Chapter Nineteen

"I don't understand why the Capt'n would help Soong escape?" said Trip. He, along with the other command staff, was gathered around the meeting room table discussing their next course of action. It was four hours after the 'drill' and the captain was still missing, along with the Suliban ship and Soong. T'Pol had already advised them that she had informed Admiral Forrest of what had happened and that she was waiting for his response.

"Did he give you any indication of what his intentions were regarding Soong?" asked T'Pol, surprised herself at Captain Archer's actions. "Did he ever appear sympathetic towards his cause?"

"He sounded a little sympathetic saying that he didn't think Starfleet were handling the 'Soong situation' correctly, in the way they were isolating him and destroying all his previous work and notes. But I hardly think it was enough to tip him over the balance and throw away his career like this. That isn't the Jonathan Archer I know, he wouldn't do that. This ship meant everything to him, it was his whole life. He wouldn't jeopardize it so easily. Soong must have something on him to make him do this."

"He didn't look or act like he was doing this against his will," said Reed. "Before he shot me, I asked him why he was going against his duty and defying Starfleet's orders. He said his duty towards his family came first."

"I don't understand. What do ya mean duty towards his family? He's only got his ma and she has no connections to Soong whatsoever. It makes no damn sense."

Reed shook his head at Trip's response. He was just as mystified as the rest of them.

"Captain Archer has often referred to this ship and crew as his 'family'," said T'Pol. "It would seem logical that the statement was in reference to that, although I am unsure as to how Soong fits into this connection. Until Captain Archer returns and explains his actions, we can only guess his reasoning behind this."

"What's Starfleet's response?" asked Trip.

"To say they were not happy would be an understatement," answered T'Pol. "They have convened an emergency meeting and I am awaiting their response. Until then, we will wait at these coordinates for Captain Archer to return."

"If he returns," muttered Reed quietly.

"Captain Archer has never been one to run away from his responsibilities or his actions. I have no doubt he will return and deal with the consequences. Commander Tucker have you reversed your 'modifications'?"

"Yes, Mal and me have just finished up in the Armory."

"Then I suggest you all get some rest until we hear from Captain Archer or Starfleet," said T'Pol, aiming the statement more at Trip than anyone else. Dismissed."

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On the Suliban ship

"We've got about another 3 hours before we reach the Ontoowar System," said Archer, as he navigated the ship. "The Vulcan database indicated a popular trading outpost there where you can trade yourself a passage to where ever it is you want to go."

"That might be a problem," replied Soong. "Starfleet didn't exactly let me bring on board any possessions."

"There's a canister of platinum and gold pressed ore behind you, which we had left over the last time Trip stripped some down for barter. You can use that."

"So what's the price for all this?" asked Soong.

"Price?"

"What do you want in return for aiding my escape and granting me the freedom I've desired for so long? I surmised that you were suffering from a conflict and that 'conflict' is connected with the disease your father died from. Am I correct in that assumption?"

"You may be," answered Archer, trying to stay vague and not give away too many details.

"I may not have had much of a life whilst being held under lock and key these past few years, but it hasn't stopped me from keeping my eyes and ears to the ground. I find the gossip and rumors that stem from those, often hold more truth than any historical facts you might find in databases or books.

"Really?" answered Archer, half interested in what Soong was saying.

"Yes. You see, information in books and databases would tell me that you were an only child. As such, my assumption about your conflict and your father's disease wouldn't really hold much weight. Unless you were suffering from Clarke's syndrome yourself that is, but that's not the case."

"Are you sure about that?" asked Archer.

"As I said Captain, I use my eyes and ears. I would know. So I'll have to refer back to the 'gossip and rumors' connected with yourself … or your father," said Soong with a smirk. "I seem to recall one particular rumor floating around about your father and a 'lady friend'. So my assumption would be true if you were concerned about a … younger half-sibling."

Archer didn't confirm or deny this. He just focused instead on navigating the pod.

"Don't worry Captain. After your sacrifice I won't tell anyone and I'll give you any 'cure' you need to keep your family members healthy. I won't have much use for them where I'm going."

"Career change in mind?" asked Captain Archer.

"Let's just say I'm interested in switching my goals more in the way of cybernetics than genetics. It's where the future lies."

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On Enterprise

Trip was back resting in his quarters trying to make some sense out of all this. "What did he mean that his duty to his family was more important?" he thought. Suddenly a light bulb seemed to click overhead as titbits of conversation slowly drifted back into his mind.

"Look after him for us, Jonathan …"

"Just like he's my own brother …"

"Did you know there are rumors floating around that he's developed all sorts of cures for some rare diseases …"

"Clark's syndrome is genetic …"

"My father died from Clark's syndrome when I was about fourteen …"

"She'd met someone while she was in San Francisco. He was a married man who was working at the Warp 5 complex."

"Son of a bitch …"

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