Unbound- Part 1

Unbound
An "Enterprise" story

By Alison M. DOBELL

RATING: G
ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.
FEEDBACK: Welcomed.
EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com
WEBSITE: http://carlajane.50megs.com/Ali00.html
SUMMARY: "Captain Archer, Commander Tucker and Sub-Commander T'Pol engage in a first contact with a strange new species."
DISCLAIMER: The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Enterprise'
are the property of Paramount. No infringement of copyright is intended.

Part One

"PERSPECTIVE"

* * * * *

It was not what the Vulcan had anticipated but she was fast becoming used to having to adjust her expectations. Captain Archer was smiling happily. Nodding in affable high content at the Zenari Ambassador. Sub-Commander T'Pol knew little about this species. As intrigued as the Captain she was surprised by the alien contact. When the Vulcans had first met this race almost a hundred years ago things had not gone well. Angry words had been exchanged then weapons fire. That had been the one and only contact. It had been described euphemistically as a misunderstanding that not even Surak could have presented in a positive light. She was therefore astounded to witness the Humans succeeding where her own people had so comprehensively failed. It both fascinated and irked her.

T'Pol could feel Commander Tucker's eyes on her but resisted the urge to turn her head. If he was smirking she was not sure she would be able to resist the urge to render him comatose. Belatedly she realised the Captain was introducing her.

"...and this is my First Officer, Sub-Commander T'Pol."

The Zenari Ambassador sounded cautious. His large round liquid black eyes shining like glossy pools of oil. She could not see the spark of intelligence but sensed a very different kind of consciousness staring back at her. It was unsettling. All T'Pol's senses were on the alert. His reaction made her even more wary. "A...Vulcan?"

Captain Archer sounded surprised. "You have met the Vulcans before I take it?"

Their host managed to agree and give the impression of distaste and disapproval without doing so overtly. It was such a subtle nuance she was not sure if the Humans picked up on it. The Ambassador made an odd little choking sound in his throat. The Captain resisted the urge to slap him on the back to clear his airway. For all he knew the Ambassador could have been chuckling poliTely. "Yess," He hissed slightly, his voice crackling like dry leaves on a fire. "Many revolutions ago. We did not make friendship."

Sub-Commander T'Pol inclined her head slightly. "I regret that our two species did not see eye to eye Ambassador Chot. I hope that will not be the case on this occasion."

The Ambassador blinked back at her but said nothing. Something in the dip of a shoulder made the Captain think he was willing to at least with hold making any judgment. He felt the concession was made for the sake of the Humans not to make the Vulcan more welcome. Once again he was grateful to Ensign Hoshi Sato's skill in programming the alien language into the universal translator. He almost regretted leaving Hoshi back on Enterprise with Lt Reed and the others but he wanted to keep the away team small this time. Fewer people to risk if anything went wrong. Just him, Commander Tucker, and Sub-Commander T'Pol. Lt. Reed had argued virulently to get him to take a security detail with him but the Captain had refused. He knew that the Lieutenant would be anxiously listening in on their conversations with the Zenari with one eye on the transporter, the other on his weapons. He had left the pride of Starfleet in the best possible hands. Hopefully it would not be long until they were all back on board with another successful first contact under their belt. With the impending war with the Xindi ahead of them they would need to garner all the friends and allies they could find. With luck this new species might even be able to help them win it.

Ambassador Chot led them into a huge atmospheric dome. Commander Tucker gazed around him with open admiration. The Captain could tell he was just itching to explore. A small smile dusted his lips. Their host was talking, other Zenari standing a polite distance away, their long crushed robes in shimmering dark colours that moved together like an oil slick, metallic colours swirling and mingling yet individual and distinct. Trip could not take his eyes off them. Longed to speak with them, see if they were all like Chot. The Ambassador seemed to divine his interest with ease and turned to speak to him. "Commander, you are curious?"

Trip nodded, a huge smile sweeping over his face. "Yeah, Ambassador. I've never seen anythin' like this!" His enthusiasm seemed to put the Zenari at considerable ease. "What kind of power runs something this big?"

