Things That Come in the Night- pt 5

Things That Come in the Night

By The Watch Stander

Rating: PG13, Drama/friendship etc
Disclaimer: Paramount Owns Enterprise and all of its crew. The wonderful interpretation of these characters is owned by the cast of Enterprise. The fun of writing this story about these characters is owned by me and is no way intended to infringe on any of these rights and is done without payment or profit on my part.

An: Thanks to all who have stayed with this.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Part 5

Trip was just starting to do his paperwork at his desk in engineering, when T’Pol arrived. He was pleased to see her since they had been spending a lot of time together during his pressure sessions and had more or less become friends.

“Hi T’Pol! What brings you down here to the bowels of the ship?”

Her eyebrows rose quizzically, “Bowels?”

“Ah, just a matter of speech. Sorry.” He smiled “What can I do for ya?”

She tried to recompose herself, since Commander Tucker always had a way of getting her off guard with his colorful use of his language and its many words with hidden meanings.”

“The captain said you were ill, so I came to see how you were feeling.”

Trip was somewhat taken back by her statement.

“Well, that’s real nice of ya. I’m beginning to feel a little better. Doc’s got me on some strong medication though.”

“Are you sleeping?” She probed.

“Yes.” He answered quickly, not wanting to talk about his dreams or the nightmares he sometimes had.

See stared at him for a moment,” You don’t look well rested, Commander. Are you sure everything is all right.”

He always hated it when people could read him so easily.

“Yes, I’m fine. Like I said Doc’s taking care of me.”

He hoped that she would drop the subject and tried to think of another one.

“I meant to tell you, the way you wear your hair now, looks real nice.”

After saying it, he realized it could be misconstrued.

“That is, I like it better this way as compared to the other way you had it…ah… before, “ he stammered on.

Now what do I say? She probably thinks I’m making a play for her!

T’Pol looked at the commander trying to read what was behind the remark and realized he was just trying to be kind. Sometimes he just said exactly what he felt and she found this to be one of his most engaging qualities.

“Thank you, Commander. I decided to allow it to grow slightly longer. This way I don’t look so sever. I’m glad you like it.”

Trip nodded, “Like I said, it’s real nice.”

Changing the subject again, he asked, ” So, how’s it going on the bridge?”

“We are about to overtake a small ship that our forward sensors show just ahead of us. The captain is thinking about making contact.”

“That’s interesting, wonder why the captain didn’t see fit to tell me?”

Trip wasn’t pleased, but it wasn’t T’Pol’s fault.

Why should I take it out on her just cause the Captain leaves me out of the loop?

T’Pol suddenly realized why Commander Tucker suddenly seemed agitated. Captain Archer was once again ignoring his friend and 3rd in command.

“Perhaps he had other things on his mind and forgot that he hadn’t told you.” She didn’t want to make too many excuses for Archer’s behavior, but couldn’t see letting this small an oversight upset the man before her.

“Yah, I’m sure that’s what it was.” Trip said dejectedly.

“Commander, maybe you need to talk to the Captain and clear the air between you if you feel he is overlooking you in the chain of command.”

Trip looked at her sadly, “I would T’Pol, but I don’t think it would do a bit of good. It’s really his decision who he trusts with information.”

There was nothing further she could say. The two men would have to come to terms with their lack of communication in their own way.

“If you feel well enough, why don’t you come tonight for a session? It might help relieve some of your body’s stress from the flu.”

It was a way of helping him, for they could talk and he would probably feel a lot better. She also missed their sessions, for they added something to the end of her day. The Commander had a way of making her feel better as well.

Trip thought about all the work he had yet to do today, but then again maybe he needed a session. After all, he was dreaming of women at night so maybe a little female companionship with a friend was what he really needed.

He looked up at her to answer, but stopped when he saw something in her eyes… anticipation? Looking at her standing there, he again realized just how beautiful she was with her delicate elfin features. It made him wish they could….

He stopped himself in mid thought. This was not something he should be thinking.

“I’ll get back to ya on that, T’Pol. Just have to see how much work I get done and how tired I am at the end of my shift. “ He smiled sadly.

She looked at him for a moment, “All right, but remember you need to rest to get better from the flu.”

“I know, thanks for the offer and I’ll try and make it.”

He could swear that her face brightened slightly upon hearing him say this.

She gracefully left, and once more, he was alone in his office faced with problems that needed solutions.
Picking up his 3rd cup of coffee, he slowly sipped it and thought about how he was going to schedule the repairs and whom he would choose for each assignment.

