The Continuing Story of Deep Space 2: Page 85
Maccs went back to analyzing that same energy burst that confused
both him and DS-2 as to its origins -- its very nature - noting
after further examination of his previous scans minute traces of
tachyon particles mixed in with those self-same strange energy
readings confounding both him and those aboard DS-2.
And searching his memory for any comparable happenstances he might
have run across during the last few millennia, Maccs was as just as
surprised by what he managed to remember... those he soon informed
of his discovery likewise intrigued.
"'Future echoes'", Maccs informed everyone aboard him as Frances,
Karn, Sarah, Lt. Katz, and even Prince Roshi prepared Warbird1 for
their visit aboard DS-2 -- Elayna Katz behaving rather strangely.
very quiet, keeping mostly to herself. since hearing Admiral
Arthur's explanation of where they now were -- the "United
Federation of Planets".
"Okay, Maccs, I'll bite", Frances was first to ask: "What
are 'future echoes'?"
"Simply put, Ma'am, they are the fallout from/of a violent release
of power occurring not in the past, but the future -- an energy
burst resulting from some sort of explosive disaster yet to come
involving. among other things. a release of tachyon particles
traveling backwards in time. It's the tachyons -- minute particles
that travel faster than the speed of light (and therefore backwards
in time) -- that finally tipped me off to the fact we're dealing
here with a future echo".
"In other words both you and DS-2 picked up on your combined sensors
the explosive result of some nearby disaster yet to occur", Frances
questioned Maccs even further.
"So do you have any idea of when this disaster might occur??"
"WILL occur, Ma'am!", Maccs insisted. "No. afraid not: It all
depends on how far those tachyon particles traveled in the physical
universe to reach this point in time -- the farther away in the
physical universe that coming disaster occurs, the farther in the
future it will likewise be".
"And I take it you have no way of telling how far they've.
these 'tachyons' of yours. have in fact traveled?", Karn questioned
Maccs even further.
"No, but I've also detected in the power surge a weak, but definite
message -- no doubt a general distress call sent by at least one of
the parties involved in that future mishap. Can't quite make it out,
translate it, but think Admiral Arthur's people might have better
luck there", Maccs suggested. "Maybe their linguistics experts can
deduce what species here might have sent it and why.
"Permission to forward the signal onto DS-2?", Maccs asked this time
Admiral Arthur himself.
"Ad with that in mind. with Admiral Arthur's permission, of course.
maybe we should all make our way over to DS-2", Frances likewise
suggested, Karn informing everyone as well that Warbird-1 was
likewise all ready to go whenever everyone else was likewise ready.
With the new information about some kind of time displacement or a rupture in the space time continuum, was rather disturbing for Arthur who had already some experience with this in the past. This was something he could not control and that was not to his liking. He suddenly felt that he had to go back to Deep Space 2.
"OK. If you are ready let's go." Arthur said to the assmebled away team of the ship called Starchild. and without waiting for an answer he transported to the Hammerhead. He powered up the engines and set course to Deep Space 2 Followed by the ship called Warbird 1. Arthur wasn't really sure whether the appearance of the alien ship had something to do with the strange energy detection, but the word 'disaster' was something he had to prevent whatever the costs. While on his way he informed his First Officer on Deep Space 2 Colonel Theys, who also had some serious concerns. But at this time there was little they could do. Except to reinforce the space station with forcefields and keep the droids at full alert.
When both ships had docked in Deep Space 2 spacedock it was Admiral Arthur's turn to welcome the newcomers.
"Welcome aboard Deep Space 2. We have a population of almost twelve thousand people and about thiry thousand droids, technician droids, security droids, and battle droids. We have had some help to achive all this, but that is a long story. This space station has 141 decks, but the 30 lowest decks... well... nobody of us has ever been there. the droids have secured those decks and they have asured us there is no danger, but you should not go there alone. The main power unit seems to transmit some kind of waves that have a great deal of influence on the living... I mean the brain of the living. Basicly you go mad if you go there. The droids will not let you pass anyway."
While the small group proceeded into the corridor it was clear what Arthur meant with 'droids'. Some of the droids passed the group. Biped machines with two arms and some kind of head with several sensors. Some of the droids were armed. Arthur explained that the experiences with creatures who attacked the station using time travel devices, had taught the Admiral and his crew to prepare for anything in case of a possible threat from another time frame.
"So ladies and gentlemen, this is our operations center. This is the place where we make decisions."
Deep Space 2 Operations looked like a bridge of a starship, but much much bigger. Although of the large size there were only a dozen people at work, spread all over the room. A large viewscreen at the side of the center, showed space, stars and Starchild a bit further away. In the command chair sat Colonel Jan Theys, returned with the USS Ajax one of the ships of the small fleet of Deep Space 2. The Colonel did not stand up.
"Please forgive my First Officer, that he is not standing up to greet you. We are in an alert phase and he has to focus on his tasks. Now can I offer you some refreshments."
Arthur lead the group to the lounge where refreshments were offered by two droids serving all kinds of drinks.
"I don't know how long you want to stay, but we have plenty of room here, so if you want to stay the night so to speak, the droids can lead you to a stateroom. Please fell free to ask the droids anything you want to know and you can explore the station on your own initiative except for the weapons rooms of course... I will go back to the operations center to discuss the situation with my officers. If you have any ideas about this case or if you just want to come out of curiosity, please follow me."
Arthur turned around and started his walk into the corridor up to the operations center.