Into the Lion's Den

Star Trek—The Continuing Voyages of the Enterprise

Into The Lion’s Den

By ginamr

Rating: PG
Disclaimer: Only new characters and the new plots are mine. The original characters belong to Paramount. I receive no monetary reward for my work; my only reward is the joy of creating.
Genre: Science Fiction/Angst/Action/Adventure
Possible spoilers: Broken Bow through Conflict Eminent

Author’s Note: the ‘ ’ are sign language translated or are mouthing.

Virtual Series 5: Story #4 "Into the Lion’s Den"

Part: One

Season Five

Episode Number in Season: 03

Episode Number in Series: 105

Last time on Star Trek: Enterprise… Conflict Eminent

Part One

Captain’s Starlog--October 27, 2155

We have received orders from Starfleet Command to escort the Betazoids, Vulcans, Andorians, Tellerites, and the Centaurions to Earth for continued alliance talks. The hope is that these talks will be essential to the success of the campaign to defend ourselves against the Romulans.

**********

Kestra’s Temporary Quarters Aboard Enterprise, 2200 hours…

Kestra took a deep breath and slowly closed her eyes. Suddenly, she heard the door chime. “Enter.”

Her eyes opened to see T’Pol enter the room. “Am I disturbing you?”

“No, please.”

T’Pol sat softly on the cushion on the floor that she was offered. “I understand what it is like to lose a mother.”

Kestra wrinkled her nose. “But you did not lose your mother to your aunt’s greed.”

T’Pol was silent for a moment. “I still miss her.”

“I will never forget her and I will never stop missing her.”

T’Pol nodded. “Trip has said that as time goes on, I will miss her less.”

“Time will do nothing,” Kestra replied bitterly, wiping the tears from her eyes.

“I am deeply aggrieved for your loss.”

Kestra looked up, smiling faintly. “Thank you. I am sorry for your loss as well.”

T’Pol paused. “You will do well…your Eminence.” With this, T’Pol stood exiting Kestra’s quarters.

**********

Bridge, 1100 hours

“Sir, I’m getting sensor ghosts across the board. Someone’s following us.”

“Who?”

“I don’t know, sir. Something’s throwing the sensors off. All I can tell is that it’s 5,000 meters to stern matching our every course and speed adjustment.”

Archer frowned. “The Romulans?”

“Possibly, sir.”

“Perhaps a concentrated burst of plasma will reveal the vessel’s exact location.”

Archer nodded. Archer to Engineering.

Tucker.

Trip, we’re being followed; but something is creating multiple sensor ghosts and it’s interfering with the scans.

I’m on it, Cap’n. Tucker out.

Archer raised his eyebrows at T’Pol, who merely raised her eyebrows in return.

Engineerin’ ta Bridge. We’re ready down here.

“Releasing the plasma wake.”

Archer paused for several moments. “Anything?”

Reed shook his head. “Nothing yet.”

“The wake is dissipating,” T’Pol reported.

“I’m not picking up anything on sensors. They’re gone.”

**********

Travis’s Quarters, 2100 hours

Kestra lay in bed with Travis next to her, saying nothing.

“Everything okay?”

“Hmm?”

“You seem kind of distracted.”

She sighed. “What am I going to do, Travis? I’m not ready for this.”

“You seem ready to me.”

“I wasn’t expecting to take over for my mother this soon. I thought I would at least have a mate and a child on the way.”

“Well,” he began wrapping his arms around her. “Things don’t always turn out the way we plan.” He brushed his lips gently over hers. “I’m here if you need me.”

“For how long? Until I return to Betazed and your ship continues its mission?”

He sighed. “I’ve been thinking…”

“Travis…”

“No, really. I’ve been moving around my whole life. It’s time I stayed in one place…at least for a while.”

“Will you not miss your ship? Your friends?”

He shrugged. “I’d miss them, yeah.” He turned to her smiling. “I’d miss you more if I stayed aboard.”

She laughed. “This is crazy. We’ve known each other three days and we’re acting like we’ve known each other for months.”

“Certainly feels like we’ve known each other for months.”

“Travis, there’s something I wish to speak with you about.”

“What is it?”

