Author's Note: So, As I en-visioned the Beta-X colony, I wanted it to be a far better life for our heroes than on a generational ship wandering around a dangerous part of space. In this universe, we've got the descendants of the NX-01 crew growing up successful, prosperous colony with no real worries. So, I pictured them as young people who like to have fun. This is the final chapter!
Delphic Expanse - 2153
The NX-01 had been in the Delphic Expanse for three weeks, when they were hailed by an Ikkarian transport. Even though Captain Jonathan Archer's mission in this part of space had secretly evolved into something far more than just exploration - he still considered exploration his primary job. They had heard of this trader-race the Ikkarens, but they had not yet encountered any of them.
"Ensign Sato, how's the UT working?"
During their last first contact, the UT had flubbed a few verbs, creating some awkwardness.
"Fine, Captain," said Hoshi, her earpiece in place.
Malcolm Reed sat at the tactical station, and Travis was at the helm. T'Pol manned her science station, wearing a blue uniform of Starfleet - with a blue science stripe across her shoulders. She was now Commander T'Pol of Starfleet. After two years of serving on Enterprise, Starfleet had asked her to formalize her commission. With the permission of the high command, she did so.
Jon was grateful to the high command for allowing her to join Starfleet. She had become invaluable to him over the past two years, and he was sure she would become even more so as their mission continued.
"Captain Archer?" said a youngish male Ikkaren voice across the comm.
Jon looked at Hoshi, who indicated in gesture that she had not told the Ikkarens his name.
"This is Captain Archer," said Jon curiously.
A young man with long yellow hair and purple eyes appeared on the view screen.
"You're not the Captain Archer I was looking for," he said, clearly puzzled.
"Is there another one?"
The bridge officers on the Enterprise all became as puzzled as this Ikkaren.
"Yes," said the young man, " Captain Karyn Archer. . .we're supposed to rendezvous with her at Lucius Prime in three days. We were wondering what the Enterprise was doing out here. We thought there was something wrong. Where's Karyn?"
Archer looked at T'Pol, she gestured that she had no explanation.
"Well, I'm afraid I've never heard of a Karyn Archer. I'm Jonathan Archer of the Starship Enterprise."
The Ikkaren man appeared irritated.
"And I'm telling you that unless there are two Enterprises, the only Captain of the Enterprise I know is Karyn. . .and we're supposed to meet her in three days. She's transporting a group to the festival on Lucius Prime and we've got gear they need. But since you're clearly not the Enterprise we're looking for - we'll be on our way. You people really ought to have a better system for naming your ships and captains...this is getting confusing."
With that, the Ikkaren man broke off communication and his ship jumped to warp.
"T'Pol," said Jon "It looks like we've got a mystery on our hands. Can you find this Lucius Prime anywhere on your star chart?"
"Yes, Captain," said T'Pol.
"Can you think of any reason why that Ikkaren man would mistake our ship for another Enterprise?"
T'Pol thought for a moment.
"I've heard of pirate vessels adopting the name of other ships and masquerading as them in order to safely navigate regions of space. No doubt this ship has done something similar."
Jon considered this. It was the most likely explanation.
"That Ikkaren didn't seem to worried about the other Enterprise robbing him. But suddenly I have an urge to visit this Lucius Prime colony. Set a course, Travis."
Jon shook his head. He knew this mission was going to be strange, but he hadn't expected to meet a Doppleganger of his own ship.
****
Lucius Prime was normally a sleepy colony on the edge of Ikkaren space, its major business being tourism and the scientific study of its unusual rock formations. But once a year, it hosted the biggest music and art festival in the region of space, welcoming artists and musicians from all the nearby colonies. The festival also drew nearly a half a million visitors to the small planet. The normally quiet orbit over the colony became crowded with starships and transports. Over the years, the colony had developed a business of repairing and cleaning the ships while their crews and passengers - mostly young people - were down on the surface enjoying the party.
Dr. Elizabeth Tucker took a deep breath in the halls of the NX-01 Enterprise and thought the cleaning crew couldn't come soon enough. She may have been two thirds human, but her one quarter Vulcan nose could still smell the party that had been raging for the entire week while Enterprise transported a group from Beta-X to the festival. Sure, the ship was over a hundred years old - but it didn't need to smell like it did.
"Miss. . ." said the Ikkaren head of the Ikkaren cleanup crew, "We'd really like to get started. As instructed, we'll be careful of the animals in your sickbay."
"That's Dr. Tucker," said Lizzie, "And thank you. Remember, Captain Archer wants you to contact me if anything goes wrong. I'm just going to be at the Ellysian Hotel for the duration of the festival."
"Not going out into the wilds with the rest of your crew, doctor?" asked the man.
Lizzie smiled. She may have looked young, and in fact she was young, but she was not up for the hedonism of the Lucian Prime festival.
"Somebody's got to be on duty to treat all the sick and. . hung over Beta-X ers - and since I'm the doctor its going to be me," said Lizzie.
The Ikkaren man looked Lizzie up and down, wishing his doctor looked more like her. She appeared very much like the humans, with small hands and pink skin, but her ears were pointed and her eyebrows more slanted. Those ears stuck through a main of dark hair - not Ikkaren black, but still very pretty. She also had amazing greenish brown eyes, a shade he had never seen in a human or Ikkaren.
"We'll have sickbay ready in twenty-four hours, should you need it," the man said.
"If you need to contact my captain," said Lizzie, "contact me. I can get in touch with her, if need be."
Lizzie hoped the man honored her wishes. Karyn Archer wasn't just her captain, but her best friend, and she had told Karyn that it was time for her to take a vacation. Five days without worrying about the erosion of the plasma injectors or buckles in the hull would do her friend a world of good. It was doctor's orders, and she expected her friend to obey.
Lizzie looked around Enterprise. The Beta-X colony had since built better, faster ships - but she loved this old girl very much. Her grandparents on her father's side and her great-grandparents on her mothers side had been members of the original crew, founders of the Beta-X colony. And her beloved Foremother T'Pol had told her many stories of the ship's adventures.
Lizzie's father, Lorian, had several times suggested that Enterprise be retired to a museum, but Lizzie and her friends Karyn and Alexander had all begged him to let them keep flying the ship. It was meant to explore, not be put on display.
