DISCLAIMER; I don't own anyone or anything (except the stuff you've never
heard of). If I did own Star Trek, The Enterprise, Archer, Trip or any of
these, do you think I'd be writing this - no. I'd be a millionaire on some
exotic island, drinking cocktails. Please don't hate/sue me.
NOTE: OK, sorry about the French, it isn't that good. But it's the only other language I can speak. Anyway, it had to be an earth language for reasons you will find if you read the story. I'll shut up now. Bye. (PS - I don't know if counties, states or cities will be the same in 150 years, so I guessed.)
THIS will lead to the story in the summary, honest! But this chapter's kinda just babble. Call it, 'Character Development' or whatever. Just read it!
NOSTARCASSA.
At last. It had been two weeks. Two weeks and not a single planet, system or comment had been seen. Archer stood on the bridge staring at the sight on the view screen. A small planet that looked similar to earth was the view that greeted him.
"Sir." Ensign Sato said from her console.
"Yes, Hoshi?"
"Sir, they're hailing us. Audio only."
"Very well." He replied, sitting back in his chair. "Put it on speaker."
"Qui êtes-vous? De qu'avez-vous besoin de notre monde?"
"Hoshi?" Archer asked, looking at his communication's officer.
"I'm not sure," She listened for a moment. "I.I think it's French, Sir."
"French?" Malcolm asked. "We travel thousands of light years to find a planet inhabited by frogs!" He sighed. "Bloody typical!"
T'Pol eyed him curiously. "Frogs, Mr Reed?" She asked, raising her eyebrow.
"It's not important!" Interrupted Archer. "Hoshi, can you answer him?"
"Well, sir.." She cut off. God, she thought, I wish I'd paid more attention in high school.
"Well, what? Ensign?" T'Pol asked, now raising her eyebrow at Hoshi.
"I haven't spoken French since high school. I can't understand what he's saying."
"Veuillez répondre" The voice said.
"What!" Exclaimed Travis. "You're the translator! You speak Klingon, but you can't speak French!"
"Well I never thought they'd be much need for it in space!" Hoshi said defensively.
"Look, just shut up!" Archer said, standing and beginning to pace. "Does anyone here speak French?" He asked hope fully.
"Not since school" said Malcolm. Travis, Hoshi and T'pol shook their heads.
"Si vous ne répondez pas, on le supposera vous sont hostile. Nous mettrons le feu sur vous au navire."
Think, Jon, Think. "Trip!" He said excitedly and walked over to the comm panel.
"Commander Tucker?" T'Pol asked. "What use can he be?"
Archer ignored her and pressed the comm button. "Archer to Tucker."
"Cap'n?" Came Trip's voice.
"We need you on the bridge ASAP."
"What for?"
"It doesn't matter," Archer answered. "Just get here, now!"
"Well, Cap'n, I got a lot a."
"TRIP!" Archer interrupted. "Get here, now! Archer out." He released the comm button and sat down.
"Veuillez répondre" Came the voice.
"I still do not see what use Commander Tucker shall be." T'Pol said.
"He speaks French." Replied Archer.
Just then Trip walked onto the bridge. "Cap'n?" he asked.
"Trip. They speak French." Archer informed the engineer.
"What? Who?" he still had no idea what was going on, or why he had been called away from engineering.
"The planet. We need you to speak to them." Hoshi told him.
"Why don't you do it, you're the damned translator!" Trip replied.
"I can't speak French!"
"Si vous ne répondez pas, on le supposera vous sont hostile. Nous mettrons le feu sur vous au navire."
Trip was silent for a minute. "OK". He said. "Nous sommes Enterprise. Nous vous voulons dire aucun mal. Nous sommes un bateau l'explorant. nous sommes venus pour faire des amis avec vos personnes."
"Amis? Comment pouvons-nous vous faire confiance? D'où êtes-vous?" relied the voice.
"Sir, he wants to know where were we're from." Trip said, looking at Archer.
"OK. Tell them." Archer replied.
"Mille années légères partie. Si vous ne croyez pas que nous ne voulons pas vous blesser, nous sommes disposés à partir."
"What's he sayin'?" Travis, who had moved from the helm control over to Malcolm's panel, asked the lieutenant.
"I'm not sure," Malcolm said, listening more carefully. "Something about being from earth and not wanting to hurt them. He seems very worried that we're here to hurt his people."
"Est-ce que à qui je parle?" Asked the voice.
"Je suis Commander Tucker, sous l'ordre du Captain Jonathon Archer. Et qui pourrait vous être?"
"Je suis Piandre, chef de cette ville. Cette planète est Nostarcassa. Nous sommes le cassians. Si vous dites moyen nous aucun mal, nous vous croyons."
"Merci" Trip said before turning to Archer. "Sir," He said. "The planet's called Nostarcassa. The guy's called Piandre."
"See if he'll allow for us to land on the planet, see what it's like?" Archer asked.
Trip nodded. "Serait-il possible que se réunissent-nous? Nous pourrions peut-être devenir des amis?"
The voice replied and Trip sighed. "He said we're welcome, as long as we can make our own way down, and we speak the lingo."
