Crippled and once again limping into dry-dock around the Andorian homeworld, the USS Enterprise NCC-300 once again headed for yet another repair and upgrade of her major systems. However, the attack against the ship was like nothing she had witnessed before. Although they had dealt with boarding parties in the past, over half of the crew had been killed by the vicious assault by Reman commandos. Sat alone on his bridge, Rear Admiral Jonathon Archer, a hero of legend sat with his head in his hands as he looked around at what remained of his bridge. He had grown tired of the attacks against his ship, yet loosing over half of his crew had hurt him in ways he could not have imagined, they where more then his crew, they where his friends his family. Since the death of his father three years ago he had taken every death personally.

Slamming his hand down on the command console before him, he continued until he heard a snapping sound and blood running from his fist as he looked up at the ceiling and let out a blood churning scream.

"Look at the mess you've gotten into now Pink Skin" A voice called out from behind him.

"I'm in no mood for this Shran" He growled.

"The Grey Ghost returns for yet another repair… perhaps we should have a dry-dock set up solely for your ship?"

Without looking up at his old friend behind him, he laughed slightly as he knew the look on Shran's face, a half smile with his left antenna twitching slightly. Something that had always calmed down the Starfleet officer.

"I should've seen the trap. I should've known what they where doing"

"From what I remember of your file, you're ESP rating was not that high!" He laughed. "Or have you changed more then I thought?"

"Nothing to do with precognitive abilities Shran… they've tried to take Enterprise in the past"

"What happened?"

Slowly, Shran walked around the wreckage on the bridge and dusted off the seat before the helm as he sat down.

"We picked up a distress call from the Lexington, their engines had failed… we answered. We found the ship adrift… boarded her, that's when we lost contact with out team. Before we knew it, Reman commandos beamed aboard while our shields where down… they caught us off guard. That will never happen again!" He vowed too himself.

"You've changed Jon… darker, more focused. You're almost Andorian"

Laughing slightly and ignoring the pain in his fist, Archer looked up at his old friend.

"I see the war hasn't been too kind to you ol' friend"

"What this?" He pointed too his left eye. "Nothing major, the doctors say they'll have a replacement in a few days. That's why I'm here…"

"And the leg?"

"Foolish accident… I didn't see the bulkhead!"

For the first time in over a year, a sound came from Archer's lips he had almost forgotten about, laughter.

"You really are insane, even for an Andorian!"

"Don't tell anyone yet. I plan on getting a good retirement out of it!" Shran winked with his remaining eye.

"I promise"

"You've always been an honourable man Pink Skin…"

Since he had met Shran, many years ago, he used what was a racial slur towards him. Calling a Human 'Pink Skin' was almost despised by many Humans, but Archer had come too accept the term from his old friend as a sign of affection and one that only Shran would dare use towards him. Although many of his human crew had not appreciated the friendly term between the two, Archer almost enjoyed it.

"So, tell me what has happened since I was last here. How's your wife?" He smiled.

"She is with child… a girl!" He shouted out too the empty bridge.

"Congratulations, when's the big day?" Archer smiled.

"A few months yet. And you, any female in your life?"

"No. but it looks like Tucker and T'Pol are… up too old tricks again"

"It's about time!" Shran laughed. "His moaning annoyed me!"

"Same old Trip… but now he moans about his engines" Archer smiled.

"When does he not? Anyway, the reason I am here…"

"I was wandering about that"

"Admiral West is waiting for you at regional command, he wants to speak with you as soon as possible"

"Problems?" Archer sighed.

"Could be, just speak with him"

USS Enterprise NX-300Captain's Log. Stardate 404.05

What is left of the Enterprise has entered orbit around Andoria for yet another repair job. Estimates say it will be a few weeks a month at the most before the ship is ready to launch once again. Admiral West had called for me too report too his office as soon as possible, I fear for the worst!

End Log Entry.

Deep underground in the cities populated by the Andorian people, Admiral James West sat in the large comfortable office created for him by the Andorian people, as commander of the Forth Tactical Fleet, his duty was too oversee the defence of Andorian and it's neighbouring worlds including the Vulcan Homeworld, one of the most important planets of the Federation next too the capital planet, Earth. For many years it was a mystery too the people of the Earth why Vulcan would not be the Capital world of the Federation they created but now in recent years it had become obvious, Vulcan would be a prime target for any aggressive species wanting to destroy the Federation.

