Chapter Text
Shocked silence filled the transporter room. La’an blinked and took a wary step forward. “Chief?” she asked, a strange undercurrent in her voice.
Unas eyebrows narrowed in confusion. “Yes. Who else would it…be.” The echo of her voice magnified several times over caused Una to stop. She whipped her head towards the remnants of her own voice and saw…herself? Three copies of herself…
The four Unas each tilted her head in consternation as she took in the other three replicas of herself. They took a step closer and unabashedly scrutinized one another. They reached out and poked each other on the shoulder. Their eyes widened, evidently convinced each Una was real and not a hallucination. As one, they whipped to transporter chief kyle. “What is going on?!” they demanded, their voices hard.
Transporter chief kyle frantically flicked his attention between the four Unas, his eyes bulging. His mouth moved but no sound came out.
“Chief kyle!” the Unas barked out, trying to get the officer to focus. He flinched and swallowed and managed to tear his eyes away from the impossible sight in front of him and direct them towards his monitor. But the only answers he seemed to have, were incomprehensible noises.
With a sigh, one of the Unas stepped off the transporter pad and moved towards the monitor. La’an surged forward, a hand stretched out. “Stop! Don’t move.”
The Unas huff of disbelief was repeated four times. “Really La’an? Its me.”
But la’an just shook her head, her eyes not leaving the four identical women in front of her. She raised her voice. “La’an to captain pike. We have a situation in the transporter room. Please meet us here. Immediately.”
All the unas crossed their arms and leveled an indignant glare at La’an. But La’an just looked between them, her face pinched. She didn’t have her phaser since it wasn’t standard operating procedures to carry one when aboard ship. But she stood like she wished she did.
The unas sighed and took a step forward, uncrossing their arms. “This is ridiculous. La’an. Its me.”
But la’an stiffened, holding her arm out palm up in a stop gesture. “Stay where you are,” she ordered again, brusquely. She searched the face of each una in front of her with a growing frown. Seeing her friends brilliant blue eyes stare back at her so many times, was unnerving; it made something in her gut tighten and the hairs on the back of her neck stand up.
Before la’an, the unas, or chief kyle-who was desperately trying to remain as unnoticed as possible as he frenetically worked the transporter console- could say anything, the doors hissed open and captain pike entered. He stopped short, his jaw dropping open in shock.
“What…is going on here, La’an?” he managed, his voice sounding strangled as he took in the sight of four identical Unas. He cleared his throat and opened his mouth. Then must have thought better of it. He looked towards his security officer. La’an looked tense, like she was braced for a red alert. Chief kyle just ducked his head, still doing his best at being invisible, as his fingers danced on the monitor.
“Clearly there has been a malfunction with the transporter,” the same una who had stepped forward earlier, said, as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
Captain pike just raised an eyebrow at his transporter chief in question. “Well?”
Chief kyle cleared his throat. “I…um…”
Captain pike turned his attention back towards his first officers. All four of them. He shot them a hesitant grin. “Una?”
“Yes, sir,” they all replied.
Captain pike sighed loudly. “Oh boy.”
The march to sickbay felt a little bit like herding cats. Captain pike led the way, with the una who had tried to commandeer the transporter console from chief kyle, next to him. She had somehow managed to find a hair tie and had wrestled her luscious dark hair into a very high ponytail. Her posture was impeccable as she discussed several working theories on what might have happened.
Captain pike nodded and made all the right noises at the right time, but this unas scientific vernacular was a bit much for him. Plus, his head was spinning at seeing his oldest friend duplicated FOUR TIMES. He shook his head and tried to focus.
La’an moved stiffly down the hallway, clenched her fists even tighter and did her best not to think about what was happening. Her eyes moved constantly, roving between the Una striding next to captain pike, to the Una humming slightly in front of her, to the two unas walking on either side of her.
The una on la’ans left suddenly pressed a soft hand to her forearm. “This must be so confusing for you,” she said gently.
La’an did her best to keep walking and not shy away from the contact. She jerked her head to see this una, her impossibly soulful eyes peering straight into la’ans heart.
La’an clenched her jaw but kept moving. She didn’t miss the smirk on the face of the una to her right, or the way she flipped her hair over her shoulder before she said, “Are you kidding? Having four of us around is a dream come true.”
La’an grit her teeth and walked faster. The only good news was that the unas appeared very content to be led to sickbay. As long as la’an was the one taking them, that is. The security chief was acutely aware of the eyes that routinely flashed to her, tracking her every movement, keeping her close.
The four unas sat in sickbay on two treatment tables, two per table, all facing each other. At first glance they appeared identical. However, the longer one studied them, the more the subtle differences became apparent.
The Una being examined by doctor Mbenga leaned back onto her arms, which were straightened behind her with her elbows locked out. She appeared uninterested in the exam and still hummed quietly to herself, kicking her feet in boredom. She smiled over at la’an, looking more relaxed than anyone could ever remember seeing her. Her uniform seemed to sit looser on her frame than normal, her hair a bit frizzier and for once, something other than the impossibly coiffed perfection it always was.
