Trip walked around the completed Bridge of the Excalibur. Like some people admired architecture, he admired good engineering, including the design of something. It was larger than the Enterprise, as was his quarters, the Situation room, his Ready Room, Sickbay, and even crew quarters were slightly larger. Even though the Excalibur was classified as an NX Class ship, it was almost a new design. His ship will carry a minimum crew of 250 with the ability to carry over 300 if needed with adjustments in quarters. Trip smiled then noticed the chronometer. His XO was due to report at any moment, as well as his COB Master Chief Jan Kowalski.
According to Admiral Forrest, who helped him choose his XO, Commander Derek Flynn was a stellar XO. Under other circumstances, Trip would be his XO, as Flynn was eight years older than him and a more experienced space dog, but as the XO on the Daedalus Class ship, UES Morgan, he relieved his captain of command under the regs that he was unfit for duty some eight years ago. Captain Simon Jones had a spotless reputation as commander, though those who knew him well knew he was capable of obsessive behavior. After an incident where a Klingon scout ship destroyed a border cutter, Jones ordered pursuit. The Klingon ship was capable of warp 4.5, while the Morgan, at that time, was capable of warp 4.2. There was no catching it, yet Captain Jones wouldn't stop his pursuit. They were two weeks in pursuit and headed into the Beta Quadrant and unknown territory for the Morgan,, but not for the Klingon ship, when Flynn acted. Much of what happened was kept out of the media and a court martial was avoided. Jones was relieved of duty and given a desk job, while Flynn told he'd be pass over for promotion and never given command of a ship. Starfleet wanted to avoid embarrassment. Many were surprised when Flynn didn't resign.
Admiral Forrest vouched for Flynn. He told Trip that the man probably stopped us from getting into a war with the Klingons, who had a far superior fleet. He thought Flynn deserved a medal, but as a rear admiral at that time, he didn't have the power to influence the outcome of things. After hearing all of this, Trip was positive that he had found his Executive Officer.
Trip was about to sit down in the command chair to test its comfort, as well as the holographic display that would give him ship operation's updates from the Ops Station, when the Bridge doors opened and Commander Derek Flynn walked onto the Bridge. He was carrying a duffle bag on his left shoulder and garment bag on his right shoulder.
"Sir, Commander Derek Flynn reporting for duty," he said.
Trip looked at the man. Standing in his gold command jacket, black pants, and black boots, he was a couple of inches taller than Trip with brown hair graying at the temples, a square jaw, and slate gray eyes that seemed to miss nothing. He cut a striking figure.
"Commander Flynn," smiled Trip. "I'm Captain Tucker. When we aren't on the Bridge or in crisis, please call me Trip."
"We're on the Bridge now, sir," said Derek with a smirk.
"Yeah, but we are also in dock getting ready to launch in a couple of days," said Trip.
"I'm Derek," he said then he dropped his bags and offered his right hand.
They shook hands. Trip admired the man's strong grip.
"The Quartermaster is on duty. I recommend you head down there and sign in and have our quartermaster, Chief Petty Officer Asha Laghari, then show you to your quarters. I'm expecting our COB to report today, too," said Trip.
"Who is it?" asked Flynn.
"Master Chief Jan Kowalski," answered Trip. "You know him?"
"Worked with him on the UES Patton. Good man, very good man," said Flynn, who then picked up his bags again. "I'll see you in an hour."
"I'll either be here on the Bridge or in my Ready Room," said Trip. "I'd be in Engineering but Lt. Commander Elizabeth Hess, our Chief Engineer, asked me stay away from Engineering for a couple days. I think I've been acting as the chief engineer for the last few months and now I have to step back and let her shine."
Flynn smiled then exited the Bridge. Finally, Trip sat down on the command chair. It was comfortable, very comfortable. Hell, maybe it was too comfortable. Maybe a command chair needed to be a little uncomfortable, thought Trip. Then again Jon always complained about how uncomfortable his chair was. Maybe comfortable was better.
STSTST
The Columbia along with ten Daedalus Class ships were attached to the now complete Starbase 4 and had been since it started construction. Rear Admiral Michelle DuBois was in charge of Starbase 4. She was waiting on a meeting with Captain Archer, who was waiting for the Challenger and Captain Philip Curtis to relieve the Columbia allowing it to take another mission. DuBois had received that new mission in an encrpyted comm.
She was standing up looking out the window that gave her a beautiful view of space, as well as several ships that orbited Starbase 4. It was breathtaking. Three Marshall Class ships were escorting four cargo ships and a troop transport to her Starbase. They were due tomorrow. The cargo ships carried much needed food supplies and the troop transport carried a mix of marines and Starfleet personnel to help fill out her personnel on Starbase 4. Every passing day Starbase became more and more ready to handle what was expected of them.
