Sins of the Father - Chapter 20 through Epilogue

Sins of the Father

by Hoshissis

Rating: PG-13
Genre: Friendship/angst

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Chapter Twenty

Trip was sitting quietly in the messhall later on that evening sipping some coffee and glancing at a PADD, while contemplating everything that had happened. “Could it be true, is it possible that he’s my half brother? Does he know? Is that what he meant when he made that reply to ma dad?”

“You are up late, Commander. I thought I ordered you to get some rest?” said T’Pol as she entered the room and walked to the dispenser to get a drink. “Tea … Mint.”

“I am resting,” replied Trip with a smile, as he waved his PADD and indicated for her to come and sit down next to her. “Latest horror novel by J.Dean. He’s the master when it comes to writing horror fiction. Dad gave it to me before he left.”

T’Pol threw the PADD a casual glance that indicated that she wasn’t impressed with his choice of reading material. “I’m glad to see that you are still on good terms with your family after your father’s recent revelations.”

“Life’s too short, T’Pol,” answered Trip with a smirk. “He’s still my father in every sense of the word. I couldn’t ask for anyone better.” Then after a pause, “Have you heard any news from Admiral Forrest or Captain Archer?”

“We are to wait here for Captain Archer’s return when he is to be arrested and brought back to Earth for court-martialling and dishonorable discharge,” said T’Pol sadly. Over the years she had grown to trust and respect Captain Archer for the tough decisions he’d continually faced and made, and the hard work he had put into establishing new allies and contacts for Earth. She couldn’t believe how he could have tossed this aside so easily and returned to his rash and reckless attitude, which in her opinion plagued him when she first came onboard.

“Damn, this is all my fault,” replied Trip.

“I fail to see how Captain Archer’s poor judgment--”

“Poor judgment! He has a point, you know. Starfleet can’t sanction and destroy work that could be used for good now.”

“It was developed through unethical genetic research.”

“I know,” argued back Trip, “but with the Vulcans as our allies, I’m sure sanctions could be put into place to stop that from ever happening again. We’re not that rough, naïve, wet behind-the-ears species anymore, T’Pol. We’ve proven that we can be out here amongst the unknown. Maybe it’s time we did that back home on Earth with Soong’s research.”

T’Pol’s silence made Trip think that he’d actually won this session for once, but her next reply made him roll his eyes and smile in defeat. “Oh well, nearly …”

“As I was saying before being … interrupted, I fail to see how Captain Archer’s poor judgment is your fault.”

“When he told Mal that his duty to his family came first, you thought he was referring to this ship and crew.”

“That is correct,” answered T’Pol.

“What if he was being more specific and referring to me instead?” asked Trip.

“Why would you think he was referring more to you?”

“Do you remember when I told you that ma real dad before he died, worked in Starfleet and that my mom met him whilst she was working at the Warp 5 project?”

T’Pol nodded to indicate that she remembered their conversation from not long ago.

“How rare is Clarke’s Syndrome?” asked Trip.

“Despite there being a few thousand cases on Earth, it is still considered to be quite a rare disease,” replied T’Pol, curious as to why Trip would bring this up.

“Captain Archer’s daddy died from Clarke’s Syndrome. He worked at the Warp 5 project and knew ma mom … What are the chances of two people working for Starfleet at the Warp 5 project who both suffer from Clarke’s Syndrome?”

“The chances of that happening would be too low to calculate,” replied T’Pol, raising her eyebrow to indicate that she had caught on to what Trip was insinuating.

The sound of the comm. interrupted any further conversation. “Reed to Commander T’Pol …”

“T’Pol …”

“Sensors show a Suliban ship has decloaked and is approaching Enterprise’s shuttle bay. Hoshi has confirmed that the biosign onboard belongs to Captain Archer.”

“We’re on our way,” replied T’Pol, before she signed off and walked out of the messhall with Trip, both dreading their next course of action.

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Trip and T’Pol both walked into the shuttle bay with Lieutenant Reed as the Suliban ship finished it’s docking procedures. Two armed security guards were also standing behind them waiting to place Captain Archer under arrest and escort him to the brig.

Captain Archer opened the hatch and climbed out of the pod. He wasn’t surprised at the reception awaiting him; he’d more or less expected it with his recent actions. He held both of his arms out, “T’Pol … is it going to be the brig or house arrest in my quarters?” he asked, trying to lighten the tense and heavy atmosphere.

