Daybreak - Chapter 4

Daybreak

by ShouldKnowBetter

Disclaimers in Chapter 1

~~~~~~~

Chapter 4 – Assassin

Cole’s expression was faintly wary when she entered the ready room, and Tucker looked at her in some amusement. “Anyone would think you had a guilty conscience, Amanda.”

“You wanted to see me, captain?”

He grinned openly at the formal response. “You were never that respectful when you were on Enterprise before. Did Soval teach you to mind your manners?”

“You think he could?”

“I think Major Hayes is the only one who could ever keep you in line. So why I’m doing this, I really don’t know.” He leant forward to slide a PADD across the table and Cole took it, frowning at him. He gestured for her to read it and sat back to enjoy the reaction, a smile tugging at his mouth as the frown deepened, then gradually faded into an expression of pleased astonishment.

“How d’you swing this?”

“Your former commanding officer wrote you a great recommendation.”

“Major Hayes?”

“Well, he certainly endorsed the promotion, but I meant Soval.”

“Oh.”

Tucker’s smile widened. “You’d have made officer if you hadn’t called him a mean old Vulcan once too often.”

“He is a mean old Vulcan.” Cole spoke absently, her frown returning. “What did he say about me?”

“That you were a highly competent individual, who would respond well to an increase in responsibility.”

“Is that it?”

“It’s pretty damn good from a Vulcan. You should have seen some of the things T’Pol wrote about me. Amanda? Are you okay?”

Her fit of introspection ended abruptly, as her attention snapped back onto him. “Sure.”

Tucker left his chair to approach her, hand held out for a formal handshake. “Welcome back, Sergeant Cole.”

“It’s good to be back, sir.” Then a hint of her teasing smile confirmed that she still wouldn’t treat her captain with the respect due his rank. “Shall I schedule training sessions for the senior staff, sir?”

“Only if the captain’s exempt.”

“Of course not, sir. We can’t have an unfit captain on Enterprise.”

He sighed, knowing it was pointless arguing. “Once a week. And if you try to slap my butt, I’ll put you in the brig.” She gave the impression of seriously weighing the pros and cons of that one, and he glared. “Dismissed!” She went with a cheeky grin and Tucker sank back behind his desk with a sigh. Enterprise would be a livelier place with Amanda back, but his personal life was likely to be more stressful.

~

The directions – he refused to think of them as orders - that Tucker received when he reported the success of their mission to V’Lar took both him and T’Pol by surprise, for they weren’t to return to Vulcan. They went to Rigel instead, which had the advantage of being closer, although it gave them less time to prepare. The second half of the instructions had been to prepare for visitors – and to be sure that security was tighter than tight. It wasn’t the best time to have stripped Enterprise of most of her military contingent, even if Hayes had left a sound core team behind. If it came to a fight, there were few people better than Cole, McKenzie, Hawkins and Chang, but Tucker preferred to know what the fight was about.

Reduced to guesswork, he walked the ship with Cole, who could have been doing an impression of Hayes for all the emotion she showed, checking vulnerable spots and ensuring that the cabins set aside for the unspecified visitors were in secure areas. It wasn’t exactly a pointless exercise, because it threw up a few improvements in overall security they could make, but Tucker could have found better ways of spending his time – like working with the Xindi-Arboreals, who had taken one look at Henry Archer’s warp 5 engine, shaken their heads, and set to work on improving it. All he’d had time to do was throw his own set of simulations into the pot, and leave them to it. He was itching to get involved, but no, he was captain, and that meant he had to do the boring things.

“That’s it, sir.” Cole turned smartly to face him as they completed the tour on B-deck, outside the lift shaft that gave access to the Bridge. “It’s as good as it’s gonna get.”

“Yeah. Nice work, sergeant.”

She didn’t smile. “Tell me that when this is over.”

“If only we knew what ‘this’ is!” She shrugged acquiescence, and Tucker leant back against the wall, arms folded, signalling that the formal portion of the tour was over. “You know, Amanda. you and Travis have only been back a few days, and the gossip’s already started.”

“Has it, sir?”

“Yeah.” He studied the deck for a moment then looked up at her again, the fingers scratching one cheek indicating that he was a little uncomfortable. “I heard that Travis and McKenzie are getting real friendly.”

“Well,” she drawled, “nothing new in that.”

“I thought you and Travis had something going.”

Cole gave him a pitying look. “You’re a romantic, Trip. Travis and I had sex going, and not a lot else. If he wants to get back with McKenzie,” she paused, shrugging, “frankly, she’s welcome to him.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.” She pushed upright from the opposite wall where she had also been leaning. “There are plenty of others out there.”

He grinned, responding to the lifted chin and the determined expression. If Amanda had her eye on someone, he didn’t give the man much chance of escaping. “So who is he?”

She looked straight into his eyes, a hint of a smile playing around her mouth. “I thought maybe Phlox.”

“Amanda!”

She grinned at having shocked him and took off, throwing him a wink. “See you around, captain.”

~

Expecting a whole shuttle full of visitors, Tucker was surprised when the docking port disgorged only one distinctly bad-tempered Vulcan. The captain exchanged a glance with T’Pol and sighed. “What’s going on, Soval?”

“If you allow me sufficient time, I will tell you.” The man’s tone was waspish and Tucker’s mouth tightened, but even he had to admit that the Vulcan looked tired. “Your briefing room?”

“Sure.” Tucker nodded dismissal to the MACO contingent, who had assembled in the expectation of more than a solitary visitor, barely noticing Cole’s reluctant retreat. “This way.”

“Ambassador.” Both men turned to look at T’Pol and she added rather hurriedly, “Will we be remaining in orbit for long?”

“I trust not!” Soval relented under her steady gaze. “Two hours, at most.”

