Disclaimer: Star Trek is owned by Paramount; this story is strictly for recreational purposes!
Chapter 3Hoshi entered Engineering long past the time she usually was asleep. For once, the noise didn't assault her and the room was comfortably warm. That was another thing that she had to get used to; space was cold, even in a climate-controlled atmosphere. But then she was usually cold anyway, even back on Earth. A side effect of her slim build.
She found Trip glaring at a console. When she said his name, he turned to her with unfocused eyes, still frowning. For a moment, she thought he might not recognize her; then his expression cleared.
"Hey, Hoshi. What's up?"
Hoshi smiled hesitantly. "Sorry, sir. I know it's late, but…is everything all right?"
Trip cocked his head and folded his arms across his chest, leaning against the console. "Whadda ya mean?"
She shook her head. "I'm not sure. It's just that I noticed the ship sounds different."
"Different how?"
Hoshi looked embarrassed. "Well, I couldn't sleep and I realized it's because the ship sounds…off. Not wrong exactly, just…well, it's like part of the sounds are missing. Everything is quieter."
He smiled at her. "You mean now your complaining because Enterprise is too quiet?"
"I know it sounds strange. But I wanted to check."
Trip swung back around to his console, saying, "Well, far as I know everything is runnin' just right. I…" He stopped, staring at the screen.
"What?" Hoshi said, apprehension in her voice.
Trip ran a hand over his face, making a frustrated sound. "Nuthin'. I think I've been workin' too hard; all of this just looks like gibberish to me." He looked back at her. "I can tell you that we haven't had any problems down here. Maybe you're just gettin' used to it, finally."
She looked doubtful, but shrugged. "Maybe. Well, goodnight, sir."
"Goodnight." He faced the console, then called out to her. "Wait, Hoshi."
"Sir?"
"I have definitely been starin' at this too long. I'm gonna turn in, too. Want some company for the walk?"
She smiled at him. "Sure."
***
As they walked the halls Hoshi became increasingly uncomfortable. It was so quiet. The silence was almost deafening. Trip watched her out of the corner of his eyes.
"Hoshi, maybe you should go see Phlox. You aren't acting like yourself." He smiled, concern on his face.
Hoshi nodded absently in his direction. Maybe seeing Phlox isn't such a bad idea. They reached her door and Trip watched as she entered her key number.
"Hoshi, promise you'll see Phlox?"
"Yes, Commander. First thing tomorrow. Goodnight." She shut the door, leaving Trip in the hall.
Trip made his way toward his quarters. When he got to his door he raised his hand to enter the code, but stopped staring at the numbers.
Ok I know my damned lock codeHe kept looking at the numbers, periodically rubbing his eyes.
Man what is going on? I think a visit to the doc is in order for me too.
"Commander?" Malcolm asked from down the hall. "Is everything alright?"
Trip laughed uncomfortably. "Yeah, I just can't seem to remember my door code. Ya mind helpin' me out?"
Malcolm leaned over, putting in the override command.
"That doesn't seem like you. Tomorrow come see me and we will reset this to something you can remember." Malcolm grinned at him.
Trip looked confused and said, "Yeah. One that I can remember. Well, thanks."
He started to walk in his door, but turned back to Malcolm. "Maybe I should go lay down." He stared at Malcolm, not really seeing him.
"That's not a bad idea." Malcolm watched him turn back into the room the door closing behind him.
"That was odd." Malcolm said to Trip's door, then headed back to his own quarters.
