[after (long) commercial break]
"Hail them again," Tucker said, getting frustrated. Enterprise sat in station keeping formation next to the much bigger Xindi Aquatic vessel, the Deep Chasm. It had already been over five hours since the disappearance of Captain Archer and Commander T'Pol, and they were no closer to solving the mystery of their abduction.
Ensign Sato tried again from her communications station on the bridge, but shook her head. "They're simply not responding. Honestly, I can't even tell if they're receiving our transmission."
"What the devil is going on over there?" Reed commented. The abduction of Captain Archer and Commander T'Pol was weighing heavily on everyone's mind. And now with the Xindi not responding to their hails, everyone's patience was wearing thin.
Tucker turned to face Enterprise's security officer. "And there's nothing out of the ordinary on sensors?"
Now it was Reed's turn to shake his head. He had been bent over the sensors for hours looking for possible clues and now examining the Xindi vessel. "Nothing. I've scanned their ship several times. Their systems appear operational with no change in status since we left their transport bay."
It had been about two hours since Svill Karak'don's avatar beamed back over to the Deep Chasm. Their investigation into Captain Archer and Commander T'Pol's disappearance had been going nowhere and so Tucker had decided to see if the Xindi had fared any better. Their only response for the last five minutes, however, was dead air. It was unclear how to proceed. He turned to Kaitaama who as standing beside him and she simply shrugged her shoulders. Truth be told, she should be in Engineering familiarizing herself with the engines and meeting the others in the department. Hell, he'd rather be there. He hadn't seen his engines for weeks now and wanted to help get them purring again. Regardless, he was happy she had remained on the bridge. He was getting used to her counsel, and just being around her.
"Their engines are powering up sir," Reed suddenly said.
"We're getting a message," Hoshi added immediately after. She adjusted some settings on her console, presumably to put the transmission on speakers, but then hesitated. She turned back to Commander Tucker. "Text only. Just two words. Stand by."
"They're opening a conduit," Reed announced. And then, all at once, the Xindi Aquatic ship appeared to shrink in size and disappeared as it entered the conduit and was gone in the direction it had come from.
"Stand by," Tucker repeated, obviously not happy. He pushed a button on the arm next to him. "Doctor, do you have any results to report on those specimens?"
"Nothing yet Commander," Phlox replied over the comm. "Another twenty minutes or so and I should have something."
"Send me what you have so far." Tucker was obviously getting impatient and needed to be doing something. If it wasn't tinkering with the engines, reading through the preliminary results would have to do.
"Understood sir."
"This is intolerable," Reed said, expressing everyone's frustration.
Tucker stood and moved over to the security station and Kaitaama followed. "Is there something we're missing," he said. "Something else we can use our sensors for to detect. Warp signatures. Anything."
Warp signatures were the obvious first step and Malcolm bristled at the insinuation he had missed something. In many regions of space, a warp core left a discernable trail that could be followed, and he had examined those possibilities first. "We've looked for all known Xindi signatures we have in our database in the surrounding space," Reed replied, deciding to repeat his earlier report. "We can clearly detect those generated by the Xindi Aquatic ship when it came here through their conduit, but there were no other Xindi signatures."
"What about other signatures?" Kaitaama asked, moving up next to Tucker. Reed looked back to the console. "As I said before, I looked for everything. Calibrating for all known signatures we have in our database. Honestly, it's pretty quiet out there, I suppose with the Fall of the Spheres the only readings are recent ones. Everything else has been wiped clean."
"And so you detected Enterprise's signature as well?"
"Of course," Reed shot back, getting a little irritated by Kaitaama's questioning. He adjusted the sensors and then gestured down to the readings. "Right there, plain as day. More distinct than even…" His voice trailed off and then he adjusted some settings and examined the readings more closely.
"What is it Malcolm?" Tucker asked, picking up on Reed's sudden change of demeanor.
"That doesn't make sense," he commented. Malcolm looked up a little confused. "I'm so sorry sir," he began sheepishly. "I hadn't noticed before, but it's stronger than I would expect. Perhaps there is something there."
"What's much stronger?"
