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Gateway-Part 21

Author - Quills
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"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'.

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Chapter 45

The image of the ‘Kirk’ loomed large on the Enterprise’s view screen. The mammoth Okuda class starship eclipsed the tiny NX class vessel at nearly ten times in size. The ‘Kirk’s’ normally majestic sloping saucer and tell tale Starfleet nacelles would have been a sign of kinship to the crew of the ‘Enterprise’; a Starfleet vessel from their future. However, the massive starship, with its three heavy duty warp nacelles, was nothing less than a symbol of the dragon come to slay the slayer.

"Captain, she's locking weapons!" yelled Lt. Reed as his system board registered multiple enemy sensor contacts.

"Mr. Mayweather, hard about," ordered Soma. "Course 370 mark 64…emergency power to the impulse engines!"

"Aye sir!" replied Mayweather as he frantically adjusted the ship’s heading to carry them under and across the enemy starship. The ‘Enterprise’ swung around 180 degrees as the impulse engines fired, rocketing the starship across the ‘Kirk’s’ keel as the enemy vessel opened fired with it’s forward phaser array. The lancing beam shot across at the starship missing by meters.

"Hard over, belly up," ordered the Captain. "Mr. Reed, commence fire…all cannons…auto targeting sequence."

"Phase cannons firing Captain," reported the armory officer as the ship suddenly shook violently lurching members of the bridge crew forward. "Direct hits along our main ventral sections.”

T’Pol turned away from her display board. “The ‘Kirk’ has taken direct hits to its ventral section…no appreciable damage to its energy shield."

"Continue firing,” ordered the Captain as he glanced down at the navigation screen. “Travis, new course...518 mark 269…maximum warp.”

The ‘Enterprise’ twisted in a half spin as it righted itself in relation to the “Kirk’ and headed of on a tangent course away from the renegade Starfleet vessel. The “Kirk’s aft phaser array fired, striking the fleeing ‘Enterprise’ which causing a cascade of blue plasma energy to spider through the aft hull of the smaller ship.

"Another direct hit sir! Damage to our aft port hull plating," said Reed as he read the stream of damage reports flooding onto his screens. “Sir, she’s adjusting course to come about and pursue.”

"Travis...hard to port, initiate counter course correction away from the ‘Kirk’ each time she sets a course for our position," ordered Soma as he turned to the aft bridge. "Aft torpedo tube number two Mr. Reed...remote detonation, standby on my command."

Soma turned to the science station. ”Number One, closest source of a high energy ionization and I need it now?”

T’Pol’s fingers moved across her board as her eyes darted over the readouts on the overhead screen; her superior Vulcan concentration allowed her to filter out extraneous information as she searched for what the Captain needed.

“Sir,” said Ensign Sato. “Incoming transmission from the ‘Kirk.”

“On screen.”

The view screen image shifted and the open star field was replaced by the bridge of a Starfleet vessel. In the command chair, the ‘Enterprise’ bridge crew could see an all too familiar face.

”Silik!” spat Soma.

The Suliban commander eyed the Vulcan Captain with equal surprise. It was clear by his expression that he was not expecting Soma to be here.

“Where is Archer?” asked Silik with disgust.

Soma studied Silik for a moment. Obviously things were not going completely according to plan. “Looking for you in the 24th century.” replied Soma.

Silik snarled at the answer. He was clearly disappointed at this news. “You will surrender the ‘Enterprise’ immediately.”

“It’s nice to see you haven’t lost your sense of humor Silik,” laughed Soma.

“I have you outgunned Vulcan,” replied Silik. “You’re no match for me. I want Archer…not his protégé.”

Lt. Reed glanced at Hoshi Sato who returned the armory officers look. Silik’s comment might have proved tantalizing if it wasn’t for the fact that they were a hairs breath away from being vaporized.

“If you surrender, I will spare your lives,” said Silik. “It’s Archer that I want.”

“We’re onto your plans Silik,” said Soma. “You’re not just after Captain Archer. You’re trying to disrupt the time line and alter the future. We’re not going to let that happen.”

Silik ignored Soma and repeated his demands. “I give you one final chance Captain…surrender the ‘Enterprise’ or I will destroy you all.”

“Awfully gracious of you to offer us the option...but forget it Silik,” replied Soma. “I’m not handing you the ‘Enterprise’ on a silver platter. You want her, you come and get her. Close channel.”

Soma turned to the science station. “T’Pol…anything?”

