Chapter XXIII
As they took their seats around the table in the observation lounge, Riker noted that the eyes of Gul Dukat never strayed far from the ornate object which rested in front of him.
It was clear that the Cardassian wanted something and wouldn't allow them to use the Orb unless he got what he desired. "Perhaps you could start by explaining just how you got back aboard, Ambassador," Picard suggested. In reply, Lincoln set down a slender object; which to his untrained eye resembled pens which had been used for many centuries on Earth. "The servo is designed to accommodate a function similar to your transporter, except for one difference. My technology allows me to travel thru time as well, so I was able to bypass the effects of the anomaly," she offered. "Then you are not who you appear to be," Data observed.
"Let's just say that my allies are only interested in benefiting other cultures, but especially ones which might otherwise perish if not for our interference," Lincoln replied.
"Then you do not adhere to the Prime Directive," the Captain remarked. "Why should I? From my perspective, it hasn't even been written yet," she answered. "Counselor, what are you impressions?" Picard inquired. "She has been telling us the truth, sir. But I don't believe there is enough evidence to judge the validity of her claims," Deanna told him. "If I may be so bold, perhaps we should be discussing my father's request," Ziyal put in. Will glanced at the young woman, recalling their earlier encounter and wondering what opinion Ducain might have about their discussion. "It seems that events in your reality have led to my daughter's death and my own. But the Ambassador has suggested that it might be possible to alter those events somehow," Dukat remarked.
"According to current theories, such actions are pointless since all things that can happen will," the android stated. "Nevertheless, the chances of a particular series of events taking place are very small. And even I can't jump from one reality to another at will," Lincoln observed.
His eyes widened and he looked over at Troi, who nodded in agreement. They might have a way to give everybody what they desired and in turn, secure the Orb so that the rest of the universe would survive as well. However, just as he was about to speak; a form coalesced beside him and Riker found himself staring at his duplicate.
The doppelganger raised a phaser and opened fire upon Dukat, who crumpled in his chair. Before he could ask what was happening, his twin tapped the combadge he wore and called out, "They're all yours." A moment later, the interior of the Enterprise faded away to be replaced by the bridge of the Relativity. Dukat was laying on the floor beside him as Brevard approached and pressed a phaser into his hand. "I think you know what to do. Our involvement cannot be revealed," the Andorian directed. Nodding, Will steeled himself for the transition and recognized the tableau at once. Without bothering to explain anything, he stunned the Cardassian and watched in fascination as Dukat and his earlier self vanished. "Number One, what just happened?" Picard asked incredulously.
"Sorry, but the Temporal Prime Directive prevents me from explaining it," Riker replied, holstering his weapon and returning to his seat. "What have you done with my father?" Ziyal demanded. "If I'm right, he's probably back on his ship right now. The question is whether or not you two must remain together, or can we proceed with a less complicated plan?" he inquired.
The young woman glared at him for a moment, then sighed and said, "He always was rather obstinate." "I suppose that the next thing we should do is create an anomaly to distract the entity which is the source of our problems," Picard surmised, approaching the case and opening it. The crystalline lattice within seemed unchanged from the way it had appeared on the surface, which caused him to say, "Be careful, it may not be safe."
"If I may, Captain?" Lincoln offered and he gestured her over to the Orb. The Ambassador took up her servo, adjusted it carefully; then reached out and touched the floating jewel. Instantly, she vanished; but he noted that Ziyal disappeared as well. The Orb itself seemed to be vibrating within its case and alarms filled the air as the deck shook beneath them.
Data had a tricorder out and proclaimed, "The Orb is emitting millions of chronotons, which are flooding the ship. I estimate that our warp core will not be able to withstand the surge for more than fifteen minutes."
"Can we beam it off?" Will called out. The android attempted to do so, then shook his head and went over to the case. Snapping the container shut, Data strode rapidly onto the bridge. They all followed him as he made his way to a nearby airlock. A few moments later, the tumult subsided and the android returned and assumed his post.
"I am detecting a temporal anomaly directly in front of us. It appears that the Orb is being pulled inside and so are we," Data reported. "Can any of the other ships assist us?" Picard wondered.
