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Tsv-08-100 LSTX-2000: Lost in Space and Time Chapter One: A Temporal Displacement Chapter Two: An Exitor and an EM Egg Chapter Three: Under Cloak and at the Edge Chapter Four: Shanghaied by Martian Slavers Chapter Five: The Ntzeon Effect Chapter Six: Lost Survivors in Space Chapter Seven: Stealth About Midnight Chapter Eight: Back Through Time Chapter Nine: Zeta 4 Chapter Ten: The Ntzeon Plant Chapter Eleven: The Voyage Across Time	LSTX-2000: Lost in Space and Time Chapter 3: Under Cloak and at the Edge On the bridge, Data spoke with the head of the team dispatched to check on the Captain’s last known coordinates. “We found tracks leading into an oasis. There is no sign of foul play.” “Then it is the EM field blocking the com-link,” Data concluded. “Very well, hold your position but take cover. We do not know if an alien intelligence is involved.” A minute later, Doctor Crusher and Counselor Troi stepped onto the bridge. “Conference,” Crusher said to him, and he followed them into the conference room. They relayed their findings to him. “I am curious,” he decided, as Troi finished. “Did he explain how he managed to change universes? Was it a controlled operation? A vehicle perhaps?” “He mentioned some kind of accident,” Troi said. “Here,” she decided, handed him the paperback ‘novel ‘, which Querzo let her borrow. “Read this, it will tell you more.” Data, with lightning speed, flipped thru the book and read it, then set it on the table. He was quiet for a moment, and then spoke. “This story tells of how Mr. Querzo crashed on an asteroid and discovered remnants of an ancient civilization, including a technology far in excess of 21st century Earth. Apparently, he discovered a space-time vehicle and traveled into the ancient past.” He paused and reflected. “There is no evidence of such a vehicle about; however, it could conceivably be hidden by the EM field on Zeta 4.” “If it is,” Troi said, “he doesn’t seem to be aware of it.” “Is it possible he was thrown clear of it during the jump” Crusher said. “That is a possibility,” Data agreed, “If so, he may try to transport down to the planet.” He touched his com-link and spoke. “Security, put guards on all transporters and shuttles. If Mr. Querzo tries to leave, report it. Do not permit him to leave the ship.” “Another thing,” Data said. “The book does not explain how he met with Zentor. Nor does it mention anything about Martians with a temporal-transverser.” “Well,” Troi said, “he seems quite cooperative. I can talk with him again.” “Perhaps I should speak to him,” Data said, “I find it highly difficult to believe that the two mysteries are not somehow connected.” Just then, his com-link was activated. “Data, the modified probe is ready,” the chief-engineer, Mr. Laforge reported. “Very good,” he responded, “I will see you in a minute. He turned to Troi and Crusher. “After we try this probe, I think I should talk to Mr. Querzo, I don’t want him on the bridge. Your office, Counselor?” “Fine,” she said, and rose as he did, conference complete. Data and Laforge launched the modified probe and directed it into the EM field. A few minutes later, they received a video downlink and sensory input. Before it could complete the report, however, it went dead. “I don’t like it,” Laforge said. “The picture was fine, then suddenly, nothing. If that isn’t a sure sign of intelligence, what is it?” “Replay the video portion,” Data said, and Laforge did so. It showed mostly barren rocks in the foreground, and some plants and trees in the distance, as well as a body of water. “Holy ghost,” Laforge suddenly said, as he studied the new sensory data at the science station. “Data, we’ve got antimatter signatures down there.” “Antimatter?” Data said. “Are you positive?” “Yes, it’s antimatter, no mistake about it. Looks like Ryker and Warf stumbled onto something.” “Mr. Laforge, please take the bridge,” Data decided. “I’m going to talk with Mr. Querzo.” A few minutes later Data met with Querzo in Troi’s office. Troi made the introductions and they all sat down. “Where is the time-vehicle now?” Data said, straight to the point. “I wish I knew,” Querzo said. “The last time I saw it; I was chasing 2 Martians with a death wish.” “What happened?” “Probably one of their secret weapons was activated,” he admitted, “but I’m not certain.” “Why were you chasing them?” Troi said. “They are intergalactic criminals,” he said with distaste, “of the worst kind.” Data absorbed this and compared it with the information from the book. “If we can believe the information in your book is accurate, can we presume that you have taken upon the original role of the Lord Zondar of the ‘Lost Planet’?” Troi was lost now, but Querzo nodded. “It wasn’t exactly something I had planned,” he admitted, “but it worked out that way. You must understand something. In my universe, the 2 Martians tried to conquer Earth, in 2094.” “I see...,” Data said, “Okay, enough,” Querzo decided. “Now I want some answers, I overheard something in the lounge about members of the crew lost on Zeta 4. Now you’re drilling me like you think I know something. What’s happening on Zeta 4’?” “Sorry, but that information,” Data said, “is confidential.” “Well, you can tell me,” Querzo said, “If it is related to my displacement, I might be helpful.” “Perhaps,” Data said, “but you may just interfere with the mission. I am sorry, Mr. Querzo, but if I think of any way you can help, I may change that answer. Thank you for your cooperation. If the Zeta 4 operation is connected, I am sure you will be informed. Until we are certain, your case is a separate mystery.” Data stood up to leave, then had one final question, “Does your temporal transverser utilize antimatter?” “No,” Querzo said, “It uses radioactive isotopes.” Data nodded. “Very well, that is all for now. But there may be more, later. I hope you will continue