Through the Looking Glass - Part 2

Through the Looking Glass

By Quills

Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star Trek and I derive no financial gain from this story.
Codes: A, TP, TU, M, R, S, P, Soma
Contact: quills@captainsoma.net

Summary: Note: Archer and his crew come face to face with their greatest threat, their counterparts from the Mirror Universe. Flung into the twisted distortion of their own universe, they must make a dangerous journey through the darkest realm of the Mirror Universe in a desperate bid for freedom before they fall into the hands of Archer’s tyrannical counterpart. This story takes place after the episode “In a Mirror, Darkly”

Part 2

Captain’s Starlog, November 8, 2157, the Enterprise is on route to the Ereskin system, where I will be representing Earth at an inter-stellar trading conference. Earth President Sullivan has personally informed me that it is vital to establish Earth as a legitimate member of the space faring community. Aboard the Enterprise is Ambassador Soval, representing Vulcan at the conference. Vulcan is already a long-standing member and the leaders of Earth and the Vulcan Council feel that a joint attendance by both planets will help further Earth’s petition for formal recognition.

Archer slid his finger over the audio control. Clicking the log button on his desk, he leaned back in his chair. Rubbing his eyes, he took in a deep breath and exhaled slowly, trying to relax for a moment. The Enterprise had just left Earth orbit only a few hours ago, where the entire crew had enjoyed an extended and long overdue shore leave. The entire crew, that is, save the captain. The moment the ship had made orbit, Archer had been called into the office of Earth President Moria Sullivan. The next two hours involved President Sullivan and her aides on one side, Ambassador Soval and his aides on the other and Archer caught right in the middle.

The Enterprise captain had been given the singular honor of representing Earth at the conference. Archer was far from honored. He was a starship captain, not an ambassador or an economist. Sullivan and Soval agreed, but they explained that the captain had something far more valuable than practical experience; he had respected notoriety. Tales of both his and the Enterprise’s missions had begun to spread beyond Earth’s system. Realizing that he had little choice in the matter, Archer spent the better part of two weeks preparing to be Earth’s representative at the Interstellar Trading Conference. Sullivan gave him thousands of data files to review and impressed upon him, on more than a few occasions, the importance of establishing Earth as a recognized member of the space faring community. Archer found Sullivan’s reminders more than a little annoying. He hardly needed it spelled out for him. Any legitimization of Earth could only help to further the overall proposal Sullivan and the Earth Council had been making to the space faring community over the last few years; a federation of space faring planets and cultures, united under one banner.

Archer understood the importance that such an organization could have. He had heard the Federation mentioned on more than one occasion by Daniels, the temporal agent from the 32nd century he and his crew had encountered during their earliest voyages. Daniels had always been cautious about what he said regarding the future, but what he did say made Archer believe that the Federation would be one of the greatest achievements in interstellar cooperation and peace that the galaxy had ever seen. Archer wondered if that was the reason he was hesitant to accept the assignment; knowing that he might very well make or break Earth’s chances and possibly humanities future. He knew it was an arrogant presumption. However, his experience with time travel impressed upon him how much one individual or incident could radically alter an outcome. It was something the captain had found occupying his thoughts of late and he would have continued brooding over the matter if not for the familiar chime at his cabin door.

Sitting up in his chair, Archer smoothed his uniform. “Come in,” said the captain, turning towards the door.

The door slid to one side to reveal Commander Charles Tucker III, ship’s Chief Engineer and Archer’s long time friend. The two went back to Archer’s days in the warp trials program when he was a brash Lt. Commander and Tucker was an eager Lieutenant. Archer gave his engineer a broad smile. Had it really been nearly fifteen years since they had first met? It was hard to believe how much had changed over the years. Moreover, for Tucker, who had not only recently become a husband but had just found out that he was also going to be a father.

“Cap’n?” smiled the engineer enthusiastically. “Ya got a minute?”

“A minute,” Archer replied, adjusting himself in his chair. ”What’s up?”

“Well, ya may not have noticed, but we got several new crewmembers assigned to the ship.” Tucker did not attempt to hide his sarcasm. He was well aware that the captain had put T’Pol in charge of ship operations while he and Soval prepared him for the conference. The crew was well aware of the engineer’s wry sense of humor and the captain was no exception.

“I may have caught something about it,” Archer replied, matching Tucker’s sarcasm.

The engineer gave his captain a wide smile for a moment before moving on with the conversation. “I was thinkin’ we could re-institute an old tradition to help break the ice for some of ‘em.”

