Soval wore his formal robes, as did Skon. As per the wishes of the new Vulcan Government, they were opening up talks about a treaty between the two planets. The two Vulcan ambassadors and their personal adjuncts were escorted into a large room that was decorated in a manner that would not have been out of place in the 19th Century. The furniture was antique, lush, and highly decorative. They sat down at a wooden table that was polished to the point that the the lights reflected off it to the point of distraction. Already seated were UE President Nathan Samuels, his Secretary of State Elaina Braga, and four aides. Samuels cleared his throat before speaking.
"This is the start of treaty talks between our people, which I believe we begin in good faith and optimism. Our people haven't known each other for long, but we already have a working relationship with you supplying star charts and an adviser to the Enterprise. This treaty looks to expand on the start of relationship. It is my hope that we can offer something of equal value in our relationship, whatever that may be. Let us begin these talks as friends and, with hope, end them as allies," stated Samuels.
Soval nodded his appreciation, as did Skon. Soval adjusted his robes then readied himself to speak. His orders were to sign a treaty but to take his time in signing one.
"We Vulcans look to United Earth as a potential ally in many things. This opening of treaty talks demonstrates our high estimation of Humanity and its development. What one must be prepared for is that Vulcans are known to parse every word and ponder offers slowly when discussing treaties. Some say this makes us excellent diplomats. Although I know you have expectancy that these talks be quick, We Vulcans take our time. It is in our nature," Soval stated.
"Shall we get started?" asked Braga.
Skon replied: "We have already begun."
STSTST
The Andorian starship the Lor'Vela cruised into the Alpha Quadrant from the safety of the Andorian Empire's Beta Quadrant territory. Named for the capital city in Andor, the Lor'Vela was considered the Flag Ship in the Andorian Fleet. It was responding to Andorian distress signal from a non-military starship. The Lor'Vela was chosen because it was thought to be an easy mission, but since it was in the Alpha Quadrant caution was taken.
"Commander Teves, so far no sign of any civilian starship in any form of distress," said First Officer Zilas.
The female first officer was looking over the shoulder of the Tactical Officer, as he ran sensor scans of the area of space in front of them. She walked over to the commander's chair.
"I don't like this, sir," she said to Teves.
"Neither do I, Zilas. It just doesn't feel right. It feels like we have been lured into the Alpha Quadrant for some reason," said Teves. "Tactical, scan that nebula."
"Sir, that nebula diffuses our sensors so it is useless to scan them," said the Tactical officer.
"Sir, what should we do?" asked Zilas.
Teves wanted to break off the search. His instincts were telling him that this wasn't right, that there was no Andorian ship out there, and it had the taste of a ambush. His antennae twitched.
"Bring up the shields now," Teves ordered.
"Bring up shields," ordered Zilas.
"Sir, look! The nebula, there are ships exiting it," called out the Tactical Officer.
Three Romulan Birds of Prey exited the Nebula in attack formation. Their green hue and distinctive markings were unfamiliar to the Andorians, but they knew an enemy when they saw one. All three Romulan ships were ready to fire.
"Their weapons are hot," the Tactical Officer announced.
"Prep all weapons for firing," called Teves.
Zilas walked over to her station and held on to it. The three Romulan Birds of Prey opened fire. Zilas checked the damage. Their shields were already down to fifty percent.
"Damn them," growled Teves. "Open fire with everything we have. If we are going down then we are taking at least one of those mother less ice-bores."
STSTST
Since he couldn't sleep and they had reached the area where it was believed that the Moreland disappeared several weeks ago, Trip decided to sit in the command chair on Delta Shift. He told AG if they found anything he'd wake him. Slowing to half impulse and had the Science Officer run a sweeping scan for anything with a Starfleet signature. Sitting in the middle chair Trip stared at the viewscreen. In the distances there were six planets surrounding a middle sized yellow sun with a gas giant.