Her intercom buzzed. She turned around and answered it.
"Yes, Lieutenant," she said.
"Captain Archer is here to see you," her secretary stated.
"Send him in," she said then she sat down in her chair.
Archer strode into her office. He looked like a man who couldn't wait to ship off.
"Sit, Captain," she said.
He sat in one of the chairs in front of her desk.
"Captain, I have your orders if you interested," she said.
Archer smiled: "I'm interested, Admiral."
"You are to report back to Earth in order to drop of Commander Hernandez, so she can be promoted to captain and be given the command of the Discovery," said DuBois. "Also, you'll be picking up a new XO."
"Is that it?" he asked.
"I believe the rest of your mission Admiral Forrest wants to give you in person," said DuBois.
"Do we have an ETA for the Challenger yet?" asked Archer.
"Three days out. Don't worry, Captain, you'll be done with Starbase 4 soon," said DuBois.
"Admiral DuBois, I think Starbase 4 is currently our most important Starbase. If the Romulans start a war with us, it will become integral spot. I just miss open space," smiled Archer.
"I know, Captain, and I don't blame you," she said. "Orbiting a Starbase waiting for an attack is far from exciting work."
Archer felt the tension in his core relax.
"I should get back to my ship. First, I have to give Commander Hernandez the good news, and, second, I have to get my ship ready to leave," Archer grinned.
STSTST
The Enterprise received the distress signal from three ships to ECS freighters and a now classified Marshall Class escort and border ship. According to Malcolm there was a six cargo freighter convoy being guarded by four of the squared off looking Marshall Class escort ships. At warp six they were fifteen minutes away. AG told Chief Macfadden to give him better than warp 6 if he could. Macfadden delivered.
Ten minutes later the Enterprise came out of warp firing both torpedoes and cannons. Two of the Marshall Class ships were already destroyed, nothing more than debris floating in space, a third Marshall Class ship was disabled and limping out of battle, two of the cargo freighters were completely destroyed, the rest were banged up but functioning, and the last Marshall Class ship was trying to stand up to the three functioning Romulan ships that remained. A fourth Romulan ship was limping away leaking a trail of plasma and readying to warp away.
The Enterprise attacked the three Romulan ships allowing the last Marshall Class ship to fall back and check on the remaining cargo ships.
"Comm, tell the UES Asimov to warp out of here with the four remaining cargo freighters and the damaged Marshall Class," ordered AG.
"Yes, sir," said Comm Officer.
"Malcolm, how are our shield holding up?" called out AG.
"They're holding," growled Malcolm.
"Tac, keep alternating between the three Romulan ships until one of them has weakened shields then we'll destroy that one," ordered AG.
"Aye, aye, sir," the Tactical Officer replied.
"Com, send out a general distress signal. I wouldn't mind some company at this party. It appears we have too many girls and not enough boys," AG ordered with a smirk.
"Yes, sir," replied the Comm Officer.
"Captain, shields are down to twenty percent," Malcolm called out.
"Well, this new armor better be as good as they boasted," snapped AG. "Mayweather, keeps us a moving target."
The battle continued with the Enterprise holding off three Romulan Birds of Prey. Asimov, the damaged Marshall Class, and four cargo Freighters warped away to safety. Malcolm looked at his Ops Station. Shields were now down to nine percent. They'd be without them soon. He looked over at AG, whose face was a grim mask. Captain Robinson knew that their chances of survival were limited.
Commander Alexander of the Asimov ordered his Comm Officer to send out a signal to any Starfleet ships in the area to converge on the Enterprise's last coordinates. He wanted to change course and returned to assist the Enterprise, even though he had some serious damage and causalities. Alexander felt like a coward escorting the cargo ships away.
The UES Churchill, UES Bradley, and UES Genghis Khan arrived twenty minutes later at the coordinates. The three ships were on their way to Starbase 4 to relieve ships. What they found when they exited warp astounded them. There was a debris field for two Romulan ships. The third must have bugged out. The Enterprise was still moving but barely. Its port nacelle was destroyed and trailing plasma, its saucer hull had two large breaches, and the Engineering hull had serious scorching marks. The captain of the Churchill hailed the Enterprise.
"This is Captain Hynes of the UES Churchill. We are here to assist you, Enterprise," he said.
It was audio only he got in return because of all the damage to the Enterprise.
"It's about bloody time you showed up," growled Malcolm. "This is Lt Commander Malcolm Reed, the Enterprise's XO and currently acting captain. Captain Robinson is seriously injured. We have extensive damage and too many causalities for our Sickbay to handle. We can use all the help you have, Asimov."
