Chapter Eleven
"Captain Ramirez on the Atlantis is hailing us, Commander," said Hoshi.
The Bridge of the Enterprise was busy with activity, as the ship was on Yellow Alert because Vulcan was nearing a state of revolution due to the Syrannites and Administrator V'Las head of the Vulcan High Command, who appeared to have a hatred for the Syrannites.
"Put him on the view screen," said Erica.
"Yes, sir," said Hoshi.
On the view screen appeared the Bridge of the Atlantis. Ramirez stopped talking to his XO and turned to face the view screen.
"Commander Hernandez, where is Captain Archer?" he asked.
"Captain Archer is down on Vulcan along with Marine Captain Hauser and a fire team trying to stop a revolution," said Erica. "Lieutenant Commander Reed has taken a security team and a Marine fire team down to the Earth compound to deal with the bombing."
"Well, Starfleet needs your assistance to deal with stopping the Vulcans and the Andorians from starting a war," said Ramirez.
"What are your orders, Captain?" asked Erica.
"You have to make best speed to the Andorian border and rendezvous with the Columbia there. The Atlantis will stay here to offer assistance and more to Earth Compound," said Ramirez. "What's your max speed?"
"Emergency warp of 6.5 for three hours," said Erica.
"Looks like you'll get there before the Columbia," said Ramirez. "Try to keep your wick dry until Captain Robinson gets there. Since Archer isn't on board, AG will be in charge of this mission."
"Yes, sir," said Erica.
The view screen returned to a view of Vulcan. Commander Hernandez turned her seat to face Hoshi at the Comm Station.
"Hoshi, tell Malcolm to hold down the fort at the compound because we have orders to go to the Andorian border. Also, tell him to keep an eye out for Captain Archer and that Atlantis is in orbit if he needs help," said Erica.
"Yes, sir," said Hoshi.
She straightened the command chair out so it was now facing the view screen.
"Travis, plot a course to the Andorian border then take us there at emergency warp," she said.
"Yes, ma'am," said Travis, as his hands dances over the helms console.
"Lieutenant Baker," she said talking to Malcolm relief tactical officer.
"Yes, ma'am," he said.
"When we come out of warp I want shields up and weapons hot and bring this ship to Battle Stations," she said.
"Yes, ma'am," he smiled.
STSTST
A cart of food was left outside of Captain's quarters. Dr. Day arranged for the food to be delivered. After taking a shower, Trip dried himself and put on sweat pants and a tee shirt. His body was sore and bruised from the sex, but he was also exhilarated by it. Sex with a Vulcan was indescribable. Yes, she was stronger and could dominate if she wanted to, but she didn't. Because of a combination of a mind meld and the bond, they were one. He never felt anything like it before in his life. It was too early to say that he was in love with T'Pol, but he definitely felt something strong for her.
He exited his bathroom to see a placid looking T'Pol wearing her silk pajamas deep in meditation on his floor, so he walked over to the door, opened it, and wheeled in the food. Placing the cart next to the table in his room, he sat down and took the covers off the food. He placed scrambled eggs, bacon, and a short stack of pancakes, which he covered in syrup, on his plate, then put it down. Next, he poured himself coffee, which he put cream and five sugars in, and then he took a sip of it. He needed the food for fuel for his body and caffeine to sharpen his sense. Trip began to eat.
"Is there food I would like to eat?" asked T'Pol.
"Yup, there is oatmeal, a bowl of mixed fruit, soy scrambled eggs, or a salad," he said. "Oh, there is mint tea, also."
Through their bond he could feel that she was pleased there was food she could eat. She was hungry. Gracefully, she stood up, put on a silk robe, and joined him at the table sitting across from him.
"Adun, please, pour me a cup of tea," T'Pol said.
Trip put a tea bag in a mug then poured hot water into the mug. He handed it to her.
"Anything else I can get you?" he asked.
It pleased her that he asked. She felt the steady parade of his emotions through the bond and had no intention of raising her mental barriers to cut them off. Instead of being attacked by them, she was assured by them. Again, he felt that strange feeling of balance between them that the bond seemed to give them.
"Yes, Charles, please, give me the bowl of mixed fruit. I believe that will be satisfactory," she said.
"Sure, T'Pol," he replied, as he handed her a bowl of fruit.
When she took it from him, their hands brushed each other sending a flush of desire through both of them. T'Pol raised her left eyebrow.
"It appears that the bond is much stronger than I anticipated and that my biology is already changing to suit my mate," she said.
"What do you mean?" he asked.
"When you feel desire and you are aroused then so am I. We are synching up," she said.
"What else should I know?" he asked.
"If our bond is a true marriage bond, a permanent bond, which I believe it is, then we must spend the next year together. We cannot be parted," she said.
Trip closed his eyes for a moment, as he thought about what that was going to mean when the admiralty finds out. He probably would either be court martialed or reassigned. As for T'Pol, he wasn't sure how they would handle her. He'd worry about that when he had to face it because the one thing he didn't feel was regret.