The una being scanned by nurse chapel, on the other hand, was even more gorgeous than usual. She sat with a flirty tilt of her head, leaning entirely closer to the nurse than was strictly necessary. Her lips were somehow a dark shade of heart stopping red and the smokey eyeshadow that ringed her eyes made them sparkle like alluring sapphires.
“This is so weird,” nurse chapel uttered as she re-read her results for the third time. The una in front of her just flashed a coquettish smirk as she tossed her impossibly thick and bouncy hair over her shoulder.
“Yes,” doctor Mbenga agreed. He moved to scan the una closest to la’an. This una watched him patiently, an understanding smile on her face. She leaned forward slightly. “Im sure with both of your incredible skills, this will be resolved in no time,” she reassured the room.
La’ans nostrils flared. She wanted to believe that. Desperately so. She knew crazy things happened everyday in Starfleet. But how did one digest the fact that their best friend and commanding officer had somehow split into four copies. All of them the same, yet frighteningly different. If that’s what truly occurred, that is. She still wasn’t completely convinced this wasn’t some alien ruse or elaborate attempt by an enemy to take over the ship.
“So, what happened, doctor?” captain pike asked. He leaned against one of the treatment tables, his arms crossed in consternation, surveying his first officers. All four of them…
Doctor Mbenga and nurse chapel shared a look. Slowly the doctor lowered his tricorder. “Genetic identicals,” he said quietly.
Silence greeted these words. “What?” la’an asked, even though it came out as more of a demand.
“Genetic identicals,” Mbenga repeated. At the captians impatient look, he expanded. “All four of these individuals share the same genetic code. The same as our Una. Una Prime.”
“I am una,” the unas quickly argued.
Everyone gathered surveyed the four women uneasily. “So, like…clones?” the captain asked hesitantly.
“Not quite,” nurse chapel jumped in. “They are all una. But they each carry and express a different facet of her personality.”
“We are una,” the una with the high ponytail agreed. “But we are also, each, individuals.”
“Riiiight,” captain pike agreed. “So, how do we reverse it?”
Doctor Mbenga and nurse chapel shared a look and frowned. “We’re not sure yet.”
They ended up in captain pikes quarters, since the ready room didn’t have enough chairs or space for all the extra unas. The four, not quite identical women sat on one side of pikes massive table between the captain and doctor Mbenga. The rest of the bridge crew sat on the other side. They had been short one chair. But after Flirty Una had suggested that la’an could sit in her lap, la’an quickly volunteered to stand.
She paced uneasily back and forth now, scowling as she listened to the current discussion of the “Una Problem”.
“Its obviously something with the transporters,” Overachiever Una stated confidently.
“That may be true, commander,” Spock agreed. “However, we need to consider all variables. Perhaps there is some contaminant or malfunction in ships systems that can account for this error.”
“Oh no you don’t,” Pelias indignant voice quickly cut in. “Don’t try to blame this on me! Ships systems were functioning at PEAK efficiency. Per standard regulations.” Pelia drew herself up to her full, very inconsiderable height.
“I was not attempting to-“ Spock started.
“Its clear no one thinks this your fault,” Empathic Una said genuinely, reaching across the table and squeezing Pelias hand. “It was obviously an accident.”
Pelia eyed the hand on hers dubiously for a moment. But then she just sniffed and nodded. “Thank you for saying that commander.”
Empathic una smiled warmly, squeezed her hand again then sat back. Captain pike watched the exchange with a slightly alarmed expression but decided to move on. “Its clear we need to analyze the data for all factors present during transport. As well as incorporate the medical findings,” he nodded towards doctor Mbenga and nurse chapel, “to fully understand what happened.” He gazed around the table at his capable crew then studied each una in turn. He suppressed a sigh. This was going to be a very…interesting, and distressingly long, report to file.
“How do we even know that they really are Una?” la’ans voice burst into the silence. She froze in her pacing as all eyes turned to her, then she straightened. She looked towards the women in gold, but found she couldn’t quite meet their familiar eyes.
Doctor Mbenga frowned, but easily answered. “The scans show that while there are four Unas, they are, in fact, each Una.”
“How do we know this isn’t some trick? Some alien trying to fool us into letting our guard down?” La’an asked sharply, shaking her head.
“Its me la’an. Your friend. You know me,” Empathic Una implored. But la’an just grit her teeth, flicking her eyes between the four of them.
Flirty Una flashed a smirk. “Is there something we can say to convince you? Like. Should we tell everyone how ticklish you are?” Her eyes gleamed as the tips of la’ans ears went pink.
La’an swallowed. Four pairs of bright blue eyes stared at her expectantly. Each expression was so different, yet so known, it seemed impossible to la’an that it could be anyone other than una. As much as she didn’t want to believe it, when Flirty Una opened her mouth with a cocky smile, sure to add more horribly embarrassing fuel to the fire, la’an stepped forward holding out both hands. “Enough. I…I believe you.”
Flirty una sat back and crossed her arms smugly. She knew la’an didn’t really believe them. Yet. But she was willing to take the win. Empathic una just frowned at la’an with a worried tilt of her head. Overachiever una narrowed her eyes, clearing seeing straight through la’an and very much already planning on how to fix it. Unrestrained una just smiled at la’an easily. She shrugged and looked towards captain pikes kitchen. She knew la’an would come to understand. “Im hungry,” she announced and stood up decisively.
