Gateway- Part 3

Gateway

By Quills

Contact:the_quill_pen@yahoo.com
Rating: PG-13, angst, drama, romance, humor, action/adventure
Disclaimer in Part One

PART THREE (Chapters 7-9)

Summary: Captain Archer is relieved of command for a secret mission into the 24th Century . To find and stop the Suliban renegade, Silik. While he is gone, a Vulcan Starfleet Captain from the future is given temporary command of the Enterprise NX-01 with his own orders to investigate the 'Temporal Cold War'.

Chapter 7

******************

Captain Soma and Travis Mayweather were standing on the bridge of the Enterprise C. Mayweather had informed his crew that he would be leaving with the Enterprise and that they were to see to the ship's repairs while he was gone. His daughter Rory gave him a lot of flack, but she knew it wouldn't dissuade him so she did the only thing she could...wished him luck and told him she would never speak to him again if he didn't come back! The Enterprise had been traveling at high warp for the past 17 hours and was do to reach their still undisclosed location.

"Captain, we're approaching the coordinates." reported the helmsman.

Soma sat down in the command chair. "Slow to impulse Mr. DeCarlo."

"So, are you gonna tell me what's at the coordinates we're approaching?" asked Travis.

"Have you heard of the planet codenamed: Gateway?" asked Soma.

"Yes, I've heard rumors for years," said Travis, "but nothing concrete and no clear ideas what it is."

"Gateway is the 'home' to the semi sentient obelisk calling itself "The Guardian of Forever." said Soma. "It's a time portal, one that can allow a person to not only view anything anywhere and any when...but allow them to travel there."

Travis looked at Captain Soma with complete surprise. He had heard stories about the Guardian. Most space faring races had. Only treasure hunters and conspiracy types gave the stories and real attention. He'd have to remember that the next time he heard a tall tale.

"The planet was discovered 53 years ago by the Starship Enterprise NCC-1701 under the command of Captain James T. Kirk." explained Soma. "He and his crew discovered the "Guardian" among archeological ruins and used it to travel into the past when the ship's Chief Medical officer, Leonard McCoy, while under an accidental overdose of medication used the 'Guardian' to travel into a time period in the past which, according to Captain Kirk, caused history to change and the Federation to never have existed. It was only through the intervention of him and his first officer that the time line was repaired and the Federation was restored. Gateway has since been classified and limited to the study of selected Federation scientists."

"I'll bet." said Travis. "If enemies of the Federation knew about this 'Guardian' they
could use it to obliterate the Federation from history."

"Exactly." agreed Soma.

The planet codenamed Gateway was now on the main view screen. As the Enterprise made her approach Captain Soma turned towards the navigator.

"Mr. DeCArlo, full stop." ordered the Captain.

"Aye sir." replied the helmsman.

"No other starship's in orbit?" said Travis. "I would think Starfleet would have half the fleet stationed here."

"The best way to hide something is to keep it in plain site." said Soma. " The Klingons Romulans and general population of both the Federation and Starfleet personnel believe this to be just another of the many as yet nexplored planets that have merely had a cursory cataloguing. However, Starfleet HAS placed a security measure to watch over the planet."

"Where?" asked Travis.

Soma turned to the comm station. "Rachel, send the signal."

"Aye sir." replied the First Officer.

A few moments later the screen shimmered and an image began to take shape.It was a ship…roughly twice the size of the mammoth Ambassador Class starship Enterprise. From it's design, it was clearly a Starfleet vessel. However, it had just done something no Starfleet vessel was supposed to do...come out of cloak.

"My god!" said Travis "That's a Starfleet vessel and she was cloaked!"

"Travis allow me to present to you the Federation Starship USS James T. Kirk," said Soma. "Okuda Class Dreadnought, 30 multiple independent 360 degree mega phaser turrets, 6 photon torpedo tubes, a multi-spatial shield configuration and three trans-warp drive nacelles enabling the 'Kirk' to reach warp 9.6. She's the only one of her kind and is so secret she doesn't even have a Starfleet registry. She can't even be tracked by other Starfleet vessels because she doesn't have a transponder."

"And a cloaking device."added Travis.

"Yes, the Treaty of Algeron stipulates that the Federation would not develop it's own cloaking technology." said Soma. "However, it says nothing about buying a cloaking device on the open market, which is exactly what Starfleet did. Under the direction of the Federation Council, Starfleet acquired a cloaking device through a Ferengi arms dealer. Starfleet's corps of Engineers outfitted the unit to the Kirk's systems and created the only Starfleet vessel that has a working cloaking device."

