The Voice and the Echo

Posted on Mon Mar 2nd, 2020 @ 11:47pm by Lieutenant Commander Elizabeth Yamaguchi-Solusar & Post Captain Plataea "Phantom" Lasky

Mission: Mission 49: The Stars Look Down
Location: Various Locations - USS Roanoke
Timeline: 1300Hrs - November 12th, 2391

Commander Torilla Unal was wearing Intelligence black and three pips on her collar rather then command red and the four pips that her twin wore, but she looked like Torilla Yamaguchi in every way, shape and form.

The door opened and in walked Staff Warrant Officer Elizabeth Yamaguchi who spotted the woman she assumed to be her mother instantly, but she noticed the black undershirt and the three pips quickly. "Oooh." Elizabeth for her part felt her insides turn into jelly as she wanted to turn around and run away as fast as her legs would carry her. One could argue that Elizabeth's terror was irrational and that this woman was identical to her mother in all respects save one, she was not her mother.

Torilla Unal gently touched Elizabeth's mind with her own. "Be calm, be still. I mean you no harm..." she smiled as she sat down at the bar. "I'm just here to have lunch.. not start the next great war." as she nodded to Duval.

Duval instantly caught sight of the unease between both women. "There's... not going to be any trouble... is there?" he inquired

Unal shook her head. "No. I'm just meeting... Her." she indicated Elizabeth who regarded Unal with a measure of trepidation before slowly moving over to join the other woman at the bar. "You... you like... just like my mom."

Unal regarded Elizabeth, she could feel the younger woman's fear. Another time and place it would have exited her and left her feeling giddy but now it only disgusted her, a woman who should be kin to her was terrified of her for no good reason. "Elizabeth... Why do you fear me?" Unal decided to be blunt about it.

"Why do you think?" she inquired. "You look almost identical to my mother... except.." she paused. "You are in many ways, her dark reflection."

"I'm from a darker reality.. This one seems almost too good to be true.. The people seem happy to be here for the most part, they are friendly which I still refuse to take for granted and there isn't any of the sexist attitude I'm used to." Unal explained. "The female uniforms are similar to yours except its more like a halter top, tank top or a bikini, except with the uniform."

"Bare midriff." Elizabeth responded. "That sounds....wow..."

"Stupid... Yeah.." she paused. "I still have my old uniform... you look like you might be able to fit it." Unal smiled. "For the next costume ball, you can go as someone from my reality." Unal explained with a smile.

Elizabeth nodded her head in silence. "That sounds good... I'll take the uniform off of you and..." she paused a moment. "You... are not.. what I expected.."

"Oh... and how so?" Unal inquired, sitting back in her chair while she made herself comfortable. "You too.. are not what I expected."

"I was expecting... evil and malevolent." Elizabeth explained. "You... seem different..." she paused.

"Considering your mom is here wearing the rank of Captain and commands her own ship with her husband who worships her." Unal explained. "I am envious. I will not deny that." Unal paused a moment as she regarded the reflection of her eldest daughter Ouros. "I wish her well... I have no malice against her, that would be just illogical..."

"But?" Elizabeth prodded gently. "There more to it.. Isn't there?"

"Yes... Its your father." Unal responded quietly.

"Dad.. What about him?" Elizabeth frowned.

"Well... During the pineapple incident a week ago... " Unal sighed. "Your dad thought... that I was his wife from this universe, I .... Never got the chance to tell him know before the pheromones started." she sighed softly. "Thousands affected and.. for what?"

Elizabeth nodded. "It was that event that almost caused me to deliver my .... well Captain Lasky's son a month early." she admitted. "We got a telepathic burst on the Dreamcrusher, it affected everyone... " she paused. "I'm still pregnant however.."

Unal raised an eyebrow. "So you were affected too?" she inquired. "I had no idea Elizabeth... But I keep expecting you to be exactly like Ouros and you are her reflection but you are not her."

"Tell me about her.?" Elizabeth inquired.

"Ouros was neglected as a child as her father wanted nothing to do with her... Jake was more concerned about his career and he saw our children as a threat and a liability to him." Unal explained. "To make matters worse, Selendis is a product of rape..."

"Rape.. Wait... you are Halanan. Hows that possible?." Elizabeth inquired softly. "You and Jake should have been bonded after your first .... encounter." Elizabeth stumbled ever so slightly which made Unal smile. "Oh you mean the Halanan mating bond.. No... My species have not needed that for centuries." she paused. "No... my species numbers issue was resolved decades ago.... " she stopped. "Is it still going on here?"

"Yes." Elizabeth responded softly.

"Ohh." Unal paused. "Then I need to see your medical staff... Who should I see.?"

"Nalla Furban is actually looking into the matter... I don't know how far she has gotten with it though.. Considering recent events."

Unal turned a shade of dark brown. "Yeah... Well.." she paused.

"Don't blame yourself mom." she said it because she stopped herself.
"I'I'i'm.."

"Its okay.. I'm Sorry.." Unal responded. "Everything here is different, the people are friendly and they don't act like all they care about is their careers..."

Elizabeth nodded. "I only ever knew the caring and loving side of Dad... I... can't imagine what its like to not be wanted..."

"For me.. the opposite is true... I've never known what its like to be wanted... His family were... Cruel and cold. Be grateful for what you have dear... and honor them for what they are... for I am envious of you."

"I can understand...." Elizabeth responded quietly.