Chapter 4

2381

Daystrom Institute, Earth

Reg materialized on the transporter pad at Daystrom and fell to his knees, put down the container he was holding to one side and threw up into the bucket they had placed nearby.

"Oh God." he whispered as they dropped the forcefield and The Doctor stepped onto the pad. "This is motion sickness." he moaned, "I'm certain of it now."

"You felt inertia again?" The Doctor asked, having liaised with Beverly.

"Oh yeah." he agreed vehemently. "It's like being fired from a trebuchet at warp 9."

"Reg, didn't you used to have brown eyes?" Dan asked him earnestly.

"What?" Reg shrieked, "Oh God I have cellular degradation. Have my neurochemicals started breaking down?" he asked The Doctor, clutching his uniform desperately. "I'm going to get transporter psychosis aren't I?"

"That's not funny Dan." The Doctor stated.

"Sorry pal, I couldn't resist it." Dan sniggered.

"Is it just the pigment in my eyes?" Reg panicked still gripping The Doctor having stopped listening due to hysteria. "Oh God she likes my eyes, she'll leave me even if I do get her back."

"Reg, get a grip." Pete shouted, taking him by the shoulders and shaking him. "There's nothing wrong with you. Dan was being a jerk."

"So my eyes are…?" Reg asked plaintively.

"Still big, brown and doe like." Dan told him, slapping him on the back. "Captain Harkins is right, I'm a jerk." he admitted and helped Reg up. "Did you bring back a souvenir?" he asked looking at the strange box.

"Is that what I think it is?" Janeway asked. "You brought back a Tear of the Prophets?" she asked incredulously. "Tell me you didn't steal it?"

"I didn't steal it Admiral." Reg assured her and sighed. "A lot has happened and we need to come up with a new plan." Reg stated.

…

"Well, we know from previous times the Orb of Time has been used it's capable of safely shifting a Defiant-class ship in time and space. So the obvious choice is the prototype." Janeway stated.

"You don't understand," Admiral Maddox stated seeming panicked, "he's not ready, we haven't even had a shakedown cruise or retrained a crew…"

"I'm sure Bastion would want to help, Professor Barclay is his creator and he sees Data as a father figure." Admiral Paris argued

After much wrangling, Admiral Maddox had negotiated an experimental ship be created to test the viability of sentient starships and the core from the original Bastion was installed in another Defiant-class which they renamed the Bastion A. He was currently in orbit around Earth without a crew compliment as the details of the shakedown cruise were yet to be finalised and Bastion didn't actually need a crew unless he was in need of repair. He was however, getting lonely and bored so Taryn, Reg, Dan and The Doctor had been visiting him regularly as did Data and Geordi before they left for Deep Space 9.

"Exactly, we have no idea how he'll take the news." Maddox argued.

"He'll take it like an officer." Reg stated. "He'll take it worse if we exclude him."

"You have to include him." A voice stated from the back of the room. "It's crucial that you do."

"This is a closed meeting…" Janeway began.

"I think you should hear what I have to say. My name is Andrews and I'm a Temporal Agent."

"Since when do the Office of Temporal Investigations send operatives on their own?" Admiral Paris asked.

"They don't…yet and from my point of view it's not the OTI anymore." the shadowy figure stepped further into the room and took an empty seat uninvited, he was wearing a black ribbed jumpsuit. "I'm not an Office of Temporal Investigations Agent, but I will be a Temporal Agent in around five hundred years' time." Mason explained. "Someone is manipulating the Jem'Hadar in the 19th century from the distant future in an attempt to alter the timeline." he stated. "You are caught up in the Second Temporal Cold War."

"Well, what exactly do they hope to change?" Reg stated.

"Their target subject is you." Andrews stated. "They are trying to alter the course of your life in the present, and ensure your progeny don't exist in the future."

"Can you give us any way of corroborating your story?" Janeway asked.

"Admiral, I may know someone who can advise us. If I may be excused?" The Doctor whispered in Janeway's ear, she nodded curtly and he left the room.

