Chapter 5
“Are you alright?”
“… I don’t know.” T’Pol looked at her husband, who looked sad to be telling her this. She couldn’t believe this it just couldn’t be true. “How can this be?” she managed to gasp, feeling her emotions flare under her logic. She tried to rationalise, these Terrans weren’t the same people she’d known, at least not personality wise. According to Thy'lek they were much calmer, and Archer had seemed reasonable, and they’d all been horrified by what they’d witnessed their counterparts doing. Still she couldn’t get over the old feelings that she’d often had to fight. ‘I am Vulcan, I am emotionless, I am calm.’ She chanted this in her mind and both felt and heard Thy'lek sigh. His arms, strong and well built from fighting and working with manual jobs, wrapped around her protectively. She found herself resting her head on his shoulder, and he pressed his cheek to the top of her head.
“You don’t have to see them, I was just wondering if you wouldn’t mind going over the data, so that we could send them home.”
“Why must we send them home?” she asked in confusion.
“Remember I studied the Defiant’s database and discovered about these people’s future. I know what Archer has yet to do, what he will accomplish, I know who Sato will marry, how many children she’ll have. I know everything about their futures.”
“You locked that data away. You said it was for the best.”
“Yes I did, but I know that these people will be vital for the forming of the Federation you desire so much in their universe. If we don’t send them back then the Federation will never exist, and without the Federation the Defiant will never be built, and without the Defiant the Resistance wouldn’t stand a chance, we’re struggling as it is.” It made sense, she mused, in fact she should have realised it herself, although temporal mechanics were confusing at the best of times but that wasn’t the whole reason behind his decision.
“Is there any other reason?” she asked bluntly. He nodded,
“They are not a part of this universe, they are not like the Terrans here, an hour with them convinced me of that, I cannot allow them to loose their lives just because we don’t like Terrans from our universe.”
“Your morality is admirable, I just hope it doesn’t get you or anyone else killed.”
“Is hope not illogical?” he teased lightly,
“No more than it is to believe in miracles.” she shot back softly.
“Good point.” he chuckled and tightened his grip on her. Then he said softly,
“Do you want me to meditate with you tonight?”
“I’d appreciate it.” She rose and he followed her to the small area they’d sectioned off for her. It had a simple mat and many candles, but it was more than she’d once had. Many of the candles were ones they’d made themselves like many things they owned. She knelt down and clasped her hands together and Thy'lek copied her. She closed her eyes and quickly entered her space where the white mist of logic and clarity covered the black mist of her emotions that thrashed beneath. She was shocked to see how weak her white mist was, it was almost transparent, no wonder she’d been such a ‘mess’, as Thy'lek would say. She instantly concentrated on strengthening her resolve. She was unsure how much time had passed but gradually the barrier was strengthened and she felt much calmer. She now only really felt Thy'lek’s emotions and curious as to what exactly he was feeling she ‘tuned in’.
She was intrigued to find that he was oddly angered. Thy'lek had learnt when he was young to suppress his anger and channel it into determination and thought strength. It was one of the reasons he was able to consider options so fast he channelled all his negativity into finding a positive side or option to the situation. He was generally very slow to anger, less so now than when she had first met him, he had the permanent after-effects of the Klingon genes to thank for that, and was very calm and centred, one of the reasons they were able to be together as they were. He was also very worried and she could sense that he was worried about her, she wondered why. She also sensed that he was beginning to feel very depressed. She thought she knew why, he was beginning to question his capabilities as leader and whether he’d be able to guide them to victory. The recent failures with the Tholians were weighing heavily on him, she didn’t need telepathy to tell her that. Suddenly her eyes flew open and she stared at him her eyes wide. Feeling her gaze he opened his own eyes looking at her questioningly.
“Have you contacted the Tholians about the anomaly? They were the ones who brought the Defiant here after all.” He widened his eyes and then struck his forehead in frustration, muttering a Klingon curse. She ignored the urge to reprimand him since Soval was asleep.
“I’m a fool!” he hissed, carefully keeping his voice down. “That should have been one of the first things to think of, but I just… I can't seem to be able to do anything right any more.” She hesitated and then reached out and took his hand, deciding that his need for comfort out weighed her people’s reluctance to touch. He covered her hand with his other, holding it there firmly.
