Chapter Two
Archer was pissed. They had encountered three Xindi-Reptiles warship and his ship as well as AG's was a damned mess. They were lucky to get away alive. Polarized hulls weren't enough to deal with the Xindi's particle beam weapons and torpedoes. He didn't know how many dead he had or if he'd ever have warp drive back. Commander Hernandez entered into his Ready Room. He looked up at her. Besides being in a dirty uniform, she appeared tired and dejected.
"We were lucky, Jon, our causalities are low," she said as she handed him a PADD.
He looked at the causalities: three dead and nine in sickbay injured. They were lucky. He hoped that AG was as lucky.
"You don't look like we were lucky," he said to Hernandez.
She offered him a grim smile.
"I'm just tired," she said.
"What else Erica?" he asked her.
She looked reluctant to speak, but his stare forced it out of her.
"I have no idea how we are going to do this. The ship is a wreck. We have hull breaches and our warp core is damaged. I talked to Kelby and he is walking around like there was no continuing without docking in Jupiter Station for a month," she sighed.
"Kelby is no Trip," was Archer's reply. It was more than a comparison; it was a judgment. "We are going to do this, Eric, because we have no other choice."
He stood up and walked over to her then he placed his hands on her upper arms. After fighting the temptation to hug her, he gave her a strong shake. They had been lovers and he still had strong feelings for her.
"Erica, we are going to succeed," he said. "Trust me. I got to get back to earth so you can take command of your own ship."
"I trust you, Jon."
"Do me a favor and get me Lieutenant Monroe from Engineering. Trip told me he was talented. He recommended him for the staff," said Archer.
Erica inwardly sighed. Jon was about to upset the command structure of the ship in order to get things done. If Tucker were here, this wouldn't happen because he'd already be started fixing the ship with whatever was at his disposal.
"I'll get Lieutenant Monroe," she said.
"Good," he said.
"I'll also contact the Columbia. Maybe if we help each other we'll be out of this damned Expanse," she said.
STSTST
The shuttle Pod was bringing Trip to Jupiter Station. Some of the sections of his ship were already there waiting to be put together like a giant jigsaw puzzle. Once they had the saucer hull along with the catamaran hull, the nacelles, and the underneath the saucer hull, they would to be able to put together the structure and then started on building a ship.
"You're going to command that monster once she is put together, Captain," said the Lieutenant flying the pod.
"That's the plan," said Trip.
"Need any shuttle pilots?" the bold lieutenant asked with a smile.
"What's your name?"
"Tyrone Hill, sir," he said.
"What's your shuttle pilot rating?" asked Trip.
"I am 1-A, sir," he smiled.
"Impress me, Lieutenant," Trip said, "fly me around the sections of my ship."
"With pleasure, sir," said Hill.
Hill maneuvered the shuttle pod into the space dock then around and through the pieces of Valley Forge that were waiting to be brought together. He gave Trip a detail look at his ship.
"Well done, Lieutenant. I'm going to need a lead shuttle pilot and I think I just found one," he said. "I'm going to give you my comm number. I want you to contact me."
Hill smiled, "Thank you, sir."
STSTST
"Now that the Vulcans have distanced themselves from Earth, we are drawing more attention from Orion Pirates and Nausicaan Brigands," said Fleet Admiral Edward Wentworth.
He was standing with his back to Admiral Forest, Admiral Gardner, Admiral Black, Admiral Chan, Admiral Uwusu, and Admiral Nemov, as they sat at the conference table in his office. He turned and looked at his flag officers. Wentworth had grey hair with a few streaks of black in it. He was six foot tall and looked to be in tip top physical condition. His distinctive and famous scar, which ran his left eye and down his cheek, had been receiving in a first contact meeting with the Nausicaans. At that time he was a captain of a Daedalus-Class starship called the Victory. What most people didn't know was that his right leg was a prosthetic.
"How many retrofitted and upgraded frigates do we have?" he asked.
"18, sir," said Forest.
"I want ten of them to be tasked protecting civilian cargo vessels. We will contact the Earth Cargo Service and set up a schedule so that convoys of ECS ships can be protected on their routes to the colonies and certain planets," said Wentworth.
"Damned Vulcans won't do anything to help us," said Gardner.
"They are being true to their nature," said Admiral Uwusu. "They are still worth having as an ally if we can maintain a relationship with them until we are strong enough to earn their respect."
"I agree," said Nemov. "They are a worthy ally."
"They are cowards," said Gardner.
"No, Bill," interrupted Forest, "they are pacifists, or, at least, they wish to be."
"Be that as it may be," said Wentworth. "I want the Atlantis and the Discovery task for now patrolling between colonies and looking for Orion and Nausicaans. When the Challenger and Endeavour are ready they will be doing the same thing since they are our fastest starships. We also have four more NX starships slated for construction. They will be our last for now. Horace."
Admiral Black looked at Wentworth and waited for him to speak.
