"The spaceship Enterprise represents the pinnacle of Earth's space technology, the worthy result of a collective effort involving the best of our scientific research in a meritorious attempt to successfully achieve interstellar civilization status. Nothing has been spared to achieve this historic goal and my personal compliments now go to all the staff of the Starfleet who with commendable self-denial have lavished themselves to realize the dream of humanity, to be received worthily within the galactic community to contribute to peace and prosperity and to communicate our values of brotherhood and friendship between peoples. But it must be acknowledged with sincere thanks that without the fundamental contribution and precious advice of our vulcan mentors we would not have been able to achieve in a short time the result of traveling at superluminal speeds unthinkable up to a few years ago. The vulcan aid allowed us to accelerate our progress in the field of propulsion..."
Vice Admiral Forrest was delivering the speech to celebrate the launch of the Enterprise NX-01 in the large hall of the Starfleet Academy, in the presence of the highest Earth authorities, members of the Starfleet and a large group of vulcan dignitaries who had come for attend the event. Captain Archer, standing at attention together with the entire crew of the Enterprise, barely tried to hide a sarcastic smile listening to the words of his direct superior who in front of the prestigious audience was listing the characteristics of what would become in a few hours his spaceship.
Really a great speed at warp five, he thought laughing, too bad that the vulcans already go to warp seven and so this means that we will only be able to explore only part of the alpha quadrant of the Milky Way. vulcan friends? They are just watchdogs who want to closely monitor us to avoid overdeveloping our military capabilities and to keep us subordinate to their sphere of influence, but there will come a day when we will free ourselves from their yoke, their so-called help is by no means selfless and altruistic.
With a sigh of resignation he looked through the windows of the huge building to admire the wonderful panorama of the San Francisco bay, furrowed by countless boats and flown over by several aircrafts, one of the symbols of the rediscovered Earth power that like the phoenix had risen from its ashes more proud and combative than before. Archer still couldn't believe that he had finally arrived where he had always wanted, to be appointed commander of the first real interstellar spaceship ever conceived by man and to have the possibility of embarking on a multi-year mission to travel thousands of light years from home and to meet other extraterrestrial civilizations.
The long-cherished dream was now about to come true and he was incredibly proud of being destined to fulfill a mission that would make humanity take a giant leap to reclaim its rightful place in the Universe. But the last words of Vice Admiral Forrest brought him back abruptly to reality, forcing him to exhibit his best smile of circumstance.
"Allow me now to introduce you to the highly selected officers of the crew of the Enterprise, starting with Captain Archer, a man of great charisma. and experience...", together with an arm raised in greeting and acceptance of the honor that was granted to him and in response to the thunderous applause dedicated to him.
After a few minutes the demonstration ended and while a salvo of fireworks delighted the spectators gathered in the gardens in front of the Academy, Forrest approached him with a very serious and hieratic-looking vulcan diplomat.
"Dear Jonathan, I want you to meet Soval, the new Vulcan ambassador who has just arrived to witness the first voyage of the Enterprise and to reaffirm his esteem and friendship towards us."
Archer looked at the vulcan dignitary who wore the usual heavy colored tunic embellished with complicated and bizarre designs that testified to belonging to a clan and the degree of importance achieved. His face was regular and with sculpted features, surrounded by a thick and white hair, very well-groomed, but the deep black eyes denoted an excess of arrogance that transpired despite his impassive expression, arousing in Archer a vein of barely concealed impatience...
"I' am happy to meet you and I wish you my best wishes for a happy traveling with your ship, captain. I am sure Starfleet choice could not have been better".
"You are very kind ambassador and I hope to fully satisfy your favorable opinion" tried to smile Archer.
Soval looked him straight in the eye for a long moment without letting any emotion shine through, as if to evaluate the human's firmness of character. Archer returned the arrogant gaze trying to keep calm and relaxed, but he had to concentrate not to swallow in irritation at the obvious provocation he was undergoing. No, he reflected, you are not my friend, you are just a bad dog...
