Chapter 2
September 4th 2158
Everything was peaceful up on the bridge. Everything expect for Captain Archer, Lieutenant Reed and Commander Tucker. They were talking about the Lieutenant's Birthday party that had been held two nights before. The main topic of discussion between them was the games that had taken place in the Mess Hall.
"Come on, Malcolm." Commander Tucker said, crossing his arms over his chest. "Pin the Tail on the Donkey was not that bad!" a wide grin covered his face as he tried to stifle his giggles.
"I'm sorry, Commander." Malcolm began to shake his head in disagreement. "But I just don't see what the point is of that game. I've never liked it."
"The point is to make people laugh when you place the tail on its forehead or something silly like that."
"Or pinning it to Hoshi's arse!" Trip laughed out, making Malcolm blush, as that is what had happened when the Chief tactical officer tried to play.
"That is exactly why it's a silly game for grown-ups. I'm not surprised Ensign Reller won." At the mention of my name, I looked up from the COMM desk and over to the group, smiling slightly at them. Commander Tucker looked at me and smiled back.
The bridge fell silent as the men dispersed around the bridge and, for a moment or two, things were once again peaceful. That was until beeping sounded around the room. Everyone looked at their consoles, but I immediately noticed it was mine that was making the noise. I tapped a few buttons before reporting to Archer. "We're picking up a distress call, Captain." I said, looking over at Archer.
He watched me, moving over to his chair. "Put it up." He ordered.
"To….. We…." The voice was very distorted and barely audible. I pressed several buttons as I listened to the next order.
"Can you clear it up?"
"I'm working on it." I replied and relaxed a little bit when the reception was cleared and the voice could be heard with a lot more ease.
"We need immediate assistance. It's tearing us apart! This is the transport ship Ko'Luar." At that moment the voice suddenly cut out. I checked my desk to see if it was a problem with our equipment, by a quick diagnostic concluded that it wasn't us. I looked at Archer and shook my head.
"T'Pol?"
"The Ko'Luar is one of three Nausicaan cargo vessels."
"Where?"
"Bearing zero zero five mark four three. Will take approximately two hours to get there. No other ships in range." Replied Malcolm, The Captain's head was turning each time one of the bridge crew spoke.
"Travis. Set a course, maximum warp."
"Aye sir." The space boomer replied and within seconds the Enterprise was sailing through space towards the co-ordinates Malcolm had given.
Captain Archer ordered me to hail the Ko'Luar to let them know that assistance was on its way, but I couldn't get any response from them. There was either some sort of heavy magnetic interference or their equipment was offline. Communications with the Nausicaan were cut off.
No one knew what to expect, or why these ships needed help as that part of the distress call had been fizzled out by interference. One thing was certain though, the Nausicaans weren't exactly on Star Fleet's list of nice aliens, by the needed help and it was our job to provide whatever assistance they needed.