Title: "Gateway" 22/45
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 22
Captain's Star log...supplemental...it has been seventeen hours since the engineering team brought the salvaged Andorian
warp core aboard the Enterprise. Mr. Tucker and his engineering staff have been working nonstop to install the core and bring
it online. He and his staff are running final simulations in order the make the necessary calibrations. The ship's crew is waiting with anticipation. I must admit that I am also finding the waiting to be difficult.
Captain Soma stepped out of his ready room and onto the bridge. He surveyed the deck seeing crewmembers and maintenance personnel removing final pieces of repair equipment and tools. Most of the ship's major systems had been
restored and...with the exception of the warp drive...the ship was ready to resume it's mission.
Soma stepped down into the command area as he headed for his chair. Looking up, he noticed a long absent face at the tactical station. "Mr. Reed, I see the good Doctor has seen fit to release you."
Reed smiled "Yes sir, I gave him plenty of incentive to get me out of sickbay."
Soma smiled "I can but imagine Mr. Reed." said the Captain "Status of ship's systems?"
Reed looked over the ship's damage control readouts "Impulse engines are at 85%...sensors are back online at 75%...Life support has been restored to all decks....ships structural integrity is 92%...Torpedoes are functioning, but phasers are still offline along with the warp drive."
"Very good Mr. Reed." replied Soma as he swiveled the chair face forward. Tapping the chair comm button he opened a channel to engineering "Engine room, this the bridge, Mr. Reed reports all primary systems are operating.
Are you ready to bring the warp core online?"
A voice came over the comm speaker "Give us a minute Captain, we're doin a final check on the system. Ya might wanna have the crew take their stations. We're not one hundred percent sure how the ship'll react to an alien warp core."
"Understood Chief." acknowledged the Captain "Notify me when your ready."
"Aye, sir." replied Tucker
"Hoshi, open ship wide inter comm." ordered Soma
"Inter comm open sir." replied the Ensign
"All hands this the Captain. Duty personnel report to your stations...all off duty personnel report to your repair crew sections.
Mr. Tucker and his staff are about to bring the warp core online. I want all stations secured and ready. Captain out."
As the Captain reviewed a data PADD the doors to the turbo lift hissed open and several bridge personnel exited the lift. Among them was Ensign Mayweather who had been assisting Mr. Tucker with the installation of the warp core. Mayweather took his position at ship's helm and secured the main controls and rerouted emergency buffers as aprecaution for when the warp core was brought online.
The rest of the bridge crew were also securing their stations and making last minute preparations for the warp core to be brought online.
No one knew exactly what would happen. Chief Tucker was confident the system was compatible, but at the same time he couldn't
be sure the alien warp core wouldn't cause a ship wide feedback blowing out half the systems on the ship.
"Captain" Reed called out "department heads report all systems are secure. I'll need to take tactical offline before Mr. Tucker engages the warp core. If we have any energy spikes they could feed into the phasers
and cause an overload. That could take out the lower decks of the saucer sir."
"Make it so, Mr. Reed." replied the Captain "You can monitor the system wide energy output from the science station. We'll need someone to temporarily man that section."
"That will not be necessary, Captain." came a familiar voice from the back of the bridge
Soma spun around in his chair to see where the all to familiar voice came from. Standing in front of the turbo lift was the ship's first officer...Sub Commander T'Pol. The Captain looked up at her in surprise. Behind her he could see Doctor Phlox had accompanied her to the bridge.
Soma stood and walked over to the railing closing the distance between them. The two Vulcans stared at one another for a moment. Soma raised his hand in the traditional Vulcan greeting "Sub Commander T'Pol"
T'Pol raised her hand in kind "Captain Soma" she replied "I wish to resume my duties. The Doctor has cleared me for light duty."
Soma looked at Phlox "Doctor?"
"Nothing to strenuous Captain" replied the Doctor "At least for the next few days. The Sub Commander insisted on returning to duty before Mr. Tucker brought the warp core online."
Soma looked back at T'Pol and smiled "Then by all means Sub Commander" replied the Captain "assume your station...and welcome back."