She paused. “Many women on my world do not consider men as life partners. In fact, many I know do not marry. But I have always held all men as possible life partners. I have never met a man quite like you,” she said softly, cupping his cheek. “No one has ever made me burn or laugh the way you can.” Again, she paused. “Sexual intimacy holds more to me than satisfying primitive needs. We didn’t simply have sex. There was an element of telepathic bonding.”

“Kestra…”

“That is why it feels as though we have known each other for many cycles. When we were intimate, there were no barriers. I suppose your race would call it ‘a binding of minds and souls’.”
He said nothing, unsure of what to say. “Please, do not be upset.”

He sighed. “I’m sorry. I just…this is the last thing I expected.”

She frowned. “You do not want…”

“No, no. I never said that I didn’t want to be with you. I just…it’s weird to think that…”

“You do not think that is what happened.”

“Doesn’t it seem odd at all to you?”

“I suppose growing up with your mind open to strangers and their minds open to you tends to make things like this a little less shocking. As children, we learn that there are no secrets.”

“Isn’t it the least bit terrifying to you that this happened without us meaning for it to?”

She looked away. “You do not need to say anything further. I can see your thoughts. This isn’t what you want.”

“No, I…” He sighed. “Look, this is just happening a bit fast is all. I mean, I’m finding it hard to deal with the fact that I’ve fallen in love with you within just three days.”

Her head snapped. “You…you love me?”

“As hard as it is to believe, I think I do.”

She smiled faintly. “It is confusing, I know. I…I think I’ve fallen in love with you as well.”

He laughed, bringing a hand up to cover his eyes. “Listen to us. We sound like a couple of teenagers.”

“Love can do that.”

He grinned. “Yeah, it can.”

“So you want…?”

“More than anything.”

“Let us not rush into anything. We will need time to be sure this is what we both want.”

He nodded. “We have all the time in the world and if it comes to it, I’ll stay with you wherever you decide to go.”

She sighed. “Thank you. What would I do without you?”

He grinned. “I don’t know. But how about I show you what you can do with me.”

She laughed. “Mmm. I’m always ready for more of that.” She smiled kissing him sweetly.

**********

Archer’s Quarters, 1800 hours

Archer sighed, scratching Porthos behind the ears as he read The Martian Chronicles. Ray Bradbury was an insightful author and Archer would often read his works when he wanted to go back to the naivety of his childhood.

He looked up, slightly surprised when he heard the door chime, wondering who would be visiting him. “Enter.”

To his surprise, T’Pol stepped through the doors. To him, she seemed so out of place compared to the surroundings of his quarters. As a matter of fact, he couldn’t remember the last time she had stopped by his quarters for a casual chat. Of course, it could just as well be business.

“Here is the report you asked for on the incident this morning, sir.”

Archer nodded. “But couldn’t this have waited until in the morning?”

“I thought you would like to review it as soon as possible.”

Archer smiled. “Of course.” He skimmed the contents of the pad for a few moments before he realized she was still standing in front of him. He gave her a questioning look. “Was there something else?”

“You’ve seemed…easily distracted…as of late.”

“I’ve had a lot on my mind,” he replied dismissively.

“The crew is concerned…I am concerned.”

Archer raised his eyebrows. “What exactly is it you’re trying to tell me?”

“Captain, I feel that it would be prudent for you to take 24 hours to rest.”

“The conference…”

“…is not for another 36 hours. You are distracted, agitated, and prone to daydreaming. Your mind is not fully on the mission. A day of rest should give you time to sort out your affairs.”

“T’Pol…”

“The ship will operate smoothly without you for one day. You need the rest, Captain.”

Archer sighed. “You’re not going to let this go, are you?”

T’Pol raised her eyebrows. “No, I’m not.”

“All right. You have the bridge.”

T’Pol nodded, turning to leave. She paused for a moment before turning back to him and gently laying a hand on Archer’s lower arm. “I am sure she will be fine, sir.”

Archer nodded and smiled, gripping her hand with his. “I hope so.”

After a few moments, Archer released her hand and watched her leave his quarters before returning to his Ray Bradbury novel with Porthos reclaiming his spot next to him.

