Disclaimer: All characters that you've seen in the show belong to Paramount. I am only borrowing them and am not making money off of them in any way.

Rating: PG-13 to R

Category: Sci-Fi/ Action/Adventure

Title: C-28

Author's Note: This is my first Enterprise story. Please let me know what you think, but please don't rip it to shreds either if it is not to your taste.

Archive: Please ask me first.

Summary: The crew encounters a merchant that offers to sell them a substance that will counteract the toxicity of trellium-D, but the sale goes awry when the merchant has other plans for Commander Tucker.

"Archer to Commander Tucker." Trip's comm. Panel sounded for the third time. Rolling over sleepily, Trip got up and made his way through his quarters, fumbling for the correct button in the dark. "Tucker here. Mind tellin' me what this early wake-up call's about Cap'n?" Trip glanced at his chronometer, which read 0247 hours. "I intend to when you get to the bridge. I'll expect you in ten minutes. Archer out." "So much for those eight hours I was hoping for," the engineer grumbled to himself as he pulled on his uniform.

++++++++++

When the turbolift doors slid open, Trip was greeted by the captain, T'Pol, and Lt. Reed. The rest of the bridge was occupied by the usual graveyard shift. "Sorry to wake you, Trip, but I thought you'd be interested to hear about what our visitor had to say." Archer smiled, gesturing to the viewscreen which displayed the starfield racing by as well as the back end of a ship that Tucker didn't recognize.
"Little late for a bedtime story don't you think, sir?"
"Well, I don't know about that, but I have a feeling you may be too excited to sleep after you hear this." Again Archer smiled, and that captured Trip's interest even more than the odd-looking ship they were apparently following. Ever since they'd entered the Delphic Expanse months ago to begin their search for the Xindi, Archer's mood had been dark an brooding. Trip couldn't say his own mood was much better as he'd been trying to deal with the loss of his sister, but it was still good to see his friend smile again.
"So what's the story? Does this person know where we can find the Xindi weapon?"
"Unfortunately not, Commander. His information, however, may prove beneficial to that end," T'Pol said in her characteristic emotionless tone.
"Mr. Byx runs a trading business in this area of the Expanse. He claims to know of a place where we can obtain a material that will shield us, especially T'Pol, from the side affects of trellium-D. He also claims that this material strengthens its effectiveness of the hull protection trellium provides."
"Sounds too good to be true, Cap'n. What's the catch?"
"That's what we're going to find out," Archer said. "Mr. Byx has agreed to arrange a meeting for us with his contact. He would like five steel pylons in return for his efforts."
"I take it that's why I'm here," said Trip.
Archer nodded. "That's not the only reason, however. Byx gave us the chemical formula for the compound, after some coaxing." He and Reed glanced at each other. Reed looked faintly amused as the captain continued. "I would like you and T'Pol to begin analyzing it..."
"For any instability or problems we may run into later that aren't readily apparent," Trip finished.
"Exactly what I was going to suggest," Archer grinned. Trip responded with a smile of his own, which grew as he noticed T'Pol's raised eyebrow. He may not be able to keep up with her so-called logic when it came to such things as first contact missions, but he could definitely hold his own when it came to matters of engineering.
"Because I was going to say, Cap'n, that if you woke me up to detach five pylons—a thing I could easily have done in the morning...well, later in the morning—then I resign."
"Well, I didn't, so get to work. I need the pylons by 0400, and the briefing for the away mission is at 0500. Mr. Byx promises me he'll have an appointment set up for us by then."
"Aye, Cap'n. T'Pol, shall we?" Trip asked, waving a hand toward the turbolift.
T'Pol glanced at Archer for approval, and he did his best to give her a serious nod, even though a hint of a smile was still visible on his face. The Vulcan science officer stepped away from her station and followed Trip to the turbolift.

