ClassicComedyFan2
03-25-2002, 03:56 PM
“Future’s Legacy”
Episode 12 of Gopher’s Gateway
The starship traveled through space at high impulse speeds through the outskirts of the Terran system. That ship was the USS Enterprise.
“Captain’s Log, Stardate 53473.2, We are returning to sector 001 for repairs and a refit. Personal note: It’s good to be going on archeological missions once more.”
In it’s bridge, the main command center, sat its main command crew, their leader, Captain Jean-Luc Picard sat in the center seat.
“Approaching Spacedock, Captain.” The android, Lieutenant Commander Data replied from his post at the CONN. Now on the viewscreen, the huge, glistening spacedock loomed ahead.
“Number one?” Captain Picard requested.
Commander William Riker smiled. “Open hailing frequencies.”
“Hailing frequencies open.” Replied Doctor Beverly Crusher.
“Spacedock Control, this is Enterprise,” Riker began, “requesting permission to dock.”
“Permission to dock granted. Welcome home, Enterprise.”
The lights on the bridge turned a light blue hue as the spacedock now controlled the Federation flagship. The spacedoors slid open and the ship entered the dock ever so slowly.
Suddenly, the red alert klaxons went off.
“Hail the spacedock!” Picard boomed.
“I’ll be in Sick Bay.” Beverly Crusher said as she entered the turbolift.
After tapping at his armrest console, Riker knew what was going on. “A spatial vortex with a temporal signature is opening nearby. Starfleet fears it is…the Borg.”
Captain Picard suppressed a grimace. He had once been assimilated by the cybernetic monsters. “Mr. Data, take us out. Full impulse power.”
“Understood, sir.” The Sovereign-class starship began to reverse course out of the spacedoors.
“Captain,” Data reported, “Something is emerging.”
“On screen.” Picard ordered over the alert klaxons. A swirling, purple anomaly appeared on the viewscreen as the ship came through. “Analysis?”
“It is the Federation starship Hypothetical.”
“The Hypothetical…” Counselor Deanna Troi said, “Wasn’t that ship lost two months ago?”
“Yes, Counselor.” Data replied. “The skeleton crew managed to evacuate.”
Riker’s eyes widened in shock as he looked at his armrest console once more. “Captain…I’m reading forty-seven human lifesigns over there as well as a holographic signature.”
“Open hailing frequencies.” Picard ordered. On the viewscreen, suddenly appeared a group of teenagers in starfleet uniforms. Also, Picard saw a Mark One Emergency Medical Hologram. Riker smiled at Troi who herself was smiling.
The male teenager in the Hypothetical’s command chair stood up and smiled. “Captain Picard, I’m Sean Sporman in command of the Hypothetical…” Picard sat silent, unsure how to react. He then signaled to mute, so the audio on his ship could not be heard by the other ship.
“Scans, Mr. Data, are they humans?”
Data nodded. “Except for the EMH Mark I one, yes sir. Also, sir, I’ve detected chronotons on their hull. That would indicate they have traveled through time.”
“Yes, the Hypothetical was lost through a spatial vortex. It closed before it could be determined where it was transported to.”
Picard signaled to de-mute. “In five minutes, we want you and two of your friends to beam over as well as the hologram. Picard out.”
“A little direct, Captain?” Riker said through a smile.
“They are teenagers, number one.” Picard replied.
“Of course, Captain.” Riker replied with a secret smile.
On the bridge of the Hypothetical, Sean was smiling.
“But, how can he look like Patrick Stewart?” Jordan asked, continuing his argument with Lucy Camden, who sat by Sean Sporman in the first officer’s chair.
“It means that Star Trek is real!” Lucy replied.
“Who are you going to choose who goes over there?” Andy Blackerby asked to Sean.
“I’ll go, and the EMH and Lucy and you. We’ll need you to explain the truth to them. Remember, Picard doesn’t like children.” Sean replied.
“I can’t go?” Jordan asked.
“No, you expect to go ever there with all boys?” Jordan sighed. “Besides, Heather and Meagan are in the holodeck having a good time and you need to command the ship while we are gone.”
“I’m a doctor, not a diplomat!” The emergency medical hologram exclaimed, interrupting Sean and Jordan’s conversation.
“You won’t need to be a diplomat.” Lucy sighed. “You are just there to give us some credibility, that’s all.”
“Great!” The hologram replied in distress. “I’m not a doctor!” Sean sighed as he walked to the turbolift.
Captain Picard and Commander Data stood in the transporter room and awaited the arrival of the teenage away team.
“I wonder where they came from.” Picard wondered aloud.
Riker smiled. “I think we are just about to find out…” The four forms rematerialized quickly.
“Welcome aboard.” Riker greeted, still a smile on his now clean-shaven face.
“I’m glad to be here.” Sean replied, looking at Picard. “I’m sure you want to know all about why I am here. Tell me, do you still play that flute?”
Riker again smiled at Picard, who shifted uncomfortably.
“Forgive me,” Sean said, “Let me introduce my companions. This is Andy Blackerby, Lucy Camden, and the Hawking’s Emergency Medical Holographic Program.”
“Let us go to the conference room.” Riker said. The six began to walk out of the transporter room and down the corridor.
“It was my understanding that the Hawking was commissioned to Voyager. But, their latest transmission through the MIDAS array has told us that they still have the Type-seven shuttle Hawking.” Picard stated, not covering his curiosity.
Sean Sporman caught on. “It is possible that the shuttle encountered a graviton ellipse or a spatial scission, duplicating it.”
Picard and Riker were again caught off-guard by the way Sean knew all of this. “Indeed. Tell me, where are you from?” Picard asked as they entered the conference room. This was actually not the main conference room, but Conference Room 4. In the room, Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge, Counselor Deanna Troi and Doctor Beverly Crusher sat on one side of the table. The Enterprise’s latest guests sat down on the other side.
Picard introduced the guests to his other staff.
Heather Allgood emerged on the bridge of the Hypothetical with a smile. Alongside, Meagan Hall was also smiling. “That was refreshing.” Heather said.
“Indeed.” Meagan agreed. “What’s that on the viewscreen? Is that where cutie is?”
Heather nodded. “Yup! He beamed over to the Enterprise with Lucy and Mr. Blackerby.” She then sat down in the Captain’s chair. “Brooke, have we begun scans for M-class planets?”
“You mean habitable ones?” Brooke Thompson replied.
“Yes, she means habitable ones.” Brooke Stephens said in annoyance. “Not yet, Heather.”
“Let’s begin. My curiosity is getting the best of me.”
The turbolift doors slid open to reveal Jonathan Reeves and Rachel Waters. “Since when have you been interested in M-class planets?”
Rachel Waters was slightly peeved. “Have you seen Sean’s holographic recordings of the daydreams?”
