Trip turned into Archer's hammer. His task force was the most under Admiral Archer, even changing the task force's name to Task Force: Hammer. And Jonathan Archer used him as well as he could be used making sure his task force had time off for R&R, repairs, and personnel rotation. With Hernandez raised to Rear Admiral and given her own task force – Task Force: Blitzkrieg. She had three groups of twenty ships under her.

Now using the tactic of speed, surprise, and overwhelming power. It was through this that the war started to turn in favor of the Coalition. The Andorians and the Tellarites were pushing for stronger ties between them and Earth. Behind the scenes talks of going further with the Coalition were starting. Diplomats and ambassadors of five planets met on Earth in secret. Starfleet was even being discussed as the primary peacekeeping force for all these planets, which meant that people from other worlds would be allowed to join Starfleet, attend the academy, and hold important positions.

But first the war needed to be turned and the Romulans pushed back to their border. It was already decided that aggression would stop at the Romulan border. Starfleet argued that they didn't want to be a conqueror like the Romulans. They would rather have a peace treaty negotiated then to drive the Romulans into submission and become a splintered bitter race that would forever be fostering rebellion against Earth and Starfleet. The Vulcans thought this enlightened and endorsed the approach.

"Admiral Archer, Captain Tucker is here to see you," announced Archer's newest assistant Commander Delena Norse.

"Show him in," said Archer.

Archer leaned back in his ergonomic chair, which he hated. To this day he preferred his command chair on the Enterprise to this so-called comfortable chair. This reminded him that he requested the Enterprise and it needed to be prepped for what was coming, including a new captain for it and XO. Malcolm was recalled suddenly to Earth for reasons no one explained to him.

Trip entered Archer's office. Archer noticed that he had a slight limp with his right leg that he was trying to hide and that he looked tired.

"Trip, sit," he said.

"Yes, sir," said Trip, who walked one of the four chairs in front of Archer's large desk and sat down.

"Trip, we're alone. Formalities aren't necessary," Archer told him.

"Okay, Jon," smiled Trip.

"Knee hurting?" Archer asked. "Oh, and before you start lying to me I have no intention of relieving you from duty over a knee."

Trip, who had tensed up, relaxed. T'Pol had been working with him to alleviate the pain his knee. According to Phlox, he needed a new right knee, but the operation and rehab would take him out of commission for at least two months. That was going to happen. So, T'Pol helped him with the pain and rehabbing it.

"Phlox said I need a new right knee," he admitted.

"Damn," snarled Archer. "I can't have you out of commission for a long period of time."

"I know, which is why T'Pol is helping me with the pain, so I don't have to take pain meds daily, and she is helping me keeping it flexible and in use," Trip told him.

"I wish I could send you to Earth for an operation and proper rehab," Archer said, "but I need you, Trip. You're my best captain."

"Jon, you don't have to compliment me. I'm not going anywhere until we see the ass end of the Romulans ship leaving this quadrant," grinned Trip.

Archer chuckled then said, "I'm not complimenting you, Trip. I am stating a fact. Hell, you should be an admiral, but you're too important doing what you're doing."

"I'd be a waste as an admiral," said Trip.

"Even if it was to rebuilt the fleet and come up with the next model starship for Starfleet," smiled Jon. "There has been talk when this war is over that several admirals are retiring, including Jefferies and, of course, he recommends you highly to replace him. But that is in the future."

"Jeez, Jon, that's a lot to drop on me. Rebuild, refit, and bring about the next class starship… I'd love that," Trip smiled. "Better than making war."

"I agree. So, let's get down to business. Task Force: Blitzkrieg is headed here. We are going to put together an assault on the remaining Romulan stations, ships, FOBs, and start driving the son of bitches out of this quadrant. If what we do succeeds, it will be the beginning of the end of this damned bloody war," Archer stated.

"What do you need from me?" asked Trip.

"As always you are my friend, a trusted adviser, and my hammer," smiled Archer.

"Jon, you really are sweet talking me today," grinned Trip.

STSTST

Malcolm arrived in London and was escorted to the headquarters of Section 31. It was located under the River Thames, a well-hidden and little known headquarters. Harris ordered him there. Once he was vetted by security, he was escorted by two men whose uniforms had no rank insignia. Rank, like most things in Section 31, was a secret.

