“They came that way,

to find the answer to the mystery.

They found his body lying where it fell on that day.

Preserved in time for all to see.

No brave new world, no brave new world.

Lost in this place, and leave no trace.”

Iron Maiden. Stranger in a Strange Land (1986)

Exploration has ever been at the core of Starfleet’s identity.

From the formation of the original United Earth Starfleet by the United Nations in 2135 AD, a nascent branch of the United Earth Space Probe Agency, mankind and its new alien partners had stretched their hand out to grasp the firmament to take the first step towards new worlds and new civilizations.

It was not a journey without its attendant dangers.

In 2143 AD, the NX – Alpha became the first Terran vessel to break the Warp 2.2 barrier, propelling mankind’s destiny that one leap further towards the dream of true interstellar exploration; but tragedy struck when its warp – field destabilized, nearly killing its pioneering test-pilot, Commander A.G. Robinson.

Commander Robinson’s near – death would not be the last bump in the road, nor would the risk be wholly in vain.

The dream of interstellar exploration, of mapping the spanning stars, demystifying its secrets and of standing on the surface of a world whose sunrise they had never before seen and reaching out a hand in friendship to races and cultures alien to their own, was to be ultimately realized.

It represented the very highest ideals of the organization and the United Earth Starfleet would go on to develop and realize the dream of enabling a Warp – 5 capable society through the launch of the SS Enterprise (NX-01)in 2151, followed by it’s sister vessels the SS Columbia (NX-02) in 2154 and soon after the simultaneous launches of the SS Challenger (NX-03) & SS Discovery (NX-04) in 2155.

These groundbreaking craft represented the pinnacle technological achievements of their age and went on to pioneer several innovations and systems that are the bedrock of the ships that fly today, yet their contemporary crews take largely for granted – seeing them as commonplace and ordinary.

Yet these were innovations hard won and blood was indeed spilled in their invention (often driven by the creative imperatives of necessity), because these were times that were comparatively less gentile than those of the 25^th century and the men and women that braved the stars did so with considerable resolve, especially when one considers that they did so without the safety net of knowledge and technology with which similar expeditions are undertaken with in the modern age.

They were true pioneers and the frontier was indeed an unknown quantity.

Eventually the United Earth Starfleet would gain new identity and purpose as the amalgamated Federation Starfleet as the long struggle for unification realised the birth of the United Federation of Planets and a new generation of space farers would commence their adventures throughout the cosmos aboard vessels that were the progeny of the now – venerable NX – class ships, such as the Columbia – class, but the spirit of exploration would never dim nor the enthusiasm to do so in the name of peace would wane as long as Starfleet was there to promulgate and safeguard the ideals that were at the core of its founding.

But this is only true of the Prime Universe.

In lockstep with our own, but free to the chaotic variables of chance and divergence, lay near – identical universes parallel to that of the Prime and whose histories may have been shaped subtly or more dramatically by deviations or omissions of key historical events that had shaped our own, more familiar, reality.

In one such reality, Zephram Cochrane’s ground-breaking first flight upon the SS Phoenix may have failed to break the Warp Barrier at the same time that a Vulcan survey scout was passing through the Sol system. If such a pivotal set of circumstances had failed to align in a parallel universe, like they had in our own, then the course of accepted history would have changed and mankind would not go on to develop in the same way.

Earth may have not United under the universal knowledge that we are not alone in the galaxy. The comparative ‘dark-ages’ that followed the disastrous events of the ‘Eugenics Wars’ might have conceivably reshaped the events that followed and molded mankind into a more jingoistic and xenophobic society so that, when they eventually did take to the stars, they did not do so in peace.

A billion variables were constantly at play in the seething ecosystem of Socio – Cultural Evolution. The introduction of new cultural practices and beliefs have a flow – through to impact and effects social organization and conflict resolution. These variables interact in complex ways, leading to the gradual and continuous transformation of societies.

Imagine the galaxy as a great lake comprised from a series of different ponds whose banks have, over time given way to the forces of erosion. Before they were joined, a single drop of rain would cause a demonstrably ripple to spread and transmit upon the surface of the water, until it reached the banks and reflected back into the centre. With the ponds joined to former the greater body of the lake, the ripples of the same raindrop would resonate and travel further, encompassing a greater volume with more influence.

Thus, a society could be irrevocably changed with one such drop of rain.

