Chapter 3
Personal log; stardate… Computer, what is the stardate? "Stardate is 54734.8." Stardate 54734.8: I now have a clue to my current condition. It seems that I've been temporally displaced by an anomaly that the Orion… both Orion's have encountered. It is possible that the anomaly exists in both time periods. Or perhaps this is just an illusion of the past created by the anomaly, and I am really on board the Orion-A. Whatever the case, this anomaly is my only clue and my only chance at being reunited with my husband and to see my daughter again.
According to Starfleet Temporal Displacement Policy I should not be leaving any traces of future information in the past. But I needed to talk this through out loud.
Computer, delete log entry.
Lindsey walked to the science lab on the Orion. If she could remember correctly, Lt. Okimoto was the Orion's science officer at this time. The Orion was not a science vessel, and its science department was understaffed. This was likely the most excitement they have had for a long time.
Lindsey entered the lab. "Lieutenant, I thought you were off duty," said Lt. Okimoto. Lindsey remembered that he had transferred off the Orion before the incident that claimed the life of Capt. Taylor and the lives of so many others. In fact, he probably was still alive in the future. Lindsey had lost touch with him.
"I am off duty. But I'm bored," replied Lindsey. "I was hoping I could get more excitement from this anomaly."
"You certainly could," said Okimoto. "This anomaly is not like anything in Starfleet's database. To encounter something like this in Federation space is unheard of. This is the kind of thing the Enterprise encounters on their deep space runs." Okimoto's eagerness was clear.
"What have you learned?"
"Not much," said Okimoto. "Which is definitely a disappointment. The day after tomorrow a real science ship is due to arrive. I'm afraid they will take over, especially given that there is a ship inside."
"There's a ship inside the anomaly?! Do we know what ship it is?"
"Not for sure. Sensors are not clear enough to get through the distortion. It appears to be a Starfleet vessel though, Intrepid class perhaps."
"Are you sure it's not Galaxy class?"
"It is hard to be sure of anything, but it doesn't appear to be big enough for a Galaxy class ship." So much for it being the Orion-A, thought Lindsey. "Why would you think it was Galaxy class?" asked Okimoto.
"Oh, nothing. Just a thought." Lindsey thought for a bit. "You said there was distortion."
"Oh, yes. We are not sure what kind."
"Have you done any scans for temporal disruptions, tachyon or chroniton particles?"
"No," said Okimoto. "There's no indication of temporal disruptions. So, there's no need to scan for tachyons or chronitons."
"I think you should scan for them anyway," said Lindsey. "I mean if you have no other leads that you are following. I'm sorry, Lieutenant, I shouldn't be telling you how to do your job."
"Not at all, Lieutenant," said Okimoto. "Sometimes we need an outside opinion. It can help inspire imagination."
"Thank you. I'll be leaving now." Lindsey turned and left the science lab, wondering what she should do next.
Lt. Okimoto looked back at the scans of the anomaly and pondered Lt. Lander's suggestion. One of his subordinates approached and said, "Lieutenant, we are about to begin an EM scan with the lateral array."
"Good, Ensign. If that doesn't produce promising results, let's try a scan for tachyon and chroniton particles."
"Sir, you're going to entertain Lt. Lander's idea? She's hardly a scientist."
"No, but she is a bridge officer, and a favorite of the captain I might add. Sometimes it pays to humor command officers. You never know, Ensign, that woman might be your captain someday."
Lt. Vibee was leaning against the bridge's science station when she spoke. "We've tried almost everything, and we're still no closer to seeing inside this anomaly. Do you have any more ideas, Chief?"
"No, I do not," replied Shelton. It was indeed frustrating. The interference from the anomaly was preventing their sensors from getting any clear scans. And Shelton was the ship's sensor chief! This was certainly a blow to his professional pride. He wished Lt. Raklok was with him. The two of them once installed a new sensor grid in the old Orion which helped them detect cloaked Romulan starships. However, the Klingon engineer resigned his Starfleet commission and rejoined the Klingon Empire. Once insulted by his people, he left to join Starfleet. But now his reputation as a warrior merited his return. Shelton missed his friend, especially when he needed his expertise.
