ENTERPRISE finds StarTrek by MARKETA J.A.J.M.ZVELEBIL (Copyright M.J.A.J.M. Zvelebil) 1.Contact Established. Sheltering snugly among the overgrown rocks, I listened to the wind blowing through the Garrigue bushes - playing a symphony of its own, unaware of what was going on. I forced myself to abandon the luxury of listening to the calming effect of the wind and instead to listen for sounds of danger. "Keep guard" I commanded myself - at least till David gets here. But my mind wandered off again. What had the world come to and in such a short time? For a while all seemed to be going in the right direction of mutual co- operation, at least between some European nations - a creation of an European federation. My dream of extending this to a world federation then to interplanetary travel and travelling to stars. Oh how foolish could I have been to think that humans could co-operate, could put aside petty intolerances of each other to achieve greater goals. It all started with such a small thing - a disagreement between the fishing men of Spain and France which led to outright war between the two countries within the European federation. That broke down the federation - allowing dictators to raise their ugly heads again and causing war and the world to fall into disarray. Causing persecutions, murder, torture and so on. Everything was considered suspicious and to be eliminated. A couple of my friends and I fell into this category many times over. The one overwhelming reason for our persecution by the authorities in power was the belief that we had managed to contact alien life from a different planet or solar system or someone capable of space flight. One night in my lab we were fooling around on the computer - seeking solace in a world of make-believe - when the computer blinked and a message appeared, in English, asking us what was going on on Earth? That the situation demanded change as Earth's history was not going according to its past. That was all, but repeated day after day. In our confusion and unaware of the extent of the corruption in our own government - that of England - we approached a member of the so called parliament with the messages, fearing at worst that we would be disbelieved, laughed at. But instead we were interrogated and tortured for days on end then thrown in jail. Due to a friend we managed to escape prison and run away from England to France to the south, to the mountains. And here we were - moving from one hiding place to another, watching as our world destroyed itself and, if the alien message was true, the future as well. Helpless to act. Or was there something we could do? Recently, I discovered that falling asleep - if I concentrated hard enough - I seemed to be in near communication contact with that 'alien' presence - except that it seemed like I was talking to someone familiar. What was going on? Sudden footsteps brought me back from my musings - I crouched, prepared to kill if necessary. But it was only David returning from trying to find some food. He looked ill. His wounds from the torture were infected and refusing to heal. I knew that he was in a lot of pain, but he denied it each time I asked - then what could I do anyway, we had no medicines, no bandages, nothing. I myself was only semi- mobile with a broken leg, crudely held together by two wooden splints. Without a word David gave me some bread and held out a half-full bottle of wine. We ate the bread and drank the wine in silence, occasionally glancing at each other not knowing what to say. I haven't told David about my semi- conscious 'communications' with the 'alien' presence. I didn't dare - he did not want to talk about anything that had to do with our predicament. "You go to sleep first" he said "I'll take the first watch." I nodded, impatient to try and make contact again with the alien mind. I tried to concentrate, first emptying my mind of all other thoughts, then trying to call to that other consciousness. However, I felt my self drifting off to deeper sleep. Trying unsuccessfully to fight it, I succumbed to the much needed relaxing sleep and dreams. I dreamt of Captain Kirk, Commander Spock, Dr. McCoy and the Starship Enterprise. It was like I was there, trying to ask them for help and advice. The dream was so real when suddenly I woke up with a start. It was dark and cold. The wind had increased in force, playing a crescendo to its symphony. I shook myself fully awake, reprimanding myself for having such silly dreams, about StarTrek of all things! I needed to get into contact with the real 'alien' life - if it existed at all, and not dream about some old fashioned t.v. series created by a long dead earth-man. I looked around, worried by the lack of any sound from David. In the dimness of the half-hidden moon I saw his body, lying a couple of meters away from me. Abruptly, an unexplainable fear gripped me, its tentacles penetrating every nerve, muscle and cell of my body. I moved slowly over to David, dragging my broken leg painfully behind me. "David?" I whispered urgently. There was no response. I searched for the pulse on his neck - his