EPISODE 1.06 - “FROM THE PAST”

written by Travis Cannon

Captain Benjamin Kelsoe sat in his chair on the bridge going over reports on data pads. They were on course for Tulop to pick up the Ambassador. The Pioneer was going to be transporting the Ambassador of Tulop to the planet Andres Rae for a conference between the United Federation of Planets. Kelsoe reached over to the flat center piece in-between his chair and Burt's and picked up his cup of coffee that he had replicated before he had come up to the bridge.

Lieutenant Norman Craig stood behind his station reviewing data that they had got from a asteroid field they had passed. Commander Braxis stood at his station, he also, was going over the data from the asteroid field. Commander Robert Tuff stood behind his station monitoring all exterior activity. And Commander Connor Burt was on his break. Ensign Tracy Carson stayed at her station listening for any transmissions. Suddenly Tracy straightened up and looked over at Kelsoe.

“Captain!?” Tracy blurted out.

Kelsoe placed is cup down and looked over.

“Yes?” Kelsoe inquired.

“I'm receiving a distress call,” Tracy said.

Kelsoe stood up and turned to Craig.

“Are there any other ships in response time?” Kelsoe inquired.

“Just a minute,” Craig said and punched buttons on his console. “No, Captain, we're the closes ship. The only other ship is five days away.”

“Okay,” Kelsoe said.

“Ensign Carson,” Kelsoe ordered. “Send the coordinates of the distress call to the helm. And tell Starfleet that we're answering a distress call and will be late for picking up the Ambassador from Tulop.”

“Aye, Captain,” Tracy said and punched her console.

“I've got the coordinates,” Zimmer said.

“Drop out of warp and take us to the ship, Mr. Zimmer,” Kelsoe said.

“Yes, sir,” Zimmer said.

The Pioneer dropped out of warp and proceed at impulse to where the coordinates of the distress call had come from.

“Steady on, Mr. Zimmer,” Kelsoe said and sat down in his chair.

After one minute Zimmer turned around.

“We're almost there, Captain,” Zimmer said, and then spun back to the helm controls.

“Reading the ship, yet?” Kelsoe asked Craig.

“I'm picking it up on sensors,” Craig said.

“Is it in view yet?” Kelsoe inquired.

“Yes,” Craig said.

“On screen,” Kelsoe said turning around to look at the screen.

The view screen turned on to show space. In the center of the screen was a small ship. Kelsoe stood up.

“Magnify,” Kelsoe ordered.

There was a beep and then the ship became closer. It appeared to be a long gray cylinder, with boxes attached to either side of it.

“It's a cargo ship of some sorts,” Craig said at his station.

“Origin?” Kelsoe inquired.

“It's a Federation vessel, Captain,” Craig said.

“Braxis, how lifesigns are onboard?” Kelsoe asked.

Braxis punched is console. He raised one of his eyebrows.

“Curious?” Braxis said. “I'm not picking up any life forms.”

Kelsoe's eyes grew wide and he looked back at the ship.

“No lifesigns?” Kelsoe said. “That's impossible.”

“The sensor are not malfunctioning,” Braxis said. “No one is on that ship.”

Kelsoe turned and walked up to Craig's station.

“Are we in transporter range?” Kelsoe inquired.

“No, Captain,” Craig said.

Kelsoe turned around.

“Continue on, Mr. Zimmer,” Kelsoe said. “Take us in transporter range.”

“Yes, Captain,” Zimmer said and punched the helm controls.

“Captain,” Braxis said. “I am picking up a phase shift in space.”

Kelsoe turned and stepped over to Braxis' station.

“Is it safe for the ship to go through?” Kelsoe inquired.

“Hold on Captain,” Braxis said, and then turned around and looked down at his console. “Yes, Captain. It is safe for the ship.”

“Go through the phase shift, Mr. Zimmer,” Kelsoe said, stepping down to his chair and sitting down.

“We're through,” Zimmer said, “and we're in transporter range.”

“Captain?” Tracy said.

“What?” Kelsoe asked looking over at Tracy.

“We're being hailed by the cargo ship,” Tracy said with a confused look on her face.

“What?” Kelsoe said standing up quickly. “We being hailed?”

“Yes,” Tracy said. “Audio only.”

“On speakers,” Kelsoe said.

“Yes, Captain,” Tracy said.

Tracy taped a button on the console and the speakers turned on.

