DISCLAIMER: It's Paramount's galaxy.
AUTHOR'S NOTE: A/TP. Enterprise returns to the former Delphic Expanse to settle some unfinished business. Takes place immediately after "Terra Prime" as the next season 4 episode. References to "Precious Cargo" and "Damage"
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RECOMPENSE
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"I don't know Cap'n," Tucker said shaking his head slightly. He scratched the back of his neck with the tips of his fingers. "I'm no diplomat. I think Star Fleet chose the wrong guy."
"Star Fleet didn't choose you Trip," Archer replied with a grin. "The First Monarch of the Sovereign Dynasty of Krios Prime chose you."
Tucker sighed and slumped a bit in his chair. He, Archer and T'Pol were in the Captain's mess for breakfast. Enterprise was essentially stopped in space on the outskirts of the Rigel system awaiting the rendezvous with the first of two vessels scheduled for that day. The blue giant star shown faintly in through the room's single window. This first rendezvous was with the flagship of the Kriosian Sovereign Guard. In fact, the ship was already in scanning range and would dock within the hour. The First Monarch of the Sovereign Dynasty of Krios Prime had requested the presence of Commander Tucker at her installation ceremony celebrating the anniversary of her ascension. Trip was scheduled to be gone for a couple of weeks and meet up with Enterprise later.
"As I recall," T'Pol interjected. "You and the First Monarch, how do you say, 'hit it off' on her last visit to Enterprise." Calling it a visit was not entirely accurate. Kaitaama, the Kriosian First Monarch, had been kidnapped and held in a stasis pod by her abductors and Tucker had inadvertently revived her and helped her escape.
Archer laughed slightly at T'Pol's comment, but T'Pol remained serious, evidently on purpose to heighten Trip's discomfort.
"Stop teasing me," Tucker replied. "It's not that at all. I don't know what to expect."
"Perhaps she intends to propose," T'Pol persisted. "You would become her escort." She remained grave but with perhaps a crinkling about the corners of her eyes that gave away her true intent. She was downright devious when she put her mind to it.
This got Tucker's attention and he sat up straight. "You don't think…" he began, but then shook his head and glared at T'Pol. T'Pol remained unfazed.
Just then Chef came out with three meals. He served T'Pol first, a bowl of what looked like an oatmeal with some spherical berries mixed throughout. Next was Trip's meal, his standard fare of scrambled eggs, bacon, and some jelly toast. Finally the Captain was served a bowl that appeared identical to T'Pol's. The Chef's assistant placed drinks down for each of them. Orange juice for Trip, and what appeared to be a dark red and thick drink for T'Pol and Archer.
Archer was placing his napkin in his lap and looked up. "I think there's been some sort of mistake," he said with a smile. Chef nodded in T'Pol direction and quickly moved back towards the galley.
"No mistake," T'Pol replied matter-of-factly, placing her own napkin lightly in her lap. "I took the liberty of speaking to Chef and have adjusted you nutrition regiment."
"Oh," Archer replied with a mixture of confusion and interest.
"You complained about feeling fatigued the other day," T'Pol continued. "I've taken it upon myself to improve your diet."
Now Tucker was smiling widely as he speared some eggs and bacon onto his fork. "Vulcan food. That sounds yummy. She's gonna turn you into a vegetarian Cap'n," he enthused, and then shoveled the forkful of eggs and bacon into his grinning maw. Archer narrowed his eyes.
"Not at all," T'Pol replied, picking up her spoon. "I intend to select a variety of whole plant-based foods from Earth, ones that will be both healthy and tasty. I trust they will all be satisfying. Today's selection is oatmeal with blueberries, ground flax seed, and cinnamon. The drink is a blend of raspberries, strawberries, blackberries and a banana."
"Berries," Tucker snickered while waggling his eyebrows.
T'Pol ignored him and sampled a small bit of her own bowl and swallowed. "Unless the Captain wishes to try Vulcan cuisine, of course, and then I would be happy to oblige and expand the selections."
Archer had picked up his spoon and was poking at one of the blueberries in his oatmeal. He then looked over to T'Pol. "I see you're eating the same," he commented.
"Of course. The two of us will be on the same diet."
