Starship Farragut (2007) s01e02 Episode Script

1
Captain's Log, Stardate 4847.3.
The Farragut has been ordered to the
Acosta system on a mission that
exemplifies the best nature of our
Federation.
The only inhabited world is an icy moon
orbiting the gas giant Solon.
The Soloni, an ancient race of scholars
and historians, have kept themselves at a
distance from galactic politics and
alliances for centuries.
Now, for the first time, they have invited
the Federation to meet with them.
This is my first diplomatic
mission as Commander of the
Farragut, and reports
indicate the Soloni are friendly.
Let's hope the reports are correct.
Full stop, Captain.
Thank you, Mr. Baker.
Mr. Akiva, contact the Soloni and let them
know that we have arrived.
Aye, sir.
Any update on those strange energy
readings?
Yes, sir.
They've increased in intensity,
but I still can't identify the source.
Could it be some sort of background
radiation?
I don't think so.
It's too strong.
It doesn't appear to be affecting any of
our systems.
Keep an eye on it.
Any luck?
No, sir.
No response to our hails on any standard
frequency.
That's odd.
They asked us here.
Why don't they want to talk to us?
Mr. Prescott.
Yes, sir.
What's the manual say
about initiating contact
with an advanced species
on their home world?
Regulation 46B, Section 1.
Federation vessels should remain
within reasonable communications
range and await contact
for at least one solar day.
I recommend alert status.
One solar day?
Yes, sir.
All right, then.
Condition yellow.
Helm.
Maintain relative position.
I'll be in my quarters.
Let me know if they respond to our hails.
RT, you have the bridge.
Welcome to our world, John Thomas Carter
and the crew of the USS Farrakhan.
It is time to begin our great work
together.
The Council of Elders thanks you for
responding to our summons.
Please feel free to relax your defenses.
We will not harm you.
Akiva, where's that coming from?
It's on all channels, Captain.
But I didn't put it on speakers.
I don't know how we're receiving it.
I'm getting a visual signal as well.
On screen.
Do not be alarmed, Captain Carter.
The technology that allows
us to communicate with
you is part of the reason
we have asked you here.
You can hear me as well?
Perfectly, Captain.
And you will not need to rely on your
universal translator.
We are fluent in your standard language.
I am Alendon, leader of the Council of
Elders.
Welcome to Solon Prime.
It's carried on one of their scanning
waves.
They're sending Sonic vibrations through
the hull of the ship.
Commander Tackett is correct.
But if it would put you at
ease, we can continue this
conversation on your standard
communication channels.
It's loud.
But it isn't causing any damage,
Captain.
No, that won't be necessary.
Perhaps we can learn more about your
technology this way.
You seem to know a great deal about us.
We watch every intelligence record.
We have been expecting you, although you
arrived a bit ahead of schedule.
Variations, as predicted.
On behalf of the United Federation of
Planets, I thank you for this invitation.
We look forward to establishing a dialogue
with you and your people.
How would you like us to begin our talks?
Communication and learning are both better
served on a personal level.
Please join us here in our council chambers
and allow us to offer our hospitality.
I believe you have the means to
transport to our location?
We do.
If you can provide us
with your coordinates,
I can have my team
beamed down immediately.
Are there communications linked to those
readings, Commander?
I'm trying to figure that out now.
You getting suspicious?
I'm always suspicious.
When you go down there, take this
tricorder.
I'll link it to my computer.
My pleasure.
I have the coordinates, Captain.
I look forward to an exchange of ideas
between our two cultures.
Safe journey, Captain.
All right, then.
Helm, standard orbit.
Mr. Akiva, have Dr. Hawley meet us in the
transporter room.
Mr. Prescott, you're with me.
I recommend we bring a small security
team, sir.
It's standard procedure.
Since the Solonite invited
us here, and they've shown
no signs of being hostile, I
don't want to offend them.
But it would add some formality to the
occasion.
Have two of your men join us in the
landing party.
Hand phasers only.
Aye, sir.
R.T., you have the con.
Well, I guess this is where history is
made.
Your first landing party as a crew member.
That's right.
Don't worry.
It'll be a piece of cake.
A piece of cake?
At least we know this is a diplomatic
mission.
Really?
Hayes and Michaels, sir.
Two of my best.
And they have level three security
protocol clearance.
I'm sure they'll do fine, Commander.
A little extra equipment there?
I thought it wouldn't hurt to take a few
readings on the surface.
Perhaps our mysterious background radiation
will look different from down there.
Here you go, Jack.
You can never be too careful.
That's true.
All right, gentlemen.
And Doctor.
Let's go.
Good luck, Captain.
Energize.
Eeeeee!
I'm getting a power surge.
Something's happening.
Bridge!
I need more power.
Buffers are at 114%.
Integrity's holding.
Transporter room, Mike, what's going on?
Just a minute.
F.A.R.R.E.G.A.T.
to Captain Carter.
Carter, confirm transport.
Captain, come in please.
I'm not reading him at the beam down
coordinates.
Landing party, do you read?
Beta six, Carter to Farragut, come in.
Transporter malfunction.
Anyone hurt?
No sir.
No sir.
Come in Farragut.
That was a rough ride.
Sir, we should move to cover until we can
assess the situation.
Agreed.
Was it a transporter malfunction?
Transporter logs showed everything fine as
they entered the pattern buffer.
All indicators registered 100% integrity.
Then they vanished.
There's nothing wrong with my transporter.
I ran a full diagnostic two days ago.
