Devil's Advocate-Ch 11

Devil’s Advocate

By Triplover

Disclaimer: When I own all this I’ll be sure to go outside and watch the pigs flying cause it’s never gonna happen.
Genre: Mystery, Romance, Angst
Rating: R (for violence and other stuff)
Summary: After saving a cargo ship filled with many different species, crewmembers on Enterprise are found dead.

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Chapter Eleven

The Devil’s Game

The room was empty, and dark once again. The only thing Tucker could hear now was the sound of his own breathing, a sound so shaky to his ears. His head had dropped, his chin leaned against his chest as sweat dripped down his face onto his lap. The surgery was over, but the pain in the back of his head still hurt just as bad. He couldn’t remember what they had done. He’d seen the implant they’d taken out of his head, but was that all they did? He couldn’t know, he didn’t remember much. The only thing that kept him calm was the force in the back of his mind telling him it would be okay, that Enterprise was going to get him out of the dark room he was in. The voice was decidedly female, a voice he’d heard so many times before. It was T’Pol.

He wasn’t sure how it happened. He couldn’t be sure how the connection could be there, but it was. It wasn’t strong, but it was there, and it was the only thing keeping him calm. “T’Pol,” he whispered. He wanted to hold her so bad, but even with the connection there he could feel his heart hiding away from her. The images of his attack were still fresh in
his mind, and no matter how many times he told himself it hadn’t been him there hurting her, he knew the truth. It may not have been him, his mind that hurt her, but it was his body, his hands that did it. He could never forget that.

Never.

Trip took in a deep breath and cleared his thoughts. It wasn’t time to think about that. He needed to stay positive. He needed to focus on something else, on how he would escape. He needed to focus on something better, something to lift his spirits in this dark and depressing place. It was the only way he could keep himself calm, and he needed to stay calm.

“Hello Mr. Tucker.”

Trip’s head snapped up as he searched the room, unable to see anything. He knew that voice. “Crewman Daniels?”

“I’m here.”

“What the hell’s goin’ on?”

He could hear footsteps as a hand touched his shoulder. “It’s okay, Commander. I’ll get you out of here. My superiors know this is not how the timeline was supposed to go. I’ve got to get you out of here before Jolen returns. There’s a new faction here, working for Jolen, he’s clouded your friend’s mind. The master is behind these games, but we’re unable to find him. We only know he is working for us, it’s the only way he could cause this much damage without us knowing till it’s too late!”

“What do we do?”

“I must protect you from him. If you were to fall into his hands… I don’t even want to think about what that would do to the future. Do you trust me?”

Trip smiled. “No, but I’ll trust you this time.”

Daniels chuckled before helping the Commander out of the straps he was in. He then handed Trip a weapon. “Take this. Follow the hall down till you reach their cargo bay. Run as fast as you can. There should be four guards.”

“What about you?”

“I’ll disable engines and weapons. That will give you the chance to get out of here and back to Enterprise. Then I must return to my timeline. We need to monitor the timeline change situation. Just take the first shuttle you see. It’s programmed with coordinates to Enterprise.”

Trip nodded before standing, gripping the gun tightly. He ran to the door before turning back around. “Daniels, take care of yourself.”

Daniels inclined his head, though Trip couldn’t see it in such darkness. “You too. After all, the future’s at stake.”

Tucker allowed himself a smile before running out of the door. Daniels then raised his right hand, which held a portable communicator. “I’ve given him a weapon and freed him of his restraints. Mr. Tucker is trying to escape now. Tell the guards to wound his arm. That should be enough to get him to sickbay. Once he’s on the Enterprise search his mind and command him to kill T’Pol while he’s in sickbay. He will resist of course, but he will not be able to resist for long. Once the implant completely links with his mind he will no longer be able to fight your commands whether he’s sleeping or awake. Keep your ship here; you can contact him with millions of light years between you.”

“You got it,” came Jolen’s voice through the communicator. “Jolen out.”

==

“How can she know he’s in danger?”

Phlox stood next to T’Pol’s bed where she laid, trying to gain control. “He’s on Jolen’s ship, is he not?” T’Pol asked, her feelings showing through clearly.

