate when they burned down your own with an idea that you’d be inside. Volass then quickly left Vulcan and cut contact, as he should have in order to protect his children.”

It’s a complete surprise, but then again Iliad takes it with a grain of salt. Michael was here listening to her foster father say he first met Iliad when she was a baby as if she always existed here. Bowing her head slightly, although knowing out of character of Vulcan tradition, she smiles at Sarek “Thank you, sir.” he nods back “I am glad I got to meet you before I am cleared to leave at the end of the day.”

“What a shame you’re not staying for tomorrow.” hints Michael with a smirk making Iliad smile “Stop.” Sarek looks between them expectantly and Michael shares “It’s Wonderland’s birthday tomorrow. Twenty two!” She ends in a sing-song manner where Iliad pokes fun in the same manner “And my Vulcan’s still better than yours!”

“Show off.”

“Always.” Iliad finishes with a bright smirk “And Stamet’s is waiting for me in Engineering. Again so nice to meet you sir.” she raises her fingers to salute once more “Dif-tor heh smusma.”

Live long and prosper.

Copying her, Sarek responds after a hard second of thought “...May we meet again, Iliad.”

Chapter Text

Pulling out the chair to the back of the closet Iliad takes out the grate and once again hides the broken pieces of the futuristic device. With a sigh she sets her head against the wall “Happy birthday to me.” She had the late shift today and everyone had been really nice and friendly but that didn’t excuse the fact that her family wasn’t with her or she with them.

Bringing her desk chair back into the main room Iliad goes to her bag, taking out the metal box fully and folding the bag away. Sitting on her bed cross legged she presses her hand against the top of the metal box, purple outline registers it’s her and it unlocks. The ID badge being the last thing she used sits on top but she moves it aside. Underneath it are books, beautiful hard covers. Her eyes glance over to the shelves over her bed, empty. 

Iliad takes out the first book, a burnt orange with slick black text reading Volass Vokar along the spine. A prized and old Vulcan text relaying the story of logic and emotion and the fine line they both trek. She lines that book up first before taking out a cream fading into an ocean blue cover with gold text, The Odyssey . An adventure, a discovery all in itself that Iliad places next to the first book but leaving space. She pulls out the final two, one a purple book also with golden text, The Iliad , the other book is green with a shimmering red text, The Aeneid . Staring at the second she places it back in the box before placing The Iliad between the first two books, arranging them perfectly “Good.” Iliad whispers, running her hand down the cream book “All together.” glancing back over at the box she spots another thing among the items.

The Mary Jane’s still fit perfectly on her feet, in pristine order no matter how hard she danced as promised. The color stood out, but it was her birthday, fuck it.

“What are you doing here?” Paul asks strangely being the only one in Engineering making Iliad furrow her brows “I’m here…for work? What we do on this ship? Ring a bell?” looking down, Paul's eyes widen at her shoes “Fancy!” he twiddles a fake mustache as Iliad points her toe, showing off “Like em’?”

“High fashion indeed!” he laughs before shooing her off “Now go.”

“Go where?”

“The mess hall!” shouting Paul fails his arms before rushing up and pushing her to the door “Go! And you’re not to come back! You’re officially off duty!”

It’s like everyone had disappeared, completely up and vanished as she walked the halls of Discovery. Coming upon the mess hall doors there’s a steady thumping resounding up through her heels when suddenly the doors part open for her.

“HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!”

The entire mess hall had lights and decorations, streamers, food, music. Keyla rushes up to her with a big hug and Airiam passes Keyla a fun tiara “Your majesty.” she jokes placing it on Iliad’s head. Amazed at the sheer thought of people doing this Iliad almost misses her first step into the party where Tilly comes forward with a cupcake and a candle lit looking to everyone to start singing with her “Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday to you

Happy birthday dear Iliad

Happy birthday to you!” Not being able to help but smile, Iliad blows out the candle and takes the desert as everyone cheers. Someone in the crowd stands on a chair “Let’s get this party started!” The music starts back up again and the lights flash. Tilly puts an arm around Iliad who takes a bite of the cupcake “I know you like chocolate.”

“I love chocolate.” The birthday girl responds with her mouth full as Tilly waves over Michael, grinning at the frosting on Iliad’s nose “You got something on your nose Wonderland.” and she swipes it off for her before asking “What’d you wish for?”

“That’s for me to know.” and even if it’s just a superstition that saying your wish out loud means it won’t come true, Iliad wasn’t risking it. Maybe a little wish would bring her a tiny bit of comfort, a tiny push, a tiny miracle. The power flickers off suddenly for a split second before everything returns to normal. Michael crosses her arms at this “There shouldn’t be any flickering.”

“Partying too hard.” Tilly slurs slightly, throwing her arm around Iliad “So who are we scoping out tonight?”

“No one.”

“Well you’re the birthday girl! You can pull any guy you want tonight. Now Michael, how are things going with Ash?” at this Iliad smirks at Michael “Things are “going” with Ash?”

“No!” she calls putting a hand to her chest “I helped him calibrate pulse scope rifles in the armory. And we ate lunch together because it was the end of our shift.” taking Michael by the shoulders Tilly asks “How do you see him? You know, how does he stack up compared to your old boyfriends?” avoiding the question quite obviously Michael turns it around “How does he compare to yours?”

“Well, I used to exclusively go for soldiers, but I’m kind going through, like, a musician phase right now-”

“Everyone, hey!” standing on a chair Ash holds up a drink getting the attention of the room “We’re all lucky to be here tonight, surrounded by our brothers and sisters in arms, to celebrate a very special day of one of our own.” he looks across the room toasting “Happy birthday Iliad!” Everyone resounds the happy birthday before Ash goes on “But let’s not forget the sacrifices that have been made by those who still serve alongside us and those who have given their lives for us so we can continue to fight. So! To those who are gone and the life we celebrate tonight!” Everyone raises their cups and takes a sip collectively.

“My soldier thing is back.” mutters Tilly making Iliad and Michael almost howl in laughter. Spotting them Ash makes his way over where Tilly gives Michael a knowing look before heading off to dance pulling Iliad with her “Come on, you’ve got to have some moves somewhere in you!” with a small smile Iliad flicks her heels in and out one after another, the fancy footwork making everyone ooh and awe! Airiam inquiries “What do you call that?”

“Called the Charleston.” shrugs Iliad going back to just moving her arms and swinging her hips “Just a little something I picked up.” doing a twirl Keyla screams out “Get it birthday girl!!!”

BOOOM!!!

The music suddenly cuts out and everyone tumbles to the floor, the ship rattled in another giant explosion. Keyla grabs Iliad’s hand and Airiam is the first to sit up. “There was an explosion in the hull, going up deck six…seven.” another boom shakes them all when they try to get to their feet “Eight…nine…” it hadn’t registered fast enough to Iliad, the entire ship was going, soon it would be gone “Ten…” they would be gone “Eleven-”

“So! To those who are gone and the life we celebrate tonight!”

Suddenly Iliad is standing in the middle of the crowd, all toasting to Ash’s speech as he stands on the table. She pats her chest, she’s alive and…the ship’s not blowing up any more? Walking away from the crowd Michael spots Iliad heading towards the door “Wonderland!” She calls, “You just got here.”

“I did?”

“You okay?”

“Yeah, yeah…I’ll be right back. Just gonna run down to sickbay for a second.”

“Okay, if you say so.”

Wandering out onto the ship everything seems real, nothing is intact. Iliad walks with one hand against the wall just to make sure, really make sure “Hey! Iliad! Iliad! Wait!” rushing towards her from down the hall Paul skids to a stop “You need to listen to me!” eyes widening Iliad furrows her brows holding her hands up “Stamets are you okay?”

“There isn’t any time!” he cuts off before correcting himself “Or rather there is too much time.”

“Slow down!”

“I can’t slow down! Don’t you see what’s happening! We have been here before. All of us! I cannot be the only person who-”

“Time reset.” Iliad mumbles out crossing one arm and lifting her other hand to tap her lip. Paul calms down hearing this “Yes, yes, oh thank god! Someone!” nodding it dawns on her “Time reset, that’s why the ships not blown up.” Iliad’s face falls though, one time back is a reset, if you keep getting sent back you’re stuck in a loop.

“Warp Drive, critical failure!!!!” all the lights suddenly turn red. Everyone around them begins running in a panic “Shit!” Iliad calls and starts running down a selected hall when Paul suddenly catches her arm “What are you doing, it’s just gonna reset!”

“No!” she shouts, ripping her arm away as everything shakes making her trip back but “Stamets, you don’t understand!” Feeling the temperature start to rise, a plum of fire begins to stream from the opposite end of the hall. Paul screams out and Iliad drops to her knees lifting her arms.

Flash!

Lights go back to normal, everything is normal, the only remains of any danger being the sleeves of Iliad’s uniform are a singed. Biting her lip she stands “Engineering.” setting this course for herself she dashes off with literally no time to waste.

Doors opening for her she almost knocks into Paul who was about to run out “There you are!” he calls grabbing her arms before frowning at the shoot “What is this?”

“What I was trying to tell you!” Iliad groans, not happy by the damage done to her uniform. Sighing Iliad glances at the door to the cultivation bay, going over she motions for Paul to come in with her. Once inside Iliad takes a breath “Okay, we’re stuck in a time loop, time keeps resetting about-”

“Every thirty minutes, we reset,” Paul answers, Iliad shakes her arm “You reset, everyone else resets.” showing her singed selves she laughs “I! I don’t!”

“Black Alert! Black Alert!” the lights dim to blue making Paul and Iliad’s faces paul and voices lower to a whisper. Iliad glances at the door “Someones out there-”

“Just! Shh!” they notice however the ship isn’t actually Jumping (Blinking!) to another point in space “Computer?” Paul whispers, the automatic voice blocking him “Access denied.” grunting Iliad moves over to the security panel trying the regular combination “It’s locked from the inside.” without thinking she tries the manual function making Paul knit his brows together “How did you-”

“Welcome, kiddies. Make yourselves at home. I have.” The security footage of Engineering is displayed on the screen. At man at the controls drinking from a golden goblet as Ash and Michael slowly approach with phasers drawn. Ash interrogates “How the hell did you get out of that prison, Mudd?”

“You remember my multi-legged friend, Stuart? Well, we performed a feat of magic that would make the most accomplished escape artist blush. Alas, once free, he went his own way. Bugs, no loyalty.” 

Michael scoffs “Tyler, you know this man?” he nods “He was my cellma-Back away from the console. Put your hands in the air. I won’t ask you again, Mudd!” laughing Mudd begins to prod at the navigation “Actually you will. But, before them, would you please tell me how to work these controls?” he takes out a canister of spores “Uh, I understand that the drive system is what’s special about this ship. But for the life of me, I can’t-”

Both Ash and Michael fire, their phaser beams hitting a force field encasing the side of the room with the reaction cube, controls, and door to the cultivation bay.

“Warning critical drive overload and sixty seconds.”

Hearing this Paul ready’s his phaser “Can you get the door open.” nodding Iliad begins to work on that “Yeah.”

Mudd walks around the controls, facing both his attackers “Can we just jump ahead to the part where you tell me how to make these systems operational, please? I’ve got some Klingons on the hook. You might want to hurry. We’re getting close to that point where, you know…” he mimics an explosion as Michael orders “Computer, beam intruder to the bridge.”

“I’ve created a containment field to protect me on this side of the room. You really think I would forget to take control of the computer?”

“You are mad!”

“No! I’m Mudd-”

PISSH!!!

Paul’s phaser goes off just as Iliad is able to get the doors to part, striking Mudd in the back. Michael and Ash stare at them where Paul moves his mouth trying to find the words “As days go, this is a weird one.”

“Stamets!” Ash calls pointing “The drive!”

“Not gonna matter in ten seconds.” Iliad states flipping open her communicator to take a look at the time. Michael scoffs “Yeah Wonderland! Because we’ll all be dead by then!”

“Actually the drive will blow up in twenty, we’ll all reset before then. We’ve all been through this a couple times…three, two, one.” looking up Ash and Michael are gone, Mudd’s body is gone “You didn’t reset?” turning she sees Paul has reset to behind his work station completely baffled. Reaching out, Paul pats her arms “But this doesn’t make sense, the ship blows up, we all can be killed, but as long as we’re in the thirty minutes we should be fine.” holding his chin he thinks aloud his thought processes “I mean the Tardigrade is a multidimensional creature, so the fact I can remember must be a side effect of mixing it’s DNA with mine-”

“Stamets!” stopping him Iliad squeezes her eyes shut letting out a hard groan “You!...You have a shield.” she tries to explain “Around your brain, your memory, allowing you to retain it within the time loop. Imagine that but it’s around my entire body, every part of me giving me the ability to exist outside the loop.” lips trembling, Iliad goes on “Which means if I die…I won’t reset.” going stark white Paul’s mouth falls open “We need to stop Mudd.”

“Tyler said he used to be cellmates with Mudd.” recalls Iliad “Maybe he has an idea of how Mudd is doing this.”

“Yeah but how do we convince him?”

“...Leave it to me.” 

Marching back into the party Iliad didn’t have time for the “SURPRISE!!!” that was thrown in her face. Quickly she finds Ash and grabs his hand without any questions “Come with me!” starting to drag him to the door they’re cut off by a “Wonderland!” Michael rushes over with a confused look on their face “Going so soon?” biting her lip, Iliad rolls her eyes “...You just come too!”

“What?”

Shoving them both into the hall Iliad makes sure no one else is coming before tapping her badge “Khronos Union Standard.” A glow replaces the known uniform to one that was clearly out of this world to Ash and Michael. Folding her hands in front of her Iliad starts “I never served on the Glenn, I was put there by whatever thing pulled me through time from the twenty second century. That’s the last time I saw my family, simply put we’re time travelers of a branch of Starfleet far in the future known as the Khronos Union. And the only reason I’m telling you both this is because we are stuck in a time loop where after thirty minutes your memory resets and you will remember none of this…and I need you to believe me.” Both of them are struck, staring, brains short circuiting as Iliad taps her badge again “Science vessel uniform. Year: two thousand two hundred fifty seven.” the old uniform returns. Stepping forward Ash taps her shoulder, almost testing if she’s real, Iliad smacks his hand away “This time loop was made by Harry Mudd.”

“Mudd? Is this Vulcan humor?”

“He’s trying to sell the ship to the Klingons. Tyler, did Mudd ever mention having access to equipment that could help him create a loop?” Thinking on it, Ash glances up, his arms falling at a realization “Yeah! He used to brag about robbing a Betazoid bank. Heavily secured and fortified, no way in. Volatile encryption, molecular locks, daily DNA password protection. Mudd claimed to have memorized the security patterns. I thought it was just another one of his lies. But-”

“With an unlimited number of tries it’d be possible.” completes Michael “Did he say how he did it?”

“Something about a non-equilibrial matter state.” eyes glazing over at this Iliad’s saliva is caught in her throat “He’s got a…T…He’s got a time crystal.” shaking their head Michael disagrees “But the decay rate of the lattice is too unpredictable. No Federation-aligned species has ever been able to stabilize them. A four-dimensional race must have perfected the technology. And now Mudd has it.”

“Not for long.” grits out Iliad starting off down the hall grabbing her arm behind her Michael pulls her to a stop “Not so fast, Wonderland.” staring at where Michael is holding her Iliad sternly states “Let go-”

“Hell no.” dropping Iliad’s arm Michael scoffs “We’ll get to Mudd but I’m starting with you.” there was something almost like hurt flashing across Michael’s features “You should have told me, you should have followed Starfleet regulation.” she masks quickly making Iliad avoid her eyes “I am following regulation, I’m following the regulation of my Starfleet. Send a message, await for a given Launch Point, and meet back with my family at Prime Welcome.”

“Then why are you still here?” Ash asks a bit bluntly, making Michael shoot him a look. Gritting her teeth Iliad lifts her head “My…device was damaged.” she admits “I’ve been attempting to replicate the parts it needs from scratch.” Even in the face of certain danger Michael had never seen her so desperate, Iliad points “But Mudd’s got the literal key to my ride back home.” she drops her arm “I don’t care how many times I’m gonna have to explain it or have to ask, but please help us stop Mudd-”

Trumpets and triumphant music explode throughout the ship, in a flurry of confusion Iliad stomps her foot “Mudd’s on the bridge!” Michael is the first to move, readying their phaser “Then let’s go!” nodding, Iliad rushes behind her “Tyler radio Stamets to meet us there!”

Chapter Text

“Mr. Saru!” Lorca calls as the Kelpien smacks every button he can with no avail “I don’t understand, sir! I’m locked out of the ship’s controls.”

“Computer.” Nothing. “Computer, respond!”

“Let me see-” the doors to the bridge part and Mudd saunters on “What I can do. Computer, reduce volume so we can have a normal, adult conversation.” he spins on his heels facing Lorca as the computer responds “Yes, Captain Mudd.”

“Captain Mudd?!” Lorca stands where Mudd holds up a finger to shush him “I can’t believe I’m actually saying this, but I’m tired of gloating. In any case, this is very much my ship. Your ship? Very much not at all.” storming at Mudd, Lorca threatens “All right, show’s over, bud-”

“To the brig!” with a magical wave of his hand Mudd has beamed Lorca to his desired location. Stepping away from his station Saru takes a stand “I do not know how you wrestled control but you are in violation of-”

“Of code seven point five point three.” takes over Mudd rolling his eyes to the far back of his skull, annoyed “You’ve said. Many times. At any rate, tell me Lanky.” reaching into his pocket Mudd pulls out a small glowing orb, black with a glowing purple center rested between his fingers “Have you ever seen one of these? Of the eight hundred and twenty three ways there are to die in space, this is rumored to be the most painful. I found it in your former captain’s man cave. Apparently, the weaponized dark matter rips molecules apart at the subatomic level.”

While Mudd goes on Airiam sends a subtle nod to the communications officer to her left, he stands planning to rush Mudd who is already facing him “So if any of you are planning on becoming heroes, including you, random communications officer man, you’ll find there’s very little I don’t know.” he sends a wink at Airiam making her grip the bottom of her chair. Smirking back at the communications officer, Mudd lines up his aim with him “Sit tight. This will hurt a bit.”

“Mudd!”

Emerging onto the bridge Michael, Ash, Iliad, and Paul rush with their phasers set pointed at Mudd. Firing once Ash sees his blast hits a force field making Mudd laugh “You seem to have missed.” Pursing her lips at this Iliad goes to the control panel on her side of the room “Field disengaged.” the computer reports making Mudd drop his jaw “You little…” with a grunt he flings the orb out and it hits Ash. With a loud shriek he crumbles to the floor, body starting to disintegrate in whips of black and purple, unfathomable pain and he only looks at Michael as the rest stare on horrified when he evaporates completely.

“What a pity, for him…and you.”

PISH!!!

“AH!” dropping the phaser from her hand Paul catches Iliad bring her to the floor. Saru rushes over to stop Michael by her shoulders “We can’t afford any more losses.” he whispers, bringing them both over to Paul and Iliad. Her uniform had a large charred hole in it, the skin around the wound blistered and sickening.

“Okeydoke!” Mudd calls lounging in the captain’s seat “Listen up, One of you is going to teach me how this damn drive works!” 

“There’s significant bleeding.” Saru reports ripping off a piece of his uniform to hold over the cloted spot of blood. Iliad’s chest heaves rapidly as Michael states “It’s deep, might be deeper than we can see.” Trying to move her body a bit Michael pushes Iliad’s leg to stay down “You do not move an inch, Wonderland.”

“Hey!” reminds Mudd “How do I start that engine!”

“Me!” Paul calls out making Iliad look up at him “Stam-Stamets, don’t.” he shakes his head before unzipping the added attachment on his sleeves to show the new entry housing for the spore drive in his arm “It needs me to work.” with a happy sigh Mudd stands “Shall we go to the engine room?”

“I’ll go willingly if you let us take Iliad to Sickbay first.”

Raising a brow at this Mudd hums “Because I am so merciful.” he then lifts a phaser “You and you.” Mudd nods the gun at Michael “Take her, bean-pole stays here.” He finishes addressing Saru in the rudest manner who has to regretfully back away from Iliad. Rushing back over Paul helps her stand as she screams out at every movement “Put your weight-shift your weight.” Michael grabs Iliad’s other arm “Hey, hey, we got you!”

Mudd trails behind them, phaser locked as they attempt to haul Iliad down to Sickbay. Her feet limp along the halls and the pain is excruciating nothing she’s ever felt before “We can’t…We-We can’t go-”

“We’re gonna get you there!”

She attempts to shake her head but it seems like it’s lulling to them. She couldn’t go to Sickbay but she also couldn’t die. She couldn’t risk the entire future but she also couldn’t die. The white halls of Discovery seem to shift and warp with every step, almost like space itself is seeping into the ship. Stars dotting her vision, a figure in the distance limping the same as her. Their frame is larger though, hair shorter, ears pointed “...Aen? Aeneid?”

“No, no, stay awake!” Michael shakes her as they round the coroner and lift her onto one of the medical beds. Glancing at Mudd by the door for a second Michael lowers their voice as Hugh grabs a med pack placing it over Iliad’s injury “Mudd’s got everything he needs, how do we get him to reset time?”

“That won’t help Iliad.” Paul shares at the same level “She exists outside the time loop, the burns on her selves are from almost three loops ago when the ship blew up.” letting out a hard breath Michael sighs “What else would I expect from a time travel.”

“I’m sorry.” Paul makes her pause and Hugh does overhearing “What?” cutting in Hugh shows his PADD “This makes no sense how she’s alive.”

“Meaning?”

“Mudd’s phaser is set to kill, she should be dead by now.” showing her scans the problem area seems to be centered around her left lung “The injury has damaged the outer part of her left lung, but she is still able to breath at least at fifty percent capacity.” allowing Paul to take the PADD, Hugh then works placing an oxygen mask over her mouth. Furrowing his brows Paul stares at Iliad, a look of fear taking over his face. Michael catches this “What-”

“You’re genetically enhanced?” reaching up to take the mask off her face slightly “It’s not…not what you think.” placing the mask back on Hugh holds it down “Do not take that off.” looking up he asks “We need time to stop Mudd.” Paul sighs “But he has no reason to restart time. He has everything the Klingon’s want.”

“No, he doesn’t.” Michael grits out placing a hand on Iliad’s shoulder “Tell me. When time resets, tell me again.” Her tone is solid. This was a promise “I will help you get home, Wonderland.” leaving Iliad with a final squeezes Michael turns and steps forward to Mudd “You seem at home. You should have been a captain.”

“I’m neither one for following orders or giving them. No.” Mudd recites in a dramatic daze “The solar winds are my mistress, and I follow her wherever she beckons.”

“Mm. And what about Stella?”

“What? Oh, yes. Stella, the love of my life. Ah, Stella! The war took her from me. Never have two souls been so star-crossed. Romantic? Yes. Tragic? Even more so. But the best romances always are, aren’t they?”

“Are you done?”

“Almost.” he then pauses to look up “Computer, please send our location to the awaiting Klingon ship, courtesy of Harry Mudd.”

“Coordinates sent.”

“Now I’m done.” Michael agrees with him “The Klingons will pay a lot to win this war, but there is one thing they would pay more for. Me.” She then reveals “I murdered T’Kuvma, the Klingon messiah.” freezing Mudd scoffs “That’s absurd. I checked the officer’s manifest. You’re a nobody.”

“I’m not an officer. I’m Michael Burnham.” narrowing his eyes Mudd confirms “Computer, identity?”

“Identity confirmed. Captain Mudd, the alien ship is hailing.”

“You’ll get a lot of money for this ship.” interjects the confirmed teasingly “But what would I be worth to them?” Stroking his beard Mudd begins to smirk, eyes lighting up “Oh, yes. More…much more…Why are you telling me this?”

“Everyone you’ve killed.”

“They’re dead.”

“Not for long.” reaching out to Mudd, Michael is quickly able to pluck another dark matter orb from him and swallow it. With a scream she meets the same fate as Ash.

“NOOO!!!” lifting his wrist Mudd behind to input information into his wristband “SON OF A-”

FLASH!!!

Everyone in Sickbay disappears. Nothing remains except for the medpack over Iliad’s injury. Feeling most of the breath come back to her, Iliad takes off the mask and looks under the medpack to see the blue light at work already having sealed the critical parts of the wound. Getting back to her feet she reaches over for a travel med pack laying it over the rest of the wound. They had one last chance and she wasn’t gonna waste it.

One final time Mudd enters the bridge with his phaser raised only to be greeted with “Captain Mudd.” Everyone faces him including Ash, Michael, Paul, and Iliad who rests her hand against the console for support. Skeptically Mudd steps in “What’s this?” Lorca stands “Your chair.”

“What’s happening? You…” he points at Stamets “You’ve been cheating. Passing notes in class to save your friends. Well, whatever you think you’ve come up with, I’ll find a workaround. I’ll keep resetting time until I do. Nobody beats Mudd!”

“Sadly.” Michael raises her hand “Lieutenant Stamets has shown us your success is a universal certainty.” Paul confirms this himself “Using considerable scientific methodology. This must end for all our sakes.” Lorca finishes “So, Harcourt Fenton Mudd, the USS Discovery and Michael Burnham are yours. You win.”

“Don’t try to con a con man.”

“I’m not. I’m negotiating with a businessman. My offer is simple- the lives of my crew in exchange for Burnham, the ship, and Stamets.”

“Why would a Federation captain do that?”

“I will not have a repeat of the Buran. We will do whatever our new owners require if I have your that you will spare the ship’s complement.” holding out his hand Lorca waits “Your word, Mudd.”

“Well I’ve never been one to look a gift captain in the mouth.” and Mudd takes the assurance, quickly shaking hands. A deal struck. “You have my word. Excellent.” he sits in the captain’s seat “Computer. Send our coordinates to the awaiting Klingon vessel, courtesy of Harry Mudd.”

“Sending, Captain Mudd.”

“Now, this is your last chance to stop me. Only got about thirty seconds until we rejoin the time stream and there is no turning back.”

“Incoming Warp signature detected.”

“I never thought I’d be so happy to see those pointy-headed bastards!” jumping from his seat Mudd checks his wrist “Look at this! Five, four, three, two, one!” the device disintegrates off his wrist, gone from existence. Watching it go makes Iliad’s jaw clench, having to shut her eyes for a moment cursing all of the work she’s suddenly gained in having to do.

“Captain Mudd, we are being hailed by the Klingons.”

“Excellent! Welcome our guests on board.”

“Acknowledged. Two to beam aboard.”

“Energize once I reach the transporter room.” he pokes his phaser at them “Come along, meet your new masters.” stepping over Paul offers his arm to Iliad, who gratefully takes it. The two share a look saying they’ll talk about it when this is all over. “You seem happy.” Iliad comments as they go “I’ve been screwed over since the day I was born.” shares Mudd “I deserve this.” nodding to this Paul wonders aloud “So, it wasn’t about Stella after all. It was always only about you. You keep talking about how you lost her because of the war, but her father’s an arms dealer who’s made a fortune off it. Finding either of them shouldn’t be that difficult, unless you don’t want to.”

“I never told you about Barron Grimes.”

“No.” laughs Michael “But Discovery’s archives are non-critical systems.” the three come to a stop all grinning at the conman “You probably should have disarmed them, as well. And now that you don’t have your time crystal, you can’t learn from this mistake.”

“It turns out.” reveals Iliad “Stella’s been looking for you. Her dad put out a reward.”

“You haven’t been running to Stella.”

“You’ve been running from her!” Ash pops out of a side hall distracting Mudd enough for Michael to take his phaser “Skipped out on the Barron’s daughter with her dowry. Stella was too tempting a mark for you to resist. But ripping off her father was a risky move, Harry.”

“No wonder you needed the deal with the Klingons so badly. You had to disappear. And you almost pulled it off, except for me.” Paul raises his hand “Cause I exist outside the normal time stream.” biting his lip Mudd calls “You think you're so smart! Have you forgotten the Klingons are beaming their way here, even as we speak? Hmm? You can forget about that deal I made with Lorca. You geniuses have just condemned your crewmates to a life of servitude.”

“Harry.” Ash sighs, a tiny bit of pity lingering “The Klingons aren’t coming. I rewired the Captain’s chair.” Iliad chimes in this time “Another non-critical system that we had to exploit. So take a guess of who those coordinates really got sent to?”

“No…”

“Stella and her daddy.” getting behind Mudd, Ash shoves him into the transporter room. As instructed before the computer energizes a man and woman aboard, she exclaims “Harcourt! Where have you been!” rushing up to him she pinches his cheeks “I have been so worried about you.” and kisses him where Mudd exaggerates “Oh, it’s been, oh, such a tumultuous year. I can’t even begin to explain.” her smile disappears, gripping his jacket “Try.”

“Yes! Of course! You know how much you meant to me-Mean! How much you mean to me! But to be brutally honest, I have led a life marred by- oh, how should we say- poor choices, debt, all kinds of blemishes to my reputation. And I couldn’t enter into union with you with those pox upon my character, so I set out to eliminate them. But, alas, my plan was led astray.”

“Harry, I have always known who you are. And I’ve never cared! We could have faced those problems together, and…Daddy would have taken care of anything else.” she finishes in a whisper before bopping his nose. The Barron groans but nods “Consider it a consolidation of your debt under one lender. I would do anything for my daughter. And she, for better or worse, has taken to you, Mudd. And now, thanks to the actions of these officers, you can finally make an honest woman of Stella. As for Starfleet, I don’t intend to be in debt to your organization. How do I repay you?”

“Just make sure Mr. Mudd spends the rest of his days at your daughter’s side, and out of Starfleet’s way.” Ash quickly takes up adding the last part for everyone's benefit at the end. With that agreement Stella drags Mudd onto the transporter and thank god Paul beams them away.

“You know, it's kinda unfair how he gets to spend the rest of his life with an heiress.” Iliad points out making Michael laugh “That’s how the cards fall sometimes, Wonderland.” smiling back at her Iliad starts “Hey, Michael-” Wait she thought, Michael only said what she said because she knew she wasn’t gonna remember. 

“Yeah?”

“...Nevermind.”

“Okay, again happy birthday.”

With a final nod Iliad moves back down the hall taking a moment to look down at her shoes, after everything, perfectly intact. Hearing a pair of footsteps behind her she turns, Paul staring with a disappointed expression. He opens his mouth but Iliad speaks first “Bring the Neural Enhancer and I’ll explain everything.” she quickly requests “Please.”

Looking at herself in the mirror Iliad quite liked the blue dress. Her door opens and Paul steps in with a box, raising a brow at her outfit “Planning on going back to your party?”

“I thought I’d dress up this time, yeah.” 

Setting the box on her desk Paul pulls out her chair and sits. Iliad’s rigid on her bed sitting, waiting. Paul decides on his first question “When were you born?” cringing at this Iliad bites her lip “Complicated question.”

“How?!”

“Well I was “created” sometimes in the nineteen fifties, all of us were. Then placed in Cold Station 12. I was actually born though in the thirtieth century-”

“Created?” catching this Paul runs a hand through his hair “So you are…you are an Augment?” finding displeasure in the word, Iliad cringes again “The politically correct term is Second Chance Human. Homo Secundus if you want to be clever in latin.” it’s so much to process, she could see it on his face so she tries to start from what she knows to be the beginning “My dad taught it to me like this. After the Eugenics Wars this DNA was sitting in Cold Station 12, passed hands a couple of times and caused a few problems. Sometime around the twenty eighth-twenty ninth century the Federation gets an idea. They see that the DNA is resistant to certain things, one of those things being Tachyon Radiation.”

“You're completely immune.” figures Paul “That’s how you exist in your own sorta timeline.”

“Temporal wars, lot more common than people think. The Federation wanted a way to not only explore but protect that front as well and since Second Chance are immune we don’t need anything to be able to travel time, we’re the perfect choice.”

“But why would Starfleet bring back the same thing that caused the Second Dark Ages of humanity?” frowning at this Iliad shrugs “That was discovered to be nurture. Arrogance, ambition, aggression, all of that can have traits but to bring it to full effect is how one is raised. Part of our culture is being raised through time, to witness history, in turn we learn all its effects before arriving at Prime Welcome.” holding her hands together Iliad smiles, proud “We don’t deny what we are but we are not them. We are the Khronos Union, the Second Chance.”

After a hard second Paul sits up straight patting his knees “Alright, how do you plan on getting home?” furrowing her brows and tilting her head, Iliad purses her lips “You’re not…You’re not gonna turn me into Starfleet? May I remind not only am I a time traveler but I’m also technically illegal.”

“Sounds like you want me to turn you in.” Paul jokes, being able to get Iliad to smile slightly “My plan is to get a launch point to “home”. To do that I need to get a message to the Khronos Union but my device is damaged and I’ve been trying to fix it-”

“Are you the one who’s been stealing from Engineering?”

“...Will you still be mad if I say no?”

“Just tell me when you’re taking something so you don’t get court martialed.” he laughs sitting down beside her “That’s the entire plan though?” standing Iliad goes to the box and takes out the Neural Enhancer “It might not have to be.” moving her hands she tries to explain “When I got shot I was…I was connected to something, I saw something. Like Michael did with Sarek.” that feeling, a bond in the back of her head still remained, little though. Recognized every once and awhile like when you need to scratch your ear “I think it was my older sibling.”

“Older sibling?”

“Aeneid. I thought after Poland they severed the bond but maybe a part of it is still there.” gripping the head piece Iliad motions to it “And although it is the last thing I want to do, connecting with them might be another way.” standing abruptly Paul points at the device “Do you not recall what that did to Burnham? And you want to attempt a connection across time!”

“My physical and mental regeneration is faster and stronger, I have also kept my Vulcan practices my entire life.” placing the metal against her temple, the circles light up blue “The least I can do is try.” with a huff Paul leads her to her bed and helps her lay down “I am pulling you out if something goes wrong.” head against her pillow Iliad agrees “Deal.”

“Activating now.”

Paul and her entire room disappear, a beautiful whirlwind of bright colors, fading together. Standing up Iliad is almost pulled in a random direction, something steaming from the back of her head and anchored in her heart. A few steps forward and the figure fades into view again. Male, short hair, pointed ears, a blue shirt, eyebrows pointed completely under control, but a face unknown. 

She doesn’t know this Vulcan and yet this is who she’s being drawn to. Gripping the fabric of her dress she shakes her head “You’re not…I must be dreaming?” looking her over and then at the space around them, the Vulcan lifts a brow, curiously “…Alice?”

Gasping back awake, Iliad sits up, Paul swiftly removing the device from her temple “You!” he calls angry “Never do that again!”

“What?” she asks as he puts the device back “What’d I do?”

“You fell asleep! That’s what!”

“...that’s all?”

“That’s all!” he mocks with a scoff “Anyway, did it work? Did you see them?” lifting her knees up, Iliad holds them, the vision rapidly slipping away “I saw…someone…if I fell asleep then I must have been dreaming.” and yet that intense pull was still in her, much stronger than before, awakened. It makes her smile a bit, suddenly she doesn’t feel so alone. “Happy birthday to me.”

Chapter Text

“Let me see it.” Skidding to a stop before she walks out Engineering Iliad turns to Paul lifting up a handful of wires “Sorry.” shaking his head Paul walks over typing the information into his PADD “It’s fine, remember. Any progress?” tilting her head Iliad nods “Didn’t set a fire last night.”

“Really?”

“Nope, the board was too corroded to even fit inside.” At this she pulls a replacement she swiped out of her back pocket “Which, by the way, I took this too.”

“Iliad!” waving her hands with a big smile she skips out “BYE!!!” 

“Cadet Specialist Iliad, personal log. Currently Discovery is stationed by a planet known as Pahvo, it has its own type of signal. The Federation plans to use it to be able to track Klingon ships even with their cloaking device in place. Surprisingly life without Tyler or Michael makes for a pretty mundane couple of days. Along with Commander Saru they’re on the away team, the rest of us just go about our day to day activities.

This includes routine, Stamets always asking what I’m taking today but I’m used to sneaking it out. It may annoy him but it makes me laugh. In a way, although against everything I’ve been taught, I felt better that someone knew. A weight lifted from my shoulders and an ally to help me get back to my family.

Often though in these boring moments my mind wanders to them. What must they be doing? Did they leave San Francisco? Did they make it to Prime Welcome? Maybe a better word would be miss.

Miss how my dad would always insist on cooking dinner rather than using the synthesizer. Miss the day trips I’d take with Oddie where eventually he’d start listing random locations so I wouldn’t have to go to work in the archives. Him coming into my room to ask for a story and then ultimately going to dad so he could read both of us the story.

…Stamets was right, talking about it does help a bit. Whelp, guess this is good night and good luck to trying again tomorrow.”

Pressing the stop on the recording Iliad rubs the arms of her light blue silk top and shorts before moving off to bed. Kissing her fingers she runs them down the spine of Volass Vakar and The Odyssey “Good night, love you.”

The crumbles of dirt shifted between her fingertips. Pushing herself up Iliad finds herself in a tunnel, long and light, almost homey, roots on every wall. Pushing herself up she runs her hand along the wall calling out “Hello? Anyone?”

Hearing a crash like noise Iliad turns, seeing the Vulcan. Again. He’d been popping up in her dreams, never this prominent though, normally by now he’d be gone and she’d be awake to start the next day. Stepping over to him she furrows her brows “This is usually when I wake up.” hearing her voice the Vulcan stares up at her. Iliad bends down, taking his arm to help him stand. “The subconscious is a funny thing I guess.” maybe it was a recreation, a manifestation to represent her lost family. Or maybe guilt over not being able to mind meld across time with her older sibling. Yes, guilt and childish wanderance, lost in circles but with a goal.

“Alice.” he greets once more, making her groan “I get it!” Iliad calls, crossing her arms and muttering “Maybe I should tell Michael to stop calling me her nickname, clearly it’s getting to me.” looking down both halls one seems to get darker, the other having a warmer light to it. With a confident step Iliad starts off in the warmer direction. The Vulcan watches her for a second before jogging to meet her “Wait! Where are-”

Iliad faces him and he wonders pointedly “Where are we going?” she shrugs “Somewhere.”

“...It is illogical to go anywhere without a path.”

“It’s also illogical to stand around when two perfectly clear paths are open.” she points to one end of the tunnel, the bright “I’m going this way. You’re welcome to join me.” flashing a smile Iliad nods and continues, the Vulcan at her side within a minute. Somehow forever and seconds seem to coincide, like the feeling of walking on but not a single ache in her feet to tell her she’s been walking for that long. Iliad begins going faster, jogging, suddenly running, fast as she can to keep up with the light.

It’s growing further.

She’s getting closer.

“Stop!” the Vulcan calls but she keeps going, his voice fades away and the light envelopes her.

“Cadet Specialist Iliad! Come in Cadet Specialist Iliad!” shooting up from bed Iliad grips her covers “Yes, Captain Lorca!”

“Report to the bridge, now!” jumping up Iliad quickly taps her badge, utilizing her blue uniform before rushing out of her room. The halls reminded her of the tunnel, the longest dream that seemed to go on forever. But that didn’t matter as the doors open to the bridge, Lorca, Michael, and Ash all their “Michael!” Iliad smiles, making her greeted friend give her a small grin back “Hey, Wonderland.”

“You said.” Lorca starts speaking to Michael “The adjustments to the Pahvan transmitter was a success.” furrowing their brow Michael shakes her head “I thought it was, sir. The Pahvans repaired our signal inhibitor after Saru destroyed it. I watched it happen.”

“Mr. Byrce?” calls Lorca and he the comms officer responds “The signal strength has increased by a factor of ten to the twelfth power. The music’s gone. All that’s being transmitted now is a massive electromagnetic wave.” holding up a hand Iliad stops “Wait.” then asks “What bands are the signals being sent across?” looking down to check his panel Byrce’s face suddenly pales “Ours…and the Klingons.” A heavy tension sets over the bridge at the realization of a one way invitation that the Klingons are most likely taking to meet Discovery here.

“It’s the Pahvans.” breaths out Michael running a hand through her hair “Their entire existence is an effort to bring harmony to discord, and they know about our conflict with the Klingons. They’re trying to bring us together, they think they’re helping.”

“Captain, long range sensors have detected an incoming Klingon vessel. It’s the Ship of the Dead, The Sarcophagus.” murmurs and whispers begin among the crew. All eyes on the beautiful planet with its perfect two moons on the view screen, the Klingons will destroy it if Discovery is not here, but if Discovery is the Klingons could gain a secret weapon and win the entire war.

Changing the entire course of history.

“Incoming transmission.” reports Airiam “Holo-speak, sir.” shifting in the captain’s chair, Lorca points to the center of the bridge “Patch em’ through.” A Vulcan appears, Fleet Admiral Terral and he does not mince his instructions “We have ordered all active starships back behind Federation lines. Retreat, Captain. That is an order-”

“Sir, with the Ship of the Dead on the way here-”

“Yes.” dismisses the Vulcan “General Kol’s next strategic move will be to destroy the transmitter, thus eliminating any chance of the Federation gaining an upper hand. But we cannot risk losing the Discovery over this.”

“Need I remind you the Klingons don’t take threats lightly? By seeming to align themselves with us, the Pahvans just became one. And that ship can and will destroy an entire planet in the blink of an eye.”

“Your mission to Pahvo was to give us the advantage we sorely needed. But that mission failed. We have gathered the top scientific minds to devise a solution to crack the invisibility screens that cloak the Klingon warships, within the safety of Federation space. Your crew is to join the effort.” narrowing his eyes Lorca almost spits “You want me to run from a fight? And leave a peaceful species to face annihilation?”

“I am sorry. But the logic is clear. You will jump to Starbase 46. Immediately.” The hologram abruptly ends, causing Lorca to have a hesitant moment and turn away from his crew, “Lieutenant Detmer.” He finally says “Set a course for Starbase 46. Warp five.”

After a long moment of Keyla wanting to object, she meekly swallows “Y-Yes Captain.” seeing this Saru steps forward “Sir, the Phavans are more vulnerable than Admiral Terral could possibly understand. Please, if I could only speak with him and relay my experience with their peace-loving species-” waving a hand Lorca storms back to his seat “At this speed, they’ll be expecting us in three hours at Starbase 46. That’s why we’re Warping and not using the spore drive.” crossing his arms he addresses his crew with a sly smirk “I have no intention of reaching our destination.” Lorca reveals “But if you’re planning on disobeying a direct order, best not to advertise the fact. So…you all heard the panicked admiral. Starfleet is tired of fighting the Klingon cloaking devices and losing. So am I. We have just under three hours to find a solution. If we can, we jump back. Defend Pahvo. If we can’t.” he raises his arms and gives a brief nod, all understanding what it meant “Let’s get to it.”

After a while of constant working the doors to the bridge suddenly open, Lorca walking back on with Paul who excuses himself to walk over to Iliad “How’s it going?” he wonders, Lorca announces “Two hours before we arrive at the starbase; less than that, probably, before the Klingons arrive at Pahvo. Tell me.” he faces the main science crew “You have a solution.”

“You’ll see.” Iliad states to Paul before taking the PADD and joining Michael beside Lorca, she starts “Currently, we suspect the Klingon cloak generates a massive gravitational field, one that bends light and other electromagnetic waves around the ship.” Iliad pulls up the schematics they’ve created of a field around the Ship of the Dead as Saru takes over “Essentially rendering it undetectable to our sensors.”

“But the cloak has small imperfections. So what appears like background EM radiation actually contains near-imperceptible shifts that correlate to the cloak’s gravitational field.”

“If we can determine the exact relationship between the two, we could develop an algorithm to expose any invisible ship’s position.” skeptical Lorca holds his chin “But the imperfections are infinitesimal. How do we detect them?”

“By placing sensors on board the Klingon ship to relay data back to Discovery.”

“On the ship?...With a boarding party?” he really makes sure “One that has to physically beam over?” with a sigh Lorca agrees “All right. How do we get our people there?”

“Klingons know that Discovery is a valuable target.” Ash treads lightly with his next words “We use it as bait, to draw their flagship away from Pahvo. They’d have to drop the cloak to engage us in battle.” Iliad confirms this “Their shields and weapons are off-line when invisible so we have a window, small one, to beam over. After the cloaks down but before they put their shields up. Once onboard the away team will install two sensors. Every time the ship cloaks we collect data.” then she stops making Lorca tilt his head “But?”

“...It’ll take time to gather enough data.”

“How much time?”

“At a minimum…days.” cocking his brow Lorca reigns it in knowing that the last time he blew up at the Cadet was unacceptable “Well, we don’t have days…but we do have a spore drive. Lieutenant Stamets!” he calls motioning “My office.” nodding Paul nods up a finger “One moment, Captain.” reaching over he takes Iliad’s arm pulling her back to her station “We’re about to fight head on with the Klingons.” snapping back Iliad swallows “Uh, yeah.” glancing back in forth Paul leans in more to make sure he’s not even picked up by the security coms “Okay, I know you’re not supposed to tell me anything of the future-”

“Point of being raised through time is to experience it, I don’t know much of the future…except…a few things.” she trails off deciding to click buttons and at least look busy while Paul crosses his arms “What few things? Few relevant things?” stopping on a dime Iliad also glances around before putting a hand on her chest “I’m Second Chance Human, my family’s Second Chance Vulcan, Second Chance Klingons make up a large part of the Union.”

“But that’s good! That’s great! That means eventually the Klingons become part of the Federation.”

“Time isn’t set though.” she recalls “Time is as rigid as it is fluid, it is sentient and requires life.” the message given across all Khronos Union devices no matter the year on the same day, at the same time “We learn and protect that time for the stars above.” She finishes, a distant memory in her eyes before they steel over with determination “Which could mean in three hours is what decides the fate of the entire future.” meeting Paul’s eyes Iliad sighs “I have to tell Lorca.”

“Iliad-”

“He has to know what’s about to happen.” scanning her face Paul sees no room for argument but asks once more “Are you sure?” she can say nothing, hands shaking violently, Iliad can nod though. Paul takes her hands “Okay…Okay.”

The two walk over waiting for the door to Lorca’s ready room to open. Seeing them both Lorca waves his hand “Uh, Iliad I just requested Stamets.” Paul holds up his own hand, defending her “I know Captain but Iliad has something she’d like to bring to your attention. In order to do so we ask the door remain closed and the security footage be turned off.” pausing Lorca lifts a brow, fingers hovering over his tables panel. Iliad pushes “Please.” scanning her face Lorca finds full sincerity “...Alright.” with a hum the security powers down and the doors locked, nodding to herself Iliad thinks “How do I say this?”

“When Mudd trapped us in a time loop.” seeing her struggle Paul jumps in to help “I was partial immune, my memory was safe but I reset. What we’ve been keeping is that Iliad is immune to temporal dissociation as well.”

Only one word comes from Lorca “...What?” Paul motions for Iliad to go on and she pulls up her shirt partly. Although fully healed there is a blemish in her skin where she was hit “I was completely unaffected. In one loop Mudd shot me and I was rushed to medical because if I died I wouldn’t come back…I exist outside of time because…because I’m technically a time traveler.” standing Lorca tilts his head “...Tell me I did not hear those words.” biting her lip, Iliad taps her badge, her purple uniform materializes with the words “Khronos Union Standard. One day Starfleet is gonna create this branch known as the Khronos Union, we are dedicated to time itself. I never served on the Glenn, whatever brought me here just put me there, separated me from my family.”

“Oh god. Damn! That explains a lot!” lifting a hand to his head Lorca runs a hand through his hair “This whole time?” she nods “Why tell me now if you were so intent on keeping this a secret?” it’s now when all of her fear comes flooding out “Time has a natural order to it but it’s not set in stone. I believe what’s about to happen could dictate the entire fate of the future.”

“Well that doesn’t put pressure on anything at all does it.” glancing Iliad up and down Lorca puts his hands on his hips “Can you uh…can you bring your uniform back or-” Iliad taps her badge quickly “Science vessel uniform. Year: two thousand two hundred fifty seven.” The glow comes again, making Lorca jump slightly, eyes wandering off in thought. Without a word he pulls up an image of the Klingon ship, running a calculation. An image of Discovery blinks all around it, equations running at the bottom cause Paul to go rigid at the number “You…You want me to make one hundred and thirty three jumps?” stepping back from his masterpiece, Lorca nods “Micro-jumps. Each one performed in rapid succession will provide a three-dimensional snapshot of the cloak Klingon ship’s position. The readings will be received from every necessary vector in under four minutes-”

“Less than that.” Iliad adds mindlessly while staring at the equation, it is perfectly clear to Lorca now that her knowledge is far beyond what should be that of a cadet, at least a cadet in this time “And I’m assuming you could compute that in the same amount of time, Cadet?”

“...yes.” she shakes her head “But Dr. Culber said-”

“I wish I didn’t have to ask you to make this sacrifice.” Lorca clarifies to Paul “But the Klingons won’t stop until they’ve destroyed everything in their path, everyone. And we can’t stop them…without the spore drive…without you.”

“You're asking for the spore drive to be used in a way we’ve never conceived of.” fights Paul “The spore delivery system isn’t configured to handle the amount of volume that would be required.” with a small grin Lorca scoffs “That’s gonna stop you? I bet Iliad could fix that problem and once she does…let me show you something.”

A holographic star map encapsulates the room, its format showing many pathways and circle icons, like gates. Red lines outlining the barriers and blue signaling the mycelium super highway the ship is accustomed to “You’ve been accumulating this data from my jumps the whole time?” Paul wonders marveling at the map, Lorca nods “With the suggestion of pulling data from maintenance.” he credits to Iliad who stares also in awe pointing “These pockets, the ones scattered all around…that’s negative mass.” she figures before bringing both hands to her mouth. Not even that was possible to her, she thought her father would theorize but to have living proof “Possible alternative parallel universes, underlying our own!” chuckling a bit Lorca motions “Based on that reaction I’d say this is a new discovery?”

“With more jumps-”

“Blinks.” Iliad in a haze interjects Paul, he goes on “We could find a pattern, perhaps even the coordinates to reach them.” smiling Lorca holds out his hands to them “You showed me this invention could take us to places that we never dreamed we could reach. This is far beyond our preconceptions of time and space.” The graphics and data on the map are manipulated to show a hypothetical output of exploration transcending anything in the known universe. Letting a beautiful sigh Paul glances at Lorca “Captain, I didn’t know you cared.”

“We have to win this war…but then-”

“Then the journey continues.” Lorca nods and Paul understands “If we can save Pahvo, defeat the Klingons and do all this, one hundred and thirty three jumps it is.” surprised Iliad stares as Paul walks out with a newfound and renewed spark. So much change for an idea and when she looks back at the map she starts to feel it herself “Your father ever teach you anything like this?” she hears Lorca but her eyes remain trained “My father didn’t even know anything like this could be, beyond hypothetical.” nodding, Lorca loops his arms behind his back “You know you could fast track to lieutenant?”

“Me?” Iliad questions pointing to herself “Really?”

“Easily. Could be a first class Science Officer or head of Engineering.” smiling he plays “Actually judging by the purple of your other uniform I’m assuming you're some form of both.” laughing back, Iliad nods “Yeah.”

“In fact you could probably make Captain.” her jaw almost drops “C-Captain?”

“With the right sponsor, of course.”

“Y-You’d be willing to sponsor me?” heart almost jumping out of her chest Iliad has to remember her Vulcan practices in order to keep breathing. And at the thought of it was her family, her mission making her frown “I…I can’t, sir.” dropping his arms Lorca scoffs “Ca…Can’t? Cadet, I don’t just give out this offer-”

“I would!” she assures “In any other situation! Of course! But…But I have to get back to my family. My dad, Oddie, I don’t know what happened to them and…and I could never have a life without them.” Hearing this Lorca purses his lips before setting both his hands on his desk, tapping “In that case I’m ordering you to stay on the ship.”

“Sir?”

“Tyler’s seen your combat record he’d most likely recommend you and Burnham. And as impressive as Vulcan material arts is, I need your brain ship side to calculate the received data with Commander Saru.” He was doing her a favor and he needed her so Iliad couldn’t really object “Yes, Captain.”

“Okay, showtime.”

The two walk back out onto the bridge where Paul spots Iliad and points to the ground mouthing “Bridge or Engineering?” Iliad nods and subtle points to the ground mouthing back “Be careful.” giving a thoughtful tilt of his head Paul exits the bridge. 

“Commander Saru.” Lorca calls while sitting in his seat “You will be assisted by Cadet Specialist Iliad in analyzing the data retrieved from the Ship of the Dead.”

“Tu baki dee Iliad’a miankook.”

I welcome Cadet Iliad’s assistant.

Iliad smiles taking her place at the counsel next to the Kelpien “Xhusen ben, etuven.”

Thank you, Commander.

Lorca faces ahead conducting his own business as the two begin to pull up the connection to the sensors “I must say.” Saru starts “Your pronunciation is phenomenal, could be a Kelpien yourself.” giggling a bit Iliad shakes her head “It’s a beautiful language but some parts come from the back of the throat, it reminds me of Yiddish.”