“This is the Federation transport ship Vincent... are you reading us?” said a crackling voice.

“Can you clean the audio?” Kelsoe asked Tracy.

“That's the best I can get,” Tracy said.

Kelsoe turned back and stared at the ship.

“We here you Vincent,” Kelsoe said.

“Oh tha..k god...,” came the crackling voice. “I a....ptain Herman Noah, who it is th... speaking to?”

“I am Captain Benjamin Kelsoe of the Federation starship Pioneer,” Kelsoe said. “Do you require assistance?”

“Yes,” said Noah. “We require assistance. Do you have a engineer you can spare?”

“I'll get may chief of engineering to help you out,” Kelsoe said. “Just so you know, you're audio really isn't good, so I'm going to send my Communications officer over to see if she can help fix your communication station.”

“Oh thank you Captain Kelsoe,” Noah said.

“We'll se you soon,” Kelsoe said. “Kelsoe out.”

Tracy closed the transmission.

“I'm going?” she inquired.

“Your the communications officer, right?” Kelsoe said with a smile.

“Yes,” Tracy smiling back.

Kelsoe hit his communicator.

“Kelsoe to Withrome,” Kelsoe said.

“Withrome, here,” said Joanna.

“Joanna, I'd like you to go to the Vincent and see what you can do for them,” Kelsoe said. “You can bring two other engineers to assist you.”

“Right, Captain,” Withrome said. “Withrome out.”

Kelsoe turned to Tuff.

“Commander Tuff,” Kelsoe said. “I'd like you to go over as the away mission leader.”

“Yes, Captain,” Tuff nodded. “Ensign Carson, come with me.”

Tracy go up and followed Tuff to the turbolift. Kelsoe turned to Braxis.

“I'm going to go to the mess hall for a lunch break, you have the bridge, Commander Braxis,” Kelsoe said and followed Tuff and Tracy to the turbolift.

“Yes, Captain,” Braxis said, and stepped away from his station, with his hands behind his back, and walked down into the center of the bridge.

Tuff was at the control of the shuttle craft as it soared away from the Pioneer's shuttle bay towards the Vincent. Joanna had picked Lieutenant Harrison Gregg and Ensign Kavoc, another Vulcan onboard, to assist her with engineering repairs on the Vincent. Tracy sat in the back, not wanting to be spoken too. Joanna sat next to Tuff.

“Jesus, look at that thing,” Joanna said.

“It looks ancient,” Tuff agreed.

“Cargo ships such as this often do, Commander,” Kavoc said raising his eyebrow.

“I bet you really good buddies with Commander Braxis, eh, Kavoc?” Gregg said.

“Buddies?” Kavoc questioned. “It is not my place to speak with commanding officers.”

“Yeah, but he's a fellow Vulcan,” Gregg said.

Kavoc just raised his eyebrow and looked at Gregg. Gregg shook his head and laughed.

“Almost there,” Tuff said. “Open a channel.”

There was a beep.

“This is the Pioneer's shuttle craft, request permission to dock,” Tuff said.

“This is Vincent, permission granted,” said a crewman from the Vincent.

Tuff maneuvered the shuttle into the docking bay of the Vincent.

Tuff walked out of the shuttle, followed by Joanna, Gregg, Tracy and Kavoc at the end. Captain Noah stood there to greet them, wearing strange civilian clothing with this day and age. He was an elderly man with gray hair and a white beard that was flat and close to his face. He smiled and extended a hand.

“Welcome aboard,” Noah said.

“Thank you,” Tuff said.

“I'm Commander Tuff,” Tuff said. “This is our Chief of Engineer Lt. Commander Withrome.”

“Hello,” Withrome said, shaking Noah's hand.

“I'm so thankful that you guys showed up,” Noah said.

“What?” Tuff inquired.

“We didn't pick up your ship until a couple seconds ago,” Noah said.

“That's odd?” Tuff said. “You should have picked us up thirty minutes ago.”

“Perhaps there is something wrong with their sensors,” Withrome said. “Kavoc can hook at them while Gregg and I have a look at the Warp Core.”

“Oh, Tuff said. “This is our communications officer, Ensign Carson.”

“Hello young lady,” Noah said. “I understand that you'll be able to clean up our communication equipment.”

“I'll try my best,” Tracy said shyly.

“Very good,” Noah said, slapping his hands together in excitement.

A young man with dark black hair and a five o'clock shadow walked up wearing strange civilian clothing, too.

