For the entire duration of mankind's presence on their home world of Earth, the stars had always looked down upon them with the promise of a bright future which had been translated into popular fiction as Science Fiction while the dreams of leaving the protective atmosphere of Earth had remained an almost impossible task until the day of April 12th 1961 as the first human being left the confines of the Earth's gravitational pull for one orbit of the planet itself. Over the following decades, many had left the confines of Earth to explore only as far as the Moon itself until slightly over one century itself, the First Contact with an alien species had taken place in Bozeman Montana after Humanity finally unlocked the secrets of Warp Drive Propulsion and take it's rightful place within the Universe itself, at least, according to the history texts.
One of the greatest challenges of Humanity was to enter into the galaxy and declare with a unified voice that humanity was not the violent and self destructive species which had been observed by many cultures across the galaxy, but had a potential to be the greatest asset to the galactic community yet to be witnessed by any intelligent species watching their almost petty conflicts for resources or religious views.
Hidden far away from the view of the public and many enemy states, a single project had been created with the hopes of exploring the possibility of reaching the nearby satellite once again within hours, rather than days as a new propulsion system had been devised by one of the worlds leading scientists, a young woman which had isolated herself and several followers within the frozen wastelands in the south of the planet. Known as Sentinel, a new small craft had been created utilising technologies only dreamed of by the leading powers in space exploration across the planet in the guise of a pearly white arrow shaped vessel designed to push its human pilot faster then ever before imagined towards the large and barely explored satellite which had orbited the planet since before the dawn of humanity.
Utilising a theoretical propulsion system, the vessel would complete two orbits of the Earth to build up enough inertia before activating the main engines which would throw the small craft towards the Moon for a detailed and high resolution scan of the moon's surface, after which it would complete a similar orbit to return home. Having completed four such missions previously, the young and experienced pilot known as Commander James Carver, known to his colleagues under the call sign of 'Boomer', clearance had finally been given to push the Sentinel's engines to full power for one more unofficial record breaking assignment around the Earth towards the moon and back.
Climbing into the cockpit of the vessel with a large smile upon his face as he had requested this exact assignment each time he had entered the craft, his mind ran wild with the possibilities of reaching the Moon in less time that it would take to complete one orbit of the Earth, making him the fastest man on Earth once again.
"Jim, remember what we talked about? The inertia dampeners will not compensate entirely at maximum thrust!" Said a short dark haired young engineer as she handed him his helmet.
"I know that Terri! I'll have to compensate… relax? This is nothing more than a Milk Run! I was so close last time, I could have landed. Want me to bring you back anything?"
"Just yourself Jim. Remember, once the engines hit full power…"
"Compensate, I know. Relax, this is what I do for a living, remember?. I just wish that I could bring you along, the view is amazing" He said with a large smile.
"Some other time, once the second prototype is completed you can show me. What's it like out there? No gravity?"
"More than you could know. Actually, grab a suit and squeeze in behind me, or you could sit on my knee, a little bumpy but you'll enjoy the ride"
"Some other time fly-boy! You test pilots are all alike"
"Terri, I'm the only one here, remember? You should step back now. Remember we have that date next week?"
Entering orbit slowly as he called out the status of the vessel while the Engineer who designed the vessel stood nervously at mission control, the tiny vessel engaged the large oval shaped engine at the rear of the vessel as he sang 'Take Me Home, Country Road' in defiance of orders once again while reporting the status of the vehicle mid-tune, to the annoyance of his superiors, the numerous generals and officials watching the mission on a live feed from an observation room high above the mission control as his direct superior stood at the side of the designer, always.
"Is he taking this thing seriously?" Called out a General, as he stood at the side of Terri in the mission control room.
"Believe me sir, he is. Jim knows the risks here, he has helped to redesign this new engine"
"His heart rate is below normal?" The General said slowly.
"This is what he does sir. He is the only one who can control Sentinel, out of hundreds of candidates, he is the one sir. Jim, are you listening?"
"I was thinking while up here, what about a holiday? I know a great place in the Tropics, you, me and no clothes?"
"Jim, this isn't a private chat. Everyone can hear you" She said as she blushed deeply.
