It's a long way to trip in a hallway, Pt 4

Posted on Wed Jul 9th, 2025 @ 1:44pm by Commodore Finchley Kerr & Captain Kevin, Lord Kilbane of Sanquhar & Lieutenant Commander Shr'Nesh Karadis & Commander Milani & Lieutenant Commander Dex

Mission: Delivering on the undeliverable.
Location: Portal planet
Timeline: Current.

Finchley watched as Milani went to check on everyone, then looked back down at Shon. Once again, as tired as he was, he knew sleep would elude him, he just couldn't settle enough. He closed his eyes and concentrated on his breathing, slow in and slow out as he brought his heart rate down and began thinking of what they would do next come morning. The portal was the key, it was everything that counted towards them trying to get help to the people of the planet and also on getting home to the Thall.

He reached out and found Shon's hand and took it in his, gently squeezing it, allowing the warmth of his to try and warm hers up. He was sure there was no doubt the poison had brought her body temperature down, but he felt sure Shon's natural inner strength would fight the infection and bring her through it, he'd just have to wait.

It seemed hours later that Milani woke, it was still dark and the wind was blowing, if anything stronger. She glance around at Kilbane, Finnegan Shon and the Commodore. It looked as though everyone was asleep. She stood and stretched making her way quietly to the entrance. Suddenly she stopped, her eyes no longer saw the comfort of the cave but the thickets of a forest. Animals called strange sounds and rain dripped from the leaves. "Through the caves to the prize" the voice in her head sounded and she remembered as though she had been there before. As soon as the vision had arrived it was gone and she felt the fire and warmth of the cave. She decided she would tell in the morning.

She moved quietly to the entrance where Karadis still stood. Once again the smell pervaded her senses and, for a moment she wanted nothing but to force Karadis into her arms, bound naked and sweating. A warm feeling began in the pit of her stomach moving down to her loins. "Karadis" she whispered. "I have come to relieve you, go get some warmth by the fire, everyone else seems to be asleep."

Karadis looked round at Milani, "Not everyone" she nodded across towards Finchley. "His eyes may be closed, his breathing regular, but he's thinking about how to get us all home safely. I've known him long enough to realise when he's asleep and when he's pretending so nobody else worries about him. He bares a heavy burden, yet he hides it like it's nothing that should be shown to anyone and it concerns me, it's always concerned me, ever since we first met. I didn't like him you know, when we first served together I mean, he was arrogant...even more than he is now, believe it or not he's actually mellowed over time. But, the more missions I served with him, the more I liked him because he would never ask anyone to do something he wasn't prepared to do himself and that showed me his character. He tries not to show his feelings out in the field, because he's lost to many friends over the years, so he bottles it up. His concern isn't for himself, it's for you, me, Shon, Kilbane, heck, even Finnigan, he wants us all to make it...he needs us all to make it, that way he can justify it to himself that he's done his duty. I've watched him over the years break time and again and still come back for more...yet I still can't fathom out what drives him to do so and he won't tell me, he just says it's for Justin's sake and I haven't a clue who this Justin is."

She looked back at Milani again, and felt a sudden compassion for her. She reached out and placed a hand on Milani's face, "Promise me one thing Commander, don't let him do this on his own, don't let him carry the burden of responsibility to get us all home alive by himself because one day it'll kill him and I don't think I could carry on if that happened. In my heart...yes, I do have one despite what Kilbane will tell you...I know you care about us all, but look out for him especially. You do that, and I'll be forever grateful..." and she leaned forward and kissed Milani on the lips, gently. Once the kiss was over, she actually smiled then walked away towards the fire to get some warmth and much needed sleep.

Karadis left Milani looking at the Commodore, she touched her lips where Karadis had kissed her and wondered at the bond between the pair of them. Sighing she looked out into the night feeling the wind on her face.

Hours passed and a small glow began above the mountains to the south as the dawn began to break. Milani stretched her limbs and rubbed her hands together trying to bring some warmth to them. It seemed the sandy plains far below were coming to life as birds began to cry whirling and gliding above the dunes and scrub brush. She leant out looking down their path and sighed. It looked like more of the same, rough unyielding steps winding down tight to the cliff side.

Inside the cave the fire was burning low and the coming dawn began to trace delicate colours. Shon stretched and moaned, "the portal, it needs us it is waiting for us" she sat bolt upright breathing hard clutching Finchley.

Finchley's eye's snapped open as Shon sat upright and spoke, "It's ok Shon, it's ok, we're heading for the portal now."

He looked round at everyone else and said, "Ok, everyone up on your feet, let's get going."

Kilbane and Finnigan both grumbled about having 'another five minutes mother', but Karadis walked over and kicked them both in a leg and told them to get up on their feet or she'd make them sorry. Finnigan was up instantly, not wanting to hit by the Klingon, Kilbane climbed slowly to his feet and glared at Karadis, who in turn grinned wickedly back at him, mouthing "Good choice wimpy."

Finchley looked back round at Shon, and getting onto his knees asked, "How are you feeling?"

Shon laughed, "surprisingly well for someone whose nerves have been scrambled." she put her hand on his and looked into his eyes. "thank you" she said and smiled. Standing she brushed herself down, "I'm hungry." she said.

"I'm not surprised!" Finchley answered as he stood up, "You've not eaten in quite a while."

Milani walked in. "It's dawn out there and the steps are visible again.....Shon, you're up" she said as she saw her. "It looks like everyone is getting ready to go. I was going to make an omelette with those eggs"

"Actually, that's not a bad idea" Finchley said to Milani, "If you could go ahead and do that, Kilbane and Finnigan can scope out the stepped area below where we are and report back in say...twenty minutes."

Milani began to separate the carcass of the bird removing what she thought were the kidneys.

Kilbane opened his mouth to protest at why he and Finnigan were earmarked for checking the stepped area, but an elbow in the ribs from the Irishman put a stop to it. "Sounds good to me Commodore, I'm sure the both us us will appreciate the omelette even more when we return."

