CHAPTER TWO
T'VIER

Captain Archer along with Malcolm and two Macos met the visitors in the launch bay. They went to the conference room and wasted no time getting down to business.

"Captain, I am U'don of Zaire Beta-Dorma, it's a planetary system many light years away from here. This is Quilla, and this is Armdor. We are Hunters."

"Hunters?" Archer said looking at Reed.

"And just what are you hunting?" Reed asked.

"A creature called an Inimical," U'don replied. "We tracked its signature here."

"Captain, has your crew met with any unexplained injuries or violent attacks?" Armdor, the female of the bunch asked.

"I'll say we have," Archer replied. "But how would you know anything about that?"

"As I said Captain, we tracked the energy signature of the inimical here."

"As a matter of fact several of our crew members have met with vicious attacks over the last few days," Reed added. "We've been investigating but have not been able to find anything to lead us to the assailant. Now you show up here asking questions. How do we know you're not involved?"

The three visitors looked at one another. "I'm sure this looks suspicious," U'don said. "But if you will allow us to tell you a story, perhaps that will ease your mind. Archer and Reed looked at one another.

"Go ahead," Archer said.

"About 52 years ago several of our people in our village on Zaire Beta-Dorma were found dead. Their minds had been violated, such that they no longer had brain function. They had been violently sexually assaulted, and their bodies had been torn to shreds. We set up security teams to try and catch this assailant or assailants. But, nothing we did yielded any results, and our technology is quite advanced. Finally, after we had lost more than two dozen people over a period of months, we were finally able to capture the image of the attacker."

Quilla then opened a small box and projected an image of a person from it. "This is the image we were able to capture by ultra violet light and florescent rays," he stated. "We were unfamiliar with the species at the time, but through research, we were able to determine that this individual was a Vulcan."

"We are familiar with Vulcans," Archer said. "In fact, we're allies. My XO is a Vulcan."

"Yes, we are aware of that," U'don replied.

"So who is this person?" Reed asked, "and why is she killing our people?"

"She was a Vulcan High Priestess by the name of T'Vier," Armdor answered. "She disappeared from Vulcan almost 600 years ago. No one knew what became of her."

"That is until the inimical attacked our village all those years ago," U'don said. "That is what she is now, something that is neither living nor dead. But she can, at times, manifest herself as the Vulcan Priestess she once was. She attacked other villages, but would return to ours from time to time. Then we learned that there were other inimicus who had attacked different parts of our world as well as other planets in our system. We have been tracking this particular inimical along with several others for over fifty years."

"I don't understand," Archer said. "Our doctor was able to get DNA samples from this inimical as you call it, as well as other physical evidence. How do you get that from something that isn't a living being?

"The inimicus can take several different forms, its natural state, which is a shadow form is a supernatural being. They merge at some point with non-corporeal beings which appears as only light or as a transparent figure," U'don explained. "They have a physical form as well, the life it took and incorporated into its existence. It is said that the physical form continues to be suspended somewhere between life and death. The inimical can at times manifest itself as the person it was when it was alive. That is how your doctor was able to collect physical samples from it."

"So this Vulcan woman was taken by one of these things?" Malcolm asked, "And this is how she became this "inimical?"

"Yes," Quilla said. "She was living off world at the time she was attacked by this life form. While most victims are killed, every now and then, someone survives the attack. These are the ones who are most viciously attacked and violated in the worst ways. They have been chosen to be taken and transformed into one of them. It is a way to perpetuate their existence."

"We've had five people attacked by this thing, two are dead" Archer said. "Two are alive, but they are in shock, they can't speak or respond."

"They will not survive," Armdor said and looked down.

"But, my chief engineer was attacked by this thing twice, and he survived. He's not in very good shape, but he's alive."

"Then he is the one," U'don said. "She'll be back for him. We said we are hunters Captain, but we are not the only one hunting. T'Vier is also on the hunt."

"For what?" Reed asked.

"A mate," was Quilla's reply. "And she has chosen your engineer."

"Captain, she plans to take him, to transform him into one of them," Armdor explained. "If that happens then he will roam the galaxy, hunting, assaulting and killing any life form he comes into contact with. But ultimately, what they want is to spawn a whole race of these inimicus, but they need mates to do it."

"How the hell do you know all this?" Malcolm spat out.

"Lt. Reed, we've had the unfortunate opportunity to speak with several survivors of T'Vier's attacks before they were taken by her," U'don interjected. "We learned from her mind melds with them what she and others like her were trying to do. She serves a creature called Apollyon. He is their leader. He is said to be the oldest of the inimicus, over 3000 years old."

"History, legend, or myth, we or not quite certain which, has it that Apollyon was a supernatural creature from the beginning, a demon. That the shadow forms were spawned from him and he was the first to incorporate other life forms into their existence," Quilla added. "He created the first of these creatures and since that time these things have been attacking, killing and taking other life forms for their own dark purpose."