"The arrival of Taryn Prior-Barclay in the 19th century was too good an opportunity for them to miss."

"It's just Barclay." Reg said darkly.

"Forgive me, I only know her from her written work and her thesis was published posthumously under that name."

"What!?" Reg exclaimed. "What do you mean posthumously?"

"Forgive me, the timeline is somewhat in flux and I miss-spoke." Andrews stated coldly.

"She finished it?" Maddox asked and Reg nodded sadly. The Doctor returned with Geoffrey Prior at his side.

"How can her being there be an opportunity…? They mean to stop her coming back with us?" Reg asked plaintively but Andrews made no response. "But, the twins are born." Reg stated. "If they kill her or she's stranded it won't alter anything. We decided never to go through fertility treatment and we used up all our luck conceiving the twins naturally. Our family is complete."

"No it's not. You, the twins and Galatea all have a destiny to fulfil and you will have another child Commander Barclay." Mason stated.

"Mr Prior?" Admiral Janeway asked.

"This is Andrews alright, and he's a Temporal Agent from the 31st century." Geoff confirmed.

"How do you know that?" Admiral Paris asked with a frown.

"He may not be a current OTI agent," he pointed at Andrews, "but I am and my presence here is sanctioned." Everyone stared at him. "You were with me at the Annex on the mission Reg, did I act like an aide?"

"No," Reg admitted, "In fact I wondered if you were Section 31 at the time."

"If I'd been Section 31 you'd never have known." Geoff stated. "You never suspected your mother."

"True." Reg stated. "But, just because I trust you, doesn't mean I trust him."

"I don't blame you, personally I think he's an arsehole and his methods are questionable to say the least, but he is who he says he is." Geoff replied.

"Wait, what about the Temporal Prime Directive? Should you even be telling us this?" David asked.

"No holds are barred due to the Temporal Cold War apparently." Geoff stated.

"I'm authorised to reveal certain things to you if it will keep things on track, but there are limits to how much and the level to which I can intervene and that is why I won't be travelling with you on the Bastion, nor should any Admiral and I can't stress that enough. Form your plan with that in mind. I will return… when you need me." Andrews stated cryptically and disappeared.

"May I suggest that you break the news to Bastion Reg?" Maddox stated and he nodded his assent.

"We'll all go. It was the team that lost them." Dan stated and Barsha and David agreed.

"In the meantime we'll muster up a crew." Janeway stated.

…

"Welcome aboard Reg, Dan, Doctor and it is a pleasure to meet you Barsha and David Barclay. I am Bastion, please ask me if there is anything you require." Bastion stated as they beamed onto the Bridge along with the Orb of Time.

"Bastion, I…I have something to tell you that won't be easy to hear." Reg said as he fidgeted with his hands. "I accidentally sent your mother nearly five hundred years into the past along with Data, Geordi and a Jem'Hadar Fighter during the hyper-subspace transport test and we need to get them back to this century. We can't do it the same way we lost them as the Bajoran government aren't letting us experiment with the wormhole again but we do have the support of Kai Onara who has loaned us the Orb of Time. A Temporal Agent called Andrews showed up, but he didn't tell us much really other than it's all part of a… temporal cold war and seems to revolve around me…and your mother. We'd like you to help us. The only plan I have is to open this box and see what happens. Unless anyone has any other ideas?" he looked around and the others shook their heads. "Admiral Janeway is trying to find a crew and she hopes that you will take some of us back in time. To do what I'm not sure yet, basically whatever we can to fix this mess."

"It is widely believed that the Temporal Cold War was resolved in the mid-22nd century by Captain Archer of the Enterprise NX-01."

"What else do you know about it Bastion?" The Doctor asked.

