Black Soul 2

Black Soul 2

by The One

Rating: PG-13

Genre: Action/Adventure

Disclaimer: Paramount owns all parts of Star Trek Enterprise. I am not making any profit in this story.

Summary: One week ago, Trip Tucker was forced to kill his very first friend. Now he is trying to come to terms with that, but when problem’s arise when Trip is bitten by a rare beetle in Phlox’s collection. Now with Trip’s life on the line he must decide what’s really important in life.

Chapter One.

Trip lay on his back staring up at the ceiling, where a small black streak had been burned into the hull. How long has it been there? One day or was it two? Trip asked himself. He couldn’t remember much of the battle which had happened 42 hours before.

Trip snapped back to the present as his stomach grumbled. He was hungry, no use denying that, but as Trip reminded himself, there was no way he could force himself to eat, at least. Not for another three days. He couldn’t face his friends, not after what he’d done. Jon had said it was self defense, but as much as Trip wanted to believe that, he couldn’t. Trip had murdered his best friend. When they had been on the Romulan shuttle, he had offered Konon some steroids which Konon had taken gladly. Trip had no doubt now that the steroids were the cause of Konon’s death. That was probably why he was avoiding everyone. Trip couldn’t decide why he was starving himself, was it because he felt bad about Konon? No, he decided. It was because he had never killed anyone close to him before. It hurt him in a way Trip had never been hurt before, and he hated it! Earlier that morning, Captain Jonathan Archer had noticed Trips waist had started to look like T’Pol’s waist! Jon had immediately ordered Trip to report to Dr. Phlox, but instead Trip had gone to his quarters. Trip knew that Jon would send Phlox by so he stayed put.

*Beep Beep*

Trip took the liberty to sit up and face the door before he spoke.

“Com’ in.”

The door slid open silently to reveal the form of Dr. Phlox, who moved into the room., Trip’s door sliding closed behind him.

“Well, Commander.”

Trip stood up, his thin waist evident behind his thin, white T-Shirt.

Dr. Phlox moved up and took readings from Trip. As the doctor worked Trip thought about the battle. The species were known as the Voncolions. A grey skinned, flat faced, bipedal race who spoke perfect English. They had attacked Enterprise the moment they had arrived in the system! After Enterprise had lost her engines and weapons, the Voncolions backed off and left. Only four hours ago had Trip managed to get the weapons and Impulse engines on-line! “You have lost a considerable amount of weight this past week Commander. More than is healthy for you.” Trip nodded his head. “Let ma guess. Ya wan’ ma ta come down ta Sickbay.”

Dr. Phlox bowed slightly and opened the door. Trip walked past the doctor and headed for the turbo lift.

****

Trip sat on the bio-bed. watching as Phlox filled Jon in on Trip’s current condition. From time to time Phlox briefly glanced at Trip, probably making his point to Jon. Trip hopped the short distance from the bed to the floor and started to walk around the room to where Dr. Phlox kept his pets. Dr. Phlox had thought he was leaving and broke off his conversation with the captain. Trip saw that and spoke.

“Don’ worry Doc’ I’m not leavin’.”

Phlox turned back to Jon and continued his conversation. Trip studied the animals. He saw a huge snow beetle had gotten out of its cage. Trip reached down, intending to pick it up and place it back in the cage, but the beetle had other ideas. As soon as it was in his hand, it bit down hard on his palm! Trip cried out in pain and dropped the beetle back on the table. Hearing his cry Phlox and Jon hurried over. Dr. Phlox examined Trip’s hand closely, glancing at the beetle who had bitten Trip. The doctor’s shoulders slumped.
Jon turned to face him.

“What’s wrong?” he asked.

Dr. Phlox pointed a finger at the huge beetle. Jon followed with his eyes. Wow, Jon thought, that beetle must be ten inches long!

“I am sure Commander Tucker thought this beetle was a part of my snow beetle collection. But sadly, it isn’t. It is an African Rattlesnake Beetle.”

“Is that good or bad?” Trip asked.

“The Rattlesnake Beetle is the most poisonous beetle ever to exist. Everyone that has ever been bitten has died within a matter of days.”

The room fell silent. Trip stared at the floor. Phlox was running through medication’s and possible treatments for the Rattlesnake Beetle bite. Jon finally broke the silence.

“Is there anything that you can do for him?”

“There are some medications and treatments that could slow the poison’s progress.”

“How-How long da I have. Doc?” Trip stuttered.

“Four days. Possibly a week.” Dr. Phlox said.

“You have that much time to find a cure.” Jon said.. He turned to Trip.

“I have to go. I’ll be back as soon as I can.”

Trip nodded. Duty. Jon was the Captain.

“What ar’ th’ symptoms?” Trip asked.

“High fever, weakness in the arms and knees. Cold spells, eventually you will not be able to tolerate food. You will have to be fed through a tube.”

“Great, thanks for the heads up.” Trip said.

Dr. Phlox led Trip over to the bed Trip had left earlier and set him down. Trip held still as Dr. Phlox bandaged his hand and applied two of the many hypo’s to come.

TBC

Continue to Chapter 2

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One person has made comments

typical, i beg for the next part so sum1 tries to kill Trip. :(

gd luck phlox, we know he can do it.
Write more soon please :) can't wait to see how it goes