Chapter Two
"Is this some kind of joke?" Archer said to no one in particular, rising from his command chair. "Hoshi, open a tachyon signal to the lead ship."
"Open, sir." Ensign Sato replied.
"This is Captain Jonathan Archer of the Starship Enterprise. We are peaceful explorers in this part of space."
"If you're peaceful then you won't mind undergoing an inspection," a male voice arrogantly replied.
On the main viewscreen, Archer watched the large starship that had identified itself as the EAS Invincible slowly close with Enterprise. Turning to face the communications station, he made a slashing gesture, indicating Ensign Sato to cut the signal.
"Captain," T'Pol looked up from her station. "I would not advise an inspection. They seem hostile." As if to emphasise her words, the ship shook as the blast from a some sort of particle beam went past their bow.
"Polarise hull plating," Archer said glancing at Lieutenant Reed; Reed was sitting at his tactical station. "Hoshi, hail the Columbia." He paused for beat, waiting to for the channel to be opened. "Archer to Hernandez," Archer's frustration was getting the best of him. "Go to warp. We're transmitting rendezvous coordinates to your helm officer. Enterprise out."
"Open a channel to the Invincible." he methodically said, showing deep restrain of his emotions something T'Pol was happy to see. He was developing control over his emotions, "Perhaps it was the contact with Surak's Katra on Vuclan" she guessed.
"So you are going to listen to reason?" The Earth Alliance captain asked, seeming a bit tense.
"I do not appreciate being shot at and I will not submit to this," Archer's demeanour was cold, mimicking a vulcan's stare. "Neither will my crew. Goodbye, Captain." Archer indicated the signal be cut. "Travis, rendezvous coordinates, warp two."
A moment later, the ship seemed to stretch as it sped up and entered warp.
O-O-O
On the command deck, of the EAS Invincible, the mask of worry and fear was worn by the senior officers.
"What do you mean they disappeared?" the captain asked, looking at his executive officer.
"After we fired our warning shot," the exec explained. "They vanished off the radar, we get nothing."
"They are hailing us again," the communications officer said.
Sweat came down the head of the captain. Only the Minbari had this type of stealth technology.
"So you are going to listen to reason?" The Captain made himself sound aggressive, trying to hide his fear.
"I do not appreciate being shot at and I will not submit to this. Neither will my crew. Goodbye, Captain."
The signal was cut. "Try to get a visual lock, Fire."
"They're gone."
"What?"
"Their ship, sir. It seemed to stretch then speed up to near the speed of light and vanished."
"FUCK ME!"
"Captain?" the exec asked.
"I can't believe I might have pulled a Jankowsky." He wiped his forehead. "Oh God."
"They looked human and the text on their ships was English."
"So did the Centauri. We can't take anything to chance; we need to contact Earth Central."
"Yes, sir."
O-O-O
Captain's Starlog, February 21st, 2260. It was a long week of revelations for us today which ended with a bit of excitement with the arrival of the giant starships through the anomalies and they're overly aggressive nature. We were fortunate to avoid open conflict with the locals, who appear to be human. Initial scans showed no sign of subspace technology or a warp drive, which means we are safe, for now. We hope to find a more peaceful race in order to obtain information and hopefully help. In the meanwhile we will plant subspace relays in deep space to send us the tachyon signals while we are at warp. This way we can monitor the situation with the Earth Alliance, the people who attempted to attack us. We know their name, we know they are not a people we want anything to do with. It is ironic that we find humans so far away from home yet we cannot trust them. History is notorious for being circular. We see them repeating the same mistakes of the 20th century, mistakes we outgrew. We're now on course for our rendezvous with Enterprise as planned. travelling at warp to hopefully avoid being detected and gather more intelligence. Signed: Captain Erika Hernandez.
O-O-O
"What a bunch of fucking morons," Lieutenant Lass slouched behind Ensign Sato who was at her communications station. "Who fires on an unknown ship and threatens them. They sound like Klingons."
Sato shook her head, turning to the Columbia communications officer. "Umm, while I agree. I don't think the captain would appreciate profanities on board."
"Yeah, but what he doesn't know won't hurt him." Lass smiled.
"Hello love," a British accented voice came from behind them, grabbing their attention.
"Crewman Mason," Hoshi looked back.
"So, are we on." Hoshi quickly slapped him, turning back to work on her station again.
"Bloody hell! What did I say?" Mason was trying to sound hurt.
"Still got the same old Mason charm," Lass said sounding sarcastic. "Eh, Jayne."
"George?" Mason exclaimed. "What are you doing here? And you know I hate that name."
"That's why I used it, Jayne," Lass rolled her eyes, and paused a moment. "Oh, I'm the communications officer on the Columbia. You? Besides getting slapped, as usual."
"Assistant engineer," he looked proudly at George.
"Good for you," Lass told him. "Now go away, before i partake in the fun and slap you myself"
"You know him?" Sato whispered as Mason walked to the captain to give a report.
"Yeah," Lass said "Known him since we were kids. Good slap by the way; way to go girl!"
"Well," Sato said thoughtfully. "He's a bit over aggressive in his approach. He is cute, if he had more..."