"A mysterious humanoid of apparent malevolent intent attempted to alter the timeline from the 28th century. He was unable to time travel, but was able to manifest visually. He aided a species known as the Suliban, instructing them in advanced technology and enabling them to make genetic enhancements granting them certain abilities including the ability to shapeshift and improved sensory augmentation. They acted as foot soldiers staging attacks on the Tandarans, attempting to cause civil war in the Klingon Empire and the attempted theft of a Temporal Observatory belonging to a Temporal Agent named Daniels. The humanoid also advised Captain Archer that a second faction in the conflict had prompted the Xindi to make an attack on Earth that claimed the lives of seven million Humans enabling the Captain to stage a counter attack that prevented the deployment of a second, more advanced device that would have destroyed the Earth. It could be argued that Federation operatives from the 31st Century constitute a third faction."

"So basically our cock-up gave them the opportunity to go at it again." David stated.

"I feel I should say that while I'm going to go I don't expect the same of the rest of you." Reg stated. "If any of you want to beam down that's fine. I won't think any less of you if you don't want to be involved. That includes you Bastion. If you want to drop us off that's okay, regardless of what Andrews says we'll find another ship. You have a choice in this."

"Taryn is my mother, Data is my father and you are my step-father and my friend. I would say I belong at your side but that is physically impossible unless you are outside my hull."

"And leave you to the tender mercies of a Mark V?" The Doctor stated.

"And miss the fun?" David stated and headed for forward conn and ops station.

"You will need an engineer." Barsha stated. "But someone will have to direct me to Engineering." she admitted.

"Who else will jerk you around if I'm not here?" Dan stated and sat at the science station. "You'll start taking yourself seriously then you'll be in real trouble."

Reg smiled, he should have known none of them would leave.

"I have an incoming communication from Admiral Prior."

"You're the senior officer Reg." Dan stated, tilting his head at the centre seat.

Reg blanched, both due to the incoming communique and the thought of assuming command. "On screen." he stated and sat at the engineering console.

"Admiral Janeway just called me and told me what happened." Iestyn told Reg.

"I was going to call and let you know about Taryn, I…" Reg stated.

"I get it son, you've been busy trying to get her back." the Admiral stated. "And been on a flying visit to Deep Space 9 from what I hear. You realise she'll kill you when she finds out you were the test dummy?"

"Apparently I had the Prophets watching over me. What could go wrong?" Reg smiled weakly.

"Plenty, you're a bloody fool. Don't worry, your dad is fetching the kids. Between us we'll make sure they're looked after while you're away." he sighed. "Do you have a plan?"

"Open the Orb of Time and see what happens?" Reg stated.

"You need a crew. You need an experienced tactical officer at least if you're going up against the Jem'Hadar, no offence Bastion."

"None taken Admiral." Bastion replied.

"Commander Geoffrey Prior to the USS Bastion. Six to beam aboard."

"Well, it sounds like you have some help." Iestyn stated with a smile. "Good luck Reg. See you soon."

"I'll find her." Reg vowed.

"I know you will." Iestyn smiled and closed the channel.

"Can you beam them straight to the bridge Bastion?" Reg stated.

"Of course." Bastion stated and six figures shimmered into view.

Reg swore as he saw who had beamed onto the Bridge. "No, just…no."

"You need all the help you can get mate. Think yourself lucky." Haydn pointed his finger at Reg.

"We already have two civilians on board…" Reg argued.

"I can nick things and I have no discernible moral compass. Both skills that are transferable to the 19th century." Haydn argued.

"I can read minds." Emlyn projected into their minds.

"More than that, he can manipulate people. Make them think and do what he wants." Geoff defended.

"I didn't know that." Reg replied.

"It's not something I advertise. Not really a way to win friends although it does influence people." the hybrid smiled.

"Admiral Janeway approved my assignment," Tegan stated indicating herself and Aneurin "and Admiral Paris approved his. They swung it as an Academy placement for us as long as we write it up in our portfolios."

"And of course you asked two different Admirals separately hoping they don't compare notes until after we leave." Reg reasoned.

"And I look good in Victorian dresses and I'm studying history at school." Bronwyn pouted.

"Basically she bitched until Geoff gave in and said she could come with us." Haydn admitted.

