Chapter 4
Medical log, Dr. Julian Bashir; stardate 61555.3: At 0930 hours we are going to attempt to sever the connection between Capt. Lindsey Lander and the anomaly by moving the Orion away at slow speeds. There isn't much for me as a doctor to do, but Dr. Crusher and I will be monitoring the Captain very closely for any negative impacts on her health.
Dr. Crusher has clearly expressed her objection to this action. While I am in favor of it, I do share her concerns.
"I'm telling you, she is actively experiencing something," said Henry to the doctors.
"I don't doubt it," said Dr. Crusher. "But we have no idea if what she is experiencing is coherent. It could be like a non-sensical nightmare."
"You mean she could be living a nightmare?"
"Possibly," said Dr. Bashir. "But it is equally possible that she is not. Besides the human mind remembers very little of what it dreams."
"What makes you think she is having active experiences?" asked Dr. Crusher.
"Last night she was crying," said Henry.
"Crying?" asked Dr. Bashir.
"Yes, crying. It started with a single tear, but soon her eyes were watering quite a bit," answered Henry.
Dr. Crusher grabbed her tricorder and began a scan of Lindsey's eyes as she lay unresponsive on the sickbay bio bed. Dr. Bashir followed her, looking over her shoulder. He asked, "Why didn't you tell someone? This could have been caused by an eye irritant."
"I informed the nurses," said Henry. "One of them checked. There were no foreign objects in Lindsey's eyes nor any sign of allergic reactions or infections."
"I also detect nothing wrong," said Dr. Crusher as she closed her tricorder.
"Then how do you explain it?" asked Henry.
Dr. Crusher nodded as she acknowledged Henry's point. "It could be caused by some experience Capt. Lander is having during this time of…" Dr. Crusher didn't have a word Lindsey's condition. "…this time of disability." Dr. Crusher gripped her tricorder and shook it up and down a bit in frustration. It seemed to be a nervous habit of hers to shake whatever happened to be in her hand "There is so much we don't know."
"But we cannot wait until we get all the facts," said Dr. Bashir. "Capt. Lander's life may depend on us removing the influence of the anomaly."
"Or removing the Captain from the anomaly may endanger her life," countered Crusher. The two doctors were resuming their argument from last night.
"Commander," said Bashir to Henry. "Is it still your wish that we move the Orion away from the anomaly?" Dr. Crusher turned to him as well, the same question unspoken on her face.
"If Lindsey's condition is causing her distress, enough to make her cry; then yes, my decision is the same."
"Alright," said Crusher. "Dr. Bashir and I will get ready. Come 0930 we will monitor your wife's condition as Cmdr. Thrim moves the Orion away from the anomaly."
Lindsey was in front of the observation window of the Orion. She was looking out at the anomaly. As she did, it changed shape. It almost seemed to have a face. And it outer edges formed tentacles like arms. They reached out for Lindsey. She reached out with her own arms. Soon she was flying through space to join the anomaly.
But as she did so, she looked back. There behind her were two starships, one Ambassador class, the other Galaxy class. As she looked at them, she realized they were both the Orion, the original and the Orion-A. Both Orion's were with Lindsey.
Lindsey woke with a start. She looked at her surroundings. She was in her quarters, her younger quarters on board the original Orion. What she wouldn't do to wake up in the captain's quarters on board the Orion-A!
Lindsey pulled off her bedsheets and walked to the bathroom. She washed her face with water from the sink and took a good look at herself in the mirror. It wasn't very attractive, but then again people rarely were when they first rolled out of bed. However, Henry always told her she looked beautiful in the mornings when they shared quarters in the future. She would trade away all the youth just to be with him again. And with her daughter, and whatever other children they would together bring into the world. Lindsey laughed at the thought. Other children? But somehow the idea didn't seem so bad now. When the option of growing her family with Henry was taken away from her, she longed for it all the more.
Lindsey shook herself out of her stupor. Today she was supposed to return to active duty. And she intended to use every moment she could to study this anomaly that presumably had caused her temporal displacement.
"Computer, what time is it?"
"The time is 0907."
"It's after 9 o'clock?!" shouted Lindsey in surprise.
"Affirmative," the computer answered the rhetorical question. Lindsey hadn't slept passed 9 o'clock since her Academy days! And she was supposed to report to sickbay at 0930 for evaluation.