“You have done more than was ever expected of you.” she insisted. He shook his head, grinding his teeth audibly,
“It doesn’t matter what I have done, what matters is what I’m doing right now, which is failing at everything! Not one of the stronger species is willing to help us, and the Terrans are beginning to overcome our new defences.”
“And we already have new ones thanks to you.” she interrupted gently. Reaching out with her other hand slowly she stroked his antennas with her first two fingers. His eyelids drooped and a lazy, contented look came over him. Ironic that in comforting her he’d ended up needing the comfort too. She guided him to their bed and they lay on it and she continued her gentle strokes so that, in a few minutes, Thy'lek was fast asleep and her own eyes began to itch with tiredness. She knew she ought to change into her pyjamas but her eyes closed and she fell asleep, her arm wrapping around Thy'lek’s chest protectively.
There was a lot of cursing coming from a certain Andorian’s office. Telev was not happy. The Tholians hadn’t responded to their communications, they hadn’t gotten as many ships as they’d hoped at the raid of the fourth fleet, and there were Terrans in orbit around their main Resistance cell. All right maybe they weren’t like other Terrans but Telev didn’t want them here. He and Gral had been given a talking to by Sten, and he grudgingly admitted it made sense. Still any Terran that wasn’t dead was a problem as far as he was concerned. He’d made sure the guards were being extra vigilant with them but the last time he’d spoken with Meneait the Orion had sounded agitated and wouldn’t say why. Telev paced his office, which was little more than a box and then went out needing some air. As he took in deep breaths he studied the area he was in. It wasn’t slums and it was kept clean and tidy but it was pretty low standards, all the homes were boxes stacked on each other to form apartments. Each box had a kitchen, a living area and a single bedroom; there was no other kind. Families with children had to section off areas for bedrooms themselves, single people had to share with friends; everyone was cramped together. Tellerites and Andorians were sharing quarters; Orions and Denobulans slept side by side, all the species involved in the Resistance were mixed together. Thy'lek was pleased about that; he preached about how in order for the Resistance to work they couldn’t see species, they had to see people. Telev still had to struggle to do that. He’d grown up in an all Andorian camp so the only species he’d know in his childhood other than Andorians were Terrans that guarded the camp and took what they wanted from his people. He knew that there were other species, but his first encounter with them had him terrified, they had looked so different, Tellerites in particular. His eyes darkened as he thought of his childhood. He’d been a very beautiful child, he’d known it and so did every one else, including his own father.
(Flashback)
“Papa, what’s wrong? Why are you crying again?” 7 year old Telev asked as he reached out for the much taller man. His father let out a soft sob and suddenly grabbed him and held him close to his chest.
“Oh Telev, do you realise how beautiful you are?”
“Well lots of people say I am, the guards call me pretty boy.” he answered honestly. This only made another sob tear itself from his father.
“Telev, you’ve no idea how painful your beauty is to me.”
“Why?”
“Because it will bring you such misery my son.” Telev’s antennas flew up to attention.
“Misery?” His father shook his head suddenly and hugged him tightly,
“Never mind Telev, don’t worry about it for now. I’m sorry for saying that.”
“But papa-”
“No please Telev, don’t ask me. Just go and play with your sister.”
“All… alright papa.” Telev wanted to make his father happy so he would do as he was told, but before he did, he gave his father a kiss on the cheek. The face of his father crumpled when he did, and more tears fell from his eyes. Telev went to play with his sister.
(End Flashback)
He hadn’t understood why his father cried, or why the guards would look at him with frighteningly hungry eyes. It was only when he was eleven, and beginning to the first change, as Andorians called first puberty, that he understood what it all meant. He’d been scared every time a guard came close to him, afraid that they’d pull him into a bed, but it hadn’t happened until he reached fifteen.
(Flashback)
“Pretty boy!” A Terran shouted. Telev straightened up and looked over at the tall commander of the camp who was calling him. “Come with me pretty boy!” the Terran cooed sickeningly. Telev felt his blood freeze in his veins and he shared a brief look with his younger sister who gave him a frightened look. Feeling sick, the fifteen year old walked over, his hands trembling ever so slightly. When he reached the man he gave the Terran salute, keeping his eyes fixed on the ground. He felt a cold hand take his chin and tilt his face up so his eyes met the darker ones of Commander Delaclur. The face was rugged and day old stubble dotted the cheeks and chin. A prominent nose overshadowed the thin lips under it. Telev fancied he’d never seen an uglier man in his life. Maybe it was his cruelty that made him so ugly or he may have just been born that way. The dark brown eyes reminded him of muddy water, like the kind he often had to drink. Those eyes were now studying him carefully, and he tried not show how scared he was. Slave he may be, but he was still an Andorian and they don’t show fear. “Very, very pretty.” the gravely voice muttered, stroking Telev’s cheek with his free hand. Telev couldn’t help but shudder in disgust and horror.