"But this way of perpetuating their existence wasn't enough," Armdor interjected. "They wanted more. They wanted a way to spread their evil across the universe at a more rapid pace. They wanted to reproduce. And they have been trying for centuries to do so, they just haven't been successful."

"It's their belief however that anyone who survives their most violent and vicious attacks are the ones destined as their chosen mates," U'don said. "That's why T'Vier is here, that's why she will be back, she has chosen."

"Well, there is no way in hell she's getting my engineer as her demon lover," Archer said. "I'll never let that happen."

"Neither will I," Malcolm hissed. "Just tell me one thing? How do we capture it and how do we kill it?"

"There's only one way," U'don said. "But that will depend upon your engineer. These creatures feed off of fear, humiliation, anger and pain. If we can help him learn to control these negative emotions, then there is a way."

"Captain, it is imperative that we speak to your engineer right away," Armdor said. "We must appeal to him, make him understand what is at stake here."

"Well that's going to be a little difficult considering he's going to be spending the next few weeks learning how to walk and talk again," Archer snapped. He then pinched his nose between his eyes as he closed them. He took a deep breath then held his hand up. "I'm sorry," he said. "None of this is your fault. It's just that it's all so very frustrating."

"Captain we do understand," U'don replied. "We've been doing this a long time. And we've seen this before, therefore, we came prepared. We may be able to help with your engineer's brain damage. We have some rather advanced medical technology and I believe we have a substance that will restore his brain function within a few days."

"Wait a minute," Malcolm said, "How do we know this substance will work on a human? And how do we know it won't cause more damage?"

"By all means, we would allow your doctor to analyze the substance first to determine its compatibility with your species. Then the substance would only be administered in the presence of your doctor with all safety protocols in place."

"Just a minute," Archer interrupted. "You said that these things were tri-part beings, right?"

"Yes," U'don replied.

"And that part of it was a supernatural being, some kind of demon or spirit, and that it was neither living nor dead."

"That is correct Captain."

"So how the hell do you kill a supernatural being?"

"We will explain everything Captain," Armdor said. "But first, let us go back to our ship and gather some data for you to review, as well as the substance."

Archer and Reed looked at one another. Archer blew out a long sigh. Then he walked over to the comm. "Archer to Doctor Phlox."

"Phlox here," the doctor answered.

"I'd like to see you and T'Pol in my ready room right away."

"Be there momentarily Captain."

"I hope this substance of yours works. It sure would be great if Commander Tucker didn't have to suffer any permanent brain damage because of this creature's attack."

"With all due respect Captain," U'don replied. "Whether or not the substance works is the least of the Commander's worries.

The next day Trip had awakened. It was as Phlox had said, he had experienced significant brain damage. He could not speak nor walk and had trouble understanding basic functions. He could follow objects with his eyes, shake his head yes and know if he understood something or not, but that was about it.

It took Phlox and T'Pol about a day to analyze the substance that U'don had given them. It was a complicated formula that seemed to repair and almost rebuild neuro pathways as well as actual damaged brain tissue and cells. Phlox prepared a drip and administered it to Trip over a 48 hour period.

The next day Trip was awaken against Phlox's medical advice, but Captain Archer and Lt. Reed were convinced that the inimical would be back and that time was of the essence. They had to devise a plan to protect Trip and the entire crew; they had to kill this vicious creature before it killed again. To do that they needed Trip.

When he woke up this time he was not in very good shape, but he was a hell of a lot better than he was before. The substance had worked. Trip could speak and walk as well as understand and process thought. But, he had had his mind assaulted, twice and there was still collateral damage. He had a continuous headache and trouble concentrating. There was also psychological trauma. He was overcome at times with feelings of fear and deep shame at having been raped by this inimical, twice. When it was explained to him what was needed of him, he cringed.

"Wait a minute, just wait a damned minute," he said with a shaky voice. "You mean to tell me that this thing, this inimical is coming back for me, that she's claiming me for her mate!"

"Yes, Commander," U'don said. "I'm afraid so."

"But this time, you don't want me to try to fight her off. I-I'm just supposed to let her do whatever the hell she wants to do to me?"

"Trip," from what I've been told it's the only way to get her to manifest herself in the physical for any period of time. It's the only way we can stop her."

"But, you're telling me I should just lay there and let her rape me again! Let her do that mind-meld on me, let her beat the hell out of me and tear my body to pieces! I can't do it! I won't!"

"What we're asking Commander, is that you learn to control your emotions. She feeds off your fear and your anger. It makes her stronger. But if you are able to let her come to you, let her take your mind and your body, willingly, without fear of her, it will cause a separation of the tri-part being and she will manifest herself physically," Armdor explained. "Then she can be killed. We have seen it done on other worlds, we have done it."

"So how the hell am I supposed to learn to control my emotions?"

