Commander Wil Ukinix - (I'm) Stranded
Wil Ukinix
((Prime Universe – Temporary Crew Quarters, USS Independence-B, en route to Amity Outpost - Stardate 240008.04))
Pressed with her back against the wall, Keehani stretched her legs out on the lower bunk bed that was surprisingly comfortable. With a sigh, she put her head back and closed her eyes. With the hair tie that was originally around her wrist, she reached up and put her hair into a ponytail while keeping her eyes closed.
There was a PADD sitting next to her, one she had originally chosen to write a report into to get *everything* that was on her mind out of her mind.
But deep down she knew that wouldn’t be enough. With both trepidation and enthusiasm, she had crossed over to the parallel universe, relishing the chance to be side-by-side with Rivi Vataix, diplomatically engaging with not only intelligent life, but possibly their own *doppelgangers* from another reality.
But the reality of that reality was that it was hell. It had been forsaken by The Four.
Made all the worse by a twisted, narcistic, self-absorbed and power-hungry version of herself. As she ran the events of her experience in the parallel reality, and the revelations that the Empress of the Betazoid Empire had made to her about transitioning to a Betazed Hegemony, there was one thing that kept running over in her mind.
oO The Empress’ plan is a step in the right direction… but it is doomed to fail. Oo
...
After a thoughtful check on her welfare from Rivi, the door chime rang again. This time...
Ukinix: =/\= Keehani, it’s me. =/\=
With her eyes still closed, she let out a sigh.
Keehani: ::Putting head back:: =/\= Cousin, please not now. =/\=
Ukinix: =/\= I got us brandy. =/\=
Keehani: =/\= I don’t *need* brandy. =/\=
Ukinix: =/\= I do! =/\=
After an eyeroll and a sighed scowl, she finally relented.
Keehani: Computer, open door.
When the door slid open, Wil walked in with a clear crystal carafe of the brown liquid in one hand, and two short clear cylindrical spirit glasses in the other.
Keehani watched as he plonked himself at the end of the bed, placed one of the glasses down on the ground, then poured himself a generous helping of the brandy in the other. After taking a small sip and seemingly savouring the liquid, he swallowed then sat there awkwardly, not knowing what to say. After a pained smile to Keehani, he lifted the glass to his mouth and drank the rest of the brandy, which made him cough. He turned his head once again to look at Keehani.
Ukinix: ::Wheezy voice:: Sure you don’t want one?
Keehani’s chest raised, then just as quickly fell as she sighed.
Keehani: No, I’m not sure. Go on, pour me one.
Ukinix: Ah! See?! Told ya.
After swapping the glasses on the ground, Keehani watched as he poured the spirit into the glass, the vapour of the brandy wafting into her nose.
Ukinix: How are you feeling.
Keehani shook her head, then looked away for a moment.
Keehani: ::Nodding:: Disturbed. Dark. Like I’ve…
Her eyes darted back to Wil.
Keehani: Like I’ve seen a version of my future that I don’t want to become.
He handed her the glass of brandy, which she took but just held in her hand. He then picked up his own glass and began to pour again.
Ukinix: You’d never be like that.
((End Flashback))
((Temporary Quarters, USS Glacier, en route to the Delta Quadrant - 2442))
Wil, just having heard the abridged version of Keehani’s last forty years, sucked his bottom lip into his mouth, then finally commented.
Ukinix: Remember that time I said you’d never be like that? Um--
Keehani: ::shrug:: So? The Empress had a method to her madness. She was me, I realise that now.
She took a sip of her martini, then furrowed her brow.
Keehani: ::to herself:: Ugh. Replicators. Can never get a cocktail right.
Wil shook his head.
Ukinix: You’re even wearing the same kind of... narcissistic outfit like she did. There, I said it.
Keehani: Narcissistic? ::Scoffs, preening long sequined dress:: This is an original Nemivi Mex, I commissioned thousands of the gowns with them. Each dress is worth more than the GDP of Andoria. ::Holding glass to mouth, pleased smile:: Especially at the moment ::takes sip::
Ukinix: You’re taking delight in this war?
Keehani finished the contents of her drink, shivered slightly, then finally spoke.
Keehani: If it helps the NBI movement win enough minds in government, we can then pass laws to begin the split from the Federation. Provided the Lattice Alliance doesn’t glass the planet before then. Pfft. Starfleet.
Wil placed his head in his hands.
Keehani: Oh god. Listen to yourself. You’ve become everything you fought against. You’ve become Kirilow Ukinix.
Keehani: What’s the Terran saying? If you can’t mince them, cook them? ::shrug:: Besides, I’m only half the matriarch that Kirilow was, but I’m improving.
Ukinix: You know what you look like with those blonde streaks? A bogan. You look like a bogan.
Keehani: ~ Label me all you want. I don’t care. ~
Ukinix: Don’t do that--
Keehani: ::smirk, surug:: ~ Do what? ~
Ukinix: Get out of my head!
Keehani: ~ Just being a Betazoid, cousin, what’s wrong? ~
Ukinix: I said--
The door chimed, interrupting the argument.
Keehani: Computer, not now.
Ukinix: Oh, no, these are *my* quarters. Computer, open the bloody door.
There was a chirp of confirmation, before the door slid open.
Richards: Response
Wil stood up, looking at the older version of his friend.
Ukinix: Nath. You’re looking... actually, out of all of them I’ve seen so far, you’re looking the best mate.
Keehani: ::Crossing arms:: Hmmph.
Richards: Response
Ukinix: Take me to a bar or something. Get me away from this sixty-six-year-old child.
Richards: Response
Keehani: By the way, Nathan. Your brother, Hunter... single? Interested in fathering a matriarch ascendant, by any chance?
Ukinix: ::To Keehani:: You can leave now.
Richards: Response
Keehani rolled her eyes--
Keehani: Computer. Another crappy martini.
--then grabbed her drink from the replicator after it materialised in micro-seconds from a wave of energy, making Wil raise his eyebrows. It was certainly an upgrade from the criss-crossing of beams to form matter that he was used to.
She spoke over her shoulder as she crossed the room.
Keehani: Go meet your niece. Maybe you can convince her to reinstate herself as Matriarch Ascendant.
She gave an intimidating glance to Nathan, before storming out of the room, cocktail in hand. The door slid behind her, and Wil let go of a breath that he didn’t realise he’d been holding in.
Ukinix: Sorry about that. She’s not... I don’t recognise that person. I’m so displaced.
Richards: Response
Ukinix: Before we go, ::gesturing to 2401 uniform::, can we do something about this? Otherwise I’ll stand out like a sore thumb.
Richards: Response
Tags/TBC!
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Commander Wil Ukinix
Starfleet attaché and First Officer
Amity Outpost
V239511WU0