Title: "Gateway" 18/45
Author: Quills
Contact:the_quill_pen@yahoo.com
Series: ENT
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Startrek and I derive no financial
gain from this story.
Codes: A, T/Tu, Ma, S, R, P angst, drama, romance, humor,
action/adventure
Summary: Captain Archer is relieved of command for a secret mission
into the 24th Century . To find and stop the Suliban renegade Silik.
While he is gone, a Vulcan Starfleet Captain from the future is given
temporary command of the Enterprise NX-01 with his own orders to to
investigate the 'Temporal Cold War'.
Chapter 18
The platform filled with sparkling shafts of cascading light as five forms took shape within them.
As the forms coalesced, their distinct shapes became more identifiable and by the
time the light shafts had completely dissipated, five humans stood on the transporter
platform of the Enterprise-C.
Jonathan Archer put his hand to his chest...then his stomach...and finally his legs.
He was gratified to see that all were there and appeared to be in working order.
"I'm never going to get used to that." groaned Archer "Do you do that all the time?"
"Yes, sir" said Verdi "It's been the standard method for personal transport for almost
a hundred years."
Travis Mayweather couldn't help smiling. He knew the feeling all to well. Getting used to having your atoms scattered all over the place was an unsettling feeling, but then so was warp drive and meeting other species. They were all things you got used to...eventually.
"How many times have you transported sir?" asked Verdi
"Twice." said Archer "Counting this one."
Verdi winced "Sorry, sir."
"It's alright Lieutenant." said Archer as he stepped off the platform "I have to get used to it eventually, it might as well be now."
"Yes, sir." replied the Lieutenant "If you'll follow me sir. I'm to escort you and Mr. Mayweather to the ship's ready room. Commander Garrett will be briefing you on our mission."
Sweeping his arm towards the door Archer gave the young Lietuenent a smile. "Lead the way."
The three men exited the transporter room and entered onto a main access corridor of the ship. It became immediately apparent to Archer just how big this Enterprise was. He had studied the specs that had accompanied the encoded message from Admiral Forrester, but studying specs and actually stepping onto the Ambassador Class ship was entirely different. The corridors were at least twice the size of his own ship's. The cramped and almost claustrophobic feeling one tended to get aboard a starship was completely absent here.
As they made their way down the corridors of the ship, Archer could not help glancing down adjacent corridors or into opening doors. He saw men and women in maroon colored jackets and blue pants, which he assumed were Starfleet's standard uniform of the time, busy carrying out assignments and performing duties to keep the ship running smoothly. He had even seen several aliens…one being a Vulcan male and another an Andorian female. The fact that they both served aboard the same ship struck him as ironic. He wondered what Shren, that prideful
Andorian Captain he had met on P'Jem, would think of it. The other non humans he had seen were from species he hadn't ever encountered before...or yet…depending on how you wanted to
to look at it.
The three men came to a stop while they waited for a pair of doors to open. Archer recognized it as the entrance to a standard turbo lift. Once they entered and the doors closed behind them, Lt. Verdi activated the lift "Main bridge."
*Voice activated.* thought Archer as he recalled the specs. He was going to have to get used to his new...albeit temporary...Enterprise.
The lift accelerated through the turbo shafts of the ship with lightening speed. Although, the passengers never really noticed the acceleration thanks to the inertial dampeners. The same applied for the sudden deceleration and stop at their destination. The lift doors open and the three men exited onto the bridge.
"This way, sir" said Verdi continuing on to an adjacent door.
Archer and Mayweather followed the security chief into the room. It was a wide expanse room with rectangular table dominating the center of the room and a sectioned windowed expanse showing a vista of the Planet they had just left. At the table sat an attractive women with shoulder length brain hair. She wore a standard Starfleet uniform with commander's insignia.
Verdi came to a stop "Captain Jonathan Archer" said Verdi signifying Archer to the woman "Lt. Commander Rachel Garrett"
Archer stepped forward as the woman stood up "My pleasure Commander."
Garrett shook Archer's hand "Welcome aboard Captain." said Garrett "It's an honor to meet you, sir."
Archer smiled at the young Lt. Commander and he could swear she blushed.
Garrett quickly covered her embarrassment and turned to Verdi "Thank you Mr. Verdi, that will be all."
"Yes, Ma'm." replied the Lieutenant as he turned and exited the ready room.
"Captain, can I get you anything to drink or eat?" asked Garrett
"No, I'm fine thank you" replied Archer
"Well Captain, shall we get down to business?" said Garrett motioning to the conference table.
