Jupiter Aligns for Mars

Chapter Seven: Aliens and Toilet Paper

Rating: PG

Focus: TnT, real engineering, Trip kinda stretches the truth a bit sorta. An old friend becomes a new OC. Extra special kudo’s to Putaro for helping meet a deadline…

Summary: I decided I liked Alelou’s communal male Tellarite quarters from “Secrets and Sties” so as usual I stole the concept. Thanks nice lady!

Disclaimer (necessary): Star Trek: Enterprise and its characters are copyright CBS/Paramount. No copyright infringement is intended by the author of this story, which is solely for the purpose of entertainment and is not for profit.

Plasma conduit sizes. Optical fiber sizes. Periodic Table of the Elements in Tellarite, Vulcan and Andorian and new combinations for new alloys. Trip was wondering if perhaps he had taken on too much this time. At least they had agreed to the metric system, well most of it. Now all he had to do was get this first friggin’ prototype built with the different dimensioning systems. The Tellarites had no problem building the hulls any way the Coalition wanted and had reworked the Andorian plans to use Earth fasteners. He also had T’Pol request Tellarite welders to train his people. The difficulty had been trying to determine what a Grade 8 Bolt in the Earth fashion meant to the Vulcans and the Andorians… and a million other minor details.

The funny thing was Trip knew that the little things he established now would probably become the standards for the future. He figured Jon would be pissed when he found out that “Cochranes” had been replaced by the Vulcan name and scale. But he had traded it for the metric system. They were still haggling over units for pressure, what did they have against Pascals anyway? It wasn’t like he was making them use Atmospheres. He hoped Malcolm wouldn’t be too upset when he found out that British Thermal Units had remained unacceptable, hell he hadn’t even bothered about horsepower.

Kelby had agreed to stay on second shift NX Program duty and that had been huge. Anna Hess had taken over Trip’s first shift role and the both of them had politely but firmly told him to butt out. Anna knew that meant NX would be hers as soon as Kelby found his replacement. Incentives worked wonders didn’t they, he mused.

He doubted anyone except future engineers would appreciate all the difficulties in trying to reach a consensus involving material and plasma science and four differing systems of measurement. The good news was that the engineering project people from the coalition partners were in route. That revelation reminded him to check with Chief Litlitvinowitz. Trip tapped his desktop comm for the chief’s direct line.

“Commander.”

“How are we doing?”

“I’ll be in your office in two minutes, sir.”

The chief entered and Trip motioned him to a seat. “The Tellarite beds are here. Their embassy sent up some spares. They are a bit different but we got them into their quarters. They like sleeping all together in a big room, and no females.”

“Vulcans and Andorians share similar habits to us Humans apparently. How long until they arrive, Commander?”

“We have about a week, no doubt the Ambassadors will want a tour prior.” They will not be getting one Ashayam. This facility must remain incognito. Trip smiled “I have just been reliably informed that there will be no tours, Chief.” The Chief was well aware of his telepathic connection to T’Pol and just smiled. “Well, we have their quarters figured out and each group is getting their own office area outside of engineering, do ya think we need a permanent conference room to hold us all?”

“May I speak freely sir?” Trip nodded quickly sliding a mental shield into place. “Hell no, it will just give an excuse for more meetings. Might I suggest that we use either a cargo bay or better yet a portion of the mess hall? Chef will put an end to frivolous discussions quickly.”

Trip started laughing uncontrollably. The Chief couldn’t help himself and joined in. “Okay Chief, what else don’t I want to know?”

“Unofficially and off the record the chiefs are receiving a shipment from the Vulcans later today.”

Trip slid another shield into place. Thankfully, T’Pol had been helping him with these mental screens. “Stop right there. Change the subject, this conversation could be monitored.”

Chief Litlitvinowitz switched tracks without missing a beat, “I am concerned about all the different spare parts we will have to put aboard the prototype.” Trip smiled and nodded giving the chief the come on signal. “This ship will not be operational in a combat sense. It will fly, well it better, but we need at least one technician from each species on board.”

Trip had forwarded a recommendation to T’Pol that the shakedown cruise would require engineers from each species and their own test equipment. He really didn’t want the new ship blowing up ‘cause the crew didn’t understand each other’s gauges. “Chief, you’re buying. Let’s hit the mess ‘cause I already sent the recommendation to the captain and for the first time I’m ahead of ya.”

They settled into chairs and a carafe of coffee magically appeared. “How are you and Rocco getting on?” asked Trip.

“Fine sir. He’s taken quite a load off of me. He’s demanding and I think we will start getting some transfer requests from some of the Seabees.”