Finally on the bridge to prepare for the first voyage of the Enterprise, Archer sat in his captain seat with a smile of satisfaction, watching his busy officers in front of the various monitors to carry out the final checks and verify that all the ship's systems were in order. Hoshi Sato, the pretty Asian who was serving as communications officer, turned to warn him of a confidential call from the Academy.
"Thanks Hoshi, I'm going to see it right away" replied Archer who, puzzled, wondered what the unexpected might be as he hurriedly headed for the door of his personal study next to the control room.
Archer began to fear he would have to postpone the long-awaited departure, as he sat down to activate a video wondering why so much secrecy. It was Vice Admiral Forrest!
"I'm sorry to interrupt you just at the moment of the final preparations, but I had to let you know that the science officer you were waiting for will arrive in a few minutes on board of one of our shuttles".
"But admiral", as a sign of the utmost respect and esteem Archer always neglected the deputy in private calling.
"Shouldn't I have taken the vulcan officer in Vulcan's orbit, according to the orders you gave me?" he objected with some amazement.
Forrest shrugged his shoulders making him understand that he had not changed his decision but been forced by the events.
"I know well Jonathan, but Ambassador Soval I introduced to you made me a specific request. This scientific officer apparently has been on Earth for some time and was already part of the Vulcan diplomatic corps. Not only that, he will also be your second in command, ready to take over in your place in case you cannot perform your duties. You know as well as me sometimes our friends don't admit replies..." he concluded with a meaningful glance.
"Yeah, they are really very caring friends who only want our good".
"Don't be too biased, Jonathan" his superior scolded him good-naturedly "and remember that willy-nilly you will have to get along with your new officer. But actually I also wanted to warn you that the real surprise is not the change of plans, but it's the same vulcan".
"Sir, I really don't understand what you're trying to tell me..." Archer replied hesitantly.
"I prefer you to find out for yourself and, Jonathan, I want to be informed of the vulcan's behavior because I suspect there is more at stake".
"You can count on me sir, if I find that the vulcan is sabotaging the Enterprise, I'll kick him into the void of space" Archer promised aggressively.
"Ah well, but at least let me know first so I will invent a good story to tell the Vulcans" Forrest concluded laughing and interrupting the communication.
But what's going on, Archer wondered as he walked over to the communicator embedded in the wall to alert the bridge.
"Captain here, immediately the first two officers with me in the shuttle hangar. We must welcome a guest".
The watertight bulkhead was opening to reveal the just docked Earth shuttle and Captain Archer, alongside Commander Charles "Trip" Tucker, the Enterprise's chief engineer, and Lieutenant Malcolm Reed, the tactical officer, was ready to greet the vulcan who had held the role of science officer as well as second-in-command and in general as a consultant for extraterrestrial affairs, making available the experience of an advanced race like the Vulcans. I know why you are actually here, Archer thought, you have come to spy on us and to report to your command any progress we should make on this journey. But I will keep an eye on you, you can be sure as it is true that I have the responsibility of the Enterprise.
For a moment he was distracted by observing the environment that surrounded him, but a small cough and then a whispered comment from his men led him to point his gaze towards the access hatch of the shuttle, where an unidentified figure had appeared he would never have expected. This is nice, he told himself, but what are they doing in Vulcan? What the hell did they play on us, Admiral? And she is really beautiful, Archer recognized as he gazed at a beautiful vulcan woman who, with an agile and almost provocative walk, was descending the ladder to reach them.
"My name is T'Pol and you must be the captain of this spaceship as I deduce from the insignia of your uniform".
"That's right. I am Captain Archer and I welcome you aboard the Enterprise and greet you with all my crew".
T'Pol was almost as tall as he was and had a very pleasant and vaguely exotic facial features with large and elongated dark eyes and high and narrow eyebrows at the temples, a wide mouth with inviting lips, a pert upturned nose, a bob of dark brown hair with auburn reflections and obviously there was no lack of the characteristic pointed ears. But what struck the imagination of the males present was her camouflage tights with dark colors covering like a glove a body with almost perfect measurements and fairytale shapes, generous and abundant in the right places.