Nike!: The Arrivals

[Glen]

Day 7 Part 10

Interlude -

Kaylee had been hard at work studying everything she could get her hands on in the Nike database about the station itself and the ships attached to her. While Kaylee wasn't a great fan of reading, when it came to the ships she couldn't get enough! She had loved Serenity, her home, but these ships were just so, so....Shiny! She hoped the Admiral would let her go out as an engineer on one of them. She felt a little guilty for hoping that it would take at least a few months to get them back home, so she could go out on the ships of Nike. Simon would understand, she was sure.

Ellen Ripley knocked on the open doorway in way of announcement.

"Kaylee, I've got someone here who wants to see you."

"Really? Who? Is it Colonel Carter again? She comes up with some awefully interesting ideas."

"No, not Carter."

A tall dark skinned woman with soft curled hair and luscious full lips strode into the room with the carriage of a warrior woman.

Kaylee squealed in delight, "Zoe!"

She threw herself up from her reading to hug the woman before her.

"Kaylee, what have we gotten into this time?"

[Glen]

Day 7 Part 11

Interlude -

Susan Calvin sat next to Samantha Carter after her briefing with some of the military types on the station.

"I think our hosts aren't malicious."

Sam blinked, "And how do you get to that, Dr. Calvin?"

"While my profession is robopsychology, I do have a degree in human psychology as well. I've been doing an analysis of the situation, and have come to some tentative conclusions."

"I would be fascinated to hear anything you've developed."

Susan sipped her tea, "The first clue is our living conditions. We are unconstrained except by our very displacement. Somehow I don't believe they have made a whole universe as a prison for us. We are not meant to be prisoners. Also, the facilities here are comfortable if a bit lacking in imagination. Our hosts have even been so kind as to transport our personal reading materials and records with us. That could only be to our benefit. We are even given the means to travel and to defend ourselves in the event of attack. But I think the strongest evidence is the pattern to the arrivals."

"How so?"

"In a few ways. First, the pattern of arrivals. The simple geometric progression of arrivals is providing us the opportunity to handle the displacement and sudden thrusting of new people into our lives in a manner that we can digest. While Ms. Smith arrived alone and had to deal with double the number of people the next day, with such a small number that wasn't at issue. Ever since then we have had almost precisely the number of people already here as arrive, allowing for almost a one-to-one of people who have been able to adjust to the situation as those being thrust into the new environment. And then there is the order of arrival. We had in the early days everyone arriving from very disparate histories and worlds. As we were all in essence strangers here, we had no alternative but to get to know, trust, and rely on each other. Only in the past two days are we seeing arrivals of people we have more of a history with, but we have already formed working relations with several people from different worlds, acting as bridges between the groups. It really is a very elegant wa to deal with a need to bring a large number of people somewhere in a short amount of time. But the most telling item are the people they are choosing."

"What, pregnant women?"

"No, that I believe goes to their need for doing this all. I am still working on their character."

"So what, then?"

"Tell me, Dr. Carter, how do you get along with the people you have met here on Nike?"

"Well, pretty well. Sarah Jane, Honor, Beverly, all of them are really very competent, nice people, once you get to know them."

"Yes. Everyone here is unusually competent, but in addition to that, they all seem to be inherently decent people, heroic even, when you get into some of their stories. Our hosts are not bringing petty or malicious people here; they are bringing some of the best humanity has to offer."

"So you think our selection in some way reflects our abductors - hosts - own values?"

"Yes, I think it does."

"But why all this secrecy? And how could they justify our involuntary separation from our homes and families?"

"I think that goes to their needs, their constraints if you like."

"Do go on, Doctor."

[Glen]

Day 7 Part 12

Interlude -

Beverly was the first to enter the exam room. "What can I do for you, Dr. Jones?"

Martha bit her lip ever so slightly, "Please review these readings for me, Dr. Crusher. I'm still a bit new to all this, and obstetrics wasn't exactly a specialty of mine."

Beverly looked over the scan on the new arrival, "I see your concern, Martha. While this reading here could mean a serious problem during delivery, especially if it were under stressful conditions, we have the capacity here on Nike to correct it rather easily. Any Starbase hospital could do likewise."

Martha nodded, "You'll have to recall, however, that I'm from the 21st century, no matter the rather, um, extended education and access to advanced alien technology I've had."

"Of course. Both you and Dr. Russell are adjusting incredibly well." Beverly turned to the new arrival, "Both you and your twins will be fine."

At that very moment, Leia entered the room. "Someone called for me?"

Martha answered, "Yes, ma'am. Might I run another quick medical scan on you, for confirmation?"

"Confirmation of what precisely?"

"Relatedness, if you will."

Leia eyed the new doctor, but relented. The handheld medical scanner was done in a moment. "That's, that's remarkable."

"Exactly what?"

Martha saw that the new arrival and the Princess, while seeing each other, didn't seem to be reacting as she would have expected, "Um, do you two recognize each other?"

Both shook their heads, "No."

Beverly looked at the readings Martha was comparing, "I find that hard to believe, Leia."

"Why not? Who is this woman? What is your name?"

The woman, who had been watching them all with a certain detached readiness stated calmly, "Senator Padmé Amadala. I heard the Doctor call for you earlier. Are you by chance a relative of Senator Bail Organa?"

A light went on in Leia's mind, "Oh my, oh my..."

Beverly interjected, "So you recognize each others' names, but your relation to each other...."

Leia cut Beverly off, "She is my mother. And that means..."

Martha interjected, "One of her twins are genetically identical to you."

Leia, feeling as if she were on the edge of hysteria, flipply responded, "Twins run in the family."

