This Woman's Work (Chap 8)
By vandiver49
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters associated with Star Trek, I'm just borrowing them for a moment. Please don't sue; people in the Navy don't make that much money.
All parenthetical statements in Vulcan are denoted by (*)
Please forgive me if the date doesn't correspond exactly to the series.
_________________________________
0700 23 Aug 2151
T'Pol spent most of the night awake, trying to make sense of the data on her PADD with little success. The only thing she read that showed any promise was a study on neutrinos and there possible deflection by strong gravitational fields. As the lights flickered on to announce the start of a new day, T'Pol made her way back to her quarters to get Kelis ready for the morning.
*T'Pol, am I going to be with Dr. Phlox again today?*
*No, today you will be with a young woman named Hoshi.*
*H…H…H…* Kelis was having some obvious trouble with the phonetics.
*Form your mouth like this, and breathe out.* T'Pol instructed.
*Ho…shi?*
*That is better, simply continue to practice.*
Just then the door chime rang.
"Enter." T'Pol answered.
The door slid open to reveal Ensign Sato ready for her collateral duty. "Morning Sub-Commander." *Morning Kelis.* She said, making a seamless transition from English to Vulcan.
"Good morning Ensign, I believe Kelis is ready."
Hoshi directed her attention towards the little girl. *Hello Kelis, are you ready to go?*
*Hello Ho..shi, yes I am ready. What are we doing today?*
*I was thinking of taking you on a tour of the ship, if it is a right with T'Pol?*
T'Pol nodded her head in agreement.
*Well Kelis, let's go.* Hoshi cheerfully said. Seconds later, both young women strolled out the door.
T'Pol was about to test the neutrino theory the Sendrini scientists had proposed when she received a call from the Bridge.
"Bridge to Sub-Commander T'Pol."
"T'Pol here, go ahead."
"Yes ma'am. You have an incoming call from Vulcan. Would you like for me to transfer it to your quarters?"
"That will be acceptable. T'Pol out."
T'Pol walked over to her viewscreen and was greeted by an all too familiar face.
*Hello mother.*
*Hello T'Pol, how are you?*
*I am well mother. Have you had any success in locating Kelis' next of kin?*
*Yes, I have located her grandparents. They are amiable to the idea of caring for the child. How is the little one?*
*She is fine mother.*
*Have you been personally taking care of her?*
*After a fashion mother.*
*Have you been…*
*Mother, Kelis has been in my charge for less than a day. It is illogical to assume that I could have had a negative influence upon her is such a short period of time.*
*I was not referring to you specifically T'Pol. It is simply that children are very impressionable and you are also on a human ship.*
*I am well aware of the mother.*
The tension steadily rose as both women stared at each other in silence.
*T'Pol, when are you coming home?*
*When I have finished my obligation here mother.*
*But you have an obligation to fulfill here at home T'Pol. Koss waits patiently for you now. But when the Pon Farr comes upon him and is forced to choose another, what will you do then?*
*That will not happen mother.*
T'Pol's mother decided to try a different approach. *T'Pol why do you choose to stay away from home so much?*
T'Pol paused before answering. *Because if I return mother, I will never leave Vulcan again.*
*T'Pol, it is illogical to fight a two thousand year old tradition. You…*
T'Pol's mother was cut off by the concussive force of several explosions, jarring the ship.
*I must go mother. Live long and prosper.*
*Live long and prosper daughter.*
***
Between the wailing klaxon, billowing smoke and the torrid of personnel running to their battle stations, Hoshi and Kelis struggled to stay together.
*Kelis, onto my hand real tight. We are going to go someplace safe.*
Before Kelis could respond, another explosion rocked the ship, causing Hoshi to be thrown against the wall. The little girl watched in fright as the linguist fell unconscious on the deck.
*Hoshi? Hoshi? Please wake up!* Kelis pleaded, trying to revive the young Ensign.
***
T'Pol expedited her way to the Bridge, hoping to find an explanation to the attacks.
"Mr. Reed, report."
"We are under bloody attack, but I can't get a lock on anything. I don't even see a ship within light years of this location."
"Then I suggest we evade until you can find something to shoot at. Where did the last attack originate from?" T'Pol asked.
"Bearing 243.2." Responded Reed.
"Ensign Mayweather, plot a reciprocal course, maximum impulse."
"Aye ma'am."
As the Enterprise turned to retreat, another barrage of weapon fire rocked the exposed warp drive.
"Engineering to Bridge." Tucker called over the intercom.
"T'Pol here, go ahead."
"I don't know y'all are doing up there but you're killin' us down here. Warp drive just went off-line and that last explosion almost knocked the antimatter containment bottles off the racks."
"Right now Commander, we need to maintain the weapons grid as well as impulse drive."
"I hear ya, just need to buy us some time OK?"
"Understood Commander, Bridge out."
Just as Enterprise began to maneuver away, another ship entered the fray.