Trip eyed the chief. “Problem?”

“No commander just weeding ‘em out, he’s cracking the whip. It’s what we needed. Thanks for bringing him on. I already gave Commander Reed a heads up.”

Trip smiled to himself as they walked. They were building a fine crew. “Chief, do you have any idea on how to figure spare parts for the Manshir?”

“No, I don’t, Commander. Guess we best start thinking about it.”

Still unsure if his transfer to BuPers was advancement, Admiral Rolf Reintz surveyed the stack of personnel files on his desk.  The newly minted Operations Chief, Admiral Yuri Zhadov, had tasked him with coming up with pilots and crews for the soon to be delivered Gideon Class ships. It had been determined that the ships would be commanded by a minimum grade of Lt. Commander but, in a nod to reality, his search did allow him to promote Lieutenants if they were well qualified. Well qualified had been determined to mean that the officer in question had to be able to see lightning and hear thunder. Fortunately Starfleet had many solid candidates and he doubted he would be scraping the bottom of the barrel.

He had an additional tasking which was to find a Test Pilot and an Instructor Pilot. The personnel jacket in front of him had been pre-screened as a possible IP. The top of the jacket said Ranger, Lorne Lt. Commander. His brain was a bit foggy after days of shuffling files but he knew that name from somewhere. He opened the file and smiled. It was one of his favorite students at the Academy when he had done his teaching tour there. He'd had a nickname too; he leaned back in his office chair trying to remember.

His smile broadened, SB, as in SilverBullet. Somehow Lorne had been morphed into Lone and everyone knew that the Lone Ranger shot silver bullets, didn't they?

He quickly perused the file and knew he had his Instructor Pilot. Well, Captain Suarez, sorry. He bundled up the other IP files and called his aide.

“Jim, send this stack over to Captain Suarez. He’s losing his lead IP.”

“Admiral?”

“Jim, we’re pulling a dirty trick on him, the least we can do is give him a head start on his search for a replacement.” His aide was new, his last one having just finished his year. He was glad that he had been advised to only give an aide a one-year tour so many years before; the job was too demanding. Breaking in a new one annually was the downside.

“Yes, Admiral.”

“Sit down, son.” Lt. James MacTavish sat. “You’ve seen most of the files, do you know any of these officers?”

“Sir, only a few of them.”

“What do you think of the ones you are familiar with?”

“Permission to speak freely Admiral?”

He eyed his aide carefully. “Proceed.”

“Sir, I barely had time to peruse a few I thought I knew. If the Admiral desires my opinion, could I have another look at the files?”

“Yes, but they don’t leave this office. I’m headed home. Give me your opinions in the morning.”

“Yes sir. And Admiral?”

“Yes Jim?”

“Lieutenant Commander Ranger is an excellent choice. He taught me to fly, sir.”

Rolf thought about that for a minute. “Jim, should I get him involved, quietly involved, with my selection process?”

“Yes, Admiral, I think if you reviewed all StarFleet’s personnel files you will find that he has approved or disapproved roughly half of Starfleet’s pilots in the last five years.”

Standing, Rolf smiled to himself square pegs in square holes. “Thanks Jim, see you in the morning.”

Malcolm had taken to randomly patrolling the station at odd intervals, being predictably unpredictable he figured. He had just entered NX pre-assembly bay 9-46 when his comm rang. “Reed”

A single code word came through.  “Pearl”

“On my way. Alert the captain.”

Malcolm entered his lair on level 3. He had moved all of the station surveillance monitoring equipment into 3-6, which was monitored by his security people 24/7. They had added numerous sensors to the station’s impressive video observation system. He had also persuaded Captain T’Pol to place docking buoys well off the station for all incoming vessels. Jupiter Station protocols now required all ships to moor at a buoy and await either station shuttles or shuttletugs for unloading. “What do you have, Mr. Shinwa?”

“Cargo Ship Lulabelle, sir. I believe they put someone outside in an EV suit. He’s not doing anything, just hanging around cargotainer 3. Their manifest indicates four cargotainers, two for the galley and two NX loads. It just seemed suspicious, sir.”

“It does to me as well, Ensign. Good job. Let’s watch and see what he does.” Commander Reed had placed the docking buoys in specific places near the station and added additional cameras. While they waited, Ensign Kim Do Deen came into the control room and took over general monitoring, allowing Ensign Shinwa to focus on Buoy 2. The shuttle tug moved toward the station with its first load as Malcolm dispatched a security team to the cargo bay.