Finally Padmé's cool demeanor crumbled, "They said something about people coming from different times, but I didn't expect anything like this. I always thought I'd name a girl Leia, but the Organa part...."

Leia, "I was adopted by the Organas."

"No, why would you - I mean, why would I? What happened to us, Leia?"

"Mother, that is a very long story, about things that happened a long time ago..."

[Glen]

Day 7 Part 13

Interlude -

Lady Jessica had personally escorted Chani to the infirmary and insisted that she be examined by Dr. Crusher personally. It had meant a longer wait for the two, but Jessica felt it was best given the nature of melange and what it meant for spice-addicted arrivals from her universe, whether the affluent of the Empire or the natives of Arrakis, the Fremen. While they waited, it had become clear that Chani was from a much, much later time than Jessica. Paul had done more than survive - he had succeeded in becoming the Kwizatz Hadarach, and taken the throne of the Padishah Emperor in the process. And Chani had had to go the same route as she herself, loyal and beloved bound concubine, but never allowed to marry the man she loved for reasons of politics. That would have meant nothing to a proper Bene Gesserit. However, Jessica had not been a 'proper' one.

Chani kept Jessica with her during the exam with Beverly Crusher.

"Beverly, this is my son's beloved. She too has the issue with melange that we discussed previously."

Beverly sucked in a quick breath, "Well, Chani, I don't know if Jessica told you, but we can synthesize it here on Nike."

"She said, but I still find it hard to believe. No one can make the Spice, not in the Known Universe."

"Well, this is the unknown universe, and apparently we can."

Beverly continued the examination, "Hmm, another set of twins! We seem to be having a run on them here on Nike Station."

"Chani, have you been taking any special medical treatments for anything?"

"No, merely a strict Fremen diet - to help me get and maintain my pregnancy."

"This doesn't look dietary. It's only residual collections in the fatty tissues, but. You were exposed to a very strong contraceptive-abortifactant sometime in the past year or so. We are going to need to flush this out further before you deliver. There's also be some residual damage to the placenta, not enough to damage the pregnancy directly, but this could have been a real problem if left to go to term for the actual labor. Still, we're at a stage and with enough technology that we can more than deal with it. You should have a safe delivery."

Chani looked at Jessica, mixed relief and anger in her eyes, "Irulan, it must have been."

***

It was my turn to be keeping record on the Bridge after quite the eventful morning. All sorts of people from the same worlds or near enough had popped into Nike, along with a number of new arrivals who still were from completely unfamiliar worlds. It seemed as if it had been about a 1:1 ratio of people from worlds we 'old timers' knew - and in fact most people knew each other, more remarkably - to those who were from completely different timeline. What this all meant had been quite the item of speculation thus far.

Lieutenant Uhura turned around from her communications station, "Captain, I have a message coming in on subspace - it's a Captain Thrace, call sign Starbuck, hailing us."

Susan Ivanova had the bridge watch. She gave a small lopsided smile, "Put her on the main screen, Uhura."

The forward screen came to life showing an image from her cockpit of Starbuck wearing the distinctive helmet of her people, "Hello there, Ivanova. Just coming back in from a quick tour of the neighbors. You can tell Harrington that I didn't find any threats on the first sweep. I'll give you all a full brief after I bring this bird in and get a shower. Living in this fighter for days is possible, but not the most pleasant experience."

"Understood, Starbuck. We have some interesting updates for you as well when you're ready. Permission to approach Nike Station for docking granted. Uhura, please contact Admiral Harrington to inform her that Starbuck is back and all is well."

[Glen]

Day 7 Part 14

Interlude -

Honor Harrington sat across from Kathryn Janeway in her quarters, nursing a cup of cocoa.

"So, Admiral, what do you think of our efforts here on Nike?"

Kathryn Janeway replied in kind, "We're in your quarters, Admiral. In my world, officer's mess rules applied, and everything is strictly first name. So please, call me Kathryn."

"Very well, Kathryn. And you will call me Honor?"

"Certainly, Honor. In answer to your question, it is impressive what you've accomplished thus far, given how little time and information you've had. The sensor data you were able to acquire on the new arrival process is especially good work."

"That would be Sam Carter's doing - well, her and Kaylee Frye, who's quite adept with hardware."

"But you've been able to organize these women from different worlds, which has allowed for these successes."

"Well, we've only done what we had to. Speaking of organization, we could use your skills, Kathryn. You've an impressive record both from your own report, and what Beverly told me."

"Dr. Crusher seems to be quite free with my history."

"I hope you won't blame her for that. We've been working fairly closely the past six days. I know that doesn't seem like a long time, but it's been a rather extraordinary six days, even by my standards."

"I suppose. I really am impressed that you've worked out such strong relationships between Nike arrivals over this time. Welding together the Maquis and Voyager's crew took quite a bit longer to get even to this level. And we were from the same universe."

"Actually, reading here," Honor tapped the tablet, "That might have been a hinderance. A lot of history for both groups to overcome, as it were."

"That's true."

"Speaking of history, what are your thoughts in terms of our other Starfleet officers? Our abductors seem to have a strong interest in your Federation, or at least the universes with the Federation. Starfleet represents the largest number of women from a service to show up here at Nike."

"It is curious, isn't it? Wouldn't be the first time that powerful aliens had taken a particular interest in Starfleet personel."

"Your 'Q'?"

"Hardly my Q, but yes. However, what I think you are trying to get at is am I going to pull rank on them and require them all to report to me rather continue working under you?"

