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The Kirghiz Steppes - Chapter 6

Author - Mctrip7
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The Kirghiz Steppes


By Mctrip7


Rating: PG-13
Genre: Suspense, Angst, Romance
Archive: Trip
Disclaimer: I understand that all the characters belong to Paramount and will not be sold.
Summary: It only takes a moment . . .


~~~

Chapter 6

As Trip began to come around, the sour smell of nausea reached his nostrils. He automatically reached for the top of his head as he was sure it had been split open. He could feel the warm sticky substance and when he retrieved his hand, it was covered with blood. He began to check his surroundings – it was not where he had been lately, but it did have a familiar look about it. Everything was metal with a smooth surface. He could hear voices in the distance, but they were subdued.

Oh, God! His head hurt. He had a hard time focusing his eyes at times. He decided to investigate the voices. He knew he needed some help. When the figures in the next cubicle saw him, they retreated to the back of the enclosure.

“Don’t come any closer, or I’ll kill you!” the tallest one shouted. Trip reeled back. The noise of the shouting, almost caused him to pass out. He fell to his knees.

“Is that you, Mr. Korbit?”

The man standing over him with a big stick hesitated. “Aren’t you that guy workin’ for the doctor?”

“Yea, it me, Trip. With that he passed out.

Something like alcohol, running down his face, brought Trip up screaming.
“Hold him down while I get the Doc.” one of the strange looking characters said.

“Where am I? Who are you? Who hit me on the head?” Trip raved on.

“Shut up or we’ll throw you back where you came from. I think this is turning out to be more trouble than its worth,” the alien complained.

“You better keep your mouth shut. If the Commander hears you, you may end up in the brig.” The aliens continued arguing and shoving their prisoner around ruthlessly.

“Go get that medic. We’ll see if he is really a doctor,” the taller alien said.

“I don’t know anything about your physiology.” The human was saying as he was dragged into the sickbay.

The alien shoved him toward the gurney on which Trip lay. Dr. Chekov was shocked to see the engineer lying there with his hair matted with dried blood.

“I’ll need some hot water and towels,” the doctor said.

“What’s there is all we’ve got,” commented the tall one.

Washing his hands in the dirty sink, Dr. Chekov was able to access some hot water. He soaked a cloth and began cleaning Trip’s head wound.

Moaning at first, then cursing, Trip opened his eyes. Instantly cautious, Trip said, “Doc, how’d you get here? I think we’re on a spaceship of some kind.”

“They came shortly after you left, Trip. They just appeared with guns drawn. We were herded into a van and driven toward those lights you saw. That’s the last thing I remember. Did they bring Anna along with you?”

“I haven’t seen her. The apartment was dark when I got there. I used the key she gave me, and I was checking the rooms out when somebody hit me over the head.”

Dr. Chekov was cleaning the wound as they were talking. “You took a nasty blow. I’ll put a clean bandage on it, but I don’t have anything to give you for the pain. You should still have enough antibiotics in you to control any infection; but I’ll see if they have anything for your headache.”

“That’s okay, Doc, I’ll just try not to get any worse,” Trip commented seeing the distraught look on the doctor’s face. “Where are Lara and the boys, Katya, too?”

“They’re back in our space.”

“Are they okay?”

“We lost Sergi, Trip,” whispered the doctor. “The aliens were making suggestive comments about Katya and he came to her defense before I could stop him. They made an example of him by pulling out his fingernails with pliers, showing what happens if you don’t cooperate. They didn’t stop there.” Tears rolled down the doctor’s cheeks.

Trip’s temper was beginning to show. “He was just a kid! Attempting to get up, Trip’s voice was like a snarl. How could they . . .?

Dr. Tobin grabbed his wrist as he said “DON’T”

The tall alien had been watching and when he saw Trip’s expression, he moved in. “That’s enough! He isn’t going to die. Get back to your bed.” he said as he pushed the doctor away.

Trip wanted to punch him, but he thought better of it. His head was throbbing now and he was beginning to feel nauseated again.

As he was leaving, Dr. Chekov told him to lie perfectly still for the next twenty-four hours.

“Ask them for an aspirin.”

_ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _

Life aboard Enterprise was subdued. Admiral Forrest had ordered a global search for Trip’s remains. They had covered 100 miles on either side of their orbit, but found nothing.

“Jon, he could have landed in the sea. We really have no idea if he actually made it to Earth.” After three months, the search was called off.

When they returned to Earth, the first meeting was held to talk about a collective body to help solve all the universal diplomatic problems. Sort of a Senate without any power. It was a successful meeting and they agreed to meet again in six months.

Now Enterprise was headed out again to rendezvous with the Columbia, bringing them much needed supplies. Then they were going on to Deneb IV to pick up Dr. Phlox’s colleague, making several stops along the way.

T’Pol spent most of her time, when not on duty, meditating in her quarters. The Captain had insisted that she dine with him so he could keep up with the many things going on. This was very stressful since the accident. They both missed Trip.

“I’m sure he didn’t suffer. He was probably dead within minutes of the airlock being opened.” Archer continued to reassure her.