“Then with your permission, captain,” Tucker stared at a level of formality T’Pol had dropped years previously, “I will excuse myself.”

“Why?” A little blunt, but after the furore that had followed the last time she had left him and Soval alone, he’d been expecting close supervision, even leaving aside the fact that it was only fitting that his first officer was present for the briefing.

“I have an urgent errand on Rigel.”

“You never told me.”

“You wish me to consult you over every detail of ship’s operation?”

“I didn’t say that.”

“Then I will see you both later.”

She strode away and Tucker turned back to his guest, shaking his head. “Sorry about that.”
Soval didn’t bother replying, just sending his daughter a faintly puzzled look before falling in at Tucker side for the short walk to the briefing room. Soval couldn’t be blamed for the puzzlement, the captain admitted wryly. He lived with T’Pol and he didn’t have a clue what was going on either.

~

The main thrust of Soval’s briefing didn’t take long, although it left Tucker with an uncomfortable feeling that events were way out of his control. “Why Enterprise?”
“It is considered that your species has nothing to gain.”

“We’re seen as neutral?”

“Hardly neutral.” The Vulcan leant forward to help himself from the flask of tea that had been delivered. “Your hatred of the Xindi is well known.”

Tucker sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I still don’t get it. The last conference was public enough. Why the secrecy this time?”

Soval leant back in his chair, cradling his mug between his hands, eyes closing. “Must I explain again?”

“´You’re to host another conference on the Xindi question’ wasn’t much of an explanation.” He studied the other man and realised that Soval wasn’t just tired, he was exhausted. “Have you had any sleep since we left Vulcan?”

Soval straightened at once, frowning at the Human. “Vulcans can go for extended periods without rest.”

“I’ll take that as a ‘no’.”

“To answer your question,” it was clear that Soval was not going to accept Tucker’s concern, “you were perhaps too persuasive in presenting your prediction of the outcome of a war with the Xindi. Some planets have become,” he paused to select a suitable word, “nervous. They do not wish to be seen to openly oppose the Xindi.”

“So you and V’Lar persuaded them to sneak into Rigel, with the promise that Enterprise would play host?”

“Essentially, yes.”

“Thanks.”

“I believed that you would be amenable.”

“Oh, sure. Do I get to attend this time, or am I just providing the venue?”

“You attend.” Soval dropped his gaze to his mug, then looked up at Tucker again. “Admiral Forrest suffered a heart attack not long after you left Vulcan.”

“How is he?”

“He did not survive.”

“Damn it!” Tucker thrust himself away from the table to lean against a view port, looking out at the planet below them, although he barely registered it. “How many more are we gonna lose before this is over?”

“As few as possible – which will still be too many.”

“Yeah.” He blew out his breath and returned to the table, giving Soval a wryly assessing look as he did so. “You definitely need to get some sleep. You sounded almost Human for a moment there.”

“Curb your humour, Captain Tucker. I need to review your security arrangements.”

“Been there, done that.”

“But not with me. The security arrangements, captain?”

~

Soval’s review took a great deal longer than his initial briefing and completely destroyed Tucker’s momentary sympathy. The fact that the Vulcan managed to find a couple of holes that both Tucker and Cole had missed made it worse. Being taken to task on your own ship by a sarcastic Vulcan entered high on the captain’s list of things he’d rather not experience again: not far behind having your world destroyed and thinking that you’d lost the woman you loved to your best friend. He was in a seething temper by the time T’Pol finally appeared, with the news that the shuttle from Rigel was about to dock. “Great.” He came to his feet, thrusting a PADD at her. “See that those issues get addressed.” He headed for the door. “And see that you keep him,” he jabbed a vicious finger at Soval, “out of my hair for the rest of the day. Before,” he added with feeling, “I forget I owe him, and shove him out the nearest airlock.”

He left and the two Vulcans regarded each other thoughtfully. “He has never,” T’Pol observed after a moment, “actually ejected anyone from an airlock.”

“Then why does he threaten to do so?”

“It relieves his feelings.”

“Have you considered teaching him to meditate?”

“We do not have the time. Will you be joining us to greet our guests, ambassador?”

“At the airlock? I think not.”

~

By the time internal sensors finally registered only one Vulcan life sign in Soval’s quarters, it was after 2300 and Cole had worked herself into a state of righteous indignation. The mean old Vulcan could at least have acknowledged her presence at some point since he came on board, and she was damned if she was going to make an appointment to see him, as that supercilious oaf Tolan had suggested when she tried to pay a visit earlier in the evening. Soval had never objected to her visiting him on Earth – not very often, anyway – and she wasn’t going to pay an official visit just to say ‘hello’.

When she buzzed at his door, the delay before it opened was enough to ramp her temper up another notch, and she scowled at the man standing inside when it finally slid back, not bothering to notice that Soval wasn’t in a good mood either. “Hey.” She didn’t try to keep the sarcasm out of her voice. “Remember me?”

“I am hardly likely to forget.” Soval’s tone wasn’t any pleasanter than Cole’s, and he turned away as he spoke.

She followed him into the room, glowering at his averted back. “Oh, yeah, it felt like it, all those months on Earth after you left.”

“There were reasons why it was impossible to remove you.”

“Did you even try?” Her voice was still angry, but the underlying hurt was starting to come through, and Soval turned to frown at her.

“I will not justify my actions to you.”

“Why not? You left me behind! You didn’t even care enough to let me know what was happening!” There wasn’t much of the MACO sergeant in the accusation, but quite a lot of the lonely young woman, who thought that she had been abandoned by someone she trusted.

“Leave.”

“What?”

“I told you to leave, Amanda.” Soval’s voice was brusque and there was no doubting that he meant what he said. “I am not prepared to deal with your histrionics tonight.”

