Long Look In The Mirror

 Episode Name:  Long Look In The Mirror

   Written By:  Spider

         Cast:  Hurley, Spider, Stewart, Takamura and Valentine.

  Produced By:  Starfleet

  Directed By:  Spider

     Aired On:  Mon Aug 16 07:24:02 2004

     Stardate:  54317

Time: Mon Aug 16 01:44:45 2004

Stardate: 54316.5

Stewart comments, "If you're here to give me a hard time, I can move." He takes in a deep breath, and says, "Or, if you're here avoiding them, feel free."

Hurley quickly glances to the source of the voice in alarm and almost a touch of disappointment at the idea of there /being/ another voice. "Wha? Oh, no, Sir. I needed air. Even I can't stand being knee-deep in communications hardware for hours at a time. I can leave if you would like."

"Up to you, but I'm all out of patience for the day. You know, fair warning and all." Stewart sighs a little, and says, "I'm starting to think I should just climb into the medical stasis unit, and you guys can fish me out if you need me."

"Oh, *that's* a good idea," Hurley blurts out in exhaustion without even thinking about what she's saying. "We have a team of six people, only three of which can seem to get along at any one point. And three of us are good at puzzles and engineering and three of us are good at security and protection. Let's take one of the superior officers with plenty of field knowledge and experience out of the mix and see what happens!"

Stewart sighs again, and says, "And just... don't start with me, okay? I've had all I can take, and I'm sick of it. All right? Listen. On station, I can't deal with any more than a handful of people. I'm pretty much used to being hated. It sort of goes with the territory when you work doing what I do, and when you're as bad with people as I am. But I can go off and be on my own there. And there's a handful of people here that I get along with. Or who put up with me, anyway. One of those is here, along with mirror versions of a few others that don't put up with me, and a lot of people who can't stand me and who are wearing me into the ground."

"Like Tara," Hurley notes, a bit softer this time. "What is it between you two anyway? You don't exactly look like a four-horned monster, and I promise she's not really a venomous witch, so what's the deal?"

Stewart shrugs to that, and says, "She annoys me because she seems to have no grasp of what's going on, and no sense of practicality. And the 'are we home yet?' thing is a little grating." He shrugs again, before picking up a little clod of dirt and tossing it some distance away, "And I know I'm not easy to deal with. And I have had about as much of her snide as I can tolerate in a sitting."

Hurley takes a seat next to Stewart and rests her arms against her knees. "Well, I can't blame her for being stressed," she notes softly. "I, at least, have had something to occupy my mind with since we arrived. If I weren't, I'd likely be sitting on a cot, worried about my Grandfather, my mother and this stupid traditional curse on my family and generally causing more stress. She doesn't have an outlet. And, I think, she needs understanding."

"Well, she seems to do fine for getting along with everyone else. Everyone does." Stewart shrugs once again, and says, "Which seems, more or less, to be because I've arrived and discovered that the whole time, I've been the evil Stewart."

Hurley stretches her legs out, silent for a moment, before asking, "So. You believe that we have polar opposites in this universe? A good for an evil?"

Stewart admits, "Well, no, not really. But, you know what I mean." He slides down along the wall, propping his head up against it, and looking up at the ceiling. "We're not even proper opposites. Just different. But... the point still holds."

"I know what you mean," Hurley says, looking up towards the ceiling as well. "Though, I think we're generally the same people, simply brought up in different circumstances - with different outlooks on life. You know, I'm willing to bet if we were to sit down and philosophically engage these people in conversation, we'd find they're about as equally racist as the Alliance." She lets her head loll to look over at the other officer. "It would only make sense. They were on top of the world, then fell to the bottom of the food chain. Of course, that's pure speculation and I could be completely wrong." Looking back upwards, "I'm not, afterall, a counselor."

Takamura arrives from another part of the resistance compound.

Takamura has arrived.

Valentine arrives from another part of the resistance compound.

Valentine has arrived.

"Who knows, really?" Stewart asks, tossing another pebble down the road. "Could be. I just know that having the Alliance as the only power in this world is probably less than ideal. And maybe they've learned a little humility. The ideal might be for them to have to deal with each other, but they're a long way from that."

Hurley nods, her head sliding against the wall. "All I know is that I don't feel right with not doing anything at all. Helping them is /the right thing to do/. I just know it is." She pauses, then lolls her head to look over at the other officer again. "Do you think I'm biased because they look like our friends?"

Takamura steps outside, glancing around for some of the others. When he sees Jimmy and Chrissy, he smiles over to them.

Valentine moves outside with Tak, looking round as well. A bit pale, she offers a weak smile to Hurley. Stewart gets a slight nod, courteous but refrained.

