Vulcan and Human Keepsake
Chapter Nine
Captain John Archer and his communications officer Suzanne Moore beamed up from their condo after the meeting with Admiral Sanders. Showing up in the transporter room, he asked his first officer Lt. David Peterson on whether the crew of the freighter has started to beam up.
"Yes, sir they have. However I am afraid to say your Vulcan science officer T' Ling won't be able to make it back to Earth in time since he's on Vulcan. Engineer Emeril as well won't be able to arrive. I understand we are going to have replacements for this special classified mission." Lt. David Peterson has been on the KEEPSAKE ever since the command was given to Captain Archer at age 34 married with two boys ages 14 and 12.
"Commander Charles Tucker and Science officer T'Pol will be arriving soon on board the Keepsake. Please be sure to show them quarters since they are married. Plus they will working in the two positions since both crewmembers won't be arriving in time. What about the warp engines Lt. Peterson?"
Rubbing a hand through his brown hair out of being slightly nervous. "All set sir, the engineers have finished with the upgrades to have the engines move from warp four to warp six making it quicker to reach our destination." He stated even though he wasn't given the information as yet on the location.
"Well done Lt., I will be in my quarters changing. Porthous will need to be fed before we head out soon." Captain Archer calmly said with his favorite pet having him a long time. Porthous was beginning to slow down with his metabolic system. Doctor Phlox has mention to Archer a few times during the past three years.
"I will be sure to show Commander Tucker and T'Pol arrive once they beam up to the Keepsake." Lt. Peterson responded with getting ready to use the transporter once more hearing the communications from the orbital station.
"Excuse me, Lt. Peterson." Archer said with walking out of the transporter room to be greeted by one of his crew. Actually it was Doctor Phlox hearing that the Captain had beamed up. "Is there I can do for you, Doctor Phlox?" He exclaimed nervously with his shoulders.
"I need to check you out quickly before we head out to our destination. I don't wish to assume this mission is classified for a freighter?"
"Correct Doctor, however I will tell you on the way to sickbay. It needs to be a brief with the medical check. I have too much to do before we head out."
Walking into the turbo lift. Captain Archer stopped it asking the computer to halt it for a few moments. "What's going on Captain?" Phlox asked with grave concern.
"Do you remember the Guardian of Forever?" Archer said with a odd expression from his physician of many years.
"Of course I do Captain. I don't even want to think about the ramifications after the last time with T'Pol bringing Commander Tucker back after he was supposed to be staying dead after being killed." He hissed with a deep breath into his lungs.
"This time a race called The Zoolanders have gone back into time with the Guardian looking for the Xandi having a special chemical cell that can save them from extinction. Do you know of this race Doctor?"
"I have heard of them from rumors. Otherwise none of my people have seen them during their travels. What is it I will need to be doing Captain Archer?" He shifted inside the turbo lift while Captain Archer continued to talk.
"I really don't know Phlox, further information is supposed to be sent to me from Admiral Sanders, otherwise it's our job with the new warp upgrades to get us to the Guardian's location quicker to head on down to the planet and enter the time for which the Zoolanders had visited."
"How many years?" Phlox was curious in regard to when with the time frame.
"Five plus years is all I know at this particular time. I can't tell you anything else right now." He lied. While asking the computer to begin the turbo lift once again.
SICKBAY
Laying down on his back. Doctor Phlox giving the once over for his captain. He was running the scanner and computer making sure all was in order with his body.
Doctor Phlox had brought up all of his animals that he keeps as pets and any type of biological testings. Captain Archer heard one of the two bats he had placed in the cages on the other side of the counter.
Needing to talk since it's been a few weeks. "By the way Doc, how are your wives and five children?" He shifted on the biobed while letting the scanner does it job.
"Their fine Captain, wife number one is going to be having another child, and yes it's mine!" He stated to have the captain chuckle slightly with his answer. In regard to all five of the older children. They are all busy with their lives and job positions. I try to stay in contact with them every couple of weeks with communications."
"So how am I, Doc?" Archer asked again with needing to get back to his work and his dog housed in the cabin.
"Your fine Captain. There are no issues to discuss other then the fact you need more exercise with your weight has gone up five pounds." He said with a slight smirk and quiver of his face.
"I will see what I can do Doctor Phlox." While moving off the biobed to head for the main exit of sickbay.
He disappeared from the doctor's view. When he says the following..."In a pig's eye!" He went back to his work in sickbay, along with feeding his other animals other than the bats.