"Does your father know about this?" Reg asked and sighed, knowing perfectly well he didn't. "Well, you're the ranking officer Geoff, I suppose it's up to you."

"Guys…" Geoff began.

"Look, I'll clear tables in the mess room if I have to. I'll clean the loos but I'm staying." Bronwyn protested. "You have no idea what you're facing and there may be a situation where you need a girl and Tegan's tried and true approach of shoot first, shoot some more and keep shooting till everybody's dead and then try and ask questions may not be appropriate."

"She does have a point Geoff." Nye conceded, avoiding the glare Tegan was giving him.

"I may not be the ranking Officer," Reg began after Geoff gave him a look. "But technically I'm the oldest brother and yes, we have no idea what we're facing and that's why you can't all come with us. Besides if we all go and don't come back your parents will have the time of their lives with you out of the house Bronnie. There'll be drinking and debauchery…. They'll just have too much fun and as their children you have a duty to kill their buzz."

"Reg…" Bronwyn said with a sneer.

"It's true, you don't know what it's like when you have kids." Geoff agreed. "You have to grab your opportunities where you can." He smirked at Reg. "I'll bet you that right now Mum and Dad are at it on the kitchen table, maybe even your room Bronnie. They'll have turned yours into a biohazard the day you left for the Academy Nye."

"That's disgusting. Surely they're too old for that sort of thing? I mean, Reg is pushing it." Nye stated.

"Thank you." Reg stated sarcastically. "Seeing as I'm in my dotage and obviously past it I'll be the bad guy." he stood and hugged each of the three youngest Priors in turn. "I appreciate the offer, more than you know and I promise I won't stop looking till I find your sister and bring her back. But you three have to stay here. It's just too risky."

Bronwyn, Nye and Tegan pouted as Bastion beamed them back to the surface.

"Okay, clear the Bridge you two, head for the mess and I'll find you both something to do in a bit." Geoff told his younger brothers and they filed off the bridge. "We also have a number of other volunteers, but we'll need your help to get them here. They're on Deep Space 9 and the Enterprise mostly." Geoff stated. "Cadfael may be useful too. He worked on Jem'Hadar and Dominion encryption a few years back."

"There is someone else I can think of who could really help us." Dan stated. "If you don't object to making a short detour?"

"Time is on our side." Geoff stated and looked to Reg.

Reg shrugged. "As I said, you're the senior officer."

"Are you okay Reg?" Dan asked, "You've been subdued, even for you since we came on board." he said as he sent the coordinates to the conn.

"We're all assuming when we unleash the orb we'll end up in the right place at the right time. What if we don't? We're depending on a faith none of us actually follow or even…" Reg looked up and sighed. "What if I had a hallucination and not a vision?"

"It isn't just a religion though." David stated as he set course and Geoff gave him the nod to engage. "There is science behind it all. We may not fully understand it but that's beside the point. The Bajorans have endowed it with mystique but there are aliens in that wormhole. The orbs are energy fields of various types."

"Medically they are hallucinations." The Doctor stated. "But in many cultures artefacts and substances are used to seek a higher truth. Commander Chakotay frequently went on vision quests during his time on Voyager and I even participated in the use of a medicine wheel to heal him once."

"Are you having a crisis of faith?" Barsha asked Reg.

"It would technically be a crisis of someone else's faith." Reg stated. "I haven't really stopped to breathe since we lost her. Lost them." he corrected. "I just…feel like a puppet and I wish I knew who was pulling the strings."

"In my line of work I frequently feel like I'm being swept along by destiny," Geoff stated, "at times in a barrel over Niagra Falls but sometimes you have to trust that things are meant to be and go with it."

"This morning I thought the worst that could go wrong was I'd muddle my words and the cylinder would either stay on the pad or disintegrate in transit. Now I can't get the look on her face when I let her go out of my mind." Reg stated and stood. "I'll be in the med lab. I need to send a program to a friend before we go." he stated and left the bridge.

