Forwarded by the ASC-VSO Posted: 7 Jan 2004 16:40:10 -0800 In: alt.startrek.creative From: shouldknowbettertt@yahoo.co.uk (shouldknowbetter) Title: Cry Havoc Series: ENT Begins with "A Logical Proposal" "Cry Havoc'" is seventh in the series Part: 6/6 Story 25/34 Series Author: ShouldKnowBetter Email: shouldknowbettertt@yahoo.uk.com Rating: PG-13 Codes: Tu/T, all "Enterprise" characters, Soval, action, drama, angst Summary: A planet holds unexpected treasure for Enterprise's crew. CRY HAVOC Part Six Archer's call caught Tucker only a few metres from the doors to Engineering and tied his guts into knots. His ship, his captain and his lover were all in trouble and if the only way to save them meant dying himself he could do that, but he really didn't want to. "OK," he halted by the door and grabbed a couple of micro-detonators from his fellow engineer. "Harry, open that door on my mark. You two, as soon as it opens, take out the overhead power conduits – and try not to hit me. Go!" The doors opened and Tucker dived in, rolling to one side as those behind him began to blast the power conduits. Hopefully they wouldn't do a great deal of damage but should keep everyone's attention away from he was doing. There was always a chance that the rest of the engineering team would respond to reason and/or authority but he didn't have the time to find out. The detonators locked onto the dilithium chamber and he set the minimum delay and ducked for cover, yelling for anyone who might be listening to do the same. The resultant explosion caused more damage than the Klingon incursion and sent acrid smoke swirling through the compartment but it certainly took out main power. Coughing, Tucker pulled out his communicator. "Malcolm? Is that force field down yet?" "Yes. What's happening?" "Just get the bastard. He's still got some power. He could re-route to charge weapons." "Acknowledged. Reed out." Tucker sat back against the wall and tried to catch his breath. This was a really bad day and even if they survived it would take weeks to fix both ships. He was fed up with fixing the mess caused by other people. Reed's satisfaction when the force field went down shocked even him. He shouldn't be feeling such pleasure at the fact he could now go and kick hell out of the people who had imprisoned him, but on the other hand, those same people had clearly hurt Enterprise or Trip wouldn't be so irate and that was not acceptable to Malcolm. He could justify being up for this assault and so he threw the first of the stun grenades himself and was the first onto the bridge; there was no way he was going to give Dexter the opportunity to shoot at anyone under his command, even if she did fancy Tucker. Reed could probably have been less hyped up and still succeeded. The stun grenades had the desired effect and when he charged onto the bridge only the man at tactical still had enough of his wits to shoot back and that with very poor aim. The armoury officer dropped him, pleased to note that it was the same man who had shot himself and Tucker, then secured the rest with Rommel's help, leaving Dexter to last. The captain stirred as the restraints went on and Reed indulged in some uncharacteristic gloating. "The game's over, captain, and you lost." Still dazed, Dexter only glowered back and closed his eyes. Any satisfaction Reed felt dissolved when he turned to abort whatever course Pushkin was on and caught sight of Enterprise on the main view screen. Even a visual inspection indicated that the ship was badly damaged. He halted Pushkin relative to Enterprise then hailed his own ship. "Malcolm," Archer sounded relieved, "what's your status?" "I've secured the bridge, captain, and Commander Tucker's in Engineering. I don't believe there'll be any more trouble from Pushkin's crew." "See that there isn't. Malcolm, I want you to stay on Pushkin and assess whether or not she can be repaired again. I'm pulling Trip back to do the same for Enterprise. He's to bring Dexter with him." "Yes, sir." Reed hesitated, grimacing at his need to know. "Sir? Did we do enough?" "I don't know, Malcolm. That'll be up to the Klingons. I'll …" "Captain!" Reed had been keeping an automatic watch on the sensor output. "There's another ship dropping out of warp." "I see it." Enterprise's view screen was still operational and Archer could see the ominous shape of a Klingon warship gliding towards them. "Pushkin still has weapons, sir, if Mr Tucker can restore power to them." "Not this time, lieutenant. Neither one of us is any condition to fight. We'll see what talking can do. Enterprise out." On Enterprise's bridge, Archer turned to Sato. "Hail them." It was a relief when an image formed in front of him. He had feared that the Klingons might simply blast the two Starfleet vessels without pause. "I'm Captain Jonathan Archer of the Earth ship Enterprise." "Archer." It sounded as if the name was known. "My name is Huron of the house of Morg, captain of the battle cruiser Grelik. You violate our territory and threaten our ships. That is an act of war." "I had a reason for being here and it didn't involve attacking your shipping. I'm afraid, Captain Grelik, that one of our captain's has been acting without orders. I followed him here to stop him." "Dexter." That time there was a sneer in the Klingon's voice. "The one who fires without warning like the dishonourable coward he is. Why would you stop him?" "Because we now know that it was the Pushkin who fired on your ship. That's as unacceptable to us as it is to you." "Why shouldn't I destroy you both?" "You could." Archer gestured at the damaged bridge behind him. "My ship's crippled. Pushkin's not much better. But it wouldn't be an honourable fight." "You have no honour!" "Speak to the freighter captain. Ask him what went on here." The Klingon growled but Archer had struck the