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Deceptions- Ch. 3

Author - plumtuckered
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DECEPTIONS AND TRUTHS

By plumtuckered

Rating: PG-13, Darma, Romance
Disclaimer: It all belongs to Paramount. No money was made.

Chapter III

*************

The sub-commander watched Commander Tucker slowly fall into a deep sleep. He continued to mumble incoherently for several moments and then finally became silent. She looked up at Dr. Kronell.

"Will the commander be all right?"

"Yes. He just needs to sleep off the effects of the compound. I'm slightly surprised it's made him so delusional but I'm positive there won't be any lasting damage." The Talazorian then turned to Captain Archer. "He'll be out for a few hours, Captain."

The captain nodded but kept his eyes on the engineer.

"Now I would imagine Prime Minister Yar is waiting for us in the dining hall. Shall we join him?" The doctor walked to the doorway where Ensigns Mayweather, Sato, and Lieutenant Reed waited anxiously.

"Sir, perhaps one of us should sit with the commander at all times," suggested the armory officer.

"I agree," T'Pol said, looking up at her commanding officer. Her sudden need to protect the engineer was almost overwhelming. She looked over at Kronell. Something about that woman frightened Commander Tucker and she was determined to find out what it was. If the doctor had played a role in or was responsible for his condition then T'Pol would make certain she was held accountable.

"Oh that won't be necessary. Commander Tucker will be quite safe here, I assure you," responded Dr. Kronell far too quickly.

"Malcolm, I think you're right. We'll take shifts until he comes to. Why don't you stay with him first? Hoshi or Travis can bring you your breakfast," directed the captain. The lieutenant pulled up a chair and sat down next to the cot. Captain Archer patted his armory officer's shoulder in response.

They left the two officers and made their way back into the dining hall. T'Pol saw the prime minister seated at the main table. The man stood at the sight of his guests.

"I was wondering if I was going to have to eat all of this by myself," he said cheerfully, sweeping his arm over the wide variety of food before him. "Where are Commander Tucker and Lieutenant Reed?"

"Commander Tucker was taken ill, Prime Minister," replied Captain Archer as he reluctantly took a seat to the man's right. "The lieutenant is staying with him."

T'Pol saw the Talazorian exchange a quick glance with Dr. Kronell. He then turned his attention back to the captain.

"I hope it's nothing serious."

"He'll be fine, sir," responded Kronell. "If you'll excuse me, I need to catch up with Dr. Phlox."

T'Pol watched the woman grab her medical bag and lab jacket then move to the door. She looked back quickly at the prime minister then exited the room.

"Captain, may I speak with you?" T'Pol asked. The captain looked up at her then rose from his chair. They walked away from the table a few meters.

"What is it?"

"I am not certain Dr. Kronell is being honest about the commander's illness," T'Pol said, keeping her voice low.

"You think there's something going on here?"

"Yes, sir."

Captain Archer sighed. "I'm worried about Trip, too, T'Pol. I've never seen him like this."

"I would like to follow the doctor, with your permission."

"What?" Archer replied loudly. He quickly looked at the table then lowered his voice before he continued. "Why?"

"I am not aware of any chemical that could effect someone to the degree this one has effected Commander Tucker, Captain. At least not by simply being in close proximity to it," T'Pol explained. She realized it was entirely possible there was a chemical of which she had no knowledge, but she needed to convince the captain to agree to her plan. "I believe the doctor is hiding something." She paused a moment, waiting for his response. The captain looked hesitant.

"Ensign Sato told me a saying among human females. Something about a.woman's intuition?"

The captain looked at her in surprise. He held her gaze for a long moment before he responded.

"Alright, Sub-Commander. But I want you to take Travis with you. Hoshi and I will stay with Malcolm and Trip. I'll see if I can get anything out of the prime minister while you're gone."

T'Pol nodded.

Captain Archer walked back to the table. T'Pol watched him whisper to Ensign Mayweather. The young man instantly rose to his feet, nodding his head. When he joined her, they left the dining hall and headed to the main medical research facility.