“I thought you were my friend!”

“Get out!”

She wrenched herself around and fled before she could humiliate herself further, hardly noticing the tall figure in the doorway, although he raised a supercilious eyebrow at her lack of manners as he advanced further into the cabin. “She seems remarkably,” Tolan paused to select a suitably damning word, “emotional.”

Soval ignored the observation as he scowled at the other Vulcan. “What do you want, Tolan?”

“I came to enquire whether you needed my services again tonight.”

“I don’t.” The answer was irritable, and Tolan allowed an eyebrow to climb again at his superior’s lack of control. Soval noted the reaction, eyes narrowing even as he added more calmly, “I wish to meditate and,” he held up a hand to stop the other man from interrupting, “even at my advanced age, I am quite capable of lighting my own candles.”

“Of course, ambassador.”

“Then why are you still here?” Tolan’s eyebrow was getting a good deal of exercise that evening, but at least he had the sense to take it and the rest of himself away without further comment.

Alone, Soval reached for the fastening of his robes, tossing both outer and inner ones in the vague direction of a chair, then raising a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose for a moment, breathing deliberately. There had not been a great deal of time for meditation, as well sleep, over the past weeks, and he was paying the price. And not just him, but anyone who came into contact with him.

~

Tucker flopped onto T’Pol’s bed with a groan, covering his eyes with both hands. “Tell me this isn’t gonna be a disaster.”

“It will not be a disaster.”

He smiled as a gentle hand began to stroke his hair. “Care to say that with more conviction, honey?”

“You have taken every possible precaution. Worrying about what you cannot predict is futile.”

“Nice logic.”

“Thank you.”

Finally he uncovered his eyes to smile up at the woman leaning over him. “I love you.”

She bent down for a kiss. “Are you tired, Charles?”

“Shattered. Why?”

Very deliberately, she lowered the zipper of his jumpsuit. “It has been some time since we made love.” Her hands slipped under the hem of his undershirt. “I purchased some aromatic shower essence on Rigel. Perhaps it would revive you.”

“Aromatic shower essence, huh?” He was struggling not to laugh. “Have I been neglecting you, honey?”

“Yes.”

“Now why would I do a thing like that?”

“Perhaps you are bored with me.”

“Oh no.” He reached out to pull her down on top of him. “That’s one thing that’s never gonna happen. So, did you make any more interesting purchases on Rigel?”

~

It was long past midnight before Cole finally admitted that she wasn’t going to be able to sleep unless she crawled back to Soval and apologised. Her behaviour had been way beyond acceptable boundaries, and it wasn’t the first time he’d sent her away when she became too emotional. Not that he had done that in a long time, but … She scowled. There was no point going there. That had been on Earth, when he hadn’t had to be on his dignity as an ambassador. Clearly the rules had changed, and they couldn’t be friends anymore, and that was fine now that she knew, but she still needed to apologise. She took another look at the clock, a little surprised that it had gotten to be so late, but, if Soval was following his normal routine, he would still be awake, reading.

She didn’t bother getting back into her uniform – Soval had seen her dressed far less respectably than in sweat pants and tee shirt – and was outside his quarters within a very few seconds. She took a quick look behind her, confirmed that the corridor was clear and buzzed for entry. There was no way she wanted gossip spreading about the fact that she had been visiting Soval’s cabin in the early hours of the morning, but she really couldn’t wait until a decent hour of the day. There was no answer to the door chime, and she frowned, trying once more, even as she clocked the corridor again. Late as it was, someone would be along eventually and she really didn’t want to be seen. Reluctantly, loath to sound as if she was begging, she opened a comm. line. “Ambassador Soval, it’s me, Am... Sergeant Cole. Can I come in, please?” There was still no reply and an uncomfortable feeling that something was wrong was growing in the back of her head. Hesitantly, she reached for the keypad, drew back, then firmly typed in the override code. She was head of security, after all.

The door opened and she slipped quickly inside the cabin that was lit only by
guttering meditation candles, although she didn’t even see them, all her attention caught by the man slumped to the floor, his back to her. “Soval!” She flung herself down at his side, and gasped at the sight of the knife buried in his chest. For a moment, she could only stare then reached out a shaking hand, feeling the faintest exhalation against her fingertips. Barely comforted by that sign of life, she lunged for the comm. outlet on the wall, calling a medical emergency to bring help, not aware how frantic she sounded. Duty done, she stumbled back to the Vulcan’s side, dropping to her knees, clutching one lax, too-cold hand tightly. There was undoubtedly something practical she should be doing, but shock was robbing her of good sense and training alike, and she gave a small sob, forgetting all the rules of polite behaviour around Vulcans as she raised Soval’s hand to press it to her check, her other hand caressing his face. “Don’t die on me, Soval.” Her voice was choked with tears. “You mean old Vulcan, don’t you dare leave me alone again.”

~

When Tucker and T’Pol arrived in Sickbay, it was to find Soval stretched out under a life support hood, Phlox and one of his team working over him, while Cole hovered close by, her arms tightly folded. She backed away as captain and first officer approached, T’Pol’s distress readily apparent. “How is he?”

The Denobulan looked up, his own expression grave. “Ambassador Soval has been critically injured.” He looked over at Tucker, who had placed his hands on T’Pol’s shoulders. “I’m afraid I’m not hopeful.” He sighed. “Now if you’ll excuse me, I need to prep for surgery.”

Tucker nodded, drawing T’Pol away from the biobed, looking over his shoulder to where Cole had retreated to the far wall, arms still wrapped around herself. “What the hell happened, Amanda?”

“I don’t know, sir.” She paused and Tucker frowned at her to hurry it up. “I found the ambassador in his cabin about twenty minutes ago. He’d been stabbed.”

