The Impersonator - Part I

Posted on Mon Mar 2nd, 2026 @ 3:23am by Lieutenant Xavier & Lieutenant Endymion Tox & Lieutenant Amanda Rose

1,836 words; about a 9 minute read

Mission: Preservation Instinct
Location: Mess Hall

ON:

Xavier was running late. They would meet at his quarters first and then they would head to the Dinning Hall to be there before this ... date of Tox's started.

Xavier had to admit. He liked having a partner in this stake out. He had dressed in black and had found a hat and glasses, he stared at the mirror. He wondered if he'd be recognizable. He'd read that when on a 'stake out' as it was called one had to dress to look very... inconspicuous. He wondered if he'd pulled it off. He was sure the counselor could tell him.

Contrary to Xavier's idea of a "stakeout," Amanda dressed casually in a V-neck blue dress, sleeveless dress with a white floral pattern that was somewhat randomized. She wore a belt that had the same pattern but cinched together with a large light brown circle. The dress emphasized her cleavage and her attracted attention to her waist, while the dress flowed away from her rear and thighs, which she did not favor. She wore simple white pumps along with the outfit. She rang the chime, and waited patiently for Xavier.

Xavier called out, "Enter."

The Ravens, perched on the intricately carved sofa squawked happily when the counselor came in. This would be her first time seeing the dark lair.

Amanda entered and said hi to both of the ravens. She looked around and immediately was hit with the vision that Tox had painted for her. It was surprisingly accurate. She did not understand the appeal but these two were rather unique and obviously made for one another. She then looked over at Xavier and asked, "Why are you wearing those things, Xavier?"

"I have done research. It was written that when on stakeout one needs to blend in so as not to stand out. Is this not so?"

Amanda opened her mouth and then closed it. How the Vulcan could not understand that this outfit stood out in a crowded room, she did not know. Vulcans were logical, weren't they? Weren't they?! Hesitantly, she finally asked, "Um, Xavier, is that how you normally dress?"

"I do tend towards a darker wardrobe but usually I do not wear glasses or a hat." He paused. "Should I perhaps have added a fake mustache?"

"No. You should dress normally and casually," Amanda instructed. "We should act normally, like we're both just going out to dinner and enjoying ourselves."

"Indeed. I guess I will not be needing the other supplies then."

"Other supplies?" Amanda asked, her eyes widening, as she wondered what else Xavier had been planning.

Xavier pulled a bag pack from the floor. "Sunglasses, binoculars, can of coffee, listening cone...." He started pulling out items. "I read it in one of those mystery books. I have done copious amounts of research."

"Were these works of fiction?" Amanda probed gently.

"Yes... Also my study of Sherlock Holmes has helped." He flushed green.

"Well, at least with Sherlock Holmes, he functioned on deductive reasoning. Unfortunately he also was an opiate addict (or was it cocaine? No, it was both!), a narcissist, and was psychologically abusive towards Watson," Amanda replied pedantically. "Agatha Christie had more fanciful detectives but not as many negative traits." She cleared her throat and said, "Sorry. I know many Vulcans and humans revere Holmes. I have spoken out of turn."

"Indeed, I would not say this in front of our Doctor...he really likes Holmes." He sighed. "Well, I guess I should change and um... not bring these." He held up the bag." He motioned. "Feel free to look around I shall return shortly."

"You're something else, Xavier," she informed him with a polite giggle. "Anything that you think that I should peruse?"

"No but I have oddly had three nurses aske to tour my quarters I think that Mr. Tox has greatly exaggerated what my quarters look like." He shrugged. "He seems to call it my Vulcpire lair....I have no clue what he's saying." He sighed. "I shall return."

He headed out and once he was in he was in his room Phobos flew onto the counselor's shoulder.

"Why, hello there, Phobos!" Amanda told the raven. "What sort of trouble should I get into here? You usually have some ideas...."

He squawked and few around as if to say this whole place is Strange. He flew back to perch on a shelf that held pictures of a family long forgotten.

Amanda followed the raven and started looking at the pictures. The rest of the decor, well, she certainly now understood Tox's descriptions of it being a vampire paradise. Amanda mused to herself, perhaps this was the only time that Tox had undersold something that he had told her. The only thing in this place that was not dark and gothic was Amanda, herself. It was uncomfortable.

However, counselors had to be outwardly accepting of everyone's choices, even if Xavier's were extremely poor. Then again, he liked Tox. Tox liked Xavier. They were a fit but the universe certainly knew how to pick them! She only hoped that the universe would never be this cruel to her.

