Enterprise – The Maiden Voyage
by Soledad
For disclaimer, rating, etc. see the Introduction
Beta read by the wonderful and generous LoyaulteMeLie, whom I owe my gratitude. All remaining mistakes are exclusively mine.
Chapter 12 – Decisions
The Enterprise Away Team spent the night in the government building, enjoying the impersonal but flawless Viseeth hospitality. In the morning even Jack was fully recovered again, and after a copious – albeit strictly vegetarian – breakfast, he was ready to face the new day.
Sure enough, right after they had eaten, they were summoned to the council chamber again. To their surprise, aside from the Viseeth Elders, there was also a venerable-looking, silver-haired Vulcan present, wearing the long, ornate robes of the Diplomatic Corps, as well as a breathing mask and a weighted belt.
"This is Minister Solkar, currently overseeing the Science Directorate." T'Pol, who obviously knew the man, introduced him. "He was sent with information regarding the Iconian Empire, and to help analyse the situation."
"Peace and long life, Captain Archer." Solkar offered the traditional ta'al greeting, which Jack returned… with some difficulty.
"Live long and prosper," he muttered darkly.
The last thing he needed was another damned Vulcan to stick his nose into his affairs. But since they were all guests of the Viseeth Synodium, and since the Viseeth and the Vulcans had probably become allies before mankind had learned to use fire, there was little he could have done about it.
The elegantly raised Vulcan eyebrow revealed that he hadn't done a very good job of hiding his displeasure.
"I assure you, Captain, that my presence here has nothing to do with your performance which, by the way, has been impressive so far," Solkar said. "I was summoned by the Viseeth Elders because we Vulcans have more… recent experience with non-biological technology and actual warfare. My task here is to help analyse Gerasen Gerasal's memory engrams from a technical and tactical point of view; nothing else."
"If you say so," Charlie Tucker muttered under his breath; but, of course, not quietly enough for the acute Vulcan hearing.
"Indeed I do," Solkar replied evenly. "I ask you, Commander, to curb your hostility over previous slights from the side of my people, may they be real or imagined. At the moment we have more pressing issues to deal with."
"Have you extracted the memory engrams then?" Jack asked hurriedly, before Trip could put his foot into his mouth again.
"We have," Gerasen Gerasal, more accustomed to actual speech than the other Viseeth, answered grimly. "And the results are as inconclusive as they are unsettling."
"Which means… what exactly?" the captain inquired, sick and tired of how everyone was beating around the bush.
"It means that there is indeed a full-scale invasion planned, but we still cannot tell who is orchestrating it," Minister Solkar replied. "The size of the enemy fleet is considerable, it seems, and the technology one we have never encountered before."
"We as you Vulcans, or does this include the Viseeth as well?" Reed tried to clarify.
"Both of us," Gerasen Gerasal answered simply.
"What about the Shroomies?" Tucker asked. "Are they really the same people you used to know back in the Stone Age?"
"Again, we cannot tell," the Viseeth admitted unhappily. "They do bear a striking resemblance to the Elachi we have believed to be extinct. But the Historic Databases have several fungal-based species on file, and they all look very similar. We would need a DNA sample to be certain."
"You have DNA samples on file from species that have died out a hundred thousand years ago?" Hoshi couldn't quite hide her surprise.
Gerasen Gerasal tilted her head to the side – the Viseeth equivalent of a shrug. "Do you not have DNA samples from various subspecies of dinosaurs on file? And they died out a significantly longer time ago, if I am not mistaken."
"Yes, but the dinosaurs were a species that originated on our own planet," Hoshi pointed out. "They are part of our history."
"Just as the Elachi are part of ours," Gerasen Gerasal countered. "They have been our neighbours for a very long time. In fact, the Elachi homeworld – Gamma Vertis IV as your star charts know it – is only two galactic sectors away."
Minister Solkar gave her a speculative look. "You never told us that Gamma Vertis IV was thought to be the Elachi world of origins. I wonder why."
