<html><head><title>Star Trek: The Five Enterprises</title></head> <br>
<body background="../images/tile"> <br>
<center><h3>STAR TREK: THE FIVE ENTERPRISES</h3><br>   <br>
<h4>by KENNETH A. LOWENBERG, 1995</h4><br>
<img src="../images/starship"><br></center> 
PROLOGUE<br>
	Q was shocked by the surprise he felt. After all, he <br>
and his fellow continuum-mates were all-knowing and all- seeing ... <br>
until now.<br>
	The force of the energy invading -- yes INVADING -- the <br>
Q-Continuum caught all Q by surprise.<br>
	The energy force probed their consciousness leaving <br>
other Q helpless in its wake.<br>
	Qs ... helpless?! This Q, the most important in his own <br>
	mind, found some <br>
satisfaction at first in finding his companions caught off guard. They, <br>
after all, had the audacity to once take away his powers, after he <br>
played some minor pranks on Picard and his lackeys.<br>
	He had presently returned to the continuum after <br>
jostling with Vash, the interesting human female who had miraculously <br>
found her way back from the Gamma Quadrant, where Q tossed her, thanks <br>
to another group of Starfleet minions on the flatly named space station <br>
Deep Space Nine.<br>
	At his arrival in the continuum, Q was overwhelmed by <br>
this energy. No longer amused, he realized its predatory powers <br>
presented a threat to him.<br>
	It was probing consciousness looking for weakness, it <br>
had locked onto Q's mind, on his thoughts of moments ago, of humans.<br>
	Q struggled, focusing his powers against the invader's. <br>
To no avail...except for an image.<br>
	An image of intent. Conquer ...everything. Then he felt <br>
	something else, something familiar, <br>
something which gave him hope and confidence.<br>
	It was the Q, his brothers and sisters! The ones who had <br>
	been subdued found a way to channel <br>
their powers to him, the returnee. All the power of the Q now resided <br>
in him.<br>
	The invaders hesitated a moment, caught off guard by <br>
this new defense.<br>
	Then Q grappled with the creatures, probed them back, <br>
looking for weakness... and found none, except...<br>
	...It was there and suddenly gone. The creature fought <br>
	back, focusing on what it had <br>
learned from Q. What it apparently perceived as a weakness... humans.<br>
	Humans and their homeworld, Earth. This meant something to <br>
	Q, strike at it and the Q <br>
itself would be easy to stop.<br>
	'Ridiculous,' Q thought to the attacker. 'Humans mean <br>
nothing...'<br>
	But it was too late. The attacker had found Earth, Q <br>
saw the image of the small blue world, not just now but in all moments. <br>
The planet Earth throughout time.<br>
	Suddenly Q knew the creatures' intentions, and in the <br>
mili-second the creature was occupied, Q focused all his new-found <br>
power, all the power of the Q on one word, one image, one starship. <br>
"Enterprise."<br>
	In the next millisecond, the creature erased the planet <br>
Earth from all of time. <br>
  <br>
 CHAPTER ONE<br>
	"Checkmate." Worf looked at the tri-chess board, and then <br>
	at <br>
Counselor Troi, seated across the table from him. Behind her, the <br>
window showed the colorful star streaks of the Enterprise traversing <br>
space at warp speed. He scowled, "I concede the game to you, Deanna."<br>
	The Betazoid smiled and reached for the game pieces, <br>
beginning to reset the board. "Let's see. That's three. Shall we try <br>
again?"<br>
	Worf stood. "Perhaps another time, Counselor. I <br>
obviously am not having a good day."<br>
	Deanna stood up, too. "Don't fret, Worf. I was the All-<br>
District chess champion at my high school."<br>
	"So you've mentioned ... many times." She raised her <br>
	eyebrows in mock surprise. "Funny, I <br>
don't recall. Let's get a bite to eat, I'm starved." They walked out of <br>
the rec room together. Deanna was glad to have this time to spend with <br>
Worf, ever since their duty schedules matched up so they were off-duty <br>
together. Worf had been through some emotional hardships lately <br>
concerning his late father. He had been quite reserved. Geordi and Data <br>
asked her to look after their friend. She didn't need to be asked.<br>
	They arrived at Ten Forward to find a small group of <br>
officers and civilians huddled near the bar. At the center of the <br>
huddle was Dr. Beverly Crusher helping Guinan to her feet. Worf and <br>
Troi rushed over, pushing their way through the crowd.<br>
	"Step back," Worf barked as people automatically <br>
stepped away.<br>
	"Beverly," Troi said. "My God, what happened?" "I just got <br>
	a little... woozy," Guinan said as Crusher <br>
helped her onto a bar stool.<br>
	"Guinan fainted dead away," Beverly clarified. "One of <br>
her assistants called sickbay and she was still out when I got here. <br>
Frankly, Guinan. I'm concerned. We should get you to sickbay."<br>
	"Nonsense," the barkeep said. "I'm fine now." The Doctor <br>
	waved a medical sensor up and down the <br>
length of Guinan's body. "No unusual readings. Well, I can't force you <br>
to come with me. Just take it easy."<br>
	"Certainly." Guinan said. "Maybe I'll end my shift a <br>
little early."<br>
	The crowd had backed away and the others had given her <br>
breathing room. Guinan got up and stepped into the sanctuary of her <br>
office behind the bar. <br>
	Once inside, she fell onto the oversized couch facing <br>
the large viewport. Her brow wrinkled as she tried to decipher the <br>
images and feelings which temporarily robbed her of consciousness.<br>
<br>
	"Q, here! I guess I was stupid to think we would ever <br>
escape from that clown's grip," Miles O'Brien sank his teeth into a <br>
mutton shank.<br>
	"He's gone now." Keiko sat across from him in the <br>
dinning area of their quarters on the Bajoran space station Deep Space <br>
Nine. "Well, how is it?"<br>
	Miles took the napkin from his lap and swapped at his <br>
face. "It's absolutely delicious. How did you get those bloody <br>
Cardassian replicators to do it?"<br>
	"I didn't. I bought the meat from Quark." "What?!" "He told <br>
	me he knew a supplier of Earth delicacies and <br>
he would sell it to us at a discount. Said something about owing you a <br>
favor for help at his bar."<br>
	Miles shook his head. "Honey, you should know Quark is <br>
not to be trusted."<br>
	"Not usually, I guess. But when I discovered I had the <br>
chance to fix your favorite meal, I couldn't say no."<br>
	"Ahh, that's nice sweetheart." He took another bite of <br>
his dinner. "And since Quark needs me to help keep his computers up, he <br>
probably wouldn't poison me."<br>
	Miles laughed at the look of shock that crossed his <br>
wife's face.<br>
<br>
	The perimeter alarms rang through Ops. Major Kira <br>
Nerys, the officer on duty, called for sensors. "Is a ship coming <br>
through the wormhole?"<br>
	"Negative," said the Starfleet man sitting at Dax's <br>
usual station. "Neutrino readings are normal."<br>
	"Then what?," Kira said frustratingly. The perimeter <br>
alert alarms meant something was approaching the station.<br>
	"Unknown," the man said. "Raise shields! Scan for cloaking <br>
	device signatures and <br>
get me Commander Sisko," Kira took a step toward the overhead viewer <br>
which was normally focused on the wormhole. All appeared quiet, but the <br>
damn alarms were still blaring in her ears.<br>
	The familiar hydraulic sounds of the turbolift cut <br>
through the alarms and Kira spun to see Sisko, Dax and O'Brien <br>
disembarking onto the deck.<br>
	"Report, Major," Sisko's deep voice demanded. Even <br>
though the tone was harsh it had a surprising calming effect on Kira.<br>
	"I can't explain it, Sir. The sensors obviously think <br>
something's there but they won't tell us what it is."<br>
	Sisko walked up behind Dax, who had taken her spot at <br>
the science station. "What can you tell me, Lieutenant?"<br>
	Dax shook her head slightly, "Kira's right. The sensors <br>
are confused. But I can tell you it is more than one thing approaching <br>
us."<br>
	"Approaching us from where?," Sisko said. Then the <br>
	viewscreen changed and five Federation <br>
starships  suddenly orbited Deep Space Nine. <br>
<br>
CHAPTER TWO <br> <br>
 <br>
	Captain Jean-Luc Picard of the Starship Enterprise <br>
picked himself off the command deck and surveyed the bridge. Everyone <br>
was doing the same, no one having been able to keep their footing <br>
during the severe buffeting.<br>
	"Report," William Riker, his Number One, said from next <br>
to him.<br>
	"All systems are coming back on line," said Ensign Ro <br>
Laren from the Ops station.<br>
	"Data," Picard said coming up behind his android <br>
science officer at the helm station, "What was that?"<br>
	"Unknown, Sir." The darkened main viewscreen encompassing <br>
	the entire <br>
front wall of the bridge sprung to life, flickering into a <br>
multi-colored test pattern.<br>
	"Where are we?" Riker asked. "Sensors will be operational <br>
	momentarily," Data said. The turbolift doors opened slowly <br>
	behind the command <br>
center of the bridge. Troi and Worf emerged.<br>
	"Mr. Worf," Picard said. "As soon as the internal <br>
sensors are on-line, I need a status report."<br>
	"Yes, Sir." The viewscreen blinked again and a very blurry <br>
	image <br>
materialized and slowly coalesced into a familiar image.<br>
	"Deep Space Nine," Picard said. <br>
<br>
<br>
	Sisko and his crew stared dumbfounded at the main Ops <br>
viewscreen.<br>
	"I don't believe this," Sisko said. "It does seem <br>
	impossible," Dax concurred from behind <br>
him.<br>
	On the screen were five starships -- all named <br>
Enterprise. All from different time periods.<br>
	"Commander," O'Brien called out. "We are getting a hail <br>
from the Enterprise, ah, 1701-D, Sir."<br>
	"On the screen." The screen changed from the historic image <br>
	to one of <br>
familiarity, a Galaxy-Class starship's main bridge. In the center was <br>
Jean-Luc Picard, a man Sisko once despised, for as Locutus of Borg, <br>
Picard destroyed the Starfleet at Wolf 359, in the process killing his <br>
wife Jennifer.<br>
	Sisko's violent emotions had ebbed since he met Picard <br>
-- not Locutus -- when the Enterprise arrived to assist in the <br>
establishment of a Federation presence on DS9 earlier this year.<br>
	But the viewer's image brought back strong emotions of <br>
Jennifer, nearly overwhelming Sisko for a moment.<br>
	"Captain Picard," he said with too much emotion. "Commander <br>
	Sisko," Picard said. "I am at a lack to <br>
understand how we got here, all of us. I was wondering if you could <br>
explain further."<br>
	"I'm afraid we are as much in the dark as you." Sisko <br>
said. "However, it looks as if we are about to be a part of history."<br>
 <br>
 CHAPTER THREE<br>
	"Captain, the communications between the starship and <br>
the space station are on recognizable, albeit advanced, Federation <br>
hails." <br>
 <br>
	"The code signatures from the vessels and the station <br>
fall within Starfleet parameters. There is a 92 percent probability  <br>
they are Federation crafts."<br>
	The Captain spun in his chair to look at the center <br>
viewscreen. "But of a much advanced design." He got up and walked over <br>
to his science officer. The Starship Enterprise was just returning from <br>
the Khitomer Conference en route to decommissioning when the ship began <br>
to shake apart.<br>
	"So, Spock," Captain James T. Kirk said to his Vulcan <br>
First Officer, "Could the buffeting we just experienced have been a <br>
time warp?"<br>
	Spock raised an eyebrow. "All evidence supports the <br>
conclusion." <br>
	"And," Kirk said, rubbing his hands together, "From <br>
what we've just heard, it seems Captain Picard of Enterprise ...D, <br>
knows Commander Sisko of DS9."<br>
	"It would seem so." "So perhaps we are in their time <br>
	period. Uhura," Kirk <br>
said to his communications officer. "Get me Captain Picard ... of the <br>
Starship Enterprise."<br>
	"Yes, Sir." <br>
 <br>
  <br>
	"Who?" Picard asked incredulously. "Captain James T. Kirk," <br>
	Worf repeated. "I guess I should have expected this," <br>
	Picard <br>
commented. He stood up, as did Riker and Troi.<br>
	Picard glanced toward his Number One. "Well, Sir. It's not <br>
	every day you get to address a <br>
legend," Riker said.<br>
	Picard put his hands up in front of him, as if he were <br>
pushing something away. "Now, everyone. I know how important James Kirk <br>
and his crew were to Federation history, but we must remember they are <br>
apparently here from the past. We can not let them know more about <br>
their future than is absolutely necessary. Or else we risk altering our <br>
history."<br>
	"I'm afraid it's much too late for that, Jean-Luc," <br>
said a familiar voice from behind him.<br>
	Picard spun on his heel to face... "Q!"<br>
 <br>
<br>
	"Of course," Picard fumed as he took two steps toward <br>
the entity. "This little affair has your trademark of chaos all over <br>
it."<br>
	Q took two steps back. "Normally, I'd agree with you, <br>
Picard. But this time its something far worse than a common prank."<br>
	"Q!" "Picard, this is serious, not only to you but to me." <br>
	"Oh come now, Q. What could possibly harm an omnipotent <br>
entity?," the Captain said rolling his eyes. "Now deliver those <br>
starships back to..."<br>
	"That's just it Picard. Unbelievably, something has <br>
affected me and all Q. We're immobilized."<br>
	Data stood up, "Immobilized? As I understood it, the Q <br>
Continuum was omnipotent and, to the extent of the known physical <br>
universe, all-powerful."<br>
	"A nice thought," Q said. "But, alas, no longer true. <br>
There's a new bully in the neighborhood."<br>
	Picard brow furrowed. "Indeed, and just what is this <br>
bully's intentions."<br>
	Q plopped down onto the nearest chair. "To conquer ... <br>
everything. And they've started by neutralizing the continuum and <br>
eliminating... something else."<br>
	"And what is that?," Worf asked. "Believe me, Microbrain, <br>
	you don't want to know." "Q," Picard yelled. "Stop this <br>
	evasiveness and..." "Earth, Picard. They eliminated the <br>
	Planet Earth. It <br>
never existed."<br>
	No one said anything. There was no movement on the <br>
bridge.<br>
	"Speechless," Q said. "I would never had believed it. I <br>
guess these new guys are more powerful."<br>
	"Come ...now..., Q." Picard said slowly. "If what you <br>
say were true than how could any of us be here."<br>
	"At the last moment before your beloved home was <br>
vanquished, I used all the remaining power of the Q to ... save you."<br>
	"Why?" Data asked. "Because, my dear Data, you and your <br>
	crew were all that <br>
I could think of... off the top of my head... that could help me banish <br>
these bullies."<br>
	"Really?" Picard said. "And... the other Enterprises." "An <br>
	aftereffect, I suppose, Jean-Luc. I only had a <br>
mali-second to act, and my powers were unfocused due to the invaders. <br>
So when I thought Starship Enterprise, we got more than we bargained <br>
for."<br>
	"...And DS9?" "Simply the last place I visited in your <br>
	universe <br>
before the invasion."<br>
	"Wonderful." Picard said. Riker stepped up next to his <br>
	Captain. "It looks as if <br>
we have a problem, Sir."<br>
	"Always the master of understatement, Riker," Q said. <br>
"Well, at least you've got me along to help for the duration."<br>
	"Marvelous," Worf said.<br>
<br>
  <br>
	"No response, Sir," Uhura said. "Hmmm. Are our hailing <br>
	frequencies compatible with <br>
theirs?"<br>
	Uhura shrugged, "Assuming they are from our future they <br>
should be able to read us. After all, I can read old-style radio <br>
waves."<br>
	"Good point," Kirk said. "Well..." He was interrupted by a <br>
	beeping from Uhura's station. <br>
 <br>
	"Is it Picard?" Kirk asked. "No, Sir. It's from the <br>
	previous Enterprise. NCC-1701." Kirk looked at Spock then <br>
	turned slowly to the <br>
viewscreen. "Visual."<br>
	The screen wavered and a familiar visage filled it, a <br>
ruggedly handsome man, who Kirk noted with sadness, was doomed to spend <br>
his older years crippled by Delta Ray exposure. "This is Captain <br>
Christopher Pike of the Starship Enterprise. Come in, please."<br>
	Kirk swallowed. "This is Captain James T. Kirk ... of a <br>
future Starship Enterprise."<br>
	Pike nodded, "Our sensors confirm all the starships <br>
orbiting the station are future versions of my ship."<br>
	"Yes," Kirk said. "We have come to the same <br>
conclusion."<br>
	"Mr. Spock, my science officer," Pike said, "has <br>
suggested  we have as little exposure as possible so as not to further <br>
disrupt the course of future events. I just needed to confirm our <br>
findings."<br>
	"I ... understand," Kirk replied. "For now, we should <br>
limit communications to emergencies."<br>
	"Agreed, Pike out." The viewscreen wavered and resumed the <br>
	image of the <br>
Enterprises orbiting Deep Space Nine.<br>
	Kirk turned to Spock, "Do you remember ever giving that <br>
suggestion to Captain Pike."<br>
	"Negative, Captain. I have no recollection of these <br>
events ever occurring on the other Enterprise. I will scan the library <br>
computer records."<br>
	"Curiouser and curiouser," Kirk said as he sat in his <br>
chair.  <br>
   <br>
<br>
	"You saved us?," Riker shook his head in bewilderment. Q <br>
	shrugged, "I admit to a touch of temporary insanity." <br>
	Picard walked to the main viewscreen. Four Starship <br>
Enterprises -- a legacy spanning the history of the United Federation <br>
of Planets. From Captain April to Captain Garrett, NCC-1701 has defined <br>
the eras of their service. Now, if Q could be believed -- and Picard <br>
admitted he had no reason not to believe -- Earth had been eliminated, <br>
had never existed.<br>
	And through a fluke of undefinable cosmic powers, these <br>
historic ships and crews have come together to face their greatest <br>
challenge: To restore humanity. <br>
	And to defeat a force more powerful than the most <br>
powerful entity Picard had ever encountered. <br>
     "Mind-boggling, eh, Mon Capitan," Q said, coming up behind him.<br>
	Picard turned and marched past him up the ramp to <br>
Worf's security station. He turned and faced the entity, who still <br>
stood front and center. "Let's say your right, Q, and Earth is gone."<br>
	"I AM right, Picard.  I checked. It's not just gone, it <br>
was never there. Eight planets, not nine. Mercury, Venus, Mars. Earth <br>
is an asteroid belt."<br>
	"Which leaves me two immediate questions." Picard said <br>
gripping the security station. "One: why did these aggressors spare <br>
you?   And two: what has this done to galactic history?"<br>
	Q shook his head and walked toward the command chair. <br>
"Good questions. One: to taunt me, I suppose. The great taunter of the <br>
Universe, being taunted himself. They probably are having a laugh riot <br>
-- biding their time before they play out their game.<br>
	"And two: I said before humans were not important. <br>
However, you have had a large impact on this sector of space -- in <br>
another reality. Now it's open season."<br>
	"Who controls this space?," Worf asked. "I'm not sure <br>
	really," Q responded. "But, I'll bet we <br>
find out soon enough."<br>
	Data turned in his chair, "If I may, one can <br>
extrapolate, using known history as a referent, that this sector of <br>
space is probably controlled by the Cardassian Alliance. Assuming there <br>
was no Federation to help excise them from Bajoran Space."<br>
	"Assuming the Klingon Empire has not staked claim to <br>
this space long ago," Worf said with a bit of pride.<br>
	Picard looked at him with surprise. "Mr. Worf?" "The <br>
	Klingons had a strong military presence in this <br>
sector long before the Cardassians were a power. If there was no <br>
Federation..."<br>
	"You would have all died after Praxis or been conquered <br>
by the Romulans at Khitomer. Power, indeed." Q said. <br>
	Worf growled. Q laughed. Picard clapped his hands, <br>
	"Gentlemen, this speculation <br>
is foolhardy and useless. Mr. Data. Mr. Worf. Start long range sensor <br>
sweeps. See if we can get some answers."<br>
	"Deep Space Nine may be of some assistance, Sir," Data <br>
added.<br>
	"Indeed," Picard agreed. "Get me Commander Sisko. And <br>
send a general hail to the other Enterprises telling them to stand by <br>
for more information."<br>
<br>
	"Can we confirm these are friendly vessels?," Odo asked <br>
seconds after arriving at Ops.<br>
	Sisko shrugged, "It is the Enterprise out there --our <br>
Enterprise from our time period, Constable. I have no reason to believe <br>
the others are anything but what they seem."<br>
	"Never-the-less," Odo countered, "It might be wise if <br>
we take more defensive measures."<br>
	O'Brien stood from behind his station, slightly <br>
annoyed.<br>
	"Odo, the Enterprise would never take any action <br>
against this station."<br>
	"Just the same, Chief, caution is warranted. This is a <br>
highly unusual situation..."<br>
	The security chief was interrupted by a signal from <br>
O'Brien's station. "Its Captain Picard, Sir."<br>
	Sisko moved to center of Ops and then thought twice, <br>
"In my office, please, Chief."<br>
<br>
 <br>
	Sisko sat behind his desk turning his baseball over and <br>
over in his hand, tossing it between the two. He was trying to absorb <br>
the information Picard just gave him.<br>
	No Earth. Never an Earth. Blast Q. Sisko could not believe <br>
	Q wasn't behind this, <br>
and was frankly surprised at how easily Picard seems to have excepted <br>
his word. As far as Sisko could tell, Q couldn't be trusted as far as <br>
an infant could toss his baseball.<br>
	However, if there were entities more powerful than Q <br>
out to conquer the Universe, than what the hell could Sisko, could any <br>
of them do, to stand in its way?<br>
	Picard had suggested a meeting of all the captains on <br>
DS9. Sisko agreed and left the Enterprise Captain to deal with his <br>
counterparts. He had to deal with getting the station ready for the <br>
historic event and ready to deal with whatever came next.<br>
	He would need to call a meeting of his senior staff. If <br>
Picard was right and history had reset itself sans an Earth and human <br>
race, then they would inevitably encounter the political forces of the <br>
sector very soon. <br>
<br>