"Okay, that's good to know," he said. "How can we verify if the bond to see if it is permanent?"
"We need a Vulcan priest or priestess," she answered, as she sampled a piece of melon.
Trip watched as her face showed a hint of liking the taste then a tremor of pleasure reverberated through their bond. He now found himself wondering if he could read emotions in her face because of the bond, or because he was now open to see it.
"When you will you know if you are pregnant?" he asked thinking that a baby would be a bad thing.
"I am not pregnant. I believe we will need medical intervention because of the differences in our species for me to become pregnant. It is something we should discuss later," she said.
"Right. I now have you on this ship as a liaison based on Vulcan star charts," he said.
"I am also a V'Shar agent, although my resignation will now only be a formality. I cannot be V'Shar with a Human husband, who I must stay close by him for the next year," she said.
"Well, let's see if I can find you more to do on this ship as a way of convincing the admiralty not to transfer me to Jupiter station as a line engineer," he sighed.
"I am a trained science officer," she said.
"How trained?"
"I have ten years, eight days, and sixteen hours of experience serving on starships."
Trip chuckled at this. He had forgotten that Vulcans had a longer lifespan than Humans.
"I'll talk to Holt about letting you do work in cartography," he said. "You might as well help us build up our star charts."
Trip ate some of his pancakes. He looked up at T'Pol, who was now had a grape speared on a fork and was studying it as if it was a science project. Trip found himself staring at her then his eye fell on her full lips and he found himself getting aroused. She looked into his eyes then raised her right eyebrow. He could see some fire in her eyes. She ate the grape.
"Darlin', your Pon Farr may be over, but I think I still got something left in the tank," he said.
"I am amenable to coitus, if that is what you are talking about," she said simply.
Trip laughed and knew at that moment that his life had become incredibly complicated.
"Yes, darlin', that is exactly what I am talking about."
STSTST
Malcolm had organized search and rescue parties on the Earth compound after a bomb explosion. The bomb went off in the recreational section of the large compound. A dozen were killed and now there were at least ten needing to be dug out of the rubble.
"Lieutenant Fern, I'm putting you in charge of putting together two teams to start digging those men out of the rubble. Time is of the essence if we want them to remain alive. Get into gear and get to work," he ordered.
"Yes, sir," said Fern, who then started to pick Starfleet and Marines to start digging.
"Gunny," Malcolm called over a Gunnery Sergeant.
The Gunny ran over to him. She was tough looking Marine who was part of the detachment protecting the compound.
"Gunnery Sergeant Barbara Snell, sir," she said.
"Put together five fire teams and let's set up some security for this compound," he said.
"Sound good, sir," she said then she started barking orders putting together the fire teams.
Malcolm knew that she'd know how to deploy them and what else to do. He had to admit to a certain admiration for Marines. Looking around the compound, Malcolm's gut told him that Terra Prim had a hand in this, but he wasn't sure how. He needed proof, though. A Starfleet Petty officer 1st class came running up to him. He was already sweating under the strong Vulcan suns and it wasn't even midday.
"Lieutenant Commander Reed," he said.
"That's me," said Malcolm.
"Do you want some pure water?" he asked.
This was the way Terra Prime agents identified themselves to each other. Malcolm smiled and answered, "Always."
Now the Petty Officer smiled and said, "Glad to have you hear. Dom Gonslaves."
He wiped his forehead because the sweat was getting into his eyes and stinging them, "I hate this planet. It is too damned hot."
"Malcolm Reed. Are we responsible for this?" Malcolm asked.
"We had some help from the Vulcan High Command. It appears that some Vulcans want purity for their planet, also. The main one is V'Las. He and Paxton have communicated with each other," said Gonslaves.
Malcolm kept a calm face, but his mind was now racing. Administrator V'Las and Paxton. He needed more information on this Paxton, but he'd pass this information on to Harris. He'll jump for joy to have names.
"I've been told to tell you to note Archer's role. He is important to Paxton's plan," said Gonslaves.
Malcolm smiled, "I'll make sure he knows everything Archer did and does."
"Purity," whispered Gonslaves, who then ran off leaving Malcolm to sweat under the Vulcan sun.
STSTST
Archer rested with his back up against one of the still standing walls of the T'Karath Sanctuary. He was exhausted and he had good reason to be. The Forge was a difficult place for Vulcans to survive let alone a Human. The red dirt of the Forge caked his desert uniform. He was hot and sweaty and trying to deal with the voices of Syrann and Surak in his head. T'Les brought him over a canteen of water. She handed it to him.
"Drink, Captain," she said. "You need to hydrate."
He drank down several gulps of water then he handed it back to her.
"How am I going to get the katras of Syrann and Surak out of my head?" he asked her.
"The Kolinahr Masters on Mount Seleya have ways," she told him.
Archer paused to listen to the voices in his head.
"Surak wants T'Pau to follow my lead until we have the Kir'Shara then she must lead us out of the Forge and bring the Kir'Shara to the rest of Vulcan," he said.
"I shall tell her what you have told me," said T'Les.
