Between A Rock and… Another Big Rock

By Didi

Disclaimer: (Hate these things.) I do not own any of the recognized characters, places or things in this story. This is purely as pleasure writing and no profit shall be made from it. Any copyright infringement I may be committing is unintentional and without malice. I would be more than happy to STOP, just drop me a line and this story is gone. There, does that cover it all?

Rating: PG 13.

Story Summary: The crew goes hunting underground.

Chapter Summary: The away team is assembled; Archer gets to the bottom of Hoshi's overload; and a couple of 'special' assignments are handed out.

Timeline: Set before the episode "Azati Prime" in Season 3.

Author's Note: Okay people I hear you, I need a beta. Too bad I can't find anyone that is willing to oblige. If you know anyone, do let me know.

I'm trying desperately not to do any pairings… but let's face it, one of elements about fan fiction is that you get to manipulate the shows and characters in a manner that suits you… and other fellow shippers. I'm not exactly sure where I want to go as far as couples goes, but I hope not to offend anyone when I do end up deciding.

Also, it always bothered me that the away teams were so small. I'm almost sure I read somewhere that even small combat units travel in sixes. For the away team to be constantly consisting of two or three members, usually at least two are senior staff members, just never jived too well with me. (Okay, I know they have budgets and extras and airtime for actors to watch out for, it makes sense from that perspective.) And so since this is my story, I'm going to make the away team bigger. So no grousing over that little part, okay?

Spoiler: Everything up through "The Hatchery." (I'm being nicely cautious here.)

Key: "Spoken" "Thoughts"

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Chapter Three – Assignments

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Major Hayes made his way back to the training deck, his mind too full of details to pay much else attention. Powerful legs carried him forward in long strides that had everyone else make way. He took it for granted that things came to him at ease; for in reality, no one dared to stand in his path when he appeared that purposeful. There was something formidable about the man that had nothing to do with his bulk, though that was nothing to sneeze at; but one couldn't really put their finger on until you're flat on your back and aching from head to toe.

"Attention," he called out as the door hissed shut behind him. He stood with his arms behind his back as his unit scrambled into a neat formation before him. Discipline was everything. "The captain is authorizing another away mission to the Jukinarian home-world. It's a seek-and-destroy." He watched several men perk up in attention. Most of them were eager to get going, not for the action but for a chance at payback. More than one member of his unit had suffered loss during the Xindi attack; he had not wanted to pick men that had revenge on their minds but he could find few that weren't personally affected in one way or another.

"It's a subterranean mission," he continued, "We'll be spending anywhere from three to seven days underground, ten thousand feet below sea level."

"Why the time discrepancy, sir?" a private wanted to know.

Nodding with understand, "We've only got preliminary information. It's going to be a touch-and-go mission with two engineers and a live translator. No outline plans, no maps, no backups, no communications with the ship; we'll be too far down for relies." He watched their eyes, noting one or two doubts and logged those away.

As always, he gave them a choice. "I need four volunteers."

Without hesitation, everyone member of the MACO unit took a step forward.

Hayes nodded his head, "Coates, Ramero, Sanchez and Kemper, suit up. The captain wants to see us in a half an hour in shuttle bay two."

-&-&-&-

"T'Pol," Archer called out as he entered the bridge from the lift, "Join me in my ready room," he commanded and continued on without a backward glance. He did not appear happy.

The calm Vulcan stood from the command chair and nodded to Lt. Reed before following the captain through the open doorway, portal to his private sanctuary. The door closed silently behind her.

Jon paced the suffocating room with some agitation. He often wondered how anyone was supposed to be comfortable in the captain's ready room when there's hardly any room to move. Turning, he was met with a raised brow from his second in command. "I don't like sending them down there without me."

Without any other reaction, "A good captain knows to trust his people and to delegate assignments," was the calm ever rational response.

"I don't want to trust and delegate," he snapped impatiently then stopped himself with a sigh. It was exactly this kind of behavior that he wanted to curb. "I don't like sending them into something unknown."

"Everything is unknown in the Expanse." T'Pol sat down to watch the captain pace like a caged animal. "I believe this was a topic thoroughly discussed during our meeting today."

