Sunlight finds the land chilled and the wind is at our backs, come brothers for now is the time to hunt and feed the hungry pack. Wolf song from 'How men learned to hunt', Apache tale-author unknown. ~ Talani
Part 7
As the Alpha shift came on duty, Captain Archer continued to read the latest finding about on the deserted spacecraft. It was of no known design, either to Humans or Vulcans, some of its interior scans revealed peculiarities that baffled explanation. The ship was twice as large as Enterprise, wide at one end and narrowing to a blunt point at the other. Its long sleek hull was smooth, without any obvious weaponry or seams to indicate panels or hatches. It would be interesting to see how the slightly projections corresponded with interior features.
He looked up as Jimenez and T'Pol arrived, deep in discussion. Grace was ardently contending a feature in what they had determined was an air lock.
"If its main use was for escape, why is it located in the center of the ship? There are all those vacant spots, I'm sure will prove to be private quarters, encircling it. I doubt they'd situate crew adjacent to an escape route, there's always the possibility of a breach and decompression."
T'Pol replied in a calm but firm tone, "Those spaces could as easily prove to be storage compartments, you are inferring the original occupants were comparative to humanoid dimensions."
Grace mirrored the Vulcan's impassive expression as she rebutted.
"It's a reasonable assumption, all the interior corridors are 'comparative to humanoid dimensions'."
The Sub-commander gave her an arched look as she took her own station, unaware of the amused glances being exchanged around the bridge.
"Sir, Lieutenant Reed says he has the shuttle ready if you'd like to leave soon."
Archer paused near the lift door, surprising Jimenez when he asked T'Pol if he could take her along to gather more details for their record.
Jimenez wanted badly to explain that she'd never been comfortable wearing an E.V. suit, but didn't want to diminish herself in his opinion either. In the shuttle bay, they were met by Lieutenant Malcolm Reed, Commander Tucker, and Ensign Sato, who looked as uncomfortable as she felt. Trip walked over, grinning as he asked her, "Hiya Tal, ready to do a little E & E?"
Ignoring her itchy scapula, she smiled in kind, "Sure am. I especially want to take images of that large chambered area." Privately, she idly thought she'd been too long without intimate contact, it was that or empathic sympathy to someone else's repressed desires because Commander Tucker certainly appealed to her in more than just a platonic manner.
"Okay people, let's get a move on." There was no doubt to the Captain's excitement, the enthusiasm in his voice was almost childlike. The exploration party was comprised of Captain Archer, Commander Tucker and Commander Jimenez, Lieutenant Reed and Ensign Sato. Grace could feel the tension from Hoshi, the others seemed totally oblivious to it. So as they were sitting down, Grace sat next to the Ensign.
"Excited?" Jimenez asked Hoshi, using a quiet friendly tone.
"Sure. Why shouldn't I be."
"Well, you look a little, mmm, uncertain to me. Not that I don't feel that way sometimes."
Sato gave her an intense look before sighing, "I didn't really want to come on this mission, it was Captain Archer's idea. I really am glad I did, I just wish he wouldn't rush into things quite so much."
Grace gave her a rueful grin as she said, "It's people like him that make Starfleet what it is. Someone's gotta be first, why shouldn't it be him?"
She felt the younger woman's concern, and wondered if perhaps there was anything deeper between her and the Captain. Snorting in derision at such a thought, Jimenez berated herself on so petty an idea. But there was definitely somebody on board the Enterprise that harbored deep, unrequited feelings for Jonathan Archer and she wanted to discover who, since she couldn't completely block this individuals subconscious emotional outcry.
The shuttle gave slight lurch as it connected the the alien craft. Reed and Tucker confirming dock with the vessel.
"All right, remember, we can't expose ourselves any longer than three hours to the radiation leaking from this craft. Any problems are to be reported immediately to me. Understood?"
All present nodded as the Captain met each of their eyes to make certain they all understood.
"Jimenez, I want you to take Malcolm and Hoshi, Trip, you're with me."
As the shuttle door opened the team activated the exterior lamps of their suits, revealing the first glimpse of the unknown's interior. A barren corridor extended into darkness, the walls of which were void of any outlets, panels or doorways.
Jimenez led her group, reminding herself to keep close track of Hoshi. Lieutenant Reed on the other hand was cautious, but not fearful. 20 meters in, they came to an ovoid doorway.
