Sub title - One small step for humankind, one giant leap of faith for me.

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Conversations with the dark.

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They say once you have seen the beauty and majesty of space, your very soul is changed forever. I would also like to add to that once you experience time travel your mind is also changed forever. As I get up to speed with the technologies, races, politics, and so many other things in this future time. I find questions about my place and purpose along with my ability to follow my own path keep surfacing during the quiet moments, as I wait for both my new ship and crew.

Have I been relocated in time and space to serve in this version of Starfleet, because coming from the past, I have no ties in this age? Does this make me willing to accept what I am being told I am fighting for, as it is the only solid thing I have in this time zone?

The lack of any other connection to this time and allegedly being rescued from certain death in my past has that change the way I value my life. In a given situation am I now more likely to take greater risks, which could trigger chains of events that lead to outcomes to the detriment of Starfleet? As for my past death, if my death was the natural end to my life I only have these peoples word I died.

How has my reappearance in the future affected the carefully spun threads of Fates tapestry and what price will I have to pay (for there is always a price). Can I still be held to a Starfleet oath I took in the past, while now serving in a Starfleet so removed from those times I served.

Finally for this entry, there is still the question of Section 31. Will they make contact, do they still operate in this time zone, has their mission and operation changed. Can I trust them and can they trust me.

I hate nights where sleep is nothing but a memory.

 

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That which changes also stays the same.

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A couple of days after my arrival in this time zone ( I am still unwilling to accept the date I have been given, until I can verify it). My restricted freedom (for my own safety, as explained to me) has been relaxed a little. This applies both to computer access via the terminal in my room and the access to parts of this space station. For the most part the medical bays have not changed much, endless tests and gathering of baseline biometric data by smiling, but tight lipped medics. The feeling of being in the last place you will draw breathe, before going to whatever afterlife you believe in. Perhaps this is my own self-imposed version of an afterlife, if so, then I have a very twisted desire to punish myself.

 

Another new idea that I am supposed to get familiar with is a counsellor. Already I have developed a strong dislike to anyone that introduces themselves as a counsellor. Much preferring my pet name for them ” emotional leeches”. Over the years my instincts, nature, beliefs and understanding of what needs to done have served me well. But in this future age, I am now expected to add, process and act on my emotional response and then if required relive them to the parasitic life form classed as a counsellor and watch as it goes into a feeding frenzy. Hopefully it is not compulsory to have one as part of the crew.

I am allowed access to an observation lounge, from which I can see ships come and go. Although for the most part the linage of those vessels is easy to work out, some more unusual ships have caught my interest. Sadly a large amount of computer access to specifications on those ships is still not available on my limited access.  Although I can run holo simulations of virtually any ship, in many tactical, science or engineering builds this has given me an insight into the newer weapons, engines and deflectors, thus bypassing the restricted computer access. Today, while running a holo simulation one of the enemy target ships broadcast an old section 31 identification code. I had not programmed the simulation to do this. Given the code was the instruction to tell operatives "everything to going to plan, contact not advisable yet" it seems things may soon get a little more interesting.

Time for some food, although the replicators cannot make a passable lemon meringue pie, I keep trying in hope.

 

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Still no lemon meringue pie.

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Yes I know if you ask the replicator nicely for lemon meringue pie, it will produce what it believes is lemon meringue pie. But taste it and you will be disappointed, the lack of zestiness from the lemon and way the meringue is dry all the way through. Instead of baked on the outside and fluffy in the middle.

At least today I have been given a little more freedom. Greater access to computer records and permission to take a shuttle, just to keep my skills sharp. Which also means I have almost full access to this space station.

Which is how I found myself wandering around the station, looking in various rooms and storage bays, saying hello to those I met and where the individual seemed friendly or not to busy, making general conversation with them. To anybody following me or monitoring my walkabout, it would appear to be totally random. Of course my mind was building its own map of the station. But given that two of the best races to be security officers are Vulcans and Klingons, the route was designed to appear illogical to a Vulcan and a waste of time to a Klingon.

 

I was just about to make another random change of direction and head back up two levels, to walk past an interesting looking restricted area I had passed some 40 minutes ago. When an ensign appeared from an area further along the corridor accompanied by the smell of cooking. For the moment the restricted area was on hold, walking towards access door. Once inside the full aroma hit you, of familiar and unfamiliar cooking smells. A couple of tables with chairs gave the impression of a cafe style arrangement. A long counter that almost cut the room in two, behind which was an assortment of pans on various heating surfaces and units which may have been ovens or fridges. In the middle of all this stood a Ktarian, her cat like eyes never wavering watching me.

Mentally adding a purr when she spoke, to ask if I needed directions, as not many officers came down here. I explained I was just getting familiar with the station and was quite happy to wander around. After that initial exchange conversation flowed, as she pointed out that only a few of the lower ranks came to eat here. The middle and senior ranks tended to stick with the replicators. Apparently the original idea had been for the station to have a fully equipped and staffed kitchen. As chief chef she had arrived first to oversee the setting up, but cost or a need to limit personal had meant the grand kitchen/restaurant idea was cut. You can gain a lot of information from the most unlikely places, as she talked about things the junior crew had mentioned. It just needed the right leverage. In her case (and her species) they took a great pride in desserts. All I had to do was mention a few obscure desserts from my past. Things like the difference between ice cream made with cow's milk and the superior ice cream made with goat's milk or pineapple upside down cake.

She carefully noted down each dessert and I pointed out it was no use asking the replicators for an example. As they could not re-create a decent lemon meringue pie, as I had found to my cost. Time was now getting on and I need to confirm the location of the shuttle bay and return to my quarters. So I made my excuses to leave and promised I would return within the next couple of days. Back in my quarters I reflected on a day well spent and a very useful source of information.

 

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Hello, space my old friend.

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Yesterday I logged a request to take a shuttle out. I was a little surprised at the quickness of the response. But when the call came in, from the commander of the station saying a shuttle would be made available for me. I thanked him, which drew the response that the fleet officers running Project Christopher were pleased with the speed I was adjusting to the situation. Thankfully the section 31 conditioning kicked in and instead of raising any doubts I responded with empty praise about the station and the operation of the ship dock and repair area, I could see from my quarters, which seemed to hit the right buttons.

 

Now heading towards the hanger bay (adding a few wrong turns and stopping to consult the station computer for directions) as you never know who is still watching. I walked into the hanger bay control room and tried to contain my need to get out there. A large Andorian spun round and snapped of a salute, which I returned.

"Shuttle deck officer Thoris, pleased to meet you captain Talia." I replied with "Thank you, Thoris. I believe there is a shuttle assigned to me?" The change in Thoris was noticeable, I could tell he wanted to say something but did not feel it was his place. Deciding to make a risky move, I gave him an opening to say what he was holding back. "Thoris, of course station commander Mitchell said you would be on duty and able to fully brief me."