Xavier came out wearing something less conspicuous, which for him were black jeans and a black t-shirt. This allowed him to display his latest bit of art. Dark vines with gold silver leaves and black roses that seemed to snake up his right arm, disappear under the sleeve and then snake out the other side. A bit of art he'd gotten before leaving the station.

He walked to the table and gathered up the tarot cards strewn on it. "I think I am ready. The cards have told me that today will be a day of both heartache and triumph."

"You definitely have a very definitive sense of style," Amanda commented. "I should like to know more about how you developed it and when you found these interests." She then headed towards the door. "If your cards told me that there will be heartache, I assure you that it will likely be mine," she informed Xavier with a wry laugh.

He shook his head. "I doubt that." He followed her out. "As for my style...it is a long story. Perhaps another time. I am more interested in finding out who is impersonating me and why."

"As am I," Amanda replied firmly. "Let's go," she told Xavier. "We don't want to be late."

The trip down was short and tense. Xavier felt oddly...combative. As they walked towards the door that would reveal who what pretending to be him Xavier stopped. "Counselor. May I ask you professional question?"

"Of course, Xavier. What's your question?" she asked cheerfully.

"By human standards, is it...wrong that I wish to punch this imposter? I mean logically Tox...is not my mate, not really and if he wishes to pursue this imposter I cannot stop him but...i want to stop him. Not because I view him as mine but because this imposter is weaving a lie that could hurt him."

"Either reason would be perfectly normal when it comes to emotions, Xavier. It also could be that this person might be interested in Tox and is trying to step in for you, as Tox is rather blind and in a bit of denial about who you are. Whatever the case, we need to figure out who this imposter is and why they're doing this."

He sighed. "Very well." They headed inside and found a table in the corner. Looking around he pointed. "There!."

Across the Room sat Tox smiling and a young communications ensign a half Vulcan and half Orion.

Xavier let out a growl he didn't even realize he'd done it. A primal part of him had the sudden urge to move. He closed his fist. "Comms...that explains how he lured Tox into his web."

"Say what?" Amanda asked. "What do you mean?"

"Lieutenant Junior Grade Soliane. Communications officer." His hands fisted. "That is how he did this. Listening to our coms...er rather reading our coms."

"That's a serious offense and risks a good deal of discipline," Amanda replied thoughtfully. "I wonder why he would risk everything like that. I cannot say that I know him well enough to make an assessment. Do you have any knowledge on why he might do this?"

Before he would answer Tox stood and tossed a drink in the Orion's face. "You! Liar! You're not Pluto!"

"Tox...I can explain. I... I..."

Tox stalked out with the Orion going after him. On instinct Xavier stood and ran after them.

Amanda sighed. There was nothing to be done but go after all of them. She called after everyone, "Lieutenants Tox, Xavier, and Soliane, stop right now!"

Tox turned. "This doesn't involve the two of you."

Soliane jumped in. "Tox let me explain. I really wanted to get to know you I thought I could pull this off and then tell you down the line."

Tox glared at him. "What gives you the right!"

Soliane looked sad. "I'm sorry I really like you."

"Then say that instead of pretend someone I love!"

Xavier inhaled sharply at Tox's declaration.

Soliane looked at the counselor still a bit fuzzy as to why she and Lieutenant Xavier were chasing them.

Amanda looked at Soliane and simply said, "You're going to have an appointment with me in two hours. That is not a request. Do I make myself clear?"

Soliane gave a nod. "Yes, ma'am."

She then looked at Tox and Xavier, "It is time that you two and I have a little chat."

Tox looked over at the two. "Counselor I don't see..."

Xavier stepped up. "Lieutenant Tox why don't we speak with the counselor."

Tox sighed. "Look I've just been lied to, gotten my hopes up and then destroyed, and I don't want to see anybody."

Xavier walked over and placed a hand on his shoulder. "May I walk you home?"

Tox pushed Xavier away and then froze as his gaze landed on the necklace around Xavier's throat. He stumbled back into the counselor and clutched her hand. "I...I..."

Xavier for his part looked down noticing the silver chain with the silver pendant. A circle resting inside a crescent on top of a cross. The symbol of the planet Pluto. He gently touched it. "Lieutenant Tox."

Tox turned to Amanda. "Okay." He said going back to her comment about talking. Perhaps he was going crazy and she was just the person to help him.

"Good," Amanda told Tox and Xavier. "Would you like to go to my office, or perhaps somewhere like the Arboretum, or as Xavier suggested, your quarters, Tox?"

He shook his head opening and closing his mouth. He looked again at Xavier but he was still gripping her hand.

"Counselor maybe your office is closer?" Xavier said.

Amanda took the hint. "Tox, is my office alright with you too?"

He just gave a nod oddly quiet for Tox.



To Be Continued...

 

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