Chapter Fifteen
Lieutenant Commander Reed had showered and dressed in his quarters and now he was ready for breakfast and duty. Before going to the Captain's Mess he checked the messages on his computer. There was one from Ekland. It was probably further orders. He sat down then he opened it.
Project Archer begins. The information you provided assisted us greatly. Well done, Malcolm.
Malcolm stomach churned. He pressed the comm to Archer's Ready Room knowing that the captain liked to check his messages and comms before breakfast. Whatever was planned was about to start. He needed to warn the Captain.
"Archer."
"Captain, Ekland contacted me. It said Project Archer begins."
"We need to contact Harris."
"Yes, sir."
Malcolm sat down at his computer. He sent a message to Stars on the Wall Bar in Oakland, which was a front for Section 31. Wherever Harris was located the message would be automatically forwarded.
Ekland says Project Archer has begun. What should we do?
MR DZED7
Malcolm sat back and waited for a reply knowing that Harris would respond as soon as he got the message. He was now willing to do whatever was needed to be done. He owed his captain that much. He'd eliminate Ekland or Paxton for Captain Archer considering he'd done worse in the past for Harris as one of his operatives.
Orpheus Mining Colony on Mars. John Frederick Paxton. He is follower of Colonel Philip Green and primary money behind Terra Prime. I have three men infiltrated on Mars. Man is insane with idea of earth purity. He is behind the plan against Archer. I am working on a way to neutralize him.
"Damn it!" hissed Malcolm after reading the message.
"Captain and XO to the Bridge," Hoshi's voice broke over the comm. "We are picking up an illegal broadcast from Mars."
Malcolm stood up and he hustled off to the Bridge.
Jonathan Archer came onto the Bridge and stared at the view screen. A moment later, Malcolm made it to the Bridge. The man on the view screen was John Frederick Paxton. He was dressed in business attire and looking solemnly at whatever camera was filming him.
"Hello Earth, I am John Paxton and I speak for Terra Prime. It is Terra Prime's mission to bring purity to Earth. No more alien alliances or interference, no more attacks killing millions, or advisors holding us back. Once and for all, we are going to show that Humanity is not meant to mix with other races, but to depend solely on ourselves," said Paxton.
He nodded and a nurse brought a baby over to him. Paxton held the child in his arms. There was an expression of disdain on his face. Removing the blanket he showed the people of Earth that it was a Vulcan baby, even though it appeared to have some characteristics that weren't Vulcan, such as her eyes.
"I am sending the DNA sample of this baby to Starfleet Headquarters. Review it and see who the DNA belongs to. Once you have that information, I offer my price for the baby – Captain Charles Anthony Tucker III and his mate Commander T'Pol. I will exchange them for the baby, but first review the DNA. It is proof that aliens and Humans don't mix. As for sending Marines to the Orpheus Mining Colony has taken control of the verteron array and it is no longer protecting Earth from stray meteors. It is pointed at Starfleet Headquarters. It could just as easily be adjusted to take out Paris and the EU heart of government. Think before you act. This can be done without death and violence."
Paxton disappeared. Archer stood up. He looked over at Malcolm, who looked down at the deck.
"Hoshi, get me Starfleet Command," ordered Archer.
STSTST
T'Pol and Trip travelled with a Marine fire team and Staff Sergeant Hailey Lopez as their protection from the Valley Forge. The shuttle landed and the seven of them exited and made their way to Starfleet Command. They were due in the subbasement Situation Room.
Trip was quiet, but T'Pol knew from what he allowed to seep through their bond that he was angry and worried. She was sure that the anger was directed at Paxton and Terra Prime, but the worry she wasn't sure of the reason, although she assumed it was their situation. With the Marines leading the way, they got to a turbolift and headed down to the subbasement section D.
When they entered the Situation Room, Trip was surprised to see Archer, T'Les, and Soval along with Wentworth, Duval, Admiral Gardner Chief of Intelligence, and Four Star General Ryo Nogura, the Commandant of the Marines. Besides the brass, Phlox and another Doctor were there.
