Part Three
Star Trek Excalibur
Chapter Four
Present Day…
Captain's Log, Supplemental.
For three days we have been at warp 4.5 heading towards our rendezvous with the rest of the Battle Group assigned to use since this war began. The loss of the Challenger has been like an open wound for the crew as several of our former crew where assigned to that ship under Captain Roy Dunsel, the crew has yet to recover from that loss and for me I face the loss of a comrade. In light of recent events, I have ordered the crew to take a much needed day of rest before we reach the fleet although Mister Reed has taken the time to conduct training exercises in the ship's gym which I have repeatedly turned down, Captain's Prerogative.
End Log Entry.
For three days the Enterprise NX-01 continued on her course at warp 3.5, a leisurely cruising pace for what was once Starfleet's fastest and most advanced cruiser, now little more then an almost obsolete design since the rest of the NX-Fleet had been designed using the schematics of the younger vessel, Columbia. Now closing on the end of her service life within the fleet, the proud and legendary Flagship of Starfleet had years earlier undergone a full refit to bring her up to code with the rest of the NX-Class fleet, unofficially named as the 'Columbia Class' much to Archer's personal regrets and annoyance.
Sat in his ready room, Archer once again reviewed his past orders and decisions during the past crisis while his dog sat on his lap, half asleep. Almost growling to himself, Archer placed his loving pet on the deck plating below him before he deactivated the computer screen and stood from his console.
"What do you say Porthos, time for bed? I thought so too. Come on boy!"
Softly slapping his leg, he walked towards the bridge and looked around as several of the nightshift crew had already taken to their posts while Commander T'Pol stood from the command seat as he entered.
"Relax Commander, just going to bed" He said with a yawn.
"Of course. Good night Captain…" She said politely. "We should rendezvous with the fleet at 0500 hours tomorrow morning. Shall I awake you sir?"
"Nope! I think you can handle that Commander, Good night"
Slowly walking towards the Turbolift with his pet ever at his side, he reached out for the door controls as an alarm sounded from the science station and the young lieutenant peered into the scope before looking up in shock and checking once more in disbelief.
"What is it Lieutenant?" Archer said with a deep sigh.
"I'm not sure Captain. I'm picking up a vessel approaching at… very high speeds, Commander, would you mind verifying these readings, I think the sensors might be out of alignment because these readings are impossible"
Standing from the centre seat, T'Pol walked around the consoles towards the science station as Archer sighed deeply before he stepped onto the lower half of the Enterprise bridge and looked up at his Vulcan Science officer as she rechecked the readings and raised an eyebrow in surprise as she spoke.
"Your readings are confirmed Lieutenant DiNozzo… Captain, sensors are detecting what appears to be an NX Class vessel approaching at Warp… 6.7"
"That's impossible… Wait, can you identify the vessel Commander, and don't tell me what I'm thinking" He frowned slightly.
"I am sorry sir, the readings are confirmed as the Starfleet vessel… Excalibur" T'Pol said as she stood and faced him.
"Sorry boy, looks like nap time is on hold. I thought that ship was decommissioned?"
"The Excalibur was merely… refit, it appears that her crew has found a way to overcome those limitations"
"Captain, we are receiving an urgent hail from the Excalibur… Priority One, Gold Channel" Called out the Communications officer.
"Captain's eyes only" T'Pol replied.
"On screen" Archer sighed deeply.
"Sir? Regulations state…"
"On screen… Crewman" Archer sighed as he sat in his chair.
"That's Lieutenant sir" DiNozzo said slowly.
"Not if you interrupt me or quote regulations again… On-Screen"
On the screen before them, an almost exact replica of the Enterprise bridge appeared as the unusual Vulcan he had many dealings with in the past sat in the Captain's chair with a gentle smile on her face as she scanned the entire bridge crew before looking back at Archer himself as he spoke.
"In a hurry Commander?"
"You could say that Captain. Pavlova, match Enterprise's speed and heading. Captain Archer, someone wishes to speak with you and your command staff right away. Stand by to drop out of warp and wake your crew sir. This is going to be a long day sir" T'Lana said with respect.
