@empathyvslogic ‘s Spock
Jim’s been through the transporter nothing short of a thousand times. He knows the sensation of traveling back to front. He’d been a fool to think that it couldn’t change. He knows the instant something’s off. He can’t quite describe it, but the feeling of being pulled apart and put back together is different. It’s unsettling, and when his feet meet the ground again he’s on the Enterprise, but everything just feels slightly off about it.
The people who greet him aren’t his crew. Sure, they’re dressed similarly and they look nearly identical, but they aren’t his crew. They look at him strangely and Jim is certain that he’s not their captain -- at least not the one they know.
He steps off the transporter, feeling on edge and underprepared. He hadn’t even needed his phaser for where he’d been headed, so he’s unequipped. “Um -- who exactly are you?” He asks the nearest woman working behind the station.
She furrows her brows as she looks at him, clearly confused by his presence here. “I’m sorry -- I’m confused.” She looks towards her partner, who shrugs, then back towards Jim. “You’re not Captain Kirk.”
Jim takes a beat to consider his options. He could lie, or he could tell the truth. He decides to go for the lie, figuring it’ll be the safest option for now. “No, I’m not.”
The cadet presses a button on her station. “Commander Spock to the transporter bay, please. There’s been an... incident.” She lets go of the button and turns back to Jim. “Sir, please stay there. My commander will sort this out.”