Engine Trouble… In More Ways Than One!
By: Moonlit Sea
Disclaimer: I don't own Enterprise or the characters all I own is this fic and the characters Lt. Karyn Kelly, Lt. Davis Adams, Ensign Mark Matsuki & Crewman Kari James.
A/N: (I never forget the thank yous even if this is a revised version!) I wanna say a big thank you to my friend Alun for helping me through my writer's block (Thank you sooo much Alun!) and Lt Spooky for beta reading the fic & coming up with a title.
/-Thoughts-/
[Whispers]
Chapter 3 - Attacked By Who?
When Archer arrived on the bridge, T'Pol was already at her science station.
"Report." he said while walking towards his command chair.
T'Pol turned to Archer and replied "Captain, we are on our way to where the distress call originated from."
"Travis, how long until we get there?"
"Two hours sir." Travis replied.
Archer turned to Hoshi and asked, "Any idea what the distress call was about?"
"It sounded like they were having engine trouble."
"A distress call just 'cos of a little engine trouble?" Travis said.
"You don't sound too sure Hoshi." Archer said choosing to ignore Travis' comment.
" I'm having a little trouble understanding their language." Hoshi answered.
"Well just make sure you understand them by the time we get there. I don't wanna say or do anything and accidentally insult them without knowing what it was I said or did." He said thinking back to the incident with the Kreetassans.
/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/
In engineering Karyn was having a hard time avoiding the commander. Although she had taken the captain's advice and tried to stay out of his way, every once in a while she found the commander looking at her in a mean way. She was glad when her shift ended but before she went out the door she heard someone call her name.
"Hey Karyn." she turned round to see one of her crewmates Lieutenant Davis Adams; he wasn't a very tall man yet he was just a bit taller than her, with blonde hair and blue eyes.
"Yeah Davis."
"Wanna come around and play cards tonight?"
"Are the others coming?"
"Yep."
"Count me in then." she said with a smile.
Then someone from behind Davis said, " I thought you were leavin' Lieutenant."
"Yes Commander, I'll see ya later Davis."
Davis gave a nod as Karyn went out the door.
/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/
Travis stepped into the mess hall they wouldn't reach the distress call area for another hour yet. He grabbed some food and looked round to see if he could spot anyone he knew. He then spotted Hoshi staring out the window. At least, he thought she was staring out the window but as he got closer he realised that she was actually talking to someone although he couldn't see anyone…
"Mind if I join you?" he asked.
"No, go ahead." Hoshi answered.
"Thanks." it was only when he sat down that he saw who Hoshi was talking to. It was Karyn; she was sitting in the shadows looking very sad.
"What's wrong Karyn?"
"Nothing Travis just a rough day that's all." She sighed "Hey do you guys wanna join our card game later?" she asks.
"Sure" Travis replied.
"Why not."
"Great. It's in Davis' quarters at twenty hundred hours."
"Who else is going?" Hoshi enquired.
"Just a few people from engineering."
"So how are things in engineering?" Travis asked before sticking a piece of food in his mouth.
Karyn gave half a smile and said, "They're okay I guess." She sighed again and looked out the window. Hoshi felt sorry for Karyn. Ever since a week or so ago things had been going wrong for her. First Kian then the commander what was next?
Karyn then turned round and said "I'm going to my quarters for a little while. I'll see you both at the card game?"
"Yeah, Davis' quarters right?" Travis answered.
"Twenty hundred hours." Hoshi added.
Karyn smiled "Yeah that's right see ya there." and proceeded out the door.
Then Travis turned to Hoshi and asked, "Is she okay?"
Hoshi sighed and replied, "No, she's not."
"What's wrong with her?"
"Let's just say she's having a few troubles in engineering."
"Engineering? I don't like the sound of that."
Then from behind them a voice said "I don't mean to interrupt but I overheard you say she was having trouble in engineering." they both turned round and saw
Malcolm standing behind them.
"You weren't by any chance talking about Lieutenant Kelly?"
"That's right." Travis answered.
"The letter."
"Sir?"
But before Travis got an answer Malcolm headed for the door.
"What was that all about?" Travis asked a little confused.
