The Enterprise was a spacious ship. They rode in some sort of elevator, which traversed several decks until it quietly stopped and the doors whisked open.
"This way, please." Spock remarked, as he led them down the hallway, occasionally passing a member of the crew who seemed to be in a rush to get somewhere. They stopped in front of another pair of doors which slid open. Kirk gestured with his hand for them to enter.
They were met by another man, who wore a blue tunic like Spock's ans who held a tricorder in his hands. He scanned every one of the Titans as they entered the room.
First he scanned the changeling, shaking his head in disbelief.
"Cochrane's beard! It's a miracle you're even alive, your body is full of the Sakutia virus. Lucky for you we have a cure for that now." The gruff medical doctor remarked. "Jim, he needs to go straight to sickbay. Nurse Chapel can give him a hypospray with the anti Sakutia serum."
The changeling scoffed at the suggestion. "Dude, I'm fine. And if you inject me with your cure, I'll lose my powers."
"Powers? What are you talking about? And your DNA is a mess! You're clearly human, but there is a jungle of stray animal DNA in you. The only powers you should have is a high fever, I mean look at you, you 're Sakutia green. You do realize that left untreated you will die in 24 hours."
Gar rolled his eyes before morphing into a green German Shepherd.
"McCoy stared at his tricorder in disbelief. "This is impossible; you're human and a shape shifter?"
"It was in my report, doctor." Spock calmly interjected.
McCoy shook his head and moved onto Raven.
"Don't scan me; you won't like what you see." She droned in her monotone.
"Oh right, you're the 'magical one', the half demon. Believe me Miss, I've seen stranger things than that, but if you don't want me to scan you and possibly detect an illness that your prehistoric medicine can't detect or cure, it's your funeral." He replied before turning to Starfire. "Do you have any objections to being scanned, Miss? I believe you are a Tamaranian and are a living battery. This should be interesting."
"I have no objections." She replied. McCoy scanned her, and shook his head again. "You could power a hand phaser. Your power levels are even higher than your daughter's".
Arella was next. She pointed at Raven and Gar. "They're my parents, but go ahead and scan away."
McCoy did, and after the scan muttered "This scan also makes no sense. You weren't in Spock's report. I suppose you also have powers?"
Arella nodded.
"OK, never mind." He remarked as he turned to Cyborg and scanned him.
"Well, how about that, you are a normal human, with a lot of primitive prosthetics. I can fix you up so you don't look like a robot."
"I like my gear the way it is just fine, doc."
McCoy sighed and scanned Nightwing. He then shut off his tricorder.
"Fully human, extremely fit and in perfect health. Do you have 'powers'?"
"I'm afraid not. You do know that Kori and I are Spock's direct ancestors, right?"
"Yes, that was in Spock's report too. As is young Mr. Wayne here." McCoy sighed. "Just when you think you've seen everything … Spock's ancestors are mythical 'superheroes'. Me? I'm just a country doctor who somehow wound up as the chief medical officer on Starfleet's flagship."
Kirk gestured to everyone to take a seat. A screen lit up, showing the Watchtower.
"Spock, report".
The Vulcan stood up and gestured at the screen.
"It is a primitive space station, much smaller than even Starbase 12. It is powered by rudimentary fusion reactors. It has limited defensive abilities: some laser cannons, a few nuclear tipped missiles and no shields, though it can polarize its hull plating. It is staffed by approximately 400 people. The number who are 'super heroes' with special abilities is unknown."
As Spock spoke, a group of green glowing humans, who were not wearing any sort of space suit, emerged from the station and approached the Enterprise.
"Ah, the Green Lanterns are coming to visit us."
McCoy looked surprised. "Spock, I thought you were humoring us in your report when you mentioned them."
"Doctor, you know very well that I am incapable of humor."
"Just be glad they're Green Lanterns, and not Yellow, Red or Orange." Raven remarked.
"Oh, so they come in colors too." McCoy interjected."Or are they flavors, say lemon, cherry and mango?
"That's OK, Bones. We will meet with these Green Lanterns."
-(-)-
A couple of red shirts escorted the four Green Lanterns to the ready room. The Lanterns were joined by Kal El and his cousin Kara Zor-El. Kirk remembered reading about the Superman in Spock's report and repressed the urge to laugh at what he thought was their silly attire, though truth be told he also found the Lantern's uniforms to also be humorous. Spock stepped forward to greet Hal.
"Mr. Jordan, welcome aboard the Enterprise. You and your colleagues appear to have aged well and be in good health."
"Allow me to introduce my colleagues: Kyle Raynor, John Steart and Guy Gardner."
McCoy opened his tricorder, scanned and with a frown he closed it.
"I should have known better than to even try." The doctor grumbled as he shut off his tricorder.
Spock turned to Superman. "And you do not appear to have aged at all, Kal El of Krypton."
The man of steel replied with a smile, then cleared his throat.
"Thank you Spock. I will get to the point. We need to get your ship back to the wormhole, before there is any more time pollution. Bruce fears that irreparable damage has already been done."
"Where is Bruce?" Nightwing asked. "Is he still wearing the cowl?"