Archer eyed Tucker, wondering what the ship’s self-appointed moral officer had concocted this time. “What did you have in mind?”

“Movie night”

Archer’s smile appeared almost instantly. “Sounds like a good idea. We didn’t have one movie night during the entire nine months of our last tour. It’ll be nice to mingle with the crew and it’ll give the new members a chance to interact with the older crewmembers outside of the duty roster. When were you thinking of having the first one?”

“Why wait?” said Tucker. “Tomorrow night. I’ve already got a movie lined up; a little sea faring venture.”

Tucker handed Archer a Data PADD he had been carrying with him. The captain turned the PADD so he could read the title and stopped suddenly, a frown forming on his face. Looking up at Tucker, he shook his head incredulously.

“Jaws? Sea faring?”

Tucker raised his hands in mach defense. “It takes place on the water. There’s a boat in it.”

“Uh, huh,” was all Archer could muster. “Explain to me again how it is that you came to be morale officer?”

“My charm and good looks,” Tucker replied with a patent grin.

“Oh, well, I knew it was something that was escaping me.”

“Hey, just ‘cause yer the cap’n doesn’t mean ya get to abuse me,” Tucker said in a feigned wounded tone.”

Archer just smiled and pointed towards the door, “Your captain could do with some shut eye. So unless there’s something else?”

Archer posed it as a question. He suspected that there was more to Tucker’s visit than asking him about re-instituting movie-night and he had a fair idea what it was. However, the captain had his own sense of humor and if Tucker was here for what he thought, he’d let the engineer sweat a little more.

“There is one more thing,” said Tucker. This time his words took on a more somber tone.

“Yes?” Archer said, trying to hold back a smile.

“Well, I was…that is…have you heard,” Tucker stammered, trying to ask a question that he was obviously having more than just a little difficulty finding the words for.

Archer allowed a smile to form on his lips. He was tempted to let Tucker continue, but he couldn’t leave his friend twisting in the wind any longer. Holding up his hand, he stopped Tucker from a second attempt to ask the question Archer already knew the answer to.

“I spoke to Admiral Garner before we left. He’s given T’Pol permission to remain aboard during her pregnancy.”

Archer could see Tucker’s shoulders collapse in relief. He and T’Pol had been waiting nearly two weeks to hear whether Starfleet would allow her to remain aboard the Enterprise during her pregnancy. Starfleet never designed starships to accommodate families and the added factor of having a pregnant officer aboard, posed another logistical question.

“She’ll continue her regular duties as long as she wishes and Phlox ok’s it,” added Archer. The captain had pleaded T’Pol’s case before Starfleet brass. He and Phlox had managed to convince the admiralty that because T’Pol was a Vulcan, she could endure greater physical pressure without any danger to the child. Starfleet wasn’t easy to convince, but in the end, Tucker and T’Pol’s exemplary records and the captain’s own respected standing among the fleet had swayed the admiralty.

Tucker looked down at Archer. “Does she know?”

“Yes, I told her before she went on duty,” said Archer. “But I think she wants to tell you herself. So you did not hear it from me.”

“I wasn’t even here,” smiled Tucker.

Archer studied his friend for a moment. The young man he had met fifteen years ago had become a seasoned officer and the best engineer in the fleet. He had overcome the challenges that he faced, but now he was entering new and uncharted territory…fatherhood. “So how’s it feel?”

Tucker looked down at the floor for a moment. He had been asking himself the same question and finding the answer uncertain. “I-It feels good.”

“But?”

Tucker rolled his eyes. “But…I don’t think I’ll ever get used ta knowin’ everything about my son’s future.” He shook his head. “I’ve always believed that my destiny was in my own hands. When I found out that Jonathan is my son…”

“It through you for a loop,” finished the captain.

“That’s puttin’ it mildly.”

Archer studied his friend for a moment. Tucker was a good man, and he usually took life in stride, but knowing your future, or at least part of it, was enough to give anyone pause.

“Trip, do you love T’Pol?”

Tucker looked at him as if the captain had just asked him to set the ship’s engines to explode. “Of course I love her.”

“And Jonathan, is he a man you would be proud to call your son?”

“Sir, I’ve had the privilege of servin’ with two of the finest starship captain’s in the fleet,” Tucker said, a defiant tone in his voice. “I’m proud to count my son as one them.”

Archer smiled, “Then I’d say you’re a damn lucky man, Trip. I only hope that if my time comes I can be half as fortunate as you are to have a family like T’Pol and Jonathan.”

