Chapter 9
"Out of the frying pan…."
By Quills.
The door to the Captain's quarters chimed.
The Archer looked up from the conference he was having with his officers. "Come."
The door slid open to reveal Dr. Phlox, the ship's chief medical officer.
"What can I do for you, Doc?" Said Archer.
"Actually, I'm here about our visitor." Said Phlox. "Lt. Commander Bearclaw."
Bearclaw looked at Archer hesitantly. Archer returned the look.
"What about him." He said smiling at the Doctor.
Phlox replied with some surprise. "Ship's rules require all visiting Starfleet
personal to undergo an examination by the ship's medical officer."
"Yes, well we're kind of busy right now." Said Archer. "We're approaching the
Denarian spaceport and I'll need the Commander with me when we go down there."
"It shouldn't take long…" began Phlox before being interrupted by the Captain.
"Why don't we just postpone it for now." Said Archer. "I'll see to it that he gets the
physical before he leaves. That should satisfy the ship's rules."
The Doctor looked at the Captain for a moment before responding. This was
unusual, but he was the Captain. "I…very well Captain I'm sure the examination can wait."
Trip Tucker eyed the Bearclaw while T'Pol studied the Captain.
Bearclaw stood up and broke the tension in the room. "I don't believe I've had
the pleasure Doctor. I'm Lt. Commander Bearclaw."
He extended his hand to the Doctor but pulled away hesitantly at the last minute.
"Oh I'm sorry, Denobulans don't care much for casual physical contact."
The Doctor extended his own hand and after a moment the Commander took it.
"One learns to adapt to other cultures Commander. My name is Phlox."
"My pleasure Doctor." Replied Bearclaw.
The Captain decided to maneuver the conversation. "How's Malcolm, Doctor?"
The Doctor turned towards the Captain. "Lt. Reed's condition has improved. He's
still unconscious, but he should be around in a few more hours."
"Good news then." Said Archer. "I'll need my armory officer back on the job."
Just then the communications panel buzzed.
The Captain flipped a switch and responded. "Yes?"
The voice of Ensign Mayweather came over the speaker. "Captain, you wanted
to know when we were approaching Denarius. Our ETA to orbit is 6 minutes "
"On my way." Said Archer. "Doctor I think you should return to your patient.
Hopefully, we won't be needing your services."
"Yes, Captain." Replied Phlox.
The Captain motioned the other officers to join him on the bridge.
____________________________
Archer and his officers exited the turbo lift and entered the bridge. "Status, Travis?"
The young Ensign turned around. "Just passing the Denarian moon Captain."
"Take us into orbit around the planet." Said Archer as he sat in the command chair.
"Captain, it might be a good idea to orbit the far side of the planet." Hoshi advised him.
"We should be outside the interference of the solar flares."
"You heard her Travis." Said the Captain. "Set an orbit for the far side of the planet."
"Aye Captain." responded the Ensign.
Ensign Mayweather maneuvered the ship into orbit, bringing it to the far side of the
planet and out of the interference of the solar flares.
"Standard orbit sir." Said Mayweather.
The Captain looked at the communications officer. "Hoshi?"
She scrutinized her board as she held the receiver in her ear. "I'm getting response sir."
She said. "It's on a lower frequency band than standard colony communication beacons
but it is a video signal."
"Let's see it." Said the Captain as he stood and faced the view screen.
The image formed into a thin gaunt face with Silver streaked reddish hair.
Archer approached the view screen an introduced himself. "I'm Captain Jonathan Archer
of the starship Enterprise."
"Director Tomlinson, Captain Archer." The man responded. "I'm the station's manager.
We've been expecting you."
Archer looked at the man questioningly. "Expecting us, Director?"
"Yes, we've been receiving your communications but do to the solar flares we weren't
able to respond." Explained the Director.
"I see. Well since you have been receiving our messages you are aware of why we're here."
Said Archer. "Director, have you had any recent visits from ship's? Say within the last 48 hours?"
"Captain we have ships visiting all the time." Said the Director. "We are a space port."
"I see. Well, have you had any ... recent problems or disturbances?" Asked the Captain carefully.
"Captain" replied the Director cautiously. "I think you may not be familiar with the nature of this colony."
