A/N: Thank you for your encouraging reviews. I cherish them all. As for the medical terminology and/or diagnosis, they are strictly from a layman. I am no physician as you can tell. So, let's just keep this all in our fiction perspectives. Hope you all still enjoy!
Chapter 4-
Ensign Hoshi Sato sat hunched over at her station. She pressed the buttons repeatedly on the UT trying to decipher the transmission from the M-class planet they were only two days away from reaching.
She knew it was some sort of instruction, but was not certain exactly what for. For all she knew they could be instructions to turn themselves around and go back where they came from. Hoshi slammed the palm of her hand on the console, harder than she had planned. But she was frustrated and also worried. Worried about Commander Tucker.
"Ensign Sato," T'Pol's voice startled her. "Perhaps you should take your meal break. You are overdue."
"I'm sorry, sub-commander." Hoshi said. "I'll be quieter..."
"That is not the issue." T'Pol insisted. "Your eating dinner is."
Hoshi reluctantly nodded and rose. She turned to head for the lift when T'Pol held up her hand.
"Ensign Mayweather," T'Pol addressed the helmsman. "You may accompany Ensign Sato."
Travis Mayweather looked over at the sub-commander and was about to speak when her eyebrow arched. He nodded in submission, knowing full well it was not up for debate.
"Yes, sub-commander." Mayweather said as he followed Hoshi to the lift.
The replacement for Travis slipped into his seat, but T'Pol moved and sat in Hoshi's place. She reviewed the information on the screen, but decided she could not expedite a positive result in translating the alien communication. As she was about to rise, Captain Archer exited his ready room and sat in his command chair. Lieutenant Reed shifted in his seat, but made no attempt to speak.
"Is there any word from the doctor?" T'Pol asked.
Archer shook his head, but stared at the viewscreen. T'Pol returned to her station and took a close look at Mr. Reed and Archer. Both of them were tense, apparent by the rigid posture of the captain and flickering jaw muscles of the lieutenant. There was nothing she could say or do that would change their mood. The tension was weighing on her and, although she would never abandon her captain in a time of need, she knew she had to distance herself.
"Permission to take my dinner break, Captain?" T'Pol asked.
"Oh," Archer said with surprise. "Of course. I didn't even realize what time it was."
T'Pol nodded and exited the bridge. Archer watched her go, then turned to Reed. The armory officer just shook his head no. He was not about to go anywhere and leave the captain alone. That is, without any senior staff.
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"Sir, it's only for the weekend. Friday and Saturday night." The mop-top blond haired teenager stood before his father who was seated at the kitchen table.
"I said no." The older man replied firmly, never looking up from his dinner.
"But, all the guys' are goin'." The boy's tone turned to a whine.
His father slammed down his fork and glared up at his son. His mother, cleaning up the dishes, wiped her hands on a dish towel and turned to face the two.
"Why do you always have to argue?" Charles Tucker the Second asked. "I work hard all day, come home late to hopefully eat my dinner in peace..."
"I--I'm sorry." Charlie "Trip" Tucker said, his eyes downcast.
"No," Mr. Tucker said. "I don't really think you are. You have no idea what a hard day's work is like. Providin' for a family. All you ever do is tinker with your machines and hang out with those mechanic hoodlums you call friends."
"They ain't hoodlums!" Trip raised his voice in anger. "What do you know? You never even said more than two words to any of 'em. Usually it's just, 'go home'."
"You watch your mouth, boy." Mr. Tucker rose from his chair. He pointed his finger firmly at his son. "I said no. You aren't goin' on that camp out."
"But why?!" Trip pressed. "You never told me why?"
"Charles," Mrs. Tucker softly said to her husband.
"Keep out of this." Mr. Tucker told her. "Trip, you want to know why? I'll tell you why. Because I don't like that crowd you hang out with. You should be concentrating on what you're going to do when you get out of high school. Hell, you don't even have a plan yet."
"I do." Trip said softly. He looked over at his mother, who just nodded. "I'm goin' to go to college to get my degree... in engineerin'."
"And do what?" Mr. Tucker asked.
"I--I wanna join Starfleet someday." Trip answered.
Mr. Tucker stared silently at his son. He slowly sank back in to his chair and sighed heavily.
"That'll be expensive." His father said in a low voice. "Your college fund won't even cover a full year at the university you'd have to go to."
"I plan on workin' my way through." Trip told his dad.