body felt cold and clamy to my touch. To my utter horror I could find no pulse at all. I tried to find a pulse over and over again - I shook him, yelled at him. Yet, all the time knowing that he was dead. At last, exhausted and in desperation, I closed my eyes, and softly said the Kadish prayer for my friend. Tears threatened to flow down my face, when I heard a strange whining noise. My eyes flew open to see four glittering forms materialising in our hide-out. "Oh my God!" I thought "I have gone mad, at last!" as the forms solidified into, at least, three recognisable figures. A captain Kirk, although thinner, and with a more chiselled face than that one portrayed by the actor William Shatner. Spock (if these were really their names) who looked remarkably like the being from the series, although somewhat greener, and Dr. McCoy, an exact replica of his StarTrek counterpart. The fourth member I didn't recognise, (but he wore a red shirt!). "Dr. Aviva Avichaim?" asked the man in the golden shirt. I managed to nod. "I am captain -" he continued when I butted in with "Kirk!". He looked somewhat surprised. "Yes, how did you know?" "Well how do you know who I am?" I counteracted. A smile played on his lips. "That's a fair question, but then you have been trying to communicate with us, in a sort of telepathic way, since we send the message to your primitive electronic system." "You!" I managed, confused. "But you don't exist!" I stammered. "Since we are here and you are talking to us, logically, we must exist." a new calm and quiet voice said. I turned towards the voice, "Commander Spock I presume." He inclined his head in acknowledgement. "In that case: Live long and prosper", I added. One eyebrow shot up while he responded, "Long life and prosperity to you, but neither will be possible if we do not discover what has happened to Earth's evolution." "Jim - " a man who I presumed was Dr. McCoy said. "This is all very intriguing, her knowledge of us and so on, but she is wounded, in need of warmth and medical attention, without which she will not survive to tell us anything! I would advise we get back and you allow me to put her back together again, before we continue." "What about the young man?" asked Kirk. "He is dead, Jim." said McCoy flatly. "Very well." Captain Kirk looked at me and continued; "You seem to know who we are, yet are reluctant to accept our existence - it is all very intriguing, but the good doctor is right. You need medical help, will you trust us for now and come with us?" I shrugged my shoulders and answered; "If you are who you appear to be, however unbelievable it is, then I trust you implicitly. In any event, I seem to have little choice in the matter." "Correct", said Spock as he made his way towards me along with McCoy. "Can you stand with support?" he asked. I nodded. Both helped me up and standing on one leg, looking for the last time, at the face of my beloved friend and husband, David, I heard the words that I have so often wished for but never thought to hear; "Mr. Scott, five to beam up, please." 2 The Enterprise. The transporting, thankfully, took only a short time, but in that time, I felt disorientated, dizzy and sick all at once. The bright light of the 'transporter' room hit me. The walls were white, with panels of flashing lights and screens all around a central computer module, behind which stood a man I vaguely recognised as Mr. Scott. He looked quite different from the Scotty of StarTrek series, although still recognisable. Two other crew members were present, dressed in blue and holding what looked like a medical trolley without wheels. I noticed, that indeed the uniform-colouring was as portrayed in the old StarTrek, but with some major differences. The trousers were full length, and the woman, who was one of the two crew members wore trousers as well. The tops were close fitting and longer, fastened by a black elasticised belt. I was helped towards the trolley, which was lowered, to enable me to get on it with minimal discomfort. "Sickbay", ordered McCoy and I felt myself floating through the air out of the door and through the corridors, all apple-white, shimmering with a strange glow. The doctor accompanied me at one side, while I noticed that both Kirk and Spock had gone the other way. "Doctor?" I asked. "Yes?" he said, smiling at me, "what can I do for you?" "Is this ship, sorry, Starship called the Enterprise?" He looked with some wonder at me and nodded. "And you are doctor Leonard McCoy, alias 'Bones'?" I continued. "Yes - but how do you know all this?" he asked. "I must be dreaming!" I answered. "I assure you, you are not. We have noticed distortions in our own time-frame and have subsequently found out that these fluctuations are caused by the disruption of Earth history, as it should have gone, so we came back in time to investigate." he tryed to explain. " But, Spock can tell you more." We had arrived to Sickbay. It was a technological dream world. I was transferred onto what I assumed was a diagnostic/treatment table, by the two crew people. "Now don't worry, medicine has advanced a lot since