right note. "I will investigate – and then execute you. I will have no one say there is no justice in the Klingon empire. Until then, Archer, you and your crew are my prisoners. My warriors will board your ship. Resistance will be punished. Give your orders accordingly. Huron out." Archer didn't like it one bit, but there was nothing else he could do. They just couldn't make a fight of it, but being at the mercy of Klingon justice was not a happy prospect. Enterprise's crew were herded into the cargo bay where at least Archer could keep an eye on them all and Phlox could perform first aid on those injured in Pushkin's attack. Fortunately there had been no further casualties; the Klingons had done some pushing but nothing worse. It was not long before the crowded room became even more congested as the remnant of Pushkin's crew was thrust in, rather more roughly. Archer was relieved to see Tucker and Reed with them and the pair made their way over to where their captain was sitting with his other officers as soon as they spotted them, Rommel tagging along behind. "Trip, Malcolm," Archer greeted them calmly, "you both OK?" They nodded, although Tucker's eyes were on T'Pol who was sitting beside her captain, legs crossed, back stubbornly straight despite the ugly gash beside one eye. "What about our people?" "Three dead." Archer's flat tone gave away little of the rage he felt at that. "A couple more badly hurt. Apart from that, just bumps and bruises. Where's Dexter?" It was Reed who answered, since Tucker appeared to be locked in a silent battle of wills with T'Pol over whether she would allow him any sign of personal concern – or just possibly whether her pounding headache had weakened her sufficiently that she would give into relief at finding him still alive and hug him tightly. "They kept him on Pushkin." Reed crouched down in the cramped space. "What's going on, sir?" Archer filled them in on their flimsy hope of survival, trying to find some humour in the situation as Tucker and T'Pol reached a compromise that involved sitting as close together as possible. The captain couldn't be sure, but he was fairly convinced that it also involved some discreet hand-holding. A couple of hours dragged by in almost complete silence then Tucker, who had been staring moodily at nothing for most of the period, said abruptly, "What d'you think made Dexter snap, cap'n?" Archer sighed, shaking his head. "I've been asking myself the same question and I don't have an answer. If there was any previous sign of instability, he'd not have been out here." "You want my opinion?" Tucker's captain managed a tired grin. "I think I'm going to get it anyway." "Dexter made a mistake. Maybe he panicked. The rest was just an attempt to save his own butt." The engineer's voice hardened. "He was prepared to start a war rather than admit he made a mistake." T'Pol, who had finally settled with her head on Tucker's shoulder after an order from Phlox to rest, stirred and he raised a hand to stroke the back of her neck in apology for the burst of anger that had disturbed her. "You could be right." "I don't like killing." Tucker was still absently caressing the woman leaning against him. "Soval's the only one I ever really wanted to kill. Well, maybe T'Pol too when that pollen got to me. But if you stood Dexter in front of me now and put a phase pistol in my hand, I'd pull the trigger and not lose a minute's sleep over it." Archer couldn't think of an answer to that one. The doors to the cargo bay opened and two armed Klingons appeared, barking a question. Sato winced. "They want you and the sub-commander, captain." Archer rose to his feet. "Tell them I'll go with them but T'Pol stays here." The response was clearly negative. "They won't hear of it, sir. They said to hurry up or they'll start shooting." Frowning Archer looked down to find T'Pol awake and looking back at him, a little more focussed then she had been earlier. "Then I guess we'd better go, sub-commander." Tucker helped the Vulcan woman to her feet and kept a possessive arm around her waist when she swayed although this time his eyes were on Archer's, concern clear – and not just for his lover this time. "Cap'n …" Archer squeezed his friend's arm, offering both comfort and confidence. "Get them safe back to Earth, commander." He still hoped that the Klingons would accept his head if need be and let his crew go free. "Call in the Vulcans to help if you need to. Good luck." He gave Tucker a brief, affectionate shake. "Don't forget to feed Porthos. T'Pol?" She cast one quick look at Tucker then reached up to press two fingers to his mouth and stepped away, accepting Archer's steadying hand under her arm as they began to pick their way towards the doors. Tucker watched them go, teeth gritted as he struggled not to show too much of the grief and apprehension he felt in front of the remaining crew. Jon had left him in command and if it was the last order he ever received then he would do his damnedest to live up to his captain's faith in him. Enterprise's bridge was full of Klingons, Captain Huron occupying the command chair. He didn't look up from the ornamented, double bladed knife he was playing with although he clearly knew that Archer and T'Pol had arrived. "Will your government believe what Dexter did, Archer?" "Backed by the evidence we have, yes." "My government does not believe that." He swung around. "It thinks you have no honour, no justice, so I am authorised to exact justice here. Klingon justice." "Which means?" The other captain barked an order in Klingon and the man at Sato's station hit a control, changing the view screen to show Pushkin's bridge. Directly in front of them, Dexter was tied to his command chair, expression becoming even more frantic as he saw who was watching him. "I am Huron of the House of Morg. Hear the judgement