AN: Trip gets a life lesson he won't soon forget, with a little angst mixed in. He is, at this point, only twenty-one to Jon's twenty-nine. I hope you enjoy.
"Captain Jeffery's," Trip enquired, holding out his hand.
It had taken the better part of half an hour to track down his new boss. Lt. Tucker wasn't nervous about starting with one of the engineering teams at the Complex. He'd worked here before, in the labs at the R & D test centre. Meeting the officer in charge of his division triggered Trip's apprehension. If reports were correct, Captain Jeffery's didn't know the first thing about engineering or warp drives. Hell, he'd told Jon that the man didn't know an EPS conduit from a plasma relay the first day they'd met.
"Lt. Tucker reporting for duty, Sir," Trip offered, glancing around the room. It seemed to be a cross between a library and museum. Models of several early space craft and engines littered the glass encased shelves.
Looking at offered salutation, the older man scrutinised the attached individual. He'd been at a lecture given by Tucker eight months previously. The kid was a master academic to be sure, but had no practical experience where it really counted. It would take months to bring him up to speed, in Jeffery's opinion. Dr. Tucker would do better on the theoretical team with his background.
"I have no use for you, Dr. Tucker," the Captain stated in a clipped tone, placing his hands behind his back in an at ease position. "I never asked for a green Ensign to join my team. I need an experienced officer willing and able to get his hands dirty if I'm to turn this project into a reality."
"Well, Sir, I guess you got your wish," Trip stated, managing to keep his tone even, even if his drawl increased, openly displaying his displeasure.
"How old are you son?" Jeffery's attempted another angle when the first obviously hadn't enflamed the situation.
"Old enough to know procedure and protocol, Sir, and that a Captain with years of experience can read rank bars," Trip ground out, barely managing to keep his temper in check. He'd expected a grilling, maybe some flak at his qualifications, but not this level of obvious contempt.
"Six months as an ensign," Jeffery's scoffed. He'd read Tucker's personnel file two years ago, when his orders first came through. They requested he season the kid, making him into a line officer able to stand up to Vulcan reproach. Seemed he could do that very well already, if that lecture was anything to go by. "No practical involvement with a working warp drive or an engine room on a Starfleet vessel. Hardly what I'd term experience, Dr. Tucker."
"Be that as it may, Sir," Trip responded, "I've been assigned to your team because I'm the best at what I do. I'd like the opportunity to demonstrate my practical skills."
"Ensign Hess," Captain Jeffery's roared, glaring at the young Lieutenant as if he were an imposition. His voice echoed out the open door and down the hallway.
A delicate woman answered with "Aye, Sir." Hurrying over, she couldn't be any older than Trip. Short blond hair, untamed and sticking out at all angles, rather well-endowed for her short stature and the craziest eyes, one blue, the other brown, captured Tucker's gaze. "What are you looking at, Lieutenant?" she demanded with a glare that could strip paint.
Without putting his words through a filter, Trip confessed, "I don't think I've ever seen anyone with different coloured eyes before. They're fascinating."
"Good," Ensign Hess huffed, "just make sure it's my eyes you're gawking at. Any other part of my anatomy and I'll have you up on charges."
Holding his hand up, Trip gave his million-watt smile and mocked, "no fear from me, Ensign. Wrong assets and my boyfriend would get jealous."
Hess held Tucker's gaze, endeavouring to determine if he was telling the truth.
Attempting to hide a smile, the Captain deliberately paired the 'green' officer with the feistiest member of his team. Young she might be, but Christina Hess was no one's fool. Arron Jeffery's had learnt that the hard way, allowing his eyes to drift to her chest once to often. She'd threatened to have him written up for harassment. Within an hour, Ensign Hess would know if this 'intellectual' had what it took to join his team. Understanding his own lack of experience in their project area, the Captain wondered what wisdom caused Starfleet to put an old UESPA weapons officer in charge of the warp engine research team.
"Hess, this is Dr. Charles Tucker," the Captain stated, forcing attention to himself. "Give him the tour and introduce him to the rest of the team. Lt. Commander Wu will assign your duties after your induction. Dismissed."
"Well," Hess pivoted on a foot and marched off, as if Captain Jeffery's wasn't watching every detail and analysing his newest recruit. Calling over her shoulder, she mocked, "this way, Dr Tucker."
Shaking his head, Trip wondered what he'd gotten himself into. True, he had to learn to take orders. He'd never done any real space time, or been in a command structure. Last night he'd sat on the couch, Jon's arm around his shoulder and they'd talked about Commander Archer's experiences as a junior officer. Although Jon had tried to make it sound amusing, Trip knew this wasn't going to be a bed of roses. He was the most knowledgeable member on the team in regard to Henry Archers design, more so than the older, space hardened engineers. He'd played with the parts of the new warp engine, understood how they fitted together. Hell, he'd even redesigned two components and his mind just couldn't stop considering how the EPS conduits on a real ship would cope with the increased power output. Half the relays would burn out, if they didn't come up with a solution.