“Are the rest of the diplomats okay?”

“I,” she bit her lip, “I don’t know, sir.”

“Then find out!” Tucker was worried and so less sensitive than usual to the moods of others, although T’Pol looked suspiciously at the other woman. “Call up whoever you need to ensure their safety. And find out who the hell did this!” Cole hesitated, casting a look at the unconscious man behind them, and Tucker added sharply, “Now, sergeant!”

“Yes, sir.” She left and Tucker turned back to T’Pol, pulling her close and wrapping his arms around her. “Soval’ll be okay, honey. The mean old Vulcan wouldn’t put me out of my misery by dying, you know that.” She bowed her head against his chest, and he hugged her tightly, silently cursing whoever had forced him to admit that, if Soval died, he’d be devastated.

~

It was some hours before Enterprise’s chief of security called in to Sickbay as a necessary stop-off on her tour of ambassadorial quarters and she spent some minutes with Hawkins, checking that nothing untoward had occurred, before she casually approached Phlox.

“Ah, Sergeant Cole.” The doctor smiled a greeting when she stopped by his desk. “Checking up on Ambassador Soval?”

“Security visit, doctor.” Her tone was clipped. “Corporal Hawkins said everything was quiet.”

“No more murderous attacks, certainly.” He studied her wooden expression for a moment, then added kindly, “I was able to repair the damage to the ambassador’s liver. He lost a great deal of blood and the shock to his system was severe, but he’s very fit for his age. We shouldn’t lose hope.”

“I’m sure Sub-Commander T’Pol will be pleased to hear that.”

Phlox smiled gently. “You’re very fond of Ambassador Soval, aren’t you, sergeant?”

She directed a blank look at him, daring him to mention that he’d found her holding the Vulcan’s hand, close to tears. “I worked for the ambassador on Earth, doctor. I’d react the same if it was Major Hayes or Captain Tucker.”

“I’m sure you would.” Phlox waved a hand towards the rear of Sickbay. “He’s through there, if you’d like to check on his … ah … security arrangements.”

Cole gave him a dirty look, turned to leave, and found that her feet had inadvertently taken her to the biobed the doctor had indicated. Soval looked a little healthier than the last time she had seen him, but entirely too still, habitual frown smoothed out, wide mouth relaxed. “I’m sorry I got emotional, ambassador.” It was pointless apologising when he was unconscious, but she was afraid that if she didn’t do it now, she’d never have another chance. “It won’t happen again, you have my word on it.” Her hand crept out to touch one of Soval’s, where it lay outside the sheet covering him, then clutched convulsively for a moment before drawing back. She swallowed hard. “It won’t happen again.”

~

The only consolation in the whole affair for Tucker was that none of the other diplomatic personnel had been attacked, but that was little comfort when he had to face V’Lar and explain that her colleague had been the subject of a murder attempt. However it quickly became clear that it was old news.

“So Tolan informed me,” she said calmly, once he had given her the basic facts, and took a look at the others assembled in the command centre. “I assume that you have already started an investigation into the matter. Have you yet uncovered the assassin?”

Tucker nodded to Cole, who said formally, “No, ma’am. No one was seen near the ambassador’s quarters last night.”

“Not strictly true,” Tolan, who had accompanied V’Lar, put in mildly. “You were in the vicinity of Ambassador Soval’s quarters last night, Sergeant Cole.”

“I visited the ambassador, sir. Briefly.”

“You were angry with him, were you not, Sergeant Cole?”

“If you’re trying to accuse Amanda of stabbing Soval, Tolan, forget it.”

Tucker’s tone was dismissive, and he stared at T’Pol in profound surprise when she said slowly, “Perhaps we should consider Tolan’s suggestion.”

The Vulcan inclined his head in her direction, and continued uninvited, “I enquired of the weapon used in the attack. Dr Phlox tells me it is of the type carried by your ship’s military contingent - such as Sergeant Cole.”

“I didn’t attack the ambassador.” Cole’s voice was firm, but Tucker saw her expression turn a little apprehensive as she realised that all three Vulcans were observing her closely. “Captain?”

“Remember, Captain Tucker,” V’Lar put in before he could speak, “that the delegates will not take kindly to the attempted murder of one of their number. This matter must be resolved swiftly, but there can be no hint of controversy regarding the verdict.” She glanced kindly at Cole. “While I am sure that Sergeant Cole is innocent, it may be best if someone else leads the investigation.”

Tucker didn’t like it, but he had to admit that V’Lar had a fair point. “Then I’ll lead it.”

“I do not think that would be appropriate, captain.” Tolan had a knack of polite observation that put Tucker’s back up every time the other man opened his mouth. “I understand that you once had an intimate relationship with Sergeant Cole. If she is considered a suspect, then your past history must exclude you.”

“Fine. T’Pol?”

She didn’t have a chance to express her opinion before Tolan again intervened. “Sub-Commander T’Pol is excluded on the grounds of her relationship with the victim.”

“Right! Commander Mayweather …”

“Also had an intimate relationship with Sergeant Cole.”

“You must have stayed up all night listening to the gossip.” Tucker glared at the Vulcan. “So what have you got against Lt Sato?”

“She has no experience in such matters.”

“We’re none of us too familiar with murder!”

“If I might make a suggestion?” V’Lar put in firmly. “Captain, Tolan does have experience of investigations of this type from his time with the Ministry of Security. If you will permit an outsider to investigate a crime committed on your vessel, he is a logical candidate.”

Tucker was tempted to ask if Tolan had ever had an intimate relationship with anyone connected with the case, but managed to restrain himself. He might have got away with it when he was chief engineer and Archer had been there to smooth over any subsequent trouble, but now he had to carry the can himself: it made life a lot less interesting. “All right. Tolan can investigate. But he’ll work with T’Pol.”