Then run it again.
Aye.
Ship sensors recorded a surge in battery
power.
We've got background radiation right at
that moment.
We've started sweeping Solon Prime form.
Keep at it, Mike.
Alright.
First order of business.
Where are we?
This isn't Solon Prime.
The air is breathable.
Obviously.
Actually, it's great.
No traces of industrial pollution other
than a bit of carbon byproducts.
Life forms?
Lots.
Mostly four-legged in our general
vicinity.
Some quite large.
What about in orbit?
No sign of the Farragut.
Not even a communications satellite.
Could we be on another planet in the
system?
None were anywhere close to transporter
range.
Besides, the nearest one was a gas giant.
No, the sun isn't even right.
Too yellow.
Did anyone notice something during
transport?
A red energy field?
Now that you mention it, yes.
But if anything interfered
with the transporter field, I
feel remarkably well for someone
with scrambled molecules.
I feel a little queasy.
Almost as if I was seasick.
I've never been seasick.
But my ears are ringing.
A little.
Everyone checks out okay, Captain.
Alright then.
Let's find out where we are.
Then we can get out of this cold.
Sir, I'd like to take Hayes and scout the
perimeter.
I recommend you stay
close to the beam down
point in case the
Farragut is looking for us.
I'd swear that's an Oak.
Sir?
Yes, fine.
Report back in ten minutes.
Yes, sir.
I don't want us to spread out too much.
Set phasers to stun and put your
communicators on silent mode.
If the Farragut is trying to
locate us, I don't want a signal
from this ship to alert anyone
or anything to our presence.
Aye, sir.
You were saying something about an Oak?
Yeah.
Start scanning the vegetation.
It looks very familiar.
Hail the Solonite Council.
They are hailing us, sir.
I apologize for the interruption,
Commander.
We are waiting for your captain to arrive.
Is everything alright?
No, sir.
Our captain and his party have disappeared
during transport.
An outside force may be involved.
You mentioned before that
the background radiation we
detected may have something
to do with your new technology.
Can you tell us more about it?
Do you believe our technology is the cause
of the disappearance?
Our scanners detected a surge of radiation
at the exact moment it happened.
I can only assume the two are related.
You are certain of this?
I am.
Please stand by, Commander.
I will contact you in a moment.
Sir, I sense it too.
He knows something.
Bridge?
Go ahead, Mike.
I've got a pretty good sensor record of
whatever it was that took them.
I'm transmitting it to the science
station.
At least we have something to analyze.
I've got it.
You might want to try running it against
the background radiation and see if the
next I know my job,
Lieutenant Commander.
Sorry, Mike.
I'm running it now.
It appears your theory is correct,
Mr. Tackett.
Apparently, we are the cause of this
situation.
I'd appreciate any information you can
give us, sir.
As you may have heard, our people have
been studying history for quite some time.
Our research into our own origins was
completed a millennia ago.
And we have been concentrating on other
cultures as we meet them.
A breakthrough in research techniques was
recently discovered.
And we have found a way to put it into
practice.
What kind of breakthrough?
What you are seeing
and hearing is the retreat
from Long Island during
your American Revolution.
This is not a recreation,
but the actual event
as viewed and recorded
by our technology.
We can witness any moment in history and
record and study it.
Incredible.
Our intention was to
present this technology to
the Federation as a gift
for historical research.
That is why we invited you here.
And the disappearance of our people?
It seems that our technology
has had an unforeseen
interaction with your
transportation device.
Our lead scientist believes he may be able
to assist.
If I could examine your
transporter device first
hand, I should be able to
determine what happened.
Thank you for your offer.
I'd like to discuss this with my chief
engineer.
By all means, Commander.
Please contact us on this frequency at
your convenience.
Mike, did you get that?
Yeah.
I'm on my way up.
Hmm.
Sir?
This is getting interesting.
Prescott to Carter.
Carter here.
I'm picking up a large group of humanoids
about a kilometer north of our position.
Looks like some small buildings as well.
How many humanoids?
Several hundred at least, sir.
The way they're clustered
Commander, you better come see this.
What is it, Commander?
I don't believe it.
We're heading back to you, Captain.
I think I know where we are.
Prescott out.
This is incredible, Captain.
You were right about the oak tree.
I've even found pine, maple, hickory,
even some poison Ivy.
It would be an amazing
coincidence if these
evolved independently
on a different planet.
What about Hodgkin's Law?
And a theory of parallel planet
development?
Do you think it applies?
Only to cultural development, as far as I
know.
I'm hoping it's not the other possibility.
Ship's log.
Stardate 4847.4.
First Officer Tackett reporting.
Captain Carter and the landing party have
been missing for over one hour.
Extensive scans of the planet's surface
have come up empty.
The Solonite Council has offered an
explanation, as well as their assistance.
The Solonite have new technology
that can record images and
sounds from the past, and
apparently is not limited by distance.
I'm not sure I trust them,
but without their help
it could take precious
time to find our shipmates.
You see that power spike right when the
pattern buffer confirms integrity?
That's exactly when that red stuff grabbed
them.
So they could be okay?
Well, their patterns could be okay, but
what if they materialized over an ocean?
Or in an iceberg?
Is there any more data on the power spike
itself?
Only on the damage it did to the
transporter.
It wasn't much.
Almost passive.
We've repaired everything I could
identify.
But you might want to warn the Solonite.
That is, if you're actually planning to
allow them on board.
What do you mean?
Transporter technology is one of the fringe
benefits of membership in the Federation.