Captain pike blinked then quickly strode after his errant first officer. “Una wait. You are a menace in the kitchen,” he said anxiously thinking about the potential damage to his precious cooking sanctuary. He threw a harried look over his shoulder at the plethora of unas and his crew. “We will…continue this discussion after we eat,” he reassured them.
La’an just grit her teeth in frustration at the delay. She watched as captain pike shooed one una out of the kitchen, only to be replaced by another. Then, it was as if a magic spell had been shattered and everyone scattered. She clenched her fists. No matter what anyone said. She wasn’t about to let any of the unas out of her sight. They were too much of a security risk, and she couldn’t take that chance.
La’an stationed herself on the far side of the chaos, between the unas and the exit from the captains quarters. She watched as overachiever una trailed after pike in his precious kitchen. “What are you making?” she asked imperiously.
“I was going to make tacos,” captain pike supplied. At her sniff, he continued, slightly exasperated, “Everyone likes tacos.”
She shot him a slightly disapproving look. “Well, at least make it spicy. La’an likes it when you add the chipotle peppers.”
Captain pike just raised an eyebrow at her, slightly incredulous. Who was una to give him cooking advice? When he remained stationary for too long, overachiever una took that as a sign to do it herself. Since as they say, if you want something done right…
“Wait,” captain pike huffed out as una reached for a knife. He made a shooing gesture and stepped up to his counter. “I will do it. Just…give me some space.”
Una beamed. She wasn’t wearing any glasses, but pike swore she nailed the ‘looking smugly over the rim of her glasses in triumph’ look.
Captain pike muttered under his breath as he accepted the ingredients that una much too helpfully replicated for him. He worked steadily, his safe haven disrupted by unas continued, unrelenting input about what la’an did and did not like.
“Now. What are you making for dessert?” she asked, all business like. “Does it have strawberries?”
Captain pike smothered another groan. “Just tell me what to make,” he pleaded. Unas smile was even bigger; she knew she had won. And victory would taste oh so good.
Flirty una sauntered over to where nurse chapel and Lt ortegas were chatting animatedly next to the couch. They each had a drink in their hands and were well into them.
Nurse chapel regarded the amazing confidence and swagger that seemed to radiate from this una and couldn’t stop herself from raising an eyebrow, impressed. “So, do you have all of Prime Unas memories?” chapel asked enthusiastically as Flirty Una joined them with a swish of her hair. She seemed to tower over the other two women even more so than usual. Not that either of them minded.
Una suggestively quirked an eyebrow at her, her brilliant blue sapphires almost overwhelming in their intensity. “What do you want to know?” she asked, a seductive allure to her voice.
Chapel blinked, her throat suddenly very dry for some reason. “Uh. Well. Im just curious if you all share the same memories.”
Una smirked and twitched her eyebrows playfully. “Yep. All of them. And before you ask, what I am experiencing right now is different than what the others are,” she said, standing just a little too close.
Chapel swallowed and nodded. “I…was wondering about that.”
Una winked then turned to Lt ortegas, who seemed uncharacteristically quiet and appeared to be doing her best not to look directly at una. “What about you Lt?” She trailed a soft hand over ortegas shoulder as if brushing off a non-existing piece of lint. She grinned as ortegas just shuddered.
“Um. Yep. Nope. No. No…questions.” Ortegas stuttered, hating the flush she felt taking over her face. But honestly, who could blame her. Una was intimidatingly hot on her worst day. And now, with Flirty Una leaning over her, looking at her like that…
Ortegas swallowed, squeezed her glass so hard she was surprised it didn’t crack and forced herself to tear her eyes away from those sapphire jewels. She took a too large swing of her drink and spluttered slightly.
Flirty Una just chuckled and leaned back, taking pity on the Lt. She wasn’t the one una wanted anyways. Her eyes searched through the crowd of colorful uniforms until she found the scarlet she was looking for. The only one that really mattered. She let her eyes run over la’ans beautiful form, linger over the gorgeously sculpted muscles hidden under the well-fitting cloth, on that striking raven hair restrained in those tight braids.
“So,” chapels voice drawled after several seconds. The sound of her voice, tragically forced Flirty Una to leave la’an and brought her back to reality. The nurse exchanged an incredulous look with ortegas. They had never seen the commander stare at anyone the way she had just been staring ag la’an. Devouring her, more like. “La’an is ticklish?” the nurse asked with a suggestive lilt to her voice.
Una returned her overwhelming attention back to the two woman in front of her. She just lilted an eyebrow playfully and winked.
“Ha! I knew it,” chapel grinned triumphantly at ortegas. Her friend just nodded, her face almost the same color red as her uniform, and drained the rest of her drink.
Una narrowed her eyebrows. “You two have previously discussed whether or not La’an was ticklish?”
“Yeah. Well,” nurse chapel started. “Erica was wondering-“ she ignored her friends almost desperate intake of breath. But she stopped when she noticed all of Flirty Unas considerable attention was now laser focused on the pilot.