"He worries me." Barsha stated as she took The Doctor's hand and rested her face against his shoulder.

"Andrews said that he, the twins and Galatea have a destiny to fulfil. He didn't mention Taryn and Reg won't have missed that nuance." The Doctor stated. "Or believe he miss-spoke that her thesis will be published posthumously."

"But he said there was another child to be born?" Dan frowned.

"That doesn't mean it's with her." David stated. "In his mind this isn't a rescue mission anymore and he thinks he's going to betray her in the future."

…

2381

Jupiter Station

"Of course we'll help. It's the very least we can do after the effort you all went to on our behalf." the Countess told them earnestly as she poured the tea and passed a cup to Reg, Dan and her husband in turn.

"What?" Moriarty snapped as he lifted the cup to his lips. "What do you mean 'we'?"

"I'm going with you of course." she advised him in a tone that brooked no argument.

"Regina, be sensible." he argued. "What about the girls?" He indicated the two small children playing at their feet in front of the guarded open fire.

"They're photonic James, I hardly think a short trip away will injure them or scar them for life. I'm sure Hayley will be happy to keep an eye on them in case they reactivate themselves from memory." The Countess argued.

"I forbid you to go!" Moriarty started then stopped and flexed his neck in his high collar. "It's unseemly for a woman of your gentle sensibilities to embark upon a mission of this sort." he advised her with forced calm.

"Gentle sensibilities?" she asked incredulously. "May I remind you I went on safari in Africa when I was seventeen. I've urinated behind bushes James. I'm sure I can cope with London in our own era."

Reg exchanged an embarrassed glance with Dan at being present for this matrimonial spat. "We really need to be on our way…"

"Yes, and we're both coming with you and that is final." she glared at her husband. "James just needs a few moments to make arrangements for the girls and he will join us shortly, because this is the 24th century and parents should share childcare responsibilities!" she snapped. "Don't you agree Commander?" she smiled sweetly at Reg.

"Er yes." Reg agreed, more because he was terrified of contradicting her than because she was right. And he thought Taryn was a force to be reckoned with when she got her dander up.

"Be good Lizzie, Tina." she said as she knelt and kissed her tiny daughters. "Mama and Papa will be back before you know it." she promised. "Gentlemen?" she prompted as she stood and Reg tapped his communicator.

"Bastion, three to beam up. The Professor will be joining us shortly." Reg smiled apologetically at the former Arch-Villain as the beam was energised.

…

"Engaging system interlock, pattern buffers synchronised, phase transition coils at standby. Energising." Barsha stated.

"Wow." Dr Bashir looked shaky after he materialized on the pad. "That was… excuse me…." he turned and projectile vomited over the transporter pad.

"At least it's not just me." Reg whispered to Barsha as Dan stepped forward to assist their new crewmate.

"Perhaps we need that bucket again, or a pail of some sort?" Barsha suggested.

"Barclay to Enterprise." Reg stated. "Dr Bashir is with us safely but we have to clean up our pad before the next transport. You may want to give the other volunteers a shot for motion sickness…and… maybe send them holding sick bags." he suggested.

"Acknowledged Commander." came the reply.

"Welcome aboard." Reg said to Dr Bashir.

"That was incredible…" the doctor babbled. "Remarkable…sorry Commander it's good to see you again." he shook Reg's hand.

"Bastion will direct you to your quarters, but I'm sure you know your way around a Defiant-class." Reg told him as he walked him to the door and it opened. "There'll be a briefing in the mess room at 1430 hours."

"Yes of course. I'm sorry, who is Bastion? I thought that was the name of this ship."

"It is Dr Bashir. I am Bastion, the Daystrom Institute's prototype sentient ship. If there is anything I can do to assist you during your stay, please let me know. If you'll walk this way please?" Lights flashed along the centre of the wall to indicate the direction.

"A sentient ship?" he smiled. "How fascinating." he stated as he followed the lights.