It wouldn't surprise me if
the Solonite were trying to
use this situation to get it
without becoming members.
What if we limit their access?
Don't allow them to see too much.
We could try.
They don't exactly appear to be lacking in
the science department.
All right.
Mr. Akiva, hail the Solonite.
Aye, sir.
You better get back in the transporter
room.
I want security there as well.
Good idea.
On screen, sir.
Have you come to a decision, Commander
Tekken?
We'd be happy to accept your help,
sir.
But you should be aware that we cannot
guarantee the safety of the transporter
until we can determine the cause of the
original accident.
I can send a shuttlecraft for Batarus.
Or you can send one of your own.
The decision is yours.
I believe you would call this a conundrum.
The longer we wait, the chances of finding
your people and rescuing them diminish.
The risk is ours, and we accept it.
I am transmitting coordinates for Batarus
now.
Please bring him aboard at your
convenience.
Acknowledged.
Stand by.
Chief.
I have the coordinates.
Energizing.
Stand by.
Damn it!
Don't tell me.
How long ago did this happen?
Less than a day.
He can't be more than fifteen.
There are two more over the hill.
It looks like they were covering a
retreat.
There's a road up
there with indications of a
large group of people
pulling heavy equipment.
Maybe Cannon.
I think this is a rifle, sir.
No.
It's a smoothbore musket.
Manufactured by the British Empire in the
1760s.
A brown Bess?
I wasn't aware that you were an expert on
ancient firearms.
I'm not.
But my grandfather was.
Taught earth history at New Princeton.
Had a whole collection of this stuff.
Spent many of my summers with him as a
kid.
But how is this possible, sir?
I don't remember stepping through a time
machine.
Neither do I.
But something happened during transport.
Phasers down!
Sir?
Phasers down.
Unless you want to take a chance altering
history.
We surrender.
You hear me?
We surrender.
Well now.
What we got here.
Stragglers?
Cross-check verified, Commander.
Right at the moment of buffer integrity.
Except this time we saw the hand in the
cookie jar.
You what?
I adjusted the sensors on the pattern
buffer.
In case it happened again.
Good idea.
Apparently.
And?
I'm not sure.
But that red energy has every indication
of chronometric activity.
The last time it seemed to come out of
nowhere.
I'm guessing your new sensor logs will
tell a different story?
Volumes.
I need to go over the data.
But I've got a hunch.
That carrier wave is going to lead us back
to the Solanize time device.
It doesn't make any sense.
Why would they endanger one of their own
people?
Maybe Batarus isn't in danger.
And neither is Jack.
I hope you're right.
I'll run this through the library
computer.
Chief, try another scan of the chamber.
Adjust for chronometric particles.
I
Why did you attack us?
We're not your enemy.
Saw you through the woods.
Thought he was a redcoat.
Those supposed to be uniforms.
Redcoat?
You mean British.
We're not British.
Do you see any weapons?
I see one.
I think it belonged to Billy.
We just found him a few minutes ago.
Uh-huh.
Hey, what's she doing over there?
Doc, how is he?
He's losing a lot of blood.
Got him in the belly.
He's a goner.
The hell he is.
Captain, the bullet has done plenty of
damage, but I can stabilize him.
He won't last long in this cold.
We gotta get him into shelter and light.
She's a doctor.
One of the best.
And you're a captain.
Where is your regiment?
A long way off.
We, um, got separated a few days ago.
As a matter of fact, we're lost.
Come with us.
Either of you ever assisted in surgery?
Between the bullet, the boat ride, and
the cold, I am not in the best of moods.
Obviously, sir.
He'll make it.
Don't worry.
We're not going anywhere for a while.
But in case a need arises, I still have my
phaser and communicator.
Yes, they didn't take any of our
equipment.
I guess we don't look threatening.
These people look like Americans during
the time of the Revolution.
Yeah.
The war is over.
The Sol and I have been studying Earth's
history.
I don't think we're here by accident.
I agree.
They're new technology.
What doesn't make sense is why they would
risk altering history.
They should know the danger of bringing us
here.
Unless
this isn't real.
Maybe they're testing us.
See if we can handle time travel?
Well, the bullets are real enough.
Let's assume for the time being that we
are really here.
What impact have we had on the timeline?
It's hard to tell without knowing more.
I haven't noticed any persons of
significance so far.
Our guard is getting
an eyeful of 23rd century
medicine, but I don't think
he understands a thing.
We certainly made an impact on the camp
when we were brought in here.
Yeah, but this timeline stuff can be messed
up by just stepping on the wrong bump.
The longer we are here, the more potential
damage.
Let's get some rest while the good doctor
does her work.
Any luck, sir?
I don't know about luck
but I'm about to draw my hand to poker.
Please hail the Solonite.
Careful, R.T.
You're a terrible bluffer.
On speaker, sir.
Are you making progress, Commander?
We are, but we have another problem.
I don't understand.
Bataris disappeared during transport.
Why didn't you contact us immediately?
No, it is not your fault.
I should have known he would try something
like this.
Then this was not intentional?
Not on my part.
Bataris?
He is the chief architect of the Protellus
device and one of our greatest scientists.
Apparently.
Apparently he has overstepped his
authority.
What exactly is going on, sir?
The Protellus device is capable of more
than images and sounds.
A doorway is open.
Bataris theorized that one could step
through that doorway.
We lacked the raw materials to make this
possible.
So he needed us.
Commander, I am most sincerely sorry that
we have created this situation.