Heather decided to reply to both questions. “Sean told me to scan for M-class planets. And, yes, I’ve seen his daydreams.”
Rachel calmed down. “They are….”
“Creative.” Meagan, Heather and Rachel said at once.
Jonathan Reeves fell down in distress. Sean had taken over.
“…so,” Doctor Crusher continued. “You have been using the technology from both ships, but only in the school?”
“Yes. And we are following the Prime Directive. We have been using a Romulan Memory Eraser when the technology is exposed to people not in our circle.” Sean replied.
“And may I say he has been doing a good job.” Blackerby threw in.
Picard was pleased, but, of course, did not smile. “A fantastic deed, and since history has already been altered and Guinan has sensed any radical changes, we can only assume you have and will do things right.”
Sean stood up, looking slightly uncomfortable. “Excuse me, I have to go to waste extraction.”
Lucy chuckled as he left the room. Counselor Troi also smiled. “You like him, don’t you?
“How did you know?” Lucy asked.
“I may be an empath, but it is obvious you do.” The half-Betazoid, half-human replied.
Picard heard his combadge beep. “Picard here.”
“Captain, we are receiving a distress call from Lyhot Five. Their Oort cloud sensors have detected hostile ships entering the system.”
“Number one, set a course. And, transmit the video of this conversation, the one with our friends, to Starfleet Command.”
“Understood.” Picard tapped his combadge and then looked at Sean. “We’re heading at Warp nine, now. You can set a reciprocal course—“
Sean stood firm. “I’ve examined the starfleet tactical analysis. Besides two Miranda-class vessels and eight Type-nine shuttles there is nothing near this sector.”
Geordi La Forge smiled. “He’s got you there, Captain.”
“Understood. You can accompany us.” Picard responded.
Riker smiled at Lucy. “Tell me, how come you haven’t updated your uniforms?” Lucy and Sean smiled.
On the bridge of the Hypothetical, Heather Allgood’s reverie was interrupted by her combadge beeping. She calmly tapped it.
“This…is…ugh…Jacob—I’m being beat…ow!…up! Help!”
Heather smiled as well as Meagan. “Let’s take our time.” Heather said.
“I agree.” added Meagan. “Computer, activate Visual Relay 093. That’s where the transmission came from, according to my PADD.”
On the viewscreen, they saw the fight.
“That’s Erica Seymore!” Heather exclaimed.
“I wonder what she has against him.” Meagan stated with a smiled.
Just then, Erica Seymore smashed Jacob in the stomach with a hard fist. Jacob didn’t want to fight back. But, a sharp kick in the back convinced him to attempt otherwise.
They stood and looked at each other for a moment.
Erica glared at Jacob and said, “You have crossed the line!”
“The line of what!?” Jacob pleaded.
“The line of decency.” Erica replied. Suddenly, she saw a phaser beam strike Jacob’s back and then he fell down, unconscious.
Erica then turned to see Liz Larson and Cathy Frederick smiling. Cathy was holding the phaser. “Why did you shoot him?” asked Erica.
“Because he is a senior with a superiority complex.” replied Cathy.
“And, he is stupid!” added Liz.
Just then, John Barnes walked in from one of the crew quarters. “And, how is that different from a freshman with a superiority complex, huh?” John asked.
“Because,” Heather Allgood said, joining the crowd. “He has a right to have one.”
On the Enterprise bridge, Commander Data reported from the OPS console, “The Hypothetical has gone to red alert. The Spock and the Sputnik are four minutes from us. Also, the 47th shuttle wing joined us.”
“Very good, Mr. Data,” Picard said, “Can you identify those ships yet?”
“Negative. Forty-seven seconds until proper sensor resolution.” The android replied.
“What about the data from the oort cloud sensors?” Riker inquired.
“They were destroyed by the attacking craft. One minute until we enter the system.” Data reported.
Kristen Lovejoy walked into the bridge of the Hypothetical to see Tiffany Kynard by the colorful science console. “Anything interesting?”, she asked.
“’Fraid not.” Tiffany replied as Kristen took a seat. “Haven’t seen Sean in a while.”
“But, didn’t you see that fight?”, she asked.
Kristen smiled. “Computer, video log, Visual Relay 72, Startime…1314.” They looked to see the on the viewscreen, Sarah Lowe hitting Justin Griffith. “Another tertiary fight, see.”
That was when the ship was rocked by a phaser blast.
Sean Sporman sat up straight in his chair as the red alert klaxons sounded. “Meagan, tactical analysis?”
“Nine Klingon torpedo ships, all weapons armed.”
“Evasive Pattern Heather-seven.” ordered Heather, “Fire at will!”
In space, the Hypothetical fired three of its phaser banks at once as the Enterprise fired its mighty quantum torpedoes at two other Klingon vessels, which exploded brilliantly. Then, four of the allied Class-nine shuttles flew from behind the Enterprise and over the Hypothetical and fired at two more of the torpedo ships. Finally, the Hypothetical fired a photon torpedo, finishing off yet another enemy vessel.
“Yes!” Jordan exclaimed, as the last Klingon torpedo ship was destroyed by Enterprise phasers. “We didn’t even need the Sarek or the Sputnik!”
“Victory!” Lucy Camden added.
On Deck Six of the USS Hypothetical, Erica Seymore worked on an LCARS console, while Amy Ross was accessing the replicator database.
Erica was using an Anatasic Bimorphic Regulator, which, while in use, produced a high-pitched whine while in use.
As Amy switched to another replicator terminal, she said to Erica, “Could you turn that down please?”
Erica lightly placed down the device and exited the room as Lucy Camden entered.
Amy Ross was not happy. “Intruder after intruder! Come on, I’m trying to find a gift for my boyfriend! I can’t!”
“Well, maybe you should go somewhere else!” replied Lucy.
“Now, see here!” Amy snapped back.
“Inferior!” Lucy yelled.
Amy’s line had been crossed. She ran toward Lucy, fists waving. But, Lucy popped out her phaser and stunned Amy.
Satisfied, she left the room.
Sean Sporman, back onboard the now stationary Enterprise, smiled in one of the turbolifts.
Heather Allgood accompanied him as well as Geordi La Forge.
“So,” The engineer continued, “You activated plan 12-temporal! That’s great!” As the doors of the turbolift opened, Sean audibly gasped. “Welcome to the bridge!” La Forge added.
“Amazing…” Heather said, also in awe.
“Can we…” Sean’s voice trailed off.
“Of course. Take a seat at Science III.” Sean and Heather followed his suggestion and they took a seat.
“Welcome to the bridge.” Commander Data, from the Captain’s chair, greeted the two teenagers from the twentieth century.
Sean smiled in respect. Heather merely let her eyes widen at the sight of an artificial lifeform. “Commander,” Sean began, “The…uh…databanks on the Hypothetical have described you in great detail. From the Trieste to here. I must say, it is an honor to meet you.”
