Chapter Four

Hayes, Cutter, T'Pol, and Trip were in the situation room reviewing the ships and where they were lined up for the war games. Trip looked at the faces of Cutter and Hayes. Both men were engrossed in staring at the holo map.

"Highlight the Sh'Van, Tal'Min, and Vaaris," Trip said.

Hayes highlighted the three Vulcan ships.

"Colonel Hayes, Commander Cutter, I am about to tell you something that you can never share with anyone else," said Trip.

"What is it, sir?" asked Cutter.

"You know I trust you, sir."

Trip smiled at his two officers.

"Those three starships have Romulans captaining and crewing them. This war game is a setup," said Trip. "Those three ships are going to go hot during the war games and destroyed Starfleet vessels, but we are not going to allow it."

"Sir, how do we know about this?" asked Cutter.

"The Vulcans and Section 31," replied Trip.

Hayes whistled. Cutter nodded his head in the affirmative.

"What do you want to do?" asked Cutter.

"I want are tubes loaded, but cold, and our cannons on standby. The second one of those ships go hot then we go hot," said Trip.

"Who else knows?" asked Cutter.

"The Enterprise," said Trip.

Hayes smiled, "The Romulans don't have chance."

"This is going to be a FUBAR situation once this over, sir," said Cutter. "Do enough parties know about this to make sure you don't get into trouble?"

"I'll probably be grounded for a while, Cutter, but don't worry. I know who I want to be in charge of the Archer while my wings are clipped," said Trip.

"You know I'm behind you no matter what," said Cutter.

"That goes for me, too," said Hayes.

Trip grinned. He knew he could trust his people and he wasn't wrong.

STSTST

The Patton, St. Petersburg, Atlantis, and Endeavour came up behind the Enterprise then they formed a V formation with the Enterprise at apex. The Archer stayed above the fray acting as a guardian angel waiting to come to the rescue when the real fighting broke out. All five of the Vulcan starships came into the war zone.

"Hayes, make sure we are ready to go hot with the weapons," Trip said.

"Yes, sir," said Hayes.

"Commander T'Pol, let's keep inactive sensor lock on those three special Vulcan starships. Go active every five minutes for thirty seconds," ordered Trip.

"Aye, Captain," said T'Pol.

"I'd like to act as a CAP for our starships, sir," said Cutter.

"I like it, Cutter. We'll fly CAP," said Trip. "Hoshi, monitor Vulcan comms. Let me know if you hear anything out of the usual."

"Do we have permission to listen to their comms, sir," she asked.

"We don't need permission. It's a war game."

STSTST

Malcolm acted as the leader of the Starfleet Attack Force. All ships listened to his orders, except the Archer and Trip. He leaned forward in his command chair and looked at the oncoming Vulcan ships. It was his job to instigate the three Romulan run ones to fire.

"Comm, hail all Starfleet starships and put them on ship to ship," he ordered.

"Aye, sir."

"Tactical, make sure that weapons are ready to go hot," he said.

"Ships are on comm, sir."

"Attack Force, Alpha pattern," he ordered.

The four ships fell in line behind the Enterprise. The starships lined up. The Archer remained the guardian angel for the rest of the Starfleet ships. The war game began. Malcolm maneuvered his fleet with skill and an understanding of Vulcan tactics. Even though their ships were superior to all ships but the Archer, the Vulcans were having trouble dominating the war game.

STSTSTST

"Sir," Hoshi spoke up. "I believe I just heard the Romulan word for attack."

"Hayes, make weapons hot and bring shields up to maximum. Hoshi, put me on shipwide," ordered Trip.

"You are on, sir."

"This is the Captain. Three of the ships in the war game are under Romulan control. We are going to be taking them on, so let's go to Battle Stations!"

He motioned for her to cut shipwide. T'Pol could feel the nervous energy run through her Adun. She sent him calm.

"Hayes, target the three Romulan ships. Helm lay in a course to put us between the Vulcan ships and the Starfleet ships and engage," ordered Trip.

STSTST

The Enterprise took particle cannon fire. Malcolm was ready for it, though, and had the shields up quickly, though not quickly enough to avoid all damage. The Three Romulan ships made a run at the Enterprise but found the Archer between them and their prey.