We will need to
investigate this and see if
he left behind any
indication of his presence.
We will need to
investigate this and see if
he left behind any
indication of his presence.
May I?
How did he know about our transporter?
The Protellus device allows us to observe
any time and place.
We have studied many civilizations,
including those of earth.
In preparation for
your arrival, we have
researched each of you
and your recent activities.
I assume that Bataris found out where and
when your transporter was invented and
simply watched it from inception to
construction.
But he couldn't build one?
No.
He is more than capable of designing one.
But Solon Prime does not have the raw
materials needed to make the components.
Because we do not interact
with other space-faring
races, he would have
no way of obtaining them.
We also lack a compatible power source.
How is your device powered?
From Solon itself.
We have used its gravity to induce nuclear
fusion with the element Solonite.
That explains the radiation.
Can you give us more information on this
fusion process?
Of course.
I will set up an access portal to our
databanks and let you know when it is ready.
We must hurry.
The doorway I spoke of is not stable.
I will contact you shortly.
How is he, Doc?
Well, he'll have to avoid spicy food for a
few weeks, but he'll live.
That is, if we can get him back to the
ship before too long.
This isn't a very sanitary environment
when he's still in danger of infection.
I'll see what I can do.
Oh my God.
What are they doing here?
My apologies, Excellency.
Colonel Glover did not know where else to
put them.
He thought it wiser to keep
them separate from Fine, fine.
I suppose it was too much to ask for a
moment's peace.
You speak English?
I do, sir.
Not the King's English.
I can't say I like your tailor.
He's alive?
For the time being.
My compliments.
Forgive me.
I must sit down before I fall down.
By all means.
Ah, that's better.
Now then, who are you?
I expected that a few Europeans might take
an interest in our little insurrection.
But I must say I'm at a loss as to where
you might be from.
Furnistan, mon général.
It's a smaller kingdom
near Russia.
Russia.
I see.
And you are?
Captain Carter.
A Cartier.
May I present Corporal Prescott
and my physician, Dr. Holly.
and my physician, Dr. Holly.
and my physician, Dr. Holly.
I cannot think why.
General Howe does not think our army worth
pursuing.
I must say I agree with him.
Sir.
It is common knowledge, James.
Besides, I don't plan to
allow our European guests
to go traipsing about the
countryside any time soon.
That is, until I see a letter of
introduction from their King.
I'm afraid we got separated from our group
a few days ago.
I don't even know where we are.
We found them on the other bank of the
river, Excellency.
Where we had skirmished last week.
Then welcome to Pennsylvania, Captain.
I am sorry about the misunderstanding with
your man.
Your physician does good work.
Now then, if you'll excuse me, I
have what's left of an army to attend to.
See that our guests are fed, sir.
Yes, sir.
General, may we speak again later?
Certainly.
This is the warmest room for miles.
Well, I would call that a person of
significance.
Well, now we know where we are.
Corporal!
Commander, the Council is hailing us.
Thank you, Ensign.
On screen.
Commander, I have good news.
We know what happened to your people and
our missing scientist.
Are they all right?
We will know soon.
Vitaris took a device with him that will
allow us to bring them all back.
I have much information to share with you.
Can you come down here so we may discuss
the situation?
I understand your concerns.
But we have powered down our device so it
will not interfere with your transport.
Stand by.
You can't actually be considering going
down there.
Well, the background radiation has almost
disappeared.
I'm guessing the residual is from the gas
giant.
You're guessing?
Arty, they've tricked us twice already.
Look, Mike, this is a diplomatic mission.
They've admitted their complicity in this
thing.
And they may have a way to bring back the
Captain.
My gut feeling tells me they're trying to
help.
Ensign.
Aye, sir.
What if it isn't their device,
but the radiation from Solon?
Then I trust that you and Chief Galway can
see me through this, Mr. Smithfield.
On screen, sir.
Commander, I have once again transmitted
our coordinates.
I promise there will be no interference.
If my chief engineer will allow it, I'll
join you in your council chamber shortly.
Farragut out.
Warning is received.
Uh, sir?
Well, I guess I'm in the catbird seat now.
At ease, Ensign.
Condition Amber.
Aye, sir.
Anybody get the idea of that transport?
You just close your eyes and get some
natural sleep here.
Aye.
Condition Amber?
Basically, the situation is clear.
She isn't under control, but there's
nothing he can do about it.
That about covers it.
Speaking of our situation, sir, where
in Pennsylvania do you believe we are?
You mean when.
The General's aide mentioned a skirmish on
the other side of the river.
And the General stated that General Howe
wasn't pursuing.
I think it's early in the war.
As I remember, the Colonials didn't get
off to a very good start.
There's something about the river that
plays a major event in history.
General, sir!
I trust you slept well, Captain?
We slept very well.
Thank you, sir.
And you?
I don't have that particular luxury right
now.
Soon enough.
May I ask you a few questions?
If you came to observe
the Continental Army, I'm
afraid you may have
traveled a great distance.
For nothing.
There won't be any army in a few weeks.
But General, you said the British weren't
advancing.
They don't have to move a muscle.
Most of these boys joined the army after
the success in Boston.
Now, the thrill has worn off.
They are cold, beaten, and tired.
At the end of the month, their enlistments
will run out.
And they will simply pack up and go home.
I wish that I could do the same.
But your cause Independence.
We actually thought that we could defeat a
trained European army.
These boys had enthusiasm.
I'll give them that.
And we can certainly outrun them in our
own backyard.