“Thank you.” The android, replied, his emotion chip obviously deactivated.
Then, Heather’s combadge beeped. “Heather here.”
“This is Meagan, 0.7 light years away, we have a situation here.”
“Why are you 0.7 light years away?” Heather inquired.
“0.8 now! They’ve taken control of the helm! Heading for—“ The comm system clipped out.
Heather walked up to Data. “Commander, our ship is malfunctioning. We require the assistance of the Enterprise.”
The android hesitated for a moment. “Operating in command capacity, due to the fact that Captain Picard and Commander Riker are away on a classified shuttle mission, I gladly offer the assistance of the Federation starship Enterprise.” Sean and Heather smiled.
The android looked toward Geordi, at the conn. “Geordi, set an intercept course, Warp nine-point-nine.”
Meagan Hall was in command of the Hypothetical as it shot through the Alpha Quadrant of the Milky Way Galaxy at over five thousand times the speed of light. “Anything?” she asked to Superintendent Andy Blackerby, who volunteered to man the CONN.
“None of these buttons are working.” He replied, “We can only assume they have complete control of propulsion and navigation.”
“Jordan, any luck with the sensor analysis?”
Jordan Reeves was the one that was currently at the science console.
“Just about…now!” Jordan exclaimed jubilantly.
“Computer, analysis of lower decks.” Meagan asked to the Hypothetical’s computer.
“Sensors detect telepathic interference. Source three-point-two light years and closing at medium warp. Source is identified as a Ferengi Marauder.”
“Thought spheres…” Jordan muttered.
“Huh?” Meagan asked.
“In one episode of The Next Generation, the Ferengi used them. They gave Picard a headache and such. And, he almost destroyed the Enterprise with his famous Picard maneuver.”
“I see…how come me and you aren’t affected?”
Andy Blackerby, at CONN, spoke up. “The enhanced shields around the bridge most likely. The other area those shields are at…”
Meagan realized it at the same time. “Engineering!”
“Intercept time to Hypothetical?” Data asked.
“Ten minutes, the Ferengi vessel will reach them in Nine.” Geordi said. “The Sarek and the Sputnik will arrive in twelve.”
Sporman stood up and looked at the tactical analysis on the viewscreen. “We’ll get there…”
As Andy Blackerby materialized into Engineering, he saw Cathy Frederick and Katie Brooks at one of the side consoles and Lucy Camden near another.
“Lucy, what’s up?” Blackerby asked, optimistic as usual.
“As Sean has taught me, I have been trying to regain control of the systems, but we can’t figure out where they are controlling it from.” Lucy replied as she tapped some more buttons on an LCARS console, “Cathy and Katie, however, do have control of the weapons and the sensors.”
Suddenly, they heard a loud tap at the door. “Computer,” Lucy ordered, “Raise a force field and keep the people out of the door!”
The force field went up as the door blew open, bouncing debris against the newly-deployed force field. The people safe on the other side then saw the attackers enter. They were not Ferengi, but people on the staff. Amy Ross and Jacob Allison led the attack group with phaser compression rifles. Behind, Brooke Thompson and Fallon Shipman, also affected by the alien telepathic force carried smaller type one phasers.
The four ran into the force field. But, Amy Ross stepped back and fired her phaser rifle at the force field.
“How long will it hold?” Kay Lindsay, whom emerged from the other side of Engineering asked.
“About seven minutes.” Responded Lucy.
“We have to start beaming to the bridge then.” Andy Blackerby suggested.
“Agreed.” Said Lindsay.
Heather Allgood also watched the Enterprise viewscreen, which still showed the tactical analysis. The Enterprise and the Ferengi Marauder both closed on the Hypothetical. It was all a matter of who got there first.
“We’ve restored communications to the Hypothetical.” Geordi La Forge reported happily from the CONN.
“This is Commander Data aboard Enterprise-E. What is your status?”
It was Lucy Camden who replied over the comm system. “We have regained control of the systems, but have decided to trick the Ferengi and Jacob’s group by slowing down ever so slowly.”
“Jacob’s group?” Sean inquired.
“The Ferengi,” Jordan added over the comm, “Their thought spheres—“
“Of course, by the way, Meagan, how are you doing?”
Sean heard Meagan chuckle. “Just fine, I found that horse simulation for the holodeck you made. Thanks, cutie.” Sean laughed and smiled to himself in triumph. “Hey, Heather, there is a sim for you too!”
Heather also smiled at Sean. “Thanks, Sean.” She said.
“Anything for my girlfriends.” Sean said, as the communiqué ended.
Commander La Forge smiled from the conn. “Girlfriends? This kids better than I gave him credit for!”
With a bright explosion, Jacob Allison and Amy Ross cheered as the force field went down. Then, they began to dematerialize.
When they finally rematerialized they were in the lunchroom surrounded by people, including themselves. Jacob saw Courtney Gage run up to him. “Jacob, honey!” Courtney proclaimed to Jacob as she hugged him.
Jacob smiled. “So,” he said, “What you been up to?”
Meanwhile, Amy Ross smiled as a food fight erupted around her. She reached in her purse and pulled out a bottle of fingernail polish. “Alright, who wants a stain?”
“Meagan to Sporman, the threat of Jacob has neutralized. We have begun modulating the frequencies of the shields to block out the telepathic influence.” Meagan Hall sighed. She didn’t really understand it. Oh, it wasn’t that she was stupid. She made great grades, but she didn’t really understand twenty-fourth century technology yet.
“Great job, Meagan, as usual.” Meagan allowed herself to blush as she closed the channel.
She then looked to the viewscreen, as the Ferengi ship began to become visible. “Red alert.” She ordered.
As the Sarek and the Sputnik rendezvoused with the Enterprise, they were only thirty seconds from the Hypothetical.
“If Meagan has got control, this should be no problem. No T-9 energy converters, derelict starships, heavy crushes, requests for revenge, or certain bartenders involved this time.” Sean said.
Data titled his head toward Sporman. “You know some knowledge that is classified for public access. How is this?”
“I have my ways.” Sean only said.
“The Ferengi vessel is hailing the Hypothetical.” Geordi reported.
Andy Blackerby sat in the center chair, clad in a starfleet uniform. He was to attempt to hold up the ruse that the telepathic influence still worked. The viewscreen suddenly showed an ugly Ferengi, his oversized ears and artificially-sharpened teeth obvious.
Blackerby put on his best devious smile. Behind him, the red alert lights continued to blink. “We are at your disposal, Commander.”
“That’s daimon, you idiotic human! We will board in three minutes. Treebok out!”
From the side, Meagan Hall smiled. “Good job. Lucy?”
“Everything is fine here,” Lucy reported, “The muliton particles have prevented the Ferengi vessel’s sensors from picking up the Enterprise.”
