Kobayashi Maru - Michael A. Martin [80]
Lazarus , Archer repeated silently, recalling the code name Trip had used when he had delivered his last-minute warning about the attack on Coridan.
“I must also protect the vital work that Lazarus is performing inside the Romulan sphere of influence, TPol continued. “Should we fail, the repercussions will be incalculably larger than the life of any one person.
“Or even our lives, I suppose, Malcolm said.
Something written millennia ago by the Vulcan philosopher Surak, a long-dead man whose living spirit had nonetheless once briefly shared the space inside his skull, sprang unbidden into Archers head, soothing his roiling emotions: The needs of the many outweigh the needs of the few.
Reed added, “I know I once promised you that I was finished with this kind of subterfuge, Captain, and that my first loyalty was to you and to Enterprise I understand the consequences of my actions. But I wouldnt be doing this if I thought we had a better alternative.
As he listened, Archer felt a renewed surge of anger begin to sweep away the calming memory of once having been in close proximity to Suraks peaceful, orderly mind. How could the two of them leave Enterprise at a time like this? he thought. Regardless of TPols vehement certainty that Trip was in mortal danger, her actions were a far cry from what hed come to expect from his logical first officer. Reed, yes. Trip, certainly. But not TPol.
“If it is at all possible, TPols image said, “we will return to Enterprise at our earliest opportunity, to take responsibility for our unauthorized actions. And to face whatever disciplinary consequences await us.
She raised her right hand in a familiar split-fingered gesture. “Live long, and prosper.
The message abruptly ended.
Slumping backward into TPols chair, Archer sighed into the semidarkness that surrounded him. Whatever qualms he had about what his subordinates had just done, he knew there could be no changing any of it now. The die was cast. Railing against what was done would do absolutely no good.
“Godspeed, he whispered to the blank screen.
Even before hed heard the recording, the main reason behind TPol and Malcolms clandestine stunt had been glaringly obvious to him.
Trip.
And because this entire business revolved around a man believed dead by all but a handful of people, there was only one person currently aboard Enterprise with whom Archer could speak freely about what TPol and Malcolm were trying to do.
His frustration welled up again, and he slammed his fist down on another com button, striking the console nearly hard enough to shatter it. He found the pain that shot through his hand strangely calming.
“Archer to Phlox, he said, addressing the one crew member who would be awake regardless of the lateness of the hour. “Doctor, I have a huge problem on my hands.
SEVENTEEN
Friday, July 18, 2155 83 Leonis V
T RIP FOUND HIMSELF adrift in a borderless white nothingness that seemed to stretch out into infinity.
He tried to calm the terror that clawed his guts. I must be dreaming, he thought, though the vivid clarity of his senses argued otherwise. As did the fact that he had been to this very same nonplace before.
A familiar voice behind him spoke urgently. “Trip.
Though he didnt understand how his feet were able to find purchase in this insubstantial netherworld, he nevertheless planted them solidly and turned toward the sound.
TPol stood before him, attired in a Starfleet uniform. “Are you safe at the moment?
He chuckled and waggled his hand back and forth. “Safe enough to fall asleep about a swords length away from a Romulan soldier who thinks Im a Vulcan spy. Or maybe Im just tired enough to hallucinate.
“Youre not asleep, Trip. And youre not hallucinating or dreaming.
He shrugged. “Then I guess Im as safe as safe gets here in the belly of the beast. Unless my watchdog decides to turn on me, that is.
The only thing he felt fairly certain about was that Admiral Valdore wasnt deliberately feeding him disinformation. At least not since hed received independent confirmation