Chapter Three
Captain's Log, Acting Captain Charles A Tucker III recording.
I am pushing my crew harder than I'd like to but it can't be helped. When we are done with the refit and upgrades we will have weapons equal to any Xindi ship, defensive shielding, and be capable of warp 6 or even warp 7. I have withheld implementing the subspace vortex, though I have been studying it and believe I can make it work. But now is not the time for playing with the Xindi's subspace vortex. Now is the time for us to finish our work and start taking it to the Xindi.
The Skaragan Colony didn't know that the Enterprise and the Xindi ship orbited above the planet. Long ago, the Skaragan people were a spacefaring one, who took Humans as slaves to work the colony. Since those days, the Skaragan had become planet bound and the treated like second-class citizens by the Humans they enslaved.
Dressed appropriately small groups of crew shuttled down to the planet in order to gather food and other stuffs, including find a water source for them to fill up water tank. The quartermaster supplied them with Old West looking clothing, as well as items to barter with. During the day, Trip was busy upgrading the impulse engines using the Xindi's, while at night he started drawing up the schematics to upgrade the warp engine.
The Enterprise engineers and were working around the clock. Four of them wore EV suits, as they installed the particle cannons and reconfigured the torpedo tubes. Trip was knee deep in replacing subspace compression coils, when he was interrupted by comm from Lieutenant Murphy, the Science Officer who replaced T'Pol. Taking out his communicator, since he was deep in the bowls of the ship, Trip responded.
"Captain Tucker," he said.
"Can I have a word with you, sir," asked Murphy.
"Is it an emergency?" he asked.
"Sir, I believe I have some answers for you about the spatial anomalies and other phenomena of the Delphic Expanse," Murphy said.
"Situation Room in an hour, Lieutenant," said Trip then he closed his communicator.
Putting away his communicator, Trip looked at how much more work they had to do. The impulse engines were almost done and they still had the warp engine to tackle.
STSTST
Dirty, tired, and not happy to be taking away from engineering duties, Captain Tucker entered the Situation Room to see that Lieutenant Brendan Murphy and Malcolm were already there. On the smart table, Murphy had one of the massive spheres up for display.
"Captain," Malcolm greeted him.
"Mal," he said then glared at Murphy. "What do you have for me?"
"Yes, sir," said a nervous Murphy. "Um… well, sir, I… um…"
"Get on with it, Lieutenant," snapped Trip.
"Don't worry, Murphy, his bark is worse than his bite," said Malcolm.
Murphy tried to smile then he started to speak, "Using the skills that SubCommander T'Pol taught me, I tried to find the logic behind the spheres we have encountered. I believe I have, sir. It appears that the spheres, which give off waves of gravimetric energy, are recreating the Delphic Expanse."
Murphy stopped and then brought up a grid showing the spheres that they have encountered as well as where they have been told that spheres exist.
"I believe that in combination these grids are causing the spatial anomalies as well as changing this area of space, and eventually making it inhabitable. I also believe that this phenomenon will grow beyond the Delphic Expanse," he stated.
"Who built them?" asked Malcolm.
"I can only guess," said Murphy.
"Guess," said Trip.
"A very advanced people who can live in the conditions they are forming," said Murphy.
"A people who probably are manipulating the Xindi with technology and lies," said Trip.
"Say Lieutenant Murphy has something here, Captain; what do we do with it?" asked Malcolm.
"Murphy, is one sphere more important than the rest?" asked Trip.
"You mean if we destroy the primary sphere will the rest follow?" Murphy posed.
"Yes," said Trip.
"Maybe. I have to study this more," said Murphy.
"Make it your primary job," said Trip.
"You are up to something, Captain," said Malcolm. "May I ask what it is?"
"Destroy the spheres and I gather the Delphic Expanse eventually returns to a normal area of space," said Trip. "I want to blow up a sphere."
"How, Trip?" asked Malcolm. "They are massive."
"A warp core, Malcolm," smiled Trip. "Now if you will excuse me, I have Jeffries tubes to crawl around in."
Trip exited the Situation Room, leaving a stunned looking Murphy and an amused Malcolm. Malcolm looked at the lieutenant.