“Data!” Geordi exclaimed, “Another Ferengi vessel is approaching. It’s mass equals us and they are hailing.”
A more benign and polite looking Ferengi appeared on the screen. “Hello! This is Grand Nagus Rom, leader of the Ferengi Alliance.” Sean, Heather and La Forge had to fight back giggles.
“Greetings,” Data replied, “I regret to inform you that a renegade vessel is preparing to attack a malfunctioning Hypothetical-class vessel and they are using thought spheres!”
“Noooooooo! I’ll tell them how bad they are! Rom out!” The bridge began to fill with laughter.
“Acting Captain’s Log, Commander Data reporting. Thanks to the assistance of Grand Nagus Rom of the Ferengi, the Hypothetical is once again under our control once more. However, by order of Starfleet Command, the Hypothetical is to return to the Federation Starfleet. Sean and his friends are being escorted to Earth Spacedock by the 47th shuttle wing to their new starship.”
On the bridge of the Enterprise, Captain Picard smiled. “How were our guests?”
Data, taking the question as literal, replied, “They were functioning normally.” Troi and Riker laughed.
“That Sporman kid had two girlfriends.” Geordi said.
“I heard three.” Troi said.
“Approaching Earth Spacedock once again, Captain.” Riker reported. “Doctor Crusher reports they are on approach.”
Doctor Beverly Crusher piloted the shuttle Huygens that carried four of Sean’s friends and Sean himself.
“I think that with our luck, they’ll give us one from the fleet museum.” Jordan commented.
“Maybe a Miranda-class?” Heather Allgood theorized.
“Nope.” Doctor Crusher commented, “You will really like this one.”
They watched in anticipation as the shuttle flew over a docked Akira-class. Then, they saw their new ship.
It was a Galaxy-class vessel. The hull was marked USS Enterprise, NCC-1701-D.”
“How…” Sean’s voice trailed off.
“After the first NCC-1701-D was destroyed at Veridian III,” Doctor Crusher began, “It was built. But, with the Dominion, Borg and Biki threats, a new design was constructed. To avoid confusion, we renamed it the D.”
“Is it all there?” Heather asked.
“That’s right.” Crusher replied. “Seven holodecks, warp drive, capacity for over five thousand, and all the rest.”
“Take us in.” Sean said.
Everyone smiled again.
Sean Sporman smiled on the bridge of the Enterprise, his Enterprise. In the Captain’s chair, he happily sat.
Besides him, Jordan Reeves sat in the first officer’s chair, still annoyed slightly at Sean, but respectful of his beliefs enough too not say anything.
On his other side, Meagan Hall sat, smiling. She had enjoyed the horse holodeck simulation that Sean had made for her.
At CONN, was where Heather Allgood was. She was also happy and smiling. Her interest in Star Trek continued to grow.
On the other console, closest to the viewscreen, sat Lucy Camden, also happy. This seemed to be a happy crew.
Besides Jessica Ward, who temporarily manned tactical, Kay Lindsay and Andy Blackerby stood on the bridge.
“We’re receiving a transmission from Picard’s Enterprise.” Jessica reported.
“On screen.” Sean ordered. Captain Picard, and the rest of his command crew appeared on the viewscreen.
“I trust that you are fond of your new ship.” Picard stated.
“Very much so.” Sean said, standing up from the command chair.
“We may come and check on your status from time to time. But, to minimize the potential effect of temporal contamination, we will only appear one at a time in a shuttle. Speaking of which, the Hawking is in the main shuttlebay.”
“I look forward to your visits.” Sean said.
“As do I,” Picard replied, “Our shuttle will transmit a specific transponder signal. For example, 1 will be me, 2 will be Commander Riker and so on.”
“Thank you again, Captain.” Sean added, smiling.
“Picard out.” The viewscreen blinked out, to show the Sovereign-class flagship begin to fly away at impulse power.
“Heather, open the temporal anomaly. After some temporal stasis, tomorrow is opening day.”
“Setting course.” Heather said, as the Galaxy-class starship flew forward, Sean sat back and smiled, once more in a daydream…
The Krenim timeship loomed over Earth menacingly as it readied its temporal beam. Suddenly, out of deep space came the Enterprise-D, piloted by none other than Captain Sean Sporman, leader of the Federation Starfleet.
As the Enterprise blasted away with phasers and photon torpedoes, which hit the Krenim ship in multiple places, a beam fired by the Krenim ship struck the starbase, and it exploded violently and then disappeared.
On the bridge of this Enterprise, Sean Sporman sat alone, in awe. “It’s a good thing I sent Heather and the rest back in time to a safe place.” He said to himself, “Computer, continue evasive maneuvers.”
“Warning, temporal anomaly detected. Ship emerging.”
“Identify.”
“USS Relativity.”
Sean stood and smiled. “What!?” On the viewscreen, Sean saw the Relativity fire a mysterious purple beam at the hostile Krenim timeship. It disappeared as well.
“Hailing frequencies open.” The computer said as Captain Braxton appeared on the screen.
“We detected a temporal incursion. Thanks to you, you delayed the timeship long enough to save Earth. We sent it back to its proper quadrant and timeline, Relativity out.”
Then, another voice spoke. “We are back in Earth orbit, twentieth century, just like we left it, except one day later.”
Sean opened his eyes to see the viewscreen show Earth. There were no massive, glistening spacedock, no dry-docks, no orbital offices or even travel pods. Just the third planet in the Terran system. “One day?” Jordan said. “How can we finish the stuff and get some sleep.”
Sean stared at Jordan ludicrously. “How in Spormanworld can you think of sleep when we have our own Enterprise?” Sean calmed down for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. “I see what you mean. The only solution is temporal stasis.”
“Temporal stasis?” Kay Lindsay asked, unknowing.
“Where we sleep and no time passes.” Heather explained simply.
“Boy,” Sean whispered to himself, “First, she knows the weather, and now temporal mechanics. Wow!”
“Do you have one of those Sporman philosophies for this one?” Heather asked.
Unable to resist, Sean said, “Sporman Philosophy Number One, Girls are the most beautiful think on Earth.” Jordan screamed and fell out of his chair. Andy Blackerby and Kay Lindsay began to laugh at Sean, not because they didn’t believe or thought he was crazy, just because it was not exactly the most common thing to say.
“That’s so sweet.” Lucy Camden said, who now stood by Sean.
“There grows his ego again and again.” Jordan said in utter disbelief to himself.
Sean stood up and clapped his hands. “Sporman Philosophy number twenty-three; the more girls as friends the better, especially if they are girlfriends. So, let’s get some sleep, now.” As everyone smiled…
Next Time on Gopher’s Gateway:
The day is finally here…Opening day of the new school…but will all go well? Find out on Part 1 of 2 on a special episode of Gopher’s Gateway!
