The
Cultural Addition
a Star
Trek: Enterprise - based fan fiction
by: Joycelyn
Solo
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: 310 reviews. This story has received 310 reviews. I cannot tell you how much everyone's kind words, encouragement and enjoyment of this story means to me. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
Rating: PG-13
Genre: Trip/T'Pol Romance; Mystery
Chapter Twenty-Four - Hitchin' a Ride
"I'm sorry you came all this way for nothing, Ambassador, but I already told your staff that we have heard nothing new from Enterprise." Seated behind his desk, Maxwell Forrest was thankful for the expanse of oak that separated him from the severe features of the Vulcan diplomat.
"I find it hard to believe that Archer and his crew would not report regularly to you on their progress, Admiral," Soval said. "Are you withholding information simply because the Vulcan High Command refused to assist you in Earth's plight?"
Forrest stood, his fist pounding the desk at the Vulcan's accusation. "Humans may be petty creatures in your eyes, Soval, but I can't believe you could think I would withhold information about Enterprise. If I had any information to share about the ship or Sub-Commander T'Pol, you have to know that I would."
Soval bowed his head slightly, the only hint of an apology Forrest would receive. "I do not mean to imply that you would deny a father knowledge of his daughter's safety, Admiral Forrest. I only meant -- "
"You only meant that I was keeping information from you because I didn't want you telling the High Command anything," Forrest interrupted. "That isn't the case here, but, if it was, I don't think you have any right to complain after all the secrets the Vulcans have kept from us."
The ambassador's spine, if at all possible, stiffened at Forrest's statement.
"The truth, Ambassador, is that we're all a little on edge after two months without word from Enterprise. We knew we probably wouldn't be able to maintain communications the further they ventured into the Expanse." Forrest sighed, sitting down again. "We can only hope it's interference from the anomalies Archer told us about and not some other, less pleasant cause."
Before Soval could comment, a noise sounded from the computer on the admiral's desk. The admiral's first instinct was to ignore it but the computer beeped again, this time in rapid succession.
Forrest scowled at the machine before answering it with every intention of reprimanding his secretarial officer. "I'm with the Vulcan Ambassador, Ensign Grayson. You know better than to interrupt --"
"But, sir," Grayson cut in. "We're receiving a message from Enterprise."
"Jonathon!" Forrest greeted as the Enterprise bridge filled the viewscreen. "It's about time you made contact. We were beginning to worry."
Jonathon smiled at the admiral. "I'm sorry about that, Admiral, but we've had some difficulty getting a signal through the Expanse."
Forrest nodded, glancing briefly at Soval. For reasons the admiral didn't press, the Vulcan wished to remain out of sight during the conversation with the Earth vessel. Forrest imagined it was enough for Soval to see that his daughter was alive and well without having to dredge up the disagreement they had before Enterprise left spacedock.
Of course, Soval had no way of knowing that Forrest was aware of the very calm and Vulcan-like argument that took place between the ambassador and T'Pol. But there was very little that went on at Starfleet Command that Forrest wasn't aware of.
"A difficulty getting your signal through was our guess -- and our hope, Jon. Two months without word was enough to make us assume the worst."
"You'll be pleased to know that the last two months have been productive, Admiral. We are currently enroute to the Xindi homeworld."
At Archer's announcement, Forrest looked -- really looked -- at the Bridge crew. To an experienced commander's eye, he could see the exhaustion -- both physical and emotional -- etched on each officer' face. Even T'Pol, seated at the science station, looked as though the mission had taken its toll on her. But beneath all that, each member of the crew wore a look of resolved determination.
"We're not entirely sure what to expect when we arrive," the Enterprise captain continued, "But we're about a month's travel away. Xindi Prime is deep within the Expanse and the anomalies will only get worse as we proceed. T'Pol and Ensign Sato have put together all the information we have on the Xindi, including the coordinates if you want to join us."
Forrest smiled faintly. "You know I'd love to, Jon, but even if Columbia was able to launch -- which she's not -- we'd never make it in time."
"If you can convince the Vulcans to send one of their ships, Ensign Mayweather figures a warp seven vessel can catch up to us within three weeks."
Forrest glanced at Soval again, his expression thoughtful. "What about the anomalies? I thought you couldn't travel at warp through them."
"My engineer and my science officer have been doing some calculations there, too." Archer looked over at the science station where the sub-commander and commander sat. "Trip?"
"Our biggest problem, Admiral," the engineer began, "is that the hull plating just doesn't cut it against the spacial distortions."
"Doesn't 'cut it', Commander?"
"By the time an anomaly encounters the 'plating, it's already on the hull of the ship. What you need -- what the Vulcans already have -- is to extend their shields about eight meters beyond the hull. That should dissipate most of the effect and allow you to maintain warp."
As Forrest consider this revelation, Tucker turned toward the science officer. "Did I forget something?" he asked.
T'Pol gave him a look, one which the admiral couldn't really translate, and the engineer turned back toward the viewscreen. "You may want to make that ten meters, Admiral. Just to be on the safe side."
"I'll pass that along, Commander," Forrest acknowledged, not quite sure what to make of the exhange between the two officers. Jonathon, for his part, didn't seem concerned with the exchange.
Soval, on the other hand...
"T'Pol."
Forrest and everyone else watched the sub-commander's eyes grow wide with surprise at the sound of her father's voice as the Vulcan ambassador stepped into view.
