Boldly going to ten forward

[spacefaring]

I'm not good at public speaking. [ Says the future President of the Federation of Planets. ] That's not me, not yet.

Not that this isn't exciting--the chance to explore strange new worlds, Starfleet's progress...the Galaxy class Enterprise. I'm just not sure it's such a great idea. I've seen too much of the future already, and I know how dangerous it can be, what can happen to history if the slightest thing is altered.

Still, if this Q that resides there is the same one that lives in your head, changing history is the least of our problems.

What is it you wanted me to say, anyway?

Hello?

Comments

[tactical_alert]

I usually find that a hello is a good way to start, sir.

[spacefaring]

I could have handled it better, that's for sure. It's good to see you, Malcolm. Been here long?

[tactical_alert]

You don't give yourself enough credit, if you'd like my opinion, sir. As far as my own length of stay, it's been...quite some time. I don't see terribly much of the crew.

[spacefaring]

You know I always appreciate hearing your opinion, Malcolm. [ Quite some time; there's nothing ominous about that at all. ] Maybe that's a good thing. It means as a rule not all of us are being subjected to interdimensional kidnapping.

[tactical_alert]

[On and off seven years is definitely 'quite long' in his book. Don't get him reminiscing about the days of LJ.] Of course. Still, it means having to trust those around me stuck in the same situation rather than relying on tried and true crew. Not the easiest adjustment to make. Despite the scenario, it is good to see you, Captain.

[spacefaring]

[ Seven years. Quite long doesn't even begin to describe it. Archer's expression betrays his concern, even if he wouldn't dream of embarrassing either of them by mentioning it out loud. Instead he just nods, appreciating the final comment. ]

You must have had a lot of contact with our counterparts from the future.

[tactical_alert]

Now and again. To varying results. They don't make captains like we did, apparently, what with the likes of Captain Kirk running around the galaxy. [He makes a face. Part distressed, part amused.]

It's one thing to subconsciously know that you're making history, sir, but it's quite another to actually see the effects. Or to be remembered or forgotten as the history books warrant.

[spacefaring]

I can't say I've had any better experiences in that respect than you. Picard was polite enough when I met him--maybe a little stuffy. But Data...there's something about the idea of a robot captaining a starship that unsettles me. Particularly when he bears such a resemblance to Arik Soong.

[ And that's an interesting point. He grimaces. ] Forgotten?

[tactical_alert]

The man who thought himself a father to all of those Augments? I suppose if he couldn't genetically create his version of human perfection, he'd just have to build it...

[But putting that unsettling thought aside:] Not all of us are captains and future admirals and presidents and diplomats, sir. My face is hardly one of the most familiar. Although the name does tend to ring some bells. A young woman named Chekov had a particularly enthusiastic response to me once. It's a mixed bag, to be sure. [Yes, he said woman Chekov. She was very bouncy about it.]

[spacefaring]

Right? I know what nightmares I'll be having tonight.

[ When and if he meets Chekov now he's going to think he's the alternate and not the other way around. But more pressing is the real topic here, and Archer takes on a far graver expression. ]

You're as much responsible for their version of Starfleet as I am. Starships wouldn't be run the way they are if not for many of the measures you yourself implemented.

[ See, this is why he's uncomfortable with the fame side of things. He prefers the bit where he's doing the job. ]

[tactical_alert]

I've heard a great deal about their alert system, force fields, weapons upgrades... Starfleet--well. The Federation, I suppose. They've come a long way from where we are now. [Whenever 'now', relatively, is. Time travel. It's getting to be normal.]

It's unsettling to be faced with the idea of reading up on your own history. Fortunately, that hasn't been an issue for me yet, and I've avoided asking anyone who might be in the know about my own personal future. I doubt that's covered extensively in their notes.

[spacefaring]

[ He wishes it was just that. It's hard to hear how important he is sometimes; it's an overwhelming responsibility. He knows where he retired to, when he died, that there were ships named after him. ]

Their computer seems to have everything in it but the minute details. There's a photonic version of the crew on their holodeck that it would be hard to tell apart from the originals--at least if you didn't know better.

[ It had been so unsettling he'd turned them all off. Holographic ghosts of his friends--dead friends, like ghosts never laid to rest. ]

[tactical_alert]

...I really would rather not know how their computers interpret our personalities. A visit to the ship might be nice when feeling homesick, but the people? You can't exactly replicate a person. Just a look. [He hopes.]

[tragic_optimist]

So, it seems like you and I shall be headed towards the same place. Perhaps we should be acquainted, then. I'm the Doctor.

[spacefaring]

I certainly hope so, it's always good to make new friends. Jonathan Archer, and... [ He offers his hand. ] It's just Doctor?

[tragic_optimist]

Oh yes. I'm certain there must be stranger things around than people going about with a profession for their name.

[spacefaring]

A great many more such things, in my experience. I suppose it'll be a new experience for you, traveling on a starship?

[ You know nothing Jon Archer. ]

[tragic_optimist]

*A knowing smile crosses the Doctors face*

No, no, I'm quite experienced in space travel. I have my own vessel, the TARDIS, that I pilot about. It may not be the most high tech thing in the halls of Gallifrey, but it's home.

[spacefaring]

[ With his characteristic curiosity: ]

I assume that's an acronym of some kind; TARDIS?

i am so late to this

[directives]

[ says the future president of the UFP, indeed. history may not be her best subject, but she remembers enough to recall that the captain of the NX-01 was eventually saddled with a presidency. ]

Q's not quite the threat he thinks he is.

[spacefaring]

[ And put behind a desk. The ultimate reward for years of good service. But at least on the other side of the desk he was doing the shutting down, not the other way around. It makes a change. ]

Kidnapping people from across the multiverse seems like threatening enough behavior to me. You have personal experience with him? Wait--that's right, I know you, don't I?

[goodatfindingthings]

I'm headed there myself in a bit. I know it might seem a bit strange, but we've all got to make the best of things, right? Don't worry; it'll turn out alright.

[spacefaring]

I'm sure it will. Do you have any friends waiting for you there?

[goodatfindingthings]

I don't. There are a few people from my planet apping, but no one who I know personally. My community didn't let outsiders in, you see. This'll be the second time in my life I meet anyone from outside the village.

[dominion_war_graduate]

Great. You live with a Q, too?

[spacefaring]

An infuriating, big headed, no good--yes. He takes up an awful lot of room.

[dominion_war_graduate]

As does mine.

Because the TNG Tech Manual and Dark Mirror made dolphins serving in Starfleet a thing.

[cetaceanops]

And now, sir, my mun is tempted to app me there.