Kevcabana moved into the command chair. “Hail the Starchase.” Captain Jenkins appeared on the screen. “What has happened?” “They have taken Chance,” he answered. Anger radiated from her. “How could you be so stupid as to let them get a hold on Modaine! Do you realize what this means? Where is Admiral Seccour?” she demanded. “He has been injured, and was beamed to sickbay.” Another large blast rocked the Starchase’s bridge. An officer called out to her. “Sir, the Darkarians have stopped their attack. They have plotted a course to the rift, Captain.” Kev looked to the officer who had taken Lt. Tray’s place, Lt. Vakkir. “Confirmed, Sir. Their course takes them directly into the rift.” “They’re going to go back in time,” Kev murmured. “Here’s where it begins, Commander,” Captain Jenkins spoke up. “Are you prepared for your future?” she asked him coldly. “Your history is going to be rewritten, Captain,” Kev answered. “Hexan out. Pursue those ships,” he ordered. “Yes, Sir,” Vakkir responded. “The Starchase is also in pursuit.” “How long until they reach the rift?” “18 minutes.”

In sickbay, Omniflux worked over Seccour, repairing two cracked ribs. “I never thought I would be fixing you up again,” he commented. “Though, actually, it doesn’t surprise me.” “Enough,” Seccour said roughly. “I need to leave.” “Leave?” Omniflux gave the equivalent of a laugh for his species. “You have 2nd degree plasma burns over your chest and arms. I would recommend three days in the cellular regenerator.” “There’s no time for that,” he answered, sitting up. Just then the doors to sickbay opened, and Aurora walked in. She stopped short when she saw Kerok. “Manaka…” she whispered. Seccour almost didn’t recognize her. It had been so long since he had seen her at such a young age. She moved forward to embrace him, but stopped when she saw his condition. “You are injured,” she said. She looked up into his eyes, mesmerized. She had missed her father so much; she didn’t think she would see him ever again. The emotions inside made her want to cry. “Little One,” he said, looking into his young daughter’s face. She was so innocent. She had her future ahead of her still. His face darkened when he thought of what her future would be. A nightmare when the reign of Sklavus would come. “No,” he whispered. “I won’t let it happen.” He stood up. “I have to get Chance back before they turn him into Sklavus for good.” Aurora stood her tallest. “I will help you, Father,” she said. He looked down at her. “No, Aurora, this is something that can’t help with. You are still too unexperienced.” She retaliated. “I am not, I have trained so much since you were…killed…” “You are still too young, my ‘Ora.” The doors to sickbay opened, and the older version of Aurora walked in. “But I’m not. I’m coming with you, Father.” “Aurora…” “No argument. Time is running short, we have to go.” Kerok sighed, then leaned down and kissed the younger Aurora on the forehead. “I will be with you again soon, my little one,” he said. As he and Aurora turned to walk out of sickbay, Aurora wondered exactly what he meant.

Takhisis plugged herself into the main control conduit on the Darkarian ship. She closed her eyes and began giving commands to power up the shields, arm the drones, and prepare for a heavy assault from the Starchase and Hexan. "The Hexan is powering up engines and on an intercept course," reported a drone. “ survivors to the infirmary. I want them prepped for assimilation." "N-no.." Vok tried to say. Takhisis leaned lower to hear Vok. "What was that?" she asked. "As the Borg used to say.. resistance.. is futile." She then looked back to her drones. "I want them enlightened as soon as their wounds are mended."

