Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 4 Jan 2004 05:43:34 -0800 In: alt.startrek.creative From: jeanette_slinn@yahoo.co.uk (Hoshissis) Title: "Did I Just See A Mermaid" 2 Author: Hoshissis Contact: jeanette_slinn@yahoo.co.uk Series: ENT Rating: PG-13 for swearing Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star trek and I derive no financial gain from this story. Codes: Tu, A, T, Ma, S, R, P, angst, friendship, humor, action/adventure Summary: This story is set before Season 3 when the mission is one of Chapter Two Stepping out of the shuttle, everyone gazed around standing in awe at the planets virgin unspoilt beauty. Captain Archer thought he had never seen a more beautiful sight. Breaking the moment, T'Pol turned to the various officers, crewmen and women handing out data pads. "You each have your specific assignments, collect as much data as you can then meet back here in five hours," said Tpol. "Yes mam!" "Great!" replied Trip. "That should give us time to explore." "This is not shore leave Commander Tucker." "All work and no play makes Tpol a dull Vulcan," teased Trip pulling a face, which caused the whole group to giggle like a bunch of school children on an outing. Not impressed by Trip's exuberant nature, T'Pol responded with the usual arched eyebrow, before dismissing the group. --------------------------------------------------- Five Hours Later Scans had been completed for the day, so Malcolm, Trip, Captain Archer, Travis and T'Pol were walking around admiring the beauty of the planet. Well Malcolm, Trip and Captain Archer were admiring the view; T'Pol was cataloguing all the various species of plant and animal life they had encountered. She admitted that the planet was aesthetically pleasing but it was not logical to use that as an excuse to cease being productive. Part of their travels took them to the deep lake surrounded by mountains, which Trip had noticed up on Enterprise while scanning the planet. "This lake stretches for miles across, you can't even see the other side," said Captain Archer "Scans indicated it's about 20 miles wide," replied Trip who was gauging the distance with his hand over his eyes. "That distance would make it more of a small sea, rather than a lake," said Captain Archer. "How deep is it?" "I couldn't scan the depth," said Trip standing on the edge of a rock formation trying to get a closer look with his scanner. "Be careful Commander, those rocks don't look very safe," queried T'Pol. "Yeah Trip!" said Malcolm who was keeping his distance. "Be careful you don't want to fall in." Trip threw them the I-know-what-I-am-doing-look before turning around and asked Captain Archer, "Hey Cap'n, maybe we could go get our diving gear and take a look around." "Sounds great Trip," replied Captain Archer. "I can't remember the last time we went diving." Trip grinned with enthusiasm, not noticing that the rock edge was starting to crumble beneath him. He shifted his feet to climb the way back, when the rock edge gave way causing him to fall backwards into the water with his arms flawing. "Son of a bitchhhhhhh!" he screeched before landing with a huge splash. "Well isn't this just great!" he said in an annoyed voice. Everyone was laughing at his predicament, even T'Pol had a slight smile on her face when she remarked "Maybe you will listen to me next time Commander." Trip didn't say anything, but if looks could kill, she would have about one thousand daggers in her body about now. "So how deep is it," chuckled Captain Archer. "Deep enough that I can't touch or see the bottom," replied Trip as he tried to grab hold onto what remained of the rock outcrop so he could get his foot up and climb out, unfortunately his fingers kept slipping and he couldn't get a grip. This made him fall back into the water again causing a lot of huge splashes. Far belong, something stirred from its sleep. It was hungry; it had been a long time in between meals. Ripples in the water attracted his attention – something big was near the surface splashing around. Lunch!" "Is someone going to help me out or am I just an object of hilarity for your amusement," asked a very annoyed Trip treading water so he could keep afloat. It swam up getting closer and closer. Whatever was causing those ripples was big; it would keep his hunger at bay for a while. Captain Archer took pity at the sight of his poor friend, "Alright Trip, hang on I'm coming." Just as Trip was about to reach up his hand to his friend, he felt something wrap around his leg and pull him under and down. He didn't have time to cry out, one minute it seemed he was treading water, the next he was holding in his breath fighting to get free as he was dragged way down to the bottom. He kicked and kicked with his free foot until he felt his captor release him. He swam upwards with all of his strength, his lungs felt like they were bursting. "Trip! Stop kidding around would you," said Captain Archer as he saw his young friend go under the water. "Don't worry sir, he's just playing around trying to make us feel guilty," replied Malcolm who was now next to Captain Archer looking down into the water. Trip burst through the surface gasping for air. Seeing his friends he raised his hand managing to cry out "Help!" before he was dragged under once again. Captain Archer and Malcolm both looked at each other, unsure of what just happened. "I don't think he is kidding sir," said Malcolm feeling rather guilty and looking very worried. Captain Archer stripped off his boots and dived in, hoping to god that he wasn't too late. Trip struggled frantically as he was dragged further and further down, but this time whatever it was that had him wouldn't let go. He was panic stricken as he felt his lungs cry out for air. Just as he thought his time was up and his eyes began to close, he saw a beautiful vision swim up in front of him. This vision was a beautiful woman with long flowing hair, big blue eyes, a very curvaceous body and what looked liked a fish's tail. She shot something into the body of whatever had grabbed him, which immediately quivered in pain and let go of its prey. The woman then grabbed hold of Trip and pulled him up towards the surface of the water at great speed, but by this time Trip had already drifted into unconsciousness. Just beneath the surface she let go and let him drift. Captain Archer had dived about three times already, but he couldn't see any sign of Trip. He was frantic with worry because time was clocking on for two and half minutes and he knew that Trip wouldn't be able to hold his breath much longer. He dived under once more praying that he would find Trip this time. He saw something drifting, he swam down and hooked his arms around his friends body and began pulling him up to the surface. Once there he desperately began swimming for the shore pulling Trip with his arm hooked under his lifeless body. Malcolm reached over and helped pull Trip out, while T'Pol did the same for Captain Archer. "Oh my god he's not breathing. Get Phlox her fast!" screamed Captain Archer and he frantically began mouth to mouth, trying to breathe the life back into his friend's body as Malcolm started vital heart massage. -- Stephen Ratliff ASC Stories Only Forwarding In the Pattern Buffer at: http//trekiverse.crosswinds.net/feed/ Yahoo! Groups Links To visit your group on the web, go to:http://groups.yahoo.com/group/ASCL/ To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to:ASCL-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to the Yahoo! Terms of Service. From ???@??? 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