"Tact?" Lass suggested, smirking.
"Yeah, tact."
"Captain," they heard Mayweather say. "We're coming up on the rendezvous coordinates. Picking up Columbia on sensors."
Sitting in his command chair, Archer nodded. "Slow to impulse."
"Aye, Captain." Maywether acknowledged the order. A few moments moments later, Archer saw the lines of stars travelling at warp shorten until they were nothing more than pinpoints of light.
"Columbia?"
"Dropping out of warp," Reed said, looking up from his station at the main screen. On it, he saw a flash of light and as the decelerating Columbia came to a halt.
"Captain," Sato said. "We're being hailed by Columbia. It's Captain Hernandez."
"Put her on."
"Looks like we got a little in over our heads. Jon, what the hell happened?" Hernandez inquired.
"They appear to be human and very hostile," Archer explained looking up at the image of the Columbia's captain on the main viewscreen "They wanted us to submit to an inspection and didn't like it when I refused. I don't want to hang around this area any longer than we have to."
Hernandez nodded "I was wondering if I could get Lieutenant Lass back. I'd like her and Ensign Sato to modify our communications system so we can send can send and receive tachyon signals. We were completely in the dark during your last encounter."
"Understandable," Archer smiled. "Lieutenant Lass and Lieutenant Sato will transfer over once we dock."
Sato, who was listening to the conversation like the others on the bridge, turned to look at Archer; she'd been caught completely flat footed. The last thing she'd been expecting, was a promotion. All she could do was open and close her mouth; unable to think of what to say.
"Send my congratulations to the new Lieutenant," Hernandez said smiling. "And, tell them I'd like them over here as soon as possible."
Archer nodded. "I'd like another staff meeting while your systems are being modified. "Just yourself and your exec."
"Agreed." On the viewscreen, the image of Hernandez winked off, reverting back to the view of Columbia; now moving alongside to dock with the ships starboard docking port.
Seeing Sato's still shocked face Archer smiled, letting his second in command, Commander T'Pol explain.
"During our meeting at breakfast, the captain and I felt that you had performed well beyond what was expected of you for the past three years on Enterprise. You're promotion, has been long overdue."
"Plus," Archer smirked; turning has gaze on Lieutenant Lass who was working next to the new lieutenant. "We couldn't have our chief communications officer be of a lower rank than the Columbia's." Archer chuckled, walking over to her station. "Just joking, Georgia. Hoshi, you deserved it." Handing the rank pip to the Columbia communications officer, he said. "Lieutenant Lass, would you do the honours please?"
"Thank you, Captain," Lieutenant Sato said as Lass affixed the new rank pip to Sato's uniform.
As Archer headed back to his command chair, Lass leaned in close. "I think congratulations are in order. And, we need to hold a party on your promotion!" George whispered to her, "Do you like old music?"
"You mean like jazz?" Sato asked quizzically.
"Hell no!" Lass looked shocked. "I mean classics."
"You mean older?"
Laughing: "I mean Queen, U2, Sting, REM."
"You have recordings from that era?" Sato's eyebrows raised. "Very hard to come by."
"Yes, I have the CDs," Lass explained. "Mason has a big LP collection."
"You mean he was not just saying that to get into my pants?" Hoshi asked, checking a readout..
"Lying, no. Using it to get into your pants? Definitely" she laughed.
"So have you and Mason ever? And, why did you call him Jayne?"
"He wishes. That is his first name, a secret he kept from people till I found out. I call him Mason unless I feel like messing with him."
"Ah..."
O-O-O
In the small ready room just off the bridge, Captain Archer sat in his chair trying to ignore the headache he felt coming on. Captain Hernandez, Commander T'Pol, Commander Ramius and himself had been going over, and trying to decide what course of action to take; they'd been arguing for past half hour...
"I think..." T'Pol was saying neutrally. "...we should head towards the general location of the system that would be vulcan in this Galaxy."
"You believe that Vulcan exists in this galaxy as well?" Archer asked.
"Earth does. So it is a logical possibility," T'Pol added.
"That system is over two days away at warp five," Ramius flatly stated, upsetting T'Pol. "We could be wasting our time over a planet and race that may not exist here. And, there is the chance the wormhole can open up again."
"Commander Ramius is correct," Hernandez said agreeing. "It would be unwise to leave the local area for now; unless we find evidence of a race that can help us."
The intercom beeped. "Sirs, sorry to interrupt," Sato's filtered voice interrupted; breaking the tension.
"Go ahead, Lieutenant," Archer ordered as he reached over to the intercom; answering the call.
"We calibrated the systems on Columbia,"
"And?" hernandez asked.
"The Columbia's transceiver is newer then our own." Sato explained "While we were modifying it, we received a weak signal, that sounded like a distress call."
"What is their situation?"
"They say they're under attack by raiders. They appear to be a civilian trade caravan headed to some place called Babylon 5."
"It could be a trap," Ramius and T'Pol said echoing each other.
"Yes," Hernandez agreed. "But, we can outrun them if it is. Captain, I suggest we go help. We me be able to make some friends and get some more information on this Earth Alliance."
