The Paladin shudder from taking disruptor fire. Trip sat in the Captain's chair scanning his bridge. T'Pol was safe on Earth staying with his parents, as she was under Phlox's care carrying their first child. It was a difficult pregnancy, but Phlox had assured them his treatments would bring the pregnancy to term and mother and child would be healthy. Again, the Paladin shudder under the Romulan drone's fire.
"XO, Serran, prep to of the experimental photon torpedoes. It's about time we test them," he ordered.
"Yes, sir," smiled Commander Morris Clancy. He was T'Pol's replacement. When Clancy heard that the Paladin's XO position had become available, he refused a captaincy of a cutter in order to serve on the Paladin.
Both Serran and Clancy left the bridge and headed to the the forward torpedo room. Trip growled as his ship took another hit.
"Lt. Shon," he barked his Andorian helmsman name, "evasive action."
"Shields down to sixty-three percent," announced Skann, his COB who was currently attending the Ops Station.
"Kellan, fire cannons until torpedoes are ready," Trip ordered his tactical officer.
"Aye, aye, sir," came the response.
"Hull breach, section three, level six," announced Damage Control Officer Rostov.
"Send two DC teams," Trip told him.
Skann looked at his captain. His admiration for this human had grown to a deep fondness. Now in the fourth year of the Romulan War, the Coalition was finally showing signs of pushing the Romulans back into their space. It had been a long, tiring four years, but Skann didn't regret them. Better here on the Paladin serving under the Human Captain Tucker than being back on Vulcan.
"Two photon torpedoes ready," came the voice of Clancy over the comm.
K'diwa, you are under duress.
T'Pol contacting him through their bond. Trip smiled.
Just about to test a new weapon, darlin'. I'll let you know how it goes.
"Tactical, fire those torpedoes," he ordered.
Trip watched the viewscreen, as the two experimental torpedoes hit their target. They exploded. A cheer went up on the bridge.
It worked.
I am glad to know this, adun.
Talk later.
He thumbed the comm to the Engine Room.
"Lal, what sort of damage are we talking about?" he asked his chief engineer.
"We could use a couple days at a starbase," she replied.
"How about Jupiter Station?" smiled Trip.
"Even better answered," Lal.
"Shon, set a course for Jupiter Station. Cruising speed warp five," he ordered.
"Aye, aye, sir," said Shon.
Trip smiled. He might not get much time, but he should be able to get an hour or so to visit T'Pol. Admiral Archer was the Director of Operations, so he'd make sure that Trip got some time to visit his pregnant wife.
STSTST
In his casual dress uniform, which consisted of black pants and a gold tunic with Admiral strips on his sleeves and admiral pips on his collar, as well as Starfleet insignia on his left breast, Director of Operations Admiral Archer strode into his office with his adjunct Lt. Commander Shah trailing behind him. No longer could you tell which was his artificial leg. Archer sat down at his desk, while Shah stood in front of it waiting for orders.
"Shran is leading Task Force Blue, which is tasked with mopping up Orions, Nausicans, and Romulans in Andorian space and Regulus," Archer started.
"The Andorians have thirty ships as part of the Task Force. So far they have listened to Shran as the commander fo the Task Force," added Shah.
"Starbase Vulcan is still under attack from the Romulans. They appear to be willing to make a substantial effort to take Vulcan. We can't have that. I want to put together a Task Force to re-enforce the starbase and Vulcan," stated Archer.
"The Paladin is coming in for repairs. It appears that Fleet Captain Tucker took on a drone by himself and destroyed it using the experimental photon torpedoes. The Paladin did take damage, though," said Shah. "I believe the Paladin should be in charge of the Task Force headed to Vulcan. The Vulcan Government accepts him as one of their own because of his marriage to Commander T'Pol."
Archer smiled then nodded, "I agree. Once the Paladin is in dock I want Tucker here in my office. He and I need to talk."
"Understood, sir," said Shah, who now looked down at the floor. It was time to bring up a subject that Archer hated. "GNN, as well as Cosmic News and other outlets want an interview with you about how the war is going. Can I start scheduling interviews for you to give, sir?"