The turbolift arrived and dropped off Ens. Rikka Samae. She was returning from sickbay. Lt. Vibee called her over to them. "Oh, I am glad you're back, Rikka. We need some new and fresh ideas."
"I'm sorry, Lieutenant, but I only bring new problems," said Rikka.
"Your report said that the energy field both terminated and originated in Capt. Lander's brain?" asked Vibee.
"Yes, that's right. Whatever is going on between the Captain and this anomaly is a two-way street," said Rikka. "But it's not just that. The Captain is both receiving and giving in this exchange. But that shouldn't be possible. How can the Captain be both the origin and recipient, both the cause and the effect?"
"Which initiated the condition?" asked Shelton catching a bit of Rikka's dilemma. "The anomaly or the Captain?"
"The anomaly I would assume," said Vibee.
"Yes, so would…" Rikka stopped.
"Right there," said Vibee as she stood up and pointed at Rikka. "That look on your face. I know it, and I like it. That's the look of inspiration."
"What kind of inspiration?" asked Shelton.
"It's just a thought," said Rikka. "The anomaly was here before the Captain passed out. It was presumably our approach that created the circumstances of the Captain's condition. So, that would make the anomaly the cause, right?"
"Yes," said Shelton.
"Sounds right to me," said Vibee.
"But that assumption is based on a linear order of events. What if these circumstances are not linear? What if the order of events isn't relevant? What if what came before wasn't necessarily the cause?"
"I don't understand," said Vibee.
"What if the cause of this situation was in the mind of the Captain, despite the anomaly proceeding her arrival in the linear order of events?"
"That's not possible," said Shelton.
"Not possible if this anomaly is obeying the normal laws of linear time," said Rikka.
"But if it is not…" said Vibee. "Are you suggesting that we are dealing with a temporal anomaly?"
"Possibility. That would change the normal laws of cause and effect, and it would explain the dynamic relationship between the Captain and the anomaly." Rikka paused, then asked the group. "But how do we test this hypothesis?"
"The cloak busters," answered Shelton. "I'm no expert on temporal mechanics, but the sensors Raklok and I installed were designed to detect Romulan cloaking devices through their tachyon emissions. Tachyons are also present within many temporal anomalies."
"How long will it take to reinstall the cloak busters?" asked Vibee.
"Give me three engineers, and I'll have them up and running within the hour," answered Shelton.
"I don't have any other ideas," said Vibee. "Get to work on it right away. I want to try the cloak busters before the night shift begins."
"Yes, Sir," said Shelton. He headed to the turbolift and rode it down to Engineering. He then divided tasks to the other engineers that Vibee had assigned to him, doing much of the work himself. He said it would take him a bit less than an hour, but he set a mental goal of forty minutes. He was done in thirty-five.
In the time that Shelton had been away from the bridge, Cmdr. Thrim had arrived, as had Lt. Cmdr. Lect Nixx. "Commanders," acknowledged Shelton as he walked on to the bridge. Then he turned to Vibee, "All set, Lieutenant."
"All set for what?" asked Cmdr. Thrim.
"Ens. Rikka thought that the anomaly might have unusual temporal properties," began Vibee.
"Such might explain how the energy stream is both terminating in and originating from Capt. Lander," added Rikka.
"So, we thought that we would power up the old cloak busters," finished Shelton.
"That's an interesting theory," said Lt. Cmdr. Nixx. "What are these cloak busters you speak of?"
"Sensors that were originally designed for outposts on the Romulan border," answered Shelton. "They were installed on the original Orion after it was ambushed by a Romulan warbird. They were transferred to the Orion-A after the original was decommissioned. After we completed our tour of duty on the Neutral Zone, we removed them from the sensor array, but kept them in storage."
"And you believe these cloak busters will help you see into the anomaly?" asked Nixx.
"They are designed to detect tachyons from a cloaking device. They might also detect chronitons and other such particles related to temporal distortions."
"Very interesting," replied the Lieutenant Commander.
"Chief, I'm ready when you are," said Vibee. "With your permission of course, Commander."
"By all means, proceed," said Thrim. "Display the scan on the main viewer."
"Yes, Commander," said Vibee. "Chief, let's do this."
