Chapter Nine

Rage of Fire

Three Days Later.

Intrepid had been boarded. Malcolm was on Tuscany and T'Pol was on Victoria, patrolling the area in case of a surprise attack. Intrepid was on a remote space station, expecting to obtain intel regarding the next Romulan attack. They had not expected to run into two hulking Lisyrian ships. Trip wasn't even on the bridge. He had left Lt. Carter in command until the time came for his meeting with the operative he and Malcolm were there to meet in a few hours. Several of the Lisyrian soldiers had beamed right over to Intrepid once they had de-cloaked.

Reed's security team and the MACOs were frantically trying to ensure that the aliens did not get what they came for, Captain Tucker.

Hoshi had commed Trip in the command center to tell him that security was on the way and not to leave B Deck. But Trip had not heard the entire communication. As soon as he was told that they'd been boarded, he bolted. He was running down the corridor when suddenly lights began to flash before him. He couldn't stop himself from running fast enough and his legs gave way under him. He slid onto the floor and his body stopped just in front of the intruders.

"Beautiful One!" Master Klegg said reaching his arms out toward Trip. He was flanked by two other Lisyrians.

"No!" Trip shouted. "No!" he tried to pick himself up from the floor but couldn't fast enough. He tried to crawl away but was caught by his shirt collar by a massive hand.

"Come now Beautiful One," Klegg said, "you know you could never get away from me." He lifted Trip up and engulfed him with a potentially back-breaking hug.

Trip screamed and struggled to get away, but could not. Klegg let him go and he fell to the floor. Klegg grabbed him by the neck and slammed his head into the floor several times until blood trickled down his face, then pressed his face down into the floor with his foot. After a few seconds Klegg then eased up next to Trip and spoke directly into his ear as he lay there shaking not able to speak or move.

"Imagine my delight, my exhilaration when I learned that you were still alive after all this time," Klegg said. "Naturally, I had to come, I had to see you. I have thought of nothing but you for many years, wondering whatever happened to my beautiful pet." Klegg then ran a finger down Trip's face. "Still pretty!"

"G-get your… f-filthy hands… off of me," Trip stammered. "I'm n-not… your pet!"

"Oh my, we've become a bit feisty haven't we," Klegg replied. "No matter, a few lashes with my whip and that'll remind you of who I am. Pretty soon, it'll be just like old times."

"Never!" Trip cried out as Klegg held him down.

"You will be mine again," Klegg hissed. "I have encountered many of your species since you left me, but none had the effect that you had on me. You were my first human pet and none other can compare, Beautiful One."

"Don't …c-call … me that!" Trip gasped as Klegg held his face down against the floor.

"Why should I not? That is your name. Oh I know they told me that you are the Captain of this vessel," and Klegg laughed a loud, thunderous laugh. "How absurd, my little animal, a captain. No matter, it will just make our reunion sweeter to strip you of all that you have become. I look forward to having you serve me once again, having you curl up at my feet…having you in my bed." Trip struggled against Klegg's grip all the more. Suddenly there was phase pistol fire in the corridor and it was filled with MACOs, eight of them.

"Get away from him!" one of the MACOs shouted. The Lisyrians fired back for a few moments, then lights flashed and they were gone.

"You will be mine again!" Klegg shouted as he was beamed away. "I promise you that, Beautiful One!" and he could be heard laughing as he disappeared.

"Captain are you alright?!" One of the MACOs asked frantically. But Trip did not answer. He just slowly pulled himself up from the floor with one of the young men's help.

"I'm… I'm fine," he managed to get out, but was clearly shaken.

"I think we should get you to sick bay Sir and let the doc check you out."

"No, I'm okay…I'm not hurt."

"But sir, you're head's bleeding and you don't look so good," the MACO said and tried to steady his staggering captain.

"I said I was alright!" Trip snapped and jerked away from the young man's grip. He then took a few steps forward, swayed, then hit the floor.

Victoria and Tuscany had tried to engage in a fire fight with the enemy vessels, but they would not counter. They instead jumped to warp seven after a few minutes, ran and entered some kind of a vortex. They seemed to disappear as quickly as they appeared.

Sick Bay.