"Not quite how I would have put it, Kathryn. No one is working under me, at least not in any defined capacity. To be honest, it's been an awkward situation for me in terms of legitimacy. We obviously need to organize if we are to have the best chance of returning home, but other than Mike now, I have no authority over these women. Even though none of us are in a declared war against our unknown abductors, I've basically been operating as if we were prisoners of war."

"Something you've had some experience with, I understand."

Honor gave a rueful smile, "You could say that. As highest ranking 'prisoner' on Nike, I've felt a duty towards the others from military type organizations to organize our escape attempt. On the other hand, we don't know that our status is really that of prisoners of war, despite the involuntary nature of our arrival. Also, several of these women are civilians, and holding them to military discipline is also a bit awkward."

"I can see your concerns, Honor. However, I think you are right in the actions you've taken thus far. War or not, military or not, we are defacto prisoners through no fault of our own, and we have a responsibility to find a way home. If I were to fault you on anything, it would be not being aggressive enough in establishing your authority here." Kathryn paused as she let her own words sink in, "So in answer to your original question, I will fulfil my obligations to the Starfleet officers here to see that their welfare is being seen to, but otherwise I will submit to your seniority here. There can only be one captain, or in this case, admiral, of the station."

"Your support would be invaluable, Kathryn."

"You have it, Honor. However, don't think I won't call you on things that I think need doing, as one of your most senior fellow prisoners. And the first thing really is making it clear to everyone that there is a chain of command on Nike."

"And what if the next day's arrivals brings someone even more senior?"

"We'll cross that bridge when we come to it. Now then, as to what I can do to help - I'm a fair hand at science, so I'd like to lend Samantha Carter a hand at her efforts to get us back home. I know I questioned the morality of us trying to force open a rift, but I agree that it may be our best chance, and if what you 'old timers' has postulated about this sequence of transports stopping sometime in the next few days is correct, we need to take that chance soonest. If that doesn't work, and we need to take a longer view on a way back, I'd suggest having me work with that woman," Kathryn glanced at an entry on her tablet, "Cordelia Vorkosigan, about arranging our survey of nearby star systems."

"Agreed." At that point, a voice broke in over the comm.

"Admiral Harrington, Captain Ivanova asked me to inform you that we have established contact with Captain Thrace, and she is en route now to Nike. I am to relay that she has found no immediate threats."

"Thank you, Lieutenant Uhura," Honor turned her attention again to Kathryn Janeway, "I know you want to help with the rift idea, but given your secondary interest in exploration of our local area of space, I think you'll want to sit in on Captain Thrace's report. Plus I just want to see your take on Starbuck."

"Starbuck? As in Moby Dick?"

"Thrace's call-sign. And oddly enough, as far as I can tell, they had never heard of Melville or his whale in her universe."

"Fascinating."

[Glen]

Day 7 Part 15

I had just popped down to the infirmary to see Martha Jones, another of the Doctor's companions, and this one actually from my universe. Martha and I had met briefly during the Dalek's abduction of the Earth, and since had some brief contacts due to her position in U.N.I.T. as a physician. She seemed a nice, smart, resourceful girl - in otherwords, just the type the Doctor seems to travel with. For a moment I wondered how Rose was getting on. She was in a very pregnant way, and so was doing some sedentary work for the group, though I could tell she was chafing at the inactivity the last I'd seen her. It also didn't help take her mind off the implications of Beverly's examination results on her unborn child. What would that time energy intertwined with the child's DNA mean? I was worried for both of them as well, despite Beverly's assurances that everything else seemed be going just fine with mother and child.

I, on the other hand, was fortunate to have plenty to distract my own thoughts. Honor had assembled all the admirals - Janeway, Vatta, and Henke, as well as Colonels Deering and Carter and Captain Ivanova and Cordelia Vorkosigan (Captain, retired). Captain Thrace, Starbuck, finally arrived with a hastily thrown on fresh uniform and her hair still damp.

"I see we've had some additions to the family while I was out sightseeing, Honor."

Janeway gave Honor a look, but Honor waved her aside, "Report, Starbuck."

"I went ahead and loaded the fighter's telemetry and camera footage into Nike's library. I was able to reach three star systems in the time I was away. These ships are really fast, Honor. While there were also a number of red dwarfs in range for a quick visit, for the sake of time I focused on these three stars that were more likely to support planets in the habitable zone. The first two star systems, while perhaps interesting to an astronomer, held no intelligent life or robotic activity. Pretty standard stellar systems. The third also had no technology that I could detect, but the fourth planet has a nitrogen-oxygen atmosphere and an active biosphere. There were no radio or subspace transmissions, the nightside was as dark as could be, showing no artificial illumination, and there were no signs of any sort of construction or other signs of intelligent activity. Also no large animal life that I could detect. Mostly plant-analogues it seems. However, this is all from low orbital observations, though I did circle the planet in a spiral several times allowing for an arial survey of the entire surface. Then I decided to head back to Nike for my report. It's still possible that something could be lurking in near interstellar space or around one of those red dwarfs, but I did nearly an entire circuit ten lightyears out from Nike two times, perpendicular to each other, and couldn't pick up anything on long range scans. Best I could do in a short amount of time, and I wanted to report back about that one planet."

Honor spoke first, "Thank you, Starbuck. This nicely corresponds with the drone data we've been receiving. The survey of local space so far is extremely sketchy, so there is a large amount of space for someone to be hiding in, but there is no obvious fleet waiting to descend on us and destroy us I'd wager. The information about this potentially habitable planet is the first we've had any indication of life in this universe."

Janeway commented, "The presence of an M-class planet so close to us is promising, but unlikely to be a coincidence."