"You still with me," Hess demanded. She'd paused half way to the door when the Lieutenant didn't move.
"Just thinking," Trip sighed. He'd never been one to hold back his ideas.
"Is that what that noise was?" she asked, a careful expression covering her features. "About what?"
"The EPS relays and how they're not going to take the increased output from the new engine," Trip stated honestly. "We're going to have to redesign the whole damn system if we want this contraption to fly."
Giving him a startled expression, Ensign Hess swallowed.
"Please, call me Trip," Tucker offered.
"Everyone gets called by their last name," Christina stated. "I'm Hess. Don't forget it."
"How about we forget the tour," Trip stated sourly. "I've got too much work to get through, besides, I've been in and out of this place for the last four years while I redesigned the Plasma manifolds."
"That was you," Christina asked. She'd heard the rumours about some smart arsed kid making improvement even the Vulcan's couldn't negate. Looking beyond Tucker, she noticed Captain Jeffery's nodding. Quickly diverting her gaze back to the Lieutenant, it seemed he'd forgotten the team leader was still in the room. It proved two points. When Tucker's mind was engaged on an issue, everything else was forgotten, and he was completely dedicated to seeing Henry Archer's engine fly.
"Yep," Tucker smirked, pulling out all the stops. He knew that smile made most women melt. It didn't seem to work on Ensign Hess and Trip found himself glad. "I just need you to take me to the engineer in charge of this project. I can take a look around later."
"You know," Hess approached the subject carefully, watching her boss make a hasty retreat through another exit, "Captain Jeffery's and Commander Wu are sticklers for protocol."
"I got that," Trip frowned. "Believe me, after dealing with the Vulcans for years, I know how to play the game."
"I sure hope so," Christina muttered under her breath, thinking the Lieutenant had very little real idea of Starfleet politics.
The day proved frustrating for Trip. Commander Wu decided that talking about upgrades would have to wait until he'd completed the induction, which he'd done several time over the last few years. After that came the mandatory evacuation and safety drills. By lunch time, Lt. Tucker was ready to lose his temper.
"Bad day?" Jon asked, sliding into the seat beside Trip. He'd called over to engineering, only to find Lt. Tucker had gone to lunch.
"Now what makes you say that?" Trip demanded in a sour tone.
"Oh, the body language," Jon really tried not to laugh. "The attitude, the tone…."
"Mock me if you want," Trip responded, his shoulders slumping, "it's not like the rest of my team aren't doing exactly that behind my back. You know, not one of them has called me anything thing but Dr. Tucker all morning. I may as well not be in Starfleet or wearing this uniform."
"This isn't MIT," Archer reminded, gently. "They don't know you, what your capable of. You're just someone who managed to climb the ladder far too quickly. If you were placed on my team, I'd have to wonder why."
"I know," Trip grumbled again. "It's just that I want to get on with it, not stand around talking about which door to run out of if there's a fire, or where the emergency med kit is stored."
"Protocol, Trip," Jon captured and held his lover's eyes. "You're really in Starfleet now. You're a junior officer. You have to know your place, no matter what you have to offer in terms of the project. If I recall correctly, you told me that yourself, the day we met."
"I know," Tucker threw himself back in his seat and crossed his arms. Sighing, he finally asked, "so, how's your day?"
"I'm stuck with A.G.," Jon stated, "so how do you think?"
"Seems," that brought a smile to Trip's lips, "I'm not the only one having a bad day. That man is one smarmy SOB."
"Try working with him," Jon shook his head. "Look, I snuck out between briefings. See, you're not the only one being indoctrinated and I've worked here before. Anyway, I got to get back. See you on the transport tonight?"
"Fine, save me a seat," Trip picked up his sandwich, carefully considering Jon's words as he watched his boyfriend walk away. I have to admit, it's a damn fine view. Why do I get the feeling Jon's deliberately swinging his hips just a little? I'll get that man back when we get home tonight.
Lt. Tucker didn't make the transport. After thinking up a way to demonstrate his latest theory, Trip went to the R and D labs where he was owed a favour or two. After running his ideas past them, he borrowed some props. Showing up at the engineering building, he set up his experiment.
"Where have you been, Dr. Tucker," Commander Wu asked, his tone enraged.
"Sir, I'd like you to take a look at this?" Trip stated.
Cheng See Wu approached, cautiously. A fifteen-year veteran, firstly of the UESPA and then Starfleet, he'd spent most of those years in the engine room of various classes of vessels. He got what the Lieutenant was attempting and saw the flaw immediately.
"You haven't taken into account the negligible bleed from other systems," Commander Wu stated. "That's the problem with you theoretical engineers. Come with me, Tucker. Hess, organise a pilot to take us to Orbital in one of the sub warp shuttles."
"Aye, Sir," she took off. Returning a few minutes later, Hess indicated that they'd better get their tails over to the launch pad. A transport was schedule to leave in five minutes with some dignitaries and she'd managed to wrangle passage for them. Christina spent her first year as an Ensign on Endeavour, before coming to this project. She knew exactly what Commander Wu was about to show Tucker.
