Gateway-Part 10

Gateway

By Quills

Rating: PG, Action-Adventure, Drama
Disclaimer: Character Enterprise and other Star Trek related subjects are the property of Paramount.

PART 10 (Chapters 28-30 )

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Chapter 28

Archer sat in his ready room studying the intelligence reports thatStarfleet had gathered on Silik's recent movements. He had beenlooking at them for hours.He had already had Rachel set course back for Federation space. He had no idea where he was going once they were back, but he knew the answer didn't lay in the Martez colony. That was a very clever ruse designed to lead Starfleet and possibly him away from the true plan Silik was carrying out. Whatever that plan was. just then, the chime rang to his ready room.

"Come in." he called out.

Commander Garrett and Travid Mayweather entered the Captain's ready room. Garrett was the first to speak. "Jon, we're approaching Federation space. We should be back inside in about twenty minutes."

"Understood.' replied the Captain as he scrutenized another report.

"Captain, you've been pouring over those reports for nearly three hours." said Garrett "Don't you think you should take a break?"

"She's right, Captain." agreed Mayweather.

"I appreciate your concern." said Archer, "but I think I may have found something."

This immediately peaked their curiosity, and Garrett and Mayweather approached the Captain's desk.

"Take a look at this." said Archer, "What do you see?"

He handed a data PADD to Mayweather who only needed to glance at it. "Silik," he said, and handed it to Garrett.

Archer tapped a button on his computer and the uplink to the PADD entered a new image. "Now what do you see?"

Garrett looked at the new image, "Another image of Silik." she said. "This one is one of the images of him at Deep Space 2."

She handed the PADD to Mayweather who looked at the image as well. He was about to hand it back to Archer when something caught his eye. He wasn't sure what it was, but something WAS different.

"Notice something?" asked Archer.

"Here, try this." he said as he hit another button on his desk. The image changed again. This time it was a composite enlargement of the two previous images.

Mayweather scrutenized the two images. What was it about one that was different about the other; besides the location. Then he saw it.

"Wrinkles?" he said.

"Wrinkles." repeated Archer.

Garrett looked at the two men. "Someone want to let me in on what you two are talking about?"

"Wrinkles." said Mayweather as he showed her the subtle lines in Silik's face. "He's got wrinkles."

"Ok, so he's got wrinkles." agreed Garrett.

Archer stood up and came around his desk. "Don't you see?" he said with a tinge of excitement. "It's not Silik!"

Garrett stared skeptically at Archer for a moment. "If it's not Silik, then who is he?"

"My mistake." said Archer. "It is Silik, but it's not the Silik from my time period."

Garrett looked at the pictures again and slowly looked up at Archer. "But that isn't possible."she countered. "Suliban have a life span roughly as long as humans. Silik couldn't have survived to this century. Not without going into suspended animation and why would he do that? Why pick this century to emerge?"

"I don't think he went into suspended animation." answered Archer "I think the silik in this picture is from a time period somewhere between mine and yours. I think he traveled to this time period for a specific purpose and I think he did it on his own."

"What?" said Garrett.

"I think he's working alone." said Archer. "I don't think this has anything to do with the 'Temporal Cold War'. I think this is about revenge."

"Revenge on who?" asked Garrett.

This time Mayweather answered, "Captain Archer."

Archer shook his head in agreement. "It all makes sense."

"Well it doesn't make sense to me." replied the first officer.

Archer went back to his desk and turned the monitor, so it faced the three of them. He punched several buttons bringing up several texts in separate windows.

"The Intelligence reports from Starfleet stated that the Suliban had not been heard from on the 'Temporal Cold War' front for forty years." said Archer pointing to the highlighted section on the screen. "Why are they back now? Starfleet has noted other species playing a more prominent role in the 'Temporal Cold War'."

"That may be." said Garrett. "But that doesn't mean Silik is out for revenge or working alone."

"It might." said Mayweather "If he lost favor with his 'masters'."

"You said Silik disappeared after our last fight." said Archer as he looked at Mayweather.

"That's right," he responded. "We never heard from him again. We still encountered Suliban, but not Silik."

"And Ork said Silik was raving about reclaiming his position." Said Archer. It didn't click on the bridge, but it does now. I think that Silik did lose his position with these temporal agents that Daniel's warned us about." explained Archer. "I think in his declining years he has been nursing a hate. A hate for Earth, a hate for Starfleet and most of all a hate for me."