Sam added, "You're right, Admiral Janeway, at least if our universe is any guide. We're definitely going to want to know more about that world."

Cordelia offered, "I could take one of the scout ships with a few others to do a more thorough survey of the planet."

Honor shook her head, "Perhaps later if there is need. However, we think have a very narrow window left to try to use the new arrival process to force our way back home. And if we succeed in that, we won't want anyone too far away from Nike. We don't know how long we might sustain an opened rift or rifts, and we have an increasing number of women to return home."

Sam broke in, "Actually, Honor, that may not be a problem, though I wouldn't send just a scout ship. We can send one of the larger ships that have a star gate there, and that way if we need the survey team to make a quick return to Nike, they can. Or we could send a seedship and leave a stargate or two in the system for that purpose."

"That's an excellent point. We'll have to consider it further."

[Glen]

Day 7 Part 16

Interlude -

Honor Harrington and Mike Henke sat in Honor's personal quarters, "So, what do you think, Mike?"

Mike finished a bite of steak sandwich, "I think the food is as good as anything we could get in Landing, much less shipboard. But that's not what you mean, is it?"

"No."

"This is just so weird, Honor. Are you sure this isn't some sort of Solarian or even Mesan set-up? Some sort of headgame?"

"As certain as I can be within limits. First off, to pull off a subterfuge like this, quite frankly, they would have to have access to technology far beyond anything we've heard of. The Solarians are a paper tiger, Mike, as you well found out. They've been relying on their reputation for centuries now, barely advancing any of their miltech. The reports on Mesa, while they are very, very concerning, don't rise to this level. We're talking teleportation, Mike. I don't know of anyone even near that level of technology."

"Unless we're all in some sort of induced hallucination."

"No holes. Even the best induced hallucination would show holes in the delusion. I can't find any."

"And even if you did, what could you do about it?"

"Right."

Honor sipped some more synthale, "This stuff is supposed to taste the same as alcohol, but somehow, something is missing."

"So let's assume things are as they seem to be. You seem to be moving things in the right direction, Honor."

"I'm not alone in that."

"Of course not, Honor, but you're leading the charge. You can't do anything else, never could. Anyway, how goes the project to force our way back through the rift?"

"Sam Carter's heading up that project. She gave me an update just before you arrived here in my quarters. Kathryn Janeway had some very useful additions. She came up with having what the Federation calls 'pattern buffers' to help stabilize the transporter beam for the new arrivals so that when we're trying to get the rift to stay open we'll be less likely to lose the arrival. It doesn't sound like they'll be ready for a real attempt tomorrow, but we will set up some small model power beams of various types in a sector of Nike to see if we can't figure out which is more likely to work when we make a full production one."

"Well, that sounds promising, though I don't like delaying even a day. What if this doesn't work, or we don't get an arrival's room where we've set up equipment. From what you and others have told me, we're only guessing where they are coming in, and we're likely running out of chances."

"Unfortunately true, but I believe we're doing the best we can."

"Probably, Honor, probably. I'm glad that Admiral Janeway is being of assistance. She certainly came in with a head of steam - just wasn't sure where she was going to go with that."

"Kathryn was just doing what you or I would have done, and in my case, did do, on arriving. Assess the situation, organize the resistance, take action. She's been in a situation remarkably similiar to this before, you know. Transported an unimaginable distance from home, forced to forge a team out of groups not used to working together, and having to use other technologies when and as able to get home. In some ways, she's more of a natural for leading this effort than anyone else on Nike."

"Except you got there first, and you outrank her. And don't forget your experience on Hades. This isn't your first time planning an escape that should have been impossible."

"Mike..."

"Don't 'Mike' me. I thought you'd gotten over all this false humility a long time ago, Honor. So, did Kathryn Janeway demand to take command here."

"No. She told me to assert my authority, instead."

Mike shook her head, "That woman is a surprise. Didn't know she had such good sense. I agree, Honor. You are our commander, and you need to lead us out of this mess."

"I hope we can get out of this mess."

"That doesn't sound like 'The Salamander' to me."

"Don't, Mike! The Salamander is the media's creation. I've used it when its benefited me. But that's a universe away."

Mike shook her head again. Honor could pretend all she wanted that the moniker was just a media hyped image, but she'd seen Honor in battle. There was more to the Salamander than mere propaganda. And God help the people behind this if ever they brought it out of her.

[Glen]

Day 7 Part 17

Interlude continued -

Mike changed the subject, "How are you holding up, without Nimitz?"

Honor paled a bit, "It's hard. We've been apart before, but this feels different. Somehow, I've always known he was out there, even those rare times when we were parted. Now, it's like there's an utter emptiness where he used to be. And Mike, it's not just Nimitz - I get the same feeling about Hamish."

"Oh, Honor, I can't imagine." Mike held Honor's hand as the cruelty of Nike washed over her.

[Glen]

Day 8 Part 1

The start of a new week on Nike. One-hundred twenty eight new arrivals. We don't use the chimes anymore, of course. Now it's a flashing number on the wall. I hate it. These women are all remarkable, but I hate the separation from Luke. If it had been like it was, when I was alone so often, this all would have just seemed like another adventure, perhaps my greatest since my time in the TARDIS. Instead, it is keeping me away from the son I never imagined having, and I miss him. I've tried to keep this record separate from my own private anguish, but every once in a while I feel like I need to acknowledge it here, for myself, and by proxy for the others.

