Chapter Twenty

Trip was sitting quietly in the messhall later on that evening sipping some coffee and glancing at a PADD, while contemplating everything that had happened. "Could it be true, is it possible that he's my half brother? Does he know? Is that what he meant when he made that reply to ma dad?"

"You are up late, Commander. I thought I ordered you to get some rest?" said T'Pol as she entered the room and walked to the dispenser to get a drink. "Tea … Mint."

"I am resting," replied Trip with a smile, as he waved his PADD and indicated for her to come and sit down next to her. "Latest horror novel by J.Dean. He's the master when it comes to writing horror fiction. Dad gave it to me before he left."

T'Pol threw the PADD a casual glance that indicated that she wasn't impressed with his choice of reading material. "I'm glad to see that you are still on good terms with your family after your father's recent revelations."

"Life's too short, T'Pol," answered Trip with a smirk. "He's still my father in every sense of the word. I couldn't ask for anyone better." Then after a pause, "Have you heard any news from Admiral Forrest or Captain Archer?"

"We are to wait here for Captain Archer's return when he is to be arrested and brought back to Earth for court-martialling and dishonorable discharge," said T'Pol sadly. Over the years she had grown to trust and respect Captain Archer for the tough decisions he'd continually faced and made, and the hard work he had put into establishing new allies and contacts for Earth. She couldn't believe how he could have tossed this aside so easily and returned to his rash and reckless attitude, which in her opinion plagued him when she first came onboard.

"Damn, this is all my fault," replied Trip.

"I fail to see how Captain Archer's poor judgment--"

"Poor judgment! He has a point, you know. Starfleet can't sanction and destroy work that could be used for good now."

"It was developed through unethical genetic research."

"I know," argued back Trip, "but with the Vulcans as our allies, I'm sure sanctions could be put into place to stop that from ever happening again. We're not that rough, naïve, wet behind-the-ears species anymore, T'Pol. We've proven that we can be out here amongst the unknown. Maybe it's time we did that back home on Earth with Soong's research."

T'Pol's silence made Trip think that he'd actually won this session for once, but her next reply made him roll his eyes and smile in defeat. "Oh well, nearly …"

"As I was saying before being … interrupted, I fail to see how Captain Archer's poor judgment is your fault."

"When he told Mal that his duty to his family came first, you thought he was referring to this ship and crew."

"That is correct," answered T'Pol.

"What if he was being more specific and referring to me instead?" asked Trip.

"Why would you think he was referring more to you?"

"Do you remember when I told you that ma real dad before he died, worked in Starfleet and that my mom met him whilst she was working at the Warp 5 project?"

T'Pol nodded to indicate that she remembered their conversation from not long ago.

"How rare is Clarke's Syndrome?" asked Trip.

"Despite there being a few thousand cases on Earth, it is still considered to be quite a rare disease," replied T'Pol, curious as to why Trip would bring this up.

"Captain Archer's daddy died from Clarke's Syndrome. He worked at the Warp 5 project and knew ma mom … What are the chances of two people working for Starfleet at the Warp 5 project who both suffer from Clarke's Syndrome?"

"The chances of that happening would be too low to calculate," replied T'Pol, raising her eyebrow to indicate that she had caught on to what Trip was insinuating.

The sound of the comm. interrupted any further conversation. "Reed to Commander T'Pol …"

"T'Pol …"

"Sensors show a Suliban ship has decloaked and is approaching Enterprise's shuttle bay. Hoshi has confirmed that the biosign onboard belongs to Captain Archer."

"We're on our way," replied T'Pol, before she signed off and walked out of the messhall with Trip, both dreading their next course of action.

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Trip and T'Pol both walked into the shuttle bay with Lieutenant Reed as the Suliban ship finished it's docking procedures. Two armed security guards were also standing behind them waiting to place Captain Archer under arrest and escort him to the brig.

Captain Archer opened the hatch and climbed out of the pod. He wasn't surprised at the reception awaiting him; he'd more or less expected it with his recent actions. He held both of his arms out, "T'Pol … is it going to be the brig or house arrest in my quarters?" he asked, trying to lighten the tense and heavy atmosphere.

"Lieutenant Reed is to escort you to the Brig where you will be held until we return to Earth for your court-martial," she replied, as Lieutenant Reed came forward with a solemn look on his face and clasped Archer's hands in handcuffs.

"Is that really necessary?" asked Trip "I'm sorry, Captain," replied T'Pol, aiming her response also at Commander Tucker to reassure him that this wasn't what she wanted but she had no choice in the matter. "Starfleet's orders were very precise."

"I understand, Trip … T'Pol … I went into this with my eyes open and aware of the consequences." Turning to Trip, he smiled and spoke softly. "Trip, there's a data chip in my top pocket. Would you take it out please and take it to Phlox? He'll find some information there, which I think both of you will find useful and interesting."

"Capt'n … I--"

"I'd do the same thing again if I had the choice. Don't blame yourself."

"Captain … if you'd follow me," interrupted Reed, as Trip removed the data chip and moved back.

"Lead the way, Mr. Reed."

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