“Two sources Captain,” reported the Vulcan science officer. “The Betazin system has a n ‘S’ class black hole at 8.6 light years bearing 313 mark 70 …and the M262 nebula cloud at 5.3 light years bearing 186 mark 10.“

“Travis, 186 mark 10,” said Soma turning back to the helm.

"Captain, she's closing to weapons range," shouted Reed.

"Aft torpedo number one/phaser combination...fire at will," ordered Soma. "Mr. Mayweather, time to arrival at the nebulae?"

"Fifty three seconds at warp 2.3 sir" replied Mayweather glancing down at his instruments.

The Enterprise shuddered violently as a new barrage of phaser strikes hit the starship. ”Captain, she’s returning fire!” reported Reed. “Aft plating is down to 45%.”

Soma hit the comm button on his command chair. Fifty three seconds. It might as well be fifty three years he thought. "Engineering…cut power to the phase cannons...divert emergency power to the engines."

"Aye sir," replied the crackling voice of Chief Tucker.

"Travis increase to maximum. Malcolm, continue targeting sequence for aft torpedoes."

"Captain...new ETA to nebulae ...15 seconds at warp 4.3."

"Drop to impulse in exactly ten seconds," ordered Soma. "Chief return power to weapons systems when we drop out of warp."

“Understood, sir,” replied the engineer.

The ‘Enterprise’ once again lurched violently as a phaser beam struck a critical system causing system all over the bridge to spark violently from system overloads.

"Phaser strike on starboard impulse housing," reported Reed as the ‘Kirk’ continued firing on the tiny vessel.

Chief Tucker’s voice came over the open intercom. "Engines are down 70%."

"70%!!" said Travis in disbelief.

“Stand bye to fire aft torpedo tube number two,” instructed the Captain. ”Minimal dispersion pattern.”

“Captain, were approaching the outer edge of the nebulae,” reported T’Pol.

“Dropping out of warp, sir,” reported Mayweather.

“Aft torpedoes Mr. Reed.”

“Aye, Aye sir,” acknowledged Reed with enthusiasm “Firing anti-matter warheads.”

The ‘Enterprise’ came out of warp in a cascade of light as she slowed to sub-light speed. Within seconds, the mammoth ‘Kirk’ followed suit dropping out of warp less than 1000 kilometers behind the ‘Enterprise’. As the ‘Kirk’ closed in the ‘Enterprise’s’ aft torpedo tube fired three consecutive bursts. The specially designed warheads traveled on a direct heading for the ‘Kirk’, but fell short by three hundred kilometers when they simultaneously detonated in an exploding cascade of anti-matter particles directly in the ‘Kirk’s’ path.

“Hard over Travis,” ordered Soma. “Course 218…that anti-matter burst will blind their sensors to our course change. I don’t want them following us in.”

“Aye, sir,” replied Mayweather. “Adjusting course.”

The ‘Enterprise’ banked hard to starboard as she came to her new course heading entering the nebulae cloud. The starship passed through the shifting colors of the outer particle barrier causing it to lurch suddenly with the change in density. Systems all over the ship winked as power fluctuations traveled through the ship’s systems. Once the ‘Enterprise’ had passed through the outer boundary the ship’s power systems settled to normal levels.

"Bring us about Travis, z minus 500 meters parallel course to the way we came in. We need a breather. Mr. Reed, damage control teams, all decks,” said Soma tapping the comm. button. “Engine room, what’s our situation?”

"Not good sir," replied Tucker. "We've lost about 25% of the power links to the hull plating and weapons with that last hit to the impulse drive. Impulse is down to 56% and so are the phase cannons. We take another direct hit and we're gonna lose a hellava lot more than 56%, Sir."

"Understood Chief, you’ve gotten a bit of breathing space, make the most of it and complete whatever repairs you can," ordered Soma "We're going to have to engage the 'Kirk' again."

"Aye, Aye sir," Replied the Chief.

“Captain,” said T’Pol as she turned to Soma. "Sensors readings are sporadic do to the high ionization of the nebulae’s gas, but I believe they are picking up energy readings from the 'Kirk'. It has followed us into the Nebulae."

“I’m counting on it,” replied Soma. "They still have us outgunned but, their cloak won't work in here with the ionized gas neither will their shields. It may not level the playing field but it gives us a chance."

T’Pol arched a brow. “A logical tactical maneuver.”

Soma smiled. “I can’t take credit for another man’s plan. A former student of mine used it once with great success. Surprisingly, it was under similar circumstances. Let’s hope we’re as successful as he was.”