"Syrann wants you to stay by my side and aid me," he said.
"I shall stay by your side, Captain," T'Les said.
"Thank you, T'Les," said Archer. "Once you've spoken to T'Pau, maybe you can help me find the opening to the underground part of the sanctuary so we can find the Kir'Shara. The quicker I get Surak and Syrann out of my head the better."
"You honor us by carrying their katra, so I shall do anything I can to help you," she said.
STSTST
The Enterprise slowed as it neared the nebula at the border of Andorian space. It was a tactic of the Imperial Guard to hide in the nebula in order to surprise enemy ships. The Columbia dropped out of warp and came up beside the Enterprise.
Hernandez sat forward in the command chair. She waited for AG to hail her. Suddenly, she missed Jon. She had no fear of being in charge of a ship, but he had a special gift for it.
"Captain Robinson is hailing us," said Hoshi.
"Put on the screen," said Erica.
AG appeared. He looked concerned. Hernandez noticed that Ambassador Soval was standing by his side.
"Erica, you hail the nebula yet?" he asked.
"Been holding off until you arrived, AG. This is your show," she said.
AG smiled then he said, "So you want me to put my foot in my mouth, huh?"
"You are the captain, AG," she said.
"Good point, Commander," he smiled.
"You take the lead, Captain, and we will follow," said Erica.
"The last I checked the Vulcans were putting together a fleet to move on to Andoria," he said. "We need to talk to the damned Andorians."
"Captain Archer has a relationship with Commander Shran. If you can win his trust, he's the one you want to deal with. I recommend you hail the Kumari, which is his ship," said Erica.
"You sure this Shran and his ship will be in the Nebula."
"So far, he's been there when there is trouble. I think he is one of their top captains," she said.
"Alright, Erica, I'll hail the Kumari and hope this Shran is in the Nebula. Wish me luck," said AG.
"Good luck, AG," she smiled.
The view screen returned to a view of the nebula. She knew AG and his crew were hailing the Kumari. She hoped that Shran responded.
"Travis, stay sharp in case we have to move," she said.
"Yes, ma'am," said Travis.
"Tactical, get ready to bring up shields and heat weapons. If there is trouble I intend to show the Andorians and the Vulcans that Starfleet is to be taken seriously," she said.
"Aye, aye, ma'am," said Baker.
Hernandez thought to herself that when she was captain she'd have her crew call her sir rather than ma'am. Sir just seemed easier than ma'am. She watched the screen. Slowly, a ship emerged from the nebula. Hernandez found herself standing up and hoping the ship was the Kumari.
"Travis, magnify the image by factor ten," she said.
"Yes, ma'am," he said.
The view screen became clearer and the ship a little larger. It was the Kumari. Hernandez sat back down in the command chair. She hoped AG got along with Shran as well as Archer.
STSTST
He knew where the Kir'Shara was. In his mind's he could see where it was buried waiting to be rediscovered. Surak placed it there. It was as if he knew that someday Vulcan would need to be placed on the right path again. Living a life based on logic was difficult and needed to be renewed now and again.
"Captain, you look exhausted. Please rest," said T'Les.
"Not yet. We are close to the Kir'Shara," he said.
T'Pau, who was standing a few feet behind him, became stiff with anticipation. Her whole life she had been trained by Syrann to deal with the Kir'Shara. She would help lead her people.
"Please, Captain, just a five minute rest," said T'Les.
"Surak is telling me to rest," said Archer. "I'll rest."
T'Pau looked at the Human. He was so fragile, yet in some ways his spirit was more indomitable than a Vulcan. These Humans refused to give in or lose, even if faced with overwhelming odds that logic dictated you should succumb to. Syrann and Surak chose a Human for a reason.
T'Pau didn't respect Human or think them worthy, yet he was chosen to carry the katras of Surak and her mentor Syrann. Were they telling her that Vulcan needed Earth and Humans? It was a bitter piece of logic if that was the lesion being taught. When this was over, she would spend some time with T'Les discussing what they lesson was that was to be learned here.
T'Les felt Archer's forehead. He had a fever. His body was being overtaxed by carrying two katras and finding the Kir'Shara, yet she knew he would not stop. Humans were remarkable in some ways. She had never left Vulcan unlike her daughter T'Pol, who had travelled extensively. T'Pol took after her foremother in that respect. Once this was over, T'Les thought she might want to travel finally. She would like to visit Earth and study Humans.
"I need to get back to work," he said. "We are almost there."
"Tell me what you need done, Captain," said T'Les.
"Jonathan," he said. "My name is Jonathan."
"Yes, Jonathan," she said.
"There is a pile of rocks in the next chamber. Buried under the pile is the Kir'Shara in a vessel," he said.
"We are almost there," said T'Pau. "I shall help find the Kir'Shara."
"T'Pau of Vulcan," Archer spoke with great authority. "We have enemies afoot and you must lead must take some and protect Archer and the Kir'Shara. Do you understand?"
"Who speaks?"
"Surak. Do you understand?" he asked again.
"I understand."