Episode 12 of Gopher’s Gateway
The starship traveled through space at high impulse speeds through the outskirts of the Terran system. That ship was the USS Enterprise.
“Captain’s Log, Stardate 53473.2, We are returning to sector 001 for repairs and a refit. Personal note: It’s good to be going on archeological missions once more.”
In it’s bridge, the main command center, sat its main command crew, their leader, Captain Jean-Luc Picard sat in the center seat.
“Approaching Spacedock, Captain.” The android, Lieutenant Commander Data replied from his post at the CONN. Now on the viewscreen, the huge, glistening spacedock loomed ahead.
“Number one?” Captain Picard requested.
Commander William Riker smiled. “Open hailing frequencies.”
“Hailing frequencies open.” Replied Doctor Beverly Crusher.
“Spacedock Control, this is Enterprise,” Riker began, “requesting permission to dock.”
“Permission to dock granted. Welcome home, Enterprise.”
The lights on the bridge turned a light blue hue as the spacedock now controlled the Federation flagship. The spacedoors slid open and the ship entered the dock ever so slowly.
Suddenly, the red alert klaxons went off.
“Hail the spacedock!” Picard boomed.
“I’ll be in Sick Bay.” Beverly Crusher said as she entered the turbolift.
After tapping at his armrest console, Riker knew what was going on. “A spatial vortex with a temporal signature is opening nearby. Starfleet fears it is…the Borg.”
Captain Picard suppressed a grimace. He had once been assimilated by the cybernetic monsters. “Mr. Data, take us out. Full impulse power.”
“Understood, sir.” The Sovereign-class starship began to reverse course out of the spacedoors.
“Captain,” Data reported, “Something is emerging.”
“On screen.” Picard ordered over the alert klaxons. A swirling, purple anomaly appeared on the viewscreen as the ship came through. “Analysis?”
“It is the Federation starship Hypothetical.”
“The Hypothetical…” Counselor Deanna Troi said, “Wasn’t that ship lost two months ago?”
“Yes, Counselor.” Data replied. “The skeleton crew managed to evacuate.”
Riker’s eyes widened in shock as he looked at his armrest console once more. “Captain…I’m reading forty-seven human lifesigns over there as well as a holographic signature.”
“Open hailing frequencies.” Picard ordered. On the viewscreen, suddenly appeared a group of teenagers in starfleet uniforms. Also, Picard saw a Mark One Emergency Medical Hologram. Riker smiled at Troi who herself was smiling.
The male teenager in the Hypothetical’s command chair stood up and smiled. “Captain Picard, I’m Sean Sporman in command of the Hypothetical…” Picard sat silent, unsure how to react. He then signaled to mute, so the audio on his ship could not be heard by the other ship.
“Scans, Mr. Data, are they humans?”
Data nodded. “Except for the EMH Mark I one, yes sir. Also, sir, I’ve detected chronotons on their hull. That would indicate they have traveled through time.”
“Yes, the Hypothetical was lost through a spatial vortex. It closed before it could be determined where it was transported to.”
Picard signaled to de-mute. “In five minutes, we want you and two of your friends to beam over as well as the hologram. Picard out.”
“A little direct, Captain?” Riker said through a smile.
“They are teenagers, number one.” Picard replied.
“Of course, Captain.” Riker replied with a secret smile.
On the bridge of the Hypothetical, Sean was smiling.
“But, how can he look like Patrick Stewart?” Jordan asked, continuing his argument with Lucy Camden, who sat by Sean Sporman in the first officer’s chair.
“It means that Star Trek is real!” Lucy replied.
“Who are you going to choose who goes over there?” Andy Blackerby asked to Sean.
“I’ll go, and the EMH and Lucy and you. We’ll need you to explain the truth to them. Remember, Picard doesn’t like children.” Sean replied.
“I can’t go?” Jordan asked.
“No, you expect to go ever there with all boys?” Jordan sighed. “Besides, Heather and Meagan are in the holodeck having a good time and you need to command the ship while we are gone.”
“I’m a doctor, not a diplomat!” The emergency medical hologram exclaimed, interrupting Sean and Jordan’s conversation.
“You won’t need to be a diplomat.” Lucy sighed. “You are just there to give us some credibility, that’s all.”
“Great!” The hologram replied in distress. “I’m not a doctor!” Sean sighed as he walked to the turbolift.
Captain Picard and Commander Data stood in the transporter room and awaited the arrival of the teenage away team.
“I wonder where they came from.” Picard wondered aloud.
Riker smiled. “I think we are just about to find out…” The four forms rematerialized quickly.
“Welcome aboard.” Riker greeted, still a smile on his now clean-shaven face.
“I’m glad to be here.” Sean replied, looking at Picard. “I’m sure you want to know all about why I am here. Tell me, do you still play that flute?”
Riker again smiled at Picard, who shifted uncomfortably.
“Forgive me,” Sean said, “Let me introduce my companions. This is Andy Blackerby, Lucy Camden, and the Hawking’s Emergency Medical Holographic Program.”
“Let us go to the conference room.” Riker said. The six began to walk out of the transporter room and down the corridor.
“It was my understanding that the Hawking was commissioned to Voyager. But, their latest transmission through the MIDAS array has told us that they still have the Type-seven shuttle Hawking.” Picard stated, not covering his curiosity.
Sean Sporman caught on. “It is possible that the shuttle encountered a graviton ellipse or a spatial scission, duplicating it.”
Picard and Riker were again caught off-guard by the way Sean knew all of this. “Indeed. Tell me, where are you from?” Picard asked as they entered the conference room. This was actually not the main conference room, but Conference Room 4. In the room, Chief Engineer Geordi La Forge, Counselor Deanna Troi and Doctor Beverly Crusher sat on one side of the table. The Enterprise’s latest guests sat down on the other side.
Picard introduced the guests to his other staff.
Heather Allgood emerged on the bridge of the Hypothetical with a smile. Alongside, Meagan Hall was also smiling. “That was refreshing.” Heather said.
“Indeed.” Meagan agreed. “What’s that on the viewscreen? Is that where cutie is?”
Heather nodded. “Yup! He beamed over to the Enterprise with Lucy and Mr. Blackerby.” She then sat down in the Captain’s chair. “Brooke, have we begun scans for M-class planets?”
“You mean habitable ones?” Brooke Thompson replied.
“Yes, she means habitable ones.” Brooke Stephens said in annoyance. “Not yet, Heather.”
“Let’s begin. My curiosity is getting the best of me.”
The turbolift doors slid open to reveal Jonathan Reeves and Rachel Waters. “Since when have you been interested in M-class planets?”
Rachel Waters was slightly peeved. “Have you seen Sean’s holographic recordings of the daydreams?”
Heather decided to reply to both questions. “Sean told me to scan for M-class planets. And, yes, I’ve seen his daydreams.”