The message plays on, though this time with an addendum that we anticipate some of our new arrivals to know others aboard Nike, and that a time period will be set aside after the initial intake to make connections with those with a shared background. So far it's been me, Rose, and Martha, all former companions of the Doctor. I wonder if there will be anyone else. These abductors seem to have the same fixation on the TARDIS as they do Starfleet.

I'm on hallway greeter duty again. It's really getting to be a bit old, but duty calls.

[Glen]

Day 8 Part 2

Interlude -

Lyta's eyes were vacuum black. She spent one more minute that way before releasing the power.

"Well?" Susan Ivanova asked.

"No specific threats. Lots of confusion, concern, some anger and suspicion but nothing directed. About what you would expect under the circumstances. Most seem normal, though there are some with latent telepathy and other gifts."

"Thank you, Lyta. That really helps, given the numbers we're having to deal with."

"Just like old times, Susan? Still being used for my 'talents'...."

"Lyta, from what you've told me, you have reason to be bitter. We...well, they...they didn't treat you very well. I'm sorry I wasn't there for you, but when Marcus...Lyta, I'm not really very good at these sorts of things."

"Give it a rest, Susan. I don't really blame you. Let's just get through this Nike thing, okay?"

"You bet."

[Glen]

Day 8 Part 3

I was back on the bridge with Honor and company. It was remarkable that this day had gone the smoothest of any since I'd arrived. I guess we finally 'cracked' the nut of how to intake the people coming onto Nike. Hopefully, we wouldn't need to do so much longer.

Sam Carter reported, "The preliminary data on our trial equipment is uncertain, Honor. The good news is that we didn't interfere substantially with any of the transports, and some of the scans show that the beams managed to go through the rifts. Bad news is that we have no evidence that the beams made an appreciable difference in the size or the duration of the rifts. We'll be looking more closely to make certain there weren't miniscule diffences that might point out which beam type might work, but right now we don't have much to go on."

Honor rubbed her chin, "That's unfortunate. Keep me updated should anything change."

Jessica reported next, "So far this morning we have had no incidents and the least number of people going off on their own, even in absolute terms. We have the new arrivals doing examinations first, then we'll have a reunion breakfast in the commissary. After that we'll start tour groups around Nike to orient people, while we draw up tentative work groups in which to assign the new arrivals."

"Outstanding, Jessica."

Lieutenant Yar added, "We'll be running small patrols through the corridors to make certain people aren't getting lost or getting into unexpected fights. We're not really expecting trouble, but that's usually when I get nervous."

"Best to be prepared, agreed. Well, let's be about it!"

[Glen]

Day 8 Part 4

I would say for all of us, that while this system made great logical sense, the waiting for those of us who recognized names on the list was surprisingly difficult. I had never met the woman whose name stared out at me, but my research into the Doctor's previous travel companions, as well as the somewhat whimsical name itself, seemed to make this likely to be another woman who had traveled with the Doctor. However, we kept to our assigned posts and prepared the seating arrangments for the brunch following the intake examinations.

I had placed Rose, Martha, and myself at the same table, along with our suspected 'TARDIS girl' as Rose said, and several other new arrivals who didn't seem to match with any current universe. We settled down with our respective selections for brunch (Nike's one truly glowing point being the food).

"Dorothy McShane? My name is Sarah Jane Smith. This is Rose Tyler and Doctor Martha Jones. I believe we're all from the same universe, or near enough to it. We three all, well, traveled, at one time or another, in the TARDIS with the Doctor. And I believe you did as well."

The young woman looked at me with wary eyes, "You mean the Professor? Maybe so. Maybe we ought to compare notes."

***

Honor was oddly excited to see again one of the two arrivals who were from her own universe. She took Mike to the table that had been assigned to them. However, she was quite stunned by the other new arrival as well. A large, fair woman, nearly albino, but also strongly attractive. This had to be same woman from her intelligence briefings, but she had not been expecting quite her physical impact. But then Shannon Foraker, Haven's brilliant if eccentric weapons designer, stood up, "Admiral Harrington."

"Call me Honor, Shannon. As one of my fellow admirals here is fond of stating, officer's mess rules apply. I am sorry to say that we both seem to be involuntary guests of another power once again, though I am glad to see you again, despite all that has happened." Honor, Shannon, and Mike shared a moment of bittersweet reflection, given the horrific losses on both sides in the war between Manticore and Haven.

"I am glad you feel that way, Honor. I am glad to see you again, and this time on the same side."

"Well, that was likely to happen, Nike or not, especially with the situation with Mesa."

The other woman, who had quietly observed this all, now stood up, "And any enemy of Mesa is a friend of mine. Thandi Palane, formerly of the Solarian Navy, but recently in the service of Torch. I have heard a great deal about you, of course, Admiral Harrington, but of course also you, Admiral Henke."

Now Mike smiled and spoke, "Call me Mike. What's Ruth been saying about me, the little spy! We Wintons certainly get around."

"You could say that. She seems to have a very high opinion of you, as a matter of fact."

Honor broke in, "And how is Victor Cachet doing?"

"Victor is....Victor. Need I say more?" She blushed ever so slightly when she said his name, an utterly charming event.

"No, you really don't. The few times I've met him make that clear." Not to mention the rather interesting dossier Manticoran security kept on him that she had made it her business to obtain after their first encounter. The man was perhaps the most dangerous person she had ever met, though also amazingly upright.

"Why don't we all sit down, and we can compare notes on when we were brought here - yes, there's probably some differences in exact time we left - as well as allowing Mike and I to give you some more specific information about what we've been doing on Nike."

***

Admiral Janeway led Sato, Uhura, Yar, and Crusher to their latest Federation arrival on Nike, someone Kathryn was very well familiar with. She stood up well before they reached the table.

