Illicit Trade- Part 2

Illicit Trade

By ShouldKnowBetter

Rating: PG13, Action/Adventure, Drama
Disclaimers in Part One
Summary: An accident in Engineering leads Enterprise to investigate some unpleasant rumours.

PART TWO

*********************

T’Pol leant forward and extinguished her primary meditation lamp but remained resting on her knees. Her meditations had had the desired effect, her mind was calm, thoughts clear. But just beneath the surface, she knew her emotions were still in turmoil. If she had allowed herself to feel, those feelings would have reflected jealousy, anger and, most of all, loneliness. But she was Vulcan, she had long since mastered her emotions, so all she would allow herself to acknowledge was a slight thirst. With a little foresight, she could have provided herself with a drink before leaving the mess hall earlier, but she had been focussed on returning to her quarters and had not done so. So logically she would now have to fetch a drink before retiring to bed. There was no reason to do otherwise.

It wasn’t as late as T’Pol had believed so there were still a good many of the crew about, something she would rather have avoided. Calm and in control she might be, but she did not want that put to the test by too much interaction. Not that it was likely that any but the senior staff would approach her. Most of Enterprise’s crew treated her with the courtesy due her rank and that was it. She might be first officer of the vessel but she knew that Archer and Tucker handled many of the personnel issues that would have fallen to her if she had been human. She had no objection to the arrangement, it was just that tonight she was very aware of her isolation. Of the eighty odd individuals on Enterprise, there were only two she considered friends and even with Archer she did not feel sufficiently comfortable to simply approach him for companionship. In the past, she had been able to do that with Tucker; he was always friendly and entertaining and made her feel less alone. But tonight he was the cause of her … dislocation. He wasn’t even on the ship. He was ….

T’Pol banished that thought and turned briskly into the mess hall. A large mug of mint tea and then bed; and there he was, seated at a table, pushing a serving of some form of sugar concoction around his plate. T’Pol didn’t think her brief hesitation was noticeable, but she could not hide from herself the sudden upsurge of jealousy as she headed determinedly for the drinks dispenser. M’Lek had got to touch him all over, have his cool, long fingered hands touch her bare skin, his muscled arms hold her close … “Mint tea.” It was a great shame that the humans were so proud of the audio interface. A simple button push would not have attracted Tucker’s attention and she could have left unnoticed. As it was, he was watching her as she turned to leave and she was weak enough to look in his direction, let him catch her eye.

“Join me?”

He was a friend, T’Pol reminded herself sternly, just a friend. One did not ignore friends without good cause. Reluctantly she perched on the edge of a chair, fixing him with her most imperious stare. “Commander?”

He scowled and shoved the plate away, hugging his left arm to his chest. “Can’t you for once call me something else?”

“Was there something you wished to discuss, Mr Tucker?”

“Charles! My name’s Charles if you won’t stoop to a nickname.” T’Pol sipped her tea, hoping it would calm her stomach which seemed to be tying itself in knots and Tucker grimaced, dragging his right hand through his already disordered blond hair, eyes closing briefly. “Been doing anything tonight?” He sounded deliberately casual, without the irritation of a moment before, but T’Pol thought he’d had to work to sound so.

“I have been meditating.”

“Oh. Want to do something else?”

“I am tired.” Her eyes were on his left arm that he was rubbing absently. “Your arm is sore.”

“Yeah.” He frowned down at it. “I caught it.”

Whilst mating with M’Lek, no doubt. Whilst mating with a Vulcan woman who was not her. T’Pol rose abruptly to her feet. “Perhaps you should avoid exerting yourself until you are fully recovered.” She could hear the bite in her voice but could not stop the words. “I am sure M’Lek will understand.”

“Hey!” He had chased after her. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

T’Pol kept walking; she really should not have allowed that all too revealing comment to slip out. “I suggest you consult Dr Phlox regarding the best means of recuperation.”

“It’s just sore.” He was struggling to keep up with her fast pace. “Will you stop a minute?”

He caught her arm and T’Pol stiffened, pulling away. Normally she liked, even craved his touch, but the last person he had had his hands on was M’Lek and that thought made her nauseous.

“What the hell …?” Tucker was staring at her in astonishment.

“I am very tired. Good night, commander.”

“T’Pol …”

“I said good night!” They both flinched at the anger in her voice then she was gone, leaving a confused and indignant chief engineer staring after her.

~

Porthos was busy entertaining his master when the door chime sounded. Dog and man stopped their game and exchanged a look before Archer grimaced and called for entry. A tousled blond head peered in. “Tell me this is a Vulcan-free zone.”

“Just me and Porthos,” Archer confirmed and watched with amusement and considerable relief as Tucker slumped down onto the bed, sighing. The engineer hadn’t paid an unofficial visit in weeks and even the night before Archer had been aware that his long-time friend was a lot more reserved than previously; and reserved and Tucker were two words he had never expected to use in the same sentence. “What’s up?”

“I had a fight with T’Pol.”

He was not pleased to hear that, the captain instructed himself. It could affect the smooth running of his ship. “Nothing new there, Trip.” Tucker didn’t respond and Archer’s mouth compressed slightly as he goaded himself into the role of best friend and confidante; shouldn’t be hard, he’d done it for years. “What did you argue about this time?”

“I have no idea.” Tucker rubbed his face then stretched the hand out to Porthos as the beagle came over to investigate. “You know, I think Vulcan women are just as unpredictable as the rest.”