Doctor Phlox was on Intrepid. Vramarec was on Victoria and another doctor was stationed on Tuscany. It turned out that Klegg had caused Trip's neck to be strained and had broken his collar bone. He had also caused a concussion when he slammed his head into the floor. Phlox stitched the cut on his forehead, repaired the collar bone and gave him pain medicine for the neck strain. But Phlox was more concerned with Trip's mental state right now. When he regained consciousness he woke up screaming and fighting.

"Captain Tucker," Phlox called out. "You are safe, no one here is going to harm you."

"Get away from me!" Trip shouted acting as if he didn't know who Phlox was. "Get away from me! Touch me again and I'll kill you!"

Phlox hurried over to the comm and called for security. Two guards came and subdued their Captain until Phlox could sedate him again. It calmed him but didn't knock him out as it should have.

"Captain, you should stay here in sick bay," Phlox said to his much calmer patient, "you have had quite an ordeal."

Trip shot his head up and looked at Phlox as he sat up on the bio-bed. "Get someone from the armory up here!" Trip said shakily.

"The armory?" Phlox replied.

"Don't argue with me, just do it!" Trip snapped. Phlox called to the armory as directed. Trip ordered one of the men to bring him a phase rifle and a phase pistol.

"Captain, it is highly irregular to have weapons in sick bay," Phlox said. But Trip acted as if he didn't even hear Phlox. He strapped the phase rifle around his shoulder and put the phase pistol

in a holder around his waist. He then looked at the armory officer.

"That one too!" Trip said pointing at the officer's own weapon.

"Sir?" the young man answered.

"You heard me, gimme that phase pistol!" The young man handed him the weapon looking warily at Phlox.

"Captain, I must protest! You should not be arming yourself while you are in this state," Phlox pleaded. Trip just looked at him with a wild look in his eyes.

"Im gonna do whatever I have to, to protect myself," Trip said shaking and not looking like himself at all. "He's coming back! He's coming back I tell you, and I'm not gonna let him take me!

"Captain…" Phlox began.

"Get outta my way!" Trip shouted as he pushed past Phlox and bolted out of sick bay. Phlox was very concerned. He went over to the comm and called the bridge.

"Hoshi, Dr. Phlox here. Have Commanders T'Pol and Reed made it back to the ship yet?"

"Not yet doc. Is there something wrong?"

"Please notify them at once. There has been a development with the Captain."

"Oh no," Hoshi said, "what happened?"

"Just get the Commanders please Hoshi, and tell them it is urgent. Phlox out."

Trip's Quarters.

Trip raced through the corridor, speaking to no one. Several people did a double take at seeing him so heavily armed as he pushed past crew members. Once inside his quarters, he laid his weapons on the bed. He removed his uniform the best he could, wincing a little from the pain. He let it fall where he stood. He jumped in the shower and tried to scrub his skin off, repulsed at the thought of Klegg touching him.

When he finished, he dried himself, pulled on sweats and a T-shirt then crawled up on the large bed. He laid the rife beside him, put one phase pistol on the night stand beside the bed and held the other one in his hand. He sprawled out on his stomach, cradled his pillow with both arms, and buried his face in it and began to sob. He had been so shocked to see Master Klegg, then to be assaulted by him once again. For the moment it was too much, and now that he was alone, he let the tears flow. What would he do now? His greatest fear had come upon him.

A Short Time Later.

Malcolm and T'Pol were just so damned angry that Klegg had gotten his filthy paws on Trip. That one limited contact had been only for a few minutes, but it was enough to throw Trip into a tailspin. It left him nervous, anxious and jumpy. Malcolm speculated that Klegg had not just beamed Trip out with him because he did not want to engage in a fire fight at that time. He had not wanted to engage in a battle, but send a message, and they had heard it loud and clear. The Lisyrians were now involved in the war.

When the Commanders arrived at Trip's quarters they found him sitting on the floor in the corner with the lights off, holding the phase rifle in his hands with two phase pistols at his side. He had raised the rifle at them when the door slid open and T'Pol hit the lights.

"Trip!" she called out. "What are you doing?"

"What does it look like I'm doing, I'm protecting myself!" he said trembling.

"Phlox and the security team told us what happened. You need to return to sick bay," Malcolm replied. "You're in shock, you're not yourself right now."