Archer caught himself and stopped. He was moving dangerously close to lecturing his friend. He never liked admitting it, but he envied Tucker. He had made peace with his feelings for T’Pol a long time ago, but it didn’t stop the occasional feelings of regret that he felt. Soma had reminded him that he was only human, but it didn’t make him feel any less uncomfortable.

“I know,” said Tucker. “I’d just like a few surprises.”

“Well, I’d hardly say you know everything about him,” smiled Archer. “And as far as surprises…knowing your son as we both do...do you really think you have anything to worry about?”

Tucker smiled. Archer was right when he said he had nothing to worry about when it came to his son surprising him. He had managed to do that from the first day he met his son’s adult self. He had taken a liking to the Vulcan from the start. Something he had always found strange, given his past interaction with Vulcans. In hindsight, it makes sense that he and his son would form such a strong friendship.

“Guess yer right,” smiled Tucker. “I appreciate the words.”

“That’s what I’m here for,” said Archer. “At least until Starfleet decides to install a full time therapist. Besides, I have a vested interest, since your son is carrying my name.”

Tucker gave the captain a glaring look and waved his finer at him. “You watch yer step cap’n, T’Pol and I can still change his name.”

“Oh really,” said Archer, not buying his friend’s threat. “What did you have in mind?”

A grin formed on Tucker’s face. “Soval”

The two men looked at each other and instantly burst out laughing. The thought of Tucker and T’Pol naming their son after Ambassador Soval was both humorous and alarming. Soval was a decent man, when you got past his arrogant and patronizing attitude. Archer wasn’t sure if he was the best role model for a child, but he was certain that he was a better choice than Soval. The thought of the ambassador influencing Soma was more than a bit unnerving. The universe didn’t need two Sovals.

“Go on, get out,” said Archer, smiling and motioning towards the door. “The captain needs some shut eye.”

“I’m gone,” said Tucker, standing up. Heading for door, he stopped, turning back to Archer. “Dinner later?”

Archer nodded. “I’ll see you then.”

Once the door had closed behind Tucker, Archer sat back and closed his eyes. He needed some sleep. Sitting up, he pushed off his chair, moving over to his bunk. Dropping onto the mattress, he rolled onto his back. The feel of bed was a welcome sensation, and he smiled, letting out a sigh as he closed his eyes.

“I’m sorry to bother you Jon,” came a voice from across the room. “But I’m afraid your needed captain.”

Archer bolted up in alarm by the sound of the voice. Looking past his desk, he could see a figure standing next to his cabin’s star port. The cabin light was dim, but the starlight provided more than enough illumination for him to see who the source of the voice was.

“Daniels”

To be continued.

Quills has his own site now. Please look to Captain Soma's Adventures for any contintuations of Through the Looking Glass

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

Oooooooo! I see, I see! Well, no, not really, but *meh*, I can type what I want! Nice, can't wait for more! :)

Woooooohoooooo!!! Soma is back!!!

Yea!!! Quills is still writing ENT fic. :D
I was hoping to see this story again. Can't wait to read more more!

I'm anxious to read the next chapter! And yay for Soma finally arriving on the scene, so to speak! Thank you for continuing these stories!

Wow, I certainly wasn't expecting THIS update when I checked here today. Nice chapter. I've been looking forward to this story. Can't wait until the two universes collide.

Wait!!! Did I miss where Trip finds out Soma is his son? Where is that?!?! OMG, I'm missing a major story section here! AAAAAAAArgh!

(Great chappy, Q! Glad you're posting again!)

All right! Soma's back! Glad to see you again, Quills and glad to see you're still writing ENT fic. Great story, looking forward to the next chapter...

Whoa! What a pleasant surprise, it’s been a while. I’ve been hoping for some up dates on a few of the older pieces here at HoT.

Nicely done as always quills, this will be interesting to follow, as it progresses along side with your other story “Enemy of State”. Love the jump you’ve made to where we now see Trip *knowing* that Jonathan is his son. It’ll be fun seeing how MU/RU handle their eventual meeting

No, no one missed it. The scene was supposed to occur in Triplover's "Shadows". Unfortunately, it wasn't finished and I have not gotten ahold of her in many months. More than likely, I will finish the story for her, since I was her editor and that will fill in the missing pieces.
Q

[happy dance] WOOT!! MORE SOMA!![/happy dance]

Daniels?! Here we go again...

...Bet he's there to ask if Archer's up for a trip to the 23rd century...

Daniels?! Here we go again...

...Bet he's there to ask if Archer's up for a trip to the 23rd century...