On the Hexan: "Admiral.. I have detected our away team.." reported Kev. Chance turned and faced him, arms crossed and looking worried. "As far as I can tell, there were twelve in the away team.. I am only detecting four alive... wait.. I have lost all signs." "Kev, hail that Darkarian vessel." ordered Chance. "Channel open, sir." "Takhisis, this is Modaine... let them go." "" responded Takhisis. "Takhisis, I am warning you.." "" "Kev, cut it off." ordered Chance. "Mr. Ashe, position us between Takhisis and the rift." "" "Modaine here." "" "Kev, estimated time until the Darkies enter the rift?" asked Chance. "Seven minutes at their current speed." answered Kev. "Starchase, I am prepared to board that ship again and retrieve my crew back. I ask that you prepare to rescue my crew here on the Hexan and somehow return them to their time." said Chance. "" Chance then turned to his first officer. "Kev, in case this does not work, get everyone else home." "There is no arguing this decision, is there?" asked Kev. Chance shook his head no. "Good luck, Chance." "Modaine to Solran." "" "Prepare to be beamed aboard the Darkarian vessel. I need you to dismantle that ship for good." commanded Chance. With that, he turned to Aurora who stood behind him. He opened his arms and hugged Aurora tightly. "Wish me luck." Aurora looked up into Chance's eyes and tried to smile. "I.. I mean, the other me is there. With me there, victory is surely ours.." Chance hugged her again and kissed her forehead. "Take this." Aurora handed him her kryss. He looked down at the weapon and then into her eyes. "You will need it." Chance then turned to leave. "Chance?" He turned around. "Tell my father that I love him." "I will." Chance said and then noticed Kevcabana and the others standing, all facing him. "ATTENTION ON DECK!" ordered Kev, saluting. The others followed suit. Chance saluted in return and left. In a moments time, he was aboard the Darkarian vessel, drones running about, consoles exploding, and dead drones everywhere. "Admiral, look!" cried Solran. Chance looked and could see Aurora and her father fighting side by side, dismembering attacking drones. "Solran, find the main control conduit and destroy it. It is the only way to keep them returning to our time." ordered Chance. Solran nodded and left. Chance then focused his attention to the raging battle. He could feel his implants kick on, force-feeding adrenaline to his muscles. He then leapt, joining Seccour and Aurora in their seemingly futile attempt at victory.

Solran went back to engineering and assembled his team. Solran- Okay people this is it I have had about all I can take of that Albearen Dung beatle they want to call Tarkicis. We are going to do what we do best, and show this so called queen. who we are. Lamar- I take it you have a plan? Solran- Yes, yes we do. Smith have finished your study of the darkarian subrouten? Smith- Yes, but it is untested. The actual effect will not be know until it is uploaded into their core. It may turn them into mindless drone that do every thing the oppisit of what she tells them and then it may not I am not sure. I did not get a clean program sample from the Guardian. Solran- Give me what you have. Smith- I give it a 45% that it works. Solran- It will have to do. Cutter- We could use the Preserver Program on them? If we use a matrixs field generator to send out the signal? Solran- Let me guess, you have one already made and just need to test it, right? Look ladys and gentalmen, this is not some test run. We are going to be going over there to do some damage. Johnson- Sir,I have a background in explosives. I have studied their ship design. I know a few things that could do some damage. Stewart- We all have ideas sir, we just need I place to test them. I see four targets out there. Which one is it going to be? Solran looked at his staff, they all had good ideas, and Stewart was right. They just need a place to test them. Solran- Okay people, back here in 5. don't show, don't good. Smith- Sir we are ready now. Solran looked at each one and could see he was not lying. Solran- Okay then. lets do it.

Solran and his team of merry men used his transport to beam over to the Darkarian ship. It was darker than normal, so they had to use extra lighting to do their deeds. Solran- Okay people we may have about ten minutes to what we can. You all have your assignment. Get to work, this area so far has no sign of drones here, but BE CAREFUL. Mess up you answer to me if you make it back. Move Out! Solran knew that his men would all do there assign tasks with the up most pride and speed with getting killed. Lamar went to the main computer console and accessed it. It started off with the normal access codes. " Lamar to Chief Solran." "The codes they are using are from our time period, not sure what it means." "Will do chief." Lamar set off killing the alrams and warning programs as she went. It took about 2 minutes to do and she was into the main system. "Lamar to Solran I am in, I have also access to the main systems data base." "Already working sir" Smith went about setting up demo charge to destroy the entire Engineering room, if that is what they call it. "Smith to Chief Solran." "Sir the charges are set and I am ready to rock and roll." Solran saw Cutter leave off into the next room with what he called his 'bag of goodies'. "I need to have a talk with that man, Johnson make a note of it." Aye sir, but with what I am about to do you may want clear a week for me." With that he was gone. Solran could not believe what was going on, it was as if he had turned lose five crazy people on the Darkarians, but that was good right? He would soon find out. Just then the lights started to flicker and he knew it was time, and as if on cue all five of his team returned. It was Lamar who spoke first. "Sir I do believe it is time for us to leave." With that Solran actived his wrist tricorder and they were gone.

