Author's note:- Major apologies to all those who thought I had died or
given up on this story completely, but here is what should be the
penultimate part. I'm afraid a combination of overwork, ill health and, on
this particular story, my muse deserting me has delayed my writing, but
rest assured I will get it finished and thanks for your patience. I hope
after the long wait that it does not disappoint.
(Brief resume for those who've forgotten:- Archer and T'pol were taken prisoner on a planet, they escape but not before Archer is severely beaten. He develops a fever and almost dies, fortunately they are rescued by members of the planet's resistance movement who are fighting a rogue government of telepaths, who are using their skills to hijack all passing star ships. On Enterprise the crew are being slowly replaced, Trip, Hoshi, Reed and Phlox discover this and are forced to flee to the planet in a pod which is forced to crash. Again the resistance movement come to their rescue. Archer has a plan to get the ship back and reclaim the planet's government and he is just about to tell the others what it is... )
Part 15 Plans into Action
Archer spent the next thirty minutes quizzing his crew. For his plan to work, he would need to use the skills of all those present and he knew that some of the things he was asking were pushing the limits of what was possible.
When Tetia reappeared with the plans that he had asked her for, he had a similar set of questions about the capabilities of her people and the strength of the resistance movement.
He seemed reasonably happy with the answers he received, but only when he had completed gathering the necessary information did he finally outline exactly what he wanted them all to do, dismissing all of the expected protests with a simple question. "Do any of you have a better idea? If so I'd be glad to consider it."
He looked at each of his crew members in turn, they each met his gaze but, reluctantly, gave a slight shake of their heads. His plan was dangerous for all concerned, but they could not suggest a better alternative, and doing nothing was not an option.
Archer turned his attention back to Tetia, "What about your people, can we rely on them to help us?"
Tetia nodded, "All the things you've asked are possible, and this may be the best chance we'll ever have of stopping the Tesla. So yes, we can help you."
It took another hour for the rest of the preparations, Archer did his best to rest, allowing the others to organise what was needed, working on the details of his plan. He knew that he was going to need all his reserves of energy and more, if this were going to work.
Reed was introduced to Baros and Narib, who would be leading the fighters from the resistance and he knew that his first task was to gain their confidence. They had agreed to follow his directions, but raids like the one they were going to carry out would quickly fall apart if they did not trust in his abilities. So he spent the time going over the plans, making sure that he had covered all contingencies.
After the initial stiffness when he had awoken, his leg had improved once he had moved around and loosened it up a little. Given the time to treat it properly, Phlox had been able to strap it securely and, although he wasn't happy about the prospect of his patient running around on it, he was reasonably happy that Reed would be able to manage.
Hoshi, Trip and T'pol spent the time discussing the technicalities of their tasks, once they started they would be working against the clock, needing the element of surprise for the plan to have any chance of success.
Phlox sat down next to the Captain on his bed. "You know I could accompany you and the sub-commander," he said, "I could monitor your condition."
Archer shook his head, "It's too dangerous," he nodded his head towards T'pol, who still sat huddled talking to Trip and Hoshi. "I'm only taking T'pol because I need her."
Phlox smiled despite the rejection, "Oh well I thought I would make the offer. Ready for your shots?"
Archer grimaced slightly but nodded.
As Phlox gave the injection he explained, "I've loaded this with enough for four doses, I'm afraid that it would be unsafe to give you any more than that. You can use it each time you feel that the effects have worn off, but bear in mind that you have a limited supply and when it wears off for the last time..." He let the sentence hang for a minute. "Well let's just say you will at the very least sleep for a while. It contains the stimulants you asked for and should alleviate most but I'm afraid not all of the pain."
Archer looked up at him. "Under the circumstances, that's not such a bad thing."
"No, I suppose not." He handed the instrument over.