Uneasy, Mr. Tucker shifted his gaze toward his wife, but addressed his son. "You've thought this out, have you?"
"Yes, sir." Trip answered.
There was a long pause as Trip shot a nervous look to his mother. She smiled reassuringly at her boy. Charles Tucker the Second picked up his fork and pushed his food around on the plate.
"Be home before supper on Sunday." The father quietly instructed and then went back to his dinner.
Trip looked at his mother, who opened her arms. He hugged his mom tightly, knowing full well she knew he wished he could hug his father like that.
----------
Phlox studied the scans of Trip's eyes. He would've taken the bandages off tomorrow, but with Trip battling this infection and feverish it appeared that wouldn't happen. He looked down at the sleeping man and was glad he was only sleeping.
The commander's temperature was hovering around forty degrees and the doctor could do no more than wait and see. He felt certain that one of the antibiotics would begin to kill the infection in Tucker's hand but as to which one and when he couldn't determine. That was what worried him the most.
Captain Archer had entered sickbay, unnoticed by the doctor. He stood at the foot of Trip's bed and stared at his friend. Phlox, startled, turned to face the captain.
"Captain," Phlox addressed. "I didn't hear you come in."
"How is he?" Archer asked.
"The same," Phlox told him. "But at least the fever hasn't risen. He's sleeping."
"The infection's still not responding." The captain stated, knowingly.
"Not yet. But I have faith that it will. Just when is the certain unknown."
"Hoshi's still trying to decipher that communication from the planet." Archer told the doctor. "I still plan on going ahead with the mission."
"Understandably, sir." Phlox nodded. "Mr. Tucker would want that."
"We'll be there in a little over a day. I was hoping Trip would be able to see it..." Archer's voice trailed off and he turned away, moving toward the door and then stopped. "What if his fever doesn't break, Doc?"
"Sustained at this temperature or another degree higher; he could lapse into a coma." Phlox quietly replied.
"Brain damage?" Archer fired back.
"Captain, I don't think we should go speculating..."
"Yes or no?" Archer demanded.
"A possibility, yes. But..."
Phlox had no chance to finish. Jonathan Archer slammed his palm against the door panel and exited without a word.
----------
Hoshi Sato's eyes widened with realization as she completed the now translated communication. She jumped up from her chair and wheeled around toward Sub-commander T'Pol.
"Permission to leave the bridge?" Hoshi asked.
T'Pol's ever present stoic expression never wavered. "You were off duty approximately thirty minutes ago, Ensign. Permission is not necessary."
"Oh, right." Hoshi responded. "I have the translation. I'd like to let Captain Archer know."
"He's retired for the evening." T'Pol informed her.
"But I know he'd want to hear this." Hoshi pressed. "We could all use some good news."
"Then I suggest you contact him via the comm first." T'Pol suggested.
"Thank you." Hoshi rushed to the turbolift.
----------
Archer sat at his desk, going over reports, when his door signal chirped. He got up and pressed the button. Hoshi Sato stood, almost smiling, in the doorway. Archer frowned slightly.
"Hoshi," The captain moved aside to let her in.
Porthos bounded up to the ensign and she bent down to pet him. "Hey there, Porthos."
"He's been needing a lot of loving lately. I think he senses what's going on." Archer told her.
"Well, Captain," Hoshi began as she rose to her full height. "I think this translation will bring all our hopes up."
"What do you mean?"
Hoshi moved to the captain's computer and stood next to it.
"Do you mind?" Hoshi asked.
The captain cleared the screen and Hoshi sat down punching the buttons and then turned to him.
"Hold on to your hat, Captain. Listen to this." She said.
The sputter came across the speaker of the terminal and then: "Greetings. We detected your vessel on our long range scanners. We are the Eklosians; scientific researchers in biological organisms and diseases. Alien visitors are welcomed for the added knowledge they give us. We are sending you the geographical location of our colony and instruct you to contact us immediately upon reaching orbit. We believe you must expedite your arrival."
Hoshi was smiling up at the captain, who just stared at the screen.
"Kinda eerie, huh?" Hoshi asked expectantly.
"You think they could help Phlox to help Trip?" Archer asked.
"What have we got to lose, sir?"
Archer rushed to his comm and hit the button. "Archer to the bridge."
"Yes, Captain." T'Pol's voice came across the comm.
"Increase speed to get us to that planet by tomorrow 1200 hours at the latest. Archer out."
