Chapter Twenty
Tala waited for her half-sister at the Vulcan rock garden. She sat stiff back and still staring at the fine sand and different shaped and colored rocks. How is this a garden? Fire blossoms and blood roses make a garden not sand and rock. This is an orderly beach without water. These Vulcans are lifeless, bloodless creatures.
This reminded her further of the difference Romulans and Vulcans. Why unification was so important to the Praetor and the Senate she could not understand. Romulans and their emotions and passions were far superior to their emotionless Vulcan cousins. Tala took a deep breath then her ears picked up the sound of someone approaching.
"T'Pem," said T'Pol.
Tala looked up at her half-sister. She was wearing her Starfleet uniform. She is not a warrior, even if she wears a uniform.
"Would you care to sit and talk or would you prefer to walk?" she asked.
"Sitting is fine," said T'Pol.
T'Pol sat down on the bench leaving a good foot and half away from T'Pem. She raised her left eyebrow and waited for T'Pem to speak.
Tala considered her options now that she had access to T'Pol. Her father wanted her to gather intel and assassinate T'Pol's husband. Form what she had read Captain Charles Tucker III was the commander of the Attack Force and one of the masterminds behind it. She respected him.
"You wished to speak to me," said T'Pol.
Tala weighed her options. Her father was a fool, who had sent her on a suicide mission. The important part was the death of Captain Tucker, so he could take credit for it. If she was going to survive this, she had to play it in an unexpected way.
"I wish sanctuary, sister," said Tala.
Both eyebrow rose on T'Pol. Sister. T'Pem was her sister. This was a surprise, one that tested her control.
"You are Tavon's daughter?" T'Pol asked.
"I am Tala, your half-sister. Our father sent me on a mission to kill your husband. It is a suicide mission and I do not wish to commit suicide, so I am asking you for help," said Tala.
T'Pol's mind began to work the scenarios. The odds suggested that this Tala was manipulating her, but that there was also a modicum of truth behind her story. She could not expose her to Starfleet because they would then know about the relationship between Vulcan and Romulan. The Vulcan would treat her as a hostile prison working to gain as much intelligence out of her as possible. Tala was family, her family. She did not trust her but the bonds of family called on her to try to assist her in case she spoke the truth.
"Does anyone else know who you actually are," asked T'Pol.
"Of course not, I am a Romulan warrior. The reason I never joined the Tal Shiar wasn't for lack of skills in undercover and infiltration work, but because I preferred being a soldier," said Tala with some heat.
"Yet you are here," said T'Pol.
"Because of damned father," she snarled.
"You are showing emotions, T'Pem. This is not the place to do such a thing," said T'Pol.
"Can you help me, sis… T'Pol?" asked Tala.
"I can try," T'Pol said, "but first I must speak with my adun."
"Fleet Captain Charles Tucker III," said Tala.
"You must know this, Tala," said T'Pol. "I am bonded to Charles and if I sense that you are a danger to him, I will protect him at all cost, including your death. Do not underestimate me."
"Is that a hint of passion that I detect, T'Pol?" smiled Tala. "Is there more than a little Romulan in you after all?"
"There is more than enough Vulcan in me," T'Pol said. "I will protect my adun."
"I understand," said Tala. "We do not bond like Vulcans, but we love our mates."
"I will communicate with you tomorrow until then remain T'Pem and a Vulcan," said T'Pol.
T'Pol stood up and walked away leaving Tala to stare at the sand and rocks of this so-called garden. If it had been safe, she would have smiled because she had managed to slip out of the noose her father put around her neck. Now she just had to continue to play this situation until she had further opportunities.
STSTST
Trip arrived at the 602 Club at Mill Valley. It had been years since the last time he had a drink at the small club that was frequented by Starfleet personnel. Back then he was I love with the waitress Ruby. He hoped she no longer worked there.
He entered the 602 and checked out the scene. During the NX Project, the 602 Club was always filled with life. Now it was filled with war weary veterans drinking to forget and drinking to deal with the pressures of war. The place smelled of cigars, alcohol, and regrets.
