Notes: This is a M*A*S*H/Crusade cross over story. It makes mention to the events of the MASH episode 'As Time Goes By' and the final episode of crusade 'Each Night I Dream of Home' If you are not familiar with the charters and situations of Crusade check out ISN News at http://www.isnnews.net/crusade/. This is the longest anything I've ever written so be gentle. And finally a great big hug and wave to Allison for actually editing this monstrosity and doing a kick ass job at that. Words in [ ] are being spoken telepathically. Usual disclaimers they're not mine I'm making no money from this yada yada yada.

The space around the Excalibur's small conference table was cramped as people settled in for the weekly briefing. The meeting consisted of Max, John, Dureena, the Captain, and even Galen, who had started showing up regularly when it was discovered they were fighting a nano virus. Dr. Chambers stood at the front of the room, setting up a briefing on information that had just come in from Earth.

"Ok settle down people." The captain had one of those voices that wasn't harsh but got instant respect. "The doctor has some new information for us." Dr Sarah Cambers cleared her throat.

"I just got a report in from Earth that should be of interest to all of you, particularly you Max, being our resident historian. An archaeological dig conducted near the 38th parallel in Korea recently dug up a time capsule. It was placed there by the 4077th Mobile Army Surgical Hospital stationed in the area during the Korean War of the mid twentieth century some three hundred years ago." Max, with a fine sense of historical significance, let out a low whistle. "Sealed in with the objects of that time capsule, which included a dress and a teddy bear, were dead nano viruses, shadow viruses almost identical to the ones plaguing earth as we speak." Eyebrows were raised around the table as the doctor continued. "Not only were the viruses very dead but all dating techniques confirm them to be three hundred years old. Trace amounts of the virus were found in the soil originally disturbed by the burying of the capsule, and the soil level that would have been on the surface circa 1950."

"Are you telling us that the Drakh virus hit Earth three hundred years ago and we some how managed to miss it. That would be like missing the black plague." The skepticism dripped from Max Eilerson's voice.

"That would appear to be the case Max. While we're missing some key records from that time, it would appear that the people of the 4077th encountered and intentionally or more likely, unintentionally countered the Drakh plague."

"That's all well and good the question is how?" Gideon voiced the question on everyone's mind.

"That's what we're working on. Earth Gov sent us all the records, articles, journals and archives pertaining to the 4077th and the surrounding area." Chambers popped in a data crystal. Text started to scroll across the screen behind her. "Aside from our usual planet hopping our job is to go through all this data and see if we can find something the people back home missed." The screen behind her was still scrolling and didn't show signs of stopping any time soon.

"Well gee why don't we just figure out a way of travailing back in time and asking them, it would probably be faster in the long run." This comment earned Max a dirty look from most of the assembled persons.

"You know Maximilian that's not a bad idea." All heads slowly swiveled to look at the Technomage who had until that moment remained silent, nearly blending into the woodwork.

"Galen, tell me you're joking."

"Absolutely not."

"Galen," Gideon drew out the word "tell me you're joking. Tell me that you're not suggesting what I think you're suggesting and tell me that if you can do what I think you're suggesting that you can do, that you have a very good reason for not bringing it up until now." Matthew's voice got slightly more manic towards the end of the sentence. Galen stood with the easy grace that seemed to come to all of his order.

"Every culture, faith, society, religion, order has certain thing that are taught but never used. In theory every catholic priest can do an exorcism but few ever encounter the need. With in the archives of my order there is a… recipe for time travel. It's sandwiched nicely in-between raising the dead and seeing the future. If I recall, and it has been some time since I've looked at it, it involves a large power source, the Excalibur's engines should be sufficient, a jump gate also provided by the Excalibur, and certain rather complicated incantations and wielding of that power." He paused for effect. Gideon was looking at him slightly cross-eyed, Dureena looked amused, and Max was practically salivating over the idea of time travel. "As for why I didn't mention this earlier, well it never really seemed appropriate." Virtually everyone opened their mouths to speak but none were given the chance as Galen bullied his way through. "It's not as though we can change the past without entering into a time loop. The spell requires certain things, such as exact dates, that we have never had before. It is also designed with certain safe guards. You can not go back to a time when you were alive and it can only be used twice, once there once back. The past is not something you can just muck around with. It's libel to cause all kinds of problems." There was a long pause as everyone digested these new facts.