	Rom had rarely heard his brother laugh so excitedly. Quark <br>
	came up from behind and slapped him on the back <br>
so hard it almost knocked him over. "Don't be some glum, Rom. This is <br>
the profit-making event of the month... at least. All the Captains of <br>
the Enterprises. We'll have them all here, at Quark's Place. Who in <br>
their right mind would pass up the opportunity to meet so many heroes <br>
at one time? Everyone on the station ...on the ships ... on Bajor... <br>
will be here. Buying, gambling, drinking ...loosing their money... to <br>
us."<br>
	Rom coughed. "But brother, what if the rumor is true, <br>
that Earth has been erased from existence, and that the Federation <br>
doesn't exist either?"<br>
	Quark laughed louder, "Then, finally, Sisko has no <br>
authority to check my books." And the Ferengi howled with pleasure all <br>
the way to the holo-suites.<br>
<br>
CHAPTER FOUR<br>
	Spock looked up from his sensor station. The red alert <br>
klaxons were blaring. "The ship matches no correlations in our library <br>
banks. It is from a race we have not yet encountered."<br>
	"Ok, everyone," Kirk called out to his bridge staff. <br>
"Our priority in a combat situation will be to shield NCC- 1701, <br>
Captain Pike's ship, from attack. At this point, we can only worry <br>
about the direct links to our past and let the future take care of <br>
itself. Clear?"<br>
	"Aye, Sir," Chekov and the helmsman, McGarity, chimed <br>
together.<br>
	Uhura spoke up, "Captain Picard coming on all-hail, <br>
Sir."<br>
	"On screen," Kirk said, very frustrated by this turn of <br>
events. His shields were up and his weapons primed but Kirk knew he was <br>
facing a technology out-matching his... however, that wouldn't stop him <br>
from engaging the enemy, and defeating him.<br>
	The French-accented voice of the Captain of Enterprise-<br>
D filled Kirk's bridge, "The vessel approaching is a Cardassian <br>
Galor-Class Warship. I respectfully suggest all ships remain in orbit, <br>
while 1701-D dispatches her."<br>
	The signal broke and Kirk turned to his crew. <br>
"Opinions."<br>
	"As you said, Captain," Spock began. "We must let the <br>
future take care of itself. Also, if the Cardassian craft is of <br>
Picard's time period, his ship is the best equipped to deal with it."<br>
	Kirk nodded, "I agree. I just hate to sit this out." <br>
	"Captain," Chekov called out. "Enterprise-B is breaking <br>
orbit! She is pursuing Captain Picard's ship."<br>
	"What? On visual." The screen blipped away from Deep Space <br>
	Nine to show <br>
1701-B pursuing 1701-D toward the Cardassians.<br>
	Kirk stood up and stepped toward the viewer. "An <br>
Excelsior-Class ship. We should be able to stop her."<br>
	"Perhaps, Captain," Spock said. "Assuming the <br>
Enterprise-B is indeed a Excelsior Class as we are aware of them. She <br>
may be significantly more advanced. Also, we are not certain her <br>
actions are hostile."<br>
	"Status of 1701 and 1701-C?" "Still in orbit," McGarity <br>
	said. "Stand by to break orbit on my signal," Kirk ordered. <br>
	"Aye, Sir," Chekov replied.<br>
<br>
	"Raise Enterprise-B!" "No response, Sir," Worf said. "The <br>
	Cardassian is <br>
somehow interfering with communications."<br>
	"It is possible in this altered reality," Data said, <br>
"The Cardassian technology is quite different."<br>
	Picard paced in front of the command chairs, glancing <br>
once at Q who sat quietly, for once, next to Troi. "Counselor, can you <br>
sense anything from the ships?"<br>
	She concentrated for a few moments, "I sense hostility <br>
and a bit of confusion from the warship. From the Enterprise, I sense <br>
confusion and helplessness."<br>
	"They've never seen the likes of us before," Riker <br>
intoned. "Captain, the Federation doesn't exist so the Cardassians have <br>
no idea what they're facing."<br>
	"All they know is we are invaders," Worf added. "And <br>
apparently that is enough."<br>
	"Get us directly between the Warship and Enterprise-B," <br>
Picard ordered.<br>
	Just then, the Galor-Class Warship opened fire, <br>
striking 1701-B with a full weapons spread. Picard and crew watched as <br>
the energy pulses danced across the other starship's weakening defense <br>
screens.<br>
<br>
	"Break orbit," Kirk ordered. "Lock phasers and photon <br>
torpedoes on the warship."<br>
	"Aye, Sir," Chekov said. "Sir," Uhura called out, "The <br>
	other ships are breaking <br>
orbit as well. Moving in to assist." <br>
<br>
	"Benjamin, if the Enterprises are destroyed, our <br>
history will be irrevocably altered, even if we find a way to restore <br>
Earth," Dax said.<br>
	Sisko made the decision he contemplated when 1701-B <br>
broke orbit. "Chief O'Brien divert all power to the tractor beams. Hold <br>
those three starships in place."<br>
	O'Brien fingers flew frantically over his engineering <br>
board. "The power systems will be strained, Sir, especially if they <br>
attempt warp speed."<br>
	"Engage the beams," Sisko ordered. He watched as three <br>
	energy lances emanated from the <br>
outer ring of Deep Space Nine, catching the Enterprises as they began <br>
to break orbit. The lights in Ops dimmed momentarily and slowly <br>
brightened to normal.<br>
	"Got'um, Sir," O'Brien said. Then the comm board started <br>
	screaming at him. <br>
 <br>
	"DS9 has them in tractors," Riker said. "That Sisko is such <br>
	a bully," Q commented. "Status of Enterprise-B," Picard <br>
	barked. "The ship is experiences intermittent power <br>
	overloads <br>
due to the Cardassian attack," Data reported. "It is unlikely they will <br>
withstand another assault."<br>
	"If we can tell that, so can they," Riker responded. "Mr. <br>
	Worf, fire phasers at the warship." "Yes, Sir." Daggers of <br>
	power lanced forth from Enterprise-D. The <br>
bridge crew watched as the phasers struck the Cardassians, flaring on <br>
the ship's forward shields and dissipating rapidly.<br>
	"Damage report," Picard inquired. Worf scowled and looked <br>
	at his security readouts, <br>
"Minor damage to their forward deflectors. It appears the Cardassians <br>
have advanced shield technology in this reality."<br>
	Picard nodded, "Arm the phot--" "Sir," Worf called out. <br>
	"Enterprise-B has fired photon <br>
torpedoes." <br>
	On the screen, the weapons struck the Cardassians in <br>
the same spot as the phasers moments ago. This time, however, the <br>
stronger plasma blasts broke through, causing minor explosions to dance <br>
along the ship's hull.<br>
	"Helm," Picard ordered. "Get us back in between --" It was <br>
	too late. The Cardassian ship fired a full <br>
barrage of phasers, torpedoes, and something else, unidentifiable by <br>
Worf's computers.<br>
	The massive power struck the Enterprise-B dead-on.<br>
<br>
	"Damn it." Kirk yelled, "Uhura, get me Commander Sisko, <br>
now."<br>
	"They are refusing our hails, Sir, as well as the hails <br>
from the other Enterprises."<br>
	"Mr. Chekov, target the source of that tractor beam and <br>
lock phasers."<br>
	"Yes, Sir," Chekov said as his hands flew across his <br>
board.<br>
	"Fire!" Kirk said, launching an attack on Deep Space <br>
Nine.<br>
<br>
	"The Enterprise-B has suffered severe casualties," Worf <br>
reported. "They are near a power shutdown."<br>
	"What about their warp core?" Riker asked. "Scanning..." <br>
	Picard glared at the Warship, contemplating the next <br>
move. Obviously, the Cardassian was more advanced then what he was used <br>
to, but why had Enterprise-B acted in such an irrational manner, <br>
risking so much?<br>
	"Sir," Worf said. "The other Enterprise is going to <br>
warp speed! They are on a collision course with..."<br>
	"Mr. Data, warp speed!" Riker called. "Get us out of <br>
here."<br>
	"Worf, raise the Enterprise, now!" Picard called out. <br>
 <br>
 <br>
	Then the explosion blanketed the viewscreen, <br>
overloading the visual circuits momentarily, as the two star crafts <br>
collided.<br>
<br>
	"Evasive," Kirk ordered, as his Enterprise, primed for <br>
battle, found itself instead riding the waves of a warp drive <br>
explosion, pushing her back toward the space station.<br>
<br>
	"The shields will be overloaded," O'Brien cried over <br>
the alert klaxons in Ops. "Impossible to tell if they will hold."<br>
	"Brace yourselves," Sisko said, as the waves slammed <br>
DS9 throwing everyone mercilessly to the deck. <br>
<br>
	 Chief Engineer Montgomery Scott saw the station <br>
approaching quickly on the main viewer in the engine room. His <br>
Enterprise would be smashed like an old wooden ocean- going craft <br>
slamming into a rocky shoreline. 'Not this ship,' he thought as he made <br>
some rapid calculations on his master controls, altering the ship's <br>
course and warp speed output just enough to push his ship above and <br>
away from Deep Space Nine.<br>
	"Never again will I loose ya," he uttered to no one as <br>
he petted his control panel. "Never."<br>
<br>
	"All systems coming back on," O'Brien said, then added <br>
with a surprise. "The Cardassian tractors held, too. The Enterprises <br>
still in the beam survived and were held away from the station."<br>
	"Enterprise-A barely missed us, Sir," Kira said. Sisko <br>
	nodded his head, "And Picard's ship." "They went to warp <br>
	speed seconds before the explosion. <br>
Sensors cannot penetrate the incident horizon," Dax said.<br>
	"In other words, you don't know," Sisko clarified. <br>
	"Correct," Dax replied. <br>
<br>
	"Status report, Number One." The dark-haired woman turned <br>
	from the helm console to <br>
look at her Captain. "All systems are coming back on line, Sir. The <br>
shields were strained by repelling the explosion. They will need some <br>
repairs. The station's tractor beam kept us from being propelled into <br>
her hull. Dr. Boyce reports no casualties."<br>
	Christopher Pike nodded. His ship was saved by the beam <br>
trapping them from assisting the Enterprise-B and D with the alien <br>
ship. Now, Enterprise-B was destroyed, altering the future, unless that <br>
Enterprise was originally destined to be annihilated at this point. <br>
Unlikely.<br>
	Pike turned to his science officer, who was under his <br>
station examining the circuitry behind an open vent. "Mr. Spock?"<br>
	The young officer perked up, bumping his head on the <br>
vent. Pike smiled slightly, noting the brief grimace of embarrassment <br>
before the Vulcan got a hold of himself.<br>
	"Yes, Captain?" "I am assigning you to be our liaison to <br>
	the other <br>
ships and Deep Space Nine."<br>
	"But, Sir, there are higher-ranked..." "Belay that, Mister. <br>
	You got the job. Number One will <br>
assist you, but you're our man."<br>
	Number One raised an eyebrow. "Captain..." Pike turned. <br>
	"You should work with Enterprise-A, first. <br>
I recognize her captain, James Kirk. He is currently a promising <br>
Lieutenant under Captain Garrovick on the Farrugut. Currently, meaning <br>
our time, of course. In fact, we've met. I believe his future self is <br>
our best bet for gathering information."<br>
	"Logical," Number One said. "Indeed," Spock agreed. "Get to <br>
	it then." "Aye, Sir," they said in unison as they departed <br>
	the <br>
bridge.<br>
<br>
	"Well, how about those pyrotechnics?" Q said as he <br>
stood and stretched.<br>
	Picard clapped his hands together, "That is all you <br>
have to say? Hundreds of people just lost their lives."<br>
	Q shrugged, "Hey, what can we do? Grieve and move on, <br>
Captain. But of course you are again missing the big picture. How about <br>
you, Riker? Can you figure it out?"<br>
	Riker took a step toward the entity, "All I can figure <br>
out is I've had enough of your shenanigans, Q."<br>
	"The brilliance in this room!" Q said as he stepped <br>
toward the helm. "Data, save me from human stupidity."<br>
	The android stared at Q for a moment and then turned to <br>
look at Picard, "Perhaps Q is referring to the fate of NCC- 1701-B. In <br>
our timeline the ship was not destroyed in combat with Cardassians."<br>
	Q clapped. "Very good. You get the gold star, Data." <br>
	"Obviously, Q," Picard said loudly. "The Federation and <br>
Cardassians hadn't encountered each other during that time period."<br>
	"And now...?" Q said encouraging Picard to think more. <br>
When he didn't say anything, Q collapsed in a chair. "Why we ever got <br>
interested in you...? History is not locked in place anymore. Those <br>
bullies have released the flood gates."<br>
	"I'd say that was an obvious conclusion when they <br>
eliminated Earth," Riker said.<br>
	"But," Q said, "You see, you can't realign only a part <br>
of history. That's why tampering with the space-time continuum isn't <br>
done more often. Because you leave yourself open for annihilation."<br>
	"Q, I'm afraid we don't see the same cosmic picture," <br>
Picard said.<br>
	"Picard, listen. They erased humanity -- most of it. <br>
Now nothing's locked in place anymore. We can go back and erase them. <br>
The timestream can now be rewritten any number of times."<br>
	"This sounds like an extraordinarily dangerous option," <br>
Data commented.<br>
	"With Earth eliminated and the Q paralyzed, what do any <br>
of us have to loose? Nothing! And we've got everything to gain. How <br>
about it Picard, we can finally be a team." Q reached his hand toward <br>
the Captain.<br>
	Picard unconsciously grasped it and Q pulled him into a <br>
big hug, to everyone's surprise, especially the Captain's.<br>
	"Now," Q said, releasing Picard. "Helm, take us back to <br>
Deep Space Nine." Then he moved his right hand in a familiar gesture. <br>
"Engage!"  Nothing happened as Q looked at an angry Captain. "Just <br>
kidding. Sense of humor, Jean-Luc, is a useful character trait. Look <br>
into it." <br>
<br>
CHAPTER FIVE<br>
	"Odo, you look flustered, which I must admit is quite <br>
gratifying," Quark said as he approached the security chief in the <br>
Promenade.<br>
	"I am not flustered," Odo snapped. "Just preoccupied." <br>
	"With the Captains' meeting?" "What captains' meeting?" <br>
	"Come on, Odo, give me a little credit. The meeting <br>
Sisko is calling for the Enterprise captains."<br>
	"I have no idea what you're talking about." "Alright," <br>
	Quark smiled as he walked away. "But I'm <br>
inviting all of them to my bar for a celebration as soon as the meeting <br>
is over." He turned and looked behind him. "And believe it or not, <br>
you're invited."<br>
	Odo stopped his gait, shook his head and decided to <br>
walk in another direction.<br>
<br>
	"It is agreed then. The meeting will adjourn on Deep <br>
Space Nine at 1350 hours."<br>
	"Fine. I'm looking forward to it," Kirk said. <br>
 <br>
	"Enterprise out," Picard's image vanished from the <br>
Enterprise-A's viewscreen.<br>
	"The Enterprise-D has resumed orbit," Chekov reported. Kirk <br>
	nodded and turned back to Uhura. "Have Doctor <br>
McCoy meet me in my quarters. Mr. Chekov you have the conn. Spock with <br>
me."<br>
	When they entered the turbolift, Kirk turned to first <br>
officer.  "Well, what do you think?"<br>
	Spock raised an eyebrow. "If we are to learn anything <br>
more about our situation, it will be necessary to meet with the others <br>
as Captain Picard suggests. In addition, as we have witnessed, we may <br>
have to rely on the newer class starships for future conflict."<br>
	"What about the time flow conflicts?" "History has <br>
	apparently already been seriously <br>
compromised, considering I have no personal recollection and Starfleet <br>
records show no indication of NCC-1701 ever undergoing our current <br>
situation."<br>
	Kirk nodded as the turbolift opened. Spock was right, <br>
but he didn't enjoy the idea of having to reset history. It reminded <br>
him of Edith, and threatened to unleash the emotional turmoil tied to <br>
her memory.<br>
	When they arrived at his quarters, Dr. Leonard McCoy <br>
was waiting. <br>
	"Well, it about time you decided to clue me in," he <br>
said.<br>
	"Let's go inside," Kirk responded waving his best <br>
friends through the doorway. "Would anyone like a drink?"<br>
	Spock shook his head. "For God's sake, Jim, dispense with <br>
	the pleasantries <br>
and start talking. I hate to be in the dark."<br>
	"Sorry, Bones." He sat on his bed. "Well, it seems that <br>
we are here due to an imbalance in the powers of an entity named Q."<br>
	Bones shook his head, "Don't tell me. All-knowing, all-<br>
seeing, self-righteous..."<br>
	Kirk nodded. "Yes, Doctor, One of those." McCoy plopped <br>
	down on a chair, "Wonderful." "It seems this Q entity was <br>
	attacked," Kirk continued, <br>
"by an even more powerful being. This second entity has immobilized the <br>
Q and has erased Earth."<br>
	McCoy did a double-take, "Come again." "Doctor," Spock <br>
	began, "Earth has apparently been <br>
deleted from the time stream."<br>
	McCoy stared blankly for a moment, "Well then how the <br>
hell are we here?"<br>
	Kirk shrugged, "According to Captain Picard, the Q <br>
entity currently on Enterprise-D's bridge has had previous encounters <br>
with her crew. Q felt Enterprise could help in banishing the other <br>
entity. The rest of us are here because Q's powers were unfocused and <br>
dragged every Federation Starship Enterprise along for the ride."<br>
	McCoy stood, "And you're going over to the station to <br>
meet with the other captains."<br>
	"Yes. Captain Pike, Captain Picard and Captain Rachel <br>
Garrett... along with station Commander Benjamin Sisko and this Q. And <br>
you and Spock, of course."<br>
	"And we are all are gonna talk about ...what? Finding <br>
another home?"<br>
	Spock folded his hands together. "It would be logical <br>
to assume the topic will be rescuing Earth."<br>
	Bones stood up, "Oh sure. Maybe if we say to this <br>
super-entity 'pretty please' it will change its mind and give us our <br>
planet back. Damn it, how are we going to combat an entity that can <br>
alter history at will?"<br>
	Kirk joined them in standing, "How did we combat <br>
Apollo, or Trelane, the Kelvans... or Charlie Evans ... or Gary? We did <br>
it because we are the best crew in Starfleet. We did it because we <br>
never lost confidence in ourselves or each other."<br>
	McCoy shook his head, "Maybe we are the luckiest group <br>
of people in space. Maybe our luck is running out."<br>
	Kirk walked up and clapped his hands on the doctor's <br>
shoulders. "You don't believe that, Bones. Now we've got a job to do, <br>
and I'll need you both. Let's show these next generation Enterprises <br>
why our crew is in the history books."<br>
	"Agreed," Spock said. "Nice pep talk, Jim," Bones said. <br>
	"Thanks," Kirk grinned as they left his quarters. <br>
 <br>
<br>
	Benjamin Sisko was getting ready in his quarters. Sisko <br>
	hated the dress uniform, but felt compelled to <br>
wear it. After all, he was about to meet some of the greatest heros of <br>
the U.F.P. The dress uniform was the least he could do to honor them. <br>
He had read about the missions of the Starships Enterprise at the <br>
academy, some were assigned readings. <br>
	However, Cadet Sisko made Enterprise his unofficial <br>
hobby, soaking up library disc after library disc full of log reports <br>
and summaries. These stories of adventure and exploration drove him to <br>
space. However, in all his readings he never came across the logs <br>
describing this situation. Surely, it would have been recorded by <br>
Captain Pike and Captain Kirk, for they kept extremely detailed log <br>
entries. But it wasn't. Sisko double checked the records hours ago, no <br>
mention. He planned to make this a point at the meeting.<br>
	"Excited, Dad?" Benjamin turned to see his son smiling in <br>
	the doorway <br>
to his bedroom. He smiled, "Absolutely, Jake. The people coming on the <br>
station are the reason your old man joined Starfleet."<br>
	Jake looked down and frowned, "I see. That is exciting, <br>
I guess. Well, Major Kira is in the living room waiting."<br>
	Now, what was that look all about? Sisko put his hand <br>
on his son's shoulder. "Jake?"<br>
	The boy looked up and smiled. "It's nothing, dad. I <br>
just ...get into moods sometimes."<br>
	So that was it. Mentioning his entrance to Starfleet <br>
reminded Jake of his mom and her death aboard a starship. Sisko <br>
reprimanded himself, he had to be careful about what he said, the boy <br>
still hurt as much as he did, perhaps more in some ways. "Hang in <br>
there, Jake. We can talk when I get back."<br>
	Jake shrugged, "It's no big deal, Dad. Don't worry." <br>
	"That's a dad's job, Jake. I'll be back soon." Benjamin <br>
	walked out into the living room to meet his <br>
first officer. <br>
	"Snazzy, Commander," Major Kira Nerys said, looking at <br>
his attire.<br>
	"Shall we go." "Of course, the members of the Enterprise <br>
	are aboard. <br>
Dax and Odo have escorted them to Mrs. O'Brien's classroom."<br>
	"Excellent," Sisko said. His staff had decided the <br>
school was the least conspicuous and most secure area to hold the <br>
meeting. Odo, in fact, had already began the security planning before <br>
the others had finalized their decision. And Sisko trusted the <br>
Constable's instincts, so the classroom became the site. <br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
	James Kirk shook Christopher Pike's hand. "It's a <br>
pleasure to see you again, Captain," Kirk said.<br>
	"Indeed, Captain. It's good to see the promising young <br>
man from the Farragut has done so well."<br>
	"Thank you, Sir. What do you think of all this?" "I think <br>
	this is an extraordinarily unusual and <br>
dangerous  situation. Any wrong move on our part -- however that may be <br>
defined -- can have disastrous repercussions."<br>
	"The fate of Enterprise-B may have already caused <br>
irreparable repercussions."<br>
	"True, but we must deal with our immediate futures, <br>
Captain Kirk. As long as there is an Enterprise-A there will be a B. <br>
The Federation can be restored."<br>
	"I agree, Sir." Spock of Enterprise-A came into the <br>
	promenade and <br>
approached the two men with whom he held the most loyalty. "The meeting <br>
is ready to begin, Captains."<br>
<br>
	The chairs will set up in a circle. At the top sat <br>
Jean-Luc Picard. Then around clockwise were Q, Riker, Pike, Number One, <br>
Spock, Kirk, McCoy, Sisko, Kira, Garrett and her first officer <br>
Alexander Okuda. Outside the room, Odo and Worf led the security team.<br>