Stewart looks over towards the other two, and says, "Hey. Just a couple of things. First, I had this spot first, if you have a problem with the second condition, you've got to move, not me. Second, my patience for today is exhausted. I've moved twice now to avoid hassle. Don't push me any further."

. o O Valentine thinks "Then why did you /start/ the hassle in the first place, you twit?"

Hurley is, of course, probably the last person in any universe you'd want with you if you were wanting to be alone. She pauses and lifts her head to look over at the new arrivals. A tired, but definite friendly smile greets both. "Hey, Tak, Tara. I'm just chatting with Lieutenant Stewart, who... looks like he could use some chocolate. Is something wrong?"

Takamura holds his hands up in surrender to Stewart. "Relax, Jimmy. We're not here to cause any trouble. I just wanted to check up on everyone." Shaking his head he notes to Hurley. "No, there is nothing wrong that I know of. Besides the most obvious, of course." He then winks at her with a grin.

Valentine says softly, "No hassle, Lieutenant," and she nods at Tak's answer to Chris.

Stewart looks at Valentine for a moment or two, before nodding, and looking away back into the forest. "Right. Well, we're fine here, I think."

"You know," Hurley notes, following Stewart's gaze to the forest, "it's hard to believe what's really going on around here when looking across at that. It's rather quiet here. Peaceful, almost. Kinda reminds me of the Observation Gardens - without the lilacs, of course."

Takamura nods slowly. "That's good. I'm glad to hear it." He then looks between Stewart and Hurley. "Well, if you want, we can go and let you two enjoy the view."

Valentine catches Stewart's look and glances wearily toward Takamura, but she just nods to Hurley. "Yep, they sure picked a pretty place to hide out in. Nice natural cover too."

"Up to you, Tak," Stewart replies, from where he sits. "And the forest, for all we know, could be riddled with rather nasty animals. I'd imagine more likely so than not, if only for the reason that it makes it less likely to be searched well."

Hurley smirks slightly. "Animals that are likely more afraid of us than we are of them." Glancing up at Tak and Tara, then across to Stewart, she adds, "of course, I don't think I can come up with one single Terran animal that wouldn't fear this group. Between Tara's ideas of smiley faces an old, annoyingly cheerful songs, Tak's excitement about hockey violence and Lieutenant Stewart's ability to clear a room with a single glare, I think we're pretty safe."

. o O Hurley thinks "Well, I can't very well gossip and find out more about the issue between Lieutenant Stewart and Tara if she's standing RIGHT THERE. Doesn't she have smoochy face or something to play with Good Looking over there?"

Takamura chuckles at Hurley's comments, then glances around for a place to sit down. Finding his own rock, he settles down, patting the spot next to as he looks at Valentine.

. o O Hurley thinks "Well, there goes that."

Valentine slips down onto the rock beside Tak, hands clasped between her knees. "That makes sense," she nods to Stewart, then she blinks at Hurley, and giggles, blushing lightly.

Stewart notes, "Don't mind me if I don't talk much, I'm just considering what to do next, really." He folds his hands over his chest, continuing to look off into the forest.

"Don't worry," Hurley says quickly, "I'm sure the rest of us can talk enough for you and them some." She flashes a quick smile at Stewart, then nudges him. "Come on. We're stuck together for who knows how long. We should probably at least make an /effort/ to get to know each other before we're being shot at and chased by Bad Guys. It'll make protecting each other a little more rewarding, don't you think?"

Takamura nods simply to Stewart. "No worries. I would be more surprised if you actually wanted to chat it up." He then turns his attention to Hurley. "I wouldn't push him. He'll be just fine listening to the rest of us. Besides, he already knows me and I know him. But, a nice little chat might help pass the time."

. o O Hurley thinks "Ooooooh. A /challenge/."

Valentine nods, sliding down the rock to lean back against it. She reaches out to pluck dandelion-like flowers, starting to weave them into a chain.

Stewart comments drily, "Frankly, I think I know plenty well enough for protecting. A little worried that if I know any more, it'll make that more difficult."

. o O Valentine thinks "Oh lord, that hadn't occurred to me. We could be here for weeks... months. Years. Who's going to take care of my babies?"

Hurley is about to respond to Tak, but Stewart's comment catches her off-guard. She pauses, looks to the officer on her other side, blinks, then looks back at the forest. "I miss home," she blurts out because, well, she needs to say something. "I mean home home. The mountains and clean air.. streams, lakes, ocean."

Takamura smiles at the communications officer. "So do I, Chrissy. Right now I would much rather taking a hike in the Cascades. But at least we have each other to keep company."

Valentine glances up now and then from her flower murder, listening quietly.

Stewart shrugs a little, and says, "I'll take what I can get, myself. I'd settle for better-armed. We get into a firefight, it'll be less than pleasant."