"Who wants to speak with me… Ohh hell!" Archer moaned as a familiar face stepped into view.
"Hello John, I bet you weren't expecting to see me again" Franks said with a smile.
"You have no idea Franks. No wander I've head a headache for a day or two… what is it now?"
"I can't say much over an open channel, standby to receive myself and T'Lana in twenty minutes. We're going to put an end this war, once and for all" Franks said with dark half smile.
Twenty minutes later, the Enterprise and the Excalibur had dropped out of warp close to a nebula as the Excalibur grazed the edges of the gigantic gas cloud as the Commander and their guest beamed onboard the Enterprise itself. Although not happy to see the unusual former Starfleet officer again, it was something in his voice that said he could almost trust the man as Archer and command crew waited for their guests in the command centre onboard the ship, a remnant from the Xindi incident which had been added to the rest of the fleet for their own needs as an intelligence asset and perhaps, the most secured room on the vessel itself.
Lead into the large room, Franks looked around and nodded at each of the officers he had come to know over the past years of his service since he had many dealings with the Enterprise and her crew.
"Well John, it's good to see you again, you look well" Franks said as he offered his hand.
"Down to business Franks, what is it that you want from this ship. I spoke with Starfleet Command before you came onboard, they have no knowledge of your being out here"
"That's because they wouldn't know Archer, you see… I don't work for Starfleet Command. What do you know about… the V'Shar, Commander T'Pol?"
"More then you might think Mister Franks, I once worked for the Vulcan Ministry of Security" She said as she closely observed the blonde Vulcan woman on the room.
"Yes I know… and so do I" He said with a slight laughter.
"I find that difficult to believe Mister Franks" T'Pol replied.
"The people that I work for, work along side the V'Shar… I have been granted full access to their facility and well… everything actually. Let's just say that we're a combined unit and move onto the reason that we are here and I have hidden the Excalibur in that nebula…"
"I was wandering about that" called out Malcolm Reed.
"Once we have left this ship, you will continue along your current course at warp 2.5 in exactly 21.5 hours, you will receive a broadband automated distress call from the NX-Class Starship Achilles…"
"Sir, there is no Achilles" Reed said with confusion.
"There is now, according too official records it was launched six days ago and was to be placed along the front lines…"
"However?" Commander Tucker sighed, fearing the answer.
"However… it was specifically built by the V'Shar for this reason, constructed at a secret shipyard and designed with a very specific job in mind. Your job is once you hear that call, proceed at maximum warp towards the Achilles and attempt too recover her. Her crew will be dead and the ship's automated distress call activated when no life signs where detected onboard… the only problem is, the Romulans will have heard the call and will be on their way to recover the Achilles also"
"You've gotta be kidding me…" Tucker sighed. "… The Romulans?"
"Let me guess, you want the Achilles to be captured by the Romulan forces?" Archer said.
"Didn't I tell you he was a fast learner T'Lana? That is exactly what we want. They will believe that they have captured our latest vessel with all of the latest technology intelligence and so on, but what they will have a Trojan Horse. It should only take them weeks to find the information we planted in that database…"
"What information?" Reed sighed.
"Information about a Secret Facility we are constructing close to their space, they will have noticed Andorian vessels moving around that sector of space"
"Forgive me for saying Mister Franks…" Said Hoshi Sato slowly. "… But isn't it dangerous allowing the Romulans access to one of our ships? Even if it is a fake?"
"It is Ensign" T'Lana said softly. "It is also a tactical gamble, I've looked over the data on that ship, it's not quiet Starfleet Standard but made to look like it and supplemented with what appears advanced Andorian and Vulcan technology along with several Tellerite items, just to wet their appetite"
"You want them to think that we have more help?" Reed smiled. "Impressive… assuming that they fall for this, where does that leave you and your ship?"
The slight one-sided smile on Franks' face disappeared instantly and replaced by a look of darkness as he circled the display table and walked towards Captain Archer as he spoke firmly.
