Chapter Text
“The NCC-One Seventeen O One is our world's first Starship. The U.S.S Enterprise.” the speaker waves their hand and projection changes, a model of such a Starship floating around the dome. Through the stars and vastness of space “She made her maiden voyage in two thousand two hundred forty six under the command of Captain Robert April-”
“Forty five.” two voices mutter under their breaths. Not loud enough to disrupt the Starfleet planetarium lecture, however the younger of the two was smart enough to suggest sitting in the back so they could easily slip out as the lecture comes to a close.
“It was clearly bound to happen again.”
“Apologies Oddie.” the older scoffs, expressly shaking their head with a smile “After all your messages to the suggestion site I had hope.”
“Interesting.” He admits folding his arms behind his back, although looking quite a bit cuter than intimidating on a nine year old. “But the pattern of past lectures would suggest that the particular speaker is ill informed about the suggestion site, Ily.” shrugging her shoulders the girl steps aside for her little brother to load first onto the historic cable car before she climbs up as well. Historical sites, art, literature, and San Francisco seems to be keen on keeping cable cars a thing in the 22nd century.
All the way on the outskirts of the city, a one story house, warm colors. No matter the century she can’t ever seem to recall their living space being any cool colors. The warm tones reminded their father of a distant home.
“Guess who!”
“My daughter Iliad and my son Odyssey.” kicking off her sneakers and slipping on her house shoes, Iliad shuts the door behind them both. Through the open layout of the dwelling she watches their father, Volass, move the prepared meal from the counter to the table, laying out the gloves for both himself and Odyssey. She muses “How are you so good at this game?” making Odyssey lift a small brow and ask “Sarcasm?” eyes flicking to Iliad, Volass confirms “Yes, son. Although it is no fault that your sister is very…animated.” putting a hand to her heart she walks over “I’m touched dad.” and bows her head slightly. A costume they’ve created knowing that Vulcan’s value their personal space and have sensitive nerves.
“You know we’re now in a century with a matter synthesizer.” Iliad brings up as they all sit down. Volass shakes his head “The pleasure of cooking for my children is something I have been fond of through the centuries. But I will admit.” he starts raising a hand to one of his pointed ears “Now that the existence of other life is known on Earth it is a godsend to no longer wear those headdresses and hats.”
“Did I have to wear a hat before we traveled to a starfaring century?” Odyssey asks, making Iliad smirk “We used to stick a beanie over your head because it’s the only thing that would look okay for a baby in the sixties.”
“Yes.” confirms Volass “It was…atrocious.” Iliad snorts, unable to hold in her giggles causing Odyssey to let a small grin through. It was routine and a break, a moment where none needed to hide, and the further in the future they went the more they didn’t have to outside.
“Dishes are done.” Odyssey announces, Volass motions “You are excused for bed then.” running off he leaves his sister alone with their father to continue their exercise as she polishes their badges “Quantum state.” Volass names. Iliad is quick “The state of conjoining, both wave and particle, both here and there, both dying and just born. It is the same concept that the Khronos Union uses to simplify the idea of time.”
“In Vulcan.”
“Wuh fupa s' t'conjoi, fi'pral heh pi'gal, fi' la' heh tra', fi' dying heh aishan pukeshta. Ish-veh nam-tor wuh ka cept ik wuh Khronos Union nam-tor-tor tor sify wuh t'wak.”
“In Temporus.”
“Yewhpi sa’ lum vanosha. Molta ie vitum drovatr te’. Ghasu shue’ Khronos Union rewcw nra’.”
“Excellent.” she could almost see the hint of a smile. Setting down Odyssey's badge she picks up her own and pins the Starfleet symbol to her shirt, taping it. Clothing instantly transforms to a dark purple uniform with gold accents “Deactivate it.” eyeing her with a raised brow is enough for Iliad to get the message, taking off the badge, returning her clothes to neutral “Better?”
“Done with your meltdown?”
“I said one word.”
“And in that word you spoke your ambition.”
“Is it bad to want something?”
“This.” he picks up the badge “You have already, a promise, waiting for you at Prime Welcome.” leaning back in her chair Iliad rolls her multicolored nails on the table “Can’t I then, I don’t know, join a Starfleet course instead of being an archive runner every new century we jump to?” straightening up Volass reaches out to collect the other two badges, asserting “You’ve graduated from the most advanced versions of academia’s of the galaxy. There would be little for them to offer you.” standing up Volass moves from across the table to a seat right next to Iliad “As Second Chance we each make this journey through time. We don’t know it, we experience it first hand. I did this on Vulcan and you are doing it on Earth. And when we arrive at Prime Welcome you will get to say you wish to remain with the Khronos Union and be activated as a Starfleet Officer.”