"Sending our Corpsmen and DC teams. We'll transport those in serious need of medical help to either my ship, the Bradley, or the Genghis Khan," said Hynes.
"Thanks, mate," sighed Malcolm. "We really need the help."
"It is an honor and privileged to assist you, Mr. Reed, and the crew of the Enterprise," said Hynes.
STSTST
The funeral for Captain AG Robinson was covered by all the newsfeeds. He was called a hero by many with AG receiving the Starfleet Medal of Valor and Medal of Honor posthumously and by some he was the reason we were on the verge of war with the Romulan Star Empire. The funeral was held on the grounds of Starfleet Academy, as per request of AG's will. All cadets were turned out for it, as well as dignitaries, and thousands Starfleet personnel in their dress blues uniforms.
The Excalibur's launch was delayed for the funeral. Trip attended the funeral along with his whole crew. Jonathan Archer was there also along with his whole crew. They were known to be two of the closest captains to AG. Fleet Admiral Nogura gave one of the eulogies with Admiral Forrest giving the other. Forrest asked Archer to give a eulogy, but he declined. He told Forrest he didn't want any attention.
At the end of the funeral, Trip walked over to Archer. They shook hands.
"I can't believe he's gone," said Archer.
"I know, Jon," sighed Trip. "He was a damned good captain."
"You know what we owe him, don't you?" asked Archer.
"The 602 and a few drinks to him," said Trip.
"That's right," Archer smiled sadly.
"Captain Tucker," an all too familiar voice called to Trip.
He turned in time to see Lizzy headed towards him. She rushed over to him and gave him a bear hug. After hugging her brother, she turned and hugged Archer. When she stepped back, Archer smiled. He was extremely fond of the Tucker family.
"I needed that," he said.
"What are you two going to do now?" she asked.
"First, we have to see Admiral Forrest in about half an hour then Trip and I are going to 602 to have a drink or two to AG," Archer told her.
"Well I might see you there. Some of the cadets are talking about going to the 602 tonight. The cadets are wired because of what happened to the Enterprise and talk of war," said Lizzy.
"Focus on your studies and not what's happening in space," smiled Trip.
Trip kissed her cheek.
"Maybe I'll see you at the 602," he said.
Lizzy left them. Commander Flynn walked up to Trip then whispered in his ear.
"That's okay, XO," said Trip.
"I'll be returning to the ship, sir. We launch in thirty-six hours," he said.
"Get everything in shape, XO. I'll join you soon enough," said Trip.
"What did your XO want?" asked Archer.
"He wanted me to take either a couple of marine or security personnel while off the ship," said Trip. "He's being over protective."
"Good officer," smiled Archer.
Archer and Trip started to walk in the direction of Starfleet Command. Journalists started to converge on them as they left the confines of the secure area. Both men ignored the questions being yelled at them, which ranged from – Do you think Captain Robinson was a hero? To If we go to war, is it Captain Robinson's fault?
They pushed their way through the throng to the Starfleet security station. Security personnel came running to push the journalist back, so that Trip and Archer could entered Starfleet Command's grounds. The two captains kept walking towards the main building. Within fifteen minutes they found themselves in front of Admiral Forrest, Admiral Gardner, and Admiral Jefferies, who seated at conference table in the large office.
"Sit," said Forrest, who liked a man with the world on his shoulders.
The two captains sat down.
"I know you are wondering why you're here, so I'll get down to it," said Forrest. "That was an overt act of war by the Romulans. We can't ignore their incursions any longer. The UE senate will be taking a vote and they will vote for war. President Samuels will be giving a speech in a few days."
"It's to be expected," said Archer.
"Is it?" growled Gardner.
It was well known that Gardner wanted Forrest position and that he was against going to war.
"Yes, sir, it is. I've seen ECS ships destroyed by Romulan Birds of Prey. They have no mercy and they don't respect us. You hail them and they ignore the hail," said Archer.
"Well, I think...," Gardner started.
"As the two NX captains around with Captain Hernandez on Mars looking over the Discovery, I wanted to talk to you. Samuels finds the NX too expensive to build a fleet with. He wants us to refit all Daedalus Class to their full extent and build new ones with all the new bells and whistles. The Discovery will be the last NX for now and it's design will be the same as the Columbia and Challenger, since the Excalibur design takes longer to build and cost more," said Forrest.
"You'll never get the Daedalus to warp 6," said Trip.
"I know. We are hoping for warp 5.8, though, in the new ones," said Jefferies.
"They'll all need the ablative armor. The Enterprise showed how important it is," stated Archer.
"I know," sighed Forrest.
There was a moment of silence then Forrest spoke up.