"Agreed." Archer said. "Lieutenant Sato, report back to Enterprise, We're about to undock and get under way..."
Captain's Starlog, supplemental. A short while ago the Columbia, with her more advanced transceiver picked up what appeared to be distress signal from a trade caravan. Enterprise and Columbia are on route at maximum warp to see if we can provide assistance.
O-O-O
"This is Spike Rubble of the Wreckers to any ship within range," Spike paused, catching his breath. "We need help! we're under attack from raiders. We are part of a trade caravan headed for Babylon 5. I say again..."
"Hell," Kat Polinger, the skipper of the cargo ship put her head down in frustration. "We are so screwed."
"Kat," Rubble announced. "We're are receiving a signal."
"Put it through," Kat said, looking up at a monitor. On it, she saw a strange bridge with an apparently human woman sitting in the central command chair.
"This is Captain hernandez of the Columbia, we are here to help..."
"Thank you" Kat said. "We're out gunned." AS if to emphasise her words, she felt the rumble of an explosion through her feet.
"I don't see them on scopes," the Narn Radar operator G'Quinn worried voice carried over to her. "They must have some kind of stealth system."
"Don't worry, Mal," Kat assured the Narn "You're our lucky charm, remember?"
"Ya, ya," G'quinn answered to the Human name his adopted family had given him.
"Kat, this is Tom in the port turret. I can see the ships; they're definitely not EarthForce. Fast as hell though."
"Yeee haaa!" Chuck's voice could be hear from the aft gunnery position. "They just blew that raider out of the sky."
"Well," G'Quinn's voice was unusually optimistic. "Looks like we will live to see another day."
O-O-O
At the Enterprise's communications station, Lieutenant Sato turned in her seat. "We're within range of the distress signal."
"Ensign, slow to impulse." Archer commanded simply as he looked at the helm.
"I'm picking up the trade caravan on sensors," T'Pol announced. "Looks like three mid-sized cargo ships on bearing three-three-one mark seven-two. They appear to be under attack by at least twelve small vessels." Without being asked, she put the view caravan on the viewscreen.
"All decks acknowledge tactical alert," Reed's voice echoed across the bridge. "Hull plating has been polarised and weapons are standing by."
Leaning forward in his chair, Archer glanced over to the communications station. "Lieutenant Sato, hail Columbia."
"Channel open, sir."
"Erika," Archer said "Contact the lead ship of the caravan, we'll deal with the raiders."
"Will do," Hernandez's voice filtered through the speakers hidden in the ceiling. "We'll cover your rear. Good luck, Jon."
"Thanks."
"Fighters," Reed observed glancing up at the viewscreen. He could quite clearly see the small triangular ships buzzing around the trade caravan. "They each appear to be armed with a pair of low yield plasma cannons."
Archer nodded; his gaze was locked on the viewscreen as he considered his options. "Deploy phase cannons."
"Deploying phase cannons," Reed pressed a few controls. "Acquiring targets."
"Hoshi," Archer said. "Hail the raiders."
After pressing a few controls on her own station, she glanced back. "You're on, Captain."
"This is Captain Archer of the starship Enterprise. Cease your attack, or we'll open fire!"
"Don't see no EarthForce insignia," a gruff but amused sounding voice said. "So lets say you don't interfere and I wont damage that pretty ship of yours."
"They closed the channel," Sato informed him.
Archer nodded, resigned to the action he was about to order his armoury officer do. "Fire," he commanded; his voice barely louder than a whisper.
An instant later, Archer saw several crimson beams of phased energy lance out from the Enterprise's phase cannons; vaporising several of the raiders in small momentary explosions.
"What the hell," the lead pilot muttered as he caught sight of one of his wingmen exploding. We're out gunned, he thought as he tried to weave his way to the new vessel. We need support. Reaching for a control, he hit his emergency signal. "We need backup..."
"Captain," Sato announced. "He's transmitting a tachyon signal. I think it's a call for backup."
"Block it," Archer commanded.
Archer's head snapped to Commander T'Pol at the science station; an alarm he'd become all to familiar with over the past few years had began sounding.
"Captain," she said clearly. "We're picking up another anomaly..."
"On screen," Archer said looking up at the viewscreen. On it, he saw blue vortex that matched the pair the Earth Alliance ships had emerged out of back at the Wolf 359 system. However, no Earth Alliance ship emerged from this one. The ship that emerged from this vortex, was only slightly longer than Columbia and Enterprise. It was, however as tall as it was long and just as bulky looking as the two Earth Alliance ships had been.
At the fore of this ship, surrounding what she thought might have been some kind of docking bay, he saw a set of three rotating wheels. Each wheel was subsequently larger and set further back than the previous. The wheels were clearly designed to allow for rapid deployment of the fighters they'd already encountered.
"Columbia is hailing us." Sato said. "Captain Hernandez is saying she'll deal with the new arrival."
"Understood," Archer nodded. "Tell her to disable them only. We don't want to be seen as merciless as these raiders."
"Captain," Lieutenant Lass said glancing back from her communications station on Columbia's bridge. "Enterprise acknowledges. Captain Archer is instructing us to attempt to disable the raider ship."
