HENRY STARLING, CHRONOWERX,
S.E.T.I. LAB & RAIN ROBINSON

In mid-2373, the 29th century Federation timeship Aeon and its pilot Captain Braxton attack USS Voyager to prevent it causing a temporal explosion in the 29th century which destroys Earth's solar system and billions of people. But the Aeon and Voyager are pulled into a temporal rift. Both end up being sent back in time. Voyager is pulled into the rift Due to the idiosyncracies of temporal anomalies, Braxton arrives at planet Earth, Alpha Quadrant, in 1967. He makes an emergency beam-out as the Aeon crashes. A hippie named Henry Starling salvages the Aeon and reverse-engineers its future technology to found a global company which he names Chronowerx. Through Chronowerx, whose headquarters is in Los Angeles, Starling manufactures and sells revolutionary computer technology, making him a rich and powerful man. Braxton, however, is unable to get close to Starling, let alone retrieve the timeship. Braxton theorises (later confirmed by analysis on Voyager) from the Aeon's last chronometric data that if Starling travels to the 29th century without precisely recalibrating the Aeon's temporal matrix, he will cause the temporal explosion. Voyager arrives at Earth in late 1996, and the crew detect anachronistic subspace readings in Los Angeles. An away team comprising Janeway, Chakotay, Tuvok and Paris, don what they think is 1990s' garb and beam down. At first their priority is to find Braxton and return to their rightful century, but on learning Braxton's data the mission turns into a desperate race to stop Starling launching in the Aeon.

the timeship Aeon, in Starling's workshop lab Chronowerx headquarters the away team in clothing of the late 1990s

At the time of Voyager's arrival in 1996, Rain Robinson is in her mid-twenties, height 5 foot 7 inches (1.70 metres), single, and working as an astronomer at Griffith Observatory, Griffith Park, Los Angeles. She wanted to be an astronomer ever since: "My brother had a telescope, a little refractor. You could barely see in the tree house next door actually but it was enough. It was enough to see the rings of Saturn. I remember, I remember I used to think that they looked like jewels from a pirate's treasure. All I ever wanted since then was to reach up and touch them." She "does" the Planetarium show at the Observatory on Tuesday evenings, presumably as regards the show's presentation. But her principal job involves working on the S.E.T.I. project (Search for Extra-Terrestrial Intelligence). Information about the S.E.T.I. project, together with screenshots and text about Rain's S.E.T.I. laboratory are at S.E.T.I. LAB AT GRIFFITH OBSERVATORY.

part of Rain's lab Rain in her lab

Rain detects the gamma emissions frequency profile she was asked to search for "emission source located" Rain telephones Starling ditto Starling tells Rain to tell no one

Rain met the rich and famous Henry Starling, head of Chronowerx, at the Griffith Observatory restoration party. He is using some of his fortune to fund the S.E.T.I. lab that Rain works in. This is not that unusual, as a few wealthy individuals do help to fund S.E.T.I. research including Bill Gates and Steven Spielberg (both men are not as well known or influential as computer mogul Starling, however, and they are not mentioned in [Future's End]). The lab uses a range of sophisticated satellite and radio telescopes to search for signs of extra-terrestrial or extra-solar life. Starling's motive, however, is secretly totally different from everyone else's, for he fears that one day visitors from the 29th century will arrive to claim the stolen timeship. He wants early warning of their visit, and to that end has given Rain a specific gamma emissions frequency profile to search for. One day, Rain detects this specific frequency profile, and realises there is a UFO in orbit 20,000 kilometres above the Earth! The UFO cannot be detected using the standard S.E.T.I. search parameters; this is because Voyager is using 24th century technology to mask its presence in order to avoid contaminating the timeline, and only Starling's future technological knowledge enables Rain to detect the starship. That discovery turns Rain's life upside down. As per earlier instructions given to her by Starling, after triangulating the gamma emissions' source and collecting initial data, 90 minutes later Rain telephones him with the thrilling news, only to have Starling try to rein in her enthusiasm. When she wants to contact NASA, he tells her to do nothing. He says he will investigate and orders her to continue tracking the UFO signal and collect data. Starling's intention, however, is to suppress the data. Rain, via phone: "Hi, I don't know if you remember me. I'm one of the astronomers at the SETI lab you're funding. We met at the Griffith restoration party." Starling, via phone: "Yes, yes, what it is?" Rain, via phone: "OK, well it was my understanding you wanted to be notified immediately if I ever picked up a gamma emission that matched the frequency profile you gave me? Well, I did, so I am." Starling picks up the handset to continue his conversation. "Are you certain?" Rain, via phone: "Positive. I tracked the emission and guess what, the source is in orbit. It is right above us." Starling, via phone: "When did it show up?" Rain, via phone: "Er," checking her readings, "according to the raw data, about 90 minutes ago. I'm not picking up anything from the standard search parameters. Wow. That means no one else knows there's something up there. We've got to tell somebody about this. We've got to call NASA!" Starling, via phone: "Rain, that's a little premature, don't you think? This could be a close encounter, but then again, could be a flock of geese." Rain, via phone: "Geese don't park themselves 20,000 kilometres above North America. Let's send a message up there, see if there's any response." Starling: "No!" Restraining himself: "No. We don't know what we've found, and until we do, I'm not going to risk embarrassing myself, or the Observatory. Track the emission, get more data and keep me informed. In the meantime I'm going to put a bottle of champagne on ice. Do you think E.T. likes Chateau Coeur?" Rain, via phone: "Well, if he doesn't I've got a six-pack in the fridge." Starling, via phone: "Good work, Rain. Stay in touch."

