Title: "Gateway" 29/45
Author: Quills
Contact:the_quill_pen@yahoo.com
Series: ENT
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star trek 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 investigate the 'Temporal Cold War'.
Chapter 29
Soma stepped off the turbo lift and onto the bridge. The
mood was quiet, but tense. Enterprise was do to arrive at
the Pentax facility within the hour and no one, including
Captain Soma, knew what awaited them.
Soma walked the perimeter that encircled the main command section,
stopping every few meters as he glided a hand across the railing.
It was a habit he had picked up years ago. He attributed it to
a throwback to old earth naval commanders who walked the deck of
their ship before a battle. Soma didn't know if they were in for
a fight, but he had learned that the best option was to hope for
the best and be prepared for the worst.
Soma doubled back around the command section and stopped at the
tactical station where Lt. Reed was busy at his controls.
"Mr. Reed, how are the modifications I asked you to make to the tactical
station coming along?"
Reed looked up at Soma "I've completed the modifications, but I haven't had
a chance to run any simulations Captain." replied the armory officer grimly
"I'm not sure how they'll hold up if we have to use them."
Just then a voice came from the science station "Captain, sensors are
detecting a vessel approaching."
Soma looked at Reed and then at T'Pol "What do you make of her?"
T'Pol danced her fingers over the instruments as she called
up data from the ship's computers "The craft matches the same design
used by the Suliban. The vessel is approximately one tenth the size of
Enterprise. The vessel has both forward and aft disrupter banks, but of a
a much lower yield strength than previously encountered Suliban
ships. The vessel poses no obvious threat."
"Suliban" muttered Soma
Reed glanced at the Captain "A welcoming party?"
"Let's find out." replied Soma as he headed for the command chair
"Open a hailing channel Hoshi."
The young Ensign turned her attention to her instruments as she
acknowledged the order "Aye, sir."
Soma took up a position alongside the command chair as
he began to speak. "This is Captain Soma of the starship Enterprise.
Please identify yourself."
Soma waited a few moments and then looked over at Ensign Sato.
The Ensign put her hand to her earpiece for a moment and then turned
towards Soma shaking her head. "Nothing Captain."
Soma let out and audible sign of exasperation. "I advise you to respond.
I would hate for our miscommunication to result in an avoidable...'accident'."
Hoshi snapped her head up and turned towards Soma
"Captain, I'm getting a response."
Soma turned towards the viewer "On screen."
The view screen flickered momentarily and then the image of the star field was
replaced by the face of a Suliban.
"I am Tsel, commander of the Suliban ship Vindicator." said the man on the
view screen "You are ordered to drop out of warp and await our arrival.
Any attempt to flee or power up your weapons will mean your destruction."
"Captain, we've scanned your vessel." said Soma "Your hardly in a position to
make threats. Enterprise has superior armament and firepower.
Your clearly outgunned."
The Suliban smiled "Captain, it is you who is...'out gunned'...as you shall
see."
Tsel turned his attention to the side where he nodded to someone out of view
and then the view screen flashed back to the star field.
Just then T'Pol sounded "Captain, sensors are detecting Suliban ships coming
out of cloak" she reported "two...three...six...fifteen Suliban ships. They are on an
intercept course."
"Captain, their weapons systems are powered up." barked the tactical officer
"Time to intercept?" asked Soma
T'Pol looked at her instruments "Two minutes, seventeen seconds."
Soma looked at the screen as he considered his options. He wasn't
about to surrender, but a direct attack was out of the question.
The Suliban ships might be less equipped, but they were small and
maneuverable. They would swarm on Enterprise like Ventaxian
hornets; attacking until the ship was too crippled to put up a fight.
Soma knew what he had to do if they were going to come out of this alive.
"Mr. Mayweather, bring us about 180 degrees." ordered the Captain
"Maximum warp away from the Suliban ships."
Heads turned and all eyes were on Soma. The crew had faced the Suliban
attack ships before. They knew they couldn't hope to outrun them. To attempt
to do so would expose their less armed aft section to attack, not to mention
the ships impulse and warp drive. It was suicidal.