"He was here!" Trip shouted. "H-he was here, and he touched me! The filthy bastard… put his hands on me!"

"Please Adun," T'Pol said reaching out to him. "Let us help you. We are not going to let anyone harm you."

"It's not just anyone! It's him! Him!" Trip said still shaking and looking quite rattled. "He's coming back! He's coming back for me, but I'm not…not gonna let him t-take me!"

"Trip, I promise I will not allow anything to happen to you," Malcolm said. "Trust me."

"I don't trust anybody! Not when it comes to him!" Trip cried. "You don't know…you have no idea…"

"Trip," T'Pol interrupted and moved closer to him. "I am coming over to you," she said. "I know that you will not harm me. I just want to help you." Just then the door slid open. It was Phlox. Trip jumped, startled at the sound of the door hissing. He almost fired the rifle at him, but T'Pol's quick reflexes knocked it out of his hands. He jumped to his feet as she and Malcolm surrounded him.

"Leave me alone!" he shouted as he struggled with them. He pushed them both off of him and T'Pol went flying on top of the bed. Malcolm landed hard on the floor.

"Captain Tucker," Phlox said. "You must calm down. We only want to help. Now, please, return to sick bay so I can finish treating you and you can rest. You will feel much better."

Trip was now standing in the corner pressed up against the wall as if he were terrified. He had also pulled out one of the phase pistols.

"It is alright," T"Pol said as she slid off the bed. "I am here." She then started sending him calming thoughts through their bond. It was difficult to get through to him, but she finally was able to reach him. He dropped the phase pistol and slid to the floor with both hands in his hair.

Malcolm hurried over and collected the weapons. T'Pol crouched on the floor beside him and took him in her arms as he sobbed against her. Malcolm motioned for the doctor to come over.

Phlox ran a scanner over him and injected a very strong sedative in his neck. After a few minutes, he and Malcolm lifted him to the bed. They left him sleeping.

For the next few days, Trip was nervous and jumpy, unfocused, angry and depressed. He wasn't eating or sleeping. When he wasn't locked up in his quarters, sitting alone in the dark, he was yelling at people, throwing things and going off about little of nothing.

Mess Hall 1200 Hours.

Travis saw Hoshi sitting alone and went over and sat down with his tray. "Hey," he said. "Aren't you gonna eat?"

"Not really hungry," she replied. "But I had to get off the bridge for a while, you know be around something that felt normal, that felt right."

"I know, the Captain is just so not himself," Travis said. He held his head down a little before continuing. "You know ever since those Lisyrians came aboard, he's been really on edge. I really regret…I mean, I really hate they ever came. If only I'd known our alien visitors were Lisyrians…"

"Travis what do you mean, if only you had known? Fact is Admiral Gardner knew and he sent them out here anyway. He had to know their presence would affect Trip negatively."

"But why would he wanna mess with his best Captain's head? This ship is the flag ship, it's been instrumental in turning this war around. Seems to me you'd want to help her Captain out any way you could, not cause him all kind of stress and anxiety."

"Who the hell knows. Gardner has some kind of warped vendetta against Trip. I don't think he likes the fact that Trip pretty much owns Invictus. Think the Admiral is intimidated by that."

"But why?"

"Think about it. It's a pretty powerful position for someone to be in. It kinda puts Starfleet in a precarious position. Trip could take Victoria and Tuscany away any time he wanted to and they couldn't do anything about it."

"But, without Victoria and Tuscany, there's no Invictus. The Captain wouldn't want that."

"We know that, but that's because we know the Captain."

"Oh what a tangled web we weave!" Travis said shaking his head.

"What?"

"Nothing. I just wanna see the Captain back to normal. I just want him to be okay, you know?"

"Yeah, I know," Hoshi replied. "Well I better get back."

"Hold up," Travis said, "I'm coming too."

"But you didn't eat."

"All of a sudden I don't have an appetite." He then dumped his tray and followed Hoshi out of the mess hall.

Invictus, Bridge.

Before Hoshi and Travis could return to the bridge, a security alert went off. Invictus was being attacked by three Romulan war birds, two birds of prey and a Lisyrian ship. They ran back to the bridge and took their position.

T'Pol and Malcolm felt that they needed to separate to take on that many ships but Trip wouldn't hear of it. He was in the mood for a fight. He had ordered his first and second officer to Victoria and Tuscany, but not to separate.

