CHAPTER 3

The Enterprise arrived at Earth but found nothing in orbit nor was there anything near the planet that coincided with Data's report.

"Mr. Data, are you getting anything from the area?" asked Jim, staring out the viewscreen inhopes they could find what was here.

"Negative sir, there are no engine signatures in the area nor are there any ships on sensors. However, I am picking up concentrations of carbon monoxide and hydrogen cyanide. Chemical compounds produced as a result of combustion."

Jim looked over to Data as he spoke and back at the viewscreen. "Is it possible they started to work again and are using their cars and factories?" asked Jim.

"Unlikely sir," replied Data, "these traces are somewhat natural but were brought about in an artificial manner. Further scans indicate there is heavy damage to structures all around the planet and to many areas of open land. Best assumption sir is a heavy bombardment from an orbital force, possibly that of the vessel we picked up earlier."Jim thought for a moment.

"Commander Riker, I think its time we got a closer look at what's going on down there with the people. Assemble an away team and meet me in transporter room three in one hour." Jim rose and headed for the turbolift. "And Will," added the captain, "be sure to dress appropriately for 21st century standards. We'll need to blend in." With that, Jim entered the turbolift and headed toward his quarters to prepare for the mission.

Camilla awoke to the hustle and bustle of the day before that was going in in the bunker. Except this time there were a lot more soldiers and now there were twice as many medical teams present as there were before. She heard a bus pull up in front of the bunker and she heard a few soldiers talking about it, saying this was the last one and all the survivors they could find from the attack were here. She wanted to see if any were injured or looked like they could provide answers but it didn't seem like they could. It was a small group of about fifteen people as compared to the scores of people that were constantly flowing in since the previous afternoon. Among the fifteen was a small group of six who all clustered together after getting off the bus. Usually people walked right into the bunker and then found who they needed to, but it was a minor difference. They were dressed rather oddly too, at least for the situation at hand. Very business-like and formal, almost as if they worked in a business office and couldn't pull themselves away from the last meeting even with an evacuation order.

There was an upper-middle aged looking man with a full beard, some slight grey here and there in his hair; a very pale looking man that looked like he had yellow eyes but she dismissed the thought. The third person in their party was the most casually dressed but still formal and it appeared like he was the leader of the group since the others were listening intently to what he had to say. There also seemed to be about two or three other younger looking people in the group also listening but they almost seemed more focused on their surroundings, like they were looking for something. The one that was talking looked up and caught Camilla looking at him and the group. She quickly turned away and went back to where her bed was and looked back out the window of the bunker. The aftermath of the attack on the city was apparent with all the smoke still rising. The buildings that once touched the sky now lay in rubble on the streets. Everything that was left behind was all but gone. Strangely enough though the fires seemed to start dying down once the star she saw sat on her bed still looking out the window.

"Unbelievable isn't it," came a voice from behind her. She jumped, not expecting the sudden break of her thoughts.

"Sorry, I didn't mean to frighten you," said the man she saw before.

"My name's Jim, Jim Bullock. This is William Riker," said Jim gesturing to Will, "and this is-" he paused looking at Data, realizing he couldn't introduce him as an android.

"David," said Data suddenly, "David Jones." Jim was awestruck at how quickly he invented a name for himself. Camilla nodded to each of them, "I'm Camilla, Camilla Hawke. What happened to the other people you had with you before?" she asked.

Jim had to come up with a cover story, "They went to find some friends of ours that made it here before we did. We just want to make sure they made it here ok. Did you come here with anyone? Family, friends?" Jim asked Camilla.

"No," she replied, "I haven't had any real family since I was a teenager. I don't really remember them much to be honest. I don't remember much about my childhood at all." She gazed back out the window and stared off into the overcast sky. Jim put his hand on Camilla's shoulder.

"I'm sorry to hear that. I can empathize though. I didn't have much of a childhood either. My parents were both killed in an accident and most of my family lived really far away. I had to be my own man by the ago of 11. I did it though. Not quite sure how."

Camilla laughed slightly at his last comment. One of the other women who arrived with Jim came over and whispered something in his ear. "Excuse us for a moment." He gestured at Riker and Data to follow him.

"What's the news lieutenant?" The Enterprise security officer approached the group along with two other officers.

"Not many people are aware of what's going on. They were living their day-to-day lives when they were told to evacuate and they came here. The soldiers around here won't answer our questions either, I think it's about time we ship out and check out the city for ourselves."

Jim contemplated the suggestion, but since he, Riker and Data all made their presence known to Camilla, it'd look odd of they disappeared and then came back.

"Alright, you and Ensign Forge have permission to beam back up to the ship, assemble a security team and a science team an investigate the area. Data, Riker, Ensign Hydel and myself will stay down here with everyone."

"Understood," replied the security officer. She and Ensign Forge left the area to find a safe spot to beam back up to the Enterprise. Meanwhile, the group returned to Camilla's bed. She was looking out over the scores of people gathered up in the security bunker. She still found it incredible that this many people were moved in such a short amount of time. And just when they needed to be moved too it seemed like since there was nothing left of the city. She saw Jim walking back with his friends.

"Camilla, I have a question for you," said Jim, sitting on the bed next to hers, "do you know anything about the attack that happened last night or why you were all brought here? Has anyone given you any insight at all?"

Camilla thought of everything that happened the past few days. She wanted to say yes so she could help him but there was nothing.

"Sorry Jim, I don't know anything except the fact that all these guys here," she gestured toward some of the guards, "know something that we don't and they don't plan on telling us." Jim nodded in agreement, "You're right about them hiding something. You can tell some of them are scared of what's out there."

Jim paused and sighed. He took a long look at Camilla.

"Camilla, you have to understand that the world you see today won't be the same for very long. Changes are coming and fast. I can't say very much else then that but change is coming. Enough about all this though, I want to hear what someone else thinks about the world and current events, can I hear what you have to say?"

Camilla looked at Jim quizzically with the sudden change in tone but shrugged it off and began talking about 21st century events, not knowing she was filling in the gaps that were present amongst the history of the future.