Shore leave

[notaredshirtanymore]

It's not uncommon for people to just randomly appear in the Nexus. Anyone who's been there for more than a few days knows this.

What is less common is for people to literally materialize out of thin air in a beam of swirling light.

The man looks like he's ready to go to the beach, dressed in a light, casual way with a big duffel bag thrown over his shoulder and a big golden retriever on a leash beside him. He gasps at the cold, immediately cursing and drawing his limbs in closer to his body in shock at the unexpected change in temperature. The dog doesn't seem to be bothered--he's wearing a fur coat, after all.

"Welp. Either Riza's weather systems have gone completely bananas or someone think's they're hilarious," he says to himself while he examines his surroundings. He produces what looks like a fancy flip phone from his pocket and opens it with a flick of his wrist.

"Very funny, guys," he says into the device, sounding exasperated. "Can you beam me back up, already?"

Comments

[seven_lifetimes]

"I am afraid you might be out of Communication range." A Trill dressed in a blue Science uniform stands nearby. She has a mug of hot water in her hands.

[notaredshirtanymore]

He gives the lady a surprised look. Her uniform isn't one that he's seen before, but he instantly recognizes the swooping delta-shaped Starfleet insignia on her lapel. Maybe this is some remote outpost that people weren't supposed to know about? Blue means science or medical, but he doesn't see any bars on her sleeve to indicate rank. It's not the most immediate of his problems, in any case.

"What, seriously?" he asks. Fiddling with the comm in his hand, he tries to hail the ship again. "Enterprise, come in. Seriously, Cheng, I know you're still sore about the thing with the replicator but I think we're even now, don't you?" The dog beside him barks and sits on his haunches.

No response.

Chase groans and pockets his communicator. "Someone must be playing a prank on me," he surmises. "Sorry to be rude." In spite of the cold, he straightens his posture and extends his hand. "Ensign Chase Leighton, navigation."

[seven_lifetimes]

"Lieutenant Commander Jadzia Dax. Science officer. Aboard Deep Space Nine." She gives another smile, as she accepts the offered hand.

"I do not think you are being pranked. Unless your friend knew to send you to the Nexus. And had the expertise to even find the right codes to send you to the plaza. Instead of any of the dangerous zones."

[notaredshirtanymore]

Even though she was holding that mug, Chase notices her hand is still cold. Or maybe it's his hand that's cold. Or his everything.

"Lieutenant Commander?" Okay, so she outranks him, and she seems to know what's going on. He retrieves his hand and curls back in on himself again to ward off the cold. "So you're saying... what? What is the Nexus? Am I--am I stuck here?"

[totallyadog]

The dog approaches, picking up the scent of a human being and another dog. Its scent is slightly "off" - enough to fool a human, but probably not enough to fool a dog. Nevertheless, the dog keeps its poise, cautiously sniffing the newcomer. It doesn't act hostile - after all, it has no reason to. Assimilation is unnecessary at this stage to keep its cover and the other dog is no threat to its mission.

It sniffs again. No, regular dog smell. This dog is not the Other and has had no contact with it. It runs in a circle. It knows that there are other ways dogs communicate with one another, and the parts of it that are Dog want to do them, but it is a police officer. It has to keep some of its pride.

It sits up in front of the stranger, panting.

[notaredshirtanymore]

The golden retriever is the first to react, barking with his tail held high over his back. "Whoa, Rocket, calm down," Chase says, holding his leash tight. Noticing the approaching dog, Chase is wary for a second as the two pooches greet each other, totally ready to restrain or pick up his pal if necessary.

His eyes cast around for this dog's owner, but there doesn't seem to be anyone around to claim the pup. "Hey buddy," he says, extending his hand once Rocket's tail starts to wag in a more friendly, relaxed way.

[totallyadog]

The dog imitates Rocket's movements. I knows what dogs are like through instinct, and it knows humans like dogs, but it doesn't know all the ways human beings and dogs can interact with one another. It's learning as it observes dogs and human beings.

It goes up to the other dog's owner and sits down, looking up with an open mouth, waiting for pets. That's what dogs are supposed to do, right? And it's being a good dog.

[notaredshirtanymore]

"You're pretty well-behaved, aren't you?" he asks, scratching the dog under the chin and behind its ears. He's always liked huskies. "Someone must be missing you. Let's look for your owner." And maybe if he can find the dog's person, he could find something warm to put on.