Archer noticed her volatile attitude from the moment he’d walked into sickbay. “We know he’s in danger, but there’s not a damn thing we can do about it at this point. Malcolm still can’t polarize the hull until he repairs all the damage we sustained. Until we get that under control we can’t face Jolen. Besides, I doubt Jolen will kill him. He still has unfinished business. He wants you dead, T’Pol. He wants everyone Trip loves dead, just as he lost everyone he loved. Look, I know you’re worried about him, but there’s nothing we can do.”

Phlox chose this time to speak up. “T’Pol isn’t just worried about the Commander, Captain. I took scans of her brain. Her brainwaves for a brief moment were… well, they had changed.”

“Changed?”

“It’s almost impossible to change a person’s brainwaves, Captain, unless they were for whatever reason in a trance, or something like that. In Vulcan society there is also another way that these brainwaves could change. I believe for a small moment T’Pol and Commander Tucker were… linked.”

“Linked? How?”

T’Pol turned to look at the doctor before swinging her legs off the bio bed. “Captain, Vulcans are very sensitive to their… mate’s emotional and physical changes. Even when the two are not bonded there is a connection between them if there has been continual… sexual contact.” T’Pol took a moment to clear her throat. The Captain could tell she was uncomfortable talking about her relationship with Trip. Frankly, he was uncomfortable hearing about it. “I have always been sensitive to his emotions when his feelings are intense enough. I could feel him, Captain. I could feel his suffering. Even now, though the link is not quite as strong… I can still feel his suffering. It is not as bad as before, but it is still there.”

Archer frowned. “Well I don’t know what you want me to do, T’Pol. I can’t get to him until we finish repairs.”

T’Pol took a moment to let that information sink in before she stood. “Then I will help speed up repairs.”

Archer shook his head. “T’Pol, you’re not well enough to help. You still need time to heal.”
Phlox nodded, walking over next to Captain Archer. “I happen to agree with the Captain.
Your wounds are still healing. You need to continue to rest. I haven’t even finished accelerating the process of regeneration, you’ll have a scar there if I do not finish.”

T’Pol looked at the Doctor sternly. “I cannot rest until Commander Tucker is safe on Enterprise. My wounds are fine. Vulcans have had to work in worse conditions and have handled it well, and the scar is of little importance to me.”

“You shouldn’t push yourself, T’Pol. You’re still very weak.”

The science officer straightened at the comment. “I will be fine. You do not need to worry about me pushing myself past my limitations.”

“You’re already pushing yourself, T’Pol! I know you care very much for Trip, but it won’t help him if you work yourself to death!” Archer fought.

T’Pol stood her ground. “I will be fine. I will not rest until Trip is safe.”

Archer took a step forward, giving her his hardest stare. “What if I make that an order?”

Still T’Pol stood her ground. “Then it will be an order I cannot follow.”

Captain Archer sighed before looking at Doctor Phlox. Both knew she was serious and wouldn’t be backing down anytime soon. It was either stand with her or get in her way and get your ass kicked. Archer gave her a nod to get to work, and T’Pol gave a small nod back.

“I will change into my uniform then start helping Lieutenants Reed and Hess with repairs.” T’Pol headed for the door as Archer noticed Phlox’s look of disapproval.

The Captain gave a small sigh. “If there’s one thing I’ve learned, Doctor, it’s that you should never get between a Vulcan female and her mate,” Jon said with a smile. “I’ll make sure she doesn’t work herself to death. Don’t worry.”

Finally Phlox’s stare left his face and a look of worry replaced it. “Somehow that does not help clear my worry, Captain, but I will accept it for now. As soon as the Commander is back aboard though, Captain, I want her back here.”

“Of course, Doctor. I’ll see to it that she returns. Now, if you’ll excuse me, I should get back to the bridge.”

Phlox watched Archer leave sickbay before shaking his head slightly. “Stubborn woman.”

==

Trip doubted he’d ever run so fast in his life. He rushed past doors, following the hallway as Daniels had told him to do. He had his gun ready in case he ran into anyone, but surprisingly the hallways had been clear so far. He wondered silently whether there was a reason for the apparent disregard for security. Trip was sure if Malcolm were here to see this he would be disgusted like never before. Tucker chuckled at the thought. Great, he was about to die and his last thoughts were of Malcolm… that couldn’t be good!