“T’Pol’s certainly surprised me a few times.” He watched his friend half-heartedly rubbing Portos’ floppy ears. “How’d it go with M’Lek? Have a good time?”

“No! She asked a lot of real personal questions then told me she wished to mate. Purely for scientific reasons, of course!”

“What did you say?”

“I said no! Hell, what d’you think I’d say?”

“Well, you’re not usually adverse to sex.”

“You really think I’m that easy, cap’n?”

“No.” Archer headed for his cache of alcohol, patting Tucker’s shoulder apologetically in passing. “But it has been a while for all of us. Here.” He held out a glass of bourbon, taking one himself.

“You sound like T’Pol,” the other man grumbled. “I think she blamed me that M’Lek was coming on to me.”

“Is that why you argued?”

“I dunno. Don’t see why.”

“Perhaps she’s jealous.” He had been hoping Tucker would take it as a joke, but the engineer only grimaced, and Archer frowned. Maybe it was time to find out where they both stood. “Trip, are you … interested in T’Pol?”

“No!” That was snapped far too defensively, forcing Tucker to make an effort to shrug it off. “I thought we were friends, but the way she’s been acting the last few weeks … It’s like she hates me again.” He knocked back the bourbon. “I like to know why I’ve lost friends.”

Archer leant over to re-fill the glass, knowing that Tucker was watching him. “You’ve not lost me, Trip.” He looked up to meet the younger man’s eyes. “I was out of line that time. I’m sorry.”

“Took you long enough to say it.”

“Well, you weren’t exactly conciliating.”

“So, are you and T’Pol …?”

“To be honest,” Archer pulled a face, “I don’t know.” He shrugged and decided that he needed more bourbon too. “Sometimes I wonder if I’m just making an idiot of myself over her.” Although he certainly wasn’t comfortable with the idea of someone else having her, particularly Tucker. It was such an unlikely pairing that in his less rational moments it seemed inevitable. Maybe if he kept up the private dinners with just the two of them …

The door chime interrupted a conversation that had been getting too close to the bone for them both, although Tucker had recovered his spirits enough to groan theatrically. “If that’s T’Pol …”

“You can hide under the bed. Come.”

It was Reed who entered, too intent on his own business to be surprised at finding Enterprise’s captain and chief engineer sprawled on the captain’s bed with a bottle between them. “Sir, I have to report a missing person.”

“One of the crew!” Archer sat up straight, reaching for the PADD Reed was holding out. “Who is it?”

“Her name’s Caroline Grayson. She’s a resident of Freeport, although her parents were from Earth.”

“That girl you were meeting tonight?” Tucker cottoned on quickly, grinning. “She stood you up, Malcolm. That doesn’t mean she’s missing.”

“No, it doesn’t,” the armoury officer agreed levelly, “but the fact that she didn’t turn up for work and that her room shows signs of a struggle, that means she’s missing.”

“Malcolm,” Archer said slowly, “I appreciate your concern but I don’t see what we can do about it. It’s for the authorities on Freeport to investigate.”

“They won’t,” the Englishman said shortly. “There’s more, captain. I’ve spoken with a number of people who knew Caroline. They’re sure she’s been taken by slavers. I’ve done some digging around the last few hours. It certainly looks as though there’s a flourishing slave trade in this sector, mostly centred on Freeport. There’s no official record but the authorities can’t fail to be aware of the problem. They’re probably paid to turn a blind eye.” He gestured to the PADD Archer was holding. “It’s all on there, sir.”

“Even if what you say is true,” Archer spoke slowly, looking at the PADD, brow furrowed, “I don’t see what we can do about it. We’ve no authority here. We’re not an inter-galactic police force, Malcolm.”

“We’re talking slavery here, cap’n.” Tucker was earnest. “Are we just gonna turn a blind eye too? Because there’s some real unpleasant names for people who do that.”

Archer’s mouth tightened. “I know that, Trip.” He was tapping the PADD against his thigh. “Give me some time to read your report, lieutenant, and then I’ll talk to the Vulcans here. They may be able to give us a clearer picture of the way things stand. Until then, have a word with Travis, see if he knows any more. Trip, if we had to get underway, how long would it take us to be ready and what performance would we have?”

“I’ll run some options.”

“Then get on it, you two; and make sure you get some sleep.”

~

Archer took both Reed and T’Pol with him to talk to the leader of the Vulcan enclave, the former through insistence and the latter to demonstrate that humans could be trusted. Reed’s evidence had certainly been compelling and from the man’s shadowed eyes and the additional data he had produced that morning, Archer doubted he had slept. Not that Archer would consider pulling him up about it. Reed’s single minded and dedicated approach served Enterprise well and whilst Archer still refused to admit to an official interest the affair, he understood the other man’s affront. Lakan did not.

The party from Enterprise listened in disbelief as the Vulcan calmly agreed that an established slave trade operated through Freeport.

“But that’s … barbaric!” Reed protested and received the Vulcan equivalent of a shrug.

“Freeport is a private venture. The slavers break no planetary law here.”

“What about the laws of the home planets of the people they take?”

“They are careful to exploit only those without the infrastructure to retaliate.”

“Vulcan has never felt the need to intervene?” Archer enquired with the beginnings of sarcasm and Lakan’s eyebrow rose again.

“Since no Vulcan citizens have been involved, no.”

“Very public spirited of you.”

“There are no laws in space, captain,” T’Pol observed. “Treaties between planetary governments are infrequent and often limited to matters of trade, not criminal activity.”