“Of course, captain.”

Tucker tried not to scowl at Tolan’s smug tone, but failed. Maybe he’d finally encountered a Vulcan who was more annoying than Soval.

~

The first day of the conference started badly. It was impossible to conceal the fact that one of the Vulcans had been attacked, and even V’Lar’s talents were insufficient to ensure the smooth progress of discussions. Tucker finally took a hand himself when the delegate from Telar made to walk out. “That’s enough!” The captain indicated the impassive guards stationed around the room. “Your security is the main concern of everyone on this ship. Now sit back down and start talking.”

“Hardly everyone, captain.” The Tellerite shoved his pug-nosed face into Tucker’s. “Someone on this ship attacked the Vulcan.”

“And we’re gonna find out who.”

“I hear you have Xindi aboard,” the Rigellian cut in. “Surely you need look no further.”
“They’re accounted for.” Ugarke was still being forcibly weaned off the drugs he had been using for years, and the section where the quarters of the Xindi-Arboreal engineers were located was sealed off at night – just in case. “Now are we gonna talk or not?”

Talk they did, all through the day, until Tucker had a splitting headache and would quite happily have abandoned his diplomatic career there and then, if he hadn’t been fairly certain that T’Pol would be disappointed in him. When they finally broke up for the day, he kept V’Lar back, envying the woman her composure. “This is pointless.”

“I concur,” she said unexpectedly. “I will call a recess for tomorrow. Captain, unless you can discover Soval’s attacker by the day after, I see no way that we can succeed here. Even if your Xindi can be brought to testify, no one will listen,” and on that positive note, she swept out, leaving Enterprise’s captain with an even bigger headache.

~

When Tucker stopped by Sickbay on his way to the Bridge, he found T’Pol there, standing quietly by her father’s beside, outwardly calm although he thought he caught a flicker of anger when she looked around at him, before returning her attention to the unconscious man. “How is he?”

“He should have regained consciousness by now.”

“But he hasn’t?”

The dark chestnut head moved slightly in the negative, before she added quietly, “It is possible that he was able to put himself into a trance after the attack, in order to promote healing.” She glanced around at him again, her full lips narrowed. “More likely, the shock and blood loss have caused the coma. If so, he is unlikely to recover.”

Tucker moved closer, once again fitting himself into the curve of her back. “What does Phlox say?”

“Very little.”

He sighed; when the Denobulan stopped talking, it was usually a bad sign. “How’s the investigation going?”

“We have identified the culprit.”

“Who is it?”

“Sergeant Cole.”

“What?”

T’Pol freed herself from his embrace to turn to face him, the glint of anger in her eyes again. “All the evidence indicates that she is responsible.” Her lower lip pushed out a little as she regarded Tucker’s disbelief narrowly. “Do not allow emotion to get in the way of truth.”

“I’m not, but I know Amanda. She wouldn’t do that. Not to someone she likes.”

“It appears that she rather more than ‘likes’ Ambassador Soval!”

“Don’t be ridiculous.”

“Commander Mayweather agrees with me.”

“Where is she?”

“I had her confined to quarters.” She glared at him. “I anticipated that you would find the brig inappropriate. Where are you going?”

“To see her.”

“Charles!”

“Don’t!” Tucker glared at her, a finger raised in rebuke. “Don’t even think that.”

“The evidence is incontrovertible.”

“Then set a time for a hearing.” He turned back from the door. “V’Lar wants this resolved. The sooner we get Amanda acquitted, the sooner we can find out who really attacked Soval.”

~

Tucker knew his expression was grim when he entered Cole’s quarters, and the wary expression she turned on him didn’t improve his mood. As he’d said to T’Pol, he knew the MACO very well. If she were entirely in the clear, she’d be fighting mad about the injustice of being falsely accused. “What’s going on, Amanda?” He kept the form of address informal, but he heard the snap in his voice; that had been the captain asking, not a friend.

“I don’t know what you mean, sir.”

His eyebrows pulled together, “Don’t play games! You know what I’m talking about. I’ve got a Vulcan ambassador in Sickbay, my chief of security accused of attacking him, and everyone saying that you had some pretty damn personal reasons for wanting Soval dead. What’s the real story?”

“I found the ambassador in his quarters, sir. He’d already been attacked.”

He moved to stand over her. “I know that. But why were you visiting Soval at 0137, Sergeant Cole?” Her chin lifted stubbornly, and Tucker sighed deeply. “You’re not helping yourself here, Amanda. Why did you go to see Soval?”

She glared back. “Because he’s my friend.”

“Soval?”

“Yes, Soval! What, you think you’ve got a monopoly on liking Vulcans?”

Behind the anger, he thought he could see a hint of something else, and kept pushing. “But just how much d’you like him?”

Cole stared at him for a moment more, then abruptly turned her back. “You don’t know what it was like on Earth after you left, Trip. Hell, you don’t even remember much before that, you were so drunk most of the time.” Watching her, Tucker saw her shoulders heave as she took a deep breath. “You’d gone, Travis dropped in for a day or two every couple of months, and everyone hated me because I’d been on Enterprise.” Her hands were closed into fists, arms rigid at her sides. “I cracked, Trip. I woke up one morning and it hit me all over again, how much we’d lost, how everything was gone.” She paused for a moment, breathing deeply. Tucker recognised the technique and winced. “I just stayed in bed.” She halted again and he moved close enough to grip her shoulders, offering belated comfort. “Soval found me the next day.” She sniffed, half turning to direct a weak smile upwards. “He was wonderful.”

“I can’t say I’ve ever thought Soval would offer tea and sympathy.”

