The Keeper
By: Dorothy(Dotty)Lee
(WARNING! This chapter contains graphic violence!)
RATED R (for violence)
Chapter Five
It was well into the night when Archer and T'pol transported into the village, near the temple. The streets were empty, as most of the populace was asleep. Moving quietly across the road they entered the enclosed yard of the temple. The building itself was made of stone. The design, a simple rectangle shape, with an arched roof, and a tall steeple. Archer furrowed his eyebrows as he looked up at the steeple. Looks like something you'd see on a church back home, he thought, following T'pol into the temple itself. Both officers took their weapons out as they moved into the inner sanctuary. The room was fairly large, measuring a good 48 meters across and 36 meters wide. A stage was centered at one end of the room. The room was lit only by torches placed along the walls on either side. There were no windows.
"I'm picking up unusual energy readings from that device on the stage." T'pol whispered, looking at her tricorder.
Archer squinted his eyes trying to get a better look at the item in question. "We didn't pick up anything outside. This building must have a dampening field around it." He replied, cautiously walking toward the front of the room.
Moving up several steps to the podium, they stopped directly in front of what was obviously the Arch that they had read about in the Quellian history books. It stood at just about ten meters, and was four meters across. Walking slowly around the object, T'pol continued to scan the device.
"How do you think it works?" Archer asked, reaching out to touch it.
"I would advise against touching it Captain! You don't know what kind of security system might be in place. You could be injured." T'pol told him, intercepting his hand with her own. Looking at her he sighed.
"I guess you're right. You know how us humans are, always putting our hands where they don't belong."
If he didn't know better, Archer could have sworn that T'pol had blushed slightly. Or maybe that was an anger response, he thought smiling slightly.
Nonetheless she chose not to respond to his remark. Instead she moved over to the wall behind the Arch. Following her Archer saw what had caught her interest. There appeared to be a door embedded in the stone.
"I'm picking up what could be life signs on the other side of.." She started to say.
Suddenly the door slid open! They both jumped back phasers ready as two individuals emerged.
Archer opened his mouth in silent surprise and shock when he recognized one of them as being human.
The other humanoid looked like something out of a science-fiction story. Green-skinned, bulbulous eyes, and long skinny arms and legs. It looked harmless, actually.
The next few minutes were a blur to Jonathon as suddenly a high pitched scream ripped through his skull, causing him to grab his head. Through tear-filled eyes, Archer saw the human turn to the alien and says something. Then he jumped back inside the door and it closed, leaving only the green-skinned humanoid standing in front of them.
Archer had gone to his knees by now, as his brain seemed to be on fire. Turning to look at T'pol, he saw her point her phaser at the alien, as she held her own head with one hand, and fire the weapon. Immediately the creature fell to the ground, and the pain in Archers skull began to subside.
"What..happened!" He croaked at T'pol, trying to get to his feet. His legs failed him and he started to fall. T'pol grabbed him to keep him from hitting the ground. Taking her communicator from its pouch she spoke urgently.
"T'pol to Enterprise! Emergency beam-out now!"
"No!..Got..to find..Trip!.." Archer gasped even as the transporter grabbed him and the sanctuary faded to be replaced by the transporter room of the Enterprise.
Dr. Phlox was already there and came forward to help Archer over to the edge of the platform. Sitting down heavily Archer hung his head holding it with both hands as the doctor scanned his biosigns.
Meanwhile, Malcolm, who'd also hurried to the transporter room, was examining the alien that had transported with them. "What the hell is this?" He exclaimed to T'pol, glancing over at the Vulcan as she knelt beside him.
"It is a Grenni." She replied, staring at the alien.
(On the planet)
"Bingo!" Tucker exclaimed as he broke through the wall and revealed the inner workings of the force field. Glancing over at Risianna with a grin, he threw the rock aside and leaned forward for a closer look at the circuitry within. From what he could tell, this being a more advanced technology than he was familiar with, he would be able to shut the field down by reversing the flow in the flux capacitors, or what appeared to be capacitors. Or at least he hoped it would work.