"This assignment is None-Negotiable Captain, I have little doubt that the Romulans will send four ships to recover the Achilles, after a brief engagement with the Romulan Forces, you will turn around and haul-ass out of the combat zone, allowing them to take the Achilles,. I know what you are thinking Archer, and you are wrong, Enterprise is not expendable you will not allow them to take this vessel or everything will be lost. Excalibur has her own mission, you will also have NO help on this one, the fleet is needed elsewhere. This assignment is apart of much larger offensive that is purely a need too know Opp, and right no… You don't need to know the rest"
"I will not put this ship and crew in danger for an assignment that I know nothing of Mister Franks…" Archer replied with anger in his eyes.
"Everyone but Archer, T'Lana and Reed, get out now!" Franks said harshly. "What do you want it in writing? Get OUT!" Franks growled.
Shock overcame the command staff of the Enterprise as they looked at Archer as Franks turned quickly and nodded with the purest of anger in his eyes. As the command staff of the ship left the room with the exception of Lieutenant Reed, Franks turned back towards Archer before pushing past him and placed a small data-chip into a port on one of the consoles before the face of Starfleet Admiral Hideo Chen appeared on all screens as Archer turned to the nearest screen with his eyes a blaze at the situation itself.
Captain Jonathon Archer, Starship Enterprise NX-01. If you are seeing this message then I have little doubt that you have either refused or questioned the instructions given to you by William Franks. Effective as of six days ago, the Enterprise has been transferred under my command at Starfleet Intelligence for the duration of this mission along with several other vessels needed for this operation. CAPTAIN Franks has full authority on this highly classified assignment he is requested and required to utilize any and all Coalition assets for the duration of this mission. I know that you do not like working in the dark Archer, but for reasons of security this is a must. The Achilles assignment is the keystone in a much larger offensive as directed by Bill Franks himself. If you can not follow the instructions as given to you, you will be relieved of duty effective immediately and your First Officer will take your place. You will be confined to your quarters for the duration, it will not reflect on your record, just that you have been taken from duty due too medical illness. Follow your orders Captain Archer, this assignment is Paramount to Starfleet's war effort. I regret that we can not inform you of the rest of the mission… once again, Follow your orders Captain.
Admiral Hideo Chen, Starfleet Intelligence.
"What the hell is going on around here Franks?" Archer growled.
"Need to know John, and we need you at the head of your ship, not T'Pol. She's a fine officer but she is not a trained Starfleet Captain…"
"So what am I doing here?" Reed said quickly.
"Look sir, this is a top level assignment and short of a miracle, I need you at the head of your ship and with your permission John, I would like to borrow Lieutenant Reed… I could use his… expertise" Franks said quickly.
"Why? Need to know, I got it. Is this really that big that can't know about it?"
"Bigger!" T'Lana said with a smug grin.
"Archer, I would love to tell you everything, but I can't. If in the small event that this ship is captured by Romulan forces they will find out about the rest of the operation and we're done for. I know that we have had a somewhat… shaky past especially six months ago when I came onboard…"
"What?" T'Lana said with shock. "You've been onboard Enterprise?"
"Not not Lana, I'll explain later. I know what happened between us, for the moment sir… let's put that behind us, as Chen said this is Paramount… Mister Reed has certain, expertise that I require for this assignment, he is welcome to stay, but I could really use his help on this one. Will you trust me on this one?" Franks said with an almost urgency in his voice.
"I won't and don't trust you Franks, as for Reed… that is not my call, Malcolm?"
"I'm interested sir however, my first duty is to the Enterprise and you" Reed replied with politeness.
"If you want to go along Malcolm… as the Admiral said, I can't stop you"
"Thank you sir. Well Mister Franks, it seems that I am all yours"
"Excellent. Lana, would you escort Malcolm to the Excalibur and brief him on his assignment… I have something… else to discuss with the Captain and his Command Staff"
"We said no secrets Billy" T'Lana said with slight anger.
"Just this one Lana, I'll be back soon…"
Personal Log, Lieutenant Malcolm Reed. Entry: Classified.
