Enemy of the State-Ch 12

Enemy of the State

By Quills

Contact: the_quill_pen@yahoo.com
Series: ENT
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star trek and I derive no financial gain from this story.
Codes: A, T/Tu, Ma, S, R, P angst, drama, romance, humor, action/adventure
Summary: The starship Enterprise is on a desperate mission to save Earth from the mysterious Xindi. While searching for the weapon the Xindi intend to use against Earth, Captain Archer and his crew are reunited with their friend from the future, Captain Soma, who brings news of an even more sinister plot by a Xindi faction involving the Vulcans, which threatens not only Earth, but the entire galaxy. Now it is up to Archer and his crew, with the help of Soma, to unravel the Xindi plot and prevent Earth and the galaxy from falling at the feet of their greatest threat…Vulcan .

***Special note: This story takes place after the season three episode, “Carpenter Street”, but before the episode “Harbinger”.

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Chapter 12

The calm ocean surface erupted in a torrent of foam and waves. Violent choppy water followed in the wake of the speeding hydrofoil as its sleek frame cut through the crystal blue waters of the Preserver planet.

The small blue, green camouflaged four seat craft, was a latest edition to Enterprise’s away mission equipment, courtesy of the MACOS. Major Hayes had brought it along in case his team needed to perform covert operations on a water world, and the Preserver’s planet fit the bill. The ship was compact and lightweight, able to collapse down to a mere eight meter’s in length and one meter in height, easily transportable aboard a Starfleet shuttle pod.

Captain Archer had cleared two shuttle pods to land on the major landmass closest to the signal source, that T’Pol had detected; one shuttle, carrying the hydrofoil and dive gear while the other carried Soma, Tucker and T’Pol along with a MACO support team, led by Corporal Chang.

Soma had selected Chang over Hayes because the Vulcan had sensed a friction coming from the MACO commander. He wasn’t sure if it was Vulcans in general that the Major didn’t approve of or Soma in particular. Hayes seemed to have little difficulty following T’Pol’s orders, but then, Soma knew his mother wouldn’t tolerate disrespect or willful disobedience from a subordinate. He had decided he would have to speak to the Major if he was going to have dealings with the man. But it would have to wait till later.

The shuttles had landed and once the hydrofoil was assembled, Soma, Tucker and T’Pol headed for the open water location where they would perform their blue water dive, searching for the Preserver’s buried technology. With the remaining room aboard the hydrofoil taken up by equipment, the MACOS set up temporary camp on the mainland. In an emergency, they could fly over the dive site and drop rescue divers within three minutes of a signal.

Soma touched the controls, adjusting the course and speed of the hydrofoil. The small raised platform had a simple computer interface that allowed the pilot, seated on a small swivel stand, to navigate the craft. Raising his head, he caught the lightly stinging spray of ocean that the small boat kicked up. It felt cool and refreshing as the water sprayed over his sun-warmed skin. He was wearing a Starfleet wetsuit; the full-length black pants hugged his lower body while the torso section had been removed. His broad tan shoulders and muscular arms were glistening wet from the sea spray.

The planet’s atmosphere had limited cloud cover, affording an almost complete soft teal sky above. Soma smiled, as the memories of long ago family trips to the Florida Keys came flooding back. Looking towards the bow of the tiny ship, he could see T’Pol, crouched in her blue and black Starfleet wetsuit, holding a hand scanner. Smiling, he shook his head. She never could go on vacation without one of those things.

Turning, Soma looked over at Tucker, also in a Starfleet wetsuit, his torso front open, exposing his equally muscular chest to the sea air. The engineer, sitting across from T’Pol, was adjusting the settings on his dive helmet. Taking in a deep breath, Soma let out a sigh. He felt a profound ‘ennui’ set in. It had been so long since he’d seen them together like this. Watching them both with an intent gaze, he burned the image into his memory; smiling at the pleasant thought it brought him.

T’Pol looked up and caught Soma smiling at her. She gave the captain a quizzical expression and an arched brow. He just continued smiling and shook his head. A frown formed on her lips. “We are approaching the coordinates,” she called out.

“How close?” asked Soma, as he adjusted the speed of the hydrofoil.

T’Pol looked down at the scanner, “At present course and speed…we will pass over the coordinates in…twenty three seconds.”

Soma leveled out the speed to remain constant as he set the hydrofoil’s controls to compensate for any drift. They needed to stay on course and not allow the ocean waves to deviate their position. As the small craft cut through the water, Soma looked out past the bow, nothing but ocean.

It had taken them nearly forty minutes to reach the dive spot, by hydrofoil. The captain had enjoyed the trip out, particularly with the company he had along the way. They hadn’t gotten much time to talk. Soma piloted the boat while Tucker checked the dive gear and T’Pol took sensor readings.

“We have just passed over the coordinates,” T’Pol called out. “You will need to bring us about.” She stood to readjust her position in the boat as Soma swung the boat around.

Suddenly, he jabbed the control board and the boat banked hard to starboard, causing the deck to lurch. T’Pol, still standing, fell backwards into Tucker and they both landed on the rubber insulated deck; T’Pol in Tucker’s lap. She looked up at Soma, who had a large grin on his face.

“Whoops.”

T’Pol glared at him. He had far too much of his father in him for his own good, as well as hers.

Ignoring the look she was giving him, Soma adjusted the pilot controls until the boat came to a relative rest. Turning off the engine, he looked over at Tucker.