Lindsey quickly jumped into the sonic shower. She brushed her teeth, put on her uniform, and put her hair into a bun. She was glad that her past self hadn't taken on the more elaborate hairstyle of her future self. Lindsey was out the door in record time, another thing she hadn't done since her Academy days.
She set off for sickbay at a quick walk, forcing herself not to run.
"Captain," reported Commander Gonzalez in Theresa Taylor's ready room.
"Take a seat, Luis," said Taylor. "Report on our science team's findings."
"They keep learning more about the anomaly each minute," said Luis Gonzalez. "However, Lt. Okimoto keeps reminding me of the inadequacy of our sensors. We are only scratching at the surface of the mystery. Honestly, it's a wonder that we even know what we do. If Lt. Lander hadn't suggested the temporal scans, we'd still know nothing."
"That is a wonder isn't," said Taylor. She handed Luis a datapad.
"What's this?"
"Lindsey Lander's Academy records. Look at her grade in temporal mechanics."
"She failed, spectacularly so."
"And Miss. Lander hasn't shown an interest in temporal mechanics since," said Taylor. "So how is it that she, of all people, would be the one to suspect a temporal variance in the anomaly?"
"Miss. Lander's Academic records are far from exemplary, and yet she has thrived as an officer on this ship," countered Luis.
"Yes, but in her other classes she consistently was in the middle of the class, and she occasionally showed marks of brilliance. It's not that Miss. Lander isn't smart, it was more her lack of motivation that inhibited her. But in the case of temporal mechanics, Professor Vassbinder remarks on how little Cadet Lander comprehended the material."
"So, she's not a hidden genius," said Luis. "How do we explain her sudden insight?"
"I don't know," said Taylor.
"Commander, the communication link with sickbay is complete. There is now a real time exchange of information and communication between sickbay and the bridge," reported Lt. Selina Chaput-Mikkelson. Ser'rek had ordered the Orion's top bridge officers to be on duty this morning. Lt. Chaput-Mikkelson was at operations, her husband Lt. Johnathan Mikkelson was at navigation, Lt. Luke Ryan was at the helm, Chief Petty Officer Shelton was monitoring the sensors from tactical. Ens. Rikka Samae was also monitoring the anomaly from the science station. Lt. Cmdr. T'Sel was in sickbay monitoring the energy field that linked the anomaly with the Captain. All of them were ready to do their job for the sake of their captain.
"Bridge to sickbay," said Ser'rek Thrim. "Are you ready there?"
"We are all set here," replied Dr. Bashir.
"Ready as we will ever be," said Dr. Crusher. The two guest doctors were treating each other as equals, neither presuming to speak for the other, especially when they disagreed as they did right now. However, despite her fears, and maybe even because of her fears, Dr. Crusher was intent on seeing this through. Ser'rek only hoped that the doctor's fears were unmerited.
"Cmdr. Hickensen," Ser'rek spoke to Lindsey's husband who was with her in sickbay. "I need your approval one more time if we are to proceed."
"Proceed, Commander," said Henry Hickensen with determination.
"Commencing withdrawal in twenty seconds," said Ser'rek from the captain's chair. "Helm, reverse thrusters on my mark, 20 kph." Ser'rek ordered. The twenty second count down was complete, and Ser'rek said, "Now." The Orion began to move. Ser'rek squirmed a bit in his chair, waiting for the report of sickbay.
"No change here," said Dr. Bashir over the comm.
"Helm, increase speed at an acceleration rate of 1 kph per second," ordered Ser'rek. The Orion slowly moved away from the anomaly at a ridiculously slow speed. But Ser'rek was not willing to take any more risks with his captain's life.
"Sir, we are detecting changes in the anomaly," said Sensor Chief Shelton. "It is expanding its boundaries toward us."
"Sickbay, are you reading the anomaly changes?" asked Ser'rek.
"T'Sel here. Yes, we are."
"Any changes in the Captain?"
"Some minor changes in neural activity," said Dr. Crusher.
"This might be part of the severing process," added Dr. Bashir.
"Or it might not be," countered Crusher.
"Keep an eye on it," said Ser'rek. His antennae stood on end, and he gripped his armrests.
A few more agonizingly slow seconds passed. Just as Ser'rek was beginning to hope, it all fell apart.
"Major changes in the anomaly!" shouted Shelton from the tactical station behind and above Ser'rek's chair. "It's changing shape!"