They arrived at an all-white room with white furniture. Malcolm smiled at this. It was a psychological test in some ways. The all white was off putting even intimidating. Whatever conversation that was to happen in here was meant to put Malcolm on the defensive. It wasn't going to happen. Without asking permission, Malcolm sat down in a white chair at a white table. The two men left.

The room was sound proof. The lack of ambient sound helped to make the room even more intimidating, so Malcolm began to hum to himself. He chose a sea shanty since he came from a long line of seafaring men and women. After fifteen minutes of sitting there entertaining himself with sea shanties, Harris entered the room in his usual black uniform. He carried two coffees. Smiling, he sat down and offered a coffee to Malcom. He took it and sipped it. Harris had prepared the coffee just the way he liked it.

"Good to see you, Malcolm," Harris started their conversation.

"If you say so," grinned Malcolm.

"Malcolm, I know you feel that you and I are enemies but we aren't. As a matter of fact, I have you here to offer you the opportunity of a lifetime," stated Harris.

"You are going to release me from Section 31," prodded Malcolm.

"No, no. I have something much better than that for you, Mr. Reed," smiled Harris.

Malcolm took another sip of his coffee and suddenly wished it was a whiskey. Harris was setting him up for something and there was nothing he could do because Harris was playing on his playground. Malcolm tried to relax his body and crossed his legs then waited for Harris to continue to speak.

"Since Section 31 has been established, the man in charge has been called Harris. It has almost become a rank. He is Harris. He is the spymaster and you follow his orders. That is the way it has been done since day one," Harris told him.

"Sounds efficient. You give up your identity and that name becomes you completely," said Malcom. "It is your rank, your profession, and life."

"It isn't permanent, though. The man who is Harris decides when to step down and chooses his successor," Harris stated.

Suddenly, Malcolm felt nervous. Was Harris offering him his job? Did he even want it? He hated Section 31.

"You are retiring?" asked Malcolm.

"Not really retiring but I will be training s Vulcan in the ways of Section 31. Maybe I'll even partner with him for a time," said Harris.

"A Vulcan, huh?" grinned Malcolm, as he knew Harris meant Satak.

"He shows great potential, just like you did when I discovered you, Malcolm," said Harris. "Or should I call you Harris? Harris fits you."

"You mean I'll have to give up my family and friends and career," said Malcolm. "I don't know if I can do that."

"You can do it, Malcolm. You'll be reported on a mission then MIA. When your time comes to step down, maybe you'll want to be Malcolm Reed again. Or not. What matters is that you are Harris for the next ten or twenty years," said Harris.

"If I'm Harris then who are you?" asked Malcolm.

"My real name is Michael Finnegan. My brother is a Commander on the Eddington," smiled Harris. "So, Malcolm, can I call you Harris?"

"I don't even know how to do this bloody job," Malcolm stated.

"You mean one of the most important jobs in Starfleet. Section 31 helps us avoid wars and win them. It keeps us ahead of enemies and finds out who our next enemies will be. I know that you have negative feelings about Section 31, Malcolm, but I'm telling you this and I mean it, Earth and Starfleet would be in far more trouble without us then with us," said Harris.

"But I have no idea how to do the job or what it entails," Malcolm stated.

"I give you six months training then I move on to Satak. As for what you do and what our job entails, well, we do the impossible," smiled Harris.

Malcolm had to admit that Section 31 had helped Starfleet immensely during this war. He'd hate to think what would have happened without some of their intelligence and warnings.

"So, Finnegan, I guess you can call me Harris," Malcolm said with a stone face then a slight smile cracked his lips.

"Excellent. You are Harris. I always knew you'd make a great successor," said Finnegan. "Now let me give you a tour of this facility."

STSTST

T'Pol knew that meditation wasn't Trip's forte yet, so she applied a different method to get him to relax. Her naked body was fully in control of their sexual encounter, as she straddled him on his bed in the Excalibur. For his part Trip had given himself wholly to his wife. Not only to her body control him, but he sure because of their bond her mind controlled him in moments of passion like this.

For the next hour T'Pol was in control of her a'dun, until she shivered with an orgasm as he cried out from his and then collapsed on top of him.

