Daybreak- Chapter 11

Daybreak

by ShouldKnowBetter

Disclaimers in Chapter 1

~~~~~~~

Chapter 11 - One Step Forward

Cole approached Soval’s cabin after her shift the next day with a certain degree of apprehension. It had dawned on her during the day that she had backed Soval into a corner the night before, and that he might be less than pleased about it. Last night, he’d been more loving and passionate than she’d dreamed possible. Even that morning, he’d been flatteringly reluctant to let her leave his bed, apparently of the opinion that he should now be her first priority and the rest of the universe could go hang. But that had been from a Vulcan who’d been too exhausted to meditate. During the day, she’d felt the bundle of emotions and sensations in her head that were Soval’s reduce to something barely discernable as he regained his normal control. He was still there – the sense of something missing that had plagued her whenever they weren’t together was gone – but he was cool, calm and in perfect control. That being the case, she didn’t know if he’d still be willing to keep their relationship on its new footing. And if he didn’t, she’d die of disappointment.

The door slid open as soon as she buzzed and she stepped inside, hands clenched into fists. At once, Soval rose from the low couch where he had been seated and came towards her, hands coming to rest on her shoulders. “Amanda, what’s wrong?”

“Nothing.” Given the concern in his eyes, and the fact that he was touching her, she’d evidently overreacted – as usual.

He continued to frown at her, however. “You doubted my commitment to you.”

“No!” It seemed so foolish, now that they were in contact again, and she could sense the depth of feeling she aroused in him, even if it was well under control. “I just wondered …” She broke off, then continued with uncharacteristic embarrassment, “If you’d still want to go to bed with me now that you’re better.”

One eyebrow rose, as Soval said sardonically, “I see,” and tilted his head to kiss her deeply. Cole was too breathless to speak when he finally freed her mouth, although he didn’t seem to suffer from the same problem. “Are you reassured?”

She gulped in a lungful of air and raised her hands to the back of his head. “Reassure me some more.”

~

Sprawled on her back, smiling happily at the ceiling, Cole stated firmly, “You really are a mean old Vulcan.”

“Old, yes. Vulcan, yes.” Soval sounded distinctly irritated, but Cole knew as surely as she knew that her own heart was beating that he was just as content as she was – and not a little pleased with himself. “But you did not believe that I was mean a short while ago.”

She laughed and rolled over to drape herself across his chest, smiling as his arms closed around her. “If you weren’t mean, you’d have told me how you felt as soon as you knew I’d fallen for you. Think of all the fun we missed.”

He looked back, the faintest hint of regret in his eyes. “You know why I did not approach you.”

“Yeah.” She touched his face, ensuring that he could feel her satisfaction in being with him, and the regret faded. “But it’s not my fault you’re stupid.” He frowned, but she only grinned unrepentantly. “I have about a million questions to ask you.”

He looked steadily back, relaxed but still firmly in control of his emotions. “Perhaps you could limit yourself to a smaller number, at least for tonight.”

“I guess we might find other things to do,” she agreed placidly. “So how come the Vulcan database doesn’t mention bonding and empathy and stuff? And why,” she added, raising a hand to run her fingers through his grey hair, “do Vulcans have such appalling haircuts?”

Soval frowned. “You place equal importance on both these matters?”

“Sure.” She was busy finger-combing his hair into different styles. “You’d look good with spikes. They’d match your ears.”

He captured her hand firmly. “Amanda, I am very fond of you, but some things I will not tolerate.”

“And that’s another thing.” She was unabashed at his rebuke. “How come you’re allowed to be fond of me? You’ve always said that Vulcans can’t allow themselves to experience emotion.”

“To experience emotion without constraint, yes. It does not mean that the emotion does not exist – as you know.”

“Yeah.” She kissed him in acknowledgement of the point. “So you can be fond of me as long as you don’t let it get out of hand?”

“If you wish to express it in that way.”

“But having sex just because we enjoy it isn’t logical, is it?”

“It is a method of expressing affection. Therefore it is a logical outcome of an affectionate relationship between two individuals.”

“So I’m not gonna have to keep seducing you?”

“Perhaps I should have mentioned.” Soval’s tone was bland. “The libido of male Vulcans increases with age.”
Cole’s eyes widened. “No kidding? I knew you were a good catch.” Then she returned to business. “So why does the Vulcan database miss out so much stuff?”