"You might wanna step back out of the way, honey." He told Risianna. Waiting until she was clear of danger, he took the time to remove the nearly shredded bandage from his right hand so he could work better in the small space. Then, taking a deep breath and holding it, he reached in and gingerly touched the circuit board inside. Breathing a sigh of relief when he wasn't rewarded with a shock, he began to rearrange the wiring on the board, chewing on his lower lip in concentration.
(Back on Enterprise)
"I told you I'm fine!" Archer said to the doctor as he sat on a biobed in sickbay. T'pol had insisted that he go to sickbay to be checked thoroughly.
"Still I'd like to take a few more scans.." Dr Phlox started, picking up a medical scanner from a small tray beside him.
"I don't have time Doctor! Trip is still down there somewhere, and time is running out! Now that they know we're on to their hideout he could be in even more danger!" Archer replied pushing the scanning device away and getting down off of the bed.
T'pol came in at that moment.
"What did you find out from the Grennii?" He asked as he walked toward her.
"Nothing that will help us find Commander Tucker." She answered turning around as he continued toward the exit. Following she went on. " We must keep him sedated in order to prevent him from using his abilities to escape. But I did manage to find out how to use this device. She said, holding up a small oval shaped object."I believe it will open the door to the hidden passage."
Smacking her on the shoulder, much to her disdain, Archer grinned. "Good work T'pol!"
Out in the corridor he went over to a comm control on the wall and punched a button. "Lt. Reed report to transporter room one!"
"Don't you think it wise to limit the amount of personnel that goes to the surface with us? After all you experienced first hand what the Grennii are capable of." T'pol said to him as they headed for the lift.
"This time we won't give them the chance!" He answered, his jaw set with determination. "We'll shoot first and ask questions later!" They stepped into the lift and the doors closed behind them.
(Meanwhile below the surface of the planet)
"Damn!" Tucker swore as he failed for the fourth time to get the field to go down. Stepping back for a minute, he sighed heavily, wiping the sweat that ran down his face with his shirtsleeve. Think Tucker! Think! He thought, angry with himself as he stared at the circuits inside. This shouldn't be that complicated! Biting on his tongue, he decided to try one more thing. With one swift movement from his hand he reached in and grabbed all the wiring and jerked!
Blue fire erupted from the wall as he was thrown back for the second time hitting the back wall. Risianna was at his side immediately as he collapsed to the ground.
"Trip! Please! I do not want you to die!" She cried, kneeling beside him as he lay on his stomach face down.
Groaning loudly he rolled over onto his back staring up at her. "I've got..to quit..doing ..that!" He gasped, wheezing. Every bone in his body felt like it was broken. He figured he had a couple of broken ribs to show for his effort this time as well as one hell of a bruised back! Damned if he wasn't going to kill himself before this thing was over with! Raising his head he looked past her. "Well I'll be damned, it worked!" He managed to say, chuckling weakly.
Turning from him, Risianna looked at the entrance. The force field was gone.
"Help..me..up" Tucker gasped at her as he struggled to his feet. With her support, he moved out into the corridor.
"Which..way?" He asked, pushing away from her and leaning against the wall, still wheezing heavily.
"We must go back through the main room." She told him pointing down the passageway. "From there I can show you the way to the outside."
His breathing nearly back to normal, although every breath hurt like fire, Tucker tried a tenative step forward. Deciding his legs would support him now, he motioned for her to follow him.
As they entered the great room, Risianna pointed to a passage in the far left side of the cavern. "There, That is where we must go."
"Lead the way, sister!" Trip told her, following on shaky legs.
Just before they reached the passage, Richards appeared, running out into the room. He stopped dead in his tracks as he saw them.
"Well, well." He said smiling. "It seems you were a little more resourceful than I gave you credit for." They both stopped and stared at him.
"I'm getting out of here Richards." Tucker replied, standing up as straight as his tortured body would allow. "And I'm taking Risianna with me!"
Richards laughed, looking at Risianna, who looked terrified. "So, you must have really pleased him well!" He said to her, wickedly.
"You're wrong Richards!" Tucker spat out angrily. "I'm not the scumbag that you are! This little kingdom of yours is about fall!"