“Chief, as soon T’Pol’s done resting on your lap, toss the anchor over.”

T’Pol rose and Tucker gave her a brief grin. “Aye, Aye Cap’n.”

Soma picked up his communicator, flipping the antennae grid open. “Soma to Enterprise.”

A brief pause was followed by a familiar voice. “Archer, go ahead.”

“Captain, we’ve reached the dive spot. We’ll put on our gear and make our descent.”

“All right, proceed. Make regular progress reports to Enterprise. Do NOT hesitate to call for help if you run into trouble…understood, captain?”

“Understood, sir,” replied Soma.

“Good luck, Archer out.”

Soma flipped the communicator shut and laid it on the control table. It wasn’t going to be any use underwater. They had their dive helmet communicators for that.

“Well kids,” said Soma, rubbing his hands together. “Let’s get our gear on and get ready to go where no one has gone before.”

Trip flashed T’Pol a smile. The man’s enthusiasm could be downright infectious. T’Pol glanced at Tucker and gave him an arched brow.

“Chief, I’m going to set up the gliders,” said Soma, pointing to the three mini jets lying on the deck, another piece of hardware courtesy of the MACOS. The short slender tubes would allow them to cover a greater distance with their hydrodynamic engines, give adequate light from the omni-directional beam on the nose and enable them to scan the underwater surface with the gliders’ micro scanner interface. “Why don’t you assist the Sub-Commander with her equipment.”

Tucker nodded and stepping over one of the fixed seats; kneeling down in front of her as she began putting on her diving harness. Trip placed his hands on the clasps resting just below her shoulders. He tested them, making sure both were secure.

T’Pol made no effort to stop him, but gave the engineer a scrutinizing look as she spoke. “I did pay attention to your instructions before we left Enterprise.”

Trip shook his head dismissively. “I’m sure ya did. I’m just makin’ sure,” he explained. “I don’t want anything to…”

He caught himself, stopping in mid sentence. She looked at him, watching as he tried not to return her gaze, “To what?”

He looked up at her for a moment. She could see the effort he was making to hide his thoughts, but his expression betrayed him instantly. “To happen to ya.”

“We are all equally at risk Commander.”

“I know,” he said shaking his head. He looked down as he picked up his own harness. Putting it on, he tried to find some way to avoid the conversation, but he knew it was a wasted effort. She had more patience than he could hope for. Sighing, he looked up at her. “I just don’t wanna lose anymore friends.”

T’Pol’s eyes widened in surprise; he had never referred to her like that. She had suspected that he had feelings for her. Sim had made that leap of logic possible. But she was uncertain if those feelings were merely a physical attraction…or something more.

Reaching up, she fastened the harness clamps on Tucker’s rigging. “Then let us both take steps to see that it doesn’t happen.”

Tucker gave her a boyish smile. For someone who prided herself on suppressing emotion, she certainly had a way of bringing it out in others…or maybe it just him. They had always had their differences and he never failed to be baited into an argument. He sometimes wondered if she found some secret, hidden pleasure in it.

“Ok…let’s just go over the signals one more time,” he said raising his hands in front of her. “You remember the basic hand gestures in case we lose communication?”

T’Pol cocked her brow and raised her right hand so it was level with Tucker’s.

“Show me the ‘stop’ gesture.”

T’Pol raised her palm and gently thrust it towards Tucker.

Trip smiled. “Good, now how about the ‘ok’ signal.”

Moving her hand so it was now side long to Tucker’s view, she touched her index finger to her thumb, raising her other fingers upward.

“Perfect,” nodded Tucker. “Now show me ‘watch me’.”

T’Pol hesitated for a moment as she tried to recall the exact gesture. Raising her hand to her eyes, she folded all her fingers into a fist…save the middle one, which she prominently displayed for Tucker.

Trip’s eyes went wide and he couldn’t help laughing at her. T’Pol looked at him with obvious confusion. She had apparently performed the gesture wrong, but failed to see the humor in it.

“What do find so amusing?”

Trip shook his head. “I’m sorry…really,” he said trying to control his laughter. “It’s just, you gave me ‘the finger’.”

T’Pol looked at him questioningly. She still had no idea what he was talking about.

“Ahem, it’s uh…an obscene gesture,” explained Trip, trying to be as diplomatic as possible.

T’Pol’s brow arched in comprehension. “My apologies.”

“Forget it,” said Trip placing his hand on hers. He could feel the warmth of her skin as their fingers touched. It reminded him of their long nights of nuero-pressure sessions. He unfolded her index and middle finger, closing the rest into a fist. “This is what you wanted.”

“I see,” she said looking up at him.

They looked at each other for a long moment, studying each other. They each saw something in the other’s expression: trepidation, desperation. We have spent time together in more ‘intimate’ settings. Why should this be any different? T’Pol thought as their gaze lingered. She swallowed reflexively as she leaned close. He didn’t move away, but she noticed him shudder reflexively as she neared him. She lingered close, feeling his warm breath against her flushed skin.

“T’Pol!”

Startled, she turned suddenly. Looking over, she could see Soma coming around the control housing with a white medical case.

“I want you to prep the doc’s cocktail,” he said as he approached them.

She looked back at Trip, but the engineer was already standing up. Turning back to Soma, she rose slowly, giving the captain a glaring look.

“Your timing is impeccable, Jonathan,” she said in a low voice, taking the medical kit as she walked past him.

Soma half turned and gave her a confused look. “What’d I do?”