The noncombatant Vulcan ships were called off and told to return to Vulcan orbit. Malcolm called the Starfleet ships to back off, while the Enterprise stayed to protect the Archer's six. The unleashed all its impressive fire power on the three Vulcan ships. Torpedoes and cannon fire lashed the three ships, while the Enterprise added their firepower to the attack.

The onslaught was unexpected and unplanned for. The Ships shields were failing, so the captain of the Tal'Min called for emergency warp. Two of the ships warped away but were followed by awaiting Vulcan ships. One of the Romulan run ships was destroyed. The Romulan plan to send a permanent rift between Earth and Vulcan was done. It had failed.

"Stand down," Trip ordered.

"Stand down," Cutter emphasized.

"Hoshi, get me the Vulcan High Council," Trip ordered.

He looked over at T'Pol, who nodded her approval.

On the view screen came the youthful, though imperious, face of T'Pau. She waited for Trip to speak.

"Councilor T'Pau until this matter is cleared I offer remand myself to Vulcan security," said Trip.

"Due to our relationship with Earth and the Vulcan People's wish to foster fellowship between our people, I accept your gesture. Prepare to beam yourself and your science officer, who is Vulcan and will act as your spokesperson, the coordinates that Vulcan Security sends to your ship," she said.

"Yes, ma'am," he said then made the cut the connection gesture to Hoshi.

She cut the connection. Cutter looked about to have a fit, but Trip raised his hand. He had orders to give.

"Cutter, you can't have a fit right now. You're captain of the Archer," he said.

"Captain. I'm your XO," he said.

"No, you are captain of this ship for now. I recommend you promote Colonel Hayes to XO. Let Starfleet Command figure out the regs," said Trip.

T'Pol joined Trip by his side.

"Don't cause any trouble while I'm gone and, Jack, listen to Malcolm. He knows what he is doing," said Trip.

He looked at T'Pol then said, "Shall we go, darlin'?"

"Yes, Captain."

STSTST

The coordinates were to T'Les home, who left permission for T'Pol to use the home as a temporary prison for Captain Tucker. Several guards were left outside of the home, as the Vulcan Information Bureau began to disseminate to the public what actually happened. The Vulcan High Council made contact with UE and Starfleet Command. It was time to take advantage to their window of opportunity. All Trip and T'Pol could do was wait, though.

"It's going to take some time for me to get used to the gravity here," he said.

They lay in her bed. The master bedroom still belonged to T'Les, so they made her bedroom into their own.

"The Earth Compound has gravity compensators allow for Earth gravity. We can have certain rooms here supplied with the compensators," said T'Pol.

"Which rooms?" he asked.

"The office, our bedroom, and one other room," said T'Pol.

"You can pick, darlin'," he said.

Trip was liking the idea of being grounded and working as an engineer to assist the Vulcans and Starfleet to get ready for a war with Romulan. He thought this would happen on Earth, but Vulcan would work for now.

"The Dining room," she said. "Also I have to readjust the air circulator to a temperature better suited for Humans."

"I would get stranded on a hot planet with heavy gravity," smiled Trip. "At least I have you."

She saw that even lying in their bed he was starting to sweat. The years of serving for Starfleet had made her used to Human temperature. It would be better that he was comfortable than her. She could always warm herself beside him.

"We see T'Pau tomorrow," he said.

"Yes," she said.

"Let's hope my time imprisoned is over," said Trip.

"It will either be over or it won't," said T'Pol.

"Okay, I'll hope," he said then kissed her.

"Sleep, Adun, and we shall face tomorrow together."

STSTST

The entered the smaller council chamber where T'Pau, Soval, and Ston awaited them. They were seated in their council seats. Trip was surprised to see Malcolm was there standing in front of them. He smiled when he saw Trip. They joined Malcolm.

"Our negotiations are done," said Soval. "The UE and Starfleet Command have agreed to a treaty, which the Andorians and Tellerites are willing to sign onto, also."

"You are the reason for their willingness to sign onto the treaty," said Ston.

"A Starbase is going to be built in Vulcan space. It will be the base for the newly formed Third Fleet, a mix of Starfleet, Vulcan, and Andorian starships under the command of Captain Malcolm Reed," said Soval. "We will be a true Coalition of Planets."