Shinwa turned his head towards Malcolm. “Sir, there was a brief transmission external to the Lulabelle. No response.” Neither Admiral Yamashita nor Captain T’Pol had an issue with Malcolm loading his docking buoys with surveillance gear. “Two Human bio-signs inside container 3.” Shinwa pulled up the manifest. “They are not supposed to be shipping humans.”

Reed keyed his comm. “Captain T’Pol, could you join us in the Security Command Center?”

“On my way.”

T’Pol entered moments later. “Yes, Commander Reed?”

“I believe we have an attempted infiltration. Three individuals, two in a cargotainer and one, well let’s wait and see. I suggest code Donal.”

T’Pol raised an eyebrow to the affirmative level, cocking her head slightly. “I suggest we transmit ‘Charnov’ to Admiral Yamishita.” Malcolm nodded.

Shinwa adjusted the camera focus and they watched an EV suit carefully hide itself from the view of the shuttle tug and yet get aboard as it collected container 2. Malcolm took a seat in front of a monitor and watched as the EV suit disembarked before the cargotainer entered the hold. Malcolm had of course carefully positioned cameras all around the exterior of the bays and it became surreal as the EV suit moved carefully towards a door, completely unaware that every movement was being watched and recorded. The individual moved to an airlock and disappeared inside. Meanwhile cargotainers 3 and 4 were placed along side 1 and 2 as the Lulabelle departed.

Donal had mixed emotions about being immortalized by his previous action of shooting first and asking questions later, but he figured it was the right thing to do once again. This idiot was probably a sodding Campbell anyway. As the airlock opened he dropped him. “Bingo,” he sent over his comm.

The quartermasters began unloading the cargotainers. As they reached number three they were replaced by security personnel with hand scanners. These invaders were similarly stunned on sight. Quickly a shuttle maneuvered into place and all three were loaded aboard and taken to the special docking port on the Mercy. Donal had ridden along per Commander Reed’s orders and helped move the gurneys onto the hospital ship. Special quarters had been opened up on a lower deck and Malcolm  was pleased that Dr. Lucas had no issue with Captain T’Pol’s orders for this eventuality.

He watched as the doc assessed their condition and then gave them a hypospray. “They will be unconscious until I wake them up Lieutenant MacGregor. What do we know?”

“Nothing, sir.”

T’Pol and Malcolm entered together. “Any trouble?”

“That one neap was a bit heavy,” said Donal smiling, pointing at a 150+ kilo Human laying on a bio-bed. Malcolm rolled his eyes.

“I wish to ascertain who sent them before we hand them over to Starfleet Intelligence.”

“Not a problem Captain,” said Dr. Lucas. “Who would you like to question first?”

“The one in the EV suit.” T’Pol turned away as they quickly removed his suit and clothing down to his briefs. She also backed out of easy view, Donal moving between her and the bio-bed. They covered him with a blanket and a hypospray was administered. Malcolm began the questioning following the Doc’s advice about being up beat and friendly.

“What you doing here mate?”

“Aw, where am I?” said the man. “I feel woozy.”

“Just hold down your dinner. Have you been drinking?”

“Not that I remember. I got to go to Jupiter Station. The Vulcan whore and that human traitor are there. Orders came down from Humphreys. Take ‘em out. You Terra Prime too?”

“Not exactly,” continued Malcolm, “now take it easy. You need rest.” The doctor popped him with another hypospray and he went out. “Answers that question. Captain, I apologize for this wanker. I suppose putting them back out the airlock is not acceptable?”

Malcolm returned to his office, put in place some additional security protocols and blanked the emotions from his face as Harris’ visage appeared. “Charnov, Commander?” came over his comm.

“I have three Charmins for you.” After a few drinks one night Malcolm and Donal had decided that Terra Primers or TP’ers weren’t much better than used toilet paper and the code name had been born. “Please dispatch a shuttle for pick-up. We gave one of them a very brief interview and he mentioned the name Humphreys. Does it mean anything to you?”

Harris did not conceal his concern. “It is well known to us. It also puts a round peg in a round hole. He is a wealthy Australian anarchist with connections in the UE Government, if it is the same individual. Our shuttle will arrive in 45 min. Code word is ‘Cancun’. I think this may break them.”

“Good. Tell them to follow docking instructions. My people will have our guests packaged.”

“Harris out.”

Malcolm closed his comm and sat back. He had had a few conversations with Admiral Yamishita and knew that Harris had been brought back under control. He hoped that Harris’ ego would allow him to be an asset. Regardless Malcolm knew his job was to protect this station and his captain. He decided to make a call to be certain that Harris continued behaving.

