Gateway-Part 18

"Gateway"

By Quills

Contact: the_quill_pen@yahoo.com
Series: ENT
Rating: PG-13, drama, romance, humor, action/adventure, angst,
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star trek and I derive no financial gain from this story.
Summary: Captain Archer is relieved of command for a secret mission into the 24th Century. To find and stop the Suliban renegade Silik. While he is gone, a Vulcan Starfleet Captain from the future is given temporary command of the Enterprise NX-01 with his own orders to investigate the 'Temporal Cold War'.

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Chapter 42

Captain's Log supplemental: "We've been orbiting the 'Gateway' planet for just under three hours; science specialist Tol, with the assistance of former Starfleet Captain Travis Mayweather and First Officer Garrett, have been attempting to isolate the location of the scientific research compound. So far, they have had no success."

Archer clicked the log button on the arm rest as he stood from his command chair. Staring at the planet looming on the view screen he studied the desolate desert surface. "Where are you," he thought as he scanned the image on the view screen.

Silik had a plan, that much was obvious, but what was it? Archer needed to be sure what Silik intended before he committed to a course of action. To follow Silik blindly back to the 21st century was something Archer knew would be nothing more than a shot in the dark, but he was running out of time. Once Silik accomplished what he set out to do, Archer and the Enterprise might not even exist to stop him.

Turning from the viewer, Archer was jogged from his thoughts as he heard his name called. Looking to the aft section of the bridge, he saw Travis Mayweather looking at him with a smile.

"Captain, I think we've got something."

Archer walked up the steps to the command deck. His hurried movement betrayed his enthusiasm at Travis Mayweather's report. Stopping at the science station, he leaned over Tol's shoulder and looked at the readout display on the main panel. "What have you got?"

"Intermittent readings sir," replied the Bolian pointing to the display, "here...and here."

"Could those be ghost images?" asked the Captain skeptically.

"I don't think so, Captain," Mayweather countered, pointing to the two readings. "We've encountered several ghost readings over the past three hours; these are steady and holding. Unless I miss my guess we're looking at the energy signature of the science compound's power plant."

"I have to agree Captain," added Commander Garrett turning to face Archer. "The only thing on the surface that could put out enough power for the cloak to cause an energy wash like that would be the power plant."

Archer stood up and looked over at Garrett. After a moment a smile played across his lips. "All right, if the three of you agree," he said turning to the tactical station "Mr. Vendi, assemble a security detail in transporter room one. I want phaser rifles issued. You'll accompany Captain Mayweather and myself."

Travis Mayweather looked up at Archer as he gave the Captain a glancing smile. Mayweather was more than happy to see some action with his old commander again. Archer looked down at the older Mayweather and returned the smile.

"Aye, Captain," replied the security chief.

Archer turned back to Garrett. "Rachel, your in command. I want you and Tol to have the ship ready for 'sling shot time travel' when we get back."

"Aye, Captain," said Garrett standing up and heading for the command chair.

Mayweather stood up from the science station, following Archer and Vendi to the turbo lift. The Captain stopped briefly in front of the open doors and turned to Garrett. "I'm hoping we find some clue as to what Silik has planned, but whether we find anything down there or not, we're following him back."

Garrett gave the Captain a nod. "Understood Captain."

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Captain Soma made his way down the empty corridor. The Enterprise seemed much quieter than usual. The general sound of crew members hurrying through the ship's corridors was absent, though he knew the crew were all busy at their stations as they prepared the ship for battle. As a Starfleet Captain, he understood the responsibility that came with the title. He had led men and women into battle before. He understood that it was part of what being in Starfleet was about, but somehow this was different; this crew was different. They were just explorers. Yes, they were in Starfleet, but this wasn't the job they signed up for. Somehow, Soma felt he was robbing them of their innocence and it left him feeling unsettled.

As the Captain rounded a corner, he caught site of a crewman standing outside one of the ship's guest quarters. She was a short redhead in her early to mid twenties. He recognized her as one of Malcolm Reed's security officers. He approached the woman and addressed her.

"Ensign O’Neil."

The woman straightened and her eyes shot forward. "Captain!" she exclaimed in a clear high voice. Lt. Reed had made it a practice of instilling discipline and respect in ALL his security personnel.

"I'd like to speak with the Ambassador."

"Yes sir," replied the ensign as she turned and keyed in the security code to the room. The door slid open and Soma stepped past O’Neil, and entered the room; turning, he motioned O’Neil to remain outside. O’Neil nodded and tapped the outside panel and the door slid closed behind the Captain.