Sat quietly in his office awaiting the arrival of Admiral Archer, one of the last Admirals serving on an active Starship. He read the many reports that had come across his desk almost on a minute by minute basis since he took up the position eight months ago. His assistant stood at the console on the far wall as she worked peacefully almost oblivious that his gaze continued too move back and forwards between the many reports and her slender figure. Although she was an Andorian, her delicate feminine curves where unmistakable too him as he attempted to shake off his thoughts and return too his work before the door too his office opened, standing quickly he smiled as Admiral Archer along with General Shran.

"Jon, it's good too see you again" West smiled.

"You too sir. I believe you know General Shran?"

"Yes of course, how are you General?"

"The eye still hurts" Shran smiled.

"Of course, have a seat gentlemen. Lieutenant, would you mind getting some coffee for out guests"

"Of course sir"

Smiling slightly, she turned and bowed slightly with a sign of respect before she left the room quickly followed by Shran's gaze from his remaining eye.

"Very… interesting Admiral" He smiled. "Your assistant?"

"Yes, her name is Sh'nal… she's the best assistant I've had for some time"

"I can see why. Interesting… attributes. Have you two…" He smiled slightly.

"Just an old man and his fantasies General…"

"Pity, Andorian women are far more aggressive then human women… sexually of course. I would recommend it too anyone"

"I'll conceder it" He laughed. "Down to business, did you have a chance to read the file I sent too your ship Jon?"

"Yes. And the answer is no!" Archer barked. "I will not command an attack that will cause the genocide of an entire planets population"

"Archer, you miss understand. It's already set in motion, without authorisation, we want you too stop it"

"How? The Enterprise is a disaster, we must have other ships in the area"

"Other ships yes, but no commanders with your experience. You will immediately take this mission onboard, Shran and his team will offer you any support you need"

"This is crazy, Enterprise is in pieces and we have less then a skeleton crew onboard. My Chief Tactical officer is dead, my Chief Engineer has just come out of a medically induced coma…"

"Listen too him Pink Skin"

"Alright… make it fast Jim, we have a lot of repairs to get through" Archer complained.

"Four days ago, the USS North-Gate broke off all communications from Starfleet command after we rejected one of their proposals too attack Romulus itself. Two days ago, that vessel was spotted near Cold Station twelve, a medical research facility… eighteen bio-toxins have been reported missing from the inventory. We believe the North-Gate has them and is planning too attack nearby Romulan planets"

"Ohh my god!" Shran said aloud.

"I understand the urgency Jim, but how in the name of hell do you expect me to get out there"

With a smile, Admiral West pointed too the doors as the beautiful silver haired young Andorian woman entered with a human at her side holding the try of drinks, turning his head slightly Archer smiled as he stood too great an old friend as he placed the drinks down on the table before him.

"How are you sir?"

"I see command suits you, but you've got a little grey showing through now" Archer smiled.

"Hazards of the position sir"

"Stop calling me sir Malcolm, it's Jon remember?"

"I don't think I could say that sir. You are after all an Admiral" Reed smiled. "I heard about Andrews, I'm sorry sir. He was a good officer…"

"You trained him well Malcolm" Archer said slowly.

"Sir, the Challenger stands ready, I've already taken the liberty of recruiting some of the Enterprise command staff since mine are on leave"

"I haven't said yes… yet" Archer laughed.

"You will sir, once you see the list of missing pathogens" Reed sighed.

Being in command of his own ship had obviously agreed with the former tactical officer of Enterprise, he almost seemed to stand taller somehow, yet with a slight hint of silver hair growing through at the sides of his head and a stubble beard growing through giving him a hint of distinction, however he still had the little look of mischief in his eyes and the slight one-sided smile.

Picking up the full report on the mission, Archer's eyes widened as he saw what had been taken from the research station now dangerously close too the front lines since the old Neutral Zone had collapsed under the Romulan advance two years ago, now all that remained was the vital Outpost moved too a classified location, now all that remained guarding the old neutral zone and the only heavy Federation presence in that sector was Outpost Four.

"Ohh my god, isn't that?"

"Yes, exactly what it is. It's a modified strand created by Starfleet command two years ago, it was supposed to be destroyed. I guess they kept a small sample just in case" West said quickly.

"It's harmless too Humans but deadly too Vulcans… and Romulans" Sh'nal said, much too Archer's surprise.

"You seem to know a lot about this Lieutenant" Archer smiled slightly.

"I do sir. It was too be used as a weapon against he Vulcans if they ever attacked Andoria, it was supposed to be harmless to Andorians but the scientist who developed it died… the project was shelved six months later when the Federation was founded"

"I see" Archer said.

