Continued from here.
Chapter Three
"Into the Abyss"
With the strange matter of the Tribbles being in places they shouldn't dealt with, Captain Kirk had all of the guests aboard the Enterprise report to the bridge, cutting any of their continuing conversations short. Burnham and Sarek had waited for them there, ready to tell them what they were doing moving forward.
"We've managed to link the networks of both the Enterprise and the Discovery," Burnham explained. "With expanded knowledge of the mycelial network of this universe, we should be able to accurately reverse our jump coordinates again and hopefully reach the Discovery's original universe. In addition, the Enterprise will be providing us with energy in case we need it."
"Excellent work, Burnham," Saru commended, via a holographic communications link from the Discovery. Nodding as he stood back at the Discovery bridge, arms folded behind his back, he said, "Hopefully, we'll be able to finally return home... and we can get on to the other matters at hand."
"With that in mind, let us proceed back to the Discovery."
It was with best wishes that the group was beamed back to the Discovery, where they were brought to the bridge soon after. Saru was speaking with Kirk briefly before the two ships finalized their preparations.
"Captain Kirk, I must thank you again for your assistance. Even if the plan is far from surefire, the Discovery is indebted to the Enterprise. Even if... I'm not exactly sure we would be able to repay such a debt," Saru said, speaking to a holographic image of Kirk.
"It's my pleasure, Captain Saru. We're all on the same side here, so I'm just happy to help," Kirk responded in a friendly manner, nodding his head briefly, "But of course, don't thank me yet. We don't know what might happen from here on out; it's all completely uncharted territory. Regardless, let's move forward with our heads up and about."
While Kirk was more openly friendly than Saru was, the alien had to admit, the prospect of stumbling upon an incarnation of Starfleet just as altruistic and gregarious as the one he knew and enlisted into was an encouraging one, certainly a far cry from the Terrans that he, Burnham, and the others had inadvertently stumbled upon. It was the truest form of what the Federation's principles stood for; unity through mutual trust. Unity that transcended borders. Unity to topple walls. Unity to overcome barriers between nations, planets, and even dimensions, it seemed.
"We're ready to go in Engineering," Stamets said, his voice echoing through the bridge. "Just give me the order."
"Understood, Lieutenant Commander. Engage," Saru said to Stamets. And it all began again from there.
In just a few seconds, everything once again went white.
***
As the Enterprise's link with the Discovery began causing the entire ship to vibrate, it suddenly started to move on its own, as though being towed along. Looking back to Spock in mild alarm, Captain Kirk furrowed his brow.
"Spock, what's going on? Give me something here," he spoke hastily.
"Unknown, Captain. Whatever this anomaly is, it seems that it's enveloping the Enterprise."
WHOOSH!
...
"Does anyone else feel... strange?" Kirk asked as a wave of pure energy seemed to envelop the ship for a brief moment.
Certainly, something felt off, but the captain couldn't quite put his finger on it.
"Indeed... Whatever this anomaly is, it appears to be displacing certain factors of our existence. A disconcerting gesture, especially when it is difficult to determine exactly what has been altered," Spock responded, holding his chin.
WHOOSH!
Another wave hit the Enterprise, and then...
"There it is again."
Except for this time... It seemed as though everything was back in place.
"Whatever it was, it appears as though it has passed, captain. Though... I'd advise you take a look for yourself outside to see where exactly we are now."
***
After the flash was over, the bridge of the Discovery was deathly quiet. Saru, Burnham, and the rest of the crew waited in anticipation as if worried something had once again gone wrong. "Our systems are reading normal," Burnham eventually said, breaking the silence.
"Captain, we do seem to have an issue," said the helmsman. "We have definitely completed a successful jump... but the USS Enterprise is hailing us. It seems they were carried along with us."
Saru furrowed a brow, deeply concerned. "On screen," he instructed, before the view of the Enterprise's bridge came into view, the two crews making communication once again, "Captain! Are you and your crew alright?"
"Affirmative. No harm done, but... Well, guess we ended up being dragged along with you guys," Kirk answered, "I trust that you all are safe as well? Are you able to ascertain if you're back in your own dimension, at least?"
The helmsman took a moment to explain. "... Wherever we are, it is a complete unknown. There is no basis at all for me to determine where we might be."
Burnham let out a long exhale. "It would seem that every attempt we make to fix the issue only exacerbates the issue. This is quickly going beyond something we can make sense of or fix on our own."
"Hold on, Captain, we have visual on a nearby vessel."
Saru promptly requested that the view be relayed to both them and those on the Enterprise. What appeared confused the crews of both ships greatly.
Burnham, her mind reeling, brought up a database file on her console. "A ship of that nature has never been designed in Federation history."
"So, you have no idea if it's friendly," Elliot said, his voice flat.
"Can we establish communications?" Saru asked.
"Negative, Captain. All attempts are being met with failure."
"That means they are not friendly."
"Everyone, hold on," Burnham said, looking to the guests. "You are on the bridge as a courtesy. Let us not assume that this is an immediate threat to our safety. Either you respect your position aboard this ship or step out into the hall for the time being."
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"(Why does that ship look so familiar to me... Hmm...)" Vert exclaimed with a finger on her chin. Something about that ship sparked similarities for her but decided not to let that affect her. She had a feeling something about that ship was wrong. Why would they just attack them like that? And why would communications be rejected? She'd try to fly over to them but Gamindustri has never dealt with Space before so she didn't want to risk it. There was however, something she did want to try as she turned to the staff on the bridge.
"Excuse me?" Vert exclaimed. "Try to send out a open-broadcast channel in the hopes that the ship would answer, and let me talk to them. I believe we can solve this peacefully as this could all be a misunderstanding."
@Atomic Knight @Ver @Bridge
