>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Mission: Lights, Camera….Action? Day: 1 Stardate: 2446.01.01/2025.06.30 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (Toronto, Canada - Aidans Apartment - ACSci Ensign Senior Grade Adala Michaels/Aidan McGowan - 0630) (Toronto, Canada, The Apartment - 2O/CEO - Lt. Cmdr. Keira Merek / Anna Hegilsdottir- 0650) (Toronto, Canada, Apartment - SO Ens.( SG ) Stan More / Brad Wilson - 07:00 ) (Toronto, Canada, Apartment - SO Ens.( SG ) Stan More / Brad Wilson - 07:01 ) (Toronto, Canada, Apartment - SO Ens.( SG ) Stan More / Brad Wilson - 07:10 ) (Toronto, Canada – Anna & Sarah’s Apartment - 2O/CEO, Lt. Cmdr. Keira Merek / Anna Hegilsdottir- 0720) (Toronto, Canada, Apartment - SO Ens.( SG ) Stan More / Brad Wilson - 07:21 ) (Toronto, Canada,Outside Apartment - SO Ens.( SG ) Stan More / Brad Wilson - 07:28) (Toronto, Canada - Gabrielle Knight’s Apartment - FO Cmdr Ailynn Bracken/Gabrielle Knight - 0730) (Toronto, Canada - Riverside drive - COO Lt jg Paul Sleeford/Saul Pickford 07:30) (Toronto, Canada - Gabrielle Knight’s Apartment - FO Cmdr Ailynn Bracken/Gabrielle Knight - 0740) (Toronto, Canada -Lakefront Apartment, Bedroom – CFO – Lieutenant – Ire Williams/Richard Evans- 0745) (Toronto, Canada - The home of Tristan Steele, Master Bedroom - CO, Captain Trip Williams/Tristan Steele and Civilian, Addison Queen/Faith Morgan - 0800) (Toronto Canada - Riverside Drive South - COO LTjg Paul Sleeford / Saul Pickford 08:00) (Toronto, Canada - Gabrielle Knight’s Apartment - FO Cmdr Ailynn Bracken/Gabrielle Knight and Ryan Christopher - 0810) (Toronto, Canada – 1384 King St W – ACEO Lieutenant Janice Hammerfield / Ava Kelly – 0830) (Toronto, Canada - 130 Carlton St. - CTO/3O Lieutenant commander Ravok/Kyle Ravine & CSO Lieutenant Erin Cortez/Genevieve Rhodes -0830) (Toronto, Canada -Lakefront Apartment, Bedroom – CFO – Lieutenant – Ire Williams/Richard Evans- 0830) (Toronto, Canada -Car on the way to Metro Toronto Convention Centre - CSO Lt Erin Cortez/Genevieve Rhodes - 0900) (Toronto, Canada - Tristan Steele's Toyota Tundra, In transit - CO, Captain Trip Williams/Tristan Steele -0900) (Toronto, Canada – Street – CFO – Lieutenant – Ire Williams/Richard Evans- 0913) (Pinewood Toronto Studios – ACEO Lieutenant Janice Hammerfield / Ava Kelly – 0915) (Toronto, Canada – Pinewood Toronto Studios, Sound Stage 3 – SOPS, Lt. JG Billy Alexander/Gawain Romanowski – 0918) (Toronto –Pinewood Toronto Studios, Sound Stage 3 – ACEO Lieutenant Janice Hammerfield / Ava Kelly, SOPS, Lt. JG Billy Alexander/Gawain Romanowski – 0920) (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - CTO/3O Lieutenant commander Ravok/Kyle Ravine & CSO Lieutenant Erin Cortez/Genevieve Rhodes- 0930) (Toronto –Pinewood Toronto Studios, Trailer B4 – ACEO Lieutenant Janice Hammerfield / Ava Kelly – 0930) (Metro Toronto Convention Centre– CFO – Lieutenant – Ire Williams/Richard Evans- 0933) (Toronto, Canada - Oliver Bader-Pagitt’s Penthouse - aACMO Ensign SG Heinrich Kruze/Oliver Bader-Pagitt -0937) (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - CTO/3O Lieutenant commander Ravok/Kyle Ravine-0940) (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - CTO/3O Lieutenant commander Ravok/Kyle Ravine-0951) (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - CSO Lt Erin Cortez/Genevieve Rhodes - 0955) (Toronto –Pinewood Toronto Studios, Lot 3 – ACEO Lieutenant Janice Hammerfield / Ava Kelly – 1000) ( Toronto - Pinewood Studios -Dressing Room Seven - COO LTjg Paul Sleeford Saul Pickford 10:00) (Toronto, Canada - York Suites, Ground floor- aACMO Ensign SG Heinrich Kruze/Oliver Bader-Pagitt -1002) (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - CSO Lt Erin Cortez/Genevieve Rhodes - 1021) (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - CTO/3O Lieutenant commander Ravok/Kyle Ravine-1023) (Toronto –Pinewood Toronto Studios, Lot 3 – ACEO Lieutenant Janice Hammerfield / Ava Kelly – 1026) (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - CSO Lt Erin Cortez/Genevieve Rhodes - 1027) (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - CTO/3O Lieutenant commander Ravok - 1029) (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - SFI Agent, Lt. Commander Tyko Nix/Nathan Christopher - 1032) (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre- parking lot - CTO/3O Lieutenant commander Ravok - 1037) (Toronto – Studio Car - Studio Asst/Driver Trixie Bell - 1056) (Toronto – Studio Car - CMO Lt Gabe Vespers Josh Baskin 1100) (Toronto – Studio Car - Studio Asst/Driver Trixie Bell 1101) (Toronto – Sickkids Childrens Hospital, paediatric oncology - FO Ailynn Bracken/Gabrielle Knight - 1120) (Toronto, Canada -Pinewood Studios Toronto - FO Cmdr Ailynn Bracken/Gabrielle Knight and Caity DuBois/Sam Buckmaster - 1430) (Toronto, Canada -Pinewood Studios Toronto - FO Cmdr Ailynn Bracken/Gabrielle Knight and Farfalina - 1450) (Toronto, Canada - Pinewood Studios, Trailer of Tristan Steele- CO, Captain Trip Williams/Tristan Steele and Civilian Addison Queen/Faith Morgan -15:30) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Begin Compile >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< Mission: Lights, Camera….Action? Day: 1 Stardate: 2446.01.01/2025.06.30 >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< (Toronto, Canada - Aidans Apartment - ACSci Ensign Senior Grade Adala Michaels/Aidan McGowan - 0630) Adala woke to sunlight streaming through the window of her bedroom. ~Sunshine~ She sat up with a start and looked around her. ~Where was she? What was she doing here?~ She slid out of bed, slipped her feet into a pair of slippers and pulled the robe over her shoulders that had been tossed over the chair at the foot of the bed. She wandered through the apartment, looking at the pictures on the wall. The faces, except hers, were nobody she recognized. A pile of what appeared to be letters on the counter in the kitchen and what apparently was a manuscript for a tv show, all of which carried the name Aiden McGowan. Adala poured a cup of coffee, at least she hoped it was coffee. It smelled like coffee from the pot on the counter and sat down, she pulled the manuscript from the envelope and began to read it. (reply none) (Toronto, Canada, The Apartment - 2O/CEO - Lt. Cmdr. Keira Merek / Anna Hegilsdottir- 0650) Keira started feeling the edge of consciousness, and began breaking through that barrier. She felt as if she drank something at the party that maybe she should have thought twice about. She felt the urge to wake but resisted it, instead pulling the warmth closer to her as she wrapped her arm around it. ~Lathuel~ However what greeted her fingers was not the muscular form of her boyfriend it was softer, more delicate. Keira didn’t quite have all her mental faculties yet to identify what it was, her train of thought was derailed by an unfamiliar voice that cut through her fugue. “Mmm, someone’s getting frisky,” the feminine voice cooed. Keira’s mind raced, but before she could react she found herself being kissed by whomever this was. Without thinking she log rolled out of the bed and onto the floor. Her eyes were now open. Early morning light was peeking through horizontal blinds on the windows. Cool air touched her skin, all of it. ~Of course I’d be naked.~ “What the hell, babe? Sumthin’ wrong?” came the same voice from the bed. Keira curled her legs up getting them under her, and moved upright into a crouch. She now saw for the first time the woman who was speaking. Dark brown almost black hair. Her eyes were looking at Keira intently. A little surprise but mostly concern weighed across her brow. “Anna, is this more of that method acting thing again?” the woman asked. “You promised me today would be our day, because you go in tomorrow,” ~Did she just call me Anna? So either she’s as confused as I am or I’m in someone else’s body. She seems to be familiar with the person who’s body I'm in. Intimately familiar. She also seems friendly, a little too friendly. For now I have to play along, whatever force put me here, I can’t let them realize that I know I’m not who I’m supposed to be.~ Keira shrugged. “Sorry, you got me.” ~Stand now. From the looks of it, she’s seen it all already.~ “It is getting kind of late, you should probably grab a selfie for your fans maybe, or shoot a video workout. They won’t be seeing you for a while, you know with the NDA, and your followers pay part of the bills. I can only do so much on a lawyer’s salary.” ~Selfie? Followers? What in Loki’s trickery is this?~ The brunette chuckled, “Maybe you did drink a little too much at that party. Here, this will drive them wild.” she grabbed a small device from a bedside table and approached Keira. She gave a critical eye. She spread her fingers out into a claw and tousled the blonde hair on top of Keira’s head. The dark haired woman came up behind Keira and wrapped her left arm around Keira’s chest, but leaving a little cleavage showing. The brunette put her right arm under Keira’s right with the device in her hand. She faced the screen towards the pair and pushed a button on the side an image of the two of them appeared on the device. The Brunette rested her chin on Keira’s shoulder and adjusted the device to get a better angle. “Smile you dork.” she teased. Once Keira attempted a smile the brunette made a kissy face and pressed a button on the screen. The device issued a loud click sound. She then walked over and grabbed another similar device and placed them together. Both devices beeped. She handed the other to Keira. “There, that will make all your followers jealous.” “...and that’s a good thing?” Keira asked. She looked at the device that was handed to her, turning it over from multiple angles. It seemed like a primitive sort of PADD. “Wow. You are out of it.” The brunette giggled. “I’m Sarah, you’re Anna. We’re exclusively seeing each other, much to the dismay of my parents. Even though they spent hundreds of thousands on my education over the years they still want me to settle down with a nice doctor or lawyer, preferably a partner at some big firm and be Miss perfect Suzy Homemaker.” “With you so far….” Keira said. “You are an influencer and actress. You star in one of the new Star Trek series called “Star Trek: Exeter,” Sarah started. ~What is an influencer?~ Keira thought, mid sentence. “I’m the Chief Engineer, Keira Merek,” Keira finished. “Oh, sure,” Sarah said rolling her eyes. “You remember that.” “I’m not due back there until tomorrow?” Keira asked. “You’re mine today, Missy.” Sarah said with a smirk. “Yeah, bright and early tomorrow. 0400 is make-up call.” “Hungry?” Keira asked. “Starving.” Sarah responded. “Ok, I’ll take a shower, get my bearings. Then when I get out I’ll cook you some breakfast, deal?” Keira offered. “Or counter-proposal, I join you in the shower…” Sarah said gently biting her lip. ~I’m not cheating on Ravok with another woman.~ “Maybe next time?” Keira said. ~Not technically a lie.~ “Deal.” Sarah said and walked over to her dresser in the bedroom. Keira walked into the bathroom which luckily was right off the bedroom. Over the sink was an old style glass and aluminum mirror. ~That’s my face, but…~ Keira looked in the mirror, it was her face, but she noticed her ears were rounded like a human’s. ~Is this what I would look like as a human?~ Her body was curvier. Keira put her hands on her chest. “Where did I get these?” she mumbled. “Puberty you dork!” Sarah yelled back. “They do a wrap that squeezes your chest down and they shoot angles to make you look taller. You didn’t really think you were six foot did you?” “Well…” Keira said. “I like you just the way you are,” Sarah gushed from the other room. “Offer is still on the table…” “Sorry.” Keira answered. “Your loss,” Sarah said. “See you when you get out.” ~It’s a good thing Mars prepared me for water plumbing.~ Keira thought, noticing the absence of a sonic shower. (Reply none) (Toronto, Canada, Apartment - SO Ens.( SG ) Stan More / Brad Wilson - 07:00 ) NRPC :- Ok here goes hope this is ok. Stan blinked as images came into view. “ I suppose you got drunk again?” Said a female voice. Who was that? Stan didn’t get drunk? He did not drink alcohol. Maybe he had ended up in sickbay? More hoped he had not shamed the science department. By doing something embarrassing. “ Well if Luke finds out. That’s your second chance gone. I can’t stick around to make you breakfast. Get Racha to do it , that’s what we pay her for. Got to be at news studio by 8. Try and be on time today you know the producer. Is just looking for an excuse to fire you. Laters darling.” A moist sensation came across his cheek. As the sound of the female faded. Who was that? Who was Luke? Who was Racha? More blinked. Slowly he started to sit up. He scratched his chin in thought. Another voice called out. “ Senior Wilson do you wish your usual for breakfast?” A accented female voice asked “ Who?” Stan said dryly “ Pardon? “ The voice asked “ Who is Wilson?” Stan asked “ Pardon?” The voice asked again. Stan did not know what was going on here. Was he asleep? Perhaps he had never left sickbay? Maybe he was in a coma? “ I make you your usual. Eggs Benedict and coffee Yes.” The women called Racha said. Stan just nodded. Then slowly he stood. Everything felt wrong. The bed was to large plus since when did he have this shaggy carpet. He called out to Lillian. Nothing. He called his dog again. Nothing. More felt concerned and started to look for her. His hand hit a oblong device with a flashing light. “ — Hello grandson. It’s yer grandfather here. Just reminding you about the barbecue on Sunday. Your gran says hi and thanks for autographing Ralph’s picture. I recon that kid has seen all yer movies. He’s over the moon to hear your going to be in Star Trek Exeter. Yes I know it’s supposed to be a secret. But hay you know I am just one proud grandad. Keeping secrets is just not my thing. Anyway what do you actors say? Break a finger? See ya.—“ Stan sat back on the bed. He put his head in his hands. ( Reply , None ) (Toronto, Canada, Apartment - SO Ens.( SG ) Stan More / Brad Wilson - 07:01 ) What was going on? Where was his uniform? He had to find Lillian! Why was there a large walk in cupboard. Where his bathroom should be? These were not his clothes? Denim? Who wears these styles any more? The strange oblong box with the bleeping light. Made another beep. “ —Brad this is Luke bubala. Listen I just called to say break a leg.—” The voice said Why did this Luke Bubala want Stan to break his leg. Should he alert security! “— The producer is really going mushuga by the way. Not happy you have not seen a dialogue coach. My life already they want you to step into Wembley Bones shoes one day before filming starts. How can you learn a full Scots accent in that time?—“ the voice continued. Wembley Bones? Dialogue coach? What was going on? “— Seriously bubala don’t mess this up. After what happened on Mountain Siege 3. Your lucky these people want to breathe the same air as you.Anyways darling gotta go. Janets up to her eyes in the **** storm from Adventures in Australia flopping.I told her not to do it. Break a leg.—“ The box made a beep and went silent. Stan shook his head. After finding the rather over large bathroom. Which seemed crammed with female beauty products , on every glass shelf.He washed and not finding his uniform. Dressed in something that looked like it. All around the apartment he found strange statues of a man in gold holding a sword. Standing on a gold old fashioned movie reel.With a black plinth underneath.Each one had a gold label on the plinth. He read the inscriptions. “ Best Actor: Brad Wilson for:- Save the last bullet for yourself.” “ Best Supporting Actor : Brad Wilson for:- Running out of time.” “ Best Actor : Brad Wilson for :- The Robot heart. Expensive pictures hung on the walls. There were even some framed movie posters. All featured the name Brad Wilson. With different explosions and pretty girls in the background. There where also photos of this Brad Wilson. In some he had the same rather beautiful women. In many she was dressed in a bikini. That looked more like a few strips of material. Barely hiding the parts that identified her as a female. Was this one of those Holo novels? Perhaps the Captain had invited them all to the holodeck , after the party. To partake in it as a New Years treat. “ Computer end program.” Stan said Nothing. A door opened and a rather flustered dark skinned women hurried in. She was carrying a tray which she placed down on a table. “ Senior Wilson. Senior Jeff is here. ” she said and rushed away. Not before a man standing behind her. Gave her a wink. She giggled and hurried away. “ Good day cobber. Thought I’d carpool with you today. Doing a press junket at Harvey’s for me latest. Studios acting worse then a dingo with piles. Over Adventures in Australia going down the dunny. That’s Janets career over.” He said sitting down. Stan just looked at him confused. “ You ok Bradders?” The man asked. ( Reply , None ) (Toronto, Canada, Apartment - SO Ens.( SG ) Stan More / Brad Wilson - 07:10 ) What was going on? Where was his uniform? He had to find Lillian! Why was there a large walk in cupboard. Where his bathroom should be? These were not his clothes? Denim? Who wears these styles any more? The strange oblong box with the bleeping light. Made another beep. “ —Brad this is Luke bubala. Listen I just called to say break a leg.—” The voice said Why did this Luke Bubala want Stan to break his leg. Should he alert security! “— The producer is really going mushuga by the way. Not happy you have not seen a dialogue coach about the Scots accent. But hay you sound ok to the fans. No one has complained up to now. You know what these Trekkers......Trekkies are like.One small change to the theme tune. They storm the studio gates. —“ the voice continued. Trekkies?Dialogue coach? What was going on? “— Seriously bubala don’t mess this up. After what happened on Mountain Siege 3. Your lucky these people want to breathe the same air as you.Anyways darling gotta go. Janets up to her eyes in the **** storm from Adventures in Australia flopping.I told her not to do it. Break a leg.—“ The box made a beep and went silent. Stan shook his head. After finding the rather over large bathroom. Which seemed crammed with female beauty products , on every glass shelf.He washed and not finding his uniform. Dressed in something that looked like it. All around the apartment he found strange statues of a man in gold holding a sword. Standing on a gold old fashioned movie reel.With a black plinth underneath.Each one had a gold label on the plinth. He read the inscriptions. “ Best Actor: Brad Wilson for:- Save the last bullet for yourself.” “ Best Supporting Actor : Brad Wilson for:- Running out of time.” “ Best Actor : Brad Wilson for :- The Robot heart. Expensive pictures hung on the walls. There were even some framed movie posters. All featured the name Brad Wilson. With different explosions and pretty girls in the background. There where also photos of this Brad Wilson. In some he had the same rather beautiful women. In many she was dressed in a bikini. That looked more like a few strips of material. Barely hiding the parts that identified her as a female. Was this one of those Holo novels? Perhaps the Captain had invited them all to the holodeck , after the party. To partake in it as a New Years treat. “ Computer end program.” Stan said Nothing. A door opened and a rather flustered dark skinned women hurried in. She was carrying a tray which she placed down on a table. “ Senior Wilson. Senior Jeff is here. ” she said and rushed away. Not before a man standing behind her. Gave her a wink. She giggled and hurried away. “ Good day cobber. Thought I’d carpool with you today. Doing a press junket at Harvey’s for me latest. Studios acting worse then a dingo with piles. Over Adventures in Australia going down the dunny. That’s Janets career over.” He said sitting down. Stan just looked at him confused. “ You ok Bradders?” The man asked. ( Reply , None ) (Toronto, Canada – Anna & Sarah’s Apartment - 2O/CEO, Lt. Cmdr. Keira Merek / Anna Hegilsdottir- 0720) Keira took a little longer in the shower than she usually did. Partly because the hot water cascading down felt good, it was relaxing. Secondly, she was stalling. It gave her time to figure out what her next move was. Was it just her or were other members of the crew similarly trapped? She had tried the usual holodeck commands, they regrettably did not work. That didn’t rule out a holographic scenario, just meant that she wasn’t in a friendly holographic system. If this isn’t a simulation, how did she get here? She is very obviously in a human body, her blush when coming out of a hot shower was not the usual shade of green. No visible trace of Romulan genetics were present. In a body they tried very skillfully to look like me. So was this a consciousness transfer, like in the briefing she was given for the fugitive that took over the holodeck before? This place was meant to look like a city on Earth, from the North American Continent that Keira was unfamiliar with. She’d have to look into how to get around in the city. Do I have access to personal conveyance? The technology looks a few levels at least more primative than Federation Standard. Definitely pre-warp. ~Does the Prime Directive apply?~ Keira shivered at that last thought. The Prime Directive could very well tie her hands of the quickest and most efficient ways to get back to where she belonged. Also is this an alternate reality or part of her own past? She needed to collect more information to be sure, before she could act overtly. ~I guess I have to play along, at least until I figure out what’s going on.~ She came out of the bathroom dressed in what seemed to pass for athletic attire. Black leggings with baby blue trim on the sides and a matching sports bra underneath what seemed to be a martial arts shirt because it said: “Five Finger Death Punch”. At least her human counter part has a martial arts background. “Shower relax you, babe?” the brunette asked, looking at Keira. ~ Oh, she’s talking to me. ~ Keira nodded. “Now, about breakfast..” Sarah asked. “What would you like?” Keira asked. “Surprise me.” “Okay.” Keira said. Luckily the apartment had a fairly open floor plan the kitchen was off the living space which was in sight of everything else. ~No replicators I’m guessing.~ There was a rectangular appliance that to Keira looked like a food storage device. She opened it and was greeted with a swath of cold but not freezing air. Keira searched through the cold storage appliance searching for things that she was familiar with. ~Eggs, I can work with those.~ She took them out and placed them on the counter top. “What is turkey bacon?” Keira asked, it doesn’t look like it comes from a turkey. Sarah laughed, “you always have the same argument about how turkey bacon isn’t bacon. I’m trying to be more Kosher, and so that means cutting out pork products. One less thing for my parents to bug me about.” “What about dairy?” Keira asked, genuinely unfamiliar with the rules to which she was referring. “Simplest is not paired with a meat product.” Sarah answered simply. “So which would you rather have now? Cheese or meat?” Keira asked. Sarah thought for a moment, “Cheese, please.” Keira avoided the package of meat that didn’t look like meat and grabbed a block of what looked and smelled like cheddar, an approximately 2 liter volume plastic container of half gone white liquid she hoped was milk, a package of stick butter and placed them all on the counter. “What about vegetables?” Keira asked. “All good,” Sarah grinned, “You’ve never cooked for me before. You’ve always ordered out.” “I’m full of surprises.” Keira said simply from behind the cold storage door. She pulled out a green bell pepper and a small onion. “Where’d you learn to cook?” Sarah asked now she was sitting on a stool gazing at Keira. “Carraya IV.” Keira said reflexively with out thinking. “What?” Sarah asked. “Is that from your character’s ROM-OO-LAN back story?” ~ Fvadt, I really need to read up on this Anna’s history.~ “Sorry.” Keira said sheepishly. “I guess I’m still prepping for tomorrow. I mean back home, and it’s Romulan.” “Okay, okay.” Sarah said putting her hands up in a surrender gesture. Keira took the chef’s knife out of the knife block, a cursory glance let her know it was a bit better than the one she found at Ravok’s Alaska cabin. “Bowls? Where do we keep them?” Sarah pointed to one of the cabinets. “Usually you just keep opening them until you find them.” Opening the indicated door Keira found a neat stack of bowls, she grabbed two and placed them on the counter. Keira then started chopping the veggies. She wasn’t a professional chef, but being familiar with blades, she wasn’t clumsy either. The pepper was diced in a handful of seconds. “Sarah,” Keira said while she went on to dealing with the onion. “Suppose I did have amnesia.” Keira latched on to that idea and ran with it. She didn’t know how much time it would buy her, if any, but the alternatives were not getting this person’s help or telling her the truth. Sarah’s dreamy eyed gaze fell into a concerned look, “You’re serious. What do you remember?” “Suppose I remember the show, and little else?” Keira said. This was the first time Keira, as Trip would say threw a “ Hail Mary” and tested the waters in a single move. “Wow, um….” Sarah started as Keira hand grated cheese into one of the bowls. “We should go see a doctor…” “No doctors.” Keira said firmly last thing she needed was some upstart medical professional finding a trace amount of Romulan DNA or copper based blood and it was over, or they have her committed. Also a horrible outcome. Last thing she needed was someone drilling holes in her head or something equally barbaric. Besides, none of these doctors will ever be as good as Dr. Kittie. “Well,” Sarah was momentarily distracted by Keira’s culinary skills, “we could try and jog your memory.” A sizzle was heard as three pats of butter hit the frying pan. “What would that entail?” Keira asked. “I’d show you things from your past and hopefully seeing them would help you regain your memory.” Sarah explained. “Good,” Keira said, while whisking an egg with a fork, “where do we start?” “That shirt, “ Sarah began, “why did you pick it?” “Oh,” Keira said looking down, “the martial arts shirt?” Keira not missing a beat dumped egg mixture into a hot buttered skillet. “The what?” Sarah said looking confused. “Five Finger Death Punch is obviously a martial arts move. Moves were given ostentatious names beginning in the 1960s and 70s as parts of martial arts from the eastern hemisphere cultures began intermingling into world wide mainstream popular culture during that time period.” Keira said matter of factly. “HA HA HA HA HA HA!” Sarah laughed so hard she almost fell off of the breakfast island stool. She was barely able to control herself from falling, “No, babe.” “What did I say?” Keira asked. “You’ve missed a lot, we have a lot to go over.” Sarah said. (Reply none) (Toronto, Canada, Apartment - SO Ens.( SG ) Stan More / Brad Wilson - 07:21 ) Feeling hungry Stan began to tuck into the breakfast. The dark skinned women had made for him. It was delicious the best eggs and ham. He had ever tasted. Mounted on a muffin that just melted in the mouth. Covered in a hollandaise sauce that if it had been a women. She would of been a supermodel. His visitor Jeff pinched the toast. “ I tell yer Bradders she’s a bonzer sheila that maid of yours. We could do with some decent tucker. At the pine tops. Do you think your ball and chain will let me poach her from you?” Jeff said More had absolutely no idea what this Jeff was talking about. The universal translator must be off line. There was a knock at the door and the dark skinned women came in. She started to giggle as Jeff gave her a wink. “ Senior Wilson Mrs Van Peltz is here to see you.” She told Stan. “ Dingos here comes the succubus!” Jeff said. Another face Stan had no idea off. Succubus? Was his life in danger? He had to get out of here. Jeff must of sensed More’s thoughts.“ Let’s scarper Bradders” But before they could move. The door was pushed open and a large women. Carrying an evil looking Chihuahua walked in. “ Darling!” Mrs Van Peltz said in a deep female voice. More took a step backwards as she advanced on him. Her fat lips were pursed in a kiss. “ Don’t let her lips touch you. She’ll suck your soul out your body!” Jeff shouted “ I BEG YOUR PARDON!!” The women said turning around. It was just the distraction he needed. Stan side stepped her and ran out of the room. But how did you get out of this place? The apartment was huge! He found a gym , a private cinema and a large kitchen. That could house at least ten chefs all with plenty of space to move. Where was the front door to this place? ( Reply , None ) (Toronto, Canada,Outside Apartment - SO Ens.