by Andy Mangels
An alarm sounded on one of the sensor consoles, persisted for perhaps two seconds, and then stopped by itself.
“What is it? Trip said as he approached the front of the cockpit.
TPol studied the readout and frowned. For a moment, something that strongly resembled the profile of a large vessel had appeared. Then, just as suddenly as it had appeared, it vanished.
“Nothing, evidently, she said, shaking her head. “A sensor ghost, perhaps. Or our reflection bouncing off the planets ionosphere.
“Looks like its gone, whatever it was, Reed said, facing forward again in order to study his own console. “Theres still no trail to follow, in any case.
“I will take us back down, TPol said, trying not to show how much the brief sensor apparition had rattled her. “Once the conflagration on the surface dies down somewhat.
“Thanks, Trip said, his expression grim.
Reed turned back toward Trip. “If I may say so, Commander, I dont think Ive ever seen anybody look quite this unhappy after receiving such a textbook hairbreadth rescue.
Trip allowed himself the luxury of a small smile. “I suppose I made my peace with dying with my boots on months ago. Just as long as the cause is a good one. And I cant think of a better cause right now than keeping the secret of sustained high-warp travel out of Romulan hands. Valdores orSopeks.
“Too bad we werent able to get our own hands on a complete set of that data, Reed said. “Imagine what it might do for Starfleets warp-seven program.
TPol watched as Trip nodded, his eyes once again growing distant. “Captain Stillwells wet dream, he said, puzzlingly. “But thats moot for the moment, Malcolm. Hell, it might have been better for everybody if wed decided to just shoot it out down there.
TPol was having trouble believing what she was hearing. “At least one of us would almost certainly have been killed, she said, frowning.
“But not all of us, Trip said. Though his gaze was cold, his expression was otherwise as unreadable as that of a Kolinahr-disciplined Vulcan. “It would have taken only one of us to make sure that the stolen data never got off the planet.
“But the only way to do that, Reed said, clearly aghast, “would be to have somebody stay behind with the data until the explosives detonated.
Trip nodded. “Like I said, that idea looks a lot less scary than youd think to somebody whos already dead.
“But youre notdead, Trip, TPol said, convinced that she was largely responsible for that simple fact.
His cold eyes began to blaze with a fire that reminded her of the savage, destructive historical epoch that preceded Suraks golden age of logic and intellectual discipline on Vulcan.
“No, TPol. Im notdead. But I amall the way back to square one in terms of my overall objective, arent I? So I hope youll excuse me if Im not overflowing with gratitude for your timely entrance, okay? Im a little too busy at the moment trying to figure out what Im going to tell Admiral Valdore about this little setback. If Im reallylucky, he might just assume the worst and have me summarily executed.
“Then why dont you simply come back with us? TPol said almost before she realized that the words were leaving her mouth.
“Thanks for the offer, Trip said, his voice more gentle. “But Ive been officially declared dead, remember? Wed have to undo that somehow, along with a whole hell of a lot of expensive Adigeon Prime plastic surgery. Id like to have a little more to show for all of that before I decide to pull the rip cord on this warp-seven-drive business.
“Staying in Romulan space is a pretty risky proposition, Commander, Reed said.
“Leaving strikes me as even riskier, under the circumstances, Trip said, shaking his head. He turned to face TPol directly. “Im sorry, TPol. The stakes are just too high right now for me to up and leave. I have to find a way to salvage whatevers left of my mission here. Then he turned back to stare again in silence at the cloud-streaked world below.
TPol felt a parsec-wide gulf open up between them. She had saved Trips life. She might even have prevented the Romulan military or the dissidents who opposed it from capturing him and subjecting him to tortures like those shed glimpsed through the mind link.
But Trips sudden remoteness told her more eloquently than words that none of that really mattered to him at the moment. For the first time, she wondered if her rescue had inadvertently prevented him from executing some crucial contingency plan, thus closing some window of opportunity that might never open up again. And she discovered she felt extremely reticent about asking him whether or not this was so.