“Ah,” Noah said. “This is my first mate, Joseph Kyle.”

“Hello,” Joseph said.

“Oh, Joseph, could you show Ms. Withrome and Mr. Gregg, right?” Noah said, and Gregg nodded. “Very good... um... to engineering.”

“Yes, captain,” Joseph said. “Uh, follow me, Engineering's this way.”

Joseph gestured to the left and Withrome and Gregg followed him. Noah beamed as he watched Joseph lead them away.

“Um,” Noah said. “I can take you three to the bridge, I'm sure this Vulcan fellow can fix the sensors from there.”

Kavoc raised his eyebrow.

“That would be fine,” Tuff said politely.

Kelsoe sat in the mess hall, alone in a corner of the room, sipping some soup he replicated. He saw Burt come in and glance around. When Burt saw Kelsoe, he smiled and walked over.

“What looks good, Captain?” Burt said.

“Come on, Burt,” Kelsoe said. “You know you can have whatever you want.”

“Yeah, but I find it seems more like how when I ask you,” Burt said as he stepped over to the replicator. “Cheese and ham sandwich, on white bread, and a cup of black coffee.”

The replicator hummed and Burt's sandwich appeared with his coffee sitting along side it. Burt stepped back and sat down across from Kelsoe.

“So, what's happening up on the bridge?” Burt inquired as he took a bite out of his sandwich.

“We've answered a distress call from a cargo ship called Vincent,” Kelsoe said. “I've sent Withrome, with some of our engineering staff, to help fix their Warp Core.”

Burt looked at Kelsoe and noticed Kelsoe's expression.

“What's wrong?” Burt asked.

“Something very odd happened up on the bridge,” Kelsoe said. “When the ship hailed us, we didn't read any lifesigns from the ship.”

“That is odd,” Burt agreed.

“But we did talk with the captain of the ship,” Kelsoe said. “He was very happy to hear from us.”

Burt nodded.

“So how have you been?” Burt asked.

“Hmm?”

“You know what I mean,” Burt said. “You've never let yourself get over her.”

“Connor,” Kelsoe said. “Ann wasn't a woman you can just forget.”

“Yeah,” Burt said, nodding. “She was one in a million.”

“An the fact that she was...,” Kelsoe stopped and bit his lip.

Burt put his hand on Kelsoe's right shoulder.

“It's okay,” Burt said. “I understand. We don't have to talk about. Just remember if you ever need someone, I'm always there.”

“Thanks, Connor,” Kelsoe said. “You're such a good friend.”

“That's way I'm your executive officer,” Burt said with a smile.

Lt. Commander Joanna Withrome and Lieutenant Harrison Gregg stood along side the warp core control console on the Vincent. Joanna punched a few things on the control console and shook her head.

“This doesn't make sense,” she said softly.

“There's something not right here,” Gregg said.

“Hold on,” Joanna said and turned to face Joseph. “Kyle, was it?”

“Yes, but you can call me Joseph,” Joseph said. “On a cargo ship, such as this, we are used to calling each other by our first names.”

“Right,” Joanna said. “Well, what model is your warp core.”

“It's a Warp 5,” Joseph said grinning widely. “From what I understand it's the top of the line.”

“Actually it's not,” Joanna said.

“Well,” Joseph said. “We're not a Starfleet issued ship, so we don't get supplied with high graded equipment.”

“That's understandable,” Gregg said. “I mean, you guys have to buy this stuff off of Ferengi.”

“Yes,” Joseph nodded. “As a matter of fact we bought this warp core from a group of Ferengi brothers, the Mulark brothers. Can you fix it?”

“Yes,” Joanna nodded. “Our warp core is top of the line, this one is a little ancient, but it should be no problem.”

“Great!” Joseph said with a smile. “Well, if you need me, I'll be on the bridge.”

Joseph turned on his heels and left. Joanna turned back to Gregg.

“I think that the Warp conduits might be out of sync,” Joanna said.

“Could be,” Gregg said.

“It's just hard to say, really,” Joanna said. “With how old this warp core is.”

The bridge is a made up of a lot of dark gray surfaces. There is no captain's chair, but there is to chairs for the pilot and navigation officers, currently off duty. Tuff noted that there was not science station. But that should be obvious considering that this ship is not of Starfleet issue. The communications station, where Tracy was working, on the right side. The left said of the bridge had the door the connected the bridge with the rest of the ship. Tuff stood on the bridge observing Kavoc as he worked on the ship's sensors.  Noah stood near by, hoping to get some words with Tuff. Tuff turned and noticed him. He smiled.

