Dr. Amin s'Nei was considered a genius in temporal mechanics. At a different time in the history of the the Romulan Star Empire he would have been respected, wealthy, and well placed, but now during the decline of the empire, he had to struggle in order to find funding for his ideas. Instead of a palatial home on Romulus, his family existed on a colony planet with few resources. And it was all because of the Federation.
Having studied the problem for years, the history of the Federation, he believed there were two temporal fulcrum points that could be manipulated. The first one was the Vulcans and Humans meeting in piece, the meeting between Zefram Cochrane and Solkar of Vulcan. This started history on the path towards the creation of the United Federation of Planet. The second temporal fulcrum point was when Jonathan Archer got the command of the NX Enterprise over AG Robinson. Archer proved to be a visionary and a natural diplomat. AG Robinson was aggressive, a risk taker, and slightly xenophobic. If he had been the captain of the Enterprise, the Federation would never have happened.
Two temporal fulcrum points. He had to choose one. His temporal ship had one flight in it and with that flight he intended on changing history in favor of the Romulan Star Empire. Either Fulcrum point was possible to reach but one would be easier to manipulate than the other. Amin just had to choose one.
STSTST
Solkar sat in the command chair, even though he though of himself as the lead scientist and not the commander of this mission. They were explorers looking for new civilizations and cultures to make first contact with, just as long as that civilization had warp capability.
"Solkar, I scanned a starship leaving the current planet we are observing and it just slipped into warp," Skan announced.
"Let us start collecting data on this planet. Make scans and start translating language and communications. Let us learn some information about this fascinating place before we attempt first contact," ordered Solkar.
Looking at the viewscreen Solkar was impressed by the aesthetic beauty of the planet. It had large land masses, but water dominated. It was appeared to have every terrain from frozen tundra to desert. Fascinating.
"Solkar, it appears to be multicultural with no single planetary government," stated T'Mau.
"Then I suggest we make contact with those who we are sure have warp capability," said Solkar. "Start to move us closer to the planet."
As the T'Plana Hath started to head towards Earth, a proximity alarm went off. Skan ran a quick scan.
"Captain," he said with some strain in his voice, "a ship with a different temporal signature has appeared and it is on ramming course with us."
"Take evasive actions," ordered Solkar.
Amin aimed his ship at the T'Plana Hath. He knew the ship's weaknesses from studying it. All it had to do was damage it slightly with his much smaller ship and it would return to Vulcan without ever stopping at Earth. As the T'Plana Hath took evasive actions, Amin increased speed and finally rammed his small one man ship into its port nacelle. As his ship started to explode from the crash, Amin smiled before embracing death.
"Our port nacelle has been badly damaged," said T'Mau. "We will be only capable of warp two with the damage, Captain. What should we do?"
"Scan the remains of the ship that rammed us then set a course for Vulcan. This incident needs investigation," stated Solkar. "Also, send all the information we collected on our target planet to my personal computer. I wish to study it."
"Yes, sir," said T'Mau.
Solkar sat back in his command chair. He knew this was a missed opportunity. The planet appeared fascinating. Unfortunately, the ship that damaged them called for investigation. There were too many anomalies about it, too much that needed to be explained.
"Skan, before we leave the area collect a piece of the ship that rammed us. The Vulcan Science Directorate will want to study it," said Solkar.
"Yes, Captain," said Skan.
STSTST
The Intrepid Class Starship was commissioned to defend Earth and its colonies. With a crew of forty, four phase cannons and eight photonic torpedo launchers, polarized hull plating, and capable of max warp 3.5, it was one of the toughest ships in the fleet, though the Daedalus Class and Marshall Class ships were becoming the preferred ships coming out of Starfleets shipping yards because of their size and ability to push the boundaries of Earth's territory with their greater warp capabilities. Both were considered destroyers with the Daedalus having a crew of 220, polarized hull plating, six phase cannons, twelve photonic torpedo launchers, and capable of max warp 4.4 and the Marshall Class having a crew of 150, polarized hull plating, four phase cannons and ten photonic torpedo launchers, and capable of max warp 3.9. While the Intrepid acted as a Border Cutter protecting colonies, as well as part of Earth's protection fleet, the destroyers allowed United Earth to grow. From setting up colonies, and the now three starbases, they protected and explored the Alpha Quadrant of the galaxy with a eye towards the Beta Quadrant once warp 5 or better engines were available.