Well “Thoris if the station commander is that impressed with your abilities then I am in safe hands." It was a cruel trick, but one that so often worked. Thoris was no different. Within minutes he eager to let me know the shuttle had no warp capability, pre-programmed no go areas (close to the docked ships or the repair area) and greatly reduced weapons output. Smiling sweetly I assured him that I was not offended and thought it only sensible. After all you would want an out of practice captain hitting warp at the wrong time and damaging a ship, the station or one the facilities. Once inside the shuttle I began the pre-flight checks, a chatty Thoris cleared me to depart and lowered the force field. Lifting of from the hanger bay and holding the shuttle at a height of one metre, I eased the shuttle forward and out beyond the hanger.

Taking the shuttle a safe distance away from any no go area, I began running a series of manoeuvres that were taught during my time in the academy. These were second nature and allowed me to concentrate on other things. I watched as shuttles came and went either to the repair docks or the waiting ships, listening to the voice coms traffic. After two hours I had my plan, all I needed now was my opportunity. Then a shuttle logged its flight to ferry a ships chief engineer to one of the docked ships. As before I began to re run the manoeuvres, which sometimes took meant I was between the docked ships and the station. Slowly the other shuttle came back on its return journey. There had been good natured comments from the other shuttle pilots about my manoeuvres and skill. This time was no different as the shuttle pilot said some of the manoeuvres were unfamiliar to him. My scan confirmed he was alone, my fingers flying across controls had locked onto him, transported him off his shuttle in into my co-pilot chair and transported me onto his shuttle, before he fully realised what was happening.

In my new shuttle, I wasted no time jumping to warp and a series of short hops in and out warp. I stopped in orbit around a small asteroid. Laughing to myself and feeling the anger at them fading, as I had outsmarted them, I began plotting the route back. I don’t know what the greatest surprise was, me taking the shuttle or me returning the shuttle. But there was a lot of traffic around that station, when I dropped back into normal space and requested clearance to land.

The entire debrief took place in the station commanders office, with a number of other officers joining the party by sub space comms. I must say the commander was in excellent condition, to maintain that red colour in his face and neck, while shouting for twenty minutes without seeming to take a breath was impressive. When allowed to speak, I was asked why? My reply of, I want to make a statement that although restrictions had been placed on my being here; those restrictions were only in force while I observed them. At any time I choose I leave here, nothing would stop me. The Vulcan that had been silent up to now tried to tell me the restrictions were for my own safety until I had become familiar with this era. I retorted that perhaps that was why the current federation was in so much trouble, as a culture of blunting gut instinct and individuality seemed to have taken over. I strongly suspect at least one other in that meeting was a counsellor. For the most part it consisted of me answering questions on how I did it, where I went and what I thought it would achieve. The meeting ended and now as my escort stops outside my quarters, I key in my access code and thank them for the company. I step inside and wait three minutes. Then open the door, to see the two security escorts either side of the door snap to attention. Back inside my quarters, I go to the small galley; a sealed container sits on the counter. Running my finger along the unlock seam the container opens and a slight chill escapes, revealing what looks suspiciously like a lemon meringue pie. Taking a slice and sitting down, I begin eating half in hope, half in anticipation. Much to my surprise and great delight it does have the zestiness of a real lemon meringue pie and the meringue is perfect. Perhaps today has been a very good day.

 

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Feel the love.

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So two days confined my quarters, time for a history lesson. For those of us that like very old entertainment a medium called film. The film in question is the "The Great Escape". The scene is a prisoner that is put in solitary confinement for trying to escape. To pass the time he bounces a ball of the walls and catches, and then bounces it again, repeating the process to the same rhythm for hours on end. The replicator was able to supply the ball, the doors of my quarters the perfect spot. For those outside the doors the constant bounce, thud, bounce, bounce, thud, bounce. of floor, door, ceiling, my hand, floor, door, ceilling, must have been very distracting. Of course the extra touches of having the computer play the sounds as a loop when I was not actually doing it, was probably taking it to an extreme.

 

Late on the second day, interrupting my steady bounce, thud, bounce came the chirp of the quarters doors letting me know someone was waiting to enter. Catching the ball and calling out "enter" the doors open and in walks the station commander, with the two security officers stepping inside the threshold. In clipped tones the commander reports that the decision of the group, it that no further action be taken and it will be noted as a reaction to temporal dislocation. At which point the commander adds if it was down to him, I would be transported back to the time of my alleged demise and left to it. I thank him for the official version and his considered insights and respectfully point that I hope the next recruit receives a better level of hospitality. The two security officers are just managing to keep smirk off their faces. As the commander turns sharply and strides quickly away. The security officers explain that I have been given unrestricted access to the station and that they will no longer be outside my quarters. Further orders will be sent to the comms unit in my quarters soon.

I thank them for the information and throw the ball to them, which one of them catches. I tell him to keep it, so one day he can impress people with how he met Talia and stood guards outside her quarters.

 

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Friend, foe, admirer or skilful player?

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Sure enough a little later the comms unit demands attention. Accepting the connection, the screen resolves its self into a picture of a Starfleet officer in what look like captains quarters. "Talia, good to finally get a chance to talk. I apologise for not being there when you arrived, but the Borg don’t respect anyone’s schedule."

And so that is how my first contact with captain Noguchi (or "Tye" as he preferred to be called) started. He also confirmed that he was a relation to the very Admiral Noguchi, that had given James T Kirk command of the Enterprise. Tye was also the person responsible for arguing my defence, for my recent actions. In return he asked that I kept out of the station commander’s way, which I agreed I would try very hard to do. Even better news was that a ship of my own was being readied at one of the repair facilities, close to the station. The agreement was that I seemed to be suited to an escort type ship, with the intention of a cruiser command later. All details would shortly be on file and available via my comm unit, including the option of going on-board to check on the upgrades. Tye finished by saying he hoped to be at the station in time to watch my departure.

 

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The Oasis, a chef, respect.

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Last evening was spent reviewing the ship, crew, weapons and equipment update data that had been sent to my comms unit. Now faced with a new morning and sense if things beginning to come together, I felt the need to start the day right. Making my way down to the mess/cafe area, it was a little busier than my last visit, this time around a dozen beings were making use of the place. The Ktarian had her back to me, as I said " I would very much like to know the name of greatest dessert maker, in this sector." She turned and purred. "I am Kiatali Kisinxi, chef at your service captain Talia". At the mention of my name a murmur went around the assembled patrons.  She went to explain my run in with the station commander had now passed into station lore. My little flight in the shuttle was now being retold as the overpowering of four security officers, a fast hop on a shuttle to a nearby cruiser, which I took control of (making the crew swear allegiance) and the running of a blockade, under live fire, to escape the sector. She went to explain that at least two of the beings currently sat down had recounted the story, as they had been eye witnesses to the events on-board the cruiser. Time passed leisurely with Kiatali, interrupted only by the occasional ensign wanting to thank me, for bringing a bit of life to the station and rattling the station commander, who was precious about the tight station he ran. After a couple of coffees and some fantastic toast like creation, it was time to leavethis oasis that had welcomed me.