"It's like it's reaching out to us!" said Ens. Rikka from the science station at the rear of the bridge. She quicky clarified her ambiguous statement. "It has form tendrils that are extending towards the Orion."
"Bridge, this is sickbay!" said Dr. Bashir urgently. "The patient is having a major reaction. Her neural activity is skyrocketing. I'm not sure she can handle this!"
Lindsey was making her way to sickbay when she noticed the headache. At first it was subtle, but it quickly grew.
Then suddenly it became an intense pain. Lindsey felt herself crash to the deck floor. She grabbed her head with both arms. She screamed in pain, but she couldn't even hear herself. She felt someone's arms on her, but she didn't know who it was.
All she knew was pain.
"Capt. Taylor to the bridge!"
Theresa Taylor knew her bridge crew well. She knew the different in the vocal tones when it was a routine request for the captain to come to the bridge versus when her presence was urgently needed. She jumped out of her ready room chair and took long efficient strides to the door leading to the bridge.
Capt. Taylor hit the bridge at the same quick pace. Even before she reached her chair she shouted, "Report!" But before any officer could answer she could see for herself the reason. On the main viewscreen she could see the anomaly changing shape. It was like it was reaching out for something.
"Captain, there's been a change in the anomaly."
"Cause?"
"We have no idea."
"Is there anything in the area of space it is reaching towards?"
"No, Captain."
Theresa Taylor looked out at the anomaly. There had to be something out there. Something had to be triggering this reaction.
"The energy field is gaining in intensity," said T'Sel from one of sickbay's computer stations. "I don't know how much the captain can handle."
"Her neural activity is off the charts!" said Beverly. "And her heart rate is climbing. We need to sedate her."
"Improvoline, now!" ordered Dr. Bashir.
Beverly didn't wait for Bashir, she ordered. "I need neurozine." Bashir applied his hypospray. After it had no effect, he looked up at Beverly and nodded. She applied her hypospray. Again, no effect.
Bashir looked up again and suggested, "Anesthizine?" Beverly nodded, and Bashir grabbed another hypospray and injected Capt. Lander with the sedative. "Still no effect!" he exclaimed.
"The patient's heartrate is still climbing!" said one of the nurses. "Her blood pressure is beyond human tolerances. Her capillaries are beginning to burst."
"This could be the separation we were looking for," said Dr. Bashir.
"Possibly, but I don't think that the patient will survive such a separation," said Beverly.
"I agree," said Bashir as he nodded to Beverly. The message was clear: abort.
"Crusher to bridge, we can't sustain the Captain. We need to stop."
"Medical emergency!" shouted a security officer. In his arms was Lt. Lindsey Lander.
Dr. Randle pointed to an open biobed. "What happened?"
"I heard a scream, and I found her on the deck floor," said the officer.
Dr. Randle began his scans immediately. Lindsey Lander's neural activity was off the charts. From the way she was writhing about, Dr. Randle could tell she was in great pain. "Computer, activate restraining field," he ordered. The forcefield restrained Lt. Lander to the biobed. Dr. Randle called out to his nurses. "I need improvoline, now!"
When the sedative didn't work, Dr. Randle tried another one, then another one. But he simply didn't know what to do.
"Full stop!" ordered Cmdr. Thrim. Lt. Luke Ryan fired the thrusters opposite of the direction of travel and brought the Orion to a halt.
"Sickbay, we have discontinued our movement away from the anomaly," said Thrim.
"Not good enough," said Dr. Bashir. "I recommend returning to our original position."
"I concur," said Dr. Crusher.
"And make it quick," added Bashir.
"Helm, thrusters at full. Get us back our original position," ordered Thrim.
"I can get us there faster, Sir," said Ryan.
"Do it," said Thrim.
Ryan put his fingers on the impulse engine controls. He slid them up to full power, then immediately dropped them back to no power. The Orion jumped from the burst of energy. He was glad that Chief Engineer O'Hara-Grant was gone. She would not like the kind of strain such a burst gave to the impulse engines. But it got the Orion moving forward again.
"Approaching original position," said Ryan. "Firing thrusters in reverse." Ryan used the thrusters to slow the Orion's speed. The starship continued to coast, until Ryan brought it back to a full stop at their original position.
"Bridge to sickbay," said Thrim. "Status?"
Henry stood helplessly back against the wall. He finally let go of his breath when Dr. Crusher announced. "The Captain has stabilized, or at least returned to her previous condition. There is likely some damage to her cardiovascular system, but nothing the body can't heal. We will continue her neural scans."
