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Enemy of the State-Ch 22

Author - Quills
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Enemy of the State

By Quills

Contact: quills@thequillpen.net
Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: Paramount owns Star trek and I derive no financial gain from this story.
Codes: A, T/Tu, Ma, S, R, P angst, drama, romance, humor, action/adventure
Summary: The starship Enterprise is on a desperate mission to save Earth from the mysterious Xindi. While searching for the weapon the Xindi intend to use against Earth, Captain Archer and his crew are reunited with their friend from the future, Captain Soma, who brings news of an even more sinister plot by a Xindi faction involving the Vulcans, which threatens not only Earth, but the entire galaxy. Now it is up to Archer and his crew, with the help of Soma, to unravel the Xindi plot and prevent Earth and the galaxy from falling at the feet of their greatest threat…Vulcan.
***Special note: This story takes place after the season three episode, “Carpenter Street,” but before the episode “Harbinger.”

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Chapter 22

Archer, Soma, and T'Pol followed Setel through the winding streets. They had left the exotic Han district over an hour ago, for a less well-traveled area of the city. Archer had taken in their surroundings, cautiously. The city’s inhabitants had turned towards a seedier aspect. Women and men were openly proffering themselves to passersby, and he was almost certain they had passed two groups of Vulcans that he took for some kind of street gangs. The patterned stencil tattooing on their faces was unique enough to set them apart, but similar enough to mark them as a group. The menacing stares they gave them told him they were best avoided, if possible. The whole area was a clear sign that class distinctions existed; even the architecture. The plain gray stone buildings were a stark contrast to the more ornate and colorful structures they had seen in the more traveled area of the city. The monotone colored walls were all uniform and all in various states of disrepair.

Poverty and crime, thought Archer, they seem to go hand in hand, even here.

Setel had claimed that he could provide the information they needed. Unfortunately, he considered Setel as trustworthy as the rest of the criminal element. The Vulcan was an opportunist and would certainly do what was in his own best interest, including betraying them. If they could have found another way…but Archer shook his head, their options were limited. Time was running out and Setel had proven to be their one and only lead. Forced to accept his help, they had decided to follow him, even if they didn't trust him. The fate of Vulcan and of Earth was in their hands, and they had to take the risk. But Archer wondered how high that risk might be or how far they would have to travel to see it through. He was an explorer, not a combat commander. But in the last few months, he had tasted the bitter brew that came with command. He had not only witnessed members of his crew die, but it was his orders, which had sent them to their deaths. All in the name of duty for a war that none of them had ever asked for. It was something that he found more and more difficult to put aside as they ventured further into the Expanse.

Turning his attention in front of him, he could see Soma a few meters behind Setel. He needed to speak with him before they arrived at wherever Setel was leading them. Quickening his pace, Archer caught up to him. Touching him on the arm, he motioned Soma to slow down so that they could speak without Setel overhearing them. He knew from prior experience with T’Pol, that Vulcans had exceptionally acute hearing, and he didn’t want to risk Setel listening in on their conversation.

“What do you think,” whispered Archer, cautiously.

Soma glanced at the captain, raising a brow. He didn’t need to ask what Archer meant. “Our options are limited and he’s the only person we can reasonably rely on.”

Archer took a quick glance in Setel’s direction. “Did you catch the look on his face when that guard recognized T’Pol?”

Soma nodded, “Mmmm…he got scared.”

“Right,” nodded Archer. “Which means?”

Soma considered the question for a moment. He was certain Archer had already drawn his own conclusion, but was using him as a sounding board. Logically there were three possibilities, thought Soma. “He’ll either do his job and collect his fee out of fear of what might happen if he tries to back out…look for a way to lose us and hope he doesn’t cross our path again… ”

“Or?” asked Archer; certain of the third option.

“He’ll turn on us the first chance he gets.”

“How likely is it that we’re walking into a trap?” asked Archer point blankly. No matter what current difficulties he and Soma were having, he found the Vulcan captain’s experience a valuable asset. Being both human and Vulcan, he could temper suspicion with dispassionate logic.

Soma’s brow arched once again. He had considered that question himself. “I would say the chances are pretty good.”

