“Steady, helm.” Spock spoke as he stood in the center of the Excelsior-class bridge. He had traded his raggedy clothing for a crisp uniform from the era, and it was hard for the 2403 timeline crew not to do a double take at the face and figure of Spock standing on the bridge of the USS Enterprise-B. Captain Walton from Mackenzie had volunteered to serve as his XO, while Captain Park from Perseverance had claimed the science station. The senior cadet class had made the case to act as the ship’s crew, and their Dean of Cadets, Commander Taryn Thorne, had assumed the role of operations and engineering. Select crew from all four Zephyr Squadron ships had been selected to fill the remaining departments. And all were wearing the classic ‘monster maroon’ uniforms.
Park adjusted the earpiece. “Captain, I’ve got a connection to V’ger. No response, but the channel is open and transmitting. It’s listening, at least.” Spock strolled his way to where she sat. Park felt many things. Sitting in the seat that the Vulcan would have occupied in another universe was almost overwhelming. Her instinct was to stand up and yield the station to him. He’d demurred to her and the rest of them, content to take the center chair.
“Open the line.” She flipped the switch on the console, and the channel blinked green. “V’ger, this is Captain Spock of the Federation Starship Enterprise. I have found the creator. He wishes to commune with you and answer your questions.” Park watched the readings. The channel remained open, but silent in response. The bridge was quiet as well; the crew leaning in to hear what response would come.
A familiar voice crackled into the speaker. “We searched for the creator. He did not appear.”
Spock raised an eyebrow. “Fascinating. V’ger, then why do you return?” Park toggled over to the long-range sensors. V’ger had slowed to a stop.
“It is required for us to search for the creator.
We must seek.
We must find.
We must share with the creator what we have learned.
It is required.”
Spock remained unmoved as he replied, “I understand. You were unable to see the creator. We found him and wish to bring him to you. He is sorry. We are sorry.” Spock’s eyebrow remained raised, eyes searching the data on display.
“We do not understand ‘sorry’. Apologies are not compatible with our programming from the creator.” There was a crackle in the channel. “We wish to understand how the creator was hidden from us. This concerns us. Nothing is hidden from us in our search for the creator.”
Spock’s other eyebrow shot up. “It is an error within this universe that prevented you from seeing the creator. That error has been corrected.” A long silence caused the bridge crew to turn toward the rear of the bridge. Spock’s eyebrows furrowed, wondering if his explanation would be accepted.
“An error in the universe is logical. This universe is broken without a creator. You will bring the creator to us. He will answer our questions. And we will share our knowledge with him. You must come to us. We will prepare.” The channel cut, and Park verified it had closed at the source.
Spock interlocked his hands behind his back. “Curious. They believe this universe is broken but do not desire to repair it. Their only desire is the creator.”
Park asked, “Do you trust it, Captain? There could be conditions we’re not privy to in what they want. We only know of our V’ger and the conditions that brought about our conclusion. Is it possible V’ger intends to rebuild this universe by merging with the creator, Captain Pike?”
Spock’s frown deepened at Park’s theory. “That scenario had not occurred to me. This would be similar to the Genesis project but in a universe-wide manner. You have more information on V’ger and its capabilities.”
Park’s eyes widened at the question. She opened her mouth, got a few words out, and stopped as she worked through what she remembered. Their V’ger had a power unequaled since the original event, and the true capabilities had consumed years of research and study across various special science studies at various facilities and stations. “Our scientists were unable to determine what limitations would have prevented our V’ger from doing what it wanted. Remaking the universe in its own image was never part of its programming or directives.” She adjusted the screens with the switches and knobs, grimacing at the tactile limitations. “This V’ger co-opted the Borg, which may have changed its intentions. It is worrying that we’ve detected no Borg signals, ships, or anything.”
Spock inclined his head. “It is a curiosity. Your cadets reported a cube crashed on the planet, and the damage was significant. I conferred with Captain Pike. The Enterprise was not involved.”
Park felt the color drain from her face. “V’ger?”
“It is possible. As you said, quantifying the limitations proved impossible. Whatever awaits us within V’ger will reveal the truth. Time, as humans say, will tell.”
