Archer stood quietly in the Warroom waiting to come out of warp. This was their second attack on the retreating Romulan fleet. According to the scout ships more ships joined them, which made sense with the intel he received from Starfleet Intelligence. The Romulans have been destroying their forward bases and starbases before bugging out to a rendezvous point in order to join the Romulan invasion fleet of Vulcan.
According to scans and telemetry from all the ships, they were able to do some damage on their first attack but not great damage. This time Archer wanted to do more damage so he was setting the clock for four minutes and thirty seconds. It wasn't enough to beat the Romulans up but they needed to take out ships, take out capabilities. Archer took a deep breath as he felt the slight vibration of the floor. They were coming out of warp.
"Comm officer, get ready to start transmitting my orders," Archer informed them.
The comm officers readied themselves. Archer looked at Shah and nodded to him. He set the chronometer for four minutes and thirty seconds. The Essex slipped out of warp along with the rest of the task force. The attack began and Archer watched it unfold.
"Tell the Crazy Horse to pull back and for the Montgomery and St. Petersburg to support it," ordered Archer.
The chronometer started to countdown.
STSTSTST
T'Pol sat down at the console in her rented bedroom. Charlie and Ellen were out buying gifts for Juliet for a visit to see Mary Ellen. The three of them had already visited Skann Charles today and now T'Pol took some time to check on comms from Charles.
Turning on the console and logging in she was surprised to find her first message was from her sister Tala. She played it.
"Sister, this is to inform you that I am leaving Earth for now. I have decide to remain looking Human, but I wanted the chance to explore Humanity some more. I've booked a transport to a colony where I will be working again as a nanny. To think I never liked Romulan children," her sister laughed. "I hope to see you again, as well as your husband and child. There are two important facts I wanted to convey to you before I left: one, I really feel you are my family; and two, do not trust our father. He would sacrifice you for his own survival. That is just who he is. Be well, sister, and prosper."
The comm went blank. T'Pol sat back and thought about what she just watched. It was difficult to admit that his had a Romulan half sister, but it was even more difficult to admit to herself that she had grown comfortable with the fact she had one. And now she was gone. Yes, she would return, but for now she was gone.
The front door chimed. T'Pol got up and went into the front part of the apartment and checked to see who it was. Standing with alone was Soval. T'Pol opened the door.
"Soval, please enter," she said.
"I have come to check on you, T'Pol," he said.
"Sit," she said. "Can I get you tea?"
"That will be unnecessary," he said. "I won't here long. Besides checking on you, I wanted to tell you that I have seen Skann Charles. He is begin to thrive."
"Yes, he is," she said.
"That is excellent news. I know you must be relieved," said Soval.
"I will not be completely relieved until the procedures are complete and I can take him home," said T'Pol.
"Many on Vulcan are watching to see that this succeeds. The writings of Sarak have opened up many to the philosophy of the IDIC," Soval told her. "You are seen by some as a symbol of the IDIC."
"I am merely myself," stated T'Pol.
"I am well aware of that," Soval replied with a hint of humor. "Also, Charles is doing remarkably well on Vulcan. T'Pau still has her doubts about Humans, but he has impressed her. Every time he is presented with an obstacle he overcomes it without complaint. I must admit that I believed Koss was a better mate for you. I was wrong."
"Charles is T'hy'la," she told him.
"I have come to understand that," he admitted. "Have you heard from him lately?"
"He is busy but she are strong through our bond. I look forward to strengthen it in person," said T'Pol.
The front door opened and Ellen and Charlie walked into the apartment carrying bags filled with gifts. Charlie noticed Soval.
"I see we have company," said Charlie.
Soval stood and nodded his head in respect.
"I have come to visit with T'Pol," stated Soval.
"Ambassador, we are honored to have you here," said Ellen.
"Yeah, feel free to drop by and visit with our daughter-in-law anytime," smiled Charlie.