He turned to Hoshi who was smiling at him. "Thanks, Hoshi. I owe you...another one."
----------
By the time the Enterprise was in orbit around the planet Eklo, it was 1040 hours. Archer had spent time in sickbay talking to Trip while Phlox did whatever he does in the mornings.
"So, we'll see what these people are about. And maybe they have some hot toddy's to help you get well." Jon told Trip.
Trip was slowly rolling his head from side to side, so he was not asleep. But since he was still maintaining his high fever, he was not really aware. "Sorry..." Trip muttered. "I'm so much trouble."
"You're not trouble, Trip." Jon replied. "You're a pain in the ass most times, but not real trouble."
"Dad?" Trip called out. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to make you 'shamed of me."
"Shh..." Jon leaned in now and wiped the perspiration from Trip's forehead. "Take it easy."
"I know...ya think I'm wastin' my time...think I can't do it..." Trip kept going. "I'll show ya."
Phlox walked up and stood on the other side of Trip's bed, watching the captain gently wipe Trip's forehead. The commander ceased movement and he was undeniably asleep once again.
"Have you contacted his parents?" Phlox asked.
"I haven't contacted anyone yet." Archer admitted. "Not even Admiral Forrest. I think I just want to wait. All around, you know?"
"His father is a great source of heartache for him, isn't he?" Phlox asked.
"I thought he'd gotten over most of it." Archer shrugged his shoulders, straightening the sheet across Trip's chest. "His dad was never really gung-ho about Trip wanting to get into Starfleet. I think Trip wasn't sure if he did it more to show his dad he could do it, than wanting it for himself."
"Either way, it's what he was destined to do. He is an excellent engineer and he seems quite content with being here."
"He is. And I don't want anything to change that." Jonathan Archer looked down at Trip Tucker and patted his shoulder. "I'll be back before you know it, buddy. Doc, if these people can help Trip, I'll contact you if we need anything."
Phlox nodded. "I hope they can. I'm down to the last two antibiotics left to try. If they don't work..."
"Bridge to Captain Archer." Hoshi's comm voice broke in.
"Archer here."
"They contacted us, sir." Hoshi sounded out of breath. "They scanned our ship and they know virtually every thing about us. Including Trip's condition. They want to speak with you now."
"I'm on my way." Archer said as he ran out the door.
TO BE CONTINUED
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Chapter 4-
Ensign Hoshi Sato sat hunched over at her station. She pressed the buttons repeatedly on the UT trying to decipher the transmission from the M-class planet they were only two days away from reaching.
She knew it was some sort of instruction, but was not certain exactly what for. For all she knew they could be instructions to turn themselves around and go back where they came from. Hoshi slammed the palm of her hand on the console, harder than she had planned. But she was frustrated and also worried. Worried about Commander Tucker.
"Ensign Sato," T'Pol's voice startled her. "Perhaps you should take your meal break. You are overdue."
"I'm sorry, sub-commander." Hoshi said. "I'll be quieter..."
"That is not the issue." T'Pol insisted. "Your eating dinner is."
Hoshi reluctantly nodded and rose. She turned to head for the lift when T'Pol held up her hand.
"Ensign Mayweather," T'Pol addressed the helmsman. "You may accompany Ensign Sato."
Travis Mayweather looked over at the sub-commander and was about to speak when her eyebrow arched. He nodded in submission, knowing full well it was not up for debate.
"Yes, sub-commander." Mayweather said as he followed Hoshi to the lift.
The replacement for Travis slipped into his seat, but T'Pol moved and sat in Hoshi's place. She reviewed the information on the screen, but decided she could not expedite a positive result in translating the alien communication. As she was about to rise, Captain Archer exited his ready room and sat in his command chair. Lieutenant Reed shifted in his seat, but made no attempt to speak.
"Is there any word from the doctor?" T'Pol asked.
Archer shook his head, but stared at the viewscreen. T'Pol returned to her station and took a close look at Mr. Reed and Archer. Both of them were tense, apparent by the rigid posture of the captain and flickering jaw muscles of the lieutenant. There was nothing she could say or do that would change their mood. The tension was weighing on her and, although she would never abandon her captain in a time of need, she knew she had to distance herself.
"Permission to take my dinner break, Captain?" T'Pol asked.
"Oh," Archer said with surprise. "Of course. I didn't even realize what time it was."
T'Pol nodded and exited the bridge. Archer watched her go, then turned to Reed. The armory officer just shook his head no. He was not about to go anywhere and leave the captain alone. That is, without any senior staff.
