Far out of the field of action, a small, cloaked ship and its crew watched this scenario. For them, it was a real case of déjà vu. Literally.
Inside the cloaked ship, everyone was alert and working hard.
"Computer," Professor Farrell said, "can we isolate Anna's signal against the electromagnetic interference?"
"Negative," the computer said.
"Is there any theoretical way to isolate matter from antimatter?"
The computer took a few seconds, calculating all possible theories and known information of the nature of matter-antimatter relations. "One theory identified: Matter can be isolated with a type-3 photomeson particle beam."
"Would that be sufficient to lock on for transport?" Professor Farrell asked.
"Affirmative," the computer replied.
Professor Farrell turned to James. "We're getting somewhere," he said. "Computer, is there any way for us to emit a type-3 photomeson beam?"
"Not with the available equipment," the computer replied.
"Great," the professor said, apathetically.
"We're running out of time!" Christine said urgently. "You have one minute left."
James suddenly had an idea. "Computer," he said, "can we modify any equipment available to emit a type-3 photomeson beam?"
The computer thought for a few seconds. "Affirmative: navigational deflector can be modified for emission of type-3 photomeson beam. Modification will take approximately twenty seconds."
"That's cutting close," Professor Farrell said, "but it's all we've got. Computer begin modifications now, then emit type-3 photomeson beam to the anti-ship and isolate and transport Anna over."
"Acknowledged, modifying deflector," the computer replied. "Transport will require disengagement of cloaking device."
"Okay," James said. He turned to Sally. "Prepare to disengage cloaking device," he said.
"Ready," Sally replied.
"Modifications complete," the computer said, "emitting type-3 photomeson particle beam."
"De-cloak now," James said. "And prepare to cloak again as soon as Anna's aboard."
"De-cloaking," Sally said. The shuttle appeared, and for a moment there was a temporal paradox, with two of the same ship at the same place at the same time.
"Matter signal isolated," the computer said, "locked on and energising."
They all turned to the one-man transporter, where a sprinkle of light appeared and began to take shape. For a moment there seemed to be a hesitation in the re-materialisation, as though something might be wrong, but then a few seconds later the light disappeared, leaving only the person whom they had all missed for the past four days. Or, if you think about it, they had been missing her for the last four centuries.
In any case, she had returned, and there was a moment of celebration breaking out amongst them.
"Anna, are you all right?" Christine asked.
"I think so. It was quite an experience." Just then, she looked at the screen. To her amazement, she saw another Atlas on it, drifting in space, going to dock with one of Professor Farrell's ships. She turned around to look at the others. "Would someone mind explaining this to me?"
"It's a long story," James said. "Spanning about four hundred years." He smiled when she appeared confused, and took her away to explain the details of their long voyage.
"She seems fine to me," Professor Farrell said.
"Outwards, at least," Christine said. "But I just hope this doesn't affect her psychologically."

Over the next two days, the crew of the shuttle Atlas watched their own actions as the model 9 ship arrived to put the anti-ship it had in tow through the rupture, and as it was itself pulled towards the rupture. They had to resist an urge to interfere to prevent Nathan's accident, but then again they knew that he would survive.
The second day the model 6 ship arrived, and docked to the other ships without incident. The hidden Atlas waited as the people in the four docked ships worked out their plans to time warp, leaving Dr. Ranon behind in the hopes that he would be regenerated upon their return.
This revived the returned people's memories, wondering if, by the time the other Atlas time warped, Dr. Ranon would be up and about as they had hoped. All they could do was wait.
The docked Atlas eventually separated itself from the other ships, and left on its calculated course for time travel into the sixteenth century. The shuttle went into hyperspace and disappeared in a flash of Cerenkov radiation.
"We can go now," Rachel said. "The other Atlas has completed its time warp manoeuvres successfully."
"Let's just hope everything turns out right," Christine said. "Rachel, set course for docking procedures. Sally, disengage cloaking device. Professor, engage thrusters."
The Atlas de-cloaked and moved over to the three ships floating in space.
"Beginning docking procedures, now," the professor said.
The Atlas approached slowly and carefully, eventually touching ship 10, and latching on.
"We're docked," Professor Farrell said.
"Open the airlock," Christine said. "Let's go."
"Airlock opening," James said, as held pressed the right control.
As soon as the airlock was opened, they all hurried through, and as they had hoped and expected, Dr. Ranon came up to them. He seemed to be in perfect condition.
Before anyone could say anything, he spoke. "Something's wrong here," he said. "I just saw you go into hyperspace a few minutes ago, then almost immediately you reappeared at an entirely different location. I hope you can explain that."
Christine smiled, thinking of what to say. "We can explain everything," she said, feeling like a person who has been falsely accused of a crime. "But firstly, I'd just like to say that I'm glad to see that you're alright."
"As we all are," Professor Farrell added.
"Is there any reason why I shouldn't be?" Dr. Ranon asked, puzzled, though he suspected there was a lot more to this than he knew.
"Come on," Christine said, "we'll explain everything on the way home. Everyone, take up your stations at your pre-designated ships, and prepare for departure."
"And hope that nothing else goes wrong from here," Professor Farrell added. They all laughed, except for Dr. Ranon, who thought that it could be quite a serious matter.
"Doctor," Professor Farrell said, "Dr. Campbell is in the Atlas, recovering from minor injuries, but he should be fine. And you'll find that the shuttle has quite a lot of damage done to it, but nothing that's irreparable. After all, we repaired it before, and it was damaged worse then."
"When was that?" Dr. Ranon asked.
"About four hundred years ago," Professor Farrell replied.
"What does that mean?" Dr. Ranon said.
"You'll find out."
"Actually," Christine said, "there are two more things we have to make sure of before we go. Firstly, we have to double-check Ben's transformation status. And then, of course, we'd better make sure the rupture is really closed permanently."
"I'll get onto checking Ben," Dr. Ranon said.
"And I'll check the rupture," Professor Farrell said. "Though I might need some help." He turned to the others. "A lot of help."
"I'll help," James said.
"Me too," Daniel replied.
Rachel hesitated. "Why not?" she finally agreed.
"Alright then," Professor Farrell said. "Let's get to work."

In the other room, all the children were busy having a discussion of their own.
"This was probably the most exciting adventure any of us will ever have," James said. "Except maybe Sally."
"Possibly even for me," Sally said. "I've been in many strange places, but they're nothing compared to this."
"Will we ever see you again, though?" Jenny asked Sally.
"I doubt it. But then again, you never know what the future holds. Besides, I have a feeling there's more to come."
Rachel suddenly held up her hands. "Don't tell me." She closed her eyes, concentrating. "The antimatter dimension has found another way through and this time they can open the rupture themselves."
Sally looked puzzled. "No, I don't think so."
"Well," Rachel said, "so much for my telepathic abilities." Then she broke out into a laugh. Daniel smiled.
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