The Other Woman

Posted on Fri Sep 4th, 2020 @ 5:15am by Captain Jane Saulitis (P) & Hak

Mission: Torn- Parallel Majestic
Location: Parallel USS Majestic/Yorktown Station
Timeline: PMD 3 (early morning hours)
838 words - 1.7 OF Standard Post Measure

Jane had showed Hak engineering and they were still meandering around the ship when she finally spoke up. "Can I ask you something? Normally I wouldn't ask for the information for fear of changing something but I'm pretty sure we did that when we tore into this universe. What do you know about me? The other me I mean, the one that lives in this universe?"

Hak looked at Jane, his expression unreadable, as he so often was. "You're making an assumption that 'you' even exist here. Even if your ancestors all survived the destructions of the Ooare. Even. If. Your parents somehow existed and somehow met and somehow procreated and somehow a person like you was born... what are the odds that you would be you?"

"True, but when I contacted you when we first came over you were surprised to see me but you knew who I was. You weren't completely clueless despite the obvious confusion. So I might not be exactly me, but there is a Jane here in this universe, in some form or other." She suddenly grinned, leave it to them to have a conversation like this. It was just so normal despite the fact that she was speaking to Hak from another universe.

"Alright," he admitted softly, paused his step and nodded. "I suppose I've been curious about my counterpart as well, if I'm being honest. Is there a place to get a drink around here?"

[Lounge - Deck 3]

Hak swirled the Aldebaran whisky around in the bottom of the glass. He'd never had anything quite like it, but Jane had assured him it was other-Hak's favorite. He could understand why now that he'd tried it. Their table sat along the forward viewports with impressive views of space and the Yorktown Colony. "I've met her. I wouldn't call it a friendly meeting. We were young. Meriven and I... we were trainees, doing a border patrol. We detected the Ares squadron, but we didn't have time to escape. We put up a pretty good fight for a few minutes," he shrugged, "but she was a better shot. Took out our engines in one shot."

"Hmm," Jane said, practically leaning on every word. "I wouldn't consider myself that. I'm a pilot by trade but I never liked to take a lot of risks, seems that's how I ended up here. Well not that being in command means you can't take risks . . . . but I'm rambling and that's not really what I wanted to talk about. So some things are the same and yet different. Can you read me easily? Sorry, that's probably a personal question."

"It's okay, I'll allow it," He grinned and took another drink. "Yes, I can read you a bit better than most, I guess. My mother always liked to say I was more Ogian than Betazoid."

Hak paused a moment as he ran his finger along the rim of the glass absently. His expression seemed to sober up a bit. "So, when I say I've met the other-you, I mean more than that she shot at us. Your team boarded our ship, arrested us, and took us back to Ares Colony. We stayed there in the prisons for four months. There were interrogations. It was...." he faded off for a moment. "It was hard on Meriven, but we bonded and we became closer because of it. Anyway, that's probably why she doesn't like you very much... well, one reason, I suppose."

"Ah, yes. That would possibly explain it." Jane had another theory but she wasn't about to voice it out loud. "There's not much use trying to hide things from you but honestly I'm just as intimidated as she is, for different reason. I wasn't planning on punching through to a new universe and I'm just a tad skiddish myself about making new friends here or trusting you even, it's all very complicated. No wonder sleep alludes me."

"Completely understandable and probably entirely rational," Hak admitted and bit his lip. "I appreciate your help improving the colony's systems, but you should be careful who you trust here. I think---"

"Bridge to Captain Saulitis. The station has locked its docking clamps and charged some kind of disruption field that's blocking our scanners."

She frowned and turned to Hak for some kind of explanation. She tapped her combadge. "Hail them and politely ask what they think they're doing? I'm on my way to the bridge with Commander Hak," she tapped it again and the channel went silent. "You were saying?"

Hak seemed surprised at the initial news and shook his head as he reached for the communicator on his belt. "I.. I don't know exactly, but let me find out." He flipped open the device, but there was nothing. He shook his head as he stood up. "I suspect this is a coup and Meriven is removing me. She doesn't take no for answer." He paused a length of a heart beat. "She's coming for your ship."