"Doesn't mean I have to like it," he grumbled. Normally he would be griping to Trip, but the commander was solidly against him on this. "Probably cause the sod is getting to go on this mission." The more he thought about it, the more nervous he was over the whole situation. One of his more pressing concerns hit him hard as he attempted to review some of translations being passed to him for review. "Tell me the truth, T'Pol; do you think Tanner can do the job?"

The jump in topics didn't disturb the science officer. There was a long moment of silence as T'Pol considered her own response. "No."

"No?" more than a little shocked.

Her impassive face answered him as only the sub-commander could.

"Then why the hell didn't you say something earlier?" he demanded with a huff that was most un-captain-like.

"I believe Cdr. Tucker voiced it best," T'Pol said quietly.

xxxxxxxxx

"Sir," Reed's face screwed up with concern. "If we're flying by the seat of our pants, I think it would be best if we have the most qualified translator onsite."

"Ensign Tanner has more than qualified to handle whatever is thrown at you, Mr. Reed," Archer said as he handed T'Pol the list of equipment they had complied. "I want to keep Hoshi here and on those Insectoid translations."

"'Sides," Trip added with a grin, "You know how Hoshi gets in small spaces. 'S much as ah'd love to have Hoshi and ears of hers with us, we'd be down there for near a week; you really want to put the poor kid, not to mention us, through that?"

xxxxxxxxxx

Pinching the bridge of his nose, he tossed a PADD from his desk to T'Pol. "You know anything about this?"

Scanning through the data presented in front of her, T'Pol looked up to meet Archer's eyes. "I believe it is common knowledge."

"Common knowledge," he repeated more angered than surprised.

"Yes."

He grabbed hold of his temper tightly and managed just not to raise his voice though he did have to speak through cracking molars. "And why wasn't I informed of this?"

If the sub-commander was offended by the accusing tone, she didn't show it. "I believe the crew felt it unnecessary to burden your attention with the more trivial aspects of crew operation."

"This isn't trivial," he snapped, snatching the PADD away with more force than necessary. T'Pol gave him a censuring look that made Jon feel like a six year old with his hand in the cookie jar. Taking a deep breath, he made a show of calming down. "Change the away mission rooster," he ordered. "I need to have a little talk with my crew."

-&-&-&-

Reed's hand competently reassembled the phase pistols without much attention. He was busy watching the rest of the MACOs gear-up for the mission. Reluctantly he had to admit that they were swift, efficient and disciplined. And while his own men were good, the MACOs were obviously well trained.

"I hate these suits," Trip griped as he zipped the polysynthetic uniform on. Build for all climate changes, the skin-tight rubber-like body suits were the best thing to go with when entering extreme cold or hot weather, the suit regulates the temperature around the body at a comfortable sixty-fix degrees. The military had developed it early twenty-third century but Star Fleet hadn't been utilizing it until the MACOs came onboard. "Why do we gotta wear these things?"

"Because our EV suits aren't suited for this mission," Reed replied softly, pulling his own combat suit on with no less discomfort if less complaining. He checked the translator unit, they may not be reliable but he would rather not be without it.

The door of the shuttle bay slide open noisy and Hayes's men… and woman, came to attention in a snap. "Captain on deck," one of them hollered sharply.

Archer shook his head and walked across the room. "At ease," and smiled when all the five combat trained officers did was shifted positions. "I won't take up much of your time. I presume that your commanding officers, be it Cdr. Tucker, Lt. Reed or Major Hayes, have briefed you on your mission. You're going in to look for the molecular de-stabilizer, you're going to get what you can as far as data goes and then blow it back to hell. Any questions?"

"No, sir," came the unison response, military style.

"Good. I'll now turn you over to…"

The door of the shuttle bay opened again, allowing in a hesitant Ensign Sato, who paused until the captain motioned her over, into the shuttle bay. She gave the rest of the assembled away team a quick look over before joining Cdr. Tucker and Lt. Jamison to the side.

"Good luck and see you when you get back," the captain concluded with a nod. Walking over, "Ensign Sato."

"You wanted to see me, sir?" she asked, taking a step forward.

"I did, yes," motioning her to one corner of the room before turning around and waving another over, "Ensign Tanner, join us."

Tanner jogged slightly to the captain, standing in attention until asked to be at ease. "Captain?"

