A QUESTION. SINCE BEFORE YOUR SUN BURNED HOT IN SPACE AND BEFORE YOUR RACE WAS BORN, I HAVE AWAITED A QUESTION.

What are you?

I AM THE GUARDIAN OF INTERNET HISTORY.

Are you machine or being?

I AM BOTH AND NEITHER. I AM MY OWN BEGINNING, MY OWN ENDING.

I see no reason for your answers to be couched in riddles.

I ANSWER AS SIMPLY AS YOUR LEVEL OF UNDERSTANDING MAKES POSSIBLE.

A web archive, Captain--a gateway to the days of the ancient websites and forums, if I'm correct.

MANY SUCH JOURNEYS ARE POSSIBLE. LET ME BE YOUR GATEWAY.

Captain, I believe that we can not only view posts, but also make changes to the timeline.

[Kirk and Spock step through the gateway into an era they'd only heard of in legends]

It appears we have no choice but to fight. If we do nothing, this darkness will consume everything, starting with us...

[The duo prevail, but Spock suffers severe injuries]

The internet.... out of danger?

Yes...

Don't grieve, Captain. It is logical. The needs of the many outweigh...

The needs of the few...

Or the one. I have been and always shall be... your friend.

[A blinding white light appears and grows brighter, enveloping everything]

We're back!

It would appear so. Did those events actually happen?

TIME HAS RESUMED ITS PROPER SHAPE. ALL IS AS IT WAS BEFORE THE DARK ONE CHANGED YOUR HISTORY.