Chapter Six
Soval walked the ground of the Vulcan Compound in Sausalito. A stiff wind blew his robes causing a chill that he felt in his bones. He missed the heat of Vulcan, as he never felt warm on this planet. The compound had a view of the bay, which caused most Vulcans a sense of distress at the sight of so much water. When your life and biology was designed to deal with a lack of water, the sight of too much could be daunting. Soval had come to enjoy the view. He stopped at the outer most fence and stared down at the water falling into a meditative state allowing his mind to deal with the chill he felt.
"Soval," a soft voice interrupted his impromptu meditation.
He turned to see T'Pol standing behind him in her dark Vulcan robes. She had asked for a private meeting at his convenience.
"T'Pol," he said, "It is fortuitous that Starfleet rescued you."
"I wanted to talk to you about the starship that rescued me, the Valley Forge," she said.
"I've heard about this ship," said Soval. "Tell me about what you have observed about this starship."
"From what I observed it is superior to any of our starships," she said.
"How?" asked Soval. The thought of the Humans having a starship superior to any of their starships bothered him.
"Speed, it is capable of warp 7.2 for a three hour period and has a cruising speed of warp 6.5. In terms of firepower, it has Starfleet's latest torpedoes, the Mark I, phase cannons, and a railgun. Also, they have constructed their own defensive shields," she told him.
"How did they accomplish this?" asked Soval.
"Captain Charles Anthony Tucker III and Captain Adam Luther Stein," said T'Pol. "The Valley Forge is their design and work. Tucker saw it from inception to construction and now is the captain of the starship."
"I am not sure that the Humans are ready to have such a starship," said Soval.
"To use a Human phrase – the cat is out of the bag," she said.
Soval turned back to the rough water. He stared out at it allowing his mind to ruminate on what he had been told.
"I believe the Valley Forge is taking the Betazoid female back to Betazed in order to make first contact and, if possible, an ally," T'Pol told him.
"Cardassian space," Soval said to himself.
He turned and looked at T'Pol.
"Before Koss died of yem-gisaman and you returned to Vulcan in order to deal with the end of your koon-ut-la, you were slated to be the liaison on the Enterprise," he said. "I believe that you being a consultant on the Valley Forge would benefit both Earth and Vulcan."
T'Pol raised her left eyebrow questioning him.
"They will need Vulcan star charts to get to Betazed. You will assist them there," said Soval.
"I am no longer in the Diplomatic Corp. I am V'Shar," said T'Pol.
"T'Pol, the V'Shar will want you on the Valley Forge," stated Soval. "Prepare yourself."
The expression on T'Pol's face was one of annoyance but it quickly passed. She didn't appreciate the feelings that the Human captain stirred in her, and now she was going to be in his company for maybe a period of three months. Meditation was needed.
STSTST
"You got to be kidding me. A Vulcan liaison! I don't need a Vulcan liaison on my boat. The Valley Forge proves that we don't need Vulcans," growled Trip.
Admiral Forest and Admiral Leonard sat looking at him. Admiral Leonard stood behind Admiral Forest who sat in a chair behind his desk. Trip stood in front of the desk looking livid. Unconsciously, he pulled at his service dress uniform and stick his tongue in his right cheek and roll it around.
"Fine. I can contact the Detailer's office and have your reassignment drawn up," said Forest.
Trip stomach clenched. He had no intention of losing the captaincy of the Valley Forge.
"Sir, I don't want to lose my command," said Trip.
"Then you will accept a Vulcan liaison on your ship. We need the Vulcan star charts to find Betazed or a three week trip to that planet will turn into a six month exploration. Also, we need the charts so we know the Cardassian Union borders. I don't want you starting a war with them. We have enough trouble to handle right now," said Forest.
"Yes, sir," said Trip.
"So far you have a great start to your career, Tucker, so," said Forest, "I recommend that you save the prima donna act until you hold the same stature as Captain Archer."
"Yes, sir," said Trip.
"Now you are going to have this SubCommander T'Pol on your ship for this mission and you are not going to argue about it. Do you understand me, Captain Tucker?" bared Forest.