"Yes, Sir," replied Shelton. "Bringing the anti-cloak sensors online now." The image on the main viewer became filled with various particles that blurred the image. The energy field which connected with the Orion and Capt. Lander was visible by the way the particles flowed around it. It almost looked like a river flowing from the anomaly towards the Orion. However, when Shelton looked again it seemed like it was following from the Orion to the anomaly. Other particles seemed to be all over the perimeter of the anomaly and even inside it.
"Wow, that's a lot to process," said Vibee. "Rikka?"
"I am reading temporal disruptions and a lot of chronitons particles," answered Ens. Rikka.
"I guess you were right," said Shelton.
"I need to dive into this data," said Rikka. "And I need to call Cmdr. T'Sel. She will need to see this."
"Before you do that," said Cmdr. Thrim. "Can you give me a clearer image of that ship?"
"Yes," said Shelton. "Magnifying now, Sir." Shelton zoomed in on the starship. The image was still obscured by particles.
"Can you filter out the particles?" asked Thrim.
"Yes, Sir. Filtering out tachyons and chronitons." The particles disappeared from the image. The outline of the anomaly became clear, but inside the anomaly was still blurry. "Now compensating for temporal variance," said Shelton. It was tricky work. The cloak busters were not designed for this, and the adjustments were very minor. But like focusing an old twentieth century analog camera, the image became clearer; clear enough to read the hull number on the top of the ship's saucer. "Hull number reads NCC-74832, USS Mercury."
"The Mercury?" replied Cmdr. Thrim in a questioning voice. "Computer, give me a general description and the current assignment of the USS Mercury."
"The USS Mercury, NCC-74832, is an Intrepid class starship, launched on stardate 50365.6. Its current mission is scientific research in the Gamma Quadrant. It traveled through the Bajoran Wormhole on stardate 61474.7 and is expected to return to Federation space on stardate 61558.2."
"If the Mercury is in the Gamma Quadrant how can it be here?" asked Vibee.
"Computer," spoke Rikka. "Confirm with the records from Deep Space Nine, has the Mercury returned to the Alpha Quadrant via the Bajoran Wormhole?"
"Negative, it has not."
"I will double check on that with Cmdr. Ro," said Thrim.
"Well, you can tell her that a ship got by her," said Vibee.
"Not necessarily," said Shelton. "As I said, my grasp of temporal mechanics isn't that great, but if this is a temporal anomaly we're looking at, maybe the Mercury before us isn't the present one."
"The Chief's right," said Rikka. "This could be the Mercury from the past."
"Or the future," added Lt. Cmdr. Nixx.
"Computer, has the Mercury ever been in this location before?" asked Thrim.
"The Mercury was present in the Beta Zeta system about seven years ago."
"Did they encounter any anomalies?" asked Rikka.
"No," answered the computer.
"Then it must be a future version of the Mercury," said Shelton.
"Maybe," said Rikka unconvinced. "If it is the past Mercury, then we might be dealing with a potential disruption of the timeline. We may have to proceed carefully."
"I will contact the Department of Temporal Investigations," said Thrim. "They may be able to help us. In the meantime, keep gathering information." Thrim stood from the captain's chair but looked at the Bolian man next to him. "Cmdr. Nixx, would you like to join on a call with the Temporal officers?"
"No, thank you," said Lt. Cmdr. Nixx. "I would like to stay here, while your crew continues its study. Seeing a temporal anomaly is a rare pleasure."
"Chief." Shelton's attention was taken away from the commanders and directed to Ens. Rikka standing next to him. "Can you share with me the temporal variance and the other information from the sensors?"
"Of course, Ensign," said Shelton. "I will make all my information available to you and the entire science team."
Capt. Taylor took the science team's report in the conference room. "Captain, we've made a discovery about the anomaly," said Lt. Okimoto. He pointed to the screen which displayed the anomaly and the ship hidden within it. "We calibrated the sensors to detect tachyons and chronitons. And we were surprised to find this." Lt. Okimoto tapped a button on the display. The image was filled with a field of particles.
"What am I looking at?" asked Capt. Taylor.
"Chronitons, and lots of them," answered Okimoto. "Our sensors were not designed for this, but we've been able to see well enough to determine that this anomaly is 'bleeding' chronitons. We've also detected a temporal variance."