But it is another thing when every day
brings a new disaster.
We thought we had outrun them and could
regroup.
And then, strange people start showing up.
I realize that we appear strange.
But please don't think that we're here to
interfere in any way.
Tell that to the Devil, Captain.
He'll be joining us shortly.
The Devil?
The Jersey Devil.
I saw him with my own eyes.
Excellency, must we bring him in here?
He's not the only one who's scared out of
his wits, Captain.
Half my army spent the night on their
knees, praying.
They say he appeared in a plume of fire.
What next?
Uh, Captain?
Excuse me, sir.
Yes, Doctor, what is it?
Did he say Devil?
The Jersey Devil.
New Jersey.
I remember.
The Delaware.
Pardon me, sir, but I remember the Alamo.
So what?
The Delaware River.
The crossing of the Delaware River and the
surprise attack on Trenton.
It turns everything around.
My folks never helped with my history
homework, so I'm a little vague on this.
I do remember the painting, though.
On Christmas
night in, um 1776.
Right.
A few months after the
Declaration of Independence, the
army had lost several battles
and was barely hanging on.
Washington decided to try a surprise
attack on a group of German mercenaries.
Hessians.
I'm impressed, Captain.
I assume they were, or will be,
successful?
They took the battalion to Trenton with
only a few minor casualties.
With a much needed victory and fresh supplies,
it galvanized the revolutionary cause.
Re -enlistment surged, and they continued
fighting for another five years.
All because that man, standing by the
fire, came up with a brilliant plan and
was able to convince his commanders and
generals to take a leap of faith.
That man standing by the fire is beaten,
sir.
And it looks like our untimely arrival was
the last straw.
Tackett to Farragut.
Commander Tackett, thank you for coming.
This is Farragut.
Go ahead, sir.
Transport without incident.
Tackett out.
I have studied your Earth all my adult
life.
And have always marveled at your ability
to put personal risk aside.
You are giving me the benefit of the
doubt?
I didn't have much choice.
You said something about a way to get him
back?
Yes.
Batarus took a tracking device with him.
And left behind detailed instructions on
how to retrieve them all.
With a copy for you.
Apparently, he had all this planned out
some time ago.
How did he Never mind.
I thought as much.
This rescue plan depends on our
transporters.
It does.
We have analyzed the system requirements
and verified his calculations.
I can tell you that it will
be a strain on our power
grid as well as your ship to
bring them all back at once.
But it is possible.
We'll have to tie in to the device.
A transdimensional lock?
We must coordinate
with his tracking device
just before activating
the transporter beam.
To verify their location on seven
different access points.
We have noticed variations in the time
stream.
Seven access points?
But our time theory only addresses six.
There is more you should know.
The variance is down to point six-two.
I don't care if it's half that.
I want one hundred percent.
Sir, Commander Tackett on channel one.
Go ahead, RT.
I'm uploading the rescue plan to the
ship's computer.
I think it'll work, but you're not going
to like it.
Why not?
Because it involves a
direct tie-in between the
ship's power and the
solenoid converter down here.
Great.
Take a look at that flux ratio.
And I've never heard of chronometric
feedback.
This is too unstable, RT.
It could blow out half the systems on the
ship.
You have a better idea, Mike?
Alendar says we don't have much time.
Hell.
Gates, get a team to start on additional
shielding to the auxiliary conduits.
Yes, Commander.
Helm, increase our orbit to forty thousand
kilometers.
Aye-aye.
All right, Commander.
We can be ready in thirty minutes.
Here he is, General.
In the flesh.
Well, well, Lord Beelzebub.
How should I address you, sir?
I don't I'm not This is all a big
misunderstanding.
For God's sake, let him sit.
Can't you see he's ill?
By all means.
Let it not be said that the Continental
Army is an ungracious host.
We will have a supply of brimstone sent
over immediately.
But, sir, we don't have any.
General Sullivan carries a supply with his
heart attack.
He should be here any moment.
I'll just go and see if we can spare some
for our biblical guest.
Why do you think he's the Devil?
I've seen plenty in my life, but never
what I saw last night.
Appeared out of nothing, he did.
Surrounded by fire.
It's a sign from God.
Or someone.
Did he say anything?
Tried to tell us he was from Congress.
Colonel Glover's always said the Devil was
representing the Fourteenth Colony.
You're Solonine.
Yes, Captain.
I'm very relieved to see you.
I don't know what is normal for a
Solonine.
But he shows every sign of heat
exhaustion.
My environmental compensator was taken
when I was attacked.
I think it was damaged.
What happened?
My arrival coordinates were supposed to be
secluded.
No one should have seen me.
Instead, I think I gave these people quite
a shock.
Their assault was triggered by their fear.
I don't blame them.
Did you bring us here?
I've got to bring down his body
temperature.
I'm going to risk this.
Thank you, Dr. Hawley.
That helped.
Who are you?
I am Bataris.
In charge of Applied Science and chief
architect of the device.
I followed you here to provide a means of
return.
Unfortunately, my tracking device was
taken as well.
We must get it back.
Who took it?
The intrepid group standing at the door.
What is your impression of what you've
seen so far, Captain?
My impression?
I don't understand.
I know of your appreciation for this
period in Earth's history.
I knew Alendar would not approve.
So I took matters into my own hands.
Explain.
We have studied many cultures and
governments.
And found your Federation
to be the only one
capable of working
with our time technology.
Your Memory Alpha is the first step in
becoming historically cognizant.
