Into the Unknown, Chapter Four



Since it was not logical to delay, as soon as T'Pol had finished her meditations she contacted the High Command. The stern face of T'Hin formed on her screen.

"T'Pol." The Minister raised her hand in the Vulcan salute. "How goes your stay at Hagatna?"

"T'Hin." T'Pol retuned the greeting. "It goes well. We replaced our dilithium crystals with ones from Hagatna, as their quality is higher. Our Chief Engineer has been able to make three upgrades to the warp engine for an estimated 5.14 percent increase in efficiency."

The Minister raised an eyebrow. "It sounds as if you are comfortable with your assignment on the Enterprise."

"Yes. The working conditions are becoming … tolerable."

"Would it have anything to do with the report I got from Director Sebell?"

"In part. Familiarity with a subject increases understanding. I may never fully understand Terrans, but working with them has given me insight on who they are."

"And your relationship with Captain Archer?"

T'Pol paused. "The breaking of my betrothal caused my Pon Farr to quicken. It was either mate, or die."

"You could have found a Vulcan ship, and a temporary bondmate. You did not have to turn to the Terran Captain."

"There was no Vulcan ship within range, and I … did not want to risk finding one and have my association with the Terrans negatively influence a potential mate's decision."

"That would be illogical."

"Koss did not think so."

T'Hin looked at T'Pol for a moment. "Sebell said you had bonded with the Terran Captain."

T'Pol felt herself becoming irritated at the Minister's refusal to call Jon by his name. "I did. The fever demanded it, and after it had passed, I discovered that I did not want to break the bond. I have found something with Captain Archer that I never had with Koss. I am at peace with myself for once in my life."

"That is an emotion …"

"Yes, it is. And I have control over it, Minister T'Hin. No matter what the High Priests or the Terrans like to think, we are not impassive automatons. We have emotions, we just keep them under control."

"You always were a nonconformist, Sub Commander. Your asking to be assigned to Earth at such an early age, your choice to stay aboard the Enterprise, and now this bonding with a Terran. I would not want to see you end up like Tavin and his followers, seeking out the thrill of emotions."

T'Pol recalled the chaotic surge of emotions Tolaris had caused in her, and her stay in sickbay. "Never that far, Minister. I have no wish to give myself over to the instability of my emotions running free."

"Still, I am uneasy with the relationship you have entered into with the Terran Captain. There are too many difficulties inherent in an association such as this …"

"Do not tell me to give him up, T'Hin; I will refuse."

The Minister looked astonished. "You would risk your commission, your family status, everything that you are, for this Terran?"

"I would. He is as much a part of me, perhaps more, than those things."

"He has maybe 50 years left to his life, while you have three times that. What will you do when he is gone?"

"I will go on living. Alone, or with someone else, time will tell. But I would at least have had that time with him."

"And progeny? Terran and Vulcan physiologies are not compatible on their own, and our science is not advanced enough to combine you artificially."

"We know that we will never have biological children. And as for science, perhaps the time may come where it is feasible. But I am not holding my breath."

T'Hin frowned at the Terran phrase. "I will need to speak with the rest of the High Council about this."

"Do. But understand that no matter what you decide, I will not leave Jonathan. I will resign my position, leave my family, leave Vulcan to be with him."

"You … feel … this strongly for the Terran Captain?"

"Yes. To go back to what I was without him; it is unthinkable."

"Very well. We will contact you with our decision. T'Hin out."

The Vulcan matriarch's face faded away. T'Pol reached out a faintly tremulous hand and ended the transmission.

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T'Hin turned to the other members of the High Council seated on the other side of her desk.

"This is outrageous! To think that she would give up everything for this … Terran!" Fenek stood up and went to look out a window, trying to get his emotions under control. "It is inconceivable!"

Salex looked over at the indignant Vulcan. "And you have never felt that way about anyone?"

Turning around, Fenek glared at him. "Of course not!"

"Of course not," Salex echoed, thinking of Fenek's very Vulcan wife.

"And I suppose you approve."

Thinking of his own wife and the bond they shared, Salex answered, "I understand how she could form such an intense connection with someone. I am … surprised it happened with a Terran, but Jonathan Archer is a man of great convictions and has a strong personality. He is no resh'et to blow whichever way the wind does."

Stymied, Fenek turned on another of the High Council. "I always knew it was a mistake to put T'Pol on that ship, much less send her to Earth. She hadn't finished her ko lin ahr, she was inordinately curious about Earth and those volatile Terrans …"

"Fenek." T'Roe cut into his tirade. "Sub Commander T'Pol passed all the exams and psychological tests required to be eligible for a post on Earth. Passed with high marks. She is eminently qualified for the position she is in."

"What? To fall 'in love' with her Terran Captain?!"

"Fenek!"

"Really now, Fenek …"

The remaining Vulcan held up his hand for silence. "We all knew this would happen one day. Associating with other cultures and species leads to acceptance, acceptance leads to understanding, understanding leads to friendship. And sometimes friendship leads to more … intimate bonds. As T'Roe has said, Sub Commander T'Pol is an excellent officer, well qualified for the position she holds. I see no reason to put a halt to this relationship, as long as the Sub Commander and the Captain conduct themselves accordingly. It might even improve Vulcan-Terran liaisons."

"And if it doesn't, Timor? If the relationship sours?" Fenek spoke with a frown.

"The Sub Commander is a Vulcan officer. And the Captain is, as the Terrans say, 'an officer and a gentleman'. You well know, Fenek, that we cannot hide ourselves away on the off chance that something might go wrong when we deal with other species. 'Infinite Diversity in Infinite Combinations'. We will watch Sub Commander T'Pol and Captain Archer's relationship. She is too good of an officer to lose by forbidding it. Which apparently would not have any effect whatsoever, except to drive her away." Timor rose, indicating the end of the meeting.

"I still do not like it."

"I know, Fenek, I know."

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Jon walked into his ready room to see T'Pol sitting in front of the blank screen.

*How did it go?* He came up to stand beside her, his hand on her shoulder.

T'Pol leaned her head against Archer, drawing comfort from his physical and mental touch. *I do not know.*