T'Pol felt a wave of warmth at being called daughter-in-law. She was part of Trip's maat, his clan, his family, and she was growing to prefer it.
"Well, I should be going. There is for me much to do, as this war grows closer to being over," Soval said then he nodded towards T'Pol.
"I hope it ends soon. It'll be good to have Trip home with his family," said Charlie.
"Fleet Captain Tucker is an integral part of the success of this war. Trust me when I say he is admired on Vulcan," nodded Soval.
"That's good to hear," said Ellen.
"T'Pol, we shall speak again," Soval said then nodded his head in respect towards her.
Soval left. Ellen took a Teddy Bear out of one of the bags and showed it to T'Pol.
"We bought a Teddy Bear for Skann Charles. I hope you don't mind but it's kind of a Human thing for babies buying them little stuffed animals to cuddle. Trip had a stuffed alligator he loved to squeeze. I think he had it until he was two years old," Ellen told him.
"Thank you, Ellen," T'Pol said.
"We also got him some clothes to come home in, as well as something for his mother," said Charlie.
"I hope you don't mind that we bought you a summer's dress to wear," said Ellen. "Both Charlie and I thought you'd look beautiful in it."
"We must take a photo of me wearing to send to Trip. That would make him happy," said T'Pol.
"You are a good wide," smiled Ellen.
"Now I'm going to make the three of us some lunch. How does roasted vegetables and rice pilaf sound for you?" asked Charlie.
"It sounds... delicious," replied T'Pol.
STSTST
Trip sat on an uncomfortable chair in the Situation Room. He had spent hours reviewing information on the integrated fleet and their new strategy and tactics. For hours and hours he reviewed simulations and exercises until his back started to seize up. The pain was starting to make him more and more uncomfortable so he stood up and started to pace causing Lt. Commander Huntley and Skann to wonder if he was okay.
"Captain, is your back acting up?" asked Skann.
Trip placed the PADD down and looked at Skann.
"Yup," he answered. He knew he couldn't lie to the man who had been around him for over five years now.
"I could have a Vulcan healer flown up to the ship. They would be able to manipulate your back muscles with a massage, as well as offer you some exercises to do," said Skann.
"T'Pol taught me Vulcan yoga to help my back. I just don't have the time to do it every day," stated Trip. "I think we can find someone on this ship to massage my back, though. We don't need a Vulcan healer."
"They are expert at this sort of thing," said Skann.
"Yeah, but I don't want anyone but a few to know how bad my back hurts," grinned Trip.
"I see," said Skann. "Well, then I shall massage your back after you apply heat to it. I am competent."
"Well, Skann, I trust you, so I'll let you massage my back," said Trip.
"Captain, is there anything else you can do for my back?" asked Huntley.
"Well, once this damned war is over, I can let a doctor operate on me to correct some damage that wasn't corrected with the first operation. I was supposed to be laid up for six months then get a second operation. I was laid up six weeks and never got that second operation. The war was more important than my back," grinned Trip.
"The good of the many outweigh the good of the few," Skann quoted Surak.
"That and the admirals were all over my butt to get back on the job," smiled Trip.
"You are needed," Skann simply said.
"I guess so," sighed Trip.
He stretched his back out then looked at Skann and Huntley.
"Okay, I'm going to take a hot shower. Do you want to do the massage in the Sick Bay?" asked Trip.
"Unnecessary, sir," said Skann. "I shall come to your Quarters and massage your there then you will be able to get dinner without so much pain."
"Thanks, Skann," grinned Trip.
STSTST
Archer's task force emergency warped away to the rendezvous point that was per-arranged. Archer leaned back in his chair in the Warroom. Several of his ships took serious damage this time, but they were able to destroy at least fifteen Romulan ships. His more aggressive tactics worked, but at a cost. Archer expected to start receiving casualty lists once they were out of warp. He'd also receive a list of damaged ships and repair time.
"Sir, it went well," Shah stated.