"The energy field has also returned to its previous status," said T'Sel matter-of-factly.
"As has the shape and size of the anomaly," Henry heard Ens. Rikka report from the bridge.
Henry collapsed in a chair, exhausted. Their attempt to break Lindsey free of the anomaly failed.
Now what would they do?
Capt. Taylor looked over Dr. Randle's preliminary report. Lt. Lindsey Lander had suffered another episode of whatever it was that caused her to pass out on the bridge. None of the sedatives Dr. Randle tried seemed to work. Then for no apparent reason, the episode ended.
She set down her datapad as Cmdr. Gonzalez, Dr. Randle, and Lt. Okimoto entered the conference room. "How's Miss. Lander?"
"Stabilized and awake," said Dr. Randle. "Her episode appears to be over. I have her in sickbay being monitored."
"Is there any reason to think that there is a connection between Miss. Lander's condition and the changes in the anomaly?" followed Capt. Taylor with a question.
"There's the timing," said Dr. Randle. "Both of Lt. Lander's episodes occurred at the same time as a change in the anomaly, first at our approach, and now at the same time as this sudden activity. I can't ignore that. However, I have learned something new."
"What is that, Doctor?"
"After this second episode, I decided to do some intensive neurological scans of Miss. Lander's brain. While there appears to be no permanent physical damage to her brain, there is one very strange phenomenon." Dr. Randle activated the conference room viewscreen. "On your left is an image of Miss. Lander's brain activity from her last physical. On your right is the most recent scan."
Capt. Taylor was no neurologist, but she noticed differences between the two. "What am I looking at, Doctor?"
"You're looking at a major change in Miss. Lander's brain activity patterns. On the left is a healthy, uninjured brain. On the right is a likewise physically uninjured brain, but the electrical-synaptic activity in the brain has been rerouted."
"Rerouted?" asked Luis.
"Yes, as if it was avoiding scar tissue such as from a severe concussion."
"I thought you said Miss. Lander's brain is uninjured?" asked Taylor.
"It is," emphasized Dr. Randle. "I know of no reason why a perfectly healthy brain would act as if it once suffered a concussion. There is no record of any concussion or brain trauma in Miss. Lander's medical records."
Taylor rested her chin on her hand, her elbow in turn rest on the conference room table. "Could this be some type of a somatic symptom disorder? The brain only thinks it is injured and is reacting according to that assumption."
"If that is true, this is the strangest case I've ever heard of," said Dr. Randle. "For a healthy brain to be fooled into thinking it is injured!"
"Could this be a sign on telepathic interference?" asked Luis. "Some entity imposing itself on to Lt. Lander? Maybe that brain activity pattern doesn't belong to Lt. Lander at all."
"I considered that," said Dr. Randle. "But I studied the brain organization patterns. Apart from the pseudo concussion damage and some other extremely minor differences, these brain organization patterns are identical. Whatever this brain pattern is, it definitely belongs to Miss. Lander."
"So, we don't know anything more on Miss. Lander," stated Capt. Taylor. "Lieutenant." Taylor turned to her science officer. "What can you tell me about the anomaly's sudden activity?"
"Not much," said Lt. Okimoto. "We cannot find any discernable cause for the action."
"Could it have been caused by the ship inside?" asked Luis.
"I have no idea," said Lt. Okimoto. "It is a reasonable hypothesis, but I have no way to test it. Nor can I explain any more about the temporal properties of the anomaly."
"Perhaps Lt. Lander could tell us more," said Luis. "It was her idea to check for temporal anomalies in the first place."
Taylor looked at her first officer. "I have found that to be very puzzling. Unless the timing of Miss. Lander's episodes is a complete coincidence, there is a connection between her and the anomaly. Maybe she does know more about it." Taylor turned to Dr. Randle. "Doctor, would Lt. Lander be able to answer a few questions?"
"Yes, in fact she has requested to speak with you."
"Could she come here right now?"
"There doesn't appear to be anything wrong with her at this time. I would allow it. However, she requested to speak to you alone."
"Alone? Why?"
"She wouldn't say."
"Alright. Send her to my ready room. Lt. Okimoto, continue your study, and inform me immediately if you perceive a danger to the Orion or the ship inside. Cmdr. Gonzalez, come with me." Dr. Randle and the science officer left. Taylor and Luis exited the conference room, crossed the bridge, and came to the captain's ready room.