Una seemed to rise over ortegas, her face still beautiful. But now it was the kind of beauty that could kill in an instant. “Why have you been having these thoughts about la’an, Lt?” her voice made it very clear that ortegas answer better be damn good if she wanted to remain a Lt.
Ortegas stammered, clutching her glass. “I didn’t. I mean, I did. But. Like. Everyone does?” She looked desperately to her friend in white who was determinedly not meeting her eye. “H-how could we not. La’an is...” her voice died out and she wished frantically she still had some of her drink left.
Una face was an icy mask. “La’an is what?” she asked, her voice as soft as deaths welcoming embrace.
Ortegas just stammered and didn’t resist as chapel pushed her away. “We need to freshen up our drinks,” the nurse quickly called over her shoulder. Flirty Una just watched them for a moment before she tossed her hair over her shoulder and turned away.
On the other side of the room, Empathic Una smiled softly as she sat down between joseph and nyota on the captains comfortable couch. The doctor looked so gloomy, she couldn’t stop herself from patting his hand. “You’ll figure this out. I know it.”
He smiled, a touch of sadness in the corner of his eyes. “Thanks for the vote of confidence. But the truth is, right now? I have no idea what is going on.”
Una just smiled understandingly. “I think the key words in that statement are, right now.” She held his gaze. “Weve had worse things than this happen to us and we always figure it out.”
Josephs blinked quickly and grit his teeth. “Not every time,” he whispered, unable to stop himself from thinking about Rukiya.
Una face twisted in sympathy. “No. Not every time,” she agreed softly. She squeezed his hand again. She turned to face him and waited until he met her eyes. “But when it comes to crazy space accidents, you are the one that I want trying to fix it. Always.”
After several quiet moments, doctor Mbenga gave a small smile and dipped his head slightly to acknowledge her words. It was hard to stay defeated when those impossibly heartfelt eyes stared so trustingly, so confidently, straight into him.
Satisfied, una turned towards the ensign next to her. “Wouldn’t you say thats right, nyota?”
Ensign uhura blinked. She wasn’t used to the commander calling her by her given name, but she decided to go with it. “Uh yeah. I mean, yes. When it comes to people solving crazy space problems, I definitely want you on my team.” She nodded emphatically at the doctor. “And una is right. We just have to keep at it. It’s like when I was trying to translate that ancient portal. I had no idea and no idea. Until, suddenly, I did!”
“Exactly,” una agreed squeezing her shoulder. “Just give it time, joseph.”
The doctor sighed. “I know you are right. But. Im just afraid of how much time it might take.” He met unas eyes then couldn’t stop the way they flicked to la’an. The security chief stood awkwardly on the edge of the room, watching everyone with what she thought was a blank expression. But una could see the anxiety bleeding into her eyes and the tension in her muscles.
Empathic una sighed. “Yes,” she agreed. She put aside her worry about la’an for a moment and returned her gaze to the communication prodigy next to her. “Ive been meaning to tell you long before now. But Im so proud of you,” she smiled warmly. “I know it hasn’t been easy since hemmers death. I miss him too, you know.” Her voice was soft and gentle. “And if you ever want to talk about it, im here for you.” She leaned forward, her eyes earnest. “I hope you know that you have found a home here on enterprise, for as long as you want it.”
Nyota just drew in a breath, feeling slightly overwhelmed. “T-thank you commander. That is very kind of you to say.”
“Nonsense,” una corrected sincerely. “It’s just the truth.” She patted nyotas shoulder again.
In the refuge of space next to the drinks trolley, Chapel hastily refilled ortegas drink and pushed it into unresisting hands. “I thought I was gonna die,” the pilot rasped. “Did you see the sparks coming off her eyes?”
Chapel snorted but nodded in agreement. “Note to self, don’t lust over la’an when that una is around?”
“Don’t what now?” Unrestrained Una asked as she neared the captains very pricey drink cart. She calmly eyed the suddenly alarmed looking nurse and nearly panicked pilot, but was more interested in the insanely expensive liquor next to them.
“Nothing,” Christine quickly blurted out. “Hey. As an Illyrian, can you even get drunk?” Normally she would never lead with such a jarring question. Especially not with someone as private as una. Not after witnessing the trial and getting a taste of what it was like for una; forced to hide her true self for her entire life due to fear and hatred.
But Unrestrained Una just shrugged playfully as she examined the wide variety of liquor. “Lets find out,” said with an eager glint in her eyes.
Chapel and ortegas shared an astonished look then grinned. “Oh, this is going to be fun,” Christine promised.
Unfortunately, or maybe fortunately, the captain called them over to eat before una could even pour herself a drink.
La’an approached the table tentatively. She had watched everyone interacting so effortlessly with una and couldn’t help but feel a pang of something like sadness. She wondered what was wrong with her. She was always bad with people, bad with crowds. But this was still her friend, even if there were four of her.
“La’an, sit here,” Overachiever Una instructed as she tapped the chair next to her.
La’an froze but before she could refuse, an arm snaked around her low back and propelled her forward. “Yes,” flirty una practically purred in her ear. “Come sit by us.” She effortlessly steered la’an around the edge of the table and plopped her down into the open seat. She took the chair on la’ans other side.
