STAR TREK
CENTURIES
chapter one
It's been a long time...
By midwestjw
"Captain's Log April 2, 2159. The Enterprise is scheduled to rendezvous with the Vulcan ship R'Moth in two hours. This meeting will give us all an opportunity to see one of our former crewmates. Perhaps...we can heal old wounds, but only time will tell if that is at all...possible."
As Captain Jonathan Archer finishes his log entry, he can't help but wonder about what could of happened. Why the sudden change two years ago? Why after all they had been through-the Xindi, the Romulans, the Andorians, and the Suliban-why would she leave for a diplomatic post?
The comm. rings out just as Archer begins to wonder.
"Captain." Hoshi calls out, "The ambassador's ship is ready to dock."
"Acknowledged." The captain responds, "I'll meet her in a few moments. Archer out."
He knows there is someone he has to speak to before the ambassador, his trusted right hand man for nine years. They both have been through thick and thin. To defeating the Xindi to ending the temporal cold war between the 21st and 31st centuries, they have done it all. As he remembers, her leaving to pursue her current post hit him the hardest. Archer enters engineering and is prepared for the worst from his chief engineer.
"Well Trip, are you ready?" he asks not knowing what will come from this.
Charles Tucker III looks at his captain and trusted friend and asks, "Are you sure this is a good idea...I mean her and I have a comp-well you know I could just stay..."
"Come on, let's go. I'm sure she'll be totally in control of her emotions. After all she has spent the last two years with people of her own kind, founding the Vulcan Science Academy. I'm sure she's forgotten all about you and her."
At the airlock, Archer and Trip expect to see a solemn and composed women. But they are surprised to see what she has become.
The Vulcan women look to be about in her mid-30's from human standards. She is in an all white robe with markings on the left side. She is unhooded compared to the rest of her colleagues. She addresses her former crewmates.
"Ambassador T'Pol, reporting as requested." She says in a calm well- disposed voice.
"Welcome aboard, T'Pol. It's great to see you!" Archer gleefully answers.
"I would prefer if you called me Ambassador. That is the reason for my presence here, is it not?"
"Yes...it is." Archer says as his joy turns to slight disappointment. "Well these negotiations are not going to start until we get there."
Archer goes over to the comm. panel and hits the button, "Archer to bridge. Set course for Romulus. Warp 7."
Travis Mayweather responds, "Aye, sir. Warp 7 it is."
Trip has been looking at T'Pol with a seemingly confused look. After all they did together she doesn't even say hello.
"T'Pol." Trip asks, "How are you?"
She raise an eyebrow, "I do believe I made it clear to call me Ambassador."
Trip looks at her with disgust, "Figures that you'd turn back into what you were when you first got here. You don't remember anything do you? Those scholars or priests or whatever they are brainwashed you?"
Archer stops him from going any further. She leans forward and whispers in Trip's ear.
"I do remember. I just understand differently."
The gleaming light shines on NX-01 as she drops out of warp near the newly established Neutral Zone. They prepare to slowly make there way in when...
"Captain, there's something out there." Announces Malcom Reed.
"You gotta be more specific than that, Commander. Even tough we only have a sampling of Romulan vessel designations-
"I don't think it Romulan. It's much, much larger.", says Hoshi. " I can't get a clear reading, but it's out there."
The dark hull of the other ship doesn't reflect or glimmer compared to the hull of NX-01. Its large and massive presence seems ominous compared to even a small moon.
"Where exactly is this ship?" Archer asks.
But then the ship is shuddered and begins to lose power. The tactical alert is automatically activated.
"The ship seems to be enveloping us, sir." Informs Hoshi.
"Reverse the engines, Travis." Archer orders.
"No response. It's like the engines are being reflected back, and they're drawing us in further."
"Trip, cut all power to the engines."
In engineering the engines shut down. Trip calls, "They're down Captain."
The engine shut down only accelerates the ship as the doors close behind it. The ship comes to a sudden stop. All of the bridge crew is thrown about.
T'Pol sees strange tall aliens coming in as she looses consciousness.
Archer awakes in what looks like a medical examination room. He looks around and sees computer counsels and aliens working on Phlox.
He tries to call out, "Leave him alone-."
But he can't talk because of the dampening field. The aliens return and sedate him...
He drifts into unconsciousness not knowing what is happening...