Chapter XVII
Although the faces of the people gathered around the table were quite familiar to him, Worf knew that they weren't the friends he had known and served with for many years. Nevertheless, he felt certain that the crew of this Enterprise could be trusted to do the right thing in the crisis which faced them.
"Before I begin, I must remind you that Commander Data has shown me these matters are extremely classified. Sharing them could disrupt each of our disparate realities," Captain Picard began.
The assembled officers nodded in agreement and the android stood and activated the viewscreen. On the display, the Klingon saw an image not too dissimilar to the woman he'd met. However, this individual was clearly younger and accompanied by a black cat instead of the one he'd seen. "This is the only known image of Roberta Lincoln. It was recorded during the five-year mission undertaken by Captain Kirk," Data began.
"That was over one hundred years ago," Geordi objected and his friend nodded, continuing, "There is more. According to the logs pertaining to this encounter, she is actually an inhabitant of the twentieth century." "Isn't that impossible? The technology to travel thru time is still something we barely understand now," Barclay interjected.
"Under normal circumstances, you would be correct. However; she was involved with a mysterious alien civilization which engaged in what best be termed, covert interference. While the nature of her sponsors remains unknown, they have abilities which are still beyond us," Data went on. "Do they have hostile intentions?" Crusher asked.
"There is insufficient evidence to formulate a hypothesis. Historical records from her native time period do indicate her actions were mostly benevolent, however," the android informed them. "Naturally, this changes the way we must approach the matter significantly. From what Worf has told me, Q is involved as is an agent who hales from our future. It seems clear that what is happening to us is far more important than anybody could have imagined," Picard proclaimed.
"We cannot permit her to succeed. Her very presence is in violation of the Temporal Prime Directive," the Vulcan counselor intoned. "At the moment, there seems to be very little we can do about the matter… unless the anomaly is collapsed," the Captain said, turning to Geordi; who replied, "I'm familiar with the method Worf employed during his previous jaunt thru alternate timelines. Furthermore, there is a second method that you shared with me after an excursion Q arranged which we might attempt."
"I want you and Commander Barclay to begin running simulations immediately. We must determine how many ships are required for this to work. After all, I don't think any of us wish to be stuck here forever," Picard remarked. The others nodded and they all rose and moved out of the room. Even as the doors to the bridge opened before him, Worf paused and realized that he was once more in the wrong place. "Mister Worf, we've been looking for you," Riker stated calmly.
"I'm afraid my absence wasn't voluntary, sir. The temporal instability in this region appears to be affecting me with greater rapidity than anyone else," the Klingon told him.
"Doctor Crusher might be able to counteract that effect," Deanna suggested from her post. "That would not be advisable. The crew of one of the alternate Enterprises has already begun to implement a plan which might collapse the anomaly. If I can convince the remaining realities to do the same, it will increase our chances for success," he argued.
"Commander Data, review his idea and see if it is feasible. We will implement it if that proves to be the case," Will ordered. The android stood and joined him at the science console behind the captain's chair.
"How long have I been gone?" Worf asked as his friend started working.
"Several hours; why?" Data inquired. "Then time still flows here after I depart? But could that affect the success of our efforts?" the Klingon wondered. "There are numerous factors which would have to be considered before I could give an accurate answer to that question. However, I would say there is a distinct possibility of their decisions interfering with our course of action," the android told him. "The methods we were considering are an inverse warp field and a static shield around our ship," he stated.
"Have they located the anomaly?" his comrade asked.
"No, but I am certain it must be nearby," Worf replied. Data finished his work, then reported, "We are ready to commence." "Very good, now if we can just keep everybody in one piece long enough to get this to work," Riker mused. Another thought occurred to him, then a heavy weight struck his back and he reeled from the blow. "Thought you could get away, eh?" a familiar voice growled.
"Mister Barclay, that is quite enough!" a second individual barked.
"Captain Leybenzon, I am pleased to see you again," the Klingon said. "I wasn't expecting to have the pleasure, seeing how easily you escaped from us before," Zelik responded.
