Within a strong blue haze the six men appeared at the designated co-ordinates. The security men drew their phasers as they materialised but after fanning out to perform a quick search of the area their weapons were reholstered.

The surrounding area was deserted.

"What is this place Jim?" Bones asked.

"Well Doctor, as the ever reliable Mr. Spock here predicted, you are now standing in what was called at the time 'a shopping mall'. Your Vulcan logic was right again Spock." Kirk said, smiling at his two companions.

Spock's simply said "Of course Captain..." as he adjusted some settings on his tricorder. The small rectangular device produced a high pitched electronic sound as he slowly turned around whilst watching the tiny output screen.

Kirk looked around as he waited for Spock to complete his analysis. They had appeared in a large circular empty area, a place where three wide shopping corridors converged. In the area were two stationary metallic escalators. Overhead was a high glass ceiling, through which Kirk could see a clear blue sky. Hanging from the rafters were long new looking banners that proclaimed several upcoming events. The colourful material, combined with the sight of birds flying overhead portrayed a scene that Kirk imagined the residents would describe as being perfectly normal. Under foot and closer to the floor however told a very different story. Rubbish was strewn in an untidy mossaic everywhere, paper interspersed with broken plastic objects and glass. In places dried and smeared red patches were on the floor.

Spock's tricorder fell silent. He pointed down one of the dimly illuminated shopping corridors. "Jim, I believe the majority of life signs are in that..."

He cut himself short, and turned towards a nearby store behind them.

"What is it Spock ?" McCoy enquired.

Spock didn't answer, instead he walked towards the store front. A sign above a large dirty window read 'Astro Electronics'. Curious, Bones followed behind him.

Kirk looked over towards the security team who were still standing guard, and satisfied that they were in place walked over to the two officers. As he got closer he could hear the sounds of very low music coming from within. All three looked through the window, past displays of what they presumed were electronics equipment into the store beyond. It seemed deserted, the only sign of movement coming from a rotating cardboard figure of a woman holding a microphone which had been placed next to a device that none of the men recognised – a large black box which had a series of lights on the front.

Spock tried the door handle and to his surprise the door opened. The music could now be heard better through the open space.

'if I had a hammer, ľ'd hammer in the morning..' a male voice sang, accompanied by strange musical instruments.

As the tune continued on, Kirk spoke up "That voice. It sounds strangely familiar...". He looked over towards Spock. "I can't quite place it though..."

Spock closed the door, eyebrow raised, "Fascinating', he said to himself.

McCoy continued to look with interest through the window and into the shop.

"Jim, have you seen this?", he said, but Kirk, who had walked a couple of paces away from the rest of the group was pre-occupied with looking down the nearest mall street, in the direction that Spock had indicated should have people in it. The enclosed street was long and wide. The overhead electric lighting was not working, but sunlight filtered through the small skylights that ran down the length of it. The thin sunlit strips created lines of bright haze as they threw light among the dusty air. He looked through the windows of the nearest stores. He stopped in front of a small store front with the words 'The Maw' stencilled on the still closed door. The window had been smashed, the jagged remains creating unnatural shadows in the gloom. He could see that it should have sold clothes, but all that remained were shreds of cloth on the floor and some upended empty racks.

Dr. McCoy and the rest of the landing party had moved over to where Kirk stood "Where is everyone Jim?... From what I remember of my history these places should be packed with people!"

"That's what I intend to find out - let's start down here" answered Kirk.

They walked quietly down the shop lined corridor, carefully avoiding any debris that had fallen on the ground. When they neared the end, Kirk stopped, motioning for the others to do the same.

A figure crouched down on the opposite side of the tiled walkway, oblivious to their arrival. They silently watched the lone man as he busied himself attaching a large lock onto the bottom of a large closed metal grill which now blocked a smaller passageway leading away from where they were. Above this entrance a dark green sign stating 'fire exit' hung.

"Let's start with him. Get ready..." Kirk said. Behind him the red shirted security detail subtly changed their demeanour.

The landing party walked over to the man who was still noisely struggling with the lock. When they reached him, and he still hadn't turned around Kirk looked around at the rest of the landing party and shrugged at them. He looked down at the still busy man, and noticed something familiar about the strangers uniform. He coughed loudly once before he spoke "Excuse me.. are you..a policeman?"

A surprisingly young man with dark hair turned around on hearing the voice, talking as he did so.

"Oh hey. Almost done, Hooker, they shouldn't be able to get through that..", the man paused when he had turned completely around, "Hooker, you look slightly different somehow, and why are you dressed..like that ?"

Kirk looked down at himself and then at his men, who were all equally puzzled.

"Hooker ?", he said, "my name is Jim Kirk. Do you think you know me..", Kirk looked at the policeman's name badge, "... Officer Romano ?"