Hiya all.
This fic was written both as a gift fic for one of my good friends, the amazing AsgardianHobbit-san. And also as part of the 2022 Halloween event - Be the monster, at our Discord server, hosted by me and Kiss.
This is actually the second story I've written for this challenge X3
There are a couple of writers participating and they will, throughout October, post their own stories as well. So go check them out as well if you can. It would mean a lot.
My fellow writers are;
- Alastair
- asgardianhobbit98
- PhantomGypsy13
- SerenaJones
- Seth's Kiss
- YaoiHime420
- Mishiko Shinsei
Thank you for your attention and time, and without further ado, enjoy the story 3
The last three weeks had been utterly boring for the crew of the Starship Enterprise.
Nothing interesting to be seen in this part of space it seems.
But today, however, the buzz of excitement returned as something new presented itself. Something as of right now, unexplainable.
"T'Poll, what can you tell me about this planet?" Captain Archer asked his science officer, his eyes brimming with excitement and eagerness to explore.
"As far as my scanners indicate, there are no landmasses to be found. I find it too early to call it a planet at all. It doesn't have the requirements to be called that. Nevertheless, its entire surface is completely covered with water. It is uncertain how deep the water goes compared to the core, if there even is one. The scanner only goes as deep as ten kilometres beneath the surface." T'Poll explained with neutrality. "I need a sample of the water to confirm the composition of the elements in the liquid."
"Could that be the reason it's not frozen? Because of the elements in the water?" Trip asked, truly bewildered.
"I haven't confirmed that yet. However, given that this 'planet' does not orbit around any star, instead free falling in space, it does not have any external heat sources to warm it up. Since space has a temperature of absolute zero, it is very intriguing to find a liquid that isn't frozen in these circumstances."
"Indeed. Do you have any theories on why this is possible?" Archer asked.
"Two. As theorised just now, the first could be the combination of elements that make up the composition of the liquid that prevents it from freezing. I'll need a sample to confirm that. Another could be that there is something in or around its core that is giving off enough heat to prevent freezing."
"Which is more likely, if you had to guess?"
"I do not guess, Captain. I'll have to refine our scanners and inspect a sample to give you a solid answer."
"Fair enough. Any lifesigns?"
"None that I can detect. Not even microscopic."
"Very well. Trip, are the shuttles equipped for underwater travel?"
"I'd have to examine the conditions and modify some parts to compensate, but it shouldn't be a problem."
"I strongly protest against diving in before we know more. There is no telling what could be hiding in those waters. You'll be exposing yourself to unnecessary risk."
"Relax T'Poll. I don't think there's any danger in getting our shuttles a little wet."
The science officer was not impressed.
But Archer wasn't intimidated by her stare, turning to Trip again. "How fast can you do it?"
"Gimme a few hours."
"Get to work."
"Yes Sir." Trip says gleefully, glad he was able to do something after being idle for so long.
And a few hours later the shuttles were ready to go.
To conserve as much oxygen as possible it was decided that only two people per shuttle would go down.
On the first shuttle were Captain Archer with Malcolm on board, while the second shuttle had Mayweather and Trip on board.
All four men were excited.
As soon as they were submerged, all light just faded to naught, everything became an endless black void. Even looking back up, there was nothing. It was like being in space without any stars. There was nothing to be seen, nothing to be heard.
It was both terrifying to the bone and oddly freeing.
Like nothing mattered anymore. You could just be.
At least that's what Trip felt at this moment.
He was completely entranced until the voice of his Captain shocked him out of it.
"Everything went alright over there?" He asked over the comms.
Mayweather replied. "All systems online and working as intended."
"Of course they are. I personally made the changes." Trip said, feigning to be hurt by the comment.
"Glad to know we can at least count on our equipment." Malcolm's voice came through, sounding disgruntled. "I'm not sure what we're doing here, Captain. There's nothing here that could be of any interest."
"We don't know that for certain. Our scanners weren't able to see the deepest parts of this water planet. So the lack of information is what makes this so interesting. This water we're in should on all accounts be completely frozen. Aren't you curious why it's not?"
"Not particularly, no."
"Come on, Malcolm. This could be the discovery of our time! And even so, where's your sense of adventure? With all the technology of humanity there aren't a lot of unknowns anymore. Doesn't it excite you, not knowing what we're gonna find?" Archer asked Malcolm, a challenging tone to his voice.
"Of course it does! Otherwise I wouldn't even be on Enterprise. But what I don't like, is not being prepared. We don't even have weapons on these shuttles right now. We have no way of defending ourselves if we get attacked."
"It's good to be alert." Archer says. "But there weren't any lifesigns detected. So there's no need to needlessly worry."
"We don't know that for sure. You just said our scans couldn't see everything. Who knows what's hidden in these depths?"
