The Sacrifice

The Sacrifice

By Triplover

Rating: PG-13
Disclaimer: I don’t own any of this stuff, I simply like to write… that’s all, it’s all about the writing! Besides, if I was the owner of all this stuff then I’d probably have money in my pocket but alas… I do not!
Summary: Command Charles Tucker is accused of the murder of Ambassador Vassion, a very important man to the planet Roelor. He now faces execution, and not even Enterprise can save him from his fate.

Chapter One

Future Distress

Charles 'Trip' Tucker looked out at the people around him. He stood still as he saw some cry, other's yelling for his death. His hands were tied up in front of him; he wore black pants and no shirt. Showing the beatings he'd gotten not but an hour or so ago that still ached in pain. He was on display for the world. Most saw him as a murderer. Others saw him as a cold-blooded killer. But not the people in front of him in the crowd. Two people sat on their benches, looking at him with saddened eyes. Watching as he stood there, looking straight at them and no one else.

He pushed the cries for his death out of his mind and focused on the two people before him. He'd told them he didn't want them to watch, but they had insisted. It was almost time. Slowly, he looked down for a second. Readying himself for his last adventure before he would be killed. Executed for crimes he never committed. Finally he watched as a man put a medal circular pad on the middle of his chest and back, then connected them with small wires connecting around his sides. His back pad was then connected to a small controller. The man took his place behind him, ready to push the button that would send Trip on the next adventure... death.

He looked back at the woman he loved, and his best friend. They sat there looking at him. Jonathan Archer was staring at him, tears in his eyes. Trip had never seen the man cry before. But there he was, tears literally coming down his face, but he said nothing. He stood tall now, looking at his best friend. Archer stood as well, and nodded. He wiped the tears away and kept his eyes locked on him. Trip then looked at the woman who stood beside the captain. T'Pol, the woman he loved. But now would never have.

Finally the crowd calmed to silence. And the judge, Judge Corrow, walked up next to Archer and T'Pol. "Charles Tucker the third... what will be your last words to the world?" He asked in a loud voice. Trip looked at the judge.

"My words are unworthy for the world... only the two I hold in my heart." He said, as was the saying, if you did not wish to tell the whole crowd what you wanted to say. It was important to these people to allow each person who died their 'last words'. Sometimes they would say it to the world... but most of the time they'd say it only to the people they loved and no one else. Two men walked up to Archer and T'Pol and escorted them up to Trip. Trip looked at both of his dear friends as they finally walked up to him. He smiled grimly. "Hi guys." He greeted rather casually considering what was about to occur. He tried to stay calm, tried to stay strong but he could feel his panic stirring in him, trying to come up to the surface. Trip wouldn’t let it though. He wasn’t about to make a scene… and he certainly wasn’t going to look weak in front of the people before him, including the two most important people in his life.

Archer tried to smiled back, but Trip could tell the smile was fake, simply put there to comfort him as well. "I'm so sorry Trip... I... I never wanted it to end like this." Trip nodded as the guard took away his cuffs and allowed his hands to be free. With that he took out his right hand to shake Archer's. Archer's took it then pulled him closer and they hugged, the captain practically smacking Trip's back to death before then letting go and stepping back. Trip winced, the man had hit him right were he'd been hit with that whip looking thing. He’d undergone the worst treatment he ever had. He’d been hit so many times that he couldn’t even feel them hurt him anymore. He was numb and tired and he had been starving. He never felt so horrible… but he still stood tall.

“It’s ok, Cap’n… I choose this. I don’t want you to be guilty; it was my decision to go back. I couldn’t let Enterprise be destroyed. Cap’n, this mission is more important than you or me… we’re talkin’ bout the future here… my life is a small price ta pay ta save Earth.” He wanted to encourage his friend but his words didn’t seem to help him much. He was upset and nothing he said would help.

“Thank you Trip.” Was all Archer could manage. He nodded slowly then looked over at T’Pol. Her eyes focused on him, he could see the distress in her. He knew her too well. She was hurting on the inside, and there was nothing he could do to help her, either. He’d never felt so helpless. He didn’t really know what to say at this point. All the words left him as he looked at her face. She seemed to understand his silence. What could he possibly say to her? How could he tell her good bye? The thought of never seeing her again weighed heavily in his mind. The truth was, he had no idea what would happen now. He had no idea what the future held for Enterprise, for him, for his friends… and that was what scared him the most. Not knowing what would happen. He kept a smile on his face for her as he slowly moved towards her and let his right hand fall to her face and gently caress her soft tan skin. He could feel the warmth of it, not clammy like his was. He imprinted her touch to his memory and let out a long warm breath, his fear going out with it. Her left hand covered over his as she held his gaze, neither saying a word. But both talking to each other. He knew what she was feeling. As she knew what he was feeling. Somehow, with all that had happened, he’d found love. His love was for her and no one else. Because of that love, he was given something in return. Her. But the gift would not last now. He’d be dead, and she’d be alone without him. Finally T’Pol’s mouth opened.