"Even General Walker is looking at you, imagining you naked… you never told me where you got those tattoos did you?" His voice called out, as all turned towards her while she blushed deeply.
"Complete the mission, and I will tell you Jim!"
"Even the heart with the name Claire inside? Oh, I'm doing this now! Bringing engines to full power… Wow! That's a kick in the ass!"
On the large screen before them after the second orbit of the Earth, the tiny marker blasted from orbit towards the moon as directed while he screamed with joy at the force pushing down upon his body from the acceleration while alerts rang out through the control room. Instantly looking up towards the main screen, the small vessel broke away from Earth Orbit at incredible speeds as the alarms continued to ring as the live feed from inside of the small vessel displayed the young pilot struggling with the controls to keep the vessel on course.
"Umm, control? I have a major problem here. Engines are running at 110% and climbing… 120, 150... I'm loosing her!"
"Throttle back Jim and eject!"
"What the hell do you think I am trying Terri… oh my god, what the hell is that?"
His eyes looked up from the control column he had been fighting towards the computer screen as they opened wide with shock as instruments and consoles around the command center rang out with alerts, engineers ran from console to console in an attempt to ascertain what they where seeing before them as the pilot attempted to struggle with the vessel while in the blink of an eye, silence fell over the room as all eyes turned towards the now static filled screen in shock and horror.
"Sentinel, this is control, respond… Sentinel. Boomer, respond?"
"What the hell just happened Doctor?" The General at her side said instantly.
"Jim, Jim? Please respond, please?" Terri called out with tears in her eyes.
"Commander Carver, this is General Eric Walker respond immediately… Commander?"
"I have no telemetry, he's just gone" Cried out a panicked voice from another station.
Status Report of Project: Sentinel
At 0045 Hours on July 9th 2011, while testing the new propulsion systems onboard a Prototype Space Craft, Commander James Carver, Call-Sign Boomer, lost control of the Prototype Craft resulting in the destruction of the craft itself, due to the distance from last contact, recovery of the craft or any debris is highly unlikely in the near future.
Cause of the Accident is as of yet, an unknown. The loss of the vehicle and it's test pilot has resulted in cancellation of the Project until the cause of the accident can be ascertained.
General Eric Walker. Royal Air Force.
July 9th 2375
USS Enterprise NCC-1701-E.
Captain Jean-Luc Picard Commanding.
Escorting a small and damaged cruiser to the Space Station Deep Space Nine after a rendezvous, the small Nova Class Starship had been involved in heavy combat with a Cardassian vessel of twice it's size and firepower. Although a much slower vessel then it's enemy counterpart and sustaining damage to their weapons and shield systems, the USS Long Beach had emerged as the victor after crippling the enemy vessel on the boarder of Cardassian space before running, as fast as it's damaged engines could push her through space towards the safety of the Federation Flagship. Considered as nothing more then a Science vessel, a replacement for the aging Oberth Class Starships, the unique command style of the Captain combined with the size and agility of the smaller craft against it's much larger opponent had allowed the vessel to avoid much of the weapons fire to get inside of the phaser arch of the enemy cruiser and engage her up close. Based upon a failed design which lead to the development of the USS Defiant, the Nova class vessel was quickly redesigned to fill the role of Science Vessel once numerous flaws had been identified within the original prototype.
Sat comfortably in the observation lounge of the USS Enterprise with the Starship's legendary Captain himself, a man the female Captain had looked up to as her personal hero and her template of what a Starship should become, Captain Sara Wilcox sat almost in awe of her hero as he continued to praise her for her command during the crisis which had almost cost her lives of herself, her crew and lost her ship.
"Captain please, I did what any good Captain would, what you would do sir. I have studied your file at great depth, numerous times. It is you sir, who are the hero, we just got lucky"
"Luck had nothing to do with what had happened Captain. I have already submitted yourself and your crew for commendations regarding your actions. Admiral William Ross has signed the Commendation himself…"
"Sir, I lost four good men and women during that attack. Good people, including my Chief Engineer. She was, one of a kind"
"It is never easy to loose crew members, especially those we are close to. Have you informed her family of her death?" Picard said with memories of the many crewmembers he had lost during his career.