"Relax. What could possibly be alive in these conditions?"
It was at that moment, static could be heard over the comms.
"Captain, that wasn't normal. Something had to have caused that. We should head back up. At least until we know more about what's down here."
"I'm not turning around now, Malcolm. If we want to know more about what's down here, we need to find out for ourselves. I've heard your concerns, we're still going deeper. Now if we do end up encountering something dangerous, something more than noise on the comms, we'll head back. You have my word."
Malcolm grumbled but didn't speak back to the Captain.
And so, they descended deeper into the void.
As there was literally nothing to see out there, no one was saying a thing.
Suddenly the static came back on the comms and it was louder than before. For a few seconds, the comms even went down, unable to connect to each other. It passes as soon as it came, luckily.
Mayweather instantly began pushing buttons to try and isolate the source of the interference. "I think I got something." He says.
But before he could explain, something huge slammed into the side of the shuttle, causing it to start spinning out of control. But Mayweather was an excellent pilot and got the shuttle under control fast.
"What the hell was that?!" Malcolm's voice comes over the comms. "Trip! Can you hear me? Are you alright?!"
"Yeah, I'm okay."
"Me too." Says Mayweather. "Thanks for asking."
"You were right, Malcolm. There is definitely something out here. We should head back." The Captain says with regret.
The static on the comms turns into a deafening roar.
That was the only warning they got when the thing was back. It once again slammed into the shuttle Trip and Mayweather were in.
Trip curses loudly as the whole shuttle bends and creaks as it tumbles out of control once more. To make matters worse, the power goes out.
Darkness consumes everything, the void from outside was now able to crawl inside.
And now they were sinking. Fast. With no engine to keep them suspended, the entire shuttle was now dead weight and sunk deeper and deeper like a brick in water.
They were sinking so fast it felt like falling.
Both Trip and Mayweather were thrown around without mercy.
After a few terrifying moments, without warning the shuttle slammed into what was presumably the bottom.
After one final moan of the bended metal, it went quiet. Too quiet.
The cold soon followed. The metal of the shuttle did nothing to keep the cold at bay from the freezing water.
Trip was trembling in seconds.
He called out to Mayweather, but there was no response.
He searched around in the dark and found the pilot. Luckily he was still alive, but knocked out. Perhaps it happened when the shuttle was throwing them around like ragdolls.
Trip cursed loudly and took a few deep breaths to keep himself from panicking. If he panicked he was as good as dead.
"Okay, okay, focus Trip." He said to himself. "The others know you went down, they will come looking for us. Good, good. Uh, crap it's so cold! Let's see if I can fix the power. Yeah, let's do that."
He tried his best, but in this complete darkness it was near impossible to see what he was doing. It was a darn miracle that he was able to find and the fix the communicator.
"Enterprise, come in! Can you hear me?"
Not a second later the reply came. "Trip?! Thank goodness, it's good to hear your voice, buddy. For a moment there we thought you were lost to us. Where are you? Are you okay? What about Mayweather?"
"Not gonna lie, Captain. It's not looking good. The shuttle was hit and we lost all power. We've sunken down to the bottom, I think. Mayweather hit head, he's out cold. I've managed to repair the comms, but nothing else. I have no light at all, I can't see what I'm doing. Hell, I don't even know what's still intact and what isn't."
"Commander, can you tell how bad Mayweather's wound is? Is it bleeding at all?" Plox, the ship's doc, asked.
"I'm not sure. I don't think it's bleeding. I didn't feel anything wet when I inspected him."
"Is there any way you can restore power to get yourself out of there?" The Captain asked.
"Doubtful. Like I said, with no light at all I can't see what I'm doing or where the damage even is. I'll try anyway, but I think our best shot is for you to come get us instead."
"Roger that. We'll work on it."
"Captain? What does that mean?" He asked, fearing the worst, fearing they might never get found again.
"Remember the scanners only go so deep. You've sunken beyond their limits. However, we do know your last location and rate of descent, so we can calculate your most likely location."
"It's better than nothing, I suppose. I don't mean to rush you or anything, but don't take too long, okay? I have no idea how much oxygen there's left in here, since the air filters are offline. And also…"
"What is it, Trip?"
"I don't think oxygen is our biggest problem. The temperature in here is dropping by the second, at the rate it's going down, I don't think we'll last very long."
"We're already preparing to come back down. Sit tight, Trip. And keep yourself warm."
"It'd be great to be rescued, Captain, but don't get yourself killed in the process. That thing is still out there."
"We might have an idea of what it was. I'll brief you when we come to get you. See you soon, Trip."
"C-can't wait, C-captain." At this point Trip's teeth had started to clatter.