Archer turned back, looking at T’Pol for a moment. He could see that she was observing the two of them talking, and was certain she had also considered their situation, and knew how far they could trust Setel. Like the two of them, she knew the risk was high, and that they might very well be walking into danger. Archer turned back to Soma, and was about to say something when he saw Setel look back. Almost instantly, he caught site of Archer and Soma. Giving them a wary glance, he turned back around, continuing down the walkway.

“Dammit, I don’t trust him,” said Archer.

Soma looked at him, shaking his head. “I don’t trust him either,” he replied sarcastically. “But what choice do we have.”

Archer considered that for a moment. They needed a plan. Something, in case Setel was leading them into a trap.

“It would help if we knew where it was he’s taking us,” said Archer. “We need a plan in case this is a trap.”

Soma nodded, “Then let’s find out.”

Before Archer could say anything, Soma quickened his pace, moving up alongside Setel. Looking at him, he gave the Vulcan a congenial smile before asking where they were going. He tried posing the question in a tone that he hoped Setel would take as a casual interest, but the suspicious look on his face told Soma that he had failed miserably. Setel struck him as the paranoid and distrustful type. It’s probably what kept him alive.

Setel’s features softened and he gave Soma a half smile, which looked more like a toothy grin. "To see some people.”

Soma’s eyes narrowed cautiously. Setel was intent on keeping them in the dark and Soma didn’t like it. He would have to press the issue with Setel and hope for a break.

"I thought you were the person we needed to see," replied Soma, trying to put Setel on the defensive.

"I supply the means," said Setel, nonchalantly. "It’s my extensive resources that make my services possible. I am merely a broker."

Typical mid level criminal, thought Soma. He had met his fare share of them. Each had their own degree of criminality they exuded. Setel was a man that positively reeked of it. Soma believed that Setel would eat the contents of his own gut to advance his position. He knew a few politicians that were like that as well. Although in this case, he considered the comparison hard on the politicians.

“We’ve been traveling for over an hour, Setel,” said Soma, acidly. “We didn’t hire you for a tour of the low end of the city.”

Soma watched Setel for a reaction. He was running not only a bluff, but also a gamble. They couldn’t afford to lose Setel and questioning him directly ran the risk of alienating them from him. But their only other choice was to follow him and hope for the best, something equally as dangerous.

“Relax Soma,” said Setel, reassuringly. “You’ll have your answers soon enough.”
Stopping at the end of the street, he turned, looking down the darkened walkway.

“Our destination,” he announced with a smile.

Looking past him, Soma could barely make out the dark stone structure in the low lighting. What little he could see appeared dilapidated and in disrepair; perfect for conducting business away from prying eyes. Soma looked at Setel for a moment. The Vulcan was giving him a pleasant smile, which unnerved him. Turning to Archer and T’Pol, he motioned to the building at the end of the walkway.

“Come,” said Setel, moving down the short walkway.

Soma moved to follow, but Archer grabbed him by the arm. “We’re not going in there without a plan.”

Soma looked down the walkway, and then back at Archer. Setel would notice that they weren’t following. If Archer wanted a plan, they would have to make it fast.

“What do you propose?”

“We follow him in,” said Archer, turning to T’Pol. “You keep your distance. If it’s a trap…you make a run for it.”

T’Pol looked at Archer in distress, “Captain-“

“No, he’s right, mother,” agreed Soma. “One of us has to get away. You’re the logical choice. You speak the language, you’re a trained intelligence operative and you have the added advantage of carrying some authority in this time line.”

T’Pol looked at her son for a moment. Her eyes betrayed her concern. She did not wish to leave either of them in the hands of hostiles, but the captain was right. One of them had to remain free. Giving them a nod, she agreed to the plan.

“All right,” said Soma, “let’s get moving, before he notices we’re lagging behind.”

Moving down the walkway, Soma headed towards the building. T’Pol started to follow, but stopped when Archer’s hand clutched her arm. Leaning in close, he gave T’Pol a firm look.

“If it’s a trap,” said Archer, “you get away…complete the mission. Don’t worry about us. We’ll be all right.”

T’Pol stared at Archer for a moment. The captain knew this wasn’t easy for T’Pol. He was asking her to abandon not only himself, but also her son. He didn’t pretend to understand how Vulcan’s viewed their children, but he saw how T’Pol looked at Soma. All the logic and discipline in the world couldn’t restrain the emotion her child elicited from her.

“I’ll look after him, T’Pol,” he said, reassuringly. “I promise.”