"Not yet sir, they live on Earth sir. I want to speak with them in person, I owe them that much Captain. How long before my ship is repaired?"
"I have personally spoken with Captain Sisko, and he assures me that your ship will be given the highest priority"
"I've never met him sir, but from what I hear, he is a fine officer and perhaps even candidate for the open Admiral spot next year?"
"He is a good man, I have a few former officers who serve under his command, they speak highly of him…"
Turning from the standard daytime illumination to the much darker Red Alert conditions as Alarms rang through the ship, the two Captains stood instantly at the sound of the First Officer's voice calling his Captain to the bridge while the large vessel began to rock hard, almost knocking them both off of their feet while the two officers ran towards the exit, passing through the small corridor and onto the bridge as the First Officer stood while holding on to the left arm of the Command Seat as he reported the unusual status of the ship itself.
"Captain, an… anomaly has just appeared off our port bow, very close"
"Can you be more specific?" Picard said with a raised eyebrow as he sat in his seat, while Captain Wilcox sat in the empty seat at his left.
"Sensors don't see anything…" Reported a Science Officer from his station. "… There is nothing there"
"Then what is rocking this ship Lieutenant?" Wilcox yelled, forgetting her place as a guest on the Enterprise.
Turning towards the main view screen, the bridge crew saw a large vortex flash in and out of existence, rocking the large and powerful Sovereign Class Starship as it protected the much smaller and heavily damaged Nova Class vessel from the shockwaves. Stressed from the constant shaking as created by the unknown vortex it had appeared as if the ship itself was beginning to groan and scream in agony with a high pitched whistle which tore through the ears of the crew around the ship. Covering their ears in a vain attempt to shut out the horrific noise, a loud explosion rocked the Enterprise before the consoles around the ship shut down, along with lighting as the emergency lighting systems activated instantly. Moments passed as the crew attempted to fight with the large vessel until all systems reactivated as if nothing had happened. Looking around at each other in shock, Wilcox stood at the as she saw a small object seemingly tumbling away from the Enterprise at high speeds, glistening in the light from the nearby small star as it fell through space uncontrollably.
"What the hell just happened?" Riker yelled instantly.
"Unknown Sir. Sensors are still recording nothing happened"
"Umm… Captain?" Wilcox said slowly.
"Something, rocked this ship!" Riker yelled.
"Captain Picard… Jean-Luc!" Wilcox yelled instantly, as all eyes turned on her. "What the hell is that?"
"Mister Data?" Picard said as he looked up at the screen before him.
"It appears to be a small vessel Captain, one life sign onboard… Human"
"Tractor Beam. Maybe we can get some answers?"
One Hour Later…
Having brought the small single man craft onboard the Enterprise using the Tractor Beams, the two vessels remained in position close to what the sensors had reported as nothing, yet a violent anomaly had rocked the large Starship almost ripping apart the vessel before a small craft had been detected. Recovering the pilot and immediately transporting the human male to sickbay while Engineers attempted to identify the vessel, Picard, his First Officer and the Guest Captain had been ordered to report to sickbay by the Chief Medical Officer herself, via a secured channel as a security alert had been ordered by the Doctor.
"Who is he Doctor?"
"I don't know Will, his DNA profile is not on record, Starfleet or Civilian. But he is Human…"
"What is his Condition Doctor?" Wilcox said slowly, as if asking for permission to speak.
"He had several broken bones throughout his body including a fractured skull. He is fine and sedated for now"
"Can you wake him Doctor? Maybe we can get some answers…"
"Jean-Luc. Many humans share an ancestor or two at the genetic level with other species, myself included, even you do. This man has no trace markers from other species in his Genes… he is 100% Human, an almost impossibility in this day and age"
"Okay, I'm lost Doctor…" Wilcox replied.
"I've looked up your File Captain Wilcox, you have an ancestor who was raised on a Vulcan planet, eating their food, breathing their air and so on, that will show eventually, just enough for us to be able to identify it, along with everyone else. This man, is 100% human and with no markers of any alien species…"
"Temporal signatures?" Wilcox said with a deep sigh.
"Nothing, and that's what bothers me. Where did he come from?"
