ENT - 012 - Kobayashi Maru

TEN

Wednesday, July 16, 2155 EnterpriseNX-01

TP OL WASHED HER HANDS CAREFULLY, looking in the mirror as she did so. It was something she rarely didwhatever her many failings might be in following Suraks teachings, she did not number vanity among thembut she could see in her reflection that she looked tired.

She hoped that none of her colleagues on the bridge had noticed this, or any fatigue-related errors she might have made. She regarded the chance of the latter as relatively minuscule, given that she generally triple-checked her work; on the other hand, she had been up for most of the last forty-eight hours, applying her off-shift hours to her ongoing surreptitious search for more information about Sopek, emphasizing anything that might connect him with the Romulans.

She moved through the open secondary hatchway inside the sanitary facility the humans referred to as “the head, entering the tiny interior chamber in which puffs of aerosolized sanitizer attacked any bacteria or other dirt that might be present, on either bodies or uniforms. Some of the crew occasionally joked about the heads “decontamination chamber, but TPolwith her heightened sense of smellwas grateful for it.

Exiting the head, she found herself immediately disoriented. Instead of being back on the bridge, she now stood in a corridor whose walls and floor and ceiling exuded an almost painfully brilliant white light. To her right, TPol saw that only a few meters down the corridor the light ended, dropping abruptly off into the inky, star-strewn vastness of space.

TPol turned her head and saw two figures, both of them far enough away to appear somewhat indistinct. One seemed to be slumped on the floor, while the other stood above the first in a threatening stance. The standing figure leaned over and picked up the slumping one by grabbing a handful of its dark hair and dragging the body to which it was attached to a nearly upright position.

Running toward them, TPol wasnt sure if she should announce her presence to the aggressor or not. She chose to stay silent, at least until she knew what she might be facing. But the distance between her and the pair seemed to elongate as she moved, even as the taller figure began to beat on its prey.

TPol heard a roar behind her, a cacophony louder than anything shed ever heard before. Despite its unnatural volume, she recognized it instantly, just a split second before the blast of wind struck her. The sound and fury of massive decompression spurred her on, and she barely glanced back to see the white corridor breaking apart behind her, the vacuum of space seeming to hurtle toward her in a headlong, predatory rush.

“Stop! she shouted, throwing caution to the grasping winds around her as she forced herself nearer to the two figures, perhaps relying on the power of her will alone. The aggressor turned and roared at her, its Vulcan features distorted and angry. With flattened ears and sharpened teeth, it resembled one of the Frislen mutants that she had battled some two decades ago.

With the corridor tearing asunder behind her, TPol used the last of her declining strength to launch herself at the monster, tackling it at its midsection. The thing writhed and screamed, and through the flying tatters of its robe TPol finally caught a glimpse of what the monster had been beating.

Or rather whom. Despite the extensive surgery he had undergone to help him blend into Romulan society, and the bruises and contusions that swelled his face, she knew it was Trip. His eyes looked unfocused, but he seemed to see her nevertheless.

“TPol, he said weakly. The escalating roar of cold, empty space swallowed up anything else he might have said.

The corridor behind him crumbled a heartbeat later, and Trip went tumbling into the void, his voice gone, though she was certain he still carried her name on his blood-flecked lips.

Marshaling all her remaining strength, TPol continued to grapple with the monster, determined to end its life before it managed to do the same to her.

“TPol! The voice was closer now, louder, despite the intensifying rush of white noise. “Commander TPol!

Abruptly, the white corridor and the void beyond it vanished, displaced by the bridge of Enterpriseand its startled beta-watch crew. Lieutenant Mack McCall was in front of her, grasping her shoulders, concern etched deeply on his features. “Commander TPol, can you hear me?

TPol turned her head, blinking away the vision that had just filled her mind, willing her racing heart to slow down.

“Yes, Lieutenant, she said slowly, focusing first on the distraction of the mans salt-and-pepper goatee before looking directly into his brown eyes. “IIm not sure what just happened.

