“Yeah—I did,” Reno says. “And it was fucking grueling to engineer my friends like some—cannibalized, engine parts.”
“But—again—you got to do something to save them,” Shaw says. 1/8
“You didn’t have to see hopelessness in their eyes as you crouched into the escape pod,” Shaw says.
“You tough enough for some straight talk, Captain Dirge?” Reno asks.
Shaw shrugs.
Reno leans forward. “Your friends died—frozen debris forever floating at Wolf 359.” 2/8
“A bit—cold,” Shaw says.
“Literally, my man,” Reno says. “You couldn’t save their asses. But who the hell do you think you are? You took that seat when one of them could’ve. You gonna wallow in the hopelessness of that horrific moment forever?” 3/8
“Tether yourself to death?” Reno asks. “Or are you gonna fucking live?”
“Yeah, sure, get over it,” Shaw says. “Bypass the—memory like a damaged gel pack. Cuz that sounds healthy. Something tells me your secondary specialty at the Academy wasn’t psychology.” 4/8
Reno picks up black licorice, flexing it from end to end. “No, shit, Shaw.”
Shaw’s brow raises.
“I’m a damned good engineer,” Reno says. “I get things done because I remember one thing: for complex systems to work under pressure, flexibility must be built into the design.” 5/8
“I lost—my wife,” Reno says, she bites into the licorice.
Shaw shifts in his chair. “I’m—so sorry.”
“But I’m flexible in grief—allowing myself moments to get flung back to that moment of soul-hollowing loss—but always springing back—to live—for us both.” 6/8
“With as much charisma and sparkling wit as I can manage,” Reno says.
“You manage—a lot,” Shaw says.
“So—Liam,” Reno says. 7/8
“You gonna live as if you’re one of those frozen friends floating in a debris cloud?” Reno asks.
“Ya know what?” Shaw says, standing up. “You’re better than a counselor; you’re an engineer.”
“So—I uh—know I should hardly be surprised by people appearing in my quarters,” Pike begins. “Especially when your older self from an alternate future pays you a visit, but—why are you here again?”
Sisko grins.
1/14
Sisko swallows the ice cold water and sets the glass on Pike’s counter. “Well, I’m—not quite sure.”
“You’re not sure,” Pike repeats.
“I—exist outside—uh,” Sisko says, the hilarity of his statement preceding the words. “Time.”
“I’m—sorry,” Pike says.
2/14
Pike grabs the handle of the pan, flicking his wrist and tossing the steak strips, sliced onions and peppers. The harsh buzz of steam fills the kitchen.
“I—got a glimpse of my future once,” Pike says. “It’s not what I ever imagined for myself.”
“That’s an interesting question,” Michael replies.
Janeway notices her stiffening face and the dryness of her voice. “I can tell you that the question itself is an answer, isn’t it?”
A thin grin pulls apart Michael’s lips. “It is—actually.”
1/14
“I suppose I should attempt an answer first,” Janeway says.
Michael nods.
“So, my father—well, first you must imagine this—figure—the figure of immense gravitas and—authority,” Janeway says. “He was nothing less than—the incarnation of Starfleet service.”
2/14
“Ahhh, I know exactly what you mean,” Michael says. “Sarek was always—the immaculate Vulcan—at least that was his goal.”
“Oh, yes, you had the pleasure of being raised by two fathers,” Janeway says. “I’m interested in how they both shaped your command.”
3/14