Episode 134. The Temporal Cold War
Context
- Stardate
- 231746.341
- Location
-
- Earth Orbit
- Starfleet Shuttle
- Timeline
- Prime Timeline
- Previously
-
Declared innocent by the JAG, Tarsi regains her rank, while T'Met and Tarsi receive the Christopher Pike Medal for their heroic actions. Under the leadership of the new Admiral Censsukr', the Temporal Division entrusts the 21st-century survivors to their care. Settled at Vista Ridge, the former Enterprise crew discovers life in the Federation, a world of peace and technology. But barely declared official citizens of the United Federation of Planets, Agnes and Angie are invited on a mysterious orbital ride by T'Met and Tarsi...
Characters
| Name | Affiliation / Branch | Title / Rank | Species | Original Timeline |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Agnes V. Rodriguez | United Federation of Planets | Civilian | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Angie Chen | United Federation of Planets | Civilian | Human | Schak'Irra Timeline |
| Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi | Starfleet / Temporal Division | Commander | Andorian | Prime Timeline |
| T'Met | Starfleet / Temporal Division | Captain | Vulcan | Prime Timeline |
Manifests
| USS Enterprise Destroyed in 1954 Last known manifest | VSS Schak'Irra | |
|---|---|---|
| Affiliation | NATO | Starfleet / Ni'Var |
| Location | 1954, near Earth | 2554, docked at Starfleet Starbase |
| Captain | Agnes V. Rodriguez | T'Met (young) |
| First Officer | Angie Chen | Zaneth-Myra Lysana (older Tarsi) |
| Artificial Intelligence | Lingua (Unofficial) | Lingua (initial version) |
| Pilot | Eric Corda | N/A |
| Communications | Emilie Flores | T'Killa |
| Operations | Charlene Savea | T'Less-Cop |
| Tactical | Angie Chen | N/A |
| Science | Manu | N/A |
| Engineering | Gornok (Unofficial) | N/A |
| Advanced Weapons | Eros Vitos | N/A |
| Security | Robert Gomard (Unofficial) | N/A |
| Sickbay | Victor S. Calpel K'hoka Khol'a (assistant) |
N/A |
| Counselor/Consultant | Manu | N/A |
| Custodian | Manu | N/A |
TL;DR
Aboard a Starfleet shuttle, Agnes, Angie, T'Met, and Tarsi rise into Earth orbit. Before them appears the colossal Charles Tucker III Spacedock, housing a gigantic ship: USS Enterprise-J, a true space city dedicated to the interstellar missions of the 26th century. Tarsi and T'Met then reveal the reality of the Temporal Cold War: a struggle of influence between factions manipulating timelines to reshape History. As Enterprise-J prepares for a strategic mission in the Procyon V system, Agnes and Angie realize that even in a peaceful future, history is never fixed.
Story
While T'Met, Tarsi, and Angie exchange a few words at the back of the shuttle, I have moved slightly aside, preferring to savor the spectacle offered by the immense window of the cockpit. The space around me is both familiar and alien. Compared with the 21st century I knew, Earth orbit is now far busier, crossed constantly by shuttles, ships, and countless orbital stations. It is a controlled ballet where every trajectory seems calculated to avoid the slightest collision.
But my gaze is quickly drawn to a structure far more imposing than all the others. It defies logic by its mere presence. Gigantic, titanic even, it seems to float with unreal ease, as if the laws of gravity no longer had any effect on it. As we approach, my mind tries to grasp its scale and complexity. How can a construction so massive remain in orbit without collapsing under its own weight?
Lost in thought, I hear quiet footsteps behind me. I do not need to turn around to know who is approaching.
Capt. T'Met
You seem troubled, Captain Rodriguez. Should I conclude that you are emotionally affected by what you are contemplating?
Agnes V. Rodriguez
Troubled, no. Perplexed, yes. Look at that monstrosity... How does a thing like that stay in orbit without crashing like a pebble into a pond?
Capt. T'Met
It is not a "thing." It is the Charles Tucker III Spacedock, designed for the assembly and maintenance of Starfleet flagships.
Agnes V. Rodriguez
Tucker... who?
Capt. T'Met
Charles Tucker III, chief engineer of Enterprise NX-01 in the 22nd century. He contributed to the evolution of warp propulsion and to many developments that paved the way for Starfleet.
I am about to answer, but a teasing voice beats me to it.