Turning to Kilbane he gestured towards the cave entrance and said, "Shall we?"

With a metaphorical dark cloud above his head, Kilbane stomped off out of the cave, Finnigan following close behind him whistling a merry tune.

Karadis walked over to where Milani was already preparing to make the omelette, and asked "Need any help?"

"Yes, thank you, can you look for some more sticks for the fire and flat stones we can use as plates?"

Karadis walked off and found some sticks by the cave entrance and also some smaller flat stones that could act as plates. Returning she stoked the fire with the sticks and placed the 'plates' around, but to close to, the fire so they could warm up.

Taking the scull of the bird, Milani washed it out and used it to hold the large eggs, although an unappealing light green they were soon ready to cook.
Shon walked over, "I'm not eating that," she said her stomach grumbling.

Milani laughed, "there is a piece of cooked bird left over Shon but it's cold." Shon took it gratefully and retreated to the back of the cave. The eggs sizzled as she poured them onto the large flat stone and it began to cook.

The smell was wonderful, and like a little kid, Finchley eagerly walked over to see the omelette being made. Having had to eat what would turn most peoples stomachs inside out over his time serving in SFI Black Ops, it didn't bother him at all that the eggs looked unappealing, so long as they tasted decent.

A few minutes later, a still grumpy Kilbane and an even more cheerful Finnigan re-entered the cave. "We went down the steps a good few hundred yards and it looks like they level out just below where we turned to come back. We didn't want to risk getting to the flattened out part just in case there were any guards and we alerted them" Finnigan said.

"I'm hungry!" Kilbane said, "Where's my omelette?" he demanded.

Karadis slapped him hard across the back of the head, "Try again!!" she said menacingly.

Kilbane shot her a look, but when he saw how angry she was, he backed down, saying, "I'm rather hungry, is there any omelette ready yet, I could do with having some please."

"Much better..." Karadis said.

Milani laughed, "It's rather large but here it is. She placed portions onto the flat rocks Karadis had brought her. Help yourself" she said standing and taking some over to Finchley. "Sir." she said. "I'm sorry but unless you have a fork handy it's fingers."

Finchley checked to see that everyone else had some of the omelette, especially Milani seeing as how she'd prepared it, before accepting his own portion. Satisfied everyone had some, he thoughtfully chewed on his as he contemplated something Shon had said.

Shon sat at the back of the cave eating the last piece of the bird. Truth be told she wanted to go back to sleep to finish the dream, It seemed important somehow. She watched everyone eating. Then her eyes settled on Finchley and she knew he had not slept. She cursed that she did not have a med kit with a sedative. She moved over to him, "you're no use to us without sleep you know." she said softly.

Finchley came out of his thoughtfulness as Shon spoke to him. Turning to face her, he smiled at what she'd said, "I know, but you also know me, when there's a problem I tend to focus on that rather than what's meant to be good for me...like sleep. I'll be fine, once my stomach digests this omelette I'll be a new man, well, an old man but with a new vigour. When you were sleeping, you said something 'the portal, it needs us it is waiting for us', what did you mean?" he asked.

Shon shrugged and looked thoughtful. “I don’t remember anything, maybe it was just a dream and you’re not old!” She exclaimed taking his hand. “I never thanked you for saving my life last night.

Finchley smiled, "It was my pleasure, actually, to be honest, sucking the poison out wasn't pleasurable, but you know what I mean. I would hope you'd do the same for me if the roles were reversed."

Milani stood, “Is everyone ready? we need to make a start.” She doused the fire and took a long drink of water. “Everyone should have a drink before we leave.” She walked to the front of the cave and looked back. It had seemed quite homely and she realised she would miss it.

"Just before we go" Finchley said, looking around everyone, "I just wanted to say it's been a real pleasure dining at this hotel. The fixtures and fittings are second to none, the ambiance of the place is spectacular, and the dining experience...oh, the dining experience...well, my compliments to the Chef, I'll definitely be recommending it to my friends."

With that, he took a last drink of water from his cup and walked to the cave entrance. Looking down the steps, he sighed as he knew this was the make or break time for the crew, they would either find the portal and try to make it home, but with no guarantee of doing so, or die trying to protect the world they now found themselves in, either way, he would protect them all as best he could. He began the walk down the steps, keeping his eyes focused on what was ahead.

Not to long after, he came across the area that Finnigan and Kilbane had saw, where the steps finally petered out and the vegetation stopped and became a clearing. He held up his hand in a 'stop' movement, and as they all dropped down silently, he edged forward, signalling to Milani to come with him but fan out to his right.

Milani quietly moved up and moved to his right. She wished she had a weapon as she sat silently on her haunches waiting for orders. She looked back at Karadis with Shon, Kilbane and Finnegan bringing up the rear. The sun had now risen and was burning down on them the sweat falling down her neck and itching her back.

Finchley listened intently, but there was little sound except those of the 'birds' screeching high above them and the odd scrabbling sound of small rodent like creatures which would dart out from a bush now and again. He crept forward, picked up a couple of small stones and threw them into the clearing, but nothing happened. The decision for him now was to take the risk for them all to move out, or try and make their way through the scrub either side. He didn't like the idea of going through the scrub because as hard as they would try, they would still make a sound or shake a bush alerting anyone who was there.

He made his choice, and standing up he walked out into the clearing. "I am the chosen one!" he called out, "I've been sent to help you find a way of defeating your overlords!"

Shon moved up. “I think we are meant to go on.” She said moving out into the trees. Once out of the sun it was cooler although there was the shriek and whoops of animals and, several times she saw something slide up the trees. One thing she was mortally afraid of were snakes so the thought of walking into one made her shiver. Milani took a place beside Finchley to the right with the others taking up the rear. It seemed they fought their way through the brush then a droning noise overhead made them all duck. Milani giggled at the sight of something that looked like a chariot filled with soldiers drew itself across the sky and disappeared over the horizon.