( SG ) Stan More / Brad Wilson - 07:28) Somehow Stan got out of the apartment. He had to think. What had happened to them? The only thing he recognised was the evil looking Chihuahua. Under the large women’s arm. Was he still on Risa in the tunnel? Maybe they he had succumbed to the spores influence? Was he now laying on a bio bed in sickbay? Maybe he had died and this was purgatory. The space between heaven and hell.If it was he had to admit it was not what he had been taught as a boy. NO. Until he knew more about all this. Stan was going to keep an open mind. A large muscular man in a security uniform . That barely fit him waddled towards Stan. As he came closer his eyes widened. Attempting a smile and failing he spoke. “ So sorry Mr Wilson did not know it be you ay. Do you want yer car sir?” “ Nah.....no time......she’s behind us......mines over there Bradders.” Jeff said as he ran up to Stan. “ Stop her.” Stan said pointing behind him as he ran after Jeff. “ Okie dokie” the guard said Jeff opened the door to a sleek looking sports car. More stopped in wonder. He had not seen one of these since he was a kid. Going round a motor museum in Edinburgh. “ Get in you dingo before your aunt catches us!” Jeff shouted. Once Stan was inside the car sped off at speed. Looking out the darkened windows. He had absolutely no idea where he was. “ Tell you what Bradders. You don’t have to be at Pinewood yet. So come with me to Harvey’s. It’s not that far away.You can hang out until it’s time to be at the studio cobber.” Jeff said “ Aye “ Stan said. “ Bonzer “ Jeff said. Toronto, Canada,Harvey’s restaurant - SO Ens.( SG ) Stan More / Brad Wilson - 07:55) Stan was even more confused then before. Harvey’s turned out to be a large restaurant. That despite being early was filled with people. As the car approached the entrance men with strange flashing boxes. Descended on Jeff’s car until a couple of red uniformed men. Hurried up to them opening the car doors. “ Ruddy press. This is all because of Janet and her dingo flop.” Jeff said under his breath Jeff propelled Stan into the restaurant as members of the press shouted questions. The maitre d’ a rather skinny looking man with what had to be. The most tidy grey hair and goatee, More had ever seen. Walked up to them smiling with his arms outstretched.But Stan noticed that the smile did not reach his eyes. “ Mister Jeff velcome velcome and Mister..... yes.My it has been a vile.” The maitre d’ said. “ Listen Pierre I know it’s a little early for the press junket. So me and my friend Brad wanna hang out for a little. No distractions no I mean.” Jeff said putting some funny looking papers in Pierres top pocket. “ But of course Master Jeff. LUCAS TABLE 19 for Mister Jeff and Brad.” Pierre shouted. As they were led towards the back of the restaurant. A young man suddenly appeared in front of them. “ Mr Wilson......” He began but was jumped on by two waiters and dragged away screaming. “ Hey..... I just wanted to ask him about Genevieve Rhodes.....ow that hurts!!!” They arrived at a section at the back that was cordoned off by a red rope. A rather large muscular waiter stood on guard. He nodded at Jeff as he unclipped the rope. Putting it back as they passed him. “ I wouldn’t worry about them Bradders. When I did that soap back in Oz. The dingos were always asking me about Kimbo. Course a gentleman never tells. At least until the wright offer comes along.” Jeff said Stan suddenly felt dirty in Jeff’s presence. ( Reply , None ) (Toronto, Canada - Gabrielle Knight’s Apartment - FO Cmdr Ailynn Bracken/Gabrielle Knight - 0730) Ailynn woke slowly, stretching out in the excruciatingly comfortable bed, and pulling the teal coloured rich silk duvet cover back over her. The sun streamed in through the large window overlooking the city skyline. After a few seconds, Ailynn peeped out from under the covers as those facts sunk into her awareness. ~Where…?~ A feeling of dread swam over her as she looked around the room. It was far larger than her bedroom back on the Exeter, white walls with splashes of complementary shades of teal in the blinds, and other soft furnishings. There were a few pictures up, a large head shot of what was clearly her, but she had no memories of any of them or the makeup and clothes that she wore in the pictures. "Caity?" She realised she was alone. "Caity?" She called out louder. Nerves and fear were beginning to take hold of her. A sinking pit of fear was travelling down her. "Where am I?" She asked herself, the bed was gorgeous, but Ailynn felt the need to use the head, have a shower and try and figure out what was going on. Her mood was deeply upset, and scared. She felt like curling up into a ball, and howling her fear.” However, she didn’t. "Computer, end program." Silence. She looked on her bedside tables for the combadge and rank pips that she always left there and found nothing. Sighing gently "Computer. Give me my current location." Still Silence apart from the noise from the environmental systems. Ailynn sighed and got up out of bed, and pulled the duvet straight. As she moved around the bed, she caught sight of a picture that she hadn’t noticed before, another one of her, this time with… ~That’s not possible.~ "Oh Prophets...I'm...I’ve ascended..." She closed her eyes and muttered her devotions. “Prophets take me this most humble daughter of Bajor…” (Reply none) (Toronto, Canada - Riverside drive - COO Lt jg Paul Sleeford/Saul Pickford 07:30) Paul woke and was aware of four things, one, he was alone in the bed, second, it wasn't;t his bed, thirdly there was an incessant bleeping noise from somewhere in the room and lastly someone was trying to break down the door. Rolling over he threw his arm out and found an empty bed. Sitting upright he looked around the sunlight room, the noise of waves lapping the shore. Over that was the sounds of dogs barking in the distance. ~Did we transport down to Risa last night and what is Lillian barking at~ Stumbling out of bed Paul headed to the window expecting to see a Risian beach front only to find a road over which sat a river. Looking back it to the room the beeping was still going off, walking over to the bed he found a rectangular object, it's glass screen Lt up flashing the name Jerry. "Computer open door" Standing there Paul looked down and grabbed the handle, yanking open the door he saw an Asiatic male standing there. As he barged past Paul, the beeping from the bedside stopped. "Well finally dude, I thought I was going to have to come round the back and pull you out of bed. We've got forty five minutes to get to the studio. Come on man, dress, you know what the dragons like if your late, she'll rip you a new one. " Walking away Paul headed to the bathroom and closed the door. Leaning against it he closed his eyes. ~This is a horrible dream, I'll wake up in a minute, next to Katie~ Looking round Paul saw a steamed up mirror, wiping it he stared at a face that was defiantly not his, wiping his hand over his face he saw the reflection do the same. Sighing he ran a basin of water and splashed warm water over his face. Grabbing a sponge he washed and found a robe hanging on the door. Walking to the small dressing room off the bathroom he grabbed a yellow t-shirt and , shorts and a pair of jeans, grabbing a white pair of sneakers. Walking out he found the other man standing there, "Finally, Come on man and don't forget the script on the table there, you know how he is if they go missing. I hear this session is going to be a doozy. Their marrying you and 'Katie' off" Taking the blue folder from the table Paul looked at the front cover and stopped dead. "USS Exeter - Beyond the stars. Session three Episodes 1 through 6" (Reply None) (Toronto, Canada - Gabrielle Knight’s Apartment - FO Cmdr Ailynn Bracken/Gabrielle Knight - 0740) Ailynn slowly pulled herself together, the smells and sounds making their way to her conscious mind. Beeping of horns, and what sounded like the flap of canvas in the breeze. Confused, Ailynn rubbed her eyes, and found something immediately wrong. “The frak?” she said, feeling the smoothness of her brow, the subdermal ridges that she’d always had, being a Bajoran/Human hybrid, where no longer there. This discovery scared her immeasurably, and her heart pounded in her chest. Her heart. She clasped her chest, her right arm feeling, with surgical precision the beating of her heart. Sure enough there it was, where it should be on the left hand side of her chest. This scared her even more. Her heart had moved; it should have been on the right. Panic was taking over, and Ailynn was only discovering more and more questions. There was a large picture of her on the far wall, probably the length of her arm high. It was in black and white, beautifully lit, and the tones of light on her skin brought out her exquisite figure. It was obvious that she was nude in the picture, though limbs were strategically placed to cover most things. It was a gorgeous picture of her, but Ailynn knew she’d never had the body-confidence to do something like that, even during her wildest times. Standing up, she moved over to the window, and opened the blinds, to reveal a view that was simply stunning. Part city skyline, and a view over what could be a lake. Sailing boats passed by, no doubt the source of some of the sounds from earlier. ~Answers...I need answers...clothes...I also need clothes.~ She saw some drawers next to the bed where she’d woken, and after opening them, pulled out a simple bra and pair of pants, though others in the drawer looked rather more alluring. Another drawer had contained socks and the like, and she pulled out a pair of socks that both worried her, and made her smile. “Exeter Logo socks...Radical.” she said to herself as she carried the underwear, searching for actual clothes. There didn’t seem to be a wardrobe in here. Opening one door she found an en-suite bathroom, and thankful of the water showers back on mars base, and a cursory glance and smell of the assorted bottles in the large, walk in shower, she placed her underwear on the side by the stunning green glass sink, and after exploring the drawers underneath, pulled out a towel, and then stepped into the shower. Minutes later, and slightly refreshed if still confused, Ailynn dried herself wrapped the towel around her, and moved out of the bathroom, and into another room off the bedroom. “Caity…? Where are you?” she called down the corridor. “You doing me breakfast? Where are we? This place is gorgeous ‘Tee’ but where are you, I’m so confused.” She opened the door and walked in, to be greeted by the largest wardrobe she had ever seen. "Oh...my...days….Tee? Who’s place is this? The frak did you do?" The room was full of clothes rails, drawers shelves. The units themselves beautifully finished in black wood and chrome. Clothes of all types hung off the rails, shoes on their own rails, and what was most confusing, not all the clothes and shoes were cut for a female. She pulled on her underwear, finding that the fit was perfect, and then picked a pair of dark blue skinny jeans and pulled those on too. Finally, after staring at the rail for what seemed like an age, picked a black t-shirt that had caught her eye. The Exeter logo was on the centre of the chest. “Nice!” Ailynn said to herself. Whosever wardrobe this was, had excellent taste. After getting dressed, and finishing the ensemble off with a narrow black leather belt and a pair of knee high boots, which worryingly also fitted perfectly, Ailynn stepped out, and left the bedroom, down a corridor, peeping into each room as she passed. Another bedroom, with a few more pictures in, she’d perhaps check those out later. Her body was craving food and coffee. Another bathroom, similarly bedecked to the en-suite, but having a large bathtub at one end. On her right, another door, left open, as she walked in she gasped. “This is insane…” two large monitor screens sat on a desk, together with a very old fashioned keyboard, mouse and headset. “Razr? Who can’t spell?” The chair that sat in front of the desk got her attention immediately. “The f…? That’s my chair from the CSO office on the Mars base...what’s it doing here?” She was aware that she was talking to herself, but as she seemed to be alone at the moment, and if she wasn’t dead then she’d gone mad, so it actually didn’t matter. The shelves around the room held similar things, a phaser, which as she picked it up, was clear was a fake copy, her medical instruments also set in a display, but those too were obvious fakes, with no power or weight to them. A row of boxes, with what looked like toys inside, labelled ‘funko pop’ and the word ‘Exeter’ underneath. Each box had a different character, ‘Trip Williams’, ‘Ailynn Bracken’ ‘Erin Cortez’ ‘Kiera Merek’ ‘Ravok Shara’ ‘Gabe Vesper’ 'Stan More' 'Heinrich Kruze' 'Paul Sleeford' 'Veronica Corsica' 'Ire Williams' and so on, for all of her friends and colleagues on the Exeter manifest. There were others too. ‘Trentin Jost’ ‘Trentin Jost - Wraith’ and ‘Ailynn Bracken - Battlescarred’ she could see that this one was the same as the other, but was painted to look like clothes were torn and bloodied, and a tattoo was painted onto the left arm. ~Tattoo~ she turned her arm over, to see that the tattoo that she had grown used to, on her left inner forearm, had gone, and after peering down her t-shirt, the one under her right breast had gone too. “TEE! THIS ISN’T F$@&ING FUNNY ANY MORE.” She screamed out loud, her temper was rising rapidly. Somebody was pissing about. “COMPUTER END THE F$@&ING PROGRAM.” Silence. She looked around more, and saw another picture, an old type photo, of what looked like all her friends and colleagues stood, side by side, arms about shoulders. “Star Trek: Exeter Season One Final Day” had been embossed into the border around the picture, she could see herself and Trip in the centre next to a few people that she didn’t recognise. Eager to find something to eat, she left the room, and moved out into an expansive lounge and kitchen area. It was easily three times the size of her suite on the Exeter, maybe more, and had the most beautiful expansive view of the lake. Seeing what looked like a replicator in one of the units, she opened the door, and shrugged, shutting it again. “Coffee. Hot.” Nothing. She looked closer, and saw a button with a cup on it, and smiled. “Old replicator.” She pressed the cup, and then ‘start’ and the machine happily hummed for a countdown of 30 seconds, then pinged. Ailynn pulled the door open to find that nothing had happened. “Rats. Replicator’s f$@&ed.” She’d been around Ronnie too much. Her potty mouth had rubbed off on her. It was then that she heard the door open, and a voice called out. “Gabbie! I’ve got Coffee. Gabs you up yet?” There was something to the voice...something that pressed a button marked ‘primal fear’ in the oldest part of her brain. Her now left-sided heart pounded in her chest. The owner of the flat had come back. She had no way to defend herself other than the kung-fu derivative that she’d learned at the Academy, and she wasn’t sure she could get her legs up to head height in these trousers. She turned toward the door, and then her world fell apart. The last thing she remembered before blackness was her own, ear-piercing scream. (Reply none) (Toronto, Canada -Lakefront Apartment, Bedroom – CFO – Lieutenant – Ire Williams/Richard Evans- 0745) “Daddy wake up. Daddy Wake up.” There was a squeak of springs as the mattress moved under the weight of something landing on it. ~Springs, my bed does not have spri….~ There was a sudden weight on his chest as something landed on him. His eyes few open as he looked into the face of a young girl whose nose was inches away from his. He froze there looking into her brown eyes which were scrutinising him closely. “Daddy, mummy said that you have been sleeping for too long and have to get up.” ~Mummy said what, who are you?~ He looked at her not sure what to say. “Come on Daddy its pancakes today.” She bounced off his chest, slid off the bed and dashed out of the room. He lay there watching her as she disappeared out the door of the room. ~What on earth is going on, this can’t be real~ “Computer arch.” He paused and looked around the bedroom, but nothing happened. He slowly sat up in bed as his head was feeling very woozy. “Computer end program.” Still nothing happened. He looked over to the door again as he saw movement. It was a woman in partial shadow with what looked like the light of dawn back lighting her from a window he could not see. “Come on sleepy head time to get up. You breakfast will get cold.” The voice sounded familiar but was different somehow. ~Souliz thank goodness~ “Souliz?” There was a pause. “Look if you had wanted to play Souliz and Ire last night we should have drunk a lot less. I know that we were celebrating my appearance on the Exeter but still you would think that we would have learnt after being married for this long.” ~Play Souliz and Ire and what does she mean married~ He realised that he was staring at the woman who is not Souliz. “Come on Richard. Annebell is already there if you don’t hurry up, she will eat it all.” ~What is going on~ He nodded as the woman moved back out of the doorway leaving him alone in the bedroom as he got up and reached for a pile of clothes they were draped over a chair. “Annebell. The child, my child……..who is Richard?” (Reply none) (Toronto, Canada - The home of Tristan Steele, Master Bedroom - CO, Captain Trip Williams/Tristan Steele and Civilian, Addison Queen/Faith Morgan - 0800) As the alarm went off Trip opened his eyes as a bright light broke through the windows, which confused him, because there should be sunshine in Space, well not as it would be experienced on a planet. He wondered if he somehow went back down to Risa, but he was sure he went to bed in his quarters. His head was ringing a bit, but he was sure he was just hungover. He hit what appeared to be a 21st century Alarm clock. As he looked around, he realized that he was not on the Exeter or Risa, but somewhere else. Looking around, for starters, the bed was much larger and softer than the Starfleet standard issue. The room was different too, with an early 21st century aesthetic. A large television hung on the wall, as well as some photographs as him around the room. Most of them were of him in a WWE wrestling ring in action poses. What was odd though, was in the pictures he didn’t have his scars or his tattoos. Rolling out of bed, he looked at the picture on the nightstand, it was him and Addison, which was odd. He didn’t remember ever taking the photo. Standing up he got a glimpse of himself reflected on the television, his scars and tattoos were missing. ~The hell?~ He thought to himself. He saw a small device, with the name Alexa written on it, that was blinking with a green ring. He remembered briefly that this was a sort of precursor to many of the computer functions that had made 25th century life so easy. Trip had been the salutatorian of his Starfleet Class. When it came to Academics he was always one or two decimals behind Sekal. But one of the classes he was certain he did better in, though he had no way to prove it or even prove that Sekal had even taken it, was the elective in 21st century technology. “Alexa, what’s my notification?” He said, mimicking what had been done by countless Humans in the 21st century. He felt like he was back on the Holodeck taking his exam for the course. ~Am I on the holodeck?~ He thought to himself. The whole room felt so foreign to him. One thing was certain, based off of how his body felt, and the blue outside his window, he was sure that was Earth’s sun and Earth’s gravity. Alexa replied. [It is 8:05 am on April 26th. You have three reminders. First, call Gail Gardner, she has an ultra sound at noon. I am to tell you that even if she hates you, you should be there because, ‘It’s your fault she’s in this mess!’] The oddly assuring yet creepy robot voice continued. [I’m sorry Tristan, but I am to tell you those are her words not mine. You need to be at the studio at 9:30 am. You also have a meeting with Gabrielle Knight at 5:00 pm in your trailer to discuss story lines.] Trip sighed. ~Who are Gail and Gabrielle, and who the @#$@ is Tristan~ [Tristan, would you like me to play part of your new podcast interview? Say yes to hear and no for me to go to sleep mode.] “Umm yes?” [OK, here it goes] At that moment the voice coming from the speaker changed. [“Welcome to WWE Revealed, I’m your host Kelly Green. This is the show where we go behind the scenes with all your favorite superstars, past and present. Today we have a special treat for the WWE Universe as our guest is none other than ‘The Real Deal’ Tristan Steele.”] ~Wait isn’t Tristan Steele the fake name I used to pick up Ash in the bar?~ At that moment Trip’s voice started to come out of the speaker. [“Thanks for having me Kelly, it’s always a pleasure to go back home and be with the WWE Universe. Everything I have and everything I am is because of all of my adoring fans.”] ~The Hell? I never said those things, and what does a 21st century wrestling promotion have to do with anything. Is this a prank from Billy? I swear.~ [KG: So before we go forward, for some of the new fans, why don’t you tell us about yourself. Like the real you. TS: Well the real me is Tristan Arthur Romanowski. Born September 15, 1992. To Arthur and Guinevere Romanowski in Norman, Oklahoma. I’m the oldest of five brothers. Y’all should know my brother “Unreal” Lance Steele. My other brothers are Percy, Gary, and Gawain. We’re very close in age. 92, 93, 95, 97, 99. KG: Now, only people that have read your wikipedia page are probably aware of this, but you and your brothers all have some weird naming conventions. TS: Oh yeah. How could I forget. So my mom and dad met at the University of Oklahoma, both are professors. My dad is a professor in the theatre department, the son of Polish Immigrants. My mom is Welsh and a professor of English Literature. They’ve been teaching there since the 90’s, thanks to tenure and all that. So my mom wrote her thesis on Arthurian lore. So she met my dad, and they started dating and of course his name is Arthur, she’s Guinevere, and so she said that all their kids should be named after characters from Arthurian lore. So I’m Tristan, from Tristan and Isolde, my brother Lance is actually named Lancelot DuLac Romanowski, then there is Percival, Gareth, and Gawain. It’s weird, but people find it cute.] “Alexa Stop.” Trip said. ~This is a very elaborate prank. Kudos to Billy.~ “Computer end program.” He said, but nothing happened. “Computer end program.” He said again, annoyed. But nothing happened. He turned around towards the bathroom. He hadn’t noticed it before but the shower had been running, but it suddenly stopped. “Ash?” he whispered as he turned the door knob, but when the door opened, his jaw dropped. Faith turned off the shower, the steam slowly clearing. She’d heard Tristan’s footsteps come in from the Master Bedroom; and smiling happily stepped out of the walk in shower. Picking up a towel, she dried the water off her body, and having wrung her hair out, turned around, unconcerned about her nudity. “Mornin’ Babe’.” Trip stopped in his tracks. He was stunned. He was unsure whether to avert his eyes, close them, or turn around. Yet in the back of his mind there was a slight something that stopped him from doing so. As if it was what he wanted, as if it was the status quo. Still his mind was a flutter. If this was a prank from Billy, he was going to have some words. But if this was real...He couldn’t remember what had happened after heading to his quarters last night. He thought he had snuggled up next to Ash...But could he have...was this real….did he cheat on Ash with Addison. He was also confused as to why Addison suddenly had an Irish accent. “Hey...you.” he said awkwardly. She kissed him. “You've been talking to your Girlfriend again? Alexa what time is it, Alexa where are you from? Alexa, I love you…” she made kissy kissy noises and giggled, smacking his bottom as she passed. “Bathroom’s yours. No singin’. If you're readin’ your emails you forgot your phone again.” “Forgot my phone?” Trip asked, he knew that the cellular phone had evolved and been replaced by personal palm communication devices and the commbadges. He had some of those, but he didn’t remember ever owning a phone. “Addi...son…” he said awkwardly, “Where are we? And did we?” "Did we…?" She smiled, confused. "Ever? Sure, a whole bunch of times, I have no complaints." She kissed him again. "Wait...Addison? Tris...are you okay?" “Yeah...I’m...no….I dunno, something feels off. I’ll be ok….” Trip paused. “Sweetie?” He said with a slight question intonation, he was confused but playing into it. "In the nicest way...you look like... Is it the sonogram that's bothering ye?" “Yeah...ummm, remind me about that again? It’s at noon, with Gail, who hates me, because…” Trip took a leap of logic, “because it’s mine, but I’m with you?” "Tristian, I swear y’er memory...Gail? Your ex? On screen wife? Ringin’ bells? I'm not her favourite but we get on okay." “Umm… yeah, I think I just woke up on the wrong side of the bed.” Trip paused trying to act natural, whatever pretend scenario he was trapped in, he figured he’d act like he was that Tristan. “Probably because you weren’t there baby.” "Thankfully not." She smiled getting dressed. "You had reminders, y’er meetin’ Gabbie later at the studio." “Yeah, I know. I think I’m gonna go listen to my interview.” Trip said, figuring it might help him figure out whatever weird scenario he was trapped in. He couldn’t tell if it was some holodeck gone wrong, or a wormhole, or something crazy with energy aliens. “Because I like the sound of my voice?” Part of him wanted to reach out, kiss her, pick her up and just snuggle her, but then there was the part in his head that just kept screaming, Ash, Ash, find Ash. Faith laughed. “Y’er such a goose, I have to go…” her accent made the words sound way more poetic that they should have done, the northern Irish slant to her accent changing a lot of the vowels. “And don’t be forgetting that we have a reservation at that stupid posh French place, Scaramouce, this even’ The special dress may be makin’ an appearance…” Faith winked. “Oh, yes the dress.” He said nodding his head. “I have a breakfast appointment with casting at you know who…” she kissed him deeply. “Catch you later.” Almost in a trance, he smiled. “See you at dinner babe.” He paused. He realized that he didn’t even know the name of the Irish “Addison”. It was all so confusing, as if he was cast in a play and didn’t know his lines. “Reservation is on your Email, you can remember that yeah? Phone’s on the side. Use your thumb to unlock it ya eejit.” “Thanks, I’d be lost without you.” ~Literally, I don’t know what here is.~ “I’m going. My uber’s here. Later babe.” Faith picked up her jacket and blew a kiss, leaving the room, and a few moments later after a few graphic curse words, with a Northern Irish flavour, she left the apartment. Trip was still stunned. The master bedroom was nice, not too large, but almost the size of his whole quarters on the Exeter. The bathroom was also massive. “Alexa, where am I geographically.” [You are in Toronto, Canada] “Ok.” Trip said as he walked over to the closet and picked out an outfit to wear. It was a large closet, with some nice clothes in it. Though it seemed it was only set with seasonal wear. As if the house was only used during certain times of the year. As if this was sort of a second home as it were. Trip looked around and noticed there were speakers all throughout the bedroom and the bathroom, and the Alexa was plugged into them. “Alexa, play my interview.” Trip said as he began to get ready. It was clear that he had not idea where or when he was, or what was going on, but it was clear he’d need to leave the house to find out. As he got read he listened to the interview, there were parts he found odd, and parts that puzzled and intrigued him, but he was able to get an idea of what was going on thanks to the interview with whoever this Tristan Steele was. [KG: So let's talk hollywood. How did you get discovered? TS: Well it all started when I got cast in the 2021 remake of the Crow. They wanted someone with star quality to be the star, but not someone completely known, and well a 6’4” buff dude as Eric Draven was a departure, but it was awesome. Led to me getting cast in a Romantic Comedy opposite the ever beautiful Gail Gardner. The director of that movie got hired to run Star Trek Exeter and cast me in that. I worked it out with the WWE and Paramount, that when we aren’t shooting, then I’m on the road. So I have a pretty busy life.] ~Okay~ Trip thought to himself, ~Tristan is a wrestler, and an actor. And Gail Gardner is the ex that I, he knocked up. Ok.~ [KG: Were you always supposed to be the lead? TS: Not really, we filmed two pilots, both as made for tv movies. They wanted to see who clicked and who didn’t, which characters stood out, and myself and Gabrielle Knight, just clicked and had the chemistry to carry a show, so they gave us Star Trek Exeter. Of course they also Created Star Trek Illuminar, two shows at the same time, why not? But it was sort of you know, when you have that much talent. But I think my natural charm just oozed on the screen you know. That's a joke by the way, I’m uber blessed. But there was a lot of talent in those pilots. I mean how could you not give Farfallina, the beautiful and provocative actress and musician who played my onscreen twin Sienna, a show. I mean have you seen her. She’s drop dead gorgeous and super talented.] “WHAT THE $#@#!!” Trip shouted in the shower. “Studio, actors, characters, Tristan plays me, wait what?” He was more confused, angry, upset. He was Trip. How could his life, the Exeter be a television show. It was real damnit, but he kept listening. [KG: Ok, I’m dying to ask, what is the deal between you and Gail Gardner? TS: Well...look, I love Gail, I always will. But sometimes, things between two people, its… We have great chemistry, and I wish her the best. Ya know. We met while filming the romantic comedy sports movie, ‘Homefield Advantage’, and she got cast in the pilot as Ashlyn Jones, Trip’s romantic interest because of our chemistry, and well we started dating, because the chemistry was, is real. And it just….I made some mistakes… we were drifting apart. Then she got cast as Wonder Woman. So we wrote the pregnancy storyline into the show as a way of writing her out, ya know. And well, things were...tense...I mean we’ve said this in interviews before. But we thought you know one last time wouldn’t hurt, and well, so if you are asking the question, yes, the baby is mine. When they decided to fire her from Wonder Woman, I made sure the writers brought her back in, and continue with the storyline ya know, since it was now real. The producers here are really family friendly. But….well, we broke up when she went to go do Wonder Woman, because we realized it wasn’t gonna work. Very different people. But she will always be a part of my life, on set, on screen, and behind the scenes. I mean we’re having a kid together. I will always love her, but she’s just not the one. ] ~Gail is an actress, that plays Ash, and I, err Tristan got her pregnant. But Ash is pregnant, on the show….because….what the hell is going?