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
So, are you contemplating the unknown, or trying to guess that thing's energy bill?
I turn around. Tarsi has approached silently, a sly smile on her face. Angie follows close behind, quieter but just as captivated by the scene.
Angie Chen
Hell of an installation... That's a spacedock?
Capt. T'Met
Affirmative. But not just any spacedock. This one was designed to hold only one ship.
Agnes V. Rodriguez
Wait... You mean that whole station is only for one ship?
Capt. T'Met
Affirmative.
Angie Chen
Damn... I want to see the monster that deserves a garage like that.
An almost solemn silence settles in, as if the universe were holding its breath. Then lights activate across the station. Slowly, as though waking from a long sleep, the structure begins to open, revealing a titan of steel and technology.
Angie Chen
Oh... shit...
Agnes V. Rodriguez
That is not a ship... it's a damn flying city!
Angie Chen
Now I understand why it needs a private dock... A beast that size won't fit anywhere else.
Agnes V. Rodriguez
Unbelievable... Look, Angie... The inscription on the hull!
Angie Chen
USS Enterprise... NCC 1701, dash J?!?
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Enterprise-J is the largest ship ever built by Starfleet. It is designed for long-term missions, with a crew made up of several species.
Agnes V. Rodriguez
Wait... Enterprise? Don't tell me... you two inherited command?
Angie Chen
Of course! That's why you were being so mysterious! Honestly... congratulations, you deserve it.
Capt. T'Met
Incorrect interpretation. This ship is not under my command, nor Commander Tarsi's.
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
And if it were, I can assure you that you would already be polishing the bridge.
Agnes V. Rodriguez
Aw, too bad. I was already picturing myself drinking synthesized hot chocolate on the main deck.
Angie Chen
This ship really has nothing to do with our Enterprise...
Capt. T'Met
The plans for Enterprise-J are classified. And even with those plans, I doubt 21st-century NATO engineers would have been capable of rebuilding it.
Agnes V. Rodriguez
Ironic, T'Met. If our Enterprise had not saved Schak'Irra and, incidentally, your timeline, this floating toy would not even exist. But fine... we won't spend our time rewriting History. So where is the big toy going? Exploring the final frontier?
Capt. T'Met
It is preparing for a delicate mission in the Procyon V system.
Angie Chen
Procyon V? Doesn't ring a bell... Are we talking mystical fanatics, armed nationalists, or a people who welcome you with bouquets of plasma?
Capt. T'Met
Nothing of the sort.
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Procyon V is a system under surveillance for several decades because of interstellar tensions. It is a powder keg that could become a strategic flashpoint, right at the heart of the Temporal Cold War.
Agnes V. Rodriguez
Ah yes, the famous Temporal Cold War you vaguely explained to us when we found you dead drunk on the Sea of Tranquility...
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Uh... yes, but it was the truth.
Capt. T'Met
I also deduce that Tarsi must have mentioned this war involves factions capable of altering history to their advantage?
Angie Chen
Well, uh, no. Not really.
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Come on, T'Met. I know the Temporal Prime Directive. At the time, I had no reason to go into details. Granted, I bent the rules a bit... but it was for a good cause. And now that they are part of the Federation, we can tell them. Can't we, T'Met?
Capt. T'Met
Indeed. It is not a war in the traditional military sense. It is a struggle of influence across different timelines. Certain factions, such as the Na'kuhl, seek to reshape history for their own benefit.
Agnes V. Rodriguez
Like manipulating Galaxy Patrol in the 1960s?
Angie Chen
It's Star Trek, Agnes... Star Trek.
Capt. T'Met
A correct simplification... but unfortunately, it is not the only event of that kind.
Agnes V. Rodriguez
And Enterprise-J in all this? Is it going to play diplomat in this temporal mess?
Capt. T'Met
Starfleet does not intervene directly in the Temporal Cold War. But certain diplomatic missions have strategic implications.
Agnes V. Rodriguez
I feel like every time I ask a question, it gets even more complicated.
Capt. T'Met
That is a universal constant.
Cmdr. Vexoriana-Lyss'ra Tarsi
Welcome to the 26th century, my dear Agnes.
I cast one last look at Enterprise-J as it slowly slips from view while the shuttle continues on its trajectory. A colossal ship at the heart of an invisible conflict, playing a role we will probably never fully understand... but perhaps that is exactly the fate of witnesses to time: moving forward without understanding everything.