**********

Captain’s Ready Room, Next Day, 1100 hours…

T’Pol looked up only a moment before Trip entered. “Here are those specs ya wanted, Cap…” Trip froze upon seeing T’Pol sitting in Archer’s chair. “Ya actually got him to agree to it?”

“I simply did not give him the opportunity to refuse.”

He grinned. “That’s the best way ta talk him inta somethin’, ya know. Guess ya finally picked up on that, huh?”

“It would seem so.” She paused. “There is no reason to disturb the Captain unless the information is of extreme importance.”

He nodded and handed her the pad. “I managed to pull a subspace frequency from the data. It matched the Romulan ship exactly.”

She nodded. “So this confirms our suspicions.”

“I wonder if the others have picked up anything on their scanners.”

“I will have Ensign Sato contact them.”

“Well, I better get back to Engineerin’…” With this, Trip turned to leave.

“Commander…Trip.”

He stopped, turning back toward her. She hesitated. She didn’t wish for him to leave, yet she could not think of any reason for him to stay.

“I spoke to the Captain this morning. He would like us to join him for an evening meal in the Captain’s Mess.”

Trip nodded. “I’ll try ta find the time.” With this, he exited the ready room.

**********

Bridge, 1220 hours…

“Anything, Ensign?”

“I sent them the frequency. They’ll need time to look through their scans.”

T’Pol nodded. “Are there any disturbances matching the frequency in the vicinity, Mr. Reed?”

Reed shook his head. “No, ma’am. Nothing.”

She nodded. “Continue scanning, Mr. Reed.”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Maybe they know we nearly caught them and they’re backing off for the time being,” Travis suggested.

“Perhaps. But we should be cautious nonetheless in case they haven’t.”

**********

Captain’s Mess, 1830 hours…

“Status report?”

“The vessel was indeed Romulan. On Commander Tucker’s suggestion, I had Ensign Sato contact the other ships to see if they had also picked up the vessel on their scans, but had not recognized it at the time for what it was. They reported anomalous readings matching the subspace frequency given off by the Romulan cloaking device, but were unable to pinpoint its exact location.”

“Did our Romulan guests make an encore appearance?”

T’Pol shook her head. “Mr. Reed didn’t pick up anything on the scanners after the previous encounter.”

“Sounds ta me like a game of hide and seek, Cap’n.”

“Orders, sir?”

Archer paused. “We continue as planned until they engage us.”

“That is unlikely,” T’Pol replied.

Archer’s eyebrows shot up. “They did last time, didn’t they?”

“The commander of the vessel most likely acted against his government’s wishes. As I have explained to Commander Tucker, it is unusual for a Romulan fleet to make the first move. They usually wait and observe their enemy.”

“What do you suggest?”

“I did not say that continuing was an illogical course of action. I was merely providing that it is unlikely that they will engage us.”

“Ah righ’. Enough shop talk. Yer supposed ta be relaxin’, Jon.”

“I am.”

“Talking about duty is hardly what I would call relaxing.”

Archer smiled. “Why, T’Pol, I do believe you’re becoming more Human every day.”

T’Pol’s eyebrows shot up. “You assume that all Vulcans discuss off-duty is what they did on duty.”

“I thought so, too. Ya don’t seem ta talk ‘bout much else…”

“I have become more practiced in small talk since I first came aboard.”

“It’s all ‘bout effort, darlin’.”

Both Trip and T’Pol avoided the Captain’s gaze, knowing he must have a curious expression on his face.

<< Trip… >>

<< Sorry. It slipped. >>

<< Perhaps it would be prudent if you were more cautious. >>

<< Maybe he won’ make anythin’ out of it. I mean, unless he knows exactly what’s goin’ on, he doesn’ have any reason ta make anythin’ out of it… >>

“All right, you two. What’s going on?”

“What do ya mean? There’s nothin’ going on.”

“You’ve been having moments like this for months…you say or do something odd and then you both go quiet.”

“There’s nothin’ going on. We’re aloud ta not say anythin’ when we want to, aren’ we?”

Archer sighed, dropping the subject as he knew he couldn’t force either of them to give him a straight answer. “Whatever it is, make sure it doesn’t interfere with your duties.”

Both nodded and there was a moment of silence before T’Pol spoke. “Captain, I am curious. What novel were you perusing when I came by your quarters yesterday?”

