Stardate: 71028:1200
Title: Message in a Bottle (Part I)
Author: Emma Smith
Time: The Year of our Lord 2473
Scene: Renamed Borg ship 'Time's Arrow'
People say that the future is what you make of it. Perhaps the same holds true
of the past? I suspect that time is more like a hungry man...something that will
fend for itself...
~
Robert Benchly had never known a world without hardship and oppression. The
civil war that had ripped through the quadrant had ended long before he'd drawn
his first breath.
Although he'd heard stories of massive Federation starships that had roamed
peacefully through the galaxy without motive of anything more than pure
scientific exploration, that part of humanity's past life seemed little more
than a fable to be told to rambunctious children in order to get them to settle
in for a restful night's sleep.
Even now, as he reverently dropped to one knee and said a prayer for their
success, his broad shoulders could hardly withstand the weight of the
opportunity given him.
"Dear God, in whom all things are possible, grant us success in our mission."
There's an old saying about there being 'no atheists in foxholes', and it
appeared that the same held true even today as the small bridge crew that
surrounded him looked up from their stations. "Amen," they said in unison.
The beeping of the communications console was almost a welcomed interruption,
the gravity of their situation wearing even heavier on their hearts.
"On screen."
[Captain Benchly, I don't have to tell you what's at stake here. You are our one
and only chance to change humanity's hell. The expenditure for the Borg orb that
you occupy can only be superseded by our cost in human life.]
The entire crew was well aware of both the costs and irony. The Borg, who had
picked the last vestiges of the quadrant's bones after the Rennas had had their
fill, would supply them with the technology and knowledge to make a single
trip... back in time... to when the stars were a place of beauty.
The plan, although years in the making, was simple in design; go back in time to
before the Federation made contact with the Rennas and wipe them out. Caught off
guard, there should be no trouble targeting the catacombs. Once the females were
gone... the males would soon follow.
[Some still oppose what we're doing. They think we risk our own existence.]
Benchly nodded gravely. "'Existence' being the optimum word, Sir."
The few rag-tag self important government officials were no match for the large
outcry that had come from the general public once the possibility for change had
been revealed.
[With greatness comes great sacrifice,] the face continued, knowing full well
that once their mission was completed, the ship would not have enough power to
bring them back. The Arrow's crew wouldn't even have the satisfaction of knowing
if their mission was a success.
[God speed.]
"Thank you, Sir." Robert turned his attention to the helm. "Engage."
The Arrow, in full temporal blaze, emerged from the dark side of the sun. The
crew released a sigh of relief as the inertial dampening system held.
=================
Lt. (J.G.) Emma Smith
Security Officer
USS Horizon
NCC-72400
=================
