Title: "Gateway" 32/45
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 32
Travis Mayweather sat above the opening to the narrow access way.
Mayweather was crouched on the ceiling. He had discovered
the "sweet spot" shortly before Enterprise's launch. It was the
one spot on the ship where artificial gravity had no effect. It was
not a section that saw much traffic because of it's narrow confines
and withthe exception of the Jeffries tubes, this was the narrowest
service corridor on the ship. It was also a certain young Ensign's
refuge from the shame he felt after nearly causing the deaths of his fellow
70 plus crewmates. He needed to be alone and this was a spot
that he could count on next to no one intruding upon. Which is why
he was so surprised to hear the sound of footsteps coming from the
corridor below. He strained to hear if the person was just passing
through or had some business in this section.
"Travis?" a voice called out "Travis? Travis I know your up there."
It was Captain Soma. How did he know where to look for him?
The only one who knew about his "sweet spot" was Commander
Tucker. Had the Commander told Captain Soma where he might be?
Travis sighed…it really didn't matter. Soma had found him. He
knew he would have to face the Captain eventually. Now was as good a
time as any.
"Yes, sir." replied the Ensign "I'll come down sir."
"Don't bother." said Soma "I'm coming up."
The Captain climbed the ladder into the small compartment. As he
passed through the hatchway he looked up to see Travis Mayweather
crouched in the corner of the ceiling.
Soma smiled "I figured I'd find you here."
"How did you know I'd be here, sir?" the Ensign asked deciding not to voice
his theory.
Soma pushed off the ladder and free floated to the top off the compartment
where he took up a "seat" next to the Ensign. "Mr. Mayweather, I may only
be the temporary Captain of this ship, but I wouldn't be much of one if I
didn't know what was going on aboard her."
"Yes sir" Mayweather who replied in agreement. The young Ensign looked away
from his Captain. He wanted to say something to the man, but he wasn't
sure what. Stillness hung between the two men for what seemed an eternity.
Then Captain Soma spoke.
"Your bothered by your performance on the bridge today." said Soma
Travis Mayweather continued to stare at the bulkhead "I almost destroyed the
ship, Captain" he said swallowing hard "I almost killed the entire
crew…people who rely on me. People who are my friends."
Soma nodded "Yes Travis, you almost did."
Mayweather closed his eyes as the Captain's words seared into his
soul. He had hoped somewhere deep inside that the Captain would tell
him it wasn't his fault and that he was just persecuting himself for nothing.
"But you didn't" added the Captain after a pause "Can you tell me why?"
Travis fixed his eyes on the deck below. "Because we got lucky."
"I see" said Soma arching a brow "So your saying that you made a mistake
that put this ship and this crew in danger, but you had nothing to do with
taking us out of danger?"
Travis looked up at Soma "The ship wouldn't have been in danger if it
wasn't for me, Captain."
Soma sighed "No Travis, the ship and her crew would still have been in
danger." corrected the Captain "The Suliban placed us in danger...not you."
"But you said..." started Travis
"I said you almost caused the destruction of this ship." interrupted Soma
"The Suliban caused the situation. You reacted and your initial action
placed us in greater danger. You made a mistake."
Mayweather looked at Soma as the Captain stressed that final word. Travis turned
away "There isn't any room on the bridge for mistakes." replied Travis
"Really?" replied Soma in surprise "That's quite an arrogant attitude
you've got there Travis."
Travis turned back and looked at Soma
"We all make mistakes Travis." said the Captain "It's part of being
flawed and imperfect."
"But I can't afford to make mistakes." said Mayweather "If I do then people
can die because there isn't any room for error."
"What do you think I should do then Travis?" asked Soma "If it were up to you."
"If it were up to me?" said Travis "I would relieve myself of bridge duty ."
"I see" said Soma "but if I did that I would be losing a good officer.
"A good officer?" exclaimed Travis
"What do you think makes a good Starfleet officer Travis?" asked Soma
Travis looked down at the floor for a moment as he considered the Captain's question.
What DID make a good Starfleet officer?
Looking up Travis replied "The ability to make decisions with as few mistakes as possible."
Soma gave the young Ensign an arched brow.
"Mistakes cause injuries and even worse." insisted Mayweather "A good officer does his or her best to make sure their decisions won't cause harm to come to his ship or crewmembers."
"No Travis." explained Soma shaking his head "I don't care if an officer makes mistakes. What's important is his or her ability to deal with their mistakes. A good officer is one that can react to a given set of circumstances and also react to what that action causes."
