More to Tell, Ch. 2 Sequel to: Confessions
By: Angel
Summary: A Vulcan diplomat onboard Enterprise. What could possibly go wrong?
Archive: Let me know where.
Rating: I guess PG, for now.
Disclaimers: Star Trek and its many incarnations are the property of others and therefore I do not financially benefit from this in any way.
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Captain Archer entered the bridge and made his way quickly to his chair. He stood before it as he turned to Ensign Sato. "Okay, Hoshi. On screen." Suddenly, the visage of one of the Captain's least favorite people appeared. "Good morning, Soval," Archer said. "What can I do for you today?" The fake smile of diplomacy was firmly planted on the Captain's face.
Soval nodded his head in greeting as he responded succinctly, "Captain. There is a problem between the two governing bodies on one of Vulcan's primary trade planets, Mori. They have requested diplomatic assistance. The Vulcan High Command would appreciate it if you could transport a mediator and her assistants to help settle the dispute."
The Captain noticed that the Ambassador did not say that he would appreciate it. "Of course, Soval. Anything for our Vulcan friends. We can be in orbit around Vulcan in twelve hours. Archer out." With that, the screen went blank. Captain Archer turned to his fellow bridge officers, "Well, how do you like that? They need us! Travis, set a course for Vulcan, warp 3.5."
"Aye, sir. 3.5," the young helmsman answered as his fingers danced over the controls.
Commander Tucker stormed through the Enterprise corridors. In the process, he nearly ran over Lt. Reed. As the two men barreled into each other, the security officer grasped his friend by the arm. "Whoa, there, Trip. What's wrong?" The strong British accent brought the engineer out of his self-imposed trance.
"What? Oh, hey Malcolm," he attempted to sound relaxed but failed miserably. "It's nothin'...just the engines, drivin' me nuts as usual." He smiled in what he hoped was a convincing way.
'Not this again!' thought Reed. "Oh, right, the engines," he said to his comrade while at the same time noticing the direction Tucker was headed and thereby deducing that he hadn't even been to engineering yet that morning. Reluctantly, he continued, "You know, you and the engines seem to have been getting on all right for some time now." He clapped his friend hard on the back as he resumed his course down the hallway. Calling over his shoulder, he finished the thought. "I'm sure it's just a little kink. Nothing your 'magic fingers' can't work out." With that, he disappeared around a corner, a smirk gently tugging at his features.
"What the hell?" Trip wondered aloud before continuing toward the second great love of his life, the engine room.
A few minutes after canceling their communication, Ambassador Soval contacted Enterprise again. This time, he requested to speak with Archer in private. "Yes, Soval?" the Captain enquired once he had opened the channel in his ready room, his patience wearing thin.
"We are alone, Captain?" The elder man's face showed no trace of emotion, but his voice betrayed slight annoyance.
"We are. What is it now?" Archer collapsed bodily into his desk chair.
Soval cleared his throat. "I would suggest that you not ask Commander T'Pol to join you in greeting the Vulcan shuttle. In fact, it would be best if the Commander be kept apart from the diplomatic party at all times."
If the man had not been Vulcan, the Captain would have sworn he heard venom in his tone as he hissed the word 'commander'. "Why? She's my first officer. It would be illogical for her to not welcome them on board." He began to feel his own anger rising. The Ambassador was hiding something; that much was certain.
With a perfectly passive voice, Soval answered, "Her willing participation in Starfleet and, by extension, her long-term assignment to an Earth vessel is considered a betrayal of our people. She has brought dishonor on her family and would no doubt be offensive to the mediator."
Disbelief fought with fury to take over the Captain's face. He raked a hand through his hair. "You know, for a population that prides itself on diversity, you guys sure do hold a grudge against anyone who isn't what you accept as 'normal'." The Captain released a heavy sigh as he weighed his options. "I will abide by your request; not for you, but to protect Commander," his emphasis was clear, "T'Pol from having to defend herself. Good day, Soval." The communication ended.
"I understand, sir." T'Pol's voice revealed no sentiment to the contrary as she stood across from Captain Archer's desk. "It is quite logical."
"It's anything but logical, dammit. Why do your own people treat you like some kind of leper?" He began pacing as his anger resurfaced.
The First Officer tilted her head to consider her Captain and friend. His concern for her was touching. "Captain, I appreciate your offense on my behalf; however, there is no need. My presence would be inappropriate and distracting to the mediator, who will, no doubt, have much to do over the course of our journey. I would not wish to be responsible for an ill- prepared summit. I shall endeavor to keep my distance until the Vulcan party has disembarked."
Accepting defeat, Archer threw up his hands. "Whatever makes you comfortable, T'Pol." He watched the woman for a moment as she turned to go. He stopped her with a question. "How are you and Trip doing?"
She was surprised, but managed to keep it hidden. "Excuse me, sir?"