"Woman, I think you relaxed me so much that I nearly died," exhaled Trip.

"That is not possible, a'dun," she said.

For the next few minutes they lay in silence. Neither one of them wanted to move, but just relish what they had. Finally, Trip spoke.

"What time is it?" he asked.

"In forty-three minutes, we are supposed to meet for dinner with Admiral Archer in his quarters on the Starbase then afterwards he wanted to – and I quote – pick out brains on the assault he is planning," she said.

"Okay, time to get up, shower, and get dressed or will be late," sighed Trip.

"It would be more efficient if we shared the shower," said T'Pol.

"You know I can't argue with your logic, darling," smirked Trip.

"That is wise," she replied and Trip laughed.

STSTST

For T'Pol, Archer's chef cooked a vegetarian lasagna. For Trip and Archer, he cooked a meat filled lasagna with garlic bread and dessert was a chocolate mousse cake. After they finished their meal they sat at the table with T'Pol enjoying a Vulcan spice tea and Trip and Archer having coffee along with a brandy.

I've decided to take this chef back to Earth with me when I finally am recalled," said Archer.

"I don't blame you, Jon," said Trip.

"Admiral, I didn't ask before but how long to we have before this assault is made?" asked T'Pol.

"Six weeks. Erica and her task force will be arriving in three days. I want the plan completed by then. Knowing Erica, she'll hate it and want to change it and I'll give her one day to make suggestions," smiled Archer.

"We better come up with a good attack plan," said Trip.

Archer sipped his brandy then he took a sip of his coffee.

"We will," he said.

"Let us hope that this attack plan has excellent intelligence," noted T'Pol.

"Starfleet Intelligence and the V'Shar have provided us with the best that they have," said Archer. He failed to tell them that Section 31 also provided intelligence for this attack. "We will be facing two thirds of the fleet they sent into our quadrant."

"That many ships," sighed Trip.

"Several transports will be arriving in a week with new Mach III torpedoes, as well as a few other surprises," smiled Archer. "We will be loaded for bear."

"Loaded for bear?" T'Pol questioned his use of words.

"It is a saying that means we will have more than enough weaponry to handle the target," said Archer.

She nodded her understanding. Archer drained his brandy then he said, "Let's get to work. I have maps and holo-maps set up in my office, as well as detailed information on ships, ours and theirs. This is our chance to finally show the Romulans that they are no the superior race in this quadrant."

"No, but they are a really tough one," added Trip, who drained his coffee.

STSTST

Trip had Commander Flynn in the Control and Command monitoring, while he ran drills on the Bridge with Task Force: Hammer. T'Pol acted as his XO, while Elizabeth was one of Flynn's assistants in the Command and Control. For hours they ran drills based on the attack plan they had devised. Task Force: Hammer would be the first prong of a four prong attack. Shran would lead the Andorian attack fleet and be the second prong, Erica Hernandez and her Task Force: Blitzkrieg would be the third prong, and Archer and his Second Fleet would be the fourth prong, which would break the Romulans. Flynn was collecting data on Task Force: Hammer performance during the drills.

"Captain," T'Pol broke Trip's concentration as he stared at the Ops hologram on his chair.

He looked up at her and waited for her to continue.

"We have been at this for six hours. Efficiency is lessening based on hungry and tiredness alone," she stated letting him know that enough for enough.

"Call in Beta shift," he said then he raised his voice. "Okay everyone. Get food, relax, and get some sleep. We start again tomorrow."

T'Pol informed the rest of the Task Force: Hammer that they were done for the day. Once Beta shift arrived and relieved stations then his Alpha shift left. Trip stayed seat in his command chair, though, as he reviewed more information. T'Pol waited by his side. He ignored her until he started to get a bit of a headache, which he knew she was giving him through their bond. Trip sighed then stood up.

"I'll be in my Mess if needed," he stated to everyone on the Bridge then he looks at the Tactical Officer. "Ensign Phillips, you have the Conn."

