Previously On Enterprise...

"Commander T'pol I want you and your science team to scan the planet for anything unusual to us." Archer tells as he turns to her, "After the Doctor checks on everyone to make sure they are all alright, including you. That's an order."

"When you say everyone does that mean you as well Captain?" T'Pol expected him to argue with her, he did not and she was surprised to say the least.

"Captain I can confirm we are 125 parsecs from our last known location." The crewman states.

On the screen they witness a cone-shaped ship of some sort that was ten times the size of the Enterprise fires some type of energy beam from its opened cone into the small yellow sun. Light envelops the world...Then darkness.

Now...

Captain's Log2158-06-140515It appears that Enterprise and the Edosian freighter were transported a little more than 400 light years across interstellar space to the Vaytan system. After it was assured the entire crew did not suffer any ill effects Commander T'Pol and her science teams began to scan the entire planet. On the surface there appears to have been some sort of settlement but no buildings remained. Infra-red imaging was used to highlight different materials under the surface. The work was pioneered in the early 21stcentury by US Egyptologist Dr Sarah Parcak. It helped here as well. We found what appears to be sizable ruins that according to the ground strata was more than 250,000 years old. We also found an energy signature of unknown origins and have decided to explore the area. Hopefully we can find out what exactly happened. According to our Edosian friends they have gods who watch over them, rescuing large numbers from death in space. According to the station's survivors there were only 60 on the station when a ship appeared and began firing at the station. They were boarded by humanoids that wore protective armor. Though the Edosians are peaceful and never had a war with each other they are effective warriors when they have to be. They were able to repel the intruders who actually out numbered them 2 to 1. The attackers took there dead with them, though they left a piece of one behind; an arm that appeared to share 98.2% of there DNA with Vulcans and 99.1% with Regilians. We already know that the Regilians were once part of the Vulcan race but they left Vulcan 1,000 years ago. Is it possible that who ever did this are also once part of the Vulcan race but left as did the Regilians?

Archer ends his log and looks over to T'Pol laying in his bed, she was awake staring at him. He smiled, "So what is on your mind?"

"Do you think whoever attacked the station could be related to Vulcan's Jonathan?" T'Pol said as she pulls the covers down inviting him back to bed. He gets up from his chair and walks over, getting back in bed. "It appears they might but we really don't have proof. Does that bother you?" Archer had to ask her that question. He figured she would say something like that was an emotion but he knew better.

"If they are then they could be what my people call the sundered." T'Pol waited for Archer to ask his questions but was pleased he waited for her to begin her story. "What I am about to tell you is somewhat based on history the Vulcan race do not speak of. I want you to know because I trust you more than any other my telansu." Archer caught the word and smiled at her use of it. "The ancient Vulcan people were divided into tribal lines and consisted of extended clans that were organized together for protection against the harsh environment of the desert. These tribes existed in a nomadic fashion, where they traveled between different reservoirs of water. Some eventually established permanent settlements in areas that provided adequate food, water and shelter, these sites being the source of the first city-states. Much of this part of Vulcan history is uncertain, as there were many legends that spoke of angry gods, wars in the sky and tales of psionic might. It is believed that certain Vulcans demonstrated moderate amounts of psionic talents at this time, their abilities making them revered by their people, who viewed such individuals as favored by their deities. Such Vulcans were often focal points within their tribes, and the source of many alliances between the different families, though some resorted to violence in order to acquire such individuals. In addition, there was violent and bitter competition for natural resources, leading to fierce conflict. Eventually, Vulcan began to develop weapons of mass destruction, including atomic weaponry. Initially, these weapons were used frequently, but such use did not provoke a worldwide disarmament program, as was the case on other worlds. Rather than stop the use of such destructive weapons, the ancient Vulcans instead refined their usage to create "cleaner"weapons, such as "neutron bombs" designed to kill the inhabitants of a city but leave the surrounding region unharmed. Records indicated that even at their most violent phase of their existence where they committed a number of atrocities in the name of conquest, no Vulcan had ever hunted another or treated their brothers as if they were beasts. They never took others as slaves. Experiments in space flight technology began early on Vulcan, with legend stating that the first flight-capable starship was built in the city of Devlarm by the Warlord D'Vir. It was believed that the first to reach the stars would gain ultimate status and a crucial advantage over the other factions. Many petitioned to meet with D'Vir, with some negotiating for use of his developing ship and others attempting to sabotage it. Ultimately, a rival Warlord by the name of Nu'Val decided to stop the project at all costs and attacked the settlement. Archaeological records indicate that a devastating air strike, with neutron bombs employed, killed the one million inhabitants of the city and turned it into the ruined "City of Shadows".

