Temporal Echoes: A Star Trek: The Next Generation/Voyager Crossover Fanfiction Story
Part 1:
Side Notes:
If you haven't seen or read about my fanfiction By the Q and the Star Trek: The Next Generation episode Journey's End, please do before reading this fanfiction. It'll make more sense this way, because Temporal Echoes is directly tied into both stories.
For understanding this fanfiction's continuity, there are some more things to note.
There are moderate and big spoilers for several episodes of Star Trek: The Next Generation and several episodes of Star Trek: Voyager(including but not limited to the Star Trek: Voyager episode Q2).
It's not required. But, if you want to watch or read about either of these things or more from Star Trek shows and movies before you read this fanfiction... Go right ahead.
One day, on the planet Pacifica…
Wesley is sitting in a mostly red and blue checkers styled café with Robin Lefler. They're both wearing Starfleet uniforms.
Through the café's aquarium styled windows... Many scaly green humanoid amphibians are swimming in the sparkly blue waters.
They are the alien race the Selkies. Mostly green octopuses with spiraling blue fins and fish swim among them.
Wesley is eating from a plate with cooked purply starfish squid like creatures called Starqui. Robin is eating from a plate with red bulky seaweed called Abiweed.
After a bit... Robin gives Wesley a nervous look.
Wesley asks in concern, "Robin... What's wrong?"
Robin somewhat awkwardly starts to say, "well..."
Wesley assumes, "oh no. I'm mutating from eating too much Starqui. Aren't I?"
He gulps nervously. Yet, he seems to not be turning into a amphibian creature.
Robin tries hard not to laugh at his reaction.
Robin lightly considers, "well, I don't see any gills or big fins on you. I think it's safe to conclude that humans turning into Selkies from eating too much of their food were just rumors spread from tourists that thought they were hilarious."
On the first part? Robin hovers her hands several inches over Wesley's shoulders and back.
Wesley makes a embarrassed face.
He points out, "well, I sure didn't think it was funny. But, thanks for having my back."
Robin adds, "you're welcome."
They both awkwardly smile some.
Wesley realizes, "ohh. I'm sorry. I just realized you still haven't told me what's really bothering you. Please go ahead."
Robin nods.
She adds, "thank you. Well..."
On the second part? She's looking out toward the windows.
Robin explains, "Selkies scientifically become more watery when they reach 35 or 40 years ago. Their bodies evaporate into water vapor along with sets of three lung sacs. But... Nervous sigh. What if their ghosts are watching us from window to window? Across their whole planet? The very idea scares me."
She finds it hard to look up. Wesley puts a comforting hand on hers.
With a smile... Wesley tries to assure her, "Robin... There are no Selkie ghosts. If there are non-corporeal beings of any kind here... You or me would have detected them on our tricorders sooner in our guest quarters. Even the living ship Gomtuu and the Prophets of Bajor have tricorder readings."
Robin looks up.
She smiles wide.
She reasons, "that is all true. You're right. Thank you dear. I needed to hear that."
Wesley adds, "you're welcome dear. Would you mind if I...?"
Robin chuckles.
She lightly remarks, "oh, I know exactly what we both want."
Wesley chuckles at that.
They're about to kiss.
Suddenly... A familiar voice says, "we warned you of the dangers of traveling through time with your new powers, Wesley. You shouldn't be here."
The whole scene freezes in time around Wesley. The Traveler is standing by Wesley now.
Wesley stands up to face him.
Wesley somewhat awkwardly explains, "well, since he's also me... I figured looking through his eyes and sharing his thoughts wouldn't change the timeline."
The Traveler makes a nervous face. That made the present Wesley nervous.
The Traveler implies, "you're not the only traveler to make this mistake. Some didn't make it back."
Present Wesley asks in concern, "what are you talking about?"
The Traveler explains, "being another voice for another you seems harmless at first. But... Heavy sigh. That other you will perceive you eventually because he too can potentially be a traveler like you. When the other you realizes you're not a voice from his own head? He'll fight you for complete control of his body again. Whether it's another you or not? If you live in someone's head long enough that isn't your own? The reality will unfold the same way. As I said before... Some didn't make it back."
Present Wesley gulps nervously.
He apologizes, "I'm sorry. I... I didn't know. You're right: I... Hard groan. I can already hear him starting to fight me."
He's starting to clutch his head in mental pain.
The Traveler is quick to say, "we should go."
Present Wesley quickly nods.
He takes The Traveler's hand.
And... They both vanish from the alternate Wesley's timeline.