If the Moreland was looking for a planet for United Earth to colonize these six planets would have been worth checking out to see if any where M class. Two looked the right distance from the sun to provide the right atmosphere and maybe even gravity. Also, it appeared to be a good place for a Starbase.
"Helm, slow to quarter impulse and head towards that star with the six planets and gas giant," Trip ordered.
"Aye, aye, sir," said the pilot.
"Science Officer, increase scans. I want this area thoroughly scanned for anything that might be Earth or Starfleet technology or materials," stated Trip.
"Aye, aye, sir," responded the Science Officer.
Trip sat back and waited, as the Bridge crew worked. Somewhere out there was the answer to where or what happened to the Moreland. When ships went missing Starfleet wanted answers, especially those in Starfleet who have done duty on a ship for any length of time in space. Wives, spouses, children, and significant others deserved answers as to what happened to those missing. The designation MIA alone was a heavy burden for them.
"Sir, I'm picking up a debris field that I'd like to get closer to in order to check thoroughly," said the Science Officer.
"Give the coordinates to the Nav Officer," ordered Trip.
"Aye, aye, sir," said the Science Officer.
"Nav, lay in course then helm take us to it best speed," ordered Trip.
"Yes, sir," said the Nav Officer.
Trip leaned forward in his chair and stared at the viewscreen, as the planets and sun got closer. Within minutes they had come up closer to the debris field. It was large enough for a Daedalus Class ship, thought Trip. He sighed.
"Sir, I'm picking up Humans remains among the debris, as well as Starfleet technology, and the beep a black box. I think we found the Moreland, or what's left of it," said the Science officer.
"Damn it," hissed Trip. "Comm, call the captain up to the Bridge then I need two DC teams with spacewalk gear and two shuttles ready for collecting debris, even remains if they can, and I want them looking for the black box."
"Aye, aye, sir," said the Comm Officer.
Trip stood up. Once AG got to the Bridge he wanted to be down in the shuttlebay to examine the debris. Good people had died on that ship and Starfleet needed to know who was behind it.
STSTST
AG and Trip stared at the pieces of the Moreland strewn on Cargo Bay One's deck. The pieces of Human remains which they collecting were brought to Sickbay, so that Phlox could preserve them until they were transferred to Starbase 3 for DNA tests. Three Damage Control teams worked going through the debris they brought in so far taking sensor readings and looking for the black box. T'Pol entered the Cargo Bay and walked over to AG and Trip.
"I grieve with you," she stated.
"225 lives gone. It's not right," said Trip.
"disruptor fire again, just like the Tiburon ship. As a matter of fact the same disruptor signature," growled AG. "There is an enemy out there somewhere picking off ships."
"Did the Moreland have defensive shields?" asked T'Pol.
"No," answered AG. "They haven't started refitting older ships yet with shields."
"Or upgrading warp engines," added Trip.
"I'll be making that recommendation, Trip. Don't worry this is going to be rectified," stated AG.
He patted Trip on the shoulder.
"I'm going to the Bridge. I feel like one of us should be on the Bridge as much as possible until we get to Starbase 3. Let me know when we have the black box then I'm going to warp 3 to get the Denobulan ship to Starbase 3 as quickly as possible. Once there I intend to talk to Admiral Forrest," said AG.
"Yes, sir," said Trip.
AG strode out of the Cargo Bay. T'Pol moved closer to Trip. She looked at him with concern, as he looked tired. Bags were developing under his eyes and he was starting to get introverted, which he didn't when overly stressed or nearing exhaustion. She also noticed that he had his tongue stuck in the side of his mouth which was a sign that he was deep in thought.
"Charles, have you been sleeping?" she asked.
"Huh? Oh, I'm not much since I took that knife in the shoulder. I'm starting to worry that somethings happening, something bad," he said.
"You need rest," she stated.
"Yeah, I know. I'll probably ask Phlox for a sleeping aid tonight," said Trip.