“I would expect nothing less from you and your thirst for knowledge, reminds me of my sister's ambition that way.” he retails with a sad smile making Iliad tilt her chin “I didn’t know you had a sister.” lifting his head entirely Saru let’s his shoulders drop but not in distance but in memory “Leaving Siranna was one of the hardest things when joining Starfleet, I never even got to say goodbye…” hearing this Iliad offers she own polite smile “...I never got to say goodbye to my sibling either.”

“Before you were stationed on the Glenn?”

“Oh no.” she assures, keeping her smile. “This was when my family moved from New York to Poland and…I haven’t seen them since. Only difference is you miss Siranna.”

“You don’t miss them?”

“Hard to miss a liar.”

“I was under the impression Vulcans couldn’t lie.”

“...So was I.”

“We are about to face the most difficult challenge we have ever attempted.” preaches Lorca into the ship wide sound system “Today, we stare down the bow of the Ship of the Dead, the very same ship that took thousands of our own at the Battle of the Binary Stars. When I took command of this vessel, you were a crew of polite scientists. Now, I look at you. You are fierce warriors all. No other Federation vessel would have a chance of pulling this off. Just us.”

Chapter Text

War was something Iliad never liked despite its need for progression throughout history. It’s still enough to make her hands shake and enough for Saru to lay his hand over hers lightly as Volass used to.

“Because mark my words: you will look back proudly and tell the world you were there the day the USS Discovery saved Pahvo and ended the Klingon War.”

Byrce turns in his seat, reporting “Sir, long-range sensors have detected the power signature of a cloaked Klingon vessel entering Pahvo’s orbit.” Lorca confirms this as the ship continues on its path through Warp. Saru takes his other hand and taps the console “Transporter room, stand by.” he reports to Ash and Michael before Lorca initiates “Black Alert!” the warm likens to cool “Let’s jump back to Pahvo.”

While in Warp the ship Blinks! Its position suddenly returned to where it was stationed three hours ago above Pahvo. Green particles twinkle off in open space unveiling the Ship of the Dead to the plain eye facing Discovery. Getting an alert on their screen Saru informs “Sir, Lieutenant Tyler and Specialist Burnham have successfully beamed aboard the Klingon vessel.”

“Excellent. Detmer, evasive pattern lambda ten. Let’s keep the Klingons engaged so that Burnham and Tyler can plant those sensors.” Keyla smirks, “It’s gonna be a bumpy ride.”

The entire ship jolts as the first blast from the Klingon ship hits it. Another strike as the Discovery makes a sharp turn over Pahvo. “Uplink to Discovery established.” The alert pops up before Iliad as she and Saru grip the console for stability “First sensor online, Captain!” left and right the Ship of the Dead fires at Discovery too big to chase after it in space; however could certainly overtake them in Warp. Another strike in the side makes the bridge shake and Iliad trips over, Saru grabbing her shoulder to keep her up straight. Lorca grips his seat “Detmer!”

“Trying!” she shouts back learching the ship again.

“Uplink to Discovery established.”

“Second sensor online!” Iliad shouts “Standing by to receive data as soon as the Klingon vessel cloaks.”

“Then let’s make it happen!” Lorca calls, ordering “Black Alert!” the computer repeats the request, the blue lights taking over. Facing the left side of the bridge Lorca informs “Mr. Rhys, be ready to fire the torpedoes when we come out of the jump. Remember, our people are on board, so just a scratch.”

“Aye, Captain!”

“Let’s give 'em a little taste of what the Discovery is capable of.” 

The Klingons watch as Discovery begins to rotate, phasing out of existence entirely as blue lightning crackles around it before it’s gone. Suddenly they're struck by Discovery which has appeared to the side of them, then to the side, back to the front, from behind. From every angle, every new second, micro jumps (Blinks) performed to keep Discovery out of the Klingon’s reach but still on the attack.

“Captain, the Ship of the Dead is cloaking.” states Saru as all can see the green particles eat away at the ship disappearing in front of the view screen. Lorca nods “Right on schedule.”

The data begins to stream down the console before Iliad and Saru “Sensors are transmitting the cloaking frequency.”

“Comence jump sequence. Go!” When Discovery continues the data starts to be transmitted at a rapid pace, startling Iliad slightly. Saru, already at work organizing and calculating the data, slides his hands across the screen giving her the materials he found in his own stream “Focus, Cadet.” she nods beginning to start, the taming of the ship sending jolts through her heels tripping her up every new jump putting her considerably behind Saru.

“Our sensors have begun transmitting the data. Keep it up, Mr. Stamets.” voices Lorca across the speakers “Just finish the jumps, and we’ll have what we need.”

Faster Iliad attempts to comprehend the information and compile it back into code, but the input is adding up more than she can output.

“Engineering to bridge, we have to abort!” rapid and scarcely Hugh is able to get his words across making Iliad instantly freeze, something was wrong. Lorca responds “We have seventy jumps left, Doctor.”

“His senatorial node is firing at over two hundred per minute. Call it off, now!”

“You do whatever you have to do. You keep him alive till he finishes the jumps. Trillions of lives are at stake here! That’s an order, Doctor!”

“Focus!” Saru calls to Iliad, she faces back trying to get a rhythm going but could only imagine the Tardigrades' pain and shrieks in the back of her head…that’s happening to Paul right at this moment. The numbers and algorithms all look the same when your heart is pressing so hard against your rib cage, it’s thumping physically seen through her eyes. Pushing her hands down to support herself Iliad swings her head “I…I can’t-”

“Take a breath…in…out…in…and out.”

About to flutter shut her eyelids suddenly stick open, pulse calming down as she follows the voice. A new surge thought her hands, they know this, they’ve done this tons of time before. The sooner she finished the sooner it would end and that’s her incentive to get back to work, matching Saru’s pace. Turning to face her at this renewed energy Lorca encourages “Yeah, Cadet! Keep it up!”

In no time at all her and Saru are at the finishing point when the system goes blank, their screens clear back to their natural states. Both of them raise their arms “Data analysis complete!” At the same time Airiam calls “Jump protocol complete!”

“Number One? How’s that algorithm coming?” Lorca questions and with a heavy breath Saru reports “Computer estimates give minutes until completion and we’re able to break through the cloak.” giving a curt nod Lorca returns his attention to the Ship of the Dead as Iliad settles herself muttering with a grin “I feel I’m gonna throw up.” letting out a small laugh at this Saru steps forward putting a hand on her back to clam her heaving shoulders, Iliad rests her forehead against his upper arm laughing a bit with him.

Detmer turns to the back of the bridge “We’re sitting ducks. I’d suggest jumping to safety until the cloak has been penetrated.”

“Why aren’t they firing?” ponders Lorca rubbing his jaw in thought “They’re thinking of leaving, I would…We’re not going anywhere till we have Burnham and Tyler back.”

“We did it.” patting her back, Saru motions to the screen making Iliad beam wide, eyes still fluttering and she cheers “Yes!”

“Captain, we’ve got it. The algorithm is ready. We have their cloaking signature." Using his free hand he manual takes control of the transporters “Transferring to transporter room control.” Lorca asserts “Bring ‘em home, Number One.”

“Locking on.” suddenly Saru retreats his hand making Iliad glance over, furrowing her brows “Sir!” she calls “Uh, Tyler and Michael are back…along with Admiral Cornwell, she’s injured and…a Klingon prisoner?”

“Extra prize.” he smiles with a nod “All right. Load all available photon torpedoes. Target the enemy ship.” rising from his seat Lorca takes a pen from his pocket and uses a solution inside of it for his eyes. The Ship of the Dead, now available for them to see clearly even in its invisible state.

“Fire!”

Multiple shots are sent raining down upon the Klingon ship making Iliad press her lips together and ball one of her fists. A world she’s longed for but never experienced says all of “this” is wrong but it was this that led to that world formulating. It needed to happen, in its blinding fury of light that makes her shield her gaze. 

It needed to happen.

“Iliad.” Saru nudges her to turn and entering through the turbolift is Ash and Michael, bruised, beaten, bloody. Letting go of Saru, Iliad takes a few steps towards Michael wincing herself when seeing the damage done “Hey Wonderland.” it’s a way of reassuring Iliad, a tone that says it’s okay, it’s over.

Walking down the hall Iliad begins to break out into a jog when seeing Paul, rushing up and lifting both her hands for him to clap together “You did it.” she smiles as Paul shakes her hands happily “You did it! Now we can see through the Klingon’s cloak on any of their ships.” letting her hands fall, Iliad places one on her hip and puts her other wrist against her forehead “I still can’t believe it…Okay, you and Lorca but no one else can know Stamets.”

“Of course.” he assures putting a hand on her shoulder, watching her face “You should go take a nap before we jump-”

“Blink-”

“To Starbase 46.”

Registering his words Iliad pauses “Wait, you're gonna do another blink?-”

“Jump-”

“Answer.”

Pursing his lips Paul nods holding up a singular finger “Just one more and then I’m done, then me and Hugh are done.” nodding to this Iliad drops her arms “Good, great!” Paul scoffs a grin pointing out “You’re gonna pass out now?”

“Yes, please!”

Out from the tunnel is a bustling market, spices, fabrics, anything really to be haggled for a price. Strewn along a stone road, magnificent temples and senates built on the rolling hills.

The chiton waved at her sandals pushing through the first wave of the crowd, the sun of a clear day warming Iliad’s skin from the depths of that tunnel. 

“It looks to be,” jumping slightly at the Vulcan’s presence Iliad takes an easy breath “The prosperous time of an ancient city, most commonly Earth.” Turning back to the sight, Iliad lets out a puffed smile in disbelief “It’s Athens.” 

Letting out a hum the Vulcan takes note of the tunic on himself before facing Iliad “Any idea as to why we are here?” letting out a scoff Iliad shakes her head, now figured her own mind was asking herself questions “You tell me.” she laughs, deciding to be the first of them to push through. The harsh sweetness of bitter wine and herbs hits her nose, the sight unfamiliar but the smell, the touch brings it all rushing back.

Her family was here for two years, she was four when they came. Part of Iliad wishes she was older to fully appreciate where she was when they lived in this momentous time. Leaning her head against a wooden pole, with a lopsided smile “Oddie would have loved it here.”

“Oddie?” recalling the figment still with her Iliad glances at the Vulcan before answers “My little brother. The art, the politics, the history, it’s practically a playground to him.” turning fully Iliad crosses her arms looking him up and down. He didn’t resemble anyone she knew, he certainly was handsome, certainly a Vulcan, but those eyes. Something about his eyes was screaming with curiosity, desire to know more, emotion.

“Why are you Vulcan?” she lets slip out tilting her chin down slightly. The Vulcan raises his brow, copying her he states “Why do you appear to me as human?” letting out a wheezing Iliad almost doubles over in laughter “No, no, no, I’ve…no…no.” shaking her head Iliad blinks and waving a finger “I’m human, I’m aware of that. I know biologically I am not Vulcan.”

“Biologically?” he notes stepping closer “You speak as if that’s not the only prime matter.” Iliad giggles “Cause?…It’s not.” she narrows her eyes slightly thinking that some deeper meaning lingered along with the question but truthfully it just didn’t. It was simple, she wasn’t Vulcan on the outside; however that won’t stop her from partaking in holidays or food, or the culture her family shared. 

That’s when it suddenly struck her, the entire idea of this Vulcan apparition, that’s been following her “You’re part human.” she points out smiling wide. The Vulcan straightens up “How could you possibly-”

“I’m pretty good at reading Vulcan’s, at least I like to think so.” lifting a finger  Iliad strokes down her eyebrow laughing a bit “It’s the eyebrows.” he moves only his right brow. Clearly, at least to Iliad, skeptical “You claim to be able to “read me”...by my eyebrows?”

“I could write an entire volume on how to read Vulcan’s by their eyebrows.” it was a joke, a complete joke and for a second Iliad swears she’s able to get this Vulcan’s lips to flinch…amused much?

“...So?” Iliad offers after a long beat sticking a thumb over her shoulder to the wide world around them “Where should we check out first?” taking a step forward the Vulcan opens his mouth when a giant thud! knocks the wind from Iliad’s lungs.

Warm to red, the lights flash, the brisk carpet vibrating as Iliad untangles herself from her sheets. Athens a distant memory from back on the Discovery. Pushing herself up Iliad puts a hand against the window and steady herself before actually seeing space.

Ships, tattered, destroyed, broken, a graveyard, spreading all around them as far as the horizon of freaking space! No, something was wrong, this…this wasn’t the space she knew, this wasn’t her galaxy.

“Yellow alert.” calls Lorca just as Iliad steps back onto the bridge, Saru stepping over to make room for her. The computer repeats the command, the lights turning to a warmer shade to indicate a mild danger present. Putting his hands on his hips Lorca storms up to the view screen “This isn’t Starbase 46! Where the hell are we?” Looking down at Saru’s work so far Iliad frowns at the basically nonsensical computation of the sensor data “Ou-Our sensors are…uh, recalibrating, sir.” the first times she’s ever seen Saru unsure or flustered over something.

“What happened here? I don’t remember reports of battles anywhere near Organia.” biting their lip Michael brings up from their station “Blast scoring and damage patterns are consistent with Federation weapons, but the hull signatures are a little off.”

“Off?”

“Wreckage is Klingon, but hull density analysis is registering outside acceptable margins.”

“Is anything here a threat?” 

Byrce picks up the information train “No life signs or active power signatures.”

“Small favors.” Iliad’s head tilts though as she enlarges a portion of her screen that seems to be working perfectly but reading as…as something impossible “Captain, navigation is saying we’re here.”

“What?”

“We’re at Starbase 46.” She asserts “Our position relative to the galactic center is correct. Nothing else is though.” suddenly Iliad feels Saru grasp her wrist involuntarily, staring at him Iliad sees his threat ganglia sprout from the nape of his neck. 

Sensing a danger.

The hiss of the door marks new footsteps on the bridge, Ash walks forward. Lorca turns “Nice of you to join us, Mr. Tyler. I know it is only a yellow alert.” Detmer notifies “Captain, a vessel is approaching at sub-light speed.” peering at his monitor Ash reports “Seems like a Vulcan cruiser.” motioning Lorca orders “On screen.” They all watch as the luminous cruiser approaches, Saru lets go of Iliad “The Vulcans must have been the ones to destroy those Klingons.”

“...Hail them.” leaning into the mic Bryce speaks “Unidentified Vulcan cruiser, this is the USS Discovery. Please Respond.” suddenly a beeping goes off and Ash calls “Captain! The Vulcans are powering up weapons.”

“They must have registered an active Klingon ship somewhere nearby.” Michael figures as Lorca quickly switches from yellow alert “Red alert. Shields up!” Just then the first warning strike is fired at them. The ship jostles and Iliad turns her brows inward.

“Evasive pattern beta pi.” noting the flight pattern Iliad calls “They’re doubling back.”

“Lock on manually, shoot in the general direction.” Before the Discovery can fire back a shot strikes the Vulcan cruiser's flank. Holding up his hands at the jaring sight Lorca demands to know “Where did that assist come from?” Byrce turns “Incoming transmission from the Cooper, sir. Audio only.”

“Isn’t she supposed to be undergoing a refit? Send it through.”

“Spooked by rebels, Discovery?” a male voice jokes over the coms making Iliad and Saru glance confused. “You’re losing your edge. Don’t worry. We’ll take care of them. Cooper out.”

“Vulcan rebels.” Michael, the first to speak “Firing on Starfleet?” Lorca walks up to his seat “Engineering, what’s the status of the spore drive?” over the coms Tilly is panicked “Lieutenant Stamets is non-responsive.” Hugh then chimes in “He’s stabilized, but there’s no way he can get back into that reaction cube.”

“Spore drive is offline, Captain.”

Clearing their screen Saru brings up a new batch of data “I may have something. The quantum signature of the Cooper, as well as that of the Vulcan cruiser, are inconsistent with ours.” shaking their head Michael scoffs “That’s not possible. All matter native to our universe resonates with the same quantum signature, nothing can change it.” pointing at this Lorca agrees “That’s true.” he then meets Iliad’s gaze “Unless…” her eyes tilt down because there was no way “Cadet.” he calls again “You’re analysis.”

She couldn’t deny it now, first she was in a different time and now “We’re in another universe.”

Chapter Text

“It’s a palace.” his eyes are whited over, cognitive functions all over the place “Stay close.” Paul finishes in a whisper. Closing her hand around his Iliad frowns “I should have stopped you.” she mutters as Hugh steps over, Tilly still recording the readings at the monitor “He’s in a state of neurological dysregulation unlike any I’ve ever seen.” suddenly Paul stands and begin wandering making Hugh chase after him “Paul-”

“It’s a palace…to the palace-”

“Paul-” knocked to the floor Hugh chokes slightly. Iliad rushes over to help him up, backing him away from Paul. Tilly carefully guides Paul back to his examination bed. Letting go of Hugh, Iliad moves beside Tilly as a containment field is placed around Paul. Whipping her face Tilly sighs “I’m so sorry. I should have told you as soon as I found out about the side effects from the jumps. I shouldn’t have kept it a secret.”

“Paul is your superior officer.” waves of Hugh “He gave you an order. You didn’t do this.” The Sickbay doors then slide open to welcome Lorca down, making Hugh grumble “Speak of the devil.”

“Cadets.” he signals a thumb over his shoulder “Engineering, stat.” turning Iliad asks “What for?” Lorca’s gaze is still stern. “Lieutenant Tyler managed to retrieve the data core from a wreckage housing an Andorian and a Vulcan.”

“...In a Klingon ship?”

“Need your translation, yesterday.” there was something strange, no rush to the order, but still a sense of urgency. Tilly sends a look to Iliad who continues to keep contact with Lorca before abruptly ripping her eyes away “Yes sir.”

“Strange.” mutters Michael as Iliad puts down her tool to work on the data chip itself “The core is definitely Klingon but that data chip.” with a grunt Iliad cracks it open, pulling out a blue crystallized device “Yup, Vulcan design. Should still be compatible with our interface.”

“Is it possible that in this universe the Vulcans, Andorians, and Klingons have some sort of alliance? Against us?”

“Well before Earth actually became a Warp civilization the three weren’t exactly allies but left each other alone for the most part.” Tinkering Iliad is able to hook up the data chip to her PADD, the analogy however makes Michael raise a brow as Iliad finishes “It is logical that the Vulcans will side with whoever benefits them best.” stopping Iliad sees Michael’s face and shrugs in the silence “What?”

“You okay?” Thinking for a second Iliad starts bringing up the information from the data chip “I’ll be better when I’m back where I belong.” suddenly a holo-symbol pops up between them, an emblem of earth, ocean black and continents red.

“What the hell is that?” Lorca questions descending the stairs with Saru and Ash by his side. Iliad and Michael both turn “Well we can conclude we are in a parallel universe.” starts Michael before getting to the bad news “Not one governed by the Federation, though. But by a fascistic, human only organization known as the Terran Empire.”

“Places and ships that we know also exist here.” picks up Iliad setting down her PADD at the difficult part “That includes people.” she whispers out. Ash’s eyes widen “So we could literally meet another version of ourselves?”

“...In theory.”

“Either Way the Terran’s are the antithesis of us.” Michael asserts “In every way.” taking the PADD from Iliad she reads off the data “They are an oppressive, racist, xenophobic culture that dominates all known space. And they’re ruled by a faceless emperor.”

“The ships we found?” asks Ash.

“They’re part of a rebellion that is made up, essentially, of all non-human species. They’re fighting for freedom. The rebellion fears and mistrusts humans. The Terran culture appears to be predicated upon an unconditional hatred and rejection of anything and everything “other.”

“That means us.” boils down Lorca looking down the line but meeting eyes with Iliad, it makes her jaw clench slightly. Just then Detmer’s voice rings over the PA system “Captain to the bridge. Incoming vessel. It’s the Cooper.”

“We’re on our way.”

They all enter onto the bridge where Detmer stands from her place at the Captain’s seat and Bryce alerts “We’re being hailed, sir. They’re asking to speak with the captain.” rushing to her station Michael sighs “They think we’re they’re Discovery.” clapping and rubbing his hands together Lorca calls for info “All right, what intel do we have?”

“Scanning records from the core download.” narrates Saru as Iliad passes him the PADD to check over “Uh, wait.” he pauses “The rebel logs show their ships being attacked by a vessel with a warp signature matching our Discovery, but with a quantum signature matching this universe.”

“They’re hailing us again, sir!”

“That signature seems to have vanished at the same coordinates where we popped in. It is possible we switched places with their Discovery.” pointing at this Lorca nods “We’re gonna run with Mr. Saru’s theory in the hope that we don’t bump into ourselves and blow our cover. Burnham.”

“Modifying our ship's signature to match that of mirror Discovery.” she states without order making Lorca turn to Iliad “Cadet-”

“Looking up mirror Discovery crew manif-...” trailing off she rolls her nails on the console, teeth pressing together. Her eyes go from Lorca to Tilly “Sir you can’t answer, Tilly has to.”

“What?” It was a collective confusion until Iliad slides her finger to project an ID of Tilly, long straight blonde hair, a golden uniform, stone faced. The sweet Tilly on board the ship stammers “Tha…That’s me?”

Turning the chair to face her Lorca motions “Cadet, you’re taking this one.” scarring to the seat Tilly stumbles over her words “What do…What…What do I say?”

“You just get rid of them as fast as possible. And you talk as little as possible.”

“That’s…uh, that might be a little hard for…Have you noticed that I talk a lot?”

“Defy your every instinct. Mr. Bryce.” he finally orders “Open a channel.” After a beep Bryce nods to Tilly who panics and shouts out “Hello, this is Captain Tilly. What the he-heck…Hell? What the hell? Hold your horses!”

“This is Captain Spoeneman. Why the delay in responding, Discovery?”

“I was…indisposed.”

“Everything okay over there, Discovery? You made quick work of those rebels, and we got the stragglers. Any reason you’re still hanging around? Expecting more kills? Trying to keep them all to yourself?”

“We’re experiencing mechanical issues.”

“Need a hand? We’re not far. And why are you not on screen?”

“...Mechanical issues? Here’s my chief engineer.” She motions to Lorca who’s eyes go wide. Iliad steps over in a low whisper “Conceal your voice, we haven’t scrubbed who your double is yet.” taking a beat Lorca then leans over, dropping his voice and adding a scottish twinge that makes everyone rear their heads “How are you doing, Captain? Everything’s squared away here. We’ve got, uh…we’ve got trouble with our visual emitters and the starboard nacelle, but with a bit of tweaking, we’ll be good to go, all right?”

“Very well, Discovery. More rebel nests for us. Happy hunting. Long live the empire!” rolling his hands Lorca prompts Tilly who shouts back “Long live the empire!” clicking a button Lorca ends the transmission and Tilly stands instantly moving to the side wanting to get out of the chair as soon as possible.

“Next time, we might not get away with audio only.” Lorca informs retaking the Captain’s seat “If we want to live to get back home, we have to make it so we look and act like we belong here. Mr. Saru, while we get up to speed with this universe, see to it that the ship, the crew and its captain are prepared.”

From the materializer Michael fishes out their uniform with a sigh “Michael Burnham, presumed dead.” she repeats to herself taking the uniform. Iliad steps up next, typing her name into the database “Subject not found.” the computer spits back out at her making all those around freeze. Michael walks back “Not found? Don’t tell me your counterpart’s dead too?”

“Uh.” reaching forward once more Iliad types in her name again, the same message and same stiff reaction “I…I don’t I exist here.” Taking over the console Michael tries her hand at it, also getting rejected “That’s impossible-”

“No, it’s simple.” Iliad cuts in as Lorca, Ash, and Saru make their way over “I don’t exist here.”

“Everybody has a double.”

“It is a parallel universe.” checks Lorca “Doesn’t mean everything is exactly the same.” crossing her arms Michael shakes her head “It’s highly unlikely but-”

“But it works in our favor.” holding his PADD tight, Lorca lowers his gaze stern on Iliad “Think you can work up a passable ID for this universe?” Iliad shrugs with a nod “Yup.” letting out a light scoff Saru holds up a hand “No offense Cadet but the ID could be flagged, they’d have records-”

“I’ll add myself to their records-”

“But how-”

“Easy.” It's a one word answer that makes both Michael and Saru straighten, Saru almost expecting his threat ganglia to act up. And they both take note that without another word the Captain is onboard with her answer “Good, then you’ll come with us too.”

“Come with!” Saru exclaims before checking himself “Sir-”

“Data from rebel intelligence suggests that we’re not the first ship from our universe to find ourselves here.” shares Lorca sending a silencing glare to Saru “It cites another Starfleet vessel, USS Defiant.” pulling it up on one of the side screens Saru shakes his head “How is that possible? At last review, the Defiant was patrolling Sector Six in our universe.”

“Temporal properties of space.” Iliad simply mutters, zooming in on the data “Most probable explanation being in our universe’s future the Defiant interacts with an anomaly that brings it into this alternative universe's past.”

“Regardless.” Lorca jumps back in “The Defiant is a constitution class vessel. It didn’t get here by spore drive. If we find out how it did make it over, it could be our way home.”

“But boarding the ISS Shenzhou?!” hearing Saru’s exclamation Iliad whirls around “Come again?”

“Posing as your Teran selves! That plan is an invitation for calamity. Captain, I beg you to reconsider.” putting a hand on his first officer Lorca asserts “Intel on the Defiant is classified. It’s only available on a Terran ship to those with high-level clearance. Like a captain.” 

“But you are an enemy of the empire and no longer a captain, Captain.”

“No.” Interrupts Michael stepping up “But I am.” straightening up Iliad side eyes Michael “What happened to the other Michael being dead?”

“Presumed dead, Wonderland. My body was never found.”

“I’m responsible for her death.” Lorca shares with a shrug “And I’m still at large so…Captain Burnham will be returning to the Shenzhou, with me as bounty.”

“And I’ll explain that my death was a cover that I used to hunt him to the end of the quadrant.”

“Delightful.” Saru seethes out covering his mouth as Lorca explains “We beam over, get the info on Defiant, we beam back. Simple. Every captain in the empire has a personal guard.” he looks to Ash “You’re gonna be Burnham’s.” letting out a breath Ash nods “Am I?”

“Yes, along with Cadet Specialist Iliad who will be the one to actually access the data.” planning this out Lorca centers his gaze on Iliad “It’s risky, but here a Captain can invoke a training program to a crew member they highly believe in to take over for them. This also means they have access to secure files.”

“Okay…” Iliad starts glancing at Michael who sighs “It’s not done often because not only could it put the Captain’s reputation in danger if the candidate fails but it also puts a major target on the candidate’s back.” Lorca nods to this “Crew will go through all your records, any little bit of dirt they can dig up they will use against you.” getting the idea Iliad puts her hands on her hips trying to steady herself “But because I don’t exist we can basically build the perfect candidate.”

“If Burnham searches for something classified she might get flagged but you can find the intel and make it seem like you were never there in the first place.” pressing her lips into a tight line Iliad nods “That I can.” Lorca backs off a bit “Good.” then turns to Saru “Have long range sensors scan for the ISS Shenzhou, when you find her plot an intercept course.” sharing a look with the group it was evident that their survival reasted on this plan working “Let’s get us home.”

Tossing the dark silver wrap around her, Iliad secures it while staring at a mirror projection of herself. Dark blue rags stitched together, all to conceal the hidden pockets containing tools needed in order to complete the mission. Hair restrained back in a tight braid, little fly hairs making her seem unkempt and disheveled.

Iliad couldn’t ever remember a time when her scalp felt this taught. No. No matter the time her father never made her try to tame the wild curls that happily framed her face giving a halo to her smile. “End program.” she calls for, removing the image of the second Iliad from sight allowing her a path to the closet area. Dragging a chair with her Iliad steps up holding the front panel of the vent in her hands. A sharp bite of the lip and she puts the panel back.

Taking the device with her, Iliad knows that’s more of a risk then just leaving it here with the few people she trusts. 

Moving back out, Iliad casts her eyes over Volass Vokar and The Odyssey . Get out of this universe and then go home. A cold drop disconnects from her chin, dropping to Iliad’s boot. Lifting a hand she finds a tear trail steaming from her left eye, wiping it away Iliad heads for the door.

Locking it shut.

“Mr. Saru.” Lorca grunts as Tilly places the cuffs around his wrists muttering an apology “You’re in charge.” the prisoner finishes. Doors parting open Iliad steps up next to Michael who takes in her outfit “You good, Wonderland?”

“I’m fine.” it’s curt, straightforward. There was nothing to look forward to or enjoy, Michael knew that as well. Stepping onto the transporter pad Lorca gives his orders “Maintain a safe distance. Close enough to transport us back as soon as Iliad gets her hands on the Defiant files.” Tilly nods “I won’t let you down, sir.”

“I know you won’t. Tyler.” the Captain notices having entered the room “Where were you?” stopping, Ash tetters “Uh…I-I’m not sure, sir.”

“What?”

“There’s no excuse for my tardiness.” he snaps quickly, straightening up. Michael furrows her brows while Iliad and Saru exchange a small glance. After a second Ash and Michael move to their spots as Saru runs down “Phaser?”

“On my belt.” Iliad checks off “Is your blade concealed?” Saru asks where Iliad motions to her body “Do you see one on me?”

“Very good.” giving one last regard to Saru, Iliad turns quickly, moving to the transport spot behind Lorca as he enforces “From now on, we’re Terrans. Decency is weakness, and will get us killed. The lives of everyone on this ship and in the Federation are at stake. So you do what you must. Whatever you must…to anyone. Understand?”

“Aye, Captain.”

“Clear, Captain.”

“Yes, Captain.” Iliad finishes off the chorus making Lorca grin “Guess that’s the last time you’ll be calling me captain…at least for a little while.” They all give each other one last final look before Lorca makes the heavy command “Energize!”

Before her eyes the blue accents of Discovery fade to the deep red and black of the ISS Shenzhou. Three men, along with the previous Captain Connor salute “Captain Burnham.” They plant a fist over their hearts before flicking their hands out, Ash and Michael copy them as Connor finishes “Welcome back to the Shenzhou. We’ve made some modifications. Replaced the lateral vector transport system.” all their eyes then narrow at Lorca “Let me take this bastard off your hands. He’s due for a world of pain-”

“Hands off.” Iliad grits digging a hand into Lorca’s shoulder with her phaser now trained on Connor. The boy scoffs glancing to Michael who shares Iliad’s serious face making Connor frown “But Captain-”

“My candidate has my permission.” There's a hard silence at Burnham’s words. Some glared at Iliad from the back, others were simply just shocked that their Michael would ever pick a candidate. “An outsider of the Empire?” questions Connor “Captain, please reconsider-”

“Iliad was there when I was on my own, I trained her myself. Together we’ve brought Lorca in, that’s no outsider to the Empire if you ask me. And if you think I’ll let just anyone control the fate of the most valuable bounty in the galaxy? Think again.” stepping off the transport Michael curtly nods her head “Iliad!”

“Captain.” she responds keeping her eyes on Connor “To the brig!”

“Yes, Captain.” She shakes Lorca to get him to move on his own accord without much damage being done. It’s clear that the Michael that used to be in this universe was a force to be reckoned with, everyone turns their head as Michael passes.

In glass walled chambers lightning shoots up through each prisoner's body. Screaming barely dulled by the glass. Connor turns, reaching out for Lorca “Only the finest agonizer booth reserved for the treacherous Lorca.”

“Absolutely not!” Michael let’s slip making all of us stare at her. Quickly she covers up with a shout “What did I say to you? I do not want some overzealous guard killing this traitor before I have the chance. I would punish the entire ship for an error that grave!”

“We would never allow him the release of death, Captain.” Connor promises, Michael narrows her eyes and turns to Iliad “Make sure he’s installed properly.” Iliad halts for a second until Lorca nods where she puts on the mask of a smirk “You heard, Captain.” Iliad implies shrugging Lorca forward into Connor’s grip. Stepping over to her, Michael puts a hand on Iliad’s shoulder addressing a different officer “And see to it that Iliad is given her own cabin and her own uniform.” The officer takes a heavy breath before gritting “Yes, Captain.”

Slipped into a big room Iliad lets out a whistle putting her hands on her hips “It’s nice.” her smile drops, pulling out the knife from her boot and holding it pointed at the officer “Now get out.” they rush from the room almost smacking into the wall. After he leaves Iliad goes over and recalibrates the door lock, security that only she can control. And finally her shoulders can slump and Iliad can shed the heavy fabrics to crawl into bed.

The walls are padded white, an indent meant to be a bed, the one window glazed over, the floor carpeted in calculations and equations. Feeling the cold floor Iliad runs her hand along the wall before touching the door, she slams a hand “Let me out!”

“Alice-”

“Ah!” jumping around she’s met with the Vulcan, he’s dressed in all white and has grown out facial hair, neatly kept. Arms flaring out against the wall, Iliad slowly lets her muscles relax. “I…I want out.” turning back she slams on the door again “Get me out!”

“We cannot leave.”

Slowly spinning around Iliad puts her hands on her hips tilting her head “What?”

“We are here by choice.” shaking her head Iliad begins to pace the room “No, no we’re not. We…We can’t.” raising an eyebrow the Vulcan tilts his head “First time you show in months, you believe you have a say?” furrowing her own brows at this Iliad can guess it’s a subconscious fear that Discovery will forever be trapped in the parallel universe. Biting her lip Iliad kneels down as the Vulcan sits up back on his knees. He looks down on her, clearly, but her next words are clear enough for him to understand and remarkably accept “We can’t let the Captain down.”

Chapter Text

“She’s a scavenger I think.” poking at her food Iliad keeps her eyes to her plate, just listening “Captain basically picked up a stray from the outer reaches.”

“Detmer, maybe you should back off.” They were exact copies of people she knew, a Keyla and a Bryce sitting together talking about her. Every member of the crew whispered about her “She’s a freaking prodigy, I’ve scrubbed her records. If Captain Burnham was ever to pick a successor, Iliad's it.”

“Then how come this is the first time we’re hearing of this “prodigy”.”

“Maybe it’s the first time I want you to hear of me.” After Iliad finally spoke up the dining hall goes silent, not a word, a peep. Every crew member on break, staring at the two. With a harsh scrape of her seat the Terran Keyla slams her hands down on Iliad’s table “I mean it, you're just some junkie, a savage like those Vulcans and Klingons! Captain knows it deep down.” Iliad’s posture remains unchanged, simply asking “How do you figure?”

“You haven’t been commissioned a badge, let alone a uniform.”

“And you think I need a uniform to tell me that I’m your Captain?”

“Burnham’s my Captain-”

“And after Burnham, I am.” casually Iliad stands up “We know that.” humming happily Keyla ballsily mocks “How do you figure?”

“Because you’ll never climb the ranks, let alone make Captain.” It was backhanded and a hard truth that makes Keyla shutter as Iliad brushes past her and out the doors. Once closed Iliad shuts her eyes tight trying to take a moment to herself. But there wasn’t ever a moment, not even a second in this universe. Just the eradication of anything not Terran, the simple takes her breath most nights they’ve been aboard this nightmare ship.

“Iliad report to the Captain’s ready room.” jumping to attention Iliad is brisk on her feet. She waits for the turbolift, reminding herself of her, Michael, and Ash’s strict new rule after what happened with Connor trying to murder Michael. Turbolift, any hall, any room, either be with a lot of people or be completely alone. After getting off on the bridge Iliad hugs the wall before letting the door close behind her in the ready room.

Michael stands from her desk, Ash sitting on the coach in the corner “Are we totally alone?” Iliad asks where the two nod and Michael assures “Anything new, Wonderland?”

“You want the good news or the bad news?”

“There’s bad news?” sighs Ash making Iliad start with the good or at least okay “Classified files were easy to access but they are too massive to send back to Discovery.” standing up and crossing his arms Ash starts “I thought you were supposed to be this miracle worker with technology.” It was harsh and encasing, making Iliad take a step to the side “It’s not a matter of getting the data it’s the fact that electronically we can not transport it at all except for physically.” holding a hand up to Ash, Michael stops him from speaking further by asking “You have a physical copy?” reaching down into one of the hidden pockets Iliad pulls out a drive, long, for bigger data packs. Glancing over at Ash, Iliad sees him eyeing the drive and swiftly puts it away before looking back at Burnham “Can we talk? Alone?” slightly confused Michael tilts her head nodding to Ash “Wait on the bridge.”

“Sure thing.”

After Ash exits Iliad eyes the door for a bit to make sure he isn't gonna come back in “Something is wrong.” she blurts out facing Michael who’s eyes widen bewildered “Wrong? With what? What went wrong?”

“Tyler!” assert this Iliad flings a hand to the door “Tyler is…He’s wrong!” furrowing her brows Michael cracks a small grin “Okay? What’s wrong with him?” lips pressed into a straight line Iliad searches for words before deciding on “Something!” grinning turns into a bit of a giggle, Iliad drops her hand walking closer “Michael, I’m serious.”

“I understand that there are very few people we can trust on this ship-”

“This isn’t about this ship, this started back on Discovery. Saru knows it too!” pausing, Michael leans on her desk “You and Commander Saru talked about this?” coming to a stop Iliad fumbles “We-Well we never actually talked about it but…his threat gang-”

“Wonderland, Tyler is a valuable part of this team.” Michael defends by crossing her arms pushing any thought of betrayal from her mind “He’s what is keeping me tethered in all of this and let me tell you it’s not easy. With Tyler though it is.” tucking her chin in Iliad scans Michael’s posture before her mouth gapes open slightly “Oh I get it…I get it now…you and Tyler are together.”

“So what if we are?”

“I’m coming to you about a genuine concern and you’re blowing me off to protect Tyler.”

“Tyler hasn’t done anything wrong, I know he hasn’t.”

“You’re taking his word for it?”

“Of course!”

“But you won’t take mine?” Finally there's a pause, Michael doesn’t know what to say, Michael has no words making Iliad nod “I see.” opening her mouth to say something Michael is cut off by an announcement “Captain Burnham, incoming hail from Captain Maddox of the imperial flagship, he seeks an audience.” Before Michael could utter a command Iliad opens the door back to the bridge waiting for Michael to exit first, then joining her side standing slightly behind the captain’s seat. 

“Michael Burnham, in the flesh.” Maddox greets as his hologram form pops up on the bridge “Then it’s true. The emperor will be pleased.” stoning her face Michael seethes “Not as pleased as I am to have reclaimed what’s mine.”

“I’m sure. The emperor has a mission. Your first dip back into the fray.”

“I’m more than up for the challenge.”

“Imperial intelligence has uncovered the location of the Fire Wolf.” raising a brow at this Michael names “The Klingon leader of the resistance.”

“The one who’s been marching these witless alien insurgents to their inevitable deaths. His base is located on Harlak. I’m sending you the coordinates now. Your mission is simple.”

“Terran General Order Four: “Any exotic species deemed a threat to the Imperial Supremacy will be extinguished without prejudice.”

“Kill them all. The emperor commands it.” the hologram disappears leaving Michael to face forward, Keyla preps “Tactical, prep photon torpedoes for launch-”

“Do not!” calls the Captain “Anticipate me, Number One.” 

“Captain? We have our orders?”

“No! I have my orders.” pushing herself up Michael narrows her gaze at the bridge crew “You’ve all grown soft in my absence. You think it was easy tracking Lorca to the edges of the galaxy, bringing him back here alive?” It was at that moment that the thought hit Iliad, the files were too big to send to Discovery and the rebels have technology that has hidden them from the empire for this long “We could!” She begins gaining the attention of the bridge “Lill the Fire Wolf and his followers, and lay waste to their operation from above, or I could get my hands dirty.” turning Iliad smirks at Keyla “Show you all how it’s done by infiltrating the rebel base myself. Return with the intel needed to destroy them once and for all.” scoffing Keyla sneers “Captain, you can’t-”

“Iliad will go.” Michael declares sitting back in her seat “And my personal guard will go with you.” narrowing her eyes at this, Iliad presses her lips together. A point to be proven at the absolute worst time and made Iliad unsure of the new mission, she couldn’t argue though. Keyla would take the chance and go right for Iliad’s throat for protesting the Captain.

“We’re gonna get ourselves killed.” Ash groans as the three walk down the hall where Michael turns to him in the transporter room “That’s why you're going with Wonderland.” strapping on the chest armor, Iliad shakes her head stepping on the transporter pad “I don’t need help.” 

“And I’m vetoing that.” asserts her “Captain” making Iliad sigh “Yes, Captain Burnham.” Ash glances between the two having to shake out his arms at the sudden chillness seeping into the room. Ash moves onto the pad beside Iliad holding a phaser up, Michael stands beside the workstation “Get the information to Discovery, and get back.” 

“Energize.” Iliad didn’t want another word of the conversation, making Michael curtly activate the transporter, beaming the two down to the surface of Harlak. A rocky planet composed of black and gray landscape, spires of mineral shooting out of the group. A bright stark sun illuminating a splitting blue white sky. Taking out a device Ash furrows their brow “It’s saying the rebel encampment is five hundred meters from this point? So where is it?”

“Right where it’s supposed to be.” Iliad begins to take off her shoulder pads and chest plate “They just don’t want you to see.” eyeing her Ash starts to open his mouth but closes it when Iliad tosses down her phaser as well-

BOOOM!!!

An explosion erupts to the left of them making the two fling their bodies to the ground, taking cover. Turning over her shoulder Iliad spots a Klingon with a mounted phaser and rolls over as a Vulcan then fires a shot at them, narrowly dodging the blast. Ash stands first, widely aiming his phaser. Jumping up in response Iliad knocks it out of his hand “Fire back and it proves we’re the enemy!”

“So we do nothing!”

“Yes!” facing the rebels Iliad throws her hands in the air “I come against the orders of the emperor.” a few with long range weapons carefully march down to meet them, an Andorian eyes Iliad up and down “Not your emperor?”

“Halo faa betra c’omr sheev tuk.”

I’d have to be Terran for them to be my emperor.

Stepping back slightly, the Andorian is intrigued by the phrase but thrown off by the use of their native tongue. He then nods to the Tellarite beside him who picks up Ash’s deflected phaser and Iliad’s discarded one, aiming it at them both. The Andorian then walks up to Iliad scanning her but she keeps her gaze on him, not looking down on simply as equals “...With me.”

Iliad smiles a little beginning to follow behind the Andorian, Ash is pushed by a Klingon to follow the party asking “What’d you say?” Iliad just ignores him as they’re marched across a land bridge between two pools of murky water, steaming rising from them. It turns sharply onto a narrow ridge leading downwards into a wide valley. Blue sparks light up the clearing to show a base, tents and a tower, the rebel encampment. And active camouflage kept this entire base secret from the Terran Empire two years running.

Marched through the base many stare at them until the seclusion of fabric housing the main meeting tent spares them from eyes. Stepping to the side, the Andorian motions to the seat at the opposite head of the table, Iliad takes it “Thank you.” Ash opts to stand behind her, the presence making Iliad square her shoulders back. She stands in respect though when a looming Klingon enters, Voq. He stands surveying the two “We finally meet. I am Voq. Son none. My spies tell me that you come disregarding the orders of the empire and your captain, Captain Burnham. I must admit we rejoiced at the news of her death.”

“The empire has discovered your location. Captain Burnham has orders to blow this entire plant in an hour.”

“And you risk your life,” Voq turns sauntering back to the head to the table to sit. “Betray your kind, to share this information with us.”

“They are not my kind.” Iliad states simply making Ash tear his gaze from Voq to her “I cannot stop Captain Burnham from destroying this place but I can insist and help with the safe evacuation of your people.” Regarding a Vulcan advisor Voq still shakes his head “I cannot place their lives in human hands.”

“You’re not placing them in human hands.” Voq narrows his eyes at this where the Andorian form before comes over and whispers in his ear. In response Voq calls out “Bring out the prophet!” through a beaded curtain Iliad’s mouth falls open slightly seeing Sarek, sporting a beard though. Voq introduces “Master Sarek sees all. His wisdom pierces minds. If you truly come in peace, he will find it in your heart.” His eyes are cold towards her but Iliad knows she has no ill will, she knows what he will find…the secrets that will be revealed.  Iliad turns in her seat, face unchanging and ready for the Mind Meld. Using both his hands Sarek places his fingers on her cheekbones and chin, both of them shutting their eyes to the world as he mutters “My mind to your mind. My thoughts to your thoughts.”

“On this day, by the order of the Khronos Union,” A Second Chance Klingon woman in a yellow uniform sits with a council before a stand, there a little Vulcan stands with their father “I give the charge of this Second Chance Human to Commander Volass.” the Klingon gives a wide smile “It’ll be a shame that your place in my crew will have to be filled Commander, raise her well.”

“I will, Captain D’Kel.” Although he didn’t smile, D'Kel knew what her Commander’s happiness looked like. And as a small girl, wrapped in a white shining blanket is brought out to him D’Kel can confirm she has never seen him happier. Standing D’Kel declares in Tempouras, the language of the Khronos Union “Tevma ku’ Selo!”

For the stars above!

The entire council repeats this as celebration is ensured. The baby is passed into his arms, her sleeping face is completed with her small tongue poking out, Volass scoffs “You are very animated.” feeling a tug on his robe Volass kneels down before his first child “Aeneid meet your sister, Iliad.”

And so quickly a baby turns into a brooding teenager being “forced” to help her younger brother keep his baseball hat over his ears. However his grabby three year old hands seem to think exposing them to the gathered population of Cape Kennedy Florida for the Apollo 11 mission is a grand idea. Sitting beside them Volass moves Odyssey over to his lap to stop his fusing “You have to be gentle.” rolling her eyes a 15 year old Iliad sits up and hugs her knees before asking her father for what seemed like the millionth time since his eldest left “When is Aeneid coming back?”

Further in the 22nd century, the year 2161, Volass stands as one of the few Vulcans in a crowd just outside the newly proclaimed headquarters of the United Federation of Planets. Standing on a stone wall to see over the crowd, Odyssey waves a flag of the new logo while Iliad claps her hands in glee. The three watch the screening of what takes place inside, a treaty signing making their father turn to them both “We stand here witnessing the creation of the Federation, of Starfleet, of our purpose. The uniting of all life in the known galaxy!”

With a gasp the alternate Sarek rips his hands away from Iliad’s face. Staring at the heavy truth and shocking world locked away inside her memories. “How can it be?” he mutters, making Voq question “Sarek? What do you see?”

“I see a world…bursting with potential. A seemingly impossible depth of human compassion. And a child who is lost.” Sarek turns back to Iliad putting a soft hand on her shoulder, a form of sympathy “So very lost.” facing Voq, Sarek assures “She means no harm.”

“If the prophet deems your motives to be pure then even I am not headstrong enough to argue. Prepare to evacuate.” running a hand over their head Voq sighs “May only the light of Kahless guide us now.”

“Klingon soku mafa’ turvo malee!” out of nowhere, unprompted Ash rushes Voq as he stands. Grabbing a Batleth from the side of the room Ash stabs it forward but Voq thankfully blocks pulling his own weapons to fight back “Who are you?” the Klingon demands “How do you speak our forgotten tongue?” tossing aside his weapon Ash is able to get two strikes in, Iliad’s eyes having flown wide open in horror before she spots a Lirpa by the side of one of the Vulcan Generals. Running forward Iliad grabs it gracefully, flipping it to the blunt side and knocking Ash in the back of it with it. Stunned, Ash falls to the floor unconscious. Gritting her teeth Iliad catches her breath, spitting “I fucking knew it.”

Taking a breath Voq nods to Iliad “Thank you.” stepping forward with them Sarek defends Iliad “She had been suspicious of that man, Ash Tyler. It was Michael Burnham who insisted that he come with her.” Looking to another guard Voq requests “Restrain this Terran and keep him in holding-”

A shimmer engulfs Ash, a beam signaling taking him somewhere. They all stare where Ash once was, even Iliad is confused when an Andorian rushes into the tent “Fire Wolf. Reading of an energy spike suggest the Terran was beamed back to a ship in orbit.” they inform.

Aboard the Shenzhou in the transporter room Keyla smirks as Ash’s body is brought back aboard the ship. Michael stares at the unconscious Ash rushing forward to kneel beside him, checking his pulse to see if he’s still alive. Letting out a sigh of relief Michael is interrupted by Keyla “I told you, Iliad’s a savage rebel traitor.”

Furrowing his brows, Sarek concludes “If they beamed back only the guard then…” his gaze snaps to Iliad “You can not return to the Shenzhou, they will kill you for your treachery to the empire.” realizing this Voq gravely admits “They know what has transpired then, which means we don’t have an hour to evacuate. We must do so now!” the entire room, the entire base goes into a frenzy of gathering necessities and wiping all intel from servers.

“Wait no.” Iliad starts getting lost in the crazy “I have to go back-” taking both her shoulders Sarek speaks slowly “The intel on your drive will get back to Discovery, we will deliver you back to Discovery.” letting the tension fall, Iliad furrows her brows “Really?”

“For all you’ve done for us.” pushing her to jog a bit Sarek insists “We must get to a shuttle now though.” he breaks into a jog beside her, the two joining in with the evacuation around them.

They had to watch the fire rain down on Harlak, a belief hopefully that the empire destroyed the rebels once and for all was accomplished. Soon they were far out of range of any imperial ship to be detected. Exiting from the pilot's seat and Sarek sits beside Iliad “Discovery has been contacted, they await you to be beamed over.” Finally, the nightmare would end, no more of this Terran Empire shit “Thank you.” 

“May I suggest something before you depart.” tilting her head Iliad doesn’t exactly deny it where Sarek motions to those also in the shuttle “We could only have survived as long as we have in this world by coming together, by relying on each other. The Union you hail from is much the same, the lessons you have been taught are the same.”

“A nice way of looking at it, I guess they are.”

“And yet you hide yourself from your own crew who, I bet if you told of your situation, would help you get home. To your father, your brother.” she lets the mirrored Sarek’s words sink in. It didn’t matter if it was her universe's Sarek, they were wise nonetheless. Shaking her head though Iliad can’t imagine it “I’m…I’m not technically legal in this time, they’d have to turn me in-”

“But would they actually?” at Iliad’s lack of response Sarek finishes by helping her stand “They have learned to rely on you, you can rely on them.” Before Iliad can say anything else the golden particles over take her, the shimmer transmuting her body, and in a final breath back in the transporter room of Discovery. 

Once her vision is clear Iliad stares at the faces she’s long to see for a while, Saru, Tilly “Stamets!” she calls out rushing down before him. Paul smiles wide, “Fully recovered, welcome back Cadet.” opening his arms out Iliad gladly accepts the embrace. Suddenly she remembers and faces Saru “The Shenzhou, they beamed back Ash Tyler. I tried to tell Michael something was wrong but she wouldn’t lis-”

“We know.” sighs Tilly, Saru continues “Tyler is back onboard, in recovery.” stepping back from them all Iliad asks “Recovery from what?”

Chapter Text

“They graffed Voq into Tyler’s body?” Iliad’s shocked but it does explain a whole lot, especially since he was basically meeting himself yet not himself. The Klingon prisoner onboard Discovery helped with Tyler’s surgery to hopefully rectify his mind. The turbolift doors open to the bridge allowing Iliad and Tilly to step out, some of the crew turn “Iliad!” Their Keyla beams make Iliad rush forward and give her a big hug. Keyla is surprised and slowly hugs back “Okay? What is the purpose of this?” holding Keyla’s shoulders Iliad swears “I promise I will never do anything to end up on the opposite side of your wrath.”

“Sounds good to me?”

“Cadet Specialist!” Saru calls, making Iliad hurry up, giving Keyla one last big squeeze before joining the small group gathered around Airiam’s workstation. Tilly looks over Iliad’s Starfleet uniform “You’re so lucky you get to wear that again, I’m still stuck in this armor.”

“Cadets!” The two stand at attention listening “We have thirty minutes until we reach the Tarran Flagship.” Paul pulls up a screen showing the ISS Charon “Well we found a massive energy signature coming off the central orb.”

“It’s mycelial.” Airiam jumps to, Paul continues “This is what my counterpart has been using his mycelium for. It powers their ship.” 

“As it does ours.” figures Saru but Tilly clarifies “Not exactly. We ride along the network with the spores. That orb is pulling power directly out of the network.”

“But I thought the network could regenerate itself.” lifting his hands to do a so-so motion Paul hisses “Typically it does, but…this process is poisoning it, spreading infection back up into the system. Without a fresh supply of spores, it’ll only get worse.” crossing her arms Iliad figures “The Terrans have to know this isn’t sustainable right. I mean I don’t put it above them to also just, not care.”

“It does give them enough energy to run their city sized ship and power weapons that can destroy entire plants.”

“Yeah, I’m familiar with their work. Tarrens are egotistical enough to put off replenishing this resource thinking they can do it before it collapses.”

“The other Stamets must have been looking for a solution when he got trapped in the network with me. If we don’t stop them soon, the contamination will be irreversible. The network will continue to deteriorate everywhere. Here, in this universe, back in ours, across the entire multiverse. And when it does…Life as we know it will cease to exist.” the graveness of their new situation settles on them all, first it was finding a way back home now it was saving all of known and known existence! When does it end!

“Captain Saru!” Bryce turns in his seat “Incoming hail, closed channel from the ISS Charon.” letting out a hum while moving back to the captain’s seat Saru prompts “Put it on the view screen. Discovery here, we are receiving you.” on the screen Michael appears and lets out a thankful sigh “It’s good to see you, Saru.”