Archer glanced over the ensign's shoulder catching Trip's eye for a moment before turning his attention to the two young officers in front of him. Lifting a PADD, "I just had a chance to review come of your work, Ensign Tanner, very good translations."

"Thank you, sir," he replied, his eyes betraying him as they shifted to Ensign Sato for a split second.

Hoshi was carefully studying the tips of her boots.

Watching his officers carefully, not missing a damn thing, ignoring that fact that the rest of the away team with the exception of Lt. Reed and Major Hayes was subtlety moving in closer hoping to eavesdrop on the conversation taking place. "Tell me something, ensigns; did you know that that computer has a record of every time this report was accessed, from its inception?"

Looking up startled, Hoshi stared wide-eyed. Tanner stared, surprised as well. "No, sir. We did not."

"Well, the fact is that it does," glad that he wasn't getting any run around. The last thing he needed right now was the headache of trying to sort out the half truths and lies. "Would one of you like to explain to me why Ensign Sato accessed this report prior to it reaching my desk?" There was a long and loaded silence where not even the MACOs pretended to complete their gear-up as Archer stared pointedly at two of his communications officers.

Clearing her throat, Ensign Sato offered the captain a tentative smile, "Well, um… sir, I… um…" she gave a helpless shrug, "Everyone knows that I'm pretty much the noisy one around here," her hands made a useless gesture as she looked everywhere but into anyone's face, "And… um… and I tend to read everything that I can…"

"Hoshi," Archer said quietly.

The use of her first name stopped her. Swallowing, "Yes, sir?"

"Has anyone ever told you that you have possibly the worse poker face in the universe?" he asked casually.

Tanner's lips quivered dangerous.

Reed turned his face to keep from grinning at Hoshi and traded agreeing looks with Major Hayes.

Tucker wasn't as nice, he snickered out loud.

Sato turned a dull red. "All the time, sir."

"Than you should listen to them," Archer advised before turning to Ensign Tanner. "Explain."

For a moment, Donald Tanner considered his opinions. He could conceivably lie to his captain and stick to the story that Hoshi had desperately been trying to concoct. Or he could tell the truth and risk getting severely reprimanded. Of course, he could always refer the explanation back to Hoshi, who will no doubt stammer and stutter until the captain gives up and send her away; which meant that Tanner would get to go on this away mission. But that also meant…

"Sir, Ensign Sato has been reviewing all my reports and translations before they are submitted to you."

"Has she now?" but Archer already knew that. He had gone back to review all the reports submitted by the communications team for the past four months; every damn one bore Hoshi's access code. "And why is that?"

No point in lying now. "Because my understanding of the Xindi language is less than complete, sir."

"At least the kid is honest," Archer thought as he stared at the young man that was obviously going to do the right thing. "So Ensign Sato has been correcting your work?"

"Mine and everyone else's, sir," needing to add that in. He waited a beat, watching for the hammer to come down when he felt a sharp elbow in his side. Looking down, he found the young Asian beauty glaring at him with such a murderous look that he felt the need to take a step away from her.

"Sir," Hoshi begin, still fuming, "I can explain."

"In a minute," Archer said holding up a hand to stop her. "Tanner, how much of this is your work?" holding the PADD in his hand. "And how much is Ensign Sato's?"

Mulling over it for a moment, "Best estimate would be 70-30, sir."

"Seventy yours?" a little incredulous.

"Yes sir," with no shame.

"Why?" the captain demanded, his voice raising just a notch higher.

Tanner didn't flinch. "I'm having a difficult time with the Insectoid dialects, sir. Each dialect has a unique style in their written form, each form is..."

"And Ensign Sato does this for all the communications officers?"

Nodding his head, Tanner replied, "Yes sir," feeling not the least bit traitorous for spilling the long kept open-secret. Credit should go where credit is due. "The rest of the communication team do what we can with the Xindi languages. Ruttler and I can't keep the Insectoid dialects straight, Cross still gets Reptilian and Insectoid mixed up, and Anderson can't keep his Aquatic and Primate right."

"So basically for every assignment I give, I double Ensign Sato's workload 'cause she's got to watch over yours as well."

"Well, it's more like five times the workload because most times Ensign Sato has to review some of the more difficult passages that…oof…" Tanner lost his breath when Hoshi's elbow connected with his lower ribs with a lot more force than the first time.

