T'Pol sat on the bunk in her preferred meditative position, eyes closed. She was not actually in meditaion at this time, but she had much to contemplate. Throwing herself into work had been her immediate plan upon returning from her stint at the research colony. Vulcans strove for order in their lives but T'Pol's life had been nothing but turmoil for the past year, culminating with recent events. There were many things to tell her new mate, but apparently they had time.
Peeking at Trip as he moved about the room T'Pol decided that she was not displeased at all with the mate fate had provided her.
Trip paced back and forth in front of her, as much as the cramped space would allow. Frustration radiated from him. Since the pon farr ended and T'Pol had returned to good health, they had been well fed and supplied with clean clothes, but no one would tell him what was going on. If he didn't get some answers soon, Trip was afraid he would blow a gasket.
"Would you like me to instruct you in the art of meditation?" T'pol asked. She opened her eyes and unfurled, scooting back and placing one of the pillows behind her to cushion the back wall of the bunk.
Trip spared her a quick smile, "It may come to that if…"
Suddenly their cell door opened and the alien they referred to as Big Red entered. He had his hand resting loosely on the pistol at his side.
Trip wheeled around to face him, placing himself between T'Pol and the weapon.
"Well it's about time you showed your face again. I want to know what the hell is going on. Where are you taking us?"
Red gave Trip that smile that sent chills down his spine. "Mr. Tucker, you are laboring under a misapprehension. I don't have to tell you anything."
Bristling, Trip flexed his balled fists. He growled out softly, "I want to know who ordered you to kidnap us?"
"All you need to know right now is that we have to wait on a certain party to arrive before the exchange will be made. You and the professor will eventually be transferred to another location for several days until that person arrives. Then we deliver you and get our payment."
"Deliver us to who?" Trip demanded.
Red turned to leave, and then seemed to decide something. He turned back to Trip and his shoulders appeared to slump a bit. "I will tell you one thing. These are extremely dangerous people to cross. If you care about your woman, you will obey your captors. If you do not do as they wish, they could easily deliver you one of her fingers every day. After you disobey ten times, they could get really nasty."
As Red left them, Trip turned to look into T'Pol's soft brown eyes. His heart clenched in fear for his mate.
Malcolm and David sat in the seedy bar. Memories of many such bars assailed Malcolm's thoughts as they waited for David's contact. His service with Section 31 and partnership with David had been heady times. On several levels, Malcolm missed the excitement and heart-pounding danger. Well aware of his reputation on Enterprise as cold and sometimes emotionless, he wondered what his fellow crewmates would think if they knew even a portion of his exploits.
Watching his friend stare at the glass of cheap liquor he idly twirled between his hands. David smiled. "Let me guess, thinking of old times are we?"
Malcolm raised the glass to his lips, and threw back the contents. The alcohol burned his throat. The corner of his lip curled in a half smile. "We did have adventures didn't we?"
"That we did." David sipped his own drink. "I've missed you Malcolm. It just isn't the same without you watching my back. So, are you happy with Starfleet or can I tempt you to come back?"
"Weapons design and security is very fulfilling to me. The crew of Enterprise have become rather like family as well. It's difficult to explain, but protecting this crew shows me that I'm making a difference."
David sat forward in his chair and spoke softly. "Are you saying that you don't think we made any kind of difference all those years together with the section?"
"Of course I'm not saying that, but knowing the names and faces of the people you protect makes it personal."
"I understand that, Malcolm, but we have stopped assassinations and prevented governments from toppling. That's what I call making a diff…" David stopped speaking as he noticed his contact enter the bar.
Malcolm followed his gaze. A beady-eyed little alien made straight for their table. He had a sallow complexion, greasy hair, and a fake smile that gave Malcolm the creeps.
"Wensil, what can we get you to drink?" David asked the newcomer as he slid into a seat at their table.
Malcolm was fully briefed on Wensil and his occupation. On Earth he would be called a pimp. His stable of women and men brought a handsome income but, Wensil made a great deal more money by brokering information gathered by his whores from loose tongued clients.
