inhistorybooks | [001: video]

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[001: video]

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?

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

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.

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

Altered in what way?

[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. :|]

[... 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.

[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.

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?]

[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.]

... Why?

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

[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.]

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.]

[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.

Makes sense. What's yours like?

[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.

Yeahhhh... [Why doesn't he like where this is going? :|]

[Because occasionally he's smart. :|] My inmate is their queen. They're called the Borg.

There's more of them? I was kinda hopin' we'd taken care of that problem.

No. There is an entire Collective; apparently, the message they sent had a great impact on later centuries. [And she almost feels guilt about that one.]

Great.

So you two must get along real well, huh?

She decided, in one of our earliest conversations, that she was the closest thing on board to another Vulcan. The number of Vulcans she's assimilated is...substantial. [Seriously that was not a number she needed.] Fortunately, she's incapable of that here.

How long have you been working with her?

Roughly three months. Not long at all.

But you said you've been here for sixteen.

[Pace pace pace]

I've had several other inmates. The Borg Queen is my fifth.

What happened to the rest of 'em?

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