[Takes a few deep breaths, puts away her dagger] Is this scheme of yours a way of getting back at her for what she did to him?

You're getting close to the person responsible for shooting down his ship! I will not lose my husband a second time. Two years thinking he was dead, and hoping he was too stubborn to allow that to happen. He came home, don't let anything happen to him!

Kicking Mudd out first, I assume.

I have a bad feeling about this. [Pulls a dagger] If anything happens to my Gabriel or our kids, I'm hunting you like a starving vulture.

That's another good reason to kick her off the ship.

Tell me what you're up to.

[Leaning on a shovel while sharpening a dagger] If you're considering any fuckery, you'd better think twice. Anything can be a weapon.

[Nods] Yes. It's safe to assume that she was sent here to cause mayhem.

Will Gabe and I still be able to trust you?

[Snarls] Pippa will hunt me down for this, but get Burnham off my fucking ship by any means necessary.

[Half smiles, laughing] You really need to keep it in your pants. She's going to trust me when the sky turns green and grass is blue.

Who is it?

How? Pippa doesn't trust you. Not that she trusts me, because of where my loyalty is.

Yes.

[Blinks] Alexander, the Emperor, is your brother! Did someone smash your head against a wall recently?

[Smiles] That's the best way to handle it. If you want to have some fun with the trespassers, by all means. Make them look forward to being tossed outside.

Alright knuckleheads, I'll remind you again. My husband is Emperor. I just keep it together while he's away. This salvaged heap of space junk is the flagship of the fleet.

Smiles, laughing softly] You went on one hell of a trip. Thank you. If you see anyone else that doesn't belong here, toss them out too.

I sent Dr Culber because we were concerned. You were hallucinating, worse than the time Jen dared you to eat some of Stamets’ shrooms. Mudd is wandering onboard my ship. He needs to be elsewhere.

So you've finally got your head screwed on the right way? We have an issue onboard that needs to be handled immediately. It's best tossed out of the nearest airlock.

You'll be trouble only when you regain your memory. Right now you're mushier than Stamets’ mushroom garden.

He called me Admiral, but didn't recognize where he was. Would you taze him and haul him to Dr. Culber?

Yes, I'm fine. Somehow I'm going to have to keep you safe and out of trouble.

Your brother Alex has lost his mind. He recognizes me and not much else.

[Pokes him with the dagger again] Commander, we are going to see your brother in the ready room. I told you that earlier. [Muttering] Damn motherfucking Talosians turned your brain to mush.

[Sitting on the conn, sharpening her dagger] If you're thinking about fuckery today, don't even. I will literally kick your ass the fuck off my ship.

I should take you to Dr Culber, though Gabe will want to see you first.

@gabriellorca-mu.bsky.social Honey, you were right. I believe the Talosians grabbed your brother and fucked up his brain. They're far too dangerous to risk a war with.

My husband, my Emperor, your brother is my Gabe. The damn Talosians have turned your brain into fucking mush!

My Gabe has a zero tolerance for pranks, even less when it's pranks pulled on him. I'm going to have to haul you to my personal physician, Dr Culber.

[Laughs] He would have kicked your ass from one end of the Buran to the other, and back again.

Tell me everything that you do remember, beginning with the last time you saw us.

[Nods] We got married after Academy, and before the last Emperor sent him out to his first war. You don't remember? Maybe he was right, the Talosians grabbed you and fucked you up.

I'd never stab my husband. He likes his back scratched, with sharp objects. [Pokes him again with the dagger]

[Laughs] This is normal here. Gabey likes it when I use an extra sharpened dagger. It excites him.

@alexanderjlorca.bsky.social [Pokes him with a sharpened dagger] Get your ass to the ready room now. Your brother will be there.

I'll have our guards bring him to you.

It's the most wonderful time of the year! Go fight out your frustrations in the pumpkin patch, with the pumpkins as weapons. I'm going to literally knock some sense into Gabe’s asshole brother.

That is one way to trade in our ancient heap of shit. Go see your brother. Something has happened to him; he's not his usual self.

[Nods] He said you're Captain of the Discovery, and that's Tilly.

Yes. He's disoriented and has no idea where he is or that you're Emperor.

It's very possible, or he's given himself a concussion.

Gabe is Emperor here. This is his ship, the ISS Buran. I salvaged it after it was shot down, and he disappeared in an ion storm. Have you hit your head recently?

He didn't have his usual weapons that he carries, and seemed frightened when I told him about the Romulan.

There had been one onboard. Some idiot Captain tried to grab me for leverage against the Emperor. That is why Gabe went to conquer them.

[Half smiles] I have no idea. I am concerned. He appeared without any weapons on him, had no idea where he was, and said that you were sleeping in this morning.

The horny bastard.

I'll have to check our quarters. He's been away fighting with the Romulans. Do you know where you are?

@gabriellorca-mu.bsky.social When you're done conquering the Romulans, you need to come home. Your knucklehead brother is onboard, no idea where he's been or how he got here.

[Smiles] At least you're not too stupid, that is important here. Speaking of Gabe, have you seen him lately?