Chapter XIV

"You are now onboard the Time-ship Relativity, which serves the United Federation of Planets," the middle-aged man explained. He wore a variation of a typical Starfleet uniform, mostly blue and gray with the insignia slanted horizontally and slightly different than what she was used to. The brown-haired man signaled for them to sit down and Deanna Troi did so. The conference room looked strikingly similar to the one on the Enterprise, save for a few pieces of art that she didn't recognize.

The wide arc of windows displayed a vast array of stars and vessels surrounding Cardassia Prime. "Time-ship?" Will said, repeating the word Ducain had used and then sat down next to her and added, "Captain, perhaps it'd be best if you explained exactly what is going on here." "I will do what I can without violating the Temporal Prime Directive. Are you familiar with that?" their host asked. Deanna nodded and said, "We are to understand that you are from the future, then?"

"Yes, the twenty-ninth century to be exact," Ducain explained. The turbolift door opened and a Romulan woman entered, nodding slightly at the Captain and at both of them. An Andorian followed her, taking up a post by the door. "This is my first officer, Commander Rashan and my chief of security; Mister Brevard. They will be assisting us in this expedition," Ducain explained and then added, "Once again keep in mind that anything you see or do here is to be kept completely confidential." They both nodded and then the Andorian pointed towards the vessels surrounding the world and explained, "A crewman named Daniels recently boarded your ship… how much do you know about him?"

"Not much, he claimed to part of Section 31; but our Captain didn't believe that story. He also asserted that coming to Cardassia Prime meant trouble," Will answered. "Daniels is from two centuries prior to us, before our technology advanced so that we could shield ourselves from temporal fluctuations," Rashan said and then added, "Which means if Daniels interferes with the past in a way that alters the future, his timeline will no longer exist." "But if you're protected from such an effect, why worry about him?" Deanna asked.

"The consequences of this series of events in particular are far too grave for us to merely let it pass by. More than just one timeline is at stake here," Ducain answered. "I'm afraid that we're still in the dark," Will admitted.

"Daniels works for an organization of the twenty-seventh century that was attempting to stop time-traveling interlopers from altering the past too adversely. However, their information was not always accurate and the outcome couldn't be determined with one hundred percent certainty. Perhaps I can explain it another way…" the Captain paused, breathing deeply and then went on, "If something goes wrong here, you and all that you know will cease to exist from all timelines."

Deanna sat back, trying to calm her nerves and then said, "What can we do to help?" "We must allow things to take their course and not permit Daniels to become involved. You must place him in our custody and then you will have to solve this anomaly yourself," Brevard explained. "Hold on there. If all timelines are at stake here as you say, I'd suggest you start by telling us precisely what is happening," Will said angrily.

"By even making ourselves known, we have altered your history enough… I'm afraid all we can do is see to it that the damage doesn't become too serious. You must accomplish the rest," the Captain answered.

"What about our allies? How can we be sure that they'll be safe when this anomaly collapses?" Will asked, standing in frustration. The Romulan cocked an eyebrow and then replied, "There are no guarantees, Commander. Only possibilities of benefits." Troi gestured for him to sit down and then she said, "Isn't there any way that we can work together?" Ducain smiled slightly and replied, "Perhaps you're right… the only way we can prevent Daniels from causing a major catastrophe is by cooperating. We have not been completely truthful with you."

"What do you mean?" Riker asked. "We are currently involved in a war against a coalition of alien races that intends to cause alterations in the timeline we are familiar with. The major groups of this war intend to use the power from this temporal anomaly to destroy Daniels and then they will mount a resistance against the Federation in the new reality. You are right when you said that this anomaly must end. Unfortunately, I cannot promise that you will not be affected," Ducain explained. "Why would they use the distortion to gather power for themselves?" Deanna asked.

"This fluctuation is not being caused under normal circumstances, Counselor. If we do not stop the paradox quickly, it cannot be collapsed at all," Rashan answered. "You mean that it will spread? Then your enemies are causing it to grow?" Will asked.

"No, we cannot say exactly what the cause of the distortion is; but you should know that the entire galaxy will be affected if we don't succeed soon… and this time period and all within it will be obliterated," Ducain stated.

