[IC] [SELF-INDULGENT MUSEBOXING]

[senior_citizen]

because Sabra AUs are fun and games until someone loses an eye

Comments

[scienceping]

I am fortunately or unfortunately intimately familiar with the concept.

[senior_citizen]

... What do you mean?

[scienceping]

I am also the result of an alternate universe. A singular event disrupted my timeline and changed my destiny.

[senior_citizen]

Like me and Erskine. And it changed everything?

[scienceping]

... It resulted in changing the entire life of one person of my acquaintance, most likely of others as well. While my life was largely the same as before as far as I am aware, it resulted in a sudden and profound change to my reality.

[senior_citizen]

[ small nod ]

What was it?

[scienceping]

The origin planet of my species, the planet Vulcan, was destroyed.

[senior_citizen]

-- an entire planet?

[scienceping]

Destroyed by a singularity being artificially created in the planet's core. My species is now endangered as there are only approximately 10,000 survivors.

My wish at Sabra La Tau was to gain samples of every species of flora, fauna, and mineral that was lost in the destruction. To wish the planet and its inhabitants returned would cause significant consequences. To gain samples was the next wisest option.

[senior_citizen]

[ bows his head a little ]

Consequences, huh. Their wish isn't all it's cracked up to be?

[scienceping]

I was speaking primarily of the consequences of an entire planet returning unexpectedly, though the Judges' interpretation of any wish leaves much to be questioned.

[senior_citizen]

Either way, it's bad.

[ he rubs at the back of his neck ]

And you lose almost everyone you've ever loved.

[scienceping]

... ay I ask what your wish was?

[senior_citizen]

...

[ lets his hand fall ]

What it was? Or what it is now?

[scienceping]

... Both, if you wish to share.

[senior_citizen]

...

I had a best friend in the army. Said he signed up, but I found out later he got drafted. He didn't have any family left, so ... I got the notice.

[scienceping]

... Sergeant Barnes.

[senior_citizen]

-- You know about him?

[scienceping]

...

He is here in Court. But not as you knew him.

[senior_citizen]

[ wait what. suddenly extremely focused on Spock. ]

-- He's here? Alive?!

[scienceping]

An alternate version from the same universe as I know you to be from.

[senior_citizen]

[ well that dims his hope pretty sharply, but there's still a flicker of it deep down. ]

But it's still Bucky Barnes. Not - not dead in some POW camp in Europe.

[scienceping]

[heeeeee's gonna withhold the bad news for now]

... Not dead, no.

[senior_citizen]

[ this steve's from sabra, he's too sharp for that ]

What else?

[scienceping]

...

Significantly changed.