"He is, even though we have told him that he's too old. He's busy dealing with another problem. There is a rumor that Slade is collaborating with an organization called the Noonien Singh Institute to create genetically engineered humans."
"The augments". Kirk said in a grim voice.
"That's right, the augments." Jordan replied. "But that is not your problem; We are going to escort you back to the wormhole. What is your top speed?"
"Warp 9". Spock replied.
"Perfect, as soon as we can get the Titans off your ship we can get going. We should be able to break the Gordanian blockade around the worm hole and get you home."
Just as Jordan finished speaking the red alert sounded.
"Captain, we are under attack." Sulu shouted over the speaker.
"How many Gordanian ships?"
"Not Gordanians sir. These ships seem more advanced. They are closing in fast."
"Raise shields. Fire phasers, Mr. Sulu."
The sound of phaser fire was heard.
"Targets hit … some damage … they are retreating … wait … there are ten more ships approaching. They are opening fire."
"Kirk, we need to leave now." Superman reminded him.
"We can't beam our guests down to Earth with the shields up." Kirk replied as the first enemy volley hit the Enterprise, which shook violently.
"Captain, there are twenty more ships approaching." Sulu announced.
"Who are they?" Kirk asked.
"Unknown, Captain."
"Captain, you need to leave now."
"But what about our guests?"
"Take them with you. We'll figure out how to retrieve them later."
Kirk nodded his agreement. "Mr. Chekov, plot a course to the worm hole, maximum warp."
"Aye, Keptin"
-(-)-
The Green Lanterns and the Kryptonians exited the ship and formed a perimeter around it. Jordan raised his ring and spoke into it.
"Enterprise, more lanterns are coming, they will fight off whoever is blocking the wormhole."
"Any idea of who they are?"
"We have identified them. They are the Gorn."
"The Gorn? We don't make contact with them until the 23rd century."
"They are related to the Gordanians, who probably asked for their help."
Worry consumed Kirk's mind. Things were changing and there would have to be consequences for their presence and the mission was an unmitigated disaster. What those consequences would be he did not know.
"But what about Earth, it'll be helpless fighting the Gorn." Kirk asked.
"Don't worry, Captain, the Justice League can handle them. We have some muscle you haven't seen. And we also have friends. But we need to get you to that wormhole as soon as possible."
The journey to the Vega system wasn't far, but there were waves of attacks along the way. Starfire and Mar'i joined in the fight, until they were exhausted and reboarded the Enterprise. As promised, there were already dozens of Green Lanterns around the wormhole, fighting off Gordanian and Gorn ships, which were legion. As the Enterprise approached A few Gordanian ships were still blocking the way. A few well placed phaser shots disabled them.
"Enterprise, the path is open. Go!" Superman shouted over his com link.
Kirk glanced at his unexpected guests. Admiral Ramirez had sent the Enterprise back in time to return Damien and Mar'I Wayne. He was instead returning with them and six other guests from the past. The Admiral would not be pleased.
"Thanks for the escort. We'll be in touch." Kirk replied as the Enterprise entered the wormhole.
-(-)-
The Titans were on the bridge when the Enterprise entered the wormhole. The ride through was a bit bumpy but as expected the Enterprise reached the other end and gracefully emerged from the singularity.
"Mr. Sulu, full stop. I want to make sure no one is following us."
"Aye, Captain. Full stop."
Everyone on the bridge watched the wormhole, which looked like a blossoming flower. When the Enterprise first traversed the wormhole on its trip to the past, the wormhole graciously closed itself, withdrawing back into its own body. What they saw instead was unexpected.
The wormhole exploded in a dazzling display of colors.
"Spock, what happened?"
"I am not certain, Captain; but I cannot find a single trace of the wormhole."
"You mean it's gone!?" Cyborg bellowed.
"That is correct, Mr. Cyborg, though why I cannot explain."
"Dude, so we're stuck here?" Gar asked in a worried tone.
Kirk look rubbed his forehead. "There are other ways to travel back in time, though they are more hazardous than a wormhole. But before we do that, we need to contact Starfleet. Lt. Uhura?'
Uhura pressed several buttons on her console. She looked perplexed and pushed some more buttons. She then frowned.
"Uhura, is there a problem?"
"Captain, I can't raise Starfleet. I can't explain it."
"Spock, did we return to the right time?"
"Astrogation shows that we are at the expected time."
"Then where is Startfleet? Why don't they answer our hails?" Kirk said as he noticed Raven and her daughter focusing with their fingers on their temples and their eyes closed. Arella opened her eyes first.
"No, it can't be!" Arella gasped.
"What can't be?" Kirk asked.
Raven opened her eyes. "We can't sense Starfleet or the Federation."
"You mean Earth is gone?"
Raven shook her head. "No, we can sense Earth, but it feels dark and sinister. We also don't sense any humans here in the Vega system, other than those on the Enterprise, and none nearby. The only humans we can sense are on Earth."
"Captain, an alien ship is approaching." Sulu remarked.
"That's all we need now, hostile aliens … Sulu, on screen."
A slick silvery starship appeared on the screen. Starfire gasped. "That ship is Tamaranian!"
-(-)-
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