“It does not address aspects of our society that are private: bonding is one of those, pon farr is another. The telepathic ability of Vulcans is omitted because many races react with disfavour to the idea of contact with a species who can ‘spy’ on them mentally.”

“That almost makes sense.”

“I am sure the panel of distinguished scholars and diplomats who compiled the database would appreciate your opinion.”

“And the bad haircuts?”

The comm. sounded before he had a chance to answer that one. “Tucker to Soval.”

He frowned, but removed Cole from on top of him and sat up to reach the comm. outlet. “What is it, captain?”

“Will you come down to Sickbay, ambassador?”

Cole felt the flare of alarm from him, but both face and voice were expressionless when he asked, “T’Pol is unwell?”

“No.” The chagrin in the captain’s quick answer indicated that he had belatedly realised how T’Pol’s father would interpret that particular request. “She’s doing okay. I need to show you something.”

“Very well. I will be there,” Soval glanced down at Cole, who wrinkled her nose at him, “shortly. Out.”

“Well,” Cole used Soval as a ladder to pull herself upright, winding her arms around his neck, “I guess we couldn’t really have stayed in bed all evening. I’ll see you in the morning.”

The frown, that hadn’t lifted since Tucker’s call came in, deepened. “Why?”

“Senior staff meeting. You always attend.”

Soval shook his head fractionally, irritated at her obtuseness. “Why will we not see each other later tonight?”

“Because I bet Trip keeps you busy all evening.”

He still didn’t understand. “You do not intend to sleep here?”

“Oh.” Cole hadn’t even thought about it, except to assume that Soval wouldn’t want her around all the time. “That’d be nice, but someone might see me sneaking out in the morning. McKenzie nearly did today.”

“What if they do?”

“Well,” now he had her confused, “they’d know we’d slept together.” He raised a questioning eyebrow. “Don’t you mind?”

“Why should I?”

“Good question,” and not one she could answer. “But T’Pol’ll be furious if she finds out. Maybe we ought to wait until she’s better.”

“If you wish.” He kissed her perfunctorily and put her aside to head into the bathroom, leaving Cole to worry that she might be affecting his equilibrium. Vulcans were supposed to be intensely protective of their privacy. Why was Soval so indifferent to the possibility that Enterprise’s crew might find out that he was having an affair with the head of security?

~

Tucker glanced up when Soval joined the small group gathered around the screen they were studying, and stepped aside to make room for the ambassador. “What d’you think?”

The Vulcan frowned at the series of still images for some time, before asking a question of his own. “Where did these come from?”

“Phlox’ medical logs. I was filling him in on that Guardian we met yesterday. He remembered these. What d’you think?”

“Superficially, the individual appears to be of the same species.”

Soval’s admission was reluctant, but Tucker’s nod was more confident. “That’s what I thought.”

“How did you obtain the images?”

“Last time we were in the Expanse, Enterprise found a small ship just inside one of those converging anomaly fields. We pulled it out and found that alien inside, but he was ill. Phlox reckoned that he couldn’t stand exposure to our space.” He glanced up at the Denobulan, who nodded acceptance of the over-simplification. “The alien died, but not before telling Captain Archer that his species would prevail – whatever that means.”

“Interesting.”

“You can say that again. Tell him, T’Pol.”

She finally removed her eyes from the screen to look over at her father, from where she stood within the circle of Tucker’s arms. “Analysis of the pod in which the alien was found indicated that it contained materials in common with those used in the construction of the spheres that generate the spatial anomalies. We deduced that these aliens built the spheres in order to transform the Delphic Expanse into a region in which they could survive.”

“And then we reached Azati Prime and all hell broke loose.” Tucker leant his chin on the top of T’Pol’s head and looked ruefully down at Soval. “We never had the chance to follow it up.”

“A pity.” Soval frowned disapprovingly at his daughter, who was leaning comfortably against her captain. “T’Pol, if you are unable to stand unaided, I suggest you return to bed.”

She remained where she was. “If Charles is correct in his identification, the Xindi are being guided by the very people who are destroying the Expanse.”

“It’s something to tell Degra, anyway.” Tucker straightened with a sigh, finally releasing T’Pol, but only to rest his hands on her shoulders. “If he turns up.”

“He may not be grateful for the information.” Soval had returned to studying the screen. “In my experience, people react badly to the destruction of their belief system.”

“We’ll face that one when we get there. Doctor,” he turned to Phlox who had listened to the conversation in patient silence, “is it okay for T’Pol to leave Sickbay for a couple of hours?”

