Daedalus Class UES Moreland passed Starbase 3 three days ago. With the success of the Enterprise, the decision was made to start pushing the boundaries of UE territory again. The Moreland's mission was the find a class M planet ready to be colonized, as well as a good spot for the next Starbase to be built. Trade and commodities allowed for the growth of United Earth and upgrading of Starfleet. It was a mission made easier by the fact the Enterprise seeded more communication buoys and started charting this area of space, so Starfleet starships were no longer flying as blind as in the past.
"Commander Hilliard, I suggest that we go to warp 4.5 for five hours. We were told to push the boundary, so I think we should truly push it," XO Anna Singh suggested.
Hilliard crossed his legs in his chair. He appreciated Lt. Commander Singh's enthusiasm, but he wasn't a fan of searching for potential planet for colonization. Hilliard was about to respond when his Science officer spoke up.
"ECS ships are only warp 3 capable, XO. I know an investment is being made to get them to warp 5, but that investment hasn't been made yet. Let's not make this too long a journey for them," Hilliard told her.
"Understood, sir," she nodded.
"Sir, a starship is exited the giant gas cloud," he announced.
"Scan the ship. Who are they?" ordered Hilliard.
"Sir, their weapons are hot..."
Before he could finish his sentence the Romulan Bird of Prey fired full disruptors. Since the Moreland's shields were down the damage was immediate and extensive. The Bridge was destroyed. Another blast of disruptors started a cascade of explosion in the Moreland that left the ship nothing more than debris.
The Bird of Prey slipped into warp and left the scene of the attack. Their mission was to test Starfleet starships in order to estimate their potential enemy. So, far they were unimpressed, but it was still too small a sample.
STSTST
Soval sat in the meeting with Minister Kuvak, Lead Councilor T'Var along with four other councilors, and Administrator V'Las. Vulcan was going through changes. Syrran and the Syrrannites said they had discovered the true unabridged work of Surak, the original Kir'Shara. It was also said the Syrran carried Surak's katra. Part of the Syrrannites was T'Pau, a descendant of Surak. Though, she was considered young for a Vulcan, she was a leader of the group, just behind Syrran, and now considered an expert in the true Kir'Shara. Also, part of the Syrrannites was T'Les, T'Pol's mother.
"I believe they should be arrested and imprisoned. They are a heresy and must be put down once and for all," stated V'Las.
Kuvak looked at Soval, who nodded his agreement. The proper action would be to allow them to prove that Syrran carried Surak's katra. It was lost generations ago and to have it rediscover would be a great benefit to the Vulcan people. If it was Surak's katra then the Kir'Shara they found was the original. In that case it must be read and their philosophy re-examined, not violently put down and suppressed. V'Las was acting like... Rihannsu.
"V'Las, your actions seem a bit harsh, too strong," said Soval.
"I agree," added T'Var.
"They are a threat and should be dealt with like a threat," stated V'Las.
Kuvak refrained from speaking. He was afraid that V'Las was either a traitor turning to Romulus for guidance or a Romulan, who had infiltrated Vulcan at a young age. This had to be handle carefully to avoid a civil war. Syrran and his followers were on the way to Shikahr to state their case and freely share their findings. Syrran wished to be brought to Gol in order to have Surak's katra verified then removed from him and placed in a katric ark.
Kuvak trusted the Security Directorate, though. He made arrangements that Major Selar record this meeting and be ready to intervene. Kuvak reached into his robe sleeve and pressed the alarm button on the listening device he was wearing. Major Selar and two men entered.
"What is this?" V'Las asked.
"Major Selar is here to escort you to a healer. You are to be examined thoroughly to make sure that you are Vulcan. If you are not Vulcan then you will be imprisoned. If you are Vulcan then you will be placed on trial as a traitor. Major Selar has been investigating you and collecting evidence that you are colluding with the Romulans," said Kuvak.
"You don't have the power to do this," stated V'Las starting to get angry.
"According to the charter I do, as long as I have a majority of the council that supports me. They do," said Kuvak.
V'Las moved quickly out of his chair and made a move towards Kuvak. Selar and his men stopped him. He was pulled screaming from the room.
"Soval, we shall need to continue and deepen our relationship with Earth. It appears that the Rihannsu are on the move again. We shall need allies and they appear to be a possible ally," said Kuvak.
