Chapter Eighteen
Archer had a smile on his face as he looked at the PADD in his hand. T'Les was finally allowed to feed and touch the baby. Knowing how much Humans enjoyed visual images of their children, she had the doctor take a picture and had it added to a package being commed to the Enterprise.
Malcolm looked over the Captain's shoulder and smiled. He was staring at a photograph of T'Les with T'Mir.
"She's a lookah, Captain," said Malcolm.
"I know," chuckled Archer.
"I wanted to let you know that Commander Shran would like to schedule a dinner between – and I quote – he and Pinkskin," said Malcolm.
"Oh, no, a night of drinking Andorian ale," said Archer, "I might have to put Captain Hernandez in charge of the fleet for a few days."
Hoshi turned in her chair and looked at the Captain, "I have Admiral Duvall for you, sir."
"Put him on the big screen," smiled Archer.
A dour face Duvall appeared on the view screen. Immediately, Archer knew something was seriously wrong. He put the PADD down and moved forward in his chair.
"Admiral," he stated.
"Captain. He was received a report that the colony Farthest Point has been destroyed. As far as we know there are no survivors," stated Duvall.
"Who in the hell did it?" asked Archer.
"Speculation is the Romulan Star Empire, but we are sending some ships led by the Columbia to check it investigate," he explained.
There was nothing about this news that Archer liked. The Romulans were a wild card. The drone had technology that was beyond them, yet it couldn't go faster than warp 5 and had disruptors and no torpedoes. They needed more intel on them.
"What are your ordered for us?" he asked.
"Keep your eyes open. The mission you are on is important to us. I want the Andorians and Tellerites to make it to Earth for this treaty negotiation," said Duvall.
"Yes, sir," said Archer.
"Keep in touch. If there is trouble, your priority is to make sure that the Andorians and Tellerites get to Earth," said Duval. "Duval, out."
The screen returned to a star field. Archer leaned even further forward on his command chair.
"Malcolm, go to yellow alert," Archer said then he looked at Hoshi. "Lieutenant Sato, contact all Starfleet starships and tell them to go to yellow alert. When they ask why, let them know I'll be briefing them in fifteen minutes."
Archer stood up. The yellow lights flashed silently. He knew his crew would react accordingly. They were the best crew in the fleet. Malcolm looked at Archer and waited for his next orders.
"We have to be leery of Romulans, Mal. You have the conn. I'll be in my Ready Room preparing to talk to the other captains," said Archer.
"Yes, sir," replied Mal.
Archer strode off the Bridge leaving Malcolm in charge. He sat down on the command chair.
"Mister Mayweather, at the first proximity alert perform defensive maneuver Alpha Theta," he said.
"Understood, sir," said Travis.
"Mister Ramirez," Malcolm called out.
Ensign Ramirez at Tactical called out," Yes, sir."
"Be prepared to bring shields up the moment there is any change from proximity alert to course change," said Malcolm.
STSTST
He was at one with his mate, skin against skin, mind melded with mind, and emotions swimming together. Trip never knew he could feel this fully and T'Pol feared she would never find a mate that fulfilled her. It took mating with a Human to find someone who completely accepted her.
As Trip built up their union to a climax, he was surprised by hearing his name. Trip! Trip! T'Pol hadn't opened her mouth yet he heard her call his name. Finally, he had pushed his body to a climax and collapsed in T'Pol's arms. She held onto him, as if her life depended on it.
"Darlin', I heard you call out Trip, but you didn't open your mouth," he whispered in her ear then locked the tip of her pointy ear.
T'Pol's already flushed cheeks became just a little more green. She raised her left eyebrow. He kissed her lips then her shoulder before moving off her.
"How in the hell did I hear you without you opening your mouth?"
"Our bond is growing stronger and deeper quicker than anticipated," she said.
"I heard you through our bond?" he queried.
"It appears we will be able to communicate mind to mind, if not have already started," she said.
"Damn," he interjected.
"You do not wish this?" T'Pol asked.
"Of course I wish it. I was just a little unprepared for it," he said then paused for a moment. A smile lit up his face. "You called me Trip. I liked that."