T’Pol’s gaze lingered for a moment, and then she nodded. “Thank you.”

Archer and T’Pol hurried down the walkway. Soma had already caught up with Setel, who had reached the dilapidated building. Watching the Vulcan, Soma could see him moving away what looked like a loose tile from the building wall. A closer inspection revealed it to be, much more. Pulling the tile away, Setel revealed a complex interface grid. Soma could see a green luminescent pad and several keys with archaic Vulcan symbols. Soma cursed inwardly. He chided himself for not paying more attention to Soval’s lessons in ancient Vulcan glyphs. Then he might be able to decipher the symbols. Unfortunately, he found more interest in Soval’s young assistant than his grandfather’s lessons. Watching Setel, he saw the man place his palm against the green pad. A yellow line traveled down the length of the pad, and Soma concluded that it was scanning Setel.
The process was over in less than five seconds. Setel withdrew his hand, and a low snapping sound emitted from in front of him. Setel pushed against the wall, and it moved inward like a door.

“Shall we,” smiled Setel, stepping through the doorway.

Soma looked at Archer and T’Pol. “Moment of truth.”

“If we go in,” said Archer, “we’re going to find it hard to get out.”

“Chance we’ll have to take,” said Soma, “Just be ready with your disruptors.”

Reaching out, T’Pol grabbed Soma’s arm. “Jonathan…quickly, hand me one your latinum strips.”

Soma gave her an odd look, but did as she asked. Reaching into his coat pocket, Soma pulled out the money satchel. Taking out a pressed latinum strip, he handed it to T’Pol.

“What are you-“ Soma started, but T’Pol was already headed for the doorway.

Entering the building, she stopped in the entranceway when Setel blocked her path. Looking up at him, she leaned forward, placing her hand against the door jam. Giving him a hard stare, she tried the same tact that had worked in the club. Setel got the message, and he stepped to one side. Stepping through, T’Pol was followed by Soma and then Archer. Once they were inside, Setel closed the wall panel behind them.

“Just a precaution,” he smiled.

Soma arched his brow. “Ingenious.” He was genuinely impressed by the degree of subterfuge the building’s dilapidated state afforded.

“Sometimes the best place to hide something is in plain site,” said Setel. “Now, if you’ll follow me.”

Archer watched Setel head down the narrow passageway. It was dark and the smell was musty, like a poorly ventilated warehouse. Following Setel down the darkened corridor, he watched the shadows for any hint of movement. Sliding his hand into his tunic sleeve, he checked his disruptor. If it looked like a trap, and felt like a trap, then it probably was a trap. Suddenly, Setel turned a corner. Signaling to the T’Pol and Soma, he quickly picked up his pace. Reaching the corner, Archer looked down the adjacent corridor. Setel had melted into the shadows. Quickly, he turned, motioning for Soma and T’Pol to run. The sudden shine of metal in the darkened building told him all he needed to know.

“Take cover!” he yelled, diving between two stacks of crates.

Energy beams lanced through the air, striking cylinders and stacked crates. Somersaulting into a crouched position, he looked up to see the direction the fire was coming from. A second energy beam shot out of the shadows, striking a group of crates several meters to his right. Watching the beams strike the crates, he realized their weapons were in stun. Whoever they are, they wanted them alive. Moving along the row of crates, he made his way to the opposite end of the pallet. Backing away, he turned abruptly, feeling an object touch his back. Swinging his arm in a downward motion, he turned the butt of his disruptor around, using it as a hard blunt object on whoever’s skull that it met. As his arm made it’s way forcefully down, another arm connected with it, deflecting it away.

“Jonathan!” Archer exclaimed, when he saw whom he had almost hit.

“Looks like you were right,” said Soma, dunking down behind the crates as disruptor fire continued to come from the shadows.

“I wish I was wrong,” replied Archer. Looking past Soma, he noticed someone was absent. “Where’s T’Pol?”

Soma shook his head. “I don’t know. We got separated when they started shooting.”

Archer turned, looking in the direction of the disruptor fire. He could see at least four separate positions where energy beams were coming from. They were outgunned and on the low ground.

“We have to get out of here,” he said.

Soma looked at him. “What about T’Pol?”