"President Samuels wants us to retrofit and upgrade all of our Daedalus-Class and all our Intrepid-Class starships. We need to build a fleet quickly, since we can't depend on the Vulcans. What happened to us where millions are killed in a vicious attack on Earth must never happen again. Plus, now that our cargo ships are being attacked more often, it must defend ourselves. We need to have a fleet equal to the Andorians, Vulcans, Tellerites, Klingons, and all the rest. We need to become a power," Wentworth stated.
"That's another 86 ships," said Black. "Once done that will give us 132 ships."
"I know. It will give us potentially two fleets. I want three fleets. Once they are upgraded then we can restart production on the NX starships since they are our heavy cruisers," smiled Wentworth.
"And the Valley Forge?" asked Black.
"The sooner that battleship is up and running the better," said Wentworth. "The Valley Forge will show our enemies and allies what we are capable of building when we put our minds to it."
Black sat back and smiled. Now he could give Tucker his head and have him get the Valley Forge up and running as fast as he could.
"Are we sure about having Tucker as the captain of the Valley Forge?" Gardner asked.
"He is inexperienced. Such a ship would need an experienced hand," said Chan.
"I disagree," said Black. "This ship was designed by Tucker and Commander Adam Stein. This is a state of art ship and it needs Tucker as its captain because no one knows the ship better."
"Experience is the problem here," said Nemov.
"That can be solved by pairing him with the right XO," said Forest.
Black saw the lifeline being thrown to him for Tucker's command. He searched his mind and came up with the right XO for Tucker.
"I recommend Commander Jason Flynn," offered Black.
Jason Flynn was a minor legend in Starfleet. He was forty-seven years old and everyone knew he was more than capable of commanding his own ship. The only reason he wasn't in command of a ship was the UES Saigon incident, which occurred ten years earlier. Four Orion Pirates attacked the Saigon and the Victory, which was carrying Admiral Hill. The Admiral ordered the captain of the Victory to run, while the Saigon engaged the pirates. During the battle Captain Symmons was critically injured, so Flynn took command. The Saigon destroyed two of the pirates and made the other two run for their lives. It would have been a promotion and medal, except for the fact he knocked Admiral Hill out with a roundhouse right when he saw him. Flynn had been stuck as commander ever since.
Wentworth hated Admiral Hill, retired.
"I like it," said Wentworth. "Flynn will be Tucker's XO."
"I still say we should go with someone else. Damn it, the Valley Forge is going to be the flagship of the fleet. Put an admiral or commodore on it," said Gardner.
"No, it stays with Tucker in command," said Wentworth.
Gardner opened his mouth and then shut it. His argument was lost for now. In time he'd approach this again.
STSTST
Trip woke in Alicia Rossi's bed. It was just starting to become light out. A quick glance at the chronometer on bed stand showed that it 0513 hours. Trip knew that he was now up and there was no returning to sleep.
Alicia's naked, well-tanned body lay beside him. After a vigorous round of sex that evening, Alicia and he fell asleep. With his schedule and the construction of the Valley Forge their relationship had turned into a series of assignations and trysts. Their relationship had become less a relationship and more of a set routine. He stayed at her apartment in Sausalito, not far from the Vulcan compound, since he had an important meeting with Admiral Forest and Admiral Black today. For the last six months he had been living on Jupiter Station with frequent visits to Earth.
Quietly and softly getting out of bed, he made his way into the bathroom in order to take a shower. Since his parents' death Trip found that he got no more than three or four hours of sleep a night. He'd never been a good sleeper, so he was easily was able to deal with it, though he had to admit that the occasional five or six hour sleep would do his body some good.
Getting under the hot spray of water, his body started to relax. The impulse engines were set in the Valley Forge. Work was beginning on the warp engine tomorrow. He had managed to get Hess promoted to Lieutenant Commander and made the acting chief engineer of the ship. Today, he intended on arguing to make that permanent. He trusted her abilities and skills.
Finishing his shower Trip dressed in his service dress uniform since he was at Starfleet Headquarters. The new service dress uniforms consisted of black ankle high boots, black pants, a grey zip up the front shirt, an a short black jacket that stopped at the waist and button at the bottom leaving the short exposed. His Starfleet badge was on his jacket on the left beast and below that his ribbons. His captain pips were on his grey shirt and rank insignia on his sleeves of his jacket in gold.
Once he was dressed he exited the bathroom and headed into the kitchen where he started to make a pot of coffee and rummage through her refrigerator and stasis unit for breakfast. It was going to be a long day and he wanted to be caffeinated and fed to face it.
STSTST
Trip sat at the conference table along with Forest and Black along with Admiral Borgos. Admiral Borgos, the Detailer, was in charge of the office assigning officer and noncoms to their duty assignments.
"Commander Jason Flynn will be your XO," said Forest. "Admiral Borgos has given him his papers."
Trip was hoping to pick his own XO, but he was going to argue. It was time to bring up Hess.
"Lieutenant Commander Elsbeth Hess is right now the temporary chief engineer of the Valley Forge. I want to make her the permanent chief engineer," said Trip.
"She is young for the position," said Borgos.
"She has been trained by me. Hess has been involved with the Valley Forge since the beginning. I can't get better than her," said Trip.
"Considering you are one of the best engineers in Starfleet, your recommendation is good enough for me," said Black.