T’Pol didn’t bother answering. She laid the medical case on a small equipment shelf. Opening it, she found a hypo spray and three ampoule cartridges. The doctor had prepared a special mixture for them to be injected with right before the dive. It would prevent any nitrogen buildup from occurring in their bodies.

Pulling the hypo spray out, she loaded the first cartridge, marked for Soma. Since both she and the captain we’re Vulcan, the dosage would be different than Tucker’s. She checked the setting and turned to where Soma was kneeling over his dive harness. Without warning, she placed the hypo against his arm and activated the injector. A short hiss sounded as the ampoule contents emptied.

Soma jumped as the injection entered his arm. It wasn’t painful, but he wasn’t prepared for it and the sudden hiss startled him. Looking up, he gave her a scowling expression. “You could have warned me first.”

“Consider us even for your piloting ‘error’,” she said walking past him as she headed for Tucker. Soma rolled his eyes.

Loading the second cartridge, she repeated the injection on Trip and finally on herself. They were now ‘inoculated’ for the next fourteen hours from any harmful nitrogen build up, which the doctor’s chemical compound would artificially dissolve from their blood stream. They couldn’t stay submerged that long, but with any luck they would find an opening that would lead to a pressurized cave.

Soma put on his suit’s torso piece, sliding his arms into the composite material. Normally, at the depth they would be diving, he preferred ‘skin’. But they would be exploring caves and their full composite wetsuits would protect them from any sharp or jagged edges they might encounter in the rock formations.

Leaning down, the captain picked up one of the three dive helmets. The helmet was similar in shape to Enterprise’s EV suit helmets. However, it was roughly half the size. Unlike the EV helmets, it had an upper window as well as two side panels to give a greater field of vision.

“Let’s finish gearing up,” said the captain. “I’ve put the gliders along the side of the boat. We’ll get them once we’re in the water.”

Tucker leaned over and picked up the remaining two helmets, handing one to T’Pol.
Laying his helmet down on a chair, he grabbed three ‘web’ belts off the utility rack, checking the small compartments: emergency Tri-ox compound hypo, locator beacon and a portable first aid kit. Handing one to T’Pol and another to Soma, he fastened the third to his waste.

“We have six hours of air in our harnesses,” Trip said as he checked the readout on his dive watch. The small illuminated panel tied directly into the harness computer. “We need to keep the descent to fifty meters. Our wet suits will protect us from the change when we reach the thermocline, but anything past fifty meters and it’s gonna start to get chilly.”

“That shouldn’t be a problem,” replied T’Pol. “Ship’s sensors detected a large number of rock formations within fifteen meters of the surface.”

Trip nodded, turning back to the equipment cabinet. He grabbed at three more items on a lower rack and when he turned back, he had three diving knives with ankle straps. Handing one to T’Pol, he looked over at Soma who was hefting a large cylindrical unit, which looked somewhat like a Starfleet phase rifle.

“UCR…Underwater Compression Rifle,” said Soma. “MACO experimental design for underwater offense…and close encounters.” The captain shifted the large rifle in his arms. It was bulky and heavy, but under water, it would be much lighter and more manageable. “I’ll carry this, you take your equipment bag, chief. T’Pol, you have the bag with our dry clothes and computer interface tools.”

Soma laid down the rifle and picked up his own harness. The unit was compact and comfortable, which was surprising for all the equipment that was integrated into it:
The main and back up air supply, which fed into the dive helmet by reinforced flex tubing, emergency life ballast, buoyancy controls, emergency ports for hooking multiple divers together and the life support and bio readout panel.

Locking the harness in place, Soma grabbed his web belt. He fastened it tight, adjusting the locking clip. Grabbing his helmet, he lifted it over his head, settling it gently on his shoulders. Tapping the locking control, a sharp snap sounded and a hiss could be heard inside the helmet as it pressurized. The captain touched a small blue button on his harness chest. Instantly the dark mask lit up as the helmet’s internal illumination came on. Touching the comm. button on his chest, he keyed it for ‘open mike’.

“Can you hear me?” he said looking over at Trip and T’Pol, who had secured their own helmets into place.

“Loud and clear, Cap'n”

T’Pol nodded. “Yes”

“All right, when we make the descent,” said Soma adjusting his ‘web’ belt, “we take it slow and methodical. We’re looking for any cave entrances large enough for us to navigate.” He looked over at T’Pol, “Remember how we showed you the proper way to enter the water: controlled ‘back roll’.” Soma glanced over at Tucker. “No show offs,” he said pointing his finger at the engineer.

“You know me captain,” smiled Tucker.

“Yes,” Soma nodded. “That’s why I said it.”

Trip shot Soma a wounded look and then smiled. They still hadn’t had a chance to talk after their blow up in the gym. Things just moved too quickly for the two men to find a moment alone. Trip was grateful that Soma seemed to put the matter aside. He respected Soma as a commanding officer and as a friend. There were things they obviously didn’t agree on, it wasn’t any reason to end a friendship. He and John had, had their differences, the death of the Vissian cogenitor, for one. Trip knew he was responsible. He thought he knew what was best and it ended with the cogenitor taking its own life. The death had caused a rift between Trip and Archer. The engineer didn’t want the same thing to happen between him and Soma.

The three officers took their positions along the side of the hydrofoil. Their backs were to the open water as they crouched down into their ‘fall back’ position. Fitting double webbed fins to their dive boots, they prepared to enter the water.