Rachel calmed down. “They are….”
“Creative.” Meagan, Heather and Rachel said at once.
Jonathan Reeves fell down in distress. Sean had taken over.
“…so,” Doctor Crusher continued. “You have been using the technology from both ships, but only in the school?”
“Yes. And we are following the Prime Directive. We have been using a Romulan Memory Eraser when the technology is exposed to people not in our circle.” Sean replied.
“And may I say he has been doing a good job.” Blackerby threw in.
Picard was pleased, but, of course, did not smile. “A fantastic deed, and since history has already been altered and Guinan has sensed any radical changes, we can only assume you have and will do things right.”
Sean stood up, looking slightly uncomfortable. “Excuse me, I have to go to waste extraction.”
Lucy chuckled as he left the room. Counselor Troi also smiled. “You like him, don’t you?
“How did you know?” Lucy asked.
“I may be an empath, but it is obvious you do.” The half-Betazoid, half-human replied.
Picard heard his combadge beep. “Picard here.”
“Captain, we are receiving a distress call from Lyhot Five. Their Oort cloud sensors have detected hostile ships entering the system.”
“Number one, set a course. And, transmit the video of this conversation, the one with our friends, to Starfleet Command.”
“Understood.” Picard tapped his combadge and then looked at Sean. “We’re heading at Warp nine, now. You can set a reciprocal course—“
Sean stood firm. “I’ve examined the starfleet tactical analysis. Besides two Miranda-class vessels and eight Type-nine shuttles there is nothing near this sector.”
Geordi La Forge smiled. “He’s got you there, Captain.”
“Understood. You can accompany us.” Picard responded.
Riker smiled at Lucy. “Tell me, how come you haven’t updated your uniforms?” Lucy and Sean smiled.
On the bridge of the Hypothetical, Heather Allgood’s reverie was interrupted by her combadge beeping. She calmly tapped it.
“This…is…ugh…Jacob—I’m being beat…ow!…up! Help!”
Heather smiled as well as Meagan. “Let’s take our time.” Heather said.
“I agree.” added Meagan. “Computer, activate Visual Relay 093. That’s where the transmission came from, according to my PADD.”
On the viewscreen, they saw the fight.
“That’s Erica Seymore!” Heather exclaimed.
“I wonder what she has against him.” Meagan stated with a smiled.
Just then, Erica Seymore smashed Jacob in the stomach with a hard fist. Jacob didn’t want to fight back. But, a sharp kick in the back convinced him to attempt otherwise.
They stood and looked at each other for a moment.
Erica glared at Jacob and said, “You have crossed the line!”
“The line of what!?” Jacob pleaded.
“The line of decency.” Erica replied. Suddenly, she saw a phaser beam strike Jacob’s back and then he fell down, unconscious.
Erica then turned to see Liz Larson and Cathy Frederick smiling. Cathy was holding the phaser. “Why did you shoot him?” asked Erica.
“Because he is a senior with a superiority complex.” replied Cathy.
“And, he is stupid!” added Liz.
Just then, John Barnes walked in from one of the crew quarters. “And, how is that different from a freshman with a superiority complex, huh?” John asked.
“Because,” Heather Allgood said, joining the crowd. “He has a right to have one.”
On the Enterprise bridge, Commander Data reported from the OPS console, “The Hypothetical has gone to red alert. The Spock and the Sputnik are four minutes from us. Also, the 47th shuttle wing joined us.”
“Very good, Mr. Data,” Picard said, “Can you identify those ships yet?”
“Negative. Forty-seven seconds until proper sensor resolution.” The android replied.
“What about the data from the oort cloud sensors?” Riker inquired.
“They were destroyed by the attacking craft. One minute until we enter the system.” Data reported.
Kristen Lovejoy walked into the bridge of the Hypothetical to see Tiffany Kynard by the colorful science console. “Anything interesting?”, she asked.
“’Fraid not.” Tiffany replied as Kristen took a seat. “Haven’t seen Sean in a while.”
“But, didn’t you see that fight?”, she asked.
Kristen smiled. “Computer, video log, Visual Relay 72, Startime…1314.” They looked to see the on the viewscreen, Sarah Lowe hitting Justin Griffith. “Another tertiary fight, see.”
That was when the ship was rocked by a phaser blast.
Sean Sporman sat up straight in his chair as the red alert klaxons sounded. “Meagan, tactical analysis?”
“Nine Klingon torpedo ships, all weapons armed.”
“Evasive Pattern Heather-seven.” ordered Heather, “Fire at will!”
In space, the Hypothetical fired three of its phaser banks at once as the Enterprise fired its mighty quantum torpedoes at two other Klingon vessels, which exploded brilliantly. Then, four of the allied Class-nine shuttles flew from behind the Enterprise and over the Hypothetical and fired at two more of the torpedo ships. Finally, the Hypothetical fired a photon torpedo, finishing off yet another enemy vessel.
“Yes!” Jordan exclaimed, as the last Klingon torpedo ship was destroyed by Enterprise phasers. “We didn’t even need the Sarek or the Sputnik!”
“Victory!” Lucy Camden added.
On Deck Six of the USS Hypothetical, Erica Seymore worked on an LCARS console, while Amy Ross was accessing the replicator database.
Erica was using an Anatasic Bimorphic Regulator, which, while in use, produced a high-pitched whine while in use.
As Amy switched to another replicator terminal, she said to Erica, “Could you turn that down please?”
Erica lightly placed down the device and exited the room as Lucy Camden entered.
Amy Ross was not happy. “Intruder after intruder! Come on, I’m trying to find a gift for my boyfriend! I can’t!”
“Well, maybe you should go somewhere else!” replied Lucy.
“Now, see here!” Amy snapped back.
“Inferior!” Lucy yelled.
Amy’s line had been crossed. She ran toward Lucy, fists waving. But, Lucy popped out her phaser and stunned Amy.
Satisfied, she left the room.
Sean Sporman, back onboard the now stationary Enterprise, smiled in one of the turbolifts.
Heather Allgood accompanied him as well as Geordi La Forge.
“So,” The engineer continued, “You activated plan 12-temporal! That’s great!” As the doors of the turbolift opened, Sean audibly gasped. “Welcome to the bridge!” La Forge added.
“Amazing…” Heather said, also in awe.
“Can we…” Sean’s voice trailed off.
“Of course. Take a seat at Science III.” Sean and Heather followed his suggestion and they took a seat.
“Welcome to the bridge.” Commander Data, from the Captain’s chair, greeted the two teenagers from the twentieth century.
Sean smiled in respect. Heather merely let her eyes widen at the sight of an artificial lifeform. “Commander,” Sean began, “The…uh…databanks on the Hypothetical have described you in great detail. From the Trieste to here. I must say, it is an honor to meet you.”