When the comm went down, Trip felt around to see if he could find something to help keep him warm. Alas to no avail. He did find a blanket and put it over his unconscious companion. Doubtful it would do much, but it was better than nothing.
He sat in silence for a minute, trying to keep himself calm while blowing air into his hands to keep them somewhat warm.
His mind turned to worst case scenarios until he was startled by the comm turning back on.
"Trip? You there?"
"M-Malcolm?"
"Yes, it's me, buddy. How're you holding up?"
"Doing my b-best not to panic. So, not that g-great. But I'm glad to hear your voice."
"Phlox said it's better to have someone to keep you company. To keep track of your status and to make sure you don't fall asleep." Malcolm said, straight to business as usual.
Trip managed a chuckle. "I don't think I'm gonna f-fall asleep soon. Can't sleep while my feet are c-cold."
"That's precisely why you could fall asleep. The cold will make you numb, starting with your limbs and then…"
"I know what death by feezing looks like, Malcolm!" Trip said, interrupting the other, slightly upset. "I was just j-joking."
There was a beat of silence. "I apologise. I suppose that was a poor attempt at conversation."
Trip could never stay mad at Malcolm, he knew the weapons officer didn't mean to make him upset. "You were n-never good at making casual conversation. How's m-my rescue coming along?" He said, wanting to change the subject to a more hopeful note.
"The Captain didn't want to bring anyone else in danger, so he took the shuttle alone. He's already down in the water again. He should reach you in a few minutes. Keep a lookout for the lights of his shuttle."
"Will d-do. Hey, Malcolm?"
"Yes?"
"Just in case the Captain c-can't find me in time…"
"No! We're not doing this, Trip!" Now it was Malcolm's turn to interrupt Trip. "You'll be back at Enterprise soon enough. Then you'll take the longest, hottest bath you've ever taken."
"That sounds r-really nice. I look forward to that. But, Malcolm, there's r-really something you need to k-know."
"Then tell me later, in person."
"Ah, so you'll j-join me in that bath then?"
"Glad you haven't lost your sense of humour yet."
"I'm not joking, Malcolm. You c-can't deny there isn't something going on between us."
"Trip." Malcolm said, a part of him wanted to end this conversation, the other part of him wanted nothing more than to continue.
"Malcolm, don't tell me I'm c-crazy."
He wasn't going to deny it, because there was indeed something between them, he just wasn't sure what it was exactly.
"Why are you bringing this up now? It's not like either of us was ever gonna act on it."
"You're not d-denying it. You feel it t-too then?"
"A lot of people might believe I'm naive when it comes to romantic relationships, but I'm not. I'm not ignorant. I've noticed how we've been acting around each other. The fleeting glances, the 'accidental' touches. All the excuses to spend a little more time together. But Trip…"
"What is it?"
"We've never actually talked about it. We never acknowledged it was there."
"Let's t-talk about it now. I've got all the time in the world left."
"Don't joke about this! Not this, not now!"
"I'm sorry, Malcolm. I really am. I k-know that saying that wasn't appropriate. Around you, I c-can't help acting like a fool. My heart f-flutters and I make s-stupid mistakes."
"It's alright. The same happens to me around you too."
Trip laughed. "We really are a c-couple of idiots. Idiots in love."
"Now you've gone and said it."
"Is that a b-bad thing?"
"It makes us, this feeling between us, real."
"Again, is that a b-bad thing?"
"You know me, Trip. I always assume the worst. What if we don't work out together after all? We'd be stuck together on what will feel like a tiny spaceship."
"Or, we'd have the t-time of our lives, exploring the m-mysteries of the u-universe together." Trip said, meaning every word. "I'm willing to g-give that a chance."
"Assuming you're still alive to give us that chance." Malcolm said miserable.
"Ouch! H-Hey, aren't you s-supposed to keep me h-hopeful to m-make it out o-of this a-alive?"
"You're right, I'm sorry about that."
"It's o-okay. We've e-established we're idiots a-around each o-other." Trip's voice sounded so soft, so far away. Too far away. "Y-you're f-forgiven."
Then it went quiet.
"Hey! Trip! Still there!? Trip!"
There was no response.
"TRIP!"
"Geez, s-stop yelling M-Malcolm. I'm s-still h-here."
"Then why didn't you answer me?"
"M-Must have d-dozed off f-for a m-moment."
And it sounded like it could happen again at any moment.
"Hey Trip, listen to me. You stay awake for me, stay alive and get back to Enterprise. If you can do that, I'm willing to give us a chance as well."
Now that perked Trip up, if only a little.
"You m-mean it?"
"I'm very serious. You know I don't make jokes about something like this."
"T-True. Guess I h-have no c-choice now. I just g-gotta s-stay a-awake." Trip's voice was getting more and more sluggish. "J-Just sstay a-awake. I g-got thiss."
