—Chapter 20—
The Vulcans of the Volares were surprisingly accommodating of Trip and Malcolm during their three day trip and T'Avala later informed them that a number of the Vulcans which the Enterprise had rescued from the Orion slavers had spoken publicly of the courage and willingness of the crew to place themselves in harm's way for another. That kind of praise held a great deal of importance on Vulcan and the crew of the Volares considered it an honor to host two of the senior officers from that ship. They were however, unable to enlighten them as to their mission, for the Volares was merely transporting the two to Earth.
Malcolm regaled the crew of the Volares with the story of the rescue several times, at their request, then spent the rest of that time with several of the Vulcan marines serving aboard the battle cruiser. He was fascinated with some of the martial ways retained from the Old Vulcan when Vulcan was awash in blood, and counted the bruises he received in training with these Vulcans a small price to pay for a glimpse of such a world.
Trip spent some time speaking with some of the Volares' engineers and found the intellectual exchange quite gratifying, some of the time questioning T'Avala in more detail of the intricacies of the Bond, until he was confident that he knew enough to understand the process to some extent. Much of the rest of the time he spent on his bed, watching the stars go by as streaks of light, as his mind wandered to the one truly on his mind.
For her part, T'Pol buried herself in her duties, those same three days. She worked her day shift on the Bridge, then spent the next six hours or so in Engineering, where her help was appreciated, for Trip's crew was determined that their Commander should find no fault in the manner in which they had carried out their duties. Then, late at night, she'd head for the Mess Hall after picking up her tray of mochi from her quarters. She'd eat a lone mochi while sipping on a cup of tea and finally go to bed. The brutal schedule demanded enough of her energy that she only thought of Trip a couple dozen times a day and an hour or so at night before she'd finally drift to sleep, but that hour was the hardest of the day.
The fourth day saw Trip and Malcolm home, as the Volares assumed orbit around Earth and soon a Vulcan shuttle delivered them to their destination in San Francisco, but that destination was not StarFleet HQ, but rather the Vulcan Embassy. Ushered into a private conference room they were left alone.
Malcolm grinned at the large mirror on wall. He knew the drill. Even though they were on the same side with the Vulcans, they'd been left here, under observation, for any number of reasons, such as intimidation, information gathering, psychological interpretation of their behavior, or just as likely for no reason at all but to screw with them. Normal Vulcans wouldn't pull this crap, but these were spooks on some level or other, but unfortunately for them, Malcolm knew the game.
To the Vulcans watching him, it was clear that this human wasn't going to spill any beans, for it was clear that he was playing with them when he stepped up to the mirror and wrote, 'Get me out of here! I'm Ambassador Soval's round eared son!' in erasable marker.
Trip was an even worse subject. He took a seat on one of the couches lining the wall, chose a spot on the opposite wall on which to focus his attention, and thought of T'Pol and thought of the things of which T'Avala had spoken, for T'Avala was Bonded and had insights into the matter, which was something neither Trip nor T'Pol could claim. More importantly still, T'Avala's mate, Kellan, also served on the Volares and made some time to speak with Trip and guide him in the aspects of the Bond that were squarely in the male sphere. Trip thought back to one of those particular conversations which convinced him that this Bond thing was for real, and not a mind game played by T'Avala.
"I will assume that the course of your tel will follow a traditional Vulcan course. Since you and T'Pol have given life to a Bond it is logical to make that assumption, but stay alert, for it may differ some from the norm, due to your species."
"Yes, Kellan."
"Now, your end of the Bond will awaken first," said Kellan, "and you will begin to notice strange things happening, in relation to T'Pol."
"Strange?"
"Perhaps that was too strong a word. Let us say odd. For example, when my end of the Bond began to awaken and became active, I could always tell when T'Avala was near and even more so if she was thinking of me while approaching me."
"I've had that happen, Kellan! I feel T'Pol nearby, I greet her before I see her. She's convinced I've got super-hearing, or that I've planted a tracker on her."
Kellan nodded, and said, "Yes, exactly so. Anything else you can think of? If you can not think of anything it is likely you just haven't noticed, but you will now that you are alert to the possibility."
"Lately, I've opened the comm several times just as T'Pol has activated her end. Before she's spoken, I've said, "Yes, T'Pol." I couldn't explain it, so I played it off, but T'Pol was certain I was messing with her. She absolutely tore apart the comm unit installed in her Bridge station twice, but never found anything because I didn't do anything."
Kellan laughed a bit at that, which for a Vulcan was equivalent to a roaring belly laugh, and said, "I wish I could have seen that. T'Avala will enjoy that story, since she knows T'Pol. Anything else?"
"Well, this is not the same thing, but I've always been able to read her moods, almost from the first day, when most humans aboard the Enterprise could not, but there's no way we had an instant tel, Kellan."
"T'Avala is a bit of a romantic, but if there's any truth to the soul-mates theory, you would have had a large head start on your tel. You would already have been reaching out for her, and she for you, from the instant you met. Needless to say, that theory has not been proven yet, so don't take it as fact."
