Captain Archer stood there fidgeting, pulling at the neck of his uniform. They reached Vulcan this morning and after informing the High Command that she was here, T'Pol was told to come down immediately. Once they arrived they were led to a room which resembled his old high school auditorium. There was an elevated dais where several Vulcans sat. He assumed they were the High Command. All noise stopped the moment they stepped into the room. T'Pol strode down the aisle staring straight ahead oblivious of all the looks they were getting. Archer and Trip decided to . Once she reached a table she motioned for them to sit while she stood.
Archer leaned over and whispered in her ear. "Why aren't you sitting?"
"It is not permitted. Until it is proven that I am not guilty I am not allowed to sit in the presence of the High Command."
"For how long?" Trip asked.
"However long this takes. Please sit. It will begin now."
Several hours had passed and T'Pol still stood before the High Command. They threw questions at her one after the other. To a casual observer it would seem that she was unaffected by all this. But Archer and Trip knew better. She hadn't eaten before leaving this morning. Preferring to use the time for further meditation and the strain was showing. They could see it in the tenseness of her shoulders, and if you looked closely you could see the beads of sweat on her forehead. But this didn't stop her, she gave as good as she got.
Finally after morning turned to afternoon and then to night the questions stopped. Ambassador Soval stepped forward and said to T'Pol. "Sub-Commander we have no more questions for you. Before we deliberate to discuss your fate is there anything that you wish to say?"
"Yes. When I was first assigned to Enterprise it was only supposed to be temporary. When I was asked to stay I chose to do so. It took some time but both Captain Archer and I learned to work well together. We looked passed the hostilities most Vulcans and Humans have for each other to form a good working relationship. As much as I respect Captain Archer I would never betray Vulcan for him. And he would never ask me to. Ambassador Soval has mentioned several incidents that he says proves that I have betrayed Vulcan. The incidents with P'Jem and then with the Suliban to name a few. I was ordered by Captain Archer to take the pictures with my scanner and then hand it over to the Andorians. You may think this was traitorous act, but I do not. I followed the orders of my Captain, because I agreed with them. We violated the treaty. It was our fault. Captain Archer was just trying to rectify that."
"Sub-Commander...." Ambassador Soval began.
"Please Ambassador. It is my chance to speak now."
Soval glared at her and said, "Go ahead."
"As for the incident with the Suliban I will not apologize. I stood up for Captain Archer and Enterprise because I believe they deserved another chance. They are a good crew and good people who have tried there best from the start. They did not deserve to have there mission cancelled. I believe that Ambassador Soval was upset that I went against him. And I believe that is why I am here right now. He believes I betrayed him and in doing so I betrayed Vulcan. I tell you here and now I did not. I could not and I would not. You are my people and I will always be loyal to you. But while I serve on Enterprise my loyalty is to them as well. All I ask is that before you make your decision you take a moment to think. If I had not gone against the Ambassador would I be standing here before you today? If after reviewing everything you decided that I am guilty I will take my punishment without hesitation. Thank you for allowing me to speak."
The room was deathly silent. No one spoke a word. Archer and Trip just stared at T'Pol. They were proud of the way she stood up for herself and even prouder of the way she stood up for them. It wasn't easy but she did it and she was still standing.
"We need a few moments to speak." With that the High Command got up and left the room. Hushed whispers were heard throughout the room and everyone was wondering what the outcome was going to be.