Spock stood at the center of the bridge, hands clasped behind his back as he studied the array of data that flickered across the consoles. The situation had been complicated, to say the least. Captain Kirk, or rather, his Kirk, had been replaced by the counterpart from the Mirror Universe — a detail Spock had deduced after the first few minutes of the captain’s erratic behavior. Now, the task was to ensure that the ship's original crew could return to their proper universe.

His sharp eyes flicked over to the lone figure in the corner of the bridg. Jim.. They had been distant, cold, their movements stiff with barely veiled contempt. Spock’s keen intellect had quickly recognized the disdain that emanated from them, but he had no basis for understanding it. In his universe, no such version of Jim existed. The lack of familiarity intrigued him, although he knew better than to waste energy on unnecessary speculation.

The silence in the room thickened until it became unbearable. Spock, his mind a labyrinth of strategy and logic, shifted his focus. Without turning to acknowledge the presence of the other officer, he spoke in his usual measured tone. "I have observed your... discomfort, Kirk You do not seem to share the same affinity for my presence that others do. I can understand why. I am not your Spock."

His gaze turned then, catching theirs with an intensity that suggested he was more than capable of dissecting their every move. "However, your resentment intrigues me. You are aware that I am not the version you know, and yet... there is something about your attitude toward me that I fail to understand. What is it that compels you to be so... hostile?"

He regarded them coolly, his voice tinged with an almost clinical curiosity. "Is it my loyalty to the Empire? My ambition? Or perhaps it is something more personal?"