Fragile-Part 11

Fragile Universe
An "Enterprise" story
By Alison M. DOBELL

RATING: PG-13
STATUS: New. SEQUEL to "LOST AND FOUND".
ARCHIVE: Yes. Just let me know where.
FEEDBACK: Welcomed
EMAIL: AlisonMDobell@aol.com
WEBSITE: http://carlajane.50megs.com/Ali00.html

SUMMARY: "Commander Tucker prepares his friends for Enterprise. Captain Archer
is determined to make it as memorable as possible. Sub-Commander T'Pol wishes there were some things that she could forget."
DISCLAIMER: The usual disclaimers apply. The characters and 'Enterprise' are the property of Paramount. No infringement of copyright is intended.

Part Eleven

"MIXED BLESSINGS"

* * * * *

The journey back to Enterprise was delayed. Captain Archer wanted a word with the Prince Regent in private before they departed. Trip did not care. He was going home and the Captain had agreed to take his friends with him. All was right with his world. Kai turned his sightless eyes towards Lt Reed. The solemn man was standing a foot or so from Trip but not interrupting the conversation of others. Content simply to see for himself that his friend really was in one piece. "You're Malcolm?"

Surprised, the Armoury Officer looked into the intent face angled up at him. A smile tugged at his lips. Trip stopped talking to listen in. Sar and An-aga sharing a rare indulgent look. "Yes, I am Malcolm Reed."

"It's your job to protect everyone?"

Malcolm straightened a little but nodded and wondered where this conversation was going. "Yes, it is."

Trip was smiling. "An' he does a great job, Kai."

The Lieutenant felt uncomfortable. The smile on his face rueful, a flicker of pain deep in his too-honest eyes. "Yes, well, normally I would agree with you Commander. If I had been doing my job properly none of this would have happened in the first place."

Trip's smile vanished. Completely serious now. "Malcolm, that wasn't your fault. Nobody could'a anticipated the Cap'n's actions and I won't condemn him for them."

His friend got a little flustered. He had not meant to sound as if he was criticising the Captain. "I didn't mean to imply..."

Trip cut him off. "An' if I had known then all I know now I wouldn't change a thing."

For a moment they just stared at each other. Lt Reed could see his friend meant every word. He looked into Sar's grave but honest face. An-aga's gentle calm eyes. The boy's face a-glow with hope and barely contained happiness. A slow smile returned to his face. The gift of understanding could be so perfect between friends. "I understand, my friend." He paused to allow an even bigger smile to split his face. "Given the outcome I would have done the same."

Trip raised an eyebrow. That mocking look dancing in his eyes. Pure Trip. "Is that a fact now, Mr. Spit 'n Polish?"

"Who are you calling Spit and Polish, you rude disrespectful Yank?"

His friend laughed and resisted the urge to hug him. Too much show of affection would only embarrass his friend. Instead he put the hug in his voice. "Don't ever change, Malcolm. I rely on ya to keep me sane."

Malcolm snorted. "I'm an Armoury Officer not a miracle worker, Mr. Tucker."

* * * * *

The first sign T'Pol had that anything was wrong was when they suddenly dropped out of warp. It was not the usual smooth transition she had come to expect. The shuddering superstructure startled her. Then a line of worry creased her brow. She rose from her meditation just as something struck the transport. It juddered and she almost lost her footing. Holding on to the wall she steadied herself. They had either hit something or something had just hit them. Alarms began to sound all over the ship. They were under attack!

T'Pol got to her feet and changed out of her meditation robe. Intent on finding out exactly what was going on and how she could help.

* * * * *

Ensign Hoshi Sato could not keep the smile off her face. She was talking to the Captain on a secure com, his smiling face lit up the screen. A rather stiff but smiling alien stood in ceremonial robes just behind him. At first she had been alarmed that the Captain had made contact away from the other members of the landing party and she had been disappointed not to see Trip. Now that the Captain had a chance to explain a few things she could not have been happier.

"A party, Captain?"

She could feel Travis's smile grow wider even than her own.

"Absolutely. I want to welcome Trip back and also welcome the guests that will be joining him."

"Guests?"

"Trip has made a few friends down here, Ensign."

She chuckled. Amused. Even on the planet that had imprisoned him, the Commander had made friends. Somehow it did not surprise her. The man could literally charm the birds off the trees. Now it seemed he could add goalers to the list. "The Commander has a few friends up here as well, Captain, and no offence but some of them are getting anxious to see him again."