A sudden beep from the science console brought T’Pol’s attention back to her instruments. “Captain, another energy reading to aft. It appears to be closing.”

"If we can see them, then they can see us," said Soma shaking his head. "Alter course...take us deeper into a more dense section of the nebulae."

“Aye, Captain,” replied Mayweather.

“Mr. Reed, have your security detail report to the transporter room. Now that the ‘Kirk’ is without its shields we’ll have no trouble transporting your team over.”

“Aye, Captain,” replied Reed.

“T’Pol, any further energy readings?” asked Soma.

T’Pol looked at her viewer as she adjusted the instruments. The ionization was wreaking havoc on the sensors making an accurate scan almost impossible. “Uncertain Captain…intermittent readings suggest the ‘Kirk’ has circled around the denser cloud section we have entered.”

‘She’s waiting for us on the other side,” said Soma.

“Possible,” replied T’Pol.

“Mr. Mayweather, alter our course…reaction control thrusters only,” ordered Soma. “Bring us to a heading five hundred kilometers ahead of our original exit point of this section of the cloud.”

“Reaction control thrusters, Sir?” asked Mayweather in confusion.

”Right,” said Soma. “It’s less likely their sensors will detect our course adjustment on thrusters…especially with all this heavy ionization.”

“Aye, Captain,” replied Mayweather. “Firing thrusters…adjusting to new course heading.”

The ‘Enterprise starboard thrusters fired slowly shifting the ship to a new Heading to port. The ship turned as it traveled through cloud layers of varying densities. The ship’s inertial dampeners compensated as best they could, but between damaged systems and fluctuating densities, several density shifts caused the ship to rock, sending vibrations through the hull. The ‘Enterprise’ continued forward through the dense cloud of swirling ionized gas.

Captain Soma stared intently at the snow covered screen; He waited intently for the report that they had cleared the nebulae. “Time to exit?”

“Approaching intermittent boundary now Captain.” Replied T’Pol as the ship’s shudder signaled they were crossing into a new density layer.

Suddenly a proximity alarm blared. “What is it?” cried Soma.

“Large mass baring 217 mark 6,” reported T’Pol “It’ the ‘Kirk’ and we’re on a collision course.”

“Dammit,” Soma swore. “Evasive maneuvers…hard to port…emergency power!”

The ‘Enterprise’ swung hard to port, its impulse engines firing at full power ,as the ship strained to move out of the path of the closing ‘Kirk’. The ‘Enterprise listed to port avoiding the ‘Kirk’s’ saucer section as it passed under it and along the bow. The two ships glided within meters of one another as they passed. Suddenly, the ‘Enterprise’ lurched as it hit a dense cloud pocket. The sudden Movement was slight, but enough to close the distance between the two ships. The ‘Enterprise’s’ starboard side slammed into the ‘Kirk’ as it slid along the enemy starship tearing up plating on both ships.

The bridge of the ‘Enterprise’ blared with alarms and shouting. The two ship were colliding along their ventral sections causing massive damage as gaping holes were ripped into the ship.

Captain Soma held onto the command chair as he hit the comm. button with only one thought in mind. “Transporter room…energize.”

As he awaited acknowledgment of transport, he heard a loud explosion that could not be mistaken for anything but rapid decompression followed by several screams. Before he could call out, the ‘Enterprise’ wrenched itself loose of the ‘Kirk’ and flew off at a tangent.”

“We’re clear!” yelled T’Pol.

“Full stop!” ordered Soma. “Initiate emergency bulkheads!”

“Aye, sir.” Replied Reed. “Emergency bulkheads activated. Depressurized sections returning to normal.”

“Damage report all decks,” said Soma tapping the comm. button “Engine room, status?”

The comm. was silent for several long seconds as Soma waited to hear the voice of his Chief Engineer. Then a static and crackled voice responded. We’re still here Cap’n…but barely.”

“What’s our maneuvering power?”

“….zzztsk…maybe ¼ impulsssss…but….systems overloaded…” came the static filled reply. “Phasers …zzzzz…10%…”

“Acknowledged…do whatever it takes to hold her together Chief…bridge out,” said Soma as he tapped his comm. button once again, this time for the transporter room “Mr. Carpenter?” called the Captain…no answer. “Mr. Carpenter?!” he called again.

“I’m here Captain…” replied Carpenter through haggard breathing. “Emergency bulkheads are in place…but sir…the security detail…they… their gone sir. They were blown out when the bulkhead went.”