“That would probably be a good idea.” The Denobulan smiled widely at them both. “I’m sure she’s tired of my company. But I will want you to return here tonight, sub-commander. I want to be sure that there is minimal chance of miscarriage before discharging you entirely.”

“Thanks, doc.” He turned T’Pol around to face him. “Chef’s whipped up a batch of plomeek soup especially for you. Wanna come eat with me?”

She nodded, and turned on Soval. “Will you join us, father?”

The elder Vulcan didn’t look much happier at the offer than Tucker. “Not if you are going to engage in unseemly demonstrations of affection.”

“We’ll be good.” Tucker implied otherwise by taking T’Pol’s hand to lead her to the door. It seemed like the best way to get rid of Soval without being rude, and he didn’t want to offend T’Pol when they had only just got their relationship back on track again. But the ambassador followed them anyway.

“You need to study Vulcan customs, Captain Tucker. I do not wish my grandson to be raised with no concept of appropriate behaviour.”

Tucker scowled, while T’Pol said equably, “I trust Lorien will learn to appreciate both sides of his heritage, father.”

“He will require discipline.”

“Undoubtedly.”

Tucker glanced suspiciously between the two Vulcans, and came to the conclusion that, despite his criticisms, Soval was in as close to a good mood as he ever came. Dealing with T’Pol had led Tucker to forget how ill Soval had appeared the day before, and he decided to pursue the subject, rather than listen to a further recital on his drawbacks as the potential father of a half-Vulcan son. “Are you feeling better, ambassador?” As he might have anticipated, he got a blank stare as they seated themselves in the captain’s dining room. “You looked pretty sick yesterday.”

“I’m fine.” The Vulcan waved away the bowl of plomeek broth that the steward offered him. “I will have the vegetarian pasta dish.” T’Pol looked up from her own bowl in surprise at his rejection of the delicacy, and he took the opportunity to go on the attack. “You will marry before the child is born?”

Tucker choked and cast a panicked look at T’Pol, who said calmly, “We have not discussed the matter.”

“Then you should do so.” Soval dug into plate of pasta that had been placed in front of him. “It will require some negotiation, but the ceremony could probably be performed on Vulcan,”

“We will see.” T’Pol frowned at her father, who was eating with unusual appetite. “Will you be available to assist my meditation tonight?”

“If you wish. After dinner?”

“It’s movie night,” Tucker protested. “Can’t it wait a couple of hours?”

T’Pol’s glare had intensified. “Do you have a prior appointment, father?”

“Yes.” He looked up from his meal, caught her suspicious look, and sighed. “I will reschedule.”

“I would not wish to keep you from your,” she paused to inject a good deal of venom into the word, “appointment.”

Tucker watched in puzzlement as Soval looked back at his daughter. If he didn’t know better, he’d have sworn that the elder Vulcan was amused. “You will not.”

~

Cole was asleep by the time Soval returned from meditating with T’Pol, but she half roused when he slipped under the bedclothes and carefully wound himself around her. She lay in sleepy contentment for some minutes, happy to be sharing his bed, until it occurred to her that the care he had taken in coming to bed meant that he had tried to avoid waking her. Which meant that Soval wasn’t cuddling her because he thought a Human woman needed to be cuddled, but because he wanted to be close to her, physically as well as mentally. The surprise woke her up a little more, and she concentrated for a moment on the part of her brain that he occupied. He was very calm, but the sense that he was grateful for her presence was strong: Soval, who had always seemed so self-sufficient. It led her to say sleepily, “You must have been so lonely after your wife died.”

There was a long pause, so long that she didn’t think he was going to answer. Then he said simply, “Yes.” Her hand found his where it rested under her breasts, and he didn’t resist when she twined her fingers with his. Instead he said, even more softly, “I missed you too.”

“After you left Earth?”

She felt his head shake where it rested against hers, his nose buried in her thick hair. “Whenever you were not with me.”

Cole knew Soval very well, even without her personal hotline straight into his innermost feelings. She knew how much it cost him to admit so much, and she had some idea of what he was referring to: she too had experienced that sense of something missing, cured now that their bonding was complete. She snuggled back a little more securely against him. “We’re together now.”

“Yes.”

His arm tightened possessively, and she shook her head fractionally in disbelief that a Vulcan could be so very demonstrative; that was something else the database had forgotten to mention. But she was only Human. “Soval … I can’t breathe.”