"No, I'm afraid I'm not." Replied Archer. "Would you care to explain."
"We are on the outer fringes Captain. We have many visitors who come here; most
of whom expect a…modicum of discretion from the local populace." Said the Director.
"I see." Said Archer.
"We have had a recent transport that arrived a few days ago." Said the Director. "The nature of
its…arrival leads me to believe it may be the ship your looking for."
"Can you tell me anything more about this ship Director?" asked Archer.
"Captain, maybe you should come down and we can discuss the matter further." Said the Director.
"I'd rather not discuss it over and open signal."
"My officer's and I would be more than willing to meet with you." Said the Captain.
"I'll have the coordinates transmitted to your ship, Captain." Said the Director. "When can I expect you?"
"I think we should meet as soon as possible Director." Said the Captain. "40 minutes?"
"Forty minutes Captain." Agreed the Director.
Archer looked over at his communications officer. "Close channel."
As soon as the image disappeared Trip Tucker looked at his Captain. "Sounds like he's got
somethin' ta hide."
"Captain, I would have to agree with Commander Tucker's assessment." Said T'Pol. "Clearly
Director Tomlinson is withholding information."
"Your probably right, but we're not going to find out what it is up here." Said Archer. "T'Pol, Trip,
Bearclaw your with me. Travis…the bridge is yours."
The young Ensign turned around hesitantly. "Yes, sir."
Archer walked up the deck towards the Turbo lift. T'Pol came up alongside of him.
"Captain, is it wise to leave Ensign Mayweather in command." Said T'Pol quietly.
"He's an experienced bridge officer." He said as he watched Mayweather take the command chair.
"Besides, with Reed still out of commission Travis is the senior bridge officer. He can handle it."
The four officers entered the Turbo lift.
"Shuttle bay." Said Archer.
The shuttle traveled on a downward trajectory towards a lighted compound in the distance. "We're
commin up on the coordinates the Director gave Hoshi."
"All right, find a place to set her down." Said Archer.
He turned to Bearclaw. "I assume you brought your tools?"
"Right here." He said as he patted the duffle bag sitting next to him.
"Let's hope we don't need them." Said Archer. "However, I want everyone to
take a phase pistol. We don't know what the situation is. Until we do, we
need to be prepared."
Trip Tucker maneuvered the shuttle's thrusters to bring the ship to smooth landing.
Once the shuttle had landed, the compartment door was activated and landing gantry
Lowered. The Captain and his three officer's exited the shuttle and looked around.
"They gonna send someone ta meet us?" said Trip.
"Over there." Pointed Bearclaw.
A small entourage was approaching from a building in the distance. As the party got closer Archer could
see that it was Director Tomlinson. Maybe now they could find out more information about the transport
the Director had mentioned.
"Mr. Director, it's a pleasure to meet you." said Archer extending his hand.
The Director responded by striking the Captain across the face and knocking him to the ground. Before
the officers could react the Director's men leveled hand lasers in their direction.
"The Pleasure is all mine Captain." Said the Director. "Now if you and your officers
would be good enough
to surrender your weapons no one will be hurt."
Archer looked up at the Director as he rubbed his jaw.
The Director trained his weapon on the Captain." Do not try anything foolish Captain."
Archer looked up at his officers and nodded his head. They slowly removed their phase
pistols and handed him to the Director's men.
Trip Tucker helped the Captain to his feet.
"Your not the station manager. Who are you." Asked Archer.
"Quite right Captain." Responded Tomlinson. "You might call us opportunists.
The Denarian communications grid did receive your messages warning them of
,a 'potentially dangerous passenger', on an incoming transport. However, I'm afraid we…intercepted
those messages. The Denarian Spaceport Authority isn't even aware that you're here."
"Your pirates." Said the Captain realizing the full scope of their situation. Now they had
two problems to contend with.
"Very good Captain, now if you and your officers will kindly step aside we'll be taking your shuttle."
Said the Tomlinson.
"What the hell do you want with our shuttle?" spat Tucker.
"I'm afraid it's pretty obvious Trip." Said Archer as he looked at Tomlinson. "They want the Enterprise."
"Very good Captain," Said the Director. "and very shortly it will be ours."
