The Cultural Addition
a
Star Trek: Enterprise - based fan fiction
by: Joycelyn Solo

Summary: An unexpected pregnancy has some interesting consequences for Trip, T'Pol, the Enterprise and the future of Humanity.
Author's note: This story takes place Season Three, so expect general episodic references, but with definite AU qualities.
Disclaimer: Star Trek: Enterprise and associated characters are property of Paramount Pictures. I mean no copyright infringement, this story is for entertainment purposes only.
Special Thanks: To Stub. Beta extraordinaire.
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Trip/T'Pol Romance; Mystery

Chapter Twenty-Two - It looked nicer in the brochure

"Captain, we're approaching the Ceidé space station."

Archer nodded his head at Travis' announcement and turned to Hoshi at the Communications station. "Try hailing them, Ensign."

"Aye, sir." Not looking up from her console, Hoshi broadcast the ship's standard greeting in all the languages and frequencies she had at her disposal. Though Rajiin had assured the Enterprise crew that the Ceidé possessed translators that would make communication with them easy, Hoshi didn't want to run the risk of presuming -- and unintentionally insulting -- the scientists.

Plus, the linguist didn't trust Rajiin any more than the rest of the crew did.

After several moments, Hoshi frowned. "There's no response, sir."

"Are we in visual range yet?"

At the captain's implied command, Travis put the station -- still some distance away -- on the main viewscreen. As Enterprise continued her approach, members of the Bridge crew found it difficult to hide their dismay at the image before them.

From Rajiin's information, the Ceidé station was a giant, floating laboratory composed of five separate spheres. Four of these these spheres were used to simulate different criteria of environmental conditions suitable for conducting scientific experiments. Corridors ran from the center sphere to its four smaller -- though each easily twice the size of Enterprise -- companions.

The image in her mind, compared to the sea of destruction on the viewscreen, was enough to turn Hoshi's stomach.

From what the linguist could see, only three spheres remained -- and only one of those was intact. The other two were both missing large sections; their debris mingling with the remains of their counterparts.

"Life signs?" Archer demanded, spinning on his heel and focusing on T'Pol already working her console.

"I am detecting no life signs." Though the Vulcan's expression was as calm as ever, Hoshi could only imagine what she was going through. In addition to the loss of life this type of destruction no doubt resulted in, finding the Ceidé had been their one hope of learning the truth about the twins T'Pol carried.

With the scientists' potential destruction...

"It's possible the debris is interfering with our sensors, Captain," Malcolm offered, drawing the captain's attention toward the security officer. "The closest sphere has suffered the least amount of structural damage. I suggest sending a team aboard in case there are survivors."

"Is there any indication that who did this is still in the area?"

Malcolm shook his head. "Sensors aren't detecting any vessels, sir."

The captain considered this before nodding. "Take Trip and a couple of MACOs. See if you can find anything salvageable to tell us exactly what happened."

- - -

During the past several months, Trip had spent a lot of time learning how to control his thoughts and feelings in an effort not to overwhelm his Vulcan mate with his very human emotions. It had been a gradual process, with the first weeks after the paternal -- and then the marital -- bond forcing T'Pol to keep the barriers of her mind at "full power" while he learned to shield his own.

The effort had been successful, with the newly wedded couple able to share an awareness of one another while still able to function in their own individual capacity.

Going about his shift that morning, Trip had enjoyed the presence of his wife in the back of his mind. It was a feeling he'd never thought possible -- and one he never wanted to be without. It was as T'Pol had told him of the Vulcan bonding: never and always touching and touched.

Even amidst the chaos of whatever crisis the warp engine threw his way -- with his crew scrambling to make repairs or demanding his attention -- there was a calm in the back of his mind that was T'Pol.

So when, in the middle of fixing light panels on C-deck, Trip felt that calm fracture into a storm of emotion, he wasn't surprised to receive a harried call from Malcolm to meet the lieutenant on the docking bay.

For a moment, Trip was tempted to ignore Malcolm and instead head to the Bridge to check on his wife. To have something rattle her badly enough for him to feel the shockwave in his mind, he knew something had to be wrong.

Even as he thought that, however, he felt an assurance from T'Pol that he was needed elsewhere. The strength of his mind would suit her until she could enjoy his physical presence.

With a promise to have his physical presence available to her as soon as possibly, Trip gathered his tools and prepared for the away mission. A half-hour later, as he piloted the shuttlepod through the debris field, Trip knew that his wife and her logic had been right, as usual.

"I don't like this," Malcolm muttered from his seat behind the pilot's chair.

"Which part?" Trip asked, turning his attention from assessing the damaged the sphere to the tactical officer as he fidgeted with the equipment on his EV suit.

Malcolm leaned forward before he answered, probably in an effort to keep their conversation from the three MACOs riding in the rear of the craft. "How do we know that this isn't one big setup on the part of Rajiin and the Xindi? This could be one elaborate trap with the Ceidé as unfortunate casualties. If the Ceidé even exist. This entire episode seems a might suspicious."

"I don't like Rajiin any more than you do, Malcolm. Less, probably. But she's somehow convinced the Cap'n that she's worth trusting. We may not have seen eye to eye in the last couple of months, but I can't believe that he'd allow himself to be fooled twice."

Malcolm snorted and Trip couldn't help but smile. The lieutenant was as loyal and duty-abiding as they came -- which made any sign of disagreement with his superior officer's orders that much more interesting to see.

"Besides," Trip continued, "if Rajiin is up to something, I think the Cap'n's about to find out. He went to question her shortly after we left."

"How do you know?"

Trip grimaced, unsure how to explain that his wife had told him -- without use of a communicator. Malcolm was a good friend, but the bond with T'Pol was such a personal thing for Vulcans -- and for him -- that Trip didn't know if he could really explain it without feeling as though he was betraying some Vulcan code.

Rather than answer, Trip examined the 'pod's console. "I don't see any type of docking port, but there's a large enough breach that I think I can maneuver us into the sphere. It's not as big as a bay, but we'll fit."

Malcolm nodded, turning his attention to the MACOs and briefing them. The tactical officer may have his qualms about the military group's presence on his ship -- and their commander in general -- but Trip had to admit that they knew how to follow orders. And, not that he didn't have every faith in Malcolm's people, Trip did feel a lot better entering the sphere with the three commandos in tow.

---

Author's note: I am so sorry that this story -- and others -- have been delayed the last month. A lack of working power adapter to charge my iBook and annoying delays on the part of the computer store have basically left me without a computer for the last several weeks. I hope you can all forgive this inconvenience and continue to enjoy the rest of the story. Thank you.