To Boldly Go
By Valeria
Copyright 2004 all rights reserved
Characters and Star Trek concepts are property of Paramount
The lights of the city shown softly on the bay as Captain Jonathan Archer strolled along Pier 39. He paused and leaned against the railing, reflecting again on how he always loved this time of day best. The sun had just set, the evening fog had not yet rolled in, he could pause and reflect on the day.
The new weapons modifications were coming along nicely. Even Lt. Reed seemed pleased when he made his report that morning. Jonathan felt confident that with the modifications, along with the addition of the commando team, they could meet any threat they knew of.
It was the unknown threats, however, that caused him sleepless nights. This mission was unlike any ever before, for now it was a fight for the very survival of the human race. Suddenly the universe felt very big, and he had become very small.
"It's a nice evening, isn't it?"
Jonathan turned in surprise at the sound of the light female voice at his elbow. He looked down into the emerald eyes of a very beautiful woman. She was short, her head just reaching his chest. Chestnut hair waved down to her shoulders. In addition to the almond shaped eyes, a short, pert nose led to a slightly full mouth and a firm chin. A deep blue dress clung in interesting ways to her slim figure. He collected himself. "Excuse me?"
"I said it's a nice evening. Rather a cliché introduction, I'll admit."
"But effective."
"That's what I thought."
Jonathan found himself responding the humor of her approach. "So is this where I say, 'what's a nice girl like you doing out on a night like this'?"
"Absolutely! And I respond with some tale about being stranded and in need of a protector."
"I'm glad I'm following the script correctly."
"Just so long as you don't ask me my sign."
He laughed heartily at that. "No, I don't think we should go back to the 20th century. How about the 18th instead? I could chaperone you and protect you from bandits."
She chuckled in return. "I'm glad to see that you can laugh. You looked a little down when I first spoke to you."
"I have a lot on my mind."
"Don't we all."
"I suppose so."
They fell into silence then. "What's your name?" he finally asked.
"Jordan."
"Just Jordan?"
"Do we really need more tonight?"
Jonathan suddenly felt very weary of being Captain Archer. Maybe just for tonight… "Very well," he replied, "I'm Jonathan."
"Pleased to meet you," she said, shaking his hand.
"So, what do 'normal' people do on a beautiful night in San Francisco?"
"Go to dinner in Chinatown, of course."
"Perfect," he offered his arm to escort her. "Miss Jordan, would you care to join me for dinner? I know a great place for dim sum."
Laughing, she took his arm and together to walked to the cable car station, still running after almost 300 hundred years. They took the Powell/Hyde line into the heart of Chinatown.
Dinner, of course, led to drinks and conversation. Jonathan carefully avoided the clubs frequented by Star Fleet personnel, instead heading for the quieter places favored by students that were more conducive to conversation. It was 0300 before he realized it, yet he was still reluctant to call a halt to the evening. He found Jordan's conversation very stimulating, and a welcome relief from the preoccupation with the Xindi. Finally, however, Jordan said she must be going, so he escorted her back to the Wharf.
"Are you sure I can't see you home?" he asked.
"No, thank you. I don't live too far from here."
He took her hand. "I'm afraid I'll only be in San Francisco for a short time, but I'd like to see you again."
"Oh, I'm sure we'll see each other soon," she replied, leaning forward to kiss him lightly. "Thank you for a lovely evening. Good night."
"Good night."
With that she walked away. He watched her until she disappeared into the night, then turned and climbed back to the nearest transport stop that would take him back to the Star Fleet compound. Perhaps he could get a little rest before his meeting with Admiral Forrest in the morning, but somehow he knew that sleep would elude him that night.
The next morning, promptly at 0800, he presented himself at Admiral Forrest's office.
"Good morning, Jonathan," Forrest greeted him as he came in.
"Good morning, Admiral."
"Care for some coffee?" Forrest asked, hand poised over the pot.
"Thank you, sir," Jonathan replied, sitting in the chair Forrest indicated in front of his desk.
"I thought you'd like to know that the commando unit has been assembled. They should be shipping up to Enterprise later today."
"That's good news. I'll have Lt. Reed familiarize them with Enterprise security procedures immediately."
"I have another surprise for you. I'm assigning an additional officer for your science department." Forrest handed Jonathan a handunit.
"We could use all the help we could get. Who is he?" Jonathan asked, glancing very briefly at the file.
"Her name is Dr. J. D. Mallory. She's a bit of a celebrity in scientific community. Even the Vulcans like her."
"Really?" Jonathan asked, surprised. "I didn't think that was possible."