Aurora and Kerok battled fiercely against Darkarian drones. Their expert fighting skills did them good, as they were overcoming the large numbers of drones attacking them. Aurora pulled her blade from the nearest drone, then turned to fight another. He swung at her, then turned a disruptor rifle straight to her chest. Aurora ducked under him, leapt to her feet, and forced her blade into his back and through his chest. The drone fell to the floor. She looked over in surprise to see Chance suddenly join in the attack. "What are you doing here?" she practically yelled at him. "I can't let you have all the fun," he said through gritted teeth as he fought off a drone that had grabbed him from behind. Aurora shook her head, but returned her concentration to the fight. As the drone tried to break his neck, Chance reached down into his boot and grabbed the younger Aurora's kryss. Snapping his hand back, he jammed it into the drone's bowels. Using the attack as a distraction, he turned around and grabbed the drone, then slammed it against his leg, breaking its spine. He retrieved Aurora's kryss and smiled at the thought of the young girl. Then turned his attention to the fight once more. Kerok called out to Aurora. "Follow me." She drove her blade through another chest, then turned and followed, still fighting off the seemingly endless group of Darkarian drones. Chance wasn't far behind as they made their way to the infirmary. They entered and were attacked by more Drones that were sent to stop them. Seccour fought in his true fashion. In a sudden move, he engaged his cloak, then moved swifly through the room, attacking the slow moving Darkarians. They were powerless to his lethal attacks. Aurora could hardly follow his movements as he moved through the infirmary. She saw the members of the away team, Vok and Anton, Tray, and also some other security officers. Many of them were badly injured. Chance walked over to the control panel to the doors of the infirmary, and smashed them in with his fist. "That should keep them off for a few moments." Kerok decloaked and looked around the room with his piercing blue eyes. "We need to get them back to the Hexan," Aurora said. "Tahkisis won't be successful if she doesn't have anyone to take back with her." A large explosion suddenly echoed through the ship. "What was that?" she asked, alarmed. "Solran," Chance said. "He must have found a way to destroy the main power conduit." The lights flickered on and off; systems were powering down throughout the ship. Kerok still had not said anything. He walked over to a few of the security officers, and looked down at them. "Admiral..Modaine.." Vok said. He was apparenly in a lot of pain. "Don't worry, we're going to get back to the Hexan," Chance said to him. Anton walked over to him. "Sir, they adapted fast to our weapons. We had..." Without warning, Kerok suddenly whipped out his blade and stuck it through three of the security team members. Chance yelled out in alarm, and Aurora froze at his actions. "What did you do that for?!" "They already had the implants surgically installed," Kerok answered, turning away. "Better to kill them now then to have them suffer." He looked at Chance closely. "You should understand." The ship suddenly began to rock violently. Aurora could only guess that the primary shields were down on Tahkisis's ship, and the Hexan and Starchase's attacks were being successful. Chance's shoulder comm suddenly beeped. <"Hexan to Admiral Modaine,"> came Kev's voice. "Kev, lock onto our position and beam us to the Hexan," he replied. <"Glad to do so,"> he responded. One by one members of the away team disappered in transporter beams. The doors to the infirmary were suddenly ripped open by sheer force. Everyone looked up to see Tahkisis standing in the door's entrance, a disruptor rifle in her hand. Before anyone could respond, she fired, hitting Aurora squarely in the chest. Crying out in pain, she fell to the floor. "ORA!!!" Kerok yelled. In a rage, he turned to Tahkisis, his blade focused straight for her throat. He was at her in seconds, and knocked the disruptor from her hands. She turned to battle him... Chance ran to Aurora's side. She was badly injured, and looked up at him weakly. "Leave me, get out of here," she said to him. "I'm not doing that," Chance said. The ship shook violently, nearly tumbling him to the side. "Do it! Get off this ship before it explodes. Chance, please..." she said, with tears in her eyes. He looked up to see Kerok fighting Tahkisis. They were formidable enemies, and, though Seccour was keeping his own, Chance's instincts screamed at him to jump to his feet and join the fight. He looked down at Aurora, and her eyes rolled back into her head as her last few breaths went from her chest. Slamming his shoulder comm, he yelled, "Chance to Hexan, two emergency beam to sickbay now!!"