“I wish they would drop a couple of weapon over the side of the, what was that?” She asked. “Shon what…..Shon?” Shon was standing a little way out from them. “The portal awaits us.” She said in a familiar monotone voice. She began to walk in a different direction.

As much as Finchley wanted to stop Shon and ask her what she was doing, part of him stopped that thought and said to let her go on. "Form up around Shon!" he ordered everyone, "let her go where she wants to, but at the first sign of trouble we break and make our defence."

Kilbane, Finnigan and Karadis broke cover and formed a triangular stance around Shon, all facing out the way but keeping an eye on where she was walking. Finchley himself jogged ahead of Shon and acted a a spearhead, but again watching where Shon was walking so he could stay ahead of her.

Then it began to rain deafening against the leaves of the wadi, after another hour she stopped and put her hands down. A fizzing popping sound followed by a smell of kordite pervaded the air. She set off again as the vegetation began to thin. Then, suddenly they were at the edge of a lake containing beautiful blue water. In the middle of the lake there appeared to be a grove of trees with what looked like an arch. “Behold” Shon shouted. “I bring the chosen on to you now to restore your world and vanquish the invaders.” She knelt before Finchley her eyes white. Suddenly all around them people appeared weapons raised, men, women and children dressed in leaves from the forest woven into clothes and loincloths.

The group parted and a tall albino male moved towards Finchley his spear remaining raised. “You are the chosen one, decreed to free us and our world, to use the arch to remake our world into a peaceful paradise?”

Shon suddenly fell to the floor finally freed of the compunction.

Finchley gestured to Milani to tend to Shon, all the time keeping eyes on the albino. "Yes, I'm the chosen one, and these are my followers, they're here to help me in my quest to free you all from your invaders. However, such hostility towards us is displeasing to me, I suggest you lower your weapons so we can carry out or task."

The albino lowered his spear and indicated the group to also do so. He kneeled looking at the group, "we thought you would bring an army chosen one. But please, rest eat, we have a feast prepared please follow us."

Shon was now standing and feeling fine moved towards Finchley giving him a reassuring look. Then they were led towards a large structure overlooking the lake. women were placing dishes of food and fruit onto a laden table. "Eat, rest partake of our meal."

Milani asked, "what about the overhead skimmers full of soldiers, why have they not found you?"

The albino looked up. "They search for us but the portal protects us." he looked sad, "but not our brothers and sisters outside."

"Yes" said Shon "we have seen great cruelty."

Finchley gestured for the crew to sit and eat, whilst he asked the albino to walk off a little way with him. Some fifty yards away, he turned to the man and asked, "What do you know of the way the portal protects you and your people?"

The albino thought for a moment, "In truth I do not know but our priest may be able to tell you." He waved an elderly stooped man dressed in a worn blue robe. He approached Finchley and knelt. "chosen one you honour me, the portal has long been in our history, indeed this world was populated by many races, we lived together in peace until the Overseers came. they are mean and cruel and have turned this planet into sand. They mine cathracite needed for their survival and wars, they enslaved us, raped our women and killed our children. The portal has been hidden here for eons a a group of us where chosen to protect it. Here we have lived and procreated. Each generation playing their part. There has always been the legend of the chosen one and his followers and it is you the portal wishes to see. After the feast we will take you across to the island and the Portal will tell you what you need to do." He stood and limped away.

"We are blessed with long life Chosen One, our Priest is over two hundred years old and I am eighty. Now, if you have no more questions please eat, drink."

Finchley was very interested in what the albino said about the longevity of the people who guarded the portal, never mind the portal itself. Was this a by product of the portal, or of the planet or of the food that they ate. Always there were many more questions than answers, so he decided to leave that for a later time to ask if time allowed it.

"I'm fine, just a little water for me" Finchley replied, "but please make sure my cr...followers...eat, as they have an arduous task ahead of them and they'll need their strength." They both walked back to where the others were, and as they did, his gaze wandered towards the island where it had been pointed out the portal was. He looked at the albino again and asked, "Do the Overseers or their guards ever come here looking for the portal?"

They have been searching for it for a very long time but they are beginning to move about more, more fly overhead every year and our spies whisper about them building something that will help them see us. That is why you were brought here when you were."

"Excuse me," said Shon, "I am sorry to interrupt but the Com...the Chosen one needs to eat. As his physician I insist, the food is wonderful." she took Finchley's hand and attempted to lead him back to the feast.

"I'm actually fine, I just need a little water please Shon" Finchley replied as he allowed her to lead him to the table. He looked around, glad to see the others were having some of the food that had been prepared for them. "Make sure there's enough to go around, and that includes our hosts" Finchley said as he picked up a cup water and began sipping it. Once again he looked back at the island, there was something about it that didn't seem to fit, though he couldn't see what.

A little later, once everyone had had their fill of food and water, Finchley looked over at the old priest and gestured for him to approach the table. Once he was there, Finchley stood up and asked him, "Were you here when the portal was brought, if not, are there any stories handed down that tell of it being brought here, I'd really like to know."

Evening was beginning to fall and a soft glow suffused the island in the lake. the sky was full of stars and a slight breeze blew. A great fire had been lit in a pit and everyone was sitting around. Milani was fast asleep the weariness having caught up on her.

The priest nodded and bade Finchley to sit. "now is our time for stories, we pass them on from generation to generation. My father passed them on to me and I have passed them on to my son." People began to walk from other areas to sit down waiting.

He stood the fire casting long shadows which danced behind him. "Ten generations ago this planet was as it is now, a paradise, then the overseers came and almost wiped out our people. This was the last fertile part of our land and as such we worshipped it as a reminder of our past. The story tells of a man from another place and time who appeared to the people living here. He told them that the overseers were hated throughout the galaxies but there was a way to end their rule and restore our world.

That man was you Chosen One. You swam out to the island and spent many days there digging. Then one day a great light came from the island and blinded us for several days. when we could see the Portal was before us. You were never seen again but the Portal spoke of your return as a saviour of our people. The portal now speaks only to the priests but I have seen wondrous things within its arch."