Suddenly the hand clamped down on his arm and he was dragged away. He looked over his shoulder and silently screamed for someone to help him, but no one moved, except his father who began to cry. He didn’t dare struggle as he was pulled up a flight of stairs, tripping and banging his knees in the process. He felt like he couldn’t breath, his mind was in overdrive and his only coherent thought was that he might faint from fear. He knew exactly what the Commander wanted from him and he couldn’t believe that he was about to go through it. He’d seen Andorian men and women go into that room and come out looking dead. It was as if they lost their souls in here. He was about to loose his now, the Commander fancied he’d waited long enough for him to grow up.
“Ah!” he cried out as he was flung onto a bed, softer and larger than any he’d ever seen or touched. Looking around he felt like he’d stepped into another world. The walls were lavishly decorated, with lots of paintings hanging from hooks. One that caught his eye was of a man, standing stiff and straight with the lavish uniform of an emperor. His face was covered in wrinkles, and his brows seemed to cast great shadows over his eyes. He looked like a monkey. Telev’s eyes fell to the floor and saw the fabulously woven rugs of colours that he’d never seen before. The whole room was so bright and vivid compared to the greys and blues he saw everyday that he felt quite dizzy.
“Now, pretty boy.” the Commander hissed, “I’ve been waiting quite a long time for this.” Telev jumped, he’d almost forgotten about the man before him in his amazement of the room. “Now I shall find out if it was worth the wait.” The Terran advanced on him and Telev drew away, grabbing at the cloth of his shabby shirt. Delaclur narrowed his eyes and struck him across the face. His hand snapped to the side and he was momentarily stunned. Delaclur must have used this to his advantage because his shirt was suddenly gone and Delaclur was hovering atop him. A large, rough hand stroked his bare chest and he fought not to whimper. “You know, the one thing I always liked about Andorians is that they’re so warm, particularly the males. Vulcans are too cold, not much use on a freezing night, but an Andorian…” There was a cold smirk on Delaclur’s face as his hand moved downwards to the hem of Telev’s trousers. Telev bit his lip, determined not to cry or scream in front of this monster that was above him. But his hands suddenly grabbed the chunky wrists and he cried
“Please don’t!” before he could stop himself. His cheek received another slap and Delaclur held him down with one hand as he proceeded to take what he wanted. Telev screamed in agony but could do nothing. The Terran was simply too big and strong for the lithe Andorian.
(End Flashback)
Telev shuddered in disgust at the memory. From fifteen years and up till he was twenty five when he’d managed to escape and join the Resistance, he’d been pulled in and out of Terran beds like a toy. Andorians didn’t value chastity and they were quite unrestrictive with whom they could explore sexual relations but even they condemned forcing it upon someone. He’d been in a waking nightmare for ten years; he still woke up expecting to find himself in a Terrans bed. With these Terrans nearby he was very agitated, and avoided them like… well like they were Terrans.
He mused how funny it was, most Andorians in the Terran Empire became close to Vulcans in the hope of learning how to be emotionless, despite that it goes against everything they believe in, just so that they can suppress the pain. He himself had become good friends with Sten once he’d arrived at the base. He’d been attracted to the idea of being emotionless and had started asking the Vulcan questions on how he could become so. Sten had tolerated him and answered his questions but had told him that suppression was not for him. Telev grinned to himself when remembered how he’d instantly reacted with anger and insisted it was. Sten had just given him a patented Vulcan look and eventually Telev had accepted that he was right. He was a fiery person by nature, like most of his kind, his emotions ruling his head and his heart. Thinking on it he knew that was why Thy'lek was in charge and not anyone else. The Vulcans needed someone who could control their emotions and see things from an unbiased point of view, but other species, the Andorians and Betazoids in particular, needed someone with strong emotions too. The Tellerites needed someone who’d behave in their way and Thy'lek could do that, hell he enjoyed it. He was calm and collected and his moral views kept the Vulcans satisfied and his passion for cooperation among the different species and the destruction of the Terrans pleased the others.
