A Journey to the Other Side

Posted on Fri Oct 16th, 2020 @ 8:03am by Commodore Phoenix Lalor-Richardson & Captain Gary Taylor

Mission: SEASON 4: Episode 1: Know Thy Self!
Location: USS Elysium, Senior Staff Room
Timeline: MD-5
1201 words - 2.4 OF Standard Post Measure

Lucianna waited with her Steward inside the Senior Staff Room. The Crew did not expect to find such a noble soul in the Mirror Universe. She had been on the ISS Elysium and studied some files in Alice's broken database that caused her great concern. To that, she had to summon the USS Elysium's Commanding and Executive Officers.

Phoenix had finally gotten a shower and a clean set of clothes for which she was extremely happy, but her crew were still being recovered and helped by medical staff and she was still recovering too but for this she would make an effort. With Gary beside her she entered the Briefing room. "Ma'am" she greeted the woman.

"Captain Lalor, Commander Taylor." Lucianna noted. "Please accept my my most sincere sympathies for the suffering your crew has endured during this ordeal. If I knew of your plight sooner, I would have rallied the rebels to your cause." This was not the Machiavellian and cruel woman Jessica often spoke of.

"No matter the timing, assistance has been greatly appreciated" Phoenix replied. "Please sit." So she could. "You wished to speak with us?"

Gary nodded politely but otherwise stayed silent Giving Lucianna the opportunity to speak. When she finished he would ask any questions he had,

"I have something of great concern to speak of you." Lucianna noted. "Over time, I've learned how to decipher imperial command codes. I've come across several documents that note of contacts Captain Taylor had in your realm." Lucianna mentioned. "I believe he was not grasping at straws when he substituted you for Lady Penelope Lalor, and I believe some people at Starfleet Command has your vessel on their conscience." Lucianna mentioned. "This plot took great amount of resources on Taylor's part, and I intend to trace these resources and individuals with your Federation's assistance. I have a bad feeling about recent events, and I would not leave you alone to face this jeopardy. There is also another boon I must ask you, that I would give my service to you for.

"Go on." Phoenix said.

Lucianna spoke. "House Kessanna, is the last... the last free Betazoid house here. The Empire had bred all the others into inquisitors they use to seek out dissent and eliminate. Captain, Life for my house is a constant struggle for survival. We even have families on the Rising Sun. A Klingon Cruiser is no place to raise a house. I am asking you... No I am begging you..." She knelt before Phoenix. "I need a safe place for my house, In return; I will dedicate myself to the service of your Federation in their defense against the Empire."

"You wish to return to our universe with us." Phoenix said softly. "I can fully understand why."

"I'm not asking this without cause. Nor am I abandoning the Rebels here. This is not the last you'll hear of the Terran Empire." Lucianna noted as she stood. "The Empire has your Federation in its sights. Captain Taylor failed Emperor Phillip, but I can assure you the Emperor's ambition will not end here. I'm afraid it is not if the Emperor will attack your Federation... It is when.... If he were to conquer your Federation, a revitalized Terran Empire would crush thousands of rebels fighting against Terran rule. Phillip has never been one to leave his ambitions unfinished."

"I read his file" Phoenix said softly. She had made sure they had downloaded their own copy of the ISS Elysium's computer into a separate computer so no corruption would happen. She studied the woman before her. "How many people of yours are there?"

"I have about ten families with me with nowhere left to go. As for these Terran agents. I don't know how many of them are in your realm, Captain. Captain Taylor trusted no one, not even his Emperor, and kept the most vital of his secrets in his head. But once we arrive, I will be relentless in my pursuit of them. I can assure you, they are a grave threat to both the Rebels and your Federation." Lucianna mentioned. "I need to meet someone trustworthy and learn the series of events that preceded your kidnapping. Otherwise. It will happen again. I have located the device Captain Taylor used to cross dimensions. I am going after these people, but I thought it prudent to get the support of your Federation before I began this mission." Lucianna smiled at her. "Not all of us in this realm is as evil as the Terrans. There is yet light here if you look hard."

Phoenix nodded and hit the comm. "Captain Lalor to Lt. Commander Vaii, Jess, can you come to the briefing room please."

It didn't take long for Jessica to enter the briefing room. Her eyes locked onto Lucianna's Almost instinctively, was the fear in her face of the woman. Her eyes widened as her mind zipped back to those times. Suddenly she felt the whips again and her eyes blinked with every lash.

"Goddesses Almighty." Lucianna mentioned as she felt it. "She was a monster?"

Jessica bowed her head. "Yes.... If I wasn't her heir, If I wasn't her legacy, if I didn't do it right... If I disobeyed..." It was like Jessica reverted to a ten year old girl. "She'd hurt me...."

"Jessica, come here darling..." Lucianna noted as she gestured her towards her.

Phoenix watched in silence. Then she stood and touched Jess's shoulder. "Jess?"

Jess moved towards Lucianna and she embraced her. "Oh Dear, It should have been me as your mother." Lucianna noted. "It should have been me, not her."

Phoenix considered it. "Maybe it can be."

Lucianna nodded. "My Jessica... there's nothing left. Six months in an Agony Booth. But I've taken many Betazoids that escaped as my daughters and I've loved each one like they were mine. Let me come with you, Jessica... Maybe we could have the life she never gave you."

Jessica nodded. "I'll always be a Vaii. But you are a lot better as a mother than that woman. Goddeses, dosen't these universes have a sick sense of humor. A mirror bitch was my mother, and the one I should have had is here. I'd be laughing if I wasn't still pissed at the Terrans."

"Bring your ships to this location, When we go back through the breach they will come with us. We will... organize the swap." Phoenix said.

Jessica spoke. "Join my house, my adoptive mother." Jess noted. "You don't want to be a Kessanna in this realm. They are treacherous and despicable."

Lucianna held Jessica and smiled. "Then we shall become House Vaii."

"We are looking to leave in 12 hours. Will you be able to be here in time?" Phoenix asked.

"Yes, We will." Lucianna mentioned. "I also have a feeling about my alternate, Captain." She said cryptically.

"I am sure you will deal with her in an appropriate manner" Phoenix said with a smile.

"I will find who betrayed your and your crew, Phoenix Lalor." Lucianna left with Jessica.

Phoenix looked at Gary. "Yeah lets hope so." She said softly. "Cause i have a few words I want to say to them"

OFF