Finchley turned to Finnigan, "It's a time portal, I'm almost sure of it."

Finnigan shrugged his shoulders, "That's something beyond my comprehension Bird, but I don't doubt you if you think that's what it is. How do we use this to combat the overseers though?"

"Well, my quantum mechanics training was brief as I'm not really any kind of engineer, but from what I remember, if it's reversed, then time is basically 'sucked' backwards, like rewinding a film or tape" Finchley answered, "but we need to get to the portal to find out if this can be done."

Whilst everyone was listening to the priest and the Commodore discussing the portal, Karadis wandered towards the fire and noticed Milani lying quite close to it, fast asleep. She wandered over and lay down beside her, watching Milani as she slept, her breathing regular and her chest rising and falling accordingly. She was beautiful Karadis admitted to herself, and she herself felt a warmth flowing through her that she hadn't felt in a long time. Reaching out, she moved a whisp of hair that had fallen down on Milani's cheek. She gently brushed a finger against her cheek, feeling the softness of the skin, then moving down to Milani's neck, onto her shoulder and tracing it down her arm and back up again. She wanted to lean forward and kiss her, feel the warmth of her lips, touch the firmness of her breasts, but she stopped herself and just lay there watching her sleep the sleep of the contented.

Shon was a little confused, ask her about anything medical but temporal mechanics had always eluded her, she had only just managed to pass the course with extra tutoring. "So, was this a different you from another time?" she asked Finchley.

"Quite possibly" Finchley answered, "but if my memory serves me right, we could never actually meet in person as we'd cancel each others existence out. It does beg the question though, from what time period did I come here, as I have no memory of doing that, so it must be from the future" he added, looking at Shon.

Surely that is by the by Sir, we need to get over to the island, talk with the portal, find out how to rid this land of those overseers, either by going back in time to prevent them from ever coming here or defeating them and then, getting ourselves home if indeed that still exists."

The priest looked at Shon. The time to visit the Portal is the hour before dawn, then the water is safe to traverse, be warned great creatures live in its depths, no one has even returned from.....a night time swim." he indicated the fire, please make yourselves comfortable, you will find everything you need for a peaceful sleep." Bowing to Finchley he turned and walked away.

Shon turned on him, "now I have you alone why won't you eat? you have the charge of our group and, I can see even without a medical tricorder you need sustenance."

"I..." Finchley began, but then stopped, "...it doesn't matter right now, what does matter is that everyone needs rest for what's coming. I'll be fine, all I need is a little water to keep me going. I can manage the team quite well, I have done up till now. Get some rest Shon, I'll check on everyone else before they turn in."

He turned and walked away towards where the priest had headed and as he passed the crew he spoke to them one by one and made sure they were ok and told them it would be an early start in the morning so they needed their rest. Once he was done, he caught up with the priest who was now talking with the albino.

"Tell me priest, when you say no-one has ever returned from a night time swim, I'm assuming their bodies were never found" Finchley said, "What if they made it to the island and entered through the portal, has that never occurred to you?"

The priest looked confused for a moment. Chosen one we have seen the great beast patrolling the waters at night look, there" he pointed his staff towards the blackness where the water churned, great black coils twisted and rolled and a great head full of needle sharp teeth turned towards them then, sank below the water which once again became calm shimmering and shifting in the moonlight. Please rest."

"Yes, of course" Finchley replied, turning and walking back towards the fire. The morning couldn't come fast enough for him, so they had the chance to cross the water and find out about the portal. He then turned and walked back to where Shon was and lay down next to her, and though he closed his eyes, sleep evaded him still.

Shon's arm snaked out over him, "I've never seen you like this Finchley, so careless of yourself, so willing to endure self harm, you KNOW the body and brain needs food and you haven't slept for days, is there something you are not telling me?" she whispered.

Finchley placed his hand on her arm and cuddled in close, their embrace bringing a warmth to his body that the fire could not. "This isn't about self harm Shon, it's about making sure the people under my guide have what they need. One day, you'll Captain your own vessel, and when you do that, you'll realise that the needs of your crew come first and foremost, you become secondary. I have everything I need right now, you, a warm fire, and a crew who are like a bunch of cats that I try to heard together every day and are like family. I have water to sustain me to keep me going, and that's enough for me. You should sleep now, dawn's not that far away and we'll be rising early to go across the walkway."

She gave up, " at least hold me close until then and, by the way my place is with you." She huddled into his arms. "until the morning then."

"Until the morning, goodnight Shon" Finchley replied, kissing her.

It only seemed like minutes until the deep sounds of a bell being struck woke them. The Priest stood before Finchley, "an hour before dawn Chosen One, it is time." Shon stood up. "The chosen one only will take the path."

Milani joined Shon, "No, where the Commodore goes we all go."

The priest shook his head, if you try you will die, it is for the chosen one only."

"It's ok Milani, I'll be fine" Finchley smiled wanly.

"Shon, can you fetch me some water please" he asked of her.

Shon nodded and walked away picking some old meat also in the vain hope that he would eat.

When she walked off, Finchley looked at Milani, "Listen Mil, if this goes pear shaped, promise me you'll be there for Shon, whatever she needs, however she reacts, you'll always be there for her."

Milani looked at him a strange look in her face. "Of course, yes of course I will but you ARE going to return and we will get home. Be reassured Shon will be safe with me."

The priest interrupted, "it is time Chosen One," he stood for a moment as if listening. "the Portal tells me that as your physician has acted as the way at certain times she will be allowed to accompany you."

Milani turned and walked back to where Shon stood, "The Priest says you can accompany the Commodore if you should so wish?"

"Of course I do," said Shon as she moved over to Finchley. She felt no fear just peace that she should be allowed to be with him. She reached out and took his hand."

Finchley felt the warmth of Shon's hand in his and he was so very glad that she was going with him and he didn't have to do this on his own.

The Priest continued. The path will show you the way but will disappear shortly." he seemed agitated as the gleaming black path hung over the water and the creature it contained.