"Sub-Commander, another ship just dropped out of warp, it's the Surok." Travis announced as he piloted Enterprise to safety.
The Vulcan ship immediately came under fire from the unseen attackers. "Sub-Commander, they aren't fairing much better than we were, they're essentially sitting ducks." Malcolm added.
T'Pol knew exactly what was needed as she walked from the Captain's Chair to her science station. With very few options, she decided to play the hunch that the Sendrini scientist had conceived. "Lieutenant, do you think you can develop a targeting solution based on neutrino field distortions?"
"It would require some minor calibration adjustments, but it should be doable."
"Good, Mr. Mayweather, prepare to bring us about."
"Standing by ma'am."
T'Pol's fingered danced across her console as she searched for the disturbance, identifying the teardrop shaped distortion within seconds.
"Mr. Reed, target the tail end portion of the disturbance." T'Pol said as she transferred her data to the weapons console.
"I have the data Sub-Commander; it is a little close to the Surok though."
"Then I suggest you do not miss Lieutenant."
"Aye ma'am" Malcolm replied. This was the kind of action he lived for. "Targeting solution acquired Sub-Commander, forward torpedo tubes and phase cannons armed and ready."
"Very well, helmsman, bring us about."
"Yes ma'am."
Travis spun the ship around on a dime, allowing the ships' inertia to continue to carry it astern. Once in position, T'Pol gave Malcolm his favorite order.
"Fire"
"With pleasure." Malcolm acknowledge with a vicious grin. He loosed a hail of weapons fire, which was true to aim.
The subsequent explosion provided a brief glimpse at their attackers. A Romulan Bird of Prey shimmered into view before catastrophically imploding from existence.
T'Pol walked back to the Captain's chair, waiting for the damage and casualty reports.
"Engineering to Bridge." It was Lieutenant Weston, one of the Chief Engineer's assistants.
"T'Pol here, go ahead."
"Yeah, we took some damage on the Main and E Decks, nothing major though. Engineering got hit pretty bad; we'll be without warp for a couple of hours ma'am."
"Very well, keep me informed, Bridge out."
T'Pol waited patiently for the causality report before deciding to call herself. "T'Pol to Sickbay."
There was no response.
"Bridge to Sickbay, what is the causality report doctor?"
"Sickbay, Tucker here."
"Commander Tucker, what are you doing in sickbay?" T'Pol queried.
Trip had to force the lump out of his throat before responding. "I'm in sickbay because…T'Pol I think you should come down here, its Kelis."
By vandiver49
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters associated with Star Trek, I'm just borrowing them for a moment. Please don't sue; people in the Navy don't make that much money.
All parenthetical statements in Vulcan are denoted by (*)
Please forgive me if the date doesn't correspond exactly to the series.
_________________________________
0700 23 Aug 2151
T'Pol spent most of the night awake, trying to make sense of the data on her PADD with little success. The only thing she read that showed any promise was a study on neutrinos and there possible deflection by strong gravitational fields. As the lights flickered on to announce the start of a new day, T'Pol made her way back to her quarters to get Kelis ready for the morning.
*T'Pol, am I going to be with Dr. Phlox again today?*
*No, today you will be with a young woman named Hoshi.*
*H…H…H…* Kelis was having some obvious trouble with the phonetics.
*Form your mouth like this, and breathe out.* T'Pol instructed.
*Ho…shi?*
*That is better, simply continue to practice.*
Just then the door chime rang.
"Enter." T'Pol answered.
The door slid open to reveal Ensign Sato ready for her collateral duty. "Morning Sub-Commander." *Morning Kelis.* She said, making a seamless transition from English to Vulcan.
"Good morning Ensign, I believe Kelis is ready."
Hoshi directed her attention towards the little girl. *Hello Kelis, are you ready to go?*
*Hello Ho..shi, yes I am ready. What are we doing today?*
*I was thinking of taking you on a tour of the ship, if it is a right with T'Pol?*
T'Pol nodded her head in agreement.
*Well Kelis, let's go.* Hoshi cheerfully said. Seconds later, both young women strolled out the door.
T'Pol was about to test the neutrino theory the Sendrini scientists had proposed when she received a call from the Bridge.
"Bridge to Sub-Commander T'Pol."
"T'Pol here, go ahead."
"Yes ma'am. You have an incoming call from Vulcan. Would you like for me to transfer it to your quarters?"
"That will be acceptable. T'Pol out."
T'Pol walked over to her viewscreen and was greeted by an all too familiar face.
*Hello mother.*
*Hello T'Pol, how are you?*
*I am well mother. Have you had any success in locating Kelis' next of kin?*
*Yes, I have located her grandparents. They are amiable to the idea of caring for the child. How is the little one?*
*She is fine mother.*
*Have you been personally taking care of her?*
*After a fashion mother.*
*Have you been…*
*Mother, Kelis has been in my charge for less than a day. It is illogical to assume that I could have had a negative influence upon her is such a short period of time.*
*I was not referring to you specifically T'Pol. It is simply that children are very impressionable and you are also on a human ship.*
*I am well aware of the mother.*
The tension steadily rose as both women stared at each other in silence.
