The transport that Archer and Trip were able to catch was a Daedalus Class destroyer, The Guardian. Captain Shaneen Curry was three years older than Archer. She had been integral in the protecting of the Starfleet Corp of Engineers as they built Starbase 1 and Starbase 2. Captain Curry invited both officers to the Executive Mess for their first dinner on-board. They were joined by her XO Lt. Commander Holden Smythe.
The first thing Trip noticed as walked the corridors of The Guardian was the sheer size of the ship in comparison to The Rebel. He had been on a Marshall Class and Daedalus Class ships before, but two years on The Rebel he had gotten used to the tight confines of the Intrepid Class. Arriving at the Executive Mess, he pressed the buzzer since the door was shut.
"Enter," came the clear voice of Captain Curry.
Trip passed through the pneumatic doors into the Mess. Like the rest of the ship, the Executive Mess was much larger than the one on The Rebel. Her captain's table fit ten, though there was only Captain Curry, Archer, and XO Smythe seated at it. Trip sat down across from Archer.
"So, Commander Archer was telling me that you acted as XO and Chief Engineer. How did that work out for you?" asked Captain Curry.
Trip smiled and looked into the captain's brown eyes.
"I slept less than the normal XO, which meant hardly at all. I've gotten used to three to four hours of sleep a night," Trip answered.
"Impressive," she smiled.
Trip noticed for the first time how attractive the brown skinned woman who commanded The Guardian was. It reminded him for some reason that most of his relationship the past two years were one nighters. Pursuing his career the past few years meant not pursuing a relationship. He missed having a steady girlfriend in his life.
"Trip is the best engineer in the fleet and one hell of a XO, if I'm allowed to brag," said Archer.
"A commanding officer is always allowed to brag about their crew. I just so happen to have the best crew in the fleet, including the best XO," said Curry.
"The praise is unnecessary, ma'am," Smythe spoke up. His accent was British.
"But I give it to you anyway," smiled Curry then she looked at Trip. "So, are you really the best engineer in the fleet?"
"Well, I got The Rebel's max warp to 3.8," smiled Trip. "I also worked on the Warp Three Project right out of the academy."
Then Captain William Jefferies, now Admiral Jefferies, recruited Trip personally for the project. Jefferies was considered the best engineer in Starfleet and he immediately saw great potential in the young Charles Tucker III. Three years later they had a warp three engine that was capable of reaching max warp 3.8 and had laid the ground work for the warp 4 and warp 5 engines.
"That's how I met Trip. I was working on the project also since we are using my father's warp engine design," added Archer.
"Our max warp is 4.4," stated Curry. "Can you increase it?"
"I bet with some fine tuning and some changes I can get it to 4.6 maybe 4.7," grinned Trip.
"My Chief Engineer is Lieutenant Angus Macfadden. I'll talk to him at the senior officers meeting in the morning and arrange for you to work with him, if you don't mind," offered Curry.
"I'd love to work on your engine. It'll make the three days to Earth pass quickly for me," said Trip.
"Great," she smiled.
"I bragged about you, Trip, so don't let me down," added Archer.
STSTST
The Ambassadorial cruiser Ket'es was flanked by two Vulcan heavy destroyers, the TiMur and the Fosh, headed towards Earth. President Nathan Samuels and Secretary of State Alison James had been contacted by Vulcan and over a three month period made arrangements for two ambassadors to visit in order to open a discussion, as the Vulcans put it. The halls of UE government in both Paris and New York were excited with the prospect of meeting the Vulcans. What little was known about them impressed. They were known as technological advanced, highly intelligent, and basically peaceful.
On the Ket'es, Soval sat in the conference room along with his adjunct T'Pol waiting for Skon and his adjunct. Though, Skon had limited ambassador experience, his father's reputation opened many a door for him. Soval sat enjoying a cup of Vulcan spice tea. T'Pol sat across from him waiting for him to speak.
"Once on Earth I want you to start collecting as much intelligence as possible. We need data in order to decide what sort of relationship to have with these Humans," stated Soval.
"I shall do my best," said T'Pol.
Vulcan women were considered exotic by Humans. By that standard T'Pol was considered exotic and beautiful. Her features were slightly softer than many Vulcan women and her hair color a shade or two lighter. At Five foot six inches her frame was slight, yet still curvaceous.
"Your training in both undercover and overt intelligence should do well for you, T'Pol," Soval said.
Before they could continue speaking, Skon and his adjunct Saavak. Skon took a seat at the other end of the table with Saavak taking a seat to his right. His adjunct immediately got up and poured Skon a spice tea and placed it in front of him.
"Thank you," Skon said.
"Your welcome," she replied.
