The Final...-Pt. 10

The Final Mission

Part Ten

by Aquila

Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Paramount owns the Star Trek universe.
Summary: A sequel to Starfleet Engineering
Category: Alternate Universe

==

“What does a man who arrived in a crate of Denobulan Dung Beetles with just the clothes on his back wear to a formal dinner?” Trip asked the question of the man in the mirror.

His reflection was proof that he was long overdue for a haircut. The beard he had grown to disguise his well known face was unkempt. Phlox had lent him a robe from sick bay while the clothes he arrived in had been cleaned. Walking around with his nether regions exposed might be good for a laugh, but would do nothing for the Institute’s reputation.

“You are in need of appropriate dinner attire?” Yuri appeared in the doorway, holding a zippered suit bag.

“Did ya read my mind?” Trip snorted. “Yeah, of course ya did. Just how far do my thoughts project in this place?”

Yuri stepped across the threshold to lay the bag on the bed. “Twelve Vulcans with telepathic abilities reside in the compound. We use our gift every day.”

“The group is like an extra powerful relay buoy?” Trip surmised. “You must feel like I’ve been yellin’ at ya nonstop since I got here?”

“We’ve been working on a collective signal to block the…intrusions,” admitted Yuris.

“Well that’s a polite way to tell me to shut up.” Trip grinned. “I don’t know how to control my telepathic abilities. I had no one but T’Pol to communicate with. Have you got any suggestions for me?”

==

Trip was thankful that Phlox had thought to send him a PADD with information about the political and legal structure on Logon. Trip became cautious when participating in First Contacts since the tragic consequences of Enterprise’s meeting with the Vissians.

“No wonder you liked your posting on Logon,” Trip mused. “Power is in the hands of the females. It is the match that a man makes that gives him social standing. Well Babe, I can hold my head up with the best of ‘em, because the female who chose me was equal to any female on this planet.”

He slipped his arms into the long vest that he was expected to wear over the caftan like underclothing. He looked at his reflection. The shave and haircut added to the overall effect of a mature man, proud of his appearance and his success in life. Confidence, women can’t resist a confident man, he broadcast telepathically. Sorry people couldn’t resist.

“Darlin’, I miss ya,” Trip shook his fist at the bed. “And I’m angry with ya, for puttin’ me through hell, when you aren’t here to make a little heaven in that bed!”

==

“Trip, you look well.” Phlox held out his hand to welcome his guest. “Yuris’ robes fit rather well.”

Son of a bitch, thought Trip, isn’t donatin’ his sperm enough! “Thank you, Doctor. Are any of your wives joinin’ us tonight?”

“No, I haven’t had the pleasure of their company in some time.” He leaned closer to Trip. “When your situation is resolved to our satisfaction, I plan to take an extended vacation and visit each of them.’

“A good idea, Doc.” Trip lowered his voice. “Hug ‘em all for me, will ya. And give Feezal a little pat on the bum too.”

Phlox winked at Trip, then straightened. Doctor Yuris was entering the room. “Welcome, Yuris. Thank you for joining us tonight.”

Trip took his cue from Phlox. “And thank you for lending me your robes. I wouldn’t want to embarrass the Institute.”

Trip looked at the table. There were only four places set. “Aren’t your colleagues joinin’ us, Yuris?”

Phlox and Yuris regarded each other awkwardly. It was Phlox who answered the question.

“The Attorney General requested that we limit the number of guests to ensure a candid and effective discussion.”

“Candid? Effective?” Trip blanched. “No more surprises, Doc, please.”

“If you must be angry, Professor, please be angry with me.”

The three men turned at the sound of her voice. Phlox bowed his head slightly. Yuris bowed at the waist. Trip was frozen in place.

The most exquisite female he had ever seen stood before them. Although she was barely a meter and a half, she stood tall. Trip decided it was the angle of her chin that gave the illusion of height. She was a porcelain doll, with a flawless complexion. Her almond eyes flashed with fire. Black hair was piled on her head. He could imagine it cascading into his hands, if he removed the crossed sticks that held it in place. He was overcome with guilt. He was being disloyal to T’Pol’s memory.

“Good evening, Madame Attorney General.” Phlox began the introductions. “You know Doctor Yuris.”

“Of course, Phlox. It is a pleasure to greet you again, Doctor Yuris.” She smiled radiantly at the Vulcan.

Trip could have sworn the twin’s father flushed green in response such was the power of her presence.

“Madame, I have the honour to present Charles Tucker III, Professor Emeritus of Starfleet Academy, President and Chief Executive Officer of Extraterrestrial Engineering and…”

“And,” interrupted the Attorney General, “The Primary Male of T’Pol of Vulcan, ambassador to the Ruling Council of Logon II.”

