AN: Thank you to my reviewers, it makes my day to know someone is following this work.
Lt. Commander Robinson ensured he got a seat in the front row, even if he had to arrive half an hour early and then wrestle a few science and engineering types out of his way. The Complex wasn't that big, and the bond between the four test pilots as tight as it could be with the continuing rivalry between them. Ten minutes after Archer left Forrest's office Monday morning, Duval, Gardiner and Robinson knew about Layton's ruse and Jon's reassignment. As did the rest of the staff competing for a spot on the NX program, when it commenced.
Grinning, A.G. guessed he was about to see Archer's golden-haired Adonis up close and personal. A little research on Ensign Tucker proved his image and qualifications matched Archer's latest crush. Almost everyone allotted to the Complex crowded into the lecture theatre for the young engineers first public appearance. Rumour alleged he'd redesigned one of the components essential to the new warp 2 engine. Apparently, Tucker had been given permission to discuss a new theory, a confidential concept that would get the Vulcan's off their backs.
More than Robinson's eyebrow rose when the very youthful individual sauntered onto the stage with a charismatic aura. On the screen above his head, an impressive list of accomplishments at odds with the speaker's youthful age. Fit and trim, Ensign Tucker filled out his Starfleet uniform like the mortal lover of Aphrodite, wearing it with obvious pride. He appeared the quintessential, newly minted officer and every bit as green. The PR department couldn't have chosen better if they'd tried. This was exactly the kind of recruit Starfleet needed to keep going forward.
"I want to thank ya'll for coming today," Trip started, his blue eyes impassioned and darting around the large crowd. The audience calmed the moment he stepped onto the stage in expectation and disbelief. Oozing personality, his southern drawl took many by surprise, given the academic prowess. A million-watt smile hid Tucker's anxiety. Little did anyone know, Trip had never played to a crowd this size, not that his body language gave him away. "My names Charles Tucker the Third, or Trip to friends, and, no, it's not because I fall over a lot." A quite chortle went through the crowd. Pausing, Trip waited for the mocking joke to end, before turning deadly serious. He understood, only to well, what he needed to achieve today. "I've been a part of Professor Sying's team at MIT for the last four years, studying advanced warp mechanics and engineering. I guess that's why you've showed up today, so we can talk about the theories behind my PhD and a series of recently published papers. Well, let's not keep you folks waiting."
The screen behind Trip changed to a complexed diagram. Much of what he said went straight over the top of Robinson, Gardiner and Duvall's heads. Just listening to the kid, they understood the appeal as he kept his audience spellbound. In the shadows, Archer sat, his attention on the crowed room, eyes darting around the auditorium, cataloguing those present, weighing their importance and attitude to the NX program. Smirking, A.G. caught Duvall's and Gardiner's expression as they came to the same conclusion. After Ensign Tucker's lecture ended, the kid would be swamped with questions that needed careful directing. The pilot's understood Archer's true assignment hadn't started yet and it would catapult him above them if he managed to pull it off.
As predicted, the Vulcan delegation made sure they were the first and only faction to interrogate Ensign Tucker's methodology and reasoning. His speech covered the point under contention, in detail, and yet, Ambassador Laval continued to question the validity of his data. The Starfleet personnel remained, in spite of needing to return to their duty stations. Everyone wanted to observe how this disagreement concluded, and how the young Ensign comported himself under such duress.
"I don't think I can reiterate my point further or to your satisfaction, so I'm going to hand this over to Professor Sying, my doctoral advisor," Trip wanted to pull his hair out. The hour-long lecture turned into torture with question time exceeding the projected fifteen minutes, thanks to the Vulcan delegation.
"Ambassador Laval," Tanamal kept a straight face as she stood with dignity, giving the interfering alien a polite sit-down, "do not allow Ensign Tucker's age to dismiss his numerous achievements. As you well know, for we had discussed this topic many times, both here at the Complex and my office at MIT, it is my opinion Trip is one of the most accomplished theoretical warp engineers of his generation. I can provide you with the raw data for any of the studies mentioned today. My team has run over two thousand simulations with a margin of error even the Vulcan Science Directorate would envy on the point in contention. You are welcome to make an appointment with my secretary. I shall ensure Ensign Tucker is in attendance for a more personal prospective on this work."
"That is agreeable," Laval said, ending the thirty-nine-minute argument as he'd obviously achieved his aim. No one else had the ability to question Ensign Tucker. Turning to his entourage, they stood and walked out of the theatre, signalling the entertainment had finally ended.
Giving a sigh of relief, Trip watched from the lectern, pretending to be busy packing away. He really wanted to ensure the pointy eared devils left. Tanamal gave him a wink before her team also retreated. Three Starfleet Lt. Commanders caught the gesture and grinned. Retaining their chairs, their concentration held by the two individuals on the stage, the pilots stayed with the intention of making as much trouble for Lt. Commander Archer as possible.