"Just the negative ones," Quilla said. "It is not an easy thing to do and many have failed. But, it has been done. Commander, if you would be willing to try…

"I don't know how to do something like that! I'm human…we're emotional alright! How do you control fear, anger and…humiliation when someone…some-thing is hurtin' you, violatin' you?"

"I believe I can be of assistance with that," T'Pol spoke up. "Commander, if you will allow me, I can teach you through meditation, and by joining with your mind, how to suppress your negative emotions." Trip just stared at T'Pol. He was still trying to figure out just how to deal with her, and he didn't know if he trusted her either.

"Trip," Archer finally spoke up. "It's the only way. If you don't do this, she's going to continue to kill, and she's going to take you." Trip sighed and grimaced with pain. He held his side where he had had ribs broken. He cradled his casted left broken arm and felt the pain from his dislocated shoulder course through his body. The pain in his head was also getting worse. He closed his eyes and fell back on his pillow.

"That's enough for now," Phlox intervened. "Commander Tucker needs to rest. He is in no shape to do anything right now and all of this is greatly distressing him. So, I must ask everyone to leave."

"Think about it Trip," Archer said, looking back at his friend. "We may not have much time either. We don't know when she'll be back."

Three Days Later.

T'Pol sat in front of Trip as she began to touch his face. "My mind to your mind, my thoughts are your thoughts, our minds are one," she said as she initiated the meld. It was a strange sensation and Trip did everything he could not to resist her entry into his mind. The inimical had done this and brought up every negative emotion, painful memories and violent images he had locked away in his mind. She had also implanted violent images in his mind as well while she sexually assaulted him. T'Pol could now see and feel all of his pain, humiliation and anger. It was so overwhelming that she almost broke the meld for her own well-being. Archer, Phlox and Malcolm looked on as she continued.

Several times Trip's body shook and he grabbed her hands. He screamed out loud as if in horrific physical pain. Sweat formulated on T'Pol's forehead and a single tear rolled down her cheek. Phlox almost intervened a couple of times but Archer urged him to give it more time. Finally, Trip collapsed onto the floor, unable to bear the sheer agony of this procedure any longer. Phlox rushed to his side.

"Let's get him onto the bed," he said to Malcolm and to Archer. They picked him up and Phlox ran his scans over Trip's body. "He is exhausted and in a lot of pain." Phlox depressed a hypo-spray onto his neck as Trip continued sleeping. "Captain,' its best someone stays with him tonight. I expect he will have nightmares and he may wake up confused, frightened and in considerable pain."

"I'll stay," Malcolm volunteered before Archer could speak up.

"Very well then," Phlox said. "Then he turned to T'Pol. "Commander, I suggest you go and meditate right away. Then take this to help you sleep." T'Pol took the hypo-spray and got up from where she had been sitting.

"Captain, he needs to be ready for another meld on tomorrow," T'Pol said. "I was only able to access his negative emotions. I did not have an opportunity to help him create mental barriers to block them. I would also like to show him how to bring positive thoughts and feelings to the surface. This is all very necessary if he is to learn to control his emotions."

"He'll be ready," Malcolm said. "I'll make sure he gets some rest, that he's not disturbed by anyone and that he eats a proper meal."

"And be sure to bring him to see me before the session Lt. Reed," Phlox said. "I can give him something to calm him, to take the edge off a bit." Malcolm nodded.

"Let me walk you to your quarters," Archer said to T'Pol, seeing how shaken she was. T'Pol did not object.

When the others left, Malcolm went in to the bathroom and returned with a cold hand towel. He placed it over Trip's head as Phlox had instructed. Then he lowered the lights and covered Trip with the blanket at the end of the bed. Malcolm then sat down in the chair next to Trip's desk. He stared at his friend and shook his head. Why did the inimical have to pick on Trip? He was such a good person, such a good friend. He was the reason Malcolm had any friends at all. Now, he was even close to Hoshi and Travis and they were all more like brothers and sisters.

Malcolm then started to reminisce about all the things he and Trip had been through together over the last two years aboard Enterprise. He thought about how they had banned together to re-fit the ship with phase cannons rather than have to return home. He thought about what they experienced examining that alien ship that caused them to get caught up in a time loop and relive the same moment over and over again. He thought about how they really became close after their experience on shuttle pod one where they almost froze to death.

Malcolm had to smile when he thought about how Trip had gotten him into trouble at that alien repair station. He couldn't believe he had listened to that bloody fool that day and had gotten a pretty bad dress down from the Captain as a result. He also thought about the nightmare on Risa. They still hadn't told anyone about what really happened there. Then Malcolm thought about how brilliant his friend was. But Trip just saw himself as Trip, nothing more, nothing less. But, Malcolm, like many others, knew he was special. At that moment he determined in his mind that he would not let any more harm come to his friend. Even if it meant putting his own life on the line.