The Kirghiz Steppes, Chapter 7

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 . . .

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Chapter 7

Gradually Trip’s headaches were going away. He’d been given an alcove near the Chekov’s and had been assigned to work in engineering. More and more he felt that this held a key to his past. He wasn’t allowed to touch the main equipment, but he was showing an aptitude for aligning various components. He liked being called to repair malfunctions on the Bridge because he could listen to the aliens as they made plans. His understanding of their language was very limited, but from what he had picked up, he knew they were concerned about their present heading. He also learned their destination was a labor colony of some sort.

Things in the cargo hold were getting out of hand. The aliens assigned there were getting more and more familiar with the females. All in all, Trip was sure things were going to explode soon.

One evening Dr. Chekov intercepted Trip as he was returning to his cube. “Can I talk to you a minute, Trip?”

“Sure, Doc. Has something happened?”

“Not yet, but I don’t think it will be long . . .before . . .

“Something’s not right, though, Doc. What is it?” Trip was really worried now. The doctor was not one to be alarmed easily.

“Trip, I need to ask something of you. I would never do this if I thought there was any other way. That guard, Fritz, has been pushing himself off on all the women around here lately. Now he has foisted his attention on Katya. She is terrified. I’ve interrupted several of his overtures, but he is getting bolder.”

“I never told you what I learned about Anna, Trip. Maybe you don’t need to know the details . .

“Yes I do. I knew there was more. I felt like you would tell me when you were ready.”

“Their methods are cruel. They tortured her trying to find out about her father, and you. She refused to divulge any information even though they took turns raping her. Mercifully she died soon after. I thought you should know the depth of her feelings for you. . . . I don’t want the same thing to happen to Katya.. Would you let her stay with you?”

Trip was stunned. Hearing of Anna’s death stirred the anger he had been suppressing deep within him. “Dr. Chekov, she can stay with me. I’ll guard her with my life.”

“I know you couldn’t stay with her all the time; but maybe Fritz’ seeing that she was with you, he would move on to someone else. I don’t wish this on anyone, but I have to think of my daughter first. They’ve already taken . . my . . son.” Dr. Chekov’s voice betrayed him. He put his hands to his face.

“You don’t have to worry, Doc. I’ll see that he doesn’t touch her.” Trip growled. “How does she feel about this arrangement?”

“I haven’t mentioned it to her, yet. I wanted to be sure it would be acceptable to you, first. I never imagined that our lives would take this kind of a turn. Lara is beside herself.
I have a knife to give to her so she will have some protection if one of those animals comes after her. I will try to get another one for Katya.”

Trip doubted Katya would be able to use it, but he said “That’s a good idea. After you talk with her, tell her to come over anytime. We’ll get through this, Doc. Try not to think about it too much.”

When Trip awoke the next morning, he was surprised to see Katya lying in his arms. He didn’t remember her pulling the cover back, but then he was usually exhausted when he put his head down to go to sleep. She reminded him of a little kitten all curled up, so vulnerable. He began to wonder if this was really going to be a good idea, but then he thought of Anna. He’d make it work!

As he was getting ready to leave, she opened her eyes.

“Oh, Trip. You were sound to sleep and I didn’t want to wake you. Thank you for letting me stay here. That horrible man tried to put his hands on me yesterday. I was so scared. Will you be gone long, today?”

“I’ll delay leaving as long as I can. I don’t have much control over it, though. What do you do all day? You can probably spend some time with your mother. I’ll come back as soon as I can. You’ll be OK.” Trip didn’t feel too sure about that.

On the third day, Trip left as usual, but he forgot to take the gloves they had given him. As he returned to get them, he saw Fritz entering his cube.

“Did you lose something?” Trip gutturally murmured.

Fritz spun around ready to fend off an attacker. “What you doin’ here?” he snarled.

“That’s my question for you. My wife is still asleep. What did you want?”

“Since when do you have a wife?”

“She’s been staying with her family until I got over the beating your friends gave me, if it’s any of your business, which I doubt.” Trip replied evenly. He was trying to be firm, but not angry as he knew that would only add fuel to the alien’s fire.

“Well, you tell her to mind her manners when she’s spoken to. She’s got s right smart mouth.” the alien retorted.

“I’ll discuss it with her.” was all Trip said.

