Sins of the Father - Chapter 2

The Sins of the Father

by emtb319

Rating: PG

Disclaimer: Paramount owns it all. I just write.

Summary: Archer must face his actions in the expanse. T/T Season 3.5 Summer Challenge-Plot 2

Archive: Yes, but email me first.

A/N: Thank you everyone who reviewed my last chapter. Your thoughts and insight caused me to erase half of the next chapter and work it into something slightly different. Remember, I love constructive criticism. You can email me at famspanish@yahoo.com.

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Chapter 2

Commander Tucker and Captain Archer were walking toward Starfleet, joking about the ‘good old days,’ before the Xindi conflict. The events in the expanse had put a huge strain on their relationship, but once it was all over with, they had a chance to rebuild their friendship. Tucker even took time off from his engines to spend shore leave with the 2 people he cares about most, T’Pol and Jon. With the expanse behind them, Trip and Jon spent a few nights catching up on their favorite sport, water polo. T’Pol noticed how much happier both men are and has come to respect their favorite pastime.

They entered the campus, and an ensign came running to them.

“Sirs, Admiral Forrest says he needs to see you now, and he put emphasis on now.” They walked to Admiral Forrest’s office, escorted by the ensign. “He’s been trying to reach you for over an hour sirs. In the end, he figured at least Commander Tucker would stop by to check on Enterprise.” Jon chuckled, even though he was worried. It wasn’t like Admiral Forrest to send someone to find him.

They walked into the admiral’s office and were greeted by…

“Just what the hell were you thinking?,” yelled Admiral Forrest.

“Damn Cap’n, I was expecting a ‘good job’ or at least a ‘hello,’” joked Commander Tucker, as they went to sit down.

“Quiet Tucker. I’ve been very busy Jon. Starfleet has read your reports. Hell, I don’t know what to say… Frankly, they’re pissed.”

“Admiral, what’s going on,” Captain Archer was caught by complete surprise.

“Tomorrow morning you will be in the Commodore Erickson’s office, in dress uniform. Starfleet’s calling for a court marital.” Forrest said as he continued to calm down.

“Wait a minute, we risked our lives and busted our asses out there, and now a court marital,” Trip said angrily.

“Trip enough,” said Archer. He knew staying calm was the best thing right now, even though he shared Trip’s anger and wanted to punch a few new holes in the wall.

“No, not enough. They can’t do this to ya Jon.”

“They can and they are,” chimed in Forrest. “At 0830 tomorrow morning, meet me here. I’m going to represent you through this, but, I’ll admit, it’s not looking good. They’re only looking at that warp coil issue, and forgetting things that happened with Ensign Sato and Sim, amongst others. Jon as a friend, I know you did what you thought you had to do for Earth, but now we have to justify it all. Looking at the reports, I cannot begin to understand all of your rationale, but I’m your friend, and I know you did what you thought was best. Starfleet needs to know why you did what you did. Remember by any means necessary is not in their vocabulary.”

A few moments of silence between the men, let the situation sink in. Admiral Forrest broke the silence.

“Go home, get some sleep, it’s getting late. The meeting tomorrow morning is just to inform you about the court marital. I got a call about this from his secretary. She respects me and you Jon enough not to let this be sprung on us in the morning. According to her, the court martial be scheduled for later this week, which gives us some time to prepare.”

They all nodded their heads and shook hands, feeling the tension of their situation, but nothing more could be said. Once Trip and Jon left Admiral Forrest’s office, Trip started. “I don’t get it. They weren’t there. They can’t do this to ya Jon.”

“We’ll just have to make them understand the position we were put in. After all, they wanted us to save Earth. We were sent by ourselves, and we had to do what we had to do.”

“I’ll be right here by your side ya know.”

“I know, and I’m glad,” said Archer as he patted Trip on the back.

When they arrived at Jon’s apartment, Trip and Jon shook hands, gave each other a small hug with a pat on the back, and then parted ways.

Trip walked the few blocks to his place in a daze, his minds was a jumbled mess. All the while thinking. How could they do this? It just wasn’t fair. Hell, it’s not right to question his judgment now, we had to save Earth.

When he finally arrived at his apartment, a worried T’Pol was waiting. She saw the anguish in his eyes, so she did not ask him why he was late. Instead, she closed the door behind him, locked it and turned back to face Trip. Guiding him to the living room, she asked what happened while he and Jon went on their walk. He sat down on the couch and told her everything. Her face never betrayed her emotions, but Trip could see the anger forming in her eyes.

After the events in the expanse, Trip kept up his promise to help her with her problem, and along the way, they found each other. Her addiction was hard to swallow at first, but Trip remembered that everyone makes mistakes, and that she needed a friend. It was a long road for her, and she has had to work hard to regain her Vulcan composure. There are times where she shows her emotions, but only privately. Public outbursts have become non-existent, and he wouldn’t have it any other way.