It was a few minutes before Lt. Lander arrived. "Captain, Commander," the young woman diligently acknowledged the two superior officers.
"Lieutenant, please take a seat." Lindsey sat across from Taylor's desk. Luis was off to the side. "What has Dr. Randle told you about your condition?"
"Honestly, not much," said Lindsey. "I think he discovered something and is not telling me. Although, I imagine he told you."
"Perhaps. I have to asked you, Lieutenant, what do you know about this anomaly?"
"Again, not much. I haven't been privileged to that information."
"Then how did you know it had temporal properties?"
Lindsey's face lit up, perhaps with hope. "Did the sensors detect any tachyon or chroniton particles or a temporal variance?" Taylor nodded, then insistently tipped her head to indicate she wanted an answer. Lindsey caught on. "I didn't know about the temporal properties, but I suspected. I also suspect that this anomaly is connected to my condition."
"Why do you think that?" But Lindsey did not answer right away. "Lieutenant?"
"I'm sorry, Captain. I don't know how to say this." Lindsey looked over at Luis. "And I was hoping to speak with you privately."
"If this has to do with my ship, its crew, or its mission, then I would not hide information from my first officer. Unless this is an unrelated personal conversation, then I want Cmdr. Gonzalez here." Lindsey nodded as though she understood, but she still seemed hesitant to speak.
Finally, Lindsey answered. "Capt. Taylor, I need to report to you that I am temporally displaced."
Whatever answer she expected from Lindsey, this wasn't it. "What do you mean: temporally displaced? You are the same Lt. Lindsey Lander that's been serving on my ship the past several years."
"No, Captain, I am not. I am not your Lieutenant Lindsey Lander. I am Captain Lindsey Lander. In my time, I am in command of my own starship."
Luis let out a bit of laughter. "You expect us to believe that? That you're from the future?"
"Commander, let her explain," said Taylor. Lindsey was known to be careless with joking in the past, but she would not joke about this, not with her captain. "Lindsey, I look at you and do not see an older version of yourself."
"I don't understand it either," said Lindsey. "This body definitely belongs to this time, but my mind or my consciousness is from your future. When I awoke in sickbay, I had memories of the future. I was puzzled about being in the Orion's sickbay. And to see the two of you, my former commanders, was startingly." Taylor did recall Lindsey's disorientation at the time. "I even got lost on my way to my quarters. You can ask Frank, I mean Lt. Ulysses Grant in security to confirm that."
Lindsey continued, "At first I thought the memories were some sort of interrupted dream or delusion I experienced while unconscious. But I tested them by asking biographical information on people I have not yet met in this time. Starfleet records matched perfectly with my memories from the future."
"Why search the anomaly for an explanation of your condition?"
"Because it was there in the future," said Lindsey.
"The anomaly?" asked Taylor for clarification.
"Yes, I saw it right before I passed out on the bridge…my bridge," corrected Lindsey hastily. "I saw the anomaly, and as my ship drew near to it, I passed out on my bridge and woke up in your sickbay."
"Where was the anomaly?" asked Luis.
"The same location I presume," said Lindsey. "We were on route for a routine stop at Betazed, just as you were."
"The same anomaly, in the same place, at two different periods of time," mused Taylor. "And one woman who jumped from one time to another."
"If we are to believe you," spoke Luis into her thoughts. "We need some proof or evidence of your claim, Lieutenant. Can you tell us what stardate you came from?"
"No, I cannot," said Lindsey. "I cannot reveal future information."
"Even if I order you?" asked Taylor.
Lindsey looked at her. "My apologies, Captain, but Starfleet's Temporal Displacement Policy exceeds the authority of a starship captain. It's like a temporal version of the Prime Directive."
"How about telling us what ship you captain?" asked Luis.
At that question Lindsey became visibly disturbed. "I can't answer that."
"What's the harm?"
"If I tell you that, then you might assume that I will get the captaincy one day. Perhaps even advocate for me and get me the command at an earlier point in time. You might wonder about the fate of the ship's current captain. Maybe I will replace the current captain or maybe I will be four or five captains down the road. Maybe the ship hasn't been built yet. Maybe you become the captain of that ship before I do. I can't let on to the facts about the future."
"How about…"
"Please stop asking me questions," begged Lindsey. "I can't be interrogated about the future. I cannot risk accidentally revealing or hinting at future events. I should not have even told you that I become a captain."