On the bridge of the Hexan, Kev watched as small explosions began to erupt from Tahkisis's ship. "Have we beamed everyone onboard?" "Yes, Sir," was the response from Ops. "Admiral Modaine is beaming onboard now." The remaining Darkarian ship suddenly made an aggressive attack, firing multiple shots at the Hexan and Starchase. Kev gripped his chair as the Hexan shook. "Shields are offline!" came the report. He turned to the viewscreen, his jaw clenched. The ship flew by Tahkisis's ship as it suddenly erupted in a large fireball. Twisted metal exploded outwards from the remains of the ship. The younger Aurora watched from a chair nearby, and shielded her eyes from the bright blast. The other ship suddenly turned at a sharp angle and disappeared as transwarp conduit opened and enveloped it. "What was the course of that ship?" Kev demanded. "Unknown, Sir," came the response from navigations. "It has disappeared from our sensors. However, no ship has entered the rift." "We are being hailed by the Starchase," reported ops. "Put it on." Captain Jenkins appeared. "Did you get everyone off of that ship?" "Yes, thankfully," Kev answered her. "Where is Admiral Seccour? I must speak with him." "I'm not sure at this moment. He may be in sickbay." "Sir," the Lt. at the science station spoke up. "We were unable to get a lock on Admiral Seccour." "What?!" Kev stood up, practically yelling. "I thought you said you had gotten everyone." "We did, Sir, but when we tried to get a lock on the Admiral, he was not located on the ship." "You're saying he just disappeared," Kev said, anger in his tone. "According to our sensors, yes." Kev looked away, almost sick. There was no way he could have survived the explosion of the ship. He looked at the younger Aurora, almost afraid to see the expression on her face. Instead, she wore a calm look. She looked up at him. "He's not dead."

Chance paced in sickbay, highly stressed. "Omni, can't you work any faster?" "I'm working as fast as I can," the Hyperflux responded. "Perhaps you should wait elsewhere." "No! I'm staying right here!" Omniflux continued to work on Aurora, first reviving her life signs, then working to repair the burns and damaged tissue. Chance stared down at her pale face. "She will be all right, won't she?" "She will live. Normally I would suggest that she be placed in the cellular regenerator for 3 days." Chance nodded. "However, I suspect the medical field has progressed in the next 40 years, and she might get better treatment onboard the Starchase." Chance looked up at Omniflux, noting his serious expression. Finally he nodded. "Agreed...I will contact them immediately." Aurora took a deep breath as she returned to conciousness. She weakly looked around. "Chance?" He rushed to her side, taking a hold of her hand. "I'm right here, Aurora." She gave a weak smile. "Thank you for not leaving me behind." He smiled back at her. "I couldn't do that." His face turned serious. "We are going to send you to the Starchase for better treatment." She nodded in response. Before he could turn away, she grabbed his hand. "Where is my father?" "We...we don't know. We fear that he didn't get off the ship..." "No, that can't be, he's still alive. I can sense it." Chance grimaced. "Then you will have to find him again." He looked into her eyes. "I love you," he whispered, then turned and left sickbay, heading straight for the bridge. When he got there, Kevcabana was talking to Captain Jenkins. He gave the command chair over to Chance when he saw him come towards him. Chance smiled down at the younger Aurora, but she had a thoughtful look on her face. He turned to the viewscreen. "Captain, I am glad to see that we are both still here." She gave a sad look. "With the exception of Admiral Seccour." "His loss will be greatly felt I'm sure. I know it already is in our time." She nodded. "Captain, Aurora Seccour is badly injured, and would be better cared for on a ship from her own time." Jenkins nodded and looked to the side at one of her officers. She nodded, and turned back. "She is onboard. We will take care of her." "Good. We will be entering the rift in an attempt to return to our own time. Once we have disappeared from your sensors, repair the rift so that this does not happen again." "Understood Admiral. Perhaps we will meet under better circumstances." "I hope so," Chance responded. "Hexan out." The view returned to that of the stars and distant galaxies. He turned to Connor Ashe at navigations. "Prepare to enter the rift." "Yes, Sir." "Here we go, people," he said.