Finchley turned to Milani, and walking a little way off with her and Shon, looked at her and said, "Whilst we're over on the island, I want all of you back here to gather as much intel on the comings and goings of the overseers and their guards in this area. There has to be a pattern to their search...", and lowering his voice he added, "...I don't entirely trust the priest. I think his heart is in the right place, he wants to see him and his people freed, but he also seems a little jumpy and insistent that we go now. I can't help the feeling he's under pressure. Anyway, gather what you can, but also keep an eye on where we're going, I think there's more to that island than it being where the portal is."

Milani nodded, "Sounds good Commodore we will investigate it.

The Priest began to make his way along the black path carefully and if not a little fearfully. Looking back he saw Finchley and Shon begin to follow. Suddenly a fine mist began to drift across the water and obscured the land behind. He began to hurry, "Please Chosen one quicken your pace. I cannot stay here whilst you commune with the portal and the path will soon vanish." It only took the Priest a few more seconds to gain solid ground and waited for the pair to catch up.

Finchley helped Shon onto the solid ground from the path and they caught up with the priest. "Thank you very much for your guidance across to here on the path, you may return, we will take things from here."

The Priest nodded and bowed in gratitude "Be safe chosen One." He turned and hurried back across the path swallowed up by the mist. There was a groaning sound as the path began to shimmer and vanish leaving them alone on the island.

Well lets get this......" a startling sound began, the creaking and crashing of branches as the vegetation parted. "Guess this is the way," she said and began to move between the trees. "This Island is very old Finchley I can feel it and yet it does not belong in this time."

Thinking on what Shon had just said reminded Finchley of a very old archive movie he'd watched not to long ago. "It's like we're actually in the 'Land that time forgot' and are the protagonists" Finchley said to her and laughed softly.

Following the now open pathway through the vegetation, he kept his wits about him, ensuring Shon was beside him. Their path of grass began to give way to more of a solid flat rocky area and eventually opened out into a clearing with a rock face at the far end. Stopping before they moved out into it, Finchley closed his eyes and listened, but he could only hear the faint whisper of a breeze that moved the bushes gently around them. Opening his eyes again, he looked at Shon, "I can't hear anything moving, the way across to the rock face there looks clear, but let's take it slowly."

They began to walk slowly the air smelling slightly metallic to Shon. "If only I had a medical tricorder?" she said stopping. "Look at this striation in the rock?" she bent down to touch it. The ground shook and she lost her footing and fell. It seemed as if the whole rock face was changing. Not with a grinding sound but a sinuous movement as the rock face bent back to reveal an entrance to a cave. "This is it!" Shon exclaimed excitedly.

Finchley immediately reached forward to steady Shon as she lost her footing, helping her back up again. Looking at the now open entrance in the rock, the smell of old stale air reached them and he became hesitant. Part of him, the adventurous side, wanted to walk right in and find out what was inside, but the more dominant cautious side kept Finchley from being so reckless. Moving forward slowly, he could see from the opening that a tunnel reached far back into the darkness, no visible light other than from where they currently were. Taking a hold of Shon's hand, he moved forward to the threshold of the clearing and into the tunnel.

"If only we had some kind of torch li..." he began to say, then suddenly there was illumination on the walls as old hand held pitch torches began lighting one by one deeper and deeper into the tunnel.

He looked at Shon, "Now that's scary..."

Shon laughed, "and you're saying the rest of this sleigh ride is not!." They carried on further down the tunnel until it came to a bend. Shon stopped. "This is it, I can feel it."

"OF COURSE YOU CAN" a voice boomed, "YOU BROUGHT THEM HERE."

Shon jumped as they rounded the corner to see what looked like a large shining arc of rock, yet also seemingly of metal. The centre of the arc shimmered and moved showing strange scenes of what looked like other alien life and worlds. Then the scenes changed, the first voyage to the moon, the first warp voyage from Montana, the founding of the Federation, then further back. Scenes of olden times, people riding horses, carriages and wearing strange clothing, then even further back seemingly in time, humans wearing medieval armour in great battles, then, cavemen and then nothing apart from a huge explosion as the galaxy was born.

"WELCOME CHOSEN ONE TO THE PAST, PRESENT AND THE FUTURE." the voice boomed. "Finchley Kerr and Shoniara Dex welcome." the voice said more softly. Shon removed her hands from her delicate ears and looked at Finchley.

Finchley was somewhat at a loss as to what to say at first, like Shon he'd been taken in by the light around the rock and the strange pictures showing scenes from earth's history. Quickly though his curiosity took over and his analytical brain took over.

"Who are we speaking to?" Finchley demanded, and then in a more softer tone he said, "I...I mean...thank you, but who are you, and what is this picture show we see before us...and just who did we bring here and where from?"

"I AM THE PORTAL TO TIME AND SPACE and I want to go home", he said in a quieter voice. I sent for you Commodore Finchley and your companion helped me guide you here. I have promised these people to return their planet to them and through that I can claim redemption. Everything was planned from the accident on your ship to you coming here. I need both of you to go back in time and retrieve a controller that was once lost but now has been found. Once you bring me that I will be able to restore this planet and remove the non indigenous beings. Then I will return you and your friends to your ship before the explosion which destroyed it. You will be able to stop it coming on board or just, beam it into space before it becomes a time loop."

Shon gasped, "No!" she exclaimed. "you bastard."

"I have been called many things small being, well what do you say?"

Not one to be intimidated, Finchley spoke up. "Well, let's see" he began, "You needed to bring me here which means whatever this controller is it's connected to me. You say we need to go into the past to collect it, tell me exactly how far back we have to go and and what this controller is. Now, you can choose to be vague, only giving us hints to what I've just asked about...then the two of us just walk away and fight the overseers on our own terms, or, you can be specific and we help you and you the help us to get home. I'll now throw your own question back at you, well, what do you say?"

The cavern shook and Shon was knocked off her feet. Jumping up she said "well you got him annoyed!" rubbing a now sore hip.