Great, thought Archer. "Well, that's half the crew out." He said, once again standing. "OK, Trip, you go. Hoshi? Malcolm? You two speak a little French. You go with Commander Tucker. Go get prepped."
"Aye Sir." Malcolm and Hoshi replied, leaving the bridge.
Trip turned his attention back to the comm link. "Mi désolé que mon Capitaine ne puisse pas visiter votre planet. Il ne veut dire aucun offense. Cependant deux qu'autres peuvent accompagner."
"Très bien, vous trois allez bienvenu sur notre monde." And with that the comm link shut down.
"Sir," Trip said, "Ensign Kelso in engineering can speak a little French. It might be a good idea to keep him close by, 'case they contact ya again."
"Thanks Trip." Archer said, smiling at his friend. "Now" he continued, sitting back down, "go get ready. Depart at 15.00"
Trip nodded and left the bridge.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In shuttle pod one, Ensign Sato, Lieutenant Reed and Commander Tucker sat waiting for clearance to leave Enterprise. "So," Hoshi began, breaking the silence that had fallen upon the shuttle. "Where did you learn French, Commander?"
"Trip." He replied. He turned from the pilots seat to see the confused look on Hoshi's, and Malcolm's, face. "You can call me Trip."
"OK," Hoshi tried again. "Where did you learn French, Trip?"
"So, how longs it going to take to get there?" Malcolm asked over the top of Hoshi's question.
"Shuttle one, clear for launch" Came a voice over the comm system.
"Thanks. Shuttle one out." Trip replied into the comm. He turned to look at Malcolm. "'Bout two hours, I reckon."
Oh, give up Hoshi! She thought to herself.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The journey to the planet had so far been uneventful. Malcolm and Trip had talked a little about engines, weapons. The sort of thing I know nothing about, Hoshi thought to herself. So far she'd sat on the bench at the back of the shuttle looking out of the side window. It's like being in the back of the car with your dad and uncle, she thought, then laughed to herself.
"Something the matter?" Malcolm asked from the seat next to her.
"Hmm?" she said, looking at him. She then realised she must have laughed out loud. "No. Nothing. I was just thinking.." She looked at Trip, who had turned from the pilot controls, then back at Malcolm. "We've been on Enterprise for, what? A year now?" Malcolm and Trip both nodded. "And, well, we don't even know that much about each other."
"Where'd that come from?" asked Trip, looking at Malcolm, who shrugged.
"No, I mean it," She paused for a moment to think. "Trip, where did you learn French?"
"Not that again, God." Trip mumbled turning back to the pilot controls.
"OK," Hoshi said, "Where are you from then? Malcolm?"
"Me?" He looked almost shocked at being asked, and waited for Hoshi to nod confirmation before he continued. "Leicester. In Leicestershire."
"Leicestershire?" Hoshi asked. "I have no idea where that is." She would be the first to admit her geography was a little rough when it came to America, let alone England.
"In the Midlands?" Trip asked, again turning from the pilot controls.
"Yeah. How did you know?" Malcolm asked, looking at him.
"Just do. See, y'all think I'm some kinda redneck hillbilly, I'm not even from the south."
"You're not?" Malcolm asked, sounding surprised. "Well, how do you explain the accent?"
"My Ma and Pa are from the south. They moved to Washington State. That's where I was born. They moved back south when I was little." He looked at Hoshi, smiled, and looked back at Malcolm. "Happy?" he turned back to Hoshi. "What 'bout you? Where you from?"
"San Jose, California. My Mom and Dad are from Japan and they moved over about two years before I was born."
"Well," Trip said. He pressed a few buttons on the control panel, stood, and sat back down between Hoshi and Malcolm. "Do'ya feel better, now you know where we're from? Like," he paused, "Like we really know each other?"
Hoshi noticed how he put emphasis on the word 'really'. "Yes." She replied, "and there's no need to be sarcastic."
Malcolm shook his head and smiled. "Well, they do say you learn something new everyday. And today we've had the privilege of learning Trip isn't actually a redneck hillbilly." He shook his head again, "Amazing."
Hoshi let out a small laugh. Trip gave Malcolm a 'look' and went back to the pilots seat. "Where did you learn French?" she asked again. She was determined to find out.
"Oh my God!" Trip said turning to face her. Malcolm smiled to himself. Trip just looked stunned. "What is it with you and that?" he asked. "Why can't you just let it go?" he said, emphasising the 'go'.
"I would if you'd just tell me!" She said, standing and walking over to the pilots seat. "The only reason I'm so curious is because you won't tell us." She was now standing next to Trip, and he had turned to look at her.
"You really wanna know that bad?" He asked, frowning. He'd never known anyone so inquisitive in his life. "OK," he said, turning back to the controls, "you may as well go and sit back down now." He pointed out to a still standing Hoshi. She did. "My pa taught me."
"What that's it!" Hoshi said, sounding almost angry. "I have been sitting here for the best part of" she looked a the time on the nearest computer panel, "at least forty minutes, wondering how and why you.." She cut off, mainly to calm herself.
