Jacobsen snuck into the transporter room. He opened up a panel near the controls and began to crawl inside. Once there he opened an access panels to the control wiring. Inside was a mirror-like object that was attached to the transporter controls. He carefully removed the device and replaced all the paneling. He got out of the crawlspace and returned its door.
He left the transporter room and headed back to the intelligence office. Once he got there, he handed the PADD and the mirror to Sinclair without saying a word. Then he turned and left the office. The two didn't speak. That way they would never smile at each other in the corridor or do anything to connect them.
Alysa began to take a good look at the controls on the PADD an noticed that the settings would have connected it to a very specific timeline. Sloan know what he was doing.
"Computer, open channel to Officer 003, authorization Sinclair Delta Five Omega."
<Authorized. Channel open.>
It seemed ages before Sloan actually opened his side of the communication.
Admiral Valdago was taking a walk down the corridors when he happened to hear some talking. He stopped at noticed that the door to the intelligence office was open slightly. Figures, with Garek spending all his time trying to get us home, dis ship is falling apart.
Then, as he listened a bit he became interested.
"So, do you plan on telling me the details of our plan?"
[I'm very sorry, but I knew that Maruu knew who you were and who you were connected with. I simply had to be careful. It was nothing personal.]
"I fully understand. The business we are in does not allow for any holes. But, which reality did the mirror connect to?"
[Well, that's quite a story. We had originally acquired the information about the mirror to study it and learn to manipulate the transconnection of alternate realities. We haven't found a major one yet. But, while using it, we received a communication from a reality that was also busy using transconnection technology for a different purpose.
The screen split, and two Sloan's were on the screen, but the new one had a time code dating it three months ago.
[Hello, Luther,] said an alternate Sloan, [It seems the alien race that attempted to take over the Federation year ago is gaining force. I'm sure you remember the incident on Earth, stardate 41775. That's when, in your reality, Jean Luc Picard stopped the invasion of the Kullinari: that's what we call those damned roaches. Well, over here
Picard has died and wasn't able to save us. A civil war broke out years later when nearly half of the top brass at Starfleet was controlled by these things. Luckily, our crews were able to realize the changes and rebelled. No one ever figured out what had happened, but it didn't matter since we one the war.
[However, the aliens have begun to gain force again. They all but own a ship. It's the USS Virgo, located in the Gamma Quadrant on a mission of capture. I believe their mother lives inside of Admiral Stephen Maruu. He's been working on a war hero, Johnathan Valdago, to make him the leader of the people before he puts a roach in him. I'm afraid that if that happens the people may follow blindly into the trap this time.
[I've noticed some interesting aspects of your reality which is why I've chosen it. First, your people defeated the Kullinari before they got too big, second, your Valdago is half-Kirusan. For that reason I want him. Switch him with ours. With a Kirusan for an Admiral, the people will never trust him, and we'll be able to combat the Kullinari after the fall of their plan which has taken them 10 years to manipulate correctly.
[We never beg, but I'm asking you. Help. I'll await you're communication.]
The second screen closed, and the first Sloan continued where the second left off. [This may seem odd to you, but the truth is that I, we, took an oath. An oath to protect the Federation at all costs. Now, in that oath it didn't say our Federation. It said the Federation. I think this alternate reality counts. That's why we're involved in this whole thing. That's why we sent Valdago over there. That's all for now. Sloan out.]
The screen cleared. Alysa had a lot to consider. But before she could, she heard footsteps, and before she could turn around, she was knocked unconscious.
"Dare's noting I love more dan being da pawn of an alien race," said Valdago as he headed for the library.
Holding the mirror and the PADD with the information, he was basically running to the library when he rounded the corner and saw Jonathan Lataro and a baby waiting for the turbolift. Valdago almost stopped and waited, but decided that time wasn't his option. I've got to get back to my world so I can stop Stephen and save dat alternate me from my fate. Hell, sounds like I have a conscience again. I'm actually vorried for someone else, even if it is me.
He walked around the corner and faced his most hated enemy. Lataro saw him and got a look on his face that said, 'Here comes trouble.'
"Hello Jonathan."
"Hello Johnathan."
"Who's dat it your arms?"
"This is my son, T'Lan."