"It was of no significance," Gerasen Gerasal responded with a certain amount of annoyance; clearly, humans weren't the only ones pissed off by Vulcans occasionally. "The planet is dead; it has been dead for hundreds of millennia. And so have the Elachi."
"Are you sure that they are?" Reed asked thoughtfully. "What if the Shroomies have been hiding in subspace for the last hundred thousand years and have now decided to come back and give everyone who'd driven them out in the past a bloody nose? That would explain the technology none of you have ever seen before."
"No-one can survive in subspace for that long," the Viseeth argued. "The ones who experimented on me tried to change my biochemistry drastically, so that I would survive long enough for questioning."
"True; but we have no solid data to build a working theory what fungal-based lifeforms can survive and adapt to," a new voice said, and the humans turned around in surprise.
None of them had noticed the tall, dark-skinned woman of regal posture who had apparently been sitting in a shadowy corner all the time. She rose now and came over to them, offering her hand to Jack in human fashion.
"Greetings, Captain Archer. I am Fre'ema Agyeman-Mardah Yannes from Alpha Centauri III; Doctor of Xenobiology. I was partaking in the Medical Exchange Program on Vulcan when I was called in as an expert by Minister Solkar."
Which made sense, actually. Alpha Centauri was one of those rare systems that not only boasted three habitable planets, but each of those planets had brought forth its own sentient species independently. Additionally, some ancient race known only as the Preservers had relocated a surprisingly large number of highly educated slaves from Ancient Greece – mostly from Alexandria – during a period of several hundred years to Alpha Centauri VII, where those had merged with the indigenous Rijil people, thus creating the first hybrid subspecies in the known galaxy. Therefore xenobiology had always been a scientific discipline the various peoples of the Alpha Centauri Concordium of Planets were exceptionally good at.
They were all quite human-looking, too. The pretty doctor with the ungodly long name could have blended in anywhere on Earth – until someone caught a glimpse of her eyes. Which were red. Blood red irises encircled by dark grey rings, with long, raven lashes and thin, arched eyebrows as if painted on with a hair-thin brush. She wore her thick, jet-black hair in a short ponytail on the top of her head.
"Pleased to meet, you, Doctor…" Jack trailed off uncertainly.
"Doctor Yannes," she supplied. "That's the name I use when dealing with other species. The meaning of my full name wouldn't tell outsiders anything, so why bother them with it, right?"
"Oh; I heard about that!" Hoshi said. "You are a Mo'ari, aren't you? And the individual elements of your name contain information about family, tribe and the province of your origins, don't they?"
"That is correct." Dr Yannes looked at her in pleased surprise. "Are you a linguist? This is the first time a Terran has showed any understanding of our naming customs."
"Yeah, but Hoshi here is the best exolinguist on the planet… on our planet, I mean," Jack explained with almost proprietary pride.
"Fantastic!" Dr Yannes beamed at Hoshi. "Perhaps we can keep in touch after this mission is completed. I'd like to see if a human is capable of learning my mother tongue."
"I'd like that very much," Hoshi answered shyly.
"Let us focus on the mission first." Minister Solkar turned to Jack. "Captain Archer, I know that your ship has suffered some damage on the way here. Still, would you be willing to undertake another journey before you return to Spacedock for the necessary repairs?"
"That depends," Jack replied carefully. "Where are we supposed to go and what are we supposed to do there?"
"Since we could not eliminate the possibility that the Elachi were, in fact, behind the most recent attack, I find it necessary that somebody should visit Gamma Vertis IV and see if it is still abandoned," the Vulcan explained.
Jack nodded. "That makes sense. But why Enterprise? Could your ship not make the trip even faster?"
"It could," Solkar agreed. "But our adversaries are no doubt familiar with Vulcan ship designs, and our presence would, as I believe your people say, 'tip them off' that we are suspicious of them. Enterprise, however, is a brand new ship class; and your people are new to deep space exploration. It would be completely believable that you would visit even a dead planet if it appeared interesting enough."