After the telephone call, excited by the enormity of her discovery, despite Starling's instructions, Rain transmits the standard S.E.T.I. greeting toward the UFO but gets no reply. In fact, Voyager does receive the greeting but Ensign Kim, in acting command, when asked if he wants Voyager to send a reply, answers firmly: "Absolutely not."

part of the S.E.T.I. message as seen on Voyager's bridge viewscreen

Sending the S.E.T.I. greeting alerts Voyager's crew to the fact that they have been detected. Janeway orders Paris and Tuvok to go to the transmission source of the greeting and ascertain how much is known of Voyager by inhabitants of this time period. Accordingly, Paris and Tuvok borrow a truck from a dealership (during a bogus test-drive, with every intention of returning it afterwards), and travel to Griffith Observatory.

Starling, playing pinball: "She's a security risk. Go to Griffith, get the data, get rid of her. Dunbar, if it's true, if they're here, it's only a matter of time before they find me. There's no telling what capabilities they'll have. You may have to use the weapon."

Meanwhile, Rain has e-mailed a friend and colleague at the Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL) with news of her UFO discovery, and that friend e-mailed his professor at the California Institute of Technology (CalTech). The professor telephones Starling who casts doubt on Rain's discovery and conclusion: "We're not quite at the Little Green Men stage yet but, believe me, you'll be the first to know. What I think we have here is an overenthusiastic young lady. I'm afraid she's exaggerating. We don't have anything, not yet." Viewing Rain as a liability, he orders Dunbar, his firm's Security Chief, to go to Griffith Observatory, seize Rain's data and murder her.

as Paris and Tuvok approach the front of Griffith Observatory in a truck, they are about to pass Rain's parked blue camper van Paris and Tuvok search Rain's desk and computer Rain arrives back at her office to find the intruders Paris talks about Rain's Fourier analysis Paris sees that Rain has a similar hobby to himself Rain tackles Tuvok about erasing her computer's hard drive Dunbar opens fire