Although the Zenari had no visible mouths the pale luminescence of their skin seemed to stretch and move as if hidden lips formed words trapped beneath their skin. What would have creeped him out once now simply intrigued him. The hairless head inclined slowly towards him as the alien spoke. "Our power is beyond what you would call sub-atomic, Commander. It is infinitely renewable and does not pollute our atmosphere."

"I would sure like to see how that works."

Ambassador Chot nodded to one of the other Zenari. Trip watched him all but glide across the floor towards them. He bowed slowly to the Ambassador and waited. Where the Ambassador's robe was jet black with a dark almost silver shimmer of light running through it, this man's robe was a deep midnight blue. When he moved the crushed folds flashed vivid blue highlights like lightening strikes drawing Trip's eyes to him in wonder. "Commander. This is our chief binary biomolecular engineer Hyak. He will be happy to give you a tour of the dome."

The Captain was about to interrupt. He did not want them to get separated even in a seemingly friendly first contact situation. As if anticipating his objection, the Ambassador turned to him and raised a delicately fingered hand. The hand had three fingers and an opposable thumb, all the digits longer than a human's. The pale skin of his flesh a stark contrast to the black eyes and dark robes they wore. "We have much to show you and share with you Captain but I ask one indulgence as a show of your good faith."

His interest piqued he concentrated fully on what the alien was saying. "What is that, Ambassador?"

"This is a delicate matter, Captain. We are shy of other races. Many are too volatile for us to accommodate with any comfort. Our first meeting with the Vulcans was.... not a pleasant one."

"I understand, Ambassador. Perhaps we can mend a few bridges while we're here."

"Bridges?" The confusion in the Ambassador's voice prompted T'Pol to speak.

"It is a human expression, Ambassador. It means reach an understanding."

"Tkt," Clicked the Ambassador. "In that case, Captain, we will respect your suggestion." He looked at Sub-Commander T'Pol for a moment and though his face showed no expression the Captain got the impression he was re-evaluating her presence.

The Captain turned to see where Commander Tucker had gone and noticed his friend was deep in discussion with a group of Zenari walking slowly around the circumference of the huge dome. They were now a good fifty yards away and appeared to be discussing something that looked like variegated light panels. Captain Archer could not tell from this distance what they were and was irritated to realise they were out of earshot. His curiosity would have been much better served had he been able to eavesdrop on what was being said.

"Captain?"

He turned a guilty gaze back to their host. "I'm sorry Ambassador, I was simply looking to see where the Commander had gone."

If he was expecting an explanation or an offer to catch them up he was sadly disappointed. "There is much to see, to discuss and to learn from each other." Said the Ambassador smoothly. "Perhaps you would like to see our operational centre?"

* * * * *

Lt. Reed could not help it. He was as jumpy as a cat on hot bricks. With everything that had happened to them so far he would have thought Captain Archer would have finally grasped the necessity of keeping a security presence with him on away missions. Just because these new aliens looked and sounded benign did not make them harmless. It did not even make them friendly. They were an unknown quantity and now the three most senior members of the ship's crew were on some oddly shrouded planet with a bunch of mysterious aliens. It made him nervous enough to crawl out of his own skin. Admiral Forest had reluctantly agreed to the Captain's request for Enterprise to return to Earth to pick up a contingent of marines. Not something any of them wanted but at least it showed the Captain was taking the Xindi threat seriously which was a step in the right direction. So why oh why didn't he wait until he had the troops aboard before going into full diplomatic mode without anything more than goodwill to protect him? The man was far too trusting. With a sigh, Lt. Reed hoped they would not all pay the price for that naive lack of foresight.

* * * * *

It was several hours before they were all together again. Commander Tucker positively beamed with pleasure, eyes bright with interest and not a little mischief when he caught T'Pol's disapproving eye. It was always fun to tease the Vulcan Sub-Commander though he was careful not to go too far. Ambassador Chot gave the Captain a slow bow and invited him to a meal to be held in their honour later that evening. The Captain hesitated, glancing at the Sub-Commander to see what the protocol would be. After all, her people had met the Zenari before, his had not. She merely arched an eyebrow and looked at him. So. No help there. He turned back to the Ambassador and smiled.

"We would be honoured, Ambassador."

Though he could not tell by any outward sign, Captain Archer got the impression he was pleased. "It is our considered opinion, Captain Archer, that the Zenari and Humans can be friends. Such an opening of trust is rare."