Hernandez nodded. "George, hail the raider ship."
"Channel open," Lass said.
"This is Captain Hernandez of the Columbia. Surrender, or we'll open fire!"
"They're launching more fighters," McCoy said glancing up from her station.
"Helm," Hernandez instructed. "Evasive manoeuvres. Keep our course erratic so they can't get a good firing solution; tactical, target their generators, Lieutenant Folie. As Captain Archer said, we want them disabled; not destroyed."
"Aye, sir," Lieutenant Folie nodded, as she touched the controls on her station. "Firing phase cannons..."
On the viewscreen, Hernandez saw their phase cannons rip through the hull of the raider ship expelling atmosphere and undoubtedly killing some of its crew. Damn, she thought. "Report!"
"They've been disabled," Folie said checking her displays. "But, we caused a major hull breach in the process. They're venting atmosphere.
"Beam any survivors on board," Hernandez said turning to the commander of the ships MACO detachment. "Major Conner, please meet our guests at the transporter."
O-O-O
Standing adjacent to the controls of the transporter, Major Conner watched as the form of what appeared to be three humans take shape and solidify within the sparkling haze of the transporter beam. A moment later, when they had completely formed, the three very quickly patted themselves down, trying to make sure they were 'all there.' The three were all men and very casually dressed, albeit with what looked like very expensive looking clothes. Conner smiled, remembering his first trip through the device. He hated the damn thing. But, it was also extremely useful for situations like just now when he needed them to be cooperative.
Glancing to the pair of MACOs he'd brought with them, he instructed. "Disarm them. Then escort them to the brig."
"Yes, sir," the o corporal and private said in unison as they moved up towards the pad; their sleek black pulse rifles held at the ready just in case.
"Stay where you are," the corporal commanded the shocked looking trio. "Hands behind your head!"
As they complied, the private pulled out a hand scanner and began running it over them pausing only when the scanner detected a weapon. When the young private had finished, he'd pulled a small pistol like hand gun from a pocket and what appeared to be a flick knife from each of them.
O-O-O
"Lieutenant Sato," Captain Archer said glancing over at the new lieutenant. "Hail the lead ship."
"Channel open." Sato nodded, glancing back at him. He noted, she was wearing her small earpiece.
"I'm Captain Archer of the Starship Enterprise. Are you okay? Do you need any medical assistance?"
"We are fine," Archer heard a female voice filter its way through the communications system. "Thank you. If you don't mind it rude, just who the hell are you people?"
"We are new to the area." Archer said tactfully. "If you wish, we can shuttle you and anyone you want to our ship. We can then explain and discuss things."
"You're human?"
"Yes, very much so. The majority of our crew is human with a couple exceptions." As he said that, he glanced at Commander T'Pol at the science station, now clad in the standard royal blue Starfleet uniform she'd begun wearing recently. While he had liked her form fitting suits, he knew that she'd eventually start wearing the proper uniform. He was glad she'd made the change just after the Terra Prime incident; it would help provided a unified front.
"The other ship?"
"The same," Archer nodded instictively, even though he knew the other captain couldn't see him. "I'll send a shuttlepod over to pick you up; if that is what you wish."
"You did save our asses. We will be ready in ten minutes." the unknown female captain said.
"I'm looking forward to meeting you." Archer nodded to Sato, instructing her to close the channel.
"Columbia is hailing..." Sato said touching some of her controls.
"Hernandez here, we are towing the hostile. I want to inspect her and see if there are any remaining people. Also get information from the ships computers. Maybe find out who they work for."
"We are expecting guests from the caravan, I'd appreciate it if you'd come over?"
"No," Hernandez sounded determined. "I need to see this myself. I'll send Commander Summers and Lieutenant Lass over. Summers can help size up the people."
"Why Lieutenant Lass?" Archer asked curious. "I'd hardly call her very diplomatic." During the time she'd been aboard Enterprise, he'd heard more expletives from her than he'd heard his entire life.
"She may not be very diplomatic," Harmandez said "But, she's a damn good haggler. If they're as consumer oriented as their broadcasts seem to imply, you need someone who can negotiate a good deal." She paused. "And, she might just learn a few things about diplomacy in the progress."
"Our Ensign Mayweather grew up on a cargo ship," Archer said, understanding Hernandez's argument. "He'll definitely help us in that area as well." Archer glanced at the helm. "Travis, do you mind piloting the shuttlepod to bring our guests here?"
"It would be a pleasure, sir." Mayweather said grinning at the thought of meeting fellow cargo haulers.
"Then it is settled," Hernandez said. "I'll have Lieutenant Lass and Commander Summers shuttle over."
Archer nodded. "Good luck, Captain. Archer out."
O-O-O
The airlock on the transport was crowded as a few people wanted to see the 'shuttlepod' which was currently docking with their transport.
"We got a positive lock," Kat said over the intercom. "Pressurizing airlock. Air pressure nominal."
"Hello there," a voice came over the intercom "This is Ensign Travis Mayweather, of Enterprise. I am opening the docking port on my end."
