By T. Cummins
2001
(Story based on characters and environments created and owned by Paramount)
Chapter One - "Emergence"
Kathryn Janeway emerged from her ready room the instant she heard the alert sound. She had given orders not to be disturbed unless an emergency arose and true to life traveling through the Delta Quadrant one apparently had. The slight jumble of her shoulder length, auburn hair was evidence she had spent most of her time, slumped over her desk with her head resting on her arms. She tugged and straightened her uniform as she briskly strode on to the bridge, leaving behind the relaxed disposition of her privacy. Her head was still filled with the sweet sounds of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No.2, which had captivated her since childhood and still had the capacity to transport her thoughts a thousand light years away. There were times she wondered about the life she might have led if she hadn't pursued a career in Starfleet, but then she would remember how much a part of her identity was defined by her role as Captain. As she progressed though the room, Kathryn's attention was instantly drawn to the main view screen. The image of a monstrous, roiling astronomical tempest, lay directly across Voyager's intended course. Incandescent cerulean clouds of turbulent energy billowed like an evening thunderstorm from one end of the viewer to the other. After a moment she forced her attention away from the mesmerizing spectacle, to inspect the crew currently on duty. Commander Tuvok stood at the science station, busily tapping out commands on his console, only raising his head long enough to briefly acknowledge her presence. Harry Kim manned the operations station opposite Tuvok. His face betrayed a complex combination of wonder and concern that gave him the aspect of nervous parent. Tom Paris calmly sat at flight control, apparently standing by for further orders. He was turned with his back to the viewer as if what it displayed held no interest for him. At the center of the bridge, First Officer Chakotay stood, waiting to report what had transpired. His halfhearted smile and tense posture indicated he was troubled by recent events and was anxious about exploring their meaning. He rhythmically tapped the data pad he held his hand as if to pass the time before the Captain spoke to him. "Alright Commander. What have we got?" She could tell before he spoke that Chakotay found it difficult to frame his response. He looked into her eyes for a moment and then down at the deck beneath her feet, as if searching for thoughts he could no longer retrieve.
After a brief silence he cautiously relayed the significance of the alert. "I'm not certain what it means, but that disturbance out there is radiating signals from what appears to be the Alpha Quadrant." Kathryn's face betrayed the shock and hope of possibilities. Chakotay was expecting her response and hurried to explain further. "I know it sounds wonderful but there are a few problems. First of all we can't seem to get away from it. No matter how fast or in what direction we travel, it moves into our path blocking our way. Further, we've detected unstable gravimetric fields that are strong enough to tear this ship apart." Janeway turned to study the image as Chakotay continued. "Sensors also show there is apparently an unidentified space vessel passing through the center of the spatial anomaly heading directly toward us. How they've managed to survive a journey through that nightmare is a mystery."
When he finished he silently studied the side her face searching for clues to her response. Captain Janeway didn't like what she had been told. They had somehow stumbled across a possible shortcut home, but it was tainted by dangers like an escape route through a minefield. She meant to have more information before she would decide how to proceed. "Tuvok. Can you give me more information on the approaching vessel?"
The Commander was already busy compiling data and dispassionately stated the facts with his unwavering stoicism. "Captain, initially the sensors indicated that the approaching vessel was a Federation starship. It is possible the sensors recorded a reflection of Voyager although I am at a loss to explain such readings. As the craft drew nearer however, she was positively identified as a Kazon battle cruiser. She is currently traveling on an intercept course."
Tom Paris was the first to react to the news. "The Kazon? What on earth are they doing out here? We left them behind over a year ago." Before anyone could respond, the main viewer clearly showed the familiar design of a Kazon ship emerging from the disturbance in a flash of discharging energy.
Voyager's history was replete with negative encounters with the Kazon and Janeway reacted on the side of caution. "Tom. Back us off. Get us some distance." Captain Janeway watched in astonishment as Paris activated the controls to reverse course, and produced the opposite result. Voyager lurched forward in the direction of the approaching ship to everyone's dismay. "All stop!" Janeway stepped behind Paris and put her hand on his shoulder. "Hold our position. Lets try and find out what's going on here. "
Captain Kirk sat at the edge of his command chair and firmly gripped its solid arms. His attention was firmly fixed on the main viewer as he scanned for signs of what lay ahead. The Enterprise violently rocked back and forth as though it were a barrel plunging down an endless waterfall. While investigating the disappearance of a Federation ore freighter, the ship had been caught in an unidentified spatial anomaly and was being reluctantly drawn toward a destination that was unknown and unwelcome. Everyone on board clung to whatever they could grasp as the ship was buffeted by powerful turbulence. "Mr. Sulu, try to keep us in the middle of this thing."
