Temp Fix

[Dominus]

Dominus' "Fulcrum Base" --

After the humiliating events of Kinsey and Jack's escape and the way they turned the Brethren on them, killing off scores of his Scions and Ajem'dasis, Dominus retreated to his 'Fulcrum Base', one of the few spots in the galaxy that was a multiversal constant, he didn't often like to use it as it made it far too easy for enemies to find once they realized where it was, but there were few options at the moment. He stared as his omniversal portal, trying to find the right versions of either himself or others that could help shore this situation up. Bellatrix had her clone army and ships and a surprising number of hidden Ajem'dasis acolytes. His children were carrying out missions, although Ophelia losing a version of herself on the Baseship was punishment enough for her. Having to wait for her new body to be ready for missions was her penance. However his newest daughter Orlaith was another matter. What he had learned made him think of the perfect people to throw a wrench into things for their enemies. He knew damn well they were all just playing along, biding their time. It was time to shake them up more.

It was a temporary fix, but it would do until he was able to unleash his fury. Gesturing on the holographic command controls, he found a reality and a couple of people that would suit his needs.

-- Another reality

Jackson was raging in his office on Xenex, he had been searching for Tali'zorha and Selene for months, he even had the mountain range where the Pit was practically reduced to dust and ash. K'n'zy was cowering under his desk, knowing full well that he was going to beat and have his way with her again, as he always did, but now he was angry and her limited telepathic abilities to calm him down were not enough.

"I thought I had you trained better than that Jackson." Khan said as he walked into his office, a long black leather duster and hood concealing his face. "Rage only distracts you from the obvious. They have fled to another reality and you, as intelligent as you are, have not figured out how to move between realities."

"Khan Singh? I thought Selene had you killed?" Jackson said in shock and then laughed wickedly. "Of course she failed, always so much easier to kill another's father but your own... why do you think I used her to kill Dominus?"

"Oh she came close and if not for my superior intellect and survival skills I very well would have met my end, but I always plan." Khan said as he sat down and a gnarled, burnt hand rested on his knee. "So you realize that your father is a despot in multiple realities?"

"I figured of course... but he died just like any other man, admittedly a much harder man to kill than even you." Jackson said as he poured himself a glass of wine and offered a glass to Khan. "So tell me, how did you survive?"

"As my shuttle was exploding, I grabbed an emergency force field generator and put myself into a deep sleep state. My body was able to survive for weeks in the cold vacuum of space with just the force field until I was eventually found by one of my minions and..." he looked at his damaged hand and pulled his hood down. "I needed time to heal, I'm still healing actually, but when I got word that my daughter had gone missing... I was intrigued. That isn't like her. She was trained and conditioned to be loyal and return." he cocked his head. "A man looking like your late father approached me, told me that if I never needed his aide to contact him, then he disappeared into a portal." he pulled out a device from his jacket. "I managed to have the device he used scanned and replicated. There's an entire omniverse out there, every kind of reality you can imagine, every event, every permutation of events and people. The Pit was a doorway until you destroyed it but no matter... we have a way." he cocked his head slightly. "That is, if you're willing to let your deputies handle things while you are gone?"

"Call me when you find her, I believe she needs to be firmly punished." Jackson said with a dark look on his face.

"Oh I believe that as well." Khan said and stood up. "Expect a call." he pointed his rift generator at the wall and a portal opened up. Walking through he disappeared into another reality and the portal closed up behind him.

"Computer. Trace his location and give me full specs and replicate that device he used." He tapped his fingers on his desk. "Oh Tali'Zorha... you're going to pay so much." Jackson looked down at K'n'zy. "As for you... you'll have to do" he said and grabbed her by her hair and dragged her into his chambers.

--

"Ah, Khan... a pleasure to see you again." Dominus said as he saw the portal open.

"It is all mine Dominus. I assure you... now... coordinates for this... Terra Alpha?" Khan said with a half smile. "And I will need some... cosmetic surgery."

[Khan Noonian Singh]

Capitol City --

Noonian had been spending the majority of the day out walking through the downtown area. He was trying to work up some new ways of defending against the Ajem'dasis and Dominus and needed to just clear his head. Natalia and Nora were at a birthday party for one of the other executives and having the whole penthouse and tower to himself was just far too distracting.

As he rounded the corner he thought he saw what looked like... himself? He shook his head and rolled his eyes, he was working himself far too hard. He found himself walking to an ice cream shop that he remembered Clint saying he enjoyed going to. Figuring he was more in need of a break than he realized he went inside and saw a familiar redhead standing in front of the cases looking at the options before her.

"It's daunting isn't it? You come in sure of exactly what flavor you want and then... you're struck by how many options there are." Noonian said with a chuckle and raised an eyebrow. "Fuck. Now I have no idea what I want either."

[Liara]

“I know what I want. The problem is I don’t know what Clint likes.” Selene said as she looked over at him. “I forgot to ask before he went back to the house. Something to do with the contractors ripping out the wrong walls for the safe room. And don’t sneak up on me. I still have to remind myself your not my father. I’m still adjusting and that one is taking a little bit of time.”

[Khan Noonian Singh]

"I apologize." Noonian said with a slight bow of his head. "I can imagine this is still quite difficult." he looked at the tubs and hummed. "I believe Clint is partial to Rocky Road and Butter Pecan. While I'm torn between the Kahlua Coffee, the mango, and the pistachio. And curiously that one marked 'Monster' is looking appealing despite not being a fan of so much candy in my ice cream." He chuckled lightly and looked at Selene. "I take it you had an enjoyable date the other night?"

[Liara]

“Rocky Road, Butter Pecan, and Strawberry with sprinkles.” Selene told the clerk and smiled a Noonian. “I did...I like Clint.”

[Khan Noonian Singh]

"I'm glad. Probably your first real 'date night' hmm?" Noonian said with a smile. "He's a good man and I'm sure once you've been with him for a while, you'll see what others have seen." he gave the clerk a look. "Put it on my card. And I'll have a pint of Mango. Extra fruit." he shrugged his shoulders. "As a child I always enjoyed mango ice cream. Was one of the few sweet parts of growing up in Colonial India."

[Liara]

“Never had. Fresh fruits were a bit of a rare commodity. Only those in power got the privilege. It’s on our list of things to try though.” Selene said with a shrug.

[Khan Noonian Singh]

"I must say, that my counterpart was an asshole." Noonian shook his head. "Course, takes one to know one... this reality was good for me, it will be good for you as well."

[Liara]

“I like it here.” Selene said as she watched the clerk scoop her Ice cream into containers. “I’m going to kill Dominus. He has no right to destroy all of this.”

[Khan Noonian Singh]

"Indeed... although he's not an easy one to pin down and kill, not like some of the other despots you may have faced." Noonian replied. "Although I am sure there is a way."