"I am late because I just received a communication from my wife. She was updating me on my son Sarek's first day at the Vulcan Science Academy," stated Skon.
"An auspicious day," nodded Soval. "I remember when my daughter T'Lan entered the academy. My wife felt compelled to update once a week."
Skon nodded his head showing he appreciated Soval's understanding.
"My father has made a study of Earth and Humanity over the years. He was about to make first contact when the Romulan temporal ship hit them. As you know Soval, even though the incident is highly classified, it is believed in hindsight that was a gambit by the Romulans to stop us from forming a relationship with Humanity," stated Skon.
"That is one theory. We must remember that logic does not dictate the actions of the Rihannsu. They may be an offset of Vulcan but they have chosen emotions and violence," countered Soval.
"Yet the Romulan Star Empire has grown with efficiency that shows that logic is not outside of their purview," retorted Skon.
Soval nodded his appreciation of Skon's counter. The Romulans were a factor to be aware of, especially since it was well known that the Empire had reunification with Vulcan as a goal.
"You think that Humanity has great potential," stated Soval.
It wasn't a question, but Skon could hear the doubt in the statement.
"I think that they have shown an ability to overcome their nature which is impressive. When Solkar observed Earth they were a world that had just finished a World War, a war that almost destroyed the planet, yet they were striving to grow and rebuild," said Skon. "There is a quality of resilience that should be admired."
"Their Starfleet is as much a military organization as an exploration and science organization. Some would say they are primarily a military organization," countered Soval.
"Do we not travel with two heavy destroyers as protection? Space is dangerous," Skon replied.
"I can see that you and I have much to discuss over the next eight days as we travel to Earth," nodded Soval.
Skon nodded in return.
STSTST
Trip stood in front of the mirror in his temporary billet at the Presidio in San Francisco. The Presidio had been a military installation in San Francisco until the military sold the land in the 20th Century. After the terrorist attack of the early 22nd Century, it returned to military and now belonged to Starfleet. Along with a promotion to commander, Trip was given new uniforms. Starfleet had decided on major upgrades in their uniforms. The now basic service dress uniform, which acted also as battle dress for officers, was black pants that tucked into boots, a gold tunic jacket with rank insignia on the a white strap that held a flap in place, rank strips on the sleeve, and a Starfleet badge on the left breast. From what Trip had been told science and medical now wore blue tunic jackets and engineering and security wore maroon tunic jackets. The marines that were on-board wore two piece camo, shades of gray, with rank insignia on collars and rank strips on sleeves. Their casual dress uniforms were similar to what Trip wore except with a dark gray tunic jacket. Trip hadn't been told why he was given a gold jacket instead of a blue one. Archer, who had been promoted to captain, was in a meeting with Admiral Forrest, Admiral Leonard, and Admiral Jefferies at this very moment. His meeting with the same three star admirals was in an hour.
Attaching the new communicator he was given to the back of his left hand, he was ready to head off to Starfleet Headquarters. A good portion of San Francisco was taken up by Starfleet Headquarters, Starfleet Medical, and part of Starfleet Academy. Once he was outside of the perimeter of the Presidio Trip hailed a hovercab. He told the driver Starfleet Headquarters and sat back and enjoyed the ride.
Reaching HQ, he handed debit chit, paid for his ride then got out and started walking towards the front entrance. He noticed all the different colored jackets. The new uniforms were well represented. He also noticed the non-coms wore the old flight suit uniforms, except now they were also broken up into the new three color scheme. Reaching the security station, he reached into his pocket and took out his Starfleet bio-metric card and handed it to one of the security officers.
"Commander Tucker," the officer said. "Your meeting is on level twenty-five, meeting room 2503."
"Thank you," Trip said and took back his card.
He pocketed it and headed into the building. For reasons too many to count, his stomach churned as he headed for the nearest turbolift. He didn't know if he was being given his own command, or made an XO in one of the bigger ships, or being grounded sat at a desk. His mind kept coming up with scenarios, all of them ending badly, in which he found himself having to resign from Starfleet. The last thing he wanted to do was leave Starfleet and then join Daniel and his father in designing and building boats.
Trip arrived at the meeting room. There was a marine standing on either side of the door, a sign that three admirals were waiting for him inside the room. He approached the marines.
"Commander Charles Tucker," he announced himself.
"Please enter, sir," said one of the marines.
Charles entered to see Admiral Forrest and Leonard in gold jackets and Admiral Jefferies in a maroon jacket. They were softly talking to each other. Once Trip entered they stopped and looked at him.
"Commander Tucker," smiled Forrest. "Sit down."
"Good to see you, Trip," said Jefferies.
Admiral Leonard nodded at Trip. He didn't know Leonard well but the admiral had a reputation as being even tempered. Trip sat down.