The two officers looked at Archer. They were far from convinced, but saw the possibilities.

"All right," said Garrett. "Just suppose for a moment that this is an older Silik, and that he has a righteous hatred for you and Starfleet which leads us to further suppose that he's been abandoned by the 'Temporal Cold War' masters he served. How did he get here?"

"With one of these." said Archer turning and bringing up a new image. It was a small drum shaped object with key pads.

"What is it?" asked Garrett.

"A portable time traveling device." said Mayweather "Daniels had one similiar to it. It was how he traveled to our time period."

"Where would Silik get such a device?" asked Garrett "If he was cut of from the 'masters' so was his access to their technology."

"I may have misjudged Silik," said Archer, "but I do know him. It would be just like him to gain some upper-hand and save it for a 'rainy day'. On at least two occasions, I've seen him with a similiar device. Each time he was trying to learn how it worked."

"You think he found out." said Mayweather.

Archer simply nodded.

"All right, so let me guess this straight." said Garrett. "An older Silik travels from the late 21st century to the early 24th using a stolen portable time travel device to get revenge on you."

"That’s right." said Archer.

"Thats crazy." said Garrett. "You’re not even alive in this century. Why travel here at all."

"Because there's something here that he needs." replied Archer.

"What?" asked Garrett.

"That part I'm a little gray about." replied Archer.

"How gray?" asked Garrett.

"Charcoal" said Archer.

Garrett smiled at Archer. At least his sense of humour had returned, not that it was going to help solve their predicament.

"What is there in this time period that Silik could use in the 21st century?" asked Mayweather.

"Take your pick." replied Garrett. "Weapons systems have increased to incredibly destructive levels in a hundred and fifty years. Not to mention failed civilian projects like the Genesis device and the Ritalex plague serum which could wipe out entire planets."

"No, it's got to be something that would allow him to have an active part in my degradation." said Archer. "He would want to be there to see my face."

"A ship?" said Mayweather " A Federation starship from this time period would be more than a match for for anything in the 21st century."

"It would be his style." said Archer. "Turning a Starfleet vessel into the weapon that prevented the Federation."

"Maybe he wants the Enterprise-C." said Mayweather. "That would directly link you and it seems he has been leading us where he wants us to go."

"Impossible." interrupted Garrett. "Ever since the Khan affair, Starfleet vessels have taken stringent security measures. If someone even attempted to compromise a Starfleet vessel the nearest Starfleet ships would be notified by transponder code. All Starfleet vessels have them so we can track them without enemy vessels doing so. "

Archer had been looking at the screen when Garrett said this. He looked up and posed a thought of his own. "What if the Starship he chose didn't have a transponder."

"As I said." replied Garrett "All Starfleet vessels have them."

"I can think of one that doesn't." said Mayweather.

Archer looked at Mayweather. "The Kirk."

Once Archer said the name, Garrett's eyes widened. "Oh My God."

Archer brought up security protocols on the viewscreen. He punched in his request. "Dammit, it's not letting me in. I'm not cleared to view anything attached to 'Gateway'."

Rachel moved to his side. "Here, let me." she said as she punched in her clearance authorization codes. Both she and Captain Soma were the only Enterprise personal cleared for 'Gateway' information.

"Try it now." she said.

"I'm in." he said looking up at her. "USS Kirk....Okuda Class Dreadnought...30 multiple independent 360 degree mega phaser turrets...6 photon torpedo tubes.....multispacial shields....crew compliment...47."

"She's automated." said Mayweather.

Garrett shook her head. "But even if a boarding party of superior numbers attacked the Kirk they would never get aboard. She's a floating arsenal. No ship could hope to take her on."

"He doesn't need a ship." said Archer. "All he has to do is compromise the science team on Gateway."

"And he could do that by bringing in Suliban troops from the past. Troops still loyal to him. Troops from your era...from before he lost favor." said Mayweather. "Once that was done he could use the transponder that lets the science team remain in contact with the Kirk, to locate it's exact postion and..."

"... and use the Guardian to board her!" finshed Garrett.

"And according to this era's Starfleet records," said Archer, "the 'formula' for time travel using a starship has been established for nearly fifty years."

Garrett and Mayweather looked at one another.

Archer tapped the comm button on his desk. "Bridge."

"Bridge here Captain." responded a male voice. "Lieutenant Eppstein, sir."

