Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 7 Jan 2004 13:58:55 -0800 In: alt.startrek.creative From: jeanette_slinn@yahoo.co.uk (Hoshissis) Title: "Did I Just See A Mermaid" 8 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 Eight Captain Archer, Trip and Phlox spent the next couple of hours chatting with the Aquarians in the recreational facility. They were a very open species who talking all about their culture and history, in return Captain Archer, Trip and Phlox did the same telling them all about their species history, culture and all about their mission. The Aquarians in the past were very much a matriarcle dominated species ruling and making all the decisions in all aspects of society – political, social and family. Since their relocation this aspect has eased off, although it still dominates with regards to political and family matters. During this discussion one of the Aquarians called Callina brought in some food and drink for everyone to try; some of the food looked like seaweed canapι's, and caviar, there was also some mushy bubble greeny stuff which looked awful but tasted amazing. Trip couldn't remember its proper name so he nicknamed this bogey delight, much to Captain Archer's horror who nearly choked from laughing so much. The liquid had a very pale blue tint to it with dark blue blobs that floated around the glass. Captain Archer and Trip were a little put off by the appearance but their perceptions definitely changed on tasting, since it had quite a powerful kick to it. It was so enjoyable Captain Archer decided that he was not leaving without some to take back with him, so he sat quietly pondering what he could offer in exchange. After the meal the Aquarians put on a song and dance performance for the visitors, which was absolutely enchanting. Three of the Aquarians sang with their angelic voices while playing on what looked like harps, while the others danced in the water flipping backwards, forwards and doing spectacular twisting summersaults in the air before diving gracefully back into the water, all in tune with the music – it was quite a sight. It was getting quite late and since Captain Archer and Trip had both drunk a lot of the wine, which had gone straight to their heads, so Callina offered to put their guests up for the night. Captain Archer called T'Pol to let her know what was happening, he then helped Trip walk to the guest quarters for the night. They were very lavishly decorated with silk and satin drape hammocks, ornate gold statues and pillows decorated the room with luminescent crystals acted as a light source and a clump in the centre acting as a heat source. Trip said that it reminded him of what Atlantis may have looked like, which got Doctor Phlox very confused since he was not away of this legendary tale. After a good nights sleep everyone was feeling very refreshed and raring to go off on another tour of the remaining facilities, even Trip was giddy as a schoolboy since his leg was back to normal and Callina had offered to show him their engineering facility which housed their defense structure and their bio sphere technology. With any luck he might be able to modify some of this technology to boost Enterprise's defensive hull plating technology. He was about to ask Captain Archer to comm. Enterprise to transport him some clothes down when Callina walked in carrying some spare attire that all the males wore. Not wanting to appear ungrateful he accepted, much to Captain Archer's amusement – this was one matriarcle aspect that remained, very revealing and tight hugging clothes. Trip got his own back though, he pulled Callina to one side when Captain Archer wasn't looking and mentioned that the Cap'n wanted to impress his good nature on his hosts so he wanted to dress up also for them. This pleased Callina, so much to Captain Archer's dismay and Trip's amusement; another set of attire was brought. Callina thought they made quite a striking pair, savoring both of them with her eyes – the shirts were a translucent silver material that was cut below the chest and just above the waist, so the abdominal and pectoral muscles could be highlighted and focused upon. The trousers were cut like hot pants and clung to the body, emphasizing every region and to finish off the ensemble was a pair of sandals that tied around the calf by two straps. "You know, I think I'd rather be naked," whispered Trip to Captain Archer, "It would be less revealing than what we have on now." "I think you right," whispered back Captain Archer, trying to retain a semblance of dignity on his face as the Aquarians devoured them both with their eyes. "If you will come this way Captain, Commander, I will show you the remaining spheres," said Callina leading them both out of their quarters. "What about Phlox?" asked Trip, turning towards the doctor? "Don't worry about me gentlemen, Mussels has asked me to help him in the medical centre." "Shouldn't you be wearing this attire also Doctor?" said Trip teasing the Doctor. "I wouldn't want to make the patients any sicker than what they already are," replied Phlox, making the others laugh. "Anyway, in our culture male Denoblians feel uncomfortable undressing or being undressed in front of the opposite sex." "Why didn't we think of that?" murmured Trip as Phlox walked past them out of the room grinning. ------------------------------------------------------------- About one hour into the tour, their appeared to be more of a buzz amongst the Aquarians than usual. Everyone seemed to be running to their posts and the tension in the atmosphere increased to the point where you could slice it with a knife. Callina went to the nearest comm. point "Control room, Callina here – what's happening" "Four Orphoid's have broken through our defences and have damaged one of the spheres trapping some of the personnel." "I'm on my way." Callina turned towards Captain Archer and Commander Tucker "It would be better if you made your way back to the recreational facility until the crisis is over." "Perhaps there is something we can do, it sounds like you need all the help you can get," suggested Commander Tucker. Callina pondered their suggestion for a moment then accepted their offer, "Okay, come with me." -------------------------------------------------------------- The control room was a hive of activity with a vast array of Aquarians concentrating on the defence aspect and rescue mission. "What's happening!" asked Callina as she entered the room with Captain Archer and Commander Tucker. "We have four personnel