Archer smiled, sensing her attempt to change the subject. “The Martian Chronicles by Ray Bradbury. It was written around the 19th or 20th century. A great many Earth authors used to create books about what was deemed science fiction. Space flight had scarcely come about as a possibility when the novel was written. I read it when I was a kid. It was a large part of the reason I wanted to become a starship captain and an explorer.”

“I jus’ liked fiddling with machines and a warp engine tha’ could take me through the stars sounded like a worthwhile challenge. Now look…starship engines are my life.”

Archer chuckled. “What about you, T’Pol? How did you end up serving aboard a starship?”

“My uncle. He was an Engineer aboard the S’Vien. I spent several months aboard the ship as a child and became fascinated with traveling at the speed of light. The fascination faded for a short period after my uncle’s death aboard his ship in a warp core breach. Later, however, I found it to be a logical choice as I had an aptitude for ship’s operations.”

“So why didn’ ya go inta Engineerin’ instead of science?”

“I was not gifted with mechanical skills. I found that my gift was as a scientist.”

“I was good at math, but I wasn’ that great with English. I can speak it jus’ fine, but I’m no writer. So many God damn rules…nothin’ is ever simple.”

Archer laughed. “I remember revising his papers our last year at the Academy. I spent more time making sure he passed English than I did writing my papers.”

“Ah, shove it. I did most of your math assignments for ya.”

“You’re exaggerating. You only did about three of my math assignments.”

“Three assignments for every eighteen ya had, ya mean.”

T’Pol watched their banter with an expression of curiosity and a slight amount of amusement, the latter scarcely noticeable.

“I must admit that learning your language was my greatest challenge. One word in your language has several others to describe the exact same word.”

“Believe me, some of the other languages we used ta speak are a lot more complicated than English. Like in Spanish, ya have ta worry ‘bout not only usin’ the right word, but usin’ it with the right gender.”

“I remember trying to learn French to impress a woman I was dating. It took me four months just to learn the basics and by that point, we’d broken it off. But I’m glad I tried it.”

“Yeah, you were tellin’ me that was how you met Hoshi.”

Archer nodded. “She was still in high school, but she came highly recommended as a language tutor from a friend.”

“I know I was impressed when I firs’ met her. Damn brilliant…if a little afraid of small spaces and space travel.”

“To this day, I’ve never regretted choosing Hoshi as Enterprise’s linguist.”

Bridge to Commander T’Pol.

T’Pol stood, making her way toward the comm panel. T’Pol.

We’ve got several ships on sensors matching the Romulan cloak frequency.

On my way. T’Pol out.

With this, the comm was cut. Trip stood to follow T’Pol out with Archer behind him. The other two raised their eyebrows at him, but said nothing. Archer and T’Pol headed to the bridge, parting ways with Trip whom was heading toward Engineering.

**********
Bridge, A Few Moments Later…

“Report?”

“Picking up six ships on sensors, sir. All but one of the ships are concentrating fire on the Andorian, Tellerite, Vulcan, and Centurion vessels.”

“Are there any weak spots in their shielding?”

“The shielding around their main power conduit is fluctuating, sir. Looks like they missed a spot when they increased their shielding.”

“Target the vulnerable area, Mr. Reed.”

“Aye, sir.” There was a pause and Reed shook his head. “Minimal damage.”

Enterprise shuddered as she took several hits in succession. “It would appear that their hull is made of a material that our weapons cannot penetrate.”

“How are they able to make all of these modifications so fast? It would take months for us to make the same modifications at Jupiter Station.”

“Mr. Reed, give them everything we’ve got. Travis, evasive maneuvers.”

The ship quaked and rocked under the strain of the hits she was taking, pitching from side to side when hit at a particularly critical juncture. Panels sparked wildly and Hoshi was hit in the face by a particularly nasty explosion from her console. Phlox was called immediately to help her to Sickbay.

“Weapons are down, sir, and we only have minimal thrusters.”

“We’re dead in the water, Captain. Helm isn’t responding,” Travis shouted.

“There is an unauthorized transport in progress, sir!”

“Where?”

“Kestra Grax’s quarters, sir. She’s gone.”