----------
"Sir, it's only for the weekend. Friday and Saturday night." The mop-top blond haired teenager stood before his father who was seated at the kitchen table.
"I said no." The older man replied firmly, never looking up from his dinner.
"But, all the guys' are goin'." The boy's tone turned to a whine.
His father slammed down his fork and glared up at his son. His mother, cleaning up the dishes, wiped her hands on a dish towel and turned to face the two.
"Why do you always have to argue?" Charles Tucker the Second asked. "I work hard all day, come home late to hopefully eat my dinner in peace..."
"I--I'm sorry." Charlie "Trip" Tucker said, his eyes downcast.
"No," Mr. Tucker said. "I don't really think you are. You have no idea what a hard day's work is like. Providin' for a family. All you ever do is tinker with your machines and hang out with those mechanic hoodlums you call friends."
"They ain't hoodlums!" Trip raised his voice in anger. "What do you know? You never even said more than two words to any of 'em. Usually it's just, 'go home'."
"You watch your mouth, boy." Mr. Tucker rose from his chair. He pointed his finger firmly at his son. "I said no. You aren't goin' on that camp out."
"But why?!" Trip pressed. "You never told me why?"
"Charles," Mrs. Tucker softly said to her husband.
"Keep out of this." Mr. Tucker told her. "Trip, you want to know why? I'll tell you why. Because I don't like that crowd you hang out with. You should be concentrating on what you're going to do when you get out of high school. Hell, you don't even have a plan yet."
"I do." Trip said softly. He looked over at his mother, who just nodded. "I'm goin' to go to college to get my degree... in engineerin'."
"And do what?" Mr. Tucker asked.
"I--I wanna join Starfleet someday." Trip answered.
Mr. Tucker stared silently at his son. He slowly sank back in to his chair and sighed heavily.
"That'll be expensive." His father said in a low voice. "Your college fund won't even cover a full year at the university you'd have to go to."
"I plan on workin' my way through." Trip told his dad.
Uneasy, Mr. Tucker shifted his gaze toward his wife, but addressed his son. "You've thought this out, have you?"
"Yes, sir." Trip answered.
There was a long pause as Trip shot a nervous look to his mother. She smiled reassuringly at her boy. Charles Tucker the Second picked up his fork and pushed his food around on the plate.
"Be home before supper on Sunday." The father quietly instructed and then went back to his dinner.
Trip looked at his mother, who opened her arms. He hugged his mom tightly, knowing full well she knew he wished he could hug his father like that.
----------
Phlox studied the scans of Trip's eyes. He would've taken the bandages off tomorrow, but with Trip battling this infection and feverish it appeared that wouldn't happen. He looked down at the sleeping man and was glad he was only sleeping.
The commander's temperature was hovering around forty degrees and the doctor could do no more than wait and see. He felt certain that one of the antibiotics would begin to kill the infection in Tucker's hand but as to which one and when he couldn't determine. That was what worried him the most.
Captain Archer had entered sickbay, unnoticed by the doctor. He stood at the foot of Trip's bed and stared at his friend. Phlox, startled, turned to face the captain.
"Captain," Phlox addressed. "I didn't hear you come in."
"How is he?" Archer asked.
"The same," Phlox told him. "But at least the fever hasn't risen. He's sleeping."
"The infection's still not responding." The captain stated, knowingly.
"Not yet. But I have faith that it will. Just when is the certain unknown."
"Hoshi's still trying to decipher that communication from the planet." Archer told the doctor. "I still plan on going ahead with the mission."
"Understandably, sir." Phlox nodded. "Mr. Tucker would want that."
"We'll be there in a little over a day. I was hoping Trip would be able to see it..." Archer's voice trailed off and he turned away, moving toward the door and then stopped. "What if his fever doesn't break, Doc?"
"Sustained at this temperature or another degree higher; he could lapse into a coma." Phlox quietly replied.
"Brain damage?" Archer fired back.
"Captain, I don't think we should go speculating..."
"Yes or no?" Archer demanded.
"A possibility, yes. But..."
Phlox had no chance to finish. Jonathan Archer slammed his palm against the door panel and exited without a word.
----------
Hoshi Sato's eyes widened with realization as she completed the now translated communication. She jumped up from her chair and wheeled around toward Sub-commander T'Pol.
"Permission to leave the bridge?" Hoshi asked.