The helmsman acknowledged with a hint of strain in his voice. "Aye Sir. I'll do what I can. The controls are barely effective."
Kirk forced his seat around to face the science station. "Spock, any change in readings?"
Mr. Spock stared intently at the readouts from the scanners. The bluish illumination of the viewer gave him a ghoulish aspect as he responded. "No significant change. We continue to hurtle toward uncharted inter dimensional space at warp speed." He briefly paused, then turned and faced his captain. "The anomaly is similar to a wormhole or singularity but its composition and cause is as yet undetermined. Gravitational pressures are bearable but increasing rapidly." The officers stationed around the circular ring of the bridge, hung on Spock's every word, eager for some small bit of hope in what he said. Despite his calm, Vulcan reserve a hint of agitation slipped into Spock's demeanor. "I regret that I have nothing relevant to add at this time."
Kirk sat and stared for a moment. He had always been at his best while solving problems but his mind was filled with nothing but endless questions. "I should have known better than to investigate the blasted thing in the first place." Captain Kirk pounded the arm of his chair to emphasize his frustration.
"Captain look!" Sulu's warning drew the attention of everyone on the bridge.
The main viewer showed that in the distance, the center of the disturbance was clearing. After a moment a few scattered stars could be seen and in the midst of them there sat a ship directly in their path. "Spock! What is that?" Kirk spun in his chair back toward his first officer.
"Captain. We are apparently approaching the event horizon of the anomaly. Our velocity has slowed by one third and decelerating. Gravitational fields continue to fluctuate but pressure against the hull is lessening. I am scanning ahead." There was a short pause then Spock continued. "Initially sensors detected a Federation style vessel at the mouth aperture. I suspect we temporarily received a data reflection. However upon further scan, sensors clearly detect a Klingon Battle cruiser dead ahead."
Captain Kirk instantly leapt to his feet. "Shields up. Red alert, all hands to battle stations."
2001
(Story based on characters and environments created and owned by Paramount)
Chapter One - "Emergence"
Kathryn Janeway emerged from her ready room the instant she heard the alert sound. She had given orders not to be disturbed unless an emergency arose and true to life traveling through the Delta Quadrant one apparently had. The slight jumble of her shoulder length, auburn hair was evidence she had spent most of her time, slumped over her desk with her head resting on her arms. She tugged and straightened her uniform as she briskly strode on to the bridge, leaving behind the relaxed disposition of her privacy. Her head was still filled with the sweet sounds of Gustav Mahler's Symphony No.2, which had captivated her since childhood and still had the capacity to transport her thoughts a thousand light years away. There were times she wondered about the life she might have led if she hadn't pursued a career in Starfleet, but then she would remember how much a part of her identity was defined by her role as Captain. As she progressed though the room, Kathryn's attention was instantly drawn to the main view screen. The image of a monstrous, roiling astronomical tempest, lay directly across Voyager's intended course. Incandescent cerulean clouds of turbulent energy billowed like an evening thunderstorm from one end of the viewer to the other. After a moment she forced her attention away from the mesmerizing spectacle, to inspect the crew currently on duty. Commander Tuvok stood at the science station, busily tapping out commands on his console, only raising his head long enough to briefly acknowledge her presence. Harry Kim manned the operations station opposite Tuvok. His face betrayed a complex combination of wonder and concern that gave him the aspect of nervous parent. Tom Paris calmly sat at flight control, apparently standing by for further orders. He was turned with his back to the viewer as if what it displayed held no interest for him. At the center of the bridge, First Officer Chakotay stood, waiting to report what had transpired. His halfhearted smile and tense posture indicated he was troubled by recent events and was anxious about exploring their meaning. He rhythmically tapped the data pad he held his hand as if to pass the time before the Captain spoke to him. "Alright Commander. What have we got?" She could tell before he spoke that Chakotay found it difficult to frame his response. He looked into her eyes for a moment and then down at the deck beneath her feet, as if searching for thoughts he could no longer retrieve.