"Of course Commander, but please...when we're together like this...call me John." Archer told her "I'm going to be depending on both you and Travis heavily for this assignment. I'd rather we had a more relaxed atmosphere between us."
Garret smiled "Alright...John."
Travis smiled *The captain always was a smooth operator." he thought
"I assume you had time to review the information Starfleet sent?" asked Garrett
"Yes, according to the report's Starfleet in this era have received, Silik has been positively identified as being in this time period."
"Yes, we've also received an update to those reports." said Garrett handing Archer a data PADD
"An operative in Klingon Intelligence reported that a Klingon bird of prey picked up a Suliban
passenger from Epsilon Erindi Prime less than two days ago." she explained
"A Klingon ship?" said Travis
"Yes" replied Garrett looking at her own data PADD "The...Mak'tek."
"That's Captain Ork's ship." said Travis
Garrett shook her head "It's a non aligned Klingon ship, Captain" she continued " An old J7 Bird of Prey converted to running cargo and freight. She has a mixed crew...Klingon...Human…anyone looking for work and profit "
"Yeah, but still heavily armed." added Travis
"Yes, but that's not suprising for a Klingon privateer like Ork." responded Garrett
"So Starfleet doesn't necessarily believe the Klingons are involved in Silik's plans." said Archer
"It's not very likely." Garrett agreed "The Klingons and the Federation have had a peace treaty
for over thirty years. A rocky one, but still secure."
"So we're still in the dark as to not only what Silik's intentions are," said Archer "But who he's dealing with."
"I'm afraid so, John." replied Garrett
"Then our only option is to follow his trail." said Archer
"Unfortunately, we're not sure where the Mak'tek is now." explained Garrett "Last report was
she was in the Fiery 12 system and then we lost her. Ork could have dropped Silik off in that system. There are plenty of back worlds where no questions are asked and Federation law is loosely enforced, if at all."
Archer shook his head "We would have our hands full just trying to search one planet, let alone an entire system." he said "We can't waste time chasing possible leads…I have the feeling Silik isn't going to give us that much time."
"Then what?" asked Garrett
Archer pursed his lips looking out at the view the windows afforded. He stared intently for a few moments and then looked at Travis.
"Travis, your familiar with this Klingon Captain?" said Archer
"Well…yes sir...I've dealt with him." replied Travis "He's not one to be trusted and
he'll shoot you just as soon as talk to you."
"If he just transported a single passenger...an important passenger that Starfleet was looking for..." said Captain Archer
Garrett interrupted in "John, how do we know Silik was alone or that Ork would think he was important? He could just be another passenger seeking discrete transport for all Ork knew."
Archer smiled "Your forgetting" he reminded her "I know Silik. He would insist on privacy as well as discretion. Even if he didn't tell Ork why…the Klingon Captain would have his suspicions….skirting Federation space….traveling outside the regular space lanes....away from Starfleet...That would make me more than a little suspicious."
Garrett smiled at Archer *Damn* she thought *He WAS good.*
Archer turned back to Travis "Once Ork dropped off Silik, where would he go?"
Travis looked at Archer for a moment, his brows furrowed as he considered the question "Well...If I thought I just carried a passenger that might bring Starfleet to my door, I'd want to lay low for a while."
"But then you would have a restless crew full of mercenaries and free booters." added Archer "Who had been recently paid for services rendered."
"Right" said Travis "So I'd want to put into port somewhere."
"Somewhere with shore facilities." continued Archer
Garrett watched the two men. It was mesmerizing listening to them go back and forth as each added a piece to the other's hypothesis.
"Right, and also outside of Starfleet's view." said Travis "The Martez colony!"
Archer looked at Garrett. "Rachel?"
"It's a spaceport for the lows lifes of the galaxy." said Garrett "It's also on a non Federation world. Starfleet has no authority there."
"That's alright, I wasn't counting on Starfleet authority to deal with a Klingon." smiled Archer
Archer rose from his chair. "Set course for the Martez colony, maximum warp."
"Just a minute, sir." said Garrett "We still have a formality to take care of before I issue that order."
Archer looked at her. He had hoped to avoid any disharmony between himself and the crew. "Yes?"
"Computer " Garrett called out "As of Stardate 30462.5 acting Captain Rachel Garrett relinquishes
command of USS Enterprise NCC-1701-C to Captain Jonathan Archer. Transfer all command authority and command codes...voice recognition Epsilon...Kappa...12...Delta...Charlie."
"Voice recognition confirmed." responded the computer "Captain Jonathan Archer is now recognized as commanding officer of USS Enterprise NCC 1701-C."
Garrett smiled at Archer "Now I can carry out your orders, sir."