"Ready?", Grace asked, as she reached up to press the switch. Nothing happened, the mechanisms within obviously dysfunctional with age. Reed stepped next to her, eyeing it a moment before turning to look at her. "I could try a phase pistol on it Ma'am."
Jimenez groaned, "Please, please! Don't call me 'Ma'am', sounds like I'm an old lady or something!"
"Sorry, Commander."
"Go ahead, I can't see that it could hurt."
The two women stepped back to clear space for Reed. Lifting his arm he let off a short burst, at first nothing happened, but slowly the door opened a few inches. He looked back at Jimenez, at her nod he braced his shoulder in the gap and gave the door a hearty shove, creating a space large enough for them to get through.
The sudden whoop that carried over the suit's radio nearly deafened the others, getting her an immediate response.
"What the Hell is going on?!" The Captain queried.
"We've reached the chamber, and boy, it sure aint an escape route!" Grace could feel her pulse racing, the rhythm like a war-drum's.
"Wait for us there Commander."
Bridling at Archer's order, she complied. Moments later, Archer and Tucker came into view as they approached the rest of their party.
Trip's awed, "Son of a Bitch.", summed it up. The expanse empty space was encircled by a myriad of accesses, row upon row almost to the top.
"Shit!" Coming from Reed. "Where are we supposed to start?"
"Let's split up, I'll start over there near the top rank of doors." Grace began moving but was halted by a firm grip on her arm. "Commander, we don't have a whole lot of time left. We should leave it for now." The Captain slowly released his hold as he finished. Sighing, she nodded. "At least let me get some images from the other side Captain." She begged.
With some hesitation, he finally conceded, "All right, but make it quick. We have to clear out in less than 15 minutes or risk over exposure."
She gave a sharp nod and hurried off. Almost three quarters of the way across she felt the deck suddenly buckle under her, dropping her into oblivion. The last thing she heard was a frantic, "Grace!"
Part 8
So dark....the thought came to Commander Jimenez as she slowly came round. Realising her eyes were still closed, the pounding in her head had nothing to do with her earlier excitement. Sitting up was painful, every inch of her body ached from the fall. Once her head stopped spinning, she managed to peel her eye-lids apart.
"God damn mother fucking, son of a BITCH!", she yelled, the light on her suit had obviously been broken from the impact. She was in total darkness. "Captain? Commander Tucker?" A slight chill ran up her back when at length, there was no response. She almost toppled over as she stood, her left leg buckled as she did, followed by a terrible shooting pain. She began muttering to herself, "Great, it's probably broken, and my damn shitty-assed radio isn't working." A sudden high pitched buzzed caused her no start, "Oh-ma-God!"
Checking her oxygen reserve, she was alarmed at the reading, 25% remained in her tank. Gaining her balance on one leg, she cawed aloud trying to detect an echo to indicate how large the room she had fallen into. The quick response gratified her, so with a shuffling-hop, she gained the stability of a wall to lean on. Placing her back flat against the surface, she edged her way along the wall, in an attempt to locate a hatch or doorway. She stopped when her gloved hand came into contact with a panel of some kind. Taking a deep breath, she held it as she toyed with what felt like a switch.
A bright white light engulfed her, and and she screamed, fully expecting to meet with her ancestors in the spirit world. When none of those that have gone before appeared she opened her clenched eyes. "Ney mi gon'nai Bik'ehgo'ihi'dan, where have you sent me oh Great Spirit?"
"I don't care if there's only 3 minutes left on our window of safety, I've got a crew member lost in this place!"
Archer tried to calm down, it did no good yelling at his Chief science officer. With an effort, he managed to get his feelings under control.
"T'Pol, see if you can get a fix on these coordinates an run a scan. She mat still be alive."
He waited impatiently as his mind ran through the recent events. He should never had let Jimenez go, she could've waited. Turning to the others, his voice rough, "You three, get back to the shuttle.", he ordered.
A dark look crossed Trip's face. "Beggin your pardon Capt'n, but you're nuts if you think you can pull her outta that hole by yourself!"
"I'm not leaving her behind."
"Jon, we can try the transporter to get her out. It's sheer stupidity to remain here. Come on, we'll get her back."