"Hoshi!" Archer's voice was sharp and unyielding as he turned his eyes on her.

Watching the captain with wide eyes, Hoshi had a feeling her day was just about to become worse. "Sorry, sir."

Ignoring the little childish byplay that just happened, Archer exploded with: "Why the hell didn't you tell me you were getting overloaded?"

Startled by the sudden explosion, Hoshi took a quick step back.

"Cap'n," Trip's hand clamped itself firmly around Jon's upper arm, prepared to physically pull the man back if necessary. Leaning close, "Easy does it, you're scaring the hell outta her."

Letting out an angry breath, Archer turned away and paced a small space around the shuttle bay for a moment, considering all the times he's had to reply on Hoshi for… every damn word out of his mouth. Hell, he must have literally been working her to the bones from the looks of her. He knew he was loading her plate with more than the others had for the simple fact that she was the best there was; he knew that, depended on that. And of course, he had been a little disappointed when her work progress was so slow… "Well hell, now I know why."

Turning back to Tanner, "You were down on the planet earlier right?" There had only been two away teams for three hours each send down to blend in.

"Yes, sir."

"How much of the Jukinarian language did you pick up?"

"Which dialect, sir?"

"How many are there?"

"Twenty-eight," came the hesitant answer as Tanner glance at Hoshi, who returned his gaze with a subtle shake of her head. Donald blinked. "Oh, I'm sorry sir, it's thirty-four."

Reed frowned, not liking the little misspoke. "Well, which is it? Thirty-four or twenty-eight?"

Hayes nudged his men back to their task at hand but found himself unable to stop listening in on the discussion taking place. It was really the first time he's had a chance to see Archer in this manner… well, except when the captain reamed him out for fighting with Reed, and even then the man had been in complete control… kind of.

"Thirty-four, sir."

"Then why'd ya say twenty-eight first time around?" Trip asked, his hand loosening on the captain's arm. He wasn't watching Tanner, he was watching the way Ensign Sato was shifting her feet. "Girl, could you look any more guilty right now?"

"I had learned twenty-eight," Tanner replied.

Reed closed his eyes for a moment. "Need we hazard a guess as to who has the last six?"

Hoshi squirmed uncomfortably feeling the need to run.

Archer looked up at the steely gray of the bulkhead and prayed for patience. "And what would you rate your efficiency of those twenty-eight dialects, Ensign?"

Ensign Tanner frowned for a moment. "Eighty percent, sir."

"With or without the UT?"

Tanner made a face. "The UT is having some difficulties adjusting itself to this new language sir. We're looking at a hit-and-miss forty-five percent of the time."

Commander Tucker voice what they were all thinking. "Forty-five percent?"

Archer closed his eyes half in despair and half in pain. "Those aren't exactly numbers I wanted to hear, Ensign."

"Not a choice, sir."

He nodded with some understanding. There have been complaints from even Trip on the inefficiency of the Universal Translator for some time now. It would appear the amount of work Archer's ordered on the Xindi materials have overloaded some of the computer's functions. "And what would you rate Ensign Sato would be of those thirty-four?"

Tanner glanced at Hoshi for a moment before answering with a shrug, "Can't say sir. I've only heard her use about fifteen of them so far."

"And of those fifteen?"

An honest answer seemed to be the best ones so far, "I would say ninety, ninety-five percent sir."

"Hoshi…"

"I don't know, sir," came her hurried answer. "I don't usually rate myself."

"But if you had to," he insisted.

"I couldn't even begin to say, sir," Hoshi replied almost desperately.

Nodding his head, Archer turned to Reed and Tucker. "Change in the rooster on your away team. Ensign Sato will replace Ensign Tanner as your live translator. Adjust yourselves accordingly."

"Yes sir."

"Tanner," he glared at the young ensign. Get your Insectoids dialects straight."

"Yes sir."

It took Hoshi a few more moment to pick her jaw off the ground as she scrambled after the retreating figure of the captain. "Sir, I…"

"Hoshi," he pinned her with eyes that were sharp with purpose. She came to a staggering halt. "I'm sending ten people down into the unknown; I cannot let them go in there completely blind. You're our best bet right now," he watched her eyes turned from panic to concern to understanding. "Get suited-up. You leave in half an hour. Commander Tucker will brief you on your way down."