***************************

Archer was in his ready room when the door chimed and T’Pol entered.

“Captain, the ship is just ahead of us, and we need to make a decision if we wish to hail them or not.”

Archer had given this a lot of thought and had decided he would take a chance on revealing his presence to the smaller ship. He just might get some badly needed information.

“All right, I’ll be right there. I’ve decided to hail them.”

T’Pol nodded and went back out to the bridge.

*****************************

Trip was repairing a circuit, when Lt Hess came to fetch him and tell him the Captain wanted to speak to him.

Walking back to his office, he absentmindedly wiped his nose with his hand, and then realized that he had just wiped grease all over his face.

“Son of a bitch.”

Things were not going well, and right now talking to the captain was the last thing he wanted to do. Besides, his headache was back in full force.

Sighing he pushed the comm button, “Tucker to the bridge.”

Jon’s voice came back sounding friendly for a change and Trip was relieved, at least he wasn’t in for a lecture, or more problems, he hoped.

“Trip, we’ve made contact with a trading vessel. The Captain has graciously offered to have lunch with us. I‘d like you join us.”

Trip paused a moment, this was worse.

” The repairs aren’t going well, Sir, what about T’Pol?”

“T’Pol is taking an inventory of what supplies we need. The trader may have some replacements for us. This is a request, but I will make it an order, Commander. “

The use of his title wasn’t lost on Trip, “Yes, Sir. Just have to change my uniform.”

Archer’s good mood was back, “I’ll expect you at 13:00 in the captain’s mess.”

“Yes, Sir.” Trip answered.

Great, now I have to be sociable! Just what I feel like doing with a headache and a runny nose.

*********************

Malcolm arrived at noon to fetch Trip for lunch. He found the engineer at his desk, dirty and disheveled looking. Grease covered his forehead as well as his face and hands. The Commander was not in a good mood.

“Having a good day are we?” He asked in his best-clipped British accent.
Trip gave him a disgusted look, and then realized why the armory officer was there.

“Sorry, Malcolm, I forgot you were coming to get me. Captain wants me to join him and the cargo ship captain for lunch,” he said in way of an apology.

Malcolm smiled. This was getting better. Maybe Archer was beginning to take an interest in Trip again.

“Not a problem, I’ll sit with Travis and Hoshi. How are you feeling?” He could see how exhausted Trip looked and acted.

“Ok, I guess, but I still have one hell of a headache. I’m not going to be very good company. Never mind sociable.”

“You’ll feel better after you’ve eaten.”

Trip looked at him with a slight smirk and shook his head. Malcolm never gave up.

The Lt smiled back. “Yes, well I’ll be off then, have a good lunch and I’ll see you later.”

Malcolm left and Trip once more pulled out his hanky to wipe his runny nose. He managed to wipe half the grease off his face as well.

Almost an hour later, he left his quarters once more clean and in a new uniform. At least he felt half human again having taken another pill and a shower to help clear his head and his sinuses. His headache had lessened to a dull throbbing pain.

When he entered the Captain’s mess, Archer was standing up, and next to him was the captain of the cargo vessel.

Archer smiled when he saw Trip enter and introduced the two men. Trip wasn’t sure of the captain’s species, but he thought Jon said Voton or something that sounded like it. His name sounded like Broetag, again, Trip wasn’t sure.

Trip extended his hand and tried a friendly smile, “Captain Broetag, nice ta meet ya.”

Broetag did the same and shook Trip’s hand. The UT was on the table so they had no problem conversing. Hoshi had done an admirable job of supplying the language translation in such a short period of time.

“ Gentleman, if you’d like to sit.”

Archer showed Broetag the seat across from Trip, then he took his usual seat at the head of the table.

Archer started to fill Trip in on what Broetag had been telling him about the area of space they were in.

“Captain Broetag says that the anomalies are everywhere throughout the expanse. He’s also been trading in this part of space for twenty of our years. We just might be able to get some ideas as to where to look for new contacts.” Archer looked at Trip. “ I told him about our exploration mission and how we would like to establish possible treaties and trade agreements.”

Archer keeping the real mission from the cargo captain didn’t surprise Trip. Something about Broetag didn’t sit well with Trip.

He seems too friendly. The last time someone was this friendly, I ended up getting shot and Jon was kidnapped and sold to the Klingons.

On the other hand, maybe I’ve just become cynical since the Xindi attacked us.

However, Trip took the hint from Archer and started to talk to Broetag. He could be far more charming than Archer and find out a lot more with his easy and disarming southern manner. Trip also realized why T’Pol hadn’t been invited. She was far from subtle!