	Sisko stood first, "As commander of this station, I <br>
would like to welcome you all to Deep Space Nine. This is an <br>
unprecedented meeting of some of the most important citizens ever to <br>
represent Starfleet and the United Federation of Planets. We are <br>
honored by your presence and know that with all of us working together, <br>
we can return the time stream and the universe to its proper alignment. <br>
Thank you." He sat.<br>
	Q leaned over to Picard, "Not an elegant speech maker, <br>
huh, Jean-Luc?"<br>
	Picard brow creased, "Q, please..." "Excuse me," James Kirk <br>
	said, standing. "These <br>
pleasantries are time consuming and pointless. No offense, Commander <br>
Sisko, but if you hadn't been so arrogant as to lock a tractor beam on <br>
my ship and the others, 500 important Federation citizens wouldn't be <br>
space dust now. Now, I think we should cut to the chase and stop <br>
treating this like a mutual admiration society. We've got a universe to <br>
set right."<br>
	"Bravo," Q said clapping, "I like this one, Picard." Kirk <br>
	took two steps toward the entity, "You must be Q." <br>
	"Greetings and felicitations, Kirk," Q smiled. "I have no <br>
	use for super-powered egotistical know-it-<br>
alls, Q," Kirk said. "Now do you have something useful to offer or are <br>
you just here for comic relief?"<br>
	Q smiled and nodded, standing and clapping Kirk on the <br>
shoulder. He laughed as Kirk recoiled. "I have more to offer than your <br>
puny mind can comprehend, Kirk. The question is when do I feel like <br>
offering it."<br>
	Kirk took another step toward Q. Picard jumped up and <br>
put himself between the two. "Q, Captain Kirk," Picard said. "It would <br>
be unfortunate if this cordial meeting degenerated."<br>
	"If I find you are withholding important information, <br>
Q..." Kirk said staring the entity in the eyes. They locked gazes for a <br>
long moment, then they went back to their mutual seats.<br>
	"Good combative spirit, Kirk." Q called out as he was <br>
facing away from the Captain. "Definitely old school."<br>
	"I hope you don't mind if I interrupt," Christopher <br>
Pike called over Q's remarks. "There are obviously going to be some <br>
personality clashes. However, Starfleet Academy, in my day, emphasized <br>
accomplishment of goals over dispositions. I hope that still stands <br>
with today's graduates."<br>
	"Of course, Captain," Picard said. "We are in a unique <br>
scenario obviously, and I feel Q is most qualified to introduce the <br>
situation."<br>
	"Ah, correct, Jean-Luc, " Q said standing and <br>
straightening his tunic, "I'll try to make this as easy to understand <br>
as possible." He turned and smiled at Kirk.  "You see, the Q, an <br>
omnipotent race of which I am very highly ranked, have been invaded, <br>
caught off guard, actually, by a very powerful -- and bullying -- <br>
entity or entities. I was the only Q to escape their grasp--"<br>
	"And the others?" Pike's Number One asked. "They, my lady, <br>
	are immobilized back in the continuum." "Not so omnipotent <br>
	after all, eh," McCoy said. "Watch your tongue, little <br>
	man," Q blurted. Kirk jumped out of his chair, "The <br>
	doctor's right. And <br>
if this entity was able to take the rest of the Q out, I don't see how <br>
you can help us."<br>
	Q's face grimaced, "As if you understand anything about <br>
the nature of the universe, Kirk."<br>
	"That's how he's gonna help us, Jim," McCoy chortled. <br>
"By hurtling insults."<br>
	"The degree of our understanding the nature of the <br>
universe," Spock said, "seems to have little to do with our current <br>
scenario."<br>
	Q laughed, pointing toward Kirk, Spock, and McCoy. "You <br>
boys have a few puny success stories over a quarter century --less than <br>
infinitesimal in universal measure-- and you think everyone should bow. <br>
The great exploits of the Starship Enterprise." He laughed louder.<br>
	"That's enough!" Christopher Pike yelled. "Mr. Q, if <br>
you have something worthwhile to tell us, fine. Do so, without <br>
interruption and insult, or else turn the meeting over to someone <br>
else."<br>
	Q's eyed widened. "Fine, see if you insignifigants can <br>
solve this without me. After all, you'd all be less than spacedust  <br>
without my help. So, go ahead. I've done my share already, anyhow." He <br>
crossed his arm and closed his eyes.<br>
	Picard turned to him, "Q, this is childish." He nodded and <br>
	whispered, "Tell them when they stop <br>
acting like children, maybe I'll be willing to help." Seconds later he <br>
was quietly snoring.<br>
	"According to Q," Pike was saying, "This new force is <br>
very powerful -- it would have to be to annihilate Earth and alter <br>
history. So, we need to find allies who can help us."<br>
	"Q ... on a good day," Riker intoned. After a moment of <br>
	silence Kirk whispered, "All is as it <br>
was before."<br>
	McCoy looked at his captain and a flash of recognition <br>
crossed his face. "Many such journeys are possible. Let me be your <br>
gateway."<br>
	"Gentlemen...," Spock started but McCoy jumped in. "The <br>
	Guardian of Forever. Great idea, Jim." He let his <br>
head fall into his palm. "Ohh, but just thinking of that portal gives <br>
me a headache."<br>
	Q perked up, "The doughnut? You guys know about the <br>
doughnut?"<br>
	Kirk gave Q a hard stare. "Hmmm. An elementary school <br>
	science project gone awry," <br>
Q said smirking.       <br>
	"Elementary school science project, in a pig's eye," <br>
Bones McCoy snorted. "This Q is either a super being or certifiable."<br>
	"Probably close to both," Kirk replied. He, Bones, and <br>
Spock were walking through the promenade of Deep Space Nine. "Spock, <br>
what's your opinion about the meeting?"<br>
	The Vulcan raised his right eyebrow. "Captains Picard <br>
and Garrett and Commander Sisko seem to be competent Starfleet <br>
officers. However, to solve this situation will require a substantial <br>
leap beyond competency. I cannot say from our meeting whether or not <br>
these officers are up to the task at hand."<br>
	"And we, of course, are," McCoy said dryly. <br>
     <br>
	Kirk shrugged and was about to reply when a voice <br>
called from behind them.<br>
	"Admiral Kirk! Admiral Kirk! We meet at last..." Kirk <br>
	turned around to see a little man with a large <br>
head and very exaggerated ears. He was from a race Kirk didn't <br>
recognize. The little man jogging toward him was holding a drink. He <br>
offered it to the 'admiral.' "Saurian Brandy?," the man said.<br>
	Kirk didn't take the proffered beverage. "And you are?" <br>
	"Me? I am Quark, owner of the entertainment capital for <br>
this section of the galaxy, Quark's."<br>
	Kirk exchanged glances with his officers. "A bar?" "Not <br>
	simply a bar, Admiral. An oasis," he grabbed <br>
Kirk's sleeve. "Allow me to show you and your men."<br>
	Kirk stood his ground and yanked his arm back. "It's <br>
Captain Kirk, Mr. Quark, and I'd thank you to not manhandle me."<br>
	"Quark!" Kirk recognized the new voice belonged to Deep <br>
	Space <br>
Nine's Security Chief.<br>
	The shapeshifter marched up to the group and grabbed <br>
Quark's arm, lifting him half-way off his feet. "I am sorry if this <br>
Ferengi pest was annoying you, Captain Kirk."<br>
	'Ferengi?', Kirk thought. 'Another  new race for <br>
another century, amazing!' He glanced from Quark to Odo and shook his <br>
head. "No problem, Odo. We'll just be on our way."<br>
	"Stop by any time," Quark called out as Odo dragged him <br>
off.<br>
<br>
	"Your opinion, Commander?" Sisko looked into the <br>
	penetrating eyes of Jean-Luc <br>
Picard. "My opinion, Sir, is we have no choice but to try to restore <br>
the Federation and the universe the way it was before."<br>
	Picard nodded. "I concur. I sincerely hope we have the <br>
means necessary." The two officers arrived at Sisko's quarters, when <br>
they heard laughter. They turned to see Q leaning against a bulkhead.<br>
	Picard scowled, "I thought you said your powers were <br>
nullified."<br>
	"They are, Mon Capitan. However, my powers of stealth <br>
are fully operational. You boys are doubting if you have the proper <br>
muster? You are wise to question. This is larger than all of us."<br>
	"Q..." "Hold on, Picard. I always let you have your <br>
	speeches, <br>
now return the courtesy." Q stood tall and straightened his tunic in a <br>
blatant parody of the Enterprise-D captain. "You know, we talk about <br>
resetting the universe to its ... proper ... flow. Maybe this is the <br>
proper flow. Who's to say? Maybe we've stumbled upon reality here. No <br>
Earth, no Federation, no Q continuum. Sobering thinking, wouldn't you <br>
say? Maybe there never was any where to boldly go." Q smiled at his <br>
listeners.<br>
	Sisko grimaced and turned to Picard, "You do have <br>
quarters arranged for him on the Enterprise."<br>
	Picard nodded. "Thank goodness."<br>
 <br>
<br>
	"Christopher, is it?" "Yes, Captain." "Oh, please. Rachel." <br>
	"Very well. Rachel." Rachel Garrett reached out and shook <br>
	hands with a <br>
legend, Captain Christopher Pike. But, she'd be damned if she'd act <br>
like a star-struck girl. She was a Captain of the Enterprise as well <br>
and would act with proper decorum. "Can we talk for a moment before <br>
returning to our ships?"<br>
	"Of course." "Christopher..." He smiled, "Chris." "Chris," <br>
	She smiled back. "I have to say that I've <br>
studied the history of my ship. Of the Enterprises past. They have got <br>
into their shares of crises. Your crew, Robert April's crew before you <br>
and Captain Kirk's..."<br>
	"What's on your mind, Rachel?" "Well, I took over the <br>
	reigns of Enterprise-C on <br>
Stardate... well I guess that doesn't ... five months ago. My crew is a <br>
bit untried. Certainly not as seasoned as the other Enterprises <br>
orbiting Deep Space Nine."<br>
	"You're nervous." She gulped unconsciously and then cursed <br>
	herself, "A <br>
bit."<br>
	"So am I." "Sir?" They strolled through the promenade and <br>
	sat down at a <br>
table near the entrance of Quark's. A strange little man with ears came <br>
up to them. Obviously the bartender. Pike waved him off, and the man <br>
left with a look of disgust on his face.<br>
	"Rachel," He continued. "Being a starship captain <br>
doesn't mean you check your feelings at the dock. However, you must <br>
learn to use those feelings advantageously."<br>
	She nodded. "I had served as a starship captain for <br>
eight years before getting the Enterprise. But, he's not just any <br>
ship."<br>
	'He? A female captain and a male ship,' Pike thought. <br>
'Number One would appreciate this woman.' "From what I can see, the <br>
Enterprise of any era is a force to be reckoned with. Rachel, I <br>
recently dealt with a personal struggle. My CMO told me to face it head <br>
on and lick it, or turn my back and whither away. Just transfer your <br>
strength to your crew. Show them that this is the Enterprise. That they <br>
are the Enterprise. A proud legacy. They'll follow you."<br>
	She nodded and smiled. "Thank you, Sir." "Uh-uh. Chris." <br>
	Her smile broadened. "Chris." "Now, I think its time we get <br>
	back to our ships."<br>
 <br>
  <br>
 <br>
<br>
CHAPTER SIX<br>
	"Captain Picard on hailing frequencies." "Thank you, <br>
	Commander. On screen." Kirk stood and <br>
glanced at his command crew: Spock, Scotty, Chekov and Uhura; his <br>
friends. He was about to rely on them to help save civilization once <br>
again. But not Sulu, he and the crew of the U.S.S. Excelsior were <br>
victims of the time distortion along with everyone else they knew, the <br>
other friends and family that filled his crews' lives. All wiped away, <br>
waiting in entropy for the Starships Enterprise to act -- if they can.<br>
	The screen flickered and a now familiar face filled it. <br>
"Captain Picard. The Enterprise-A stands ready."<br>
	"Captain Kirk, 1701-D standing by. The probes from DS9 <br>
reconfirm our findings that Cardassian forces are at least three days <br>
away. We have that long."<br>
	Kirk nodded, "Captain Pike and Captain Garrett report <br>
their ships are fully prepared for battle."<br>
	"Commander Sisko also confirms his station's battle <br>
readiness."<br>
	"Then that leaves us with our job. You have the <br>
coordinates."<br>
	"Indeed, Captain Kirk." "Then, follow our lead, Captain <br>
	Picard. Kirk out." The <br>
screen flicked back to the space scape.<br>
	"Voice only signals from Captains Pike and Garrett and <br>
the station," Uhura said. "They wish good luck."<br>
	"Acknowledge them, please, Commander. Mr. McGarity, set <br>
course for Forever World. Mr. Chekov, ahead warp factor seven. Spock, <br>
keep those sensors peeled for any party crashers. As of now, the ship <br>
is on a standing yellow alert."<br>
	A chorus of 'aye, sirs' met Kirk as he sat back in the <br>
chair, mentally wished good luck to all.<br>
<br>
	"This is interesting," Q said as he paced the bridge of <br>
Enterprise-D.<br>
	"Sit down," Riker intoned. "Stop marching like a toy <br>
soldier."<br>
	Q shrugged and sat down Indian-style in the center of <br>
the bridge.<br>
	Troi couldn't help but smirk. "I hesitate to ask this," <br>
	Picard said, "but what is <br>
interesting, Q?"<br>
	"Going to the doughnut. It is feasible it survived the <br>
alterations. It may even be useful. Q would be besides himself."<br>
	"Q?," Data queried from his seat at comm. "Q, Mr. Data. An <br>
	irascible student in his day, worse <br>
than me. I idolized him for a bit, until I got tired of his immature <br>
pranks. Anyway, Q would be besides himself to know that his little pet <br>
school project may actually help save the whole continuum ... the whole <br>
universe. Of course, if it does, I'm not going to tell him. He would be <br>
more impossible to be around."<br>
	"The Q," Riker said, "sound as if they all come from <br>
the same spoiled crib."<br>
	"Watch yourself, Riker. That crib is the essence of the <br>
universe, the previous universe ... before this one."<br>
	"Q," Picard said. "If your friend built the Guardian, <br>
then perhaps your knowledge..."<br>
	"Forget it, Jean-Luc," Q frowned, "My friend, as you <br>
call him, was very tight-lipped. You always had to ask him direct <br>
questions if you wanted answers. And after our falling out, I never <br>
wanted to get that personal. Nope, I'm afraid I'll have to figure it <br>
out with the rest of you people ... and Worf."<br>
	Worf snarled from the above security station. Q laughed, "I <br>
	love pissing him off."<br>
<br>
	"Bajor." "What about it, Major?" Sisko and Kira were <br>
	standing in <br>
Sisko's office overlooking Ops.<br>
	"The planet is right where it was before this mess, <br>
Commander. We might find some of the answers we seek down there."<br>
	Sisko nodded and pitched his baseball between his <br>
hands. "Perhaps. But that isn't the real reason for your request."<br>
	Kira sat down on the couch. "I have to know how the <br>
planet's survived in this timeframe."<br>
	"We sent probes..." "Which show the cities decimated, I <br>
	know. But, they <br>
also indicated life around the sanctuary outside the capital."<br>
	"Bajoran life forms." Kira leaped up again. "Yes! Maybe <br>
	survivors of the <br>
Vedek Assembly or the Kai herself..."<br>
	Sisko shrugged. "Or maybe not." "Commander..." "Major." <br>
	Sisko put the baseball back in its holder on <br>
the desk and paused for a few moments. He then turned to his first <br>
officer. "I agree with your plan. There may be clues down there to <br>
Cardassian strength and I am curious also to what Bajor is like in this <br>
timeframe. If Picard and Kirk fail, we may be here for a long time. We <br>
will need allies and supplies. Let me discuss it with Pike and Garrett. <br>
Get their recommendations. In the meantime, have O'Brien prep the Rio <br>
Grande."<br>
	Kira smiled, "Thank you, Sir." <br>
<br>
	"All scanners show clear," Number One said. Pike squinted <br>
	at the viewscreen, as if trying to <br>
increase the magnification mentally of his fully-magnified main viewer. <br>
Space. But, nothing like he had experienced. Perhaps, out there nothing <br>
was familiar. The Cardassians were powerful, they after all helped take <br>
out a ship two generations beyond his own. But, he was sure that <br>
between himself, Enterprise-C and the station they would put up a fight <br>
if necessary, enough to hold off these Cardassians until reinforcements <br>
arrived, if they ever did.<br>
	"Report at the slightest peep, Number One." "Aye, Sir." <br>
	"Incoming signal from the station, Captain," Spock <br>
exclaimed.<br>
	"Okay, Mr. Spock. Let's have it." The screen wavered into <br>
	the image of Commander Sisko. <br>
"Captain Pike."<br>
	"Commander." "Sir, as you know, the Planet Bajor is in this <br>
	sector. <br>
we have had extensive dealings with this planet in the real time line."<br>
	"Your first officer is Bajoran." "Yes. Our probes indicate <br>
	life on the planet near a <br>
major religious enclave. Major Kira believes that members of the <br>
religious community may be alive and in need of assistance. I suggest <br>
authorizing am away mission led by her to the planet's surface."<br>
	"If the others don't succeed we will need more than we <br>
currently have to survive."<br>
	"My thoughts exactly, Captain." Pike nodded and crossed his <br>
	arms. "So, what do you need <br>
from me?"<br>
	"It was my feeling that this should be a joint <br>
operation between staffs. I will provide the runabout and assign Major <br>
Kira and my science officer, Lieutenant Dax."<br>
	Pike frowned. Bajor was on the fringes of Federation <br>
space in the 24th Century. During his time, it was years away from <br>
being even charted. Therefore, theoretically, his crew should have no <br>
contact at all with Bajor or this sector. But, they were here and they <br>
weren't going to get the Federation back by playing it safe. "Very <br>
well, Captain. Lieutenant Spock and my Number One will join your team. <br>
They will transport over to the station shortly."<br>
	"We will be ready." The screen wavered back into an <br>
image of the final frontier.<br>
<br>
	Garrett looked at Lieutenants Harcourt Long and Melanie <br>
Jacoby. They were two of her finest security personnel and they <br>
volunteered to join the officers on the away mission to Bajor. "I have <br>
the utmost confidence in you two," She said smiling. "And I want a <br>
complete report when you return."<br>
	"Yes, Sir," Jacoby snapped. Garrett went to the academy <br>
with her father, Captain Jeremy Jacoby of the U.S.S. Republic. The <br>
Captain of the Enterprise-C marveled again at the strength of will of <br>
her new crew, knowing that parents and friends like Jacoby had ceased <br>
to exist. And yet, the crew of her ship stood tall and were ready to <br>
serve. A phrase ran through Garrett's head suddenly, 'This isn't a <br>
mission, it's personal.'<br>
	Long nodded to his Captain, "You'll have it, Sir." "Very <br>
	good." She turned to the ensign behind the <br>
console. "Energize." <br>
<br>
<br>
	"ETA, Data." The android looked up at the main viewscreen <br>
	and turned <br>
to Commander Riker. "18 hours, present speed."<br>
	'IMZADI!' The force of the thought made Riker cringe. He <br>
	turned <br>
to look at Deanna at the chair next to his. She was perfectly composed, <br>
looking straight ahead. Riker's brow creased in confusion "De..."<br>
	'IMZADI, MY MOTHER. I CAN'T FEEL HER PRESENCE ANYMORE. <br>
I THOUGHT I DID BUT IT WAS JUST AN ECHO FROM THE PAST. SHE'S NOT THERE, <br>
WILL. NOT ON BETAZED, NOWHERE.'<br>
	Riker thought back, 'I KNOW, IMZADI. NEITHER IS MY <br>
FATHER.'<br>
	'OH, I'M BEING SELFISH. I'M SORRY.' 'NOT AT ALL. IT'S <br>
	CERTAINLY OVERWHELMING IF YOU THINK <br>
ABOUT IT. ESPECIALLY IF YOU THINK THAT WE'RE HERE BY Q'S GOOD GRACES <br>
...OR SCREWUPS.'<br>
	'WE HAVE TO SUCCEED, WILL. WE MUST SUCCEED.' 'I KNOW.'<br>
<br>
	"Kirk to Enterprise." "Enterprise, Picard here." Jean-Luc <br>
	sat behind his <br>
ready room desk with Kirk's image on the screen. Q lounged on the couch <br>
across the room.<br>
	"Your status, Captain?" "All is well, so far. Our sensors <br>
	show clear." "As do ours. We should start making plans for <br>
	the <br>
landing party. Obviously, myself and Captain Spock should beam down <br>
since we have experience with the Guardian."<br>
	"Agreed. I will join you, as will my science officer, <br>
Commander Data and Worf, head of Security..."<br>
	A loud sneeze came from the couch. Kirk started, "I'm <br>
	sorry, Captain. I didn't get that." "He said 'And Q,' <br>
	Captain Kirk," exclaimed Q who walked <br>
up to the desk and span the viewer to face him.<br>
	"I most certainly did not," said Picard, spinning the <br>
viewer back.<br>
	"Gentlemen, Gentlemen," Kirk cried out, "Please, I'm <br>
getting dizzy."<br>
	"You have to admit, Jean-Luc," Q declared, "I am an <br>
essential on this away team. More so than you, in fact. I can't wait to <br>
see Riker's reaction when you announce you're beaming down."<br>
	"Enough, Q. Captain Kirk, Q says a friend..." <br>
	"...acquaintance..." "...of his constructed the Guardian. <br>
	If this is so, <br>
then perhaps he may be of some use on the away team."<br>
	Kirk nodded, "Very well. Your discretion, of course, <br>
Captain. Kirk out." The screen blinked off.<br>
	"I was afraid he was going to say that." Jean-Luc <br>
looked up at Q's smiling face.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
	"She's ready, Sir," O'Brien said from his station at <br>
Ops.<br>
	"Sisko to Rio Grande." "Kira here. We're all checked in and <br>
	eager to go, <br>
Commander."<br>
	"Very well, Major. Good luck." "Thank you. Kira out." <br>
<br>
	"Everyone strapped in?," Kira called back to her crew. Dax <br>
	sat next to her at the Conn. Number One manned the <br>
science station, Spock manned the sensors. Lieutenants Jacoby and Long <br>
sat in the aft compartment going over the readiness of the 24th Century <br>
phasers.<br>
	They all signaled they were ready. "Rio Grande to O'Brien. <br>
	We're out of here." "Good luck, Major." A surge of power <br>
	and Deep Space Nine fell out from <br>
under the Runabout.<br>
	"Next stop," Dax announced. "Bajor."<br>
<br>
CHAPTER SEVEN<br>
<br>
	"Entering Forever World's system." "Thank you, Mr. Chekov. <br>
	Uhura, raise the Enterprise." "Yes, Sir. Captain Picard on <br>