“Excuse me Telev?” The Andorian looked to the left and smiled slightly as he saw his caller was Jal, the sister of the late Jek. She smiled at him in that sensual way all Orion women could do and walked up to him. She didn’t bear the appearance of someone who’d just lost a close sibling. Few people showed their grief, unwilling to risk looking weak. Besides, there just wasn’t time for it. She held out a padd. “This just came from the science department; they’re finished with the photon torpedo upgrades.” He accepted the padd and said
“Thank you Jal.” She nodded and walked away. Telev watched her leave under lowered eyelids. She was attractive even for an Orion woman and he found himself enjoying her company, even for short periods. He knew it wasn’t Orion pheromones, they’d long ago figured out how to counteract them, that made him attracted to her.
A chuckle to his right made him jump and he spun around to see a grinning Thy'lek. How was he always able to just show up like that?
“Jal’s an attractive woman.” he said by way of greeting, “And I hear she’s fiery too, you’d be a good match.”
“Nonsense Thy'lek!” he exclaimed trying to sound irritated. “I have no time for such effort as finding a lifemate.”
“I found time to do so.” Thy'lek pointed out.
“Yes… well…” now Telev was a little flustered and he decided a quick change of the subject was in order, “Any word from the Tholians?” he mentally winced at the terrible choice. Thy'lek’s smile vanished and he looked troubled.
“No, nothing.” The older Andorian sighed and leaned back against the wall behind him. “We don’t even know if the anomaly was cause by natural or unnatural means, or even which side it was opened on, ours or theirs. Not to mention everyone’s getting restless with them around, I must have gotten more than half the guard compliment asking to be switched to other assignments.” Thy'lek ruffled the curly hair on the back of his head with his fingers in frustration. Telev sighed to himself; he wished he’d asked about T’Pol and Soval and the pregnancy but noooo! He had to stick his foot in it and ask the one question that was sure to upset his friend. Thy'lek suddenly moved in front of him and placed his hands on his shoulders giving him a tired smile. “Don’t worry about it Telev.” he said simply and then walked away leaning his head back and staring up at the sky dreamily. Telev sighed as he watched him walked away; sometimes he wondered just what was the state of Thy'lek mental health. He could drive anyone nuts with his debates so it was a miracle that he hadn’t driven himself mad yet. He was intelligent and practical but his morality could get in the way of achieving victory, he didn’t believe in cruelty. Neither did Telev but if it helped them win wasn’t it all right to use?
Trip drummed his fingers on the table in boredom and it took a lot of self-control on Archer’s part to not snap at him. Eventually T’Pol covered his hand with hers and thus ended the irritating noise. It wasn’t just Archer that sighed in relief. He glanced around at the guards that stood in the room, two Tellerites, three Andorians, a Vulcan, a Denobulan and two Betazoid. They watched them carefully; eyes draw to the slightest movement made by the Terrans. Phlox had tried to speak to the other Denobulan but the youth had just stared him down. Call Archer crazy but he was fairly sure the level of tension between his people and the Resistance people had increased over the last two days. The Resistance seemed eager to distance themselves from the crew and Archer had heard that they’d been acting strangely. Trip told him that he’d asked the Orion Meneait, who’d been watching him, to pass him a tool because he couldn’t reach and the Orion had first moved as if to get it and then back away and snapped at him to get it himself, hoisting his phaser as he spoke. Trip had said
“I don’t get it, I was perfectly polite to him and he just seemed to panic when I asked him to do one thing. How badly did humans treat these guys for them to be this damn paranoid and jumpy?” Archer’s answer had been that they probably didn’t want to know. His thoughts were disturbed as the door hissed open. They all sat up ready to meet with who ever Shran had sent up to work with them that day with finding a way home. Seemingly nervous she stepped into the room. Archer felt his jaw drop as he gaped at his first officer’s counterpart. Yes he’d seen her on the Defiant’s recordings but still to see it in the flesh was very different. She had long bronzed hair that went past her shoulder blades, and she wore an outfit that looked like it was Andorian. Her abdomen had a very slight bump on it indicating that this T’Pol was pregnant. At the realisation of it he glanced at his T’Pol and Trip, who’d only a few months ago lost their baby daughter, Elizabeth. Trip was staring at the other T’Pol’s stomach with pain filled eyes and T’Pol’s eyes moved between the table and her counterparts bump. She looked more than a little unsettled. T’Pol moved in closer to the table but she didn’t sit down in the chair that was waiting for her. Her eyes scanned each of them carefully, guardedly. Archer thought of what he’d seen of his own counterpart’s interactions with T’Pol and couldn’t blame her for being wary. He finally broke the tense silence himself,
“Welcome to Enterprise… T’Pol.” She twitched her eyebrow slightly as she seemed to judge him. Finally she said
“Thank you.” and slowly slid into the seat. There was another long silence and the tension among the guards seemed to rise. Finally Archer said
“Have you had any luck figuring out the anomaly?” he made sure his voice was polite and friendly. She shifted slightly in her seat and then said
“As of yet, no, however Thy'lek has contacted the Tholians, they have better experience with this type of thing. We hope that they will give us information.”