Trip’s boss(guard) showed up. “Where the hell have you been? You’re late.” Seeing Fritz, he said “What’s going on here? Are you fooling around with the women, again?

The Captain’ll have a few words for you. Now get back to your post.”

“Trip, you get to engineering on the double. I’ll take care of this.”

That evening when Trip returned, Katya burst into tears. “I was so scared. I wasn’t asleep and I knew what he was going to do. Did you mean what you said about my being your wife?”

“Katya, you know what we’re up against. We have to pretend lots of things until we see how the next few weeks are going to turn out. We don’t know where they are taking us or what we’ll have to do when we get there; so lets just play along. I think Fritz is going to leave you alone now since my guard caught him.

“I like being your wife, Trip. I hope it works out.”

Trip just smiled. But in the coming days he found himself looking forward to seeing her when he returned.

The aliens were determined to make the prisoners as miserable as possible. They began cutting the heat in the Bays. As the nights grew colder, Trip and Katya really appreciated being together.

Trip continued working in Engineering. As he was completing his work on an electrical unit for the tactical station on the Bridge, his boss (guard) ordered him to take the unit to the Bridge.

“I’ll have it ready in about ten minutes,” Trip replied.

“The Commander wants it NOW. We’re being delayed by some low-life species that doesn’t even know who we are. The minute you have it ready, call me.”

As they entered the Bridge, they could hear their Commander arguing with the offending Captain. The alien seemed to be loosing ground. Trip went about installing the equipment. The dialog stopped. He heard the other ship’s commander say “Our sensors show you have humans on your vessel.”

“Oh yes, we’re taking them to their new settlement.”

“They look more like prisoners. Since you’re in Andorian space, stand down and prepare to be boarded.” As their captain said this, five more Andorian ships appeared from the nebula.

“I protest.” The alien commander retorted. “You have no right to do this.” He motioned for his Tactical Officer to bring their weapons on line.

The Officer shook his head, “They’re not responding, sir.”

Trip raised his head with a frown on his face. “That’s because they’re not connected, yet.”

The alien Commander turned his head, seeing Trip for the first time. “What’s he doing here? Get him off the Bridge!”

“Then you won’t have any weapons,” Trip muttered to himself. His guard grabbed him by the arm. As Trip stood up, the guard started shoving him toward the lift.

Commander Schram of the Andorian Imperial Guard stared in disbelief. That human was Commander Charles Tucker, Archer’s man that was lost! He caught himself before the alien commander turned around.

“You seem to be having problems,” Schram observed. “My vessel is approaching your docking port. I would advise you not to resist. The Imperial Guard does not take an intrusion lightly.”

The alien commander realized his error in sending Trip away; but he was certainly not ready to be boarded by the crew of this patrol ship. He’d had dealings with them before and they were unreasonable.

“I’m afraid that docking port is not functioning.” The alien said. “You may have to transport in. You will have to give my pilot your coordinates.”

“I hardly think so,” bristled Schram. We’re approaching your airlock right now. If its not accessible, we’ll make it so.” Schram had his men on full alert as they made ready to open the portal. The panel slid open revealing an empty airlock. As the Andorians approached the inner door, they could hear raucous activity on the other side. Opening the door, they threw a percussion grenade into the corridor. It would immobilize those within thirty feet of its detonation.

Schram’s men had little trouble making their way to the Bridge. Another contingent headed for the cargo area.

“Commander Schram”, Loki here in Cargo Bay 3. There are at least fifty humans here. Some are in need of medical care. They say they are prisoners. I have not seen the blue-eyed one, sir. We will begin transporting immediately.”

“Keep looking. Check all the cargo bays.” Schram replied as he headed for Bay 1.

Trip had returned to engineering where these men with blue skin and strange antennae were taking charge. They motioned him to come with them.

“I need to check on some people, first.”

When the nearest man raised his weapon, Trip said “You can come with me. I need to see if they are OK.”

The Andorian hesitated, then motioned Trip to go. As they neared Cargo Bay 1, they could heard gun fire. Trip rushed ahead to the Chekov’s alcove.

“Where’s the doctor? Alexi?” He had seen Lara and Katya huddled together in the corner.

When Lara saw Trip, she ran to him. “The aliens took them just before the blue people came in. What’s happening?”