"Eventually, T'Khut was colonized and mined, whereupon the Vulcan race went off to the outer planets within our star system. It is known that several small wars broke out on Vulcan at the time of the first successful landing, due to the shifting balances of power that were always feared by the various factions. Marriages at this time were conducted, not out of love, but eugenics, in order to breed specific psionic talents. Eventually, T'Khut's surface was scarred with mines, and the wars on Vulcan continued for centuries. Limited sub-light space travel continued within the star system as the Vulcans began mining from the asteroid belts and the other worlds around their star. This period became known to later Vulcans as the Age of Expansion, and the petty kingdoms of Vulcan eventually achieved an unwilling unified peace with one another. Warfare and terrorism, however, eventually began to spread into space around Vulcan itself. This era saw Vulcan society being torn between its earliest traditions and the lure of space travel. During that time, at least one group of Vulcans left my world and crash landed on a planetoid later known as Darien 242, where they formed a colony known as the Last-of-all-cities." She stopped for a moment as memories of the colony played in her head. If not for Archer she would not have made it back, " Retaining their warrior heritage and psionic technology, this isolated settlement remained unknown to the galaxy at large for two millennium until we on the Enterprise found it. Vulcan was rife with violence and war, as the Vulcan people fought one another in countless battles that stained the sand of the deserts with their green blood. Wars arose from the desire for conquest and need for water resources, which were scarce on the planet. The most well-recorded of the Vulcan warlords was the tyrant Sudoc, who gained power by assassinating the previous ruling leader. Using his powerful psionic abilities and skilled tactical mind, he led his vicious barbarian armies in campaigns that dominated most of the homeworld. Those who resisted were slaughtered, and those who fell under his rule were subjected to telepathic "adjustments" to make them loyal. Surak was born into this world Jonathan. Surak became a skilled computer scientist, but his creations were used as weapons of war, which provoked him into developing the goals of logic and peace.

In the climate that followed, the Vulcan people were still fractured into various groups while Surak spread his message. It was at this time that the species made their first contact with another form of life, the people of Etosha, who appeared at Shikitar before the assembled delegates as a peaceful race. In actuality, the Etoshans were pirates who used deception to capture slaves and hold planetary leaders for ransom. At Vulcan, they took hold of numerous leaders, along with Surak's student S'task. Surak himself was spared this fate due to transportation difficulties at a port facility, which prevented him from attending the meeting. The Etosha became the Oriens. The conflict that followed, known as "the War", reduced all previous conflicts to simple skirmishes as my people worked to defeat the invaders. S'task proved instrumental, liberating many of his kinsmen and killing thousands of pirates in his escape from their vessel. While primitive compared to the advanced technology of the pirates, the Vulcans had well-developed skills in the psionic arts, which allowed them to unravel the metal ships of the enemy or set their pilots on suicidal courses. Through such actions, Vulcan freed itself from the invaders that had terrorized them. Though Surak had worked hard to ensure peace and spread logic, the Etoshan invasion had taken their toll on the Vulcan race, which once more became divided over the issue of pacifism. While Surak still believed he could save Vulcan, the very real chance of self-annihilation prompted his travel to ShiKahr in order to meet the engineer Karatek. Befriending him, Surak asked the engineer to re-purpose the starships he was creating into long-range colony ships, in order to continue their civilization elsewhere in case Vulcan destroyed itself. While Surak managed to convince the various competing factions to allow the conversion of the starships, a surprise attack came on the day of the launch. Chaos ensued, and both families and friends were separated, with some accidentally being left behind while others mistakenly boarded the transport ships.