At last she began to understand the true enormity of her obsessive insistence on coming out here to Romulan space, as well as the ultimate futility of it. However anyone might attempt to excuse her actionsshe could easily imagine an advocate at her upcoming court-martial citing her emotional vulnerability owing to residual trellium-D damage and the recent death of baby Elizabethshe now understood in a deep and visceral way that she couldnt run from their possibly ruinous larger consequences.
She understood now that she had done a good deal more than merely damage her relationship with her captain and friend, Jonathan Archer, to say nothing of having allowed Malcolm Reed to do the very same thing; she had also grievously damaged whatever might have remained of the intimate bond shed forged with Charles Tuckerall because she had believed it necessary to save his life at all costs.
A bottomless abyss of pure, unalloyed shame opened within her. Perhaps I actuallydisrupted Trips mission. A mission that was the very reason he risked suffering a second, more permanent death inside the Romulan Empire in the first place.
To her horror, she realized that her illogical, emotional actions might have compromised the safety of both of their homeworlds.
Not to mention that of the entire Coalition of Planets.
THIRTY
Monday, July 21, 2155 Qam-Chee, the First City, QonoS
P HLOX MADE A STUDIOUS ATTEMPTnot to count exactly how many armed Klingons had crowded into the medical treatment chamber. Though the warriors had to a man either ignored or failed to understand his polite requests that they stand outside the mobile sterile surgical field he had set up, he did his best not to appear intimidated. In fact, he was far more appalled than intimidated by the casual disregard these people seemed to have for even the most elementary surgical protocol.
Corporal Ryan, one of the two MACO troopers who had accompanied Captain Archer to the planets surface, had called him to one of the Klingon capitals minimalist medical facilities. Because Archers team had taken Enterprises last remaining shuttlepod, and because time was of the essence, Phlox had had no choice but to beam down to the facility, an experience he still found troubling even under the best of circumstances. And this was hardly the best of circumstances.
Regardless, he was grateful that Corporal Ryans summons hadnt come any later than it did. Archer had suffered significant blood loss during what Phlox had been told was a duel with a Klingon admiral named Krellwhom Phlox could see had gotten the worst of the injuriesand had needed an immediate transfusion. Whether or not the hulking Klingon physician KonJef, in whose infirmary Phlox was now working, could have fixed Archers wounds was immaterial; Phlox doubted that his Klingon counterpart could provide human-compatible hemoglobin to Archer, much less the stored units of whole blood Phlox had brought with him from Enterprise.
Apparently finally taking notice of the crowded conditions in the surgical bay, the giant Klingon doctor barked a few terse orders, and the majority of the assembled warriors obligingly shuffled outside into the flagstone-lined corridor. Phlox heaved a quiet sigh of relief that Archers transfusion tubes were no longer in danger of being yanked out by an accidental encounter with the tip of a batlethsome broad-shouldered Klingon soldier was carrying across his back.
One of those who remained behind was a striking Klingon woman. Her teeth were sharp and her breasts were pushed up and half exposed in a revealing outfit made of fur and leather. She stood near the table upon which Krell lay, dis
playing as much grief as Phlox had ever seen on a Klingon face.
“Thank you for clearing the operating chamber, Phlox said, looking over to the Klingon doctor with what he hoped was a nonthreatening smile.
“It was not for yourbenefit, DenobuluSngan,KonJef said, fairly spitting the words from underneath a long, squared-off gray beard.
Phlox nodded, tilting his head to one side. “Nevertheless, I appreciate the gesture.
He worked quickly on the shirtless and unconscious Archer, using a hand-held antimicrobial cleansing unit and a protein fuser in an attempt to repair the captains disconcertingly deep thoracic wound.
Archers breath changed and he stirred. He tried to rise from the flat stone bier beneath him, then winced and ceased making the effort. “Am I gonna live, Doc? he said, his voice weak.
Phlox looked down at his captains face for an instant, nodding, then returned to his duties. “Yes, Captain, but you willbe rather sore for a while, once youre up and moving about. Luckily, the Klingon weapon missed your liver and several other major organs. Unfortunately, it chipped two of your ribs badly. You may experience some respiratory discomfort for the next several weeks, I would imagine.
