Garek was busy working on the transporter when Admiral Valdago walked into the intelligence office.
"You vill give me a copy of da transporter information or I'll sick my large, strong, phasers-for-eyes alternate on you," he said to Sinclair.
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"Damn it! You know vut this is about. It's about Stephen Maruu. Your captain! Your commander."
"Their commander."
"You don't tink dat he didn't leave any instructions, do you? He knows who you are and he left Lataro strict instructions on vut to do should he vanish. I tink dis counts." Don't call my bluff, don't call my bluff, don't call my bluff...
"It's not up to me."
"YES IT IS! Tink for yourself for one minute. Ve aren't talking about any sacrifices. Ve just need your captain back, and I need to be sent home. Do it for the Federation; you still vork for them don't you?"
Sinclair thought about it for a moment. "Computer access file on transconnection technology, authorization Sinclair Alpha Zeta Four."
<Access granted.>
"Now if you don't mind I'm going to take a shower. Don't you dare look at anything in this room."
The Admiral smiled. "I could kiss you."
"I'm getting out of here before I change my mind or lips start flying." She left the room. Valdago put the file on a PADD and ran to give it to Loran.
"Well, I said it before and I'll say it again. It's going to be weird saying goodbye. But, I'd kinda like Stephen to come back, you understand."
"Of course. Do you tink dat I vant to stick around here, in dis perfect universe? I've got too much to do vunce I get back. After all, dee entire Federation probably needs to be reconquered."
"All set. Are you ready, Admiral?"
"As ready as I'll ever be."
Initiating transport," Garek said.
The form of the Admiral dissipated, and the form of Captain Stephen Maruu appeared on the transporter pad.
"This is getting so old!" he said with a big smile. His wife ran to him and jumped into his arms. "That never does. What's the report fellows?"
"I've been keeping the place running while you've been gone."
"Good, keep it up. I'll taking the day off."
He and his wife left.
"Captain's Log: Stardate 60499.3. Things are back to normal. But I can't help wondering about the universe that I visited. Will Admiral Valdago continue the mission? Is their mission futile? What's to become of my alternate? Only time will tell, and I may never find out."