Archer took it and zipped it into the front pocket of his uniform. "Thanks doc." He said pushing himself to his feet. He could already feel the effect of the drugs coursing through his system and wanted to make the most of the artificial adrenaline rush. "I suppose it's time to get this show on the road."
The journey through the forest, despite the fact that they were going much more slowly than their flight the day before, seemed much shorter. Tetia once again took the lead, followed by the Enterprise crew and then around twenty of her own people. She kept the pace slow, mindful of the injuries that Reed and Archer had suffered. There was very little conversation as they all thought about what lay ahead.
Finally Tetia stopped and indicated that everyone should get down, without speaking, two of the group moved forward as everyone else, sank to the ground. Archer was particularly grateful for the rest, even with the stimulants, he could feel the fatigue setting in. He forced himself to focus as Tetia spoke.
"They," she gestured towards the retreating figures, "will block any telepathic signals from those guarding the pod, we need to give them a few moments to prepare."
Archer looked towards Reed. "Are you ready?"
Reed in turn looked towards Baros, who nodded in acknowledgement. He turned back towards the Captain. "Yes sir."
"Trip, Hoshi?" Archer asked
"Just get us in there," Trip replied confidently, "We'll do the rest."
Archer nodded, he had known before asking that had their been any problems his people would have told him long before this.
"OK they're ready," Tetia said.
Reed stood, it was his responsibility to get them to the pod. Baros, Narib and eight others followed. Archer watched them go, slightly concerned by the Lieutenant's somewhat pronounced limp.
The group spread out around the clearing, Reed and Baros ducked down and watched the movement of the guards. There were two standing by the pod, the rest were spread out around the clearing, six of them in total. It was important to take all of them out at the same time, as the fire fight of the day before had shown, if the opposition was able to make it to the cover of the trees then there could be a prolonged battle.
Baros turned to look at Reed, "OK everyone's in position, we can go on your signal."
Reed returned the look, realising that the group had used their telepathic skills to indicate their readiness, it occurred to him that being able to communicate telepathically could give you a huge tactical advantage in situations like this. He turned back to watch the guards, waiting for that perfect moment when as many as possible were looking away from the direction of the attack.
"Now," he said, standing and breaking cover, trusting implicitly that his own actions would be covered by those with him, after all to gain trust you also had to give it. As he stood he fired his phaser, taking out the first of the guards by the pod, he then turned his attention to the second. It took those guards near the edge of the clearing a moment to react to the surprise of the attack and when they did, they all turned their weapons toward him, he calmly remained focussed on the second man by the pod.
His faith was rewarded as each of the guards was taken down before they had a chance to return fire, as the resistance fighters took advantage of the diversion and jumped them.
As he let off his second shot, he caught a movement in his peripheral vision, as Baros knocked the guard nearest to him to the ground.
The fight was over in only a couple of minutes. The Tesla guards not managing to get off a single shot, and, apart from the phaser shots that Reed had fired, they had all been taken out, almost noiselessly. Reed signaled to Baros to be cautious as they approached the pod just in case there was someone left inside.
He flattened himself against the metal exterior, and waited until Baros had taken up a similar position on the other side, before opening the door and peering inside. He moved in, weapon in front of him, every muscle in his body tense, his senses alert. He let out a long slow breath and lowered his weapon as his scan of the interior revealed nothing.
"The others are on their way," Baros said, joining him inside.
"Thanks," Reed said, turning his attention to the consoles. There had been a concern that the Tesla may already have made a start on stripping the technology, but fortunately everything looked to be intact, or at least as intact as they had left it.
--
Archer and the rest of the group moved into the clearing, the bodies of the guards were still being dragged to one side and tied up. The two who had left the group earlier had moved to stand either side, presumably to guard against any unwanted telepathic warnings.
Reed emerged from the shuttle as they approached, "Good job lieutenant." Archer said.
"Thank you sir, but I had very competent help," he replied looking at Baros.