 

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My ship, a visit that did not happen.

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Back at my quarters the comm unit was showing that a group of personnel was taking a shuttle accross to the ship, my ship. It was a mixture of crew, engineers, technicians and civilian workers. Working quickly I added one extra to shuttle list, an ensign from the quartermasters section. Then had the replicator produce an ensign uniform in my size, a little change of hair colour from blonde to dark and I was ready. On the hanger deck waiting in line to board the shuttle, I listened to the general flow of conversations around me, mainly rumour about next missions and new weapons. The flight from shuttle to ship was uneventful and once on-board individuals and groups began making their way to whatever level of the ship they were assigned to. I set off to main engineering, the place I considered the heart of the ship. When I got there the heart was undergoing major bypass surgery, cables snaking across walkways or consoles open with their circuitry and bio neural gel packs being scanned, conduits open with instruments analysing flows and rates. This was not a good time for a tour of engineering, so I slipped back out.

Medical was far more relaxing. The doctor (a Napean) was only too happy to show an awe struck ensign around his medical facility. He was even keener once I explained that I was from the quartermasters. As all his medical equipment had been upgrade, tested and passed, but all he needed now was a few items to stock his dispensary. Playing the helpful ensign I carefully noted his list of items and thanked him for his time, saying I would see the list was placed in front of the quartermaster.

Next stop was the highest risk, as the doors to the bridge opened and I stepped onto it, I half expected someone to shout captain on the bridge. But the swarm of bodies carried on with their tasks. Trying to keep out of the way, I managed a circuit of the bridge, passing by the science station and its officer deep in discussion with a technician about the correct calibration level. The next station was going to be interesting; it would my first encounter with a liberated Borg, my tactical officer. Fortunately she also seemed engrossed in running checks on her stations systems. Just as I passed her looking over her shoulder, she turned and asked if I needed assistance. Caught, I needed to think quickly. I apologised for disturbing her and explained I was checking for items that needed to be returned to the quartermaster and had always wanted to see a tactical station.

She replied that her checks were complete and for the next ten minutes I had a one to one tutorial of the tactical station. After which I thought the best course of action was to get the next shuttle of the ship, as I was pushing my luck. As the turbo lift reached the lower level, I quickened my pace along the corridor, passing an open storage bay a voice called out "Captain". A reflex action that I only managed to halt half way through, I turned to the open bay. There stood my liberated borg tactical officer. "I suppose it is pointless denying it, just when did you realise?" I asked.  She replied "I had my suspicions when you took an interest in every station on the bridge, but avoided looking at the captain’s chair." "A search of the personal records, confirmed correct height and build, the hairstyle was also confirmed but the colour did not match, although easy enough to change." "Then I just had to wait until you came close to my station, where I could engage you in conversation and get a voice sample to compare." She calmly stated as if it were an everyday occurrence.

Deciding to level with her, I explained that I wanted to see the ship for myself, without all the ceremony and being shown everything pristine. Although not understanding my need to see a ship in an unready state, she agreed that if I wanted the visit to be unrecorded then I had not been there and she would delete the voice sample and the computer query. And so we parted, with our little secret and my new found respect for my tactical officer. Back in my quarters I disposed of the ensign uniform.

 

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Processes, procedure and bureaucracy.

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Today I am officially listed as captain, one of the drawbacks is once the system has a name, it has a victim. My comm unit is now logging requests for me to review requisition orders, crew assignments, evaluation reports from department heads on ship readiness, cargo manifest orders and multiple other urgent comms that make a star ship function. A couple of hours later refresh the list, only to find my attempt at making dent in waiting comms has been thwarted by the system. Once it notices you trying to deal with requests, it flags the fact that you are progressing requests and need more. I currently have the crew list open and am trying to balance those that want to transfer with replacements that are looking for a ship. The two most noticeable items on the crew list are a lack of a chef and a transfer request from the doctor. Having met the doctor I am a little taken aback, he seemed organised and had great interpersonal skills. The ship needs a good doctor and I need to find out the reason for the transfer. Contacting a somewhat surprised ensign on the ship doing routine comms traffic duty between the ship and station. I have it confirmed the doctor is in his med lab and ask to be patched through, voice only. After an open and honest chat, it seems the doctor was concerned that I would want to appoint my own senior staff and that his research work (which seemed very interesting) would not have the unofficial support and access to equipment and materials it previously enjoyed. I was able to promise that the research would be allowed to continue and we could even make it semi-official, which should help with future requests for materials and equipment. Playing my ace, I also told him I had seen a medical requisition from an ensign that had been sent for processing to the quartermaster and I was actively pushing for everything on that list to be on-board before we left the system. The assurance about his research and attention to detail in regard to his list convinced him that this captain was someone he could work with. He was in the process of withdrawing the transfer request before we had finished speaking.

 

My next task was both an opportunity for a break from the comm unit and if all went well a willing addition to the crew. The short walk from my quarters to the cafe area, was supposed to be the time I came up with my sales pitch on why I needed a chef on-board. Stepping into the cafe area, Kiatali was at the counter watching the entrance to her domain. I suspect a few of the ensigns and civilians passed on the way had been coerced into giving her advance warning, if it looked like I was heading towards cafe. ”So captain will you do me the honour of trying a little something, I have been working on.” And with a flourish Kiatali produced from underneath the counter a banana split. Of course it would have been impolite to refuse, so armed with a small spoon I took some of the banana and a little of the chocolate ice cream. Before tasting it I knew the chocolate was top grade by the aroma that was teasing my nose. Once in my mouth the lengths she had gone to became clear, as the fresh banana, rich chocolate goats milk ice cream played across my taste buds. The joy must have been visible on my face, as Kiatali was smiling.

In between eating the dessert and talking with her, I managed to raise the subject of a position on the ship. She at first seemed a little shocked, but did admit a new challenge was an interesting idea. We left it that she would give me her answer by 8pm station time tonight.

As I left I said whatever her decision it had been a privilege meeting her.

Back in my quarters I attacked the rest of the admin that had been waiting on the comm unit. Surprisingly it did not seem to be such a dull task, now I had felt that I was being able to take control of events.

 

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Every journey starts with a single step

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Yesterday captain Noguchi arrived with his own ship plus two smaller escorts.  The news was widely discussed in the café. Along with the speculation he was here to either take me to a secret military prison or officially hand me command of my ship. As the ship was fully crewed (including the transfer of Kiatali to the ships’ crew)  and stocked, apart from one captain. Late yesterday evening a request to present myself in full formal dress uniform at hanger bay 3, tomorrow 10:00 hours.

