Materialising on the surface of the forgotten world, Captain Robert Spencer, Captain Neral and Sarah Tate looked around slowly as they saw a large structure glistening in the light from the star at the centre of the system as a figure walked towards them slowly and stopped before them.
"Captain Jonas Wilde? I am Commander Arden Murphy. The Captain send his apologies for not meeting you in person, he was detained by another matter and requested that I take you too him"
"Thank you Commander. My First Officer Neral and Sarah Tate, Federation Observer" Spencer said slowly.
"Captain, Commander, Ma'am" He said as he nodded to each of them. "Forgive the security precautions, we have monitored Klingon and Romulan activity in this region"
"Of course Commander" Spencer nodded.
Entering the facility, they where led through the winding corridors towards what appeared to be an observation room which looked down upon a large an ancient artefact. Stepping towards the opening before them, Spencer looked down over the unusually shaped object as Starfleet Officer worked around it.
"Impressive" He said slowly.
"Since the discovery of the Guardian on Stardate 3134, we have been observing the history of many worlds and we have learned a lot from the being" Murphy said with a proud smile.
"So it appears"
"His origins however… are still a mystery. Who constructed him and why?"
"Him?" Sarah said instantly.
"The Guardian has no gender, he is semi organic and semi mechanical, at least from what we have learned from scans. Due to the male voice, we refer to the Guardian as a male"
"Indeed" A voice called out from behind them.
Turning slowly, Captain Spencer looked on in shock at who he saw before him, his former first officer and a man killed in action three months prior to his last mission onboard the Enterprise which had taken him back to 1969.
"This is Captain Spock, he was temporarily assigned to head this research while the Enterprise was undergoing a refit" Murphy said slowly. "Captain Spock, Captain Jonas Wilde, Commander Neral and Sarah Tate, a Federation observer"
"Captain… Spock? A pleasure sir" Spencer said, whilst hiding his own feelings for his late friend.
"Captain, Commander… Miss Tate. We have made progress in understanding the Guardian's functions. However, six days ago the Guardian had erected a field of temporal energy around this system, in effect, hiding the system from the rest of the galaxy"
"I assume that… you don't know why?" Spencer said with a large smile.
"No sir, not as of yet. The portal itself appears to be locked on Earth's past. So far we have recorded the entire duration of Earth's history several times, each time with a slight variation" Murphy said with respect for the Vulcan Captain before him.
"What variations?" Sarah said instantly.
"So far, he has refused to answer why he is locked on Earth's past. Four days ago whilst observing the past of Vulcan, he instantly shut down before erecting the field around this system and displaying Earth's past. This morning we monitored something unusual…" Murphy replied.
"The death of an old friend, James Kirk at the Academy" Spock continued. "History continued at a fascinating rate, an alliance with the Klingons and the eventual membership within the Federation"
"Sounds… imposable" Sarah said. "Why would Guardian do that?"
"A QUESTION!" A voice echoed out from around them.
"He hasn't done that in a while" Murphy said quickly as those around the Guardian backed away.
"ALL THAT WAS AND WILL BE, HAS CHANGED!"
"Follow me!" Murphy said with excitement.
Pushing past those around him, Murphy led the visitors through a door and down a long set of metallic steps before approaching the large ancient artefact with a large smile on his face as he spoke instantly.
"Guardian, what did you mean?"
Remaining silent, a long pause followed before Sarah smiled to herself and walked to the front of those around her as she spoke with a loud voice.
"Guardian. Can you hear me?"
"I HEAR AND SEE ALL!" It replied.
"Why is the field around this system. Why are you locked on Earth's past?"
"TIME HAS BEEN ALTERED AND CONTINUES TO BE ALTERED. EARTH IS AT THE CENTRE OF THOSE CHANGES. MANY SUCH JOURNEYS ARE POSSIBLE, LET ME BE YOUR GUIDE!" He called out.
"Fascinating!" Spock said slowly. "Guardian responds to her"
"ANOTHER HAS PASSED INTO WHAT WAS, TIME IS ONCE AGAIN CHANGING… OBSERVE!"
Flickering, the display changed once again as the flow of time continued to change before them while the staff around the guardian once again monitored the changes before one of them spoke out with shock in her voice.
