Civilized Savages
By Didi
Disclaimers: Star Trek is owned by the late and great Gene Roddenberry. I own nothing within this story except the improbable idea behind it. Paramount owns the rights to the show and I do wish they would run of the wonderful reruns of the older series. Please don't sue me cause I have no money and will have to pay you in lint.
Summery: When one of their own goes missing, Enterprise crew goes on a search as to why.
Acknowledgement: To my darling Julie who loves Star Trek and is always willing to listen to me either rag or rave about episodes. Always know that you're opinion is more important than the stupid producers.
RATING: Rated R for content.
Note: I know that Enterprise hasn't been on television for long and the characterizing of the characters on the show may not be accurate but it's the way I see them. Bear me with here as I attempt to give some life to this.
~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter Twelve
~~~~~~~~~~
Enterprise - Bridge
"Mr. Reed," Archer called as he rounded his seat with the first light-hearted step he's taken since his communications officer disappeared unexpectedly. "Tell me you and Trip have got all your little ducks lined up in a row. I'm looking forward to whatever you can give me right now."
"As soon as Commander Tucker loads the 'missile' into the torpedo bay, we're good to go, Captain." Reed nodded his head and exchanged quick glances with Mayweather. The young pilot looked ready to bounce out of his seat with excitement.
"Good, then we should..."
"Launch bay to Bridge." Trip's heavily accented voice called through the intercom.
"Bridge here." Archer raised in eye brow and looked at the less than amused Vulcan at her post. "Talk to me, Trip."
"We're ready down here, sir." The happiness in Trip's voice was more than a sign that they were eager to get this display on the road.
The Captain nodded his head and looked toward armory officer. "Then we're ready to rock and roll, people. Malcolm, if you please..."
The usually serious-faced officer cracked a smile and turned to his panel of dials and knobs. "'Missile' away."
All those that had a screen before them watched as the tiny object traveled at an incredible speed toward its target. Everyone held their breath, not sure if they wanted the plan to work or fail. On the one hand, if it failed, the chances of them engaged in combat would be greatly decreased but they would still be missing a highly qualified linguist. On the other hand, if it worked, they could be looking at.... That option never manifested itself in any shape or form.
The explosion turned out to be not quite as spectacular as they had hoped for but more than enough to give off a flare that any dark-aged vessel would be able to pick up on long range sensors. Crossing fingers and toes, the crew waited with abated breath.
"Captain," T'Pol every cool even voice cut through the tension. "The Klingons are turning about."
~~~~~~~~~~
Klingon Warbird Kollarg
Hoshi's sensitive senses felt it when the ship dropped out of impulse and turned about. Her heart raced for a moment, just for a brief second, she thought Klaang had changed his mind and was going to drop her off somewhere while he went to fight his battle. But no, she knew that was not possible, the Klingons wouldn't care enough to about her to do that. Their empire was at stake here, and god only knows she understood that.
The doors to her quarter slide open with a hiss and Frukra stepped in with an arm full of armor. "The captain would have you changed into clothes that will protect you in an attack."
"What?" Hoshi was sure her ears were paying tricks with her. He did no just say...
"An attack, we engage in battle now!" The firry look in Fruka's eyes reminded Hoshi that the Klingons were a warrior race, no matter their sophisticated system of economy, culture, or language.
Taking the heavy armor from the young warrior, she almost collapsed under the enormous weight of it all. "Holy cow, I hope you don't expect me to wear all this."
"It will protect you from..."
"I won't be able to walk much less defend myself in this." Hoshi made a face and dropped the whole pile on the ground. "No thanks, I think I'll take my chances with the leather and metal."
The look in the man's face did not bode well for her. But if there is one thing Hoshi has learned in her little 'visit' with the Klingons, it is they may right and wrestle with one another, but when it comes to her they were not so rough. But then again, there sheer size usually gets her to do what they want.
"You will wear the armor."
She frowned. "I will not!" She crossed her hand over her chest and stared up at her, amazed at her own audacity. "Besides, what you do care? If I die in this, it would save you all a trip in taking me back to my ship."
Frukra frowned darkly at her and opened his mouth to say something, fortunately for Hoshi, Klaang choice that moment to enter the room. The formidable captain of the ship frowned at the pile on the ground. "You will wear the armor to protect yourself."
The young ensign often felt like she was talking to herself when it came to communicating with these people. "Those things must weigh fifty or sixty pounds at the least. I won't be able to move if I have that on." She sighed and sat down on the uncomfortable hard-back chair. "Thank you for thinking about me though. I know that you are probably very busy with..."