~ [KG: Do you think she blames you for getting fired? TS: She got screwed over by a sexist Director. It was unjust, unfair. But did she blame me a bit. Look, I watched her on Kimmel, I mean the tension between us is clear. But we’re friendly and professional. And gosh, I love that she is Ash. Even if she gets pissed at me off screen. She’s just wonderful, and so nice, and I’m glad she’s the mother of my child. But I know I shouldn’t date coworkers. Learned that the hard way.] ~Ash, maybe Gail, maybe if I find Gail, it’s Ash right, Ash is my rock, maybe Billy is pranking her too.~ [KG: Except… TS: Yes, my current girlfriend has had a recurring guest spot, but that was after we started dating. She was visiting me on set, and well the actress who was supposed to play Addison got sick and couldn’t make it, so Faith stepped in. KG: For those that don’t know, Tristan is dating the famous Irish supermodel Faith Morgan.] “Faith, her name is Faith, that will make things less awkward later.” [TS: Fatih, the busty lass from Belfast as some call her. Yeah my mom finds that hilarious. KG:That she is called the busty lass from Belfast? TS: No, it’s because I’m named after a Knight of the Round Table and one of King Arthur’s mortal enemies is Morgan le Fay, or Morgan the Fairy. So just the fact that her last name is Morgan, makes her laugh. That and well even though its morgan the fairy, le fay, the Spanish word for Faith is Fe, which kinda rhymes with Fay. It’s my mom, I love her but she’s weird. KG: Now you two started dating soon after you broke up with Gail? TS: Umm... like I said, I saw Kimmel. I never, ever, ever cheated with Gail. No matter what she thinks. But yes, we started dating three weeks after Gail and I broke up, before Gail knew she was pregnant. The timing sucked, I know. And I looked like a villain, and yeah maybe publicly I played that up. But I’m “The Real Deal” Tristan Steele, I’m used to being the bad guy, the heel. And Gail had been screwed over, so I decided to be a public villain for her sake. I will alway love Gail...but Faith is the love of my life. So it’s just awkward. KG: You’ve only been dating for what four, five months. TS: When you know, you know. KG: So do you have another WWE run in you. TS: We start filming the first episode of season two on July 1st. The nice thing about the 10 episode seasons, is we only film for three to four months. Meaning that I have six months of the year for other projects or the ring. So you might see me lace up the boots one more time.] As the interview ended Trip grabbed his phone, wallet, and keys, all nicely placed on the nightstand by Faith ready for him to go. He knew that he had to be at the studio, he knew some of his schedule. He knew that Tristan, who he apparently played him on a tv show, had an appointment at 10:00 at the studio so that's where he was going. “Alexa, where does Star Trek Exeter film?” [Pinewood Toronto Studios. 225 Commissioners St, Toronto, ON M4M 0A1, Canada.] “I guess that’s where I’m going. Thankfully dad taught me how to drive vintage cars back on the Ranch.” Trip then headed toward the garage where there was a beautiful Black Toyota Tundra with Ontario plates. He smiled as he got behind the wheel and opened the garage, “This is gonna be fun.” (reply none) (Toronto Canada - Riverside Drive South - COO LTjg Paul Sleeford / Saul Pickford 08:00) Paul opened the front cover of the script, on the title page emblazoned in large font where the words STAR TREK: EXETER Main cast. On the left a list of familiar names. From the captain down to the new doctor, Kruz or Krux or something like that. Paul hadn't meet him yet professionally. On the left where a list of strangers, following the list down he found his name and across from it the name Saul Pickford. Hearing the guy who'd collected him shout he looked up and saw a bright green thing on wheels, the guy was shouting, "Come on dude, you can read that on the way. God it must have been some after show party to make you act like this." Getting in the contraption Paul watched as the other guy pulled a belt across his shoulders and waist. Looking round he found his and followed suit. Sitting back he looked at the object him his hand, reading the screen he swiped the button and saw a picture of starfield, slowly managing to open something called a browser he entered the name Saul Pickford and read the information, It seemed if something called Wikipedia, was accurate that Pickford was an award winning actor, collecting an Oscar for best supporting actor in a film called 'Death on the Nile' a remake of a remake of a remake, frowning he shrugged. Along with an Oscar Pickford had been nominated for something called an Emmy for best supporting actor in a Sci Fi series, citing his acting in the last session of Star Trek Exeter, mainly the last three episodes, where his character had been tortured by a enemy from within. Sitting back he closed his eyes as he remembered the torture that Maxine had put them through, that was real, wasn't it. It hadn't just been made up for TV? Opening the next page of the script he read the opening lines. 'Scene One: Exeter in Space. In orbit of the Planet Rosen. Day after new years celebrations. Zoom in to side of ship. Into sickbay where 'Dr Vespers and his team are dealing with hang overs and over drink related injuries' Smiling Paul could see Gab now, stamping his feet, complaining about the stupidity of the crew, in his gruff way he cared for the crew. Closing his eyes he drifted away, allowing his thought to come as they did. ~ It can’t be a holodeck program, smells are too real, the bumps in the road too real, the wind blowing is real, as are the bugs hitting my face, so not on the holodeck then, inter dimensional travel, possible, but to where, time travel, again possible, but why here and why now.~ The bump they hit had Paul sit upright and open his eyes. “What the ...” The man on his left laughed, “Sorry dude, I thought you knew about the speed hump at the studio.” As the vehicle slowed and turned into slot, Paul undid his belt thing. "yea sorry I was miles away. Thanks for the ride." "Hey thats what little brothers are for, if anything had happened to you, mom wuld have gone ape... well you know how she is. Laters dude, dont forget your crap and catch you later." Getting out of the vehicle Paul stood there holding the script, a large plastic covered badge, which he turned over to see the face of Saul Pickford, Actor, Star Trek: Exeter. Access all areas. Walking towards a door marked stage, he followed signage for dressing rooms, finding one with 'his name' on he pushed it open. Standing in a room, just slightly larger then his quarters, with a sofa at one end and a large table and mirror at the other, between the two ends was a single door which leads to a small bathroom. Next to which was a small fridge, opening the fridge he found cans of fizzy drinks, with enough sugar to make a Vulcan do back flips. Taking a small bottle of water he sat on the sofa and tried to figure out his next move. If he'd been transported to this place, had the rest of the crew, if so why. A tap on the door had Paul look up to see a shrt woman with black hair, puled tight into a bun. "Well well well, look whos here, superstar himself. I hear the after show party was a doozy last night. In fact rumour has it that four young starlets put on a bit of a show?" Shrugging his shoulders Paul looked at the woman with a blank face, he had no ide what she was on about, in fact he had no idea who she was. Looking at the badge round her neck he saw the name Helen... something.. associ Produ. Having no idea what that meant he smiled. "Well Helen I can neither confirm or deny that statement. I have no idea. " As she leant against the door frame clearly warming to her theme, Paul sighed, it seemed she was going to be here a while. "Anywa the rumour is a certain red head was the lead instigastor, if they found their clothes and underware afterwards is open to conjecture. I ear they went at it for over a hour" Shaking his head Paul looked at her, "Do you want anything n particular or are you just here to gossip?" "I'm here to date stamp and check your script. Make sure you've not copied it. Script please" Paul could see the woman was now clearly annoyed. The lack of his confirmation on her story had stolen he thunder and put her in a bad mood. Handing over the script, she snatched it and flipped through the pages. Taking a black pen she dated and signed the inside cover. "Here. There's a read through at 5 pm, if the rest of you bozos can get back from the con in time. " Stamping out she left the door wide open, sitting there Paul was even more confused. Hopefully he could find the captain or FO and try to make sense of al this. (reply none) (Toronto, Canada - Gabrielle Knight’s Apartment - FO Cmdr Ailynn Bracken/Gabrielle Knight and Ryan Christopher - 0810) Ryan Christopher was one of those Canadian actors with a well known face. That was primarily due to the fact that a large volume of American television was filmed in Vancouver and Toronto. It was very easy for him and his brother Nathan to find gigs. Primarily as guest actors on American TV shows, doing an episode here or there. What he was most well known for was being one of the hunks regularly used in Hallmark movies. Whether he was the rich pretentious businessman who needed to learn a lesson, the simple hunk from back home that gets the city girl to remember her roots, the secret prince from some generic European country, or the single dad trying to do right by his kids, he had played them all. He enjoyed it, it was good work, but the most fulfilling acting experience he had ever had was playing Kyros Ryelle, a medical officer, both on the Second Pilot mini series for the new Star Trek series set in the 25th century, and then later in the first season of Star Trek Exeter. It had a lot of depth to it, the character wasn’t as predictable or shallow as some of his Hallmark Hunks, and the scenes and chemistry he had with the series regular he had the most contact with was so real that they began dating in real life. Plus he found it fun that both he and his brother Nate, who played Tyko Nix, both died in the first season of the show. As he saw Gabrielle fall to the ground, he quickly placed the tray of coffee cups and the bag of donuts from the nearby Tim Horton’s and ran to her. He picked her up and placed her on the sofa. Ailynn slowly came to, finding herself on the luxuriantly comfortable charcoal grey sofa overlooking the bay. She could hear the man’s voice, his tone, calm and gentle, his face, handsome, and honest, but worried. She tried to get up, but immediately regretted it. “Where…?” “Gabs, you alright? Just because I played the hunky doctor in five different Hallmark movies, doesn’t mean I’m one in real life.” Ailynn looked at him, confused. " what's a Hallmark?" She shook her head. “You are a Doctor. A dead one I admit. Besides. I'm a Doctor too remember?" She looked at him. “Did you hit your head? What’s a Hallmark. You know those Hallmark movies I’ve done helped pay for half this beautiful loft.” She shook her head, "I remember those movies." She smiled. ~Dale had some back at Nappa.~ “Second you aren’t a doctor, unless you count your PhD in sexiness. Seriously, hun, you ok? Do I need to take you the hospital?” "I'm fine. Just...having a really wierd…" she looked around her. She realised that her figuring out where she was would be easier with the stranger's help, she played along, her safety could depend on his good mood. "If I say something stupid do you promise to take it at face value?" “Always. You know that.” "Am I dead? I mean…" she reached out and ran a gentle finger round His familiar jawline, one that she had been dreaming about for a while now. "Ryelle? Where am I? I'm...kind of scared." “Oh are we running lines. For episode 2 of this season. I’m glad I got a cameo. This is the scene where Ailynn wakes up in the white space right. Like after praying at the Bajoran temple program, because she was regretting passing up the Hood.” Ailynn nodded. She only in part regretted it, but her true views were exceedingly complex, and she wasn’t precisely sure she understood them all herself. “The temple program, the crazy AI.” she smiled. “No Ailynn, you are very much alive. I’m not really here, the prophets are allowing me to be here. To see you, to comfort you. To let you know you are on the right path. Don’t worry, your destiny has yet to be revealed. Be confident, be strong. Goodbye Paladin.” Ryan paused, and then I fade away, and that’s it. That all I get to be in the episode for. But hey at least I get to act with you again. “Act?” One or two things were jumping up and down in her mind, and even her intellect couldn’t link them. “Ry...For a dead Bajoran you look awfully...forgive the word...Human? Do I smell coffee? The replicator over there is broken.” “Honey, calm down.” Ryan said as he placed his hand on her forehead. “First off, I hate that makeup. I mean, so many hours in the makeup chair. Look I’m worried about you.” “I’m okay...just really weirded out.” Ryan then put his finger on her neck to check her pulse. “Pulse seems a little fast. Babe, maybe we should take you to see a doctor. Are you wearing your smart watch? You should check your heart rate. Maybe you just have anxiety over season 2 starting tomorrow.” “My smart…” She saw a clutch bag on the kitchen counter. ~Identification, a weapon, anything…~ “No...I will though.” She smiled. “Pass me my bag? Please? And a coffee if one is mine?” she smiled. Ryan went up and grabbed her coffee and handed it over with her bag. “Just like you like it, caramel macchiato with whipped cream. It is your cheat day after all.” “My cheat day?” ~I want a coffee not a cup of...the frak is this?~ “Of course. I slept so weird last night. Forget who I am some days.” She smiled, sipping at the coffee, and despite it being sickeningly sweet, she was glad of the caffeine and sugar” She then started to open her bag and pull out a few things. “ I hope you aren’t having seconds.” Ailynn looked up, this conversation was hard enough, but there were so many things that she obviously couldn’t bluff through. “...about?” “The Make-a-Wish thing this morning. You haven’t forgotten right. That little girl is excited to meet her hero. Gabrielle Knight, the most badass woman in sci-fi.” ~Gabrielle Knight. So that’s who he seems to think I am.~ Ailyn shook her head. “No of course not, I’ll need you to resend me the precise arrangements though.” she sipped at the coffee once more. It was better on the second sip. “Ry…?” “Yes dear?” The way he looked at her, and doted on her almost held her back, but there were so many things on her mind. “Where’s Caity?” “Who? You mean Katie Jenkins, our neighbour. She went to go visit her mom in Ottawa. I know you guys usually run together. I saw her this morning. Her mom apparently had a stroke, so she went to go visit and take care of her. Sudden thing, I wanted to tell you in person.” ~Her mom? Caity hadn’t seen her parents in...How long? Had she? Was their relationship a lie?~ Ailynn drew breath. “Poor girl...poor mom.” She picked a pink card out of her purse, with a flag on it that she recognised, and her own face. “UK Driving Licence. Issued 01-03-2017 Expires 01-03-2027” Ailynn’s heart sank. She stood up and thrust the card into his hand. “WHAT YEAR IS IT? WHO THE F&@K IS THAT? AND WHY THE F~£K IS MY HEART ON THE WRONG SIDE OF MY F&”@£NG CHEST?” she grabbed his hand and placed it on the left side. “Ok, now I’m really worried. Or this is just some weird, not funny prank. Honey, it is 2025, that is your driver’s license. Gabrielle Knight. That’s you. And your heart is on the left side of your chest, because that’s where hearts go.” “I am Ailynn Bracken, Commander on the USS Exeter. Doctor. Fellow of the Denobulan College of surgery. The year is 2445...well 2446.” “Oh, so we’re doing roleplay this morning. I mean, I knew you liked the Ailynn lives out her fantasy of sleeping with Ryelle, but honey we did that two nights ago. Remember. Plus it’s early and you now have coffee breath.” Ailynn wasn’t sure if her temper should go up or down, so since she had a choice decided it should probably go down. “I am having the weirdest morning. I swear.” She said, drinking her coffee. Ryan went and took hold of her hand and brought her down gently to the couch and sat down next to her. He held her hand firmly, looked her deep in the eyes, and gave her the most trusting smile in the history of smiles. “Hey it’s ok. Look I know things have been rough lately. We just moved in together a few months ago, you’re transitioning into making Toronto your permanent home. You haven’t seen your mom in forever. I know it's hard, and stressful, and things may seem off or weird. But that's ok. It's ok. Whatever is making you feel uneasy, we’ll work through it together. You know I have your back. Always. Look, I’ll go with you to the make-a-wish thing. Make sure you’re ok. It’s all gonna be fine. I know….I know this life, our life, your life isn’t easy. But Gabby, I am here for you. Always, my life is yours.” Ailynn nodded. Glad of his gentle, understanding manner. She pulled another object out of her bag, it looked like an ancient communication device, she’d seen in museums. ‘Samsung’ was printed on the back. [fingerprint not recognised] “What?” “You need to wiggle it a bit, those things are pain, that is why I stick to the pin option.” She moved her thumb as he showed. “Damn thing I can never get this first time.” A bunch of reminders and notifications ran across the screen. ‘Make-a-wish’ was one of the first. She looked up at his worried face as she fiddled. “Ry…?” “Yeah babe?” “Thank you. I’ll be okay...I just…” she shrugged, “Woke up on the wrong side today I guess. Coffee’s great, but I think I need a new cheat day item.” She smiled. “Well I brought donuts.” Ailynn smiled. “Sounds great.” “I got you a double chocolate fudge and a maple dip.” “Go cheat days.” Ailynn said as she scanned the notifications. Her kean eyes gleaned a lot of information off the screen. “I had gotten you a Boston Cream, but I ate it in the car. I was hungry. Will you forgive me?” “Of course.” She said. “This is more than enough for me.” She bit the donut, it was sweeter than she’d have chosen, but she was glad for the pick me up. “So...Make-a-life at 10:30, studio after lunch?” “Make-a-wish, and Yeah, and you are meeting Tristan sometime this afternoon. I think the studio is mad at him for leaking he might be done after this season to go play Captain Britain on a new Marvel show. Really, an American playing Captain Britain? I guess it’s revenge for Batman and Superman being played by Brits. Rumor has it though, he is signing today for season 3 and they’re gonna delay start of season 3 until he’s done with the MCU project.” None of the conversation made sense, but Ailynn filed each bit of information away. “Please.” She said dismissively. “There’s more chance of me making it as a...model than that happening. Why are there so many pictures of me about anyway. How self-absorbed am I?” “Babe, you did make it as a model. Seriously, you ok? The pictures are there because you like them, you look pretty in them, and they remind you of a happy memory.” “Even the nude in the bedroom? Admittedly that is a beautiful picture.” She shrugged a concession to the point, as she sighed. “Well the nude was an artistic one. And you put it up for me. You said, ‘Ryan, I swear, I’m just gonna put a nude photo up on the wall you stare at my boobs there and let me sleep’ Yup direct quote.” Ryan laughed. “I said that? Go me.” “No not really, its a classy nude, that has you covering all the bits, done by a famous Swedish Photographer and it won some award.” “Ryan?” She filed that away with the other stuff to check when she could figure out how to find news and things. “Gabrielle?” “You’re sweet, and I’m sorry I’m so off this morning. Just on edge, me and Ailynn overlapping today I guess.” She remembered the picture in the memento room. “Season one was so...well...I just hope that season two is as good.” “That depends on the writers.” He laughed. “Writers? Well...I’d like to meet them at some point.” she laughed, and finished her donut. “I don’t mean to be rude, but no more of those...way too sweet.” she licked her fingers. “Thank you though.” “I’ll bring bacon and egg biscuits next time. Mind you its the savory North American biscuit, not your British cookie biscuits.” Ailynn remembered a very very old argument in her family, though try as she could she couldn’t remember who it was between. Maybe her Great Grandparents, Leola and Kingsley Bracken. “Bacon custard creams should totally be a thing.” she laughed, easing gently into his company. “Umm there is a place a few blocks from here that has maple bacon donuts. You want me to get you one of those tomorrow?” Ailynn shook her head. “Black mirror here says 0500 start tomorrow. We’ll get one after the Hospital.” She scanned the message as she spoke, she’d managed to open ‘gmail’ half remembering a lesson on communication history. She’d always been able to read an entire page of text in almost a glance, and read as she spoke. “I have an idea, but I’ll need my uniform. The little girl in there doesn’t want Gabbie, she wants Ailynn.” She smiled. “Your uniform is at the Studio. Wardrobe is cracking down on thefts. But, I may have an idea. You did steal the dress you wore for the party in the season finale. Right before the Borg attacked and you had to kick butt in it. And we do have a couple misplaced commbadges. Would that work?” “I have that dress? Wait...I’m...and I hate the word...important yeah? A...star?” “I mean not a major Star. Tristan is by far the more popular and famous of the two. But thats because of Pro Wrestling and what not. But you were a supermodel, sometime actress, now fulltime actress on a hit tv show. And you were nominated for an Emmy, for best supporting actress, but lost. So yeah you’re a star. Google yourself if you get bored. Though, you might be shocked how many lingerie shoots you did.” “Lingerie...of course.” she smiled. “Then wardrobe will help, if ask nicely, if I promise not to steal stuff.” She thought about the other room. “Any more stuff, especially given what it’s for.” “Probably.” He smiled. Ailynn dipped into the bag again, and pulled out a bunch of keys. One of them, larger than the others and black with a silver emblem of two wings, with two words emblazoned on them. She remembered being a teenager, with Trip on his dad’s ranch, they’d driven...whatever it had been for days on end that summer, and looked at old pictures of cars. “Do I have a car?” “Yes. You do. Brand new too. First one you’ve ever owned.” “Cool.” she smiled looking at the badge on the key. “Hey babe, I got to go, but call me if you still feel off in a hour ok.” “I’ll be fine. Like I said...not so much wrong side, but wrong bed.” she stopped. “Wait...that sounded bad.” “Not sure why I got so lucky, but, Gabrielle Knight, I love you to bits.” Ryan then inched closer and moved in for a kiss. Ailynn’s emotions were all over the place. Caity was her girlfriend, her love, her forever; but the man in front of her fired so much within her. He had literally given his life for her own, and that sacrifice had weighed heavy on every night’s slumber ever since. Trip had been correct, she needed counselling, and her feelings now were testament to that. As Ryan leaned forward Ailynn didn’t flinch, she felt safe, comforted almost by his mere presence. She didn’t meet the kiss precisely on the lips, but there was a part of her heart, on whatever side of her it was, that jumped when he kissed her cheek. “Take care.” (Reply none) (Toronto, Canada - Gabrielle Knight’s Apartment - FO Cmdr Ailynn Bracken/Gabrielle Knight - 0830) Ailynn relaxed slightly as Ryan left the apartment. She unlocked the phone once more and after a large sip of the coffee that Ryan had brought her, sat down, eventually opening a program that would let her search for things. ~First things first. Who’s Gabrielle Knight?~ she typed slowly, and found the keyboard annoying. ~The computer in the other room…~ Standing quickly she paced through to the room with all the stuff in it and sat at the desk. Her body remembered the chair, and she tapped at the keyboard, to no avail, then looked around, and found a box at her feet, which after a few moments examination, she switched on. Almost immediately, a screen full of icons greeted her in the two large monitors. Eventually she found the same browser icon that she had before, and typed in ‘Gabrielle Knight’ actually very impressed with the feedback from the physical keyboard. The handheld thing was a little sensitive to her liking, but she’d grasped it eventually. “PROPHETS” She said aloud. Images filled the top of the screen, then other pictures, that started videos when she moved the arrow over them. She clicked one, and on the second screen, a dark room appeared, with a bright white straight platform. Ailynn sat back in the chair, and then sipped at the sweet coffee. After a few seconds, a figure appeared, accompanied to an audible applause. It was her. Absolutely unquestionably her. However, the way her body moved, the roll of her hips as her long legs strode exaggeratingly in front of each other. She...Gabrielle was also clad in the most beautiful underwear she had ever seen, the wings were perhaps overdone, but even watching herself in a video she found herself holding her breath. She could see how Gabrielle had got where she had. There was a command of the room that even Ailynn at her peak couldn’t have done, a challenge in every stride and a self assurance of body-confidence that Ailynn had no true understanding of. “Dear me...Caity I hope that you’ve seen that one” she said to herself. More clicks and links showed similar pictures, and videos, some in more normal clothes. One of them, according to the description the most beautiful charcoal grey cashmere dress and matching scarf and a beret type hat. ~Concentrate Ailynn.~ She returned to the start and found a link to something called IMDB, that listed everything Gabrielle had done. ~Frak it girl? You started modelling at how old? Good grief. No wonder you own it at what...twenty-five.~ Later a switch to voices and acting. The voice of Mitzi in “Penguins of the Apocalypse” grabbed her attention, but then a link to “Star Trek: Freedom” as “Ensign(jg) Dr Ailynn Bracken” got her attention. She saw so much in those couple of pages, and spent a few moments clicking forward and back and simply reading. The door opened in the hall, and Ailynn stood up and looked, expecting Ryan back. However it was a young girl. “Miss Knight? You home? It’s Andrea. My mum sent you breakfast. Cheat Day!” “In here” Ailynn faked, then stood up and walked out. She was a pretty, strawberry-blonde with a gentle smile, and pretty eyes, that Ailynn could see immediately had been crying. “Hey there.” Andrea said. “Only me, Hope you don’t mind, but mum insisted.” She carefully unwrapped a few slices of bacon and put them into the microwave, then pressed a button. A few seconds later she pulled out the plate and slipped the bacon into a brown roll that she’d also unwrapped. Putting it all on a plate, she then opened a cupboard and pulled out a bottle of sauce, pouring viscose brown liquid over the bacon. “Here.” ~Why do people keep feeding me? This is so weird…~ “Thanks hun.” She took a bite, the saltiness of the bacon and the spicy brown sauce hit the spot. “Oh my that’s amazing thank your mum won’t you. There’s a caramel donut thing there if you or she wants it. Bit sweet for me.” “You kidding? You rock thank you. I will. Where do you want me to start cleaning? Bathrooms as normal?” ~a person cleans your bathrooms? Gabrielle you piece of crap.~ Ailynn thought. “It’s all pretty clean. Just had an accident with the hair...stuff. I’ll get it later.” Andrea shook her head. “It’s why you pay me,” she shrugged. “And you’re always kind, a bit of shampoo isn’t much, believe me. Besides. I love your apartment, your memento room is the bomb. I lurve it. Ailynn looked at the girl. She was obviously reticent to start doing something that she said she enjoyed, probably the upset that caused the crying. “Look you seem off. Why don’t you make us a coffee and we’ll chat?” she motioned to the kitchen and sofa. “You kidding? I’d love that.” Andrea said, and scuttled off to grab a jar of instant coffee out a bottom cupboard, and make a quick drink for the two of them. Ailynn watched carefully. “I know it’s not filter, but I also know that you like a simple one like this now and then.” Andrea smiled. “You’ve been crying.” Ailynn said sipping the coffee. “Yeah...it was a couple of things. Boyfriend dumped me, it's been rocky for a while, but it came to a head last night. He said that me wanting to go to college was dumb as I'll never be a Doctor, that I'll never get anywhere. He then sent me a text this morning saying that I'd changed and don't bother calling its over." Andrea pulled a tissue out of her sleeve and dabbed her eyes again. "I'm sorry you're so busy. You don't need me…" she walked over and passed Ailynn a coffee. ~That’s more like it.