Soma looked to his left, nodding at T’Pol. “Ready?”

She nodded back in acknowledgment and watched Soma roll his body over the edge of the boat, falling backwards into the crystal blue water. Trip glanced over at T’Pol and gave her a smile through the clear faceplate of his helmet.

“Don’t worry,” he said. “It’s like falling off a log.”

She merely arched her brow. Now was not the time to request an explanation for one of his curious analogies. T’Pol simply rolled back as she had seen Soma do and hit the water, submerging beneath the surface.

“Hey, wait for me!” shouted Trip, rolling back off the hydrofoil and into the water.

A flood of turgid, bubble filled water was all T’Pol could see. The three of them were floating within two meters of the surface as they let the water around them clear. Once the water returned to a calm setting, T’Pol slowly turned around. The clear ocean afforded a panoramic view of the planet’s undersea world.

She watched at several small ‘fish’ darted past her. She couldn’t be certain what they were, but ‘fish’ seemed an appropriate term given the circumstances. Looking down, she saw large columns of what appeared to be ‘sea grass’ spiraling upward; their red and yellow bands shimmering in the under sea current. The ocean was teaming with marine life of every color and combination. The image captivated the curious Vulcan.

Suddenly, she felt something touch her arm and turning abruptly, she saw Trip Tucker had swum to her side.

“Something else,” he smiled. “Isn’t it?”

“Fascinating,” she replied. Though she found this new experience more than fascinating; it was almost…exhilarating. She quickly suppressed the feeling, focusing on the task at hand.

“All right, let’s get the gliders,” came Soma’s voice over her helmet’s communicator.

They moved towards the surface. The bright light of the overhead sun glistened on the ocean surface as it danced across the slow moving waves. Reaching the side of the boat, they each took a MACO glider, activating the compact projectile’s internal power unit.
Almost in unison, the nose cones on all three gliders lit up like beacons.

Soma was the first to descend. Pointing his glider at a downward angle, he activated the
Hydrodynamic engine. Water was pulled into the font end of the gliders’ fuselage and ejected out the back. This propelled it and the diver forward with little visible discharge and almost no noise. It was also environmentally safe, but that was most likely an unforeseen byproduct and not an intentional feature. The gliders were designed for stealth, not scientific research, but like most technology it was invariably multi-use.

“T’Pol, your more familiar with the topographic scans,” said Soma. “What’s the most ideal location to begin our search?”

T’Pol looked down at the small illuminated panel on the tilted console of her glider.
Moving her black, gloved hand over the large panel buttons, she tightened the confinement locator beam. Looking at the image for a moment, she studied the topographical layout. Seeing what she was looking for, T’Pol looked up, pointing towards a cluster of jagged rocks surrounding an open basin below them.

“That outcrop of rocks would be the most logical place to find an opening sufficient enough for us to navigate,” she explained. “They are the largest rock formations in the immediate area.”

“Sounds good,” replied Soma, activating his motion control. Gliding slowly forward, he started his descent towards the open basin area with Trip and T’Pol close behind.

Trip Tucker powered back, allowing T’Pol to pass him. He had every confidence in T’Pol’s ability to adapt, but he wanted to keep the less experienced Vulcan between he and Soma, just in case. Smiling, he let his mind drift as he moved through the water. I can’t believe we used to fight like cats and dogs, he thought. These last few months…I never thought I could ever look at a Vulcan as a friend…or more. He chided himself at that last thought. If T’Pol knew some of the things that popped into his mind during their neuro-pressure sessions he was quite certain she’d put an end to them. “It’s not somethin' I have any intention of bringin’ to her attention. Besides, they’re just fantasies. I’m a man and she’s most definitely a woman.”

Trip suddenly broke from his thoughts. A light indicator flashed red on his glider’s display panel. It was the scanning module. It had detected a sensor contact!

“Cap’n!”

“I see it chief,” replied Soma scrutinizing his own display. “Contact bearing three hundred meters.’

“What do you think it is?” asked Tucker, a hint of nervousness in his voice.

“Hard to say,” said Soma. “We don’t exactly have a biotic survey of this planet’s sea life. Whatever it is, it’s large.”

“It appears to be closing on our position,” said T’Pol, looking at her display panel. “Perhaps it is a school of marine life forms.”

“Maybe,” replied the captain.

Soma looked around him. He wasn’t sure what he was looking for, but he was certain he’d know when he saw it. The ocean water seemed calm. No hint of any danger. In fact, there was no sign of any sea life in the area.

Soma’s head snapped up. “Chief, what’s missing around us?”

Tucker glanced around. He wasn’t certain what the captain had noticed, but in one brief moment he realized what Soma was talking about. “All the sea critters,” he said. “They’re gone.”

“Right!”

Tucker looked over at Soma for a moment then cursed. “Oh crap!”

“What is it?” asked T’Pol in concern.

“A predator is in the area,” answered Soma.

Tucker nodded in agreement. “And from the way all the sea life seems to have disappeared, it’s one big sucker.”

T’Pol glanced down at her display. “The object appears to have left the area. My scanner is no longer picking it up.”

“Maybe,” said Soma doubtfully. “Let’s head for those rocks on the outer perimeter, just in case.”

Activating their motion control’s they glided their descent downward. Soma glanced at his scanner panel. The sensor contact had not returned. Maybe T’Pol was right, Soma mused. I’m just getting jumpy. Perhaps taking them along was a mistake. The last the thing I need right now is to worry about the two of them.