“Thank you.” The android, replied, his emotion chip obviously deactivated.
Then, Heather’s combadge beeped. “Heather here.”
“This is Meagan, 0.7 light years away, we have a situation here.”
“Why are you 0.7 light years away?” Heather inquired.
“0.8 now! They’ve taken control of the helm! Heading for—“ The comm system clipped out.
Heather walked up to Data. “Commander, our ship is malfunctioning. We require the assistance of the Enterprise.”
The android hesitated for a moment. “Operating in command capacity, due to the fact that Captain Picard and Commander Riker are away on a classified shuttle mission, I gladly offer the assistance of the Federation starship Enterprise.” Sean and Heather smiled.
The android looked toward Geordi, at the conn. “Geordi, set an intercept course, Warp nine-point-nine.”
Meagan Hall was in command of the Hypothetical as it shot through the Alpha Quadrant of the Milky Way Galaxy at over five thousand times the speed of light. “Anything?” she asked to Superintendent Andy Blackerby, who volunteered to man the CONN.
“None of these buttons are working.” He replied, “We can only assume they have complete control of propulsion and navigation.”
“Jordan, any luck with the sensor analysis?”
Jordan Reeves was the one that was currently at the science console.
“Just about…now!” Jordan exclaimed jubilantly.
“Computer, analysis of lower decks.” Meagan asked to the Hypothetical’s computer.
“Sensors detect telepathic interference. Source three-point-two light years and closing at medium warp. Source is identified as a Ferengi Marauder.”
“Thought spheres…” Jordan muttered.
“Huh?” Meagan asked.
“In one episode of The Next Generation, the Ferengi used them. They gave Picard a headache and such. And, he almost destroyed the Enterprise with his famous Picard maneuver.”
“I see…how come me and you aren’t affected?”
Andy Blackerby, at CONN, spoke up. “The enhanced shields around the bridge most likely. The other area those shields are at…”
Meagan realized it at the same time. “Engineering!”
“Intercept time to Hypothetical?” Data asked.
“Ten minutes, the Ferengi vessel will reach them in Nine.” Geordi said. “The Sarek and the Sputnik will arrive in twelve.”
Sporman stood up and looked at the tactical analysis on the viewscreen. “We’ll get there…”
As Andy Blackerby materialized into Engineering, he saw Cathy Frederick and Katie Brooks at one of the side consoles and Lucy Camden near another.
“Lucy, what’s up?” Blackerby asked, optimistic as usual.
“As Sean has taught me, I have been trying to regain control of the systems, but we can’t figure out where they are controlling it from.” Lucy replied as she tapped some more buttons on an LCARS console, “Cathy and Katie, however, do have control of the weapons and the sensors.”
Suddenly, they heard a loud tap at the door. “Computer,” Lucy ordered, “Raise a force field and keep the people out of the door!”
The force field went up as the door blew open, bouncing debris against the newly-deployed force field. The people safe on the other side then saw the attackers enter. They were not Ferengi, but people on the staff. Amy Ross and Jacob Allison led the attack group with phaser compression rifles. Behind, Brooke Thompson and Fallon Shipman, also affected by the alien telepathic force carried smaller type one phasers.
The four ran into the force field. But, Amy Ross stepped back and fired her phaser rifle at the force field.
“How long will it hold?” Kay Lindsay, whom emerged from the other side of Engineering asked.
“About seven minutes.” Responded Lucy.
“We have to start beaming to the bridge then.” Andy Blackerby suggested.
“Agreed.” Said Lindsay.
Heather Allgood also watched the Enterprise viewscreen, which still showed the tactical analysis. The Enterprise and the Ferengi Marauder both closed on the Hypothetical. It was all a matter of who got there first.
“We’ve restored communications to the Hypothetical.” Geordi La Forge reported happily from the CONN.
“This is Commander Data aboard Enterprise-E. What is your status?”
It was Lucy Camden who replied over the comm system. “We have regained control of the systems, but have decided to trick the Ferengi and Jacob’s group by slowing down ever so slowly.”
“Jacob’s group?” Sean inquired.
“The Ferengi,” Jordan added over the comm, “Their thought spheres—“
“Of course, by the way, Meagan, how are you doing?”
Sean heard Meagan chuckle. “Just fine, I found that horse simulation for the holodeck you made. Thanks, cutie.” Sean laughed and smiled to himself in triumph. “Hey, Heather, there is a sim for you too!”
Heather also smiled at Sean. “Thanks, Sean.” She said.
“Anything for my girlfriends.” Sean said, as the communiqué ended.
Commander La Forge smiled from the conn. “Girlfriends? This kids better than I gave him credit for!”
With a bright explosion, Jacob Allison and Amy Ross cheered as the force field went down. Then, they began to dematerialize.
When they finally rematerialized they were in the lunchroom surrounded by people, including themselves. Jacob saw Courtney Gage run up to him. “Jacob, honey!” Courtney proclaimed to Jacob as she hugged him.
Jacob smiled. “So,” he said, “What you been up to?”
Meanwhile, Amy Ross smiled as a food fight erupted around her. She reached in her purse and pulled out a bottle of fingernail polish. “Alright, who wants a stain?”
“Meagan to Sporman, the threat of Jacob has neutralized. We have begun modulating the frequencies of the shields to block out the telepathic influence.” Meagan Hall sighed. She didn’t really understand it. Oh, it wasn’t that she was stupid. She made great grades, but she didn’t really understand twenty-fourth century technology yet.
“Great job, Meagan, as usual.” Meagan allowed herself to blush as she closed the channel.
She then looked to the viewscreen, as the Ferengi ship began to become visible. “Red alert.” She ordered.
As the Sarek and the Sputnik rendezvoused with the Enterprise, they were only thirty seconds from the Hypothetical.
“If Meagan has got control, this should be no problem. No T-9 energy converters, derelict starships, heavy crushes, requests for revenge, or certain bartenders involved this time.” Sean said.
Data titled his head toward Sporman. “You know some knowledge that is classified for public access. How is this?”
“I have my ways.” Sean only said.
“The Ferengi vessel is hailing the Hypothetical.” Geordi reported.
Andy Blackerby sat in the center chair, clad in a starfleet uniform. He was to attempt to hold up the ruse that the telepathic influence still worked. The viewscreen suddenly showed an ugly Ferengi, his oversized ears and artificially-sharpened teeth obvious.
Blackerby put on his best devious smile. Behind him, the red alert lights continued to blink. “We are at your disposal, Commander.”
“That’s daimon, you idiotic human! We will board in three minutes. Treebok out!”
From the side, Meagan Hall smiled. “Good job. Lucy?”
“Everything is fine here,” Lucy reported, “The muliton particles have prevented the Ferengi vessel’s sensors from picking up the Enterprise.”