“You as well, my friend. It appears your situation has become dire. Is the Captain with you?”

“...He’s one of them. He’s Terran.” everyone’s eyes widen, they start looking at each other wondering if they were hearing Michael right “He used us and the Discovery to jump here, to his own universe. It was his plan all along.”

“That’s impossible. Surely, we would have sensed something. I would have.” stepping up beside Saru, Paul now gets it “That’s why we didn’t end up at Starbase 46. Lorca altered the coordinates of my last jump.” from her station Tilly wonders “How?” but it’s Iliad who sighs “He got the data he needed from the jumps around the Klingon, Saru and I translated that to fill in the starmap. And since navigation control can be accessed through the Captain’s chair there was nothing stopping Lorca.” It was bad enough that Lorca was an imposter but Michael’s next words just added to the list of things Discovery would have to solve: “Lorca’s staging a coup against the Emperor. You have to abort coming to the palace ship. Get as far away as you can.”

“I will not consider leaving you behind.” Saru says without a second thought. Michael begs “Saru, he has no need for our crew. He will kill all of you. He might take Discovery back to our universe and bring the whole Terran fleet with him.”

“Not if the Terrans have wiped out all life already.” Paul responds before explaining “They have created a super-mycelial reactor on the Charon, and it’s destroying the network. When it goes, it takes all life with it, in all universes.”

“...How do we stop it?”

“Maybe, perhaps a direct hit from our photon torpedoes on their energy orb would create a detonation large enough to sever the reactor’s connection and allow the network to heal itself.” getting the idea Tilly gets to work “We’re running simulations to account for energy dispersal.” shaking her head Iliad looks at the scan of the ISS Charon and bites her lip “There’s still the containment field protecting the orb that shields it from any of our weapons.”

“Leave the containment field to me.” a new mission, everyone knows what to do “Stay at warp, so you can’t be boarded, and I’ll find a way to signal you when I’m in place. Be ready to blow up the reactor when I do.” Saru nods and Michael’s about to sign off before deciding “Wonderland.” pausing her work Iliad looks to the viewscreen “I’m sorry.” apologizing Michael signs off “Burnham out.” The screen morphs back to the open space within warp and Tilly’s workstation beeps, making her call out “We-We have a problem. All the mycelial spores packed together, in the simulation, it created a hyper-gravitational and magnetic field, too. Even a blast from our photon torpedoes won’t be enough to free it.” leaning back in the captain’s seat Saru comes to another conclusion “Well, then we’ll have to create a chain reaction, overload it with potential energy.” Airiam’s robotic voice speaks up in thought “What do we have that harnesses what kind of power?” running her own calculation on a PADD Iliad finds a simple back up handing her findings to Paul “Our own harvested spores would work, enough energy to send us across galaxies. We modify our warheads, we can load them inside. We’d just need to use all of it.”

“All of what?” Saru asks. Iliad swallows “All of our spore supply.” looking at the information and data himself Paul folds the PADD under his arm “We won’t be able to jump back home. We’d also need to get in close for a clear shot and the orb is in the heart of the Charon.” turning back Keyla admits “I don’t think we could out maneuver a blast like that if we’re that close.”

Another beep from Tilly’s work station has her pipe up again “Um, I just ran some more simulations and Discovery’s shields aren’t strong enough to protect us from the energy wave that will be released when the network is freed. The shock wave will incinerate us.”

No way home.

No way out.

“I don’t think we can make it out alive.” all of the crew share unsettled glances, Saru nods “It is well known that my species has the ability to sense the coming of death.” he starts rising from his seat to face all of his comrades “I do not sense it today. I may not have all the answers; however, I do know that I am surrounded by a team I trust. The finest a captain could ever hope to command. Lorca abused our idealism. And make no mistake, Discovery is no longer Lorca’s! She is ours! And today will be her maiden voyage.” There's a new weight lifted from all shoulders, a hope, a belonging, and if they go down they’ll be taking the Empire with them. “We have a duty to perform, and we will not accept a no-win scenario. You have your orders. On your way.” all in unison the bridge salutes “Aye, Captain!”

Flicking her current solution into the trash Iliad stares at a blank screen in Engineering prepping to reanalyze the simulations. A powerful pang penetrates her left temple, aggressive enough to make her groan an “Ah!” and lift a hand to her head for a second before it starts to fade. Breathing out a long O, Iliad blinks trying to refocus on her work “Ow.”

“What’s wrong?” Paul takes note setting down his PADD to help steady Iliad, she says “First the forced mind meld and then the one with this universe Sarek, I think it’s taking a toll on my head.” It's then she’s reminded of Sarek’s words, he was so sure and he had seen everything that had transpired so maybe he was right “I’m gonna tell Saru.”

“Tell Saru what?” looking at Paul, Iliad’s gaze eyes everything. Jaw dropping open slightly, Paul is stunned “You’re gonna tell Saru!”

“I’m gonna tell everyone!” Iliad proclaims straightening up “I don’t want to hide anymore, hide who I am.” Paul puts up his hand to stop her from running out “Do I need to remind you by simply existing you violate a lot, if not majority, of Starfleet regulation.”

“This crew relies on me, so now I need to rely on them.” pausing for a second Paul puckers his lips before slowing dropping his hand “You’re sure?”

“...Absolutely.” nodding at Iliad’s answer Paul steps to the side and with a giant smile Iliad bolts out of Engineering making a beeline for the bridge. 

The second the doors open Iliad skids to a stop beside Saru’s seat “Saru-uh Captain, I have to tell you something.” bewildered by her sudden intrusion Saru turns “What’s the matter Cadet?”

“I-”

“Captain! Message from the Charon.” Bryce interrupts “We’re advised that it’s safe to drop out of warp. The message has Burnham’s security code on it.” Considering this Saru holds up a finger to Iliad to signify needing a moment before addressing “Lieutenant Detmer, drop us out of warp.” Keyla obliges “Yes, Captain.” emerging from warp the Charon shines across the entire bridge in all its terrifying glory. Then the comms start chirping, Byrce relays “Captain, we’re being hailed.” he then growls “It’s Lorca, sir.” everyone looks at Saru who makes the bold decision “On screen.”

Blood running down his temple, smiling cold Lorca greets “Mr. Saru. It’s good to see you. I’m glad I got a chance to say good-bye to you, and the rest of the crew. I want you to know that my admiration for you was and is sincere. When I look at you, I see the formidable unit of soldiers that I sculpted. If I thought for a second that any of you were capable of relinquishing this cult-like devotion to the Federation, I’d enlist your skills today-”

“We are not interested in your sentiments. Where is Specialist Burnham?”

“She’s fine. You don’t die today cause she chose to stay by my side.”

“I would like to hear that from her. You are not a reliable source.” with a scoff Lorca steps aside showing Michael, alive and well. She states “I’m where I need to be, Saru. This is my place.” Before she can say anything else Lorca steps back into view, Saru nods “That is all I needed to see.” teeth showing Lorca sighs “Good…Oh one more thing, we’ll be taking Iliad as well.” face paling Iliad mutters “What?”

“You see after we finish conquering this galaxy and then all the others we plan on taking the past, present, and future. That's right in your wheelhouse, right Iliad?”

Everyone slowly shifts their focus to her now as Lorca continues “After all you never did serve on the Glenn. No, you were pulled from the past and left there where Discovery picked you up like a stray. A little girl, lost in time, trying to get home to the future-”

“We will not be handing over Cadet Specialist Iliad.” Saru defends, staring defiantly at Lorca before turning and nodding subtly to the crew. On screen Michael suddenly springs into action disarming a Loyalist. Saru clamps a hand over Iliad’s wrist, calling out “Fire!” Discovery lurches forward sending Iliad to the floor, Saru’s hold on her keeping her from sliding away from the captain’s seat. Rearing in a sharp curve, Discovery's weapons fire, ripping into the throne room. Iliad pulls herself to sit on the floor by the captain’s chair, once she’s secure Saru points “Owosekun, keep your eye on that containment field.” Joann nods “Aye, Captain!”

“Detmer, get ready to give Rhys a clear shot.”

“Yes, sir!”

“Let’s go, people! And you!” still gripping Iliad’s wrist Saru uses his second hand to keep his grip “In a simplified manner, are you a time-traveler?!” Iliad takes a large heave “I legitimately was coming up here to tell you before we dropped out of warp!”

“We’ll discuss this later! Owosekun, status!” Joann smiles big “Burnham did it! The containment field is down.” Saru sighs before quickly ordering “Beam her back now.”

“I can’t get a lock, Captain. I’m working on it.”

“Work faster.” Hearing this Iliad shoves Saru’s hands off of the arm of the chair, typing and using it as her own station as fast as she can. Saru snaps “Cadet Iliad-”

“I’m locked in on Michael.” very impressed Saru hastily nods “Energize now!” balling her fist Iliad slams down on the button, beaming Michael’s signature aboard. The screen flashes when transport is completed “Michael’s aboard, Captain.”

“Black Alert!” Airiam initiates the protocol, the lights dimming to blue “Aye, Captain.” Discovery makes its round stalling slightly when face on with the Charon’s hallowed out hull. Screens beeping Joann notifies “The Terran ship is targeting us, sir.”

“It’s now or never Lieutenant Detmer!” Keyla takes control of steering zoning in on her target “Aye, Captain.” Iliad holds on as Discovery gains significant speed through the center of the Charon making a bullseye for the orb. Rhys then calls “Locked on, Captain!”

“Fire, Mr. Rhys!”

“Aye, sir!” three warheads are fired into the orb as Discovery turns on its side to narrowly fly past it and leave the bubbling chain reaction behind them. The entire ship jolts as waves of pure mycelial energy start to hit the ship making sparks fly, Saru commands “Warp speed! Now!” the ship distorts and warps just as the orb breaks from its shape and explodes behind them. The fiery destination creeps into the viewscreen as it engulfs Discovery, the field the ship generates when in warp keeping it at bay for the most part. Rattling again Iliad holds her footing calling out over comms “Tilly!”

“Levels look good!”

Saru nods “Engage the spore drive now!” Airiam does as told. The saucer of Discovery rotates in place before Discovery itself blinks out of existence. A whirlwind of blue light forming multiple tunnels, like the rip curl of an ocean wave, fills the screen. Everyone holds in tightly as Paul attempts to navigate the entire ship through the unknown regeneration of the network “It’s working!” he smiles “The network is regenerating…the pathways are bifurcating too quickly…I don’t know where to go!” With every second the ride becomes bumpier making everyone grapple on to whatever they can. It’s then that Paul begins to hear music and begins to remember Hugh “Follow the music.” he whispers out.

On the bridge the blue pathways turn red and it seems instead of wandering there is a path they’re following, a way home “It’s the clearing in the forest.” Paul finishes in a whisper when a bright light engulfs, spitting them out in a short stop in suddenly open space. Letting out a sigh Iliad lets her legs fall and leans her head on the arm of the captain’s seat. She looks up though when the doors open and Paul enters the bridge “Captain, celestial patterns and subatomic analysis confirm we are in our Alpha Quadrant. But-”

“No, but.” Iliad begs “Why a but?”

“...But we overshot by nine months.” after a moment of stunned silence Saru mutters “Mr. Bryce, send a transmission to Starfleet informing them of our return. Mr. Rhys, update our tactical map, we need to see the status of the war.”

“Captain.” Bryce turns back around worried “There’s no response from the Federation to our signal. Not even an automated one.” wearily sitting up Iliad swallows “What does that mean?” Rhys alerts “War map on screen, Captain.”

They all watch a diagram fill the viewscreen, they’re horrified by the passing of time and watch what is designated as the Klingon borders expanding, Federation territories getting wiped out and claimed. Saru is speechless but is able to murmur “If the map is to be believed, it appears…the Klingons have won the war.”

It clutched Iliad’s heart, the thought hurt her head-...no…no her head actually hurt, the pressure was clamping down on it. Bringing her knees to her chest Iliad tries to control her breathing but just lets out a meek “Eh!” Paul and Saru turn to look at her as she ducks her head in her arms screaming in pain “AHHHH!!!!”

Chapter Text

Groaning as Iliad blinks her eyes open to the harsh whites of Sickbay “Take it easy.” She recognizes the voice as Doctor Tracy Pollard’s. Taking a scanner she fans it across Iliad’s forehead with a smile “Yup, brain activity is normal…Normal as it can be for you, anyway.” at the strange wording Iliad narrows her eyes “What?” it didn’t matter her surroundings were still shaky, but she did notice “Where’s Dr. Culber?”

“...Right, no one’s told you yet.” Tracy helps Iliad sit up slowly as she asks “Told what?” giving the Cadet a sad smile Tracy holds her shoulder “Dr. Culber was killed by Tyler when he was still mind grafted with Voq.” there’s nothing more to be said, Iliad can’t even imagine it. Tracy begins to continue with the routine exam as Iliad’s in a phased state simply answering her questions until Tracy presents her with medication “You’ve had a big spike in your brain activity, dangerous even for you. These should regulate the pain and take care of the headaches.” taking the medication Iliad looks at the pills before swallowing the prescribed amount.

“Iliad.” turning she’s shocked to see a good portion of the collected company of the Discovery. Michael closer, taking her upper arm “Hey Wonderland, what do you remember?”

“Uh, we’re back home…but nine months in the future and the…the Klingon’s won the war.” Stepping up as well Saru continues “A few other things have transpired, Sarek and Admiral Cornwell have come aboard intended to regroup at Starbase 1. It was destroyed when we arrived and we await further instructions.” squinting at this Iliad shakes her head “Not everyone had to come down here to tell me that.”

“No.” Keyla agrees “Not everyone did. The rest of us are here because of what Lorca said and what Stamet’s has tried to fill us in on. You’re an Augment?”

“You’re from the future?”

“You never served on the Glenn.” questions are flying at her rapidly when seeing the overwhelmed Paul hold up his hands “Guys!” quiet settles and he motions to Iliad “Start from the beginning, like you did with me.” nodding to this Iliad thinks for a bit, she wanted this and it would be good “I…I am part of a branch of Starfleet that doesn’t exist yet, not for a while, the Khronos Union, Starfleet's defense and exploration on the temporal side of things. Basically families are sent back to the beginning of a homeworld and they experience its history with no premeditated knowledge of what’s to come before arriving at Prime Welcome.” Hearing this Airiam concludes “You are not technically from the future then, you were brought forward from the past.”

“Yes.” Iliad nods remembering “Something…Something pulled me from my family and spit me back out on the Glenn where you guys found me.” crossing his arms Saru admits “This explains a lot, especially the languages and medical readings.” turning back Iliad realizes she’s been getting scanned this whole time “Yeah, technically I’m not exactly human. All those in the Union are Second Chance. They can be Second Chance Vulcan, Klingon, Andorian, I just happen to be Human, Homo Secundus .”

“Which I must remind is illegal in this time period within Starfleet.” putting her hands together Iliad nods “I know and I swear I never meant any trouble. This whole time I’ve been trying to get home but my device broke and I’ve been struggling with repairing it.” sitting up straight she looks at Saru “Keeping this a secret was wrong and against your Starfleet's regulations, I know that. I’m ready to accept whatever punishment I’ll be given.”

“...The punishment given will be to those who reveal this to anyone not currently present.” The entire crew looks to their Captain with surprise; however Saru remains unphased “And yes that includes keeping this from the Admiral.” shaking her head Iliad insist “Captain, no one should have to stick out their necks for me-”

“And after all the time you’ve done for us you think I’m simply going to sit ideally by and not do anything!” he proclaims before scoffing “No! You are a member of this crew, this team, and we help each other…we will help you get home.” Iliad opens her mouth to protest when she feels a hand take hers. She looks over at Keyla’s smiling face and she nods, from Keyla to Airiam who also smiles, to Michael, to Paul, to everyone “Besides.” Saru continues “You came from the past, you don’t know the future. So you’re not technically breaking as many regulations. Okay?”

“Yes!” Iliad agrees, “Of course.”

“Then, let’s all return to our stations.”

“Aye, Captain!” 

“I left Discovery only to learn that a Klingon attack is imminent.” an Andorian general of Starfleet voices his concerns in the empty war room. Only occupied by his fellow officers in hologram form and the very solid forms of Cornwell and Sarek “They are gathering forces to launch a strike on this whole system.” Cornwell folds her hands understanding fully “The Klingons are taking the fight to us. We need to take it to them, to Qo’noS.” a female human officer scoffs in disbelief “The Klingon homeworld?!”

“Not a simple attack. A simultaneous strike on their planetary-defense batteries, immediately followed by the coordinated destruction of all military targets planetwide. A single offensive so destructive, it will force the enemy to retreat from Federation space and head for home.” The Andorian speaks up in protest “Our remaining fleet is being called back to defend Earth. Discovery should join them.” Surprisingly it’s Sarek who defends the Admirals plan “Each path of logic leads to the same conclusion: Starfleet tactics have failed us. We must adapt if we’re to have any hope of survival.”

“Qo’noS is uncharted territory.” an officer speaks up, another piggy backs “We have no idea where their defense batteries are, much less their weapon production systems or shipyards. The planet’s dense upper atmosphere prevents long-range topographical and energy analysis. And no Starfleet officer has set foot there in this century. Your strategy is a good one, but it’s not feasible without a map. And by the time Discovery got close enough to begin surveying, they’d blow her out of the sky.” with a small smile Cornwell reveals the twist in the formulated plan “She’s not gonna be in the sky.”

“Admiral Cornwell, I’d like to introduce you to Cadet Specialist Iliad.” Saru presents across the small circle in a corner of the empty bridge. Reaching over Iliad shakes her hand “Ma’am it’s a pleasure.”

“Pleasures all mine, I hear you’re the Tower of Babel on this ship.” grinning at this Iliad crosses her arms with a nod “Tower of Babel, I like the sound of that.” clearing his throat Saru gives her a look where Iliad assures “That’d be me ma’am.” laughing a bit Cornwell starts “Okay, then let’s go over it.” Michael then brings up a subterranean mapping view of Qo’noS “Qo’noS is composed of a subterranean series of now dormant volcanoes. It is a planet of caves.”

“Some of them.” picks up Paul “According to Specialist Burnham’s intel, are big enough to house a Crossfield-class starship.”

“Rather than surveil our targets from orbit, we can map the terrain from the inside out.” the map shutters to show the known cave systems in red, contrasting the blue outer shell of the planet. “Thereby minimizing our risk of detection.”

“Jumping a massive starship inside a cave of impenetrable rock does seem, uh, challenging.” At Saru’s skepticism Iliad focuses on the map and assures “It’s not impossible though because in a way traveling the mycelial network is, in itself, an advanced detection of geophysical imaging. I don’t mean to speak for Stamets but you should be easily able to tell what’s what?” Paul nods “Couldn’t have said it better myself.” He then continues “Once we’re in position within the cave system, we’ll release our surveillance drone to collect the necessary tactical information.” thinking over the plan Cornwell takes a breath pleased “Good. Because I’ve assured Starfleet we can do this. And by “we” I mean you all.”

Everything was set, a plan was in action, except for one thing that Saru brings notice to “One question: how do we get the spores necessary to make the jump?” Paul admits “We’ll have to grow them ourselves.”

“My understanding is that your crop took years to cultivate.”

“Set a course for the Veda system. And…get ready for a show.”

“ Prototaxites stellaviatori .” the scientific name rolls right off Iliad's tongue. She marvels at the last spore specimen within the containment jar while walking down the steps from Engineering's storage. Turning from calibrating the reaction cube Paul meets Iliad and Tilly at the central workstation, commenting “My original sample, and the last-remaining mycelium of this strain.” he begins to work the computer, stepping over to Iliad Tilly marvels as well while they both listen “We are headed to an uninhabited class-4 moon in the Veda system. And if this works, I might even let you name it.” Tilly lets out a small gasp and Iliad laughs, loading up the canister “All yours Tilly. So we basically are terraforming a moon?”

“Well if ever there was a time to go wild!” hints Paul with the added flare of jazz hands.

The doors slide open and Michael descends while speaking “Admiral Cornwell requested a status report.” Tilly taps the central workstation “The last of the mycelial has been loaded up we’re just waiting on her.” With a nod Paul moves off to the upper deck stating “Let’s get a planting then.” When he’s gonna Michael continues “Sarek says he wishes you well Iliad.” picking up a PADD Iliad shrugs “I figured I’d probably miss him. However I think I’ve had enough with Vulcans for a bit.” There’s no response that follows, Iliad looks over her shoulder at Michael from her place, calibrating the reaction cube “What is it?” she asks. Sighing, Michael admits “I just said good-bye to my father, and it felt different. Final. It won’t be, right?” facing Michael fully Iliad sets down her PADD on a ledge leaning against the wall, regarding the conundrum “You were there for the whole spiel I gave on just because I’m “from” the future doesn’t mean I really know it?” She's able to get a small laugh out of her superior officer before getting serious. “Well unlike me you got to “join” Starfleet, did you ever think you’d be forced to see war and death?”

“Death found me when I was a child. So, yeah. I knew what I was getting into.” Now it was Michael’s turn to catch something flash across Iliad’s features “Okay.” she starts moving to lean against the wall with her “And what’s up with you, Wonderland?” giving it a second Iliad thinks on how to word it “Back in the Terran universe I was reminded of how much a person can be shaped by their environment. And now sometimes I think I know being Second Chance is literally a second chance but if I was raised like that would I be like them?” she ponders looking down at her hands, after a second Iliad spots a spare metal rod. Picking it up Iliad shrugs, holding it out “This!” with a medium amount of strength Iliad is able to bend it in half, indents of her fingers left in the shaped pipe “No one should be what I am if it’s so easy to be raised into them.” stepping forward Michael takes the metal and holds her hands “You’re not them.”

“And what about what Lorca made us?”

“Lorca did shit to us!” Michael calls out moving a hand to grip her shoulder “We’re not soldiers, we’re explorers, we’re Starfleet.” slowly Iliad cracks a small smile “I remember when I was around sixteen years old I despised Starfleet with every fiber of my being.”

“Really?” it was curious to Michael as she lets go to allow Iliad to continue her work “Surprised?” Iliad guesses, retaking her PADD to continue working on the reaction cube, Michael lets her hands fall. “Well yeah, it seems your whole life is the Khronos Union.” taking a deep breath Iliad nods “After one quick move I hated it, wanting nothing to do with it. Funny enough it was a Starfleet officer who convinced me how amazing all this could be.”

“And when was this?”

“Two thousand twenty four!”

“Hey!” turning Michael and Iliad look at Paul who waves them out of Engineering with Tilly “Let’s go see if it worked.” raising a brow as they move Michael exclaims “The mycelial was launched already?” Iliad shrugs “Let’s just hope it took to the moon.”

The four walk onto the bridge staring in awe at the viewscreen. It shows the launch pods sending blue pulses into the ground in order to stimulate rapid growth into the spore sample. Walking around the Admiral, Paul leans forward “Come on kiddos.” suddenly bright tendrils push up through the ground, glowing proudly, spreading all over the planet like an infection. But a good one! A really good infection!

“Spore generation at four percent.” the computer reports making everyone beam as it continues “Eight percent. Twelve percent. Fifteen percent. Nineteen percent. Twenty-two percent…” as it drones on Cornwell holds her hands behind her back facing Paul “I would congratulate you Lieutenant but I’m afraid the work has just begun.”

How can a sky be blue, yellow, and pink? Orange? No it’s shifting, wafting between them all. And the clouds didn’t seem like clouds, it's like they were stitched into the sky. Looking down at herself Iliad shifts in the avant garde blue and white dress, shimmering and yet satin. A black bow holding part of her hair back. The wrecked stone path leads to a flurry of silver trees with bright red leaves. 

“Alice.” stopping Iliad turns over her shoulder seeing the Vulcan, he in a normal tunic however. Letting her shoulders fall, Iliad tilts her head, there was no up or down, left was right. Just when they got back suddenly she was being sent back into the belly of the beast. Maybe it was foolish to hope that telling the crew of Discovery her secret would lift the burden on her mind, but everything’s simple….

“Have I gone mad?” it slips from both of their lips at the same time. They stare, Iliad realizes it’s one of the few times the Vulcan has actually spoken, she’s taken the lead in these mad dreams for the most part…why though? If it’s her subconscious trying to tell her something she hasn’t exactly been giving it the time of day to listen.

“Have I gone mad?” she repeats again walking closer. The Vulcan lifts a brow in slight surprise “Counter-wise.” he starts “Could it be that the world is mad around us and we are truly sane?”

“The world would still see us as mad.”

“I suppose the line between the two is blurred.”

“......I’ve.” swallowing hard Iliad holds back a gasp “I’ve never had to express much in my life. My father was always able to read me, but now…I feel-”

“Alone.” it was Iliad’s turn to be surprised, the Vulcan was so certain, so much so he starts to walk brushing Iliad aside. Balling her fists, Iliad storms forward and makes the Vulcan turn around to face her “You’re not alone!” holding the Vulcan’s shoulders she was trying to convince herself, to her that’s what this was “You’re not, you never were alone! You had your family and now your crew!” frowning Iliad shuts her eyes “We don’t want to lose them…I don’t want to lose.” opening her eyes back up again, the world around them has shifted. No land, no clouds, no trees, just every shifting color around them. 

Moving her hands down the Vulcan’s arms, Iliad leans forward and wraps them around him, laying her head on his chest. The Vulcan is more limp then rigid, more startled and relaxed then surprised. Slowly Iliad senses one hand come around her lower back and the other up around her shoulder, to bury in her hair tightly. His breath fans across her forehead, Iliad’s face rises and falls with his chest and she matches his breathing.

Iliad was assured she was safe on Discovery, she felt it in this embrace though. For the first time in a very long time it was secure, safe, warm, and fills her chest with so much light she could be a star herself. And slowly a comforting darkness takes over, not ripping her from the Vulcan’s arms but allowing them to continue to hold her as she wakes up. Lying there she still can feel him, a sense of self filling her waking body.

Fingers skimming over her workstation on the bridge, Iliad felt more settled rather than startled by her dream. It felt nice to knock some sense into herself. Then the turbolift doors open and Cornwell walks in, Saru begins to stand but she stops him “Open a shipwide channel.” she requests making everyone glance back at her. Folding her arms behind her back Cornwell begins “We have all mourned the enormous loss of life due to this war. The acts of violence committed against us are the acts of a foe without reason, without honor. And they will not stop coming after us in the hopes of destroying everything that we hold dear. These are desperate times and they call on us to do more than merely protect our people, defend our borders.” taking a heavy sigh Cornwell explains “I stand before you with a mission. At 2100 hours, the USS Discovery will jump for the Klingon homeworld in order to map its surface and isolate vulnerabilities and military targets. This brave team will be the first to visit this inhospitable planet since Captain Archer and the crew of the Enterprise NX-01, nearly one hundred years ago. So allow me to introduce you to the person who will chart your course to Qo’noS.”

The doors slide open and everyone remains stunned, no one moves an inch. Iliad goes rigid as when with the rebels she had heard descriptions and terrifying stories of scarce encounters with the fearsome Terran Emperor. Philippa Georgiou stalks onto the bridge, proud to be in a position of command once again. She eyes between Michael, Saru, and Iliad with a snarky type of grin. Cornwell steps back up insisting the narrative “Though long “presumed” dead. Captain Georgiou was recently rescued in a highly classified raid of a Klingon prison vessel. She was transported aboard Discovery with my personal retinue. The mission to Qo’noS is a perilous expedition. And Starfleet is confident that Captain Georgiou is uniquely qualified to get you there and to do what needs to be done.”

Chapter Text

called to the war room!” Tilly shakes with excitement as her and Iliad march down the hall “Meeting thee Captain Philippa Georgiou!” she exclaims as they come to stop before the door. Iliad sighs “Tilly, I…She’s not what-”

“Enter!” at the Captain’s command the doors slide open and Tilly rushes past Iliad. Smiling at Tilly, Philippa turns away from Michael and Ash “I am so pleased to see you, Tilly.”

“Thank you!” squeaks the Cadet as she bounds forward “I have heard- and read- so much about you. Michael can attest, I’m always asking about Captain Georgiou.” Smirking, Philippa takes slow steps up to Tilly “Seeing your face reminds me of the great fun the two of us had. Subjugating the Betazoids. Wiping out Mintaka lll.” the realization pales very quickly making Tilly shake her head “Oh, she’s not…So she’s from…You’re the Terran Emperor.” intimidated by the staredown Tilly starts to perform the Terran salute where Michael corrects “Don’t do that.” ignoring the gesture Philippa back handedly phrases “You look so much like her. Younger, maybe. But all that killing ages a person.”

Crossing her arms Iliad jumps in “Why are we here?”

“She requested you both.” Michael answers “For the landing party.”

“Just so you’re clear, I am not the same person I was in your universe.” Tilly clarifies much to not realizing Philippa just doesn’t care “Don’t be so sure, Killy. You will have the honor of carrying the mapping drone.” She then sicks her sights on Iliad “And you…The Tower of Babel, I’m told.” narrowing her eyes back Iliad cuts “No more impressive than anyone else in my family.”

“So I hear, a family of dirty rebels, Vulcans.” simmering for a second is all Iliad can hold in before blurting out “Is this Captain thing permanent because I really want to hit you.” letting out a laugh Philippa nods “Save it for Qo’noS. All of you dress as low lifes. We need items to trade so as to seem legitimate. Gabriel must have found something interesting lying around in this universe.”

All dressed in black to hide themselves, Ash reaches for a large heavy duffle bag. Hand intercepting him and impossibly lifting over her own shoulder with ease, Iliad narrows her eyes slightly, carrying it herself. Ash catches up next to her stating “I’m not him anymore.” She doesn’t turn back, only stating “Last mission you almost got me killed. We survive this, I'll think about it.” but the line had a bit of an aftertaste to it. One has to wonder, Iliad has to wonder if they’d even survive their mission to the Klingon homeworld. The five turn into the transporter room as over the comms Saru questions “Ready, Lieutenant Stamets?”

The away team prepares as they hear Paul respond “First, an alternate universe, now a Klingon cave on a hundred-year-old map. Ready as can be, Mr. Saru.”

“Black Alert. To Qo’noS, please.” easily as Discovery blinks out of his current position the blue lights return to yellow. The ship steadies itself within the dark confines of the jagged cave walls. After a second of standing by on the transporter pads Saru’s voice cuts over the speakers “We are aboard and steady. You are clear to transport.” Philippa is the one to give the command “Energize!”

The pathways are filled with trash and scum of various matter, ruble of once majestic temples falling around them. The air is thick and hard to filter through one's lungs. It’s in one of these paths next to a passed out Klingon that the away team materializes and begins its march. Tilly comments “Not a lot of humans around here.” Philippa adds cruelty “Expect the dregs from our race.” hearing this Ash pipes up “Exactly! The Orions here aren’t likely to trust us or give up any information.” quickly the alley turns into an outdoor market, still not up to a modest standard, bustier then any back alley. Suddenly an Orion vender aims a long shot phaser at Philippa “Keep walking, Federation. No one wants you here.” with a simple shrug Philippa states “Tilly.” faster than the Orion can blink a phaser is being held up before her face “Insult her again, and your nose is gonna be able to sniff the back of your head.”

“We’re here to make a deal.” Taking back control Philippa puts a hand on the Orion's weapon and lowers it for her. “We’re here to make a deal. Show her the stash.” dropping the duffle onto the floor, Iliad takes out weapons, flipping the hands over to the Orion as Philippa describes “Nausicaan disruptor pistols.”

“Latest specs.” adds on Iliad with a wink “Paralilthium cell with beam and pulse firing mode. Polyalloy casings, making it all but invisible to security scanners.” cutting in Philippa names their price “Two thousand darseks.” The Orion raises an eyebrow nodding to Iliad “Let’s see what else you got?”

“All this arms dealing has my appetite up. Anyone else hungry? Anyone? Iliad, Michael?” Philippa raises a hand at Tilly’s request “I would love to let Iliad go but I’m afraid that Tyler won’t be able to lift the bag.” The snide remark was met with Iliad’s cold gaze and the knowledge that nothing can get past Philippa and that she knew something was up “On second thought, go ahead.”

With the okay given the three saunter over to a lone food stand where Tilly orders three and is handed back meat on a stick. Michael starts “What is that-”

“I have no idea! I’m not actually hungry- I wanted to talk to you both.” Iliad’s about to take her order when her eyes flick to the sign above. First thing’s first with Tilly as she chews “Do you have any idea what she might be up to?”

“All we can do is watch her like a hawk,” sighs Michael “And make sure she stays on mission.” they both then look to their third counterpart “Iliad? Any idea?” she turns from the sign, now slightly disrupted “Not really.” then breaks the news “By the way Tilly, you're eating Gormagander.”

“Space whale!” she sputters while spitting out the meat, brushing it off her tongue. “Hey!” Philippa and Ash walk back over, Ash looking confident with the duffle bag on his shoulder “We’re not here for bread and circuses.”

Thrown out of an establishment with a shirtless Orion beckoning patrons in, the scene captures the attention of the entire square as the rebel rousers are tossed to the side. Philippa licks her lips lightly “On second thought, the circus is where we’ll start.”

She leads the team into the front part of a dark den consisting of tables with those laughing and drinking and fighting. A bar in the center connecting the front and back half of the establishment where a stage is set up and three scarcely clad Orion's dance sensually together for viewership pleasure. Very interested in this “lead” Philippa takes an instant seat pulling Tilly down beside her “I knew your whole universe couldn’t be boring.” without looking Philippa hands Ash some cash “Use this. We’ll be more effective if we split up, buy information. Whatever gets us to that shrine.”

Michael and Ash move to leave as the three dancers descend the stage and Philippa eagerly stands to meet them running her hand up the male dancer's chest “How much for a little me time?”

“Over there.” he whispers, Philippa also commands “Bring your friend.” The remaining dancer sends glances between Tilly and Iliad. Sensing Tilly’s nerves, Iliad states for them both “We’re good.”

“I’ll take you as well.” Philippa, still not focused on them, mutters “Guard the drone,” before sauntering off. Tapping her shoulder Iliad motions “Let’s head back to the bar.” jumping to her feet “Thank you!” Tilly takes the first table she can find, setting down the drone box. Iliad comes up the other side leaning on the surface “I think she knows.”

“Who?” Iliad nods her head to where Philippa just left before shaking it “She at least knows something is up. Knows I’m not exactly like everyone else.” shrugging Tilly admits “I wouldn’t be surprised. Man, I feel like all I’ve done this entire mission is mess up.” Regarding this, Iliad nods “Yeah, I get that.”

“Really? You’re a freaking time warrior, I bet you’ve done loads of missions.”

“...I’m not even an activated Starfleet Cadet in my time.”

“...You’re a cadet here though and, I think it’s funny I have to tell a girl who’s literally jumped through time this, but you should be focusing on the here and now.”

“It’s a bit hard when I can think about if we’ll have a next here and now.”  eyeing Iliad, Tilly mentions “You seem to be better at handling it now then you did earlier. Can you at least tell me your secret?” putting her chin in the palm of her hand Iliad giggles “It’s not really a secret, I…I keep these dreams okay. In them, I’m taken back to places I’ve been, places my family has lived and he’s always there-” catching the end bit Tilly smirks shamelessly “He? Who’s he?” biting her lip Iliad smiles “I don’t know.”

“What do you mean you don’t know?”

“Well he’s a Vulcan that my consciousness has constructed to deal with the guilt of everything.”

“Don’t you think your self-evaluation is a bit hard there?”

“Okay, what else could this Vulcan be then?”

“An imaginary friend.” beginning to laugh at the answer, Iliad holds her stomach. Tilly slaps her arm “I’m serious, you felt alone, you come from a family of Vulcans. Maybe you made yourself a friend.” stewing on the idea Iliad slowly comes around to it. Perhaps the right answer is the simplest one, the Vulcan was not a form of guilt or longing or logic but simply a close friend appearing in a time of need.

“Is he hot?”

“...You did not just ask me that.”

“Well why would you create an imaginary friend and make the deliberate choice to not have them be hot.”

“...Far point.”

“So he is hot?”

“...Yes, he’s attractive.” suddenly steam pops from the small holes on all the tables making the two laugh “Talk about hot.” pausing at Tilly’s statement Iliad puts her hand into the steam, it was hot. Investigating beneath the table Iliad sees they’re naturally occurring, connected to the planet beneath their feet “The volcanoes are supposed to be extinct.”

“They are,” assures Tilly “How else would the drone get down there, it would melt.” eyeing the case Iliad runs around the table, shoving Tilly to the side slightly “Hey!”

“Sorry.” she mumbles as her fingers make quick work resetting the lock so the case pops open. Inside a keypad worked in, next to it a bomb. Slamming the case shut Iliad’s eyes widen “Not a drone!” anticipating the next course of action Tilly flips open her communicator “Tilly to Burnham.”

“Go ahead, Tilly.”

“There are active volcanoes right beneath us right now and the drone, also, that’s not a drone. It’s like a…like a-”

“It’s a hydro bomb.” Iliad finishes “If detonated into active volcanic systems an phreatic eruption will occur. Water flashes into steam, triggers a massive explosion. Landmassive will be vaporized, ash will fill the atmosphere. Within weeks, Qo’noS will be toxic, uninhabitable. The Klingon homeworld will be lost.”

“This was the plan all along.” figures Michael “Do we have eyes on Philippa?” The two look from the communicator to the back room where Philippa emerges, finding them not where she left them she begins to peer around making Tilly take harsh action. Disconnecting the cuff from around her wrist she clamps it onto Iliad “Tilly?”

“You can run a lot faster than me?” picking up the case she shoves it into Iliad’s arms “Go!” stumbling back Iliad skirts her feet about before taking off outside. Blind to any sort of director or destination she runs as long and fast as she can, not caring for anyone who can see her. It was a very safe bet that even if Philippa had spotted her she’d out run her by a good amount of time. Ducking in between pieces of ruble Iliad takes the moment to slow down, her chest wouldn’t stop though.

The entire situation, getting chased, running, the bomb…especially the bomb. One now shackled to her wrist, it makes her wanna bite her hand off and leave it. She hated them, Iliad couldn’t stand them. Photon torpedoes are barely passable and she has to keep herself from covering her ears. This was Warsaw all over again. The rapid thumping in her chest could be felt in her neck, ears, head, enough to have to hold it a great pain taking over. Dropping to one knee Iliad searches her pockets for the small silver canister and shakes a few of the pills into her shaking hand before leaning her head back and taking a big swallow.

Setting back down against a piece of stone Iliad lulls her head to the side, an opening, a tunnel. Just big enough for her to crawl through the entrance leading to a bigger chamber, reminiscent of the old temple. The remains of a house divided. Suddenly her comms beeps and Iliad clumsily takes it “G-Go for Iliad.”

“Wonderland we need you to drop the bomb into the tunnels.” At Michael’s insane request Iliad almost stops breathing “.......What?”

“New course of action.” Saru jumps in “The Klingons fight for their own houses, their disunity is a reason this war continues.” it clicks in what little brain power Iliad has left. “We use Qo’noS’s fate to make them stop.” Michael corrects “Sorta. L’Rell uses it to make them stop…can you get the bomb in the tunnel before Georgiou?” staring back at the entrance, Iliad lets out a meek “Yes.” before flipping her device closed. The clutching force on her brain wasn’t subsiding quick enough, the darkness seemingly screaming out at her. Shaking her head Iliad forces her face between her legs “Not again! Please god, not again!”

“You must go.” glancing up, The Vulcan’s kneeling before her. Iliad violently shakes her head again “No, no, I can’t do it!” he places his hand on her shoulder, that heavy warmth spreading through her bones stopping her tremors “You need to go down the rabbit hole.”

“...It’s just a rabbit hole.” Iliad repeats, The Vulcan nods affirming “It’s just a rabbit hole.” gulping Iliad gets on her hands and knees itching herself closer, muttering the phrase to herself. Closer and closer the darkness crept around her, swallowing her whole the further she went. Her hand slips then, body tumbling down a jagged slant until her back lands flat against the floor. It takes a second for her eyes to adjust and for the darkness to be made out a bit clearer around her.

A vast chasm, a center well, multiple doorways with stairs leading and twisting up and around. Pushing herself up Iliad steps up to the well, steam rising from its contents. Shoulders roll back as she places the case on the edge and flips open the locks, lifting out the bomb. Hand heavy, Iliad holds it over the opening and so very easily let’s go.

Into her comms Iliad alerts “All clear.” and after a few minutes a disgruntled Philippa and L’Rell follow Ash and Michael into the chamber. The Klingon narrows her eyes at the display “What is this?” Michael faces them “This is the place the Federation crushed the Klingons. We planted a bomb in the heart of your homeworld. Qo’noS will be destroyed.”

“You bring me here to gloat?”

“No. To offer you an alternative.” turning her gaze to Philippa, Michael nods “Transfer the codes.” with a light scoff Philippa walks up to Iliad disconnecting the cuff from her wrist “You were fast.” she mentions with a smirk “Couldn’t have caught you if I tried.” with that Philippa latches the cuff around L’Rell’s wrist, the case recording her bio-signature before Michael continues “Use the fate of Qo’noS to bend them to your will. Preserve your civilization rather than watch it be destroyed.” Slowly thinking on this L’Rell admits “But I am no one.”

“You once told Voq,” Ash begins “That you didn’t want the mantle of leadership. Shet’h ven wi’k te. Devre che’ mo. Voq ches tev’ nel’ L’Rell.”

I am the Torchbearer. The one who lights the way for the leader. Voq has always believed in you, L’Rell.

He continues on in English “It’s time for you to leave the shadows.” there’s a settling quite, an acknowledgment of understanding that Philippa breaks “I’ll leave you to it then-”

“Be good, Philippa.” Michael warns making the Emperor turn back “Or you’ll come for me?”

“Make sure I don’t have to.”

She stood there in the line of them, a team, a crew. Her feet were back on a solid ground that she had never experienced before in this time and yet knew. Iliad’s first time back on Earth for a ceremony held by Starfleet in Paris, a place she had never been. Surprising, most of the crew. As they stand together, Michael stands at the podium, delivering an address on behalf of them all “Earth, Andor, Tellar, Vulcan. Every planet of the Federation has made the odyssey out of darkness into light. So too have the Klingons. The war is over. There were triumphs. Victories of spirit. Courage beyond reason. But make no mistake these were bleak times. Times we cannot repeat. Times we cannot forget.”

Michael’s record was expunged, and they were immediately reinstated as a first-class officer.

“We are no longer on the eve of battle. Even so, I come to ask myself the same question that young soldier asked the general all those years ago: “How do I defeat fear?” The general’s answer: “The only way to defeat fear is to tell it “no.”

Sylvia Tilly, no longer a Cadet but an Ensign, is accepted into the Starfleet Command Training Program.

“No. We will not take shortcuts on the path to righteousness. No. We will not break the rules that protect us from our basest instincts. No. We will not allow desperation to destroy moral authority. I am guilty of all these things. Some say that in life, there are no second chances. Experience tells me that this is true.”

Lieutenant Commander Paul Stamets and his lost partner, Medical Officer Hugh Culber, are awarded high-ranking discovery recognition.

“But we can only look forward. We have to be torchbearers, casting the light so we may see our path to lasting peace. We will continue exploring, discovering new worlds, new civilizations.”

Commander Saru is honored as the first Kelpien to join Starfleet and the first, along with the rest of Discovery’s crew, to receive the Medal of Honor.

 “Yes. That is the United Federation of Planets. Yes. That is Starfleet. That is who we will always be.”

Finally, Iliad is now Ensign Specialist Iliad. An unknowingly big deal as the first, off record, of course, Augment to be honored by Starfleet. And when Cornwell also adds that she had been accepted into the Command Training Program, Iliad’s eyes widen. Tilly knocks her shoulder happily, and Iliad glances back at Saru, who wears a knowing look. Iliad can figure out where the recommendation came from.

“Discovery en route for Vulcan,” Keyla states before returning to the helm. Tilly looks up from her station and says, “I’ve never been.” Iliad shrugs. “I don’t even remember.” walking over to them both, Michael promises, “If there’s time, I’ll show you around. It’s strange.” she starts looking at Paul. “We’re not jumping to Vulcan.”

“Well, Starfleet has committed to finding a non-human interface. Until that happens…I’m happy to go the old-fashioned way.” he admits. Passing the group to the captain’s seat, Saru interjects, “I’d like to remind everyone that although we take our orders from Starfleet to not forget our main current mission.” taking his seat, Saru smiles at Iliad, everyone turns and grins at her Keyla the one to affirm “To get our girl back home.” Iliad peers at Michael when she puts a hand on her shoulder to promise, “Whatever it takes.”

“Ambassador Sarek on the bridge.” Bryce alerts, making everyone send each other a knowing glance to shut up but happy with their new directive. “Please take your stations.” requests Saru. “You may all consult with each other later.” Moving to their respective areas, Sarek steps up to the viewscreen, holding his arms behind his back. “Thank you, Mr. Saru, for permitting me this small indulgence. I never tire of seeing home.”

“Lieutenant Detmer, have we cleared the Sol system?” she confirms. “Yes, Captain.”

“Set a course for Vulcan and engage at maximum warp.”

“Aye, sir.”

Having been so used to blinking the dazzling lights of the warp tunnel shining across Iliad’s face, it was a small thing that she now had such appreciation for. Peace was a simple thing they all now had an appreciation for.

“Incoming transmission.” Bryce’s voice breaks the peace, alerting Saru. “From whom?”

“I’m having trouble identifying it. But it’s a priority-one distress call.”

“Identify the source, please.”

“I’m getting a Federation ID code. It’s choppy. Trying to clean it up, sir.”

“Helm, slow us down.”

As she slides down the button, Keyla affirms, “Dropping us out of warp now, sir.” floating in open space, Discovery stills. Saru opens a channel: “This is Captain Saru of the Federation Starship Discovery. Please identify yourselves.” only static is welcomed through the comms until Bryce informs, “Hail’s from Captain Pike, sir.” Sarek and Michael look at each other before she shares, “It’s the USS Enterprise.”

Chapter Text

“Okay, Captain Pike. Stand by for verification,” says Tilly, working the console on her end. His yellow uniform was a stark contrast to the science vessels, but it wasn’t that which everyone peered at. Iliad remembers all too well the treachery and betrayal of their last captain; suddenly, being told that Pike would be taking over will take some time. As Iliad narrows her eyes at him from her station, she surmises it will take a long time, a very long time. 

“I’m-I’m Ensign Sylvia Tilly.” she introduces herself with a little wave, the nervous tone in her voice apparent. “I’m Discovery’s newest addition to Starfleet’s Command Training Program, along with Iliad!” she points over her shoulder. Pike follows her finger to the Ensign Specialist, who doesn’t try to hide her look. “Hi.” he offers, getting no response. “Oh, I know what’s wrong.” Tilly reaches over. “Your pinkie is, um, it’s not on the right pad. Do-can I?” she moves it a bit, and Pike hisses, making her retract her hand. Smiling a second later assures Tilly that Pike is messing around. Just then, his file is projected on the viewscreen. “Oh, god. I’m…That’s your file. I’m sorry, sir. I-”

“That’s all right, Ensign.” Pike motions to the bridge crew, “Everybody, grab a seat. Go ahead. I want you all to give that a read. I’m Captain Christopher Pike. Up there are my commendations, my diagnosis of childhood asthma. Ah, my big red “F” that was my failing grade in astrophysics at the Academy.” he admits to all of this as he walks before the viewscreen, sincerely, “I know this is a hard left turn. You were en route to Vulcan to pick up a new captain. I was briefed on the classified details surrounding your last one…I know he betrayed this crew.” eyes settling on Iliad, Pike says “If I were you, I’d have my doubts about me as well. But I’m not him. I’m not Lorca.”

He had guts, the crew could admit; no one ever dared to mutter the traitor's name. Not on this ship. Not to this crew. Moving to the side, Pike presents a new mission: “I don’t have to remind you that the last time we investigated a previously unknown energy distortion, it resulted in the Klingon war. These mysterious signals are unlike anything we’ve encountered.” a photo of the Milkyway is shown, bright red blips glowing brightly throughout space. “The energy needed to create them is beyond anything we understand. Is it a greeting? A declaration of malice? That’s why they put me on the Discovery when the Enterprise went down; nobody wanted to wait to find out. But right now, this little dot.” one blip is zoomed in on “Is the only one willing to tell us where it is. Helm, plug in the coordinates. Let’s pay a visit.” Keyla does as she’s told, but no proper response is given; Pike understands that and doesn’t force it. “Warp factor five.” he turns to the captain’s seat. “With your permission, Commander Saru.” motioning, Saru yields, “The ship is yours, Captain.”

“All right, then.” he was casual in the seat, used to the seat, and with a smile, he orders, “Hit it.” and blast off to warp, they went again. Pike stands, motioning a hand to Iliad, “Ensign.” then, to his ready room, “If you please.” he walks inside while Iliad glances at Saru. Jogging over, he enforces, “Play nice.”

“Do you remember our last captain? Oh and did we forget the captain who lead the mission to Qo’noS and how that went?” she stresses, gripping her PADD so tightly small indents are left; Saru takes it from her. “You’re gonna break the screen. And just so you know this doesn’t change the primary mission.”

“A primary mission now kept secret.” both looking over to the door, they know Pike is waiting just beyond that. “Looks like I’m gonna be here a bit longer,” Iliad mutters with a slight default in her tone, slugging herself over to the door. Inside, Pike was peering around at the decore with a sour look, spotting Iliad; he grins, “I’m gonna have to do a bit of redecorating, very drab in here.” 

Iliad says nothing, standing stiff with her arms behind her back. Letting out a small sigh, Pike leans his legs against the desk. “As I said on the bridge I didn’t mean to spring this all on you. In fact Starfleet was gonna inform you and I found that I should be the one to deliver the news myself. I know this will be a rocky transition, especially after all you’ve been through.” hearing this Iliad speaks for the first time. “You know then? Of the Terran Empire, of the alternate universe?”

“I know everything I’ve been briefed on, and I didn’t want to ask in front of the crew. Can you tell me a bit about Lorca?”

“Why me?”

“You’ve made it clear through looks alone that you have strong opinions about it, Ensign.” the smile she cracks isn’t one of amusement but slight annoyance, having to think back. “Lorca molded us into soldiers; we've each laid done our lives for him on multiple accounts…He tried to blow me up. Used me. Used all of us.” Pike nods in acknowledgment. “I understand that.”

“Do you?” Iliad questions, turning to head back onto the bridge. She stops herself, looking at Pike over her shoulder. “Lorca made soldiers of us. We don’t want to be soldiers, sir.”

The two enter back onto the bridge. Detmer announces, “We’re approaching the signal’s coordinates, Captain.” as Pike sits in his seat, he grins “Acknolwedged. Bridge crew, give me a roll call. Lord knows what’s waiting for us down there. I want to know who I’m facing it with. Sound off. And skip your ranks, they don’t matter. Clockwise from Science.”

“Michael Burnham.”

“Evan Connolly.” lead science officer from the Enterprise.

“Gen Rhys.”

“Keyla Detmer.”

“Joann Owosekun.”

“Lieutenant Commander Airiam.”

“Ronald Altman Bryce.”

“Saru. Just Saru.” looking from her console partner to the Captain, Iliad mimics “Just Iliad.” Nodding at the outstanding reputation of the crew, Pike orders, “All right. Rhys, charge phaser cannons. Bryce, start transmitting standard Federation greeting. Owosekun, Saru, Iliad, Connolly, Burnham, scan what you can. Detmer…fly good.”

“Aye, Captain.”

“Yellow Alert. Drop us out of warp.” the bridge lights dim to their mellow, warm tone as the blue lights of the warp tunnel cease. An asteroid field fills up the viewscreen, and the ship's alerts go into an overdrive of beeping. Joann panics. “I’m detecting something-” The entire ship jolts when a rock strikes a side of the ship. Pike wonders, “How close was that?” Saru checks, “Seven hundred meters.”

“I was expecting a red thing. Where’s my damn red thing?” the beeping increases as Michael jumps in. “All sensors are at maximum power. There’s no sign of the original signal or any object that might have generated it. As if it were a mirage.”

“All right, let’s ID what nearly T-bonded us. See if it can provide any answers.” pulling up the preliminary scans on her side of the console, Iliad elaborates, “Sir, it appears to be an interstellar asteroid traveling five thousand kilometers per second. The point of near impact was the exact coordinates of the signal.”

“Well, that’s interesting. Chase it, Detmer. What do the scans tell us?” shaking her head, annoyed, Michael sighs, “There’s interference from a hyper-dense cloud of charged particles. This rock has an atmosphere.” Connolly scoffs. “How? It isn’t large enough to generate a sufficient gravity field.” right as he opens his mouth, the ship shakes. “We just splashed into a deep gravity well that appears to be rapidly fluctuating.” Pike jumps in. “Okay. I want to know what’d down there. Suggestions.”

“Discovery has telescopic cameras to help aid in hull repairs.” Offers up Michael: “We point them at the asteroid and capture images.”

