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No Time

"...You do not have the time?..." T'Pol asked.

The Eylordene seemed to re-arrange her robes, even though she hadn't moved. "We have been waiting on your representatives for hours. The time dewpoint is slowly disappearing."

"Please elaborate," T'Pol said curtly, her tone short. The residual UT inaccuracy was more of an irritant than she had been prepared for.

Reed looked up from checking the topographical maps of the A'Ea Straits, thinking T'Pol's irritation was due to impatience. He couldn't agree more. They had a shuttle to find, Hoshi was missing somewhere at the bottom of the ocean, swallowed by some marine monstrosity he'd rather not think of. Every minute spent talking with the Eylordene was one more minute spent away from finding the shuttle and finding her.

"The ceremonies... The prosternate window only aligns for seventeen hours," the Eylordene was explaining, "The ceremonies must start before the milk seacow joins with the poled fisherman!" There was an urgency in the gurgle of her voice.

T'Pol looked at Specialist Gordon, who shook her head. The UT was working fine, the calibration was within parameters. She had no idea why it wasn't translating.

T'Pol looked at the alien. Obviously, there was a time consideration, even if one had no idea what the prosternate window was. As for the milk seacow and the poled fisherman, it might be a reference to the drawing together of various Eylordene factions, in order to attend the induction. A delay might be difficult for political reasons. As S'rahuult had said, 'When encountering the unknown, assume nothing, explore everything.' The premise that a delay may not be possible must be confirmed. "Is it possible to delay such event?" she asked.

"We cannot delay the joining!" The alien was obviously rattled by the proposal, white specks flowing all over her robe. "It won't happen again for another eight thousand tides!"

"Please accept our apologies for failing to fully understand...," T'Pol said, calculating quickly. Tides on A'Er'Orl took place every fourteen point three hours, on average. Accounting for the daily rotation of the planet, even on an approximate basis, eight thousand tides would amount to ten point eight six seven years. There were a number of potential phenomenons with a multi-year recurring cycle: flora, fauna, geographical oddities, planetary configurations... several alternatives came to mind. If one could identify the exact reference, it would provide a window into the ceremonial beliefs and timetables of the Eylordenes... That, however, was not the focus of the inquiry. The point was that if delayed the ceremonies would not take place for another ten years. That might be the blink of an eye in Vulcan terms but it would not be optimal for the Federation.

"And in order for the ceremonies to take place, Federation representatives must be present," T'Pol concluded. That was the only logical conclusion. It was still unknown whether the Eylordenes required the specifically-named representatives that had been delegated to them or would be willing to accept others.

"The induction ceremonies cannot take place without representation," the Eylordene confirmed.

T'Pol raised an eyebrow. That did not help define the number or identity of the representatives. "The Federation of Planets will be pleased to provide other representatives for the induction ceremonies," she proposed, waiting. The alien's reaction would inform the acceptability of representatives.

"WaterFull," the alien responded, her robe a subdued mix of blue hues, "but we need the representatives now, before the prosternate window closes..."

There was not enough time to contact Starfleet and request their input. As acting captain of Enterprise she had full liberty to act and protect the interests of the Federation in case of emergency. This was an emergency.

T'Pol's decision was promptly made. "Lieutenant Hesse and Ensign Mayweather will be attending the induction ceremonies," she said. She could not herself go on A'Er'Orl and she needed Lieutenant Reed to help locate the shuttle. "They will be on their way as soon as you have had a chance to review and approve the flight plan." Travis nodded in silent emphasis, glad T'Pol was making the point. Reed smiled in approval. Well played. That'd leave him and T'Pol to conduct the search.

"WaterFull," the alien repeated, "we await the flight plan." The screen went dark.

T'Pol was already on her way to the science station. "Ensign Mayweather, send all available information on Shuttle One's route and the A'Ea Straits to my station. Lieutenant Reed and I need to identify the exact entry point." She also needed to reach out to Trip, find out what had happened to the shuttle, what was currently happening - but first, locate the shuttle.

"Aye, Sir!" Travis replied. He wasn't too sure about being the Federation representative. He could understand Hesse, she was experienced and not easily cowed by dignitaries. But he did not have the senior officers' experience, or Hoshi's communication skills, or Hesse's brazenness. He swallowed nervously. If only T'Pol wasnt the captain... he could have talked to Captain Archer, tried to get him to change his mind, even if in the end the Captain may simply build his self-confidence up and send him on his way. But try and tell a Vulcan he didn't want the assignment...

xxx

Means No Time

"We are being pinged again!" Gordon shouted.

T'Pol straightened from the science console where she'd been working with Reed and smoothly settled into the Captain's chair.

It was the same Eylordene they'd been talking to but this time she was not alone. A much larger alien was with her, his skin flowing in an array of deep and splotchy browns. The female talked first, "WaterEbb, but we cannot delay the induction celebrations any further." She turned to the other alien as if for confirmation of what she should say next. "It is A'aerl'ord's deepest request that you send replacement dignitaries as representatives of the Federation of Planets."

"Lieutenant Hesse and Ensign Mayweather are ready to go," T'Pol reminded her, "We are awaiting your review of the flight plan."

But the aliens on the screen did not react with the expected 'waterfulls' of gratitude. If anything, they seemed to erupt in a concert of unsynchronized waves. There was another silent communication from one to the other, then the blue female spoke again, "WaterEbb, alien dignitaries, but the Federation gave us the roster of the ship's complement. We know that Lieutenant Hess and Ensign Mayweather are not the most senior crew members on Enterprise."