Mayweather looked up at Soma and hesitated momentarily as the order
to retreat sunk in. "A-Aye sir."
Lt. Reed was about to step forward to address the Captain, but T'Pol
was already up and heading for the helm.
"Helmsman, belay that order." she called out
Soma turned and gave her a piercing stare.
T'Pol ignored the look in Soma's eyes and spoke "Captain, prior engagements
have demonstrated we cannot hope to outrun the Suliban ships. They are smaller,
faster and more maneuverable. A retreat will leave us open to attack. Your choice
to retreat is not logical. We must coordinate an offensive action if we are to survive
the Suliban attack."
Soma stared at her silently for a moment and then turned back to Ensign
Mayweather. "Mr. Mayweather, you will carry out my last order...180 degrees
about...maximum warp."
Travis Mayweather looked at T'Pol and then at Soma. He wasn't sure who was
right. Soma had saved Mayweather and the rest of the landing party. Travis knew he
had a cool head and wasn't a coward , but T'Pol was right; they couldn't hope
to outrun the Suliban ships. He had to decide if obeying his Captain was the
the right thing to do. He gave his two superiors another glance. In the end, his
training won out and he followed his Captain's order.
Soma turned to the tactical station "Mr. Reed, bring the computer
targeting system online."
"Aye sir" replied the tactical officer as he activated the modifications
the Captain had ordered him to create.
Soma turned back to T'Pol, but looked over at Hoshi as he ignored the
Vulcan science officer. "Ensign, open ship's intercom."
Hoshi nodded as she activated the ship's intercom "Open sir."
Soma turned his gaze at T'Pol as he addressed the crew. "All hands, this
the Captain. We are currently running at high warp with fifteen Suliban
attack ships behind us. In approximately three minutes, they will overtake
us and quite probably destroy Enterprise with their superior numbers.
However, we aren't going to give them the opportunity. On my command,
we will initiate our own attack. All personnel are to evacuate the
outer sections. Any major sections transfer to auxiliary locations. You
have two minutes."
"Close comm Ensign." ordered Soma still holding his gaze on T'Pol
He looked at her for a brief moment longer and then spoke to her
with a tense controled anger. "Take your station Sub Commander...that's
an order."
"Yes Captain" she replied quietly.
Soma turned and took his seat in the command chair. "Status of targeting
system Lt.?"
"The system is on line Captain and appears to be functioning." reported Reed
"Make sure it stays that way Lt." replied Soma
"I'll do my best sir." answered Reed "but this isn't exactly up to Starfleet
specs. This jury riggin Mr. Tucker and I did is about as stable as a set of
Christmas lights."
Soma turned to the science station. "Time till Suliban ships overtake us Sub Commander?"
T'Pol glanced at her instruments. "Two minutes and thirty seconds."
Soma turned towards the helm. "Mr. Mayweather, on my command bring the ship about
on a direct course for the center of the Suliban Attack formation."
Mayweather glanced over his shoulder. "The center sir?"
"You heard me Mr. Mayweather." replied Soma as he hit the comm button on his chair
"Engine room...Chief, I want you to bring all emergency power to the structural integrity fields."
"Aye Captain." responded the Engineer
Soma glanced over his shoulder. "Mr. Reed, red alert, polarize the hull plating, ready phaser cannons,
arm forward and aft torpedoes."
"Aye sir." replied the armory officer as he signaled the ship's red alert system. The weapon systems instantly
came online charging energy reserves.
"Captain" called out T'Pol "Suliban ship's are now thirty seconds from our position."
"Travis, get ready to drop out of warp and bring us about." said Soma turning towards the viewer "Steady
Travis....on my mark....NOW!"
