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The "T" KeyAuthor - Aquila | Genre - Angst | Genre - Drama | Main Story | Rating - PG | T
Fan Fiction Main Page | Stories sorted by title, author, genre, and rating The T-Key By Aquila Rating: PG, drama, angst He punched the T key. When the list flickered into view he scrolled down to Tucker, Charles, III, Commander, Chief Engineer of NX-O1, Enterprise. He clicked on the name, a warning and a second authorization field appeared. Access to this file is for the eyes of the Captain only. Archer entered his command code. There was a pause as the computer verified the entry, before the screen changed. On the right side of the screen was a digital image of a smiling Trip Tucker. Archer frowned. He could not remember the last time he had seen Trip smile with the joy of living. Under the image were a list of pertinent identifiers, dental plates, scars, height, weight, confirmation of eye colour. The identifiers ended with a link to Phlox’s DNA database. On the left side of the screen, were the chronological links that connected Archer with the ballast of paperwork a Starfleet career generated. He was the author of many of the more recent remarks. It had been seven years since he had read the earlier contributions. Archer wondered if that oversight might be something he would come to regret. The Captain clicked the first link. November 2138 Admiral Richard Dennis Dear Admiral Dennis: How are you, Admiral? I have waited much too long to write and renew a friendship that I have held dear for twenty years. I watched your induction ceremony on WNN. Maggie and the girls looked well. Sandy died two years ago. We never had children of our own, but my teaching has kept young people in my life since I retired from Starfleet. I want to tell you about one of them in particular. His name is Charles Tucker, a middle child in a family of five over-achievers. His marks have been average, nothing outstanding, but he has shown natural leadership ability. He is an athlete, Admiral. Plays football, baseball and swims like a fish. He’s had his diving license since he was twelve. Highly competitive, but able to make peace when necessary. Trip, they call him Trip because he is Charles Tucker the third, wrote his standard aptitude tests in June. The scores came back last month. His math score was 800 and his language score was 750. Trip did not appear surprised, but those of us who should have known were staggered. We had a Vulcan exchange teacher here, when the boy was in tenth grade. Name of Velik, perhaps you know of him? I looked up the remarks he added to the boy’s file. “Disruptive, rude, obstinate, but always offers the right answer when a question is directed at him. Has demonstrated some original thinking.” Don’t know how we failed to read between the lines, Admiral, but we did. I spoke to his father, last week. The boy has been pulling apart and rebuilding engines since he was six. They haven’t had a repairman to their place for ten years. If it breaks, Trip fixes it. Today, I spent an hour with him talking about engines, quantum mechanics and astrophysics. He’s read everything Cochrane ever wrote. His hero is Henry Archer. He showed me some theoretical drawings he has developed based on principles espoused by Archer. He calls them improvements. I asked him if he had considered a career in astro-engineering? You’ll chuckle at his answer, “Can a fella get paid to design starship engines?” Don’t worry, Dick, I told him the truth. He wouldn’t make any money, but that if he were good enough he would go where no man had gone before. He’s a natural, Admiral. Starfleet needs young men like Trip Tucker. Do you think you could find a space for him in 2139? Sincerely, Ben Miami Archer sighed. Trip never looked for recognition or preference, yet he had become, at 19, the protégé of a Starfleet Admiral. When I read this eight years ago, I failed to read between the lines. Dennis’ favourite should have come with a warning label. Archer had found his first clue. The yin and yang of Charles Tucker III – capable of being disruptive, rude and obstinate – yet able to make peace when necessary, but always covertly brilliant. He clicked on the link to the next file. December 2139 Memorandum From Captain Yasunari Kawabata, Professor of Engineering Sciences For the fourth time since the term began, I must bring to your attention the obstinate and single-minded behaviour of Cadet Tucker. His attendance in my class has improved, as a matter of fact his record is now exemplary. Thank you for supporting my demand that he should attend Physics 101 like all other first year engineering students. He is present, Admiral, but he does not attend, as in pay attention or participate. To his credit, if a question is asked of him directly, he responds promptly, politely and correctly. However, if not called upon, he spends the entire class decoding messages he has intercepted from the senior year encryption class. I have asked him to desist. After observing that every student in Physics 101 was using a PADD device in class, he then asked, “Is there a regulation, Sir, that limits the use of the PADD to course specific work during classroom time?” Cadet Tucker is pleasant, shows a talent for leadership. He is unfailingly polite, if somewhat colloquial. He has, however, an obstinate streak that will hinder his advancement as an officer. There is that word again, obstinate – We can add stubborn to that can’t we, Captain Kawabata. I wish I had thought of using the PADD for something other than taking Physics notes. Always thinking, buddy, always thinking. Archer skipped three links and clicked. July 2141 Ben Miami Dear Ben, Maggie and I enjoyed our visit. Thank you for the hospitality. We enjoyed the swamp tour. Throwing the marshmallows out to attract ‘gators? Who would have thought? Just received news about Cadet Tucker. He has earned the Cochrane Award for outstanding contribution to cadet life and engineering scholarship. I had been keeping an eye on his marks, but had no idea that he had been mentoring first year cadets and started a diving club. You have to ask him the right questions to get any information from him. My daughter told me the other day that girls are always asking him for a date. That didn’t surprise me, after all, he is a good-looking lad. But Sally said that wasn’t the reason he was so popular. She said that he was popular because he never talked about what he did with whom. That boy has learned the value of discretion. He is going to go far. Archer exited the file. You don’t know how far, Admiral. So Trip’s ability to appear open was a skill he had used all his life. The important things he kept to himself, unless someone asked the right question. I think I failed to ask the right questions. End of Part One ********************** Have a comment to make about this story? Do so in the Trip Fan Fiction forum at the HoTBBS! No one has made comments |