Soval’s response from T’Pau was exactly as he had expected. He had forwarded Commander Tucker’s request for Jupiter Station’s meditation area and had received simple instructions. Submit a list of unavailable materials to her office. They would be shipped on the next available transport. Knowing the strength of the Tucker’s mate-bond he followed Commander Tucker’s advice and quietly worked out the deliveries with Lt. Commander Reed.

Soval was humbled by Tucker’s desire to please his mate and wistfully remembered his own, allowing the suppressed emotions to come to the forefront of his mind for a moment. He missed his wife dearly even after all of these years, having only barely survived his own bond’s sundering.

His en’her’at’s mate had given him the available space, asking him to put together something that would be most agreeable to T’Pol and be useable by other Vulcans on Jupiter Station. In addition Commander Tucker had asked him to spare no expense and gave him an account to draw on. While the request was emotional, there was no way that he would allow Commander Tucker to pay any portion. T’Pau had completely agreed.

It had been a most pleasant exercise for Soval and now he only wished he could get T’Pol and her mate off the station for a day or two. He decided to call and ask a favor.

Katherine was sipping her coffee and reviewing the morning news feeds when the comm dinged. Her surprise was evident as the legendary ambassador appeared on the screen. “Am I disturbing you, Mrs. Tucker?”

She had enjoyed the ambassador’s company before and did not feel intimidated. “No, Ambassador Soval, what might I do for ya?”

“Your son has a surprise planned for his wife. As you know it is quite difficult for him to conceal information from T’Pol and I was hoping that you could get them off the station for a brief period.”

“That fits in with my plans nicely. When would you like them to visit me?”

“It’s just a day or two with my folks T’Pol. Malcolm says we can take Donal for security and we’ll use one of the station’s shuttles. You need a break anyway.”

“I am not certain that this qualifies as a break, adun.”

“Are you kidding honey, you’ll finally get to meet ma’ family and mom will run interference. If it gets to be too much, we can have the shuttle bring us back. Knowin’ my mom, they will all be on their best behavior, or else.” Trip smiled. He was sensing enormous apprehension through the bond. “It’ll be fine, trust me.” He sensed a spike in her uneasiness.

“Trip, are the rest of your relatives as emotional as you?”

“In varying degrees, they’re human, well most of ‘em are. There is some speculation about cousin John and his wife Carol, but odds are they won’t be there. There is another benefit. Malcolm needs to be in command even if only for a day. And you, my wife, need out from under the pressure, if only for a day.”

“The first of the Tellarites are due in next week followed by the Vulcans and the Andorians a few days later. I should be preparing…”

Trip cut her off. “You should be preparing by taking advantage of the current lull in our activity. The work will always be there, take the break. Now aduna, get your top off and sit on the couch. I know which nodes need attention.” He didn’t even bother with her back.  He reached around her sides cupping her breasts and began to alter the focus of her concentration.

The shuttle landed on the macadam driveway of the Tucker house. Upon exiting the craft she noted live oaks in the yard and what her research had told her was Spanish moss hanging from the tree limbs. The grass was cut short and in general the appearance was immaculate. The temperature was comfortably warm although the humidity seemed high. She allowed Trip to carry her bag; he had pleaded with her that his father would be most displeased if she carried her own.

Her in-laws rapidly approached them, stopping just short of physical contact. They quickly backed up as Trip started shaking his head. Its okay adun, they are your parents.

Are you sure T’Pol?

No, but I will initiate the greeting.

T’Pol advanced on Katherine, opening her arms inviting a hug. Katie hesitantly embraced her daughter-in-law, and gave her a small peck on the cheek. T’Pol returned it and stepped back. “Trip and I are quite pleased to be here.” She noticed Charlie hopping around from foot to foot and thought ‘like father like son’. She quickly moved over to her father-in-law and gave him a hug. Charlie couldn’t figure out how to reciprocate so he just stood still as a tree. Trip?

Barely restraining a grin Trip quickly assaulted his mother and received a double hug helping in return. His dad noticed and quickly released T’Pol opting for the Cannae double envelopment ala Tucker. After giving them a few moments she nudged Trip’s mind. Perhaps you should introduce Lieutenant MacGregor?

After freeing himself Trip intoned, “mom, dad let me introduce Lieutenant Donal MacGregor, he’s Malcolm’s second on Jupiter Station and our bodyguard while we are here. There’s still concern about Terra Prime and Malcolm wanted him here in case anything funny happens.”

Charlie quickly stepped forward and took Donal’s hand. “We appreciate your bein’ here son. I’m Charlie and that’s Katie and don’t give us the Mr. or Mrs. Tucker stuff.”