TBC...
Author: Quills
Contact:the_quill_pen@yahoo.com
Series: ENT
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Startrek and I derive no financial
gain from this story.
Codes: A, T/Tu, Ma, S, R, P angst, drama, romance, humor,
action/adventure
Summary: Captain Archer is relieved of command for a secret mission
into the 24th Century . To find and stop the Suliban renegade Silik.
While he is gone, a Vulcan Starfleet Captain from the future is given
temporary command of the Enterprise NX-01 with his own orders to to
investigate the 'Temporal Cold War'.
Chapter 18
The platform filled with sparkling shafts of cascading light as five forms took shape within them.
As the forms coalesced, their distinct shapes became more identifiable and by the
time the light shafts had completely dissipated, five humans stood on the transporter
platform of the Enterprise-C.
Jonathan Archer put his hand to his chest...then his stomach...and finally his legs.
He was gratified to see that all were there and appeared to be in working order.
"I'm never going to get used to that." groaned Archer "Do you do that all the time?"
"Yes, sir" said Verdi "It's been the standard method for personal transport for almost
a hundred years."
Travis Mayweather couldn't help smiling. He knew the feeling all to well. Getting used to having your atoms scattered all over the place was an unsettling feeling, but then so was warp drive and meeting other species. They were all things you got used to...eventually.
"How many times have you transported sir?" asked Verdi
"Twice." said Archer "Counting this one."
Verdi winced "Sorry, sir."
"It's alright Lieutenant." said Archer as he stepped off the platform "I have to get used to it eventually, it might as well be now."
"Yes, sir." replied the Lieutenant "If you'll follow me sir. I'm to escort you and Mr. Mayweather to the ship's ready room. Commander Garrett will be briefing you on our mission."
Sweeping his arm towards the door Archer gave the young Lietuenent a smile. "Lead the way."
The three men exited the transporter room and entered onto a main access corridor of the ship. It became immediately apparent to Archer just how big this Enterprise was. He had studied the specs that had accompanied the encoded message from Admiral Forrester, but studying specs and actually stepping onto the Ambassador Class ship was entirely different. The corridors were at least twice the size of his own ship's. The cramped and almost claustrophobic feeling one tended to get aboard a starship was completely absent here.
As they made their way down the corridors of the ship, Archer could not help glancing down adjacent corridors or into opening doors. He saw men and women in maroon colored jackets and blue pants, which he assumed were Starfleet's standard uniform of the time, busy carrying out assignments and performing duties to keep the ship running smoothly. He had even seen several aliens…one being a Vulcan male and another an Andorian female. The fact that they both served aboard the same ship struck him as ironic. He wondered what Shren, that prideful
Andorian Captain he had met on P'Jem, would think of it. The other non humans he had seen were from species he hadn't ever encountered before...or yet…depending on how you wanted to
to look at it.
The three men came to a stop while they waited for a pair of doors to open. Archer recognized it as the entrance to a standard turbo lift. Once they entered and the doors closed behind them, Lt. Verdi activated the lift "Main bridge."
*Voice activated.* thought Archer as he recalled the specs. He was going to have to get used to his new...albeit temporary...Enterprise.
The lift accelerated through the turbo shafts of the ship with lightening speed. Although, the passengers never really noticed the acceleration thanks to the inertial dampeners. The same applied for the sudden deceleration and stop at their destination. The lift doors open and the three men exited onto the bridge.
"This way, sir" said Verdi continuing on to an adjacent door.
Archer and Mayweather followed the security chief into the room. It was a wide expanse room with rectangular table dominating the center of the room and a sectioned windowed expanse showing a vista of the Planet they had just left. At the table sat an attractive women with shoulder length brain hair. She wore a standard Starfleet uniform with commander's insignia.
Verdi came to a stop "Captain Jonathan Archer" said Verdi signifying Archer to the woman "Lt. Commander Rachel Garrett"
Archer stepped forward as the woman stood up "My pleasure Commander."
Garrett shook Archer's hand "Welcome aboard Captain." said Garrett "It's an honor to meet you, sir."
Archer smiled at the young Lt. Commander and he could swear she blushed.
Garrett quickly covered her embarrassment and turned to Verdi "Thank you Mr. Verdi, that will be all."
"Yes, Ma'm." replied the Lieutenant as he turned and exited the ready room.
"Captain, can I get you anything to drink or eat?" asked Garrett
"No, I'm fine thank you" replied Archer
"Well Captain, shall we get down to business?" said Garrett motioning to the conference table.