So you put on a show just for us?
In a manner of speaking.
Solon Prime does not have much left in the
way of resources.
The time technology and
our knowledge of history are
valuable commodities that
can be traded for raw materials.
We determined that you could work with our
technology responsibly and safely.
But time travel isn't safe.
No one knows how to avoid altering the
past.
Our own experience here proves that.
It isn't as bad as you think.
Besides, we were only
going to trade the technology
that allows the
observance of past events.
Not time travel itself.
When I researched your
transporter technology, I
couldn't resist the opportunity
to go one step further.
But why?
Why risk it?
With all the centuries that Sol and I have
studied history, you of all people should
know the potential danger of actual time
travel.
Do you have any idea how frustrating it is
just to watch?
To observe momentous
decisions being made without
being able to ask questions
of the parties involved?
To find out what they were thinking?
To only guess at the reasons?
So how long have you been in the field?
I was at Breed's Hill.
Grew up nearby in Marblehead.
Joined up with Glover's men right after.
Breed's Hill?
That was a fight, I tell ya.
A few weeks before General Washington took
command.
Just sorta happened.
What was it like?
General Howell's boys.
Can say what you want about them.
Damn brave, though.
Damn near as brave as
Smallwood's Marylanders or
Colonel Hazlitt's boys out
in front of Brooklyn Heights.
Could use more units like them.
But this time, we had them lobsterbacks
dead to rats.
We had the high ground.
Had a clear line of fire.
Turned them back two, three times.
Some damn fool stopped sending up powder.
I had three rounds left.
I loaded one.
Gave the others to the boys on either side
of me.
They was out.
Then Howell's boys came back up the hill.
No more volley fire.
The commander's walking up behind us.
Tellin' us, hold your fire.
Wait until you see the whites of their
eyes.
Well, we held.
And held.
Just before they broke into a charge,
we let them have it.
You couldn't miss.
But they kept coming.
With revenge in their eyes and those
damnable bayonets.
What happened?
No more powder.
We ran.
I never again saw them two fellows I lent
my ammo to.
Some called it a defeat.
I wish Providence would Grant me such
defeats.
But to interact with history is to change
it.
You didn't think you could get around
that, did you?
I recently discovered that there are many
histories, Captain Carter.
I swear I'm not using that other guy you
have.
You better confirm that I was the only one
who tried to separate you.
Acknowledged, Commander.
We're ready here.
Stand by.
The power link has been activated and is
holding steady, Alindar.
Excellent.
Send the signal.
What's wrong, man?
It moved.
I felt it.
The bag?
The Devil's Music Box.
That thing shook like a bee's nest.
Oh no.
What is it?
Our means of escape from this place.
Rich!
You okay?
Yes.
Thank you.
What is the status of the device?
Checking.
Tag it to Farragut.
One moment, sir.
I have the Commander ma'am.
Oh, I can't wait to talk to him.
Just a sec.
Try her now, Helm.
Still nothing.
Wait.
That's doing it.
She's holding.
Now that we've stabilized our orbit,
what can I do for you, Commander?
How bad is it?
We're still getting damage reports.
Auxiliary power kept the
warp core going, but some kind
of massive feedback blew
most of the other systems.
You're upset.
You're damn right I am.
Worst thing is, it was for nothing.
The only thing we beamed back was a fried
piece of equipment.
The tracking device.
If it was damaged, it could have caused
the chronometric feedback.
We'll have to try again.
That's not possible.
The tracking device was the only way to
lock onto them.
Can we repair it and send it back?
There's no time.
The device has been severely damaged.
The trans-dimensional
doorway will only remain open in
this area of space-time
for another hour at the most.
We have no way of knowing when or where it
can be accessed again.
The seventh access point.
Now I understand.
How soon can you bring me up?
I don't know yet.
Do you want me to make the transporter
repair a priority?
Yes.
We may have another option.
Call me when you have a repair estimate.
Tack it out.
What do you have in mind, Commander?
Please show me your solenite converter.
So that's it?
We're here to stay?
I'm afraid so, Captain.
This was not part of my plan.
As a scientist myself, I
have found that things
in the field are very
different than in the lab.
But I had it all worked out for over a
year.
I was supposed to arrive
moments after you did, with
no one close by, so I could
explain everything to you.
And show you firsthand how important this
is for research.
What's wrong?
His physiology is incompatible with this
environment, Captain.
I can make him more
comfortable, but every microbe
in this room is assaulting
his respiratory system.
Without my environmental consider,
I will not survive.
I know, Doctor.
There is nothing you can do.
You said it was damaged.
Can it be repaired if we can find it?
It was housed in the tracking device,
Mr. Prescott.
Not very wise on my part.
Captain, if we can't get back,
what do we do?
Well, there's plenty of wilderness.
I suppose we could take a long walk and
just stay out of everyone's way.
But what about the damage already done?
I don't think we'll be leaving these
people in the same condition we found them.
If we can convince them that Batars isn't
the Jersey Devil, that might help morale.
Well, this Devil won't live long.
I suppose I could come up with some
disease that would explain his red skin.
But we can't let him get injured or cut.
Bright orange blood won't look very good.
It was his arrival that frightened them.
How could we explain the red energy?
There's a river nearby.
What about swamp gas?
You're kidding, right?
Actually, it's not out of the question,
sir.
Go ahead, Hayes.
If we could collect some river water,
we could use Doc Holley's med kit to
extract enough hydrogen for a decent
flare.
With some cadmium that
we can extract from some
of the local rocks, we
could give it a red color.