"How's the inside?" Archer asked surveying the damaged pod, looking at the path it had taken through the trees and the ground it had carved up on landing, he was surprised that they had all escaped with such minor injuries.
"It's as we left it," Reed confirmed.
"Then it's our turn to get on with some work," Trip said, looking first at Hoshi and then T'pol who both nodded their agreement, before the three of them headed inside.
"I think I'll go and see if I can assist them," Reed said, now that the adrenaline was wearing off his wound, which he hadn't noticed in the heat of the fight was beginning to ache. He could at least sit down whilst he helped with the repairs.
Phlox had gone to see if there were any injuries from the fight that needed treatment. That left Archer and Tetia standing in the clearing.
There was a moments awkward silence. It was Archer who broke it. "You know I haven't had a chance to thank you yet." He paused, looking up to meet her gaze. "For helping to save my life."
Tetia looked down at the ground, guilt crossed her expression. "Given what my people are trying to do to yours, it was the least I could do."
"Hey," Archer said softly, causing her to look up. Once again he couldn't help but notice the beautiful intensity of her eyes, no one on Earth had eyes quite that shade of green. "What the Tesla are trying to do isn't your fault."
"Maybe not but they're supposed to be my government, whatever they do they are doing it in my name and I can't live with that, at least not without trying to do something about it." Her eyes flashed with the passion of what she was saying. "If there's one thing my father taught me, it's that sometimes you can't just sit back and let others rule your destiny. You have to take responsibility for doing what is right."
"He sounds like a good man."
"He was."
There was another brief silence as both allowed themselves to be distracted by their thoughts, neither wanting to acknowledge the obvious chemistry between them, there was just too much else going on, but they both knew that there was every chance that one or both of them would not survive the coming fight with the Tesla and felt compelled to somehow acknowledge the attraction.
The distance between them had closed during the conversation but neither of them was aware of having moved.
It was Tetia who eventually broke the silence this time. "If circumstances had been different it would have been nice to get to know you a little better."
Archer smiled, "When all this is over, you can come up to my ship and I'll take you up on that offer," he said, refusing to sound pessimistic despite knowing the odds against them
Tetia returned the smile, if he wasn't going to acknowledge the likelihood of failure, then neither would she. "Thank you I'd like that."
"Captain, we have completed.." T'pol stated as she emerged from the shuttlepod, the sentence trailing off as she saw how close he was to Tetia and noticed the intangible sparks that flew between them. She continued across to them, changing her statement. "I'm sorry to interrupt Captain but we have completed the necessary programs and are ready to begin.
Slightly embarrassed, although he wasn't sure what he had to be embarrassed about, Archer stepped back from Tetia and turned his attention to T'pol. If he hadn't known better he would have sworn that he saw a jealous flash in her eye, but it disappeared quickly, besides she was Vulcan and jealousy was an emotion. He dismissed the thought and concentrated on getting the next phase of his plan into action. "Then let's get inside." He began to move and then remembered that he would not be coming out again. He turned his attention back to Tetia one last time. "Good luck."
"The same to you," she replied.
T'pol watched as Archer headed into the pod, turning briefly to look at Tetia before following him inside.
Trip looked up as the Captain entered. "OK Cap'n ready when you are." He paused, deciding carefully how to word the next question, "But are you sure that you don't want me to go instead? I mean with your injuries an' all."
"No Trip," Archer shook his head firmly, "Remember the real crew that are still up there think you are dead. I hardly think you'll be able to pass about the ship unnoticed. Unless I end up in the same room as my imposter then I should be OK."
"And how are you going to explain that?" Trip asked, looking at the splint on the Captain's arm. "Aren't the crew going to think it a little strange that their Captain has a broken arm one minute and not the next."
Archer looked down. "No, because I'm going to take it off."
All of them started to protest but Archer held up his hand. "It will only be for a short while, I'm sure I can handle it, and I'm still open to suggestions if anyone has a better plan." There was the briefest of silences as he left a short pause for their answer. "OK the splint comes off." He held up his arm. "T'pol, will you do the honours." He turned to look at Trip. "What do you need to do to initiate transport?" He asked as a distraction to the discomfort.
