Chapter 4.
Time and Again.
(Scott POV)
It was another morning that I got up and got showered then grabbed something to eat and then headed to the Bridge where nothing was going on so I headed into my ready room. Where an hour later. I just finished working on what I needed to do to get the Hull plating online.
Then Neelix showed up.
He filled me in on the food situation which wasn't bad then there was one hell of a shake on Voyager and I headed out and Neelix followed.
"Report," I said.
"We're at the leading edge of a shock wave," Tuvok said.
Then the ship stopped shaking.
"Minor hull breach on Deck 3. Contained," Kim said. "Shields are holding,"
"Engineering is undamaged captain," Torres said. "All systems operational,"
"Paris can you identify the source of the wave?" I said.
"I'm not sure," Paris said. "Sensors are picking up a debris cloud in the red dwarf system we're approaching,"
"It consists of differentially charged polaric Ions, Captain," Tuvok said.
"Differentially charged?" I said. "That would suggest a massive detonation. Are you familiar with any intelligent life forms in this system, Mr. Neelix,"
"Familiar. Not exactly Familiar," Neelix said.
"Adjust course to investigate," I said.
"Aye Captain," Paris said.
XXX
"Entering the system, Captain," Paris said. "Heading 010 Mark 4. The origin of the shock wave is an M Class planet, Captain, We're with in Visual range,"
"On Screen," I said.
"All Vegetation on the planet has been destroyed," Kim said.
"No satellite system in orbit. No evidence of spacecraft," Tuvok said.
"Lifesigns?" I said.
"None," Pars said. "But the polaric radiation may be interfering with the sensors,"
"Take us into orbit," I said.
"Density patters on the surface show artificial waterways and a global aqueduct system," Chakotay said. "There is a civilisation down there, Captain,"
"Or there was," I said. "What do we know about surface conditions?"
"Radiation is within acceptable levels," Tuvok said. "Atmosphere: Breathable.
"Paris, Tuvok you're with me, Torres meet us in Transport Room 2," I said.
"On my way," Torres said.
"Commander. You have the Bridge," I said.
Then we got into the Turbo-lift and Went there and grabbed a Phaser and tricorder and got into the Pad.
"Ready, Captain," Transport chief said.
"Energise," I said.
Then we arrived there.
"My god," I said.
"The entire surface of the planet was just seared," Torres said.
"There was a chain reaction in subspace very likely ignited by the detonation of one or more polaric ion devices," I said.
"If that what happens the people here never had a chance," Paris said.
"They're gone. Vaporised," Torres said. "Everything organic has basically been obliterated,"
"At least it happened quickly," I said. "Polaric detonation would have swept through this city in seconds,"
"It recalls the Chaltok IV incident," Tuvok said.
"Chaltok IV?" Torres said.
"A Romulan research colony was nearly destroyed during a testing of one of these devices," Tuvok said. "It led to the Polaric test ban treaty 2268,"
"So we're looking at the end of a war," Torres said.
"I wonder who won," Paris said.
"I'm not so sure there was a war, look at these reading B'Elanna?" I said.
"Polaric ion Concentrations are so high, I can't get an accurate reading," Torres said.
"I'd say these conduit were the source of the explosion, Wouldn't you?" I said.
"A civilisation powered by polaric ion energy?" Torres said.
"That's what it looks like," I said. "A time bomb underneath every street, Running into every home,"
Then we started moving around.
"Look," Paris said.
Then we moved over.
"This may be some kind of timepiece stopped at the moment of the explosion," Paris said.
"What was that?" Paris said.
"What?" Torres said.
"Didn't you hear that?" Paris said.
"Hear what LT," I said.
"kids playing," Paris said. "They were as close to me as," Then he stopped. Then turned back to the window and I moved over and grabbed his shoulder.
"I don't understand. I was here in this square but there were people," Paris said.
"You never left here, Tom," I said.
"But I saw them," Paris said. "Lots of people, Children playing and the sun was shining. There was no evidence of an explosion. Everyone was alive and happy,"
"You were standing here the whole time," I said.
"Your central nervous system is showing a temporal flux, But it's rapidly returning to normal," Torres said.