"You mean other people believe that we're crazy anyway, so they won't be surprised if we go there," Jack corrected.
Solkar didn't even blink. "That is an accurate summary," he replied.
For a moment the captain seriously considered wringing the Vulcan's scrawny neck, but then he decided to give the minister the benefit of the doubt and assume that it had been a pathetic attempt of joke. After all – as Soval's predecessor as the Vulcan ambassador on Earth – Solkar had ample experience in dealing with humans. He might just have been trying to lighten the mood.
Yeah. And pigs might be able to fly.
"Which is as good a disguise as any," T'Pol offered helpfully, referring to Jack's comment. "Unfortunately, Enterprise's science department is far from being complete. The closest thing they have to a xenobiologist is Dr Phlox, and while he does have a lesser degree in xenobiology, he is not the specialist that would be needed for this particular mission."
"I can go with you," Dr Yannes volunteered. "My turn with the Medical Exchange Program is almost over anyway, and I would welcome the chance to take part in deep space exploration. I've never been any further than Vulcan."
Solkar looked at Jack. "Would Starfleet agree to take a civilian with you – and an extraterrestrial at that?"
Jack shrugged. "Sure, why not? It isn't as if they could prevent Soval from parking T'Pol under our noses whether we wanted her or not; and Admiral Forrest had no objections when I hired Dr Phlox, who isn't a Starfleet officer either. Neither is he human; but the crew got used to him quickly enough."
"No doubt due to the doctor's extremely gregarious nature," T'Pol commented dryly.
"Well, what can I say?" Tucker drawled. "We lowly humans like it when people talk to us, instead of judgin' us with extreme prejudice."
"Trip," Jack warned quietly, "not now! We are trying to co-operate here; let's not undermine the process before it actually starts."
Tucker gave him a mirthless grin and pretended to glance at his ears. "What happened, Cap'n? Your ears seem to be a mite pointier than usual."
"And you've made better jokes," his CO retorted. "Try to hold back a little, would you? I'm actually interested in this mission."
The engineer muttered something unintelligible but fell silent. Jack turned back to Solkar. "Minister, is there anything on that dead planet that could endanger either my ship or my crew?'
"Not to my knowledge," the Vulcan replied. "But we did not expect a direct attack on your ship so close to the Berengaria system either, so we must count on the possibility that there are risks on Gamma Ventris IV as well."
"Fair enough," Jack said. "Now, since we're being open and honest with each other, could you tell us a little more of what GG here had in her head? Just so that we'd get an idea what we're facing?"
"We can do more," Gerasen Gerasal replied, after a moment of wordless consultation with her Elders. "We can show you the visuals; the same visuals we all saw via the Memory Machine. As I said, however, they are not conclusive."
"How did you get the information in the first place if you can't understand it yourself?" Reed asked, bewildered.
"Through mental projection, from a Suliban woman on Rigel X," the Viseeth answered simply.
"A Suliban? You expect us to trust the information coming from a Suliban?" Jack was well and truly shocked. Too shocked to even try to hide it.
Gerasen Gerasal tilted her head to the side. "Not all Suliban are terrorists or mercenaries, Captain. In fact, even some of those who are a member of the Cabal have come to their senses and realized that the price they paid for their genetic enhancement was too high. Sarin was one of those converts; and she gave her life to enable me to escape Rigel X with the knowledge she had given me."
"And you ran directly to Earth?" Jack shook his head. "What did you hope to find there?"
"I could not go straight to Vulcan," the Viseeth explained. "That would have been too obvious. Earth, however, has no real weight in interstellar politics yet; I hoped that they would not look for me there – but obviously, I was wrong. My plan had been to ask the Vulcan contingent on Earth for asylum, but my ship was damaged by the Suliban fighters pursuing me, and I crash-landed in some agricultural area."
"Oklahoma," Tucker supplied. "The place is called Broken Bow."