Reluctantly T'pol began to unwind the bandages as Trip explained. "Just push these two buttons. We've already programmed all the details through the main computer."
"What are the chances that we've been detected?" Archer asked.
Hoshi fielded this one. "So far very small, I've sent all of the instructions so far encoded on a carrier wave, piggy backed on regular transmissions between the planet and the ship. Unless they were looking for it they wouldn't find it."
"Of course it will be different once we've actually initiated the transporter," Trip added, "Although I've arranged a couple of minor malfunctions that will take place in engineering to distract their attention, there's still a fair chance that there will be a crew member in the transporter room itself."
"Which is why we have decided to send me up first" T'pol stated.
Archer turned his attention back to her, ready to protest, but it coincided with the last part of the bandage coming away, allowing the splints to drop from his arm, the sudden release causing a sharp pain to momentarily take his breath away. Again if he hadn't known better he would have sworn it was deliberate, maybe he had seen that flash of jealousy, or maybe she wanted to halt his possible protests. Again he quickly dismissed these ideas.
"It would be illogical for you to appear in the transporter room first." T'pol said impassively. "If there are any of the replaced crew in there when you materialise you would be in no condition to fight them off."
Archer tried to come up with an argument to refute this but quickly gave up, she was right. "OK," he said. "Let's get on with this."
Trip nodded and hit the transport button. T'pol disappeared in a pattern of shimmering light.
Archer looked round at the assembled group. "Good luck to everyone," he said, "I think we're going to need it." He gestured to Trip that he was ready to go and Trip hit the button for a second time and Archer disappeared in the same shimmery pattern.
Trip, Hoshi and Reed all stared at the empty spaces the Captain and T'pol had just occupied.
"Do you think they made it?" Reed asked, it was one piece of technology that he still didn't fully trust.
"They made it," Trip asserted, "Now we have to do our part." He stood and headed for the door as the others followed.
TO BE CONTINUED...
(Brief resume for those who've forgotten:- Archer and T'pol were taken prisoner on a planet, they escape but not before Archer is severely beaten. He develops a fever and almost dies, fortunately they are rescued by members of the planet's resistance movement who are fighting a rogue government of telepaths, who are using their skills to hijack all passing star ships. On Enterprise the crew are being slowly replaced, Trip, Hoshi, Reed and Phlox discover this and are forced to flee to the planet in a pod which is forced to crash. Again the resistance movement come to their rescue. Archer has a plan to get the ship back and reclaim the planet's government and he is just about to tell the others what it is... )
Part 15 Plans into Action
Archer spent the next thirty minutes quizzing his crew. For his plan to work, he would need to use the skills of all those present and he knew that some of the things he was asking were pushing the limits of what was possible.
When Tetia reappeared with the plans that he had asked her for, he had a similar set of questions about the capabilities of her people and the strength of the resistance movement.
He seemed reasonably happy with the answers he received, but only when he had completed gathering the necessary information did he finally outline exactly what he wanted them all to do, dismissing all of the expected protests with a simple question. "Do any of you have a better idea? If so I'd be glad to consider it."
He looked at each of his crew members in turn, they each met his gaze but, reluctantly, gave a slight shake of their heads. His plan was dangerous for all concerned, but they could not suggest a better alternative, and doing nothing was not an option.
Archer turned his attention back to Tetia, "What about your people, can we rely on them to help us?"
Tetia nodded, "All the things you've asked are possible, and this may be the best chance we'll ever have of stopping the Tesla. So yes, we can help you."
It took another hour for the rest of the preparations, Archer did his best to rest, allowing the others to organise what was needed, working on the details of his plan. He knew that he was going to need all his reserves of energy and more, if this were going to work.