“Nice to meet you sir, ma’am. I will be as unobtrusive as possible.”

“Son, you are here as our guest, I know y’all have a job to do, but I doubt we’ll have any trouble. Anywho, lets head inside and getcha situated.” He turned to Trip. “This house is too big for us, but we had to get something. Looking forward to getting’ back to Florida sooner or later.”

They all mounted the steps to the wide porch. There were swings and rockers scattered around. “Damn dad, please don’t tell me you serve mint juleps”.

“Nope, but I got some beer cooling. Let’s get in the house and everyone settled. All you kids go up the stairs and head left. There are a couple of bedrooms to choose from, bathroom’s at the end of the hall.

Dinner had been great, thought Trip, as he sat in the rocker on the front porch. All of his favorites and a real garden salad for T’Pol. His mom and T’Pol had sent the men outside while they cleaned up and Donal and Trip had carried opposite ends of the cooler. They were now ensconced on three rockers, sliding the cooler back and forth when a beer needed replacing. Donal was carefully nursing his while looking out into the darkness. “Lieutenant, if you really think you need to patrol, go ahead.”

Donal nodded, set down an obviously nearly full beer and headed out. “MacGregor, watch out for *spotted snakes,” said Trip, suppressing a laugh.

“Does he know that old joke, son?”

“No idea, we’ll see.”

“What can ya tell me about what your doing?”

“Not sure, you know we’re at Jupiter Station. We’re building the NX class ships. T’Pol’s the boss, hell, I don’t know what we can or can’t say.”

“Well then how’re you and T’Pol? She seems calmer than last I saw her. Looks like married life suits ya both.”

“Sure does, Dad, her too. Thanks for having us. She really needed a break. I hope Mom doesn’t have to big a party planned.”

“She doesn’t have any party planned Trip. We talked about it and seeing that nobody knew you were coming we decided to just let it alone this visit. That okay?”

“Fine by me and I know T’Pol will be relieved.” He grinned mischievously, “I’ve been describing some of our more eccentric relations to her. You know Vulcans are both extremely private and absolutely committed to family. She views it as her duty to accept them all as kin, and I’ve been playin’ it up a bit.” He downed his beer and smiled. Charlie laughed and handed Trip another beer. Right then the ladies came out onto the veranda and both men stood and Trip grabbed another rocker setting it next to his while Charlie slid Donal’s over.

Katie and T’Pol both had carried their wine glasses outside with them and while T’Pol took a sip, Katie turned her attention to Trip who wilted before her glare. “Trip, I know Miss T’Pol keeps her feelins’ pretty much to herself, but when I told her there was no party planned for tomorrow she sure looked relieved to me. What have you been tellin’ her?”

Charlie in an obvious effort to stay out of the line of fire went motionless. Trip began squirming. “Ah nothin’ really Mom, just some names and general descriptions.” He quickly sipped at his beer while glancing over at his wife who responded with the eyebrows of slow, painful death.

“Your mother assured me,” began T’Pol, “that your descriptions of various aunts, uncles and cousins were greatly exaggerated and regardless, no gathering had been scheduled. She rather assumed that we would both desire rest and quiet on this visit.” Trip began to color up and did not return his gaze to his mother. The silence continued interrupted only by sounds of the Mississippi night. And the silence stretched on as Trip continued to attempt to figure the gap in the deck boards in Andorian Kermeers.

“Okay, I’m sorry, T’Pol. I may have stretched things a bit. Forgive me?” He slowly lifted his gaze and saw an imperceptible smile on his beloved’s face. He looked at his mom and she was grinning as well. Charlie, obviously not in on the joke, remained motionless his focus apparently on another nuance in the porch’s construction.

“I believe I now understand the human expression about she who laughs last laughs best.”

Charlie decided to further diffuse the situation by loudly opening a new beer adding, “What do you kids want to do tomorrow?”

“Absolutely nothing, Dad. I know T’Pol would like some extended meditation and I just want to ponder the last few months. He looked to T’Pol who nodded. Can I ask ‘em about finding some property?

I believe that would be prudent Trip.

There is one thing we want you to know. T’Pol and I intend to live on Earth eventually, most likely back in Florida. Let’s save that conversation for tomorrow though. It’s good just being with you guys.

*Spotted snakes are an old joke that can be found in the SciFi series (book) ‘Sten’. The Donal character is a derivation of an old sergeant found therein. The gist is that one grabs a spotted snake and works his thumb up to the snake’s head and pops it off. When the snake turns out to be a tiger’s tail and your fingers go the wrong direction, well….