"Captain Spock, the changes have effectively started in the earth year, 1995"
"Can you be more specific Lieutenant Haldane?" The Vulcan Captain said as he walked towards her.
"Calculating sir… I have it. July 3rd, 1995. With the unsolved murder of a man named Joseph Alan Tate Junior"
"Spencer, that's my father" Sarah said with a deep shock in her voice. "The date is almost a year before I was born"
"That's what he intends to do, stop your birth if he couldn't kill you?" Spencer whispered.
"Sounds possible, we have to stop him somehow"
"Neral! We have to do something" Spencer called out.
"What do you intend to do Captain Wilde?" Neral said quickly.
"I assume that the Guardian can send me back? If I can stop whoever is doing this, maybe capture him. We can find out exactly when it all began and hopefully stop him before he starts altering history. Captain Spock, would that be possible?"
"It would, however history is being altered at such a swift pace. It may not be possible for you to return"
"I'll go!" Sarah said quickly. "I have a familiarity with the 20th century, it would be easier for me to assimilate into that time and move around undetected"
"I'll go with her Spock" Spencer called out with a slight smile. "She is under my care, not to mention that she does know more about that time frame then most of us here"
"Agreed!" Said Neral quickly. "However, you will require a change of clothing in order to blend in easier"
"No that, we can do Captain Wilde!" Murphy replied quickly. "We don't have much… time, follow me please"
Fifteen minutes later, the two humans out of time stood before the large guardian as the display continued to loop while the new changes in the timeline had taken hold. Clearing what had become known as 'The Guardian's Room' Captain Spock stood next to the two in 20th century civilian clothing as he continued to brief them on what to expect once they stepped through the portal itself, looking up into his eyes, Sarah something different that she had observed over the past two hours while a slight glimpse appeared in his eyes as he spoke.
"Good luck, Captain Robert Spencer"
"What?" He replied with shock.
"I know who you are Captain, I have so far kept this information to myself. What I do not understand Captain… is why you are keeping the identity of the assassin to yourself?"
"I should never have underestimated you my old friend, it's good to see you again Spock. You're right, history has been changed in such an astonishing way and it all began with the death of Jim Kirk at the academy. Something that I have never told anyone, it was my fault… I was the one who was should have taken that flight not Kirk…" He whispered. "The… night before, I celebrated with a few friends and got a little… drunk. When I couldn't make it… Kirk's name was next on the list, he took the flight. After his death, I lived out my career in his honour… I became captain of the Enterprise with you as my First Officer. On Stardate 1709.1, Commander Spock was killed in action when the Enterprise responded to an attack by Romulans on a Klingon ship, he saved the ship but was killed in the phaser control room when coolant gas filled the room"
"History has indeed been altered Captain, we must return history to the correct path. However, you have so far not informed me of who you suspect the assassin is" Spock said with a raised eyebrow.
"Thirty Seconds Rob" Sarah said as she stood ready before the Guardian.
"I know. Speak with Neral… he'll explain everything"
Standing ready, the held hands as they both shook slightly before stepping into the portal before them and disappearing into the past, Earth's past.
Location: North-West England, Earth.
Date: July 3rd , 1995.
Arriving in the past six months early, Robert Spencer and Sarah Tate had located the target of the assassin from the distant future during which time the two had grown close as friends. Setting up a life close by Sarah's young parents home, the home in which she had grown up in, they had introduced themselves to her young parents as Sarah Wilkins and Jonas Wilde, names that she somehow remembered her parents discussing when she was much younger, good friends of the young couple who entered their lives and vanished as fast creating a mystery that haunted the young couple throughout their lives. It was not the sudden disappearance of the couple which had confused her younger parents, but the unusual knowledge of Jonas Wilde as he sometimes appeared as most intelligent man they had ever met yet on other occasions, seemed completely clueless about minor things such as TV shows and Movies which had instantly prompted Sarah to take over the conversation in his defence almost as if he had not understood the question.
Walking through a country park hand in hand next to her young parents, they had laughed and joked about the events of the earlier day as the four of them had gone bowling together as they enjoyed their day. Stopping by a small malfunctioning fountain, the smell of stagnant water emanated around them as Sarah's mother, Emma Scott smiled slightly as she spoke with a soft voice that Sarah had remembered all of her life.