Soma was the first to reach the rocky outcropping. Powering down his glider, he let himself sink to the yellow, sandy silt of the basin floor. Glancing up, he could see T’Pol followed by Tucker.

“Power down your gliders and kill your lights,” he ordered.

They both followed Soma’s instructions, powering down their gliders as they soft-landed on the ocean bottom. Setting down the gliders, they both joined Soma who was crouching behind several jutting rock formations.

“I hope I’m wrong about this,” said Soma. “But it’s to damn quiet. The area was teaming with life just a few minutes ago…now nothing.”

T’Pol turned to Soma. “Perhaps we should contact Enterprise and advise them of the situation.”

Soma shook his head. “No, let’s wait and…”

“Captain!” cried T’Pol with a start.

Soma turned to see her pointing towards the dark water just past the open basin. The water was inky blank and that told the captain, there was no immediate floor bottom to reflect light. They were obviously on the edge of the continental shelf.

As Soma looked into the dark abyss, he strained to see what T’Pol was pointing towards. The low lighting of the deeper water, made visibility poor, but he was certain…then he saw it. A large gray mass darted out of the inky darkness and into the visible light.

Soma stared in awe. The form was long and sleek, with a torpedo shape that he estimated in excess of fifty feet. It seemed to move through the water fluidly in a whip like manner.
He could see dark stripes zig zagging up and down the length of the body. Looking towards the leading edge, Soma could see the long tapered body terminate at an arrow like head with three convex black orbs he assumed were eyes. The body had the lean look of a predator and Soma was certain of that assumption when he caught the bowed rows of pointed teeth at the front of the creature’s mouth. He had little doubt that they were razor sharp.

“Quick, switch to your closed circuit re-breathers,” said Soma over the comm. “We don’t want our air bubbles attracting that things attention.”

T’Pol and Tucker adjusted their harness controls and the flood of vented air bubbles almost immediately ceased as their air re-breathers kicked in.

“What the hell is that thing!” said Tucker.

“A Meg,” said Soma in awe. He hadn’t meant to, but he was thinking aloud.

Tucker turned toward Soma. “A what?”

“Carcharodon Megalodon,” answered Soma as he continued to stare at the ‘Meg’. “An ancient species of shark that went extinct nearly two million years ago, on Earth. It was one of the largest ocean predators in existence, spanning sixty feet in length.” Soma’s eyes followed the sleek, whip like motion as the creature moved through the water. “I used to look for their teeth along the Eastern Coast of North America.”

“Sounds real fascinatin’,” replied Tucker as watched the creature fearfully. “Why don’t you ask him if he wants to cough over a few specimens.”

“No thanks,” smiled the captain ruefully. “Let’s give this fish a wide berth and keep your eyes open for anymore. These waters are pretty shallow for a predator that big, so he’s probably hunting alone. But let’s ere on the side of caution.”

“Captain,” said T’Pol

“T’Pol?”

“Look in that direction,” she said pointing across the open basin.

Soma’s eyes followed the line of direction T’Pol was pointing to. Instantly, he saw where it led.

“A cave entrance!”

“Yes,” she replied. “And it appears large enough to accommodate us.”

Tucker looked past the two Vulcans and caught site of the cave entrance. “Just barely,” he said. “That’s gonna be a tight fit.”

“We’ll worry about that when we get there,” said Soma. “Right now, we need to find a safe way to get there…T’Pol?”

T’Pol considered checking her scans for an alternate route, but decided against it. They didn’t know if the energy output of their gliders might attract the creature’s attention. Searching her memory, she visualized the scanner displays in her mind as she reviewed them for the safest route to the cave. Her conclusion was, as she believed. “The open basin is the only path that affords a vantage point to the cave opening.”

“Oh great!” sighed Trip. “Are you certain.”

“Quite.”

Soma shook his head in exasperation. “That’s going to be a problem.”

“Yeah, we have to swim by Jaws,” quipped Tucker. He looked-up, making sure the creature hadn’t changed its pattern. It would circle the basin, occasionally crossing it diagonally. Trip blew out a sigh of relief. It appeared the creature was sticking to its routine…for now.

“Maybe we can scare 'em off,” said Trip pointing to the UCR on Soma’s glider.

Soma shook his head. “No, we’re more likely to agitate it and I’d prefer not harming it if we can.”

The captain looked at the open basin. It afforded no cover and complete exposure. If the creature saw them, he could make a meal of them with little effort. There has to be another option he thought. There always is. It’s just a matter of finding it.
Soma continued scanning the basin. Looking at the outer perimeter, he noticed small clusters of rocky outcroppings with bundles of sea grass attached. None of them were exceptionally large or continuous, but they did offer some cover.

“The outer perimeter of the basin has patches of rock,” said Soma pointing. “They can afford us as little protection.”

“Yeah,” replied Trip. “That’s exactly what I’d call it…a little protection.”

Soma turned towards Trip. “You have a better plan chief?”

Trip looked at Soma for a moment and then rolled his eyes. “A man can get killed just bein’ in the same service as you, Cap’n!” said Trip shaking his head. “All right, but if we survive this, remind me to ask for a transfer off details with you. I’d prefer somethin’ safer…maybe Major Hayes has an openin’ in the MACOS.”

Soma gave him a smile. “If you survive, I’ll be sure and remind you.”

“Oh...thanks!”

“Not at all,” grinned Soma. “Besides…us southern boys have ta stick together…now don’t we.”