Hurley glances to Tak, her face lighting up slightly, then her gaze falls back on Stewart. "The Resistance people /have/ to have weaponry of some sort. Have you had a chance to see their armory? Maybe we can find Randal and ask him."

. o O Takamura thinks "So much for nice pleasant conversation. Thanks Jimmy."

Takamura looks over at Stewart slightly disappointed. "As would I, Jimmy. But unless they have some surprises for us in the armory, we'll have to make due until we can steal some from the Alliance."

Valentine glances toward Tak. "Which reminds me, if you can help me with some target practice in the morning, I'd appreciate it."

Stewart picks up another stone off the edge of the path, and throws it against a tree. "Nahh, Commander Edwards already pretty much declared that one as a no-go. Besides, it'd be ideal to have something that didn't set off every weapons detector around, and look like a signal flare when fired."

Hurley bites at her lower lip while considering Valentine's question, then looks at Tak. "I.. could use some target practice as well. If... someone has enough patience to work with me.. or, I could possibly talk to Commander Edwards? Maybe he could help me, then you could work with Tara and I wouldn't be annoying Lieutenant Stewart.."

Takamura smirks at Stewart, nodding. "I'd rather you had your TR-116 as well. But, it doesn't look like a possibility." To the ladies, he replies, "I'll help both of you practice. I think it will pass the time and help you gain more confidence with your weapons. Then we can leave Commander Edwards to think about what we'll actually be doing without distraction."

. o O Takamura thinks "Besides. I'm probably the person here with the most patience and skill to train you."

Valentine smiles up at Tak with a nod. "Thanks, Hiro." She glances toward Hurley curiously. "Were you issued a phaser? I don't remember you getting one the other night. Not a problem to get you one in the morning though; we've got enough for all of us on the team."

. o O Stewart thinks "Wonderful, just wonderful, everyone thinks I'm going to kill them in their sleep."

Stewart sighs a little, and then just says, "Actually, we should take more of an inventory of what we do have. Get a complete list. If only because we know that the people we're with are not above making things disappear."

"They really want our help, Lieutenant," Hurley gently says, looking over to Stewart. "Even Randal was admitting they need us. Randal! I don't think they're going to jeapordize getting our help at its fullest."

Takamura nods to his teammate. "Excellent idea. I was thinking the same thing. We need to figure out exactly what we have to work with: Weapons, tools, equipment, skillsets. This way it will help us to formulate the best plan for our rescue attempt." Looking to Hurley, he adds, "While they might need us, I don't think either side completely trusts the other. It's best to remain vigilant and keep an eye on our own supplies and only give them what we can spare."

Valentine chuckles quietly. "Well, as far as the equipment on the shuttle is concerned, I know it by heart. And honestly," she glances up toward Tak with a bit of temerity, "If a few minor items go astray, it's probably best to look the other way."

Stewart puts his feet up, and says, "Well, supplies also equal bargaining position. We can trade them for things, if we have to. So it's best not to get stolen from, we can trade with them instead."

. o O Valentine thinks "Okay, now that's just heartless."

Hurley looks over at Valentine, blinking and smiling in pleasant surprise. Her attention turns back to Stewart, then up to Tak before she says, while pushing herself off the ground, "I'm going to get back to working on that comsys. Hopefully Ensign Birev and I will have that running soon enough that I can sleep." Whispering a little loudly, "Between us, their coffee is *horrid*. Strong, but horrid."

Takamura shows his agreement with Stewart. "Jimmy's right. The more we keep to ourselves the better position we are in for bartering. Especially the medical supplies." Glancing over to Hurley, he smiles at her. "Good night, Chrissy. Good luck with that comsys and don't stay up too late. We need you to be well rested. And thanks for the warning."

Valentine considers Stewart and Tak for a long moment, then smile slightly. "Perhaps you have a point there, Lieutenants," she says pleasantly. She can afford to be pleasant- she's the one with the shuttle manifest rattling around in her head, and probably the only one who would notice if anything 'went astray'. Tara rises, dusting off her bottom, and drapes the flower chain around Tak's neck with a chuckle for the coffee comment. "I think I need some rest myself. One of these nights here, I might actually start sleeping decently."

Stewart looks over at the rest of the group, and says, "Night you two. Sleep well."

Hurley pauses before heading back into the compound and looks directly at Takamura, obviously taken aback. "You're.. not suggesting.. that we're going to *barter* for these people's health? I mean, we will give medical supplies if they're needed, right?"

Takamura glances down at the new necklace Tara's made for him with a smile. Then he looks to Hurley. "If they are needed, yes. But not before then. We have to look out for ourselves too. If they want extra medical supplies, we have to get something in return. Remember. We weren't asked for our assistance. We were shanghaied."

Valentine nods amiably to Stewart and gently tries to herd Hurley into the compound. "They're trained for hostile situations like this, Chris. Logistically, it makes sense. But I don't think we're going to let anybody die when we can prevent it." She looks back over her shoulder to Tak with a smile.