Travis stood dumbfounded. He would never have suspected, but then that was the idea.

"There is a degree of irony to the name given this particular ship." noted Soma. "Captain Kirk was not only the commanding officer of the starship that discovered Gateway, he was also instrumental in stealing a Romulan cloaking device to give Starfleet a working model to study and counteract. Not to mention, Captain Kirk was well known for testing the boundaries of Starfleet rules and regulations."

"Captain, we're receiving a message from the Kirk." said Rachel Garrett.

"On screen Commander. " said Soma.

The screen flashed and the image of the Kirk was replaced by a short balding heavyset man with a round bearded face. He greeted Soma with a smile. "Kirk to Enterprise."

Captain Soma arched his brow and several bridge crew either rolled their eyes or stifled a laugh. "Captain Piper, you must have been waiting years to say that."

Captain Piper beamed a smile. "You have no idea Captain Soma."

"Indeed" replied Soma "You have recieved our clearence to proceed to Gateway?"

"I've received Starfleet's coded orders that you are to beam down to Gateway and retrieve your 'cargo'." said Piper "You’re cleared to assume standard orbit."

"Thank you Captain Piper." replied Soma

Piper nodded. "Good luck Captain Soma, Piper out."

The image flashed back to the 'Kirk' which began to shimmer again disappearing back into cloak.

"Mr. DeCarlo, take us into standard orbit." ordered Captain Soma. "Travis, Mr. Vendi, you’re with me. Rachel, you have the bridge. Have a security team meet us in transporter room one."

"Aye Captain." replied the first officer as she took her seat in the command chair.

The Captain headed for the turbolift with Travis and Mr. Vendi in tow.

"Jonathan," called out the first officer.

Soma stopped and turned back.

"Good luck." said Rachel Garrett.

Soma smiled back and nodded. Then the three men stepped into the turbo lift.

**************

Chapter 8

The planet's surface was dry and practically barren, with the exception of the few remnants of what was evidently the artificial constructions from a long dead civilization. Nothing else rose from the now silent world...nothing save a lone monument to a technology far in advance of anything the Federation could conceive of. They had studied it; asked it questions and came away with more questions than answers. One thing was certain though...'The Guardian of Forever' could be perverted into the most formidable weapon the Federation might ever face.

A low hum began to emanate some twenty meters from the towering obelisk. The hum grew louder and was accompanied by five clusters of sparkling light that appeared from thin air. When the light shafts faded, five Starfleet officers stood before the 'Guardian'.

"There it is." said Soma pointing to the lone monument.

"It…It looks so plain." said Travis, not seeing how this 'stone' looking archway could send people through time.

"Indeed it does." came a voice from the other side of the archway.

Travis jerked his head back in the direction of the archway and saw a short middle aged man in a tan jumpsuit. The man walked through the archway towards the away team. For a moment, Travis wondered if this man was from some long forgotten past and had traveled through the 'Guardian'. But then he remembered what Captain Soma had told him on their way to the transporter room. Gateway had a permanent scientific team stationed on it to study the Guardian. They maintained contact with The Kirk in orbit. The head of the project was Dr. Pietr Morovitch, a brilliant if somewhat eccentric specialist in temporal mechanics.

"The Guardian appears to be nothing more than an archway until it is addressed with a question." explained the man. "Then the archway becomes a conduit of swirling fog in which visual images move rapidly by."

Clearly, the thing wasn't 'active' so this was not a man from another place and time...but who was he?

"Dr. Morovitch?" Captain Soma called out

"Quite right." the man answered extending a hand to the Captain. "You must be Captain Soma.
A very great pleasure sir."

Soma shook the Doctor's hand "Likewise Doctor." replied the Captain. "My officers, Lieutentant Vendi, Ensigns Rodriguez and Washington,...and this is Captain Travis Mayweather, a former Starfleet officer and a good friend of mine."

"A pleasure." said the Doctor beaming a great smile. "Now come this way. I know you’re in a bit of a hurry, so I'll just give you fifty cent tour before you 'step through the looking glass'."

Travis looked at Captain Soma and gave him a smile. The away team followed the enthusiastic Doctor to the 'Guardian'. As they approached they could see a small semi-permanent encampment set just off to the side of the 'Guardian'. Several men and woman dressed in similar garb to Doctor Morovitch were busy calibrating equipment and running tests. Several of the 'GPS' (Guardian Project Survey) personnel nodded and smiled to the away team as they approached.

