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Sins of the Father - Chapters 16 and 17

Author - Hoshissis
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Sins of the Father

by Hoshissis

Rating: PG-13
Genre: Friendship/angst

A/N Thanks to RigalKent for some great ideas for the upcoming chapters

~~~

Chapter Sixteen

“I’m sorry your visit’s been cut short, Charlie,” said Archer, as he and Trip walked Charles Tucker II back towards the airlock the next morning. “I’ve enjoyed talking to you, finding out what Trip was like as a boy.”

“I haven’t!” exclaimed Trip, feigning disgust that caused both Archer and his dad to smile. “It was embarrassing …”

“That’s what dads are for Son,” chuckled Charlie as he caught a strange expression on Captain Archers face. “He knows …

“Tell mom, I’m sorry,” asked Trip, as he hugged his father goodbye while Captain Archer input the controls to open the airlock.

“Do you want me to tell her about …”

“Yeah, tell her I’ll speak to her in a few days and that she’s not to worry about me.”

“That’ll be like asking a dog not to bark,” chuckled Charlie. “I’ll see what I can do. Anyway, I’m sure she’ll be glad to know that Jonathan’s still here watching over you,” he said, looking at Archer in a way to indicate that he was aware that Archer knew their family secret. “Look after him for us, Jonathan …”

“Just like he’s my own brother …” smiled back Captain Archer, knowing Charlie would catch on to his double-edged meaning. Trip seemed a bit surprised by this phrase, but didn’t think much of it at that time.

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“So, what’s Starfleet got for us now,” asked Trip, as they walked back down the corridor.

“We’re to escort a high security prisoner to a secure location,” replied Captain Archer. “It seems that all the recent unrest on Earth regarding alien visitors have made Starfleet uneasy about the security surrounding him.”

“Yeah, dad was talking about that. Never thought I would see the day,” sighed Trip, as he shook his head in disbelief. “What’s that got to do with the prisoner they want us to relocate, anyway? Who is he?”

“Dr Soong.”

“The … Dr Soong who created the augment babies? He’s a madman.”

“I think the term ‘madman’ is a little strong,” said Archer. “He comes across as more of a genius who was sadly led astray in his quest for power.”

“Sounds like you’re a little sympathetic towards him,” said Trip, looking a bit surprised.

“I’m not condoning the horrors he committed. For that alone, I believe he is in the right place,” replied Archer. “I just think Starfleet have overreacted in dealing with him.”

“How so?” asked Trip

“I did some research on him,” answered Archer. “Did you know there are rumors floating around that he’s developed all sorts of cures for some rare diseases, all of which Starfleet destroyed upon his incarceration. I just wonder whether that was the right course of action on their part.”

“Well considering how he probably developed those cures through unethical genetic research, I think they made the right decision,” argued back Trip.

“There are people like my father or … yourself who are suffering now. Isn’t it unethical to hold back a cure that could help them and relieve their families and themselves from the pain their disease inflicts? Soong may have developed a cure through questionable means, but that shouldn’t exclude it from being used to benefit people now.”

“I don’t know, Capt’n. Genetic engineering caused a lot of suffering and pain in the past.”

“But that’s my whole point,” argued Archer. “The only way we’re going to get beyond our dark history is by using that previous evil for the good of mankind now. If Soong has developed a cure for the early stages of Clarke’s Syndrome, would you turn it down and take the moral high ground, knowing that you could be saving yourself and your family a lot of unnecessary suffering?”

“I … I don’t know,” mused Trip, as he thought how this disease would affect them and him.

“Sometimes you have to look at the wider picture and I’m not sure Starfleet has done that in this case,” said Archer softly.

After a few minutes of silence as they slowly walked down the corridor, “I think it’s a moot point anyway,” said Trip. “He’ll be in a new secure location soon enough and I doubt Starfleet will ever reconsider releasing any of his work, even if by the remotest chance that it does exist.”

Stranger things have happened, Trip,” thought Archer, as he began to formulate a plan.

---------------------------------

Three hours later, Jon stood at the airlock with Malcolm and T’Pol. Soong was due to be brought on board any moment and Archer wanted to make sure he was safely secured in the Brig. It wasn’t that he didn’t trust his Armory Officer to do his job properly, if truth be known, he wanted to satisfy his curiosity about this madman … mad scientist … you name it … who had been foisted upon them. He needed to be sure that what he had planned was the right thing and not just an act of selfish desperation on his part to save the life of his brother.

“Locks engaged, airlock is sealed,” announced Reed with an air of professionalism, as he indicated for three armed MACO’s beside him to take their positions.

As the door opened, a charismatic and self-assured grey haired man with his arms locked firmly together in vice-like handcuffs walked through the doors.

“Jonathan Archer,” said Arik Soong with a smile. “I’ve been looking forward to meeting the hero who saved the planet. You have an amazing ship, I wonder if a tour would be in order?”

“With your previous history, I’d say that prospect is highly unlikely,” replied Reed.

Soong threw him a questioning look. “Lieutenant Reed …?” he queried, a little unsure of whom he was talking to. Then in a teasing tone, “You’re not getting yourself enough publicity.”

Ignoring this snide jab, Malcolm remained in a profession stance and finished the explanation for his rebuff of the tour remark for the benefit of Archer and T’Pol. “Especially considering how you managed to reprogram a PADD to unlock every security door in the prison.”