"Well if you hadn't been so damn inquisitive in the first damn place!" Trip said defensively, sounding almost as annoyed as Hoshi.
"Would you both shut up!" Malcolm shouted, mainly to be heard over Trip and Hoshi's din. It worked. They were quiet.
"Sorry," Hoshi said, and looked out the window. Trip turned silently back to the controls. "So," Hoshi said, "Where did your Dad learn French?" she asked.
Trip didn't answer. Instead he just banged his head off the consol.
Malcolm laughed. Up until now, he had always thought Hoshi was a quiet, reserved and shy person. He now knew that she was in fact a loud, inquisitive, not afraid to ask questions type person. "Maybe you should just tell her, Trip," he said, looking at Trip, who's head was still on the consol. "It might save you from another hour of twenty questions."
"OK" Trip muttered before sitting up and turning around. "My pa was a Cajun. OK? He was a French Cajun. He spoke English," He paused, "and French. He taught me and my brothers and sister." He finished, smiled, and turned back to the pilot controls.
The shuttle went quiet. Trip was grateful for the peace. He liked Hoshi. He thought she was a nice person, and he liked to think of her as a friend. But he was a bit fed up with the questions. Maybe I shoulda just told her in the first place, he though, woulda save us all a lot a time and hassle.
Maybe I should of left it, Hoshi thought. He has a right to privacy. I'd get pretty annoyed if someone kept asking me question all the time. I wonder how many brother and sister's his got. No, Hoshi! Don't ask him, he's already pissed at you, but he's not annoyed with..... "Malcolm?" she asked, turning her attention to the man sitting next to her.
"Yes?" he said, cautiously. What does she want to know now? He thought.
"Do you know how many siblings Trip has?" she asked, very matter of fact.
"No." he replied. "Why would I know something like that?"
"Eight" Trip interrupted, turning from the pilot consol once again.
Hoshi and Malcolm looked at him. "Eight what?" Malcolm asked.
"Eight siblings." He looked Hoshi. She met his gaze and turned away. "I can hear you from hear y'know." He continued, now looking at Malcolm. "I'm only 'bout six meters away from ya."
Hoshi looked at Trip. "Sorry," she said. "I shouldn't be so nosey. You've got a right to your privacy, and I should just.."
"No," Trip interrupted her, "I should have just told you. You were just makin' conversation. I didn't mean to bite ya head off. Go on. Ask me what ever you want."
"OK," Hoshi said, smiling. "How many sister's do you have? And how many brother?" She stopped and thought. "And what are their names?"
"Is that all?" Malcolm asked.
Hoshi looked at him. "Oh, don't worry. There's more." She said. Malcolm sniggered. "And I wouldn't laugh if I were you, Malcolm. It's your turn next."
Malcolm looked panic stricken, and Trip couldn't help but laugh. "Alright!" He exclaimed. "But we getta ask you after."
"Deal." Hoshi said. "So, how many?"
"Five brother, three sisters."
"Names?" Hoshi asked, again.
"Don't interrupt, and I'll tell ya." Trip said before adding, "Do'ya wan'em in age order?" Hoshi nodded. "OK. From oldest to youngest. Frank, Jimmy, Susan, Pete, Katie, Sean, Stevie, Elizabeth, and Me."
"Wow," Malcolm said once Trip had finished. "Just like the Waltons." He said. Both he and Hoshi laughed. "Sorry" He said to Trip, when he saw the 'I'm not amused' look on his face.
"OK, OK," Hoshi said, "What's your favourite colour, number and food?"
Trip thought for a minute before answering. "Blue, five and pecan pie." He smiled as he said the last two words of his answer.
"Should have guessed." Malcolm muttered to himself.
"OK, Malcolm." Hoshi said, turning to face him. "Your turn." She ignored the lieutenant's groan and continued. "Siblings? Names? Favourite colour, number, and food."
"Younger sister called Madeline. Green. Twenty-six," He paused while he thought of his favourite food. "Meatballs." He saw the look of confusion on Trip's face about the meatball part. "My grandmother used to make them for me when I was little." He explained.
"OK then," Trip said. "Hoshi, how 'bout you? Siblings? Favourite colour, number, food?"
"Guess I had it coming," Hoshi said. "I have an older brother, Ikira. My favourite colour is purple, my favourite number is nine, and my favourite food is noodles."
"Well, there you go." Trip said, turning back to the consol. "We wasted half an hour, and we got to 'bond'. Happy Hoshi?"
Hoshi ignored the sarcastic note in his voice and replied. "Very happy, Commander Tucker. Lieutenant Reed. Thank you for that wonderful insight into your lives."
"You're welcome Hoshi." Malcolm said, smiling. "So," He said, turning his attention to Trip. "How long till we get there?"
"About," He looked at the computer panel on the wall, pressed a few buttons, then turned back to the consol. "Another thirty minutes."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"What was that?" Hoshi asked, alarmed.
"I have no idea" came Trip's reply as the shuttle pod jolted again, this time sending Malcolm flying off his seat.
"Bastard!" Malcolm shouted, once he found himself on the floor.
"Oh shit!" Exclaimed Trip as another jolt shook the pod.