“Neither are we, McCall said, his demeanor softening a bit. “You exited the head, stopped in the middle of the deck, and yelled, Stop! You seemed to be in some kind oftrance. Very gently, he grasped her wrists and pulled her hands up. “And you did this to yourself.

TPol looked down at her hands, both of which were balled into fists, her fingers clenched so tightly that her short-cropped nails had pierced the flesh of both palms. Emerald-hued blood welled out onto her wrists and dripped from between her knuckles.

“Perhaps I should pay a visit to Doctor Phlox, TPol said.

“Thats what I was going to suggest, McCall said, sighing in apparent relief that he wasnt going to have to try to force the issue on a superior officerone who might be going insane right before his eyes, for all he knew. “Why dont I have Ensign Ko accompany you to sickbay?

TPol also didnt miss the trepidatious look on Kos face as he accompanied her into the bridge turbolift, where he stood as far away from her as possible. She wasnt offended by his quite logical impulse toward caution, nor by the unusual alacrity with which he exited sickbay once he had finished conducting her inside.

A moment after she finished offering an awkward greeting to Phlox, the sickbay doors slid open again. TPol turned in time to see Captain Archer enter, looking every bit as concerned as McCall had. No doubt McCall notified him,TPol thought. She would have done the same in his position.

As TPol attempted to describe to both Phlox and the captain what had just happened to her on the bridge, Phlox treated the cuts on her hands with a disinfectant, then quickly and expertly bandaged them. Phlox then activated one of his small medical scanners, which he used to check both her blood pressure and the dilation of her pupils.

“Please lie back on the bed, he said, his voice exhibiting just a hint of concern.

“And youre certain that it was Trip that you saw? Archer asked as TPol walked to the bed and settled back onto it, placing her head underneath the wall-mounted medical display panel.

“I am certain, TPol said.

“Id certainly like to see what Mister Tucker looks like now,Phlox said. He hadnt been present when Trip had come to her during Archers speech at the Coalition Compact signing ceremony; on that historic occasion, the Denobulan physician had spent most of his time with his three wives.

“As I have already explained, Doctor, he now resembles a Vulcan, though he lacks most of the emotional control that my people usually exhibit, TPol said. “If you like, I could search through the database to find you an appropriate image to view.

“Not necessary, Phlox said, smiling down at her benignly.

TPol turned her head slightly to look up at Archer. “I am concerned, Captain. I believe that Commander Tucker is presently in grave danger.

Archer rubbed his right eyebrow, scrunching up his face. “You believe that because of a hallucination? Thats not a very sound source of information.

“I do not believe it was merely a hallucination, sir. TPol paused for a moment, aware that she was going to have to reveal something of an intensely private and personal nature. “When Vulcans join minds, they sometimes forge amental bond. I believe that I may have formed such a bond with the commander shortly before his death. I have had another experience similar to this, though it was of a far less violent nature.

Phlox touched her shoulder. “You may sit up now, Commander. Ive heard of many such bonds between mates in many species, including, as we know, the Andorians. However, Ive never heard of it crossing species boundaries.

As she moved to a seated position at the edge of the bed, TPol felt a bit embarrassed. “Trip and I arewe weresomething of an anomaly, Doctor. Our genetic codes were commingled to create a baby that should never have been possible. Our briefromantic entanglement was in itself unique; can you really rule out that in ourpairing, we might have created an entirely new interspecies phenomenon?

Phloxs tufted eyebrows lifted. “Not at all. It is entirelypossible. He held up a datapad whose screen displayed ranks of slowly scrolling data. “It is, however, also possible that you are still suffering from the aftereffects of your addiction to trellium-D. Or even a delayed reaction from your repeated exposures to the Romulan telepresence unit last year, during the first Aenar crisis. Either way, the extreme certainty you seem to feel about the reality of these hallucinationsor whatever they ultimately prove to becould be an artifact of residual neurological damage.

TPol wasnt convinced. “Conversely, she said, “as we have learned from the heightened emotional states I have experienced occasionally during the time sincemy addiction, those same aftereffects may merely have opened up neurological or emotional pathways that had previously been closed.