"Alright, enough is enough… when are you two going to take the plunge?"
"The Plunge?" Spencer said quickly. "That water is disgusting"
"What? No… you two look amazing together. And I've never known anyone like you both, we haven't… Something that has been bothering me for a long time, I just dawned on me earlier. I'm sure that I know you from somewhere Sarah, you look so familiar. I have to ask, have we met before?"
"Not that I know of. I was born and raised in California…" She said as she begun to recite her cover identity.
"That's not an American Accent Sarah…" Her young father said with a smile.
"Like I said a few months ago… Joe, my father was an attaché to a Diplomat, they lived in the States but I grew up surrounded by British officials, I worked hard on keeping the accent"
"And like you said, that's where you met Rob?" Joseph said with a smile.
"Yep, my parents gave up that lifestyle and returned to the U.K. I was 19 when I met Rob… he transferred to England six weeks later when I returned with my parents"
"Doesn't the age barrier your parents?" Emma said with a half smile.
"It took awhile before they accepted me but actually it was Sarah's father that bought me the plane ticket here. Sarah is 24 and I am 35..."
"24?" Emma said with shock. "You've gotta tell me your secret, you look barely 20. But as I said, when are you going to put a ring on her finger?"
"Whoa! To far Emma" Sarah said as she blushed.
Before Spencer could reply, the sound of a beeping came from his jacket pocket. Looking shocked for moment as her younger future parents looked at him, he nodded slightly as he reached into his pocket to retrieve what looked like an old cellular phone, looking at the display, he frowned slightly before he spoke, politely excusing himself before stepping away from the three.
"Where did he get that Mobile? It looks amazing" Joseph said with a hungry smile.
"His work, he tests them before they are launched" Sarah replied quickly. "I don't think he can get you one though"
"Hello?" Spencer said into the phone as he stood alone.
"Spencer, Neral onboard Enterprise. Our sensors have detected a temporal signature in your area, closing on your position"
"I see, what has it been, six months? How are you?" Spencer said quickly as he looked around.
"Am I correct in understanding that you have spent six months in that time zone?"
"That's right old friend, it's been a long time. Where are you?"
"Understood Captain. The target is moving towards your location from your six o'clock"
"Of course. Listen, I can't talk now I'm with some friends… let's have lunch sometime. I'll call you later!"
"We have you on sensors Captain, we can retrieve you at any time. Good Luck, Enterprise out!"
Deactivating the phone, he placed it quickly into his jacket before returning to the group of his friends as he smiled slightly and took Sarah's hand as he spoke.
"That was… Neral, he's in town and wants to get together for a drink sometime. Can we move from here? The smell of that water is a little pungent"
"Of course" Sarah said with a smile. "I thought I saw a bar not far from here, drinks are on me!"
"In that case, let's go!" Joseph said with a smile.
Walking through the parkland towards the structure not to far away, Spencer saw a young man following the four of them, reaching into his right pocket, he wrapped his fingers around the small Starfleet issue type one phaser he had brought into the past with him. Stopping at the door bar and grille, he took Sarah's hand as he spoke.
"Order me a drink, I'll be back in a moment" He said as he placed the phaser in her right hand.
"Of course, usual?" She smiled nervously.
"Usual… Guys, I'll be back shortly"
Seeing the figure stood by a tree watching them, he allowed her hand to slip loose from his as he walked away from the three as she placed the powerful small weapon inside her own jacket pocket within reach of her hand. Recognising Spencer instantly, the man turned slowly and walked away into a crowd of people enjoying the summer sun. Immediately checking his surroundings, he smiled slightly as he walked through the crowd and stood next to an exit as the man walked towards him with a strange look in his eyes.
"Been a long time Kirk. You look good!"
"I'm sorry sir, I don't know you" He said as he pushed past him.
Grabbing his arm, Spencer whipped him around to face him as he glared into his eyes and spoke with a harsh tone.
"Don't play games Jim. I know why you are here… I can't let you do that"
"You know nothing Rob now let me go" He said harshly.
"I know enough old friend. Somehow, you've altered the timeline… I'm here to stop you and put things right"
"I have no idea what you are talking about Robbie. I… was sent here, BY the federation"
"What?" Spencer replied.
