Path of Destiny - Chapter 7
The Path of Destiny
Chapter Seven
Part One
Passageway in building
Kaylar eyed Archer. “Who?” He wanted to know.
But it was Malcolm who replied: “Doctor Phlox.”
Archer nodded. “Precisely,” he agreed. “Now...if I only had a communicator.”
Malcolm reached into his belt pouch and produced a communicator. “Not a problem, sir.”
He handed the device to Archer.
Archer took it, flipping it open. “Archer to Phlox.”
Immediately, a male voice responded. “Phlox here.”
The captain proceeded to give Phlox the diagnosis that the Exoian healers gave of
Krysira’s injuries, including the fact that Krysira was human.
“That should not be a problem, Captain. However, I need Sickbay’s facilities to treat
her,” Phlox replied.
“It is too dangerous to move her unnecessarily,” Kaylar cautioned.
“What about the transporter?” Malcolm suggested.
Gadi remembered this term being used as a possible means to the transportation of
the Rybrillians earlier. “What does it do?” He questioned.
Composing himself somewhat, Trip answered. “It instantaneously transmits matter from one
location to another,” he replied, his voice a bit shaky as he stood up. “I’ll
go with her.”
Archer nodded knowing it would be futile to try to convince Trip otherwise. “Is she
stable enough for transport?” He wanted to know.
“I can at least stabilize her,” Qui-Gon said, laying his hands back on Krysira. He
then looked at Obi-Wan. “Stay with Captain Archer.”
“Yes, Master,” the Jedi youth replied.
Qui-Gon nodded and allowed the Force to flow through him and into Krysira.
“That’s three,” Trip replied. “I wouldn’t risk any more than that. Everyone else needs
to move back.”
Archer spoke into the communicator. “Phlox, head to the transporter room to receive
your patient,” he said.
“I’m on my way,” Phlox replied, cutting off communication with Archer.
On Trip’s command, everyone else had moved back several paces, except for Malcolm
and Archer.
Trip handed the scanner back to Malcolm. “Find out what the hell that was that
injured Krysira, Malcolm,” he requested, his blue eyes hard, despite the
emotions raging inside him.
“Count on it, sir,” Malcolm replied, taking the device.
Archer handed Trip the communicator, then stepped back along with Malcolm. He gave
Trip a reassuring nod.
Trip nodded back, then bent down next to Krysira, laying a protective hand on her
shoulder. He looked at Qui-Gon. “Ready?” He saw the Jedi nod. “You’ll be
slightly disoriented when we rematerialize on Enterprise.”
“Understood, Commander,” Qui-Gon replied.
Trip then spoke into the communicator. “Tucker to transporter room.”
“Transporter room,” a male voice replied.
“Lock onto this communicator and transport three now.”
“Yes, sir.”
A couple of moments later, the two Jedi and the chief engineer disappeared in a
shimmer of lights.
Part Two
Enterprise – transporter room
Denobulan physician Doctor Phlox and two corpsmen with a
stretcher entered the room, just as figures began to rematerialize on the
transporter pad.
Trip blinked, recovering first from the transport. He
looked down at Krysira, who was still unconscious. He squeezed her shoulder,
then to himself: “Soon, sweetheart. Phlox will have you up and about in no
time.” He looked at Qui-Gon, whose head was bowed slightly. “Qui-Gon?” He
questioned aloud. “You okay?”
The Jedi Master raised his head. “I am fine, Commander,”
he replied. “You were correct about this disorientation.” He removed his hands
from his female Jedi counterpart.
Phlox stepped up onto the transporter pad, bending down to
gently examine Krysira’s injury. “Commander, has she been moved at all?” Phlox
questioned.
“Just a little to put that cloth under Krysira’s head to try to slow the bleeding,” Trip replied.
“Good.” He turned to the two corpsmen standing nearby. “Bring the stretcher and let’s get her on it.”
Trip tossed the communicator to the transporter operator. “Send that back down to those same coordinates that we were at. And tell the
captain that we’re heading to Sickbay,” he ordered.
The crewman caught the device. “Yes, sir,” he answered.
