Spock, who had been continuing to monitor his station looked up "Uhura is quite correct. Only sporadic radio bursts are being sent from the surface. The star charts do not look as they should either, if you would like another guess, I would say the year is 1985. It appears by passing through the entity we have moved in both time and space. Possibly even through dimensions. Fascinating."

Everyone on the bridge turned to look at Spock, who went on, "we are currently in orbit above the old Earth city of Los Angeles. In this time period there should be a population of three million. I am only reading approximately two thousand human life signs within the city however."

"What ? That can't be!" Kirk whispered to himself, stunned. He rushed across the bridge to check the instrumentation himself.

"Sulu. Focus the viewer on that city down there..."

At that moment, with a familiar swish, the bridge lift doors opened and Dr. McCoy entered the bridge. "Jim!", he exclaimed, "have you done with shaking this ship? l've got patients down in sick bay!"

"Not now Bones", Kirk urged as he peered at the screen as the image shifted. A high level view of a city was now being displayed, rising smoke could be seen dotted all around.

"Spock, explain."

"Without further information I'm not sure I can Captain. The data is still being received from the entity so it is unclear how we arrived here, but the star charts cannot lie. We indeed find ourselves in what would have been 1985 when measured on old Earth calendars"

"But where is everyone ? At this time period we should be picking up a range of signals from all over the planet. We should be seeing transport, they had aeroplanes during this time." Kirk motioned towards the viewer screen with his hand before he continued "and if that is Los Angeles down there then there should be millions of people..."

"There should be all of these Captain, and more...but there aren't."

Doctor McCoy moved to stand beside Kirk, unable to take his eyes off the main screen "This is incredible Jim... How did all of this happen ?"

Kirk shook his head in disbelief "Agreed Doctor it is, and as for how it happened - that's what we need to find out. Spock, are there any concentrated pockets of people down there ?" He asked incredulously, still processing the information given to him by his science officer.

"Several. But the largest appears to be gathered in an organised commercial area, I believe such a place was called a 'shopping mall'. There are just under one hundred people there...ninety seven to be exact."

"Good", replied the captain, "then thats where we shall start. We can't learn anything more from up here, we've got to get down there and find out what's going on.", he hit the intercom switch, "Mr Scott and a security team to the transporter room".

He turned towards the bridge crew, all of whom were waiting expectingly. He paused for thought for a second before he said, "Spock, Bones, you're with me. Sulu, until Scotty has repairs under control, you have the con."

As the turbolift descended none of the three men spoke, each lost in their own thoughts, the silence and relative calm providing an opportunity to process what they had just learned.

It was Bones who spoke up first "But what could have caused all of this ?" his words echoing the question that each were asking themselves internally.

The lift stopped moving before Kirk or Spock could answer, the doors once again sliding open. Out in the corridor Kirk watched as crew members hurried past him, some carried equipment, others deep in conversation as they walked – all focused on their own assignments.

As they approached the transporter room down the clean, bright, bustling corridor, Scotty waved an acknowledgement at them as he approached from the opposite side. He nodded to each of the three in turn as they all reached the room at the same time.

"Captain" He began "Repairs will be underway shortly. There was a coolant leak in the engine room which we are having to clear before the men can get in there, but that shouldn't be too much longer..."

"Very good Mr Scott. Keep on with that. We are heading to the planet surface so keep me posted..."

"Of course Captain, will do" the smiling engineer answered.

On entering the transporter room, they were greeted by the sight of three red shirted security men waiting for them; after brief instructions were given, weapons were issued and checked. All six of the away team took their place on the transporter pads.

"Energise" ordered Kirk.

Scott adjusted the transporter levers and after a moment all of them dematerialised.