"What?" Asked Hoshi and Malcolm in unison.
"The engines have lost all power," Trip said, getting up from his chair and moving to a panel by the wall. "Malcolm, I need you to help me get this panel off. Hoshi, get the tool kit out the storage unit"
Malcolm moved to help Trip while Hoshi went to the storage locker. She found what she assumed to be the tool kit and handed it to Trip. "Thanks" he said before turning his attention back to the panel. It detached with a loud 'clang' that made Hoshi jump. "OK," Trip continued, "Malcolm, I need you to help me re-route the auxiliary power supply to the main thrusters. That should give us enough power to at least land."
"OK," Malcolm said, looking dazed.
"What?" Trip asked, sounding almost angry.
"I.I" Malcolm stammered. "I don't know how too!"
"You What!" Trip shouted. "You're an engineer! How the hell can you not know how to do it?"
"I'm not an engineer!" Malcolm shouted back. "I'm an armoury officer. Give me a broken phaser, I can fix it, give me an engine and." he shrugged.
"Great, just fuc.." He stopped himself. "OK, go over to the pilot controls. There's a red light that says 'EITS', tell me when it goes out. OK?" He asked.
"Yes." Malcolm said, curtly, before moving over to the pilot's seat.
"What can I do?" Hoshi asked.
"Ermm." Trip said, beginning to fiddle with the wire's in the panel. "Hail Enterprise, tell 'em what's goin on." Hoshi moved over to the comm panel. "And tell 'em they need to give Malcolm some trainin'!" He shouted over to her.
"Trip?" Malcolm interrupted.
What now? He thought to himself. "Yes?"
"The red light's still on, and now there's a green one too."
"Saying what?" Trip said, still working with the panel.
"TSF." He said. "Oh my God." He added, turning to face Trip.
"What?" Hoshi, who had finished hailing the Enterprise, asked.
"TSF." Malcolm informed her. When she still looked confused, he explained. "Thruster Support Failure."
"Meaning what?" She asked. She knew it was a bad thing, just not how bad.
"Mean's that read light ain't goin' out." Trip said. He had abandoned the panel, and was now standing next to Hoshi.
"What? We're gonna crash?!" She said.
Trip moved over to where Malcolm was. "OK," He said, thinking. "Hoshi, get in the storage unit."
"What?" She asked. "Why the hell.."
"Just do it!" He shouted back. He noticed that she look confused by his requested, and hurt by the fact that he'd shouted. "Look, we ain't got much time till we crash. Get in the unit, shut the door. That way you'll be protected against the impact. OK?" She nodded. "Go." He said.
She nodded again and moved over to the unit. "Wait, what about you two?" she asked.
"Malcolm, strap yourself into the back." Trip said.
"What about you?" Malcolm asked.
"Well, somebody's gotta try and land this thing and keep y'all in one piece."
"Trip, you can't.." Hoshi began, but was cut off by Trip.
"Just get in the damned unit." She nodded, got in and shut the door. Trip sighed. "Come on," he said to Malcolm. Malcolm moved to the back of the shuttle. As much as he didn't want Trip to put himself in danger, he knew his friend was right. Somebody had to try and land the shuttle pod, other wise they'd all probably be killed on impact.
Trip helped Malcolm strap himself into the safety seat at the back of the shuttle before moving over to the comm panel and informing the Enterprise of the situation. That done, he sat in the pilots seat, cursed shuttle pod one for having crappy engines, and tried to land the small space craft.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Shuttle pod one to Enterprise." Hoshi's voice came over the comm link.
"Shuttle one, go ahead." Archer replied.
"Sir, we have a problem."
"What?" He could hear Trip shouting something at Malcolm in the background.
"Sir, the engines are failing. Commander Tucker and Lieuten." She stopped and listened to Trip and Malcolm's argument. "Commander Tucker is trying to fix them. He said I should hail you and inform you of the situation, sir."
"Thank you, Hoshi. Keep us informed."
"We will, sir. Sato out." Te comm link went silent.
"God damn it!" Archer exclaimed, making Travis jump.
"Don't worry, sir," Travis said. "I'm sure Mr. Tucker'll fix it."
"I hope you're right, Travis." Archer said, putting his head in his hands.
"Commander Tucker is a very capable engineer," T'Pol added. "I am sure, with the assistance of Mr. Reed, he shall be able to repair the problem"
"Shuttle one to Enterprise."
"Trip, how's it going?" Archer asked. Please, God, please. Let it be OK. He thought.
"We got a problem, Cap'n." Trip replied. "We got TSF."
Archer was silent.
"We're gonna see if we can bring it down, sir."
"OK," Archer said. He thought for a minute. "Good luck, Trip." He said.
"Thank you, Cap'n. Tucker out."
"Well.it'll be OK," Travis said, breaking the silence that had descended upon the bridge. "Commander Tucker's a good pilot. He'll bring them down."
"The chances of a safe landing with no engine support are very."
"Not now, T'pol," Archer interjected. He sighed heavily. "I hope you're right, Travis. I hope you're right."