Admiral Forest nodded, "I agree."
"I'll prepare her papers," said Borgos.
"Next, you want this Lieutenant Tyrone Hill as your lead shuttle pilot," said Forest.
"Yes, sir," said Trip.
"You also want to cut your shuttles down from eight to six. Why?" asked Black.
"I'd like to replace the shuttles with four Wasp Attack fighters," he said. "You'll see on that Lieutenant Hill is also qualified as a pilot for attack fighters."
Forest chuckled then said, "Thinking ahead, Tucker."
Trip smiled, "I have to, sir. I'm just a simple engineer deep down."
Forest looked at Trip and shook his head. There was nothing simple about Charles Anthony Tucker III, except the façade he presented people when he wanted to be underestimated.
"With a crew your size you are going to need a good chief of the boat," said Black, who then looked at Borgos.
The Detailer lifted a PADD off the table and started a search. Trip watched the man. As he observed the Detailer, he stuck his tongue in his right cheek and rolled it about for a moment. Forest noticed this and smiled. It was one of the remaining ticks Trip had. This was no longer the young Lieutenant who proved along with AG and Archer that the warp 2 engines worked in spite of what the Vulcans recommended. Of course, it got the three of them in trouble, but it also brought Trip to then Captain Jefferies attention and his career as a Starfleet engineer was assured.
"I have someone for you. His name is Master Chief Morgan Hightower. He's served on six ships, the last two as COB. He's rep is as a hard ass, but Captain Harvick wrote that if the man respects you he is loyal and will do anything for you," said Borgos.
"Assign him to the Valley Forge," said Forest then he looked at Trip. "You now have an experienced XO and COB. Listened to them and use them."
"Yes, sir," said Trip.
STSTST
Elizabeth Tucker was no longer a cadet. Her accelerated two year program was starting her second year, which meant that she was in her final year and a midshipman. Midshipman Elizabeth Tucker waited by the water fountain for her brother. She was dressed in her maroon uniform. Sitting on the edge of the fountain she looked around her until she caught sight of her brother in his service dress uniform. She stood up and waved at him.
Trip picked up his speed, walked up to Elizabeth, and took her in is arms for a big hug. Elizabeth blushed, as she noticed other students looking at her and Trip. Trip let go of her and she stepped back and snapped to attention.
"Captain Tucker," she said then saluted him.
"Come on, Liz, saluting is no longer standard," he said.
"It is still considered respectful," she said.
He returned the salute then he relaxed his pose.
"How long do we have for lunch?" he asked her.
"My schedule is cleared," she smiled.
"How'd you manage that?"
"I told two of my professors that I am meeting with Captain Charles Tucker III and they gave me the rest of the afternoon off," she told him.
"Liz, you can't use me as an excuse to skip class," Trip admonished her.
"Captain Tucker, I shut up and buy me lunch," demanded Elizabeth with a smile.
"Okay, sis," he took her arm and they started walking. "What are you in the mood for?"
"Chinese. I've become addicted to egg drop soup."
The Tuckers started walking off the campus of Starfleet Academy. Trip started to relax as he walked with his sister. He had received an unofficial briefing from Forest on the Enterprise and Columbia. According to the Admiral, Captain Archer had given positive reports on the mission. According to Forest Archer was going to try to negotiate peace and if that didn't work, the Enterprise and Columbia would not allow another weapon to leave the Expanse.
"There is a theatre I know that shows old movies. Tonight is a double feature of Frankenstein Meets the Wolfman and the Wolfman. Sound good, brother?" Elizabeth asked.
"
STSTST
The Enterprise and Columbia now knew where the weapon was located, yet Archer didn't attack. He called for AG to come over to the Enterprise to discuss his plan. Malcolm met AG and his Tactical Officer Lieutenant Armand Chaput.
"Malcolm," AG said as he stepped onto the Enterprise.
"Captain, good to see you."
"Where are we having this confab?" asked AG.
"The Situation Room," said Malcolm.
"I hope we are planning on an attack. I dying to get even for the ass kicking we've been taking," said AG.
"I know Captain Archer has a plan, sir," said Malcolm. "Follow me."
In the Situation Room Archer looked at a holographic image of Azati Prime. A larger version of the weapon which killed so many was being built there.
"A water planet. I guess the Xindi-Aquatics mainly live there," said Erica Hernandez.
"Degra and Jannar said I needed to convince the Aquatics of our righteousness if we were going to stop the weapon without anymore deaths and battle," said Archer.
"Jon, do you really trust them and what they said?" she asked.
Jon looked at his XO. A sad grin crossed his face.
"No, but I still have to try to end this without any more bloodshed," said Archer. "I know Earth has built up their defenses, Erica, but it still depends on us. We have to end this here. We can't let it leave the Delphic Expanse."
"I understand, Jon," said Erica. She placed her right hand on his arm. "Let's hope you end this peacefully."
He placed his hand on top of hers and looked into her eyes. All he wanted to do was take his XO into his arms and forget about the Xindi, doomsday weapons, and everything else. But he still had his duty to perform. He still had the Xindi to stop.