Trip's new assignment until the Excalibur and the other ships of Task Force: Spartan were ready was assisting Admiral Jefferies with increasing production of Daedalus Class ships, as well as expediting repairs and refits. Jefferies, Trip, and T'Pol arranged to have a dinner together in a Chinatown restaurant. As T'Pol enjoyed a vegetarian dish, Trip had sweet and sour pork and Jefferies had Mongolian beef.

"It looks like I'll have you for couple of months before your ship is ready, so I want you on Utopia Plantia. It's become our busiest shipyard," said Jefferies.

"I'll have to get rooms for T'Pol and me," said Trip.

"I've already arranged rooms, side by side," smiled Jefferies. "Maxwell talked to me. Congratulations. I know your situation is supposed to be private and quiet, but I still wanted to let you know that I'm happy for you."

"Thank you, sir," smiled Trip.

"Thank you, Admiral," added T'Pol.

"When can you leave for Mars?" asked Jefferies.

"Tomorrow we have to go to the Vulcan Command. I'll arrange for a transport the next day," said Trip.

"Under my authority, you have permission to make changes, change swifts, change personnel if you see fit, make minor design changes, whatever is necessary to get these ships built quicker and better," said Jefferies.

"Understood, sir," said Trip.

"Damn, if I had you full time my problems would be lessened. We'd end up with more ships than the Romulans and better ships than them," said Jefferies.

"There are times that I miss being a fulltime engineer, sir, but I'm also the captain of a ship now. My crew counts on me," said Trip.

"I sure as hell could use you," smiled Jefferies. "Give me at least two good months of your best."

The waitress came with the bill. Jefferies gave her his debcard.

"My vehicle should be outside waiting for me with my driver. Can I drive you somewhere?" asked Jefferies.

"No, thank you, sir, we'll walk. It's a beautiful evening," said Trip.

T'Pol and Trip walked along the streets of San Francisco in silence enjoying the clear cool evening. Instead of walking towards back to Trip's temporary apartment they decided to walk towards the Embarcardero then walk along to Fisherman's Wharf where they could grab a taxi.

"How do you expect me to assist you on Mars, adun?" asked T'Pol.

"Any way that you can. If you see something that can be improved and made more efficient than bring it up to me," said Trip. "We still need more ships for the Fifth Fleet and we've lost ships that need to be replaced."

"Then, Charles, we shall do what we must to improve things," she said.

Trip looked at her and shook his head. He felt a spring of love for this female who was so different from him.

"T'Pol, do you regret bonding with me?" he asked her.

T'Pol's features softened, as they walked.

"Charles, I am more than satisfied being bonded with you. I prefer you over Koss. I prefer you," she said.

"Hey, Starfleet," an angry male voice called out to them as they strolled.

Trip and T'Pol turned their heads and saw a group eight men and three women headed across the street towards them. They moved with the confidence of a group of like-minded group of cattle. Trip took T'Pol's arm and picked up their pace.

"You're killers and alien lovers. She's not Human," called another man.

"You deserve your asses kicked," yelled another.

Trip touched the emergency signal on his communicator on the back of his left hand. This would alert Starfleet Security that he needed aid. The group caught up with them and surrounded them. Trip looked at T'Pol.

"This would be self-defense, darlin'. I hope you don't have a problem," he said.

Suddenly, one of the bigger men shoved Trip hard on the shoulder trying to start a fight with him.

"All you people do is get people killed," he growled. "You look healthy, that doesn't seem right while others are dead because of assholes like you. Murderer."

He threw a punch at Trip, but T'Pol caught his fist, broke his wrist, and kicked him away from Trip. She was defending her spouse. The rest of the group attacked them. Trip threw punches and whatever else he learned from the marines, while T'Pol used her years of Vulcan marital arts training, superior strength, and speed to kick the ass of anyone who attacked her and her adun.

In the background they could hear the sirens of Starfleet Security and local police. Within moments both police and Starfleet Security started to subdue the group of attackers. Th police began to arrest them. Trip had a bloody nose and a bruise left cheek, T'Pol had a bloody lip with greenish blood. He noticed and took a handkerchief out of his pocket and dabbed the blood away on her lip.

A police officer approached Trip and T'Pol then he pulled them to the side.

"What happened here?" he asked.

"They attacked us because we are Starfleet and she's Vulcan," said Trip. "And the name is Captain Charles Tucker III."

The police officer recognized his name then he shook his head. Trip's name had become fairly well know along with Archer's and a few others. He was considered a hero of Starfleet and important to the war effort.

"I'm sorry about this, sir. We got a small group of citizens who are becoming violently anti-war and anti-Starfleet," said the police officer.

"I wish I'd known that because I would have taken precautions," said Trip.