"Trip," Archer said. His voice sounded tight and strained.
Trip nodded. T'Pol stared at her mother, who appeared to be barely in control of her emotions. She hadn't seen her mother like this since the day her father died. In one day, their bonded was severed and her mate was gone. T'Pol didn't even want to image that sort of day.
"Captain Tucker, Commander T'Pol, I'm glad you're here," said Wentworth. "For your benefit, Dr. Yu will go over what he has learned from the DNA sample of the child. Dr. Yu."
Yu walked over to the smart table and brought up a holographic image of a DNA strand. T'Pol had some knowledge of DNA and could see this was a hybrid strain.
"From what we know the child is a clone. DNA material from two unsuspecting donors were brought together to make this hybrid of a Vulcan and Human baby girl. Now, the interesting part of this clone is that they made it to die because of corrupt immune system. In two or three weeks the child should become ill and unable to fight off an infection," explained Yu.
"Goddamn them, what sort of bastard is this Paxton and his followers?" growled Trip.
Wentworth looked at Trip and stared him into being quiet for now.
"I have consulted with two experts Vulcan doctors along with Dr. Phlox and Dr. Jansen, who is an immunologist, and we believe the child can be saved, but we need to retrieve her from Paxton soon and have her parents, or the donors, offer us more genetic material," he said.
"Do we know who the donors of the DNA were?" asked Trip.
"Yes," said Wentworth then he looked over at Archer.
"Trip, it's me and T'Les. It appears that some of our genetic material was stolen from the Enterprise while I was recuperating from carrying Syrann's and Surak's katras and T'Les was being treated for minor injuries and traveling with us," explained Archer. "It is our child."
Trip could see that his friend was seething with anger, but that he also was in pain. T'Pol now understood her mother's dilemma. She was in need of deep meditation to deal with this news.
"Jon, T'Les, I'm sorry. What can T'Pol and I do?" Trip asked.
"The verteron array stops us from making an attack on Paxton, which only leaves us with the exchange of you and T'Pol for the baby in order to save her life," said Wentworth. "I would never order you to do such a thing."
"We can't make you do this. It's probably suicide. This Paxton is a damned mad man. He's as bad as Colonel Green, a man he admires," said Duval.
"May I have a moment to talk to T'Pol?" said Trip.
"Of course, Captain," said Wentworth.
T'Pol and Trip walked into a corner of the room. They touched their fingers together in a finger embrace. It opened their bond up, which both of them had been putting barriers up on.
"What do you want to do, darlin'?" he asked.
"Regardless of the fact she is a clone the child is a Vulcan and my sister. I must do all that I can to save her life, adun," said T'Pol. "But I cannot ask you to give your life up."
"You aren't asking, darlin', I'm offering," he said then offered her a sad smile. "I'd never let a baby die for me."
T'Pol was once again struck that she accidental bonded with a mate, who irritated sometimes, infuriated other times, but fulfilled like no Vulcan could.
Trip and T'Pol rejoined the group around the smart table. He looked at Fleet Admiral Wentworth.
"Sir, make arrangements for an exchange," said Trip.
"Trip," barked Archer, "I can't let you."
Trip looked at Archer then at T'Les.
"I have to Jon. The child is family. She's T'Les' daughter just like T'Pol and I'm part of their Clan now," he said.
"You honor me, Captain Tucker," said T'Les.
"You honor Vulcan," added Soval.
"I'll have the President comm Paxton. We'll make the arrangements," said Wentworth.
"I guess until then we can get started on a cure for the child," said Phlox. "T'Les and Captain Archer, you'll need to come with Dr. Yu and me."
"I'll do whatever you want, Phlox," said Archer.
"As will I," added T'Les.
STSTST
Wentworth, Duval, and Seko stood by the shuttle that would be docking with a Paxton shuttle in order to exchange Trip and T'Pol for the baby. Standing not too far away stood Archer with Dr. Phlox and Dr. Yu along with T'Les and Ambassador V'Lar, who arrived to help with the crisis.