“It will not be the same without you.” . He moved his thumb across her cheeks and drew even closer to her.

“I know, T’Pol… I know.” He whispered to her. Finally their lips touched. He cherished her lips, wanting to go deeper, but instead pulled away to look at her once more. He could see her control escape her for a second, but it quickly returned. Finally he moved his right hand away and took something out his pocket. The gold necklace with the ring on it swayed as he took her hand, and put the necklace in her palm, closing it so that her fingers held it tightly. “I want you to have this. It was my mothers. She gave it ta me when I found out I’d be chief engineer on Enterprise. She wanted me to keep it to remind me of Earth. I think she’d want me to give this to you….to remind you of me.” She looked down at her hand, opening it to show the beautiful ring and gold chain. It seemed to glow in her hand with the help of the sun’s rays, twinkling like another star in space. Finally she closed her hand tightly again and looked up at him.

“I do not know what I will do without your presence.” He looked at her hand, then into her eyes.

“Don’t worry T’Pol… I won’t ever leave ya. I’ll always be with you. Maybe not physically but I’ll always be with you, in yer heart.” He assured her letting his hand fall to her chest, in indication to the beating pump inside her. She moved her other hand to hold it there.

“Then I shall be there too.”

They said nothing, only looking at each other for awhile longer before he took his hand away, gave her one last hug and then took a step back. “Good bye T’Pol.” He then told her as the guards escorted her and the captain back to the bench. He took in a deep breath, then let it out slowly. "I am now ready, Judge Corrow. I have said what was needed to be said." He shouted as was the custom.

The judge nodded. “Then it is done. Let the gods look upon you with mercy, Commander Tucker. For where you are going, only they will be able to help you.” After a brief moment of silence he nodded at the guard behind Trip. Trip again breathed in, this time holding his breath. Finally the guard behind him pushed the button down, and Trip screamed out in pain.

************Three Days Earlier************

Trip Tucker was tired to say the least. He hadn’t slept in days, he hadn’t eaten anything all day and he’d been working like a dog for the last 24 hours. He didn’t know why he was working himself so much. It wasn’t like he had much to do. And every time he did find something he could do his people would try to take it from him for fear he might hurt himself again. He was tired of the entire crew babying him. He was sick of people asking him how he was doing all the time and trying to give him their ‘moral support’. He just wanted to fix something dammit! Not hear a bunch of ‘I’m there for you’ crap! The last thing he wanted was the crew bothering him about Sim. And if they weren’t doing that then they were trying to keep him out of danger. He could use a little distraction, but the crew wasn’t letting him have one. They wouldn’t listen to him. All they did was nag at him about getting’ enough sleep, eatin’, and all that stuff. But Trip didn’t want to hear it anymore. He got enough of that from T’Pol and Doctor Phlox. He didn’t need to hear it from everyone else too. He just wanted to be left alone to get over things, and the crew was only making him feel worse. He just wanted a break… why couldn’t they see that? Why couldn’t they understand that he just wanted to be left alone? Was it so hard to give him some peace and quiet? So he got hurt; he’d had close calls before. This one was just a closer call than the others. Trip shook his head and got back to work. His people all did their jobs while keeping an eye on him. This mornin’ he’d gotten a paper cut and Ensign Sato was about to call up a medical emergency. It was drivin’ him nuts. He was about to just ring all of their necks in a second if he didn’t get some peace and quiet to do what he did best. Trip finally closed his eyes, pinching the bridge of his nose, as his headache got worse. The doctor said he’d have them for a while but, the doc had no idea how annoying they could be. He felt his world fall away for a second as he lay under the wires and technology before him. Until a voice called him back to reality.

“Trip?” came a familiar British voice. “Trip, you alive down there?” Trip gave out a breath of air in a sigh and moved from under the little hole he’d been in to look at his friend. He didn’t smile.

“Hiya Mal… sorry… I must have dozed off.”

“Still not sleeping?” Malcolm asked him, concern in his voice.

“Not at night.” Trip mumbled with a sigh. Malcolm shook his head.

“Perhaps you should see the doctor.” Trip shook his head.

“The last place I’m goin’ is sickbay. I’ve spent more than enough time there ta last awhile! I’ll deal with this on my own.” He said sternly. Malcolm raised an eyebrow in surprise.

“A little edgy are we?”

“That’s what happens when ya don’t sleep.”

“What about the neuropressure sessions with T’Pol? I thought those were helping.”

Trip shook his head. “I haven’t been goin’… I’m too busy. With everythin’ that’s been happenin’… I just don’t have time fer a night in T’Pol’s quarters for some silly sessions.” He hadn’t meant it to be so harsh. Malcolm seemed to immediately recognize it.

“What happened? You two have a little lover’s quarrel?” He teased. Trip glared at him.