++++++++++

0500 hours came in what seemed to Trip like five minutes after he'd left the bridge. The pylons had been delivered to the alien trader on schedule and he and T'Pol had become quite absorbed in their analysis of the proposed compound's formula. When the chronometer had sounded, reminding them of the briefing, Trip found his eyes were tired from focusing on the screen holding the information about the compound. The engineer came out of his reverie as he heard Archer begin the meeting.
"Thank you all for being here at such an early hour. Some earlier than others," Archer added, glancing at Reed, T'Pol, and Trip. Hoshi, Mayweather, and Dr. Phlox were also present in the room. "I don't know what rumors you've heard, but we have recently encountered an alien named Byx who claims he can direct us to a person who is willing to sell us a compound that will block the toxic effects trellium-D has on T'Pol."
At this bit of information, Phlox perked up, obviously intrigued.
"We are to meet with a person named Solead at these coordinates on Veda II." Archer tapped a button, and a blinking dot appeared on the southern continent of the planet Enterprise was orbiting. They had arrived at the planet half an hour ago and had been instructed by Byx to wait until fifteen minutes before the appointed meeting to go to the surface. "He has been informed of our presence, and wishes to meet with us from 0630 hours to 0637 hours today."
"A seven-minute meeting? Don't you find that a bit peculiar?" Malcolm Reed asked, in his usual slightly suspicious tone.
"Many cultures operate on a very structured time schedule, Lieutenant. It is also possible that he is simply a very busy person," said T'Pol.
Malcolm didn't seem convinced, but Archer didn't elaborate further, so the armory officer decided to drop the subject.
"During that meeting, we need to be prepared to ask the necessary questions, as well as be ready with items we can barter. I do not believe it will be easy to arrange another meeting with this individual, so we must be sure to seal the deal this time around. That is, of course, if this compound even looks like it has the potential to do with Mr. Byx claims." Archer looked to Trip and T'Pol.
Appealing to T'Pol's sometimes-touchy temper, Trip allowed her to begin stating their findings. "Although we cannot say with complete certainty before performing tests on the compound itself, there is a good probability that it will block the neurotoxin effects of trellium-D. However, it is quite unstable when in its solid state. We will need to proceed with caution in any case."
"What about danger of exposure to the compound itself?" Archer asked.
"There's no evidence of side effects, Cap'n, but then again, that doesn't seem to mean a whole lot around here. The doc could give you a better answer than I can."
Archer nodded. "Give your notes to the doctor so he can look them over before we head down to the planet. We'll operate on the assumption that the compound poses no risk unless the doctor tells us otherwise, though."
Trip tapped a couple buttons and handed his padd to Phlox in response.
"Lieutenant Reed and Commander Tucker will accompany me to the surface. T'Pol, I believe it would be safer if you remained here for the time being, as we don't know whether the place we are going contains unshielded trellium-D."
"A logical suggestion," T'Pol agreed. "I will set up equipment in the lab while you are away. I twill speed our analysis of the compound when you return."
Archer nodded. "Hoshi can assist you. Travis," the captain turned to address the young navigation officer, "I want you to keep a course laid in to take Enterprise out of here quickly should any trouble arise. We don't know these people, and I'm inclined not to trust them just yet."
"A wise choice, sir. Mr. Byx may not be telling us the whole truth about this meeting," commented Reed.
Archer acknowledged Reed's statement with a nod. "If there are no other problems, then I suggest we all go prepare. Malcolm, Trip, we're leaving the shuttlebay at 0615 hours. Gather what you need and I'll meet you there. Dismissed."

