Star Trek Coda

Chapter 11: Family and Love

USS VOYAGER, 2383, DELTA QUADRANT

Archer, Jack and Ethan rematerialised, a familiar feeling, but into a not so familiar surrounding. None of them had seen a transporter room like it. It was huge, glistening and futuristic. The Admiral was waiting for them, a firm expression on her face. Beside her stood a tall bald man, clearly aged by years and experience and a slightly younger man with a beard.

Jack looked at the man with a beard and faltered on his feet. Ethan looked at him questioningly while Archer went to greet the Admiral. Jack locked eyes with the bearded man, "Dad?" he sputtered in shock. Will Riker looked at him blankly as Janeway and Picard gave him and the situation a questioning look. "Sorry I..." replied Riker, unsure what to say.

Jack wasn't sure what to say either, "y-you died. You're dead," he then looked at Janeway, shock turning to a scowl, "she... she killed you. I remember."

The room fell silent, nobody knew how to respond. It was Jean-Luc Picard who spoke next, as Archer put a reassuring hand on Jack, "I know this all must be confusing and different," he looked around the room, "for all of us ... but we need to remember we're from different times, and we can help each other. Let's go to the briefing room and talk." He raised his arm to point the way

Janeway followed and hesitantly the boys did as well, with Archer last. They took their seats in the briefing room. Jack looked back and forth between Will Riker and Janeway. Ethan kept looking to Jack and held his hand. The others didn't know where to look.

Janeway started, "I think we should hear the full story from the boys. Tell us everything." She made piercing but kind eye contact with Jack. He didn't look away.

Jack took a deep breath and spoke, "we're from ... you're future. The year 2408. We lived on Earth, or what's left of it. The universe is in ruins and this," he waved his arms around the room, letting go of Ethan, "this is all gone. There's nothing left. No Starfleet, no Federation, no starships. We only know what we've seen in the few documents left from before the fall and what our parents have told us ... what ... what my Dad told me." He went silent, not sure how to continue.

Ethan interceded, "Jack's Dad... that's Jack's Dad over there," he said as he looked at Will Riker, "he told us that aboard the Enterprise they had a device to go back in time and fix everything. He said that his Commander wouldn't let him." As he said this Riker and Picard shared a look, "he said he always regretted it, and didn't know it would get this bad. Then he... he died," he looked at Jack, "We... we found the device by accident and used it. We ended up on the Enterprise then we used it again and ended up here."

Janeway didn't blink as they both spoke, she simply asked, "and where do your allegations against me fit into this?"

Jack went to speak, but Ethan cut him off, "some people took charge of Starfleet and the Federation, and it changed. It became dark and evil. You were one of those people - you bought us to our end. Admiral Janeway, the life we live is hell. Our world is hell. It's a waking nightmare that will never and can never end. It's over, we're just waiting for the rest of humanity to crumble into extinction. You did that, you create that world where we lose everyone we know and love, where life isn't worth living. That's where you fit in and that's why we hate you. You're the villain in this story."

Everyone was speechless. Jack grabbed Ethan's hand. He appreciated his calmness, Jack would've yelled.

Picard, the master diplomat, finally responded, "let's start by verifying some facts? Would the three of you be able to go to sickbay, we can determine the boy's lineage. We can go from there."

*****

A few hours later the boys and Archer were in sickbay, talking with a brusque medical hologram. He informed them of the results and called down the Admiral. The boys were not surprised; they knew their truth. But it was proof, and it made it all the more real. They appreciated Archer joining them. Over the past few days he had become someone they trust and he gave them comfort.