Cole laughed a little shakily, wiping away a few stray tears that she hadn’t quite managed to suppress. “He did better. He came into my room and just stood looking down at me. Then he said he’d wait for me outside and left. So I got up.” She laughed again. “He did give me tea, though, and a whole load of orders for the day. He made sure I was so busy I didn’t have time to think, and in the evenings he kept me company.”

“And he used neuro-pressure on you?”

Tucker’s tone was accusatory and Cole glared at him. “He said it’s often used to treat mental disorders.”

“Maybe it is, but I’m gonna ask Phlox to put a note in the medical database to advise against its use on Humans.”

“Why?”

“Because it’s too damned intimate! Did you fall for him, Amanda? Tell me!”

“No!” She pulled away, angry again. “I told you, Soval’s my friend.” She swallowed suddenly. “I thought he was my friend.”

Tucker regarded her broodingly for a moment, not entirely believing the fervent denial, even if he couldn’t really accept that anyone as vibrant and sensible as Cole could ever imagine herself in love with a Vulcan as unpleasant as Soval. “You worked for him, Amanda.” Maybe he was being cruel, but she needed to hear the truth. “He had a duty of care towards you. He’d have done the same for anyone.”

“I know that! Why are you trying to make out that Soval did something wrong? He never touched me again after I got better.”

There was a faint hint of disappointment in her voice, and Tucker winced. “I’ve called a hearing for tomorrow.” The woman’s firm chin lifted again and he glared back. “You’re gonna have to answer the changes, Amanda.”

“I didn’t attack Soval.”

“Let’s hope we can prove that.”

“Phlox to Captain Tucker. Please report to Sickbay.”

The voice from the comm. startled them both, and Tucker saw Cole’s teeth close on her lower lip as he went to acknowledge the message. “I’m on my way.”

“Trip …”

He cut her off before she could make the request. “You’re confined to quarters, sergeant.” Then he relented as he headed for the door. “I’ll let you know.”

~

T’Pol was still in Sickbay when Tucker arrived, hovering at her father’s beside, while Phlox checked the readings from the various monitors attached to the biobed. “What is it?”

“Ambassador Soval has regained consciousness.” The Denobulan looked up with a smile. “He’s extremely weak, but I believe he will make a full recovery.”

“Told you he was too damn stubborn to die.” Tucker directed a reassuring smile at T’Pol. “Have you asked him what he remembers?” She shook her head, so he addressed himself to the man stretched out before him. “Ambassador Soval?” If Phlox hadn’t said that the Vulcan was conscious, Tucker would have assumed the man was still in a coma, but the sunken eyes opened slowly. “Soval, d’you know who attacked you?”

The Vulcan frowned as if with the effort of remembering, grimaced faintly, and slowly rocked his head.

Tucker glanced over at T’Pol, whose expression mirrored his own suspicion that, however ill he might still be, Soval wasn’t telling them everything. “What do you remember, father?” It was still a shock to hear T’Pol call Soval that, even if her tone was not particularly affectionate.

The elder Vulcan’s eyes closed. “Nothing useful.”

Captain and first officer exchanged another look, Tucker’s mouth pulling to one side as he recognised characteristic evasion. “I’ll not have you withholding information on my ship, Soval! What d’you remember?” He got no response and scowled. “Wanna know who’s our prime suspect? Sergeant Cole.”

This time he got an immediate reaction as the man’s eyes fixed on him again. “Not plausible.”

“It was her knife, Soval. She was the one who reported the attack and we have a witness who saw her angry with you earlier in the evening.”

The Vulcan’s eyes closed again, his drawn features assuming a stubborn look. “Amanda would not harm me.”

“That’s quite enough, captain,” Phlox said firmly, a hand on Tucker’s arm helping to usher him away from the biobed. “I must insist that Ambassador Soval rests. You can continue your interrogation in the morning.”

There wasn’t a lot Tucker could do in the face of medical orders, but he was frowning as he drew T’Pol towards the door. “What’s he not telling us?”

“An impossible question to answer.”

“Yeah.” He sighed and scrubbed both hands over his face. “God damn it all to hell! Why do these things keep happening to us?”

He felt T’Pol move in close, pressing sensuously against his body. “You require distraction.”

For once, the promise of sex did nothing for him. “Honey, I don’t think I’m in the mood.”

She pouted up at him. “Because you have seen her?”

“Don’t be ridiculous!” T’Pol’s warm brown eyes gazed up at him, glittering with the beginnings of hurt and distrust, and Tucker groaned inwardly. “Why don’t you ask chef to have something sent to your cabin? We’ll have dinner there.”

Warmth replaced hurt. “Very well.”

“But I need to check up on a few things first.”

“Charles!”

“An hour, I promise. You go talk to chef. I’ll meet you later.”

~

The captain’s dining room had been turned into a courtroom for the occasion, and already contained T’Pol, V’Lar, Tolan and Cole when Tucker escorted Soval into the room. That the elder Vulcan was in any shape to attend had stunned Tucker. But the fact that he had walked in on a blazing, if frigidly polite, row between Phlox and Soval early that morning had reassured him that T’Pol’s father was greatly recovered. Phlox had certainly not approved of his patient leaving Sickbay within 36 hours of receiving a critical injury, but, as happened all too frequently for Tucker’s liking, he had sided with Soval: Cole needed all the support she could get. The ambassador had disdained assistance and was as upright as ever, but Tucker, intimately familiar with the nuances of Vulcan expressions, knew it was costing Soval a good deal of effort.

“Ambassador Soval!” Tolan clearly didn’t approve of his superior’s presence. “Surely you should not be here.”

“I believe you will allow me an interest in this matter.” Soval’s tone was dry as he eased himself into a seat, waving away T’Pol’s attempt to assist him.

“Naturally, but …”

“Then proceed.”

