The bridge was in flames. Plasma conduits had ruptured, blowing most of the consoles and injuring the majority of the bridge crew. Weapons were offline, shields were down. The computer continued to warn the captain of an imminent warp core breach. There was only one thing left to do, thought Kaziarl reaching for the comm channel.
"All hands, this is the captain speaking," he never imagined he'd be in this position, or have to give this order. "Abandon ship, I repeat all hands abandon-"
The bridge erupted in a torrent of fire, and then it was all gone.
The USS Chimera glided through space like a Klingon K'mora hawk. Its smoothed lines catching the light of a near by star, giving a silver shine to the hull. The ship slowed to a stop as it approached their target.
"Shar, what do sensors say?" Kaziarl asked.
"Definite signs of a possible wormhole sir," he replied. "However, according to these readings it has not yet fully formed."
"Keep the sensors going," ordered Kaziarl. "This could answer a lot of mysteries about wormhole formations. Helm, status?"
"Holding position 100 Kilometers from the source of the readings sir," replied Dur Tyran, the Bajoran liaison. Although not a member of Starfleet, he earned his position at the helm station.
On the screen, space seemed to stretch and condense at the same time as they witnessed the wormhole form. It was a first for Federation science, and the crew wasn't really sure what to expect. Suddenly space seemed to explode as the opening to the new wormhole formed. It writhed and convulsed, almost as if it were in pain as it forced its way into normal space. The crew watched in awe as the ships sensors devoured the data. Kaziarl stood from the captains chair and moved towards the science station.
"What do the readings say?"
"It's most definitely a wormhole sir, but highly unstable."
"Any idea where it leads?"
"Not as yet sir," he replied. "This end seems to be moving, and there are signs of chronometric radiation. It may be that it takes many years, even decades before a wormhole stabilizes into a final location, and from what I can gather even time itself."
"Alright, keep scanning, and maintain distance."
"Aye sir," Shar replied.
"Sir!" Dur called from the helm.
As Kaziarl looked up he could see the mouth of the wormhole growing.
"What’s going on?"
"We're being pulled in sir."
"Pull us away, full impulse!" Kaziarl commanded.
"Trying sir, no effect." Dur replied. "We'll plow the impulse manifold before we'll break away."
"Warp?"
"Inadvisable sir," Shar proclaimed. "The instability in subspace due to the wormhole could destabilize the warp core and cause a breach."
"Looks like we don't have much choice then," he said mostly to himself. "Hold on to your seats, this looks like it will be a bumpy ride."
The Chimera tumbled into the wormhole, unsure what to expect on the other side. The interior of the wormhole was different then the Bajoran wormhole. It didn't appear to have any of the normal energy nodes, although Kaziarl thought that perhaps this was due to the fact that the Bajoran wormhole was artificial.
"Captain, power is being drained," Veldan reported. "Total output down 12%"
"Do what you can to keep it up, there's no telling how long this is going to be."
Then, suddenly as it began it was over. The ship was back in normal space.
"Report," he ordered. "Where are we?"
"We appear to be here Captain," Shar replied.
"Confirmed sir," Dur replied. "According to star charts we are right where we started... but..."
"But what?" he asked.
"90% of the stellar mass in the sector has gone dark sir," Dur said, with an obvious note of confusion in his voice. "Gravity wells appear to still be there, but the stars simply aren't shining."
"How is this possible?"
"I believe I may have an explanation," Shar stated. "However I believe we should proceed to Miranda Outpost for verification."
"Good idea," he replied. "Helm, set course for Miranda, maximum warp."
As they approached the system they tried to hail the station, however there was no reply. In fact there seemed to be no subspace communication traffic at all.
"Sir, we are within visual range."
"On screen."
The station was no longer there, at least not as they knew it. There were Starfleet marking on the hull, but the design was unlike anything they had seen. It seemed to incorporate designs from several different species, including Klingon, Romulan, and the Dominion.
"Anything on sensors?"
"No sir," Shar replied as he studied the readouts. "The station appears to be dead, and has been so for a great deal of time."