This is why less than 12 hours later I am making my way to the hanger section, feeling very out of place in formal uniform.  Just as I turn the last corner, coming from an adjoining corridor is Commander Mitchell and Captain Noguchi. Stopping dead in front of them, I snap off a first rate parade ground salute, with a clear and resonate “Sir” thrown in. Commander Mitchell is monetarily stunned; Captain Noguchi returns the salute almost instantly, followed by Mitchell. Looking at the commander, Noguchi says “Well Steven, I think that covers our business, if you would be as kind as to allow me a few minutes, with our soon to be captain.” For a moment the commander looks like he might argue, but a subtle change in Noguchi’s stance, is all it takes to convince the commander he has been dismissed. Talia decides to play this very carefully, as the stories of Noguchi power within Starfleet and his temper when crossed are the stuff of many a mess hall. “Good man the station commander.” “Sometimes a little too reliant established procedure.” ”Be wary of making an enemy, station commanders they have an informal network and a Star ship captain may one day need a safe haven and quick repairs.”  Talia replies with “Yes, sir I apologise if I caused the commander any loss of respect when I took the shuttle.” Noguchi looks at Talia. “Captain, contrite does not sit well with you. It was a statement of your frustration.” “A number of people had concerns over your transfer to this time.” “It is not the first time they have disagreed with me about a captain.” “But it was the most polarised.” Talia digests the last statement and takes from it the implied meaning that Noguchi forced the issue of her transfer to this time. Softening her tone Talia replies “Sir, I maybe out of my time and Starfleet and the universe may have changed, but I believe I can make a difference.” Noguchi holds out his hand “Thank you captain, for that honesty and in future my friends call me, Tye.” “Now let’s go and make it official and get that Star ship out where it belongs.”

The actual ceremony in front of the entire crew passed in a blur. Talia almost missed the point at which she was supposed to stand and shake hands with Noguchi. She heard the words “So it is with a sense of history holding its breath, I present your new captain Talia and reveal the ships new name is the USS Elerium.” Talia suddenly realised all eyes were turned to her, quickly getting to her feet, she thanked Captain Noguchi for his kind words and launched into a speech about looking forward to working with the crew. Whatever she said seemed to have the desired effect, when she finished speaking there was warm and genuine applause.  Now some hours later, in her ready room on the Elerium, Talia was just waiting the final act before leaving, the ships comm officer Joseph Severn put through the message Talia had been waiting for.  Satisfied the package had been delivered, Talia walked on to the bridge, taking her place in the captain’s chair. She instructed helm control on the course and asked for two thirds impulse power as the Elerium slid into space.

On the station Commander Mitchell watched the displays as the Elerium departed, now he could get back to running his station smoothly. A timid knock at the door and a rather harassed ensign entered holding a large sealed container. Nervously approaching his desk, she placed gently and said “With the captain of the Elerium’s compliments, sir.” The ensign turned and left at speed. Expecting a last attempt at undermining him, the commander touched the unlock pad and the container split neatly apart. The contents took the commander totally by surprise; there held in stasis was a square cube of dirt with purple grass growing out of its top.  Not many knew the commanders history, even fewer had heard of his home, Barnard's planet. Even fewer would have known of the purple plains, where due to unique minerals in the soil, the grass was a purple colour. The reason so few knew this, was because Barnard’s planet had been destroyed some 47 years ago, when the commander was six years old. Where had she got this piece of history from and how much had it cost her, had he got her so wrong. Yes he had been a pain, but the gift was an attempt to reach out and say we both have lost our past.

 

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Universe meet Elerium

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Leaving the comfort and safety of the fleet space station gave Talia mixed emotions. She was glad to be out amongst the stars again, but the space station offered a protected oasis in a changed universe. The view screen was currently showing their passage normal space. Talia knew the ship had been given a complete overhaul before she took command, but also wanted to get a feel for how the bridge crew would respond to her commands. Talia addressed her Science officer Ismee and requested the location for the nearest asteroid field that was not in a habitable zone.  With head bowed over her science station Ismee consulted the instruments and came up with a field 7 minutes away at current speed. Talia had the helm officer lay in a course and then she open ship wide comms. Announcing the ship would shortly be undertaking a series of actions and it would be advisable for the crew to secure items and be ready for red alert drills. Flicking the comms channel off,

Talia tapped her comm badge “Captain to Chief Engineer Gozon”. 

“Chief Engineer here, captain”. Came the deep rumble of Gozon’s reply.

“Chief, apologies for next few minutes, but your engines are likely to be a little stressed”. Informed Talia.

Gozon sounding a little hurt replied “Captain my engines are always ready and you will be the first to know when they are not”.

Talia decide to let it go, she had given advanced warning and no doubt he would complain later about the treatment of his engines, like every engineer before him.

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Rock and roll in space

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Arriving at the asteroid field Talia gave the order for the ship to come to a full stop.  “Helm” Talia called out. “Let us see if this ship can handle a little obstacle course.” “I will give you a way point and direction, on arriving at the way point another will be issued and so on, until I declare the exercise complete.” Speed will be a constant ⅕ impulse power.” “Shields will be reduced to minimum and helm any scorch marks on the hull will not look good.”

“All stations Red Alert” “Helm, First way point current heading, centre of the asteroid field, begin run” Talia watched as the helm officer fed in the course and his fingers danced along the control surfaces, looking at the view screen  the asteroid field was now rushing to meet them. The prow of Elerium was now penetrating the asteroids fields’ edge. A series of twists, turns and dips threaded the Elerium between, over, under and around anything in its path. The small display built into the command chairs arm, was showing the distance to the centre closing rapidly. “Next way point edge of field, heading ninety degrees starboard, descent angle 28°.” The ship swung severely as the automatic compensators adjusted the gravity and inertial dampeners.  The command chair display was counting down the distance left to the way point. “Helm, new way point, original entry point, heading shortest distance, maximum safe speed.” “At final way point all stop.” The delay between the automatic systems adjusting to sudden course changes was less this time, Talia smiled inwardly, engineering must be refining the response times. The Elerium completed the last manoeuvre and came to a complete stop. Talia sensed the relief on the bridge that the exercise was over. The comm unit on her chair beeped and informed her that engineering was calling. “Bridge, what the hell is happening up there and why is someone trying to turn my engines inside out.” Came the annoyed voice of Chief Engineer Gozon. “Chief, all those manoeuvres were within the safe operating limits of this class of star ship.” “If you are telling me the ship is not capable of withstanding such stresses, then I will return her to the star base where you can inform the engineers of her failings, so they can bring her up to specification.” “As this crews safety is my main priority and I need a ship that can perform.” “As the crew have to trust my command decisions, I have to trust the engines will not let us down.” Talia waited for her words to be considered.  A less excited Gozon replied “My engines are more than capable for your needs captain, just next time you want to run an engine test a little warning, so we can be in place to better supply whatever you need.” 

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Q here for history

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After the engine test, Talia took the opportunity to retire to her cabin, to get some rest, as it had been a busy day.

