Author's Note:
I'd like to thank everyone for leaving feedback. To answer the question, I won't be covering the away mission in as much as having a flashback in this story. You'll get the basics of what happened, enough so you understand. I'm contemplating writing the original away mission as a separate story; so let me know if you all would like that!
Chapter 6 Two's company, Three's A CrowdT'Pol was studying scans from Lieutenant Reed's security sweep when Commander Tucker's voice came across the comm.
"Tucker to T'Pol!"
T'Pol sensed the panic in his tone, "T'Pol speaking, what's wrong Commander?"
It was eerily quiet except for an odd hissing sound in the background. The bridge fell silent, everyone strained to hear the answering reply.
"T'Pol to security, send a team to the Captain's mess immediately!" She ordered, sliding out of her seat, "Ensign Mayweather, you have the bridge."
"Sub-Commander, we're being hailed." Hoshi said, looking at T'Pol.
T'Pol felt torn. She was...concerned...about the Captain and Commander Tucker. She hypothesized that the Captain had been present, along with the Commander, as the signal had originated from Captain Archer's private mess room. Yet, she was the bridge officer in charge, and had a responsibility to handle the incoming hail. She realized that she must trust Lieutenant Reed and his security team. She was ignorant to the fact that Reed was dining with the Captain and Commander Tucker, an ignorance that would soon be dissipated.
"Ensign Mayweather, have you located the ship?" T'Pol asked, her decision made.
Travis scanned the information running across his screen, "Yes Sub- Commander. It looks like they were following us for at least six hours. I thought it was a sensor 'ghost' because of the malfunctions we've been experiencing."
"A valid assumption." She assured Travis, then turned to face Hoshi, "Put them through Ensign." She walked back to the Captain's chair and stood, waiting.
"To whom am I addressing?" The disembodied voice asked.
T'Pol glanced at Hoshi, asking without words what language was being used.
"It's Taltaxin Sub-Commander. I'm sorry, we have audio only." She supplied.
"This is Sub-Commander T'Pol, to whom am I speaking?" She asked stiffly. Two can play this game, she thought, taking a phrase from her human companions.
"Sub-Commander, this is Captain Cran. I know you are not familiar with me, but let me explain the situation you now find your ship in." The voice came across self-assured and arrogant.
T'Pol was...annoyed. "Explain, we are waiting with...bated breath." She replied, deadpan.
"I have your Captain, Sub-Commander, along with Commander Tucker and Lieutenant Reed. I'm sure you are wondering how, I'll get to that in a moment. Suffice to say they are safe...for now. Are you familiar with the conspirators? The ones who aided your away team's escape?" Cran asked.
T'Pol gestured for Hoshi to mute the channel. T'Pol activated internal comms.
"Security, have you found the source of commotion in the Captain's mess?" She waited for the reply.
"Sub-Commander, there was no one there. Commander Tucker, Captain Archer and Lieutenant Reed had been eating breakfast. The crew saw them enter and no one saw them leave." The voice wavered.
"Crewman, are you all right?" T'Pol asked.
"Ummm, Not really Sub-Commander, I'm a little under the weather right now. There are only a few of us left on our feet. I'll be okay." He answered, striving to straighten his voice and not appear as weak as he was. "There's one other thing Sub-Commander, we found some type of canister in the room. Whatever it was, it's empty now."
T'Pol felt a thousand weights settle on her shoulders. "Understood. Take the canister to Dr. Phlox and have him analyze it. Try to figure out how they got our people." T'Pol closed the channel then gestured for Hoshi to reopen the communication with Captain Cran.
"We've confirmed our crewmen are missing. I have to ask, what do you hope to accomplish in doing this?"
"Quite a lot, actually. Your people are being held hostage. We require safe passage, and your ship will provide an escort. With your Captain and other officers aboard, I doubt you will sit back and watch our ship be destroyed." He informed her.
T'Pol sat back in Archer's chair, "Who would attempt to destroy your vessel, Captain?"
"The Taltaxins, of course... my dear, didn't your Captain explain what happened?" Cran said, perturbed.
"Yes, Captain Cran, he did, but your logic has...lost me. Why would the Taltaxins try to destroy you?"
Cran huffed, "Because we've got the Future. Thanks to your away team, the Future is safe."
T'Pol glanced at the other bridge members, wondering if perhaps they understood what Cran was talking about. Blank faces met her gaze.
"Captain Cran, I do not understand what this Future refers to? Does this have anything to do with the reticent passenger that hid aboard our shuttle?" T'Pol asked.
Laughter barked across the speakers, "That would be the same, Sub- Commander. The Future must stay hidden. Her safety is of the utmost importance. We were afraid your people would turn her in when confronted."
Travis mouthed, "Her?"
Hoshi shrugged.
T'Pol felt like swearing, a very un-Vulcan-like behavior.
"Captain, I'm afraid you have us at a disadvantage. We don't understand what this Future is that you speak of. How did she transport off our vessel with our crewmen?"
"Have you ever heard of a Dead-Man's switch, Sub-Commander?" Cran asked smugly.
"I believe it is a device that relocates an individual's body upon their demise." T'Pol replied.
"Excellent! The Future was equipped with one of these switches. In her case, she was able to mimic death with a type of gas. She attached transponders to your Captain, Tucker and Reed. They were all transported...beamed as you refer to it, aboard my ship." Cran's voice echoed his pleasure over the simple transaction.
T'Pol, on the other hand, was fighting to not show her displeasure. "And now you wish to hold them hostage...to prevent your own people from destroying your ship. Where will you go?"
"Relas V, if you must know...you would have figured that out by our course, it's no secret. It's a trading planet. One I know Enterprise visited prior to your Captain's trip to Taltax. Once we arrive, we'll be able to...get lost...and protect the Future from any assassination attempts the Prime Minister orders."
T'Pol clasped her hands behind her back, "I see. Are you also aware that Enterprise has been infected with venissian flu? Captain Archer, Commander Tucker and Lieutenant Reed have all been exposed."
Silence answered her query. T'Pol looked at Hoshi.
"The channel is still open." She supplied, checking her panel.
Cran's voice broke the quiet, his arrogance diminished. "The Future has informed me she was aware of this. She has taken steps to isolate Archer and his officers."
"And what about medical attention?" T'Pol asked.
"Sub-Commander, really...we'll worry about that if it becomes a problem. Please, we aren't cold-hearted. Circumstance has dictated we take...unfortunate...actions, but your crewmen are safe. We will not harm them, or allow them to come to harm, if you do as we've requested."
Cran's demeanor had changed to placating, but amidst his words, T'Pol discerned sincerity. She contemplated what course of action she should take. The ship was virtually incapacitated, the upper echelons of the command staff kidnapped. Murphy's law, she thought, a very appropriate Earth term for the events taking place.
"I'll have our helmsman set the appropriate course, Captain Cran, please send over the appropriate information for us to maintain close proximity. I'll be in contact, Enterprise out." T'Pol nodded towards Hoshi.
Travis checked his panel again to ensure the readings were accurate. The information continued to stay the same.
"Sub-Commander, there is another vessel approaching." Mayweather announced.
"Ensign Sato?" T'Pol queried.
"One moment...we're being hailed." Hoshi answered.
"Put them through." T'Pol ordered. She felt the distinct need for meditation.
Hoshi pushed the appropriate buttons on her panel. "Ready, Sub-Commander."
"This is the Starship Enterprise, please state your mission." T'Pol stated.
"This is Prime Minister Veen of Taltax. I insist on speaking with your Captain. He has something that belongs to me, and I want it returned!"