T'Pol arched her eyebrow at Soma, turning she walked to her science station without replying. Soma watched as she took her seat
and immediately start checking systems and securing sensitive components. He sighed to himself looking down at the deck plate. Just then the comm on his chair signaled. He walked over and tapped the button "Go".
"We're ready Cap'n." said Tucker "We'll bring the warp core online when you give the word.."
Soma looked back at T'Pol who was now staring at him intently. "No time like the present, Chief."
"All right sir, then stand by." said Tucker "I'm initiating the start up sequence...sequence initiated...the warp
core will come on line in 45 seconds."
"Hoshi, ship wide inter comm." said Soma "All hands, the start up sequence for the warp core has begun...The Warp Core will come online in...35 seconds."
Soma swung his chair towards the science station "Sub Commander, monitor any fluctuations from the warp core on internal sensors."
"Yes, Captain" replied T'Pol
"Twenty five seconds Captain." came Tuckers voice over the inter comm.
All eyes were on the Captain's chair as Tucker relayed the count down for the warp core to come online.
"Fifteen seconds" he reported
Eyes darted from one person the next. Palms began to sweat. The tension on the bridge was beginning
To rise with every second they got closer to the engines coming to life.
"Ten seconds sir...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1!"
Nothing...all stations remained as they were. It didn't work.
"Mr. Tucker?" said the Captain
But before Trip Tucker could reply a sudden surge went through the ship causing the deck plating to shutter.
This was followed by a high pitched whine that grew in intensity. Soma looked up seeing the ship visibly shake for several moments. Turning to T'pol he called out "Status!" as the ship began to rock violently.
"Warp core output at 125%, the ship is experiencing a system wide overload." shouted T'Pol as the noise of the ship's vibrations became defeaning "We must shut down the warp core or we will lose major ship systems."
"Soma to engineering, your running at 125%" shouted the Captain "Shut down the warp core. Ship's system are overloading."
No response...
"Chief!" shouted Soma "Pull the plug!"
Suddenly, the vibrations stopped...the deck plates ceased rattling and the high pitched whine of the energy surge
slowly faded. Soma looked around the bridge seeing the haggered faces of
his bridge crew.
"Engineering, what just happened?" asked Soma
"We got her under control sir." said Tucker "I told ya I wasn't sure how she'd react to Enterprise's systems. We had to
make some adjustments, but she's purrin like a kitten now sir. We HAVE warp drive."
Cheers rag out from the bridge crew in response to the news.
"Good work Chief" said Soma "You've earned your pay for the week."
"Aye aye sir.' replied Tucker "Just don't take her higher than warp three till we complete the diagnostics."
"Understood, Chief." Soma stood up and walked to the front of the bridge.
"Ensign, open the inter comm." said Soma
"Open sir." replied Hoshi
"This is the Captain speaking, thanks to Chief Tucker and his engineering staff, we now have warp drive restored
and we are ready to continue our mission." said Soma pausing.
He looked around the bridge at his crew. " We have a difficult mission ahead of us...and I know many of you are questioning whether your ready for it. Battling hostile aliens isn't the job you signed up for."
said Soma "I won't lie to you...there is a danger and there is risk...but risk is our business!"
"I know I can depend on each of you to do your very best. You have shown that your capable of facing adversity
and standing fast. You've sent a clear message to those that would thwart us. The crew of the starship Enterprise will not give up ...and they will always accomplish the impossible...because there are ships...and then there are ships named Enterprise."
The bridge crew looked at one another with pride, nodding in agreement.
Soma smiled "End of speech...let's get to work. Helm, set a course for the Pentax Facility in the Colodon system...warp three."
"Course laid in sir." smiled the helmsman
"Engage." ordered the Captain.
The helmsman moved the warp control accelerating the ship forward as it passed warp point five and continued accelerating to warp one creating a dazzling spray of light as it bent the space time
continuum...then warp two...warp two point five and the ship began to emit that familiar hum that all crews traveling at warp speed welcomed...finally the ship reached warp 3 and leveled out holding
at that speed.