"I'm glad that's over," Tucker sighed as Jon finally walked towards him, signalling the end was in sight.
Charles Tucker had never felt so washed out and this was only the first of thirteen lectures over the next four weeks. Monday, as they walked by the bay, Archer warned Trip, this would be the most difficult stage of their mission, learning to work together. Tucker would need to allow Archer to make up for his deficiencies, while Jon played to Trip's strengths. The Lt. Commander insisted any personal relationship must be put aside while they get to know each other on a professional basis. There was too much riding on the outcome to complicate matters further. That lasted all of an hour before Trips natural curiosity started peppering Archer with questions about his background, his childhood and most importantly, his father.
Jon managed to see the humour in the situation, and Tucker's tension easing as he answered each question openly and honestly. It taught the older man more about Trip's personality and values, allowing him to handle the younger man. However, the kid wasn't so forthcoming with his own life story. Archer noticed the Ensign struggled and could guess why. These emotions, the attraction between them was new and frightening. Remind himself to be patient, Archer needed to allow Trip to come to terms with his sexuality in his own time if they were to have any chance of a future after this assignment.
Observing Ensign Tucker's palatable relief now the speech and question time was over, Archer tried to supress his amusement. Jon couldn't help calling him the kid when he got this emotional and wore his heart on his sleeve. Being so open and honest, Tucker was a danger to himself. It wasn't surprising Commodore Forrest issued the Trip a mentor to pave his way within the bureaucracy of the Complex.
"We only have the official reception to get though," Jon tried not to sound amused. He wasn't looking forward to the meet and greet any more than Trip.
The Ensign looked forlorn. "Commander, is all this really necessary, meeting with all those Scientist, Engineers and Admirals. No, don't answer that. I know it is and I'm wishful thinking. At least the Vulcan's left. They hate parties."
"There is that," Jon could stop the chuckle, finally noticing his three colleagues making their expected move. Aiming a quiet whisper at Tucker, Archer said, "don't look, but trouble's brewing. Let me do the talking."
"Archer," A.G. waited until most people left the theatre before leaping up the stairs and onto the stage. Jon's attention flicked to the rapidly approaching group. Duvall and Gardiner followed closely. All three had shit eating grins on there faces. "Care to introduce us?"
"Ensign Tucker," Jon sighed theatrically, "meet three of the most conceited, arrogant pilots you'll ever have the misfortune to know."
"And we were going to buy you the first drink in celebration of your new assignment," Gardiner smirked, holding out his hand.
Rolling his eyes, Lt. Command Jonathan Archer knew he couldn't get out of this one. A.G. obviously opened his mouth about his new orders and Trip's identity as the reason for his recent drunken episode last Saturday night. After doing the honours, he agreed, reluctantly, "I'll see you at the 602 latter. Not sure when I'll be finished with official festivities."
"What about your friend," Duvall questioned, carefully watching the body language between the two men.
"Trip?" Archer asked, giving the kid the opportunity to politely refuse.
"Why not," Ensign Tucker shrugged, not really impressed with the idea of mixing with a group of Lt. Commander's in a public but informal setting. This PR tour had already affected Trip's career both constructively and adversely. As a new Ensign, he could get a reputation for socialising above his pay grade, one he really didn't want or deserve, causing issues in the future. Deciding he needed to play this very carefully, Trip answered, "although, I can't stay long. I have to prepare for the next lecture in the series."
Archer smirked as he very deliberately checked the time. "Sorry, we're late for an appointment with Admiral Black at the Officers commissary," Jon announced.
Robinson was the first to offer a mocking farewell, now he'd got want he came for. Few would swap places with Archer, even if it meant he'd be promoted for pulling this off. Affectionately, or perhaps more infamously, the commissary was known as the Admirals Torture Chamber. Anyone under that rank was rarely invited into the sanctified club, nor did they care for such a summons. The Admirals were brutal, protecting their hallowed sanctuary, chewing up and spitting out anyone who dared enter without an invitation, even then, you know you were in trouble.
"Friends," Trip asked when the pilots finally left.
"Colleagues and rivals, in that order," Jon glowered, leading Trip to the Complex's transport station. They'd be sharing a vehicle with other dignitaries invited to the reception. The Commissary took up the entire top floor of Starfleet HQ. Located on the grounds of the Presidio sixty kilometres away, it sported an uninterrupted and spectacular view of the Golden Gate bridge. Rank, it seemed, would always have privilege. "If this goes the right way, we'll be fighting for that first test flight with the warp 2 engine."
"But you got the inside track," Tucker teased. When Archer looked at him with astonishment, Trip stated, "you know the engineer, who'll put in a good word for you. That is, if we can pull this off."
"Then we'd better get started," Jon shook his head, taken in by the kids' optimism.