“Hmmm, Phlox said agreeably, nodding. “Either answer could be, as youre fond of saying, logical.

“TPol, Id be the last one to deny the validity of Vulcan telepathy, Archer said, folding his arms before him. “Hell, I once shared my skull with your peoples most revered philosopher. And even if none of his logic rubbed off on me, Id still have to question how a link like that could work over interstellar distances.

“The Aenar had that capability, TPol said.

Phlox shook his head. “Aenar telepathy is somewhat more powerful than Vulcan psi abilities, the doctor said. “With a very few exceptions, your people are touch-telepaths.

TPol turned to face Archer directly. “Captain, I knewthat Trip wasnt dead before I was told the truth. I was aware of his living consciousness at a time after youhad told me he was dead. In my previous mind encounter with Trip, I even became aware that his appearance had been altered. At the time, I was unable to understand it. But later, when I saw him in person on Earth, myhallucination turned out to be true.

She paused, swallowing the unbidden emotion that was even now creeping into her mind. “My behavior is notirrational, nor emotional. I know this to be true: Commander Tucker is in mortal danger.

Placing a bandage-covered hand gingerly on Archers sleeve, TPol implored him. “You are Trips best friend, CaptainJonathan. I amconnected to him. We canfind him. Rescue him.

Archer pulled away from her, his face crumpling in obvious anguish. “Im sorry, TPol. You knowwe cant. He swept at the air angrily with one hand. “Were one ship,damn it! Even if I did take Enterpriseinto Romulan territory, wed be overwhelmed within minutes. Wed never even reachRomulus! And wed be sacrificing an entire crew for the life of one person, not to mention leaving the security of Earth and the Coalition at risk, andvery possibly starting a war as well.

“I cant do it, TPol. I cant sacrifice this ship, this crew everything,for Trip, no matter how badly any of us would like to. I just cant.

He walked away from her, toward the door. “Please dont ask me again.

Once the captain was gone, Phlox cleared his throat as he looked up from the datapad he had been studying so intently for the past several minutes.

“Did you really expect Captain Archer to give you any other response? His tone sounded more curious than judgmental.

TPol shook her head. “No, Doctor. The captain has always had to strike a balance between the demands of his superiors, interstellar politics, and his desire to lead this ship based on something purer than either one. But more often than not, he opts to follow the rules out of necessity.

“For what its worth, I believe that there ismore to your mental link to Mister Tucker than most other physicians and scientists would admit, Phlox said. “That said, I also am fully aware that you are in a state of exhaustion. And the heightened emotions you areexhibiting are no doubt draining your strength even further.

“Im going to strongly suggest that you take some time offsome significanttime off, to meditate, rest, and clear your mind. He smiled wryly, but his ice-blue eyes were otherwise inscrutable. “Perhaps awayfrom the others in the crew for a time, you will be able to find the answers you need.

TPol stared at him for a moment, wondering at the intent of Phloxs words, and surprised at the kindness she saw in the Denobulans gaze. But that part of her that had been trained long ago, before Enterpriseeven existed, instinctively told her not to ask for clarification.

“Perhaps you are right, Doctor, she said after several moments of silent reflection. “Thank you for the advice.

“You know that what youre asking is in gross violation of a score of laws?

TPol stared at Denaks face on the viewscreen. She had signaled him several hours earlier, and his response had finally come only a few minutes ago.

“I also know that youhave operated outside the law numeroustimes when circumstances required it, TPol said. “I worked at your side on some of those occasions. You have done things that will never be written into Vulcan historyor even in the most secret files of the VShar.

Denak raised one of his eyebrows, but only slightly. “A lesser man might think you were threatening me in some manner, Commander. But I know better. I also know that I owe you my life, several times over.

TPol glanced over at the timer attached to the subspace scrambling device on her desktop. Her time was fast running out.

“Denak, you were the one who told me to look into Captain Sopek

“Thelate Captain Sopek,he said, interrupting her.

“and while I have been unable to find concrete evidence, I have followed up on a number of rumors about Sopek working within the Romulan sphere of influence.