Trip heard the name T'Pol. She was going to be his liaison. Suddenly, he was fighting a grin that he'd know would get him buried by Forest. If they told him that it was SubCommander T'Pol in the beginning he would have conceded without a word of protest.
"Yes, sir."
"You are dismissed, Captain," said Forest.
"Thank you, sir," said Tucker.
Trip marched out of the office leaving Leonard and Forest alone. Both Admirals began to laugh once Trip was clear of the room.
"That man really doesn't understand the cache he carries along with Captain Stein from upgrading our fleet and making it competitive," said Leonard.
"Hell, coming up with defensive shields alone gave him a reputation that's tough to beat," smiled Forest.
"Let's hope he doesn't become a hero. He might actually stand up to you and win the battle," said Leonard.
STSTST
With prodding from Archer he and Hernandez went to Colorado for mountain climbing and camping. He wanted to get out in the fresh air, get some physical exercise, and forget his everyday life. Dressed in climbing Archer made his way slowly up the crag. He felt for handgrips, shifted his weight, made his ascension, and continued.
This was what he wanted a chance to test himself, to push himself, to challenge himself. Hernandez tried to keep up with him, but she could see that Jonathan was possessed with the need to push himself beyond his abilities. She took her time since she was trying to wrestle with demons.
Ahead of her Archer lost his footing for a moment and ending up hanging from finger tips until he readjusted his body and find a foothold. Once he was stable he continued his advance up the face of the crag. Hernandez shook her head and made her own way.
At the top of the mountain, Archer stood surveying nature and afternoon slowly becoming evening. He took his backpack off and tossed it on the ground. Instead were some power bars and MREs, as well as a foil blanket. He took water bottle from off his hip and drank some water. A breeze cooled his sweat. For the first time in weeks he felt free.
Finally, Hernandez finished scaling the cliff face. She slipped her backpack off and placed it near Archer's then drank some of her own water. Once she felt refreshed she joined him in his admiration of the view.
"Beautiful, isn't it, Jon?"
"Yeah, it is."
"You realize that you saved this," she said.
He snorted.
"Jon, you saved this world."
"Erica, we saved it. The Enterprise, its crew, AG, the Columbia, and its crew saved this world."
"You made the tough the decisions. You refused to stop. It was because of you we succeeded. AG knows it. I know it. Now why don't you accept it and start being the man you are supposed to be. The Earth is going to have more troubles and more enemies, Jon; do you want Trip Tucker to be the captain on the line protecting Earth and making it stronger?" she asked him.
Archer smiled. He had a vision and there was no one other than him who could bring that vision together. The Andorians, the Tellerites, the Rigelians, the Coridanites, Vulcans, and more; he saw as allies to Earth.
"You right, that's my job," he said.
"Our ship will be ready in seven weeks. Let's relax and enjoy ourselves then get out into space and doing something of note," she said.
He turned and brought her into a hug. Erica smiled.
"I don't deserve you," he said.
"No, you don't."
"You know I like having you as my first officer. I don't think Trip would have liked me hugging him," grinned Archer.
"Shut up and kiss me."
He did as he was told.
STSTST
Trip stood in the Shuttle Bay observation booth along with Commander Flynn and Dr. Day. A shuttle carrying Stadi Grax, SubCommander T'Pol, Ambassador Soval, Admiral Forest, Commander Hernandez, and Captain Archer was approaching. T'Pol and Grax were guests all the way to Betazed, while Soval and Forest they were dropping off at Vulcan where they would pick up the star charts. Once the shuttle had landing the Shuttle Bay doors closed and atmosphere returned to the bay then Trip, Flynn, and Day would greet their quests.
"Is the Betazoid doing better?" asked Flynn.
"According to the reports I've read she's doing much better. Two weeks in isolation allowed her to process all those feelings she had been bombarded with. Her mental defenses are strong again. She only feels wants she wants to feel now," explained Day.
"Keep an eye on her, Harry," Trip advised.
"She's a beautiful woman, so why not," smiled Day.
"I'm hoping we'll learn all about Betazed and their society from Miss Grax," said Trip.
"The bay doors are opening," observed Flynn.