>>>>>>>>>>

Travis caught sight of Dr. Kronell just as she entered the large complex. He knew the sub-commander had seen her as well when she put her arm in front of him to a stop him.

"She is there," she said as she pointed to the closing door.

"How do we get in, Sub-Commander? I'm guessing there's security at the door."

"It is highly probable that there is a backdoor, Ensign. We only need to find it."

Travis followed the Vulcan science officer across the busy street. There were several Talazorians putting up decorations and Travis knew it was in preparation for the arrival of the high premier. They walked along the front of the building then ducked into the space between the medical facility and it's neighbor. Travis was still unsure exactly what the Vulcan expected to find by following the Talazorian doctor, but when Captain Archer said the sub-commander suspected the physician was involved in Commander Tucker's illness, he didn't hesitate to obey his order. Travis' own feelings for Tucker far outweighed the unease he felt around the steely Vulcan woman.

"There," Sub-Commander T'Pol said. She pointed to a door hidden behind some crates. Travis pushed the stack aside to reveal the entry pad. He looked down at his partner in crime.

"Now what, ma'am?"

Even though her face remained expressionless, Travis could see the determination in her dark eyes.

"I am certain if Commander Tucker were here, he would no doubt be able to.," she paused. ".is hotwire the correct term?"

Travis couldn't help but chuckle. He wondered briefly where she'd picked up the word.

"Let me see what I can do, Sub-Commander." Travis reached into one of his pockets and pulled out a small black leather folder. He carefully opened it to display several tiny tools. He glanced up at the sub-commander who raised an eyebrow at him. "When you're raised on a cargo ship, you learn to be ready for anything." He began to pry off the entry pad cover as he continued, "Every time you turn around, something needs to be repaired." He smiled at the warm memory.

Within minutes, Travis had the door opened. He smiled at Sub-Commander T'Pol who simply responded with a slight lift of one eyebrow. She entered first then looked around. She motioned to Travis to follow. As they walked down an empty corridor, the science officer pulled her scanner from its pouch at her waist.

"How are you going to find her?" Travis whispered.

"She said she was going to meet with Dr. Phlox. I am therefore scanning for Denobulan lifesigns."

Travis followed the Vulcan quietly, occasionally looking over her shoulder at the scanner. They had to hide from sight only a few times as they walked toward one of the labs in the center of the complex. Travis was grateful there were so few people. He guessed they were all readying themselves for the celebration.

As they approached the location of Dr. Phlox's bio sign, Travis could hear the Denobulan's cheery voice. They quietly ducked into the large laboratory unseen and hid behind a row of medical equipment. Travis could see Dr. Phlox talking to Dr. Kronell. There was another man present; someone Travis didn't recognize. The man wore a lab jacket similar to Kronell's so Travis surmised he was also a scientist. The boomer strained his ears but couldn't make out the conversation they were having with Phlox. He glanced down at the sub-commander who seemed to be listening intently. Remembering she had superior hearing, Travis kept still. He watched Dr. Kronell motion to the other Talazorian to follow her. The woman said something to Dr. Phlox who responded by tipping his head in acknowledgment. Travis looked at his companion who was turning away from him.

"Ensign, quickly relay to Dr. Phlox what is happening. I am going to follow the other two," she directed quietly over her shoulder. Travis watched as she disappeared from view.

>>>>>>>>>>

T'Pol eased herself into the small room into which the Talazorian scientists had entered. She stayed close to the floor to remain out of their line of sight then crouched behind a console.

"What happened?" asked the male scientist.

"His body seems to be rejecting the implant," replied Dr. Kronell. "It is alien to him, after all." She ran her hand through her blonde hair then leaned forward onto the counter in front of her. "The only thing I could do was inject him with a sedative. I don't have enough knowledge of his physiology to properly treat his symptoms." T'Pol watched her slam her fists on the counter. "From the description the human captain gave me of Tucker's behavior, his brain chemical levels never returned to normal."