"Ambassador," T'Pol said, standing to attention behind her station. When she did so, it was Forrest's turn to look surprised.
T'Pol was --
"It is not enough that you chose these Humans over your own people, but to actually take one as your mate..."
Reeling from the site of T'Pol's swollen and obviously pregnant state, the admiral watched in amazement as Commander Tucker touched his hand lightly to T'Pol's in a gesture Forrest had seen during functions at the Vulcan consulate between married couples.
After the brief contact, T'Pol's posture immediately relaxed as she confronted her father. "My choice of mate is none of your concern, as you have forfeited your right to intrude on my life decisions."
"Look, Soval, this isn't what you think --"
"Do not presume to know what I think, Captain Archer."
Not liking the restrained tone in Soval's voice -- and considering that he'd never heard Soval have to restrain -- Forrest decided to draw the Vulcans' attention. "Ambassador, Sub-Commander, this isn't the time or place for this conversation. Wouldn't you agree that we have more important matters to discuss at the moment?"
"You are correct, Admiral," Soval said. "Forgive my lapse."
T'Pol nodded, resuming her seat and staring pointedly at her commanding officer.
"Right," Jonathon agreed, "More important matters. If Soval wants to take this information to the Vulcan High Command, we could sure use the help. If not, we've made it this far on our own."
"I will do what I can, Captain," the ambassador answered, bowing his head.
"That's all I can ask." Jonathon smiled at Forrest before ending the transmission, "Admiral, we'll keep in touch."
A Vulcan vessel hailing an Andorian Imperial cruiser was a pretty unusual occurrence. But when the visage of the Vulcan ambassador to Earth filled the screen, Shran couldn't help the surprised twitch of his antennae.
"Ambassador, to what do I owe this unexpected visit?"
In typical Vulcan fashion, Soval dispensed with pleasantries. "You are aware of the Xindi attack on Earth?"
"News of the attack has reached Andoria." Shran leaned back in his seat, his posture bored to hide his interest. "I also know that the Enterprise has been dispatched to find the Xindi."
"From Captain Archer's previous mission logs, I understand you feel an obligation to him for saving your life."
Shran shifted in his seat, not liking where this conversation was going. "It is not like you Vulcans to beat around the bush -- a phrase I learned from Captain Archer. What exactly can I do for you, Soval?"
"Archer and his crew have located the Xindi homeworld," Soval informed him. "I have commissioned one Vulcan vessel to follow Archer's coordinates and aid the Human vessel. However, two ships would be greatly aided by an Imperial cruiser."
"Why the change of...well, I was going to say 'heart,' but then I remembered who I was talking to."
"The Humans are in need of assistance. I am merely offering it."
"The Humans were in need of assistance a year ago and Vulcan abandoned them," Shran reminded him. "Why do you want to help now?"
"Sub-Commander T'Pol is aboard Enterprise."
"The sub-commander's presence is against the High Command's wishes. What difference does her that make now?"
"Because her decision no longer affects her alone."
Shran waited patiently for Soval to elaborate.
The ambassador, resigned to the fact that he would have to share details, finally admitted, "The life of my unborn grandchild is also at stake."
"T'Pol is...how..?" Shran's antennae danced with delight at this startling revelation. "I didn't think she was Archer's type."
"It is not Captain Archer's child," Soval ground out. "I am unaware of the details, but they matter little. My daughter made her choice, but I cannot allow her child to suffer the consequences. Will you offer your assistance?"
"I will have to discuss this with my superiors, of course." Shran looked thoughtful. "If they agree, I want you to know that I am not doing this for you, Soval. I owe Archer and his crew. When this is done, I expect you'll feel the same obligation toward me."
"I don't know why everyone thinks we need a bigger bed," Trip mused, his arms wrapped around T'Pol. "This isn't so bad."
T'Pol, her attention focused on the book Hoshi had loaned her, declined comment.
"I sure hope Soval's a lousy shot."
T'Pol looked up from her book. "As far as I know, the ambassador has never discharged a firearm."
"'The Ambassador' -- T'Pol, are you going to request our kids call you Sub-Commander?"
"That would be illogical, Trip."
"That's a relief."
"I doubt I will be at the rank of sub-commander when our children are able to speak."
Trip opened his mouth in surprise, before he realized that T'Pol was joking.
He hoped.
"Indeed, Husband. I meant that in jest." T'Pol shifted, setting her book aside as she turned to face her husband. "The Ambassador -- my father -- was distant even by Vulcan standards. I do not intend to be that way with our children."
"Don't worry about that, T'Pol." Trip pressed a kiss to his wife's cheek. "You're going to be a great mom."
"I appreciate your confidence." T'Pol reached for the book, propped it on her swollen abdomen, and resumed reading.
After a moment, Trip asked, "Aren't you going to tell me what a good father I'm going to be?"
"I'm sure you will make an adequate parental figure."
"Well, gee, T'Pol, that sounded really sweet. You gettin' soft on me?"
"The only place I am 'getting soft' is about my middle where your children currently reside."
"Our children, T'Pol. They're just as much your troublemakers as they are mine."
"With the trouble-making tendencies already so prevalent, I have determined both children favor their paternal heritage."
Trip grinned widely at her, pleased with the twins already taking on some of his more endearing traits. "You couldn't ask for more than that in Tucker offspring."
T'Pol's answer was one raised eyebrow before returning to her book.