“Perhaps that needs to be addressed. Some sort of inter-planetary organisation like the United Nations on Earth in the 20th and 21st century ...”

“Which I understood to have been ineffective.”

“It would be better than nothing.”

“That is for the politicians to decide. We can only look to our own rules of engagement.”

“And what protocols do the Vulcans have regarding piracy, T’Pol?”

“As Lakan informed you, captain, unless Vulcan citizens are involved we do not interfere.”

“Captain,” Reed began and Archer waved him to silence.

“Thank you for your information, Lakan. It’s been a pleasure to hear your views, but I think we have to be going.”

“Good day, Captain Archer.” Lakan’s cool gaze passed over him and fixed on T’Pol as he added a comment in Vulcan to which she responded with an inclination of her head.

Archer waited until they were on their way back to the docking area before demanding, “What did he say?”

“Lakan reminded me of the reason for my posting to Enterprise.” To advise, to caution, to prevent. T’Pol wasn’t sure that she had ever been very successful at the latter.

“Fine. You remember that, T’Pol.” She recognised Archer’s tone; when he adopted it, there was very little point in trying to prevent. The best she had ever managed was mitigation.

“What are we going to do, sir?” Reed sounded hopeful; he too had spotted that his captain had reached a conclusion and it wasn’t to stand quietly to one side.

“We’re going to collect evidence, lieutenant. We’re going to collect such compelling evidence that every space-fairing species has to take action or face ostracism from the rest.”

~

The atmosphere in the situation room was expectant and T’Pol could feel her attitude polarising in response. She had noted the reaction before; when humans were acting with even more than their usual degree of illogic and impulsiveness, she reacted by presenting the opposite course of action with greater than normal firmness – and was always ignored, usually rudely. It was situations such as this one that made her question all over again her justification for staying on Enterprise.

“Malcolm,” Archer called the meeting to order, “give us all the picture here.”

“Sir.” The tactical officer straightened, showing no sign of weariness. “From what Ensign Mayweather has been able to tell me and from evidence I’ve gathered, Freeport is the centre of the slave trade for this sector.” He went on to present the evidence and to expound on the situation, finishing after a brief hesitation with the incident that had drawn his attention to the issue. “It seems that the latest shipment left yesterday, but with the volume of traffic in this area, we’ve not yet been able to locate the ship we think is involved.”

“I intend,” Archer stated firmly into the silence that followed, “to locate and intercept that ship, using the evidence we collect to bring this trade into the open.” He glanced around the table, inviting comment and Tucker obliged.

“What’s the Vulcans’ take on this?”

“They won’t get involved unless one of their own’s involved.”

“So we’re on our own?”

“Yup. What’s our status?”

“Good.” In a gesture that was becoming habitual, Tucker rubbed his left arm that was again in a sling. “We’ve got full impulse capability and the warp reactor’s back on line. We need the rest of the morning to run some tests, but I reckon we’ll be able to maintain warp 3.”

“That should be enough,” Mayweather offered. “Those pirate ships don’t usually have high warp capability.”

“Logic would suggest, however,” P’Pol put in repressively, “that they are heavily armed. The power supply to the hull plating has yet to be restored.”

“Just blown couplings,” Tucker responded. “I can get a team started on that this morning.”

“So how long before we can leave, Trip?” Archer asked and got a confident answer.

“Four hours providing we don’t hit any problems and we shouldn’t.”

“Good. Malcolm, Travis, that gives you four hours to narrow down the options on which ship we chase. Have another look around Freeport if you need to, but be careful. I doubt these people take kindly to interference. T’Pol, see if you can help them with any probability analyses they need to run. If not, I’m sure Trip could use your help in Engineering.” Science officer and chief engineer regarded each other doubtfully. “Dismissed.”

“Captain,” T’Pol followed Archer onto the main bridge, “may I speak with you in private?”

“To be honest, sub-commander,” he turned to face her, dropping his voice, “if you want to tell me that this is an ill-considered and foolhardy undertaking and that I should reconsider, then I suggest you don’t bother.”

She gazed steadily back at him for a moment. “Then I will endeavour to fill my time more productively; once I have filed a written protest,” and with that she crossed to her workstation, only the angle of her chin displaying her annoyance.

~

Against her better judgement, T’Pol did end up helping out Enterprise’s engineering team once Reed and Mayweather refused her assistance. She still had not succeeded in suppressing her reaction to the knowledge that Tucker had had sex with another Vulcan, never mind her renewed affection for him, and until she did, she really wished to minimise her interaction with him, but Archer had given her an order and if he would not listen to her advice it behoved her to help the crew prepare for this foolish course of action. And of course, because this was Enterprise and no one ever took her wishes into consideration, it meant that she was shoulder to shoulder with the chief engineer, helping him balance the fuel flow to the warp reactor. At least Tucker was entirely focussed on the task in hand which helped T’Pol’s concentration, although she could not entirely eradicate her awareness of the lean body next to hers.

“That’s got it,” he said at last and turned away to continue with another task, throwing a brief, “Thanks,” over his shoulder as he did so. T’Pol followed him, only then remembering that she had meant to absent herself as soon as the job was finished. The knowledge that she was chasing after him like a fawning human female disconcerted her so much that she stopped watching her footing on the cluttered deck and tripped on a trailing power cable, pitching into Tucker who, caught off balance, lurched into the wall, yelping as his left arm took the brunt of the impact and falling to his knees, bent double over the source of the sudden agony.