This, Lieutenant Commander T’Shon had patiently explained to the senior staff of the USS Vigilant, was a perfect analogy for the situation that they faced in the parallel universe that they were about to enter, in order to locate and rescue Captain Hansen and Six of Eleven.

“But now, replace the analogy as the ‘Lake – as – the – Galaxy’, with the ‘Lake – as – Space/Time.’”” The Vulcan explained patiently, as the remainder of the bridge crew went about making the preparations to ready the ship to be ‘catapulted’ by Starbase 80 through the Quantum Fissure.

“The entry and presence of the USS Vigilant into the target – dimension represents a paradoxical integer to the natural order of that universe.” T’Shon warned somberly. “Simply put, not only is our vessel an object that has no right to be there, but it is also an artifact from a relative future and one whose technological sophistication far outbalances any contemporary craft of the 22^nd century era.”

“So, you’re saying what exactly?” Commander Rozu frowned, his green features creasing in consternation. “That we shouldn’t use any of our advanced systems to our advantage?”

The CSO shook her head and further explained to the XO.

“No. That would be illogical, Commander.” The Vulcan reasoned. “We will need the advanced long – range sensory abilities of the Vigilant to triangulate and locate the position of Captain Hansen and the Chief Engineer, once we emerge within the target universe. However, Starbase 80 has only been able to give us an approximate fix on the general volume of their spatial coordinates and postulate that the era they were Displaced to is sometime in the 22^nd Century.”

“That’s one hell of a haystack and two very small needles.” Lieutenant Jarthell scowled.

“Quite so, Lieutenant.” T’Shon agreed levelly. “However, every action we take in the parallel universe will have an opposite and equal reaction on the skein of the Space/Time continuum. We should take all measures to limit our contact with persons or vessels in the target – universe to lessen the impact both on the of Socio – Cultural Evolution of that reality, but also to decrease the likelihood that our actions will draw the attention of The Loom and act as a locus for their intervention to restore the timeline to what they consider its natural state.

“We need to be a raindrop, if we must, but avoid becoming the rainstorm.” Captain Samantha Hyland summarized, from her seat in the Captain’s chair.

Lieutenant Commander T’Shon inclined her head and intoned. “Just so, Captain. We have no way of knowing if the events of the 22^nd century to which we will be travelling align with our own, if they align at all. It is logical to infer that our every action hold the potential to influence and alter that history further.”

“Whilst we ourselves may be travelling to a time and place where Starfleet may not even exist, we will still be bound by the tenets of Section 1 of the Prime Directive. We must refrain from identification of self or mission. We must commit not to interfere with the social, cultural or technological advancement of less developed societies, nor may we make reference to space, other worlds or advanced civilizations that people of that time may not have yet contacted.”

“Well, that certainly narrow’s down our options.” Thath Jarthell grumbled sourly. “What are we supposed to use? Harsh – language?”

Captain Hyland shot the habitually – irksome tactical officer a silencing look and returned her attention to the CSO.

“But Six of Eleven is a former Borg. Surely her presence in the target universe is not only paradoxical, but it also directly contravenes the Prime Directive?”

T’Shon nodded once more.

“That is correct, Captain. If the Borg have already encountered mankind in the 22^nd century to which we are travelling then, with the technological – level of that era, they would most certainly already be assimilated and made part of the Collective. In which case the question of Lieutenant Commander Petrovna’s presence is moot.”

“If , however, as in our own Universe the Federation encounters the Borg sometime in the early 24^th century, then the presence of Six of Eleven will not only be the cause of significant socio – cultural change and break the Prime Directive, but it will also almost certainly draw the attention of the Loom, with potentially disastrous results for the society that encounters her.”

“What sort of disastrous results are we taking here, Commander?” Asked Lieutenant Ojha, as the Ops Chief made sure that all hands were at their duty stations and prepared for the transit through the fissure.

Lieutenant Commander T’Shon considered this question for a while, before replying without humor.

“Information on The Loom is largely inconclusive, largely by virtue of the aggressive and irrevocable nature of interaction with the species.” The chief scientist explained. “They are a trans – dimensional lifeform that are known to feed on inhabitants of dimensions suffering from temporal paradoxes. Depending on the extent of exposure, they may simply erase individuals or groups of individuals from the timeline. If, in whatever rubric of logic motivates them, they determine that the ‘paradoxical – contagion’ is too far advanced, they have been known to erase entire civilizations from existence.”

There was a long silence that followed this hypothesis, which was only broken when Thath muttered;

“Seems a bit lazy and heavy handed really.”

