[Act 1] JP - Captain Addison MacKenzie & CloQ - Alternate History
Addison MacKenzie
(( The Fifth Chalice - Oxeania Commercial District, Tharazad Continent – Betazed ))
Snap.
Suddenly, everything shifted. The crew of the Artemis was still in The Fifth Chalice, but there was no food, there were no drinks, and there was no music… there was no artwork on the walls, no tables, no friendly waitstaff. In fact, half of the roof was missing, along with part of one of the walls, allowing for the cool breeze to blow through and the night sky to shine down. In the distance, the sounds of explosions and weapons fire could be heard, no doubt a signal of what was to come.
In front of them, a familiar adversary. The Q known as CloQ was a known quantity to several of the Artemis crew - they’d first encountered the being in 2398 when they were serving on the Resolution. Then, CloQ forced them to live their destruction over and over until they’d discovered how to break free of the endless time loop. Then, in 2399 on the Excalibur, the crew had been segmented and isolated from each other, forced to relive various places and historical events throughout the galaxy.
This being, a clear expert at the manipulation of time, also had a penchant for tormenting this particular crew in a way that bordered on the obsession of their destruction. If the sounds coming from the outside of the tattered bar were any indication, this encounter looked to be no different. But exactly what CloQ had in store for them was largely unknown.
One thing was certain, though - this time was different. In the previous run-ins with the corporeal being, Addison MacKenzie was not the officer in charge. Before, she had relied on the guidance of Kalianna Nicholotti to shepherd them through the nonsense. Now, she was the commanding officer. She was the one responsible.
Wasting no time, she stepped right up to the Q
MacKenzie: I knew it was too good to be true to think that you’d lost interest in us, CloQ.
CloQ straightened the bottom of their uniform; they were still dressed as a member of Starfleet, only with an upside-down clock where the combadge would usually be. Looking up at Addison, they grinned.
CloQ: Tick tock, it’s time for your regular playtime, Commander. Or is it Captain, now?
MacKenzie: I’m not interested in playing games, CloQ! Why are you here?
CloQ interlaced their fingers together in front of Addison, and pointed to the crew of the Artemis, who were all frozen in time around them.
CloQ: Because you fascinate me, Addison. One of my colleagues told me about a crew they like to torment, but their balding Captain just didn’t turn the right shade of puce. ::they paused, then traced a slender finger across Addison’s cheek:: There, that’s the colour.
She could feel her cheeks get warmer, but resisted the urge to bite the Q’s finger. The encounters between another member of the Q Continuum and Admiral Picard were well documented. The last thing she wanted to do was offer CloQ even the slightest bit of entertainment.
MacKenzie: Unfortunately for you, I think I’m far less interesting than Admiral Picard, and I’m afraid I have neither the time or the inclination to indulge you.
CloQ: ::letting out a theatrical sigh:: Oh, you’re no fun. Time is finite, at least for you, and I can’t believe you don’t want to spend even a little bit of it with me.
Addison’s eyes squinted as she looked in the distance pretending to do calculations, her finger tracing the air as though she were writing numbers. When she was sure the point got across, her eyes snapped back to him and her expression serious.
MacKenzie: Rest assured that spending time with you is the absolute last thing I’d rather do.
CloQ pulled a face, their features drooping comically. Or at least it would be comic, if they didn’t have absolute power.
CloQ: Oh boo.
MacKenzie: I’m already tired of your presence, CloQ! What are you doing here??
CloQ: I thought I’d indulge in a little alternate history.
She recalled vividly the time they were made to live out several real historical moments… and the time they were made to repeat their very real deaths. Over and over. Replicating either of these scenarios was not on her list of things to experience ever again.
MacKenzie: ::flatly:: Alternate history…?
CloQ steepled their fingers in front of them and raised a curious eyebrow.
CloQ: Oh, you know - let’s see how you fare with a bit of Dominion…domination.
CloQ tapped their clockbadge and turned to Dakora, Chevalier, Savel, and Z’Vahme.
CloQ: These poor people will see the Betazed resistance, first hand. ::they winked in Talos’ direction:: Perhaps he’ll even get over his mummy issues; might give you a rest.
As that team melted away, CloQ tapped their clockbadge again, casting their eyes over Adea, Jovenan and Sadar.
CloQ: These three will be staying with me; I’ve set myself up in his ::they jerked a thumb at Genkos:: dad’s house. Can’t wait. ::they looked down at Genkos’ glass:: Oh look, he finished his drink. What a good boy, listening to little old me. ::they turned back to Addison:: And you, my dear Addison, you and these mooks ::looking at Silveira, Yellir, and Kel:: will be trying to retake your precious ship.
CloQ grinned; held up a hand and tapped their clockbadge one last time.
CloQ: Tempus fugit, my dear Addison!
And the Q melted away.
Addison blinked before shifting her gaze to the few members of the crew that still remained.
MacKenzie: Crap.
(OOC: Each of our team leaders will get sims posted that will establish their respective scenes and get tags out. Let’s get this party started!)
---
Captain Addison MacKenzie, M.D., Ph.D., FASFS
Commanding Officer
USS Artemis-A
Captains Council Magistrate
V239601AM0
&
CloQ
as simmed by
Cmdr. Genkos Adea
Chief Medical Officer
USS Artemis-A
G239502GS0