"The NX will be our top ships. From what we can tell they are superior to Birds of Prey. Once the Enterprise is refitted and repaired, that will give us five of them. Five NXs. As the captain of them you'll be carrying a larger workload and important missions. Do you understand?" asked Forrest.
"I do," said Archer.
"Yes, sir," said Trip.
"Do you know who'll be replacing AG as the captain of the Enterprise?" asked Archer.
"Not yet. It'll probably be eight months until that ship is ready to launch again," said Forrest.
"I want to be under consideration, sir," said Archer.
"Really, why?" asked Gardner.
"Because AG was my friend and he turned the Enterprise in to a symbol. I want to keep it a symbol for the fleet and for the people if t," said Archer.
Forrest smiled then he said: "I'll keep that in mind, Jon."
"Thank you, sir," said Archer.
"I want you to take on Lt. Commander Reed as your XO. Is that a problem?" asked Forrest.
"No, sir," said Archer.
"I also want you to make a diplomatic mission to Andor. The DiploCorp will send a traveling ambassador with you, but I want you involved, Jon. Andor may prove to be an ," said Forrest.
"Yes, sir," said Archer.
"Trip, Ambassador Skon has to return to Vulcan on family matters. They can't get a ship here for him for two months. It sounds as if half their fleet has resigned to study the philosophy of Surak and the other is attempting to act like the full Vulcan Fleet so that they don't look vulnerable," said Forrest.
"The Kir'Shara is the name of Surak's words," Trip interjected.
"Yeah, that's it. They requested that we escort him. You'll do it," said Forrest.
"Yes, sir," said Trip.
"You'll leave in three day," said Forrest. "Now I know you were both close to AG. What are you up to tonight?"
"Once we leave here we are headed to the 602," said Archer. "Burgers and booze in the name of AG Robinson."
"Have one for me," smiled Forrest.
STSTST
T'Pol tried to meditate. In the past six months she had spent almost part of every day with Charles. They had dinner together, worked together at times, and conferred with each other. The tel that she knew existed had strengthened during that time. When she finally was able to send a communique to Koss telling him that she did not want to marry officially and that she believed that their tel no longer existed, he demanded to return to Vulcan in order to have a priest of priestess check their tel. Now that she was headed to Vulcan in order to bring Skon home, she would be able to fulfill that request.
But it wasn't that which interfered with her meditation. Even with her mental shield up, Charles' sadness over Captain Robinson seeped in, and now his inebriation was causing her some disorientation. In some foolish Human tradition Trip and Captain Archer were drinking, or more to the point getting drunk, to Captain's Robinson's death. If he was trained in raising his mental shields, there would be no problem, but Trip didn't even realize that they had a tel, a marriage bond.
There were theories that a bond between Vulcan and other races were impossible. Yet, Surak with his philosophy of IDIC appeared to believe otherwise. And now she was proof positive that a Human and a Vulcan could bond. T'Pol felt another wave of disorientation sweep over her. She was positive that this was because Charles was inebriated. With intense focus, she once again attempted to meditate. She needed this meditation. It would allow her to deal with all the foolish that a Human felt while drunk.
STSTST
"Where are you staying?" asked Archer, who was only slightly less drunk than Trip.
"Mars. That's where my ship is," he grinned.
"You'll stay with me tonight. No way you're getting to Mars in your condition," Archer told him.
"Thanks, cap'n," smiled Trip, who then downed a shot of scotch.
"I'm not your captain any longer, Trip. You're your own captain," chuckled Archer.
"That can't be a proper sentence," said Trip.
"Who cares if it is or it isn't?" said Archer.
"Okay, one more for the road?" asked Trip.
"Why not?" grinned Archer. "AG would have enjoyed tonight."
"Yeah, he would. He loved sitting around have a few and telling stories. Commander Shran, the Andorian, and AG got along like two peas in a pod. It seems Adorians love having a few and telling tales, too," Trip told him.
"I'll have to remember that. Maybe I'll bring some good Kentucky bourbon with me to Andor," smiled Archer.
STSTST
Trip opened his eyes and instead of being in Archer's quarters sleeping on a sofa, he was in an all white room. In the middle of the room T'Pol sat in front of a candle meditating. Even her robes were white. This must be a dream, he thought.
"Hey, T'Pol, is this a dream?" Trip asked.
T'Pol opened her eyes and an expression of annoyance crossed her face for a moment.
"Yes, Charles, this is a dream," she said.
He stood up and walked over to her then squatted down and kissed her passionately. For a few moments T'Pol responded then she extricated herself from him.
"You must sleep, Charles," she told him.
"I am tired," he said then he laid down beside her and put his head in her lap.
T'Pol began to caress his hair, so he settled in and closed his eyes.
"Go to sleep, Charles. Go to sleep," she said.
He fell back to sleep.