Karyn, great-granddaughter of colony founder and the ship's first captain, made an ideal choice to be the captain. And after she completed her medical training on Ikkaria, Lizzie could think of no better place to practice than on board, under the command of her best friend. Sure, Lorian had limited the scope of their potential explorations to the area that was still known as the Delphic Expanse, but that had been enough. Over the past year, the young crew had had a great time visiting all manner of worlds and making first contact with several new species.
"Oh," said Lizzie, "By the way. . .you do know that my father is the Executive Director of the Beta-X colony?"
The Ikkaren recognized the twinge in the young woman's voice. In just a few generations, Beta-X had become one of the region's most important powers. Lorian, the Executive Director, wielded considerable influence. He got the young doctor's message - don't screw us over.
"I'll be at the hotel," said Lizzie, "Anyone who wants to find me can find me there."
****
Alexander Reed reached down to pull his Captain up over the last rock face of their climb. Karyn was the best pilot he knew, and she had really stepped up in the year she had been made captain of the Enterprise and come into her own. But she was a crap hiker and a worse rock climber. Something about Ikkaren hands, he thought.
"Thanks, Alex," said Karyn, as she brushed herself off.
Alex was one of a relatively small number of full-blooded humans of the Beta-X colony. His great grandparents had been Hoshi Sato and Joss Hayes on one side and Malcolm Reed and Julia Lynch on the other. Karyn's great-grandmother had been Ikkaren, but she was mostly human as well. Except for those tiny bones and hands - and the ridges down her nose.
"No problem," said Alex, "We should have a good view of the main stage here," he said.
They wanted to make sure they caught the performance by Alex's brother's band - Beta Effect. They had both seen Malcolm, who was the guitarist, perform hundreds of times. But the Lucius Prime Festival was a huge deal, and the human-influenced music of Beta Effect had caught on in both Ikkarian and Xindi colonies.
"Are you relaxed yet?" asked Alex.
Karyn rolled her eyes.
"No. . .I'm nervous for Malcolm. I know it's ridiculous. He does this for a living now. . but there's half a million people down there - including a whole party of Xindi insectazoids. I just don't want him to screw up or choke."
Alex shook his head. If Karyn wasn't so smart about musicians, she's probably be Malcolm's girlfriend. They had always been super-tight.
"By the way, how are the plasma relays? Do you think the crew in orbit will be able to. . ."
Alex stuck his fingers into his ears.
"I can't hear you. Doctor's orders. Lizzie told me to make sure you didn't discuss the ship while on your vacation!"
Alex was the ship's engineer, and he and Karyn had also attended flight school together. He was also her first officer, and as such he agreed with Lizzie that Karyn had been far too stressed out lately.
"We're here to talk about the bands and the drinks and the art-ships and the people. We won't talk about our ship. . ."
Karyn, like any good workaholic, was annoyed. But she nodded.
Just then, the lights down on the main stage shifted. The show was about to begin.
****
All the senior bridge officers, including Trip and Dr. Phlox, had gathered on the bridge. None of them had an explanation for what they were seeing, both on the view screen and on their instruments.
Orbiting the colony of Lucien Prime, among hundreds of other starships and transports, appeared to be the mysterious doppleganger of Enterprise. Even the warp signature was close enough to be a near match. The only difference in the readings was that the other Enterprise seemed to have more wear and tear. The Quantum signature indicated it was the same age as Enterprise, but the actually components of the ship appeared older - over a hundred years older.
Jon knew a little bit about the history of this part of space, as he had been briefed on it for this mission. For centuries, the Delphic Expanse had been plagued by strange anomalies that seemed to defy the laws of physics. Then, about 119 years ago, those anomalies had stopped. There was no known explanation.
"T'Pol," said Jon, "Any theories?"
Jon was beginning to think of Daniels and the Temporal Cold War, but he knew his science officer remained skeptical about time travel. He wondered if this was Enterprise but from the future somehow.
"None yet, Captain," said T'Pol.
The orbiting space station hailed them.
"This is Captain Archer. . ."
The man on the other end of the comm laughed out loud.
"I'm not trying to tell you Beta-Xers how to run your colony or anything. . .but maybe you ought to rethink the naming conventions for your ships. Having two Enterprises. . .with two different Captain Archers is confusing the hell out of my crew. So. . .your ship is clearly in better shape than your sister ship. . we can offer you the basic maintenance package. Your ship will feel like new. Also, our concierge will be happy to direct you to any festival attractions. . .the Beta Effect has already hit the stage, though."
Trip looked at Jon and shrugged his shoulders.
"We will probably take you up on that," said Jon and signaled to Hoshi to cut off the comm.
"Looks like we do have a mystery on our hands," said Trip.
"And I'll wager we'll be able to solve it if we find the other Captain Archer," said Jon.
****
A few hours later, Malcolm, Trip, T'Pol and Jon entered the lobby of a lush hotel on the surface. The space harbor master had said that they could find the doctor of the ship staying at this hotel. He didn't give them any more information, though, even a name.
"She's only supposed to be contacted in case of an emergency," said the master, "and given how pissy she can get. . .you'll have to go find yourself."
Each member of the crew signed in at the desk, and the young Ikkaren woman behind the counter looked at the register.
"Are you related to Elizabeth Tucker? She's staying her as well - also from the Enterprise. It's such an unusual name, Tucker. I figure you must know each other - especially since you kind of look alike."
Trip glanced at the Captain.
"She's my sister," said Trip, wondering how on Earth his sister, who lived in Florida, had found herself on an alien colony over 100 light years from Earth.
"But you didn't get the pointed ears," said the desk clerk, "Your sister has the most unusual . . .more like yours. . ." continued the clerk, gesturing at T'Pol, "Are you also related to Dr. Tucker?"
"No," said T'Pol, cooly.
"Anyway," said the clerk, "last I saw of her she was headed for the casino. . .you might find her there."
The clerk handed them all wrist bands that would unlock their rooms and ordered their luggage taken to their rooms.
"The mystery deepens," said Malcolm, who was starting to being intrigued and amused, when a teenage girl approached him.
