Chapter Eight
Archer got a note on his computer at his house to come to a bar in Oakland with his tactical officer Lieutenant Commander Malcolm Reed. He tried to trace the note but he couldn't, so he brought Malcolm in to help. Malcolm was unable to trace it either, but the moment he saw the name of the bar Star on the Wall his attitude change. Archer could see that Malcolm knew something but wasn't sharing.
"Captain, you'll never trace that note," he said. "Let me go to the bar alone."
Archer sized Malcolm reaction up. There was the slight edge of fear to the man now, which he'd never seen in Malcolm before. They faced down Klingons and Xindi and Malcolm never showed fear.
"You know who we are dealing with, Malcolm. Tell me who it is," said Archer.
"It's not my place to tell you. All I can do is warn you off and ask you to let me handle this alone. Please, Captain, let me do this alone," said Malcolm.
"No. I'm coming with you as requested. Pick me up in a hovercar tomorrow evening at six."
Malcolm knew the tone. The Captain would bridge no arguments, as an order was given and now you had to obey it.
"Yes, sir," he said.
Twenty-four hours later Malcolm arrived outside of Archer's house in a hovercar. Without exchanging any words, Archer got and Malcolm headed off to Oakland. Throughout the ride, silence dominated. Malcolm was going to tell him what he knew and Archer was now willing to wait to find out himself. After twenty-five minutes they arrived on the street of the bar. Malcolm parked the hovercar then they entered the bar.
To say that it was a low end bar was an understatement. The men and women drinking in the bar ignored them. They were insignificant. Archer looked around. The place was seedy and smelled of stale alcohol. Malcolm scanned the room until his eyes settle on a man seated dressed all in black sitting in a corner booth. The man smiled at them and waved them over.
Malcolm started walking over towards the booth. Archer followed him. When they got to the booth Malcolm sat across from the man and said, "Hello, Harris."
"It's been a long time, Malcolm," said the man in black. "You have been missed."
"You know each other?" Archer asked.
"Know each other," laughed the man. "I trained Malcolm Reed and was his handler until he left to be Starfleet regular."
"Who are you?" growled Archer.
"My name is Harris. I am currently the director of Section 31 and you are the legendary Captain Jonathan Archer."
"Tell me what Section 31 is," demanded Archer.
"There is Starfleet Intelligence and then there is Section 31. We are a secret intelligence agency known to exist by only a few. The President of the UE and Fleet Admiral and the Chief of Fleet Operations and those who work for us or with us," said Harris. "You see, Captain, unlike Starfleet Intelligence, we have greater resources and take greater measures and methods to collect our intelligence."
Archer looked at Malcolm and said, "We have to talk when this is done."
"I worked for them. I no longer do and I longer want to work for them. I am your tactical officer, sir, and that's what I want to be," said Malcolm.
"It's funny you should say that, Malcolm. The information you passed on, Archer, about Terra Prime ended up in our hands. This Terra Prime is dangerous not only to Earth but to what Earth could become, which is the central planet in a federation of planets. I want Mister Reed to join them and be our eyes and ears leading us to the head of the snake then we will take care of the rest," said Harris.
"You want me to join some racist organization and spy for you," growled Malcolm.
Malcolm looked like he was about to come out of his seat and attack Harris. Archer placed a calming hand on his shoulder. Malcolm calmed down.
"Take it easy, Lieutenant Commander," said Archer.
"Yes, sir," said Malcolm.
"Yes, I do want you to join a racist and isolationist organization. And I want your Captain here to know it, so he knows that you aren't some isolationist racist, but an honorable man risking his life for Starfleet and Earth," said Harris then he smiled at Malcolm. "You are needed, Malcolm. Earth and Starfleet need you."
"Damn you, Harris," Malcolm said softly. He couldn't refuse now. If Starfleet and Earth needed him to risk his life then Malcolm Reed was going to risk his life.
Archer looked at Malcolm.
"Are you sure about this?" asked Archer.
"Harris wouldn't ask me unless it was necessary," said Malcolm. "It has to be done."
Harris looked at Archer and smiled then said, "I let you have two questions."
"Why Malcolm?"
"Because he is already a trained agent and he is the Tactical Officer of the Enterprise, which will be a boon for them. He's the perfect bait and the perfect agent," said Harris.
"How do you know that Earth will be the center of a federation of planets?" asked Archer.
Harris smiled then he said, "Have you ever heard of the Department of Temporal Investigations?"
Archer looked at Harris as if he had two heads, while Harris merely smiled at him.
