Chapter Three
The Enterprise managed to orbit Vulcan, beamed down all diplomats, and arrange for a meeting with T'Pau and Soval all within the first ten minutes of reaching Vulcan. With a sense of self satisfaction and calm, Charles sat in the command chair. Although his leg was still hurting, he had retired his cane and now was at least looked like he was walking normally. Of course, running was out of the question just yet.
"Captain, Captain Reed is hailing the Enterprise," said Hoshi.
"Put him on the view screen, Hoshi," said Trip.
The smiling face of Malcolm Reed appeared on the screen. Trip grinned back at him.
"Captain Reed," he said.
"Captain Tucker," replied Malcolm.
"So, I heard we have a war game to play with the Vulcans, Mal," said Trip.
Malcolm smiled the replied, "I want to invite you and Commander T'Pol to dinner and a chance to catch up on old times."
"What's chef making?" asked Trip.
"Mushroom risotto for T'Pol and barbecue ribs, cornbread, and collard greens along with pecan pie. He thought of you when he made out the menu," said Malcolm.
"It's a done deal. What time would you like us?" asked Trip.
"1800 hours," said Malcolm.
"We'll be there."
STSTST
Familiar faces and strangers greeted Trip and T'Pol as they were led by Lieutenant Commander Carras through the corridors of the Enterprise. Trip had forgotten how cramped the Enterprise was compared to the Archer. Yes, the refit expanded the Enterprise, yet still the Archer was built for comfort in comparison to the Enterprise. They arrived at the Captain's Mess and Carras stopped at the door.
"This is where I take my leave," she said.
"You won't be joining us, Commander," said Trip.
"No, sir," she smiled. "I believe the Captain is looking forward to old Enterprise talk."
The XO nodded and then headed off. Trip and T'Pol entered the Mess. Malcolm was already seated at the head of the table. Against the port windows the food was laid out buffet style and there was no steward in sight. When they entered Malcolm stood then he pressed a red button on a square black box that was on the table.
"What's that, Mal?" asked Trip.
"A gift from Section 31," he answered. "No one can hear us or pick up what we are saying now. It's a jamming device."
"Is there a reason for such an extreme precaution, Captain?" asked T'Pol.
"I am afraid so, Commander," said Mal, as he offered his hand to Trip.
They shook hands. Malcolm looked at T'Pol and said: "As Surak said: the calm mind is the one that truly knows. The device calms my mind."
T'Pol lifted her right eyebrow and nodded.
"Now, we can eat and talk at the same time. I know Vulcans do not like to speak and eat, but there is a great deal to talk about."
"You're starting to scare me, Mal," said Trip.
"I'm afraid there is a great deal to be scared of, Trip. Now eat or the chef will have my head."
T'Pol walked over to the buffet and fixed herself plate of the risotto. She then watched with disdain as her Adun fixed himself a plate of ribs, collard greens, and cornbread. Mal fixed himself a plate then they sat down. A pitcher of cold water waited for T'Pol on the table, while a pitcher of beer waited for Trip and Malcolm.
"I know that you are aware of the relationship between Vulcan and Romulus," Malcolm started. "That relationship left the Romulans with a sense of inferiority which they have dealt with by declaring that someday the two peoples would be reunified. To the Romulans this means Romulus will invade Vulcan and show the Vulcan people to the proper path of war and emotion."
"This is a rather bleak path. Romulans have, for better or not, developed coping methods of their extreme and passionate emotions. Vulcans have not. To take that path now for Vulcans would lead to insanity, barbarity, and non-stop violence," said T'Pol.
"The Romulans believe that they can teach the Vulcans. It is a foolish dream. Vulcan could teach the Romulans how to deal with their emotions but the opposite is not true," said Malcolm.
"Okay, this is all fine and good," said Trip as he played with his food, "but you have set this up for more than a history lesson."
"Romulans have infiltrated Vulcan. They have managed over the years to send sleepers in Vulcan society and now these sleepers are at important levels. Two were on the High Council but that has been taken care of. Several of Vulcans best starship are in command of Romulans and crewed by them," said Malcolm.
"Does T'Pau know?" asked T'Pol.
"She's aware. You see the war game is a chance for the Romulans to cause an incidence which will cause a break between Vulcan and the Coalition. Imagine ships of peace taking part in a war game to show unity are destroyed," said Malcolm.
"Groups such as Terra Prime will gain respect and political power," said T'Pol.
"Now what would happen if Vulcan ships were destroyed by Starfleet ships? T'Pau can smooth things over and the Coalition can build on the tragedy. A potential chance to leave Vulcan vulnerable and without allies will be squashed and replaced with an offer to build a Starbase off of T'Khut, Vulcan's sister planet," smiled Malcolm.
"You asked me hear, Mal, to tell me that I have to be prepared to destroy Vulcan starships in the war game. Is that correct?" growled Trip.
He was growing sick of war and killing and now his best friend had called him into a situation where killing would be unavoidable. Mal looked understandingly at Trip and nodded yes.
"The Enterprise and the frigates and NX ships being sent for the war games would have a tough job up against three fully armed and operational Vulcan D'Kyr Class starships," said Malcolm.
"But The Archer will make it more than fight, right?" said Trip.
"I'm sorry, Trip. It has to be done," said Malcolm.
Trip slumped back in his chair. He felt T'Pol's presence in his mind trying to calm him. She balanced his emotions and brought a sense of equilibrium to him. He looked over at her and smiled, as she stared at him with a look that he knew showed her love, though most would just think she was calm.
"Do you know the name of the Vulcan starships which are manned by Vulcans?" asked Trip.