She held out her hand. Trip placed his fingertips gently under hers, raising the back of her hand to his lips. “I am honoured, ma’am.”

“The honour is mine, Charles.” Trip escorted her to a seat at the table. “Without your assistance, Logon would never have had a Scientific Institute of the caliber of this one.

Trip looked to Phlox for an explanation. The Denobulan hid his answering shrug with a wave of his arm, inviting the remaining guests to take their seats.

==

The dishes had been cleared. The after dinner beverage was steaming from the cups placed in front of the diners. Trip glanced at his, which appeared to be a green tea of unknown origin. The cups had no handles, so he waited to see how the others coped, before sipping his drink.

“Excuse me, ma’am,’ Trip addressed the Attorney General. “Earlier you were kind to give me credit for somethin’ I don’t believe I can. Would ya explain why ya think I have anything to do with the Institute?”

The Attorney General looked to Phlox, who looked to Yuris, who looked to the Attorney General. She saw their confusion.

“T’Pol never explained to anyone then.” She pursed her lips. “That should not come as a surprise to me.”

“Did you know her well, ma’am?” Trip’s wife was a stranger to him in that moment.

“I cherished the Ambassador’s friendship,” she replied with a smile. “She had an intergalactic perspective that I found refreshing and challenging.”

“She was a challenge, I’ll give ya that.” Trip hesitated. “Obviously the fellas and I weren’t privy to your communications with my wife. Do ya think ya could fill us in, if they’re not state secrets that is?”

“The explanation must come with a lesson in Logon law, I’m afraid.” She moved her gaze from face to face. “I see that you are prepared to be patient. Thank you, gentlemen.”

Phlox thought to himself that her beauty often had men willing to listen to anything she said. They would not notice her intelligence until it was too late. She must have been formidable in the court room.

“Simply put, no male who lives on Logon may own land.” She began. “No one may build on Logon without owning land; therefore no Logonian male enters the building trades or holds title to any construction.”

The men nodded gravely. Trip had a frown of disapproval. The Attorney General appeared to take no offence.

“Long ago, T’Pol came to us and asked if she could build a private Scientific Institute, on Logon. She promised that she would not seek funding from us, or from any other government. The Institute would not be for profit, but for the good of beings everywhere.”

She sipped her tea then continued. “The offer was extraordinarily generous, but not without conditions. The Institution would decide what research they would conduct. T’Pol would be free to hire as she saw fit.”

Trip smiled. That sounded like T’Pol, in control from the beginning.

“Needless to say, the Logon Council wanted proof of her financial viability.”

The men nodded in understanding.

“The Council had one other request. That one of its members has a seat on the Board of Directors of the Institute.” She turned to Trip who sat at her left. She took his hand, “That is how I met T’Pol.”

Trip felt a current that ran straight to his groin from her hand. He tried to contain the need to squirm that over came him. She released his hand and his desire to squirm dissipated.

“T’Pol disclosed to us the source of her income, her share of the profits of Extraterrestrial Engineering. She said her fortune rested on the genius of her business partner, Charles Tucker.”

So that was what T’Pol did with her money. Trip had never asked. Money had never been an issue between them.

“Equality of the sexes does not exist in our laws.” Her tone was not apologetic. “Before we could give T’Pol permission we had to find some manner in which to work within the law. She asked that I present legal options that would satisfy the Council.”

Trip held his breath. They were coming to the crux of the matter.

“After much negotiation we reached a compromise. T’Pol registered you, Charles, as her primary male, with all the rights and privileges therein. And to ensure that she really could hire anyone she chose regardless of gender all males working for the Institute are registered males.”

“Registered males?” The men squeaked together.

“Goodness, gentlemen,” the Attorney General chastised them. “We are not barbarians. No woman may have more than one primary male, but she may claim sponsorship of as many males as she wish. Proclaiming sponsorship gives a man position, but enables him to be released to become some other female’s primary in the future. Just to be clear, the only time a Primary is released from his obligation to his female is on her death.’

Eyebrows were raised around the table.

“Should children issue from relationships with the sponsored males, their father, in the eyes of the law, is the Primary male. We do not recognize biological supremacy on Logon.”

“The twins were born on Logon,” Yuris reminded them needlessly.

“Which makes Charles their father,” the Attorney General sighed. “A complication which would be readily smoothed over, if not for the fact that the two of you outlived T’Pol.”

“Please explain, ma’am.” Trip was sure he wasn’t goin’ to like her answer.

End of Part Ten

Continue to Part Eleven

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Three people have made comments

More please!

Yes, please explain Ma'am!

Oh my gawd, please don't let Trip lose the twins! What ELSE did T'Pol neatly forget to tell him? Can't wait for the next part, in the meantime I'm in the temple praying it all turns out okay... Ali D :~)