Chapter Six

With his garment bag over his arm, Trip bent down so not to hit his head then entered the Andorian shuttle to find Shran and Soval waiting for him. Shran smiled, while Soval nodded his head. Trip and Serran sat in the seats across from them.

"Lieutenant Serran is acting as my personal security officer," Trip said.

Serran nodded towards Soval.

"I see you are taking precautions, Charles," said Soval.

"Actually, T'Pol reminded me of protocol. She wouldn't allow me to leave the ship without a bodyguard," said Trip.

"Women. We often have the illusion that we are in charge, but they rule us," said Shran then a smile lit up his face.

"Have you heard from Jhamel?" asked Trip.

Shran smiled proudly, "She sent me pictures of the baby."

"Share them later," Trip said.

"It will be my pleasure, Fleet Captain Pinkskin," smiled Shran.

Trip looked out of the shuttle window. Andoria was the small moon in front a gas giant. It was a blue and white orb, beautiful but uninviting. Just like this trip is uninviting.

The shuttle broke the atmosphere straight into a snowstorm and continued on to a landing pad. Softly, the shuttle landed sending up a cloud of snow into the air. Once it had settled on the landing pad, the landing pad started slowly to sink under the ground to the capital city of Laikan.

STSTST

Dressed in janitorial clothing, Foley entered the Admiral Black's office with a pushcart and electronic sweeper. According to Harris, in fifteen days, accidents would be happening to all the names that Foley had supplied him with that were Earth First. It would be enough blood shed to send the rest of the damned isolationists into hiding for now, maybe forever.

After emptying the garbage can, Foley sat down at the computer then took out a listening device and inserted into the side of the computer. Pressing the button, he released the nanobots into the man's computer. The nanobots would act as a listening device for all communications that Black received or sent, even those that were encrypted. He'd listen to them until he had proof of the man's duplicity and treasonous behavior.

Taking the device away, he pocketed then started to clean the office. As he was finishing up with the rug, Admiral Black entered his office. He looked like a worn out old man.

"Good morning, sir," said Foley.

"Morning," said Black.

"I'll just pack up and let you get to work, sir," said Foley.

"Good man," said Black.

Foley started to pack up his cleaning things, as Admiral Black made himself comfortable at his desk. Pushing his cart towards the door, Foley turned and smiled at Black. Black looked up at him.

"Have a good day, sir," said Foley.

He wanted Black to remember his face for the next time the two of them met.

"Sure," said Black, as Foley exited the office.

STSTST

Emperor Tholos, the Empress Llanos, Prime Minister Telev, and General Thelin sat at the main conference table along with assistants and attachés. Across from sat Soval, Shran, and Trip. The opening discussions began. Soval understood that these would be contentious discussions, at least in the beginning.

"We are talking about our survival," said Thelin in a voice filled with hatred and anger. "Andorians do not need permission from Vulcans or Humans to defend themselves."

"We are all in favor of your survival as a race," said Soval. "We are here to ensure it. If you face your enemy as part of the coalition, you face it as a stronger adversary. We do not stand in your way, but we stand with you."

"Are you calling us weak that we need your help?" asked Thelin, his antennae moved showing his anger. "We have never needed help to defend what is ours. Our blue blood will stain this planet before we ever relinquish it."

Shran looked at him and his antennae became rigid.

"You are a fool," said Shran. "You risk Andorian lives for pride. How have you risen to the Emperor's military advisor? Has he Imperial Guard fallen so quickly?"

"Former General Shran was once a hero of the Imperial Guard, but now he is a joke," said Thelin.

"I was fighting and winning battles for the Empire while you were playing politics, Thelin. You are a disgrace to your Imperial Guard uniform. You never earned it in battle," spat Shran.

Soval placed his left hand gently on Shran's right arm to calm him and shut him up. Shran's antennae twitched in anger, but he now kept quiet.

"Your dog obeys you, Vulcan," said Thelin. "It is good to know that he makes a good pet."

Trip took a deep breath and exhaled. From what he had learned about diplomacy, silence was better than telling an idiot off. Thelin was most definitely an idiot who needed to be told off.

"He is an ally, as a Starfleet captain, General, and no one's pet," said Soval.

His tone was pleasant but the words carried a rebuke. Soval was an expert diplomat.

"And an honored ally," added Prime Minister Telev, who did not want to let Thelin win.

"I would like to know what Fleet Captain Tucker thinks about this situation," the Empress spoke up.

Soval looked at Trip and waited for him to speak. Trip wished he was a more eloquent man, someone like Jonathan Archer, but he was a straightforward man. He'd just tell her how he really felt.

"I believe the Romulans want an end to the coalition because they fear it. They can't beat us when we stand together, but they know they can pick us off one by one. The Romulans are a powerful enemy but we are a powerful foe if we are standing as one," said Trip. "Also, on a personal note, I have Andorians under my command on the Paladin. I also have Vulcans and Tellerites to go along with Humans. We work well together, so well that I'm not afraid to say that the Paladin is the best damned ship in any fleet. It is something to think about."