Archer studied his friends face, the concern apparent. His shoulders sagged as he relented to common sense, he barely noticed as the others began to followed him back to the shuttle.
"Captain."
He slowed at the odd note in T'Pol's voice as she continued, "I believe you should make all haste in returning."
Curious, he replied, "Why? What's happened?"
"Please just hurry."
He broke into a brisk jog, she wasn't in the habit of imploring him in such a manner. The party piled into the shuttle and hastily strapped in. When they arrived back in the hangar, T'Pol was waiting, openly agitated about something.
"Report Sub-commander." A haunted look was in her eyes as she looked at Archer.
"While you were transmitting the coordinates you wished me to scan, there was a large build-up and discharge of energy from the alien craft. Just as suddenly as it began, it stopped and I was unable to trace the exact location from which it occurred."
Unsettled by her manner, he softly inquired, "Why did you tell me to hurry?"
"Sir," her voice shook slightly as she finished, "Commander Jimenez was found in the shuttle bay seconds after the energy anomaly."
"What?!"
Collecting himself, he continued, "Where is she now?"
"I had her taken to sick-bay, she was complaining that her leg was injured."
In record time he was back in his uniform and racing down to sick-bay. He slowed as he entered, coming to a full stop as Dr. Phlox intercepted, with his usual aplomb.
"You're probably wondering how Commander Jimenez is, correct Captain?"
"Where is she?"
"She's resting. Only having badly twisted her ankle I'm happy to say. She was quite, disturbed when she was brought in though. Babbling in a language I've never heard before. I finally had to give her a mild sedative to calm her down. Most distressing, considering her psych record."
Stepping around the doctor, he went over to the bed Grace occupied. She was asleep, her face serene, only the restless shifting of her eyes under the lids displaying any unrest.
"I'll want to know as soon as you release her Doctor."
"Certainly Captain."
Taking one more look at Jimenez, he left the physician's lair. He wasn't paying attention to where he was going when he ran into someone else, he managed to catch the other before he'd knock them completely down. He was astounded when his gaze was returned by T'Pol's startled one.
"Sorry T'Pol, wasn't watching where I was going. You all right?"
She slowly nodded as she stepped back, retreating up the corridor.
Now what was eating her, he wondered?
Part 7
As the Alpha shift came on duty, Captain Archer continued to read the latest finding about on the deserted spacecraft. It was of no known design, either to Humans or Vulcans, some of its interior scans revealed peculiarities that baffled explanation. The ship was twice as large as Enterprise, wide at one end and narrowing to a blunt point at the other. Its long sleek hull was smooth, without any obvious weaponry or seams to indicate panels or hatches. It would be interesting to see how the slightly projections corresponded with interior features.
He looked up as Jimenez and T'Pol arrived, deep in discussion. Grace was ardently contending a feature in what they had determined was an air lock.
"If its main use was for escape, why is it located in the center of the ship? There are all those vacant spots, I'm sure will prove to be private quarters, encircling it. I doubt they'd situate crew adjacent to an escape route, there's always the possibility of a breach and decompression."
T'Pol replied in a calm but firm tone, "Those spaces could as easily prove to be storage compartments, you are inferring the original occupants were comparative to humanoid dimensions."
Grace mirrored the Vulcan's impassive expression as she rebutted.
"It's a reasonable assumption, all the interior corridors are 'comparative to humanoid dimensions'."
The Sub-commander gave her an arched look as she took her own station, unaware of the amused glances being exchanged around the bridge.
"Sir, Lieutenant Reed says he has the shuttle ready if you'd like to leave soon."
Archer paused near the lift door, surprising Jimenez when he asked T'Pol if he could take her along to gather more details for their record.
Jimenez wanted badly to explain that she'd never been comfortable wearing an E.V. suit, but didn't want to diminish herself in his opinion either. In the shuttle bay, they were met by Lieutenant Malcolm Reed, Commander Tucker, and Ensign Sato, who looked as uncomfortable as she felt. Trip walked over, grinning as he asked her, "Hiya Tal, ready to do a little E & E?"
Ignoring her itchy scapula, she smiled in kind, "Sure am. I especially want to take images of that large chambered area." Privately, she idly thought she'd been too long without intimate contact, it was that or empathic sympathy to someone else's repressed desires because Commander Tucker certainly appealed to her in more than just a platonic manner.