The Captain stood in front of her now and looked deep in her eyes. Plunging ahead, he said, "Look, I know something's happened. It started in the Expanse, although I was too caught up in myself and the mission to see it clearly. But, since I've been back I've noticed...I don't know what it is. Are you two friends? Are you lovers? Is it more than that? I just don't know, and if you want to keep it private, that's fine. It's just that I also noticed tension at breakfast this morning. I consider you and Trip my best friends, I just want to make sure you're both okay." He smiled at her. There was a time when he considered having a relationship with the beautiful woman before him. But that was long ago, and looking back, he realized that what he felt was just natural infatuation brought on by working closely together. If there was a romantic relationship between the two people he held most dear, he couldn't be happier for them.
Within herself, T'Pol warred with a response. Should she confirm his suspicions as to their relationship? She glanced down and reached a compromise. "The situation between Commander Tucker and myself is...complicated. However, rest assured that it will not interfere with our duties." She considered the answer sufficient; the Captain apparently did not.
"That's not what I asked. And I never accused you of letting it interfere." He watched her closely and thought momentarily that her lip trembled slightly, but then it was gone.
She allowed herself a sigh. "We had a disagreement last evening, but I do not believe it will have long term effects." Archer wasn't sure he believed her, but he let it go since it was obvious she wasn't going to be anymore forthcoming. 'Maybe I'll have lunch with Trip today,' he thought.
"All right. If there's anything I can do, let me know." With that, he returned to his desk chair, effectively dismissing her.
The doors to Engineering opened to admit the First Officer. She strode silently across the department, ostensibly to obtain data on the latest sensor upgrades. However, as she approached Ensign Bradford her eyes scanned the room methodically. "Ma'am. Here's the information you requested," the young man said as he handed her a padd. If he had found her call from the bridge to be unusual, it was made all the worse by her coming to Engineering personally to retrieve the data.
Silently, she reached out and accepted the padd, a very un-Vulcan-like air of distraction about her. "Ma'am?" the ensign repeated. "Was there anything else?" he asked when she did not depart.
Breaking out of her reverie, she asked, "Have you seen Commander Tucker? We have ship's business to discuss."
"Yes, ma'am," the boy was thrilled that he could be helpful and also that she would soon be leaving his immediate presence. She made him intensely nervous. "He's in access tube eight, doing some maintenance to the flow regulators." He gestured in the direction of the appropriate hatchway.
"Thank you, ensign." Her voice was almost a whisper as she walked slowly away. She approached the tube's entrance but hesitated before entering. The clanking sounds of physical labor drifted down the tube and floated around her, accompanied by the soft mutterings and occasional curses of the engineer she sought. She closed her eyes and absorbed the mild cacophony while she took a deep cleansing breath. As she exhaled, she began to climb into the accessway.
End Chapter 2
By: Angel
Summary: A Vulcan diplomat onboard Enterprise. What could possibly go wrong?
Archive: Let me know where.
Rating: I guess PG, for now.
Disclaimers: Star Trek and its many incarnations are the property of others and therefore I do not financially benefit from this in any way.
222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222222
Captain Archer entered the bridge and made his way quickly to his chair. He stood before it as he turned to Ensign Sato. "Okay, Hoshi. On screen." Suddenly, the visage of one of the Captain's least favorite people appeared. "Good morning, Soval," Archer said. "What can I do for you today?" The fake smile of diplomacy was firmly planted on the Captain's face.
Soval nodded his head in greeting as he responded succinctly, "Captain. There is a problem between the two governing bodies on one of Vulcan's primary trade planets, Mori. They have requested diplomatic assistance. The Vulcan High Command would appreciate it if you could transport a mediator and her assistants to help settle the dispute."
The Captain noticed that the Ambassador did not say that he would appreciate it. "Of course, Soval. Anything for our Vulcan friends. We can be in orbit around Vulcan in twelve hours. Archer out." With that, the screen went blank. Captain Archer turned to his fellow bridge officers, "Well, how do you like that? They need us! Travis, set a course for Vulcan, warp 3.5."
"Aye, sir. 3.5," the young helmsman answered as his fingers danced over the controls.
Commander Tucker stormed through the Enterprise corridors. In the process, he nearly ran over Lt. Reed. As the two men barreled into each other, the security officer grasped his friend by the arm. "Whoa, there, Trip. What's wrong?" The strong British accent brought the engineer out of his self-imposed trance.
"What? Oh, hey Malcolm," he attempted to sound relaxed but failed miserably. "It's nothin'...just the engines, drivin' me nuts as usual." He smiled in what he hoped was a convincing way.
'Not this again!' thought Reed. "Oh, right, the engines," he said to his comrade while at the same time noticing the direction Tucker was headed and thereby deducing that he hadn't even been to engineering yet that morning. Reluctantly, he continued, "You know, you and the engines seem to have been getting on all right for some time now." He clapped his friend hard on the back as he resumed his course down the hallway. Calling over his shoulder, he finished the thought. "I'm sure it's just a little kink. Nothing your 'magic fingers' can't work out." With that, he disappeared around a corner, a smirk gently tugging at his features.
"What the hell?" Trip wondered aloud before continuing toward the second great love of his life, the engine room.