Reed was introduced to Baros and Narib, who would be leading the fighters from the resistance and he knew that his first task was to gain their confidence. They had agreed to follow his directions, but raids like the one they were going to carry out would quickly fall apart if they did not trust in his abilities. So he spent the time going over the plans, making sure that he had covered all contingencies.
After the initial stiffness when he had awoken, his leg had improved once he had moved around and loosened it up a little. Given the time to treat it properly, Phlox had been able to strap it securely and, although he wasn't happy about the prospect of his patient running around on it, he was reasonably happy that Reed would be able to manage.
Hoshi, Trip and T'pol spent the time discussing the technicalities of their tasks, once they started they would be working against the clock, needing the element of surprise for the plan to have any chance of success.
Phlox sat down next to the Captain on his bed. "You know I could accompany you and the sub-commander," he said, "I could monitor your condition."
Archer shook his head, "It's too dangerous," he nodded his head towards T'pol, who still sat huddled talking to Trip and Hoshi. "I'm only taking T'pol because I need her."
Phlox smiled despite the rejection, "Oh well I thought I would make the offer. Ready for your shots?"
Archer grimaced slightly but nodded.
As Phlox gave the injection he explained, "I've loaded this with enough for four doses, I'm afraid that it would be unsafe to give you any more than that. You can use it each time you feel that the effects have worn off, but bear in mind that you have a limited supply and when it wears off for the last time..." He let the sentence hang for a minute. "Well let's just say you will at the very least sleep for a while. It contains the stimulants you asked for and should alleviate most but I'm afraid not all of the pain."
Archer looked up at him. "Under the circumstances, that's not such a bad thing."
"No, I suppose not." He handed the instrument over.
Archer took it and zipped it into the front pocket of his uniform. "Thanks doc." He said pushing himself to his feet. He could already feel the effect of the drugs coursing through his system and wanted to make the most of the artificial adrenaline rush. "I suppose it's time to get this show on the road."
The journey through the forest, despite the fact that they were going much more slowly than their flight the day before, seemed much shorter. Tetia once again took the lead, followed by the Enterprise crew and then around twenty of her own people. She kept the pace slow, mindful of the injuries that Reed and Archer had suffered. There was very little conversation as they all thought about what lay ahead.
Finally Tetia stopped and indicated that everyone should get down, without speaking, two of the group moved forward as everyone else, sank to the ground. Archer was particularly grateful for the rest, even with the stimulants, he could feel the fatigue setting in. He forced himself to focus as Tetia spoke.
"They," she gestured towards the retreating figures, "will block any telepathic signals from those guarding the pod, we need to give them a few moments to prepare."
Archer looked towards Reed. "Are you ready?"
Reed in turn looked towards Baros, who nodded in acknowledgement. He turned back towards the Captain. "Yes sir."
"Trip, Hoshi?" Archer asked
"Just get us in there," Trip replied confidently, "We'll do the rest."
Archer nodded, he had known before asking that had their been any problems his people would have told him long before this.
"OK they're ready," Tetia said.
Reed stood, it was his responsibility to get them to the pod. Baros, Narib and eight others followed. Archer watched them go, slightly concerned by the Lieutenant's somewhat pronounced limp.
The group spread out around the clearing, Reed and Baros ducked down and watched the movement of the guards. There were two standing by the pod, the rest were spread out around the clearing, six of them in total. It was important to take all of them out at the same time, as the fire fight of the day before had shown, if the opposition was able to make it to the cover of the trees then there could be a prolonged battle.
Baros turned to look at Reed, "OK everyone's in position, we can go on your signal."
Reed returned the look, realising that the group had used their telepathic skills to indicate their readiness, it occurred to him that being able to communicate telepathically could give you a huge tactical advantage in situations like this. He turned back to watch the guards, waiting for that perfect moment when as many as possible were looking away from the direction of the attack.