The Captain laughed. Behind him the Prince Regent gave a little smile then became solemn. "Tell them to be patient and in the meantime put their idle energy to work getting the place fixed up. Understood?"

The Ensign nodded eagerly. "How long do we have?"

"How long do you need?"

She looked across at a beaming boomer. "What do you think Travis?"

"Four hours should be long enough."

The Captain nodded firmly. "Then four hours it is. Make every minute count and make sure the Chef has catfish on the menu. I'm relying on you."

He was about to cut the connection when Hoshi's smile faltered and she cut in with a tentative question. "Captain?"

"Yes, Ensign?"

"He is... I mean, the Commander *is* all right isn't he?"

A big smile blossomed on the Captain's face. His eyes twinkled and settled in a look of deep content. "Yes, Hoshi. Trip's fine. And he has a few surprises for all of us."

Her eyebrows rose, her mouth opened to ask another question. The Captain cut the com link. She looked at Travis. "What do you suppose he meant by that?"

Travis was laughing. "Guess we'll find out in four hours time."

His words slowly sank in then Hoshi jumped up from her chair and pulled the link out of her ear in near panic. "Four hours! I'd better get started."

Her sudden flustered air of alarm amused Travis. He was anxious to have everybody back and nothing made a boomer happier than the excuse to party. Oh yes. They were going to make this one hell of a homecoming.

* * * * *

The ship was strafing them now. Sub-Commander T'Pol was frowning at the unknown configuration. Captain Benmar did not really relish having his passengers on the bridge but this one was not only highly insistent but also too knowledgeable to completely ignore. Perhaps the Vulcan could help? If not, perhaps she could get some Vulcan friends to join the fray? On their side of course.

"Captain, I do not recognise the attack ship's configuration."

He bit back a stir of disappointment. "It's a pirate ship, Sub-Commander."

Her eyebrows rose. "Why are they attacking us?"

"We're a transport ship." He bit off a little sharply as if the answer were obvious. Her eyes narrowed on him, he felt a flush of embarrassment redden his cheeks. "Pirate ships attack and loot transports, Sub-Commander." He explained in a more conciliatory tone though he would have preferred it if she had a couple of phase canons tucked up her sleeve. She nodded.

"I am well aware of the traditional roles, Captain. That was not what I meant."

It took a moment for it to sink in. "You want to know what our cargo is, is that it?"

She inclined her head and waited. The Captain was not quick in responding.

"Captain?"

He took a deep breath. Inwardly cursing his agreement to transport a Vulcan regardless of how highly he had been paid. "Our *cargo* is people."

Both eyebrows rose, then a suspicion stirred in her mind. "This is a slave ship?"

His eyes flashed. "No! None of the passengers are slaves. Simply people that need to be taken to their home worlds or back to their own vessels. Like you, I might add."

She nodded cautiously, watching him closely. "I meant no offence, Captain Benmar. If that is true then it means the pirates are after the passengers. Or more specifically, a particular passenger."

"My thought exactly."

The ship rocked again. Much harder this time. The alarms were now shrill. Steam venting into the room. T'Pol looked around for a fire extinguisher. "We don't have a fire, Sub-Commander. That steam is leaking coolant. Pretty soon our air will be compromised unless we shut off the leak."

"I will require some tools and a schematic of the ship."

He shook his head and yelled into the com. "That won't be necessary. My men'll see to it. You go back to your cabin, Sub-Commander and I promise to keep you informed."

She looked at him for several moments before speaking. Recognising that his polite words were not a request. "How far are we from our rendezvous with Enterprise?"

He shook his head. "Too far. By the time we get close enough to hail them we'll be adding to the particle stream. I have no intention of ending up in the vapour trail of the solar winds, Sub-Commander."

* * * * *

Trip was amused. The Captain wanted to *see* everything. Malcolm Reed watched his friend closely. Having a care not to make it too obvious. Something indefinable was definitely *off* about the Commander. The happiness that radiated from him was no myth but real. On the one hand the deep content and joy that exuded from the Commander eased the Lieutenant's anxious soul. But suspicious mortal that he was he could detect something else. Vague and tenuous and somehow unsettling. Not knowing what it was he said little. Watching, listening and carefully taking in the body language of their hosts. So it was that he was the first to note that the Commander was tiring. He hid it well but Malcolm had known his friend too long. He felt a trace of irritation with the Captain for dragging things out so long. Personally he could not care bloody less about the wonders of this planet. The sooner they left the happier he would be. But this was the Captain's call not his.