to be cooperative.” “Of course,” Querzo said, “so long as you promise to help me return to Earth,” Data nodded and left. Shortly after that, Querzo excused himself, and left Troi reading the book. Feigning his way back to his quarters innocently, he slipped inside and went to the closet. Inside it was a dark, black, blue, and grey spacesuit with silver lining, a helmet, and a ray-gun. He put the suit on, secured the helmet, touched a button on his wrist, and disappeared. ------------------------------------------------------- Data was in the Captains ready-room checking the computer for information to solve the mystery of the EM field, when security reported over the com. “There has been an unauthorized shuttle launch, sir,” security reported. “Were the shuttles under guard, as I ordered?” Data said. “Yes,” the guard said. “Explain,” Data said. “We don’t know how, but someone slipped by. They over-rode the shuttle bay controls from inside the shuttle.” “What about the tractor beam?” “Too late, it’s out of range.” “How could someone slip by without your seeing them?” “We don’t know, sir. It was as if they were invisible somehow.” “Go over the video-log,” Data advised. “It may tell us more about this ‘invisible’ person.” Knowingly curious, Data decided to call Troi to the bridge. “...and bring Mr. Querzo, if you can find him,” he concluded, decisively. As Data had guessed, Troi arrived a few minutes later, alone. “I can’t find Querzo,” she said. “Hail the shuttle,” Data ordered. A minute later, the com reported, “It’s not answering. We’re losing it around the planet. It’s out of range, sir.” “What happened?” Troi said to Data. “It is my guess that Mr. Querzo stole a shuttle to go to Zeta 4.” “How’d he get by the guards?” “Do you still have the book?” he said. She nodded. “Chapter 14. The Tranquan technology was not simply beyond Querzo’s century, Counselor,” he said to her and looked into the view-screen. She looked into chapter 14, quickly scanned the pages. “I see...,” she said, absorbing the new information. “He has a suit with a cloaking function. This is amazing... so why has he gone to Zeta 4?” “I am not certain, but we must examine all the clues. When I asked him if he used antimatter with his vehicle, did you sense any deception?” “No,” she admitted, “but I did sense a lot of hostility toward the 2 Martians he spoke of. Perhaps more than I would expect from a man such as him.” She grimaced at the thought. “According to the book,” Data said, “it was the Martians that destroyed the ‘Lost Planet’, and he admitted also, that 2 of them tried to conquer a parallel Earth in 2094. I do not know how that would affect a human, but such incidents have been recorded as having much influence over some people’s lives.” “That’s true,” Troi agreed. “But does all this mean his vehicle is inside the EM field, or that the 2 Martians are?” “I do not know,” Data admitted. “Perhaps both are possible.” ---------------------------------------------------------- Much to his surprise, when he awoke, Captain Picard was locked inside a rustic metal room that was bouncing back and forth, with 2 other men in ragged alien clothes. They were not his crewmates, but ragged, long-bearded strangers. His head ached as if from hangover from drugs. He noted a door with a shifting square of light, and focused on a small window. He carefully got up from the metal floor and looked out. The metal room he was in was moving along a rugged road, with mountains to one side and barren desert to the other. He was thirsty, and checked for his flask. It was gone, as were all his portable units. He frowned upon the situation and attempted to put the pieces together. “Excuse me,” he said to the 2 men, sitting against the front wall in separate corners. They ignored him, and then one of them noticed his federation boots. “Nice boots,” the man said. “I wonder, could you tell me what planet this is? You see, I was on Zeta 4...” “Zeta 4?” the other one growled. “Man, you a long way from home. This is Damox 3.” “Nonsense,” the other disagreed, “it’s Nylox 4.” “Never mind that,” the Captain decided. “Where are they taking us?” “Probably to some wretched slave-camp,” the one on the left said, with a curse. “Do you know who our captors are?” “Martian slavers,” the one on the right growled. “Damn bastards can’t just let a man live free, nope. Hearsay puts them and their planet in a dry well, so they say. They like planets with lots of water, so they invade them, conquer them, and take their water. We just nothing but low-grade contraband now.” The other man seemed to agree on this. The Captain thought about this and looked up at the window, just as the slow transport came to a stop and settled down. “Alright, you useless fools,” a man cursed, as the door was opened. “Out to be counted!” The Captain was the first one out, the others followed. He surveyed the area as his eyes adjusted to the bright light of day. Before he made out more than a desert rocky mountain the guards ordered him to move along, and they were directed to a large, stone structure at the base of the mountainside. It was ancient, but still in use. Inside the structure, within a wide hallway chamber between huge columns of stone, guards in military uniform ordered slaves about like small herds of animal. At the end of long sticks were electrical stunners, which they used to keep the people in line. Anyone that strayed got a painful jolt for their troubles. As another small group was ushered out the door, he thought he saw Ryker, but he was out of visual range and he couldn’t be sure. When he turned to look, the guard growled and showed him the prod. Suddenly, a man tried to make a run for it, and a ray-gun blasted him down. The same guard that shot him ordered 2 others to pick up the body, and under his direction, they carried him out. [Back] [Next]
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