“Ya got ta be in love ta have a lover’s quarrel Mal… and we’re in anything BUT love with each other. I just don’t have time ta waste.” He knew in the back of his mind that he was partly lying. The fact of the matter was, he had feelings for T’Pol. But he knew she didn’t feel the same way, so it was useless to think about it as if it were a possibility.

“Trip, you’ve been getting awfully busy since your… uh… well your surgery. T’Pol might be able to help. Frankly I don’t know or care what you two are in, I just hate to see you like this.”

Trip’s eyes softened. He knew Malcolm was just worried, but he didn’t need to be bothered at the moment. And talking with Malcolm wasn’t helping.

“I know Mal; it’s ok… I’ll be fine. I think I’ll just get some tea later tonight and see if that helps. That’s what my mom used ta do whenever I couldn’t sleep… Who knows… maybe it’ll work again.” He said, although he decided not to mention the fact that he’d already tried tea, and it hadn’t worked. But he wanted Malcolm off his back and there was only one way to get rid of him.

Malcolm smiled in relief. “Good, I don’t want you sleeping on duty…I’d hate to have to report this to the captain.” he joked.

Trip shook his head and got to his feet, feeling the headache intensify. Before he could react he felt the world around him spin as a cry escaped his lips. “Ah! Dammit!” . Malcolm was holding him steady as soon as he saw the look of pain in Trip’s eyes.

“What’s wrong?! Are you okay?!”

Trip could hear the panic in his voice. Trip closed his eyes until he felt the headache slowly dull then he opened his eyes and noticed that his surroundings weren’t spinning anymore. He exhaled and then got out of Malcolm’s hold.

“I’m fine! And I can stand on my own!” he barked. Malcolm almost seemed to flinch at his harshness. Trip rubbed his temples then shook his head. “Sorry, the doc said I’d feel dizzy, and I might have a headache for a bit.”

Malcolm still looked worried though. “Perhaps you should go to sickbay.”

. Trip shook his head again. “No! I’m fine! Just need ta rest, that’s all. Just give me a sec.” Again he felt himself losing his balance as the room once again began to spin. He closed his eyes, feeling Malcolm hold him up.

“That’s it! I’m taking you to sickbay! You can hardly stand on your feet!” Malcolm said sternly. Trip rolled his eyes.

“Malcolm! Will you get off me?!” He said struggling to get out of Malcolm’s hold. He pushed him away and began to walk. “I don’t need to go to sickbay!”

Malcolm followed him until finally Trip lost feeling in his legs and fell to the floor. Everyone in engineering ran over to him in less than a second to see if he was ok. Malcolm could see him breathing, he shook his friend slightly. “Trip? Trip?”

Trip groaned, moving his hands to his head. He was in pain. Malcolm frowned, then looked at the people around him. “He’s okay. I think he just passed out. I’ll take him to sickbay.” He moved Trip’s left arm around his shoulder and took him up, allowing Trip’s full weight on him and headed out of engineering.

A/N: I’m back again with yet another story! I guess I just have a lot of ideas! I hope you enjoy this story… please tell me what you think!

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A whole mess of folks have made comments

Oh my GOD, how can you start with Trip being executed!!! How depressing that people are still being beaten and executed in the future. Don't leave me in suspense like this. I NEED TO KNOW if Trip will be saved, AS SOON AS POSSIBLE PLEEEEEASE.

Great start! I like how you started it with the execution but I have to believe Trip will be saved in the nick of time. I'll be watching for your next posting! Thanks!

Ack! My poor heart! How dare you start like that! Must know what happens! **hyperventilates** Great job!

How can you mack my lovely Trip die that was the most sad story ever waaaaaaaaaaaa!! Tell me what happins next please!! I need to Know!!

How can you make my lovely Trip die that was the most sad story ever waaaaaaaaaaaa!! Tell me what happins next please!! I need to Know!!

Gulp, poor old Trip facing certain death! Help! I really like how you have approached this story and can't wait to see how you unfold the events leading up to his execution. I am of course hoping that there will be some kind of eleventh hour reprieve for our hero,in the meantime I hope the next part will not be long in coming. Don't know how long I can hold my breath! Ali D :~)

::deep, calming breaths:: OK, Trip screamed in pain. There was nothing about dying. He was in the process of being executed, but hasn't yet died. There's still hope. Must cling to hope!

Ooooo, tired, annoyed, pained, cranky Trip. Barking at Malcolm and ready to throttle his own team. Good qualities to have in a leader. So, did Trip pass out, or is he more than just in pain and exhausted? Please update soon!

AAAAAAAHHHHHH!!!! Trip's dying and you're going to just leave us hanging???? More, please. SOON!!!!

Ok, i've only read the trip dying part so far, and truthfully, im crying. I can't take it. If that actually happened on the show, I'd never watch it again. This is not cool, but, im sure the story it self, and I'm hoping there's a way for him to get out of this.

Ok, i've read the rest and Phaser Lady was right, Trip hasn't died yet, ya know ya really can't Kill him, there'll be a revolt.