Seated in a corner table was Commodore Hernandez. Erika had chosen not to wear her uniform knowing her knew her new rank insignia would draw too much attention. Trip wished he had done the same thing as he saw men and women stiffen as they noticed his rank of Fleet Captain. He was one of kind right now. Hernandez had a pitcher of beer on the table and a plate of French fries with chili and cheese. Trip walked over and sat down.
"Congratulations, Commodore Hernandez," he smiled.
He sampled one of the fries on the plate. It tasted damned good. T'Pol would shudder with revulsion at this little appetizer.
"We have a lot of hard work in front of us, Trip," said Hernandez.
"Well, at least, you know you can count on me, Erika," said Trip.
"I leave in eight days with Corp of Engineer ships, two NX starships, and five frigates," she said. "I've got a thousand MACOs in four slow moving troop transports traveling behind me."
"In other words you need me and my Attack Fleet Chimera ready to leave with you to protect you from Romulan attacks," said Trip.
Hernandez smiled. Trip had done a lot of growing up since the first time she met him. She poured some beer into an empty pilsner glass then slid the drink over to Trip. He lifted the glass to his lips and drank some of the beer.
"What are the chances of that happening, Trip?" she asked with hope in her voice.
"Jon and I talk to the Vulcan tomorrow," said Trip. "Andorians the next day."
"I need you on this, Trip," said Hernandez. "I just won't have enough firepower to put up a good defense."
"We'll get it done, Erika," smiled Trip. "Do you think Jonathan Archer will miss a chance to get Vulcans and Andorians to play together. He lives for moments like this."
She laughed. Though, their relationship was over, she was still friends with Archer. In many ways she was glad he found someone who offered him something outside of Starfleet.
"I'm counting on you, Trip," she said.
"I won't let you down," said Trip. "If I have to take the Paladin out alone I will."
"All the brass would love that," she smiled.
"I think they are getting used to me," Trip said.
"Yamamoto loves you and Morse sees you as an asset, otherwise you have a lot admirals that think you are a pain in the ass and should be slapped down," she chuckled.
"My feelings are hurt, Commodore," said Trip, who then placed his right hand on his heart and feigned being hurt.
"As long as you got Yamamoto and Morse in your corner, you'll be fine," she said.
"Funny thing is I never wanted any of this," Trip said.
"Wanted what?" asked Hernandez.
"To be a captain. I mean I used to say I did to Jon because he'd think I was nuts of all I ever did was be a chief engineer," Trip explained. "I never wanted to be anything except an engineer, though. Funny thing is I still don't, yet here I am. I haven't played with an engine as a chief engineer in a long time. Funny, huh?"
"Not funny," said Hernandez, "but it is the reason I trust you. Jon and I are ambitious, maybe too ambitious at time, but you are just caught up in the waves of events."
"Now, that doesn't sound heroic," Trip said laughing at himself.
He took another one of the French Fries and ate it.
"Actually, I think that is what makes you heroic," Hernandez smiled.
Trip felt himself blushing, "Thanks, Erika."
"Now, how are you and your XO getting on?" she asked.
"What do you mean?" he asked feeling a little nervous.
"T'Pol, are you and she getting along?" she smiled. "Still fighting and then kissing to make up."
Hernandez grinned. She liked teasing Trip.
"Um… she's a good officer," he said and he knew it sounded lame.
"Trip, you and T'Pol are the worst kept secret in the Fleet," she laughed. "Some of those admirals who dislike you do so because they believe you are fraternizing with a Vulcan who is your XO. Morse, who understands Vulcan morality and culture a hell of a lot better than Xeno-anthropologists do, has convinced Yamamoto that if you and T'Pol are an item it would never interfere with your duty because of the way Vulcans handle such things. But, if you are involved and Command broke it up that they would lose two officers to resignations. They can't afford to lose T'Pol, who both the Senate and Starfleet flaunt to Vulcans as proof Humans and Vulcans can work together. As for you, I told you Yamamoto really does like you. He thinks you are special."