	screen." The captain of the future appeared. "Yes, Captain <br>
Kirk."<br>
	"We're almost there. Are your people ready?" "Indeed so, <br>
	Captain. We've had to go through some <br>
computer security protocol to get to your reports concerning the <br>
Guardian. The Federation has them classified at the highest level even <br>
in our time."<br>
	Kirk nodded. "I'm not surprised. The dangers involved <br>
with using the Guardian are cataclysmic. But, in our present situation <br>
I don't see what we have to lose."<br>
	"Standard orbital approach, Sir?" said Chekov and, on <br>
the screen, Ro at the same time, both gazing quickly at the other and <br>
then turning to their respective commanders.<br>
	"Affirmative," Kirk said. "Make it so," responded Picard. <br>
	Then they both said, "Good luck, Captain." "See you below," <br>
	Kirk added before the communication <br>
ceased.<br>
<br>
	The young lieutenant tossed and turned in his bed, on <br>
the verge of sleep. Days after being assigned to the Enterprise, hand <br>
picked by the captain, the ship and crew were flung into a situation in <br>
which he felt helpless. 'Damn,' he thought in a half-conscious haze. 'I <br>
can't let this ship or this captain down, not like when...' Sleep <br>
captured him finally, cutting off all conscious thought.<br>
	The familiar beeping broke through his dreams. The <br>
lieutenant sat up quickly, drenched in sweat, unaware of how long he <br>
had been resting. The beep recurred. Someone was at the door to his <br>
quarters. A glance at his chrono indicated his shift was still ninety <br>
minutes away, but in their present situation... "Hold on a moment."<br>
	He jumped out of bed and wrapped a robe around himself. <br>
Stepping forward, the sensor automatically detected his presence and <br>
opened the door to reveal ... the captain.<br>
	"Sir?," he said fumbling at his half-open robe. "At ease, <br>
	Castillo." She said glancing at the blushing <br>
officer. "May I come in?"<br>
	"Of course," Richard Castillo replied, regaining his <br>
composure.<br>
	Captain Garrett walked past him and sat down on the <br>
nearest chair.<br>
	"Can I get you anything, Sir? Coffee, maybe or..." "No <br>
	time, Lieutenant." Castillo blinked in surprise. "Of <br>
	course, Sir." "I realize you have logged very little time <br>
	on a <br>
starship, but as you know, I chose you for your excellent academy <br>
credentials. You had more than your fair share of crises as a cadet. <br>
You know our current situation?"<br>
	"Yes." "Then you are aware we are preparing to re-engage <br>
	the <br>
Cardassians. You also know we have no backup support save a rickety <br>
space station and a starship that belongs in a museum. There is no <br>
guarantee that the other Enterprises will succeed in their mission. I <br>
need my best people in positions where they will be of the best use. <br>
Therefore, I am promoting you to the bridge as helmsman."<br>
	"Sir?," Castillo was genuinely taken aback. Garrett was <br>
leapfrogging him over a dozen officers.<br>
	"You would have made it there eventually, but I don't <br>
have time to put people through the ranks. The Cardassians and our <br>
other enemies aren't giving us such luxury. I'm just sorry your new <br>
duties will have to be performed in a situation such as this one. Your <br>
shift starts in thirty minutes, helmsman. See you on the bridge."<br>
	And she was gone, leaving a flabbergasted man in her <br>
wake.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
	"We should land near the arboretums adjacent to the <br>
Vedek Assembly," Kira said.<br>
	"If they exist," Dax countered. Kira shot her a vexing <br>
	glance. Number One, from the original Enterprise, stood and <br>
walked toward the front of the runabout where the two DS9 officers were <br>
seated. "It is logical to assume the conditions of the planet in which <br>
you are familiar will vary with those on the planet below, Major Kira."<br>
	"I understand, Sir," Kira responded in a fluster. "But <br>
we have no choice but to assume we can accomplish our mission."<br>
	"I agree," Number One concurred. Spock monitored the <br>
	science console. "Sensors indicate <br>
Bajoran life forms in the area designated by the Major."<br>
	"Bingo," Kira cried out, clenching her fist. "Everyone <br>
prepare for descent." <br>
<br>
<br>
	The sounds brought back the agony. Kirk watched as the <br>
landscape that is forever burned in his memory materialized around him. <br>
Kirk turned to see Spock standing next to him. Moments later, a nearly <br>
familiar sound filled Kirk's ears as the Enterprise-D's transporter <br>
deposited Picard, Riker, the android Data, the Klingon security officer <br>
Worf (Kirk caught himself tense and quickly regained composure), and Q <br>
on the planet's surface.<br>
	"Well, well. Could use a good cleaning service," Q said <br>
as he bounded toward the Guardian. "Come along everyone."<br>
	Worf grabbed his arm and pulled him back. "Caution is <br>
	warranted, Q," Picard said. "Get your Neanderthal off me, <br>
	Jean-Luc." <br>
 <br>
	"Worf is mainly here to keep you in check, Q. I commend <br>
him for his quickness."<br>
	Kirk and Spock stepped toward the away team. "Captain," <br>
Kirk said, "I know this is clich, but time is of the essence."<br>
	Q groaned. "Right then, Captain," Picard said. "Shall we?" <br>
	he <br>
gestured toward the Guardian.<br>
	"That's where I was going," Q gasped. "I see. One of <br>
the headliners has to move the plot along. Well, let me just say... <br>
Owww, Microbrain, that hurts. Stop squeezing so hard." <br>
<br>
	Until now, the Entity monitored the last vestiges of <br>
the two species with curiosity and humor. It enjoyed watching them flop <br>
around the galaxy like fish out of water. But, it started feeling <br>
something more, restlessness and annoyance. It was almost time to move <br>
on, which meant squashing the last of the bugs...<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
 CHAPTER EIGHT<br>
	"Ask it the right question, or else. I didn't nick-name <br>
it the Blabberer of Forever for nothing," Q smiled, and shot Worf, who <br>
still held him, a menacing glance, "I hope you're enjoying that arm <br>
while you can, Klingon."<br>
	Looming before the six men was one of the most ominous <br>
encounters in Federation history, the Guardian of Forever. Kirk <br>
swallowed unconsciously. "Let's get on with it."<br>
	Spock nodded, "Guardian, this is Spock from the <br>
Federation Starship Enterprise. Do you remember us?"<br>
	"I RECOGNIZE THREE WHO STAND BEFORE ME. TWO FROM TRAVEL <br>
AND ONE FROM THE BEGINNING." The voice seemed to emanate from <br>
everywhere at once.<br>
	The officers turned and looked at Q. Q smiled and pulled <br>
	himself free from Worf. "See, see. <br>
didn't believe me, did you? Well, from now on I certainly expect..."<br>
	"Guardian," Kirk said cutting Q off. "Can you show us <br>
the history of my home planet?"<br>
	"BEHOLD" The center of the vortex filled with mist and <br>
	phantom <br>
images appeared. Images of a molten world, suddenly cooling. Reds gave <br>
way to blues. The smallest of creatures became the largest. <br>
	Q yawned, "Seen it, been there." "Quiet, Q." Picard said, <br>
	his eyes however remained <br>
transfixed to the center of the time vortex.<br>
	"Analysis, Data," Riker said in a whisper. "We are seeing <br>
	the birth of Earth. Moving through the <br>
ages of history. Jurassic, Cretaceous, Triassic ages."<br>
	"Dinosaurs," Riker said. "Correct, Sir. We are now moving <br>
	beyond into the <br>
Paleolithic era. Old Earth calendar, approximately 500,000 B.C."<br>
	"Amazing," Picard said. "Spock," Kirk said looking at his <br>
	science officer, <br>
concentrating on his tricorder. "Does this jive with your original <br>
Guardian recordings?"<br>
	"Yes, Sir." Picard turned to his science officer, "Data, <br>
	does the <br>
Guardian's images match actual Earth history."<br>
	"Yes, Sir." Kirk and Picard glanced at each other and then <br>
	returned <br>
their gazes to the Guardian. Images of cave drawings and early <br>
humanity.<br>
	"Neolithic Age," Data said. "7,000 B.C." Suddenly a flash <br>
	appeared and filled the center of the <br>
vortex, forcing everyone except Data and Q to shield their eyes. When <br>
they were able to look again, the Guardian was inactive.<br>
	"THE HISTORY OF YOUR WORLD HAS PLAYED ITS COURSE." "What?," <br>
	Riker and Kirk said together. "Guardian," Spock said taking <br>
	a step forward. "This is <br>
not correct. You say you remember us from traveling before. We traveled <br>
in an era much later than the one just concluded."<br>
	"HISTORY HAS BEEN RESTORED. THE PLANET EARTH'S HISTORY <br>
IS AS IT WAS BEFORE."<br>
	Kirk smiled for a moment until he realized that the <br>
situation was not good. The Guardian actually thought that Earth <br>
history was supposed to end with the Neolithic Age. Somehow, the entity <br>
that had destroyed humanity had also affected the Guardian. <br>
"Suggestions," he said turning to the others.<br>
	"We must try to restore history," Picard replied. "And <br>
this seems to be our best option."<br>
	"The Guardian appears to have been altered along with <br>
the universe around us," Spock said. "It doesn't seem to have a <br>
recollection of the previous history. However, whatever occurred <br>
apparently did so in Earth's Neolithic Period."<br>
	"We have to stop it," Riker said. "Oh, right," Q replied. <br>
	"Let's just go get our phasers, <br>
tricorders, and universal translators and get the entity that took out <br>
the continuum and destroyed humanity. Good idea, Riker."<br>
	"I don't see another choice," Picard said. <br>
 <br>
	"Neither do I," Kirk said. "There is the question of where <br>
	to travel," Data said. <br>
"Assuming the entity was on Earth during the Neolithic Period, how do <br>
we get close enough to encounter it?"<br>
	Spock nodded. "We have to assume that even in its <br>
altered state, time still retains the equivalency of a river, with <br>
eddies and backwash. The same flow that pulled the entity from our time <br>
to Neolithic Earth will bring us there as well."<br>
	"Everyone ready," Kirk asked. "No," Q said. Worf squeezed <br>
	his shoulder. "Uhh ... <br>
Yes."<br>
	"Stand by." Kirk turned back to the vortex. "Guardian, <br>
Can you show us Earth's history again?"<br>
	"BEHOLD."<br>
<br>
	"They're definitely coming." "Very well, Mr. O'Brien," <br>
	Sisko said from behind his <br>
desk in the office above Ops. "How long do we have?"<br>
	"Twenty hours until the Cardies bring their weapons to <br>
bear."<br>
	"Send a signal recalling the Rio Grande, and get me <br>
Captains Pike and Garrett."<br>
	"Yes, Sir." O'Brien left the office. And suddenly an image <br>
	filled <br>
Sisko's mind: Jennifer's lifeless body beneath the rubble of their <br>
quarters on the U.S.S. Saratoga, minutes before the Borg destroyed her <br>
and the majority of Starfleet at Wolf 359. A hopeless battle.<br>
<br>
	Captain Pike sat in his command chair looking at the <br>
split screen images of Benjamin Sisko and Rachel Garrett. "I disagree <br>
with recalling the runabout. We have twenty hours. Let's use them."<br>
	"I will not have my crew returning in the middle of a <br>
firefight with the Cardassians," Sisko said.<br>
	"Our crews, Commander. I have my Number One and science <br>
officer down there as well. They just landed on Bajor. We need to give <br>
them time to accomplish something."<br>
	Garrett was nodding. "If they can do any good we need <br>
to give them the chance."<br>
	Sisko's face hardened. "Very well, but I want them back <br>
in our protection before the attack force arrives."<br>
	Pike smirked, "I don't think anyone would disagree with <br>
that." 'Even though a twenty-fourth century runabout may be nearly as <br>
well equipped as my Enterprise in this battle,' he thought. <br>
 <br>
<br>
	"The Vedek Assembly complex is due north, 1000 meters." <br>
Kira said glancing at her tricorder.<br>
	The crew disembarked from the Rio Grande onto the lush <br>
ground. Number One analyzed her tricorder readings, "Major, didn't you <br>
say the assembly consisted of 112 members?"<br>
	"Yes." "The tricorder's life indicators show..." "Yes, I <br>
	know, I know!" Kira called out. "...considerably less," she <br>
	finished. Dax frowned and looked at her friend, then called <br>
	back <br>
to the group. "Red alert everyone. Let's stay on our toes."<br>
	Spock raised an eyebrow and fell into step behind his <br>
commanding officer. Everyone had their phasers drawn. The procession <br>
headed north into the unknown.<br>
<br>
	"Once more unto the breach, dear friends...," Kirk said <br>
as the team leaped through the Guardian.<br>
	The winds changed, the ground changed, the sound <br>
changed.<br>
	Out of nowhere, "Henry V. Act Three, Scene One," an <br>
android and a Vulcan said in unison on Earth in 7,000 B.C.<br>
	"Is everyone okay?," Picard asked. "Please, Daddy? Can we <br>
	do it again?," Q replied. "Tricorder," Kirk said. Data and <br>
	Spock didn't need to be told. They were busy <br>
with their devices.<br>
	"At least we skipped that period where everything <br>
smells like sulfur, Whew." Q said, crinkling his nose.<br>
	Spock and Data conferred momentarily and then Spock <br>
turned to the group. "All readings seem to indicate we are in the <br>
Neolithic Era of Earth History."<br>
	"Something's coming," Q said a bit nervously. "Phasers <br>
ready."<br>
	Picard shot a look at him. Then glanced at the science <br>
officers. "Anything?"<br>
	Data looked at his tricorder. "An animal lifeform, I <br>
believe it's..."<br>
	"A dog," Kirk said as a large dog, very similar to a <br>
gray wolf, came into view, tail wagging As it approached the party it <br>
lowered its head. "Seems friendly enough."<br>
	"At this time in history," Data said. "Humans began <br>
domesticating animals, including canines."<br>
	Picard moved toward it when it suddenly barked and <br>
turned back the way it came, turning its head toward the group and then <br>
started walking quickly away from them.<br>
	"Come on," Picard said and followed after the animal, <br>
with the others close behind.<br>
	Q started to complain, but shut up when Worf growled at <br>
him.<br>
	"Too bad they never learned how to domesticate on the <br>
Klingon Homeworld."<br>
<br>
	The once-beautiful Vedek Gardens were overgrown with <br>
weeds. It pained Kira to see it like this. She was nearly tempted to <br>
get down on her hands and knees and begin to clean the place up. But, <br>
there was more important things to accomplish.<br>
	"Life forms are emanating from the building beyond," <br>
Spock said pointing to the monastery beyond the growth.<br>
	Kira swallowed. "Let's go." She moved forward <br>
accompanied by the security officers and Spock.<br>
	Number One touched Dax's arm. "Lieutenant, a word <br>
please."<br>
	"Of course." "Major Kira obviously has close personal <br>
	feelings <br>
toward this place. Do you think she can handle herself if events <br>
continue to take a bad turn?"<br>
	"Commander," Dax replied. "Kira Nerys has been fighting <br>
for her life and the lives of her fellow Bajorans since she was 12 <br>
years old.  Granted she is devoutly religious and therefore has strong <br>
ties to the Vedek Assembly and what they stand for, but have no doubts. <br>
She will do her job to restore Bajor, the Federation, and the universe, <br>
if possible."<br>
	"If she incurs such loyalty in one who has lived as <br>
long and seen as much as you have, Dax, I will trust her, too." Number <br>
One pointed toward the building. "Shall we go?" <br>
<br>
<br>
	The monastery was in shambles. Stained glass windows <br>
were smashed. Rubble was strewn everywhere. Kira trudged through it, <br>
face steeled ahead, all business. "Life forms?"<br>
	"The next room," Spock replied. Just then, a painful groan <br>
	emerged from the indicated <br>
doorway. Kira's heart clenched and she ran into the room.<br>
	A man knelt on the floor, head down, facing a charred <br>
painting of one of the Tears of the Prophets. He mumbled to himself.<br>
	Kira walked up next to him, unwilling to interfere with <br>
his prayers. Then, the man looked up at her. Kira's heart fell further. <br>
"Vedek ... Vedek Bareil?"<br>
	A shadow of confusion crossed the man's face. His voice <br>
was weak and cracked, "Do I know you, child?"<br>
	'May the Prophets help me,' she thought. "My name is <br>
Kira Nerys. I am ... a freedom fighter. These people are my <br>
associates."<br>
	The man who she respected, who meant so much to her <br>
religiously and otherwise looked up at her hauntingly. Fear touched his <br>
eyes, "Run, Kira. All of you. Save yourselves before  he returns. <br>
Hurry."<br>
 <br>
<br>
	The dog lead the team to a young woman, trapped beneath <br>
a fallen tree. The animal went to her, licking her hand. She stirred <br>
and reached weakly for the dog's snout. Then, she caught  glimpse of <br>
the six strangers and snarled, terror in her eyes.<br>
	"We must get that tree off her," Riker said. Data and Spock <br>
	were there immediately, lifting the <br>
broken trunk off the frightened primitive, ignoring the crying and <br>
snarling.<br>
	"You really couldn't communicate too well at this point <br>
in history," Q said to no one in particular. "Thank goodness you had <br>
the animals to help."<br>
	The women, once freed struggled to her feet and started <br>
limping away as quickly as possible, looking back a few times with fear <br>
and horror in her eyes. The dog followed.<br>
	"What could have frightened her so much?," Riker said. <br>
	"Ever look at Worf?," Q asked. Riker nodded. Picard <br>
	smirked, "Yes, of course. How soon we forget?" Q turned <br>
	suddenly, a look crossed his face like none <br>
Picard had seen before, "Or maybe not..." <br>
<br>
	Kira reached down and took Bareil by the arm. "You are <br>
coming with us."<br>
	The Vedek struggled against her grasp, "No, please, <br>
child. I am sworn to protect the Monastery."<br>
	Confusion crossed the Major's face, "Who did this?" <br>
	Suddenly her communicator beeped, "Kira here." "Major, this <br>
	is Lieutenant Long. I think you and the <br>
others better get out..." Static and silence.<br>
	"Too late," Bareil cried. Kira, Dax, Spock and Number One <br>
	ran to the security <br>
officers' location.<br>
	They were greeted by a bearded, gray-haired, elderly <br>
humanoid in flowing, black robes. His black eyes were wild with mania.<br>
	They were greeted by hideous laughter. <br>
<br>
	Q's voice shook. "Who are you?" The others turned to see a <br>
	bearded, gray-haired, <br>
elderly humanoid in flowing, black robes. His black eyes were wild with <br>
mania.<br>
	The others heard his hideous laughter. Kirk and Spock <br>
	stepped forward. The Captain's mouth went dry. "Ayelborne."<br>
<br>
CHAPTER NINE <br>
	"YOU KNOW ME, PUNY ONE. HOW INTERESTING. THE <br>
ENTERTAINMENT VALUE GOES UP."<br>
	The voice was deafening. Kirk took two steps closer to <br>
the entity. "Ayelborne, what have you done?"<br>
	"EVERYTHING I HAVE ALWAYS WANTED TO DO. EVERYTHING I <br>
COULD NEVER DO UNTIL NOW." The entity smiled widely. "YOU SURPRISED ME. <br>
THAT GRANTS YOU AND THE OTHERS A REPRIEVE, JAMES T. KIRK. USE IT <br>
WISELY."<br>
	Suddenly everything changed, and Kirk and the others <br>
stood before the Guardian.<br>
<br>
	Kira and crew were aboard the Rio Grande in deep space. <br>
"What happened?"<br>
	"Unknown," Number One and Dax said in unison. Everyone was <br>
	aboard including the security team, <br>
although the two men had no memory of the strange humanoid.<br>
	"What is our course?," Spock asked. Dax studied her <br>
	instruments, "Headed back to the <br>
station. Fascinating."<br>
	Kira jumped out of her seat. "We've got to reverse <br>
course and save the Vedek Assembly from that madman."<br>
	"Incoming signal from Deep Space Nine," Spock said <br>
suddenly. Moments later he looked gravely at the others. "Five <br>
Cardassian Warships have entered the system."<br>
 <br>
<br>
	Data regained his composure first. "Guardian of <br>
Forever, can you show us the Planet Earth's history?"<br>
	"BEHOLD" Once again the early eras of Earth played before <br>
	the <br>
command crews of two Starships Enterprise and Q. The images reached the <br>
Neolithic age, the flash. Darkness.<br>
	"Nothing has changed," Picard said. "Damn," Kirk muttered. <br>
	"Who is Ayelborne?," Riker asked. Kirk nodded to Spock, who <br>
	spoke up, "He is the leader <br>
of the Council of Elders on the Planet Organia."<br>
	"Organia?," Worf asked. "As in The Organian Peace <br>
Treaty?"<br>
	"Correct," Kirk said. "Ayelborne is not humanoid at <br>
all, obviously. The Organians are extremely powerful non- corporal <br>
entities." <br>
	"Sworn to the ethics of non-violence, I thought," <br>
Picard said.<br>
	"So did I," Kirk replied. "Something is very wrong." <br>
	"Imagine the audacity," Q said. "Immobilizing the <br>
continuum ... for entertainment."<br>
	Riker rolled his eyes, "Yeah, imagine anyone as <br>
horrible as that."<br>
	"Well, we seem to have a reprieve of some sort," Picard <br>
said. <br>
	"I suggest returning to Organia." Spock said. "If <br>
Ayelborne has gone mad, we must enlist the other members of the council <br>
to assist us in containing him."<br>
	"Agreed, Spock," Kirk answered. "We'll head there. <br>
Captain Picard..."<br>
	"There is the matter of the Cardassians returning to <br>
attack Deep Space Nine and the other Enterprises." Picard said. "We <br>
need to dispatch assistance."<br>
	Data stepped forward. "If the mission to Organia is not <br>
successful, it will be only a matter of time before the Cardassians <br>
overwhelm us. However, Ayelborne would expect an attempt to travel to <br>
Organia. If his fellows are a threat to him, he will try to stop us <br>
from gaining their assistance."<br>
	Spock looked at him, "So, logically, the more powerful <br>
starship should head to Organia."<br>
	Kirk shook his head, "I don't think so, Spock. We need <br>
to take care of Organia personally. Captain Picard is more experienced <br>
with combating the Cardassians."<br>
	"Switch ships." They all turned to Q. "Well, isn't it <br>
	obvious, people? La Forge could spruce <br>
up Kirk's Enterprise, hand it to Jean-Luc, and off they go to fight <br>
side by side with Sisko and clowns. Meanwhile, Kirk and Spock could <br>
have a reunion with their superbuddies on the supership, such as it is. <br>