The entered the vessel by the rear door, leading directly to the cramped engine compartment. Wu sat Tucker down at a station and told him to watch the amperage, comparing it to the ships speed as the engine fired up. Then, the older man stood back and observed. He wanted to know how quickly this supposed genius got it.
"Sir," Trip turned his expressive blue eyes to the commander. They'd just entered the stratosphere when understanding dawned. "I'm such an idiot."
"Nothing beats experience," Wu smirked. Tucker had picked up his hint quicker than he thought possible. "The way I hear it, your far from an idiot, Tucker. You're used to working on engines in isolation. There are other factors on a ship that need to be considered. Every ship is different, even vessels of the same class have their own temperaments."
Swallowing hard, Trip asked the question that suddenly appeared in his mind. "Do you think I'd benefit from a space assignment? That it would help with our project?"
"Yes," Wu answered succinctly, "but not right now. We have to keep moving forward."
Nodding his understanding, Trip recognised the warning. Vulcan interference in his thesis had been brutal at times, especially when they thought he was moving too fast for their liking. "I been there before, Sir."
"You'll get your chance to serve in a working engine room, Tucker. I think you're where you need to be at the moment. However, I need you full co-operation and support on this. No more going behind my back and using tactics like to day. If you have an idea, I want to hear it, even if I shoot it down within seconds," glaring at the junior officer, Commander Wu used a tone that convinced Trip is was time to toe the line, "understand?"
"Yes, Sir," Tucker nodded. "It won't happen again."
"Good. We'll be at Orbital soon. I'm not sure if Hess booked us on a return transport," Wu stated, watching the colour drain from the Lieutenant.
"Aw, hell," Trip looked and sounded contrite, "what's Jon going to think."
"Jon?"
"My boyfriend," Trip shook his head. "I guess I'll just have to call and explain what's happened when we know what's going on."
"According to your record, you live in Starfleet housing," the Commander recalled.
"Moved in Friday," Trip suddenly knew were this conversation was going. Hiding his amused reaction, Tucker decided to play with his commanding officer. He wanted to see if he had a sense of humour.
"Well," Wu sighed with more than a little frustration, "I wanted you up to speed as quickly as possible. I was going to get you started on the systems that bleed power from the EPS relays as this was your idea. I guess you'll just have to study at work and slow the process down."
"Why?" Trip asked.
"Security," Wu stated. "Starfleet wants to make sure our design doesn't get into the wrong hands. Only those working on the NX project have access to the data."
"Jon's clearance level is the same as mine," Tucker stated with a grin. "At least it was last time we worked together. Now, maybe it's higher."
Commander Wu raised an eyebrow understanding Jon was fleet and probably a higher rank that Tucker. "What division?"
"Aviation," Tucker stated, holding back just a little. "Jon's a test pilot."
"What rank," Wu continued his interrogation. Unable to let this go, Cheng See had a feeling he knew the answer before it came out of the Lieutenant's month. The pieces were fitting together, especially when you considered the lecture tour last year and the fact it kick-started this program. "Let me get this straight, your boyfriend is Commander Jonathan Archer, as in Henry Archer's son."
"Yes, Sir," Trip couldn't help the grin that encompassed his face. "Is that going to be a problem."
"Not at all," the Commander smiled, gleefully, handing the younger man a PAD he'd produced from one of his many pockets. "It means you just scored a heap of homework, Tucker. I expect you up to speed by the end of the week, seeing as security's not going to be a problem. You might as well make use of the next half hour, before we dock. There's a lot for you to get through."
Cursing under his breath, Trip heeded the warning when he noticed the amount of data stored on the PAD. Getting off the transport at Orbital, Tucker intended to wait while the Commander arranged either their passage back to Earth, or accommodations for the night. He'd com Jon once he knew either way and explain the situation. As the engineers vacated the shuttle, the dignitaries also departed from the forward hatch. Admiral Black and Rear Admiral Leonard had the stations Captain dancing attendance on them the moment they alighted.
"Lt. Tucker," Leonard pounced when he noticed the young man. "Congratulations on your promotion and achieving your doctorate. I believe you spent some months on Orbital and you know the Captain Wallace?"
"Yes, Sir," nodding to the senior officers, Trip muttered pleasantries for a few minutes, before they were escorted away.
"Friends in high places," Commander Wu stood back throughout the exchange. Tucker's use to Captain Jeffery's just increased dramatically. Especially if he had the ear of Admiral Yamamato's brother-in-law and links to the pilots.
"Doesn't necessarily follow that I want them," Trip frowned.
"You might need them one day," Wu cautioned.
Snorting at the thought, Trip answered mockingly, "by then they'll probably be retired. Believe me, Commander, those sorts of friends I can do without."
Nodding his understanding, Commander Cheng See Wu realised he'd underestimated Tucker and his use to their division. He needed to get them home tonight and report to Captain Jeffery's in person. Calling in a couple of favours, they were on a transport back to Starfleet HQ within the hour.