"I could assist you with sleep. You should become dependent for sleeping aids to deal with your problem. There are better ways," she offered.
He looked at her then asked: "How?"
"neuropressure. It is a form of message working on pressure points allowing the body to relax and heal," she explained.
"I couldn't bother you, T'Pol," he said.
"I offer as a friend," she said.
"Okay, then, sure," he said.
"Tonight 20:00 hours. I'll expect you," she said then turned on her heels and left the Cargo Bay.
Trip's eyes followed her until she left. Once she was gone, he took a deep breath and exhaled slowly. His feelings for T'Pol were growing, but he still was unsure about Vulcans. They appeared to be a race that didn't mix with other races in certain ways. Trip took another deep breath and exhaled again to clear his mind. All she was going to do was help him get some sleep.
STSTST
When Trip showed up at T'Pol's quarters, she was shocked to find her in a shirt silk robe and not much else. She invited him and instructed him to strip down to his underwear. A now nervous Trip did as he was told. T'Pol then instructed him to lay down on the floor supplying him with a pillow. Once he was lying down on the floor, T'Pol lit several candles.
"I use these candles to meditate, but they are also useful for neuropressure," she told him. "I'll be starting with the soles of your feet."
"My feet?" inquired Trip.
"Trust me, Charles. Vulcans use neuropressure as I said before to relax someone and help the body heal itself," she told him.
"Okay, you're the boss, T'Pol," he said.
T'Pol began working on the sole of his right foot. Trip had to admit that his body felt like he was releasing tension. He started to lose track of time, as she finished with his right foot and moved to his left foot. Next, he moved onto his stomach. He did so without question this time. Now, she worked on his right calf muscle. More and more tension left his body as she worked on him until finally he was asleep.
Trip's eyes opened and he sat up to find himself sitting on T'Pol's floor. He looked around to find her sitting on the floor in what Humans called the lotus position meditating. The first thing he felt was embarrassment for falling asleep, but next was panic because he had no idea what time it was. Trip looked around for a chronometer but couldn't find one. T'Pol opened her eyes sensing Trip was awake.
"Um... I fell asleep," he said embarrassed by his behavior.
"I noticed," she said.
"What time is it?" he asked.
"O4:35 hours," she told him.
He knew that Vulcans had an amazing internal clock keeping time in their heads.
"That's the most sleep I've gotten in weeks," he said then he stood up to noticed that he had a morning erection fully noticeable in his underwear. Trip noticed that T'Pol raised her left eyebrow as she noticed his morning erection. With his face turning red from embarrassment, Trip quickly turned around hiding it.
He gathered his clothes together, sweat pants, trainers, and quickly got dressed.
"I should get going," he told her.
"I'll see you at breakfast," she nodded. "Also, I'll expect you tonight for another session of neuropressure."
"But... I slept. I'm fine," he said.
"Charles, neuropressure is a process. Eventually, by doing neuropressure on you, you'll be able to reciprocate and do neuropressure on me. neuropressure is usually a shared experience," she said.
"Will I fall asleep every time you do neuropressure on me?" he asked.
"Eventually, you will be relaxed and refreshed without falling asleep," she told him.
"Okay, okay, well, tonight it is," he said. "But now I better get to my quarters and shower and put a uniform before going to breakfast with the captain."
He started towards the door then he and turned around to look at T'Pol.
"Thanks, T'Pol," he said.
"You're welcome, Charles," she said.
He left and T'Pol found herself thinking about Charles' morning erection.
STSTST
Captain Paul-Henri Saint Just had an honor guard or eight men waiting for the collected remains from the Moreland debris field. Malcolm had ten of his security personnel carry the boxed remains individually from the Enterprise through the airlock into Starbase 3. The honor guard led them to Starbase 3's Sickbay where DNA tests would be made in order to identify who they could. Trip and AG were left standing with Captain Saint Just and his First Officer Lt. Commander Deena Vash.