“This is a nice ship, you've got,” Tuff said.

“Thank you!” Noah beamed. “We've had to scrounge around for gold latium, to pay the Mulark brothers for Starfleet equipment that they have found in their dealings.”

“Mulark brothers?” Tuff inquired. “Are they Ferengi?”

“Yes,” Noah said. “Sometimes they charged to much, but we survive. It's sometimes hard being away from Federation space, without being able to relay on Starfleet for help.”

“Luckily we've been assigned to the So'ja space then,” Tuff said.

“So'ja?” Noah inquired.

“Yes,” Tuff said. “You know all about the So'ja right?”

“Sorry,” Noah shrugged. “We've been out of the loop for a while. I mean I had no idea that Starfleet had changed their uniforms.”

“We've had them for several years now,” Tuff said. “When did you leave Federation space?”

“Oh, a long time,” Noah said.

The doors to the bridge opened and Joseph walked in. Noah smiled and greeted Joseph.

“Herman,” Joseph said. “You won't believe it, but the Mularks' lied about the warp core. It's not top of the line.”

“Ah!” Noah said waving his arms in the air. He looked towards Tuff and shrugged. “That was bound to happen during one of our dealings.”

“What type of warp core do you have?” Tuff inquired.

“A Warp 5,” Noah said.

Tuff nodded, “They did lie.”

Noah seemed compelled to changed the subject.

“Do you know Henry Heinz?” Noah inquired.

“No, sorry, I don't,” Tuff said.

“Ah, pity,” Noah said. “He's a friend of mine that works for Starfleet Medical.”

“Oh,” Tuff said, trying to sound interested.

He was very much pleased when Kavoc informed him that his examination of the sensors was finished.

“Good,” Tuff said. “You can join Withrome and Gregg now.”

“Mr. Kyle,” Kavoc inquired, “could you show me to engineering?”

“Sure,” Joseph said.

Joseph lead Kavoc out of the bridge and to the Vincent's engineering.

Tuff looked over at Tracy.

“How is everything Ensign Carson?” Tuff inquired.

“Fine,” Tracy said. “I believe I'm finished.” She turned to Noah. “I'm sorry, there was really much I could do with it. It's kind of out of date.”

“That's okay,” Noah said with a beaming smiled that seemed to light up all the dark colors in the room. “It's the thought that counts. If you wish, you can go to our mess hall and get a meal.”

“Um, thank you,” Tracy said. “I'll like that.”

Tracy left the bridge and headed for the mess hall. Tuff turned and smiled at Noah. Tuff stepped back and surveyed the bridge. His took in a deep breath.

“It's amazing our clean you've been able to keep this ship,” Tuff said. “Considering our long you take doing transportation of cargo.”

“Yes,” Noah agreed.

Tuff looked at the view screen and saw the Pioneer and realized how much he was there so that he could play space tennis with Commander Burt.

“So how long have you've been out in space?” Noah inquired.

“We've only been out for a little over half a year,” Tuff said, still staring at the Pioneer.

Noah noticed and looked up at the view screen.

“She is a nice ship,” Noah said.

“Yes,” Tuff said. “I used to be the first officer of the Clark, a science vessel, but after the So'ja killed all the crew and destroyed our ship, I had no place to go. Captain Kelsoe was kind enough to offer me the Security Officer's position on the ship. I didn't mind that it was a 'de-promotion'. I've discovered that I enjoy my new position better than my old one.”

Tuff noticed that he was rambling and stopped.

“Come,” Noah said. “Let me show you our mess hall. We can continue our conversation over a good hot meal, prepared fresh by our chef!”

“Sure, that would be fine,” Tuff said and followed Noah out of the bridge.

Kelsoe had just entered the bridge and now was standing besides Craig's station.

“How's everything going over there?” Kelsoe asked.

“Fine, Captain,” Craig said. “Lt. Commander Withrome reported back in, said that it'd take a little more time than she had initially thought.”

“Why?” Kelsoe inquired.

“The warp core is out of date, sir,” Craig said.

“That's understandable,” Kelsoe said, and patted Craig on the shoulder.

Kelsoe turned and walked down into the center of the bridge and sat down in his chair. He picked up a data pad that was sitting there and began to read it. Then he glanced up at the view screen and looked at the cargo ship Vincent. He could not shake the feeling he had that something was not quite right.