Talia did not need to open her eyes to know something was wrong. That moment of passing from sleep into waking had not been right, some primeval sense had flashed an alarm within her brain. Giving in to the inevitable Talia opened her eyes, so she was no longer in her San Francisco apartment near Star Fleet academy. As the training (both Star Fleet and Section 31) kicked in, Talia began to take in her present situation. Upright and held in place by some localised force field, within a small (about three paces either way) four walled grey room. So had Section 31 kidnapped her, was this going to be a training exercise or an integration. Or had Star Fleet Intelligence changed tactics on dealing with Section 31 operatives?

Her first task was to overcome whatever was holding her in place. Without even knowing it was there and what it meant a thought shone from within her mind. Its contents were totally alien to her and the symbols that flashed with that thought meant nothing. Then another thought closely followed the first giving the reassurance that it was the release code for the personal force field, which held her secure during off duty periods.

Okay this was getting strange even for Section 31, she had ruled out Star Fleet Intelligence as it contained too many Vulcans and they did not have the imagination for this. Walking around the room, all surfaces appeared the same dull grey metal, with no visible seams or joins. The diffuse light in the room had no obvious origin, maybe if she could find its source the level of light could be increased and might show up a seam in the wall. No sooner had the thought about the light entered her mind another one with yet more alien symbols followed it. The light in the room was increased. So the pattern had been established Talia thought about changing her environment and a series of alien symbols would leap from the depts. Of her mind and the action would be complete. Simple enough, now time to find out who is behind this. Talia focused and thought, “end simulation”, no alien symbols answered, “end program”, “end integration”, “end training exercise”, “emergency arch exit” thought after thought but no corresponding alien reply. Maybe not a simple as she first thought.

Just then a voice behind and to left her spoke “I always find open sesame works more often than you would think.” Turning slowly towards the voice, into Talia’s field of vision appears an exact copy of her. Running through the possibilities, Holo projection, clone, surgically altered being, shape shifter, Undine, chemical induced hallucination or alternate reality double, today was going to be a major headache. “Perhaps not the right image?”  Then the being flowed from one image to another some past Star fleet officers and others species from the federation. Finally settling on an image of captain Rixx of the USS Thomas Paine, Section 31 operative and responsible for making Section 31 aware of a parasitic life form taking over Star Fleet officers. “There we are, Q always say you bipeds are more happy with something familiar.” Instantly Talias’ focus sharpened, at the mention of Q, it was now highly likely she was dealing with another of the omnipotent beings from the continuum. “So, Q why me and where am I.”  Section 31 had no protocols for dealing with a Q encounter; it was down to the operative’s best judgement, as the Q did not play by the rules. Rixx/Q shrugged and claimed “No reason, just wanted to see what interested Q so much and he said pick the right biped and you will be intrigued at the choices they make.” “So I picked you and here you are on a Preserver ship, crewed by artificial biological entities checking the progress of previously seeded planets.” “One more thing, when you leave these quarters your conscious will be in one of the crews body, you have access to all its knowledge and control over the body. Your own body is safe somewhere else.”

Talia was not happy at the casual attitude to her body, but decided to whatever the Q wanted would only be uncovered by getting out of this room and going along with the charade until things became clearer. Turning towards the wall, a series of alien symbols once again rose from her mind and the wall dissolved, allowing Talia to step out into a corridor of the same dull grey metal. Well at least she was still roughly the same shape, two legs, torso, four arms and a head, maybe a little more stout and shorter. She had the feeling that this body could call on a lot of muscle power and take a great degree of damage. There at the back of her mind (or was it the mind of this body) she could feel the other conscious, its memories and personality, just waiting for her to call on them, like a database. Turn left, walk to the end of the corridor and enter the ships command and control compartment. The thought rose clear and concise from the alien conscious, Talia followed the instructions hoping that nothing on the ship would detect her presence or anything he did would give her away. The command and control compartment was a disappointment. Another square four walled room of dull grey metal. At least this had two aliens sat at consoles, with a third console unoccupied, Talia assumed that was her station. Sitting in the empty seat, the alien conscious once again supplied the correct actions. Two hands were to remain on the seat rests and the other two were to be placed on the console that slid forward over her lap. As Talia’s hands touched the seat rests and the console surface she felt a slight tingle, instantly a wave of data washed through her mind. Stifling a gasp, she fought for control and then various data stream separated into individual feeds. Her brain sorting them and assigning them levels of conscious monitoring from routine – needing minimal attention to critical – needing a high level of attention. Satisfied that she had control Talia flicked through the various information, noting some was internal ship communication, other parts were tied to the console she was at, which seemed a mixture navigation and science. Selecting a data stream, Talia began to review the ships mission. It looked very much like a Starfleet anthropological mission to a primitive level planet. Only this was one of the many Worlds that the Preservers had seeded and been selected for follow up visits. The original star system had benefited from a large scale interference and adjustment by the Preservers. A couple of planetoids in unstable orbits had been removed; a large asteroid field had also been thinned out, with material being used on the target planet to introduce various minerals and elements. Even with todays present Starfleet technology, the re shaping of a whole planetary system was still beyond current capabilities, yet here in the past it was being done across several systems.

A change in one of the data streams shifted Talia’s attention, as she reached for the information the data moved into greater clarity. It seemed they were about to emerge back into normal space, from whatever means of FTL propulsion the ship used. Requests were now coming from the occupants of the other two consoles for navigation and system data for the area they about to transition into. The alien conscious flagged the correct input commands to call up the requested data and sent it to the consoles. Talia immediately spotted the urgent data stream and began drawing in the data, also she could see the requests and enquiries from her two nearby colleague, it was obvious something was wrong. According to sensors they had emerged into the right area of space, but the seeded planet, along with its star and accompanying planets, had gone.

From other operators at consoles within the ship came confirmation of the sensor data along with suggestions for what could have happened and scenarios to test these theories. The situation seemed to monetarily sink into an unstructured free for all, until cutting across all the noise was a single command “Silence”. All ship wide comms from other operators ceased and only the flow of data from the ship remained as background. Aware now of the very distinct presence, the alien thoughts within her mind identified it as Preserver AI, only activated to deal with non-routine emergencies. The three consoles and occupants in the room were isolated from the rest of the ship as the AI reviewed the data. Talia had already begun running wider scan of the surrounding space and now one of the data stream was indicating it had found something. The AI had noticed the scan result; it locked the other two out of the data and addressed its self to Talia, wanting to know why a non-standard scan of a wider area had been undertaken. Talia replied that when the first scan returned nothing she had increased the area and each time nothing was found the area was increased more, during the ship wide debate over the situation she had just let the scans continue. This seemed to satisfy the AI as it focused more sensors on the area identified. Still with access to the incoming data, Talia watched it flow across her mind, the results shocked her. The star, seeded planet and accompanying planets have been found in another part of the sector. The AI was running scans of the area around the ship looking for anything that might give clue to events apart from some elevated radiation readings nothing was found. New data streams were coming online as the AI took control of the ship and began transmitting data back to Preserver home World. Then all access to the ship and other operatives was restored, the AI issued a command override giving control of the mission and authority to investigate the seeded planet. Console operators were assigned tasks and the other two operatives with Talia were instructed to remain at their stations, a course was laid in and the engines engaged.

