MAGNA ROMA, MID 2286

The constable frowned at the unkempt man, but let him pass on his way.

"If we weren't facing annihilation, I'd have you taken in and flogged, for looking as you do in my jurisdiction. What people are yours?"

The man spoke plainly.

"I am a Jew."

"That's impossible, and you know it."

"So you say. If death is coming, why are you not praying to those you hold sacred to relieve you?"

"Who believes in that stuff anymore?"

The man passed on, and came to a merchant.

"Go on! I won't give away my apples. Not one unpaid for. Not One!"

The unkempt man with the longish hair pointed to a nearby alleyway.

"There is a boy there, and he is starving. I need the apple for him."

"That little wretch? Is he near death?"

"He is."

"Good. Then I can watch the slimy thief die."

The man passed.

"You children. Why are you not with family at such a time?"

The children sneered.

"They have TV's the same as we do. And ours are in color. They're wide-screens, so we can see all three heads."

The man saw a light in the sky, and knew that it was time to go.

"Septimus...Flavius...so is my promise fulfilled. Those who called me are in The City. Now my work here is nearly done."

High on a mountaintop now, the man awaited a demon. The dread one froze at the sight of him. To the Ancient Destroyer the man spoke plainly.

"You shall die."

Then he was gone, and Magna Roma was soon to be no more.

USS ENTERPRISE

Captain Kirk entered his son's quarters, and saw an unkempt man with longish hair, a beard and a moustache, standing over his sleeping son and daughter-in-law.

"You do not need to fear me, James."

And Kirk just knew.

"Are you here to take them from me?"

The man gently shook his head.

"No. But as you might imagine, I am fond of checking in on them from time to time. As before, we have called upon one named Peter to guide the living through the fire. He has done well. As has she, whose name also means, 'The Rock'."

The man was gone. Kirk sat and looked over the pair, both of whom were in a way his children. Peter awoke.

"Dad? I Felt a Presence---"

"Yes, son. I know you did."
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EARTH

"So you will not acknowledge The Rock? It is only through worshipping they who are The Rock that we will be spared Ghidorah's wrath."

The man shook his head.

"I am of a different opinion on such matters."

As well he might be.

Writer's Note : This will be the only appearance of this man in the AD Cycle