He relaxed his grip at once. “My apologies.”

She smiled in the darkness. “I love you too. Go to sleep, Soval. I’ll still be here in the morning.”

His hot breath caressed her neck as he sighed and obediently settled himself a little more comfortably, but Cole stayed awake, thinking loving thoughts at him, until he fell asleep. It was the least she could do for a mean old Vulcan who adored her.

~

“What have you been up to?” Cole looked up as Sato took the seat opposite her at the Mess Hall table, to find the other woman smiling knowingly. “You look like a cat who’s been locked in a diary.”

Cole had to bite her tongue hard in order to keep the grin off her face. Admittedly, she would eventually have to point out to Soval that she needed more sleep than he did, but there were worse reasons for being woken up early than because a Vulcan ambassador felt that a logical demonstration of affection was necessary. “I don’t know what you mean.”

“Oh, right!” Sato was still smiling. “So who is he?”

“You’ve got the wrong idea.”

“I don’t think so.” Sato looked over Cole’s shoulder, faint apprehension appearing on her face. “Good morning, ambassador.”

“Good morning.” Soval took one of the free chairs, sipped his tea then glared at it.

“The drinks’ dispenser’s faulty,” Cole informed him helpfully, and he scowled at her.

“I trust the fault will be remedied quickly.”

“I should think so – particularly if you’re gonna bite everyone’s head off because your tea’s cold.”

Sato flinched, fully expecting her friend to be subject to blistering sarcasm, but fortunately Tucker intervened before the ambassador had the chance to retaliate. “Morning. Soval,” there were times when Enterprise’s captain had no more time for pleasantries than the Vulcan, “we need to talk.”

~

Tucker took Soval straight to the ready room, tossing a PADD to the Vulcan, even as they both took seats. “That came in during the night.” He gave the other man a few moments to peruse the information, then asked, “Any thoughts?”

“Only that it is addressed to me, not to you, Captain Tucker.”

“Yeah.” Tucker had the grace to look slightly embarrassed. “I guess it got misdirected. These things happen.”

“Evidently!” Soval laid the PADD down gently. “What did you wish to discuss?”

Doubtfully, Tucker turned the PADD to face him again, re-reading the message with which he was already familiar. “I guess ‘proceed’ about sums it up.” He paused to scratch one cheek. “Soval, are you okay with that? If Vulcan really is under threat now …”

He was interrupted. “You admit that your pursuit of the weapon that threatened Earth was a mistake. It would be foolish in the extreme to make the same mistake again.”

“Yeah.” Tucker rose, pacing restlessly around the small room. “But to ignore the possibility that another planet might be attacked …”

“The High Command will not ignore the threat. Captain, you concern yourself unnecessarily. Vulcan’s defences have been strengthened significantly over the last eighteen months.”

“In others words, don’t worry about something you can’t affect?” Soval inclined his head in agreement, and Tucker sighed. “You know, there are definitely times I envy you Vulcans.”

One of Soval’s eyebrows rose in surprise. “For your son’s sake, I suggest you bear that in mind at all times.” He climbed to his feet, irritation returning to his voice. “If you wish to take practical action, captain, I advise you to look your own ship. The drinks’ dispenser in the Mess Hall is non-functional. I find that intolerable. Good day.”

~

When Phlox finally agreed that T’Pol could leave Sickbay permanently – apart from daily checkups - Tucker walked her slowly to her cabin and halted in the doorway once she had opened the door. She turned at once, eyes wide. “Charles?”

“Sure you want me here?”

“Yes.” She came back towards him, taking his hands to draw him inside, then stepping close enough to embrace him.

He hugged her gently back, wary of being too rough now that he knew of her condition. “Are you gonna decrypt that locking code?”

She reached past him to do so, and he sighed, pressing his face into her hair. “Thanks.”

“I am sorry.”

She spoke quietly, but he heard her clearly enough, pulling back to give her a gentle shake. “We agreed not to say that.” Then with a sudden grin, he scooped her up into his arms, grunting in simulated effort. “Damn it, how much weight have you gained?”

“Very little!”

He grinned wider at the tart response and deposited her on the bed, cuddling her close before capturing her mouth in a gentle kiss. “Welcome home, T’Pol.” It was quite a long time later before he drew back regretfully. “You know what Phlox said, honey.”

“I believe he exaggerated the risk.”