One such group was Tellus and his Children of Ket-Cheleb; Surak attempted to dissuade them from leaving but he failed. Eventually, Surak died as a result of radiation sickness as he stood at Mount Seleya. This era became known as the Sundering, and was one of the most traumatic periods to befall Vulcan civilization. Though Vulcan survived, the colony ships in space splintered, with many being lost along the way. This was at least two to three thousand of your years ago Jonathan. It maybe the reason there is a genetic similarity between Vulcans, Regilians, and perhaps even Romulans." T'Pol had shared a lot and Archer sat and absorbed it all. Ever since he shared Surak's Katra he had a deeper understanding and caring for Vulcan and its people like he did when he was younger. How odd it was, if you would have told him seven years ago that he would have come to this point he would have laughed and said one was insane. That was before T'Pol, before everything he felt for her, before Surak in his head. "So you had wanted to talk to me about our sleeping arrangements a few days ago and for some reason it was placed on the back burner."

T'Pol's eyebrow arched as was her expression when she was amused, "I did not think it was important with everything we were trying to find out Jonathan."

Archer smirked as he caressed her cheek and she closed her eyes involuntarily. "What we are to each other is important to me T'Pol and you are important to me." He put his hand on the back of her neck and pulled her gently into a soft kiss, then breaking it he began,"What would you like to do with our arrangements?"

T'Pol was at a loss for words for a moment, "I think we should discuss moving in together, sharing an abode. It is a logical progression unless you would want to wait." T'Pol placed it out there, knowing that some humans became afraid of moving to quickly. On Vulcan no one lived with each other until after they were old enough and bonded, though there were relationships between non-bonded Vulcans. With Vulcans it was the touching of minds that was more intimate and the reproductive cycle was just that; a cycle. Humans were not as "closed" as Vulcans about living with someone before they married, though some had many partners before they married. She waited for Archer to say something but then felt their newly forming bond, thouh it was stronger now {I'd like that but I want you to be sure my love} "I would like to," Archer replied.

T'Pol's eyes widened "Jonathan did you just think of me as your love?" Archer smiled broadly, he had been trying to send her his thoughts off and on for several minutes. "It worked?"

"We are bonding more quickly than I thought," was all T'Pol said as she kissed him. "As for the record to answer that hidden fear you have I would not have asked if I did not want to proceed."

Archer smirked as he said, "Indeed."

Enterprise 0805...

Commander Tucker had been sending crews over to the Edosian freighter to help finish the repairs on it's engines so the Edosians could get home. They were too far away from any place that Enterprise could tow them at subwarp. He walked into the mess hall his head distracted in the PADD he was reading. It was the outline of the repairs that needed to be done still. They needed to repair the Warp Coils. The only option was to retrofit one of two extra coils that Enterprise had but didn't know if their technology was compatible. He would have to ask Jon when he saw him at breakfast. A voice brought him out of his thoughts, "Commander I was wondering would you like to get on a poker game a few of the senior staff was having?"

It was Lt Hoshi Sato. Tucker smiled a little as he began to speak with her, "Sure but its been awhile since I've played." He then realized something, "Wait aren't you like a card shark?"

"I wouldn't call me a card shark but I do like to play." Sato replied laughing a bit, then Major Takashi Kimura joined them. Tucker smiled, "How are you major?"

"Can't complain Commander, just enjoying the small quiet time." Major Kimura answered, "How's the repairs going on the Freighter?"

"Just try'n to figure out what I can do 'bout the warp coil. Without it they are going nowhere quick." Tucker scratched his head.

"Has Hoshi asked you about the Poker game Commander?" Major Kimura suddenly asked, steering the conversation."I'd like to have someone there that can help me not lose as much."

"Really?, I was not that good of a poker player back in the day but I'd be happy to join. When is it and who else will be there?" Trip was interested in playing.