"I don't know." Hoshi replied sounding just as confused as Travis.
"You know if Karyn's having trouble in engineering maybe you should talk to the Commander or even the Captain." Changing the subject back to Karyn.
"You know Travis that might be a good idea. Thanks." She then got up and went to find the captain.
"I didn't mean right now." He said as he watched Hoshi walk out of the mess hall.
/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/
A few minutes after Karyn entered her quarters her door chimed, she felt she wasn't really in the mood to talk to anyone. Even though she was going to a card game later on that evening. "Go away… please." but the door kept chiming. "I said go away!" She repeated raising her voice. The door again chimed so she put away what she was reading. Then went to the door, opened it and said " Didn't you hear I said go…. Oh Lieutenant." Karyn was shocked to see it was Lieutenant Reed standing outside the door to her quarters.
"May I come in?"
"Now's not a good time sir."
"Please it's important. And please call me Malcolm when we're off duty."
"That would be inappropriate sir. You are a senior officer and it would be improper to call you other wise." Karyn stated.
Malcolm smiled at her choice of words.
"Please."
"If you're sure it would be okay."
Malcolm gave a nod of his head, and Karyn let him in.
"Please have a seat." She offered.
"Thank you."
"What is it that you want to discuss with me s…" Karyn managed to stop herself from saying 'Sir' but just barely.
Malcolm could see that Karyn was still a little uneasy about calling him by his first name. So decided to get straight to the point.
"I er… overheard from Hoshi and Travis that you were having a little trouble in engineering."
At that point Karyn's face fell and she turned away from him. "It's nothing serious. Really." A little worried as to where this conversation was going.
"Is it because of that letter you received?" Malcolm enquired.
Karyn smiled "No it's got nothing to do with that. Well not directly anyway." she then turned to him and asked, "You didn't read it did you?"
"A little bit." Malcolm admitted.
"I see, where exactly did you read up to?" Karyn asked, just a little annoyed that Malcolm had read her letter. Even if it was only a little part.
"Up to the part where your fiancé broke up with you."
"Well seeing as you've already read half of it you might as well read the other half!" taking the PADD out of the draw she put it in earlier and threw it at Malcolm. "And I suppose you might as well know everything else as well." Sighing, "I found out yesterday that Commander Tucker has as the Captain put it 'fallen for me' " She finished resignedly.
"I thought that might be the case." Malcolm said, choosing to ignore the PADD that had narrowly missed his ear.
"Excuse me?" Karyn asked, slightly confused.
Seeing Karyn's confusion Malcolm said "The way the Commander kept looking at you when he thought no one was looking."
"Oh…anyway the Captain told the Commander that I was engaged as I hadn't told him that Kian had broke it off, and ever since then the Commander's been giving me these really weird looks."
"And that's the trouble you're having in engineering?" Malcolm asked.
"Yeah… basically." A little embarrassed that she could get upset over something as trivial as that.
"Well I wouldn't worry about it too much. The Commander will get over it"
"Ha!" Karyn laughed without humour. "You sound just like J..." she stopped herself realising that she was about to call the captain by his name. "…The Captain but you don't work with him nearly everyday. I do."
Then the comm. system buzzed. "Adams to Lieutenant Kelly."
"Kelly here, what's up Davis?"
"Are you playing cards with us or not Karyn? We're all waiting for you."
Karyn took a quick look at the clock. It said 20:20 she was twenty minutes late.
"Sorry Davis…I didn't realise the time…I'll be right there. Kelly out"
She turned to Malcolm and asked, "Would you like to join us Lieu…sorry Malcolm?"
"Are you sure that wouldn't be problem, I don't want to intrude."
"Of course not. As Davis would say 'the more the merrier.' " She smiled.
"If you're sure."
Karyn gave a nod and they headed off towards Davis' quarters.
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In Davis' quarters everyone was waiting for Karyn and wondering where she had got to, when the door chimed. "Could someone please get that." Davis asked.
"Hey it's your quarters Davis you answer the door." Was the reply.
With a sigh Davis got up and answered the door, and there stood Karyn with Malcolm standing beside her. "Lieutenant…" Davis said surprised "Is there anything wrong?"
