Chapter 3.
Parallax.
(Scott POV)
I got up and got dressed in my uniform when grabbed something to eat and drink.
"Captain log, Stardate 48439.7. As we maintain a course back to the Alpha Quadrant, We're conducting what would normally be routine maintenance to the Ship. Routine, that is, if we had access to a starbase. It had been 2 months since we started our journey back. But lucky we haven't been encountering any hostile species or ship," As I finished the log. Then I went and got a file so I can make a message.
"Start recording. Hey Phoebe. It's Scott. Just letting you know that I'm still alive just in the Delta Quadrant," I said then started to explain every thing how it happened. "But there is something else I need to tell you. I'm sorry but Kathryn died when the wave hit us. I'm sorry. Phoebe but there was nothing I could do. I'll do what I can to make it back. Stay safe. See you soon," I said ending the recording.
"Computer save that letter into my personal database, Transmit once in range of Earth," I said as the Computer bleeped and saw on the data pad that it was saved.
Then I headed up to the bridge to the Conference room where. Paris, Kim, Chakotay and Tuvok were.
"All right let's get to business," I said sitting down.
"Engine efficiency is down another 14%. If we don't more power to the Warp drive, we're all going to have to get out and push," Paris said.
"What about alternative energy sources?" I said. "Ensign, have you had any luck getting power from the holodeck reactors,"
"Not yet, We tried hooking them to the power grid and we ended up blowing out half the relays," Kim said. "The holodeck's energy matrix it just isn't compatible with the other power systems,"
"Captain, We're relocate all security personnel to Deck 7, we can shut down power on deck 9 and reroute it to Propulsion," Chakotay said.
"That would be inconvenient, but acceptable," Tuvok said.
"Great. Now let's move on to the personnel situation, We still have," I said before Kes and Neelix came in.
"Sorry we're late, but I wasn't informed there was a meeting this morning," Neelix said. "Oh, there don't seem to be enough chairs,"
"Neelix, this is a briefing for the Senior officers," I said.
"Well, I am the senior Talaxian on board. Kes is the senior Ocampa," Neelix said. "And I do know more about this region of space than any other member of the crew,"
"We have some excellent suggestions, Captain," Kes said.
"Very well, You're welcome to join us this time," I said. And Tom gave Kes his chair. "To be honest we could use some excellent suggestions right now,"
"I've been thinking that you might be able to convert one of your lower decks into a hydroponics bay to grow your own food," Kes said. "I understand that the replicators are down and that the emergency rations won't hold out much longer,"
"What about Cargo Bay 2? It was designed for organic storage and it already has adjustable environmental controls," Kim said.
"When can you start?" I said.
"Me," Kes said.
"It's your idea, Your project," I said.
"Right away," Kes said.
"I can do some wonderful things with vegetables, Captain. My feragoit goulash is known across 12 star systems," Neelix said.
"Okay. The personnel situation. We've managed to find a replacement for the Transporter chief. But we still need an Astrogation Plotter, Chief Engineer, Medical support personnel," I said.
"I've made a list of several Maquis crew members who would make good officers even asked Tuvok to have a look at it," Chakotay said.
"B'Elanna Torres?" I said. "Wasn't she the involved with that incident with Carey,"
"That's right," Chakotay said.
"What job do you think she's suited for?" I said.
"Chief Engineer," Chakotay said.
"Tuvok, You saw how she worked, what do you think," I said.
"I believe, She would be able to handle the position Captain, Since I have seen no one else at the mean time to the level I have seen," Tuvok said.
"Alright. But I want to meet her after her shift is over. Then I make the call. Back to the matter at hand. Regarding Sickbay, we still need a Chief Medical officer," I said.
"What about that Electronic man down in Sick bay?" Neelix said.
"It is an Emergency Medical Hologram and it's abilities are limited," Tuvok said. "It can only operate within the confines of Sick Bay,"
"Not to mention its lousy bedside manner," Paris said.