The humans and the Narn floated towards the other side.
"Brace yourselves," Travis warned the newcomers as they pushed themselves into the shuttlepod.
"You have gravity?" Kat said amazed as she climbed down the ladder into the shuttlepod proper.
"I don't believe even the Minbari have gravity on anything this small," G'Quinn's comment had not gone unnoticed.
"Yes we do. I'm Travis," Mayweather said extending his hand in greeting.
"Sorry for my rudeness, I'm Kat, this is Spike." They shook hands. "And, this is my adopted brother, Mal. Well we call him that. His real name is G'Quinn"
"Pleasure to meet you folks," Mayweather said securing the airlock. "Please have a seat; I'm about to get under way. What's in the package?"
"Ah, a gift for the captains. You will see." Kat smiled.
After the shuttlepod had undocked, and was returning to Enterprise, the traders began talking amongs themselves. As Maywether piloted the small craft, he began to realise that they didn't have some of the technology that he and nearly everyone he knew took for granted. "You have Inertial dampers?" G'quinn noticed the lack of any g forces on their bodies as the ship accelerated.
"Yes we do," Travis changed the subject. "How do you like the shipping business,"
"My father started this business as a salvage operation..." Kat said, recognising what the young officer had just done. She realised, it probably wasn't his place to talk about the technologies involved. "...until they got themselves enough ships to do the trade convoy. You could say I have been at it all my life."
"Sounds like me," Maywether said as he began his final approach to the launch bay doors on the underside of Enterprise. Glancing forward out of the small canopy, he spotted one of Columbia's two shuttlepods being retracted into launch bay two. "I was born on a cargo ship called the Horizon. I stayed with them until I joined Starfleet"
"Starfleet?"
"Our exploration and defence branch." Maywether explained. "I wanted to see what was out there. See the universe."
"Good answer," Kat said. Sounds like the EarthForce recruitment advert. "The universe is a wonderful and scary place."
"We're almost there," Maywether said. "Shuttlepod One to Enterprise. Initiating docking procedure..." Touching the various controls, he held the shuttlepod in place as the docking arm lowered its self out of the doors of launch bay one and attached itself to the shuttlepod. A moment later, Shuttlepod One was raised into launch bay one.
The top side exit opened after a moment. Turning from his piloting controls, stood up and motioning to the the guests. "Please..."
Kat smiled as the crew entered the starship. "Amazing," G'Quinn said again. "Artificial gravity."
"Greetings," T'Pol was waiting for the group. "I am Commander T'Pol, the executive officer of Enterprise."
"Are you an elf fan?" Kat asked, noticing the lack of emotion in the voice of the strange human female as well as the pointed ears and slanted eyebrows.
"No. Elves are fictitious. I am a Vulcan." T'Pol said noticing the blank stares. "Yes we do resemble the Elves of the human mythos. We are not elves, however." Kat could sense a bit of irritation yet the face gave no indication of any emotion still.
"Ahh" Kat nodded.
"If you will follow me, Captain Archer is waiting in the captain's mess."
"The ship is roomy for such a small size," G'Quinn commented as he followed Commander T'Pol out of the launch bay. "When did the Earth Alliance get such technologies?"
"This is not an Earth Alliance vessel, it is a United Earth vessel." T'Pol corrected.
"United Earth?" Kat asked, walking beside T'Pol along one of Enterprise's corridors.
"Yes," T'Pol said. "We will explain at the meeting."
O-O-O
Kat entered a relatively medium sized comfortable room. The one thing which stood out to her were the uniforms. They didn't look very military, more like what the old Nasa astronauts wore, pre Earth Alliance. On a monitor on the right hand wall, she could see what she thought was the ships pennant patch. This was going to be an interesting conversation.
A tall man, with light brown hair, just starting to go grey, stood before the table. The table she observed was covered in a white tablecloth. "Hi, I am," he began. From the sound of his voice she recognised him as the one who had hailed her after the attack.
"Captain Jonathan Archer," Kat finished his sentence and shook his hand "I recognised your voice. A pleasure to meet you in person."
"Good memory, this is Lieutenant jg Georgia Lass, Commander Tru Summers," he paused as his helmsman entered the room. "You have already met Commander T'Pol and Ensign Travis Mayweather.
Kat blushed a little. "You seem to be the same species as the commander, I seemed to have upset her. I mistook her for an elf fan. I am sorry, you just look very human. No offence meant."
"None taken," Summers smiled knowing that it probably upset T'Pol a bit more then her. She, in fact was a huge fan of the books by J.R.R. Tolkien and had on occasion gone to conventions as an elven warrior. She had usually gotten a lot of fun teasing the geeky fan boys who would drool and buy her things to try and impress her. "Vulcans look a lot like humans, though they have various internal anatomical differences, they also have a copper based blood."
"They?" Kat noted the show of emotions. "So you don't consider yourself Vulcan?"
"I am only a quarter Vulcan, from my grandfather. The rest is human." Summers explained for the umpteenth time.
"Captain, If i may," Kat motioned to Mal who brought a small case which he placed on the table. "I have a few cases of this in my father's old collection. I thought it would be a nice way to thank you." She opened the case revealing four bottles of a very old dark rum.