your century, most of what I do you won't feel at all" McCoy said, with his hand on my shoulder. "Fine." was my answer trying to cope with all the emotions of wonderment and disbelief. Doctor McCoy worked fast. I felt the pain in my leg being replaced by slight itching and relaxing of the surrounding muscles. Working silently the doctor then had me stripped of my dirty and torn clothing. "Oh my god!" he exclaimed softly as he looked at and analysed the wounds caused by the torture. "How did that happen?" he asked grimly. "It's a long story." I said tiredly, "Basically I, David and others were tortured because we told our so called government about those messages you sent." McCoy muttered something under his breath as I felt a cool liquid entering my upper-arm. "What's that ..?" I managed before I felt my eyes close and soft unconsciousness envelop me. "She is coming to." Slowly I opened my eyes - afraid that I would wake up anywhere but on the Enterprise. I needn't have worried. I was lying on a very comfortable bed, covered by a single sheet made of a material that I did not recognise. Captain Kirk, Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy were standing near the foot of the bed. Kirk smiled at me when he noticed that I was awake. "Feel up to chatting?" he asked. "Yes" I whispered through a parched throat and tried to sit up. "Calmly does it!" McCoy ordered as he helped me to sit supported by pillows and gave me a glass of greenish liquid. When I just held the glass and stared at the contents he pushed my hand gently towards my mouth and said "Drink, it may look vile, but it is good for you, and it doesn't taste too bad, considering it's Vulcan in origin." Had he but known that at the magic word 'Vulcan' I would nearly have done anything, being always an admirer of the 'Vulcan way', I drank. The liquid soothed my throat and tasted bitter-sweet quenching my thirst and hunger at the same time. "I think I am quite up to talking now." I said. "Good" said Kirk as he pulled up a seat next to my bed, and sat down. Looking at me he continued, "There are many things that we want to ask you, and it's difficult to know where to begin." He paused, glanced towards Spock, and went on. "I suppose, the most important question is, how did this madness that seems to have gripped Earth started? Can you answer that?" I grinned mentally, at the thought of the reaction my answer would bring but nevertheless said; "Tuna." "Pardon?" Kirk asked astounded. "Tuna, as in fish." I elaborated. "Dr. Avichaim, this is a very serious matter - if Earth continues as it is it will destroy The Future." he said sternly. "Captain Kirk, I am aware of that, although I fail to see why you think I should care that the Future should be changed." When, at that, he started to say something I held up my hand and continued, " I do care, and I am not being funny. The war that is tearing apart whatever civilisation we had was started, in effect, by a disagreement between French and Spanish fishermen, which led to a full scale war between France and Spain. This in turn lead to all the other petty economic differences escalating to war and total disruption." "Now I have seen it all!" muttered McCoy. "And that's it?" asked Kirk in amazement. "Captain, it does correspond to further research that I have carried out since we met Dr. Avichaim." Spock said. "And do you also know how we can reverse it?" asked Kirk somewhat hopefully. "Negative. It cannot be reversed, but to any one particular Future, there is more than one path. We must make certain that from this time onwards, Earth follows a path, that although different from previous history will lead to the same end-result that we know." Spock stated calmly. "But ", McCoy demanded, "if that path is not the same, will all beings be unaffected, or will some cease to exist, and some not have ever existed before?" Spock considered this for a moment before replying. "If we manage to find the path that will also lead to the exact Future/Present that we have now, then all that exists now will exist. The important events, like the creation of the warp drive, will have happened. However, small individual changes in our past will also be possible, although the further we go from Dr. Avichaim's Present and nearer to our Present, the changes will level out and become insignificant." Spock paused and continued "Time has a way of dealing with the fluctuations in the temporal continuum. Since we do exist, even though the Past, as we knew or know it, is changing, the effects are levelling out." "Does all that mean that we can just leave things as they are?" Kirk asked. "No, Captain, unfortunately it does not. We have to make sure that the history will follow a definite way, a way that will not change our Future, that it has not done so yet, is promising." he stated. "So how do we do that?" asked McCoy. "I am at present running simulations through the computer, that will determine the most possible way history/future can evolve from the present occurrence. There are approximately 145*1069 major possibilities. Hopefully one of these will lead to