"Excuse me," she said softly, "but I overheard that your name is Malcolm Reed. . .are you related to the guitarist from Beta Effect? "
Malcolm shook his head.
"Because his name is Malcolm Reed, too. . .and that's a total Beta-X colony name, right? So you must know him?"
"I'm afraid I'm from Earth," said Malcolm.
From the look on her face, Malcolm could tell that the word Earth meant nothing to this young woman.
"Well," she said, "it's weird that you've never heard of them. . oh, those are my friends, I have to go."
The girl bolted away.
****
Lizzie generally didn't approve of gambling, but her one quarter Vulcan mind was very good at an Ikkaren puzzle game that was popular in the casino. Sure, she had been given a barter allowance by the colony, but she could always use more money while on vacation. And playing XoXo came so easy, it was like minting currency.
In her mind, she counted up the pile of credits on the table and decided that winning any more would draw the attention of the floor manager. The manager could ban anyone from the tables for any reason, including natural logic abilities beyond any Ikkaren.
"Thank you, gentleman," said Lizzie, as she gracefully left the table. Her father did not approve, but once he had told her that if she did gamble - not to be pressured into staying at the table.
"C'mon, beautiful," said the man from which she had won a significant amount of money, "Give us a chance. . "
Lizzie leaned over.
"There's no chance, ever. Of anything," she said and headed off to the gallery on the second floor. Earlier she had spied a bracelet, handmade by an Xindi Arboreal that she coveted. And now she could buy it.
She slipped up the stairs and into the shop.
Jon, who was wandering around the first floors of the hotel looking for clues, thought she was T'Pol from the corner of his eye. The young woman had a similar body type and grace as his first officer, and her pointed ears stuck out from her long hair. But she was more human, somehow. And she was wearing very human-type clothes, including a a long knitted sweater and black leggings. And she was smiling and joking with the clerk at the jewelry store.
The clerk handed Lizzie a bag and she turned to leave, bumping straight into a figure from her history books.
She stopped, and she froze.
"Hello," said Jon, reaching out his hand. "I'm Jonathan Archer."
Lizzie felt her mouth drop open just a little. She called on every bit of emotional control ever taught to her by her grandmother. She wouldn't have been more shocked if she had seen Alexander the Great or Cleopatra standing there.
She reached out and took Jon's hand. He looked into her eyes, and he saw T'Pol's eyes. She may have had his chief Engineer's last name, but Jon bet that this woman was somehow related to T'Pol. How, he had no idea.
"You might find this hard to believe," the woman said, "but I recognize you, Captain."
"Then, you have me at a disadvantage," said Jon.
Lizzie looked around.
"I think I need to sit down. . .there's a bar this way. And I think I need a drink. You'll probably need one, too, after I explain."
She led Jon to a cozy bar up a flight of stairs. It was situated on a balcony overlooking the lobby. Down there, she saw a couple of other people wearing the familiar blue of a Starfleet uniform. She ordered two glasses of Ikkaren tea, the fermented kind and sat down with Jon in the corner.
"What brings you to the Delphic Expanse, Captain?"
"I'm exploring," he said, "Now, may I assume your name is Elizabeth Tucker?"
Lizzie nodded.
"You assume correctly," she said, "but my friends call me Lizzie. I'm the ship's doctor on the other Enterprise. The rest of the crew, including the Captain are off enjoying the festivities."
Lizzie considered exploration for a moment. With no Xindi attack, it might be true. But they were a long ways away from where the NX-01 was originally exploring. She guessed there was another reason.
But that wasn't important right at the moment. Lizzie needed to consider how to tell this man who she was and why there was a 121-year-old version of his ship orbiting this colony.
"Have you seen your friend Daniels lately?" she asked.
Jon was shocked. He hadn't expect that question.
"The reason I ask is," said Lizzie carefully, "- is that he helped you understand that time travel is possible. And that time travel has consequences . . .to timelines."
Jon sipped some of the Ikkaren tea. It was strong.
"Go on. ."
Lizzie inhaled sharply and drank some of her own tea.
"Bear with me. . .imagine another timeline. At this junction in time but different. There is an attack on Earth. Millions are killed. Nobody understands why. You and your crew are recalled to Earth. The only thing you know is that the attack was by a race called the Xindi, based here in the Delphic Expanse. In that timeline, this region of space is far more dangerous - filled with anomalies that effect both the nature of space and time. . ."
Jonathan Archer said nothing, but he had an instinct that this woman was telling him the truth, at least as far as she knew it.
"To make a very long story short. Your crew was sent here to stop the Xindi from destroying Earth. During the course of the mission, your ship was sent back in time 119 years. Nevertheless, using information you had gathered - you led your crew on a mission that resulted in the first attack on earth never happening. You destroyed the Delphic Spheres. . .giant devices that were causing the spacial and quantum anomalies. You prevented their builders from co-opting this whole region of space for themselves. . ."
Lizzie paused. The Jonathan Archer from her history books had saved the entire galaxy, but she thought maybe this Captain Archer might find that hard to believe. She thought it best to downplay his accomplishments.
"So anyway," continued Lizzie trying to sound like the story she as telling was perfectly normal, "After the spheres were destroyed, you and your crew realized you couldn't return to Earth or you would corrupt history. So, you settled on Beta-X. It's a Minshara class planet about seven light years from here. The main city had been pretty much abandoned because of a political situation on the Ikkaren home world. You and your crew, along with some Ikkarens you met along the way, settled there."
Jon looked at this woman. If it was true, it started to explain her name. That meant she was related to Trip. Jon saw a little of that in the shape of her eyes and her mouth - and the very human coloring of her pink skin. No green tinge there. But those eyes and pointed ears - he knew where those had to have come from.
"So. . ." he said, "You're part Vulcan?"
Lizzie smiled. Not very Vulcan, thought Jon.
"Commander T'Pol was my grandmother. . .and Commander Tucker was my grandfather," she said.
"On the same side?" asked Jon.
Lizzie nodded in the affirmative.
"My maternal great-grandparents were Ensign McFarland and Crewman Peters. So, I'm one quarter Vulcan, three quarters human. My father is the executive director of the colony. He's half-Vulcan. . .so he's been around longer than most anyone. . .you'll have to stop by for a visit. "
Jon grinned. He couldn't imagine a scenario that would lead to his two senior officers producing a child. On a good day, he was lucky if they got along.
