Past Rewards, Future Torment - Chapter 3

Past Rewards, Future Torment

by Hoshissis

Disclaimers in Chapter 1

AN: Thanks to everyone that’s reviewed

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Chapter Three

As she showed Commander Tucker around the damaged engine room explaining where they were up to in repairs, Caroline pondered if this was the same man who had shattered her dreams fourteen years earlier.

“You don’t mind if I chip in with the repairs do you Commander,” asked Caroline.

“Sure, it might make things a little easier since you’re familiar with everything. Actually I’m surprised you’re open to our offer of help; the boomers we’ve met in the past have always come across a bit more territorial.”

“I think we’re just getting more used to the idea of Starfleet being around, especially since the launch of Enterprise. I think people just need time to adapt to new things.”

“Most of the boomer ship’s we’ve met before were all family related, is this one the same?”

“No, Captain McGane started in this business nearly just over thirteen years, he asked me to join him when he started up. He and my husband were best friends; I’d recently lost him and I was pregnant with Mark at the time. I was in a bit of a mess and he offered me this new opportunity; he told me it would do me some good and open up a whole new life, so far he’s been right.”

Caroline was watching Tucker carefully during their conversation, // He looks about the right age, but if I’m going to find out if he’s the same man, I’ll have to get him to open up a bit more. // Unbeknown to Commander Tucker, her husband had been of the two men killed in the explosion at the Warp 5 complex thirteen years ago. The then Harold McGane, her husband’s best friend, had helped Caroline’s family fight unsuccessfully for an official enquiry before going on to make a new life in the freighter business. They’d managed to uncover unofficially what had really happened, but Starfleet was just too powerful and had managed to quash their cries and pleas. Just like Caroline, he always swore blind that he would get justice one day for everything they had been through and how bad they had been treated; it now looks like that day was close at hand.

“I’ve got all the scans I need to get ma crew started on a repair schedule,” said Commander Tucker as he turned round to go back outside, “So I’ll get on back to Engineering, it’s been nice talking to ya.”

“Do you mind if I tag along? Ever since we saw the launch of Enterprise on subspace, I’ve been dying to see what she looks like.”

“I’ll give ya the grand tour if ya like,” said Trip smiling, he loved showing off Enterprise at every opportunity he could get. “Just give me 15 minutes to get ma crew started on these repairs and I’ll be right with ya.”

“If you don’t mind me asking, how long have you been in Starfleet? You look a little young to be a full Commander?” asked Caroline as they both walked to Engineering together.

“I’ve been in Starfleet nearly fourteen years now, I’ve been lucky to get where I am now through sheer hard work and some lucky breaks I guess.”

Caroline tried to look like she was interested but inside she was seething. // My husband had better not been one of those lucky breaks or you’ll be very sorry indeed. //

“Right, where do ya wanna start on the tour?”

“How about here? I’ve been dying to see this Warp 5 engine - I used to know someone who worked on its development a long time ago. Maybe you know him.”

“What’s he called? If he’s still in Starfleet I might know him.”

“No, he died – he’s called James Goran.”

“Doesn’t ring a bell. I’m sorry for your loss though!”

“Thanks!”

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Later that night Caroline was back onboard the Phoenix after a lengthy tour of Enterprise and dinner with Commander Tucker. On the outside he seemed a very nice guy who was professional, intelligent and attentive, who could make you feel really special. It was hard to believe that he might be the same negligent person who had killed her husband all those years ago by wrongly configuring the systems and turning his office into a locked tomb. She had tried to get more information from him on his background while she toured the ship, but for one, Trip was not very forthcoming about his past, a fact on its own that raised her suspicions and two, the ship was too distracting – it was the most amazing piece of technology she had ever seen and she had been fascinated by every aspect of it.

“Is it him?” asked Captain McGane as he walked into the room.

“Can’t be certain, he’s about the right age and he was in Starfleet about the time of the accident. The only way to know for certain is to check his records and they don’t exactly make them public knowledge. Anyway he seems too nice a person.”

Captain McGane rolled up his eyes at this statement, “Nice or not, if it’s him we can’t let him get away with it any longer,” said Captain McGane gripping Caroline’s shoulders. “We said we’d get justice. James died because an Ensign Tucker messed with the control panel when he had no idea or knowledge of what he was doing. Someone trained or more experienced would’ve been able to prevent that explosion; he didn’t wait long enough to find out.”

“We can’t be sure of that.”

“We didn’t get a chance to find out though, did we?”

Caroline thought for a minute, she liked Trip but she had to find out if he was responsible – responsible for the loss a much loved husband and a father who never got a chance to know his son. “Alright, how are we going to find out?”

“We’re on a Starfleet vessel, how hard can it be?”

“I can’t break into their database! What about the crew? Someone will see me.”

“You only need the personnel files; I’ll distract them while you download it. It’s the only way we’re going to find out.”

“Alright, but let’s do it now while there’s not a lot of crew around.”

They both went outside into the launch bay. While Captain McGane distracted the crewman on duty with questions about the repair of his ship, Caroline went to the nearest computer interface where she managed with some difficulty to access the computer and download the personnel files. Indicating to her success to Captain McGane with a nod of her head, she slipped back unawares onto the ship where she could peruse the database records. Ten minutes later Captain McGane returned, “Well!”

“Flicking through the records at first glance it looks like he is the wrong guy, as the information has him listed as an Ensign at that time working on a Captain Jeffries engineering team with no mention of him being connected to the Warp 5 complex. Then I saw this,” said Caroline pointing to the display, “it indicates he earned a commendation for initiative and bravery when he managed to prevent the destruction of the NX – Alpha and NX Beta.”

“I thought you said he wasn’t connected to the Warp program.”

“He wasn’t, it happened while visiting the complex during off duty hours. Disregarding the danger to himself, his quick thinking prevented the destruction of the two prototypes that would have put the program back ten years. One year after, he received an early promotion to the rank of Lieutenant and a full position to the Engineering team in charge of redesigning the two ships. There’s no mention anywhere about the death of James and Pete or anything that ties him or connects him to their deaths.”

Captain McGane was furious. “So he was awarded a medal and managed to boost his career on the back of James and Pete’s death. Typical! I think it’s about time our Commander Tucker and Starfleet paid for placing a higher value on machinery over human life.”

“I know you’re angry - so am I! But what can we do now that we didn’t try thirteen years ago? They’re not going to open the case again or put him on trial, to them he’s a hero who has gone on to fulfil all their expectations. The best thing we can do now is let it pass and go on with our lives. It’s over.”

“I just feel like I’m letting James down, and you were in such a mess afterwards, nearly losing Mark in the process.”

“Hey!” replied Caroline gripping his shoulders, “You didn’t let James down. You were a true friend; you were there for me and helped me rebuild my life. James would have been proud. It’s all in the past, let’s just leave it be.”

“Okay, but you’re dealing with Tucker; I’d probably lash out and hit him.”

“Don’t worry; I’ll make sure you do nothing stupid. Anyway, don’t you have to get ready for dinner with Captain Archer? Sara will throw a fit if you’re not ready on time.”

Captain McGane smiled and gave Caroline a peck on the cheek before turning. “You’re a far better person than I could ever hope to be,” he muttered quietly before walking out of the room.

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Three people have made comments

Really enjoying this so far.Don't trust that captain McGane. Hope he doesn't have any nasty surprises in store for Trip. Really not fair blaming Trip as he was just a wee boy trying to help, they don't even know the full story. Look forward to your next installment.

Uh oh, let's hope McGane doesn't do anything he might regret later on...

Comon we need a the next chapter i wanna see what happnes plz post it soon loved what ive read so far