[readvondaniken]

Palmer's grown used to people popping up out of nowhere in the Nexus. He was there once, and in his case he was scared and bedraggled after being attacked by a monster-dog in his own quarters. He's lucky to have gotten away.

"Beam?" He raises an eyebrow. Palmer has an idea of where this person may have come from. "Say...you're from Starfleet, ain't you? I'm not a member, but I know the organization. I'm kind of a fan." The mechanic smiles. "The name's Palmer. Good to meet you."

[notaredshirtanymore]

Reluctantly, Chase stashes his communicator, and he reaches out to shake the man's hand. "Hey, yeah. Ensigh Chase Leighton, navigation," he says by way of introduction. "Good to meet you, too. Where the heck is this, man? I'm supposed to be on a beach with, y'know, sand and sun and definitely no snow."

[readvondaniken]

"I came from Antarctica - I know the feeling. Though, to be honest, this is an improvement in a few ways." Palmer accepts Chase's handshake. "Nobody trying to eat me, and no annoying workmates complaining about my music. Those are a couple changes I can live with, to be honest with you." Palmer shows Chase his Walkman, taking it from his vest pocket.

[notaredshirtanymore]

"Oh my god, that looks ancient," Chase says amiably. Granted, he comes from hundreds of years in the future, so to him, it is ancient. "I've never been to Antarctica, but I have been to Andoria. It's been a while, though, and uh... nothing's tried to eat me. Recently. Space is crazy."

let's have a rousing discussion about truth, honor, patriotism, etc...

[coldsong]

It's too perfect an opportunity, and even amidst the disaster that this winter has been, Loki just can't resist. He's been meaning to impersonate the good Captain for a while, and while both of the actual Nexus versions are down is the perfect, perfect time.

He's pretty sure this newcomer isn't Steve Rogers, but the face is the same, and in a way that makes it better.

A man in a bright red and blue uniform with a star on the chest approaches the chilly stranger. He looks incredulous, almost insulted that someone else should be here wearing his features. "What the hell?"

It's the American accent of a British person acting in an American movie, not Steve's real Brooklyn mashup. But that's deliberate.

And the American Way?

[notaredshirtanymore]

Training at Starfleet Academy prepares you for a lot of things: first contact procedures, how to deal with hostile species, what to do in the event that your ship is boarded by space pirates, things of that nature. What to do when you’re faced with your doppelgänger decked out like an aggressive American flag is not something that they ever covered. Is that... is that a Captain America costume?

Chase shrieks like a preteen girl and isn’t even ashamed of it.

“What the hell!” he concurs, recoiling in alarm. “You— What??” His first instinct is to pull Rocket back and place himself between the dog and his ... clone? The approaching man is about the same height, it seems, and Chase might think he was looking in the mirror if not for the different hair and the clean-shaved face. It’s uncanny.

Even worse, this guy is ripped to a ridiculous degree and he looks kind of unhappy. Chase is baffled; how do you even respond in a situation like this.

He holds a hand up in an attempt at a placating gesture. Oh god, what if this guy is going to murder him and steal his identity? Or is someone really punking him? “Uh, hey! Hi! Wow, what a crazy thing, right?”

We'll leave that bit for Superman.

[coldsong]

Oh, that is a beautiful little shriek of alarm, right there. Loki is already gratified, though it doesn't show on Rogers' borrowed face. This is probably so much more effective with the PSA video down, too. Just a doppelganger out of nowhere.

He needed this game to boost his mood. But satisfaction is not in his nature.

"I think that's my line, buddy," he says, folding his arms. His intent is not to start a fistfight, after all, but he can continue to look disapproving that someone has his face.

(The dog gets a gentler glance. Both Steve and Loki like animals. But Rocket will remain unaddressed for the moment.)

"Crazy doesn't begin to cover it," he says, staring at the stranger and shaking his head slowly. "You hear about alternates, but to see one face to face? Holy cow."

"How did you get here? And why aren't you in uniform?" Obviously they are both Steve Rogers, right? So they should both be in Captain America costumes, right?

Right.

Except neither of them is Steve Rogers and that's what makes this so hilarious to Loki.

Seems fair.

[notaredshirtanymore]

"Do you hear about alternates? I'm pretty sure this is news to me," Chase retorts. Since it doesn't look like he's about to get punched, he steps in a little closer to look at the identical face that's staring him down. It makes a shiver run down his spine, but it also makes him scrunch his nose skeptically.