"Lieutenant lay in a reverse heading back to the planet I boarded Enterprise from." ordered Archer. "Warp Nine."

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Chapter 29

Soma stepped off the turbo lift and onto the bridge. The mood was quiet, but tense. Enterprise was do to arrive at the Pentax facility within the hour and no one, including Captain Soma, knew what awaited them.

Soma walked the perimeter that encircled the main command section, stopping every few meters as he glided a hand across the railing. It was a habit he had picked up years ago. He attributed it to a throwback to old earth naval commanders who walked the deck of their ship before a battle. Soma didn't know if they were in for a fight, but he had learned that the best option was to hope for the best and be prepared for the worst.

Soma doubled back around the command section and stopped at the tactical station where Lieutenant Reed was busy at his controls. "Mr. Reed, how are the modifications I asked you to make to the tactical station coming along?"

Reed looked up at Soma. "I've completed the modifications, but I haven't had a chance to run any simulations Captain." replied the armory officer grimly. "I'm not sure how they'll hold up if we have to use them."

Just then a voice came from the science station. "Captain, sensors are detecting a vessel approaching."

Soma looked at Reed and then at T'Pol. "What do you make of her?"

T'Pol danced her fingers over the instruments as she called up data from the ship's computers "The craft matches the same design used by the Suliban. The vessel is approximately one tenth the size of Enterprise. The vessel has both forward and aft disrupter banks, but of a much lower yield strength than previously encountered Suliban ships. The vessel poses no obvious threat."

"Suliban" muttered Soma.

Reed glanced at the Captain. "A welcoming party?"

"Let's find out." replied Soma as he headed for the command chair. "Open a hailing channel Hoshi."

The young Ensign turned her attention to her instruments as she acknowledged the order. "Aye, sir."

Soma took up a position alongside the command chair as he began to speak. "This is Captain Soma of the starship Enterprise. Please identify yourself."

Soma waited a few moments and then looked over at Ensign Sato. The Ensign put her hand to her earpiece for a moment and then turned towards Soma shaking her head. "Nothing Captain."

Soma let out and audible sign of exasperation. "I advise you to respond. I would hate for our miscommunication to result in an avoidable...'accident'."

Hoshi snapped her head up and turned towards Soma. "Captain, I'm getting a response."

Soma turned towards the viewer. "On screen."

The view screen flickered momentarily and then the image of the star field was replaced by the face of a Suliban.

"I am Tsel, commander of the Suliban ship Vindicator." said the man on the view screen. "You are ordered to drop out of warp and await our arrival. Any attempt to flee or power up your weapons will mean your destruction."

"Captain, we've scanned your vessel." said Soma. "You’re hardly in a position to make threats. Enterprise has superior armament and firepower. You’re clearly outgunned."

The Suliban smiled. "Captain, it is you who is...'out gunned'...as you shall see."

Tsel turned his attention to the side where he nodded to someone out of view and then the view screen flashed back to the star field.

Just then T'Pol sounded. "Captain, sensors are detecting Suliban ships coming out of cloak" she reported "two...three...six...fifteen Suliban ships. They are on an intercept course."

"Captain, their weapons systems are powered up." barked the tactical officer.

"Time to intercept?" asked Soma.

T'Pol looked at her instruments. "Two minutes, seventeen seconds."

Soma looked at the screen as he considered his options. He wasn't about to surrender, but a direct attack was out of the question. The Suliban ships might be less equipped, but they were small and maneuverable. They would swarm on Enterprise like Ventaxian hornets; attacking until the ship was too crippled to put up a fight. Soma knew what he had to do if they were going to come out of this alive.

"Mr. Mayweather, bring us about 180 degrees." ordered the Captain "Maximum warp away from the Suliban ships."

Heads turned and all eyes were on Soma. The crew had faced the Suliban attack ships before. They knew they couldn't hope to outrun them. To attempt to do so would expose their less armed aft section to attack, not to mention the ships impulse and warp drive. It was suicidal.

Mayweather looked up at Soma and hesitated momentarily as the order to retreat sunk in. "A-Aye sir."

Lieutenant Reed was about to step forward to address the Captain, but T'Pol was already up and heading for the helm.

"Helmsman, belay that order." she called out

Soma turned and gave her a piercing stare.

T'Pol ignored the look in Soma's eyes and spoke "Captain, prior engagements have demonstrated we cannot hope to outrun the Suliban ships. They are smaller, faster and more maneuverable. A retreat will leave us open to attack. Your choice to retreat is not logical. We must coordinate an offensive action if we are to survive the Suliban attack."

