Gateway-Part 19

"Gateway"

By Quills

Contact: the_quill_pen@yahoo.com
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: 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'.

*******************

Chapter Forty-three

As Captain Soma exited the turbo lift, he stopped abruptly as he glanced around the bridge. Auxiliary personnel were manning bridge stations, making final preparations for the 'Enterprise's inevitable confrontation with the renegade 'Kirk'. Turning his attention to the aft section of the bridge, Soma studied his senior staff as they stood around the mission planning table discussing last minute details and possible contingency plans; they had not noticed the Captain staring at them. As he looked at his senior staff he allowed himself to smile. They were all so young and full of life he thought. They acted like they could take on anything and come away victorious every time. However, his smile faded as images of the bloody aftermath of their battle with the 'Kirk' filled his mind. He
saw the bridge strewn with the dead; the ship broken and lifeless at the hands of the 'Kirk' and her crew. A pained look came over the Captain's face.

Hoshi Sato glanced in the direction of the turbo lift and noticed her Captain was standing in front of the doors quite motionless. Her fellow bridge officers had not yet noticed Soma and they continued to talk amongst themselves. The young Ensign left the briefing table and approached Soma hesitantly. He appeared to be deep in thought and she was uncertain if she should interrupt him, but the look on the Vulcan Captain's face worried her.

"Captain?" she said softly.

At first, Soma didn't respond. His features remained frozen in a mask of pain for several long moments before his eyes blinked and he took in a deep breath, exhaling slowly. Turning, he looked down at the diminutive Ensign who jarred him from the hellish vision he just had. He could see the look of concern coupled with fear on her face and much as he appreciated and even desired her concern, he was the Captain and it was his job to remain strong and resolute in the eyes of his crew. Straightening himself, he gently placed his hand on her arm and gave her a weak smile. "Come on Ensign, we have work to do."

Walking past Hoshi, Soma headed for the briefing table. As he approached his officers, he addressed them with a sense of urgency. "All right ladies and gentleman, I need status reports from each of you."

Tucker was the first to sound off to the Captain's request. "The engines are ship shape sir. We had to do some calibratin', but the Andorian warp core is holdin' at ninety five percent."

"Very good Chief. What about the increased weapons and defensive systems?"

Malcolm Reed answered the Captain's question by tapping the conference table display panel. A side view cutaway of the Enterprise's primary weapons net and hull platting came up. "The Commander and I have reconfigured the ship's engine power yield distribution to feed directly into both the forward and aft phase cannons. The power feed off the engines has increased phase cannon strength by a factor of three."

Tucker eyed Reed with a smile as the security chief explained the new weapons alignment. "Yeah, those specs you gave us did one helluva trick, Cap'n. We have the firepower of a Vulcan battle cruiser."

"What about the torpedoes?" asked Soma.

"Not so good sir," replied Reed. "Starfleet has been working on a torpedo system that is photonic in design but even with the specifications you gave us, we don't have the proper equipment for it. However, the Commander and I came up with a substitute."

Soma looked over at Tucker and then back at Reed "A substitute?"

"Anti-Matter" said Reed tapping the control board again. A two dimensional model of a torpedo filled the display. "We take a small amount of anti-matter from the main drive and put it in a containment vessel in a torpedo casing. When the torpedo is fired and strikes a target it won't have the impact of a photonic warhead but it'll be a lot stronger than our conventional ones."

Soma nodded his head in approval "And the hull plating?"

"Oh that was easy," said Tucker. "I had one my engineering teams tap into the warp engines. The transfer doubles the energy output to the hull plating polarizers. So now, the ship's had the fastest overhaul in Starfleet history. Course you realize what making all these changes means Cap'n."

Soma cocked his brow in curiosity. "What's that Chief?"

"I think we voided the warranty on the ship," replied Tucker with a grin. This received a round of much needed laughter from around the table.

Soma smiled at the engineer "I'll keep that in mind Mister Tucker."

"There's just one real problem with all the changes Cap'n," added Tucker. "In order to make these modifications work, we had to tap into the main engines. This is gonna cause a major energy drain and that's gonna limit how many systems can operate at full power at any one time."

"So what you’re saying is that we can't use all three systems...warp drive, weapons and hull plating at once."

"Afraid not, sir" said Tucker. "Not at full power. We might hold warp two if you have the weapons and hull plating at maximum, but if we go any higher you'll have to sacrifice power to either the weapons or hull plating...or both."