Where the first human Gerasen Gerasal met had panicked and promptly shot her. But he wasn't about to mention that within the earshot of the other cow people. Even if they already knew about it… in theory.
"Thank you," she said, and it seemed that she was thanking him for more than just for supplying the place-name on Earth. "In any case, the Synodium appreciates your efforts to bring me and the intel safely home. It has been decided to allow you to see the visuals, if that is what you wish."
"You bet it is," Jack said, a little bewildered, because wasn't it exactly what he'd just asked a few minutes ago? Apparently, the Viseeth were every bit as long-winded as the Vulcans when it came to the sharing of information. "Lieutenant Reed here is our armoury officer; I'm sure he'll have valuable insights about the military aspect of the planned invasion."
Reed glanced up, not-quite-successfully hiding his surprise. Captain Archer had just proved – and that not for the first time, either – that while he personally disliked having an ex-Starfleet Intelligence officer aboard his ship, he nonetheless appreciated the knowledge and abilities of said officer and was more than willing to utilise them.
Not many Starfleet captains would have done the same.
"I shall endeavour to do my best, sir," he promised quietly.
"Good," Jack said. "Hoshi, look out for any written signs that may show up. I know you've worked with what little we have about the Suliban language, but." He turned to Gerasen Gerasal. "Do you know anything about the language of these… these Elachi?"
She held another wordless conversation with her Elders; then she nodded.
"According to the Historic Databases, they did not have a spoken language of their own, since they had no vocal cords at all. We have no idea how they communicated with each other – some suppose it happened chemically – but they used the classic Iconian alphabet for writing."
"Has the Suliban language anything to do with Iconian?" Hoshi asked.
The aliens present exchanged thoughtful looks, In the end it was Minister Solkar who answered.
"None that we have found. If the aliens attacking your ship were Elachi, this alliance cannot be any older than a hundred of your years – considering the actual age of the Elachi as a people, that is a very short time."
"I'm sure it is," Jack said, a little impatiently. "Can we see the records now?"
"Certainly." Gerasen Gerasal made a negligent gesture with one hand, and one of the walls promptly turned into a three-dimensional holographic viewscreen.
At first, all they could see were stars, the Eridanus and Berengaria systems clearly recognizable, which meant they were seeing a fairly large section of known space. Earth and the Centauri system were not depicted, though.
Then entire swarms of ships showed up, consisting of various sizes and designs, all heading for Vulcan and Berengaria respectively. Some of them were clearly Suliban; a small fleet was made up of the arrow-shaped, green-glowing ships like the one that had attacked Enterprise on her way to Berengaria VII.
The largest number, however, was made up of ships of unknown design, from small fighters through frigate-sized vessels to huge dreadnoughts. All of them had distinctly-gleaming energy shields.
As the enormous fleet advanced, entire wings peeled off from time to time, heading for the Rigel system, for Klingon space and for other, nearby worlds, all inhabited by sentient species. The invaders, whoever they might be, were obviously hell-bent on exterminating all sentient life in their way.
"What do you think, Lieutenant?" Minister Solkar asked Reed, once the demonstration was over.
"This appears to be a pre-emptive strike," the armoury officer answered thoughtfully. "Those ships are heading for the homeworlds of the technically most advanced species in the known galaxy. They clearly intend to wipe out the most likely sources of resistance before they move on to the weaker, more primitive worlds."
The Vulcan nodded. "Our analysis has reached the same conclusion."
"Bu why didn't the display show either Centaurus or Earth?" Jack asked. "It isn't that I'd want them to come for us, and I know that we still count as a planet of barely literate savages, but the Centaurians are an old race."
"Not nearly as old as the Viseeth or us," Solkar corrected calmly. "There is a distinct possibility that the enemy is not even aware of the existence of humans – or any of the Centaurian peoples – yet."
"Which means that gettin' involved is practically paintin' a big fat bull's-eye on our backs," Tucker commented, with a side glance at the Vulcans.