Taylor jumped in. "Okay, no more questions about the future. But Cmdr. Gonzalez is right. We do need some proof."
Lindsey paused in thought. "What if I told you something that only a Starfleet captain would know?"
"Such as?"
"Q."
"What?"
"Q and the Q Continuum. A species of nearly omnipotent beings, one of whom has had numerous encounters with Capt. Picard on the Enterprise, along with one sighting on Deep Space Nine and a few more on Voy…Oh, I suppose you won't know about those yet."
"Okay, that is somewhat convincing," said Taylor. Every Starfleet captain was briefed on the Q, but it wasn't a top secret of the Federation.
"Perhaps we could discuss the finer points of the Omega Directive," said Lindsey. Now Capt. Taylor was on edge. That was a Starfleet secret to which only captains were privileged.
"The Omega Directive?" asked Luis. As a mere commander, he would not have been briefed on the topic.
"Yes, the Omega Directive. It presents a very interesting ethical dilemma, especially in the way it interacts with the Prime Directive."
"Stop!" said Taylor. "No more. I believe you…Captain Lander."
"Let's just stay with lieutenant. It's easier," said Lindsey.
"I am not ready to give up this line of questioning," said Luis. "Have you ever had a neurological trauma?"
"You think I'm mentally unsound?" asked Lindsey defensively.
"No," said Taylor, understanding where Luis was going with this. "Please answer the question."
Lindsey answered, "Not as of this timeline."
"What about in your future?" asked Luis.
"I told you, I can't reveal future information," said Lindsey.
"Please, Lieu…Lindsey," said Taylor. "You don't have to tell us any details, but we do need an answer." Taylor could tell Lindsey was still uncomfortable. "Trust us, Lindsey."
"I do trust you, Captain." Lindsey took a breath. "I suffered or will suffer a major concussion in the future."
"How bad of a concussion?" asked Luis.
"Bad enough to require neural surgery to deal with the hemorrhaging. But I made a full recovery. Why do you ask? Do you doubt my sanity?"
"No, it's not that," said Taylor. "We just need the information. It is helpful for Dr. Randle in collaborating your story."
"You know what other helpful information you could give us?" asked Luis. "Telling us how to handle this anomaly."
"I told you, I don't know much about it."
"You don't remember it?" asked Luis. "If you have the memories of your future self, surely you remember the Orion bumping into an anomaly near Betazed."
Lindsey looked bewildered. "You're right, except I have no memory of the anomaly."
"Does that mean this anomaly is a temporal incursion into our timeline?" asked Luis. "If so, your knowledge of the future might be irrelevant. The timeline may already be changed."
"In that case I would have to preserve as much as possible of my timeline that remains."
"What do you remember about our mission to Betazed?" asked Taylor.
Lindsey looked upwards as if recalling memories. "It was routine. We dropped off supplies to Betazed and took on a few passengers. I was down on the surface where I…"
"Where you, what?"
"Where I caught Beta-meningitis. I spent some of the time in a coma. During that time, the inflammation of my brain hindered my memory creation. I remember nothing of these days."
"Beta-meningitis?" asked Taylor rhetorically. "Dr. Randle did a full examination on you and found no pathogens, certainly nothing that would cause any form of meningitis."
"Then the timeline has changed," said Luis.
"No," said Lindsey. "I would have caught the virus on Betazed, before the Orion encountered the anomaly. Unless the anomaly cured my meningitis before it ever manifested itself."
"Interesting theory," said Taylor. "But we would have no way to prove that. I think our best bet is to continue to study the anomaly along with your health, Lieutenant. I am putting you back on light duty. I want to you work with Lt. Okimoto and the science team. Do not mention anything to them about your temporal displacement. And report to Dr. Randle whenever he asks. We need all the information you can glean."
"Yes, Captain. For both the Orion and my own ship, I need to do this."
"Dismissed, Lieutenant." Lindsey left the room.
Luis looked at Taylor. "You believe her?"
"I do," said Taylor. "Lindsey would not lie to a superior officer about such matters. I know her that well."
"Present Lindsey might not. But do you really think you know future Lindsey? And if what she says is true, you are not her superior. The two of you are equals."
Capt. Taylor thought about that for a moment. Luis was right. Taylor knew Lt. Lindsey Lander. But what kind of woman was Capt. Lindsey Lander?