You will be returning to late twentieth century in a place called Area 51 Edward's airforce base in Nevada. In the old United States. The controller is a small piece of alien technology." There was a buzz and a small box appeared at their feet. This will tell you where it is. One of your ancestors Anabelle Nichols-Kerr looks after the alien artefacts on the base. This 'controller will bring you back to me, here at the very time you left. Once I have it my ability to return the overseers to their own time will return, this once fertile land will be so again and its people free. Before I leave to return to my place of origin I will transport you and your crew back to your ship before the explosion occurs........now, I am tired. Eat, drink and sleep. I will revive.... in ......five........ hours."
The portals voice became slow and the moving screen flickered and died until the cave behind it came into focus.

"Well," said Shon, "There's an ask but if the Thall was destroyed surely it is the only way to get it back, the only way to restore this land?"

"There's only one problem with that Shon" Finchley said, "we never saw the Thall explode, nor was there any sign of any explosion before we came through the portal on the ship. How do we know this 'Portal of time and space' is telling the truth? Sure, we came through a portal, there's no denying that, but how could this portal tell we'd come here, and how did it manage to use you to guide me here? No, there's more to this than it's telling us, and one more thing, I know my family tree like the back of my hand, I never had any ancestral family in the old USA, all my family came from and lived in a country known as Scotland and the ancestral line from that was from what was known as Normandy. Whatever that thing is, it's lying to us, we need to be on our guard."

Shon sighed and sat down her back to the wall of the cave. "There is much to think about. Are you sure that you could not have had any relatives that you could not have known about? Milani told me that she thought there would be an explosion on board the Thall if the situation was not resolved. Can we afford not to go on this mission into the past because, if we do not what happens to these people, the overseers must be defeated and I just want to go home. Finchley I feel so helpless here and I just want to get this over" she put her head back against the rock and closed her eyes.

There was a noise and a blur and a table appeared with water and food on it. Shon sighed, "not again." she said.

"Oh, I'm not saying we're not going into the past, of course we are, all I'm saying is that I have no recollection in my heritage of this person that was mentioned. I must admit, I'm not perfect, I could have missed something or someone in my research, it's just the name means nothing to me. Anyhow, food been provided, you should eat and rehydrate."

Shon was surprisingly hungry so she ate some of the bread and some sort of cheese product. The water was cool and fresh. "at least eat some bread and cheese Finchley?" she asked, "we don't know when we will eat again?"

To appease Shon's desire to get him to eat, he took one small bite out of a hunk of bread on the table and very quickly washed it down with copious amounts of water, but had no more to eat. Once Shon was done, he hunkered down with her to sleep on a bed of straw that had appeared off to the side of where the table with food and water had appeared.

"I fear this is going to be an arduous journey Shon" he said sleepily, "and I don't want us to do it alone. I feel that it's right and correct to have the others with us, so when this portal of time awakens us, we should tell them we're not doing it without them, call their bluff...agreed?"

Shon, appreciating the closeness without anyone else around nodded. "My only problem would be Karadis. Klingons on Earth? we would have to hide her." She put her arms around him and pressed her tired body close to his. "I just want this to end and get home, I need to give you a complete medical." she paused. "I have never loved anyone as much as I do you Finchley."

"I have an idea on how to explain Karadis appearance" Finchley said. "From memory, Area Fifty One was set up around the mid nineteen fifties by the then American government. It was originally a test flight facility I think, but then UFO noggins got involved with theories that alien technology was actually what was tested there and it all became rather off the wall. However, before the site was set up, the American government were involved in a war overseas, a place called Korea. That was ended only a couple of years 'before' Area Fifty One was set up, so what we could say is that Karadis' appearance was as a result of injuries she received during the was. No-one would question the fact that her ridges could have be a scar as a result of shrapnel cutting her forehead open and that the medical help she got could only part stitch the wound together leaving a scar that made her forehead appear as it does. Her teeth could be explained the same way, I think it'll work."

Shon actually laughed, "I'm not sure how to explain her breasts and..other parts of her body but, if you want her then we ask the portal to bring them here. But until he appears.......no, wait a minute lets see if we can attract his attention." She stood and walked over to the arch. "Hey, portal" Shon shouted. "The chosen one wishes to speak to you, he has a request. HEY" she shouted and hit the side of the arch. At once she was flung across the cave floor hitting her head on the rock face. she sat up groggy her head bleeding.

Finchley rushed over to Shon. Ripping off part of his tunic he staunched the bleeding till it stopped and then made sure she was comfortable before he stood up again and walked back to the portal.

"Listen up you fuckwit, personally, I don't give a shit about this world, it can go down in flames as far as I'm concerned" Finchley shouted, "If you EVER cause harm to any of my people again, I'll take a fucking sledgehammer to you and break you down into little pebbles. So this is what's going to happen, and if you don't do it I won't go and get this damn controller you so desperately need, you're going to apologise to her!" and he pointed at Shon, "for what you just did to her and make amends, plus you're going to allow my followers to come with us to the past. Say no to any of this and you're fucked, you'll never get home again because I'm your only hope. So get cracking, oh, and you're going to apologise to me and beg me to go back into the past, that non negotiable you arsehole!"

For a moment nothing happened then the portal flared and hummed as it once again sprang to life. "Chosen One I apologise your doctor....your, companion hit the arch which has a composite force field to prevent my destruction. Any attempt to destroy me will result in death.However, Doctor I apologise to you and hope you injury is not too painful."

Shon stood, "no it was a surprise portal I'll say that but you would do best not to anger the Chosen One and keep him sweet by doing as he says, how long will......." There was a blinding flash and a bemused Karadis, Kilbane, Milani and Finnigan stood before them.

Shon smiled. "Gentlemen, lady meet the portal."

"What the hell just happened?" Karadis asked.

"You just stepped through the looking glass Alice" Finchley replied.

"Huh?" Karadis grunted, not understanding.

"The portal just brought the four of you here so you can join us on the journey" Finchley answered.

