Like Mother, Like daughter Part 2

Posted on Saturday 8 February 2025 @ 11:41 by Lieutenant Commander Ras th'Zaanaq & Captain Melody Jones & Civilian Sansa Draxx-Jones & Civilian Jacob Carson

Mission: Moopsy Mania
Location: USS Merlin, library
1141 words - 2.3 OF Standard Post Measure

ON:

Melody entered and came to a stop as she saw her XO, Mr Carson, Sansa and..... Sansa.

"Good evening Number One, Jacob, Sansas" She addressed each one. "Does someone want to fill me in?"

A small frown passed over Sansa's features briefly. "Mom..." She gestured to the other Sansa, who sat next to her. "You remember you told me we had a changeling onboard, well... She needs our help."

"There is not just me, there are other changelings onboard, and they won't hesitate to complete their mission." The other Sansa interjected.


Melody smiled as she raised a small weapon, similar to a phaser and levelled it at the changeling Sansa "You're right, we won't"

Sansa's eyes went wide and realisation hit her. "That's not Mom!" She creamed as she reacted purely on instinct. She dove, shoving her doppelganger to the ground as the weapon hit the chair she had been sitting in, vaporising it instantly.

"Solids, always interfering." The Melody changeling muttered as her arm extended into a tentacle which wrapped around Sansa's neck, beginning to strangle her.

Suddenly, there was the sound of a phaser discharge as the Melody changeling was turned to ash, the real Captain Jones stood at the doorway, phaser still in hand.

"Keep your hand off my daughter!" Melody rushed in and came to Sansa's side, the phaser still trained on the other Sansa. "Sweetie, are you ok? Number one, pass me a med kit. What the hell is going on?"

Jacob had already retrieved the medkit from behind the library desk. "Allow me Commander. Never a dull moment on this ship. Here you are, Captain." He said as he handed the medical tricorder to Melody."

"I'm fine Mom, don't hurt her." Sansa managed to gasp.

The other Sansa had not moved and was looking at the genuine Sansa with a look of confusion. "You are either very brave or very stupid."

Sansa managed a smile and replied in a horse voice. "Funny how those two traits coincide. You're welcome by the way."

Ras was starting to think that security really needed to be stepped up on board the ship. "Captain, the first Changeling, Sansa, would like to ask for our help. As for the second Changeling's intentions, I would hazard a guess that they aren't friendly."

Melody nodded in agreement. Once she was satisfied that Sansa was ok, she helped her to her feet. She turned to her duplicate. "You can understand my reluctance to assist

you. Would you mind altering your appearance? As a show of good faith? And what shall we call you?"

The duplicate Sansa stood and there was a ripple across her features which altered. She was still a young human female but now looked different to Sansa with long brown hair and a different face.

Jacob who was now picking up the overturned chair commented. "She looks like an Alice to me."

The changeling half smiled. "Yes, that will do. Captain Jones, I wish to request asylum. I was a part of the rival faction that sought to destroy the peace treaty and the Great link now considers us all outcasts but I have come to realise that we were misguided by the one you call Vadic. Several of us have avoided detection and the others are still dedicated to the cause."

Melody's eyes narrowed "How many shapeshifters are on my ship?"

"There's at least 2 more." Alice replied.

"Two more?!" Ras exclaimed. "So we have the potential of having four changelings on board? Our security measures simply are not working!"

Melody's lips thinned. "I have to agree with you Number One. Just how have you managed to evade detection?"

"We were made aware that you found our tampering in your transporter systems and removed it, and then you started using a similar method to detect us. It's not hard to avoid using a transporter." Alice replied.

Melody thought for a moment. "Computer, how many of the crew have not used the ship's transporter?"

The computer replied, "There are 158 personnel onboard who do not have a transporter ID trace created by the ship's transporter."

"Computer, are any members of the crew unaccounted for?"

"Negative."

Alice shook her head. "Do you think the transporter was the only system we tinkered with?"

Melody looked at Ras. "Number one at your convenience I want a full review of all security measures onboard this ship and get someone from engineering to go through the main computer with a fine toothcomb."

"I agree with that assessment, Captain. Might be worth calling into the nearest starbase so we can shut everything down and through each and every system."

Melody looked back to the changeling. "Will you help us find the others and undo the sabotage to the ship?"

Alice looked uncomfortable. "I will but.... before you kill them, please let me reason with them. I might be able to make them see sense."

Melody took a deep breath. "The safety of this ship and its crew are my number one priority. I will use deadly force to protect it if they make me, do you understand?"

Alice nodded.

Melody added "And for now, I want you to remain in this shape. It makes things easier and I give you my word you will not be harmed but you understand I must take precautions." She tapped her commbadge "Joens to security. I want a team in the Library right now!"

"May I recommend that security be posted at all sensitive areas of the ship while they're on board to prevent anything else happening?" The first officer said making sure their guests could hear him.

"A wise precaution Number One. Yes, make it so." Melody replied as the door opened and a security detail entered.

The changeling glanced at them uninterested and signed as if resigned to her fate.

Sansa stepped forward. "Mom. I gave her my word she would not be harmed.

Melody placed her hand on her daughter's arm. "The security is for her protection as well as our own Sweetie." Melody turned to the Changeling. "For now, I'm not going to put you in the brig but I would ask that you allow a medical exam and I'd like some questions answered."

The Changlin nodded. "Very well."

Melody motioned the security guards to move in. "Let's take her to Sikcbay. Number One, I'd like you to join us."

"Of course, Captain." Ras replied with a respectful nod. His antenna which stood up straight like he was at attention but he had many surprises already, he was acutely aware that anything could happen.


OFF:

●●●● Captain Melody Jones
Commanding Officer
USS Merlin


Sansa Draxx-Jones (Dr)
Marine biologist
NPC Jones

Jacob Carson
Libriarian
NPC Jones

○●● Lieutwnant Commander Ras th'Zaanaq