"But…that leaves people in danger." said Travis
"Mister...danger is the business we're in as Starfleet officers." said Soma "Not one member of this crew
joined Starfleet thinking it was going to be either safe or easy. There are dangers out there Travis...but the
human spirit demands we face those dangers...no matter what the cost."
"Maybe I'm not cut out for it, sir." said Mayweather
"Do you really believe that Travis?" asked Soma
Travis shook his head meekly. He wasn't sure what he believed.
"Travis, we all make mistakes." said Soma "We try our best not to, but the odds are stacked against
us. Eventually, we make the one that we feared would happen...and someone dies. That's part of being
a Starfleet officer and even more so...a Starship Captain. You make the hard decisions"
"Have you...have you had to make that decision, sir?" asked Travis
Soma pursed his lips and looked down. "More than once Travis." said Soma "and even worse."
"Worse?" said Mayweather
"Travis, the worse thing for a Commander to do is decide which members of his crew get to live and which
ones have to die. It's not even about mistakes…it's simple numbers. The only shuttle pod left can take off with
nine people and I have fifteen. Do I take a chance with fifteen lives in a gambit I know will never work
or save nine lives I know I can?"
"What did you do?" asked Travis
Soma sighed "I left six people behind Travis."
"How do you get over it?" asked the Ensign
"You don't." replied Soma "You realize that as a Starfleet officer your called upon to make decisions
you don't want to and sometimes you make mistakes along the way. The only thing you can do is keep
going, because THAT is what your fellow officers are counting on. They know you can make a mistake
but they are counting on you to keep your head and get the job done so that their sacrifice has some worth or meaning . That is a Starfleet
officer Mr. Mayweather...and from where I'm sitting your a pretty damn good one."
Mayweather looked up at the Vulcan and gave him a smile "Thank you Captain"
"You can thank me by returning to duty." replied Soma
"Yes, sir." said Mayweather "Sir...can I stay here a few more minutes? I'd like to think a little
longer."
Soma nodded "Ten minutes and I want you back on the bridge mister."
"Yes sir." replied Travis as Some floated down to the ladder "Thank you Captain...I appreciate
what you said."
"It's part of my job Ensign." replied Soma "I'm not going to let Starfleet lose a good officer if I can help it.
See you on the bridge."
"Aye sir." replied the Ensign with a smile
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 32
Travis Mayweather sat above the opening to the narrow access way.
Mayweather was crouched on the ceiling. He had discovered
the "sweet spot" shortly before Enterprise's launch. It was the
one spot on the ship where artificial gravity had no effect. It was
not a section that saw much traffic because of it's narrow confines
and withthe exception of the Jeffries tubes, this was the narrowest
service corridor on the ship. It was also a certain young Ensign's
refuge from the shame he felt after nearly causing the deaths of his fellow
70 plus crewmates. He needed to be alone and this was a spot
that he could count on next to no one intruding upon. Which is why
he was so surprised to hear the sound of footsteps coming from the
corridor below. He strained to hear if the person was just passing
through or had some business in this section.
"Travis?" a voice called out "Travis? Travis I know your up there."
It was Captain Soma. How did he know where to look for him?
The only one who knew about his "sweet spot" was Commander
Tucker. Had the Commander told Captain Soma where he might be?
Travis sighed…it really didn't matter. Soma had found him. He
knew he would have to face the Captain eventually. Now was as good a
time as any.
"Yes, sir." replied the Ensign "I'll come down sir."
"Don't bother." said Soma "I'm coming up."
The Captain climbed the ladder into the small compartment. As he
passed through the hatchway he looked up to see Travis Mayweather
crouched in the corner of the ceiling.
Soma smiled "I figured I'd find you here."
"How did you know I'd be here, sir?" the Ensign asked deciding not to voice
his theory.
Soma pushed off the ladder and free floated to the top off the compartment
where he took up a "seat" next to the Ensign. "Mr. Mayweather, I may only
be the temporary Captain of this ship, but I wouldn't be much of one if I
didn't know what was going on aboard her."
"Yes sir" Mayweather who replied in agreement. The young Ensign looked away
from his Captain. He wanted to say something to the man, but he wasn't
sure what. Stillness hung between the two men for what seemed an eternity.
Then Captain Soma spoke.
"Your bothered by your performance on the bridge today." said Soma
Travis Mayweather continued to stare at the bulkhead "I almost destroyed the
ship, Captain" he said swallowing hard "I almost killed the entire
crew…people who rely on me. People who are my friends."
Soma nodded "Yes Travis, you almost did."