"Relax Davis, I invited Malcolm" Karyn said as she walked passed him with Malcolm right behind her. "Hey guys." she called out.
"You finally made it then, and you were worried we'd forget where it was." Travis joked.
"Yeah I made it Travis," she said with a smile.
"You took ya time," a voice said.
At that point Karyn froze she recognised the voice instantly and slowly turned round in its direction. There just to the right of the door was Commander Tucker,
Karyn stared in horror at the commander then suddenly said,
"Um… perhaps we should do this some other night." And started for the door when Malcolm stopped her and whispered in her ear
[Don't let him get to you show him that your strong enough to be round him no matter how nasty or how weird the looks you get are!]
[Thanks Malcolm.] Karyn whispered back.
She then turned round and said "On second thought perhaps I'll stay." and took a seat next to him.
Then Malcolm took a glance at the commander and received a really nasty look in return.
Thirty minutes into the card game the captain's voice came over the comm. system "All senior officers report to the bridge."
"Bad timing Cap'n" Trip said, "Just when I got a hand to kick your butts with!"
Everyone laughed as Trip got up and headed for the door closely followed by Hoshi and Travis.
Malcolm turned to Karyn and asked, "Are you going to be okay?"
Karyn gave a nod.
"Now Lieutenant!" Trip shouted from the door.
"Coming Commander."
When all the senior staff had left Davis turned to Karyn and asked, "What's going on between you and Lieutenant Reed Karyn?"
"What are you on about Davis?" She replied.
"Oh come on Karyn! I mean first you arrive with him, then sit next to him and just a few minutes ago he asked if you would be okay. Not to mention you're both on a first name basis."
"He's right you know." Mark Matsuki put in.
"Yeah, so what's your point?" Karyn remarked.
"Hello? Were you not listening to what Davis was saying?" Kari James replied.
"What is this? Gang up on Karyn day?"
"No, we just want to know what's going on"
"Between me and Malcolm?" inwardly scolding herself for calling him by his first name. They all nodded and Karyn laughed.
"You guys think that…" she said while laughing.
Everyone looked at each other then back at Karyn who was still laughing her head off.
"It's not that funny Karyn." Davis said.
"I'm sorry I'll try and calm down," she said while wiping a tear from her eye.
"Hey does anyone know what's wrong with the Commander?" Jamie Byrne asked changing the subject.
As soon as Karyn heard this she stopped laughing immediately.
"No, not really Jamie." Kari replied.
"Maybe he woke up on the wrong side the bed" Mark joked.
Davis turned back to Karyn and asked, "Now that you've stopped laughing perhaps you can tell us what was so funny."
"Sorry it's just that you guys thought that there was something going on between the Lieutenant and me."
"Isn't there?" Mark enquired.
"No, there isn't we're just friends that's all." Even as she said that she wondered if it was true. Sure he had asked her to call him Malcolm but that didn't automatically make them friends right?
"Uh huh." Davis said with disbelief in his voice.
"What? It's not a crime to make friends on this ship is it?" Karyn replied sarcastically.
"But are you sure he sees it like that?" Kari asked.
"Look Kari just because you think every male on this ship likes you, doesn't mean I do!"
Kari went red at Karyn's comment.
"Well I better be going to my quarters. See ya in engineering tomorrow Davis, Mark."
"Night Karyn and say hi to Lieutenant Reed for me." Davis teased.
"Very funny Davis." And out she went.
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(On the bridge.)
"Captain we're approaching the distress call co-ordinates." T'Pol said.
"Put it on screen."
There on the viewscreen was a ship roughly the same size as Enterprise; it was dark red in colour with a green stripe down the middle of its hull, which made it look eerie against the backdrop of space. It seemed to be drifting, with plasma leaking out from its port nacelle.
"The ship appears to have been attacked." T'Pol reported from her science station.
"Attacked by who?" Malcolm asked.
"Let's find out, Hoshi." Archer says.
Hoshi gave a nod and opened a channel to the ship.
"I'm Captain Jonathan Archer of the Starship Enterprise, We received your distress call. Do you require assistance?"