"Captain?"

Captain Archer looked round at his Armoury Officer. A faint frown on his face, surprised to be interrupted in the tour of what passed for Volaran art galleries. The best thing that could be said about them was that they were all outside. Exposed to the elements in their arenas. He could not say he liked them very much. Too abstract for his tastes. "Yes, Lieutenant?"

"I don't wish to sound impatient Captain, but the others will be getting anxious. We should at least check in with them."

The Captain smiled. "Not necessary, Lieutenant. I already told them we'd be a couple of hours. We may never return to this planet, Malcolm. Let's make the most of seeing what we can before we go."

Lt. Reed wanted to caution the Captain that this was how the whole thing had gone so horribly wrong in the first place but held his tongue. Instead he changed tack. "In that case, Captain, while you continue your tour do you mind if I stop for a rest? I would like something to drink and there is something that looks like a plaza over there which would be a perfect place to wait for you until you've finished."

Captain Archer gave his Tactical Armoury Officer a more searching look but he could not detect Malcolm's real reason for wanting to stop. Instead he nodded cautiously then turned back to his waiting host. The Prince Regent was murmuring about some even better examples just ahead. Ambassador Ren accompanied them. Everybody else followed Lt. Reed's example and headed at a slower pace for the plaza. Malcolm took out a handkerchief and wiped the sweat off his face. When he looked up Trip was sitting gratefully on a stone embellishment that reminded him of a much distorted gargoyle. Once upon a time it had probably been a pillar of some kind. Now it lay in a cradle of stone as a makeshift and very welcome stone bench. Kai sat beside him with a hand on Trip's knee. Whenever the pair smiled they looked like bookends, one with dark hair the other fair. Sar smiled gently at the Lieutenant. Lt Reed had the uncomfortable feeling that the Volaran knew why he had begged off following the Captain any further. An-aga gave the Armoury Officer a respectful nod. "The cooling waters of Sans-sera will not only revive you, Lieutenant. They will revive us all."

He nodded cautiously. "Then I am in your debt, madam."

His term of address amused her. Trip snorted. "Have a care Sar, Malcolm is quite a Romeo with the ladies."

Lt. Reed shot him a look of annoyance then paused. Trip did not look so good. His face had gone pale and he was looking tired. "Trip? Are you alright?"

"Yeah, fine. Don't fuss, Malcolm."

Kai angled his face towards the Armoury Officer. "No, he's not Malcolm. He has a hole in his lung."

A look of consternation settled on Trip's face. "What do ya think you're doin', Kai?"

"You once said 'speak the truth and shame the Devil'. Well I don't know what the Devil is but I know the truth and if you won't tell him *I* will."

Malcolm closed the couple of feet that separated him from his friend. Put a hand on his shoulder and looked him in the eye. "I'm your friend, Trip, and if that bit of information has failed to penetrate that thick stubborn head of yours let me spell it out for you. Friends don't lie to each other. And *never* about the things that matter."

His friend sounded a bit breathless. "I didn't lie to ya, Malcolm."

"No, it was a sin of omission."

Trip took a moment to push more breath into aching lungs. He closed his eyes for a moment. Felt Malcolm's cool hand on his brow. Lt. Reed looked at Sar. "What happened to his lung, Sar?"

"He was attacked. One of the attackers had a knife."

Fully alarmed now, Malcolm stared at Trip in horror. Trip opened his eyes and calmly looked back at him. "Now ya know." He said softly.

"We have to get you back to Enterprise as soon as possible."

He shook his head. "No. Let the Cap'n have his tour, Malcolm. I'm not gonna die."

"And you're not going to get better either."

Trip sighed. "Malcolm?"

The Armoury Officer had fire in his eyes but managed to keep his voice low, calm, though every word was clipped where he was holding in his temper. "What? Have another little bombshell to drop do we?"

He regretted the words instantly as Trip's face paled further. Wanted to snatch them back but it was too late. "It's okay, Malcolm. You're right. I should'a told ya. Prob'ly should'a told the Cap'n but ya know how protective he is. He would'a gone into complete panic mode an' right now I don't think I could cope with that."

His words sobered the Lieutenant up completely. His anger vanished but an air of pained frustration remained. "Trip, I understand you not wanting to make a fuss, really I do." Trip believed him. Knew Malcolm was just the same in that regard. Perhaps that was why the Lieutenant could read him so damn well. "But you really do need to let Dr Phlox take a look at you."

"I promise ya I will. Soon as we get back. That suit ya, Malcolm?"