"It is a point in our history we are not proud of Archer" Shran said slowly. "However, from what it says on your PADD, the entire stock of R-U-D-45 was stolen. If it is used on a Romulan planet, the results would be… disastrous, it will be traced back too us and the Romulans will begin a full out invasion of the Federation in retaliation for the attack. They will start here"

After a very long meeting with the Admiral. Archer finally agreed to take on the assignment, transferred too the USS Challenger for the duration of the assignment, Jonathon Archer materialised on the transporter platform with Malcolm Reed at his side almost as if he had never left too take command of this vessel. Greeted by the Boatswains call, Archer stepped off the platform as Reed stepped too his side to greet an old friend.

"T'Pol… it's been a long time"

"You look good Malcolm. Jon, we've received your transfer of command orders, with the Captain's approval of course" She smiled slightly.

"Did you just Smile T'Pol?" Reed said slowly.

"I didn't notice!" Archer laughed.

Too her old friend and former colleague, Malcolm Reed something was different about the half Vulcan officer. A slight smile aside, she seemed almost happier then he had seen her in some time, perhaps even before her wedding too Trip, the Engineer who helped design the Enterprise class ships.

Captain's Log USS Challenger NCC-314:

Supplemental.

By order of Starfleet Command, I have assumed command of the USS Challenger in attempt to stop the USS North-Gate from launching a devastating Bio-Weapon attack on Romulan held territory, if we fail… the results would be… devastating for Romulus… and the Federation.

End Log Entry.

The layout of the Challenger was almost identical too that of the Enterprise, although several systems had been modified for the challenges faced by its crew, the ship was an exact duplicate of his own Command and the Flag Ship of the Federation. As he entered the bridge, Archer smiled at the layout of the command centre, his initial conclusions where wrong, the bridge seemed larger somehow. All consoles where smooth as all consoles appeared to be a touch sensitive system. At the centre of the bridge, a large command chair almost dominated the area with a large wrap around console which separated at the centre too allow the commanding officer too exit smoothly without the need of the chair retracting away from the console. To the left of the command seat was a secondary, similar console with tactical displays, likewise too the right yet displaying a blacked out console. Smiling too himself, Archer walked toward the centre seat as Malcolm held out his hand too the seat with respect for his former commanding officer. Slowly sitting down in the command chair, Archer took a deep breath as he sank into the comfortable seat as Malcolm sat too his left and activated the consoles before him.

"I take it this meets your approval sir?" Reed smiled.

"This is amazing. How did you…"

"A year ago, we lost the bridge in an attack… so we redesigned it too suit our needs. I'll serve as your First Officer and Tactical officer… like the old days. T'Pol, you'll find the Sciences console all ready for you. I believe you recognise our new transfers sir?" Malcolm smiled.

Spinning around in the helm officer's seat, Travis smiled as he nodded slightly too Archer.

"Good too have you aboard Travis"

"Thank you sir. This ship is… amazing" Travis smiled.

A voice caught Archer's attention as he looked up and Hoshi stood looking over him with a large smile and wearing what appeared to be Lieutenant Commanders pips on her uniform.

"Hoshi?" Archer laughed.

"Lieutenant Commander… actually sir. Same with Travis" She smiled proudly.

"I hadn't noticed Travis, congratulations too the both of you" Archer said as he returned the smile.

"I believe this is your seat Hoshi"

Holding out his hand too Archer's right, Hoshi sat down slowly. The instant she touched the chair beneath her, the console before her activated with the Starfleet standard communications layout. Laughing slightly too herself, Hoshi ran her fingers over the console as Archer gave the first order of his new command.

"Hoshi… sorry to shout, I'm used too you being further away. Signal our ready too launch!"

"Aye sir" She smiled.

"All hands, this is Admiral Archer… stand ready too launch"

"We have clearance from the dock master sir" Hoshi reported.

"Travis, break orbit… full impulse power. Go too maximum warp once we're clear… heading, the Neutral Zone!"

With four of his old colleagues onboard the ship, he rarely needed to give an order. However, with Trip hospitalised and Phlox treating him he could not help but wander who was taking care of the Engine Room onboard this ship or who was acting as Chief Medical officer.

Captain's Log USS Challenger NCC-374:Stardate 421.01

For the first time since I took command of the Enterprise, I find myself overwhelmed by a Starship. Although not entirely Starfleet Standard, the upgrades made too this ship are amazing, I can honestly say I have never seen anything like it. Captain Reed and his crew have made some amazing changes too this vessel, once we return too Earth… I hope to speak with command about implementing them as standard for all Starfleet vessels.

