Shuttle Pod 1 was about ten minutes from it's landing coordinates, Corporal Na'sik and seven of his task force waited patiently as they knew the task at hand was not going to be an easy one. The other four members remained on Enterprise to carry out the boarding party that Commander Tucker was taking to the cloaked ship. Corporal Na'sik knew that the loss of life was possible, given the fact that the Suliban would fight back as soon as they found out that their plan had been thwarted.

"Scan for Suliban bio signs around the landing site." Na'sik ordered.

"Yes sir."

After a few seconds, officer T'Min, Na'sik's second in command responded with the scan results.

"I detect ten Suliban soldiers around the landing platform. They have not triggered security."

Na'sik examined the platform layout and quickly formed their attack plan. He was a mastermind at warfare and that it the reason that the Vulcan High Command assigned him to this mission. He had already formed and explained their plan of attack.

"Is there any questions?" Na'sik asked.

There was no response.

"As soon as the shuttle lands, Enterprise will then fire towards the colony." Na'sik spoke.

The plan was once Na'sik and his men secured the platform, Enterprise would fire three torpedoes towards the complex. Two of them would detonate before impact with the Colony, causing the cloaked ship to pick up the explosions on their sensors. As they scan the supposed impact point, the third torpedo would have made a u turn and would be heading towards the cloaked ship. They would not have enough time to turn or try and shoot it out of the sky as the explosion caused by the two other torpedoes would have their attention and they would not be expecting an attack. Once the torpedo hit the cloaked ship, it would cause confusion and that's when Commander Tucker and the rest of his boarding party would beam over to the cloaked ship. The four other Vulcan soldiers along with a heavily armed security detail from Enterprise would take the ship by force and free it's missing crewmembers.

"Travis, keep the beacons focused on the cloaked ship."

Tucker lowered his right hand and activated the COM.

"Tucker to security, report to the transporter immediately."

As Tucker made his way towards the turbo lift, he continued to voice commands to the bridge crew. He pushed the turbo lift button to activate the lift. As the door opened, he was caught off guard at the person who greeted him.

"Cap'n?" Trip asked.

Archer walked onto the bridge; he noticed that all stations where ready for tactical alert and that the cloaked Suliban ship was on the view screen.

"Travis, what is that?" Archer spoke.

"That's the Suliban ship sir."

"Commander!" Archer shouted.

"Sir." A quick and rigid response occurred. "My ready room, now!"

Mayweather watched both senior officers disappear into the Captain's ready room. As the door closed behind Commander Tucker, Archer turned quickly and faced his Chief Engineer.

"Trip, what the hell is going on!"

"Sir?"

"The Suliban ship is within our grasp and you haven't done anything yet."

"That's not entirely correct Sir, see I have already sent a shuttle down to the surface to." He was cut off.

"What good is a shuttle on the surface going to do us?" Archer was furious.

"If you just let me explain, I." He was cut off once again.

"I was beginning to think that you had learned from your previous mistakes but I guess I was." This time it was Archer who was cut off.

"John, listen to yourself! You sound like a maniac. At this point, you have no idea what you are talking about so I suggest that you shut your trap and let me do my job. There is a lot more at stake then you know."

Archer looked at Trip with an astonished look. He was amazed that Trip had put him in his place, even with the possibility of a court marshal. Talking back to a ranking officer was a serious offense. Tucker continued to speak as he now had Archer's attention.

"I'm trying to prevent the destruction of the colony along with saving our people Cap'n."

Archer was definitely out of the information loop, as he did not know that the colony was in danger. He began to feel guilty as he had attacked his friend for no good reason. He wasn't aware of all the factor's involved.

"I'm sorry Trip, I shouldn't have attacked you like that. I've been busy with my."

Tucker smiled briefly.

"No need to apologize Cap'n, I know that you have been through a lot this past few days."

Archer returned his smile.

"You know Trip, you could get into a lot of trouble talking back to a senior officer."

Archer's demeanor had changed within seconds to what Commander Tucker remembered. He knew that the strain and pressure of this whole situation had effected him the most.

"Cap'n, I need to get going." Tucker placed his right hand on Archer's left shoulder. "Trust me Cap'n, I won't let you down."

"Good luck Commander."

Tucker released his grip of Archer's should and entered the turbo lift. Archer knew that Trip had something dangerous planned. He had to find out what it was and quickly. He looked around the bridge and spotted Ensign Cooper sitting where T'Pol sat when she was on duty. His thoughts drifted off slightly then he refocused his thoughts to Ensign Cooper. He looked at her then voiced an order. "Ensign Cooper, my ready room please."

She rose slowly but steadily and walked towards the entrance to his ready room. This would be her first time in the Captain's ready room. The door slid shut as Archer sat down at his desk. Cooper stood in front of the door. She looked around the room and was slightly intimidated.

"At ease Ensign."

He could see the tension on her face.

"Jennifer, please sit down."

Her half smile told him that he needed to lighten the mood.

"Have you given anymore thought to my suggestion?"

She looked confused.

"What suggestion Sir?"

"The alpha shift position."

" I haven't really had much time to think about it."

He smiled.

"But you are interested."

"Very much Captain."

Both officers's felt uneasy as he knew why he wanted to talk to her and she had no idea why she was called to his ready room.

"Jennifer, I'm going to be honest with you, the last few days haven't been very kind to me and I'm kind of out of the loop."

She looked at him with confusion.

"Sir?"

"I need to know what Commander Tucker has planned for the rescue operation."

"He didn't tell you?"

"No he didn't, he feels that given my present mental and physical state, that I would be a danger to the mission."

"I'm sorry sir but Commander Tucker ordered the bridge to secrecy."

He chuckled briefly.

"You are aware that I out rank Commander Tucker."

"If you order me to tell you then I will Captain but I will not tell you of my own free will. I do not want to see you get hurt."

He could here the concern in her tone and knew that she meant well but he couldn't risk losing any of his people. If it meant loosing his own life to save his crew, he would do it.

"I really don't want to do that Jennifer."

She sat with her hands resting on her knees. He knew that she would not tell him so he had no other choice. He rose from his chair and ordered her to tell him.

"Ensign Cooper," She met his rise. "I order you to discuss the rescue plan with me."

She lowered her head slightly and replied with a simple.

"Yes captain."

After several minutes, Ensign Cooper told Archer all of the specifics about the entire situation on the planet and the rescue plan.

"Jailbreak?"

"Yes captain."

She continued to explain the dilemma that was at hand. He could not understand why the Suliban and the Retellians were working together. This infuriated him to the point where he smashed his fist on his desk.

"Son of a bitch!"

She could see the fire in his eyes.

"That will be all Ensign."

"Yes sir."

She was almost out of the doorway when she heard. "Thank you Jennifer." She turned and gave him a slight nod and a brief smile and then she exited the ready room.