"Well count me out," Tucker added, still grinning. "I'm happy with my diet just the way it is."
"And because of it, you are required to undergo annual treatments and take various supplements to counteract the deleterious effects of consuming high saturated fat, high cholesterol and inflammatory animal products," T'Pol countered. "It is those drugs and supplements that make your diet possible without it killing you before you turn one hundred. Honestly, I simply don't understand the human tendency to mask symptoms and correct deficiencies instead of going to the underlying source of the problem."
Tucker raised his eyebrows and took another bite of eggs and bacon, embellishing his chewing and apparent enjoyment of the meal.
T'Pol turned to face Archer. "In my opinion, it would be best to eliminate animal-derived food all together Captain. I can show you the scientific studies. But, if you desire it, we could simply attempt to limit your consumption of those foods to a few times a week."
Archer spooned up some of the oatmeal and blueberries and shook his head. "That won't be necessary. We'll go with your plan and see how it makes me feel." He ate the spoonful with a smile and then winked at Tucker.
Tucker shook his head. "You didn't put up much of a fight Cap'n." He took a large bite out of his toast and then looked down at his plate frowning. Something else was on his mind other than his Captain's culinary selections. "I still don't know about this side trip to Krios Prime. Truth be told, I'd much prefer to be going with y'all. Riding in the Aquatics ship. Seeing all those places in the Expanse again." He was referring to the second rendezvous of the day after he was to depart with the Kriosian Sovereign Guard. The Xindi Aquatics had agreed to take Enterprise back to the area of the former Delphic Expanse in one of their star ships. What would have taken Enterprise months would be covered in just under a day since the Aquatics' ship was much faster and exploited a network of spatial rifts.
"Star Fleet is enthusiastic about you attending the First Monarch's installation ceremony. They want to open up a dialog with the Kriosians, perhaps establish diplomatic relations with Earth." Archer glanced out the window thoughtfully. "Besides, our first stop in the Expanse might not be so pleasant," he added soberly.
"Regarding that, I still don't believe your plan of arriving at the Illyrian homeworld to offer recompense is prudent," T'Pol stated. "We know nothing of their laws. We do not have to make that first stop."
"Perhaps not," Archer replied. "But it is necessary. For me personally anyway. We've been over this before, Commander, and we're going."
T'Pol was clearly not pleased, but kept quiet respecting her Captain's decision.
Tucker didn't seem pleased either, but also kept quiet. He finished off the rest of his orange juice and placed the cup down. "I guess I'd better finish packing," he said with a sigh and nodded to T'Pol and then to the Captain. "If you'll excuse me."
"We'll be at the docking port to see you off," Archer said cheerily, trying to improve the mood. Tucker smiled half-heartedly and exited the mess. Archer and T'Pol ate in silence for a time. Archer eventually sipped his berry smoothie and then took a larger drink. "You know, this isn't half bad."
"There is increasing evidence in the scientific literature that with a proper diet and nutrition, humans could potentially live past one hundred and twenty standard years," T'Pol remarked.
"Is that right?"
T'Pol nodded while sipping on her own drink.
"You're hoping to keep me around that long?" Archer teased.
T'Pol glanced down at her bowl, and if Archer didn't know better, she was perhaps even blushing, a slight olive tinge to her cheeks. To T'Pol's relief, just then a shadow blocked the light coming in from the window and distracted their attention. Both Archer and T'Pol looked out and noticed the imposing shape of the Xindi Aquatic's star ship looming beside them. It was immense, dwarfing Enterprise in size, and drawing closer. "They're early," T'Pol remarked placing her cup down next to a nearly empty bowl.
The comm sounded. "Captain, the Xindi Aquatic vessel has just exited a spatial rift and is hailing us," Ensign Sato said from the bridge.
Archer leaned back and touched the comm's reply button. "We see it. We'll be right there."
T'Pol was already standing. Archer took one last spoonful of his breakfast, and then the two of them filed out the door towards the bridge
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Author's note: Season 4 was shorter than the others, and so it's only natural that there should be a few more episodes. In the spirit of many of the episode arches in season 4, I have a three story/episode arch in mind and this chapter was the teaser for the first episode. Hope you enjoy – reviews are always welcome.
