SECTION 25

…and suddenly you’re back in your own bed on the Anomaly. The room is quiet except for the ever-present soft thrum of the engines and Reginald breathing softly beside you.

Did you just dream all that?

Surely not. But there’s honestly no way to know.

Regardless, you’re wide awake now.

You slip out of bed and out to the living area of the quarters you share with your husband. Maybe a nice cup of herbal tea will help.

You head over to the replicator to peruse the selections.

“Rosalyn!” a familiar and incredibly unwelcome female voice says from behind you. You turn to see Captain Bridget Lornstrum of the 29th Century Federation holding a phaser on you. This is a surprise for two reasons. First, you thought you were done with temporal shenanigans for now. And second, she is dead in your timeline, a victim of her own relentlessness that sent her sailing into yet another timeline’s Hobus supernova when she was trying to destroy the Anomaly.

“You’ve been very naughty, Rosalyn,” Lornstrum says. “You really thought you could get away with going back in time and creating a whole new timeline?”

Of course. This is the Lornstrum from the timeline you just wiped out, who is apparently not dead but also protected from timeline shifts.

“You seem surprised to see me,” Lornstrum continues. “In the 29 Century, we’re well aware of how to use tachyons to protect our operatives from timeline shifts.”

Told you so.

“I suppose you won’t believe me if I told you that all I did was restore the proper timeline,” you say.

“Who changed it then?”

“Section 31,” you reply. No need to tell Lornstrum about Audrey’s involvement. This situation is bad enough as it is.

“But you’re Section 31.”

“Retired.”

“Ha! I don’t believe THAT for a second.”

The doors from the bedroom slide open, and Reginald comes barreling out, tying on a robe that covers his pajamas. “What the devil is going on out here?” he demands. Spotting Lornstrum, he stops confused. “Didn’t I punch you in the face once?”

Lornstrum looks equally confused. “You’re married to a galactic terrorist?”

“Now see here!”

“Let’s all have a drink and discuss this rationally,” you say.

“She has a phaser, dear,” Reginald says warily.

“I know. All the more reason for the drink.”

You check the replicator. Now is this more of a coffee or a tea occasion?

If you replicate three chamomile teas, go to Section 13.

If you replicate three Arcturan coffees, go to Section 16.