A rather… lengthy briefing by the most unusual Vulcan I have ever met has left me with feelings of almost unease in the upcoming operation. Assuming the operation is a success, it should tip the balance of this costly war in the favour of the Coalition. Although this operation has been planned down to the last, it is still a very large gamble on the part of the young Coalition and the prospect of handing over an NX-Class Starship to our most violent enemy is not one that I enjoy thinking about even though the vessel itself has been designed and built especially for this operation nevertheless, the possible outcome of this operation… the capture of a Romulan vessel does hold my interest.
End Log Entry.
It had been six hours since William Franks had returned from the Enterprise and his mood had turned to anger and darkness almost the instant he materialised on the transporter platform along with three Marine officers at his side and the stress level within the ship itself had leapt as they cruised towards their target destination at Warp 4.5 whilst one vital and final piece of equipment was installed onboard the ship. Along with the four Enterprise crew, William Franks had refused to leave the ship's gymnasium as he drilled each one of them in hand-to-hand combat he had picked up during his highly classified deep-cover operation to Romulus not so long ago. Pressing each of them towards the point of exhaustion and beyond, he continued with the training as he called out the exercise routine he had devised especially for this operation while his small four person team seemed to flail about with exhaustion until Lieutenant Reed finally stood, his hands shaking and sweat pouring from his body as he spoke while trying to catch his breath.
"Sir!… we… need to stop!"
"NO! Continue!" Franks barked.
"NO! We've been at it five hours. We're all exhausted and can barely move…"
"Yeah! Why is it so damned hot in here?" Called out a Female Marine Officer.
"Gravity and environmental systems have been slowly rising to Vulcan levels over the past two hours"
"WHAT?" Reed yelled.
"You need to learn this. It should be second nature to you all by now but you are resisting. Now… position one!" Franks growled.
"NO! It is enough for now" Reed yelled. "Dismissed"
"Stand fast Marines. Alright Reed, wanna take a shot at me? Let's see what you've learned. When I put you down, you get your ass up and continue. If you put me down… you rest and we start again in one hour, either way Reed… you WILL learn this until it becomes muscle memory. Understood?"
"Deal!" Malcolm Reed Sighed.
Standing before the seasoned Starfleet Officer, Franks caught his breath as he nodded and removed his sweat covered T-Shirt before wiping his face and throwing it away as it slapped onto the floor. Living and training on the planet Vulcan, he appeared to have adapted to the planet's atmosphere and gravity with a well formed muscular and tanned body which was also covered with scars. As the Marines backed away, the female marine seemed to admire his physical stature with a smile as Reed sighed and caught his breath before the two circled each other and Reed threw his first punch, aiming directly at what appeared to be a fresh scar on Franks' right shoulder. Shock instantly gripped the Lieutenant as Franks caught his hand and swung around behind him, pressing his arm up his back as he whispered in his ear. 'Very slow Reed, like a child. Now, try again' Staggering and finally catching his balance, Reed once again moved forwards as he threw punches left and right as Franks blocked each punch and seemingly playfully slapped his face with enjoyment as he spoke.
"You have learned nothing Reed! Perhaps I should have asked your second for this… I know you can do this Reed. Dig-deep" He said in mockery.
Reed once again threw punches and his exhaustion seemed to pass, he focused solely on the goal of knocking down the opponent before him as his attacks become more fluid in nature whilst the memories of what he had been taught over the past five and a half hours rushed back to him and he finally moved around the room swiftly, keeping low to the ground as Franks looked on with an almost smile on his face before punches connected with his ribcage and jaw in powerful succession and he finally fell to the ground hard. Slowly standing, Reed walked towards him and extended his hand to help him onto his feet as he displayed a smug grin on his face.
"One hour break then?" Reed said, gasping for air.
"I did make that deal. You hit like an anvil Reed, nice work. I said you'd pick it up… you just need to push more. Get some rest and something to eat everyone. Our Chef ain't as good as Enterprise's, but she'll give you anything you ask for. We'll continue this in a few hours… get outta here. Reed, a word?"