"Enterprise's warp signature," Reed replied.
Kaitaama was now leaning over the sensor output. "I believe your sensors are similar to those of Krios Prime. If I'm interpreting this correctly, the output indicates two distinct warp trails on top of one another. Do you see the decay here and here? An indication that they are in opposite directions. As if a ship exited the system along the same path."
"And perhaps followed Enterprise here," Tucker added.
Reed shook his head. "Possibly, but very unlikely. Every warp core has its own unique signature, like a fingerprint. These signatures are indistinguishable from one another. If it were from another ship, that ship would have to be a doppelganger of Enterprise."
"Or at least have the same warp core signature," Tucker mused. He rubbed his chin thoughtfully and then something clicked in his mind. He turned quickly and returned to the Captain's chair. "Mayweather, link the helm to ship's sensors. Maximum speed back along that warp trail."
###
"Okay, let's try this on three," Archer said.
He and T'Pol were tied together back to back. After the death threat by their captor, the mechanism that had been placed in their prison cave with them had gone silent. If their captor was planning to carry through with their threat, Archer was determined to at least be unbound and ready when they arrived.
"One, two, three."
He and T'Pol pressed their backs against each other and started standing. They slowly inched up and adjusted their footing in unison until they were finally standing. Archer nodded satisfied. That went easy enough.
"Okay. Let's now both turn clockwise so we can access each other's bindings on our wrists."
They then both squirmed and adjusted, slowly as to keep their balance and not topple over. Eventually, just like on Coridan when they were in a similar predicament, they were able to turn until they were now face to face. Their fingers could work on each other's knots, and although they couldn't see what they were working on, soon enough their hands and arms were free. As years ago, they then each reached around the other's back to work on the rope that wrapped around their waists. An outside observer might construe their actions as an embrace. Presently, T'Pol paused but kept her arms wrapped around Archer. "It is curious how we seem to often end up in these situations," she commented.
"What do you mean?" Archer replied, still working on the knot, pressing himself a little closer to T'Pol to loosen the rope.
"It is almost as if the universe is trying to tell us something," T'Pol continued.
Archer's side of the rope became untied, and with the slack, T'Pol was able to finish the other side and the rope fell down to their feet. Their ankles were still tied, but instead of repeating the mistake they had made on Coridan, each sat back down carefully and undid their own knots. Soon enough they were both free.
"What do you suppose the universe is trying to tell us?" Archer asked after removing the last rope and standing back up. He scratched his beard, which had been getting itchy and he hadn't been able to scratch until now.
T'Pol also stood and brushed off her uniform. She glanced down at their captor's mechanism, but it remained inert and seemingly oblivious to their escape from their bonds. She then returned her full attention to Archer. "That we are meant to be together as a mated pair."
T'Pol never did beat around the bush. She used the term their captor had suggested earlier. Truth be told, he had thought about the same more times than he could count. He and T'Pol were very close. Friends, confidants, supporters. Their time together as Enterprise's command team had forged a strong bond between them. He often wondered if there could be something more to their relationship. "A human and a Vulcan?" Archer said instead.
"Irrelevant," T'Pol countered. "We both know that human and Vulcan DNA are compatible enough." The recent incident with Terra Prime was proof enough of that.
Archer nodded slowly. "I suppose, we've both thought about that from time to time," he finally said. "And as I'm sure you know and have also concluded, our current positions on Enterprise prohibit us from acting on those impulses, no matter how much we may desire it. You were the first to point that out back during our first year together. Ironically, to stay close we have to stay apart."
"Indeed," T'Pol replied curtly. "Our current circumstance, however, brings into focus certain dangers that are ever present in our lives. It occurs to me there are some things that should be said…, that must be said with the possibility of our demise eminent."
"Don't count us out just yet," Archer countered.
"I agree, but never the less…" T'Pol said. She stepped forward and held his hand in both of hers. Archer felt almost an electric shock, as he sometimes imagined, arch between them. She was never much one for physical contact, and so the significance of this interaction was clearly evident. Archer waited expectantly. "Jonathan, it would be logical to at least acknowledge our…" she hesitated, but then pressed on, "feelings." It was pointless to deny she had them, regardless of Vulcan customs or conceit that they didn't have them at all.
