Negotiations-Ch 13

Negotiations

By Hoshi’s Sis

Rating: PG/13
Genre: Angst/Action/Adventure
Disclaimer: It all belongs to Paramount. No infringement intended.
Summary:

A/N: Takes place after they have left the Expanse at the end of Season 3, but before the Season 4 episode, “Home.”

@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@

Chapter Thirteen

Three hours later, Captain Archer woke up feeling a lot more rested and more up to par. He was still in a lot of pain, but he was determined not to let that stop him getting to the bottom of this mystery surrounding Trip’s behaviour.

“Ahhhh…… Captain,” said Phlox coming round the curtain after noticing a change in his bio readings, “glad to see you awake. How are you feeling; do you need anymore pain relief?”

“No, I’m fine thanks,” he replied, as Phlox helped adjust his bed so he could sit up. “How’s Trip?”

“I’ve still got him heavily sedated and considering recent developments, I’d think it would be prudent to keep him like that for a while.”

“What developments are you talking about?” asked Archer, with a curious look, “is it something to do with how he’s been acting?”

“Maybe T’Pol and Lieutenant Reed should explain; they were just about to call a meeting with Commander Shran and Ambassador Soval. Don’t worry, Captain,” indicated Phlox as he noticed Archer was about to get up, “I’ll comm. Commander T’Pol and have her come down here and brief you on recent developments.”

“Thanks Phlox,” sighed Captain Archer; he really wanted to get out of here and back to doing something useful, anything really, than sitting here helplessly watching his friend lying across sickbay oblivious to the threatened rise of hostility between two races that he had unwittingly brought forth. He had to do something to help him, damn it………. opponents on either side were braying for his blood and he wasn’t prepared to just sit here and let that happen.

T’Pol walked into sickbay five minutes later, “I’m pleased to see you looking better, Captain.”

“I can definitely say the same for you as well T’Pol,” smiled Archer, “why don’t you fill me on one what’s going on. What’s the reaction from the Vulcan’s and the Andorian’s to what’s happened?

“Not good, tensions are starting to rise; each have been calling for the extradition of Commander Tucker into their custody,” replied T’Pol sadly, “Ambassador Soval and Commander Shran have managed to hold them off so far on the hope that we can find evidence to exonerate him, but I don’t think they can manage that for long. A lot of Vulcan’s and Andorian’s were hurt in the explosions and both are demanding an explanation.”

“Have we found one?”

“Yes, although I highly doubt it will be viewed as a satisfactory by either party.”

“What do you mean?” asked Archer looking puzzled.

“As Lieutenant Reed pointed out, the answer leaves too many open questions?” said T’Pol. Seeing how Archer was even more puzzled, she elaborated further, “During a detailed scan, Phlox found what looks like to be a chip inserted into the back of Commander Tucker’s neck. Parts of it is organic, where it has used parts of his metabolism to replicate pathways to transfer data into and around his body and mind like a form of mind control. I believe that the material used to make this chip is only used by Andorians; the fact that they hid the very nature of this device from us backs up my conclusion. However Lieutenant Reed is sceptical of their involvement because it seems illogical that they would incriminate themselves in such a simple manner.”

“I agree with Malcolm,” replied Captain Archer in a thoughtful manner, “from what I know about Andorians, they are a very honourable species who are very direct in their approach. It’s not in their nature to involve an unwilling third party in deception like this, while also leaving evidence against them to be found in such an easy identifiable way.”

“Maybe they didn’t intend Commander Tucker to be caught alive?”

“So why did they help us recapture him then,” asked Captain Archer, “and why have him fire on their own people?

“As I informed Lieutenant Reed, Andorians are not the most logical of species,” replied T’Pol, looking puzzled. On one hand she believed this and wanted to blame them for this mess and tear them apart for what they had done to Trip, but her Vulcan logic was telling her that something wasn’t right. There were too many questions left standing and what answers they had received, were coming far too easy. “I am meeting both Ambassador Soval and Commander Shran over recent developments,” informed T’Pol as she got ready to leave, “I will keep you informed of my progress.”

“No need,” said Archer as he attempted to climb out of the bed, “get me my clothes; I’m attending the meeting as well.”

“Captain, you have not been cleared for duty by Doctor Phlox.”

“I’ve cleared myself, now are you getting my clothes or do I have to attend in my underwear.”

“Captain, may I ask what you are doing?” asked Phlox walking into view.

“I need to be at this meeting between Soval and Shran,” replied Archer carefully climbing out of bed, “you know what they’re like, they’ll end up killing themselves or start a full scale war if I don’t intervene.”

“I’m sure Commander T’Pol is quite capable of handling this,” said Phlox sternly.

“No offence to T’Pol, Doc, but she can’t handle Shran like I can.”

“She’s going to have to,” replied Phlox, determined not to let Captain Archer leave sickbay, “you are in no fit state to leave sickbay, Captain.”

“Out of my way, Doc.”

“Do I have to quote regulations at you, Captain?”

“Quote them all you want, doctor; it still won’t stop me from leaving.”

T’Pol could see that neither were going to budge, “Why don’t I get Ambassador Soval and Commander Shran to meet with us inside sickbay?” said T’Pol hoping to break the stalemate, “that way you will still be able to attend the meeting while following doctors orders at the same time. Would that be more agreeable, Doctor……, Captain…….?” After a nod from both she went to the comm... to inform Lieutenant Reed to bring them both down to sickbay instead.