our exact or near exact present." Spock finished. "Hopefully?" Kirk queried and looked at Spock. "Affirmative, Captain." Spock replied calmly. Then looking at Kirk with some amusement in his eyes quoted quietly; "If it be now,'tis not to come/if it be not to come, it will be now/if it be not now, yet it will come/." "Hamlet?" Guessed Kirk "Your favourite." "Favourite? Captain." said Spock dead-pan, eyebrow elevated. After listening to this exchange, I gathered my nerve and asked; "If you can travel in time, that is back in time, why can't you go back to before the madness started and stop the war somehow and put history to what is was supposed to be?", thinking then that David would still be alive. Spock regarded me for a while and then said; "It is not as simple as that. The whole question of disrupting the past is very sensitive. As this, call it Second Past, has already happened but has not obliterated the future, it is safer to go along with it and guide it rather than change it. If we went back, and assuming that all this 'madness' is truly due to the disagreement between fishermen, we might not be able to change the past at exactly the moment it changed to what you know as the Present. We may do more damage than has already been done." He stopped, raised an eyebrow and with a hardly perceptible sigh continued; "However, we still may be forced to attempt that solution." Somewhat confused about the whole concept of relativity of time, I sank back into the soft pillows, feeling suddenly very tired. "Are you okay?" asked Captain Kirk, looking at me and motioning to Dr. McCoy. "Just confused." I said, McCoy chuckled and came towards me with what I recognised as a hypodermic device. I quickly added "I don't want any sedative or anything, thankyou!" "What you want or don't want, is not at the moment, up to you, but up to me as your doctor." he said gruffly, but desisted from injecting me. I turned to Kirk and asked a question that was now uppermost in my mind; "What will you do with me, if you manage to set history on the correct path?" There was, what seemed to me an uncomfortable silence for a while, then Kirk spoke. "That depends. Before I answer you, I want to know how you knew who we were, and how you seem to accept our technology without much difficulty. Technology that should be so utterly foreign to you." "Well...first of all, I am having some difficulties accepting, not your technology, but rather the existence of your selves." I said and stopped wondering how to continue. "How is it that you know about Vulcan" Spock asked at last. "Ah, Vulcan," I said and closed my eyes, "Tell me " I continued "Is it really a very hot planet with higher gravity and lower air-oxygen content. Does the Vulcan mind meld really exist, are there..." My questions would have kept rolling out at warpspeed in my desperation for real knowledge about that planet, if Kirk had not interrupted me. "Please Dr. Avichaim, one of us has to have answers first! I will allow Spock to answer those questions, later, if you tell us how you seem to know about our existence." he compromised, when he saw my face fall. "Very well, " I sighed (after all he was the Captain!) " But first I have to know, for that may explain all, if you know someone by the name of Gene Roddenberry?" "I can't recall anyone by that name...wait a minute" Kirk mused. "Captain, if I may" Spock asked and continued when Kirk inclined his head, "There was an ensign by that name serving on the Enterprise, when we were first accidentally thrown back in time. If you remember, Captain, he beamed himself down to Earth, soon after we managed to beam back Captain Christopher. We could not abort our sling-shot effect to retrieve him." "Yes, now I remember. How does he fit in?" asked a grimmer Kirk. "He created a popular television series called StarTrek. It is,in effect, all about you." I grinned "Maybe now you can understand how difficult it was/is for me to believe in your existence. It is like your favourite book-characters suddenly coming alive." "A what series?!?" McCoy asked incredulously "Television....you know.....moving pictures....popular programmes...once a week sort of thing." I tried to explain. "Popular fictional characters, well I never.."Kirk added "Someone actually portrayed us?" McCoy asked "Yes, and incredibly well, actually" I said enjoying their amazement, and noticing with satisfaction that, as in the series, Spock only had one eyebrow raised . "Fascinating." he murmured to himself. "And it was popular?" Kirk asked "Very, and still is. There is a new generation StarTrek now, with a Captain Picard commanding the Enterprise. Many books have been written too, and that brings me to a interesting question. How come you do not have any of those books on archive?" "Indeed, Captain, this change of history may have been put into action by ensign Roddenberry. I must go and check our Present book archive." Spock said thoughtfully and started to leave, when he turned round and added; "Captain, I also think that Dr. Avichaim, would make a valuable addition." and with that somewhat cryptic pronouncement