To be continued…
"Out of the frying pan…."
By Quills.
The door to the Captain's quarters chimed.
The Archer looked up from the conference he was having with his officers. "Come."
The door slid open to reveal Dr. Phlox, the ship's chief medical officer.
"What can I do for you, Doc?" Said Archer.
"Actually, I'm here about our visitor." Said Phlox. "Lt. Commander Bearclaw."
Bearclaw looked at Archer hesitantly. Archer returned the look.
"What about him." He said smiling at the Doctor.
Phlox replied with some surprise. "Ship's rules require all visiting Starfleet
personal to undergo an examination by the ship's medical officer."
"Yes, well we're kind of busy right now." Said Archer. "We're approaching the
Denarian spaceport and I'll need the Commander with me when we go down there."
"It shouldn't take long…" began Phlox before being interrupted by the Captain.
"Why don't we just postpone it for now." Said Archer. "I'll see to it that he gets the
physical before he leaves. That should satisfy the ship's rules."
The Doctor looked at the Captain for a moment before responding. This was
unusual, but he was the Captain. "I…very well Captain I'm sure the examination can wait."
Trip Tucker eyed the Bearclaw while T'Pol studied the Captain.
Bearclaw stood up and broke the tension in the room. "I don't believe I've had
the pleasure Doctor. I'm Lt. Commander Bearclaw."
He extended his hand to the Doctor but pulled away hesitantly at the last minute.
"Oh I'm sorry, Denobulans don't care much for casual physical contact."
The Doctor extended his own hand and after a moment the Commander took it.
"One learns to adapt to other cultures Commander. My name is Phlox."
"My pleasure Doctor." Replied Bearclaw.
The Captain decided to maneuver the conversation. "How's Malcolm, Doctor?"
The Doctor turned towards the Captain. "Lt. Reed's condition has improved. He's
still unconscious, but he should be around in a few more hours."
"Good news then." Said Archer. "I'll need my armory officer back on the job."
Just then the communications panel buzzed.
The Captain flipped a switch and responded. "Yes?"
The voice of Ensign Mayweather came over the speaker. "Captain, you wanted
to know when we were approaching Denarius. Our ETA to orbit is 6 minutes "
"On my way." Said Archer. "Doctor I think you should return to your patient.
Hopefully, we won't be needing your services."
"Yes, Captain." Replied Phlox.
The Captain motioned the other officers to join him on the bridge.
____________________________
Archer and his officers exited the turbo lift and entered the bridge. "Status, Travis?"
The young Ensign turned around. "Just passing the Denarian moon Captain."
"Take us into orbit around the planet." Said Archer as he sat in the command chair.
"Captain, it might be a good idea to orbit the far side of the planet." Hoshi advised him.
"We should be outside the interference of the solar flares."
"You heard her Travis." Said the Captain. "Set an orbit for the far side of the planet."
"Aye Captain." responded the Ensign.
Ensign Mayweather maneuvered the ship into orbit, bringing it to the far side of the
planet and out of the interference of the solar flares.
"Standard orbit sir." Said Mayweather.
The Captain looked at the communications officer. "Hoshi?"
She scrutinized her board as she held the receiver in her ear. "I'm getting response sir."
She said. "It's on a lower frequency band than standard colony communication beacons
but it is a video signal."
"Let's see it." Said the Captain as he stood and faced the view screen.
The image formed into a thin gaunt face with Silver streaked reddish hair.
Archer approached the view screen an introduced himself. "I'm Captain Jonathan Archer
of the starship Enterprise."
"Director Tomlinson, Captain Archer." The man responded. "I'm the station's manager.
We've been expecting you."
Archer looked at the man questioningly. "Expecting us, Director?"
"Yes, we've been receiving your communications but do to the solar flares we weren't
able to respond." Explained the Director.
"I see. Well since you have been receiving our messages you are aware of why we're here."
Said Archer. "Director, have you had any recent visits from ship's? Say within the last 48 hours?"
"Captain we have ships visiting all the time." Said the Director. "We are a space port."
"I see. Well, have you had any ... recent problems or disturbances?" Asked the Captain carefully.
"Captain" replied the Director cautiously. "I think you may not be familiar with the nature of this colony."