“Ahhh yes, I was particularly proud of that,” replied Soong with a smirk. “I made it all the way to Sacaledo. On the rare occasion when I’m wrestling with a problem, I find that a vigorous escape attempt helps to clear my head. Out here on a star ship, soon to be at high warp, I’m sure I’ll have plenty of things to wrap my mind around concerning this wondrous technology,” he winked. “Who knows where I’ll end up this time?”

“I can guarantee that won’t happen while I’m in charge of security,” answered Reed, refusing to rise to the bait.

With a smile, Soong next turned to greet T’Pol. “Commander T’Pol, I admire your people very much. We share a similar view of humanity.”

“What view is that?” asked T’Pol.

“That it could stand some improvement,” replied Soong with a smirk.

“That is certainly true of most species, if not all,” answered T’Pol dryly, which caused Soong to chuckle.

Before he could come back with a humorous retort, Captain Archer interrupted. “If we’re finished with the introductions, we have some nice quarters waiting for you in the Brig.”

“The Brig?” queried Soong.

“Just a precaution … in case you need to clear your head,” smiled Archer as he turned to lead them down the corridor.

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Chapter Seventeen

With Soong secure in the brig, Captain Archer received an encoded transmission from Admiral Forrest informing them of their new mission coordinates where they were to deliver Soong. “We should reach our destination in about three days. It’s time I put my plan into action,” pondered Archer, as Enterprise slowly pulled out of space dock before warping out of the system. “Captain Archer to Lieutenant Reed …”

“Reed, Sir.”

“Can you come to my ready room, Lieutenant? I’d like a breakdown of the security procedures you have in place for Soong’s stay.”

“On my way, Sir.”

----------------------------------------------------

“I’m sure you’ll find everything in order, Sir,” said Malcolm, as Archer scanned down the PADD. “I don’t think we’ll have any problems concerning Dr. Soong.”

Damn,” thought Archer, as he perused the breakdown, “he’s put himself in charge of guarding Soong personally in the Brig.” “I see you’ve selected yourself for guard duty,” said Archer, handing the PADD back to Malcolm.

“As head of Security, my place is personally in charge of making sure Soong stays securely locked up, especially when you take into consideration his previous escape history.”

“I understand that Lieutenant, but our present coordinates will take us near the Borderland. I’d feel more comfortable with my Armory Officer on the Bridge in charge of weapons in case we meet some hostile opposition. I’m sure your staff are fully capable of guarding Soong instead,” said Archer, in a voice that implied that it was more of an order rather than a request.

“As you wish, Sir,” replied Malcolm, a little offended that Captain Archer would question the procedures he had put into place. “Anything else?” he asked a little brusquely. “Why do I even bother?” he thought, annoyed that Archer was forever trying to do his job for him.

“No. That will be all, Lieutenant,” answered Archer. He could tell that Reed was annoyed but there wasn’t much he could do about that. If his plan was to work, he had to get Reed out of the picture, as he would too easily suspect that something was wrong.

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“Archer to Trip …”

“Tucker …”

“Trip can I see you in my quarters for a moment?”

“Gimme five minutes to finish up and I’ll be right there, Sir.”

Five minutes later, Trip was pressing the comm. switch outside Captain Archer’s quarters.

“Enter.”

“You wanted to see me, Capt’n?” asked Trip as he walked into the room.

“How are you feeling? Have you seen Phlox yet?”

“You dragged me away from ma work in Engineering just to ask me that?” asked Trip with a smirk. He knew that it wasn’t the reason but he just felt like teasing him a bit.

Archer just threw him a ‘don’t be a smart ass look’. “How long ago did we perform the last drill?”

“T’Pol’s probably more up on that than me, but I think it was about two months ago,” replied Trip.

“That long! I think it’s about time we sprang another one, Commander.”

“Now?” asked Trip in surprise. “We’re venturing near a dangerous area of space, carrying a high risk security prisoner to a secret destination and you want to test the crew by springing a surprise efficiency drill on them?”

“Sounds perfect,” replied Archer with a smile. “We’ll be able to test both the new crewmembers and ship with its new upgrades at the same time, and see how they both perform under pressure.”

“How?” asked Trip.

“You’re going to help me simulate a surprise attack on Enterprise by outside hostile forces from the Borderland, who are trying to secure our prisoner,” explained Archer. “I want you to fake the sensors to show a mock attack then replicate a fake reactor breach. We’ll be able to assess the crew’s readiness for action and guarding a high risk prisoner, while under a life threatening situation.”

“Makes sense,” said Trip. “Speaking of logic, shouldn’t T’Pol be here with us discussing this?”

“Usually,” replied Archer, “but since she has just taken up the position of Commander, officially, she is classed as a new officer on board and therefore must be tested alongside the other newbies on her efficiency during a crisis.”

Trip rolled his eyes at this typical ‘pen pusher/administrator’ type of reasoning. “She’s gonna be pissed if she finds out. I’m warning ya known, I’m denying any part of this,” he said, holding up his hands as he walked towards the door. “How long have I got to set it all up?”

“Will three hours do you?”

“Sure thing. I’ll let you know when I’m ready.”

That should give me plenty of time to put Part two of my plan into action,” thought Archer, as Trip left.

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TBC


Continue to Chapters 18 and 19


Return to Chapters 14 and 15

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