"I should assign a new captain to the Valley Forge," said Duval.
"Captain Tucker is the commander of the Valley Forge, Admiral Duval," said Wentworth. "Commander Flynn will be in charge of that ship until Tucker is either freed from Paxton or dead."
"I don't think that is a wise idea," said Duval. "Anyway, we seem to make a lot of exceptions for Tucker.
"The man is a hero. He may not be a hero on the level of Jonathan Archer, but he is also a Medal of Honor winner for his actions in saving the Columbia and its crew. Such men deserve to have exceptions made for them."
"Yes, sir," said Duval.
"When Jupiter was highly damaged, the fleet lost six ships, including the NX Captain Hernandez was to take command of. I want her assigned temporarily to a Daedalus-Class as its commander until an NX is ready for her," said Wentworth. "You also need to work with Admiral Jefferies and Admiral Stein to set up a new secure shipyard and I want that down ASAP."
"Yes, sir," said Duval.
"I expected a great deal more from you, Duval. I was told you were an out of the box thinker, but so far your thinking has been stuck in a box," said Wentworth.
"I'm sorry, Admiral," said Duval. "I'll do better."
Duval had been forcing himself to be by book because he thought it was expected of him, and now Wentworth tells him that he wanted the maverick who kept getting into trouble. He shook smiled and shook his head. It was time to be more of himself.
"Nogura working on a plan to get Tucker back?" he asked.
"Yes, thought Tucker and T'Pol won't be told what it is. Chances are they are going to be tortured by Paxton," said Wentworth.
"In that case, I ask permission to join him. I have a few ideas he might like," said Duval.
"You'll find him in the Simulation Room," said Wentworth. "Dismissed."
Duval and Seko left Admiral Wentworth to wait for Trip and T'Pol. The hovercar arrived and Trip and T'Pol, dressed in their BDUs, got out and were greeted by Archer and T'Les.
"Trip," Archer said and offered him his right hand, "somehow we'll get you out of there."
"What are you going name your daughter, Jon?" asked Trip with a grin.
Archer looked at T'Les, who nodded in the affirmative, then said, "T'Mir."
T'Pol looked at her mother and said, "You are naming her for our foremother."
"I know how much T'Mir and her stories meant to you," said T'Les.
"I find this agreeable," said T'Pol.
"Okay, we need to go," smiled Trip.
T'Les looked at Trip and T'Pol and offered them the ta'al and said, "Live long and prosper."
"I hope so," smiled Trip.
He and T'Pol strolled over to the shuttle where Wentworth waited for them. He shook Trip's hand.
"Don't give up hope. We'll get you back," said Wentworth.
"Yes, sir," said Trip.
In a un-Vulcan-like gesture, T'Pol took Trip's left hand in her right hand then the two of them entered the shuttle.
STSTST
The two shuttles docked with each other between the Earth and the moon. When the hatch door was open, a Marine waited with weapon ready. One of Paxton's men came through along with the nurse, who carried T'Mir.
"I wish to stay with the baby. I mean her no harm," she said the nurse.
"Stay. But the Marines won't let you hold her," said Trip. "You can't be trusted."
"I understand," she said.
Paxton's man held a particle rifle on Trip and T'Pol.
"Come with me," he ordered them.
"Come on, darlin'," said Trip.
They followed him into the other shuttle where they were immediately bound. The connection between the two shuttles was broken and the Starfleet shuttle headed back to Earth, while Paxton's headed to the mining colony on the moon.
STSTST
The first thing they did to Trip and T'Pol was change them in the jumpsuits that the miners wore then they escorted them to a prison cell. At first it appeared that the guards were going to rape T'Pol, as they roughly handled her and took liberties with her body, but a rampaging Trip finally got their attention. They began to beat him with the butts of their rifles, while calling him a traitor and pervert. By the time they unhandcuffed them and left them alone in the cell, he had a bloody face with at least one broken rib and countless other bruises.
Once they were alone T'Pol rushed to Trip's side. She started to check him over. She ripped off part of her sleeve in order to clean up his blood face then she ripped up the sheet from one of the beds and used it to bind his ribs.