But one thing is certain. I am going to Organia to take on this <br>
Ayelborne. I've got a vendetta to carry out."<br>
	Everyone stood silent for a moment. "Logical," Spock said. <br>
	"Indeed," Data replied.<br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
	"I dinna know if I can approve, Sir." James Kirk, back <br>
	aboard the Enterprise, 1701-A, was in <br>
the briefing room with his staff: Spock, McCoy, Uhura, Chekov and <br>
Scott. The Captain looked at his trusted Chief Engineer. He knew Scotty <br>
would not be keen to the idea of a new commander handling what Kirk <br>
knew the Scotsman considered as his ship.<br>
	"Don't worry, Scotty. You'll be staying aboard to <br>
insure she's treated right."<br>
	Scott frowned, "It's just as well, Sir. But I canna <br>
approve of this La Forge poking around m' engine room, either."<br>
	Kirk nodded, "I understand your concerns and I'd be <br>
lying if I said I didn't share some of them. However, the Cardassian <br>
ships are from an advanced time. We need to give the Enterprise a <br>
fighting chance against them."<br>
	Scott nodded. Kirk looked around the table. "I know all of <br>
	us share <br>
concerns about the mission. But be aware that Jean-Luc Picard and <br>
William Riker are extremely experienced Starfleet officers. I expect <br>
all of you to follow their commands to the letter, just as you would if <br>
I were giving them. I know you will. Any comments?"<br>
	McCoy snorted, "Yeah, why not switch doctors, too?" "Bones, <br>
	you are the most familiar with sickbay and with <br>
the medical records of this crew. You are essential for this ship, just <br>
as Beverly Crusher needs to remain with the other Enterprise."<br>
	"I don't like sending you off like this." The others <br>
	agreed. Kirk stood, "I am appreciative of your concern. I <br>
	know <br>
we've been through a great deal together over the years, but we must <br>
put our personal concerns behind us. It is paramount that we restore <br>
history and this course is the best to accomplish that goal ... besides <br>
I will be more comfortable knowing my trusted officers and friends will <br>
remain onboard to look after my ship."<br>
	Silence fell. Then Uhura stood and stepped toward Kirk, <br>
	"Good luck, <br>
Captain, Mr. Spock."<br>
	Kirk smiled, "To all of us." <br>
<br>
	"I cannot sanction this course, Captain." "Mr. Worf, I know <br>
	you are doing your duty in voicing <br>
your concerns, however, we must carry forth." Picard looked over his <br>
crew in the observation lounge behind the bridge.<br>
	"We cannot be sure if the other members of the Organian <br>
High Council have been affected like Ayelborne," Data said.<br>
	"You must ascertain that, Data," Riker said. "All of you," <br>
	Picard said. "I know all of you are <br>
somewhat familiar with the service records of James T. Kirk and Spock. <br>
You, therefore, know that the Enterprise will be in the best hands."<br>
	"Almost," Crusher uttered. "Good luck, Captain, Commander," <br>
	Troi said. Picard was about to respond but was cut off by <br>
	loud <br>
snoring from Q in the corner of the room.<br>
	"Let's get this over with," Riker said. <br>
<br>
	"The updated phase inducers will give you a burst of <br>
speed when you need it."<br>
	Scotty poured through the spec sheets La Forge gave him <br>
an hour ago. "Aye, if it doesn't sheer the ship in half."<br>
	La Forge looked at the older man, "These Enterprise-<br>
Class ships were able to take a lot more than the designers originally <br>
intended."<br>
	"Ach, designers. They never logged a single star hour <br>
and they think they know what needs to go into a starship."<br>
	La Forge smiled, he had run into a few designers in his <br>
day and couldn't agree with Scott more. "The new refitted parts from my <br>
Enterprise will give your weapons an added kick and firm up the <br>
shields."<br>
	Scotty looked at the blind man intensely, "Will it be <br>
enough?"<br>
	La Forge shrugged, "It's the best we can do. It would <br>
help the odds against the Cardassians I'm familiar with, but the ones <br>
we just faced showed abilities beyond what I'm used to."<br>
	Scotty sighed, "It pains me to say this, but it will <br>
take more than the machinery. I'd feel more comfortable if James Kirk <br>
wouldna leave the center seat. No offense."<br>
	La Forge felt a flush of anger but quickly pushed it <br>
aside. After all, this man had served with Kirk for years, was used to <br>
his style of command, just as La Forge was used to Jean-Luc Picard. <br>
"I'm sure we'll all be okay."<br>
	Scotty smiled, "We've got good people around us. The <br>
universe canna be in better hands."<br>
	"Amen." <br>
<br>
	James Kirk entered his ready room. The room was nearly <br>
as large as his quarters on the original ship, the one now orbiting <br>
Deep Space Nine. Kirk looked at the book encased on the desk near the <br>
entrance. Shakespeare. Henry V. Appropriate in any era. <br>
	Then, the captain walked over to Livingston, swimming <br>
carefree in his aquarium. Carefree, Kirk couldn't remember when he felt <br>
that way, did he ever feel that way? <br>
	A twinkling chorus of bells filled the air. After a <br>
moment, Kirk recognized the 24th Century door chime. "Come."<br>
	The door swhoosed open, "I am used to free access here <br>
you understand, Kirk," Q said as he marched in and flopped onto the <br>
couch.<br>
	"Get used to disappointment." "Now, now. If we're going to <br>
	work together you should <br>
be more cordial."<br>
	"Cordial." Kirk walked toward the entity, stopped and <br>
placed his hands on his hips in annoyance. "I didn't know that word was <br>
in your vocabulary."<br>
	"I have a large vocabulary, Kirk. Many things about me <br>
are large, and you're going to need all of them to take out this <br>
Ayelborne fellow."<br>
	"Q, I have managed quite well through the years without <br>
the help of entities like you. In fact, I've found the ones I've <br>
encountered to be pains in the neck."<br>
	"Picard used to think the way you do, but now you see <br>
that we're fast friends."<br>
	Kirk raised his eyebrows and was about to say something <br>
when Spock's voice filled the room, "Captain Kirk, report to the <br>
bridge, please."<br>
	"On my way. Q stay here." "Why?" "Because I said so." Q <br>
	laughed and got up to leave, when suddenly Kirk <br>
pushed him back down, "Let's get this straight here and now, you may <br>
have charmed Jean-Luc Picard, but on this ship -- now my ship -- I <br>
expect my orders followed. And I will not have you in my way. Am I <br>
clear?"<br>
	Q's eyes darkened. "You are tempting fate, James T. Ki-<br>
-"<br>
	"Save it, Q. I've got work to do." And he was gone, <br>
leaving Q to stew.<br>
<br>
	"Mr. Chekov, ship's status?" Picard sat in the center <br>
seat, and immediately noticed how uncomfortable it was. He glanced at <br>
Riker, who was standing and fidgeting. There was no place for a first <br>
officer to recline on this ship. Picard repressed a grin.<br>
	"All systems on line," the navigator said. "Very good," <br>
	Picard responded. "Mr. Uhura, please <br>
signal Captain Kirk."<br>
	"Enterprise-D on the screen," she said. Riker starred at <br>
	the cavernous bridge of his <br>
Enterprise, noting with envy how much space and elegance the command <br>
center on the screen had. He felt he could reach every point on the <br>
bridge of Enterprise-A if he stretched out far enough. This somehow <br>
annoyed him.<br>
	"We are ready to depart for the station, Captain Kirk," <br>
Picard said.<br>
	"And we for Organia, Captain Picard. Good luck." "And to <br>
	you," The screen filled with stars. "Mr. <br>
Chekov, engage."<br>
	"Aye, sir." On the massive screen in front of the bridge, <br>
	Kirk <br>
watched Enterprise-A entered warp space. He stood for a few moments, as <br>
Spock walked up to him, "Captain?"<br>
	"I just have this feeling, Spock..." The Vulcan lifted his <br>
	left eyebrow, "Feeling?" Kirk nodded toward the empty <br>
	starfield, "Like I'm never <br>
going to see her again." Kirk turned and stepped back toward the <br>
command center. "Let's get the hell out of here. Mr. Data, take us to <br>
Organia. Warp factor 5."<br>
	The android tapped his console and the Enterprise-D <br>
jumped into action.<br>
<br>
CHAPTER TEN <br>
	"We're as ready as we'll ever be," O'Brien reported to <br>
his  commander.<br>
	Sisko nodded, "Time?" "Twenty minutes till they bring their <br>
	weapons to bear." "The Rio Grande?" The Chief Engineer <br>
	checked his console. "Docking now." Sisko nodded, relieved, <br>
	"Have Major Kira and Lt. Dax <br>
report to Ops immediately. And have the others transported to their <br>
respective Enterprises. They are going to be needed there."<br>
	Moments later, Sisko's First Officer and Science <br>
Officer arrived. Their commander looked up at them intently. "What was <br>
it Major? What was down there?"<br>
	Kira looked flabbergasted, "A wildman, Sir. His eyes <br>
were  intense. I haven't seen anything like that since the Cardassians <br>
occupied Bajor and saw their marksmen shooting our children in cold <br>
blood..."<br>
	Sisko's brow ruffled in concern, "Dax, your report?" The <br>
	Trill shrugged, "Definitely humanoid in appearance, <br>
but my tricorder registered nothing."<br>
	O'Brien's eyed brightened. "A Q?" Dax shrugged again, "The <br>
	possibility exists." Sisko shook his head, "It doesn't <br>
	match his style. I <br>
think we're dealing with a creature who will do anything it pleases <br>
including annihilating whole cultures. That isn't Q."<br>
	Odo spoke up, "Might I remind everyone that why we're <br>
speculating so freely, the Cardassians are getting closer." <br>
<br>
	Jean-Luc Picard span his chair around 360 degrees. <br>
These people on this bridge defined Starfleet in their time. Their <br>
missions, their exploits were legendary. Through his readings and <br>
studying, Picard came to know these people and their accomplishments <br>
from a perspective even they would never understand. 'I know you better <br>
then you know yourselves,' he found himself thinking.<br>
	So why did Jean-Luc feel so uncomfortable around them. <br>
Was it because he suddenly felt as if he was flying into battle with a <br>
boatload of children? Ridiculous, but the Captain of the Enterprise <br>
couldn't shake the irrationality. 'I'm the fish out of water here,' he <br>
thought.<br>
	"Deep Space Nine rendezvous in six minutes," Lt. <br>
McGarity reported from the helm.<br>
	Picard nodded. "Sensor report," Riker called. Chekov <br>
	hovered over the rear science console. "Sensors <br>
indicate five Cardassion warships bearing down on the station and the <br>
Enterprises. Their weapons are discharging."<br>
	"Red alert," Riker intoned. "Full power to the shields and <br>
	weapons," Picard <br>
ordered. He met Riker's eyes briefly. They were about to take the most <br>
renowned ship and crew in Starfleet into an impossible battle.<br>
	Even if they were victorious, they had no home.<br>
<br>
	"Time till Organia," Kirk asked. "Thirty minutes," Data and <br>
	Spock replied <br>
simultaneously.<br>
	"Keep your eyes peeled," Kirk said. Suddenly, an incoming <br>
	communication announced itself on <br>
Mr. Worf's rear panel. "Captain Kirk," the Klingon said as he tapped <br>
some buttons on his board. He growled, "It is our opponent."<br>
	Kirk slowly stood. "On screen." Q bounded out of the ready <br>
	room as a transparent figure <br>
coalesced against the starfield on the main viewer.<br>
	Kirk's memory swam with images of Apollo and 'Abraham <br>
Lincoln.' Ayelborne's presentation was similar to theirs many years <br>
ago.<br>
	"This is Kirk." "DO NOT PROCEED, CAPTAIN." Q bounded toward <br>
	the screen. "Getting scared, Organian? <br>
Are we touching nerves?"<br>
	"Q!!" Kirk grabbed the entity's arm. "Worf, restrain <br>
him."<br>
	"Aye, Sir," Worf replied with a gleam of satisfaction <br>
in his eyes.<br>
	"Don't you dare, Kirk, Klingon," Q barked. "This is <br>
personal." Then Q spun back toward the screen, venomously thundering at <br>
the screen. "Frightened of humans and machines. Why not finish your <br>
cowardly act, Ayelborne? Wipe us out of existence, too."<br>
	Kirk stepped forward, leaving Q be. "Or raise the <br>
entertainment factor more, Ayelborne. If it's a game you want, a <br>
challenge, a battle, we'll give you one. But you have to play more <br>
fairly..."<br>
	"...To get the full value, to relish in the conquest," <br>
Q continued.<br>
	Kirk stepped past Q, almost nose to the viewer. "Up <br>
till now it's been so easy, Ayelborne, wave a magic wand and wipe away <br>
the challenge before it's begun. No guts, no glory, no victory, <br>
Ayelborne. Championship. You have no idea what it is, because you've <br>
raided the game. But you have a reprieve. A fair fight and all the <br>
rewards are yours, but you have to let us get our sword, before we <br>
enter the arena. And then its a fight you will never forget. I <br>
promise."<br>
	The visage on the screen hardened and then exploded in <br>
a phantasm of lights and sounds, buffeting the Enterprise and throwing <br>
Kirk back...<br>
	... Into Q's arms. He smiled as the captain <br>
straightened. "The ultimate battle is about to begin, my ally. And the <br>
only thing we have to loose ... is everything, everywhere."<br>
	Kirk glared at Q and then turned toward Spock and <br>
Picard's crew. "At least we get a chance to fight. Continue on course <br>
for Organia, best possible speed, Mr. Data."<br>
	Q stepped toward the screen as the ship jumped into <br>
warp, "To boldly go where all men have died before..."<br>
<br>
"Captain's Personal Log. No Stardate. On final approach to Organia, <br>
with a starship and crew a generation beyond me. Never-the-less, Spock <br>
and I have been here before. The Organians insisted on a society <br>
without violence and war. Their peace treaty forged the way for what I <br>
now know to be an alliance between the Klingons and the Federation. In <br>
fact, it was Ayelborne of Organia who told Captain Kor and me that such <br>
a forging of powers was inevitable. Now, it seems Ayelborne has <br>
destroyed humanity. How can such a difference of personality occur? And <br>
if he is such an unstable entity, how am I going to restore humanity, <br>
next generation allies or not?  <br>
 <br>
<br>
	"It is simply not there," Data said from the conn. <br>
	"Recalibrate the sensors," Kirk ordered as he looked <br>
over the android's shoulder. "Spock, are these the correct <br>
coordinates?"<br>
	Captain Spock, at Science station one at the rear of <br>
the bridge, keyed the pad. The screens in front of him looked like a <br>
kaleidoscope. "Affirmative, Sir. Sensors indicate we are where we're <br>
supposed to be."<br>
	Kirk grimaced. "Explanations," he said to no one in <br>
particular. <br>
	Worf scowled, "The planet could have been destroyed, <br>
like Earth."<br>
	"Unlikely," Data replied. "Indeed," Spock concurred. "A <br>
	planet's destruction <br>
would leave some residual indications, even if it occurred millennia <br>
ago. There is no such evidence."<br>
	'That's a relief,' Kirk thought. If the Organian's were <br>
destroyed...<br>
	"There is another explanation," Q said, from his <br>
position next to Spock. He walked toward Kirk, "The bad guy could have <br>
stuffed it."<br>
	Kirk turned, annoyed, "Come again?" Q laughed, "You humans. <br>
	Stuffed it away. It's cut off <br>
from the rest of the universe, while the inhabitants don't know <br>
anything's wrong. It's like putting the whole planet inside one of <br>
those holodecks."<br>
	Everyone on the bridge stared at the entity. Q spun around <br>
	slowly so he could see everyone as he <br>
spoke, "The Q would do it all the time. If there was some cosmic event <br>
- actual or helped along- and we didn't want primitives to know about <br>
it, we would stuff them for a while until we were finished. They would <br>
have no clue there were fireworks going on in their galactic back yard <br>
because everything looked normal from the planet's surface, or orbit, <br>
or star system, whatever was necessary. We even practiced on starships <br>
at times." His smile grew very broad on that last remark.<br>
	"Fascinating," Spock said. "Annoying is more like it," Kirk <br>
	replied. "How often would you practice this stuffing, Q?," <br>
	Troi <br>
asked.<br>
	He shrugged, "Me? Hardly ever. If I take the time to <br>
set off fireworks, Counselor, I want everyone to enjoy the show."<br>
	 Kirk returned his gaze to the viewscreen, stepping <br>
forward, "Is there any way to tell if Ayelborne has ... stuffed ... <br>
Organia?"<br>
	Q put his palms up in front of him, "Not in my <br>
condition, and certainly not with this equipment."<br>
	Kirk spun and faced the entity, "That's not the right <br>
answer, Q. I want you, Spock, and Data working on a way, immediately."<br>
	Spock and Data were about to respond when Q put up his <br>
hand. "If it's that important -- which I guess it is -- I can give you <br>
a solution, but you're not gonna like it."<br>
	Kirk put his hands on his sides, "And that is?" "Plow right <br>
	into the center of the planet. If it's <br>
there, if it's not there, we'll know pretty quick."<br>
	"We'll break into the pocket?" Q laughed, "Oh, yes." Worf's <br>
	scowl deepened, "... and crash into the planet." "A side <br>
	effect," Q snipped. Kirk turned toward the front again. "We <br>
	don't have a <br>
lot of time to second guess. We need to know now. Mr. Data, set a <br>
course for coordinates: planet center. One quarter impulse power."<br>
	"Faster," Q said. "Faster?," Troi gasped. "If we don't want <br>
	to bounce off the pocket," Q replied. Kirk stared hard for <br>
	a moment, "Full impulse power." He <br>
ordered, glancing at Q.<br>
	Q nodded, "That ought to do it." And Enterprise-D leapt <br>
	toward it's destiny.<br>
<br>
  <br>
  CHAPTER ELEVEN <br>
	"Hit, port nacelle. Shields holding, but weakening," <br>
Ckekov reported.<br>
	"Shield strength?," Riker asked. "Seventy-six percent of <br>
	normal." Picard grimaced. They had arrived at Deep Space <br>
	Nine <br>
almost simultaneously to the Cardassian attack force. Picard had no <br>
time to confer with the other Enterprise Captains or Sisko before the <br>
enemy engaged his ship in battle.<br>
	Garrett had engaged two warships and was taking a <br>
beating. However, she was dishing it out as well. Both Cardassian <br>
vessels had substantial damage. The battle continued.<br>
	Two warships were engaging the station. Pike was <br>
keeping within range of DS9, apparently trying to make use of the <br>
station's mass and shield formation to enhance his own defenses. The <br>
original Enterprise had a nasty disrupter scar blazed across her main <br>
hull. The image shook Picard, for some reason. Like a classic woman who <br>
had been raped.<br>
	As for his Enterprise-A, a fifth Cardassian ship had <br>
broken away from the station to engage them on arrival. The warship had <br>
just taken the first shot.<br>
	Picard stood and walked toward the conn. "Lock all <br>
weapons on target. Full spread on my mark."<br>
	The Cardassian was coming around, bringing her forward <br>
disrupters to bear.<br>
	"Fire." Chekov's fingers flew across his board. Streams and <br>
balls of energy leapt from the Enterprise's weapon emitters, striking <br>
the warship. Picard's jaw dropped when the ship imploded.<br>
	"We got him, Sir." Chekov exclaimed, fists clenched in <br>
victory.<br>
	Picard walked backwards to his chair, eyes never <br>
leaving the collapsing remnants of the Cardassian.<br>
	Riker grabbed him on the shoulder, a look of shock on <br>
his face as well, "I guess the old folktale about Kirk and his <br>
Enterprise are true."<br>
	Picard nodded, "Fortunately for us, Number One. <br>
Commander Uhura, raise Captains Pike and Garret and Commander Sisko. <br>
Inform them of our arrival. Commander Chekov, let's give Enterprise-C a <br>
hand, shall we."<br>
	"Setting a course, Sir."<br>
<br>
	"Time to impact." Worf didn't hesitate, "Fifteen seconds." <br>
	Kirk gripped his seat arms. "Mr. Data, prepare to swing <br>
us into orbit as soon as we get the first glimmer of Organia's <br>
bearings."<br>
	"Aye, Sir." Kirk smiled, his experience with androids had <br>
	not been <br>
pleasant, but he was glad to have one at the helm today. With his <br>
computer speed, Data was their best bet for not impacting on the <br>
surface.<br>
	Suddenly the ship buffeted hard, "Report," Kirk called. <br>
	"The pocket's outer sleeve, as it were," Q said. "Status." <br>
	Spock scanned, now thoroughly familiar with Enterprise-<br>
D's science stations. "Still no sign ... Organia, we have just entered <br>
the outer atmosphere."<br>
	The buffeting drastically increased. The automatic red <br>
alert activated.<br>
	"Mr. Data," Kirk yelled over the noise. "Orbital heading <br>
	laid in, Sir. Adjusting course now. I <br>
have activated reverse thrusters and impulse engines to slow our <br>
decent."<br>
	"Outer hull temperature up 39 degrees," La Forge <br>
reported from engineering.<br>
	"Structural integrity field weakening," Spock said. "Our <br>
	course is leveling," Data said. The shaking <br>
lessened, "We are in atmospheric orbit, upper stratosphere."<br>
	"Spock," Kirk turned to his first officer. The Vulcan was <br>
	consulting his computers, "We can <br>
maintain this orbit for approximately five hours before the strain on <br>
the shields and SIF will pose a threat to the ship."<br>
	"Can we get any higher?" "Not without risking entering the <br>
	pocket." Kirk shrugged, "Very well, we've got a job to do <br>
	and <br>
very little time to accomplish it. Spock, do you have the coordinates <br>
to the Organian Council Rooms."<br>
	"Affirmative." "Mr. Spock, contact Dr. Crusher and <br>
	Counselor Troi. <br>
Have them meet us in the transporter room. You, Mr. Worf, and Q with <br>
me. Mr. Data, you have the conn."<br>
	"Aye, Sir," Data said. Q sidled up to Kirk, "Good choice, <br>
	Mon new capitan." Kirk shot Q a dagger-like glance, "Don't <br>
	make me regret <br>
it."<br>
	Q shot Kirk a 'What, little old me?' look and they all <br>
entered the turbolift, to Organia. <br>
<br>
	"We're ....ing ....ood ...fight," The crackle from the <br>
ship-to-ship pierced Enterprise-A's bridge. Garrett was an excellent <br>
tactician, it seemed. Of the two warships engaging her, one was <br>
