Stardate: 70722:1300
Title: One Man's Ceiling is Another Man's Boxed Lunch
Author: Emma Smith
Time: After "Decisions"
Scene: USS Horizon - Bridge


~

For the record, I have never been the sort to debate the number of angels that might fit onto the head of a pin. Realists don't have the luxury of imagining a future without limits. I leave the 'what might be' notions for those, like Emma, with an untethered heart and a vision of a universe full of possibilities.

~

Ensign Garrett's scans that had shown tachyons present along with a temporal distortion had laid to rest any question of the future Horizon being some sort of Warp Capable Civilization's perpetrated ruse.

By the same token, no localized spatial anomaly normally associated with parallel universe crossovers had been detected, ruling out that possibility.

What the present-Horizon was left with was a genuine article future crew and ship along with a boat-load of ethical and philosophical questions.

Emma stood at her post while following her mind's thought process down its winding corridor.

If, and mind you, it is a big IF, the future captain was telling the truth about their role in the eventual demise of Starfleet and the Federation, is there anything that can be done?

If one believes in Predestination, then indeed the future has already been set in stone and this Second-Horizon has at best now placed us un-waverably on our downtrodden path.

Smith gave her head a hard shake. *No. I don't believe that. We were all born with the ability to make choices that affect our future. We CAN make a difference.*

The Captain's voice snapped Emma back to the here and now.

"I've made my decision."

All eyes turned his way.

"Regardless of the possible lack of Starfleet that the future-ship has discussed, we are still bound by our Temporal Prime Directive. That being said, we are also bound by an oath to follow our mission orders and uphold the Federation. We can do neither if we do not make first contact with this new civilization on the planet nearby."

Deadilus' gaze locked on Lt. Kehn who nodded. "As a science vessel it is our duty to investigate for ourselves and not rely on the findings of others. We should be able to avoid Temporal Contamination by limiting our contact with the future-ship to a very small team of officers."

Lt. Smith shifted uncomfortably from one foot to the other. "Captain, I would suggest that as a precautionary measure we raise our shields upon approach to the planet. From what the future-captain has said, the contact civilization could be hostile."

Deadilus slowly released a long, held breath. "No, Lieutenant. Your concern is noted, however, we are here as First Contact Ambassadors. To arrive with our shields up might be the very thing that sets off the negative course of events."

Smith set her jaw and unconsciously gave the bottom of her uniform tunic a strong tug. "Aye, Sir. Understood."

Scott slumped ever so slightly back into his chair. Would he now have to second guess every decision?


=================
Lt. (J.G.) Emma Smith
Security Officer
USS Horizon
NCC-72400
=================