"High Premier Colthera will be landing in thirty minutes, Kronell. The celebration begins in an hour. We can't change our plans now!"

"I know, Nate. I know," the woman responded quietly. "I just wish Yar hadn't insisted on using an alien species. Yes, Tucker's brain chemistry is similar but not enough so. We didn't anticipate these complications. I think the captain is only suspicious but I'm certain the Vulcan knows something is wrong."

"It'll be over soon. Don't worry," sighed Nate. T'Pol saw him rub the woman's back affectionately then pull her into an embrace. "Did you give Yar the triggering device?"

Kronell nodded against Nate's shoulder. "Yes. Everything is going as he planned. Except, of course, our assassin's health."

T'Pol's mind froze. They were using Commander Tucker to assassinate the high premier. She fought to control the anger she felt rise from deep within her. She had to be able to think logically and not react emotionally out of her concern for the engineer's well being. She silently reprimanded herself for even allowing herself to care so deeply for the commander. If it had been Captain Archer or one of her other crewmates, she realized suddenly, the struggle within to control her emotions would not be as intense. Her logical mind would simply take over to save one of her friends. But since it was Mr. Tucker who was involved, the inner battle was overwhelming. T'Pol closed her eyes and tried to focus her thoughts.

"What about Dr. Phlox?"

T'Pol looked up at the Talazorian couple who still stood in a tight embrace. Nate pulled away from Kronell and looked at her.

"I'll stay here with him. You should be there when the human awakens," he replied. He bent down to kiss the woman's forehead. "I'll bring the doctor over when the celebration begins. We don't want him to see Tucker. He'd want to examine him and we can't have him discovering the implant."

Kronell ran a finger down the notched ridge on the man's chin then turned and exited the room. T'Pol watched Nate linger a few moments then he, too, left the room. T'Pol slowly followed. She found Ensign Mayweather waiting for her in the same location where she'd left him.

"I told Dr. Phlox about our suspicions, Sub-Commander. Did you find out anything?" he whispered.

"They have placed an implant of some form in Commander Tucker."

"An implant?" the ensign replied, aghast. "What's it doing to him?"

"I will explain later, Ensign. We need to return to Captain Archer and the others immediately." T'Pol looked over the equipment to see Nate gazing at a monitor. Dr. Phlox and Dr. Kronell were nowhere in sight. She silently eased her way out the door and back into the corridor. Ensign Mayweather quietly followed.

"Hold on there!"

T'Pol turned quickly to see a young woman approaching from behind them.

"What are you doing here?" the woman demanded. T'Pol heard Ensign Mayweather draw in his breath sharply as Dr. Nate appeared in the corridor.

"We were looking for our ship's physician, Dr. Phlox. One of our crewmates has taken ill. Our captain requested we come here to find him," T'Pol replied evenly. She squared her shoulders and clasped her hands behind her back. From the corner of her eye, she saw the young ensign straighten his posture as well.

"Oh," replied the young woman. "I just saw Dr. Phlox a minute ago walking with Dr. Kronell. If you'll follow me."

"That's alright, Glorian. I'm expecting Dr. Phlox to return. Our guests can wait with me," interrupted Nate. He raised his arm toward the room he had just exited.

"It is imperative we speak with our doctor as quickly as possible," replied T'Pol. She turned her eyes to the female Talazorian. "If you would take us to him?"

"I insist you wait here. Dr. Phlox will only be gone a couple minutes." Dr. Nate stepped up beside Ensign Mayweather and took his arm. He pulled a hypospray from his pocket, carefully keeping it from Glorian's sight, and held it to the ensign's side. T'Pol quickly grabbed the ensign's other arm when the young man shifted. He looked down at her and she shook her head. She knew the Talazorian doctor merely had to twitch his finger to inject the hypospray's contents.

Glorian shrugged. "I'll let Dr. Phlox know then that you're waiting for him," she said then turned and walked back down the corridor. "Oh, Dr. Nate! I almost forgot why I came looking for you! The high premier has arrived!" she called back.

*************


Continued in Chapter 4

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