"Okay people, let's get a move on." There was no doubt to the Captain's excitement, the enthusiasm in his voice was almost childlike. The exploration party was comprised of Captain Archer, Commander Tucker and Commander Jimenez, Lieutenant Reed and Ensign Sato. Grace could feel the tension from Hoshi, the others seemed totally oblivious to it. So as they were sitting down, Grace sat next to the Ensign.
"Excited?" Jimenez asked Hoshi, using a quiet friendly tone.
"Sure. Why shouldn't I be."
"Well, you look a little, mmm, uncertain to me. Not that I don't feel that way sometimes."
Sato gave her an intense look before sighing, "I didn't really want to come on this mission, it was Captain Archer's idea. I really am glad I did, I just wish he wouldn't rush into things quite so much."
Grace gave her a rueful grin as she said, "It's people like him that make Starfleet what it is. Someone's gotta be first, why shouldn't it be him?"
She felt the younger woman's concern, and wondered if perhaps there was anything deeper between her and the Captain. Snorting in derision at such a thought, Jimenez berated herself on so petty an idea. But there was definitely somebody on board the Enterprise that harbored deep, unrequited feelings for Jonathan Archer and she wanted to discover who, since she couldn't completely block this individuals subconscious emotional outcry.
The shuttle gave slight lurch as it connected the the alien craft. Reed and Tucker confirming dock with the vessel.
"All right, remember, we can't expose ourselves any longer than three hours to the radiation leaking from this craft. Any problems are to be reported immediately to me. Understood?"
All present nodded as the Captain met each of their eyes to make certain they all understood.
"Jimenez, I want you to take Malcolm and Hoshi, Trip, you're with me."
As the shuttle door opened the team activated the exterior lamps of their suits, revealing the first glimpse of the unknown's interior. A barren corridor extended into darkness, the walls of which were void of any outlets, panels or doorways.
Jimenez led her group, reminding herself to keep close track of Hoshi. Lieutenant Reed on the other hand was cautious, but not fearful. 20 meters in, they came to an ovoid doorway.
"Ready?", Grace asked, as she reached up to press the switch. Nothing happened, the mechanisms within obviously dysfunctional with age. Reed stepped next to her, eyeing it a moment before turning to look at her. "I could try a phase pistol on it Ma'am."
Jimenez groaned, "Please, please! Don't call me 'Ma'am', sounds like I'm an old lady or something!"
"Sorry, Commander."
"Go ahead, I can't see that it could hurt."
The two women stepped back to clear space for Reed. Lifting his arm he let off a short burst, at first nothing happened, but slowly the door opened a few inches. He looked back at Jimenez, at her nod he braced his shoulder in the gap and gave the door a hearty shove, creating a space large enough for them to get through.
The sudden whoop that carried over the suit's radio nearly deafened the others, getting her an immediate response.
"What the Hell is going on?!" The Captain queried.
"We've reached the chamber, and boy, it sure aint an escape route!" Grace could feel her pulse racing, the rhythm like a war-drum's.
"Wait for us there Commander."
Bridling at Archer's order, she complied. Moments later, Archer and Tucker came into view as they approached the rest of their party.
Trip's awed, "Son of a Bitch.", summed it up. The expanse empty space was encircled by a myriad of accesses, row upon row almost to the top.
"Shit!" Coming from Reed. "Where are we supposed to start?"
"Let's split up, I'll start over there near the top rank of doors." Grace began moving but was halted by a firm grip on her arm. "Commander, we don't have a whole lot of time left. We should leave it for now." The Captain slowly released his hold as he finished. Sighing, she nodded. "At least let me get some images from the other side Captain." She begged.
With some hesitation, he finally conceded, "All right, but make it quick. We have to clear out in less than 15 minutes or risk over exposure."
She gave a sharp nod and hurried off. Almost three quarters of the way across she felt the deck suddenly buckle under her, dropping her into oblivion. The last thing she heard was a frantic, "Grace!"
Part 8
So dark....the thought came to Commander Jimenez as she slowly came round. Realising her eyes were still closed, the pounding in her head had nothing to do with her earlier excitement. Sitting up was painful, every inch of her body ached from the fall. Once her head stopped spinning, she managed to peel her eye-lids apart.