"Journey where?" Kilbane asked cautiously.

"Back in time, to the mid twentieth century on Earth, in the 'good ol' U...S...of A' if you can believe it" Finchley said in reply.

"Ok, that answers the when and partly answers the where...how about the why?" Finnigan asked.

"The other part of the where is Area Fifty One, in Nevada, and the why is so we can steal a controller from a highly classified government research centre to bring back here to this portal so 'it' can fix this planet and then go home itself and in that process send 'us' home to the USS Thall" Finchley said with a smile, "All rather easy when you say it out loud."

"And what do you propose we do with the rest of the day?" Karadis asked flippantly.

"Well I've always wanted to learn how to sky dive..." Finchley answered just as flippantly.

"Oh, and Karadis, I need to explain something to you about your...your...looks, but I'll do that as we go" Finchley added.

"Oh good grief, it's another one of your fly by the seat of your pants plans isn't it!" Karadis stated.

"Kind of, yes...in fact to be brutally honest...it's an absolute yes..." Finchley answered, again smiling.

He turned to face the portal, "Ok portal, we'll need period uniforms if we're to enter this military base, once we have them, you can set the timeline and we can go."

If the portal were a cat one could have heard him purring as a huge pile of appropriate clothing appeared. "The town you will be arriving at is called Rachel and it is the nearest town to Area 51. Your apparel is military uniforms of the time" said the Portal.

Milani had a look at Shon's head then began digging through the clothes. "These all appear to be military Commodore, I am not sure of what these insignia mean and what...is this?" she picked up what looked like an antique pistol.

"That is what they referred to as a 'sidearm' Mil" Finchley replied, "it's a projectile weapon, firing mainly a metal bullet. You hold it in your hand using the grip and put your index finger through the hole...but don't pull back on the trigger...the small metal piece beside where your index finger will be unless you're ready to fire it. It's good for up to a couple of hundred feet, but they only hold between six and nine bullets, so not as sustainable as our phasers."

He walked over to where Mil and Shon were and motioned for Karadis to join them. Once the four of them were together he said, "This next part is rather difficult for me to say, so please bare in mind it was four to five hundred years ago in Earth's past and I don't condone it in any way shape or form. Also, once I tell you..." and he turned specifically to face Karadis, "...you've got to promise not to punch me!"

"I'm not making any promises..." Karadis replied.

"Fair enough" Finchley said. "Back in the days we'll be entering into, women were not really seen as being equal to men."

Karadis grabbed Finchley by his collar and lifted him up onto his tip toes, "I would advise you to choose your next words very carefully."

"I...will..." he gasped.

Letting him down again, Karadis nodded for him to carry on.

"During that time, men saw themselves as intellectually superior to women...wrong, I know, but they just did...and so they preferred it if women...you know..."

"Oh for goodness sake Bird!" Kilbane interjected, "what he's trying to say is women were to be seen but not heard, not interrupt, not disagree, not do anything that drew attention to them."

Finchley pointed at Kilbane, "That!", and he backed away from Karadis.

She in turn looked at Finchley and said, "So you want us three" and she pointed to herself, Milani and Shon, "to just be quiet and let you and those two dopes to do all the talking?"

"Ehhhhhmmmmmm...kind of...yes" Finchley whispered.

Karadis turned to Milani and Shon, "Well, what do you two say?"

Shon laughed and looked at Milani, "maybe we 'women' can take a back seat on this one....Oh Surak, she said as she pulled out a regulation skirt and what looked like a garter belt and stockings. What the hell do we do with this and, more to the point what will Karadis do with this?"

Milani had already gone behind a convenient rock and came out dressed in a fitted calf length skirt and a tight fitting blouse with a little cross tie. She lifted her skirt. "Like this Shon, Karadis," she said as she rolled up each stocking up her thighs to clip it on with the suspenders.

"Not very comfortable looking?" Shon said.

"Actually quite airy," the statuesque woman replied.


Karadis face was a picture and Finchley tried his best to cover his laugh with a cough. Karadis slowly turned her head to look at him, "One, just one smart alec comment from you Bird and you'll regret it, do you understand?"

Finchley held up his hands and turned away to go and stand across the way next to the portal. Kilbane on the other hand was staring at Milani, watching her roll the stockings up her legs and clipping them in.

Out the side of his mouth, Finnigan whispered "Put your tongue away son..."

Kilbane snapped out of his staring and replied, "Sorry, I was...that was just...wow!"

Meanwhile, Karadis had taken what she thought was the best looking fit of uniform and had gone behind the rock that Milani had used to get changed at. Some cursing and shouting later, she emerged from behind it, more or less dressed how Milani was, but a lot angrier than when she'd first begun changing. Looking at Milani and remembering how she'd done the stockings up, she hitched her skirt up and rolled the stocking up her legs and clipped them into place.

Out the side of his eye, Kilbane could now see Finnigan staring, open mouthed.

"Hoy, pot calling the kettle black arse, get your own tongue back in your head" he said to the Irishman.

"I really should look away, but I can't, she's magnificent!" Finnigan said. Kilbane walked over and stood on his toes and Finnigan yelped and started to hop around on his good foot.

"Bastard!" he hissed at Kilbane.

"Just saving you from Karadis wrath" Kilbane winked.

After changing into his own uniform, Finchley finally turned round to see everyone now ready. He walked over and inspected Kilbane and Finnigan, and satisfied they were good to go he stood back.

"Ok everyone, listen up" he began, "the timeline we're going into is one we'll have to adapt to quickly. Try not to draw attention to us, if you're spoken to, be polite, if you're saluted, return the salute in the same way. The way the portal has set us up, I'm a General, so refer to me that way and not Commodore. Kilbane you're a Major, Finnigan you're a Captain, Karadis, Milani and Shon you're all Lieutenants. The town of Rachel we'll start off in will be small, but we'll have to acquire a staff car that can accommodate six, that's the first priority. Right, does anyone have any questions?"