Ensign Mayweather moved his hands across the navigation board as he changed ship's course to come
about as the ship rapidly decelerated to sub warp speed. Enterprise suddenly came out of warp and
maneuvered about by 180 degrees. The starship's sudden maneuver jostled several crewmembers from
their seats as the ship's inertial dampeners strained against the sudden deceleration. Just as quickly, the
ship rocketed forward at full impulse towards the decelerating Suliban attack formation.
"Captain, there isn't a clear path!" shouted Mayweather
"Mow through Mr. Mayweather!" replied Soma "Lt. Reed initiate automated targeting sequence Sun
Tsu, clear us a path."
"Targeting sequence initiated sir, phase canons and forward torpedoes firing at multiple targets ." replied Reed
Enterprise phase cannons shot lances of phase energy at the outer perimiter of the Suliban attack formation.
The inner formation was scrambling to take evasive maneuvers as the starship was on a direct course
for their formation. Phase cannon fire shot out striking computer targeted ships as torpedoes rocketed
in to strike ship's that had moved out of phase cannon range.
Soma hit the intership comm button "All hands brace for multiple impacts!"
As the Captain gave the order, numerous impacts began to strike the ship as the Enterprise acted
as a battering ram against the Suliban ships unfortunate enough to lie in its path. The reinforced
power yields to the hull plating and structural integrity were straining as the Suliban ship's were
struck by the Enterprise, some buffeting off with heavy damage while others exploded from
massive hull integrity breaches.
A voice came over the command chair intercom "Cap'n, the power grids overloadin!" shouted Tucker "The
hull platin wasn't designed to take full impact."
"Acknowledged Chief." replied Soma "We'll see what we can do to alleviate the strain."
Turning his attention back to the viewer he barked an order to the tactical station "Aft Torpedoes
Mr. Reed...FIRE!"
A volley of torpedoes struck three Suliban ship's as the Enterprise cleared the now heavily damaged Suliban
formation. "Mr. Mayweather, bring us about...course 178 mark 274"
"Aye Captain" responded the helmsman
The ship came about as two more torpedoes struck several fleeing Suliban ships that were scrambling
in the confusion the Enterprise's battering ram attack had caused.
"Mr. Reed, new targeting sequence Hannibal 1" ordered Soma "All phase cannons lateral
fire."
"Aye sir" replied Reed as he activated the auto sequencing command. The phase cannons
fired simultaneously to port and starboard as the Enterprise passed between three Suliban
ships.
"Direct hit on three Suliban vessels." reported T'Pol as the data readings flashed across
her boards "Captain, the Suliban ship Vindicator is targeting our primary impulse drive."
"Travis, alternate course, don't let her get a lock on us." Soma glanced at the tactical station.
"Target the Vindicator with an aft torpedo Mr. Reed...FIRE!"
"Aye sir...Captain, aft torpedo not responding. I'm reading a system malfunction." replied Reed
in a panicked voice "I think the system crashed."
Soma turned to the helm and was about to issue an order when he saw the Vindicator had closed
the gap with the Enterprise and was now directly aft. "Travis!" Soma shouted "Dammit, she's right
on us!"
The Ensign saw the Suliban ship as she filled the view screen monitor. He had failed to compensate
on the ship's last maneuver and had let the Suliban ship close the gap and line up for a perfect
shooting maneuver.
"Captain, the Vindicator has locked onto us." shouted the science officer
Before Captain Soma could give an order for evasive maneuvers, Ensign Mayweather altered
the Enterprise's course once more. The Enterprise came to an immediate stop as the Suliban
ship 'Vindicator' came rushing at her only to speed beneath her as Mayweather activated
the starship's thrusters carrying Enterprise above the Suliban ship.
Soma looked at Mayweather and then at the viewer. The Suliban ship came within meters
of the Enterprise as she rocketed past.
"Suliban ship is passing under us to the port Captain." reported T'Pol
"Emergency stop!" shouted Soma "Go to manual on the phaser cannons... fire on my command."
The Suliban ship cleared the Enterprise and sped forward several hundred meters to her port.