*T'Pol, when are you coming home?*
*When I have finished my obligation here mother.*
*But you have an obligation to fulfill here at home T'Pol. Koss waits patiently for you now. But when the Pon Farr comes upon him and is forced to choose another, what will you do then?*
*That will not happen mother.*
T'Pol's mother decided to try a different approach. *T'Pol why do you choose to stay away from home so much?*
T'Pol paused before answering. *Because if I return mother, I will never leave Vulcan again.*
*T'Pol, it is illogical to fight a two thousand year old tradition. You…*
T'Pol's mother was cut off by the concussive force of several explosions, jarring the ship.
*I must go mother. Live long and prosper.*
*Live long and prosper daughter.*
***
Between the wailing klaxon, billowing smoke and the torrid of personnel running to their battle stations, Hoshi and Kelis struggled to stay together.
*Kelis, onto my hand real tight. We are going to go someplace safe.*
Before Kelis could respond, another explosion rocked the ship, causing Hoshi to be thrown against the wall. The little girl watched in fright as the linguist fell unconscious on the deck.
*Hoshi? Hoshi? Please wake up!* Kelis pleaded, trying to revive the young Ensign.
***
T'Pol expedited her way to the Bridge, hoping to find an explanation to the attacks.
"Mr. Reed, report."
"We are under bloody attack, but I can't get a lock on anything. I don't even see a ship within light years of this location."
"Then I suggest we evade until you can find something to shoot at. Where did the last attack originate from?" T'Pol asked.
"Bearing 243.2." Responded Reed.
"Ensign Mayweather, plot a reciprocal course, maximum impulse."
"Aye ma'am."
As the Enterprise turned to retreat, another barrage of weapon fire rocked the exposed warp drive.
"Engineering to Bridge." Tucker called over the intercom.
"T'Pol here, go ahead."
"I don't know y'all are doing up there but you're killin' us down here. Warp drive just went off-line and that last explosion almost knocked the antimatter containment bottles off the racks."
"Right now Commander, we need to maintain the weapons grid as well as impulse drive."
"I hear ya, just need to buy us some time OK?"
"Understood Commander, Bridge out."
Just as Enterprise began to maneuver away, another ship entered the fray.
"Sub-Commander, another ship just dropped out of warp, it's the Surok." Travis announced as he piloted Enterprise to safety.
The Vulcan ship immediately came under fire from the unseen attackers. "Sub-Commander, they aren't fairing much better than we were, they're essentially sitting ducks." Malcolm added.
T'Pol knew exactly what was needed as she walked from the Captain's Chair to her science station. With very few options, she decided to play the hunch that the Sendrini scientist had conceived. "Lieutenant, do you think you can develop a targeting solution based on neutrino field distortions?"
"It would require some minor calibration adjustments, but it should be doable."
"Good, Mr. Mayweather, prepare to bring us about."
"Standing by ma'am."
T'Pol's fingered danced across her console as she searched for the disturbance, identifying the teardrop shaped distortion within seconds.
"Mr. Reed, target the tail end portion of the disturbance." T'Pol said as she transferred her data to the weapons console.
"I have the data Sub-Commander; it is a little close to the Surok though."
"Then I suggest you do not miss Lieutenant."
"Aye ma'am" Malcolm replied. This was the kind of action he lived for. "Targeting solution acquired Sub-Commander, forward torpedo tubes and phase cannons armed and ready."
"Very well, helmsman, bring us about."
"Yes ma'am."
Travis spun the ship around on a dime, allowing the ships' inertia to continue to carry it astern. Once in position, T'Pol gave Malcolm his favorite order.
"Fire"
"With pleasure." Malcolm acknowledge with a vicious grin. He loosed a hail of weapons fire, which was true to aim.
The subsequent explosion provided a brief glimpse at their attackers. A Romulan Bird of Prey shimmered into view before catastrophically imploding from existence.
T'Pol walked back to the Captain's chair, waiting for the damage and casualty reports.
"Engineering to Bridge." It was Lieutenant Weston, one of the Chief Engineer's assistants.
"T'Pol here, go ahead."
"Yeah, we took some damage on the Main and E Decks, nothing major though. Engineering got hit pretty bad; we'll be without warp for a couple of hours ma'am."
"Very well, keep me informed, Bridge out."
T'Pol waited patiently for the causality report before deciding to call herself. "T'Pol to Sickbay."
There was no response.
"Bridge to Sickbay, what is the causality report doctor?"
"Sickbay, Tucker here."
"Commander Tucker, what are you doing in sickbay?" T'Pol queried.
Trip had to force the lump out of his throat before responding. "I'm in sickbay because…T'Pol I think you should come down here, its Kelis."