"We are at warp three and holding, sir." said Mayweather
"Excellent" said soma "Time to Pentax?"
"At warp three" said Mayweather as he looked at his instruments "sixty three hours forty two minutes."
Soma walked over to his chair and tapped the comm "Engineering, any chance we'll be able to coax warp
four out of the engines?"
"Give me another hour Cap'n and I might even be able to give you four point five." responded Tucker
"Good work Chief" said Soma "Keep me updated on engine performance."
"Aye, sir." replied the engineer "we're still on for dinner?"
"1630 Chief." Replied Soma "I'll see you then."
Soma closed the channel and walked up the stairs to the raised deck and to the science station. "I'm going to my quarters to get settled in. Maintain our course and speed until Mr. Tucker gives us the ok to increase
past warp three."
"Aye Captain." responded T'Pol
Soma looked at the Vulcan science officer "I was wondering if you would join Commander Tucker and myself for dinner." said Soma "I haven't had an opportunity to sit down and talk with my two senior officers...dinner seems
as good a time as any."
T'pol looked back at the Captain. She considered his offer for several moments. "Of course Captain."
Soma smiled slightly "Good, then I'll see you at 1630 hours."
T'Pol nodded in acknowledgement
"You have the bridge number one." said Soma nodding to T'Pol as he headed towards the turbo lift.
As he exited, a curious expression came over T'Pol's face. Lieutenant Reed could not help noticing the Vulcan's brows furrow and recognized his fellow bridge officer was perplexed.
"Something wrong Sub Commander?" asked Reed
She arched a brow "The numerical reference the Captain made towards me."
"Number one?" said Reed
"I fail to comprehend the significance of it." asked T'Pol
Reed smiled "It's an old earth nautical term." he explained "Some Captain's used to call their first officer's'number one' as a sign of deference and respect. They were the Captain's number one officer. Some Starfleet
Captain's use the term. I guess Captain Soma does as well."
"Then it is a compliment?" said the Vulcan questioningly
"It is." replied Reed
T'Pol's merely shook her head.
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 22
Captain's Star log...supplemental...it has been seventeen hours since the engineering team brought the salvaged Andorian
warp core aboard the Enterprise. Mr. Tucker and his engineering staff have been working nonstop to install the core and bring
it online. He and his staff are running final simulations in order the make the necessary calibrations. The ship's crew is waiting with anticipation. I must admit that I am also finding the waiting to be difficult.
Captain Soma stepped out of his ready room and onto the bridge. He surveyed the deck seeing crewmembers and maintenance personnel removing final pieces of repair equipment and tools. Most of the ship's major systems had been
restored and...with the exception of the warp drive...the ship was ready to resume it's mission.
Soma stepped down into the command area as he headed for his chair. Looking up, he noticed a long absent face at the tactical station. "Mr. Reed, I see the good Doctor has seen fit to release you."
Reed smiled "Yes sir, I gave him plenty of incentive to get me out of sickbay."
Soma smiled "I can but imagine Mr. Reed." said the Captain "Status of ship's systems?"
Reed looked over the ship's damage control readouts "Impulse engines are at 85%...sensors are back online at 75%...Life support has been restored to all decks....ships structural integrity is 92%...Torpedoes are functioning, but phasers are still offline along with the warp drive."
"Very good Mr. Reed." replied Soma as he swiveled the chair face forward. Tapping the chair comm button he opened a channel to engineering "Engine room, this the bridge, Mr. Reed reports all primary systems are operating.
Are you ready to bring the warp core online?"
A voice came over the comm speaker "Give us a minute Captain, we're doin a final check on the system. Ya might wanna have the crew take their stations. We're not one hundred percent sure how the ship'll react to an alien warp core."
"Understood Chief." acknowledged the Captain "Notify me when your ready."
"Aye, sir." replied Tucker
"Hoshi, open ship wide inter comm." ordered Soma
"Inter comm open sir." replied the Ensign
"All hands this the Captain. Duty personnel report to your stations...all off duty personnel report to your repair crew sections.