The Ferengi howled with excitement as he materialised. "That was exhilarating." he announced. "Sorry sir, Lieutenant Nog reporting for duty." he stood to attention and saluted.

"At ease Lieutenant." Reg smiled.

"Yeah, chill it. We're not big on spit and polish here." Dan warned him.

"Bastion, the on board AI will see you to your quarters and there will be a briefing at 1400 hours in the mess room, introductions will be taken care of then." Reg stated with his best classroom manner.

"On board AI? You mean this ship is…"

"Alive." Barsha stated as she made the checks before the next transport.

"Just treat Bastion as you would any fellow officer and you'll be fine." Reg stated with a smile.

"If you don't mind I'd like to wait for the next person to transport sir." Nog requested and Reg nodded in agreement.

"You're kidding me?" Reg breathed as the man materialised. "Look, this isn't a press junket Mr Sisko, so we'll just transport you back…"

"Wait, listen…" Jake protested. "I know I owe you a huge apology, not just about that article. Firstly, I was clearly misled although I did get corroboration for what it was worth."

"Obviously not much." Reg told him coldly.

"Secondly I had no idea you transported to Deep Space 9 to try and rescue anyone, least of all your wife. I heard a whisper about the transport and jumped in hoping to get an article out of it." the young man drew a deep breath. "Thirdly I apologize unreservedly for calling your daughter disease ridden and your wife a bastard green love-child." he stated. "Fourthly I have approval from Admiral's Janeway and Maddox to accompany this mission. They think it's about time people knew about what your wife does. Her work with AI and inorganic life should be yelled from the rooftops, not kept as a dirty secret." Jake handed him a padd with his orders on it.

Reg sighed as it looked legitimate. "I'm going to confirm this."

"I wouldn't expect any less." Jake told him. "I'm sure Nog will vouch for me too."

"I agreed to that before I found out you called his wife, a superior officer and a professor at Daystrom a bastard green love-child." Nog hissed.

"Technically it's true." Reg admitted. "If she were here she'd tell you she's been called worse." he smiled briefly at the thought of her and sighed. "I know your father holds a rank and you've found yourself in the thick of it during the Dominion War but if this checks out you're an observer only and I want to see every word you write before it's published and…"

"I won't publish a thing without your express permission sir." Jake stated. "You have my word."

"He's a man of his word sir." Nog confirmed. "His integrity as a journalist is everything to him."

"We got off on the wrong foot Commander Barclay. I'd like the opportunity to set the record straight." Jake told him earnestly and offered his hand.

"You can start by meeting Bastion and getting out of the way. Incidentally Taryn is his mother so watch what you say about her in public areas." Reg warned as he shook the young man's hand.

"His mother?" Jake asked Nog as they left the room.

"This ship is sentient!" Nog exclaimed excitedly.

…

"Well, we have slightly less than a skeleton crew." Geoff stated.

"And thief, a telepath, a journalist, an assortment of civilians and the Prophets." Reg added. "Not exactly the team of crack commandos you'd normally send up against a platoon of Jem'Hadar on a rescue mission."

"I've done more with less," Geoff told him as their crew murmured in the Mess Room. "Number One." he smirked.

"Oh God no, I can't handle that." Reg protested.

"You've been handling it just fine since you came aboard, I just never pointed it out."

"Can I be Number Two?" Dan grinned.

"You're already a number two." David commented and Geoff laughed.

"What's so funny?" Barsha asked.

"Number two is slang for… excrement." Reg explained.

"Oh." Barsha said thoughtfully. "He's right, you are a number two Dan."

