Beta: MisterB

Disclaimer: I don't own Enterprise in any way shape or form. It belongs entirely to Paramount. This is just for fun. I think that fanfic is a good way to explore what happens in between, and as a result of, the episodes. So, on with the exploration.

Spoilers: Civilization

Notes: This is my first attempt at Enterprise fanfic, or indeed any story using established characters from someone else's universe.

This is a coda to Series One episode Civilization, so apologies if it seems a bit outdated. Just recently I got the series DVD's, rediscovered episodes long forgotten, and started wondering what some of the consequences were. Here is the first result.

Responsibilities…

Part One - Creative Avoidance

Trip Tucker sat in his Engineering office, thinking over the events of the day. Ostensibly he had gone to Engineering to check how the repairs were coming along and to catch up on some reports, but he had soon become distracted by his thoughts, and now, his duty shift long finished, he still remained.

He had escaped down there after Enterprise had resumed its journey, leaving the Minshara-class planet and its unknowing pre-industrial civilisation far behind. Well, almost unknowing. One Akaali knew what had been going on, but thanks to Enterprise's help, she would now be the one helping the people of her city to heal.

It wasn't Riann or Archer's actions that occupied his mind now though, but his own, on the bridge of the Enterprise after they had been warned - under fire from the Malurian's - to leave the system, and falsely told that their captain was dead.

"Prepare to leave orbit on my order."

"Belay that!" Trip came to his feet in disbelief at what T'Pol had just said. "Keep this ship right where it is!"

Travis hesitated and glanced at him, unsure briefly of which set of orders to follow. T'Pol and Trip locked glares across the bridge.

"I don't have to reiterate that I outrank you Mister Tucker. Ensign…"

Her meaning in that one word was clear, and Travis again complied. Trip however had no intention of backing down. He angrily opened the comlink to Engineering.

"Engineering"

"Billy, stand by to vent the nacelles. On my order."

"Yes sir."

The response was immediate, unquestioning, and exactly what Trip expected of the crewman. His team trusted him, even if they didn't know what was going on. Trip was aware that everyone on the bridge was looking at him now. Apprehension visible on some of the faces; confusion and disbelief on others. Conflict between senior officers was never a good thing, but on the bridge, in the middle of a combat situation, the consequences could be disastrous. Trip couldn't let T'Pol's actions stand; he wouldn't abandon his friend on the planet.

"We're not going anywhere!"

"I didn't say leave orbit. I said prepare to leave orbit. I have no intention of abandoning the Captain, dead or alive."

T'Pol gave him a penetrating glare and Trip became uncomfortably aware of his mistake. Unsure of what to say, and with apology in his eyes, he simply nodded tersely and backed down.

'What was I thinking?' Trip mused, as his actions once again replayed in his mind. Sure, he had thought that T'Pol intended leaving the Captain on the planet and running; but that wasn't an explanation that would carry a lot of weight if he were called to account for his actions. T'Pol had been in command and it had been his job to follow her orders, just as his colleagues had.

And Trip had no doubt that he would have to account for himself. The incident had been witnessed by the entire bridge crew, and partly overheard in Engineering, thanks to him opening the comlink. Even if T'Pol didn't mention it in her report - which was highly unlikely - the wheels of Enterprise's rumour mill would already be in motion. It would only be a matter of time before it came to Captain Archer's attention.

Trip had figured he had a little time. Archer would need to have the prosthetics removed from his face and to get cleaned up before he started reading any of the reports of what had happened whilst he was on the planet's surface. T'Pol would need time to prepare such a report. If he was being honest, Trip knew that it probably wouldn't have hurt the situation if he were to write a report himself, but for the last several hours he had been engaged in the art of 'creative avoidance'.

The answer to his actions still eluded him. No matter how hard he looked at the problem, he still came to the same inescapable conclusion. She was in command, and through a combination of lack of trust, concern for his friend, and his own natural impulsiveness, he had acted on his conclusions before he had all the facts.

"Archer to Commander Tucker."

The sound of the comlink broke through his thoughts and Trip tensed. This was it he guessed. He reached across his desk and activated the comlink.

"Tucker here."

"Commander. My Ready Room. 5 Minutes."

That was it. Abrupt. No reason given. Trip considered briefly asking what it was about, but he was fully aware that he already knew. The formality and the stern tone in Archer's voice had told him everything he needed to know. And, he realised, Archer was aware of that as well.

"Aye sir," he said simply, before deactivating the comlink.

Apprehension flickered through Trip's mind as he entertained the possibility that this meeting would not go well. Archer was his friend, but he was also his Captain. Trip had openly defied his superior officer on the bridge, and attempted to countermand her orders. It was Archer's job to deal with him, and despite their long friendship, Trip knew that Archer wouldn't allow it to intervene in this situation.

Forcing himself to put aside his concerns, Trip left Engineering and made his way to the Captain's ready room.

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