Soval nodded his head in appreciation. Trip knew Vulcans well enough to have observed a slight smile on Soval's lips.

"Tell me about the Andorians you have on your ship, Fleet Captain Tucker," said Llanos.

"Well, My Chief Engineer is named Lal. She is one of the best engineers in the fleet, ma'am. I'm considered not bad an engineer myself and I trust her with my engines, even during battle. Next, there is my lead helmsman, Mister Trell. He is the best pilot I've served with. He can make a ship do what he wants, and, finally, there is our Security Chief Erib Endilev. I trust her with my life," said Trip.

"We are glad to hear you think so highly of Andorians, Captain. With your reputation, it honors us," said Llanos.

"I'm hungry," said Emperor Tholos. "Enough talk, it bores me. A feast has been prepared, even with vegetarian dishes just for you Vulcan. Let's eat then we can talk more tomorrow. I'm sure we'll come to some accord. We always do these days. I've signed enough of them."

The Emperor stood up, so the rest followed his lead. Six bodyguards came into the conference room and escorted the Emperor and Empress away. As General Thelin collected his things and left then Prime Minister Telev walked over to Shran, Soval, and Trip.

"As you can see the Empress holds the same opinion as you about our situation," he said. "She wants the coalition to remain strong. Our Emperor doesn't really care. He is preoccupied with other things."

"I always liked the Empress Llanos," said Shran. "She is a true Andorian."

"Your stumbling block is General Thelin and the Emperor's disinterest," said Telev. "Isolate Thelin and the Empress can deal with the Emperor. He will follow what she advises just as long as his respect for Thelin has been hurt."

"Your advice is helpful, Prime Minister. We will follow it as best as we can," said Soval.

Telev smiled he then looked at Shran.

"You have not changed much, Thy'lek," said Telev.

"I know, Keval. I am still a hot head," smiled Shran.

"You two know each other," said Trip.

"We are related through Keth," said Telev.

"You might call him my cousin, Pinkskin," said Shran.

"A proud cousin," smiled Telev.

"Well, let's prepare for dinner. Emperor Tholos cares for his antennae and stomach then his people," said Telev.

STSTST

The Romulans hated looking like Andorians, but they had a task to do which was collection intel and make assessments on the Andorians. They both got jobs working for the Emperor's kitchen as servers. There was no better job to have then as a server. No one expected them to be spies.

"Bring on the cabbage soup," said the Emperor. "I am in the mood for it."

The Romulan/Andorian nodded his head and went to the kitchen to get a tray with several bowls of Andorian Cabbage soup on it. He collected the tray and headed back into the dining room. The Emperor must have his soup.

"I think you will like this Vulcan," said Emperor Tholos. "It is the only vegetarian food I like. It is hearty and flavorful."

"I look forward to trying it," said Soval.

Trip sat to Soval's right with Shran to his right. He noticed the Andorian Starfleet captain was ingesting the Andorian ale at an exaggerated rate. He leaned over and whispered, "Slow down, cowboy. This is going to be a long night."

"I am trying to shorten it the best way I know," said Shran as he downed another ale.

"Don't make me pull rank, Shran. I like you too much for that," said Trip.

Shran smiled, "Just for you, Pinkskin, I will slow down."

The other Romulan/Andorian brought plates of Andorian redbat over to Trip and Shran and placed them down. Trip looked at it with a sense of dread. There was nothing appealing to him about this food. He tried to be open minded but this definitely wasn't his mother and father grilling up some good food to eat.

"What is this?" he asked Shran quietly.

"It is redbat. Some hunt them on the surface. They are considered a delicacy," said Shran. "Even some Humans don't mind eating it."

"Some Humans," said Trip.

Trip looked at the meaty congealed dish with its colors of red and black and thought he might vomit. Yet, he knew that he had to be polite and eat some of it.

"Fleet Captain Tucker," Llanos spoke up, "when you served on the Enterprise, you managed to stop at war between Vulcan and Andoria. Why did you do that?"

Trip picked up his glass of Andorian ale and took a sip as a delay tactic since he wasn't sure how to answer her question. He could tell her the truth that he was depressed and in a risk taking mood because at that time he had been rejected by T'Pol, but that would be too truthful. Placing the glass down, he smiled.

"I had become friends with Shran and even friends with Soval, too. I don't like to see my friends fight, so I had to stop it," Trip said.

Llanos laughed. It was a nice lyrical laugh.

"I have the feeling there is more to the story than you are willing to tell me," she said.

"There were discussions of giving you a medal back then," said Telev.

"I've got enough of those. They crowd my dress uniform. I'd rather see peace between Vulcan and Andoria than get a medal," said Trip.

"What sort of attitude is that for a warrior?" growled Thelin.

"Well, General, I guess it's a piss poor one. I keep telling Starfleet Commander I'm not much of starship captain or warrior, but they don't seem to believe me," said Trip.

Shran laughed heartily beside him then slapped Trip on the back.

"How did you become the captain of the Paladin then if you are so piss poor?" asked Thelin.

