Meanwhile, in the normal universe

[Cptn Elias Moore 0]

Tholian Subcommander Rubik scurried through the superheated corridors of the NX-05 Challenger, two aides trailing behind him. He was pleased at the ease with which they had taken the vessel as it made its return voyage from the planet known as Cait. Its crew was unable to detect his fleet's arrival, and by the time the stasis capsules had been transported, it was too late.

 

Rubik lead his aides into the vessel's lift and tapped the access panel, requesting the Bridge. As he waited, he reflected on his tour of the vessel. It was large, of course; inferior aliens always used the illusions of size to feign superiority. But always the subtle ways of the Tholian Assembly brought victory.

 

The lift stopped and Rubik stepped off with his entourage. He saw one of his technicians busily working on four large, deep red crystals scattered around the Bridge. The crystal at the center, just beside the Captain's chair, was roughly two meters tall and a meter around. The other three, one at a station in front of the Captain's chair and two at stations on either side, were half as tall and twice as wide. The crystals were covered by intricate webs of wiring, monitors, access panels, and power cells. If Rubik looked closely enough, he could observe that the crystals were transparent. Inside each was a human face, expression frozen, in total stasis.

 

Rubik turned his eyes to the technician and chirped, "I was informed that the first is almost ready?"

 

The technician's eyes swivelled to face Rubik. "Yes. This one." He pointed to the crystal in front of the Captain's chair. "We have managed to pinpoint his Dimension 13 counterpart."

 

Rubik moved to the front of the Bridge and took a closer look. Inside the crystal was a seated human, its arms outstretched toward the keyboard in front of it. "Identification?"

 

"Walker, Jake. Their navigation officer. Ensign--their lowest rank."

 

"Good." Rubik replied. "If this does not go well, his life can be safely forfeit."

 

The technician tapped at a crystalline pad in his hand. "Our readings show that the Dimension 13 Walker is currently under duress, as if his life is in danger."

 

"I am not surprised." One of Rubik's aides, Kinton, spoke up. "The humans of Dimension 13 are even more barbaric than these humans. His life is probably being threatened by a fellow officer."

 

"I am receiving the transfer formulas from the central computer." The technician glanced up at the viewscreen, which displayed Rubik's ship hovering in front of Challenger. His pad chirped a confirmation. "Formulas received. We may proceed at your command."

 

"Proceed." Rubik instructed.

 

The technician tapped his pad rapidly and the equipment surrounding the Walker crystal began emitting a rythmic hum, slow at first, but gradually picking up pace. Indicators on the monitors blinked furiously and the wiring gave off an occasional spark. Within the crystal, a white light began to envelop Ensign Walker. As the equipment worked more rapidly, the light became brighter, until the Ensign was no longer visible.

 

"Interphasic link established." The technician reported. "Initiating the switch."

 

The technician sent one last set of instructions to the crystal and the light within flashed so brilliantly that the Bridge was momentarily basked in a red glow. When the light faded, both the crystal and the surrounding equipment were once again dormant. The face within was again visible, its expression unchanged.

 

"Were we successful?" Kinton asked.

 

"Awaiting confirmation from the central computer." The technician watched his pad expectantly until new information was relayed from Rubik's ship. His eyes shot up to meet Rubik's. "We were successful. Ensign Walker is now in Dimension 13." His eyes turned to the crystal. "And this is the Dimension 13 Walker."

 

"Superb. How long before the others are ready?" Rubik asked.

 

The technician answered. "It will take time. The location process is especially difficult with the continuum in such disarray."

 

"We do not have time." Rubik said. "Your people must work quickly."

 

The technician glanced down at his pad suddenly. "We have pinpointed another." Rubik followed his gaze to the crystal beside the captain's chair and the figure standing within. "Their second in command. Moore, Elias."

 

"Excellent." Rubik remarked. "He is next. Prepare the transfer..."