Enemy of the State-Ch 24

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 24

T’Pol leaned against the wall. Her breathing was labored and she could feel her body shaking and her heart pounding. No matter how illogical the concept, she knew that she was terrified. She had managed to escape from the building, but that thought brought her no comfort. Archer…her captain and friend…and Soma…her son, were still inside, quite possibly dead or captured. The fact that she had followed orders and done her duty didn’t make the action more palatable. Taking a deep breath, she focused on her breathing. Letting the air out, her next breath was more controlled. Each successive breath became more uniform, until her heartbeat slowed to a level of relative calm. Looking across the street, she could see the dilapidated building. Its dark quiet features, hid its secrets from those around it. There was no sign that she was being pursued, but also no sign of the captain or Soma.

T’Pol considered her options. She could try to gain entrance again. The latinum bar she had slipped over the locking hole, which had afforded her exit, was still in place. Going back in wouldn’t be a problem. However, she was only one person, and there was the mission. Neither the captain nor Soma would want it compromised just for their safety. Logically, her choice was clear. And yet, she found herself unable to move, unable to leave them behind. It was as if two sides were in conflict. But she didn’t have two sides. She was a Vulcan. The decision should have been clear. She wondered, for a moment, if this is what Jonathan felt, logic and emotion battling to win out over the other.

I am a Vulcan, she reminded herself. Logic governs my thoughts.

Looking back at the building, she suppressed a shudder. She knew what she had to do. Turning away, she headed down the deserted alley, leaving the building receding the distance. Once she reached the end of the alley, she stopped, hesitating. Where would she go? What was the most logical course to pursue? She had limited options and even less time. Considering these two factors, she concluded that the most logical option was to gain access to the library itself. From her study of the map, on the database she accessed, she knew where it was located. Once there, she would have to analyze it’s security and devise a plan to circumvent it. Find the information required and return to the portal before her time was up. Once that was completed, she could try to come back for Soma and the captain. Deciding this course of action to be both her best option and her most dangerous, she exited the alleyway, heading in the direction leading out of the low end of the city.

Almost instantly, T’Pol found herself flanked by Vulcan soldiers, their black armor reflecting the low level illumination from the aging public lighting panels. Stopping, she looked at the three soldiers. None of them had their weapons aimed at her, but given that they appeared only after she had exited the alley, she concluded that they had been waiting for her. Hearing footsteps, she turned to see a fourth man approaching her from behind. This man she recognized as the soldier who had mistaken her for her doppelganger back in the club. Obviously, he and his men had followed them here.

“We meet again, Lady T’Pol,” said the lead soldier. “I am guardsman Setek. I would ask you what a prominent citizen such as yourself is doing in this part of the city…however, you are already well known for the company you keep.”

T’Pol stared at him. She wondered just what company her opposite kept that elicited such a casual reaction.

“Who I keep my company with is my concern,” said T’Pol, defiantly. She had, had marked success with it before. She could only hope that it proved equally as effective again.

“Your father might disagree with that,” replied the Setek.

“My father?” replied T’Pol. She had not meant to say it, but the comment caught her completely off guard.

“Yes, my lady. Prefect Soval was most concerned about your safety. He requested that we see you safely to him.”

T’Pol eyed the guardsman for a moment. He was trying to be disingenuous. It was clear that he still feared her for some reason that she was unable to fathom. The only question was, did he fear her “father” more.

“And if I do not wish to see him?”

The guardsman gave her a sympathetic look. “That would be…unfortunate, my lady. Your father does not excuse failure, very easily. And my men and I pride ourselves on not failing.”

TBC…

Chapter 25

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