A Blast To The Past

Posted on Wed Jan 18th, 2023 @ 2:43pm by Lieutenant K’lar & Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe-Wayne
Edited on on Wed Jan 18th, 2023 @ 5:20pm

1,496 words; about a 7 minute read

Mission: Episode 114 - A Time and Place for Everything
Location: Section R2, Level 1640, Bio Lab Ten
Timeline: MD2 - 0845 hours

Treating each temporally displaced person with an anti-chroniton burst turned out to be a time consuming process. A patient is placed in a specifically tailored biofield and treated with pulses of anti-chronitons. The process can take several minutes per individual.

Lt. JG K'lar worked at one treatment station out of many set up across Starbase 400's numerous laboratories. Dozens of patients had been treated every hour here since yesterday evening's trial runs.

Klar was expecting the arrival of Lt. Cmdr. Ariana Monroe. She wanted to observe the treatment process firsthand. The junior officer was not one to refuse, though he did feel quite busy at the moment.

"Refine the biofield to 25 kilodynes of stress", K'lar told an ensign and petty officer hovering next to the closest biobed. There were two other such teams and stations in the large lab.

"Adjusting, sir", said the balding Petty Officer with apathy. "Levels... Met."

"Right", K'lar started "Give me a 5 second pulse... 10 MEBs."

"Aye sir", replied the Bajoran female ensign. After she pressed controls on an attachment hovering above the patient, she said, "Reading a minor shift in.. Lost about ten percent of chronitons by roentgen count."

"Repeat pulse", K'lar said. While walking closer to the left side of the biobed where a viewscreen showcased patient data.

"Down twelve percent by roentgen", said the Ensign. It was then that the doors to the lab flew open. K'lar barely noticed as he was engrossed in his work.

Ariana stepped quietly inside the lab she could see that K’lar was busy with his work, which gave her the chance she wanted to view the process that was taking place. She stood to one side until K’lar was free.

A Vulcan female officer in the uniform of the 2260s lay awake seemingly calm on the table.

“12 burst, give me 20 MEB.” K’lar turned and noticed Lt. Cmdr. Monroe as he looked up. “Oh, good morning commander”, he told her. “Feel free to observe. Treatments like this were used long ago aboard the Starship voyager. Breaking up the chronitons in this way causes a person’s temporal signature to revert to normal.”

“Sounds fascinating” Ariana smiled as she walked over by K’lar but kept a respectful distance so not to be getting in his way.

He turned back to the science team. “Refine the biofield. 35 kilodynes of stress.”

“Chroniton levels down 35 percent. We’re starting to see a cascading pattern”, the attending ensign said.

“A cascading pattern? That means the Chronitons are starting to break up?” Ariana looked at K’lar curiously.

"Indeed. She should phase back shortly", K'lar said. "In the original test case on Voyager, the subject would slip through time with every level shift. Scientists have since learned how to stabilize that effect until neutralization." K'lar's voice was gruff and raspy but his words were still articulate.

"Ensign Irti", K'lar said to the Bajoran assisting him. "Take over here. I'll monitor."

"Aye sir", replied Ensign Irti.

K'lar turned back to Lt. Cmdr. Monroe, sidestepping to also move out of the way of the busy scientists. "I apologize about last night. The laboratories were too busy for a tour."

Ariana dismissed his concerns with a wave. “That’s perfectly fine, it gave me some extra time at home with my family so I had that as a bonus.”

"Would you like to speak with any patients waiting to be treated? I imagine some might appreciate a counselor's guidance." K'lar looked towards a side door which led to a waiting room.

“If I can help people then I will by all means” Ariana nodded. “I’d imagine this is a scary procedure for many of them.”

"This way, ma'am", K'lar said as he led her towards the door. "There is one person who seemed particularly anxious." They made their way through the tight space between the biobed stations. A door scooted open with a whoosh as they approached.

K'lar led the counselor down a narrow hall that opened up into a wider space. Three people sat waiting. A rambunctious looking young Ensign spoke up immediately. "Sir, you didn't have to bring in counselor all on acoount of my behalf", the blond man said in a frustrated tone.

