TF01 3,TIME VIRUS - Chapter 1 4,by Mark Slater Hi all This is my first attempt at writing any type of story, so please be gentle. All useful comments/criticisms gratefully received, they can only help my next efforts, Mark --------------------------------------------------------------------- Star Trek: The Next Generation -------------------------------- "Time Virus" -------------- by Mark Slater ---------------- Chapter I ----------- Captain's Log, Stardate 46823.5 "We have just completed the first phase of the test of the new sensor arrays that should help us in our attempts to detect cloaked vessels. The Enterprise has been playing the role of the fox in what has essentially been a game of Fox and Hounds. As such, the Enterprise has been fitted with a cloaking device similar to those used by Romulan ships. All this has been made possible due to the recent defections of several Romulan technicians who have escaped via the route that was forged by our own counsellor, Deanna Troi. However, despite the success of this first phase, the Enterprise has been ordered to return immediately to Starbase 104, effectively suspending the trials indefinitely. This order was received from Admiral Naguru on a priority one communique. The only reason she gave was that it was a matter of the upmost importance affecting the very survival of the Federation. To be frank, I am more than curious, especially as the Admiral is not give to over exaggeration, unlike some I could mention." -+-+- Picard turned off the computer pad on his desk, got up and headed towards the door. Picard emerged onto the Bridge to see Lieutenant Commander Data sat at Ops, Ensign Ro at Navigation, Lieutenant Worf at Tactical and Commander Riker sat in the Centre chair with Counsellor Troi sat on his left. The ship was on Yellow Alert, a precaution Riker had suggested due to the urgency in the Admiral's voice, as a result, all the Enterprise key personnel were on the Her Bridge. The view screen showed the characteristic star pattern of a ship at high warp. As Picard made his way to the Centre seat, Riker rose to make way for his captain. "Status number one" enquired Picard. "The ship is at Yellow Alert, travelling at warp 8, heading for Starbase 104" was Riker's reply. "ETA Mr. Data?" asked Picard, as he settled into his seat. "2 hours and 14 minutes" the android replied, turning to face Picard. "Good" came the response.... Picard emerged onto the Bridge to see Lieutenant Commander Data sat at Ops, Ensign Ro at Navigation, Lieutenant Worf at Tactical and Commander Riker sat in the Centre chair with Counsellor Troi sat on his left. The ship was on Yellow Alert, a precaution Riker had suggested due to the urgency in the Admiral's voice, as a result, all the Enterprise key personnel were on the Her Bridge. The view screen showed the characteristic star pattern of a ship at high warp. As Picard made his way to the Centre seat, Riker rose to make way for his captain. "Status number one" enquired Picard. "The ship is at Yellow Alert, travelling at warp 8, heading for Starbase 104" was Riker's reply. "ETA Mr. Data?" asked Picard, as he settled into his seat. "2 hours and 14 minutes" the android replied, turning to face Picard. "Good" came the response.... As everyone digested what they had just experienced, Picard sat bolt upright in his chair and turned to face Riker, both hands placed on each of the Centre chair's armrest, arms straight, locked at the elbows. Riker turn in his seat to face Picard, "What the HELL??" commented Riker. "If I may" said Data, still facing towards Picard, "I think we have just experience a re-occurrence of the Manheim effect", this referring to the effect where segments of time are repeated as a time distortion wave travels through space, in much the same way as a wave travels the sea. Also, as in the sea, there is generally more than one. These distortions were first experienced as a side effect from the Time/Dimension experiments carried out by Dr. Paul Manheim nearly 5 years ago. These experiments result in the deaths of all the research assistants involved, nearly claimed Manheim's life and threatened the integrity of the Universe. "Are you saying that the inter-dimensional rift has opened up again, or a new one created?" exclaimed Riker, turning to Data. "It is a possibility" responded Data, "I do remember saying that I had only patched the rift, implying a non-permanent state. It could also explain the sudden recall to Starbase 104 and Admiral Naguru's rather intriguing statement about the survival of the Universe." "Uhmm" was Picard's response, relaxing into his chair, adopting a more normal sitting position. "Well we wont know for certain until we get to Starbase 104 and the sooner we get there the better." Then as if looking towards the ceiling of the bridge he call out "Commander LaForge?" "Yes sir" came the dismembered voice of the chief engineer. "Can we maintain a sustained speed of warp 9?" asked Picard. "Without the cloaking device engaged, there should be no problems as long as it's for no longer than 2 hours. We are in need of a service after that last bout of Cat and Mouse" was LaForge's reply. "Thanks Geordi. Maybe you'll have time at Starbase 104" said Picard, 'although I doubt it' he thought. After a moment's thought, Picard ordered, "Mr. Data, increase speed to warp 9, Mr. Worf, find out if anyone else was affected by that time distortion". "Yes sir" both officers answer in unison. With that, Picard rose to his feet and heading towards his Ready Room, "You have the Bridge number one" he called. Riker stood and watch Picard disappear through the door of the Ready Room. When the door had shut, he sat in the Centre chair deep in thought. "Will? You look worried" came Troi's concerned voice. He looked at her and smiled. "Having time repeating itself is disorientating." "Its more than that Will" prodded Troi. Riker's grin got even wider, "I can't keep anything from you can I? Its the Captain. He wasn't too happy at meeting the good Doctor or his wife last time. I'm worried another meeting may not be too good for him." "He'll be all right" reassured Troi, "They managed to settle a few things at their last meeting. Besides, we don't know that the present crisis is caused by the same effect, or even if it is, that they will met each other. So don't worry Will." "Sir!" interrupted Worf from behind, in a slightly confused voice. "Yes Mr. Worf" said Riker, standing to face the Klingon. "No where else seems to have been effected by the time distortion. Also, it seems to have been isolated to the Bridge and a few decks below." "That's odd" responded Riker, "I thought the Manheim effect was a ripple in time that affected everything in its path." -+-+- Sat in his Ready Room, Picard was also thinking of an encounter with Paul Manheim and his wife Jenise. Despite having being able to sort out why Picard had not met Jenise at Cafe des Artistes in Paris at the end of his shore leave, before joining the Stargazer, the thought of meeting her again didn't really appeal. `Damn!' he thought. Rising from his chair, he walked over to the replicator and ordered "Earl Grey tea, hot". Picking up the cup after it had materialized, he took a sip and headed back to his desk. In a vain attempt to distract himself, he tried to complete a report on the trails he had started earlier. There was a bleep in the room and Riker's voice could be heard saying, "We've had a response to our enquiry concerning the time distortion effect." Riker's tone of voice struck home to Picard, and knowing something was up, he said, "And?" Riker voice went on, "Only the Enterprise seems to have been affected, and" Riker paused for a beat, "the effect seems also to have been isolated to the Bridge and two decks below. What is more, the chronometers on all decks are in perfect sync and the computer reports no unusual event ever having happened." "What about Data's internal clock?" asked Picard puzzled. "My clock shows a difference of 0.00012 of a second from that of the ship's computers clock, while my memory says there is a 10 second difference" came Data's voice. "Any immediate explanation Data?" asked Picard. "Not on the cause, only the effect. It would seem that during the effect, time elsewhere on the ship stopped for 0.00012 of a second while we experienced the repeat of 10 seconds of time." explained Data. "I am still working on it". "OK Data" replied Picard, not quite sure if he could understand how 10 seconds could be fitted into 0.00012 of a second. "What is our ETA to Starbase 104" "55 minutes" came Riker's voice. "Very good number one". Picard got up and wandered over to the view port in his Ready Room, cup in hand, all thoughts of Jenise now gone. To be continued......