"No doubt about it that they were destroyed by some ship with disruptors," said Saint Just.
"No doubt," said AG. "As a matter of fact I'd like to arrange a secure channel to speak to Starfleet Command."
"I can arrange that, Captain," said Saint Just.
"How long will the Yolten repairs take?" Trip asked.
"Our best repair crew is on that. They should be here more than two or three days before they can head off at maximum warp," answered Vash.
"While you are docked at my Starbase, you can arrange some liberty for crew," offered Saint Just.
"Is there anything for them to do on this Starbase, Captain?" asked AG.
"Besides Starfleet personnel, we get cargo ships. The colony Ager is only two days away at full impulse. We have two restaurants and three bars, plus we have a gym facility that offers steam baths and even a Jacuzzi," said Saint just. "Your crew might like a change of cuisine or a stiff drink or two, maybe even a soak in a hot tub."
"Trip, with the help of COB arrange a rotation of liberty for the crew," said AG.
"Yes, sir," said Trip. "I'll get started on that now."
AG nodded his consent. Trip headed over to the airlock and headed hack into the Enterprise.
"Follow me, Captain Robinson and we'll arrange for that secure channel for you," said Saint Just.
STSTST
Trip sat on the Bridge reviewing reports on a PADD, when the COB entered the Bridge. He looked at the XO and shook his head.
"I thought you were supposed get your ass off the ship for a few hours," Wrenn said.
Trip smiled and looked up fro the PADD.
"I'd rather get caught up on reports. Reviewing reports and evals are my least favorite part of the job," admitted Trip.
"Can't argue with you," said Wrenn. "I'm headed off to check out one of the barrooms. I wanted to make sure that the skeleton crew on the Bridge was doing okay before I left," said Wrenn.
"Well, Ensign Paris is reading a book while manning the Helm," said Trip. "Specialist Wu is updating the universal translator when manning the Comm Station, and Ensign Dove is..."
Trip looked over at Tactical and Ensign Dove.
"Dove, I have no idea what you are doing," said Trip.
"Sir, I am running simulations testing my skills," said Dove.
"So, you're using expensive tech as a game, huh?" smiled Trip.
"Working on my skills, sir," Dove defended himself.
"You do that," said Trip then he looked at Wrenn. "Have a drink for me, COB."
"I'll have a couple for you, XO," said Wrenn, who then headed off the Bridge.
Trip checked the chronometer on the chair. It was ten minutes to 20:00 hours. He was due at T'Pol's soon, so he stood up.
"I'm headed off duty. Dove, you have the conn. Don't have too much fun," said Trip.
"Aye, aye, sir," smiled Dove.
"If you needed me call me on shipwide. I'm not sure what I'm going to do," said Trip then he exited the Bridge.
T'Pol waited for Trip in her silk robe. Her door buzzed and she called out.
"Come in."
Trip entered her quarters still dressed in his uniform. T'Pol gave him a quizzical look.
"I was on the Bridge reviewing reports. Sorry but I didn't have time to change," he told her.
"You should start undressing," said T'Pol.
As he started to undo his jacket, T'Pol slipped out of her robe. She was wearing underwear and what Trip would call a sport's bra and nothing more. Trip's mouth went, as it did the first time she took off her robe in front of him. He turned his back and continued to undress. As he lay his clothes over her desk chair, she took them and hung them up. It seemed a little too intimate for Trip and he really wanted to be intimate with T'Pol.
"I thought we could start tonight with you working on my spine. Is that satisfactory, Charles?" T'Pol asked.
"Sure. No problem," he said wishing his mouth wasn't so dry.
T'Pol lay a blanket out on the floor then sat down on it. Trip sat behind her and start to work on her lower spine.
"Remember, Charles, I am Vulcan. I'm not delicate. You can use more of your strength," she told him.
"Okay," he said softly and increased the pressure on her spine using the technique that T'Pol had taught him.
"That is better," she told him.
The neuropressure continued.