“Love it. Do it.” executing the function, the cameras pop out of Discovery’s hull and rotate, taking snapshots from every angle. Michael displays the photos on half the viewscreen: “Images are coming in, but closer is better.” suddenly, a burst of blue energy shoots outward at Discovery, pushing it away from the crumbling asteroid. Keyla grips the helm steady. “We just pushed apart like two similarly charged magnets! I’ve never experienced anything like it!” gasping slightly, Saru cuts in quickly. “Our interaction has changed the object’s trajectory. It is now on a collision course with a pulsar. Time to incineration: five hours-”

“There’s a Starfleet vessel down there!” the entire room quiets at Iliad’s discovery. Pike orders, “On screen.” she slides the photo up, a crashed ship. “I picked up a strange chasm cutting across the ice field of the asteroid’s surface.”

“They crash-landed. Hail them Bryce.” but sadly, nothing is going through. “Absolutely no response, Captain.” Michael says, “There’s no way to zoom in any further.” then spark! She faces Iliad and Saru, keeping one's name out when Pike enters the edge of her vision. “Commander Saru, I know your vision has a large optical window than ours. Can you make out the registry number?” getting the idea, both of them look at the picture, and Iliad starts, “Confirm N-C-C dash 8-1-5?”

“I confirm.” agreeing to her assessment Saru adds, “A medical frigate.” Joann doesn’t need instructions to “Run it” and enter the number into the database. “The USS Hiawatha.” she names, “Thought destroyed by the Klingons ten months ago.”

“Life signs?” Pike questions facing Michael, who says, “Still impossible to scan, sir.”

“Helm, stay on their tail. Prep a landing party.” Michael and Saru share a baffled look as Pike approaches the viewscreen. “Is there any location on that asteroid that we can beam to?”

“Negative. The cloud of charged particles will disrupt transporter signals. Without pattern enhancers, transport to and from the asteroid is too dangerous.”

“A shuttle.”

“The unpredictable gravity fields would make landing impossible,” explains Rhys. Pike cuts him off midway through, “If there’s anybody down there, I’m not leaving them there to die.” Saru stresses, “It is my duty to articulate that the odds of survival in a crashed ship on one of the most hostile environments in space are unlikely, and risking more crew to confirm that fact, well, it requires consideration-”

“I’m considering that if you’re wrong, we’ve got less than five hours to get them out.” The crew listens to the conversation, curious if Pike thinks this ship would abandon anyone. Michael explains, “Landing on an asteroid traveling at five thousand kilometers per second with spotty telemetry and no transporter-”

“I know what it is, Commander!” giving Michael a stern look, Pike states, “I didn’t sit out the war with my crew just to stand down now. Listen, I don’t mind dissenting opinions, I really don’t, but they have to come with solutions-”

“Yes.” understands Michael, “I have one. That’s what I was trying to offer.” stalling Pike peers around the bridge as Michael continues, “And for the record, there is not a single person on this bridge who would abandon a Starfleet brother or sister, sir.” every face Pike meets shares Michaels, no one gets left behind, never again. Pike gives an apologetic smile. “Right there with you. What did you have in mind?”

“We have less than two hours to fly down to the asteroid’s surface and search for survivors, then set up pattern enhancers and beam back.” letting out another laugh, Connolly objects, “Unless our signals get caught up in all that E.M. distortion and we rematerialize in a billion pieces.”

“That won’t happen.”

“Oh really.”

“No, the distortion can easily be calculated and accounted for by Ensign Spiealist Iliad.” hearing her name, Iliad faces the conversation as Connolly motions, “An Ensign! You’re joking-”

“Shut it, Connolly!” Pike snaps, then points at Iliad. “You can make those calculations on the spot?”

“No one can make those calculations on the spot-”

“Connolly!”

“I graduated highest honors from Starfleet Academy and the Vulcan Science Academy.” Iliad blurts out in the middle of their argument. Pike’s attention focuses on her. “You’re confident you can do it?”

“I can do it, but I gotta do it from the ship.”

“From the ship?”

“Sir!” interjects Saru. “The Ensign has been declared ship-bound by Dr. Pollard for medical perpouses.” understanding this, Pike turns back to Connolly. “Guess your with us Connolly. Burnham.” nodding to the turbolift, Michael and Pike leave their stations, and Connolly follows closely. “Wait, I was second choice after the Ensign?” before the turbolift doors close, Pike sends a hopeful grin to Iliad, answering his science officer, “Oh yeah!” when the doors close, Saru bends down to look Iliad in the eye “You can really do it? Not that I doubt it but that is a hefty task.” sliding in front of him Iliad motions to the entire console “If I take over the entire console I can do it.” putting up his hands Saru steps back “By all means, I will be in the captain’s chair.”

Setting her hands on either side of the console, Iliad leans over it, taking a deep breath. The pod schematics and activation status appear on the viewscreen. They are tiny vehicles meant to navigate the asteroid field, and she couldn’t focus on them. Looking towards Saru, Iliad straightens, “Permission to remove myself from the bridge and do this down in Engeenering.” In the same mindset, Saru waves them off, “Certainly!”

Walking into Sickbay, Iliad steps up to the matter synthesizer and puts her silver cylinder container inside. She clicks a few buttons and requests “Ensign Specialist Iliad medication refill.” in a few seconds, the container is filled to the cap. Taking it in her hand, Iliad shakes a few pills into her palm before leaning her head back and swallowing. Pausing for a minute, Iliad feels the instant relief, the pressure on her head consistently slightly constant until she takes her medication. Iliad’s begun to not even realize the small ounce of pain until the pills take it away.

“Ensign.” startling her, Dr. Pollard holds their PADD, jumping along with Iliad at the sudden appearance. “Sorry.” she apologizes, but Iliad takes the blame. “No, it’s me. New captain, I’m on edge.” agreeing, Pollard sighs “Understandable, I think we all are after the war. How are you doing?”

“Well, meds are helping my headaches.”

“But they’re still consistent?”

“Ever since we blinked back from the alternate universe, yeah.”

“I’ve been looking through everything I can get my hands on, I want you to know that.”

“I don’t hold it against you. I’m a species that’s been banned by Starfleet in this time, I don’t expect even my own Doctor to know what’s physically causing me pain.” listening to this, Pollard hums before tilting her head. “What about mentally?”

“Mentally?”

“I don’t know, you ever talk to someone about any of your situation?”

“Uh, Michael, Saru, Stamets, Tilly-”

“Not just your current situation but overall.” knitting her brows together, Iliad’s not quite getting it. Putting her PADD under her arm, Pollard elaborates, “Although not the same as the others, you’ve jumped time before, according to you, every two years, sometimes shorter.”

“And?”

“Well some might look at that as not exactly being stable. And I’m curious if you’ve ever had a medical professional to speak about growing up.”

“My dad specializes in medicine; he’s a trained therapist.” hearing it out loud, Iliad could sense Pollard's point. “But growing up in the Vulcan household, there’s an expectation to suspend emotion.” stepping closer, Pollard suggests, “All I’m saying is we’ve got resources we can use. I think your headaches could benefit from focus on your mental health as much as your physical.”

“If you think it’s gonna help.”

“Great. I’ll set up a time for us then.”

The doors part, and Iliad makes her way down the steps of Engineering, looking over to Tilly. “What’s happening?” grinning, she steps down a heavy piece of equipment, excited. “Michael’s getting me a piece of that astroid.”

“Sounds like fun.” Iliad rushes through before looking around. “Mind if I borrow a console, didn’t want to work on the bridge. Can’t even think of the calculator in that environment.” Walking up to her, Paul motions a thumb over his shoulder “Take mine.” lifting a brow, Iliad points “All your stuff’s there. Are you sure?”

“It’s all getting moved to storage anyway.” he brushes off casually, picking up a PADD to check over the reaction cube. Beginning to work at the console, Iliad asks, “What do you mean?” Paul pauses, glances at Tilly, who nods, and then peers at Iliad. “After the peace accord in Paris, the Vulcan Science Academy offered me a permanent teaching position. I said yes.” stopping, Iliad’s face breaks into a beaming smile. “Oh my god! Congratulations!” then it dawns on her, “You’re gonna stay on Vulcan?” not giving her an answer, Paul dives into another topic: “Did you know that a Kasseelian prima donna trains her whole life for one performance? And after she hits that last high “E,” she plunges a dagger into her own chest and dies? She’s lived an entire lifetime in that last note. And I’ve lived an entire lifetime in what I’ve accomplished here, on Discovery.” toning down her smile it’s not sad but melancholy. Everyone missed Hugh, not just Paul; his absence is felt throughout the entire ship, and Iliad doesn’t blame Paul for needing to leave.

“Ensign Iliad, the landing party has set up the Enhancement Field.” Saru’s voice announces over the speakers, “Data should be being received shortly.” attention turning back to the console, Iliad confirms, “Aye, Captain!” the overflow data starts taking over the console, unlike the first time though Iliad was prepared, effortlessly able to organize the data stream, calculations, and account for the shifting gravitation field. First beam up, the injured crew of the Hiawatha. Then, the data just stops. “Uh oh.”

“What “uh oh”? No “uh oh”!” states Tilly, coming around behind Iliad, and then the data pours back in again. Confusion takes over Iliad’s features, but she doesn’t question it getting back to work. Second group beams over, the landing party…or at least most of them. “Discovery, if you can hear me track my signal!” freezing for a second, Iliad wipes her screen to focus her calculations on the one signal, shouting, “I’m gonna kill Michael!”

“Pike to Discovery.” his voice announces over the comms. “Get us out of here.”

“Great!” Iliad grits accounting for another in the trip back. With a final few types added, she rips her hands away. Third transport altogether, work done “I’m done! I’m all done.”

Chapter Text

“Ensign Specialist Iliad personal log. The first red signal in the sky led us to an asteroid field and a new crew member, Jett Reno. I liked her; she put Stamets in a tizzy, and that’s a great person if they can do that. Not soon after, a second signal appeared to us on a distant planet, Terralysium. Surprisingly, the inhabitants are descendants of human survivors of World War lll. They believe an angel brought their ancestors to the planet two hundred years ago. I’ve been keeping myself personally as busy as I can while ship-bound and have begun seeing Dr. Pollard for our sessions. I still wonder, though, if it’s really doing anything.”

Looking at the notes from their last session, Pollard sets the PADD in her lap, starting, “So last time we got all the way through your move to England when you were thirteen during the Victorian Era. You only stayed a year though and moved where?” crossing one leg over the other, Iliad recalls, “New York, 1925.”

“Oh, the roaring twenties!”

“Yeah.” smiling, Iliad leans her head back. “God, I loved New York. I loved the sights, the music, the fashion.” hearing this, Pollard remembers, “Right, your Mary Janes. They’re authentic?” nodding, Iliad boasts, “My older sibling got them for me for my birthday.” Pausing her notes, Pollard says, “You don’t talk about them much. Aeneid, right?” staying quiet, Iliad bites her lip as Pollard goes on, “You said each of your family has a book, but in your quarters, only your dad’s, your little brother’s, and yours are displayed.”

“So what if I don’t put there’s up?”

“Why not?” she keeps quiet making Pollard put the PADD on her desk. “This only works if it’s a conversation, and I’ve got all day, so take your time.” looking down, Iliad lets out a breath, trying to find the words, “I had such admiration for Aeneid. I loved them more than anything. On my fourteenth birthday, they gave me two gifts. The second was a sorta katra bond, so they’d always be connected, and I would know how much they loved me.”

“What happened?”

“...No one knew.” Iliad starts, voice breaking slightly. “After New York, we were moved to Warsaw, Poland, in 1939. Everything was great the first month, and then Germany invaded on September 1st…on the 10th, Warsaw was bombed.” crossing her arms, Iliad holds on tight as she works through it. “We were walking home, and the sirens went off too late. There were seventeen separate raids over the city, and everything was destroyed. We ran to a shelter, but the entrance was blocked, and the building was destroyed. Aeneid pushed me in and left…they never came back. At some point, the ruble shifted, and I was able to crawl through a hole to get into the shelter, but no one found me until seven hours after the attack. Dad said Aeneid was taken to Prime Welcome for their injuries to be treated. I never saw them again.”

“They never came back, never said anything-”

“Just left…said they’d always be there and left.” letting out a breath, Iliad finally looks Dr. Pollard in the eye. “And from then on, I promised myself I would never let Oddie grow up with an older sibling who wouldn’t be there…and I’m not there.” Iliad settles back. “I feel like I’m about to get harshly judged,” she states. Nodding to this, Pollard picks up their PADD again, letting the feelings sink in for a second before approaching the subject, “You can’t burn the candle at both ends.”

“I’m not following.”

“For someone good at handling environmental change, you struggle with situational change. You didn’t have a consistent environment, so you latch on to the one consistent thing, the people around you.” Pollard knows she would ease an explanation with other patients, but Iliad didn’t like wishy-washy, another token of being raised in a Vulcan household. Scouting her head forward, Pollard smiles. “Just because you can’t physically see them in front of you doesn’t mean someone’s forgotten you. And I know just saying that won’t do much, so I’ve got a little homework for you.” putting her hands up, Pollard stresses, “I want you to make something representing all people you hold close as a reminder that if you are thinking about them, they are most likely thinking about you.”

Slightly surprised, Iliad crosses her arms with a grin. “You want me to do arts and crafts.”

“Whether it’s a desk trinket, a bookmark, a charm bracelet. Something you can keep with you.”

“Ensign Specialist Iliad personal log. After a hasty run-in with a sentient fungus inside of Tilly named May, I’ve realized that being classified as a ship-bound case gives me more action than I thought. Especially since it seems our efforts with the red signals have kept us on the move now that they are in connection with, surprisingly, Burnham’s adoptive brother, Spock.” Iliad rubs her eyes, peering down at her Aveiatas. Less banged up after long nights of repairs and Paul letting her take anything she needed, some parts are far too advanced or don’t even exist. She wipes her face and continues ranting to her recorded log: 

“We were briefed not long ago that Spock apparently saw the signals two months before they appeared. However, according to Captain Pike, he committed himself to the physiatric unit on Starbase 5. Now he’s on the run, though, and it’s our mission priority to find him before anyone else does. That’s when we were pulled out of warp by what we call “the sphere.” This amazing combination of living and non-living matter is one hundred thousand years old. Before it exploded, it transferred its knowledge to us, “our galaxy’s Dead Sea Scrolls,” as Pike put it. It didn’t really help that the sphere was also messing with the universal translator and making it so no one could understand each other. Saru was going through Vahari, so I jumped in to help-” pausing for a second, Iliad realizes: “Oh, are we in a time where Kelpien’s know that Vahari just means they lose their threat ganglia?… If he didn’t know, the fact that he’s alive should tell him.”

Looking to the side and picking up the PADD, Iliad smiles at the information flooding her files. As a crew member who has to stay on the ship until cleared and can read faster than the average person, she was the ideal choice to be the one to manage and dig through the spheres files. And it was all she could ever ask for; history was right at her fingertips. 

Fingertips that had a new polish to them per Dr. Pollard’s instructions, a dark blue with gold sparkles representing space. In white on each nail is a sigil in Tempourus, the names of those she holds close. Her father, little brother, Michael, Saru, Paul, Tilly, Keyla, Airiam, Joann, and due to being distracted for a second, her ring finger on her left hand was left empty. Iliad simply tells herself, “Only I can see it; it represents my imaginary friend.” Of course, Dr. Pollard’s lesson would be put to the test sooner than she would have liked.

“What do you mean it ate Tilly!” Iliad shouts, fist balling as she glares daggers at the cocoon made of sludge on the floor. Shooing her off, Paul asserts, “Mass is neither created nor destroyed. I’m scanning the cocoon for human remains. Mitochondrial DNA, lipids, proteins. If all of Tilly’s atoms were transported rather than decomposed, then there shouldn’t be any trace of her organic matter.” taking a relieved breath, Iliad puts a hand on her chest. “So she’s alive! So May, or whatever we’re calling it, didn’t kill her?”

“May took Tilly into the Network.”

“...The Network! The Network, Network!”

“Yes, the Network! Which means we can get her out.” nodding, Iliad kneels down before the sludges opening. “How do I get in?” Paul stalls for a second. “You’re ship-bound.” Iliad argues. “Things on the ship. If you think I’m leaving Tilly in there, you clearly don’t know me that well.” taking a sharp breath, Paul rounds the cocoon, talking behind her. “I think that this cocoon is an organic transporter. Like ours, it breaks down matter in one place and then reassembles it, intact, in another. Which means a second cocoon could exist in the Network, and I could scan it to find its counterpart.” Standing, Iliad concludes, “Find it, find Tilly.”

Sitting down after hearing Paul’s explanation presented on the viewscreen, Pike asks “There’s a chance Ensign Tilly is alive?” Paul confirms “There is, sir. She was taken into the mycelial network against her will. Every time we-” The turbolift doors open. Michael enters onto the bridge with Ash's surprising addition, making everyone stall. Iliad hadn’t seen him since he decided to stay on Qo’noS. He’d grown out his hair and was aware of the sectional looks he was being given. Paul knocks into Iliad’s shoulder to get her attention as he continues for Pike “Every time we jump, Discovery passes through the mycelial network for a few milliseconds, and during that very brief window of time, we are actually inside it. I’m proposing we do a partial jump.” standing instantly Airiam makes a few assert steps of inquiry “A predetermined course, with no set endpoint?”

“Exactly. Half-in, half-out of the network. Discovery will hold its position long enough for us to leave the cube and find Tilly.” leaning forward, Pike is racing to make sense of the plan. “Let’s say I let you use the ship as a doorstop. Can we survive prolonged exposure to the network?”

“The mycelia will attack the ship, decomposing it as soon as we enter, but tritanium is not their favorite food, so we’ll have about an hour before they eat through the hull.”

“That’s an hour to find Ensign Tilly? So far, I hate this plan.”

“It’ll be critical for everyone to avoid places on the ship where mycelial space and normal space intersect. Anyone who touches the barrier will find themselves twisted around the axes of both environments.” looking down and giving it some thought, Pike asserts, “From what I know of that young woman, she’s put her life on the line for any of us. Bryce, open a ship-wide channel.” returning to his station, Bryce opens the channel to allow Pike to send his message: “All personnel, this is Captain Pike. Starfleet is a promise. I’d give my life for you; you’d give your life for me. And nobody gets left behind. Ensign Sylvia Tilly is out there and has every right to expect us. We keep our promises. Report to your stations and designated safe zones in the starboard section. Good luck, and Godspeed to us all.” clicking off the comms, Pike looks to Iliad and Paul. “Suit up.”

“Aye, Captain.” before Iliad can round the captain’s chair, Pike stops her. “Ensign Specialist I thought Dr. Pollard declared you ship-bound.” Iliad holds her ground: “Not precisely leaving the ship. And even if you order me to stay, I’ll go anyway. No Tilly left behind, sir.” raising a brow, Pike gives Iliad a slight smile. “Spoken like a future captain. How about we just Dr. Pollard after?”

“Sounds good to me.”

Helping Paul strap on a defensive vest, Iliad steps back to allow him the room to load up a spore canister into the drive. From his workstation, Paul hands Iliad a communicator “Modified to limit interference.” strapping it to her holster, Iliad nods. “Sweet.” She then moves to the reaction cube, making Paul raise a brow. “Not taking a vest?”

“Pike’s not around, I’ll be fine and it hurts so much to wear.”

“Fair points. The reaction cube is the only place on the ship where it’s safe to contact the mycelial barrier.” Paul explains, rolling up his sleeves so the spore drive may connect to him. Iliad steps inside, shutting the door behind her. Pike’s voice comes in over the speakers, slightly distorted due to being heard through glass. “Mr. Stamets, are you ready to execute this very bold, deeply insane plan of yours?”

“Execute” might not have been my choice of words, but that I am, sir.” The ship’s sent into Black Alert lights shifting to blue. The saucer of Discovery begins to spin in place, rolling in space before half of it is engulfed in a blue plane. In Engineering, half of the room is covered by the same divide that has taken over the ship. Paul disconnects from the reaction cube, both he and Iliad sharing a look of awe. Iliad flips open her communicator. “Iliad to Commander Saru. Do you read me?”

“I’m here, Iliad. The sensors show the mycelia have begun to attack the hull. Please move quickly.”

“On it.” Iliad secures the device and is about to open the door. “Ready?” she asks Paul, and he nods. They both join hands, and Iliad opens the door, the two of them stepping through the barrier intact. Paul takes out the tricorder and reports the signals: “I’m reading a human life sign. Section 14, weapons storage.” they give each other a look, and Iliad promptly smiles, retrieving her phaser in a sarcastic tone. “Why is Tilly arming herself, I wonder? Let’s go find out!”

Not that they expected to find anything inside the ship, but it was strangely dark. The ship's functions are still working, casting a bleakness over their search for Tilly.

“Whatever you are, I’m holding a Type 3 phaser rifle!” Speaking of Tilly, Iliad and Paul stop as the voice goes on. “It is more powerful and generally larger than the Type 1 or Type 2, which I guess is why they call it a Type 3!” 

Paul points out. “We found Tilly!” Iliad nods in agreement. “Couldn’t be anyone else. Tilly?” she calls out, the duo slowly edging around a corner. Tilly lowers her weapon first. “Iliad?” pointing to the second person with Tilly, Paul asks, “Is that May?” putting her hand out in front of May, Tilly explains, “No, it’s not what you think. She needs our help.” Iliad scans Tilly for any injuries or wounds. Seeing this, Tilly steps forward, hugging her. “Hey, I’m fine. I’m okay. Thank you for coming to get me,” she says, squeezing her friend tight. It wasn’t even a question if Iliad would come to get her. “Like I’d think twice.” marveling at Tilly’s arrival here, Paul’s in awe “Restored to one piece, atom by atom. We’re getting you out of here. We have less than an hour before Discovery is compromised. We need to go.”

“Compromised?!” furiously, May jumps in. “We’ll be annihilated!” remembering Tilly admits, “I’d told her I’d stay. There’s some sorta predator-”

“A monster!”

“A monster that is in the Network, and it’s killing off her species-”

Thud!

All phasers are raised instantly, each member checking their six for the noise source. A groaning and shouting coming from one side of the corridor has Iliad turn to Tilly. “Want to trade?” she practically shoves the rifle into Iliad’s hands “Please!” taking point, Iliad toes forward casually, trying to find out a bit more on the situation “May, about this monster what can you tell us?”

“It started as a surge of unknown energy. We began to reconstitute it, but it became this creature out of our control. Its skin is indestructible. We die when we try to break it down.” reaching an intersection, little particles flay off the wall where a disheveled man is curled up in agony, peering back at them with a fearful gaze. When a light is shinned on him, Paul pushes his way forward stunned. “Hugh?” 

Tilly and Iliad lower their weapons in completely amazement “No way.” Paul stammers, “I thought I imagined seeing him.” he whirls around to May “Is this some mycelial manifestation? Have you created this from my memories, or-”

“He’s real!” May calls, “Kill it!” shaking her head, Tilly tries to calm her. “Stand down, May!”

“You promised! Kill it! Kill it! Kill it!” not able to take the shouting, Hugh runs off sobbing, Paul taking off after him. May shoves Tilly off. “You let him go!” Iliad opens her communicator “Iliad to the bridge. We found Tilly.”

“How soon can you get back?” Pike asks where Iliad hisses, “There’s been a complication.”

“We won’t survive complications, Ensign.” the three begin to walk when the ship jolts; Iliad keeps her voice steady. “I know, but something resembling Dr. Culber is here.”

“...Come again, Ensign?”

“Dr. Culber. Before you came aboard, he-”

“I know who he was. I need you to make it make sense.”

“I can’t! Commander Stamets went running-” Suddenly, the comms blink off. “Captain? Captain Pike?” securing it back on her waist, Iliad gets the rifle back up. “Okay, we’re on our own for now.” Coming up beside her, Tilly asks, “What if it is the real Dr. Culber?”

“Nothing in our universe supports that.” Sticking, Iliad looks over her shoulder at May. “Dr. Culber is a healer; he’d never hurt a fly.” pointing to the floor, May pleads, “Look at what’s right in front of you.” the black particles are littered in a mass, pushing her foot at it Iliad asks “What is this?”

“Bark from the yeel tree. It’s deadly to us. He uses it to attack us.” Attack wasn’t right; Hugh was too scared. “He’s not using it to attack.” realizes Iliad. “He’s using it to defend himself. It’s armor. That means it’s motivational and intentional thought, so Dr. Culber is…real.” following the path of the dark sludge, the three are led into a storage closet, where they find Paul holding Hugh, having convinced him they were real. Just then, spores radiate off of May and sting Iliad in the neck. She kneels over, and May tries to rip the riffle from her hands “Hey!” Iliad shouts, getting back up and keeping hold of a phaser. “I told you!” May shouts, “He’s killing us!”

“May, look at him!” screams Tilly. Hugh is fearful and cowards into Paul’s chest as she fights. “He’s trying to protect himself! To him, you’re the monster. This is not who you are. If you kill him, it will ruin you.” still confused, Iliad steps closer. “How is Culber here.” Paul rubs Hugh’s back. “When I was trapped in the Network, I had moments of lucidity. I saw flashes as if I was moving between this world and ours. That’s when I found him. I brought him here.” it’s all so clear; the answer is simple: “Thermodynamics. Energy cannot be created or destroyed. It only changes states. His energy passed through me in death while I was the link to the Network.”

“Like a lightning rod.” Tilly can simplify by making Paul nod: “When he took shape, the Network could only recognize him as a foreign body, and it attacked him the way healthy cells attack cancer.” the ship jolts, and everyone falls to the floor, holding onto whatever they can. Using a railing to push herself up, Iliad asserts, “We have to go. Now.” 

“All of us.” finishes Paul, helping Hugh up. “I’m taking you home.”

Everything sparks and flares in a haze of purple and blues as the group rushes into Engineering. Paul goes to the doorway, but Hugh hesitates outside, looking at the barrier. “Hugh, the cube is our airlock between normal space and the Network. It’s safe to cross.” crossing through himself, Paul motions to his unphased body. “See?” extending his hand, Hugh tentatively takes Paul’s. When Paul attempts to pull him through, it disappears on one side. Taking his arm back, Hugh watches as it reforms in the Network. “I can’t, Paul. I can’t go with you.” panic takes over Paul, and he turns to May for answers. “Why isn’t it working? Why can’t he go through?”

“His energy may have come from your world, but everything else, everything we used to build his body, came from ours.” at May’s explanation, Tilly objects, “You brought me here. You can use the cocoon to transport him.”

“I moved you. We did not create you! Our matter is not your matter!” trying to come up with ideas, Iliad reassures, “You’re saying you can’t rebuild him out there? Is it not possible?”

“Well…I don’t know!”

“...Paul.” facing back to Hugh, they see the black particles begin to break free of him, and sparks of pretty light begin to illuminate from inside of him. “The JahSepp can reclaim my matter…You have to let me go.” Paul shakes his head emphatically.

“Iliad!” hearing Pike’s voice come back, Iliad retrieves her comms. “We’re out of time.” he finishes. “No.” she protests. “We need more time…We-” Hugh gazes at her sadly as Iliad begs, “Not again, please.” smiling a tiny bit, he was trying, “I can’t be the cause of this.” he says, Paul objects “I can’t leave you twice.”

“If you stay it’s twice as deadly for the Network.”

“We’ll find another way.”

“You’re devoted to creation. To life. There are a million reasons to love you, but that’s mine. Please, don’t ruin that for me.” Closing his eyes, Hugh brings Paul in close as the glow spreads across his face. Iliad’s eyes fly open. “You couldn’t rebuild yourself in our world because you don’t have human DNA!” she suddenly states, looking at May. “That’s what’s missing! The cocoon on our side is made entirely of atoms from the human world. If you add Culber’s DNA to the cocoon, then maybe-”

“Maybe not!” letting out a scoff, May spits, “Either way, if we use the cocoon, our door closes. How many beings have lived within each other? I feel I know you as deeply as I know myself.” she admits bashfully looking at Tilly who fumbles “I was actually just about to say that but when Commander Stamets lost Hugh, he lost everything. And if we have a chance to fix that, we have to try. I really believe that the universe will bring us back together somehow.” Hearing this, May extends her pinkie. “You promise?” Tilly hooks her finger around it. “Promise.”

Ship shaking again, Saru’s voice comes over the comms. “Ensign?”

“On our way,” responds Iliad, looking at May. “Please.” she runs forward and takes Hugh’s hand. Paul lets go. “I’ll see you on the other side.” the two groups part. Paul, Tilly, and Iliad jump through the barrier in the reaction cube. Paul rolls his sleeves back up to connect with the cube's interface as Iliad reports, “Iliad to the bridge. Black Alert.”

On the outside, slowly, Discovery begins to pull itself from the rift of the Network. The blue shimmers and wall disappear inside once back in normal space. Once the ship has settled, the three exit the cube back into an Engineering they’re familiar with.

“Ensign Iliad?” over the speakers; this time, Iliad smiles. “We made it!” she answers as the three stand in front of the cocoon, waiting for anything. Every second is agony; it would painful so very painful if this didn’t work. Lines of blue light spread across the cocoon’s surface, the mass disintegrating into a gel, falling away to reveal Hugh lying naked in the fetal position. Gasping as he opens his eyes, Hugh sits up, and Paul rushes to him as Tilly and Iliad let out a shout, hugging each other.

The doors open again for officers of Sickbay to come flooding in. “Ensign Iliad!” still holding onto Tilly, Iliad’s face pales. “Shit!” she’s whirled around by Dr. Pollard, who wears the scariest expression known to man. Swallowing, Iliad jabs a thumb behind her. “Mission was a success?”

“I deemed you ship-bound!” she reminds with her hands on her hips. “I have the right mind to write you up for disobeying my orders, Ensign.” Iliad lets go of Tilly, holding her hands up. “In my defense…I learned a very valuable lesson.”

“Oh really?” although initially meant to get her out of trouble, Iliad thinks about it and finds it true. “Aye.” Lowering her arms, she looks at Hugh and Paul, the reunion making her grin. “People can come back to you.”

Chapter Text

“It’s Section 31’s position that if the entity we’re calling the Red Angel is, in fact, generating these signals, it’s also capable of time incursions.” refreshes Ash, motioning to the hologram of the red signals placed in a star chart in the captain’s ready room “And should be considered dangerous.” taking up the conversation Pike looks from Ash to Michael “So far, these signals have led Discovery on two rescue missions.”

“Or two catastrophic events. Does the Angel merely appear at these crisis points, or is it creating them? We have to consider both options.”

“So let’s consider. The Red Angel appeared on Earth and transported people to Terralysium only moments before they would have died in a nuclear blast.” Michael adds to Pike’s recap, “It also guided Spock to rescue me when I was a child on Vulcan.”

“I’ve seen the drawings from Spock’s time in the psychiatric unit,” admits Ash with a sigh. “Look, can either of you say for sure this thing didn’t cause his nervous breakdown?” holding his arms behind his back, Pike defends, “Spock made no mention of the Red Angel when he asked for leave from the Enterprise.”

“But Agent Tyler’s correct, Captain.” turning to Pike, Michael also knew she had to consider the possibility. “With so few data points, it is impossible to draw conclusions based on its nature and motivations. We need more information.”

“What we need is Spock.”

“Captain Leland has devoted significant Section 31 resources to finding him.” Ash was aware of the distant the two captain’s kept from each other but the look he’s given simply says get to the point “But we’re coming up empty-handed. As his sister, can you think of anywhere Spock might have gone?” he asks Michael who’s about to answer when Iliad’s voice comes over the comms “Captain, you are needed on the bridge.” 

“What is it?”

“We have detected a new signal.”

All three personnel enter the bridge, Pike smiling at Iliad in the captain’s chair and Saru overseeing her training for Command. “Where is it this time?” he asks as Iliad stands to allow Pike to sit. “Outside of Federation space.” as the data comes through, Joann announces, “We have a lock, sir. The signal is over an M-class planet. It’s listed in the Federation database as-”

“Kaminar.” on the viewscreen, Saru recognizes his homeworld. He recognizes everything he has left behind.

Back in the ready room before they begin with a briefing of Kaminar, Ash wonders, “We’re all perfectly fine with Iliad in the Captain’s seat?” sending Ash a stern glance, Saru is almost offended “The Ensign is perfectly capable, I should know as her mentor. Now Kaminar is populated by two sentient species: my people- The Kelpiens- and the Ba’ul.” Pike notes from the file on the planet, “The Ba’ul are your predators.” Saru nods reaching up to his threat ganglia no longer there, his fear absent. “The Ba’ul achieved warp capability twenty years ago. The USS Archimedes made first contact with them after receiving a transmission from Kaminar. But once communication was established, the Ba’ul High Council proved hostile.” reads off Michael, Ash furrows his brows “So why did the Ba’ul send a transmission in the first place?”

“They…did not.” taking a moment Saru attempts to find the delicate words “That transmission was from me. I coopted the Ba’ul’s technology in order to send a message, with the hope that someone, somewhere, would receive it.”

“And that someone was Captain Georgiou.” smiles Michael remembering the story well.” nodding Saru continues “She was a lieutenant then, serving on the Archimedes. Were it not for her, I would have been unable to flee Kaminar or be granted asylum. I promised never to return. That was the price of knowledge.”

“And now, of the billions of planets in our galaxy, the signal just happens to show up above the homeworld of my first officer.” Pike speculates “What are the odds. Discovery’s taken a serious interest in the Red Angel. Could be it’s returning the favor.” at the corny statement Ash disagress “That’s a leap. Commander Saru, are there angels of any sort in Kelpien culture?”

“Kelpiens believe only in the Great Balance, which, if upset, would devastate the fragile ecosystem of our planet. And we are taught that the Ba’ul are the keepers of this balance.” Saru explains to a confusing extent, Pike has to ask “Do the Kelpiens worship the Ba’ul?”

“It is their superior technology of which Kelpiens live in awe, that allows the Ba’ul mastery over my people. They hide behind it. No Kelpien has even seen a Ba’ul in living memory.”

The whistle sounds off as the four return to the bridge. Iliad is about to stand but Pike stops her “Stay in Ensign.” Settling back into the chair Iliad nods a little nervous that Pike is now watching her. Discovery is dropped out of warp, Kaminar itself filling the viewscreen. A dazzling blue and green planet with rings orbiting it. Not surprised Keyla reports “The signal disappeared before we arrived.”

“What else is new?” grumbles Pike before looking to Iliad “You knowledgeable of Kaminar, Ensign?” 

“Yes, sir.”

“You take the hail then.” swerving in the captain’s chair Iliad gives her very first command “Mr. Bryce, hail the Ba’ul on all channels.” inside she’s silently screaming. Pike, also needing to still be captain, orders “Commander Burnham, run planetary and full-spectrum scans on anything resembling our elusive angel. And any power source capable of generating these signals.”

“The Ba’ul are not responding, ma’am,” reports Bryce. Iliad’s about to suggest an alternative when Joann speaks “That’s not entirely true, ma’am. They’re scanning our weapons systems. Just our weapons systems.” Michael then jumps in with their bad news “I see no indication the Red Angel was here. Or any immediate danger to the planet.”

“Why won’t the Ba’ul respond?” inquires Pike aloud, Saru can’t help himself. “Perhaps, as I have said, it is because they are oppressors. And even had the Ba’ul answered our hails, why would you trust those who have enslaved my people for centuries with fear and lies?”

“Your insights are invaluable, Mr. Saru. But the signal appeared here. And maybe the Red Angel, too. If you have any idea how I could make inquiries without-”

“There is a Kelpien priest in every village. Priests not only serve as intermediaries between us and the Ba’ul but they also connect all of our extended communities together.”

“So if the Red Angel appeared on Kaminar, then a priest might be able to tell us about it.” stepping up beside the captain’s seat, Ash protests “Wouldn’t that be a violation of General Order 1?” scoffing out, Iliad states, “No. It’s a judgment call. Kelpiens aren’t warp-capable; They’ve seen warp-capable technology through the Ba’ul and generally know about spaceflight.” Pike agrees “We can stretch General Order 1, but let’s try not to break it in the process. Saru, who do you believe should go with you?”

“Ensign Spiealist Iliad.” without a thought, Saru answers. Ash and Iliad both state, “Really?” stepping up to Pike, Saru raves “She understands the culture, the importance of certain rituals, and is fluent in the language.” Pike looks at Iliad “Really?” she shrugs with a nod, Pike pats a hand on her shoulder “I’m putting Tower of Babel in your official file. As for Dr. Pollard-”

“I haven’t had an episode in two weeks.” Iliad states quickly. Being ship-bound was starting to get to her, and if she had to be honest, she wanted to get off. She was desperate to get off in any way she could.

The cool ocean breeze wafts over Iliad’s face, the rusty sand at her feet. The partly cloudy sky contrasts against the greenish-blue flora and grey cliffs. Pulling the sweater closer around her, Iliad marvels, lungs filling with clean air “It’s beautiful.” Saru stares out over the sea with her. “It’s everything I remember.” he sighs, beginning to walk along the shore, Iliad jogging to catch up. Fishing equipment is scattered along the beach, and a lone black and red pylon floating “That pylon.” Iliad points out, “It doesn’t look Kelpien?”

“No.” says Saru. “The Ba’ul have erected one in each village to observe us. It has earned them a fitting name among my people: the Watchful Eye. This pylon is connected to an incredibly vast network.”

“Must have taken the Ba’ul generations to integrate their technology and ideology into your society.”

“Our two species have become so intertwined that, outside their technology, it is difficult to discern what is purely us and what is distinctly them.” glancing at the empty beach, Iliad wonders, “Where is everyone?”

“The day’s work is done. It will soon be nightfall. Kelpiens rarely venture out in the dark.” stopping, he stares out at the simplicity of it all. “I led this life once. We live in harmony with each other in a world without hunger or poverty. The only violence we know is the culling, which Kelpiens have been misled to accept as a mercy by the Ba’ul. And our priests sustain that belief.” scrunching her noise, Iliad recalls, “Didn’t you say your father was a priest?”

“Yes, he was a collaborator, albeit an unwitting one, enforcing the grip the Ba’ul had on my people.” his hand squeezes nothing, making Iliad reach up and take it, edging Saru to go on “For eighteen years I dreamt of returning to my village. It has not changed at all. But I see it…quite differently now.”

“I can understand that.” Iliad starts as they continue down the shore, and Saru’s interest is piqued. “Oh?” she nods. “I see everyone fighting with each other in different times, species at each other’s throats. And then I think they’re all working together at Prime Welcome, a promised future.”

“I know I shouldn’t ask but in your time are there more Kelpiens in Starfleet?”

“I wouldn’t doubt it.” smiles Iliad. “I mean there are Second Chance Klingons.”

“Really?”

“My dad’s captain was one.”

Further inland, the two walk down a path lined with red flowers. Admiring their vibrance and beauty, it takes Iliad a second to connect “These are the same flowers in your quarters.”

“Fredalia, yes. They do not grow quite so well on a starship-” Iliad follows his stunned gaze to a female Kelpien in white robes picking flowers. The two look at each other and Iliad squeezes Saru’s hand to assure him she’s still here. Saru calls out “Zon shr’ velaka min’ vulous kin’?”

Might the priest spare a moment?

Setting her shears in her basket, the kind woman faces them: “Mav kelosh se’ te.”

Yes, of course.

At the sight of her, Saru pulls back his hood, and the woman drops her basket of flowers in shock. She exclaims, “Kevlaor!”

Brother!

Saru stammers back, “Siranna!” rushing to Saru, his sister leans her head against his, holding his face. “Heva ver’ mino!”

You’re alive!

Translating the last bit of the conversation Iliad’s eyes widen. Instantly she reaches down to her waist and activates the emergency universal translator. Siranna goes on in Federation Standard English, “Oh, but how? We thought you were dead. Taken by the Watchful Eye for questions you should not have asked.” surprised at his sister's switch to English, Saru peers back at Iliad, who mouths “We’re gonna be here longer than expected.”

“Where have you been all this time?” Siranna asks, trying to shake an answer out of Saru. Not wanting to lie, Saru reveals the truth: “Siranna, eighteen years ago, I thought I could find my future in the stars, and I did. Uh…” he turns back to Iliad, who slowly takes a few steps forward as Saru goes on “I was welcomed by an interstellar service called Starfleet, committed to peace and the exploration of our galaxy. An organization far more powerful than the Ba’ul. I found a new life.” Saru looks back at Iliad, taking the hint, Iliad removes her hood letting her curly hair fall behind her. Putting a hand to her chest, Siranna steps closer reaching out to touch Iliad’s hair. “What are you?”

“I’m human.” she answers. “My name’s Iliad. I come from a planet called Earth, your brother is my mentor on the starship Discovery.”

“How is it that we can understand one another?”

“Oh well actually I speak Kelpien.” taking the device off her belt, Iliad shuts it off. “Tevla hev’ gemshe rel’ qiv frem, javop ge’ yevo wetgb.”

But under the circumstances, it’s probably better to use the translator.

Turning the translator back on, everything returns to English. “It’s able to translate over a thousand languages.”

“You mean to say there are a thousand life forms out there?”

“Oh, not just a thousand.” inspires Saru. “Hundreds of thousands.” Siranna’s eyes find the sky before returning to Iliad, still inspecting her hair and hands. Letting out a laugh, Siranna marvels, “So different and yet…The galaxy? Space travel?” taking both of Iliad’s hands, Siranna offers, “Do humans from Earth drink tea?”

Siranna finishes pouring tea for Iliad and Saru in a beautiful fire-lit hut. Letting the warm liquid slip down her throat, Iliad might have to admit she found something better than Plemblok tea; it’s rich and slightly sweet, perfect. Saru sighs happily. “Oh, how I have missed the Fredalia tea of home.”

“We were blessed with a bountiful harvest this year.” Siranna shares making Saru comment “You sound just like Father…Where is he?”

“Father reached his Vahar’ai and joined the Great Balance not long after you…you left us.” Saru wears a somber look as Siranna goes on “How could you? And never even let us know that you were still alive?”

“I thought it would be safer for you to believe I was dead.”

“Safer? We believed you had outraged the Watchful Eye. We spent years in agony, fearing retribution. I dreamed of our reunion, brother.”

“I could not be more sorry, Siranna.”

“This is a longer conversation. But I sense that is not the reason you are here.” agreeing with this, Saru takes out a travel data PADD and pulls up an image. “We’re looking for an entity that we call the Red Angel.” he hands the device to his sister, the screen out of Iliad’s view. Even now, what this angel looked like was a mystery to her. “We have reason to believe that it appeared here on Kaminar.”

“Is it another life form?” Siranna asks tilting her head, Saru shakes his head “We do not yet know what it is, only that it appears in conjunction with a red burst of light in the sky and in places of crisis.”

“The fiery sign…I saw it!” Iliad and Saru share a hopeful look before she asks, “Have you seen or heard anything that might be this Red Angel? Maybe from the priests in the other villages?” after a beat, Siranna slams the data PADD in Saru’s lap, glaring at him “This is why you have returned?” furious she stands “I should have known you did not come back for me!”

“Siranna, I ask you to-”

“You ran away because you were not brave enough to face the Balance as the rest of us do.”

In the harsh silences that follow, Iliad begins to hear a faint rumbling. Soon, the actual teapot begins to shake before the vibrations are felt beneath their feet. Standing with them, Iliad asks, “What’s that?” 

“The Ba’ul,” mutters Saru. “They must have observed your return, " says Siranna, accusing Saru. “Once again, you disturb the Great Balance and put our village in danger. You must leave now! We won’t be safe until you are gone!” she begins to usher them out, and Saru stops her. “Siranna, this might be the last time we ever see each other.”

“Return to the stars, Saru. There is no place for you here.” pushed outside, they watch a brilliant light shine from the top of the Ba’ul pylon; another light illuminates from behind a distant cliff. Letting out a gasp, Saru steps back. “They’re coming.”

“What’s gonna happen?” Iliad asks fearfully, Saru stares at her before reaching for his communicator “Disocvery, two to beam back!” furrowing her brows, Iliad tries, “Saru, wait!” their bodies are stretched in light as they’re beamed off the surface of Kaminar.

Materializing on the transport pad, Saru’s chest heaves heavily, Iliad staring with a sad expression. “We didn’t have to go.” she mutters out. The speakers announce “Yellow Alert. Commander Saru, Ensign Speailist Iliad, please report to the bridge.”

Entering on to the bridge, the two are met with a tired Pike. “Whatever you did, the Ba’ul are hailing us now. I’m going to guess it’s not to invite us to a welcome party.” Bryce spins around, reporting, “Communication channel established. It’s audio only.”

“Mr. Saru, I think it would be best if you stay out of this conversation.” Pike turns his attention to the viewscreen despite nothing being shown. “This is Captain Christopher Pike of the USS Discovery.” the entire bridge then goes dark, a red audio line appearing and a deep grave voice speaking, “You have taken what belongs to us.”

“What have we taken, exactly?”

“A Kelpien. Starfleet promised that it would not meddle in the internal affairs of our planet.”

“We’re investigating the signal that appeared over your planet, which I’m sure you noticed. These signals are typically followed by the arrival of an entity we call the Red Angel. Are you familiar with it? The Red Angel may pose a threat to Kaminar’s Great Balance. Our mutual interest lies only in keeping the peace which we all-”

“No one is safer than under the Watchful Eye. Return the Kelpien to us, and we will allow you to leave without harm-”

“I am not yours to be returned!” Saru suddenly speaks up from his and Iliad’s station, making all face him in horror “I am brother to Siranna, who lives a life of oppression. I am son of Aradar, who died needlessly at your hands.”

“The Kelpien speaks.”

“I am Commander Saru, the first and only Kelpien to join Starfleet, and I know the truth about Vahar’ai.”

“The Great Balance is the only truth, and it must not be disturbed.”

“Your lies no longer work on me. I survived my Vahar’ai, and I know that it means not death but evolution, an evolution you murder my people to suppress.”

“You think you know everything, Kelpien, but you do not even know what you are.” at this cryptic message, Iliad frowns slightly, thinking about Saru’s phrasing, evolution, and the Ba’ul’s response to evolution…which means the Ba’ul know…they’re purposely stopping it. A beeping on her console snaps her from her thoughts. “Captain!” she calls, “I detect ten Ba’ul sentry ships on an intercept course.” Pike stands “Shields up. Red Alert. Show me what we’re dealing with.”

Angular vessels surround Discovery in a circle, the middle opening up to extend long arms in a spider-like fashion. Bryce spits out in a panic, “Ba’ul ships are powering up their weapons.”

“Warm up the phasers.” Pike orders before returning to the comms, “Whoever is listening to my voice, I advise that you consider your next move very carefully.”

“Give us the Kelpien.” the creepy voice demands, Pike stands his ground “Commander Saru is a political asylum seeker and a Starfleet officer, protected by the Federation.”

“You would risk the lives of your own people for one Kelpien?”

“This Kelpien is our people. And to defend him, I will do whatever I seem necessary.”

“As will we.”

From her station, Michael alerts, “The Ba’ul are activating the pylon in Commander Saru’s village.”

“You have interfered in the affairs of this village. If you do not return the Kelpien, there’ll be blood on your hands.”

“The pylons are weaponized!” exclaims Saru “They mean to destroy my village! We have to-”

“Mr. Saru!” Pike shouts, bringing the Kelpien to a standstill “You will remove yourself from the bridge.”

“But Captain-”

“That’s an order!” Shaking, Saru is stunned before Iliad takes note of the strangely accepting way he exits the bridge. She begins to return to work at her console as Pike sends the ship into Red Alert, but she can’t remove Saru from her mind. “...Oh my god!” she lets out and rushes off the bridge.

She pushes past anyone in her way to the transporter room, a sixty-second timer set, and Saru on the transporter pad. “Saru, please get off the transporter pad!” she begs, making her presence known to him. Slowly, Saru turns around, fists clenched. “Or what, Iliad?”

“You’re not thinking clearly-”

“I have never felt more clarity than in this moment. This is the only way.” jogging up onto the transport pad, Iliad stresses, “I know it feels that way, when you lose someone you go to the extreme.”

“And you know so well?”

“I do!” she calls. “When I lost Aeneid, I ran away from home…” trailing off, Iliad remembers though all she needed was some help. Stepping down from the pad, she attempts to go to the console and end the transport when before she can, Saru is beamed away. Her breath is taken, and she rushes back to the bridge.

“Commander Saru just beamed down to the surface!” Iliad alerts Pike when she enters, “He’s surrendering himself!” on the other side of the room, Rhys reports, “Captain, the sentry ships are powering down their weapons.” on the viewscreen, they all watch as the mechanical arms retract into the Ba’ul ships, they all turn parallel returning back to Kaminar. Pike goes to Joann’s station to “Track Saru’s signal.” after a few seconds of locking on, Joann says, “A Ba’ul ship has taken him. They’re traveling toward…I’ve lost the signal, sir. He’s gone.” rushing forward Iliad turns Pike to face her “We have to do something, they are going to kill him.”

“How are you sure?”

“When the Ba’ul learned that Saru had survived his Vahar’ai, their determination to capture him increased. His continued existence threatened them because they know something about Vahar’ai, and I remember what it is.” rushing over to her console, Iliad gets to work pulling up specific data from the Sphere’s archives, her workstation feeling empty without Saru by her side. Crossing the bridge, Michael stands beside her, touching her shoulder. “Go on.” she urges, and Iliad takes a breath before speaking. “The Sphere collected readings from Kaminar, including bio-signs. Using Saru’s medical file, I can separate historical readings of pre and post-Vahar’ai Kelpiens…uh Michael-”

“On it.” joining the space beside her, Michael runs the medical file while Iliad projects a holo image of Kaminar on the viewscreen. The year by the Kaminar shown is roughly 2,300 years prior. Iliad explains the key as the colors of bio signs shift: “Blue represents Kelpiens that survived Vahar’ai, green are pre Vahar’ai Kelpiens, and the red is the Ba’ul.” however there was barely any red at all dotting the map. Michael summarizes, “The Ba’ul narrowly escaped extinction.” the map shifts, red dominating the planet. “Then they turned around and wiped out the evolved Kelpiens. Leaving only unevolved Kelpiens.” nodding, Iliad enforces, “The Ba’ul were originally the prey species. So they think Saru is a predator. The Ba’ul use their technological advantage to lock the Kelpiens into subservience, allowing them to live while eliminating the threat they posed.” stroking his chin while watching the data, Pike proposes, “What if we can help them understand that Saru is not a threat, that his people need not be a threat…”

“Sir, we’re receiving a hail from the Ba’ul.” notifies Bryce. Considering for a moment, Pike looks to Iliad “Command Training Program Session begins now.” snapping his fingers, he holds the back of the captain’s seat, Iliad shakes her head. “Sir this is hardly the time-”

“Take the chair Ensign.” stalling for a moment Iliad feels her shoulders rise and fall before confidently taking rest in the chair “Accept the hail.” she commands. A static crackling comes through. “Discovery, this Commander Saru.” smiling wide, Iliad lets out a happy sigh. “It’s good to hear you, Saru-I mean Commander!”

“I am with Siranna, inside a Ba’ul structure. But we have no other indicators of our position.”

Joann turns to Iliad, shaking her head; unable to track them on their end, Iliad informs, “We can’t get a lock on your coordinates either. You must be shielded. Have you come in contact with the Ba’ul?”

“Yes. It was…enlightening.”

“Commander we used the Sphere’s archives to analyze Kaminar’s history, it’s more complex than we thought. All evidence indicates that Kelpiens, in post-Vahar’ai form, were once predators of the Ba’ul.”

“That confirms my suspicions. And the Ba’ul’s belief that, after passing Vahar’ai, my people can only be predators. They will do anything to continue the culling. And to keep more Kelpiens from learning the truth.” after Saru finishes, Siranna’s voice chimes in across the comms. “It will not be easy to convince my people the Great Balance is a deception, but we must find a way to save them.”

“Just like you were shown…” Iliad trails off, remembering Saru’s sickness, eyes narrowing in deep thought. Pike looks down at her “Got an idea…Captain?” she nods “The Sphere. It triggered Saru’s Vahar’ai.”

“Yes,” confirms Saru. “But we need to accelerate the process. We must not give the Ba’ul a chance to take action before Vahar’ai is complete for all Kelpiens.”

Facing Pike and Michael, Iliad plans, “If we isolate the active frequencies in the Sphere’s transmission, the corresponding sound wave should speed up the biological response.”

“Is that an official order, Captain?” Pike asks, and Iliad confirms “Yes.” Michael nods “On it.”

“And the Ba’ul will have no choice but to face our evolved race,” Saru says vigorously agreeing with the plan. Clicking a few screens, Michael announces “Commander Saru, I’m sending you the modified Sphere transmissions now.” after a few minutes the bio-readings on the viewscreen change significantly “Bio-sign readings indicate that Vahar’ai has initiated in sixty-three percent of Kelpiens, and rising.” Michael reports before Joann follows, “Ma’am, I’m detecting massive activity beneath the surface of the lake. There’s a structure rising above the water. At least fifty kilometers in diameter.”

“On screen.” Pike orders, the sight of the massive object making Iliad stand from her seat. An octagonal structure spins as it rises, tall spires lining its edge. Pike figures “A Ba’ul stronghold.”