Richards looked back at him, his wicked smile fading into a snarl. "I believe that was a threat. Maybe you would like to settle this man to man, Charles." He growled, moving over to the wall behind him. Two swords hung criss-crossed in a sheath. Taking both rapiers from their holders he turned slowly to face Tucker. "I am a man of honor Charles, rather you believe it or not. Therefore I will make you a deal. If you win..you can take the girl and leave.But if I win..."He chuckled. "Well, let's just say, may the best man win..shall we?"
Trip had taken a step back when Richards went for the swords. Now he looked at Risianna who was clinging to him like a lost child. "Go sit over there." He told her pointing at a pile of pillows not far from them.
"No! He is very well versed in the way of the sword! You mustn't fight him! Just stay here, it will be better than to die!" She pleaded, holding onto him.
"That's where you have it wrong Risianna. I'd rather be dead than be his slave." Tucker told her pulling from her grip and moving over to Richards.
Throwing him the sword, Richards raised his own weapon, holding it slightly forward. "On 'Guard!" He said touching Trip's blade lightly as the Engineer tried to mimic Richard's stance. Then Richards lunged forward his blade swinging down and across to slice into Tuckers uniform across his upper right shoulder blade.
Gasping in pain as the sharp point cut into his flesh, soaking his sleeve with bright red blood, Trip stumbled back, and parried to the left, striking Richard's sword as he lunged again, and again. Tucker counter attacked, the rapier feeling a little more comfortable in his hand as they moved back into the center of the room.
Richards lunged forward causing Tucker to jump back, falling backward over a pile of pillows. Scrambling to his feet, his breath coming in short painful gasps, Tucker lunged back, this time making contact with Richards's right arm.
"Touche'!" Richards yelled, grinning evilly as he counter-attacked, Stabbing Trip in the right upper chest, the blade sinking deep enough to pierce the lung within. Crying out Tucker nearly blacked out from the pain. His battered body stretched to it's endurance, he stumbled sideways to avoid yet another lunge.
"Give it up Charles. I promise I will spare your life. I might even let you please me." Richards taunted him, smiling lustfully.
"Over ..my..dead..body!" Tucker gasped, revulsion mixed with anger giving him the adrenaline rush he needed so desperately. Charging at Richards, he countered a lunge and swung his blade across with all his might.
Richards cried out as the blade caught him in his side slicing deep into the soft tissue cutting deep into his internal organs. Staring wide-eyed at his executioner, Richards dropped his sword and fell to his knees, as blood bubbled from his mouth.
"Touche'....." He gurgled, and then he fell forward and lay still.
Trip stumbled back, dropping his own sword. Blinking he stared at Richards body. Then he looked up at Risianna as she came to him.
"You have killed the Keeper!" She said staring at the still form on the floor dark blood forming a huge puddle beneath it. "How is that possible?"
Tucker blinked at her, as his vision blurred. "He..was just..a man..like me....." He nearly whispered, as his legs gave way and he collapsed to the floor. "Get..help.." He told her, wincing as he coughed, frothy blood trickling out the side of his mouth.
She suddenly looked up as something caught her eye behind him. She tried to smile, her features furrowed with concern as she looked back at him.
"I think help has arrived!" She told him, easing his head to a pillow she had grabbed from the pile behind him.
The last thing Tucker heard before he slipped into blissful unconsciousness was the Captain's voice calling his name.
Epilogue
Captain's log Supplemental:
"After beaming back to the planet T'pol Lt. Malcolm and myself entered the underground passage leading to David Richard's Lair. We found Richard's dead and my Chief Engineer, Charles Tucker injured critically, as well as a young Quellian female. After transporting Commander Tucker to the Enterprise, we returned the young girl to her people. We have removed all of the advanced technology from the temple and the underground lair and are on our way to meet with a Vulcan ship. They have promised to take care of the Grennii and to smooth the transition of the Quellians back to normal life. "
Archer paused his recording device as the comm beeped. Touching the control at his desk, where he sat in his private quarters, he spoke into the panel.
"Archer here."
"Captain."