“Captain?”

Kelsoe took himself out of his thoughts and turned to see who was speaking to him. It was Braxis.

“Yes, what is it, Mr. Braxis?” Kelsoe asked.

“The phase shift that we encountered earlier, Captain,” Braxis said. “It has created a temporal wake.”

“Oh,” Kelsoe said raising his eyebrows.

“Just thought it would be wise to know, Captain,” Braxis said.

“Why is that?” Kelsoe inquired. “I really never understood a temporal wake.”

“I can cause a shift in time, Captain,” Braxis said. “It would be logical to avoid the phase shift when we leave for Tulop.”

“Good thinking, Braxis,” Kelsoe said.

Burt walked on to the bridge.

“Captain,” Burt said. “Ensign Carson and Kavoc have beamed back. Kavoc would like to speak with you and Commander Braxis.”

“Okay,” Kelsoe said standing up.

“Yes in the conference room,” Burt said.

“You have the bridge then, Connor,” Kelsoe said and started walking towards the turbolift with Braxis.

“I'd like to see what's up,” Burt said.

“Okay,” Kelsoe said. “Lieutenant Craig, you have the bridge then.”

“Yes, Captain,” Craig said.

Kelsoe, Burt and Braxis walked into the turbolift.

“Captain,” Kavoc said, “I believe I have found out something that is not logical.”

Kelsoe sat at the head of the table with Burt and Braxis on either side. Kavoc stood besides the display console across from them.

“Not logical?” Kelsoe said looking at Braxis. “Please explain, Ensign.”

“I reviewed the Vincent's sensors like Commander Tuff told me, too,” Kavoc explain. “However I decided not to tell him my discovery, for he was deep in conversation with the ship's captain.”

“Please, just tell me what's the problem,” Kelsoe said.

“Very well, Captain,” Kavoc said. “The sensors were old, Captain.”

“Of course they are!” Burt said. “That ship can't afford anything up to date.”

“I know that, Commander Burt,” Kavoc said. “Yet my conclusion stands. This cargo ship is from the past.”

Braxis raised his right eyebrow.

“Do you know what you are saying, Ensign Kavoc?” Braxis inquired.

“Yes,” Kavoc said. “I understand that the Vulcan Science Ministry says the time travel is impossible, but there have been many document incidents in which crews have traveled in time. Admiral Janeway had some time traveling experiences on the Voyager missions.”

“I understand the past incidents, Ensign,” Kelsoe said.

“Captain, may I be a load to say something?” Braxis said.

“Of course, Braxis,” Kelsoe said.

“The temporal wake, Captain,” Braxis said. “The phase shift may had already created the wake before we had passed through it. It would explain the reason we could not identify any life forms on the ship, but still receive their messages.”

Kelsoe nodded.

“Ensign Kavoc,” Kelsoe said. “I want you to work with Commander Braxis on finding out everything you can about temporal wakes.”

“Aye, Captain.”

“Dismissed,” Kelsoe said as he stood.

Tuff sat with Tracy and Noah at a small table in the Vincent's mess hall. They were having a fresh chicken, sprinkled with lemon. Tuff didn't realize how different really chicken tasted from the replicator's version. It was really happy that the Captain had picked him to lead the away team. As he ate and talked with Noah and Tracy his communicator beeped. Tuff tapped it.

“Tuff here,” Tuff said.

“Commander,” came Joanna's voice. “We've finished repairs on the warp core, requesting permission to take the shuttle back to Pioneer.”

“Permission granted,” Tuff said. “Ensign Carson and I will beam over later.”

“Aye,” Joanna said. “Joanna out.”

The channel closed. Tuff looked up at Noah and smiled.

“Well, you should be able to reach your destination now,” Tuff said.

“Thank you, so much,” Noah said. “You all have been really kind to us.”

“You needed help,” Tuff said. “Starfleet teaches us to respond to distress calls from people in need.”

Tuff communicator beeped again.

Tuff tapped it.

“Tuff here,” Tuff said.

“Commander Tuff,” came Kelsoe's voice. “I want you and Ensign Carson to prepare for beam out immediately.”

“Aye, Captain,” Tuff said as he and Tracy stood up.

Tuff turned to Noah.

“I'm sorry,” Tuff said. “I'll contact you after I've found out what's the matter.” Tuff turned and faced Tracy, who nodded. “Tuff to Pioneer, two to beam out.”

