Did I Just See a Mermaid?- Part 5

Did I Just See a Mermaid?

by Hoshissis

Disclaimers in Part 1

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Chapter Six

Captain Archer was looking at the view screen, he couldn’t believe his eyes, this was the very woman that Trip had described to him before – although from where he stood it didn’t look like she had a tail. She was called Marina and her species were the Aquarians. They had lived on this planet for centuries, although up to 200 years ago this had been above the water on the surface. They had only evacuated below the surface to live in huge domes under the water in order to avoid a catastrophic meteorological event, which had befallen their planet. Having got used to this way of life they remained, despite living conditions becoming hospitable once again over the passing years up above. To look at the Aquarians from a distance you would think they were human, close up you can tell that their skin had more of a shimmer to it that made them glimmer under certain light conditions. They look like normal bipeds with two legs, but once in the water, web like folds in the skin spread out and conjoin. This gave the impression of scales and fins – hence a mermaid’s tail, which helps them glide through the water with ease and speed.

Marina went on to explain that her species were isolationists, they had the technology to communicate outside their species but chose not to, preferring to live a simple and peaceful life instead. They had been aware of Enterprises excursion into their space a week ago, but up to known they had been content with just observing the humans on the surface in their exploration of the planet. This had changed however when Commander Tucker had been assaulted by the orphoid, a dangerous creature that lived outside the domes praying on their food supplies. Up to now, the Aquarians had managed to keep these creatures at bay, hunting them down whenever they had strayed into their territory. Unfortunately the creature that attacked Commander Tucker had slipped by their defences. Feeling very guilty and hoping to avert any hostilities that may arise if anything happened to Commander Tucker, they had deciding to initiate contact with Enterprise and offer assistance since they were well aware of the poisonous nature of these creatures.

“You have an antidote that will neutralize the toxin,” queried Captain Archer, unsure whether to trust this new species.

“Yes!” answered Marina, “We have had many fatal encounters with these creatures over the years. It took a while, but now we have the upper hand and we are able to keep them at bay thereby protecting our population. They still pose as threat, but it nowhere near as significant as it previously was.”

Captain Archer still looked apprehensive and unsure about the whole deal. What little they knew of the Aquarians was what he had just been told. He had offered unconditional trust to new species in the past, which had gotten them into quite a number of sticky situations. Even though Trip was a valued officer and a friend who he cared for deeply, he still had the safety of the whole ship to look out for.

“If your mission is one of exploration, isn’t trust one of the most defining points?” asked Marina.

“Yes, I’m sorry!” answered Captain Archer. “It’s rare to find someone who doesn’t have an ulterior motive or wants to shoot us first, then asks questions later”

“I quite understand it’s one of the many reasons why we decided to isolate ourselves” replied Marina. “Bring your officer down to the surface; we will then transport you inside our dome.”

“You have transporter technology,” queried Captain Archer.

“Yes, don’t worry about it, it’s perfectly safe. We use it as a way to get around our bio spheres. I believe you have something similar onboard your ship,” replied Marina.

“You scanned our ship!” said Captain Archer, in a surprised voice. “It seems you don’t take trust at face value also.”

“So it would seem!” replied Marina looking sleepily back.

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After much deliberation, Phlox agreed to let Commander Tucker be shuttled down to the surface under his care and watchful eye. It wasn’t that he was distrustful of the Aquarians or doubtful of their medical technology, he just didn’t like moving him in his present state which could cause him further distress. Captain Archer also accompanied them down leaving T’Pol in charge of the ship. Once the shuttle had set down, Captain Archer turned round to Phlox who was adjusting Commander Tucker’s drip; he was just about to ask him a question when they began to feel the familiar tingling feeling that went with being transported………… “Phlox wha…!” was all he could shout out before everything went black.

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Chapter Seven

Captain Archer woke up with a thudding head, opening his eyes slowly and squinting at the bright glare of the lights, he moved his head to look around at his surroundings. He was lying on a bio bed in an enclosed empty room, he couldn’t remember how he got here or how long he had been here, nothing after turning to ask Phlox a question before the transporter beam took hold. “Trip!” , he jumped up with a start wondering what had happened to his friend and Phlox // Damn, maybe I shouldn’t have jumped up that quick, my head is spinning // he thought clutching the side of his head with one head and the bio bed with the other. At this moment Phlox walked in, chatting with one of the Aquarians called Mussels, “Ahhhh I see you have decided to wake up at last” he said walking up to Captain Archer.

“What happened?” enquired Captain Archer

“I’m sorry about that,” replied Mussels, “An unforeseen reaction to our decontamination scan, which came into effect after materialisation.”

“Were you and Trip affected?” said Captain Archer looking towards Phlox. “Speaking of which, where the hell is Trip?”

“Don’t worry Captain, Commander Tucker is being well looked after and he is doing fine. I was slightly affected, so I have been able to observe all aspects of his care.”

“How long have I been out?” asked Captain Archer.

“About an hour,” replied Mussels, “During that time we were able to take some medical scans of you, to help us in our assessment and treatment of your officer. Do you want to come with us now to see how he is doing?”

“Certainly, lead the way.”

“You said you had an antidote, is it working?” asked Captain Archer as they walked along a long corridor.

“It’s hard to say,” replied Mussels, “We should know more in about one hour. If everything is going well, he should start to show some signs of improvement. It’s taking so long because we had to adapt our antidote to your different physiology.”