“How about Krell?
Phlox spared a glance over to the other table, where the Klingon doctor and an assistant purposefully went about their work, their blue surgical gowns spattered in purplish gore. The woman still stood nearby, watching the proceedings intently.
“It would appear that your opponent will indeed live. From what I could see, he has a compound fracture in one leg, a dislocated shoulder, and a rather cleanly detached arm.
Archer winced again. “That would be because I sliced it off, he said quietly. “Hope there wont be a lot of hard feelings about that.
“Well, Shran is finally on speaking terms with you again, isnt he, Captain?
Archer chuckled, remembering how angry the former Andorian soldier had been during and after the knife duel they had been forced to fight late last year. “Compared to what happened to Krell, Shran only got a haircut, Phlox, he said. “And I doubt that Klingon limbs grow back on their own the way Andorian antennae do.
“True, Captain, Phlox said, nodding. “However, the physician attending to Krell believes that he mightbe able to reattach the severed arm. The admirals other injuries, while painful and messy, appear eminently repairable as well.
Phlox inspected his handiwork closely, pleased at the results so far. “Ive done what I can for the moment, Captain. You will still need to lie down for a while and finish your transfusion. Were this any ordinary circumstance, I would prescribe bed rest for at least a week. I understand, however, that our current circumstances may not allow you that luxury.
“No, they wont, Archer said, smiling weakly. “Im glad you noticed. Lets hope it means we wont be on opposite sides of one of those tired old captain-youre-in-no-shape-to-leave-sickbay arguments that doctors like to start.
“That depends entirely on how careful you can be over the next few days about not undoing all the work Ive just done stitching you back together, Phlox said around what he hoped was a reassuring smile. “Now, with your permission I would like to offer my assistance to Doctor KonJef.
“Thats fine by me, Phlox, Archer said. “Ill just try to go back to a less painful place in my head.
Phlox stripped off a pair of surgical gloves and put his hands under a sanitizing sprayer mounted on one of the dull metal walls. Grasping another pair of gloves, he approached the woman and the two male Klingons who were working on Admiral Krell.
Although he hadnt known the identity of Archers wounded opponent at first, Phlox realized that he was quite familiar with him once hed heard the mans name. Less than a year ago the fleet admiral had been intent on destroying everyone at the QuVat colonyincluding Phlox and Archerin order to halt the spread of the augment-derived metagenic virus.
“Id like to put my skills at your disposal in your efforts to reattach the admirals arm, Phlox said. “I have done extensive work in neurological reconstruction, and I have made a close study of the tissue-regeneration techniques of the Adigeons.
The woman spat at him, glaring. “I will not allow youto touch Krell. The virus youinflicted upon him has done enoughdamage to our House already.
The Klingon doctor growled something at the woman in their native tongue, but the words were too quick and low and guttural for Phloxs translator unit to pick up. The woman glared again, baring her fangs, then stepped up to Phlox.
He swiftly pulled his eyes up from where they werehis gaze had immediately focused on the point where her deep cleavage swelled most provocativelyand met her angry gaze.
“If you harm Krell any further, she snarled, “you will not see another sunrise, DenobuluSngan. She spat out the Klingon name for his race as though it were a curse.
As she moved away from him, Phlox stepped in to examine the work already being done by KonJef and the other Klingon medic. The work seemed to be competentat least so farbut Phlox feared it would leave Krell with only partial use of his hand.
“Please allow me to assure you and the admiralswife, that I will do everything in my power to help him.
KonJef glared at him with hard, steel-gray eyes. “Shes his sister. Iam his husband. And I will make certainyou do nothing wrong.
Being a Denobulan with three wives, each of whom had three spouses of her own, Phlox had no reason to find Krells family arrangement in any way unusual. Nodding, he reached for a microscalpel that lay on a nearby tray. “Do you have a pair of fiber-enhancers and some brighter surgical lights? he asked the other two medical personnel. “Id like to make certainthat Admiral Krell regains the full use of his arm.