"Perhaps we should assign somebody to train with the Hologram as a Field Medic," Chakotay said.
"Good Call," I said. "Lt. I understand you studied Biochemistry at the Academy?"
"Only 2 semesters," Paris said.
"Close enough, You just volunteered to become a field Medic," I said. "Report to sickbay as soon as we're finished here,"
"But Captain," Paris said but got cut off when the ship shock hard.
"Stations, Now," I said heading out to the Bridge. "Report?" I said.
"We running into some kind of spatial distortions," Seska said.
"Tuvok?" I said.
"The distortions are emanating from a highly localised disturbance in the space time continuum," Tuvok said."distance 20,000 kilometers off the port bow,"
"All stop, Paris," I said.
Then the ship stopped shaking.
"On the screen," I said. "Gravimetric Flux density is over 2000%. If I not mistaken we 're looking at a type 4 Quantum singularity. That view looks like a Time Vortex," I said. Last bit low.
"Captain, I am receiving an audio transmission," Tuvok said.
"From where?" I said.
"Within the singularity," Tuvok said.
"Let's hear it," I said.
"This is... Ship. Singularity," Then the audio cut out.
"I think I've found the source of the Transmission," Kim said.
"On the screen," I said then the ship came up but it looked too familiar.
"Hail them," Chakotay said.
"Wait," I said getting up to take a closer look.
"Captain," Chakotay said.
"It can't be," I said.
"What?" Chakotay said.
"Look at it, Like really look at it," I said.
"Yes," Chakotay said.
"What does that look like to you," I said.
"A ship," Chakotay said.
"But?" I said.
"No not getting you," Chakotay said.
"That's Voyager," I said.
"What?" Chakotay said.
"Look at it. compare it to how Voyager looks," I said.
"Oh my god, I see it now," Chakotay said.
"But how," Kim said.
"I don't know," I said.
"What do we do, Captain," Tuvok said.
"Paris, Hold us here. We have no idea what the heck is going on," I said. "Commander," Then I headed into my ready room.
"Captain," Chakotay said.
"What you really know about Torres," I said.
"She the best Engineer I have ever seen. Even when I was in Starfleet. Hell she could teach at the academy," Chakotay said.
"I still want to talk to her after her shift," I said.
"Understood," Chakotay said.
"Dismissed," I said.
Then Chakotay left.
Then headed back to the bridge.
"Paris lay in a course for the Ilidaria system," I said.
"Aye Captain," Paris said.
"I'll be in my ready room. Chakotay, Get Neelix up here, Looks like we need all the help we can," I said before heading in.
XXX
A while later I was going through all the sensor data but I couldn't make heads or tails of it.
Then the door bell rang.
"Come in," I said. Then Torres came in.
"You asked to see me, Captain," Torres said.
"Have a seat," I said.
"Captain, is it true that the ship inside that was Voyager," Torres said.
"Yes. How I have no idea. But something feels off," I said.
"Captain," Torres said.
"Don't you feel it," I said. "Something just feels off since we hit the wave from it,"
"I do feel a little off but nothing that feels off. Captain what am I doing here?" Torres said.
"Commander Chakotay thinks very highly of you, He's recommended you for Chief Engineer," I said.
"Well. We've been through a few scraps together," Torres said.
"Then would you be ready," I said.
"For what Chakotay is thinking," Torres said.
"Not just him. But Tuvok as well," I said.
"I will need time before I can answer that," Torres said.
"Well, I will need it soon," I said.
"If that's everything," Torres said getting up.
"Why did you quit the Academy. B'Elanna?" I said.
"I didn't want to have anything to do with Starfleet then," Torres said.
"And Now?" I said.
"No idea yet," Torres said then left.
Then I moved back over to my desk and sat down.
"Sickbay to Captain McCall," Doctor said.
"Yes, Doc," I said.