"The Enterprise-D is moving our way. They appear to be attempting to lock a tractor beam on us. Voyager is approaching as well," Riker answered him. In the background, he watched as the remainder of the Dominion fleet suddenly went into warp and appeared on the far side of the phenomenon. "They're hailing us," Deanna said incredulously.
"Onscreen," the Captain directed. A Vorta appeared, flanked by a battalion of Jem'Hadar. "My, it seems that you're in something of an untenable situation. Might we be of some assistance?" the obsequious alien inquired. Will shook his head, wondering at the irony of having to negotiate with someone like him at a time such as this.
Just then, their hull rang with weapons' fire and he saw the Klingon Bird of Prey fly by. "We would very grateful if you'd keep Gul Dukat away from us," Picard suggested.
"Ah… and what form might this appreciation take?" the Vorta asked. "Perhaps it would be better to discuss that later," the Captain stated. The alien shrugged and turned to the Jem'Hadar at his side before saying, "Target the Federation ships and prepare to obliterate them." "Somehow, I guessed that they weren't inclined to be charitable," Riker muttered.
At that moment, the lead vessel in the Dominion fleet was vaporized and he watched in astonishment as the Relativity moved to intercept Dukat. As he watched, the Klingon vessel vanished and Data reported, "They appear to have returned him to his proper place in time." "Looks like all the players are leaving the stage… I guess that means the third time's either the charm, or you're out," a familiar voice said and he looked up even as Q strode from his perch towards the front of the room.
"Where is #?" Picard asked impatiently.
"He's already here, he hasn't begun to come and everything is over. Really, your notions of how time works are so limiting. It's a wonder anything ever gets accomplished at all," Q answered. Ahead of them, the remainder of the Dominion fleet was speeding towards them, attempting to circumvent the anomaly in order to get a clear shot.
Even as he watched, the phenomenon seemed to get larger and swallow the armada whole. "I guess somebody was hungry," Q observed. "I thought you said that the entity feeds upon temporal anomalies," the Captain remarked. "How little we have learned! Your scientists discovered the key centuries ago, yet still I have to remind you?" Q retorted. "Are you referring to the relationship between matter and energy?" Data inquired. "Two forms of the same thing really, just like space and time. But without something in it, there's really not much out here," Q told them. "We might have just enough time to break free," Riker interjected.
The Relativity was holding its distance and he suspected that Ducain would wait until the last moment before interfering. "Voyager has launched the Omega molecule directly towards the anomaly," the android reported. "All hands, brace for impact!" Picard directed. The projectile reached the phenomenon and was swallowed by it… yet everything remained the same. "Looks like you've lost this round, Picard. Too bad… I was just starting to get used to you," Q observed, then vanished in a flash of light.
"Break away!" the Captain commanded, but even as the engines responded to his order and the other vessels lent their tractor beams; Riker watched in astonishment as the phenomenon moved to follow them.
"Ten minutes to impact!" Data exclaimed, his fingers flying over the controls in an attempt to free them from the deadly clutches of the anomaly. Will noted that the surface of Cardassia Prime was shifting beneath them even as he watched, impossibly changing shape. It seemed to be shifting from one reality to the next, from peaceful to devastated and back again in the blink of an eye. "Our shields appear to be resonating because of the serum we have used to withstand the detrimental effects of the anomalies," the android frowned, realizing how everything which had taken place thus far had led them to this point.
The interference of so many different factors had prevented them all from seeing where it might lead, but he guessed that the individuals who had chosen to tamper with these events had known what they were doing. Distantly, he wondered what Lincoln had hoped to gain here. "Five minutes to impact!" Data called out. His eyes met Deanna's, recalling their time together; resolving once more to rekindle their love if they survived. Troi smiled, sensing his thoughts and said, "We'll be alright."
He nodded, turning his attention back to the screen. Whatever happened, Riker knew there was nothing he could do to alter it. Furthermore, if this creature which Picard had referred to was responsible for their predicament; then he knew it was better to deal with it now. "One minute to impact!" the android informed them. Even as he prepared for the inevitable, the anomaly ahead suddenly lit up and he saw that the Relativity's deflector dish was emitting a pulse into the phenomenon. Will had just enough time to wonder what good that would do when it happened…