"Excuse me if I find this hard to believe. . ."
"Join the club," said Lizzie, "I nearly fainted when I recognized you. But. . .I understand if you're skeptical. I'm sure Phlox can perform a DNA test that confirms my story."
Lizzie gulped the rest of her tea.
"Excuse me for a moment," she said.
She flipped open her communicator.
"Captain Archer, it's Lizzie, remember when I told you not to call in unless it was important? It's important. Contact me as soon as you get this," she said and then turned to Jonathan, "That's our Captain Archer. She's your great-granddaughter. I convinced her she needed a vacation and not to call in until next week. Ship doctor's prerogative. . . .but you should be proud. She's a great Captain. We've explored all over this region of space in the last year. Before the new ships and defense systems were built, Enterprise was the main defense for the Beta-X - but since that's taken care of now, she's a vessel of exploration again.
Jon didn't know what to think. The young woman's story explained everything - her name, her ears. . .the presence of another Enterprise with another Captain Archer. But he was still unsure if she was telling the truth.
"Seriously. . ." said Lizzie, "You can take me up to see Phlox and he can compare my DNA to my relatives. He'll confirm what I say is true. . .plus I'd like to thank him, his medical logs have been invaluable to me."
Jon still looked incredulous. Lizzie started rolling through everything she knew about Jonathan Archer - and not from the history books either.
"Well," she said, "I do know about the time you and my grandmother were held hostage and the Andorians rescued you. Oh. . .and I know about the mission to retrieve the rogue Vulcan agent that you helped her with. . and I know about how she went with you to discover the Robinson nebula, after your friend A.G. Robinson was killed climbing Mt. Mckinley. . ."
Jonathan was starting to feel a little creep-ed out. He raised his hands.
"Okay, okay. . .we'll go see Phlox," he said.
Just then, Lizzie's communicator pinged.
"Excuse me, maybe that's Karyn. . .this is Dr. Tucker."
"Dr. Tucker. We've got Malcolm Reed here. . .he ingested something after the show and now he's sick. He's insisting you treat him. We've beamed him straight up to your sickbay."
"I'm not even there," she replied, "That's ridiculous. . ."
"We'll you better get there," said the man.
"Very well," said Lizzie, "Care to make quick stop on my Enterprise, captain?"
"I'm assuming that's not my Malcolm Reed."
"Assume right. This Malcolm Reed is your Malcolm Reed's great-grandson. And from what I've read they are nothing alike. Our Malcolm is a walking bundle of Id - neither repressed or polite. So. . .care to join?"
Jon nodded carefully. He wasn't sure this was a good idea, but his curiosity got the best of him.
Lizzie flipped open her communicator.
"This is Doctor Tucker, two to beam up to my sickbay. And make sure its the right Enterprise - the one from Beta-X."
In a few seconds, Jon found himself in Enterprise's sickbay. Except is wasn't his Enterprise's sickbay - it was somehow more worn and there weren't as many creatures. There were a few, though.
Lizzie walked over to a young man, clearly human, lying on a bio bed. He was scruffy and dark haired, wearing black boots and worn clothes. He looked very much like he could be a musician.
"How are you Malcolm?"
"Ugh," he said and sat up, "Some girl dosed me with . . .something. I think its a hallucinogen of some kind. . .damn, it's a good one. I'm seeing Captain Jonathan Archer standing right over there. Weird...I should get more of this stuff."
"Let me know if you see George Washington or Zephram Cochran next," said Lizzie as she administered a hypospray, "You'll sleep for the next few hours. Don't leave this sickbay unless you have permission from me. Ping me. I'm serious, Malcolm."
The young man nodded and then went into a deep sleep.
"Jackass. He probably won't remember that conversation," said Lizzie, "and I'll have you should know he and his friends are responsible for that alcohol stench in the hall. Our Captain Archer has a soft spot for him...and his friends. It's an unusual lapse in judgement. . .but we all have our weaknesses."
Jon was still taking in the walls and lights and sensations of this different Enterprise.
"Do you want to walk around?" she asked, "I should probably send a subspace message to my father. I'll wager they've gotten word at Beta X of another Enterprise floating around. "
"I need to get you to Phlox," said Jon, "Though he was starting to believe her story more and more. . .but I wouldn't mind taking a look at the bridge. Shouldn't you not leave your patient alone?"
Lizzie looked down at the younger Malcolm.
"If he were sick, I wouldn't leave him. He's drunk and or high, and he just needs to sleep it off in quiet. Believe it or not, I trust him. We grew up together."
Lizzie and Jon walked together through the halls and up the turbo lift to the bridge. Lizzie seated herself at the comm and composed a message. Meanwhile, out of instinct, Jon sat in the Captain's chair.
"Father - Enterprise NX-01 of this timeline has entered the Expanse. Crew, including Captain Archer, remains much the same. Will send them to Beta-X, if you wish. Love, Lizzie."
"My father knew you quite well," she said, "I'm sure he'll want to say hello again, even if you aren't exactly the man he knew. You groomed him to take over the colony after you. ..were dead," Lizzie said, awkwardly.
"This is very strange," he said.
"I can't argue with that," said Lizzie, "Is Phlox aboard your Enterprise? We could beam directly over."
"Let's go," said Jon.
****
A mere half hour later, Lizzie sat on the edge of Phlox's bio bed, looking at scans of her own DNA as well as scans of her ancestor's DNA.
"Amazing," said Phlox, "I figured out a way to combine Vulcan and Human DNA. . .it's supposedly impossible."
"You also figured out how to combine human and Denobulan and human and Ikkaren. There are many, many hybrid people running around Beta-X," said Lizzie.
"What's it like?" asked Jon.
"It's beautiful," said Lizzie, "The main city is right on an small, salt water ocean. There's now nearly 40,000 residents, and close to 100,000 on the whole planet. There are schools and government buildings and a hospital and a cultural center. There are farms out on the edges of the city. The main industries are mineral mining - there's actually a substance that is very useful in creating high efficiency warp engines embedded in the rocks on Beta-X. It's proved to make our colony quite wealthy."