“Charles!” T’Pol was on her knees beside him before thought caught up with instinct, an arm around his shoulders, her other hand pressed to his chest.

Tucker was panting and cursing, face pale and damp with sweat. “Shit, T’Pol,” he stopped to gasp some more, “what were you doing? You’re never clumsy.”

“I’m sorry.” Hastily she withdrew the hand that was rubbing his back and the other one that was considering smoothing his tumbled hair – perhaps he hadn’t noticed – and forced the concern and affection back where it belonged, out of sight and under control. “I recommend you visit sickbay, Commander Tucker. You may have aggravated your injury.”

He turned to sit with his back to the wall, eyes closed. “You mighta done, you mean. No, I’ll be OK.”

T’Pol found her hand again reaching out to fondle him and snatched it back. “You should rest, at least.”

“I am resting.”

“You would be marginally more comfortable in your office.”

“Too much to do.”

“Do you wish me to assist further?”

“Not if you’re gonna keep pushing me into walls.” Blue eyes opened, lines of strain showing beside them. “Did you call me Charles?”

“I believe not.”

“Oh, well. Thought you were weakening for a moment there.” He sighed, wincing. “T’Pol, was there ever slavery on Vulcan?”

“Yes. Before Surak brought peace and order.”

“Long time ago, then.”

“Something over two thousand years. Why do you ask?”

“Just curious. You don’t seem offended by the idea. I wondered if it was a cultural thing.”

“Offence is an emotion.”

“Which Vulcans don’t experience. Yeah, I know.” The alien eyes were studying her with unsettling perception. “Except you do have emotions, don’t you? Surak’s teachings are all about control and suppression, but if you didn’t have something to suppress, why bother?”

“I was not aware that you are familiar with the teachings of Surak.”

“The cap’n leant me his copy.” He’d been aware of definitely jealousy at the knowledge she had given his friend a gift. “So if you’re not offended, how d’you feel – sorry, think! – about slavery?”

“It is an inefficient use of labour.”

“You’ve got no problem with the ownership deal? That one person can own another?”

She raised an eyebrow. “I thought the matter beyond debate.” And yes, she was offended that he could consider that she would not condemn slavery as an abomination, even if her condemnation was rational.

Tucker grimaced in half-hearted apology. “Yeah, I guess. With us it’s just that bit too recent. Three hundred years ago, my ancestors could have owned Travis’ ancestors and that just makes me sick.”

“If you have been studying the teachings of Surak, you should be aware that dwelling on irrelevancies is counterproductive. You should focus on getting Enterprise serviceable.”

“Stop yakking and get back to work, huh?”

“In essence, yes.” He grunted in muted amusement and started to gather himself. T’Pol rose smoothly to her feet and offered her hand, disappointed when Tucker more efficiently gripped her wrist to help pull himself upright. “Do you require further assistance, commander?”

“Nah.” He was already moving away. “Tell the cap’n we’re on schedule. Might even come in half an hour under.”

For a brief moment, T’Pol let her eyes follow him then headed for her rightful place on the bridge. At least they had had a civil conversation but she had been conscious of restraint on Tucker’s part and she did not really believe it was as a result of his reading. She had lost his friendship with her rudeness the previous evening and that knowledge was very bitter.

~

True to his word, Tucker appeared on the bridge an hour later looking tired and drawn but quietly confident. “We’re ready, cap’n. Weapons, hull plating, warp 3, 3.5 if you really need it.”

“Good work, Trip.” Archer swung around to face Reed and Mayweather who were huddled over the tactical console. “How’s it going, Malcolm?”

“Nearly there, sir. Just one more possibility to eliminate.”

Archer went over to watch and T’Pol took the opportunity to address Tucker who was leaning on the rail nearby, not bothering to take his bridge station yet. “Commander, you should report to sickbay.”

He straightened automatically. “I’m OK.”

“The sub-commander’s right, sir.” Sato had taken advantage of the hiatus to study the engineer. “You look terrible.”

“Thanks!” He managed a grin for the human woman and T’Pol returned to her board. “But if the cap’n’s gonna start breaking things, I’ll stay around.”

“Is your arm still hurting?” To T’Pol’s jealous ears, it sounded as if the comm. officer’s concern was far from professional.

“Just when I catch it.”

“You should be more careful.”

“Yeah, well. Not easy in Engineering.” Sato’s board beeped and she turned her attention back to the only place T’Pol believed it to belong. “Captain, the station manager’s hailing us.”

“Put him on.” Archer returned to his chair, assuming a pleasant expression. “Manager, what can I do for you?”

“I hear that you are leaving us, Captain Archer. I didn’t believe that your repairs were complete.”

“They’re not fully complete, no, but my chief engineer wanted a shakedown cruise before finalising the work,” Archer extemporised. “We’ll be back in a day or so.”

“Ah, I see. I had wondered, given what I’ve heard about some of your crew asking questions around the station.”

“We’re always curious, I’m afraid. A human failing.”

“I’ve found that curiosity can be dangerous, captain. Perhaps you would be wise to restrict your officers’ enquiries.”

“I’ll be sure to consider your advice when we return, manager. We’ll see you tomorrow. Enterprise out.”

“He’s onto us?” Tucker queried and Archer grimaced.

“Absolutely and in the pay of the smugglers by the look of it. Malcolm?”

