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Sins of the Father - Chapter 3The Sins of the Father by emtb319 Rating: PG-13 Disclaimer: Paramount owns it all. I just write. Genre: Drama Summary: Archer must face his actions in the expanse. T/T Summer Season 3.5 challenge-Plot 2. Archive: Yes, but email me first. A/N: Constructive criticism is always welcome. Please email it to famspanish@yahoo.com. Thanks to Myst for her support and encouragement and Jenna for offering to beta my story. Chapter 3 Trip was pacing in his office, when his computer chimed. He glanced over to see that he had an incoming message. It can wait, he thought. Trip continued pacing. Jon’s court martial was 2 days away, and he needed to figure out just how he was going to help his best friend. The computer chimed again. Trip took a closer look at the message and saw no return address or point or origin. The computer had already run routine scans of the message to be sure it didn’t have a virus or malicious codes. Curiosity got the better of him. He opened the letter.
I know, in another timeline, you were my father, and it is my hope you can help me with a personal matter. Obviously, we survived the journey through the subspace corridor, but we sustained serious damage. That’s why we could not contact you. By the time we finished our repairs, you were out of communications range. We continued exploring. It would not have been good had we gone to Earth. In our travels, we came across the Illyrian ship. Our initial scans showed heavy damage. Without their warp drive, they were not able to properly navigate the anomalies. Upon our arrival, they had minimal life support, no propulsion and their short range sensors worked improperly, amongst other problems. It took time, but we managed to get their ship repaired, along with a new warp coil. Karyn was in charge of the warp coil installation. Apparently, she was having trouble adapting our coil to the Illyrian ship. She thought that she had it connected properly and started to run an initial test. As we walked into engineering, to check on their progress, I heard an engineer yell to Karyn about a power surge. She had no time to react. I ran toward her and saw a jolt of energy paralyze her. Suddenly she was thrown from the coil; I caught her and lowered her to the deck. She wasn’t breathing, no pulse, so I called for Enterprise’s trauma team and began CPR. My mind was racing; I couldn’t think straight. Hell, I’m not sure I was doing it right, but I had to do something. I saw the Illyrian trauma team standing there. I became angry at them, because they stood there, watching me perform CPR. Looking back on it, they didn’t know what to do. They’ve never seen anyone like her before. 2 minutes and 16 seconds passed before my trauma team arrived. When the doctor arrived, he told me to stop CPR. I almost didn’t, thinking we need to save her, and we couldn’t save her if we stopped. Logic told me allow the team to do their work, before they had to pull me off of her. I watched as the trauma team hook her up to their monitors, as the doctor looked at her eyes. Fixed and dilated. At that point I knew she was gone, but I couldn’t admit it to myself. The monitors quickly confirmed his findings. We couldn’t bring her back. I could only watch in a trance, as the trauma team disconnected her from the monitors, then wrapped her in a white sheet and wheeled her from engineering back to Enterprise. I could only stand and watch. The facts were in front of me, but I couldn’t accept her death. The Illyrian captain snapped me out of my trance when he offered his condolences. I was on the verge of letting my grief overcome me, right there, but Vulcans do not cry, at least not in front of other people. I couldn’t deal with the emotions going through me, so I turned to her warp coil and finished what she started. One of the connections did not connect properly. When the energy went through that connection, it had no where to go but out. Karyn was too close. She may have seen it, but she had no time to get away. The doctor told me that she died almost instantly. Almost…why’d it have to be almost? That means she felt it. She felt nothing but pure pain before she died. Why? She shouldn’t have died. Hell, if anything, she shouldn’t have felt it. Mother was there in sickbay when I finally could bring myself to take one last look at her. I was holding it all back, trying to convince myself that captains, nor Vulcans, cry. When I turned to leave, I saw her standing by the entrance of sickbay. She walked to me and pulled me into an embrace. I haven’t cried since my father died. She just held me, giving me the comfort I needed. When I was finished crying, we walked silently back to my quarters. Once we arrived at my quarters, she told me if I couldn’t talk to anyone, then I should try writing down my feelings. She told me how she was able to confide in Phlox about my father’s death, but in the end it wasn’t enough. Hoshi recommended that she write it all down and it helped her. How can humans deal with grief? I see crew members who cry, those who talk about it and those who ignore it. I’ve cried for Karyn. I find it hard to talk to mother about her, and I cannot suppress these emotions. Maybe I should stop being stubborn and talk to mother. She’s the only person who can understand what I’m going through right now. I’ll do that tonight, after the ceremony. Mother was right, writing this letter has helped me greatly. It’s helping me face this situation. She was a great person, and now we’ll lay her to rest. Tomorrow, I will have to choose a new first officer, but tonight, I’ll grieve with the rest of my crew. Trip, I hope I haven’t burdened you with this letter, but I had no other outlet. I figured you would understand what I’m going through. Encoded in this letter is our last position and direction of travel, if you wish to contact us. Please let Captain Archer know that the Illyrian ship is safe, and they have continued on their mission of exploration. Also, let him know about Karyn. I believe he would want to know. Lorian