Archer sat up painfully on the hard surgical slab as Chancellor MRek strode into the medical chamber, flanked by several warriors.
“Captain Archer, MRek began. “Your tenacity and stubbornness, not to mention your savagery in battle, mark you as a spirit who was probably meantto be a Klingon. The pink, fleshy form that spirit now resides in notwithstanding.
Archer tried to smile, and winced at the pain in his face, a lingering souvenir of Krells attempt to rip his cheek from his skull. “I consider that a great compliment, Chancellor. He put up a hand to discourage Phlox from approaching. Phlox backed away, lowering his gaze as well as the medical scanner in his hand.
“Despite your unwillingness to kill your opponentan outcome we truthfully thought to be impossible to begin withyou have fulfilled your part of our bargain, MRek said.
“So youre going to tell me the plain truth about the attacks on Draylax.
MRek shook his head. “No, Iwill not. Thatduty will fall to Admiral Krell. He turned to regard the Klingon whom Archer had been told was the High Councils chief physician. “Doctor KonJef, can you rouse Krell long enough for him to perform his duties?
Archer thought he saw a look of anger flicker over the doctors face, but the man merely nodded. Archer imagined that even a chief physician would think very carefully before daring to defy the wishes of the leader of the Klingon High Council.
“He has just endured a long and intricate surgical ordeal, Chancellor, KonJef said. “It will be painful for him, but I believe I can wake him without causing him any permanent harm.
“Do it, MRek said. Turning back to Archer, he said, “The evidence that he shows you will notbe allowed to leave QonoS.
“But how am I supposed to convince my superiors that
“That is yourproblem, Terangan,not mine, MRek said, interrupting him. “Your government expected us to take yourword as to its intentions. If your superiors expect us to trust you,then surely theywill not mind affording usthe same respect.
Archer nodded. Whatever Im about to learn must embarrass the hell out of the Klingons,he thought. Or else they wouldnt care so much about hard evidence leaking out.
He could only hope that, as MRek had said, his own word would be enough to assuage the suspicions and fears of the decision-makers of the Coalition of Planets.
Taugus III
T RIP FELT A PALPABLE SENSEof relief when his own eyes finally confirmed that the explosion that had laid waste to Sopeks hideout hadnt taken the Scoutship Drolaewith it. The blunt-shaped, eight-meter-long vessel remained parked on the same nearly level stretch of rock-strewn hillside where Trip and Terix had left it, some three klicks and change away from the still-burning remains of the dissident compound.
“Are you sure youll be able to fly this thing solo? Malcolm said, eyeing the gray-green hull of the alien vessel with unconcealed suspicion. Shuttlepod Two cast a long shadow behind him and TPol as the late-afternoon sun continued to sink ever lower in the sky behind it. The bloated orbs orange-refracted rays were painted brown and ocher by the durable but slowly diminishing column of smoke and fire that marked the ruins of Sopeks base.
“Theres only one way I can think of to find out, Trip said with a grin as he slapped the hull with an open palm. “Hell, Im not even sure I can get the hatch open without Terixs advance written permission. I just have to hope he left the computer a note.
“I take it he wasnt exactly the trusting sort, Reed said.
“Were talking about a Romulan centurion, Malcolm. Not an eagle scout. Trip placed his right hand on the recognition pad that was mounted to the immediate right of the forward hatch. The hand-plate was recessed so that it was flush with the rest of the hull when its tough duranium cover was in place.
To Trips relieved surprise, the hatch hissed obediently open two or three heartbeats later.
“Lets hope your friend Terix didnt leave any booby traps active in there, Malcolm said, his expression grave as he nodded toward the open hatch, through which a few of the scoutships faintly glowing instrument panels were visible.
A swarm of butterflies fluttered in Trips gut; he could think of only one way to put thatnotion to the test as well.
TPol took a couple of steps closer to Trip and the open hatchway before she stopped between the two men and folded her arms before her. “Perhaps the centurion anticipated that he might have no alternative other than to trust you under certain extraordinary circumstances.