After a brief silence he cautiously relayed the significance of the alert. "I'm not certain what it means, but that disturbance out there is radiating signals from what appears to be the Alpha Quadrant." Kathryn's face betrayed the shock and hope of possibilities. Chakotay was expecting her response and hurried to explain further. "I know it sounds wonderful but there are a few problems. First of all we can't seem to get away from it. No matter how fast or in what direction we travel, it moves into our path blocking our way. Further, we've detected unstable gravimetric fields that are strong enough to tear this ship apart." Janeway turned to study the image as Chakotay continued. "Sensors also show there is apparently an unidentified space vessel passing through the center of the spatial anomaly heading directly toward us. How they've managed to survive a journey through that nightmare is a mystery."
When he finished he silently studied the side her face searching for clues to her response. Captain Janeway didn't like what she had been told. They had somehow stumbled across a possible shortcut home, but it was tainted by dangers like an escape route through a minefield. She meant to have more information before she would decide how to proceed. "Tuvok. Can you give me more information on the approaching vessel?"
The Commander was already busy compiling data and dispassionately stated the facts with his unwavering stoicism. "Captain, initially the sensors indicated that the approaching vessel was a Federation starship. It is possible the sensors recorded a reflection of Voyager although I am at a loss to explain such readings. As the craft drew nearer however, she was positively identified as a Kazon battle cruiser. She is currently traveling on an intercept course."
Tom Paris was the first to react to the news. "The Kazon? What on earth are they doing out here? We left them behind over a year ago." Before anyone could respond, the main viewer clearly showed the familiar design of a Kazon ship emerging from the disturbance in a flash of discharging energy.
Voyager's history was replete with negative encounters with the Kazon and Janeway reacted on the side of caution. "Tom. Back us off. Get us some distance." Captain Janeway watched in astonishment as Paris activated the controls to reverse course, and produced the opposite result. Voyager lurched forward in the direction of the approaching ship to everyone's dismay. "All stop!" Janeway stepped behind Paris and put her hand on his shoulder. "Hold our position. Lets try and find out what's going on here. "
Captain Kirk sat at the edge of his command chair and firmly gripped its solid arms. His attention was firmly fixed on the main viewer as he scanned for signs of what lay ahead. The Enterprise violently rocked back and forth as though it were a barrel plunging down an endless waterfall. While investigating the disappearance of a Federation ore freighter, the ship had been caught in an unidentified spatial anomaly and was being reluctantly drawn toward a destination that was unknown and unwelcome. Everyone on board clung to whatever they could grasp as the ship was buffeted by powerful turbulence. "Mr. Sulu, try to keep us in the middle of this thing."
The helmsman acknowledged with a hint of strain in his voice. "Aye Sir. I'll do what I can. The controls are barely effective."
Kirk forced his seat around to face the science station. "Spock, any change in readings?"
Mr. Spock stared intently at the readouts from the scanners. The bluish illumination of the viewer gave him a ghoulish aspect as he responded. "No significant change. We continue to hurtle toward uncharted inter dimensional space at warp speed." He briefly paused, then turned and faced his captain. "The anomaly is similar to a wormhole or singularity but its composition and cause is as yet undetermined. Gravitational pressures are bearable but increasing rapidly." The officers stationed around the circular ring of the bridge, hung on Spock's every word, eager for some small bit of hope in what he said. Despite his calm, Vulcan reserve a hint of agitation slipped into Spock's demeanor. "I regret that I have nothing relevant to add at this time."
Kirk sat and stared for a moment. He had always been at his best while solving problems but his mind was filled with nothing but endless questions. "I should have known better than to investigate the blasted thing in the first place." Captain Kirk pounded the arm of his chair to emphasize his frustration.
"Captain look!" Sulu's warning drew the attention of everyone on the bridge.
The main viewer showed that in the distance, the center of the disturbance was clearing. After a moment a few scattered stars could be seen and in the midst of them there sat a ship directly in their path. "Spock! What is that?" Kirk spun in his chair back toward his first officer.
"Captain. We are apparently approaching the event horizon of the anomaly. Our velocity has slowed by one third and decelerating. Gravitational fields continue to fluctuate but pressure against the hull is lessening. I am scanning ahead." There was a short pause then Spock continued. "Initially sensors detected a Federation style vessel at the mouth aperture. I suspect we temporarily received a data reflection. However upon further scan, sensors clearly detect a Klingon Battle cruiser dead ahead."
Captain Kirk instantly leapt to his feet. "Shields up. Red alert, all hands to battle stations."