"Alright, Veldan, Shar, and Setal; you're with me," he ordered. "We need to get some power online over there and see what we can get out of the computer core."
They all replied with 'aye sirs' and 'yes captains' as they headed for the turbo lift.
The four man away team materialized in what seemed to be a control center. Admittedly they weren't sure, since the design was different from anything they knew, but it seemed like a good place to start.
"Setal, see what you and Shar can do about power," he ordered. "The commander and I are going to have a look around."
"Yes captain," Setal replied as she took out her tricorder.
Kaziarl looked around the room. It was dark, so the only illumination was from their wrist torches. Again, he could see Starfleet marking, but it seemed different somehow. On the wall he saw a Starfleet delta, but behind it instead of being like his combadge and what he could remember, there was a spiral shape. Could it have been the galaxy? He wondered. The configuration of the console also seemed different. Key pads where almost minimal, opting out for larger display screens as though it was designed for input other then manual.
"What are your thoughts Commander?" he asked.
"I do not know sir," he replied. "It's familiar of course, but somehow alien to me."
"Sir," Setal called from the other side of the room. "According to my tricorder, the power distribution systems are made up of a biological system. However that component seems to have died."
"Options?" he asked. "Can we repair them?"
"I wouldn't even know how sir," replied Setal. "But the computer core might be a different story."
"Explain."
"It's positronic. I think if we use a couple portable generators we can power the core directly and she could tell us what’s going on."
"She?" he asked, puzzled.
"If I'm right, the station has a mind of its own," she replied. "Since the name is still called Miranda, I wouldn't be surprised if it had a female personality."
"Alright, get on it."
Setal tapped at her combadge.
"Chimera, one to the computer core. I'll also need three portable generators beamed to that location."
Setal faded into the transporter beam leaving them alone in the control room.
"Shar," he started, turning towards the Andorian. "Analysis."
"According to quantum dating methods, this station is incredibly old sir.""
"How old?"
"Several hundred billion years Captain."
"How is that possible?" Kaziarl asked.
"As I said before we were pulled into the wormhole," explained Shar. "I was picking up chronometric radiation. It is my theory that while the wormhole had not yet stabilized in space, it had also not stabilized in time. We are now in a time period where the stars have burnt out, and the galaxy itself has gone dark."
[Setal to the Kaziarl]
"Go ahead Setal."
[I'm ready to bring the generators online.]
"Alright, do it."
"Oh, Hello there," a female figure appeared before them dressed in what could be a Starfleet uniform. "My name is Miranda, may I ask who you are?"
"I am Captain Kaziarl Nanaki of the Federation Starship Chimera."
"Well it's certainly a pleasure to meet you Captain," Miranda replied. "Are you the new commander?"
"Uh... well no," he stumbled over his words, unsure what to say. "Actually we're a little lost. Could you tell us the Stardate?"
"Stardate? Oh Captain, what are they teaching you? Starfleet hasn't used that archaic date system for centuries. However, the galactic date is 89S7.4R."
"Could you translate that to Stardate please?" he asked.
"I suppose," she paused for a moment. "The current Stardate equivalent is 78739523.6."
Setal re-materialized in the room and looked surprised by the new arrival.
"Captain?"
"Setal, meet Miranda. Did you tap into a holo system?"
"No sir," she answered. "She showed up in the core as well, I thought it was built into the core. I didn't realize she'd show up here."
"Miranda, what happened to the crew?" he asked.
"Why they left of course," she replied. "What a silly question."
"I'm sure it must seem that way, but we've been out of touch for a while."
"Ah, I see. Very well then.
The room disappeared and was replaced with a view of the Milky Way.
"75000 years ago the Galactic Federation reached its apex. There was no corner of the galaxy left unexplored, so the member races began to explore themselves. Several generations later an incredible thing happened; they made a leap in evolution."
"What do you mean?" he asked, still feeling confused.
"Well captain, the path of evolution has always been marked with extraordinary leaps. Language, writing, even the harnessing of fire seemed to happen over night. This was no different, and the member worlds evolved. Not all at once mind you, but in the end they all joined what was found out to be their own ancestors, the Q."