Jonathon sat up straight when he heard Dr. Phlox's voice. He'd been waiting with worried impatience for word about Trip. When they had found Trip he'd been as close to death as Archer had ever seen him. The Dr. had worked on him for several hours before letting them know he would live. Since then, he'd been waiting for Trip to wake up so he could talk to him. He still felt guilty about leaving him down there on that planet for so long at the mercy of that insane man, Richards!
"I just wanted to let you know that Commander Tucker has regained consciousness and is asking for you."
"I'm on my way!" Archer nearly yelled as he jumped up and headed out the door, without waiting for a reply.
Trip slowly became aware of noise, then lights, as he regained consciousness. Opening his eyes, he looked up at the smiling face of Dr. Phlox.
"Doc..?" He whispered hoarsely, his throat dry and raw.
"Good morning Trip!" Phlox replied, glancing up at Tuckers vital signs on the monitor above his bed. "You sure gave us all quite a scare! I would advise against further sword fighting until you've learned the proper way to fence." He added, smiling back down at him.
Tucker managed a half smile. "I'll remember..that..Doc."
Dr. Phlox picked up a glass of water from the small stand beside the bed and gave Trip a drink, holding his head as he gulped the cool liquid.
"Easy! Not too much, you'll be sick." Phlox told him taking the glass and laying it aside.
" Are you in pain?"
Trip thought for a moment, taking a mental scan of his body's condition. Actually he felt pretty good, surprisingly. After what he'd been through he was lucky to be alive.
" I guess I feel okay." He said, trying to sit up. That's when he found out how wrong he was as pain shot through his chest and arms. Collapsing back onto the bed he gasped.
"You might as well get used to taking it easy for awhile Commander. You're not going to be going back on duty for a week or so. It'll take that long for your body to completely heal." Dr.Phlox told him, smiling sympathetically. Reaching over he picked up a hypospray from the table, and injected the contents into Trips neck.
"What was that!" Tucker gasped, still wincing from his earlier movement.
"Just something for the pain." Phlox replied starting to move away. "It'll help you sleep."
"Wait a minute..I want to talk to the Capt'n." Tucker told him trying unsuccessfully to raise up again.
Phlox came back to his side pushing him back down gently. "If you promise to lie still, I'll get him for you."
"I promise." Trip told him softly. I don't think I could move again, he thought painfully, his efforts having drained all his strength.
Archer came into sickbay minutes later. Dr. Phlox intercepted him as he headed for Trip's bed.
"I've just given him a narcotic for the pain. He'll probably pass out on you in a few minutes. Don't be long He needs all the rest he can get." He told Jonathon glancing back at Trip's bed.
Archer nodded in understanding continuing on to the alcove. He put on his best smile as he approached the bedside. Trip tried to raise up again when he saw Jonathon.
"At ease Commander." Archer told him, chuckling softly.
"Capt'n." Tucker replied, in greeting.
"Dr. Phlox says you'll be up and at it in no time." Archer said gesturing toward the Doctor who had moved into his office area.
"Is Risianna alright?" Trip asked him, blinking. His eyelids were getting heavier.
"She's fine Trip. We took her back to her family. She told me to tell you that she was ever in your debt for saving her." Jonathon replied, ducking his head slightly. "I'm a little proud of you myself. You really held up under very extreme circumstances. I've already submitted a request for a commendation for service above and beyond the call of duty."
"You didn't have ta do that Capt'n.." Trip replied his face flushing slightly. "Although, I would like to ask a favor of ya.."
Archer nodded his head. "Anything, Trip!"
"Next time I insist..on going on a mission, throw me in the brig..will ya.." Trip told him, clearly fighting to stay awake now as the narcotic began to take effect. He blinked his eyes sleepily as Archer laughed.
"You've got it, Commander!" He replied, reaching down to touch his friend on the shoulder gently. "Go to sleep Trip. I'll be back to visit you later. Malcolm and T'pol will probably be by as well as..." He stopped talking as he realized the younger man had already fallen asleep, his chest rising up and down steadily.
Sighing deeply he removed his hand from Trip's shoulder. "Pleasant dreams Trip." He whispered affectionately. Turning he left sickbay and headed back to his quarters.
Now that all his people were safely onboard, he would be able to sleep as well.
The End :)