"Job well done, Lieutenant," he said.
"Thank you, sir," said Murphy.
"Now figure out which of these spheres we need to blow up to destroy the network," Malcolm said then exited the Situation Room leaving an overwhelmed Murphy.
Malcolm walked over to the command chair, where Major Hayes was now seated. When he saw Malcolm approach, he stood.
"You have the conn, Malcolm," said Hayes.
"Thanks, Jeff," said Malcolm.
Malcolm sat down. Hayes stood beside the command chair, while Malcolm settled into it.
"How's the Captain doing?" asked Hayes.
"Working himself to death trying to do a three month refit in one month, while making alien technology and Starfleet technology work seamlessly with each other," said Malcolm.
"Oh, so he's happy for a change," smiled Hayes.
"Damned right he is," chuckle Malcolm.
STSTST
Captain Hernandez and Commander T'Pol sat in Admiral Forest's office. The man had a wide grin on his face as he faced the two officers.
"Remarkable job you're doing, Captain and Commander. So far, with your suggestions and assistance, we have cut down the launch from nine months to seven and half, and the lessons we are learning from the Discovery are being used to quicken the launch of the Challenger, Columbia, and Atlantis. Well done," said Forest.
"Thank you, sir," said Hernandez, while T'Pol merely nodded her head.
"We have even started refitting some of the warp 2 vessels, adding ablative armor, phase cannons, and extra photonic torpedoes. We are turning them into warp 4 capable frigates," said Forest. "Fleet Admiral Fedorov wants them to patrol around Earth until we know the Xindi won't attack again. We will never be caught with our pants down again."
"It looks like Starfleet is going to have a real fleet soon," smiled Hernandez.
"All we need is Trip Tucker back. We pair him together with Admiral Jeffries and let them build us a fleet that even the Vulcans would respect," he smiled.
The mention of Trip caused T'Pol a momentary flush of emotion. Her mother T'Les had contacted her about once again entering into an agreement to marry Koss. She refused. Her koon-ut-al with him was broken. She felt no connection to him. Even though, Trip was Human and didn't even realize that she had initiated a koon-ut-la, she had decided to remain true loyal to their fledgling bond. In many ways, she had started to believe Trip was her destiny, her buk. She wasn't even aware if a Human could experience a true bond, a tel, with a Vulcan, but that had not changed her mind. In all her illogic, she wanted Trip.
"Have we heard anything about the Enterprise, sir?" Hernandez asked.
"Reports from ships leaving the Delphic Expanse speak of a Starfleet vessel that has become the bane of Xindi," smiled Forest. "Sounds like Jon and his crew are a thorn in the side of these people."
"I wish our starship was ready. I'd love to join him now," said Hernandez.
"Well ten weeks isn't too long to wait, is it, Captain?" asked
"I'd rather it was ten days, sir," she replied.
"Oh, before I forget I have a request from the Vulcan Embassy to meet with you, Commander T'Pol. It appears that both Ambassador Soval and Ambassador Tos wish to speak to you. Admiral Leonard has requested that you speak to them. Even though our relations with Vulcan are rocky right now, we don't want to cut all ties with them," said Admiral Forest.
"I shall contact the Embassy and meet with the Ambassadors," T'Pol said.
"Good job," smiled Forest.
STSTST
The Vulcan embassy was part of the Vulcan compound in Sausalito. T'Pol chose to dress in her Starfleet uniform when she took a hovercar to the compound. After being allowed through the gates, she walked among her people feeling like a child among adults, as she drew stares and whispered comments. She was on display, the first Vulcan to join Starfleet. In their eyes, she had chosen Humans over Vulcans. It was illogical. Proceeding to Soval's office, she prepared herself for the arrogance that often accompanied logic without understanding.
Entering the building, she waited while security checks were performed then she was directed to an office she once worked out of. With her hands behind her back, she walked into Soval's waiting area and stopped at his assistant's desk.
"I believe the Ambassador is expecting me," she said to Tulak, Soval's assistant.
"I shall inform the Ambassador that you are here," he said then stood up and went into Soval's office.