La’an felt her face flush. She just stared down at her plate as Overachieve una piled it high with tacos, reassuring her that she made sure captain pike ‘prepared them properly’. She did her best to ignore the way that Flirty Una repeatedly ‘accidentally’ reached across the table into la’ans space to grab the guacamole and the hot sauce and the pico de gallo. But she couldn’t help but jump and drop her fork when Flirty Unas knee ‘innocently’ brushed against hers.
“Oh my,” Flirty Una crooned. “Let me get that for you,” she offered.
“No. That’s-“ la’an started quickly but she stopped short as una flipped her hair over her shoulder and leaned so she was nearly in la’ans lap, reaching under the table. After several heartbeats she straightened up and stared through her lashes at la’an as she deposited the fork next to her plate.
La’an blinked and tried to remember how to breathe.
“Do you not like it, La’an?” overachiever una asked from la’ans other side, noticing the still full plate in front of the Lt. She pulled it closer to la’an. “Eat,” she encouraged, adding a splash of hot sauce to the dish.
La’an just clenched her fists in her lap. She leaned back as far as she could, feeling completely flustered. She looked at the two Unas next to her and then the two more sitting directly across from her at the table, all peering at her with unmasked concern. La’an felt her flush spread and there was a queer thudding in her ears. “I-“
Luckily the captain must have registered her distress, or he was simply impatient to figure things out, because he cut in. “Alright. So, any ideas on what the hell is going on?”
The conversation quickly devolved back to scientific speak and arguments over what might have caused unas particular…mishap. Unrestrained Una and pelia were the first to sigh and leave the table in search of dessert.
Unrestrained Una eyed the diminutive engineer as they drifted towards the waiting prize on the counter. Once they reached it, she handed pelia a knife. “I like your priorities,” she said as pelia pulled the massive cheesecake closer and inhaled the decadently rich scent.
Pelia hummed appreciatively. “I have had many desserts in my time. But I have to say, this strange, delightful, Starfleet captain makes a truly wonderful cheesecake.”
The corner of unas mouth quirked. “I couldn’t agree more.”
Pelia shared her grin as she dished out a large slice and slid it over towards una. “You’ve got a bit of…” she gestured towards a spackle of sauce that smeared unas chin.
“Oh,” Unrestrained una laughed. She quickly rubbed her chin with the back of her sleeve, all normal social decorum absent. She reached over and brushed off a crumb that had somehow stuck to the front of Pelias uniform.
“Where did you get that lovely broach?” she asked, her eye catching on its flashy design.
Pelia eyed her for a long moment as if deciding something. Then a devilish twinkle lit her eyes. She leaned closer and held up a hand to shield her voice as una bent down to the engineers level.
Everyone at the table watched the exchange for a moment, taken aback. Captain pike frowned. The mischievous look in both of their eyes was more than a little alarming. The idea of pelia and una working together, was terrifying. They might find an answer to universal peace. Or they might be hatching a crazy plan make everything from the matter synthesizers taste only like strawberries.
He tore his eyes away and focused on the conversation in front of him. Spock, Overachiever Una, doctor Mbenga and nurse chapel offered the most input. La’an had long since escaped to her perch on the edge of the action. The others soon dispersed as well.
Empathic una smiled as la’an warily watched her approach. She leaned against the back of the couch, facing la’an and crossed her arms. “It’s going to be alright you know,” she said softly after several moments of silence.
La’an clenched her jaw and jerked her head once. She wanted to believe. But how could she? Things in her life had so rarely been alright.
Unas eyes softened and she squeezed la’ans upper arm firmly before letting go and resting her hands in her lap. “I know you cant let yourself believe it, right now.” Her smile grew as la’an looked at her incredulously. “No, im not an alien reading your thoughts,” said with a laugh by way of explanation. Then she shifted so she stood next to la’an and gently bumped her shoulder against la’ans. “I know you, remember?”
La’an let out a slow breath. Some of the tension left her and she managed to return unas warm smile. “Right, chief,” la’an agreed softly.
Empathic una smiled. She bumped her shoulder against la’ans again as she surveyed the motley crew assembled in captain pikes quarters. “Not that I blame you for having doubts. We do seem to be…a handful.” She raised an eyebrow as Unrestrained Una and pelia cheered. They had been successfully tossing bits of cheesecake into each others mouths. Overachiever Una still had spock and doctor Mbenga trapped in a heated discussion at the table. Flirty una was swishing her way around the room, using her hair flip as a weapon. No one was immune.
La’an sighed and Empathic una shared an understanding look. “Try not to worry, la’an,” she advised again. She was about to leave when she thought better of it, tilting her head. She gently cupped la’ans cheek. “I SEE you la’an. I always will. No matter what.”
La’an blinked for several seconds after una left, trying to pull oxygen into her frozen lungs. Finally, she forced herself forward. She should atleast try the captains cheesecake. It was strawberry after all.
“So how strong are you?” ortegas asked unrestrained una from where they were clustered next to the counter. When the woman in gold just shrugged, ortegas continued. “Could you lift a shuttle?”