A few minutes after canceling their communication, Ambassador Soval contacted Enterprise again. This time, he requested to speak with Archer in private. "Yes, Soval?" the Captain enquired once he had opened the channel in his ready room, his patience wearing thin.
"We are alone, Captain?" The elder man's face showed no trace of emotion, but his voice betrayed slight annoyance.
"We are. What is it now?" Archer collapsed bodily into his desk chair.
Soval cleared his throat. "I would suggest that you not ask Commander T'Pol to join you in greeting the Vulcan shuttle. In fact, it would be best if the Commander be kept apart from the diplomatic party at all times."
If the man had not been Vulcan, the Captain would have sworn he heard venom in his tone as he hissed the word 'commander'. "Why? She's my first officer. It would be illogical for her to not welcome them on board." He began to feel his own anger rising. The Ambassador was hiding something; that much was certain.
With a perfectly passive voice, Soval answered, "Her willing participation in Starfleet and, by extension, her long-term assignment to an Earth vessel is considered a betrayal of our people. She has brought dishonor on her family and would no doubt be offensive to the mediator."
Disbelief fought with fury to take over the Captain's face. He raked a hand through his hair. "You know, for a population that prides itself on diversity, you guys sure do hold a grudge against anyone who isn't what you accept as 'normal'." The Captain released a heavy sigh as he weighed his options. "I will abide by your request; not for you, but to protect Commander," his emphasis was clear, "T'Pol from having to defend herself. Good day, Soval." The communication ended.
"I understand, sir." T'Pol's voice revealed no sentiment to the contrary as she stood across from Captain Archer's desk. "It is quite logical."
"It's anything but logical, dammit. Why do your own people treat you like some kind of leper?" He began pacing as his anger resurfaced.
The First Officer tilted her head to consider her Captain and friend. His concern for her was touching. "Captain, I appreciate your offense on my behalf; however, there is no need. My presence would be inappropriate and distracting to the mediator, who will, no doubt, have much to do over the course of our journey. I would not wish to be responsible for an ill- prepared summit. I shall endeavor to keep my distance until the Vulcan party has disembarked."
Accepting defeat, Archer threw up his hands. "Whatever makes you comfortable, T'Pol." He watched the woman for a moment as she turned to go. He stopped her with a question. "How are you and Trip doing?"
She was surprised, but managed to keep it hidden. "Excuse me, sir?"
The Captain stood in front of her now and looked deep in her eyes. Plunging ahead, he said, "Look, I know something's happened. It started in the Expanse, although I was too caught up in myself and the mission to see it clearly. But, since I've been back I've noticed...I don't know what it is. Are you two friends? Are you lovers? Is it more than that? I just don't know, and if you want to keep it private, that's fine. It's just that I also noticed tension at breakfast this morning. I consider you and Trip my best friends, I just want to make sure you're both okay." He smiled at her. There was a time when he considered having a relationship with the beautiful woman before him. But that was long ago, and looking back, he realized that what he felt was just natural infatuation brought on by working closely together. If there was a romantic relationship between the two people he held most dear, he couldn't be happier for them.
Within herself, T'Pol warred with a response. Should she confirm his suspicions as to their relationship? She glanced down and reached a compromise. "The situation between Commander Tucker and myself is...complicated. However, rest assured that it will not interfere with our duties." She considered the answer sufficient; the Captain apparently did not.
"That's not what I asked. And I never accused you of letting it interfere." He watched her closely and thought momentarily that her lip trembled slightly, but then it was gone.
She allowed herself a sigh. "We had a disagreement last evening, but I do not believe it will have long term effects." Archer wasn't sure he believed her, but he let it go since it was obvious she wasn't going to be anymore forthcoming. 'Maybe I'll have lunch with Trip today,' he thought.
"All right. If there's anything I can do, let me know." With that, he returned to his desk chair, effectively dismissing her.
The doors to Engineering opened to admit the First Officer. She strode silently across the department, ostensibly to obtain data on the latest sensor upgrades. However, as she approached Ensign Bradford her eyes scanned the room methodically. "Ma'am. Here's the information you requested," the young man said as he handed her a padd. If he had found her call from the bridge to be unusual, it was made all the worse by her coming to Engineering personally to retrieve the data.
Silently, she reached out and accepted the padd, a very un-Vulcan-like air of distraction about her. "Ma'am?" the ensign repeated. "Was there anything else?" he asked when she did not depart.
Breaking out of her reverie, she asked, "Have you seen Commander Tucker? We have ship's business to discuss."
"Yes, ma'am," the boy was thrilled that he could be helpful and also that she would soon be leaving his immediate presence. She made him intensely nervous. "He's in access tube eight, doing some maintenance to the flow regulators." He gestured in the direction of the appropriate hatchway.
"Thank you, ensign." Her voice was almost a whisper as she walked slowly away. She approached the tube's entrance but hesitated before entering. The clanking sounds of physical labor drifted down the tube and floated around her, accompanied by the soft mutterings and occasional curses of the engineer she sought. She closed her eyes and absorbed the mild cacophony while she took a deep cleansing breath. As she exhaled, she began to climb into the accessway.
End Chapter 2