One of the Starfleet security personnel came over.

"Lieutenant Edward Hogan, sir. I've been told to escort you and Commander T'Pol to wherever your destination is," said Hogan.

"Sure," sighed Trip. He wanted T'Pol to come home with him so that they could make love but that wasn't possible now.

"Do you want to press charges, Captain?" asked the police officer.

"Yeah, I want to press charges. I don't like bullies and I really don't like racists," snapped Trip.

"I'll take your statement then," said the officer then took out a PADD.

STSTST

The Discovery with Captain Hernandez in charge headed Task Force: Dagger. A combination of Andorian ships, Alpha Centauri Concordium ships, and Starfleet ships made up Task Force: Dagger. Its mission was to find any FOBs of the Romulans, hit, and run. The intelligence gathered for this mission was that behind a gas giant in the Bosch System the Romulans built a supply station for Romulan ships to be able to restock stores and whatever else they needed including repairs for their disruptor cannons.

The twenty-five ships task force came out of warp near the gas giant. According to the gathered intelligence it was supposed to be lightly guarded. What they found was a combination of Orion interceptors, Birds of Prey, Warbirds, and Nausicaan attack fighters. There were more than seventy-five ships, either restocking, refueling, getting repairs, or armaments. Hernandez ordered for one sortie then to break up into twenty-five different directions and rendezvous at a prearranged point.

The attack was swift doing minor damage and with several of the Task Force: Dagger ships taking damage. Hernandez now could tell command a couple of things: the supply station exists, the Orion and Nausicaans were now helping the Romulans, and someone at Starfleet Intelligence needed their ass kicked.

STSTST

Trip was impressed with the Vulcan Compound, which had a beautiful view of Sausalito Bay. A chilling breeze came off the bay. It appeared that several hundred Vulcans lived on the Compound. Trip and T'Pol were due in the ambassadors' office. Ambassador Soval and Ambassador Skon wished to speak to them.

They entered the administrative building and were quickly escorted to Skon's office where Soval and another Vulcan was waiting for them. Skon motioned them to take a seat so they did on the sofa side by side. Once the door was shut Soval spoke.

"You are now considered a citizen of Vulcan. I have a close relationship with T'Pol based on my relationship with her father and closeness of our two maats. First, I must say I was shocked when I heard that you were bonded and even more so when I heard of the Kal'i'fee with Koss. I believe Koss overstepped himself when he called for a fight to the death and was gladden that T'Pau slightly changed the rules," said Soval.

"In Koss' favor," stated T'Pol. "Koss was never told he could have Charles surrender."

"Still, the outcome was the proper one," said Soval. "Now, Captain Tucker, I speak to you as a fellow Vulcan citizen and ask you to respect the responsibilities of your maat."

"Of course," said Charles.

"Satak here is V'Shar," stated Soval. "He is part of an elite intelligence gathering section of the Intelligence Directorate. He possesses information that Starfleet must know."

"You expect me to send the information along to certain people?" asked Trip.

"Yes and no," answered Satak. "The information I possess is the number of ships now orbiting Ding, as well as the location of a Forward Operating Base hidden behind a crab nebula in the Orion system. I have given this information to a Starfleet Intelligence section much like V'Shar. What is necessary now is that you forward the information to Admiral Maxwell. This is to make sure that the intelligence is in the right hands."

Satak took a data crystal out of his pocket and tossed it to Trip, who caught it.

"All the information is on the data crystal. You must tell Admiral Maxwell that the information came from source such as the Krios or some other race you have had experience with," said Satak.

"Why?" asked Trip.

"V'Shar cannot show itself fingerprints," said Satak.

"Okay, I'll do it," said Trip. "The Krios are probably the best race to use, considering my relationship with the new queen."

Trip felt a tinge of jealous and anger through his bond. He looked at T'Pol but she wouldn't look at him. Trip looked at Satak and said: "Remind me not to invite you to a dinner party."

"Understood," Satak said with a raised right eye brow. He was amused by Trip's discomfort.

"Charles, we don't want to use you but you are the most logical person to assist with this," said Skon.

"I know," sighed Trip. "You sure that this data crystal can't be traced?"

"Positive," said Satak. "There are only a few who still use data crystals. Krios is one of them and Rigel is another. Also, Risa is one."

"I understand," said Trip.

"I shall let T'Pau know that you are serving Vulcan well," said Soval.

Trip stood up then he looked at Soval and Satak with a hard expression then he said: "I will assist Vulcan, just as long as it doesn't interfere with my duties and responsibilities as Starfleet officer. The day you ask me to cross that line is the day that you learn that there are line I will not cross."

"I believe that is reasonable," said Skon.

"And admirable," added Satak.

