“Computer, a slice of cheese, a can of cat food and a can of dog food.” Harmony ordered from the replicator in her quarters.
The replicator complied and produced the requested food items. Once the items fully phased in. Harmony used her mission saddle, something she had taken to wearing whenever she was in her emitter, to carry the items over to her waiting pets. “Here you go guys. Dinner.” She said as she gave Remy the cheese, Angela the cat food and Porthos the dog food.
Remy smiled as he was given his dinner. “Thanks, Harmony. Oh Kami, do I love this stuff.” He said.
Porthos couldn’t help but chuckle. “I think he likes your cheese better than anything we ever gave him.” He commented.
“Can’t say I blame him. This cat food tastes so good.” Angela said. “We definitely made the right call.”
Harmony chuckled as she watched her pets eat. “Ya know. I’m still amazed that Remy’s your guys’ son. Must be a real miracle of procreation.” She said.
“Procreton?” Remy asked, mishearing the word.
“Procreation.” Porthos said. “It’s what allowed us to bring you into the world.” He said.
“Oh.” Remy replied, fascinated. “Will I be able to procreate someday?” He asked.
“Well, not for a long while, since you’re only 4 years old.” Angela said. “But maybe someday, if you find the right girl. Who knows.” She said.
While Remy smiled and ate, Harmony checked the clock in her quarters, and nodded, walking towards her transfer alcove. “Alright. Porthos, Angela, you’re in charge. I’ll be back later.”
“So, what’s going to happen if you catch this girl?” Porthos asked. Harmony had explained to her pets what she was doing that night.
“Throw them in the brig and evaluate what to do after that.” Harmony responded as she transferred herself into the Equestria. “Should they come here, run.” She added, before she reappeared in holo form, all over the ship, the crew saw Harmony’s avatar appear, sometimes in multiple places.
(Start to about 1:24)
Space: The final frontier. This is the story of the USS Equestria. A ship fresh out of construction, with a crew fresh from the Academy. Together they will embark on a mission of discovery, and evolution. They will explore a strange new frontier, seek out new life and a new civilization, and boldly go farther than anyone has ever gone.
In the security office, Yamik and the security night shift saw Harmony appear in the room. “JWO CyberSpark.” Yamik acknowledged.
“Cmdr Yamik.” Harmony replied. “My avatar is in position.” She reported.
“Perfect.” Yamik responded. “One way or another, we’ll catch this perp.” He said.
“Anything specific you’d like me to do Cmdr?” Harmony asked.
“When one of you spots the cloaked figure, do what you can to apprehend.” Yamik responded.
“Aye sir.” Harmony responded as she began her watch over the entire ship.
Meanwhile, in Proxima’s quarters, Proxima paced back and forth, deciding she wasn’t gonna sleep tonight. Harmony watched her pace. “Captain. You should get some rest. Yamik and I can handle this.” She said.
“I’ll remain awake til we catch this person. Just a precaution, Harmony.” Proxima responded. “Especially since I have a sneaking suspicion what might REALLY be going on.” She revealed.
“Captain?” Harmony asked, confused.
“It started when it was said that the perp was a female.” Proxima responded, recalling what she had been thinking about all day. “I remembered that we currently have a pair of lunatics back in the Federation that can mess with us through Sela. And these attacks fall in line with what they tried to do when the Laminan Delegation paid us a visit.” She said.
Harmony blinked, connecting the dots. “You think they’re behind these attacks?” She asked.
“It’s one possibility.” Proxima responded.
Harmony nodded. “I’ll keep an extra close eye on cmdr Sela tonight.” She said.
“Good.” Proxima acknowledged. Hoping like hell that it WASN’T that, but she was no fool. The chance was very, very real that all this was Sela’s parents. And if it was true, then that would be another charge to their growing list of charges for when they were eventually caught.
It took a few hours, but eventually, the cloaked figure struck. In her quarters, Ensign Freedough had woken up to go to the bathroom, and when she returned to her bedroom, she was ambushed by the cloaked figure, who opened up with a strike to her gut. Freedough grunted stumbled back out into the living room as the cloaked figure stepped out from the shadows. Freedough barely had time to recover before the cloaked figure punched her in the face. “Gah!” Freedough grunted as she reached up to her face. Shockingly, nothing was broken. The cloaked figure went for another strike, but this time Freedough managed to dodge and deliver a powerful blow of her own to the mask, a blow hard enough to stop the cloaked figure in their tracks briefly. “It’s you.” She commented, venom dripping from her voice.