"Vice-Admiral Janeway."

"Seven. When I saw your name on the arrival list, I didn't know whether to cry or cheer. Allow me to introduce you to some fellow Starfleet officers. This is Hoshi Sato, from the United Earth Vessel Enterprise, 22nd Century. And here we have Lieutenant Nyota Uhura, who is from a rather interesting divergent history of the Federation in the 23rd Century. Lieutenant Natasha Yar is also from an alternate history to our own, though also of the 24th Century. I believe you met Dr. Crusher during your intake examination."

"Yes. Thank you for your welcome. Vice-Admiral, I am anxious to be placed in some active role assisting in our escape back to our universe."

"I would expect nothing less. But we all need to eat, so let's sit down and have this late breakfast. I assure you the one thing that makes life on Nike bearable is the food. While we eat, we'll get you a bit more caught up and then I assure you we will get you to work."

"Very well. It is a pleasure to meet you, ladies."

As they spoke, their second new arrival from a Federation universe joined their table.

"Captain Garrett, I am glad to see you," Tasha Yar said.

"I'm sorry, do we know each other?"

"I know you, ma'am, though you don't know me."

"Ah, the time travel thing. You must be Lieutenant Yar. I was reading your entries in the Nike records. I have to say, I didn't like much of what I read there, meaning no offense to you. The....event at Narendra III must have happened only a few days from now, at least from my perspective."

"I've always found time travel rather untidy myself, Captain. Let me just say it is a pleasure to have the chance to meet the captain of the Enterprise-C, even if it has to be under these circumstances. Kathryn Janeway, Vice-Admiral, Starfleet. Allow me to introduce you to the others. I believe you met Dr. Crusher this morning in the infirmary...."

[Glen]

Day 8 Part 5

***

Kaylee was nearly dragging Zoe into the commisary. "Come on, Zoe! We need to greet her. I can't believe you kept me waiting this long."

"You know the Admiral's rules for today, Kaylee."

"You don't always follow rules, Zoe."

"I do when they make sense."

As they approached the table, the woman stood up in a stately manner.

Kaylee squealed, "Inara!"

Inara Serra smiled back at her as Kaylee gave her a hug, "Kaylee, dear." Inara nodded towards Zoe, "Zoe."

"Inara."

Kaylee looked down at Inara, "Did you and the Captain finally get it right?"

Inara smiled peacefully, "Yes, I suppose we did at that, Kaylee. Why don't we all sit down and catch up. I have a feeling I'm from further along in time than both of you. What a strange thing, this time displacement."

***

Ky was alone among the 'old timers' - and how strange that all of a day made one a veteran on this impossible station, who approached the end of the table where her small group sat. But she was interested to see the woman sitting at the table appeared to be younger than she remembered.

"Master Sergeant Pitt?"

"Yes, ma'am. I'm guessing your the Vatta on the station. Admiral Kylara Vatta?"

Ky smiled, "The same, but call me Ky, everyone else does."

Cally Ray Pitt replied, "Ma'am, I don't know that would be an appropriate way to address an Admiral."

"Oh, don't worry about that, Pitt. You don't know it, but I've known you a few years from my time. When we first met, I was just a probationary captain on my first cruise for Vatta."

"Permission to speak freely?"

"Please do."

"This is all just a bit weird to me. You say we've known each other a few years now, and that we met when you were a probie captain on a commercial run, but you're, well, you're really young, ma'am, for an admiral. And you put together a multi-system force to fight a large force of pirate ships? I've never heard of such a thing. How could all this have happened? And how did I come to be in all this?"

"Well, first you almost killed me, then you saved me, then you protected me, then you spied on me, but mostly you gave me good, solid advice. I think we ought to sit down and I'll try to bring you up to speed."

"I think I had better, um, Ky...."

[Glen]

Day 8 Part 6

***

Cordelia Vorkosigan and Ludmilla Droushnakovi approached the table with the new arrival that, while they didn't recognize her name, clearly had come from a universe at least related to their own. They found an unnaturally beautiful woman waiting for them.

"Admiral Elli Quinn, of the Dendarii Free Mercenary Fleet?"

"Yes. And you're Lady Vorkosigan, aren't you? But so young...I know, the time displacement thing."

"Yes, and this is a friend of mine from Barrayar, Drou. But you seem familiar with my name, and you are commanding a mercenary force that takes its name from the Dendarii Mountains, which are on my husband's family estates. Care to explain how that name came to be applied to your fleet?"

"Well, it was Miles' idea, really."

"Miles who?"

"Miles Naismith, uh, Vorkosigan. Your son, ma'am."

Cordelia took a deep breath, "So, my son has become some rogue of the spaceways?"

"Oh, no ma'am. The Dendarii were more in the way of a hobby for hom, well, at first they were a cover, then a hobby. And then he die...was injured, and he had to retire from that, but he seems to be keeping really busy being a Barrayar Imperial Auditor, that and having his own family now, of course."

"Admiral Quinn, could it be that you didn't note carefully the date from which I am from?" Cordelia's hand strayed to her belly, "You've told me more about my unborn son than I ever imagined knowing."

Elli paled, "You mean you're pregnant with MILES right now? I thought, well assumed, that you were from some other timeline where you had other children."

Cordelia motioned for all of them to sit, "I think we ought to sit down and then you can tell me more about my son's future."