"Fire phase cannons...give them both banks!" ordered Soma
"Phase cannons firing" replied Reed
Twin beams of phase cannon fire lanced out, striking the dorsal spine of the Suliban ship. The phase cannons
ripped across the exposed sections of the 'Vindicator' sending arcs of energy shooting from the metal..
"Direct hit Captain " reported T'Pol "The Vindicator is moving off on impulse.
The remaining Suliban ships are following."
"Pursuit course Captain?" asked Mayweather
"No, Mr. Mayweather" replied Soma "Resume course to Pentax. We got lucky. Let's put
some distance between the Suliban and us before they try to regroup. I have the feeling that
we'll find our answers on Pentax."
Soma looked at the Ensign for a moment and the two men's gaze met briefly, but Mayweather
could no longer look into the face of his Captain and before Soma could say anything
the Ensign turned to his station.
Soma sighed and stood up from his command chair." Secure from Red Alert Mr. Reed."
"Aye sir" replied Reed
Soma hit the comm button on his chair "Chief, have damage control crews get to work on repairs."
"Aye, sir" replied Tucker
Soma turned towards the tactical station. "Mr. Reed, the bridge is yours. I'll be in the ready room." said Soma
Reed looked over at T'Pol and than at Captain Soma. He saw the look on the Captain's face . "Aye, sir" he replied.
Soma stood and headed for the ready room calling out as he reached the door. "Sub Commander, I'd like you
to join me. ."
T'Pol rose from her station and headed for the ready room. When both officers had exited the bridge, the
senior officers looked at one another for several moments before Reed spoke "I believe someone just
went to the wood shed."
-----------------------------------------------
The two officers entered the ship's ready room. Once the door closed
behind, Soma turned abruptly to face his first officer.
"What the hell did you think you were doing out there!?" he said fighting to maintain his composure.
"Your order to turn the ship around, in my opinion, placed the ship in jeopardy." replied T'Pol coolly
"A retreat was not a viable option. The Suliban ships would have overtaken Enterprise and destroyed her.
The only logical alternative was to fight."
"But I wasn't retreating...was I Sub Commander?" he stated stressing her rank.
"I was unaware that you had ulterior motives for ordering the ship
about." she replied "Had I known you intended to turn a defensive tactic into an
offensive one... I would not have countermanded your order."
Soma glared at her angrily. "I wasn't aware I had to green light my orders with you Sub Commander."
She bristled at the comment "You do not, sir." she replied
"Your damn right I don't." he responded as he turned and looked out the window. He took in a deep
breathe and let out a sigh.
"You don't like me Sub Commander." said Soma "You've made that apparent."
T'Pol looked at Soma for a moment. "Captain, I.."
"I didn't give you permission to speak" said Soma as he turned "Your the first officer. I'm the
Captain. We don't have to like each other personally. We DO have to work
together. This crew relies on the Captain and first officer
to have an understanding. If we can't then the crew loses faith. You have a
problem with one of my orders. You take it up with me...in private. If you
feel that you cannot complete your duties as first officer then I will
make a temporary adjustment to the ship's command structure and assign
Mr. Reed the position of first officer for the duration of our mission."
T'Pol bristled at Soma's words. "That will not be necessary Captain." replied T'Pol "I am fully capable
of carrying out your orders."
Soma stepped closer shortening the gap between. "I hope so, because if you pull another maneuver
like the one you did on the bridge...I'll snap you back so fast you won't need warp speed to get back to
Vulcan." he said "Am I perfectly clear... Sub Commander."
T'Pol straightened herself "Yes, sir...you are"
"Then take your position at the con." said Soma as he turned his back to her "Dismissed"
T'Pol remained motionless for a moment. She wanted to say something, but she knew there was
nothing to say. She had chosen to countermand the Captain's order and what was worse is she knew she
would never have done that to Captain Archer. Soma was right, she didn't like him and she didn't even
know why.
Soma listened for the sound of her footsteps to trail off and the door to close behind her. When he was
certain she was gone, he let out an audible sigh as he let his head fall to his chest. "That could have
gone better."