Soma turned and looked at Reed. The Captain knew how the armory officer felt. Those were his men that died and a commander always took the loss of his crew personally no matter what he or she might say to the contrary.

“Mr. Carpenter…is the transporter still online?” asked Soma. Holding his breath he waited for the answer.

“…Y-Yes sir,” came a static filled voice.

Soma let out his breath in a low sigh.

“Captain, should I signal another security team to the transporter?” asked Reed.

Soma shook his head. “No time, Lieutenant,”

“Then…”

Soma looked over at the auxiliary damage station, manned the junior armory officer, Lt. Chang. ”Mr. Chang, assume the tactical station.”

Chang looked at Reed for a moment and then acknowledged. “Aye, sir.”

“Mr. Carpenter…lock onto Mr. Reed’s and my bio signature and prepare for a site to site transport to the ‘Kirk’.”

“Sir?” came a static filled voice from the speaker.

“You heard me, mister,” replied the Captain.

“Aye sir.”

"Captain, the 'Kirk' is altering course for our position," reported T’Pol. “She appears to have sustained damage but is still maneuverable and her weapon systems are full operational.

"Stand bye for a lateral run Mr. Mayweather," ordered Soma. "Mr. Chang, divert all emergency power to the forward and dorsal hull plating...that includes weapons. We’ll need everything we’ve got to get into transporter range."

"Aye Captain," replied the junior armory officer. "Hull plating strength increased.”

“Are you sure about this Captain?” asked the Reed as he handed Soma a phase rifle and pistol.

“No, Mr. Reed,” replied Soma as he checked the setting on his phase rifle. “I’m not.”

“That’s what I was afraid of,” sighed Reed.

“Don’t worry Lt.,” replied Soma. “If I’ve made a mistake you’ll never know it.”

Reed looked over at Soma wide eyed. Sometimes his Captain had a very morbid sense of humor.

“Captain, the ‘Kirk’ is closing on our position,” reported T’Pol. “We’ll be in weapons range in 20 seconds….mark.”

“Number one, once we’ve transported over make a run for denser parts of the nebulae. Regroup and strike when you can. We’ll try to take out some key systems. Exploit any weakness we can create…we can’t let the ‘Kirk’ leave here…to much is at stake…that makes ‘Enterprise’ expendable…understood?”

“Understood Captain,” replied T’Pol.

The ‘Enterprise’ raced towards the ‘Kirk’, all emergency power to its forward plating as the ‘Kirk’ let loose a salvo of phasers and torpedoes. The tiny starship was battered by the barrage but continued forward as it closed the distance to transporter range.

“Captain,” yelled Lt Chang over the cacophony of alarms and sparking control boards. “We’re taking heavy damage to the forward sections. It’s now or never sir.”

“Five seconds to transporter range,” reported T’Pol. “Four...three…two…
one…NOW!!”

"Transporter room, energize," said Soma as he turned toward the science station. For a brief moment the two Vulcans looked at one another. Sensing the all too familiar feeling of a transporter beam he gave her a reassuring smile and a final order as he and Lt. Reed dematerialized. "Number one, you have the bridge."


TBC…

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Continue to Part 22 (Chapter 46)

Return to Part 20 (Chapter 44)

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Seven people have made comments

Abso-fraggin-lutely excellent! I *love* your Captain Soma, what an excellent tactician not to mention a jolly heroic Captain. Talk about action packed, this was so thrilling you are to be commended. Can't wait to see what happens next! Ali D :~)

Great story! Very suspenseful. And I'm looking forward to seeing the characters interact - especially T'Pol, Trip and Soma. I agree with Ali D - Soma is a great character.

Why, oh why, do people always stop just as the heros are being transported? Great story, nothing new of course. I love Captain Soma, and the sympathy he feels for his officers. Very nice action sequence. I was wondering, who was his student who used the tactic first? Can't wait for more!

Phaser Lady...
I'll answer your question with a question...which Star Trek movie's climactic ending took place in a space nebula?
Q

I just love this story! I'm glad to see it moving along. And to take a scene and tie in Kirk not only in ship name but as in Soma's old student, I love it! Please, keep it coming!

Really enjoying this story and love Captain Soval,my only critism is, NOT ENOUGH TRIP.

So far, so good - more would be better!!! And sooner rather than later!!! Especially if Soma finally finishes what he was going to tell Trip and T'Pol.