~ Ailynn thought as she sipped, and put the cup down Andrea was calming down. Sliding across Ailynn rested an arm across Andrea's shoulders. "Hey...its fine.” “Thanks Gabbie.” the younger girl smiled. “So that was first thing, and then I had a letter from the College. She opened her bag and passed over an envelope. “Mum can’t help, not on what she earns.” Ailynn looked confused, but took the letter, and opened it out. “Set book list? Forgive me...I don’t…” “Next page.” Andrea said. “Turning over, Ailynn’s eyes widened. “Wait...that is a lot of numbers just for your books. It’s what…” she added up the list of fees for all her set books. “That’s near 400 yeah? This is horrible, knowledge should be free.” Ailynn understood about money for tradeable items, but having to pay for access to knowledge was an utterly alien concept. “Yeah..So any extra hours you have I’d be grateful?” She sighed. “Maybe KC was right. Maybe I should just give up…” Ailynn was instantly saddened by the other girls deflated manner. “No...Look, Never give up on your dreams.” Ailynn sighed, she was no good at this, she needed Ash, she understood people far more, though an idea crossed her mind. “Look, I’ll give you all the hours you need yeah? With a warning…” Andrea looked up, puzzled. “Yeah? What?” “Are you able to contact me?” “I have your number yeah...It’s stored as “Cleaner.” Andrea replied, smiling as she finished her coffee. “I might phone you...at any point...with dumbass questions that are going to make your eye roll, but bear with me yeah. You know me.” Ailynn let go a shot in the dark. “I can be a total ditz, so I need a friend to...keep me level?” “Sounds good.” Andrea looked at Gabrielle’s phone. “You have an email from Insta…unseen notifications.” “Insta?” Ailynn was baffled as to what was going on. “Here…” she pressed Ailynn’s thumb against the sensor and unlocked the phone, then scrolled over and opened Instagram. A picture appeared of two young females, obviously in a state of undress. The brunette Ailynn didn’t know, but the blond she knew very well, or more correctly, knew the Romulan version of very well. “Commander Merek...you bad bad girl.” Ailynn found herself saying. “I know right? Here...You have to like and share...totally ship those two. Such a couple.” Ailynn smiled and finished her coffee. “Look. I have to go. I need to get to the hospital for the Make-a-fish, but need to hit wardrobe first.” “OOOH its Monday...Totally...I’m sorry. Go. Here. Your car is in the basement. Maps will show you the way. Just open this and then hit...that option yeah? After that tap the microphone and talk to it and ask it for directions to the hospital. Now go.” “Look, just the bathroom, then use my computer, and study. I’ll pay you till noon yeah?” “Gabs you rock I love you.” Ailynn grabbed the keys and stood up, striding across the floor and towards her door. (Toronto, Canada – 1384 King St W – ACEO Lieutenant Janice Hammerfield / Ava Kelly – 0830) Slowly Janice started to open her eyes from her sleep groggy from the night before. “Oh... ok... earlier to bed next time.” She rolled in the blankets and paused for a minute and reached her hand out onto the bed. ~This... is not my bed~ Opening her eyes fully she wrestled with the soft covers and threw them onto the floor. Her eyes darted over the small room – neat – tidy – compact. Raising to her feet she looked at what she was wearing and pulled the nightdress to get a closer look and feel before deciding she did not own it. A whimper and scratch came from the door at the end of the room. Cautiously she made her way forward to it and opened it slowly as a dog jumped through the gap. Black, white and full of energy it was unmistakably a border collie. It playfully darted round her then obediently lay in front of her as Janice gave the poor creature a rather confused look- clearly not what it was expecting normally. “I... guess your hungry right?” She shook her head and walked into the other room revealing a small modest living area with large windows overlooking a park – open plan living room, dining room and kitchen. Not sure of where things are she made her way to the kitchen and rifled through some wooden drawers eventually hitting the fridge that had some containers in them all stacked and labelled. Pulling out a stack that appeared to be dog food she looked at the labels: 30/6, 1/7, 2/7, 3/7. “Dates?” she looked at them quizzically as she opened up a container as the dog hopped through and sat at an empty dish on the floor, “I guess this is yours?” Leaning down Janice put the food into the bowl and carefully gave the dog a reassuring pet before looking at the collar, “Jessie? Well Jessie – don’t suppose you know where I am at all?” There was no reply except for Jessie happily eating up the food. Moving to the windows she looked out, “Where am I? Computer – location? Computer?” Her gaze looked down at the roads filled with old vehicles and then up to the sky, a beautiful day – but empty apart from a few jet streams. A loud chime went off followed by Jessie barking and running to a door. Startled Janice looked at the door as it chimed again. Moving over to it she stood on the other side, “Who is it?” “Your chauffeur has arrived,” said a mans voice on the other side, “My chauffeur?” “Yes now are you going to let me in or do I need to break the door down like your fans?” “My what?” There was a pause on the other side, “This better not be some acting thing your doing here... come on let me in.” “I have no idea who you are come back some other time,” she through quickly trying to dismiss him. “Seriously? Gezz Ava how much did you drink last night? Come on open the door so we can get you down to the set?” ~Ava?~ “Wrong address buddy – my name is Janice”, There was a short laugh on the other side, “I see – yea and im Trip Williams of the USS Exeter.” His impression was not particularly impressive, “Wrap speed. Live long an prosper all that stuff. Come on open the door and at least let your poor non sci fi friend Benjamin in.” Janice paused and put her back to the door as her heart pounded ~what the hell is going on?~ Taking a moment she composed herself looked to the side where a large wooden pole sat – a weapon if need be – before examining the door and undoing the locking mechanism. “Bout time,” Benjamin said slowly moving into the room as Janice took a step back, “Gal come on you need to get ready – you cant keep the crew waiting.” She grabbed him by the collar and pinned him against the wall firmly with one arm – he offered no resistance. “The crew – where are they! What did you do to them?” He looked shocked and puzzled, “The – film crews at the studio.” “NO MY CREW – THE EXETERS CREW!” she shouted loudly. Jessie barked and ran up beside her growling softly at Benjamin – or her – it was difficult to tell. He raised his hands and gently put them on hers, “Look I know your into that method acting stuff – but that fan must have got you all riled up if your still deep in it like this. You don’t need to be Janice all the time for them you know.” Janice looked at her hands – she was angry but she felt that it shouldn’t be directed towards this man. Releasing him she through it best to pry for more information. Leaning down she motioned to Jessie to come to her and gave the dog a hug, “Yea – I guess I still am a bit shaken up from it?” “And rightly so – I can’t believe someone would have the nerve to break in to your dressing room just for an autograph? I told you – you shouldn’t get so close to them,” he shook his head, “Especially after letting the director move you from the Illuminar. Were they trying to do some sort of cross over to get fans from one show into the other?” ~fans?~ “No idea?” she got back to her feet and moved to the living room taking a seat. Her eyes glanced at the table as a binder lay on the table. It had USS Exeter marked on it. “Is that the next script?” Ben asked. Picking it up she flicked through it page by page. Line by line of dialogue, “You know I cant show you,” She smiled at him and looked back at the binder puzzled. “Well look Ava – get ready we need to get going in thirty otherwise we are going to be late to the studio,” “Sure – ill just be a bit,” Janine moved to the bedroom and looked at Jessie following her, “Stay,” she commanded as the dog planted itself firming in one spot sitting up right. Quickly and awkwardly Janice managed to use some of the crude cleaning equipment in the bedroom to get ready. Opening a cupboard she found her uniform. Pulling it out she held it to her tightly before running her hands over the material. It didn’t feel like her uniform. It looked like it – but something was different. Looking at it as she put it on she noticed a lot of it was sewn and stitched – not replicated. Leaving the bedroom she looked to Benjamin, “Ok – lead on.” He stood up and saluted her, “Yes Ma’am – cant believe they let you take that home. Wardrobe guys usually want to hold onto that stuff.” “I guess... they just like me enough to take it with me,” she thought for a moment and looked back to him, “It helps with the method acting,” “Of course,” he said picking up a bag and handing it to her. Janice gave Jessie a farewell pet, took the bag and closed the apartment door as she followed Ben out. Lucky the door had an auto lock or she would never have locked it herself. Taking her outside the was a small blue car in front of her that Ben held the door open for her. Getting inside she could see the words Ford written on the controls. Climbing in Ben started the vehicle and began driving. He put some music on that was really not to her taste but it gave her time to look in the bag. Rifling through it she found; some basic cosmetics; plastic with some numbers and a picture of her face with the name Ava Kelly on them; some metallic keys and a lanyard with a picture of her and some pictures of the Exeter labelled over it with Star Trek as well. (Toronto, Canada - 130 Carlton St. - CTO/3O Lieutenant commander Ravok/Kyle Ravine & CSO Lieutenant Erin Cortez/Genevieve Rhodes -0830) Rolling over in bed he wrapped his arm around her and scooted closer to her as they both laid on their sides. Resting peacefully, Erin felt the weight and the warmth of the arm around her. Still not quite awake, she mumbled, "Not… now, Jimmy." Having dreamt of him the night before, despite what had happened, it had been a happy dream, a very happy dream. Ravoks eyes opened as he heard a name that wasn't his in a voice that wasn't Keira's. His eyes were met with the sight of dark brown hair. " What the F^(%" He yelled as he scooted away on the bed. Hearing the voice she recognized, Erin rubbed her eyes and turned over. In the same moment, two things occurred to her. The first was that she wasn't in her own bed and was completely naked. The second thing was that Ravok was in the bed with her and, from what she could tell, he was naked also. Blinking a few times, the realisation hit her and she screamed. Ravok screamed with her and jumped out of the bed, quickly realizing he was naked he grabbed the sheet and pulled it off the bed exposing Erin in the process as he stumbled back and fell through the closet door, breaking it. Sitting up in the bed, Erin grabbed some pillows quickly to hide her body and yelled, "What the hell are you doing, dude? Seriously??" " What the hell are you doing?" Ravok asked back as he huddled into a ball in the closet. Ravok held up his hand to block his sight of Erin. "What am I doing? You’re naked in bed with me…. How drunk did we get?" Ravok noticed his arm was bleeding and bleeding red. Seeing the blood, the red blood, Erin’s eyes grew wide. Looking around, she spotted a robe thrown on the floor. Pulling it around her and tying it tight, she grabbed a towel from the nearby bathroom and handed it to him, "What the heck is going on? Are we on the holodeck?" Ravok was shocked by the color of the blood from his small wound. " I ...um I don't know. Maybe" "Can't be that… why would your blood be red…. You don't Think that we…" He wiped the blood away. " I certainly hope NOT !!!" He yelled. " computer end program." Ravok ordered. When their surroundings didn't disappear. Ravok gave another command . " computer , archway" again nothing. He saw some pants on the floor and reached for them and quickly put them on. " Erin what the hell is going on ?" "You think I know? I was having a wonderful dream about…. Doesn't matter now because it is not happening…." She paused and sighed, "Then I wake up naked next to you." He felt his ears " WHAT DID YOU DO ?" He screamed at her, like he never had before. Backing away, the look on his face was one she hadn't seen before. Sitting on the edge of the bed, shaking, she looked away, "I…. Didn't do anything… I didn't…." Ravok stepped toward the mirror on the bedroom wall. " NO!! NO!! " He yelled freaking out . His synthetic eye was no longer there, in its place a real eye. His ears were rounded and his eyebrows were no longer slanted. "Where the hell are we?" She asked openly. A ping, a noise nearby her from the nightstand and a voice said, "You are in Toronto, Canada." Still freaking out, Ravok turned and looked at Erin. " Toronto Canada? Who said that?" Pointing to the small tube like device on the night stand, Erin said quietly, "I think that did." " This is some kind of joke. I swear on everything in me whoever is behind this I am going to kick their ass." He said Closing her eyes, Erin took a deep breath. Something in her was telling her this wasn't the holodeck. It felt too real. Too right almost. " What's the last thing you remember?" He asked Erin. "I remember talking to that bar man, Ernie. There may have been some dancing but everything else is a blur. I don’t remember going to bed and I certainly don't remember you being there." Ravok shook his head with 7a confused look on his face. " Everything is a blur. Like foggy images and muffled voices. To be honest the last thing I remember clearly is going to meet with Ire and having a beer. After that just bits and pieces... " She nodded. The memories of the party were fading, replaced by something else. Fleeting glimpses of smiles, happy cheers, flashes. Ravok looked at the dresser and saw a framed image of Erin and himself .He grabbed it and handed it to her. " Take a look at this. " She took it from his hand and looked at it. The photo was them, together and obviously happy. Smiling at each other, hand in hand. " That isn't us. It can't be" Ravok said. "But there it is." She replied, handing him the photo back. As she did, Something on her hand caught her eye, "Oh…. Oh no." " What ? What?" "I … think this is something more than a bad dream. Look." She held out her hand. On one finger, sat a gold band with a large diamond. "What the …. Tell me that isn’t what I think it is?" Ravok shook his head " This isn't funny anymore." He said as he walked over to the device on the nightstand and bent down to it. " Enough is enough , you had your laugh. End this now " Ravok grabbed the device and threw it against the wall , shattering it. Jumping at the noise, Erin wrapped her arms around her and stood still. This side of him she hadn't seen for a very long time and it scared her a little. " Get some clothes on right now. If this isn't a joke. We have probably been abducted and this is some elaborate simulation. " Ravok said , opening a drawer and putting on a black tshirt and socks, and putting on the boots that were next to the bed. Opening the drawers nearest her, Erin pulled out underwear, a white t-shirt and pair of blue jeans and put them on. As she looked at the dresser, she caught sight of herself in the mirror. Her hair was a little curlier than normal and she looked, different. Whatever had happened had caused a change. Suddenly a female voice called out from the hallway. " Gen? You up yet? " the question was followed by the sound of barking dogs. Ravok jumped up and ran over to Erin. " Who the F>($% is Gen? " He asked quietly but frantically. "You think I know?" She replied curtly. " Come on you guys the convention is at 1100, You promised you wouldn't sleep in all morning" The female voice said, this time it was closer to the door. "Ravok…" Erin said, nerves on her voice evident. Erin had taken the requisite defence classes at the academy but she was a pacifist. " I'm coming in guys ." The woman said as she placed her hand on the door knob. Taking a step back, Erin took a deep breath in an attempt to calm her. The voice had sounded friendly enough but you could never tell. And the dogs, what about the dogs? Ravok stood himself in front of Erin. If anyone was going to hurt her they would have to kill him. As the door opened, Erin realised straight away that this woman knew them both. A smile erupted on her face as she unleashed the dogs that ran straight to them, tails wagging. Despite her initial misgivings, Erin couldn't help but smile as she knelt down and stroked the dogs gently. Ravok stepped away from the dogs but kept his eyes on the woman. "So, Gen… did you say yes?" The woman asked. "I'm sorry, what?" Erin replied. "I'm Erin." The woman raised an eyebrow, "Okay… getting into character already. I get it…" she paused as she saw the ring on Erin’s finger and screamed. ~ Into character?~ "Oh…. " was all Erin could say as the woman ran towards her, pulling her into a hug. "Gen! I am so happy for you! Finally made an honest woman of her, hey Kyle?" He placed his hand on his chest " Im Lieutenant commander Ravok and she is Lieutenant Erin Cortez. You will tell us what's going on or suffer the consequences of your actions. " The woman looked at him, she put her hands up " Oh no don't shoot me with your gun." She said sarcastically and laughed. " Did I walk in on a roleplay type of thing ?" Erin put a hand on Ravok's shoulder, "Just humour us. Who are we?" The woman looked at them, frowned and replied, "Okay… you are Genevieve Rhodes and he is Kyle Ravine and you are both about to get your asses kicked if we don't get you down to breakfast and to the convention centre soon." Ravok went to say something but Erin cut him off "Give us ten minutes. Please?" She nodded her head . " Hurry it up " she said leaving the room and took the dogs with her. Ravok looked at Erin. " What do we do ?" "I don't know. All I do know is that I'm more than a little confused and slightly terrified right now." " If this is some sort of simulation maybe we should play along . We could find others. " Ravok replied. "Well, we know two things." " What?" He asked. "Apparently, I'm Genevieve Rhodes and you appear to be Kyle Ravine." " We also know that in this simulation we can get hurt. " he said ,raising his arm and showing his wound. "I think… she seemed to think that we were engaged?" Ravok laughed. " This is a sick joke." He raised his hand quickly " No offense, I'm sure you're an amazing fiance but it's us Erin. We need to figure out ways going on. We should play along for now and see what happens. " "First, perhaps a little recon? We know what she called us… we need to find out more so we can play along. Is there a sort of primitive computer nearby? If she said we are going to a convention, which by the way what the heck is one of those, we need to know who we are and what this entails." Ravok looked around and thought for a minute. " I have an idea follow me." He grabbed her hand without even thinking about it and stopped , pulling his hand away from hers. " Im sorry." He looked at his hand. The feeling of his hand in hers felt right for some insane reason. Erin looked at him, "Why did you….?" " It just felt like an instinct or something, like second nature." Ravok explained. "This is getting weirder by the minute." " Just follow me. I have a plan. " He said walking out of the room. She nodded, wanting to find the others but figure out what was going on. The scientist and anthropologist in her was fascinated by the fact they were obviously back in their past but, more worryingly, why was Ravok now obviously human. Navigating their way to the living room of the unit they were in, a city skyline could be seen from the windows. Several pictures of Ravok and Erin were on the walls. Something was definitely off way off. The woman was waiting on the couch for them. " Are you two ready?" " I need your help, say if I wanted to access a database of information where would I find a point of interface?" Ravok asked. " Umm Kyle...cut the shit. " She laughed. " I'm roleplaying, help me out." "He's right. There's an event at the…. Convention?" " Ok sure thing captain." She said sarcastically. " Its commander actually." He corrected the stranger. " Ok ok fine , commander. I would start by checking your phone, it's with your wallet and keys on the kitchen counter. " " Wallet? Keys? Of course ." Ravok said as he ran into the kitchen. He looked for the keys and noticed. Small device next to it. ~ wallet and keys , this must be the phone~ He picked it up and the screen lit up. The device displayed an image of Erin in a black dress, the date on the screen said June 30th 2025 the bottom of the screen instructed him to swipe to unlock. He waved his hand over it , yet nothing happened. " Come on" he said in frustration, but something caught his eye on the counter was a stack of thin books. He grabbed the top one and chills ran up his spine as he flipped quickly through the pages. " Umm Eri...I mean Genevieve can you come here for a second." Ravok yelled from the kitchen Erin turned to where Ravok had gone, then turned back to the woman, "Five minutes. " " Genevieve, he never calls you that? Are you two fighting ? " the woman said. "Not at all. He just does this every now and then." She smiled and headed to Ravok. When Erin entered the kitchen Ravok held the thin book up to her. " We have a huge problem. " "You think?" On the front cover was an image of Commander Bracken in a sultry ash colored dress posing on a chair in a rather seductive yet eloquent manner. "That's disturbing." " That's not it. Look here's a photo of her on Trip on the bridge. " He said ,throwing it on the counter and pointing at it. Erin looked, her brow furrowed and the shock soon became evident on her face, "No… no no no." " Gabrielle Knight and Tristian Steele stars of Exeter. " Ravok said in a whispered tone. "What is going on? I can’t…." Erin sat down at the table in the kitchen and put her head in her hands, "I can't do this. " Ravok knelt down in front of her. " Look I'm afraid too, but we are here together. We have to figure what's going and we have to do it together. I promise I won't let anything happen to you. Let's go to this convention. Maybe this is part of some test, maybe it's all a dream. Whatever it is we will see it through...together." "Promise me one thing. Don't leave me. Not until we find the others." Ravok smiled. " I won't, I promise." " Come on guys seriously." The strange woman said with her arms crossed, tapping her foot . "Fine. Breakfast?" (Reply none) (Toronto, Canada -Lakefront Apartment, Bedroom – CFO – Lieutenant – Ire Williams/Richard Evans- 0830) Ire stood up from the table and walked into the living room and looked out of the large windows at the view across the lake. He paused there for a short while just looking out before he noticed a photo in a frame in the window ledge beside him. He picked up the photo and saw an older couple with two younger women who looked like their daughters and a younger man. He paused for a moment as he looked at the young man with a mixture of horror and fascination as the man smiling face looking back at him was his own. “By the prophets.” He muttered to himself as he realised that the older couple were his actual parents who had died with the collapse of the subspace tunnels all those years ago. “Mother and father. I guess the two women would be my sisters?” He placed the photo back carefully as he did not want to drop it as he scanned around for more photos and saw what looked like a wedding photo with him and Souliz in it. “This can’t be right. I cannot be married to her. I am engaged to Greta.” Beside it was a photo of him, Souliz and Annebell in some sort of park all smiling and looking happy. He took a step back and dropped onto the sofa and shook his head in shock. “What have you gotten yourself into now Ire?” He heard the sound of thudding feet behind him and turned. He saw Annebell come speeding into the room and skidded to a halt before him. She was wearing a command unform with commander pips and was looking up at him with a huge grin. “Look daddy now I out rank you.” He looked at her and nodded. “And why are you wearing a Starfleet uniform?” She put her hands on her hips and sighed at him. “Daddy. We are going to the Exeter convention. You can not have forgotten. You promised that you would take me.” ~The Exeter convention? Maybe there will be more of the crew there~ “Of course, Annebell when do we go?” “Is that how you talk to a superior officer Lieutenant?” He looked at her mock seriousness and realised that playing along was probably the best scenario for the moment. “No ma’am sorry commander.” “Good.” “Commander when are we going to the convention centre?” “Right now.” “Ma’am how do we get there.” He saw her roll her eyes and as she scooped up a black rectangle device about the length of his hand from the arm rest of the sofa. She held it out and he saw an icon of a thumb print which appeared on it surface. He placed his thumb on it and then screen lit up. Annebell took it back and began to tap furiously on it before smiling. “All done.” “Okay let’s go Commander.” He turned and headed towards the door. “No wait?” Ire turned back. “Ma’am?” “You cannot go out like that. You need a disguise? So that the baddies don’t know who you are.” ~Baddies~ He frowned. “A disguise?” “Yes, you always have a disguise when we go out.” “Yes commander He nodded as he went back towards the bedroom. (Reply None) (Toronto, Canada -Car on the way to Metro Toronto Convention Centre - CSO Lt Erin Cortez/Genevieve Rhodes - 0900) Sitting in the car as it drove through the landscape that appeared to be the city of Toronto, Erin looked out of the window. ~This is just crazy. How has this happened? Everything appears to be right for the time period we are supposedly in but still, how are we here?