The Preserver ship slowed when crossing the orbit of the outer most planets. Once again the AI ran several scans cross referencing with data gathered from earlier missions looking for any differences and yet again none was found. For the most part the rest of the ship had been in a standby mode, with the occasional operative calling up some sub function or running a check on a process. Surprised once again to find herself cut off some the rest of the ship, Talia realised that the AI was addressing the three (including her) in the room. It was now her opinion that Q had not just placed her into a random crew body, but had chosen one that had extra skills or responsibilities, which explained why she was still required. The AI had conferred with home World and a decision to explore the planet had been taken. As Talia began reviewing some of the new data, mainly the conversation between the AI and home World an undeniable truth was woven throughout the conversation. The Preservers longed to find other intelligent advanced life and this incident may have been the caused by another race. The desire not to be alone was overriding those that urged caution and wanted a more considered approach to the puzzle. The conversation had ended with the AI recommending the three in the control room as being suitable to investigate the planet.

Orbit around the seeded planet was achieved with text book accuracy, and then instead of a view screen in the centre of the control room a holographic type representation of the planet appeared. Columns of data ran alongside the image giving constantly updated values for every aspect of the planet. Talia noticed that the planet had several large groupings of life forms that contained some of the Preserver genetic code. More on a hunch than any certain knowledge she focused on a group of life signs and manipulating the image zoomed in to almost ground level. The scene was one of that would be repeated on many Worlds in centuries to come, it was basic town made out of the local stone, with humanoid beings walking along cobbled streets. It was at that point Talia realised that the other two crew members were looking at her and the AI’s attention was fully focused on the image. Just as she dragged a piece of previous data from her recent reviews of the planet, the AI reached the same conclusion. The planets planned development was at a stage far in advance of the Preserver schedule and was not in line with known timeline for reaching this stage. As the AI and the other two crew started gathering data and checking it against models of previous seeded planets development. Talia meanwhile was watching the scene of everyday life, moving the view through the streets and looking at the different building. Finding herself in an area that looked like domestic accommodation, neatly constructed rows of dwellings with a street running between them. There it was that little primeval instinct that said be careful you just saw something but did not see it. Talia froze the view and began replaying the scene from five minutes ago; her entire concentration was on the image, looking for that one out of the ordinary event. Dwelling with beings outside, another dwelling, empty space, dwelling with beings, dwelling with beings, empty space with beings, dwelling, freeze image and there it was, just as her eye line moved to the next dwelling, in the previously empty space a new dwelling appeared. No construction, no workers, just a new dwelling. Time stopped and Rixx/Q materialised looking around with that smugness all Q have. “My dear Talia, well done so far on your mission, I must say you are achieving higher than expected.” “So it is only far I give you a little help.” Rixx/Q paused for effect, turning to the planet view and sweeping his/her arm towards it solemnly and announced “Welcome, insignificant human to original birthplace of the Q” “Granted at this moment in time we are not yet the fully evolved, charming, admired beings of your time.” Talia coughed “Don’t get me wrong, I appreciate being shown your humble beginnings, but I doubt you just brought me here for a trip down memory lane.” Looking hurt the Rixx/Q replied “As a student of history, I had expected you to enjoy this and think of the tale you have for that interesting section 31.”  And with that Rixx/Q vanished and time started again.

The AI had noticed Talia’s surprise at the sudden appearance of building and was instructing the other crew to cease reviewing data and observed the seeded planets’ beings for other similar happenings. Within the space of ten minutes across a total population of 2,316,794 the three crew and AI recorded 14129 similar incidents, now being classed as spontaneous anomalies by the AI.

Instantly new command routines came online within the ships operating system, increased offensive and defensive capabilities, the ships configuration changed and engines switch modes to a type that generated more power. Consoles throughout the ship came on stream as crew took up station either to fight or run.

Again the scene froze and Rixx/Q appeared, clapping and looking rather pleased with its self (if it is possible for a Q to look more smug than normal). “I told them, in the continuum that you would not let us down.” Rixx/Q announced. “Look Q I have enough problems with the Department of Temporal Investigations, without you adding to them. So tell me why I am here and what it is you want doing, then I can refuse and you can send me back to my own timeline.” Looking somewhat hurt Rixx/Q continues “Talia, mon capitain, your considerable experience with time travel is the reason you are suited to being here.” “Of course there is that incident in 1986, going back to retrieve the items Pavel Chekov left in the integration room and then getting in the way of the pursuing security officers as Kirk and McCoy rescued Chekov from the hospital.” “It would be a shame if someone in the Department of Temporal Investigations should notice your involvement.” Talia said nothing, sensing Rixx/Q was in a talkative mood. “So all you have to do, is carry on doing what you have been doing, which will include an away mission to the planet. As you can see and I can vouch for, it is far better than a stay on Risa.”

Rixx/Q was gone and the AI had received further instruction from Preserver home World, the Talia and the other two crew members would transport down to the planet and investigate the evolutionary process/mutation that had occurred, the data would be used by the Preservers to calculate the new evolutionary path. If it meant rapid development leading to a culture that would threaten the normal progression of other seeded planets, then this world would be sterilized and returned to barren lifeless rock. Talia was shocked at the clinical way the fate of an entire race was being considered. But then again the Q of her time also looked on other races with detached indifference; perhaps a little Preserver DNA/RNA still lived on in the Q.  

The crew stood up and from recessed lockers behind them had taken out a couple of small devices; Talia knew they were for scanning and analyzing data on the planets’ surface. They also had a secondary function of masking the crews’ image with one based on the planets indigenous population. So they could interact with the locals and not appear different or out of place. Talia rose from her seat and turned to the open locker behind her, taking two of the devices for herself and clipping them to her belt. Joining the others in the center of the room, she guessed they were about to make planet fall. Talia would never again complain about federation transporters, the Preservers could learn a lot from it. She was aware of being on the planet as her body was still in the process or rematerializing around her consciousness.