he left. I turned to Captain Kirk for some clarification and found that he was regarding me thoughtfully. Suddenly I felt totally drained. I didn't really want to know what would happen to me yet. I need not have worried for it seemed that the answer to that question was not forthcoming anyway, as Kirk glanced at McCoy communicating something to him. I followed Kirk's look and saw that again McCoy had the hypo out and a determined glint in his eye. I knew then that no amount of protest would keep me from my fate, and anyhow I was very tired. The hypo hissed. As I tried to look accusingly at Dr. McCoy, my eyes started to feel heavy and a sense of well being enveloped me. Sleep beckoned invitingly and I let myself fall unresistingly in to its arms. 3 Time on our hands. After a long and informative chat with Mr. Spock, I got a personal tour of much of the ship from Captain Kirk. It was with great curiosity that I started the tour in the science labs, to the bridge, to the dining halls, recreation decks, botany decks and finally ended with awe in the observation hall. Here, in a dimly lit space with comfortable chairs set out one had an amazing view of Earth, the moon and the stars. I felt tears sting my eyes at such beauty, and wanted to reach out into the coldness of space, to be one with it. Some of that feeling must have conveyed itself to the Captain for, as he leaned next to me to look out over the carpet of stars, he asked; "Would you want to stay and travel in space?" I caught my breath - not daring to hope and at the same time fearing that my ultimate dream would come true and I would have to leave all that I knew behind. "Yes." I finally managed to whisper. Kirk just nodded and we continued to admire the view for some time in silence. I would have loved to stay in that room forever, but finally he touched me lightly on the shoulder and said that it was time to go for the earlier arranged meeting where the present situation would be discussed. My hopes that I would be allowed to stay aboard the Starship diminished, I nodded and followed the Captain to the briefing room. The briefing room was much bigger and more comfortable than portrayed by the series. Actually the whole ship was more like that of the New Generation StarTrek than the original one. Dr. McCoy, and Mr. Spock were already there when we entered. However, other people soon arrived. I recognised Mr. Scott and Mr. Sulu. Three others were introduced to me as Mr. Boyd (female) head of security, Mr. Lance an historian specialising in the 20th century and Dr. Krijger a political-economist. I wondered at the fact that apart from Mr. Spock, all were (or at least seemed to be) Earth- type humans. Captain Kirk started the meeting by inviting me to tell my story again and in more detail - including how I knew about the existence of the Enterprise. Spock then took over; "First of all" he began " we do indeed now have archives of popular 20th century literature dealing with the Enterprise and her " Spock paused as if searching for the right words " crew. Some of it is quite interesting." "Does it actually mention and describe us?" asked McCoy including with his hand those seated around the table. "You will have ample opportunity to read them, Doctor. They do indeed deal mainly with your good self, Captain Kirk and myself. Some of the characters seem to be fictitious, and all the stories are of course fictitious." "Gentlemen, although I too would like nothing more than to get to know our fictitious alter-egos better, I think we have to get back to the more pressing problem of the Present state of Earth." Kirk remonstrated gently. "Captain, we are not deviating too much from the problem. In actual fact, the problem started with ensign Roddenberry and his creation of this so called Science Fiction." There were a few surprised gasps but Spock continued calmly. "Unwittingly, he has, by increasing interest in space helped the space program of NASA. Helped it to reach a peak of popular support earlier than it would have done had he not created StarTrek. This small change of timeframe has lead to the flourish of Space research, which then diminished apparently due to reasons of economy, but primaraly, because it was too early. Therefore, no interplanetary knowledge and subsequent contacts were forthcoming." Spock paused and looked around the table. When no questions were asked, Kirk indicated that he should continue. " The most prominent change that was brought about, is the non-occurrence of the so called 'Eugenics-wars'. " Again I registered surprise in those sitting around me. I remembered that in one of the original episodes it was stated that these wars were supposed to have started in 1992 and now it was 1994 and until the 'Tuna-war' we had been living in relative peace. "But it seems, that history demanded a War and therefore earth finds itself now in war- like disarray." Spock finished. "And how about your simulations Mr. Spock? Have they come up with an answer to our problem?" asked Captain Kirk, when no one else spoke up. "Indeed captain, quite simple really." Spock said as he steepled