Travis felt his throat constrict, a look of pure terror on his face. “Kestra,” he whispered hoarsely.

**********

Engineering, Four Hours Later…

“The Captain requested I offer my assistance.”

“All that nearly caused a warp core breach. Eighty percent of the main circuits are fried. It’s goin’ ta take days ta fix this at Jupiter Station, much less out here in the middle of nowhere. Best I can offer is full impulse. The warp core is goin’ ta be dead until we can repair the damaged circuits,” he muttered.

Trip looked up and appeared surprised to see her as though he had not been fully aware of her standing there. “I suppose ya could help me replace some of the damaged circuits.” T’Pol nodded and followed Trip toward the main circuit conduit. “I heard Hoshi got burned pretty badly when her console exploded. How is she?”

“The Doctor reports that she is experiencing a temporary loss of her auditory capabilities. Fortunately, he was able to repair the damage to her vision. It seems that the explosion caused her to fall, the impact bruising her auditory cortex. The Doctor believes he can repair the damage there as well, but would like to allow it to heal at least partially on its own.”

“Man, that’s rough. A linguist who’s lost her ability ta hear…even temporarily. That’s got ta be devastating for her.”

“She is handling the situation remarkably well. Mister Reed requested that he be allowed to stay with her until she has recovered.”

“I suppose it’s lucky it wasn’ yer console that exploded on ya.”

“Perhaps.”

**********

Meanwhile, in Sickbay…

“Hoshi, I don’t understand sign language,” Reed insisted.

Hoshi rolled her eyes. ‘Learn it!’ she signed.

He took her face in his hands, forcing her to look directly at him. “Everything’s going to be all right. I promise.”

Suddenly, Hoshi’s eyes lit up and she smiled. ‘Maybe you should get Trip to translate for you,’ she mouthed. ‘One of his old friend’s daughters is deaf. He asked me to teach him about two years into Enterprise’s mission.’

“Trip is working on the repairs in Engineering.”

“You seem to be doing just fine on your own, Lieutenant.”

Reed turned suddenly, startled to see Phlox standing right behind him grinning widely. “I have heard that some Humans are rather adept at lip-reading.”

“Well, I never considered myself to be one of them…until now.”

“I think it would be best if Ensign Sato was removed from duty until she regains her hearing.”

Reed nodded. “I agree, Doctor.”

‘No!’ Hoshi mouthed and signed simultaneously. ‘I’ll be all right!’

Reed looked at her surprised. “How did you…?”

‘I could read your lips!’ she mouthed. ‘It’s not as though I’m blind on top of being deaf!’

Reed sighed and looked her directly in the eye. “Hoshi, how are you going to do your duty when you can’t hear?” Reed said slowly.

Hoshi sighed, closing her eyes and tipping her head back in frustration. ‘But the Captain needs me.’

Reed cupped her cheeks in his hands, causing her to open her eyes and look at him. “I know, Hoshi. But there’s nothing for you to do except to recover from this and to do that, you need to rest.”

Hoshi sighed and nodded reluctantly. ‘All right,’ she mouthed.

“Well, you’re free to go. However, I’d like to see you tomorrow for a check up.”

Hoshi nodded before sliding off the biobed and exiting Sickbay. Sighing, Reed followed behind her.

Part Two

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Eight hardy souls have made comments

Exciting. Really moves along. I hope you ARE going to explain how those Rommies got that shielding up so fast, right?

Who is Kestra and i don't understand the story?.

Laura,

To understand this story, you should read "Conflict Eminent".

Why can't Hoshi talk? Deaf people can talk if they grew up hearing and lost it later on.

Holly,

I'm going on the assumption that Hoshi can't hear, so she doesn't know that she isn't making any sound.

Holly,

I'm going on the assumption that Hoshi can't hear, so she doesn't know that she isn't making any sound. Talking is something that, the older we get, the more we take it for granted (except in those few cases ;) ).

Holly,

I'm going on the assumption that Hoshi can't hear, so she doesn't know that she isn't making any sound. Talking is something that, the older we get, the more we take it for granted (except in those few cases ;) ).

I love your fith season so far; please continue as soon as possible. One question I had is that isn't it the klingons not the romulans that give the federation truobles in the beginning? Oh well, your interactions are good so far.