This chapter, and the chapters following are an alternate ending. This timeline picks up directly from chapter 5 – there is no chapter 6 in this timeline.

—Chapter 7: Timeline #2—

T'Pol returned to the kitchen after her neuro-pressure session with Commander Tucker, to find that Ensign Maywheather had returned to the suite, with an enviable bag of Kriosian candy, which he'd dumped out in the middle of the table, and the four humans were speedily stuffing their faces with candy as they traded stories about their adventures on Krios Prime.

"Candy, SubCommander?" said Travis.

"Thank you, Ensign," said T'Pol.

She grabbed a white chocolate bar with what smelled like roasted espresso beans blended into the chocolate, and took a sensible bite from it, before pocketing the rest. Unlike Commander Tucker, she was capable of exherting discipline, where sugar cravings were concerned.

"How is he, T'Pol?" said Archer.

"He is in some measure of discomfort, Captain, but he will be back to normal soon enough, just as the Kriosian doctor has predicted," said T'Pol.

"All right," said Archer, then looked up as Trip came back into the kitchen, to take back his seat.

"I hear you're gonna live, Trip," said Malcolm.

"That's encouraging. Hey, Travis," said Trip, as he began rooting through the candy mountain.

"I hear you got banged up, sir," said Travis.

"Ugh, forget about it," said Trip, taking a huge chomp out of a fist sized sweet.

"That's one of my favorites," said Travis, looking at Trip.

"It's good," said Trip. "What is it?"

"A sweet black bean paste stuffed inside a crispy shell," said Travis, "then rolled in sweetened shredded coconut, then rolled once last time in a caramel sauce."

"We need to take a crate of these with us when we leave Krios Prime," said Trip. "Maybe Chef could duplicate them as well, for us."

"That would be nice," said Travis, and Hoshi, tempted by all the chatter about this particular item, picked one out for herself.

"While you were in there with Trip, T'Pol," said Archer, "a certain Kopek called for you. He asks that you visit the Vulcan Embassy tonight, at 21:00."

"Understood, Captain," said T'Pol.

"I've been invited to dine with some members of Krios' Royal Navy," said Archer, "so you guys are on your own. Just don't burn Krios down."


"Please sit, T'Pol," said Kopek, at the appointed time. "What would you like to drink?"

"Tea seems agreeable to me, Kopek," said T'Pol.

"Sit then, T'Pol."

T'Pol sat, and shortly Kopek brought over a pot of tea, and a bowl of dried apricots.

"It is a Kriosian custom," said Kopek. "You place an apricot in your mouth, as you sip lekia tea. The two tastes complement each other quite nicely, and when the apricot is saturated, you eat it, and replace it with another."

T'Pol followed Kopek's suggestion, and found the taste quite pleasant. She made an appreciative noise, looked at Kopek and raised a brow.

"You have become something of an expert on Humans, T'Pol," said Kopek. "Soval and a few of the Embassy staff on Earth might say the same, but even they do not work as closely with Humans, as you."

T'Pol nodded, and said, "And so, Kopek?"

"The High Command asked me to report on the Enterprise's visit to Krios Prime. They seem to believe that these Humans are moving too fast in establishing ties with other species."

"They have always felt that way, Kopek," said T'Pol.

"Indeed, and rightly so," said Kopek. "The Enterprise has already had some contact with Klingons, Tellarites, Andorians, Suliban, Risans and now Kriosians."

T'Pol nodded, and said, "What exactly does the High Command find troubling about this visit, Kopek?"

"Our Ambassador has heard that Kaitaama has rendered an invitation to StarFleet to build a StarBase in this sector. The Humans are not ready for such a big step, T'Pol."

"Kaitaama's offer is motivated by personal factors," said T'Pol, after taking a sip of tea.

"Oh?" said Kopek. "I have not heard that. Elaborate."

"Kaitaama is attracted to the Enterprise's Chief Engineer, Commander Tucker," said T'Pol, showing no feelings on the matter.

"Ah," said Kopek, "that is surprising."

"Not to me, Kopek. Commander Tucker is an impressive individual," said T'Pol, popping another dried apricot in her mouth. "He is also the man responsible for saving the First Monarch, not long ago."

"I see."

"Perhaps you should tell me what troubles the High Command," said T'Pol. "It seems logical that Earth desires to have a StarBase in this region. It will mostly be a glorified repair depot for Human ships, at least initially, and even that would take 5 – 10 years to construct, depending on how many resources Earth is willing to put toward such a venture, so far away from home."

"Yes," said Kopek, "but the High Command is concerned by the sensitive location of Krios Prime."

T'Pol nodded her understanding. Krios Prime was located at something of a crossroads, a relatively short distance away from the Eastern Border of the Klingon Empire, and more.

"The Humans do not understand the rules, T'Pol," said Kopek. "They make the wrong move, anger the Klingons, and a Klingon fleet will be on the way to Earth, and then Vulcan will have to decide whether to risk ships and men, defending these people."