Forrest chuckled. "Well in this case it's probably well warranted. Dr. Mallory holds four Ph.Ds.: Warp field theory, microbiology, geophysics, and computer science."
Jonathan whistled.
"Yes, she's very accomplished. We were lucky to get her. She's been doing important work in microbiology with the Denoubulans, but agreed to join the mission."
"I'm glad to have her. I've been wondering what to do since we're losing T'Pol. I take it Dr. Mallory isn't Star Fleet?"
"Actually, she is. She joined our service for this mission. With her qualifications, she was given the rank of captain, but remember she isn't a line officer. So don't go calling on her to take over the ship while you scamper off."
"Understood," Jonathan replied with a wry grin.
Forrest rose. "Well, that's about it for now. I'm sure you'd like to get back to Enterprise. Dr. Mallory should arrive by 1300. I understand that the last of the modifications should be finished by 1600 today." Forrest held out his hand. "I'm sure we'll speak again before you leave, but let me say good luck now."
Jonathan took his hand and shook it. "Thank you, sir. We won't let you down."
"You can't."
And with those ominous words, Jonathan left the office and took the shuttle back to Enterprise.
………………………………………………………………………………………………. Jonathan was going over some files in his ready room when the comunit buzzed. "Archer," he said crisply as he activated the unit.
"You wanted to be informed when Dr. Mallory's shuttle arrived, sir," Hoshi said.
"Thank you, Ensign. I'm on my way."
On his way down to the shuttle bay he observed the activity of the ship. Purposeful would appear to describe the mood. Tasks were being completely crisply, perhaps with a tinge of grim determination. Not a bad start for a mission such as this. The last thing he needed right now was panic. No, even with all the shuffling necessary to accommodate the new crew members, the crew seemed in relatively good spirits. He arrived at the shuttle bay door, surprised to see Commander Tucker waiting for him.
"Afternoon, Trip," Jonathan greeted. "What tears you away from the engines?"
"Curiosity, Cap'n," Trip replied. "We were all wonderin' what Dr. Mallory would be like. Thought I'd get a first glimpse."
Archer chuckled. Then pressure indicator light changed to green and the door to the bay slid open. Jonathan stared in surprise.
"Good afternoon, Captain," Jordan said, stepping through the door and slinging her pack to the deck. "Permission to come aboard?"
"Granted," Jonathan replied, trying to collect himself. He retreated into formality. "Welcome aboard. Doctor Mallory, allow me to present our chief engineer, Commander Charles Tucker III."
"Everyone calls me Trip," Trip said, extending his hand to shake hers.
"Pleased to meet you, Trip. I've been studying Enterprise's logs. Your modifications to the warp drive are impressive."
"Thank you. Perhaps you'd like a tour after we get underway?"
"I'd be delighted."
Trip felt Jonathan silently fuming beside him. A tactical withdrawal was in order. "Well, if you two will excuse me, there are a few things needin' my attention before we get underway. Cap'n?"
"Dismissed," Jonathan replied, not noticing that Trip all but fled down the corridor. He glared at Jordan silently for some time, and she returned his gaze impassively. Finally he said, "Just Jordan? Let's just be two people tonight? You knew!"
"Well of course I knew who you were," she replied with some amusement. "What did you expect?"
"Some honesty would have been nice."
"And I was honest with you. My name IS Jordan, and you looked like you needed a break from being Captain Archer. Now was I right, or was I right?"
"Why didn't you say you were assigned to my ship?"
"Would you have spent the evening with me if I had?"
"No."
"Why not?"
"Because I'm your commanding officer."
"And here I thought I was a captain."
"In the science service. That doesn't make you a line officer."
"Doesn't that make me fair game?" she asked mischievously.
"No!"
"Too bad for you. Really, Jonathan, you're acting like we had an affair. It was only dinner. Look," she sighed. "My finding you at the Wharf was pure chance. To tell the truth I couldn't sleep. After all, I'm supposed to figure out the truth behind the horror stories of the Expanse, and at the same time keep the crew from being turned inside out or into gelatinous goo or God knows what. I wanted one last night of freedom."
"Very well," he relented. "I suggest, however, that we keep our relationship on a purely professional basis."
"Certainly, Captain. May I go to my quarters now? I'm sure you have duties before we get underway."
"This way," he said, gesturing down the corridor. He led her to her quarters in silence, wishing they were on the other side of the ship rather than two doors down from his. "After you settle in, you may want to visit the labs. My steward will be able to show you."
"Thank you, that won't be necessary. I'm very familiar with the deck plans of Enterprise."
"Then I'll see you at dinner," and with that Jonathan turned and fled to the bridge. And he knew it for flight.