—Chapter 01—
Captain Archer took a sip of his coffee, looked at Trip, and said, "Movie night? Why don't we save that for after we've dealt with the Xindi?"
Jon and Trip were in the Captain's Ready Room, and they were discussing Trip's idea to reintroduce Movie Night aboard the Enterprise, in an effort to boost morale.
"Look, Captain," said Trip, after cutting into his "I have to tell you th—"
"Bridge to the Captain."
Ensign Sato's voice interrupted Trip's thought, and Archer flicked a switch on his desk, and said, "Yes, Ensign."
"I've picked up an automated distress call, Captain," said Hoshi. "It's Vulcan."
"Have you tried responding to the call?" said Archer.
"Yes, Captain," said Hoshi. "Three times, before I contacted you."
Archer looked at Trip, and the look exchanged between the two friends made it clear that their thoughts were aligned on this oddity: although they were on an important mission on behalf of both StarFleet and Earth, they simply could not ignore a distress call from a putative ally.
"I'll be right there," said Archer to his Comm officer, and he made for the Bridge, Trip close behind his captain.
Moments later they stood on the Bridge of the Enterprise, and Archer looked at Ensign Sato.
"Fill me in, Ensign," said Archer.
"The transponder frequency identifies the ship as a D'Kyr class combat cruiser, named the Seleya. She's on the list of things to watch for in the Expanse, given us by the Vulcans."
Archer nodded, for he remembered seeing the ship's name on that list, and said, "What else?"
"She's captained by a Vulcan named Voris, and she entered the Expanse nine months ago. When she disappeared, the Vulcans sent a ship named the Vankaara after the Seleya, but the Vankaara had no luck finding the Seleya."
No luck, thought Archer, running a hand through his hair. That was the understatement of the year. He knew very well what happened to the Vankaara. The crew had gone insane, and seemingly killed each other, although the Vankaara was still unaccounted for.
"Location?" said Archer.
"3.2 light years away, sir, bearing 016, mark 12," said Hoshi.
Archer looked at Ensign Mayweather, the ship's Helm officer, and said, "Take us there, Ensign Mayweather."
"Aye, sir," said Travis.
Archer was in his Ready Room, when he got the call.
"Ensign Mayweather, Captain. We've arrived at our destination."
"Thanks," said Archer, and shortly afterwards stepped onto the Bridge.
The main video monitor was engaged, and the attention of the entire Bridge crew was fixed on the display, which showed a vast field of fast moving asteroids, ranging from the size of a pebble to a size twenty times or more the length of the Enterprise.
"Where is the Seleya?" said Archer, looking at Lt. Reed, his Tactical officer.
"Some 2,000 kilometers straight ahead, Captain," said Reed.
Looking at Ensign Sato, Archer said, "Call Commander Tucker to the Bridge."
"Yes, Captain," said Hoshi.
Minutes later, Trip came to the Bridge, looked at the Bridge monitor for a moment, then looked at Archer, and said, "What's up, Captain?"
"The Seleya is somewhere in that asteroid field, and if they're in trouble, it's likely a mechanical issue, Trip," said Archer. "I want you on board a shuttle, and I want you on the Seleya. Assess the situation, and report back to me. Better yet, fix their communications gear if that is possible. I'd like to speak directly to Captain Voris."
"Aye, sir," said Trip.
"We don't know what to expect, Trip, so take Lt. Reed with you, two MACOs, and Crewman Humbold with you," said Archer. "Humbold is in Security but he's also got some medical training. Make certain he takes a First Aid kit with him. And take Ensign Mayweather to pilot the shuttle. That asteroid field will be tricky as hell to navigate and he's the best pilot aboard."
"Yes, Captain," said Trip, and headed for the Shuttle Bay, followed closely by Lt. Reed, and Ensign Mayweather.