"Well, no time like the present, time and tide and all that…" Geoff stated and stood up. "Okay people simmer down." he waited for them all to go quiet. "I'm Commander Geoffrey Prior and all of you are now part of the privileged few that are aware that I am an operative from the Office of Temporal investigations. Something my wife isn't even aware of. Before you ask, for this mission I am partnered with a Temporal Agent from the 31st Century named Andrews. He is currently… elsewhen." There was a brief flutter of laughter from the crowded room. "No doubt he will be revealing himself as and when he feels like it so for now consider him to be part of the team in an advisory capacity. For the duration of this mission you have all been seconded to the Office of Temporal Investigations. Our mission is to retrieve Commander's Data and La Forge and Professor Taryn Barclay from the 19th Century and neutralise the temporal incursion by a Jem'Hadar fighter. The command structure is as follows. I am the acting Captain. You all met Lieutenant Commander Barclay when you arrived who will be my First Officer. Our Chief Engineer is Barsha, yes she is a civilian and yes she is an Orion and no, she isn't green." he winked at Barsha as he walked to and fro. "Lieutenant Barnard I would like you to take charge of the Tactical Station and Security, Ensign Ashby here is our Science Officer and David Barclay will be manning Ops and Mission Ops which will be separate to the Conn for this mission. Acting as advisors on 19th Century etiquette are the Professor and Mrs Moriarty, the Countess Regina Bartholemew. Lieutenant Nog, how does taking the Conn sound?" He smiled as the Ferengi grinned. Sitting next to him is Mr Sisko, a gentleman of the press who will be acting as an observer. Lieutenant Cadfael Prior will be handling Communications as he has extensive experience with Jem'Hadar encryption codes. Haydn Prior, when he stops picking his nose, is our… appropriations officer..." Haydn nodded thoughtfully at his title. "and beside him is Emlyn Prior. He is a high rated telepath, I'm sure we'll find his skills of use. Taking care of our medical needs are The Doctor and Dr Bashir, they're…still discussing which of them has seniority. If the rest of you could raise your hands as I call your names please?" He looked at the group of men and picked up a padd. "In no particular order we have the Security boys. Lieutenant Christopher Moran, Ensign David Rickman, Ensign Tokoth, Ensign Simon Fong, Lieutenant Jack Parton, Ensign Steven Penn. We also have some Engineers who will be assisting Barsha, Lieutenants Vorik, Irox and Jordan McKittridge. It looks like the girls all had more sense than to go on your white knuckle ride Reg." Geoff smirked at his brother in law.

"My wife wanted to come and so did Jess Danning but they're pregnant and had to cover me at Tactical on the Enterprise respectively." Mike Barnard stated.

"Congratulations… On the baby not needing cover obviously." Geoff grinned. "You may be wondering why we have such a small crew compliment. Basically the nature of this mission is a temporal intervention and the fewer of us there are the less risk to the timeline. Also, as you have all been made aware the last, but by no means least member of our team does not require a traditional crew compliment in order to function. I am of course referring to Bastion, the artificial construct that functions as the ships computer and is as much a part of this crew as any of us. Yes, a number of the team are related to both Commander Barclay and myself and if you have any comments regarding nepotism stow it. Everyone is here on merit and because they volunteered." He continued pacing for a moment. "While this is a rescue mission, and those missing are family or as good as family for most of us the priority is the preservation of the timeline. Our three lost sheep are aware of that and are no doubt working towards that end in the past. We are a small team, there's little room here for egos and demarcation of departments. If I ask you to do something beyond the scope of your job description do it. If you have insufficient expertise say so. If you have questions ask them, no one will think any the less of you." He clapped his hands and rubbed them together. "First things first. Each and every one of you that is organic in nature are to report to Sickbay for inoculation and health screening…Yes Lieutenant Nog?" he noticed a raised hand.

"Sir, why are inoculations necessary, particularly as I'll be unlikely to leave the ship?" the young Ferengi asked.

