Chapter Ten
Trip and T'Pol rented a motel room about three miles down the beach from his parents. Wearing their disguises, they drove their hovercar to the Tucker home. As they arrived, Charles was grilling up some food, while Ellen was sitting on the bench of the picnic table. Once the hovercar was parked, they got out and Ellen and Charles beamed smiles.
"What are you two doing here?" asked Ellen.
Trip breathed in the salt accented air. A sandy beach, a beautiful woman, and nothing to do; this was Trip's idea of a vacation.
"We're on shore leave," said Trip.
They walked up and joined Ellen at the picnic table. T'Pol took off her floppy hat and placed it on the beach beside her then took off the sunglasses and placed them on the table.
"I'm making hot dogs," said Charles, "and heating up some baked beans on the grill. I'll have to come up with something for T'Pol to eat."
"I will eat the beans, Mr. Tucker," said T'Pol.
"I'd like to rustle up something better for you," said Charles.
"Honey, I have the makings of a salad in the kitchen. I will get you one. Now spinach, carrots, cucumber, and olive oil vinaigrette sound good to you?" Ellen asked.
"That would be acceptable," said T'Pol.
Ellen then looked at her hands, which were still wrapped in bandages. She then looked at Trip.
"T'Pol's hands got burned in an attack, but they are almost better," he said.
"He better be taking good care of you," said Ellen.
"He has been satisfactory in his care for me, Ellen," said T'Pol.
Ellen smiled, "Good to hear it."
Ellen went into the house leaving Charles to enter the guest.
"So, should we get one of the guest rooms ready for you?" he asked.
"No, dad, we have a room in the motel about three miles from here," said Trip.
"Why?" he asked.
"We wanted privacy, dad," said Trip.
"Oh," he smiled. "I see."
"Yo have a dirty mind, dad," said Trip.
"Son, I just know you. Your sister, Juliet and her Nanny will be here this weekend. Will you be staying that long?" asked Charles.
"We'll be around for a while," Trip said.
"Good, now how many hot dogs do you want?" Charles asked.
"Three," smiled Trip.
STSTST
Archer sat in his Ready Room waiting for his subspace comm to be transferred by the Comm Officer. Unconsciously, he pulled at his uniform jacket straightening to make himself look neater. The image of Mary Ellen appeared on the view screen along with Juliet in her arms. The baby gurgled and cooed bringing a smile to his face.
"She's beautiful," he said.
"I know," smiled Mary Ellen. "She has her Uncle Trip's smile."
Archer winced internally at this comment. He had made some headway in his relationship with Trip, but it would take more effort to get to where they were best friends. Trip had changed so much and Archer had a hard time seeing him as the man he had become.
"The nanny is working out?" he asked.
"Talia is great and Juliet seems to have taken to her right away," said Mary Ellen.
"Good, good," said Archer. "Damn, I wish I got a few days on Earth before coming to the Regulus Border. I want to hold her and you."
"Me, too," said Mary Ellen.
"Maybe after they sign some sort of coalition treaty, I'll be able to get home for a few days. They'll probably set up a command here with an Andorian in charge not me," he said.
"Well, be here waiting for you," said Mary Ellen.
Archer smiled. He liked the idea of having someone to come home to for the first time in his life. Until his friendship with Trip, he had been a loner. He had friends, but no one that he relied on or thought of as family. Trip changed that.
"I'm looking forwards to spending some time at my mother and father's place. They love pampering Juliet," said Mary Ellen.
"Give my best to your family," he said.
"I heard from my father this morning and Trip will be there," Mary Ellen said.
"He and his ship had a rough go of it," said Archer. "He's probably got shore leave while it's being repaired in space dock."
"We still have picked godparents for Juliet," Mary Ellen said, "and I was thinking of letting Rev Hillson baptize her this weekend. We had been holding off until you came home."
"Is that a hint?" smirked Archer.
"He is my brother," said Mary Ellen.
"And my friend. T'Pol even used to be my first officer," said Archer.
"Should I ask them?" Mary Ellen asked with a big smile.
"Ask them," said Archer. "Make sure you take plenty of holos and baptize her Juliet Elizabeth."
Mary Ellen smiled and he saw a glimmer of tears in her eyes.
"Well, I've got to go. Take care, Jon," Mary Ellen said then in a softer, quieter voice she added, "I love you."
"I love you, too," beamed Archer.
His view screen went blank. This was the first time they actually said that they loved each other. It felt good. He was about to stand up when the craggy face of Agent Harris appeared on his view screen.
"You're a cute couple," said Harris.
Archer faced turned truculent, as he snarled at the view screen.
"What the hell do you want, Harris?" growled Archer.
Once the conversation was over, he was going to have the Comm officer and Security Officer run diagnostics to find out how Harris was able so easily to hack their communication system.
"To help you, Jon," said Harris.
"You know I don't trust you," said Archer, "and I especially don't believe you want to help me. Use me, yes, but help me, no."
"Yet, you also know that Section 31 isn't your enemy. You may not agree with our methods, but you know we are working for the benefit of Earth and the coalition," he said.
