Rival 06
The Moral High Ground?
A/N: Sorry it's been ages since I posted. I haven't dropped the story – I just ran out of time to write it!
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Hoshi stared at Trip blinking.
"T-Then it's true?" she asked, disbelieving.
Andy stood between the two and he stared breathlessly from one to another, a hint of a smile playing about the corners of his mouth.
Trip just looked at Hoshi stupidly. "I don't know what to say," he admitted, searching her face for some sign of her own feelings but seeing nothing but confusion and amazement spread across her features.
"Trip, I –"
"Captain to all hands," the intercom blared loudly and interrupted them. Trip closed his eyes and quietly cursed Jonathan Archer. "Senior staff report to the bridge," the captain continued. "And Commander Sawyer," he added tightly.
"We'd better go," Hoshi said, looking down; suddenly unsure how to look at those earnest blue eyes. She glanced at Andy instead. "The Vulcan ship must have arrived if he asked for you too."
Andy's face suddenly drained itself of colour and he swallowed quickly. "Guess so," he said, trying to sound nonchalant and avoiding Trip's eye.
The trio headed for the bridge.
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No one had said a word in the turbolift. When the three reached the bridge they split up immediately – Hoshi and Trip to their stations, Andy to meet the captain.
"The Shelan are hailing us," Archer said as soon as he saw Andy. "I thought you should be here." He nodded across at Hoshi and she punched up the image of the Vulcan bridge on the view screen.
"Captain," Jonathan nodded politely at the figure in front of him. "What can we do for you?"
"We are here for Commander Sawyer, Captain," the Vulcan said sharply. "If you can transport him here directly, that will be all."
"I'm afraid that might not be possible right now," Archer said, starting to pace a little on the deck.
"Why not?" Captain Puruk asked tersely.
"You see Commander Sawyer isn't too keen to go back to your ship, and to be honest you haven't given us a proper reason why he should, so…"
"May I remind you, Captain, that Commander Sawyer is under our jurisdiction," Puruk said sharply. "He is currently a participant of the Interspecies Exchange on Vulcan. He is under our authority."
"Well, may I remind you that Andy is still an Earth citizen and if he wants to leave the exchange he has every right to do so," Archer said lightly.
Puruk's face didn't even flinch. "No, Captain, he does not."
"No," Archer's voice lost its light note and became more steely. "I think it's about time we stopped this charade, don't you, Captain? If you want to discuss Commander Sawyer then I suggest you come aboard. I won't hand him over otherwise. Archer out."
Archer motioned to Hoshi to terminate the transmission.
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Hoshi had been staring at the view screen in front of her but hadn't really heard a word of the conversation that was going on. Her thoughts were still on Trip and their confrontation outside her quarters. He'd admitted having feelings for her but… Hoshi caught sight of Andy Sawyer at the back of the bridge. His face was white and he looked more than a little shaken up. She noticed how the Captain was avoiding eye contact. What exactly was going on? Why did the Vulcans want Andy back so urgently? Hoshi didn't dare look at the one face she knew well enough to get a clue.
Once the Vulcans had disappeared from the viewscreen, Archer got up immediately and spoke to T'Pol.
"Get everything ready for our guests – I have a feeling it won't take them long to get here. Hoshi? Get me Admiral Forrest will you? I need to talk to him immediately," Archer nodded at Tucker as he headed for his room. "Trip? You have the bridge."
Looking up, Hoshi caught Trip's eye, but he looked away quickly. Hoshi stared down at her console. She got on with contacting Star Fleet headquarters.
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Andy was hopping about nervously at the back of the bridge. As Trip took the Captain's chair he walked over to have a word.
"Trip? Is the captain going to tell Admiral Forrest?" he whispered.
Trip turned around in the chair. "I don't know what the Captain's going to do, Andy," he said, making no effort to keep his voice low. A few of the bridge crew looked up.
Andy and Trip stared at one another for a minute, neither one quite sure of the battle and neither wanting to back down. Eventually Andy broke away and smiled casually, his worried look shrugged off.
"Guess I'll find out soon enough, huh?" he said, smiling around the bridge.
Trip's face was unreadable, and Hoshi watched them anxiously from her station – still unsure of what was going on.