"It seems reasonable to call you by that preferred nickname in my head," she said.
"But you won't call me Trip aloud," he said.
"No," she said.
"But you'll call me it mind to mind?" he said.
"And you have a point, Charles," she said.
He grinned. They were to visit with T'Les and T'Mir today. Their life had some rocky spots, bigots being one of them, but it was getting better, fuller, every day. The thought suddenly occurred to him that he'd kill to protect his mate and preserve their way of life. Why did I just think that?
STSTST
The Bureau of Starships had managed with the help of Rear Admiral Stein and Captain Tucker's groundwork to get the Daedalus-Class ships to warp 6 and the NX starships to 6.5. Archer was glad of this fact as he had his escort cruising at warp 5. Tonight they were going to slow to impulse, so that Shran could transport over for dinner.
The proximity alert suddenly went off as six Birds of Prey de-cloaked of the portside of the Enterprise.
"Ramirez," barked Malcolm.
"Shields up, sir."
"Distance," ordered Archer.
"15,000 klicks, sir," said Ramirez.
"Sir, they are powering up their weapons," said Lieutenant Hare from the Science Station.
"Get me ship to ship with every ship in the escort," said Archer.
Hoshi worked her comm board then replied to captain, "I have them for you, sir."
"Captain Hernandez, I want you to take the Victory and take command of the escort. The Trafalgar will stay with you," he ordered.
"Understood, Captain Archer," her voice responded.
He could hear her concern in her voice, but she knew better than to argue with him now.
"Captain Uday of the Patton, you are with me. We'll take on the Romulan ships," he said.
"My pleasure, sir," replied Uday.
"Pinkskin, the Kumari is at your service," said Shran.
"Shran make sure these ships get to Earth," said Archer.
"We shall share drinks on Earth, my friend," said Shran.
He ran his thumb across his throat in a cut the connection sign. Archer sat on the edge of his command chair. Six against two. He hoped their shields and weapons were superior to the Romulans.
"Hoshi, get me the Patton," he ordered.
"Aye, sir," she said and second later. "I have the Patton on audio."
"Captain Uday, when we engage the Romulans we will drop out of warp. I want to combine our efforts in a hit and run pattern. Use Attack Pattern Delta followed by Evasive Pattern Beta followed by Attack Pattern Omega two. After that we'll read each other's maneuvers," ordered Archer.
"Delta, Beta, Omega two," he repeated. "We will follow your lead, Captain."
"Good hunting," said Archer then made his cut the connection sign.
Malcolm walked over to the operations board at the Tactical Station. He implemented Red Alert and Battle Stations then contacted Sickbay.
"Dr. Phlox, ready Sickbay for causalities. We are going into battle," said Malcolm.
"Thank you, Mister Reed, for informing me," Phlox said.
STSTST
Captain Hernandez had her comm officer send out an emergency comm to Starfleet Command. Within ten minutes they received a response from Admiral Duval. Her comm officer put him on the main view screen.
"Sitrep," he said calmly.
"Six Romulan Birds of Prey attacked the escort. Captain Archer and the Enterprise along with the Patton broke off to engage. We are still headed to Earth but now at warp 5.8," she explained.
"Well done, Erica. It's up to me to worry about the Enterprise and Patton," he said. "Get those Andorian and Tellerite ambassadors get here."
She wanted to know how he was going to worry about Jon and the two crews that were engaged with the Romulans, but she knew it was her job to carry out orders. The ambassadors were her priority not a man that she was positive she loved.
"Request any ships that can be spared to join escort if they are close by," she said.
"I think the Challenger is near you on patrol," he said. "I have them make best speed to you. They'll be following your transponder signal."
"Yes, sir," said Hernandez.
"I'll expect you in two days," said Duval.
The screen went back to an elongated starfield. She stood up and looked at her XO.
"Lieutenant Commander Styles, you have the conn. I'll be in the Situation Room," she said.
"Aye, sir," he responded.
She wanted to run some simulations to see if two Starfleet ships could survive what they knew of a Romulan Bird of Prey.