"No, I'm afraid I'm not." Replied Archer. "Would you care to explain."
"We are on the outer fringes Captain. We have many visitors who come here; most
of whom expect a…modicum of discretion from the local populace." Said the Director.
"I see." Said Archer.
"We have had a recent transport that arrived a few days ago." Said the Director. "The nature of
its…arrival leads me to believe it may be the ship your looking for."
"Can you tell me anything more about this ship Director?" asked Archer.
"Captain, maybe you should come down and we can discuss the matter further." Said the Director.
"I'd rather not discuss it over and open signal."
"My officer's and I would be more than willing to meet with you." Said the Captain.
"I'll have the coordinates transmitted to your ship, Captain." Said the Director. "When can I expect you?"
"I think we should meet as soon as possible Director." Said the Captain. "40 minutes?"
"Forty minutes Captain." Agreed the Director.
Archer looked over at his communications officer. "Close channel."
As soon as the image disappeared Trip Tucker looked at his Captain. "Sounds like he's got
somethin' ta hide."
"Captain, I would have to agree with Commander Tucker's assessment." Said T'Pol. "Clearly
Director Tomlinson is withholding information."
"Your probably right, but we're not going to find out what it is up here." Said Archer. "T'Pol, Trip,
Bearclaw your with me. Travis…the bridge is yours."
The young Ensign turned around hesitantly. "Yes, sir."
Archer walked up the deck towards the Turbo lift. T'Pol came up alongside of him.
"Captain, is it wise to leave Ensign Mayweather in command." Said T'Pol quietly.
"He's an experienced bridge officer." He said as he watched Mayweather take the command chair.
"Besides, with Reed still out of commission Travis is the senior bridge officer. He can handle it."
The four officers entered the Turbo lift.
"Shuttle bay." Said Archer.
The shuttle traveled on a downward trajectory towards a lighted compound in the distance. "We're
commin up on the coordinates the Director gave Hoshi."
"All right, find a place to set her down." Said Archer.
He turned to Bearclaw. "I assume you brought your tools?"
"Right here." He said as he patted the duffle bag sitting next to him.
"Let's hope we don't need them." Said Archer. "However, I want everyone to
take a phase pistol. We don't know what the situation is. Until we do, we
need to be prepared."
Trip Tucker maneuvered the shuttle's thrusters to bring the ship to smooth landing.
Once the shuttle had landed, the compartment door was activated and landing gantry
Lowered. The Captain and his three officer's exited the shuttle and looked around.
"They gonna send someone ta meet us?" said Trip.
"Over there." Pointed Bearclaw.
A small entourage was approaching from a building in the distance. As the party got closer Archer could
see that it was Director Tomlinson. Maybe now they could find out more information about the transport
the Director had mentioned.
"Mr. Director, it's a pleasure to meet you." said Archer extending his hand.
The Director responded by striking the Captain across the face and knocking him to the ground. Before
the officers could react the Director's men leveled hand lasers in their direction.
"The Pleasure is all mine Captain." Said the Director. "Now if you and your officers
would be good enough
to surrender your weapons no one will be hurt."
Archer looked up at the Director as he rubbed his jaw.
The Director trained his weapon on the Captain." Do not try anything foolish Captain."
Archer looked up at his officers and nodded his head. They slowly removed their phase
pistols and handed him to the Director's men.
Trip Tucker helped the Captain to his feet.
"Your not the station manager. Who are you." Asked Archer.
"Quite right Captain." Responded Tomlinson. "You might call us opportunists.
The Denarian communications grid did receive your messages warning them of
,a 'potentially dangerous passenger', on an incoming transport. However, I'm afraid we…intercepted
those messages. The Denarian Spaceport Authority isn't even aware that you're here."
"Your pirates." Said the Captain realizing the full scope of their situation. Now they had
two problems to contend with.
"Very good Captain, now if you and your officers will kindly step aside we'll be taking your shuttle."
Said the Tomlinson.
"What the hell do you want with our shuttle?" spat Tucker.
"I'm afraid it's pretty obvious Trip." Said Archer as he looked at Tomlinson. "They want the Enterprise."
"Very good Captain," Said the Director. "and very shortly it will be ours."
To be continued…