The Commodore was sitting in his ready room when the door chime rang. "Come in," Pike shouted.
The doors slid open and Tumock walked into the room. "You wanted to see me sir?" Tumock inquired.
"Ah yes, Mr. Tumock. I believe you are up to date with our current status?"
"Yes sir," Tumock replied.
"Then you know about the unusual power readings coming from the fourth planet's location."
"Yes sir."
"You've probably guessed by now what I am going to say next?"
"You want a team to find the source of the power signature and see if there is any threat to the ship."
"Or a hope of finding a way back, and I would like you to lead a team." Pike then picks up a PADD and touches the screen. "We have secured an area below the ship and we temporarily have some spare personal." Pike handed the PADD to Tumock. "This is the team that will be going. Dismissed, Lieutenant."
Tumock nodded, turned, and left the ready room.
As Tumock approached the shuttle bay he quickly went over the names of the team. Tumock then lifted his head as he walked into the shuttle bay. He was greeted by the team that was going. Carter walked up to Tumock.
"Off again?" asked Carter. "Anyone would think you were trying to get away from this ship." Carter smiled and looked at Tumock for a response. Tumock looked at her.
"Is the runabout ready to leave?" he asked.
"I'll go warm her up now," replied Carter. With that she turned and walked into the runabout, followed by MacLeod and Haakon. The only people left in the shuttle bay were Tyran Nige and Tumock. Nige and Tumock were old friends from the academy and got on well with each other. Nige stood up straight with a grin. Tumock looked at him and a very small smile crept up on him.
"I know what you want me to say Nige," Tumock said holding back a smile.
"What's that?" asked Nige, trying to look confused. Finally Tumock broke and a big grin took over.
"Congratulations Nige, you finally made Chief of Security. I know you worked hard for it."
"Thanks," replied Nige, and they walked in the runabout.
The runabout departed the Knight's main hangar. Time passed and the small crew had exchanged tales of where they were when the Kelvans attacked, until they were interrupted by a small alarm. They all quickly got to their positions.
"Sensors show some kind of orbital space station, of unknown design" said Tumock as he started tapping away at the computer console.
"It appears to be the source of the power signature the Knight detected," Carter added.
"No life signs," called Haakon.
"Carter, bring us closer to the station. I want to beam onboard." Carter then took the runabout closer and located a suitable area to beam in.
"Ready when you're ready," said Carter as she turned to Tumock.
"Haakon Nige and MacLeod, you're with me. Carter, keep a transporter lock on us," Tumock ordered.
When the small away team materialized on the station, MacLeod and Nige took out phasers and Tumock and Haakon took out tricorders.
"The air is -- stale," Nige pointed out.
"I estimate that the station has not been used for two thousand years," replied Tumock. He walked over to a console and started tapping away. After a few minutes the lights brighten and all the machinery starts powering up. Tumock turned to Nige. "Nige, MacLeod, scout out the station."
Nige nodded and walked off with MacLeod. Tumock then started to try and decipher the language that the station used and what the station actually did.
After a while Nige and MacLeod returned. "There is nothing of any threat on the station," Nige reported.
"We have almost finished. I have nearly downloaded everything we need." Tumock carried on tapping away. "As far as I can see, this station was a secret testing outpost for a race called the Han'gosians. The rest is secured and will need time to open." Tumock then closed the tricorder and looked around. "Finished. Tumock to Carter, we are ready to beam up".
The team was transported to the runabout.
When they had gotten back to the Knight and Tumock had finally unlocked all the information, he reported to the Commodore. Once again the Commodore was interrupted by the buzz at his door and let Tumock in.
"Commodore, I may have found our way home. Apparently the race that created the station was hunted down and destroyed, but before they were destroyed they tried to save their civilization by traveling through time to a point where they could stop the other race from expanding." Tumock took a breath. "They managed to make one test that took a ship a few minutes back in time and to their home planet, but they were then found and killed, it is unknown why the attackers left the station intact."
"And?" asked Pike.
"When we finish repairs on the Knight, in our own time, we can travel straight to Earth in a matter of seconds to a time before the Kelvans arrive. The only problem is that time travel is illegal."
"I'm aware of Federation law," replied Pike "But is there any other way?"
"I have another suggestion, but I would not recommend it."
"Continue," asked Pike.
"When transwarp was first being tested, instead on opening transwarp conduits, the Federation tried speeding up a ship until it crossed the threshold. At this state you are literally everywhere at the same time, and will be able to come out from transwarp at any location. The problem is having to wait until the engines are ready and then once we are there we will have to go through an operation to stop the entire crew 'devolving', which is a side affect of the travel."
"Not too inviting," replied Pike.
"Like I said sir, it is not recommended."
"Thank you Lieutenant. You're dismissed."
"Yes sir." Tumock left, leaving the Commodore alone again with another decision.