"Ok, what else do I need to know, Kellan?"
"Have you coupled with T'Pol yet?"
Normally this direct a question concerning T'Pol would have embarrassed Trip a bit, but he was too excited by Kellan's information to allow that to happen.
"Hmmm. Does it count if I did so in my imagination?" said Trip, not wanting to get into the story of the neural whip.
"In your imagination?" said Kellan, and chuckled again. For a Vulcan he was a remarkably jolly fellow. "No, Commander. Have you coupled with T'Pol physically?"
"No, but she actually suggested we, ahh, couple, before I left the Enterprise on this mission. She seemed quite eager and I felt the same. If the Volares had not arrived ten hours early, it would have happened already."
"That is because she senses subconsciously that your end of the Bond will fully awaken during your coupling," said Kellan, "and you will then help awaken her end of it."
"What, the first time, Kellan?"
"First or second is fairly common, but the sweet spot seems to be on the third to fifth time. The key here is not to fixate on the number, Commander Tucker, for your species may alter that probability."
"Right. What else?"
The hiss of the conference room's door sliding aside snapped Trip out of his reverie. Soval stepped through, followed by two military types. The Ambassador took note of Malcolm's writing on the mirror.
"You were not under observation," said Soval. "This is simply the most secure conference room we have."
Malcolm smiled. They may not have had a purpose to observe them, but someone was back there watching them. He could always feel a pair of eyes on him and it had saved his life several times.
"Actually, we were being observed, Ambassador," said Malcolm, "but I don't believe there was any malice in the act."
"SubCommander Tumak?" said Soval, looking at the taller of the two men with him.
"They were observed, Soval," said Tumak, looking at Malcolm with interest in his eyes. "It is standard policy to keep this room secure, though the Lieutenant was correct. There was no malice in the act."
"Apologies, Lieutenant Reed," said Soval. "It seems you were correct."
"It's nothing, Ambassador."
Soval nodded and said, "Please, join me at the table."
Moments later all five men were seated at the table and SubCommander Tumak slid a folder to each man.
"If you'll open your folder," said Tumak, "we will discuss the purpose of this meeting."
They all followed Tumak's suggestion and Trip's heart froze when he looked at the photo which was pasted on the inside cover. It was Ke'Relle. Malcolm looked at Trip, but said nothing.
"We understand this person was rescued from the wreckage of the ship, Sultara," said Tumak, "by the Enterprise."
He looked at the humans for confirmation. The one named Lieutenant Reed confirmed that fact, but the other human just looked stone-faced at his folder, saying nothing.
"In any case, we have taken a great deal of interest in her," said Tumak. "Still, other than her location, we don't know much about her, and even finding her called for a massive effort. As you are the only people we can find that have had even the slightest contact with her, you are here to assist in her capture and unravel her motivations."
"What about the crew of the Sultara?" said Malcolm. "They've probably had more contact with her than us."
"Unfortunately we can not locate them. Since the ship was destroyed by the Orions and not worth the cost of salvage, she was abandoned. The crew and captain found other ships, but there is no central registry of such men and such movements, for they happen too often."
"Why do you want her," said Trip, speaking his first words since entering that room.
"She has killed three men, and we believe she will kill more," said Tumak.
"You have proof of that?" said Trip, raising his eyes for the first time since he'd seen Ke'Relle's photo, to look at Tumak.
"A dozen witnesses, more or less, plus audio-video feed from three cameras. You can review the audio-video feed now, and I can bring the witnesses in later today if you question my veracity."
"I do not," said Trip, heart-sick.
He knew the Vulcans did not like to lie as a matter of principle and would not openly lie to StarFleet personnel over something so easily verified.
"Who were these men?" said Trip.
"Human scientists," said Tumak. "Men of sufficient IQ and education that they will be difficult to replace in their former posts. Subcontractors, working indirectly for StarFleet."
"In what capacity?" said Trip.
"You are not cleared to have that information," said Tumak. "Need to know, Commander Tucker."
"If we know the type of work they did, we can look for a reason why they were killed, SubCommander," said Trip.
"They worked in weapons design, military vessel design and the integration of said weapons on said ships," said Malcolm. "I'm guessing."
Tumak looked at Malcolm with new eyes. He had wondered why StarFleet would select such a junior officer to be their representative, or why he was put in charge of a Commander who seemed to ask intelligent questions in his own right. Now he had his own questions about Lieutenant Reed and no doubt Vulcan Intelligence would soon open a file on the man. What Tumak didn't know was that Vulcan Intelligence had already done so, and had shit to show for it.
"So why are we here?" said Trip, looking at Soval and then Tumak. "I believe you have the operatives to capture Ke'Relle on hand, no?"
"We do," said Tumak, "but we hope some friendly faces will convince this Ke'Relle to surrender peacefully."
"You know where she is now?"
"Yes," said Tumak. "We've held off moving in on her because we believe she will resist forcefully, which will necessitate that we act vigorously on our own behalf and we would rather take her alive."