United Earth had expanded the influence of humanity from Earth, which was considered the center of the Sol System, to Alpha Centauri, Proxima Centauri, Vega System, Deneva System, Tau Ceti, and Terra Nova. It's colonies included Luna, Mars, Terra Nova, Centauri III, Vega IX, Alpha III, Alpha V, Deneva, Calder II, Gault, Tarod IX, Caldos II, Altair VI, and Berengaria VII. From a planet at war with itself, United Earth had developed to the point other races and civilizations were paying attention and making contact with it. One of those the Denobulans, a peaceful race that excelled at science and medicine that setup a science and medical exchange with UE through Starfleet Medical. A mining treaty had been made with Tellar, a trade agreement with Draylax and Alpha Centauri Concordium, which were several of the Alpha Centauri Colonies, Alpha Centauri I, Alpha Centauri II, New Athens, and New Montana, that had declared independence. The UE DiploCorp was in negotiations with the Coridan, the Haradin, and the Krios about opening up trade and relationships. It was said that the Andorians and Vulcans were even interested now in making first contact with United Earth.
Of course with growth came problems. From Orion Syndicate, which include slavers and pirates, to the Nausicaans, an aggressive beta Quadrant race that raided the Alpha Quadrant attacking both cargo ships and luxury liners leaving few alive. The Klingon Empire had now destroyed four Earth Cargo Service Ships that had accidentally entered their territory. And then there were the rumors about a highly aggressive race that preferred conquering to diplomacy, the Romulan Star Empire.
United Earth was becoming a factor in the Alpha Quadrant and with came challenges. Zefram Cochrane was once quoted as saying that Humanity was at its best when challenged. That was to be seen.
STSTST
In the capital city of Shikahr the building that housed the Vulcan High Command stood tall among even the most impressive of Vulcan architecture. Inside the building in a conference room, a Spartan decorated room, Minister Kuvak met with Ambassador Soval, Ambassador Tos, Ambassador V'lar, and High Ambassador Solkar. Also, in the room were Stel, the chief investigator for Vulcan Security Directorate and SubCommander T'Pol, diplomatic adjunct and former agent for the Vulcan Security Directorate.
"United Earth has proven to be aggressive and violent. I am not sure we should make overtones towards them," stated Soval, an austere Vulcan with graying hair.
"I agree that they can violent, but they have overcome much in their history," said Solkar, the eldest Vulcan in the room. He was an aristocratic looking man with almost all gray hair and wearing red tinted glasses because of optical damage from age. "My son Skon is willing to take up an ambassador position in order to travel open relations with United Earth."
"Vulcan Diplomatic Corp has sought out Skon for years, but he has preferred research to diplomacy. Why is he interested in Earth?" asked V'Lar.
"He sees potential there, as do I," said Solkar.
"Skon is young," stated Tos.
"He is also considered a genius even by Vulcan standards," added Soval, who nodded his appreciation to Solkar.
Solkar nodded back. Soval was a more than a associate. Their clans were related and they had shared a strong relationship over the years. T'Pol's clan was also related to his clan. Solkar was descended from Sarek. One of his clansman T'Pau was a follower of Syrann, who believed that Surak's Katra still existed and that also did a truer version of the Kir'Shara. Some in the clan found this embarrassing but Solkar did not.
"Skon's son Sarek is entering the Science Academy next semester," said V'Lar. "There are high expectations for him."