He and T'Pol headed off the Bridge. When they arrived in his Mess, he saw that Commander Flynn along with Lieutenant Commander Kaiser and his baby sister were already seated. Each one had a PADD and they were reviewing information. Already on the table was a pot of coffee and two bottles of red wine. T'Pol poured them each a glass of wine in the hopes that Trip would avoid the coffee, which he drank too much of. He and T'Pol sat down then Trip announced: "What's for dinner and put away your PADDs."

"For vegetarians," Flynn started to answered, "Chef has pilaf with Vulcan vegetables. And for the rest of us, he has made roast beef with roasted potatoes and roasted string beans with garlic. For dessert, we are having our choice of chocolate, butterscotch or vanilla pudding."

As if he had been listening the Captain's steward entered with a cart with everyone meals on it. The steward served everyone then left. Trip poured himself a cup of coffee to go along with his wine and meal.

"All the crews did well, Trip," said Flynn.

"We'll go over the number in my Ready Room after dinner," said Trip.

"Sounds good," replied Flynn.

"How did Science Division do, Ensign Tucker?" asked T'Pol.

"A third of the ships were slow in picking up anomalies that were cloaked ships," she told T'Pol.

"We shall discuss ways of improving that later," said T'Pol.

Trip smiled at this then he looked over at his sister and said, "Be prepared to get very little sleep tonight."

She smiled at him. Everyone ate heartily, even T'Pol. Once they had finished dishes were cleared fresh coffee brought in as well as Vulcan spiced tea then the steward served everyone chocolate pudding, except Trip, who had butterscotch and T'Pol, who had vanilla. Once the meal was done, they began their work, including Trip contacting Archer once he got to his Ready Room.

"Give me good news only because I spent the day with Shran and Erica," said Archer.

"Our drills are going well, Jon. There is room for improvement but they are going well," said Trip.

"I expected nothing else from you," smiled Archer. "We got the Mach III torpedoes today as well as an experimental multi-warhead torpedo and an even more experimental EM Pulse torpedo. I'd like to work the EM Pulse torpedo into our attack plan. Right now, I'm having engineers check them out."

"How many EM Pulse torps to we have?" Trip asked.

"Six."

"Give me two and the parameters of them and I'll make use of them," he said.

"You can have three. We split the other three between the rest of the prongs," said Archer.

"Thanks, Jon," said Trip.

"Just make good use of them," said

"I intend on using them to clear the way to the FOB and Starbase," said Trip.

"Trip, I have a feeling that we are going to succeed with this attack," said Archer.

"I hope so, Jon," said Trip.

"Get some rest. You look tired. Archer out," Archer stated and the viewscreen went blank.

Flynn looked at Trip and added, "How about we go over this stuff for an hour then get some sleep?"

"Are you saying that I look tired?" asked Trip.

"I'm just saying that we can use some sleep."

"I agree."

STSTST

It was Go Day. Trip asked for three captains to volunteer their ships for the EM Pulse torps. Lieutenant Commander Michael McCoy and the Valiant, Commander Mutka Sarkar of the Mubai, and Commander Colin Zingh of the Protector volunteered. Their orders were simple warp within range of the Romulan FOB, fire EM Pulse torps and then emergency warp out of the area.

Trip sat in his command chair and ordered the ship to Battle Stations. Once the three ships warped away. A three minute countdown began. At the end of the countdown Task Force: Hammer warped into action. When they came out of warp fifty or sixty Romulan ships hung in space dead from the EM Pulse torps. This gave Task Force: Hammer a direct route to the FOB and the Starbase not far from it.

The battle had begun. Trip made order after order. He called for torpedoes to be fired on the discretion of the Tactical Officer, who was being supervised by Commander Flynn. When T'Pol told him of a Task Force: Hammer ship in danger of being destroyed by T'Pol, he ordered the ship to retreat. When T'Pol told him of weaknesses in the Romulan line of defense, he exploited it.

Shran, Hernandez, and, finally, Archer joined the fray. The Romulans were in retreat. But it was a retreat with teeth. The Excalibur had taken a great deal of damage. Two DC Teams were on the bridge when a Romulan Warbird tried to ram it. T'Pol picked up the stealth Warbird in time for Trip to order a lethal barrage but large pieces of the Warbird hit the Bridge of the Excalibur.