"You will come to the bridge after you have put the armor on." Klaang announced without so much as looking at her. Picking up the armload of metal and leather, he thrust them in her lap again. "You will tell the Kocklonds why they are dying this day."
There was a moment there that she thought for a mili-second that he might have been joking with her. But that moment came and passed without much effect. "Let ma get this straight, you basically want me to declare war with these... these.... Kocklonds. You want ME to declare war for you."
"You speak the language well."
"I don't want to."
"You will."
"No I won't."
"Yes you will." Klaang said forcefully and turned to the younger warrior. "She will change and come up to the bridge."
"Am I even in the room any more?" Hoshi said through tightly clinched teeth. Her anger did not have much to back it up but she did possess a temper. "Didn't I just say that..."
Klaang turned to pin her with his dark eyes. "Your Captain has come for you."
That shut Hoshi up nicely.
"Once we are finished, you will be returned to your ship."
She digested this slowly. Captain Archer and the Enterprise crew had come for her. Her, a little lowly ensign. How... sweet! Glancing down at the armor. "I'm going to need help getting to your bridge."
Frukra grunted something non-commenting and nodded his head. "I will take you."
She nodded and unzip the front of her jumper. As she pealed back the jacket, she glanced up to see that both men were watching her. "Do you mind?"
~~~~~~~~~~
Enterprise - Bridge
"Captain," T'Pol turned from her observation viewer. "The Klingon ships have altered course and moved themselves into battle formation."
"Look like your signal flare worked, Mr. Reed, Trip," Archer nodded his head. "Now let's see if we..."
"Sir," Reed's eyes narrowed. "Third ship on tail-gaters have turned toward us. I think they've detected us."
"You think?" Mayweather asked as he pulled the ship to the full stop. "Captain, maybe should..."
"Shields up," Archer ordered, his voice going from soft teasing to all seriously in two point two seconds. "Weapons on stand by. Don't shoot until you can see the whites in their eyes."
"Now is hardly the time to quote American history," Trip frowned and adjusted the energy output on the shields. Frowning, he got up. "I'll be down in engineering keeping us flying if you need me."
"Go ahead," Archer sighed and leaned back into his seat. "Let's see how this is going to play out cause right now we appear to be in somewhat of a ...."
"Captain," Ensign Williams called quietly. "We're getting a wide-band transmission."
"From where?" Archer moved to get out of his chair.
"The Klingons, sir."
By Didi
Disclaimers: Star Trek is owned by the late and great Gene Roddenberry. I own nothing within this story except the improbable idea behind it. Paramount owns the rights to the show and I do wish they would run of the wonderful reruns of the older series. Please don't sue me cause I have no money and will have to pay you in lint.
Summery: When one of their own goes missing, Enterprise crew goes on a search as to why.
Acknowledgement: To my darling Julie who loves Star Trek and is always willing to listen to me either rag or rave about episodes. Always know that you're opinion is more important than the stupid producers.
RATING: Rated R for content.
Note: I know that Enterprise hasn't been on television for long and the characterizing of the characters on the show may not be accurate but it's the way I see them. Bear me with here as I attempt to give some life to this.
~~~~~~~~~~
Chapter Twelve
~~~~~~~~~~
Enterprise - Bridge
"Mr. Reed," Archer called as he rounded his seat with the first light-hearted step he's taken since his communications officer disappeared unexpectedly. "Tell me you and Trip have got all your little ducks lined up in a row. I'm looking forward to whatever you can give me right now."
"As soon as Commander Tucker loads the 'missile' into the torpedo bay, we're good to go, Captain." Reed nodded his head and exchanged quick glances with Mayweather. The young pilot looked ready to bounce out of his seat with excitement.
"Good, then we should..."
"Launch bay to Bridge." Trip's heavily accented voice called through the intercom.
"Bridge here." Archer raised in eye brow and looked at the less than amused Vulcan at her post. "Talk to me, Trip."
"We're ready down here, sir." The happiness in Trip's voice was more than a sign that they were eager to get this display on the road.
The Captain nodded his head and looked toward armory officer. "Then we're ready to rock and roll, people. Malcolm, if you please..."
The usually serious-faced officer cracked a smile and turned to his panel of dials and knobs. "'Missile' away."
All those that had a screen before them watched as the tiny object traveled at an incredible speed toward its target. Everyone held their breath, not sure if they wanted the plan to work or fail. On the one hand, if it failed, the chances of them engaged in combat would be greatly decreased but they would still be missing a highly qualified linguist. On the other hand, if it worked, they could be looking at.... That option never manifested itself in any shape or form.
The explosion turned out to be not quite as spectacular as they had hoped for but more than enough to give off a flare that any dark-aged vessel would be able to pick up on long range sensors. Crossing fingers and toes, the crew waited with abated breath.