Jon and Phlox both appeared amazed. This was a very peculiar turn of events.
"I think Commander T'Pol is going to have rethink her position on time travel," said Phlox.
"Well," said Lizzie, "if she can come up with another explanation for my existence, I'd sure like to hear it."
Lizzie's communicator pinged again.
"This is Dr. Tucker," said Lizzie.
"Lizzie, what is happening? Why are you up on Enterprise?"
"I'm not on our Enterprise," responded Lizzie, "I'm on the one from this timeline. The one that just came from Earth."
"Now you're just being weird. What's really going on?"
"I'm telling you the truth, Karyn."
"Why are they here? Why are they out this far? Have you seen them?. .." there was a long pause.
"Just stay calm. Talk to Alex about it, and I think you two should get back to our Enterprise at least. Wait, no. . .scratch that. Meet me at the hotel as soon as you can get there."
"Will do," said Karyn, skepticism evident in her voice.
"She probably thinks I'm pranking her or something," said Lizzie, "Although I've always tried to stay out of those kinds of flight school games."
Just then, Hoshi Sato entered sickbay. She wasn't one of the landing party, and she knew nothing of the identity of the young woman sitting on Phlox's biobed.
"Hi Captain," said Hoshi curiously.
"Hi Hoshi," said Jon, "This is Lizzie. She's from the other Enterprise. She's the ship's doctor."
"It's a long story," said Lizzie, staring at yet another person from her history books. Hoshi had Alex's eyes. Or rather, Alex had her eyes.
Hoshi looked surprised, but she said nothing.
"I need to return to the surface," said Jon, "I haven't told any of my officers that are the surface where I am. Care to join me, Lizzie?"
Lizzie nodded.
"I wouldn't miss it," she said, "But I'm going to have to insist we transport. I'm far too impatient to take a shuttle."
****
Jon contacted his away team and told them to meet him in the lobby of the hotel.
"Where have you been, Captain?" said T'Pol, clearly irritated at the breach of protocol as well as Jon's disappearance.
"Solving the mystery of the other ship," said Jon.
Once Trip, Malcolm and T'Pol gathered around him, Jon tried to explain the whole story.
T'Pol immediately proved skeptical.
"The Vulcan Science Directorate has said that Time Travel is impossible," she said. Jon heard ice in her voice.
"Good for them," said Jon, "And I'd like to hear there explanation for the duplicate 100 plus year old Enterprise that's orbiting this planet. Or the young woman I've spent the last couple of hours with that carries genetic markers from more than one of my crew members."
Trip thought for a moment.
"Elizabeth Tucker?" he said.
"Your granddaughter," said Jon, "Phlox confirms it. She's the doctor on the other Enterprise."
"I'll be damned," said Trip. It hadn't yet clicked with him why his granddaughter might have pointed ears and resemble Commander T'Pol.
"Captain," said T'Pol, "We must consider the possibility that this is some kind of elaborate deception."
"I was on the ship T'Pol. It's Enterprise. A beat-up Enterprise, to be sure, but that is my ship," said Jon.
Malcolm folded his arms.
"What did this young woman tell you about the Xindi?"
Jon looked around. Only T'Pol, Trip and Malcolm knew the real reason why Enterprise had journeyed into this part of space.
"She said that in the other timeline, The Xindi had attacked Earth. That we came to stop them from destroying our planet. In that timeline, these Sphere Builders convinced the Xindi that we were the deadly threat to them. . .and they sent a weapon to destroy us."
All of the officers looked at each other. They had been sent into this region of space searching for answers about the Xindi. Because according to an inter-dimensional being that had contacted Starfleet Command - the Xindi were a grave threat to Earth and only a preemptive strike against them could save the budding coalition.
High ranking members of the Starfleet Command had been skeptical. Skeptical enough to send Enterprise into the Delphic Expanse to discover who the Xindi were and why they might want to destroy humanity. But Starfleet command had been spooked enough and taken the warning seriously enough to begin construction on a bioweapon that would destroy any Xindi that came near Earth.
"I never trusted that . . .creature," said Malcolm.
"That's why we were sent here," said Jon, "to find out the truth."
Trip shook his head.
"We need to contact Starfleet and tell them to halt production on that bio-weapon. It sounds like these Xindi are just pawns. . .and since that didn't work out on the other timeline, these sphere builders are trying to use us as the pawns this time."
T'Pol began tapping on her PADD. It took her a few moments, but she was decrypting some important data.
"Starfleet may find that premature," she said, "but I have other evidence that might convince them."
She showed the image on the PADD to the others. It was a giant sphere, nearly sixteen miles wide.
"This appeared in Vulcan space about a year ago," she said, "The High Command has been keeping it highly classified. The science directorate believe the sphere emits gravetron radiation that has begun to cause spacial anomalies."
"I'll be damned," said Malcolm.
"It sounds like these sphere builders are trying the process in reverse this time. Instead of having the Xindi attack Earth, they are trying to get us to attack these Xindi," said Jon.
"But it won't work," said Malcolm, "We won't take their bait."
****
Outside the hotel, Lizzie saw Karyn and Alex cross the street toward her. She waived.
"You won't believe it," said Lizzie, "I've just spent the last two hours with Jonathan Archer. And not the old man I knew when I was little. He and his Enterprise are orbiting this planet right now. . .I even met Phlox and Hoshi Sato."
"Whoa. ." said Alex, "That's insane. Totally insane."
Karyn peered into the lobby of the hotel. She didn't yet believe her great-grandfather would be standing inside.
"Their timeline is different. No Xindi attack.. .so I don't know what they are doing this far out," said Lizzie.
Karyn racked her brain to remember the history lessons of her youth. Everyone knew about the Xindi attack, but she couldn't remember what happened right before them. She guessed that would have been when the timelines diverged.
"All right people," said Alex, "I don't feel equipped to deal with this. We need to get your dad involved, Lizzie. And your grandmother."
Lizzie nodded.
"She's going to be shocked," said Lizzie, "I don't think she ever even considered this possibility."
"Strange, running into the younger you," said Alex.