Tolan looked to V’Lar for support, but, after a moment’s study of her colleague, she inclined her head, and the tall man went to stand directly in front of Cole, who hadn’t moved her eyes from front and centre. “Sergeant Cole, you are accused of the attempted murder of Ambassador Soval. Do you deny that you visited the ambassador’s quarters at 2309 two days ago?”

“No, sir.” She had dropped into the mode of dumb obedience that had always annoyed Tucker in his dealings with the MACOs.

“Why did you go there?”

“I was checking security arrangements, sir. I visited all the diplomatic personnel.”

“But you had a personal reason for visiting Ambassador Soval?”

“I was checking security, sir.”

“I encountered you leaving the ambassador’s quarters. You appeared distraught.” She said nothing. “You have improper feelings for Ambassador Soval, do you not?”

“No.”

“When he quite naturally sent you away, you determined to kill him.”

“No.”

“Sergeant Cole, how did you react when you found Ambassador Soval?”

“I called for medical assistance, sir.”

“Commendable.” Tolan activated a PADD and they all heard Cole’s desperate voice.

“Medical emergency. Ambassador Soval’s quarters.”

“Sergeant Cole,” in contrast, Phlox was calm, “what is the nature of the emergency?”

“I’ll be there momentarily. Phlox out.”

Tucker grimaced at the naked emotion in the recorded voice: hard to believe from that that Cole wasn’t inappropriately fond of Soval. Her eyes were closed now, and she was flushed, probably with mortification. No one was comfortable when that sort of emotion was made public, and when the object was a Vulcan, particularly an old and irascible Vulcan … At least Soval looked no more bad tempered than normal, although T’Pol was rigid with disapproval. “We’re Human.” Tucker decided that it was time he contributed to the defence. “We’ve seen too much death. We take it very personally these days. Besides, what’s your point, Tolan? If Amanda had just tried to kill Soval, why call for medical assistance?”

“Remorse.” The Vulcan’s answer came pat. “The attack was committed some time previously. She evidently returned.”

“For someone who’ll claim not to have emotions, you seem real ready to assign them to a Human you don’t know.”

“Tolan,” Soval’s voice was irritable, “is this allegation the basis of your case?”

“It demonstrates motive.”

“Does it?” The elder Vulcan shifted slightly in his chair, carefully not wincing. “Are you also suggesting that my relationship with Sergeant Cole is inappropriate?”

“Of course not, ambassador.”

“While I served the High Command on Earth, Sergeant Cole acted as my attaché, even as you do, Tolan.” Soval’s chin was up and he was looking coldly at the other Vulcan. “Are you suggesting that I would allow a young Human woman to remain in my employ if I believed that she had developed an inappropriate affection for me?”

“No, ambassador.”

“Then I suggest you rethink your motive.”

Tucker smiled a little grimly. Soval must know that Cole adored him - which perhaps supported her claim that their relationship was platonic - but he had very cleverly deflected Tolan, and all without actually confirming or denying affection on either side.

“The fact remains,” Tolan persisted, “that the knife used in the attack belonged to Sergeant Cole. Further, the attack was clearly perpetrated by a Human. It is …”

“It is not clear to me,” Soval again interrupted. “Explain.”

“The knife was inserted where, in a Human, it would have penetrated the heart, causing almost instant death. Only the difference between Vulcan and Human anatomy saved your life.”
“Sergeant Cole,” this time, Soval sounded as if he was growing impatient at having to point out the flaws in Tolan’s logic, “if you wished to kill me, where would you strike?”

For the first time, her eyes moved reluctantly in his direction, then slid away again. “Ten centimetres below the breast bone, sir. Through the heart.”

“Indeed.” Soval turned an ironic look on Tolan. “Sergeant Cole is a very efficient killer, Tolan. If she wanted me dead, I would not be sitting here now.”

“I assume that in the stress of the attack, she forgot to allow for Vulcan physiology.” The younger Vulcan was evidently growing tired of being corrected by his superior.

“Are you finished, Tolan?” Soval was looking down his nose at the other Vulcan again. “If so, I see no case to answer.”

The man didn’t appear pleased to be pressured, particularly when V’Lar joined in. “I must say that I agree with Ambassador Soval, Tolan. The case against Sergeant Cole does not hold together.”

“Then it’s agreed.” Tucker spoke over Tolan’s attempt to protest. “We need to find the real culprit.”

“Perhaps more accurately, the real motive.” Very deliberately, Soval looked around the room, making sure that he had everyone’s attention. “We are agreed, are we not, that there is no case against Sergeant Cole?” He waited until he received agreement, in varying degrees of reluctance, from everyone except Tolan. “Then perhaps we can address the real issue: why is it that my memories of that night indicate that Sergeant Cole did, indeed, attempt to assassinate me?”

There was a moment of profound silence, broken when Cole said passionately, “No! I didn’t! Soval …”

She broke off as soon as he raised the first two fingers of his right hand, his eyes holding hers for a second. “Kindly compose yourself, sergeant. I believe that I have already made my views on the matter plain.” She gulped, swallowed, and returned her expression to one that would have done Major Hayes proud.

“Yes, sir.”

Tucker managed to close his own mouth, exchanged an incredulous look with T’Pol, and said furiously, “You’re telling us that you remember Amanda attacking you?” The grey-haired man nodded fractionally. “Why the hell didn’t you mention this before?”

“Because it is a profoundly illogical scenario.”

“Soval,” V’Lar’s tone was severe, “you are still not telling us everything.”
He ignored her accusation. “I believe that there is an explanation for this anomaly.” He paused briefly, to assess the impact of his statement. “Sergeant Cole was not acting under her own volition.”

“Keep talking.” Tucker was still angry.

“Sergeant Cole was alone on Earth for some time. It is known that the Xindi are skilled in their use of drugs and in their interrogation techniques. It is plausible that she was programmed as an assassin.”