++++++++++

Archer, Trip, and Reed arrived at the coordinates they'd been given five minutes before the meeting was to take place. They'd landed the shuttlepod a short distance away in a relatively open spot. The coordinates, to say the very least, were secluded, and led Malcolm to insist on landing in a place where they could minimize takeoff time later if the situation warranted a quick getaway.
Tall trees surrounded their position on three sides, with the side of a tall, dome-like structure on the other. And it was cold. Trip saw his breath rise in clouds toward the sky, and it was snowing lightly where the trees didn't provide cover. He was from the south and used to warm weather, and his field jacket wasn't doing much to keep out the cold. "I sure hope this Solead is on time," he commented quietly to whoever was listening.
Just then, Trip felt a tap on his shoulder. It took him half a second to realize that neither Archer nor Reed was close enough to have touched him. Slowly, Trip took a step forward to give himself distance from whomever or whatever was touching him. His hand going to his phase pistol, just in case, he quickly spun around and found the point of a sword bare millimeters from his chest.
"Who are you?" the swordsman rasped in a dry voice that contained a clipped accent similar and yet altogether different from Malcolm's. Hoshi could have told him the similarities and differences in detail he was sure, but Trip decided he might just get filleted before she had the chance if he didn't supply the man with an answer.
"I'm Commander Charles Tucker from the Starfleet ship Enterprise. We have arrangements to meet someone at this location."
The man gave Trip something similar to a glare and also a grin, which the engineer could only describe as creepy. Then he rasped, "Collect your companions and follow me." The sword was lowered and the stranger now used it as a walking stick.
"Cap'n, Malcolm, over here," Trip called, and momentarily they were all following the swordsman into the dome-shaped building.
"Who is he?" Archer asked Trip as their walk grew longer and longer. It seemed as though they were going in circles, but the captain assumed that was because the main corridors paralleled the outer walls and were connected to the inner corridors of the building by narrow passageways.
"He didn't say. Just tapped me on the shoulder with that sword of his and asked what I was doin' here." Trip spoke quietly, even though they'd fallen back somewhat from the stranger, and the man seemed to be paying them no attention whatsoever.
"What did you tell him?"
"I told him we were to meet someone here, and that's when he told me to follow him. I'm gettin' a real creepy vibe from him, Cap'n."
"Well, just be careful. If that vibe is warranted, I'm sure we'll find out soon enough."
"That's just what I'm afraid of," Malcolm said. He'd been silently observing their conversation.
Archer smiled at his armory officer's comment. They had stopped moving, and the swordsman was busily punching keys on what Archer assumed was a locking mechanism. Nearly half a minute later, the door in front of them slid open, and the man led them inside.
With the flick of a switch, bright lights came on and bathed the room in a harsh white glow. When their eyes adjusted, the Enterprise crewmembers noticed for the first time the differences in the man's facial features from their own. He was definitely alien, with a ridge where his eyebrows would have been, and also one down his chin. His skin held a bluish cast, in this light anyway, and he seemed to have only three fingers on each hand. This, of course, could not be known for certain because of the gloves covering them.
Archer could definitely identify similarities in appearance between this person and Mr. Byx, but he could not be sure they were the same species. Look at the Xindi, for heaven's sake.
"I am Solead. My people are the Draden," the alien said, as if aware of what Archer was thinking.
"I'm Captain Jonathan Archer of the starship Enterprise. This is Lt. Reed, my armory officer, and you've met Commander Tucker, my chief engineer."
"You are all Humans."
At Trip's look of surprise, Solead added, "Some news travels quite fast in the Expanse."
"Apparently."
"So you are interested in the Compound-28 Nexus?"
"Yes. Trellium-D is toxic to one of my crewmembers and we are interested also in more effective shielding."
"C-28 remedies both, as I think you shall soon see," Solead rasped. "The Draden experience ill effects from trellium as well." C-28 disperses toxicity, and in the process, stabilizes and strengthens the molecular structure of trellium-D. It is quite inexpensive to replicate." He went to a panel and tapped a few buttons. "What you see here is a diagram of C- 28's molecular structure, as well as a description of how it bonds to trellium-D."