TBC...
Author: Quills
Contact:the_quill_pen@yahoo.com
Series: ENT
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star trek 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 investigate the 'Temporal Cold War'.
Chapter 29
Soma stepped off the turbo lift and onto the bridge. The
mood was quiet, but tense. Enterprise was do to arrive at
the Pentax facility within the hour and no one, including
Captain Soma, knew what awaited them.
Soma walked the perimeter that encircled the main command section,
stopping every few meters as he glided a hand across the railing.
It was a habit he had picked up years ago. He attributed it to
a throwback to old earth naval commanders who walked the deck of
their ship before a battle. Soma didn't know if they were in for
a fight, but he had learned that the best option was to hope for
the best and be prepared for the worst.
Soma doubled back around the command section and stopped at the
tactical station where Lt. Reed was busy at his controls.
"Mr. Reed, how are the modifications I asked you to make to the tactical
station coming along?"
Reed looked up at Soma "I've completed the modifications, but I haven't had
a chance to run any simulations Captain." replied the armory officer grimly
"I'm not sure how they'll hold up if we have to use them."
Just then a voice came from the science station "Captain, sensors are
detecting a vessel approaching."
Soma looked at Reed and then at T'Pol "What do you make of her?"
T'Pol danced her fingers over the instruments as she called
up data from the ship's computers "The craft matches the same design
used by the Suliban. The vessel is approximately one tenth the size of
Enterprise. The vessel has both forward and aft disrupter banks, but of a
a much lower yield strength than previously encountered Suliban
ships. The vessel poses no obvious threat."
"Suliban" muttered Soma
Reed glanced at the Captain "A welcoming party?"
"Let's find out." replied Soma as he headed for the command chair
"Open a hailing channel Hoshi."
The young Ensign turned her attention to her instruments as she
acknowledged the order "Aye, sir."
Soma took up a position alongside the command chair as
he began to speak. "This is Captain Soma of the starship Enterprise.
Please identify yourself."
Soma waited a few moments and then looked over at Ensign Sato.
The Ensign put her hand to her earpiece for a moment and then turned
towards Soma shaking her head. "Nothing Captain."
Soma let out and audible sign of exasperation. "I advise you to respond.
I would hate for our miscommunication to result in an avoidable...'accident'."
Hoshi snapped her head up and turned towards Soma
"Captain, I'm getting a response."
Soma turned towards the viewer "On screen."
The view screen flickered momentarily and then the image of the star field was
replaced by the face of a Suliban.
"I am Tsel, commander of the Suliban ship Vindicator." said the man on the
view screen "You are ordered to drop out of warp and await our arrival.
Any attempt to flee or power up your weapons will mean your destruction."
"Captain, we've scanned your vessel." said Soma "Your hardly in a position to
make threats. Enterprise has superior armament and firepower.
Your clearly outgunned."
The Suliban smiled "Captain, it is you who is...'out gunned'...as you shall
see."
Tsel turned his attention to the side where he nodded to someone out of view
and then the view screen flashed back to the star field.
Just then T'Pol sounded "Captain, sensors are detecting Suliban ships coming
out of cloak" she reported "two...three...six...fifteen Suliban ships. They are on an
intercept course."
"Captain, their weapons systems are powered up." barked the tactical officer
"Time to intercept?" asked Soma
T'Pol looked at her instruments "Two minutes, seventeen seconds."
Soma looked at the screen as he considered his options. He wasn't
about to surrender, but a direct attack was out of the question.
The Suliban ships might be less equipped, but they were small and
maneuverable. They would swarm on Enterprise like Ventaxian
hornets; attacking until the ship was too crippled to put up a fight.
Soma knew what he had to do if they were going to come out of this alive.
"Mr. Mayweather, bring us about 180 degrees." ordered the Captain
"Maximum warp away from the Suliban ships."
Heads turned and all eyes were on Soma. The crew had faced the Suliban
attack ships before. They knew they couldn't hope to outrun them. To attempt
to do so would expose their less armed aft section to attack, not to mention
the ships impulse and warp drive. It was suicidal.
