Gateway-Part 17

Gateway

By Quills

PART 17

Rating: PG, Action/Adventure, Drama
Disclaimer in Part One

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Chapter 41

Ambassador Soval stood on the bridge of the Enterprise. The Starfleet crew had managed To outmaneuver the three Vulcan ships and escape before Enterprise could be tracked or pursued. They were now on course for an unknown destination and the Vulcan Ambassador's belief that Starfleet had engaged in treachery was growing by the minute.

Soval looked at Soma with a placid mask of indifference. Like all Vulcans, he kept his emotions repressed and under control. However, like many Vulcans there were moments when a emotional repression was more difficult to maintain. Behind Soval's calm exterior was an intense rage. However, his rage was not at Captain Soma. He had a grudging respect for the man. He had been outmaneuvered. He could accept that. What he could not accept was the betrayal by someone he had complete trust in. Soval focused his eyes on T'Pol and for a brief moment she tried to hold his gaze, but averted her own eyes when she could no longer look at the man she had betrayed.

"Once more Ambassador," the Captain began, "I am asking for your cooperation in this matter. I have explained the situation to you."

"Yes Captain," replied Soval as he turned to Soma. "You have told me you are a Starfleet captain from the 24th century. You have told me that the Starfleet of both this time period and your own agreed to a...'swap' in which Captain Archer has traveled to your time period and assumed command of your starship Enterprise. You in turn have traveled back in time to assume command of this Enterprise." Soval paused momentarily as he gave Soma a skeptical glance. "You have also told me that the vessel which attacked and destroyed the Vulcan ships was in fact a Starfleet vessel. However, it is one that you claim was stolen from your time period as part of a 'Suliban plan to initiate war between Vulcan and Earth in order to prevent the formation of a 'United Federation Of Planets'."

Soma rolled his eyes. Even he was having trouble believing it. "Yes Ambassador, that is exactly right."

"You will forgive me, Captain, if I have difficulty believing you."

Soma sighed to himself. "Ambassador, we have been assigned to stop Suliban operatives from carrying out their plans to destabilize Earth. These same operatives I might add are responsible for attacking my ship and are probably working with those who attacked your Vulcan ships. Now, I need the coordinates your ship's relayed before they were destroyed. It's the only way we are going to find that Starfleet ship before it's crew can carry out their plans."

"You have no evidence to substantiate your claims Captain. Without proof, your claims are just that...claims. I will not give you any information."

"Ambassador..." started Soma as he tried to control his temper.

Soval raised a brow at Soma's reaction. "Clearly your emotions are getting the better of you. No doubt do to your human heritage."

Soval was trying to provoke him. He could see why Archer never spoke of the Ambassador kindly. There were tropical skin diseases less irritating than this man. Soma took a deep breath. He had tried being diplomatic with the Ambassador. He had tried reasoning with the man, even to the point of violating his orders and disclosing knowledge of the future. For all the good it did, Soval didn't believe a word of it.. This had gone on long enough. He would have try a different tact if he was going to get the answers he needed.

Soma came around the bridge railing as he headed for the steps to the lower command deck. Passing T'Pol, he paused for a moment and gave the Vulcan science officer a sympathetic look as whispered to her "Forgive me for what I'm about to do T'Pol."

Soma descended to the command deck and approached Soval, stopping only a few feet away. The bridge crew looked at Soma hesitantly. They had seen what he did to the last Vulcan that was on the bridge. Giving the Ambassador a hard look, Soma once again pressed for an answer.

"Ambassador, I am sure you are aware of the joint treaty between Earth and Vulcan," explained Soma. "It stipulates that either side will lend aid and assistance to any authorized representative acting on behalf of either parties respective governments or agencies representing them regarding matters of security and or intelligence."

The Ambassador's features remained stoic as he replied. "I am aware of the treaty."

"Then you are aware that any individual interfering with an official investigation is guilty of violating that agreement," stated the Captain.

"I am," responded Soval. "However, the treaty no longer applies now that Earth and Vulcan are at war."

"Correction Ambassador, you stated yourself that Earth and Vulcan were unofficially at war. Until a formal declaration is made, the treaty stands and your cooperation is required."

Soval arched his brow, "A technicality Captain. One I must disregard under the circumstances."

Soma straightened his posture. "So you are adamant in regards to the matter?"

"I am," replied Soval coolly.

"Very well," said Soma as he gave the Ambassador an icy stare. Turning around, he addressed his armory officer "Mr. Reed."

Reed looked at his Captain, "Sir?"

Soma turned back to Soval as he issued his next order. "Throw him in the brig."

The Ambassador's eyes widened as he arched his brow.