"When can you do this Galen?" Gideon's mind was racing at the possibility of time travel.

"Theoretically in about two weeks, of course if we do undertake this there is an equal possibility that it wont work or that we will all be destroyed." Galen wanted to undertake this trip for his own reasons, but thought he should be fair and warn Matthew of the dangers.

"What will you need?"

"Access to the ships engines, and exact data, six months before the capsule was buried should be about right, and your first officer. I suggest you create clothing, equipment, and money suitable to the time and location."

"Sounds good. Any objections?" The captain looked around the table not actually expecting anyone to speak up but thought he should at least open the floor. "Well then, let's get to work." As the assembled people got up Galen turned to the Lieutenant.

"Mr. Matheson walk with me." Galen turned and left expecting John to follow. John gave a quick nod to the captain and did a few fast steps to catch up to the mage who hadn't even bothered to look back.

The two men walked in silence for quite some time. John knew better than to push or even ask what was going on. They took long strides through the halls of the ship causing crew members to scurry out of the way. The first officer and the Technomage walking together without speaking, looking serious, and obviously going somewhere important. That was going to start some rumors, John thought. Reaching Galen's ship they entered. Galen motioned him to sit.

"Tea, Lieutenant?" Galen sounded like this was a Sunday afternoon visit.

"No thank you, but I would like to know what you need."

"What I need Lieutenant is you." John raised his eyebrows to his hairline. That was the last thing he expected to hear "As you know Lieutenant my order uses advanced technology to create the illusion of what most consider magic. The problem is not all of it is an illusion. Some of it is 'magic'." John's eyebrows went even farther if that was possible. "We do things we can't even begin to understand. Calling on sprites, elements and gods long dead to perform acts of a near miraculous level."

"That still doesn't explain why you need me."

"One of the main reasons these spells are so rarely used, aside from their danger, is that they require a telepath to channel the energies; and telepaths are just a rare in my society as yours." John started to get an inkling of what Galen was asking

"I'm willing to do what you need Galen, if it helps us find a cure but you should know that I must undergo a deep scan every six months and I wouldn't want to compromise you, or your people, you've been to much of a help to this crew."

"Thank you for your concern Lieutenant but I've already taken that into account. Your part of the spell will be minimal; you basically stand there with your mind open and do what I tell you. I'll keep you in the dark about most of the key elements. Not that I don't trust you; it's the people that run around inside your head that I don't trust."

"That's ok Galen, I don't really trust them either."

The command staff of the Excalibur had been running around frantic since the meeting where Galen announced that he could take them back in time. One of the crew members that had managed to pack a sewing machine in her personal belongings had been creating proper uniforms. Not dress or formal uniforms but rather what would be worn on a daily basis on the front lines of a messy war.

To conserve energy it had been decided that the Io jump gate would be used for the jump in, and the Excalibur's on board jump engines for the jump out. Gideon was hurrying to the final fitting of his costume, before tomorrows jump when he ran into Galen.

"Ah Galen, can I talk with you for a moment?"

"If it's only for a moment Matthew, since I believe you have somewhere to be."

"Yes, well I was wondering what you've been doing to my first officer over the last two weeks; and if, when you are done, you are going to clean all the pieces and put him back together?"

"What I have been doing to Lieutenant Matheson over the last few weeks has been preparing him for his part in the jump. Unfortunately do to lack of specific training at a young age he is having to learn some hard lessons fast. As for weather or not you'll get him back, assuming we all live through this, you will get him back. He will never quite be the man he was before, but I believe the changes will be for the better. Now Matthew, I think crewmen Pettit is waiting for you."