They watched as the bay doors opened and a large transport shuttle came in for a soft landing. The doors slowly closed. Trip looked down at the board once they shut. The red light was still on. Finally, it turned green letting everyone know that the bay had atmosphere and gravity now. A shuttle crew ran out to start checking on the shuttle, while Trip and his party exited the observation both and walked over to the shuttle to greet their guests.
The shuttle door opened and the first to step out was Admiral Forest with Commander Marcus Williams followed by Ambassador Soval. Soval offered Trip the Vulcan salute the Ta'al then he said, "Live long and prosper, Captain Tucker."
Trip tried to copy the salute then he said, "The same to you, Ambassador Soval."
"Happy to see us, Tucker?" said Forest.
"Always happy to see you, sir."
The next out of the shuttle was Stadi Grax. She was dressed in a civilian jumpsuit. From the look of the smile on her face, she was in a much better state then when they rescued her.
"Captain, I have much to thank you for," she said then walked up to Trip and kissed her gently on the lips. "I look forward to getting to know you."
Trip blushed then he tried to recover by introducing his party, "Miss Grax, this is Dr. Harold Day. He took care of you on when you were on the Valley Forge last and my XO, Commander Jason Flynn."
"Everyone calls me Harry," interjected Day.
"Harry," she smiled.
Trip noticed that the next off the shuttle was T'Pol, who was standing there with a look of disdain on her face. A chill went down his spine. He could take his eyes from her eyes and the same seemed to be happening to T'Pol. Behind her exited Commander Hernandez and Captain Archer.
"Trip," called out Archer breaking the connection between T'Pol and Trip.
"Cap'n," Trip replied. "I heard you were the pilot of the shuttle."
"I have to get behind the controls now and again," said Archer.
Archer walked up to him and shook his hand.
"Helluva ship you got yourself. Care to trade," smiled Archer.
"Naw, I'm happy with her," smiled Trip.
He then turned and looked at Flynn.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, Commander Flynn and Dr. Day will escort Admiral Forest, Ambassador Soval, SubCommander T'Pol, and Miss Grax to their quarters, while I take advantage of our remaining time in orbit to give Captain Archer and Commander Hernandez the ten cent tour of the Valley Forge," said Trip.
"Yes, sir," said Flynn.
The larger group drifted out of Shuttle Bay leaving Trip, Archer, and Hernandez.
"I don't envy you having two Vulcans on board," said Hernandez.
"I think we can handle it," grinned Trip.
"You are going to be going past Risa, Trip," Archer said then he shook his head. "We are talking three weeks at warp 6.5. If you get into any trouble we will be a month away at best to be able help you."
"I don't intend on get into trouble, and if I do that is why we have warp 7.2," Trip chuckled.
"Okay, maybe I am jealous of you now. Soon me this boat," said Archer.
"I'd love to," said Trip.
STSTST
The tour ended and Archer gave him a bit of advice.
"Vulcans can be helpful, but trust that they have not given you all the information that they have," he said. "Trust your instincts and no one else's when the chips are down."
He knew for the next six days to Vulcan Admiral Forest and Soval would dominate his Ready Room. They were trying to come to a new agreement between Vulcan and Earth. T'Pol was given a in depth tour of the science labs and Ensign Sango was working with Miss Grax about her culture and native language.
Trip took the time to go to his quarters to take a comm from Alicia. He sat down and waited. Looking at the shelves he saw his Universal Horror Figures that he moved out of the Ready Room and the models of the Enterprise, Columbia, Atlantis, Discovery, Challenger, Endeavour, and the Valley Forge. He worked on them all. Finally, the voice of Sango's replacement, Ensign Gianni Antonio came over the speakers in his quarters.
"I have a comm from Commander Alicia Rossi."
He pressed the comm and said, "Send it to my quarters."
The attractive face of Alicia Rossi filled the small view screen on his desk. She had a sad smile on his face.
"Hey, Alicia."
"Trip," she said with such sadness that he knew what was coming next.
"Really, a Dear John comm," he said.
She laughed then said, "You are too smart for your own good."
"I've heard that before," he sighed.