“I’m not sure, but I think we’re being rescued.”

Trip turned to his man and told him about Dr. Chekov and Alexi. The Andorian flipped his communicator open and passed the information on. The gunfire had ceased and the blue people were marching a group of aliens away as their Commander entered Cargo Bay 1. Seeing Trip, he immediately headed for him.

“Well if it isn’t Commander Charles Tucker, Chief Engineer of the Starship Enterprise. What are you doing here?”

Trip blinked a few times. “How do you know my name?” There was something familiar about this man, but he couldn’t identify it.

“It’s a long story. I’ll tell you over dinner tonight; but first, we’ve got to get you cleaned up.”

“I can’t leave my people until I know they’re safe. Dr. Chekov and his son are missing.”

About that time, one of Schram’s lieutenants came through the door with the doctor and Alexi in tow. “Commander, the aliens were trying to push these two out the other airlock. Do they belong to this group?

Trip’s expression told Schram what he needed to know. “I’ll have our doctor check them out along with you. Six to transport, Lieutenant,” Schram said as he flipped open his communicator.

Eyeing the alien Commander from his own Bridge, Schram said “You are not welcome in Andorian space. I’m notifying the Minister of our Federation of your little scheme. I’m sure you’ll be hearing from him shortly.”

After a thorough check-up by the Andorian doctors, Trip was allowed to return to the quarters assigned to him. He found fresh clothes on his bunk and a light meal on his desk. Trip headed for the shower first. As he was toweling off, he realized how many scars he had. Some were still sensitive to his touch. The burns had left the largest scars.

Taking a couple of bites from the plate on his desk, Trip turned to the bunk. Suddenly he felt drained. He pulled back the covers and crawled in. Bringing the covers up to his neck, he was gone.

When he awoke, he realized he had slept for 12 hours. “Got to call the Commander and apologize.” Trip said aloud to himself. Punching the comm. button, he asked for Commander Schramm.

“Yes, Trip.” Schramm said.

“Sir, I apologize for missing dinner with you last night. I never woke up till just a minute ago.”

“Don’t worry. Join me for lunch today.”

“Yes, Sir,” was all Trip could think of.

At noon, Trip filled Schram in with all the details he could remember. Having talked to Dr. Chekov, Schram had his doubts about Trip’s memory returning and now Trip confirmed his feelings. Whatever. . . they were meeting with Enterprise tomorrow and only time would tell.

As the big ships came within range, Commander Schram hailed Enterprise. When Schram appeared on Enterprise’s screen, Trip was approaching him with the engineering log slate. Schram turned to him, taking the log, signing it and returning it to him.

“See that Koloff gets that before he goes off duty,” the Commander said.

Trip took the log book and headed for the lift. He barely glanced up.

Archer was out of his seat with his jaw definitely dropping. “That was Trip! That was Trip!” he shouted.

By now everyone on the Bridge was gaping at the screen, everyone except T’Pol who was lying on the floor beside her station.

“Schram, what’s going on? That was Trip wasn’t it? Where did he come from? Give me some answers for God’s sake, man.!”

“I will, if you give me a chance. I wanted to wait until he was off the Bridge. He’s in good shape, but there’s one problem – he has no memory of the past.”

Archer sat down hard on his chair. “I can’t believe it . . . Trip is alive! How did he survive the fall? I’m sure Phlox can help him. Can I talk to him?

Phlox heard his name as he exited the lift, but he went straight to T’Pol who was still unconscious.

“Get her to sickbay immediately. She’s not responding. What has happened, Captain?” he said as he turned toward the screen.

“Phlox, Trip is alive. He has no memory of what happened to him, but I’m sure you can help him. He’ll be here soon. Won’t he, Schram?”

“Captain, I hope you can have dinner with me tonight. I think we need to move slowly. There’s someone else I’d like you to meet. Come about 1700 hours. Schram out.”

Travis turned to look at the Captain. “Sir, he looked like the Commander and then he didn’t look like him. There were scars on his face.”

“We don’t know what he’s been through, but we’ll welcome him no matter what condition he’s in. What happened to T’Pol?”

“She must have fainted.” Hoshi put in. “I almost did, too. I don’t see how Trip survived.

Do you think he’ll ever remember us?”

TBC

Continue to Chapter 8 and the Epilogue

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