Androids in Love, Chapter 10
The Starfleet officers on the Phoenix knew that they could do nothing to stop the Borg in this reality from reactivating the doomsday machine planet killer. Data immediately called the Enterprise via a secure link and they soon found out that the Borg in this alternate reality had built the thing, and were just now retrieving their property. The people on the shuttle found it interesting that in the reality they left behind, the Borg would most likely ignore such a relic, having no use for a planet killer, but here, they were repairing it. They assimilated cultures, but did not, as a general rule, destroy planets. Captain Crusher told them not to worry and to continue on to their destination. Apparently, the Borg were not a serious threat in this time line. They had built the planet killer long ago to defeat their enemies, species 8472. That species had nearly wiped out the Borg in this reality and the device had strayed too close to an unstable wormhole and had ended up in the Alpha quadrant, destroying planets for fuel until Kirk stopped it with the original starship Constellation. It took the Borg eighty years to find it and retrieve it, and they were only going to give it enough power so it could go back to the Delta quadrant on its own. The Borg had tractor beams, but used them sparingly, since it was going to be a long trip home. The people on the Phoenix thought that that was the only positive aspect of this alternate reality. Courtney, along with the men, did not really like the idea of ball-busting women in control of the galaxy, Crusher and Tola being possible exceptions.
***
They arrived at the Guardian planet without incident and stepped out of the shuttle. They had never been here before, and most of them had no idea what to expect. There were only a select few who knew about this planet. The secret of its existence was told only to officers of command rank. LaForge was the highest ranking officer present, and the secret of its existence was given to him by Captain Picard when he became a Lieutenant Commander. He warned them not to divulge the secret of this time portal to anyone below command rank or non Starfleet personnel. It was a closely guarded secret because of security concerns. Starfleet did not wish the races hostile to the Federation to find out about it. If they did, it would be disastrous. There were no guards present because they did not want to call attention to the fact that there was something different on this planet. Data knew how Lore found out about this place. He had picked his brain on Oniaka. The humans present found the planet cold and a little bit eerie and foreboding.
They found that they did not have to explain their presence to the Guardian. It already knew that they were here to fix the time line, just as it knew what Kirk and Spock were doing there almost a century ago. Geordi took out his tricorder and recorded the images of ancient Ferenginar. The Guardian even told them when to jump.
They found themselves at the mouth of the cave. Data told the humans present that he and Rayna would rescue Kivas and deactivate Lore. Geordi offered him a flashlight, but Soong/Flint said that he had equipped his earlier android Rayna with excellent night vision, just in case his castle lost power, and soon found out that Data could see well in the dark as well. Anyway, a flashlight would attract unwanted attention, and Lore would know that they were there. Geordi gave it to them anyway, so, if they were successful at saving Kivas, he would not have to grope his way out of the cavern. Data put the flashlight on his belt and left with Rayna. Geordi and Courtney decided to stay where they were, and told Data not to forget to retrieve Rayna Sixteen. LaForge gave him his tricorder and Flint admonished Rayna Seventeen to be careful. She told him not to worry and that they would be back soon.
They found Lore and Kivas nearing the edge of the precipice. Without a sound, Data pushed Lore in the water while Rayna put her arms around Kivas. Startled, he yelled and then they heard a splash as Lore fell into the water. Sparks lit up the cave interior as Lore shorted out and Kivas gasped in astonishment as he saw what had held him back from certain death. She appeared to be a beautiful woman, but she was much too strong to be human. She smiled at him and told him not to be afraid as Lore sank to the bottom of the cave pool. She pulled him away from the edge. After a few minutes, he was given the flashlight and Data told him that his Ferengi buddies had reactivated Lore by mistake and that he was planning to kill him. Kivas thanked him and Rayna for saving his life, suddenly feeling great remorse for what he did to his assistant and for kidnapping Data. He was a changed man, and felt like he was given a new lease on life. Data said that he forgave him for what he did, but that was not the reason why he saved him. He did it to rectify history. He excused himself, and told him that he had to go and get Rayna Sixteen so she would not be doing any damage to the time line as well. Rayna Seventeen and Kivas made it back to the cave entrance without incident and waited for Data to retrieve Rayna Sixteen with Flint/Soong and Counselor Mudd.
***
As Data approached the earlier versions of himself and his companions, he saw LaForge raise a phaser in his direction. He knew that Geordi thought that he was Lore.
"Do not fire, Commander. I am a latter version of Data, not Lore." He looked down at Rayna Sixteen, who was gazing at the two Datas with wonder. "Greetings, earlier Data."
"Greetings, later Data." The earlier version of Data glanced at LaForge. "Commander, this is not Lore. It is I at a later time. I heard a scream, Data of the future. What has occurred?"
"Mr. Fajo was just startled at being grabbed from behind by Rayna Kapec. I pushed Lore into the water where he was going to drown Mr. Fajo. He shorted out and is no more." He glanced back at LaForge, who was still eyeing him warily, keeping his hand near his gun just in case this was not Data. "If you do not believe what I am saying, gentlemen, please follow me to the cave entrance. Data of the past, I must tell you that Rayna Sixteen is faking memory loss and plans to change history."
"I suspected that" the earlier version of Rayna Seventeen said, glancing back at the earlier version of her evil twin, who was now glowering at them, angry at being found out but not strong enough to do anything but just sit there.
"What about our shuttle?" The earlier LaForge asked.
"You may choose to beam aboard or accompany us."
The earlier versions of the Starfleet personnel and the Ferengi decided to beam aboard their own shuttle, not wanting to create a paradox with two versions of themselves. When Rayna Sixteen lost power again, they did not give her new power packs. The later version of Data bid them adieu and went back to the cave entrance as the earlier versions of themselves beamed up to the earlier version of the Phoenix. Then, Data, Kivas, Mudd, Rayna Seventeen and Flint/Soong stepped through the cave entrance and found themselves back on the Guardian planet.
"ALL IS AS IT WAS BEFORE. LET ME BE YOUR GATEWAY IF HISTORY CHANGES AGAIN" Boomed the Guardian.
Courtney Mudd detected a bit of loneliness in the portal's voice, even though a part of her was frightened. She found that the feeling of fear was not exclusive when Geordi spoke.
"Thank you, Guardian." Geordi addressed the time portal a little uncomfortably. He looked at his companions. " In the words of James T Kirk, let's get the hell out of here." He glanced back at the portal. "No offense, Guardian."