"Malcolm!" Trip called out over the comm, "phase cannons on those two preys. Hit those shields with everything you got! I want 'em down, then blast 'em to hell!"

"Aye Captain," Malcolm said and went to work.

"T'Pol, get after those two war birds off the starboard bow," Trip ordered. "You know what to do!"

"Yes Captain," she said and began calling out orders.

"Carter, Hall!" Trip said. "Get that other war bird off our ass! Phase cannons, pound the hell out of those shields! I want 'em down!"

"What about the Lisyrian ship!? Hall asked, nervousness in his voice.

"I gave you an order Lieutenant!" Trip shouted, "you best be following it or you can get the hell off my bridge!" Travis and Hoshi looked at one another.

"Aye…a-aye Sir," Hall replied totally taken aback by his Captain's harshness.

"Captain," T'Pol said over the comm, "shields down to 29% on the first vessel, 18 on the other."

"Keep at it!" Trip replied.

"Captain, I recommend separation," T'Pol said. "It would be easier if I could maneuver around those ships."

"I said keep at it Commander, or are you hard of hearing!" he barked.

"Captain," Hoshi called out, Commander Reed on the comm.

"Put him through."

"Captain, shields down on both preys…"

"Then blast them to kingdom come, I already told you!" Trip said and cut the communication. A few minutes later one of the birds of prey blew apart, followed by one of the ships Victoria was targeting.

"Shields down on the remaining war bird!" Carter called out.

"Firing phase cannons four and five!" Hall said before Trip could speak. Suddenly Intrepid shook violently. Several crew member went flying.

"Shields!" Trip called out.

"Down to 69% Sir," Carter replied.

"Then we better get this done people!"

"Sir, the Lisyrian ship is coming about," Hoshi called out. By the time the words were out of her mouth they were hit with a borage of fire power. More crew members went flying.

"Shields down to 44% Captain!" Carter called out.

"God damned Lisyrian ass bastards!" Trip shouted, his anger rising. "I want that war bird blown out of the sky, now. Phase cannons target their engines!" Suddenly the war bird tried to fly over Intrepid.

"Travis, pull up! Pull up!" the helmsman suddenly pulled Intrepid straight up and the war bird crashed into it. The ship shook. The two remaining war birds tried to run, rather limp away. The Lisyrian ship had turned and was just about to come about.

"Commander Reed," Trip said over the comm. "Separate, get after that bird closest to you!"

"Aye Sir!" he replied.

"Commander T'Pol!" he said.

"I'm on it Captain," she replied and within minutes Victoria had separated from the main ship and was after its prey.

"Captain, the Lisyrian ship is heading straight for us!" Travis said. But it was as if Trip had not heard him. He just stood there trembling, breathing deeply.

"Captain!" Hoshi called out. Trip just stood there staring at the ship. Then something happened to him. His eye color changed. Right before everyone, his eyes turned fire red.

"Hold our position," he growled as red veins began to pop out of his face and neck.

"Oh God," Hoshi whispered. The massive Lisyrian ship continued barreling directly for Intrepid.

"Fire Phase cannons," Trip ordered looking at Carter and Hall, red eyes blazing. They didn't know whether to be afraid of the situation they were facing or of their Captain. "All of 'em! Trip said.

"All of them s-sir?!" Carter replied.

"You heard me!" Then Hall and Carter unloaded all nine of their phase cannons at once. The Lisyrian ship shook and started to erupt in fire. Everyone cheered.

"Bring us about Travis," Trip ordered.

"Captain," Malcolm said over the comm. "That ship is completely disabled, but there are still life signs. I recommend we beam them aboard and interrogate them. They may have some intel we can use."

"Agreed Captain," T'Pol interjected as she had been listening in. "They may be able to tell us the location of the other Lisyrian ships."

"No," Trip said calmly. "I want 'em dead."

"Captain, that is an illogical course of action. This is the first opportunity we will have to interrogate the Lisyrians about their involvement in this war, we should not let this opportunity pass."