With the utmost care, Krysira was put on the stretcher and
was taken to Sickbay with Phlox, Trip and Qui-Gon following.
“Tell me exactly what happened, Commander,” Phlox said.
“To make a long story short, we were following this
passageway and Krysira suddenly yelled my name and I would make a guess that
she pushed me out of the way. Next thing I know, I’m facedown on the ground and
I hear a thud. I look around and Krysira is sliding down a wall onto the ground
in a pile.”
“It would be a fair assumption that something flung her
backwards, seeing that she had no time to react, except to ensure your safety,
Commander,” Qui-Gon offered.
Trip merely pressed his lips in a thin line, as he tried
to hold back the tears that were threatening to fall, as the three men hurried
behind the stretcher.
Part Three
Passageway in building
Trey glanced around at his fellow Exoians and the Jedi
apprentice seeing an amazed expression on their faces then, looked at Archer.
“I believe I can speak for everyone when I tell you that
your...transporter...is quite impressive, Captain,” Trey commented.
Archer smiled. “Yes it is. Thank-you,” he replied.
“Did they arrive at your ship safely?” Elkan questioned.
“I’m sure that we would’ve heard something if they
didn’t,” Malcolm replied, then frowned. “Provided we had another communicator.”
He cursed himself for not grabbing an extra one.
As if on cue, a shimmer of lights appeared, much smaller
in size than the previous one. When it faded, a communicator lay in its wake.
Archer grinned. “Looks like Trip read your mind, Malcolm,”
he commented, as he walked over to the communicator, picking it up, as it
beeped. He opened it. “Archer, here,” he said.
“Captain...Commander Tucker wanted me to tell you that
they’re on their way to Sickbay,” a disembodied male voice replied.
“Good! Archer out.” The captain closed the device.
“Okay...now it’s up to Phlox.”
“Then what is our next plan of action?” Entok questioned.
“Find out what injured Krysira,” Malcolm replied,
switching on the scanner. “And I have a feeling that what we’re looking for is
down this corridor.” He pointed with the scanner, then studied the readout.
“I’m picking up something faint about twenty feet from here.”
“May I accompany you? I happen to have a vast knowledge of
Exoian weaponry.”
Malcolm grinning, thinking that he may have found a
kindred soul. “Certainly. Let’s go.”
Entok nodded and the two men moved down the corridor.
“Captain?” It was Gadi.
Archer turned to look at the elder healer. “Yes?” He
questioned.
“Since our services are no longer required for now, Kaylar
and I will return to the government center. We will take Sedona as well.”
Sedona stepped forward. “No! I have to go! I have
to find Aunt Ryvinia!” She protested, her large eyes glistening with wetness.
“Knight Krysira gave me permission to accompany her!”
“I understand, Sedona,” Archer began gently. “But after
what happened to Krysira, it would be best if you go back. We’ll find her.” He
gave the young teenaged girl a reassuring smile. “Besides, I don’t think that
your aunt wants anything to happen to her niece.”
Her shoulders slumped. “I understand, Captain. I will
return to the center.”
Gadi escorted Sedona back the way the group came earlier
with Kaylar following.
That left Archer, along with Trey, Elkan, Caden and
Obi-Wan standing in the ‘T’ intersection.
Elkan looked at the others. “Do we continue on or return
to the government center?” He questioned, then sighed. “I would like to
continue on, but I will abide by what the group decides.”
“Our numbers are few without the Jedi and Commander Tucker
among us,” Caden pointed out.
“True,” Archer replied. “And who knows what other
surprises Drayce has waiting for us.”
“Captain Archer?” It was Obi-Wan. “I am faced with a
conflict. Whether I should continue the investigation to find Counselor Ryvinia
or return to the government center. However, Advisor Durriken’s words haunt me,
saying that the Jedi do not care enough to assist in the investigation.” He
paused. “Also my master instructed me to stay with you. I will abide by your
decision.”
“Did he now?” Archer replied, seeing him nod. He was
impressed with the wisdom that the youth displayed. “Well, then, if I choose to
continue the investigation, then you’ll have to obey his orders and come with
me...won’t you?”
“Yes.”