"Someone is altering history, we thought that somehow it was you that is why I've been following you for a while now Rob throughout the timeline, I know it isn't you, but it seems that every time I get close, he vanishes" Kirk said quickly. "He always seems to be one step ahead of me, like in the bar… I had him, but you got to him first"
"You where there?" He said with shock once again.
"I saw what you did and that's what changed our mind about you… from my perspective, I was pulled out five years ago before the explosion, I spent years in training for this assignment. We thought it was you Rob, that's why I came here" He said quickly. "Command wants to know what happened, we believe that you know who… we just don't know why"
"How did you get here, where the hell have you been all of this time?" Rob replied slowly.
"I can't say… Temporal Prime Directive is in effect here, but what I can say is that agents located throughout the timeline have been activated, something bad is about to happen old friend…"
Before Spencer could reply, the disguised temporal communicator in his jacket pocket once again activated with an urgent sound. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out the device as a voice spoke quickly.
"What are you doing Spencer? That target is approaching the asset!"
"A little sidetracked Neral, I'll explain later. On my way, Spencer out. Jim, you wanna catch this guy? Follow me and don't ask questions, just keep yourself hidden for now"
"You have spent to much time here, you've picked up a local accent" Kirk said before the two ran towards the bar.
Sprinting towards the bar as fast as they could, the young Jim Kirk stepped aside as Spencer caught his breath and calmly walked into the bar towards the three he had moments ago left. From the sides of his eyes he observed everyone in the room while he walked towards those who had become his friends over the past six months as he spoke with a smile.
"I thought I saw an old friend, turns out I was wrong. So what are you three planning?" He said with a cautious smile on his face.
"Nothing much" Sarah laughed. "I assume that this, friend of yours turned out to be…"
"Someone else, I thought it was someone I went to school with that's all"
From the corner of his eye, he saw a tall male figure walk towards them as he remained stood at Sarah's side with his left hand on her shoulder, bending at her side, he kissed her cheek softly as he reached into her jacket pocket for the weapon he had given her. Hiding it in his right palm, he whispered into her 'Keep them down' before he straightened himself up and turned to face the male figure with a smile on his face. Shock overcame the male figure as he saw Spencer before him, instantly turning on his heels, he swiftly walked towards the exit while Spencer nodded to Sarah before following the man out of the bar while her two future parents watched them in shock.
"What the hell was all of that about?" Joseph said with confusion.
"Wait here, do not move from this table. Trust me Joseph, keep her in here and with you at all times"
"Sarah, what the hell is going on?" Emma replied in an instant.
"I can't tell you… I'm sorry" Sarah said as she stood and followed them out of the bar.
Stopping at the exit to the bar, she watched in shock as Spencer fought the man, his movements in defence of himself where like nothing she had seen before as he moved around his opponent with expertly timed blocks from his hands and feet from the vicious attack. Seeing his opportunity to strike offensively, Spencer leapt into the air with a powerful kick to the man's chest followed by another kick as he spun around in mid air and his left leg connected with the man's jaw, sending him crashing onto the hard ground beneath them while Spencer's feet touched the ground.
Checking the unconscious man before him, he removed the hood over the man's face as he looked down at the bearded assassin as he looked up at another young man who walked towards him with a smile on his face.
"He's unconscious Jim… meet the assassin…"
As he stood over the bearded man, a look of shock ripped across his face at seeing himself lay before him unconscious.
"This is impossible… it's me!"
"It appears that way yes, a future version of yourself…"
"Who are you?" Sarah said as she walked towards them both, pointing at Jim Kirk in shock.
"Sarah, this is going to seem strange… this is the man who I knew as… Cadet James T. Kirk"
"Sarah Tate? It's a pleasure ma'am" He said as he extended his hand in greeting.
"Then who the hell is he?" She said as he pointed to the elder man on the floor. "And why his he trying to kill me?"
"We don't have time for this, people are going to notice… Spencer, I assume that you have a way back?"
Nodding quickly, Spencer reached into his pocket once again and pulled out the Temporal Communicator as he called for an emergency beam out.
"Did I hear you correctly Spencer, you want a beam out for four?"
"No questions Neral, energise before anyone sees us"