"Of course Commander, but please...when we're together like this...call me John." Archer told her "I'm going to be depending on both you and Travis heavily for this assignment. I'd rather we had a more relaxed atmosphere between us."
Garret smiled "Alright...John."
Travis smiled *The captain always was a smooth operator." he thought
"I assume you had time to review the information Starfleet sent?" asked Garrett
"Yes, according to the report's Starfleet in this era have received, Silik has been positively identified as being in this time period."
"Yes, we've also received an update to those reports." said Garrett handing Archer a data PADD
"An operative in Klingon Intelligence reported that a Klingon bird of prey picked up a Suliban
passenger from Epsilon Erindi Prime less than two days ago." she explained
"A Klingon ship?" said Travis
"Yes" replied Garrett looking at her own data PADD "The...Mak'tek."
"That's Captain Ork's ship." said Travis
Garrett shook her head "It's a non aligned Klingon ship, Captain" she continued " An old J7 Bird of Prey converted to running cargo and freight. She has a mixed crew...Klingon...Human…anyone looking for work and profit "
"Yeah, but still heavily armed." added Travis
"Yes, but that's not suprising for a Klingon privateer like Ork." responded Garrett
"So Starfleet doesn't necessarily believe the Klingons are involved in Silik's plans." said Archer
"It's not very likely." Garrett agreed "The Klingons and the Federation have had a peace treaty
for over thirty years. A rocky one, but still secure."
"So we're still in the dark as to not only what Silik's intentions are," said Archer "But who he's dealing with."
"I'm afraid so, John." replied Garrett
"Then our only option is to follow his trail." said Archer
"Unfortunately, we're not sure where the Mak'tek is now." explained Garrett "Last report was
she was in the Fiery 12 system and then we lost her. Ork could have dropped Silik off in that system. There are plenty of back worlds where no questions are asked and Federation law is loosely enforced, if at all."
Archer shook his head "We would have our hands full just trying to search one planet, let alone an entire system." he said "We can't waste time chasing possible leads…I have the feeling Silik isn't going to give us that much time."
"Then what?" asked Garrett
Archer pursed his lips looking out at the view the windows afforded. He stared intently for a few moments and then looked at Travis.
"Travis, your familiar with this Klingon Captain?" said Archer
"Well…yes sir...I've dealt with him." replied Travis "He's not one to be trusted and
he'll shoot you just as soon as talk to you."
"If he just transported a single passenger...an important passenger that Starfleet was looking for..." said Captain Archer
Garrett interrupted in "John, how do we know Silik was alone or that Ork would think he was important? He could just be another passenger seeking discrete transport for all Ork knew."
Archer smiled "Your forgetting" he reminded her "I know Silik. He would insist on privacy as well as discretion. Even if he didn't tell Ork why…the Klingon Captain would have his suspicions….skirting Federation space….traveling outside the regular space lanes....away from Starfleet...That would make me more than a little suspicious."
Garrett smiled at Archer *Damn* she thought *He WAS good.*
Archer turned back to Travis "Once Ork dropped off Silik, where would he go?"
Travis looked at Archer for a moment, his brows furrowed as he considered the question "Well...If I thought I just carried a passenger that might bring Starfleet to my door, I'd want to lay low for a while."
"But then you would have a restless crew full of mercenaries and free booters." added Archer "Who had been recently paid for services rendered."
"Right" said Travis "So I'd want to put into port somewhere."
"Somewhere with shore facilities." continued Archer
Garrett watched the two men. It was mesmerizing listening to them go back and forth as each added a piece to the other's hypothesis.
"Right, and also outside of Starfleet's view." said Travis "The Martez colony!"
Archer looked at Garrett. "Rachel?"
"It's a spaceport for the lows lifes of the galaxy." said Garrett "It's also on a non Federation world. Starfleet has no authority there."
"That's alright, I wasn't counting on Starfleet authority to deal with a Klingon." smiled Archer
Archer rose from his chair. "Set course for the Martez colony, maximum warp."
"Just a minute, sir." said Garrett "We still have a formality to take care of before I issue that order."
Archer looked at her. He had hoped to avoid any disharmony between himself and the crew. "Yes?"
"Computer " Garrett called out "As of Stardate 30462.5 acting Captain Rachel Garrett relinquishes
command of USS Enterprise NCC-1701-C to Captain Jonathan Archer. Transfer all command authority and command codes...voice recognition Epsilon...Kappa...12...Delta...Charlie."
"Voice recognition confirmed." responded the computer "Captain Jonathan Archer is now recognized as commanding officer of USS Enterprise NCC 1701-C."
Garrett smiled at Archer "Now I can carry out your orders, sir."
TBC...