his fingers in front of his chin. "Well....?" demanded McCoy when Spock did not clarify. Spock, raised and eyebrow, then to my astonishment addressed me; "I am sorry Aviva, " he said. I was startled, firstly that he had honoured me by calling me by one name only, as is custom on Vulcan, and that he was apologising. For what? I looked questioningly at him while he continued. " Sorry, that the current war-like state of your Earth must be left to continue for another 1.34 years. Many people will die, that should have also died in the Eugenics wars." "So do we just leave the situation as it is? But what about the changes and disruptions we have experienced?" asked Kirk. "I stated previously that the solution was quite simple, and it is, Captain. We do have some acts to perform to ensure that this war only lasts another 1.34 years and that the people who will take over then, will bring Earth to its original state as we know it." Spock said. "Didn't the Eugenics wars go on for much longer than to 1995?" Mr. Lance pointed out. "Correct." Spock nodded and continued "This history is a much better way. It is indeed a less violent way than what we thought had happened." "But people still die."McCoy stated glumly. "So....what do we have to do Spock?" asked Kirk "We have to ensure that certain individuals" and Spock tapped the screen in front of him " are, as you humans would say; 'in the right place at the right time', including this person - " and Spock pointed to one of the names in front of us. I recognised that name from StarTrek; Khan Noonien.Singh, and couldn't help myself and started to ask ,"Did Mr. Spo..." and stopped embarrassed nearly having asked whether Spock died in the last encounter with Singh, but then realised that Roddenberry must have written that long after he left the Enterprise. "What?" asked Captain Kirk. "Nothing." I said and shook my head, glancing up I saw Spock regarding me with interest. "I suppose you have it all worked out how we are going to accomplish this?" asked Kirk of Spock. "Nearly, captain, but I would like to go over the details with you before announcing it publicly. "Very well. All dismissed" Kirk said and stood up then looked at me and ordered me to accompany Dr. McCoy. To McCoy he said; "If she is released from Sickbay, take her to the visitors cabin, and show her how to access our library computer. It may answer some of the questions that we do not seem to have the time to answer just yet." Then he left with Spock. I looked at McCoy. "I still want to keep you down in sickbay. You have lost a lot of blood and fluid, and Jim has ordered me to also give you a complete physical." "Yes, doctor" I said glumly, fearing this so often mentioned 'complete physical'! "It's really not that bad. There are library terminals in Sickbay, and you can also tell me more about 'us' in the fictional series." he said smiling then continued " May I call you Aviva? You can call me Leonard, Len or Bones if you wish." "You can call me Avi, as my friends do. If you don't mind I like Bones best." We arrived to the wonderful lift system of the Enterprise. It really was computerised; when McCoy said "Sickbay", it flew down from deck 1 to deck 5, then sideways to deposit us opposite the main entrance to Sickbay. The door opened and closed quietly after us as we entered Sickbay. Everything ran smoothly and quietly on this ship. While McCoy was making sure that his earlier ministrations were having the desired results we continued to chat. "Have you got many friends and family back on Earth waiting for you?" he asked suddenly and I felt it was a question he was told to ask. "No." I answered shortly. "No one?" "My family were killed because they were of the wrong religion and ethnicity in the wrong country. Most of my friends either abandoned us, when we became politically undesirable, or were killed. David and I were the last." Suddenly I couldn't continue. I felt my throat constrict, and tears threatening to come when I realised that David was truly gone. As if sensing it McCoy continued "And this David, who is he?" "Was" I said, then anger took over "Bones, I don't want to talk about it!" I exclaimed. "Avi" he said gently but firmly "I must know." "David, was the man you pronounced dead, so casually. He was my husband." I blurted out. "I am sorry. Avi, I don't pronounce anyone dead casually." " I know Bones, but..." "It's okay. Have a rest now, some food for the body and the mind and then we'll continue with the physical" he said helping me down from the examination table, and leading me to a desk with a comfortable chair and a computer screen. "Here" he said " I'll show you how to play with this. Satisfy your curiosity while I go and get you some food." After a while I was left alone, with what seemed to me a means to answer most of my questions. It was dead easy to use, the computer, as most of the time all queries could be performed by simply asking a question. The information would appear on the touch-sensitive screen. By further touching or asking one could get more information including detailed diagrams and interactive holograms of subjects ranging from foods to planets and their weird (to me) and wonderful inhabitants. Technical details of the Enterprise, and its non-classified explorations. I lost myself in this sea of incredible information. 