Archer sighed, "I'll give you my answer on that later in the week."
"Sir, we have good news..." started Shah.
"And it is up to Starfleet's PR department to push the good news not me," growled Archer.
"Fleet Admiral Morse wants you to push it, too," said Shah.
"Later in the week," snapped Archer.
"Yes, sir," said Shah.
Archer took a deep breath and looked at his adjunct. The man worked day and night for him without complaint. He didn't need to chew him out.
"Al, I'm sorry. I miss my wife and child," said Archer.
"I understand, sir. You should schedule some time to go to Providence," said Shah.
"Actually, she is on vacation in Alabama helping to take care of T'Pol. I thought Trip and I could go their for the day," said Archer.
"I'll make arrangements," smiled Shah.
"You're the best," grinned Archer.
"Sir, I just want what is best for you," said Shah.
"I know," sighed Archer. "I want updates on all hot spots and Task Forces for this afternoon and get me an ETA on the Paladin. Also, get all the information we can get on the photon torpedoes. If they can take out drones then they need to be in use not experimental."
"Yes, sir," said Shah, who spun on his heal and left the office.
Archer sat back in his chair and closed his eyes. The war was finally going well and the Coalition was starting to thrive. He wanted to purpose a long term coalition to Morse and President Samuels, a federation. Sometime soon he schedule a meeting to talk to Soval to bounce some ideas off of him.
STSTST
T'Pol sat in the beach chair as her sister Tala, known the Tucker family as Talia, made a sand castle with Juliet. Her sister, a full blooded Romulan, surprised her. She had so far turned her back on the culture she grew up in and embraced humanity. Tavon, their father, had sent two assassins to kill her, but they failed and everyone thought they were sent to kill Admiral Archer's family. Mary Ellen was even accepted full time Starfleet security team shadowing her and her daughter. They attempted to stay out of sight, but T'pol noticed them as did Talia.
"I brought you a cup of green tea," said Ellen Tucker, who handed the seven month pregnant T'Pol, a cup of tea.
"Thank you," said T'Pol, who then took a sip of the tea. There was a hint of honey on it just like she liked it. Even though they were in the South, T'Pol did not drink sweet tea.
"When is your next appointment with Dr. Phlox?" asked Ellen.
"Next week he'll becoming for a visit," answered T'Pol.
"I have to admit that I've never trusted a doctor so much as I do him. He is committed to you and Trip and your baby," said Ellen.
"Phlox has become a good friend," stated T'Pol.
"How is Trip doing? I know you talk to him through your bond," said Ellen.
"He is headed to Jupiter Station for repairs and hopes to find time to visit," she said.
Ell smiled, "I'd love to see him."
"As would I," added T'Pol.
"Oh, Charles, is working on the crib for the baby. He has Trip's on crib and is stripping down and refinishing it and making sure that everything is re-enforced just in case your baby is as strong as his mother," smiled Ellen.
"Thank you, Ellen, for all that you've done for me and my child," said T'Pol.
"You're family, T'Pol. You'd do anything for family," said Ellen.
"I agree," nodded T'Pol.
STSTST
Trip reviewed his schedule. Once they were docked, he was supposed to take a shuttle to earth and meet with Jon at Starfleet Command then he was supposed to take time to go to the Vulcan Compound in order to meet with Soval, Solkar, and Solaris. Solkar and Solaris arrived several days ago and wished to meet with him for personal reasons. Trip looked over at Skann, who was still acting as his Ops Officer since Lieutenant Hill was badly injured.
"Skann, you going to the Vulcan Compound for a visit with your leave?" he asked.
"I am undecided," said Skann.
"Well, I have to go for a visit. I wouldn't mind company," grinned Trip.
"I shall accompany you," said Skann. "Do you mind if Lt. Commander Huntley accompanies us?"
"I don't mind if Trey comes. As my head of security, it'll be good for him," said Trip.