"It doesn't make such a big difference," Reed answered before Solkar or T'Pol could. "Sooner or later, they'd have come for us, too, seeing that we've become a space-faring species. At least we're forewarned now – not that we have anything that could stop that armada." He turned to Solkar. "Have you?"
"We do have battleships, yes," the minister replied. "But not nearly enough. Even if we could persuade the Andorians and the Tellarites to joins forces with us – which is doubtful at best – it would not be enough."
"What about the Klingons?" Reed asked. "They're being targeted too; and I'd think a race of warriors like theirs would enjoy a challenge."
"Unless they choose to side with the enemy and help wipin' us out for good," Tucker said darkly.
"That's certainly a possibility," the armoury officer admitted. "And even if they did remain on our side, I'd hate to make our collective survival dependant on a race whose highest ambition is an honourable death in battle."
"Amen," Jack commented softly.
"Speaking of which," Reed continued, turning back to the aliens present. "Do you have any idea where those ships will be coming from? That would be useful to know."
"Agreed," Minister Solkar said. "Unfortunately, the display only shows us the fleet from the point on where they will enter known space. Clearly, this is a direction given to their allies, pointing out targets, as they already know where the fleet will be coming from."
"Haven't you tried to calculate their trajectory?" Malcolm asked. "That might give us an idea of their starting point."
"It would; and we have," the Vulcan answered patiently. "Unfortunately, the only known cosmic phenomenon lying in that direction is the Delphic Expanse."
"Which is – what exactly?" Jack asked.
"A vast area of space approximately fifty light years from here," Solkar explained. "While its exact dimensions remain unknown, our scientists have estimated it to be around two thousand light years across."
"That's a lot of space to hide an armada in, no matter how large," Reed commented.
"Indeed," Solkar agreed. "However, its size is not the only problem. Entering and exiting the Expanse is extremely hazardous, due to thermobaric clouds that surround the area. Travel through the Expanse is further complicated by numerous subspace anomalies that litter the area at random; these anomalies are responsible for a number of inexplicable events."
"Such as?" Jack pressed on.
Solkar looked at T'Pol "Subcommander?"
"Some twenty years ago, a Klingon vessel emerged from the Expanse, with its crew anatomically inverted, but still alive," she said tonelessly. "Similar events have led several species from outside the Expanse to ban both entry and exit."
"Based on what we've just seen, the latter probably ain't such a bad idea," Tucker said.
"Perhaps," the Englishman allowed. "But I don't really think that anyone could stop that armada once they decide to come out."
"I was afraid you were gonna say that, Lieutenant," Jack said grimly. "Well, ladies and gentlemen; it seems we need more and, before all else, more detailed intel. So, assuming that Admiral Forrest agrees, I will take Enterprise to Gamma Ventris IV and see what we can find there."
Minister Solkar inclined his head politely. "Thank you, Captain. In case you need assistance with the most urgent repairs, my ship can offer spare parts as well as helping hands."
Jack looked at his chief engineer. "Trip?"
"We have enough people for the job," Tucker said. "But spare parts would be welcome. We've patched up the damaged nacelle, but I'd sleep better if we could replace some of the parts."
"Compose a list of the parts you need and have Subcommander T'Pol send it to my ship," the minister said. "If we have them, we shall deliver."
"Thank you, Minister," Jack said politely. "I believe we should return to Enterprise and start preparing her for the journey."
"One more thing, Captain," Gerasen Gerasal said. "I find that my people need to have an eye witness on Gamma Ventris IV. I would like to come with you, if you permit it."
Jack shrugged. "Sure, why not? We've already grown used to you; and Hoshi will enjoy learning more from you, won't you, Hoshi?"
"Very much so, Captain," Hoshi replied.
Jack turned to T'Pol. "What about you, Subcommander? I know your assignment said 'until we reach Berengaria VII', but we could really use an experienced science officer on this trip."