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Mussels led Phlox and Captain Archer into a huge underground chamber, which had Aquarians buzzing all over various machines like flies in a hive. In the middle was a huge tank filled with some kind of watery fluid, floating in this wearing only his underwear and tubes attached to his body and mouth was Trip. He was still unconscious and he seemed lifeless, apart from the occasional jerking of his body. Captain Archer looked aghast at the sight of his friend; turning to Phlox and Mussels he looked at them with pleading eyes filled with unasked questions.

“Don’t worry Captain Archer, it’s not as bad as it looks,” said Mussels trying to reassure him. “The tubes are delivering oxygen and the antidote to his body, the electric pulses that are causing him to jerk are just stimulating his organs, muscles and nerve endings that had slowed down due to the effect of the toxin. We found that immersing the patient like this in fluid is easy on the body, while also helping to speed up the healing process. As I mentioned previously we will be reassessing his treatment in a short while, so we’ll find out then if the treatment is working. Why don’t you visit our recreational facility while we are waiting, I’m sure Doctor Phlox will inform you when we have any news.”

“That’s right Captain,” replied Phlox who could see Captain Archer was apprehensive about leaving his friend. “While the Aquarians have offered to let me view their medical facilities, it also means I can stay close at hand should any problems arise. I promise I will let you know as soon as I hear any news.”

Feeling slightly reassured Captain Archer agreed then followed one of the Aquarians out of the facility. Walking along the corridor he was amazed at the complex structure they now found themselves in, the walls gleamed all colours under the sun shimmering like glitter, interspersed with huge clumps of crystal. Every now and then were giant pools intermingled with rock formations where Aquarians swam back and forth, bathed and combed their long hair, singing with angelic voices. He silently chuckled to himself. // Damn Trip was right I feel like I’m in a Mermaid’s Grotto. // The whole atmosphere felt like it was out of one giant fairy tale. Sitting down in what looked like a chair carved out of a giant shell, he closed his eyes and let himself become calm and relaxed; he had never felt so much at ease with himself in his whole life. // I’ll have to get Trip a recording of this, it knocks that whale and sea music I got him right out of the water. //

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“Captain, resting nicely I see!” said Phlox walking up.

“Doc!” replied Captain Archer, embarrassed to admit that he had actually fallen asleep. “Sorry I was just enjoying the scenery and lost track of time.”

“Don’t worry Captain I wont tell a sole,” said Doctor Phlox with a huge smile on his face.

“How’s Trip doing?”

“He’s awake and very bewildered by all the attention he is receiving,” replied Phlox.

“Great!” said Captain Archer jumping up, much relieved by the whole situation.

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Archer and Phlox entered the underground medical chamber once again, it was just as busy before with Aquarians working on consoles and various machines. Archer walked up to the huge tank in the middle, where a very confused Trip was watching two Aquarians swim around him taking readings on hand held scanners and perform minor adjustments to the tubes attached to his body. Captain Archer rapped on the glass drawing Trip’s attention, he couldn’t respond since he still had his oxygen tube attached, so he gazed back with loads of unanswered questions in his eyes.

“We have managed to eradicate 85% of the poison in his body,” said Mussels walking up to Captain Archer and Doctor Phlox. “It will take about another 30 minutes to eliminate the rest.”

“Will there be any lingering effects that will require treatment,” asked Phlox.

“His leg will probably still be numb and sore, but that will soon ease,” replied Mussels. “Do you want to wait or return to our recreational facility, I heard you found it to be a pleasant and relaxing experience last time?”

“No thanks!” said Captain Archer, looking slightly red in the face. “We’ll wait here thanks.”

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Two hours later

Captain Archer and Phlox walked into the recreational facility where they had previously left Commander Tucker to recuperate before they left to go on a quick tour of the facility.

“Where’s Trip!” asked Captain Archer in a worried tone, looking at the now vacant chair that once held his officer who was on strict orders to rest.

“Hmmmmmm!” replied Phlox flitting his eyebrows in the opposite direction. “It would seem that Commander Tucker is looking at the scenery.”

Captain Archer looked over to where Phlox had indicated; Commander Tucker was seated next to one of the lagoons happily chatting to a group of very beautiful Aquarians who were lavishing attention on the young engineer. From the look of his face and the sound of his and their laughter, enjoyment was being had by all. “Well I see Trip is feeling better,” laughed Captain Archer.

“I thought you were on strict orders to rest Commander,” said Captain Archer walking up behind him. “It’s a good job T’Pol isn’t here; she would no doubt remind you the results of your previous attempts of flirtation.”

“Hey I’m being a complete gentleman,” chuckled Trip with twinkling eyes. “Can I help it if women can’t resist the old Tucker charm? Any ways I was kinda hoping to find out just how much of them was part fish?” he replied giving him his trademark eyebrow wriggle.

“How do you feel?” asked Captain Archer becoming more serious with a hint of concern in his voice.

“A lot better thanks, although ma leg below ma knee still feels kinda numb,” replied Trip glancing once again to the group of beautiful Aquarians. “You know, I’m feeling kinda naked under here,” whispered Trip indicating to his nearly bare form under a thick blanket. “You could have brought me some spare clothes you know.”

“Sorry! I kinda had other things on my mind, like getting you down here,” said Captain Archer. “Anyway you can’t say that it’s not gaining you attention,” he laughed pointing to the group of Aquarians who were gathered together nearby each trying to catch the young engineer’s attention.

This just made Trip blush a very deep red, aside from his flirtacous nature he was very shy young man who didn’t understand or known the effect he had on people,

Captain Archer just shook his head and laughed, god it was good to see him back to normal and he was going to make damn sure that he stayed like that.

TBC

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Two folks have made comments

Thanks for this Hosissis, I really enjoyed it. VP

I really enjoyed this, Hoshissis! I hope you write another story soon! :-)