"You didn't have to," Archer took a bottle to take a look, while the Columbia's communications officer inspected another.
"Nice vintage," Lieutenant Lass murmured.
"Could you please explain why you call yourself United Earth?" Kat asked "As far as I know we only have the Earth Alliance."
"Please sit," everyone took their seats "Would you like something to drink?"
"What do you have?" Kat enquired of her hosts.
"We have basics," Archer told her. "Tea, coffee, lemonade, or hot chocolate. Ask, if we have it we will bring it."
"Hot chocolate please, lots of whipping cream," Kat said without hesitation; trying to remember that last time she'd been this well catered for as the rest ordered their drinks from the stewards.
"Well, you heard correctly." Archer nodded "We are from an organisation known as United Earth. It is one which was formed shortly after Earth's first contact with the Vulcans."
"Huh?" Spike commented, sounding confused.
"Well you see," Archer explained. "This is where things get complicated. Commander T'Pol, is also our science officer; she will explain. If you will please?"
"Yes, sir, " T'Pol walked over to the display on the wall behind the captain Pressing a couple of controls, she brought up an image of the local group of galaxies. "We are currently here," she began. "The designation of the galaxy is the Triangulum Galaxy. United Earth, is located here..." She pressed a few control as the map zoomed into the Milky May; showing the the local stars of the United Earth systems.
"Wait a minute, you're saying there is another Earth?" Kat burst out incredulously.
"I know it sounds strange, but yes." Archer confirmed as he nodded assurance that they were telling the truth. "We where transported over three million light years via an unstable wormhole in our wolf 359 system."
"You named your local stars systems with the same names?"
"Ironically yes," T'Pol pressed a few more controls; displaying the colony names.
"We call Proxima Centauri, Proxima." Kat explained. "There's an alien race who call themselves the Centauri. So they dropped the Centauri part. I see you have colonies in the Alpha and Beta systems? We can't go there due to hyperspace storms. Do you have pictures of Earth?"
T'Pol looked at Archer, getting his approval. She then had it display some pictures "These are pictures of Earth; aslo included are a few of the colonies: Alpha Centauri, and Vega."
"The Earth Alliance has a colony on Vega as well," Kat observed. She paused as she read some of the information about the colonies. "Your colonies seem very well off." Kat's envy was apparent.
"Thanks to the Vulcans; Earth was able to gain technologies that helped us greatly." Archer said "We eliminated poverty, hunger and most diseases in less then a century."
"Wow, I wish we had your people in our region." Spike thought aloud.
"It must have cost you a pretty penny," G'Quinn observed.
"The Vulcan people don't charge for certain technologies," T'Pol explained "We believe it is a certain right to all people. I believe the human term is 'humanitarian aid'."
The newcomers looked approvingly at T'Pol. The drinks had arrived and Kat had taken a sip. She'd been expecting what she called 'vending machine hot chocolate,' "Good hot chocolate," Kat paused, considering how to put what she was about to ask. With these people, Kat thought. Straight up. "I admit, I also have a request."
"What do you need?" Archer asked.
"I would like to hire your ships..." Kat explained. "...to escort us to Babylon 5. We will of course pay your jump gate fees and compensate you for your services in rescuing us and the protection to Babylon 5"
"Jump gate?" Lieutenant Lass asked. "Do you mean the strange vortex that opened up and deposited that Raider ship?"
"No," Kat said "That, Lieutenant, is a jump point into hyperspace."
"I believe she is referring to the massive gates we discovered in the Wolf 359 system." T'Pol observed.
"How do you travel anywhere if you don't have jump technology?"
"We have something called a warp drive," Archer said. "it allows us to bypass Einstein's Laws of Relativity and go faster than light. My father happened to design the warp five engine in this ship and Columbia."
"You have a real space faster then light drive?" G'Quinn couldn't help himself. He had to ask. "How much do you want for that and your gravity technology?"
"I am sorry," Archer said smiling. "At this time, it is not for sale."
"I apologise," Kat looked at G'Quinn and got him to back down."It is my father's influence."
"Not to worry," Archer said reassuring the Narn. "Kat," Archer asked. "If I may ask. Where is this Babylon 5? And, what is it?"
"It's an Earth Alliance station in the Epsilon Eridani system," Kat explained to them. Noticing their hesitation, she wondered if they'd had a run in with an Earth Alliance destroyer. Most of them these days, now that President Clark was in power, tended to be overly hostile. " It's in neutral space and almost all of the local races have a representative there. It's commanding officer is pretty decent guy." Kat reassured her.
"That is roughly twenty two hours away at warp five," T'pol said automatically.
"wow, It's roughly two days travel in hyperspace at our speeds," Kat said "Our top speed is only seventy-five klicks per sec, and it takes over two hours to reach that. Your ships seem faster... way faster."
Archer smiled, confirming what she'd thought" Full impulse on the NX-class starship is rated for ten percent speed of light. Though we can get up to twenty-five, if we red-line them."