"It is theoretically possible captain," Shar stated. "And it would explain why the Q were so interested in us."
"Ok, so now we know when we are." Kaziarl replied. "See what information you can download. I'm sure we don't have nearly enough storage space, so focus on scientific data."
Kaziarl turned back towards the hologram. "Miranda, we come from a long time ago. Our ship was dragged into the mouth of a newly forming wormhole. Can you help us get back?"
"It would seem captain," she replied. "That the easiest way to get back is the way you came."
A small device materialized on the console.
"This will help. It will protect your ship from the effects of the wormhole. But be cautioned captain, I just checked my databanks. Debris from your ship was found near that wormhole. Enough for two Chimera's, and matching each other on a molecular level."
Miranda vanished and the away team was beamed back aboard the Chimera's bridge with no warning. Kaziarl looked around for a minute to gain his bearings.
"All right, lets head back to the wormhole. Setal, see what you can do with the device. I don't think we can learn much else."
They all started working as the ship moved through space. It had been discovered that the ships memory storage was full, although there was no record of downloading any information. An hour later they were ready to make the return trip.
"Helm, take us in, one quarter impulse." he began ordering. "Setal, bring that device online."
The ship moved forward and the wormhole burst open again, this time seeming a little more stable.
"Report."
"Systems holding steady sir," Shar replied. "No drop in power. Wait, sensors are picking up another ship. Its flight path is erratic."
"Helm, evasive maneuvers."
"Aye captain."
The ship banked, narrowly missing the other ship as it tumbled by.
"Shar?" he asked, turning towards him. "Did you pick up anything?"
"It appeared to be us sir," he replied. "Likely from our first trip through."
"Well I imagine it's a good thing we missed."
The ship exited into normal space, and Kaziarl never thought the stars looked more beautiful.
"Are we where we belong Shar?"
"Yes sir, we're picking up federation comm traffic. We're in the right place, and the right time."
"Good," he replied. "Set course for Miranda Outpost. Veldan, you have the Conn, I've got a report to file."
"Aye sir."
"All hands, this is the captain speaking," he never imagined he'd be in this position, or have to give this order. "Abandon ship, I repeat all hands abandon-"
The bridge erupted in a torrent of fire, and then it was all gone.
The USS Chimera glided through space like a Klingon K'mora hawk. Its smoothed lines catching the light of a near by star, giving a silver shine to the hull. The ship slowed to a stop as it approached their target.
"Shar, what do sensors say?" Kaziarl asked.
"Definite signs of a possible wormhole sir," he replied. "However, according to these readings it has not yet fully formed."
"Keep the sensors going," ordered Kaziarl. "This could answer a lot of mysteries about wormhole formations. Helm, status?"
"Holding position 100 Kilometers from the source of the readings sir," replied Dur Tyran, the Bajoran liaison. Although not a member of Starfleet, he earned his position at the helm station.
On the screen, space seemed to stretch and condense at the same time as they witnessed the wormhole form. It was a first for Federation science, and the crew wasn't really sure what to expect. Suddenly space seemed to explode as the opening to the new wormhole formed. It writhed and convulsed, almost as if it were in pain as it forced its way into normal space. The crew watched in awe as the ships sensors devoured the data. Kaziarl stood from the captains chair and moved towards the science station.
"What do the readings say?"
"It's most definitely a wormhole sir, but highly unstable."
"Any idea where it leads?"
"Not as yet sir," he replied. "This end seems to be moving, and there are signs of chronometric radiation. It may be that it takes many years, even decades before a wormhole stabilizes into a final location, and from what I can gather even time itself."
"Alright, keep scanning, and maintain distance."
"Aye sir," Shar replied.
"Sir!" Dur called from the helm.
As Kaziarl looked up he could see the mouth of the wormhole growing.
"What’s going on?"
"We're being pulled in sir."
"Pull us away, full impulse!" Kaziarl commanded.