Mayweather closed his eyes as the Captain's words seared into his
soul. He had hoped somewhere deep inside that the Captain would tell
him it wasn't his fault and that he was just persecuting himself for nothing.
"But you didn't" added the Captain after a pause "Can you tell me why?"
Travis fixed his eyes on the deck below. "Because we got lucky."
"I see" said Soma arching a brow "So your saying that you made a mistake
that put this ship and this crew in danger, but you had nothing to do with
taking us out of danger?"
Travis looked up at Soma "The ship wouldn't have been in danger if it
wasn't for me, Captain."
Soma sighed "No Travis, the ship and her crew would still have been in
danger." corrected the Captain "The Suliban placed us in danger...not you."
"But you said..." started Travis
"I said you almost caused the destruction of this ship." interrupted Soma
"The Suliban caused the situation. You reacted and your initial action
placed us in greater danger. You made a mistake."
Mayweather looked at Soma as the Captain stressed that final word. Travis turned
away "There isn't any room on the bridge for mistakes." replied Travis
"Really?" replied Soma in surprise "That's quite an arrogant attitude
you've got there Travis."
Travis turned back and looked at Soma
"We all make mistakes Travis." said the Captain "It's part of being
flawed and imperfect."
"But I can't afford to make mistakes." said Mayweather "If I do then people
can die because there isn't any room for error."
"What do you think I should do then Travis?" asked Soma "If it were up to you."
"If it were up to me?" said Travis "I would relieve myself of bridge duty ."
"I see" said Soma "but if I did that I would be losing a good officer.
"A good officer?" exclaimed Travis
"What do you think makes a good Starfleet officer Travis?" asked Soma
Travis looked down at the floor for a moment as he considered the Captain's question.
What DID make a good Starfleet officer?
Looking up Travis replied "The ability to make decisions with as few mistakes as possible."
Soma gave the young Ensign an arched brow.
"Mistakes cause injuries and even worse." insisted Mayweather "A good officer does his or her best to make sure their decisions won't cause harm to come to his ship or crewmembers."
"No Travis." explained Soma shaking his head "I don't care if an officer makes mistakes. What's important is his or her ability to deal with their mistakes. A good officer is one that can react to a given set of circumstances and also react to what that action causes."
"But…that leaves people in danger." said Travis
"Mister...danger is the business we're in as Starfleet officers." said Soma "Not one member of this crew
joined Starfleet thinking it was going to be either safe or easy. There are dangers out there Travis...but the
human spirit demands we face those dangers...no matter what the cost."
"Maybe I'm not cut out for it, sir." said Mayweather
"Do you really believe that Travis?" asked Soma
Travis shook his head meekly. He wasn't sure what he believed.
"Travis, we all make mistakes." said Soma "We try our best not to, but the odds are stacked against
us. Eventually, we make the one that we feared would happen...and someone dies. That's part of being
a Starfleet officer and even more so...a Starship Captain. You make the hard decisions"
"Have you...have you had to make that decision, sir?" asked Travis
Soma pursed his lips and looked down. "More than once Travis." said Soma "and even worse."
"Worse?" said Mayweather
"Travis, the worse thing for a Commander to do is decide which members of his crew get to live and which
ones have to die. It's not even about mistakes…it's simple numbers. The only shuttle pod left can take off with
nine people and I have fifteen. Do I take a chance with fifteen lives in a gambit I know will never work
or save nine lives I know I can?"
"What did you do?" asked Travis
Soma sighed "I left six people behind Travis."
"How do you get over it?" asked the Ensign
"You don't." replied Soma "You realize that as a Starfleet officer your called upon to make decisions
you don't want to and sometimes you make mistakes along the way. The only thing you can do is keep
going, because THAT is what your fellow officers are counting on. They know you can make a mistake
but they are counting on you to keep your head and get the job done so that their sacrifice has some worth or meaning . That is a Starfleet
officer Mr. Mayweather...and from where I'm sitting your a pretty damn good one."
Mayweather looked up at the Vulcan and gave him a smile "Thank you Captain"
"You can thank me by returning to duty." replied Soma
"Yes, sir." said Mayweather "Sir...can I stay here a few more minutes? I'd like to think a little
longer."
Soma nodded "Ten minutes and I want you back on the bridge mister."
"Yes sir." replied Travis as Some floated down to the ladder "Thank you Captain...I appreciate
what you said."
"It's part of my job Ensign." replied Soma "I'm not going to let Starfleet lose a good officer if I can help it.
See you on the bridge."
"Aye sir." replied the Ensign with a smile
TBC…