"You know about the NX program, don't you?" asked Forrest.
"A new class of ships capable of warp 5 or better," said Trip.
"Considering you got The Guardians engine to a max warp of 4.8, I convinced these two that you should be part of this program," said Jefferies.
"4.8," Leonard shook his head and chuckled.
"I agreed with Admiral Jefferies, but on the design and engineering end there wasn't a place for you, so we have improvised. Captain AG Robinson is being given the command of the first NX, The Enterprise. You are going to be his XO," smiled Jefferies.
"An XO who I expect to have an active role in solving problems, especially in Engineering," added Jefferies.
Trip felt slightly overwhelmed. He had heard that the NX ships were being considered the future of Starfleet. Originally, they going to be a single hull ship much like the Intrepid Class, but Jefferies convinced them to add a secondary hull and a much larger Engine room.
"You know that one of the reasons we changed the design of the NX was because of you, Trip," said Jefferies.
"Me, sir?" asked Trip.
"That report you sent me about the Intrepid Class design and how you send it will never do better than warp 3.8 made me think. You said that the engine need more room, allowing for more cooling systems," Jefferies told. "The NX is now a two hull ship with a possible crew of 200. I want to see warp 6 from The Enterprise."
"How about defensive shielding?" asked Trip of Jefferies.
Both Forrest and Leonard sat back and listened to the two engineers talk.
"You have any ideas?" asked Jefferies.
"We have deflector shield technology. I was thinking that we shrink that technology to the size of four feet by three feet sized emitters which we place strategically on the hulls of the ship as well as nacelles then refine the deflector shield technology making it less a punch and more of a wall. These emitters can be linked so that a shield bubble surrounds the ship. From what I figure our shields should be as good as the Andorians. Of course you won't be able to have the defensive shields up when you do to warp because it will interfere with the warp bubble," explained Trip.
A large smile broke out on Jefferies' face then he said: "I had a similar idea. You and I need to work the problem, but I think we'll be able to launch The Enterprise with defensive shields."
"Are you sure we should make him an XO?" asked Leonard.
"This does make you think," said Forrest.
"Even if Trip becomes a commander of a starship if he sends me an engineering report, suggestion, or paper, I'd read it and take it seriously," said Jefferies. "We have to schedule a meeting to discuss defensive shields."
"Yes, sir," said Trip. "Oh, sirs, may I ask a question?"
"Go right ahead, son," said Forrest.
"What is going to happen to Captain Archer?" Trip asked.
"Jonathan Archer is going to get the second NX off the line. His XO has already been handpicked for him, too, Commander Erica Hernandez," answered Forrest.
Trip grinned at this. He was glad that Jon was getting a ship of the line, but it also amused him that his XO would be Erica. Jon and Erica had an affair in the academy and had been having flings with each other on and off over the years. Now that was going to be a ship with some sexual tension.
"You have any ideas about improving weapons, son?" asked Leonard.
"One or two, sir," replied Trip.
"Don't worry, Max and Ned, a week working with me and I'll have all his ideas and theories," smiled Jefferies.
"After that week send the young man on leave. He's earned it," said Forrest.
"I let him have leave once I've done with him," added Jefferies.
STSTST
Trip arrived at the 602 Club in Mill Valley, about fourteen miles outside of San Francisco, to find Captain Jonathan Archer and Captain AG Robinson seated at a table with a pitcher of beer. Looking around Trip noticed that the crowd was a mix of Starfleet personnel and locals. Archer waved him over. Trip walked over and sat down.
"Captains," he smiled.
"Well, Jon, Trip belongs to me now," stated AG with a hint of pride.
"You're a lucky man, AG. Trip is the best," said Archer.
"Thanks, Jon," said Trip.
An attractive red haired waitress came over to their table with menus. Trip looked up at her and smiled.
"Ruby, you're a beautiful as ever," he said.
"Trip," she smiled and handed out the menus.
Both AG and Archer looked at each other with knowing smiles on their faces.
"We don't need these menus, Ruby. I know what I want. Give me a porter house, medium rare, mashed potatoes and creamed spinach," ordered AG.
"Make that two," added Archer.
"Make it three," agreed Trip.
Ruby left with their order, while AG poured Trip a glass of beer.
"See, Trip, we Southern boys have to stick together. I'm from Tuscaloosa, Alabama and you're from Panama City, Florida," grinned AG. "So tell me what the admirals said to you."
"They want me to be working all the kinks out of the engineering problems. Also, next week I'm scheduled to spend the whole week with Admiral Jefferies discussing engineering and other problems in regards to The Enterprise," said Trip.
"Excellent," smiled AG. "You get our ship in tip top condition for our shakedown cruise, Trip."