“And she’d attack you because, once you’d left Earth, it was obvious that you’d been working for the Vulcans all along?”

Soval indicated agreement with Tucker’s proposition, and Cole said doubtfully, “But nothing like that happened to me on Earth.”

“They would hardly leave your memories of such a procedure intact.” Once again, the Vulcan’s eyes met and held those of the Human woman’s for a long moment, before he looked around the room again. “I suggest we allow Dr Phlox to investigate the possibility.”

“Sure.” Tucker exchanged another look with T’Pol, who was looking sceptical. “V’Lar, do you agree?”

“That your doctor investigates the possibility, yes.” But the look she turned on her fellow ambassador was doubtful.

~

They all adjourned to Sickbay, where this time T’Pol did not take ‘no’ for an answer when she firmly assisted Soval to a chair, remaining protectively at his side while he sat with his eyes closed, hands clasped together. To Tucker’s eyes, the Vulcan looked desperately ill again, but he assumed he was overreacting; T’Pol would have called for Phlox’ attention if she thought Soval needed it.

The sliding platform retracted from the imaging unit at last, and Cole sat up, scowling at the sea of faces around her, before concentrating on Phlox as he stared thoughtfully at the displays of the brain scans he had taken. “Sergeant Cole appears to have a perfectly healthy brain.”
“You’ve manipulated memory engrams before, doctor,” T’Pol reminded him coolly. “Would such a procedure leave any trace?”

“That would depend on the skill of the physician who carried out the procedure. There’s nothing obvious.” He turned away to type in a few commands at a neighbouring station. “I can run a comparison with the last set of scans I took, before Sergeant Cole left Enterprise, but … Hmm. Interesting.”

“What?” Tucker demanded, and Phlox pointed a finger at one portion of the screen.

“There’s a slight variation in wave pattern here.”

“Is that what we’re looking for?”

“I don’t believe so.” The doctor smiled reassuringly at Cole, who was glowering at him. “It’s not a part of the brain that’s active in Humans. I’m sure you won’t notice any effect.”

“What’s it do, then?” she asked grumpily, and he shrugged happily.

“Nothing! A remarkably under-used organ, the Human brain. Now if you were Vulcan, that area …”

“Your conclusion, doctor?” Soval asked wearily, and the Denobulan sighed.

“None at the moment. However,” he beamed around at his audience, “if you’ll allow me a little time, there are a few more tests I’d like to run.”

Tucker nodded acknowledgement, and turned reluctantly to Cole. “Amanda, I’m gonna have to have you confined to the brig.”

She nodded agreement. “Of course, sir. McKenzie can cover for me.”

“I’ll take that under advisement.” He hesitated, but there was absolutely nothing else he could think to say at the moment. “V’Lar, d’you think you can persuade the other delegates to continue?”

“Perhaps.” She shot Soval a long-suffering look. “If you have a suspect – even one whom the victim claims is, in some part, innocent – it may be possible.”

“Give it a go.” He probably didn’t have any right to give her what was, effectively, an order, but he was tired, confused and ultimately responsible for everything that happened on his ship. And some days, that was just too much. “Soval, if you don’t let Phlox put you back to bed, I’ll set T’Pol onto you.”

~

“Charles.” The firm statement of his given name brought Tucker out of far from pleasant speculation, to look down at T’Pol’s aggrieved face. “You are not concentrating on the exercise.”

“Sorry.” He focussed on breathing correctly for a moment, while T’Pol applied the necessary pressure to his jaw. “I could break Soval’s neck for dumping that revelation on us.”

“Given the current circumstances, expressing such a sentiment may be unwise. Breathe!”

“He really likes Amanda.”

The almost random observation resulted in the abrupt removal of T’Pol’s fingers. Tucker opened his eyes to find her glaring at him. “How do you arrive at that conclusion?”

“Calling her ‘Amanda’ was a bit of a giveaway! Didn’t you tell me that using personal names is pretty intimate for a Vulcan?”

“How Ambassador Soval chooses to address Sergeant Cole is no indicator of his affections. Do you wish to continue with the neuro-pressure or not?”

T’Pol’s tone was formal and Tucker sighed. He should have known better than to suggest that her father was fond of a woman T’Pol regarded with extreme suspicion. “I think maybe I’ve got too much on my mind at the moment.”

“Neuro-pressure will help you relax.”

He regarded her doubtfully, and finally stretched out both hands to take hers in a gentle clasp. “Honey, what’s going on with you lately?”

“I don’t know what you mean.”

“Yes, you do. I know we don’t spend as much time together as you’d like, but the last few days, all you’ve been interested in is sex.”

“If you no longer find me attractive …”

His hands tightened, almost shaking hers. ‘I’ll always find you attractive. But I thought we were in this for the long haul. I don’t want this relationship to be about sex and nothing else.”

T’Pol’s mouth trembled slightly. “I have always … appreciated … your company.”

“Then let’s just talk for a change.” He rose to his feet, drawing her with him, settling onto the bed and positioning her against him, arms around her waist. “Tell me about your family. You know all about mine, but you’ve never mentioned yours, apart from that crazy great-grandmother.”

“T’Mir was not crazy.” T’Pol’s voice was quiet as she tucked her head under Tucker’s chin, relaxing against him.

He smiled and hugged her closer, content just to hold her. “Bet your dad wouldn’t agree with you.”

“He said that she was intimidating.”

Tucker started. “Soval actually met her! You mean you didn’t make her up?”

“Of course I did not.” T’Pol raised her head to regard him solemnly. “You did not believe me?”

“Not a word of it.” He guided her back into position against his chest. “Tell me again. I gotta hear more about a woman who could scare Soval.”

~

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