"Yes."
"I need to tell my XO and others on my ship. I refuse to risk my crews' lives."
"I understand, Trip," said Malcolm.
"Dammit, Mal, this better work out and be worth it," said Trip.
"It will, Trip. It will."
STSTST
Knowing that Trip was upset, T'Pol entered the Captain's quarters for a session of neuropressure and intimacy. Trip was seated at his desk. He looked up and smiled at his Aduna. T'Pol began to disrobe.
"I thought we could start with some neuropressure," she said.
"And after that?" he asked.
"I believe sexual intercourse would be appropriate," she said.
"Darlin', do you have to be so clinical?" he asked.
"In Vulcan it is called guv-tvi-rivak," she said.
"Sounds like a casserole more than intimacy. Why can't you call it lovemaking?" he asked.
"Because that is an emotional description," she said.
"It's also what we do and feel," he countered.
"Charles, do you wish to have intercourse after neuropressure?" she asked.
"Yes, darlin', I wanna make love to you," he said.
"Then I suggest you accept what I call our intimacy and move on," she said.
Trip grinned. He couldn't argue with logic.
"I guess after neuropressure we can have some gov-tvi-reeevak," he said.
"Please, Charles, don't call it by its Vulcan name," said T'Pol.
"Good idea," he said then he stood up and started to disrobe.
Moving closer to T'Pol, he took her in his arms and kissed her. T'Pol reciprocated the kiss with as much intensity as he initiated it.
STSTST
The Patton, St. Petersburg, Atlantis, and Endeavour arrived. Trip knew that Malcolm would handle the captains of the other starships. He had T'Pol were slated to have a meeting with T'Pau and Soval in her home. According to T'Pol they would transport down to her doorstep where her personal bodyguards would search them and then allow them into the house. Together they stepped up onto the transporter pads and then Trip nodded to the technician.
"Send us to the coordinates, crewman," he said.
"Aye, aye, sir," said the crewman.
Soon the world around them began to come apart, atom by atom, and then his mind ceased functioning until finally his atoms began to reform and he was standing beside T'Pol in the front yards of T'Pau. With his head spinning, Trip steadied himself.
"Are you all right, Adun?" T'Pol asked him.
"Yeah, just don't like being transported," he said.
The two rather beefy Vulcan bodyguards approached Trip and T'Pol. One of them spoke.
"I need to check for weapons," he said.
"Go right ahead," said Trip.
The Vulcan scanned him with a handheld tricorder.
"You may enter," he said.
The guards stepped aside and allowed them to enter the abode of T'Pau. T'Pol rang the doorbell. Within moments Soval answered the door. He was in his Vulcan robes. Soval offered the Ta'al as a greeting then escorted them into the house and to T'Pau office. She was waiting for them in her official robes.
"Greetings, Captain Tucker and Commander T'Pol," she said. "I take it you have spoken to Captain Reed."
Soval motioned them towards a sofa for them to sit. Trip and T'Pol sat down side by side, while Soval stayed standing and T'Pau sat behind her desk.
"Are we sure about these starships and their captains and crews?" asked Trip.
"We are positive, Captain," said Soval.
"Do you agree with the course of action?" asked T'Pau.
"The Archer will be ready to defend and respond," said Trip.
"Captain Tucker, there will be some who will ask for you to be punished after the war games. I will not allow it, but I will be asking for Starfleet to arrange for you to be secondment to the Vulcan fleet," she said.
"I'm Starfleet, ma'am, why do you want me?" he asked.
"It is simple, Captain Tucker, we need to rebuild our fleet and you will be an asset in doing so," said Soval.
"You see as a Vulcan citizen since you are married to a Vulcan, we will be able to enlist you and give you a rank," said T'Pau. "You will be made a captain and given the task to build a starship for us equal to the Archer."
"You think Starfleet and Earthgov will allow this?" asked Trip.
"You will have destroyed three Vulcan starships in a war game gone awry, Captain. Earthgov will acquiesce," T'Pau said.
"Once the Romulan plan to precipitate a strain in Vulcan and Coalition is foiled then we believe Romulus will begin plans to invade. I believe we will have a twelve month window in order to strengthen our defenses, solidify our relationship with the Coalition, and prepare a counter plan," said Soval.
"I see," said Trip.
His mind was twirling. He needed a reason not to say no.
"Will my Aduna and I be able to live together freely while we are staying on Vulcan?" he asked.
Soval looked at T'Pau with a raised eyebrow. It was well known that she had a prejudice against humans. Having to rely so much on them was tantamount to admitting that they were a worthy species. Now she needed to give this human the right to live equally among Vulcans, which included being with his mate.
"T'Pol, your mother's home has been inherited by you?" she asked.
"Yes, Madam Councilor," she said.
"I see that it is only logically that you and your mate live together in your home, and as a Vulcan citizen, you will have the same rights as all other Vulcan citizen," said T'Pau.
Soval looked at Trip. Trip was trying to suppress a smile. If all went well, he and T'Pol would finally be allowed to live freely and openly together. It might be worth living on Vulcan for a year or two just to be with his love without worries.
"I recommend Fleet Admiral Federov about this. If you talk to Captain Reed, I believe Section 31 can work out a back channel for you and the Fleet Admiral to talk," said Trip.
"And the reason I should do this is why, Captain?" asked T'Pau.
"Trust, High Councilor," said Trip. "If you are to ever be an influential member of the coalition and beyond then Vulcan and Earth need to trust each other."
Soval looked at T'Pau and nodded his approval. T'Pau took a few moments to consider what was discussed.
"I shall speak to Captain Reed," she said.