I also mentioned, on Friday, that, after the anomaly disappeared, I began to feel as if things were different – different from what we know – almost as if time had changed, ever-so-slightly, and I was the only person able to perceive these changes. I’ve spent the last few days thinking about these feelings, and I sense a few that stand out more than others.
First of all, there’s our uniforms. Somehow, they don’t feel right. I took a photo of myself from my office holo-imager, and attached that image to this message. As far as history is concerned, these are the uniforms Starfleet personnel have worn since 2361 (replacing the long-lived classic uniforms of Captain Kirk’s day). These uniforms were designed in honor of the 200th anniversary of the founding of the Federation. They were also intended to represent a new phase in Starfleet’s history, as well as to commemorate our USS Enterprise-D, which was to be launched a year later. New uniforms, and a new Enterprise.
I remember wearing this front-close jacket uniform design since 2361…. but I also sense that they were “different”, perhaps with the colors reversed – like the senior staff, and only the senior staff, wear. The rest of us wear this uniform that was designed to reflect the combination of a classy look, a utilitarian feel, and a military function. I like the uniforms we currently wear, as do many of you, I just sense that they weren’t always as we remember them.
I also feel as though our enlisted personnel are supposed to have a full slate of ranks, but I know there are only the two, instituted along with the new uniforms – “crewman”, and “chief” (representing those promoted to enlisted managerial positions). Starfleet Academy graduates follow a military-like structure, and work their way up in rank over their careers. Enlisted personal serve in more of an employed specialist format, and serve by skill, rather than by rank.
Then, there’s my new runabout, the USS Terra Nova. I remember naming it the “USS Terra Nova” – I even asked all of you for ideas, but I also feel as though it had another name, “Jackson”. I feel as though, “Jackson” may have honored a favorite historical American military general, but yet, I also know I chose “Terra Nova” because it had a more exploration-themed feel. “Terra Nova” means “new earth” or “new land” in Latin. That seemed more appropriate.
And the thing I sense most strongly is the Cardassian War. I know the front lines are a hotbed of combat right now – mostly defended by ships from the Port Guard and other organizations, but I sense that the war was less active before Friday’s anomaly. I feel that the war was more of a cold war, while now, as we all know, skirmishes are prevalent, and the Cardassians refuse to back down. We’ve been at war since 2347, with things heating up significantly in the past few years.
I know history is what it is, but I also sense that it can be changed (which is extremely dangerous). There are, obviously, no records of history being altered – we wouldn’t know even if it had been, because we would change along with it. But, maybe – just maybe, I really am developing a sixth sense for time. I have my dreams, and now these feelings. I can’t prove anything, nor does anyone else have any reason to believe me, but I have them nonetheless.
Perhaps I have been given this sense for a reason. Perhaps the Devron Anomaly affected me in ways that I am only starting to discover. Perhaps that same anomaly has had more of an impact upon the Enterprise-D itself, than ALL of us realize. After all, we still don’t know what caused the Devron Anomaly two years ago. It, and its continued effects, remain a mystery to this day.
All of this makes me wonder…. is there more going on than meets the eye? Is time more pervasive than it seems?
-Lieutenant Sam Archer
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December 16, 2365 -- (Original Devron Timeline, altered by temporal anomaly)