“Data!” Geordi exclaimed, “Another Ferengi vessel is approaching. It’s mass equals us and they are hailing.”
A more benign and polite looking Ferengi appeared on the screen. “Hello! This is Grand Nagus Rom, leader of the Ferengi Alliance.” Sean, Heather and La Forge had to fight back giggles.
“Greetings,” Data replied, “I regret to inform you that a renegade vessel is preparing to attack a malfunctioning Hypothetical-class vessel and they are using thought spheres!”
“Noooooooo! I’ll tell them how bad they are! Rom out!” The bridge began to fill with laughter.
“Acting Captain’s Log, Commander Data reporting. Thanks to the assistance of Grand Nagus Rom of the Ferengi, the Hypothetical is once again under our control once more. However, by order of Starfleet Command, the Hypothetical is to return to the Federation Starfleet. Sean and his friends are being escorted to Earth Spacedock by the 47th shuttle wing to their new starship.”
On the bridge of the Enterprise, Captain Picard smiled. “How were our guests?”
Data, taking the question as literal, replied, “They were functioning normally.” Troi and Riker laughed.
“That Sporman kid had two girlfriends.” Geordi said.
“I heard three.” Troi said.
“Approaching Earth Spacedock once again, Captain.” Riker reported. “Doctor Crusher reports they are on approach.”
Doctor Beverly Crusher piloted the shuttle Huygens that carried four of Sean’s friends and Sean himself.
“I think that with our luck, they’ll give us one from the fleet museum.” Jordan commented.
“Maybe a Miranda-class?” Heather Allgood theorized.
“Nope.” Doctor Crusher commented, “You will really like this one.”
They watched in anticipation as the shuttle flew over a docked Akira-class. Then, they saw their new ship.
It was a Galaxy-class vessel. The hull was marked USS Enterprise, NCC-1701-D.”
“How…” Sean’s voice trailed off.
“After the first NCC-1701-D was destroyed at Veridian III,” Doctor Crusher began, “It was built. But, with the Dominion, Borg and Biki threats, a new design was constructed. To avoid confusion, we renamed it the D.”
“Is it all there?” Heather asked.
“That’s right.” Crusher replied. “Seven holodecks, warp drive, capacity for over five thousand, and all the rest.”
“Take us in.” Sean said.
Everyone smiled again.
Sean Sporman smiled on the bridge of the Enterprise, his Enterprise. In the Captain’s chair, he happily sat.
Besides him, Jordan Reeves sat in the first officer’s chair, still annoyed slightly at Sean, but respectful of his beliefs enough too not say anything.
On his other side, Meagan Hall sat, smiling. She had enjoyed the horse holodeck simulation that Sean had made for her.
At CONN, was where Heather Allgood was. She was also happy and smiling. Her interest in Star Trek continued to grow.
On the other console, closest to the viewscreen, sat Lucy Camden, also happy. This seemed to be a happy crew.
Besides Jessica Ward, who temporarily manned tactical, Kay Lindsay and Andy Blackerby stood on the bridge.
“We’re receiving a transmission from Picard’s Enterprise.” Jessica reported.
“On screen.” Sean ordered. Captain Picard, and the rest of his command crew appeared on the viewscreen.
“I trust that you are fond of your new ship.” Picard stated.
“Very much so.” Sean said, standing up from the command chair.
“We may come and check on your status from time to time. But, to minimize the potential effect of temporal contamination, we will only appear one at a time in a shuttle. Speaking of which, the Hawking is in the main shuttlebay.”
“I look forward to your visits.” Sean said.
“As do I,” Picard replied, “Our shuttle will transmit a specific transponder signal. For example, 1 will be me, 2 will be Commander Riker and so on.”
“Thank you again, Captain.” Sean added, smiling.
“Picard out.” The viewscreen blinked out, to show the Sovereign-class flagship begin to fly away at impulse power.
“Heather, open the temporal anomaly. After some temporal stasis, tomorrow is opening day.”
“Setting course.” Heather said, as the Galaxy-class starship flew forward, Sean sat back and smiled, once more in a daydream…
The Krenim timeship loomed over Earth menacingly as it readied its temporal beam. Suddenly, out of deep space came the Enterprise-D, piloted by none other than Captain Sean Sporman, leader of the Federation Starfleet.
As the Enterprise blasted away with phasers and photon torpedoes, which hit the Krenim ship in multiple places, a beam fired by the Krenim ship struck the starbase, and it exploded violently and then disappeared.
On the bridge of this Enterprise, Sean Sporman sat alone, in awe. “It’s a good thing I sent Heather and the rest back in time to a safe place.” He said to himself, “Computer, continue evasive maneuvers.”
“Warning, temporal anomaly detected. Ship emerging.”
“Identify.”
“USS Relativity.”
Sean stood and smiled. “What!?” On the viewscreen, Sean saw the Relativity fire a mysterious purple beam at the hostile Krenim timeship. It disappeared as well.
“Hailing frequencies open.” The computer said as Captain Braxton appeared on the screen.
“We detected a temporal incursion. Thanks to you, you delayed the timeship long enough to save Earth. We sent it back to its proper quadrant and timeline, Relativity out.”
Then, another voice spoke. “We are back in Earth orbit, twentieth century, just like we left it, except one day later.”
Sean opened his eyes to see the viewscreen show Earth. There were no massive, glistening spacedock, no dry-docks, no orbital offices or even travel pods. Just the third planet in the Terran system. “One day?” Jordan said. “How can we finish the stuff and get some sleep.”
Sean stared at Jordan ludicrously. “How in Spormanworld can you think of sleep when we have our own Enterprise?” Sean calmed down for a moment as he gathered his thoughts. “I see what you mean. The only solution is temporal stasis.”
“Temporal stasis?” Kay Lindsay asked, unknowing.
“Where we sleep and no time passes.” Heather explained simply.
“Boy,” Sean whispered to himself, “First, she knows the weather, and now temporal mechanics. Wow!”
“Do you have one of those Sporman philosophies for this one?” Heather asked.
Unable to resist, Sean said, “Sporman Philosophy Number One, Girls are the most beautiful think on Earth.” Jordan screamed and fell out of his chair. Andy Blackerby and Kay Lindsay began to laugh at Sean, not because they didn’t believe or thought he was crazy, just because it was not exactly the most common thing to say.
“That’s so sweet.” Lucy Camden said, who now stood by Sean.
“There grows his ego again and again.” Jordan said in utter disbelief to himself.
Sean stood up and clapped his hands. “Sporman Philosophy number twenty-three; the more girls as friends the better, especially if they are girlfriends. So, let’s get some sleep, now.” As everyone smiled…
Next Time on Gopher’s Gateway:
The day is finally here…Opening day of the new school…but will all go well? Find out on Part 1 of 2 on a special episode of Gopher’s Gateway!