"Right. I know you want to interrogate her, force a series of mind-melds on her," said Trip, "but after that what? Execute her? Imprison her?"
"That depends on who gets final custody of her, Commander," said Soval. "I suspect Earth government will want to take custody of her. If they do, you would be more familiar with the customary punishment."
"And if Vulcan takes custody of her?"
"We would mind-wipe her, Commander. It would probably damage her to some degree, but she could live out a simple life afterwards."
"And if she won't surrender?"
"Then we are going to kill her," said Tumak.
"I don't want to this," said Trip, looking at Soval, "but I'll do it on one condition."
"Which is?" said Soval.
"StarFleet is eager to continue their association with Vulcan, as is the Earth government. You have the leverage to assure that if we capture her, Vulcan gains custody of her. After you mind-wipe her, you give Ke'Relle to me with a new Vulcan identity."
"For what purpose, Commander?" said Soval, as surprised as every other man in that room.
"She can go live with my parents. They won't know what she's done. They're both kind people and if she'll be as damaged as you say, they'll take care of her, and love her like a daughter. I have siblings, and they'll take to Ke'Relle as well."
"What is your motivation in this matter, Commander?" said Soval, looking at Trip as if seeing him for the first time.
"She is a friend, and it pains me, what she has done, and what you have planned for her."
"Just that?" said Tumak.
"Just that," said Trip.
Tumak turned to Soval and said, "This Ke'Relle is quite attractive. Forgive me if I sound skeptical, Soval, but I am not certain that I trust the purity of Commander Tucker's intentions."
"Don't tell me you care what happens to her, Tumak. You want her dead, or you want her brain-dead. But as it turns out, I have a mate," said Trip, and Malcolm looked at the Commander, only his training keeping Reed's surprise from showing, "and although she's a sweet thing, she'd got a jealous streak a mile wide, though she'd never admit it. She'd kill me, before she'd share me with another. I swear it, Ke'Relle would be like a sister to me and Soval could discreetly monitor her treatment by my family."
"I honor your sentiment, Commander. I have heard of your courage, and now I see in you things that speak well for your humanity. I will make your case to my superiors, that it be handled your way."
"No, we take a simpler way," said Malcolm. "SubCommander Tumak and his silent partner here are not Vulcan Navy. They know how to deal with problems, and they know how to make a deal. They can declare that Ke'Relle was killed resisting apprehension, interrogate her to their satisfaction and then release her into the custody of Commander Tucker's parents."
"You are the official representative of StarFleet," said Tumak. "You could use that information to blackmail us at a later time."
"How could I blackmail you, SubCommander, if this is my idea? I'll even put it in writing, that I witnessed Ke'Relle's justified homicide when she resisted arrest by the noble Vulcan security forces."
"You don't have the authority to make that kind of offer," said Tumak.
"You sure about that, SubCommander?" said Malcolm, grinning a toothy grin. "I could have Ambassador Soval killed to seal our deal in blood, if you'd like."
"I would prefer to avoid that course, Lieutenant Reed," said Soval, "for I still have some goals to accomplish in this life. SubCommander Tumak, if Lieutenant Reed is willing to put things in writing as he suggests, it can not blow back on us. It would be making the best of an ugly situation."
"Very well," said Tumak. "I agree."
"I will hold you to that, SubCommander," said Lieutenant Reed. "I know you'll be tempted to suicide Ke'Relle once you're done with her, no matter what Soval believes, but you don't want to break your word to me and you don't want to lie to me."
Tumak studied the human, and though the Vulcan was fearless, he had to admit that the man's smile was unnerving. Sure, given his training and the physical advantages of a Vulcan he could kill the human right now, most probably kill him, he amended, for there was a good chance that the Lieutenant was a skilled combatant as well, but then what? Such men were part of an organization, and such organizations tended to avenge their operatives in most unpleasant ways, starting with friends and family and working their way to the center and a particularly gruesome end for their main target.
"I will abide by our agreement," said Tumak, without the bluster a human would deploy here, for Tumak was a Vulcan, and this was just business.
T'Pol was eating the fourth mochi, since Trip had left, with black tea on this fourth day, thinking of the Commander, wondering where he was and what he was doing, and all she felt was a strange sadness that was not her own. She was depressed, she knew that much, and she claimed that depression as her own, but this sadness was not her's: she believed that the sadness she was feeling to be that of Commander Tucker. All Vulcans had some level of psi talent, some just barely above that of humans, some more so, but T'Pol was barely average in this respect. Still, that was enough, thought T'Pol, to perceive the Commander's sadness, especially given how fixated she'd become on him since boarding the Enterprise. Vulcans rarely cried and never in public, so T'Pol was surprised when a tear landed on her hand.
"Look at me. I am falling apart. Just come back to me, Trip," she said aloud, for the Mess Hall was deserted at that hour, hoping that Trip would sense her mood, as she had sensed his. "Come back and whatever is wrong, we will make right."