Stardate: 70819:2938
Title: Masters of our Fate
Author: Chief of Operations Autumn Falls
Time: Current
Scene: USS Horizon


Autumn tapped her fingers against the console she had been monitoring, her mind wandering over possibilities and questions she would like to ask about the future. It was in this distracted state that she didn't straight away hear Ensign Sparky's request for further orders.

"No further orders Ensign. Anything of interest in the scans?"

A couple of seconds elapsed over the communication system.

[Nothing as yet.]

The Lieutenant remembered a twentieth century film she had watched about the main character's knowledge of future events and how, no matter how hard they tried they to change it, they were destined to live the events foretold. She pondered over how adequate the author's understanding of time and space in fact was. Could it be that the Horizon was on a mission that could in fact cause an unfavourable future for not only the Horizon and its crew, but also the Federation?

But, for every film, book or theory that said the future could not be changed,there was equal opinion and subjection that as 'masters of our fate' we could alter our own future and destiny.

Having received the regular reports of ship wide functionality, Autumn went to brief the Captain. On arriving on the bridge she noticed he was conspicuously missing. She was about to ask Ensigns Khalid and Sparky where Scott was when she looked at the other Horizon and noticed a scar along her underbelly.

The two tactical officers obviously noticed her rapt interest, and after several seconds she turn her attention back to them.

"Just as pure speculation, but what kind of weapon do you think could have caused that kind of damage?"

Both the officers looked at the other ship and then tapped a few keys.

"From the preliminary data it was not caused by any known weapon," Basil stated.

"However, that doesn't mean anything," Three countered. "In the future our now-known nemesis may have significantly changed their weapons signatures."

Autumn nodded her understanding; perhaps if this new race that they were about to meet were the Federation's downfall, maybe it would be a weapon signature they would become familiar with. 

It was then that the Captain entered the Bridge.

"What's our ETA?"

If it was possible, Scott looked more thoughtful than ever. In Autumn's experience of him she wouldn't have thought the timeline issues would have caused him undue concern - after all, he was a scientist and whatever they did would be great data for the future.

"We are approaching the designated coordinates; we should make contact with in 15 minutes."

"As agreed before Lieutenant Falls, you will stay with the ship whilst I take an away team to start diplomatic relations. I will need you to liaise with my dau..." He paused. "... the other Horizon's Captain."

"Aye, Sir." Autumn was rather excited about meeting the other Captain. Maybe Autumn could tell her what the Horizon had looked like all new and shiny out of the box, or maybe she could tell her about the stain Troy had made on the Bridge trying to show off in front of the crew!


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Lieutenant Autumn Falls
Chief of Operations
USS Horizon
NCC-72400
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