Evasive Maneuver

Teaser

U.S.S. EXPEDITION BRIDGE UNKNOWN TIME
“Report!” Xan shouted as he managed to climb back to the captain’s chair.
“Shields are down, phasers are offline. All torpedo launchers but one are offline.” An officer standing before the weapon station replied as loudly. Blood was running down his face, but he didn’t seem to notice that.
“Then use it!” Xan shouted.
“Firing photon torpedoes!”
The Expedition shook heavily, taking another hit.
“Torpedo launchers are offline! They’re firing again!”
“Can she still do evasive maneuver? Do it if she can!”
“I’ll try my best, sir!” The helm officer replied.
The Expedition moved slowly, apparently not fast enough to evade another attack.
A rift suddenly opened right next to the starboard of the Expedition.
“Captain, there’s something near our starboard, something like a temporal anomaly!”
“Better than being destroyed.”
The Expedition entered the rift, but still took considerable damage before disappearing.

Act

2382 THE VEYTHARI SYSTEM

Personal log, stardate 59189.46. The Expedition is currently orbiting Veythari IV. The Veythari IV is a desert planet on the edge of federation space. Local people need protective screens to survive on this planet. However, the reactor powering the protective screens had been malfunctioning, which is why we’re here. The Expedition was the nearest starship and if we didn’t arrive in time, thousands of lives might be at risk.
The repair was almost finished. I’m glad it is, since the manuals of the outdated reactor really tortured me.

Xan held a toolbox with his one paw, the other holding several PADDs. He barely made it to tap his combadge with his paw.
“Lieutenant Xan to Expedition, one to beam up.”
Xan almost dropped his PADDs when stepping off the transporter pad.
He returned the toolbox and PADDs to the engineering and then came to his quarters, lying exhaustedly on his bed. Cole’s left the ship for an academic conference.
“Computer, play 21st century earth orchestral music, classic.”
Xan closed his eyes, with his tail resting lightly on the bed as well.
Suddenly the music was paused and red alert sounded.
Xan let out a sigh and got up, leaving for his station in the engineering.

U.S.S. EXPEDITION BRIDGE
“Report.” Captain Dravenn ordered calmly, staring at a anomaly direct ahead of the Expedition.
“The anomaly appears to be some sort of temporal rift,” Doc.Veyas reported, “and… something is coming out of it.”
“Something” slowly came out. It was another Expedition, which apparently took heavy damage before coming through the rift.
Everyone on the bridge was stunned to see another Expedition, except Capt.Dravenn, who still seemed as calm as before.
“Looks like a Kerr loop. Their shields and weapon systems are down, life support failing on multiple decks. They sustained heavy damage from a war. Perhaps it was exactly the war that provided the high-energy interactions required to form such a loop.”
“Open a channel.”
“Channel opened, but I don’t think their comm system is still functional given their condition.” The comm officer reported.
“This is Capatin Kaelon Dravenn of the federation starship Expedition. Do you require any assistance?”
“No response on all frequencies.” The comm officer shook her head.
“Commander, prepare an away team. Find out where and when does this ship come from.” Dravenn said to Commander Bennet, who sat next to Dravenn.
“Aye sir.”

U.S.S. EXPEDITION(FROM UNKNOWN TIME) BRIDGE
6 officers from the Expedition beamed onto the bridge. Once the transport was complete, they started scanning the bridge.
“Try access the ship’s log and find out what happened to them.” Bennet ordered.
“Commander, their life support are critical.” Ensign Smith reported.
“See if you can access the engineering console.” Bennet ordered.
Xan’s tricorder beeped as he was scanning the area where the captain’s chair used to be in.
“Commander, there is a survivor!” He shouted as he tried to remove the rods on the survivor.
With Bennet’s help, Xan removed the rods. When he pointed his flashlight at the survivor, he was shocked: the captain of this ship is him, or, him in another time.