Trip chuckled at Soma’s imitation of him.

“All right, let’s grab our gear,” said the captain. “We’ll leave the gliders here. We can’t take them into those narrow caves anyway.”

Soma grabbed the UCR. He didn’t want to use it, but if push came to shove he would. T’Pol and Trip grabbed their equipment bags. They each moved slowly and methodically, glancing up at the circling creature.

“Kill your helmet’s internal lights,” instructed the captain. “We don’t know if that big fish will notice, but let’s play it safe.”

They each deactivated the internal illumination from their helmets. Standing up, Soma started forward followed by T’Pol with Trip bringing up the rear. The three divers skirted the edge of the basin perimeter as they made their way towards the cave opening. Soma had been right; the rocks did afford them a little cover, but only the barest minimum.

The creature continued to circle the basin. It was now directly overhead, with a mere seventy feet between it and the dive team. It thrashed suddenly, agitating the surrounding water. The three divers stopped, remaining quite motionless as they waited and watched.
Hesitating, the creature seemed to slow as if it had just taken notice of something. Soma tightened his grip on the MACO rifle. Swallowing hard, he waited for the creature to move towards them. Then suddenly, it turned, going back to its regular swimming pattern.

Soma let out a sigh. “That was close.” One thing he hated about helmets: there was no way to wipe the sweat from your face. “All right, let’s keep moving.”

“Damn, he’s big!” Tucker swore, watching the creature glide across the basin.

“Impressive,” added T’Pol. “From a distance.”

“Was that joke?” asked Trip.

T’Pol glanced at him, giving the engineer a skeptical look. “I do not make jokes,” replied the Vulcan. “I was merely making an observation,”

“Good, because I’m nervous enough,” said Trip. “If you start making jokes, I’m gonna figure we’re at the end of our rope.”

They continued moving along the perimeter, stopping occasionally when they thought the creature might have taken notice. As they neared the end of the perimeter, they could see the cave entrance. It was roughly forty feet away. Unfortunately, there wasn’t any cover between the perimeter and the entrance.

Looking up, Soma made a note of where the creature was. It was swimming diagonally across the basin again. Once it reached the other side, it would be at its furthest point from their position.

“Get ready,” said Soma looking at Trip and T’Pol. “As soon as it’s on the other side of the basin, we’ll make a move for the cave. First T’Pol, then you…I’ll bring up the rear.”
Soma hefted the rifle in his arms. They didn’t like the thought of Soma lagging behind, but they both knew someone had to cover their move. Grudgingly, they both nodded at Soma as they prepared to move on his signal.

The creature was moving towards the farthest point. Once it reached that point, it would turn and the line to the cave would be in its blind spot for no more than fifteen seconds. It wasn’t much time, but it was all they had.

Watching the creature, Soma gripped his rifle. Raising his arm, he timed his signal for the moment they were in the creature’s blind spot.

“Now!” he shouted through the comm. System as he dropped his arm.

T’Pol sprang into action, swimming across the open expanse with Trip close behind. As soon as they were both clear of the rocks, Soma moved to follow. He swam toward the cave entrance, glancing towards the opposite side of the basin. The creature was still swimming its normal pattern. It hadn’t noticed them. Frantically, he increased speed. He wasn’t taking any chances.

“Hurry,” said soma through the comm. “Keep moving.”

Soma looked ahead of him. He could see T’Pol had reached the entrance and Trip was only a few feet behind her. Glancing to the side, he looked to where the creature was completing its turn and to his dismay, it wasn’t there! A sudden rush of adrenalin went through his body. He looked frantically for where the creature had gone and then he saw it. The thing had changed its tactic and doubled back. It was coming right for his position.

Trip and T’Pol saw Soma stop. Looking towards the basin, they saw the gray whip maneuvering form of the creature as it closed in.

“Captain! Move!” shouted Trip.

Tucker’s sudden voice jarred Soma and he reacted instantly, throwing himself to the sand covered floor.

“What the hell is he doin’?”

Through their comm. Units they both heard Soma’s voice. “I can’t make it to you in time.
Don’t distract him…stay where you are…that’s an order.”

T’Pol and Trip watched as the creature closed in on Soma. It’s body, whipping side to side as it swam. Soma lay completely still on the sea floor as upturned sand settled on his body. Breathing slowly, he glanced upward to see the creature was less than fifteen feet above him. Sucking in his breath, he waited for the creature to attack.

Suddenly the creature turned, it’s whip like cutting a new path through the water. Trip and T’Pol watched as they saw the creature move away from Soma. It hadn’t seen him!

“Jonathan,” said T’Pol, “Quickly, it’s moving away from your position.”

It was all Soma needed to hear. He pushed himself off the ocean floor and swam toward the cave entrance with all the energy he could manage. Not looking back, focused on the last fifteen feet to the cave entrance.

“Jeezus Cap’n!” said Trip as he pulled Soma into the cave. “Ya scared the hell out of us!”

T’Pol looked at Trip and gave him an arched brow. “Speak for yourself commander. I was not alarmed in the least.”

“Right,” said Trip leaning his faceplate against hers. “Then why’d ya call him Jonathan?”

T’Pol’s eyes widened and he could see a green tinge forming on her cheeks.

“All right you two, save it for later,” said Soma. “We still have a job to do.”

T’Pol glared at Trip for a moment, before turning towards Soma. “We should see where this cave leads to.”