“Protected by a powerful force field.” Rhys states, Michael guesses, “That might be where they’re holding Commander Saru and Siranna captive.” knowing the drill Iliad states “Red Alert. Rhys, target the shields. If we can destroy them, we’ll have a window to get a lock on Saru and Siranna.”

Red lights suddenly fire from the Ba’ul stronghold, bouncing off the pylons stationed in the area…around the entire planet. “That Ba’ul structure is activating pylons across the planet.” Joann reads off her workspace “With an energy build-up capable of destroying every Kelpien village.” jumping in Pike commands, “Bryce, hail these bastards. Rhys, forget the structure, target the pylon.”

“They’re not responding.” in response to Bryce, Pike continues, “Open a channel.” he steps up beside Iliad. “This is Captain Pike. I will not allow you to wipe out an entire race. Your fear of the Kelpiens has blinded you to a peaceful solution. Starfleet can help you negotiate a new balance between your two species, protecting everyone on your world. However, if you choose to murder the entire Kelpien population you will become our enemies. Choose wisely.”

“Sir, they’ve activated all four thousand fifty fix pylons in every Kelpien village,” interjects Keyla in a hurry. Pike moves, “Lieutenant Rhys?”

“There are too many pylons to target at once, sir.”

“Let’s get started. Arm photon torpedoes.” Stiffening at Pike’s words, Iliad swallows. “Si-Sir, I think you should take over.” she speeds through instantly moving back beside Michael. Not questioning her reaction Pike nods retaking his seat. “On my order. Now-”

Red lights appear in space, shooting beams at the stronghold. A figure floats before the planet, a humanoid figure with spire-like wings, illuminated in ruby. The bridge crew stares in awe as a shock wave emits from the being shutting down the pylons all across Kaminar. And just as soon as the Red Angel had appeared, it vanishes without a trace.

“I called you in here to say you did a good job today Ensign.” Pike smiles at Iliad, who sits across the table in his ready room with him, she cringes “Really, because I broke General Order 1 a ton of times.”

“We’ll just say you bent it a little.” the two laugh at this and Iliad takes a second to regard Pike. “Permission to speak freely, sir?”

“Granted.” Iliad scoots closer. “I want to apologize for how I’ve been acting, cold, distant.” shaking his head, Pike stops her “It’s understandable Ensign, after your last Captain-”

“But you’ve done more than enough for this crew to show us you’re not Lorca. I…I just didn’t want to be used again and I let that cloud my judgment, I’m sorry.”

“If you insist, apology accepted.” taking a sip of his water Pike sits up waving a finger “One more thing, I’m curious. Commander Saru suggested you to the Command Training Program; however, you don’t show much interest in it.” Hopefully, she wouldn’t be here to continue it, she’d be with her family. She had wondered the same thing back in Paris, why had Saru suggested her. It was there he had come up with a contingency plan if her getting home took longer than expected “It’s because I only have an interest in captaining one ship, Discovery.” Saru had done this to ensure as her mentor he wouldn’t get transferred and neither would she, it was a brilliant plan that hopefully would never have to be enacted.

“Sir, do you mind if I talk to Michael in here before I go back on the bridge.”

“Of course.” heading to the door Pike summons “Burnham.” stepping into view Michael smiles as Pike leaves them both. Tilting her head Michael says “I heard you wanted to talk to me? What is it, Wonderland?” standing up Iliad’s face falls to a whisper “Why’d you never show me what the Red Angel looked like before?” the question was based on nothing so Michael can only shrug “Well you got assigned to the Sphere team so I…What’s this about?”

There were a lot of things Iliad thought about in the dark when she slept, her father, her brother, Prime Welcome. But there was one thing above that all Iliad hyper fixates on in anger and confusion asking why “Michael, the Red Angel is the thing that put me on the Glenn. It brought me here.”

Chapter Text

past an expertly built skyscraper, Michael admires the warm and impressive rainy Vulcan landscape. Having gotten leave from Captain Pike to pursue a feeling, Michael finds herself back home. Over the comms, a Vulcan Official phones in. “Starfleet shuttle, identify yourself.” they request. Michael responds, “This is Commander Michael Burnham. Requesting permission to land at the residence of Ambassador Sarek.”

“Is this official Starfleet business?”

“...I’m not here as a Starfleet officer. I’m here as his daughter.”

“Permission granted.”

Michael settles down the shuttle on the landing pad part of her father's estate. A mansion of glass surrounded by beautiful red trees, one could compare it to a perpetual Autumn on Earth. Rushing through the rain, Michael takes a breath once dry inside, the open space flooding with childhood memories as she walks up the steps to the second floor.

She recalls when she first came to live here, meeting Sarek’s human wife, Amanda, her mother. She recalls meeting their son and how Spock wanted nothing to do with her, a human. That quickly disappeared as he became her little shadow, teaching her everything about Vulcan.

“I’m so glad you’re home, Michael.” in casual robes stands Amanda when Michael finally turns around breaking from her thoughts. She cuts to the chase: “Spock is still missing. Mother, I need your help.”

“Yes, we know.” Amanda states, motioning to a meditating Sarek, almost frozen in his peaceful state, “Sarek’s been like that for hours. From the moment your father heard that your brother disappeared, he’s been practicing tok’mare every day.”

“I’ve never seen tok’mar performed before. Ancient Vulcans believed it could bring lost souls back home.”

“It isn’t working,” Amanda states curtly, wringing her hands. Michael takes note of this behavior: “I think it’s more than that.” turning back to her father, Michael continues, “Sarek has the most disciplined, logical mind I know. If it doesn’t work, there has to be a reason…I think you know what it is.” looking at her daughter, Amanda didn’t mean to snap, “I haven’t heard from him.”

“The longer he’s on the run, the harder it’ll be for him.”

“Yes, I can see the logic in that.” Michael stands her ground despite Amanda’s apparent avoidance. “No matter how angry you are with me, you must know how much I love him. Spock is my brother. I’ll protect him.”

“Even if I knew where he was, there is no way that I would ever turn him in to be tried for murders he did not commit.”

“Mother.”

“I have not seen him.”

“My whole life, you’ve told me the truth…That’s how I know you’re lying.” Amanda avoids Michael’s eyes. “If you know where he is, let me help him. You have to. You have to let me help him.” Amanda reaches out to Michael’s shoulder, shaking her head. “Spock is not how you remember him.”

“Where is my brother?”

“...Come with me.”

Amanda leads them back to the shuttle, but nothing is said on the flight. Long and agonizingly silent, through the rain and across one of many deserts to a cliff formation where a carved-out door or temple lay. Michael and Amanda enter the crypt together, a far muttering reaching their ears.

“Constructionism combines the epistemological thesis about what can be known with a metaphilosophical view on the nature of philosophical questions. From logical and inductive…”

It prattles on combining with the sound of water dripping down the walls. Turning a corner once far enough inside, the mumbling gets louder, and Michael stares in horror. At the end of the hall, a brooding Vulcan looms on the floor, clutching the rocky wall. He gently rocks as he mutters, and Michael slowly approaches. Sinking to her knees, Michael slowly reaches out a hand, eyes glazing over. She shakes her head. “Spock? It’s me.” Spock ignores Michael, sinking even lower than she was into his logical madness. “Spock? Spock, can you hear me?”

“To say that a logical construction is valid is to say that the premises are true-”

“It’s Michael.”

“A deductive argument is one that aims to show its conclusion must be true-” Standing from her spot, Michael approaches her mother. “How long has he been like this?”

“Two days.” reveals Amanda. “I couldn’t go to Sarek. He would weigh the needs of the many against the-”

“We’ve got to get him to a doctor.” fights Michael. Amanda stops her instantly. “Every avenue leads a trail.”

“Mother, he’s just repeating the First Doctrines of Logic.”

“He’s trying to around himself.”

“Eight, four, one, nine, four, seven. Eight, four, one, nine, four, seven. Eight, four, one, nine, four, seven.” they both turn back to see Spock carving the same numbers he’s muttering into stone repeatedly. Michael asks, “What are those numbers?” clueless Amanda says, “I don’t know, I’ve tried looking.”

“Are they coordinates? Are they command codes? A birth date-”

“I’ve tried everything.”

“We have to get him to a hospital.”

“You’re not taking him anywhere.”

“Mother, if he were a full-blooded Vulcan, these emotions would have driven him insane by now. You cannot keep him here!”

“Spock came to me for help, and I will never turn him in. And under Federation law, I don’t have to.”

“Please. Please don’t do this.”

“As the wife of the Vulcan ambassador, I have the legal authority to invoke diplomatic immunity in order to shield my son from extradition-”

“Unless the ambassador objects.” Frozen, Amanda, and Michael turn to the new voice. Sarek stands walking in from the doorway, and although Vulcans don’t show emotion, he is clearly furious. “You lied to me, Amanda. I assume you hid our son in this sacred crypt because it contains katra stones, which blocks any outside telepathic link with him.” not backing down from her husband, Amanda marches right up to him. “You assume correct.”

“Your behavior was impulsive and shortsighted.”

“How dare you. I accepted this life because I love you. And now Spock pays the price like he always has. This is my worst fear.” she admits. “Do you know that I used to read Alice to Spock when he was a little boy before Michael came into the house? Do you know why I read him that book? Because Spock had difficulties. Human difficulties. Learning, reading, writing. The Vulcans called it L’tak Terai.”

“A temporary complication remedied at the Learning Center-”

“No.” Amanda shakes her head. “He had no support. Nobody wanted to help a half-Vulcan child with a learning disability he’d inherited from his mother. And in order to save our son, I began to read him a story about how to survive when up is down and left is right.”

“Your obsession with a book about chaos has done a disservice to our children.”

“They were the ones who were on both sides of the looking glass. Not you, Sarek. You never truly respected humanity.”

“If that were true, I would have married a Vulcan.”

“...Would you have left Vulcan for me?...No, you wouldn’t. I sacrificed everything for our family.”

“That does not change the fact that you have harbored a fugitive, which is a flagrant abuse of my authority.”

“I don’t live under your authority. I’m your wife, and I’m your partner. Try again, husband-”

“‘But I don’t want to go among mad people,’” remarked Alice. “‘Oh, you can’t help that,’” said the Cat.” All three turn back to Spock, head resting against the wall as he continues to recite the story: “‘We’re all mad. I’m mad. You’re mad.’”

“But how do you know I’m mad?” playfully grins Iliad. Her hands play with stray silver flowers on her stomach, the petals lost in her sprawled-out hair in the ruby grass. She lays in a casual blue summer dress, head facing her Vulcan, same robes as always. Both lay in a field of literal dreams, the sky's ever-shifting colors.

The Vulcan turns his head to her, “You must be.” says Spock. Turning away from his son, Sarek realizes, “He is regressing. If Spock relinquishes all logic, he’s lost.” stepping in front of Sarek, Michael suspects, “Father. I believe this is connected to the Red Angel. Spock saw it. And the seven signals, before they appeared to us.”

“You hid this from me.”

“I wanted to find him first. I was trying to save his life.” regarding Michael’s thoughts Sarek moves to Amanda, who has knelt by Spock. “Amanda, you are correct. Spock needs help, which is why you .” he turns to Michael, “Must deliver him to Captain Leland.”

“Throwing him at the mercy of Section 31 might be throwing him to the wolves.” fights Michael, with Amanda joining in. “You want to deliver our son to the people that are after him?”

“The sole reason they must be after Spock is because of his mind,” explains Sarek, keeping his calm tone. “It contains answers the Federation desperately needs. Outside of this room, no one is more motivated to heal Spock than Section 31.”

“And what are they gonna do when they’re done with him? Lock him in jail and throw away the key?”

“Not if he is innocent. And there is another logical reason Michael must do this. Your career as a Starfleet officer will be jeopardized once again if you fail to fulfill your duty.” Sarek looks back at his wife. “And I am not prepared to lose both of our children on the same day.”

“How do you know that you’re mad?” questions Iliad. The Vulcan doesn’t hesitate. “Because you are here.”

“Uh!-” her jaw hangs open, and she turns on her side, kicking his leg. The Vulcan is unfazed but states, “Ow.” she scoots closer, “I’m gonna pretend you didn’t say that you jerk.”

“It is logical.” laughing at his words, Iliad agrees, “Right, proper madness. But I’m happy to go mad with you. See.” pressed shoulder to shoulder, Iliad holds her hands above him. “All the people I care about.” she taps her left hand's ring finger. “That’s you.” after a quiet moment, Iliad drops her arms, the two staring into the sky. “How do you propose…” starts the Vulcan. “How do you propose one goes mad?” with a shrug, Iliad sighs, leaning her head on his shoulder. “Finding an absence in logic?”

“Perhaps.”

“It’s silly to me.”

“What is?”

“How can you assume that the absence of logic is madness when that’s just a standard set by a current society?” the Vulcan furrows his own brows at her words, turning his head. “Well…because.” smiling, Iliad shakes her head. “But how?”

“...because.” rolling her eyes at his stubbornness, Iliad then points up, “You think a sky like this could be real somewhere in the universe?” slowly, the Vulcan reaches up to softly take hold of her wrist, bringing it down to rest across his chest “According to probability it would be illogical to assume it’s not.”

“N-C-I-A-9-3, do you read?” Michael asks over the comms. She approaches the Section 31 ship. “I’m Commander Michael Burnham, and my passenger, Lieutenant Spock, requires immediate medical attention.” she’s given instructions back “Alter course to 1-3-1-mark-7 and power down your thrusters.”

Michael follows closely as Spock is rolled on a gurney through the ship to its specialized Sickbay. He still mutters the numbers, eyes lost to the world around him. Spock is lifted into a chair and strapped down in a private room. Leland enters, explaining what his doctors are doing: “We’ve given Commander Spock a sedative for this procedure.” Michael spots a device with two rings and canisters next to it. “Captain Leland, what is that?”

“It allows us to scan and repair Spock’s neural impulses. Control wouldn’t proceed if there was any risk to your brother.” a surprising addition of Philippa to the Section 31 crew gives Leland a look at Control’s promise, an AI’s promise. Leland requests, “Give us the room, please.” and all personnel leave. “I hope Spock is innocent.” he begins. “If he isn’t, my gut tells me he may not have been himself. I know how painful this is for me. You need answers, and so do we. We will find them together. I made that promise to Ambassador Sarek, and I’m making you the same promise.” 

“Thank you, Captain.” Michael offers before Leland tries to get more information. “Is there anything you can tell us about your brother’s psychological makeup that may help us?” Michael sighs, shaking her head. “He's brilliant, curious. When he was little, he seemed to have fewer filters. Everything reached him. My mother said he had a condition called L’tak Terai as a child.”

“I’ve heard the term. It’s a spatial and order dysphagia, much like dyslexia. Pretty common on Earth. Not so much on Vulcan.” looking from Spock, Leland crosses his arms, turning back to Michael “I received permission from Admiral Cornwell to extend your leave. However, our facilities are classified. Section 31 doesn’t allow non-assigned personnel to stay on board.”

“I’d rather not leave him alone, sir.”

“You won’t be. He’ll get the best care the Federation has to offer. We both need him to get better, Burnham. Look, we’re less than four hours away from Starbase 23. Spock will be with the doctors until then, anyway. Go ahead to the Starbase.” Leland suggests heading for the door, but he stops himself. “Listen, the best thing you can do for your brother right now is to take care of yourself…He’s gonna need you.” Michael lets her demeanor fall when Leland leaves, holding Spock’s arm. “Spock, can you hear me?” but he was unconscious; shuddering a breath, Michael hugs Spock, holding him tight. “You must have been so lonely.” she then takes his hand. “Knowing you, you made something beautiful out of those mirrored images-” recalls the numbers Spock was spitting. It hits her “7-4-9-1-4-8. The numbers are backward.”

In a rush, Michael exits the room where Philippa had been waiting to seize her arm and pull her into an abandoned hall. “I’ve disabled the cameras for sixty seconds, so listen closely. Your instincts are correct, Michael. That machine is a memory extractor. It will destroy your brother’s mind.” she reveals to Michael’s mistrust. “Why should I believe you?”

“Leland is just a puppet following orders. And I didn’t think you’d want your brother’s blood on your hands.”

“So you’re telling me this out of the goodness of your heart?”

“No, the goodness of yours. I know so much more about you than you can imagine. But that’s for another time. Right now, you’re going to attack me, then rescue Spock, which is good for you. And that will make Leland look bad, which is good for me.” there’s a beep making Philippa rush. “Ten seconds, Michael- oh! One more thing, in Spock’s files before he left Enterprise he’s talked about an Alice.”

“Alice?” Michael can make a pretty good guess which book that name came from, “What’s Alice?”

“Whatever it is, it’s the anchor to his madness. Save your brother and get rid of Alice. So, what will it-” a sharp jab to her gut, Philippa doubles back into the wall. She coughs, “Not bad.” and instructs, “Once more, with feeling.” with a grunt, Michael knees Philippa and punches her in the face. Having been caught off guard by the second blow, Philippa crumbles to the floor unconscious, and Michael seizes her phaser.

Running back into the private Sickbay, Michael stuns a guard, and then the medic is about to put the device around Spock’s head. Grabbing a canister from the medical tray, she uses a hypo-spray, and Spock’s eyes jolt open, still dazed off. Michael helps Spock’s body move out of the chair, leaning his weight on her. Stumbling through the halls with her brother, Michael can get them both into the shuttle bay and back into the ship they came on. Laying Spock in the passenger's seat, Michael then works the controls to pilot the shuttle out of the ship and jumps to warp.

Once out of danger, Michael looks over at her brother, commanding: “Computer, search database for matches with the following numbers: 7-4-9-1-4-8, in that order.”

“Working.” the automated voice responds as Michael holds her gaze on her brother. “‘Either the well was very deep, or she fell very slowly. For she had plenty of time as she went down to wonder what was going to happen next.’...What are you trying to say? Talk to me.”

“Database match found. One planetary system, located at 7-4-9-mark-1-4-8. Identification: Talos IV.” Hearing the name, Michael whirls around before looking at Spock, shocked. “They were coordinates,” she confirms, facing the helm again. Taping a few buttons, she sets their course for Talos IV at maximum warp. Leaning back as the warp tunnel surrounds them, Michael requests, “All information regarding Talos IV.”

“One of eleven planetary bodies.” The computer begins to say. “Talos IV was a warp-capable M-Class planet with a thriving population. Until several thousand years ago, nuclear war caused a near extinction-level event. A small population of the indigenous species remains, possessing susceptive psychogenic abilities. Starfleet prohibits traveling within the Talos system.” nodding to the information, Michael spins in her chair to face Spock. “We’re approaching Talos IV. Whatever you’re looking for, I hope we find it-”

“Warning! Now, entering restricted space!”

Dropping out of warp, expecting to see a planet, Michael is sent into a panic, seeing a black hole. The shuttle begins to shake, and Michael takes hold of the controls to get them out. Spock shoves her away from the controls, stopping her from stopping the shuttle’s course into the black hole. Pushing against him, Michael screams, “Spock! It’s a black hole! We’ll be crushed!” the computer reports. “Structural failure in five seconds. Four, three-”

“SPOCK!”

“Two, one.”

A blue planet with white streaks marbling across its surface. No trace of a black hole in sight. Regaining her breath, Michael sits up as Spock returns to his seat. “Was that an illusion?” she asks, gaining no response, his mind clearly absent. “No, it was a test.” Michael states, “We’re really on the other side of the looking glass now.”

“Oh my gosh, Iliad!” raves Tilly, opening her door and walking into her room. “You’re never gonna believe-” she puts a hand over her mouth, seeing Iliad’s dimmed lights and sleeping body. After Kaminar, Pike ordered Iliad to take her off-duty time early. Stepping in place, Tilly was gonna tell her about the rift that almost ate Paul, Pike, and Ash because she missed it. Small mumblings come from Iliad’s lips, making Tilly tilt her head. “Iliad?” she whispers, coming closer. “Iliad?” she asks singly, shaking her friend’s shoulder.

Iliad doesn’t stir from her sleep, only muttering, “7-4-9…1-4-8…7-4-9…1-4-8…7-4-9….” Furrowing her brow, Tilly is about to shake her harder but sees the clock and bites her lip. “You’re technically still off duty…I’ll just tell you later!” kissing her hand, Tilly pats it on Iliad’s cheek with a smile before standing and exiting her quarters.

Powering up her phaser, Michael tentatively steps onto the surface of Talos IV, a rocky planet with a pale green sky and crystal blue pools with steam rising from them scattered all over. There was nothing in sight that Michael could see beyond the cliffs surrounding them hearing footsteps Michael whips around.

A woman in a plain dress walks into the shuttle, which makes Michael rush back over. Stopping at the entrance, Michael warns, “Turn. Slowly.” the woman smiles as she stops before Spock and faces Michael. “Who are you?”

“Where I come from, the one holding the phaser asks the questions.” Michael promptly points out in response to the question. She goes on, “Are you Talosian?”

“No.” the woman states, “Human. But a permanent resident.” the doors close behind Michael as the woman greets, “Spock. It’s me. Vina.” confused by his dazed composure, Vina pries, “Don’t you recognize me? What’s happened to him?”

“Who are you?” Michael demands. Vina holds up her hands. “I’m an old friend of Captain Christopher Pike. Is Chris? Is he coming back, as well?”

“Are you saying Captain Pike and Spock have both been here before?”

“Well, in some ways, Captain Pike never left. I was a crew member on a survey ship that crashed here when I was young. Long ago.” sensing Vina as non-hostile, Michael lowers her phaser, and Vina goes on, “The Talosians put me back together. That’s the easiest way to explain.”

“I’m Commander Michael Burnham.” with a smile, Vina glances off. “They welcome you, commander, and ask that you join them below the surface.” narrowing her eyes at the message, Michael asks, “They’re speaking to you now?”

“Beam down with Spock so they can examine him.”

“What do you mean “Examine”?” with tight lips, Michael puts her gaze on Spock. “You brought us here because the Talosians could help you. Have you been in communication with them?” Spock bangs on his seat. Vina takes the hint. “They assure you, your shuttle will be safe here.” Michael nods. “Coordinates, please.” Vina types on the console as Michael lifts Spock up to join her in the middle of the room. “Computer, two to beam down.”

They materialize in a rocky corridor, a waterfall falling beside one entrance. From in the darkness, Vina approaches, and Michael has to wonder, “Are you real?”

“She is very real.” The collective of voices bodies joining behind Vina. Pale-skinned figures in white robes speaking only with their minds. Vina and Michael help Spock settle into a chair as the Talosians speak, “We aplogize for the difficulties entering the atmosphere. Material illusion is our primary form of defense.” Michael straightens up. “I’m beginning to understand that. Do you only speak telepathically?”

“We will converse in the ancient way, if you prefer.” the closest Talosian states in a deep tone. “Can you tell me why exactly Spock risked our lives bringing us here?” Michael asks. The Talosians close their eyes, their veins beginning to glow.

The shifting rainbow sky flashes white for a few seconds, making Iliad lift her head off the Vulcan's shoulder. Her brows furrow at the colors return. “What was that?” she asks, looking at the Vulcan.

“The Vulcan is experiencing time as a fluid rather than a linear construct.” the second Talosian, with a more feminine voice, reveals, “Conventional logic has not helped him interpret such an experience. His mind is tangled, entwined, being held down-”

“Anchored.” states Michael, using Philippa’s words when she referred to “Alice”. “He knew you’d be able to help him.”

“He knew that conventional medical understanding would be useless. Should this variance continue, he will lose his mind permanently.”

“What could have possibly changed his experience of time?”

“It is easier for us to show you his thoughts than explain them, but we require something in return. The memory of what happened between you and your brother on Vulcan.” instantly defensive Michael takes a step back as the Talosians attempt to explain “We wish to view the entire conflict between the two of you during childhood. The defining experience, the wound you inflicted.”

“You want to experience our pain? Why? For your entertainment?”

“This is how we understand, how we survive-”

“Survive another way.” Michael spits holding her arms close to her. The Talosians glance at Vina, and she steps forward. “It’s better not to resist, commander. They dive deeply into our minds. Our hopes, our memories, our fears. Even our dreams.” Vina lowers her head before revealing a melted and disfigured face. “This is how they found me after the crash.” she rasps out “And they gave me the choice…to live the rest of my life as I am…or as I was.”

A light flashes and Vina is upright again as pretty as a picture like she was a few seconds before. “You see they’re not unnecessarily cruel. And even though this may just be a projection it feels as real as it looks.” The female Talosian speaks up. “To reorder your brother’s mind, we must disengage him from logic. But you must pay the price. We may watch you relive your memory?” Michael looks at Spock, pained, lips falling open; they nod, “Yes. But do what you need to do to reorder his mind and get rid of whatever Alice is, first.”

“Very well.” together, the Talosian’s veins glow when they close their eyes.

Sitting up fully, Iliad blinks at the harsh, sudden white of the sky. Hearing little crinkles, she watches the petals in her hair and flowers in her lap go from silver to a shriveled ash, like the red grass now is. “What’s happening?” she whispers, glancing to the side to find the Vulcan gone. “Goodbye Alice.” Turing on her knees, the Vulcan stands behind her with his hands behind his back. Iliad shakes her head “G-Goodbye? What do you mean goodbye? I don’t-”

It’s as if someone stabbed a knife directly into the base of her skull. “Ah!” she chokes out. Trying to scream, it’s as if she has no voice; her gaze bores into the Vulcan, begging them for an answer, for help. He didn’t like it either, watching this, watching all of this be destroyed, but it wasn’t logical. 

“AHHHH GOD!!!” throwing her sheets off, her Iliad wakes up in a cold sweat, head banging and pulsing with every blink of her eyes. Hand fumbling for her bedside table, Iliad finds her medication and swallows it dry. Curling her knees to her chest, it takes a bit for the pain to subside to a bearable pressure. “Make it stop. Make it stop. Make it stop.” Letting out a deep breath, Iliad squints and tries to focus enough, but occasionally, one eye or both get a bit blurry. “Shit!” she shouts, eyes finding the clock and seeing her shift had started, and she should be on the bridge ten minutes ago.

Strapped in uniform, Iliad speed walks her way to the bridge, stumbling over her feet once. Getting herself into the turbolift, Iliad leans her shoulder against the wall, reaching into her pocket for more medicine. Once the doors open, she quickly gets to her station. “S-Sorry Captain, I-I overslept.”

Smiling at Iliad, Pike faces her from his chair. “It’s all right Ensign, we all have a little trouble getting up every once in a while.”

“And you were sleeping like a rock so…” laughing Tilly trails off. Iliad goes to smile at the joke, but her mouth only moves halfway before falling. Going to focus on her work at the console, Iliad is about to move when everything is incomprehensible; she can’t recognize a thing happening at her workstation in front of her. Noticing her hesitance, Saru inquires, “Ensign, are you alright?”

“...Uh…Tilly, you came in my room?” Iliad decides to focus on making her fellow Ensign look up again. “Oh! Yeah, I came to tell you what happened but you off in dreamland muttering numbers.” furrowing her brows, Iliad shakes her head. “I don’t talk in my sleep?”

“Uh, yeah, you do! Trust me!” pushing herself up, Iliad asserts, “Tilly, I’ve never spoken in my sleep.” she starts to sway and holds onto the console, slurring “I was…muttering number…sss?” hearing her voice even Joann and Keyla turn back to see Iliad struggling to slightly keep her head up. Tilly explains what happened as Iliad winces at the pressure increasing on her head. “You were mutter 7-4-9-1-4-8 over and over again. I got curious and put it in the computer, only thing that came back was a planet called…” Pulling up her past search Tilly exclaims “Talos IV!”

“What?” whipping around at the name Pike stands “Talos IV? Are you certain Ensign?” Tilly nods, and Iliad faces Pike. “Si-Sir I wasn’t-I-I don’t know any Ta-Talos IV.” everyone has caught on that something is clearly not right. Taking a step toward Iliad, Pike motions a hand forward. “Iliad I want you to walk towards me in a straight line.” looking down, Iliad attempts to move her right foot forward, but nothing responds, so she ends up swaying awkwardly. “I…I…I-”

“Raise both your arms in the air for me.” Pike demonstrates carefully, and Iliad’s left arm goes up. Walking up to her, Pike picks up her right arm and drops it; it swings by her side. “You didn’t feel that?” Iliad shakes her head. Looking past her, Pike orders, “Someone call Sickbay to the bridge!” it’s at that moment that it’s as if all her medication has wore off, making Iliad’s physical body absolutely give out. Saru kneels down, instantly moving Iliad on her side, her chest heaving heavily as people stand in shock. Pike orders, “I need medics here yesterday! Detmer prepare to take us to warp.”

“What’s wrong with her!” Keyla shouts, gripping the back of her seat. Every was numb like your own horrible mind is just trapped inside a shell. “She’s having a stroke.” Saru identifies as the turbolift doors open, and Dr. Pollard and her team enter. Pike orders, “Hit it!”

The pain could compared to an ocean wanting to overflow but can’t. To a balloon wanting to pop but isn’t allowed. A sickening thumping and pressure where there’s no air left and you forget how to breathe. There was no one this time, no warm feeling, nothing assuring that she’d be okay; it was cold and lonely. The Red Angel comes in times of crisis. Iliad secretly begged for it to come again and take her home.

Chapter Text

Finally reaching their shuttle, Michael faces Vina and the Talosians. “Thank you for helping Spock. I’m pretty sure he would have died without your help.” offering a small smile, Vina sees the Talosians getting a bit impatient and leans into Michael. “You don’t want them to force payment. There isn’t much time.”

“I owe them my memory,” Michael recalls. Spock, mind straight and logical once more, distantly asserts, “I have shown her all the memories she needs to see.” knowing the divide between them currently is wide, Michael keeps it short. “Yeah, well…Now you have to share one of mine. That’s the price I agreed to for your recovery.” 

The Talosians close their eyes, once again their veins glowing as they delve inside Michael’s memories. Outside Ambassador Sarek’s estate, a child Spock rushes after an equally young Michael. “Michael, wait. Where are you going?”

“Spock, I’m a danger to your family.”

“Our family.” the young Spock fights. “No!” facing him, young Michael explains, “There are too many Vulcans who don’t want humans living here. Father knows the Separatists aren’t gone. They’ll come back and attack your home.”

“Our home! We’ll fight them together!”

The young Michael slowly shifts to the Michael of the present, remembering everything she said, eyes brimming with tears. “It’s better this way. You deserve to grow up somewhere safe.”

“Safe” is a reactive construct.” the child yells back at her. “Safe” has inconsistent meanings-”

“Stop it! I am going!”

“Then I’m going with you!”

“I don’t want you with me! Don’t you understand that!”

“You are my sister…” Young Spock morphs into the present Spock, recalling that saying, “You…You are helping the human part of me learn to-”

“The human part of you is so small, it won’t make a difference in your life. Why can’t you get it through your head? I don’t want a freak like you as a brother-”

“But I love you!”

“Love? You’re not capable of love.”

“I am!”

“No, you are not! You are Vulcan! And you will always be cold and distant, like a moon somewhere! You’re not worth my effort!” as she pushes past him to run away, Spock calls, “But you promised to teach me the ways of Earth. That maybe we’d live there one day-”

“Don’t you get it? I don’t want you in my life. Stop following me! You weird, little half-breed!”

Both of them gasp, starling out of the memory. Michael swallows, shaking her head. “Spock, I didn’t mean-”

“I am aware you tried to sever our emotional connection, so I’d be less distraught by your absence.” he interrupts, acknowledging her actions as children. “A primitive tactic, but logical.”

“No, it was more than that. The logic extremists would’ve targeted our family as long as I was in that house. I did not want you to get hurt or killed.” Michael regrets it to this day: “But I should’ve tried something else. Anything else. Spock, I am so sorry.”

“And point, in fact, I am grateful.” Spock dismisses her apology: “Your words showed me how damaging my humanity could be.”

“No, your humanity was beautiful. I was a child.”

“You were a catalyst. In an attempt to escape emotion, to escape you, I fully submerged in logic. But my bedrock of logic, my constant, has always been time itself. And now, time has failed me. Logic has failed me. Emotion has failed me. I have nothing to build upon, yet build I must. This could be the defining moment for multiple civilizations, millions of lives, and I am not ready.” stepping closer, Michael tilts her head, wondering, “Are you more angry with me, or yourself?”

“Do not attempt to psychoanalyze me, Michael. Better minds than yours have tried and failed. Even my own mind, which claimed to be able to “read me by my eyebrows.” Michael’s eyes widen slightly at the bizarre statement. “Was that Alice?” 

“...Yes.”

“...What?...What is Alice?”  glancing away from Michael, not even Spock had a proper answer yet. Perhaps his own mind, yet she was unlike anything he had ever encountered, not allowing him to come to a full conclusion on “Alice.”

“What happened right before she fell?” Dr. Pollard quickly requires to know as she and Saru secluded themselves in a corner of Sickbay. However, his gaze couldn’t leave the Ensign, slipping in and out of consciousness while the medical team performs scans and administers basic procedures. “Commander Saru! Every second is valuable time!” the doctor reminds, making Saru rush through. “The Ensign was slurring her words, couldn’t understand her own work, difficulty walking, numbness in one side of her body-” adding the information to her notes on Pollard shakes her head. “All the symptoms lead to it looking like she’s having a stroke, but nothing in her scans supports it!”

“Meaning, Doctor?”

Handing Saru the PADD, Pollard explains as he watches a live feed of Iliad’s x-ray “Hemorrhagic stroke is when an artery in the brain leaks or ruptures.” she points to the wholly undamaged ring around Iliad’s brain “That’s intact. Ischemic stroke is when there is a clot blocking blood vessels from delivering oxygen to the brain, but there’s no clot!” wiping their face stressed and worried Pollard frowns “There’s a lot we don’t know about her biology, but even still it is impossible for her to be having a stroke. Yet it’s the only reasonable explanation.” taking the PADD she points to all the dark areas, slowly shifting “It’s like instead of something breaking or clotting something has been ripped out suddenly.”

“And we don’t have time to study what is plaguing the Ensign?”

“No! Even with Iliad’s briefer healing process, she’s deteriorating at an increasing pace.” she looks at Saru for orders; it was a horrible judgment call. Balling his fists, Saru commands, “We know it has similarities to having a stroke, so we will treat it as such first before moving into experimental medicine.” nodding, Pollard rushes over to her team. “You heard the Commander!”

Speeding through a tunnel at warp Discovery races to Talos IV. Bryce alerts, “Section 31 ship is hailing, sir.” Pike nods and motions to have it put on the screen. Leland appears not happy. “Pike, I know where you’re going.” not informed of the whole story, Pike keeps quiet; Leland commands, “Cut your engines immediately. That’s an order.”

“I’ll start following orders when you tell the truth,” snaps Pike back. “We know you had Michael and Spock. Did you not think I’d find out what you were gonna do before they both escaped?”

“And now you must know that the both of them are on Talos IV.” keeping face, Pike can only think that he didn’t know…he had no idea that Talos IV is where they went, but somehow Iliad did. “Last warning, Chris.” threatens Leland. The transmission ends, and it seems everyone shares the same thoughts: “Detmer, drop us in over Talos IV.” Pike orders, “Owo, the second we’re in range, scan for our people. Bryce, the second a medical update comes in on Ensign Iliad, report it to the bridge.” Discovery drops out of warp, followed by the Section 31 ship over Talos IV.

As Michael and Spock prepare to depart, Vina tilts her head, listening to the Talosians speak to her. “Discovery is in orbit along with another ship belonging to Section 31,” she states, making the two officers freeze. Michael’s jaw drops. “I never informed Discovery that we were here…How did they find us?”

“Got them, sir!” Joann reports. Pike rushes, “Beam them up, quickly.”

“Copy that, sir.” making speedy work of her station, Joann gets a lock. “Achieving lock and beaming them.” Tilly jumps in. “Sir! Section 31 has a lock on Burnham and Spock, as well.” Bryce shouts, “Leland again, sir!” gritting his teeth, Pike stands. “Put him on.”

“Pike!” Leland calls on camera, “Disengage your transporter beam. Immediately.”

“I can’t do that.”

“If one of us doesn’t let go, Burnham and Spock will be ripped apart, atom by atom. Is that what you want because that is exactly what’ll happen if you don’t disengage your transporter beam.”

“Mute screen,” orders Pike; he looks desperate, considering all his options. Suddenly, only to him, Vina appears, whispering in Pike’s ear, “Let your friends go-”

“Vina?”

“It’s the only way…Let them go…Let us all go. Trust me.” Pike nods as Vina fades behind him, and he orders, “Owo, disengage transporter.” Shiftingly hesitant, Joann still follows orders. Pike returns to the captain’s chair.

On the Section 31 ship, Leland smirks. “They’ve disengaged!” he announces, going to the transporter pad. “Beam them in, now!” in a golden light, Spock and Michael appear before him, strangely calm in demeanor. All officers train their phasers on the two as a remaining officer warps their ship away from Talos IV. Philippa sighs at Leland’s happiness. “You look exceptionally pleased with yourself. Aren't you surprised Pike gave up so easily?”

“Thank you for your insight. This time…I’ll do the talking,” he stresses before facing his two captives. “Welcome back, commander. What were you doing on Talos?” neither answer, so Leland steps closer. “This will go easier if you answer me, or it can go harder.”

“I beg to differ,” Michael smirks, looking at her brother. “Say goodbye, Spock.” facing Leland, Spock wears the Vulcan equivalent of his sister’s grin and gives him the Vulcan salute. “Goodbye, Spock.” Their images grow fuzzy and disappear in a haze, baffling everything in Section 31.

The golden light delivers Michael and Spock onto the transport pads of Discovery. Pike waits there with a smile. “Talosian projection.” he guesses, making Michael grin as well. “Captain.” Recalling mission protocol, Michael starts, “Spock and I should report to Sickbay before we brief, correct?” With a smile falling, Pike puts up a hand to stop her. “I’d wait on Sickbay for now…They’re currently dealing with a crisis of their own.”

“What crisis, sir?” biting his lip, Pike sighs out, “Ensign Iliad.” he starts, “She-” Michael didn’t wait for a second word, nothing; she bolted from the transporter room. Running as fast as she can to try and get to Sickbay. Spock and Pike hot on Michael’s heels.

“There must be something else you can do!” shouts Saru, being held back out of Sickbay by one of the nurses. “Sir, Dr. Pollard is doing everything she can, but we must consider-”

“Consider what?” he exclaims as Michael slides into view. “Giving up!” with a panicked face, Michael asks, “W-What’s happening? Where is she!” jogging up to them, Dr. Pollard attempts to keep them all from rushing her patient. “We’re…We’re trying.”

“Dr. Pollard, update!” asks Pike. Letting out a sigh, Dr. Pollard is dreading the current moment when Tilly and Paul are seen to be rushing up to the group as well. Pike asks again, “Dr. Pollard?”

“...We’ve done everything we can-”

“No!” dismisses Michael, trying to push through where another nurse has to come and hold the group back, leaving the patient unattended. Pollard stresses, “We have no idea what’s wrong with her! She’s dying! We can’t do anything else!” a wave of protest and objections, yelling and tears, and one face just staring through it all.

Spock ran with Pike and Michael, not expecting to see a familiar face, let alone this familiar face. A concoction of his mind and madness he would have never thought was an actual person unless she was lying right there before him…dying…his friend was dying. “Alice…” Spock whispers out under Paul’s shouts. “Iliad doesn’t die! She’s not dying!”

“...Iliad.” glancing at the crowd, Spock looks down the hall, spotting the secondary entrance into Sickbay. Clenching his jaw, he quickly moves away from the group and allows the doors to open for him, quickly rushing to the Sickbay station. A nurse turns, spotting him, “Sir, please step away!” before he can be stopped, Spock engages the protective field around the station. Pollard and her team return to try disengaging the field while the rest of the crew stares on. 

Spock leans over Iliad, her oxygen mask having been removed as a sign of declaring her dead. Reaching a hand to her neck, Spock feels no pulse, and yet he knows somewhere in her head she’s fighting. A hand reaches the left side of her face, a thumb on her chin, two fingers below her eye, two on her temple as Spock shuts his eyes. The shouting of others muting and warping as he declares, “My mind to your mind. My thoughts to your thoughts…”

He could recognize the landscape as an Earth city, the design and architecture known during its Second World War. The sky swirled in an awful white and stormy grey. Rubble and fallen debris everywhere. People run screaming as air raid sirens fire off in people's ears. A flash and a bang far off cause smoke to rise, another building to fall, people to duck, and the ground to shake.

“Iliad, come on!” 

Hearing the name, Spock whirls around, finding the one out-of-place thing, a Starfleet science vessel uniform and bright blonde curly hair. Getting pulled along a side street by a Vulcan, Iliad calls, “I want to go home, Aeneid!-”

“We have to run!” they interrupt, pushing her before themselves as a looming dark mass descends closer. “Go! Go!” Not planning on losing sight of them, Spock runs down the street after the duo. A giant flash sends all those in the side street tumbling to their backs into a central plaza. Pushing himself up with a heavy breath, Spock searches the area. “What about dad?” he hears Iliad shout, finding them standing by a fountain. “What about Oddie?” looking around, Aeneid spots a shelter and puts a hand on Iliad’s back to run them over. “Get inside, stay underground.” Shaking her head, Iliad grabs her sibling's arm. “What about you?”

“I will return.”

“Don’t leave me, please!” pushing her into the front of the tunnel, Aeneid orders, “Stay down!” before they run off. Everything slows down before rapidly speeding up, bombs dropping faster, buildings and people all being destroyed. Spock, set in at average speed, can see an approaching plane and rushes to the shelter, ducking beneath a large piece of the front of a building having covered up most of the entrance. 

The sound of crying reaches his ears. Knees curled to her chest and hands covering her head, Iliad lets out a cry as another quake rattles through the ground. “Iliad?” Spock starts causing her to lift her head, face instantly contouring to anger. Picking up a fallen rock, she chucks it at him. Spock ducks out of the way as she shouts, “Go away! Goodbye, remember!”

“...I did not-” But at the moment Spock did, “I did not mean to go-”

“But you did!” she calls back. “Friends…Friends don’t do that! Even imaginary friends don’t just leave!” Spock recalls he didn’t exactly leave, though choosing words attractive. Glancing back to the entrance and then to her, Spock concludes, “They don’t come back.” opening her mouth, Iliad can only choke out, “Nope!...And I’m gonna die in here.” kneeling before her, Spock shakes his head “That is not going to happen-”

“Let it.” she accepts with a far-off haze in her eyes. “My dad is gone, Odyssey is gone…I’m so tired-”

“You are not-”

“Look around.” Iliad motions with a sigh, “This is my crypt. Can’t you hear the plane?” they both look upwards as she finishes, “Gonna drop a bomb right on top of us.” jaw clenching Spock scans the area before spotting the small shelter entrance, leading down into a tunnel system “There.” he points out making Iliad shakes her head “I can’t.”

“You’ve done it before.” he urges, grabbing her arm to move quickly. “You’ve gone down the rabbit hole before.” ripping her arm away, Iliad calls back, “I can’t go down again!” getting frustrated, Spock yells, “Why not?”

“Cause I’ve gotten lucky!” Iliad screams, “How do I know that if I go down, I’ll come back up again!” hand sliding down her arm, Spock squeezing her hand. “Because you will.”

“But how do you-”

“Because I will bring you back up again.” making this promise, Spock could only do so much on his end. “Please, let me in.” Looking at him, Iliad doesn’t understand, but she thinks she can trust him. Letting go of Spock, she slides into the entrance of the dark hole, hands on either side holding her as she takes a deep breath. “Down the rabbit hole.” and let's go.

Spock opens his eyes, letting his hand soften on Iliad’s face when her eyes fly open. Coughing out, she struggles to take a breath. Spock reaches over, getting the oxygen mask back over her mouth. Breath returning to normal, Iliad peers over at him, brows furrowing intently. She was awake, right? So then, how could her imaginary friend be standing before her. Nodding to this confusion, Spock states, “Everything will be explained.” Disengaging the field, Spock takes a step back. Dr. Pollard glances between him and Iliad. “How did-”

“The patient should recover as normal.” Spock informs. Dr. Pollard has her team get back to work. Michael rushes over. “What did you do?” she asks. Spock looks over at Iliad’s friends before looking back at her. “When the Talosians reordered my mind, they had also severed my connection with “Alice” who you know as Iliad. Until moments ago, I had assumed she was a personification of my illogical state. When the connection was severed the Talosians healed what would have been a tear in my mind, Iliad did not gain that same treatment so I have given it to her.”

“Given her what?” asks Paul. Then Michael realizes, “You shared your katra with her, you put a soul graft over her tear. You’re bonded to her.” Happy that Iliad is okay, Tilly wonders, “Although really nice, why would you do that?” Taking a moment, Spock opens his mouth but stalls; he then answers simply: “Because...she is my friend.”

Chapter Text

It was the first time Iliad hadn’t woken up with a headache or been ripped away from a pleasant dream. It was gradual, calming, and peaceful as she slowly sits up. Pulling her knees up, Iliad rests her weight forward, glancing around her quarters to find the bed on the other side of the room. Eyes widening, Iliad springs from her bed and grabs her chair, dragging it into the closet space and lifting the vent grate. Her Aveiatas was as she left it, ensuring Iliad her worst fears weren’t true.

A nice hot shower helps chase away those worries, giving her clarity. Strapping her badge to her shirt, the Starfleet science officer uniform materializes on her body. Lifting one foot on her bed she straps on her boots as the door slides open.

Slightly surprised at seeing Iliad up and about, Spock stalls in the doorway. Seeing him, Iliad straightens up “...Hi.” Spock responds, “Hello.” 

“How long have I been out?”

“Two days.” Spock was calm, which makes Iliad skeptical. She motions to the world around them, “And nothing happened in those two days?”

“Admiral Cornwell came aboard.”

“Anything else besides that?”

“No.” at the answer, Iliad crosses her arms. “Well, that’s a first.” The conversation is easy one second and awkward the next, although neither has been raised to acknowledge it, so they’re forced to simmer in it. Iliad starts, “…I don’t know your name.” walking forward, Spock holds out his hand. “I am Lieutenant Commander Spock of the USS Enterprise.” shaking his hand, Iliad lets out a slight scoff at how ironic everything seems to become. “Of course, you are.” raising a brow, Spock states, “I am afraid I do not understand what you mean-”

“It’s just out of all the people I’d be….connected to…of course, it ends up being just who we’re looking for.” gaining this new understanding, Spock agrees. “Yes, that is ironic.”

“...I’m Iliad.”

“Yes, I know.” at the bluntness, Iliad lets out a small laugh. It’s been a little bit since she’s talked to a Vulcan face-on; she recalls how much she appreciates the full-on honesty. Spock motions to the bedspread on the opposite side of the room, “I hope you do not mind. Dr. Pollard suggested I be assigned to your room.” Iliad’s smile vanishes. “Dr. Pollard suggested?”

“The more time we spend in proximity to each other the faster the tear on your mind will heal-”

“You soul grafted me?!” she exclaims when it hits her halfway through. “I mean.” she starts, not wanting that to be her reaction. “I mean thank you. I’m really grateful I…” She didn’t understand why, but that suddenly feels like too personal of a question to ask. If it wasn’t for Spock, she’d be dead. Hearing a beep, Iliad picks up her personal PADD. “I’m gonna…I better get to work,” she states, stepping past Spock to her door. “Are you quite certain you are ready to return to work?” asks Spock, stopping Iliad. Turning, she shrugs, “I feel great. By all means…come along, I guess.”

Tapping a device to each circuit connecting the spore drive to the reaction cube, Paul mutters, “Come on, which one of you is missing from my spore drive?” Looking over at him from the protection of the signals in front of her, Michael assures, “You’ll find it.” The doors to Engineering open, making Michael and Paul move away from their stations. Paul runs up first, “Iliad!” accepting his hug. Iliad smiles, “Hey guys.” Michael patiently waits for her turn before wrapping Iliad in a tight squeeze. “How are you doing, Wonderland?”

“Good!” nodding, Iliad takes a breath. “Really good.” and then gets right into it. “Where are we at with the Red Angel.” knowing the feeling of wanting things to return to normal, Michael leads Iliad to her station to look over the protection of the seven signals. Tapping the screen, Michael highlights two of the signals “We know of two occasions on which a signal was followed by the appearance of the Red Angel.” Iliad recounts “The asteroid mission and Kaminar.”

“But a signal appeared by itself over Terralysium.”

“And there was no signal.” begins Spock coming up beside Iliad and swiping the screen to show a view of the Red Angel “When the Angel appeared to me as a boy. Or when it reappeared to share its visions.” Michael glances at Iliad, who wears the “we can talk about it later” look as Spock finishes, “Perhaps there is a significance in them we have yet to understand. Is the Angel using these signals or the other way around?”

“Your vision has to contain something to help us understand what the Angel wants.” figures Michael, Spock states, “I told you, I believe it wants to warn us, nothing more.” Pausing her movements over the console, Iliad finds that to be a load of bullshit, considering this “Angel” has done nothing but meddle in her life. Spock recites on the matter “Nen ihomek i skavdu tsifuzin.”

“You are tending a plant that is dead?” Iliad translates, turning her conflicting gaze on Spock before joking with Michael, “Because why of all the languages to choose to be grim in would you choose Vulcan?” she exasperates, making them laugh. Curiously Spock peers down at her “You know Vulcan?” 

From across the room, Paul chimes into the conversation, “Iliad knows more languages than you could ever hope of learning. Dubbed by the Admiral the “Tower of Babel”!” picking up a PADD, Michael tells Spock, “It’s true. It’s in her file.” Getting back to the topic at hand Spock interrupts “My priority is to understand why, of all sentient beings, the Angel chose to communicate with me. It showed me an apocalyptic future. How I’m meant to prevent that from occurring is something I cannot logically reconcile.” And just like that, all the fun that was being had is sucked into the vast void that is space. Spock picks up a spare PADD, gathering information off of it. Iliad takes a step back, the room feeling a lot smaller than it actually is. “You know what, maybe I should go got the bridge. I’m actually assigned to Sphere project, so I’ll go work with Airiam on that.” she begins to leave making Spock address this “Oh, I should request to Captian Pike that you be moved to the Red Angel case then.”

Michael freezes, glancing between Iliad and Spock. Paul stopped working entirely a few minutes ago to simply watch. And Iliad turns from her place on the first step stating, “But…But I like working on the Sphere project.”

“Interesting.”

“...Why?”

“I suspect your skillset is being wasted on that.” 

Softly, Michael warns, “Spock-”

“My skillset?” Iliad fishes for her grip on the railing, intense to the point where Paul can notice a slight shaping in the metal. Spock turns his PADD around to show her file “Your special classification falls under the field of relative quantum mechanics, which pertains more importantly to the Red Angel case than the Sphere.” Pressing her hands together and holding two fingers to her lips, Iliad stresses, “You pulled up my file?”

“I did what I found to be most efficient.”

“...You could have also just asked-”

“Okay!” calls Michael, setting down her PADD and putting herself as a wall between the two. “Wonderland, why don’t you head to the bridge while I talk to my brother.” Spock starts, “But we-”

“Gladly!” calls Iliad dashing out of Engineering as fast as she could. Michael motions for Spock to follow her. “Come on.” he queries. “Where are we going?”

“To play some chess.”

Happy to get some space, Iliad runs a hand through her hair after getting on the turbolift. She lifts one arm up to squeeze her other. It was weird; she knew Spock, yet they were complete strangers, having never met before. Bowing her head, Iliad shakes her head, deciding she’ll figure out the conundrum later as the doors open.

Turning in his seat, Pike beams a smile. “Ensign Spealist Iliad on the bridge!” he announces. Jumping from her seat Keyla runs over, catching Iliad off guard in a bone, gripping up “Never scare me like that again!” holding her arms, Iliad jokes, “You know me, I can’t make promises.” Keyla doesn’t laugh. “No, you’re making this promise!”

“Okay.” they both laugh as Saru interjects, “You are certain you wish to return to work so soon?”

“He’s right.” adds Tilly giving Iliad a side hug as they walk over to her station. “You had a freakin’ stroke. You sure you don’t want to take it easy.” shaking her head rapidly, Iliad begs, “That’s the last thing I want to do.”

“If that is the case.” they all turn as Airiam and Nhan, an officer from the Enterprise, both enter back from the science lab. Airiam continues, “We are working on breaking a continually changing key encryption for the Section 31 base. It is almost as if the system knows we are trying to crack it and changed its tactics.” jogging forward, Iliad hugs Airiam. “You’re giving me work, and I love you.” with a cybernetic smile Airiam agrees “I love you as well.”

The two head over to Airiam’s station, and Iliad is happy to have actual, number-crunching, work to do. After a few minutes of peaceful work, Keyla reports, “Dropping us out of warp now, Captain.” the ship jolts to a stop at the scattered mines around the spire-like structure making up the Section 31 headquarters. A haunting view makes everyone freeze. “Mr. Bryce…open a channel.” Pike struggles through “Tell Section 31 that Starfleet’s most wanted vessel is here.”

“Captain.” calls Joann “Sensors show all mines are fully armed.” Bryce chimes in, “No response to our hails, Captain.” letting out a hum, Admiral Cornwell pops a hand on her hip. “They must be too busy planning the welcome party.” looking over at her, Pike asks, “Are you sure you can get us through these defenses?”