Archer licked his lips which suddenly felt very dry. He nodded again. "Consider them acknowledged," he choked out. How much he desired to hold her close, and although her demeanor hadn't changed in the slightest, he sensed the same desire from her.
The mechanism beside them rustled and moved slightly, breaking the spell. The top portion swiveled about and adjusted until it seemed it had stopped and settled on pointing at them.
"Provide me … Enterprise … command code."
T'Pol and Archer glanced at one another. They hadn't considered the possibility that Enterprise might also be in jeopardy. Was their captor wanting the command code to enable them to commandeer the ship?
"We can't do that," Archer responded.
"With command code … I can verify … your innocence or guilt."
Archer shook his head. "We are not guilty of destroying your homeworld. We were not there. Neither of us were even born when the Xindi homeworld was destroyed."
There was a prolonged silence and Archer wondered about moving over to the door to test the chains. Instead, he stayed beside T'Pol, content to be still holding her hand.
"Move … away from… the door."
T'Pol finally let go of Archer's hand and the two of them backed away slightly.
"Evidence… you requested… will be delivered. You… can judge… your guilt."
Archer inched a bit to the side to get a better angle to the door into the cave. Perhaps he would have an opportunity when it opened. The mechanism, however, moved to block his path and extended an appendage. A plasma bolt emitted from the appendage and impacted the cave wall in a splash of energy. The appendage then repositioned to apparently adjust its aim towards Archer.
"Move back … together … and stay still."
Archer moved back to T'Pol while the mechanism's appendage kept pace. Soon after, as before, a shadow passed across the door and stopped outside blocking the sunlight. Again, the chains were removed, and then the door creaked open. This time, another mechanism was pushed into the cave. Half the height of the first with a clear cone-shaped device on top. The door closed, the chains were reapplied, and whoever their captor was left. Several moments passed and nothing happened.
"The translation appears to have been smoother this time," T'Pol commented. "Perhaps our captor has been working on his or her device's translation matrix given our previous interactions."
Before Archer could respond, the cone began to glow, and a holographic projection appeared above it, although depicting a two-dimensional scene roughly rectangular in shape. The scene was a star field and a planet in the foreground. Above the planet were fleets of vessels engaged in battle. Most were too distant to see clearly except for the plasma discharges or phaser fire that danced between them. The ones they could clearly see were of unknown configuration, but vaguely resembled current Xindi designs. Most were relatively small with a few that appeared much bigger.
"The planet you see … is our… homeworld," the first mechanism intoned. "These images … are from one of our… cloaked vessels."
"As we had told you," Archer replied. "The Xindi were at war with themselves. As we understand it, the Reptilian and Insectoid factions destroyed your planet."
"Watch … the evidence… of you to fly in a moment."
Suddenly a new ship appeared to exit warped space and move into the middle of the fire fight. Archer and T'Pol immediately recognized the ship, although it seemed impossible if this were truly the destruction of the Xindi homeworld from one hundred and twenty years before. It was Enterprise. It moved directly towards the planet into a large grouping of Xindi vessels, although it was impossible to tell on which side of the fight these vessels were on. The designs were unfamiliar. They could be Reptilian, Insectoid, Primate, or even Arboreal. Only the large Aquatic ships seemed easily identifiable. A volley of what appeared to be photon torpedoes were launched from Enterprise towards the group of ships directly above the planet. As if in response, the planet itself began to fracture. A large chunk of the surface flew off revealing a molten gash. More gashes appeared on the surface. The view appeared to pan out, presumably as the ship that had taken the images moved to a safer distance. The cataclysm progressed rapidly. Ships in orbit scattered, many destroyed by pieces of the planet that fractured and blew out more and more rapidly. They had lost sight of Enterprise. The destruction intensified and filled the entire screen until suddenly it was replaced by receding stars. Evidently, the ship recording the destruction of the Xindi homeworld had gone to warp to avoid the approaching fireball. Soon after, the recording stopped.
