=Main Engineering= =U.S.S. Gott= “Report,” Rick said as he returned to engineering. They had managed to strengthen the structural integrity, and even patch up the hull the best they could with what they had. Rick had even ran into a X’Chi, which was quickly dispatched by the marine that had accompanied him. “The package has been delivered,” came the reply from one of the crewmen. “Detonation in two minutes.” “The Chimera is not a package,” Rick said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Its not some weapon. It’s a ship that served starfleet well for more than seven years. It’s simply doing its duty one final time. Remember that.” “Yes, sir,” the crewman said. Rick felt that he was perhaps a little too curt with the crewman. He still wasn’t happy losing the Chimera, but that was no reason to be rude. “Rick, is it true that Stephens stayed behind on the Chimera?” Hector Gomez said as he approached the acting CEO. “What are you talking about?” Rick said, a little confused. “Ensign Stephens ... Lieutenant Stephens ... whatever rank he is. Stephens didn’t leave the Chimera,” Gomez said. “He’s still there.” Rick quickly rushed into the CEO’s office. Once he realized that he was alone, he tapped his comm badge. +tap+ “Engineering to bridge.” +tap+ “Bridge here,” Rick recognized was the voice of General Keylor. +tap+ “Sir, is it true that Mr. Stephens is still on board the Chimera?” +tap+ “Yes it is, Lieutenant Rodgers,” Keylor said. “It was his idea to make certain the Chimera carried out her final mission.” +tap+ “But, General ...” +tap+ “I know what you’re going to say, but he wasn’t from our time. If ... when we do return to our time, then everything will return to how it was. The Jason Stephens that we know may cease to exist. Is that all?” It seemed to Rick that Keylor had this argument before. +tap+ “Yes sir, Rodgers out.” Rick sat on the corner of the former Gott CEO’s desk, crossing his stretched out legs in front of him. He sat there for a long moment as he closed his eyes in order to rest them. He heard the chime of the door, but kept his eyes closed. “Come,” Rick said. “Rick, the Chimera successfully completed its mission, but we have a shockwave heading in our direction,” Gomez said as he remained standing at the door. “Prepare to throw everything we have into the engines,” Rick said as he stepped past Hector. “Even if we do, sir, we still won’t be able to outrun it,” Gomez said. “How long?” Rick said. “Eights seconds” “Transfer as much power to shields as we can,” Rick ordered. “And every, hold on to something!” Rich grabbed a rail just as the shockwave hit the ship. Despite the warning, it still knocked a few engineers to the deck. “Damage report,” Rick yelled as the wave swept past the Gott. He received a list of minor damages in a matter of seconds, but nothing to cause him great concern. Considering the condition the Gott was already in, it could’ve been a lot worse. “Okay, first thing’s first,” Rick said. “I want ...” Before he could issue some more orders, he was interrupted. “We have Chronometric particles forming around the ship,” Jo Weathersby No. 1 said. “They are increasing in intensity.” “What can we do?” Hector asked. “If we can’t get away from it, then nothing,” Rick said. “Lets get to work on the repairs we can take care of.” In a few minutes, Rick looked at the report that came across his console. He smiled as he looked up at everyone around him, who were hard at work. “We’ve just passed through a temporal anomaly,” Rick said to anyone that could hear him. “We’ve returned back to our time. We’re home.” That brought a chorus of cheers from those that were in earshot. Rick sat back and let out a big sigh of relief. Lieutenant (j.g.) Rick Rodgers Acting Chief Engineering Officer U.S.S. Gott and the late U.S.S. Chimera