Trip stopped suddenly when he saw them. Four guards, just like Daniels had said. Trip stood behind the wall, breathing in deeply as he tried to think up a game plan. He peeked out at the four guards watching the entrance to the cargo bay. “Here goes nothin’, Trip ol buddy,” Trip whispered to himself before holding his gun tightly, then he moved slightly from behind the wall and shot one of the guards.

The first guard fell to the floor cold just as the other guards were alerted to his presence. He jumped back behind the wall as phaser fire erupted, one almost grazing his arm. He closed his eyes tightly for a moment before moving behind the wall to shoot his weapon, when he heard a gap in their phaser fire. This time two more guards were shot before he had to jump back behind the wall. One had fallen to the floor while the other was still standing, his shoulder burned from Tucker’s weapon. He held his breath for a moment before calming his beating heart. He had to keep his head. It was the only way to fight the last two men. Trip raised his weapon and moved from behind the wall to shoot the last two guards. The third that was already hurt fell to the floor, but the fourth was not quite as easy to stop. The last guard shot his weapon before Trip could move back behind the wall, the phaser fire successfully hitting Tucker’s shoulder.

The Commander cried out in pain as his arm burned. He winced as he tried to touch the burn. He pulled his hand away, and when he looked at it he could see the blood. Great, he was bleeding. Trip’s anger flared. He was GOING to get to Enterprise whether this guard wanted him to go or not! Tucker jumped from the wall, running towards the guard as he shot his weapon till the guard fell to the floor, screaming the entire time. He was sick and tired of all this! Trip hit the console unit to open the doors and headed towards the first shuttle he could see. He could hear phaser fire from behind him, which he was sure came from new guards that had been called. He quickly jumped into the shuttle and powered the systems to get ready to leave the ship. “I’m comin’ Enterprise… I’m comin’. Just keep yer shirt on.” Trip smiled.

==

T’Pol sucked in a breath as her left arm stung. She knew the pain was from the Commander. Though she was quite worried about the man, she would look forward to not feeling this link between them anymore. Once he was out of danger and her mind stopped searching for him she knew it would be okay. T’Pol rubbed the pained arm before she felt a smile grace her lips.

“Commander? Are you all right?” lieutenant Hess asked her.

T’Pol touched her mouth, forcing her lips to straighten. “He’s escaped,” she whispered.

“Commander?” Hess again said.

T’Pol breathed in deeply and looked at the lieutenant standing next to her. “If you will excuse me, lieutenant,” she said, and rushed out of engineering. She had to speak with the Captain.

==

“How much longer till we can get underway?” Archer asked.

“Just give me a few minutes to make sure everything’s in good order, and then we can be off. If we’re going to be in a fight with Jolen’s ship we’ll need to be ready,” Malcolm answered from his station.

Archer nodded just as the door to the turbolift opened and T’Pol came walking onto the bridge. “Captain.”

Archer turned in his chair and smiled. “Ah T’Pol, you’re right on time! Enterprise is almost ready to get going. We’ve located Jolen’s ship, it shouldn’t take too long to get to him.”

“Captain, I think I should speak with you privately.”

Jonathan frowned at her serious stance before getting out of his chair and leading her into the ready room. Once inside he waited for her to speak.

T’Pol hesitated for only a brief moment before speaking up. “I believe Trip is injured. I felt a sharp pain in my left arm not but a few minutes ago.”

“How bad?”

T’Pol shook her head. “I can’t be certain. It felt like a burn… he could have been shot while trying to escape.”

“Escape?”

T’Pol nodded. “Yes, Captain. I believe he has escaped. I can’t exactly be certain, but something… is telling me that he’s okay. It’s harder to feel him now… the link is slowly dissipating, but the connection is still there.”

Archer smiled before walking over to her, putting his hands on her shoulders. “T’Pol, are you all right?”
“I am fine. It is simply a strange sensation. I did not think this kind of a link could be possible with a human. Normally the link is made during a certain time when Vulcans must mate more frequently. This allows for a bond to be established, which is far stronger than the link I have now with Trip.”

Archer released her, accepting her answer. “Why don’t you go see Doctor Phlox?”

“I am well, Captain. I should be at my post.”

Archer again gave her a warm smile. “Consider it an order. Most likely Trip will be sent straight to sickbay. I think you should be there when that happens.”

T’Pol paused before nodding in acceptance. “Of course, Captain.” The Science Officer turned to head towards sickbay, but when she reached the ready room door she stopped and turned back around to look at the Captain. “Thank you, sir… for everything.”