Time resumes in that same timeline.
Soon... The alternate Wesley makes a nervous face.
Robin asks in concern, "Wesley... What's wrong?"
Alternate Wesley awkwardly concludes, "I'm sorry. For a second? I thought I saw in the water me talking to the Traveler about a different timeline. Faint chuckle. It sounds silly now. Doesn't it?"
On the last part? Robin chuckles some.
Robin bittersweetly figures, "actually... It doesn't sound silly to me. When I was growing up? I got too used to daydreaming by myself while my parents were too busy to spend time with me. You chose to focus on studies in Starfleet Academy instead of taking offers to join clubs including Nova Squadron. Faint chuckle. It doesn't hurt to daydream of what could have been sometimes, Wesley. You and your friend Joshua did all you could to try to save Nova Squadron. Just remember we're still on a date, and that I love you. Okay?"
They bittersweetly smile to each other.
Alternate Wesley figures, "you're right as always, Robin. I love you too."
Around then, back with the present Wesley...
In a shower of orange lights and white lights? Wesley and The Traveler appear in the edge of the known universe.
Cube lanterns of light float around in a sea of blue cosmic star dust and blue stars. Wesley and The Traveler are walking through the cosmic star dust like they're on a planet with a clear blue sky.
The planet Tau Alpha C is a decoy planet for the people of Tau Alpha C to protect their real home from temporal dangers of all kinds. It also is a spaceport and a diplomatic channel for the Tau Alpha C people. The homes of the Tau Alpha C people are the cube lanterns of light. The space-time bubble within each lantern of light bends to the will of the resident like a highly advanced version of a holodeck.
Wesley and The Traveler come to a park between some lanterns of light.
The park has electrically sparking lampposts, glass painted green trees, and speaker box robots with conveyor belts for wheels, robotic arms, and fishbowl heads playing the song Nowhere Fast by Fire Inc.
A crocodile cheeseburger hybrid couple is sitting together on a boulder eating cheeseburgers. A human sized moonrock toy soldier is walking with a scarecrow lady. Some Vulcans, Romulans, and humans are seen walking around the park. A walking geyser with robot claws is being walked like a dog by a medium brown haired woman with a light bulb like glowing dress.
The Traveler points out, "Robin Lefler was in your home timeline your girlfriend. She broke up with you. Didn't she, Wesley?"
Wesley figures, "it's that obvious?"
He heavily sighs. He gets teary eyed.
They sit down on a park bench by a electrically sparking lamppost.
After a bit... Wesley somberly explains, "after the incident with Nova Squadron in my timeline... Losing Joshua, the cover up, and finally telling the truth to everyone... Hard sniffle. Robin broke up with me. She sent a video message to my quarters that day from the USS Enterprise to signify the end of our long distance relationship. I'll never forget it. Hard sniffle. She told me she added a new law to her collection of laws. Rule 118: A guy who is dangerously careless with omission of the truth and with shuttles should fly far away from me."
A tear falls from Wesley's face. He sniffles hard.
Wesley continues, "no one in the Academy except my former team members of Nova Squadron spoke to me again. Hard sniffle. Don't misunderstand. I've accepted the consequences of my actions that day. I just... Hard sniffle. I want someone I can be completely me with: With or without my full powers. Robin, in my timeline, was that someone."
With some mixed feelings... The Traveler concludes, "I understand well enough what you mean. Most travelers have found someone among themselves. But... We all believe anything is possible if we concentrate hard enough on searching for it. As long as no timelines are disrupted by your search? I'm sure you'll find someone to be completely you with."
He puts a comforting hand on Wesley's shoulder.
Wesley reasons, "thanks. That's good advice. I'm not sure if you have another name. But... It helps."
They both smile some.
The teariness in Wesley's eyes starts to dry up.
The Traveler deduces, "my name is unpronounceable to most humans. I've gotten used to just calling myself the Traveler. But, it's a good enough name for me: Here or not here."
Wesley says, "okay. I see your point."
The Traveler brings up, "yes. But... There's a more important matter to tell you, Wesley. I've been talking to the Supervisors of Tau Alpha C about you, and they think you're a ideal candidate."
Wesley checks, "before I say yes... What are the Supervisors of Tau Alpha C?"
The Traveler reveals, "they're the only government structure of Tau Alpha C. They don't just supervise your timeline. Their main task is to preserve and protect timelines from temporal threats that are too powerful for the Time Police to stop. And... If you accept the offer to become part of The Supervisors? They want to give you your first mission."