The conversation covered a lot of things one of which was the reason why the Vortons were in the expanse trading goods and hauling cargo for other planets.

“So you’re saying you have to do this in order to survive?” Trip asked trying to understand.

“Yes. Our planet is small and not very suitable for mining or growing food. Everything has to be imported. We have to leave our planet and go out into space in order to work and feed our families.”

“Sounds like you don’t have much of a life.” Trip added sympathetically shaking his head. “How often do you get home?”

”We see our families every four months and manage to spend at least a month's time with them before we leave again. There’s good money in trading items and hauling certain cargo for other planets. “ Broetag added as his way of explaining his position.

“Do you ever have to haul dangerous stuff for these other planets?” Trip asked trying to sound concerned.

“Sometimes, but we insist on being paid in advance so we can send the money home in case something goes wrong.” Broetag didn’t seem to find the question out of the ordinary since Trip had been asking him what type of things they hauled.

“You wouldn’t by chance have some extra plasma you could sell us.” Trip asked pleasantly, “Cause we were raided by some pirates a while back and they took some of our reserves.”

Broetag looked interested. “Pirates are our major concern as well, but they seem to know we have nothing they’d want and pretty much leave us alone. I’m sorry, but we don’t have any plasma.”

Archer had listened to the conversation and finally jumped in. “How about charts of this area? Maybe we could trade for those? It’d be helpful to be able to find our way around.” He tried not to sound anxious.

Broetag smiled, “Yes, we keep them in our ship’s computer. You’d have to bring a recorder over to download them, but I’d be glad to trade with you.”

Archer smiled, ”What would you like in exchange?”

Broetag laughed, “Let me try your food first and I’ll think of something, I’m sure.”

Archer smiled, but Trip had a sinking feeling that they weren’t going to be happy when they heard what that something was.

Probably want me to overhaul their engines or give them all our technology. It’s lucky Porthos isn’t here or he’d probably ask for him.

The meal was served and Broetag seemed to be enjoying himself and the food immensely by the amount of laughing he did. Trip suspected it was the wine that was making him so jovial.

All Trip kept thinking of was the smiling Tellerite who had fooled them so well. Part of Trip however had to feel sympathetic; Broetag had a family to feed and was just trying to make a living. Hauling cargo through out the expanse couldn’t be easy.

After the meal was finished, Broetag started to tell them stories about things he had seen in the expanse. Some of the stories were about derelict ships with decomposing bodies on board. Killed by anomalies that had damaged their ships.

“It can be a very dangerous place out here if you’re not careful. Pirates can be the least of your problems.” Broetag added.

Trip was quiet now listening to the man’s tales. Finding what he said to be consistent to the anomalies they too had run into on the way here.

“You also have to watch out for another thing, a creature called a siren. They can enter any ship at will through any vent virtually undetected.

Broetag went on, for both Captain Archer and the Commander were listening intently.

“If you have a need for her, the siren will come in the night when the one she has chosen is most vulnerable to allowing her to enter their mind. She supposedly can give a man everything he needs or desires.”

Archer was intent on listening to Broetag’s story and didn’t seem to notice when Trip’s face suddenly lost all its color.

The realization that his dream was an alien entity invading his mind made Trip feel dizzy. The room seemed to close in around him, so he reached for the water glass pretending to cough and took a swallow.

Archer looked at him briefly, but turned back to Broetag who was just finishing his story.

“It’s a very rare creature and I doubt you will run in to any, but it makes a good tale. “ He smiled, ”I’ve never seen one in all my years traveling through here, so I can’t swear that there is such a creature.”

Archer smiled, and then noticed Trip, whose face was very pale as he stared down at his hands on the table. Archer chose not to say anything for he knew Trip might not be feeling well and didn’t want to embarrass him.

Broetag finally got up. Trip still seemed distracted, so Archer made the farewells and offered to walk the captain back to the airlock where his shuttle was.

Broetag looked back at Trip, “Goodbye, Commander, I hope you’ll come over to my ship and I’ll show you our engine room.”

Trip looked up, aware now of what was happening, ”Yes, I’d… like that.”

Broetag smiled and left with Archer.

Trip just stared at nothing…. Oh God! Now what do I do?

**********************

Contine to Part 6

Return to Part 4

Back to Fan Fiction Main Menu

Have a comment to make about this story? Do so in the Trip Fan Fiction forum at the HoTBBS!

One person has made comments

Im delighted to see you have added another chapter. This is really great now I cant wait for the next one. Hope you add soon.!! Thanks