Alex doesn't know the half of it. Lizzie knew things about her grandmother that no one else, even her own father, did not know. She knew that exposure to Trellium-D had damaged her grandmother's emotional control and all that that had led to. But none of that would ever happen, now. Lizzie thought that the woman inside the hotel would be a very different person than the T'Pol she knew.
"I sent a message to Father," said Lizzie, "I"m sure he'll consult with grandmother over what to do."
Karyn leaned over to Lizzie. She spoke in almost a whisper.
"So what's he like?"
Lizzie thought for a moment.
"You've read all his personal logs. And his Captain's logs. He's exactly like he appears to be in that. Only better looking...I think the pictures don't do him justice."
"And you saw my great-grandmother?" asked Alex.
"Just briefly," responded Lizzie, "She's adorable. Way more adorable than you."
Karyn approached the door nervously.
"I'm the Captain," said Karyn, "I should go inside."
"You'll do fine," said Lizzie, "You've handled everything the last year has thrown at you. Those crazy Ossarian pirates. Those nutty colonists from that gas giant. Those Xindi Aquatics that nearly drowned us all . . .this will be easy compared to all of that."
Alex put his hand on Karyn's shoulder.
"But don't kid yourself, this is highly weird. I mean, not Insectazoid party weird - but pretty weird."
Karyn brushed Alex off.
"Stop joking," she said, "This isn't funny. It's. . .it's. . "
"It's a little funny," said Lizzie, "I mean who else gets to meet live versions of their ancestors? I mean, that could only happen to us Beta-Xers."
Karyn put her hands on her hips.
"I'm going in. . ." she said.
So Karyn strolled into the lobby of the hotel to meet her great grandfather.
****
A few hours later, Karyn had downloaded everything she had on the Delphic Spheres and was showing Jon and T'Pol all the information. Meanwhile, Alex Reed told Malcolm the abbreviated version of his other life in the other timeline.
"So, you were kind of the king of tragedy and all," said Alex, "You know. Brooded around. But my great-grandmother's first husband died in an early pirate attack on the colony. So. . .that's how you ended up married to Julia Lynch."
Malcolm stared into the eyes of the young man.
"And Hoshi is your great-grandmother," said Malcolm slowly.
"Yes," said Alex as he sipped on a generous glass of Ikkaren tea, "But on the other side of the family. She and Major Hayes."
Malcolm couldn't imagine a military presence on Enterprise, but then again he couldn't imagine an attack that had cost seven million lives, either.
Meanwhile, Trip was pondering his granddaughter's ears. And his granddaughter, who had not yet specifically explained that she was a quarter Vulcan because Trip & T'Pol had married and produced her father - knew that the Enterprise's chief engineer was good enough at math to figure out that was what had happened.
Lizzie looked over at the exceptionally Vulcan woman helping the Captain Archers with their data. She looked at her grandfather, who had died before she was born, and saw the warm, funny and brave man that her T'Pol had described to her. Lizzie felt a bit sad that in this timeline, it was unlikely the two would ever fall in love.
Bummer, she thought. According to her T'Pol they had been happy for many years.
"So," whispered Lizzie, "It's not like I'm corrupting a timeline if I tell you what happened. How you and Grandmother over there. . .well, you know. .it must seem very unlikely."
This was very awkward, thought Lizzie. Very awkward.
Trip glanced over at T'Pol. He had come to respect her, even like her. And she was certainly easy on the eyes. . .but he couldn't imagine falling in love with a Vulcan.
"Long story short," said Lizzie, "In that timeline, your sister, my namesake. . .she died in the attack on Earth. It threw you into a deep depression. You couldn't sleep. Phlox was afraid you'd get addicted to the sedatives you kept asking for . . .and so Grandmother started helping you sleep using a Vulcan technique...well...one thing led another. Here I am more than a century later," finished Lizzie.
Most of all, Trip was relieved that he knew his sister was was safe and sound back in Florida. He couldn't imagine losing her or what it would do to him. But the notion that a series of events could lead him and T'Pol to. . .well, that was tough to believe. But the proof was standing before him.
"You seem pretty young," said Trip.
"Vulcans have a long life span. . .so my Dad in his 90s when he when he had me," said Lizzie, "I've got two older brothers."
"So, we've never met before," said Trip.
"No. I've seen pictures. I knew Captain Archer a little bit...but he lived well into his hundreds. Longer than most of the originals, even the younger ones."
Meanwhile, Karyn had told Jon everything she knew about the spheres.
"You really need to go see Lizzie's father," she said, "He knows more than anything. I mean, he doesn't remember the attack. . .but he knows. We can take you there. Except that most of my crew won't return until next week. . .I could try and get most of them back. . .but it won't be easy."
Alex piped up.
"Don't be silly. You'll just freak everyone out anyway. We can get to Beta-X and back before Monday. We'll just tag along on new Enterprise."
Karyn shook her head.
"I'm not leaving my ship. . ."
"It will be fine," chimed in Lizzie, "We'll have the Space Dock Master take good care of it. Just one thing. . .Malcolm. .our Malcolm is sleeping something off in sickbay. But I'll just arrange to dump him in a hotel suite here. . the hotel will be happy to have him. That way he can get back to his friends if he needs to. . .Alex, he's your brother, go take care of it."
Karyn nodded. She didn't like leaving her ship, but this was important. In fact, she had already gotten the impression that this was far more important that anything she had ever done.
"So," said Karyn, "If you'll allow the three of us to tag along, we can take you to our colony. I have to get back by next week - but we'll be able to take one of the faster transports back. It will all work out."
****
And so it was that Alex, Karyn and Lizzie boarded the brand new, by their standards, Enterprise and gave the Captain directions to Beta-X.
The three colonists huddled in the mess hall, pretending not to notice the stares they were getting. Captain Archer hadn't yet told the whole crew what was going on or where they were going but rumors inevitably flew.
"I can't believe I left my ship," said Karyn, again.
"What? You'd want to miss this Enterprise's arrival on Beta-X? You've got to be kidding. Everyone will be fine," said Alex.
Lizzie downed the last of her tea. It wasn't nearly as good as the Ikkaren kind, but it reminded her of what her grandmother drank.
"Well," she said, "You two can go fret about what's going to happen. I'm going to go talk to Phlox. . .it's not every day you run into one of your heroes. At least one that as far as you are concerned has been dead for forty years."