“Maybe?” una offered. She shrugged again. “Ive never really tried. But I know I can lift many things humans would never be able to.”
Ortegas took a sip of her drink to keep from demanding that una lift HER. But she couldn’t banish the image from her mind. Or stop herself from imagining what that might feel like, to be swept up into such strong, steady arms.
She coughed and glared as chapel thumped her on the back. She was fairly certain the unas were going to be the death of her. One way or another. She pursed her lips. When she thought about it, not a bad way to go though.
“So, who is stronger, you or spock?” chapel asked, leaning closer in her curiosity. She had never encountered a study that had compared Vulcan and Illyrian strength but now she needed to know the answer. For science, of course.
“I am,” Unrestrained una answered immediately.
“How can you be so sure?” ortegas asked then nearly choked under the indignant look una flashed her way.
Chapel nodded her head in agreement with una. “But we need a way to prove it, scientifically.”
“Like, have them lift a bunch of different stuff?” ortegas offered.
Una tilted her head, warming to the idea of a strength contest. Then her eyes lit up. “No,” she corrected, looking eagerly at ortegas. “I will lift la’an and spock will lift you, and we will see who gets tired first!”
“I mean, he should probably lift Christine. But yes! I like this plan,” ortegas enthused.
“I will do no such thing,” spock interrupted firmly as he joined them after finally making his escape from the table.
“What? Why?” chapel challenged with a waggle of an eyebrow. “Are you scared youre going to lose?”
Spock seemed taken aback for a moment. He looked between the eager faces in front of him. “Of course not,” he said with a gracious tilt of his head to una. “I concede the contest. I am no match for an Illyrian.”
“Aw come on spock,” chapel whined, hanging on his arm. “If you don’t participate, we can’t scientifically prove it.”
“I doubt this would constitute a proper scientific study,” he argued.
“Gah, spock!” ortegas huffed, clenching her fists. “Its not actually about the science.”
“It is not? But you both just stated-“ he stopped as the others groaned again and Unrestrained una flashed him a knowing smile. She just shrugged and went to finish off the cheesecake.
Ortegas glare sent spock turning in search of safer waters. She glanced back at Unrestrained una as she cut the last piece of dessert in half and passed one of the slices to la’an. The security chief accepted it with a thankful smile. She leaned against the counter on her forearms, one leg tucked under the raised surface, the other further back and supporting most of her weight.
Ortegas couldn’t believe her eyes as Flirty unas hand casually brushed against la’an behind as she passed. La’an jumped and turned with an indignant scowl. But no one was there.
Flirty una stopped in front of ortegas with a coy smile. “Something wrong, Lt?”
Ortegas eyes bugged out of her head. “Did you just-“ She flicked her eyes back to la’an, who still glared at everyone warily before she slowly turned back around. Ortegas shook her head and swallowed. “Never. Never mind,” she coughed.
Flirty una just flipped her hair over her shoulder and nodded smugly. “That’s what I thought.”
The second she turned away, ortegas grabbed chapels forearm in a crushing grip. “You saw that right?” she hissed.
Chapel snorted. “You mean una grazing la’ans butt? Of course I did. I’d have to be blind not to.” Ortegas just spluttered, squeezing her hand even tighter. “Not that I blame her,” chapel continued. “With an ass like that.”
“Like what, nurse chapel?” Flirty unas deceptively soft voice floated in.
Ortegas choked on air and Chapel froze for an instant, leaning into ortegas painfully strong grasp. Then she straightened and squared her shoulders. “Medically speaking. Well defined musculature of the gluteals can be both aesthetically pleasing as well as functionally imperative. Many believe there is only one ‘glut’, but there are actually three. Gluteus medius is-”
Flirty una just leaned in closer, using her not inconsiderable height to her full advantage, to cut off chapels ramblings. She could admire the way the nurse tilted her chin up defiantly. It was stupid. But admirable. “And what about my musculature, hmm? Have you made a study of that as well?”
Chapel licked her lips. “Its excellent.”
Una winked. “Oh. I know it is,” she whispered, voice as smooth as silk. And twice as deadly. She leaned even closer. “But I would keep your comments about,” her eyes flicked to la’an. “The crews gluteals, to yourself.”
“Mm hm,” chapel squeaked. “Sounds good commander.”
Una leaned back and scoured them both with a raised eyebrow. “Good.
Luckily any further conversation was cut off by the captivating sound of singing. Unrestrained Una stood with Uhura in the middle of the captains living room. They both sported huge grins as they belted out a song from one of their favorite gilbert and Sullivan musicals.
Without missing a beat, Unrestrained Una turned and motioned for la’an to join her. When la’an just shook her head, a terrified look on her face, una smiled and danced over to her. She continued to beckon and urge la’an to join even as she serenaded her.
Before la’an could make her escape, unrestrained una gently took her hand and twirled la’an in a slow circle, her face shining and her eyes twinkling, as she and uhura continued to sing. But now unas voice reverberated times four.
When she let go, Flirty una was there, wrapping an arm around la’ans waist and bracing between her shoulder blades as she dipped la’an impossibly low for impossibly long, then twirled her towards Empathic una, who lightly gripped both of la’ans hands in her own. She swayed slowly back and forth, smiling reassuringly at la’an.