He evaded her insistent hands with some difficulty. “No! Now you be good, or I’ll take you straight back to Sickbay.” Her full lips pouted and his mouth twitched as he laid a gentle finger on them. “Word of a captain.”

She responded to the threat with a flick of one eyebrow that reminded him sharply of Soval, but consented to settle with her head on his shoulder, an arm across his chest. “I will return to duty tomorrow.”

Tucker pursed his lips, frowning down at the fringe of chestnut hair that was all he could see. “Now where’d you get that idea? You’re on maternity leave, T’Pol, and that’s that.”

“Light duties in the science lab and command centre …”

“No!”

“Will be beneficial to both myself and Enterprise.” She raised her head to look down at him, eyes calm. “Dr Phlox and Ambassador Soval agree.”

He stared back, mouth pulled doubtfully to one side. “And how long did it take you to get them to agree?” Laughter lit her eyes, but she did not answer. “Damn it, T’Pol, you are so damned beautiful!” She leant forward to kiss him, and again it took a good deal of self-restraint on his part not to succumb to the obvious invitation, but he managed it – just. “No! I’m not that easy to seduce.” She looked innocently back, and he smiled, reaching out to stroke her face. “The meditation’s working, isn’t it?” The difference was obvious, even after only a few days: T’Pol was more serene than she had been in months. Some day he’d thank Soval for his assistance – maybe.

“Yes. Charles,” T’Pol’s voice had become thoughtful, “have you noticed a difference in my father recently?”

“Nope. Still a mean old Vulcan.”

She gave him a reproving look for the disrespect. “He seems,” a puzzled frown formed, “content.”

“You didn’t see him this morning!” Tucker guided her back to his shoulder. “He was mad as hell that the drinks’ dispenser was bust.”

“Indeed?”

“Promise you. Why are we talking about my father-in-law, anyway?”

“He is not your father-in-law.”

“He would be if we got married.”

T’Pol lifted her head again, staring down at Tucker’s smirking face. “Is that a proposal?”

The smirk broadened. “What d’you say?”

“No.”

“What?” Tucker sat up abruptly. “What d’you mean, ‘no’!”

“I mean that I am rejecting your proposal of marriage.”

“Why?”

Her face was calm, but the outrage in her eyes was clear. “It was not suitable.”

“Huh?”

“Movie night has acquainted me with Human marriage proposals. That one was inadequate.”

“You want me to go down on one knee?”

“Perhaps.”

“Well, I won’t.” Tucker flung himself back down on the bed, pouting himself now. No man likes to be rejected, particularly for being insufficiently romantic. “Who’d want Soval for a father-in-law?”

T’Pol settled beside him again. “Evidently not you.”

The debate continued until they both fell asleep.

~

Two days later, Tucker still hadn’t renewed his insultingly casual marriage proposal, but personal matters couldn’t be further from his mind as Enterprise waited at the coordinates Naara had specified. They had been there for over twelve hours, given that ‘seven days time’ was not the most accurate of time references, and the captain’s patience was wearing thin. He was also getting worried, as his comment to Soval, who was waiting far more patiently than the Humans, showed. “I’m getting a bad feeling about this.” There was no reaction from the Vulcan, who had been occupying himself with a thick book, something that Tucker found disproportionately irritating. “If Naara told the Reptiles where to find us, they could be on their way with a fleet.”

“Unlikely.” The ambassador still didn’t look up. “Her terror of them was genuine. I doubt that she would risk making contact. And if she had,” he finally raised his head, “your theoretical fleet would have been waiting for us.”

Tucker scowled at the calm assessment – which happened to match his original opinion, until the waiting left him time to brood – then snapped around as Mayweather said sharply, “Captain, a sub-space corridor’s opening.”

“On screen.” As quick as he was to reach the centre of the Bridge, Soval was beside him as they watched the ship that emerged and decelerated rapidly in front of them. “Identification?”

“Xindi-Humanoid.”

Mayweather’s voice was firm, but Tucker could hear the excitement, although it was anger that tinged Sato’s when she reported. “They’re hailing us, captain.” He looked over automatically, and she raised her eyes to his. “It’s Degra.”

Tucker let out the breath he hadn’t known he was holding. “Put him through.”

On the screen, the Humanoid’s image appeared, his expression wary, and Tucker gritted his teeth as a surge of fury similar to Sato’s shot unexpectedly through him. This was the man who had killed his sister and sent them down the path to ruin. This was the man who had designed the weapons that had destroyed five billion and more Humans. And he was supposed to come to an amicable agreement with him, when all he really wanted was to say ‘fire’.