Lizzie jumped up and headed toward sickbay before she go there, she ran smack into T'Pol.
The woman wasn't her grandmother, and she never would be, but Lizzie still couldn't help thinking of her as such.
"Hello, T'Pol," she said, in Vulcan.
"You are. . .Dr. Tucker," replied in English.
Lizzie nodded.
"I know it must be strange. Until a few hours ago, you didn't believe in time travel and you didn't believe humans and vulcans could produce a child. It's probably a lot to take in."
T'Pol clasped her hands behind her back.
"There's no reason to believe events in my timeline will be anything like the ones that. . .produced your colony."
Lizzie searched the Vulcan's placid face.
"You should know," said Lizzie, "things weren't easy for you in that timeline."
Lizzie looked around to see if anyone was in earshot, then continued.
"You got exposed to this terrible element that's deadly to Vulcans. Trellium-D. People used to line the hulls of their ships with it to protect them from the spacial anomalies. But that substance is toxic to Vulcans. It causes massive neural degeneration. You were exposed for just a short time - but as a by product of that exposure, you became addicted. Phlox help you quit, but you never got the emotional control you once had back. . ." Lizzie's voice drifted off.
"So you are saying that my - relationship with Commander Tucker was a result of brain damage."
Lizzie thought about that for a moment.
"I'm saying that your willingness to put aside everything that made you Vulcan and pursue the feelings you had - that was a result of brain damage. But according to my grandmother, the feelings were always there. It was just your inability to repress them that was different after the Expanse," said Lizzie, "But for the record, you and grandfather were very happy."
"Vulcans aren't happy," said T'Pol.
"Nonsense," said Lizzie and she leaned over T'Pol and spoke in a whisper, "You don't express happiness. But I know all about mating bonds and telepathy and how when a Vulcan loves deeply that creates a bond so two people know each others deepest feelings. . ."
T'Pol looked very uncomfortable.
"It's not possible for such a bond to form with a human," she said.
"Oh yes it is," said Lizzie, "because you and grandfather had it. It shocked you at the time, too. But it was real."
T'Pol's face, which had moments before hinted at emotion, was once again placid.
"I'm not telling you what to do with your life, T'Pol," said Lizzie, "but the you that I grew up with. . .had no regrets. That's all I am saying."
Lizzie reached down and pulled out a pendant from beneath her sweater. T'Pol recognized it as a Vulcan IDIC symbol.
"Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combination," she said.
"You had this made for me on my tenth birthday. Kids at school were making fun of my ears," said Lizzie.
T'Pol examined the pendant, then she examined the face of the young, mostly human woman who looked so much like herself.
"You don't need to say anything," said Lizzie, and she continued on to sickbay.
****
Meanwhile, Alex and Hoshi had found each other in the mess hall.
"So," she said, "I married this big, burly military guy?"
"I'm not sure he was that big," said Alex, "but I'm pretty sure he was burly."
Hoshi took a bite of her salad.
"This is all so strange. I can't imagine."
Alex shrugged.
"Maybe you should look the guy up when you get back to Earth," said Alex, "Apparently you two were really happy."
Hoshi looked at the young man. Clearly, most of his human ancestors were not Japanese, but something in his jaw and in his eyes reminded her father. She believed that this young man shared DNA with her.
"I'm pretty sure that ship has sailed," said Hoshi wistfully, "but I can say I'm grateful not to have lived in a timeline when 7 million people on Earth died."
"It really traumatized everyone," replied Alex, "I think that's why the other crew worked so hard when they got to Beta-X. They wanted to live good lives, because they knew at anytime. . .well, you are lucky you'll never have to deal with that."
****
Karyn was in Jon's ready room, showing him pictures of Archer City. Jon wasn't just impressed, he was amazed at what had been accomplished in just a few generations.
"The other you did well," said Karyn, "and you should be proud. Even though you'll never have to do it."
Jon looked at the young woman, with the strange ridges on her nose.
"You aren't entirely human, but you're not Vulcan or Denobulan. . ."
"You're wife was an Ikkaren woman named Essilia," she replied, "She was a transport captain. She became your guide of sorts. . .and well, you know how things go. And Ikkarens are interesting people, if I do say so myself."
Jon smiled. Long ago, in another timeline, he was living a totally different life. He was falling in love with an alien woman and founding a colony. And saving the galaxy, apparently.
"We'll give you the help you need to destroy those spheres," said Karyn, "It's what you need to do now - in this timeline."
Jon thought about that, very grateful that Admiral Forrest had them them come to this region of space, let them come find out about these Xindi. In they hadn't, it might be the humans who had killed millions without cause.
Karyn was not a mindreader, but she was intuitive.
"I don't think humans would ever have done what the Xindi did - at least not humans from your era. You're here because humans know better than to commit genocide based on a story told by a stranger. . .the Xindi, I've got no problems with them as individuals, but their society is splintered in a way that humans can't even comprehend. No. . .the sphere builders had a much better chance in the other timeline, it failed. Now you'll make it fail in this one, too."
****
Lorian stood at his window, over-looking bustling Archer City. It was clean and safe and prosperous. He was proud of what Jonathan Archer, his parents and the rest of the crew were seeing. It hadn't always been easy in those first years, when Lorian was just a boy. Once the colony proved prosperous, there wasn't a pirate or despot in the area that hadn't taken it upon his or herself to conquer Beta X. But they had fought all comers and won.
Now, Lorian had the two men he most admired sitting in his office. Jonathan Archer and Charles Tucker III. It was surreal, seeing his late father as a young man, younger than he was now - even in Vulcan years.
"It's amazing," said Trip, "I see my father in you around the eyes. Now the ears, those are your mother's."
Lorian smiled. That sounded exactly like his father.
"I'm glad you got to meet Lizzie," he said, "She's quite a young woman. And a great doctor. But now it's down to business . . .do you have any questions about the calibrations on the phase canons? Those are key. . .if you don't compensate for the radiation bursts, you'll kill yourselves. . ."
Trip was trying to pay attention, as he knew how important this was. But he kept looking at his son - his and T'Pol's. He was proud of the man, and Trip felt a pang of sorrow at the notion that he would never get a chance to be the man's father, to know him as a boy. Even if he and T'Pol did. . .well, it wouldn't be the same.
