Chapter 04
Needless to say, this is not how General Sheppard expected his day to go. He thought that it would be a quiet couple of weeks until he finally returned home to his wife and son in the Pegasus galaxy. Now he had to deal with yet another multiverse hopping starship. Although he rather enjoys the deviation from the norm, now there was going to be a lot of paperwork to do. Sheppard turned to the communications officer and ordered a channel be opened towards Tau'ri Command on Earth.
A few moments later, the face of one of his old commanding officers came up on the viewscreen. Her blonde locks having grown some grey from stress of running the Tau'ri Research Teams and some from her time as a member of the infamous SG-1 Team led by Colonel Jack O'neill in the early days of Stargate exploration. He gave her a smile that signified that something had gone wrong.
"What has happened this time?" General Samantha Carter asked, annoyance laced through her words.
"We have yet another trans-universal starship out here on the edge of Milky-Way. They are heavily damaged and have wounded aboard," Sheppard explained. Carter's eyebrows rose in surprise as it's been many years since the last Multiverse Event. The last one was when an alternate version of the Daedalus appeared over the city-ship Atlantis.
"What do we know so far?" Carter asked. Sheppard took a moment to gather his thoughts before replying.
"The task force was about to leave the Milky Way galaxy on its way to Atlantis when the sensors aboard the Achilles detected a spacial anomaly. We diverted from the path and came out of FTL several thousand kilometers away from the anomaly. Admiral Caldwell ordered the Prometheus to get closer to investigate. Soon after a new vessel came out of the anomaly with extensive damage. Some of it older but some so recent that I would have to say the ship just got out of combat at the time." Sheppard turned to the comm officer and nodded his head. A second later, an image of the new starship appeared on Carter's monitor.
"Interesting design. I can't tell what type of FTL they might use but that ship doesn't appear to have the capability to create spacial anomalies," Carter thought aloud. Sheppard began his explanation once again.
"The crew is made up of mostly humans with two aliens on board. I believe they were called a Vulcan and a Denobulan respectively. They are apparently from another version of Earth, but that isn't even the best part. They have apparently travelled backward in time as well as the captain of that ship, Captain Johnathan Archer, stated that it wouldn't be their first time doing so." Carter leaned into the back of her seat with a face of thought. A few moments of silence pass before she sits upright again.
"What do you propose we do about this?"
"I told the captain that we can help repair his vessel and that we will help him get back to his time and universe."
"You promised a stranger that we would help them without consulting any higher ups?" Carter asked with authority.
"I figured my rank had to prove for something," Sheppard stated.
"In Pegasus it does but in this galaxy I am in command. Lucky for you, I most likely would have made the same call. Tow them to Valhalla then have them dock, but there are to be no repairs made on our part until this captain and I have a chat. Is that understood General?" Carter ordered.
"Perfectly General. I shall see you soon. Sheppard out," he said as he cut the line. He ordered the comm officer to reopen a line with the Enterprise once again and a picture of the dust covered Captain Archer sitting in his command chair came up.
"Good news Captain. We are prepared to tow you to Valhalla Dockyard, however the GPF of Milky Way wishes to meet with you before we can help with repairs to your ship," Sheppard explained. Archer looked confused.
"And who exactly is this GPF?" he asked.
"General of Planetary Forces Carter has complete command of all ground forces within Milky Way with her only superiors being in the highest levels of the Tau'ri government. She will be waiting for us at Valhalla to speak with us. Now is your ship currently able to withstand being towed at FTL speeds?" Sheppard questioned. Archer turned to his pointy-eared science officer.
"I believe we do have the structural capability however the deflector dish is out of commission and without it we run the risk of being damaged by spacial debris," she explained. Sheppard quickly spoke up.
"We can have the Prometheus expand its shield to encompass your ship and keep it safe until we arrive. We commonly use the shield to keep subspace radiation from harming crewmen. Be ready for a tow captain," Sheppard finished. Archer nodded his head before the line went out. A new line was immediately opened to the Prometheus and Captain Shumer.
"We are ready to tow at your command, sir," Shumer stated. Sheppard waited a moment to give the Enterprise time to prepare before giving the go ahead.
(Line Break)
"Captain, are you sure this is the wisest course of action? We know next to nothing of these people and their culture," T'pol questioned.
"From where I see it we have no other alternative. We are stranded in another Universe and the first people we have met seem to be friendly enough. I'm not going to give the Enterprise up nor have I forgotten our mission, but we are stranded and low on supplies. I believe it is time we ask for a little bit of help," Archer finished.
"Aye, Captain." Archer turned to Maywhether.
"Travis get us ready for tow."
"Aye, sir." Working quickly, Maywhether aligned the ship behind the Prometheus before a blue stream of energy erupted from the aft side of the Tau'ri vessel. Then a bubble formed around the two ships before the rest of Tau'ri fleet took up positions. To Archer's surprise, what looked like a portal opened up in front of the Prometheus before both ship accelerated into it.
All that was left behind was a few pieces of debris that had come off the Enterprise and empty space for as far as the eye could see.
(Author's Note) I am truly sorry for the timing of this one. I ran into a nasty case of writer's block and I hope I can be forgiven. Here is the next chapter and, as usual, comments are welcome but no flames please. Constructive criticism only. Thank you.