"Temporal variance with chronitons? Are we dealing with some sort of temporal anomaly?"
"It looks that way," said Okimoto. "My team will keep looking into it, but frankly our sensors are not up to the task. Perhaps when the Hawking arrives, we can learn more."
"That's if they let us stick around," said Capt. Taylor. "Do these chronitons posed any danger to the ship inside or its crew?"
"No," said Lt. Okimoto. "Chronitons are harmless to most creatures. They might reek a little havoc on the ship's instruments, but nothing too terrible. The temporal variance, on the other hand, might have an effect on the crew."
"What kind of effect?" asked Taylor. "A serious effect?"
"No, nothing serious, nothing permanent," said Okimoto. "Some disorientation, dizziness, similar to a bad case of motion sickness."
"So, in your opinion, this ship caught inside the anomaly is in no immediate danger?" asked Taylor of her science officer.
"Not from a temporal variance or chroniton particles," answered Lt. Okimoto. "But I there is a lot we don't know about the interior of this anomaly. We've sent probes, but they have not been able to communicate back to us once inside. There could be any number of unseen dangers inside the anomaly."
"I see," said Taylor. "Continue your observations. The Orion's sensors are completely at your disposal. If you need any other ship resources, ask Cmdr. Gonzalez or myself. And if you discern any danger to the ship trapped inside, tell me immediately. We might not have the luxury of waiting for the Hawking."
"Understood, Captain," the science officer stated, then waited to be dismissed.
But Taylor had another question. "You said that you were surprised at the presence of chronitons. Why would you run the scan for the particles if you didn't have at least some expectation that they would be there?"
"We had tried everything we could think of, so we began trying things we hadn't thought of," answered Okimoto. Then he added, "It was actually Lt. Lander's idea to search for temporal variances as well as the temporal particles."
"This was Lindsey's idea?" asked Taylor in surprise.
"Yeah. I didn't know that she had an interest in scientific studies."
"Neither did I," said Taylor. "Perhaps I will have to see how strong her interest is."
Okimoto replied, "She might not tell you. She is on the command track. She might not want to be transferred to the science teams." Okimoto smiled at his own joke. He was clearly done with his report, so Taylor dismissed him.
After the scientist left, Taylor turned her chair to look out the window. Through the window she could see the anomaly, but her mind was elsewhere.
When had Lindsey Lander taken an interest in temporal mechanics?
Rikka Samae stood by as the discussion between superior officers continued in sickbay. As a mere ensign Samae didn't contribute to the discussion unless she was called upon or had particularly relevant information. The discussion included Cmdrs. Thrim and Hickensen, Drs. Crusher and Bashir, and Lt. Cmdr. T'Sel.
"It is undeniable that Capt. Lander is in some way connected to this anomaly," said Dr. Crusher.
"Indeed," said T'Sel. "But the nature of that connection is still a mystery."
"Also a mystery is how this connection is affecting the Captain," added Dr. Bashir.
"You mean it could be doing Lindsey harm?" asked Hickensen.
"There is no indication of that," said Dr. Crusher. "Her neural activity is very high, but so far her brain has been able to handle the burden."
"So far," repeated Dr. Bashir. "That could change at any moment. We need to be prepared for that possibility."
"What are you suggesting, Doctor?" asked Thrim.
"I think we need to study this further," answered Dr. Crusher even though the question was clearly directed at Dr. Bashir.
"With all due respect to your skills, which are impressive," replied Dr. Bashir. "We've been studying the Captain's condition for over a day."
"And that studying has produced powerful results," said Dr. Crusher. "We just found out about the temporal nature of this anomaly. As long as Capt. Lander's condition doesn't change for the worse and we continue to receive new information I say we continue observing."
"I concur with Dr. Crusher," said T'Sel. "If we can safely gather more information, then that is the logical course of action."
"I'm concerned with the effect of long-term exposure of the patient to this…interference with her neural activity," countered Dr. Bashir.
"Interrupting the connection between Capt. Lander and the anomaly might have devastating consequences," retorted Dr. Crusher. Rikka knew that the medical officer from the Enterprise was speaking from personal experience. Rikka had read the reports on Capt. Picard's encounter with an alien probe which put him in a similar position as Capt. Lander. When they tried to break the link between the probe and Capt. Picard, it almost killed him.