Mr. Tucker and his staff are about to bring the warp core online. I want all stations secured and ready. Captain out."
As the Captain reviewed a data PADD the doors to the turbo lift hissed open and several bridge personnel exited the lift. Among them was Ensign Mayweather who had been assisting Mr. Tucker with the installation of the warp core. Mayweather took his position at ship's helm and secured the main controls and rerouted emergency buffers as aprecaution for when the warp core was brought online.
The rest of the bridge crew were also securing their stations and making last minute preparations for the warp core to be brought online.
No one knew exactly what would happen. Chief Tucker was confident the system was compatible, but at the same time he couldn't
be sure the alien warp core wouldn't cause a ship wide feedback blowing out half the systems on the ship.
"Captain" Reed called out "department heads report all systems are secure. I'll need to take tactical offline before Mr. Tucker engages the warp core. If we have any energy spikes they could feed into the phasers
and cause an overload. That could take out the lower decks of the saucer sir."
"Make it so, Mr. Reed." replied the Captain "You can monitor the system wide energy output from the science station. We'll need someone to temporarily man that section."
"That will not be necessary, Captain." came a familiar voice from the back of the bridge
Soma spun around in his chair to see where the all to familiar voice came from. Standing in front of the turbo lift was the ship's first officer...Sub Commander T'Pol. The Captain looked up at her in surprise. Behind her he could see Doctor Phlox had accompanied her to the bridge.
Soma stood and walked over to the railing closing the distance between them. The two Vulcans stared at one another for a moment. Soma raised his hand in the traditional Vulcan greeting "Sub Commander T'Pol"
T'Pol raised her hand in kind "Captain Soma" she replied "I wish to resume my duties. The Doctor has cleared me for light duty."
Soma looked at Phlox "Doctor?"
"Nothing to strenuous Captain" replied the Doctor "At least for the next few days. The Sub Commander insisted on returning to duty before Mr. Tucker brought the warp core online."
Soma looked back at T'Pol and smiled "Then by all means Sub Commander" replied the Captain "assume your station...and welcome back."
T'Pol arched her eyebrow at Soma, turning she walked to her science station without replying. Soma watched as she took her seat
and immediately start checking systems and securing sensitive components. He sighed to himself looking down at the deck plate. Just then the comm on his chair signaled. He walked over and tapped the button "Go".
"We're ready Cap'n." said Tucker "We'll bring the warp core online when you give the word.."
Soma looked back at T'Pol who was now staring at him intently. "No time like the present, Chief."
"All right sir, then stand by." said Tucker "I'm initiating the start up sequence...sequence initiated...the warp
core will come on line in 45 seconds."
"Hoshi, ship wide inter comm." said Soma "All hands, the start up sequence for the warp core has begun...The Warp Core will come online in...35 seconds."
Soma swung his chair towards the science station "Sub Commander, monitor any fluctuations from the warp core on internal sensors."
"Yes, Captain" replied T'Pol
"Twenty five seconds Captain." came Tuckers voice over the inter comm.
All eyes were on the Captain's chair as Tucker relayed the count down for the warp core to come online.
"Fifteen seconds" he reported
Eyes darted from one person the next. Palms began to sweat. The tension on the bridge was beginning
To rise with every second they got closer to the engines coming to life.
"Ten seconds sir...9...8...7...6...5...4...3...2...1!"
Nothing...all stations remained as they were. It didn't work.
"Mr. Tucker?" said the Captain
But before Trip Tucker could reply a sudden surge went through the ship causing the deck plating to shutter.
This was followed by a high pitched whine that grew in intensity. Soma looked up seeing the ship visibly shake for several moments. Turning to T'pol he called out "Status!" as the ship began to rock violently.
"Warp core output at 125%, the ship is experiencing a system wide overload." shouted T'Pol as the noise of the ship's vibrations became defeaning "We must shut down the warp core or we will lose major ship systems."
"Soma to engineering, your running at 125%" shouted the Captain "Shut down the warp core. Ship's system are overloading."
No response...
"Chief!" shouted Soma "Pull the plug!"