apparently crippled, while the other continued to blast away at the <br>
near-crippled Enterprise-C.<br>
	Picard paced the bridge, "Lock phasers on the active <br>
Cardassian. Commander Uhura, signal Captain Garrett. Tell her she's got <br>
pleasant company now."<br>
	Uhura smiled and turned to her station. Riker looked over <br>
	Chekov's shoulder, "Cardassian in <br>
range... now."<br>
	"Confirmed," Chekov responded, "Phasers locked." "Fire," <br>
	Picard ordered. Again, beams of death leapt from the <br>
	starship, chopping <br>
into the Cardassian.<br>
<br>
	The Castle rose from the mist, just as Kirk remembered. <br>
The coordinates were the same as years ago. Before, people wearing <br>
robes and sandals walking the dirt street they materialized on, <br>
oblivious to the technology witnessed. The elderly man approached the <br>
party, "Welcome..." Now.<br>
	Kirk stared at the old man. "You!," Q barked as he lunged.<br>
<br>
	The heat of explosion burned the back of Picard's neck. <br>
The Cardassian had successfully returned fire. The lieutenant at the <br>
burning science station was down. Riker leapt to assist. "Medical <br>
emergency, to the bridge," Number One declared.<br>
	"On my way," McCoy replied. "Status," Picard asked. <br>
	Chekov's hands flew. "Shields penetrated, main <br>
connection struts. Latching integrity system damaged."<br>
	Picard thought back to his academy days. Enterprise-A <br>
had the ability for saucer separation, although he couldn't remember <br>
when -- if -- it was ever used. But, at least it presented another <br>
option. "Engineering, firm up the shields. Priority one."<br>
	"I'm doin' all I c'n for ya'. She's packin' quite a <br>
wallop," Scott responded over the intercom.<br>
	"Shields firming," Chekov reported as McCoy entered the <br>
bridge<br>
	"It's time to hit back," Riker said as he stepped down <br>
to give the doctor space to work.<br>
	"I concur," Picard replied as he stepped toward the <br>
main viewer again. The Cardassian swung back into their crosshairs. <br>
"Fire!"<br>
<br>
	Worf had Q by the throat. "Do not struggle!," The <br>
Klingon growled, "If you know what's good for you."<br>
	Ayelborne ignored this, turning to face Kirk and Spock. <br>
"Your presence is a surprise, Captain. I thought we had asked to be <br>
left alone at our last encounter."<br>
	Kirk winced, "Circumstances warranted our return." <br>
	"Indeed," Ayelborne replied. "Curious. Perhaps, then, <br>
we should adjourn to the council room." He swung his arm toward the <br>
castle.<br>
	"It's a trap!," Q gurgled through Worf's clenched <br>
grasp. "Damn you, Klingon." Q jabbed Worf in the ribs ... hard. The <br>
Klingon surprisingly stumbled back, releasing the entity.<br>
	Crusher turned to tend Worf, who clutched his chest. Troi <br>
	grabbed Q's wrist, "I sense no deception, Q." Q smiled, <br>
	"You are way out of your league, Counselor." Crusher turned <br>
	to Q, "Two of Worf's ribs are cracked." "Serves him right," <br>
	the entity replied. "Enough!," Kirk called out. "Doctor, <br>
	tend to him. Q, <br>
explain yourself."<br>
	"He was being a brute..." "No," Kirk stepped menacingly <br>
	toward Q. "About the <br>
'trap'."<br>
	Ayelborne stood by, face unwavering, as Q began, "He is <br>
Ayelborne. He tried to stop us too many times, now we are standing here <br>
defenseless. Isn't it obvious, Kirk? he has us right where he wants <br>
us."<br>
	"I disagree," Spock finally spoke. "Oh, really." "Yes, Q. <br>
	As you said, this planet is locked in a <br>
temporal pocket..."<br>
	Ayelborne gasped suddenly, "Temporal pocket, you know <br>
of such things?"<br>
	Kirk stepped forward, "Organia is locked within one <br>
right now."<br>
	"Impossible. We would know... Come, to the council. I <br>
must speak with Trefayne." And he turned and started walking.<br>
	Q grabbed Kirk's arm, "You're making a big mistake, <br>
Kirk. Strike him down, now."<br>
	"Assuming I could, which I won't, where'd that leave <br>
us, Q? Still no Earth, still no continuum. Besides, I believe you're <br>
wrong."<br>
	Kirk and the party started following the Organian. "Isn't <br>
	this fun...," Q said as he followed Kirk, with <br>
Worf behind him. "Can't take a little ribbing, Microbrain...?"<br>
<br>
CHAPTER TWELVE<br>
	Quark looked at the blood on his hands. "Just keep at it, <br>
	Quark," Dr. Julian Bashir cried out <br>
from across the Promenade. Quark glanced at him. The young doctor was <br>
covered with the blood of the wounded personnel and civilians splayed <br>
across the deck. "Apply pressure. Stop the bleeding. I need your help <br>
while everyone else is in ops."<br>
	"It's not that," Quark looked down, through misting <br>
eyes, and placed his hand back on his patient's bleeding chest. "Just <br>
hold on. You will be okay." <br>
	"Thanks, Quark," Jake Sisko said weakly as he lost <br>
consciousness.<br>
<br>
	Benjamin Sisko watched the disrupter blast tear into <br>
Christopher Pike's Enterprise. "Maintain shield integrity around 1701!"<br>
	"We can't expend the energy," O'Brien called out. "We're <br>
	barely shielding the station," Kira said. "Damn," Sisko <br>
	muttered under his breath as his <br>
peripheral vision registered another blast strike DS9. He braced <br>
himself for the buffeting. He knew the battle wouldn't last much <br>
longer. Not much at all. Images of Jennifer and Jake flooded his mind <br>
as he gave the order to fire one of the last of DS9's photon torpedoes.<br>
<br>
	"Station Deep Space Nine can no longer protect us," <br>
Spock raised his voice above the sounds of crashing circuitry and <br>
exploding consoles.<br>
	Christopher Pike assessed the situation and thought <br>
about the actions of Enterprise-B. "Number One, theoretical analysis. <br>
What would be the results of a space warp-powered collision with one of <br>
our Cardassian friends out there?"<br>
	Number One turned to her Captain, "Just what you would <br>
expect, Sir. However, I do not recommend such actions."<br>
	Pike shrugged, "I don't know, Number One. I once read <br>
somewhere about the needs of the many outweighing the needs of the <br>
few."<br>
	"Charles Dickens," Spock said. "Yes, Mr. Spock. A prolific <br>
	man," Pike nodded. "Prepare <br>
parameters for a space warp drive collision sequence, Number One. I <br>
want all options open."<br>
	She turned to her board, "Yes, Sir." So much for <br>
commanding a starship, she thought. Then chastised herself, she wasn't <br>
-- they weren't  -- dead yet.<br>
<br>
	Castillo held on for dear life. Bridge duty was more <br>
challenging than he imagined. Suddenly, the Conn panel erupted into <br>
flame. Ensign Johannson was flung to the deck. Castillo turned to her.<br>
	"Maintain your post," Garrett ordered above the din. <br>
"Engineering, emergency bypass: Conn control to aft bridge stations. <br>
Medical: Dr. Cochrane to the bridge. Hold on people. Phasers..."<br>
	"Emergency full, on your order, Captain."  Castillo <br>
reported, ignoring the unmoving body of Johannson.<br>
	"I'm sending a nurse up, I can't leave with all the <br>
casualties, Captain."  Cochrane's message registered in the Captain's <br>
mind as she concentrated on the flickering viewscreen. <br>
	There they were ...point-blank. "Fire, Castillo!" The <br>
	starship let loose. The Cardassian took the full <br>
force of the third generation's phasers. And exploded.<br>
	-- Engulfing Enterprise -C in a plasma explosion. <br>
<br>
	The ancient doors mysteriously swung open to reveal the <br>
chamber of the Organian Council of Elders. Sitting behind the table <br>
were a group of ancient men, all with far away looks on their faces. <br>
Ayelborne took his place seated at the center, facing Kirk and the away <br>
team.<br>
	Q took a step forward, "What! These ... sheepish old <br>
men, with their corny smiles, are going to help us?"<br>
	Kirk stepped past him, "Others once made the mistake <br>
you are making now, Q."<br>
	Worf nodded, "Indeed. My people's history tells us they <br>
are not to be underestimated."<br>
	Ayelborne spoke: "You, Kirk, and a Klingon working <br>
together."<br>
	Kirk nodded, "It seems you were correct all those years <br>
ago. But we have more pressing matters."<br>
	Another council member spoke, "It has been 90 cycles, <br>
yet the visitor looks so young. I did not think humans were so <br>
long-lived. How are we mistaken?"<br>
	Ayelborne reached and touched the man's arm. "Not to <br>
worry, Trefayne. Captain Kirk indicates Organia is enveloped in a <br>
temporal pocket. Indeed, his youthfulness tells us something is very <br>
wrong."<br>
	Trefayne looked puzzled, "A pocket, impossible." "The <br>
	evidence indicates he is correct, my friend," <br>
Ayelborne said. "What can you sense?"<br>
	The older-looking man concentrated. Dr. Crusher touched <br>
	Troi's shoulder, "Deanna, can you <br>
sense anything?"<br>
	Troi shrugged, "I know this sounds a bit clich, but I <br>
sense power beyond anything I've ever encountered."<br>
	"Ohhhh..." Trefayne moaned and slumped over. Crusher <br>
jogged around the table, Med-kit in hand.<br>
	Q laughed, "Give it up, Doctor. Your inept <br>
ministrations can barely help humans, let alone entities."<br>
	Kirk shot him a glance. "What?!,"  Q said. Ayelborne put <br>
	his hand on Trefayne's temple, reminding <br>
Kirk of a Vulcan mind meld. Trefayne stirred and sat up. "Incredible," <br>
he said.<br>
	"Please explain, my friend," Ayelborne prompted. "The <br>
	universe seems correct, then I peered beyond and <br>
saw nothing is as it should be. Most distressing," Trefayne shook his <br>
head sadly.<br>
	Ayelborne and the elders sat up in astonishment. Q laughed, <br>
	"You boys have been duped. Tell me, how does <br>
it feel to join our club?"<br>
	Spock stepped past him, "Gentlemen, what can we do now <br>
to correct this problem? It seems someone or something is impersonating <br>
Ayelborne and is responsible for annihilating Earth and paralyzing the <br>
Q Continuum, altering the dynamics of the universe."<br>
	The leader of the Elders nodded. "It is obvious now <br>
what you say is true. We must take action."<br>
	Trefayne shook his head, "If we act too rashly he will <br>
know. We will give up our advantage."<br>
	"Surely," another Elder spoke, "The fact the humans <br>
have penetrated the pocket has alerted Ayelborne."<br>
	Kirk's brow furrowed, "Ayelborne?" The leader stood up and <br>
	pointed at Q, "You penetrated <br>
the pocket with the starship. You are not human."<br>
	"Thank goodness," Q said. Ayelborne stepped around the <br>
	table, toward Q, "You are <br>
an energy being, like ourselves. We can merge with you. Then Ayelborne <br>
will be caught off guard, thinking we did not leave the pocket."<br>
	"You know that will not be enough," Trefayne said. "It is a <br>
	start." "If he can create a pocket, then so can we," <br>
	Trefayne <br>
said.<br>
	Kirk nodded, annoyed that he was not more involved in <br>
the decisions occurring around him, "A cloak."<br>
	Spock raised an eyebrow, "Indeed, if we can find a way <br>
to cloak the Enterprise, it would perhaps give us an advantage."<br>
	Q coughed, "You have got to be kidding. A cloaking <br>
device will be useless against someone of such abilities. After all, I <br>
can see right through them."<br>
	"Q is correct. A standard mechanical device would be <br>
useless. However a temporal cloak would fool Ayelborne the same way it <br>
has fooled us," Ayelborne said.<br>
	"Excuse me," Dr. Crusher interrupted. "Aren't you <br>
Ayelborne? To whom are you referring?"<br>
	"Perhaps an explanation is in order. I am Ayelborne. <br>
One time, many cycles ago, we were like you. However, as we evolved, we <br>
were able to separate the violent part of ourselves, just as you are <br>
able to repress your own violent tendencies."<br>
	"And this Ayelborne is your violent self?," Troi asked. <br>
	Trefayne sighed, "We were able to separate and <br>
extinguish the worst part of ourselves. My friend, Ayelborne, however, <br>
was hesitant."<br>
	Ayelborne nodded, "I concluded that extinguishing a <br>
part of myself was in itself a violent act. So I refused. Instead I, <br>
for lack of a better term, locked it away."<br>
	"Locked?," Kirk asked. "Where?" "First, inside my self. <br>
	However, as we evolved and <br>
became more powerful, I thought about banishing it.  It was becoming <br>
too dangerous.  So, I did, making sure it would be powerless, but <br>
free."<br>
	"Something went wrong," Q said. Ayelborne nodded, <br>
	"Apparently my violent half was able <br>
to rebuild it's powers after all these millennia."<br>
	"So, because you were weak we are all now paying the <br>
price," Q said.<br>
	"Enough, Q," Kirk scolded. "Ayelborne, your violent <br>
half is only as powerful as one Organian, correct."<br>
	"However, he has altered the universe into his image, <br>
which gives him an advantage."<br>
	"How much of an advantage?," Worf asked. Ayelborne <br>
	shrugged, "We should be able to equalize <br>
things by using Q's body."<br>
	Q stepped back, "Now wait one moment, I don't know if I <br>
can approve of this."<br>
	Dr. Crusher put her hand on Q's shoulder, "Frightened, <br>
Q?"<br>
	The entity frowned, "I thought the Betazoid was the <br>
shrink, Bev."<br>
	Troi nodded, "I would say terrified ... Bev." "I had him <br>
	marked as a coward since Farpoint," Worf <br>
snarled.<br>
	"And we didn't know him before that," Crusher said. "Once a <br>
	coward...," Worf began. "Okay!," Q bellowed, turning to the <br>
	Organians, "Do what <br>
you must ..." Then he spun menacingly toward the Enterprise- D crew, <br>
"As for you, I will someday have my powers back..."<br>
	Suddenly, the chamber was filled with bright light and <br>
a chilling noise. The Starfleet officers covered their ears and <br>
squinted.<br>
	Then, Q collapsed into a fetal position ... eyes glazed <br>
over, face frozen in shock.<br>
<br>
CHAPTER THIRTEEN<br>
	The away team materialized. Every one stepped down <br>
immediately except Q who gazed wide-eyed, turning his head slowly to <br>
take in his surroundings.<br>
	The captain glanced up. "Kirk to bridge." "Data here," the <br>
	android's disembodied voice responded. "Status?," Kirk <br>
	asked as the team left the transporter <br>
room, marching toward the turbolift. Q lagged slightly behind. <br>
	"We have 20 minutes before the Structural Integrity <br>
Field goes critical."<br>
	"Acknowledged. On my way." he said as he entered the <br>
lift. As the lift began moving upward, Kirk turned to Q. "And now...?"<br>
	Q looked gazes with him. The entity's eyes were intense <br>
and unblinking. "It will take a few of your minutes to create the <br>
pocket. Then we can proceed to the station." Q's voice echoed, as if <br>
emanating from more than one set of vocal chords. The sound created <br>
streams of memories for Kirk: memories of Gary Mitchell and Apollo -- <br>
entities that started out as peaceable and then grew into very <br>
dangerous adversaries.<br>
	"Please go ahead," Kirk said. "Aye, aye Mon Capitan," Q <br>
	said smiling. The turbolift doors opened, revealing the <br>
	bridge. Worf <br>
went to his station immediately. Q took two steps out of the lift and <br>
stopped. Spock, Troi, and Crusher followed Kirk to the command level. <br>
"Engineering, I want full warp power on my command."<br>
	LaForge's voice piped in from the lower decks, "For how <br>
long, Sir?"<br>
	"As long as it takes, Commander. Mr. Data, set course <br>
for Deep Space Nine."<br>
	"Aye, Sir," the android said unfazed. "Spock, passive <br>
	scanners only, but keep your eyes and <br>
ears open," Kirk ordered.<br>
	The Vulcan simply nodded and stepped back toward <br>
Science I.<br>
	"Now, Kirk." Q said finally. "The Enterprise has been <br>
enclosed in a temporal pocket similar to Organia. Ayelborne will look <br>
right past us ... hopefully."<br>
	Kirk shrugged, "I've said it before, risk is our <br>
business. And the stakes are very high. In other words, Mr. Data, take <br>
us out and give us all she's got."<br>
<br>
	The explosion temporarily blinded the captain. The <br>
automatic viewscreen filters were not a necessity and its power was <br>
diverted to the phaser blast just emitted from Enterprise.<br>
	The Captain's vision began to clear. "That's all of them, <br>
	Sir." The Captain smiled.<br>
<br>
	Jean-Luc Picard sat slowly into the command chair, <br>
"Hailing frequencies, please, Commander."<br>
	Uhura sighed, glancing quickly at the bridge of the <br>
Starship Enterprise with pride. "Aye, Aye, Sir."<br>
<br>
	On his bridge, Christopher Pike glanced at the burn <br>
marks on his hands, the panel on his chair erupted in flame from the <br>
last impact.  <br>
	Dr. Boyce was spraying ointment on the injuries. He <br>
clapped a hand on the Captain's shoulders. The older man whispered in <br>
his ear, "Good work, Chris. More exciting than a horse farm, too."<br>
	Pike smirked, "Thank you, Phil. Please start tending to <br>
the others."<br>
	Boyce nodded, "Right away, Captain." "Incoming message from <br>
	Captain Picard on 1701-A." Pike nodded, "Main screen, if <br>
	you would, Spock."<br>
<br>
	Castillo's vision blurred, his mind fogged. Suddenly, <br>
there was a shape over him. "Hold on, Lieutenant..."<br>
	"Captai---" "Don't try to talk. Dr. T'Ress is on her way <br>
	up. You'll <br>
be fine. And, Castillo, you are one hell of a helmsman."<br>
	The young man smiled faintly and passed out. Garrett <br>
	lowered his head gently to the deck just as the <br>
turbolift opened letting the medical team on to the bridge. Dr. T'Ress <br>
rushed to Castillo's aide. "Bring the gurney down here," the Vulcan <br>
said, checking the unconscious man with a tricorder. "He will be fine, <br>
Captain."<br>
	Garrett nodded, returning to her seat. Her crew had <br>
many casualties including Dr. Jeremy Cochrane who had signed aboard <br>
Enterprise at Garrett's request. 'Can't think about this now.'<br>
	"Captain," her Comm officer called. "Yes, Lt. Varrington?" <br>
	"Captain Picard on all hail, Sir." Garrett sighed deeply, <br>
	"On visual, please."<br>
<br>
	"I'd say we're in pretty good shape, considering." <br>
O'Brien said to no one in particular.<br>
	Dax and Kira were running through station diagnostics <br>
and both concurred with the operations manager.<br>
	"Any word from sickbay?" Dax asked. "Nothing." Kira looked <br>
	up at her friends. "I'm sure <br>
Jake is okay."<br>
	A beeping emanated from O'Brien's board. "It's the <br>
Captain... Captain Picard, signaling for Commander Sisko."<br>
	"I'll take it," Kira said. "Let's leave the Commander <br>
be with his son for now. On main screen, Chief." <br>
<br>
 <br>
<br>
	Picard watched the rear screens on the Enterprise-A <br>
bridge as each became one of the Captains of another Enterprise, except <br>
Major Kira of Deep Space Nine. "It is most gratifying to see you all. <br>
Congratulations on beating the odds."<br>
	"For now," Kira said. "If there is one constant in any <br>
universe, it is the Cardassians are persistent. They won't be gone <br>
long."<br>
	Pike nodded, "I agree with the Major. We probably don't <br>
have much of a reprieve."<br>
	Garrett nodded, "I don't know about you, but I'm not in <br>
any position to put up much of a fight without some repair time."<br>
	"I think we can all agree to that," Picard said. "Major <br>
Kira are the station's docking rings in decent shape."<br>
	"Decent enough," the Bajoran said. "Just don't expect <br>
any R and R, we're picking up the pieces here, too."<br>
	"Acknowledged," Picard said. "I believe we should all <br>
dock at the station and pool our resources."<br>
	The others agreed and signed off. The Starships <br>
Enterprise, safe for the moment, began limping toward the docking rings <br>
of Deep Space Nine.<br>
	As Picard's borrowed starship moved into position, <br>
Jean-Luc couldn't help thinking that the most challenging part of their <br>
'mission' was still on the horizon.<br>
<br>
CHAPTER FOURTEEN<br>
	Rachel Garrett stared at the brutal, burning scars all <br>
over his body. The air left her throat momentarily. How could she have <br>
done this to him, after he entrusted so much to her.<br>
	"Captain?" She slowly turned away from the viewport and <br>
	looked at <br>
Christopher Pike. <br>
	Pike saw the haunted look and recognized it from the <br>
mirror. "It is hard. They mean so much ..."<br>
	She shook her head, "I can't understand it, I've been <br>
on other ships, even as captain. I've been in combat, but ..."<br>
	They both turned and gazed at the scared and pitted <br>
visage of the Starship Enterprise-C.<br>
	"It's the name, isn't it?," Garrett said. "To me?," Pike <br>
	commented. "My Enterprise is nearly at <br>
the beginning of what I can see will be an elaborate historical <br>
tapestry." He shook his head slowly, "No, not the name, not the <br>
history. It's the imagination, the human potential. That's what she <br>
represents to me. That's what kept me aboard her. That's why Enterprise <br>
is special. My Enterprise."<br>
	Garrett nodded as Miles O'Brien approached them. <br>
"Captains, the engineering teams report all ships are progressing as <br>
expected. Captain Picard requests a Command level meeting in Commander <br>
Sisko's office as soon as possible."<br>
	They nodded, "Inform Captain Picard we are on our way," <br>
Garrett said as O'Brien left.<br>
	As the two turned away from the viewport, Garrett <br>
touched Pike's arm. "Thank you, Captain."<br>
	He smiled, "Not at all, Captain." <br>
<br>
	The meeting adjourned almost immediately after it <br>
started, DS9's sensors activated the red alert. The commanding officers <br>
uniformly jumped out of their chairs. "Ops, report," Sisko demanded <br>
into the air.<br>
	O'Brien's concerned voice filled the office, <br>
"Unidentified ship decloaking..."<br>
	"Pike to... "Garrett to... "Picard to ...<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
	... Enterprise. Beam me aboard." Three transporter hums <br>
	filled Sisko's office as the <br>
Commander crossed the threshold into Ops. He glanced at the viewscreen <br>
in time to see a decloaking wave unlike any he'd seen before, which <br>
shouldn't be surprising, he thought, considering where he was. Before <br>
the wave entirely dissipated, the screen blinked and the main bridge of <br>
the arriving vessel appeared.<br>
	James Kirk stood in the center of Sisko's screen. Then, <br>