~ she thought to herself as the car snaked its way through traffic. She looked over at Ravok who had been silent for most of the journey. Barely a word spoken between the two of them since they had gotten in the car. Erin knew that he was scared. That alone was scaring her. She had never seen the man who she called her brother as scared as he was right now. He was always the one who she leant on for support and now, he was not talking. Sighing, she glanced forward and caught sight of some sort of small paper book on the dashboard of the car. “Er…. Cliff?” she asked. The driver had given his name as they had gotten into the car. A small mercy she was thankful for so she did not have to try and bluff her way. “Yes, Miss Rhodes?” “That… “ she paused a second as her mind searched for the right word, “... magazine?” “Oh that. My daughter is a bit of a fan and i was going to ask if you would sign it for her?” “Sure. Can i take a look first? Didn’t get a chance to see it yet.” She smiled. Cliff, the burly, bald driver handed it back to her and said, “Sure, take a look. There’s a pen somewhere in the back too, if you…” Taking the magazine out of his hand, Erin fixed a grin on her face as she looked at the photograph of her gracing the front cover. Her eyes widened a little, “No, of course.” Leaning back in the seat, Erin flipped to the page that held what purported to be an interview with Genevieve Rhodes and began to read, Chat with Genevieve Rhodes As told to Susanne McHorden SH: So, Genevieve… GR: How many times? Gen. SH: Sorry, So Gen, how's life currently? GR: Good. Bit jet lagged but otherwise good. SH: You just got back from Australia right? GR: Yeah, spent a week out there. SH: With that cute boyfriend of yours? GR: *Chuckles* Yes, with Kyle. SH: How is Kyle (Kyle Ravine) GR: He's great. We spent a week out there, just travelling and sleeping mainly. Being on the show (USS EXETER) is hectic. Was really good to just reconnect again. SH: You two seem to be getting serious. There's been rumours of a certain question being asked soon? GR: I wouldn't know anything about that. You'd have to ask Kyle. SH: Oh we tried. He is just like his character on the show. (Lt. Cmdr Ravok Shara). Keeps secrets well. GR: That he does. It took him ages to even let me know he liked me. Never had any clue. SH: Touching on that, how did he ask you out? GR: Wow… well, if I remember rightly… he told me that the cast were meeting for a dinner at a restaurant close to the studio. When I turned up, there was only him. He had rented out the whole restaurant. SH: Aw. That's so romantic. GR: He really is unlike any guy I have met. He doesn't care about my past. SH: You have had quite a checkered past. But, that's one thing people seem to latch onto with you. You make no apologies for anything. GR: That's right. We all have a past. It's part of us. We shouldn't be ashamed of what we did. It makes us who we are today. SH: It's interesting you should say that. Such a different viewpoint to your character, Erin Cortez. GR: Yeah. There was a lot of talk when I was offered the role. People wondered how I was going to be able to tackle a role of someone who had been through so much. SH: Well, you did. And people seem to really love your portrayal. GR: Well, thanks. It's good for me too. It's led me to be more open about my past in the press. I am what I am. SH: There was a photograph that surfaced a year ago. Can you tell us about that? GR: Oh that thing. At least I looked good in it. SH: You did. I bet Kyle loved it. GR: I got teased mercilessly for that one. Although now he kind of likes the Las Vegas show girl thing. SH: Tell us about the photo. GR: Short version, I spent a short stint as a showgirl just after I got to Las Vegas. Didn't last long because I got fired for sleeping with the lead of the show. The guy in the photo. SH: And that led to a bit of a 'wild child' moment for you? GR: In a way. I was hardly a child but, yes. I did go out, partied hard and got into situations that I shouldn’t have done. SH: And now, when you're not acting or spending time with Kyle, what do you do? GR: Don't get me wrong, I still like to party. Just do it in the right way now. I learnt the hard way how not to do things. But I'm glad that I did. Just like Erin on the show is learning that you can't hide from your past, I don’t. It has led to some interesting discussions on panels at conventions. SH: That does seem to be a passion of yours, the convention circuit. GR: I love it. A chance to meet people, to connect with the fans of the show and to just have fun. The photo ops are the best. Some wacky poses go on. I'm down for pretty much anything. SH: I've heard that the Kyle and Gen duo ops are always a big seller. GR: We love to have fun with it. SH: Back to the show, how is it watching Kyle do those romantic scenes with Anna? (Keira Merek)? GR: I love watching those two. They have a lot of fun. Really? It's fine. It's all a show. That and I know where he sleeps. SH: That's true. *laughs* GR: Our dogs love me. He knows that they are both mommy’s boys. SH: So, anything else we should know about Gen and/or what the future holds? GR: Oh… er… Well, for me, the future is good. For Erin? Who knows. I hope the writers let her off a bit next season. She's had a rough time. Would be nice to have some romance on the show or even some comedy? SH: Give Kyle a taste of his own medicine? Get Erin some steamy love scenes? GR: Yeah, why not? SH: Thanks for your time, Gen. You'll let us know if that question gets asked I hope? GR: After my mom and dad, you'll be the first one I call. Closing the magazine, Erin caught sight once again of the photograph on the cover. It was her, but not her. She looked happy, smiling and full of life. ~Well, at least somewhere one of us is happy, loved and appreciated.~ she thought to herself as the car pulled up to the Convention Centre. (Reply None) (Toronto, Canada - Tristan Steele's Toyota Tundra, In transit - CO, Captain Trip Williams/Tristan Steele -0900) Trip felt fortunate that his drive to the studio wasn't going to be very long. Only 11 minutes or so. As much as he loved that he was driving, it still felt odd and he kept having to remember all the traffic laws. The last thing he wanted to do in an unknown situation was run over an old lady. At that moment he heard a ringing sound and the screen on the Trucks dashboard lit up. It said an incoming call from Percy. Trip pressed the answer button, suddenly a voice filtered through the Truck's speakers. "Hey big bro, hows it going?" ~That's, that's D.J.'s voice.~ Trip thought to himself. "Not much, just headed to the studio." "Good, he listen, I looked over the contract, its solid. Your agent agrees to. It keeps you playing Trip for the next three seasons, and they will work the production schedule so it doesn't conflcit with Captain Britain." "Ok." Trip replied confused. "Now, you're taking a slight pay cut, but it guaranteed them working on your schedule. You'll more than make up for it by working extra. I already cleared it with the WWE. As long as you serve as a brand ambassador, they'll keep you on the nice relaxed, pay per appearance deal you have. They don't want you signing elsewhere. So they're happy to oblige. S0 all is set. Leaking that you were thinking of not coming back worked. A bit underhanded. But it was Heyman's idea." "So what does this all mean?" Trip asked more confused. "It means when you get to the Studio for your meeting. Sign the contract, and you're set. And if you see Gawain, tell him to call me. He still owes me for mom's birthday present." "Sure thing. Anything else?" "Yeah, have fun on season two. See ya later bro." The call ended. Trip was unsure of what was going on, But it seemed like Tristan Steele was both a known name and a bit of tool. As he arrived at the studio, the gate guard waved him through. He looked at the parking pass hanging from his rear view mirror and found the corresponding spot. Exiting the truck he looked at his phone, it said it was 9:10 am. He had 20 minutes to find his meeting. ~Here goes nothing.~ (reply Any) (Toronto, Canada – Street – CFO – Lieutenant – Ire Williams/Richard Evans- 0913) He followed Annebell down the street as she followed the directions from the device, she had called a mobile phone. He looked around the street that they were walking down. The signs, smells and sounds were so real that he had to pinch him self just to make sure that he was not dreaming it. Annabell had been chatting excitedly no stop about the Exeter convention since they had left the apartment as well as talking about the ship, its mission and its crew. He had kept a pleasant expression on his face as he listened in growing horror as she talked about things no one should know about. He had almost stopped in his tracks as she talked about the Exeter TV show, that Jennifer was a CGI designer for the show and that season two was going to start soon. ~What is going on here this feels so real but it’s so wrong. It just cannot be a holodeck program. Could it be an alternate reality, time travel, parallel universe or maybe I am just going mad~ “Daddy.” Ire paused before answering still finding it strange to be called that. He felt bad pretending to be Annebell’s father when he did not feel that he was. ~You need to play along and not cause any ripples. I don’t need a chat with temporal investigations if I get back…..when. If she thinks you here father, then you are her father. You need to see if there are others here. I hope there are others here~ “Yes.” “Who would win in a fight between you and Ravok?” A grin danced across his face. “Me.” “No silly on the Exeter?” “Yes me.” She looked up from the phone and looked at him. “But he is a Romulan and is very strong. You are just human.” “I maybe human but I know his secret?” “What is that?” “That would be telling.” “Daddy.” She huffed at him. “What?” “That is not an answer.” They turned a corner as they walked following the phones directions. ~Okay my turn~ “Commander?” “Yes.” “What is your favourite ship?” “The Exeter.” “Favourite Captain.” “Trip Williams.” “Favourite Crewmember “Commander Bracken “Why?” he said interested to hear what she would say. “Well, she is number one which is cool and also she will be in charge if Trip dies” ~Okay lets not go there~ “What about Ire?” He saw her shrug her shoulder. “What that supposed to mean.” “I know you are Ire daddy, but you are just the pilot. You are not in charge like Commander Bracken.” ~Just a pilot wow that cuts deep~ “Don’t worry Daddy you can be Captain.” “That is very kind of you.” “All you have to do is kill everyone above you.” “Um I don’t think that is how it happens on a Starfleet vessel. I think that’s more of a Klingon thing.” “No just go and talk to the writers I am sure that they will make it happen.” “I don’t think that is possible.” He had a feeling of dread that wiping out his friends could be that easy. “But why?” “I don’t have that kind of power with the writers.” “But why?” ~This is not going to stop~ “How long will we get there?” She looked at the phone. “It says another ten minutes.” ~Ow thank the prophets for that~ (Reply none) – Pinewood Toronto Studios – ACEO Lieutenant Janice Hammerfield / Ava Kelly – 0915) Eventually they pulled up to a gatehouse where a man looked through the window, “Miss Kelly – good to see you again. Head right in park up on the left.” “Thanks buddy,” replied Benjamin to him as he parked up the car and escorted a very confused Janice into a large hanger. She stopped dead. The bridge – was there – opened up. Cameras, workmen. ~What the hell is going on?~ (reply anyone at pinewood) (Toronto, Canada - GK’s Block, parking - FO Cmdr Ailynn Bracken/Gabrielle Knight - 0915) The lift had taken a bit of fiddling, but she’d managed, and stepped out, walking down the centre of the parking bay. Her eyes looking around her, wondering which car was actually hers. She wasn’t precisely worried about driving, those summers had been crazy way back when, but finding....she stopped...and took three steps backward. Looking at the emblem on the keys and on the car in front of her. “Oh you are not serious.” She looked again, turning fully toward… She turned the key over in her hand, and pressed a button, that made the car beep, and the LED lights illuminating. Sitting on her heels she ran her fingers over the wings on the exuberantly beautiful bonnet. ‘Aston Martin’ She stepped around, the stunning dark green vehicle challenging her even sitting still. Opening the door she slipped into the seat which felt made to measure in the craziest beautiful way. She remembered her seatbelt, and then reached out and tapped the button that was marked ‘start’ The roar of the V12 engine just behind her almost made her wee herself, she smiled happily as she picked up a pair of sunglasses and put them on, resting them on her head. “Mmmm...Come to Mama…” (Reply any, none) (Toronto, Canada – Pinewood Toronto Studios, Sound Stage 3 – SOPS, Lt. JG Billy Alexander/Gawain Romanowski – 0918) Gawain Romanowski walked into the sound stage. He had a swagger about him. He was thrilled. He was finally getting the recognition he so craved. It was hard being the youngest of five brothers. Especially with as successful as his brothers were. His brother Tristan, the eldest of the five, was a star. He had charisma, a look, athleticism. He was already super famous as a WWE Superstar, and then joined an elite group of talent, such as Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson, Dave Bautista, John Cena, and Mike "The Miz" Mizanin, in making the jump from the ring to the screen. Tristan was the star. Lance was also a star, still active in the ring. Not really interested in acting, he would do a guest spot here or there, but only because he would use those appearances to raise his in-ring profile. Percy, the middle brother, was a transactional attorney in Dallas, Texas. He specialized in contracts and business affairs. He worked as the attorney for the brothers, working in conjunction with the agents to get the best deal and also support their outside business arrangements. While not an actor or a wrestler, Percy was one of the most well regarded attorneys in the state of Texas. Garry, the fourth brother, was the least well known. A theatre teacher in Oklahoma City, he taught at both the High School and University level. He was also a playwright and well regarded for his craft as a teacher and writer. Gawain the youngest wanted despertely to be recognized for his talents. Much like his brothers were recognized for theirs. He had a decent gig as a recurring character on Star Trek Exeter. But in the first season he was only in half the episodes and didn't have as much lines as he would have liked. He had been developing a bit of a career as a voice actor, but he wanted more and he was finally getting it. He had just been cast as the lead for a SyFy channel show as a paranormal detective. He would have less to do as Billy Alexander, but thanks to the fact that both shows filmed in Toronto, he could still guest as needed. But he was happy to leave Billy behind and start playing the Paranormal Psychologist and hunter of the weird, Emmanuel Crane. More than anything, Gawain knew he was finally going to get what he always wanted. He was going to be recognized for who he was and for what his talents were. He was finally going to get his time to shine. He was going to step out from behind his family's shadow. He would be his own person, make his own name, and he loved it. Walking around the sound stage he saw the actress who played the character of Janice Hammerfield. She didn't play one of the department heads, but ever since she joined the cast, she appeared in every episode. Gawain had been jealous, since he had been there since the pilot. She got a slot he had hoped he would get. But it didn't matter now. He wasn't jealous anymore. He was going to have his own show. He was gonna be a star. So he figured, make sure you leave on a good note and he decided to approach her. "Good morning Ava, how are you?" (Reply Hammerfield) Gawain then gave her a glance, "Ava, what are you doing in costume, filming on season two doesn't start until tomorrow." (reply Hammerfield) (reply Hammerfield) (Toronto –Pinewood Toronto Studios, Sound Stage 3 – ACEO Lieutenant Janice Hammerfield / Ava Kelly, SOPS, Lt. JG Billy Alexander/Gawain Romanowski – 0920) "Good morning Ava, how are you?" It took a second for Janice to reply, “Oh... yes – hi,” Her gaze ran up and down the man in front of her. There had been too many new faces that had passed her by before she recognised him face. ~William... maybe he knows what's going on?~ Show original message Janice looked slightly disappointed by Billy’s reply before deciding to play along and carefully test some waters to find out if she was going crazy. “Just getting into character. The unif... costume helps with it.” She looked at the stage and moved closer to Billy, “You know – i've never really given a lot of thought as to what all of this is? So many people.” “Yeah, it's really interesting. I’m glad that we still use a lot of practical sets. Like the bridge and what not. It’s a shame that we don’t do location shooting anymore. Green screen technology and graphics have gotten so good, that every planet we visit is very rarely practical anymore. I mean there were some practical sets on Risa, but we did most of it here in studio. The least they could have done was fly us to Hawaii.” “I guess that would have been nice,” Janice looked at the set equating it to a holodeck except that someone has built up. It unnerved her to see it that way. “Hey listen, do you have a change of clothes?” “A change… I don't know?” she said looking at her uniform and giving it a tug and then about her for something that might give her an inkling if she had a storage space or something similar. “I hear wardrobe is on the hunt for people stealing costumes and what not. Best not to get caught.” “Oh i'm sure I asked them about it, William,” she let slip the name she knew him as while trying to think if someone would be looking for her in the uniform. Gawain paused, “Hey Ava, you ok, you look a bit confused.” “I dont know. I’m a bit out of it right now,” Janice looked up at him and pulled a strand of hair away from her face before deciding to probe a little deeper, “You know I woke up today and i could have sworn i was Janice. Ever had something like that happen?” "Only at conventions and only the morning after." He winked. Janice giggled a little trying to brush it off, “Yea i know - crazy right. I guess I’ve been working too much, “How have things been for you?” "Pretty good. Just trying to stay out of trouble." He laughed. "Need to meet with the producers and figure out my availability for the season. You know how it goes. When you're not a regular they only bring you in when they remember your character exists." “I get it,” she didn't get it. Janice nodded and looked over to the stage, “When does everyone else get here?” ~Maybe someone else is thinking they are is space - maybe im crazy. Either way that would be good to know” "Today? Who know. Depends on if they have appointments or something. The last table read was yesterday. They gave us the day off. I'm not even sure why you're here." ~You and me both~ “A friend brought me in. I’m sure i have a thing or two kicking about that I need to take care of.” Janice pointed in a random direction, “The lockers are that way right? Need to get out of this uniform.” "You could, but the trailer you share with...whats their name." He paused. He could remember of the name the person Ava shared a trailer with. "I'm sure you got extra clothes in there." “Thats not a bad idea,” she nodded not really knowing what a trailer was but if it had Ava’s name on it that was what she needed to look for. Looking at Williams torso she noticed a pass like hers hanging off his neck - Gawain. “Thanks for the heads up about the wardrobe department. How have things been with us? I get the feeling that there was something in the air?” He looked at her puzzled. "Wow, I guess I left absolutely no impact." He laughed. Janice fumbled on, “Oh no its there - I just want to get things clear - If thats ok?” "We're good. I mean I was just jealous that you got hired full time when I was still recurring. Especially because I did the pilot. But hey, it freed me up for my own show. So I'm good. We're good. Except for the part where you took the last scone yesterday." Gawain laughed. Janice laughed nervously. ~oh man - you're getting in over your head here~ “Sorry about that. Im glad its worked out for you. If I can help you with anything there let me know - but i guess that might be the last thing you want.” "Nah. We're good. You're a great addition to the cast. Just make sure wardrobe doesn't catch you. Don't want to see ya fired. Then they might give that asshole who plays Brightwood your spot. That would blow." “Gottcha,” she said looking about, “I better get finding that trailer then.” ~Maybe I’ll find out something more about Ava - Me - Her?~ “That way right?” she tilted her head in the direction she previously pointed. "Yup" “Thanks for the heads up,” she smiled and patted him on the shoulder turning away in that direction before taking a deep breath as a feeling of uncertainty slowly crept over her. Gawain nodded and walked off. ~Someone needs to lay off the sauce.~ he thought to himself as he headed toward the offices. (Reply None) (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - CTO/3O Lieutenant commander Ravok/Kyle Ravine & CSO Lieutenant Erin Cortez/Genevieve Rhodes- 0930) Sitting in the comfy room that they had been lead to, Erin gazed around. There were posters on the wall demarking what looked like half a dozen different TV shows that had actors at this 'convention '. From the ride in the car, she had managed to figure out what happened at these events and was reasonably prepared. It seemed that most of her time she would be sat in a booth writing her, well Genevieve Rhodes' name, on pictures of herself as Erin. Groaning, she leant forward and rubbed her forehead. " I can't believe I'm sitting here. " Ravok said, being very annoyed. "This is making my brain hurt. I mean, I learnt about the time period at the academy but I still don’t understand these events. Why would anyone want to come and see actors that play fictional characters? I mean, look at those two over there…" Erin pointed to a poster on which a man and woman stood back to back with their arms crossed. "Apparently that is a spin off from another show. Something about the supernatural?" Ravok tapped his foot as he looked through the personal communications device. " I have no idea how to work this stupid thing." He mumbled. "Then, what makes this whole thing worse is I have to talk to these people on a stage about me… Erin… ugh I am so confused…" Ravok stood up and started pacing. "Don't worry. I asked if you could hang around with me. Apparently, Kyle and Gen are a big draw." " Isn't that just peachy." He said his annoyance growing ever more apparent. "Well, we have to play the part to get out of this so, buckle up soldier. We got to convince them we're in love." Ravok stopped pacing. " I'm not kissing you. " "I never said…" " WE SHOULDN'T BE HERE !" He yelled. Erin looked away and took a shaky breath as she looked at him, "Don't shout at me." " Commander Bracken and The captain were in that thing called a magazine. What if they are here too? If they are, I have a sworn duty as chief tactical officer and head of security to safeguard their lives." "Then go, go do your job and leave me here. I'll be fine." She replied with a hint of defeat on her voice. " We need to stop wasting time and…" Ravok was interrupted by a gentle knock on the door. Turning to the door he stood himself in front of Erin in a defensive manner. Sighing, Erin stood behind him. Watching the door. ~he's incredibly jumpy. Why not just settle in and enjoy the ride? Best way to figure out what is going on is by playing along. His words!~ The door opened and a woman entered , Ravok backed away instantly. He had seen her face countless times in holo images as a child. " Kyle, Gen. It's so good to see you both. " She said charging in and grabbed Ravok hugging him tight. ~is that…. Oh no. This just got ten times worse…~ Erin thought to herself as she smiled at the woman. Ravok stood still in shock, the woman was his mother, his biological mother who died, when he was delivered via emergency surgery. Yet it wasn't her. It couldn't be. " What's wrong ? I told you we'd be in town. Your father…" Ravok cut her off " My father?" " Yes your father pulled some strings and he is going to be on set tomorrow to watch you film." She said. Ravok backed away from the woman. " Enough of this right now! I am Lieutenant commander Ravok chief tactical officer of the USS Exeter. " She clapped her hands. " Ohh a sneak peek, I love it." As soon as she said that a man walked in carrying a six pack of beer. " Look what I found, and by found I mean smuggled in here for a little pregaming." The man said. Ravok looked at him. He had never seen this man's face before, this man was tall and spoke with an accent comparable to Commander Bracken. The man tossed Ravok a beer and reached to hand one to Erin, but stopped midway. " You're not pregnant yet are you ?" " Seriously? " Ravok asked. " Babe cut it out." The woman said. "Er…. " As she opened her mouth to offer a response, there was a knock at the door and a voice said, "Miss Rhodes?" Erin looked at the woman who appeared to be Ravok’s mother and then, jumped a little, "Oh yes, that's me." Walking to the door, she opened it and looked at the young man, "Can I help you?" Ravoks mind was all over the place. He was finding it increasingly difficult to think and comprehend everything around him as if his mind wasn't as sharp anymore. "Panel starts in 10 minutes. " "Okay. Just give me two minutes." She replied and shut the door. Looking at Erin, Ravok couldn't help but be afraid. Inside he was suffering greatly. "Work." Looking at Ravok, she smiled, walked up to him and hugged him tightly, whispering in his ear, "I'll be fine. They show everything on that thing up there on the wall. You can see me the whole time." Ravok hugged her back . " I'm afraid.." he whispered back and squeezed her tighter. "Hey, I know. I know lathuel. I won't be long. You can come with and stand backstage I think they call it." Ravok nodded . " I'll be out soon." "Okay. I'll ask that they put you somewhere close to the… damn what's the word…. Oh stage. Play the part right?" Kyle's mom walked over. Placing a hand on Erin's shoulder . " Go , they're waiting for you." "You gonna survive without me, Hunny?" She asked, giving Ravok a look that spoke more than words. Ravok looked at the woman who looked like his birth mother, she gave him a nod. He then looked at Erin. " Yeah I'll be fine." Erin nodded, squeezed his hand softly and then took a breath, "Okay. I'll be back as soon as I can." She smiled at the two other people and said, "great to see you both again." (Reply none) (Toronto –Pinewood Toronto Studios, Trailer B4 – ACEO Lieutenant Janice Hammerfield / Ava Kelly – 0930) It took a bit of time but eventually Janice found a small mobile building with her name on it – Well Ava’s. Turning the door handle she went inside where a man was sitting in a chair looking towards the door. He looked a bit rugged and wore a finely trailered suit. “There’s my number one client – told you this gig would work out doll,” He talked fast – very fast. She looked up giving a small smile before taking out a brown cylindrical object and lit it on fire. He took it to his mouth and inhaled and exhaled a large puff of smoke. The smell... was awful. “Excuse me?” Janice looked at him. “Baby – babushka – I told you, you were star material. I know you want to keep it low key but this is a big step for us,” he drew on the cigar once more. “Do you mind,” she looked at him a bit annoyed and moved over to what she assumed was her part of the trailer. “Sorry doll,” he quickly stubbed it out and dusted the end off into an ash tray nearby, “Are you ready for today?” ~An awkward question – what was today~ “I was just going to get changed out of this. Wardrobe might be wanting it back?” “Nah – that’s prefect,” he held up his hands making an L shape with both and held them up as if framing her in a picture, “The kids will love the look.” Janice had taken just about all she could handle right now and sat in a seat looking at the floor and held her head in her hands. “You alright doll? Let me get you some aspirin,” he went to stand up but stopped as Janice raised her hand. “You’re my agent?” she asked “John Dillinger Esquire – we get the plots – you pick the shots,” “Right - Can you do me a favour – pretend ive forgotten the last six months and give me the rundown on everything we have been doing please. “Sure thing kid,” he pulled out a small briefcase from beside him and opened it. “We had to pull some strings to get you moved over to the Exeter series but its paying off dividends. The people who liked you in the Illuminar have started to watch the Exeter as well. Took a bit of talk with the producers to work out but its going well. Took a bit to get you settled in Toronto but its a nice enough place. Apart form that kiddo i’ve got a few minor roles in some other shows for you to look at – nothing big but its the small bits you were looking for. There is a convention today where some of the cast is attending but we had a chat with the President of your fan decided it would be best to raffle off the chance for a meet and greet with some of them. Also as requested all the proceeds go to the animal rescue centres across the country. Taking that collie in off the street certainly got you a lot of good favour. Gotta say kid – you make it easy being your agent by keeping such a positive reputation with you fans. Dont worry its just a few of them here today.” Janice looked at him. It was a lot to take in. She didn’t remember any of it. Any of Ava’s life. “And the fans – we are meeting them today?” “Sure thing – here in the studio. Those kids look up to you – you a role model to them all?” He nodded, “One hundred percent – another reason my job is so easy - see,” “But – will wardrobe want this...” she tugged her costume but was interrupted. “Dont you worry about that kid. Johns taken care of it. Also got you this.” He lifted over a case from behind the chair he was sitting on. Janice recognised it immediately and pulled it towards her sitting it onto her lap. The weight was off. She started to type a code into the number pad on the box but nothing happened. Taking one hand she ran it over the Starfleet issue box and just opened it without any effort, “My rifle...” “Thats right kid – Gotta get that photo op in. The fans will love it. Now strap it on and lets get heading out to the lot they should be arriving soon. With any luck we can grab some of your fellow cast for a quick snap too.” Janice looked at the rifle and took it out. Unsurprisingly it didn’t work but there was a button on it that lit it up as if it were hers. ~This is mine?