"Many," said Shon simply noting that Milani was entranced by Karadis. "But none you can answer. What do we do with these weapons?" she said dangling the pistol by the barrel.

"Like this" Milani said already having seated her pistol in a sheath on her side. "Jackets on ladies." she said "and we need to put our hair up." both Shon and milani piled their hair up into an elegant chinon and looked expectantly at Karadis, Milani smiled gently.

Karadis put her hair up the same as both Milani and Shon had done, and though it felt a little uncomfortable at first, she very quickly realised that it kept it out of her eyes. She was also VERY aware that her blouse was straining across her ample bosom and that this had Milani agog, something she would need to remember for when they returned to the Thall, if they returned.

She turned towards Finchley and began walking towards him. Suddenly her legs buckled under her and her ankles twisted first one way and then the other as she reached out for anything that would help her remain upright. Fortunately Kilbane was close enough to put his arms out and save her from falling down.

She cursed the shoes she was wearing as it was those that had caused her to loose her footing, "How the fuck did Earth women manage to walk in these death traps!"

"Through practice" Kilbane answered.

"Then you wear them!" Karadis shouted at him.

"KARADIS, CAN IT, NOW!" Finchley shouted at her, "Right, everyone, on me now, it's time to enter through the portal and get this part of the mission over and done with."

The portal spoke. "All you have to do is step through the arch. When you are ready to return with the item return to this place and press this." a small box appeared at Milani's feet and she picked it up. the face of the portal shimmered and the group got their first glimpse of the small, very small town of Rachel.

"Come on then," she said and they all stepped through.

The heat was the first thing that struck Milani. "Surak's ghost!" exclaimed Shon as she looked through the dirty glass of the empty shop they had appeared in. she looked back to see the cave and portal disappear to be replaced by dusty, empty shelves. The town looked empty as the main drag consisted of what looked like a general shop, a bar and a small picture house.

Shon opened the door and stepped out into the street. "We need to find out where the Nellis Air Force base is, requisition transport and discuss how we are going to get inside. I think this time requires some sort of remuneration, money I think it was called."

Suddenly a loud whistle shot through the air as several men, wearing what looked like uniforms not unlike their own were staring and calling at Milani. "It looks like their fingers are on fire?" she said.

That's called smoking." Shon said." we learnt about it and its effects in early medical school." at that moment she stepped aside to avoid something that looked like a small bush blowing along the street."

"Hey doll" one of the soldiers called to Karadis "Want to have some fun?"

Karadis began a low menacing growl, culminating in her beginning to say "I'll have fun crushi..."

That was when Finchley elbowed her in the ribs, "Steady now Karadis, like I said before, we don't want to blow our cover."

Finchley stepped out from behind Karadis and at once the men who'd been doing the catcalling stopped and stood to attention. Finchley walked over to them and slowly walked around them, stopping now and again to utter a "Tsk", or a "Uh hu." He finally stopped before the soldier who had called out to Karadis about 'having some fun' and asked, "What's your name soldier?"

"Gunnery Sergeant Maxwell Briden Sir!" he answered sharply.

"And tell me Gunnery Sergeant Briden, do you think it's good manners to call out to female soldiers in such a way?" Finchley asked.

"It was all in gest Sir, didn't mean anything by it" Briden replied.

"THAT'S NOT WHAT I ASKED YOU SON, I ASKED YOU IF YOU THINK IT'S GOOD MANNERS TO CALL OUT TO A FEMALE SOLDIER IN SUCH A WAY?" Finchley now shouted.

"Nnn...nno...Sir!" Briden answered, again sharply.

"Here's what's going to happen" Finchley carried on in a more normal voice, "you're going to get down on your hands and knees and crawl over to Lieutenant Karadis there and offer up your most sincere apology to her, then you're going to beg her forgiveness, and if by God's good graces she accepts them, you're then going to crawl back over here to me and tell me you're sorry for acting in such a disgusting manner towards one of my staff members."

Briden physically and audibly 'gulped', then got down on his hands and knees and crawled over to Karadis. Finchley watched as an exchange took place, and Briden then crawled back over to him and stood to attention before him. "Well, I take it she forgave you?"

"The Lieutenant kindly accepted my apology and gave me her forgiveness Sir, yes" Briden answered.

"Now apologise to me..." Finchley said.

"Sir, I offer my most humble apologies for the disgusting and disrespectful manner in which I conveyed myself towards your staff members, and I ask you to forgive me" Briden replied.

"Well now, let me see" Finchley said thoughtfully, "I'll tell you what, do you have a vehicle with you, for you and your other...'friends' here to travel back to base in?" Finchley asked.

Briden was a bit taken aback at the question and he looked at Finchley, then realising what he'd just done, quickly faced the front again. Taking a breath he then said, "Yes Sir, we have a long wheelbase jeep with us."

"Good, then here's the deal" Finchley answered, "my staff car's broken down and has been towed away to get fixed, hence me being stuck here. You're going to give me the jeep keys so myself and my staff can use it to get to the nearby base and you and your 'friends' are going to walk back. If you do that, you'll have my forgiveness for your shortcomings."

"It's ten miles back to base Sir, we're on duty in three hours..." Briden complained.

"Then you'll all have to either walk fast or face the base MP's when I call then in about two minutes to come and arrest you for gross insubordination and lewd behaviour towards the Generals staff" Finchley replied.

Briden put his hand in his pocket and pulled out the jeep keys then handed them to Finchley.

"Where's it parked?" Finchley asked.

"Around the corner from the general store Sir, just up the street" Briden said.

"Good, then you and your friends had better start walking now. You have my forgiveness Gunnery Sergeant, dismissed" Finchley replied.

Briden didn't need a second time to be told, he saluted, said "Thank you Sir!", and then was off with the other soldiers.

Finchley watched them go, a smile on his face, damn that had felt good. He returned to where the crew were all standing and as he approached he said, "Ladies and gentlemen, we now have transport" and he handed the jeep keys to Shon.

TBC.