"May I request you activate monitor input 47 your Emergency Medical holograph channel," Doctor said as I switched it on.
"I'm getting a distorted transmission," I said.
"No. In fact, that is how I appear at present. I'm shrinking," Doctor said.
"Shrinking," I said.
"There appears to be a malfunction in my imaging system. It's been reducing my height by 5 cm every hour," Doctor said. "I've been waiting all day for repairs. That is not however what I am calling about. Over the past 3 hours, 9 crew members have reported unusual symptoms, Severe headaches, muscle spasms and sudden waves of dizziness,"
"All of this could be related to the Quantum singularity," I said,
"Quantum Singularity?" Doctor said.
"It was sending out strong spatial distortions. They might have affected the crew and your systems as well," I said.
"You know. Captain if we were in the vicinity of a Quantum singularity I should have been informed," Doctor said.
"You're right. I'll look into linking your program into the ships data," I said then the ship shake. Then I got up and headed into the Bridge. "Report," I said.
"It looks like we're running into more spatial distortions," Chakotay said.
"I'm picking up a highly localised disturbance off the port bow," Kim said.
"On the Screen," I said then another of a Quantum singularity. "Tuvok is that the same as we last came across,"
"Yes. Another Type 4," Tuvok said.
"Is it exactly the same," I said.
"Physical and Temporal dimensions are identical to the one we encountered earlier," Tuvok said.
"Captain, According to these readings, we've returned to our previous coordinates. This isn't another singularity, It's the same one," Paris said.
"Check the Navigational logs confirm our position," I said.
"Well they show we've travelled 1.4 lightyears away from the anomaly, but I've confirmed our position against the star chart. We're definitely back where we started. Doesn't make sense," Kim said.
"I do," I said.
"Captain," Kim said.
"Drop a sensor beacon and keep track of it," I said.
"One moment," Kim said as he dropped the beacon. "That's it released, Got a lock,"
"Paris set a course away from the singularity. Warp 9." I said.
"Ready, Captain," Paris said.
"Engage," I said.
Then Voyager went to wrap.
"It's ahead of us again," Kim said.
"Drop out of warp," I said.
"I'm picking up a beacon, Captain," Kim said.
"Make sure it's not the same one we dropped a minute ago," I said.
"It's the same one," Kim said.
"Hold position here," I said.
XXX
When it was 3 PM and all the senior staff was in the conference room.
"27 other crew members have now reported the symptoms and yet, when I examined each of them, I couldn't find anything wrong. I have no diagnosis, No prognosis. No recommended treatment. I'll contract you when I have something more to contribute. And by the way, I am now 68 centimetres shorter. I'd appreciate it if someone would repair my Holographic Projectors before I have trouble reaching my patients," Doctor said then the screen turned off.
"I done everything on those sensor logs and none of it made any sense. Anyone have anything more constructive?" I said.
"Ship wide diagnostics have revealed nothing out of the ordinary," Tuvok said.
"I tried sending out a tachyon signal to scan the singularity but all I got back was static," Carey said.
"There's something we are missing," I said.
"B'Elanna any ideas," Chakotay said.
"I just was thinking about the problem with the Doctor's holographic projectors. It seems like the spatial distortions might be interfering with the projector's phase alignment," Torres said.
"My guess too, Oh," I said. "Everyone remember when we first came across that singularity," Everyone nodded. "We saw another ship in there but it was Voyager. Us. And that message. Remember. I know I heard that before,"
"Where," Chakotay said.
"Right here on this ship. We the ones trapped. We're inside it. Right now. Every time we tried to move away from it we found ourselves back at it every time," I said.
