Star Trek: Erin

Part 11: The Alternate Dimension (That Sucks)

     Nowak stood very still and began studying the room. I paced to the door. Locked. "We're a bit trapped, but that isn't really a problem."

     "Why not?"

     I snorted. "We have enough firepower here to destroy a fucking star system. Opening the door will be easy. The problem—" I knocked on a crate for emphasis. "—is that we're in an alternate dimension." I tried my communicator's link to Marple without expecting it to work. It didn't, although it connected to Nowak's device.

     "Could Sprite be here too?"

     I shrugged. "Probably. We need a plan first." I peered into a box. "Although maybe there isn't much to plan. All we know from this room is that this Enterprise has a ton more munitions and likes fluorescent lights. We'll know more once we get out of here."

     "And returning to our dimension?"

     "Engineering has the smart people. We can ask there. Although..." I picked a rifle from a box labelled 'matter disruptor.' "If this is anything like sci-fi, we might run into ourselves." I aimed the rifle at the door. "We need a code word. In case we're identical."

     "Spaghetti."

     I lowered the rifle and looked over my shoulder. "Really?"

     Nowak joined me. "It is distinct and rarely comes up in conversation."

     I barked a laugh. "You have that right. Fine, spaghetti it is." I hefted the rifle. "Here's hoping this alternate dimension doesn't suck." I aimed and pulled the trigger.

     It was remarkably quiet as a bright orange beam shot out the rifle's business end and vaporized the door. "Neat," Nowak said. His eyes were gleaming. "Perhaps if the opportunity presents itself as we are leaving, we can bring some technology."

     "Yeah, Starfleet would love these." I placed the rifle back in its box and gave it a pat. "Thanks, little buddy." I glanced at Nowak. "We should scram. Unless doors getting wrecked is normal here."

     And we would've scrammed if the munitions depot weren't guarded. Judging by the back of their head, it wasn't either of us. Are they dead? I mouthed at Nowak. He shook his head. I rolled my eyes and drew my phaser. One stunned guy later, we were in the hallway, silent except for the general background whirring.

     Nowak studied the guard, an ensign about my age wearing an absurd version of the Starfleet uniform. It was practically a tank top with gold detailing. Oh, and the Starfleet badge was an image of Earth with a fucking sword through it. I eyed it warily. "I get the feeling this dimension sucks. Also, while this outfit is damn ugly, we should probably find some for us."

     "We have one here." Nowak frowned. "Although he is smaller than both of us."

     "No one will notice if the cuffs are a bit short." I grabbed the ensign by the shoulders and dragged him into the depot. Nowak helped me get the tunic off. I held it against me. "That's a nope. This one's yours." I draped the tunic over a crate and went to the doorway to stand guard.

     "How do I look?"

     I turned. Not bad. Tank tops suit his physique. "Like Elvis on a Starfleet volleyball team."

     Nowak blinked. "So... good?"

     "Don't push it." I checked the hall. "Clear. You go first. Don't die."

     "Yes, sir." One hand on his holstered phaser, Nowak slipped around the corner.

     I swallowed any fears and followed. The hallways were identical to our Enterprise except for the lights. I wonder what's so different about this reality. Would it be so bad to stay? I shook my head. We don't belong here. Focus on what we left. "Hey, Nowak? What was it like for you growing up?"

     He'd evidently been asked this before. "I have heard it is difficult for half-Vulcans on the homeworld, but I lived on Earth before Starfleet. My mother was a Vulcan technician, my father a secretary to her boss." There was that slightest of smiles. "They moved back to my father's hometown, so my mother and I were sort of celebrities. Few there had ever met aliens."

     "Ever been to Vulcan?"

     "Twice, to visit my mother's family. They had questions for my mother and I too."

     "Of a different variety, I bet."

     "That could be said."

     I smiled. "My sister's engaged to a half-Vulcan. Perhaps I can get some pointers on how to not embarrass myself when I meet his family."

     "No guarantees, Cobos."

     I snorted.

     At the next corner, Nowak motioned me to him. "It is you."

     My heart gave a nervous jump—which is dumb, but what can you do. "Loitering by the elevators?" I peeked around the corner. Sure enough, a woman who looked exactly like me was just sorta chillin'. Well, not exactly like me. For starters she was much more muscular, and I'm already Starfleet fit. Alternate-Me's eyeliner was better than I'd ever managed, and of course she wore the weird tank top uniform like a pro. "Damn, I look good."

     "Focus, Cobos."

     I poked him. "Maybe we can talk to me. Find out something about this world." Movement down one of the other hallways caught me eye. "Oh good, here comes you." An Alternate-Nowak was walking purposefully towards the elevators. I gave my Nowak a little smile. "Friends in multiple realities. Isn't that nice?"

     His lips quirked. "It is rather sweet. Although." He frowned. "If I ever consider a mustache, please do not let me."

     I looked back. Alternate-Nowak had wispy hair clinging to his upper lip for dear life. "Holy fuck you're right, that's hideous."

     I was still smiling as Alternate-Me pulled a wicked knife, pivoted as Alternate-Nowak passed, and jammed the blade up into his chin. The look in his eyes as he fell... he wasn't surprised at all.