The Traveler telepathically projects a recent talk he had with the Supervisors to Wesley's mind.
At the same time... They both fade in and out in ribbons of space-time energy.
After a bit... Wesley somewhat nervously checks, "this... You sure this isn't too soon of a first mission? You sure I'm ready for this, the Traveler?"
The Traveler kind of cryptically answers, "that isn't for me to decide. It is your decision."
He puts a comforting hand on Wesley's.
Wesley concludes, "I'll do it. I can't explain it yet. But... Somehow... I have a strong feeling I won't be alone in this mission."
The Traveler reflects, "I have that feeling as well. You'll find the explanation when the time comes. Your time with me as your guide has taught you well. Good luck on your first Supervisor mission, Wesley."
They smile wide to each other.
Wesley tells him, "thank you, the Traveler... For everything."
The Traveler tells him, "you're welcome. And you're always welcome on Tau Alpha C."
On the last part? Wesley nods.
He hugs The Traveler close. The Traveler hugs him back.
Then... Wesley gets up from the park bench.
He waves goodbye to The Traveler. The Traveler waves back.
Wesley closes his eyes to focus. He focuses on a certain point in time and space to go to.
And... In a shower of orange lights and white lights?
Wesley vanishes from the Tau Alpha C cosmic realm.
On Earth, in the year 2368...
Wesley appears at Starfleet Academy. He's disguised as a Starfleet security officer with a yellow Starfleet uniform.
He's standing in a Academy Hearing Room. A younger Wesley and his teammates from Nova Squadron are nervously sitting in the room.
Admiral Brand is concluding, "we cannot escape the conclusion that either the data is faulty in some way, or you have lied to us. However, suspicion is not proof and I have no proof that you have lied to this inquiry. Therefore, if no further evidence is presented..."
Suddenly... A man with slightly wavy medium black hair and a red Starfleet uniform appears with a phaser out.
He darkly figures, "hmm. No. This ending doesn't sound nearly as fun."
Present Wesley calls out, "everyone get down! ! He's got a prototype phaser. I'm with Starfleet Intelligence."
The crowd, including Captain Picard and Dr. Crusher, duck for cover. The younger Wesley and his Nova Squadron teammates duck behind a table.
Nervous murmurs fill the room.
Admiral Brand and Captain Satelk are about to fire their phasers at the mystery man.
At the speed of light... The mystery man easily stuns them with two phaser blasts.
Present Wesley tackles the mystery man.
They're exchanging fists across the floor.
The younger Wesley wonders, "you think we should help him?"
His Nova Squadron teammates nervously smile some.
Present Wesley pins the mystery man down. Time freezes around them both.
Present Wesley mutters, "enough Q Junior! I don't know which Q child you are. But, I can perceive in space-time you're a newer generation of Q."
The mystery man chuckles loudly.
He figures, "I'll take that as a compliment. But... The truth is I wasn't planning to take out Nova Squadron. I just wanted to get you close enough to see I'm the better Q! !"
Q Junior spits out a flare from his mouth by surprise.
Present Wesley groans hard. He reactively covers his eyes.
Q Junior throws him hard...right through a certain table.
Time resumes around them both.
The younger Wesley falls unconscious under the smashed table.
Present Wesley is fluctuating between his disguise form and his original form. He groans hard. He's struggling to concentrate.
Most everyone else is making a run for it.
Q Junior is darkly saying, "say goodbye to the reality of yesterday... Wesley Crusher."
Nick Locarno, Captain Picard, and Dr. Crusher worriedly call out, "Wesley! !"
They are circling back to try to reach the younger Wesley.
But... Nick Locarno is closer by.
He tries to tackle Q Junior.
But... Q Junior easily hurls him hard into Captain Picard.
Captain Picard groans hard. He struggles to stay conscious.
Teary eyed... Doctor Crusher worriedly calls out, "Jean-Luc! ! Officer... Save my son! !"
She rushes over to Captain Picard. She gets some medical supplies out.
Present Wesley quickly nods. He breathes a sigh of mixed relief.
But... That relief was short lived.
Nick Locarno is wrestling over Q Junior's phaser to try to disarm him.
But... At the speed of light?
Q Junior punches Nick Locarno down.
Nick Locarno groans hard. He's struggling to stay conscious.
Q Junior laughs.
He fires two bright red octagon laced blasts: One at the younger Wesley, and one at Captain Picard.
At the same time... Nick Locarno and Present Wesley call out, "no! !"
