^*^*^*CHAPTER 3*^*^*^
"Every time I ask for a retinal scan, for Ensign Nash, poof the screen goes blank and then I have to start all over again" the doctor explained patiently. Trip put his box full of repair supplies on the counter next to the computer console.
"Hmmm... sounds like some type of glitch to me. A lot of those have been happening lately" he said as he opened the box, pulled out the correct tool, and started working. While the Denobulan started chatting about how much work and research he needed to get done on the Veekicians before they would be dropped off at their home world, Trip was barely listening, and yawned. Only moments later, he yawned again even longer. Phlox become aware of him and stopped pacing.
"Commander Tucker...?" he asked concerned "Are you feeling alright?"
"It's nothin', doc... I didn't get much sleep las' night, tha's all" Trip waved his hand at the doctor as the other hand covered his mouth, he yawned again, shook his head and continued to work on the console.
"May I ask why?" Phlox grinned, tipping his head in curiosity. The engineer sighed, keeping his attention on work,
"Musta been too much coffee, I guess". He lied. Phlox knew he was lying and chuckled.
"I doubt that it was that simple. Besides, you don't drink coffee late in the day, do you?" he stepped closer. Trip moaned; he wasn't in the mood for chit-chat.
"Nope... but I could sure use some right now... do ya mind, doc?"
"Oh, of course not...hmm" the doctor stepped over to the replicator, "How would you like it?" Trip cleared his throat as he slowly blinked and narrowed his eyes.
"Uh... black..." he finally stood up, rubbing his eyes. A hiss indicated the action was complete and Phlox brought the hot mug to Trip.
"Mmm... thanks" Trip took the mug from the doctor's hand, sniffed it, blew on it, then finally took a sip. "Mmmm... now that's some mighty fine coffee" he glanced at Phlox who slightly nodded his head, still grinning. He wouldn't budge. Trip took a glimpse around the room, and then looked back at Phlox. Phlox still didn't stop watching him drink his beverage.
"Uh..." Trip paused. The doctor raised an eyebrow. Forcing a smirk he continued, "Is there somethin' wrong, doc?"
"Oh, no. But you seem awfully tense. Are you sure you're alright?"
Trip rolled his eyes, looking back at the console.
"I'm fine, doctor. I've got a lot of work to do so I'd like to get this done as soon as possible, for your sake, and mine" Trip tried to be polite but he was irritated with the doctor. Phlox knew that but it didn't matter to him.
"I heard about the incident in the mess hall yesterday, it seemed as though there was a... disagreement... between you and a fellow Veekecian... Tisk…'rar is it?"
"Look, there's no 'disagreement' between me an' the Veekecian. We've kept our distances so there's no problem". Frustrated, he started to drop all the tools back in the box.
"Ensign Sato tells me that he threatened you? Veekecians can be very hot tempered and I doubt they would ever back down from a disagreement…. Did you know one of their favored battling techniques is head-butting?" he chortled in amusement.
"Fascinating" the engineer snapped as he slammed the tool box shut and put it under his arm.
"Mhmm... indeed..." the doctor punched a few buttons on the fixed console "...yes, that and knife fighting"
Trip froze except a blink. He swallowed. Phlox looked up and saw his face turn pale and motionless,
"Commander...?"
"I'm fine, doctor" the Commander shook his head.
Phlox no longer grinned as his troubled fellow officer hurriedly walked out of the infirmary.
Once again, Trip walked. More like strode, towards engineering, watching his back the whole way. More sweat rolled down his face.
*What the hell was that?! …One little thing and ya freak? Snap out of it, Charles! I know they have knives big enough to chop a man's head off! Why are you so damn nervous?* he decided to slow down, be calm, and not panic, but not before smashing his fist on the wall next to the door of engineering. It hurt but it helped release some tension.
He entered the room, set the tool box in a compartment, and stepped up the ladder to the warp core. Sweat still rolled down his face and he wiped it off with the back of his hand. Looking about the room, he wondered if anyone noticed his aggravation. No, they were all busy. Fixing the warp core would help him feel better, get his mind off things.
"Their knives really are big enough to chop a man's head off, aren't they?" Trip winced at the thought and his stomach roared. Ouch. Not eating breakfast made everything worse for him, but he still focused on his work.
He took a deep breath and counted how many hours until lunch:
"Four more hours. Just four more hours" he groaned.
~TO BE CONTINUED…