T'Pol's ever present stoic expression never wavered. "You were off duty approximately thirty minutes ago, Ensign. Permission is not necessary."
"Oh, right." Hoshi responded. "I have the translation. I'd like to let Captain Archer know."
"He's retired for the evening." T'Pol informed her.
"But I know he'd want to hear this." Hoshi pressed. "We could all use some good news."
"Then I suggest you contact him via the comm first." T'Pol suggested.
"Thank you." Hoshi rushed to the turbolift.
----------
Archer sat at his desk, going over reports, when his door signal chirped. He got up and pressed the button. Hoshi Sato stood, almost smiling, in the doorway. Archer frowned slightly.
"Hoshi," The captain moved aside to let her in.
Porthos bounded up to the ensign and she bent down to pet him. "Hey there, Porthos."
"He's been needing a lot of loving lately. I think he senses what's going on." Archer told her.
"Well, Captain," Hoshi began as she rose to her full height. "I think this translation will bring all our hopes up."
"What do you mean?"
Hoshi moved to the captain's computer and stood next to it.
"Do you mind?" Hoshi asked.
The captain cleared the screen and Hoshi sat down punching the buttons and then turned to him.
"Hold on to your hat, Captain. Listen to this." She said.
The sputter came across the speaker of the terminal and then: "Greetings. We detected your vessel on our long range scanners. We are the Eklosians; scientific researchers in biological organisms and diseases. Alien visitors are welcomed for the added knowledge they give us. We are sending you the geographical location of our colony and instruct you to contact us immediately upon reaching orbit. We believe you must expedite your arrival."
Hoshi was smiling up at the captain, who just stared at the screen.
"Kinda eerie, huh?" Hoshi asked expectantly.
"You think they could help Phlox to help Trip?" Archer asked.
"What have we got to lose, sir?"
Archer rushed to his comm and hit the button. "Archer to the bridge."
"Yes, Captain." T'Pol's voice came across the comm.
"Increase speed to get us to that planet by tomorrow 1200 hours at the latest. Archer out."
He turned to Hoshi who was smiling at him. "Thanks, Hoshi. I owe you...another one."
----------
By the time the Enterprise was in orbit around the planet Eklo, it was 1040 hours. Archer had spent time in sickbay talking to Trip while Phlox did whatever he does in the mornings.
"So, we'll see what these people are about. And maybe they have some hot toddy's to help you get well." Jon told Trip.
Trip was slowly rolling his head from side to side, so he was not asleep. But since he was still maintaining his high fever, he was not really aware. "Sorry..." Trip muttered. "I'm so much trouble."
"You're not trouble, Trip." Jon replied. "You're a pain in the ass most times, but not real trouble."
"Dad?" Trip called out. "I'm sorry...I didn't mean to make you 'shamed of me."
"Shh..." Jon leaned in now and wiped the perspiration from Trip's forehead. "Take it easy."
"I know...ya think I'm wastin' my time...think I can't do it..." Trip kept going. "I'll show ya."
Phlox walked up and stood on the other side of Trip's bed, watching the captain gently wipe Trip's forehead. The commander ceased movement and he was undeniably asleep once again.
"Have you contacted his parents?" Phlox asked.
"I haven't contacted anyone yet." Archer admitted. "Not even Admiral Forrest. I think I just want to wait. All around, you know?"
"His father is a great source of heartache for him, isn't he?" Phlox asked.
"I thought he'd gotten over most of it." Archer shrugged his shoulders, straightening the sheet across Trip's chest. "His dad was never really gung-ho about Trip wanting to get into Starfleet. I think Trip wasn't sure if he did it more to show his dad he could do it, than wanting it for himself."
"Either way, it's what he was destined to do. He is an excellent engineer and he seems quite content with being here."
"He is. And I don't want anything to change that." Jonathan Archer looked down at Trip Tucker and patted his shoulder. "I'll be back before you know it, buddy. Doc, if these people can help Trip, I'll contact you if we need anything."
Phlox nodded. "I hope they can. I'm down to the last two antibiotics left to try. If they don't work..."
"Bridge to Captain Archer." Hoshi's comm voice broke in.
"Archer here."
"They contacted us, sir." Hoshi sounded out of breath. "They scanned our ship and they know virtually every thing about us. Including Trip's condition. They want to speak with you now."
"I'm on my way." Archer said as he ran out the door.
TO BE CONTINUED
----------