Troi nodded slowly, feeling a shiver run down her spine as the Captain finished speaking. "What do you want us to do?" Will asked. "You must find Daniels. Once you have, we will transport you back here and then determine how to collapse the anomaly," Brevard explained. "Then we'd best be leaving," Riker decided with a nod and added, "I appreciate your candor, Captain. I hope that things go well."

"We will maintain communications through our own version of your standard combadge. If our first tactic fails, we will have to make another attempt," Rashan explained. "I only hope that we can resolve all of this before it's too late," Deanna said as they were fitted with the devices and then led to the transporter pad she'd noted on the bridge.

"Until next time," Ducain said as they disappeared from the bridge to somewhere within the anomaly… a sharp pain erupted in her head and she was thrown to the ground, her palms scraping against the rough floor. Distantly, she wondered whether they were under attack for some reason while dragging herself up. Deanna froze as she got her first look at her surroundings, her heart beating rapidly as it took in the harsh architecture overlaid in deep sand-colored tones. Will extended a hand and commented, "Something tells me we're not in Kansas anymore."

Troi smiled faintly at his attempt at humor, but their transport had definitely gone awry. Tapping the modified combadge, she called out, "Relativity, come in; we need extraction." There was no response and the Counselor was about to try again when two figures came around the corner, caught sight of them and aimed their weapons. Instantly, she raised her hands and smiled faintly.

The soldiers produced a variety of energy binders, placed them on their wrists and hauled them down the corridor without comment; moving into what was evidently an area frequented by officials with power and influence. At last, they were pushed thru a door where a woman sat behind an ornate desk and barely raised an eyebrow at the sight of them. Gesturing for the sentinels to stand by the entrance, their host intoned, "Please take a seat." Deanna did so, noticing something odd about the official's face that seemed out of place.

"I must say that it has been some time since we've received a visit from anyone within the Federation. I was under the impression that you weren't going to be providing us with any of the aid we've requested over the years since the end of our alliance with the Dominion," the Cardassian intoned scornfully. "Our vehicle suffered a severe malfunction and we were forced to make an emergency transport to the surface," Riker stated, knowing that it was a story they would find almost impossible to refute.

Troi could see what had taken place clearly enough; their rescuers hadn't compensated adequately for the unstable state of subspace in this region, so they'd slipped into a timeline where this world had survived. She wondered why it wasn't visible from orbit, but supposed that it might be impossible to see such alterations from a distance.

"Your uniforms appear somewhat different from what I'm used to. Is Starfleet changing their designs yet again?" the woman inquired. "We're part of a group interested in encouraging aid for your people. Our vessel was flying under a false transponder so we could make contact with individuals here and arrange the private transfer of supplies," the Counselor answered. "And I'm certain this will be denied by everyone I ask about it… still, you've committed no crimes; so you can go free," their host stated, touching a button that opened their bonds. "I'm glad to see that your legal system no longer bases its rulings on a presumption of guilt," Will commented.

"Those were some of the first reforms I arranged after my father's death during our escape from Deep Space Nine and the subsequent losses that decimated our allies. But you cannot take the moral high ground, not after the way the Founders were murdered," she countered. Deanna frowned, remembering those events quite differently. The rulers of the Dominion had been afflicted with a debilitating illness concocted by a rogue agent within Starfleet that was ultimately cured thanks to the efforts of various people, a move which had led to the treaty that currently existed.

"Not everyone approved of those actions… we believe the Federation needs to make amends," Riker told her. "I'm not sure what you propose to do about it, but you certainly have people who can be contacted to verify what you've said," the Cardassian proclaimed. "We were operating outside their regulations. Nobody is aware of our presence here," Troi responded. "How convenient for someone… still, I will speak with my superior and see if he agrees to permit you to remain. Of course, none of this is going to be possible unless you tell me your names," the woman remarked.

"Commander William Thomas Riker and Counselor Deanna Troi," her companion answered. "I will see what can be done," their host stated, starting to rise. She caught sight of the way the light glinted off the official's nose and suddenly blurted out, "By the way, what is your name?" The Cardassian woman smiled and replied, "I am Administrator Tora Ziyal."