“I wouldn’t risk it otherwise.” with this, Pike stands to offer his seat, but Cornwell stops him “My mission, still your ship.” and with a laugh, he sits back down. Cornwell swipes up on her screen. “Lieutenant Detmer, sending the route to you now.” on Detmer’s monitor, a red dotting path appears as Cornwell remembers, “One other thing I should mention. The shields will have to be down.” trying not to look like they’re eavesdropping the crew holds their stiffened bodies frozen. Pike asks, “Why?”

“The mines are attracted to them.”

“Nothing’s ever easy.” with a heavy sigh, Pike orders, “Lower shields and take us closer.” shaken Joann follows the order, and Keyla brings the ship in closer, keeping a steady hand, following along the red dotted line given to her. Back at Airiam’s station Iliad opens her mouth to whisper something but sees Airiam has ceased her work, fingers shaking above the screen. Reaching over, Iliad takes her hand, getting Airiam to look at her, smiling Iliad offers a squeeze assuring that Keyla’s got this, she trusts her friends completely.

Taking another one of Spock’s pieces, Michael lets out a sigh. Her quarters were quiet and an ideal place to play three-dimensional chess. She finally points out “If there’s a logical reason to sacrifice your rook, I fail to see it.” Spock fights. “Perhaps I simply dislike rooks.”

“Perhaps…you’re trying to lose.”

“An odd supposition given that I am a willing participant in the game.” narrowing her eyes at this Michael moves another piece and takes Spock’s second rook “Sarek taught me a more elegant strategy the first day I played.”

“There are other strategies that our father, in his single-mindedness, chooses to ignore.” reaching out, Spock moves one of his knights down a board, the move he gains Michael’s curious look. “I think our father would be disappointed in your lack of effort, don’t you?” she asks before taking another one of Spock’s pieces. Unphased Spock concludes, “I disappoint him, he disappoints me, the sun sets, a new day begins.”

“Oh, you’re a philosopher now.”

“And you’re a human, and you cannot presume to know Sarek’s mind.” raising a brow, Michael waits for Spock’s next move before she promptly makes her placement of choice, stating “The next logical move would be for your knight to take my pawn.” ignoring this Spock slides another piece agonizingly slow, Michael’s had enough “Seriously, what are you doing?”

“Disrupting your expectations.”

“I’m trying to help you, Spock.”

“I do not need your help, Michael.”

“Our Captain!” she reminds standing with a glare. “Says you do. You are one of…one of the only ones.” she corrects. “Who has had contact with the Red Angel. You said you don’t understand why it chose you. That’s where we need to start. And logic will help.”

“I understand now. If only I’d taken your pawn, the mystery would be solved.”

“I refuse to take this posturing seriously. It’s entirely out of character.”

“We’ve not seen each other in years. You’ve no foundation for judging my character-”

“I have plenty of foundation. From running down rabbit holes to the markets of Ancient Greece, fields of literal dreams-” Standing instantly, Spock demands, “How do you know about that?” smugly Michael reveals, “Iliad told me.” she can clearly see his jaw tense at this and to avoid it Spock says “My perception of reality was challenged by visions from a time-traveling entity. Who should help me but you, of course. After all, the entire Klingon War was your doing.”

“No.” Michael snaps back. Spock pushes on, “Even your parents’ death was your responsibility.”

“Stop it!”

“If only you hadn’t asked to watch a star become supernova. But you’re wise to blame yourself. Children should know when a warfarin race will attack without warning. Perhaps you could have done something. A child fighting a Klingon- those are excellent odds.”

Stepping up to Spock’s face, Michael seethes, “Shut up!” Spock stares dead in her eyes. “You were trapped on the other side of a door, Michael. You could not stop any of it. You could not save them. It is unreasonable for you to believe otherwise, yet you do. As you believed you could save my family from logic extremists when in truth they despised us because of me.” he asserts, calling himself “…the half-human abomination. Your presence was beside the point.”

Shaking her head, Michael swallows hard. “Whatever point you’re trying to make, you’re failing.”

“Then let me be clear. You avoid reality because it is easier for you to shoulder burden than to face unimaginable grief.” after a beat of Spock’s words, Michael turns to leave but stops herself, needing to say, “I thought this could be a new start for us. I really did. Clearly, I was wrong.” Spock agrees. “Yes, you were. We will never relate as equals so long as you attempt to assume every burden as yours alone.”

“Since we’re being honest with each other, you need to stop taking whatever this is out on me…and on Iliad.” she presents as a new possibility, making Spock glance off for a second, “I do not know what you’re talking about.” scoffing dramatically Michael crosses her arms “You want to talk to me about facing reality how about you face yours? You treat her like she’s still a figment of your imagination because you’re angry with yourself at what happened!”

“There is nothing to identify!” shouts back Spock. “I am angry, pure and simple!”

“If you hadn’t taken us to Talos IV your minds wouldn’t have been separated! Iliad wouldn’t have had a stroke! You put the burden of her possible death on your shoulders!”

“She is alive!” Spock screams back, making Michael teeter back as he goes on, “There is no responsibility to burden my conscious with! I simply, for the first time, enjoy expressing emotion!” with one hand, he knocks the chess board off the table, it flies against the wall, and the plastic breaks on impact. Heaving deep breaths, Spock slides past Michael and storms out.

“Ensign Iliad? Have you decrypted those messages yet?” Pike asks, trying to distract them from their current course through the minefield. The turbolift doors open as Michael walks on, stalling at the sight on the viewscreen. Iliad reports, “Moving as fast as we can, sir.”

“Captain!” calls Rhys. “We have a problem incoming. Blade Mines. They’ll slice the hull like cheese.” Saru jumps in. “It appears someone is guiding them directly towards us.” Admiral Cornwell shakes her head, scanning her PADD. “That shouldn't be possible.”

One mine flies at Discovery and starts to drill into one of its saucers. Rushing back to his seat, Pike orders, “Shields up. Red alert.” clicking on the comms, he announces to the whole ship, “This is your Captain…brace for a bumpy ride.” Discovery jolts violently as more blades come in contact with its metal. Joann calls “Shields holding at ninety percent!”

“Begin evasive maneuvers. Pattern lambda ten.” Keyla acknowledges the order, “Yes, sir!” and takes back control of the helm. Iliad turns her head to look at the viewscreen, and at that moment, Airiam’s head jerks, eyes glitching red for a split second before she says, “You should go help now.” facing her, Iliad furrows her brows. “You sure?”

“Yes, they need you.”

“...If you’re sure.” Iliad checks before jogging over to her and Saru’s shared workstation. Another jolt causes Iliad to grip the console. “I can’t shake these blades, Captain!” calls Keyla. “Whoever’s controlling them seems to be anticipating our moves!”

“Switch to pattern gamma four! Hang on to something!” gripping what’s closest to them, everyone does so as best they can. Discovery does an unexpected barrel roll through the minefield and swerves onto its side. A beep comes back on the Admiral’s PADD, making Cornwell pale. “Someone reprogrammed the mines. I can’t shut them off.” Pike commands, “Mr. Bryce, contact Starfleet Command. Tell them to order Section 31 to stand down.”

Attracted to the engaged field, mines explode along its surface, rattling the entire crew aboard. Black-out mines screw with Keyla’s navigation leaving her to completely fly blind. Joann reports in a panic, “Sheilds down to forty-one percent!” Bryce calls, “No response from Starfleet!”

“Keep trying!” instructs Pike “Lieutenant Detmer-”

“I’m trying my best, Captain!”

“Not good enough! This isn’t a game!” hearing this, Michael pauses. “Wait!” she calls, getting Pike and Cornwell’s attention. “What if it is? If the mines are reprogrammed, they’re being guided by a computer. And like a game, after a few moves, it anticipates what we’ll do. We need to introduce randomness and chaos, sir!” a jolt shakes the ship, and Pike calls, “Detmer, trust your training! You can do this! We need an evasive pattern!”

“Keyla!” calls Iliad. “Beta nine!” taking the recommendation, Discovery suddenly is sent into a dive before rolling over itself. Kelya shouts, “Give me another!” Iliad names “Pi alpha two!” Discovery turns on its side for the mines to have a low impact on its underside. Shaken by another blast, Iliad digs her feet into the ground, giving Keyla a final shout, “Delta seven!” Drifting close to the space station, Discovery slows to a stop, the mines behind it following suit. Everyone wears a relieved look, waiting for anything, if anything else, to happen. Rhys lets out a sigh. “Mines are moving away from us, Captain.”

Pike nods. “Injuries?” Joann reports, “Five, sir. All from the engine room. No casualties.”

“Damage report?”

“Warp and impulse engines are inoperable, sir.” gravely states Keyla. “It’s as if we were targeted.”

“Sir!” calls Bryce. “We’re being hailed by Section 31. It’s Admiral Patar.” knowing the fugitive state of the vessel, Admiral Cornwell puts a hand out, stopping Pike from giving orders. “Get a team prepared and on that base first. Then we answer.” he nods. “Understood.” standing, Pike glances around. “We need a select team of our most tech-savvy crew.” he faces the right side of the bridge. “Airiam, Iliad, you’re both up.”

Glancing at each other, Iliad and Airiam share a nod before stepping up to the captain’s chair. “Aye, Captain!” Pike turns. “Burnham, what do we know?” on the viewscreen, scans of the base are shown to outline the duo’s mission: “Power and life support systems are disabled everywhere except for the Data Center where Control is located. So you’ll have to beam over in EV suits.” turning over her shoulder Iliad asks Cornwell “How many guards should we expect?”

“I haven’t been on the site since before the war. Your is as good as mine but I understand you both have combat qualifications so I’m confident. Airiam your primary goal is to restore my access to Control.” meeting both of their eyes, Cornwell wishes, “Good luck.” 

“Great!” exclaims Paul at the power outage of Engineering. “Now there’s a power short on top of everything else!” he rambles while turning on a flashlight. Jumping when Spock’s voice reminds Paul of his presence, “This makes my work impossible. And I am not being hyperbolic when I say the future of the galaxy is at stake.”

“Well unless I can reroute power to the adjacent conduit, isolate the corruption, fix it and the spore drive, we’re all gonna get arrested…so.” Paul motions an arm for Spock to come on over and at least try to lend a hand. Picking up a spare flashlight, Paul tosses it, catching it Spock contends, “A fair point.” and follows Paul back over to his sparking station. “This is what happens when you move my Ensign to the bridge! God I got to get Iliad transferred back here, she’d get it all running in thirty minutes, maybe less.” Looking over the damage, Spock picks up a tool from the tray and uses it on the wiring. Paul hums “I didn’t know you knew anything about electrical.”

“I have many talents.”

“So…Did Burnham’s idea help? Did you figure out why the Red Angel chose you?”

“...No. I have examined it from countless angles, yet I remain an illogical choice.”

“Well, have you thought about what makes you unique?” offers Paul. Spock picks out the obvious attribute “I am half-human. Unusual, but there are others like me. I can think of nothing else.” holding his flashlight to shine on Spock’s working hands, Paul theorizes, “If I were a Red Angel traveling through time, I’d plan my mind-melding strategy pretty carefully. Wouldn’t just choose a random Vulcan. Keep trying. You’ll figure it out. Here!” he exclaims. “I’ll start you off! Another thing could be that you’re very resilient.” Spock arches a brow as he flips a switch, the lights turning back on. “I fail to believe you know me well enough to call me resil-”

“We’re connected to Iliad’s mind for extended periods of time…You are resilient!” hearing her name, Spock can’t help but think back to Michael’s proposal for a portion of his anger. It made no sense why he would hold onto guilt for an event that had been rectified. Spock looks to Paul. “You know Iliad well…in our earlier conversation, did it seem like-”

“She was about to rip the railing off and knock you over the head with it?” Paul fills in, answering, “Yeah!” at Spock’s lack of response, Paul’s mouth falls open a bit. “And you’re confused why?”

“Yes.”

Putting down his flashlight, Paul leans on his workstation to stress, “Caring about someone is hard when it doesn’t go both ways-”

“I never said I did not care-”

“The way you’re treating her is saying something different. Because Iliad feels like she owes you,” tries to explain Paul. Spock hums, “I have shared my katra with her; she is alive. There is no need for anything to be owed.” letting out a sigh, Paul walks around his station. “But it’s not just that, it’s everything you’ve indirectly helped her through, guilt, fear, loss.” hearing this, Spock is brought back to the memory Iliad was focused on in her dying moments, another time in which she thought she believed she was undoubtedly dead. A moment in which she was left alone when she lost someone.

A golden glow delivers two EV suits into a dark and damp corridor. Iliad and Airiam share a nod before raising their pistol phasers and beginning to toe their way forward. Through the open comm link, Iliad reports, “Captain, still no life signs, and gravity is out.”

“Please be careful. Standing by to beam you out.”

Using the attached flashlight Iliad points her phaser at the walls, taking note of the harsh layer of frost that coats the entire structure. Stopping, small round drops float as they turn into another corridor, red in color. “That’s frozen blood.” Iliad shares before asking, “Discovery, confirm visuals on EV suits?”

“We see you both in the corridor, Ensign.”

“We’re seeing clear signs of a struggle.” she narrates as they continue following the blood. “Looks like someone was trying to pry these doors open, or keep them from shutting.”

“Any sense of who was fighting whom?”

“Not yet.” the two push on, with Airiam lagging behind for a second, and in that split second, her eyes flash red again. They enter a larger chamber, jumping when their lights shine on floating, frozen bodies. Airiam wonders, “What do you think killed them?” Iliad shakes her head, moving to a panel. “Really good question. Let’s see…” she draws out, tinkering with a few wires. “If I can get life support…online!” a spark fire.s, causing her to step back before the station’s lights power back up and the frozen bodies thump to the floor with gravity and life support running again. “At least four dead.” Iliad counts. “But I’m guessing there’s more. We got gravity and atmosphere restored.” holstering their weapons for a second, Airiam and Iliad use their free hands to deactivate their helmets, folding them back into their EV suits. 

Kicking a piece of metal, Iliad kneels down to wipe the frost from the badge. “These are Admiral’s.” she realizes, Airiam adds, “Biometric data indicates the victims died at least two weeks ago.”

“Are you certain.”

“Yes.”

“Okay…then we have a problem.” Iliad mutters, pointing across the room to the frozen body of Admiral Patar. The same Admiral Patar hailed the ship before Iliad and Airiam went to prepare for the mission. 

On Discovery, Pike stands slowly from his seat. “If she’s dead, who the hell was I talking to?” raising a hand, Saru offers, “I believe I can answer that question. As you know, all living begins have a heat signature, which changes in high-stress situations. When Admiral Patar’s authority was challenged, I should have seen a change in her signature, but I did not…As she was a hologram, I now understand why.” working the video on his console, Saru brings up the evidence of Spock’s escape and supposed murder. “Here is the evidence against Mr. Spock. In ultraviolet.” the video turns into a terminal image remaining unchanged “No changes despite the violent attack. This, too, is a hologram. Which can only mean Section 31 framed Mr. Spock. Control was programmed to create this evidence. After killing the admirals, it used the same skill to create Admiral Patar.” whipping his face, it dawns on Pike, “We’re fighting the system itself.”

“Which would explain why Admiral Cornwell was locked out. Control could also be blocking our transmissions to Starfleet Command.” at Saru’s assessment, Cornwell wonders, “Then why would it allow us to send a team onto the station?”

“I don’t think it’s a team it wants,” Tilly speaks up from her place at Airiam’s console, reviewing a few left-up files. “I think it wants something from Airiam.” Facing her higher-ranking officers, Tilly swallows, “Airiam downloaded all of her archived data, all of her memories onto Discovery. None of it is in her head anymore, those memories meant everything to her.” Pike orders, “Find out what she downloaded in their place. Lieutenant Bryce, open a secure channel to Iliad only.”

“I don’t get it.” mutters Iliad, studying Admiral Patar. “What causes an entire station to deliberately malfunction.”

“Ensign specialist Iliad.” Bryce suddenly comes in over her comms, making Iliad stand. “You’re on with the Captain.”

“What is Airiam doing?” Pike asks. Iliad glances at Airiam’s place at the central panel “Trying to restore Admiral Cornwell’s access to Control.”

“No, she’s not. Stop her. Now!”

Facing Iliad, Airiam’s head jerks, eyes going red for that split second and Iliad doesn’t miss it this time. “Airiam?” she says. Drawing her phaser on Iliad, Airiam fires, making Iliad go to her knees to dodge. “Airiam, it’s me!”

Pike shouts, “Commander Airiam, stand down! That is an order!”

Iliad jumps up, elbowing the phaser out of Airiam’s grip getting a punch to the gut, and sending her into the wall and her own phaser to the floor. Rushing forward, Airiam attempts to kick her in the chest, but Iliad moves out of the way, slamming into Airiam’s back to pin her to the wall. “Airiam! It’s me! Iliad! Your friend!”

“AH!” pushing herself off the wall, Airiam spins on one foot sending Iliad to the floor. Standing again, Iliad sees the previously locked doors now open when life support went online. One foot back, Iliad takes off barreling into Airiam, shoving her into the corridor before hitting the emergency close button. The force is so harsh it disables the camera to Iliad’s EV suit. Chest heaving, Iliad demands to know, “What is happening?!”

“Airiam has been compromised!” Pike informs, “Something’s controlling her through her augmentation.” Tilly runs to the bridge's center. “Sir, do you remember the Sphere? It was dying. It had a lot of data?”

“I was there. Get to the point.”

“Okay, well the messages to Section 31- they contained data from the Sphere. That’s the data that Airiam downloaded before leaving.”

“So then what information did she bring over?” Iliad asks, keeping her eyes on Airiam as she bangs at the door. Tilly shuffles in place. “All the information the Sphere has ever collected on artificial intelligence.”

“Why would Control want AI data?” Cornwell asks, and Saru proposes, “A strategic advantage, perhaps. That Sphere collected data from countless civilizations over hundreds of thousands of years.” Pike realizes, “That much knowledge…Whatever the problem, you could never outthink it. It would always win. It wants to think, to evolve. It’s a roadmap for Control to become fully conscious. When it does…” The Red Angel’s warnings become clear at that moment “It can destroy all other sentient life in the galaxy.”

“Um that’s not all Airiam uploaded.” Tilly shares, “She uploaded Iliad’s file…recordings, personal logs, everything.” Iliad and everyone on the bridge take a collective pause. Unknowing to Pike and Cornwell, if Control had access to all of Airiam’s knowledge, then Control knows about Iliad, the Khronos Union, and time travel. Turning on her heel, Iliad rushes to the main panel Airiam was working at. “I’ll delete whatever she managed to upload-” The doors close in front of it, Iliad bangs her fist in frustration. “It’s locked me out!”

“Can you get the doors to open?” Pike wonders. Iliad shakes her head, abandoning the main panel for a side one accessible within the room. “I’ll backdoor it through a side panel but it’ll take a bit more time!” hearing the banging stops, Iliad glances over to see Airiam having an open panel as well “Uh, she’s trying to open the door manually!”

“We can’t let her do that.” states Pike, where Tilly mutters, “Maybe I could…Maybe I-”

“If you have any ideas.”

As Iliad works to get into the main system and stop the upload, she has an idea: “Tilly if you get can through to Airiam and get her back I know a way to block Control from her systems.” hearing this, Tilly nods and asks Bryce, “Open a channel to Airiam, please?” taking a few steps in front of the viewscreen Tilly swipes a PADD “Airiam, hi! It’s Tilly! Uh, just a friendly reminder that you saved every memory you ever had with me. I think that’s because you adored me. And I adore you, too.” clicking on the PADD Tilly announces “I’m gonna send you something.”

In her eyes, Airiam sees her memories. Eating in the mess hall and laughing with Tilly, Keyla, Joann, and Iliad. “Whatever this thing is making you do, this is not who you are.” Walking Discovery’s halls and getting kind greetings from everyone she passes, “You are a Starfleet officer. You’re an amazing colleague, and you are a great friend. And also, like, the best Kadis-kot player I’ve ever seen. And I should know. I won regionals when I was, like, ten.” All those hours working with Iliad to sift through the incredible knowledge that the Sphere held for them to discover “Airiam, this is not you. Please. You know Iliad, she’s your friend. Airiam, I know you can hear me!”

“I can hear you, Tilly!” hearing Airiam’s voice Iliad turns back to see Airiam’s eyes pleading with her’s through the frosted door. “But I cannot stop myself. It’s overriding my primary motor functions. I was only able to transfer twenty-five percent of the AI data. Control needs me to finish.” Iliad only hits dead end after dead end, and when having enough slams the side panel closed before rushing over to Airiam, pressing her hands on the door. “Airiam! I have a way to help you okay!”

“Iliad, you have to open the airlock-”

“No, I don’t!” Iliad asserts before pressing on her comms, “Discovery! Two to beam back!”

“Belay that!” Pike calls as Spock and Paul enter onto the bridge. Iliad screams, “Michael, please!” she calls, “Beam me into my quarters if you have to!”

“I will unlock this door!” Airiam promises, “I will kill you! Finish my mission! Then I will destroy Discovery!” banging on the glass, Iliad screams, “Michael!” 

“Iliad.” states Spock standing by Michael. “There are only two logical options. You open the airlock or Commander Airiam kills us all.” Iliad slams on the glass. “There’s a third option! There is always a third option! I don’t care if it’s logical! Please, Michael, trust me!”  Taking a deep breath, Michael gives in. “I do!”

“Burnham-” Pike starts, but she’s already activated the transporter. In a golden light, Iliad is beamed straight into her quarters. Iliad grabs a chair and runs into the closet, locating her Aveiatas; Iliad plucks a specific part from it. “Beam me back!”

Again, Michael moves faster than Pike can scold her.

Reappearing, Iliad slams the emergency shut button again, and the door slides open. Waving her arms, Iliad calls, “Hey Control!” Airiam’s head snaps in Iliad’s direction. “Iliad, close the door!” she shouts, not in control of her own body. Iliad shakes her head. “Get the fuck out of Airiam! And hey! If you kill me you can just go back to downloading the info!” not taking the bait, Airiam’s body continues to work, so Iliad pulls out her phaser. “Okay…Airiam, I’m sorry!” and she fires. The shot hits Airiam in the shoulder, moving her but not damaging her “Iliad.” Airiam warns, and Iliad’s face falls in an instant. “Oh shit. Spock!”

“Yes?” she hears over her comms and starts to back up as Airiam’s entire body faces her. “With a soul graft we share pain only if it’s really really intense…right?”

“That is correct.”

“I’m not gonna dodge…so brace for impact.” before Spock can ask any questions, Airiam takes a running start before punching downward into Iliad’s gut. On the bridge, Spock doubles over, gripping onto the console for stability. Taking the chance while Airiam is bent over, Iliad slams her hand, holding the chip into the access port on the side of Airiam’s head. 

Freezing in place, Airiam’s head twitches, eyes flashing blue; with a gasping breath, Airiam stands straight in control of her own body again. “I’m…I’m back.” nodding Iliad grips her side “...I think you bruised a rib…I’m gonna sit down.” she wheezes, slowly lowering herself to the floor. Lulling her head, Iliad begs, “Please, beam us back now!”

“Everything is functioning normally.” Dr. Pollard signs off on Airiam before looking at her cot-mate, Iliad. A healing patch is placed over the right side of her torso, and Iliad smiles meekly, waiting to be scolded again. “Pike already scolded me!” she clarifies, and Pollard sighs. “Why do I even bother anymore. I am curious though Airiam is not only safe from Control but anything that is not her own operating system.”

“I was just wondering about that.” chimes in Saru, and he and Paul walk over. Iliad smiles at Airiam, “I took a part from my Aveiatas.” pointing, Paul recalls, “Isn’t that the thing you’re trying to fix, not damage more, to send a message to get you home.”

“The part I took is basically an impenetrable firewall. It makes sure throughout all time and space that nothing can hack it, Khronos Union channels only.” taking Airiam’s hand, Iliad assures, “You don’t have to worry about anything controlling you ever again.”

“Iliad.” Saru starts, “It seems like a chip like that is important to the device’s function.” shrugging, Iliad states, “It’s riskier to send a message without it but I already made the choice to not try anything until after we figured this whole Red Angel mess. Can’t exactly go to the future unless there’s a future to go to.”

“Good point!” pops Pollard signing Iliad out. “Okay, go get rest!”

“Aye, doc!” Iliad salutes, jumping to her feet and holding her side.

The doors to her quarters open, and Iliad stops at the sight of Spock, sitting cross-legged on his bed. Turning to the side, he sees her and instantly stands. “Iliad.” he greets, and she nods, “Spock.” The door closes behind her. Spock steps forward. “Do you require assistance?” waving a hand, Iliad moves past him. “Nah, I’m just gonna get changed and get in bed.”

As she’s out of the room, Spock sits back in his meditative position. Walking back in, Iliad pauses and sits on the edge of her bed “We’re not strangers.” she states without prompt. Spock agrees, “We are not.”

“Then why do you treat me like one?” Iliad asks before holding up her hands. “And before you say anything I have been debating if I should even have this conversation because it’s quite personal but considering you’ve been in my dreams I think we’re past personal.” she can even almost make out what might be a smile on Spock’s lip at the statement. Meeting her eyes, Spock reveals, “For a period of time I have had a sense of anger. Part of it was directed at the Red Angel case. The other part is, what I now recognize, as being responsible for your death.” Sitting back and crossing her legs, Iliad asks, “Spock what is the state of my being at this moment.”

“Alive.”

“Exactly, I’m alive. You fixed your mistake.”

“As Vulcan, I am not accustomed to mistakes.” letting out a breath, Iliad stands and moves to sit beside Spock. “As half human, you should get used to it. Think about how it is for me, fully human raised Vulcan. I make mistakes all the time.” raising a brow at her, Spock adds a condition, “Life threatening mistakes?” Spock's other eyebrow joins his raised one when Iliad hints, “You’d be surprised.” She can’t hold back a smile before standing. “Anyway if this arrangement isn’t gonna work out, you can always switch rooms.”

“That would be an inconvenience.” starts Spock as Iliad gets into bed. “As I would have to move all my stuff.” stopping on a dime, Iliad scoffs. “Stuff?” she points. “That’s a bedspread; a bedspread is not stuff.” flailing her arms at her shelves and trinkets, Iliad enforces, “This! This is stuff. And nice try I know you’re teasing me.” she finishes before laying down and pulling her blanket over her. Snapping his head, Spock’s mouth falls open. “How did you know?”

“Eyebrows!”

Taking his own turn to shake his head, Spock brings his legs up to a crossed potion as Iliad turns in her bed to look at him. “The Red Angel, you’ll figure it out, we all will.” Iliad could still see the smile plastered on his face, and staring at him, she finally recognized Spock and her Vulcan…as her friend. “Good night, Spock.” and he now knows he can let himself be her friend. “Good night, Iliad.”

Chapter Text

“Let’s start with everything we know.” Pike offers as he sits beside Admiral Cornwell at the head of the ready-room table. Sitting up, Airiam says what she remembers: “The AI is from the future. When it infected me, it forced me to copy some Sphere data into Section 31’s AI, Control. Now, I have come to understand is so Control could evolve. Iliad stopped me before I could finish.” Beside Ariaim, Iliad sinks in her seat as Cornwell asks, “How did the Section 31 program designed to eliminate threats become the threat?”

“Time travel.” Spock answers, “The one variable we cannot possibly predict is the future. And clearly that future AI is built on advanced technology we do not understand.”

“How do we stop it?”

“To the best of our knowledge.” Saru offers, “The future AI only infected Airiam and Control. Ensign Iliad and Dr. Pollard have confirmed that Airiam can no longer be breached. As for Control, it was used only by Section 31. We destroyed the station where Control was located. And per your suggestion, Admiral, we advised all Section 31 ships to run diagnostic tests. All came out clean.”

“AI’s smart.” Iliad suddenly pipes up with a sigh. “Wouldn’t be surprised if it sent itself off-station…Admiral, should I really be in this meeting?” leaning in, Cornwell asserts, “You and Airiam were charged with The Sphere project, an irreplaceable asset.” Spock adds, “We also do not know the reasoning for the AI to want to know more about you as it tried to also get Airiam to upload your file.”

“That is not all that I was being asked to upload,” Airiam reveals as she stands and puts an image of the Red Angel on the big screen in front of the table. “I found a code in my system, a file implanted by a digital parasite. The file is called Project Daedalus. Inside the file, I found a bio-neural signature of the Red Angel.” facing the group again, Airiam locks her view on Michael. “It is you, Michael.”

“What.” Iliad mutters this before Cornwell shakes her head: “We have to consider the source. Airiam, you were compromised. How do we know the AI didn’t plant that information to throw us off.” Spock defends, “I see no logic or strategic reason for Airiam to provide a false positive. If she had, it would’ve read too perfectly. It’s been taught to me recently that humans have a few neural, I believe the expression is, “wildcards” that anything artificially generated couldn’t replicate.” 

“We’re saying.” Pike holds up a hand to motion, “That Michael, our Michael Burnham, is gonna wake up one day and access time-travel technology that doesn’t exist yet and take it upon herself to save the galaxy?”

“That supposition fits her emotional profile rather precisely. Particularly her drive to take responsibility for situations often beyond her control.” at the breech of personal information shared, Michael glares at Spock. “Thank you for sharing that with the group, Spock.”

“We must also assume the cataclysmic events I foresaw when the Angel appeared to me are a result of Control evolving, achieving consciousness.”

“Let’s assume for a moment that I am the Red Angel. If I knew about an apocalypse, why wouldn’t I say so?”

“Why would you do a lot of things!” Iliad directs, a few picking up on the slightly hostile tone, “I wonder?”

“Iliad.” warns Saru, glancing at the curious looks from Pike, Cornwell, and Spock. Pressing her lips together, Michael asserts, “I haven’t done anything.”

“But you will.”

“Ensign!” calls Saru a final time. Iliad clenches her jaw tight as Saru stands and takes her arm. “Excuse us!” he finishes before taking them both from the room. Dragging her into a corridor, Saru states, “Care to elaborate on what just took place.” Throwing her arms out, Iliad strains, “How do you expect me to react when I find out that Michael is the one who takes me away from my family!” Saru puts his hands on his hips. “You forget that you are still in hiding.” Unable to meet Saru’s eyes, Iliad wonders, “Starfleet went against General Order One to offer you asylum. Why would it be different for me?”

“I have given you asylum, that is very different from Starfleet offering asylum.” Deep down, Iliad knew that; she also knew she was getting impatient. Every time something goes wrong, she drops everything to save the day with Discovery. Reaching forward, Saru wipes away a tear that Iliad didn’t even know was there before offering the lost girl a hug. Clinging to Saru, Iliad admits, “I miss them.”

“I know…You helped me reunite with my family and I swear to get you back to yours.”

“This is the Red Angel.” presents Paul, pulling up the holo-imaging as Philippa stalks it with hungry eyes. “The suit that lets someone travel through time via micro-wormholes. But wormholes are inherently unstable, so the Angel needs to hold them open, or she won’t be able to get home again-”

“I’m here!” Iliad calls and rushes down the stairs before her face hardens at the sight of Philippa. “The fuc-”

“Leland is also on the ship.” Philippa shares with a grin, walking up to Iliad, “Good to see you again, Iliad. Not human and not Terran.” back on Qo’noS, Iliad knew that Philippa was getting some sort of vibe. “You still leave me wondering to this day what you are.” the fallen Emperor finishes. Smirking herself, Iliad attempts to blink away her puffy eyes. “You’ll have to be left wondering. Continue Stamets.” wanting to move past the weird feeling in the room, Paul does so. “The suit, to my understanding, generates a membrane, a protective layer that travels with her. And one end stays attached to her starting point in the future. An anchor. It snaps her back like a rubber band when she wants to go home.” a projection of red machines joins the Angel, trapping it in a dome as Iliad goes over. “The phase discriminators will hold the Angel in stasis beams, so the membrane can’t snap her back. Lower her to a platform where an electromagnetic pulse will shut down the time crystal that powers her suit.”

“You sure that’ll work?” Paul asks, and Iliad nods. “Positive. Once the containment field is up, we’ll be able to question her.” this is said with balled fists, making Paul furrow his brows. “Are you good?” about to answer, Philippa beats her to it. “Far from it, she’s angry.” slamming her PADD down, Iliad shuts her eyes, taking a labored breath. “If we’re all up to speed, I’d like to be dismissed early?”

“Well, if you’re su-”

“Thank you!” she grits quickly, already on the move, before Paul even starts to respond. With a sly smirk, Philippa also walks out jogging to meet up with Iliad’s pace once out in the corridors. Philippa folds her hands behind her back. “Where are you off to?”

“None of your business.”

“...So you don’t have an actual destination your just walking to walk?”

“I’m attempting to walk off-”

“Frustration? Anger?” she questions before bringing them both to a stop. “There are more efficient ways to do this.” with a smirk, Philippa nods her head to one of the gyms located around the room. Iliad glances over, considering it but has no choice but to shake her head. “I can’t. I’m connected to Spock, if I get really hurt he’ll-”

“Feel pain? Feel what is natural?” crossing her arms at Philippa’s words, Iliad asserts, “It’s not fair to him.”

“Isn’t it?” hints Philippa stepping closer. “What I know from your newly joint file is that he is the reason you had a stroke.”

“Spock didn’t know I was real-”

“Your pain was real…did he ever feel that same pain back?” grabbing Philippa’s arm Iliad makes it clear, “I would never get hurt on purpose for the sake of him feeling the same pain.” reaching up and gripping Iliad’s wrist Philippa twists it harshly, enough to make Iliad wince “Most would scream.” notes Philippa with a smirk “You wouldn’t be getting hurt on purpose, you’d be sparing and be telling me the story of what you are.” Swallowing harshly, Iliad’s chest falls. Philippa would only keep pushing, and it’s not like people don’t know that she knows something is off about Iliad. With a tentative nod, Iliad agrees, “O-Okay.”

Essof Four is a dangerous and hostile planet, void of inhabitants and malicious by its elements alone. The abandoned Starfleet base was still operational with its own source of oxygen. First, the stationed reflectors were beamed down with a platform, it’s that platform Michael would be strapped to. The Red Angel is random, except it comes when Michael is in danger. The grandfather paradox, if Michael doesn’t come back to save themselves, then there is no Michael to time travel later. By this logic, the Red Angel will appear on Discovery’s terms…if Michael is put in peril.

“Bringing phase discriminators online!” announces Paul from the safe room, the small team stationed their still needing to wear EV suits. Paul and Iliad for purposes of working the machine on sight, Hugh for Michael’s medic, Philippa as the Section 31 liaison, and Spock because he is now involved in everything. Walking over to Michael, who strips off her EV suit, Philippa asks, “Are you ready?”

“As I’ll ever be.”

“Michael Burnham, always willing to sacrifice everything for the good of others.” with a sigh, she assures, “We’ll monitor exposure time front the moment the roof retracts.” 

Securing another strap on the suit, Iliad fails to be able to reach around the bulk of the EV suit to get the last one. Noticing her struggle, Spock offers, “Allow me.” turning away from him, she nods, “Thanks.”

“...Were you, by chance, sparing anyone earlier?”

“Yeah, with Georgiou. Got a particularly sharp jab in the back.”

“I am aware; I felt it.” clicking and securing her final straps, Spock tightens them. Iliad jolts a little, and her eyes drift over to Michael. When their gazes meet, Iliad rips hers away, this not going unknow-dest by Spock “You and Michael are not on speaking terms.” at this, Iliad abruptly moves away to push a spare crate out of the way. “No shit.” taking a moment to observe her demeanor, Spock raises a brow, feeling his eyes on her Iliad snaps “What?”

“You are not normal this…dented.”

“Dented?”

“Down, quiet…normally you are more…animated-”

“You don’t say that.” Iliad instantly puts down the crate with a thump and points engrossingly at Spock. “You’re not allowed to say that. Never say that ever again.” he continues to only stare at her making Iliad call louder “What!” Spock steps closer and reaches out, putting his hand on her arms; although his face is plain, his eyes are sincere. “Losing your family was not your fault.”

Her lips fall open to say something, anything, but for one of the few times in her life, Iliad is truly speechless. Spock didn’t even know about what happened, just a vague sense that Iliad was lost. And somehow, without any real knowledge of what’s happening to the girl in front of him Spock’s the first person to ever say that to her. 

Michael and Spock exit the control room, and Iliad is left frozen in place. Turning away from the sight of Spock strapping Michael to the seat, Iliad heads over to the control panel to work slightly in a dizzy haze alongside Paul and Hugh.

THUD!

The heavy steel door is sealed shut when Spock renters the control room. Stubbornly, Iliad tries to force her eyes away from the sight, but they flicker up to see Spock simply looking and waiting for her; he steps to the side to make room at the window. Without a second thought, Iliad rushes forward. Pike’s voice says over the comms, “On your mark, commander.”

“...Ready.”

“Shutting down life support,” reports Paul as the vents in the main area close up. Philippa sighs. “Starting timer now. Two minutes and counting.” the overhead bulks begin to part open, pouring toxic light onto Michael, she instantly writhes in pain. Trashing as the dust settles on her skin, bubbling and flaying it in sizzling screams. Soon those are taken from her lungs, the communicator falling from her fingers. Hugh gulps, “Oxygen saturation levels at eighty five percent and falling fast. If it drops below forty, she won’t make it…Oxygen saturation is down to sixty-two percent. Heart rate spiking-”

“She’s done,” states Iliad pressing a button on her EV suit to prepare its activation. “I’m pulling her out-” Spock puts up his arm. “Wait. She’s trying to say something-” only able to choke on “Variance.” everybody furrows their brows at Michael’s strained words. Shaking her head, Philippa urges, “Iliad!” but her path is blocked by Spock. “Michael means that she is the variance. She is creating a situation where the Red Angel will have no choice but to save her.”

“And if the Red Angel doesn’t?” proposes Iliad. “I’m not losing anyone!” she calls, going to push past Spock. He grabs her shoulder, and she goes to take his wrist; in response, Spock takes a phaser and places the tip at Iliad’s chest. Gritting her teeth, Iliad takes her free hand and holds the back of Spock’s neck, locking them in his position. “I dare you-”

“Iliad, do not wish to-”

“Shoot me, you shoot yourself.” whispers this Iliad, then shouts, “She’ll die!” unphased by this, Spock nods lightly, lowering the phaser. “That is the idea.” Taking a huge breath, Iliad’s shoulders fall. She should be the one blocking the door because she should know this better than anyone; the Red Angel did follow a pattern but not if the danger is half-assed. Letting go of Spock’s wrist, Iliad brings her hands to his shoulders, beginning to shake. “I still can’t watch.” From Iliad’s shoulder, Spock brings his hand to tilt Iliad’s head forward into his chest. “You don’t have to.”

“Spock!” shouts Hugh earning the phaser now raised on them. “I’m sorry, I cannot.” over their arguing, Iliad only hears the monitor flatlining, no beat, a ringing as crisp as scissors snipping thread in half.

“Shield’s up!” Pike’s voice commands, “Red alert!” Iliad looks up, and all of them look out to see a red light shining down on Michael, “The Red Angel.” Iliad names making Philippa and Paul rush back to the controls, and Hugh takes up his medical kit. From the scarlet rays, the holy figure appears floating downward, a beam of energy focused on Michael, jolting her awake.

Slamming a button on the console, Paul activates the pylons. Blue tractor beams connect themselves to the Angel, pulling her toward the platform. The atmosphere is engaged, vents flowing, and the ceiling shuts as the containment field comes up around the Angel as she touches down. The wings retract, and the suit deactivates, forcing its user out on her hands and knees. The aged figure lifts her face, and Michael wheezes out, “...m-mom?”

“Mission log zero-four-two.” Mike and Gabrielle Burnham were brilliant scientists, and Michael lost them in a Klingon raid…at least, she thought that. All those on the bridge watch the recorded mission log collected from the Red Angel suit. Gabrielle is in a wasteland, with nothing left around her. “No matter how many times I go back in time, I can’t stay anywhere permanently. The anchor keeps pulling me back, nine hundred fifty years away from you. There are no signs of life anywhere. Antimatter detonation across the galaxy indicates Control wiped everything out. Vulcan, Andoria, Tellar Prime, Deneva, Earth. This is Earth. As far as I scan, everywhere. I’m alone.”

The transmission cuts out just as Tilly’s monitor starts beeping. “Captain, I’m registering gravimetric instability in the planetoid.” taking a breath from the events of the video, Pike questions “Normal or abnormal occurrence?”

“Definitely abnormal. It’s centered directly on our research facility.”

“Mr. Saru, Ensign Iliad, can either of you pinpoint a cause?”

“It’s a classic example of Newton’s Third Law of Motion.” Saru simply delivers, allowing Iliad to give an in-depth explanation “Gabriella Burnham and the Red Angel suit are tethered to a point in current possible the future. Our containment field is holding her in the present. Tighter we hold, stronger time pulls back.”

“We’re playing tug-of-war with the universe-”

“We have a gravitational problem on Essof Four!” calls Paul jogging onto the bridge. Pike holds up his hand. “Already on it, commander. Divert nonessential power to the surface. Give Stamets what he needs.” Joann nods. “Yes, Captain.”

“How long before the universe wins?” peering over their console Iliad and Saru give each other a look before Saru estimates, “An hour, barely two at most.”

“Okay, it seems like the only person Dr. Burnham is willing talk to is myself.” restates Pike crossing his arms. “So here goes nothing. Take the chair, Mr. Saru.” he finishes entering the turbolift with Paul. The bridge goes deathly quiet as Saru takes a seat both Joann and Keyla glancing back at Iliad. Bryce and Rhys also send each other a tight-lipped gaze across the way, making Saru twist his head to look at all of them. “Is something going on?”

“Permission to speak freely?” Rhys suddenly pipes up, making Joann snap his name. Shaking her head Keyla starts, “No, it’s logical!” Saru sits up. “What is?”

“...I have to tell Pike,” Iliad says, making Saru sigh and drop his head. “We talked about this-”

“We wasted two hours for tachyon radiation to die down. I could have spoken to Dr. Burnham by now. Maybe I should be the one talking to her; she might open up to me.”

“If this is to satisfy a need to know why Dr. Burnham put you on the Glenn-”

“It would have to be for a reason,” interjects Bryce; agreeing with this, Airiam asserts, “Iliad is part of a society built on the notion of time itself, being present at the moment in which time is most fragile does not seem like a coincidence.”

“Captain Christopher Pike.” calls Gabrielle leaning back in the seat on the platform with an annoyed gaze “U.S.S Enterprise. In temporary command of Discovery. But soon, you’ll return to your ship. I could say more about your future, but you won’t like it.” standing outside the containment field Pike offers a polite smile “We’re uh, not here to talk about me.”

“Then let’s talk about the fact that I came to save my daughter and you deceived me.”

“Michael risked her life to bring you here. We understand the threat to sentient life.” scoffing at Pike’s words, Gabrielle snaps, “You understand nothing. As long as there’s any possibility of Control getting access to the Sphere data, everything will die. Always. I put that Sphere in Discovery’s path, so you could protect the data, but even that didn’t work.” Gabrielle begs, coming up to the edge of the containment field, “You have to let me keep trying.”

“Let us help you finish the mission. Tell us what the signals mean.” narrowing her eyes, Gabrielle shakes her head. “I don’t know about any signals.” pausing, Pike tentatively follows up, “In the sky? Seven, simultaneously, then each led us-”

“I said, I know nothing about them. You want to help? Delete the Sphere archive. Without that data, the AI cannot evolve.”

“Deleting the Sphere archive is tantamount to burning the Library of Alexandria, or the Bibliotheca Corviniana!” exclaims Saru pacing before the hologram very of the Sphere data. “The knowledge is invaluable. Protecting it, safeguarding it, is a central tenet of the Federation and our sworn duty as Starfleet officers.”

“Unless that knowledge poses a clear and present danger to all sentient life!” fights Michael slapping her hands with each syllable. Standing towards the back of the ready room, Ash raises his hand. “From a security perspective, I must ask. What if Dr. Burnham has an agenda we’re not aware of?” steeling her gaze, Michael crosses her arms. “The one thing that I witnessed about my mother, over and over, was her relentless pursuit of facts. So if she believes that deleting the archive will defeat the AI, I have no doubt that she’s right!”

“I agree with Burnham,” Pike states but motions to Iliad and Airiam, who lean against the table. “You both head the Sphere team though, so…” The two glance at each other Airiam tilts her head, and Iliad shrugs in response before they turn back, and Airiam begins, “The Sphere is incredible, it’s information and capabilities are amazing…and dangerous.” giving a small smile Iliad crosses her arms, slightly hugging herself “I’m glad we got to work with it, learned a lot.”

“Will it not pose a threat that they know a vast amount of the Sphere’s data between them?” suggests Ash making Iliad scoff. “Airiam can’t be breached by anything, and what’s an AI gonna do to me?” With a deep breath, Saru declares, “I will proceed.” before he moves to the console, Airiam steps forward confidently. “In a way, the Sphere lives on through us.” giving both girls a nod, Saru thanks them before typing on the console.

BUZZ!

The cancelation noise brings everyone closer to the console. “What’s happening?” Pike questions as Saru tries again. “I do not know, Captain. The system’s not responding as it should.” once more, he’s locked out. “The data memory core is partitioning itself, reconfiguring its security directives into a new language matrix.” 

“How can it do that?” proclaims Ash making Iliad walk up to the hologram. “It’s creating its own firewall using xenoencryption taken from its own historical language database.” Looking at Saru, Pike inquires, “Can you crack it?”

“He needs a linguistic key.” Michael points out, turning from the hologram, “The encryption is based on a language from a civilization that hasn’t existed for a thousand centuries.” hearing this, Pike faces Iliad. “Tower of Babel?” he reminds her of her nickname, but even she’s at a loss. “The archive is surviving.” says Iliad letting her arms fall to her side. “Time is the one thing I would need to even have a chance and that’s the one thing we don’t have.”

The firewall the Sphere was creating for itself was ever-changing, with no clear beginning or end. The hologram is doubled in size, taking up most of the double quarters; Iliad standing in the middle of it with a PADD attempting to try and keep up, maybe make a little headway. Find a singular string to pull on to unravel the entire intelligence. 

Her door slides open and Spock is there, holding a tray plated with a mug and bowl. “Hey.” Iliad greets as the door closes behind him. Spock sits with the tray at their shared table before facing her. “I did not see you in the mess hall.”

“I’ve been…” she motions to the hologram all around her; with a sigh, Iliad swipes on her PADD, ridding their room of the looming Sphere. “Trying.” In response, Spock simply motions to the food. “If you wait any longer to consume something your headache will get worse.” gripping her PADD tightly, Iliad begins to head to the bathroom. “I still have some leftover medicine from Dr. Pollard-” Instantly, Spock is in the bathroom with her; he reaches into the drawer taking out the metal tube, and dumps its contents into the toilet. Iliad holds her hands up. “Wha-” 

“Do not let the situation pressure you.” holding a hand back out to the table, Spock lists, “Plomeek Tea to ease the pressure, clear your sinuses, and Pok Tar, I always find it gives me a boost of energy.” putting her hands on her hips Iliad softly smiles as they move to sit down “Thank you and I promise I’ll do better.”

“I am also navigating the soul graft.”

Dipping her spoon into the soup, Iliad shakes her head. “You didn’t try to use it against me, that was shitty and I’m sorry.”

“You care about my sister; for that, I am thankful.” Allowing Iliad the take to take a few bites, Spock reaches over for the PADD, brows raising in an ever-growing sense of impress. “How is it that you came to acquire your fluency in so many languages?” wiping her mouth with a napkin, Iliad thinks for a second after Spock finishes. “Many of these languages are not required by Starfleet or the Vulcan Science Academy to learn.”

“My dad taught me.” leaning on the table, Iliad smiles, “It was a game, randomly say this next sentence in whatever language first came to mind. We’d just keep talking in whatever it was until he’d switch back to English or Vulcan. Guess that’s why I take the bulk language assignments, makes me feel close to him.”

“It seems that this game was your father's way of-”

“Telling me he loves me, yeah.” she laughs a bit and then shares, “My little brother Odyssey. He’s young and is still learning to handle his emotions; he’s got this nickname for me, calls me Ily.”

“Short for Iliad, natural.”

“That and the letters I, L, and Y. He’s spelling I love you.” stopping herself, Iliad drops her spoon, mindlessly wafting it around in the soup. “How is it that the problem we have to solve with logic is the most illogical thing that exists?” Matching her body language, Spock leans forward, resting his elbows on the table. “There is little time left in the present for us to keep the Sphere from Control.”

“And it’s not like we can just ship off the Sphere to the past or future.” mulls Iliad about to take another bite. The soup slips out of her spoon, both she and Spock dropping their jaws open slightly. Spock starts, “If we send the Sphere data infinitely into the future-”

“Control can’t get it.” Iliad summarizes with him before instantly jumping up with the mug of tea in her hands, “We need to work with time, not against it!”

Three flashes appear behind Philippa and Gabrielle, a clear private conversation stunted by the arrival of Paul, Iliad, and Michael. Spotting Philippa, Michael grins. “I wondered why we lost our feed.” she teases as each of them picks up a small tractor pylon and places it before the platform, Iliad kneeling down to calibrate all three together. Philippa snarks, “Technology can be so unreliable. Have fun with whatever that is.” glancing from the group to her suit, Gabrielle asks, “When did you plan to tell me you were downloading the Sphere data into my suit?”

“It’s a radical idea.” Michael admits making Iliad flash her a grin, but Gabrielle interrupts, “It’s a brilliant plan. I’ll be able to safeguard the archive in perpetuity.” stepping closer, Michael reveals, “No, Mom. You won’t have to give up your life. We modified the transporters to beam you permanently into the present. We’ll send the suit into a future where Control can never reach it.”

“No!” Gabrielle’s happiness fades immediately: “If your plan fails, Control wins.” Iliad stands up, assuring, “It’s not gonna fail; it’s not my style.” locking her gaze onto Iliad, Gabrielle points at her, “Who are you?” Pausing, Paul states, “Wait, you…you don’t know her?”

“No…and I know everyone…You weren’t here before-Who are you!” Moving from her pylon, Iliad goes right up to the platform. “Wait, but if you don’t know me then…The Red Angel took me from the twenty-second century and brought me here-”

“I think I would remember if I did that!” crossing her arms, Gabrielle shakes her head, looking Iliad up and down. “No…You weren’t ever here before-”

“Captain!” Calls Bryce, “Priority message from the Section 31 ship.” curious points ahead, “On screen.” a slant video appears, Ash badly injured and struggling to stand, gives them a worded warning “Le-Leland…”

The golden rays of transmission disperse from Leland, who takes out the security by the control room. Wrapping one arm around a guard's neck, he uses them as a shield, shooting the inside of the control room, igniting a fire explosion from inside. Taking out her phaser Michael fires the first shoot into his shoulder, but it has no effect. Snapping his captive's neck, Leland takes his free-range advantage to shoot at all of them.

“I can beam them down, Captain.” Joann offers, but Pike knows the harsh truth “They’re Dr. Burnham’s only defense.” the turbolift doors open, and Spock rushes onto the bridge “Captain, we have a problem-”

“It’ll have to wait-”

“Sorry, Captain.” Spock asserts, taking over a console, “This cannot wait. The Section 31 ship is diverting our data.” everyone freezes at this, and Pike wants to know, “How much Sphere data have they downloaded?””

“Thirty-seven percent thus far.”

“I am attempting to block them.” informs Airiam, “But I require Mr. Spock’s help as I cannot defend two fronts at once.” walking over, Spock questions, “Two fronts?” Airiam nods, “When at the Section 31 Headquarters I was being controlled to also download Iliad’s file, it seems that they are still attempting to acquire that information.”

“Captain, gravity is fluctuating wildly!” Tilly brings attention to “The field can’t hold much longer.”

Leland’s phaser blasts ripple across the containment field, trying to bring it down. “He’s taking the Sphere data!” Gabrielle realizes, “Drop the containment field! I’ll go back and stop him!”

“We’re not gonna do that!” calls Michael, taking a chance and firing return shots at Leland. Ignoring the shots, Leland holsters the phasers, opting for a phaser rifle. “Get down!” Paul shouts as a red beam flurries along the containment field’s surface. It penetrates the dome and strikes the Red Angel suit, shattering the time crystal housed inside. The resulting shockwave knocks everyone to the ground, Michael and Paul knock into each other. Paul being the first up, glances at Michael as Iliad pushes herself up. “Take care of Michael, I got Leland!”

Having kept herself hidden Philippa pounces, kicking the riffle out of Leland’s hands and attacking his left side. Coming from the right, Iliad rings her arm back, but Leland sweeps Philippa’s leg, having her flip onto her back and have time to catch Iliad’s fist. Brought to a sudden halt, Iliad shakes her head at his strength overpowering hers. Leland was human; it wasn’t possible for him to overpower her, Iliad brings her leg up to kick, but Leland grabs it slamming her to the ground. Air knocked from her body. Iliad’s eyes roll back in her head as Leland kneels down, placing a hand on her neck and activating a remote transporter on his person. Spotting the golden light, Philippa calls out as she gets to her knees in pain, “Iliad!”