Trip looked over at Malcolm and nodded his approval. Malcolm grinned.

"You were the added benefit, Captain Tucker, or should I say Commodore Tucker," said T'Pau. "You have been promoted and placed in charge of a joint Vulcan, Earth, Andorian, and Tellerite endeavor. T'Khut will become the home of shipyard where ships will be designed for all four fleets. These ships will have the best shields, weapons, and warp drive that our scientists and engineers can come up with and you will be in charge of the operation."

"Commander T'Pol will be your executive officer," said Ston, "and as your Adun, she gives you citizenship to Vulcan, which will be kept private for now. You will have free access to Vulcan and its facilities. T'Pol has requested some adjustments to T'Les' home for her comfort. An architectural engineer will be arriving at your home tomorrow to discuss the changes."

"Starfleet asks one thing of you, Commodore Tucker, build those ships quickly," said Soval.

"So Commodore Tucker, it appears that you will be on Vulcan for some time to come. I heard that you believe that the warp engines are capable of warp 7.5 or better," said T'Pau.

"I think with some adjustments warp 7.5 to 7.8 can be the max speed on these engines," said Trip.

"Commodore Tucker, when do you feel a warp 8 engine will be ready?" asked Soval.

"We need a better intermix formula to begin with and plasma flow," said Trip. "I'd say a warp 8 engine would take 18 to 24 months."

"We recommend you make that a priority," said Ston. "The Romulans warp engines will more than likely be warp 7 capable within the next 8 months. They have certain advantages in cloaking and cannons. Having the advantage in speed give us a benefit in battle."

"It will be a priority," said Trip. "Will any Starfleet engineers be transferred here?"

"Admiral Jefferies has asked for a list from you on who you wish to be part of this endeavor," said Soval.

"I'll make one up for him," said Trip.

T'Pau stood up, so the other two Vulcans did, also.

"Trouble has been averted for now and our relationship with Earth improved," said T'Pau. "War in the region of space in inevitable, Commodore Tucker. How well you do your duty will be the difference between success and invasion for Vulcan. Many appear to admire your talent and trust that you can deliver what is being asked of you. Let us hope their insights into you and your ability are well founded."

She offered him the Ta'al. He returned her Ta'al with one of his own. She left with Soval and Ston following her. Once they were gone Malcolm turned and gave T'Pol an unexpected hug. He released her after a few seconds then offered Trip his hand to shake.

"It looks like we have some work ahead of us, Malcolm," said Trip shaking his hand.

"I have a Starbase to help get built and a fleet to command," smiled Malcolm.

"And my job is ships and more ships," said Trip.

"And you have T'Pol," Malcolm said and clapped Trip on the shoulder.

"Thanks, Mal," said Trip.

Trip turned and looked at his Adun 'a. They would be able to live somewhat openly on Vulcan. T'Les was now assigned to Earth. They would have time and intimacy, but the winds of war were spreading. He had months to add ships to the Vulcan, Earth, Andoria, and Tellerite fleets. War, bloody war, was almost upon them. Trip was sure that the Coalition of Planets would prevail just as long as they had the ships to fight and those willing to man them.

"Adun, you are pensive," T'Pol said.

"We have a lot of work to do," he said.

"I agree, which is why I thought we would begin regular sessions of neuropressure starting this evening. As your XO, I must look after your health," she said.

Trip smiled, "I love you, darlin'."

"And I you, Adun."

"Come on you two. My chef has prepared us a meal. We have a lot to talk about," said Malcolm. "To begin we have to celebrate your promotion to commodore. Captain Cutter and his XO Colonel Hayes are probably waiting for us."

"Damn it, I hate the title commodore," said Trip.

"I wouldn't worry, mate. At the rate you're going, you'll be an admiral in twelve months," laughed Malcolm.

"Not funny, Malcolm," said Trip.

"Captain Reed does have a valid insight there, Commodore Tucker," said T'Pol.

"Not you, too, darlin'," said Trip.

"I am only a commander, Commodore," she said with her straight face.

I'm your husband and that's all that counts.

I agree, Adun.

So begins the Romulan War.