T’Pol’s large brown eyes held his for a few seconds before she turned away.

“There’s going to be a Memorial Service tomorrow night at 08:00 hours. The crew has requested it; since some were not aboard just after the accident. I’ll escort you, if you like.”

“That won’t be necessary, but I will attend.”

Everyone not on duty was present for the Service for Commander Charles Tucker, III. Jon reluctantly rose to conduct the Memorial. This seemed to validate his acceptance of Trip’s passing. He spoke of their long friendship. How highly respected Commander Tucker was among all the engineers in Star Fleet. How important his part in their mission to the Expanse had been and how much he will be missed. Sometimes his voice was barley above a whisper. He then invited anyone else who chose to, to say a few words.

Malcolm came forward. He spoke about his best friend. He remembered how Trip liked to give him a hard time, but they always ended up sharing a good laugh. In turn, each member of the crew present had something to say, some personal thought they wanted to remember. Most of the women were aware of Commander Tucker’s feelings for Sub-Commander T’Pol, as they had watched them together often enough. They were anxiously waiting to hear what her comments would be, if she would show any emotion.

After the crew had finished speaking, T’Pol rose from her chair and walked to the podium.

“Mr. Tucker was a fine engineer and he will be missed.”

As she returned to her seat, only the closest observer would have detected the slight unsteadiness in her walk.

Only Jonathan was aware of her lack of eating. Phlox had told him she was having trouble sleeping. She seemed to spend all of her free time meditating. The Captain was beginning to worry about her.

As she approached the dining room one evening to join the Captain for dinner, she stumbled through the doorway and would have fallen had Jonathan not caught her. He scooped her up and headed for sickbay.

“Put me down,” she railed at the Captain.

“I’ll put you down on a biobed in sickbay and not a minute sooner.” He informed her.

“I am perfectly capable of walking, Captain, if you will put me down.” The spirit was there, but the will was weakening.

“I don’t take orders from my crew, besides we’re almost there.”

Dr. Phlox met them at the door and was alarmed at the degree of stress TPol was experiencing. While Jon was attempting to calm the sub-commander, Phlox prepared a hypo-spray.

“This will only relax you.” The doctor hastened to explain as T’Pol sat up, preparing to vacate the bed.

“I am fine. I wish to go to my quarters.”

“Let the doctor take a look at you, T’Pol.” Jon insisted. You haven’t been eating lately, either. Maybe you need some vitamins or something. Phlox will know. I’ll be in my Ready Room.”

After Jon had gone, Phlox turned to T’Pol. Finishing his exam, he said “I think this has something to do with your bond with Commander Tucker.”

Startled, T’Pol pulled away. “Why do you say that, Doctor?”

“You are obviously sensing his pain.”

“You think he is alive!” T’Pol almost shouted. Her eyes enlarged and her nostrils flared. There was a certain wildness in her manner. “Where is he? If he is badly hurt, he will need me. We must find him.”

“I don’t have any answers for you T’Pol; but you should try to relax. Accelerated emotions could be dangerous for you.

Dr. Phlox was now close enough to use the hypospray. T’Pol grabbed for his hand, but it was too late. As she lost consciousness, the doctor stood looking at her exhausted form. He felt there was real cause to worry. Reaching for the comm-link, he called the captain.

“Go ahead,” answered Jon.

“Captain, I have sedated T’Pol. I would like to discuss the situation with you if you could join me.”

“On my way. Archer out,” was Jon’s response.

As he came through the sickbay door, Archer said “How is she, Phlox? She’s been like a tiger ready to spring for several weeks. I thought she might be able to work through it, but . . .”

“Captain, you know she and Commander Tucker shared some kind of bond. She appears to be sensing his feelings. Is it possible he could still be alive?”

“I don’t see how. Of course, anything is possible. Can you help her?”

“I won’t know for a while. I want to keep her sedated for now, then wake her up very slowly. Maybe she’ll have some answers of her own.”

Over the next few days Phlox gradually brought T’Pol around. She seemed very concerned about the state of affairs on Enterprise. Only once did she ask about her behavior.

“I hope my behavior has been acceptable,” T’Pol replied to the doctor’s question regarding the intensity of the pain she had experienced.

“The pain has obviously subsided to some degree. The Captain has asked Admiral Forrest to resume the search. Are you feeling any discomfort at the moment?” Phlox asked.

“No. I would like to return to my quarters now. I will return if I experience any further discomfort.”

Dr. Phlox saw her daily at first, then twice a week and finally every other week. After her most recent visit he asked “T’Pol, have you had any feeling of his presence in your bond?”

She lowered her head as she said “Not any real presence, just a closeness. I do not sense that the bond has been severed, though. There is just a void.”

Days slipped into weeks. Life on Enterprise had pretty much returned to normal.

After returning to Earth to be refitted with the latest technology, Enterprise was assigned to ferry some very special diplomats to the latest Interplanetary Conference. The Federation was growing.

TBC


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Two folks have made comments

once again a great chapter looking forward to the next installment

Please, please write quicker,I'm really enjoying this story. Keep up the good work.