"What is it you want?" asked Archer.
"General Thelin the military advisor to Emperor Tholos is the one behind the attacks. He was colluding with Admiral Black to have Ambassador Soval and Fleet Captain Tucker killed. It appears a great many groups alien and Earth want Fleet Captain Tucker killed," snorted Harris.
Archer took this as an insult and Harris knew it. No one was trying to assassinate the great Vice Admiral Jonathan Archer, at least not yet.
"Black has been dealt with, but we can't touch Thelin. You have, on the other hand, are in the area, and can keep an eye out on him for us and for Starfleet's sake. If I'm not mistaken Emperor Tholos has invited to a state dinner," said Harris.
"He has," said Archer.
"Befriend the Emperor. He is prone to hero worship and you are a hero, Jonathan, a rust one but a hero nonetheless. Once you befriended him then you can deal with Thelin," said Harris.
"How?" asked Archer.
"However you think is best, Vice Admiral Archer" said Harris, "but remember this Andorian is a threat to the coalition. Expose him, kill him, threaten him, or tickle him into submission, but make him a dunsel."
"Why is it I think that you are a threat to the coalition, Harris?" Archer sarcastically asked.
"Because you sometimes lack imagination, Jonathan," said Harris.
He disappeared from the screen leaving Archer alone with his thoughts.
STSTST
Humans and Tellerites didn't agree on very much. So much about the races were the opposite of each other it was hard for them to get along. Humans bathed in water, while Tellerites preferred mud baths. Tellerite food smelled fowl and looked even worse, while in comparison Human food looked dainty and neat. Humans were gregarious with profanity and familiarity making good companionship for some but not for all, while all Tellerites loved the insult and argument. These were just few of their difference, which didn't even take into account Tellerite mating habits and Human ones. What these two races did do well was mine for raw materials.
Tellerites were born to be natural miners, who developed technology to offset their natural ability. Humans had ingenuity, determination, and technology. Together Tellerites and Humans made a formidable mining team, and on the planet Rocca, one thousand Tellerites and fifteen hundred Humans mined the ugly unfriendly world for dilithium crystals to fuel the need for new warp engines. It was a joint effort supported by the whole coalition.
In order to protect the miners, six defensive satellites orbited the planet, as well as the two Yorktown Class ships, UES Defiant and UES Montague along with six frigates and six Tellerite war cruisers. Since the planet was well in coalition space, it was thought to be well protected.
On the planet surface, the evening alarm sounded ending one of the mining shifts. One by one, the mining cars exited the primary mine. They carried soot and rock dust covered Human and Tellerite miners up for air. It was dusk and the sky was grey and clear with stars and a full moon in view. Rocca was a cool to cold planet, so both Humans and Tellerites spent more time in their prefabricated housing and bars then exploring Rocca.
After long hours underground and the stifling conditions in the mines, the miners exited the mining cars and enjoyed the night air. No matter how far the advances were mining was still about digging into the Earth and looking for veins of raw materials, digging them out, and hauling them up.
"How can you breathe with such an ugly small nose," Tarf chided Shift Supervisor Mike Stern.
Stern was twenty-eight years old and had taken this job for two reasons: the money was great and it helped the war effort. He knew he was Starfleet material but he could help in some manner.
"Smaller nose means I don't have to smell you," he said.
"At least Tellerites are odor, Human," laughed Tarf.
Stern was surprised to find that he liked Tellerites. They were difficult and constantly making insults or arguments could wear on you, but the son of bitches never really took offense and loved to laugh. Both men looked up at the clear grey sky and saw what almost appeared to be fireworks. Red, orange, and yellow lit up a segment of space. This was a good sign.
"Oh, shit," said Stern.
"What is it?" said Tarf.
"That was at least three of our defense satellites blowing up," snapped Stern. "Take cover."
Just then, warning alarms went off sending Human and Tellerite scattering for their life. In the sky, there were streaking fireballs in the sky. As they streaked down towards the planet, the miners heard sonic booms. In general the Tellerite started running towards the mine on his thick, short legs. Several of his kind followed Tarf, while the Humans headed off into the barely explored Rocca terrain seeking hiding areas.
Two Birds of Prey, the balls of fire, began firing mercilessly on the mining operation. Prefabricated housing and entertaining centers turned into craters, while the mouth of the mine was collapsed by direct disruptor fire. The damage was devastating and deadly.
In the space above two Warbirds and five Birds of Prey showed their superior experience and tactics causing havoc to the small coalition protection fleet. The Montague was first disabled then destroyed along with several frigates. The Tellerite ships didn't last long in the battle. Their war cruisers were inadequate at best. The Tellerites specialized in cargo vessels and mining equipment not war.
The Defiant rallied the three frigates left and mounted an offensive. The Romulans' tactic was based on hit and runs and taking as little damage as possible. They were a behind the lines guerrilla fleet and had specific orders to cause as much damage as possible. The lead Warbird sent out the call for recall of all ships and the Romulans retreated.
In their wake, they left death and destruction. Miners were trapped, while others lay dead. All Tellerites vessels were destroyed, while only four Earth ships survived. The joint mining operation was left in pieces.