The Captain's smile broadened. He noticed Trip did not look surprised. "You don't know how happy it is to hear that, Ambassador."

"Please allow others to join you, Captain. Once we have eaten there will be long discussions between us. Your Commander seems to think our use of non-exhaustive power sources could be utilised to the benefit of your ship. It may be that you have some ideas that can be of benefit to us also."

Captain Archer beamed at him. This was going even better than he could have hoped and he was being given the opportunity to put Lt. Reed's mind at rest by bringing down a security detail and other crew members. He nodded happily. "I would like nothing more."

Trip was tempted to remain with Hyak and get him to take him to the main power grid but one look at the Captain's face told him that would go down like a lead balloon. Holding his impatience in check he forced himself to make his temporary goodbyes and returned with the Captain and T'Pol. Once back on Enterprise Sub-Commander T'Pol wasted no time in making her own feelings known.

"Captain, you must not return."

All his pleasure evaporated into confusion. Lt. Reed looked at them in alarm, his smile of welcome now a wary mask of concern. "What happened?"

"Nothing happened." Snapped Trip. "The Sub-Commander's just bein' paranoid."

A look of cold anger simmered just below the surface of the Vulcan's control, eyes hard and uncompromising as she pinned him with a very annoyed look. "Commander, you cannot trust them."

He exchanged a look with the Captain then threw his arms up in the air. Frustration and irritation evident in his voice. "You just can't let it go, can you?"

"Let what go, Commander?"

"A hundred years ago your people screwed up first contact with these people and it just tears ya up to see them make a connection to us."

"I assure you that is not the case."

He turned back to her. "Oh no? Then tell me ya were pleased as punch that they invited us down to their planet when your people couldn't get passed first base?"

She blinked. His meaning understood instinctively though the words confused her. As did so much of what the southerner said. Yet his passion was clear and unequivocal. He thought she was jealous that the Humans had made headway where the Vulcans had not. "I admit I was surprised how quickly the Captain was able to form a connection with the Zenari but that has no bearing on my caution."

"What does, Sub-Commander?" Asked the Captain seriously. He really wanted to understand the reason for T'Pol's reaction even though he was as frustrated as Trip.

"It is something I recall from the original records of first contact."

Lt. Reed cleared his throat softly. "Captain? Perhaps we should take this discussion to the situation room?"

The Captain glanced around and realised they were beginning to draw speculative looks and if they were not careful word would spread that something was amiss and no amount of smiling and reassurances would later convince the crew otherwise. He nodded and they did not resume the conversation until the door hissed shut behind them. The Captain turned to T'Pol. "All right Sub-Commander, suppose you tell us what happened with the Vulcan first contact that makes you so keen on preventing this one."

"That information is classified."

"Oh for cryin' out loud, T'Pol!" exclaimed Trip. The Captain shot him a warning glare and he had to turn away to prevent another angry outburst. His blood boiling.

"What *can* you tell us?" Said the Captain.

"The Zenari are not what you think they are, Captain. They cannot be trusted."

Lt. Reed frowned slightly. "What are they Sub-Commander?"

"That information is classified."

The Captain took a step towards her, his brows lowering like storm clouds. "Sub-Commander, you're going to have to do better than that if you want to convince us to abort this first contact."

When she did not reply immediately, Lt. Reed spoke. His quiet calm voice injecting an air of reason into the room. "What happened?"

"We were deceived."

The Commander's eyes narrowed. "Deceived? How?"

"That information is classified."

His lips compressed into a thin angry line. The Captain spoke before his Chief Engineer could paint the walls with obscenities. "Sub-Commander, your reticence is not helping."

"We should leave this area of space as quickly as possible and resume our mission."

Commander Tucker watched her carefully, noticing that she seemed far from happy. A sense of unease began to build up inside his gut tempering his anger. "Sub-Commander, why d'ya let the Cap'n accept the Ambassador's invitation if ya want us to ignore it? Not the most logical thing to do."

"On the contrary, Commander. It was the only way to ensure we could return to Enterprise."

The Captain was really alarmed now. "Are you saying that if we had refused they would have prevented us coming back?"