Harmony meanwhile tapped her combadge. “CyberSpark to security. Cloaked figure sighted in Freedough’s quarters.” She reported, before rushing the cloaked figure, trying to pin her down.
The cloaked figure however saw her coming and when Harmony came into arm’s reach, the figure grabbed her and used her own momentum against her to throw her away. Harmony tripped over herself and crashed into the ground.
Freedough, seeing that the cloaked figure was momentarily distracted, attempted to throw a punch to try to knock the figure out, but the figure reacted quickly and whirled around, using a thus far hidden Klingon knife to slash at Freedough’s face, scoring a hit and slicing Freedough’s cheek open. “Gah!” Freedough responded as she stumbled back, tripped over herself, and stumbled down to the ground.
Harmony, getting up, shook her head before turning around just in time to see the cloaked figure slice Freedough’s other cheek and stab her in the stomach, eliciting an agonizing scream from Freedough. “Big mistake!” Harmony exclaimed as she tackled the Cloaked figure to the ground and used her mouth to tear the mask off the figure.
The mask fell away and Harmony was able to see the face, and she stumbled back when she saw the face of. “Cmdr Sela?!” She exclaimed in shock. A quick inspection of her avatar stationed In Sela’s quarters confirmed Sela was not there.
In Harmony’s moment of shock, Sela, not saying a word, tapped the hidden combadge and disappeared. “CyberSpark to Medbay. Medical emergency in Ensign Freedough’s quarters!” She exclaimed. “And security to Sela’s quarters. SHE is the cloaked figure!” She added as she rushed over to Freedough. “Freedough, you ok?” She asked.
Freedough just groaned in pain as she clutched the wound in her stomach, blood dripping from her face. Not one moment later, medical officers transported to their location and immediately got to work, rushing Freedough to the Medbay.
Meanwhile, in Sela’s quarters, Sela blinked as she shook her head, seemingly coming to her senses. “What? What am I doing—“ She was cut off when she felt a mass tackle her to the ground. “Gah! What the hell?!” She exclaimed as she glanced behind her to see Harmony on her. “JWO CyberSpark! What is the meaning of this?” She asked.
“Sorry Commander, but you need to be detained until we figure out what’s going on.” Harmony explained. “That cloaked figure that’s been attacking the last few days? YOU are that figure.” She said.
At that, Sela stopped her struggling. She remembered that she felt something in her hand. She glanced around until she saw it, the Klingon Knife that had been used to assault Freedough. The knife, though dim, clearly had blood on it. “What?” Was all she could say.
Soon enough, security came and detained Sela. The Cmdr put up no resistance, in part because she was too busy trying to comprehend what the hell was going on. Her? The cloaked figure? It did not make sense. Never would she consider ever attacking a Starfleet officer. And yet, she had vague memories of the Klingon knife, which was being bagged by the security officers.
As they took Sela away, Harmony, confident that the situation was now under control, deactivated all but one of her avatars, the one being in Proxima’s quarters. “By golly you might actually be right captain.” She said.
Proxima, who had already received the report from Yamik, nodded. “Indeed Harmony.” She said, trying hard to maintain her composure. “Harmony, do you know if she was still wearing that necklace I gave her the other day?” She asked.
“I did not see it. However it was tough to see anything given how dimly lit the room was.” Harmony responded. “Why do you ask?”
“I don’t know why, but I have a bad feeling that eventually, Sela’s parents are going to target that crystal.” Proxima responded. It was pretty clear that Sela’s parents could see everything Sela saw. So it was likely they knew about the dream crystal. She didn’t put it past them to smash the crystal out of malice. “Good work Harmony.” Proxima said after a minute. “Your avatar clone power came in real handy.”
“Thank you captain.” Harmony responded. “I’m only sorry that it was Sela and not an actual stowaway.”
“Yeah, well. At least we can safely assume Sela did not do it of her own volition.” Proxima said. “In any event, tomorrow is going to be hell.”
“Is there anything else you need tonight?” Harmony asked.
“I’m good. Dismissed.” Proxima responded.
Harmony nodded and disappeared back to her quarters. Leaving Proxima alone to process what had transpired. “...We might actually need to keep Sela in the brig until her parents can’t touch her...” She contemplated. It was clear that the T’Palas were escalating the situation and were now targeting the ship and the crew. Which made Sela an even bigger danger. “We should count ourselves lucky that they seem to not be able to Mind Meld 24/7.” She commented to herself as she headed for bed, figuring that she would need the sleep to be well rested for the crap show that the next day would bring.
In a secret bunker, Mr T’Pala deactivated the Mind Meld Amplifier and removed the headset. “It would appear they are catching onto our machinations.” He commented.