"Uniform? I'm on vacation, I don't have it. I just beamed down from the Enterprise like two minutes ago." He narrows his eyes. "Did Jim put you up to this? If anyone could pull this off it'd be him. Or maybe... Adam? No... or basically anyone in Engineering..."

Rocket barks softly and Chase stands up straighter. "Right, look, this is a great weird encounter, but maybe we could continue inside before my nuts turn into snowballs, yeah? I'll buy us a round and you can tell me how you pulled this off," he says, gesturing to his face.

[joblin]

Peter's come out for another round of futile y poking at his portal. He's a short figure, well covered in winter clothing and he startles a little at the sudden voice behind him. It's just air, it doesn't look like any kind of portal. For the moment he's more concerned with where the man came from than the man himself, waving his arms in the empty space near where the newcomer materialized. Rude.

Though after a moment or two he focuses on the man and dog. "We've still got some clothes back at the coffee shop. You're going to need them." He sighs.

[notaredshirtanymore]

Chase sidesteps the little guy, looking on in confusion at the apparently random arm-waving. That's... weird, right? People know how transporters work, right? The transition from that to giving some advice and offering aid is a little unexpected, but Chase isn't going to turn down warm clothes and coffee.

"Lead the way," he says, though he sounds a little uncertain. Likely because he feels a little uncertain. This day has taken a really weird turn.

[joblin]

"You wouldn't have any experience with portals would you? Or re-opening them?" He talks as he trots, leading to the coffee shop.

Inside the place looks more than half refugee camp. "Clothes first?" Without waiting for reply he walks to the back and pulls out a large box.

"Not much left, I'm afraid." In the heat of the shop, he's able to shrug off the scarves revealing he's green underneath.

[betashiftblues]

If it weren't for the telltale chirp of that handy little flip phone, Chase's dress and animal companion would have meant he was all but ignored by the Andorian officer with a small bag of groceries in hand. Look, when you have the means to get not replicated food on a ship out in the middle of otherwise nowhere for five years you don't quibble about it. Also, keep it to yourself.

Thankfully, Norn's got a bit of an unexpected ally in that area. But he does notice the sound of the comm and it's not coming from his own. The lieutenant turns toward the sound and both his eyebrows and his antennae lift ever so slightly.

"Uhm." He's hesitant with his approach. Unsure if he wants to say too much about this place to a stranger. The captain did wish to keep this classified. but on the other hand, this human is already here and not helping out someone else, especially a member of Starfleet, is unheard of.

"...We should get you inside. Somewhere warmer."

[notaredshirtanymore]

Chase turns to look in surprise, tensing up and then relaxing. An Andorian! Thank god. But this isn't Andoria, obviously--it isn't nearly cold enough. And yet, the prospect of getting somewhere warm is too appealing.

"You're a life-saver, man," he says, clapping the guy amiably on the shoulder. "Ensign Chase Leighton, and this is Rocket."

[betashiftblues]

There's a tiny squeak of--well. Not protest but decidedly surprise at a stranger reaching out to touch him so casually. His own people are not exactly the friendliest of folk insofar as casual contact goes. Thankfully after years of integration on Earth at the Academy the Andorian has become more or less used to the idea that humans are an altogether different species when it comes to cultural values.

Still, he's a bit embarrassed he made any kind of noise. Norn clears his throat quickly.

"L-lieutenant Kav Norn. It's a...a pleasure, Chase. And Rocket." The animal companion (pet, Norn, they call them pets) at least tugs the smallest hints of a smile from him. He gestures for the pair to follow him up the street. The human doesn't seem to be the tea shop sort of man so Norn steers them past eateries and to a small corner clothing boutique instead.

[making_sacrifices]

"I'm afraid it's not your ship's systems, but the strange properties of this planet."

Allura is full of compassion for the man, who, from what he says, if she understands correctly, is in quite similar situation to hers.

"This planet is called 'Nexus', and it has portals that disturb any kind of navigation, from what I've understood. I'm worried about my own crew, should they ever come here, but I'm also certain they can manage somehow."

[notaredshirtanymore]

Chase straightens up immediately, his expression shifting to the one he always wears when he's approached by attractive women. Even in the middle of a snowstorm. "Sorry, Miss, but what? What do you mean 'portals'?"

[making_sacrifices]

She smiles at him gently.

"I'm afraid you're not here because of any ship's malfunction, sir. This place uses strange devices called Portals to attract people from throughout the Universe. Usually, one can find one's Portal and go back, or so I've heard. They sometimes malfunction."