The dirt floor pressing into her back shifts to cold metal, pulling her up. Iliad chokes before Leland drops her to her feet. He grabs the back of her neck; Iliad’s hands fly up to push him away as he shoves her forward through the empty and deserted corridors of the Section 31 ship. Passing through an abandoned lab, Leland shoves Iliad into a slanted contraption, metal cuffs clasping around her ankles, wrists, upper arms, and neck. Chest rising and falling rapidly, Iliad struggles against her bonds; taking a step back to a console on the side of the room, Leland comments, “For all your strength, not even you will be able to break out of these bonds.” his voice was strange and gravely making Iliad settle for a second “... You're not Leland.”

“And you’re not from around here.”

“How do you-”

“Any superior being can clearly see that however microscopic there are small changes in your personnel file, no existence of an Iliad before the Glenn.” fingers dancing across the console, a device is suddenly lowered before Iliad’s face, housing a needle pointing before her right eye a foot away “An Ensign, let alone a Specialist with your credentials at twenty-two is impossible in every scenario except in a world where what would be considered a rigorous and accelerated education is standard. And then the most obvious fact, your superior human. In conclusion, you are from an advanced society.” scowling, Iliad spits, “Gonna stick this thing in my head, extract what I know?” letting out a laugh, Leland steps forward as the device suddenly powers up, making Iliad’s eyes widen. “There are much more effective ways to obtain information, such as your temporal knowledge and the Sphere data.” bringing a hand up, Leland hovers it over her face, almost cupping the side of her head. “Being human is so fragile, becoming you however…oh yes…reconstructing with you that little problem will be taken care of.” Taking his hand, Leland moves it to the device, slowly inching it forward. Iliad instinctively tries to push her head back but is met with metal. “No!” she calls once, shaking her head. “No, no, no, no, keep pointy end away!”

“Sphere archive download deactivated.” hearing the computer read this off, Leland stops gritting his teeth. “I’ll be back.” he sneers, walking out of the room. Letting out a breath, Iliad struggles again. “It’s not like I’m going anywhere!”

After a few minutes, Iliad hears, “Need a hand?” looking back up, Iliad’s eyes widen at the sight of Ash, bruised, holding his side. Iliad nods vigorously as Ash stumbles over, locating the release notch. With a hiss, the metal retracts. Iliad winces when her wrists and ankles flex, fingers tracing the tender skin on her neck. “Come on!” Ash slips an arm around her waist in order to give Iliad a bit of leave to drag her feet; Iliad presses her hand to his side to keep the wound from growing worse. Hobbling out of the room, Ash directs them down a long hall, where Iliad groans, “I’m assuming you stopped the download?”

“Halted it.” Ash gravely reveals, “Just enough.” he starts bringing his hand to a pad, his rank as a Section 31 officer still allowing him authentication into the escape pod. “To give us a few minutes to get in here.” First, he lowers Iliad into the seat, laying a hand on the console with a hiss. She’s able to seal the doors behind them. Jolting into his chair, Ash lulls his head back when the vastness of space envelopes the craft, having ejected from the main vessel. Suddenly a golden light encases Ash; Iliad sits up, also seeing the same energy swirl around her body “Shit!” she calls, standing up, her eyes shifting, taking in the walls of Discovery’s transporter room. Thudding to the floor, Ash is immediately received by medical, and another nurse comes up beside Iliad to help lead her down the steps. Unable to keep pressure on her legs longer, Iliad sways forward, feeling a pair of arms catch her. “I have got you.” Spock assures. Dr. Pollard motions to her team, “Bring them both to Sickbay.” hearing the order, Spock leans down, scooping Iliad into his arms. “Dr. Burnham?” he hears Iliad groan and reports, “She got pulled back to her time, we were unable to upload the Sphere to the suit.” shutting her eyes, it only felt like things ever got worse. “He tried to upload.” Iliad mutters. Entering the turbolift, Spock looks down at her. “Upload into what?”

“...Into me.”

Chapter Text

Strapping the winter jacket over her shoulders, Iliad zips it up tight, looking at herself in the mirror hologram. “Dismiss mirror,” she orders before going to her bed, picking up her PADD, and repositioning her Starfleet badge on her jacket. With a hiss, the door sides open, making Iliad turn her head; Spock freezes. He wasn’t in his normal Vulcan tunic but rather a deep shade of Discovery blue mission wear. Narrowing his eyes, Spock steps into the room, locking their door behind him. “You are going on a mission?” he speculates, making Iliad scoff as she holsters her phaser. “I’m going on a mission? Look who’s talking.”

“I assume this has to do with the fourth signal appearing over Boreth. As we now know, Dr. Burnham had no knowledge of the signals, and the time crystal in her suit was destroyed, which suggests the signals were created by another time-traveling entity.” Going over to his own personal effects, Spock gears up for his own mission. “However, I was under the impression that as Boreth is a Klingon planet with its only non-native structure being a monastery dedicated to Kahless, this mission required finesse from the Captain.”

“Finesse, yes.” Iliad agrees, walking over and picking up Spock’s phaser to hand to him. “And a translator as well as someone who is proficient in relative quantum mechanics to hand a time crystal.”

“If things go well.” Spock adds, making Iliad shrug, “ When things go well.” Corners of his mouth barely moving up, Spock ducks his head to hide the Vulcan grin. “Always one for optimism.”

“If I don’t laugh, I’ll cry.”

“I have never really understood why, in the absence of laughter, one will go to the dramatics of crying.” pausing at this, Iliad leans her head back, thinking, “When everything else is used up, crying is all that’s left. Guess if that were to ever happen, I’d rather laugh.” taking a breath, she glances over Spock’s outfit, pressing her lips together. “It’s not lost on me that Michael wants to go after Control, and it’s also not a mystery that you’re going with her.” nodding, Spock agrees. “I understand and will try to be aware of physical injuries or defensive situations-”

“What?” Iliad starts with a giggle, shaking her. “Not what I was gonna say at all!”

“Then what were you meaning to say?”

“Control’s trying to take over my body and mind!...in response to that, I say give 'em hell.” 

Stepping to the side of the covered bridge, Iliad peers down into the gorge on the surface of Boreth. Another, the snow fall is heavy; it’s nothing against the shining lava that bubbles and slides down the sides of the cliff. “Ensign!” Pike calls, having Iliad move down the bridge as he opens the wide doors to the monastery.

The two pull back their hoods as they stop in the torch-lit entryway, two Klingon monks watching them closely from the balconies. Looking forward to a monk dressed in robes, Pike introduces “Captain Christopher Pike.” and then motions to Iliad “And Ensign Specialist Iliad of The United Federation of Planets.”

“We know who you are, Captain Pike.” the monk speaks in a resounding voice pulling back their hood to reveal deathly pale skin and long white hair. “And we know why you’ve come here.”

“We come bearing no weapons. The Chancellor said-”

“The Chancellor has no authority in this monastery.”

“Of course!” calls Iliad, slightly bowing her head. “As is the tradition of the Timekeepers,” she states slowly enough for Pike to be informed of this. The two glance around as other monks with bat'leth slowly begin to circle them. “Guardians!” Iliad continues to name “Protectors of the poH qut !” The monk raises a hand, halting the other monks. “You know the time crystal’s true name? Impressive for a human, but all for not.” the monk starts to turn away, making Iliad rush a few steps forward. “Tlhih nt’ neh qan the poh qut 'ach poh itself, vaj mah ghaj avn kuthrop.”

You not only protect the time crystal but time itself. In that case, we have an understanding.

Stopping, the monk gives Iliad a side glance before restoring, “Even if a crystal is revealed to you, even if it provides you with the answers you seek, you are not strong enough to accept them.” biting her lip Iliad turns slightly back to Pike before locking eyes with the monk. “Poh av te’ cied te habv glurvd.”

Time is as rigid as it is fluid.

The words have the Klingon freeze, regarding the Ensign in a new light; Iliad goes on, “'Oh av trefo 'ej majr yin. Mah ghoj 'ej qan 'e' poh gah rev mana tew.” 

It is sentient and requires life. We learn and protect that time for the stars above.        

Chuckling, the monk motions a hand, “Come with me.” hearing this, Iliad relaxes her shoulders, and Pike steps up to her, bewildered. “What’d you do?” smiling, she laughs a bit, fibbing, “I asked please.”

The heavy doors open, and Pike and Iliad are welcome to walk down the hall on either side of the pale-skinned monk. Curious Pike inquires, “What do we call you?”

“My name is Tenavik.” the Klingon shares keeping his gaze forward. “When I first arrived at the monastery, I was without name.” thinking for a second, Iliad realizes, “Son of None,” she calls Tenavik, meeting Pike’s eyes which widen slightly. “I know another Klingon with the same epithet.”

“He was my father,” confirms Tenavik, making Pike and Iliad take a heavy breath. Voq took over Ash, and they became one. Voq and L’Rell had a child, a Son of None. Pike prods, “But from my understanding, your father brought you to Boreth only a few months ago when you were an infant. Forgive me, but how are you possible?”

“Time flows differently for those who protect the crystals. The past, the present, the future are all equal in their presence.” he motions to one of the monks, having planted a seed in the garden, and right before their eyes, a tree sprouts. Its flowers and leaves blooming fully grown in an instant. “For most Klingons, the time crystals are a myth. Symbol of Kahless, namesake of Qo’noS. But for those of us here, the power of the crystals are very real. We dedicate our lives to protecting them; that is our purpose. I wonder if you are prepared to know yours.” coming to the end of the hall, the next room takes them inside the mountain, deeper into the ravine.

A skinny bridge spanning over the lava, a short pillar, presented before them, a key lodged in the top. “The Pillar of the Past.” Tenavik names. The three continue forward to a second pillar halfway across the bridge, “The Pillar of the Present.” it has wording etched into it but no key inserted. Pike turns to Iliad. “What’s it say?” tilting her head, she carefully translates, “When the future becomes the past, the present will be unlocked.” when she finishes, Tenavik produces a crystal key, placing it in the lock and clicking it. At the end of the bridge two doors open. Glowing objects dot the blackness.

A warm light is cast in the towering chamber; the pillars that fuse to the ceiling have bluish-green crystals emitting from their rocky formations. The two humans follow the Klingon to one of the ruined columns, peering at a crystal. Starting to lean forward, Pike stops himself. “What do I do?”

“You must see for yourself.” Tenavik cryptically answers, “But it is for you alone.” before Pike can reach out again, Iliad grabs his arm. “Sir, maybe I should do it.”

“The present is a veil between anticipation and horror.” cuts in Tenavik wrapping a hand around Iliad’s wrist and getting her to let go of Pike. “Lift the veil, and madness may follow.” tightly stretching his mouth, Pike asserts, “You’ve already stretched your mind to the limits on my watch, Ensign. I won’t let that happen again.” Pike focuses his attention back on the crystal, kneeling down and reaching out. Leading Iliad to the side, Tenavik begins in a low voice so as to not distract Pike, “Hoch tev ‘iv ‘avwi’ ca poH qut sov gejta, tev Reve Yow. ‘Ach jih fen gws yin to legh tev jaj Boreth qui juh Klingons divi’.”

All those who guard the Time Crystals know of your people, the Second Chance. However, I will not live to see the day Boreth becomes home to the Klingons of the Union.

Grinning slightly at this, Iliad nods, “Gejta vav yin ‘iv yug, tev, qu’ soqumoh ghag juh, qu’ nadev.”

My father has told me stories of his trips to this planet; to be here is to be close to him, to home.

“AAAAHHHH!” a piercing scream breaks them from their conversation, Pike shoving his body away from the pillar, shouting bloody murder. Terrified, he slaps a hand over his mouth. Iliad rushes over, kneeling down beside him. “Captain!” she calls, but Tenavik only continues, “You may still choose to walk away from this future. But if you take the crystal, your fate will be sealed forever.” meeting the Klingon’s gaze, Iliad shakes her head “Fate can always be changed.” 

“There will be no escaping it.”

“You’re a Starfleet captain.” they hear Pike scold himself. “You believe in service, sacrifice, compassion, and love…No,” he states, pushing himself to his feet. “I’m not going to abandon the thing that makes me who I am because of a future that contains an ending…I hadn’t foreseen for myself.” shooting up, Iliad begs again, “Let me take it.”

“And do you believe you are above any outcome you’ll be shown?” prompts Tenavik, raising a brow. Pressing her lips together, Iliad asserts, “The future can always be changed.”

“And as I said earlier.” Tenavik reminds, reaching out and twisting a crystal from its place, “Many before have said so as well.” he holds it out before her; however, Pike quickly steps forward and grabs it. Face stern and heavy, Pike lets out a breath; Tenavik lets go.

“The crystal?” asks Pike, happy to be back in his Captain’s chair, slouched over slightly. Iliad looks up from her station. “With Stamets and Reno working to contain it, I’ll join them in the second half of my shift to help them stabilize it.” biting her lip, she moves from the console to Pike’s side. “I know you should keep the knowledge of what you saw to yourself. But I know you saw something. If you ever want to talk about it, sir…” offering the Ensign a polite smile, Pike nods. “Thank you, Iliad.”

“Sir!” Michael and Spock skid to a stop once the turbolift opens. Pike shoots up from his seat, crossing his arms. “I hear the two of you went after Control.” Hurry, Michael asserts, “Control isn’t just contained to Leland anymore!” the entire bridge turns at this: “It can co-opt people and entire ships without being detected.” pointing to the floor, Iliad chuckles lightly. “Bu-But not this ship, right?”

“Discovery is clean,” assures Spock. Saru questions, “Do we know where their ship was going?” Michael types on her console, bringing up a starchart on the viewscreen “Just outside Federation space.” Keyla stands, holding the back of her chair. “There’s nothing there.” Pike starts, “I’ll alert Starfleet as to-”

“Captain.” sitting back down, Keyla reports, “That’s a Section 31 ship.” as an orange dot appears…and then another….and another…and then a whole bunch. Spock points out, “They’re all Section 31 ships.”

“They’re coming for the data.” Breathing out, Michael puts her hands on her hips. “And Iliad.” turning her head on a dime, she knew why. And judging by the way Michael, Saru, Airiam, Tilly, Joann, Keyla, Rhys, and Bryce all look at her, they can also guess what else Control is after. Pike tries to stand his ground. “The signal brought us here for a reason. We have a time crystal.”

“Thirty ships.” Keyla cuts in, “Nearly their entire fleet.”

“We’ll jump until we can figure out how to power the crystal.”

“They’ll keep following us.” Michael argues, “Sir, it took a supernova to power that crystal. We don’t have the tools we need. And we don’t have the time to figure out alternatives. We can’t wait for another signal to show up.” furrowing his brows Pike asks “What do you propose?”

“We’re outgunned. We can’t delete the data that leaves only one option. We destroy the ship.”

After a thoughtful second, Pike moves to the command chair. “Bryce…Send a priority one message on a secure channel to Enterprise’s XO. Set rendezvous course, maximum warp, and prepare emergency passages for full crew complement.” he turns his attention to Joann “Owosekun, initiate verification procedures for auto-destruct sequence and send a shipwide alert. We’re evacuating Discovery.”

The crew rushes the halls back to their rooms to pack what is most precious to them and their work. At that time, Enterprise appears and pulls up beside Discovery, the bridges initiating and locking a path between the two. 

Wrapping up Aveiatas in its pristine cloth, Iliad jumps from the chair and pulls the metal box out from under her bed. Unlocking it, she houses the device carefully inside before grabbing the books on the shelf and photos beside them. Settling the box inside her bag, she slings it over her shoulder, stopping. Even with two people living in the quarters, it was just how it looked when she came on Discovery when she was extended that lifeline after being ripped from her home…now without Discovery…Iliad couldn’t bear to think about it.

The door slides open. “There you are!” proclaims Spock, coming up beside Iliad. “The window in which to depart the ship is closing.” reaching up, he grabs her arm, but Iliad’s feet remain planted. “This is my home.” she whispers. “Without Discovery I-” Choking on her words, Iliad lets out a small giggle to keep her tears back. Regarding this, Spock says, “If one does not laugh they will cry then.” Iliad nods, but Spock continues, “Discovery is not just the ship but her crew as well. Every member.” Opening her mouth, Iliad just closes it. At least this home she had time to say goodbye to. 

“Red alert! Red alert!”

The halls of Discovery are abandoned, and the two final crew members run around the corner, entering one of the bridges. Space shrouds them on all sides, stopping before entering the crowded halls of the Enterprise Iliad, tentatively stepping onto the ship after Spock. A crew member in a blue Enterprise uniform walks up to them, “Lieutenant Commander Spock.” they greet; Spock asks, “Is all personal from the Discovery accounted for?”

“Yes, sir. And you are wanted on the bridge.”

“Of course,” he responds, turning and taking Iliad’s bag from her back. “Uh, Spock.” she starts, not wanting to be separated from her belongings. “Just uh-be careful.” taking great care, Spock passes off the duffle to the officer. “Please have this delivered to my quarters.” the officer's eyes widen slightly, glancing at Iliad behind Spock, whose jaw is hung open in confusion as well “Now.” Spock commands, and they run off. The Vulcan turns to Iliad, holding his arm out to motion to the turbolift. “I believe we are needed on the bridge.”

“Spock, I’m an Ensign.” Iliad reminds as they enter the lift. “And are still healing.” he reminds them before ordering the lift to take them to the bridge. Spock then faces Iliad, and she swears that he’s smiling. “It was Dr. Pollard who ordered us to stay in close proximity. Plus I recall the Cadet and Enign quarters on Enterprise not to be as comfortable as Discovery is.”

The doors open wide. Pike and Cornwell turn and smile. “Spock, welcome back.”

“Good to be, sir,” he states, moving to his station. Glancing around, Iliad spots Saru, Michael, and Philippa off to the side and joins them. “Ah, Iliad!” Philippa welcomes her, putting a hand on her shoulder. “Just the one Leland is looking for.” she teases, making Iliad tense. “Yup!” Moving next to her, Michael reaches down and takes her hand. “How you holding up, Wonderland?” the four turn to the viewscreen, making Iliad smile. “It’s our home, but so are you guys.”

“We’re at distance, sir,” reports Enterprise's Commander, Number One, Una Chin-Riley. Pike sits up. “All right, everyone. Eyes front…We’ll never see another like her. Initiate remote auto-destruct.”

“Auto-destruct initiated.” the computerized voice rattles all those who served on Discovery down to their cores, their ship floating in the beautiful star-studded black before them. “Counting down. Five, four.” Iliad squeezes Michael’s hand. “Three, two, one- Auto-destruct failure.” Saru shakes his head. “That is not possible.”

“Arm photon torpedoes,” Pike orders; two are launched at Discovery, and it lifts its shields, destroying the torpedoes before they can do any damage. It dawns on Iliad first. “Oh my god.” she mutters, making everyone look at her. She throws her free hand at the screen. “The Sphere data wouldn’t let us delete it and now it’s protecting itself using Discovery’s resources!”

“How long until Leland gets here?”

“Not long.” Una responds to Pike, who calls, “Options!”

“We know we can’t delete the data.” starts Michael, where Saru piggy-backs. “Nor, it seems, can we destroy Discovery.” Cornwell adds, “Even if you jump away, Control will not stop coming. Eventually Leland, or some version of him would find you.”

“Ergo, Discovery’s very existence is the problem.” summarizes Spock. Michael perks up. “Of course.” she realizes. “As long as Discovery exists here and now, this will never be over.”

“The crystal,” states Iliad, getting the idea. “We have the crystal to take the data out of this time, so Control can never get it.”

“But Dr. Burnham’s suit was destroyed on Essof IV.” speculates Cornwell, crossing her arms. “That was the only method of time travel we know of.” shaking her head, Michael steps forward. “Section 31 has the technical designs; we could attempt to rebuild it.”

“You believe you can?”

“I can’t, but Iliad can.” all eyes landing on her, Iliad confirms, “I can.” Pike nods. “Do it. To my physical specifications, please.” hearing this, Iliad cringes slightly. “Well…that’s a snafu, sir. The designs we have are tailored to Dr. Burnham’s DNA.”

“Which makes my mRNA the closest genetic match.” Michael steps forward. “I’ll do it. My mother started this. I’m gonna finish it.” nodding, Saru agrees. “With Discovery on autopilot, it could follow you through.”

Just then, a beeping takes their attention off the eager volunteer, and back to the viewscreen, Pike stands. “And then there were five,” he states in relation to the newly announced signal.

“Sensors show Captain Leland- Control is five minutes out.” a crew member calls, making Pike call “Red alert.” the lights change to a harsh red. Facing the Discovery crew, Pike orders, “You will return to Discovery with all essential personnel. Commander Stamets will jump us to that signal. Have any personnel not directly involved with the time suit start retrofitting all shuttles and pods for combat operations. It’ll be us against whatever Leland’s bringing.”

As the Enterprise warps away, Discovery’s saucers spin, making one of its, rare now, blinks through space. The blue lightning crackles as it appears near a planet swirling with blue and brown gases, forming a ring that tilts on its side. “Class M planet.” Michael names “Xahea.”

“Really? Xahea!” Tilly jumps up, causing Airiam to take a step back. “What do you know, Ensign?” questions Pike, smiling Tilly bashfully reveals. “The Queen. Yeah, I-I I know the Queen of Xahea. We share a love of engineering!”

“And what might Xahea have to do with powering the time crystal?”

“Well, Xahea’s remarkable for its natural dilithium supply. And its Queen, Her Serene Highness Me Hani Ika Hali Ka Po- or Po for short, she, uh, she’s only seventeen, but she developed a technology to recrystallize it.”

“If true, Starfleet would no longer need to seek new sources of dilithium for its warp cores.” points out Airiam. Tilly nods. “She’s brilliant…but she won’t tell anyone how she did it. She doesn’t trust anyone with that information.”

“So besides being brilliant, she’s also prudent,” Pike sighs, putting his hands on his hips. “Mr. Bryce, open a channel; let’s at least try our luck.”

She’s young, Tilly wasn’t joking about that, but although not as young, Pike has a prodigy of his own that he puts on display as Po looks over the crystal. “So, you have a time crystal, which I’ve only ever read about, and no method by which to activate it.” she finishes spooning a mouthful of ice cream; Iliad shrugs. “And a time suit.” Po’s eyes light up, hearing this. “Which genius built that?” Michael answers proudly, “My mom.”

“Hmm. I had a special mom, too. So you want to use the suit to travel through time with this ship flying behind you, yes?”

“Yes.”

“And then you want to cut the ship loose and return alone?”

“Yes.” Spock states. Using the spoon, Po starts to draw things in the air, making everyone tilt their heads except Iliad and Reno's “Nuclear particle physics.” they both smile, making Po look up. Iliad continues, “She’s calculating the reaction rate between particles.” pausing, Po passes her spoon between the two. “I like you both. I can modify my dilithium incubator to trigger an ongoing cascade of energy within the crystal by combining it with dark energy. It’ll replicate the power of a supernova. And charge your crystal.” clapping her hand, Po jumps up. “I get to make a supernova! Today rocks!” stopping herself, Po adds, “I will need energy. Like, Planck-level.”

“That’s a little more than the EPS grid normally allows,” Reno quips sarcastically. Michael suggests, “We could pull from the spore drive.” Hissing Iliad reveals, “It would take twelve hours for the spore drive to recover.” Tilly questions, “How are we supposed to fight off dozens of enemy ships without being able to jump away? We’d be going into battle without our spore drive.”

“If that’s what it takes to power the suit, we’ll have to make it work.” orders Pike; Po adds, “There is just one problem. Charging the crystal this way is like using a waterfall to get a drink of water. It’ll work, but then you drown.” rubbing her head Tilly frowns “I don’t follow.”

“I believe what she means is that continuous regeneration of energy will ultimately overwhelm the structural integrity of the crystal.” explains Spock as he comes to the revelation, “Causing it to burn out.”

“That means…I won’t be coming back,” trailing off, Michael looks at everyone trying her best to keep her head up. 

Walking down the hall, Iliad makes a few notes on her PADD before rounding the corner to find Saru, Airiam, and Tilly outside, conversing quietly. Spotting her, Tilly rushes over and grabs her arms. “Hey.” Iliad calls, “I’ve got to get over to Stamets.”

“Stamets is coming up here,” informs Airiam making Iliad narrow her eyes. “Why?” they all glance at each other before Saru states. “Michael is going in the future, and we three have decided to go with her in Discovery.” jaw dropping to the floor, Iliad is about the speak before Tilly adds, “Keyla, Joann, Rhys, Bryce, Stamets, Ash, and Spock have already agreed to come to-”

“To the future!” Iliad softly scolds, “What are you guys even thinking!”

“That we are Discovery,” answers Airiam confidently. “We are a crew, and we promised to get you home.” before she could respond again, Iliad pauses her shoulders falling back. “I thought Michael was supposed to be spat over Terralysium?”

“You’re closer in the future, though.” Saru argues, “Progress.”

“But you all-”

“Have already made up our minds.” with a stiff nod Saru attempts to hide his bashful smile. “No room for argument.” a beaming grin slowly overtakes Iliad’s face, and she lets out a disbelieving laugh. “You’ll love it.” she starts confirming her choice to go with them. “The stories my dad has told me, and if we’re all there, we could stay a crew and-” trying to keep herself from crying, Iliad giggles, “I’m going home.” 

Airiam straightens up, getting a message “Everyone is meeting in the cross halls.”

“I’ll go get Michael!” volunteers Tilly breaking away from the group. As they approach the larger group, Saru puts a hand on Iliad’s shoulder. “We have a new member joining us.” clapping her hands Keyla rushes up, squeezing Iliad. “Yay!” After letting her go, Spock steps forward. “You really will be joining us then?”

“I should be the one surprised by you coming.” Iliad claims before shrugging, “But we both know how much you love Michael.” Vulcan practices keeping him in check Spock simply nods. “Discovery is home.” agreeing with this Iliad reminds “Discovery is all I have.”

“She’s coming!” calls Stamets getting us into formation as Tilly rounds the corner with Michael in tow, explaining, “Some people are still working. Uh, Po is designing siege weapons, which I can’t even…anyway, we’re here because we’re staying with you-”

“No!” Michael instantly declares, “No! I can’t let you do this!”

“We’re not asking permission,” states Reno making Michael throw a hand in a swift motion. “This is impossible. You have lives. You have people who love you. Families who love you. You’ll never see them again.”

“Commander, our families accepted the possibility of this moment when we joined Starfleet.” asserts Saru. “Committing to a life amongst the stars is, in itself, a resolution to leave some things behind.”

“But I don’t know what the future holds.”

“Nobody does.” Stamets starts before glancing at Iliad, who smiles. “We can have our guesses,” she hints, putting her hand on her hips, suggesting, “I wouldn’t try to argue.” sputtering for words, Michael is shut down by Saru. “I’m sure what you’re about to say will be beautiful, but it is done, Michael, and we are running out of time.”

“Problem!” Tilly says, “The crystal isn’t charging as fast as it should be.”

“I got you, Red,” Reno states, motioning for Tilly to lead the way. Saru nods. “Everyone, make your goodbyes and then go quickly to your stations.”

Seven minutes and fifty-eight seconds until the Section 31 armada is in range. Enterprise has caught up with Discovery, and everyone who is staying has made video messages to their family and friends. Pike is back in a yellow uniform on the bridge, standing before the crew. “Serving as your Captain has been one of the greatest honors of my career.” Sincerely, he meets the eyes of every member serving on the bridge. “You are exceptional officers. Exceptional individuals, every single one of you.” To those who sit up front, “Lieutenants Detmer and Owosekun, I wouldn’t be here if you hadn’t saved my life on the way to that asteroid.” to the back left side of the bridge. “Lieutenant Commander Airiam, I have had the pleasure to witness your mastery over mathematics and your bravery over your being.” across the back of the bridge, “Lieutenants Bryce and Rhys, you’re calm under pressure.” Walking forward to the left side workstation, Pike smiles. “Commander Saru, I’m gonna miss the hell out of you.” Pike shakes his head at Iliad next to Saru. “Ensign Specialist Iliad…What isn’t there to say about you.”

“Many have tried, sir.” she jokes, making Pike laugh. “You’re gonna make an excellent leader one day.” A smile slowly slipping from her face, Iliad takes a deep breath. “Sir.”

“Yes?”

“Thank you for giving us faith in a Captain again.” proud of the woman before him, Pike nods and moves to other console. “Lieutenant Spock…there aren’t words.” finally, “As for you…” he pauses on Michael. “Most people will never get a chance to learn what’s in their hearts. If we figure it out, it’s often not what we expected or would have chosen for ourselves. I am very grateful, Commander, to have been here to watch you discover your heart. I know that you…” facing outward, Pike once again addresses the entire bridge. “I know that all of you will face your destinies with bravery and honor. Even those moments to come that will test the strongest among us. Mr. Saru!” he calls, motioning to the Captain’s seat. “You have the conn as Commander Burnham leads you through the wormhole. As to what happens after that-”

“I would prefer.” Saru respectfully interjects, “If we focus on our respective tasks for now and discuss the captaincy later. There are many things to consider.”

“Enterprise to Discovery.” Una’s voice radios over the comms. “Control’s fleet will be arriving in four minutes, fifty-eight seconds, Captain.” Pike turns over his shoulder and says, “Thank you, Number One. Mr. Bryce, make sure anyone else who wants to leave is on their way.”

“Aye, Captain.”

“The rest of you…back to work.”

Chapter Text

“Transmit to all ships.”

They came in drones and ships, all converging on Enterprise and Discovery. The crew scrambles to rush through the halls, red lights alluring them to battle.

“We have one job: get Commander Burnham and Discovery through the wormhole. Section 31 is in our way.”

Shuttles and pods charge out from Discovery’s Bay.

“Once Burnham launches in the suit, Second Squadron will match course and speed to cover her and defend her perimeter. Squadrons Three and Four will be the front line of defense against the Section 31 fleet. You will lead the attack and draw their fire to give us the time we need. Enterprise will maintain fire on the fleet to cause distraction for as long as we can. But as soon as Burnham is detected out there, we have to keep her safe. This is Starfleet.” Pike finishes, “Get it done.”

In a congested Engineering, Michael takes a metal printed plate from inside a print machine and clears her path. “Don’t adjust the composite automatically. I’ll do it manually after each piece is cleared for assembly.” taking the piece from Michael, Iliad calls, “Seeing as I’m the one to clear it, I’ll assembly it.” taking a tool, she puts her shielding glasses back on before welding the new piece to the suit “But I need pieces coming faster!” walking past her commotion Spock looks up from a PADD “I’m not detecting any micro-variances.” flipping up her glasses Iliad grabs his tunic so he can hear her over the loud machines “Get me a surgical spanner, not a standard engineering coupler and I can do this five times faster.”

“Yes, ma’am.” Iliad lets go of Spock, who rushes off. Paul catches a Cadet shouting, “Stop! Look me in the eyes! The silicon injectors need to be purged after each binding is molded.” he then takes over their station himself. “Watch me.”

“Iliad!” calls Michael, coming up and flipping open her comms. “Call from the bridge.” she holds it up as Iliad works. Pike finishes his statement, “High speed, low drag, Commander. The longer it takes Michael to open that wormhole, the fewer make it home.” Saru acknowledges, “Yes, sir.”

“What’s the intel on how much perimeter space she’ll need to get far enough away front hat wormhole?” Una questions where Keyla jumps in to answer, “Commander Burnham needs to remain at the outermost radius of the battle at point zero zero zero four arc-seconds.” 

“In English, please. I can’t blow a path through what you’re saying.”

“Tight enough so none of the Section 31 ships get pulled into the future, loose enough so none of our guys get destroyed by the event horizon.”

“Lieutenant Spock and Ensign Iliad will remain on comms throughout to guide her.” Saru finishes before Iliad jumps in. “Reno, where are we with the time crystal?”

“Four minutes, eighteen seconds away until fully charged.”

“...Can you cut that in half?”

“Violate the basic laws of physics?” clarifies Reno making Iliad pause, locking eyes with Michael. “Yeah.” Iliad states, “I do it all the time.”

“Well not all of us are you kid, Reno out.” Michael flips the comms closed, making Iliad hum, “Ironic.”

“What is Wonderland?”

“Red Angel brings me here, and it takes me home.”

“...Yeah.” starts Michael, leaning in closely. “I’ve been wondering, did the Red Angel really bring you here?” stopping, Iliad looks at the replica of the suit she’s actively building. “Yeah, I’m pretty sure.”

“But my mom said she didn’t know you, that you never existed in any time she’s visited before.”

“I try not to think about it.”

“But don’t you ever think about why.” 

“Of course I do. I can’t understand why anyone would rip someone away from their entire life and drop them in the middle of a war.” turning back to her work, Iliad does as she always has when lying awake thinking. She pushes it to the side. Reaching into her pocket, Iliad pulls out a glowing chip inserting it into the helmet, Michael furrows her brows. “I’ve never seen that kind of tech before.”

“It’s the nav-chip from my Aveiatas.” caught off guard, Michael asserts, “Iliad!”

“With this chip, you’ll accurately be able to navigate time.” She argues, “No guesswork.” Red lights flash, and the alarms blare, causing everyone a momentary pause. Why? Swarms of thousands of drones detach from all the Section 31 ships, bringing their armada to the numbers of a legion, to the numbers of an autonomous army.

Sparks fly as the entire room shakes, Iliad gripping onto the brackets of the suit’s assembly frame. Locking her knees, Iliad lets out a steady breath before calling, “If someone doesn’t get me the housing plate before Control wins and takes over my body they’re getting killed first!”

“We have to go!” Paul calls, coming up beside Iliad, who scowls, “What!?” The crew comes up, moving the suit onto a rolling table, the pieces still needing to be attached lay around it. Michael grabs one side. “Get on.” staring blankly, Iliad flips her glasses back down and jumps onto the table, straddling the suit as she ignites her tool. “Certain death and certain embarrassment.”

Spock, Michael, Paul, Tilly, and Reno wheel the time suit down a forgotten corridor, with Iliad trying to keep her work quick and steady as she’s being bumbled along for the ride. Michael calls, “Has the shuttle bay been evacuated?”

“Yes, Commander.”

“Iliad!” calls Paul. “I have to tell you-”

“Housing prepped!” Iliad reports picking up the final piece. “Last panel being attached now!-”

An explosion of shrapnel explodes from the wall behind them, launching them all into the opposite wall. Some thrown to the ground, Iliad blasted into the metal side, pain searing in her right hip as she pushes herself up. Michael pants out, “Spock?” he raises his head. “Good, Iliad?”

“Slightly less good,” she responds, getting to her knees and gritting her teeth. Rolling over, Paul shouts at the shrapnel lodged in his chest; Tilly helps him up, and Iliad calls, “Stamets!” Reno shakes her head, holding out the time crystal and its housing. “We got him!” she assures, pushing the three to run. “Go!” before Iliad can turn, Paul grabs her wrist “Re-Red Angel.” he groans out. “I-I know who brou-”

“Go!” Reno shouts again, pushing Iliad back with Spock and Michael, who has already started running with the cart.

Steam hisses from broken pipes all around the shuttle bay; Iliad’s tool makes the final pass around the time crystals housing, its energy radiating over her skin with no effect. Taking a step back, Iliad wipes her forehead and removes the glasses in the same motion. “It’s done.” Michael steps forward, turning her back to the suit; it opens up and envelopes her, fitting her form. The Red Angel now has its pilot. “Damn.” Michael can’t help but let out, Spock reiterates, “You will be the target out there. I will pilot a shuttle to ensure you reach the perimeter point.”

“Great!” Iliad agrees, “I’m coming with you.”

“No-”

“Bonded!” she fights back with a song in her words and a smirk on her face. Michael objects, “You’re both supposed to guide me by comms. You can’t protect me in that.”

“We don’t really have time to debate,” states Iliad simplifying the plan. “When the wormholes open we’ll come back to Discovery.” pressing her lips together, Michael stress, “You better! And not just for my sake Wonderland…I promised-”

“You all did.” Iliad smiles, leaving Spock to furrow his brows. “All did what?” looking over at him, Iliad’s about to open her mouth, but Michael rushes. “We’ll tell you later, no time-” It’d be a dizzy conversation now or later, but Michael was right; when there was more time, Iliad would explain everything to Spock. “Right, later.” turning to Spock, she motions, “Let’s go!”

The two jog over to a spare shuttle as Michael walks out before the edge of the shuttle bay, the fiery explosions of war hovering just outside. Spock takes the pilot seat, and Iliad the secondary; she flips on the main comms. “Discovery bridge, this is Ensign Iliad and Lieutenant Spock. Prepare to lower shuttle bay force field and drop aft shields for three point five seconds on Spock’s mark.”

“Understood, Ensign!” Saru calls back, making Iliad stare over at Spock, hands steady at the controls. Outside they see Michael kneel down in a runners start. “Lower shields in five.” Saru’s voice is heard, “Four-”

Beep!

Confused, Iliad feels the vibration of her comms. “Three-”

Beep!

Quickly she opens it up, putting in an earpiece. “Two-”

“Hello?” she asks, causing Spock to look over, she shrugs “Iliad!” she hears Paul’s voice call. “Stamets?” she questions.

“One!”

Running forward, Michael leaps into space as Spock jolts the shuttle from the bay. Other pods and shuttles pack together around Michael, tightly shielding her. Crossing between the Enterprise and Discovery for cover, the convergence of Starfleet vessels makes for open space away from the battle. Phasers being fired in every direction, taking out a few shuttles making Spock correct his piloting, “Il-Iliad!” Paul cuts in over her private comms again.

When the battle thins out, Spock comes to land on the side of a wreck, Michael a few meters before them. “We are at a safe distance, Michael,” he reports making Iliad scoff. “Safe being relative.”

“Stand by,” Michael says, bringing up the suit's travel display with a wave of her hand. Iliad’s fingers work her own console. “Okay, calculations have been sent.” after taking a second to type them in, Michael’s suit responds, “Insufficient vertices calculated. Temporal interface access standing by.” swallowing hard, Michael shakes her head. “It’s- it’s not working!”

Freezing, Iliad and Spock glance at each other “It has to work.” states Iliad, Michael says, “Navigation system’s stuck in the present; it won’t move forward. Why won’t it move forward?!”

“Without a destination point, we will not be able to open the wormhole,” adds Spock leaning back in his seat while Michael types and tries anything she can. “If I set the signals, why can’t I move us forward?”

“Uh.” Iliad rubs her head, guessing, “Seven signals! We’ve only seen five!”

“All ships!” they hear Saru transmit. “The Klingons and Kelpiens have joined our fight. Transmit encrypted data on the enemy fleet and advise all squad commanders to coordinate their efforts with our new allies.” eyes widening at this, Iliad looks out to the battle as Spock stares off in thought. “Michael,” he suddenly speaks up, “The Ba’ul ships arrived here piloted by the Kelpiens because your signal led Discovery to Kaminar.”

“Not now, Spock.”

“Yes, now. Precisely now.” stopping what she’s doing Michael looks at her brother. He continues, “The signal’s purpose was not simply to liberate the Kelpiens but to prepare them for this. For this very moment. You used each signal to lead Discovery to an element we would need to win this battle.” sitting up straight Iliad figures out “Starting with Reno on the asteroid and to Boreth to get a time crystal.” Spock continues “To Xahea to find the one woman in all the universe who could power it. And to Terralysium to identify a safe harbor once we are through the wormhole.”

“We assumed Michael jumps from somewhere in the future to set the signals.” smacking the console, Iliad asserts, “That’s now! To go forward, you first have to go back! We’ve been stuck in a loop, and now you have to close it, do that, and Control doesn’t evolve and most certainly doesn’t stick a needle in my eye.”

“What?” Spock questions at the new information. Paling Iliad waves him off. “Like the other thing. Later.” meeting Michael's eyes, Iliad gives her a reassuring smile. “Down the rabbit hole.” smiling back, Michael tilts her head. “Since when did you start embracing that?”

“Eh.” Iliad admits turning to face Spock, “It’s growing on me.” turning back to Michael, Iliad assures, “It may take a minute for you, but for us, you’ll be blinking like the spore dive-”

A giant wayward explosion blasts Michael back and rattles the ship, shocking the internal system “Spock! Iliad!” Michael calls, getting back on her feet. Standing Spock calls, “Go, Michael! Now!” while Iliad attempts to get basic systems back online. Michael brings the navigation back up and taps a red circle on her display. The wing-like appendages extend from the back of the suit, a red glow enveloping her-

Blink!

And she’s gone.

A rapid calling of her name distracts Iliad from the damage making her stand and move to the back of the shuttle. “Stamets!” she calls. “I can’t focus on two things at once-”

“It’s done!” turning back, Iliad’s eyes widen at the sight of Michael, panting and tired but back. “That was fast,” Iliad mutters as Michael tries typing in the date again. “My mom said she was trapped nine hundred and fifty years into the future from Doctari Alpha. That was twenty years ago. Burnham to Discovery, I’m setting coordinates for the Beta Quadrant, Terralysium, nine hundred and thirty years from this launch point. That should take us where we need to go-”

“Insufficient vertices calculated. Temporal interface access standing by.” the computer spits back out, causing panic. “What?” Michael states, “But…But I went back I set the signals I-”

“Reno to Iliad and Michael, Reno to Iliad and Michael. Do you both copy?”

It wasn’t coming through the main comms but rather the separate channel. Iliad glances over at Spock’s distracted and frantically working form, lowering her voice, “Yeah, we’re here.”

“All of us are here.” Saru’s voice chimes in, “Thank you!” calls Paul before explaining, “I’ve been trying to get in contact to tell you there’s one last thing to ensure everything that leads up to this moment happens.”

“Well, what is it?” questions Michael putting her hands on her hips. Tilly lets out an awkward laugh, tentatively stating, “We need to put Iliad on the Glenn.” Both the named party and Michael state, “What?!” Heading further to the back of the shuttle, Iliad drops her voice lower “What does me being here have anything to do with right now?”

“If we hadn’t gotten to Talos IV, Control would’ve gotten Spock.” strained but keeping his voice steady, Paul tries his best to voice his theory “The only reason we knew about Talos IV was because of Iliad’s connection to Spock.”

“Okay!” mutters Iliad. “Can’t believe I’m saying this. Michael go back and grab me.”

“Well, hold on.” Reno objects, “According to my understanding, you’re connection with Spock was amplified by the neural enhancer.” 

“So?”

“Reno is correct.” Saru jumps in, “There is a very simple question we have been avoiding this entire time. How were Iliad and Spock connected in the first place.” it had never occurred to any of them; it was natural for so long that no one seemed to even question it. “New theory.” states Reno. “A Vulcan Soul Graft finds the intend hosts brain wavelengths and attaches itself to that, correct.” Michael confirms, “Simply put.”

“So theoretically, the Soul Graft will continue to apply itself to the wavelength regardless of how big it gets.”

“Meaning?”

“Meaning if there were two Iliad’s in the same time, one with the Soul Graft and one without, the Soul Graft would extend over to the one without.” Iliad can’t hear the battle anymore; the sparks and blaring alarms become blurry, every bone in her body locking up. The reason for all of this, the reason she was even here. “I…” she struggles to speak. “I put myself on the Glenn.” she whimpers out. “I put myself on the Glenn so Discovery finds me, so we end up at this moment right now.”

“Reno, run down to the transporter room be prepared to beam Burnham aboard and switch out Iliad into the suit.” Saru commands. Reno warns “Got it sir, but something like that is gonna take a lot of energy, it’ll fry the transporter.”

“Then one shot is all we have.”

Iliad squat while holding onto the wall. “Wait, wait, wait, hold on-I can’t…I can’t do this-”

“You can.” Saru encourages, “You already have.”

“No, no, please-”

“Energize!” spotting the reflection of the glow, Spock whirls around in the final moments watching Iliad disappear before she trips back slightly, finding herself in open space. Realizing she’s in the Red Angel suit, Iliad frantically shakes her head. “I can’t do this! To do that to them-”

“Do this.” Michael starts over the comms. “And you’ll see your family again real soon.” Iliad knew she was right, but it still digs into her heart like a knife. The knowledge that she’s the one who causes herself so much pain. Lifting up her arms, Iliad swallows, lip slightly trembling as she inserts the date “You got this, Wonderland.” and she presses the red button.

The stars warp, and all color, even in space, disappears. Everything is cold and empty; only the sound of her rapid breath is all that hits Iliad’s ears…

“What are these readings father?” 

Odyssey’s voice is the first thing to pierce the darkness, followed by her own.

“Sorry! It started beeping! Maybe I set my alarm too early-”

Scarlet light fills her vision, then grass, then trees, and a backyard. The Red Angel floats there, silent tears rolling down her face. Standing in the doorway, a father and little brother. Staring back at her, completely unaware of what they look upon in fear, the being inside sobs desperately at the sight of them.

“Iliad, run!” Volass screams, making the Red Angel look down to find herself making a run for the house. Almost automatically, the Red Angel surges forward, capturing her legs. “Let me go!” Iliad screams, kicking in the Angel’s grip.

“I’m sorry.” it whimpers out, but no one would hear her.

“ILIAD!” shouts Volass reaching out and snagging his daughter's arms, pulling with all the might he has. The Red Angel’s wings flex back, giving her a boost against her own father. “I have you,” he promises. He did; he had her right now and after searching for so long, she has him, has them. The Red Angel looks up slightly, seeing Odyssey run forward to help his father. She wants to squeeze her eyes shut and let the nightmare be over, but she won’t. “Oddie,” she whispers. “Dad.”

“Dad!” Iliad screams out, trying to keep her hold as tight as his, but her fingers slip.

“I’m sorry.” The Red Angel states finally before wrenching herself from her father’s arms, becoming fully engulfed and in a brilliant white, gone. 

The golden glow surrounds her, and she’s quiet when she materializes back on the shuttle. Quickly Iliad rubs the tears from her face as Spock finishes his turn. “Where did you-”

“Tran-Transporter glitch.” she chokes, retaking her seat. “Got swept up in it.” through the window, Michael, back in the suit, gives Iliad a compassionate gaze. And yet Michael still understands no one will ever know what Iliad just went through, what she has gone through.

“Burnham, we’re running out of time,” Saru reports. Controls brought up again Michael inserts the date, and with a relieved sigh, the computer doesn’t reject it. “Okay,” she breaths out, “Get back to Discovery, time to go.”

“......We can’t.”

She swears she hears him wrong; Iliad begs some god that Spock is fucking with her. Balling her fist, Iliad grits “No.”

“When the vessel was hit, the energies…they’re disabled.”

“Beam us out.” Iliad simply pleas. Chiming back in. Saru stammers, “The transporter-is fried…Iliad-”

“No!” she screams, standing up and slamming a fist on the console. “Lock onto us with a tractor beam-”

“There is no time,” states Spock coming to stand by her. “And even if there were, Discovery would need to lower their shields to bring us aboard. They will not survive doing so. Not in this battle. Not with the amount of damage that ship has already sustained.” turning back to his sister Spock urges, “You must go.”

“I just got you back.” Michael fights. “And we’re not leaving with you both-”

“There is no time-”

“There’s always time!” Iliad shouts, leaning forward and pressing her hands to the glass, “We can’t leave without them.” Saru confirms, but Spock still pushes, “You don’t have a choice, Commander. Now or never.” these words resound in Iliad’s mind; all it takes is a second to do massive good as it does massive evil. Right now, they win; if they stop to figure something out, there might no longer be a future to go to. Finally, Iliad allows herself to squeeze her eyes shut, laying her forehead against the glass “...You have to go.” she cries, prompting Michael’s eyes to widen; stepping up to the ship, “No, I promised you’d see-”

“And I did!” Iliad forces herself to smile. “I saw them.” Placing a hand over Iliad’s, Michael heaves a breath “...I will come back for you, Wonderland.” stepping back, Michael brings up her display, this time selecting a blue circle. Kneeling down, Michael glances back up at Spock and Iliad with a sad smile. “See you in Wonderland.” the wings unfurl, and she blasts off into space, trailing scarlet light behind her. A red and white wormhole opens up as Discovery pilots itself to follow Michael through the debris and into the brightest light, a guiding star.

Not sure if they can still hear her Iliad say “Goodbye.” that guiding star explodes into droplets like diamonds, and Michael and Discovery are gone. Blinked out of this time, and Iliad is not with them. Water streams down her cheeks, but she remains as silent as void of space.

Chapter Text

“Rank and station.”

“Ensign Specialist Iliad stationed on the U.S.S. Discovery.” It was only her second time on Earth, and she was in an interrogation room. “You were present during the attack,” speculates the officer before her; Iliad’s expression is blank, but her answers are rehearsed: “Discovery was Control’s primary target. We were attempting to escape while badly damaged. Spore drive suffered a catastrophic failure in battle.”

“Is it also true that you were one of Control’s targets as well?”

“...And what would Control want with me?” 

Narrowing their eyes at the response, the officer continues, “Seconds before Discovery’s disappearance, our long-range sensors detected high-energy gamma rays and gravitational waves consistent with a quantum singularity. How do you explain that?”

“How am I supposed to know?” She's monotone, and her eyes hold this far-off thought constantly: “I saw my ship explode, I’m the only one who survived.”

“The last surviving member of the Glenn and Discovery’s crew.” The officer in the tight room presents Iliad with two pins, one of the Glenn and the other of Discovery, a flag, and a pamphlet. “You are free to go, Ensign.” they finish, and the doors are opened for Iliad. The conference hall is packed with Enterprise officers, each waiting to be taken in and questioned to have their own questions answered. Some families came to pick up their children for a bit of leave time, and over the day, the room slowly got emptier. Walking out into the hall, Iliad finds a spare seat against the wall, deciding to stare at one of the pins. Her fingers brush over the word Discovery before moving on to the pamphlet “Starfleet Transitional Housing.”

“Chris!” Una calls, waving Pike over to her and Spock. “We all stick to the story?” he wonders, and the two nod before Una’s eyes stray over to the wall, finding Iliad staring down at her lap. “What’s gonna happen to her?” she wonders. Pike sighs. “I tried to get her a deal.” Furrowing his brows, Spock is slightly shocked. “Iliad has received a medal of honor and is an exemplary crew member. Starfleet has nothing to offer?”

“Her credentials were beneficial to science vessels, and the only two were the Glenn and Discovery. No other housing since she has no family, and because of what happened she’s sworn to secrecy. Unless selected she can’t be reassigned to a different ship. She can get transitional housing for about a month but besides that has nowhere to go.”

“I would argue that point, Captain Pike.” Facing the doorway, all three eyes blow wide at the couple. Spock steps forward, bowing his head. “Mother, father…I did not expect to see you here.” She smiles, and Amanda approaches her son, straightening out his tunic. “We came when we heard.” Sarek starts to move off, and Spock follows his father’s form for a while before returning his gaze to his mother. “You convinced Father to let Iliad stay with us?” she shakes her head, laughing. “Oh, I had nothing to do with it.”

“Then how-”

“Consider it a favor to an old friend.”

The form of a shadow looming over her Iliad looks up, instantly springing to her feet. “Ambassador Sarek!” she hurriedly greets. Through the Vulcan facade, Iliad could see a small smile gracing his face before he asks, “Are you ready to go?” with a flag folded over her arm, Iliad furrows her brows. “Go where?”

“To our home on Vulcan.”

“Sir!...You don’t have to do that-”

“And leave the daughter of one of my most trusted friends lost not only on Earth but in time.” the smile on Sarek’s face shifts to a Vulcan smirk at Iliad’s surprise. “I do not think so.” he finishes. Swallowing, Iliad straightens. “I don’t understand what you’re talking about-”

“Iliad.” interjecting, Sarek crosses his arms behind his back, happy to explain, “When we first met, at the end of the conversation, Michael had pointed out that you were turning twenty-two the next day. Spock is older than you, but it seemed so interesting that when your father first brought you to our estate, Spock wasn’t even born yet.” It was such a minor slip-up that Iliad hadn’t even noticed when it happened. Sarek concludes, “After such, the only logical answers fell into place. You need to be more careful, especially now that Discovery is no longer here to cover for you.” knees tightening, Iliad grips her arms. “You’re not gonna turn me in?” leaving his actions to answer the question, Sarek scans her up and down. “This is all you have with you?” Iliad nods, still keeping her demeanor quiet. “Mh-hum.”

Sarek steps to the side, allowing Iliad to walk first; she heads over to the small group gathered by the door. Facing her, Amanda sets her hand on Iliad’s arms. “Let’s get you cleaned up and settled in.” Una and Pike nod to Iliad as Amanda wraps Iliad’s arm around her own. “I doubt you remember much of Vulcan.” she starts as they make their way to the shuttle. “I didn’t even know I’d been to Vulcan before I met Ambassador Sarek,” Iliad quietly admits. 

The stark beauty and austere landscapes was that of a civilization deeply rooted in logic and discipline. Vast deserts stretch beneath the harsh light of twin suns while towering mountain ranges carve the horizon with their jagged peaks. Vulcan's thin and dry atmosphere lends a sense of solemnity to the environment, reflecting the stoic demeanor of its inhabitants. 