Overachiever Una cut in, sweeping la’an up into an elaborate waltz. She was so strong and so graceful that la’an practically glided along beside her, even though she had no idea how to waltz.
Uhura and four unas continued to sing, their voices absolutely mesmerizing. But not as captivating as the sight of la’an being danced around the captains quarters by four unas.
Ortegas fingers closed around chapels forearm in a death grip. “They are trying to kill me,” she hissed. Chapel just made a noise of agreement.
Unfortunately, sam kirk took that moment to enter the captains quarters with the latest transporter analysis. He jerked in surprise at the sight that greeted him, accidently slamming his PADD into la’ans nose as una sent her out in a dramatic twirl.
La’an dropped to the floor, blood pouring down her face.
The singing broke off instantly and was replaced by a furious growl. Unrestrained una lunged forward and grabbed the hapless science officer by the front of his uniform and lifted him clean off his feet. “What have you done?” she bellowed as she shook him. He grabbed weakly to her wrists, his face so pale his mustache stood out like a dark slug against his ashen skin.
Flirty Una immediately scooped la’an up and held her close to her chest as she retreated to the safety of the captains couch. She sat with la’an cradled in her lap, the Lts face streaming blood from a broken nose.
“La’an?” empathic una called where she kneeled in front of the couch. She took la’ans hand and started rubbing it gently. “Does it hurt?” she asked, her voice cracking slightly.
“Tilt her head back,” overachiever una instructed from where she leaned over the end of the couch. “No. Like this,” she said impatiently as she gently moved la’ans head.
“Don’t worry, la’an,” Flirty una soothed as she repeatedly brushed a gentle hand over la’ans hair, her voice as sultry as it was fatal. “We will kill him.”
“NO!” captain pike called out. He whipped his head towards the couch at the words. “NO one is killing anyone,” he said firmly. He stood next to Unrestrained Una, his held hands out placatingly, still trying to convince her to drop sam kirk. “Right, Una?”
The unas just ignored him as Overachiever una ripped the sleeve of her uniform off to use it as a rag to stem the bleeding.
“Chief?” la’an croaked. Unrestrained una dropped sam kirk immediately, perhaps taking too much satisfaction at the way the man and his stupid mustache crashed into the deck, and hurried over to la’an on the couch. “Yes?” four voices answered her.
The next thing la’an knew, she was laying on her back in Flirty Unas lap, the other three unas staring down at her anxiously. “W-what happened?” she blinked at the intensity of the gazes directed at her.
“Sam kirk is what happened,” Unrestrained Una growled.
“It was an accident,” the indignant science officers voice broke through the hubbub. But as all the unas turned their irate attention back to him, he seemed to shrink. When Unrestrained una took a step back in his direction, captain pike quickly pulled him up from where he was still pooled on the floor and hustled him towards the door. “We know that but…um…we will discuss this at a better time.” He practically threw the man out into the corridor before he turned back with a huff.
Ortegas clung onto chapel for dear life, leaning into her for support as doctor Mbenga finally approached the unas and la’an with a dermal regenerator. “Did you see?” she sputtered. “Una just picked la’an up like she weighed nothing. Just, in her arms. Like it was nothing. Shes so strong! And la’an. So. SO. Small. How?” her eyes were wide as she continued to watch the unas fuss over la’an. She swallowed looking at the space where sam kirk had been. “And she just picked sam up like he was a rag doll.” She bit her lip at the memory.
She finally tore her eyes away to look at her friend. Chapels cheeks were surprisingly pink and she seemed almost as distracted as ortegas.
Finally, order was restored once doctor Mbenga finished healing la’ans broken nose. She sat back up, wedged between the four unas on the couch as captain pike paced in front of them, radiating disappointed energy. Finally, he threw up his hands with a sigh. “You know what, I think there has been enough excitement for one day. Everyone go to bed. We will figure this out in the morning.
“What about the unas?” la’an asked, and already regretting it. “They cant be left alone. They still might be a security risk.”
Captain pike just blinked at her then surveyed his first officers. “What-“ he cleared his throat. “What do you have in mind?”
Flirty una leaned into la’an, grinning wickedly. “Oh don’t worry captain. La’an can stay with us.”
“Yes,” Overachiever Una quickly agreed. “Who better to watch over us, a very serious potential risk to ships safety, than the chief of security?”
“We could assign a security team to guard the door?” captain pike offered weakly.
Unrestrained una just pffted. “As if that would stop us.”
Empathic una took la’ans hand gently in hers. “Will you stay? We will feel safer with you there.”
La’an made a noise then cleared her throat. She opened her mouth to say something, then just nodded instead, her cheeks flaming.
“Excellent!” Overachiever Una nodded as she stood. The others quickly followed suit with la’an last of all; the look on her face clearly wondering what the heck she had just gotten herself into.
Ortegas felt weak. She leaned so hard into chapel, they both practically pitched over. “F-four unas. And la’an!” She nearly swooned. “Can you imagine? Not that im saying that im imagining it. But can you imagine?! Four unas. So strong. And L-“ she forced her mouth shut as Flirty una flicked her sapphires and smirked in her direction before the first officers and security chief departed for unas quarters.