Drs. Crusher and Bashir continued to hover over Lindsey with tricorders. "I cannot find any permanent damage to Capt. Lander's brain," said Bashir finally.
"Nor can I," agreed Dr. Crusher.
Henry breathed a sigh of relief. He had taken a risk. It hadn't worked out, but at least it didn't cause further damage. "Now what do we do?"
The two doctors looked at each other. Their facial exchange contained nothing but confusion. Then both turned to Henry. Dr. Crusher spoke first. "I haven't the slightest idea."
Dr. Bashir continued. "Disconnecting Capt. Lander from the anomaly was the best idea I had. There are many other ways we could try to do so, but I fear the damage to your wife's brain that may result from any such action." He looked back at Dr. Crusher. "I guess I have to agree with Dr. Crusher's earlier assessment, that we need to gather more information." He turned to Henry. "I'm sorry, Commander. I wish there was more I could say or do."
"It's all right, Doctors. I know that you are doing your best. I just ask you to keep doing so."
"Absolutely," said Bashir. Crusher responded with a compassionate nod.
Rikka Samae was sitting at one of the science stations on the bridge, studying the new data from the failed attempted to move the Orion away from the anomaly, when Lt. Cmdr. T'Sel stood over her shoulder. "What have you observed, Ensign?"
"A lot," replied Samae. "When the Orion moved away from the anomaly, it reacted. There were changes both in its shape and in the energy field between it and the Captain." Samae pulled up the information so T'Sel could see. "The energy field increased in intensity, almost like we would do to a tractor beam about to lose its lock on a fleeing object. Now take a look at the shape of the anomaly. It extends towards the Orion as it moves away. Almost as if it is reaching out to us as we attempted to leave."
"Careful, Ensign," said T'Sel. "Your word choice is not scientific. You are falling into the illogical habit of using anthropomorphic terms, ascribing qualities of a living or sentient being to a natural phenomenon."
"Actually, Commander, those anthropomorphic terms were deliberately chosen," replied Samae.
T'Sel's rigid and straight stance broke down a bit as she looked intently at Samae. Vulcans did not have emotions, but they did have curiosity, and Samae knew that she had just piqued T'Sel's curiosity. "Explain," requested the Vulcan scientist.
"We know there are two types of reactions in nature," started Samae. "Living and non-living. Non-living reactions are by nature predictable. Assuming we have the knowledge, mathematics, and physics necessary we can predict and even quantify such reactions; like balancing a chemical equation or calculating a vector."
Samae continued, "But living reactions are very different. They are not driven by mathematics or physics. They are driven by logic, emotion, or instincts. They are far less predictable. Everything from the flower that blooms at the correct season, to the animal that runs away from a predator, to the sentient being that uses logic to make decisions."
"Are you are suggesting that this anomaly is exhibiting living reactions as opposed to merely non-living reactions?" asked T'Sel.
"Yes. I can't prove it yet, but my current hypothesis is that the anomaly is actually a living entity."
T'Sel looked back at the data. She paused for a moment in study before saying, "Fascinating." She looked back at Samae. "If you are correct, then how do you propose we proceed?"
"By identifying why the entity is reacting the way it does. Is there some instinct driving it? Or perhaps some physical need it requires, like nourishment? Or maybe some emotional need? If we can identity that, perhaps we can find another way to fulfill its need, and it will let go of the Captain."
"If this is a living entity, do you think it is sentient?" asked T'Sel.
"I don't know," said Samae. "But if it is, then communication with it might be the next step. Perhaps it can tell us what it needs."
T'Sel stood straight again. "Continue, Ensign. And keep me informed. I must return to sickbay." The Vulcan woman left the bridge via the rear turbolift, and Samae continued her study.
T'Sel stood quietly in the turbolift as it took her to sickbay. Her mind was stimulated by her conversation with the young Bajoran ensign. Rikka Samae scored near the mean in terms of intelligence among Starfleet scientists, but she had an active imagination. Imagination was important to a scientist. The first steps of the scientific method were to observe and hypothesize. That required imagination. Many would allow their imagination to become undisciplined, thus corrupting the later steps of the method; but Rikka had learned to apply her imagination in a logical way.
T'Sel was now contemplating Rikka's imagination and logic. Rikka had only given her the short version of her hypothesis, but T'Sel had seen a bit of Rikka's more detailed report that she was preparing on her monitor. Her hypothesis was not yet complete, but so far it was logical.