Swallowing the large lump in her throat, Hoshi tried to ignore the growing ball of nerves in the pit of her stomach. "You have a job to do." She nodded her head firmly. "Yes, sir."

For a moment, Archer had to resist the urge to comfort her obvious distress but before he could, she turned away. He watched her for a moment, feeling a discomfort he knew he really couldn't afford to be feeling. "Tucker, Reed, Hayes, my ready room in ten minutes. I want a word with you three before you go."

"Yes sir."

Hoshi was collecting her gear when Tanner came up behind her. "Hey, sorry about that."

She closed her eyes for a moment, releasing a sigh, and forced herself to think logically and reasonably. "Forget it, you didn't really have too much of a choice."

Tanner grinned, "At least no more Xindi for a while. Think of this away mission as a nice vacation for you."

Whirling around, she gapped at him for a minute before hitting him as hard as she could manage with an armful of equipment, dropping half as her closed fist connected with his arm. "I'm claustrophobic, you idiot. This is going to be a nightmare!" she shouted angrily before picking up her stuff and stomping out.

"Ouch," Tanner murmured as he rubbed his arm and watched her back for a moment. "Oh, I can see this is going to be a fun mission."

-&-&-&-

"I've got a special assignment for you gentlemen," Archer said grimly as he slide behind his desk and faced the three officers standing.

"What's up, Cap'n?" Trip asked in his affable manner, the only one that even remotely comfortable standing there in the captain's ready room.

"Well, it's more of a favor that an assignment really," Archer amended with an agitated movement. "It's Hoshi." The three officers just stood there patiently waiting for the captain to continue. "She's going to need a little extra help on this mission," and damn well wished he hadn't quite phrase it in that manner. The last thing he wanted to do was cast doubt upon her abilities.

A grin curled Cdr. Tucker's lips. "You mean to keep from going hysterical being trapped underground and all."

Rolling his eyes, "Sit down, boys," motioning to the chairs. Reed and Hayes hesitated a second before sitting. Trip practically sprawled in his chair, so use to these kinds of moments with the captain.

"Trip, I need you to keep Hoshi calm. We know about the claustrophobia, we know how she reacts to enclosed spaces. She's not bad with it but there are moments. You're her friend; give her a little reassurance when she needs it," there was enough concern in Archer's voice to make an impression.

Trip nodded in understanding.

"Malcolm," pausing as the lieutenant tuned in on the captain. "Hoshi response well to command, it keeps her mind from wondering to other things. I need you to keep her focused; you're going to have to be the bad guy here: the task master."

"Understood, sir," was Reed's calm response to the unusual request.

"Major Hayes," Archer paused, a frown appearing between his brows. It wasn't his first private meeting with the MACO but it sure the hell felt like it. "May I call Matt?"

"Of course, sir," was the formal response.

Jon found some amusement in that. "You know, Matt, you don't have to be so formal. This isn't an official meeting."

"Understood, sir," was the auto response

Trip laughed.

Archer shook his head. "Major," deciding that if he can't get the man to relax then he will simply have to deal with him in a professional manner, "I know it's your job to protect Hoshi and the rest of the away team. But I want you to bring Hoshi back."

Confused marked Hayes face. "Excuse me, sir?"

"I'm sure you were there for my… 'discussion' with Ensign Tanner."

Hayes schooled his features carefully to reveal nothing as he nodded.

Archer wasn't fooled. "And I'm sure you heard every word that was spoken… or shouted."

Trip snickered and even Malcolm had to duck his head slightly. Only a slight twinkling of the eyes betrayed Matt as he nodded again.

Jon won't have blamed him if he laughed. "Then you're well aware that Hoshi is apparently my only Xindi speaker right now," the calm nod brought home that Jonathan Archer has been disconnected from his crew too long. Apparently, even the MACOs knew about Hoshi's overloaded plate. "Nobody does language the way she does and I… we… this ship cannot lose her." That statement seemed to sober all three men. "Win, lose or draw, Hoshi comes home."

"Understood, sir."

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Teaser line for next chapter: "Hoshi," Trip said again, bringing her wondering gaze to him with a touch at her elbow. "Did Dr. Phlox by any chance give you anything? You know, to help you with your claustrophobia?"