“Lieutenant Reed is to escort you to the Brig where you will be held until we return to Earth for your court-martial,” she replied, as Lieutenant Reed came forward with a solemn look on his face and clasped Archer’s hands in handcuffs.

“Is that really necessary?” asked Trip “I’m sorry, Captain,” replied T’Pol, aiming her response also at Commander Tucker to reassure him that this wasn’t what she wanted but she had no choice in the matter. “Starfleet’s orders were very precise.”

“I understand, Trip … T’Pol … I went into this with my eyes open and aware of the consequences.” Turning to Trip, he smiled and spoke softly. “Trip, there’s a data chip in my top pocket. Would you take it out please and take it to Phlox? He’ll find some information there, which I think both of you will find useful and interesting.”

“Capt’n … I--”

“I’d do the same thing again if I had the choice. Don’t blame yourself.”

“Captain … if you’d follow me,” interrupted Reed, as Trip removed the data chip and moved back.

“Lead the way, Mr. Reed.”

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Chapter Twenty One

Trip was sitting on the bio bed while Doctor Phlox examined the information stored on the data chip.

“Remarkable!”

“What’s remarkable?” asked Trip to Phlox’s sudden exclamation.

“I heard rumors that Soong had developed some kind of cure for the initial stages, but I never quite believed it till now. Along with curing sufferers within the early stages of the disease, this could advance medical research for the latter stages by decades. Maybe even wiping out the disease within the next few years completely. Did Captain Archer say where he dropped Soong off?”

“No … why?”

“I’d be interested in finding out if the rumors were true about other research he’s conducted.”

“He said something about Soong moving into another line of work that didn’t involve messy human emotions or misplaced morals. Not sure what he meant by that,” replied Trip.

“Pity … although I hardly doubt Starfleet would have let me look at it anyway,” mulled Phlox. “You’ll be pleased to know that with this information I should be able to develop a cure. You’ll need to spend some time within the regeneration scanner and take a course of injections over the next few months before you are fully recovered.”

“Great,” mused Trip.

“I thought you would have been more pleased at that news.”

“I am,” answered Trip.

“But,” urged Phlox, pressing the issue further.

“I just wish it wasn’t at quite such a high price,” replied Trip.

“Arrghhh … Captain Archer and the situation he now finds himself in,” said Phlox. “I’m not sure he would say the same about the price being too high and I have to admit, I do commend and understand his reasoning for putting his family first.” “I believe that is the correct term of phrase, which Captain Archer has often referred to in regards to this ship and crew,” replied Phlox to Trip’s questioning gaze.

Trip just replied with a look to indicate that he knew that Phlox knew the real meaning of the term and that it didn’t have anything to do with the crew or the ship.

“Have you seen Captain Archer yet since his incarceration?” asked Phlox.

“No. I don’t think he’s allowed visitors,” answered Trip.

“I’m sure Commander T’Pol will make an exception for family members,” replied Phlox with a smile. “Why don’t you ask her?”

“Sure, why not," replied Trip. “Might as well make the most of it while I’ve got the chance.”

“Commander …” called Phlox as Trip headed towards the door. “I wouldn’t worry too much about Captain Archer. He has gotten himself out of situations far worse than this in the past.”

“This isn’t the same as his previous scrapes with the Klingons or Suliban, Phlox. He’s facing a court-martial and dishonorable discharge from Starfleet,” replied Trip. “It can’t get any worse than this.”

“Living on Earth these past few years, I learnt as you Humans would say, that fate is quite adept at throwing a few curved balls, Commander. Call it instinct or intuition, but I don’t think this particular ball game is over just yet.”

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T’Pol was in Captain Archer’s ready room when Trip buzzed the comm. button and walked into the room.

“Sorry … I’m not disturbing you am I?” he asked, as T’Pol turned back around from the comm. screen to face him.

“No Commander, I was just finished.”

“Starfleet again?” enquired Trip.

“No … it was a personal call to an acquaintance within the Vulcan Embassy on Earth.”

“Ohhh!” replied Trip, unsure as to whether he had intruded upon something that might jeopardize the direction he hoped his relationship with T’Pol was heading.

“I’m hoping he will be able to aid me help Captain Archer with his current situation.”

“Starfleet have there own Jag Officers, T’Pol. I’m not sure how a Vulcan one is gonna help.”

“I never said he was a Jag Officer, Commander,” replied T’Pol coyly before sitting down with a look that said she was going to say no more on the subject. “How may I help you, Commander?”

“I wanna see the Capt’n.”

“I’m sorry Commander, but Starfleet’s orders were precise in that no visitors are allowed.”