Mayweather looked up at Soma and hesitated momentarily as the order
to retreat sunk in. "A-Aye sir."
Lt. Reed was about to step forward to address the Captain, but T'Pol
was already up and heading for the helm.
"Helmsman, belay that order." she called out
Soma turned and gave her a piercing stare.
T'Pol ignored the look in Soma's eyes and spoke "Captain, prior engagements
have demonstrated we cannot hope to outrun the Suliban ships. They are smaller,
faster and more maneuverable. A retreat will leave us open to attack. Your choice
to retreat is not logical. We must coordinate an offensive action if we are to survive
the Suliban attack."
Soma stared at her silently for a moment and then turned back to Ensign
Mayweather. "Mr. Mayweather, you will carry out my last order...180 degrees
about...maximum warp."
Travis Mayweather looked at T'Pol and then at Soma. He wasn't sure who was
right. Soma had saved Mayweather and the rest of the landing party. Travis knew he
had a cool head and wasn't a coward , but T'Pol was right; they couldn't hope
to outrun the Suliban ships. He had to decide if obeying his Captain was the
the right thing to do. He gave his two superiors another glance. In the end, his
training won out and he followed his Captain's order.
Soma turned to the tactical station "Mr. Reed, bring the computer
targeting system online."
"Aye sir" replied the tactical officer as he activated the modifications
the Captain had ordered him to create.
Soma turned back to T'Pol, but looked over at Hoshi as he ignored the
Vulcan science officer. "Ensign, open ship's intercom."
Hoshi nodded as she activated the ship's intercom "Open sir."
Soma turned his gaze at T'Pol as he addressed the crew. "All hands, this
the Captain. We are currently running at high warp with fifteen Suliban
attack ships behind us. In approximately three minutes, they will overtake
us and quite probably destroy Enterprise with their superior numbers.
However, we aren't going to give them the opportunity. On my command,
we will initiate our own attack. All personnel are to evacuate the
outer sections. Any major sections transfer to auxiliary locations. You
have two minutes."
"Close comm Ensign." ordered Soma still holding his gaze on T'Pol
He looked at her for a brief moment longer and then spoke to her
with a tense controled anger. "Take your station Sub Commander...that's
an order."
"Yes Captain" she replied quietly.
Soma turned and took his seat in the command chair. "Status of targeting
system Lt.?"
"The system is on line Captain and appears to be functioning." reported Reed
"Make sure it stays that way Lt." replied Soma
"I'll do my best sir." answered Reed "but this isn't exactly up to Starfleet
specs. This jury riggin Mr. Tucker and I did is about as stable as a set of
Christmas lights."
Soma turned to the science station. "Time till Suliban ships overtake us Sub Commander?"
T'Pol glanced at her instruments. "Two minutes and thirty seconds."
Soma turned towards the helm. "Mr. Mayweather, on my command bring the ship about
on a direct course for the center of the Suliban Attack formation."
Mayweather glanced over his shoulder. "The center sir?"
"You heard me Mr. Mayweather." replied Soma as he hit the comm button on his chair
"Engine room...Chief, I want you to bring all emergency power to the structural integrity fields."
"Aye Captain." responded the Engineer
Soma glanced over his shoulder. "Mr. Reed, red alert, polarize the hull plating, ready phaser cannons,
arm forward and aft torpedoes."
"Aye sir." replied the armory officer as he signaled the ship's red alert system. The weapon systems instantly
came online charging energy reserves.
"Captain" called out T'Pol "Suliban ship's are now thirty seconds from our position."
"Travis, get ready to drop out of warp and bring us about." said Soma turning towards the viewer "Steady
Travis....on my mark....NOW!"