“Got it, sir.” As the Englishman continued to explain their conclusions, Mayweather headed for the helm. “We’re pretty sure we’ve identified the ship we want. It’s travelling towards the Manui system at warp 2.”

Archer nodded and turned forwards as Mayweather anticipated the question. “We can be up with them in a couple of hours, captain.”

“Then set the course and prepare to go to warp 3. Initiate undocking procedures.”

~

The freighter appeared innocuous enough but no sooner had Reed taken a look at the scan results than his mouth thinned. “They’ve got some serious weaponry, captain. They could cause us problems. Permission to charge the hull plating, sir?”

“Not yet.” Archer’s eyes were steady on the screen. “We don’t want to alarm them. T’Pol, can you add anything?”

The science officer looked up from her scanner. “There are a large number of life forms on board. More than one would expect for the crew of a freighter of that class.”

The captain nodded. “Trip, work with Malcolm on a strategy to disable that ship if we need to. Hoshi, hail them.”

“They’re responding, sir.”

“On screen.” An Orion appeared, expression wary, and Archer launched into his best impression of a naïve and inexperienced human. “Hello, there. I’m Captain Jonathan Archer.”

“What do you want?”

“Just to say hello. We’ve been sent from Earth to explore so we’re always happy to meet others out here.”

“We’re traders, not explorers. This is a commercial venture.”

“I wondered if you’d care to visit Enterprise. I know I’d enjoy a tour of your ship.”

“I told you, this is commercial venture. We don’t have time to socialise.”

“Really.” Archer had risen to his feet. “That’s strange. You seem to have a very large crew compliment for people who don’t want to socialise.”

“What do you want, Archer?” The other’s voice had hardened appreciably and Enterprise’s captain knew it wasn’t going to be possible to bluff their way in.

“We’ve reason to believe that a member of our species might be on board your vessel. Can you confirm that?”

The screen blanked and it didn’t need Sato to tell them that the connection had been cut. Neither did Reed’s announcement truly come as a surprise. “They’re bringing weapons on-line, sir.”

“Charge the hull plating and activate our own weapon systems. Trip, what have you got?”

The engineer was still puzzling over his board. “Gimme another minute, cap’n.”

Enterprise shuddered and Archer prudently returned to his chair. “We might not have that long, commander.” They were hit again. “Damage report.”

“They are targeting our port nacelle,” T’Pol sounded characteristically unconcerned. “I estimate that another two strikes will result in us venting plasma.”

Tucker muttered in annoyance and Archer frowned. “Malcolm, return fire. Travis, try to keep the nacelles out of their line of fire.”

“Got it,” Tucker stated firmly as Enterprise continued to rock with incoming fire. “Their power grid connects to the outer hull just aft of the main deflector dish. A direct hit should create enough feedback to overload the grid and take it down.”

“Consequences?” Archer asked tersely.

“They’ll lose engines, weapons and hull plating but emergency power should keep life support going.”

“Do it, Malcolm.”

“Sir.” Reed accessed the data from Tucker’s console and began to set the targeting scanners. “I’m not getting a lock. Ensign, could you kindly stop throwing the ship around?”

“Captain?”

“Make it quick, lieutenant. Travis, level off.”

Enterprise ceased corkscrewing around, noticeable to those onboard only as a slight lessoning of the perceived lateral motion of the deck when the inertial dampers failed to fully compensate. There was one harder than normal lurch as the other ship’s weapons impacted the hull plating, then Reed reported with clear satisfaction, “Their power grid’s off line, sir.”

Archer was already on his feet. “Malcolm, assemble assault teams in the shuttle bay. T’Pol, you’re with me. Make sure you record anything incriminating. Trip, you’re in command. Make sure that ship doesn’t go anywhere.”

“Cap’n,” Tucker acknowledged the order, for once not arguing about being left behind. He was barely fit for duty, never mind entering a hostile ship. “You all be careful over there!”

~

Archer was impressed with the professionalism displayed by Reed and his people. Enterprise had never been intended as a warship and her security compliment had always been small, provided for escorting visitors and handling malcontents on board. The armoury officer had managed to convince Archer to allocate him a few extra people on a part-time basis but Reed must have been putting both regulars and part-timers through a rigorous training programme. Their marksmanship was first-rate and they seemed to have a good deal of equipment that Archer hadn’t know was in the inventory. He made a mental note to enquire later where it had come from, but for the present let the security team do its job. It looked as if he and T’Pol would only get in the way if they took an active role in the assault.

The pirate crew didn’t give in easily but it became clear that they weren’t used to concerted and organised attack. Once half a dozen had fallen, the rest started to surrender, the last group holding out on the bridge with their captain. Archer could sympathise with the reaction but did not that stop him giving the order to taken them out, an act made easier by the fact that his people by then controlled Engineering. Reed flooded the bridge with anaesthetic gas and let that do the hard work for them.

With the pirates under guard, Archer switched the remainder of his people to searching the ship for evidence, joining them once he and T’Pol had downloaded the computer’s memory to Enterprise. It sooner became clear that Malcolm’s suspicions had been well founded. In every compartment they breached, they found traumatised men and woman from a wide variety of species, all, once they recovered from their initial shock, very glad to see the humans. Indeed the only source of amusement for Archer that day was the sight of Reed being kissed by a remarkably attractive woman, something he evidently enjoyed greatly while at the same time felt desperately guilty about; no doubt the Englishman didn’t approve of kissing on duty. The captain left the armoury officer to enjoy himself in peace for a few moments while he ordered over medical teams, then joined T’Pol who was studying her portable scanner. “Problem, sub-commander?”

