Tuna is Only a Fish
The question about the ship bothered Commander
Tucker for several hours as he sat quietly monitoring the helm. They were
aboard the Enterprise and seventy million years in the past. They were
missing most of the crew, including everyone from Captain Archer to his
dog. Where were they? No, when are they? That was the better question.
If they were in the future, were they dead in the vacuum of space, or did
they not exist anymore? Were they caught in the temporal disturbance?
Although Trip did not realize it, T'Pol was
at the science station searching for an answer to his complex questions.
She ran simulation after simulation only to find them all lacking. If any
Vulcan had felt or understood desperation since the days of Surak, then
she was that Vulcan, but the only sign of such an emotion was her creased
brow as she worked.
"What time is it?" Phlox asked them after
several hours of silence, punctuated only by the occasional soft bleep
of a console.
"The clocks are all out. No way to know."
said Trip, rubbing his eyes.
"I would recommend that the two of you get
some rest. It is probably very late." suggested Phlox.
"Vulcans can go for days without sleep." said
T'Pol.
"And so can humans, but that doesn't mean
that either of you should. I can mind the helm for a few hours."
"You haven't eaten all day." Trip reminded
T'Pol.
"Very well. I acknowledge your logic. You
have the bridge, doctor." she said, relenting.
"No point in eating alone, is there?" asked
Trip as he sat down with T'Pol in the mess hall. How many hours had passed
since his last meal? Or hers? It wasn't easy to keep track.
"I suppose not." said T'Pol, slowly stirring
her bowl of broth.
"Is that all you're eating?" Trip questioned.
He had prepared himself two rather large tuna sandwiches. He would have
cooked something, but he was certain that T'Pol was planning to eat and
run.
"It is very nutritious, commander.
"So are these. I'll let you have one, if you
want."
"I am a vegetarian. They contain meat."
"It's only fish." said Commander Tucker, holding
a sandwich out to her.
Trip could see her hesitate. Her eyes moved
back and forth between the tuna sandwich and her broth.
"Thank you, commander." said T'Pol, accepting
the sandwich, much to Tucker's surprise.
"You're welcome, T'Pol." he said, smiling.
"You know, you could always call me Trip like everyone else does."
"I will keep that in mind." she said, sniffing
the sandwich before taking a bite.
"How is it?" asked Trip.
"It is not entirely unpleasant."
"Is it good then?" he asked as she took another
bite.
"Yes, Trip, it is a good sandwich." she replied.
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