The ship is set for Self Destruct, Older Spock & Data train phasers on everyone, & Guinan "drops the bomb" as Gary 7 orchestrates a plan to fix the Guardian and Time/Space itself- but can it possibly work?! This is only 1 of several "Alternate Timelines" scenarios, submitted for your approval, in the Star Trek Zone! This is 1 story you won't want to miss! See Ent section-FanLib for full version

Notes to the reader: There are substantive revisions in three areas - dialogue between Kirk and Picard was sharpened on page 1, all descriptive passages were clarifed on page 2, and the story now conludes on a subtler emotional note. Feedback from users "linzi" and "cvalin" was invaluable in locating weaknesses in the prior draft.

Spock and Data are trapped in the past, hosted by Gary Seven who may know more than he lets on. Their time doubles travel forward to assist Gary Seven who is also in the future. Meanwhile Kirk and Picard face off in the ultimate confrontation with the fate of the universe at stake.

Can Kirk and Picard work out their differences while the clock continues to tick? If not, they and every civilization will brunt the cost of the Guardian's malfunction.

Sometimes Captains have to make impossible choices. Sometimes you have no good options. Sometimes you run out of time. Sometimes even when you win, you lose. Sometimes even when you lose, you win.

Kirk, Picard and Riker are thrust into a mystery that could destroy the very foundations of the Federation. They battle Romulans, the Guardian, Starfleet Command, and even themselves in this submission for Round 3!

Finally some answers...While Kirk tries to cheat history, Picard attempts to discover what happened to the away team. Meanwhile, Spock and Data get some answers from an unexpected source...

Kirk and Picard's conflict over the fate of the timeline is interrupted by tragedy. Spock and Data have a chance to learn the truth, but even their intellectual prowess may not be enough to save two Starships from a fatal engagement!

Kirk is busted -- Picard knows he peeked into his future, and Kirk isn't waiting around for it to play out. But when an unknown force threatens to change everything, will Picard be willing to wait around?

While Spock and Data explore the Guardian's interior - Picard and Kirk struggle with issues of trust.