"Excuse me, sir," Hoshi said, not looking at Trip as she spoke, but glancing back at her console. "The Vulcans have requested permission to come aboard."
"Ah, thanks, Hoshi, tell 'em to go ahead," Trip said, clearing his throat. It felt very strange to be giving Hoshi orders having just confessed his feelings for her. But then, he'd always anticipated that. That was one of the reasons he'd tried to keep quiet about the way he felt – until Andy came along. Things had been fine as they were and now… now things were ruined. Hoshi had barely looked at him since they'd been on the bridge, and he could only wonder hopelessly what was going through her mind.
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Admiral Forrest frowned in disbelief as Jonathan Archer finished the story of Andy Sawyer.
"He stole Vulcan technology?"
"Yes," Archer nodded.
"And the Vulcans want him back?"
"They don't want him to pass on any knowledge he's gained."
"Would he?" the admiral leaned forward in his chair. "Or has he?"
"No, Admiral. Probably the only person on board that would understand anything like that is Cmdr Tucker, and he says no exchange of information has taken place."
Forrest breathed out slowly. "I can see why Sawyer doesn't want to return to the Vulcans, but I can't see that we have any choice. He's committed a very serious crime. What's your take on this, Jonathan?"
"I think the Vulcans had a duty to let us know what was going on. They can't just send Andy away somewhere and pretend he doesn't exist. Maybe we can work together on this somehow."
"You're going to talk to the Vulcan captain now?" Forrest asked
Archer nodded. "Then keep me informed."
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As Archer entered his dining room, he saw T'Pol and two other Vulcans sat around the table. The rose as he entered.
"Captain Puruk," Archer greeted seriously. "I'm glad you could make it."
"This is my first officer, Sub-Commander Voral," Puruk said, gesturing towards the third Vulcan. Archer nodded a greeting.
"I'm sure T'Pol's introduced herself already, so let's get on," Archer said, sitting himself down and pausing as the others followed suit.
"I'm afraid there's nothing to 'get on' with, Captain," Puruk said plainly. "Commander Sawyer must return with us to the Shelan. As I'm sure you are aware by now, he has committed a most serious offence, and he must be held accountable."
"You think by sending him away to languish on some mining colony you're holding him accountable?" Archer asked incredulously. "You're just burying the problem away!"
"It is better for all concerned if he follows our wishes."
"Is it?" Archer asked loudly. "Is it better for his family? Better for Andy himself? He still has rights, whatever he's done, and he deserves a chance to be heard – in front of his own people and yours!"
"Your captain is very volatile," Puruk said, glancing sideways at T'Pol. The look making Jonathan even more mad.
"He is concerned for Commander Sawyer," T'Pol replied evenly.
Archer took a deep breath and tried to think clearly.
"Your people may be used to telling us what to do, Captain," Archer stared again, standing up as he spoke, "but we're moving on our own now. We know more about deep space and diplomacy than we ever have. We know more about other species' than we ever have. And I don't know how much time you've spent with humans, but anytime at all should have been enough to show you that we have a strong sense of what is right and moral. We are perfectly capable of punishing Andy as befits his crime. But if he has to go to prison, let it be one on his own world and with his own people. Not in some secret location light years away. Let him be held accountable to his own people as well as to yours. He has betrayed us both."
"A fine speech, Captain," Puruk said, also rising to his feet. "But I'm afraid what you suggest will be far worse in the long run. Commander Sawyer is guilty of stealing information about classified technology. This is an extremely serious crime and if you insist upon a trial we shall grant you one. But I see it only fair to warn you that such crimes are often punishable by death. If not, he will go to prison – not to a mining colony or to Earth, but to a Vulcan prison. This is the law according to a treaty both our planets have signed."
Archer stared at Puruk blankly. "If that's true… why is he out here? Why hasn't he been charged?"
Puruk paused for a minute, and glanced at his first officer. "It was felt that such an incident would provoke hostility between our species. If a human were to be put to death by a Vulcan court it would be likely to provoke your people. Such an incident would also be… regrettable. The Vulcan High Command are aware of the delicate relationship that currently exists between our planets. They wish that relationship to improve… not to deteriorate further."
"You're doing this to help us?" Archer asked. "Then why not just say so? Why didn't you inform Star Fleet?"