"Captain," T'Pol every cool even voice cut through the tension. "The Klingons are turning about."
~~~~~~~~~~
Klingon Warbird Kollarg
Hoshi's sensitive senses felt it when the ship dropped out of impulse and turned about. Her heart raced for a moment, just for a brief second, she thought Klaang had changed his mind and was going to drop her off somewhere while he went to fight his battle. But no, she knew that was not possible, the Klingons wouldn't care enough to about her to do that. Their empire was at stake here, and god only knows she understood that.
The doors to her quarter slide open with a hiss and Frukra stepped in with an arm full of armor. "The captain would have you changed into clothes that will protect you in an attack."
"What?" Hoshi was sure her ears were paying tricks with her. He did no just say...
"An attack, we engage in battle now!" The firry look in Fruka's eyes reminded Hoshi that the Klingons were a warrior race, no matter their sophisticated system of economy, culture, or language.
Taking the heavy armor from the young warrior, she almost collapsed under the enormous weight of it all. "Holy cow, I hope you don't expect me to wear all this."
"It will protect you from..."
"I won't be able to walk much less defend myself in this." Hoshi made a face and dropped the whole pile on the ground. "No thanks, I think I'll take my chances with the leather and metal."
The look in the man's face did not bode well for her. But if there is one thing Hoshi has learned in her little 'visit' with the Klingons, it is they may right and wrestle with one another, but when it comes to her they were not so rough. But then again, there sheer size usually gets her to do what they want.
"You will wear the armor."
She frowned. "I will not!" She crossed her hand over her chest and stared up at her, amazed at her own audacity. "Besides, what you do care? If I die in this, it would save you all a trip in taking me back to my ship."
Frukra frowned darkly at her and opened his mouth to say something, fortunately for Hoshi, Klaang choice that moment to enter the room. The formidable captain of the ship frowned at the pile on the ground. "You will wear the armor to protect yourself."
The young ensign often felt like she was talking to herself when it came to communicating with these people. "Those things must weigh fifty or sixty pounds at the least. I won't be able to move if I have that on." She sighed and sat down on the uncomfortable hard-back chair. "Thank you for thinking about me though. I know that you are probably very busy with..."
"You will come to the bridge after you have put the armor on." Klaang announced without so much as looking at her. Picking up the armload of metal and leather, he thrust them in her lap again. "You will tell the Kocklonds why they are dying this day."
There was a moment there that she thought for a mili-second that he might have been joking with her. But that moment came and passed without much effect. "Let ma get this straight, you basically want me to declare war with these... these.... Kocklonds. You want ME to declare war for you."
"You speak the language well."
"I don't want to."
"You will."
"No I won't."
"Yes you will." Klaang said forcefully and turned to the younger warrior. "She will change and come up to the bridge."
"Am I even in the room any more?" Hoshi said through tightly clinched teeth. Her anger did not have much to back it up but she did possess a temper. "Didn't I just say that..."
Klaang turned to pin her with his dark eyes. "Your Captain has come for you."
That shut Hoshi up nicely.
"Once we are finished, you will be returned to your ship."
She digested this slowly. Captain Archer and the Enterprise crew had come for her. Her, a little lowly ensign. How... sweet! Glancing down at the armor. "I'm going to need help getting to your bridge."
Frukra grunted something non-commenting and nodded his head. "I will take you."
She nodded and unzip the front of her jumper. As she pealed back the jacket, she glanced up to see that both men were watching her. "Do you mind?"
~~~~~~~~~~
Enterprise - Bridge
"Captain," T'Pol turned from her observation viewer. "The Klingon ships have altered course and moved themselves into battle formation."
"Look like your signal flare worked, Mr. Reed, Trip," Archer nodded his head. "Now let's see if we..."
"Sir," Reed's eyes narrowed. "Third ship on tail-gaters have turned toward us. I think they've detected us."
"You think?" Mayweather asked as he pulled the ship to the full stop. "Captain, maybe should..."
"Shields up," Archer ordered, his voice going from soft teasing to all seriously in two point two seconds. "Weapons on stand by. Don't shoot until you can see the whites in their eyes."
"Now is hardly the time to quote American history," Trip frowned and adjusted the energy output on the shields. Frowning, he got up. "I'll be down in engineering keeping us flying if you need me."
"Go ahead," Archer sighed and leaned back into his seat. "Let's see how this is going to play out cause right now we appear to be in somewhat of a ...."
"Captain," Ensign Williams called quietly. "We're getting a wide-band transmission."
"From where?" Archer moved to get out of his chair.
"The Klingons, sir."