"Ensign", K'lar said to him in an authoritative tone "She is simply visiting. However. Even a warrior must soothe their nerves. Consider this... A simple greeting." K'lar's pointy teeth flashed along with a brief grin.

"Counselor Monroe, meet Ensign Steele. A transplant from the year 2362."

"How are you, ma'am?" Ensign Steele reluctantly stood to greet Ariana. He was clad in a classic black-shouldered, gold-torso'd Operations uniform.

“It’s nice to meet you Ensign”. Ariana smiled warmly. “Don’t worry I’m not here just for you, I’m here to help any who feel the need to talk. Things must be pretty scary right now, with what’s going on.”

"I.. guess so", Steele continued. "I mean, has any of this been tested? How will I know I'll end up in the right time?" He spoke quickly and with tension.

Ariana looked at K’lar then at Steele. “There have been no problems, so far that I’m aware of, amongst those who’ve undergone these treatments. K’lar knows what he’s doing as do the rest of those here. Try not to worry.”

Others in the hall watched quietly. "That's what the Klingon said", Ensign Steele said. "Where I come from, we just got done fighting the Klingons."

K'lar tried to hold back a smile as he looked to Ariana. She seemed to sense the man's true concerns. "Do not worry yourself with diplomacy, Ensign", K'lar told him. "I wear the same uniform as you. Our staff has returned several people to the past."

Steele looked to Ariana for validation. "I guess I'll trust you", he said weakly.

Ariana understood better now, Poor Steele was face to face with someone of the same race he’d just been fighting. “You can trust K’lar, I promise you that. Plus it isn’t just K’lar there are plenty of other Starfleet scientists involved in this too.”

"Now, as then.. We are a team", K'lar added.

"I.. I guess it's just like any other mission, yes?" Steele tried to compose himself as he spoke. "There's always danger associated with work.. Always risk." He seemed more introspective as he found a new perspective.

"Can you tell us some cool thing about the future, ma'am?" A rambunctious looking Lt. JG towards the rear of the waiting room spoke up happily, looking towards Ariana.

Ariana offered a wry smile. “Spoilers Lieutenant, spoilers!” She looked at K’lar. “Unless you can think of anything Lieutenant?”

"No ma'am", K'lar said before narrowing his eyes at the other Lieutenant. "I have informed him that he is not to ask about such information... On numerous occasions."

The Lieutenant chuckled. He enjoyed revving the Klingon up.

K'lar turned to Lt. Cmdr. Monroe and said, "perhaps we should see how the process is going?"

“By all means” Ariana nodded.

"Nice talking to you both", called out Ensign Steele.

K'lar smiled and waved to him before walking with Ariana back down the narrow corridor. Soon they were back in the hectic pace of the lab.

"Repeat pulse", Ensign Irti said.

"Chroniton levels are falling", said the Petty Officer. "Looks like she's going to phase this time."

As K'lar looked around the room, he noticed one of the bio beds was empty. One of the staff stepped out of the door the duo just entered through. He was likely going to bring in Ensign Steele.

K'lar and Ariana watched as the Vulcan officer began to become transparent. As her figure became less and less solid, she raised a hand and formed a V with with the crease between her middle and ring fingers.

"Live long and prosper", she said just as she vanished.

A third crew could be heard shouting adjustments to their own patients treatment. These treatments were happening aboard the various ships and across the numerous levels of Starbase 400's labs.

"Your thoughts, ma'am? Are the Science decks not entertaining?"

Ariana nodded. “They most certainly are! This is a fascinating process to see in action.”

"Feel free to stick around. Speak with the incoming patients if you'd like. Surely things will get busy for me once again. I have appreciated our conversation, ma'am. I hope we will stay in communication."

“Thank you, and so do I K’lar” Ariana smiled warmly. “It’s been very interesting.”

"I am glad." With a smile he added, "I guess its best you come with me to bring in the next patient." Once again, he walked with her out of the lab and into the small corridor. K'lar hoped to one day grow to call Ariana a friend. He needed to know good people in order to make living here enjoyable.

OFF:

Lieutenant Commander Ariana Monroe
Chief Counselor, Starbase 400

Lieutenant (JG) K'Lar
Science Officer, Starbase 400

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