"As I said, I am shifting from one universe to another. If we could find out why and control it, then you would have enough evidence to believe my story and listen to what I need to say," he insisted.
Leybenzon simply stood there, waiting for him to continue. "The crews of the other ships I have visited are already attempting to close the anomaly which has plagued us all. However, with your aid our success is far more likely," Worf continued.
"What danger would there be to us?" Zelik inquired. "I cannot be certain. However, if you don't act; then this is bound to get worse. Soon, it may be impossible to repair," he countered. "Mister Data, do as our guest instructs," the Captain directed. Barclay sat him down in a chair and the Klingon felt a distinct sense of déjà vu as he showed the android what they had in mind once more. When they were done he said, "When this happened before, the energy pulse from the VISOR triggered my shift thru time."
"That is impossible, since Geordi has been dead ever since I was influenced by Lore and his plan to lead the Borg against the Federation," Data protested. "Then he is dead here as well? Perhaps that is what these realities have in common… but if that is the case, then something else must be responsible," Worf reasoned. Before he could continue, a great weight settled upon him; threatening to knock the Klingon out. When at last it lifted, he was lying upon the deck with Doctor Crusher leaning over him.
"One of these days you're going to listen to my advice," the physician muttered, helping him up. A glance at his uniform told him he'd arrived at the last of the four universes which he had visited before. Worf wondered if that number had any significance, but knew he had an important message to deliver first.
"Captain Picard, we must prepare to cooperate with the alternate timelines. I have instructed them to create both an inverse warp field and a static shield," he proclaimed. "That sounds like a good plan. What about the other ships?" his superior inquired.
The Klingon glanced out at the other vessels which they might be able to rely upon to cooperate and considered whether or not it might be possible for them to get in touch with those craft. "We should attempt to secure their aid. However, I cannot determine what is making me jump from one reality to another. I request to be relieved of duty," he said.
"Denied; we need you here. Just because you're having difficulties doesn't mean we can do without you," the Captain said. Worf sighed and took his seat by his superior, attempting to recall anything about his recent transitions which was similar. But except for the sensation of being pressed upon by something incredibly heavy, the Klingon could recall nothing which was remotely the same.
"Pardon my asking, but when did Commander La Forge die?" he inquired. Picard turned to him and was about to answer when Worf felt himself literally yanked from the chair onto the deck. He struggled to rise, then felt a hypo against his neck and the pain diminished. "Welcome back, Ambassador," Geordi said, leaning over him. "How long was I gone?" the Klingon asked.
"Just a few minutes… how was your trip?" La Forge inquired.
"Productive," he stated laconically, getting to his feet. "We've located the anomaly. It is in low orbit of the planet," Data reported. "Onscreen," Picard ordered. The image leapt before his eyes and he frowned before saying, "Increase magnification." The android complied and the object grew at once. Even at this distance, its nature was clear to him.
"It is the same Orb we saw on the surface. I am uncertain how it got here, though," Worf mused. "The strength of the interference appears to follow an exponential growth pattern, becoming stronger the farther away we are," Data continued. "Isn't that backwards?" Barclay asked. "Right, Reg… this can't be a good thing," Geordi observed.
"We should destroy it," the Klingon advised.
"That is a priceless artifact of significant value to Bajor. Furthermore, I'm not certain our weapons would be effective," the Captain responded. "Something just occurred to me… if the disturbance is worse farther out, how are we going to contain the anomaly?" La Forge asked. "The crews of the other ships might not find the same things we have. They will continue with the plan I've outlined," he said.
"If they do, what effect will it have given the information we've collected?" Picard inquired. The android began his analysis, while he turned to his friend and said, "My surmise appears to have been correct. You died at different points in each of the alternate timelines." "It's nice to be missed," Geordi remarked.
"Captain, I have finished my calculations," Data reported, touching a button and the viewscreen changed to a depiction of the area they were occupying. "If the anomaly is intersected by a single inverse warp field, there will be no effect. However, more than two could make it cause further deterioration to the balance which now exists," the android said. "Or in other words, I have inadvertently doomed us all," Worf realized.