"Trying sir, no effect." Dur replied. "We'll plow the impulse manifold before we'll break away."
"Warp?"
"Inadvisable sir," Shar proclaimed. "The instability in subspace due to the wormhole could destabilize the warp core and cause a breach."
"Looks like we don't have much choice then," he said mostly to himself. "Hold on to your seats, this looks like it will be a bumpy ride."
The Chimera tumbled into the wormhole, unsure what to expect on the other side. The interior of the wormhole was different then the Bajoran wormhole. It didn't appear to have any of the normal energy nodes, although Kaziarl thought that perhaps this was due to the fact that the Bajoran wormhole was artificial.
"Captain, power is being drained," Veldan reported. "Total output down 12%"
"Do what you can to keep it up, there's no telling how long this is going to be."
Then, suddenly as it began it was over. The ship was back in normal space.
"Report," he ordered. "Where are we?"
"We appear to be here Captain," Shar replied.
"Confirmed sir," Dur replied. "According to star charts we are right where we started... but..."
"But what?" he asked.
"90% of the stellar mass in the sector has gone dark sir," Dur said, with an obvious note of confusion in his voice. "Gravity wells appear to still be there, but the stars simply aren't shining."
"How is this possible?"
"I believe I may have an explanation," Shar stated. "However I believe we should proceed to Miranda Outpost for verification."
"Good idea," he replied. "Helm, set course for Miranda, maximum warp."
As they approached the system they tried to hail the station, however there was no reply. In fact there seemed to be no subspace communication traffic at all.
"Sir, we are within visual range."
"On screen."
The station was no longer there, at least not as they knew it. There were Starfleet marking on the hull, but the design was unlike anything they had seen. It seemed to incorporate designs from several different species, including Klingon, Romulan, and the Dominion.
"Anything on sensors?"
"No sir," Shar replied as he studied the readouts. "The station appears to be dead, and has been so for a great deal of time."
"Alright, Veldan, Shar, and Setal; you're with me," he ordered. "We need to get some power online over there and see what we can get out of the computer core."
They all replied with 'aye sirs' and 'yes captains' as they headed for the turbo lift.
The four man away team materialized in what seemed to be a control center. Admittedly they weren't sure, since the design was different from anything they knew, but it seemed like a good place to start.
"Setal, see what you and Shar can do about power," he ordered. "The commander and I are going to have a look around."
"Yes captain," Setal replied as she took out her tricorder.
Kaziarl looked around the room. It was dark, so the only illumination was from their wrist torches. Again, he could see Starfleet marking, but it seemed different somehow. On the wall he saw a Starfleet delta, but behind it instead of being like his combadge and what he could remember, there was a spiral shape. Could it have been the galaxy? He wondered. The configuration of the console also seemed different. Key pads where almost minimal, opting out for larger display screens as though it was designed for input other then manual.
"What are your thoughts Commander?" he asked.
"I do not know sir," he replied. "It's familiar of course, but somehow alien to me."
"Sir," Setal called from the other side of the room. "According to my tricorder, the power distribution systems are made up of a biological system. However that component seems to have died."
"Options?" he asked. "Can we repair them?"
"I wouldn't even know how sir," replied Setal. "But the computer core might be a different story."
"Explain."
"It's positronic. I think if we use a couple portable generators we can power the core directly and she could tell us what’s going on."
"She?" he asked, puzzled.
"If I'm right, the station has a mind of its own," she replied. "Since the name is still called Miranda, I wouldn't be surprised if it had a female personality."
"Alright, get on it."
Setal tapped at her combadge.
"Chimera, one to the computer core. I'll also need three portable generators beamed to that location."
Setal faded into the transporter beam leaving them alone in the control room.
"Shar," he started, turning towards the Andorian. "Analysis."
"According to quantum dating methods, this station is incredibly old sir.""
"How old?"
"Several hundred billion years Captain."
"How is that possible?" Kaziarl asked.