~ Standing up John moved to the door and inaudibly yelled. Suddenly a few people came in and spun Janice round in her chair quickly appling a smattering of make up and quickly fixing her hair and appearance. “Relax kid – these guys are pros and will have you looking top notch faster than an intern in New York getting coffee from the Starbucks down the street for their boss.” Not like Janice had a choice she was pinned in the seat as the pair worked on her and just as swiftly they were done. “Come on kid,” (Metro Toronto Convention Centre– CFO – Lieutenant – Ire Williams/Richard Evans- 0933) The wall of noise met Ire as he and Annebell stepped into the Convention Centre. There were what looked like hundreds of people swirling around the large room. With a large banner across the doorway welcoming people to the Exeter Convention. He saw people is many starfleet uniforms or all ranks along with what looked like Klingons, Romulans among others. He also spotted a couple Breen heading off towards a food court. He pulled his cap further down across his face and looked down at Annebell who was chatting excitedly as he pulled him off towards something that said bridge experience. “Come on Daddy. Let’s go this way.” He was trying take it all in, the stalls selling Exeter merchandise to the food area selling Targ Burgers and Warp Core Sundays. He passed one stall selling tricorder and phaser, another had uniforms and a third what looked like photographs of some of crew. ~This is getting more and more strange by the minute~ He was towed around the corner of a partition wall and paused as he saw what was in front of him. It was the bridge of the Exeter. It looked like some one had taken the bridge and dropped it on the floor before him. One side of the bridge was missing so that he could look onto the bridge. He could see the command chairs and the stations behind. His eyes drifted over to the Helms console and felt a strange pang of longing. He felt Annebell let go of his hand as she charged across the open bridge and sat in the Captain’s Chair smiling wildly. ~Looks like Ailynn is going to have a run for her money~ His thoughts were broken when the tannoy activated and a voice announced that the panel would be starting in a few moments. He looked over at Annebell who had gotten out of the command chair and was heading towards him. “Daddy, Genevieve is going to speak, we need to get there and see what she is going to say.” “Genevieve.” “Genevieve Rhodes you know Erin Cortez.” ~Genevieve Rhodes is Erin Cortez. I hope she really is Erin and not Genevieve~ He was gripped by the hand and dragged through the centre towards the place where the panel was being held. They entered the room which was quickly filling up and found a seat near the back. As he and Annebell sat down he looked towards the stage. There was a table with a group of chairs. ~It will be good to see Erin again even if she is not her~ He sat back and waited for the panel to start. (Reply none) (Toronto, Canada - Oliver Bader-Pagitt’s Penthouse - aACMO Ensign SG Heinrich Kruze/Oliver Bader-Pagitt -0937) A repetitive beeping sound disturbed Heinrich’s slumber. He was still feeling the effects of the New Years Eve party the night before and was in no mood to get up out of bed. The beeping stopped, but started up again. Seeing no way around the distressing disturbance Heinrich lifted up the covers and looked to his night stand. There was an iPhone, much like the ones made in the early 20th century. The text on the screen said “The Beast.” But Heinrich was more bothered by the lockscreen image, which portrayed him in a state of undress on a stage beside what appeared to be a horse. “What is this, another one of Billy’s pranks?” He muttered to himself as he reached for the phone and swiped it open, holding it like a 23rd century communicator. “Oliver! Where are you!?” A stern female voice shouted through the device. The yelling did not help his hangover. “I’m sorry you must have the wrong phone.” Heinrich said, looking for a way to shut the thing off. “No, I’m not falling for that one! Oliver, you were due at wardrobe a half hour ago.” “Wardrobe?” “Don’t play dumb with me Sherlock. Wardobe. Pinewood. Pronto.” Before Heinrich could say anything more The Beast hung up. He dropped the phone on the bed and laid back down. It was then he realized that this was not his bed. It was far too large, a king sized bed, with more pillows than he’d ever know what to do with. The bedroom was also far larger than his officer’s quarters, with a high and ornate ceiling. Turning to his right he saw what looked to be a large window with the curtains closed. Curious, he slowly got out of bed and approached the curtains. “Computer, turn on windows.” He said. Nothing. “Huh, guess it’s analog.” He looked around for some mechanism to operate the curtains. He found a small rope and pulled down. The curtains opened to reveal the Toronto skyline. He must have been near the top floor of the skyrise. But it was then he realized he had no clothes on, so he closed the curtains back. “Better find some clothes…” he muttered to himself. He looked around and saw an old oak drawer. Searching through he found what he took to be appropriate. Plaid pants, yellow suspenders, a shirt that said “I ❤️ New York”, and a canary blazer. He looked into the mirror and was rather impressed with himself. “I have no idea what any of this is about,” he said to himself, “but lately that hasn’t been anything new.” Whatever was going on, he was going to take it in stride. He remembered from his studies that people used to feel naked without a handheld device on them. So he picked up his iPhone. He remembered one of the earliest digital assistants was called “Siri.” “Hey Siri,” he said. The phone came to life. “What’s a Pinewood?” The phone produced Pinewood Studios there in Toronto. “I guess that’s where I’m expected.” He put the phone in his pocket and walked toward the door. “Open.” He said as he walked face first into the closed door. (Reply none) (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - CTO/3O Lieutenant commander Ravok/Kyle Ravine-0940) Ravok sat there in the room with the two strangers who claimed to be his parents, or at least Kyle's parents, trying his best to play along. " So...How was your trip?" He asked them. The woman sat next to him. " It was good, but you know how it is going anywhere with your father . Everyone runs up running an autograph from the great John Revine" She laughed. " People know you too." John said quickly. " They know my work. They don't know my face, big difference. It's not like anyone runs up to me and asks, Marlene, can I have your autograph. It's always Marlene, how's your husband ?" She responded. ~ So their names are John and Marlene ~ Ravok thought. " Have either of you met the others? " " The others ?" Marlene asked. " Yes, like Tristian Steele or Gabrielle Knight." Ravok. John laughed and cracked open a beer. " You know we met Tristian before. I'd like to meet Anna." Marlene slapped him on the arm playfully. " Shut up " " What ?you've even said it. She's a blonde bombshell " John added. ~ Blonde ? Anna?~ Ravok wondered. " Anna ? You mean…." " Your on screen love interest. Lieutenant Merek." Ravok perked up to high alert. " Its commander Merek. Where is she ? " " I don't know. You should have her number. " Marlene said. " You could give it to me. " John joked. " Her number?" Marlene tilted her head." Yes, her phone number. Seriously sweetheart you're acting strange. Is everything ok ?" Ravok decided to entertain them. " You ever wakeup and not feel like yourself? " Marlene looked at John. " What's wrong son?" Ravok felt the word son kick him in the chest. " I ...I don't know who is any of you are. I'm not this Kyle person everyone keeps calling me. " John looked down and sighed. " Son, we've been through this before. When you were a child we stopped you from acting because you let your imagination run wild and you started to believe you were your character. " " What?" Ravok asked, confused. Marlene placed her hand on Ravok's lap. " You played the role of Tommy Vale. You were 10 almost 11 and when the movie failed you became convinced that you were Tommy Vale. The psychiatrist said it was your way of dealing with the blow to your self esteem. You saw yourself as a failure. So you withdrew from being yourself and started acting like " John cut her off. " He wasn't acting , don't say that." Marlene nodded. " I'm sorry not acting. You took on the personality of your character Tommy for about 6 months. During that time we decided it was best for you to stop acting and refocus your attention to living a normal life away from cameras. Eventually you became yourself again. " A distant look danced over his face. " So...your saying that I'm not Ravok and that I'm Kyle?" " Honey this is why we told you to be careful. We were afraid this would happen." Marlene said. " You're our son and we are here for you." John said lovingly. Ravok stood up and walked to other side of the room, standing there he collected his thoughts. ~ I'm Ravok ir'Darmod-Lathuel tr'Shara. Born on stardate 2420.05.30, I'm not this Kyle person...or am I? No I'm not, I have a daughter , a woman I love, friends...a family? No I have people I consider family, but most of my family is dead. I have an aunt in prison, a daughter and that's it, by blood. Get it together NOW!~ Ravok turned back around and looked at them. " Gotcha." He said laughing. They both looked at him. " That's not funny Kyle." Ravok laughed. " You should have seen the look on your faces. I just had to mess with you guys." John stood up. " You had to pull our leg didn't you?" Ravok walked over and slapped John on the shoulder. " Dad I'm sorry. Look let me make it up to you. I'm gonna go make a quick phone call to Anna and the two of you wait right here. I'll be right back. " "Ok" Marlene said. " Do either of you need anything like a snack ? " Ravok asked They both shook their heads no. " Hang tight guys, plus I have to piss really bad. " Ravok said, and walked out the door and shut it behind him. He grasped the handle tightly and pulled it hard, breaking it so that they couldn't leave the room. " Yeah just stay there. I'm getting the f*(# out of this place" Ravok said to himself and took off down the hallway. ( reply none) (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - CTO/3O Lieutenant commander Ravok/Kyle Ravine-0951) As Ravok tried to navigate the hallways of the convention centre he had finally unlocked his phone. As he sifted through the phone he was momentarily distracted when he ran into someone. He dropped the phone and it broke into pieces on the hard concrete floor. " Oh what the hell , seriously?" " Watch where you headed Romulan scum." Ravok looked up...and up and before him was a huge towering man in a suit . " What did you just call me ?" Ravok asked. The man laughed. " I'm just kidding my friend." The man slapped Ravok on the shoulder. Ravok read his name tag ~ Ulfric Vjodgier...EXETER ~ " Ummm hey man how are you?" " I'm good my friend. Just blessed to be here on this beautiful day. " Ulfric said as he bent down and picked up the pieces of Ravok's phone. " I'm sorry about your phone Kyle. I owe you another one." Ulfric mentioned. ~ This man knows Kyle. This guy is freaking huge. Like Sytuk huge...Nooo it can't be. ~ " No, your fine. Tell me something though. " ~ come on , think think think. Got it~ Ravok thought to himself trying to figure out a way to find out just who this Ulfric man was. " How do you prepare for your role? whomever you're playing" " I read the script. It's really easy once I'm in makeup though. Once that foam latex appliance is on Sytuk just comes to life. Why do you ask? " Ulfric said. " Sytuk…I'm so glad I found you. Look I need your help. Just drop the act. It's me Ravok." Ulfric laughed. " We start filming tomorrow Kyle. Let's enjoy being us today. The good Lord knows I need to enjoy myself before I spend 15 hours a day in reman makeup. " He laughed. ~ He doesn't remember. Erin remembers. ~ " Hey EZ squirts!!!" another man yelled from behind Ravok. He turned and looked it was T'kel but like Ravok didn't have his pointed ears or eyebrows. " Ez Squirts?" Ravok asked, reading the name tag as he got closer ~ Damien Owens ~ Ulfric looked at Damien. " Easy now Damien, you know he doesn't like that. " Ravok turned to Ulfric. " Like what?" " I was just playing, calm down guys. Did yall see those cosplayers out there?" " Cosplayers ?" Ravok asked. Damien smiled." Yeah man. There is a group dressed like Gabrielle, Anna , Ava, and Gen. All of them dressed in throwback skirt style uniforms. All I could think was DA.." Ulfric put his hand up and stopped Damien's sentence. " Not cool, respect the ladies and don't swear." Damien laughed. " Yeah you wouldn't be saying that if you saw what I saw. " " You're a piece of work. I tell ya." Ulfric responded. " I'm sick and tired of you always trying to have the moral high ground 'Mr. 3 times world's strongest man turned youth camp guidance counselor ' " Ulfric stepped closer to Damien. " Watch it friend. I may be a god fearing man, but if you say something about my involvement with the kids I help. I knock your teeth down your throat." " Oh yeah , try it big boy." Damien responded. Ravok forced his way between them. " ENOUGH!" he yelled They stopped. " Both of you need to relax. Damien I'm sure those young women looked fantastic , Ulfric I'm sure you could knock his teeth down his throat, but end this now." " Fine" Damien said. Ulfric backed up. " Understood." " Now have either of you seen anyone else from the cast here ?" Ravok asked. " A few extras that's it. A few people are heading to the studio today. For preshoot stuff and last minute wardrobe fittings. I'm headed there later." Ulfric informed him. Damien nodded. " Me too." " Studio ?" Ravok asked. " Yeah. Pinewood studios." Ulfric said. Ravok nodded. " I'll see you guys later. " He finally had more information, he needed to share this with Erin. He walked off from them, eventually finding his way into a large room filled with people wearing Starfleet uniforms, very bad looking starfleet uniforms. Suddenly he was surrounded by people. One man was dressed in a Romulan military uniform. " Jolan Tru Commander." The man said. Ravok tilted his head the man's ears were two different colors, obviously fake. " Mnekha ke'rhin". {R: Excellent fellow romulan}. Ravok said. The man smiled ear to ear. " khlinae arhem lhhai" { R: Thank you sir.} The man said cheerfully " So you speak Romulan southern dialect ?" Ravok asked. " Yes and northern too, and Klingon, ferengi. Cardassian. You could say I'm one of your biggest fans. It's an honor to meet you. " Ravok shook his hand. " The honor is mine." " Could I have your autograph. I would be forever in your debt." Ravok raised his eyebrow. " My debt? Do you have a car ? " " Yes." The man replied. " Come with me. We are going to get Gen and head to pinewood studios." Ravok said. " PINEWOOD STUDIOS? " The man cried out in disbelief. Others around them looked on in shock. " I get to drive Commander Ravok and Lieutenant Cortez and see the set of the USS Exeter? " The fan asked , he couldn't believe his luck. Ravok noticed the uniform worn by the man carried the rank of Lieutenant. " Come with me Lieutenant, we have a mission. " " Yes Sir." The man said nearly jumping out of his skin with excitement. ( reply none ) (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - CSO Lt Erin Cortez/Genevieve Rhodes - 0955) Standing off to one side backstage, Erin felt nervous. The fact that she had held many department meetings and spoken infront of the command staff made no difference. For some reason, speaking to a collection of people who thought she was this Genevieve Rhodes had her nervous. Taking a deep breath, she closed her eyes for a second and listened to the sounds coming from the fairly sizable crowd that appeared to have gathered. Talking, laughing, the people seemed excited. ~What the heck am i expected to say to them?~ she thought to herself as she opened her eyes to see three men walking towards her, obviously heading to the stage area. One of them was older, with greying hair carrying what looked like drumsticks, then there was a shorter guy wearing glasses carrying a large guitar and another younger man with black floppy hair carrying another guitar. The younger one smiled at her, “Gen, glad you could make it.” Erin, smiling as it was the only thing she could do at that moment, replied, “Oh… Yeah. Sorry.” He looked at her, tilted his head and smiled, “Forgotten us already haven’t you?” Erin, shrugging her shoulders, simply said, “Again, sorry. Still jet lagged i suppose.” The younger guy laughed, “I suppose that’s what having a guy who comes from Australia does to you. I’m Billy. Billy Moran. Lead guitar and sometimes pianist. The grey haired dude is Stephen Norton. Drummer extraordinaire and the short guy with the oversized bass guitar is Michael Borja. We’re the house band.” “Oh okay. Cool. Good to know.” “So, if you need us.. For you know, a little impromptu concert, just give me the nod.” Billy said, winking. “Wait… why would i….” Erin began to say and was interrupted by a loud cheer from the crowd. The man that Billy had identified as Norton walked onto the stage followed by the shorter guy. Billy looked at her and smiled, “See you onstage, sweetheart.” Erin watched as they walked off through the curtain and she sighed. ~What on earth is going on here?~ ( Toronto - Pinewood Studios -Dressing Room Seven - COO LTjg Paul Sleeford Saul Pickford 10:00) Sitting at the desk Paul read the script of the show he apparently was in, flicking through the pages he tried not to laugh, whoever had written this drivel had never served on a rowing boat, let alone a starship. Coming to the pages marked ‘Character bios’ he paused did he really want to know m, was he ready for the shock. Plunging in he read them in descending order from the Captain down. Getting to his character he stopped and took a swig of water. ‘Paul Sleeford is a man wracked by guilt, his career as a Space Marine Officer, was cut short after his court martial found him not guilty of the murder of his troop, but guilty of incompetence and the reckless abandon which lead to the deaths of twelve officers and men. Stopped of his rank and discharged he drifted into Starfleet and took security as his job. After an incident involving a senior officer, who was later found dead, Sleeford was moved to Operations as a sideways career move, given a head of department nod, in a department that ran itself.’ Reading through the rest of the crew Paul burst out laughing. Must if the crew lust in the pages here where the polar opposites of real life, like someone had looked at their files, took one line and moulded a person around it. His thoughts where interrupted by the sounds of clicking on the floor outside the door, hearing the sounds of someone in a worse mood then him, walking into the room was a young woman, with bright red hair, not the usual ginger but bright scarlet, looking uncomfortable in a dress clearly designed not to wear underwear beneath it. Walking over to the fridge she bent to grab a can, flashing more flesh then she intended or at least Paul hoped it was unintended. As she sat opposite took a look at her, something about her made him frown, he’d seen the self assured outlook before. ( reply’s none) (Toronto, Canada - York Suites, Ground floor- aACMO Ensign SG Heinrich Kruze/Oliver Bader-Pagitt -1002) “Computer, open door.” Heinrich said as the elevator reached the ground floor. The door opened, regardless of his command, and he stepped into the lobby. The room was magnificent with high golden ceilings held up with white Corinthian columns. Scores of people walked along the polished granite floor, all better dressed than Heinrich. He had never seen such a decadent room before. On Alpha 5 architecture was about efficiency and use, in Toronto it seemed opulence was key. As he approached the help desk he saw the attendants stiffen up, as if they had dealt with Heinrich before and were not keen on dealing with him again. “Good morning,” he said. He looked at their maroon uniforms and saw they had name tags. “Oh! You have your names on your shirts! How convenient!” “Yes, Mr. Bader-Pagitt. It’s standard issue. What can I do for you sir?” “Ah, Ms… Kelly, I was wondering how I might get to the Pinewood. I am needed there.” “Would that be Pinewood Studios?” “Yes ma’am.” The attendant sighed. “We can have a shuttle for you right away, sir. And we’ll make sure to get Dennis for you.” “Dennis? Who’s Dennis?” Heinrich asked. “Dennis, you know? I believe you called him the only driver worth a shit?” Heinrich laughed at the ridiculousness of it all. “I suppose I did. I’ll wait here.” Heinrich looked around and saw a red velvet sofa on the opposite wall. There was no one else sitting on it, but there was a newspaper on the coffee table. He sat down to read the newspaper, hoping it might provide some clues. It was the Globe and Mail, the Canadian paper of record. The date was June 30th 2025. ~Well, that helps make some sense of things.~ He thought to himself. The top story was about a reactionary separatist group based in Kingston that had been kidnapping celebrities and politicians. Prime Minister Ben Mulroney had resolved to do everything in his power to stop the insurgents. Climate politics made up much of the news, which he expected given what he knew of the history. He put the newspaper down and picked up a TV trade magazine. Thumbing through its pages he was shocked to find a picture of himself and the rest of the crew. The title was “Star Trek Exeter” with the lede “Tristan Steele takes Star Trek where no show has gone before.” ~Who is Tristan Steele? What is this?~ He thought to himself. Before he could start reading the article the attendant called him over. “Dennis is ready for you.” She said. Heinrich kept the magazine and walked up to the door. He stopped, knowing what happened the last time he approached a door, but was pleasantly surprised to see it open without any command from him. The chauffeur, who he assumed was Dennis, opened the door of the silver limo for him as he got in. “Pinewood studios?” Dennis asked. “I think so.” Heinrich said. Dennis only nodded as Heinrich climbed in. He closed the door. (Reply none) (Toronto, Canada - Home of Tristan Steele- CO, Captain Trip Williams/Tristan Steele -10:20) As Trip entered the home that Tristan shared with a woman by the name Faith Morgan. He didn't really explore the home yet, other than the fact he got the distinct impression that this was a second residence. A temporary one for when Tristan was supposed to be in Toronto. This further evidenced by how many photos there were from some ranch house that included wrestling memorabilia that were not in the house that Trip was currently walking through. It was odd, because the more Trip explored, the more it was clear that this Tristan, that he supposedly was, had a rich and fulfilling life. If this was some kind of trick or prank, whoever planned it was very, very thorough. I mean everything about the place. The photos, the staging of the home, the memoribilia on the wall. If it was a holodeck program, whoever this was, had been programming for months. ~Could it be Maxine?~ he thought to himself as he found himself in the den that was in the basement. It had a decent size tv. He sat down, trying to run the angles in his head. ~What if Maxine left a trap for us. For me. Could I be trapped in the Holodeck? Some kind of hallucination? I dunno. So far I seem to be the only one experiencing this, Addison...err Faith seemed to be unaware. I guess I'm meeting with Ash, err Gail in a bit. If anyone is smart enough to figure this out, or kind enough to believe and help, it's got to be her. Ok, find Ash. Find Ash and it will all be ok.~ Trip then laid down on the couch and took out his phone. He then swiped through it until he found an alarm clock. He set an alarm that would get him up in time to be early to the appointment where he was meeting "gail". He then closed his eyes for a nap. Hoping that when he woke up again. He might be home. (reply None) (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - CSO Lt Erin Cortez/Genevieve Rhodes - 1021) Sitting on the chair, Erin had felt her nerves calm over the last twenty minutes. The people in the crown that had asked her questions had listened to everything she had to say, had seemed to love and understand the points she had made about herself, or Erin as a character and had made her feel something that she hadn’t felt in a long time. Accepted. As the queue for questions had thinned, Erin found herself wanting to stay there. Talking to the people had made her feel like she belonged. So, she turned to the last person waiting and said, “Okay, seems like you are the last one. What’s your question?” The young girl who couldn’t have been more that 15 or 16 looked nervous as she spoke. “My name’s Jamie. Jamie Pohs. Er…. i suppose my question is is it true that you are releasing a single soon and, if so, can we get a sneak peak?” Erin paused. Looking at the girl, she smiled as she fought against the nerves growing in her chest again. Only one person had ever heard her sing and he was currently in a room with people who were saying they were his parents. Now, this kid was asking her to sing infront of over a hundred people. Looking at the crowd, they all seemed to smile and began to cheer. Taking a breath, something sparked in her mind. A vision or a memory from whoever this person they all thought she was. So, she stood, nodded and said, “Well, Jamie. I suppose the rumours are true.” The crown erupted with cheers, Erin smiled widely and looked at Billy who nodded at her and sat at the instrument that Erin remembered from her history classes at the Academy. “If Mr. Billy Moran is at the keyboard then i suppose i have to don’t i?” The crowd cheered again and Erin laughed. Something about this felt right to her. A sudden surge of confidence flew through her like a lightning bolt and she walked over to Billy’s side and said, “Shall we?” He nodded and began to play an almost haunting melody. Erin took a breath and opened her mouth. A voice and a song she had not heard in a very long time came belting out like a wave crashing onto the seashore. As she continued, something else happened. All the pain and anxiety and self deprecation that had been such a constant companion in her life up until that point melted away as she sang. (Reply None) (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - CTO/3O Lieutenant commander Ravok/Kyle Ravine-1023) After making their way to the side of the stage, Ravok and Steve hid behind a curtain. They were waiting for the right moment to get Erin's attention. Ravok was just about to make his move when he heard her begin to sing. Her voice carried a beautiful grace in its melody. As he listened he had images flash through his head. Colorless images of Erin smiling , colorless images of the two of them. Only it was not them. The images felt like memories, ones that did not belong to him. " She's really good. " Steve whispered. " Shhh." Ravok responded. " I don't want to get caught hiding in a curtain with a man wearing rubber elf ears." " The package said Alien ears." Steve whispered back. " Those are clearly elf ears. Like magical, bow and arrow elf ears." Ravok responded. " There's a difference?" Steve asked. Ravok looked at him. " I'm going to forget you even asked that question. " " You mentioned my rubber ears." Steve said. " Oh shut the f<($ up about the ears. I regret even saying anything. " Ravok whispered harshly . " Ravok wouldn't talk to a fellow officer like that." Steve whispered back , matching his harsh tone. " You're obviously wearing a 24th century Romulan military suit. I'm a starfleet officer from the 25th century so your arent a fellow and besides my uniform is real." Ravok whispered back as Erin sang. " Well atleast I have my uniform and my rubber ears. Right now I'm more Romulan than you are." " Your eyebrows look terrible." Ravok snapped back. " I went to the barber and had them done using your photo. I'd rather have these than those caterpillars you have. " Steve snapped back. " Ok ok , just be quiet. Let's do this." Ravok said as Erin finished singing. Ravok and Steve the Romulan pooped out from behind the curtain and the crowd went nuts. Ravok stood there in shock. " Well go on. " Steve said. " I have stage fright…" Ravok said as he stood there like a bump on a log. Steve shoved Ravok further out onto the stage and began waving at his fellow fans. ( reply any, reply Erin) (Toronto –Pinewood Toronto Studios, Lot 3 – ACEO Lieutenant Janice Hammerfield / Ava Kelly – 1026) “That’s for sure...” Janice looked at Paul a bit more and squinted and thought hard for a bit, “Amber... can we catch up later and see about that make up? I need to talk to Saul a second before the kids come back,” (reply Kervik) NRPG: can continue later in her trailed if you’d like? Or if you want to stay I can retcon “Thanks... it was good to see you again,” (reply Kervik, Sleeford) Janice smiled and gave her a wave as she moved off before turning back to Paul and motioned to him to come out of potential ear shot of the kids. She didn’t want to disappoint them – they all seemed so happy. “Saul?” she stated with an upward inflection to denote it as a question more than a statement and decided to again play it safe with Paul, “I think I’ve been working too hard. I woke up this morning and I have sworn I’d actually been to Risa and looked up at its two suns. Sounds crazy right?” Her gaze met his with one of concern, “You ever get that feeling? Waking up and still feeling like your in a dream?” (reply Sleeford) (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - CSO Lt Erin Cortez/Genevieve Rhodes - 1027) As the crowd expressed their delight at the song she had sung, something surged within Erin. A sense of acceptance and happiness. Smiling widely at the crowd, she glanced over her shoulder and saw Ravok appear on the stage with another guy dressed obviously as a Romulan. Raising an eyebrow at him, she walked over to Ravok and gave him a quick hug, whispering, “Who is that?” (Reply Ravok) As she hugged him, she heard the crowd respond with a cross between excitement and love for the pair that they thought was Genevieve and Kyle. Letting go of Ravok, she turned back to the crowd and gave them a wave. As she did so, she caught sight of someone in the audience. A face that she had not expected to see. Her eyes widened slightly as she turned back to Ravok and hissed under her breath, “I swear Ire is out there.” (Reply Ravok) Erin turned to watch as the crowd began to disperse and she became suddenly aware of someone approaching them. Looking at the man, she recognised him as the same person that had collected her from the room they were in with Ravok’s parents and smiled, “Stephan, right?” Stephan nodded and said, “Miss Rhodes, i know that this is not normal but one of the people who asked a question has asked if you wouldn’t mind saying hi to them.” Glancing back at Ravok, she sighed softly, “I’ll be fine. Just don’t go anywhere.” (Reply Ravok) Following Stephan, Erin walked to one of the sides of the stage and immediately recognised the young girl that had asked about the single earlier. Smiling at her, Erin sat down on the steps leading up to the stage and said, “Jamie. I remember you.” The young girl smiled back and replied, “Thankyou. I know that this is not something that normally happens so thankyou for agreeing to just talk to me.” Erin nodded, “What can i do for you?” Jamie shuffled her feet a little, obviously nervous. Erin smiled at her and gently, took her hand, “Hey, i don’t bite. What is it?” The young girl looked at her and spoke, “I wanted to tell you thankyou. You are…. Just amazing. You don’t worry about what people think about you and you, just by being you have given me the confidence to be me. I’ve had a hard life, like Erin has, and seeing you and reading about how you have dealt with things and how you are in your normal life…. It gives me so much confidence to speak my mind. You have no idea how much you are loved by the fans here.” Erin, completely taken aback by this young girl’s words, opened her mouth to reply but no words came out. Jamie, seeing that this was affecting her, continued, “I didn’t mean to upset you. I just wanted you to know that we see you. I, for one, love you for who you are and the fact that you take no BS. You make no apologies for who you are and you always keep fighting. Through all the bad times, those three words you spoke about in that article a few years ago, they stuck with me. So, thankyou. You helped me through a bad time without even realising you were doing that. Just by being you.” As she spoke the last few words, Erin felt a slight tear fall down her face. She wiped her eye and pulled the girl into a tight hug and whispered, “Thankyou.” Letting her go, she watched as the girl walked back off to her friends and sat on the stairs in a daze of emotion. (Reply Ravok, Any) (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - CTO/3O Lieutenant commander Ravok - 1029) After introducing Erin to Steve, she remarked that Ire may be in the crowd. Ravok didn't want to draw too much attention to himself but at this point it seemed unavoidable. Ravok and Steve stepped off the stage in a hurry . Erin started talking to a young lady. Ravok's impatience was growing not out of anger but out of anxiety. When Erin was done Ravok tapped her on the shoulder. "I'm going to go get the car, I'll be back." ( reply Erin) Ravok turned to Steve " Let's go " (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - SFI Agent, Lt. Commander Tyko Nix/Nathan Christopher - 1032) Nathan Christopher smiled as he walked the convention center grounds, stopping to take a selfie here, posing for an action shot there. He had a well known sci fi face. Much like his brother Ryan, Nate was one of those canadian actors who seemed to guest star in almost any show filmed in Toronto or Vancouver. Like his brother he also had spent some time as a Hallmark Channel hunk. But he was most well known as the lead in the Syfy Channel original series "Operation Sandman" about a group of American Marines who protected the U.S. from vampires and the like. He also guest starred as Tyko Nix, mainly because he was available and had a face that sometimes people wanted to punch. Seeing a familiar face he walked up and smiled. "Genevive Rhoades as I live and breathe." He said with a smile. (reply Erin) "I didn't know that Galaxy of Heroes had you booked for a panel or a signing. How's it going?" (reply Erin) (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre - CSO Lt Erin Cortez/Genevieve Rhodes - 1027) As Erin sat in a daze, she felt a tap on her shoulder. "I'm going to go get the car, I'll be back." Erin turned, saw Ravok and nodded. "I'll wait right here then." There was something about this life she had found herself in. Something that drew her in. She knew it wasn't her life but it felt right. Felt like it should be. Closing her eyes for a moment, Erin sighed heavily. ~this is how I always wanted to feel. Accepted, free and loved.