"God damn mother fucking, son of a BITCH!", she yelled, the light on her suit had obviously been broken from the impact. She was in total darkness. "Captain? Commander Tucker?" A slight chill ran up her back when at length, there was no response. She almost toppled over as she stood, her left leg buckled as she did, followed by a terrible shooting pain. She began muttering to herself, "Great, it's probably broken, and my damn shitty-assed radio isn't working." A sudden high pitched buzzed caused her no start, "Oh-ma-God!"
Checking her oxygen reserve, she was alarmed at the reading, 25% remained in her tank. Gaining her balance on one leg, she cawed aloud trying to detect an echo to indicate how large the room she had fallen into. The quick response gratified her, so with a shuffling-hop, she gained the stability of a wall to lean on. Placing her back flat against the surface, she edged her way along the wall, in an attempt to locate a hatch or doorway. She stopped when her gloved hand came into contact with a panel of some kind. Taking a deep breath, she held it as she toyed with what felt like a switch.
A bright white light engulfed her, and and she screamed, fully expecting to meet with her ancestors in the spirit world. When none of those that have gone before appeared she opened her clenched eyes. "Ney mi gon'nai Bik'ehgo'ihi'dan, where have you sent me oh Great Spirit?"
"I don't care if there's only 3 minutes left on our window of safety, I've got a crew member lost in this place!"
Archer tried to calm down, it did no good yelling at his Chief science officer. With an effort, he managed to get his feelings under control.
"T'Pol, see if you can get a fix on these coordinates an run a scan. She mat still be alive."
He waited impatiently as his mind ran through the recent events. He should never had let Jimenez go, she could've waited. Turning to the others, his voice rough, "You three, get back to the shuttle.", he ordered.
A dark look crossed Trip's face. "Beggin your pardon Capt'n, but you're nuts if you think you can pull her outta that hole by yourself!"
"I'm not leaving her behind."
"Jon, we can try the transporter to get her out. It's sheer stupidity to remain here. Come on, we'll get her back."
Archer studied his friends face, the concern apparent. His shoulders sagged as he relented to common sense, he barely noticed as the others began to followed him back to the shuttle.
"Captain."
He slowed at the odd note in T'Pol's voice as she continued, "I believe you should make all haste in returning."
Curious, he replied, "Why? What's happened?"
"Please just hurry."
He broke into a brisk jog, she wasn't in the habit of imploring him in such a manner. The party piled into the shuttle and hastily strapped in. When they arrived back in the hangar, T'Pol was waiting, openly agitated about something.
"Report Sub-commander." A haunted look was in her eyes as she looked at Archer.
"While you were transmitting the coordinates you wished me to scan, there was a large build-up and discharge of energy from the alien craft. Just as suddenly as it began, it stopped and I was unable to trace the exact location from which it occurred."
Unsettled by her manner, he softly inquired, "Why did you tell me to hurry?"
"Sir," her voice shook slightly as she finished, "Commander Jimenez was found in the shuttle bay seconds after the energy anomaly."
"What?!"
Collecting himself, he continued, "Where is she now?"
"I had her taken to sick-bay, she was complaining that her leg was injured."
In record time he was back in his uniform and racing down to sick-bay. He slowed as he entered, coming to a full stop as Dr. Phlox intercepted, with his usual aplomb.
"You're probably wondering how Commander Jimenez is, correct Captain?"
"Where is she?"
"She's resting. Only having badly twisted her ankle I'm happy to say. She was quite, disturbed when she was brought in though. Babbling in a language I've never heard before. I finally had to give her a mild sedative to calm her down. Most distressing, considering her psych record."
Stepping around the doctor, he went over to the bed Grace occupied. She was asleep, her face serene, only the restless shifting of her eyes under the lids displaying any unrest.
"I'll want to know as soon as you release her Doctor."
"Certainly Captain."
Taking one more look at Jimenez, he left the physician's lair. He wasn't paying attention to where he was going when he ran into someone else, he managed to catch the other before he'd knock them completely down. He was astounded when his gaze was returned by T'Pol's startled one.
"Sorry T'Pol, wasn't watching where I was going. You all right?"
She slowly nodded as she stepped back, retreating up the corridor.
Now what was eating her, he wondered?