"nihpleD, redael ma lufetarg reffoent esirpretnE I civoalarT. Ew eb uoy dluoc fo pihs pleh dlouw yna rof." came a reply. (Translation: Enterprise, I am Tralaovic leader of the ship Delphin. We would be grateful for any help you could offer.)
"Hoshi."
"He said his name was Tralaovic and that he'd be grateful for any help we could offer." she replied while still trying to get the universal translator to translate.
"What can we help you with?"
"Captain, dluow siht ebsi better fi ti discussed ni spahrep person. Ew ti fi acceptable." He said.
"Got it." Hoshi said and the message again repeated this time in English.
'Captain, perhaps it would be best if we discussed this in person. If it is acceptable.' Tralaovic said.
"That would be great." Archer replied.
"I shall come to your ship with one other after the resting period and discuss we will."
"We look forward to meeting you. Enterprise out."
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The next morning the comm. buzzed in captain Archer's quarters.
"Archer."
"Sir, Tralaovic is requesting to dock."
"I'm on my way. Inform Trip and T'Pol to meet me at the docking port. Archer out."
On his way to the docking port Archer met up with T'Pol and Trip in the turbolift.
"What do you know about these people?" he asked T'Pol.
"They're Samozans a peaceful race who like to keep to themselves, but when angered they are far from peaceful."
"Isn't everyone." Trip remarked.
Archer smiled at Trip's comment and said, "I'll make sure to stay on their good side."
This made Trip laugh a little, and when they reach the docking port Trip opened the door and the Samozans stepped through.
They had red skin and wore a veil type material that covered their eyes, their uniform was grey in colour with a criss-cross pattern on their chest up near their shoulders was a picture of a planet.
"Welcome to Enterprise, I'm Captain Archer and this is my Science Officer Sub-Commander T'Pol and my Chief Engineer Commander Tucker." Gesturing to each in turn.
"I am Tralaovic of the ship Delphin and this is Taiyalievis my Engineer." Gesturing to the person behind him, "We thank you for inviting us to your magnificent Ship.
And for greeting us so happily! "
He said, pointing at Trip.
"It was our pleasure." Archer said smiling.
"Leader, we must get our engines fixed before they return!" Taiyalievis said to Tralaovic.
"Don't you think I know that!" Tralaovic shouted back. "Please forgive my engineer Captain we are not used to dealing with other cultures."
"Please forgive my rudeness." Taiyalievis apologised.
Archer gave a nod then held out his arm towards the corridor and said "Please."
And started towards the bridge.
"What may we assist you with?" T'Pol asked.
"Taiyalievis"
"Yes Leader, we have managed to fix most of our systems but we don't have parts to repair our engines." He shook his head sadly.
"Well we'll see what we can do. If you would like to come engineering we'll discuss the parts you need." Trip said.
"Leader?" Taiyalievis enquired.
Tralaovic give a nod and Taiyalievis followed Trip to engineering.
"If you don't mind me asking who attacked you?" Archer asked as they stepped into the turbolift.
"We do not know who they were. They attacked us with no reason!"
"Were you carrying anything of value?" T'Pol asked as they stepped onto the bridge and headed towards the ready room.
Tralaovic shook his head; as they entered the ready room Archer said, "Please have a seat."
"Thank you. We are a peaceful people captain, we no argument with anyone. We simply wish to left alone." Tralaovic stated.
"Do you think they'll come back?"
"We believe so, they had enough fire power to destroy our ship but we managed to make them retreat. Then they threatened to return and finish us off!"
"You made contact?" T'Pol said.
"Not exactly. They would not answer our hails."
"So how do you know they'll return?" Archer asked.
"Because they told us so!" he replied jumping up from his seat.
He was getting angry T'Pol and Archer could see it, then the comm. system buzzed.
"Archer."
"Sorry to bother you Sir but the Samozans asked if their Leader would return. They said something about the Opalteen Council?" Hoshi answered.
"If you'll excuse me Captain, I must return to my ship." Tralaovic said with some urgency.
"Tell them he'll be right there."
"Aye Sir."
"Archer out."
"If you do not mind me asking where my engineer is?" His anger was suddenly gone.