A small smile gently played over the Lieutenant's lips. "I suppose it'll have to do but remember I'll be watching you very closely and if I see your feet dragging I'll haul you off to Sickbay myself. I don't care what dignitaries are watching."

Trip nodded. Sar disappeared and returned moments later with a couple of bowls of water. He handed one to his Senisa and the other to Lt Reed. Kai patted the strange creature curled up at his side. It made a strange strumming sound. Sar smiled at the boy. "Why don't you play something for the Lieutenant?"

Malcolm felt awkward. "That isn't necessary...."

The Commander had got his breath back and it would give him something to do while they sat in the sun recovering and waiting for the Captain to tire of his little excursion. "Sounds like a good idea to me, Sar. What d'ya want to play, Kai?"

The Lieutenant was baffled. Play? He could see no instrument and no one was carrying any bags. Then he saw a grin appear on the boy's face and his hand disappeared into a pocket. The rough simple homespun material must scratch like hell. He was surprised to see the boy produce a harmonica. When he looked at Trip he saw the southern's eyes laughing back at him. Before he could ask him where the hell he had managed to get hold of a harmonica on a distant world like this, Trip produced one from his own pocket and put the instrument to his lips. Softly he began to play. The boy took a moment, listening carefully to pick up the melody, then added his own accompaniment. Stunned into silence, the Lieutenant found himself lost in the song. The beautiful harmony the two were creating wove its' magic around his heart. It sometimes seemed that his friend would never cease to amaze him. Standing there in thrall he wished and hoped with all his heart that it would stay that way.

* * * * *

Things were bad. The transport ship was listing now. No power to the engines. Not even thrusters. Fires were breaking out all over the place. T'Pol found the Captain and took him to one side. Knew it would be moments only until they were boarded. She had a presentiment of doom. Oddly enough it calmed her. The natural response she would give to any emergency.

"Captain Benmar, I take it I can trust you?"

He looked surprised at the question. Wiped the grime off his face with his sleeve. He looked harried and upset but at least he was listening to her. "What is it Sub-Commander?"

"I have a suspicion they may be after me."

"You?"

She nodded but did not explain.

The man considered her for a long moment. Somehow he sensed that if this woman believed something it was probably correct. "And if they are?"

"You must not put yourself or your men in danger trying to protect me."

He was not about to do that anyway but her assumption that he would have pricked his conscience. Made him wish there had been more time to get to know her better. "Why are you telling me this?"

"Because if I am right I will need you to do something for me. Something you cannot do if you share my fate."

He went cold. Watched her in silence.

"If I am taken you must offer no resistance. When they are gone I ask only one thing of you."

"What is that?"

"Find Enterprise. Tell them what happened."

"What good will that do, Sub-Commander?"

"I have friends on that ship. They will know what to do."

"And if the pirates kill you?"

A slight pause but her determination did not seem to falter. "Then they will know where to take the body."

For a moment they just stared at each other. At last the Captain nodded. A new found respect shining in his eyes just as a wail over the com told him they had just been boarded.

* * * * *

Continue to Part 12

Return to Part 10

Return to "Fragile Universe" Menu Page

Back to Fan Fiction Main Menu

Have a comment to make about this story? Do so in the Trip Fan Fiction forum at the HoTBBS!

Half a dozen of you have made comments

I'm loving this story!

Trip and Kai are *sooooo* adorable and I just love the way everyone interacts.

Poor T'Pol, she's having an even worse time of it than usual. ;_; Damn, I bet it's Koss's buddies in that ship. Grrrr! Dare I hope Trip will launch a rescue mission?

I can't wait to see what happens when Trip and T'Pol are face-to-face again.

hurry up already! keep up the great work!!
artemis moonshine

I am loving this story. Trip and Kai are so wonderful. Keep the chapters coming. I'm so anxious. I can't wait until Trip and T'Pol see each other again.

Oh very nice. Not so sure if I like your Captain Archer.... but I can live with him. I adore your Malcolm and heck Trip, T'Pol and all your Original Characters are marvelous.

Keep it coming and fast!

"I'm an Armoury Officer, not a miracle worker, Mr. Tucker." I LOVED that line, just as I love this story, every twist and turn of it. Things are looking rosy for Trip, but what's next for poor T'Pol? It looks like she needs a miracle worker of her own.

More, soon...please.

This story, and all of your stories have been excellent. I check daily for new chapters. Your characters are fully devloped and interact so well. Looking forward to the return of T'Pol.