"I get it," Torres said. "It's a time delayed reflection of ourselves. The Captain's right we are the ones trapped in here,"
"Okay. How do we get out," I said. "We've been in this singularity since the first jolt. That was why I have been feeling something off,"
"Wait a minute let me get this straight. We were cruising along at warp 7. Then we pick up a distress call and moved into investigate. But now, you're saying that the other ship is actually just us. And the Distress call was the captain's opening hail. But we picked the distress call up before he sent the hail. How can we see something we hadn't even done yet," Paris said "Am I making any sense here,"
"No. But with a time singularity can do that. So let's find a way out of here," I said.
"I'm not sure, But I do know one thing. That as we slide deeper into the singularity, the spatial distortions are increasing. We only got 9 hours before they crush the ship," Torres said.
"Then how do we get through that sheet of ice," I said.
"Look for a crack," Torres said.
"Or make a crack. Take something and smash it against the ice," I said. "But we made on when we got here,"
"We might be able to slip out the way," Torres said.
"We'd be looking for a subspace instability in event horizon," I said. "But what would make it show up on our sensors?"
"Warp Particles," Both Torres and I said.
"If we saturate the event horizon with warp particles, we might be able to see them escaping through the rupture we made when we entered. Let's go," I said heading to the bridge. "Red Alert," Then the Klaxon alarms went.
"Tuvok. Take the main Deflector off line. Kim reroute the port and starboard plasma flow to the main Deflector. We can use it to generate a warp field," I said.
"Deflector's Offline," Tuvok said.
"Initialising Plasma flow," Kim said.
"Release the Warp particles," I said.
"Scanning the singularity," Paris said as Voyager had released the warp particles on the singularity.
"Anything?" Torres said.
"Not yet," Kim said. "Warp particles at full intensity,"
"I'm picking up something a slight irregularity," Paris said. "It could be a rupture in the event horizon,"
"On screen," I said.
"It is a rupture, Captain," Paris said.
"Size," I said.
"It's 50 meters by 10 meters," Paris said.
"It's too small," Torres said.
"Must of been collapsed since we first passed through it," I said. "We found the crack. That's the important thing. Now to make it bigger,"
"Put a wedge in it and force it open," Torres said. "We could try a Dekyon beam,"
"Alright. Dekyon beam," I said. "Paris bring us closer,"
"Captain if we get too close to the rupture, our warp engines might make it collapse even further," Paris said.
"Can we emit a beam from here?" I said.
"The rupture's over 50 million kilometers away, we don't have enough power to project a Dekypn beam that far," Kim said.
"We'll take a shuttle and do it then," I said.
"You'll need the best pilot you've got in that shuttle Captain," Paris said.
"Getting there the easy part. Paris, We need someone who's familiar with the finer points of Temporal mechanics, Unless you've been hiding your credentials, That's not you. B'Elanna, you're with me," I said. "The bridge is yours commander," Then got into the Turbo lift and head down the a shuttle and got into it and flew out of the shuttle bay once we got everything checked.
"We've cleared, Voyager," I said.
"Shields at full strength," Torres said.
"We'll reach the rupture in 4 and a half minutes," I said. "Get that Dekyon beam online,"
"Remodulating emitters," Torres said.
Man. That not looking like a time Vortex anymore.
"Captain. I want to apologize. I just don't like most of Starfleet's rules. The Prime Directive included. I respect Chakotay. But I'm not officer material. I quit the Academy because I could make it. No one was sad to see me go," Torres said.
"Professor Chapman was," I said.
"What?" Torres said.
"He put a letter in your permanent file saying that, should you ever reapply, he would support you," I said.
"I fought with him almost every day, I was always questioning his methods, his assumptions and he was always slapping me down like some upstart kid," Torres said.
"Some professor like students who challenge their assumptions, B'Elanna. As do Captains. Many of your teachers thought you had the potential to be one hell of an officer. You had more friends at the academy than you realised," I said. "We're 15 kilometers from the rupture, Start charging the Dekyon beam,"
"Dekyon beam online," Torres said.
Then we got hit and I stopped us.
"Shields down to 62%," Torres said.