"Lieutenant Hesse and Ensign Mayweather are officers on Enterprise," T'Pol smoothly countered, "and as such oath-bound to represent the Federation in all ceremonial functions. They are honored to participate in an event of such importance to A'Er'Orl and the Federation."

The larger alien's skin rippled in a short staccato. The smaller alien looked at him then turned back to the screen, "It is imperative that the most senior representatives attend. The o'ei'ea'nal would take it as a grave insult if that were not the case." The UT paused on what sounded like 'originals'.

T'Pol blinked at the missed translation, then spoke, "Lieutenant Reed and I are the most senior officers currently on Enterprise. However, as our Chief Security Officer, Lieutenant Reed is leading the search for the missing shuttle...," she paused, "... and the atmosphere of A'Er'Orl is toxic to the Vulcan species, of which I am a member. I cannot come to your planet without putting my life at risk."

The larger alien's robe had become a maelstrom of agitation. Finally, he talked, in a roaring basso with the undertones of crashing waves, "All dignitaries number one must attend. The milk seacow and the poled fisherman will not join if they are shown disrespect. The prosternate window has not closed without a joining since the beginning of the seas. If it does, A'Er'Orl will cease to exist."

T'Pol blinked again. The alien pronouncements were illogical, driven by passion. Their beliefs were not grounded in fact. The existence of A'Er'Orl was not threatened, there was no existing or arising cosmological threat that would cause the planet to cease to exist. A recurring phenomenon such as the one described would take place whether of not showed disrespect. The phenomenon was most likely the effect of the planet's existence, not the cause of it. Those were inverted corollaries. But the Eylordenes would most likely not be inclined to hearing so. During her posting on Earth, Soval had told her many times not to argue against deeply held beliefs, for who was to say that they did not hold a kernel of truth? And in her own experience, did not all of Vulcan deny the logic of Surak until the Kirshara was found? She allowed a measure of silence to build as she considered the options. Of which there were few.

The smaller alien was the one who broke the silence. "The Federation sent Enterprise to attend the ceremonies."

"Attending the induction ceremony's is our most important mission," T'Pol calmly agreed, "and the search for our missing crewmembers is also paramount," she added. "Attending the ceremonies cannot compromise our search."

Reed looked up in approval. Good hedging. Make them understand the search needed to go on. If they wanted someone else than Hesse and Travis, they'd have to give something in return. A sudden thought crossed his mind that he might be the someone else. He looked at T'Pol sharply. Hopefully she wasn't thinking of sending him. He needed to remain on Enterprise, to find the shuttle. Hoshi's life depended on it. And that planet! His mouth was dry simply at the thought of it. T'Pol glanced at him as if she'd sensed his internal turmoil.

The basso voice of the brownish alien sounded again, "It will not compromise the search. The o'ei'ea'nal will consider it a grave affront if the senior representatives of Enterprise are not present. You are officer number one on Enterprise." His tone was definite.

"There are always accommodations," the smaller alien added. She pulsated blue and green for several seconds.

T'Pol turned back to the screen. She was indeed the most senior officer on Enterprise. The Eylordenes' beliefs about the affront to their maritime constructs may not be grounded in reality but it was what they believed. And accommodations should be possible. Surak said that the good of the many outweighed the good of the few, and the good of the few outweighed the good of the one. Enterprise was the one. The Federation and A'Er'Orl were the many. She was the one. Kaiidth.

"The Federation is respectful of other cultures and the senior officers on Enterprise understand the necessity of showing their respect to the ... joining...," she started. Reed squinted at her, trying to guess where she was going. Go down to A'Er'Orl? She'd die. That couldn't be what she was thinking of. "... I will attend the ceremonies...," she went on. Reed looked at her in shock. What was she doing? She couldn't go down there!

"Officer number two must attend as well," the larger alien insisted.

T'Pol looked at Reed then back at the screen. He had the unpleasant sensation she had tried to warn him..."Lieutenant Reed needs to pursue the search for our shuttle," she told the alien.

"He can do so here on A'Er'Orl. He must be present at the joining!" the alien said, his robes smoothing out in propagating ripples.

"Very well," T'Pol nodded. After all, the Eylordene did meet them halfway in agreeing that Lieutenant Reed could pursue his investigation on the planet.

Reed could only stare stiffly at the screen while his fingers gripped his console in a white-knuckled hold. He focused on T'Pol as a way to ward off the feeling of panic that was rising in his throat. Did she have any idea what she'd just said? He couldn't go down there. It was full of water. He couldn't. He decided it must be a ruse. Yes, that was it. The whole thing must be a ruse.

The larger alien's next words swept any hope of that away. "A vessel will come pick you up, we want to avoid you flying off route again."

"Captain Archer is a consummate pilot and did not fly off course," T'Pol briskly replied.

The robe of the alien shimmered in smoothing waves, "Of course, I did not mean to imply..."

"We need to prepare. We will advise when we can be transported," T'Pol added.

"Our vessel will be there in three of your hours," the Eylordene said as if she hadn't said anything.

"We will board it when we are ready," T'Pol parried.

"You must return during the prosternate window," the alien countered.

"We will," T'Pol replied, signaling to Gordon to cut the feed. She had other pressing matters to attend to.

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