“What's the matter, Captain?” Tuff said.

Tracy and him were now standing in the conference room with the rest of the senior staff.

“That ship is not from our era,” Kelsoe said.

“How can you be sure?” Tuff said.

“Well,” Joanna said. “Joseph said that the Ferengi's called that warp core top of the line, and guess what? It was. About two generations ago.”

“What?” Tuff said. “That doesn't mean anything.”

“Did Captain Noah mention anything or anyone that we can pinpoint to an exact time?” Braxis inquired.

“I don't remember,” Tuff said. “We talked about a lot of stuff.”

“I believe he mentioned a man named Henry Heinz, sir,” Kavoc said.

Tuff turned and stared at Kavoc with his mouth wide opened. “You were listening?” he exclaimed.

“It was hard not to hear,” Kavoc said. “Humans seem to talk louder than necessary when they are in conversations with others.”

“We do tend to do that,” Burt said chuckling.

“Captain Noah also stated that this friend of his was working at Starfleet Medical.”

“Craig, look up the name in Starfleet Medical's personal database,” Kelsoe ordered.

“Aye, Captain,” Craig said and stepped over to the display console and punched some buttons.

The console showed a list of names and scanned through them quickly. Then it beeped and a the word “No Match” flashed on the screen.

“There is no Henry Heinz currently apart of Starfleet Medical,” Craig said.

“Check the past records,” Kelsoe said.

“Yes, Captain,” Craig said and typed some more.

The screen scanned over even more names. It stopped and brought up a personal screen that showed picture of a man in his mid-forties.

“According to the computer Henry Heinz was part of Starfleet in...,” Craig paused. “That can't be... unless that ship is from the past.”

Braxis raised his right eyebrow.

“Perhaps, Ensign Kavoc's theory is correct,” Braxis said.

Tuff looked at Burt.

“What?” Burt said to Craig, confused.

“He comes from Kirk's era,” Craig said. “The era in which the Enterprise-A was top of the line.”

“That's why he said that our uniforms were different,” Tuff said.

“Yes,” Joanna said. “And why everything on that ship is so old, to us.”

“What are we going to do, Captain?” Tuff inquired.

“We've got to go back through the temporal wake,” Kelsoe said.

“What about the Vincent?” Joanna inquired.

“Commander Tuff,” Kelsoe said. “Come with me. Well explain all this to Captain Noah. Dismissed!”

Tuff and Kelsoe stood on the bridge facing Noah. Joseph told besides Noah.

“What's this all about?” Joseph asked. “You're talking nonsense.”

“Captain Noah,” Kelsoe said. “Tell me the name of the Federation's best ship and captain.”

“Ah,” Noah said. “Come on, Captain Kelsoe, that is simple, you should know that. The Enterprise, commanded by Captain James T. Kirk, himself.”

“That's the thing,” Kelsoe said. “The best ship in Starfleet, for us, is the Enterprise-E commanded by Captain Jean-Luc Picard.”

“There is no captain by the name,” Joseph said. “You're making this up.”

“Captain,” Tuff said to Noah. “Captain Kelsoe is telling the truth. Our ship picked up your distress call when it went through the temporal wake. And the reason why you did not pick up our ship was because we hadn't passed through the temporal wake. The wake acts as a door way through time. Look at me. Am I lying to you? Am I?”

“No,” Noah said looking into Tuff's eyes. “I don't think you are. But you've got to admit this is all very hard to take in. How does the Federation handle stuff like this?”

“There have been a few incidents similar to this,” Kelsoe said. “Most often what you would be told to be quiet and not reveal anything.”

“Why?” Joseph asked.

“So that you won't disrupt the space time continuum,” Kelsoe said.

“I understand, Captain,” Noah said. “I don't think you have to worry. We are out in space for years at a time.”

“Of course you know you'll have to erase any knowledge of us from your ship,” Kelsoe said.

“I recommend that after the ships out lived it's usefulness to you, that you have it self-destruct,” Tuff said. “That way, any knowledge of us will be erased.”

Noah nodded.

“It shall be done,” Noah said and he extend his hand to Tuff. “It's been an honor to know you Commander Tuff.”

“The honor has been mine,” Tuff said and shook hands with Noah.

Kelsoe smiled and tapped his communicator.

“Kelsoe to Pioneer,” Kelsoe said. “Two to beam up.”

