Future Injection II: The Encounter

By Mark Lopa

Enterprise, NX-01
Captain's Quarters

Jonathan Archer sat at his desk in his quarters. Enterprise was at warp, but the only sound he could hear was the quiet snoring of Porthos on his bed. Long ago Archer realized it was pointless to try and keep Porthos off his bed. It was the most comfortable place in the room, so Archer gave in, and the center of the bed was now Porthos' favorite place to nap.

It had been almost a week since Archer's last encounter with Daniels. The time traveler had taken Archer to the year 2286 on board the U.S.S. Enterprise of the 23rd Century. Daniels needed Archer's blood to inject into an officer so that person would not die. The person was of Archer's decent, and the blood could only travel through time contained in his human body, so the trip was necessary. Although Archer could not despise traveling with Daniels any more than he did, he was told the mission was a success, and he was genuinely happy about it. Archer had asked who the person was, but Daniels refused to tell him because it could contaminate the timeline. Archer accepted that rationale, but in the days since, not knowing what relative he helped bothered him. He was frustrated because it wasn't as if the person was in the past and Archer could look at history files and wonder who it was by looking at pictures. This person was in the future, so Archer had no way of seeing who it might have been…or who it will be.

Or did he?

Archer didn't know how to communicate with Daniels…not that he ever wished to have a way. But now, he had questions burning within him that were bordering on obsessing. He needed to know about this person in the future, and at this moment he couldn't care less about contaminating the timeline.

"Maybe me talking with this person is the way the timeline is supposed to unfold," Archer said to himself.

"That is a scenario we never did consider, but have recently," a voice came from behind Archer, startling him. Archer turned in his chair to see Daniels standing there.

"Daniels!" Archer yelled. "You really need to stop creeping up on me like this!"

"Sorry, Captain," Daniels said. Archer got up and gave a quick glance to Porthos, who was still sleeping.

"So, now what?" Archer asked.

"Well, we have looked at the scenarios that play out if you meet your future descendant, and we were amazed by the positive outcomes that evolved," Daniels said.

"Really?" Archer responded as he crossed his arms, feeling a little triumphant. "And you got this idea from me?"

"In a way. It's not like we're spying on you, but we were able to sense your emotional levels on behalf of timeline contamination and decided to investigate what your concerns were."

"How the hell do you do all that?" Archer demanded.

"Sorry Captain. There are some things I simply cannot share with you."

"Yeah, right," Archer chuckled, annoyed. "So what's the plan?"

"Well, do you want to meet your descendant?"

"Of course I do."

"Well then…" Daniels said, and rose his hand in the air. Instantly, like a millisecond transporter, they were in a different room…almost like a briefing room. It was very spacious, but rather dark. From the window, Archer could see the ship they were on was at warp, and noticed the two of them were back wearing the uncomfortable uniforms. They were alone, and it was very quiet.

"Are we back on the U.S.S. Enterprise?" Archer asked.

"Yes, same ship and same day as when you were here a week ago."

"So…what's going to happen?"

"The person you want to meet is going to come through those doors any moment. I will make sure it's the correct person, and then leave the two of you alone. However, I will be monitoring just to make sure things go the way they should."

"Monitoring from where?" Archer asked.

"It's too difficult to explain, actually. You won't even know I'm around, trust me."

Archer chuckled. "Like I have a choice."

"Captain, in all seriousness, we don't have to do this. The results of this meeting will have many benefits, but it's not essential to maintaining the timeline. If you prefer, we could go back."

Archer tensed up. "Are you saying you're doing me a favor?"

"No, but if this is something that would please you, it's the least I can do for all you have done for the greater good. What I'm saying is you have a choice.

Archer remained silent and still for a moment, and then looked right at Daniels.

"No, I would like to stay," Archer said and prepared himself for something he thought he would never say with genuine feeling. "Thank you, Daniels."

"You're very welcome, Captain. Truly, the pleasure is mine."

The two men smiled at each other as the doors to the room hissed open.