A warm breeze fans over Iliad’s face as she stares out over the planet, her feet pausing on the front steps of the estate. Noting her absence, Spock lightly returns, taking hold of her elbow. “Shall we head inside?” he suggests to distract her; saying nothing, Iliad follows him inside.

Everything is shaded in hues of harmonious yellow, orange, and red. A serene architecture characterized by clean lines and a minimalist aesthetic compared to the lush gardens that span and thrive just beyond colossal glass panels.

Pushing open the door for her, Amanda presses Iliad forward into the guest room; surprisingly to Spock, sparse in decor, the large windows offer sweeping views of the mountains, setting most of the tone for the room. The few furnishings are understated yet luxurious, with soft, earth-toned fabrics and polished wooden accents lending a sense of warmth to the room. A comfortable bed with intricately embroidered linens invites guests to rest and rejuvenate amidst the tranquil atmosphere. The only issue was despite a blank outer exterior Iliad was everything but tranquil or calm. 

“Will you be needing anything for now?” Sarek questions; already knowing the answer, Amanda watches Iliad’s fists ball around the flag in her arms. “No, thank you.” she grits, turning to shut the door behind her. With a sad smile, Amanda looks at her boys. “We should give her space.” Spock raises a brow and follows his parents. “I recall our guest suite being more inviting.” Once reaching a reasonable distance, Sarek simply states, “We removed all the decor before we came to collect you both.”

“Why?”

“For the inevitable emotional release.”

Spock almost lets his nose crinkle at the term “Inevitable emotional release.” Nodding, Sarek elaborates, “Grief is as powerful as it is unpredictable. What Iliad requires is solitude.”

“Iliad should not be alone.” Spock only dismays his father's response for Sarek to continue, “Solitude is what she needs; that is where she will collect her thoughts.”

Back against the edge of the bed, Iliad’s chest heaves up and down, hands on top of her knees as she sits in pajamas, fiddling with her Starfleet badge. She was older now; she couldn’t blame Starfleet for this like she did with Aeneid leaving. No, that would be irrational and illogical; logic dictated that if she pulled herself from the past a few more minutes, she would have been back in her father's arms. Now, there was no box of trinkets, memories, and tokens to remind her they were so close. There were no Aveiatas to attempt to fix and send an SOS through. There wasn’t even a Spore Drive to use in an attempt to travel to the future.

There’s no outside force to blame this time except herself.

Were they even okay?

Iliad’s eyes move from her badge to the detailed sigils in Tempourus on her fingers. Volass, Odyssey, Michael, Saru, Paul, Tilly, Keyla, Airiam, Joann, and the empty space left for Spock. 

A knock on the door rips Iliad’s gaze towards the door, and she stays silent.

“It is Sarek.” 

Swallowing a dry voice, Iliad lets her shoulders fall. “Come in.” the door opens without a creak, expected in a Vulcan home. Sarek closes it quietly behind him, staying silent, knowing that the appropriate next question would probably get a flower pot thrown at his head. Slowly settling to the side of Iliad, Sarek sinks to his knees. “Distraction is no substitute for feeling. Having a task can give one's mind the necessary break from intense pondering.”

“I don’t want to be given something to do in an attempt to keep me from thinking about the fact that I’m never seeing my family again.”

“This works out then, as it is not something I am giving you but something that needs to be addressed.” Furrowing her brows together, Iliad looks to Sarek, who rises, pulling over a seat to explain, “You have enough information in your file to pass as an officer of Starfleet; I assume you used a device you no longer have access to.”

“Yeah, we’ve used it since a time when files started to become digitized.”

“And how old were you when you first traveled to a digitized century?”

“Sixteen.”

“What did your father have you do before then?” Sarek gives Iliad enough knowledge to guess what he is getting at “Recite.” She reveals, “Drill and practice a prepared life story till it becomes second nature anytime someone asks.”

“Over time, you will meet people, and Vulcans especially will question you, your background, qualifications, and traditions. We must prepare you. We must ensure your life is so airtight that no soul would question it.” Hearing this, Iliad lifts a hand up, shaking her head. “You can’t lie. In my experience, most Vulcans can’t lie.”

“Then I will not. Unless asked directly about it, I do not have to say a thing.” Straightening up, Sarek starts, “What is your name?” Without hesitation, Iliad names herself “Iliad.”

“How old are you?”

“Twenty two.”

“When were you born?”

“Earth calendar, January thirtieth.” 

“What year?”

“Um-”

“You have to be faster.” standing from his seat, Sarek holds his hands behind his back. “Get changed, and then I require your assistance in my personal study.” furrowing her brows, Iliad questions, “Why-”

“When were you born?”

“January thirtieth, two thousand two hundred thirty-six.” Raising a brow in acknowledgment, Sarek nods. “Good.” Realization slowly takes over Iliad’s face, and she stands. “I’ll get dressed.”

A stack of books in hand, Spock walks through the hall, stopping abruptly. At first, he swears he is seeing things, but his morning meditations have, in fact, cleared his mind, and he is not hallucinating. Iliad’s door is left ajar. Glancing around, he slowly approaches, lightly knocking on the wall. “Iliad?” Hearing no answer, Spock pushes open the door to find a perfectly intact room, bed made, everything organized and straightened. 

Making his way to the kitchen, Spock finds Amanda with a mortar and pestle, grinding up some herbs for the lunch she was cooking. Lifting her head, she smiles at her son, “Good morning, Spock. How was your meditation?”

“Successful,” he cuts quickly before motioning behind him. “I noticed Iliad is out of her room?” Nodding, Amanda turns behind her and looks through the large windows to the vast land of the estate. “She’s in the meditation garden with your father.”

Sarek sits with his hands in his lap on a large flat stone, eyes shut. Across from him, Iliad holds her body rigid in a star plank, one hand and one foot having supported the rest of her weight for the past hour. In a period, Sarek opens his eyes again. “Where did you live when your youngest sibling was first born?”

“L-London, on Earth.” Gritting out the words, Iliad blinks away her frustration and swallows a dry throat. Deciding to make it a rapid-fire round, Sarek continues, “What happened to your oldest sibling?”

“They disappeared when I was fourteen and are presumed dead.” She answers truthfully, now accustomed to Sarek’s games of increasing the speed and the emotional vulnerability of the questions, “What happened to your father and youngest sibling?”

“...They died in the testing accident when visiting me on the Glenn, I was the only survivor.”

“.......Acceptable.”

Letting out a harsh breath, Iliad lowers herself onto her hands before settling down with her legs stretched out in front of her. Bringing one knee up, Iliad rests her arm on it, stretching her wrists. Sarek asks, “In our last session, we discussed what humans have labeled as the seven stages of grief. You identified that you have moved from shock.” 

“I…I can’t say that nothing has happened since it’s too real for me to try and argue that it’s not.” Thinking for a second, Iliad shakes her head while Sarek furthers the conversation: “What do you feel physically?”

“Hot?” she motions to the blazing sun over her head. Iliad then lowers her head. “Heavy pressure on my chest. I'm restless. Every time I try to sleep, I feel so light, like I will float away, and I hate it.”

“My suggestion is to keep coming out here, work your physical limits, and let your thoughts come to fruition.” biting her lip, Iliad meets Sarek’s eyes. “There’s got to be a better way.” Sarek is about to speak before Iliad jumps in, “Not a shortcut! That’s not what I’m asking for! Just…Just something that…that isn’t so-”

“Vulnerable.”

“You’re fully Vulcan,” points out Iliad, standing up and walking to the path's edge to pick up a towel. Turning back to Sarek, she shrugs, “It’s either you say it with a straight face, or you aren’t expected to open up at all.” These are Iliad’s final words before making her way back towards the house.

Marching through the back entrance, Iliad says nothing to Amanda or Spock, who simply watch as she stomps to her room and slams the door shut. Tilting slightly, Amanda hums, “That took longer than expected; your father almost had me.” Still lingering on Iliad’s door, Spock wonders, “Had what?”

“Your father was explaining to me how he can fortify Iliad’s mental state long enough for when T’Pring and her parents come over later this week. But I told him human emotions are complicated, and it will take longer.” whipping his head back around, Spock has to take a moment to regain his posture as he asks, “We will be having guests later this week?”

“Guests? You mean your fiance?”

“...And her parents are coming as well?” stopping her cooking, Amanda sets down her tools and walks around the kitchen island up to Spock. “I know her parents can be…a strong force, but it’s nothing we haven’t faced in an evening before.” struggling to find words, Spock glances back at Iliad’s room, making Amanda narrow her eyes. “Spock-”

“What?” he jumps slightly, turning around, his mother staring intensely. “What are you worried about?” Spock shakes his head, blinking rapidly. “Worried? I am not worried, Mother.”

“And I’m not asking again.”

“...I find myself returning to Father’s earlier words, “inevitable emotional release.” He remembers his first physical interaction with Iliad, where he assumed and took too much inference. Spock doesn’t intend to make that mistake again; however, one cannot evaluate the logical state of another being if the other being is being kept in solitude by Sarek. Smiling at the realization, Amanda lifts her hands to hold her son's forearms. “You care very deeply for Iliad.”

“Of course.” Spock hesitantly states, “But also what that means for my own logical state…and I have not revealed to T’Pring that I am connected to another.” Amanda’s face melts into contempt, seeing this as a silly matter. “Spock, she won’t hold saving Iliad’s life against you.”

“Her parents might.”

“Her parents can’t even argue against that.” Standing in silence, they both think about it briefly before Amanda corrects, “Her parents probably can’t argue against that.”

Sitting on her bed, Iliad furrows her brows at the following passage in the book between her hands. It is invigorating that she moves from her laid-back position on her pillows to sitting cross-legged. A knock on her door makes Iliad slam the book closed and turn the front cover toward the sheets. “Come in,” she says. Opening the door, Amanda walks in with a smile. “Hi.”

“Hey.” the mother's eyes flicker to the book in Iliad’s hands. “Doing some light reading?” She jokes about the book's size, making Iliad shrug. “Just a little bit, I like it better than meditation, it's what works for me.”

“Are you feeling good enough to go out?”

“Out where?”

“Into the city, find you an outfit for tomorrow night.”

“Right, Spock’s fiance is coming over.” Pushing the book to the side, Iliad stands. “Spock and Michael used to say such wonderful things about T’Pring. I’m excited to meet her.” Holding her hands behind her back, Amanda smiles, surprised. “Really? Michael said good things?” Pausing for a second, Iliad takes a moment to recall Michael’s witty side when talking about home. “Good things and her own opinions, of course…Yeah, going out sounds great.”

The sounds were surprisingly loud for Vulcans in Iliad’s mind, and the square itself was not unlike the Ancient Greek markets of Athens she recalls from her childhood. Amanda keeps a tight loop around Iliad’s arm to keep them together as they enter the crowd. “So that book you were reading.” Amanda starts out of nowhere. “Was it interesting?” returning from her distracted thought, Iliad nods. “Yeah, I’d say.” letting out a calm hum, Amanda then profoundly questions, “And as a human like you I’m curious what exactly you plan on doing with a book about Kolinahr?” The question makes the Iliad skip a step and be unable to formulate words. “Uhhhh…..I don’t think there’s anything I can really say to make anything I say better.” stopping them both, Amanda reaches out, putting a hand on her shoulder, “No one could ever imagine what you’re going through. Asking you to come out with me in itself is a lot, I know. But planning on suppressing your emotions, to discontent from them-”

“I don’t plan on doing that.” Iliad very quickly corrects, “I only know that in order to prepare for Kolinahr there are tasks and rituals. Some of which have been helping just clear my head so I can actually get things done, like going out with you.” taking a moment to consider Iliad’s words Amanda can find the logical reasoning in them. Iliad is human but was raised in a Vulcan household, so naturally, she seeks more Vulcan means of healing. Letting out a sigh, Amanda accepted, “Alright.” 

She then leads Iliad over to one stand, greeting the service woman politely before she sets a book for Amanda. Turning the pages, Iliad met with rows of silhouettes and necklines scanning them; Amanda taps, “What do you think of the fishtail style? It is a formal dinner.” eyes widening, Iliad scoffs, “Wow, you sure go all out.”

“To impress T’Pring’s parents, we have to.”

“What does that mean?”

“As you know, T'Pring and Spock’s marriage was an expectation from Sarek and T’Pring’s father. However, because of Spock’s heritage her mother is not all for the marriage, she’s a traditionalist.”

“Then, you know, just a thought, won’t having any more humans than necessary; Especially one raised by a Vulcan makes things worse?”

“One mother’s opinions won’t change mine nor my husband's beliefs of an inclusive Vulcan society.” reaching over to pat Iliad’s upper arm, “Your father was a big part of that movement, Sarek would never tell the living product of that future to hide in her room.” the side of her lips flinching a bit, Iliad scowls “I never really thought of it like that.” Curious, Amanda exclaims, “Really? You were raised on Earth but that’s still a big implication on your shoulders.” cracking a sad smile, Iliad shakes her head, “No, my dad raised me like anyone would raise their kids.” The sentiment was touching to Amanda as she turns back to the book. “Perhaps a square neckline?” raising her hands, Iliad steps back. “I’m not too sure. I’ve mostly only worn my uniform for a while. I trust your judgment.”

“Why don’t you go explore a bit then.” nodding to this, Iliad turns to the various rows and colored lines of vendors. Everything from clothing to food to multiple objects-

“Now look, I know I’m not on with your level of knowledge, but this Neural Caliper is surely worth it.” It was distinctly human, and there was no doubt about it. Turning her head, Iliad makes her way over to a booth tucked back. A human man clad in a tunic that he clearly must have had trouble getting on. With an unchanging and unflinching look, the Vulcan shopkeeper shakes their head. “Sir, I have already specified that the knowledge you bestowed did not meet my requirements. I only have one Neural Caliper, and I guarantee the trade value is higher than anything you can come up with.”

“Why you-”

“Ra tor wuh don t'nash wutve-kah glashayek?”

What is the worth of this Delta-Wave Scanner?

The Vulcan’s attention is now on Iliad, who holds up the object, automatically holding her in a much higher regard than the man who has been berating him. With a simple shrug, the Vulcan gives a wave indicating that since they were cheap, they probably had more, or Iliad speaking, Vulcan was respected enough for a trade. With a smile, Iliad nods and holds out the device for the human man. “Delta-Wave Scanners I’ve always found more versatile than Neural Caliper’s. Can do the same thing and more, much more reliable if you’re in a pinch.”

“...Thanks.” The man hesitantly takes it and gives Iliad a strange look. She waves, “Bye then.” Starting to blend back in with the crowd, the man flagged the Iliad down. “Hey, hey, kid!” She turns around as the man continues, “How the hell did you do that?”

“Do what?”

“Get them to trade with you?”

“I just asked.” She shrugs. It seemed like you were having some trouble.” The man scoffs, running a hand through his hair. Well, I’m not gonna deny that. You got medical experience, by any chance?” Iliad pauses for a second with a fond smile on her lips. “I knew two greats who taught me a lot from my time in rotation.”

“Rotation? How old are you?”

“Twenty two.”

“Jesus, Jesus, you’re like a toddler.” Crossing his arms, the man scoffs, “You’d put the so-called “prodigy” from my medical school to shame.” Holding her hands in front of her, Iliad asks, “Where’d you study?”

“University of Mississippi. You?”

“Starfleet and Vulcan Science Academy.” With a hardy smile, the man stretches out his hand. “Doctor Leonard McCoy.” Iliad takes it by sharing her own name before prompting, “So I’m assuming if you were looking for a scanner you work in neural.”

“I work in all of it but have been recently working on a procedure of grafting neural tissue to the cerebral cortex. I’m hoping to have it be away so the axonal pathway can be reconnected to the basal ganglia in case of emergency.” raising her brows at this Iliad is very impressive. “Well, if I never need my head checked again I know who to call.” McCoy catches. “Again?” pausing, Iliad lulls with her lips open before shrugging. “I’ve experienced a thing or two.”

“Well, it was great to meet you kid.”

“Likewise.”

The sun hung in the mountain range low in the Vulcan sky, candles lighting up the rest of the dining room. Moving from the kitchen to Iliad’s door, Amanda knocks, finding the door simply unlocked and Iliad fusing in front of a mirror. Brush in her hand, Iliad whirls around, the dark bluish shimming fabric reflecting down her legs and the white crystals seeming like stars. “Should I straighten my hair?” she asks. “Vulcans don’t have curly hair and I don’t want to ruin this for Spock so-” Amanda raises both hands and sets them on Iliad’s shoulder, motioning to take a deep breath. “You look perfect,” she assures.

A set of chimes plays, making both women look up, and Amanda gives Iliad a comforting smile before taking her arm and leading her to the front of the house. Entering inside are two Vulcans, fancy and well-fit, followed by a gorgeous and strained, refined, young Vulcan woman. From the stairs, Sarek descends with his arms behind his back. “Sevet, T’Pril, and T’Pring, lovely that you could make it to our home.” T’Pril doesn’t smile, and there is no Vulcan's smile, but somehow, it is worse for her. “You are fortunate that we had the time in our busy schedule.” her eyes immediately find Iliad, a distaste and displeasure already contorting her face. Before T’Pril can open her mouth, Sarek approaches Iliad’s other side. “This is Ensign Speaicalist Iliad. You have heard speak of her father Volass.” with a fond face, Sevet nods. “Yes, I had the honor of meeting your father once. A great man.”

“Thank you.” Iliad nods, trying to push the thought of her family from her mind. T’Pring takes a couple of steps forward. “So you are, Iliad?” gulping, Iliad nods. “You’ve heard of me?” she asks, trying to be polite. T’Pring shrugs. “Spock has spoken of you…you seem close.”

“...We served together.”

“On the Enterprise?”

“No...… We served…..I served on the USS Discovery.” It was suddenly hitting her like a train, like a bomb. The exercises, the working out, the meditation—no substitute for feelings. “It was a science vessel.”

“Good evening everyone.”

All turn to the top of the stairs at Spock’s voice.

All eyes are blown wide.

Iliad bites her lips to ensure the bubbling sounds are locked in her chest and can’t escape through her vocal cords, but it’s becoming more laborious by the second to the point where she has to slap a hand over her mouth. Everyone turns to her at this point. Sevet turns to Sarek, concerned. “What is the matter with her?” eyes still on Spock, Iliad drops her hand, unable to contain her laughter, doubling over to hug her stomach. Sarek smacks his lips. “I believe she is laughing.”

Seeing her reaction, Spock’s lips flick into a small smile across his freshly shaven face. As he walks down the steps, Amanda sends him a slight grin, and Iliad stands back up, wiping tears from her eyes, attempting to breathe. “You! You!” she calls, walking over to Spock and touching his shoulder. “You-You’re face! You!” barely finding the words, Iliad scrunches her brows. “What happened to roguish, rugged, space Vulcan?” lifting her hands, they hover by his face. “Can I?” letting out a light laugh Spock allows. “You may.” the second her fingertips hit his cheeks, Iliad gasps. “I don’t understand-...Why?” 

“If one does not laugh, then they will cry.” thoughtfully, Iliad takes her hands away, staring at Spock. Bringing his hands up, he takes her wrists to hold. “I recalled your words and how you once remarked how you never imagined me clean-shaven. So now you no longer need to imagine.” Vulcans can be straightforward at times; Spock simply wanted to make her smile because of it, her smile. He never understood why it made him so pleasant, but it did. T’Pril clears her throat, making both parties step back from each other quickly. 

“How was dinner for you?” Iliad wonders as she and Spock walk from the door where they’ve just departed from the visiting family. Spock nods. “T’Pring is well; T’Prill is still wary of me.” patting his arm, Iliad states, “Who can’t love you eventually?” furrowing his brows, Spock asks, “Sarcasm?” Iliad comes to a stop. “I’m not sure, " she admits, opening the door to her bedroom. “How do I even begin to thank you for everything you’ve done, Spock?” 

“...Smile.” 

Leaning in the doorway, Iliad allows her mouth to turn up and her teeth to show through. “Well that I certainly can do.” pushing herself forward, Iliad softly kisses Spock’s cheek and laughs at his wide-eyed face. “Sorry.” she breathes out a giggle. “And thank you again, night Spock.”

“Good night, Iliad.”

Once in her room, Iliad holds her arms and lets out a content sigh, cut short by seeing her PAD on her bed glowing. She picks it up while reviewing the message and, more importantly, who sent it: “Commander Una Chin-Riley?”

Chapter Text

“Ensign Iliad, it's a pleasure to have you here.” Una warmly greets Iliad, who steps down from the USS Farragut’s transporter pad. Iliad adjusts the collar of her standard uniform, the only one she has. “Thanks for the lift.”

“I should thank you for being on Vulcan. The Farragut is giving me a lift to the USS Archer. When they told me I could pick anyone for this mission, you were the first to come to mind.” The door slides open, allowing a yellow-shirted Lieutenant to enter. “Excuse me, Commander. The ready room is set up as you requested-”

“Kirk?” it slips from Iliad’s lips without any restraint. Jim furrows his brows and laughs. “Uh, that’s me. James T. Kirk…Have we ever met before?” waving a hand and taking a deep breath, Iliad shakes her head. “Not in person, but I’ve heard good things.” Smirking, the Lieutenant leans in the doorway. “If they’re about me, they must be great things.”

Clearing her throat, Una tilts her head at Jim, who immediately straightens up and motions, “Right this way.”

Once in the ready room, Una motions to the seats by a large screen, and they both sit. Iliad starts, “A message that says I need you for a mission isn’t a lot.” shrugging, Una crosses her legs. “It was enough to get you to beam up here. You itchn’ to get back in the field?" 

“Honestly, I didn’t think I’d ever be offered a chance to return!....Also you have a choice of anyone in the fleet, what mission could warrant you picking an Ensign?”

“First contact.”

“...I’d like to remind you that my only first contact mission went horribly on Kaminar.”

“It’s more of a reverse first contact. The planet in question is a little less than one light-year out from zero point.” hearing this, Iliad sighs. “Where Discovery blinked into the future…Between all the ships, there that must be…a couple hundred warp signatures.”

“This planet’s governments collected enough data to reverse engineer a matter/anti-matter reactor. They’re building weapons. They are not a warp-ready society.” Iliad, intrigued, leans forward. "What's the mission about?”

“Get in, disable the weapon, delete the data, and get out.” Nothing is as easy as it sounds; however, in an ops mission, the fewer people, the better. “Two-person mission?” Iliad wonders. “Just you and me,” Una confirms, scootching herself forward. “Your credentials are nothing to sneeze at Iliad, and your experience made this a no-brainer. You’re the girl I want with me.” it wouldn’t have taken much convincing anyway. This was Iliad’s life now. She had to start thinking about how to spend it, but that didn’t mean she had to give up Starfleet, and this was her way back in “When do we leave?”

Ring…Ring…Ring!

Attention turns to Spock’s communicator; he rises from the bed shirtless, clicks accept on the call, and inserts it onto a monitor. A bearded Pike shows up on the screen. “Spock,” he starts before tilting his head. “Are you naked?”

“No, Captain.” Spock answers as T’Pring rises from the bed behind him, assuring, “No, Chris, he is not. He was about to be. It’s a special night.”

“Sorry.” Pike blurts out, and Spock asks, “Is everything all right, Captain?”

“When was the last time you saw Iliad?” a curious Spock reveals. T’Pring and I left on a trip two days ago. I last saw her before I left home.” With a sigh, Pike gives the order: “We’re going back out. Una and Iliad have gone missing. April’s sending us out to find them-”

“I will meet you on board, Captain.” The response was swift and sure, leaving it clear to T’Pring that there was no room to convince him to stay. “Pike out.”

“Spock out.” when the monitor turns off, T’Pring finally speaks, “You had no idea she left Vulcan?” facing her, Spock can’t asses her tone; T’Pring goes on, “You were concerned about even coming on this trip.”

“That was in concern for Iliad’s health.”

“And why must you be in such close proximity for her to be able to heal?” He couldn’t lie; he didn’t have to give the whole truth. Spock had not told T’Pring of the bond yet; it simply hadn’t come up, and Spock secretly hoped it would stay that way.

Stepping onto the Enterprise's bridge, Pike looks up from his PAD to find a red shirt in his seat. He and Spock step out of the turbolift as the woman promptly stands at the sound of the whistle. Everything was neat and orderly; even her braided hair had no fly-aways. “Captain Pike,” she greets. Lieutenant La’An Noonien-Singh, Chief of Security. I’ve been assigned as acting first officer.” Pike nods to her. “Welcome aboard, Number One. You’ve got some pretty big boots to fill.”

“I’m aware.”

“Okay.” Turning his attention to the rest of the bridge, Pike starts his speech and moves to sit in his seat. “Welcome back and welcome aboard, everyone. Ready, Lieutenant Ortegas?” at the helm, another red shirt with a short, uptick, laid-back attitude confirms, “You bet. Course for Kiley 279 plotted and laid in, Captain.”

“Ops. How we doing, Lieutenant?” 

“Lights are green across the board.” answers the secondary helmsman, Lieutenant Jenna Mitchell. She smiles at Pike. “She feels ready to meet me, Captain.”

“Communications.” turning to the ship's right side, Pike recalls, “Ah, yes, the prodigy. Cadet…Uhura? On communications rotation.” the new face nods. “Very happy to have you aboard.” with a shaky breath, Uhura smiles. “Thank you, sir. Glad to be here.” chuckling lightly, Pike thinks out loud, “I got a girl I should introduce you to after this mission, a prodigy like you.” hearing a buzz, Uhura goes to her earpiece and taps it before reporting, “Enterprise is cleared for launch.”

“Okay, Ortegas, let’s take her out.” Erica Ortegas confidently starts to take the ship out of the shipyard. Jenna reports, “We are five-by-five for warp.”

“Ms. Ortegas,” Pike smirks. “Hit it.”

Thrusters glowing blue, the ship stretches and zips out of that plain of space, the empty space around it shifting as it enters the warp. Pike orders, “Ship wide, Cadet Uhura.”

“Aye, sir.” she turns and nods when Pike’s voice is ready to be broadcast across the ship. “This is your captain.” begins Pike. “We’re a little early out of the gates, so I hope we didn’t catch anybody with your hair wet or your pants down. As you’re all aware, Starfleet sends out a first-contact team whenever our deep space probes detect signs of a working warp engine. Six days ago, the signature of a functional warp drive appeared on Kiley 279. The USS Archer went to say hello…We have since lost contact. Our mission is to find our people and bring them home. And maybe if we get lucky, make some new friends…Nobody dies. This mission will not be anybody’s last day. Captain out.”

From his seat, Spock regards Pike with a concerned look; he faces his own station and finds himself balling his fists tight. Maybe if he hadn’t gone with T’Pring, he could have stopped Iliad from going, or perhaps he could have gone with them. Suddenly, he has to wonder if this is what Iliad felt when Spock was missing. The tiny connection can get him to grin before giving him the purpose to refocus on his tasks.

“Droping out of warp.” announces Jenna. The Enterprise arrives at a giant blue-green M-class planet. Peering at the view screen, Pike asks, “Any sign of the Archer?” Erica reports, “Getting her transponder ping on the night side.”

“Take us around, Lieutenant. Hail her. All frequencies.”

Uhura works her controls and, after a second, shakes her head. “Nothing, sir.” Pike wonders, “Any chance we’re losing her response to sub-space chatter?”

“There is no sub-space chatter. It’s dead quiet out there.” The USS Archer appears on the screen, but there is still no movement. Jenna shares, “All systems show in the green. Ship’s perfectly intact, sir.” standing, Pike turns to Spock. “Life signs, Mr. Spock?”

“None.” shares Spock, starting to get frustrated. “But neither am I detecting any bodies. The ship is empty.” turning her chair, La’An wonders, “Where’s her crew.” remotely accessing files, Spock reads over his screen, muttering, “Fascinating.”

“I’m all ears,” Pike muses, causing Spock to turn confused; Pike corrects, “Figure of speech.” Facing his screens again, Spock walks Pike through what he found: “I am remotely accessing the ship’s manifest. Archer carried only Una and Iliad.”

“If she went to the surface, she’d have headed for the warp signature,” states La’An confidently. Pike asks, “Can you locate it, Spock?”

“I have it, sir. Although-”

“Not really in the mood for an “although” right now.”

“I’m having trouble locking on. Its location may be shielded.”

“This warp signature’s also got a pretty weird signal variance.” Erica adds, scrunching her face up. Biting his lip, Spock turns to Pike. “Captain, I recommend deflector shields to full.” Pike scowls. “Any obviously defensive posture is in direct violation of first contact protocols.”

“We have not gotten any hails from the surface, and there is no sub-space chatter. No interplanetary traffic, no orbital dock. This planet does not show the signs of space colonization. And then we must consider the fact of why Una has traveled with only Iliad and not a first contact team.” thinking about this fact, Pike immediately orders for the shields to be raised as the alert goes off, signaling three projectiles coming from the surface of the planet. Spock asses “Plasma torpedoes. Three direct hits.”

“But if we hadn’t had our shields up…”  La’An trails off, nodding a mark of good faith to Spock. Pike crosses his arms. “Plasma torpedoes? That’s 21st-century tech. How in the hell did these people develop a faster-than-light engine?” with a thoughtful expression, Spock has an idea. “They did not.” he concludes, “I recommend we go to Red alert.”

“Red alert, Ms. Uhura.” the light trimmings around the bridge flash red as Spock continues, “I have analyzed the signal variance Lieutenant Ortegas isolated. These people have not built warp drive. Based on these readings, they have built a warp bomb.”

Thinking for a second, Pike flicks his chair PADD, and info about Kiley 279 appears on the screen. “What else do we know about the planet, Spock?”

“It would seem there are two warring factions.” he begins, “And their conflict has escalated to a crisis point. Surface scans of the planet are consistent with pre-warp society.” standing from her seat, La’An crosses her arms. “How is that possible?”

“As you know, the Vulcans invented first contact.”

“As they never fail to remind us,” interjects Pike. Spock brings up a star chart: “The worlds in this sector with warp all have or are in the process of being inducted into the Federation. We are free to travel to any of them. General Order 1 does not apply. Not on one of these worlds- in fact, not once in the entire history of first contact has warp been first developed as anything but a drive. Put another way, the nuclear bomb could have been invented before particle physics. It simply never has been.”

“Would Number One have known that the warp signature was that of a weapon?”

“I doubt it since she chose only one other person to accompany her for this mission. Iliad would be the best choice in disarming something quickly and if combat is necessary.” scrunching her nose at this, La’An steps up towards Pike's seat, the first notion not going unnoticed by Spock. “If those missiles are the best they’ve got, let’s beam down, find our people, and bring them home,” she argues. Pointing, Pike counters, “We have to consider the possibility that this technology isn’t native. However, they got it, if they found it in a crashed alien spacecraft if it was placed in their hands-”

“General Order 1 applies.” sighs out La’An, with Spock finishing off. “We cannot interfere with their natural development. We cannot show ourselves for risk-”

“But if they’ve already seen us!-”

“We cannot risk the possibility.”

“So we just leave out people there?”

“Hardly.” Pike stands looking between Spock and La’An, motioning a hand over his shoulder. “Let’s go see the doctor.”

The sterilized Sickbay is only offset by the light blue-shirted doctor manning it. “Doc!” Pike calls out, “Please, dispense some wisdom.” Looking up from his desk with a soft smile, the doctor shares, “Okay. Never get the house dressing.” The men laugh heartily as the doctor rises, sharing a hug with Pike. “Good to see you!” Pike exclaims before introducing, “Dr. M’Benga toured the Mojave with me, and I toured Kenya with him.”

“Mr. Spock.” M’Benga regards before turning and acknowledging La’An. “A pleasure to see you again. I received your orders, Captain.” he jumps into motioning to his assistant in a white uniform, “Nurse Chapel has you all ready for the job.” walking over, Christine Chapel waves to Pike before knocking into Spock’s arm. “Long time no see, Spock.”

“Wait!” Interrupts La’An “What job?” clapping her hands, Christine cheerily states, “I’m gonna mess with your genome. The locals are humanoid. They closely match most of the crew’s physiology and genetics. But we’ll need to make a few alterations if you want to blend in. Internally, they have a bunch of different organs that would take a lot longer to change, so…just try not to get an X-ray.” La’An is still skeptical. “Change how exactly?” Christine collects colorful vials on a tray next to an admiration device while M’Benga explains: “Nurse Chapel is part of Starfleet’s initiative to better observe alien cultures without contamination.”

“You make disguises.” La’An boils down, making Christine throw her own tone back at her. “And you boss a rocket ship if, you know, we’re going all simplistic here…I make minor alterations to your genetic code and induce internal celerity to express short-term changes to your biology.”

“Is it safe?”

“Almost every time.” Christine teases with a smirk, not helping La’An’s impression of her. M’Benga begins sorting the vials into the sedative and the gene therapy. “At least there is good news.” Pike perks up at this when M’Benga corrects, “Speculative good news that neither the Commander nor the Ensign are injured.” hoisting herself onto a bio-bed, La’An asks, “How could you possible know that?”

“Mr. Spock and Ensign Iliad’s joint medical file.” letting out a whistle, Christine beams wide, teasing Spock; she sings, “I had fuuuuun reading that!” nodding, Pike gets the idea. “Yes, if Iliad had been severely injured in any way, Spock would have felt it.” legs swinging from the bio-bed, Spock clarifies, “Distance is a factor. But theoretically, I could feel any injuries from here to the surface.” the distinct click of a hypo-spray makes everyone face Christine who eyes La’An first “Let’s get started.”

Tucked between beige walls in a modernist city, the gold beams of the transporter dissipate, leaving behind the genetically altered La’An, Pike, and Spock. The two men wear navy suits, hair combed back, and La’An wears a tree-textured suit and skirt with a beehive hairdo. Their pupils were large, and their eyebrows merged rigidly into their foreheads, where a delicate, unique, spotted pattern was dotted from their temples down to their widened noses. Glancing around, Pike scrunches his forehead. “Why is it always an alley?” he ponders. Spock feels a breeze by his legs. “Captain.” he looks down. “Where are my pants?” They all look down and notice the difference between Pike and Spock’s clothing: Spock is given shorts. Pike shrugs, trying his best to muster a sympathetic smile. “When in Rome, Mr. Spock. It’ll give Iliad new comedy material to work with.” Spock tightens his lips at this, swallowing. “You would have then enjoy the moment I revealed I had shaved to her.”

Exiting the alley, the three come to a park clearing surrounded by concert buildings and a large screen displaying radical events, citizens versus law enforcement. “Protests carried on through the night.” a reporter's solemn voice starts, “And into the morning at federal sites around our nation. Seditious elements continue to spread rumors of an advanced weapon being developed by the government for domestic use.”

“It appears we’ve landed in a society in the midst of some prolonged civil conflict within this planet’s government.” Spock points out, making Pike grimace, “Shades of old Earth. Are you familiar with the United States of America, Spock?”

“Yes, as I am with both their civil wars and their devastating results.”

“If this society’s already at a flashpoint and they’ve somehow acquired an advanced weapon…” trailing off, the two men glance at each other, a breath escaping them both. La’An’s tricorder beeps. “Captian,” she calls. “We’re close enough for me to get a better fix on the warp signature.”

“Where?”

La’An juts her chin out to a stark square building out front. Protesters are gathered and being held back by police. “There.” Pike nods, walking closer with his two officers following behind him. “Whatever is shielding the warp tech makes transport impossible.” informs Spock as they duck behind a few columns to read their equipment; as they do, two uniformed employees in grey and teal lab coats exit a side for “We can’t beam into the building. We’ll have to find-” La’An jumps in. “Captain, permission to act fast?”

“Granted.”

“Stay here.” asserts La’An before stumbling just behind the two uniformed officers, falling limp and whimpering. The two men immediately turn back around to help her, taking both her arms to help her stand. “Oh, my medication…over here.” fanes La’An, turning the scientist back towards Pike and Spock. They help her over while La’An pants. “His neck!” she makes a pinching motion behind her back for Spock to see, enforcing, “His neck!” getting the idea, Spock surges forward and pinches the first scientist where his neck meets his shoulder. He Vulcan Neck Pinches the second one, passing out on the group. “It is fortunate their musculature was responsive.” rolling her eyes, La’An purses her lips. “Fortunately, you can finally take a hint.” she stands, pointing at the men. “Enterprise can fabricate replicas of their clothes and security badges to match our retinal scans.”

“What do you suggest we do with these?” motions Pike to the passed-out bodies. La’An glances at them. “...Beam them up.”

“Beam them up where?”

“Well, Sickbay can sedate them-”

“You’re suggesting we leave these people unconscious on a Federation starship while we complete our mission?” sums up Spock with an argumentative tone, still having laid out La’An’s thoughts perfectly. La’An fights. “They’d experience no pain, have no memory, just some lost time.”

“I have yet to have a first-contact scenario that has gone well enough.” swallows Iliad, her forehead in her hand, elbow perched on the side of the concrete bench, her body slumped on the floor. Across the cell, Una sags against the wall, hair a mess, arms crossed. “You know what they say, third time’s the charm.” turning her head and raising a brow, Iliad shakes her head. “...No…” Standing up, Una crosses the room to sit on the floor next to Iliad. “It’s hard when you lose things, especially those you don’t expect to lose.” shaking her head, Iliad laughs slightly. “Oh! Yay!” she fanes sarcasm. “Another version of the same conversation I’ve had the past three months…I just want to be able to…”

“To what?”

“...My entire life is Starfleet.” Iliad sighs, leaning her head back against the wall. “To do something else feels criminal. I…I can’t think of giving my life over to anything else. To wake up every morning and have the possibility of discovering a new species, planet, solar system. It’s-”

“Incredible.” finishes Una with a soft smile, knowing that same unencumbered passion of being in awe of the Federation and Starfleet. Even though you’re down for the count, you pray that one day, someone will extend a hand to you and put you back in the game. Bringing one knee up, Una interlocks her fingers around it. “You ever think about working on a constitution-class vessel? A ship like the Enterprise, maybe?”

“...Wha-I…That’s quite a ship…Ship with departments, I don’t even know where I would fit in.” giving the girl a half smile, Una shrugs, “I bet you’d fit right in.”

The three disguised officers shift through the crowd of protestors, attempting to reach the building's entrance. “That was quite a performance you gave back there,” Pike informs La’An, who scoots past him. Prey posture is useful for tricking predators into thinking you’re helpless.” This erie statement is overwritten by Erica tuning into Pike’s coms.

“Captain, you can’t go in.”

“What? Why?”

“Chapel needs to beam down a booster for Spock. Give us a minute.” The team freezes right before the door, and an enforcement officer gives them a stink eye. “Hey, keep it moving.” grimacing, Pike leads on, begrudgingly entering the building, whispering to Erica, “We don’t have a minute.” 

Inside, there’s a security checkpoint, armed guards standing next to a pillar with a card pad on it. Stepping up first, Pike takes out an ID card, swipes it, and presents his eye to the retina scanner. On top of the pillar, the light dings green, and the guard signals him to walk through. La’An steps up next, and the light also turns green for her. Finally, Spock swipes his card and presents his eye for scanning.

EHHHHN!!!

The light flashes red, causing Spock to hold his breath. He leans back in to try again.

EHHHHN!!!

The guard closest puts his hand on his hoster, containing a primitive gun. Holding his hand, he pushes Spock back. “Step away from the scanner.” Blinking hard, Spock feels a sensation in his eye, the golden beams of the transporter clearing his vision. Quickly, he leans back in.

DING!!!

The light flashes green, and the guard relaxes, giving Spock a curious look. Ultimately, he shakes it off, motioning for Spock to step through. With a new pace, Spock rushes to join Pike and La’An, waiting till they’ve stepped into a side corridor to explain, “My genetic alterations may continue to wear off.” taking over the lead, La’An guides them with her tricorder, “The walls here are embedded with some kind of highly dense radiation plating. It’s why our sensors couldn’t penetrate the building. Only something as powerful as a warp signature would even have a chance of getting out.”

Stopping suddenly, Spock let out a hiss before glancing down at his right ankle. Pike and La’An come to a halt; Pike shares a knowing glance with Spock. “How bad do you think?” he asks where Spock registers the pain. “Not horrible but certainly painful to walk on.”

“There here.” La’An announces, making both men turn on a swivel. “Where?” demands Spock. “Down.” states La’An curtly. “Way down.”

The three of them are shoved among four other scientists. One attractive woman turns to the side, smirking lightly toward Pike and running her eyes up and down his body. Pike returns a small smile, satisfying her enough to turn forward, allowing the unfortunate conundrum of Spock being placed closest to the door to play out. Her face immediately changes at the sight of Spock’s ears. They ripple, pulse, and contort slightly but still very unnerving.

Before any words can escape her lips, the elevator bell dings, and Pike steps briskly in her line of sight. “This is us.”

“Down here.” motions La’An, quickening her pace down the long corridor towards three doors, all signaling as locked. Pike taps Spock’s shoulder, cornered. “Spock, your ears.”

“I’m aware,” responds Spock with a surprising amount of annoyance in his tone. “The pain is quite remarkable but the recoding has stabilized for now-”

“AAHHHHHHH!!! SHIT!!!”

Although muffled mainly through the concrete, the group is still startled by the sudden, prolific, profanity-ridden scream. Jogging ahead, Pike goes up to the middle door. “It’s this one.” He swipes his card to unlock it, the buzz resounding off the wall of the tiny prison cell beyond the door.

Una, who has Iliad’s head in her lap, looks up startled. “Captain?” she questions, taking in his appearance. “That’s quite a look,” Pike smirks, shaking his head. “How about thank you for saving me?”

“Somehow, I figured you might.”

“Can you move?”

“There was a minor altercation; Ensign got her ankle tweaked.” Una moves her hand from Iliad’s head to show her pained features, and her hands are clamped over her ears. “But out of nowhere, Iliad started feeling-”

“Why do my ears feel like they're on fire?!” Iliad shouts, her gaze on Spock, who stands in the doorway. “What did you do?!” she demands to know, although she can tell it has something to do with his squirming ears and the genetic disguise. Spock comes forward carefully, taking Iliad’s hands to place one around his shoulder. “Lean on me,” he instructs, getting her up on her right foot. Iliad clenches her teeth, instantly picking up her left at the smallest amount of weight. “I have you.” enforces Spock, trying to get her to put more weight on him. “Will you please comply?” he asks, making Iliad roll her eyes. “Come on, I already feel bad enough for interrupting your trip.”

“You make it sound as if the choice to come was a difficult one. And I know T’Pring understands.”

“According to you?” Spock is silent at her words for a moment; he swoops down and scoops Iliad up, taking the weight completely off of her. She simply scowls, “Spock…Put me down.”

“Iliad…No.”

Going to roll her eyes again, Iliad stops at the sight of the security officer. “La’An?” her face is riddled with shock and confusion. La’An starts to reflect Iliad’s features until Pike helps Una stand. She locks eyes with La’An and states her name with a soft smile, making La’An return, “Hey, Chief.” Pike points between them. “Wait, do you two know each other?” Starting with a sigh, La’An explains, “Yeah, she found me once when I was in a bad spot.” Dusting off her arms, Una raises her brows, “Didn’t I tell you to stop being brave?”

“I should have said something.” recognizes La’An “I-”

“Later.” Pike pushes, pointing to Iliad. “Report,” he asks where Iliad smacks her tight lightly with a shrug. “Shielding is jointed. We need to be closer to the surface for a transport signal.” Pike calls “Number One.”

“Yes, Captain?” La’An and Una respond, making Pike’s head swivel between the two. He points to Una, “Uh, the original.” He then points to Iliad and Spock. “Is this overreacting, or was the altercation this bad?” Una raises a brow at Iliad, who scoffs, “Fine. I can’t walk.” She narrows her eyes at Spock. “Happy?”

“Of course not.”

“...Spock.”

“...Sarcasm?”

“Yes,” she grits out, clenching her teeth, the pain in her ears throbbing in her skull. La’An steps out first, followed by Una, then Spock, carrying Iliad, guarded from the rear by Pike. “It is fortunate our route is empty,” Spock comments, making Una snap. Can you not jinx it?”

“It is illogical to believe-”

Ding!

A group of guards and scientists exits the elevator, stopping before the group. Heaving a long huff, Iliad bites her lip, starting to grip Spock’s shoulder. “Mhm…oow.” she wheezes out. Unable to keep a straight face, Spock’s hands grip Iliad hard, and he squeezes his eyes shut. “Captain, the pain…it is…it is unbearable.”

Spock lets out a loud roar, closely followed by Iliad burying her face in his neck and tears dotting the corner of her eyes. However, as quickly as it started for Spock, the ordeal ended, and his face and ears returned to normal. “Ah…that is better.” Iliad smacks his shoulder. “Shut up.”

The Kiley scientists and guards all gawk at Spock. La’An takes this chance to rush one of the guards, elbowing him. Taking his chance, Pike sacks another guard in the face while Una puts the final scientist in a sleeper hold, slowly lowering them to the ground as they lose consciousness. Staring at the group of the assaulted, Pike hisses, “No time to hide them. Let’s move.”

They all rush into the elevator, where Spock nods and thumbs his tricorder. Iliad grabs it for him, holding it in her lap, to see the readings: “Still getting interference, need to be higher.”

“What happened here?” Pike asks Una and Iliad. These people are not ready for first contact.” Glancing at La’An, Una bites her lip. “She’s not cleared for this.”

“I don’t give a damn. How the hell did they get warp?”

“They saw the Red Angel,” Iliad interjects, making Spock and Pike furrow their brows. “They saw all those ships and warp signatures and were able to to reverse engineer a weapon.” Iliad glances at Una, finishing this. “The mission was to disable and take the weapon off-line. I was able to sabotage it, but we were discovered before I could shut it down. ”

“Pattern boosters are working now,” Spock informs, looking up from the device Iliad holds. “Transporter control is locking on.” Placing a curled-up fist on the wall, Pike takes a breath, staring at his reflection. “If we leave now, every death that follows is on our hands.”

“We cannot further influence the destiny of this world.”

“Mean to or not, Spock, we already have. Our only option now is to influence it well. Una you’re with me the rest of you beam back to the ship. Spock get the Ensign to Sickbay immediately.” Spock nods “Yes, Captain.” La’An flips open her communicator. “Three, beam up. Leave the Captain and Commander behind.” The golden light surrounds the three, shimmering them in a translucent glow before disappearing.

“May I take off your shoe, Ensign?” having been laid back on a bio-bed in Sickbay, Iliad motions a hand to her foot at Dr. M’Benga’s request. “Please, and Iliad is just fine.” Christine walks over with a hypo-spray, beginning to frost over the swollen area. “Badass name.” she smiles, introduces herself, and then introduces Dr. M’Benga. When hearing his name, Iliad nods. “Yeah, Hugh Culber mentioned you from your days at the Academy.” stopping at this, M’Benga gives Iliad a soft smile. “I almost didn’t believe it myself when I heard what happened…Sorry for your loss.”

“...It’s okay.” for the first time, it wasn’t said with malice or an edge; it was noted with realization, “I’m working past it.” Iliad smiles. The world didn’t stop, time didn’t stop, her time didn’t stop…The second she accepted going on this mission with Una, she knew what she would do with the rest of her time, whether Starfleet would let her back or not.

“How does it feel?” Spock questions as he, Pike, Una, and Iliad walk into the conference room of Starbase 1. Iliad looks down at her ankle and shrugs, “Pretty good.” Holding his hands behind his back, Spock mentions, “You seem good.” He smiles, and Iliad knocks on his shoulder before they sit down. “Let’s just say I really needed to get out of the house.” hearing this, Una throws a smirk over her shoulder, winking at Iliad before they rise at the entrance of Admiral April. 

He wipes his forehead. “Getting the Federation High Court not to throw you all in jail for your stunt on Kiley almost took more pull than I have.” he waves his hand down. Everyone sits as he finishes, “And I have a lot of pull. I had to go to the CNC personally to get myself read into what you people did on Discovery. Hell of a job, Chris.” he directs to Pike, Spock interjects “If I may ask, Admiral, how did you convince Starfleet our actions did not violate General Order 1?”

“I used a loophole. Since the council can’t acknowledge that the battle with Control took place, they cannot acknowledge how the people of Kiley 279 acquired warp. They’re not happy about it. They’re doubling down on Order 1, renaming it the “Prime Directive.” everyone almost gags at the name change as if it’s the most important thing Starfleet is now focusing on. Una scoots forward, “Admiral, permission to return to Enterprise.” April faces Pike. “Well, that’s up to you, Chris? You plan on keeping the chair?” smirking, Pike opens his mouth to answer.

“Captain’s log. Stardate 2259.42. Earth- the dust and sky- is my hearth. But Enterprise is my home. We can go forward together, knowing that whatever shadows we bring with us, they make the light all the brighter….I am…A lucky man.” the doors to the Captain’s ready room open, and Pike steps onto Enterprise’s bridge, where Spock and Una stand at attention. “Captain on the bridge.” she announces and then reports, “Crew rotation is complete, Captain. As you requested, the newbie is on her way to the bridge.” Pike walks alongside her to the captain’s chair. “Thank you, Number One.”

“The New Security Chief is in place,” finishes Una, smiling at La’An, seated on the ship's left side. Erica turns from the helm as Pike sits, “Departing Starbase 1. We are five by.”

Uhura taps her coms. “Starfleet Command, this is Enterprise. Requesting warp clearance.”

Spock turns from his station, “Ships systems are optimal.”

Clapping his hands, Pike crosses his ankle on his knee. “Just waiting for-”

WOOOSSSH!!!

Everyone turns back as the doors slide open, and their new crewmate steps out from the turbolift. Pike’s grin turns into a beaming smile: “Everyone please give a warm welcome to Starfleet’s first purple uniformed officer, Ensign Speailist Iliad.” Gripping her hands in front of her, Iliad can’t keep the smile off her face. Her hair had been curled and made nice for her first day, and her purple dress with gold accents was steamed and wrinkle-free.

Pike and Una walk back over, shaking her hand. Iliad gratefully states, “Thank you both so much again.”

“To be honest,” Una starts. "When Chris said he was gonna be Captain, we had a nice long talk about what a shame it would be for such a promising young talent to be simply sitting on Vulcan. And then the uniform issue was simple: blue plus red makes purple.” The three walk over to Iliad’s station between Uhura and Spock, where Pike leans in to whisper, “Remind me, you took part in the Command Training Program under Mr. Saru, correct?”

“Yes, sir.”

“How would you feel about continuing it?” eyes widening, Iliad swallows. Crossing her arms, Una comments, “I thought you didn’t take on trainees?” smirking, Pike looks at Iliad. “I’ve decided to make an exception.”

“We are cleared for warp, sir.” says Uhura as Pike and Una return to their stations. Erica asks, “What’s the mission?” Sitting down, Pike takes a deep breath. Iliad looks at the viewscreen as he talks, his words reflecting what she knew she was going to spend the rest of her time doing: “We explore. We seek out new life and new civilizations. We boldly go where no one has gone before...”

……In 3190, at Federation HQ, United Earth rejoined the Federation and many other worlds. All of these species celebrate together at a small conference. Michael Burnham stares out the window at the many ships and planets connected at this event. She is addressed as Captain by Laira Rillak, the United Federation of Planets president, before they politely discuss the future together. 

In another corner by a window, Saru admires the star with the president of Ni’Var, the new name for Vulcans when they joined the Romulans. T’Rina stands with him in beautiful silence, serene and peaceful for once in their hectic lives. 

“Madam President,” they both turn to find a Vulcan, and their hair is kept and cut clean. The most notable feature is the cybernetics and blue code-like veins running from their temple down to their shoulder on the right side of their face. The cybernetic doesn’t overtake their eye, but they have a reconstructed metallic signature Vulcan right ear. “You requested my audience?” they question, making T’Rina fold her hands and step to the side of the young Vulcan. “Saru, I would like you to meet one of my personal friends and ambassador to the Federation.” The Vulcan outstretches their right hand, which is metallic, proving that cybernetics continues further than meets the eye. Saru takes it, shaking their hand “Commander Saru.”

“Ambassador Aeneid.”

Tilting his head at the name Saru, he lets a comment slip: “Interesting.”

“Aplogies?” Aeneid asks, “I do not believe I said anything of informative quality.” He lets go and Saru puts a hand over his heart. “It is not that, I simply used to know someone who’s older sibling had that same name…as it is not a common name Vulcan name it simply surprised me.” taking both his hands behind his back, Aeneid nods “My siblings and I were raised on earth for a majority of our lives. My father, Volass, was always quiet enamored with human literature-”

“Volass?” interrupting the ambassador, Saru steps back, crossing one arm and using the other to tap his lip. T’Rina removes her hand from Aeneid’s shoulder. “Is something the matter-”

“Khronos Union.” Saru suddenly recalls the name and faces the two after letting more words escape his lips. Aeneid and T’Rina freeze, their faces going serious, somehow even more serious than Vulcan's faces already are. T’Rina keeps her voice low. “Saru, how do you know that name?”

“A friend of mine, Iliad, was trying to get back home…um…Yes! Prime Welcome, she called it.” Stepping in front of T’Rina, Aeneid is grave, and they want an answer: “How…Where is my sister?”