4 Solutions. I stayed in Sickbay for the next two days, most of that time glued to the computer terminal, situated on as I learned later, McCoy's desk. Dr. McCoy gave me my full physical. Although of long duration, it was relatively easy and painless, apart from the taking of blood and bone marrow samples that he insisted on obtaining. To my relief the good doctor pronounced me healthy and sound of mind, although still suffering after effects of recent occurrences. >From Dr. McCoy I also learned what was happening; Captain Kirk had beamed down to earth with a specially equipped landing party to try and ensure the smooth running of future history, leaving Mr. Spock behind in control of the ship. McCoy told me that Spock was not very happy to stay behind, but that Kirk explained the 'logic' of the situation to him. Spock had to stay and supply more information as and when it was needed, and if anything happened to Kirk, he would be the most likely one to succeed the second time. I saw Mr. Spock only once, when he came down to enquire of McCoy about my health, and stayed (for exactly 34.44 minutes) questioning me about all kinds of unrelated subjects. When I asked why all the answer I got was; "It is necessary." On the third day McCoy said he had enough of me using his computer terminal and that he was throwing me out of Sickbay. He showed me to a cabin on deck 5, the same deck as Sickbay and the senior officers' cabins, including the captains and Spock's. After saying that he expected to see me in the main dining room at 19.00 earth-time for dinner he left me to explore my new living quarters. It was not a very large space, but still divided onto a sleeping room and a work-living room. It had a bathroom with a fully automatic shower, sink and toilet. There were many great technological amenities, like a drinks dispenser (hot and cold, but no alcohol!), clothes cleaning-drying and reprocessing facilities (useful, as I didn't have that much), temperature and lighting controls, softness of bed control and most of all a computer terminal like the one in Sickbay. After programming an Earl Gray tea for myself I again set down to learn as much as I could. At 19.10 a chime from the terminal made me jump up in surprise, suddenly the screen changed from charts explaining some biochemical information to the displeased face of Dr. McCoy. "I leave you one day on your own and you don't eat and forget to keep you appointments" He growled at me and before I could come up with suitable excuses he continued "That way I'll have to keep you in Sickbay for ever!" "I am on my way - " I said starting to rise. "Better hurry" McCoy said "Jim and Spock are here as well and want to speak to you over dinner." The screen went blank, and returned to my biochemical charts. I hurried to the dining room, wondering fearfully what the Captain and Spock wanted to talk to me about. Had everything gone according to plan, has something unforeseen happened, would I be sent back to Earth now? All these questions kept me occupied as I made my way (once having to ask for directions). The dining area was quite busy and for the first time I saw a number of other species, which made me stop and stare until I felt a hand under my elbow guiding me to a table at which were seated Mr. Spock and Dr. McCoy. The doctor was debating energetically and gesticulating at a stack of printouts lying in front of them. I turned round and saw that it was Captain Kirk guiding me towards them, an amused expression on his face. He looked at me and winked while putting a finger to his lips indicating I was to remain silent. When we approached the table I realised that they were talking about some of the StarTrek fiction. "I think, that this description of me is totally exaggerated!" exclaimed McCoy "I don't argue all the time." Spock raised an eyebrow and sighed "Indeed doctor." Then when McCoy was about to say something more he continued. "Although, I must agree with you, some descriptions are inaccurate, I never would show blatant emotions like those described in this story." "Oh you wouldn't would you..." McCoy began when I heard Kirk cut in with; "Gentlemen, it is only fiction after all, and we have other things to discuss with Aviva." They both looked up as we sat down. "What will you eat?" asked McCoy "Salad and trout, please" "Don't you ever eat meat?" asked McCoy as he got up to get my order. I didn't answer. "Well, Aviva." Kirk said looking at me, while I noted his use of my first name again, "As far as we can say we have succeeded with keeping the future or our-present as it is and letting this history take it place." "99.8794% probability of success" Spock stated calmly. I just nodded and looked down at the plate in front of me, not feeling very hungry, dreading what was to come. The Enterprise would now return to its present and I would have to go back to a warring world. One thing