of the Klingon Empire. We find Dexter a coward, a liar, a murderer, without honour. For his crimes against Klingon citizens the penalty is death. A coward's death, not in battle but in shame." He paused. "You witness this, Vulcan? We know Vulcans do not lie. You will report my words." "Very well." T'Pol could have been agreeing to have salad for lunch and Archer was struggling to think of a rational protest. He tried but it was almost for form's sake as he watched the struggling figure of Dexter, clearly shouting although there was no sound. "Captain Huron, I must object. Captain Dexter has the right to a trial. I assure you that if you allow him to return to Earth …" The Klingon made a slashing gesture with one hand, most effective when one was holding a large knife. "He has been tried. You think we are barbarians to execute even cowards without trial?" He looked straight at Archer who saw with surprise that there was no satisfaction in the Klingon's expression. "Justice will be done today." Huron turned back to the view screen and again gave an order in Klingon. This time it must have been routed to his own ship for the shots that rocked Pushkin did not come from Enterprise. They saw Dexter struggle even more violently as his ship began to fail around him then there was a massive explosion and the view screen cut back to show space and Pushkin's final disintegration. Huron waited until it was over then pushed himself up. "That was justice, Captain Archer." He moved towards the exit, his own people following. "You have twelve hours to make repairs then you will vacate Klingon space with all haste. If I find you here after that, I will destroy you." He paused at the door for one final observation. "War will come between our people. I will see you in battle, Archer." Enterprise just managed to limp out of Klingon space within the timeframe allocated then as soon as long range communications were back on-line Archer swallowed his pride and called for help. His ship had taken a beating and Tucker had reluctantly been forced to admit that he couldn't get her even part way functional again without access to docking facilities. They just had to wait for the Vulcan cruiser that had responded to their distress call to come and give them a tow. It was humiliating but it was better than being dead and it gave Enterprise's weary crew a chance to rest after having again been forced into a series of double and triple shifts to jury-rig a damaged ship. When Archer finally convinced himself that there was nothing further to be done but wait and took himself to the mess hall in search of sustenance there were still a number of occupied tables, filled with small groups talking quietly. The captain joined the smallest and quietest group where Tucker and T'Pol were sitting beside each other, sharing a large slice of pecan pie – chef believed in providing comfort food – although T'Pol's hard stare suggested to Archer that it was probably wise not to mention that he had seen her allowing Tucker to feed her. "Shouldn't you two be in bed?" "It's a plan," Tucker agreed, "but when Travis told me that chef had made pecan pie …" He broke off with a shrug and ate some more with evident enjoyment. "Did you speak with Admiral Forrest, captain?" T'Pol enquired and Archer nodded. "He didn't say much." He shook his head. "For which I can't say I blame him. Starfleet will want to review the evidence." "Are we gonna apologise to the Klingons?" Tucker asked through another mouthful and earned himself a disapproving look from T'Pol. "I hope so but even if we do it might not be enough. Klingons hold grudges." "So it could still be war?" "Let's say it's a definite maybe." Archer shrugged apologetically at his friend for not having better news. "Our orders are still to return to Earth." He poked unenthusiastically at his own meal. "I still can't credit what Dexter did. There's a responsibility that goes with command. Dexter abused that." "He was one man, Jon. He doesn't represent all Starfleet." "But one man in a position of power. Trip, what would you do if I made a mistake like that?" "You wouldn't." "I'm human. We make mistakes. What would you do?" "Kick shit out of you for letting me down." "As a friend?" "Sure." "And as an officer?" There was a longer pause this time and Tucker finally grimaced. "I told Malcolm I'd obey you. I think I still would." "That," T'Pol announced dryly, "is why the Vulcan High Command felt it necessary to insist on there being a Vulcan observer aboard Enterprise." She met Archer's questioning look calmly. "Rest assured, Captain Archer, that in such a situation I would not allow loyalty to override common sense." The captain grinned, looking down at his plate then up to his first officer again. "I'm glad to hear that, T'Pol." Tucker yawned and offered the final piece of pie to T'Pol who glared at him, practically snatching the fork to deal with the offering without assistance. "I'm gonna get some rest before that Vulcan ship turns up. ‘Night, cap'n." He held out a hand to T'Pol and Archer watched another silent contest which Tucker apparently won as the woman reluctantly placed her own in his. It was probably fortunate that she didn't see the impudent wink Tucker sent Archer as they headed for the door. Archer turned his attention to his meal with a shake of his head, at once amused and saddened. Developing the sort of inter-species relationship that Tucker and T'Pol had been able to sustain for some time now despite the cultural differences between them had to be more constructive than trying to destroy each other, but he found it hard to believe that a human and a Klingon could ever come to such an accommodation. END of "Cry Havoc" Continued in "Remember" -- 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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