“Tholians are renown for their xenophobic tendencies, it’s unlikely that they will help us.” T’Pol said coolly. T’Pol narrowed her eyes very slightly at her and said equally coolly,
“They have contacted us before, and without their interference the Resistance would not have received the data from the Defiant. They are not quite as xenophobic in this universe as they may be in yours. They have contact with other species and they take alien slaves without issue. If Thy'lek can convince them then they may help us.”
“Thy'lek?” questioned T’Pol
“You would more likely know him as Shran.”
“You are on first name terms with him?” T’Pol’s tone could have frozen boiling water instantly. Why did Archer suddenly feel cold?
“I have always been on first name terms with him.” T’Pol responded, sounding slightly irritated, “Ever since Soval introduced me to him when we met at a starbase orbiting Vulcan.”
T’Pol raised an eyebrow
“I see.” she said finally and T’Pol looked at her with what could have been anger. Trip coughed softly and said
“Anyway, have you any idea how we could begin to figure out the anomaly.”
“Well, perhaps. Did you go to investigate it or did it appear before you and take you in?”
“We went to investigate it when we picked it up on sensors.”
“That would suggest this was naturally occurring, otherwise someone may have transmitted a distress call or some other form of communicating to lure you to it. Our fleet’s sensors would have detected something if it had been there on our side.”
“How can you be sure? Your sensors may not be as sophisticated as you believe.” T’Pol spoke up again. Why was she acting so strange towards this counterpart of hers?
“Our sensors are based on schematics from one hundred years into the future. I can assure you they are quite sophisticated.” T’Pol’s own tone could have frozen a sun. The two Vulcans stared at each other, each with a cold, distasteful look on their face. Finally Archer decided to break them up, realising it would be best if they were kept separate.
‘Too bad they have to work together.’ he thought to himself wryly even as he said
“I’m sure we’ll be able to figure something out if we work together. Now T’Pol and… T’Pol, you are the main brains behind figuring this mystery out, we’re counting on you both.”
“Understood captain.” T’Pol said reflexively. T’Pol just nodded slightly; once again her eyes were studying him carefully. He was beginning to wonder if she was trying to burn a hole in his face. He stood and everyone copied him. T’Pol was the last to rise, her hand going to her back as she did, she moved carefully and slowly. Archer wondered how far along she was and who the father was, as he certainly wasn’t Trip or any human for that matter. It was probably that Vulcan, Sten, he guessed.
“Where will we be working?” T’Pol asked T’Pol stiffly
“In our science room, it is-”
“I know well where it is, I have served on a Terran ship for twelve years.” she interrupted sounding almost annoyed. Her hand moved from her back to her stomach and she rubbed it gently as she walked out. T’Pol sent Archer a wide eyed look and then followed her counterpart. Trip looked at him looking torn between sorrow and amusement. He seemed to settle on the lighter feelings.
“I’d better check the environmental controls ‘cause it got really cold in here.”
“My God!” agreed Hoshi, “You’d think they’d have no problem with each other, they are… well, each other!”
“I’ve noticed that many people find themselves the hardest to get along with.” Phlox chuckled. Archer felt himself smile, but it faded as the guards tensed even more. He vaguely wondered how long it would take for them to snap.