Disclaimer: Still don't own Star Trek, which on second thought is probably just as well since I'd only wind up spending more time thinking about it.
Meredith: I care. Glad to see you're back! Bonked with a coffee mug…hmm.
EmpressLeia: Ah, the lake. Could prevent reviewing. I unfortunately was tight on time today. It was read your new story or post more of my mine. You can see which I did. I will read yours tomorrow morning. I promise!
Other reviewers: Yeah, poor, poor Ensign Jones. 'Fraid he gets into trouble again next chapter. Love the reviews, keep writing them! And I'm still open to suggestions…
A/N: This chapter's sorta short and really has nothing at all to do with reactions. That's because it exists purely for the sake of the plot. (A plot! There's a novel idea!) Still hope you enjoy.
Part Nine:
Back to the Future
The Enterprise has reached the Guardian of Forever:
On the bridge, business was normal. They were preparing to beam down in a few minutes, when they received a message.
"Captain, we're receiving a message from Starfleet Command," Uhura said.
"Really? What does Command have to say?" Kirk asked.
"They said they approve of the plan to go to the Guardian of Forever and that we should proceed with it."
"Not surprising," Kirk said calmly.
Spock seemed puzzled by this. "Captain, they previously were very much against the plan. It seems unexpected that they would complete a full reverse and approve the idea."
"Well, it's very simple. Command wants to look like they have command of the situation, even thought they know they don't. So they send a message telling us to do what we're already doing so they look like they're in control."
Spock nodded. "In that light, it is not surprising at all."
"Of course," Kirk agreed. "Now what say we get on with beaming down?"
* * *
An empty, rocky planet surface. It suddenly becomes less empty when Kirk, Spock, McCoy, Scotty, and Data beam in. They glance around.
"Ah, back to the Guardian of Forever!" Kirk said cheerfully. "By the way, Spock, who did you leave in command of the ship?"
Spock blinked. "I did not leave anyone in command. I thought you left someone in command."
"And I thought you left someone in command." Kirk shrugged. "Oh well. Doesn't matter much I guess."
Data was surprised by this. "It does not concern you that there is no one in charge of your ship?"
"Nah, not really. This sort of thing happens all the time."
"You run into problems like that when you routinely beam down your entire Senior Crew," McCoy commented.
Data shook his head. "I do not understand humans. Not you particular humans, in any case."
"That's okay. Starfleet Command doesn't really understand us either. We get the job done somehow though," Kirk said pleasantly. "Let's walk over to the Guardian."
They did.
"Ah, the Guardian of Forever! What great memories!" Kirk exclaimed.
"Uh, Jim, last time we were here I was delusional, went back in time and messed up the timeline, you and Spock went back after me, and you had to let your girlfriend die to fix things," McCoy pointed out.
"Oh. That's right." Kirk frowned. "What lousy memories."
"The logical thing to do at this point would be to talk to the Guardian," Spock said calmly.
"Okay. Here comes the usual line: Guardian, do you remember us?" Kirk asked, addressing the large oval rock.
The hole in the rock lit up and a voice boomed out. "I remember all of you, because I am the Guardian of Forever. You cannot comprehend how many gigabytes of memory I have."
"Can you send me back to my time?" Data asked.
"You are not from this time. Therefore it is simple to send you to your time. No one else get any ideas about going with him. Strictly forbidden."
"We weren't gonna try," Kirk assured the Guardian.
"Good. Say your goodbyes quickly. Next trip to 2367 leaves in three minutes."
"It has been an interesting experience meeting all of you," Data said.
"It's been pretty interesting meeting you. Wouldn't you agree, Spock?" McCoy said significantly.
"Of course," Spock said neutrally. "Meeting someone from another time is always interesting."
"That's not what I meant."
"I know."
"Anyway, good luck with the emotions, Data," McCoy said.
"Thank you, Doctor. Though luck has no bearing on the issue."
"Now, when you get back have your engineer look at that wire that shorted out. Might happen again," Scotty cautioned.
"I will look into it. Thank you for repairing me."
"Aw, I keep tellin' ye it was nothing…"
Kirk jumped into the conversation at this point. "Mr. Data, before you go, can I ask you a question?"
"If it does not endanger the timeline."
"Right. I just wanted to know…are you sure you don't want the Enterprise?"
"Positive, Captain."
Kirk shook his head in absolute astonishment. "Well, all right then. Also, are you sure you want to go through the Guardian? It could be risky you know. But then again, risks are our business. I don't know about your business, but either way when man first looked at the stars—"
The Guardian interrupted there. "Are you implying I might lose him? After countless millennia, I have never lost a passenger! The very idea! Risks! Hah!"
"Sorry," Kirk said, taken aback.
"That's better. Now, all aboard that's going aboard. Trip to 2367 leaving now!" the Guardian called.
"I had best leave. Good-bye all of you," Data said, and stepped towards the Guardian.
There was a general chorus of good-byes from the group, as Data stepped within the Guardian and vanished.
2367: On the surface of the Guardian of Forever, Data puzzled the transporter chief by requesting a second beam-up. When this one came, though, it was completely without incident…
2269: The Enterprise left orbit around the Guardian of Forever, and continued on their interrupted mission towards a rather primitive planet Command insisted they study…
So Data did manage to hear the risks speech once before he left. ^_^ And Kirk MUST spout off about risks…
Anyway, since that was short, I'm also posting chapter ten, you lucky people. : ) Wouldn't object to two reviews…