STSTST
The Valley Forge came to orbit around Betazed. Trip sat in his chair looking at the planet. Behind him stood Ambassador Grax and T'Pol. Neither female seemed comfortable with each other. Betazed reminded him of Earth with its combination of oceans and land mass. It was a beautiful planet.
"Medara is the capital of our planet. It is on the Opal Sea," Ambassador Grax. "I believe you will enjoy it, Trip. It is a lovely city."
T'Pol looked at her with disdain at the use of his nickname.
"Captain, we are being hailed by the planet," said Sango.
"Put them on the view screen, Sango," said Trip.
An attractive woman with dark hair and black eyes just like Stadi Grax's appeared on the view screen.
"I am Jarot Tayn, Administrator of Betazed Security," said Jarot.
"I am Captain Charles Anthony Tucker III of the UES Valley Forge. We come with peaceful intents, as we are returning Ambassador Stadi Grax," said Trip.
Grax step from behind the chair and joined Trip standing by his side. Jarot smiled.
"Stadi, you are alive," she said. "You ship was lost and we feared you were dead."
"Thanks to Captain Tucker here and the organization he is a member of, Starfleet, I am alive and safe," Grax said.
"I'll arrange a shuttle to pick you up right away," said Jarot.
"No, Captain Tucker will bring me down. We have a great deal to discuss. I will need to be with co-councilors Lon Ral and Shanara Suder," said Grax.
"I will alert them now," said Jarot. "Stadi, I will expect your shuttle soon. Welcome home, Ambassador and friend."
"It is good to be back, Jarot."
The view screen returned to an image of Betazed. Trip turned in his seat and faced Commander Flynn.
"I want to keep this light, XO. I want Lieutenant Ironhorse, Ensign Sango, and myself. Lieutenant Hill will be the shuttle pilot," he said.
"No Marines?" asked Flynn.
"No Marines," said Trip.
"Yes, sir," said Flynn.
"May I join you party, Captain," T'Pol spoke up.
"Yes, I think that is a good idea. She can be a representative for the Vulcans," smiled Grax.
"I guess you are coming, SubCommander," said Trip. "We leave in fifteen minutes. Please don't be late to the Shuttle Bay."
STSTST
Malcolm was dressed in civilian clothes. He didn't stand out in the crowd, except for his military posture. This was his third meeting. This one was being held in an ice skating rink turned dance club in Oakland. It was early morning and the club was now filled with college students, professors, construction workers, and others. Malcolm found a seat in the back where it was sparsely populated and listened to the speeches which ranged from insurrection to a dry academic speech on the end to respect boundaries and hegemony.
It was the second hour of speeches, when he was finally approached. Two large men sat behind him and a third more refined looking man sat down beside him. Malcolm looked at the refined looking man then he stood up to leave. One of the large men grabbed Malcolm by the shoulder. It was his mistake. With expertise, he grabbed the man's wrist, gave it a hard twist, and sent him to his knees.
"Mister Reed, violence is unnecessary," said the refined looking man.
"Who are you?"
"Sit and talk with me. My name is Daniel Ekland," he said.
"You know my name."
"I know all about you, Mister Reed. Do you come here to listen or are you a believer?" he asked Malcolm.
"I fought the Xindi. I never want that to happen again," said Malcolm. "I agree with a great deal of what I've heard. I just don't know how Terra Prime intends on accomplishing it."
He learned early on to keep his cover story as true as possible, so you didn't have to lie much.
"Good, very good, Malcolm. You are right that there is a great deal of talk here and no action. I believe there is common ground for us to work together," said Ekland. "Are you willing to listen to me, to hear me out?"
"Why should I?" asked Malcolm.
"Because you don't want the Xindi to happen again," said Ekland.
"I'm willing to listen."
"Good," he smiled then he stood up. "Come with me Mister Reed, we have much to discuss."
"Where are we going?" he asked.
"Somewhere to have a drink and some food. I like to be civil when I discuss things," said Ekland.
Malcolm stood up. He then followed Ekland and his men out of the club. First contact was made.
STSTST
Trip along with T'Pol was allowed in the council chamber, but in a separate room. They were offered drink and food then left alone, while discussions took place. He noticed that after drinking some tea and eating some rice-like substance that T'Pol closed her eyes and appeared to meditate. He ate some red meat that taste like chicken along with some vegetables and Betazed's version of coffee. There was part of him that wished he was able to do something like that. Instead of meditating, he stood up and started to pace to expel some of his pent up energy.
