3-F!

            

      "Let's Go!" The short walk to the visitor center took three or four minutes at their quickened pace. Archer and the crewman climbed in; the crewman entered a destination and within moments the vehicle lifted up and was headed at its best speed to San Francisco. Once they were in the air Archer used the com system to call ahead.

            “I can request airspace for Mach 1 at 20,000 meters, sir, and we’ll be there in an hour.”

            “What are you waiting for?” Archer turned back to the communication panel and contacted the IME.

            “Hello, Admiral. Dr Phlox is expecting your com. I’ll patch you through,” the operator advised him. The monitor displayed a symbol with the words Ex Astris Scientia while he waited. If there had been room to pace he would have. Instead he rapidly tapped the table.

            “Admiral,” Phlox’s cheery greeting was lost on Archer at the moment. “Ms. Riaan is here with me at the IME hospital.”

            “It’s too early.”

            “No, Admiral, all is well. You need to remain calm. Deep slow breaths.”

            “Riaan is alright?” Phlox nodded. “And baby?” He nodded again.

            “There’s no alarm, Admiral. I thought you’d simply want to be here for the arrival. I understand today would be particularly auspicious for a birthday on Earth. Fitting for your first child, Admiral.” All Phlox’s nuance was lost on Archer.

            “How long, Doctor?”

            “Oh, I expect sometime in the next hour or two, or maybe next seventy two. It’s not up to me. I’ve never had an Akalli patient, or birth, before.”

            “Patch me in to Riaan,” Jonathan insisted. He felt trapped in the airmobile, like an escape pod adrift with no ship in sight, helpless.

            “She’s asleep, Admiral, and is going to need all her strength shortly. I won’t wake her, even for you.” Archer was actually happy to hear that.

            “I’ll see you in an hour, Phlox. Thank you.”

            “Of course, and remember, Admiral: slow, deep breaths.”

            Still in formal dress uniform, Archer sprinted from the shuttle pad into the IME hospital across from Starfleet headquarters. Although not made for use on the ground, he pulled a communicator from his pocket and called Phlox.

            “Doctor Phlox’s office, Kate speaking.”

            “Admiral Archer; where’s Phlox?”

            “Hello Admiral, he’s with your wife, sir, in maternity.” Archer snapped the unit shut. The IME medical facility doors opened and Archer rushed in, skidding to a stop at the reception desk. A young Vulcan woman dressed in classic navy scrubs ushered traffic and questions logically as the tide of people came and went.

            “Maternity?” Archer almost shouted at the woman. He thought about maintaining some composure, but really didn’t care at this point.

            “Third level, sir,” the woman said calmly. “Turbo lifts to your right,” she added when the admiral didn’t move away from the desk.  Then she waved her hand toward the banks of elevators.

            A thousand thought raced through Jonathan’s mind in the thirty seconds it took to ascend to the third floor of the facility. Was it too soon? Was he too late? Was Riaan alright? Come on! he thought, pounding his fist on the lift door. A little chime and the feeling of gravity let him know he’d finally made it. The door slid open and he walked out as calmly as he could. He glanced around; the brightly lit corridors all looked the same.

            “Admiral!” Archer looked for the voice. “Admiral,” called a young human male behind yet another counter top. They made eye contact over a few meters of open space. “Three-F!” The man pointed to a corridor leading off to Archer’s left this time. With barely a nod Archer walked as fast as he possibly could and still call it a walk.

“C, D, E, F!” he pressed the button at the side, but the door didn’t open immediately. He pressed it again. The door opened and Phlox stood in the door way. Archer stood shaking in the corridor.

            “I’m sorry, Admiral.”

            Archer’s heart fell then leapt into his throat. He pushed Phlox out of his way and saw Riaan with her eyes closed reclining on the bed. In her arms a tiny, tiny bundle wrapped in white. He was at her side in 2 steps. He couldn’t breathe.