"He's in engineering T'Pol will take him. I'll send some people over when we have the parts you require."
"Thank you captain."
"If you'll follow me." T'Pol said as they headed out the door.
/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/
(Engineering.)
One hour after the Samozans had left the ship the captain's voice came over the comm. system.
"Lieutenant Kelly report to my ready room."
"You're in trouble." Davis teased.
"Very funny Davis." Karyn replied.
"Maybe he wants to talk about what's going on between you and Lieutenant Reed." Mark joked.
Karyn sighed. Ever since the night of the card game Davis and Mark had been teasing her that there was something going on between her and Malcolm.
"I already told you guys there's nothing going on between us." Karyn answered while going out the door.
"We know." Davis replied while giving Mark a disbelieving look, which made him laugh.
/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/=/
"Cap'n let me go and help fix that ship." Trip begged.
"No Trip, I need you here just in case the ship that attacked the Samozans comes back. I'll need my chief engineer in engineering." Archer replied.
Trip was about to argue some more when the door chimed.
"Come in."
The door opened and Karyn asked, "You wanted to see me sir."
"Yes Karyn…. Come in."
Archer looked at Trip for a reaction of Karyn walking in the room but saw none so he turned back to Karyn and said, "I take it you heard about the ship across
from us."
"Yes sir, Malcolm…I mean Lieutenant Reed told me about it." Karyn answered.
"He would." Trip said quietly.
"I want you and Ensign Matsuki to go over and help in anyway you can."
"Yes sir."
"Tralaovic is expecting you."
Karyn gave a nod and headed out the door.
"You're gonna send her." Trip said.
"You have a problem with that Commander."
"No sir."
Archer sighed "Trip you gotta get over this."
"I dunno what you're talkin' bout Cap'n." Trip replied.
"You've been giving Lieutenant Kelly hell ever since I told you she was engaged."
"Who told you that Cap'n?" Trip asked in an inquisitive way.
"It doesn't matter who told me Trip, but I think you should apologise to Lieutenant Kelly especially since she's no longer engaged."
"No longer engaged…sir." Surprise as well as excitement in Trip's voice.
"That's right. Her fiancé broke it off, so now she's not only got to deal with that but also you giving her hell because she was engaged."
"Perhaps you're right Cap'n." and with that Trip left the ready room heading towards the launch bay.
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(Launch bay)
"Right Mark let's get going." Karyn said.
Mark gave a nod and they started to descend into Shuttle Pod two. Just as Karyn was about to close the shuttle pod hatch Trip appeared.
"Karyn you got a minute." He asked.
"Not really Commander." She replied.
"We need to talk I'm sorry for the way I've been acting lately." Trip said in a rush.
"That's okay, how about we talk when I get back?" Karyn pleaded, wanting to get under way.
"Sure."
And with that Karyn closed the hatch.
"What was that all about?" Mark asked curiously as they left Enterprise.
"I think the Commander's finally come to his senses." Karyn said with a smile.
"So how's Lieutenant Reed?" Mark asked a couple of minutes later breaking the silence between them.
Karyn laughed a little then said, "You guys are never going to believe that there's nothing going on between us are you?"
"We might if it weren't for the fact that you've been hanging around a lot together lately." Mark replied in a sly way.
"How do you mean Mark?"
"Oh come on Karyn, first you bring him to the card game…"
"That reminds me." Karyn said interrupting him "Who invited the Commander?"
"Huh? The Commander?" he replied slightly confused.
"To the card game."
"Oh…I think it was Jamie. Believe me we were all just as surprised as you were when he first came in."
"Yeah, I'll bet." Karyn muttered, thinking about when she first walked in.
"Anyway… Where was I?" Mark said, trying to remember what he was saying before he got interrupted.
"You were on about me bringing Malcolm to the card game." Karyn replied without thinking.
"Oh yeah…" he continued, trying to hide a smile. -She obviously hasn't realised that she's called the Lieutenant by his first name.-
"Tell me on the way back. I don't think the Captain of that ship or Captain Archer would be very pleased if you crashed the pod into their ship." Karyn remarked.
"Spoil sport." Mark replied and concentrated with docking with the Delphin.