T’Shon did not register the dark humor in the tactical officers barbed retort and replied.

“As I said. The motivations of The Loom are mostly oblique, but the consistency of their method is decidedly uniform in this matter.”

Sensing the crew’s unease at the prospect of their impending mission and the apparent cost of any potential failure, Sam decided to draw a line under the CSO’s briefing and summarized confidently, for all to hear.

“So, our mission is clear. We must transit the Quantum Fissure and enter the target universe. Ascertain at which point of the 22^nd century we have arrived at and the attempt to locate Captain Hansen and Lieutenant Commander Petrovna in such a way as to eliminate (or at the very least mitigate) and disruption of the local timeline that will either impact the natural progress of historical events or draw the attention of the Loom.”

“Oh! Is that all?” Lieutenant Jarthell grumbled under his breath. “We’ll be home in time for tea and Holosuite’s, before we know it.”

Macey Lewis shot the Tellarite a withering stare, but Thath was spared further rebuke, when Rani Ojha reported.

“Captain. Starbase 80 confirms that the pattern is clear for is to make our approach on the fissure. They have acquired the Vigilant with their Quantum Field Array and their generators are charged and ready to transit is through the portal.” The OPS Chief confirmed, as she monitored communications with the station.

Despite the potential dangers that awaited, Sam was secretly relieved to finally be underway. A person best suited to action, she found the indeterminable waiting the hardest aspect of command to bear.

“Very good, Ops.” Samantha sat up a little straighter in her captain’s – chair and prepared to meet her destiny beyond the veil of Space/Time once again. “Confirm with SB80 that we are ready to make our run.”’

“Aye ma’am.” Rani responded efficiently and signaled general – quarters, to prepare the ships compliment for the journey ahead.

“Helm. Lay in a course for the Quantum Fissure. Three – quarter impulse. Engineering – bring the warp core online. Let’s take our time and do this right people, we’ve only got one shot at this.”

“Amen to that, Captain!” Macey Lewis smiled as her slim, brown fingers ranged across the helm controls and the Duderstadt’s agile impulse engines came to life and the slim – bellied fast cruiser slipped out of her place in the holding pattern and angled her way on a course that would take her out to face the shimmering mystery of the Quantum Fissure.

“To boldly go where no one has gone before in all of Space and Time.” Macey breathed in awe as she manipulated the controls that confirmed that the warp field generational coils house in the vessel’s sweeping nacelles were steadily building charge.  “It kind of takes your breath away really.”

Thath frowned his persistent disapproval, as the Tellarite engaged the shields and finessed the metaphasic harmonization acuity so that the polarity shifted and re-enforced the forward shields.

“Has it ever occurred to you that there might be good reasons why no one has ever gone to certain places before, little bird?” the pug – faced Tactical officer grimaced blithely as he took a moment to regard the seething wound in space/time, in which they were about to enter.

“It’s folly to enter such things without being prepared for the worst. I very much doubt that a Candyland of unicorns and wishes awaits us on the other side.”

Lewis just rolled her eyes in exasperation and signaled to the CO that the subspace displacement field was charged and ready to be unleashed, accelerating the USS Vigilant to warp speeds.

“Captain. Warp drive is online. Ready to engage on your signal.”

There was a tense moment aboard the bridge. Like so many times before, a Starfleet crew was about to embark upon a voyage of discovery into a hitherto ‘Unknown Country’ and risk all against the unknown to uphold the ideals of the Federation and protect those in need.

Except for Captain Samantha Hyland, this was not her first such incursion into the unknown.

Sam was freshly returned from the harrowing inverse – nightmare of the Mirror Universe and the tactical officer’s dour predictions had a prophetic ring to them that resonated with her recent experiences.

I truth they knew next to nothing about their destination. Whilst they were aware that they would be voyaging to some point in space, sometime in the span of the 22^nd century, they could not be sure what parallels or departures this dimension had from their own reality. It would be prudent indeed to retain a healthy amount of skepticism and a surfeit of caution, until they could establish more about the universe they were about to enter.

Yet to do so, they had to take the first important step.

Steeling herself for the uncertain journey ahead of them, Captain Samantha Hyland gently gripped the arms of her command chair and nodded her assent, although the words haunted her as they were the same that she had uttered when she had committed the USS Valley Forge to its fateful voyage to the Mirror Universe.

“Take us out there. Ensign. Let’s go find our people and bring them home. ENGAGE!”