Archer stepped closer to the screen and read through the description, finding that it supported the information from Byx, but didn't do much else.
"Are you interested in making a purchase?"
Archer glanced at Trip, who had also been reading Solead's information. Trip fought the instinct to shudder as he again saw that glowering grin on the on the Draden's face. Instead he asked, "Would you happen to have a sample of C-28 that we can run a few tests on? Our doctor will want to make sure it's safe, and I need to make sure it ain't gonna blow up our hull when we combine it with the trellium-D."
"I can assure you that it won't." Solead frowned then, looking quite cross.
"The Commander meant no disrespect, Solead. We simply wish to familiarize ourselves with C-28 so that we can implement it more quickly after the sale," Archer said.
"I suppose a small sample could be arranged," Solead replied, however grudgingly. He moved to a wash basin, removed the gloves from his hands, and rinsed his hands in a green liquid. From there he dipped them in a red gel, then held them under an equally red light. When he removed his hands from the light ten seconds later, there was no trace of either the red or the green substance.
Archer, Trip, and Reed watched with curiosity while Solead opened a small cabinet by scanning his hands on a wall plate, though he didn't quite touch the plate. The Draden lifted something out of a container and withdrew it from the cabinet. Abruptly the cabinet doors slid closed, and immediately the door of another cabinet opened.
Solead placed the object into the container that the new cabinet held, closed the container, and the second cabinet closed itself. Solead came back across the room then and addressed Archer. "I need you to contact me within six hours to tell me your decision of whether you will purchase the C-28. If your decision is yes, we will set up a meeting at that time for you to complete your purchase. In that event, your engineer will need to be present for technical reasons, as I'm sure you'll discover."
The Draden turned his chilling gaze to Trip once more. "Her is your sample, Commander Tucker," Solead rasped in a quite conspiratorial tone. "Don't have too much fun with it. We wouldn't want Enterprise's hull to blow up, now, would we?"
Trip stiffened at the Draden's jab, but resisted the urge to remove the alien's hand from his shoulder, where it had rested since Solead had begun speaking to him. Actually, rested wasn't quite the correct word. Solead was gripping Trip's shoulder, as if to make a point about something he was saying. Shrugging it off may have provoked the man, which was something none of them needed, so Trip offered Solead a curt nod and a forced smile.
Seemingly satisfied, the Draden turned to Archer. "Your doctor will wish to study this sample in great detail I'm sure. I suggest you set a time schedule so there will be no time-wasting arguments."
"I assure you that my crew doesn't waste time arguing. They are extremely capable of working within a time limit, one set by themselves, mind you, especially Commander Tucker and Doctor Phlox. If you will inform us of how to contact you with our decision, I'm afraid we must be going." Archer had made his words sound more forceful and dangerous than he normally would have, simply to call off Trip, who was ready to give the Draden a good, old-fashioned, southern whipping
"Of course. Here you go." He walked over to the counter where his gloves were sitting and slipped them back on as he picked up something similar to a padd and gave it to Archer. "It's been a pleasure. I look forward to our next meeting."
"As do we," Archer said, hoping he sounded more sincere than he felt.
"A rather abrasive fellow isn't he, sir?" Malcolm commented to Trip when they were a distance away from the building and on their way back to the shuttlepod.
"Abrasive's sure not the word I'd use, Malcolm, but yours is a nicer term."
Archer chuckled at his friend's grumbled comment. Trip had always been one to say what was on is mind and worry about the consequences later, though he had improved during his years in Starfleet. "Just make sure you don't hog the C-28 when we get back to Enterprise, Trip." The captain just couldn't resist.
Trip glared at him. "Very funny, Cap'n. Why don't I just give Phlox half of the sample? Then there will be no more questions of my ability to share."
"That would be an excellent and time-efficient idea, Trip." Archer was still smiling mischievously at his engineer.
"Yes, and it's an idea I came up with all on my own. I'm sure Solead would be amazed." Trip rolled his eyes, and was saved from further conversation by their arrival at the shuttlepod.

TBC...