She said nothing but there was a bleakness in her eyes that chilled them. Trip stepped close to her, now invading her personal space so that he could catch the merest change in her expression. "I think it's time ya told us exactly what happened when your people made first contact, Sub-Commander. An' don't try givin' us that 'information is classified' routine 'cause it isn't gonna work. You people have more secrets than the Magician's Inner Circle. You want us to trust you, to follow your recommendations, but trust is a two way street."

For several minutes no one spoke. The tension in the air was palpable. "I cannot tell you but perhaps I can show you."

Captain Archer looked at her in silence, trying to fathom what was going on behind those shuttered eyes. "Show us?"

She nodded. "I am not permitted to speak of classified information."

"But ya can show us?" Said Trip with a hint of sarcasm.

"I do not intend to show you the information, Commander." She paused and looked back at the Captain. "I will show you what we found."

The information was all there in the Enterprise data banks but no one would have dreamt of aligning it with this new species. Much of what they found would be seen as random anomalies. Distant tragedies that had no connection with each other in either time or space. It was Lt. Reed who voiced their doubts.

"Sub-Commander, while these events are disturbing they hardly constitute evidence against the Zenari. In fact, they look like natural events, disasters that no one could foretell. They do not even appear to be linked to each other. Plus I see no correlation between what you are showing us and this species."

"That is what makes them so dangerous."

Trip frowned. "Pardon?"

"In this way they have been able to pass undetected for eons."

The Captain's mouth dropped open. "Eons?"

"Yes, Captain."

"That's an awfully long period of time, Sub-Commander." Drawled the Chief Engineer. "How d'ya come to such a precise reckoning?"

"That..."

"Information is classified." He finished before she could.

Her glare lacked heat. He saw the worry buried just behind it and his own anger evaporated. He wanted to understand but knew she would say little beyond trying to point them in the right direction. But what were the Vulcans afraid of? What were they hiding about he Zenari? Surely a threat that could strike with such impunity and pass undetected through unsuspecting solar systems was worth warning them about? What dirty little secret did the Vulcan High Command have bound up with these people? Was that why the two races had come to armed conflict? Hell. He'd love to get a look at those classified files. Translated into English naturally.

"Captain, our mission is to locate the Xindi. To prevent the destruction of your homeworld. You cannot afford to be distracted by the Zenari."

His eyebrows rose. Interesting choice of words. "Distracted? I thought you said they were dangerous?"

"They are."

"Which is it Sub-Commander?"

Commander Tucker turned his head and gave the Captain a quizzical look. The Sub-Commander looked a little off-balance. Just what the hell was going on?

"We must go and go now, Captain."

Captain Archer shook his head, eyes fastened on hers as he began to walk around her. Trip turned to follow his Captain's movements. "I'm the Captain, Sub-Commander, and I'll make that decision as and when I consider it appropriate."

Lt. Reed shifted his balance slightly. "Sir? It wouldn't hurt to draw back from the Zenari homeworld."

The Captain gave him a keen look. "Their homeworld?"

"Yes. I assume this planet - Zeon - is their homeworld."

"Why?"

The Armoury Officer blinked. "Why?"

"Yes. Why assume it's their homeworld? The Sub-Commander claims they have been here eons. Claims they are responsible for disasters many light years apart not to mention centuries apart."

"Perhaps they have more than one homeworld?"

"Then it wouldn't be a homeworld would it, Lieutenant?"

Trip felt uncomfortable. "Cap'n, can't we get back to the subject? I mean, they're expectin' us to go back down and take part in a meal laid on in our honour. If we're gonna leave we ought to leave now, or decide who to take down with us. Either way we need to make a decision."

He almost added *and not get distracted* but that thought was a little too disturbing to say out loud. He was beginning to sense that T'Pol was right though it flew in the face of what his senses were telling him. The Zenari had been nothing but politeness itself. Open and friendly and everything they could possibly want to find in a first contact situation. Maybe that was it. It was all *too* perfect. Reminded him of that saying - *if something seems to be too good to be true it usually is*. Perhaps he was just not looking at this from the right perspective? Oh hell, if that was true it meant T'Pol was right.

