A/N: Thank you all to everyone who has read & reviewed so far; especially for the positive response I've had so far! Thanks go to: Volley (I hope you enjoy your break - this chapter's especially for you!) The Libran Iniquity (Thank you - I hope I can live up to your expectations here - your work rocks) Dottid, Exploded Pen (Lol - who doesn't want to deck the guy? And thanks - I don't know anyone in the armed forces who speaks, shall we say, the Queen's English?) and, of course, JennMel. Thank you all.

Disclaimer: I don't own them; Insert witty comment here.

Chapter Three

The next morning, feeling none-the-worse for wear after a few wines and only five hours of sleep, as it turned out, Trip made his way down the armoury. The launch mechanism for torpedo tube one had jammed, and he and Malcolm were going to have to fix it that morning. He whistled cheerfully as he walked through the corridors, nodding to the crewmen he passed. More than a couple looked decidedly hung over, but at least they were at their posts. He strode into the armoury, not surprised to find that Reed was already there, going over some schematics.

"Mornin', Malcolm," Trip grinned, "helluva party last night. Sorry you weren't with us; that General Hogan's a piece of work all right."

"I heard," responded Reed, dryly, "she was telling jokes to petty officer Harrow that made the air turn blue. I definitely learned a few new words. She certainly speaks her mind."

"Look if she'd have known…you know…he was your dad, she'd never have…"

"It's okay, Trip," Malcolm still hadn't turned away from the control panel, "now…I've got the targeting scanners aligned, at last. Shall we take a look at that launch tube?"

"I've got my kit, right here," Trip nodded, hefting his case as Malcolm turned away from the control panel, "and I…what the hell happened to you?"

The sight of Reed's face provoked this last exclamation; his left eye was swollen with a dark bruise, and his hand went to it instinctively.

"It's not as bad as it looks," he said, defensively, "I…fell out of bed…"

"Are you sure? That's one hell of a bruise."

"It's my own fault for leaving a book on the floor," Malcolm replied, "That's what I landed on."

It surprised him, how easily the lie came. He'd never thought himself capable of lying to Trip. Then he decided that if he thought that was bad, he'd have to wait until the Captain asked what happened…

"Let's just get to work on that launch tube, shall we…?"

---

Captain Archer spent most of his time in his ready room, where the various dignitaries sometimes came to converse, in particular General Hogan and Ambassador Long. Hogan loved life on the Starship, having apologised profusely for drinking far too much at the reception. Long was a fascinating man who had travelled widely, but had never left Earth before. The most notable absentee was Admiral Reed – according to his security escort, the man spent all of his time in his quarters, only coming out for meals at oh seven hundred, thirteen hundred and nineteen hundred hours respectively. At the moment, though, he was alone; they were still four days away from Vulcan. Suddenly, the communications channel buzzed.

"Captain Archer; please report to the bridge."

Without bothering to respond, he got to his feet and headed out onto the bridge. T'Pol got up from the command chair and relieved the ensign stationed at her customary post.

"Captain. We have detected a ship of unknown origins approaching at high warp," she reported, calling up the information on her computer, "they are on an intercept course."

"Hoshi, hail them," Archer ordered, "Identify us and ask what they want."

"I'm trying sir. There's no response."

"They've dropped out of warp," T'Pol informed him.

"On screen."

Set against the backdrop of stars, the ship looked deceptively small. It had two curved, sweeping wings, along an oval body. It looked like a headless bird.

"Still no response to our hails," Hoshi spoke up.

"They're charging weapons!" Malcolm interrupted, his hands flicking across the controls.

"Polarise the hull plating!" Archer commanded, knowing it was already being done.

The first blast rocked the ship, and Archer sat down quickly.

"Hull polarisation at eighty percent," Reed called out.

"We've sustained damage to our starboard nacelle," T'Pol added.

"Warp engines are offline, navigational control failing," Travis reported.

"Return fire! Photon torpedoes!"

Another blast rocked the ship, this time causing several consoles to erupt in a shower of sparks. Hoshi let out a cry of shock as the communications console sparked, and burst into flame. T'Pol reacted quickly, grabbing a fire extinguisher, as Malcolm returned fire. Two torpedoes slammed into the smaller ship, and Archer called for a report.

"Minimal damage, sir," Malcolm reported, "Our torpedoes are having little effect."

Another blast hit them, and the lights flickered wildly.

"Travis, can we get away?"

"Negative sir – the engines are offline."

"Captain, I have a suggestion," Malcolm spoke up, "their ship is protected by a modulating phased energy barrier - kind of a shield. If I can polarise a torpedo to match their shield frequency I may be able to penetrate it. I will need commander Tucker's help to reprogram the torpedo. I'll transfer weapons control to the armoury."

"Do it!" Archer nodded to him, "I'll have Trip meet you there. Go!"

Malcolm nodded quickly, leaving his post. Another blast shook the ship, as Travis fought the controls to make evasive manoeuvres. Archer counted a tense two minutes before another shot shook them.

"Sir, there seems to be a pattern to the attack," T'Pol reported, "We are being hit exactly every one point five minutes. I believe this is the length of time it takes for their weapons banks to recharge."

"Any idea who they are?"

"I have never seen this ship design before. It is not in the Vulcan database."

Archer waited as Travis managed to evade the alien's next shot, before he pressed a button on the arm of his chair.

"Archer to armoury – where's that torpedo?"

"Ready, cap'n!" came back Trip's voice; "we're loading it now! Watch this!"

Archer watched the view screen. A small dot of phased energy suddenly streaked away from Enterprise. The alien ship's weapons lanced out one again, sending a powerful jolt through Enterprise. Archer hung onto his chair, not taking his eyes off the screen. He saw the shields flicker as the torpedo passed through, and impacted the alien vessel. There was an explosion, and, suddenly, the ship turned away, and jumped to warp.

"Can we pursue?" Archer asked, already knowing the answer.

"Sorry, sir. Warp drive has been disabled."

"Start repairs immediately. Archer to armoury – my congratulations, gentlemen; you did it."

There was no response, and Archer wondered if there was a problem with the internal communications grid.

"T'Pol. Damage report?"

"Direct hits to the starboard nacelle, and another to deck six…captain, I believe that our weapons were deliberately targeted – all weapons systems are off line."

"The armoury?"

"Sustained a direct hit."

"Have Phlox meet me down there!"

---

Internal sensors were offline. Many of the ships systems were damaged. In several dark corners of the ship, figures coalesced in shimmering lights moments before their ship went to warp. Unnoticed by the crew, they set to work.

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A/N: Next update soon...ohhhhh, the suspence...