Volass holds her eyes no matter how hard she tries to escape the Vulcan. Slowly reaching over Volass turns Iliad’s hand and lightly lays his on top “Do you recall the message of The Day of the Promise?”
“Yes.” she blurts out “Of course! It’s who we are.” leaning in Volass recites the last part of the message that plays at the same time, on the same day, across all Khronos Union issued devices, no matter the year, “Time is as rigid as it is fluid, it is sentient and requires life. We learn and protect that time for the stars above.” with a sigh he explains “You wish to rush through time, but you forget this all happens in a singular moment as it does years. Do not force it, work with it-”
A small beeping, almost a trill, multiple. Both father and daughter furrow their brows. Volass moves over to the counter while Iliad turns, reaching into her bag. Pulling out a sleek device, Iliad waves a hand over the Aveiatas, popping up a flashing screen, silver with purple metallic accents. Facing back, Volass has the same screen flashing silver and yellow. “Portacool launch…” trailing off Volass mutters the rest before exclaiming “Three A.M.'' eyes widening Iliad almost chokes “T-Tomorrow morning? The three A.M that’s happening in six hours-”
“Iliad!” he calls dismissing the message putting his Aveiatas into his pocket “This is no different than the other times we have moved.” taking a deep breath Iliad’s eyes wander to her own screen, something nagging at her “We get a launch alert at least two weeks in advance, never hours.”
“Nevertheless it is an alert.” going back to the closet he pulls out three bags, names switched onto the blue fabrics “Pack only the essentials.” taking her own and Odysseys she nods “Right…Oddie!” calling out to her little brother Iliad sprints down the hall “Oddie!” opening his door she finds the Vulcan boy sitting up in bed, holding his own Aveiatas flashing green “We are launching?” Kneeling down and placing his bag on the foot of his bed Iliad confirms “Tomorrow morning, early early. Do you need help packing?” removing his covers Odyssey grabs the bag “Assistants will not be required, but thank you Ily.” lips moving up, Iliad stands gripping the straps of her own bag, backing up “Of course, go back to sleep when you’re done.” Odyssey begins to move, freezing when he hears Iliad finish “And pack your book!” She knew the drill by now, it was almost like a January first in a way. Every year, and on rare occasions, it would be time to move. Going into her room she knows exactly what to grab, kneeling down and lifting up the covers of her bed to slide a metal box out from underneath. Setting that at the bottom Iliad turns her attention to start putting on her PJ’s taking a final glimpse of the room around her as she settles into bed.
“Guess who?” rolling her eyes at this Iliad giggles “Could it be my dad?” fully opening her door Volass steps in “Just attempting to show you how arbitrary the guess work is.” gaze flickering down to her wrists resting on her knees Volass sits on the edge of the bed placing his hand over them to stop the trembling “You have nothing to worry about.”
“I know.” biting her lip though it was clear to both that a small part of her never had let go of Poland “It was an error.” admits Volass “On my part. I should not have assumed Earth’s history would be that of a similar nature to Vulcan’s-”
“It’s illogical to speculate on the past.” a very Vulcan statement coming from the human girl but one that simply told her father that he had done everything he could have in the moment. Volass agrees “That is a logical argument. Especially when it is the literal future we are looking to brave.” patting her hand he insists “Get some rest.” even when he leaves she can still feel his comfort, his assurance. Enough to get her to lay down and put her hands under her head. It was a big deal now going into a brand new century, 23rd to be exact. Maybe the chill that ran up her spine was just the fault of the air conditioning in her room. Volass and Oddeyssey’s biology keep to that of a desert planet so the rest of the house is a fair bit warmer for her taste. Yes, just enough to get to her to shut her eyes.
Groaning Iliad squeezes her lids close at the purple flashing in the dark. Having rolled onto her stomach Iliad wipes her mouth of drool reaching to her bedside table to view the message “Mhhh nuh, head to…to launch point five three eight seven- Launch point!” throwing her covers off of her she fastens her badge to her shirt tapping it. Her uniform materializes as she straps her phaser to her side and slings her bag over her shoulder “Shit! Shit! Shit!” snatching the Aveiatas Iliad dashing down the hall and out the back door.