"He will achieve what he will achieve," responded Solkar. "But enough about my clan. The question at hand is should we reach out and open relations with United Earth."
"I believe we should," said V'Lar.
She was considered a maverick in the diplomatic service willing to open relations with almost any species.
"I concur," added Solkar.
"As do I," said Soval.
"I am against it," said Tos.
"I will agree to this and push its case on two accounts. One, Skon joins the ambassadorial party with send," said Kuvak.
"I agree," said Solkar.
"And two, that Subcommander T'Pol with her Vulcan Security Directorate experience also be part of the party," added Kuvak. "There is no reason we cannot gather intelligence on United Earth and Starfleet."
"Agreed," said Soval, who looked at T'Pol.
She raised her left eyebrow but said nothing. Since she was close to Soval, who was close to her father, she would not argue with him.
STSTST
UES Rebel, an Intrepid Class border cutter, came roaring out of the nebula headed for the ECS Spacefarer, which was under attack from two Orion pirate ships. The Orion ships had crews of 70 and where bird-like in shape with two nacelles.
"Weapons hot. Target nearest pirate," ordered Commander Jonathan Archer. Archer was thirty-three years old and it was expected that he'd be getting an upgrade to a bigger, more important ship any day along with an extra pip and strip. Under his command the Rebel had a reputation as the best border cutter in the fleet. It was thought that Archer, Commander AG Robinson, Captain Franklin Duval, and Captain William Gardner were the top candidates for the next ship of the line that was under construction. It was supposed to be the first warp five engine. In Archer's case it was thought to be a reach since he was the commander of a border cutter, but his impressive record the admiralty couldn't ignore him.
The Bridge of the Rebel was small. Both the Tactical Station and the Ops Station had standing room only. The Pilot Station was also the Nav Station with one crewman doing both jobs, and the Comm Station was also the Damage Control Station with one crewman doing both jobs.
"Hull plating 100 percent polarized," announced XO Lt. Commander Charles Tucker III.
Tucker was twenty-eight years old. When he got the command of a border cutter, Jonathan Archer immediately offered Trip Tucker the position of XO, as well as the position of Chief Engineer. His reputation as a engineer was already legendary having worked on the Warp Three Project under Admiral Jefferies right out of the academy and several captains from the bigger ships wanted him, but Archer knew that Tucker wanted to be more than an engineer. Or, at least, he thought he did. So far Trip had proven to be brilliant as the engineer eked out warp 3.8 from the Rebel's warp engine, but he had also proven himself a damned good first officer and Archer's best friend.
The tactical officer Ensign Hiram Steen unleashed a volley of cannon fire hitting the weak spots of the pirate ship's shields doing some damage to their starboard nacelle. This brought a smile to the young man's face. Steen was a year out of the academy and proving to be an excellent tactical officer.
The other pirate ship broke off its attack on the cargo ship and fired on the Rebel. The deck plates shook more and more with every hit of the Orion's disruptor cannon.
"Polarization down to fifty percent," called out Trip.
"I need an chief engineer right now diverting power to the plating, Trip," said Archer.
"Aye, aye, sir," answered Trip as he hustled off the bridge and headed towards engineering.
"Sharon, take evasive actions. I want to be on the offensive not the defensive," ordered Archer.
Lieutenant Sharon Mills, pilot and Nav officer, was a dream come true. Her instincts were good and she always kept her cool.
"Aye, aye, sir," she answered.
Trip bolted out of the turbolift and ran down the corridor towards Engineering. Most of the crew were used to the sight of the XO hustling from the Bridge to Engineering during battles. Archer liked to push the ship beyond its limits.
"Make a hole," ordered Trip as he ran.
Crew members hugged the walls leading to Trip's entrance into Engineering.
STSTST
The Captain of the ECS Spacefarer face took up the smallish viewscreen of the UES Rebel. Archer sat on the edge of his chair as he spoke the female captain. Besides the limited damage to her ship, he noticed she was very attractive.