"The duplicate Enterprise from the subspace conduit," T'Pol whispered. "They had been there."
Archer's eyes widened, but then he shook his head. "Regardless," he said to the mechanism, "The yield of our photon torpedoes couldn't have possibly destroyed the planet. I'm not sure why the duplicate Enterprise was present, but you have it wrong. As we said, it was the Reptilians and Insectoids who…"
"You … admit now … you were there," the mechanism interrupted.
"No, not us," Archer said. "It was a…"
"There … is more … evidence."
The holograph flickered to life once more. Now projected was the Enterprise bridge. It appeared to be a standard bridge recording with a wide angle view taking in all bridge stations with the Captain's chair in the center. It was degraded in some sections, but clear enough, sitting in the Captain's chair was Archer. Standing next to him was what appeared to be an Illyrian woman. Other than that, the rest of the bridge crew were in their expected places, including T'Pol at her science station. There was no associated audio, but from the interactions and movement, it appeared to be from the midst of a confrontation or battle. It very well might have been the same time as the destruction of the Xindi homeworld.
"Do you persist … in the lie … that you were not there?"
###
Reed and Kaitaama were hunched over sensor controls examining the current output. Multiple warp signatures were present, all nearly identical to Enterprise's. They had dropped from warp until they could figure out which of the signatures to follow.
"This junction of signatures is much more confusing," Kaitaama commented.
"None of these are from our recent outward journey from the North Star colony, we left that a light year or so ago," Reed replied in a hushed tone. "These all appear of about equal strength, presumably all made since the Fall of the Spheres."
Kaitaama frowned. "Perhaps we should just pick one. Start mapping out where they go. Many might end up in the same place anyway. Maybe we'll get lucky. We can always come back to this point and try again."
"Leaving new warp trails all the time," Malcolm remarked.
"We can keep track. Have the computer build a map."
Malcolm nodded and looked over the possibilities. "The question is, which one first?"
The two faced one another. Kaitaama shrugged. Reed then looked back at the sensor output and pointed to one that branched off on its own. "That one." He then adjusted some of the output and spoke in a louder voice over his shoulder. "Ensign, I'm sending the coordinates to the helm. Resume course."
"Aye sir," Mayweather responded. Soon enough, they were back at warp.
Before returning his attention to the sensors, Reed glanced at Commander Tucker sitting in the Captain's chair. Tucker was reading something on a PADD. Perhaps the preliminary results from Doctor Phlox's analysis. He then leaned closer to Kaitaama. "Lieutenant," he began, again in his hushed tone from before. "Do you mind if I ask you a question about you and Commander Tucker."
Kaitaama smiled, but then looked away slightly. "You're curious about what's going on between us," she stated.
Malcolm smiled back. "You can't blame me."
"I think, Trip would rather be the one to tell you himself. We had anticipated a different environment during the mission to Azati Prime where we could talk to all his friends and announce the news in a more relaxed time."
Malcolm shook his head and sighed. "That's putting it mildly."
"What are you two whispering about?" Tucker called from the Captain's chair.
"Nothing sir," Malcolm and Kaitaama replied in unison.
They returned their attention to the sensors and Tucker returned his attention to the Doctor's report. The trail they followed was now paralleling other similar signatures and so might hold promise if this was a well-travelled route. Kaitaama leaned closer to Malcolm. "Suffice to say," she whispered. "The relationship between Earth and Krios Prime is quite strong."
"Indeed," Malcolm smirked.
"Doctor Phlox to Commander Tucker." Phlox seemed overly excited, even for him.
Everyone on the bridge perked up at the interruption. Tucker clicked the comm button on the Captain's chair. "Go ahead."
"I think I've figured out the discrepancy. I was so convinced of a Reptilian origin, I hadn't even considered other possibilities. It's quite remarkable actually. I'm certain the Xindi came to the same conclusion. Perhaps this is why they left in such a hurry…"
"Spit it out Doctor," Tucker interrupted. "I'm not following you. Exactly what have you figured out?"
"The specimen we collected were not scales at all," Phlox responded breathless. "They are a type of contour feather!"
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