I knew for sure, I would rather die then allow anyone to erase, if they could, all the information and memories of my stay on the Enterprise. "So " Kirk continued "What shall we do with you?" he asked. Somewhat theoretically, it seemed to me. The butterflies in my stomach increased and I stopped my pretence of eating anything. I looked at the three officers regarding me. "You are spoiling her appetite, Jim." McCoy said accusingly. "Doctor, we only have approximately 43.6 minutes left, before we must start our return journey. Therefore, we must discuss with Aviva her own future now." stated Spock admonishingly. "Spock, Bones" warned Kirk, then looked back at me and squared his shoulders for the unpleasant news he had to deliver; "I am sorry Aviva, but in reality you have no choice." He put his hand on my shoulder (to comfort or restrain me I wondered) and continued "We cannot let you go back to Earth in this Present, not with your accumulated knowledge of the future. On top of that, when Mr. Spock was running his simulations through the computer, he found out that you have ceased to exist in your present, but, "he quickly continued as the colour drained from my face when I thought I faced my imminent demise "somewhat surprisingly, and I do not know exactly in what context yet, you appear as Lieutenant Aviva Avichaim on the Enterprise with some essential input later on." Kirk stopped and regarded me with a worried look. I could not believe my ears and faced the captain with open amazement. "I am to stay, here, on the Enterprise?" I managed to gasp out. "Yes. Definitely. As long as I am the Captain, anyway." Kirk answered, seemingly less worried. I wanted to shout with happines. In the last few days I realised that I really wanted to stay, that I had nothing to go back to. "I am most happy." I managed at last, in my best Vulcan imitation. "Well that is great! I told you she would like to stay, Jim." said McCoy with a triumphant grin. "Yes, you did, Bones." conceded Kirk "but I couldn't be sure, even after Spock had questioned her." "So that's what all those questions were all about." I thought, slightly indignant "and the physical I bet". "Welcome, officially, aboard the Enterprise, Aviva." Kirk said to me with a smile taking his hand off my shoulder, and offering it to me, then continuing "We shall inform Star Fleet of our new crew member when we get back to our own time." Although the smile faded it remained in his eyes as he became all Captain again. "You will have to pass some exams before officially becoming a lieutenant. Until then you have an honorary rank. Spock and his staff will teach you all you will need to know. You will be assigned to the Science section due to your own speciality. You will ultimately work with Mr. Spock. Mr Scott will explain more of the Enterprise technology to you, and you will learn basic communications from Lieutenant Uhura, some navigation and helm control from Mr. Sulu." Kirk ticked the fields off on his fingers. I felt happier and happier by the moment. "Is that all Spock?" he finished by asking. "To begin with, Captain." Spock answered "In that case, I will leave you and McCoy to finish your dinner, while Spock and I return to the bridge." Both Kirk and Spock got up. "I expect you to report to my quarters for your first lessons at .88 ships time, Aviva." Spock said. "Yes, Mr. Spock" I answered. I knew my first lesson would be to find out what does .88 ships time mean. Thank God for computers! As they were leaving I heard Kirk say; " You know, Spock, in that book 'Killing Time', where I am an ensign and you the captain... do you think I would really be such a undisciplined ensign?" I just managed to hear Spock's answer "Captain, you are made to lead, not to be led. However, the book is most inaccurate in proposing that I would ...with the Romulan Praetor...that would -" The door cut off the rest of his reply. I become aware of the sounds around me. Many conversations were to do with the recent discovery that the Enterprise and its Captain, Spock, McCoy, Uhura, Sulu and others had been made into popular fictional characters. I looked slowly around the hall, from one life form to another, back to McCoy, realizing that this indeed was my new home, a new life. McCoy was smiling at me and I smiled back. He then got up, abandoning our now cold dinner, and led me back to my cabin. Silently he pointed to my cabin door. 'L198/45 Lieutenant Aviva Avichaim' I read. " I had that put on, while we were eating. I thought you might like it." he drawled then continued "Yes, these are really your quarters. Tomorrow uniforms, ID and all the rest will be arranged for you. Right now, and before see Spock, later this evening..." he entered a code key and the door opened. McCoy pulled me through to my cabin (while I was frantically trying to work out how much time I had left before 0.88 struck) where I saw a bottle of champagne (Don Perignon, of course) and two glasses. On cue the cork popped with a comforting familiar "Bang!" He poured the champagne out, offered me a glass, and raised his own with a smile "Welcome aboard Avi."