A/N. OK, OK, It's a bit crappy, sorry. It'll get better in the next chapter (I hope). What did you think? Good/bad? Be honest, I can take it! (but please don't be too mean!) Jen
NOTE: OK, sorry about the French, it isn't that good. But it's the only other language I can speak. Anyway, it had to be an earth language for reasons you will find if you read the story. I'll shut up now. Bye. (PS - I don't know if counties, states or cities will be the same in 150 years, so I guessed.)
THIS will lead to the story in the summary, honest! But this chapter's kinda just babble. Call it, 'Character Development' or whatever. Just read it!
NOSTARCASSA.
At last. It had been two weeks. Two weeks and not a single planet, system or comment had been seen. Archer stood on the bridge staring at the sight on the view screen. A small planet that looked similar to earth was the view that greeted him.
"Sir." Ensign Sato said from her console.
"Yes, Hoshi?"
"Sir, they're hailing us. Audio only."
"Very well." He replied, sitting back in his chair. "Put it on speaker."
"Qui êtes-vous? De qu'avez-vous besoin de notre monde?"
"Hoshi?" Archer asked, looking at his communication's officer.
"I'm not sure," She listened for a moment. "I.I think it's French, Sir."
"French?" Malcolm asked. "We travel thousands of light years to find a planet inhabited by frogs!" He sighed. "Bloody typical!"
T'Pol eyed him curiously. "Frogs, Mr Reed?" She asked, raising her eyebrow.
"It's not important!" Interrupted Archer. "Hoshi, can you answer him?"
"Well, sir.." She cut off. God, she thought, I wish I'd paid more attention in high school.
"Well, what? Ensign?" T'Pol asked, now raising her eyebrow at Hoshi.
"I haven't spoken French since high school. I can't understand what he's saying."
"Veuillez répondre" The voice said.
"What!" Exclaimed Travis. "You're the translator! You speak Klingon, but you can't speak French!"
"Well I never thought they'd be much need for it in space!" Hoshi said defensively.
"Look, just shut up!" Archer said, standing and beginning to pace. "Does anyone here speak French?" He asked hope fully.
"Not since school" said Malcolm. Travis, Hoshi and T'pol shook their heads.
"Si vous ne répondez pas, on le supposera vous sont hostile. Nous mettrons le feu sur vous au navire."
Think, Jon, Think. "Trip!" He said excitedly and walked over to the comm panel.
"Commander Tucker?" T'Pol asked. "What use can he be?"
Archer ignored her and pressed the comm button. "Archer to Tucker."
"Cap'n?" Came Trip's voice.
"We need you on the bridge ASAP."
"What for?"
"It doesn't matter," Archer answered. "Just get here, now!"
"Well, Cap'n, I got a lot a."
"TRIP!" Archer interrupted. "Get here, now! Archer out." He released the comm button and sat down.
"Veuillez répondre" Came the voice.
"I still do not see what use Commander Tucker shall be." T'Pol said.
"He speaks French." Replied Archer.
Just then Trip walked onto the bridge. "Cap'n?" he asked.
"Trip. They speak French." Archer informed the engineer.
"What? Who?" he still had no idea what was going on, or why he had been called away from engineering.
"The planet. We need you to speak to them." Hoshi told him.
"Why don't you do it, you're the damned translator!" Trip replied.
"I can't speak French!"
"Si vous ne répondez pas, on le supposera vous sont hostile. Nous mettrons le feu sur vous au navire."
Trip was silent for a minute. "OK". He said. "Nous sommes Enterprise. Nous vous voulons dire aucun mal. Nous sommes un bateau l'explorant. nous sommes venus pour faire des amis avec vos personnes."
"Amis? Comment pouvons-nous vous faire confiance? D'où êtes-vous?" relied the voice.
"Sir, he wants to know where were we're from." Trip said, looking at Archer.
"OK. Tell them." Archer replied.
"Mille années légères partie. Si vous ne croyez pas que nous ne voulons pas vous blesser, nous sommes disposés à partir."
"What's he sayin'?" Travis, who had moved from the helm control over to Malcolm's panel, asked the lieutenant.
"I'm not sure," Malcolm said, listening more carefully. "Something about being from earth and not wanting to hurt them. He seems very worried that we're here to hurt his people."
"Est-ce que à qui je parle?" Asked the voice.
"Je suis Commander Tucker, sous l'ordre du Captain Jonathon Archer. Et qui pourrait vous être?"
"Je suis Piandre, chef de cette ville. Cette planète est Nostarcassa. Nous sommes le cassians. Si vous dites moyen nous aucun mal, nous vous croyons."
"Merci" Trip said before turning to Archer. "Sir," He said. "The planet's called Nostarcassa. The guy's called Piandre."
"See if he'll allow for us to land on the planet, see what it's like?" Archer asked.
Trip nodded. "Serait-il possible que se réunissent-nous? Nous pourrions peut-être devenir des amis?"
The voice replied and Trip sighed. "He said we're welcome, as long as we can make our own way down, and we speak the lingo."
Great, thought Archer. "Well, that's half the crew out." He said, once again standing. "OK, Trip, you go. Hoshi? Malcolm? You two speak a little French. You go with Commander Tucker. Go get prepped."
