Episode 8: Unexpected Visitation

USS Enterprise

Captain Picard and Colonel Jack O'Neill formed on the transporter pad, emerging from the field of blue energy. Picard stepped down and nodded to Riker, then looked over the assembled group in the Transporter Room.

"How was the trip, Captain?" Riker asked.

"Very…interesting. I'll have to fill you in on the more unexpected details later, Wil. In the meantime, may I present Colonel Jack O'Neill of Stargate Command."

"A pleasure, Colonel," Riker said, shaking Jack's hand.

"Oh, Jack would be just fine, Captain."

"All right then, Jack it is," Riker said, smiling, "Captain Picard, Jack, may I present Seven of Nine and the Doctor. They just arrived from the USS Pegasus. And you know Ezri Dax as well."

"Ah yes," Picard answered, nodding at the Borg, "the expert on cyber technology Starfleet said they were sending. A pleasure to finally meet you, Seven. Your exploits are renowned."

"Likewise," Seven said.

"Well, you look pretty much the same as I remember," Jack said, examining Seven, "Ouch," he added.

"I do not believe we have met," Seven said, eyebrow raised.

"No, no, that we defiantly have not," Jack replied.

"Seven was kind enough to allow me to tag along, Captain. I hope you don't mind."

"Not at all, Doctor," Picard said, lying. Sentient holograms made him nervous.

"Captain, if you don't mind I'd like to take a trip over to the SGC. Ezri expressed an interest in accompanying me."

"Knock yourself out, Captain," Jack said, "as a matter of fact, we were scheduled to go off-world this afternoon. No reason to cancel that. It'll give you a chance to see what it is like. The Major will work out the details."

"In the meantime Colonel, I'll give you a tour of the ship just as soon as I meet with Guinan and…" Picard's words drifted off.

"Captain?" Seven asked, looking at the vacant expression on Picard's face.

"He seems to be non-responsive," the Doctor said, moving closer to examine the Captain.

"I've seen this before," Ezri said, "when Captain Sisko was in communication with the Prophets."

"Never a dull moment," Jack said, sitting down on the transporter steps.

Somewhere Else

Around Picard was a world of white and not much else. Picard peered around, taking a tentative step. He could see nothing, only pure white.

"Q?" he called out.

"No, Captain Picard, not Q," a deep voice said from behind him. Picard turned and spied a fellow bald Starfleet Officer.

"Benjamin Sisko?"

"Yes, Captain. Sorry for the interruption but I had to speak with you."

"Where are we?"

"The wormhole…and yet not the wormhole. It's a little hard to explain."

"I can imagine. Is this about the attack on the Enterprise?"

"Correct."

"You have some information on the attackers?"

"Not quiet Captain. To begin with, how much do you know about the Prophets?"

"The wormhole aliens? Only from what I have read in your reports, Ben."

"You know that time for them is different than how you interpret it?"

"Yes."

"All that changed after the robots arrived on the Enterprise. For the Prophets, time does not have a past, present and future. It exists as a single moment. It did until the construct arrived. Now…everything is disjointed. Out of context. That moment of their arrival marks a deep and lasting wound in time itself."

"I'm not sure what you mean, Ben."

"The Assembled do not belong in this or any timeline other than their own, Captain. Their arrival here should not have been. Now that they are aware of this universe, I cannot say what the ramifications may entail. It may amount to nothing…it may amount to so much more."

"Those robots…they were never seen by the Prophets before?"

"No. Their arrival represents a significant disturbance in the timestream. The future defined for this reality has been upset. What this means, I am not sure."

"What can we do?"

"I simply don't know Captain. But I bring a warning. They have to be stopped, Captain Picard, by any means necessary. Their presence could mean the end of everything. The unravelling of time itself…because for now, we cannot detect any future. For this or any reality they have touched."

"We've already made contact with humans from another reality who may be able to help us. Perhaps we could find more. Build a resistance of sorts."

"I hope so, Captain. I've done everything I can. The ball…is in your court."

The world of white faded around Picard, becoming the colour of onrushing deck plates as Picard collapsed to the floor. The strong arms of Riker and O'Neill caught him before he impacted.

"Captain, are you all right?" Ezri asked.

"We should get you to sickbay right away," the Doctor interjected.

"I'm all right. I just need a moment to catch my breath."

"Was it a visit from the Prophets, Captain?" Ezri asked, concerned.

"Yes. Yes, it was."

"Let me guess," Jack said, "more bad news. I bet the tour is cancelled, huh?"

Picard smiled and gripped Jack's arm, "Don't worry Colonel. We'll get you that tour eventually. For now, I have some information to give you. Information from an old friend."