“Why is it so important for you to learn about Sopeknow? Denak asked, squinting as though with enough effort he might read the answer to his question on her forehead. “Or is there another reason behind this request that youre not sharing with me?

“Im sharing as much with you as I can. At least until you comply with my request. TPol looked again at the timer.

“Comply with my request? Thats an oxymoronic statement if I ever heard one,Denak said. “What youre asking would be difficult undernormal circumstances, and Im not certain its evenpossible. But if it is, youll hear from me at my next opportunity.

TPol held up five fingers, and folded them into her wrapped palm as the timer counted down. “If you do this for me, Denak, all debts will be considered paid.

“Understand that if I do this for you, allThe screen went black, cutting Denak off in mid-sentence.

TPol sat back in her chair, exhaling. She was aware that she had been tightly clenching her other fist again only when her concentration ebbed and she felt the pain in her hand. As she got up to find a fresh bandage, the chime at her door sounded.

Quickly pushing the scrambling device behind a small stack of datapads, TPol said, “Enter.

She hadnt expected the hatch to open on the face of a very worried-looking Hoshi Sato.

“May I speak with you? Sato asked as she stepped inside.

“Yes, Ensign, TPol said. “What can I do for you?

Sato sighed heavily. “As part of my bridge duties, I am assigned to monitor all subspace messages sent to or from this ship. She shifted from foot to foot, nervously. “As youve probably noticed over the last four years, however, Im a bitof an overachiever. I regularly make spot checks on the systems even when Im off-duty.

“I see, said TPol evenly. She sat at the edge of her table, further blocking her computer from Satos view. “And have you discovered something that should be brought to my attention?

“Technically, it should be brought to Captain Archers attention, Hoshi said, clasping her hands behind her back. “But before I do that, I felt that perhaps asking youwhy you were sending an unauthorized, unlogged, scrambled subspace transmission a few minutes ago would be the more prudent thing to do. In case you havea reasonable explanation.

TPol studied the young woman for a moment. A fleeting thought crossed her mind that a mind-meld might allow her to influence the young womans mind, just enough to induce her to forget having noticed TPols transgression. But apart from the ethical implications of the act, she also wasnt certain whether or not Sato had already informed others, or had left some tangible evidence in her personal logs or her quarters. Better just to tell her the truth,TPol thought. Or at least,a truth.

“Please review the beta-watch duty logs. You will discover that I suffered a briefemotional attack on the bridge earlier today, TPol said. “I found the incident to be mostdemoralizing. And embarrassing. I have already been examined by Doctor Phlox, and have discussed the matter with Captain Archer as well. If you were to bring this matter to their attention, they would both undoubtedly tell you that my private affairs are none of your concern, Ensign.

TPol slumped her shoulder slightly, in an attempt to lose the bearing that she knew read to humans as “stickup-the-ass-Vulcan in the words of one Charles Anthony Tucker III. She hoped that the mannerism would make her appear more vulnerable in the ensigns eyes.

“I am confiding in you, however, Hoshi, woman to woman. There are certain Vulcan thingsthat I am going through right now. Things that aredifficult to discuss with humans, or even with a Denobulan doctor. I used the scrambled transmission because I was already ashamed at what the beta crew had witnessed on the bridge; it would shame me even further if any revelations about my private health were intercepted accidentallyby another crew member. Yourself included.

Sato looked sad, and approached TPol with her arms outstretched, gathering her in for a hug.

“I understand, Commander. And Im certain that Captain Archer will as well. Ill check with him to verify that hes okay with you using the scrambler, but unless he tells me otherwise, your secret is safe with us. And if you ever need to talk, just know that Im here for you.

“Thank you, TPol said, stiffly allowing herself to submit to the somewhat awkward hug the younger woman offered. She felt guilty for misleading the ensign, but she knew it was necessary. And TPol felt confident that Archer would believe her excuse as well were he to confront her about the matter.

Just as she felt confident that Jonathan Archer would never suspect what she had reallyjust requested of her old friend Denak.