“We’ll have to set the alarm for 0630 to make it to the meeting by 0830,” T’Pol stated. Trip grinned. He needed to be at that meeting for Jon, but he needed someone to be there for him, and she didn’t need to be asked.

“I’ll prepare some tea,” said T’Pol.

“I’ll set up the meditation candles and pillows,” said Trip; he’s always been very thankful she offered to teach him how to meditate. T’Pol simply nodded and headed to the kitchen, while Trip headed to the bedroom. While he was still pretty new to meditation, it did help him calm down at the end of the day.

T’Pol returned with 2 cups of mint tea. She handed him a cup, and then joined him on the pillows. He was still thinking about the meeting with Admiral Forrest, and he had a lot on his mind. Give him a few minutes, and he’ll either figure things out on his own, or he’ll talk about it, she thought. They both continued to drink the tea quietly, and then Trip just shook his head.

“It’s just not fair. We risked our lives out there time and again to save Earth, and now they’re telling us we did it the wrong way.”

T’Pol answered, “There will always be people who question our actions. We can only defend our actions, and.…” searching for the right phrase, “I believe the phrase is ‘hope for the best.’”

Trip let out a small chuckle and smiled. “You’re right, you always are.” He leaned over and gave her a kiss on her forehead. “Ready?,” he said as he took their tea cups and set them on a table nearby.

“Yes I am,” T’Pol said as she started to light the candles.

0830 The next morning.

Trip, T’pol, Captain Archer and Admiral Forrest walk into Commodore Erickson’s office. Erickson was known to be a little too blunt, never exchanging pleasantry. He was very busy, and everyone knew it. Always got to the point quickly and then kicked you out of his office.

“I wasn’t expecting half of Enterprise’s senior staff, Admiral,” said Commodore Erickson. “Archer’s the only one I need here.” The officers were surprised to hear a knock at the door. “Enter.” In walks, Travis, Phlox, Hoshi and Malcolm. Captain Archer smiles as they enter and stand at attention next to the captain. They weren’t going to let Starfleet snowball their captain without a fight.

“Enough of this. Archer you are pulled from active duty as of right now 0845, pending your court martial. Who will be representing you?”

“I am,” said Forrest.

“Fine. You have 3 days to prepare, then be at the courtroom at 0900. Dismissed.”

All the senior officers left the room behind the captain and the admiral no one said a word until they got back to the admiral’s office.

Archer started. “Thanks guys, but the admiral and I have work to do.”

“We know. If there’s anything you need Captain, let us know. We’re all here for you,” said Hoshi.

“Thank you. The only charge they’re pressing is the warp coil issue. That was my decision alone. You don’t have to be there,” replied Archer.

“No question about it. We’ll all be there,” said Travis.

“Thank you…again…but we have work to do. See you all in 3 days at 0900.”

Enterprise’s senior officers know when to take a hint; they all left, reassuring their captain that they’d see him in 3 days.

TBC

A/N: The next chapter is the letter to Trip. I had to set up the courtroom scene before the letter can be done.

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A handful of people have made comments

This chapter was much easier to follow than the last. Good job. One thing though, you may want to go through your next chappie a few times to make sure you are consistent with the past and present tense of your verbs throughout.

If you need a harsh, unforgiving beta, my email is jadejenna1@yahoo.com.

(I'm kidding, I'm actually quite nice.)

Doesn't it just figure that hot on the heels of "thanks for saving the people of earth and our planet" comes "and now we're going to throw the book at you for how you did it". While it felt very un-Archer like when the Captain stole the coil he was between a rock and a hard place and as they say - 'you have to walk a mile in a man's shoes before you can judge him'. Very good to know he has the whole crew behind him and I'm glad the rift between him and Trip has healed and that Trip and T'Pol are together. Keep going, want to see where you take this next. Ali D :~)

I am glad that there may consequences for Archer for what he did. He stranded a ship and her crew in the expance and put their lives in danger. They may even have died because of what he did. I can understand why he did what he did but he knew it was wrong and therefore should expect to suffer the consequences of his actions.

You've got a good story going! I'm a little surprised Starfleet is going straight to a court martial without doing any kind of investigation, or getting Archer's side of the story (I'm basing this opinion on nine seasons of watching JAG!), but the way you've written it makes it seem quite plausible. I'm looking forward to the next chapter and Lorian's letter to Trip.

There would be an inquiry first. A panel of officers would sit, a captain or two, three admirals of the lower half and a presiding admiral of the upper half. They would spend weeks or months reading the logs and then Archer and the rest would be questioned. They would recomend a formal court martial or not based on their findings.