"I'll have an Andorian ale while I describe to you the many delights of my beautiful women and lovely boys. I can accommodate any desires you may have no matter how exotic." Wensil spoke loud enough that people at the nearby tables were sure to hear.
Malcolm and David glanced at each other and rolled their eyes. David leaned in conspiratorially, "No one is paying us any attention, Wensil, what information do you have for us?"
Dropping the charade and the unconvincing grin, the greedy little alien leaned in. "One of those names you gave me finally came to the ears of my best girl. Draya has a regular that took a comm message when he thought that she was asleep. She definitely heard the name Tucker and something about a meeting to transfer two prisoners."
"What do you know about this 'customer' of hers?" Malcolm asked.
Wensil replied with a shrug, "Draya says he brags a great deal when he's drunk. But she thinks he is just a middle man between a group of mercenaries and some powerful people that she senses he is very afraid of."
Sliding a generous number of credits across the table, Malcolm said, "We would like to buy some time with Draya."
This time a genuine smile spread across Wensil's feral face as he mentally totaled the credits. "A wise choice gentlemen, Draya never fails to delight."
Selvin paced the room, stopping at the far end to splash some liquor into the glass that always seemed to be in his hand.
Where is she? He thought. I wish I could afford Draya to visit more than once a week. As he sipped the drink, Selvin smiled. He was about to collect the biggest payday of his life. I'm going to book her for an entire week and get us a room at one of the best hotels. We'll buy the best clothes and gamble at the finest casino. I'll finally be treated with the respect I deserve."
The door chime sounded, and with visions of the high life still swirling in his head, Selvin hurried to answer it.
The door slid back to reveal the beautiful woman that Selvin had just been lusting after. She was very expensive, much more then he usually spent on a woman. But he was obsessed with her. Draya's dark skin and silvery hair always made his pulse quicken.
"I see you're wearing the dress I bought you. You look so hot in red."
Selvin pulled her into the room and into a deep groping kiss. She pulled away and giggled. To him, Draya's laugh sounded like tickling bells. He wanted to savor his time with this exotic beauty. Indicating the glass still clutched in his hand, Selvin said, "Let me get you a drink."
Draya took the glass from his hand. With a seductive smile, she turned to the bottle on his dresser. "Allow me."
Lifting his hand, Draya watched it fall limply to the bed when she released it. Just to be sure, she poked him in the side with her well manicured fingernail…no reaction. Selvin was out cold, just as they had promised. Whatever they had given her to slip in his drink worked very quickly.
Draya stepped to the door and opened it, motioning for the men in the hallway to enter. Malcolm and David slipped inside.
David stepped over to the unconscious man and began to scan him. Malcolm smiled at the pretty prostitute.
"You have done well, Draya. When we finish with him, he will remember nothing of our visit. His last memory will be of having an excellent time with you and then falling asleep."
"Good, he has been a very generous client and I would hate to lose him."
Tossing her silvery hair and smiling at Malcolm, she walked over to the bedside table and took a considerable number of credits from the pile there. Malcolm raised his eyebrow.
Draya noticed his questioning look. "What? He would think it odd that he had not paid me."
Chuckling, Malcolm said, "Speaking of which, here you go, the amount you were promised plus a little bonus."
Her eyes lit up at the sight of all the money held out to her. She sidled over to Malcolm, placing an arm around his waist and taking her considerable fee with the other hand. Draya ran the tip of her nose over Malcolm's cheek bone and quickly flicked her tongue across his ear.
"You know, this much money will pay for anything you could possibly want."
Malcolm smirked, "Sorry love, I have work to do now. Maybe I'll look you up next time I'm here. He propelled her toward the door and just before it closed behind her, gave her rear a smack.
Sitting on the side of the bed, David finished his scan. Selvin was ready for the second drug they intended to use. This one should bring him around and encourage him to tell the truth.
Malcolm pulled a chair over to the bed and sat down. Seconds after the soft hiss of the hypospray, Selvin's eyelids fluttered open.
"What is your name?" David asked.