"We wouldn't have to cut her off instantly," argued Dr. Bashir. "We could do so gradually."
"How?" asked Thrim.
"We could simply back the Orion away from the anomaly," suggested Dr. Bashir. "By keeping our withdrawal at a slow pace, we could perhaps ease Capt. Lander out of her condition, without further damage."
"Dr. Crusher?" asked Thrim.
"I still object to taking any action at this time," said Dr. Crusher. "However, if you decide to try and break the link between Capt. Lander and whatever that is out there, then a slow backing off would be what I would suggest. We can monitor the Captain's condition throughout the process."
"Perhaps even link sickbay to the bridge for instant updates," added Bashir. Crusher reluctantly nodded.
Thrim rested his chin in his right hand while supporting his right elbow with his left hand. His antennae wiggled a bit as he thought. Rikka also considered the decision. As a scientist, she wanted more information. T'Sel would have the same mindset. Both Drs. Crusher and Bashir were acting out of concern for their patient, even if their concern caused them to draw different conclusions. Ser'rek Thrim was a commander. He was trained to listen to his subordinates and then make the best decision he could. And like most commanders, he was a man of action.
Thrim finally answered. "I am the acting captain of the ship, and I command whether this ship moves or holds position. However, I believe this is more of a medical decision than it is a question of starship maneuvers. As such, this decision concerning medical treatment lies in the next of kin." Thrim turned to Cmdr. Hickensen.
Rikka also turned to the Captain's husband. Cmdr. Henry Hickensen was the chief tactical officer of the Orion, but he had previously been its first officer. Like Thrim, he was a commander. And commanders took action. Hickensen took a deep breath as if he was breathing in all that had been said. Then he let out his breath. "Let's continue to monitor Lindsey overnight. Then in the morning, if nothing has improved, we can try moving the Orion. I want everyone who is attending to my wife to be well rested and at the top of their game before we try anything."
Everyone in the room accepted Cmdr. Hickensen's decision. Cmdr. Thrim set a tentative time for the Orion's retreat from the anomaly for 0930 hours tomorrow morning. Drs. Crusher and Bashir continued their work. A nurse brough a portable biobed for Cmdr. Hickensen to spend the night near his wife. T'Sel left to do one more study of the data.
Rikka followed T'Sel. She too was going to study some more. But then she was going to do as Cmdr. Hickensen had suggested and get some sleep.
Lindsey sat in the off-duty lounge, sipping a synth-ale. She was tempted to get something with real alcohol in it, but she decided that was unwise even if the day merited it. It had been a long day. Given that she was medically relieved of duty, Lindsey had nothing to do. And in that idleness, she was only left with her thoughts. And they were not pleasant companions.
Some of her thoughts were about her situation. She was in her younger body, back to the days before the original Orion's disaster, and she didn't know how to return to her own time, or to her own ship, nor to her husband and daughter. Missing Henry and little Theresa hurt her so much.
Then there was the ethical dilemma. Could she warn Capt. Taylor of the coming disaster? She had the chance to save lives! How could she not take that opportunity? But there was no telling what a new timeline would be like. Would it be better or worse? However, she did know the results of her current timeline. Yes, things could be better, but they could also be worse. At least with the current timeline she would know the results.
Then there was Henry and Theresa. Was it selfish for Lindsey to want to have them just as they were? Was her life with her husband and daughter more valuable than the life of Capt. Taylor, or all the rest of the Orion's crew who would die if Lindsey did nothing to warn them?
Lindsey looked up from her drink and out the lounge's window. For some reason she felt the urge to stand. She did so, and from her table she could see the anomaly. It wasn't very clear to the naked eye, but somehow Lindsey knew exactly where it was, where it began and where it ended. It was like some other sense besides her eyes was giving her information. Lindsey stared out at the anomaly, and it was like it was staring back at her.
Earlier, Lindsey had asked herself if the anomaly was alive. And just like then, she felt its pain. The anomaly was alive, and it was in pain. Lindsey felt it reach out to her. It was connected to her in some way. Lindsey couldn't explain it, but it was true.