STSTST
T'Les had a crying baby in her arms when T'Pol and Trip entered the hospital room. Soval was her only visitor and he looked as if he wished to anywhere else then with a crying baby. T'Les scrutinized her daughter as she stood beside her mate. They both were wearing the Starfleet service dress uniforms.
"You look well," she said.
"I have recovered from the Trellium-D," said T'Pol.
"Any lingering effects?" asked T'Les.
"There has been some damage to my neural pathways. There is no telling if the pathways will reroute," said T'Pol.
"How do you deal with the damage?" asked Soval.
T'Pol wanted to say that the answer to her damage was Trip, but it would be chalked up as a sentimental response and a sign of the damage by her mother and Soval.
"Extra meditation," she answered.
Both nodded their approval. T'Mir kept crying. Trip walked over to T'Les.
"May I hold her?" he asked.
"If you would like," she replied
Trip took baby T'Mir into his arms and cradled her. While smiling down at her, he started to rock her and sing to her.
"Hush little baby don't you cry, Papa's gonna buy you a mockingbird," he sang, "and if that mockingbird don't sing, Papa's gonna buy you a diamond ring."
T'Mir stopped crying and started smiling. T'Les, Soval, and T'Pol looked at each other.
"It appears she does have Human characteristics," said Soval.
"And if that diamond ring turns brass," he continued, "Papa's gonna buy you a looking glass. And if that looking glass gets broke, Papa's gonna buy you a Billy goat."
"I gather I should learn a song to sing to her for when he is crying," said T'Les.
Trip walked over and handed T'Mir to hold. Reluctantly, she took the child. At first she held her stiffly, but as T'Mir touched her face T'Pol relaxed.
"Jon can sing to her," smiled Trip.
"This is true," said T'Les. "It is logical for parents to divide the duties."
"Yeah, that's right. He can take the signing and Human stuff," smiled Trip.
"I see you like children, Captain Tucker," said Soval.
"My brother has a couple of rug rats. I don't get to see them enough," he said.
"Rug rats?" asked T'Les with raised eyebrow.
"It is one of Charles colorful idioms. They can confuse," said T'Pol with T'Mir in her arms smiling.
"Fascinating," said Soval.
STSTST
The Patton had its lifeboats ejecting from it, as its four shuttles also escaped from the plasma and atmosphere venting starship. Two Romulan Birds of Prey remained. They were both damaged, but not as damaged as the Enterprise. The Enterprise suffered from several hull breaches, as well as one of it nacelles being damaged and venting plasma.
The Bridge was smoky from electrical fires and explosions. A corpsman was working on an unconscious Hoshi. Malcolm was at the Tactical Station taking the place of a dead Ramirez. He kept targeting and firing the cannons at the remaining Birds of Prey making them keep this distance, while Rostov attempted to man a damaged Engineering Station. The Science Station was destroyed. Sitting on his command chair, Archer's left arm hung uselessly at his side, while his right leg appeared to be broken. A deep gash on his forehead kept blood running into his eyes, which he wiped away with his one good hand.
"Travis," he said.
At the Helm, Travis leaned heavily on his console. He was having trouble breathing from broken ribs.
"Yes…Captain," he said.
"Mobility?" he asked.
"Best speed is half impulse. All controls are sluggish. I wouldn't count on any fancy maneuvers, sir," said Travis.
Archer hit the comm button on the arm of his chair to connect him to Engineering.
"What shape are we in?" he asked.
"This is Lieutenant Hamm, sir. Chief Kelby is unconscious. Engineering is being evacuated," he said. "We have a warp core breach."
"How long until it pops?" he asked.
"Eight minutes, sir."
"Thank you, Hamm," he said.
Archer wiped the blood out of his eyes.
"Malcolm, whatever torpedoes we have fire now," he said.
"Aye, aye, sir," he said and sent the command to all Torpedo Rooms to target and fire.
Archer pressed his shipwide comm button.
"All hands this is the Captain. Get to the lifeboats and shuttles and abandon ship. Abandon ship!" he ordered.
He fingered the comm button gently ending the connection. Archer then looked at Travis.
"Travis, aim his ship at our friends out there at half impulse," he said then he looked at Malcolm. "Time to leave."