"Y-yes sir." replied Reed as he made his way around the railing and over to Soval.

Soval looked at Soma. The white, hot rage that had been building beneath his Vulcan veneer began to come to the surface. His face creased with pressure lines. Soma allowed himself a slight smile. He had him.

"I am a dignitary of the Vulcan High Command. As an Ambassador you have no authority to hold me...even during a time of war."

"Correction," replied Soma. "I am a representative of Starfleet and you are in direct violation of the Earth Vulcan treaty accords. You are under arrest pending your disposition."

Turning towards his armory officer, Soma gave instructions to Reed. " Escort the PRISONER to the brig."

"Aye sir," he responded as he swept his arm towards the turbo lift. "Ambassador, if you please."

Soval continued to stare at Soma. "If you believe that placing me in detention will cause me to revaluate my position, you are mistaken."

Soma returned Soval's stare as he issued further orders. "Mr. Reed, see to it he bunks with the Andorian crew."

Soval gave Soma a questioning look, uncertain if in fact the Captain actually had Andorians aboard his ship.

"They're what's left of the ship that attacked us," explained Soma. " We've had them in the brig for several days now. I'm sorry we can't give you more private accommodations but this isn't a large vessel. We have limited space, but I'm sure you understand."

"You cannot place me with Andorian prisoners," Soval protested.

"I'm sure they'll be extremely pleased to see a new face," said Soma smiling, "and for the second time today you’re wrong...I can and I will."

Soma turned and headed for his command chair. "If you need anything just give a yell," he added "I'm sure someone will respond in ...twenty or thirty minutes."

The Captain sat in his chair as he leveled Soval with a stair. To the Ambassador's credit he returned the stare in kind. As for the bridge crew, they nervously waited to see who would give first. All that is, save T'Pol. The young Vulcan looked at Soma and then Soval. In the short time she had known the Captain she had found him capable of extreme measures. She had no doubt the Captain would place Soval with the Andorians. An act which could be...life threatening to say the least. She also knew that the Ambassador was a man of strong will. The chances were far greater that he would not acquiesce. T'Pol knew she had to do something to mediate a resolution between the two men.

T'Pol stepped forward hesitantly as she mustered the courage to address Soval. "Father, give him what he wants...please."

T'Pol's human crewmates all turned towards her and then Soval with looks of shock. Had they just heard what they thought they heard?

Soval looked at T'Pol for a moment, "Daughter."

T'Pol walked down the steps as she addressed Soval. "I am sorry if you view my actions as a betrayal, but you must listen to me," she said looking at Soma and then back at her father. "I realize that Captain Soma's claims are difficult to believe and defy established scientific precepts, but regardless of where he is from...you cannot discount the possibility that forces are at work which seek to undermine the relationship between Earth and Vulcan by instigating armed conflict. Logic demands that we discard any and all possibilities before formulating a conclusion."

Soval gave her a cursory look as he turned towards Soma.

"Father, you have always sought to safeguard Vulcan and its people. Serve them now by finding a solution that does not bring them into war with Earth."

Soval looked at his daughter as he considered her words. He could see a spark of hope in her pleading eyes and it reminded him of a much younger Vulcan child he had not thought of in many years.

"Your assessment is logical daughter," responded Soval as he turned to face Soma. "Very well Captain, what you wish to know can be found on this information disc."

Soval pulled a small disc from his robe and held it out to Soma. "It contains a copy of what little information we were able to obtain from our ship's."

"I'm impressed Ambassador." said Soma as he took the disc. "I didn't think you would actually carry it on your person."

Soval raised his brow. "You are not the only person to employ guile Captain."

Soma looked at the Ambassador for a moment. For all his annoying and condescending faults, Soval was a remarkable man. "Thank You Ambassador," said Soma respectfully.

"Mr. Reed, escort the Ambassador...to his quarters."

"Yes, sir."

Soval walked up the steps as Reed escorted him of the bridge. T'Pol watched as her father entered the turbo lift and the doors closed behind him.

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TBC...

Continue to Part 18 (Chapter 42)

Return to Part 16 (Chapter 40)

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Four of you have made comments

Ooh, this is good. I just love Soma, he is the tops! A Vulcan with human inclinations. You have created such a wonderful character and I can't wait to see what happens next. I can only imagine the position T'Pol is in with Soval being her father... Thanks for a good story, Ali D :~)

dude ya gotta upload the chapters faster! but the story just keeps gettin better!
artemis moonshine

Yes, someone else who thinks Soval is T'Pol's father! Great drama and angst. Soma continues to shine as a character. Keep writing!

Yes!! Someone else who believe the T'Pol Soval connection! And please, please please keep this story coming! I love it!