~ As she took a deep breath, a voice she hadn’t heard in a while and never thought she was going to hear again came into her ears. "Genevive Rhodes as I live and breathe." He said with a smile. Looking up, Erin saw the face of her dead lover and froze. Her mind went through a multitude of emotions and images flashed through her mind. The moment in the turbo lift as they got closer to each other. Seeing him lying next to her and then the moment she heard he was dead. Her mouth opened but no words came out. "I didn't know that Galaxy of Heroes had you booked for a panel or a signing. How's it going?" “It’s…. You’re dead. You can’t be here.” (Reply Christopher) She could hear him talking but the words were not connecting with any logical part of her brain. She closed her eyes as the room began to swim around her. “I… I can’t deal with this right now…. This is too much.” (reply Christopher) Erin stood from where she was sat and she knew that something wasn’t right. Taking a deep breath, she fought to keep herself upright but she knew that wasn’t going to happen. Opening her eyes, she realised that the room she was in was getting foggy, “I…. don’t feel so good.” (Reply Christopher) “I….” no more words, no more feelings came as the room swirled and then blackness as she felt herself pass out. (Reply Christopher, any) (Metro Toronto Convention Centre– CFO – Lieutenant – Ire Williams/Richard Evans- 1035) Ire watched as Erin and Ravok left the panel. He was about to get up and hurry after them but as they left the room everyone else began to get up and leave as well. He tried to head into the rush but realised that he was not going to get anywhere. “Daddy you are going the wrong way.” He looked back and saw Annebell sitting on her chair. ~Not this time~ “I know honey.” He nodded to himself as he moved back to her and sat back down as he waited for the room to clear. “Where do you want to go now?” He watched as she paused for a moment before answering. “Daddy can we see what other things are here.” He gave her a look for a moment. “What you mean that there is more than Exeter here?” “Yes Daddy it is called Galaxy of Heroes. There are many things.” “Okay lead the way.” She smiled at him as she got up, took his hand and dragged him towards door. They exited the panel room back into the large foyer. This time he took an opportunity to look at the other banners which was not just Exeter related. There were banners showing elves and dwarfs as well as spaceships of different types. ~This is very different~ As he and Annebell weaved through the mass of people, she suddenly stopped and he nearly waked into her. “You okay?” “Annebell.” He watched her turn looking for something. As he also heard some one calling her name. He turned to see a woman with dark brown hair and hazel eyes walking towards them. She had a broad smile and waved at them as she came closer. “Aunty Anna.” He saw the Annebell’s face split wide with a grin and changed direction towards her. He looked closer at the woman as she came closer. As he looked at her as he realised that she was in the photo in the apartment. ~This could be my sister~ “Hay Annebell.” She looked over to Ire. “Hi brother how are you doing?” “I am good thanks.” “You okay?” “Daddy was drinking late with mummy.” Anna from Annebell and then back to Ire. “Ow did he.” He gave Ire a big grin. “So Jennifer is happy with her appearance on the Exeter?” Ire nodded. ~I hope so~ “Yes she was.” “Well, it’s better than me. I was only in the background on the Klingon ship.” “Aunty I am sure you will get another chance.” “Thanks, Annebell. I just need there be a Klingon heavy story in the next season.” Ire nodded. “Come on Richard. Let’s get Annebell a batazoid chocolate surprise.” “Ow yes please.” Came the voice of Annebell as she turned and headed towards the food court. Anna smiled and headed after her. Ire glanced back at the panel room where he had seen Erin and Ravok before looking back at where Anna and Annebell had headed into the crowd. ~Right then~ (Reply none) (Toronto, Canada - Metro Toronto Convention Centre- parking lot - CTO/3O Lieutenant commander Ravok - 1037) A few moments later Ravok and steve the romulan cosplayer were on the way through the parking lot. Ravok had his jackets joked over his head and a pair of sunglasses he found in the jackets pocket on. " Where's your car ?" Ravok asked. " Over there. " Steve said. A they approached closer to the car a group of men dressed as klingons yelled out to them. " HEY STEVE!" " Oh no not good." Steve said stopping dead in his tracks. " What's wrong?" Ravok questioned as he looked at the men in horrible klingon rags. " It's Craig, this happens at every convention." Steve answered Ravok turned and looked at Craig. " Problem? " Ravok asked. " Our problem is with him, not you. I've told him not to come here. " Craig replied. Ravok stepped in front of Steve who looked like he just soiled his uniform. " Your problem is with him , right now my problem is with you and your merry band wannabe klingons." Craig started laughing. " You don't know who you're talking to . I'm Craig Winston , 2 time Denver Colorado's scifi LARPing champion." " Steve, get in the car. " Ravok said. Steve went to move away as he did Craig yelled out. " Get em" Suddenly a barrage of foam bat'leths started slapping them. " WHAT THE F*(# " Ravok yelled, as he put his arms up to block the blows . " Take that you cowards." One of the klingon cosplayers said. " STEVE GET THE CAR " Ravok yelled, grabbing one of the toy weapons from one of their belts. It was a disruptor Ravok fired the weapon and...it blinked red and made a pew pew noise. They all stopped and looked. " You just shot him." Craig said. " I did ?" Ravok asked as the cosplayer fell to the ground. Ravok was confused because the weapon didn't do anything except light up and make a childish noise. " ARRRR" Craig screamed as he began smacking Ravok again with the foam bat'leth . Steve's car pulled up and Ravok pushed through the klingons " PINEWOOD " He yelled and dove head first through the open window. Steve then sped away, Ravok's legs still hanging out the window. After a few seconds the car stopped. Ravok looked up at Steve. His lower half was still hanging out the window. " What are you doing ?" " I have to pay." " Pay? " Ravok asked and placed his feet on the ground and opened the door quickly and sat in the seat. " Yeah the parking fee, sorry some of us don't get vip." Steve responded. " Just drive." Ravok said. They pulled out of the parking lot and onto the road. " Wait we forgot Erin." Ravok said panicking. " We aren't going back there. We are headed to pinewood studios. Those guys almost killed us." Ravok gave him a look. " Those were fake weapons. " " You don't understand those guys have been tormenting me for almost 15 years. They are at every convention I go to, this always happens." Steve explained. " Why do you still go then?" Ravok asked. " Because I love seeing my heroes. You guys have no idea how much you mean to me. If this is what I have to deal with then fine. " Steve said nervously navigating through traffic. " We aren't heroes,we are just doing our duty." " You just stood up for me. No one has ever done that. Last year a group of fans surrounded us and took pictures while Craig and his buddies tore my costume to shreds, no one helped me. They all laughed at me, that's all they ever do is laugh at me." Ravok could hear the pain in voice. " I wasn't about to let those bullies take jabs at you. Hell you saved me. Had it not been for you getting your car I'd still be back there fighting off foam and plastic weapons" Steve smiled. " You did well Commander." " You too Lieutenant" Ravok said and looked out the passenger side window. " Umm Steve." " Yeah? " Steve asked and glanced briefly at Ravok. " OH S#!+, They followed us." Steve remarked. Beside them was a van with Craig and his friends hanging out the windows waving their bat'leths at them. " Full impulse!" Ravok said and Steve pressed the pedal to the floor. Ravok sat there patently. " Full impluse… " " Yep that's what I did. " Ravok looked around. " We aren't moving any faster." " We are going full speed. It's in economy mode, doing my part to conserve fuel and save the environment." Ravok could only give him a blank stare. Craig and his buddies were still next to them. ( reply Erin, any) (Toronto – Studio Car - Studio Asst/Driver - 1056) "I'm sorry, I'm stressed and tired. I'd rather not talk about the show I need a break from it. Here I got you something. He handed over a muffin and the peach tea. Trixie lifted the lid and sniffed, the sweet aroma tingling her nostrils. “Peach Tea?” she asked. "Would you rather the coffee?" He said to her reflection. Shaking her head, she answered. “The tea is lovely, thank you that was thoughtful” As they settled Gabe looked out "ok, tell me about where we are, treat me like I've just landed here from 300 years in the future and tell me about here." Trixie sipped the sweet flavoured tea, and drew a breath. “Okay, I’ll play along. But I can’t do it without mentioning the show, I don’t know exactly what you want me to say, so bear with yeah?” (Reply Baskin) “The city you’re in is Toronto, Canada, and the date...she tapped her phone screen, is Monday June 30th 2025, you are Josh Baskin, one of the stars of the successful TV series ‘Star Trek: Exeter, where you play Chief Medic Gabe Vespers. You have a mother and father, who are both actors, and your onscreen half sister is played by your IRL half sister, supermodel Gabrielle Knight, by your father, and Gabrielle’s mother, back around the turn of the century. Don’t ask me about your family’s dynamic worked out as I don’t follow gossip columns.” (Reply Vespers) (Toronto – Studio Car - CMO Lt Gabe Vespers Josh Baskin 1100) Trixie sipped the sweet flavoured tea, and drew a breath. “Okay, I’ll play along. But I can’t do it without mentioning the show, I don’t know exactly what you want me to say, so bear with yeah?” ~what is everyone's obsession with that show!~ Gabe looked at her, he felt sorry for her he was, as always, giving people a hard time. "I want you to tell me about this place, where we are, whats going on." “The city you’re in is Toronto, Canada, and the date...she tapped her phone screen, is Monday June 30th 2025, you are Josh Baskin, one of the stars of the successful TV series ‘Star Trek: Exeter, where you play Chief Medic Gabe Vespers. You have a mother and father, who are both actors, and your onscreen half sister is played by your IRL half sister, supermodel Gabrielle Knight, by your father, and Gabrielle’s mother, back around the turn of the century. Don’t ask me about your family’s dynamic worked out as I don’t follow gossip columns.” "I'm not asking about my family dynamics, Im asking about here. Right strip it back, tell me about Toronto" ~start at the begining~ (Reply Bell) "So what's your favourite thing about Toronto? What makes you live here?" (Reply Bell) (Toronto – Studio Car - Studio Asst/Driver Trixie Bell 1101) "I'm not asking about my family dynamics, Im asking about here. Right strip it back, tell me about Toronto" “Capital City of the Province of Ontario, Canada. Population is roughly 2.8million people give or take.” She said gently, confused wasn’t the word. "So what's your favourite thing about Toronto? What makes you live here?" Trixie sighed. “The leftfield geography homework I get? The unusual drive to work I get on like...my first day?” She sipped her tea, and sighed. “I’m sorry, that was catty. I apologise. I live here because I was born here, I got my first job after graduating from the college down the road from where I was born. The shops are nice, and the bars are fun. People are friendly.” She sipped her tea again. “I’m not really sure I know what it is you want from me?” (Reply Vespers) “Look, I’m supposed to take you to the studio, but is there anywhere else you want to go? Into the centre maybe, or just a tour? I’m kind of at a loss as to where your head’s at.” Trixie's tone was gentle, questioning yet helpful. She had no idea what was wrong with Josh, and though she wasn't his PA, she figured that it was part of her job as a Studio Assistant to make sure that all the cast, actors and the like were in a place where they were happy, which it seemed, Josh was not. (Reply Vespers) (Toronto – Sickkids Childrens Hospital, paediatric oncology - FO Ailynn Bracken/Gabrielle Knight - 1120) Ailynn stepped out of the car, and walked alongside Casey, chatting gently as they walked down the hall, drawing gasps and squeals of amazement. “That’s that..” “She’s from that” “She’s tall…” “I hate that show” "Merek is prettier" Casey blushed… “Sorry…” Ailynn giggled. “It’s okay.” she waved gently at the children’s faces that they passed, trading greetings with children, and staff alike as they made their way to their destination. Once more Casey spoke to her. “We have a bag of a few things that you asked the studio to give Jenna, she’s a massive fan of yours and the show. I’ll pass it to you at the right time.” “That’s good of you thank you Casey” At the door to oncology, they were met by a young looking doctor, obviously exhausted, and shoulders slumped with the weight that she carried. “Miss Knight…” She began, a tired smile came to her face. “You have no idea how much this will mean to Jenna. I’m Doctor Hall.” “Gabbie please, and it’s no problem.” Ailynn was aware that Casey had gently taken her bag and put it over her own shoulder. “I don’t have words.” “In a moment we’re going to go into the family room, Jenna’s mother and father are in there, we’ll have a chat with them and then we’ll go through. Is that okay?” Ailynn nodded an agreement and noticing that Casey had taken a step back, followed the Doctor through the double doors and into the ward. She was instantly reminded of parts of the Hospital on the Mars base, large corridors, and smaller wards that split off the main corridor. Doctor Hall led them into a private room just off a small, side corridor. Ailynn noticed assorted leaflets, of all types on a holder on the wall. As she read the titles of the pamphlets, her heart sank, as her brain supplied what she could remember of the treatment for cancer in the early 21st century, there had been still so little known, despite the great advances that had been made. This was going to be a rough visit. Doctor Hall opened the door, and immediately saw a room that was more familiar than she was comfortable with. Reasonably well decorated, but perhaps tired in places, various cheery looking, well painted cartoon characters were utterly at odds with the news that Ailynn knew had been given to parents in here over the years. The atmosphere was oppressive. A dark haired woman, who was probably only in her mid-late thirties, but her face had been aged maybe ten years by worry, a line of grey hair at her parting. Her eyes had been made up, but she could see the pain underneath the eyeshadow. A man sat off to her right, though not closely. He was the epitome of stoicism, outwardly calm, anyone would look at him and see a man who seemingly didn’t care. Ailynn however looked deeper, there was a look, deep in the eyes that was screaming out, it wasn’t that he didn’t care, it was that he had no idea how to. Ailynn watched as Doctor Hall, and one of the nurses went straight up to the mother, but no-one spoke to the father. He had so many feelings that were barely being recognised, and he’d shut the world out. The mother, tired as she was almost jumped up out of her seat. “I can’t believe you said that you’d do this. You must be so busy...you have no idea how much this means to her...and me.” Ailynn found herself pulled into a tight hug. Gently removing herself from the fierce embrace, Ailynn smiled and looked toward the father, who was obviously unsure whether it was appropriate to shake a hand or hug. Answering the dilemma for him Ailynn stood by his side with a gentle arm about his shoulders, she could feel the tension in his muscles soften almost immediately as if the simple touch had said to him that it was allowed for him to be outwardly scared and worried too. “Are those Jenna’s notes? Her mum said to Doctor Hall” Nodding, she passed the tablet over to Jenna’s mum, who passed it to Ailynn. Wanting desperately to resist, she took it and tried to make it look like she was interested, but didn’t understand the notes. Sadly she did. Her highly trained eyes ran over the page, and Ailynn’s mind devoured the knowledge that it contained, drug plan, treatment, obs records the works. “Are these the scans of the tumours?” She asked innocently. Doctor Hall nodded reluctantly. “Best MRI scans we have.” Ailynn nodded, and looked closely, finding accidentally the zoom function. She was horrified to see the detail that she could see. “Thank you for including me.” She said as she passed it back. “You have to understand Miss Knight, this won’t be able to be a long visit, Jenna is extremely weak, her body is going through so much and she only has so much strength. Shall we go through?” Ailynn nodded and steeled herself against what she knew was going to be a difficult moment. Casey tipped her the wink, and handed her a large gift bag as Ailynn left the room. She followed Jenna’s parent’s through the door once more, and through to Jenna’s room. Her parent’s were desperately trying to sound excited, and they were, but the sight that beheld them rended their hearts asunder, even as it did Ailynn’s when she walked into the room. She’d seen pictures before of course, but all that medical knowledge could never have prepared her for what she saw before her, ~don’t cry Ailynn, prophets sake be strong.~ The young girl, bedridden, pale and obviously horribly weak from the cancer, and numerous treatments, opened her beautifully expressive pale green eyes at the sight of her hero entering the room. Ailynn could see the shock, and happiness that ran through the bedridden girl, a flush of happiness that brought some colour to her cheeks albeit temporarily. “It’s Ailynn….Oh my…” Tears ran down Jenna’s plaid, drawn cheeks. Her mum nodded and made a space, which Ailynn stepped into and sat bay the bed. “Hey sweetie, I hear that you put an application in to go to the Academy?” It was a complete goofball line, but it made Jenna smile. “You’re mum and dad asked make-a-wish who asked me to come in and see you.” “Did you beam in?” Jenna joked, a teasing look in her eyes that showed a strength of character and sense of humour under the fear, and pain. “No…” Ailynn shook her head. “I bullied Trip into landing the Exeter in the Staff car park.” Ailynn joked. “No one can come in or out of the whole hospital.” She winked. They chatted as Ailynn handed over the gifts that had been arranged. Amongst them a model of the Exeter, a replica Command uniform, and other collectibles that had been donated. Ailynn saw a picture on Jenna’s bedside, “That was me mum and dad, before the treatment, back when I had hair.” Jenna said, obviously emotionally and beginning to grow tired. “I miss that.” “Hair like Trinity’s” Ailynn found herself saying. “I adore that colour.” “Ail...Gabrielle?” Jenna said gently. “You’re my hero, Ailynn is always so strong, so ready to be there to kick ass.” Ailynn tilted her head, and shrugged, she wasn’t able to hold on to her tears any more, and one escaped down her cheek. “You know who my hero is?” she said in reply. Ailynn leant forward and kissed Jenna gently on the hand. “...it’s you.” Jenna smiled and whispered to her mum, and getting the jist, Ailynn stood up, and kissed Jenna on the forehead, “Keep strong...Commander.” Doctor Hall led her gently out of the room, and into her office, where she shut the door. Ailynn sat on a chair in a hidden corner, and bringing her feet and knees up, the dam of her sorrow broke, and the tears openly running down her face as she hugged her knees. (Reply none) (Toronto, Canada -Pinewood Studios Toronto - FO Cmdr Ailynn Bracken/Gabrielle Knight and Caity DuBois/Sam Buckmaster - 1430) Ailynn was tired, and emotionally broken, meeting the kids on the Children’s ward had been so utterly exhausting, that she felt like just going straight back to her apartment, curling up into a ball on her bed, and hoping that she’d wake up in a different place or time. The kicker had been meeting Jenna. Jenna Brookes was a 16 year old girl who was stricken with an aggressive form of cancer that her oncologist was running out of options. Ailynn had been shown Jenna’s charts by her mum, and though it wasn’t her precise speciality, Ailynn could see something truly horrific and disturbing. That were she back on the Exeter, with 25th century medicine, she wasn’t certain that her chances of recovery would be very much higher. She got out the car and bade farewell to Casey, and headed over toward wardrobe to take her uniform back that she’d borrowed for the hospital visit. Minutes later that simple task achieved, she left the main building, and saw a figure that she was intimately familiar with. Heart ruling her head, she quickened her pace, and caught up with the other woman. Slipping her arm around her waist, Ailynn quietly said, “Tee...I’ve missed you so much, I’ve been so worried.” Smiling, she turned round, "So, what’s new, A? What new catastrophe is heading our way?" Ailynn sighed happily as Caity’s calming, normal manner began to settle her mood. “You kidding?” She said gently, “Other than the one we seem to be surrounded by at the moment?” Ailynn was used to Caity’s supportive, questioning manner. "You mean the terrorists?" Ailynn stopped suddenly. “Wait...What terrorists? What are you talking about hun?” There was an odd look about the woman next to her, little details that she’d not noticed up until now. "You know the…" She paused for a moment and looked at Ailynn, "Wait a second… did they put out new pages again?" “Pages? Tee...I’m so confused. What are you talking about.” There was a nasty feeling growing in the pit of her stomach. "Those damn writers, I swear they are going to make me crazy with the changes they keep making." “Writers…?” She looked at her, a couple of thoughts settling in her mind. She wasn’t certain how to move forward with the situation. “Okay this conversation is getting weird…” Ailynn remembered the cast photo, and remembered the names underneath each person, but couldn’t remember what was written underneath Caity. Now she thought about it, Caity had been stood nowhere near Ailynn. “How did we get here?” Putting her hands on her hips, Samantha looked at her, raised an eyebrow and said, "Well, I drove here on my day off because you said you wanted to run limes before filming starts." “Read lines...filming…” Ailynn parrotted. "But if that's not what you want to do then, I'm going back to my own trailer and having a very large vodka." “Caity….” she began. "Sam." “Sam...Sam...I’m sorry. I need to ask you a bunch of questions, and they’re going to sound really strange…What happened on New Years, after we went to bed?” "We never…. Oh on the show?" Ailynn could see her girlfriend's love, fading into the background. Caity had become a constant in her life, a yin to her yang, but as she looked at Caity...Sam, she could see none of that. “No…” Ailynn’s voice fell. “I actually meant...together. I’m sorry.” "What for?" Ailynn wasn’t far short of tears, she was holding back by every atom of her will. There had been odd things about Caity’s manner, posture that she was only just understanding. “We...We aren’t even friends...are we...It’s all acting...everything I mean?” She spoke the remainder of her soul in that last sentence, Ailynn wasn’t sure that she had the strength to hear much more. "We act together…. What's going on Gabi? Did you get drunk, high or both last night?" “HIGH? THE F&@£ you think I am?” She snapped, her mood exploding. Her temper cooled very slightly. “I asked a simple question, of someone that I thought I had a connection with. You can accuse me of a great many things, but for you to say that to me.” Her temper had got the better of her, Ailynn knew she had faults, but for her girlfriend, her heart, her life to say that to her...Caity may as well have used a knife. "Well, I had to ask. I'm not your girlfriend. I may play her on the show but I'm not in real life. You know this thing here and now. This is real life. You know I have a husband." “I asked you if we were friends...on any level.” Ailynn’s voice fell. “I don’t feel that’s an unfair question. She sighed. "We're work colleagues. Friends? I Don’t think we've talked much other than here at the studio or doing press junkets for the show or at some industry gig. Usually with a drink in hand." ~Not...Even...Friends…~ Ailynn looked at Cai...Sams eyes, and could see only disdain, indifference at best. The day had started well, almost perfectly. ~that should have been a warning.~ she thought to herself. “So you’d only kiss me after a drink?” She knew she was needling Sam, provoking a reaction, but Ailynn was tired, and had just had her soul torn out of her. "If you are really going there… which I can’t understand why, but you are then truth you shall have. No. I'll kiss you if the damn script calls for it. But that’s it. I just don’t really like you. You have this air about you. 