* * * * *

On Zeon the Ambassador glided across the polished ashtar stone floor to the Grand Audience Chamber. The black stone glimmered like glass beneath his feet, was harder than marble, and reflected deep dark lights up from its' unfathomable depths. The sigh of passing robes kissed the cold stone and blessed them in passing. The Humans had not been brought into the Presence. They were on the periphery of importance. His aide, Kantak, shimmered beside him in a dark green robe, the colour so dark it was yet another shade of black. When he moved subtle golden highlights shivered like water across its' plush surface weight. It was the only time the dour Zenarian sparkled. "Your eminence, we should not have let them leave."

Ambassador Chot was not offended at the quiet admonishment. He knew his aide's thoughts on the subject of submitting to alien encounters. "Our purpose is already served."

"The Vulcan will warn them."

Something slid in the Ambassador's voice like cold humour. "They are a young race."

"Yes, Excellency."

"Young races do not listen."

"Yet, your eminence, they listened enough to take a Vulcan with them into this blessed space."

Ambassador Chot was now approaching the dais. A round raised platform of the finest white arraquite crystal polished to mirror brightness and flecked with clear sparkling gems a hundred times harder than diamonds. It was perhaps fifteen feet in diameter and dominated the far side of the Grand Audience Chamber. The ceiling was so high above them that the room almost had its' own atmosphere. The contrast between light and dark was striking. The austerity of the minimal furnishings seemed to underline that this was not a place of relaxation but one of duty. One where solemn vows were exacted and paid in full. It was the Ambassador's favourite place. Where the mantle of greatness flexed and settled its' awesome weight on his shoulders like a lover's caress.

He loved the touch of his Master's hand. Even reaching through the fabric of eternity it thrilled and blessed him. There were no chairs in this vast room. No benches or other furnishings to give a body ease or pause from labour. Zenarians had no need of such distractions. They rested standing up. Slept in brokered seconds between the heavy consciousness of the power that commanded them. The only sustenance they would ever need was in this room. Duty hung like a mute benediction. The Ambassador came to a halt before the empty dais. His black glossy eyes shone with dark joy. For several minutes nothing happened. Silence enveloped them like the still air in a tomb. They waited with a patience that was infinite. Above them the star ship Enterprise hesitated, bound in a decision that was restless in the mind of its' Captain. Slowly a pillar of darkness occupied the dais. Ambassador Chot bowed low. His content too intense to put into words.

A voice spoke through the darkness. "The humans have come?"

"Yes, Master."

"You will not harm them."

"No, Master." A pause. "And if they wish to leave?"

A dark rasping sound. "It will do them no good."

"They do not ask for what they seek."

More of the rasping sound. The temperature in the room dropped several degrees. No one noticed. "They will but by then it will not be necessary."

"And the Vulcan?"

"A fool guiding a ship of fools."

"We could discredit her."

"Unnecessary." A pause. "It is far more compelling if she does that for herself."

The Ambassador bowed low and remained in that position. A hand emerged from the dark pillar and rested for a moment on his head. The weight crushing him. The power flowing through him and settling like lead in veins that had never carried blood. Ancient bones bent and flexed like muscles. The Presence communed silently with his servant for a brief moment in time. His aide watched with dispassionate care. Mind attuned not only to the Presence but to the visitors above. As the moment passed the pillar faded until nothing stood upon the dais not even conscious light.

* * * * *

Continue to Chapter 2

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Half a dozen of you have made comments

That was just a bit eerie. Looks interesting thus far. How typical of Archer, trust all, never look for ulterior motives.

And Trip "sensing" T'Pol is right? Nice.

How do you do it? Another great start to what I'm sure will be another great story!

Wow, that was creepy! Trust Archer to happily stick his head into a trap. I'm going to go away and worry now - hope it's not too long until the next installment.

Well I'm hooked! This is amazing! I'll be watching for your next chapter! Thanks, Ali!

wow...very suspenseful...I love how deftly you managed to turn the "wonderful" Zenarians into a a very scarey force by the end of the chapter! And of course I love how Trip is so attuned to T'Pol that he can look beyond his intitial assessment of her objections and see her genuine concern. Besides the fact that his own intuition is starting to wave a red flag about the Zenarians. Looking forward to the next chapter! Thanks! :-)

So glad that you're posting another of your great stories. Do I sense the start of another marathon? I'll just do a few stretching exercises to limber up, and then I'm ready for it. Oh, and wonderfully intriguing start.