"Well right now Sgt. Cole, Lt. Michaels, Hoshi, Commander Reed, Doctor Phlox, Master Sergeant McKenzie and myself," Kimura answered. Trip noticed Major Kimura placing his hand in the middle of Hoshi Sato's back when he had mentioned her name in the game. "It appears Commander Reed and Hoshi win more than the rest of us." At the comment Lt. Hoshi Sato looks up at Major Kimura and slaps him playfully on the arm. The act of playfulness was not lost on Commander Tucker, he smiled. He the realized something,

"Cole? You mean Amanda Cole?" Tucker was surprised, "I thought she was reassigned to the Atlanta?"

"No I got her back here. I needed someone who knew the crew and to help with the enlisted MACO's," Kimura said, "I thought you two would have run into each other by now, its a small ship."

"No not yet but here lately I have been stuck in engineering mostly and not really socializing as much as I should be." Commander Tucker laughed a bit. Lt. Sato looked at him as she spoke, "Well we have a game tonight if you want to come. It would be good to see you mingle. We play in the MACO's training area at 2100."

"Not a problem, I'll see you both there." Trip said as he excused himself from the conversation heading to the Captain's mess. He entered to see T'Pol and Archer sitting at their respected places, she eating her normal Potemk broth and Jon eating eggs with bacon and a piece of toast. Tucker had felt bad when he heard about Jon's condition. It didn't seem fair that it should happen to his friend, after all that happened. He finally had truly gained some peace from the expanse and the Kobayashi Maru incident.Jon even finally got the courage to start pursuing T'Pol, Trip noticed that T'Pol was happier though she would not show it. She also seemed to be in a place that she felt comfortable and not only that, she thrived. Long ago he knew how T'Pol actually felt for his friend; Jon Archer. He saw it once when T'pol found out that Archer was leading a team to rescue she and Trip. She tried to hide it behind those famous shields of her's but when she saw Jon that feeling exploded from her. She quickly suppressed that feeling but that's when Trip truly knew although T'Pol cared for him, she loved Jon Archer. He accepted that, embraced it and the bond that he shared through Elizabeth quickly died. He knew she had feelings for Jon just by the way she acted toward him. She allowed him to touch her without ever flinching, she was not comfortable touching Trip or letting Trip touch her outside of private areas.

He knew a relationship based on drugs, self-loathing, and loneliness did not make a relationship. T'Pol was an addict when she and Trip began their affair so to speak. Trip loathed himself for the death of his sister and not being able to do anything about it. Both were lonely due to how they felt and had no way to express it. They both found gratification through each other, and it was enough to help to a point. He saw T'Pol crumble when Archer left the first time and then how she fell apart when she thought he was dead. She was willing to risk everyone on the ship just so she could feel a measure of revenge against the Xindi for what she thought they did to Jon. She couldn't leave him, not because she was loyal or anything like that, though she was loyal. She couldn't leave Jon because she loved him but didn't know it truly in her drugged haze. It was after he left that she began her detoxing process with Phlox.

"Trip how are you this morning?" Archer asked, he was smiling like what Trip's mom would say 'Like a jackass chewing on briers.'

"Just try'n to figure out if I should ask you if I could use one of our two extra warp coils to repair the Edosian Freighter?" Trip said as he sat down and the porter placed his plate in front of him. The plate held scrambled eggs, bacon and pancakes. Trip looked up at Archer. Archer smiled saying, "I figured you may be in the mood for that this morning. You need a big breakfast, heard you skipped lunch the last two days."

"You been keeping tabs on me Jon?" Tucker grinned as he picked up the syrup and slathered it on the pancakes.

"Actually yes. I like to keep an eye on my senior staff and make sure they are all good. That and your my friend Trip, I tend to worry about you." Archer's response made Trip smile, it had been awhile since Archer expressed his feelings of any kind. T'Pol was good for him.

"Commander Tucker do you think our technology is compatible?" T'Pol interjected, "I do realize that although the coils serve the same function will they fit?"

"I maybe able to get it rigged someway." Trip laughed slightly, "I am the best engineer in the fleet."

"And not the most humble." T'Pol responds in her dry humor she has been known for. Trip knows she is joking and he appreciates it. Faking hurt Trip shoots back "I am humble."