Archer glanced at the others, seeing them nod in
agreement. He looked back at Obi-Wan, giving him a knowing smile. “Why don’t we
continue to prove Advisor Durriken’s words...wrong, shall we?”
By this time, Malcolm and Entok discovered a small black
rectangular-shaped device attached to the ceiling. There was a small red light
that blinked at slow intervals.
“There it is,” Malcolm pointed out.
Entok grunted, allowing a few Exoian curses to come out,
as he reached up easily to pry the device off of the ceiling.
Although he didn’t understand the language, Malcolm had a
pretty good idea that Entok was cursing the device. “What is it?”
“It is a multi-charged shock bomb,” Entok replied, as he
turned the device over, sliding a panel open. “It is motion sensitive. It is
dormant right now, which is why we were able to get close to it, but it
recharges itself after every time it is triggered. It will be fully charged
again in about thirty minutes, unless it is deactivated...like so.” He found a
small white toggle switch and flipped it up. “It does not cause structural
damage, but it inflicts harm on anything that crosses its sensor path.” As the
red light faded, Entok slid the panel closed. “Maximum distance is twenty feet,
but the intensity of the discharge can be regulated.”
“So...by shoving Commander Tucker out of the way, Krysira
placed herself in the path of the shockwave instead.”
Entok nodded solemnly. “Yes...she is lucky to be
alive. If the intensity had been any higher...” he trailed off, not wanting to
think of what could have happened.
“I shudder to think what would’ve happened myself.” He
cleared his throat. “You think that Drayce will have any more of these?” He
motioned to the shock bomb.
“It is possible.”
“Anyway we can detect them, without ending up like
Krysira?”
“Yes. They all have the same operating frequency, which
you no doubt have logged in on your device. Once we detect one, we can activate
it by throwing something into its path without harm to any of us.”
“Sound good to me. Let’s get back and let the others know
what we found.”
“Agreed.”
They headed back the way they came.
Part Four
Trygor Desert
– Suliban ship
Raan stared at the sensor readout, sighing heavily. He
turned and walked towards the rear of the ship, to find Silik looking out a
viewport.
“What is it, Raan?” Silik questioned without turning
around.
“Sensors have picked up a ship orbiting this planet. It is
Enterprise,” Raan replied. “They found the gateway.”
Silik grunted. “I knew that it was only a matter of time
before Enterprise showed up.” He turned to Raan. “Unfortunately, there
is nothing we can do about it...for now. Prepare to leave. We will head back
through the gateway and regroup. Jonathan Archer will be captured for our
benefactor from the future,” he said with conviction.
Raan nodded and left to make preparations to leave.
Part Five
Enterprise – Sickbay
Krysira had been moved from the stretcher to the main
examination bed.
Before Phlox began his examination of Krysira's injury, he
started to remove her utility belt, when...
“Wait, Doc,” Trip said seeing Phlox look at him. He
gestured at Krysira’s belt. “That should only be handled by a Jedi.” He
motioned to Qui-Gon.
Qui-Gon heard the respect in Trip’s voice. “Thank-you,
Commander Tucker,” he replied, as he moved to Krysira’s side, taking off the
belt that held her lightsabres, then stepped back.
Phlox began to examine Krysira, but found that every time
he moved, Trip seemed to be in his way. Finally the Denobulan physician eyed
the chief engineer. “Commander, perhaps it would be best if you left me alone
with my patient...hmmm?” He requested firmly.
Trip’s dark blue eyes took on a pleading expression.
“But...I need to stay,” he protested.
“My advice is that you go to the messhall and wait for me
to contact you.”
“But...Krysira needs me!” Trip argued, absently
touching her hair.
Exasperated, Phlox looked at Qui-Gon. “Would you please
take him out of here, so that I can treat her?” He requested.
Qui-Gon smiled in understanding. “Of course,” he replied,
bowing slightly, as he moved over to Trip. “Come, Commander, your healer needs
to concentrate on healing Krysira,” he said, as he gently, yet with a firm hand
steered a still protesting Trip out of Sickbay.
