Commander Lia Rouiancet: Phasing on Full

[Tony Colella]

(( Sickbay, Deck 5, USS Octavia E. Butler ))

Lia had answered a comm call against her better judgment, for all the good it had done. There had just been more static on the other end, and nothing like the creepy voice that had spoken to them a few minutes before. Or, rather, perhaps there was a voice behind all that static, but Lia couldn't pick out even a single word. Toz was obviously trying, too, and was upset with her lack of success.

Toz: I don’t recognized the voice. (looking around) Lia?

Despite the uncertainty of the situation, Lia smiled. She didn't think that Toz had called her by her given name before, and although she often used given and chosen names with her officers and crew, she knew that many of them didn't feel comfortable enough yet (or ever) to reciprocate.

But before she could ask Toz what she heard, the comm static cleared and a voice came through loud and clear.

Unknown: =/\= Wilma, Wilma Nilsen here. =/\=

This voice was definitely different from the one that had spoken before, and -- even more strangely, it was another Nilsen.

Una: Wilma? I don't recall any Wilma. Morgan, Sariah, Emilia, Isabella. No, no Betty indeed.

Lhandon's family, presumably? Una seemed to have them all memorized, a feat of logistical sorcery that Lia wouldn't have believed except that Una was reciting them. She made a mental note to include Una on any diplomatic parties in the future in which they had to remember a large number of names or customs.

Una: Ah-ha! I get it! Bingo! We're in a parallel universe dominated by the Nilsens!

Now, that was a fascinating idea. If she was serious? Before Lia could ask, the voice -- Wilma Nilsen? -- spoke again.

Wilma Nilsen: =/\= We have been alone for a long time. Finally, someone has arrived. Could you please provide us with support? =/\=

The trio stood together, still adjacent to the biobed where Barney Nilsen rested, and for the moment did nothing. Una scratched her head, and Lia racked her mind, trying to put together what their move in a parallel universe full of Nilsens might be.

Then, a bizarre sensation that lasted for all of a moment or two, something like a transporter cycle at speed. Nothing changed, as far as Lia could clearly see, but -- there was one of the nurse aides, and her eyes seemed suddenly to snap to them, then to Barney Nilsen, then back to the trio. Could she see them? She could! Couldn't she?

Toz seemed to assume so, and snapped off an order at once.

Toz: Nurse Wing, station yourself at the monitors. Watch them closely and let us know if things change.

And, to Lia's shock and relief, the aide -- Wing -- moved to do as she'd been ordered.

Rouiancet: I think we've been rephased!

The bridge must have figured something out -- but, of course, they'd only been slightly out of phase for a few minutes. Barney would be the real test case, and Una, thankfully, hadn't lost sight of that.

Una: Yes I'm ready to test the phase stabilization with the first Nilsen... At your command Cap!

Rouiancet: Then let's do it.

The sooner, the better. Something like a transporter beam, but much more turquoise, momentarily dematerialized Barney -- or had it? He seemed to vibrate, like all his atoms were receiving a good shake and the order to pull themselves together. The effect faded, and Barney Nilsen seemed -- more crisp? More whole? More present? Lia couldn't decide, but there had been a change.

Una: He looks better to me... Doc do you feel him?

Toz: Feel him? I can see him. I agree he’s looking much better than before. Do you mean he might be back in phase? At -5?

Rouiancet: Something changed.

Not a particularly insightful comment, but Lia was only going by what she'd seen. At least for the moment, and she unholstered her tricorder a moment later and flipped it open. Now that they were no longer phased, it should be more helpful. She hoped.

 Una: Response

Barney Nilsen opened his eyes and stared at the ceiling. Lia followed his gaze, but saw nothing. That didn't stop him from conversing with the ceiling, too, though.

Barney: If you stop. Only if you stop.

Toz: A normal voice. Nurse Wing, did any of the monitors move?

NA Wing: No, ma’am.

Toz: You’re sure?

NA Wing: Yes, ma’am. I haven’t taken my eyes off them. (beat) Wait! Yes, his blood pressure just shot up. (beat) It’s now back to normal. What’s going on?

Rouiancet: (looking at her tricorder) He's mostly back in phase, it looks like. But not entirely? Less than we were, even, since we can still see him, but he can perceive something out of phase with us.

Which was more than they could say, when they were phased, and Lia took that as a good sign.

Una: Response

Toz: Are we able to communicate with the Butler? Are we in phase with the ship? I’ve never been so confused in my life. And who's been alone for a long time? We need to help them if we can.

Rouiancet: Other Nilsens, maybe? (beat) And yes, we are back in phase.

She looked to Wing for confirmation, who met her gaze. There was a little trepidation (okay, maybe a lot), to receive a stare from the CO, but Lia was definitely making eye contact with someone who could see her. Unless Wing had also been phased?

Toz / Una: Responses

Then, a definite answer: Ensign Yinn entered Sickbay, and they immediately approached the group.

Yinn: Response

Rouiancet: Yinn, can you see us? And the man on the biobed?

If they couldn't see any of the group, then they wouldn't respond, but Lia thought that they'd be able to.

Yinn: Response

Toz / Una: Responses

Lia sighed in relief.

Rouiancet: That's great. (beat; indicating Barney) We may have rescued one crewmember from the Dow, but he may be from further afield. Una, can you confirm that he's from the Dow based on their manifest? Toz, Wing, is he still slightly out of phase?

Even if he was, then they could employ Una's method to bring the Dow crew -- if they were the Dow crew -- almost back into phase, and that would be an improvement over the limbo they were lost in now.

Yinn / Toz / Una: Responses

Tags! and TBC!

--

Commander Lia Rouiancet

Commanding Officer

USS Octavia E. Butler

V238208LV0

she/her/hers (this character)