Archer looked over at Shah and nodded then said, "I know. But this time will took a hit, too."
"The extended time was necessary in order to take out Romulan ships," Shah pointed out.
"I know, Omar. I know. But this is the hardest part of command waiting to hear how many are dead and how many are injured. And then how many of those injured are serious and how many are minor and can return to duty. Also, how many ships will need to be held back on our next run, which will weaken us," Archer explained.
The ship came out of warp. Archer took a deep breath then looked at the six comm officers assigned to him.
"Comm, as you get information send it to my PADD, so I can review casualties and damage," he told them.
"Sir, do you want me to get you a thermos of good coffee?" asked Shah.
Archer smiled then replied, "If I could promote you on the spot I would."
"I'll take that as a yes, sir," said Shah, who quickly exited the Warroom.
Archer noticed that the comm officers started to get busy. He waited a few moments before he picked up his PADD and started to review the information. Picking up the PADD he stared to read the butcher's list. The Nagura had six dead, four seriously injured, and twelve minor injuries. The Potemkin had eight dead, seventeen seriously injured, and ten minor injuries. The Hawthorne had twenty dead, thirty seriously injured, and forty minor injuries. Archer sighed heavily at this one. The Hawthorne more than likely took some serious damage. He made a mental note to bring the Hawthorne to the back lines and out of action for now. Archer just hoped that the Hawthorne didn't have too many ships join it. The more ships he had out of action the less effective his next attack would be. He looked over at one of the comm officers.
"Ensign, let the scout ships know that they can start stalking the Romulan fleet again," he told her.
"Aye, aye, sir," she replied.
Archer went back to reviewing the casualties, the butcher's list. The Crazy Horse had one dead, none seriously injured, and fifteen minor injures. The Resolute had ten dead, eleven seriously injured, and five minor injuries. And the list continued.
STSTSTST
Trip chowed down on a cheeseburger, onion rings, and French fries. Lt. Huntely, who joined him along with Skann, enjoyed a cheeseburger, also, while Skann ate grilled vegetables and rice. Skann had become used to eating with carnivores. Even the smell of cooked meat had become less offensive to him.
"I could have kissed chef when he told me that we were having cheeseburgers for dinner," Trip grinned, as he took another bite. "I almost asked for a strawberry milkshake with this."
"It reminds me of going out on a date at the academy," said Huntely.
"Let me guess – you used to go to Charburgers at Presidio Heights, right?" said Trip.
"That was the place. I was it was the best burgers in town and it was," said Huntley.
"Yeah, it was in my time at the academy, too," smiled Trip. "God, that seems so long ago."
"Yeah, it does," said Huntley.
"I believe we all could use a respite from war," stated Skann.
"Yeah, that's the truth," said Trip. "After this meal I have a comm meeting with Sarak, Hernandez, and Shran. I have to give them my review of the new setup and offer suggestions. I miss being an engineer and worrying about nothing more than the engine and the state of the ship."
"On my mother's side I'm Jewish," said Huntley. "My grandmother, my mother's mother, when she saw me looking like the world was beating me down and I was starting to feel sorry for myself she say – God gave us shoulders in order to carry heavy burdens. For some reason it made me feel better."
Trip grinned then said, "She was telling you to stop feeling sorry for yourself and carry your load. Smart woman. I'm not an engineer. I'm the man in charge of this fleet until Jon and his task force shows up. It's my burden to carry and I should accept it and stop fighting it."
"You do not have to carry the burden alone, sir," said Skann.
"I know," smiled Trip. "I have my crew and my... maat."
Skann nodded his approval. Trip returned to his meal. His meeting with Sarak, Eric, and Shran was going to go smoothly because the fleet was now working together smoothly. His only suggestion was to make sure communications between Starfleet and the Vulcan ships was constant. Once the invasion started every ship was going to have to be reactive to his orders. Even when Jon showed up, Trip realized that this was still his fleet. There was no putting down this burden.