"Selvin…but my friends call me Selvin."
As the man on the bed giggled, Malcolm wondered how much alcohol he had consumed before they arrived.
He leaned in and quietly asked, "What do you know about a human named Charles Tucker and a Vulcan called T'Pol?"
"I know they were kidnapped."
Malcolm and David waited but no further information was forthcoming.
David rolled his eyes, "How I long for the days when an interrogation consisted of threats and smacking them around to get answers. This one doesn't seem very bright. I guess we will need to be very specific. "
"Fine," Malcolm huffed dropping his head down in frustration. "Do you know where they are being held, and if so, tell me."
"Captain Krell has them right now. He has a camp on a small inhospitable planet. Once he lands there, he'll contact me. Krell will hold them there while I contact the buyer."
"And who is the buyer?" Malcolm asked.
Selvin shuddered. "Very scary man…don't want to cross this guy."
"What is his name and species?" David was beginning to lose patience.
"Alidar…he's Romulan."
Malcolm and David looked at each other and said in unison, "Shit!"
T'pol came out of the bathroom, crossed to the bunk, and attempted to make herself comfortable. Trip sat on the floor munching a piece of fruit left over from their most recent meal. A sudden thought caused Trip to straighten his posture.
"Crap! T'Pol, something just occurred to me. Is there a fiancé out there somewhere that I'll have to fight to the death if we manage to get out of this?"
Raising an eyebrow, T'Pol replied, "You are certainly more aware of Vulcan customs than any non-Vulcan I have ever met."
"Yeah, thanks to my friend Kov, but that doesn't answer my question. Is there going to be a pissed off Vulcan out there waiting on me?"
"There is no fiancé to worry about, however, I cannot guarantee what state my mother will be in when she finds out about you."
Trip smiled, "Well, I think I can handle your mother."
"You do not know my mother!"
Her remark caused Trip to chuckle. He had quickly become aware that his new bondmate had a very sharp sense of humor. She was a constant surprise to him.
"So, may I ask why a wonderful woman like you was not promised to some nice Vulcan man?"
Moving to the edge of the bunk, T'Pol looked into Trip's eyes. "Actually…because of you."
"Me? Okay you've lost me now." Trip frowned. "We only met the one time last year at the embassy party before this happened. How could I have affected your marriage plans?"
"After you and I spoke at the party, I was impressed by your plans. I returned to Vulcan and found that many of my colleagues spoke with enthusiasm of the project you were bringing to our planet. I was originally scheduled to take a position at the Vulcan Embassy on Earth. After careful consideration, and believing that my skills would be of benefit to this endeavor, I applied to the science directorate for a position on your team. My petition was approved."
Trip gave her a wide smile, "So you were one of the Vulcan engineers that I was on my way to meet with."
"Indeed, I was looking forward to working with you. Koss, however, did not respond well to this situation."
"Koss? I'm guessing he was your intended?"
"He was. I had spoken to him upon my return of meeting you and my desire to work with you. For some reason this information unsettled him. Koss forbade me from applying to the project."
Trip let out a low whistle, "Forbade huh!" Trip had not known this woman for very long, but he knew already that she would not respond well to that kind of authoritarian attitude.
"Do you think he might have been a little jealous?"
"Vulcans do not experience jealousy." After a moment, her eyebrows drew together as if this had never occurred to her before. "I was rather enthusiastic about meeting you. Do you think that is a possibility?"
"You know, I think it might be." Trip bit his bottom lip to keep from smiling.
"It does seem strange, now that I consider the matter. He never voiced an opinion on my career choices before. After he refused to even consider my wishes, we came to a stalemate. I informed Koss that I would never involve myself in which building he chose to design, and he likewise had no say in what research projects I engaged in. Things deteriorated rapidly from there and I informed him that he should begin the search for a replacement mate."
"So, you told him to take a hike."
"I would not have phrased it quite like that, but that is essentially correct."
Trip stood up and sat beside her on the bunk. "I feel sort of bad about my part in this, but I love that you wouldn't let him push you around." He leaned in and gave her a quick kiss. "You know, this makes a lot of sense to me now. I wondered why you didn't snap my neck when I was thrown in here with you. Am I ever glad that I made a good first impression!"