***

Sarah Connor sat waiting for the new arrival, who was later than most of the others on arriving. That was no surprise. Anyone with a medical background was being drafted as soon as they arrived to help with the examinations. Sarah had spent more time in the infirmary than any other woman on Nike without medical skills. It was still hard to believe she was being treated for cancer and was already in remission, and would be cured in just a day or two more. Of course, if she was able to get back to John before then, she'd gladly go and be thankful for whatever extra time Nike had given her. She was also thankful for one other thing Nike had given her; hope. Before Nike, it seemed that no matter what she and John did, Skynet still happened, Judgment Day still happened. But now she had met women from literally hundreds of timelines where Skynet and Judgment day never occured.

The redhead entering the commissary approached Sarah, a woman she had never met. A woman from after Judgment Day. A woman who had the same name as hers.

"You're Sarah Connor. You changed your hair. John had that picture."

A woman who was her daughter-in-law, and if Nike held true to form, the mother of her grandchild.

"And you're Kate Connor, John's wife."

[Glen]

Day 8 Part 7

***

Ellen Ripley was one of the few civilians who went by her last name rather than the first names the other civilians preferred. Despite that, she had felt more relaxed on Nike than she had as far back as she could remember. Working side by side with intelligent, competent women on this space station was like a breath of fresh air. Of course, being a whole universe away from the aliens who had twice threatened her life was a big plus as well. The one down side was Newt. She hoped she was okay. She knew she just trying to distract herself from meeting with the ghost she was now approaching.

"Vasquez."

"Ripley, how the hell are we here? Last thing I remember was taking ten."

How did you tell someone, even PFC Jenette Vasquez, the last you remember of them was their blowing up with a horde of aliens baring down on her.

***

Shane Vansen was excited to be approaching the latest new arrival. She had not believed she would be seeing someone she knew on the station like some of the others had, but there her name was, clearly. She couldn't wait to show her the fighters on Nike.

"Lieutenant Vanessa Damphousse, welcome aboard Nike. Let's get some chow, then I'll take you to get checked out on the Nike fighters."

"Thank you, Captain."

***

Helena Russell went to meet with the new arrivals she had been assigned to, neither of whom were from her own universe, unlike many of the others today.

"Colonel Virginia Lake, Lieutenant Commander Katherine Hitchcock? I'm Doctor Helena Russell. Welcome aboard Nike."

"Thank you, Doctor Russell," Virginia Lake responded, "I understand you're originally from a moonbase?"

"Yes. I read that your organization, SHADO, had a moonbase that it operated out of as well?"

"We do, yes."

Helena turned to the other new arrival, "And you command a submersible for a supranational organization, the United Earth Organization?"

Katherine Hitchcock responded in kind, "Yes, Doctor. Comparing notes between Colonel Lake and myself, that seems to be one place the UEO and SHADO overlap, our activities underwater. Looks like the other Nike abductees don't have nearly as much experience in underwater living and operations."

"That's very interesting."

[Glen]

Day 8 Part 8

***

Samantha Carter had been so busy, so desparately busy, these past few days. Not that that was anything new in her life. Ever since she joined Stargate Command, it semed she had been running from one crisis to another. She knew Honor, Susan, Jessica, even Sarah Jane, in her way, had tried to shoulder the other burdens facing Nike, but the science of what was happening, and how they could get back, fell squarely on her shoulders. She had been so focused on the problem, that she hadn't given much thought at first as to why other people were seeing arrivals from the same or at least similar timelines, but no one else from her own timeline. No one, that is, until today.

They came in as a group. Beverly had been glad of the influx of medical personnel with the last group of arrivals. Among those with medical experience were three names she had recognized. And here they came, in a small knot. She rose to greet them.

"Samantha Carter!"

She didn't know which one had called her name.

"Janice, Jennifer, and you must be Tamara Johanson."

"You know I'm not from the same timeline as you, don't you, Colonel Carter?" Doctor Janice Frazier offered.

"I could tell. But, you were on SG-1 in your universe, did you..."

"Yes, we were one of the teams from other timelines that came through to your SGC, I believe. So we have met before. And of course, we've a shared history somewhere back there."

"My Janice or not, I'm still glad to see you. And you two, I'm pretty sure are from my timeline. And of course I am glad to see you again, Jennifer." Dr. Keller nodded to her and smiled. "And to meet you, Tamara. Please, all of you, sit down and enjoy the food service here on Nike. I wish we weren't all stuck here, but if we had to be anyway, at least we have good company."

[Glen]

Day 8 Part 9

***

Susan Ivanova and Lyta Alexander were among those who stayed on the bridge even for the big 'Day Eight Brunch'. Someone had to, but aside from that Lyta wasn't in the mood to meet their new arrival in such an informal setting, and Susan wasn't going to just leave Lyta alone...their 'Conspiracy of Light' had done too much of that already. Of course, the fact that Lyta was basically devoted to tearing apart PsiCorp did endear her to the woman.

The woman in Earthforce uniform (most military new arrivals were taking advantage of Nike's replicator abilities to change into their normal uniforms before leaving their rooms) stepped through the door onto the Bridge.

Even though Lyta was the one who knew her, Susan was the one who greeted her, "Captain Lochley, welcome to Nike Station's bridge. I'm Susan Ivanova, and I believe you know Lyta Alexander, whose been helping us here with the arrival process."

Elizabeth Lochley nodded, "A pleasure to finally meet you, Captain Ivanova. I've heard a lot about you from John and your other friends on Babylon 5." Much cooler in tone, Lochley said to Lyta, "You just keep turning up, don't you, Ms. Alexander?"

"I guess so. I seem to have a knack for attracting the attention of powerful forces. I am getting tired of being played with, however."

"I'll bet you are. Captain Ivanova, you do know what Lyta Alexander is capable of, don't you?"