Ensign Mayweather moved his hands across the navigation board as he changed ship's course to come
about as the ship rapidly decelerated to sub warp speed. Enterprise suddenly came out of warp and
maneuvered about by 180 degrees. The starship's sudden maneuver jostled several crewmembers from
their seats as the ship's inertial dampeners strained against the sudden deceleration. Just as quickly, the
ship rocketed forward at full impulse towards the decelerating Suliban attack formation.
"Captain, there isn't a clear path!" shouted Mayweather
"Mow through Mr. Mayweather!" replied Soma "Lt. Reed initiate automated targeting sequence Sun
Tsu, clear us a path."
"Targeting sequence initiated sir, phase canons and forward torpedoes firing at multiple targets ." replied Reed
Enterprise phase cannons shot lances of phase energy at the outer perimiter of the Suliban attack formation.
The inner formation was scrambling to take evasive maneuvers as the starship was on a direct course
for their formation. Phase cannon fire shot out striking computer targeted ships as torpedoes rocketed
in to strike ship's that had moved out of phase cannon range.
Soma hit the intership comm button "All hands brace for multiple impacts!"
As the Captain gave the order, numerous impacts began to strike the ship as the Enterprise acted
as a battering ram against the Suliban ships unfortunate enough to lie in its path. The reinforced
power yields to the hull plating and structural integrity were straining as the Suliban ship's were
struck by the Enterprise, some buffeting off with heavy damage while others exploded from
massive hull integrity breaches.
A voice came over the command chair intercom "Cap'n, the power grids overloadin!" shouted Tucker "The
hull platin wasn't designed to take full impact."
"Acknowledged Chief." replied Soma "We'll see what we can do to alleviate the strain."
Turning his attention back to the viewer he barked an order to the tactical station "Aft Torpedoes
Mr. Reed...FIRE!"
A volley of torpedoes struck three Suliban ship's as the Enterprise cleared the now heavily damaged Suliban
formation. "Mr. Mayweather, bring us about...course 178 mark 274"
"Aye Captain" responded the helmsman
The ship came about as two more torpedoes struck several fleeing Suliban ships that were scrambling
in the confusion the Enterprise's battering ram attack had caused.
"Mr. Reed, new targeting sequence Hannibal 1" ordered Soma "All phase cannons lateral
fire."
"Aye sir" replied Reed as he activated the auto sequencing command. The phase cannons
fired simultaneously to port and starboard as the Enterprise passed between three Suliban
ships.
"Direct hit on three Suliban vessels." reported T'Pol as the data readings flashed across
her boards "Captain, the Suliban ship Vindicator is targeting our primary impulse drive."
"Travis, alternate course, don't let her get a lock on us." Soma glanced at the tactical station.
"Target the Vindicator with an aft torpedo Mr. Reed...FIRE!"
"Aye sir...Captain, aft torpedo not responding. I'm reading a system malfunction." replied Reed
in a panicked voice "I think the system crashed."
Soma turned to the helm and was about to issue an order when he saw the Vindicator had closed
the gap with the Enterprise and was now directly aft. "Travis!" Soma shouted "Dammit, she's right
on us!"
The Ensign saw the Suliban ship as she filled the view screen monitor. He had failed to compensate
on the ship's last maneuver and had let the Suliban ship close the gap and line up for a perfect
shooting maneuver.
"Captain, the Vindicator has locked onto us." shouted the science officer
Before Captain Soma could give an order for evasive maneuvers, Ensign Mayweather altered
the Enterprise's course once more. The Enterprise came to an immediate stop as the Suliban
ship 'Vindicator' came rushing at her only to speed beneath her as Mayweather activated
the starship's thrusters carrying Enterprise above the Suliban ship.
Soma looked at Mayweather and then at the viewer. The Suliban ship came within meters
of the Enterprise as she rocketed past.
"Suliban ship is passing under us to the port Captain." reported T'Pol
"Emergency stop!" shouted Soma "Go to manual on the phaser cannons... fire on my command."
The Suliban ship cleared the Enterprise and sped forward several hundred meters to her port.
