NX-01 Enterprise
Sol system
March 1, 2054

While on patrol, Trip spent two days talking to various ship captains. Freighters and science vessels were eager to sign on, but Starfleet wasn't won over so easily. Still, he managed to get three Neptunes and two Intrepids onboard. The captain of the Discovery turned him down flat and made it clear he intended to report the conversation to Admiral Forrest.

For that reason, Trip saved Columbia for last.

He waited until all nineteen ships of his mini-fleet had gathered at the rendezvous point before contacting the admiral. Admiral Forrest was livid when Trip finally put him through on the main viewscreen on the bridge.

"Commander, what the hell do you think you're doing?!" He said, angrily. "Planning to abandon the system and taking half of the damned fleet with you?!"

"Just hear me out, sir." Trip said. "The Xindi are on the way right now, with a massive fleet. It only makes sense to be somewhere else when they arrive."

"And where are you getting your intel?"

"From Daniels."

"The supposed time traveler? Not exactly a reliable source of information."

"He's been right so far."

"In as far as he's deigned to speak to us."

"I'm inclined to believe him, sir. He's acting without orders to save humanity."

"This isn't up for debate. You're to stand down and continue on patrol."

"I'm afraid I can't do that."

"I won't allow you to leave this system!"

"With all due respect, sir, you can't stop us."

"Continue on your present course of action and I'll be forced to order Columbia and Discovery to engage with you."

"I guess I'll have to call your bluff, sir. We're talking about the fate of humanity. You can't afford to lose a single person, much less a whole cruiser."

"Tucker, be reasonable. Someone has to stay and defend Luna and Mars."

"They should be evacuated immediately. I've done the math. With my freighters and your remaining vessels, we have room for everyone. Perhaps it'll be a tight fit but it beats the alternative."

"I won't abandon the system!"

"Then you'll be in serious trouble when the Xindi come for you."

"According to our intel, the reptilians are spread thin keeping the other species in check. I doubt they can muster a force large enough to take the system."

"That's not what our intel says."

"I won't take the word of a supposed time traveler. You know that the Vulcan science directorate says time travel is impossible."

"T'Pol has witnessed it firsthand."

"It wouldn't be the first time a fancy scam artist has pulled the wool over someone's eyes."

"Sir, with all due respect, there's nothing left to talk about. We're leaving the system."

"Commander, this is your last warning…"

Trip signaled to T'Pol, at the operations station. She cut the communication short.

Immediately, Lieutenant Carrols, at tactical, reported.

"I've got the Columbia and Discovery on approach. They're both locking weapons on us."

"Go to alert status." Trip replied. "Lock weapons on the Columbia. T'Pol, tell the others to go ahead, warp two. We'll catch up to them."

"They're targeting our engines." Carrols said.

"Just hold." Trip said. "They won't fire on us."

A minute passed.

"Hold." Trip said.

Two minutes.

"They've broken lock." Carrols said, with relief.

"Travis, get us out of here," Trip said. "Before they change their minds. Warp two point five."

"Aye, captain." Travis responded.

NX-01 Enterprise
Enroute to Gamma Bootis
March 12, 2154

The small fleet following the Enterprise had been traveling less than two weeks. At a top speed of warp two it would be a month before they arrived at Gamma Bootis. In the interim Trip and T'Pol continued their neuropressure sessions, but whenever Trip brought up the topic of a romantic relationship, she shut him down. He learned not to bring it up.

In the mess hall, Trip selected a serving of lasagna and a side of pecan pie. The chef had begun serving the pie more often these days, knowing Trip's proclivity for the dessert.

Trip noticed Lieutenant Carrols, the tactical officer, and Lieutenant Hodges, the operations officer, sitting together. No one else sat with them.. He made his way over.

Sitting down, he asked, "So how are you two getting on in your new departments?"

The two shared a look before Hodges answered.

"We were just talking about that," She said, "It's not great. Heading a brand new department like I am, it's hard to be accepted by everyone I'm now supervising. They never had oversight before."

"And after Reed died a hero," Carrols said. "The MACO just plain don't want to follow me. They see me as inexperienced. Which I guess I am, but still."

"Just give them time." Trip said. "They'll come around."

"At least Kelby has served with his crew from the beginning." Hodges said. "And the man he replaced is still around."

"Kelby has his own problems." Trip said."Chief of which is worrying about me second guessing him all the time."

"And then there's Commander T'Pol." Carrols said. "She's been over the science department since the beginning. No need for her to face adjustments."

"Yeah, but she's not human." Trip pointed out. "And nowadays that doesn't make you very popular. She's had to deal with some friction that I'm sure is rooted in xenophobia."

"That's a shame." Carrols said. "I really like T'Pol."

"So…are the rumors about you true?" Hodges asked. "I heard you two had a thing."

"I swear, people must think this is the love boat or something." Trip said. "T'Pol and I practice Vulcan neuropressure, so we've been seen coming and going from one another's quarters at odd hours. That's how the rumors got started."

"I see." Hodges said. "So is the same true for Mayweather and Hess?"

"I've heard that rumor." Trip said. "I wouldn't put too much stock in it. Travis couldn't keep something like that a secret for too long."

Hodges knew she was about to broach a difficult subject, so she hesitated.

"So, captain." She said, "I see taking on the freighters and science vessels, but aren't we leaving Sol at a handicap without the Neptunes and Intrepids we took?"

"Yes, we will." Trip responded. "But I blame Admiral Forrest for being so pig headed. I worry most about Mars and Luna. That's a lot of civilians put in harm's way. I hated leaving but there was just no other choice."

T'Pol entered the mess hall. From the selection available, she chose lasagna and pecan pie. When she approached Trip, she saw they had both chosen the same meal. This troubled her slightly.

It was almost as if they were bonded.

"Captain. Lieutenants." She said, "May I sit?"

Everyone at the table was quick to invite her to join them. She sat down and the conversation quickly turned to Vulcans and their treatment since the attack. T'Pol replied that incidents of violence had become almost common. Most of the Vulcans had left earth prior to the arrival of the great weapon, but of those, most stayed in the solar system, hence the large number of Vulcans surviving the attack.

As 1900 hours approached, conversation began to wind down and everyone prepared to part ways. But before they did, something shook the Enterprise violently to one side. Cups and trays were scattered.

"Alert! Fire teams to deck D, section eight!"