Paris and Tuvok arrive at the Observatory a short while ahead of Dunbar. They find and enter Rain's laboratory while she is out lunch, and confirm her findings. When Rain arrives back at her office with a takeaway pizza, Paris manages to befriend her. He tells her he majored in astrophysics. They also discover they share an enjoyment of early 20th century black-and-white science-fiction B-movies and science-fiction horror comic books. While Paris engages in easy conversation with Rain, Tuvok secretly uses his tricorder to erase her computer's hard disk and thus delete the UFO data and evidence. Rain invites further social contact with Paris, inviting them to her Planetarium show on Tuesday night, but Paris has to decline, though regretfully. After they leave, Rain turns back to her computer, only to see it report that it has crashed. Rain arrives at the door carrying a pizza takeaway box. Seeing them, Rain: "Excuse me." She indicates the sign: "Do not enter, employees only - this sign on the door." Paris: "Er, I'm sorry, I think we're a little lost. We were on the museum tour and we took a wrong turn at the Saturn exhibit." Tuvok, playing along: "Perhaps you could tell us how to get back to the lobby." Rain: "Go back down the hall, take a left at Mars, right at Halley's Comet and then just keep going straight ahead past the soda machine." They start to go but Paris decides to try and charm her and maybe obtain the information they need. Paris: "This lab is er...pretty groovy." Rain, hearing this passé word repeats it to herself in disbelief: "'Groovy'." Paris: "What do you do here?" Rain: "We watch the skies." Paris: "For what?" Rain: "Signs of extra-terrestrial life." Trying to get them to leave: "Nice meeting you." Paris: "My name is Tom Paris, by the way." He puts out his hand. Rain, shaking his hand: "Rain Robinson." Paris: "Your curves don't look so great." Rain: "'Scuse me?!" Paris, clarifying his comment, indicating her monitor display: "This is a Fourier spectral analysis?" Rain, surprised at his knowledge: "That's exactly what it is." Paris: "You know, you might get better resolution if you adjust your amplitude parameters." Rain: "You're probably right." Paris: "Or you might try using a theta-band filter." Rain: "You know a lot for someone who can't find his way past Saturn." Paris: "I majored in astrophysics." Rain: "Where?" Paris: "Starfleet Academy." Rain: "Never heard of it." Paris: "Er, east coast school." As he talks and has Rain's full attention, Tuvok is operating his tricorder. Paris sees a poster on the wall. "'Orgy of the Walking Dead'? That's a classic! Did you see the sequel, erm, 'Bride of the Corpse'?" Rain: "Let me guess. You minored in B-movies." Paris: "Something like that." Tuvok: "Pardon me, Tom. We should be going. Our friends are waiting for us." Paris: "Yeah, right." Regretfully: "Got to go." Rain, liking Paris a lot: "Hey, er, I do the planetarium show Tuesday nights, so er, you guys should come by, check it out, bring your friends. 'The best stars in Hollywood are right above us.'" Paris: "Yeah, great, but I think we're busy on Tuesday. Thanks anyway." Rain smiles. But after they have gone, disappointed: "No problem, huh." She turns back to resume work when suddenly the computer displays a "fatal error" message. "Whoa!" She looks askance at the now empty doorway - she suspects the two visitors. Putting two-and-two together and correctly making four, Rain hurries after Paris and Tuvok. At first they try to avoid her by running across the Observatory's Lawn to the truck, but she runs faster and accosts them by the truck. As she angrily demands explanations from them, Paris luckily spots Dunbar taking up position by the Astronomers Monument and aiming a weapon at them. Tuvok, Paris and Rain duck just as Dunbar opens fire. He misses Rain but vapourises the truck. Tuvok returns fire, knocking the 29th century Federation disruptor out of Dunbar's hand. As Dunbar goes to retrieve it, the three escape in Rain's camper van with Paris at the wheel.

above 4 pictures: Rain helps Tuvok into the van and Paris drives off at high speed

murderous Dunbar, thwarted

That evening, Paris refuses to take her home as she wants, as the camper van provides them with much-needed transport, especially as the run-in with they unidentified would-be assassin has damaged their communicators. When Rain insists on receiving an explanation for the mysterious recent events, by putting her head up out of the van and theatening to scream, Paris tells her he and Tuvok are secret agents working to thwart a plot by the KGB. Rain, however, is unconvinced, since the USSR broke up five years previously and the KGB no longer exists. Rain to Paris who is driving her van: "You're going to take a right at the next light and a left at the taco stand because you're taking me home, and not keeping the van!" Tuvok: "I am afraid that is not possible, Miss Robinson. Your life may be in danger." Rain: "I'm going to pop this hatch and I'm going to start screaming until you tell me what's going on. Who are you? What is that thing in orbit? Why did that guy try to kill us?" Paris: "I told you, we're secret agents." Rain: "I'm opening the hatch." Paris: "Look, we saved your life. Isn't it obvious we're on your side?" Rain: "I'm standing up. I'm taking a deep breath!" Paris: "Rain, you're not going to scream! Now I know you're frightened and you've seen some pretty strange things, but you have to trust me! We're not going to hurt you and I will explain everything. It's either that or take your chances with the guy who tried to vaporise you!" She considers, then sits down again. Rain: "The UFO, what is it?" Paris, thinking quickly: "It's a Soviet spy satellite. Part of a massive KGB operation. We're trying to stop it." Rain: "Soviet? The USSR broke up five years ago. The KGB doesn't even exist any more." Paris, again thinking quickly: "That's what they'd like you to think." Tuvok to Paris, backing up Paris' story: "Perhaps we've told her enough for now." Rain: "What about you, Agent Tuvok? What's up with those ears? Thought I didn't notice? I did. What about your weapons? What are they, lasers?" Tuvok: "I'm sorry, that information is classified, and as for my ears - they are a family trait." Paris confides to Rain: "He's very sensitive about them." Rain: "Whatever."