“I believe we have not located every storage area. My scans indicate that there is additional space behind this bulkhead.”

“No door.” Archer stated the obvious even as he began a more thorough search of the walls, looking for cracks. His foot caught on a protuberance and he knelt to investigate. “What do you think?”

T’Pol diverted her scanner at the area. “It would appear to be a hatch.” She increased the search area and pressed the heel of one hand against a barely noticeable depression on the floor. A section rose up and they both jerked back from the stench that arose.

With gritted teeth, Archer directed a torch downward and T’Pol was provided with first hand experience of how rapidly human skin colour could change. The captain went white, then green, then stumbled away from the hatch, clinging to a nearby wall as he retched. Cautiously, T’Pol picked up the fallen torch and shone it through the opening. The sight almost had the same effect on her as on Archer, but she was Vulcan with superior control over her physical responses. She mastered the nausea and studied the scene below her dispassionately, all the time ensuring that her scanner recorded the evidence. The pirates had obviously suffered loses to their cargo but rather than consigning the bodies to space they had dumped them here, for reasons even T’Pol refused to consider. There were over twenty corpses visible in various states of decomposition. Most appeared female and she could see evidence of abuse on their bodies, but there were also children, perhaps as many as half a dozen. One lay directly below the hatch, a girl child, less than five years old and recently dead. The sightless eyes stared up in silent rebuke of an uncaring universe.

T’Pol closed the hatch. There was nothing to be done for the dead. Caring for the living would take all Enterprise’s resources. These victims could wait until they returned to Freeport.

~

T’Pol didn’t often visit sickbay on her own account, but this time she had a raging headache and sleep had eluded her entirely ever since they had returned to Freeport nearly a week before. Much longer and she would cease to be effective and that was not acceptable. Phlox was not in sight when she entered but his voice greeted her from behind a privacy screen where she presumed her was treating another patient. “I’ll be with you in a moment. Take a seat.” Reluctantly she did as he bid; she did not really want anyone else to know that she was here but to retreat was foolish.

When he emerged, Phlox seemed unsurprised at her presence. “Ah, Sub-Commander T’Pol, what can I do for you?”

“I require something to help me sleep.”

“Hmm.” He ran a scanner over her despite her disapproval. “When did this problem arise?”

“A few days ago.”

“Would that be five days ago?” She gave the faintest of nods. “I see.” He waited for her to comment but when she didn’t continued, “I can give you an analgesic for the headache, sub-commander, but I’m not prepared to prescribe a sleep aid at this stage.”

“Why not?”

He didn’t answer directly. “Are you aware that many of the crew who boarded the slaver ship have reported similar problems to yourself?” Again she refused to respond. “Being human, they came to see me far sooner. I recommended that they talk about their experiences.”

She glared. “I am Vulcan. We do not discuss our experiences with others.”

“And I’m suggesting that you do, since clearly your meditation has not overcome the problem. I’m sure Captain Archer would be sympathetic, but if you won’t speak with any of the humans, I am always available.”

T’Pol turned on her heel and headed for the door. The Denobulan was wrong. She did not need to discuss the incident. He had undoubtedly become contaminated by his stay on Enterprise. If she had spoken with him, he would have expected her to reveal her ‘feelings’ and she had none. All she needed was sleep and it was unprofessional of him to deny her the medication she required. She would report him to Archer and have him replaced; immediately.

“T’Pol, wait up.” She had been so engrossed in her grievance against Phlox that she had not noticed the footsteps behind her but she halted now. If she didn’t, Tucker would only grab an arm to get her attention and Vulcan did not like to be touched.

“Please be brief, commander. I am tired.”

For once he complied. “I was in sickbay. I overheard you talking to Phlox.”

“I understood that consultations with one’s doctor were considered private – even amongst humans.”

“They are but you didn’t wait to see if the last patient had left. I’m sorry I heard, but if I know … d’you want to tell me about it?”

“As you heard me inform Dr Phlox, there is nothing to discuss.”

“Really? Then why aren’t you sleeping?”

“That is none of your business.” She resumed walking but Tucker inevitably followed.

“When will it be? When you start to endanger the ship? Once you’ve made yourself ill again?” This time he did pull her around to face him. “Tell me you’re off to talk to the cap’n and I’ll back off,” and probably spend hours in the gym working off his jealousy. Fortunately for his peace of mind, T’Pol didn’t respond and he knew she would have done if it had been the truth. “You’re my friend, T’Pol. You can’t expect me to walk away.” She couldn’t stop a flicker of the pain she felt from showing and he caught it, stepping closer as he always did when trying to intimidate her into his way of thinking. “You can trust me not to tell anyone.”

She knew she could trust him but she didn’t want to talk. Talking would make her think and all she wanted to do was forget. What would he do if she moved half a step forward and wrapped her arms tightly around him, pressing her head into his neck? It was what she wanted to do although of course she never would. He had held her once, after she had nearly drowned, but she had been so ill that all she remembered was how comforting it felt to have his arms around her, her body resting on his. A little of that comfort right now would be welcome and he might even provide it – he could be very kind - but she was Vulcan. She couldn’t have it; she shouldn’t even need it.

“T’Pol?” She blinked, becoming aware that she had simply been staring at Tucker for a number of seconds. She was more tired than she had realised. “Come on.” The engineer’s voice was as firm as his tug on her arm. “Let’s go get a drink.” T’Pol let herself believe that she no option but to comply.