When he arrived at home, T’Pol was waiting. “Trip, what’s wrong?” “Here,” he said and handed her the PADD. “You should sit down to read that.” T’Pol took the PADD and sat in the living room. Trip gave her time to read and prepared some tea. He placed the tea on a tray and joined her in the living room. Trip placed her tea in front of her, but T’Pol ignored it as she continued reading the letter. She finished and looked up at Trip. “When were you planning on sending your response?” “As soon as I figure out how to contact him without anyone knowing, and after I tell Jon what happened.” “I can try to triangulate these coordinates for you. Invite Jon to dinner this evening. We could discuss Karyn. You’re right Jon deserves to know.” With that, they rose and shared a kiss. Trip brought T’Pol into an embrace for a few minutes. T’Pol settled into his arms. She was upset for Lorian, as was Trip. When they broke their embrace, Trip sat on the couch to work on his response, and T’Pol went to call Captain Archer. - “Today we remember our friend Karyn Archer. She was a fine first officer and a great friend to all. Even though she has left us physically, she’ll always be with us in our memories. From the stars we were born, to the stars we return.” Lorian was too choked up for any more words. He nodded his head to the crew members beside her body. They put the casing back on the torpedo tube, then another person pressed a button, moving it into the tube to be ejected toward the nearest star. Lorian watched as he laid his best friend to rest. The crew stood in silence for a while before leaving one by one. He was the last to leave. - Later that evening, Jon came to their apartment. He had been with Admiral Forrest too much lately and desperately needed a change in scenery. “Hi cap’n.” “Hello captain,” they said together as Jon walked in the door. “Hi guys. Something smells good here.” “I’m teaching T’Pol how to make my favorite dishes, and she’s teaching me how to make her favorites. My plomeek broth needs some work yet.” Trip and Jon shared a laugh. “Dinner is ready,” said T’Pol. “Come to the dining room gentlemen.” “We’re coming darlin’.” They sat at the table while T’Pol brought out the main course. “Jon reminds you of dinner on Enterprise, huh.” “Yea except T’Pol wasn’t serving us there.” The men laughed together again. T’Pol shot Jon a glance, but he was too busy laughing with Trip to notice. Dinner was spent ignoring recent events. Jon and Trip laughed about past antics. T’Pol was happy for them. It was good that their friendship was mended. “Trip made chocolate pecan pie captain, would you like a piece?” “Sounds great T’Pol, thank you.” T’Pol went to the kitchen to cut three slices. She balanced the plates in her hands and joined the men. She saw Trip hand Jon a PADD and listened for a second before joining them. “Cap’n you need to see this. I received this letter earlier today.” Jon took the PADD and read Lorian’s letter. Trip took T’Pol’s hand and watched his best friend read about his granddaughter’s death. Jon looked on the verge of crying. The sight tore Trip to pieces. T’Pol gave his hand a gentle squeeze, offering him some comfort. “I can’t believe it Trip. When are you gonna contact him?” said Jon. “T’Pol’s triangulating their coordinates. After that, we’ll need to figure out how to do it without causing suspicion.” “I can get a message sent without anyone asking,” said T’Pol. Jon and Trip looked at her. “My family and I still talk Trip. I talked to my father earlier. He offered to send the message for us. If we go through him, no suspicions will be raised.” Trip gave her a big hug and T’Pol wrapped an arm around his neck. “T’Pol I appreciate any help you can give. I didn’t have much time to get to know her, but I need to talk to Lorian,” said Jon. “Of course captain.” Jon stood up and looked out a window. His granddaughter died because he made an impulsive decision. How could he live with himself. Jon hung his head. Trip saw his friend’s distress and stood at his side. Jon was oblivious to Trip’s presence. Trip brought him back to reality by placing a hand on his shoulder. “It’s my fault Trip. She’d still be alive if I hadn’t stolen that warp coil.” “Jon if you hadn’t gotten that coil, we would never have stopped the Xindi.” “I know, but it doesn’t justify her death.” “Nothing justifies a person’s death Jon. We need to live with it and try to learn from it.” “It doesn’t help Trip. I need to go home and think for a while. Will you let me know when you’re ready to send that transmission?” “Of course Jon. If you need to talk, call me. I’m always here for you.” “I know Trip. Thanks.” With that said, they hugged and patted each other on the back. Jon gave his thanks for the meal and left. “He’s having a real hard time with this darlin’.” “I would have expected no less. Starfleet’s pushing a court martial because they don’t agree with some of his actions, and he just found out that Karyn died as a result of those actions.” “I hope he doesn’t give up. This might have been the last straw for him.” “Last straw?” “One of our expressions. It means the last thing before someone gives up in a situation.” “He’s strong. As long as we stand behind him, he shouldn’t ‘give up,’ as you would say.” “You may be right, but don’t underestimate grief.” “We’ll just have to stand beside him and not let him succumb to his grief.” With that said, they picked up the uneaten pieces of pecan pie and cleaned up dinner. T’Pol heard the den’s computer chime. She went to check it. “Trip, I’ve found