Stirring slowly as a groaning sound slipped from the man on the bio-bed before them, the Doctor turned with shock as he slowly opened his eyes while his hands rushed towards the sides of his head as he spoke.
"Talk about your all time hangover" Slowly sitting upright as his hands rubbed the sides of his head, he looked around slowly as he clenched his eyes half closed while he continued to moan. "Doc, can I get an aspirin or something?"
"A what?" Wilcox said slowly.
"What are you deaf? An Aspirin and leave the bottle"
"Excuse me sir, I am Captain Picard… we have some questions for you"
"So do I! Where the hell is Terri? Tell her that I have to kick someone's ass, someone is going to pay for that major screw-up"
"I don't know who you are referring to sir. What is your name?"
"Boomer. Hey Red, that Aspirin? Sooner would be better than later…" He said with a smile as he looked up at Crusher. "What's with the matching costumes, it's a little early for Halloween, isn't it?"
"Captain, a moment please?" Wilcox said as her eyes opened wide.
Stepping away from the bio-bed and towards a corner far from the strange man as the First Officer of the Enterprise followed the two of them. Looking back at the man before turning towards Picard, her eyes still wide with shock as she spoke.
"Captain, I'm a historian by training specialising in late 20th early 21st Century history… I recognise his vocal inflections… along with the suit he was wearing when we beamed him onboard. Sir I believe that he is from that timeframe…"
"We know!" Riker said instantly. "We've seen it before. How in the name of hell did he get here?"
"He's English, no doubt about that. I would say Military, judging by his flight suit, Perhaps a Pilot?"
"Alright, what the hell is going on here? I can hear you. Historian? What the hell is going on?" He yelled from the bio-bed.
"Sir, what is your name?"
"Commander James Carver. Now answer my question?" He said instantly, with anger.
"Commander, what date is it?"
"July 9th…"
"What year?" Riker replied slowly.
"The same as it was yesterday dumb-ass… Twenty-Eleven"
All eyes instantly turned towards the three officers as they slowly looked towards each other and finally back towards the Commander as he slid from the bio-bed and limped towards them slowly.
"Why that look? I know that look. What the hell is going on?"
"Another time Commander, you should rest" Crusher said as she stepped to his side.
"Take your hand from my arm, or loose it Red. What the hell is going on, where am I?"
"Commander, you are onboard the USS Enterprise, we are trying to help you…"
"Those are not US Navy Uniforms. Now tell me who you are and what the hell is going on?"
"Computer, what is the current Earth Date?" Picard said with a frown.
"Current Earth Date is July 9th 2375, Standard Earth calendar" Replied the Computer.
"Commander, somehow. You have travelled through time. 364 years… to this location which is roughly… 52 light-years from Earth" Wilcox said slowly.
"Don't screw with me Blondie! That's impossible… it's Bull-Shit!"
"Commander, perhaps you should lay down?"
"Would you get off me? This is Bull-Shit!"
Pushing away from those around him, he instantly limped towards the door as fast as he could only to step backwards slightly as it opened with a hiss, instantly running into the corridor he disappeared behind the closing doors while Riker activated his com-badge to alert security before Wilcox stopped him as she asked for permission to deal with the problem personally. Nodding slowly, Picard gave his order to allow the man to run, against his better judgement while telling the computer to monitor his path through the ship.
"Well, don't just stand there Captain, go after him!" Riker said with a smile.
Following the directions of the vessel's computer, Wilcox located the man out of his own time as he stood by a window which looked out over her own vessel as his hands beat onto the transparency before him while she approached him slowly.
"It's a lot to take in, isn't it?"
"More then you know. What is that a space ship?" He said slowly.
"That's my ship, the Long Beach. My name is Sara Wilcox, I'm her Captain"
"This is impossible. Almost 400 years, how?"
"We don't know. You gave us quite a scare when you appeared, almost tore this ship in half" She said slowly as he leaned against the wall and slide to the deck.
"Can I ask, who are you, what where you doing… how did you get that ship?"
"We built it" He said slowly.
"You built a time-ship?" Wilcox replied while kneeling before him.
"Time-ship? No! assuming that I believe this is not some bad hangover or nightmare… can I get back home?"
"We still don't know how you got here Commander…"