"Hey! Focus on me, Trip. Hold on just a little longer."
"Do m-my best."
"You're gonna have to do better than your best. I won't have an icicle for a boyfriend."
"Boyfriend? M-Malcolm's boyfriend? Yeah, I c-can definitely l-live with t-that."
"Good. The Captain's shuttle should be close. Can you look outside if you see his lights?"
"I'll t-try." Even moving his head took all the energy Trip had left. "No nothing, just d-darkness."
"Keep looking."
"M-malcolm. You truly mean a lot to me."
"You to me as well, Trip. Keep talking to me."
"I'm sorry. Don't want to, but it seems like, I don't have a choice anymore. It's no longer cold. So warm. So sleepy."
"Trip! Stay awake! Listen to me. Do. Not. Close your eyes! Please, can you do that for me?"
"Malcolm. I see a light. It's getting brighter."
"Is it the shuttle? Trip? Trip!"
But there was no answer.
Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Is this what being dead feels like?
No pain, no light, no fear, no nothing.
It was kinda peaceful, he could get used to this. Just need a more comfortable position to lay in.
"Look! He's moving. Is he waking up?"
"It would appear so."
Voices. Familiar voices. Strange. Not dead then?
This place, wherever he was, was far too comfortable to leave. The voices don't matter. All he wanted was that peaceful feeling back.
"Trip? Can you hear me? Open your eyes. Can you do that for me?"
Malcolm.
That voice belongs to Malcolm!
That's right! He remembers now. Screw this place! And this peace! Malcolm needs him!
Slowly, painfully, Trip manages to crack open his eyes. The world around him is completely blurry and far too bright.
Trip grunts and brings his arm up to shield his eyes. Someone must have noticed as the lights suddenly dimmed to a more tolerable level.
He's now finally able to look around and discovers he's in Phlox' medbay on Enterprise.
The doctor standing at the light switch on the other side of the room, gently (creepily) smiling at him. The Captain watching him with both worry and relief in his eyes.
Lastly Trip also notices his other hand being held by Malcolm, who's sitting next to him, looking at him like nothing else matters.
Trip smiles as his eyes lock with Malcolm's. "Hey there." He manages softly.
Malcolm clears his throat. "Hey. How are you feeling?"
Trip rolls his shoulders. "A little sore all over and a headache. But I feel fine otherwise."
"Good. That's good." Malcolm says as he tries to hide a sob.
"You were very lucky to be found by the Captain before the hypothermia and lack of oxygen could affect you more, being in that shuttle any longer would have caused lasting damage to your brain. But fortunately that wasn't the case. You'll make a full recovery." Phlox says.
"Yes, it was scary for a moment, Trip. When I found you, you weren't breathing." The Captain adds.
"I'm sorry for putting ya'll through that." Trip says with remorse.
"Don't apologise." Malcolm says. "It wasn't your fault."
"What about Mayweather? Did he make it?"
"He's fine." Archer says. "That blanket you put over him, kept him warm enough to survive. He woke up a little earlier. He's resting in his quarters."
"That's good to hear. And did you find out what attacked us?"
"We did. It's pretty unbelievable." Malcolm says.
"Well now I have to know. Tell me."
"Long story short." Archer says. "The 'planet's' core is actually the body of a giant space kraken. The beast attracts hydrogen and oxygen, and so was able to form a ball of water around it to stay alive. The heat from its body keeps the water from freezing. It wasn't actually attacking us at all. One of its tendrils, which are massive, was moving around. That's what hit you. You were just in the wrong place at the wrong time. I doubt the thing even knew we were there."
"You're joking."
"I'm not making this up. T'Poll managed to refine our scanners, so we were able to see deeper. I will show you later."
"You better."
"For now, take a day or two off. Captain's and doctor's orders."
"Will do Captain."
Arched smiled and nodded, mentioning to Phlox to follow him out, leaving Trip and Malcolm alone.
Malcolm still hadn't let go of Trip's hand.
"Sooo…" Trip says as he looks at the joined appendages. "Were you being honest when you said we could give us a chance?"
Malcolm blushes and looks down. "Of course." He looks back at Trip. "I don't joke about things like that. "
Trip smiled and squeezed Malcolm's hand. "I'm happy."
As they looked into each others eyes, Trip could see that Malcolm was struggling with something. "What's wrong?"
"It's nothing."
"It's okay. Whatever it is, I want to hear it. You can tell me."
"You're still recovering. It can wait."
"Malcolm, just tell m…"
The rest of his sentence was silenced by Malcolm's lips on his own in a clumsy but honest kiss.
Once Trip recovered from the surprise, he gently cupped Malcolm's head, pulling him closer to properly kiss him back.
The end