Trip took a long swig of his beer then decided since Jon already knew Erika might as well. He was going to be working closely with her.
"We are more than involved, Erika; we are bonded and mated, which means married in Vulcan law," he told her.
Her reaction was unexpected. Suddenly, her face turned red and she began laughing. She found his marriage to T'Pol funny.
"What's so funny?" asked Trip.
"Trip, don't you see it? If it ever came out that, you were married to a Vulcan then it would bind Starfleet's hands behind their back. No one, not even those who want your head, want to insult the Vulcans now, especially since we are finally sharing and working together. Everyone knows how Vulcans are so sensitive about cultural things," Hernandez explained. "You're a bigger pain in the ass then they were afraid."
"So now you and Jon know the truth about T'Pol and I and Command is guessing. Are we that obvious?" he asked.
"How many captains and XOs vacation together?" smiled Hernandez.
"Okay, there is that," he smiled. "But it was at my parents."
"Let's just say T'Pol looks at you unlike she looks at any other Human, Trip," said Erika.
"Well, the less people who know for sure about us the better," said Trip.
"Don't worry. I have no intention of telling anyone. Actually, I'm jealous of you in some ways," she smiled sadly.
Trip lifted his beer and made a toasting motion towards her then took another swig. In some ways, he felt good that there were people he cared about that knew about him and T'Pol. He hated hiding his love for her.
STSTST
Tavon sat in the war room of the Tal Shiar. Incursions into Coalition space had been curtailed by the Romulan military. They decided that they were not effective enough. What they planned next was to send one of their fleets into Coalition space in order to take some ground. Invasion was the solution to getting their nose bloodied and now it was up to Tal Shiar to gather intelligence for this invasion.
"Admiral Valdun wants to know which would be the best coalition planetary system to take first. Of course, Praetor, proconsul, and senate believe the first system taken should be Vulcan. How do you feel about such an invasion, Tavon?" asked General Maldore.
"Vulcan has excellent ships, but inferior tacticians. They fight based on logic, which often leaves them vulnerable to out of the box thinking. I agree," he said. "Vulcan would be the best system to invade first. It is closest to Romulan space and vulnerable."
"If this is to be done, we need the most up-to-date information on their ships, planetary defenses, leading commanders, and current political structure," said Maldore. "We are on a five month time table. Let us get started. Everyone dismissed, except Tavon."
The high-ranking officers of the Tal Shiar filed out of the cold black marble room. Soon Maldore and Tavon, the number one and number two of the Tal Shiar, sat across from each other.
"I want this to be your operation," Maldore said.
"Do you wish me to go to Vulcan?" he asked.
"Yes, I want you to go to Vulcan and start corrupting whatever weak links in their government and military. A Vulcan traitor is our ally," Maldore.
"I see. Can I tempt them with unification?" Tavon asked.
"Of course, though there is no reason that they should know that subjugation and unification are the same thing in my mind," said Maldore.
Tavon laughed. The man was an idiot, but he was going to show him the error of his ways. Tavon thought of himself as Maldore's rival not his underling. Anyway, he was going back to Vulcan. It was time to set up some ways of escape just in case he needed them. Failure this time meant death for him and he had no intention of dying.
STSTST
Over a meal of lasagna and salad for him and minestrone soup and salad for her, Trip listened intently about T'Pem actually being her Romulan half-sister Tala. To say he was surprised about her news was an understatement.
"I cannot hand her over to Starfleet without revealing the connection between Vulcans and Romulans," she said. "As for exposing her to the Vulcan, she is my family. I do not think I can in good conscience give her over to them without first ascertaining her voracity."
"She's your sister. We'll handle this however you wish, darlin'" Trip said.
"Vulcan is an eight hours from Starbase 6 location at warp 7, which the Paladin is capable of," she said. "I was contemplating offering her sanctuary by allowing to stay at my mother's home. This will allow for a chance that I might get to know her in some way."
"That means she travels with us until we get the chance to take her to Vulcan," said Trip.