T'Pol looked at Solkar; the minister nodded. "I agree with Captain Archer; your presence may prove helpful. I shall clear it with High Command."
"And the Vulcans agreed to everything?" Admiral Forrest asked in surprise. He was sitting in his office in San Francisco, clearly getting more and more bewildered as he listened to Jack's report.
Jack nodded. "Both they and the other cow people seemed highly unsettled by the news our cow lady has brought them. And, according to Lieutenant Reed, they have very good reasons to be unsettled."
Forrest looked directly at him – across the distance of a hundred or so light years. "Speaking of Lieutenant Reed – how do the two of you get on, Jack? I know you weren't happy to find out who – and what – he really was."
"I'm still not happy with it," Jack said bluntly. "I'm particularly unhappy with his role in Hoshi's arrest. I don't know if I'll ever be able to deal with that. But the man is a highly capable officer who's saved the ship – and the cow lady – almost single-handedly, and that is something I value very much. We need him and what he can do, and that's the honest truth. We don't have to like him, but he's crucial to the survival of both ship and crew."
"How is Ensign Sato coping?" Forrest asked.
"Better than expected," Jack smiled. "Aside from fleeing the room if she can whenever Reed is present, that is."
"You'll have to do something about that," the admiral warned. "A situation may emerge in which the two of them will have to work together; she must be able to do so."
"I know," Jack sighed. "I'm working on it."
"Work faster," Forrest ordered. "Or else we'll have to call her back. We can't afford to have a senior officer on a ship of deep space exploration who can't work with her colleagues – for whatever reason."
"Frankly, Admiral, I'd have problems working alongside somebody who'd nearly killed me, too," Jack said dryly. "On the other hand, she's made friends with both T'Pol and the cow lady, so there are two very good arguments for her abilities. I don't think any other human has befriended a Vulcan before – not to mention a Viseeth."
"I know she's good at what she does, Jack," Forrest replied patiently. "But she must learn to work with Lieutenant Reed; for the sake of the whole ship and for her own sake." He paused, looked to the side and sighed. "I must go. Keep me informed, Jack. And be careful – you're about to go deeper into uncharted space than any man has ever gone before, including the space boomers. Forrest out."
Jack deactivated the subspace radio and sighed too. He knew he should have addressed Hoshi's problem with Reed weeks ago, but he hadn't wanted to traumatise her any further. Still, the admiral was right, of course. They needed to at least start work on the problem before leaving for Gamma Ventris IV. This was no longer a mere shakedown run. They would soon be heading to potentially dangerous territory.
He pushed the intercom button. "Archer to Ensign Sato."
"Go ahead, Captain," came Hoshi's prompt answer.
"Come to my ready room, Hoshi; we need to talk."
Enterprise spent the next two days in the Berengaria system. While Charlie Tucker and his engineers were working on the most urgent repairs, the Viseeth offered the rest of the crew the chance to visit Berengaria IV – in very small groups. Doctor Yannes came onboard to acquaint herself with Doctor Phlox and the rest of the science department and – after some brief but intense negotiations between Starfleet Command and the Vulcan High Command – T'Pol received temporary Starfleet officer's patent, with the field rank of a full commander, and was assigned as the new executive officer of Enterprise.
While most humans were a bit offended by the last part, Charlie Tucker, who had filled the post of the first officer until now, couldn't have been happier.
"Executive officers have to deal with ungodly amounts of paperwork," he explained to Reed while they were re-checking the new pulse cannons for what had to be the third or fourth time; they had lost count. "I've got more than enough paperwork due to my actual job, and frankly, I'm deliriously happy that I won' have to work with the entire crew instead of just with my engineers."
"I wouldn't want to be the executive officer, either," Reed agreed and put the diagnostic monitor into sleep mode. "I've got enough to do with the weapons and the training of my people." He straightened his back, popping a cartilage in the process, and grimaced. "Speaking of which: I have to go. The captain ordered me to test Ensign Sato's skills with hand weapons."