"As I said before we were pulled into the wormhole," explained Shar. "I was picking up chronometric radiation. It is my theory that while the wormhole had not yet stabilized in space, it had also not stabilized in time. We are now in a time period where the stars have burnt out, and the galaxy itself has gone dark."
[Setal to the Kaziarl]
"Go ahead Setal."
[I'm ready to bring the generators online.]
"Alright, do it."
"Oh, Hello there," a female figure appeared before them dressed in what could be a Starfleet uniform. "My name is Miranda, may I ask who you are?"
"I am Captain Kaziarl Nanaki of the Federation Starship Chimera."
"Well it's certainly a pleasure to meet you Captain," Miranda replied. "Are you the new commander?"
"Uh... well no," he stumbled over his words, unsure what to say. "Actually we're a little lost. Could you tell us the Stardate?"
"Stardate? Oh Captain, what are they teaching you? Starfleet hasn't used that archaic date system for centuries. However, the galactic date is 89S7.4R."
"Could you translate that to Stardate please?" he asked.
"I suppose," she paused for a moment. "The current Stardate equivalent is 78739523.6."
Setal re-materialized in the room and looked surprised by the new arrival.
"Captain?"
"Setal, meet Miranda. Did you tap into a holo system?"
"No sir," she answered. "She showed up in the core as well, I thought it was built into the core. I didn't realize she'd show up here."
"Miranda, what happened to the crew?" he asked.
"Why they left of course," she replied. "What a silly question."
"I'm sure it must seem that way, but we've been out of touch for a while."
"Ah, I see. Very well then.
The room disappeared and was replaced with a view of the Milky Way.
"75000 years ago the Galactic Federation reached its apex. There was no corner of the galaxy left unexplored, so the member races began to explore themselves. Several generations later an incredible thing happened; they made a leap in evolution."
"What do you mean?" he asked, still feeling confused.
"Well captain, the path of evolution has always been marked with extraordinary leaps. Language, writing, even the harnessing of fire seemed to happen over night. This was no different, and the member worlds evolved. Not all at once mind you, but in the end they all joined what was found out to be their own ancestors, the Q."
"It is theoretically possible captain," Shar stated. "And it would explain why the Q were so interested in us."
"Ok, so now we know when we are." Kaziarl replied. "See what information you can download. I'm sure we don't have nearly enough storage space, so focus on scientific data."
Kaziarl turned back towards the hologram. "Miranda, we come from a long time ago. Our ship was dragged into the mouth of a newly forming wormhole. Can you help us get back?"
"It would seem captain," she replied. "That the easiest way to get back is the way you came."
A small device materialized on the console.
"This will help. It will protect your ship from the effects of the wormhole. But be cautioned captain, I just checked my databanks. Debris from your ship was found near that wormhole. Enough for two Chimera's, and matching each other on a molecular level."
Miranda vanished and the away team was beamed back aboard the Chimera's bridge with no warning. Kaziarl looked around for a minute to gain his bearings.
"All right, lets head back to the wormhole. Setal, see what you can do with the device. I don't think we can learn much else."
They all started working as the ship moved through space. It had been discovered that the ships memory storage was full, although there was no record of downloading any information. An hour later they were ready to make the return trip.
"Helm, take us in, one quarter impulse." he began ordering. "Setal, bring that device online."
The ship moved forward and the wormhole burst open again, this time seeming a little more stable.
"Report."
"Systems holding steady sir," Shar replied. "No drop in power. Wait, sensors are picking up another ship. Its flight path is erratic."
"Helm, evasive maneuvers."
"Aye captain."
The ship banked, narrowly missing the other ship as it tumbled by.
"Shar?" he asked, turning towards him. "Did you pick up anything?"
"It appeared to be us sir," he replied. "Likely from our first trip through."
"Well I imagine it's a good thing we missed."
The ship exited into normal space, and Kaziarl never thought the stars looked more beautiful.
"Are we where we belong Shar?"
"Yes sir, we're picking up federation comm traffic. We're in the right place, and the right time."
"Good," he replied. "Set course for Miranda Outpost. Veldan, you have the Conn, I've got a report to file."
"Aye sir."