Enterprise” “Great. Let’s record a message and send it. We can let Jon know this worked in a little while.” Trip sat in front of the monitor. T’Pol decided to give him time to himself for his message, so she left the den to meditate. “Computer begin recording. Hi Lorian. I did receive your message, and I hope you’re ok. I wish I could be there to help you through this. I’m sorry for what happened with Karyn, and you’re right she was a fine first officer. Jon read the letter. How do you tell a person his grandchild died because he needed to make an impulsive decision? Quite frankly, he’s a wreck right now. But how are you doing and how is the crew holding up? This can’t be easy for anyone. Hell, even T’Pol is affected. She’s worked through her problems, and I couldn’t be more proud of her. I can’t understand all of Jon’s rationale, but he’s my CO, and I’ll do as he asks of me. Starfleet’s going to court martial him over the Illyrian’s warp coil. I’m glad to see you were able to help them; I can never live down that guilt. They took their time going through all of everyone’s logs, except for the doc’s, that’s privileged, with a fine tooth comb. They saw this in one file and flipped out. They gave Jon 3 days to prepare for it, and now we have little over a day left. It feels like they want to make an example of him. I can hear them now, and this isn’t how a captain is supposed to command. T’Pol will encode the way to contact us, if you choose to. We’re sending these messages through her brother. This way no one is the wiser about our conversations. Jon wants to send a message to you. I haven’t told him that we found you yet. He needs time. Everything is moving too fast for him, and I’m beginning to think he’s lost all hope. With Karyn’s death, I think he’s lost the will to fight. Jon may just want to give it all up, but he’s a good captain. Everyone makes mistakes. Don’t you think Karyn’s death has become is penance for his judgment? Sorry for that Lorian. He’s my best friend and Starfleet’s railroading him. He’s suffered enough. I need to be there for him. I know what you’re feeling right now. When Lizzie died, T’Pol helped me. If it wasn’t for her I don’t know what I would have done. I’m very grateful for her and what she’s done for me. Remember kiddo, I’m here for you. If you need to talk to or someone just to listen, you know how to contact me. Computer end recording.” “And I don’t know what I would have done had you not been there for me,” Trip heard from behind. “Ya startled me darlin’.” Trip got up from his seat so that T’Pol could send the message. He kissed her on the forehead after she sat down. “I’ll be right back.” He said as he walked out of the den. T’Pol worked on sending Trip’s message. By the time he returned, T’Pol was finishing her conversation with her brother and his message had been sent. “Live long and prosper father.” “Peace and long life T’Pol.” With that the transmission ended. Trip kneeled at her side and turned her in the chair. He had something for her in his hand. “T’Pol we’ve been through hell and back this past year. Without each other neither of us would have made it through. Grandma Tucker gave this to me before she passed away. She said I should save it for one person,” he said and then looked up at her and opened the box. “This was her engagement ring given to her from grandpa.” As he took the ring out of the box, T’Pol did not know what to expect. “T’Pol would you do me the honor of becoming my wife?,” he said as he took her left hand to put the ring on. “I know this is not Vulcan tradition, but it is a Human custom. I want to share the rest of my life with you.” “We do not symbolize engagement with jewelry, but yes I will marry you Trip.” With that he finished putting the ring on her left hand and brought her into a tight embrace. “T’Pol you don’t know how happy you’ve made me. I’ve wanted to ask you for a while now, and with everything going on I didn’t want to wait anymore.” “I am happy too Trip.” He scooped her into his arms, turned off the lights and walked out to their bedroom. TBC Have a comment to make about this story? Do so in the Trip Fan Fiction forum at the HoTBBS! Eight hardy souls have made commentsGood story so far...but I will make one comment....I believe T'Pol was an only child. lovely!!!!!! more please :-) Oops. Thank you Lady, I will correct this today. (At least this is a small thing to correct.) The contact from Lorian was a surprise and I really liked it especially as Trip and Lorian never really had the chance to bond properly in the series so some ongoing contact is appreciated plus it was good to see everyone's reactions. I can't help thinking that the information from Lorian could actually help the case of Jon's court martial. If they knew that the warp coil had been replaced/repaired and all was well with the other ship it might take the wind out of Starfleet's vindictive little sails. Just a thought. Well done, Ali D :~) All fixed. Enjoy. Thanks again LadyDi. Not a problem, I was glad to help! I am looking forward to your next chapter! Excellent chapter -- I think you're hitting your stride! Looking forward to the next one. This story is great! I love it that viruses and malicious code are still an issue when receiving e-mail in the future. It's very good to see Archer facing the consequences of his actions; just reading about his reaction to the news that Karyn died as a result of his little raid made him more sympathetic to me again. This aspect has been awfully neglected on the show, and I have grown to loathe Archer because of his apparent lack of consciousness. But now I almost like him again. :-) You see, you are doing a useful service for the ENT community. I'm looking forward to the next chapter; for some reason I happen to love love court-room drama. Bring it on! |