Chapter Twenty Two
Two days later Enterprise finally pulled into Earth's Solar System. Trip was once again in the brig talking to Captain Archer while Lieutenant Reed took, what was now becoming, his regular 'unofficial' break.
"Does the crew know yet?" asked Archer.
"They probably knew within the first ten minutes of Malcolm escorting you to the brig," smiled Trip.
"Ten minutes!" exclaimed Archer.
"Yeah, you're right. I'm probably underestimating the ship's grapevine. It's probably more like two minutes," he laughed.
"How are they taking things?"
"The atmosphere onboard is a bit subdued at the moment," replied Trip. "They're concerned about their Captain. They don't know all the details since Starfleet has classified the majority of it in regards to Soong's research. They just know that you helped him escape and that you're being brought up on charges because of it. Despite that though, everyone is very much on your side and hoping you'll get off."
"Really!"
"Yeah, you wouldn't believe the numerous requests T'Pol and I have had from personnel asking to speak up for you as character witnesses."
"That's good to know even though it won't do any good at all."
"You don't know that …"
"Trip, I disobeyed orders and helped a high security prisoner escape, purely for selfish reasons. They are going to put me away, probably in Soong's old cell, for a long time. Accept it."
"I can't do that."
"Trip--"
"No … I was finally starting to accept the finality my illness would have on me, but you changed all that and gave me a new lease of life. Something will come up to help you as well."
"Like what.
"T'Pol said she might know someone who could help you."
"And you believed her!" exclaimed Archer.
"Yes!"
"Trip, she was giving you a snow job to make you feel better."
"No, she wouldn't do that to me. Trust me, she was telling the truth."
"Hmmm… do I hear a little something else in there … something to do with how you feel towards her …" smirked Archer with a teasing tone to his voice.
"Do you want me to contact your mom," asked Trip, turning round as he tried to steer the conversation away from T'Pol, while also avoiding looking at Captain Archer. Archer knew him to damn well and would know that he was lying.
"Hmmm… changing the subject … blushing … I think I've hit a raw nerve."
"No, I--"
"Captain … Commander," interrupted T'Pol; as she walked into the brig, causing the blush to creep up Trip's face even more, which caused Archer to chuckle louder.
"We have just received another communication from Starfleet," said T'Pol looking at Captain Archer, wondering why her sudden appearance would be considered humorous.
"Let me guess. Starfleet are pulling out all the stops and sending a high security shuttle to escort me back to my new home," said Archer.
"No. Admiral Forrest would like me to escort you to the ready room for a meeting," replied T'Pol, much to Trip and Archer's surprise.
"A meeting!" exclaimed Trip. "Did he say what about?"
"No," replied T'Pol.
"It could be that 'something' I was talking about," said Trip, a little too hopefully.
"More like the decision's already been made and he's just trying to be gentle with me," replied Archer.
"Maybe we should all adjourn to the ready room and find out, instead of making endless speculations and wild guesses," said T'Pol dryly, before walking up to the brig to open the door.
"You heard the lady," said Archer stepping though. "Let's not keep the man waiting."
"Yeah," said Trip, trying to ease his fear with a bit of lighthearted ribbing. "That would really piss him off and you're in enough trouble as it is."
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In the Ready Room
"You've really screwed up big this time, Jon," said Admiral Forrest.
"I'm sorry I've put you in this difficult situation--"
"Calling the position I find myself in now 'a difficult situation' would be an understatement at this present time."
"If it makes it any easier, I'm willing to hand in my resignation and accept any punishment that Starfleet feels is warranted."
"If it was only that simple," sighed Admiral Forrest, as Archer, Trip and T'Pol all looked on with confused looks on their faces. "This has turned into a bigger mess than we anticipated," explained Forrest.
"How so?" asked Archer.
"The Soong situation, in regards to his 'research and cures', has somehow been leaked to the general public."
"Leaked?" asked Archer. "When? How?"
"We're not sure how it happened or when. Security tracked a lead back to the Vulcan Embassy, but that was obviously an error," said Forrest, causing Trip's eyebrows to rise slightly as he looked across at T'Pol, who remained as stony faced as ever. "We have determined that it came from an exterior source to Starfleet and Enterprise, but all leads have reached a dead end at the moment, despite some very dubious evidence that suggested otherwise."
"Dubious evidence?" asked Archer, slightly confused.
"Yes … We're not sure how or why, but the leaked data in regards to Soong's research and cures were somehow delivered into the hands of Mr. and Mrs. Tucker who are now at the forefront of a very public campaign to have you pardoned and reinstated."
"Mr. and Mrs. Tucker!" "My mom and dad!" exclaimed Archer and Trip at the same time.
"It seems Captain Archer; you have further reinforced your 'hero' status within the public's eye by highlighting the injustice of Starfleet destroying Soong's work and his development of cures for numerous diseases, which could have benefited a lot of people in the past, present and future. Due to Mr. & Mrs. Tucker's … involvement, there is a public outcry against us bringing charges against you and placing you under house arrest. You can now see the difficult situation we're left with – we punish you and we lose face with the public, whose support we depend upon to further our mission of exploration."
"I don't know what to say, Admiral," replied Jon, as he and Trip sheepishly tried to hide the smiles that threatened to creep up their faces.
"Yes, I can see that by how much you're all relishing the discomfort Starfleet now finds itself in."
"What's been the response from Soval?" asked Archer.
"Surprisingly quiet," replied Forrest. "I half expected him to be at the forefront of your court-martial but he's stayed in the background and not said a word."
"So what happens now, Admiral?" asked Captain Archer, surprised also.
"Well it looks like we'll have to concede this time and play ignorance to the whole situation of misleading the public in regards to Soong's work. Don't think you've got away with it though," said Forrest to Archer's relieved face. "I wouldn't expect any promotion in the near future, and if you think the Vulcans were watching you before, you've not seen anything yet now I'm on your back."
"I don't know whether to be relieved at that or scared," said Archer as he signed off the comm. and turned round into a huge bear hug from Trip.
"Told ya to trust and have faith in T'Pol," smiled Trip.
"I don't know what you mean, Commander," answered T'Pol dryly, before turning round to exit the room. "Captain, if you don't mind, I will inform the rest of the crew."
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