"We do not know the effect of Surak's katra and the original Kir'Shara will have on Vulcan society, either," said Soval. "It may cause upheavals that interfere with our ability to defend ourselves."
"We may need Humanities help in the future," said Kuvak. "What can we offer them?"
"They have made great strides in warp technology, but we are still more technologically advance. From sensors to shielding, weapons, and even warp drive, we have the advantage. Maybe it is time to open a discussion about some sort of treaty," said Soval.
"Those discussions should take time," said Kuvak.
"I understand. A lengthy treaty discussion will allow to judge what we will need from Earth and how Vulcan reacts to the true Kir'Shara," said Soval.
STSTST
Executive Officer, Commander Charles Tucker III, personal log.
It's been six months since we left space dock. The Enterprise has achieved a great deal in that time, but I'm starting to think our crew needs shore leave. Tomorrow we are going to push Enterprise to warp 6. If we succeed, I'm going to ask the captain to find someplace, some planet that the crew and blow off steam. End log.
Trip turned off his computer. A yawn cracked his jaw and sent a shiver of exhaustion through his body. It was near one in the morning and his knew from the aches and pains in his body that it was time for bed. Getting up out of the chair, he shuffled over to his bed, got in, and commanded the lights to go out. After working with Angus all day and into the night preparing for warp 6, his whole body was one dull ached. He wasn't used to working Engineering like he used to do.
Trip closed his eyes. He was about to drift asleep when his comm unit on the wall came alive and the red alert sounded. Of all the things that happened on a ship, this was his least favorite.
"Commander Tucker, the captain wants you to report to the Bridge immediately. We have an emergency," came the voice.
Trip forced himself up and out of the bed then he went to the comm and pressed the button to speak.
"What's the problem?" he asked the Comm Officer.
"We have picked up a distress call from Denobulan starship. We are making best speed to the coordinates now. The Captain wants Alpha shift on the Bridge," the Comm officer stated.
"Tell him I'm on my way," said Trip.
Trip rushed to get dressed. By the time he got to the Bridge Alpha shift was on duty, as well as T'Pol and Phlox, who looked worried. Before Trip could open his mouth, AG updated him.
"It a Denobulan Medical vessel, the Yolten. Phlox was telling me that they are traveling back from an exchange with the Andorians. His wife Vesena is on-board," AG told him.
Trip looked over at Phlox who offered him a worried smile. Trip nodded towards him. He walked over to his Ops Station. Shields were up and weapons were hot.
"How much longer?" growled AG.
"Three minutes, Captain," Petrov answered.
"Hoshi, try to contact the Yolten and tell them we are on the way," said AG.
"Yes, sir," she replied.
"Sir, sensors are picking up three Nausicaan raiders attacking the Yolten. It appears breach pods are attached to the Yolten," Richter spoke up.
Trip hit the comm button on his Ops Station.
"Captain Hayes," his voice sounded more in charge than he felt.
"Hayes," responded quickly.
"Prepare two fireteams and a shuttle to take over to a ship in distress. We will be facing Nausicaans. I'll be coming with you," said Trip.
"Meet you in shuttle bay one. I'll have some gifts for you," said Hayes.
Trip looked over at AG.
"We can't let the marines have all the fun," said Trip.
"When the shuttle is ready tell me. I'll drop the shields to let you out," smiled AG. "Good luck."
Trip headed towards the Bridge door. T'Pol looked at him with concern and he smiled at her. Their friendship had gotten stronger over the months. He was starting to have feelings much deeper than friendship but he fought them off. She was a Vulcan. He didn't even know if Vulcans did romance.
By the time Trip got to the shuttle bay, the Enterprise was firing on the Nausicaan raiders. Hayes tossed him a black marine jacket.
"You coming with us then you are dressing like us," Hayes grinned.
Trip took off his gold tunic jacket. Underneath he had on a black tee shirt. He slipped the black jacket that Hayes tossed him. Next, Hayes tossed over to him upper body armor and a helmet. Trip caught them and grinned then he put on the chest armor that could absorb energy weapons, or at least a hit or three. After that he put on the helmet and turned on the comm unit so he could hear and communicate with the marines. Hayes handed him a particle rifle.
"I taught you how to use one of these so I expect you to shoot straight," said Hayes.
"Let's get on the shuttle," said Trip.
