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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 6: Lost Survivors in Space

    Around the 5th hour into the situation, a stationary beacon was set up to mark a relative coordinate in space, and they traveled away from it, and lost it, then returned to it again on a reverse course, after setting another beacon. By doing this they proved that relative ‘space’ did exist. But it was a completely empty vacuum, void of all matter and energy.

  It wasn’t until the 27th hour that Data and Laforge finally made progress, with a working theory. By that time they had decided to set the ship on a circular course, and the engines on low-impulse, to save fuel. Life-support systems, for some reason, were failing, due to an energy drain which could not be explained, and as a result, everyone was either working hard to save energy or wondering how much time they had to live.

  Data and Laforge met with Crusher, Troi, and Barkley in the conference room, to explain the working theory and what they planned to go on.
  “How much time do we have?’ Data said to Barkley.

  “Life-support systems have about 7 hours left before complete failure,” he said, “if we keep the work crews on top of the problem.”
  “That’ll be cutting it close,” Laforge admitted, “but it should be enough time. Only, this better work because we won’t get a second chance.”

  “Yes,” Data agreed with apprehensive foresight.
  “What better work?” Crusher said.
  “We have an idea about how to return to our space,” Laforge said. “But you’re not gonna like it.”

  “Anything that can get us home is alright with me,” Troi admitted.
  “Data, I think you’d better explain, but give us the concise version,” Laforge said, “we should get to work on it as soon as possible.”

  “Very well,” Data agreed, “We believe the only way back is to travel in time, backwards.”
  “Back in tine?” Crusher said with surprise. ‘Are you saying that we’ve been catapulted to the future or something?”

  “Not exactly,” Data said. “We know that something like an antimatter explosion occurred, which produced an energy reading that went off our scale, just before we arrived here. We have theorized that the explosion somehow destroyed the universe, at least in our locality.”

  “Destroyed the universe?” Barkley suddenly said, with jittery nerves. “But that, I mean it seems impossible, after all, we survived. Why?”
  “The Enterprise shields,” Laforge said, “may have held us together. I know it seems unlikely, but we don’t have all the answers. After 27 hours, its the only explanation that makes any sense.”

  “But even if we go back in time,” Troi said, “can we prevent the explosion from occurring again?’
  Everyone looked at Data anticipating some kind of hopeful insight.

  “There is always a possibility,” he said, “but for the moment, we had better concentrate our efforts on getting back first. I assure you I will be working on the full extent of our situation with my sub-processors in the meantime. Are there any other questions?”

  “Just one,” Crusher said. “Last time I heard, time-travel with a starship utilized a sling-shot effect with a heavy mass star. Can we do it without one?”
  “We think so,” Laforge said. “We have determined with the beacons that there is space out there. We think that if we surpass Warp 10, and adjust the deflectors to disperse the ions created by the warp-field, it may create the inverse reaction necessary. But it’ll take hours just to make all the right adjustments, so we’d better get on it without delay.”

  “Very well,” Data said, “Mr. Barkley, go with Mr. Laforge and prepare for the procedure.”
  The two engineers left to get to work.
  “Counselor,” Data said, “have you had any more ill effects?”
  “No, I seem alright now,” she admitted,

  “It may have been a life-support related reaction,” Crusher said. “It occurred right around the same time we experienced a drop in the temperature.”
  “I see. Will you be able to act beside me on the bridge?” he said.
  “Yes, of course,” she agreed, and turned to the doctor.

  “If you get dizzy,” Crusher said, “make sure you call me.” She stood up and excused herself. “I’d better get back to the med-lab. We’ve been getting walk-ins ever since this mess began.”
  Data and Troi stood up, followed her out, and went to the bridge.

  “Please keep a close eye on the sensors,” Data said as he went to a science station, “and Commander Troi, please take the Captain’s seat, I will be busy coordinating with Mr. Laforge and considering our long-run situation.”
---------------------------------------------------------------

  Picard, Ryker, and Warf hid behind the stone of the mountain and spied the large stone structure with curiosity.
  “I seem to recall this place,” Ryker admitted, “I’d swear I’ve been here before, but I don’t know how or when.”

  “I recall it also,” Warf admitted.
  “So do I,” Picard agreed. “If we all recall it, it must be more than a coincidence.”
  “Those soldiers, they have weapons similar to our own,” Warf said. “Is it possible they are allies?”

  “I don’t think so,” Picard said. “Our uniforms are not alike, and I don’t think I’d be allied to slavers.”
  “Nor I,” Ryker agreed. “It looks like they’re picking up after a battle. I’ve counted at least a dozen dead and wounded.”

  “Then we may be at some advantage,” Warf suggested. “If they have just been in a fight, they may not be ready for a surprise attack.”
  “Attack? Just us three?” Ryker said with doubt. “We wouldn’t stand a chance.”

  “No, we won’t attack,” Picard said. “We’ll wait until night, and sneak in by the shadows.”
  “What then?” Ryker said. “They still out-number us. What’s our objective?”
  Picard looked at them, then back at the ancient stone structure in thought.

  “One of you should find water,” he said, “carry enough out to last us a few days. Food also, of course, if possible. The other should get weapons.”
  “Shall we separate, or stay together?” Warf said.

  “Well, we’ll try to stay together,” the Captain said, “but if we are separated, we should meet back here.”
  “Agreed,” Ryker said. “What will you do?”

  “I must find transportation, of course,” he said, obviously, and checked his ray-gun.
  “There is about 2 hours of sun left,” Warf said, “We should be prepared.”
  “Can any of you recall anything else?” Picard said,

  “By the condition of our uniforms,” Ryker said, “I think we may have been in a fight, and my hands are somewhat raw and calloused, as if I’ve been involved with heavy manual labor.”
  “Yes,” Picard agreed, “I appear the same.”

  “We may be escaped slaves,” Warf suggested. “The soldiers may have used some kind of weapon on us that affected our minds and our memories.”
  “Yes,” Picard agreed, “I was thinking along the same lines. All the appearances tend to point in that direction.”

  “If we were slaves, why the uniforms?” Ryker said.
  “Perhaps we are military prisoners of war,” Picard said.
  “Yes,” Warf seemed to agree, “However, I cannot recall what war we were in.”
  “Nor can I,” Picard admitted. “But anyway we look at it; these soldiers would appear to be our enemy.”

  They all agreed on that point, and were quiet as they settled down in the cover of stones by the side of the mountain. After a few minutes, Picard looked up into the sky, and stared deeply into the horizon.

  “I recall something now,” he suddenly said, “something that may be very important. I recall a ship in space, a very large ship.”
  “Perhaps the flagship of our forces?” Ryker said.

  “Perhaps, yes, of course,” Picard said with decisive intent. “This isn’t our planet. Our ship is out there somewhere, I’m sure of it.”
  “If so, how do we reach it?” Warf said.

  “We need a spaceship,” Ryker said firmly.
  “Exactly,” Picard agreed, and suddenly had the plan ready. “This is what we must do. When it is dark enough, we sneak into the structure. Water, food, weapons and transportation are primary goals. But after that, we need a spaceship. There must be some sort of center of operations. My guess is that a map and directions to a space-port may be found there. I’ll get the map while the two of you cover me. If we can do this without firing our weapons, that’s the way it should be. If we’re forced to use the rays, however, we may have to fight our way out.”

  “Understood,” Ryker said. Warf nodded also, and pulled out a large knife.
  “Okay,” Picard said. “I get the map and transport.”
  “I get weapons and water,” Ryker said, “and cover your back.”
  “I’ll get water and food,” Warf said, “and cover both of you.”
  They settled down and waited for nightfall.
 
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