"I said no!" Trip replied. "Hall, stand by to fire torpedoes." Everybody on the bridge looked at their Captain. Suddenly, there was another change in him. It was chilling. His eyes had turned black, completely black, like dark pools of nothingness. Travis and Hoshi looked at one another, their mouths gaping open. Carter and Hall both stood at their consoles, frightened at what they saw.

"Captain, I urge you to rethink your position…" Malcolm was saying.

"Fire torpedoes," Trip said calmly. Staring straight ahead at his enemy. "K"ill 'em, kill em all," he said in a cold, calculating voice. Hall fired the torpedoes and the ship blew apart. Trip looked around at his crew who all just stared at their Captain, staring back at them from some unknown abyss. They were not even sure he was their Captain. Then he turned and left the bridge.

Later That Day.

Malcolm and T'Pol had returned to the ship after reconnecting with Intrepid. The bridge crew explained what had happened, and about how Trip's appearance had changed. They both assisted in getting the injured to sick bay and located a safe area of space to regroup. They confronted Trip in his ready room, exhausted, distressed and complaining of a headache.

"We have been briefed on what happened on the bridge earlier," Malcolm said. "You need to see the doctor."

"I don't need a doctor Mal!" Trip snapped. "We just had a battle, everybody is a little freaked out and feeling anxious!"

"You know what he's talking about," T"Pol replied. "Something happened to you on the bridge today. Everyone witnessed it."

"The reports indicate that something seemed to overtake you," Malcolm said. "Everyone on the bridge said you were not yourself, it was like an alien presence invaded you."

"I got angry it's all," Trip said waiving them off.

"Trip please allow the doctor to check you out," T'Pol said. "You have not been yourself for days. Something is obviously happening to you."

"We just kicked the shit out of three enemy ships! What the hell is your problem!"

"Permission to speak freely Captain," Malcolm said.

"Go ahead," Trip replied.

"You should not have destroyed that Lisyrian ship. It was crippled, it wasn't going anywhere. But apparently, you were so consumed by your anger and hatred of the Lisyrians that you couldn't resist the urge to kill a ship full of them. We should have taken them prisoner. We should have interrogated some of them, we could have gotten some useful intel from them!"

"I agree," T'Pol said.

"Look," Trip replied, "I wasn't taking those bastards prisoner! They would never give us information, and they would have never shown mercy if the situation were reversed. So screw it! I know what I'm doing! I know what needs to be done!" Trip then picked up several pads and threw them across the room.

Before anyone could react, he punched the smart table console. His fist went through it. It didn't even seem to phase him however. His hand was bleeding, he was breathing heavily and he had a wild look in his eyes. Suddenly they began to turn red. Malcolm and T'Pol were startled as they watched Trip's eyes flash from blue to red several times. They also saw red veins pop out of his neck and face. He had torn the view screen from the wall and was holding it in the air to throw, but suddenly he stopped.

"What's wrong with me?" he asked as he laid the screen on the broken table.

"Trip, I have noticed an increase in your physical strength for some time," T'Pol said. "And Dr. Vramarec indicated that your blood work looked abnormal. Something is wrong, you should see the doctor."

"I said I didn't need a damned doctor!" Trip yelled.

"Captain, T'Pol is right. You have been screaming and yelling at everyone for days. And what we just witnessed is evidence that you are not yourself. Now, please let us escort you to see the doctor."

"No!"

"Then you should relieve yourself of duty," T'Pol said. "Ever since the Lisyrians have been here you have exhibited unstable behavior."

"I am not relieving myself of duty!"

"Then you leave me no choice," T'Pol said straightening her back. "I will have to go to Phlox and tell him that in my opinion you are unfit to command this ship. That I need to assume command because you are not well. I will also ask Admiral Gardner to order you to undergo a complete medical work up."

"And I will back her up," Malcom added. Trip looked at both of them, then looked at his bleeding hand. He put his other hand to his head.

"Alright!" he said. "Alright! I'll see the damned doctor!" he said grasping his bleeding hand. "If it'll make the two of you happy! So you can get the hell out of my face!" he shouted, then he knocked some items off the broken table and stormed out.

"You would do that?" Malcolm asked T'Pol. "Call Starfleet and tell them about the Captain's mental state?"

"Of course not," she replied. "But he is behaving irrational right now. I knew I could not reason with him, so I bluffed, as he would say." Malcolm nodded, then they set off to sick back.