They may not know it isn't swamp gas,
but seeing is believing.
Sir?
Looks like we got a plan.
What about the surprise attack?
One thing at a time.
One thing at a time.
Got it, sir.
We can transmit as soon as the link is
established.
Good.
Mike, what's your status?
Almost ready.
How soon?
As soon as I
We have to restore shielding to the
auxiliary system.
Before we can link up again.
It saved our butts the last time, and I
won't risk another You're right, Mike.
Standing by.
How can you be sure this will work,
Commander?
You haven't had much time to analyze the
Protellus device, or our power converter.
They are completely new to me,
Alendar.
But they operate on recognizable
principles.
The device interacts directly with the
space-time continuum.
Our warp drive and subspace radio do the
same.
Normally, we only use six axis points in
our equations.
The seventh is created when the doorway is
opened.
Because it is outside our universe,
its properties are constantly changing.
The Protellus device
predicts those changes,
based upon its last set
of quantum variables.
But the device is no longer functioning.
Its memory circuits are still intact.
I've accessed the quantum subroutines
and
Excuse me.
Tack it here.
We're ready.
Scotty, the library computer has control
of the target coordinates.
Good.
Let's go ahead and test it.
Transmit the signal.
I must speak with General Washington.
He'll be coming soon enough.
It's urgent.
Send someone now.
Look at him.
Can't you see he's dying?
It's a trick.
He's ill.
He's not from this part of the world.
I'd say so.
And is a member of our delegation.
Do you really want to be responsible for
an international incident?
Runner!
Fetch the General.
Yes, sir.
You gonna get that?
What?
Your tricorder.
Didn't know it could do that.
Sorry, Doctor.
If it doesn't set the stun or kill, I
haven't memorized the instruction manual.
Captain.
What is it?
A signal.
From Commander Tackett.
I'll be damned.
R.T., you just earned your pay for the
week.
Sir.
The General will see you now.
Come with me.
Start working on this.
I'll be back as soon as I can.
Be ready with the red flame.
As soon as I had a rock, it would just
take a few minutes, sir.
General.
May I speak with you?
Captain.
Come with me.
I need to get out of cap for a while.
Good.
There's something I want to show you.
Can we go by the river?
Ma'am?
I'm getting something on the carrier wave.
Thank God.
They're alive.
It's out of sync or something.
I may be able to compensate.
That helps.
I can see it now.
Mr. Akiva, notify the Commander that we
have a signal from the landing party.
Aye aye.
Whatever you're doing, can you do it when
we try the transporter?
Sure.
Good.
Their lives, and ours, may depend on it.
These are similar to the stones we have
in, um, Franistan.
I've seen the red flame many times when
the weather conditions are just right.
I'm not a man of science myself,
Captain.
Just a simple farmer.
However, I can believe in exploding gas
more readily than a fallen angel.
Can you make it happen now?
Not in this light.
And there will need to be more moisture in
the air.
If I were able to demonstrate
this in front of some of your
men, do you think they would
stop worrying about the Devil?
Perhaps.
But it would take an awful lot more to get
them to stop worrying about the British.
Is that Trenton?
Just a farmhouse, I think.
Trenton is further downriver.
I wish it were closer.
Your hospitality has
been most kind after
the misunderstanding
with Caleb and his son.
Scouts.
But I could sure use a comfortable hotel
with a well-stocked saloon.
Saloon?
A tavern.
The town has been the unfortunate host of
over one thousand Hessian soldiers.
I expect that they have depleted most of
Trenton's
Saloons?
We passed by there a few days ago.
I heard there weren't as many as a
thousand.
Besides, won't they keep a reserve for
their Christmas celebrations?
Christmas?
That won't be for another
Is it that late in December?
I haven't written Congress for supplies or
money in so long.
I seem to have lost track of the date.
Supplies?
I heard that German soldiers were handing
out extra blankets.
Are you coming, Captain?
Or do I have to send Caleb and his men
after you get?
I'm right behind you, sir.
Captain?
The Taurus?
He died just after you left.
They moved him out here.
I wouldn't be surprised if they planned to
burn the body.
You did your best, Doc.
When will R.T.
try to bring us back?
He can't give us an exact time.
Something about time distortion?
He'll signal right before activating.
Were you able to collect enough hydrogen?
Yes, sir.
It's compressed in this.
Did you find the rocks?
How long to extract the cadmium?
Just a few minutes, sir.
We'll need something to trigger our spark.
Got it covered.
I heard he had died.
I wanted to see it for myself.
All of God's creatures have a limited
lifespan, young man.
Now deserving of respect.
Amen.
The General is meeting with his
commanders.
He told me to tell you to go ahead with
your demonstration.
The atmospheric conditions are almost
right.
We must also leave.
Our ship will soon sail, and we want to go
home.
The General has decided that
he will not betray us to the British.
He is usually a good judge of character.
You are free to leave.
Mr. Hayes?
I'm confused.
Your army allows
servants to wear uniforms?
I am a soldier and an officer.
Not a servant.
Where I come from, that is not unusual.
My apologies.
Let's do this.
Time is of the essence.
Gentlemen!
Your Jersey Devil is dead.
I submit to you he was not
the Devil at all but a man.
A man from another
land that died of a fever.
Now I realize he gave you quite a start
when you saw him.
And I can understand why you thought it
was a supernatural event.
But I can prove
that what you saw
was the result of a very natural series of
coincidence.
