AN: Nothing beta'd, mistakes are all mine... I own nothing, yada, yada, blah, blah

Prologue

Vulcan Ambassadorial Ship, T'Plak, enroute to Earth

Soval looked around the table as he requested, "Report."

"We have received a subspace communiqué from the Klingon High Council several hours ago. It would appear that they have lost contact with one of their warriors. He was last heard from in Terran space near Earth," reported Ambassador Tos.

Ambassador Soval questioned, "Why was I not informed of this earlier?"

His adjunct, T'Pol, replied, "You were meditating and Ambassador Tos felt that further investigation was required before burdening you with this information."

Soval answered, "I see. What have we learned since last evening?"

"Two hours ago the Vulcan Security Directorate issued a report indicating that the Klingon, named Klaang, was found in a place on Earth called Oklahoma. I have already dispatched Dr. Phlox of the Interspecies Medical Exchange to Starfleet Medical to take command of the body," reported Tos as he leaned back in his chair. He looked around the conference room at his companions with a raised brow.

Soval nodded, "Good. I am acquainted with Phlox from his time spent on Vulcan. A most agreeable Denobulan. It would be unfortunate if the human's were to have too much interaction with the Klingon's at this stage of their evolution. Do we know what the Klingon was doing on Earth?"

"The Klingon's have declined to provide us with the particulars but the Chancellor has indicated that he wants Klaang's body returned to them at once. I have dispatched an aide to discreetly gather information from the only eye witness listed. A human farmer named Moore apparently shot the Klingon with some kind of plasma weapon. Also, Vulcan High Command has authorized us to make contact with Admiral Forrest in order to persuade the human's that they would be best suited to rely on our authority in this matter. The Klingon's also support us in this. The human's should not cause any problems. Afterall, they only have a few frigates and merchant vessels currently available to take the body to the Council on Qo'noS," replied Tos.

Soval agreed as T'Pol asked, "What about Enterprise?"

Soval's eyebrows rose as he answered with a frown, "Enterprise? I thought Admiral Forrest had delayed the flight for another six months."

T'Pol stated, "Negative. Current reports indicate that the human's plan to test Warp 4.5 next week. They are currently adding crew members at an alarming rate. Perhaps the Admiral was hoping to send the Enterprise on its way without benefit of our council while we were away attending to business on Vulcan."

"Indeed," said Tos. "They have grown more and more obstinate over the past few years. Perhaps we can use the Klingon incident as a way to bring the human's back into line with our projected timeline."

Soval ordered, "T'Pol. Have the pilot increase our speed to maximum impulse. I want to be at Starfleet Medical within the hour. Also pull all the reports we have received from the Directorate on this incident as well as the personnel dossiers I have requested on the known crew compliment of Enterprise . Especially the senior officers and bridge staff. I'll review the reports in my meditation chamber. Perhaps we can turn this in our favor."

T'Pol inclined her head in respect, "Yes, Ambassador." She rose swiftly, turned and exited the chamber without further adieu. Her traditional Vulcan robes swishing back and forth as she hurried to do her superior's bidding.

*AN: yes I know this isn't Chapter 7 of What If? but I haven't written in awhile due to family issues and needed to get back into writing on a regular basis and this was a little plot going on in my head. No telling how long it will be as I love really long fics best.

**Now back to What If? (i've gotta read the old chapters so I know where I've left off, hope to have that one finally posted in the next couple of weeks, maybe, no guarantee), then probably back to Chapter 1 of this one (1st Chapter will cover the episode "Broken Bow"**

***Updates will be infrequent I think... but one never knows what I may be in the mood for... enjoying several Enterprise fics right now

****This will be primarily an ensemble piece with strong focus on Trip/T'Pol as friends then lovers later on... mostly canon except when its not...