[001: video]

[inhistorybooks]

I’ve seen a lotta weird stuff in my time on Enterprise, but the Barge might just take the cake. This isn’t really anything like I’d expected it to be. Of course, I’m not really sure what I did expect it to be, but this sure isn’t it. It’s definitely gonna take some gettin’ used to, but I guess I don’t have a lotta choice or anything. I’m not sure the Admiral’d appreciate me chickening out only a coupla days in, and I’m definitely not plannin’ on throwin’ in the towel anyways. I’ve got a deal ta follow through on.

[...]

Funny thing is, now that I think about it, I don’t really remember actually makin’ the deal. Or more like, I don’t remember meetin’ the Admiral. I know why I’m here, I’m just not quite sure how it happened. Is that normal?

Anyways. I'm Commander Charles Tucker, former Chief Engineer on board the starship Enterprise. Everyone calls me Trip.

... I don't suppose there's any chance of getting to check out the engines on this thing?

Comments

[Voice - Private]

[with_discipline]

[Well at least this time she isn't giving away information. But she is very quiet when she answers.]

Elizabeth.

[Voice - Private]

[inhistorybooks]

[And... more silence.]

Me too.

[Voice - Private]

[with_discipline]

[She. Isn't really surprised. But she does want to find him now. :c] I see.

Where are you?

[Voice - Private]

[inhistorybooks]

[Good, because he wants to find you too. :c]

My quarters. Deck six, room twelve.

[Spam]

[with_discipline]

[And she isn't even answering, just heading right off to find him, damn it. It's not like she has to go far, he's only right down the hall, so it's only a few seconds before she's buzzing the door chime.]

[Spam]

[inhistorybooks]

[And a couple seconds later he opens the door and just kind of... stands there. He doesn't know what to say because you've been here for a lot longer then he has, which is all kinds of weird, since YOU'RE NOT SUPPOSED TO BE HERE, even if he doesn't... really mind, and because really? Everything they've lost is still kinda a little raw for him. But, eventually, he manages a weak smile.]

... Hi.

[Spam]

[with_discipline]

[Raw is an understatement of epic proportions. T'Pol's trying hard to keep from wringing her hands, so all she really manages is a nod. At least while she's standing in the hall.]

May I come in?

[Spam]

[inhistorybooks]

Of course.

[He steps aside and gestures for her to enter. His room is much the same as his quarters on Enterprise, if a little more 'just moved in-ish'.]

[Spam]

[with_discipline]

[She manages to wait until the door slides shut behind her, but then she's closing the distance between them and rising to her toes to kiss him, because it has been a long time since she's seen him, both on and off the Barge, and being able to sense him again is really, really nice. She'll panic about it later.]

[Spam]

[inhistorybooks]

[Trip's a little surprised, since last time he saw T'Pol, she was hardly in the "I'm going to just walk over and kiss you" sort of mood, but he's definitely not complaining as he kisses her back. He might have been surprised to see her and maybe even didn't want to see her there in some ways, since this was supposed to be his burden to carry, but he'd be lying if he said he wasn't glad to see her.]

[Spam]

[with_discipline]

[T'Pol was trying to remember how they were after the burial, but thinking about that was just. Unpleasant. And she'd already decided not to lie to him, this time. She doesn't linger - well, too long - because really, she's intensely pleased to be near him again, but there are other things to deal with first.]

Has the Barge been explained to you, yet?

[Spam]

[inhistorybooks]

[He shook his head, brow furrowing slightly.] No. You're the first person I've talked to.

[Spam]

[with_discipline]

There are what we call floods on a fairly regular basis, though not of water. [Don't mind her, she's just going to start pacing a little. Makes it easier to explain this crap when she'd much rather just be touching him.]

They are occasionally harmless; oftentimes less so. In almost every instance, a portion of our population is altered in some way, for a short period of time. Usually a few days.

[Spam]

[inhistorybooks]

[Well, you certainly seem antsy. But he won't comment on it for now.]

Altered in what way?

[Spam]

[with_discipline]

[What a good guy. :c T'Pol's pursing her lips for a second and glancing at him.]

Several inmates were turned into children some months ago. I spent a few days as a sehlat. [That's officially the first time she's bringing that one up. :|]

[Spam]

[inhistorybooks]

[... snicker snicker snicker. Which hey, is a big deal because he hasn't had a whole hell of a lot to laugh about lately.]

Seriously? I'm almost sorry I missed it.

[Spam]

[with_discipline]

[So, so dryly:] Don't be. [But okay maybe the laughing's all right. Even if it's at her. :|]

Ports can be as innocuous, but they are usually more dangerous. The last one was spent in a...Christmas market in what I believe was Germany. It was largely harmless, and as such, rare.

[Spam]

[inhistorybooks]

How dangerous are we talkin'? [i.e. Is this any worse than they're used to and/or is he going to wish he dragged Malcolm along for this adventure?]

[Spam]

[with_discipline]

[Oh he is so going to wish Malcolm stuck around for this one. Even if there wasn't much he could do while he was here.] One port, several months ago, saw all the wardens locked away in a haunted insane asylum. Many of us were put through archaic forms of mental health practices that were proved useless centuries ago. [That was so not a pleasant time.]

[Spam]

[inhistorybooks]

... Why?

[Because srsly wtf. This is not what he signed up for.]

[Spam]

[with_discipline]

[Yeah not what any of them signed up for.] Likely a mistake on the Admiral's part. You'll find that a portion of the dangerous situations we find ourselves involved in are due to his poor navigation. [She wishes Travis was driving.]

[Spam]

[inhistorybooks]

Sounds like a real fun guy to work for. [Trip does too. Also, he wouldn't complain if Archer was in command, because seriously, this guy sounds kind of like a moron.]

[Spam]

[with_discipline]

[He kind of is. :| T'Pol tilts her head to the side, locking her hands behind her back so she doesn't start wringing them.]

We're here to redeem inmates. I've found it's easier to consider them the reason we're here, than the Admiral.

[Spam]

[inhistorybooks]

Makes sense. What's yours like?

[Spam]

[with_discipline]

[Sob.] Do you recall, in 2152, when Starfleet Command sent us after the transport vessel carrying the science team working in the Arctic circle? The drones we pursued.