"Aye Sir." Malcolm and Hoshi replied, leaving the bridge.
Trip turned his attention back to the comm link. "Mi désolé que mon Capitaine ne puisse pas visiter votre planet. Il ne veut dire aucun offense. Cependant deux qu'autres peuvent accompagner."
"Très bien, vous trois allez bienvenu sur notre monde." And with that the comm link shut down.
"Sir," Trip said, "Ensign Kelso in engineering can speak a little French. It might be a good idea to keep him close by, 'case they contact ya again."
"Thanks Trip." Archer said, smiling at his friend. "Now" he continued, sitting back down, "go get ready. Depart at 15.00"
Trip nodded and left the bridge.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
In shuttle pod one, Ensign Sato, Lieutenant Reed and Commander Tucker sat waiting for clearance to leave Enterprise. "So," Hoshi began, breaking the silence that had fallen upon the shuttle. "Where did you learn French, Commander?"
"Trip." He replied. He turned from the pilots seat to see the confused look on Hoshi's, and Malcolm's, face. "You can call me Trip."
"OK," Hoshi tried again. "Where did you learn French, Trip?"
"So, how longs it going to take to get there?" Malcolm asked over the top of Hoshi's question.
"Shuttle one, clear for launch" Came a voice over the comm system.
"Thanks. Shuttle one out." Trip replied into the comm. He turned to look at Malcolm. "'Bout two hours, I reckon."
Oh, give up Hoshi! She thought to herself.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
The journey to the planet had so far been uneventful. Malcolm and Trip had talked a little about engines, weapons. The sort of thing I know nothing about, Hoshi thought to herself. So far she'd sat on the bench at the back of the shuttle looking out of the side window. It's like being in the back of the car with your dad and uncle, she thought, then laughed to herself.
"Something the matter?" Malcolm asked from the seat next to her.
"Hmm?" she said, looking at him. She then realised she must have laughed out loud. "No. Nothing. I was just thinking.." She looked at Trip, who had turned from the pilot controls, then back at Malcolm. "We've been on Enterprise for, what? A year now?" Malcolm and Trip both nodded. "And, well, we don't even know that much about each other."
"Where'd that come from?" asked Trip, looking at Malcolm, who shrugged.
"No, I mean it," She paused for a moment to think. "Trip, where did you learn French?"
"Not that again, God." Trip mumbled turning back to the pilot controls.
"OK," Hoshi said, "Where are you from then? Malcolm?"
"Me?" He looked almost shocked at being asked, and waited for Hoshi to nod confirmation before he continued. "Leicester. In Leicestershire."
"Leicestershire?" Hoshi asked. "I have no idea where that is." She would be the first to admit her geography was a little rough when it came to America, let alone England.
"In the Midlands?" Trip asked, again turning from the pilot controls.
"Yeah. How did you know?" Malcolm asked, looking at him.
"Just do. See, y'all think I'm some kinda redneck hillbilly, I'm not even from the south."
"You're not?" Malcolm asked, sounding surprised. "Well, how do you explain the accent?"
"My Ma and Pa are from the south. They moved to Washington State. That's where I was born. They moved back south when I was little." He looked at Hoshi, smiled, and looked back at Malcolm. "Happy?" he turned back to Hoshi. "What 'bout you? Where you from?"
"San Jose, California. My Mom and Dad are from Japan and they moved over about two years before I was born."
"Well," Trip said. He pressed a few buttons on the control panel, stood, and sat back down between Hoshi and Malcolm. "Do'ya feel better, now you know where we're from? Like," he paused, "Like we really know each other?"
Hoshi noticed how he put emphasis on the word 'really'. "Yes." She replied, "and there's no need to be sarcastic."
Malcolm shook his head and smiled. "Well, they do say you learn something new everyday. And today we've had the privilege of learning Trip isn't actually a redneck hillbilly." He shook his head again, "Amazing."
Hoshi let out a small laugh. Trip gave Malcolm a 'look' and went back to the pilots seat. "Where did you learn French?" she asked again. She was determined to find out.
"Oh my God!" Trip said turning to face her. Malcolm smiled to himself. Trip just looked stunned. "What is it with you and that?" he asked. "Why can't you just let it go?" he said, emphasising the 'go'.
"I would if you'd just tell me!" She said, standing and walking over to the pilots seat. "The only reason I'm so curious is because you won't tell us." She was now standing next to Trip, and he had turned to look at her.
"You really wanna know that bad?" He asked, frowning. He'd never known anyone so inquisitive in his life. "OK," he said, turning back to the controls, "you may as well go and sit back down now." He pointed out to a still standing Hoshi. She did. "My pa taught me."
"What that's it!" Hoshi said, sounding almost angry. "I have been sitting here for the best part of" she looked a the time on the nearest computer panel, "at least forty minutes, wondering how and why you.." She cut off, mainly to calm herself.
"Well if you hadn't been so damn inquisitive in the first damn place!" Trip said defensively, sounding almost as annoyed as Hoshi.