STSTST

Trip's shuttle to Mars had to be delayed for a day as he spent six hours being debrief about the data crystal. Admiral Maxwell was willing to take at face value Trip's story, but Starfleet Intelligence was not. At the end of six hours, Trip stood up, stared at his inquisitor in the face, and told him if he had any further questions they could kiss his Southern ass then he stormed out. It took a comm from Fleet Admiral Nomura to calm Trip down.

"Captain Tucker, I apologize for the security officer's enthusiasm in questioning you," said Nomura. "You may go to Mars and proceed with your duties."

"Thank you, sir," said Trip.

"You have served Starfleet brilliantly, Trip. I expect that to continue," he said.

"Yes, sir," said Trip.

The comm ended. It was time for Mars.

STSTST

Vice Admiral Archer ran the now named Starbase Rebel, as well as commanded the Second Fleet. He had two thousand marines at his command to send wherever he thought they were needed and he commanded her fifty-five ships. So far, he managed to be the most successful of the fleet commanders.

Archer was in his office, which had a view of the shipyard that was setup to make repairs on damaged ships. He was reviewing reports and personnel requests when his aid Commander Symmons entered his office.

"Sir, I have a report that Task Force: Spartan is headed our way. It took out a Romulan FOB but at great cost. They lost five ships, the other ten are heavily damaged. Also, they have heavy personnel losses," Symmons told him.

"How is Captain Tucker?" asked Archer with concern.

"In surgery," said Symmons. "I received the report from Commander Flynn, who is commanding the Excalibur for the moment."

"I want an update on his condition as soon as we have one," said Archer. "Do we have a report from Flynn on what happened?"

"Yes," sighed Symmons. "There were ten Orion ships and thirty Romulan ships. Captain Tucker decided the FOB was too important to let survive, so he ordered three sorties on the FOB. They destroyed the FOB, eight Orion ships, and fifteen Romulans, before they warped away."

"Damn you, Trip. You don't need to be a hero," Archer mumbled to himself. "What's their ETA?"

"Six hours," said Symmons.

"Make sure their ships get special treatment and have of medical facilities waiting for their wounded," he ordered.

"Yes, sir," he said then exited.

STSTST

Trip had internal damaged from parts of the Bridge ceiling falling on him. T'Pol had put her adun in a Vulcan healing trance then escorted him to the Sick Bay where Phlox was waiting for him. Now she waited while he was in surgery.

T'Pol meditated. At least, she tried to meditate. Her mind wouldn't let her meditate because he was worried, yes worried, about him. It was an emotional reaction but, as he father told her, emotions were not evil, but just needed to be controlled. Her mother believed they needed to be suppressed completely and deal with in meditation. She tried to be her mother, but she wasn't.

Phlox exited the surgery. He looked tired.

"How is Captain Tucker?" she asked.

"He is doing well. He needs rest and I don't mean a few days. He needs a month at least," he said. "Ever since the Excalibur and the Task Force had been back in service the past eight months, Captain Tucker has pushed the Task Force."

"He has merely done what Starfleet has requested," T'Pol defended her husband.

"They ask too much of him and this Task Force," said Phlox. "Men and women cannot be in constant battle."

"Agreed," sighed T'Pol.

STSTST

T'Pol and Archer were there when Trip woke from his medical induced coma. Trip smiled when he saw them. He tried to speak with a dry throat.

"Admiral, darlin'," he rasped.

T'Pol got him a cup of shaved ice for his throat. He chewed on a few pieces.

"Starfleet has informed me that you are getting more medals, as well as many in your Task Force," Archer said. "Trip, you almost got yourself killed."

"I know. But that FOB needed to be destroyed. He was too strategically place. But," he paused then he finished. "It came at a great cost. Jon, I lost five ships outright and every single ship in my Task Force was badly damaged and lost too many people."

"Trip, we are at war," sighed Archer. "You did what needed to be done. And you did it without losing your whole damned Task Force. Any other commander probably would have lost the whole Task Force."

"Still," Trip said. Tears filled his eyes. "I could have done better."

Archer placed his hand on his arm and squeezed.

"Captain Tucker, you did the best that anyone could have done. Now I've been told that when you and your ship are ready, you are to head back to earth for some downtime. Your whole Task Force has earned a few weeks of rest, especially it's commander who will be ojn medical leave," he said then he smiled sadly. "I'll leave you in the competent hands of Commander T'Pol."

Archer exited the private room. T'Pol sat down beside him. Their fingers mingled with each other.

"He is right, adun; you did brilliantly. We would all be dead without your decisions," she said.

"Maybe," he sighed. "Too many ships and people, though. I have to do better."