Hayes, eight marines, and Trip got on-board the shuttle. A pilot was waiting for them. Trip touched the comm on the back of his left hand.
"Captain, we are ready to go," he said.
"The ship is going to get rocked. We are still dealing with two raider ships, but the polarized hull should do fine for fifteen seconds," AG said. "Be careful, Trip."
"I'm always careful," Trip replied.
He heard AG laugh before his comm went dead. The shuttle bay doors opened and the shuttle exited the Enterprise. Unlike the Nausicaans, who used breach pods, they were going to have to make an emergency docking with the Yolten. Trip looked at the marines. They were checking and rechecking their weapons.
"Yolten, this is the UES Enterprise's shuttle Montana. We are going to make an emergency docking with you in order to provide assistance," the pilot called the Yolten.
"Our airlock is prepped for you. Thank you for the assistance. We are under attack inside our ship by Nausicaans," the Denobulan captain of the ship replied.
"Everyone, keep cool. Remain slow and easy is fast. You are the best of the best, so act like it," state Hayes.
"Oorah," came the reply from the marines.
The shuttle docked with the airlock. Hayes motioned two of his marines to open the connection between the two ships. He had two other marines covering them. They opened the doors and immediately Nausicaans fired at them. They returned fire killing three Nausicaans and causing two others to run. The marines and Trip stepped onto the Yolten.
"Why don't we split into two," said Trip.
"Okay, I'll take a fireteam and head towards the Engineering," said Hayes. "You take a fireteam and head towards the Bridge."
"Sounds good to me," said Trip.
"Gunny," Hayes spoke the Gunnery Sergeant in Trip's fireteam.
"Yes, sir," replied the Gunny.
"Take care of the Commander," he said then headed off with his fireteam.
Trip and the other fireteam headed in the direction of the Bridge. He could hear rifle fire in the background. Nausicaans weren't the cleverest race you'd come across but they fought hard and to the death.
STSTST
The Nausicaans had slaughtered ten Denobulans and injured many others. Luckily, Trip found Vesena, who was also a doctor, treating injured Denobulans. When he entered their extensive Sickbay, she and another Doctor and several assistants looked up at him. Trip had a Nausicaan knife wound in his left shoulder. Gunny escorted him to the Sickbay to get the wound taken care of it, since the commander was his responsibility.
"Ah, our rescuers," said Vesena. She looked at the other doctor. "Manx, can you handle things, while I check on the Human?"
"Don't be long. We have many to treat," Manx replied.
"Off with the body armor and the jacket. I need to see flesh," she said.
"You seem in a good mood, ma'am," Gunny said.
"You rescued us. Just ten minutes ago I thought we were all dead. Now I'm alive. We'll mourn our dead when the time is right, but right now we have injured to care for and Starfleet to thank," she smiled.
Gunny helped Trip off with the body armor and the jacket then Vesena ran a tricorder over his still bleeding wound. She sprayed the wound with a coagulate spray stopping the bleeding.
"There is some muscle damage. Your doctor will have to take care of that," she said.
"Your husband Phlox is the doctor on the Enterprise," Trip stated.
"I know, handsome," smiled Vesena. "How is Phlox doing?"
"He was worried about you," Trip told her.
"He is a good husband," said Vesena.
"Vesena, Commander Tucker," Phlox voice can be heard in the doorway.
They both looked over to the open door.
"Captain Hayes called over and said you were hurt Commander and that Vesena was fine," said Phlox. "I came over to help with the injured."
"Phloxy," smiled Vesena, "we have plenty of wounded. I'm almost done with this handsome Human."
Phlox walked over and looked at Trip's wound then he examined the medical tricorder readings.
"He'll need a sling," tsked Phlox. "You won't be using that arm for several days. I have to do some work on it. How did it happen?"
"Nausicaan tried to stab me and he pushed me out of the way," Gunny spoke up. "Ended up with a big Nausicaan knife in his shoulder before I killed the Nausicaan."
The gunny looked at Trip, as if he was pissed off, even though he really did appreciate the fact Trip saved him from a Nausicaan blade in his chest.
"When you get back to the Enterprise, you must report to Sickbay. I need to double check your wound and prepare treatment for it," said Phlox.
"Worry wart," Vesena said to Phlox then she looked at Trip. "You must be one of his favorite patients."
"Well, ma'am, I don't mean to be," smiled Trip.