"Would you both shut up!" Malcolm shouted, mainly to be heard over Trip and Hoshi's din. It worked. They were quiet.
"Sorry," Hoshi said, and looked out the window. Trip turned silently back to the controls. "So," Hoshi said, "Where did your Dad learn French?" she asked.
Trip didn't answer. Instead he just banged his head off the consol.
Malcolm laughed. Up until now, he had always thought Hoshi was a quiet, reserved and shy person. He now knew that she was in fact a loud, inquisitive, not afraid to ask questions type person. "Maybe you should just tell her, Trip," he said, looking at Trip, who's head was still on the consol. "It might save you from another hour of twenty questions."
"OK" Trip muttered before sitting up and turning around. "My pa was a Cajun. OK? He was a French Cajun. He spoke English," He paused, "and French. He taught me and my brothers and sister." He finished, smiled, and turned back to the pilot controls.
The shuttle went quiet. Trip was grateful for the peace. He liked Hoshi. He thought she was a nice person, and he liked to think of her as a friend. But he was a bit fed up with the questions. Maybe I shoulda just told her in the first place, he though, woulda save us all a lot a time and hassle.
Maybe I should of left it, Hoshi thought. He has a right to privacy. I'd get pretty annoyed if someone kept asking me question all the time. I wonder how many brother and sister's his got. No, Hoshi! Don't ask him, he's already pissed at you, but he's not annoyed with..... "Malcolm?" she asked, turning her attention to the man sitting next to her.
"Yes?" he said, cautiously. What does she want to know now? He thought.
"Do you know how many siblings Trip has?" she asked, very matter of fact.
"No." he replied. "Why would I know something like that?"
"Eight" Trip interrupted, turning from the pilot consol once again.
Hoshi and Malcolm looked at him. "Eight what?" Malcolm asked.
"Eight siblings." He looked Hoshi. She met his gaze and turned away. "I can hear you from hear y'know." He continued, now looking at Malcolm. "I'm only 'bout six meters away from ya."
Hoshi looked at Trip. "Sorry," she said. "I shouldn't be so nosey. You've got a right to your privacy, and I should just.."
"No," Trip interrupted her, "I should have just told you. You were just makin' conversation. I didn't mean to bite ya head off. Go on. Ask me what ever you want."
"OK," Hoshi said, smiling. "How many sister's do you have? And how many brother?" She stopped and thought. "And what are their names?"
"Is that all?" Malcolm asked.
Hoshi looked at him. "Oh, don't worry. There's more." She said. Malcolm sniggered. "And I wouldn't laugh if I were you, Malcolm. It's your turn next."
Malcolm looked panic stricken, and Trip couldn't help but laugh. "Alright!" He exclaimed. "But we getta ask you after."
"Deal." Hoshi said. "So, how many?"
"Five brother, three sisters."
"Names?" Hoshi asked, again.
"Don't interrupt, and I'll tell ya." Trip said before adding, "Do'ya wan'em in age order?" Hoshi nodded. "OK. From oldest to youngest. Frank, Jimmy, Susan, Pete, Katie, Sean, Stevie, Elizabeth, and Me."
"Wow," Malcolm said once Trip had finished. "Just like the Waltons." He said. Both he and Hoshi laughed. "Sorry" He said to Trip, when he saw the 'I'm not amused' look on his face.
"OK, OK," Hoshi said, "What's your favourite colour, number and food?"
Trip thought for a minute before answering. "Blue, five and pecan pie." He smiled as he said the last two words of his answer.
"Should have guessed." Malcolm muttered to himself.
"OK, Malcolm." Hoshi said, turning to face him. "Your turn." She ignored the lieutenant's groan and continued. "Siblings? Names? Favourite colour, number, and food."
"Younger sister called Madeline. Green. Twenty-six," He paused while he thought of his favourite food. "Meatballs." He saw the look of confusion on Trip's face about the meatball part. "My grandmother used to make them for me when I was little." He explained.
"OK then," Trip said. "Hoshi, how 'bout you? Siblings? Favourite colour, number, food?"
"Guess I had it coming," Hoshi said. "I have an older brother, Ikira. My favourite colour is purple, my favourite number is nine, and my favourite food is noodles."
"Well, there you go." Trip said, turning back to the consol. "We wasted half an hour, and we got to 'bond'. Happy Hoshi?"
Hoshi ignored the sarcastic note in his voice and replied. "Very happy, Commander Tucker. Lieutenant Reed. Thank you for that wonderful insight into your lives."
"You're welcome Hoshi." Malcolm said, smiling. "So," He said, turning his attention to Trip. "How long till we get there?"
"About," He looked at the computer panel on the wall, pressed a few buttons, then turned back to the consol. "Another thirty minutes."
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"What was that?" Hoshi asked, alarmed.
"I have no idea" came Trip's reply as the shuttle pod jolted again, this time sending Malcolm flying off his seat.
"Bastard!" Malcolm shouted, once he found himself on the floor.
"Oh shit!" Exclaimed Trip as another jolt shook the pod.
"What?" Asked Hoshi and Malcolm in unison.