Suddenly, Lindsey's hand hit the window. She didn't even realize her hand was out in front of her. Nor did she realize that she had walked across the lounge and up to the window. She had felt the creature calling to her, and she had responded by simply going to it. Fortunately, Lindsey hadn't hurt herself by tripping over any furniture on her way to the window.
"Lindsey, are you okay?"
Lindsey turned around to see Frank. "Yes, Frank. I'm still a little out of sorts."
"Have you talked to Dr. Randle?"
"Yes, and I'm going to see him again at 0930 tomorrow."
"That's good." Frank paused, and Lindsey could see him gathering his courage. "Would you like to join me for a drink."
Lindsey knew she couldn't. Both her future self and Frank's future self were married to other people. Lindsey couldn't violate that. "Thank you. Another time perhaps. I think I need some rest."
"Oh, okay. Another time," said Frank.
"Thank you for understanding," said Lindsey.
"Do you need me to see you back to your quarters?"
Lindsey gave Frank a big smile. "No, I think I can find it this time. Thank you." She turned and left the lounge.
When Lindsey did arrive at her quarters, she immediately stripped off her uniform and put on her nightgown. She hastily completed her nightly hygiene routine. Then she sat in her bed with her pillow propped up against the headboard.
"Computer, begin a recorded file to be sent to Capt. Taylor on stardate 57012.3." The computer beeped, and Lindsey began. "Capt. Taylor, this is Lindsey Lander, recording this message to you on stardate 54734.8. You can verify that with the computer's timestamp.
"This is going to sound strange, but I have to tell you this. Tomorrow the Orion will arrive at outpost Beta-Gamma on the Romulan Neutral Zone. They have requested that the Orion provide parts to repair their hydrators. But in reality, the Orion's secret mission will be to deliver equipment for the outpost's anti-cloak sensors.
"I know this because to me it has already happened; I've already lived tomorrow. I don't know how, but I have the memories of a future timeline even now.
"I tell you this because I have to warn you. The sensor equipment will not be delivered due to crew error. The Orion will have to return to Beta-Gamma to complete the delivery. But you will find the outpost under attack by Romulan ground forces. You will deploy security teams, but they will be overwhelmed by a higher number of Romulans than originally thought. In addition, you will try to find the cloaked Romulan warbird. But you will not do so in time.
"The warbird will decloak right above and in front of the Orion's saucer, and it will fire at point blank range. The bridge will be hit and lose its atmosphere. You, Cmdr. Gonzalez, and the entire bridge crew will be killed. The Orion will survive, but one hundred and thirty-six crewmen plus all but two members of the Beta-Gamma crew will die.
"I beg you, Captain, please believe me. If you forego the security teams and instead beam up the survivors of Beta-Gamma, you might rescue more of them. If you fire on the Romulan warbird before it decloaks you will save over a hundred lives, including your own. I know it sounds strange, but what I am telling you is true. Please, Captain, I can't bear losing you again."
Lindsey stopped. "Computer, end recording." There it was. Her entire message to Capt. Taylor. It provided all the information that the Captain needed to save her ship, her crew, and herself. Lindsey had put enough information in the message to confirm its truth. Taylor would listen to her, she would save the Orion, and she would change the timeline.
Lindsey closed her eyes, put her clenched fists to her forehead. She wanted to scream, so she grabbed a pillow and screamed into it with all her lung power. Finally, she said out loud. "Computer, delete recording and file!"
The computer merely beeped its acknowledgement. Lindsey slid from her seated position and lay in her bed. She couldn't change the timeline. She had to keep her secret. She had to let Capt. Taylor die all over again.
Without thinking Lindsey rolled to her side and reached out with her right hand, but she felt nothing. There was no one else there. "Henry!" she called out in the dark. "Henry! Theresa!" Lindsey felt the most intense loneliness she had ever experienced in her life.
Lindsey hugged her pillow and cried herself to sleep.
The lights were turned down low in sickbay, as Henry readied himself for sleep. There were doctors and nurses who would come by periodically to check on Lindsey. And Henry knew that even when they were not around, Lindsey was still being monitored constantly.
He approached Lindsey one more time before he went to lie down on the bed beside her. He grasped her hand and kissed her forehead. "We're going to get you out of this, Sweetheart."
Henry watched as a tear rolled down Lindsey's face.