U.S.S. EXPEDITION SICKBAY
Lt. Xan was sitting by the biobed where Capt. Xan lay, browsing information about the other Expedition gathered by the away team. According the ship’s computer, this Expedition was from future, 2410, to be exact.
Capt. Xan slowly came to himself. He opened his eyes and tried to get up but was stopped by Lt. Xan. “Just lie down. You were seriously injured. I don’t want to be scolded by Dr. Rackham.” Then he tapped his combadge :”Lt. Xan to Capt. Dravenn. Capt. Xan just woke up.”
“Acknowledged. On my way.”
Seeing the two pips on Lt. Xan’s collar, Capt. Xan asked,” Did we… travel back in time?”
“It would appear so.”
“How’s my ship? My crew? Did our enemy ship follow us? And what date is it today?” Capt. Xan asked.
“Uh…”Lt. Xan seemed a little nervous, “perhaps you’d better communicate with Capt. Dravenn first.”
“Cautious…” Capt. Xan smiled and remained silent.
Capt. Dravenn, Commander Bennet and Dr. Rackham came to the biobed.
“Captain, your ship was immobilized. I’ve already sent repair teams to repair she. Though from 28 years in the future, she is nearly identical to ours. Looks like she won’t undergo any refit in the next 28 years.”
“I never expected that.” Capt. Xan smiled.
“Your crew that survived are currently being treated here,” Dravenn continued, “I’m afraid we can only offer 24th-century-level medical care.”
“I understand.” Capt. Xan nodded.
“Well, captain, if you don’t have any further questions, I’ll leave for you to rest.”
“No, thank you, captain, for your assistance.”
After Captain Dravenn, Commander Bennet and Dr. Rackham left, Lt. Xan asked, “So… Uh… how’s the future?” He reached out for Capt. Xan’s paw. “Or, in another way, is there anything you can tell me about the future? You know, without breaking any protocols.”
“I’m afraid not. As a matter of fact, I should’ve banned the crew of your ship from accessing the computer of my ship if my surviving engineers weren’t all lying here.”
“That’s alright. Somehow seeing you already gave me a lot.” Lt. Xan held Capt. Xan’s paw.
“Well, I’d like some time alone, if you have no business to talk about.”
“Alright. I know, it must be hard for you.”
After Lt. Xan left, Capt. Xan stared at the ceiling of sickbay, for a long time.

Captain’s log, stardate 59192.11. The repair of the Expedition is still underway. I decided to make use of the time and revisit the Expedition 28 years in the past.

U.S.S. EXPEDITION DECK 7 CREW QUARTERS
Capt. Xan walked slowly in Lt. Xan’s quarters, inspecting everything in the room, like a archaeologist. Lt. Xan was sitting in front of his desk, staring at him.
“Sorry, it’s just…bringing back so many memories.”
“If my memories are correct, you just got promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade.”
“That is correct.”
“I have to say, I miss the life like yours.”
“I can image that.”
“Hmm… not finished.” Capt. Xan raised up a model of NX-01 from the desk with his paw, observing closely. “I know, I’ll be careful with it.” He said immediately upon seeing Lt. Xan’s face.
“Don’t you have a shift today?”
“You know, we always accumulate considerable amount of vacation. And we don’t mind using some on things of importance.”
“Right.” Capt. Xan said as he put the model back carefully.
“I suppose Dravenn won’t mind me using the holodeck without ration, you going?”
“Of course.”

U.S.S. EXPEDITION HOLODECK 4
The two Xans entered the empty holodeck. From the ceiling to the floor, there was only a monotonous black background with yellow grid lines.
“Computer, create a hologram simulating the location I entered on 21st century Earth. Initiate the program once it’s completed.” Capt. Xan said as he operated the console.
“Working… Initiating program Xan-83.”
The black-yellow background of holodeck disappeared, replaced by a mountain with a waterfall half way to the top.
“Join me for climbing?” Capt. Xan asked.
Lt. Xan nodded.
“Remember this place?” Capt. Xan gasped as they walked along the path to the waterfall.
“I suppose I am the one with the ‘privilege’ of asking that question.” Lt. Xan replied. “And, I see you still have problems with high altitude”
“I am. Some problems can’t be solved by time.”
When they reached the waterfall, both of them were a little dizzy.
Lt. Xan stopped, watching the magnificent waterfall faraway. Capt. Xan was still walking towards it.
“You don’t worry about getting your fur wet?” Lt. Xan had to shout these words over the thunderous roar of the waterfall.
“Most of the time, I do. But not this time.” He replied, still walking towards the waterfall. The mist from the waterfall began to dampen his fur, forming glistening droplets on its surface.
“You know, I chose this place because I feel as lost as myself when I visited this place the first time.” He mumbled, not loud enough for the other Xan to hear.
He stopped at some distance from the waterfall, feeling the mist and wind from the waterfall.
He just stood there, for quite a long time, almost like frozen.
When Lt. Xan almost run out of patience and was about to take out his PADD for working, Capt. Xan began walking back, with his fur completely wet. “Time to go down.”
The way down the mountain was even more difficult since the two had to be careful with slippery moss while gasping. The path was especially slippery for a wet Capt. Xan. But he did not seem to regret getting close to the waterfall.
“Definitely unforgettable experience.” Capt. Xan commented.

