Past Rewards, Future Torment - Chapter 6

Past Rewards, Future Torment

by Hoshissis

Disclaimers in Chapter 1

AN: Thanks to everyone that’s reviewed.

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Chapter Six

The cargo bay was filling up with smoke fast; if he was going to get out of here then he would have to do something now. Trip frantically looked around, it was no good trying to jimmy open the lock from inside, since whoever had locked him in, had bolted the door outside. If he’d remembered to bring his communicator he could have comm… for help, but that was the problem with hindsight, it was never around when you needed it. I’ve still got a chance thought Trip coughing from the build up of smoke, // If I hotwire into the Phoenix’s comm., I can use ma scanner to hook on the frequency Enterprises transceiver uses and call for help. //

With time slipping away, Trip got to work, it didn’t take him long tapping into the Phoenix’s comm. system – hell he could have done that blindfolded. The tricky bit of tapping into Enterprises transceiver frequency was bad enough, but all the smoke that was making his eyes water and lungs ache was making the job damn near impossible.

“Tucker to Captain Archer……”

The only sound he heard was static. “Damn….. come on Trip, you can do it,” he said half choking from the fumes.

“Tucker to Captain Archer…….cough cough.”

“Trip, are you all right,” replied Captain Archer, growing concerned at the sound of his friends rasping voice.

“Captain….cough I need help….cough cough Phoenix….. cough trapped cough cough.”

“Trip!” shouted Captain Archer jumping out of his chair. Only silence greeting him.

“Glancing up to T’Pol with a panicked look on his face, “T’Pol, can you scan for Trip’s bio sign.”

After working for what seemed like an eternity on her console, she looked up “He’s on board the Phoenix in one of the Cargo bays.”

“What on earth is he doing there?” Captain Archer asked as he headed towards the turbo lift, indicating for Malcolm to follow him.

“Captain!” said T’Pol, with anxiety lacing her voice, “Commander Tucker’s bio sign is fluctuating and there seems to be a fire in his immediate vicinity.”

“Get Phlox there and call security and Captain McGane,” shouted Captain Archer as he and Malcolm ran.

Malcolm wasn’t usually the kind of guy who threw back your mistakes into your face, but on this occasion when he looked at Captain Archer all he could think was // I told you, why oh why won’t you bloody well listen. //

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About five minutes later, Malcolm and Captain Archer arrived at the Phoenix’s Cargo Bay;

“Malcolm where is he?”

“That one over there sir, No. 2 Bay,” replied Malcolm looked at his scanner. “I think we better hurry, it’s filling up fast with smoke,” he indicated as they both ran towards the door.

“Bloody hell, it’s bolted.”

“Quick, help me get it off,” replied Captain Archer as he reached for the latch, twisting it round furiously.

It took a few minutes, but they finally managed to unlock the bolt to open the door, just as Phlox, Catherine and Captain McGane came running around the corner.

Covering their mouths with part of their uniform Captain Archer and Malcolm both entered the both the bay searching for their friend. Despite the dense smoke stinging their eyes, they located him in the corner slumped on the ground. While both Malcolm and Captain Archer carefully dragged Trip out, Catherine and Captain McGane ran into the Cargo Bay with fire extinguishers to put out the fire.

“Phlox I don’t think he’s breathing,” cried Captain Archer frantically as he laid Trip on the floor outside the bay.

“Stand back and give me some room,” cried Phlox as he injected Trip with Ibropralean then began mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

It seemed like forever for both Captain Archer and Malcolm as they both looked on in horror; in reality though it was less than a minute before Trip took a huge intake of breath before retching the smoke out of his lungs. With an oxygen mask over his mouth, Phlox quickly got Commander Tucker lifted onto a stretcher then rushed him off to sickbay.

“Is he alright?” asked Catherine as she and Captain McGane both came out of the Cargo Bay.

“He’s fine, he’s fine, he’s going to be alright!” replied a shocked Captain Archer, as if he was trying to reassure himself much less the others.

“What the hell happened in there,” Reed asked angrily.

“There was a fire in the main junction bay,” replied Caroline, “We’ve managed to put it out, don’t ask me how it started though. Could be another accidental explosion.”

“Accidental my ass!”

“Just what are you implying Lieutenant?” asked a defensive Captain McGane.

“There’s a fire in the bay, where Trip is and the door was bolted shut on the outside. You don’t have to be a genius to work out what I’m implying.”

“Locked, it shouldn’t be locked!” replied a puzzled Caroline.

“Now wait just a damn minute Lieutenant!” said Captain McGane.

“No, Malcolm’s right,” replied Captain Archer cutting in. “This is looking less and less like an accident; until either of you can prove how the hell my officer ended up in a locked Cargo Bay, your both going to be restricted to your quarters on your ship.”

“You have no jurisdiction to do that,” shouted back Captain McGane.

“One of my officers was nearly killed today, that’s all the jurisdiction I need. Malcolm post guards outside, inside and around this ship. Make sure no one gets out or in unless I say so,” said Captain Archer with a determined look on his face. “Now if you excuse me, I’ll be in sickbay with Trip.”

“With pleasure sir!” replied Malcolm with a huge smirk on his face. “I believe you know your way or should I get my security officers to escort you.”

“You’re not going to get away with this,” replied a furious Captain McGane, as he turned around and stormed off with Catherine.

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Three people have made comments

This is a great story, I can't wait to see what happens next. I also can't wait until the end!! You are keeping us in such suspense.

Yay! He's saved! Hmmm... if I were Catherane and Cap'n McGane, I'd be a bit worried...

Save us from our suspense! Update soon!

Saved my ass! he's back in sickbay with freeky phlox watching him, am i hte only person scared of phlox? The suspense, The suspense its killing me, plz write more plz you have to do it and quick ill die soon. btw LOVIN' IT