“Alright,” Kelsoe said, standing on the bridge. “Get us the hell back to our time.”

“Aye, Captain,” Zimmer said. “Turning us about.”

“How's the temporal wake holding up?” Kelsoe asked Braxis.

“The structural integrity of the wake is weakening,” Braxis said.

“What about going to warp through the wake?” Craig suggest.

“A colorful suggest, Lieutenant,” Braxis said. “However, such an attempt would prove to be a failure.”

Burt stood behind Zimmer.

“Do you have the coordinates of the wake?” Burt inquired of Braxis.

“Yes,” Braxis said. “Sending them to the helm.”

The was a hum and Zimmer looked down at his console.

“I've got the coordinates,” Zimmer said.

“Captain,” Joanna said over the comm. “According to the simulations have done, going back through the wake is going to be bumpy.”

“Thanks for letting us know,” Kelsoe said. “Full impulse, Mr. Zimmer.”

“Aye, sir,” Zimmer said as he increased speed.

“Reaching the phase shift,” Craig said.

“Penetration is thirty seconds,” Tuff said from his station.

“Red alert!” Kelsoe said. “Brace for impact!”

Kelsoe and Burt quickly sat down in their chairs.

The ship rocked violently. Burt slipped out of his chair and flew forward. Zimmer was knocked backwards, out of his chair. All the others were knocked backwards, but were able to remain at their stations. After five seconds the rocking stopped.

“Report!?” Kelsoe ordered.

Burt climbed back into his chair and punched the small command console in-between their chairs.

“No major damage to the ship,” Burt said.

“The Warp core took a small beating,” Joanna said, via intercom, “but I believe I can fix it easily.”

“Can we still go to warp?” Kelsoe asked.

“Yes,” Joanna said. “The Warp Core can handle it.”

Kelsoe turned to Braxis.

“Did we make it through?” Kelsoe inquired.

Braxis looked down at his console and then looked back up.

“We have returned to our own time,” Braxis said.

“Good,” Kelsoe sighed.

“Your orders, Captain?” Zimmer inquired, looking over his shoulder.

“Set a course for Tulop,” Kelsoe said. “Maximum warp.”

Tuff sat in the mess hall, alone, with a plate of replicated lemon chicken in front of him. Kavoc walked into the mess hall and saw Tuff, however he made no effort to come over. But Tuff noticed Kavoc.

“Ensign Kavoc,” Tuff said. “Come over here and join me.”

Kavoc looked around and slowly walked over with his tray and sat down.

“Good afternoon, Commander,” Kavoc said.

“Call me, Rob,” Tuff said.

“Commander,” Kavoc said. “It's not permitted for junior officers to call the senior officers by their first names.”

“Kavoc,” Tuff said, “it's alright, we're off duty.”

“Very well, Rob,” Kavoc said Tuff's name with difficulty. More in trying not to say than actually pronouncing it.

“I looked up the Vincent in the Starfleet database,” Tuff said.

“And?” Kavoc said, trying hard to sound interested.

“Captain Noah died two years after he met us,” Tuff said. “They had gone into Klingon Space and we're fired upon without warning.”

“So no one was able to tell anyone about us?” Kavoc said.

“Precisely,” Tuff said. “But I can't help thinking about him. Noah, that is. According to the Starfleet database, Noah had been a Starfleet commander before he began his career in shipping cargo.”

Kavoc raised his eyebrow, while he sipped his Vulcan tea.

“He actually got to met Kirk once,” Tuff said. “When he was an ensign.”

“It is the deeds of great captains that inspired me to join Starfleet,” Kavoc said. “Someday I wish to be like Captain Spock.”

“That's a good goal,” Tuff said. “I really don't have one. I tried being a first officer and didn't like it.” Tuff sighed. “Think about them, Kavoc.”

“Who?” Kavoc inquired.

“The great captains of Starfleet history,” Tuff said. “Archer, Pike, Kirk, Spock, Picard, Sisko, and Janeway. Perhaps someday Captain Kelsoe will join their ranks.”

“Perhaps,” Kavoc said holding his tea cup to his lips.

“Yes,” Tuff said looking over to the windows at the stars zooming by. “Perhaps. But for some reason I feel that Captain Noah, even though he was not a Starfleet officer, should be apart of them.”

“That does not seem logical,” Kavoc said. “Captain Noah really did not do anything that effected the course of history.”

“Exactly,” Tuff said. “He did nothing.”