trapped within a damaged section of one of the domes," explained Serena, one of the top political Aquarians. "They can't get outside and swim to safety because they are injured, we don't want to cause them any further injury or highlight their presence to the Orphoid's, since they can smell any blood/injures from far away. We have a plan in development to a place a tunnel within the damaged section, so we can get medical personnel to the injured and them evacuate them once they have been stabilized. The only problem is that we don't have any spare trained personnel available to do this, since all available people at the moment are keeping the Orphoid's at bay and driving them away from our spheres." "We can help!" suggested Captain Archer. "Both me and Trip are both experienced divers and I'm sure with instructions from yourself Commander Tucker could fit the tunnel in place." "We won't be able to spare anyone to keep a look out for you in case any of the Orphoid's break through," replied Serena, "It would be highly dangerous. I couldn't ask you to place yourself in danger like that." "You didn't ask, I offered," said Captain Archer. "It's a chance we're willing to take." "Same here Cap'n, it's the least we can do." "I appreciate your offer, thank you," replied Serena. "I need to contact our ship first to get our diving equipment sent down, we need about 10 minutes before we will be ready," said Captain Archer, Serena nodded that she was okay with this arrangement, "Once again I thank you." --------------------------------------------------------------- Swimming along the seabed carrying the tunnel between them, Archer was carefully watching for any signs of the Orphoids since there was still a danger of attack if one or more broke free. Trip was listening to Serena on his earpiece who was giving him instructions on how to fit the tunnel in place, even though he was definitely competent of completing the task, he was just a little weary that he didn't want to let them down since he owned them his life. Waiting just beyond the damaged section of the sphere were the rescue and medical team, which Doctor Phlox had offered his expertise. As soon as Trip and Archer had the tunnel in place, they would break through their section, enter the tunnel, break into the damaged sphere, rescue the trapped workers and then return. The whole plan hinged on the success of Trip and Archer completing their part. --------------------------------------------------------------- Reaching the damaged section Trip got to work connecting the tunnel to the sphere; it looked easy enough but with only one person actually doing the task he soon realised that this was a misconception. Captain Archer was on look out for any Orphoid's, he had been given one of the Aquarians weapons to help with defence, but because there was such a huge area to scan it was definitely no easy task. "How's it going Trip?" "About half way through Cap'n. Give me another 30 minutes and I should be done, we can then comm... Serena to put the next part of the plan in action." "How are you doing sir?" "Don't worry about me Trip," replied Captain Archer as he scanned the area around him, "You'll hear me hollow if something comes." 30 minutes later "Okay Cap'n, tell Serena to get ready – I'm fitting the last piece in now." "I heard you Commander, I'll let them know. Serena out." "Trip, there's something coming towards us in the distance, how much more time do you need?" "About 5 minutes Cap'n." "I don't think we have that long," replied Captain Archer as he began firing at the approaching Orphoid. "Damn! Those creatures are really beginning to bug me," said Trip slotting the last bolt in place. "Right let's go Cap'n, I've finished," he said turning to face Captain Archer, "Look out! There's one coming in from the opposite direction," he shouted swimming up to his Captain and pushing him to the ground behind a rock as the creature sailed overhead just missing them by inches. "Damn! These buggers are silent and quick," said Captain Archer nodding his thanks to Trip. "Looks like we're going to be here awhile," replied Trip watching the two creatures circling overhead. "How much air have you got left?" "Nearly running on empty. You!" "About the same. Let's hope Serena sends in the troops soon." "Hang on Commander I've got men on there way now," said Serena who was listening in. "Take cover, there going to come in shooting." Trip smiled, he had forgotten that it was two way communications and that Serena could hear their every word. "Look!" he said pointing in the distance, "Here comes the cavalry." ----------------------------------------------------------------- Thirty minutes later, everyone was back inside the domes thanks to the cavalry who had brought extra tanks of oxygen for Captain Archer and Commander Tucker; the injured Aquarians had also been rescued and were being treated in the medical facility. Serena and the political contingent, delighted with the help offered by the Enterprise crew were willing to offer the hand of friendship to their new friends and open up new diplomatic channels. Pleased with their part in this, Captain Archer, Commander Tucker was preparing to return to Enterprise – they were waiting for Doctor Phlox who was still in the medical centre helping with the injured. "You know this would be a great base unit for shore leave, especially if more star ships are built. We going to start needing bases where we can stop over and grab recreational time," said Trip watching the Aquarians singing and swimming once again in the lagoons. "Good idea, I'll mention it to Forrest during our next talk," replied Captain Archer, enjoying the scenery also. He was surprised that Trip had come up with this idea; he never seemed the serious type always living for the day. "You surprise me Trip; my serious side must be rubbing off on you more than I thought". "God I hope not!" replied Trip, "You definitely need to lighten up more and I think I know exactly how to do it," he said with a twinkling eyes standing up and pulling Captain Archer to the lagoon. "What've you got in mind Trip?" said Captain Archer with a cautious tone to his voice. "I wonder if they have ever heard of skinny dipping," he laughed, looking at the horror on Captain Archer's face. "You wouldn't dare!" "Watch me!" he laughed, pulling at his shirt and entering the lagoon. ------------------------------------------------------------------ -- 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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