Suddenly, the vibrations stopped...the deck plates ceased rattling and the high pitched whine of the energy surge
slowly faded. Soma looked around the bridge seeing the haggered faces of
his bridge crew.
"Engineering, what just happened?" asked Soma
"We got her under control sir." said Tucker "I told ya I wasn't sure how she'd react to Enterprise's systems. We had to
make some adjustments, but she's purrin like a kitten now sir. We HAVE warp drive."
Cheers rag out from the bridge crew in response to the news.
"Good work Chief" said Soma "You've earned your pay for the week."
"Aye aye sir.' replied Tucker "Just don't take her higher than warp three till we complete the diagnostics."
"Understood, Chief." Soma stood up and walked to the front of the bridge.
"Ensign, open the inter comm." said Soma
"Open sir." replied Hoshi
"This is the Captain speaking, thanks to Chief Tucker and his engineering staff, we now have warp drive restored
and we are ready to continue our mission." said Soma pausing.
He looked around the bridge at his crew. " We have a difficult mission ahead of us...and I know many of you are questioning whether your ready for it. Battling hostile aliens isn't the job you signed up for."
said Soma "I won't lie to you...there is a danger and there is risk...but risk is our business!"
"I know I can depend on each of you to do your very best. You have shown that your capable of facing adversity
and standing fast. You've sent a clear message to those that would thwart us. The crew of the starship Enterprise will not give up ...and they will always accomplish the impossible...because there are ships...and then there are ships named Enterprise."
The bridge crew looked at one another with pride, nodding in agreement.
Soma smiled "End of speech...let's get to work. Helm, set a course for the Pentax Facility in the Colodon system...warp three."
"Course laid in sir." smiled the helmsman
"Engage." ordered the Captain.
The helmsman moved the warp control accelerating the ship forward as it passed warp point five and continued accelerating to warp one creating a dazzling spray of light as it bent the space time
continuum...then warp two...warp two point five and the ship began to emit that familiar hum that all crews traveling at warp speed welcomed...finally the ship reached warp 3 and leveled out holding
at that speed.
"We are at warp three and holding, sir." said Mayweather
"Excellent" said soma "Time to Pentax?"
"At warp three" said Mayweather as he looked at his instruments "sixty three hours forty two minutes."
Soma walked over to his chair and tapped the comm "Engineering, any chance we'll be able to coax warp
four out of the engines?"
"Give me another hour Cap'n and I might even be able to give you four point five." responded Tucker
"Good work Chief" said Soma "Keep me updated on engine performance."
"Aye, sir." replied the engineer "we're still on for dinner?"
"1630 Chief." Replied Soma "I'll see you then."
Soma closed the channel and walked up the stairs to the raised deck and to the science station. "I'm going to my quarters to get settled in. Maintain our course and speed until Mr. Tucker gives us the ok to increase
past warp three."
"Aye Captain." responded T'Pol
Soma looked at the Vulcan science officer "I was wondering if you would join Commander Tucker and myself for dinner." said Soma "I haven't had an opportunity to sit down and talk with my two senior officers...dinner seems
as good a time as any."
T'pol looked back at the Captain. She considered his offer for several moments. "Of course Captain."
Soma smiled slightly "Good, then I'll see you at 1630 hours."
T'Pol nodded in acknowledgement
"You have the bridge number one." said Soma nodding to T'Pol as he headed towards the turbo lift.
As he exited, a curious expression came over T'Pol's face. Lieutenant Reed could not help noticing the Vulcan's brows furrow and recognized his fellow bridge officer was perplexed.
"Something wrong Sub Commander?" asked Reed
She arched a brow "The numerical reference the Captain made towards me."
"Number one?" said Reed
"I fail to comprehend the significance of it." asked T'Pol
Reed smiled "It's an old earth nautical term." he explained "Some Captain's used to call their first officer's'number one' as a sign of deference and respect. They were the Captain's number one officer. Some Starfleet
Captain's use the term. I guess Captain Soma does as well."
"Then it is a compliment?" said the Vulcan questioningly
"It is." replied Reed
T'Pol's merely shook her head.
TBC....