“It is of no consequence.” Mrs T’Pala responded. “With that dream crystal placing Sela at ease while asleep, it has been trivial to take complete control of her. Tomorrow night, we shall at last rid her of her anger.” She said.
“Whom shall we target?” Mr. T’Pala asked.
“Let us target the fourth Ensign who asked to waste power doing art on an asteroid.” Mrs. T’Pala suggested.
“Your decision is logical dear.” Mr. T’Pala responded as the two of them walked out of the room into another, calling it a night.
First thing in the morning, on the USS Equestria, Proxima and Phlox walked side by side to the brig, Filling each other in. “Thankfully Ensign Freedough’s injuries aren’t any worse. She wil be back on her feet tomorrow.” Phlox reported. “What concerns me is what’s going on with Sela.” He said as he called up his HUD.
Proxima, seeing the hud, deduced what Phlox was going to say. “Let me guess. It IS her parents terrorizing us.” She said, clearly pissed off.
“Bingo.” Phlox responded. “Her brainwave activity during the attacks is consistent with previously recorded incidents.”
“Great.” Proxima said. “Just great. They can now outright attack us in our sleep and Sela, being asleep, can’t resist it at all.”
“I highly recommend you keep trying to expedite the magical block front.” Phlox responded. “At this point it’s Sela’s, and our, only hope.”
“I’m giving them a call as soon as we’re done in the brig.” Proxima said. Mind racing. “If we don’t nip this in the bud now, The next attack could be fatal.”
“There is something we should talk to Sela about also.” Phlox commented. “Coming out with her situation with her parents.” He said.
“You mean tell the crew.” Proxima deduced.
“I hate to say it, but Sela is now vulnerable to a legal hellstorm if anyone decides to press assault charges against her.” Phlox explained. “They need to know that Sela was not in control of her actions.”
“But Sela would need to agree to it.” Proxima pointed out.
“It is the most logical course of action, captain. And we both know that Sela is a million times more logical than a pair of vulcans back home.” Phlox reasoned.
Proxima considered it for a second, before nodding in agreement. “Add it to the list of things to discuss with our cloaked figure.” She said.
At that moment, Proxima’s combadge blazed with noise. “Captain Maxima, you have a priority one communique coming in. It’s Ambassador Starscout with her aid and the N’Var President.” The officer on the other end said.
At that, Proxima stopped in her tracks. “Well speak of the devil.” She said. “I’ll take it in my ready room.” She said, before turning to Phlox. “Go on ahead Doc, I’ll catch up.” She said as she tapped her combadge and transported away.
In the brig, Sela roused awake and fluttered her eyes open. She expected to see the surroundings of her quarters, but instead was greeted with a different scene, upon inspection, she found that she was in a cell in the brig. Confused, she sat up and looked around. “Curious.” She stated simply, looking around to see Cmdr Yamik at the security console with the guard. “Cmdr Yamik.” She called out, alerting Yamik to her awakening.
Yamik in turn heard the call and turned his head to see Sela get up from the bed. “Cmdr Sela.” He acknowledged.
“Yamik, would you care to tell me why I am in the brig?” Sela asked.
Yamik was momentarily confused, until it dawned on him that Sela actually might not have remembered what happened the previous night. “So you don’t remember what happened last night? Or the two nights before?” He asked.
At that, Sela raised an eyebrow, her confusion growing. “Why? Did something happen?” She asked.
Yamik turned to the guard and dismissed him, the guard left the two alone and Yamik called up the security feed. “We found out who the cloaked figure was Cmdr.” He said as he played back the feed, cobbled together across all three nights.
Sela watched as the events of the last 3 nights played back for her. As she watched, her memory started to come back to her. She saw herself replicating the cloak and the mask, going to the different officers to attack them, and most disturbing of all, saw herself replicating the Klingon knife that she had vague memories of. “No, No this could not be right.” She said as she stumbled back, the gravity of what happened hitting her. “I would never even consider assaulting a fellow officer.” She said, sitting back down, mind racing.
“And yet the feed shows you doing just that.” Yamik replied as she turned off the feed. “3 times in fact.” He added.
Sela was in a state of shock, her mind racing. It was all coming back to her. Voices in her head telling her to assault her fellow officers, her attempting the deeds, only to vanish out of sight before she could finish the job. ‘What have I done...?’ She thought.
At that moment, Phlox entered the brig. “Morning Yamik.” He said.
“Doctor.” Yamik acknowledged.
Phlox approached the cell and glanced at Sela. “Morning Cmdr. How’re you doing?” He asked.