“I just thought since he’s my bro …. since he’s family … that you could let that order slip this time,” asked Trip quietly, pleading with his eyes. “He risked his career for me, T’Pol, to give me another chance at life. I just wanted to say thanks for everything before we get to Earth, ‘cos I don’t think I’ll get another opportunity once the court proceedings start.”

“Ten minutes, Commander,” answered T’Pol. “I’ll advise Lieutenant Reed that it’s time for an unofficial break.”

“Thanks, T’Pol,” smiled Trip, as he turned around to leave.

“Don’t make me regret my decision, Commander.”

“I won’t, T’Pol. I promise. No tricks.”

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Chapter Twenty Two

Two days later Enterprise finally pulled into Earth’s Solar System. Trip was once again in the brig talking to Captain Archer while Lieutenant Reed took, what was now becoming, his regular ‘unofficial’ break.

“Does the crew know yet?” asked Archer.

“They probably knew within the first ten minutes of Malcolm escorting you to the brig,” smiled Trip.

“Ten minutes!” exclaimed Archer.

“Yeah, you’re right. I’m probably underestimating the ship’s grapevine. It’s probably more like two minutes,” he laughed.

“How are they taking things?”

“The atmosphere onboard is a bit subdued at the moment,” replied Trip. “They’re concerned about their Captain. They don’t know all the details since Starfleet has classified the majority of it in regards to Soong’s research. They just know that you helped him escape and that you’re being brought up on charges because of it. Despite that though, everyone is very much on your side and hoping you’ll get off.”

“Really!”

“Yeah, you wouldn’t believe the numerous requests T’Pol and I have had from personnel asking to speak up for you as character witnesses.”

“That’s good to know even though it won’t do any good at all.”

“You don’t know that …”

“Trip, I disobeyed orders and helped a high security prisoner escape, purely for selfish reasons. They are going to put me away, probably in Soong’s old cell, for a long time. Accept it.”

“I can’t do that.”

“Trip--”

“No … I was finally starting to accept the finality my illness would have on me, but you changed all that and gave me a new lease of life. Something will come up to help you as well.”

“Like what.

“T’Pol said she might know someone who could help you.”

“And you believed her!” exclaimed Archer.

“Yes!”

“Trip, she was giving you a snow job to make you feel better.”

“No, she wouldn’t do that to me. Trust me, she was telling the truth.”

“Hmmm… do I hear a little something else in there … something to do with how you feel towards her …” smirked Archer with a teasing tone to his voice.

“Do you want me to contact your mom,” asked Trip, turning round as he tried to steer the conversation away from T’Pol, while also avoiding looking at Captain Archer. Archer knew him to damn well and would know that he was lying.

“Hmmm… changing the subject … blushing … I think I’ve hit a raw nerve.”

“No, I--”

“Captain … Commander,” interrupted T’Pol; as she walked into the brig, causing the blush to creep up Trip’s face even more, which caused Archer to chuckle louder.

“We have just received another communication from Starfleet,” said T’Pol looking at Captain Archer, wondering why her sudden appearance would be considered humorous.

“Let me guess. Starfleet are pulling out all the stops and sending a high security shuttle to escort me back to my new home,” said Archer.

“No. Admiral Forrest would like me to escort you to the ready room for a meeting,” replied T’Pol, much to Trip and Archer’s surprise.

“A meeting!” exclaimed Trip. “Did he say what about?”

“No,” replied T’Pol.

“It could be that ‘something’ I was talking about,” said Trip, a little too hopefully.

“More like the decision’s already been made and he’s just trying to be gentle with me,” replied Archer.

“Maybe we should all adjourn to the ready room and find out, instead of making endless speculations and wild guesses,” said T’Pol dryly, before walking up to the brig to open the door.

“You heard the lady,” said Archer stepping though. “Let’s not keep the man waiting.”

“Yeah,” said Trip, trying to ease his fear with a bit of lighthearted ribbing. “That would really piss him off and you’re in enough trouble as it is.”

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In the Ready Room

“You’ve really screwed up big this time, Jon,” said Admiral Forrest.

“I’m sorry I’ve put you in this difficult situation--”

“Calling the position I find myself in now ‘a difficult situation’ would be an understatement at this present time.”

“If it makes it any easier, I’m willing to hand in my resignation and accept any punishment that Starfleet feels is warranted.”

“If it was only that simple,” sighed Admiral Forrest, as Archer, Trip and T’Pol all looked on with confused looks on their faces. “This has turned into a bigger mess than we anticipated,” explained Forrest.

