Please review for me. Is it boring or are you interested in what happens next.I need feedback or I'll die.



Chapter 4

Peering around Trip, Archer said, "Lieutenant front and center." Malcolm slowly walked from the room and stood at attention in front of the captain. "Sir?" Malcolm asked in a quiet voice. Trip broke in abruptly, "Cap'm, Malcolm and I were checking out a suspicious noise we heard in this room."

Archer looked at Trip disbelievingly, "Commander, that is the sorriest excuse I've ever heard. One of you better start talking now, and I want the truth, or you both will be scrubbing plasma injectors for a week. Is that clear?" Archer fixed each man with a penetrating stare.

"Sir, the commander was asking my advice on a personal matter and he wanted privacy so I suggested the storage room." Malcolm answered.

Archer stood in front of Malcolm and stared hard at him trying to tell if this was the truth or another fabrication. Malcolm stood looking unblinkingly at the captain hoping he would believe his story, otherwise he could see himself and the commander up to their armpits in dirty injectors.

Stepping back Archer looked from one to the other, noting Trip's pink ears and Malcolm's anxious expression, he decided to let Malcolm off the hook. "Very well Malcolm I'll accept your explanation, you're dismissed. Commander," Archer said ominously, "I want a word with you." Malcolm shot Trip a nervous look before he bolted around the captain heading for the armory, all thoughts of food gone.

Trip shifted from one foot to the other and stared at the floor. The captain watched him with some amusement. He had known Trip for nine years now and could read him like a book. Teasing Trip had become a favorite pastime of his and he wasn't about to pass up this opportunity to get back at him for lying.

"Commander," Archer said in his sternest voice. Trip started at the sound of his voice and with apprehension in his eyes quickly looked up at the captain.

"Sir?" Trip asked.

Archer's stance became more menacing as he leaned towards the commander and stated, "your recent behavior has been bizarre to say the least, and now you tell a boldfaced lie to your cap'm." He paused to let his words sink in then continued, "As punishment for your infraction, you will be on injector duty for a month. Lieutenant Ashley James will fill in for you in engineering."

Trip's eyes widened in shock, "Ashley James," he said in disbelief. Forcefully he added, "She's not dry behind the ears, why just yesterday I had to prevent her from shorting out a control panel we were workin' on. Ya can't do this Cap'm she'll destroy engineering." Pleading, "I'll do whatever ya want. I'll work double shifts to make up for my lie, just don't put the Lieutenant in charge of my engines."

Trip looked Archer in the face and noticed a hint of a smile playing about his lips. He'd been had again. Trip's stance relaxed and chuckling he said, "Ya had me scared for a minute Cap'm, I can't believe I fell for it, again."

Reaching around Trip, Archer lightly grasped the back of Trip's neck shaking it gently. Laughing softly he said, "You've been an easy mark ever since I met you. One of my reasons for choosing you for this mission is because I need some kind of amusement to keep me balanced. Without you around I believe I might become too serious and rigid to be a good captain." Archer dropped his hand from Trip's neck and walking off stated, "by the way Trip all you had to do was tell me your conversation with Malcolm was private and I wouldn't have questioned you. Now be on your way and when you see Malcolm tell him he isn't in any danger of being reprimanded. He takes things too seriously sometimes."

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The mess hall was full of crewmembers eating their dinner and socializing, most of them eager to put work behind them and take advantage of their free time.

"So Malcolm, what do ya think?" Trip asked anxiously, knowing Malcolm could shoot the whole project down with one word.

Malcolm shoveled another forkful of spaghetti into his mouth and chewed, favoring the commander with a disapproving glare. "Can't you see I'm eating? I missed lunch thanks to you, and I'm not about to let my food get cold discussing your scheme right now, besides I haven't had time to go over your figures yet. So go away and leave me alone."

Leaning closer Trip whispered, "Malcolm, I have everything ready in engineering all that's missing is your approval so I can tap into the power from the armory. I won't need the power for long; this is just a test to see if we can reach warp7. I'll disconnect the power shunts right after the test, I promise."

"I haven't said yes Commander. Look if it will make you feel any better, after dinner I'll go over your data and give you an answer tomorrow morning. Now if you'll please go away I would like to finish what's left of my dinner in peace." Malcolm lowered his eyes to his plate and pointedly ignoring the commander took another bite of his food.

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"What is it," Commander Tucker asked groggily, in answer to the comm. signal in his room.

"Wake up Commander," Malcolm replied excitedly, "I just finished with your data and I'm impressed. I'm heading to the armory in a few minutes, meet me there and we can work out the details."

"What time is it Lieutenant?" Trip asked while getting out of bed.

"2:00," Malcolm paused for a moment then continued, "a.m."

"Ahhhhhhhhh," groaned Trip. "Malcolm, you better have coffee when I get there or I won't be responsible for my actions, understand?"

"Understood," Malcolm replied with a grin.

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"That's the last connection Malcolm; she's ready to go. Help me up, I think my legs went to sleep under here." Malcolm grasped Trip's hand and hauled him out from under the console. Trip straightened up and tugged his uniform back into place. "Well Malcolm how's the power readings?"

"All within acceptable limits. I really think this is going to work. When are we going to run the test?"

"How 'bout this afternoon," Trip answered, "I'll make sure T'pol knows so she can calm everyone on the bridge when we start to accelerate the engines. I want you here to monitor the power fluctuations, if there are any problems you can yank the plug, so to speak. I just wish I could see the captains face when we go beyond warp5."