As he paced he reviewed some of the experiments and simulations he wanted to do to the warp engine. He was sure that he could get a maximum warp of 7.5 and a period of at least twenty hours at warp 7. All he needed to do was find the right fix for a few problems.
"Don't you find pacing tedious?" asked T'Pol.
Trip stopped and looked at her. He looked at her confused if she was being rude or just a Vulcan.
"Pacing gets my mind working," he said.
"Meditation is more efficient," she said.
"For you," he quickly replied.
"Captain, I believe if I taught you proper meditation you would solve your problems quicker," she said.
"That sound like a challenge," he said.
"It is merely a statement," she said.
"A statement with an implied challenge," he countered. "Do you want to teach me how to meditate properly?"
T'Pol now was forced to think about this. Did she really want to risk being that close to him over a long period of time?
"Under proper circumstances," she said.
"And what would those circumstances?" he asked her.
"If you were able to vow that you would take my instructions seriously and give your best effort. Learning to properly meditate is not as easy as you assume," she said.
"I think I could handle those guidelines," he smiled.
"When we return to the ship then we should make some time for your lessons," she said.
"That can be arranged," Trip said.
He now found himself wondering what he had gotten himself into with T'Pol.
Suddenly, the doors to the main chamber opened and Jarot along with two men entered the chamber where they were waiting. Jarot had a friendly smile on her face.
"Captain Tucker, SubCommander T'Pol, please come with me. The council has made some decisions," she said.
They followed Jarot and the men into the main chamber.
STSTST
Malcolm sat in the booth at the Star on the Wall along with Harris and Archer. Daniel Ekland had made him an offer and he accepted it. Now it was his duty to tell Harris and Archer what they wanted from him.
Harris had ordered a basket of French fries and three beers. Archer absentmindedly ate the French Fries as he waited for Malcolm to tell his news.
"They want me to become a spy on the Enterprise. I am supposed to report mainly on the Captain. They are most interested in what alien races he contacts and how he interacts with them," said Malcolm.
"They are setting up some kind of operation," said Harris.
"That's my guess," said Malcolm then he looked at Archer. "You are the primary of this operation. Somehow they want to involve you."
"Better me than one of my crew," said Archer.
"The Enterprise will be ready to leave dock soon. Find out your protocols and methods of contact," Harris said to Malcolm. "You need to give them what they want for now."
"I agreed," said Malcolm then he shook his head. "They didn't give me a name but they did tell me that they had another spy on the Enterprise."
"Another spy," growled Archer. "Find out who it is."
"I intend to, Captain," said Archer.
"Calm down, Jonathan," said Harris. "You must act as if nothing is wrong. Malcolm has a job and you do, too. Act like you know nothing about what is happening."
"That won't be easy," said Archer.
"Neither was dealing with the Xindi, but you did it," said Harris.
"I need to meet with Ekland tomorrow night. I'll know how he wants me to contact them and what my protocols are then," said Malcolm.
"You seem to know more than me. When will the Enterprise be ready?" asked Archer.
"You're crew will be getting recall in one week. You'll be leaving dock in two," said Harris.
"In two weeks I officially become a double agent," said Malcolm.
"Gentlemen, the game is afoot," smiled Harris.
Archer looked over at Malcolm and rolled his eyes. Malcolm shrugged.
STSTST
Stadi Grax, Trip, and T'Pol walked through the private garden of the Council Chambers building. Strolling through a lane of flaming red flowers, Stadi stopped and sat down on a bench.
"The co-councilor agreeing to talk to your diplomat about a treaty is a great step for us," said Stadi.
Trip stood facing her with his hands behind his back and T'Pol stood beside him taking the same stand.
"We would like to remain a neutral, peaceful people, but the Cardassians are pushing us and we do not want to be under their yoke," she said.
"I understand, Ambassador. I think you'll find the UE and Starfleet do not coerce or force their way," said Trip.
"They read your mind and emotions, Trip, in the main chamber. They know that," she said.
"Don't you think it is a breach of privacy to read the Captain's emotions and thoughts without his permission?" asked T'Pol.
"On Betazed we are open, not closed off. When we leave Betazed we tend to be more closed with our gifts," she told T'Pol. "Your mind is difficult to read, though I think I understand you a bit."
Stadi smiled at T'Pol.
"Now you asked to walk in the garden to discuss something because you said the privacy is best here," said Trip.
"Yes," said Stadi. "There is a fear that some Betazoids are in collusion with the Cardassian. Our agreement to talk to the UE and Starfleet about a treaty has probably already been reported to Cardassia. Your ship has also probably gotten their attention. You must be careful, Trip."
"Why me?"
