If Archer expected T'Pol to react, he would've been disappointed. The Vulcan betrayed no emotion, as usual. However her human companions did. Malcolm looked confused. Trip pensive as he looked over at T'Pol. Hoshi's lovely brown eyes widened slightly.
"What would Romulans want with Dr. Soong?" Trip asked the obvious question.
"Most likely," T'Pol replied with the answer they all knew and all feared, "the Romulans are seeking to make their own version of Augments."
This was greeted with silence. Color drained from Malcolm's already naturally pale face.
Though their encounters with Romulans were few and far between, they were memorable, to say
the very least. As violence prone as Klingons, but with the cold practicality of Vulcans. They
were probably the most dangerous foes out there. Klingon's could be counted on for their almost
predictable bouts of violence and direct attacks. Romulans were more - sneaky.
The thought of genetically engineered Romulans was enough to make one's blood run cold.
"Well, we know that Soong has turned his back on genetic engineering." Hoshi offered.
"Chances are if the Romulans do have him, he's no cooperating."
"That's just it though," Trip said, "we're not sure it's the Romulans that have him. He went off with a loan person in an outfit like that the Romulans were wearing, but whomever they were they seemed to be working against the Romulans and took off in a Vulcan ship." He motioned to the screen, paused on the image of a small Vulcan ship rising out of the water. "A Vulcan ship that somehow managed to avoid sensors..."
T'Pol raised her eyebrows at the slight sound of accusation in Trip's voice. "Commander Tucker, if you're suggesting that this was a Vulcan agent, I can assure you whomever was piloting that ship was not doing it with the sanction of the current Vulcan government."
"A rogue Vulcan," Trip said in his usually charming southern drawl. "Just what the universe needs."
"There is no proof that it was a Vulcan at all." T'Pol reminded him. "The ship is old and decommissioned. It could've been stolen or bought easily."
"Captain," Ensign Mayweather interrupted the staff briefing over the com. "You won't believe this, but we're being hailed - by Dr. Soong."
"You're right," Archer said, "I don't believe it."
It was too much of a coincidence. If this was a book or story the reader would have trouble suspending their disbelief. However, Archer had to admit, sometimes real life acted in ways a book never would. In this case the man they were just talking about was hailing them.
As Archer entered the bridge, he suppressed the urge the groan. Though Soong had apparently given up on altering humans, there was still that smug look on the older man's face. It was as if that was a look that no amount of being proven wrong could be erased.
"Captain Archer! I can't tell you how happy I am to see you." Soong actually did look very happy. As if Archer was saving him from a fate worse then the death the "mad" doctor had almost faced at the hands of one of his own "children."
"I take it that you've finally found the elusive captain?" The voice that spoke had the usual
Vulcan tone. Unnaturally cool, just barely avoiding being flat and monotonous. However the
speaker as she came into view was not a Vulcan. Though her mode of dress was Vulcan, her
body language and the way her grey eyes peered at Archer from the screen all Vulcan like, she
herself was a human. She was pretty, even if she was fat, with a round, elegant face, a bow like
mouth, a small, slightly upturned nose, and large, almond shaped grey eyes. Her hair was pulled
back into a pony tail, but white blond curls escaped from what should've been a stark and severe
hairdo, softening her look. Tiny black rings hung from her small pierced ears. Her eyes flickered
to Commander T'Pol, who stared back intently, before she addressed Archer. "Captain Archer, I
am Emily..." she seemed to pause to think about something, "my last name is -
unpronounceable unless you're Vulcan or raised on Vulcan. We respectively request to dock
upon your ship. We were damaged while recently fleeing the Romulans."
Archer looked at Lt. Reed who nodded in confirmation that the scans he did showed damage to the small ship. The captain turned back to the screen.
"You realize I'm going to have to arrest you for aiding a criminal in his escape."
"Kidnaping, actually, I assure you Dr. Fran - I mean, Dr. Soong," there was a crack in her Vulcan like demeanor as she sneered at Soong's name, "did not come with me entirely willingly. In fact he's been begging me to take him back to earth."
"I wouldn't exactly say begging," Soong defended himself, "but Emily here is not exactly pleasant company. She insists on calling me Dr. Frankenstein." There was actually a slight tone of whining in Soong's voice now. It was almost amusing. "I'm starting to think I'd been better off with the Romulans."
"But the rest of the universe wouldn't be." Emily countered. "Captain, I know you'll have to arrest me, but I do hope you'll hear me out - in private." Her eyes flickered to T'Pol again. This time she acknowledged the commander. Saying something in what Archer could only assume was Vulcan.
T'Pol responded in kind. Not bothering to translate. Though Hoshi's name was mentioned.
"Yes, I heard she's extremely talented in language." Emily said in English. "Very well then.
Captain, if we may...?"
"You may." The captain said before giving orders to open a docking bay. "T'Pol," Archer said pausing just a half a second as he wanted to ask what she and Emily had said to each other, "you have the bridge. Lt. Reed, if you'd care to come with me to - greet our guests."
The ship, obviously damaged with big burn marks along the side, was just finishing docking as they entered. A moment later the doors opened with a cracking sound. Apparently in the fighting the doors got partly welded together.
Emily stepped down first. Her entire carriage reminding Archer of a Vulcan. Right down to how
she raised her eyebrows. However, she offered her hand in a human like manner, though there
had been a bit of hesitation, as if she had started with the traditional Vulcan greeting. "Captain.
Didn't bring the entire security team. I've heard nothing but good things about you, and you too,
Lt. Reed. Dr. Soong won't admit it, but he thinks very highly of you both."
"Thanks, I think." Archer said. Wondering how he could go from this to arresting her.
As for Soong, he looked greatly relieved. "Captain Archer, a great pleasure to see you again,
even under these trying circumstances." The doctor said, shaking the captain's hand without the
captain even offering it. "Thank you." He whispered.
"I can hear you, Dr. Soong." Emily said, rolling her eyes in a very un-Vulcan manner. "I suppose
you're here to arrest me, Lt. Reed. I have some items, clothing and some books, I'd like to have
with me if it's not too much trouble. I've left them on the bed so you may examine them.
Captain Archer, I will see you later for our private conversation, I hope."
"Yes." Archer said, unable to think of much else to say. Emily had said it all.
"It's too bad really, I hear you have a canine. I've never seen one." There was an almost wistful tone now. Her young face betraying a sense of sadness. "I was born on a ship... well, I'll explain it all when you come to see me." With that she allowed Reed to lead her out.
"That is one odd girl." Archer said, though he knew she wasn't really a girl.
"I hope you know what you're doing, Captain," Soong said. "Because she's an Augment."