Stars still out, black coating the backyard stretching into the forest patch of the local park. Watching the screen she quickly skids to a stop catching her breath “I’m here, I’m here.” presauding herself this Iliad finally takes in the world around her. “Huh?” eyes flickering down to her device Iliad runs a hand through her hair “Launch point five three six…Wait that was an eight before.” She turns to the new direction, pointing with her finger “Five seven six, no, eight-tw-fou-what?” Iliad stops moving to dismiss the screen and brings it back but still it shifts and changes “This is a really!” getting fed up she smacks it “Bad!” shakes it “Time!” nothing works. “You never break? Are you broken?” she mumbles, flipping it upside down to check before giving up and lowering it “Dad!” calling out Iliad takes a few steps forward “Hey Dad! Dad! Oddie!” She was the only one out there, Iliad was the only one at all in the area “Dad?”
Beep…beeep…beep…beep, beep, beep, beep!!!
Aveiatas brought back to eye level Iliad's eyes widen at the readings, a shift in literal space…which means a shift in literal time.
“Iliad?” looking back Odyssey stands, still in PJ’s, in the screen doorway turning back into the house “Father! I found her!” stepping aside, Odyssey allows their father to stand in the doorway holding both sides “Iliad!”
“I…” her arm swings out in a large motion “I thought you guys were already out here!” furrowing his brows Volass pulls out his device “We do not launch for another hour!” eyes going back to the time Iliad sees it’s only around 2 AM, not even close to 3. “What are these readings father?” Odyssey brings attention to, eyes peering onto Volass’s screen. The beeping of both sounds gets louder and faster until it drops, every drops off. After a solid minute Iliad shifts her stance, shoulders relaxing “Sorry! It started beeping! Maybe I set my alarm to early-”
A wave of pure scarlet energy, glowing as bright as blast from a Starship. Hands meeting the harsh grass, a spike shoots up Iliad’s spine “Ugh!” Quickly flipping herself around the pulsing of white and red reflects in her eyes, all of their eyes staring at it. Swirling like the waves on a beach but pristine and intentional, a white hot center like a photon star encaving on itself and growing bigger “The hell?” Iliad brings her knees under her slowly starting to rise, tentatively.
“Ah!” A black form is suddenly flung out of the center, expanding limbs like wings, light swirling around it in a giant flash. One of its arms claws its way forward making Iliad jump back as it struggles to free itself. Volass’s jaw clenches as he moves Odyssey behind him “Iliad, run!” Spinning on her heel she makes a dash back through the woods.
The more the creature pulls loud almost shrieks, like scrapings of metal follow it until it’s able to fully pass through. Sprinting across the back yard Iliad is just about to cross the halfway point when her bag scrunches at her armpits flinging her back “Uh!” legs being drawn back against the grass “Let me go!!!”
“ILIAD!!!” shouts Volass quickly sprinting out and grabbing his daughter's arms, holding tight. His Vulcan strength being the last thing to keep them both in place. The red glow brighter and it seems the creature has a burst of energy having Iliad’s arms slip back and for Volass to grip her hands instead, bringing them together to hold tight “Dad!” a flash of pure fear and desperation “I have you!” he promises…a hope…not a lie, Vulcans do not lie.
But it would not fully be the truth.
Flesh slips from flesh and Iliad screams out a final time watching her father fall to his knees. His face and her little brother warping and stretching in red before becoming fully engulfed and in a brilliant white, gone. A solid floor hits her feet before she tumbles back, slamming into a metal wall. Head lulling to the floor Iliad sits in the dark, sparks flickering from a loose wire above Iliad “Oddie…” she pants out “...Dad.”
They were gone, she was gone, to where? No clue…but wherever that red…creature? Insect? Angel? Whatever it was, where it took her is what she needs to figure out. Putting her hand behind her Iliad freezes at a wetness, a clump on her fingers. In the light of the sparks she brings it in front of her face “That’s…blood.” using her other hand she goes to reach for her Aveiatas to feel a dent and broken glass “No.” she pleads smacking it, the glow dying it and the device completely busted and broken nine ways to Brooklyn. “No-dammit!” bringing her bag around she carefully wraps it before setting it inside and standing “Okay, you can do this, you can do this…hopefully you can do this.”