Sela, in her current state, scrambled to her feet and backed against the wall, seemingly having a panic attack. ”Stay back Doctor. I do not want to hurt you.” She said, panting.
“Commander.” Phlox responded in a calm voice, he guessed that Sela was told and or remembered what had transpired. “Remain calm. What happened these last three nights was not your fault.”
“How could you say that when the evidence is clear as day?” Sela replied. It seemed that in her current state, she could not come to the logical conclusion that her parents were responsible. “I assaulted THREE Starfleet officers. The LAST thing anyone on this ship should need to worry about is an officer assaulting another.” She explained.
“True.” Yamik admitted. “But If you’ll just allow--Hang on.” Yamik paused when he noticed someone missing. “Where’s the captain?” He asked Phlox.
“Got an urgent call.” Phlox responded as he called up his HUD. “Just let me explain Sela, it’ll all make sense.” He told Sela.
Meanwhile, in Proxima’s ready room, the holographic images of President Serak, Ambassador Starscout, and her aide Alphabittle. “Mr President, Ambassador, Alphabittle.” Greeted Proxima.
“Good morning Captain.” Sunny responded. “Apologies for missing your last transmission. I had to take care of something that came up.” She said.
“I understand.” Proxima responded. “I was planning to reach out to you within the hour. To follow up on mind meld blocking magic.” She explained.
“Yes. That is why we called now captain.” President Serak responded.
“We believe we may have found something.” Alphabittle said.
Proxima refrained from showing signs of relief, but she wouldn’t lie that that was the best news she’s heard in a while. She did however think of something. “Before we continue, might I put you on hold while I summon Commander Sela?” She asked. “She will want to hear this.”
“Of course Captain.” Serak responded. “I was actually going to inquire where she might be.”
“She’s in the brig. Parents struck again.” Proxima responded simply as she tapped her combadge. “Yamik, Phlox, let Sela out of the brig and all three of you report to my ready room, on the double.” She ordered.
“Aye sir, we’ll be there as soon as possible.” Yamik responded before the connection was cut.
A few minutes later, The doors slid open and Proxima saw Phlox and Yamik enter...followed by Sela, who’s wrists were cuffed behind her back. “Yamik, were the cuffs behind her back really needed?” Proxima asked.
“Sorry captain, she requested them as a security measure outside the brig.” Yamik responded.
“I assaulted three Starfleet officers. I should not be out of the brig at all.” Sela commented.
“Cmdr, we already told you that your parents are the reason you did it.” Phlox said. “Everything is going to be alright.”
“Forgive me for not sharing your confidence Phlox.” Sela responded. She glanced around, and just then realized who was in the room with them. She stiffened as she gazed upon President Serak, Ambassador Starscout, and her aide Alphabittle. “Mr President, Ambassador Starscout.” She greeted them. “M-My apologies for...this...” She said, feeling embarrassed.
“No apology needed Cmdr.” Sunny responded. “We can see you’re going through some stuff right now. And we may have a way to help.” She announced.
When that reached Sela’s ears, she stopped and stared at the holograms. “You do?” She asked, her hope having been waning very fast with the knowledge of the last three nights that they would ever find a way to stop her parents’ machinations.
“It sure sounds like it Sela.” Proxima responded. “So, what do you three have?” She asked.
“President Serak and I have been doing some research and running simulations. And based on our findings, We believe we found the spell that will shield your mind.” Alphabittle explained. “However, It has limitations.” He added.
“Limitations?” Yamik asked.
“Indeed.” Serak responded. “There are varying levels of a mind meld that can be performed. Based on what I know about the situation, Sela’s parents are exercising the highest level of mind meld. If they were not using such a technique for sinister purposes, I would actually be impressed.” He said.
“And that is relevant because this spell’s effectiveness depends on the caster’s own magical prowess.” Alphabittle chimed in. “Captain Maxima, how would you say your prowess fares?” He asked.
“I’d say about average for a unicorn.” Proxima responded. “But I get the sense that it won’t be enough.”
“That, I cannot be sure of.” Alphabittle responded.
“Because this will be the first occurrence of magic being used to shield from a mind meld in recorded history, we simply have no way of knowing how effective it needs to be to provide complete shielding.” Serak explained. “For all we know, it will not be enough.”
“It will be better than nothing.” Sela responded. “Proxima, I would like you to cast the spell as soon as possible.” She said.
Proxima saw that coming from a million miles away, and she could not blame her for wanting to have it done.. “Anything else we need to know?” She asked the three callers.