T'Pol waited calmly and patiently for Tulak to return. When he did, he stopped in the doorway not allowing the doors to close and motioned her to enter. T'Pol entered Soval's office.
Instead of being seated at his desk, Soval was seated in a chair near his couch where Tos was seated. T'Pol stood looking passive and calm, while Tulak left the office.
"Please sit, T'Pol," said Soval.
T'Pol sat at the opposite end of the couch from Tos.
"You wished to speak to me," she said.
"It has come to our attention that you will act as Captain Hernandez's executive officer," Tos started the conversation.
"It is a temporary assignment," said T'Pol. "I am assisting her with the launch and its shakedown cruise."
"You intend on entering the Delphic Expanse even though you know that any Vulcan that has entered and returned from there had been driven mad," said Soval.
"I intend on doing my duty," T'Pol said.
"And what of your loyalty to your people?" asked Tos.
"I do not believe my performing my duties for Starfleet interferes with my loyalty to Vulcan," said T'Pol.
"What if there is a conflict between your people and Starfleet?" asked Soval.
"Then I will follow my conscience," she stated.
Both Soval and Tos contemplated her words. Soval nodded to himself.
"I knew your father well. He was a man of conscience," said Soval. "Your mother has contacted me. She wishes you to marry Koss."
"It will not happen," stated T'Pol.
"May I ask why?" asked Soval.
"He is not my t'hy'la," she said.
Soval steepled his fingers and thought about the concept of a t'hy'la. Few Vulcans expected their mate to be their t'hy'la.
"I will speak to your mother," said Soval.
"It is not necessary. I have supplied her with my answer about Koss," said T'Pol.
"I fear you are throwing away a brilliant career at such a young age," said Tos.
"I am merely choosing to pursue a career in an unexpected direction," she said.
"You will be treated like a k'shatrisu," said Tos.
"If I am treated as an outsider then so be it," replied T'Pol. "As a child my emotions were always close to the surface and I had difficulty controlling them. My mother pushed me to be more disciplined, while my father told me to explore who I was. I am choosing my father's advice."
STSTST
The Enterprise approached the massive sphere. The plan was to allow Murphy to make in depth scans on this sphere to see if the primary sphere. At the Science Station, Lieutenant Murphy took readings, while Hayes scanned the area for approaching enemy ships.
"Sir, three bogeys approaching. Two Reptilian warships and one Insectoid warship," said Hayes.
"Bring up the defensive shields and make all weapons hot," said Trip. "Travis, be prepared to perform emergency defensive maneuvers."
"Aye, sir," said Travis.
Malcolm drifted over towards the Tactical Station. With the new weapons and shields, it was a two-man job. Trip looked over at Murphy. The young man was working diligently.
"Do you have enough scans of the sphere?" Trip asked.
"Almost, sir," said Murphy.
"Hayes, go to battlestations," said Trip.
The klaxon began to sound and the red light, which Malcolm called mood lighting, flashed. Trip swiveled his chair towards Hayes and Malcolm and glared at them. He hated the sound of the klaxon. Hayes killed the sound.
"The Xindi will be in weapons range in two minutes," said Hayes.
"Sir, I have the scans I need," said Murphy.
Trip worked his tongue in his cheek for a moment. It was either time to give the new weapons and systems a check. He needed to know how much the Enterprise could take.
"Travis, plot an intercept course of the Xindi," he ordered.
Malcolm looked at Trip. He was surprised at this tactic.
"Aye, aye, sir," said Travis.
Trip swiveled his chair and looked at Malcolm and Hayes.
"Use every weapon we have," said Trip.
"Yes, sir," said Malcolm.
"I want to hit and move, hit and move, and hit them with everything we have," said Trip, who then turned his attention back to Travis. "Travis, keep this ship in constant motion. Do you understand? Keep us a moving target."
"Yes, sir," smiled Travis. "Float like a butterfly and sting like a bee. Mohammad Ali. My father was an admirer of old time boxers."
"Fire on my mark," Trip stated. "Hoshi, hail the Xindi."
Hoshi worked her communication board. She shook her head in disappointment.
"Sir, they are not responding," said Hoshi.