I caught most of that, but
you're gonna have to speak a little
plainer for my men here.
He appeared out of nowhere from the depths
of hell.
I saw the flame.
What you saw was this.
Mr. Hayes?
See that patch of fog up there?
Nope.
I don't see anything
plain.
I think I see it.
Yeah, yeah, I see it.
Barely.
It's gas.
Like what you see over a cow field on a
summer night.
In my country they're magicians
that perform tricks for entertainment.
They use this gas to fool people into
believing they can appear or disappear.
How?
By igniting the gas with a
spark from a special rock.
Like this.
This man must have been walking in the gas
without knowing it
and stepped on some of those rocks causing
a spark.
He was as surprised as you were.
Here.
You try it.
You see that patch of gas over there?
No.
Where?
Over there.
See it?
Next to that stump.
I see the stump over there.
Good work.
You two should take your act on the road.
Sir?
Sir, signal for Commander Tackett.
10 seconds of transport.
Perfect timing.
It's all right, sir.
It was all just a trick.
I know.
I saw them leave.
Should we follow them?
No.
Let's put all this behind us
and deal with the matter at hand.
Report to Colonel Glover.
It will put your boating skills to good
use.
Yes, sir.
Captain, it's good to see you.
Thanks for bringing us back, Mike.
I look forward to hearing how you did it.
But later.
Send me back down.
Me too.
The body, as well?
Yes.
Jack!
We're all one piece.
Thanks to you, R.T.
Not all, apparently.
No, sir.
Not all.
His environmental compensator was damaged.
He paid a terrible price for his actions.
Captain, I apologize sincerely for what
has happened.
It was not our intention to put you
through this ordeal.
The rest of us are all right.
Now.
But I think we left behind an awful lot of
questions.
What has changed?
Yes.
What's different?
Everything looked normal when we got back
on the ship.
We were only there for a moment.
Nothing's changed from my perspective.
You two are just as I remember.
Could use a shower, though.
Nothing has changed, Captain.
How is that possible?
We caused quite a disturbance back there.
And Washington
saw Washington?
Washington Washington?
THE Washington?
Yes.
THE Washington.
He was amazing.
And tall.
But he saw us leave.
He saw us transport out?
Probably more.
I'm not sure.
But what he did see had to have changed
him.
Changed history.
Not our history.
What do you mean?
But Tarr said something similar.
The Pertellus device allows
us to observe events from
the past and future through
a dimensional doorway.
A window into another universe.
To look backward into our own universe
would change.
It would be impossible because disruption
of even the tiniest particle would change
our time continuum and nullify the
present.
Instead, another present is created in
another universe.
Another universe?
A parallel universe?
Not parallel, Captain.
I think the word alternate is more
accurate.
So you see, you could have done whatever
you liked and not changed a thing here.
Who do you think you are, Captain?
What gives you the right to interfere?
But there is no interference in our
universe.
But what about theirs?
It's different now.
Changed.
You've taken away their future and sent
them down a different path.
Even if we were able
to get away with minimal
impact, they're still
thinking differently.
They have memories of people that don't
belong there.
Who's to say you weren't supposed to be
there?
Your journey is now a part of our history.
Our most important law is non
-interference.
Yes, your prime directive.
It is the only way we can explore the
galaxy without damaging what we seek.
Other cultures that will naturally become
what they are capable of.
Only those that have
reached a level of interstellar
travel and communication
are contacted by the Federation.
Your device cannot be used.
Not by us.
It shouldn't be used by your people
either.
What if another Batars comes along and
wants to do more than just ask questions?
But it is only a tool for research.
Your research can cause great harm to any
and all cultures you observe.
The Federation may consider that a threat.
A threat?
You would attack us?
But we are a peaceful people.
Those aren't my orders, but that could
change.
I assure you, Captain, the device will not
be repaired.
We will consider the ramifications of our
research.
Thank you, Alendar.
We would be glad to foster new friendship
with the Solonot.
Perhaps in time,
the Federation will be
willing to help Solon
Prime with raw materials.
Batars, explain your situation.
Thank you, Captain.
We have not misjudged you.
Cardiff Arrogant.
Beam us up.
All right, son.
You're fit as a fiddle.
No sign of infection.
I'd like to report for duty, sir.
You've earned a few days of leave,
Michaels.
We all could use some honor and honor.
Helen.
Aye, sir?
Set a course for Argelius.
We're back to three.
Aye, sir.
Argelius?
Really?
Gentlemen.
I knew this little place in the southern
part of the city.
I don't drink.
Too bad.
It might soften the blow.
Of what?
My damage report.
The Price has successful rescue.
Okay, first round's on me.
Save your credits, R.T.
I'm sending you the repair bill.
You don't drink?
No, but I do eat.
How's the food there, Captain?
You like spicy?
You know, you're the one who pushed the
button.
So?
You're paying half.
The past.
It is in the past.
And yet my thoughts
keep wandering back to
those strange days before
the attack on Trenton.
We took the Hessians without a single
death on our side of the battle.
And then, another success a week later at
Princeton.
Until the strangers arrived, I had not
been a religious man.
Nor had I ever kept a journal.
But no one else saw the way they left.
And the new victories quickly buried the
memory of their short stay.
The tale of the Jersey Devil is fading
into legend.
Now the battles are over and we have our
independence.
Debates rage on new and old methods of
government.
A new nation has sprung forth on this
world.
And yet, I cannot help but wonder if we
weren't meant for something
greater.
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Neo FX.
Visualizing the digital universe.