"Well, here it is gentlemen and lady." said Morovitch deferring to the female security guard Ensign Washington.

"Remarkable" said Soma. "After over fifty years we still know almost nothing about it."

"Quite true Captain." agreed the Doctor "We still know very little about the civilization which created the Guardian. Some theorize that is might have been a portal used by the Preservers. That ancient race that may very well have seeded the planets of our Galaxy. While others believe it may be a conduit for traveling to not only other time periods, but other dimensions."

"Great, now we have to worry about extra dimensional threats." said Vendi.

Soma and Travis looked at one another and smiled. The Lieutenant reminded them both of a mutual acquaintance. Another Starfleet security officer with a propensity for seeing the worst case scenario in things.

"Well Doctor, I think it would be a good idea if you 'woke the sleeping dragon'. " said Soma.

"Oh, I say, that is very good." said Morovitch with a chuckle.

Vendi smiled at his Captain as he shook his head.

"Guardian?" called the Doctor "Guardian, we seek answers."

After a long pause a booming voice answered, "I am the keeper of what was. Through me many worlds may be seen."

"These people have come a long way to travel to the past." said Morovitch.

"All may be seen through me." the obelisk said as its voice reverberated
off the crumbling artifacts that surrounded it..

The Doctor nodded to Soma "Tell him the date and place."

Soma stepped closer to the 'Guardian' "We wish to see…old Earth Calendar...November 7, 2151...this planet." said Soma.

An ethereal vibration seemed to emanate from the Guardian as its archway seemed to come alive with a glowing mist. Images began to form within the arch. Most were unrecognizable to the away team while others were more familiar. They saw images of Earth...Vulcan...Andor...and many other worlds of the Federation flit by like whispers. Images of people...places...events…

"It's incredible." said Travis. "Look! Did you see that? It was the Enterprise NX-01. I wonder when that was."

"Who knows." said Morovitch. "The Guardian shows many images from many places at once. We have seen life forms that the Federation has not even encountered yet. I remember seeing images of creatures that are living planets and on another occasion we viewed images of an as yet unnamed species of technologically advanced cybernetic life forms which travel in cubed space vessels. What we could learn from meeting that species!"

"Captain" interrupted Lieutenant. Vendi. "My tricorder shows the time line is coalescing. It's approaching the moment you need."

"How long?" asked Soma

"Sixty seconds...mark." replied the Security officer.

"When it's down to 20 seconds let me know." said Soma "Then give me a 10 second count down."

"Understood, sir." replied Vendi

"All right Travis." said Soma turning to his friend "It's time for me to step through. I'm counting on you to help Captain Archer. He's our best hope of stopping Silik."

"Don't worry Jonathan." said Travis reassuringly. "I owe him. He made me the Starfleet officer I was. It'll be good to see him again. I...I didn't get a chance to say goodbye...before the accident."

Soma smiled at his friend and clapped him on the shoulder.

"Good luck Jonathan." said Travis

"Captain..." interrupted Vendi again "Twenty seconds."

Captain Soma readied himself in front of the archway. Time moved past his eyes in the mercurial fog that emanated from the Guardian.

"Ten seconds Captain..." said Verd counting downi "9...8...7...6...5 seconds...4...3...2...1!"

The Captain jumped into the aperture and into time where everything and nothing met. His 'quantum leap' would take him to the past...where hopefully... he could help to save the future.

***************

Chapter 9

The shuttle pod sped across the open expanse of the barren desert world. The planet looked as if
it had not seen a living soul tread on it's undisturbed sands for eons. As the shuttle pod
began it's descent the occupants looking out the view ports.

"Not very hospitable." said Lt. Reed

"I don't think you'll find anyone here to complain Malcolm." said the Captain with a smile

"No sir." replied the Armory officer sheepishly

"Travis, how far to the coordinates?" asked Archer as he sat down next to the Ensign.

"We should be coming up on them any second, sir." replied the helmsman "What exactly
am I looking for, Captain?"

"You'll know it when you see it." Archer answered

Lt. Reed moved to the back of the shuttle where the two security officers he had assigned to the mission were checking their phase pistols. Ensign Sato was sitting across from them nervously thumbing her data PADD. Reed took a seat next to Sato and addressed his security officers.

"I want you both alert." Reed whispered, "The Captain will be meeting his replacement but I want you both to stand ready in case it's a trap."

Both officers acknowledged with a nod.