"Now," he said, standing and breaking cover, trusting implicitly that his own actions would be covered by those with him, after all to gain trust you also had to give it. As he stood he fired his phaser, taking out the first of the guards by the pod, he then turned his attention to the second. It took those guards near the edge of the clearing a moment to react to the surprise of the attack and when they did, they all turned their weapons toward him, he calmly remained focussed on the second man by the pod.
His faith was rewarded as each of the guards was taken down before they had a chance to return fire, as the resistance fighters took advantage of the diversion and jumped them.
As he let off his second shot, he caught a movement in his peripheral vision, as Baros knocked the guard nearest to him to the ground.
The fight was over in only a couple of minutes. The Tesla guards not managing to get off a single shot, and, apart from the phaser shots that Reed had fired, they had all been taken out, almost noiselessly. Reed signaled to Baros to be cautious as they approached the pod just in case there was someone left inside.
He flattened himself against the metal exterior, and waited until Baros had taken up a similar position on the other side, before opening the door and peering inside. He moved in, weapon in front of him, every muscle in his body tense, his senses alert. He let out a long slow breath and lowered his weapon as his scan of the interior revealed nothing.
"The others are on their way," Baros said, joining him inside.
"Thanks," Reed said, turning his attention to the consoles. There had been a concern that the Tesla may already have made a start on stripping the technology, but fortunately everything looked to be intact, or at least as intact as they had left it.
--
Archer and the rest of the group moved into the clearing, the bodies of the guards were still being dragged to one side and tied up. The two who had left the group earlier had moved to stand either side, presumably to guard against any unwanted telepathic warnings.
Reed emerged from the shuttle as they approached, "Good job lieutenant." Archer said.
"Thank you sir, but I had very competent help," he replied looking at Baros.
"How's the inside?" Archer asked surveying the damaged pod, looking at the path it had taken through the trees and the ground it had carved up on landing, he was surprised that they had all escaped with such minor injuries.
"It's as we left it," Reed confirmed.
"Then it's our turn to get on with some work," Trip said, looking first at Hoshi and then T'pol who both nodded their agreement, before the three of them headed inside.
"I think I'll go and see if I can assist them," Reed said, now that the adrenaline was wearing off his wound, which he hadn't noticed in the heat of the fight was beginning to ache. He could at least sit down whilst he helped with the repairs.
Phlox had gone to see if there were any injuries from the fight that needed treatment. That left Archer and Tetia standing in the clearing.
There was a moments awkward silence. It was Archer who broke it. "You know I haven't had a chance to thank you yet." He paused, looking up to meet her gaze. "For helping to save my life."
Tetia looked down at the ground, guilt crossed her expression. "Given what my people are trying to do to yours, it was the least I could do."
"Hey," Archer said softly, causing her to look up. Once again he couldn't help but notice the beautiful intensity of her eyes, no one on Earth had eyes quite that shade of green. "What the Tesla are trying to do isn't your fault."
"Maybe not but they're supposed to be my government, whatever they do they are doing it in my name and I can't live with that, at least not without trying to do something about it." Her eyes flashed with the passion of what she was saying. "If there's one thing my father taught me, it's that sometimes you can't just sit back and let others rule your destiny. You have to take responsibility for doing what is right."
"He sounds like a good man."
"He was."
There was another brief silence as both allowed themselves to be distracted by their thoughts, neither wanting to acknowledge the obvious chemistry between them, there was just too much else going on, but they both knew that there was every chance that one or both of them would not survive the coming fight with the Tesla and felt compelled to somehow acknowledge the attraction.
The distance between them had closed during the conversation but neither of them was aware of having moved.
It was Tetia who eventually broke the silence this time. "If circumstances had been different it would have been nice to get to know you a little better."
Archer smiled, "When all this is over, you can come up to my ship and I'll take you up on that offer," he said, refusing to sound pessimistic despite knowing the odds against them
Tetia returned the smile, if he wasn't going to acknowledge the likelihood of failure, then neither would she. "Thank you I'd like that."
