Guardians

"Guardians" is a short story by Brett Hudgins which appears in Strange New Worlds VII. It continues the stories of both the Horta and the Guardian of Forever. The title refers to both.

Timeline
"Guardians" is divided up into dated episodes. "The Present" is a framing story set in 52,267 A.D.. There is also a very brief section labeled "The Future."

49,970 Years Ago&#8212;2297
Chief Engineer Vanderberg gives a fairwell speach to the Horta.

49,805 Years Ago&#8212;2462
A Romulan attack on the Rock of Ages (the planet the Guardian of Forever is on) is repelled.

49,803 Years Ago&#8212;2464
The Horta agree to serve as guardians to the Guardian of Forever.

49,571 Years Ago&#8212;2696
Romulans attempt to use or destory the Guardian of Forever.

49,400 Years Ago&#8212;2867
Creation of the Temporal Integrity Commission renders the Guardian of Forever obsolete. By this time General Order 7 has been recinded and Vulcan-Romulan Reformation has occurred.

46,960 Years Ago&#8212;5307
A Horta defects to the Crystalline Entity.

42,126 Years Ago&#8212;10,141
The Borg attempt to assimilate the Guardian of Forever.

34,665 Years Ago&#8212;17,602
Q begins to visit the Guardian of Forever.

29,405 Years Ago&#8212;22,862
Armus attempts to use the Guardian of Forever.

23,870 Years Ago&#8212;28,397
Vic Fontaine and Odo visit the Guardian of Forever.

15,565 Years Ago&#8212;36,702
The Elasians and Troyians wipe each other out.

8020 Years Ago&#8212;44,247
Humanity joins the Q Continuum.

One Year Ago&#8212;52,266
The Horta mate.

The Present
The Horta eggs hatch.