If the anomaly was in fact a living entity, then it might be acting upon some instinct or conscious decision. And if it was sentient, communication might be possible. In fact, communication might already be taking place. The energy field between the entity and the Captain could be a form of telepathy. Perhaps the entity was in some way trying to communicate with the Captain. If so, then tapping into that communication would be the next logical step. The question was how to do so.
T'Sel already knew a way to tap into telepathic communications. She was Vulcan. If she could mind meld with the Captain, she could learn what was going on in the Captain's thoughts. But that would be a grave risk to both Capt. Lander and to T'Sel herself. And it would also be a risk to…another.
The turbolift doors opened, and T'Sel stepped out. She would have to think more upon this.
Dr. Thomas Randle was in sickbay when Capt. Taylor and her first officer, Cmdr. Luis Gonzalez, entered. "Dr. Randle, may we have a word with you in your office?" asked Capt. Taylor.
"Of course." Dr. Randle led the two top commanders into his office. "I hear that you've returned Lt. Lander to duty. I have to object to that."
"Light duty, Doctor. And she's been instructed to report to you whenever you request," replied Capt. Taylor. Then Capt. Taylor lowered her voice as if she was afraid someone else might hear. "Thomas, we've just learned something new, and I want to run it passed you to see if it is plausible."
"Okay."
Taylor began. "I want to revisit Luis's idea of telepathic interference upon Miss. Lander. You said that it was impossible given that the brain organization patterns definitely belonged to Miss. Lander."
"That's correct," said Dr. Randle.
Taylor paused. "It is possible that there is another brain pattern overriding Miss. Lander's mind, but that pattern belongs to a future version of Miss. Lander?"
"What?" asked Dr. Randle in confusion.
Cmdr. Gonzalez added the details. "Miss. Lander has just told us that she is in fact a temporally displaced future version of herself in her younger body."
"Wow! That's a mind full."
"Indeed," said Capt. Taylor. "Is it possible?"
"Possible? I don't know," said Randle. "But it would explain a few things. Especially if this future version of Miss. Lander has had a major concussion at some point."
"She has," said Cmdr. Gonzalez. "At least that is what she says. We asked her, without explaining to her the reason for the question. She said that she had a major concussion requiring neural surgery. She also said that…"
Capt. Taylor cut her first officer off. "Doctor, could the brain pattern currently operating in the brain of Miss. Lander be her future consciousness."
Dr. Randle nodded. "Yes, it could be. Pieces of the puzzle are connecting. The pseudo-concussion, the ever so slight variance of neural brain patterns. It's a consistent explanation."
"Thank you, Doctor. If you come up with any additional theories, let us know," said Capt. Taylor. She and Cmdr. Gonzalez exited sickbay.
Luis Gonzalez stood in the turbolift with his captain. He hadn't really believed Lt. Lander's story until Dr. Randle had nearly confirmed it. A future Lindsey Lander was on board the Orion! And apparently in this future she was a Starfleet captain. Maybe Capt. Taylor's faith in the young woman wasn't misplaced.
The turbolift doors closed, and it began moving towards the bridge. Alone with the Captain, Luis had to ask. "You didn't mention the Beta-meningitis?"
"No, I did not," said Taylor. "An experiment, Luis. I am testing a hypothesis."
A call came through Taylor's commbadge. "Bridge to Captain. You have a call from Sector Command."
"I will take it in my ready room," said Taylor.
As the turbolift arrived at the bridge. Taylor immediately walked to her ready room. She sat her desk and turned the monitor towards her. "This is Capt. Taylor." The image of an Admiral appeared. "Admiral Chrysler, I had hoped to see you in person by now, but I've been detained. You wished to speak to me."
"Yes, Captain. We've just received word from the Hawking. They've been delayed. A malfunction in one of their warp nacelles."
"I'm sorry to hear that. Has there been any news on the Mercury?"
"No, Theresa," said Taylor's Academy classmate. "The Mercury has been out of contact since shortly after it left Betazed. I think it highly likely that the ship trapped in your anomaly is indeed the Mercury."
"Will there be another science vessel besides the Hawking dispatched?"
"No, Captain. There will be no other ship. This situation belongs to the Orion. We leave it to your prudence. But if a starship is in danger, we might not be able to wait any longer."
"Agreed, Admiral. For the sake of the Mercury or whatever ship is in there I believe it is time to act."
"Theresa, best of luck to you and to the Orion."