Once body and mind were rejoined she looked around at her fellow away team members, they were already scanning the area. Information appeared on the device screens from both the device itself and the AI back on the ship building up a map of their surroundings. Nearby they had the choice of two settlements in which a large number of the spontaneous anomalies had been logged. Without thinking Talia began heading towards the farther of the two settlements, the device flashed a query from the AI, looking behind her the two other crew had not moved. The AI wanted to know why she was heading in that direction as no instruction had been given and there was a closer settlement. Talia responded that the location of the other settlement was in a more diverse landscape in addition to being near a body of coastal water and therefore because of increased natural variables offered a higher chance of observing spontaneous anomalies. Which she was beginning to suspect were not spontaneous, but a result of either a technological or harnessed natural process being applied to the local environment? The AI considered the reasoning and cross checked the available data, which did indicate that given settlements of near equal population, the more diverse the landscape the more anomalies were recorded. The AI’s partial validation of Talia’s theory added the necessary authority as the other two crew began moving towards in Talia’s direction. It seemed that something had occurred in the exchange between the AI and Talia, in the way the other away team crew viewed her. They now were allowing her to take the led, inwardly smiling to herself at the thought of it did not matter if it was past, present or future the role of command would always seek her out.  The trek to the settlement was very uneventful, with just occasional movement from some nearby plant life as some small animal observed them and decided easier meals were on offer elsewhere. Stopping roughly a kilometre from the settlement Talia consulted the map and data on the settlement. Again the AI interrupted her thinking, wanting to know why they had stopped some distance from the target. Talia again had to explain her thought process, for what she was beginning to look upon as a very naïve tactical awareness on the AI’s part. If the anomalies were a by-product of technology or natural ability of the planets inhabitants, it would be sensible to assume that they may be able to penetrate the image masking produced by the devices the away team carried.  Given that all observed anomalies had manifested in close proximity to the inhabitants, it was natural to assume the range was limited to a short distance. Given were the away team had stopped, they were shielded from sight by a small ridge, which provided a safe location to plan how to approach the settlement and work on contingencies for detection or rapid retreat. Talia was unsure if she had overstepped the boundary of what was expected from one of the ships’ crew, but she was not about to walk into a settlement on a planet from the distant past and trust that Rixx/Q would come to her aid, if needed. The AI indicated that it could not find any fault in her reasoning and now requested that she outline her plan for approaching the settlement and anything else they need to consider. Talia asked the AI if the probes they used at a high altitude could work at lower levels and would it be possible to equip them with the image masking technology, as she had noticed what looked like bird life in the sky.  The AI confirmed low level operations and image masking were built into the probes operating parameters. Talia suggested flying a masked probe over the settlement at a height equal to their current distance from the settlement. In the belief they had not yet been discovered so were undetectable and then taking the height down in increments until the probe could land on any structure at roughly head height with inhabitants or until detected. This would give the away team a baseline for the minimum distance they would need to maintain and provide the AI with a presence on the ground. The AI informed Talia and the rest of the away team that a probe was now on route and they should shortly be receiving data from it. Sure enough Talia’s device was showing a new data source as the probe headed towards the settlement. Over the next hour and half the probe flew lower and lower each time checking for any sign of being detected, then finally landed on a dwelling just above the door. The AI reported that no signs of detection had been spotted and the image masking appeared to be functioning and no indication that any transmissions from or to the probe had been monitored. The crew agreed that they should approach the settlement using a nearby track way, as it was easily accessible and slightly curved giving cover until they got closer to the target.

They reached the settlements edge, where Talia got her first look at a pre omnipotent Q. Biped, humanoid form, two arms, two legs, two eyes (although Talia thought she an inner eyelid), nose was a little wider (but could be just this individual), mouth looked normal, the neck appeared to have a strip of hair/fine fur running from behind the ears down either side if the neck and possibly along the shoulders. It smiled and greeted them with “Welcome my friends are you in need of anything?” Talia smiled back and hoped the masking programme was sophisticated enough to translate facial gestures. “Friend, we have travelled through many settlements, to reach the coast, as we feel the need to be near the sea.” This seemed to be a satisfactory reply as he responded with “Then friends allow me to be your guide. I am Ollmac and if you would follow me I will offer you a place to rest and some refreshment.” Talia sent an urgent query to the AI asking for three names that had been heard while the crew on the ship were monitoring the planets inhabitants, but not from this settlement.. “Most kind and gracious your friendship and hospitality are humbly accepted, Ollmac.” Talia was playing for time and neeedd those name soon, the AI delivered a selection. “Forgive my lack of manners and allow me to make amends by introducing my travelling companions,  Nurex and Minex, and myself Quaron.” Ollmac bowed to each crew member as they were introduced and they in turn bowed back. He then led the away team to a small dwelling and ushered them inside to a small room with a few chairs and a simple table. “Please be seated and I will return shortly with some refreshments.” And with that he disappeared into another room, from which they could here liquid being poured. Ollmac returned with a wooden tray on which were four stone beakers and selection of dried fruits, placing it on the table he handed out the beakers and offered around the fruit, each taking a small piece. Talia spoke “Ollmac friend, guide and host, would it be possible to have a look around the settlement. We have come from a small inland community and have not seen anything on this scale.” Ollmac swelled with pride (it seems flattery worked on early Q as well) “Quaron and companions I would consider it an honour to show you around.” “But first could indulge my curiosity a little, with the answer to a question.” Talia’s blood turned cold, but she pushed down the fear and forced herself to look as open as possible. “My dear Ollmac, this is your home, you have right to speak as you will within its walls.” “If something is troubling you then ask away, for are we not friends, in fact I feel we have no secrets, that you may call me by the name all my friends no me as, so please address me as Q.” Talia knew she was taking risks, but wanted to see if the Rixx/Q would jump in again, nothing happened, time carried on. “I am most touched to given such an honour, which I will accept Q.” “My question friend Q is why do none of appear to use the power, instead you walk, when you could travel in short hops along the road?” “You accept a place to rest, when the combined power of the three could manifest a dwelling?” Talia was no running on the very edge, knowing it was the place she was most alive, as the place that carried the greatest risk. “Ollmac, you may decide that we are from a backward community, but ours have taken the decision not to use the power, it is believed that must rely on our own physical strengths to achieve the days’ tasks and not in something we cannot understand and have no idea if it will always be with us.” Ollmac considered the words he had just heard spoken “Q within what you say is a truth, the power is not equal among all.” “Our history also tells us it began when the day and night skies glowed with many colours and people became sick.” “Then the night sky changed and less points of light were seen in the night sky.” “I have heard of others that are unsure of the power, even some here are wary of using it.” “Some of the more respected people in the settlement want to better understand the power and find a way we can all benefit safely from it.”  Talia’s mind was racing with the information Ollmac had just shared, she need to respond but one of the other away team members took that moment to speak up. “Ollmac, we have enjoyed the rest and food, but now wish to see some more of this place and the sea.” “Friend Nurex, so it shall be.” “We will go now while we still have the light.”

