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Published:
2025-01-23
Updated:
2025-08-07
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600
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3/5
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Five Things That Never Happened to Una Chin-Riley

Summary:

Five points of divergence in Una's life, where one choice changes her entire trajectory. A series of what-ifs exploring the different moments that made Una who she is, and who she would be if those moments had never happened.

Notes:

This is something that's been floating around in my mind for a while, but I only just got my act together enough to get started on it. Because I'm running out of other ways to procrastinate, so what better time to create new ones, right?

The first chapter explores the question: what if Una's parents had never lived in that Federation colony in the first place? What if Una grew up a totally normal Illyrian child? What if Una was never driven by that intense need to be a part of something, because she already was?

It's inspired by the following quote:

 

"They were all so... different from one another. So many crew members from so many planets. It was beautiful. I thought if all those people from all those worlds can work together, side by side, maybe I could, too. Maybe I could be a part of something bigger than myself." - Una Chin-Riley, Ad Astra Per Aspera

Chapter 1

Chapter Text

"Don't you ever wish you could be up there?" Una asks. "See it firsthand. Not…" she gestures to the lab around her.

Her assistant laughs. "If I did, I wouldn't have become an astronomer."

"But think of everything that's out there," Una argues. "And we'll never see it, because we'll never leave."

"And go where?" The question is curious, not unkind, though they've had this conversation a dozen times. "Illyrians aren't exactly well-liked."

"Still."

"You never change, you know that? Feet on the ground, head in the stars."

Una smiles sadly. "At least some part of me can be."

Chapter 2

Notes:

Chapter 2 is inspired by the question: what if Una had gotten caught, early on in her tenure in Starfleet? Before she ever had a chance to become Number One. Before she met Chris, or La'an, or any of the people who would go on to help shape the person she became?

Inspired by the quote:

"If you had known Una Chin-Riley was genetically modified, would you have sponsored her application to Starfleet Academy?"
"No, I would not."
- Captain Marie Batel and Admiral Robert April, Ad Astra Per Aspera

Chapter Text

It wasn't supposed to happen like this.

Well. It wasn't supposed to happen at all, but especially not over something so stupid. She's been so careful. Always on the lookout. Avoiding anything that could cause the tiniest nick, or the mildest cold. Every second of every day spent on high alert.

It's exhausting, and it hasn't even done her any good. Neera's bitter, sneering warning that they'll catch you out eventually, plays on a constant loop in the back of her mind, and all Una can think right now is that she's going to be absolutely intolerable about this. That getting kicked out of Starfleet might not be the worst punishment she suffers.

Assuming that's all they do to her.

"Cadet Chin-Riley."

Captain April is staring at her, alarmed. Like he wishes he wasn't seeing what they both know he is.

It's everything Una can do to force herself to meet his gaze, jaw unclenched and brow unfurrowed.

"Sir?"

It comes out light. A little confused. Like she doesn't know what's wrong. Like she doesn't know that everything is about to change.

Like she doesn't know it's all over for her.

"Una," April says, unyielding but not unkind. "You're glowing."

Chapter 3

Notes:

Chapter 3 is inspired by the question: what if Una hadn't been the one assigned to the away mission where she rescued La'an? What if it was someone else?

Inspired by the quote:

"I wouldn't be alive if it weren't for Una." - La'an Noonien-Singh, Ad Astra Per Aspera

Chapter Text

"But the scan picked up a life sign," Una insists. "I saw it."

Ensign Farley shrugs. "Scans can be wrong."

Apparently the look on Una's face says it all, because Farley's own expression grows exasperated.

"We scoured the place, Una. Tricorders and everything. If there was something alive on that…thing—"

"Life raft."

Farley doesn't even try to hide the irritation that weaves its way into his words. "Right. If there was something alive on that life raft, there wasn't by the time we got there. Maybe they beamed off, or…"

Another shrug, more helpless this time. The life sign had been faint when they caught it. There had always been the chance that the crew of the King Jr. were in a losing race against time.

"What if they were hiding somewhere tricorders couldn't penetrate?" Una presses. "Because they realized they were about to be boarded, and—"

"And if they were hiding that well, they obviously didn't want to be found."

"Maybe that's why they needed to be," Una says, quieter now. Something about this feels horribly wrong.

"Well," Farley grouches, "if you're so sure you know better than all of us, feel free to not talk back to Lieutenant Morales next time and get yourself pulled off the mission rotation. Of course," he adds dryly, "thinking you know better than everyone is what got you reassigned to micro-cleaning the transporter pads in the first place."

Una glares at him.

"You'd have been doing us both a favor," Farley continues, undeterred. "That place gave me the creeps. I kept expecting to trip over a body, or slip in a pile of blood.

Una rolls her eyes. "This isn't a horror movie."

Farley grimaces. "Yeah, well. You could have fooled me. Maybe this one just didn't have a final girl."