"Fire phase cannons...give them both banks!" ordered Soma
"Phase cannons firing" replied Reed
Twin beams of phase cannon fire lanced out, striking the dorsal spine of the Suliban ship. The phase cannons
ripped across the exposed sections of the 'Vindicator' sending arcs of energy shooting from the metal..
"Direct hit Captain " reported T'Pol "The Vindicator is moving off on impulse.
The remaining Suliban ships are following."
"Pursuit course Captain?" asked Mayweather
"No, Mr. Mayweather" replied Soma "Resume course to Pentax. We got lucky. Let's put
some distance between the Suliban and us before they try to regroup. I have the feeling that
we'll find our answers on Pentax."
Soma looked at the Ensign for a moment and the two men's gaze met briefly, but Mayweather
could no longer look into the face of his Captain and before Soma could say anything
the Ensign turned to his station.
Soma sighed and stood up from his command chair." Secure from Red Alert Mr. Reed."
"Aye sir" replied Reed
Soma hit the comm button on his chair "Chief, have damage control crews get to work on repairs."
"Aye, sir" replied Tucker
Soma turned towards the tactical station. "Mr. Reed, the bridge is yours. I'll be in the ready room." said Soma
Reed looked over at T'Pol and than at Captain Soma. He saw the look on the Captain's face . "Aye, sir" he replied.
Soma stood and headed for the ready room calling out as he reached the door. "Sub Commander, I'd like you
to join me. ."
T'Pol rose from her station and headed for the ready room. When both officers had exited the bridge, the
senior officers looked at one another for several moments before Reed spoke "I believe someone just
went to the wood shed."
-----------------------------------------------
The two officers entered the ship's ready room. Once the door closed
behind, Soma turned abruptly to face his first officer.
"What the hell did you think you were doing out there!?" he said fighting to maintain his composure.
"Your order to turn the ship around, in my opinion, placed the ship in jeopardy." replied T'Pol coolly
"A retreat was not a viable option. The Suliban ships would have overtaken Enterprise and destroyed her.
The only logical alternative was to fight."
"But I wasn't retreating...was I Sub Commander?" he stated stressing her rank.
"I was unaware that you had ulterior motives for ordering the ship
about." she replied "Had I known you intended to turn a defensive tactic into an
offensive one... I would not have countermanded your order."
Soma glared at her angrily. "I wasn't aware I had to green light my orders with you Sub Commander."
She bristled at the comment "You do not, sir." she replied
"Your damn right I don't." he responded as he turned and looked out the window. He took in a deep
breathe and let out a sigh.
"You don't like me Sub Commander." said Soma "You've made that apparent."
T'Pol looked at Soma for a moment. "Captain, I.."
"I didn't give you permission to speak" said Soma as he turned "Your the first officer. I'm the
Captain. We don't have to like each other personally. We DO have to work
together. This crew relies on the Captain and first officer
to have an understanding. If we can't then the crew loses faith. You have a
problem with one of my orders. You take it up with me...in private. If you
feel that you cannot complete your duties as first officer then I will
make a temporary adjustment to the ship's command structure and assign
Mr. Reed the position of first officer for the duration of our mission."
T'Pol bristled at Soma's words. "That will not be necessary Captain." replied T'Pol "I am fully capable
of carrying out your orders."
Soma stepped closer shortening the gap between. "I hope so, because if you pull another maneuver
like the one you did on the bridge...I'll snap you back so fast you won't need warp speed to get back to
Vulcan." he said "Am I perfectly clear... Sub Commander."
T'Pol straightened herself "Yes, sir...you are"
"Then take your position at the con." said Soma as he turned his back to her "Dismissed"
T'Pol remained motionless for a moment. She wanted to say something, but she knew there was
nothing to say. She had chosen to countermand the Captain's order and what was worse is she knew she
would never have done that to Captain Archer. Soma was right, she didn't like him and she didn't even
know why.
Soma listened for the sound of her footsteps to trail off and the door to close behind her. When he was
certain she was gone, he let out an audible sigh as he let his head fall to his chest. "That could have
gone better."
TBC...