Soma stared at her silently for a moment and then turned back to Ensign Mayweather. "Mr. Mayweather, you will carry out my last order...180 degrees about...maximum warp."

Travis Mayweather looked at T'Pol and then at Soma. He wasn't sure who was right. Soma had saved Mayweather and the rest of the landing party. Travis knew he had a cool head and wasn't a coward , but T'Pol was right; they couldn't hope to outrun the Suliban ships. He had to decide if obeying his Captain was the the right thing to do. He gave his two superiors another glance. In the end, his training won out and he followed his Captain's order.

Soma turned to the tactical station "Mr. Reed, bring the computer targeting system online."

"Aye sir" replied the tactical officer as he activated the odifications
the Captain had ordered him to create.

Soma turned back to T'Pol, but looked over at Hoshi as he ignored the Vulcan science officer. "Ensign, open ship's intercom."

Hoshi nodded as she activated the ship's intercom "Open sir."

Soma turned his gaze at T'Pol as he addressed the crew. "All hands, this the Captain. We are currently running at high warp with fifteen Suliban attack ships behind us. In approximately three minutes, they will overtake us and quite probably destroy Enterprise with their superior numbers. However, we aren't going to give them the opportunity. On my command, we will initiate our own attack. All personnel are to evacuate the outer sections. Any major sections transfer to auxiliary locations. You have two minutes."

"Close comm Ensign." ordered Soma still holding his gaze on T'Pol He looked at her for a brief moment longer and then spoke to her with a tense controled anger. "Take your station Sub Commander...that's an order."

"Yes Captain" she replied quietly.

Soma turned and took his seat in the command chair. "Status of targeting system, Lieutenant?"

"The system is on line Captain and appears to be functioning." reported Reed.

"Make sure it stays that way Lieutenant." replied Soma.

"I'll do my best sir." answered Reed, "but this isn't exactly up to Starfleet specs. This jury riggin Mr. Tucker and I did is about as stable as a set of Christmas lights."

Soma turned to the science station. "Time till Suliban ships overtake us Sub Commander?"

T'Pol glanced at her instruments. "Two minutes and thirty seconds."

Soma turned towards the helm. "Mr. Mayweather, on my command bring the ship about on a direct course for the center of the Suliban Attack formation."

Mayweather glanced over his shoulder. "The center sir?"

"You heard me Mr. Mayweather." replied Soma as he hit the comm button on his chair "Engine room...Chief, I want you to bring all emergency power to the structural integrity fields."

"Aye Captain." responded the Engineer.

Soma glanced over his shoulder. "Mr. Reed, red alert, polarize the hull plating, ready phase cannons, arm forward and aft torpedoes."

"Aye sir." replied the armory officer as he signaled the ship's red alert system. The weapon systems instantly came online charging energy reserves.

"Captain" called out T'Pol. "Suliban ship's are now thirty seconds from our position."

"Travis, get ready to drop out of warp and bring us about." said Soma turning towards the viewer "Steady Travis....on my mark....NOW!"

Ensign Mayweather moved his hands across the navigation board as he changed ship's course to come about as the ship rapidly decelerated to sub warp speed. Enterprise suddenly came out of warp and maneuvered about by 180 degrees. The starship's sudden maneuver jostled several crewmembers from their seats as the ship's inertial dampeners strained against the sudden deceleration. Just as quickly, the ship rocketed forward at full impulse towards the decelerating Suliban attack formation.

"Captain, there isn't a clear path!" shouted Mayweather.

"Mow through Mr. Mayweather!" replied Soma. "Lieutenant Reed, initiate automated targeting sequence Sun Tsu, clear us a path."

"Targeting sequence initiated sir, phase canons and forward torpedoes firing at multiple targets." replied Reed.

Enterprise phase cannons shot lances of phase energy at the outer perimiter of the Suliban attack formation. The inner formation was scrambling to take evasive maneuvers as the starship was on a direct course for their formation. Phase cannon fire shot out striking computer targeted ships as torpedoes rocketed in to strike ship's that had moved out of phase cannon range.

Soma hit the intership comm button "All hands brace for multiple impacts!"