"Fire," Trip ordered.
The battle was shorter than anticipated by Trip. They were able to destroy one Reptilian ship, severely damage the Insectoid ship, and caused the other Reptilian ship to retreat. Three against one and they took minimal damage.
"Stand down from battlestations," said Trip.
"Standing down," replied Malcolm.
"I want sitrep on causalities and damage right away," said Trip. "I'll be in the Ready Room. You have the conn, Commander Reed."
Trip stood up then he strode over to the Ready Room door and entered. Malcolm looked at Hayes, who nodded his understanding. It was a bold move attacking three against one, and the beginning of a new approach by Trip. Both men had the feeling that their Captain was taking a new approach.
Trip sat behind the desk in the Ready Room. His hands were shaking. He knew he took a risk going up against three Xindi ships but he needed to test their new shields and weapons. They were ready now for what he considered the next phase in their mission. It was time to collect as much intel as possible on weapons factories and labs and take them out. He was going to deny the Xindi the weapon to attack Earth.
An already difficult and bloody mission was going to become even more difficult and bloody. By the time they were through his hands would be soaked in the blood of the Xindi and he didn't want that. If they had only never attacked and killed so many then he would never be in this position. It was at moments like this that he missed Jon and T'Pol the most.
STSTST
Trip sat at the table in the Captain's Mess picking at his pot roast, mashed garlic potatoes, and French style green beans, while Hayes and Malcolm talked.
"Ryan is seeing Money. They think that I don't notice but I do," smiled Hayes trying to keep the conversation light in order to draw Trip out of his shell.
"This ship is becoming the love boat," laughed Malcolm.
"It's the stress of this damned mission. People need to release some steam otherwise we are going to have a tightly wound crew in need of a month at Risa," said Hayes.
"Trust me, mate, Risa isn't as much fun as you think," smirked Malcolm.
"Sounds like a story," said Hayes.
"So who are you and Malcolm blowing off steam with?" smiled Trip, as he finally entered the conversation then he forked some mashed potatoes into his mouth.
"As your two highest ranking officers it's hard for us to carry on a relationship that not only breaks regulations but would have to be with a lower ranking officer," said Malcolm looking earnestly into Trip's eyes.
Trip looked at Malcolm first then Hayes, "Who is she?"
"Hoshi," mumbled Hayes. "I've been having occasional light night dinners with her in the Mess and such."
Trip smiled then he looked at Malcolm, "And you?"
"Corporal Cole," sighed Malcolm then he grinned, "and it's strictly physical."
"I guess I'm the only one not blowing off steam on this ship," Trip remarked with a smirk.
"You are also working yourself down to the bone, Trip," said Malcolm. "Hess told me that you put almost a full shift in Engineering working with her on the new technology. That's just too damn much, mate."
"Mal, it's necessary and you know it," said Trip.
"Phlox says you still aren't getting enough sleep and you're eating habits are less than healthy," said Hayes.
"Phlox talks to you about me," growled Trip.
"Malcolm is your XO and I'm next on the depth chart. We are supposed to look out for our Captain," said Hayes.
"I'm fine," protested Trip. "I don't need any mother hens."
"Then you need concerned officers and friends, who want to see you survive this mission," said Malcolm.
Trip looked at his now junior officers and shook his head. Part of him wanted to pull an Archer and put them in their place, but that wasn't him. They were worried about him. Hell, at times, he was worried about himself. To avoid an argument, Trip decided it was time for a change of topic.
"Murphy completed his analysis and believes that is the main sphere. His theory is that if take it out that we will destroy the network," stated Trip.
Malcolm took a sip of his beer. They had managed to procure several kegs of beer from the Skaragan Colony.
"I think the three ships coming to the sphere's protection shows it importance, also," said Malcolm.
"I want to destroy it," said Trip.
"How? My money is that the next time we show up there will be more Xindi ships protecting it than three," said Hayes.
"I'm willing to take suggestions," smiled Trip.
Malcolm and Hayes stared at each other. Trying to destroy could turn into a goatrope if they didn't handle this correctly. It might turn out to be one, even if they do handle it correctly.