"I helped design the Paladin and oversaw the building of it," said Trip. "No one knows that ship better than me."

Romulan/Andorian server heard this and made a mental note. There was much interest in the Paladin. Some time being tortured by the Tal Shiar and this Human would give them all the information they needed of the Paladin. It was worth considering, maybe even inquiring with General Tavon about.

"Imagine that ship in the hands of a true warrior," said Thelin.

"The Paladin has never lost a battle," smiled Shran.

"Never lost a battle," Emperor Tholos finally had his attention caught.

"Then he hasn't been in many battles," said Thelin.

"He has been in many battles against the Romulans," said Shran.

The Emperor looked over at Trip and examined him for a few moments. Trip tried to keep a calm expression on his face.

"You've beat Romulans?" asked Tholos.

"When the Romulans attempted to invade Vulcan, it was Captain Tucker and the Paladin who turned the tide of battle for us," said Soval. "There are many on Vulcan who believe we would have loss without him and the Paladin being there."

"Turned the battle," repeated Tholos.

Thelin looked at Tholos then at Trip. He needed this Human killed, while he took care of Soval. Once Soval was silenced then the Empress could be silenced. He would be the only one to influence Tholos. Admiral Black needed to take Tucker's life. He needed to do it now.

"Yes," said Soval. "I could have Vulcan Fleet forward you reports and footage of the Paladin captured by ships. It is impressive footage to watch."

"I would like that," said Tholos.

Telev and Llanos smiled. Tholos loved heroes. If the footage was impressive enough, he would listen to Fleet Captain Tucker more than Thelin.

"I will get you the reports and footage quickly," said Soval.

STSTST

Foley sat on the bed of his rented short-term apartment, really more of a small studio apartment. It always amazed him cheap and tawdry the rooms were that he had to stay in when he worked for Section 31. On the bed was an open pizza box with half the pizza eaten, a phase pistol, and a receiver that allowed him to listen to Black's conversations. Grabbing another slice of pizza, he listened as Black received an encrypted communication.

"General Thelin, I thought our talking with each other was through," said Black.

Foley took a bit of his pizza. He wished he had gotten sausage instead of pepperoni.

"I need Captain Tucker killed now. I will be able to than get rid of Soval and Shran and have influence over Emperor Tholos. Starfleet's and the coalition's influence over Andoria will be done," said Thelin.

"I am working on hiring an assassin for Tucker. It takes time and credits," said Black.

Foley took another bit of his pizza and laughed, "You're a dead man, Black."

"Now, Black, now! I need that assassin now," said Thelin. "Tholos will consider Tucker a hero soon. He is finding out about his exploits. This fool might start listening to Soval and his arguments if he thinks Tucker a hero. He needs to die now."

"Why don't you do it then, Thelin?" asked Black.

"You know that it needs to be Earth First that kills Tucker to make this clean," said Thelin.

"I'll be in touch," said Black then he cut the connection.

"Not good enough," said Thelin. "If I don't hear from you within twenty-four hours then I will take care of it myself."

"Good. As long as Tucker is dead, I'm happy," said Black.

Foley growled, "Fucking traitor."

He dropped the half eaten slice of pizza back in the box then got up and walked over to the communicator that Harris had given him. Picking up the communicator, he flipped it open making direct contact with Agent Harris.

"Harris," the voice came over the communicator.

"I have proof that Black is a traitor and that he is looking to kill Fleet Captain Tucker and it is going to happen soon. The bastard is working with a rogue Andorian," said Foley.

"I need the proof and now. Decisions have to be made," said Harris.

"I'll forward it to you through encrypted channels," said Foley.

"I'll need to have the council listen to what you have. If I receive their okay, then you can kill Black," said Harris.

"Make it look like an accident?" asked Foley.

"Yes," said Harris.

"I'm going to enjoy this one, Harris, and I never enjoy working for you," said Foley.

"Glad I can help," said Harris.

STSTST

Archer strolled the corridors of the Excalibur. He felt restrained and bored with his current assignment. The 2nd Fleet was a grand waste of power so far. Sixty Yorktown Class and frigates were waiting for a battle and coming up with a few skirmishes a week. It was as if the Romulans tested them once a week and that was all.

Along Regulus ships were gathered for a larger battle and colonies, cargo vessels, and the occasional civilian shipping lanes. Starfleet was pumping out the Yorktown Class starships at a rate of eight ships every three months. This was taxing Starfleet to its fullest capacity, especially as it tried to recruit more and more men and women to join and fight.

The coalition was going through growing pains, also, and he was stuck protecting a hot spot that wasn't hot. He needed to get back into the action somehow. If for no other reason, he wanted to see his daughter before she was walking and talking. He also wanted to marry Mary Ellen. Admiral Gardner owed him a favor, as did Admiral Jefferies and Admiral Hurts. He was also a great recruiting tool. Maybe he could offer them a media tour for recruiting in exchange for reassignment to the Regulus Border, or even liaising with the coalition.

He stopped his promenade and turned back. There were subspace communications to be made, chits to be cashed, and favors to be used up. It was time to get back into the game.