"The chain reaction has shattered subspace, Captain," Tuvok said.
Then they started to move.
"NO! Everyone stand exactly where they are, if Tuvok's right there may be subspace fractures floating across the planet's surface. Away team to Voyager," I said.
"Go ahead," Chakotay said.
"4 to beam up," I said.
Then I started hearing Children, Adults talking. Then I only saw Paris.
"Tuvok, B'Elanna," I said hitting my combadge.
Then a kid started screaming.
Then I turned back to Tom.
"Put it away," I said.
"I say them they appeared out of thin air. They're some kind of demons," The kid said.
"I'm sorry we startled him, We just came around the corner," I said.
"They're lying," The kid said.
"Shh Now, Calm down you've been reading too many of those Darkstorm tales, young fellow, There's no such thing as demons," The guard said.
"But," The kid started.
"Ah, run along now," He said and the kid ran off. "Alright everybody back to your business,"
Then everyone moved away.
"Sorry about that," he said.
"No problem," Paris said.
"Who knows what gets into their heads, huh?" He said.
"Perhaps our uniforms scared him," I said. "We're not from this area,"
"Come in on the Continental Transport?" he said.
"This morning. Our boss wanted us to take some R&R," I said.
"That what they wearing in Kalto province these days?" He said.
"Oh, No Just our uniform for the place we work in," I said.
"Which is?" He said.
"TORCHWOOD!" I said.
"Never heard of it," he said.
"Most of the time we keep ourselves to ourselves mostly," I said. "But we were actually looking for a clothing shop,"
"There's one right over there," He said." I hope the rest of your stay with us is more enjoyable,"
"Thank you," I said. Then he walked away.
"I wish I can say it will be," Paris said. Then moved over to the Window. "If I understood Correctly, this world is going to be destroyed sometime tomorrow,"
"Shit," I said. "Let's get changed,"
Then we went into the store and swap our uniforms for some normal clothes and came out.
"Captain," Paris said.
"Tom, We maybe best just going back first names here for now," I said.
"Got it," Tom said. "I got to ask why did you say Torchwood,"
"Okay, it was a programme I watched okay. seemed to be a good idea at the time," I said,
Then I modified my combadge. "Okay I got it transmitting subspace signal, Just in case we can get home," I said.
Tom sighs.
"I know," I said.
"Maybe there's some way," Tom said.
"Tom, We can't. We can't interfere," I said.
"Even if that course is annihilation," Tom said.
"Yeah, But the problem is not knowing if this fixed point or not," I said.
"Fixed point," Tom said,
"As in something that must happen," I said. "We can't warn these people. That's an order,"
"You can't say you don't," Tom said.
"I do. But it can cause a paradox, One that destroy everything," I said.
Then we saw the kid again.
"You gotta be kidding me," I said. "Come on,"
Then the kid stopped us. "I know you're lying," He said.
"Kid. We're here on a business trip. We also have a lot of work to do," I said.
"Officer told me you came here on the Continental Transport," He said.
"Yeah, From Kalto province," I said.
"Yeah, Well I just talked to the transport attendant. he told me 4 people came today from Kalto 2 of them older then youand they had a child with them," he said.
"Well the attendant was wrong. That was us," I said.
"Then where's the child?" He said.
"With a sister of mine who lives here. Minding her while we are on business," I said.
"oh yeah, for who?" He said.
"TORCHWOOD!" Tom said.
"Never heard of it," He said.
"You never will, Now run along," I said.
"No," He said.
I made sure no one was looking the looked at him and let my eyes flashed red for a second. "Now," I said.
Then he ran off.
"Captain, Mind telling me about your eyes there," Tom said.
"Later," I said. "But got him running, Now let's find a way out of here,"
"Scott, the same subspace fractures that brought us here might still be around. If they were caused by a polaric Explosion. Can't we use polaric energy to get us back," Tom said.
"Now you are talking my language. If we had access to a polaric ion generator we could modify a tricorder to emit a polaric field at the very least it might help us scan for a fracture," I said.
"Wonder where these conduit get their power," Tom said.
"Let's find out," I said.
Then we found out where and started heading there.
"So Scott, feel like telling me," Tom said.