“Captain Tucker.” Degra’s tone was non-committal. “I understand you want to talk with me.”

~

Tucker ordered Degra escorted directly to the briefing room, but halted abruptly just outside. “I can’t do this.” Soval turned to face him, surprise showing, and Tucker continued shakily, “He built those weapons. If it wasn’t for him, Earth would still be inhabitable.”

“Unlikely. If Degra had not developed the technology, another would have done so.” The Vulcan’s voice was even. “Captain, I understand your anger, but this is not the time to give into it.”

“Maybe I’ll just take a turn ‘round the block.”

“Charles, this requires us both.”

If Soval had meant to distract Tucker from his anger, he couldn’t have done better. The captain swung back, mouth gaping. “Did you …?”

The Vulcan’s brows lowered. “However much I may dislike the fact, you are now part of my family.” He gestured to the door. “After you, Captain Tucker.”

“You’re making sure I can’t run out on you?”

“Precisely.” Soval hit the door release and inclined his head in an unmistakable order.

Tucker drew a deep breath and did as he was told: trust his luck to get saddled with the father-in-law from hell.

~

Degra turned from the view port as they entered, and didn’t waste time on greetings. “I once met Captain Archer.”

Yet again, Tucker suffered a profound sense of inadequacy, barely masked by surprise at the remark. “How come?”

“He asked to see me, after he was captured at Azati Prime.” Degra moved slowly forward, to stand just in front of Tucker. “I found him,” he hesitated, “plausible.”

“Captain Archer is dead,” Soval said quietly into the pause Tucker could not fill, as he tried frantically to think what Archer could have told the Xindi that would have made such an impression. They’d known by then that the spheres created the spatial anomalies, but not a lot else.

Degra turned his head to look directly at the Vulcan. “I regret that. He was a braver man than most.”

“Regret?” The anger swelled up in Tucker again. “For one Human? What about the other five billion?”

Compassionate eyes met his. “I cannot undo the work that allowed the Reptiles to destroy your world. I can try to convince you that not all the Xindi were in favour of the decision. And that we ourselves have paid for our disfavour since.”

“So we have been led to believe.” Soval intervened calmly again. “Which is why we are here.” He indicated the chairs around the table. “I believe this may take some time.”

~

It did not take as long as Soval had indicated to convince Degra that they faced a common enemy. The Xindi-Humanoid heard Tucker and Soval out as they outlined the situation as they saw it, including T’Pol’s theory regarding the Gaurdians, then went to stare out into space once more. “If you had told me this five years ago,” he spoke over his shoulder, “I would have dismissed your story at once, knowing the Guardians would not lie to us. But certain things Archer told me …” He let the sentence drift into silence, then continued more strongly, “He said enough to make me question a course of action I had already come to doubt. I voted against the motion to launch the final assault against Earth. So did Jannar, the Arboreal representative on the Council. But we were outvoted. The strike went ahead and, yes, Captain Tucker, five billion members of your species died, and many of my people celebrated the salvation of the Xindi. I,” he turned to face them again, “I wondered about the future we might have destroyed, about the lost potential of an entire race.” He took a look at Tucker’s set face and shook his head, as if acknowledging that whatever he said could make little difference in the face of such loss. “It did not take long for the balance in the Council to shift. The Reptilians claimed credit for the destruction of Earth, and it seemed that the Guardians agreed. They stopped appearing to the rest of us. They supported any resolution Dolum put forward. With the weapons built, I turned my attention to the spheres, seeking for a way to halt the spread of the anomalies that threatened us. I was stopped.” He halted his narrative too, took deep breath and continued. “I think that was the moment when I accepted that Archer had been right: in destroying Earth we destroyed our own best chance for survival. I withdrew from the Council and continued my research in secret. Within a few months, Jannar also withdrew and we combined our efforts. The Aquatics evidently followed suit. The Reptilians are now the dominant force in the Expanse. Sometimes the Insectoids cooperate with them; sometimes they do not. Xindi unity is a thing of the past.”

“And your opinion of the Guardians?” Soval asked quietly in the silence that followed.

Degra moved to a position from which he could again see the images of the alien, in his cocoon of wires within the small, clear-walled pod, that were still shown on the briefing room’s screen. “It is not easy to believe that people I was brought up to revere are our enemy. But I am a scientist. I make my decisions based on facts. Such facts as you have presented support my own findings – and go beyond them. I accept that the Guardians are our common enemy.”