"I'm sorry, Trip. I want more. It was different when I got to see you on weekends but now that you are in space there is no telling when I'll see you. I just need more than that," she said.
"Okay, Alicia. I need to go and some work done. Be well," he said.
He turned off his view screen then sat back in his chair. So ends another relationship, he thought.
STSTST
Trip sat in his command chair. He was reviewing PADDs with reports. Usually, he'd be in his Ready Room reviewing reports, but the Admiral and Soval were in deep talks over a new agreement between Vulcan and Earth. He was deep into the report on shift schedules when Commander Williams walked onto the Bridge with SubCommander T'Pol. He was giving her a tour of a ship that he didn't even know.
"And this SubCommander is the Bridge," said Williams.
When she got off the shuttle T'Pol was wearing Vulcan robes, but now she was in a skintight blue catsuit that should only be worn by few and she was one of those few. Not unexpectedly, Trip started to lose focus.
Flynn, who was at his station, looked at Trip and said, "Who in the hell invited them to the Bridge?"
"I think it is called diplomacy," he mumbled.
He forced himself to go back to reading the PADD in his hand, as Williams brought her from station to station showing her their function. Flynn stood glaring at this, as Trip attempted to ignore them. Finally, Williams got to the command chair and XO Station.
"Captain Tucker, SubCommander T'Pol is impressed by you ship," said Williams.
"She is impressive," he said.
"Have you any further trouble with your intermix formula?" T'Pol asked Trip.
"Naw but I do have some ideas on how to run at warp 7 for a longer period of time and to increase our maximum warp 7.5," said Trip.
"I would like to review your ideas," said T'Pol.
Trip stood up and looked T'Pol directly in the eye. T'Pol felt a flash of warmth then Trip broke eye contact and looked at his XO.
"I'm going for a work out in the gym, XO then taking a steam afterwards. Contact me if you need me," he said.
Before he could make a break from the Bridge, T'Pol stopped him with a query.
"A steam?" she asked.
"Yes, we have a small steam room as part of the gym. It is for officers above the rank of lieutenant 2nd class and those medically proscribed by the good doctor," Trip explained.
"Extreme heat?"
"43% Celsius to 46% Celsius," he said.
A Vulcan's body temperature ran at 32% Celsius as opposed to a Humans, which was 37% Celsius. T'Pol found the Human starship cold and the thought of this steam room fascinated her.
"May I join you, Captain?" she asked.
Trip balked at an answer for a moment. The thought of taking a steam with T'Pol seemed like a form of torture. She was drop dead gorgeous and without emotion. He knew of no better combination to cause a man an infinite amount of pain. But she was a guest.
"Of course, SubCommander," said Trip. "Please, follow me. We should be able to find you some sweat clothes if you wish to work out."
"Thank you," she said.
STSTST
Trip spent a half hour on the treadmill building up a sweat. Occasionally, he'd sneak a peak of T'Pol, who wore skintight yoga gear and spent time on a mat going through the poses and moves of some Vulcan marital art. Once he had enough of the treadmill, Trip did twenty minutes of weight lifting then changed into a towel and went into the steam room to find that T'Pol was already there.
She was sitting on the teak wood bench with a towel draped over chest and lap. Trip sat down across from her and immediately started to sweat and it wasn't because of the heat. He noticed that T'Pol didn't sweat.
"You're not sweating. Isn't hot enough in here?" Trip asked her.
"Vulcans do not have sweat glands," she answered. "I find it agreeable in here."
"Good," smiled Trip. So much for making her sweat.
Trip looked down at his feet and watched the sweat from his forehead fall to the wooden floor. T'Pol stared at him now that he wasn't looking at him. For reasons she couldn't understand, she was attracted to this human. She sniffed the air and caught his scent and it didn't offend her, but instead she liked it.
"Captain to the Bridge," came the voice of Sango, "we've received a distress call. Captain to the Bridge."
Reacting quickly, Trip stood up and his towel fell. For a moment he stood there completely naked with T'Pol staring at him. With his face flushed and blushing, he picked up the towel, wrapped it around his waist, and rushed out of the steam room leaving T'Pol with a cocked right eyebrow and brown eyes that couldn't hide her interest.
.