"I see," said T'Pol, "but we have no obligation to stand with them yet. They have largely ignored our advice, and rightly so, so I doub—"

"Rightly so?" said Kopek, fishing for an apricot.

"They have free will, Kopek," said T'Pol. "If they wish to go off on their own, well, that is their right."

"Yes," said Kopek, "I suppose so, but it is not wise."

"There is more, Kopek. If you want my help, you should share you thoughts freely with me."

"There is the matter of our cousins, T'Pol," said Kopek.

"The Rihansu," said T'Pol, thoughtful, thinking of the Sundering.

Some 1,800 years earlier, the Vulcan people had been split by the coming of Surak, and his message of logic as a guiding force in Vulcan life. The majority of Vulcans had adopted the message for their own, but a sizable number were disgusted by it all: the message, the messenger and the weaklings who accepted that cowardly message. In disgust they gathered in number, built ships and left Vulcan forever with curses on their lips, in search of a place where the true Vulcan way would rule their lives.

Since then, the Vulcans had watched carefully and discreetly the progress of the Rihansu, always with a vague sense of unease, for they were well aware that the old Vulcan ways demanded vengeance against a betrayer, and the Rihansu considered all Vulcans betrayers, for abandoning their heritage. Many Vulcans felt that it was only a matter of time, until the battle between them would be joined.

"I do not believe the Rihansu care what Humans do, Kopek," said T'Pol.

"Of that I am certain, T'Pol," said Kopek, "but if the Klingons and Humans war, and we get involved on the Human side, they may see an opening, too tempting to pass by, to strike at us, while we are occupied."

"A possibility," said T'Pol. "What else? The chance that the Humans will antagonize either Klingon or Romulan enough to war, is very slight."

Kopek sighed, and said, "The Humans seem to have a knack for getting along with other species, noticeably more so than Vulcans, T'Pol, despite our greater experience. We've discussed the matter with Earth's government, and we hope to build something of a coalition, for trade and for mutual defense, among the species of our own sector, and those nearby."

"And this StarBase in the Kriosian space is…" said T'Pol.

"Is a problem, T'Pol," said Kopek. "We need time build this coalition, and we do not want to draw attention to it, by the construction of a StarBase in vicinity of Krios Prime, but StarFleet is chomping at the bit to explore this option, while EarthGov is content to follow our advice in this particular matter. With frequent Human/Kriosian contact, as well as Human exploration in this region, such diplomatic moves towards building a coalition, will draw the attention of both Klingon and Romulan. They can not afford to ignore the creation of another power to match their empires."

"I suppose you are right, Kopek," said T'Pol. "So why am I here?

"I have orders for you, T'Pol," said Kopek. "Verbal orders."

T'Pol nodded. It had been a while since she'd worked in this manner, but verbal orders meant that the High Command wanted plausible deniability, and it also meant that she was expendable, if she screwed up badly enough. On the other hand, if she succeeded, the High Command would back any play she made. High risk, high reward.

"What are my orders?" said T'Pol.

"You are to break up these plans for a StarFleet StarBase in this region, T'Pol," said Kopek. "In any way possible, short of killing the First Monarch."

"I understand," said T'Pol.

Kopek noted that T'Pol was thinking and so he remained quiet, giving her the time she needed.

"Inventory?" said T'Pol, a question of what equipment she'd have available, if needed.

"Any type of surveillance equipment you might need, transportation, weapons if absolutely necessary," said Kopek, "but we'd prefer you avoid violence."

"Support?"

"Three of our operatives from the Vulcan Security Directorate, if needed," said Kopek.

"Assets?"

"Three of the First Monarch's ministers are against giving StarFleet permission to build a StarBase here," said Kopek. "They are worried that the Klingons will consider such a move provocative, so they'll jump on any chance to scuttle the negotiations between Kaitaama and StarFleet."

"Do you have a copy of the Krios Prime's legal statutes?"

"I do, for what it is worth," said Kopek, and after a few moments to download that data onto a PADD, he passed it to T'Pol. "I am afraid the Kriosian legal system is a hopelessly tangled mess, by Vulcan standards."

T'Pol pocketed the PADD, and said, "No matter. I will contact you if I need anything," said T'Pol, then stood. "Thank you for the tea, Kopek."


T'Pol entered the suite assigned to the crew, and the place was dark, save for a few night lights, and quiet. The captain was clearly still at his Royal Navy function, and the rest of the crew was out on the town. Walking through the suite on the way to the kitchen, T'Pol was greeted by a most unsavory sight.

Commander Tucker was on the patio, laying out on a lounge chair, but that was not the unsavory sight. No, the unsavory sight was of Kaitaama, straddling the commander, moving atop him, grinding against him in a manner that made it plain what was happening, and if that alone was not enough, the sight of the First Monarch's silk robe, split open from the neck down was clear enough, as were the commander's hands on her breasts.

Heart beating furiously, T'Pol was unable to think, and for the first time since she'd been a child, she froze. It was then that Kaitaama looked up, saw T'Pol, and smiled, as she kept grinding herself on Trip. T'Pol fled.