"Because one of the ways Cardassians get information is to kidnap and torture. You will interest them," said Stadi.
"I'll arrange for my security to have someone with me at all times," said Trip. "Where are my people?"
"Lieutenant Ironhorse is currently reviewing our security, since you allowed Jarot to tour your starship, while Ensign Sango is meeting with our top linguist," said Stadi.
"We should be getting back to the ship soon," he said.
"And I was going to invite you," she said looking at Trip then she looked at T'Pol, "both of you to dinner."
"I'd like to set my security protocols and security tonight. Maybe we can have dinner tomorrow," he said.
"I would enjoy that," Stadi smiled.
STSTST
Flynn escorted Jarot to the Bridge. Her expression could not her opinion of the Valley Forge.
"What a magnificent ship," she said.
"She is a beau," said Flynn.
"Sir," Petrov spoke up, "five ships are headed our way."
"Put them on the view screen," ordered Flynn, as he left Jarot's side and sat down in the command chair.
"Those smaller ships are Cardassian Hideki-Class fighters and that larger ship is a Keldon-Class Warship," said Jarot.
"What can you tell me about those ships?" said Flynn.
"The fighters carry a crew of fifteen, light shielding and cannons. The Keldon-Class has a crew of 300 with heavy shield and particle cannons and torpedoes," said Jarot.
"Ensign, hail them," he ordered.
"Yes, sir," said Ensign Sen, Sango's relief.
"They won't answer. Cardassian believe in deniability, They won't talk to you because then they might make the mistake of implicating the Cardassian Union of whatever they are up to," said Jarot. "Cardassians hide behind laws and disciple."
"They aren't answering our hail," said Sen.
Two shuttles left the warship exited the Keldon-Class warship.
"What is happening?" asked Flynn.
"They are sending shuttles to Betazed. I need to contact my security forces. They can scramble our fighters," she said.
"Ensign, hook her up with her security department," Flynn ordered Sen, as he escorted her to the Comm Station.
STSTST
An alarming could be heard. Stadi stood up.
"The Cardassians are coming," she said.
Trip and T'Pol looked up into the sky and saw two shuttles headed their way. Trip's gut told him that these shuttles wanted him, so he reached for his communicator. He flipped it open and tried to contact the Valley Forge, but his signal was being jammed.
Both shuttles landed. Trip noticed that Betazoid security was running their way. He looked at Stadi and T'Pol.
"Run, Ambassador," he ordered.
She started running. T'Pol held her ground next to Trip. Six greyish white skinned men with indent in the forehead and ridges around the side of their face running down their neck exited the shuttles with weapons. They headed for Trip and T'Pol while some of them fired at the security.
"T'Pol get out of here," Trip said to her.
"No," was her simple answer.
The Cardassians got them. T'Pol immediately took two of them out before she was stunned with a baton. Trip hit one Cardassian on the jaw then took the butt of a rifle to his head. They were both dragged off to the shuttle.
STSTST
The shuttles returned to the warship. The four fighters acted as a line of demarcation for the Valley Forge. Flynn knew his orders were not precipitate a war, so he was holding his gunpowder dry for now.
"They shuttles have Captain Tucker and SubCommander T'Pol," said Jarot as she got off the comm. "What are you going to do?
"Get them back," growled Flynn. "Petrov, fire a couple of cannon fire across their hulls and bring up the shields."
"Aye, aye, sir," said Petrov.
"Wentworth, follow that warship," said Flynn.
"Yes, sir," said Wentworth.
The warship took off but not for Cardassian space, while the fighters opened up fire on the Valley Forge then followed the warship.
"How fast do their ships go?" asked Flynn of Jarot.
"Warp 4.5."
He smiled, "That's all."
She looked at the older man and found him highly attractive then cursed the Betazoid libido. Now was not the time.
"The warship is now at warp 4 and headed for a nebula," said Holt.
"Intercept speed…" Flynn started to say.
"Intercept speed will get us to the nebula at the same time. We will have fix ships entering the nebula blindly and dripping out of warp at the same time. An accident will most certainly occur," said Holt.
"Follow them to the edge of the nebula," Wentworth. "Petrov, disable as many of the fighters as you can."
The Valley Forge opened up on the fighters. Within two volleys they were floating with their engines disabled, while the warship entered the nebula. The Valley Forge stopped at the edge of the nebula.
"I'm sorry for this, Commander," said Jarot.
"Nothing to be sorry about," said Flynn.
"Now what are you going to do?" asked Jarot.
"You'll see," he said then he turned his head to Sen. "Get me the Marines."