On a more serious note, I have been called to Sickbay too speak with the ship's doctor on a more pressing matter…

End Log Entry.

The large pearly white sickbay matched that of the Enterprise almost exactly, however without the unusual sounds of chirping and squealing that came from the menagerie of Doctor Phlox's more unusual treatments. It was almost eerily quiet as Archer and Reed entered, for a brief moment, Archer looked around almost expecting the Denobulan Doctor too appear from the large office where he kept his many animals. Smiling slightly, Reed looked at his former commanding officer as he spoke with a slight smile on his face.

"Quiet isn't it?"

"Very. It's a little strange" Archer replied.

"Took me awhile to get used to the silence. Doctor, are you in here?"

Mumbling came from the office too the left of them as a young man stood and signalled them too join him in the office. As they entered the large office, Archer saw the Doctor sitting at his desk. A young man barely out of medical school, smartly dressed in the usual mid-blue medical scrubs which displayed the rank of Lieutenant stitched onto the right breast of his tunic likewise with the emblem of Starfleet Medical stitched onto the left breast. Smiling slightly, he looked up at the Admiral as he nodded.

"From the insignia on the uniform and the look in your eye, you must be Jonathon Archer?"

"What do you have?" He said sharply.

"Very well…"

With a slight southern twist too his accent and a one sided smile, he began to speak calmly with experience which appeared too far exceed his years.

"I've been checking over the reports from the Andorians on this… R-U-D-45, it's much more then a virus… it's a plague. It seems too have been modified from a particularly potent strain of a plague that swept Earth centuries ago…"

"Which one Doc?" Reed smiled.

"Bubonic Plague from what I can tell. It's been specially modified too target Green Blooded species such as Vulcans and Romulans and a few other species we've encountered over the years. Once introduced into the atmosphere of a planet, the death toll will be catastrophic"

"What kind of death toll are we talking about here Doctor?" Reed asked quickly.

"Projections state… 100%. It appears too have been specially modified to resist all known cures"

"My god!" Archer said in disbelief. "Can you create some form of… anti-virus?"

"I'm working on it as we speak. But I doubt I can find a cure in time. Doctor Lucas at C-12 is also working on a retrovirus that could in theory attack this plague and render it inert… however… he is not confidant he can have one ready within the next… ten years or so"

"Sir, the only hope is too stop the North-Gate before she can release the virus. She's a fast ship with heavy weapons. I've got Commander Ellis in Engineering working too give us everything she can from the Engines, but we're still three hours behind… even at maximum warp" Reed said slowly.

"Is she any good?"

"I stole her from the Odysseus, she's good sir"

"Let us hope she is. Doctor, how long before you can have your… anti-virus ready?"

"I'm waiting for the computer now, I doubt it will work as effective as Doctor Lucas' attempt, it may not work at all… if it does, there will still be some deaths from the plague. Since we know little about the Romulan physiology… projections state a casualty rate of 55%"

"It's better then a total loss Jon" Reed replied with caution"

"Do what you can Doctor, put a rush on it if you have too. Get me that Anti-Virus!" Archer said firmly.

"I'm a Doctor, not a Magician!" He sighed heavily.

"Today Doc, you're both!"

"David, take who ever you need from any department…" Reed said firmly.

"I understand you have Captain T'Pol here? I could use her help on this"

"I'll send her down. Make it fast Doctor…?"

"McCoy sir, David McCoy!"

It was strange for the seasoned and battle hardened Admiral too rely on such a young man too help cure a virus created decades ago however, he trusted Malcolm Reed with his life more then anyone he had served with and it appeared that Malcolm trusted the young southern doctor. As he stood, Archer looked at the many certificates and awards that adorned the office of the young doctor, his achievements far exceeded his age in many ways, David McCoy was an accomplished surgeon, physician, psychologist, and exobiologist, and was also considered an up coming expert in space psychology as well as many awards from the University of Mississippi on Earth. Barely 30 years old, the young doctor seemed confidant in his abilities. Nodding slightly, Archer took a deep breath before he spoke.

"It's strange Doctor, two days ago I had not heard of you… now all our hopes lie with what you do in the next few days"

"No pressure then" He smiled.

"If we fail…"

"… The Romulans will come out of their space with full force in retaliation for the attack. They will see it as a sanctioned attack by Starfleet. I doubt we can hold them off!" Reed continued.

"So definitely no pressure then!" He laughed slightly.