Vesena laughed, while Phlox offered one of his face eating smiles.
STSTST
The Columbia was ready to go off to Jupiter Station. Archer, Erica, and Chief Engineer Anna Obasi. They stared at the Columbia from an observation post. In two days using thrusters and the impulse engine the Columbia would head to the Jupiter Station for phase 2, the fine tuning and work on the warp engine. They were getting closer and closer to launching. They would have better hull armor than Enterprise and an engine capable of warp 5.7 right out of dock. Shields had been fine tuned, also, based on reports from Enterprise. The Columbia would be a great starship.
"She's beautiful," said Erica.
"I agree," said Lt. Commander Anna Obasi.
"Ladies, I want the Columbia to be the best ship in the fleet," stated Archer.
"At least until the next NX is off the assembly line, it will be," smiled Erica.
"No. The best period," said Archer.
Erica smiled. She knew Jon's competitive nature and she had no doubt that he'll make the Columbia the best ship in the fleet.
STSTST
It had been a long emergency shift. If he got to sleep now he'd get three hours before he was due back on his regular shift. The Nausicaan raiders didn't have much of a chance against the Enterprise with the new shields and the improved yield cannons. The same should be true of Orion pirate ships. The Enterprise should be able to handle four or five, maybe more, at one time. Tomorrow, he'd asked Chief Macfadden if it was possible to improve the yield of the cannons even more.
Malcolm fell back on his bed. He closed his eyes then started his nightly ritual of emptying his mind so he could sleep. After a few minutes his body was nearing sleep, when he heard the message alert go off on his computer. He bolted upright in bed and went to the computer to play the message. Harris was on his viewscreen.
"Hello Malcolm, I finally have intelligence for you. Our spying on the Vulcan embassies have gotten us some results. The Tiburon ship was destroyed by Romulans. We don't have much intel on them yet, but we are collecting it. What we do know is that they are aggressive and conquerors. Keep your ears and eyes open. I don't know why the Vulcans don't want us to know it is the Vulcans, but we are investigating. Harris out."
His image disappeared. Malcolm leaned back in his chair. It was time to keep a closer track of T'Pol. The Vulcans were hiding something.
STSTST
Phlox ran the medical tricorder over Trip's wound. His shoulder was healed. Phlox smiled then put down the tricorder.
"You may put on your jacket," said Phlox.
The Enterprise contacted Starfleet and told them about the Yolten. The ship was damaged and now capable of only warp 4, so the Enterprise agreed to escort it back to Starbase 3. AG was also informed to keep an eye out for the UES Moreland. It had disappeared and was now considered MIA after three weeks without reporting into command.
"So, am I back on duty?" asked Trip.
"Without reservations," smiled Phlox.
Trip got off the bio-bed and stood up then he put his gold jacket on. The doors to the Sickbay opened and T'Pol stepped in. Trip smiled at her and she nodded.
"Ah, SubCommander," said Phlox, "you came for your nasal inhibitor."
"Yes, I have run out," she stated.
"Are you saying that we stick, T'Pol?" Trip joked with her.
T'Pol didn't want to tell him that his scent had become inoffensive to her, even stimulating, but one the whole Humans odor was too strong for her olfactory.
"Vulcan females have a sensitive sense of smell," she told him.
"And you don't like the way I smell," Trip smiled.
"I...," she hesitated. This Human had gotten past so many of her defenses that she sometimes forgot that she needed to be circumspect with him. "You are a Human."
"That I am," he chuckled. "Well, I'm going to report to the Bridge. I need to tell the captain I'm back on duty."
Trip exited the Sickbay. Phlox observed T'Pol as she watched him leave. It fascinated him when he saw alien races become attracted to each other. He got a sense of hope when he saw it. Phlox went and retrieved a jar of the nasal inhibitor for T'Pol.
"SubCommander," he got her our of her reverie of over Trip.
She turned and looked at Phlox.
"Yes, doctor," she said.
He handed her the jar.
"Your nasal inhibitor," he said.
"Thank you," she said then turned to leave.
"I heard that we are going to have a movie shown in the main Mess tonight. Are you going?" Phlox asked.
"I am considering it," she said.
"I know Commander Tucker would be glad to see you," smiled Phlox.
"As I said I am considering it," she said then nodded and exited.
"They get it eventually," Phlox said to himself then decided to feed his creatures.