The time machine had been successfully installed by Brock, however, whether it would interface with the Knight's systems was another matter. It was just a matter of turning it on and hoping for the best. It had been a long week for the Knight's engineering staff. It was incredibly difficult to get the alien technology to interface with Federation equipment even in simulations. Brock calculated the chances of it working were quite low. He also said that the system would need constant monitoring to see that the interface did not break up. That was Ensign Bensons job. Ensign Benson knew that as a result of his secret that he may not be able to concentrate on such a massive task. The only two people on the ship that knew about it were Lieutenants Tumock and Tyran. Tumock took the same course as Benson in the academy and Nige shared a room with them. He had momentary concentration lapses and tended to be extremely hyperactive. He was worried that this problem may jeopardize his Starfleet career and told no-one about it. He had also not socialized with the crew a great deal seeing as even a cup of coffee could over-stimulate him. He had however learned to control himself and when he was off duty would just let out all his energy. He had thought of telling Brock that he may not be able to undertake this task, but he believed that being able to do this should give him the confidence to tell people about his problems.
His thoughts were interrupted by Brock speaking,
"Brock to Commodore Pike."
[Pike here.]
"Everything's ready down here Commodore. We can use the device whenever you're ready."
[Acknowledged. Pike out.]
This was the moment of truth, Benson thought. The lives of everybody on board the ship depended on him.
"Ensign," called Brock as he crawled over towards Benson. "Is everything here ready?"
"I believe so sir. The anti-matter flow from the engines is stable, and all other transwarp systems functioning within normal parameters. The Han'gosian time machine is installed and powered and the interface is stable."
"Well done Ensign. Keep it that way." Brock crawled off to speak to another group of engineers, once again leaving Benson alone with his thoughts. Doubts started to form in his mind. He came to the conclusion that it wasn't worth risking the lives of everyone on the Knight just to make him feel more confident in himself.
He got up from his chair and walked over towards Brock.
"Excuse me, Lieutenant. I don't believe I have the ability to do what your asking me to do. Sir."
"Why not Ensign?"
"I have a condition where I can't handle large amounts of stress. I tend to have lapses in concentration and for a task where I will have to concentrate continually for a long period of time, I am almost certain that I am putting the crew in danger by doing this job. I request to be reassigned, sir."
"Ensign, you're the only person I have capable of doing this job. If you can't do it then we may not be able to get back and stop the Kelvans. We're the galaxies only hope and I can't afford to loose my best engineer at a time like this. I order you to stay at your post Ensign."
"Understood sir," said Benson as he turned around and walked back to his control console.
"I hope you realize, Ensign, that I'm going to have to report this condition to Dr. Kira and Commodore Pike when this is all over," shouted Brock after him. Benson looked at Brock with a worried and fearful glance. This could mean the end of his Starfleet career. He then looked back at his view screen. Meters were flashing green and all systems checked out perfect.
"All systems functioning normally, we can activate the Han'gosian device when ready," shouted Benson to Brock. Benson looked back and his console. Tumock had taught him some relaxation techniques at the academy to help him if this kind of situation should ever occur. Benson put everything out of his mind. He could hear the shouts and reports of the engineering staff around him. He heard Brock shouting above the noise.
"Release chronometric particles from main deflector, signal the bridge we're ready. Prepare for time travel in five... four... three... two... one... engage!" The engines powered up and the ship warped off back towards Federation space. It disappeared in a blinding blue flash and entered a time conduit.
All around Benson there were cries from engineers and exploding consoles. He tried to remain calm but his attention slipped and while correcting a problem with the plasma injectors, he didn't realize a small flashing light on a monitor to his left indicating that the interface between the two technologies was degrading. As he finished correcting his current problem, he glanced over and saw that the interface was now at only 37% and falling. He desperately tapped away at buttons on his console to try and stabilize it.
"Benson!? What's happening?" cried Brock from the upper level.
"The interface is degrading sir!" Benson shouted back. "I'm trying to stabilize it now."
"Make it fast Ensign, if it gets below 20% we'll have to deactivate the device and drop out of warp in the time we're in now!"
"Its at 34% Lieutenant. I'm going to try redirecting power from non-essential systems... It's working! Interface at 36% and rising!"
"Well done Lieutenant! I........Ahhhhhhhhhh.........." A plasma conduit behind Brock exploded at that moment, throwing him from the balcony onto the center of the lower level. Benson got up and ran over to Brock.
"Benson to sick bay. Medical emergency in engineering."
[Use the EMH, Ensign.]
"Computer activate the EMH program!" shouted Benson.
"Please state the nature of the medical emergency," came the reply.
"Lieutenant Brock was just blown from the upper level."
"Hmm, Horta physiology is very interesting. He has severe plasma burns and radiation poisoning. He will need to be transported directly to sick-bay. Sick-bay, this is the emergency medical hologram. beam Lieutenant Brock to sick bay." Brock glows blue as the transporter beam consumes his body and then disappears.
"Will he be all right?" asked Benson.
"Unlikely," replied the EMH. "Could you please turn me off now?"
"Computer, deactivate the EMH program." The EMH faded out of view and Benson walked hurriedly back to his station. As he reached there the ship shuddered and the warp core started powering down.
[Bridge to engineering. Well done, we're back at Earth on the 23rd of November.]
"Captain?" asked Benson.
[Yes?] replied Neil.
"Lieutenant Brock was injured during the journey. It doesn't look good."
[Thank you for telling me Ensign. I'll get down there straight away.]
Later on that day when most of the engineering staff had gone off duty, Benson remained in engineering finishing off some loose ends. Doctor Kira steps out of the turbolift. The doors hissed shut behind him as he walked towards Benson. Benson noticed him and stood up to inquire about Brock's condition.
"How is he?"
"He's going to be ok," replied Kira. "He's recovering in sickbay now. His injuries were very extensive so he'll have to rest in sick bay for a few days, he's also had slight damage to his brain and may not be able to remember much about what happened over the last few days." Knowing this Benson didn't feel as guilty as he did. His lapse of concentration hadn't killed anyone and even better, Brock may not be able to remember about it. Still, he thought to himself, I'll have to tell someone someday.