-------------------------------------------------------

“Captain Archer…….. you’re looking a lot better,” said Shran as he and Soval walked into sickbay ten minutes later, then in a softer, concerned voice, “how is Commander Tucker?”

“Well that’s what we want to talk about,” said Archer, “Phlox has found something that contradicts medical evidence given to us by your doctor.”

“What do you mean……… contradicts?” asked Shran.

“Your doctor didn’t inform us/or he attempted to hide the fact that a chip of Andorian nature has been inserted inside Commander Tucker while he was on your ship. That very chip has been receiving and transmitting data in a brain washing fashion, causing his highly unusual behaviour,” explained T’Pol, “can you explain this?”

“I can or will explain nothing, Vulcan,” replied Shran in an angry manner, “how dare you accuse us of sabotaging this conference. How do we not know this isn’t Vulcan subterfuge?”

“A typical Andorian retort,” expressed Soval in a condescending manner.

“Look, I’m in no mood for a pissing contest between you two,” interrupted Captain Archer, “this isn’t the time nor is it the place. Shran will you take a look at the doctors scans of the material used to make the chip? Is it material of Andorian origin?”

“Yes,” replied Shran looking at the overhead monitor, “but it means nothing nor proof that would place blame?”

“I’m not placing blame,” said Archer, “is there any possible chance that someone else could have got hold of this material and used it to implement you?”

“Yes, it’s hardly top secret that it’s only found on Andorian and that we mine it for our own personal use.”

“You’re negating the fact that your doctor hid the very nature of the chip,” interrupted Soval.

“I’m negating nothing, Vulcan. We don’t know how or when it was placed there; he may not have even noticed it during his initial examination.”

“I can confirm that Commander Tucker was in perfect health before he went over to your ship,” said Phlox, “a medical examination is standard procedure before and after any away contact. On the other matter, your technology is far superior to ours and it would most definitely have picked up a trace of this chip during the scan that was undertaken on your ship. I can only assume that your computer was pre-programmed to hide that fact.”

“Shran,” asked Archer, “why don’t you invite Doctor Anders over here so we can get to the bottom of this.” Reluctantly, Shran agreed to the request and went over to comm. his ship. “Phlox is there any way we can find out what data this chip is transmitting?”

“No.”

“Well we’re going to have to wake up Trip.”

“Captain, I wouldn’t advise that……”

“Phlox, it’s the only way,” said Archer, “take all the precautions you want, but I think it’s our only option left of finding out who’s behind this.”

“It may not be our only option,” replied Soval.

“What do you have in mind,” asked a curious Archer.

“A mind meld, Captain.”

“Isn’t that kind of dangerous,” asked Archer to a very surprised T’Pol looking on.

“Only by the inexperienced,” replied Soval.

“and I take it that your not,” said Archer

“Correct…. Captain,” replied Soval.

“I thought the high command were against such things, that they are performed by a rebel faction who go against the teachings of Sarek,” said T’Pol as they walked over towards Trip. After all the trouble with Tolaris, the Pa'nar Syndrome and the confrontation with the Vulcan Medical Facility, she couldn’t believe this revelation that Soval was part of the melder faction as well.

“We will talk later, T’Pol,” explained Soval, “I don’t think now is the logical time to hold a discussion about what the High Command thinks. I may also be able to help regarding a certain problem you have.” T’Pol and Phlox looked at each other in surprise as Soval prepared himself to initiate the procedure, “Yes I know about your Pa’nar Syndrome, I keep close tabs on my former aids; as I said, we will talk later.”

“We have a problem pink skin,” replied Shran, returning from the comm.. link. “It seems Doctor Anders has been found dead and Lieutenant Seldar is missing.”

“Why do I suddenly feel someone is trying to close all our avenues,” said Archer.

“You may be right, Archer,” replied Shran, “further questioning by Talas has uncovered evidence that the plasma blow out on the ship was no accident. There is evidence of a micro detonator in the remains. Also there is an unusual time lag between the incident happening and when we were notified by Seldar, a time lag where Commander Tucker is no longer registered by internal sensors as being on the Weytan.”

“How come you are just finding this out now?” asked Archer, angry at these new developments.

“Let’s just say, since Lieutenant Seldar’s disappearance, Talas has uncovered evidence of disgruntled personnel who are not above following their own agenda; I believe Seldar and Anders may have been connected but we can’t be sure due to lack of evidence. Talas is trying to find out just where Commander Tucker was, during those hours that he wasn’t registered on sensors, but at the moment we seem to be drawing a blank.”

Shran and Archer were just digesting this new piece of information when Soval, T’Pol and Phlox returned all looking kinda puzzled.

“Well,” asked Archer looking rather impatient.

“Curious,” replied Soval, then to more urging by Captain Archer, “There is one phrase that stands out. ‘The Raptors Wings have risen again, only when the two factions are united in war can the prodigal sons return home once more’. After that is a list of directives – eliminate the Andorian delegates; eliminate the Vulcan delegates; where to place explosives etc.”

------------------------------------------------------

Chapter 14

Return to Chapter 12

Back to Fan Fiction Main Menu

Have a comment to make about this story? Do so in the Trip Fan Fiction forum at the HoTBBS!