Soma nodded turning on his helmet light. “Right…chief, pull out the guide rope. Start it at the entrance and line it as we go.” They would be using hand sensors to navigate. In case of an emergency, they could use the rope to find their way back to the opening.

Trip pulled out the end of a neon cable from a small hand unit. The cable was over five hundred feet and he had packed four of them, just in case. Pulling out a small hand held device, he pressed it against the cabling and cave wall. Pressing the trigger button, a small piton shot out, fastening the neon cable to the wall.

“T’Pol, you lead the way,” said Soma pointing up the mouth of the cave. “Chief, you bring up the rear. Attach the cabling every fifteen feet.”

T’Pol made her way up the path of the cave. Carefully she maneuvered through the cramped space as she looked at her hand scanner. She could detect numerous mineral deposits within the cave walls and they were interfering with the scans. Adjusting the instrument, she tried to filter out the extraneous information as she scanned for pockets of differing pressure. If there were any dry caves, then would be pressurized at a different level than the submerged ones.

Trip was attaching his third piton. They were now fifty feet into the cave. Looking back, he could see the narrow entranceway and the dim light it afforded. Moving to attach the cable to the wall face, he noticed it had slackened. Pulling the cable to him, he felt it suddenly stop. Damn snag! he cursed. He pulled at the cable harder, but it didn’t budge. Wrapping his hand around the cabling, he braced himself against the wall and pulled with all his strength. The result was unexpected. He suddenly felt the rope tighten. Before he could react, he was pulled forward, sliding-down the cave wall as his harness buffeted and scraped against the jagged surface.

Soma swam up to T’Pol, stopping next to her. “Anything?”

“I’m uncertain,” she replied. “The cave walls have an abundance of minerals which are interfering with the scans. It may be…”

“Wait!” said Soma. “Did you hear that?”

Turning back, he looked for Trip. Then he heard a scraping noise. “Dammit, stay here!”

Soma swam around the bend. He pointed his helmet light down the tunnel and saw a mass of bubble filled water halfway down the cave. “Chief!”

Swimming frantically, he made his way down the tunnel. Panic and fear threatened to overwhelm him, but his training took over and he focused on what he had to do. Reaching the mass of bubbles he called out.

“Chief! Chief!”

He waited for a moment, but received no reply. He didn’t have any trouble guessing where the bubbles were coming from. Trip’s air tank must have ruptured. His harness was venting. If Soma didn’t get to him quickly, Trip would drown.

Moving into the bubbles, Soma tried to see Trip. He called out his name, desperately hoping for an answer.

“Cap’n”

“Chief!” shouted Soma in relief.

“I’m stuck,” said Tucker. “Somethin’ snagged the cable and pulled me down the cave.”

“Hold on chief, I’ll be right there.”

Soma swam through the bubbles. They grew in concentration; that meant he was close to Tucker. Looking down, he saw Trip lying on the cave floor, with a mass of cabling wrapped around his leg.

“What the hell happed?” said Soma pulling out his emergency air connector.

“I don’t know,” said Trip. “The line got snagged. I tried to pull on it…it pulled back.”

“Here,” said Soma handing Trip the emergency line. “Hook this to your emergency air line.”

Trip took the hose as Soma pulled his knife out. He started cutting the cabling away from Tucker’s leg. As moved to cut away the last section, he stepped into the mass of twisted cable. Before he could remove his foot, the cable went taut and he felt the tight grip of the line around his lower leg. A sudden tug pulled him back, followed by another. An instant later, he found himself being pulled down the cave floor as he scraped across the jagged surface.

Tucker, watched as Soma pulled away. The emergency line snapped out of his hand. Standing up, he moved after Soma as he tried to see what was happening. The swirling mass of bubbles from his ruptured air tank blocked his view and waving his arm through the water, he frantically pushed the bubbles out of his way.

The next thing he saw caused him to gasp and his eyes went wide as the last image he saw was Captain Soma being pulled out of the narrow cave towards the waiting jaws of the creature they thought they had escaped.

Illustration by Ivymae

Chapter 13

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

Weeeeeeee! This is a great installment, Q! Great writing, excellent research (or real world experience, I'd bet), and great character interaction...

(JAWS theme plays as Nikitee signs off to re-read the chappy!)

nikitee...

Yes...occasionally I put a little of myself into the stories. Being a Florida boy like Trip, I've done some scuba and I do have a thing for amatuer archeology and Meg teeth. ;)
Q

Ah crap! Pesky water creatures! Now how will our dear Soma get out of this one??? Can't wait to find out! Just make it soon, the waiting is killing me here!

Another great chapter - can't wait to see the next one :) It seems that Soma may have inherited some of his father's "talent" for away missions - I do feel a little sympathy for T'Pol :)

Noooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Soooommmmmaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I may be the only voice of dissent. Please don't get out the voodoo dolls. I have read and enjoyed all of Somas adventures and have even contemplated using Soma in a story myself. However much I like the character I have grown to think him of a male "Mary Sue".
Soma, to me, is too perfect. He can switch effortlessly from charming, rougish and sexy to cool, calculating Vulcan. Now I know who his parents are and he is a sum of them, but there is no conflict (at least to me) between his human and Vulcan half. He's not human and he's not Vulcan either. Spock chose a path, the way of Logic, and stuck to it. You can see why when he lost control once or twice - Vulcans are full of strong, powerful and ultimately destructive emotions.
It's like Kirk and Spock have been rolled into one to create a super being that can out engineer Trip, out logic Soval and out Vulcan T'Pol.

