A Fine Mess- Ch. 7

A Fine Mess

By Chianna

PG - Action/Adventure/Romance
Disclaimers in part one

Chapter 7

The Game Is Afoot

************

Shuttle Pod 2 docked without incident to the Vulcan ship. Tucker was just relieved that he did not cut it close and nick the paint. Though, he reflected, the San’Jeen had less than a factory-finish quality to her outer hull at the moment. He was, and had always been, impressed with the elegant design of Vulcan ships. Now he could add durability to the list of attributes.

If he could only get his hands on the design specs for this baby, he could really tune up the Enterprise. Wonder if the Vulcan’s ever heard of Santa Claus, he sarcastically mused.

As they emerged from the airlock, the three Enterprise officers were greeted by the captain and first officer of the vessel.

Without preamble, Captain Storek led them to a conference room. Archer had been on Vulcan ships before, though not on a science vessel of this type before. Maybe it was his imagination, but this ship did not seem quite so sterile and Spartan as the diplomatic vessels that were the lion’s share of his experience.

The Captain was a bit of surprise too. Storek did not quite fill the bill of the long, lean forbidding Vulcans that seemed to overrun Starfleet headquarters. Point of fact, Tucker and Archer were a good half-foot taller than Storek. As he took a seat in the small conference room, he was pleasantly surprised to see some artifacts hung on the walls. Maybe they were there for study, but Archer could not help thinking that their presence relieved some of the institutional feel common in Vulcan ships.

Following Archer’s glance about the room, Storek commented, "As you can see we are typically geared for anthropological research. We were assigned to pick up the medical supplies needed for Aviaria and transport them immediately."

Storek paused for a moment. "We did not anticipate anything other than a relief mission. In light of our current status, we had reason the revisit some of the background information and we have noted irregularities that you must be appraised of before proceeding."

Trip saw that Jon seemed to straighten just a little in his chair and his eyes narrowed at the mention of "irregularities." Knowing Vulcans as he was beginning to, "irregularities" was probably better interpreted as "we thought it was just a normal patch of space but found out that, yes, in fact, what we have here is a class nine worm hole. Did I mention that it seems to be sucking us in?"

Storek manipulated the padd in his hand and a representation of the Aviaria was on the screen in a world map cut out representation. Tucker noted that population centers were highlighted, with the largest on a continent near the center of the map and in the southern hemisphere.

Storek’s second in command, T’Pulan, a tall, spare Vulcan female, stood next to the screen and started to review the data collected after the first distress call. "On the screen, you will note the spread of the disease in four hour increments starting with the first reports seven days ago." Small hot spots dotted every continent as the scenario started. As time elapsed, each of the small spots seemed to radiate like suns going supernova.

At this point, Dr. Phlox interrupted. "What I am seeing here is the disease appearing for the first time, simultaneously, over all of Aviaria’s continents?" The tone of his query led Tucker to believe that this development was not normal. The Captain had caught on too.

"Doctor," Archer asked pointedly. "Are you saying that there is something significant about spread of this disease?"

"Undoubtedly Captain." Phlox had thoroughly reviewed the data when the San’Jeen had first contacted them. "This particular strain of Rigilian fever had never been reported in Aviaria. As a matter of fact, Aviarian’s up to this point did not seem particularly susceptible to it, ever."

"In your own history, you might remember that many outbreaks of disease can be traced to a "patient zero" such as your "Typhoid Mary" of the early 20th century. Diseases tend to radiate from one area and then are transported and repeat the process – increasing exponentially... but at a slower rate than what we are seeing here."

"Indeed" remarked T’Pulan. "In the aftermath of the attack, we have come to believe that the disease may have been seeded to major population centers in order to maximize infection rate."

Archer rounded on the first officer. "What you are talking about here is the intentional murder of millions of sentient beings. What evidence do you have to back this up?" Tucker sensed that his commander had already bought what was presented to him, but his comments reflected his utter disbelief of the horrifying notion of what could only be termed global murder.

Twin planetary maps replaced Aviaria on the screen. "With these statistics in mind we have uncovered two similar outbreaks have occurred in neighboring systems." The time lapsed progressions of the disease played out on both planets to gruesome effect in front of them. T’Pulan added, "These planets also have something else in common. Besides being prosperous, heavily populated planets, these planetary systems are rich in Dilithium crystals and many valuable metals."

Phlox also posed, "There is possibly another common denominator. What you are saying now helps me make sense of some of the virus’s unusual attributes. The only explanation is that it has been engineered to be particularly virulent to the Aviarians."

"That was our conclusion, as well, upon reviewing the data from the other two planets. The epidemics seem to have been engineered specifically for each unique genetic population," replied the Vulcan Captain.

He continued, "Vulcan High Command is apprised of the situation, however our nearest ship to this sector is a supply vessel. They will rendezvous with us to assist in repairs in a day and a half. We need you to complete the mission to deliver the supplies. They have dispatched two armed Vulcan starships from Starbase Alpha 3, however their estimated time of arrival is in three days."

"So basically we’re it until the cavalry shows up," Tucker stated rather than asked.

Archer asked about the transfer of medical supplies and equipment and the details were ironed out. "Can we assist you in repairs or supplies in anyway?"

Storek admitted, "We have much of the supplies that we will need to complete the repairs we can until further assistance arrives." He turned his attention to the Chief Engineer. "Regrettably, we are unable to accept your assistance due to limitations imposed by our High Council. Historically, I have been impressed with the human capacity for engineering improvisation."

Tucker blinked. He looked at the Captain who showed a similar reaction. That was a compliment. Tucker was sure of it... not just one of those subtle jabs that the Enterprise crew had grown accustom to.

"However, Commander, I would appreciate it if you meet with our chief engineer to review the specifications of the matter resequencers that we are sending down to duplicate the antivirus. You may not be familiar with the model that we are currently using and with the spread of the illness, they may need your assistance on the planet to maintain their performance."

This was a major concession and seemed to have no strings attached. I’m really beginning to like this guy, Trip considered. He could almost taste a pecan pie made with the more advanced Vulcan technology. Heck, he’d even share a slice with T’Pol.

After a brief consultation with the Vulcan engineer, they boarded the shuttlepod and headed back to Enterprise. All of the supplies were beamed into a storage bay and secured.

It was decided that upon approach of the planet, shuttlepods would be launched to the planet and the Enterprise would pass by the planet but act like it was continuing a basic survey of the system. With any luck, the Enterprise would keep the attention of any unwanted eyes while the shuttlepods proceeded unnoticed to the planet. T’Pol, Trip and Hoshi would proceed to a continent in the western Hemisphere that was most densely populate. Travis, Dr. Phlox and another crewman would head toward the capital.

Captain Storek believed word of their mission might have been leaked from the planet’s surface by agents related to the marauders that attacked San’Jeen. Archer believed with any luck, Hoshi might be able to intercept a transmission planet-side that Enterprise might not because the ship would be keeping it’s distance for now.

Trip was not thrilled about leaving the ship with the phase cannon’s problems not yet resolved. At least Malcolm would continue the search. He’d have to settle for that and go where he was most needed.

*****************

Continued in Chapter 8
Back to Chapter 6

Back to Fan Fiction Main Menu

Have a comment to make about this story? Do so in the Trip Fan Fiction forum at the HoTBBS!