"He is wanting to understand Vulcan culture more. I believe once the war is over, he wishes to transfer to Vulcan for a time," said Skann.
Trip smiled. Huntley was without a father and Skann was without a son. They had bonded as friends, almost family.
"Well, if he needs a recommendation, he can come to me," said Trip.
Trip stood up and a spike of pain went through his spine. His old injury acted up. Skann noticed a slight grimace of pain in Trip's face. Trip's choices were either to get a shot of pain killer from Dr. Yuris or do the stretching exercises that T'Pol had taught him. The pain killer seemed to be the easiest choice.
Adun, you need to stretch and do the Vulcan yoga I taught you.
T'Pol made her presence known through the bond. Trip suddenly regretted not putting up his defenses so she couldn't feel his pain.
I was thinking of a shot. It's easy then all those exercises that you taught me.
No. A shot is temporary. Stretching and Vulcan yoga will do your body more good in the long run.
Okay, darlin', I'll do it your way.
You are learning, K'diwa.
Trip laughed to himself and Skann raised an eyebrow. Blushing Trip shrugged his shoulders.
"T'Pol just told me through our bond to stretch out my back. I guess I'll change and go to to the gym," said Trip.
"It is always best to listen to one's aduna," said Skann.
Trip chuckled as he left the bridge.
STSTST
Malcolm smiled at Erib as she slipped out of bed. They had four days leave before it was time to report to his newest command, the Daedalus Class Ship, The Reliant. He watched as his Security Chief slowly put on some clothes. She had a very nice bum.
"Where you going, love?" he asked.
"I'm hungry," she answered.
"We can call room service," he offered.
"Malcolm, I want pizza, a pepperoni pizza," she purred.
"I can have that delivered to our room," he said.
"You don't want to leave this room, do you?" she asked.
A sly grin crossed his face and he nodded no.
"Malcolm, what do you want?" she asked.
"You, darling," he said.
"What else?" she asked.
"An end to this war," he answered.
"This war ends and I return to Andoria," Erib told him.
"You don't have to," Malcolm countered.
"Really, I don't. What can I do instead?" she asked.
"Marry me," he smiled.
Erib's antennae started to twitch.
"Do you mean that?" she asked.
"Darling, I insist," he stated.
As slowly as she got dress, she undress with great speed and rushed back into Malcolm's awaiting arms. When he had a chance he'd talk to Trip and Admiral Archer. If he had to retire from Starfleet to marry her, he would, but he hoped that something else could be arranged.
STSTST
The Paladin docked at Jupiter Station. Before he could even stand up from his captain's chair, a comm came for Trip.
"Captain, you have a comm coming in from Lt. Commander Shah from the Director of Operations office," stated Comm Officer Victoria Hill.
"Put him on the view screen," said Trip.
"Fleet Captain Tucker, Admiral Archer wishes to see you in his office right away. I have shuttle waiting for you at Jupiter station," stated Shah. "When can you meet the shuttle, which is waiting at the VIP section?"
"I need to pack a duffel bag," said Trip.
"Admiral Archer told me to remind you to bring your dress uniform as well as your Hawaiian shirt and flip flops," Shah told him.
Trip suppressed a smile. Jon had plans for him, including a visit home. He'd deal with a dog and pony show just as long as he could spend some time with T'Pol.
"I'll be fifteen minutes," replied Trip.
"I'll let your pilot know," Shah said then the viewscreen when blank.
Trip looked over at Skann, who had his right eyebrow raised, a sign of curiosity.
"It appears the admiral has plans for me," smiled Trip. "I'll be in touch with you about that visit to the Vulcan Compound."
"I'll have my communicator with me, sir," said Skann.
"Well, I have to pack and pack quickly," Trip said then rushed off the bridge.
"I hope they don't promote him and we end up with a new captain," remarked Shon.
"Lieutenant Shon, Captain Tucker will be relieved of duty of the Paladin when this war is over. No sooner, no later," stated Skann.
"You believe that," said Shon.
"He is Starfleet's secret weapon," stated Skann, "though, I doubt he is much of a secret anymore."