The plan had been for T’Pol to be the one to escape. But the situation had changed. One of them had to make it out of here, while the other gave him cover. Archer knew that it had to be Soma. He and T’Pol were the only ones who could complete the mission. Archer chided himself for coming along. He didn’t speak the language or know any of the customs. His chances of succeeding were practically non-existent.

“One of us has to get out here,” said Archer. “It has to be someone who can carry out the mission. That isn’t me.”

Soma stared at him for a brief moment. He had no idea where his mother was. She could be injured, or worse. But Archer was right. One of them had to get out.

“All right,” he said.

Archer shook his head. “I’ll cover you. When I give you the word, make for the way we came in. If you have to, burn through the door with your disruptor.”

Soma and Archer took up their positions. The disruptor fire had stopped, but they both knew that their adversaries were just waiting for assign of movement from them. Slowly, Soma inched towards the edge of the attacked crates. There was an open run of thirty feet before he could reach the corridor they have come in through. Looking back at Archer, he nodded, signaling he was ready. Archer tensed, holding up his disruptor. Peering over the crate, he tried to see if there was any sign of movement. For several seconds he didn’t see anything, but then he saw the quick flash of light reflecting off of something metallic. It was all he needed. Aiming his disruptor, he pressed the trigger; firing controlled bursts in the direction of the flash.

“Go!” he shouted.

Soma immediately bolted, running for the corridor. Not bothering to look back, he could hear the cacophony of Archer’s fire as well as return fire. Several disruptor beams streaked past him, and he knew they were getting close. Archer just had to hold them off a few more seconds and he would make it. But he realized a few seconds was more than he had, as a disruptor beam struck him squarely in the back. Instantly, he felt his body becoming disconnected. His legs collapsed under him, and his forward momentum carried him down and across the floor. Sliding across the ground, his momentum was stopped when he collided with group of stacked crates next to the corridor.

Archer turned and saw Soma, just as he crashed into the boxes. He had gotten hit and wasn’t moving. Continuing to return fire, Archer moved along the crates trying to reach Soma. Suddenly, he turned, catching a sound behind him. Before he could react, a sharp blow struck his hand, knocking the disruptor to the floor. Looking up, Archer could see that it was Setel. Lunged at him, Archer tried to grab him, but the Vulcan was ready for him this time. Grabbing Archer's wrist, he gave the captain's arm a quick twist and a yank, causing Archer to release his grip in a spasm of pain. Pulling Archer up to him, Setel flashed him an evil grin.

"You and I have unsettled business," said Setel…in Terran.

Archer glared at him, blood trickling down his lip. How was Setel able to speak Terran? Inwardly he cursed, at himself. He had gotten caught, even though he suspected it was a trap. To make matters worse, Soma was injured; maybe worse and he had no idea if T’Pol had escaped.

“Nothing to say…human?” smiled Setel; raising his hand to Archer’s already bloody face. “I’ll loosen that tongue for you.”

"No, Setel," came a voice from the shadows. "You don't decide what happens to him, that's my privilege."

Archer turned, looking into the shadows. That voice sounded familiar. He was certain he had heard it before. Straining to see in the low light, he could make out the movement of a single form. Watching, he waited for him to move out the shadows.

"You don't need him," said Setel angrily. “I brought you the woman!”

”And allowed her to escape,” replied the shadowy figure. Anger filled his words.

Archer sighed in relief. T’Pol had gotten away. At least that was break for their side. As it stood, he and Soma were in enemy hands, with little chance of help.

"You don't decide what I need," corrected the shadowy figure. "Remember that Setel."

The Vulcan turned back to Archer, giving him a menacing stare. Releasing his grip, he let Archer drop to his knees. Gasping for air, he rubbed his neck, working the circulation back. Setel would have killed him, if it weren’t for the arrival of this stranger. Looking up, Archer strained to see the man.

“Who are you?” asked Archer.

“I’ll ask the questions,” he replied; in almost perfect Terran. “What business do you have with T’Pol?”

Archer looked away, feigning disinterest. The less he said, the less danger he placed T’Pol in. It was obvious that whoever their shadowy host was, he had more than a passing interest in T’Pol. Hearing movement, Archer turned back to the shadowy figure. He could see him moving into the light. Stepping out of the shadows, Archer got his first look at the man’s face. He recognized him immediately, and a cold chill went down his spine.

"Tolaris…"



Chapter 23

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