"It's a long story, Tom," I said.
"Long walk," Tom said.
"No. Tom drop it," I said then we found it and there was a mob," Shit,"
"Under normal circumstances, I'd say we should come back tomorrow," Tom said,
"Stay lose then we moved through til we reach a guard. "TORCHWOOD!"
"Never heard of it," He said the hit me with his weapon and I could feel my skin break Then someone helped me up and Tom can behind us.
XXX
Then Tom started to clean it.
"Easy," I said.
"Sorry," Tom said.
"We're sorry to involve you in this," the guy said." Pe'nar Makull, My colleague Ny Terla,"
"Looks like you were at the wrong place and time," Terla said.
"I was just thinking the very same thing," Tom said.
"What were you doing there?" Terla said.
"We're from Kalto province," I said. "We were hoping to tour your power facility compare it to our own back at our workplace,"
"I've never seen a Kalton with your colour hair," Terla said.
"I moved there first chance I got then get recruited into the Organisation I work at now," I said.
"Which is?" Terla said.
"TORCHWOOD!" I said.
"Never heard of it," Terla said.
"Never will usually. We keep ourselves to ourselves," I said.
"My friend thinks you were sent infiltrate us," Terla said.
"Infiltrate," Tom said.
"Torchwood isn't something for people to use. We found a rift back home and have reason to believe there is one there at the plant," I said.
"When was the last time you were in the plant," Makull said.
"Not since we left home," I said.
"You weren't in that plant yesterday," Makull said.
"We were just getting there when we stumbled into you," Tom said.
"We know you're not telling the truth," Makull said.
"When you were brought we scanned you and the read 5 times the normal readings of polaric energy," Makull said.
"To register levels this high, you were either inside that plant yesterday or at the sire of a polaric disaster," Terla said.
"And if we were at a site like that everyone would be dead," I said.
"And we just said that we were at our plant back home yesterday," Tom said.
Then they pointed guns at us.
"This really does get old," I said.
"What," Makull said.
"Having guns beening pointed at my face. So nothing new there," I said.
"What's your name?" Makull said.
"McCall," I said.
"unusual name," Makull said.
"Around here maybe," I said.
"What part of Kalto province was that again?" Makull said.
"I don't see the point of this," I said.
"We got a timetable to keep," Makull said. "Can we?"
"Don't know. Don't care," I said.
Do they know our plan?" Makull said.
"No idea," I said.
"Let me go," the same kid shouted being dragged in.
"Look what I caught," Terla said. "Sneaking around outside,"
"The kid has nothing to do with any of this," I said.
"Is he yours," Makull said.
"Nope, He;s just somebody we met here," I said.
"Don't trust them," Kid said. "They aren't who they say they are,"
"Really," Makull said.
"Thanks kid," Tom said.
"look this is all a misunderstanding," I said.
"They lied about coming here on the continental transport. I talked to the attendant myself," Kid said,
"You know something kid. that Mouth of yours is going to get you killed one day," I said.
"Just put him over the with the other one," Makull said.
Then my combadge when off.
Then I heard Kes. "Kes," I said.
"Do you have something to tell me. McCall," Makull said. "If that is your real name,"
"It is my real name. Captain Scott McCall of the Federation starship Voyager," I said. "You wanted the truth alright. We're from the future. 1 days in the future,"
"You mean I was right?" Kid said.
"We weren't allowed to tell," Paris said. "At least I thought we weren't,"
"In a few hours from now, There will be a serious accident in this world. It will be caused by a polaric detonation. We came here in an interstellar ship to investigate that explosion, When we arrived We were exposed to the Polaric radiation. It's very likely that whatever you're planning to do could be responsible for this tragedy. When we got this whole planet was Dead," I said.
"And somehow you were able to come back and warm us,"Makull said.
"The explosion had an aftereffect that no one expected. It created fractures in time, We fell through one of them to now," I said.
Interstellar ships fractures in time. Do you honestly expect us to believe all this?" Makull said.
"Captain can you read us?" My combadge went.
I hit it. "Chakotay you read me," I said.
"Loud and clear," Chakotay said.
"Never thought I would glad to hear your voice," I said.