"Captain Petrov, I'm glad we got to you in time," said Archer.
"Commander Archer, you saved my ass. I guess the Rebel lives up to its reputation. My crew and I thank you," she smiled.
"Well, hopefully I'll be able to buy you a drink on Alpha Centauri III since we are now escorting you the rest of the way," he smiled.
"It's a date," she said.
Archer made the motion to cut the feed, Comm Officer Specialist Warren Tyburn cut the feed. Archer sat back in his command chair.
"Well done everyone. Tyburn, get me a damage read out and send it to me chair. Let's see what the overall damage is," he said then he punched the comm button to engineering that was on his right arm of his chair beside Infirmary. "How are my engines doing, Trip?"
"Not too bad. You've got to keep pushing Starfleet R&D on developing defensive shielding, Commander. We need that more than a warp five engine which I could give them tomorrow. Your dad's engine is capable of warp six, if not better. They just don't know how to fine tune," Trip replied.
Archer grinned. He loved that Trip understood his father's engine better than anyone else did.
"Make repairs and I'll meet you in the Executive Mess at six," said Archer.
"I'll be there, sir," answered Trip.
STSTST
Trip didn't have time to change his flight suit-style uniform before getting to the Executive Mess. He barely had the time to wash the grease and coolant off his hands and face. So he was shocked to find that Archer hadn't made it to the Mess yet, since he was usually there waiting for him. Trip sat down at the table, which could handle a maximum of six, though it was usually just Archer and Trip. The steward came into the Mess carrying a water and a mug of coffee. He placed both in front of Trip.
"Thanks, Mitch," Trip said.
"You're welcome, sir," answered the steward. "Tough day?"
"A lot of repairs were needed. What's for dinner?" he asked.
"We are having pot roast with garlic mashed potatoes and glazed carrots," answered the steward.
"And dessert?" smiled Trip.
"Cheesecake," the steward told him.
"I'm starved," said Trip, just as Archer entered.
He looked at the mug of coffee and smiled.
"Mitch, I'll have a mug of beer. Bring Trip one, also, then you can start serving us dinner," said Archer.
"Yes, sir," said the steward.
He exited. Archer sat down then he looked at his XO and grinned.
"You heard from someone important with good news, didn't you?" said Trip.
"I heard from Admiral Forrest. You and I are are supposed to catch the next transport back to Earth. The rebel is getting a new commander, XO, and chief engineer. We are wanted at Starfleet Command for some reason," smiled Archer.
"He mention the reason why?" asked Trip.
"Nope. But I can assume they involve a new assignment and I'd say its a step up from border cutter," said Archer.
"Earth," grinned Trip. "It's been twenty months since the last time I saw Earth. No offense to Alpha Centauri, but it's not Earth."
"No, it is not," chuckled Archer. "Maybe you'll be able to visit you parents in Florida."
"That would be nice," smiled Trip. "Lizzy has to be nearing college graduation. It'll be great to see my baby sister."
"Maybe you'll see Daniel, Billy, and Anna," added Archer.
"Daniel, his wife and kids I don't mind seeing them, but Billy and Anna I could live without seeing," sighed Trip.
"Billy is still the editor of a news feed?" asked Archer.
"Oh, yeah. And he believes that Starfleet is nothing more than a military organization. He discounts the exploring and first contacts we made, as well as trade routes we keep open," complained Trip.
"And Professor Anna Tucker?" smiled Archer.
"She is the president of UCLA's professor and students Starfleet hate club," growled Trip. "She a goddamn history professor, yet she doesn't understand that need for defense and protection. History is replete with examples of the countries and even the world being saved by military action."
Archer laughed, as the steward pushed in a cart with their food and beers on it. He placed their food and drink in front of them then left them alone.
"So Admiral Forrest give you a hint what he wants with us?" asked Trip.
"We'll find up, Trip. We will find out."