"See I'm as good as new," he said as she helped him up off the ground and to one of the beds.
"Don't put up your barriers. I need to know what you are feeling," he said to her.
"I will only our bond to flow," she said.
"Angry, sad, scared, annoyed, I need to know what you are feeling," he said. "I also want you to feel how much I love you. We are not going to hide."
"I understand, K'diwa," she said.
After melding with him in order to share his pain and help him deal with it, she sat on his bed holding him. Trip felt a need to sleep which T'Pol encouraged through their bond. Finally, he fell asleep leaving her to think about their fate. She was sure that Paxton wished them harm. But she was perplexed how. She was only sure that however they were to die it would someone benefit his cause.
Once Trip had reached a deep sleep, she closed her eyes and willed herself in a state of meditation. It was going to be a trying period of time for them and she wanted to be in control when the worse came.
STSTST
Archer and T'Les sat in a private waiting room along with V'Lar and Captain Hernandez. The Enterprise was on alert with Malcolm taking the conn until Archer was ready to return to his ship.
"Jon, when was the last time you ate?" Erica asked him.
"I don't know, Erica," he snapped. "We've got Trip and his mate in the hands of Paxton and my daughter fighting for her life. Food doesn't appeal to me."
"I'm getting you coffee and sandwich and you'll eat," said Erica.
She stood up and looked over at T'Les.
"I'm going to the cafeteria. Can I get you something?" she asked her.
"Green tea would be appreciated," said T'Les.
"I'll get you some," said Erica.
"Thank you," said T'Les.
Erica left. Jon sat forward on the sofa and buried his face in his hands. V'Las spoke to T'Les in Vulcan.
"He is emotional, even for a Human," V'Lar said.
"He is under pressure."
"Does he realize that there is a parental bond between Vulcan parents and their children?" V'Lar asked.
"No, he doesn't know. I do feel her, V'Lar. She may have been cloned, but I feel her mind. It is active, curious, emotional," T'Les said.
"I wonder if he will feel the bond," said V'Lar.
"I believe when he is in close contact and T'Mir is able to touch him that he will start to feel the bond," said T'Les.
Phlox entered the waiting room. He looked at T'Les then Archer and offered a sympathetic smile.
"Phlox, you have news on T'Mir?" asked Archer.
"We have started the gene therapy. Dr. Turon will be staying with her. The seventy-hours will tell us what needs to be done next," said Phlox.
"When may we see her?" asked T'Les.
"The less contact the better for now. Let us see how she responds to the therapy," said Phlox.
"Thanks, Phlox," said Archer.
"I need no thanks, Captain."
STSTST
Trip woke up in T'Pol's arms. Even though he felt as if he went eighteen rounds with his Starfleet Academy hand to hand trainer, waking up in T'Pol's arms made him feel better.
"You should rest, adun," said T'Pol.
There was noise outside of the cell. The door opened and in walked a guard with a tray full of food and two cups. The door shut behind him. Trip moved off of T'Pol and the guard handed her the tray of the food.
"Don't react. I am an uncover agent," he said. "The guard at the door is, also. We are trying to find a way to get you out of here."
Trip looked at the guard through a swollen right eye that was half closed and asked, "You Starfleet?"
"Don't worry about what I am," he smiled. "There are some painkillers for the Captain under the roll. Starting tomorrow Paxton will be dealing with you. He won't be violent to you, Commander. He wants you healthy and without bruises when you are executed, but, Captain, you are going to be treated like a traitor. Hold out and remember we are working on getting you out of here."
The guard left. T'Pol immediately moved the roll on the tray and handed Trip the pills. She then gave him a cup of water to wash down the pills.
"Let's hope he had more pain killer for me tomorrow. He sounds like I'm going to need them," said Trip, as he took the pills.
T'Pol looked at her mate. He promised her that he was not as fragile as she thought he was, and now she found herself wanting to believe. Her adun was a case where his will was greater than his biology. She would supply him with all the strength she could to make sure he survived.