"I am aware of that," said T'Pol. "We have guest quarters and Lieutenant Endilev can be told that all vital sections of the ship are off limits to her and restrict her computer access."
Trip thought it might take some explaining to Command why they had a civilian Vulcan onboard his ship. T'Pol read his apprehension through their bond and understood it.
"I was thinking of speaking to Soval. I know that he is due to return to Vulcan in order to make a personal report to T'Pau and the High Council. I thought we could offer him a ride on the Paladin as cover," explained T'Pol.
"Command and the Senate would be behind that," said Trip. "Talk to Soval. If he says yes then we'll add… what should I call her anyway?"
"T'Pem is her cover name, though her actual name is Tala," said T'Pol.
"We'll offer a ride to Tala if Soval says yes to the ride," said Trip.
"Thank you, adun," said T'Pol.
"Darlin', I can feel you struggling with this. You know I'm right here for you if you need to talk," he said.
"I know. I believe I need to meditate on this," she said then paused. "I also believe I would benefit from your presence when I meditate."
"After dinner then, how's that?" he asked.
"That will be satisfactory," she said.
Trip shoveled some of the lasagna in his mouth. He hoped that T'Pol's half-sister was on the level. T'Pol had to believe that there were some positive aspects to being A Romulan. She wanted to believe that her Romulan blood was tainted blood.
STSTST
Archer stared at the Andorian ambassador stared at each across the table. The Andorian's antennae twitched I anger, which Trip could tell amused Archer.
"I guess the Vulcans will give the Attack Fleet Chimera six ships and we can count on the proud Imperial Guard to give us three ships," Archer goaded him.
The Andorian Ambassador leaned over and whispered something to his military attaché. The attaché whispered something back to the ambassador, who nodded.
"We can offer you six ships but only if the Vulcans are truly offering six ships," said the Andorian ambassador.
Archer looked at Trip and winked.
Once the meeting was over, Trip and Archer walked side by side down the corridor. As they walked, Archer started to prod Trip with his elbow.
"You've got a fleet," Archer said.
"Six Vulcan, six Andorian, three NX, three Yorktown Class, one Scout ship, and ten frigates," said Trip.
"Sounds like a fleet to me," said Archer.
"T'Pol is meeting with Soval," said Trip. "If all goes well, Commodore Hernandez leaves in three days and the Andorian and Vulcan ships will rendezvous with us at the coordinates where we are building the Starbase. How is going setting up a dense for Sol System?"
"It's going," smiled Archer. "SO which NX and Yorktown Class ships are yours?"
"NX Atlanta, NX Mars, and NX Defender. Yorktowns are the Hornet, Adams, and Shoemaker," said Trip.
Archer smiled, "You got yourself a fleet."
"How's Mary Ellen?" asked Trip.
"Showing," he smiled.
"I will get an invitation to the wedding," said Trip.
"You'll get an invitation, Trip. What's a wedding without a best man," said Archer.
"Really? Me? You want me to be your best man?" Trip asked.
"Yeah, I do," said Archer.
"I'm honored, Vice Admiral Archer," smiled Trip.
"I'm glad to hear that Fleet Captain Tucker," said Archer.
Adun, Soval found it agreeable to travel on the Paladin.
I guess you better make arrangements with T'Pem, or Tala, or whatever her name is.
Please, call her T'Pem for now.
I shall, darlin'.
"You okay, Trip. You just sort of phased out there," said Archer.
"Oh, I'm fine. I've got the Paladin ready to leave," Trip said. "It looks like it's going to be interesting trip. I told you that we are going to be acting as a cab service for Soval."
Archer chuckled then he slapped him on the back, "Let me buy you lunch. I remember all those fun times we had Soval on the Enterprise. You know what I used to like the most about having him onboard."
"No, what?" sighed Trip.
"I used to love when he'd stand on the Bridge with his clasped in front of him and in a superior tone tell me what I was doing wrong," Archer laughed.
The thought of a Vulcan Ambassador and his entourage along with a Romulan spy, who was related to his wife, seemed make him not see the humor that Archer saw.