As the Captain gave the order, numerous impacts began to strike the ship as the Enterprise acted as a battering ram against the Suliban ships unfortunate enough to lie in its path. The reinforce power yields to the hull plating and structural integrity were straining as the Suliban ship's were struck by the Enterprise, some buffeting off with heavy damage while others exploded from massive hull integrity breaches.

A voice came over the command chair intercom "Cap'n, the power grids overloadin!" shouted Tucker. "The hull platin wasn't designed to take full impact."

"Acknowledged Chief." replied Soma. "We'll see what we can do to alleviate the strain."

Turning his attention back to the viewer he barked an order to the tactical station "Aft Torpedoes Mr. Reed...FIRE!"

A volley of torpedoes struck three Suliban ship's as the Enterprise cleared the now heavily damaged Suliban formation. "Mr. Mayweather, bring us about...course 178 mark 274."

"Aye Captain" responded the helmsman.

The ship came about as two more torpedoes struck several fleeing Suliban ships that were scrambling in the confusion the Enterprise's battering ram attack had caused.

"Mr. Reed, new targeting sequence Hannibal 1." ordered Soma. "All phase cannons lateral fire."

"Aye sir" replied Reed as he activated the auto sequencing command. The phase cannons fired simultaneously to port and starboard as the Enterprise passed between three Suliban ships.

"Direct hit on three Suliban vessels." reported T'Pol as the data readings flashed across her boards. "Captain, the Suliban ship Vindicator is targeting our primary impulse drive."

"Travis, alternate course, don't let her get a lock on us." Soma glanced at the tactical station. "Target the ‘Vindicator’ with an aft torpedo Mr. Reed...FIRE!"

"Aye sir...Captain, aft torpedo not responding. I'm reading a system malfunction." replied Reed in a panicked voice. "I think the system crashed."

Soma turned to the helm and was about to issue an order when he saw the Vindicator had closed the gap with the Enterprise and was now directly aft. "Travis!" Soma shouted "Dammit, she's right on us!"

The Ensign saw the Suliban ship as she filled the view screen monitor. He had failed to compensate on the ship's last maneuver and had let the Suliban ship close the gap and line up for a perfect shooting maneuver.

"Captain, the Vindicator has locked onto us." shouted the science officer

Before Captain Soma could give an order for evasive maneuvers, Ensign Mayweather altered the Enterprise's course once more. The Enterprise came to an immediate stop as the Suliban ship 'Vindicator' came rushing at her only to speed beneath her as Mayweather activated the starship's thrusters carrying Enterprise above the Suliban ship.

Soma looked at Mayweather and then at the viewer. The Suliban ship came within meters of the Enterprise as she rocketed past.

"Suliban ship is passing under us to the port Captain." reported T'Pol.

"Emergency stop!" shouted Soma. "Go to manual on the phaser cannons... fire on my command."

The Suliban ship cleared the Enterprise and sped forward several hundred meters to her port.

"Fire phase cannons...give them both banks!" ordered Soma.

"Phase cannons firing" replied Reed.

Twin beams of phase cannon fire lanced out, striking the dorsal spine of the Suliban ship. The phase cannons ripped across the exposed sections of the 'Vindicator' sending arcs of energy shooting from the metal..

"Direct hit Captain " reported T'Pol. "The Vindicator is moving off on impulse. The remaining Suliban ships are following."

"Pursuit course Captain?" asked Mayweather.

"No, Mr. Mayweather." replied Soma. "Resume course to Pentax. We got lucky. Let's put some distance between the Suliban and us before they try to regroup. I have the feeling that we'll find our answers on Pentax."

Soma looked at the Ensign for a moment and the two men's gaze met briefly, but Mayweather could no longer look into the face of his Captain, and before Soma could say anything the Ensign turned to his station.

Soma sighed and stood up from his command chair. "Secure from Red Alert, Mr. Reed."

"Aye sir." replied Reed.

Soma hit the comm button on his chair. "Chief, have damage control crews get to work on repairs."

"Aye, sir" replied Tucker.

Soma turned towards the tactical station. "Mr. Reed, the bridge is yours. I'll be in the ready room." said Soma.

Reed looked over at T'Pol and than at Captain Soma. He saw the look on the Captain's face . "Aye, sir." he replied.

Soma stood and headed for the ready room calling out as he reached the door. "Sub Commander, I'd like you to join me. ."

T'Pol rose from her station and headed for the ready room. When both officers had exited the bridge, the senior officers looked at one another for several moments before Reed spoke "I believe someone just went to the wood shed."