It was slow going, but with persistent questioning Malcolm and David finally got the details and coordinates they needed. They left Selvin with lovely memories of an afternoon of hot sex with Draya. They also impressed upon him that she was completely trustworthy.
They returned to David's ship armed with the information that would, hopefully, enable them to locate Trip and T'Pol.
As soon as they broke atmosphere, David locked in the coordinates provided by Selvin.
He turned his seat to face Malcolm, "Tell me what you know about Romulans."
"We encountered them several times in the last couple of years, most notably for me, in a minefield. Unfortunately, I was pinned to the hull of the ship by a spike from one of those mines. But, I was able to observe their ability to cloak their ships first hand. Your turn, David, what does Section 31 know about their activities?"
"You know that powerful individual I mentioned? The one Harris sent me to Vulcan to investigate. The Section was convinced that Romulan spies had infiltrated the High Command, and one of them was V'Las."
During his interrogation, Selvin had confirmed that V'Las had contacted him on behalf of General Alidar to hire some men to do a job. Selvin had sent Captain Krell to Vulcan where V'Las had given him the particulars on where to find T'Pol and Tucker.
"So Harris thinks he has been surgically altered to look like a Vulcan?" Malcolm asked.
"We assume so. After all, as long as they're humanoid it shouldn't be difficult. No one has seen a Romulan in person…at least that we know of. I mean really, we have no idea how far the infiltration has spread. Almost all of the coalition worlds have reported military tech and information either being stolen or purchased on the black market."
Malcolm thought about this for a second, "Say the Romulans are prepping for war, they would want to prevent Tucker from working with the Vulcans to create more powerful Warp engines at all cost…"
David picked up the same thought, "And, if they could capture Tucker and T'Pol, the top two research engineers in their field, they would be valuable assets to Romulas."
"I know Trip Tucker well, and he would never betray his people."
"Remember how scared Selvin was of this, General Alidar. If he is half as vicious as Selvin indicated, Tucker might not have a choice."
Malcolm's expression was grim, "We need to contact Captain Archer."
Malcolm and David quickly filled Captain Archer and his first officer in on all that they had discovered. Pulling up the wanted files on Krell, the captain and Malcolm both remembered him from their time on the Canamar prison transport. Krell was a career criminal with several murders and violent crimes credited to him. He had so far escaped justice for these crimes but Malcolm intended to make sure he paid the price for the deaths of Corporal Gomez and Corporal Hutchens.
Archer was happy to hear that Krell's orders were to take good care of both his prisoners and to make sure they were healthy when delivered. It was a relief to know that Trip was safe for the time being, and with the Vulcan woman, T'Pol.
Archer and Hernadez looked at each other with dread when Reed said the word 'Romulan'.
"Captain, according to the informant it will take Krell a couple of weeks to reach the planet where the exchange will be made. It's at the far end of coalition space and they are using an old freighter so as not to attract attention."
"So Malcolm, you want Enterprise to take a position well back from these coordinates and sit tight for now."
"Yes Sir, we feel that making a rescue attempt will be much easier once they have disembarked Trip and Professor T'Pol onto the planet. We can't tip our hand before they land and Selvin calls this General Alidar to set a rendezvous. When they settle in to wait, we will make our move. The problem is, not knowing how quickly the Romulans will arrive. We need to have Enterprise ready as back-up.
"Alright Malcolm, we'll be there. Keep us informed." Jon's shoulders slumped as soon as he broke the connection. He turned his chair to look at his first officer. "Damn Romulans, I knew when they tried to stir up all that trouble between the coalition planets that we hadn't heard the last of them."
Erika moved to stand beside Jon, "Captain, do you think they plan to attack the coalition worlds? I mean a full scale war."
"So far they've stayed in the shadows, but this kidnapping is a bold move. I can't see anything but war as being their end game. I just hope the cost of finding this out isn't the lives of Trip and T'Pol."