A support beam cracked, broke, and fell on the Command Chair. All that Trip could remember was overwhelming pain then darkness. He also heard a voice in his mind, T'Pol's voice, telling him that she loved him. He embraced the darkness.

STSTST

Forty-two hours past when Trip finally woke. He was being transported down the corridors of the Excalibur with Phlox, T'Pol, Archer, and Flynn attending him. Looking at Archer, he tried to speak, but Archer understood what he wanted to know.

"They retreated Trip. They are almost back behind their border. Shran and Erica are chasing them," he told him.

"My ship… my crew," he croaked.

"You lost less people then you should have considering this ship was in the front line for the whole battle. They did great. You did great," said Archer.

He could feel T'Pol's presence near him and in him. His eyes started to shut when he heard Phlox's voice.

"Captain Tucker, you are being transferred to a hospital ship and being sent back to Starfleet Medical. You are going to be fine. It will take time, but you will be fine," the voice said then darkness embraced him again.

The next time he woke he was in the hospital ship with a female doctor staring down at him. He felt better this time.

"First time, I dealt with a Human in a Vulcan healing coma," smiled the doctor.

Trip tried to speak but his throat was too dry. The doctor pressed a button so he was semi-sitting up then offered him a cup with his in it. He took a couple of pieces of ice in his mouth and let them melt then he spoke.

"T'Pol?" he croaked.

"Commander T'Pol is resting. She hadn't slept in days. Once she took you out of the coma, I convinced her to get some sleep," the doctor explained.

"Me?" he asked.

"Broken right clavicle, right arm broken in three places and two of them a compound fracture, and your right leg crushed. I am trying to save the leg, but it would be easier to just fit you for a replacement leg," she told him.

She saw the anger in his eyes and she smiled, "I said I'm trying to save it. Chances are that I will, but you will be rehabbing for months and months and probably need a cane to walk," she told him. "Now, I'm going to give you a strong sedative. Next time you wake up you'll be in a Starfleet Medical bed. Goodnight, Captain Charles Tucker, hero of the Romulan War."

Trip drifted back into a dreamless sleep. As he did, he felt his wife's presence and then knew everything would be alright.

STSTST

What Archer had told him about retiring admirals was true. Rear Admiral Jonathan Archer was promoted to Four Star Admiral and made Chief of Staff, second only to the Fleet Admiral. The new Fleet Admiral was Barrett. Trip had been promoted to Three Star Vice Admiral and put in charge of the fleet. Of course, Jefferies would stay on until Admiral Tucker was able to assume his duties.

Eight months of rehabbing later and waking with a cane, Trip made his first visit to his office at Starfleet headquarters. He arrived with his now renowned wife, Lady T'Pol of Vulcan, the newest ambassador to Earth. Waiting for him in his office was Captain Derek Flynn of the Excalibur and Admiral Archer.

Trip's new Administrative Assistant, Captain Thomas Holman, showed him and his wife into his office, where Flynn and Archer were waiting with coffee and coffee cake.

"Your mother sent the coffee cake. She said it was one of your favorites," said Archer, who then walked to Trip and shook his hand then kissed T'Pol on the cheek. She allowed it because she had become used to Humans.

Flynn saluted Trip, who returned to salute.

"I came to thank you for the promotion recommendation and the recommendation that I am the Excalibur's captain," said Flynn.

"You earned it Derek," smiled Trip. "Anybody mind if I sit. My leg still causes me some pain when I stand on it for too long."

"It will surcease with more rehab," offered T'Pol.

Trip sat at the table where the coffee and coffee cake where instead of his desk. He looked at Flynn, as T'Pol stood serenely at his side.

"Excalibur's refit will be done in two months and then I take her out of a shakedown cruise," said Flynn. He smiled then added, "I should get going."

"I expect you at my house for dinner tonight, Derek. You know where I live," said Trip.

"I'll be there, sir, with several of our Bridge crew," he smiled then added, "and your baby sister."

"I shall escort Captain Flynn out. I am needed at the talks about forming a Federation of Planets," said T'Pol.

She nodded at Flynn and the two of them left the office leaving Trip and Archer alone. Archer poured them each a cup of coffee and a slice of coffee cake.

"Now, Trip, let's talk about rebuilding the fleet," grinned Archer.

Trip smiled.