Jonathan gave her a wink and one of his best smirks just before T’Pol turned and left the room. Once she was gone he shook his head, laughing. It was very obvious that her relationship with Trip was beginning to change her, but to say that he didn’t like the change would be a lie. “Very interesting,” he muttered to himself before leaving for the bridge.

==

Just as Daniels had promised, Jolen’s ship couldn’t do a single thing to stop Trip. The Commander smiled as he looked at the shuttle before him. He’d never seen a ship so powerful! The thing was only twice as big as the Enterprise’s shuttle pods yet it could go up to warp four! Trip had quickly followed the path Daniels had set for him. He tried to keep his mind focused. He didn’t want to get distracted with his left arm, still burning with pain from phaser fire.

Trip switched the ship on autopilot and walked to the back and into the one tiny extra room on the shuttle. It was only big enough for a bed and a way to get to the bed. After tearing some cloth from his shirt, he wrapped the wound and lay down on the small bed. What a mess he was in! How the hell was he going to get Jolen to understand? How could he show Jolen that his daughter’s death had been an accident?

He could still feel the sharp pain in the back of his head, shooting through his body to remind him of how awful this day was going. He could hear the voice in the back of his head, but it was fading, T’Pol was fading. A new voice was taking over, a voice telling him that it would never get better, that nothing would ever get better.

That voice was his.

He wanted to ignore it. He didn’t want to let himself believe that his life wasn’t going to get easier one day, but he knew the truth. No matter what he would do in his life, no matter how good things got… things would never be easy.

Not for him.

Trip lay there looking at the ceiling as he contemplated what he was going to do. Jolen was still going to go after him. This wasn’t over and he doubted it ever would be until Jolen was stopped… for good. Was he prepared to do that? Was he prepared to murder a man he’d thought of as an older brother for so many years? Could he be the one to put an end to this whole situation? The voice in the back of his mind said no. The voice in the back of his mind seemed to know that Trip wouldn’t be able to do it. He couldn’t hurt Jolen even after everything that had happened. How was he going to do this? How could he fight a man that he still cared about even after everything?

The ship’s alarm blared, warning him that he was close to his destination. Tucker scrambled from his bed and got to his console, smiling as he saw Enterprise on the view screen. He let out a small chuckle, smiling like a maniac before hitting the com. There was still a lot he needed to figure out, but he would soon enough. What he needed to worry about now was getting back to Enterprise, and figuring out how he was going to face T’Pol after everything. His smile faded as he shook his head, he’d have to worry about that later too. He just couldn’t think about that now. “Tucker to Enterprise.”

“Trip! Thank god it’s you!”

It was Captain Archer. Tucker rubbed his left arm. “I think I need to get to sickbay. I’m hurt pretty bad.”

“Of course, I have Doctor Phlox on standby. It’s good to have you back Trip.”

Trip tried to smile, but he just couldn’t seem to get his lips to curl as he looked at the worried expression on his Captain’s face. “It’s good to be back,” he whispered and turned to focus on flying the ship into Enterprise’s shuttle bay. He breathed in deeply and steadied his hands. They were shaking so violently. He could hear in the back of his mind another voice, it wasn’t his or T’Pol’s, and it scared the shit out of him. He couldn’t be sure what the voice was telling him, but he knew it well enough to know whom it belonged to. It was Jolen. He could feel it. Something was wrong.

Chapter 12

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A handful of people have made comments

OOOWWW The angst soooo good

Will some one please kill that idiot Jolen already!! Or better yet someone scramble is brain up a bit! Any one that trys to come between T/T or cause them harm should pay an awfull price. God I hate this guy more then Koss! I hope Trip can forgive himself I believe T'pol didnt even have to think about forgiving him it just came naturaly to her.loved this chapter and please updat again soon.

This bastard,Jolen would deserve a slow,painful death !!! I even like Koss more than Jolen .
Please update soon.
Iloved this chapter.

ooohh. The plot thickens. I have some ideas about how OMT will overcome...I wonder if they're what you have in mind? hmm. looking forward to the next bit!

As much as I dislike and detest that creep Jolen I am pretty much seething at Daniels. What is he thinking of? If anyone needs stringing up across every timeline imaginable it is that man. Just hope Trip and his friends can find a solution before anyone else gets killed. Ali D :~)