Then I fired the thrusters again. "Increasing speed. We have to get to that rupture before these distortions tear us apart," I said.
Once we got closer to it I slowed us down. "Alright, Let's open this sleet of Ice a little wider," I said.
"Firing Dekyon beam," Torres said. Then the shuttle started to shake and Shuttle computer went to Red alert.
"We've widened the opening by over 65%. Let's get another 5 for safety," I said.
"We're losing power. We aren't going to get anymore, Captain," Torres said. Then the dekyon beam stopped.
"Let's go home," I said turning the shuttle to Voyager.
"We've lost coms," Torres said.
"Great," I said.
Then I saw something. "Are you seeing this too," I said.
"Yes," Torres said.
"There are 2 Voyagers, Shit," I said.
"This is a problem," Torres said.
"One of them is a temporal reflection," I said. "I'm getting identical reading from both ships,"
"The rupture is starting to collapse again. If Voyager doesn't get through it in the next 5 mins. We never get out," Torres said.
"Means we only have 1 chance to get the right Voyager, Port or starboard," I said.
"Starboard," I said.
"Port," Torres said.
"Port one is closer to the rupture," Torres said. "They holding position as close as they can to the rupture before heading out,"
"Yeah, But we did that before. That's the temporal reflection. Starboard facing away to give us clean access to the shuttle bay," I said.
"Let's just hope your right. Or we're going have a long time to debate it," Torres said.
I started the thrusters again and got us docked with Voyager. "Feels like the real Voyager to me," I said. "Let's get to the bridge," Then we left the shuttle and onto a turbolift and back to bridge.
Once on the bridge.
"Chakotay report," I said.
"We're almost to the rupture. Paris is about to impress us with his piloting skills," Chakotay said.
"Rupture's collapsing it's down to 110 meters wide," Kim said.
"That's too narrow, We're not going to make it," B'Elanna said.
"Yes we are. Paris punch us through, Full impulse power," I said.
Paris got us into it. But we were shaking us big time.
"Shield's are down," Tuvok said.
"I'm losing power to the port impulse engine," Paris said.
"Switching to Auxiliary power," Kim said.
"Hull integrity failing," Tuvok said.
"Keep going, Paris," I said.
Then Voyager cleared the Singularity.
"We've cleared the event horizon, Captain," Tuvok said. "We've returned to normal space,"
"Sometimes you just have to punch your way through. I remember that one," Paris said.
"Set a course. I want to be at least 100 million Kilometers away from the singularity before we begin repairs," I said.
"Aye, Captain," Paris said.
"Your got the Bridge commander," I said. Before heading into the my ready room.
XXX
I was working on my things to do on Voyager before My door bell went.
"Come in," I said.
Then Chakotay came in.
"You wanted to see me," Chakotay said.
"Yes. I did. I made the decision who is the Chief Engineer," I said.
"And," Chakotay said.
"Torres. She is going to be the new Chief Engineer," I said.
"I'll let her know," Chakotay said.
"Tell her I want the Warp drive back online by 1300 hours," I said.
"Got it," Chakotay said.
"Dismissed," I said. Then he left.
10 minutes later. I headed down to the upper level of Engineer.
The next thing I know that Chakotay had came up.
"Are you checking up on your new Chief Engineer?" He said.
"Observing," I said.
"And?" He said.
"2 crew members have already filed complaints about her promotion, and she may be in for a tough period of adjustment, But I think B'Elanna is going to make Chief Engineer to this crew," I said. "Come on,"
"Sickbay to Captain McCall," Doctor said.
"Go ahead," I said.
"Is someone ever going to come down here and fix my Holographic projectors?" Doctor said.
"We're a little busy right now, Doctor, but i'll send a crew down as soon as I can," I said.
"I would appreciate a certain expediency in the matter," Doctor said.
"Acknowledged, McCall out," I said.
That's it for this chapter.
More next time.
Stay tuned.
PEACE!