The look on G'Quinn's wide red eyed and spotted hairless face was very funny. He really really wanted to buy the technology. But, he knew his sister would beat the crap out of him as she put it for not listening. That is over twenty times the speed of Minbari Sharlins, he thought. Why do they have such advanced technology? G'Quinn sipped his carrot juice smoothie, thinking that the universe had a strange way of rewarding people.
"Well, the offer still stands," Kat said "We need an escort to Babylon 5. And, we will pay you. Besides, if you're going to be in this region for the foreseeable future, you'll need the credits."
"Could we also buy some of your hot chocolate mix, chocolate, whipping cream and carrot juice? Maybe other food stuff?" Mal's mention of the chocolate was not lost on Tru, she could tell that there is a lot of love between the two. Sibling love truly is universal.
"I am sure we can provide you with that," he nodded to Lieutenant Lass as he rose from his seat. "I'll leave it to Lieutenant Lass and Ensign Mayweather to negotiate the fine details. In the meantime, I'm needed on the bridge." Pausing at the exit into the crews mess hall, he glanced back indicating for T'Pol to join him. "Georgia, Travis," he said addressing the two junior officers. "The mess is yours..."
O-O-O
Kat decided that she liked these people. They seemed to be open minded, friendly and courteous and very reasonable. They were in one of the ships guest quarters Captain Archer had provided for them.
"That woman, Lieutenant Lass, George, she is a very very good haggler." G'Quinn stood amazed.
"I am surprised you didn't' give her the kitchen sink," Kat smirked. "You seem to like her, you softy."
"She is pretty, for a human." Q'Quinn was thoughtful. "Besides, I got permission for our crew members to visit the two ships and enjoy some time off and a good meal."
"The crew will love you for that," Kat smirked again "You know that?"
"Well, I only need the love of my lovely sister."
"These quarters are huge," Kat murmured. "At least for our standards."
"I called the crew," G'Quinn reported. "The ships are getting into formation, with the Enterprise in the lead and the Columbia in the rearguard position."
"They took down the Battlewagon," Kat said. "With a single shot. That is impressive fire power for a ship this size."
"Be careful though,"G'Quinn cautioned. "They seem to be great, but nothing is always as it seems. Especially right now with what President Clark is doing back on Earth." He paused a moment. "Our Earth."
"I can feel that their honest," Kat insisted.
"Time will tell," G'Quinn rested his head on the head rest of the chair. "Let's enjoy it this for as long as we are able..."
O-O-O
As the caravan, which now included Enterprise and Columbia, approached the monstrous hyperspace jump gate, it could be seen on the main screen of Enterprise. Kat, and her brother Mal(G'quinn) were on the bridge.
"Miss Polinger, if you will?" Archer asked.
"Excuse me, Lieutenant Sato?" the Wrecker's captain asked "If I may use your console?"
"Please," Sato said.
Kat took out a data key. "Could you open a signal to the jump gate transponder on this frequency?"
"Sure," Sato indicated a small numerical keypad on her console. "You can enter your data using this keyboard."
"Thanks," Kat entered her identification code as the gate acknowledged it's authenticity.
"Captain," T'Pol looked up from her station. "The jump gate just scanned the caravan and appears to be re-aligning its position."
On the screen, Archer could see small thrusters firing; moving the four long pylons further apart to allow for the passage of the ships. A moment later, he saw the pylons light up successive order as a vortex, very much like the ones they'd witnessed previously, formed portal opened up within the structure. The only difference that Archer could detect was that this one was more orange in colour rather than blue.
"We are good to go," Kat said looking up at the viewscreen.
"Ensign," Archer said leaning forward in his chair. "Take us in, impulse power. Ahead seventy-five kliometres per sec."
Kat shook her head mirthlessly. Both this ship and Columbia had to go that much slower just so that her ships would not be run over.
"Yes, sir," Mayweather acknowledged entering the commands into his helm.
"Don't' forget that we need to keep the beacon for Babylon 5 in our sights at all times." Kat explained. "We don't want to get lost. There are no points of reference in hyperspace. Also we need to keep a lock on all ships. So none stray too far."
"Yes, we have the protocol in place," Mayweather said not taking his eyes off of the viewscreen. He could see the jump gate and the vortex within it growing larger as the ship approached. "I've got the beacon tied into our navigation system."
"I don't want to loose anyone," Kat said nodding. "Hyperspace is notorious for that."
"Don't worry, we fully intend to live up to our side of our deal." Archer smiled.
While the Enterprise and the small caravan entered the vortex, Archer felt a brief tug of acceleration as the inertial dampers lagged behind for an instant. A moment later, the vortex was gone and all they could see was a roiling and rippling sea of red light. Almost at once, Archer understood what Miss Polinger had meant when she'd told them that besides the hyperspace navigation beacon network, there were no points of reference.
Just to his left, he heard a faint moan come from Commander T'Pol. "Commander T'Pol are you all right?" Archer asked.
"No," T'Pol answered, frowning as she massaged the bridge of her nose. "I am getting flashes of thoughts and emotions. They are getting more frequent and harder to suppress."