"Malcolm!" Hoshi said in a loud whisper "Starfleet sent the Captain's replacement. Why are you worried it might be a trap?"

"Hoshi, we don't know anything about this...Captain Soma from the...." Reed paused looking at the two security officers "…Starfleet's special operative program." Reed had to catch himself. The true account of where Captain Soma was from was for the senior staff only.

"Are you saying you don't trust Starfleet?" said Hoshi

"Let's just say that until Captain Archer is safely back aboard Enterprise I'm going to keep a close watch over our new 'Captain'." answered Reed

Hoshi looked at the Armory officer "Your a very suspicious man Malcolm."

"Look at it this way." he said "The life I save might be my own."

Hoshi nodded. She couldn't argue with that.

Travis Mayweather scanned the horizon as the shuttle pod spend across the expanse. He was looking for something…anything out of the ordinary. It wouldn't take much he thought...not with a barren featureless desert world like this. Then he saw it. Ten degrees to port was a cluster of objects sticking out of the desert sand. That had to be it.

"Captain" he said pointing to port

"Adjust your course." instructed Archer "Do a fly over and then set her down 30 meters beyond the site."

"Aye sir." replied Mayweather

The shuttle pod adjusted it's course and made an approach run on what was clearly a cluster of large stones in the desert sand. As the shuttle passed over, it was evident that one stone was more prominent than the rest. Archer nodded to himself as he made a mental note. Ensign Mayweather began the shuttles descent, bringing the pod to a stop nearly thirty meters from the 'henge' as the Captain had instructed.

"Shuttle pod secure sir." said Mayweather

"Open the hatchway." said Archer

The shuttle pod's rear hatchway opened to the desert landscape and six Enterprise personnel exited the pod. From where they stood they could see the large boulders, but the central stone monolith was obscured.

"Mr. Reed" Archer said "You, Travis, Hoshi and I will proceed on ahead. Have the Security team remain with the shuttle on standby alert."

"Sir?" said Reed not trying to hide his disagreement with the Captain's orders.

"You heard me Mr. Reed." said Archer a bit more forcefully.

"Aye, sir" replied the Armory officer

"Wilson, Jakale...remain with the shuttle." instructed Reed "Keep your communicators open. If we run into trouble I want you to respond on the double...understood?"

Both officers acknowledged and took up their places next to the shuttle pod. The four Enterprise bridge officers made their way towards the henge. As they approached an opening they could see a large stone structure taking up the center. It was the same as the image Captain Archer had shown the senior staff at the briefing. A large monolithic stone like structure with an archway in the middle. The four officers approached the silent stone giant.

"Doesn't look like much." said Travis

"Sort of late 20th century abstract art if you ask me." said Reed with a grin

"Thank you for the art critique Mr. Reed." said the Captain smiling back

"Anytime sir." replied the Armory officer

"It gives me the creeps." said Hoshi

"Situation normal." said Reed

"Just what is that supposed to mean?" said Sato clearly annoyed

"Alright, that's enough." interrupted Archer stopping the argument before it went anywhere "Let's just get on with this."

"Hoshi, run a scan on the object." instructed Archer

The Ensign pulled out her scanning device and passed it over the monolith. "I'm not getting anything sir."

"Force field of some kind?" asked archer

"I don't think so sir." said Sato as she adjusted her scanner "I'm just not getting any readings."

"So what do we do now, sir" asked Travis

"We wait." replied Archer

Lt. Reed walked up to the archway of the monument for a closer inspection.

"Careful Malcolm" said the Captain "We don't know anything about that...thing."

Reed walked around the perimeter of the monolith stopping after completing a full circle.
Travis was right, it didn't seem very impressive...until it came to life!
Reed jumped back several feet and drew his phase pistol as the 'Guardian'
began to glow. He slowly backed up to where the other landing party members
stood.

"Didn't scare you did it Malcolm." chided Hoshi

Reed just flashed her a glaring look.

"Sir, look!" said Travis as he pointed to the center of the archway. "Some kind of clouds are forming in the archway."

"It's starting." said Archer "He'll be coming through. Start scanning the apature Hoshi. You should be able to get a reading."

Hoshi began scanning again "Yes sir, I'm getting a reading now."

"Good, isolate the exact point the Captain exits the archway." instructed Archer "You'll need to track it's cycle so I can pass through when that point in time comes back up."

"Understood sir." replied the Ensign

"Captain" said Reed "Someone's coming through."