"Ignoring one's own legal system is not something to advertise, Captain. It was hoped that this could be dealt with quietly. But due to the secrecy required, many people, including myself, were not informed of all the details. Thus Commander Sawyer was transferred to your vessel erroneously."
Archer looked at T'Pol. "I don't know what to say."
"You must decide whether you wish to return Commander Sawyer to us, or let him face trial on Vulcan," Sub-Commander Voral summarised.
Archer nodded dumbly.
"We will return to our vessel," Puruk announced, nodding at his first officer. "We will be waiting for your decision, Captain."
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"Hoshi? Can I join you?"
Hoshi looked up, and saw Malcolm hovering above her with a tray of food. "Sure, take a seat," she said, pushing the adjacent chair out slightly with her foot.
"Something wrong?" Malcolm asked, seeing the dark look on Hoshi's face as he sat down. "You don't look your usual self today."
Hoshi rubbed a hand over her eyes and sighed. "I just… I just feel so confused, that's all."
"Confused?" Malcolm repeated. "What about?"
Hoshi glanced at him. "Oh… nothing. It doesn't matter."
"Hoshi?" The unmistakable voice of Trip Tucker stopped Malcolm from probing Hoshi any further. They both looked up as Trip approached the table - Hoshi swallowing nervously.
"Hoshi, you're needed on the bridge," Trip said awkwardly. "The captain wants to send an encrypted message to Star Fleet Headquarters. You finished your lunch?"
"It's fine, I'm not hungry. I'll go right now," she said, silently cursing herself for the way her heart was pounding heavily. Trip watched her go and sank down heavily into a chair, staring after her. Malcolm watched him curiously.
"You wouldn't happen to be feeling a bit confused, would you?" he asked lightly, watching Trip's face.
"Malcolm – I couldn't begin to tell ya," Trip drawled, letting out a deep breath.
"It's Hoshi, isn't it?" Malcolm asked, lowering his voice a little.
Trip looked up. "Why'd you say that?"
"Oh, just from something she said," Malcolm said with a wave of his hand. He started to eat his dinner. "I could tell something was up."
"Well what did she say?" Trip asked urgently, surprising Malcolm.
"Er, just that she was confused."
"Nothin' else?"
"No."
"Ah, hell."
Malcolm looked at Trip curiously. "What's happened between you two?" he asked.
Trip closed his eyes. "Nothin'. I've just be an idiot is all. I should really speak to her."
"Well, you know where she is," Malcolm said helpfully.
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When Hoshi got to the bridge, Archer handed her a data padd immediately and told her to encrypt the message it contained.
"It has to go to Admiral Forrest directly – no-one else should see it, understood?"
"Yes, sir," Hoshi answered, taking the padd.
Archer then beckoned to Andy, who was stood at the back of the bridge. "My ready-room," he said, leading the way.
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Hoshi couldn't believe what she was reading. The message Archer had written claimed that Andy had stolen Vulcan technology and could be on trial for his life. Hoshi encrypted the message automatically, her mind going over and over things in her mind. Was the charming Andy really guilty of such acts? Had he been falsely accused, and that was why he was asking to stay? Why hadn't Archer told the crew? And what about Trip… did Trip know what his friend had done, and if so, for how long had he known? Hoshi's head was dizzy, trying to fit the new information into her version of events the past few days.
As she worked, Andy emerged from the Captain's room looking slightly dazed. Looking across the bridge he saw Hoshi staring at him and immediately realised that she knew. For some reason this upset him more than what he had just heard. He walked over to her.
Leaning across her console, he spoke in Vulcan so the rest of the bridge crew wouldn't understand him.
"Hoshi, please, don't think badly of me. I couldn't stand that as well."
"What will they do to you?" she asked.
"I don't know. I guess it doesn't really matter – I'll never see Earth again now."
Hoshi couldn't help but pity him.
"Hoshi, I know it's a lot to ask but there's no one else I can talk to here. Will you let me explain things? Will you let me give my side? Please!" he reached out pressed his hand on hers. She looked down at it and nodded silently.
Neither Hoshi nor Andy had seen Trip, who had just entered the bridge behind them.
To be continued…. Please read/review! Thanks!