"Spy equipment," Terla said taking them off.
"No that's my first officer," I said then they pulled us from the room and took us to the plant.
XXX
On the way to the plant.
"I thought you said we couldn't interfere. For the prime Directive now you are telling them everything," Paris said.
I told them the truth when I realised we'd already did that in the worst way," I said.
"How did we do that?" Paris said.
"Just by being here because if we hadn't of been here there is a chance this world wouldn't been destroyed," I said.
"What?" Tom said.
"Paradox. We are the ones that made this explosion," I said.
"Wait. Our ship hadn't even arrived till after the explosion," Paris said.
"That is why it's paradox," I said.
Then we reached the plant.
"Your job is to get us past the guards. We'll tell them you're bringing us here to negotiate a settlement of our dispute with the power company," Makull said.
"I cannot and willn't do anything to help you," I said.
"Think before you say no. Terla has a weapon trained on the boy if shooting begins he'll be the first victim," Makull said.
"Is there something I can do for you?" A guard said.
"He's a government representative on official business," Makull said.
I look at Tom telling him to be ready. Then I moved closer.
"I'm a hostage these men are here to break into the plant," I said.
Then Makull shot the guard then I saw the boy run saw Terla aiming at him I managed to get in front as Terla shots and it hits my side.
"Captain," Paris said.
"Their lives is on your conscience McCall," Makull said.
"You saved my life," The kid said.
"Captain," Tom said.
"I'll be fine," I said getting up.
"Captain you're hurt," Tom said.
"No shit," I said. "Stay with him. I'm need to stop them," I said getting up and grabbed and gun and followed them in.
"Captain. what a idiot," Paris said.
"Be back before you know it," I shouted.
Going into the plant.
And then I found them. I got my claws out and pulled the bullet out and put it into my pocket and it started to heal.
But it still hurt. I kept moving til I was close enough. Then moved closer when they wasn't looking.
And I saw the bag. So I kept moving when I could and got ready.
"I need the Injector," Terla said.
I let them grab it then Come out.
"Just hand that bag to me," I said. aiming at his head.
"What exactly do you think we are planning to do here?" Makull said.
"I assume you're going to sabotage the plant probably by detonating some kind of device," I said.
"We're not stupid enough to blow up anything here," Makull said.
"That maybe true but something will go wrong," I said.
"Nothing is going to go wrong," Makull said. "Unless you fire that weapon near a polaric conduit, For everyone's safety I suggest you put it down,"
"The bag," I said. "Alright then we'll wait,"
What time is it?" I said.
"401 rotations plus 21," Terla said.
"We'll just wait til 23," I said.
"23?" Makull said. "Oh right boom, Fine let's see we can all get through..,"
Then I heard some and turned.
"What's going on," Terla said.
"Shit, They're cutting through subspace," I said.
"It's going to intersect with the conduit wall," Makull said.
"Then I guess it will go boom," I said.
"Yes," Makull said.
"My weapon now," I said.
"What," Makull said.
"It's the only thing which will stop this. Paradox. It's our own recuse mission which sets it off," I said." Now," Then he put it down and I grabbed my phaser and set it right then shot it.
Then everything changed and I was back in my ready room with Neelix and not gun shot.
It worked. We stopped it.
"Captain to the bridge," Chakotay said.
"Yes, Commander," I said. After walking onto the Bridge.
"We've Identified an Class M planet I the red dwaft system we're approaching," Chakotay said. "Do you want to change course to investigate,"
"Are you familiar with any intelligent lifeforms in this system Neelix," I said.
"Familiar. Not exactly Familiar," Neelix said.
"Is the planet populated," I said.
"It appears to be a pre-warp civilisation." Tuvok said.
"Which means we don't involve ourselves in their affairs," I said.
"Captain, Can we see this planet," Kes said.
"Tuvok," I said then It came up on the screen.
"There she is," I said.
"Thank you captain," Kes said before her and Neelix left.
"Put the planet coordinates into the log and maintain present heading commander," I said. "Warp 6."
"Aye Captain," Chakotay said.
that's all for this chapter.
More to follow.
Stay tuned.
Stay safe.
Love Y'all
PEACE!