"Understood and well done gentleman." replied Soma as he turned towards T'Pol "Number
One?"

"Sensors have been calibrated to run automatic sweeps over the 'Kirk's' defensive energy shield," explained T'Pol. "Once the sensors have pin pointed the most vulnerable areas, it will relay the coordinates to Mr. Reed's weapons control board for automatic targeting and firing."

"Very good," said Soma turning back to the weapons officer. "Malcolm, I know you would prefer to man the weapons personally, but we're counting on you to make sure the targeting system stays online. It's going to take all the firepower we have to weaken those shields."

"Don't worry Captain, I'll make sure the targeting program stays online for you."

"Good man. Travis, we're going to need some expert maneuvering on your part. Even with the added power to the hull plating we can't take more than a few direct hits from the 'Kirk's' phasers. Fortunately, we have one advantage over the 'Kirk'. In close quarter combat she'll have to maneuver at impulse speed. Being a smaller ship we'll be able to maneuver around the "Kirk". I'm counting on you to keep us out of her line of fire."

"I'll do my best Captain."

"I'd expect nothing less Ensign," said the Captain. "Hoshi, your part in this will be dependent upon how successful we are in penetrating the 'Kirk's shields. If we're able to punch a hole through we'll need you to analyze the shield frequency and give us a clear communication signal through their shields. You won't have much time."

"I understand Captain."

Soma looked over at Reed "Lieutenant, is your security detail ready?"

"Yes sir," replied Reed.

"All right, then I want you to assume your stations. We'll be approaching the last known coordinates of the 'Kirk'. It's almost certain we'll encounter her."

T'Pol looked at Soma curiously. "Captain, how can you be certain the 'Kirk' is still in the area?"

Soma nodded his head and smiled. "Call it a hunch Sub commander, but it’s my belief that these attacks are not only an attempt to plunge Vulcan and Earth into war, but are also a lure for the Enterprise."

"Hounds to the Hunters?" said Reed.

"In a manner of speaking, Lieutenant," answered Soma. "Except in this case, the hound and the hunter are one and the same. This has all been some elaborate scheme getting us to jump through their hoops. They want us, that much I'm certain of...but they won't get us without a fight."

"No sir," replied Reed.

"Assume your stations," ordered the Captain.

The senior officers all headed for their bridge stations and Chief Tucker started for the turbo lift when Captain Soma stopped him. "Not you Chief," said Soma as he grabbed the Chief, pulling him aside. Turning towards the direction of the science station he called out to T'Pol. "Sub Commander?"

T'Pol turned toward the Captain and looked at him questioningly. "Yes Captain?"

"I'd like to see you and the Chief in my office...now."

"Of course Captain," replied T'Pol with a raised brow.

"Mr. Reed, you have the bridge," said Soma "Alert me to the slightest change in situation."

"Yes, sir," said Reed as he headed for the command chair.

The three officers made their way to the Captain's room. Once the door closed behind them, Soma turned to face the two officers. A hard look was set on the Captain's features as if he were wrestling with a difficult problem with no
clear solution.

"Cap'n, is there something wrong?" asked Tucker uncertain why he and T'Pol had been asked to see Soma privately.

Soma gave the engineer a slight smile "You mean besides the fact that we're about to go into battle against a vastly superior enemy who, if not stopped, will in all likelihood alter the future for the worst?"

Tucker shook his head "Besides that Cap'n."

"I wanted to see the two of you before we engaged the 'Kirk'," said Soma as he leaned against his desk for physical as well as emotional support. "I know neither of you were all to thrilled when I came aboard Enterprise. You both had your reasons...but in the end you managed to put them aside and lend me your unique perspectives and abilities. I wanted to tell you both that no matter what the outcome of this battle...I am very honored to have been your Captain for even a brief period of time."

Tucker and T'Pol glanced at one another. Both officers were certain there was more to what the Captain was telling them. "Is there something else you wish to tell us Captain?" asked T'Pol.

"Your perception does you credit Sub Commander," said Soma smiling. "You both know that I'm from your future. A person in my position would not only be privy to what will happen, but such a person may also be a part of it as well. I've wrestled with what I can tell this crew. Trying not to pollute the timeline or burden them with what will come to pass. I have stepped beyond prescribed bounds on occasions but only when I believed it was absolutely necessary. However, now I am faced with a more intimate decision. One that involves the three of us."