“How so?” asked Archer.

“The Soong situation, in regards to his ‘research and cures’, has somehow been leaked to the general public.”

“Leaked?” asked Archer. “When? How?”

“We’re not sure how it happened or when. Security tracked a lead back to the Vulcan Embassy, but that was obviously an error,” said Forrest, causing Trip’s eyebrows to rise slightly as he looked across at T’Pol, who remained as stony faced as ever. “We have determined that it came from an exterior source to Starfleet and Enterprise, but all leads have reached a dead end at the moment, despite some very dubious evidence that suggested otherwise.”

“Dubious evidence?” asked Archer, slightly confused.

“Yes … We’re not sure how or why, but the leaked data in regards to Soong’s research and cures were somehow delivered into the hands of Mr. and Mrs. Tucker who are now at the forefront of a very public campaign to have you pardoned and reinstated.”

“Mr. and Mrs. Tucker!” “My mom and dad!” exclaimed Archer and Trip at the same time.

“It seems Captain Archer; you have further reinforced your ‘hero’ status within the public’s eye by highlighting the injustice of Starfleet destroying Soong’s work and his development of cures for numerous diseases, which could have benefited a lot of people in the past, present and future. Due to Mr. & Mrs. Tucker’s … involvement, there is a public outcry against us bringing charges against you and placing you under house arrest. You can now see the difficult situation we’re left with – we punish you and we lose face with the public, whose support we depend upon to further our mission of exploration.”

“I don’t know what to say, Admiral,” replied Jon, as he and Trip sheepishly tried to hide the smiles that threatened to creep up their faces.

“Yes, I can see that by how much you’re all relishing the discomfort Starfleet now finds itself in.”

“What’s been the response from Soval?” asked Archer.

“Surprisingly quiet,” replied Forrest. “I half expected him to be at the forefront of your court-martial but he’s stayed in the background and not said a word.”

“So what happens now, Admiral?” asked Captain Archer, surprised also.

“Well it looks like we’ll have to concede this time and play ignorance to the whole situation of misleading the public in regards to Soong’s work. Don’t think you’ve got away with it though,” said Forrest to Archer’s relieved face. “I wouldn’t expect any promotion in the near future, and if you think the Vulcans were watching you before, you’ve not seen anything yet now I’m on your back.”

“I don’t know whether to be relieved at that or scared,” said Archer as he signed off the comm. and turned round into a huge bear hug from Trip.

“Told ya to trust and have faith in T’Pol,” smiled Trip.

“I don’t know what you mean, Commander,” answered T’Pol dryly, before turning round to exit the room. “Captain, if you don’t mind, I will inform the rest of the crew.”

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Epilogue

Enterprise was in orbit around Earth while the crew took some shore leave.

“How’s it going?” asked Archer, as Trip walked into his ready room.

“If ya mean the treatment, it’s a bit exhausting being in the scanner for long periods of time and those injections keep making me feel a bit sick, but at least I’m beginning to feel my old self again,” smiled Trip, sitting down in his usual chair.

“That’s good to hear,” replied Archer. “Here I’ve got something for you. I was going to give it to you a few weeks ago, but things came up,” said Archer, taking a small notepad out of his desk and passing it over.

“Your dads diary … are ya sure?”

“He would have wanted you to have it, seeing as you are a similar engineering geek.”

“Thanks,” said Trip quietly, slightly overcome at this kind gesture.

Then after a few minutes, “Are ya coming with me to mom’s and dad’s barbeque? They’re throwing it in your honor to say thanks for everything that you’ve done.”

“From the way your dad described them last time, I wouldn’t miss those Tucker fried ribs for the world,” answered Archer. “I just have to make a small diversion first, then I’ll join you all.”

“Diversion?” enquired Trip.

“I promised myself the next time I was back on Earth that I would go and visit Dad’s grave and show him all the rock samples I’ve collected from the numerous worlds we visited. It was always his dream to get out and explore the unknown. Maybe this will make him feel part of all we’ve achieved through his work.”

“I think he’d love that,” said Trip softly. “Do you mind if I come with ya?”

“Wouldn’t have it any other way,” smiled Archer. “Two brothers side by side carrying out his dream, dad wouldn’t have it any other way.”

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The End

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One person has made comments

Nice resolution, HS. I wouldn't have expected SFC to cave as quickly as it did but they have made a bunch of decisions on the show that didn't make any sense to me.

Good fic!