'Look at me! I used to be something in the modelling world!' Big wow! Modelling isn't that hard. I mean if the beefcake wrestler can do it, anyone can." “USED TO BE?” Ailynn’s temper exploded, the oddest thing was that it was shored up by something so powerful she couldn’t explain it. “F&£$@#G USED TO BE????” She continued. “I walk off this lot right now I could sign up with anyone” The words came unbidden to Ailynn’s mouth. “I could..” she was interrupted. "Could… being the word. It's no secret that you need this as much as any of us do. I mean, from what I've seen here and now, your legendary 'concern' .." Sam punctuated this word with air quotes, "... for your co-stars has reared its ugly head again." ~breathe...don’t react...just f*&£$#g breathe.~ Ailynn tried to breathe. “My legendary f*&$@$g what now?” Ailynn was in what Trip would call ‘Full Bracken’ “It takes a pretty low piece of crap like you to find fault with someone looking up to someone...maybe you’re the type of scum that likes writing all those pleasant comments on youtube no?” "Wow… scum? That's a new one. You really have no idea about anything outside your own little world, do you? You self centred, egotistical bitch. Try looking on some social media other than your own for once." “Says the little Prydeck who was just calling me out for looking out for people?” "Oh, so you know all about #prayforgen then do you?" “What is ‘hashtag pray for gen? Gen who?" Ailynn said. Confused and annoyed. The upset that her lover was being so cruel was killing her. "Wow , Genevieve Rhodes, you know the one who plays the simpering little witch Erin Cortez. Let me be the first to tell you that your little best friend has been seen being taken to hospital in an ambulance. Passed out on that cute guy that played Nix. But then again, you being the kind, caring and compassionate person you are would already know that and have been to see her." Ailynn had utterly lost her temper. “You sanctimonious daughter of a loose sitstar. Gen and I are not joined at the hip. If she's in hospital it's to rest and recover, she doesn't need a steady stream of gawkers and hangers on." "Who is…." Sam started and was rudely interrupted. “NO!” she snapped viciously. “You hold on.” Ailynn’s temper was all the way to eleven. She could take the personal digs, but the accusation that she didn't care. “DON’T YOU F&$£’%G DARE!” “YOU WANT TO CALL MY ARSE OUT? THEN LETS GO. YOU WANT TO KNOW WHERE I WAS TODAY?" Sam, folding her arms across her chest, defensively, simply stared at her. “Happened to be in the hospital myself. Visiting a 16 year old girl who is running out of options, oncology ward. She’s way too ill to be with the other kids, so she’s in a room smaller than your trailer's living area, and may never leave that room again. Seems that ‘Exeter’ is her favourite show, and looks up to m...Ailynn as her hero, and up to you for having the strength to be part of Ailynn’s life. So you’ll excuse me if my manner is a little fraught. Accuse me of anything you like Sam I genuinely don’t care, but a heartless junkie isn’t two of them.” "In my defence, I never said those words. You did. But, heartless? No. Not to your fans anyway. So, tell me one thing. If you and Gen are big time compadres, legends on the party scene I hear, is it true that she got engaged last night? Some are saying marriage of convenience, if you get my drift." Ailynn sighed. “I haven’t heard that no, Even if it’s true, it’s only my business if Er...Gen decides it is. Otherwise maybe the engagement might just be because you know...they like each other.” "Well, she would date that, what’s his name…. The Australian… Kyle. Yeah. That's him. Never liked the guy myself. Seems a bit… too low brow for her. She's a good kid but troubled." “They like each other, that’s all that matters, everything else is no one’s business. Sure she may have had her issues, but she’s growing out of them. Most people do eventually.” Ailynn replied. Whoever this was in front of her, it was unrecognisable as Caity. Caity would never be such a spiteful, judgemental and obviously nasty piece of work. It tore another piece of her soul out, she wasn’t sure how much more she could take. Raising an eyebrow, Sam glared and headed for the door, "Oh and, just so you know, I'd have a word with Tristan. Man, that guy I swear he thinks he is still big league. Half of the people that watched the first season were waiting for him to bust out some old wrestling move. Never happened and, to boot, he got his on screen wife in the club… Player if you ask me but that's the rumour. Me, I'm going to go and sink a large Irish coffee before heading down to wardrobe. Catch you later!" She smiled, disingenuously, as she walked away. ~swear she should stick to modelling. Airhead.~ Ailynn watched Sam stride away from her. Sam hadn’t given Ailynn a chance to reply, but in truth, if she’d have stood there stock still then Ailynn would still have never had a retort. Her heart had been utterly utterly ripped out of her chest and stamped on. Tears welled up in her eyes, and broke the already weakened dam. She turned away, turning her back on the girl who only minutes ago she’d considered her everything. The tears ran openly down her face as she walked toward where she’d been pointed toward her trailer earlier. (Reply any, none) (Toronto, Canada -Pinewood Studios Toronto - FO Cmdr Ailynn Bracken/Gabrielle Knight and Farfalina - 1450) Ailynn’s mind was slowly calming down as she walked toward the large building that she’d been into earlier, headed back to wardrobe to return the uniform that she’d borrowed earlier on pain of death. The visit to the hospital had gone about as well as she could have expected, and everything afterward had gone south really quickly. ~I really need a drink~ Farfalinna was standing outside, in the sun. Dressed in yellow today with sunglasses covering her eyes, she looked to be almost baking in the sun of the lot. “Gabrielle!” She cried out, abandoning her sun worshiping pose to embrace Gabrielle and give her a gigantic smooch on the cheek. “How are you doing, Beautiful? Also I saw Tristan earlier and he’s having huge issues. I know you are his best friend so maybe you can talk with him? I tried, and I suggested he go find our EMT to get some of that magic Valium he doles out.” She pulled back from the embrace and the whispered words into her ear. Lots like this had huge paparazzi issues, which was why she was whispering the words and hiding her mouth in Gabrielle’s hair so no one could read using a telephoto lens. “Are you ok? Our show runner wants to do some still photos to leak to the press. He thinks we should build some hype over our characters possibly getting back together?” Farfalinna raised her eyebrows in a sexual innuendo. ~Sienna?~ Ailynn gasped as she was caught in her embrace. ~No…~ it wasn’t a Sienna type hug, she remembered those well. ~think Ailynn...you’ve only just read this.~ “Hey honey.” She went for the safe option. “I haven’t seen anyone yet.” ~magic Valium?~ Seeing Sienna, or rather her face and body brought back so much to Ailynn straight away. They’d had good times. It was clear to Ailynn immediately though that it wasn’t exactly Sienna in front of her. “So remind me…” she said. “When did we first meet? Was it way back on Mars?” She laughed happily, “Gabrielle. We met at the Music Awards. You were wearing those amazing wings and we were dancing and then we kissed on the stage and became BFFs. And not just for the paparazzi. If you mean our characters…. On this show the characters met when they were in high school, or something like that. Backstory wasn’t quite clear.” She shrugged elegantly. “Do you want to go into costume and make up and do that photo shoot? Lord Banowsky wants them done today if possible but I don’t want to interfere with your shoot schedule.” “We start shoots tomorrow.” Ailynn said, making a mental note to check youtube for the awards she’d mentioned. “Today it’s a preshoot meeting later, I’m headed to wardrobe anyway, So the photoshoot fits well.” “If you are sure? We really ARE friends Gabrielle. We can have a drink afterwards and you can tell me all about it. How did the work on that medical drama go?” “Oh you know how it is. They just wanted my face in it. Pays the bills…” ~Farfalina! That was it.~ Ailynn thought as she remembered the IMDB page that she’d read earlier. “So ‘Lina, can I ask you something, and promise me that you won’t think I’m drunk?” “Oh absolutely. Shoot. I know you don’t drink anything harder than champagne, do what is going on?” She stopped outside the costuming shop and really looked at her friend. Looking around for a moment she pulled Gabrielle into one of the blind spots of the lot, a smoking and make out place. “What is going on? You aren’t acting like yourself. You know the rules. When we are on set, we are on, the personality that the producers created is who is on. I am Farfalinna, not Leora.” Gabrielle was one of the few people trusted with the secret of who Farfalinna truly was. “Hey! Steady. I’m sorry okay?” Ailynn sighed. “Look. I’ve not had a great day, and it is not shaping up to look like it’s going to improve any.” Ailynn looked at the other girl. She could see now that none of Sienna’s endearing mannerisms were there. “Look. Have you ever had a thing where you wake up and you have no idea what’s going on around you?” “Like after drugs and too much drink? No, that’s why I have a bodyguard. Is this why Tristan was acting so strange? Cuz he’s weirder than usual. It was like he thought I actually WAS Sienna.” “I swear...and I wish I could say I was wasted, I’ve never done that stuff, and other than a glass of champagne or red I don’t drink either.” Ailynn said “...but I had to have my cleaner show me how to use insta and google maps this morning.” “Oh tech stuff is so confusing! I’m not great with it either. It isn’t important when we’re on set, you can grab one of the PAs to do that for you. Remember you are not a penniless nobody anymore, you are Gabrielle Knight, successful, beautiful and confident.” Ailynn opened her mouth to reply, but she realised what ‘Farfalina’ had said. ~It was like he thought I actually WAS Sienna…?~ Ailynn’s mood was crumbling further as another foundation block in her life was destroyed. “I know, and you’re correct obviously, but it was so weird...Anyway. Tell me about you. What are you up to?” She took a deep breath and looked at her friend, “Well. On shoot we’re doing all the publicity shots today. Hype mostly. Lord Banowsky,” She used the term that most people used on set for the overlords of their various productions, “Wants Sienna and Trip to do video letters, basically facetime each other. Tristan said that Sienna and Trip had made up but I looked through the scripts and didn’t see that. How did your contract negotiation go?” Gabrielle shrugged, finding her voice at last. “It went as I said it would. Standard second season terms plus point 05 on reshows, half of one percent on merch that involves my likeness.” “Tristan was a real pain to Lord Banowsky and got a really sweet deal. I hope Jason Harnes (Sekal’s actor) managed to get a good deal. He has to have those silly ears glued on each shoot.” She leaned back against the building. “It’s going to be pretty hectic once shooting starts, Gabrielle. Want to head inside and start getting ready?” Farfalinna felt that something wasn’t quite right still, but she was more grounded in this conversation since she had been on lot for several hours. “I should have pulled a stunt like that if I thought it was going to get me a better deal with M’Lord Gatling. Man has brilliant ideas for the show. I just wish the writers would actually listen for once…” Her voice trailed off as a PA stuck her head around the corner, “Madame Farfalinna, Miss Knight, you are needed in make up and costuming.” The PA spoke into her walkie talkie that she had found them and Lina grinned at her friend. “Seems like we have orders, my friend.” Gabrielle nodded, and thanked the PA, who smiled a reply, then turned to her next task. “Seems like we do.” She replied, and walked alongside ‘Lina. “So...What’s coming up next for you? New show? New Album?” “No… I’m here for the next few months. I hoped to get Tristan to come on A Star To Guide Us as a love interest but he seemed to find that weird for some reason. Tristan is Tristan though.” She shrugged as she led the way into makeup and sat down in one of the two chairs with a hairdressing station. Gabrielle sat back in the chair, she smiled at her makeup artist and hairdresser. "I can kind of see that to be honest. Little bit weird." She smiled and winced slightly as her hair was combed back and styled back into the tight bun that Ailynn typically wore on duty. "I've got something in the bag. New thing for Disney plus. Shoots later this year. Can't say any more though." She looked to her hairdresser. "Thank you. That's awesome." She leant back as makeup started applying the base layer for her foundation. Sienna normally wore a crown braid on duty on the Illuminar and the pins jabbed into her scalp now and then, but this was only after running her hair under some kind of darkening rinse to mimic Sy’s much darker hair. The contacts were on the table in front of Lina. Which she promptly put in once the hairdresser was done. Lina blinked hard to settle the contacts. She then looked in the mirror. “You’d think that there would be something more than just the eyes to say ‘alien’ hun? Like the pointed ears that Jase has to wear.” Her makeup was earlier to apply since Sienna had natural skin tones and Lina had been careful to stay out of the Sun. “Script looks like we’re going to the desert in a bit to shoot ‘Vulcan’ “ She sounded a little...sad. It was the most emotion she’d shown since they started talking. “I am going to dry out so badly. Luckily I only have to walk around the city here and there. Other people get to go on a mule ride. Lucky me.” Her voice didn’t sound as if she particularly cared. A makeup artist patted her shoulder, “Madame Farfalinna we will do our best to make sure that your lovely skin stays lovely.” "Hey..don't complain, you could have to have stuff glued to your face for three hours a day." "Eyes still please Miss Knight." "How many times Chrissie, just Gabs." Gabrielle stayed motionless while her eye makeup was done, then turned to Lina. "Keep hydrated, and stay off the drink and stuff." “Yes, yes, I know the rules.” She stepped into costuming and changed into her uniform. “You ever think that the writers need to smoke some whacko grass and get out of their rut? I mean, what military institution would have 20-ish year olds in any position of authority? This isn’t Heinlien after all.” Leora was showing through the Lina facade for a moment before the mask slid firmly back into place. “Your character is my character’s ex-lover, but your the best friend of her twin, and your what half sister is my sister in law? Talk about close family relationships.” She shrugged as she pulled the uniform jacket on and zipped up the hidden zipper over her tank top. “At least it isn’t polyester the way the TNG uniforms were.” She shuddered at the thought of those ultra-hot uniforms on set. “Do what we can with the costuming budget. We’re making big bank on these shows, so better costuming.” One of the costuming women spoke as she ran a lint brush over the uniform as another pinned her rank insignia and comm badge on. “It’ll be cool if one day these become real. Though we can talk into our watches now, so not that far off.” She slid her jacket over her watch, but the assistants were on to her and held out a hand for the offending fruity smart watch. Gabrielle nodded as she was helped into her uniform. Going through the same motions as Lina had. "I know right." Her own insignia and pips were pinned on, and her own watch removed. One further thing for her was the addition of her Ryelle's ear jewellery. "Imagine though a phone call through a badge on your chest. How odd." A grin but Lina said nothing. She stared at herself in the mirror. Something skittered behind her eyes for a moment but it was lost, pretty fast. Gabrielle caught a glimpse of herself in the mirror, and seeing Ailynn look back at her. There was a moment where something flitted through her mind but she shook it off. "Who's doing the shoot?" “Did you feel that too?” She asked Gabrielle curiously, “Like something was in the back of your mind for a moment, pushing? Oh. Jen Reid. She’s done your work in the past?” She finally realized what Gabs had asked, the moment having passed. "Yeah...that was odd. Anyway… Jen's a good one. Total pro. Her lighting is always set up right so there'll be no messing about." “Lord Banowsky wants us doing a kissing scene so they can promote the hype? You ready?” An impish, not Sienna smile. Sharp and a little silly. Puckish. Not very kind. Gabrielle sighed and laughed gently. "Oh sure." She said a hint of amusement in her voice. "I kiss you now and who know what rumour starts." She leant forward and gave Lina a friendly peck. " Besides." She waved at her face. "Makeup." (Reply None) (Toronto, Canada - Pinewood Studios, Trailer of Tristan Steele- CO, Captain Trip Williams/Tristan Steele and Civilian Addison Queen/Faith Morgan -15:30) As Faith entered through the trailer door, Trip perked up. “Hey,” He said weekly from the couch covered by a comfortable blanket. He hadn’t fel this hollow, defeated, and longing for escape since Rae died. “Thanks for umm...coming.” Faith had received Tristan’s message, and as it happened had been on her way over anyway. She’d got out of the uber at the gate and headed over to the trailer, a sway to her hips as she walked. She looked up at the trailer with a contented smile as she pulled off her sunglasses and shook her hair loose. “What’s the matter Tristan you great lump?” Faith’s Northern Irish brogue twisted the pronunciation somewhat. Seeing him on the couch covered by a blanket she dashed over. “Tristan…” she pulled him into a hug as best she could given the difference in size between them, and kissed his forehead, and pulled his head gently to her shoulder. “What’s happened?” “I just feel so alone.” he said weakly, sitting up. This was a man who had faced down pirates in a fighter. One who lead the Fighter wing on numerous missions. He had led the Exeter into combat and helped track down a demented, body swapping, universe hopping murderer. But those tested his mettle, his resolve. They didn’t make him question his own sanity. It’s one thing to face down an enemy in a dogfight, it is another to begin to ask yourself what is real and who you really are. He had hoped that he would find some clarity, but as his day went on, he felt more and more like maybe his gut instinct was wrong. His gut instinct screamed that he was Trip Williams, but his head, his head was confused. His head kept wondering, pondering who he was. Then there was his heart. His heart was breaking. If it was a dream, then it was a cruel nightmare he would bring up in counseling. But if he wasn’t Trip, and somehow he had gotten too into the role, then it meant the love he felt for Ash, for Sy, for Ailynn even, had never actually existed. For the first time since he left academy he actually felt his age. Young, inexperienced, and unsure. “Alone?” She asked her face a picture of concern and worry. “Alone how so?” Faith said, sitting next to him, curling her feet under her legs and stroking the back of Tristan’s hands with her fingertips. “Can I tell you something and promise, promise not to shrug it off, laugh, or ask me if something is wrong?” “Of course babe.” She agreed. “I promise.” she shrugged, it was easier just to say it. “I could have sworn, yesterday, I was Trip Williams, I was on the Exeter, we were having a New Year’s Eve party, I went to bed next to Ash my wife, and then I woke up today, and I’m here, and I’m supposed to be Tristan, but I’m not, I’m Trip, and so many people look like those I know to the point that I don’t know if this is a dream, or that, and I swear, I just, I’m pretty sure I’m trapped somewhere.” “I believe you.” Faith said, holding his hand. “But memories are fickle things, especially where you are so into your role like the way you can get.” she said gently. “Especially where it was the scenes where it was you and I, like the conference at Risa where I had to flirt with you after a horrible amount of alcohol. The amount of times we rehearsed that here.” She laughed, running her fingers over his hand again. “Do you remember that?” “No, I...I mean I remember, you and me, and I remember being there and feeling uncomfortable, because I could have sworn you were flirting with me.” Faith smiled, “I was, but it was kind of a private joke between you and I, you remember, see how much chemistry we could get on screen you know? “I…” Trip tried to remember the memory, how felt, the bar of the conference room, her dress, the emotions he read of her, but as he tried to picture the bar, he could only picture the living room at Tristan’s house. He tried to remember her emotions, but all he could remember is how much he wanted her in that moment. He couldn’t remember Risa… “I said I love you that night didn’t die. For the first time.” Trip paused, that wasn’t his memory, he didn’t know where that came from. Faith nodded in mock coyness, “Yeah you did.” Drawing a breath, she carried on. “Would the Trip that you know be tempted at all by a girl like Addison, when he had Ash at home? Of course not.” “No, he wouldn’t be. I mean I wouldn’t be.” Trip was confused, Certain memories begin to shift. “Have you seen any of the other cast? Gabbie maybe, I swear you two hit it off, if I didn’t know her from years back, her and I would have words.” “No, I did run into Sy, but she wasn’t Sy. No one, no one is who they are supposed to be. And I’m begging to wonder if I’m alone.” “You’re not alone. You just have that thing where you’re overly into a role, immersed. You know you’ve been going over scripts in your sleep for how long now.” “You’re not listening….I’m not Tristan, I’m Trip dammit!!” he said standing up almost wanting to yell it. “I am James Andrew Williams the Third, Captain, USS Exeter, Serial Number 04261986. I am not Tristan Steele, I am Trip #$#%#@ Williams dammit!” “Sit down for f#&*s sake, and calm down.” Faith snapped. “I said I believe you, I said I understood what you’re going through, but I also have the right to express my view of perhaps a slightly different course of events.” She patted the seat. “Now. You said that you felt lost. Tell me about that.” “Imagine you wake up in a world where nothing seems right or feels right. Where you wake up next to the person you think has a crush on you. When the woman you love is indifferent to you, and looks at you in a way that makes you feel empty. Where yesterday you were on a Starship and today you wake up almost 450 years in your past. Where every thing you knew about your life is supposedly entertainment.” “I’m doing my best to imagine, and it must be really scarey babe, but here’s the thing. From my point of view, and from everything around you, you’re Tristan Steele, you have friends and a large, loving family.” Trip you sat and listened. He wanted to rant, scream, be heard. But something about what she was saying, her words. He didn’t want to fight it. “You haven’t known Gabrielle that long, since the start of the pilots, you two just...got on. I’ve known her longer. Look, this is from seven years ago.” She unlocked her phone and after opening youtube, and tapping briefly, passed a clip over of a younger Gabrielle on a catwalk, wearing a figure hugging exotic red dress, just behind her was Faith, dressed similarly. “That’s Ailynn, but she looks so…. So….” “Sensual?” “Confident, in control of herself, comfortable with her body, not trying to hide it, she looks, at peace. More at peace than I’ve ever seen her.” “That’s Gabbie alright. Always been the same, so seeing her pretend to be Ailynn with all her issues, was...funny isn’t the word. Unusual.” She looked at him sadly. “Studio said that casting director was crazy when they cast a wrestler as Trip, especially since your those few years older.” “I’m 23….or 33…or, I don’t know. I don’t know. If I’m 23, I’m having to grow up so fast. But I’m 33, and all this is my life, then I grew into it, had adventures, learned to be me, got to make mistakes.” “Exactly that, you’re 33, and had a life of fun, adventure, growing gently into yourself. Tell me a story again, about your wrestling I mean.” She smiled and held his hand. “Well, one of my favorite matches, when was it, I know, it was Wrestlemania, our first one on the main roster, Lance and I, itw was a tag team ladder match for the titles, and we won it. But we didn’t just win them, we stole the whole damn show. It was a five star match. I hurt like hell the next day. I was close to the titles, but was up there with our opponent, I think it may have been Matt Hardy, yeah it was against Matt and Jeffy Hardy, tag team legends. And I threw Matt down, and he he landed on a ladder, and I remember the spot, because I then jumped off the ladder, and then hit an elbow drop on Matt, through another ladder, giving Lance enough time to climb and get the titles. I mean yeah it’s scripted but I put my body through hell and it was worth it.” Trip paused that memory, it wasn’t his memory, but he felt it, all of it, as if he had lived it. “Your body remembers the pain,” She shook her head sadly, rubbing his shoulder, “tiny injuries, sprains and strains. I was never really into wrestling that much, but I always liked the athleticism, especially you and your brother tag teaming.” She smiled. “The roar of the crowd and the smell of those awful hot dog things.” she laughed. “My last match,” Tristan said remembering, “Was wrestlemania this year, LA. Big cross promotion thing. My brother was the Universal champ, the goodguy, the brother that stayed for the fans. I was the bad guy, the one who left for hollywood stardom, come back to claim my prize as the better brother. It was a grueling 30 minute Iron Man match, where I won, with a pin in the last 10 seconds, to take the lead 4 to 3. Winning the title, beating my brother, pissing off the fans. It was great. The thrill, the rush, the crowd. I miss it, I miss live audiences. Getting them to connect with the story. Getting all of them to hate me. To be the heel, to be the villain.” “Fun being the bad guy sometimes.” She smiled warmly. “You have missed that. That’s why you negotiated the addition to your contract to allow you to carry on in the ring” Yes…” Trip paused. “No….where are these memories coming from.” “From the same place as the story that you told me about you and your brothers growing up, a house with five boys, and a mother who had to have two pairs of eyes in the back of her head to stop you all killing each other before the age of twelve.” “Yeah, yelling at you with that welsh accent, sweet, scary, frightening even.” Tristan then did a mock welsh accent, “If your gonna kill your brother, do it upstairs.” “Don’t bleed on my clean floor…” Faith giggled. “I can see your ma saying that to childhood you.” “I’m just so confused.” he said, “one minute I feel like Trip, the next its like Tristan is taking over and I don’t know what is real, and who I should listen to. I don’t have my anchor or an anchor. Faith...Addison...whoever you are….I need….I need something to hold me to some reality. I feel like my mind is about to shatter. Who am I?” Faith nodded. “I understand baby. I do. Addison isn’t real. There is no Addison, not really. I know you’re going through a lot, and lord knows I wouldn’t wish that on anyone, but I’m your anchor through this, I’m not sure what I can say, or show you. Pictures? Do you remember our first date?” She laughed gently. “There was that photographer following us most of the evening, even to the restaurant. We kept sending him drinks and he got so wasted he fell asleep in the middle of ‘Spring Sushi.’ “Then I took his phone, and took a selfie with him and it, and then left it be. I was trending on twitter.” Trip paused….”This is real?” “All of it.” she held her hands out “We could go to the sushi place this evening if you wanted, for old time’s sake.” she winked. “Prove it, give me some sign, give me anything….something that just puts my mind at ease. My heart has been torn in two today Faith…..I just want something real to believe in. I can fight, I can fly, I can handle war...But mind tricks, mind games, war of the heart...it’s crushing me.” “Prove it?” she said gently. “I don’t know exactly what you’re wanting me to provide. A picture of us? A call with your mom? Something more…” She nodded. “You lovely daft…” She leant forward and pulled him into a kiss, gentle and demure at first, but slowly turning deeper and more and more promising. “Well?” At that moment, Trip entered into the kiss, kissing back passionately, happily. In that moment, he was truly Tristan. Every memory of Trip faded away to the back corners of his mind, then into nothing, then oblivion. All that was left was Tristan. He did not even remember ever thinking he was Trip. He was Tristan Romanowski also known as Tristan Steele, WWE Superstar and actor. He was with his beautiful girlfriend, in his trailer, all was right with the world. He was whole. “Well, what babe?” he asked. “Well, are you going to kiss me again, or do I have to ask every time?” She winked playfully, relaxing now that Tristan seemed to be calming down, settling into himself again. “Yeah. Why the hell not.” Tristan said, “Might as well have some fun before a boring meeting with Gabby.” (reply none) >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< End Compile >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>><<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<