#cptjimkirk

Data has so many questions. They gather on the tip of his tongue, ready to be asked in a rapid-fire slew of inquiries, but he refrains from voicing them just yet. He has been recently fitted with modesty and etiquette subroutines, and he understands that there are motions that must be gone through before the human will feel comfortable providing so much information at once.

“You wished to meet me, Captain Kirk.” It’s not a question, but it is an invitation-- you wished to meet me, and here I am.

“My father informed me that you expressed a desire to see the nature of his work. I have been instructed to answer your questions to the best of my ability, and to...” he hesitates, cocking his head. “...‘be myself.’”

“What would you like to know?”

Gabriel never cared for theoretical physics. He learned what was required of him as a Starfleet Officer, learned more when missions took strange turns ( or his science officers went off on strange tangents. ) Of course, the theoretical part became decidedly less so when he managed to prove the multiverse theory by beaming across dimensions. Since then, in between aiding Rebel factions and dodging Terran Imperialists, learning more has become a necessity. an obsession, perhaps, in his desperation to get back HOME. 

Surviving, of course, is the first step to getting back home. He's at warp seven on a stolen Terran scout ship when he registers the quantum anomaly on his scanners. He's meant to be retreating to the nearest rebel secure base. The decision to head straight for the anomaly is impetuous, stupidly dangerous. Well, that just characterises the past two years of decision making perfectly. 

Even with his improved physics knowledge, Gabriel has no idea what it is he hits. But something happens; everything goes dark, engines dying into utter silence, and then the whole ship shudders, as if it's being torn apart, he feels like HE'S being torn apart-------

The uncomfortable feeling lasts for less than a minute, he's sure, but when it's over, the ship's chronometer reads as ten hours later. Great. Seems like he just experienced the universe’s most underwhelming time travel. 

Even better, he's dead in the water. If he wants to survive his only option is to send out a distress signal. Hopefully he'll be picked up by Rebels, or a passing merchant ship. If not---- well, Gabriel's got enough Terran blood on his hands already. 

cptjimkirk