-----------------------------------------------

The two officers entered the ship's ready room. Once the door closed behind, Soma turned abruptly to face his first officer.

"What the hell did you think you were doing out there!?" he said fighting to maintain his composure.

"Your order to turn the ship around, in my opinion, placed the ship in jeopardy." replied T'Pol coolly. "A retreat was not a viable option. The Suliban ships would have overtaken Enterprise and destroyed her. The only logical alternative was to fight."

"But I wasn't retreating...was I Sub Commander?" he stated stressing her rank.

"I was unaware that you had ulterior motives for ordering the ship about." she replied. "Had I known you intended to turn a defensive tactic into an offensive one... I would not have countermanded your order."

Soma glared at her angrily.. "I wasn't aware I had to green light my orders with you Sub Commander."

She bristled at the comment. "You do not, sir." she replied.

"You’re damn right I don't." he responded as he turned and looked out the window. He took in a deep breathe and let out a sigh.

"You don't like me Sub Commander." said Soma "You've made that apparent."

T'Pol looked at Soma for a moment. "Captain, I..."

"I didn't give you permission to speak" said Soma as he turned. "You’re the first officer. I'm the Captain. We don't have to like each other personally. We DO have to work together. This crew relies on the Captain and first officer to have an understanding. If we can't then the crew loses faith. You have a problem with one of my orders. You take it up with me...in private. If you feel that you cannot complete your duties as first officer then I will make a temporary adjustment to the ship's command structure and assign Mr. Reed the position of first officer for the duration of our mission."

T'Pol bristled at Soma's words. "That will not be necessary Captain." replied T'Pol "I am fully capable of carrying out your orders."

Soma stepped closer shortening the gap between. "I hope so, because if you pull another maneuver like the one you did on the bridge...I'll snap you back so fast you won't need warp speed to get back to Vulcan." he said. "Am I perfectly clear... Sub Commander."

T'Pol straightened herself "Yes, sir...you are."

"Then take your position at the con." said Soma as he turned his back to her. "Dismissed"

T'Pol remained motionless for a moment. She wanted to say something, but she knew there was nothing to say. She had chosen to countermand the Captain's order and what was worse, she knew she would never have done that to Captain Archer. Soma was right, she didn't like him and she didn't even know why.

Soma listened for the sound of her footsteps to trail off and the door to close behind her. When he was certain she was gone, he let out an audible sigh as he let his head fall to his chest. "That could have gone better."

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Chapter 30

Archer stepped onto the bridge of the Enterprise C. He had ordered the ship to return to 'Gateway'. His fear was that this whole affair had been an elaborate game staged by Silik in a effort to gain favor with his former masters and revenge on Archer. It had occurred to Archer in an to late he mused and he berated himself for not seeing it sooner. Why would the cabal Silik served wish to attract attention to itself? If it was the cabal that had orchestrated the dual timeline attack they were taking a big risk alerting the Starfleet Commands of both eras to their existence...which was in fact already known...but was unclear if the cabal were aware that Starfleet was aware. In any case, it didn't make sense. This cabal worked seruptitiously...behind the lines. This didn't seem like something they would orchestrate. It was brilliant, getting the Starfleet's of both eras to chase a phantom threat that could destroy the birth of the Federation. But he should have seen it. There were two many clues pointing to it being the machinations of just one man. Far to many loose ends that depended on the secrecy or actions of others. The cabal wouldn't rely on such uncertain methods. Maybe that's why they kicked Silik out. No matter how hard he tried he just couldn't . Except perhaps this time...this time he might be just enough steps ahead in the game to get exactly what he wanted.

Rachel Garrett sat in the command chair. She looked pensively at the view screen as the starship entered the 'Gateway' system. Like Archer, she wanted to have an answer, but feared what that answer might be. "Slow to sub light Mr. Paris." she ordered.

Jonathan Archer walked down the steps and took up a position next to Garrett. She began to stand but he motioned her to remain. "We're almost there, John." she said "Still no response to our hails, but the Kirk is under orders not to respond to any vessels without prior orders from Starfleet Command."

"The Kirk's own security protocols are going to make contact that much harder." replied Archer

The two officers conversation was interrupted by Mr. Paris "We're approaching the planet, sirs."

Garrett stood and gave the order to come to a full stop. The ship glided several hundred kilometers until it assumed a fixed position two thousand kilometers from the planet.