When the doors shut ortegas just groaned and sagged against chapel. “Did this really just happen or was it some crazy dream?”
Chapel snorted and finally levered her friend back upright. “It definitely happened. And now that you mention it. No, I wouldn’t mind being in the middle of that una sandwich.”
Ortegas just squeaked. “I-I have to go. I think I need to lie down for a bit.”
Chapel winked and followed ortegas out the door. “After all that, I think im going to need to do a little something, before I lie down.”
Ortegas just groaned and bumped her shoulder into her friends. “How is this our lives?”
La’an hesitated just inside unas quarters. Normally she felt at home there. safe. But now she felt like an outside, an intruder. The four unas had wasted no time replicating extra sleep shirts and stripped down with no concern for modesty.
La’an felt her face flame and she quickly turned around.
“Its alright, la’an,” empathic unas soft voice reassured her. She laid a gentle hand on la’ans forearm as she came around to stand in front of the Lt. She wore an overlarge Tshirt that was so reminiscent of the one una had always worn back on the King jr that for a minute, la’an forgot where she was.
But unas warm voice brought her back. “Here,” she said quietly as she handed PJs for la’an.
La’an shook her head. “That’s okay. I don’t actually plan to sleep. Im here-“
“To make sure we are not a security threat?” Una just tilted her head making it clear just how ridiculous it was to consider her a threat to the ship. “Please,” she scoffed. She held out the garment again. “We are not going to do anything, la’an. And we wont sleep if you wont sleep, so.”
La’an pursed her lips. She hesitated another few seconds before she rolled her eyes and took the replicated sleep wear. Empathic una just smiled and nodded towards the bathroom.
When la’an came out, she eyed the four unas warily. But they seem to have decided to be on their best behavior. Overachiever Una beckoned her over to the small kitchenette.
“Whats this now?” la’an asked dubiously.
“Its tea and toast,” una said as if it was the most obvious thing in the world.
“And why is it here?” la’an asked as overachiever una pressed her into the chair at the small table and slid the plate closer.
“You didn’t eat enough at the captains quarters. This will help you sleep better,” she said simply.
La’an tilted her head, a refusal on the tip of her tongue. But four disapproving frowns made her reconsider. She ate quickly. It did make her feel better.
“So which side of the bed do you want, la’an?” Flirty una asked with a suggestive lift of her eyebrow.
Empathic una just rolled her eyes and smacked Flirty Una lightly on the shoulder. “We talked about this.”
Flirty una sighed. “Fine. Then I claim the couch,” she said dramatically as she flopped down.
La’an just looked around, but when it was clear the unas had decided it was time to sleep, la’an just shrugged and went over to unas large bed. She stopped on the far side, just out of reach of the covers. “This is stupid,” she said eyeing the others. “Im here to keep an eye on you all, not-“
“Nonsense,” Unrestrained Una contradicted her. “Youre here because we want you here.”
La’an just blinked, unsure what exactly to make of that statement. “What?”
Unrestrained una just smiled and settled on the other side of the bed, sitting against the headboard. “Just lay down, la’an, and I will sing to you, like I used to.”
La’an looked around but the others were occupied, so la’an laid down and settled under unas covers. It all felt very strange. But the soft sounds of una humming an achingly familiar lullaby, lifted her spirits and broke her heart at the same time.
La’an didn’t realize she had rolled onto her side and moved closer to Unrestrained Unas beautiful voice until the mattress dipped behind her. She turned, startled and met Empathic Unas impossibly gentle eyes. “Is it okay if I lay next to you?”
La’an nodded and returned to her side. She let out a slow breath as Empathic una slowly settled behind her, sliding an arm around her middle and pulling her close. It didn’t take long after that before la’an fell asleep. She only woke once during the night. But as soon as Una started humming again, she easily drifted off once more. For once, there were no nightmares.
When she woke the next morning, la’an was surprised to find she was sandwiched between all four unas. How they had all managed to fit in the bed, she wasn’t completely sure.
Captain pike sighed in relief as all four of his first officers took their place on the transport pad. “As fun as this has been,” he started ruefully with a tilt of his head.
“Now, you’re sure you have the energy signature correct?” Overachiever Una asked spock again.
“Yes commander. Everything is set to the precise specifications. We are prepared.”
“You know, a part of me is going to miss them,” pelia sniffed as she double checked the figures on her PADD.
La’an stepped closer to the elevated platform. “Ready chief?” she asked. When the unas smiled at her and nodded in unison, la’an looked to spock, who activated the transport signal.
“Una no!” captain pike shouted as, at the last second, one of the unas reached down and grabbed la’an onto the pad with her. A blinding flash of white lit the room before spock could stop it.
As the transport stabilized, captain pike sighed audibly and pinched the bridge of his nose. In front of him was only one first officer. However, there were now four chiefs of security.
“La’an?” the singular una asked.
“Yes, chief?” reverberated four times off the walls.
Captain pike sighed again, even more gustily. “Oh boy,” he mumbled. He wondered if four la’ans would be better or worse than four unas.