The mess hall was quiet and they picked a far corner where they could watch the stars if they wished, although T’Pol studied the mug of mint tea around which her hands were wrapped, while Tucker looked at her. His silence was so uncharacteristic that it unnerved T’Pol into speech. “Your arm is recovered?”

“Pretty much. Bit stiff, but Phlox says it’ll pass. He did a good job; for a while there I didn’t think it would ever heal properly.” T’Pol’s hands clenched a little tighter around her mug. She would still have loved him if he had been crippled, but Tucker himself would have hated it; and it could so easily happen. “T’Pol.” She looked up to meet concerned blue eyes. “Talk to me.”

“I cannot.”

Cool skin caressed the back of one hand and she knew that Tucker’s long fingers were slowly stroking her. “The cap’n told me about the hold full of corpses. He said you were the only other one who saw it. Is that it?”

T’Pol closed her eyes. “I … cannot.”

“Try.”

She found that her hand had released the mug and was gripping Tucker’s instead. “There were children in the hold.” The pressure of his hand on hers was reassuring. “One of them … was on top. I believe … she was part Vulcan.”

“Does that mean Vulcan will move against the pirates if one of their own citizens is involved?”

Briefly she shook her head. She knew he wouldn’t understand. “We do not take mates outside our own species.” That was why she could never have Charles as her lover, even if he had wanted her. “The authorities on Vulcan do not acknowledge the existence of half-breed children.”

“But they exist.”

“It is considered shameful to mate with an alien.” She couldn’t look at him. She wouldn’t be surprised if he withdrew his hand. She supposed the fact he did not confirmed that he thought of her as a friend and nothing more.

“What about M’Lek?”

“I told you that her behaviour was not decent.”

“That’s it, isn’t it?” As ever he jumped to a conclusion. This time he happened to be correct. “You think this girl was M’Lek’s.”

“Yes.” She had to swallow. “I fear that the child had been disposed of.”

“Jeez, that’s disgusting!”

“Yes.”

“Jeez,” he said again. “What can we do about it?”

The ‘we’ was amazingly comforting. “I do not know what to do. It is unlikely that M’Lek will admit to such a thing.”

“But we can’t let her get away with selling her own daughter into slavery!”

“That is unlikely to have occurred. The child was probably placed in an orphanage from which she was seized.”

“Still seems callous to me.”

“Yes.”

“And that’s what’s been keeping you awake at nights?”

T’Pol nodded. That and the other thing. Which she really needed to tell him. “Commander Tucker … you should perhaps ask M’Lek to confirm that she is not carrying your child.”

“What?” The outburst was so immediate that T’Pol had to look up, to find herself being regarded with a look of mingled anger and disgust. “You think I slept with her!”

“It was what she intended.”

“Well, it wasn’t what I intended! Hell, T’Pol, d’you really think I jump into bed with every woman I meet?” She shivered with jealousy at the thought of Charles mating with other women and tried to withdraw her hand but he held on. “Is that what you think?”

“If they are willing …”

“Well, I don’t! I know I behaved like a pig over Risa but actually I like to get to know someone before I have sex with them.” The tight grip on her hand relaxed but this time T’Pol didn’t try to draw back. She could never have him, but at least he hadn’t mated with M’Lek and he was still her friend; and she needed as much hand-holding as she could get.

She had no idea how forlorn she looked and Tucker’s voice was gentle when he spoke again, even as his thumb began to caress the backs of the fingers gripping his. “T’Pol, what d’you want to do about M’Lek?”

“I do not know. It is not right that she goes unpunished but to reveal what she has done would bring shame on her entire family. That is why Lakan has done nothing.”

“A conspiracy of silence,” he said dryly. “We have those too. They can cover up a whole lot of evil.”

“She is not evil. She is self-indulgent.”

“She shouldn’t be posted off Vulcan again. She’s a menace.”

“Mind if I join you?” Archer’s enquiry cut into their conversation and they both looked up in surprise, having been far too engrossed to notice his approach, automatically releasing each other’s hand. “Or am I interrupting something?” He had come looking for Tucker, needing to vent some of his anger and frustration in to a friendly ear, only to find the engineer in what looked like an intimate exchange with his first officer. It was instinctive to lash out and certainly didn’t improve his mood. If T’Pol wanted to hold anyone’s hand, Archer rather thought it ought to be his; he was the captain!

“Not what you think.” Tucker answered the challenge regretfully then took a closer look at the other man. “What’s up, cap’n?”

Archer scowled and took a seat at the implicit invitation, not registering T’Pol’s hostile look. They hadn’t finished their conversation and now Archer had come and taken Charles away again.

“I talked to Lakan again.” Archer was still glowering. “I thought maybe the autopsy results would change his mind about lodging a complaint with the Vulcan High Command but it seems not.” He shot an accusing look at T’Pol. “Did you know that one of the corpses had Vulcan DNA?”

“Yes.”

“You could have mentioned it!”

“Leave it, cap’n.” Tucker’s eyes had been on the woman who was gazing calmly at Archer although her jaw was set just a little too firmly, but now he looked at his friend. “It wouldn’t have made any difference.” The irritated glare turned on him and he sighed; being everyone’s confidante wasn’t easy. “Did Lakan say anything useful?”

“Not really. I just got a repeat of the fact that there’s no inter-stellar law. But there should be, Trip! What’s the point in us being out here if we can’t do some good?”