"Good question. The inoculations are to protect you from 19th century diseases and the screening to protect the 19th century from ours. The reason we are all to be inoculated is in the event of the destruction of this ship no one will go down with it. Even Bastion has an ejectable module containing his programming." He smiled. "We'll hide you if we have to. It's a safe bet my sister isn't strutting down the high street with her green hide on display. Fortunately, we're headed to an era where it was common to hide scars and deformities however you could and that will enable those of non-Human heritage to pass. Which brings me to the next point, wardrobe. Sorry Barsha, corsets are mandatory and the Countess and the Professor will be on hand in Cargo Bay Alpha to advise you and the gentlemen respectively on Victorian fashion. Those remaining aboard will be provided with a go bag to keep your period clothing in, consider it a second uniform and keep it with you at all times in the event we have to evacuate. As to a plan of action, much of it will need to be played by ear but to start with we will scan for our people, if need be the Professor will take up residence in a hotel and search parties will be co-ordinated from there. We will deal with the Jem'Hadar ship on the loose as necessary. That will be all, if you have any questions I'll be loitering here with Commander Barclay for the next few minutes and we'll do our best to answer them."

…

Geoff pressed a panel on the Command Chair. "Attention all hands, this is Commander Prior we are about to Open the Orb of Time. Please ensure your seatbacks and trays are in an upright and locked position and brace yourselves for some weird shit to go down." He looked over at Reg as he closed the channel. "Shields up, yellow alert. Well, Mr Barclay, I think it's time to open Kai Onara's gift."

Reg paled and took a deep, ragged breath. He grasped the doors of the ark and pulled them open to reveal a green glowing rotating orb in the shape of an hourglass which bathed the Bridge in green light.

"We have a Jem'Hadar fighter on an inbound vector." Barnard reported from the tactical station. "It's in an attack posture and armed to the teeth."

"Go to red alert. Evasive manoeuvres Mr Nog." Geoff ordered. "Mike, target that ship and fire at will. When and where are we Mr Ashby?"

"Sol system, Earth orbit. Running celestial calendar match. Null response from Orbital Tracking, Planetary Flight Control or the Lunar Colony. Celestial fix has us in the late 1800's."

"Thank you Wormhole Aliens. Dave, find our people on the surface." Geoff ordered as disrupter fire rocked the ship. "Bastion, damage report?"

"My port shields are at 95%. No damage." Bastion reported.

"Mr Barnard?" Geoff enquired.

"Direct hit. Enemy shields at 80% Mike replied.

"I'm not picking up any combadge signals on the surface and no positron emissions." Dave reported from a station that had been reconfigured for ops.

"Are we too early?" Dan asked from the Science Station.

"We can't be. The Jem'Hadar are here." Dave reasoned.

"Centre sensors on London and scan for Taryn's biosigns." Reg suggested. "She should stand out like a sore thumb in this era."

"Nothing, but I'm picking up a number of Jem'Hadar spread across London." Dave reported. "Maybe we're too late?"

"The Jem'Hadar have gone to warp." Barnard stated with a puzzled frown.

"Pursuit course sir?" Nog asked.

"No, they'll be back for their people. Let's find ours and work out what they're playing at on the surface." Geoff stated.

"They sent an encoded transmission before they went to warp." Cadfael reported. "Federation ship in Sol System, please advise?"

"They called their mysterious benefactor? Can't be good." Geoff stated. "How many Jem'Hadar are planetside?"

"Hard to say, I can't get a clear scan. I think they have a dampening field set up somewhere." David reported. "I might be able to get better resolution given time."

"Okay, keep working on it. Bastion, please beam Professor Moriarty's team to the location we discussed." Geoff stood and walked to the tactical station. "Mike, I want teams of no less that two, no more than three standing by for beam down to the surface. I want any civilians to have a Starfleet escort wherever possible and wait for my word to deploy them. Mr Barclay, with me. The Bridge is yours Mr Barnard." They both left the Bridge. "I have a special job for you Reg. I want you and the Countess to check out the shop in Highgate. Moriarty is setting up his base of operations at the Langham Hotel and the Countess is with him, it'll be a safe point to beam people in and out for the London area unseen. I need you to find my sister. You know how she thinks and you know how Data and Geordi think and the Countess knows the era. She can steer you around."

"Okay." Reg agreed. "I'll go and change."

Author's note.

Yes, Bronwyn used a quote from the movie Wild Wild West.

In the next instalment...

...Will Reg find Taryn?