Trip considered T'Pol for a moment. He'd always suspected there were worlds of feeling lurking below that cool surface. He'd never been so vain as to think he could access any of them. But on the other hand, didn't opposites attract? T'Pol was certainly an interesting..
"Trip," said Jon, "I need you to pay attention to this. ."
"Yes, Sir."
****
Lizzie led T'Pol down to the beach cottage at the end of the city. T'Pol immediately found the house lovely, with its perfectly manicured and logically planted gardens.
"Why have you brought me here?" she asked the young woman.
"Someone wants to see you," said Lizzie, who pointed to an old woman standing at the back wall of the house, "I'll be back here."
T'Pol realized that she was looking at an elderly version of herself. It was both alarming and comforting to know she had lived so long. The woman turned around.
"Hello, T'Pol," said the older woman.
"Hello," she replied.
"I'm afraid I was just curious to meet you," she said, "It's not often a person gets to meet the younger version of themselves."
"It's not often a person gets to meet an older version of themselves. . ."
The old woman inhaled sharply. She gestured at a small, garden table - set up for tea. The two women sat down.
"I'm sure your wondering how you happened to marry a human," said older T'Pol.
"I suppose I did because it was logical to assume there would be no Vulcans in this part of space at that time," said the younger T'Pol, "So a human was my only option."
"Nonsense. You know that is nonsense. Most people, including Lizzie, think I lost control of my emotions when we entered the Expanse. That's true. But what they don't know is how much my emotions had been eroding because of the Pa'Nar Syndrome and because of spending so much time with humans. . ."
T'Pol looked around. Very few people knew of her illness.
"The emotions. . .they are like the flame and you are the moth."
The younger woman said nothing.
"You'll never be the same as you were," said the older woman, "Do yourself a favor and stop trying. You know your place is among humans. That's why you're still aboard Enterprise when most Vulcans would have left long ago."
The younger woman felt faint - this person knew things about her that she told no one, that no one should know.
The older T'Pol approached the younger. She reached up her hand.
"May I?"
The woman wanted to meld with her, the younger T'Pol knew. It was dangerous, but she trusted her. How could she not?
The younger woman nodded.
"My mind to your mind, my thought to your thoughts," whispered the old T'Pol, who had spent decades perfecting her technique.
Suddenly, the younger T'Pol knew and felt everything from the other timeline. She felt herself breaking from the high command. She felt herself empathizing with Trip, wanting to help him. She knew the terror of the Seleya. She felt herself being drawn to Trip's clone and kissing him. She saw herself seducing Trip. She felt her heart break as Jonathan left the ship to die. She felt herself unraveling. . .then quiet. The bond with Trip. Lorian's birth. The incident with Thoren. It all existed in her mind, almost as if she had dreamed it.
"I just wanted you to know," said the older T'Pol, "No matter what you choose."
The older woman then reached up her hand and gave the familiar salute.
"Live Long and Prosper, T'Pol. You deserve it."
****
Malcolm, Hoshi and Travis spent the day wandering around Archer City. For a city only over a hundred years old, it certainly had its charms. All three of them felt proud of what their other selves had helped accomplish here.
"I've got over 83 relatives here," said Travis, "It's unbelievable."
"Phlox has over a 220," said Hoshi, "He and this Amanda had nine children."
Malcolm looked around. Karyn had told him the story of her great, great Aunt. The sorrow of her murder. It was hard to imagine that he had suffered that way, in that other time and place. But then, he wondered if that other self had been more alive that he ever had been.
Looking around, he resolved not to live a life of loneliness. He knew now that he could suffer tremendous loss and heal from that loss and move forward. That gave him strength. He thought about the pretty Crewman Lynch. . .there was certainly possibility there.
****
The younger T'Pol headed toward the shuttle that was taking everyone back to Enterprise. Captain Archer felt he had enough information to justify returning to Earth, even though that had only met two Xindi, and that was there at the colony. The sphere and their makers were the real enemy, and they now had the means to fight them.
T'Pol heard footsteps behind her. Trip soon caught up with her.
"So," he said, "Did you spend any time with our son? He's a good kid," said Trip.
"He's over a hundred years old," said T'Pol, "He's hardly a good kid . . .but he is a good man."
Trip smiled at her. That was just like T'Pol.
"It is. . .interesting to know that of all the options on the ship that you and I choose to have him," she continued.
Trip inwardly laughed at her Vulcan delicacy, but he had to agree with her. The idea of them together wasn't exactly logical. Maybe that's why it had started to appeal to him so much.
"Just think," he said, "you and I were the first Vulcan and Human to have a child."
T'Pol shook her head.
"It wasn't us," she said, "It was other versions of us, under radically different circumstances."
"True," said Trip as he whispered in her ear, "but it's fun to know, isn't it, that under radically different circumstances, we could fall in love."
Fall in love, thought T'Pol. A typical human phrase, describing love as something that could do you damage. What else could happen when you fell? But she remembered, also. That feeling of falling.
"We had our. . honeymoon in Cargo Bay 3. Captain Archer had water installed and you created a makeshift beach," said T'Pol, still remembering.
"Did I?" said Trip, curiously. "What else do you know?"
They were approaching the shuttlepod. T'Pol certainly wasn't going to give any more details in front of the crew.
"Perhaps I'll tell you more at another time," said T'Pol cooly.
As they climbed into the shuttlepod, Trip resolved to take her up on that.
****
The two Captain Archers said goodbye. As Jonathan looked at the young woman who had worked to save Enterprise from mothballs and captained her on a whole series of adventures, he could not have been more proud if she had been his own daughter.
Behind her, he looked at Lizzie and Alex, two other children of Enterprise. They were young. . .and unusual in their ways, but they were also remarkable. Humans living and thriving so far from home, intermarrying with aliens and creating their own hybrid culture. It was a future that looked bright.
"Goodbye, Captain," said Jon.
"Goodbye, Captain," said Karyn "And Good Luck. If you need anything, ever, you know where to find us. We're family. Remember that."
Jon hugged the woman goodbye and boarded the shuttle. He knew what he had to do, and he knew he could do it.
fin