He paused and Tucker said softly, “But can we find a common solution?”

“I don’t know, captain.” The man who had played such a prominent role in Humanity’s downfall met Tucker’s eyes steadily. “But I would never forgive myself if we did not try.”

~

They adjourned to the command centre in search of Tucker’s common solution, where T’Pol and Degra exchanged such intelligence as they had obtained regarding the spheres. As Soval had dryly pointed out, the Sphere Builders might be the enemy, but they were intangible – literally so – while the spheres posed a threat that everyone could understand. Their destruction would at once remove that threat and perhaps drive the Sphere Builders out into the open.

“I have been able to determine that the spheres are linked. This sphere,” T’Pol indicated one on the screen, “that we designate 41, appears key to the network. If we could disable it, the rest may also fail.”

“I heard a lot of ifs and maybes in there, T’Pol,” Tucker observed, but shrugged acceptance of the theory; in the past, they had acted on even flimsier evidence and T’Pol had made considerable progress in so short a time. Maybe it proved the benefit of having a dedicated science officer, rather than one who had to split her time between that and the first officer’s role. “Did you figure out how to disable it?”

She turned her head to look at him. “Not as yet.”

He grinned at her tone, that said quite clearly that he should be grateful for what she had been able to achieve, then looked over at the Xindi. “Do you agree, Degra?”

“The evidence supports the theory,” but he was frowning. “But that sphere is now within an area of overlapping anomalies. We cannot enter in safety.”

Tucker grimaced. “I guess our next move has to be working out how to destroy it. Then we can worry about reaching it. Sounds like we need to go visit a sphere we can access.”

“Perhaps not.” Degra finally turned away from the screen to face Tucker. “Captain, the weapons that destroyed your planet are heavily shielded and designed to remain intact within the worst distortions to be found in the Expanse. They are also largely automated.”

“Do they pack the necessary fire power?” Tucker had immediately seen where the Xindi was heading and the idea certainly appealed. “Those spheres are the size of a small moon and we’re not just talking about inflicting surface damage here.”

“The weapons you have seen before would not.” Degra hesitated. “But the Reptiles have constructed a larger version, one capable of destroying a planet.” Tucker looked across at Soval, who had raised an eyebrow at that news, and neither man noticed T’Pol’s frown. “I defy even a sphere to withstand such destructive force.”

“You want us to go steal it? Captain Archer didn’t even get close last time around.”

“No.” There was suddenly a hint of fanaticism about Degra, or perhaps he just cared passionately about his own species. “I propose that we take this new data before the Xindi Council. They must listen to us, and it would only take three votes to place the weapon in our hands.”

Tucker looked dubiously at T’Pol, and Soval rejoined the debate, now that they had returned to politics. “You told us that your Council had ceased to meet.”

“It would reconvene for this.” Degra’s conviction was compelling. “The chance to save our homes from destruction.”

“You’d invite the Reptiles in too?” Tucker asked, unable to disguise his dislike of the idea, but the Xindi-Humanoid only nodded.

“Even they must be swayed by the truth. They cannot know that we have all been deceived for decades.”

“I don’t like it.” Tucker was still uneasy and Degra moved closer, his expression earnest.

“This is a chance for the Xindi to reunite. If you helped us, you would then be negotiating with a unified Council which was in your debt.”

Tucker exchanged a look with Soval this time, already aware of T’Pol’s disapproval from her rigid presence at his shoulder. “I don’t disagree with your proposal, Degra. But you have to give us time to think it through. After what you did to us,” he shrugged, “you’re asking a lot.”

“Of course.” Degra inclined his head in courteous agreement. “Shall we arrange to meet again in a few days?”

“Sounds good.” Tucker didn’t want to hang around in the same place for too long. “Back here in 48 hours?”

“Very well.”

Tucker hesitated then gritted his teeth and held out his right hand. “Thanks for listening to us.”

Degra took the proffered hand, meeting Tucker’s eyes candidly. “I know we can never undo the harm we did you, but I trust we can at least ensure your survival.”

“We’ll see.” He wasn’t prepared to commit himself that far yet. He released Degra’s hand and stepped back. “The MACOs will see you to the airlock.” He waited until the doors had closed before slumping back against the nearest console, running both hands over his hair. “Hell. Did that go well or not?”

No one answered his question, but T’Pol stepped in front, brown eyes hard. “You knew of this new weapon.”