Susan didn't care at all for Lochley's tone.

"I know she stood with us against the Shadows, the Vorlons, and Clark's corrupt government. Where were you?"

Elizabeth Lochley sighed, "Doing my duty."

"Weren't we all?" Susan quipped.

"John seemed to think so."

"Yes, he did." Susan eased up a little, "And that's enough for me. Let's get some food. Even if we're standing watch, Nike still can provide some great grub. Come on, Lochley. We'll get you fed while we orient you to Nike and the bridge."

Lyta didn't comment either way if Sheridan's acceptance was enough for her.

[Glen]

Day 8 Part 10

After our late breakfast, our group of Doctor travelling companions broke up to attend to our various activities. Martha obviously headed for the infirmary, Rose volunteered to spend some time with Dorothy, or 'Ace' as she said she prefered to be called, whereas I accompanied Honor to her next stop. Honor brought along one new arrival, and Kathryn Janeway another.

Samantha Carter greeted us in her lab space, a sprawling work area aboard Nike. A number of other women buzzed around, all seemingly intent on various projects.

"Sam, I want you to meet Vice-Admiral Shannon Foraker of the Haven Navy. She's one of the most brilliant technical experts I have known. Sam, Colonel Carter, is a brilliant scientist from her timeline who's done a great deal for us here on Nike."

Even though Honor spoke with affection for the newcomer, she also had that same shadow of sadness and loss cross her face that I had come to know whenever her thoughts turned to the terrible war her nation had just endured.

Kathryn Janeway gestured to her own new arrival, "And this is Seven of Nine. I think you will find she has a number of skills to help with the effort."

Janeway's former crewmate nodded, then walked over to a Nike workstation, "Colonel Carter, how much have you learned about the nanites employed by Nike?"

Sam came to attention, "They have limited replication abilities and no self direction. Those wre some of the first things we checked. They appear to have a role in station maintenence and repairs, probably also in the malleable nature of stations decor."

Seven nodded, "Very good. Have you been able to communicate with them?"

"Communicate with them?"

"Yes. I have some limited capability to intercept their communications; a legacy of my time as part of the Borg Collective. You are correct that they have no self volition, but they don't lack a certain base level of collective intelligence."

Beverly and I had compared notes on our respective universes, she had told me about the Borg. Nasty sounding things just a bit too close to Cybermen for my taste.

"Really, that is quite fascinating, and just a little bit disturbing."

"Why should that be?"

"In our exploration, we've found more than one instance of replicating nanobots, which we call replicators, though that is a bit confusing given your Federation seems to use the same term for the the machines that can replicate things like clothes and foodstuffs."

"These nanites seem quite placid."

"So long as they stay that way. But this might be a very useful ability, Seven is it? We'll have to discuss it further."

"I am at your disposal."

Sam turned to the other woman from Honor's universe, "Vice-Admiral Foraker, allow me to give you a tour of the facilities. One of the biggest things we are working on is our plan for escape from Nike."

[Glen]

Day 8 Part 11

***

Leia and Padme were sitting quietly in Padme's room on Nike.

"You're still holding things back from me, aren't you, Leia?"

Leia sighed, "Not entirely. I really know very little of those times."

"I still have a hard time believing Ani....your father, could have become this Vader you speak of. What could have gone so horribly wrong? I know Ani had his dark moments, but this is all too much, still."

Leia placed a tentative hand on her birth mother's, "He saved Luke in the end, though. And who knows what you may go back to, armed with the knowledge your time on Nike has provided, not to mention the advanced medical care. We've already seen that there are other histories, other ways things can be. Maybe for you, in your time, things will be different."

"And we could be together as a family? Doubtful. A secret marriage, the whole Jedi order set against 'entanglements', what were we thinking? I feel as if I'm just waking up from some fragile dream."

"You have to have hope, Padme. Hope kept us all going in the rebellion, and we won. Hope has to keep you going as well."

"There never should have been a need for a rebellion. Palpatine as some absolute Emperor....it never should have happened. If I do get back, I'll kill him myself, rather than let him destroy the Republic."

Leia smiled, appreciating the spirit of her mother she'd never known, "Nobly said, but you don't know the power he's been hiding. It has to be the Jedi who depose him, no one else will stand a chance."

"I don't know that Ani will be ready to hear anything against Palpatine, not initially. But Obi-Wan, he might listen."

"Obi-Wan might indeed."

[Glen]

Day 8 Part 12

We former traveling companions of the Doctor sat around the table having our tea. It was the first time Martha had had a chance to spend some real time comparing notes with Rose, what with all the exams that needed to be done. The influx of more medical personnel today had given her a bit more free time, though still terribly busy with the escalating numbers of new arrivals every day.

"So you, and Mickey, married?"

"Yes. Guess we have the same taste in men, eh?"

"So let me get this straight. The Doctor uses the alias John Smith, which is the name adopted by my Doctor. My ex, your hubby, is Mickey Smith, and that makes you Martha Jones Smith. And then there's you, Sarah Jane - Sarah Jane Smith! Oi, I know Smith is a common last name, but this is just a bit much, don't you think?"

"Well, when you put it that way, yes it is."

"And you're carrying Mickey's child."

"Of course. And you that human Doctor's child!"

"John, yes. I think you had a bit of a crush on our favorite Time Lord, didn't you?"

"Well....yeah, I did. But he didn't seem to be over his last travel companion."

"Well, at least Mickey seems well over me. I'm glad you two found each other."

I sat there, sipping my tea, listening to these two compare notes, and the thought whispered through my mind - how many of us fell for that damned alien?