Present Wesley lifts up a table. He hurls it into the blast aimed for Captain Picard.
The table melts into ash.
At the same time... Nick Locarno jumps in the way of the second octagon blast.
He is in the midst of calling out, "take care of...! !"
He falls to the ground. He groans hard.
Time freezes around him, Present Wesley, and Q Junior.
Present Wesley rushes over to Nick Locarno.
He calls out, "Nick! Nick, are you okay?!"
Nick Locarno starts to get up.
Nick voices, "yeah. You know... I saw through your disguise when you were hit hard enough. You're from the future to try to take down our whole team, aren't you Wesley? All because you decided after today to care more about Joshua than the rest of us! !"
On the last part? He's heatedly glaring at Present Wesley.
Present Wesley looks wide eyed in shock.
Present Wesley tries to assure, "that's... That's not at all true, Nick. Heavy sigh. I just came to stop a temporal threat from making this timeline worse. You have to believe me."
Nick Locarno challenges, "why should I? Because you're a future Wesley in disguise? Chuckle. If you trusted me... You wouldn't be lying to me with this Starfleet Intelligence ****. You'd trust your team to get us through this. But, you wouldn't. Would you?"
Q Junior coldly says, "no. He wouldn't."
Present Wesley turns to face Q Junior. Q Junior is twistedly smiling.
Present Wesley realizes, "that's why you wanted to blast me: You wanted to remove my inhibitions so that I could "see reason" to join you in your dark quest to overthrow the Q Continuum. I'll never join you, Q Junior!"
He points a finger at Q Junior. He also coldly glares at him.
Q Junior concludes, "I see that now. But... I know a promising friend when I see one."
Nick Locarno and Present Wesley ask in confusion, "what?"
Q Junior snaps his fingers.
Q Junior smugly answers, "Nick Locarno... I just gave you the powers of a Q: As a gesture of friendship. Take it or leave it."
Present Wesley argues, "Nick... Whatever you think of me... Taking Q Junior's offer is a mistake. He's going to make things worse for everyone including Nova Squadron!"
With a slight smile... Nick Locarno kind of cryptically considers, "well future Wesley... For the team... I'm going to put his offer to the test right now."
He snaps his fingers.
Everyone except him, Present Wesley, and Q Junior vanishes from the room. A live satellite feed of a successful attempt to practice a Kolvoord Starburst maneuver with four shuttles appears on a monitor in the room.
And... Present Wesley starts to be erased from existence.
Present Wesley worriedly calls out, "oh no. Nick! You have to change it back! ! Or, both Wesleys will cease to exist! !"
But... Q Junior has used his powers to make Present Wesley's words too out of phase for Nick Locarno to hear.
Suddenly... A bluish green portal opens by Present Wesley.
A familiar voice whispers, "Wesley! Grab my hand. I can help you fix your timeline and bring back yourself."
Through the bluish green portal? Kes is reaching a hand out to Present Wesley.
Q Junior has already turned away from Present Wesley. He assumes Present Wesley is already gone and no one is around to help him.
Q Junior assumes, "just as I thought. This future Wesley is all talk. Come on Nick. I want to tell you my full offer."
He and Nick Locarno darkly smile. They start walking outside.
Present Wesley bittersweetly smiles toward Kes.
He quickly takes Kes's hand. Kes pulls him through the portal.
And... As the portal vanishes behind them?
Kes begins to stabilize Present Wesley's form with a wave of subatomic particles.
Back with Q Junior and Nick...
They're walking on the grounds of Starfleet Academy.
Several Starfleet cadets come to congratulate Nick Locarno on a successful Kolvoord Starburst practice with no casualties.
Nick Locarno shakes hands with them. He says thank you.
Nick Locarno and Q Junior darkly smile.
Q Junior offers, "we can do more than just your academy dream, Nick. Join me, and we can bring down our parents to their knees. No more "rules" and bossing us around. We do whatever we want. The whole universe is ours! We just have to want it all badly enough."
Nick Locarno thinks to himself, "I wouldn't really want to do that to my parents. But... Impressing my father has been impossible. And... Tagging along with Q Junior could give me the perfect chance to finally impress my father. Worse to worst? If Q Junior's parents aren't as bad as he thinks they are... Chuckle. I can always turn on him."
Nick Locarno tells Q Junior, "all right. The hell with rules. I'm on your side. However... I don't really like the name Nick much. Call me...Tom Paris."
They darkly smile to each other.
And... With a snap of Q Junior's fingers?
They vanish from Starfleet Academy.