Archer dreaded what he knew was about to happen. The last time he'd seen T'Pol become like this was during their time in the Expanse; shortly after they'd discovered half destroyed Vulcan ship Seleya. "Lieutenant," Archer said glancing at his armoury and tactical officer as he rose from his command chair. An instant later he and Reed were by T'Pol's side as she began to tense up.
As Reed tried to restrain her, she violently shoved him aside, knocking him to the deck. "No, Don't touch me," she exploded.
"Archer to sickbay," he said reaching out and activating the intercom. "Doctor Phlox, medical emergency on the bridge."
Reed didn't want to risk touching her again. But regardless, he quickly restrained her again with Archer's help.
"Captain," Sato said. "We're being hailed by Columbia. They're using a tachyon signal. It appears Commander Summers is going through something similar."
"What's wrong?" Phlox said striding onto the bridge from the turbolift.
"Don't touch me! Don't touch me! "T'pol kept repeating as Phlox attempted to scan her with his hand scanner.
"I can't help you if you won't let me examine you," Phlox tried to explain to the increasingly incoherent T'Pol.
Approaching from the turbolift, apparently unnoticed by either Archer, Reed or Doctor Phlox; Commander Charles Tucker III, Enterprise's chief engineer spoke softly. "T'Pol, I'm here," He paused as Reed tried to keep himp away from T'Pol. "Captain," Trip said "Let me talk to her."
T'Pol, it seemed, was still coherent enough to recognise Trip. "Trip," T'Pol said. "They won't leave me alone."
"They're just trying to help," Trip said reaching out, placing an arm on her shoulder. "Take you to sickbay and get you checked out."
The physical contact was like a brief electric shock to T'Pol. Memories surged through her. Memories which were not hers, but Trip's. She felt it all. The pain of loosing his younger sister, the pain of loosing their daughter and the intense love Trip felt for her. It was overwhelming. Till she focused on the one thing which gave him calm and made her relax. Ironically it was the image of herself. The memory of the night they made love. She was reliving it through his eyes, with his emotions, his love for her. Her mind lapsed into unconsciousness.
"What just happened to Commanders T'Pol and Summers?" Kat was worried that they would be blamed.
"I believe it has something to do with their Vulcan physiology," Phlox said reading the information on the small hand scanner "Vulcans are touch telepaths."
"Were they spying on us?" Kat accused. "Like Psi Corps."
"No," Phlox assured them. "I have personal experience with this. I can assure you they would not spy on you. Their telepathy is not like that. They have ability to meld thoughts and ideas with careful meditation and concentration. It is not something that can be turned off or on like in fiction."
"Do you have any other telepaths on board?" G'quinn asked worriedly. He hated the idea of others prying into his mind without his knowledge or permission.
"We don't' have any telepaths on our Earth," Archer said. "Though, I think I'd like to learn a bit more about this Psi Corp."
"We are getting hailed by the Columbia," Sato said her hand going to her small earpiece.
The signal came through, and Archer could hear Commander Summers voice over the channel. "Is T'Pol okay?"
"She's in sickbay with Commander Tucker and Doctor Phlox," Archer explained. "She lapsed into unconsciousness. Do you have any idea what happened?"
"I believe I do," Summers stated. "Somehow this hyperspace is affecting the natural telepathic abilities; increasing them, like a magnifying glass."
"How come your still awake?" Archer asked. He'd thought she'd have been out cold too.
"I believe it has to do with her emotional control," Summers said thoughtfully "She has such a tight lid on it and the onslaught of the crews thoughts and emotions broke passed her barriers. Emotion and thought overload if you will." She paused a moment "In actual fact, I don't think she's truly unconscious; merely in a Vulcan healing trance."
"A what?" Archer asked. He thought the term sounded familiar. Probably a vestigial memory from the time when he'd carried Surak's Katra, the essence of the Vulcan who had once been the father of Vulcan logic. But, those memories were fading fast these days, and were getting harder to recall.
"It's nothing you need to worry about," Summers expanded. "It's an ability Vulcan's have had since Surak's time. She's probably been studying up on it recently. She'll come round within an hour or two and be more able to deal with the onslaught. Though, I would recommend that she not be touched by too many people, or be near too many people at once. I'll shuttle over when I can. Summers out."
"Sir," Sato said. "It's Captain Hernandez."
Archer nodded, glancing up at the viewscreen as the imaged changed to a view of Columbia's bridge and Captain Hernandez sitting in her command chair. "Captain," she asked. "You heard Summer's report?"
Archer nodded. "It wasn't pretty."
Hernandez nodded in turn. "It wasn't here either," she paused. "But, that wasn't why I called. Have you checked the subspace sensors yet?"
"Not yet," Archer asked curious. "Why?"
"They're currently reading nothing," Hernandez said. "It seems, subspace is incompatible with hyperspace. At least that's what Chief Engineer Dax just told me. He also suggested, that when in hyperspace, we'll probably be limited to a top acceleration of around point two impulse."
"Understood," Archer sad thoughtfully. He'd wondered why Trip had come to the bridge earlier. He'd probably been about to tell him the same thing. Better get down to sickbay, he thought. Speak to Trip and check on T'Pol. "Archer out."