Archer shakes his head as he laughs. "Alright you two, I need some options here." Archer rotates his neck, continuing," I don't see the harm in you using one of our extra warp coils Trip. I was thinking about having a survey team to go down planet side to take readings to try and find that odd power signature. Any suggestions?"

"Ensign Matthews is a geologist as well as Lt. Adams whose background in both archaeology and geology would be an asset." T'Pol answers as she sips her broth from her spoon.

"Crewman Andrews, she has a background in radiation and geothermal energy. I think we should put some MACOs with the survey team just in case, "Trip adds.

"How about Lt. Sato as an after thought, in case they find some languages inscribed there. Also I want you to go down there T'Pol, not just as some one in charge but you have several expertise that could help out." Archer looks up, "I want the survey team to take no longer than 4 hours total, with 30 minute check-ins." He rotates his neck again, breathing in deeply. His expression doesn't show any pain but he is. T'Pol knows and can sense it. "Commander Reed will be in charge while you are down on the surface, Trip go ahead after breakfast and get that warp coil repaired."

"Understood," both answer as Archer gets up, smiles as he leaves the room. Trip looks over at T'Pol with concern for his friend,"How is he really?"

"T'Pol swallows, "He is doing as well as anyone can I believe." Trip knows T'Pol's emotions are close to the surface, "If anyone can beat this T'Pol he can, after all he beat death twice before. He has a knack for defying the odds."

"What if he can't this time?" T'Pol looked at Trip, her face was unemotional but her eyes betrayed her. Trip looks at her carefully, feeling her pain.

"He will T'Pol, he has a lot to live for." Trip puts on a brave face for his friend and former lover."I take it he is having you on the planet so you don't worry as much then."

"We discussed it yes," T'Pol confirmed.

Archer walked out of the mess hall and to the nearest comm system, "Major Kimura meet me in my ready room in 10 minutes."

Archer walked to the bridge to see Alpha shift on duty, Major Kimura standing near the communications center. The Captain smiled inwardly, he knew the Major and Sato had just started a relationship not too long ago. He actually had a private meeting with the Major to let him know that the Captain was watching and he needed to treat Lt. Sato well. The Major understood and smiled, that conversation was a week ago.

Even though he wasn't much on military protocols of announcing a senior member on the bridge, Major Kimura was. "Captain on Deck." Before anyone could react the Captain said "as you were, Major please follow me."

Five minutes later the Major was standing in front of the Captain's desk at parade rest. "Relax Major take a seat." Archer implied , motioning to the Major and the chair in front of him,"Don't worry Major this isn't another talk about Lt Sato." The Major smirked slightly as he sat in the chair that was offered. "What may I help you with Sir?"

Archer wasn't use to the decorum of the Major yet. Master Sergeant McKenzie and Archer came to an understanding. "Please Major call me Captain. I work for a living." It was a joke the Major again smirked at. "I need three MACO's to accompany a survey team to the planet's surface for no more than six hours."

"Sergeant Cole, Corporals Chang and McCammon are good soldiers," Major Kimura responded , "How do you want them armed?"

"I'm not expecting trouble but have them with Phase Rifles and a personal weapon." Archer gets up and motions for the Major to follow him to the door, "By the way did you and Lt. Sato ask Commander Tucker to that poker game this week?"

"Yes sir," The Major smiled, "He seemed grateful."

"Good, good how about Sgt Cole?" Archer smiled as he said that.

"She knows as well."

"Is she going to attend?"

"Yes Sir she loves to play poker."

Both men laughed as they left the ready room. Captain Archer left the bridge with the Major, one going to the MACO's area and one toward Sick Bay. Before Archer left though he had gestured for Commander Reed to take the bridge.

Next time on Enterprise...

T'Pol knew she deserved the stare from Sgt Amanda Cole

T'Pol yelled at herself in her head. {Jonathan? Ashayam? Please answer me.} She was losing her emotional control...She bolted from the shuttle, up the stairs and as she was about to open the bay door she is met by three MACO's who tried to detain her. In her frenzy she didn't think, only reacted. Within 10 seconds all three were on the ground unconscious.

...

Hope you all continue reading. The next chapter maybe a bit long.