. o O Stewart thinks "Well, at least now she's annoyed at Tak too."

. o O Hurley is so tired. So, so so very tired.

. o O Valentine thinks "You /owe/ me for this show of support, Hiroshi Takamura."

Stewart looks over at the everyone else, and just lets out a heavy sigh. "Look, let's just all agree that things are complicated for the moment, and that our first allegiance is to making sure none of us get killed or end up as slaves in a dilithium mine. All right?"

"Not intentionally," Hurley gently reminds Tak. "They didn't *mean* to take us no more than we meant to end up here. I'm not even going to pretend that I have an *inkling* of an idea of what happened in Operations two nights ago, but with the reaction from Dana and Randal, I'm quite sure it wasn't what was expected to happen." She draws in a breath, looks to Valentine and simply nods. "Back to work with me." Smiling to Stewart, she softly agrees, "Right, Lieutenant. Complicated situation - loyal to each other always." After a small pause, she adds, "Good night, Sir, Tak, Tara. If I'm needed, you know where to find me."

Takamura also sighs heavily. "I'm not going to start that debate, because I'm trying to keep us all on the same page. And that's something that we all have to work on. From here on out, we have to present a unified front to the locals. We're Starfleet Officers, so let's continue to act like ones. Good night, Chrissy, Tara. I'll see you in the morning for target practice."

Stewart corrects, "Well, some of us are. Technically, you and I are Timefleet officers."

. o O Takamura thinks "Geez. I forgot how taxing it can be to work with naive non-combatants. I hope they are quick learners."

Valentine gives Stewart a bit of a confused look, but only offers affably, "Of course, Lieutenant. Don't stay up too late, boys. You need your rest too." Touching Hurley's shoulder with a smile, she says, "Dream well, Chris," and slips into the compound.

. o O Valentine thinks "What the hell did I say wrong /this/ time?"

Valentine heads into another area of the resistance compound.

Valentine has left.

Hurley smirks to herself at Stewart's comment and heads into the compound, muttering, "I was wondering when that would come up."

Hurley heads into another area of the resistance compound.

Hurley has left.

Takamura smirks at Stewart. "You are right technically, but at heart I'm still Starfleet."

Stewart gets up a little, and dusts himself off, and says, "Really, I don't care what I am right now. I'm just tired of everything."

Takamura closes his eyes as he nods. "So am I. I am tired of dealing with Edwards. I am tired of these newbies questioning everything that we say and do. I am tired of being used as a pawn in somebody else's fight."

Stewart sighs heavily, and says, "Yeah... listen. I think I'm going to just drop myself in the medical stasis unit. I can't put up with this right now, and it's just being a strain on everyone else. I'll set it for two hours so I can look around every once in awhile and make sure everything's still fine. If you need me, you can defrost me. But otherwise I'm just going to lose it and end up stunning Edwards or something."

Takamura frowns deeply as he opens his eyes to regard his teammate. "If you think that is best, Jimmy, I'll support you. But, if we're going to pull off this assault, I'm going to need you out there with us. We could use your eagle eyes and steady aim. In the meantime, I'l see if I can find a rifle for you."

Stewart nods to that, and says, "Well, you also need me to not be driven up the wall by Edwards or Valentine. And so far, that doesn't seem likely, even with your talk. And let's face it, it's mutual. And I'm the problem here."

"Alright." Takamura agrees. "Hang out in the statis unit and I'll get you when you are needed. Heck, as the only medically qualified member of our crew, I can tell them that I think it's best for your health. Which in a way. it is. And I don't think you're nearly as big a problem as Edwards or Valentine. But, at least with Valentine, I can rein her in."

Stewart shrugs a little, and says, "Well, maybe. But short of a phaser, nothing will rein in Edward's ego. But I don't think he's yet screwed up far enough to push for removal of his command, so... nothing to be done, even if he is trying to give Captain Queeg a run for his money."

Takamura shakes his head. "Unfortunately, he hasn't. But, I've been keeping an eye on him. After our last mission with him in command, I trust him about as far as Mauno can throw him."

Stewart nods to that, and says, "Well, in the event you need my help, you know where to find me. I'm going to get some sleep, and then frozen. I'll see you later. Well, for you, anyway."

Takamura smiles at Stewart as he rests a hand on his teammate's shoulder. "Rest well, Jimmy. And despite what everyone else might think, I'm glad that you're here with us."

Stewart nods slightly to that, and says, "Well, I appreciate that." And then he makes his way down the path and into the shuttlecraft.

Takamura sits down on his rock as he watches as Stewart heads off to the shuttlecraft, smiling softly to himself.

. o O Takamura thinks "Hopefully Jimmy will make it through all this."