"Yes, Captain," Malcolm said then he waved Rostov over towards the captain.
Travis set the autopilot. The last of the shields was taking disruptor fire. Malcolm and Rostov helped Archer out of his chair, while Travis helped the corpsman with Hoshi. The group limped their way towards an emergency panel and a lifeboat. The Enterprise was going down, but it was going down with a fight.
The remaining Bridge crew and corpsman got into the lifeboat. Travis and Malcolm buckled into the pilot and co-pilot seats then started the ejection sequence. Within thirty seconds the lifeboat was ejected joining dozens of other ones. Travis took control and aimed it away from the Enterprise. Malcolm looked at the chronometer on the console.
"Two minutes until the warp core pops," he said.
"I don't believe it. The Enterprise will be gone," said Travis.
"We're still here and that's what counts, Travis" said Malcolm.
STSTST
Trip walked into the Situation Room at Starfleet Command. Fleet Admiral Wentworth and Duval were deep in concussion. Rear Admiral Seko walked up to him.
"I heard about the Enterprise," he said.
"We have the Andorians have committed ships to find lifeboats and shuttles from the Enterprise and Patton," she said. "We also have five frigates and four cruisers looking for them."
"Six Birds of Prey against an NX and a Daedalus-Class. It must have been some fight," said Trip.
"Rear Admiral Stein has the repaired Jupiter Station up and running repairing and upgrading ships. The new Wyoming Shipyard has begun production and the Cochrane has started up the new NX starships," she told him.
"New NX?" asked Trip.
"Stein has increased their size. They carry more weapons and crew," she said.
"How many?"
"Two hundred and fifty," she answered.
"What's the first one off the assembly line going to be called?" he asked.
"The Intrepid," she replied.
"Nope," smiled Trip.
"Your suggestion?" she asked.
"Enterprise. We need an Enterprise, sir," he said.
"I'll talk to Rear Stein and Admiral Duval about that," said Seko.
"Jon is gonna need about ship," he said.
"I wouldn't worry about Captain Archer," said Seko. "If he is found, believe me, Captain, we have a plan for Archer."
"Oh," said Trip.
"The Valley Forge has been recalled from its patrol. With the Enterprise down, The Valley Forge take on higher profile missions," Seko told him. "Your first mission will be to get Ambassador Soval back to Vulcan along with EU Ambassador. We are preparing for war, Captain, and we want Vulcan to be part of the coalition we are building."
STSTST
The Hippocrates was a converted Daedalus-Class into a hospital ship. Other than shields, a deflector array, a few cannons, and a warp engine, everything on the Hippocrates was medically related. Jonathan Archer woke up in one of large Sickbays in a biobed with curtains around it. With all the drugs flowing through his system it took him a moment to comprehend where he was and how he was.
He heard the steady beat on the monitor screen above his bed. Instinctively, he went to rub his face with both his hands, but only his right hand got to his face. Archer looked down to see that his left arm was missing. His heart beat started to increase.
Within moments a doctor pushed aside the curtain and joined Archer.
"Captain Archer, my name is Dr. Herman Bosch," he said.
"Doctor," Archer said through gritted teeth, "my arm."
"It wasn't salvageable. We are lucky we saved your right leg. Captain, you were on a lifeboat for three days with minimal medical care," said Bosch. "Once we are on Earth you can be fitted with a prosthetic arm that will allow a full range of motion and usage."
Archer thought about what he just said. Three days on a lifeboat. How many of injured crew didn't make it?
"My crew," he mumbled then looked up at the doctor, "how many of them made it?"
"I'd rather not give you this information, Captain."
"Doctor, my crew… tell me how many survived?" he demanded.
Bosch took a deep breath then answered him, "forty-six members."
"Out of a hundred twenty that's all?" Archer questioned him.
"When the Enterprise's warp core exploded several of the lifeboats were damaged. They ran out of atmosphere before they could be saved," Bosch told him.
"Please, leave let me be alone," said Archer.
"I can have psychologist see you. They can act as a grief counselor," said Bosch.
"I don't need a psychologist. I need another ship," growled Archer. "Now, get out and learn me alone!"