Valdago was astonished. The same man that killed his wife had a baby. No, dis isn't da same man. Dis is a different man, vith different values. Actually, he thought, Lataro is Maruu's right hand man, maybe da're both Kullinari.
"That's right," he said, confusing Lataro, "you didn't kill my wife. You're a different man."
"Uh... well," stammered Lataro, "I probably am."
"I'm sorry about da other day. My life is a bit troubling and I took it out on you." He extended his hand for a handshake. "Vill you accept my apology?"
"Any day," Lataro accepted the handshake.
"Now come on, ve have to get to da library."
"Okay, I guess T'Lan will need to go there someday anyway."
The turbolift arrived, and the three got in. The doors closed and they headed to find Garek.
Inside the library, Garek had discovered the man named Jean Luc Picard. He had also discovered the discrepancy that they were looking for. He vaguely remembered an incident when a Federation salvage team had come across the remains of the USS Stargazer. The ship had been destroyed, including the captain: Jean Luc Picard. However, in this universe, Picard survived the attack. That was the time they were looking for. Now I just need to know how to connect two realities.
Admiral Valdago, Lataro, and baby T'Lan walked up to him. Valdago held some sort of mirror.
"I've figured out the time of the separation. I just need to find out how to set up the transporter."
Valdago handed him the mirror and the PADD. "Vill dis help?"
Garek quickly glanced over the PADD's information and soon realized what it was. "Yes, it will. Come on."
Valdago, Garek, Wallace, Franny, Lataro, and T'Lan ran for the transporter room.
"It's all set up," Garek said. This will transport in exactly two minutes so that it correct. Luckily, the PADD displayed the exact time to set it for. Five people will go, five will return."
"But vait," said Valdago. "Dare are only four of us here."
"That's right," Garek remembered, "Chee's dead. If this machine goes off, it will take five people, whoever is closest to the machine!"
Luckily, Maruu was a quick thinker. He ran to the control pad and transported the dead remains of Johnny Chee to the transporter pad. "That should do it."
"Yes," replied Garek.
The room was full, all the senior officers and then some were there.
Lataro spoke up, "It's going to be weird. You're leaving, but coming back at the same time." Baby T'Lan seemed to be squiggling a lot more than usual.
"Vell, I'm sorry if I offended you. Tings are going to change over dare. I tank you all for dat."
Garek began the countdown. "Ten, nine, eight, seven, six..."
Smoke and sparks began to spray from the panel that the mirror was in. Some of the sparks landed on Lataro and began to burn through his uniform. As he jumped away and tried to shake off the flames, he began to lose his grip on T'Lan.
"Five, four..."
Valdago could see that the baby was going to fall.
"Three, two..."
His reflexes kicked in and he jumped to catch the child. As he passed Captain Maruu, Maruu turned to look as he realized what would happen.
"One..."
Valdago dove to the ground and caught the baby in his arms. Then, he realized what would happen and turned to look at whoever it would be.
"Captain!" yelled Wallace.
"Oh sh..." Nori said as the transporter engaged and sent herself, Yosh, Garek, the dead body of Chee, and Captain Maruu back to her universe.
The five were gone but the sparks continued.
<Automatic fire suppression beginning, this room will be sealed in ten seconds.>
The five forms of Dana Maruu, Sandra Yosh, Lieutenant Valdago, Garek Loran, and Major Johnny Chee appeared on the transporter pad.
"EVERYBODY OUT!" Lataro, now in command, again, ordered.
The crew, including five confused people, moved to the exit swiftly. Admiral Valdago ran out first and got the child to safety. K'Lara came over, and the Admiral gave him to her. She cradled him as Lataro ran over, horrified at his own action.
The computer spoke about depressurization as Admiral Valdago leaned against a wall and slowly slid to the floor.
After a few moments the room was safe to enter again and Garek walked in headed for the panel. He opened it and pulled out the machinery. He took them out to the corridor where everyone waited.
"Good news and bad news. The good news is: the mirror is fine. It seems to be undamaged by fire or electrical shock. Bad news: the PADD was." He held up the PADD which was melted beyond recognition.
The crowd turned to look at the Admiral who was sitting on the ground. His hands covered his face. Lieutenant Valdago walked up to him and looked at what he had been.
The Admiral screamed. "VUT HAVE I DONE!"