	suddenly, without warning, a deafening, hideous, <br>
laughter filled every speaker, every ear, encompassed everything around <br>
the station and the Enterprises.<br>
	Just as loud came three words, echoing off every <br>
surface.<br>
	"TIME TO DIE!"<br>
<br>
	"Now," Q yelled, and staggered against a bulkhead. Five <br>
energy patterns fled his body, expanding, until they engulfed the <br>
Enterprise-D's main bridge. As soon as they appeared, they were gone.<br>
	And the ship began to shake itself apart. "Report," Kirk <br>
	yelled as he was flung to the deck. "Readings are off the <br>
	scale," Spock replied. "The surrounding space is charged <br>
	with an energy I have <br>
never encountered," Data said.<br>
	The shaking increased dramatically with each passing <br>
second. Consoles began to explode from the quaking.<br>
	"Will the shields hold?" Kirk asked, trying to be heard <br>
above the din.<br>
	"Unknown," Data answered. Then everything went black.<br>
<br>
CHAPTER FIFTEEN<br>
	"Jim." The serenity of unconsciousness shattered around the <br>
Captain. Dizziness and nausea replaced the peace. Kirk struggled to <br>
identify the voice, it seemed like eons since he heard anything. <br>
"...Bones?"<br>
	McCoy stood up, away from his friend. "He'll be <br>
alright, thank goodness." He mentally thanked Dr. Bashir for keeping a <br>
well-stocked infirmary on Deep Space Nine, since most of the crews of <br>
each Enterprise were beamed aboard the station after the conscious <br>
Captains deemed DS9 the sturdiest place to be after the evil <br>
Ayelborne's sudden reappearance. <br>
	"That is agreeable, since we will need him for our <br>
endeavor," Ayelborne said.<br>
	"I am still unclear as to what this endeavor will <br>
accomplish," Jean-Luc Picard said. He stood over Kirk, brow furrowed <br>
with concern.<br>
	Q shook his head, "You know, Jean-Luc. Sometimes you <br>
can be so daft. Oh, well. Believe it or not, Ayelborne and I agree that <br>
you will be required as well."<br>
	"Bones...," Kirk said weakly, trying to push himself <br>
onto his elbows.<br>
	"Now, Jim. Be careful. You're not ready to be going <br>
after bad guys quite yet."<br>
	"Bad guys... Ayelborne." Spock stepped into his Captain's <br>
	view, "The 'evil' <br>
Ayelborne is contained for the moment, Sir. You can take a few minutes <br>
to recuperate."<br>
	"Recuperate from what?" Picard stepped forward, "The <br>
	Organian council members <br>
caught our opponent by surprise when they suddenly separated from Q. <br>
However, the ensuing conflict was engaged just beyond Enterprise-D's <br>
shield perimeter. The ship was moderately damaged and you were knocked <br>
unconscious."<br>
	Kirk sat up completely and swung his legs over the side <br>
of the bed. He now could see everyone in the room, standing toward the <br>
back of the infirmary were Scotty, Uhura, and Chekov. They smiled at <br>
Kirk. Kirk nodded back, then looked at Picard. "Casualties?"<br>
	"Surprisingly minimal," Picard said. "And the ship is <br>
under repair. LaForge says she will be fully operational within hours."<br>
	"Scotty," Kirk said. "Sair," the engineer replied stepping <br>
	forward. "Please assist Commander LaForge." "Aye, Sair. <br>
	It's good to have you back, Captain." Kirk nodded and <br>
	slowly stood up. Picard grabbed his arm <br>
to steady him. "She's a fine ship," Kirk smiled, "And a good crew."<br>
	Picard nodded, "I was about to say the same thing to <br>
you."<br>
	"Can we stop the mutual admiration society, please." Q <br>
grimaced. "In case anyone's forgotten, we've still got a lot of work to <br>
do."<br>
	Kirk and Picard, arm over arm, looked at the entity. <br>
"Lead the way," Kirk said.<br>
	"Indeed," Picard replied. Q opened and closed his mouth in <br>
	shock. "Well, it's <br>
about time."<br>
<br>
<br>
	The four captains, Sisko, Ayelborne, Trefayne, and Q <br>
sat in DS9's observation lounge. <br>
	"Where is the other Ayelborne?," Kirk asked. Trefayne <br>
	nodded, "Perhaps you should explain it to the <br>
Captain, my friend."<br>
	"Very well," Ayelborne laced his fingers in front of <br>
his chest and took a deep breath. "My other self is trapped, <br>
temporarily to be sure, in a pocket similar to the one around Organia."<br>
	Kirk hesitated for a moment, "I see. But as soon as he <br>
realizes its a pocket..."<br>
	Ayelborne nodded, "He will do what he can to break <br>
free."<br>
	Q nodded, "Which will be tougher than he thinks." Picard <br>
	looked at his nemesis, "Explain." Q smiled, "Well, in a <br>
	justifiable twist of fate, we've <br>
put a kibosh on his powers."<br>
	Ayelborne nodded, "Q speaks the truth but only <br>
temporarily. His powers will gradually return in the pocket and <br>
instantly return if he leaves."<br>
	Kirk nodded, "And where do we come in?" Ayelborne looked <br>
	gravely at the Captain, "Ayelborne is <br>
not easily duped for long. He will realize he is in a pocket and <br>
escape, unless the pocket is fortified. That we must do."<br>
	Pike looked confused, "How could he possibly escape <br>
without any powers."<br>
	Trefayne spoke up, "Remember his powers will slowly <br>
return, therefore the pocket must be powerful enough to hold him for <br>
all time. We will be using our inherent energies to strengthen it. If <br>
Ayelborne senses our endeavor, he will be able to turn those energies <br>
back and break free."<br>
	Sisko, "And then we'll be back to square one." Kirk stood <br>
	up, "Which is why you need Picard and me. To <br>
keep Ayelborne occupied why you strengthen his prison."<br>
	"That is correct," Ayelborne said. "We will transport <br>
you into the pocket and then begin reinforcing it."<br>
	Pike stood, "Why only Kirk and Picard?" Q, "I'll field this <br>
	one. Because the Organians are <br>
familiar with Kirk's abilities and I volunteered Jean-Luc. Don't worry, <br>
Pike. You'll have plenty to do."<br>
	Ayelborne, "Moments before we finish with the pocket, <br>
the Captains will need to be transported out. We will be too occupied <br>
to do so, therefore we surmise that interlinking the transporter <br>
systems on the four ships and the station and diverting all power to <br>
them should generate enough to ...how do you say ...beam ...Kirk and <br>
Picard out of the pocket."<br>
	Garrett, "There will only be enough energy for two <br>
transporter signals?"<br>
	Q, "Yes. Yes. Sorry you get to miss the fun." Ayelborne, <br>
	"It will require a very delicate balance of <br>
timing and energy for the transport to be successful."<br>
	Picard, "When do we leave?" Ayelborne, "As soon as <br>
	possible." Kirk, "Let's do it." <br>
<br>
	Miles O'Brien wiped his brow, standing up from the <br>
splayed system components laid out across the deck. "This is going to <br>
be very tight, Sirs. To do what the Organians request will require <br>
nearly every once of power we can generate by all our systems combined, <br>
from all sources."<br>
	Sisko nodded, and stepped toward the console of <br>
Enterprise-D's transporter room, where all the commanding officers had <br>
convened, "Can you do it, Chief?"<br>
	"It will require the coordinated efforts of the <br>
Enterprises' engineering staffs, but I think its possible."<br>
	"Good," Picard said. "How long until we can leave?," Kirk <br>
	asked. O'Brien looked at the floor, "As soon as I can put <br>
	this <br>
back together. Fifteen minutes."<br>
 <br>
<br>
	The Captains and first officers of the Enterprises, <br>
along with Sisko and Kira stood in the observation lounge behind <br>
Enterprise-D's bridge. Kirk stared at the visage out the large <br>
viewports. The Starships Enterprise and Enterprise-A were clearly <br>
visible. 'My whole life,' he thought. 'All that I am.' Suddenly another <br>
thought, 'Is there nothing more?' The question Spock posed from the <br>
refurbished 1701's sickbay, the wonderings of V'ger as it strove to <br>
identify itself.<br>
	'Is there nothing more?,' Kirk thought. 'My god, we <br>
were on our way to be decommissioned before Ayelborne and Q interfered.  <br>
And if we succeed in restoring history? Where does that leave me?'<br>
	"Captain," Picard called, breaking through Kirk's <br>
reverie. "We don't have much time."<br>
	"Of course," Kirk said. "Captain Pike, as elder <br>
statesman of our group will you please make the declaration."<br>
	Pike stood, "Thank you, Captain Kirk. In the event that <br>
the mission about to be undertaken by Captain James T. Kirk and Captain <br>
Jean-Luc Picard fails, it is declared on this date, New Stardate <br>
44001.1, that Captain Rachel Garrett, Commander Benjamin Sisko, Captain <br>
Spock, Commander William Riker and I will adopt the Constitution to our <br>
present timeline and thereby reestablish the United Federation of <br>
Planets. The Starships Enterprise will be the foundation of the new <br>
Starfleet, with Deep Space Nine to be recommisioned Starbase One. It <br>
will be our first priority to ask Bajor and Organia to join the UFP. <br>
Defenses will be created against our Cardassian neighbors and space <br>
exploration will begin anew with the purpose of finding a way of one <br>
day restoring the timeline."<br>
	"A tall order," Riker said. "But a sense of purpose and <br>
	identity," Picard <br>
countered. <br>
	"We must put the Declaration to official vote," Kirk <br>
said.<br>
	Each name called by Captain Spock, each reply, <br>
"Agreed."<br>
	Pike nodded, "Then by unanimous vote of command level <br>
personnel, I hearby officially establish the United Federation of <br>
Planets in our present timeline."<br>
	"Good luck, Captains," Garrett said. "To us all," Kirk <br>
	replied. <br>
<br>
	"We are ready," Ayelborne said. Kirk noticed that his eyes <br>
	were glazed over, as were <br>
the four other Organians who stood together in the empty promenade of <br>
Deep Space Nine. Q leaned against a wall, but even he seemed transfixed <br>
by the Organians' actions.<br>
	Picard glanced at Kirk. Kirk at Picard. They each felt <br>
their utility belts. Phaser, tricorder, and Kirk had his communicator. <br>
Picard's was of course built into his insignia pin.<br>
	The two captains nodded to each other. Then Kirk turned <br>
to Ayelborne. "Go ahead."<br>
	Kirk's senses exploded and everything he knew was gone. <br>
	Moments later, Sisko's voice carried over the station's <br>
speakers, "Red Alert!" <br>
<br>
CHAPTER SIXTEEN<br>
	"They came upon us quickly," Spock said, reporting to <br>
his Captain on the bridge of Enterprise.<br>
	Pike stared hard at the Cardassian Warship approaching <br>
the station. "Battle status."<br>
	Number One looked up from her console, "All systems are <br>
committed to the transporter sequence for Kirk and Picard. If we divert <br>
power for battle, we may not be able to beam them out of the pocket."<br>
	"The same is true for all the Enterprises and the <br>
station," Spock said.<br>
	Pike stared hard at the viewscreen, "If we respond to <br>
the Cardassians, the Captains could be trapped in the pocket with <br>
Ayelborne for eternity."<br>
	Doctor Boyce, standing to the left of Pike, put his <br>
hand on his captain's shoulder, "Then, Chris, either they're dead men <br>
or we're sitting ducks."<br>
<br>
	Kirk lifted himself off the ground spitting out a <br>
mouthful of dirt. All around him was a barren field. Picard stood near <br>
surveying the surroundings with his tricorder.<br>
	"Are you alright, Captain?," Picard asked. "Yes, just a <br>
	little dazed. Where are we?" "We appear to be on Bajor. Or <br>
	a reasonable facsimile." Kirk looked up at the sky, which <br>
	was a very odd color <br>
of off-blue. "Of course, the Organians recreated the nearest planet so <br>
as not to alert Ayelborne prematurely."<br>
	Picard nodded, "Or part of the planet. In any case, we <br>
are within the temporal pocket."<br>
	Kirk took out his tricorder, "Life signs?" Jean-Luc pointed <br>
	toward some hills in the distance. <br>
"Over there."<br>
	Kirk scanned, "Very slight. But there's nothing else <br>
registering. It must be our man." He pulled out his phaser. "Shall we?"<br>
	The two of them headed off into the hills.<br>
<br>
	"There is one alternative," the elder Spock said as he <br>
stared at the commanding officers on the screens of 1701-A's bridge. <br>
"There are independent systems..."<br>
	"The shuttles," Garrett said. "But they can't withstand <br>
a battleship..."<br>
	"Weapons range in three minutes," Data said from behind <br>
Riker.<br>
	"We don't have any time," Riker said. "We need to <br>
launch the shuttles now."<br>
	"Not the shuttles," Pike said. "The Runabouts," Sisko said. <br>
	"They are our best bet," Spock said. "Fine," Pike said. <br>
	"I'll be right over." "As will I," Garrett responded. <br>
	"What?," Sisko asked. "You heard the declaration, we are <br>
	responsible for <br>
defending the new Federation," Pike said before cutting the <br>
connections.<br>
	"Besides," Garrett replied, "We're the Captains." <br>
<br>
<br>
	The launch bays of Deep Space Nine were prepped in <br>
record time. The Ganges under command of Sisko with Dax; the Rio Grande <br>
under command of Garrett with Data; and the Yangtzee Kiang under <br>
command of Pike with Kira, launched three minutes after the communiqu <br>
on the respective bridges ended. <br>
	And as they launched, the Cardassian started firing <br>
viciously.<br>
<br>
	On the promenade, Trefayne's eyes opened slightly, <br>
"This is getting harder."<br>
	"Concentration," Ayelborne responded, eyes squeezed <br>
shut. "Concentration, my friend."<br>
<br>
	The height of the hills was an optical illusion. As the <br>
captains got closer, they realized how slight they were. But they were <br>
high enough to hide a man.<br>
	Ayelborne leaped from his hiding space and tackled <br>
Picard, "What do you want of me!" <br>
	Kirk crouched phaser ready, but Ayelborne was <br>
surprisingly quick, kicking the weapon from the Captain's grasp. Kirk <br>
grabbed the man's shoulders pulling him off Picard, spinning him into a <br>
head-lock. "That's as far as you go, Ayelborne!"<br>
	The man gasped, repeating his original question. Then, <br>
"I am peaceful here, why do you invade my home?"<br>
	"You destroy my entire race," Kirk spit, "And you <br>
wonder why I traipsed across a field. Sorry it doesn't wash, pal."<br>
	Ayelborne gasped, "I--I don't know what you're talking <br>
about--"<br>
	Picard grabbed Kirk's arm. "A moment, Captain." Kirk glared <br>
	at Picard, and then loosened his grip, but <br>
still holding the entity around the neck.<br>
	Picard stared at Ayelborne, "What do you mean, you <br>
don't know --"<br>
	Tears began to flow down the man's cheeks, "All I know <br>
is you came near my home uninvited. I was afraid you would harm me."<br>
	Kirk grimaced, "So you attacked us. Good strategy." <br>
	Ayelborne was crying now, unable to speak. Kirk <br>
loosened his grasp. The entity fell to the ground sobbing heavily. Kirk <br>
stepped over and retrieved his phaser, aiming it at Ayelborne.  <br>
"Opinion?," Kirk whispered to Picard.<br>
	Picard shrugged, "It is possible that his battle with <br>
the Organians has affected his memory?" <br>
	Kirk nodded, "It's a ruse." "Perhaps, but if he honestly <br>
	has no memory of what he's <br>
done--"<br>
	"We still watch him carefully and wait for beam out." <br>
<br>
	The Ganges took the lead, as Sisko and Dax were the <br>
most familiar with runabouts. "Someday, old man, we might want to think <br>
about a larger ship to guard the station," Sisko said.<br>
	"Agreed. Hope we get the chance to petition for it." Sisko <br>
	nodded and opened a channel to the other <br>
runabouts. "Everyone, Pattern Jen 1 now."<br>
	The Rio Grande and Yangtzee Kiang sent signals of <br>
concurment, and they began their moves.<br>
<br>
	On the bridge of Enterprise-A, Uhura stared at the main <br>
viewer, as the runabouts began their formation around the Cardassian. <br>
Scotty was busy running between engineering and the main transporter <br>
rooms finalizing the power links for the Captains' beamout... And she <br>
felt helpless, and hated it. 'If only we had a prefix code...' She <br>
suddenly smiled and turned to the center seat. "Mr. Spock, would it be <br>
fair to say that during your tenure on Enterprise-D, you familiarized <br>
yourself with their databanks on Cardassian technology?"<br>
	Spock turned to her and raised an eyebrow. "Indeed." McCoy, <br>
	standing to between Spock and Uhura, turned <br>
toward her. "What have you got in mind, Commander?"<br>
	Uhura stood and leaned with her hands against the upper <br>
level guardrail. "If I got you a line into their computers, Spock. I <br>
assume you could wreck some havok with their systems. Correct?"<br>
	"Perhaps. But I must remind you that all our systems, <br>
including communications, have been diverting for the beamout."<br>
	Uhura's smile grew wider, "There are other power <br>
sources than just what the ship can provide."<br>
	McCoy turned to Spock, "Ahhh... wait, like Murasaki all <br>
those years ago. Phaser energy, Spock. Brilliant, Uhura."<br>
	Spock shook his head, "We utilized phaser energy as a <br>
fuel substitute for the old-style shuttlecraft. It cannot be adapted <br>
for a communications panel, Doctor. However..."<br>
	"...The power cells from communicators and tricorders <br>
could be networked together," Uhura finished.<br>
	"Highly logical, Commander." Uhura bounced on her heels, <br>
	"Twenty plus years is <br>
rubbing off, Captain. Chekov, Doctor. If you could grab as many <br>
tricorders and communicators as possible, Spock and I can give the <br>
Cardassians a very large headache."<br>
	McCoy and Chekov nodded and bounded for the turbolift.<br>
<br>
	The disrupter blast caused the Yangtzee Kiang's shields <br>
to explode in sparkles of deadly energy.<br>
	"Chris!," Rachel Garrett shouted suddenly from her <br>
viewpoint at the helm of the Rio Grande. She sighed as the attacked <br>
runabouts shields finally dissipated the blast.<br>
	Garrett choked back on her words, embarrassed by the <br>
flair of emotion. She glanced at her co-pilot. Data was unlike anything <br>
she had seen before, the first sentient android in Starfleet... was <br>
staring at her.<br>
	"Commander," she said. "I am curious as to your <br>
	exclamation. It is as if you <br>
have a deep attachment to Captain Christopher Pike."<br>
	Garrett looked icily for a moment, "You deduced that <br>
from one exclamation? I am just concerned for any human's life."<br>
	"I see. This makes sense, since there are so few left." <br>
Data concluded as he resumed his Ops duty. "It is time for our attack <br>
run."<br>
	"Engage," Garrett said, and the Cardassian warship <br>
seemed to leap toward them.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
 <br>
 CHAPTER SEVENTEEN<br>
<br>
	"You know, Doctor McCoy said the same thing..." "McCoy!!" <br>
	Kirk grabbed her shoulders. "Leonard McCoy?" "Yes," she <br>
	said, startled by his emotion. "He's in the <br>
mission."<br>
	Kirk turned and started across the street, turning back <br>
briefly. "Wait! Wait right there!  Spock!" He called after his Vulcan <br>
friend who started down the New York City street moments before. <br>
"Spock!"<br>
	The Vulcan seemed to appear from nowhere, "What is it?" <br>
	"McCoy! He's in the mission." As if on cue, Doctor McCoy <br>
	stepped out from the doors <br>
in front of Kirk, "Jim!"<br>
	"Bones," Kirk said delighted, as Spock, in a lapse of <br>
control, grabbed McCoy in a seeming bear hug.<br>
	Then, McCoy's eyes widened, something behind him. Kirk <br>
	turned, "Edith!" His voice, a ghostly gasp. McCoy tried to <br>
	push past. Kirk turned, grabbing him, <br>
his comrades screaming something, his name, Kirk didn't hear. He buried <br>
his face in his friend's shoulder. A screech of tire.... a final <br>
scream.<br>
	"I could of saved him. Jim, do you know what you just <br>
did?," said the anguished voice. An unexpected voice, Kirk looked up at <br>
the person he was holding:<br>
	Carol Marcus. "Do you know what you just did?" Kirk <br>
	blinked. What?? He turned to the crowd gathering <br>
in the street. On the ground was the broken body of ... David. His son, <br>
his dead son.<br>
	He turned back to Carol, shocked. What....? "He knows, <br>
	Doctor. He knows." Kirk looked past Carol. And saw <br>
	Ayelborne smiling, delighted.<br>
<br>
	Kirk awoke with a start, his head swimming. Standing <br>
over him was Jean-Luc Picard. "Wha..?"<br>
	"Jim, Ayelborne attacked, suddenly. Knocked me down, <br>
and grabbed you. You passed out."<br>
	Kirk put his hand on his head, "Some sort of mind game. <br>
I'm not amused." He reached for his phaser, on the ground next to him, <br>
and tried to stand, but couldn't get his bearing. Picard grabbed him <br>
before he fell. "Which... way...?"<br>
	"Ayelborne took off over the hill." Picard pointed past <br>
the hills before them. "You recover. I'll go after him."<br>
	Kirk nodded. "Be careful, I'll be right there." Picard <br>
	nodded and left in a sprint. Kirk tried to calm the 'Red <br>
	Alert' blaring in his head. Above, the skies grew into a <br>
	darker red.<br>
<br>
	Linked tricorders and communicators snaked along the <br>
floor of the bridge away from Uhura's station. Her head was buried <br>
beneath her console. Chekov stood over her.<br>
	"How's it going?," he asked. "A few moments more," her <br>
	muffled voice answered. Spock was busy at his station, <br>
	McCoy standing near him. "Think it will work?," the Doctor <br>
	asked. "I estimate a 57.4 percent chance of success." Spock <br>
said, looking up momentarily. "For even though I analyzed the <br>
databanks, the Cardassians of this timeline have displayed altered <br>
abilities. Their computer system may also be different."<br>
	"You can do it, Spock. If any one can." "Curious." "What?" <br>
	"As illogical as it seems, sometimes I miss your ... <br>
barbs."<br>
	"That's only human," McCoy beamed. "Now stop wasting <br>
time and get back to work."<br>
	Spock did.<br>
<br>
	Q stared at the old men, gathered in DS9's Promenade. <br>
'Old men,' he winced. 'How foolish a thought. I must get out of this <br>
human guise soon. I'm starting to lose intellect.' Of course, they were <br>
not old men, these Organians. They had kept their presence hidden from <br>
the Continuum. Formidable indeed. Q thanked --God?-- ('another human <br>
concept?,' he thought.) that the Organians had nonagressive tendencies. <br>
If one Organian, or part of an Organian, could pop the continuum like <br>