Archer laughed then he looked at Trip and said: "You make sure that they give you some leave, too, Trip. You've earned it. I worked your ass off the last two years."
"I have six weeks coming to me after the time I spend with Jefferies then I'm supposed to report to Riverside, Iowa where Riverside Shipyard is located. That's were The Enterprise is being built," said Trip. "It's almost completely put together there then The Enterprise heads off to Jupiter Station for finishing and fine tuning."
"And what will you be doing during this time period, AG?" smirked Archer.
"Meetings, more meetings, reading personnel files and choosing the right people to be on the ship," replied AG.
STSTST
Using one of the academy's unused work rooms, Trip and Admiral Jefferies had spent three days, fifteen hours long, working on a design for defensive shields. With it finished on the fourth day they started working on how to strengthen the phase cannons. Jefferies wanted to the cannons through the warp engine in order to increase their power.
"The warp engine is completely shut down when the impulse engines are engaged," said Jefferies. "It should increase the phase cannons by a factor of ten."
"We can do the math on it," smiled Trip.
"Do the math," nodded Jefferies.
Trip imputed a formula and then data into the computer and waited for the answer.
"It will increase the power output of the cannon by two one percent," said Trip.
"That will help bring opponent shields down quicker," stated Jefferies.
"Yes, sir it would," Trip agreed.
Admiral Jefferies comm beeped. He brought his left hand up and touched the comm.
"Jefferies," he answered the comm.
"Commander Xi, sir. The Vulcan dignitaries are visiting the academy and Admiral Forrest would like you to meet them," said Xi.
"Commander, I'm in a work room with Commander Tucker. If you can find us then bring them by. We are working on increasing the power output of phase cannons," said Jefferies.
"I'll bring them by, sir," said Xi.
Jefferies ended the comm then looked at Trip.
"You mind meeting some Vulcans?" he asked.
"Don't mind at all, sir," smiled Trip.
"Let's check that formula and run those numbers again," said Jefferies.
As Trip checked the formula, there was a knock on the door to the work room. Jefferies got up, adjusted his uniform, including closing the flap of his jacket, then walked over and opened the door. It was Commander Xi, four marines, Soval, T'Pol, Skon, and Saavak. They entered the work room.
"Ambassadors, this is Admiral William Jefferies. Admiral Jefferies is the head of a Corp of Engineers," Xi introduced Jefferies.
Trip stood up from his computer station and stood in an at ease position.
"Admiral Jefferies, this is Ambassador Soval and Ambassador Skon and their adjuncts, T'Pol and Saavak," Xi introduced the Vulcans.
Each Vulcan nodded their head when introduced. As the senior ambassador Soval spoke.
"Admiral Jefferies, it is satisfactory to meet you," said Soval.
"Ambassador Soval, a pleasure to meet you," said Jefferies.
Jefferies had been told about the Vulcans dislike for being touched, so he didn't offer his hand for a handshake. As they introduced themselves, Trip noticed T'Pol. At first he noticed her because he thought her one of the most beautiful women he had ever seen. Next, he noticed her that she was staring at the computer's viewscreen. He didn't know how good a Vulcan's eyesight was but he wasn't going to take any chances, either. Trip took a step to the side blocking the viewscreen. T'Pol noticed this, raised her right eyebrow, and glared at Trip. He smiled at her, which made her turn her attention away from him.
"I understand you are working on warp 5 capable ships," said Skon joining the conversation.
"Actually, I think NX will be capable of warp 6 eventually," Jefferies stated then he turned and nodded at Trip. "Commander Tucker, who is going to be the XO of the first NX starship, is also one of our best engineers. He get the most out of the engine. I have high expectations."
"That is excellent news for you," said Skon.
Soval didn't want to respond to this comment, but his left eyebrow raised slightly. Skon appeared to be supportive of Humans. Skon looked at Trip.
"Commander Tucker, I congratulate you and your skills," said Skon
"Thank you, sir," said Trip.
"Well, we should let you get back to work," said Soval.
"Ambassadors, I have the feeling I'll be seeing more of you on your visit," said Jefferies.
"Since we slated to be on Earth for nine weeks, the chances are that we shall meet again," said Soval.
Xi and the marines escorted the Vulcan party away. Once Jefferies shut the door, he looked at Trip.
"The prettier of the two adjuncts showed a great interest on what was on the computer viewscreen," Trip stated.
"She's probably just curious, Trip. I've heard that Vulcans are supposed to be very curious," smiled Jefferies.
Trip nodded his head. But he wasn't going to forget that Vulcan woman easily. There was something about her. She was more than beautiful. He couldn't put his finger on it, but there was something more to her.