STSTST
General Tavon entered the office of Admiral Talok. Talok was known as a Romulan who you should fear. He disliked failure and would not allow himself to be taken down by someone else's badly devised plan.
Sitting behind great desk, that had a clear surface; Tavon noticed he wore some of his more important medals on his chest even when in a casual uniform. Tavon immediately took a dislike for Talok. He sat down in front of Talok's desk, which could have double as a dining table because of its size.
"Congratulations, General, your plan has worked so far," said Talok. "The drone and twenty-four ships that broke through Regulus border and into coalition space have been successful in causing problems."
"Once we formalize a deal with the Orion Syndicate we can increase the havoc we can cause to the coalition," smiled Tavon.
"I'm endorsing your overall plan," said Talok.
"Thank you, Admiral," said Tavon.
"My adjunct will be available to you. Let's us increase your guerrilla warfare plan," said Talok.
"I'll let my number two, Colonel Talon, know that we can start implementing further guerrilla warfare plans. I believe negotiations with the Nausicaans can begin," said Tavon.
"I find Nausicaans distasteful," said Talok.
"I believe they are distasteful, Admiral, but they can be bought and manipulated. Between the Orion Syndicate and the Nausicaans, we will be able to disturb supply lines. Starbases won't be able to repairs ships quickly, munitions, medicine, and food supplies will be disrupted. The coalition have to contract in order to defend their home bases. It will be another crack in their working together," said Tavon.
"Excellent," smiled Talok. "I want to hit Earth as soon as we can. Make these damned Earthers defend their territory at the expense of the coalition and that crack will become a fissure."
"Agreed," said Tavon.
"Once the coalition walls, we can pick off the Andorians, the Tellerites, and Humans one by one then reunification with Vulcan is inevitable," said Talok.
"Yes, sir," said Tavon.
Tavon saw some flaws in their plan and the biggest flaw was how Starfleet responded to their guerrilla warfare. So far, the Humans had surprised him in their response. He hoped this time they didn't surprise him.
"You son Movar will be arriving commanding the Warbird Firestar, General," said Admiral. "If you wish I could assign that Warbird to Tal Shiar discretion."
"I would be honored, sir," said Tavon.
He didn't care about Movar, but the idea of having a Warbird at his disposal excited Tavon. It was another tool to use.
"I'm glad we are working well together, General. Too often the Fleet and Tal Shiar don't get along," said Talok.
"I believe we have an excellent relationship, Admiral, and I hope to keep it working as such," said Tavon.
"Good, very good," said Talok.
Tavon nodded in agreement. If he could he'd replaced Admiral Talok with a puppet, but until then he'd use him. And Movar just might come useful in this complex game, thought Tavon.
STSTST
Trip was jobbing along the beach. T'Pol had left early to join his parents in greeting Mary Ellen, the baby, and the nanny. He told her that he needed to run along the water. His muscles needed exercising and his mind needed to turn off.
Unfortunately, as he jogged Trip's mind didn't turn off, but kept harassing him. Scenario after scenario kept coming to his mind about how he could have made a different choice here and there and saved some of his crew lives. The death toll under his commander was mounting and it was bothering. Every single person who died under his command was his responsibility and the guilt of their deaths was mounting.
When he was made XO by Captain Hernandez, he used to try to convince her that the enemy or accident caused the death of a crewmember, but he could see in her eyes she took full responsibility. It was her ship, so it was her responsibility. It was a clean logic not even a Vulcan could argue against, though he knew that they did argue against that logic. T'Pol told him all too often that he had only a finite amount of control over the safety of his crew. They were at war, which meant men and women died.
Yet, her argue didn't seem right. What if he had Trell bear to port instead of starboard? Maybe if that happened then some of those lives claimed in a hull breach could have been saved. It was his choices that killed his crew as much as the Romulans and chance, and the guilt of those choices were piling up like pieces of firewood ready to burn him.
Trip considered seeing one of his ship's doctors for help, but that kind of help would leave a record trail and record trails led to relief from command. He wasn't ready to risk losing his command yet because he felt responsible for his crew. Could he trust the next person who was captain of the Paladin to take care of his crew as well as he did?
T'Pol kept telling him that meditation could help him. Maybe it was time to give in and take those lessons on how to properly meditate. He trusted his mate with his life, so maybe it was time to trust her with his guilt.
He stopped jogging and looked at the morning tide. There was something cleansing about swimming the ocean for Trip. It was as if the salt water had redemptive qualities in it.
Adun, your sister has arrived. I have some disturbing news.
What is it, T'Pol? Is Mary Elle and the baby all right?
My sister Tala is her nanny. She is here under the name Talia Gavin but it is Tala. I do not know what to do.
Don't panic, darlin'. We have to read the situation and if she is a threat then I'll kill her myself. No one threatens my family.
I shall attempt to find some privacy to talk to her.
Be careful, darlin'. I don't trust you sister.
She is Romulan, which makes it difficult to trust her.
Just be careful, darlin'. I can't be Fleet Captain Tucker without you. I can't be anyone without you.