STSTST

With Charles on Medical Leave for a month and half, Commander Flynn was given temporary command of the Excalibur, which was added to the defense of Earth for the interim. Along with a head injury and internal damage, Trip broke his right kneecap. For now, he was walking with a cane as he rehabbed his knee. So, as the Starfleet Transport let him and T'Pol off at his parents' home, he was greeted by his mother, father, Daniel, Dana, Denise, and Charles the 4th. Their faces were filled with concern when they saw him limp towards them.

Daniel grabbed the bags from T'Pol.

"Son," said Charles, "you got real beat up this time."

"My whole Task Force did," Trip answered sadly.

"Charles saved more than he lost," added T'Pol.

"Of course, he did," smiled Elaine. "We have you two on the first floor."

"Good," smiled Trip.

"Billy and Troy will be here this weekend along with a special visitor, Lizzy," grinned Charles.

"Lizzy," smiled Trip.

"Yeah," said Charles, who was as thrilled as his son to see his youngest child.

"Come on, let's get you off your feet," said Elaine.

"I'm going to grill you a steak and baked potato," added Charles.

An hour later, Trip sat in a lounge chair under the shade of a tree and watched the kids play on the beach with his brother and his wife, while Elaine, Charles, and T'Pol prepared lunch. Elaine spoke to T'Pol.

"How is he really, T'Pol?" asked Elaine.

"Commander is a difficult thing. It can weigh heavily at times," she said.

"Is he a good commander?" asked Charles.

"One of the best, if not the best," nodded T'Pol.

"Trip is a good man. I wish he stayed an engineer," said Elaine.

"There are times I wish he was, too," agreed T'Pol.

Elaine smiled at this. The Vulcan woman, who was so difficult to read, really did love her son.

"Well, I got a steak and potato for him and for you, my dear, I've got a delicious grilled sweet potato and there is salad," grinned Charles.

"Thank you, Charles," said T'Pol.

STSTST

Lizzy arrived in her midshipman uniform with a duffle bag over her shoulder. She was greeted by everyone except Trip, who was taking an afternoon nap. After Daniel put bag away, they sat outside having a cold beer, even Lizzy. Dinner would happen when Trip got up.

"Trip is a legend at the academy. He is considered in the same hush tone as Rear Admiral Archer," she told everyone.

"Is there pressure on you being his sister?" asked T'Pol.

"Some, but not as much as if I was command. I'm science like you," smiled Lizzy. "I am a Xeno-anthropologist. But during war time I am a science officer."

"Fascinating," said T'Pol.

"And Trip is an engineer," added Daniel.

"Admiral Jefferies will tell you he is the best, but there are classes now taught which include some of Trip's tactics as a commander of a ship," said Lizzy. "They are fascinating. He is brilliant."

"I know," nodded T'Pol.

"Lizzy," yelled Trip from the porch.

He had his cane supporting him. Lizzy got up and ran to him. They hugged then she helped him down the steps and joined everyone else. Daniel patted his brother on the back. The more he learned about him the prouder he got of him.

"Midshipman, huh?" Trip looked at his sister. "What ship are you assigned to?"

"Oh, well, that's a secret," she smiled.

"I'll call up Nomura," he threatened.

"The Excalibur. I join their science department in a week," she said.

"How the hell did you get on my ship?" asked Trip.

"Talk to Commander Flynn. He okayed me," she said.

"I'll talk to him," grinned Trip then he added. "T'Pol is you're department head."

"Commander," smiled Lizzy.

"I shall have to check your record," said T'Pol.

"Yes, ma'am," said Lizzy.

A vehicle pulled up and Billy and Troy got out. Troy saw Trip and smiled then yelled, "Hey, handsome."

"We almost have everyone in the family here," said Elaine.

"Please, ma, I don't think I could take Anna right now," said Trip.

"She is your sister," warned Elaine.

"She's also a pain in the ass," stated Charles.

Elaine looked at her husband then smiled, "You're right."

The family laughed.

STSTST

Two weeks at his parents' home did Trip a world of good. He now settled down to two weeks of rehabbing his knee, while T'Pol spent most of her time either at Starfleet Headquarters or the Vulcan Compound. He barely saw her for two weeks, but he felt her through their bond. By the time he was ordered to Admiral Forrest's office, he was ready. Dressed in his casual uniform, he arrived and was ushered into Forrest office.

Forrest motioned him to sit down. He was sat down. Trip hated that on his way to Forrest's office that he was stared at by junior officers and some senior officers.

"How is the knee?" asked Forrest.

"Working," grinned Trip.

"Your Task Force is being reformed. We are replacing the five ships lost and added five more. That will give you twenty," said Forrest.

"And my assignment?" he asked.

"I want you to be Archer's hammer," smiled Forrest. "You'll report to him and he'll use you as he sees fit."

Trip grinned.

"So, we're finally going to try and win this war," he said.