Later, in Xan’s quarters, when Capt. Xan dried himself, he was hailed by Capt. Dravenn.
“Captain Xan and Lt. Xan, please report to the briefing room.”
“Acknowledged.” Both of them replied.

U.S.S. EXPEDITION BRIEFING ROOM
The chief engineer stood before the screen while others sat by the desk. Once the two Xans took seats, He started briefing.
“The repair of another Expedition was nearly completed. Her life support and impulse engines are back online. Captain?”
Capt. Dravenn caught up, “Yes, and Dr. Rackham reported that all of your crew have recovered. We believe she is ready for launch, captain.”
Capt. Xan took out his PADD, which was assigned to him yesterday, and took a brief look of the status of his Expedition. He frowned, looked up and asked with great confusion, “Captain, according to my PADD, the shields, weapons, and a number of major systems are still offline. I wouldn’t call that ‘nearly completed’.”
For a moment, no one talked. There was only the sound of an active warp core.
“Captain, it’s true that we didn’t fix those systems. However, it’s also true that your presence here already changed the future. I permitted the repair only because of your ship’s immobility.”
“Let me get this straight. You will only do necessary repairs that enable my ship to go back to the future?”
“That is correct.”
“I need some time to consider.”
“Of course. But do notice that the rift won’t be there forever. Dismissed.”
Officers started to leave the briefing room. In the end, there were only the two Xans.
Capt. Xan propped his head with his paw, staring blankly at the starfield outside the window.
Spotting Lt. Xan by his side, he forced a smile, “You should go now. I’ll soon beam to my ship and prepare for departure.”
“Perhaps you could use some company.”
“No, thanks. And letting you board my ship once again will probably leak even more information about the future to you, which both of us won’t be happy to see.”
“Alright… If you need me, you know where to find me.”
“Yes…of course.”
Lt. Xan left the briefing room, leaving Capt. Xan alone, still staring at the starfield.