"He did what?" Charlie stared at Reed in shock. "He ordered you to test Hoshi?"
"Odd, isn't it?" Reed grinned humourlessly. "I tried to talk him out of it, but he seems to believe that it would be a good idea… for whatever reason."
"I don't get it," Charlie muttered. "Are you tellin' me Jack ordered you to go to the shootin' range with Hoshi? Alone?"
"He did. In fact, he expressly forbade anyone else to be present."
"That tears it," Trip stood, too. "Cap'n must have gone insane. I'm goin' to have words with him. Serious words."
Reed caught his arm. "Please, Commander, don't. I'm sure the captain gave those particular orders for a good reason. Besides," he added quietly, "how else could any of you ever believe that I'm no longer a threat to her?"
"I'm not sure it's that easy," Tucker said darkly.
"Neither am I," the lieutenant confessed. "But orders are orders, and it's time for me to go. I'll be in the Armoury afterwards, should you need me."
"Thanks but I'll pass," Tucker muttered angrily, but only when the armoury officer was safely out of earshot. It would be of no use to alienate Reed even more because of Jack's hare-brained orders.
At the same time T'Pol was discussing matters with Minister Solkar aboard the Vulcan courier ship Lamarr, enjoying the Vulcan conditions aboard and their respective cups of hot seya in unabashed relief.
"Your progress will be closely monitored, of course," the minister said. "Captain Vanik will follow your course with the Ti'Mur from a proper distance; and the High Command has already dispatched the Seleya to patrol the area along our side of the Expanse."
"The Seleya?" T'Pol frowned; she had served on that ship for several years and still considered many members of the crew as close acquaintances. "But it is a science vessel, not a battleship."
"Exactly," Solkar nodded. "What could be more natural than a science vessel mapping a previously uncharted area?"
"True," T'Pol allowed. "But they still would not have sufficient weapons to defend themselves against as much as a single wing of the armada we have seen."
"Neither would a battleship," her elder pointed out. "And the presence of one would immediately raise suspicions." He paused for a moment. "I am aware of the fact that we are putting a good ship and a highly capable crew at risk, Subcommander. So are they; and they have accepted the risk, for the good of Vulcan, since the good of the many is more important than the good of the few…"
"… Or that of a single person," T'Pol finished for him. "Is that why I am going with Enterprise, Minister?"
"Partly," Solkar replied with brutal honesty. "You must have observed that the territory of the Star Empire was missing from the attack plan. That could mean two things. Either our distant cousins are already in league with the enemy, or the attackers want to wipe out single systems before they regroup and go for larger targets."
"And you want me to find out which of the two is the truth." It was not a question but Solkar answered it nevertheless.
"Who would be better suited than you? The route to Gamma Ventris IV will take Enterprise close to the Rihannsu border. Keep your ears and eyes open."
"Am I supposed to tell Captain Archer about it?"
"Not unless you will have to face Rihannsu forces. There is no need to embarrass our entire race without a very good reason."
"I understand," T'Pol said. "I believe, though, that it is a mistake."
"Your objection is noted," Solkar replied coldly. "Follow your orders, Subcommander, and let us deal with the humans. I have considerably more practice at it than you."
"Respectfully, Minister, I still believe that we should be more open with them," she insisted. "Our secrecy has led to enough resentment already."
He lifted a superior eyebrow. "We cannot and will not accept responsibility for undisciplined human emotions. You will not speak to Archer about the Separation and its consequences, and that is final."
"Should it not be my decision, Minister?" T'Pol asked, every bit as coldly. "It is my life that will be greatly disturbed, should the truth come out."
"Kroykah!" Solkar hissed. "Should that ever happen, Subcommander, the violation of your privacy will be the least of your problems. This discussion is finished. Return to your duties aboard the human ship, but do not forget to whom you owe your allegiance."
"I will not." T'Pol stood and raised her hand to the traditional ta'al greeting. "Peace and long life, Minister."
~TBC~