Taking a deep breath, relieved that it was now quiet
without anyone in his way, Phlox could tend to his patient. He inspected the
wound closely. After studying the medical readout about her condition on the
bioscan above the bed, Phlox began to treat her.
While doing so, Phlox paused a moment in his work to study
his patient. “Well...I can understand why Commander Tucker was
reluctant to leave you,” he said aloud to the unconscious young woman.
A movement in the area caught his eye. Sitting on the
floor nearby watching was Captain Archer’s pet beagle, Porthos, who was being
taken care of until Archer returned.
“I wish that Commander Tucker would listen as well as you
do,” Phlox said to the dog.
Porthos merely whined, wagging his tail.
Part Six
Enterprise – Messhall
When Trip and Qui-Gon entered, the normally busy room was
empty.
The chief engineer plopped down on a chair near the
viewport. Qui-Gon seated himself nearby, laying Krysira’s belt on the table.
The Jedi Master could feel Trip’s anguish at not being
able to remain near Krysira. “Commander,” he began, then continued, seeing the
younger man look over at him. “Krysira is strong. She will recover quickly with
the help of the Force.”
Trip merely nodded. “I didn’t expect her...to get...hurt
protecting me,” Trip’s voice cracked as he spoke, trying to keep his composure.
“Being a Jedi is not without its hazards. Every Jedi knows
this at a very young age. Krysira would have reacted the same way had it been
anyone else in your position. Although she exhibits exceptional skills with her
dual lightsabres, Krysira prefers to protect those who are in danger.”
Before Trip could respond, there was a beep coming from
inside Krysira’s belt.
“What the hell?” Trips questioned softly, looking
surprised.
Qui-Gon merely raised an eyebrow. The Jedi Master pulled
out the communicator and laid it on the table. He touched a button.
The holographic image of Mace Windu appeared. The
dark-skinned Jedi looked a bit surprised at not seeing his former Padawan, then
looked at both men curiously.
“Qui-Gon? Commander Tucker?” Mace’s rich voice broke the
silence. “Where is Krysira? I am unable to sense her presence through the
Force.”
Qui-Gon quickly explained the situation.
Trip could see the concern etched on Mace’s face.
Mace sighed heavily. “What is being done for her?” He
wanted to know.
“We are aboard the ship that Commander Tucker serves on.
She is being treated by the ship’s healer,” Qui-Gon explained.
Mace’s tense features relaxed somewhat. “That is good.
Keep me apprised of her condition.”
“Certainly.”
Trip cleared his throat, leaning on the table. He saw Mace
look at him. “Krysira feels that I’m Force-sensitive. Is she right? Do you
think so?” He questioned.
Qui-Gon looked surprised by the fact that it was Trip, not
Krysira, who asked this question, although he had had a feeling that the young
man was Force-sensitive as well.
Mace took in a deep breath, letting it out slowly. “I knew
that Krysira would figure it out.” He smiled. “And I agree with her.”
“What happens now?” Trip felt his heart pound in his
chest.
“That is entirely up to you and Krysira, but it can
wait...for now.” He looked at Qui-Gon. “Contact me when you know more. May the
Force be with you.”
Qui-Gon nodded. “As you wish,” he replied, as Mace’s
figure faded. He shut off the device and returned it to Krysira’s belt. He
looked at Trip. “I suspected as much, when I felt intense emotions from you
earlier, before I knew what had happened to Krysira.”
Curious, Trip asked: “What did you feel?”
“Surprise, panic, anger, fear...” he paused, his features
softening a bit. “And deep love.”
Trip had a flash of panic cross his handsome features.
“It is alright. It will go no further. You and Krysira
have much to deal with later.”
Trip nodded. “I know.” He paused. “Will this hurt her
being a Jedi?” His dark blue eyes expressed his concern.
Qui-Gon saw the worry etched on Trip’s face and in his
eyes as well, not only for Krysira’s immediate well being, but her status as a
Jedi. “Ordinarily it would...but an exception could be made...if it is the
will of the Force.”
Trip nodded, as he leaned back in the chair, gazing idly
out the viewport, lost in his own thoughts. He truly hoped that being in love
with Krysira did not put her life/status as a Jedi in jeopardy.