Now before people go postal on me, let me say how much I enjoy Soma's adventures, it's always nice to read good quality fan ficton.

Treknut...

I think your making the mistake that too many
Trek fans make when looking at TOS characters next to later Trek characters...your comparing Spock to another character and not CONTRASTING him. Why should Soma have the same issues? He chose a different path? He has different aspirations and attitudes. Besides, he is older than Spock. After 170+ years you would hope he's gotten over any personal inadequecies(although they get replaced by new problems). People grow out of their old hang ups...or at least they do if they hope to grow.

Also, your mistaken...there is conflict...but Soma's conflict is very human centered. He may be half Vulcan, but the problems he has...at least in my stories...are human inadequecies...trouble with the job, women, family. These are problems
most readers can relate to. If I made Soma struggle with his human/Vulcan heritage he'd be a Spock knock off.

Finally, of course he can outmanuever them a lot of the time. He has the advantage...not only in experience but in knowing how they think. He's known these people all their lives. They have known him for two years. Try to remember...he's from the future and has prior knowledge on his side. But you can see plenty of instances where he loses; Archer for one. He tried to pull rank on him. He should have known Archer wasn't a 'book man' and would put Soma in his place, which he did. That is just one of many examples.

Losing control...that is a matter of perspective.
In mine, I see Soma embracing his human side as
having a benefit. It allows his emotions to be expressed instaid of bottled. Sort of like a slow
release to relieve pressure. It's why he doesn't blow up a lot. He allows his stressors to be relieved through emotional expression.

In any case...you said you considered doing a Soma story or incorporating Soma into a story.
Why don't you? Walk a mile in his shoes and get a feel for it and see what you come up with. I think its certainly a good way to better understand the character. You have my permission to try. If your interested, contact me.

the_quill_pen@yahoo.com

Ah, what a most wonderful chapter! Finally the T/T-relationship seams to be developping, although we´ve got Soma with “Your timing is impeccable, Jonathan,”...
Beautiful diving descriptions!

Loved it, loved it, loved it.

"Your timing is impeccable, Jonathan." Definately the line of the chapter. It's like she's saying; "Are you deliberately trying to prevent your conception?"

I've never had a problem with Soma's character. The guy is old...he's probably made some pretty hefty mistakes in the past, and learned from them. We saw that he could lose control of those more volatile Vulcan emotions earlier in the story, he doesn't try to exercise as much control as Spock does, and IMHO that comes from his connection with both his parents.

If you want to pay attention to 'The Final Frontier'- I know it's a lot to ask- Spock has had to deal with his father's disappointment since he was a baby, but he did come to terms with it, and eventually became more willing to embrace his Human heritage.

There's a story behind every character, and I think Soma fits his.

End of speech, all that remains to say is:

Jonaathhaaaaaannnn! (in a T'Pol sounding voice)

From the way he speaks I always thought he was ALOT younger than 170, that is pretty old even for a Vulcan.

Captain Soma soon to be Captain Chum? Gah! Say it ain't so!

This is the best chapter so far. Probably cuz of all the Trip and Polly goodness.

Great chapter. Beautifully written and great discriptions of their diving exibition. Delighted that Trip and T'pol are getting closer. How will Soma get out of his current predicament?? Can't wait for your next chapter.

Treknut...

Read his bio page you'll see how old he is.
If he must be compared and contrasted to anyone...it's not Kirk and Spock....it's Kirk and Picard. I used a lot of different character traits in molding Soma's personality, but the two
I examined the closest were Kirk's & Picard's.

Kirk was always a bit to flashy for me. Picard on the other hand was to reserved...both in command style and personal life. I always thought a good character would be an older man (Picard...we're introduced to him when he's in his 40's-50's...Kirk was in his early 30's) who had the experience a young Kirk didn't, but was willing to let his hair down because he's comfortable with who he is.
Q

I *love* this story to pieces and what a cliffhanger to end this part on! Gulp. That is one big hungry (and cunning) predator. This is very exciting and I love how you depict all the characters. Much kudos, Ali D :~)

::applause::

FANTASTIC! I was laughing through the first part, esp. Soma turning the boat so T'Pol would fall into Tucker.

Loved T'Pol's reaction to the underwater view. I was wondering if she'd notice....
Excellent job at building up suspense. Wonderful job with this chapter! More soon, I hope!

Well, the story's fairly well written, but to be frank, the Soma character is utter crap.

hahahaha, the degree of rudeness some people seem to possess amazes me.

The truth hurts.

ok Dan...normally I don't entertain negative criticism...particularly if the person criticising doesn't support their criticism.
However, I'll give you a chance to to tell
me how my character is "utter crap". Feel free
to e-mail me at: the_quill_pen@yahoo.com
and you can give me your reasons.
regards
Q

Wonderful story Quills! I'm loving every chapter. I considered myself a Soma fan and disagree that he's a male mary sue. I recently read a Enterprise story with a character that was definately a male mary sue (he was downright annoying!!) and Soma is so richly developed that I don't think he deserves to be in that category at all.
With that said, I loved the part where Trip calls T'Pol on referring to Soma as Jonathan and her cheeks went green. lol. Good stuff. You gotta continue Quills.

Okay, I've lurked long enough. I LOVE THIS STORY!!! I really like Soma. I read to be entertained, not to pick apart someone's character in an alternative universe story. Every time I read and reread a chapter I come away with a smile on my face because you write so well. Please hurry with the next chapter.