A shadow seemed to hover in the center of the swirling mass of vaporous fog that filled the archway. For several moments the landing party watched as the shadow took the shape of a humanoid. Then suddenly a man came leaping out of the archway landing several feet away from the landing party. They stared at him for a long moment. He was a tall stocky Vulcan male in a 21st century era Starfleet uniform with Captain's insignia. They immediately recognized him from the briefing picture. He seemed to look around as if disoriented, but then straightened himself and trained his gaze on the four Starfleet officers standing before him.

"Captain Archer" the man said as he walked slowly towards them with his hand held out "Captain Soma...Starship Enterprise."

Archer walked forward and took the man's hand. The two men looked each other in the eye for a brief moment. Each trying to gauge the other.

Soma broke the silence once again "It's a real honor sir."

Archer couldn't help smiling. This had to be the first time a Vulcan had ever said it was an 'honor' to have anything to do with a human.

"Like wise." said Archer "From what I've read you're quite the Starship Captain in your era."

"Beats a desk job, sir." smiled Soma

Archer laughed. He liked this Captain Soma already. It was to bad they had to cut this first meeting short. Archer turned to his officers "I'm sure you've already familiarized yourself with my senior staff, but let me introduce you. This is my Armory officer, Lt. Malcolm Reed."

Reed looked at Soma who extended his hand. Reed hesitated as he stared as Soma. After a moment he took the Captain's hand "Sir." he said.

"Mr. Reed" replied Soma as he felt the icy stare the Armory officer gave him.

"Ensign Hoshi Sato, my communications officer." said Archer

Soma smiled at her as he tilted his head and nodded.

Hoshi smiled back at the tall and imposing Vulcan Captain.

"And finally, Ensign Travis Mayweather, ship's helmsman." said Archer as he introduced the young Ensign.

Soma looked at Mayweather for a moment. He was overwhelmed by that sense of deja vu that one has when one does something or meets someone they have before. In this particular case, Captain Soma had just said goodbye to his long time friend Travis Mayweather only to be introduced to his younger self. It was a bit unnerving even for a Starship Captain of Soma's experience.

Soma extended his hand "A pleasure to make your acquaintance Ensign."

Soma looked back to Archer "I hate to cut this short sir, but we need to get under way."

"Of course." said Archer "Hoshi, have you isolated the cycle yet?"

"Yes sir, the next instance Captain Soma's time period is due to appear is in two minutes and seventeen seconds."

"Good." said Archer "Captain, I'd like a word with you."

The two Captains walked over to the archway where they could speak in private.

"We don't have much time Captain." said Archer "So I'll make it short. Take care of my crew and my ship. I know Starfleet wouldn't send someone they didn't have confidence in. I'm putting my trust in you."

"Likewise Captain." said Soma "Let's both bring our crews home."

Archer smiled at the Soma and the two Captains shook hands once more.

Just then Archer's communicator chirped. He pulled the device and flipped the
antenna grid open. "Archer"

It was T'Pol "Captain, we have detected an unidentified craft just entering orbit. It appears to have been cloaked."

Before Archer could respond he heard a large explosion come from the other end of the transmission. "T'pol!?" he shouted "Enterprise come in!"

"Captain, we are under attack" reported T'Pol.

"Take evasive action." said Archer

"Understood Captain." replied T'Pol "Sir...the enemy ship has launched three smaller ships. We are unable to stop them. They are headed for the planet's surface."

"Acknowledged" said Archer "We'll take cover. Protect Enterprise. Archer out."

Lt. Reed opened his communicator "Security team, power up the shuttle pod and take off, enemy ships are closing in on our position."

"Aye sir!" came a response from Reed's communicator.

"Ensign, what's the timeframe on the next jump period?" asked Soma as he looked at Hoshi.

"Thirty seconds...mark, sir." she replied

"I can't leave with Enterprise under attack." protested Archer

The Vulcan grabbed him by the arm "You have to Captain. We can't jeopardize the mission."

Archer looked at Soma.

"Trust me John." said the Vulcan

Archer stared for a moment and nodded.

"Ten seconds sir." said Hoshi

"Captains, three ships are closing in on our position." shouted Reed as he looked at his scanner

Archer stood in front of the Archway and tensed for several moments waiting for the signal.

Ensign Sato stared at her scanner waiting to give her Captain the signal. "NOW Captain!" shouted Hoshi.

Archer leapt into the arch as the last thing he heard was laser blasts striking the ground and shouts coming from the landing party.

**************

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