Ayelborne had... no, that was because of surprise. If it were a fair <br>
fight, it would be the battle of the universe. A menacing smile came to <br>
Q's lips, 'Of course, that would never happen.' <br>
<br>
	Ayelborne and his compatriots were on another plane, <br>
even though their humanoid dopplegangers remained visible on the <br>
Federation Station. <br>
	'Do you hear the Q's thoughts?,' Trefayne projected to <br>
him.<br>
	'I do. He is but a child, daydreaming. It is of no <br>
consequence. Remain focused, our job here is not completed.'<br>
	Trefayne projected acknowledgment and returned to their <br>
duty at hand.<br>
<br>
	Kira Nerys struggled at the controls of the damaged <br>
Yangtzee Kiang. The other runabouts were drawing the Cardassians' fire <br>
away from them. But they couldn't wait much longer. "I'm having trouble <br>
holding the ship on course, Captain. The helm controls were damaged by <br>
that blast."<br>
	Christopher Pike frowned. He knew the ship wasn't going <br>
to make it. He glanced briefly at the sensor display of the four <br>
remaining Starships Enterprise docked at  Deep Space Nine. 'My legacy,' <br>
the words flashed in his mind. It was true, in his day Starfleet was an <br>
upstart association, daring to think they could go where no man had <br>
gone before. The U.S.S. Enterprise, his Enterprise, was the most <br>
advanced starship in the young fleet, having successfully completed a <br>
shake-down tour under Robert April, she was handed over to Pike. He was <br>
supposed to be the man who would go beyond human ken, exploring new <br>
worlds, and seeking out new life. I only scratched the surface, Pike <br>
knew. But if he, his crew, and his starship hadn't been the intrepid <br>
explorers, then there may never have been an Enterprise -A, B, C, or D <br>
, or what was still to come. It was a legacy he must protect at all <br>
costs.<br>
	"You served in the Bajoran Underground against the <br>
Cardassian occupation of your planet. Correct, Major."<br>
	She shook her head and turned to look him in the eyes. <br>
"One last blow against tyranny, Captain?"<br>
	He nodded. "Prepare to engage the warp engines." She <br>
	swallowed, but didn't hesitate. She grew taller in <br>
her chair, bringing herself to the attention she knew all of Bajor, of <br>
the Federation, deserved at this moment. "Bringing the mains on line."<br>
<br>
	Jean-Luc Picard reached the other side of the hill and <br>
saw the Chapel of the Vedek Monastery. It's large wood front door was <br>
open wide, almost begging someone to cross the threshold.  He glanced <br>
up to the ever-reddening sky. It became harder to see, with the amber <br>
sheen over everything. The Captain pulled his phaser from his belt and <br>
walked toward the entrance. He turned back momentarily, no sign of <br>
Kirk. Picard hoped his counterpart had recovered.<br>
	Picard crossed the threshold and listened. Utter <br>
silence. In front of him was a typical layout for a place of worship. <br>
Rows of pews before a raised alter. The room was very dark.<br>
	Except, something glowed from the alter. The Captain <br>
	stepped carefully and methodically, looking <br>
at each row of pews before moving on. No indication of Ayelborne.<br>
	Moving closer to the alter, Picard made out the glow: a <br>
Tear of the Prophet, one of the 'hourglasses' from the beings living <br>
inside the newly discovered wormhole. He swallowed, the tears were very <br>
powerful. Although the extent of their abilities were unknown, Sisko -- <br>
the 'Emissary,' as he became known not long after excepting his <br>
position at DS9 -- had reported in depth about their abilities to <br>
manipulate time, at least for an individual exposed to the tear.  Why <br>
was one here, in the Organian's temporal pocket? <br>
	Picard climbed the steps of the alter and stepped <br>
toward the tear in its transparent casing. The item's warmth calmed <br>
him, the transparent casing, apparently sensing the presence of a body, <br>
opened. Picard felt compelled, almost hypnotized, as he reached for the <br>
tear---<br>
	--- Just as Ayelborne, leaping from somewhere above the <br>
alter, tackled Picard to the ground.<br>
<br>
<br>
 <br>
 CHAPTER EIGHTEEN<br>
	"Ready, Mr. Spock." "As am I, Commander Uhura. You may <br>
	begin." The Commander played her console like a master <br>
	pianist. <br>
Moments later, she smiled. "We're in. Work your magic."<br>
	Spock's left eyebrow rose slightly, as he began to <br>
weave a web around the Cardassians' data streams.<br>
<br>
	Montgomery Scott tensed slightly as he made the final <br>
adjustment. There. He signaled his counterpart on Enterprise-D. "Mr. <br>
LaForge, can I count on ya?"<br>
	There was a smile in the voice that came back over the <br>
comm system, "Yes, Sir. Mr. Scott. The power link is completed and <br>
acknowledged on all ships and the station. We're ready for the beam out <br>
anytime."<br>
	Scott smiled broadly, "Ayyyy," he said with pride. " <br>
And laddie, call me Scotty." <br>
<br>
	"There is a fluctuation in their shields, " Dax <br>
reported on the Ganges.<br>
	"Excellent," Sisko said from beside her. "I see it. <br>
Just enough Old Man, to punch some holes."<br>
	Dax nodded, "But where did their sudden power lose come <br>
from?"<br>
	Sisko shrugged his shoulders, "All I care about for now <br>
is that its there. Contact the others. Tell them to commence with round <br>
robin fire patterns."<br>
	Dax reached for the comm board, when she noticed the <br>
readings coming from the Yangtzee Kiang. "Kira!"<br>
<br>
	Onboard the Rio Grande, Data analyzed his readings, <br>
"They appear to be energizing their warp engines. I can only surmise <br>
their course of act---"<br>
	"Chris," Garrett punched the comm. "Wait." She heard a <br>
signal overlapping from the Ganges, essentially the same hail. "Chris. <br>
Don't do this --- We need you," her voice cracked slightly, "I need <br>
you."<br>
<br>
	Pike closed the comm channels. "Are you sure you're <br>
ready for this, Major?"<br>
	"Their shield degradation is strongest along the upper <br>
pylon struts," she snapped militarily.<br>
	Pike nodded. He reached out and touched her hand. <br>
"Engage."<br>
	"May the Prophets be with us." The Yangtzee Kiang went to <br>
	warp speed.<br>
<br>
	Picard's head struck the hard wood surface, dazing him. "SO <br>
	RELIGION IS YOUR DEATH KNELL, PICARD." Ayelborne's <br>
voice echoed through his already ringing head. No longer meek like <br>
outside, the Captain could only surmise that the being's powers were <br>
returning. How could he deal with that?<br>
	With a back hand punch and a roll Picard shook himself <br>
free momentarily from the entity. He tried to get up, but stumbled.<br>
	Ayelborne held his hand to his head, where the Captain <br>
struck. "PAIN... A UNIQUE FEELING. ONE I CAN LIVE WITHOUT. FEEL YOUR <br>
LAST PAIN, PICARD."<br>
	Ayelborne stepped forward, Picard rose to his knees, <br>
trying a crouch stance.<br>
	"Freeze!" The voice came from the back of the room. <br>
	Ayelborne <br>
looked up, startled for a moment, to see James Kirk pointing a phaser <br>
at the entity's chest.<br>
	Ayelborne laughed. "TWO FOR THE PRICE OF ONE, <br>
EXCELLENT."<br>
	He swung his arm back with lightning speed... and <br>
shattered the Tear of the Prophet.<br>
<br>
	On the Promenade, Ayelborne opened his eyes and turned <br>
to Q, "Now."<br>
	Q looked puzzled, "Now?.... ahh, oh, Now! Now!" He <br>
looked up to activate the station's comm system, "Attention, everyone. <br>
This is Q." He pulled down on the front of his Starfleet tunic. "Now." <br>
He said with infinite calm.<br>
<br>
	The sky was falling. Kirk dodged immense shards of wood <br>
and glass, covering his eyes and face as he moved as best he could <br>
toward the disintegrating alter. "Jean-Luc!"    <br>
<br>
	Picard was blown off the alter stage by Ayelborne's <br>
actions, landing on his side at the first row of pews. He tried to get <br>
up, sharp pains, 'broken ribs,' Picard thought. Chapel pieces were <br>
falling all around him, a chapel that if Picard couldn't move would <br>
become a tomb.<br>
<br>
	The communication system worked perfectly as Scotty, La <br>
Forge, O'Brien, Kyle, and Bailey energized in sinc. All power diverted <br>
to the linked transporters, in an attempt to grab two patterns from the <br>
nearly-sealed pocket.<br>
	And the attempt failed.<br>
<br>
	Kirk saw Picard struggling toward the back, the debris <br>
piles were growing all around him. Huge amounts were blocking his path <br>
to the other man. Kirk decided to use his phaser to blast a path.<br>
	Picard heard the familiar whine, still getting to his <br>
feet, "Damn the pain,' he thought to himself. <br>
	And then Ayelborne's laughter returned.<br>
<br>
	"Resets in place," Miles O'Brien said from his location <br>
on DS9. "Emergency systems are shunted to the pattern buffers."<br>
	"Energize," Scotty and LaForge ordered together.<br>
<br>
	Jean-Luc Picard rose, and limped, albeit quickly, <br>
through the newly cleared path.<br>
	James Kirk met him as their eyes locked, "Let's get out <br>
of here, Captain."<br>
	"I second that, Captain." They turned around to begin their <br>
	trek, and then <br>
Ayelborne yelled.<br>
	"NO!!!!" And Picard and Kirk no longer controlled their <br>
destinies.<br>
	And Picard and Kirk once again controlled their <br>
destinies.<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
 <br>
 EPILOGUE<br>
<br>
	The doors shwooshed open and Christopher Pike gladly <br>
crossed the threshold into his quarters. He yawned and rubbed his eyes. <br>
It wasn't an overly stressful assignment the Enterprise was carrying <br>
out, but perhaps he was still recovering from the events of Talos IV. <br>
He tugged at his uniform tunic, contemplating changing into something <br>
more comfortable, but the bunk was too alluring. He flopped onto it.<br>
	Not knowing how much time had passed, or even if he had <br>
fallen asleep at all, the next thing Pike heard was the pinging of his <br>
door chime. "Come," he said sleepily.<br>
	The door opened to reveal his young -- for a Vulcan -- <br>
science officer. "I apologize if this is a bad time, Captain."<br>
	Pike sat up, "No, not at all, Mr. Spock. How can I help <br>
you?"<br>
	The Vulcan stepped inside and the door closed. Pike <br>
noticed he was holding a bottle of liquor. "Saurian Brandy," Spock <br>
said. "I understand it is a delicacy you appreciate."<br>
	Pike nodded, "Indeed. Join me in a toast?" Spock hesitated <br>
	a moment, he normally didn't imbibe, <br>
but he did bring the brandy. "Of course."<br>
	Pike relieved him of the bottle and found two glasses. "I <br>
	am here to ... thank you, Captain." Pike hesitated, "Thank <br>
	me?" "For allowing me to join the crew." Pike chuckled, <br>
	"Don't be ridiculous, Spock. I didn't <br>
allow you to do anything. You certainly earned this posting." He <br>
offered Spock a glass.<br>
	Spock took it, "Perhaps you are aware of the <br>
...disappointment in some quarters by my actions."<br>
	Pike knew indeed. Ambassador Sarek of Vulcan was a <br>
living legend in Federation Diplomacy. The fact that he strongly <br>
opposed his son's entrance into Starfleet wasn't as well known, "I'm <br>
aware of your father's displeasure."<br>
	"It has not made my life easy," Spock admitted, <br>
throwing Pike off guard by the candidness. "I am glad there are still <br>
individuals in my life to who I can turn for guidance and acceptance."<br>
	Pike raised a glass, "I am honored you feel you can <br>
come to me. I'll try not to let you down."<br>
	They clinked their glasses. Spock raised an eyebrow, <br>
"What are we toasting, Sir?"<br>
	Pike thought but a moment, "To the future." The two <br>
	comrades and friends drank their drink.<br>
<br>
	'What about the future?,'  James Kirk asked himself, as <br>
he sat on the bridge of the battle-weary Enterprise-A. On the screen <br>
was the Planet Earth, and the massive orbital Space Dock that was this <br>
ship's last port. "Stand by, automatic approach system." His words <br>
sounded as if they were coming from somewhere else. "Advise approach <br>
control."<br>
	Uhura nodded, and ever so tentatively, at least that's <br>
how it looked to Kirk, she tapped a key on her console, "Approach <br>
control this is Enterprise-A, Ready for docking maneuver."<br>
	The controller replied over the intercom in such a <br>
cheery voice, Kirk almost made a vow to track him down later and punch <br>
him in the nose. "Enterprise-A is cleared to dock. Welcome Home."<br>
	"See to it, Mr. Chekov." Kirk replied and left the <br>
bridge.<br>
	Moments later, he was walking toward his quarters where <br>
he was suddenly met by Spock and McCoy. "Hey, Jim," McCoy called out. <br>
"Spock has a surprisingly good idea. Follow us."<br>
	Kirk shrugged and wordlessly followed his two best <br>
friends to Spock's quarters. The door opened to reveal a table setting <br>
for three and a bottle ... of Saurian Brandy. Well, this might be a <br>
fine idea after all. "Spock, I'm shocked."<br>
	"It is somewhat of a tradition of mine to have a toast <br>
with my Commanding Officer."<br>
	Kirk smiled sardonically, "And it took nearly 25 years <br>
for me to learn of this tradition?"<br>
	Spock nodded, "I cannot think of a more fortuitous <br>
occasion."<br>
	Kirk nodded, "Join us, Bones." "Actually I thought I'd <br>
	count the sparkles in Spock's <br>
IDIC display over here ...of course I'll join you."<br>
	Spock poured the brandy and handed the glasses to his <br>
friends. "To the future," he said as he raised a glass.<br>
	"And to the missions of the Enterprises' past," Kirk <br>
added.<br>
	They clinked their glasses and drank. Then Kirk sat down, <br>
	"This is it for me, you know. After <br>
they retire her, that's it. I'm through with starships and hopping <br>
galaxies."<br>
	McCoy and Spock glanced at each other with knowing <br>
looks, as the three friends sat infinitely comfortable in each other's <br>
presence.<br>
<br>
	Captain John Harriman was infinitely uncomfortable, <br>
'How could this have happened? This was supposed to be a spin around <br>
the block! ....around the block!' Instead Enterprise-B, on her maiden <br>
voyage had encountered a spatial anomaly, it almost tore the ship <br>
apart. More importantly, on his first watch as Enterprise Commander, he <br>
had lost one of the most important figures in Federation history. James <br>
T. Kirk was dead.<br>
	Harriman shook his head slightly, he still couldn't <br>
believe it. But it was true, he stood at the rear of the ship's chapel. <br>
In the front row stood Captain Montgomery Scott, Captain Pavel Chekov <br>
and Ensign Demora Sulu. They were conducting a private memorial <br>
service, as Enterprise-B limped back to Earth.<br>
	Harriman bowed his head, and left the room. Kirk had <br>
saved the Enterprise, as he had done so many times before, different <br>
ships, linked together by one legacy. It was Harriman who should have <br>
made the sacrifice. Kirk should be alive and well, sitting in that <br>
chair on the bridge, certainly John felt he didn't deserve to be there. <br>
The Captain silently made a pledge to himself, a pledge only someone <br>
familiar with the intricate possibilities of space travel could sanely <br>
make: 'If I ever have a chance to sacrifice myself to preserve you or <br>
your progeny, James T. Kirk, I will not hesitate. I owe you, Captain.'  <br>
<br>
	Rachel Garrett stood up from the center seat of <br>
Enterprise-C and stepped down to the command console. "How does it <br>
feel, Mr. Castillo?"<br>
	Richard Castillo just began his first watch as <br>
helmsman. "Wonderful, Captain, Thank you."<br>
	"Don't thank me, Lieutenant. You earned this." She <br>
patted him on the shoulder and returned to her chair. This was a fine <br>
ship and a good crew. Enterprise-C would indeed live up to the name's <br>
legacy, she would insure it. Suddenly, an intense beeping emanated from <br>
the communications station.<br>
	The young woman manning it, Ensign Terri, spoke up. <br>
"Emergency distress signal, Sir. From the Klingon Outpost Nirendra III. <br>
They are under attack."<br>
	Garrett stood, "Distance." "8 hours at present speed," <br>
	Castillo announced. Garrett shook her head, "Not good <br>
	enough. Go to warp 8, <br>
Mister. Course, Nirendra III. Ensign Terri, signal the Klingons, help <br>
is on the way." 'Time to live up to the legacy,' she thought.<br>
	And Enterprise-C warped toward her future.<br>
<br>
	Deanna Troi stood up from the chess match, "Don't fret, <br>
Worf. I was the All-District chess champion at my high school."<br>
	"So you've mentioned ... many times." She raised her <br>
	eyebrows in mock surprise. "Funny, I <br>
don't recall. Let's get a bite to eat, I'm starved." They walked out of <br>
the rec room together. Deanna was glad to have this time to spend with <br>
Worf, ever since their duty schedules matched up so they were off-duty <br>
together. Worf had been through some emotional hardships lately <br>
concerning his late father. He had been quite reserved. Geordi and Data <br>
asked her to look after their friend. She didn't need to be asked. In <br>
fact, she was surprised and confused by her new feelings for the <br>
Klingon. 'Maybe I need to talk to the ship's counselor.' She smiled to <br>
herself.<br>
	They arrived at Ten Forward to find the Captain seated <br>
alone, nursing a cooling cup of Earl Grey tea. Troi and Worf exchanged <br>
glances. Then Troi asked if he wanted company.<br>
	"Certainly Counselor, Lieutenant," He stood in welcome <br>
as they sat.<br>
	"It is unusual," Worf said, "to find you here." Picard <br>
	smiled, "I suppose so, Mr. Worf. I was just <br>
watching." He pointed at the large picture windows adorning one side of <br>
the lounge. Stars flew by, altered by the warp field effect. As always, <br>
it was beautiful. "It's nice to see them for real once in a while, not <br>
through some view screen sensor array. And away from deck one."<br>
	Troi nodded, "I understand. Is something bothering you <br>
though, Captain?"<br>
	Picard shook his head, "Not really Counselor, I guess <br>
I'm still awed now and again by the scope of the universe. How much is <br>
still out there..."<br>
	Just then, Guinan appeared from seemingly nowhere, <br>
"Well, it's always a pleasure when my little hole in the wall is graced <br>
by such company. Here," She placed a bottle and some glasses down in <br>
the center of the table. "On the house."<br>
	Troi and Picard smiled at the barkeep. Worf nodded as <br>
she left. "What is it?," the Klingon asked.<br>
	Picard picked up the bottle, admiring it, "Saurian <br>
Brandy. The perfect drink to share with friends." And the Captain of <br>
the Enterprise began to pour.<br>
<br>
	Ben Sisko wasn't sure about this idea, but how could he <br>
say no to Dax, after all they had to find a way to recover from Q's <br>
disruptive visit to the station. The dip and chips Dax insisted on had <br>
arrived, and it was almost time for her, Kira, O'Brien, Keiko, and <br>
Bashir to arrive. He was putting on his fatigues when a knock came to <br>
his door. "Come in."<br>
	Jake bounded in his room, holding a deck of cards. <br>
"Well, I'm ready."<br>
	"Ready ....for what?" "For the game. So is Nog. He's on his <br>
	way over." Sisko shook his head, "Oh, no. Poker is a <br>
	grownups' <br>
game, Son."<br>
	"Ahh, come on, Dad. how come when it's time for me to <br>
do chores or homework I ..." he lowed his voice to simulate his dad <br>
"...have to start acting like a grownup... but when it comes to the fun <br>
stuff, I'm just a kid."<br>
	Sisko was about to say, 'because I said so,' but <br>
thought twice. "Just don't fight me on this, Okay, Jake."<br>
	His son paused for a moment with a droopy look on his <br>
face, "Okay, Nog and I will just go to Quark's. Tonight's The Dabo Girl <br>
Talent Show in the Holosuites."<br>
	".... you understand the difference between a straight <br>
and a straight flush?"<br>
	Sisko draped his arm around his son as they left his <br>
room.<br>
<br>
	Q arrived home with a headache. 'How can this be? I <br>
don't get headaches, and where the hell was I just now? On that <br>
decrepit space station?' Yes, that was it, but he had a feeling there <br>
was something more to it, a lot more. If only his mind would clear.<br>
	"So," came another's voice, "Out late again last <br>
night."<br>
	Q looked up to see the face of his friend, not that he <br>
actually had any real --friends -- in the continuum. At least this one <br>
came the closest to one he cared anything about, for now. But, he was <br>
annoying him at the moment. "Excuuuse me. Have you found that asteroid <br>
belt, yet?"<br>
	The other smirked and went about his business. As for Q, <br>
	his head was clearing, and he had an <br>
unmistakable urge .... for a doughnut.<br>
<br>
	Outside the Organian counsel room, Ayelborne and <br>
Trefayne looked up into the night sky.<br>
	"The pocket around our world is indeed gone," Trefayne <br>
said. "All is as it was before."<br>
	Ayelborne nodded, "I cannot help but feel that this was <br>
all my fault."<br>
	"It was," Trefayne said. Ayelborne looked at his <br>
	compatriot, "I can never fault <br>
you for your honesty, Trefayne."<br>
	"Unlike the rest of us, you did not kill, Ayelborne. <br>
Not then, not now. If that is a fault," Trefayne shrugged, "it is one I <br>
believe you can live with."<br>
	The other nodded. And then in two flashes of light, <br>
they moved on.<br>
<br>
	Ayelborne stepped out from the rubble of the destroyed <br>
Vedek Monastery. Fury was the only emotion he felt. He looked up into <br>
the blazing red sky. A temporal pocket, they got him at his own game. <br>
He underestimated the abilities of the humans, of Kirk and Picard. He <br>
envisioned tearing the captains apart, tearing his other self apart. <br>
They deserved no better. But, they had escaped, with simple transporter <br>
technology, they survived. Fury grew in its passion.<br>
	Ayelborne scanned the night skies, and for the briefest <br>
of moments, he thought he saw a little black mixed into the red. <br>
Perhaps not. <br>
	Ayelborne thoughts were molded into one word, one word <br>
to obsess on for eternity if that's what it took....<br>
	The temporal pocket filled with hideous laughter.   <br>
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