GAMMA QUADRANT — The USS Octavia E. Butler has returned from a daring rescue mission in an alternate universe—bringing home not just its crew, but a group of unexpected guests: refugees from across the multiverse.
The mission began when the Butler entered a wormhole and emerged in a warped dimension where a species known as the “Collectors” trafficked individuals from alternate realities. Using crystalline technology to jump between universes, the Collectors hunted for rare variants of sentient beings as trophies—an unsettling practice uncovered by the Butler crew in what is now being called the “Collectorsverse.”
Trouble began with the sudden appearance of an alternate version of the Butler’s Ferengi nurse, Miash.
“The thing that was weird is how different she was from our Miash—suggesting the importance of the ‘nurture’ side of the nature/nurture debate,” said Lieutenant JG Jani Nis. “To be honest, it was also depressing to realize people who are trustworthy in one universe may not be in another.”
The incident sparked concern among crew members about encountering versions of themselves.
“It was somewhat relieving to not meet myself,” said Lieutenant Commander Toxin Arlill, who served as acting First Officer during the mission. “There’s something unholy about two of me existing in this realm.”
Not all were spared that experience. Commander Avander Promontory, the ship’s First Officer, described his encounter vividly:
“Have you ever been looking at a mirror and then that mirror shatters into half a dozen pieces and each reflection is you—but also not you? No? Never mind.”
Lieutenant Colonel Wes Greaves, meanwhile, found himself a high-value target in the Collectorsverse.
“It was surreal being told over and over I was special simply ’cause I hadn’t died yet. Makes a guy wonder what the real difference is between me and those other Greaves.”
Perhaps the most bizarre twist came when the crew was forced to work with an alternate version of their own science officer—one who had previously imprisoned them.
“It wasn’t easy being betrayed by someone wearing the face of a trusted and respected colleague,” admitted Commander Josh Herrick. “Though harder when she then wanted a temporary alliance… In the end, she got us home.”
Arlill’s team recovered one of the interdimensional crystals used by the Collectors—a discovery that carried strange implications. Some evidence suggests the crystals may be fragments of a vast, sentient entity.
“In my defence,” said Ensign Vala Morton, “when I signed up for xenogeology, no one mentioned the rocks might have opinions.”
Meanwhile, a separate away team—Lieutenant Anton Richards, Lieutenant JG Morro Caras, and Lieutenant Toz—boarded a Collector vessel known as the GGS Trillian, commanded by the very being targeting Universe 610784-b, the Butler’s home reality.
Lieutenant JG Lahl encountered a twisted version of herself aboard the Trillian.
“While we shared a face, I unequivocally hate her actions, and find her trade in alternate individuals repulsive. Now, please stop avoiding me in the hallway.”
The situation escalated when an alternate version of Caras’ sister attempted to assassinate Lieutenant Sevantha Saa. In response, Caras triggered a catastrophic cascade failure aboard the Trillian.
“It would appear that all Morros, no matter the universe, really have a flair for the dramatic,” said Freddie Greene, an alternate who, in his own reality, knew Caras well. “But this Morro might be on a different level.”
As the Trillian fell into chaos, the team regrouped in the shuttle bay. While some evacuated quickly, Caras stayed behind to rescue others—until an alternate version of Commander Katsim Peri, known as Toran, intervened to help extract the final survivors.
Thanks to the recovered crystal, the Butler was able to navigate safely back to its own reality. Now, it carries not only its original crew, but several refugees from alternate universes. Starfleet has assured that every effort will be made to support them in adapting to their new reality.
Written by Katsim Peri