Soma remained by the door as he looked across the room. The ambassador was quietly kneeling on the floor facing the small view port that now afforded him a clear view of the stars streaking by at high warp.

"Ambassador Soval?"

Soval remained motionless and unresponsive. He sat with his back to the captain as he continued to contemplate his own actions in this affair. He had much to contemplate and the captain's arrival was nothing short of an inconvenience. After several moments, Soval acknowledged Soma.

"Captain Soma."

"I wish to speak to you."

Soval let out a slight sigh. "I have given you all the information available, Captain."

"I'm sure you have Ambassador," replied Soma as he shifted. "I came to speak to you about T'Pol."

Soval's brow arched in response as the Ambassador rose from his kneeling position and turned to face Soma. "The matters between my daughter and I are none of your concern Captain. On that, I have nothing to say."

Soma took a step toward Soval, staring the older Vulcan in the eye. "Fine, then you listen and I'll talk," said Soma. No matter how well he might know the man, he would never understand Soval's complete 'my way or the highway' attitude. Perhaps that was what drove a wedge between father and daughter.

"T'Pol is a remarkable woman Ambassador," started Soma. "Any father would be proud to have a daughter like her."

Soval scrutinized the Captain at that comment.

"Don't look at me like that, Soval," said Soma angrily. "Pride is not a dirty word...and you are proud of her...aren't you. That's what’s sticking in your craw. She caught you completely off guard, because she was daddy's little daughter. But when was the last time you treated her like one. You've been so busy being a servant to Vulcan that you haven't looked past your duty in years. Dammit man, do you even know her anymore?"

"I know my daughter, Captain,” replied Soval coolly.

"Really?" replied Soma with a slight smile. He found that notion almost humorous. "Then you know she is what humans call...'spirited'. She follows her own course and stands for what she believes is right and not what culture and edict say is right, but why am I telling you this? As you've said, you know your daughter. You knew her so well that it didn't even occur to you she would even conceive of siding with the humans...her crewmates...friends?"

Soma paused for a moment as he studied the Ambassador who was still a mask of indifference. "I have to wonder how a man of your ability could have made such a fatal mistake. Unless... unless you always suspected..." He paused and a smile came over his features. Soval shifted with obvious discomfort at the look the Captain was giving him.

"That's it, isn't it? You suspected she would choose this ship over you, but refused to accept that your own daughter was capable of such a course of action." Soma simply shook his head as he looked at Soval. "A highly illogical mode of thinking on your part...wouldn't you agree?"

Soval remained silent, but the look in his eyes betrayed him. Soma's words struck a cord that had, until this affair, been buried deep within the discipline of his logic. The Ambassador stared at Soma as his features tightened. Soma could see that Soval was on the verge of an emotional outburst. To a non-Vulcan it would appear as nothing more than an intense scrutiny, but to another Vulcan it was the tell tale sign of a frayed reserve.

Soval opened his mouth. He was on the verge of uttering something when he abruptly turned away from the Captain. "Will that be all Captain?"

Soma looked at the Ambassador for a moment. He was tempted to continue trying to talk to the ambassador, but just shook his head "Yes, Ambassador..." sighed Soma. He almost believed he had reached Soval, but the Vulcan ambassador did what so many Vulcan's did when faced with their own emotions...particularly ones they found to be 'disgusting'...they ran and hid from them.

Turning, Soma signaled O’Neil to open the door. A beep sounded and the door slid open. Soma began to step through the opening and then paused turning back to Soval.

"Consider this Soval, ” said the Captain “what made her choose this ship and it's crew over you? Was she an unfaithful daughter...or was she simply a daughter who couldn't trust a father she hasn't known in years; a man who was too busy to be a father; ask yourself this Ambassador, how easy did you make it for her to betray you?"

Soma turned and exited the room allowing the door to close behind him. Soval remained Motionless, for several seconds, before an involuntary shudder broke his fractured
Vulcan reserve.

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Continue to Part 19 (Chapter 43)

Return to Part 17 (Chapter 41)

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Four of you have made comments

Yay! I'm so glad you've picked up on this story again, Quills! I'm really enjoying both the story and the character development... Soma's too cool! :-)

So glad to see the story continue! Soma is a wonderful character, and I hope we see more of him and Soval. And, of course, Trip and T'Pol! Keep going.

I too was very pleased to see another chapter today! An excellent story with a great new character...and I enjoy seeing Archer in a different environment too. I can't wait for more of the story!

I am SOOOOO happy to see another chapter in this story Quills. Please, keep it coming!