The hard stare demanded an answer, even though she hadn’t phrased it as a question. Tucker was glad he could give her an honest one. “No.”

It didn’t satisfy her, however. “But you knew of something connected with it.”

“Not exactly.” Tucker was floundering. T’Pol had always had that effect on him.

“It is nothing that need concern you.” Soval no doubt meant to be helpful, but Tucker could have told him that it was the wrong thing to say.

T’Pol twisted her head around to glare at her father. “You knew of it too?”

“Which is why I know that it need not concern you.”

Tucker scowled at the ambassador and gave in to the inevitable. He knew T’Pol wouldn’t back off now until she had a full explanation. “We told you that a Guardian appeared on Naara’s ship. What we didn’t tell you was that she said they’d destroy Vulcan in retaliation for Soval’s presence there.” He saw the shock go through her and stepped in close, catching her arms. “Are you okay?”

“You should have told me.”

“Maybe, but you were ill. We thought you’d be better off not knowing.”

“Is there any other information critical to this mission that you have withheld?”

“No!” Tucker felt his temper start to rise. T’Pol calling him on keeping secrets was a little too much to swallow after her recent behaviour.

For a second, it looked as if she was about to remonstrate further, then she seemed to get herself under control, to say reasonably, “I believe that we should discuss the matter further.”

“Sure.” Relieved that she hadn’t flown into a temper, Tucker was prepared to do whatever she wanted. “Let’s grab some food and I’ll fill you in. Soval, I’m gonna need to sleep on what Degra said. You okay to talk tomorrow?” The elder Vulcan nodded briefly, glowering Tucker’s insufficiently firm handling of T’Pol as the two left the room, hand in hand.

~
With Tucker and T’Pol safely out of the way, Cole sauntered forward from her position near the door to halt just in front of Soval, her expression even blanker than his, given that he was still frowning. He looked steadily back at her for a moment, before saying sarcastically, “I see that you do not perceive Degra to be a threat.”

“My team can handle him.” Her own voice was hard. “D’you trust him?”

“No.”

“Good.”

Abruptly Soval stepped out of his public role, raising his right hand to stroke the backs of the first two fingers down Cole’s cheek. His voice was perceptibly softer when he added, “But we may have to learn to trust him.”

Cole grimaced in answer, although her mouth relaxed into a teasing smile as he stroked her face again. “The door’s not locked.” His hand dropped abruptly, the frown returning. “Trip and T’Pol aren’t bonded, are they? They couldn’t hide things from each other if they were.”

Soval cocked an eyebrow to inform her that he was perfectly capable of concealing information from her when necessary, but answered the question. “No.” He moved to the door, Cole at his shoulder. “Why do you ask?”

She waited until the lift doors closed to answer. “I thought that was the reason T’Pol was so emotional: having him in her head made it difficult to control herself.”

“She has an illness that erodes her ability to master her primal nature.”

“Oh.” She pulled a face for all the uncharitable thoughts she’d directed at the other woman over the last several weeks.

“Ironically, bonding with Captain Tucker may even benefit her.” Soval’s voice was thoughtful. “You Humans do not control emotion as we do, but neither do you allow it to master you. Usually!”

Cole was too interested to respond to the insult. “Then why don’t you just tell her to bond with him?” She grinned suggestively at him. “I can sure recommend the benefits to Trip.”

He glared at her for the implication that she would discuss anything so private with another. “Bonding can only be initiated during pon farr.” They had reached Soval’s cabin, and for once he halted, not assuming that she would come in with him. “I must meditate. What Degra proposed requires careful consideration.”

“Do I make it harder for you to control yourself?”

“At times.” There was a certain amount of self-mockery in his eyes. “But the experience is not generally disruptive.”

“That’s good.” He was looking tenderly at her, and Cole found herself flushing: no other man had made her blush in years. “I’ll, eh, go get some food. Maybe visit the gym.”

“Then I will see you later.”

“Sure.” She had given up trying to convince him that it would be more discreet if she spent at least some nights in her own cabin. Instead she took a quick look around then kissed him. The resulting disapproval made it far easier to face the prospect of an evening by herself.

~

When Degra returned two days later, with the news that he had called a session of the Xindi Council, they had talked over the options and come to a conclusion: the Alpha Quadrant would be represented at the meeting. As Soval dryly said, the ball was in their court. But no one on Enterprise liked the plan that Tucker insisted upon.

~

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