U.S.S. EXPEDITION(FROM 2410) READY ROOM
Capt. Xan entered, looking nervous. He used a tricorder to examine the room and then gave orders to the computer: “Computer, seal this room, no one can enter this room without my authorization.”
“Authorization code required.”
“Voice authorization Xan-4-8-λ-φ”
“Acknowledged. Ready room sealed.”
Xan went to the bathroom, washed his face and hands. He looked into the mirror, it was the captain’s rank insignia that shone the brightest. He let out a sign, and went to sat before his desk.
“Computer, show engineering control on this console.”
“Unable to comply. Secondary computer core only accessible in engineering section.”
Xan hesitated. Finally he stood up and left the room.
He stepped into the only functional turbolift, “Engineering.”. Computer acknowledged and the turbolift began moving.
On his halfway to the engineering, an ensign from Deck 6 joined him.
“Returning to your station, ensign?”
“Yes sir.”
“Halt. Ensign, what do you think of our upcoming departure for the future?”
Xan’s question apparently surprised the ensign.
“Uh… I think… it’s natural. You know, we can’t stay here forever, and we don’t belong here. Plus, we can’t have two Expeditions in the same time. Facing the Iconians again do seem scaring, but we are Starfleet. We are trained for that.”
Xan nodded, “Excellent, ensign. Resume.”
Both of them said nothing for the rest of the ride.
They entered the engineering that was still in a mess, Ensign going to his station, Xan going for a console.
Xan looked around. After ensuring no one was watching him, he started operating the console.
“How ironic,” he thought, “the captain of this ship has to sneak like a spy.”
He was accessing the impulse engine control when a voice that he couldn’t be more familiar with appeared.
“A word, captain?” A hint of tension made Lt. Xan’s voice shake.
Upon hearing the voice, Capt. Xan’s hand trembled sharply.
He turned back to find a phaser in Lt. Xan’s paw, right aimed at him. Lt. Xan’s paw holding the phaser was also trembling.
Capt. Xan tried his best to look calm. “Lieutenant, I thought I told you that you are not needed here. BUT, since you’re already here, of course we can have a chat.”
Capt. Xan led Lt. Xan to a room. On the way, Lt. Xan still held the phaser tightly, hiding it in his sleeve.
“So,” Capt. Xan broke the silence after ensuring the room is secure, “anything wrong?”
“I don’t think I have to explain. Let’s spare the pretend-to-be-doing-nothing part.”
“You going here alone?”
“Yes, and if you need some comfort, I didn’t alert anyone else.”
“I don’t think I drew any attention when doing this.”
“When doing this, yes, no one noticed. But your behaviors before already told me a lot. I don’t think you are really trying to hide your tend-to-evade from me. Or, you won’t let me accompany you to the waterfall.”
“Who can be a better listener than another self? Although I didn’t confide in you, I felt comfortable showing my real self when there were only you and I. You know, emotions, sometimes you need to give them an opportunity to outburst.”
“And I have to thank that. Or, no one would have thought that a captain would sabotage his ship just to postpone, or undermine a mission that he knew he had to carry out.”
“You know, for the past two days, now is the time that I feel you are closest to a stranger.”
“Yes, I don’t like phasers or doubting friends. But, when my duty requires, I will do that without hesitation. And, you no longer feel like the Xan I knew.”
“People change. You know, it was, or will be, my first time that I take part in a war. First contacts can be hard at times, but war… it’s something I would never be able to grasp even a little. I’m not ready for that. I need time.”
“There is no rule that one can stay outside of a war till he’s ready for it. When the Dominion war stroke, can you say that everyone in Starfleet was ready for it?
Judging from your behavior, I say that you’re in no place to complain that war changed you.”
“But my ship is already here, it won’t hurt staying a little longer. Dr. Veyas have methods to keep the rift open for a couple of days.”
“‘It won’t hurt’? Let me ask you, how long would you like to stay in 24th century? Staying days longer won’t change anything. And need I remind you that the department of temporal investigation may already be on their way here?”
Silence.
“This morning, when we were climbing the mountain, you said ‘Some problems can’t be solved by time’. Now I find that really enlightening. It’s true for your upcoming mission, and… for our constant impulse to evade problem. “ His paw seemed barely able to steady the phaser, his entire demeanor radiating exhaustion.
“Putting aside tasks that must be done, telling myself I’ll do it later, always imagining the future but doing nothing to achieve it. Oh, my…” Lt. Xan nearly cried.
Silence, for a long time.
Finally, Capt. Xan let out a sigh and broke the silence, “You are right. Postponing is useless.”
“Whatever they could be, we’ve got to play the cards that life dealt us.”
“It’s been a wonderful experience reuniting with you, my younger self.” Capt. Xan hugged Lt. Xan, who no longer held the phaser.
“Well, time to go.”
When they were about to leave the room, Lt. Xan stopped Capt. Xan, “Do me a favor, say ‘Bonjour’ to Capt. Huanxing.”
“OK.” Capt. Xan smiled, this time, from his heart.

Epilogue

U.S.S. EXPEDITION MESS HALL
Lt. Xan sat by the window, staring at the position where the rift used to exist with a cup of lemon juice in his paw.
“How are you doing , Xan?” Commander Bennet joined him.
“I’m OK. Just reflecting on past two days.”
“You seem worried. Are you worrying about the future? Is the future bad?”
“i can’t tell you, commander. But it’s easy to speculate that it might a worrying one.”
“And how do you feel about that?”
“Not that bad. After all, future has already changed the moment that Expedition came through that rift.”