"Us Cap'n?” said Tucker in confusion.

"Yes, Chief." replied the Captain. “It’s something I am hesitant to reveal and were it not for our current circumstances I would not do so, but..."

"Cap'n, whatever it is...you can trust us."

"I agree with Commander Tucker, Captain." said T'Pol "If there is something you wish to tell us you may count on our cooperation."

"I know I can trust you," said Soma placing his hand on their shoulders "Both of you. I trust no one more so."

"All right, here goes...What I want to say....what I want to tell you...is that I'm...."

The sudden buzz of the intercom cuts Soma off in mid sentence. Looking up, Soma sighed in exasperation, he walks over to the wall unit and hits the com button. "Go."

"Sir, you'd better come out here," said Sato." Lt. Reed has picked up something."

Soma looked at his two officers. The look of uncertainty gone now replaced by the Captain's stone set features. "We're on our way."

The three officers entered the bridge as Lt. Reed took up his position at the tactical station. "Captain, sensors have picked up a recent energy signature matching the one the Vulcan ships recorded before they were destroyed."

Soma settled into his command chair as he turned to T'Pol. "Anything Sub Commander?"

"Initiating scans now Captain," said T'Pol as she looked into her viewer. "I am reading the energy signature Mr. Reed detected, but it is very faint. The signature appears to end some 5000 kilometers to our port."

"Let's see it." said Soma.

Instantly the view screen image shifted and an empty expanse of space was replaced by an equally empty expanse of space.

"Any other anomalous readings in the area?” asked Soma.

"Negative Captain." replied T'Pol.

"Captain!" shouted Sato. "I'm picking up a subspace distortion...localized."

"Can you get a fix on its position?" asked Soma

Sato raced her fingers across her comm board for several seconds as she tried to give Soma his answer. Looking up, she glanced at her Captain "It's coming from directly astern Captain."

"On screen." ordered Soma.

As the view screen once again changed view the expanse of space that came into focus did not settle, but continued to shimmer in a cascade of fluctuating waves that began to form streaks of light rays which, after several seconds, coalesced into a solid form that took up the entire view screen.

"Red alert! All hands battle stations!" yelled Soma as the site of the 'Kirk' coming out of cloak directly behind them filled the Enterprise's view screen.

Continue to Part 20 (Chapter 44)

Return to Part 18 (Chapter 42)

Back to Fan Fiction Main Menu

Have a comment to make about this story? Do so in the Trip Fan Fiction forum at the HoTBBS!

Nine of you have made comments

You mean we have to wait LONGER to hear Soma say "it"! You are a mean, mean cliffhanger writer!

Okay, with that said: I LOVE THIS STORY and am pleased as punch that you're working on it again, Quills! Your original characters are fantastic, and the storyline is creative and very intriguing... it's great that you're posting again, and I will be eagerly awaiting the rest. :)

I just second everything nikitee said, ESPECIALLY the first line!!!!!

Delighted you have picked up this story again, it seems like light years ago since the last chapter! I love Captain Soma and can't help feeling that his news is going to be a gut punch to Trip and T'Pol. Hope you will keep writing and it won't be long until the next part. Bravo!
Ali D :~)

QUILLS! that's just mean, and suprmely unfair! patience may be a virtue, but damn it this story is too interestin' for that! keep updating, and fast!

Thank you for continuing this story! I was in dispair you had abandoned it. :D Looking forward to more SOON!!!

And if you pull a stunt like Soma on the verge of telling Trip and T'Pol *all* again....!!!! That is just mean!

What they said! At the risk of being the pot calling the kettle black, please hurry with the next chapter. This is a fantastic story!

First let me say I am so glad to see you continue this story. I really do love it.

That being said, come on!! Let Soma say it!!

First let me say I am so glad to see you continue this story. I really do love it.

That being said, come on!! Let Soma say it!!

I think what everyone else has said about covers it. I was banging my head against the keyboard when Hoshi interrupted Soma. How dare you! When he FINALLY DOES tell them, it ought to be great.

I really like the character of Soma, just something about him. He has a confidance Archer lacks, but thats because in his time, he knows what is expected of him.

So glad you're starting up on this story again. Please update soon, don't keep us waiting with this cliffhanger!