"The engines have lost all power," Trip said, getting up from his chair and moving to a panel by the wall. "Malcolm, I need you to help me get this panel off. Hoshi, get the tool kit out the storage unit"
Malcolm moved to help Trip while Hoshi went to the storage locker. She found what she assumed to be the tool kit and handed it to Trip. "Thanks" he said before turning his attention back to the panel. It detached with a loud 'clang' that made Hoshi jump. "OK," Trip continued, "Malcolm, I need you to help me re-route the auxiliary power supply to the main thrusters. That should give us enough power to at least land."
"OK," Malcolm said, looking dazed.
"What?" Trip asked, sounding almost angry.
"I.I" Malcolm stammered. "I don't know how too!"
"You What!" Trip shouted. "You're an engineer! How the hell can you not know how to do it?"
"I'm not an engineer!" Malcolm shouted back. "I'm an armoury officer. Give me a broken phaser, I can fix it, give me an engine and." he shrugged.
"Great, just fuc.." He stopped himself. "OK, go over to the pilot controls. There's a red light that says 'EITS', tell me when it goes out. OK?" He asked.
"Yes." Malcolm said, curtly, before moving over to the pilot's seat.
"What can I do?" Hoshi asked.
"Ermm." Trip said, beginning to fiddle with the wire's in the panel. "Hail Enterprise, tell 'em what's goin on." Hoshi moved over to the comm panel. "And tell 'em they need to give Malcolm some trainin'!" He shouted over to her.
"Trip?" Malcolm interrupted.
What now? He thought to himself. "Yes?"
"The red light's still on, and now there's a green one too."
"Saying what?" Trip said, still working with the panel.
"TSF." He said. "Oh my God." He added, turning to face Trip.
"What?" Hoshi, who had finished hailing the Enterprise, asked.
"TSF." Malcolm informed her. When she still looked confused, he explained. "Thruster Support Failure."
"Meaning what?" She asked. She knew it was a bad thing, just not how bad.
"Mean's that read light ain't goin' out." Trip said. He had abandoned the panel, and was now standing next to Hoshi.
"What? We're gonna crash?!" She said.
Trip moved over to where Malcolm was. "OK," He said, thinking. "Hoshi, get in the storage unit."
"What?" She asked. "Why the hell.."
"Just do it!" He shouted back. He noticed that she look confused by his requested, and hurt by the fact that he'd shouted. "Look, we ain't got much time till we crash. Get in the unit, shut the door. That way you'll be protected against the impact. OK?" She nodded. "Go." He said.
She nodded again and moved over to the unit. "Wait, what about you two?" she asked.
"Malcolm, strap yourself into the back." Trip said.
"What about you?" Malcolm asked.
"Well, somebody's gotta try and land this thing and keep y'all in one piece."
"Trip, you can't.." Hoshi began, but was cut off by Trip.
"Just get in the damned unit." She nodded, got in and shut the door. Trip sighed. "Come on," he said to Malcolm. Malcolm moved to the back of the shuttle. As much as he didn't want Trip to put himself in danger, he knew his friend was right. Somebody had to try and land the shuttle pod, other wise they'd all probably be killed on impact.
Trip helped Malcolm strap himself into the safety seat at the back of the shuttle before moving over to the comm panel and informing the Enterprise of the situation. That done, he sat in the pilots seat, cursed shuttle pod one for having crappy engines, and tried to land the small space craft.
*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
"Shuttle pod one to Enterprise." Hoshi's voice came over the comm link.
"Shuttle one, go ahead." Archer replied.
"Sir, we have a problem."
"What?" He could hear Trip shouting something at Malcolm in the background.
"Sir, the engines are failing. Commander Tucker and Lieuten." She stopped and listened to Trip and Malcolm's argument. "Commander Tucker is trying to fix them. He said I should hail you and inform you of the situation, sir."
"Thank you, Hoshi. Keep us informed."
"We will, sir. Sato out." Te comm link went silent.
"God damn it!" Archer exclaimed, making Travis jump.
"Don't worry, sir," Travis said. "I'm sure Mr. Tucker'll fix it."
"I hope you're right, Travis." Archer said, putting his head in his hands.
"Commander Tucker is a very capable engineer," T'Pol added. "I am sure, with the assistance of Mr. Reed, he shall be able to repair the problem"
"Shuttle one to Enterprise."
"Trip, how's it going?" Archer asked. Please, God, please. Let it be OK. He thought.
"We got a problem, Cap'n." Trip replied. "We got TSF."
Archer was silent.
"We're gonna see if we can bring it down, sir."
"OK," Archer said. He thought for a minute. "Good luck, Trip." He said.
"Thank you, Cap'n. Tucker out."
"Well.it'll be OK," Travis said, breaking the silence that had descended upon the bridge. "Commander Tucker's a good pilot. He'll bring them down."
"The chances of a safe landing with no engine support are very."
"Not now, T'pol," Archer interjected. He sighed heavily. "I hope you're right, Travis. I hope you're right."
A/N. OK, OK, It's a bit crappy, sorry. It'll get better in the next chapter (I hope). What did you think? Good/bad? Be honest, I can take it! (but please don't be too mean!) Jen