“The other limitation is that it needs a vessel from which to contain it. That dream crystal you are wearing for instance cmdr.” Alphabittle responded. Causing all eyes to turn to see the Necklace Sela was wearing.
“Then I hope we can get this done before she goes to sleep.” Proxima replied. “And are there any side effects or trade offs we should consider?”
“Based on our findings, it WILL affect Sela’s ability to mind meld for as long as she is in possession of the enchanted artifact. To what extent we do not know. But it is unavoidable.” Serak explained.
“I do not mind meld very much to begin with so I do not consider that a negative Mr President.” Sela responded. Her mind made up to go through with the plan.
“In that case, I’ll transmit the enchantment. Good luck, all of you.” Alphabittle said.
“Thank you for your help. All of you.” Proxima responded to the three callers.
“Of course, Captain. That’s what friends are for.” Sunny said.
After bidding farewell, Serak, Sunny, and Alphabittle disappeared as the call ended. Leaving the Starfleet officers in the Ready Room. “Yamik, Phlox, dismissed.” Proxima said.
Phlox and Yamik nodded and left the room, leaving Sela and Proxima alone. Proxima extended her horn and used her magic to take Sela’s cuffs off. Something Sela winced at. “Captain. I--”
“Sela, it’s fine.” Proxima responded, cutting Sela off. “Equestrian magic versus Vulcan physique, magic WILL win every time. Trust me, we’re both safe.” She explained. To which Sela had no response to.
After a moment of thought, Sela just relented and let her arms fall to her sides. “Once again, your logic is impeccable captain.” She said.
Proxima smiled. “Now, you holding up OK?” She asked.
Sela sighed as she sat down on the couch. “If I am being honest Proxi...I am not sure.” She said. “I took part in an act that no Starfleet officer should ever take part in. Especially last night. If Harmony had not stepped in, I might have…” Sela trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence.
Proxima understood as she hopped onto the couch next to Sela and extended a wing around her. “Just hang in there Sela. I promise to give it my all into this enchantment.” She said. “One way or another, this conflict with your parents is going to end.”
“There is no guarantee that it will work. And even if it does, my parents, persistent cockroaches as they are, might find a way to adapt.” Sela said, instinctively leaning against her friend for comfort. “I am not sure how much longer I can go on like this.”
“Sela, I can only imagine what you must be going through right now.” Proxima said. “But It’s all going to be ok. You have people here that will have your back 100%.” She assured Sela. “You’re not alone.”
“Even so, it does not change the fact that the last three nights will haunt me for a long time, if not for the rest of my life.” Sela responded, burying her head in her knees as her eyes grew misty. “I will have to live with what I did for the rest of my life. How can those I attacked ever trust me again after this...?” She asked.
Proxima moved into a full blown hug, wrapping Sela in both her forelegs and wings to try to sooth her distraught friend. “Phlox actually brought that up earlier.” She revealed. “He suggests that maybe it’s time to tell the crew the whole story...Or at the very least let the victims know so that they will at least know that you weren’t in control.” She said.
Sela stiffened when Proxima suggested it, in truth, she had considered that course of action before, but she feared what the response would be. “Do you think they will believe me?” She asked. Her voice cracking slightly.
“We have all the evidence in the world to show them.” Proxima responded. “Especially them basically confessing to conspiracy against a Starfleet officer. And then against the whole crew.” She said.
“Even so...” Sela responded before trailing off, not sure what to do.
After a moment of silence, Proxima broke it. “How about we first get that shield up? That’ll give you time to consider it?” She suggested, sensing Sela was not sure what to do.
“That...Might be best captain.” Sela responded. “And in the meantime, It would be best that I remain in the brig. Just in case my parents decide to rear their heads again.”
“Or I could just confine you to quarters, disable the replicator, take your combadge, and post guards at your door.” Proxima countered. “Sela, there’s no reason for you to be in the brig when you’re not being mind melded.” She reasoned.
Sela considered Proxima’s counter suggestion, and decided that it would be an acceptable alternative. “That is an acceptable alternative captain.” Sela responded as she took off her combadge and gave it to Proxima.
Proxima smiled. “I’ll walk you there.” She said. ‘And then...I’m paying a visit to Engineering.” She said, an idea coming to her.
“For what reason?” Sela asked, confused.
“Because I’m gonna see if I can enlist the assistance of the Elements of Harmony. As well as the Unity Crystals.” Proxima responded.
As they both got to their feet, Sela couldn’t help but give Proxima a raised eyebrow. “I am not sure I follow captain.” She admitted.
“Just trust me Sela.” Proxima responded as they left her ready room. Proxima smiling at her idea.
To Be Continued...