“Enterprise’s mission was intended to be one of exploration,” T’Pol pointed out. “May I remind you, captain, that your desire to ‘do good’ has often had regrettable consequences.”

“Because we lack a framework to operate in. We need that.”

“Then until it exists, it would be advisable to restrict yourself to exploration.”

“I am not going to turn my back on criminal activity while there is anything Enterprise can do to stop it.”

“Put it to the politician’s back home,” Tucker suggested. “They’re the ones who would have to thrash out that sort of agreement.”

“If any other planet would agree!”

“It’ll come, cap’n. Just takes time.”

“I don’t understand why it hasn’t happened already. Hasn’t Vulcan had inter-stellar travel for millennia?”

“Indeed. However we chose to strictly circumscribe our involvement with other races.”

“And I call that an abrogation of responsibility.”

“Yet you object strongly when you consider Vulcan to have ‘meddled’ in Earth’s affairs.”

“Leave it!” Tucker said firmly, for once playing peacemaker. “It’s too late at night for arguing.” He drained his mug and rose, eyes on T’Pol. “You turning in, sub-commander?”

She stood too, grateful for the excuse and the offer of companionship and Archer sighed, looking up at his two senior officers, aware that he hadn’t handled the last five minutes well. “T’Pol, I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have dumped on you like that. Put it down to a bad few days. Meet me for breakfast and I’ll apologise again.” She inclined her head slightly in acceptance and he continued, “Lakan said something I didn’t understand. That M’Lek would be returning to Vulcan soon and he would ensure that the problem didn’t re-occur. Do you know what he was talking about?”

“Yes.” He obviously expected more. “It is not pertinent to our discussion.”

“Oh. Well. Night, then, Trip, T’Pol.”

They walked in silence to her cabin then Tucker turned T’Pol to face him again. “Are you gonna be OK now?”

“Yes,” and she would now that she knew M’Lek would not be free to bring disgrace on the Vulcan people and suffering on anyone else. Then because she just had to touch him, she reached out and brushed his cheek with her fingertips. “Goodnight, Charles.”

Tucker was left staring at the door to T’Pol’s quarters in some shock, skin tingling where warm fingers had briefly caressed it. Had Enterprise’s very Vulcan first officer just kissed him goodnight and called him by name? Or had he indulged in a rather vivid daydream of the sort he thought he had banished weeks ago? And if T’Pol would unbend so far with him, then what the hell did she get up to with Archer in private? That question effectively quenched Tucker’s rapidly growing desire. T’Pol was Archer’s, that had been made very plain to Tucker in deed if not in word. He had never seen his friend act jealous before but the signs were unmistakable. Besides, T’Pol had told him not fifteen minutes before that Vulcans didn’t mate outside their own species. There was no way he could have what he wanted and Trip Tucker was not going to pine away over a woman who was so clearly off limits. He gave himself a mental slap around the head and set off for his own cabin. He’d head for the gym, even if it was late. He was going to be damned fit before this tour of duty ended.

End

**************

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

You just made my day I was hoping you would write another story to follow up A logical proposal.I'm really glad to see you writing a stories series look forward to seeing more of your stories.I like,the way your continuing T'Pol's struggling with her feelings for Trip.And Trip trying to hide how he feels for T'Pol.Trip and Archer will probaly have a confrontation over how they feel for T'Pol.

I loved this! Can't wait for your next story -"Someone to watch over me". Love the title already and it was a beautiful song and a great film so you have a lot to live up to . I expect you to surpass all your previous works as you just go from strength to strength. I am very impressed and look forward to more. I so want Trip and T'Pol to realise their love for each other. Many thanks, Ali D :~)

That was such an amazing story.

I really liked how you focused on T'pol's feelings for Trip. I loved seeing her jealous. I also think that the way you portrayed her reactions was very much in keeping with her character. Should she really be fighting her feelings for Trip, it would be likely that she would try to rationalize things in this way - Vulcans do not mate with alien species.

I can't wait for the next installment.

WOW!!!

Damn!! This was really well written - and a great story in the tradition of Trek itself. Paramount should hire you!!!!

This is one of the best Trip/T'Pol stories I've read in a while. You have a real feel for both T'Pol and Trip. I had to laugh when Trip asked if T'Pol thought he slept with every woman he met since sometimes it looks like that.

I'm looking forward to reading your next story.

Awesome story. I liked the focus of T'Pol's feelings. "A Logical Proposal" was a great story too. The Storan character was funny and I could so see that as an episode. I liked how you tied the two stories together. I am glad M'Lek is heading back to Vulcan. ;)

Yoy have a real talent for writing, I haven't enjoyed a good read like this for a LONG time, totally blew me away, almost felt like I was watching the real thing, so real, & described perfectly, I'll be thinking about this one for quite a while, well done & thanks so much for sharing your marvelous writing skills......

I just stayed up until 3 AM to finish this. It's all I can do to not click on the link for the next installment. You have the characters down so perfectly, even after the 3rd season has already aired and this was written well before. Paramount should totally hire you. I'm impressed and looking forward to reading the next story.

Argh. I want to pop Archer upside the head. (Sorta like I've wanted to do when actually watching the show. ) Another wonderful story. I really love your writing.

Excellent stuff. I'm re-reading your series right now, and it's just as good as I remember. (One little note - I'm sure it's too late to do anything about it now, but Hoshi's last name is "Sato", not "Cato". Just FYI.) :)