"Open a channel" said Archer

"Channel open Captain." replied the comm officer

"This is Captain Archer of the starship Enterprise." said the Captain "Captain Piper, it is imperative that you break communication silence. We have reason to believe a hostile faction intends to take control of your ship."

Archer waited a moment and then looked at the comm officer. The young dark faced man looked at his instruments and then turned towards Archer shaking his head in the negative.

Rachel Garrett looked at the view screen and then at Archer "What now?"

"I don't know." said Archer shaking his head "We can keeping knocking, but there might not be anyone home."

"And no way for us to tell." added Garrett "If she's here, then she's cloaked and we have no way of detecting her."

The two officers continued to stare at the viewer as if willing the Kirk to appear in front of them.
Just then a voice from behind interrupted. "There might be a way Commander."

A short blue faced Bolian was seated at the secondary science station at the back of the bridge. He turned to face the two senior officers. Archer and Garrett scrutinized the man for a moment and a flush of deep blue came to his cheeks. For a moment he feared he had spoken out of place and gotten himself into hot water.

"Mr...Tol...isn't it?" said Archer as he recalled the man's name. He had studied the crew’s records, but with over six hundred crewmembers it was hard to remember names. It was only the fact that the man was from a species he had never seen before and the Bolian's striking blue features that he remembered his name.

"Yes, sir" the junior lieutenant replied in a clipped voice.

"What do you know about this Mr. Tol?" asked the Captain

Garrett interrupted "I'm afraid it's my fault Captain." said Garrett. "I ordered Mr. Tol to work on the time travel computation. He's our chief astrophysics officer."

"I see." replied Archer looking from Garrett to Tol. "All right, Mr. Tol, what do you have."

"Well Captain" the nervous Bolian began. "I've been working on the computation for tangent velocity acceleration around Earth's star. That's the only verified method for temporal mechanics theory of time travel for objects at high warp velocity."

Archer looked at Tol as the scientific gibberish completely eluded him, but he wasn't about to show his ignorance and replied with his best poker face. "Go on Mr. Tol."

Rachel gave Archer a brief smile.

"Well sir, I couldn't help wondering why Commander Garrett would order me to run the time travel computations." said Tol. "When we arrived at the planet , you and the Commander were discussing a ship possibly being out, but not being able to find it...well, I thought that maybe...."

"You thought this was the reason Commander Garrett ordered you to work on the time travel formula?" finished Archer.

"Yes, sir." replied the Bolian.

"So what's this possibility you have for determining if our ship is out there?" asked Archer cutting to the chase

"Well sir, I can't tell you if it's out there." said the Bolian, "but I can tell you if it's left our time."

Garrett and Archer looked at one another and then turned back to Tol.

Garrett spoke first "How?"

Tol turned back to his station " I've been working on a second computation that should work other G2 stars. It would enable starships to use stars similar to Earth's sun as a method for slingshot time travel. It occurred to me that maybe the crew of this other ship might have somehow come up with the same derivation on the slingshot theory."

"And there just happens to be a G2 star in this system." said Garrett .

"Yes, Mam" said Tol. "We could use Enterprise's sensors to detect any chronometric particles in or around this system's star. Of course, if they didn't attempt a ‘slingshot effect’ or didn't attempt it in this system we would have no way of knowing if they were even here. It's a long shot."

"It's the only shot we've got." said Archer. "Let's do it. Mr. Tol, man the science station and scan for chronometric particles around the star in this system."

"Aye, sir" said Tol enthusiastically as he moved over to the main science station. The Bolian configured the ship's sensors to scan for any trace of chronometric particles. He targeted the scanners to begin a sweep at the outer edge of the star leading in from the side of Gateway the Enterprise was on ...jackpot!

"Captain, sensors are picking up chronometric particles." reported the Bolian "The area around the G2 star is flooded with them."

"Then she's used the "slingshot effect"." said Archer.

"Without a doubt sir," confirmed the Bolian. "The ship you’re looking for has left our time period."

To Be Continued (Part 11 Coming soon)

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Continue to Part 11 (Chapters 31-32)

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Two folks have made comments

Quills! It has been ages since you have added to this story. What gives? We are waiting!

Please, you have a very interesting, intriguing story in progress. I hope you will continue, and soon!

Thanks.

myst123

Great! I look forward to more. I really want to know if Trip and T'Pol find out who Soma is and how Archer gets everyone back to their correct timeline.

Love this! Thanks for writing.