Following Ollmac outside they walked along a series of haphazard streets and passage ways, the dwelling seemed varied from simple small single storey, to large spacious three storey constructs. Walking along a path that led down to the beach, they passed the end of a row of dwelling on a ridge above them. Looking up they could make out a group, as voices drifted down to them, the discussion was about if another dwelling could be fitted on the end of the row. One of the group was confident of their abilities and stated even if he had to move the row a little to make more space on the ridge, it was within his power range.  Talia, Ollmac and the others moved on, it was for this reason they did not see the miscalculation that lead to the dwelling overhanging the ridge. But they did hear the scrape of stone on stone as in began to slide down the ridge and into the path they were on. All four of them looked behind and saw the danger of the rubble as it flowed down the path towards them. They all started running and looking ahead for a safe place to either take cover in or climb up. Talia spotted a hollow in the rock face running along the path and pressing herself into the hollow, Tallia grabbed Ollmac as he was about to pass her and pulled him into the cover, just as the tide of rubble rushed past. As the dust cleared Ollmac began thanking Talia for saving him “I am forever in your debt Q, if you had not pulled me from the path to this place, I would be dead for sure.” Talia acknowledge his thanks but had other concerns “I keep not score of debts, I help my friends and now I must check on the others.”  Stepping onto the rubble strewn path, Talia spotted Nurex on a large boulder that everything else had flowed around waving to signal that everything was okay. Minrex was not so fortunate the rubble had caught her and forced up against the rock face, she was dead. It was then that Talia realised the crush must also have damaged the masking device as her true form was revealed and Talia could sense the Ollmacs’ shock at seeing an alien. “I am so sorry Ollmac, but you have to believe me, we only travelled from our planet to observe your people and their power.” “We have watched your race for centuries and became concerned at this latest development.” “Our mission was to assess if the power affected your race’s long term survivability.” “You probably have so many questions and now I have so little time, as we need to recover the body before anyone sees it.” Talia was trying to be as honest as she could, yet not overawe Ollmac. At this point Nurex had switch off his image masking capability and was using all four arms to clear the debris around Minex. “Ollmac you have a choice you can run from here and call your people down on us, or you can allow us to free the body of our friend and return to our ship.” Ollmac seemed suddenly to regain some sense of balance. “Go Q and recover the body, I will head back up the path and delay anyone coming this way for as long as I can.” “Maybe one day when we are a more mature race, perhaps we can meet openly.” “But until my people understand this power, I am grateful to know that others are watching over us.” Ollmac turned and head back up the path, picking his way through the rubble. Talia reached Nurex and switched off her image mask, placing the device on a nearby rock. All four arms powerfully engaged in scooping away loose stone and sand. Minex’s body was nearly free, as Talia cleared the last of it, Nurex requested the AI transport them back to ship urgently, as voices could be heard just around the paths corner. Talia felt the contact of the Preserver transporter, but instead of finding herself on back on the Preserver ship, the scene resolved into something different. The familiar sight of her Elerium cabin walls shimmered into view. Rixx/Q was lounging on her couch, watching her with a look of boredom on his/her face. Talia decided the best option was to question Rixx/Q unitill it supplied answers or just vanished. “So you owe your ability to some freak astronomical event that mutated something in the original template the Preservers created for you.” Suddenly Rixx/Q sat up “My wonderful but limited captain, do you really think I sent you back just to hear stories from our ancient past.” “No your task was far important than that, you needed to lift us beyond our limited boundaries.” ”Show us the stars, the possibilities, give us the means to reach the peak of what we are.”

Talia shook her head “As good as I know I am, even I could not claim to have shown the most self-centred race the path to omnipotence.” Rixx/Q walked around Talia looking her up and down. “You are maybe not what we would have chosen as a deliverer from our small inward looking early existence, but you are now responsible for what the Q have become today.” “Q, told me that if I need to make use of a human more than once, they needed to know what the reason was after each intervention, he called it the Picard trait.” “So let us start at the beginning (Talia’s present), an imp from the race you call El-Aurian went back in time and altered Q history.” ”Fortunately a small number of us were outside the influence of the temporal change, don’t ask how, your minute brain could never comprehend it.” “The change was to stop a malfunctioning Preserver probe being seen in the sky when were still to discover our power.” “In order to set this right, the Q in the present time that had not been erased from history, went back in time moved the planet and initiated the phenomena that would unlock our power.” “It did not work to the level we expected and so the timeline and the Q were not restored.” “After much debate it was decided the missing part was technology, so the early Q could understand their power and find ways to increase it first with technology and then by thought alone.” “From some reason, the Preservers in the past began to suspect something was not right, so they decided on a re-evaluation of all seeded planets, instead of sending a probe.” “That is when we decided to place you on the ship and you helpfully played your part by leaving Preserver technology, which early Q could use.” Talia interrupts “But the away mission failed, we left nothing and beamed out with only one witness ever seeing us.” Rixx/Q holds out his/her hand, in it is a Preserver device. “The very same one you placed on the boulder near the body you were recovering.” “This was found later by Ollmac, who was able with others to unlock the data it contained and increase early Q’s knowledge of how big a place the universe is and how we were thinking way to small.” “Also the technology led to creation of devices to amplify the power and research into how we could evolve the process of controlling it.” “It also allowed us to throw of any constraints the feeble Preservers tried to hem us in with.”

Talia murmured. “My God, I am Doctor Frankenstein!” “The Department of Temporal Investigations will bury me in a place beyond time and hope.”

Rixx/Q laughed “Talia, you are so very important to the Q.” “Well your timeline is anyway, up to this point, as we may not be so lucky if it happens again.” “Can you imagine how dull a universe without Q would be?” “Also Ollmac was obviously impressed with you, he named the whole study and enhancement of the power after you, which later became what other races know us as, the Q.”

Talia looks at Rixx/Q and says “Well I suppose at least Ollmac did not make me a God of the Q.”

Rixx/Q pauses for a moment. “Well Ollmac did not, but from some unknown reason he did manage to see you as a human and later drew your true image.” “We are still trying to work out how he did that.” “Your image did last for a few centuries, with many Q claiming you visited them at points throughout our history.” “This causes us concern for your future and any interaction you might have with our past timeline.”

Talia lets the news sink in. “Okay, I think it is time for you to go and I very much hope the next time the Q need a God to sort out their past that I will be unavailable.” Talia turned to face Rixx/Q only to be confronted with an empty room and the feeling being very old and tired.

Talia sat down at the console and begin compiling the report on her encounter with the Q, she was certain it would go to Section 31 and they would have more questions. She was less certain that she would report it to Star Fleet as she knew at least one person in the Department of Temporal Investigations was an operative from the future working for the Department of Temporal Investigations in the future and they would have no problem coming to visit her in the present with all the mind melting questions about paradoxes, cross timelines, interference in a past history of an alien race, add to that the interest in the Q.

On the screen the words appeared.

Report for Section 31 copies to Temporal Dept, Q Dept and Preserver Dept.

Encounter with Q involving time travel and early Q civilization and Preserver Science ship.

I did not need to open my eyes to know something was wrong. That moment of passing from sleep into waking had not been right, some primeval sense had flashed an alarm within my brain.

by Talia_Rachel on 2014-01-02 07:22:34