"Captain, we have completed.." T'pol stated as she emerged from the shuttlepod, the sentence trailing off as she saw how close he was to Tetia and noticed the intangible sparks that flew between them. She continued across to them, changing her statement. "I'm sorry to interrupt Captain but we have completed the necessary programs and are ready to begin.
Slightly embarrassed, although he wasn't sure what he had to be embarrassed about, Archer stepped back from Tetia and turned his attention to T'pol. If he hadn't known better he would have sworn that he saw a jealous flash in her eye, but it disappeared quickly, besides she was Vulcan and jealousy was an emotion. He dismissed the thought and concentrated on getting the next phase of his plan into action. "Then let's get inside." He began to move and then remembered that he would not be coming out again. He turned his attention back to Tetia one last time. "Good luck."
"The same to you," she replied.
T'pol watched as Archer headed into the pod, turning briefly to look at Tetia before following him inside.
Trip looked up as the Captain entered. "OK Cap'n ready when you are." He paused, deciding carefully how to word the next question, "But are you sure that you don't want me to go instead? I mean with your injuries an' all."
"No Trip," Archer shook his head firmly, "Remember the real crew that are still up there think you are dead. I hardly think you'll be able to pass about the ship unnoticed. Unless I end up in the same room as my imposter then I should be OK."
"And how are you going to explain that?" Trip asked, looking at the splint on the Captain's arm. "Aren't the crew going to think it a little strange that their Captain has a broken arm one minute and not the next."
Archer looked down. "No, because I'm going to take it off."
All of them started to protest but Archer held up his hand. "It will only be for a short while, I'm sure I can handle it, and I'm still open to suggestions if anyone has a better plan." There was the briefest of silences as he left a short pause for their answer. "OK the splint comes off." He held up his arm. "T'pol, will you do the honours." He turned to look at Trip. "What do you need to do to initiate transport?" He asked as a distraction to the discomfort.
Reluctantly T'pol began to unwind the bandages as Trip explained. "Just push these two buttons. We've already programmed all the details through the main computer."
"What are the chances that we've been detected?" Archer asked.
Hoshi fielded this one. "So far very small, I've sent all of the instructions so far encoded on a carrier wave, piggy backed on regular transmissions between the planet and the ship. Unless they were looking for it they wouldn't find it."
"Of course it will be different once we've actually initiated the transporter," Trip added, "Although I've arranged a couple of minor malfunctions that will take place in engineering to distract their attention, there's still a fair chance that there will be a crew member in the transporter room itself."
"Which is why we have decided to send me up first" T'pol stated.
Archer turned his attention back to her, ready to protest, but it coincided with the last part of the bandage coming away, allowing the splints to drop from his arm, the sudden release causing a sharp pain to momentarily take his breath away. Again if he hadn't known better he would have sworn it was deliberate, maybe he had seen that flash of jealousy, or maybe she wanted to halt his possible protests. Again he quickly dismissed these ideas.
"It would be illogical for you to appear in the transporter room first." T'pol said impassively. "If there are any of the replaced crew in there when you materialise you would be in no condition to fight them off."
Archer tried to come up with an argument to refute this but quickly gave up, she was right. "OK," he said. "Let's get on with this."
Trip nodded and hit the transport button. T'pol disappeared in a pattern of shimmering light.
Archer looked round at the assembled group. "Good luck to everyone," he said, "I think we're going to need it." He gestured to Trip that he was ready to go and Trip hit the button for a second time and Archer disappeared in the same shimmery pattern.
Trip, Hoshi and Reed all stared at the empty spaces the Captain and T'pol had just occupied.
"Do you think they made it?" Reed asked, it was one piece of technology that he still didn't fully trust.
"They made it," Trip asserted, "Now we have to do our part." He stood and headed for the door as the others followed.
TO BE CONTINUED...