My apologies for taking so long to update, real life does tend to get in the way. So, I will not keep you waiting, I have uploaded the rest of this story.
Thank you to everyone who leave reviews, they are truly appreciated...
Malcolm scrubbed his face. He was weary to the bone and was looking forward to his first decent sleep since before his trip to Risa. But prior to that, he wanted to run one final check in the armory.
As he headed toward his destination, Malcolm's mind drifted to Hoshi. His heart skipped a beat as he recalled her smile when they both discovered where Grat's ship was located. His breath quickened when he remembered the feel of her touch when she placed her hand on his.
Malcolm smiled. He didn't know when it happened, but at some point he had grown quite fond of the young communications officer. Now, he wanted to make their relationship more than the comfortable friendship that they currently enjoyed. "Maybe I should ask her to movie night?" he mused.
Noise from the shuttlepod launch bay caught his attention. "Bit late for the maintenance crew to be working," he mumbled as he walked to the door.
Stepping inside, Malcolm was surprised at the low lighting. "How can anyone work in the dark?" he asked as he turned the lighting up.
Malcolm headed toward the commotion he could hear coming from the rear of the launch bay. "Hello," he called as he walked around shuttlepod one. He stopped short when he realized the noise was coming from where the Suliban ship was housed. He changed directions, looking carefully around as he headed for ship.
"Malcolm."
Malcolm spun around. "Captain? I thought you were still on sick leave."
The captain walked slowly toward him. "I am."
Malcolm frowned. "Then –"
"He needed help with something."
Malcolm started. "Commander?" He folded his arms and leant back slightly. "Help with what?"
Trip shrugged. "Just a little something."
"I'm the security officer, I'll need more to go on than that," he said, taking a closer look at his two senior officers. They were passing silent messages between them. They're obviously up to something, he thought, as his covert training picked up the tension, but what? Then everything fell into place. Ah, well, that makes sense! "Right then, I'll get a few things together and join you," he said turning to leave.
"Lieutenant!"
Malcolm stopped and turned to the captain.
"I need you to stay here," he said.
Malcolm took a step forward. "But, Sir, I can be of help," he urged.
"Malcolm, if the Cap'n's going to have justice, then he needs all the help he can get."
"We need you to stay here and keep T'Pol off our tail," the captain added.
He didn't like it, but Malcolm knew they were right. Plus, if there was one thing he knew how to do, and do well, was subterfuge and misdirect. He stared at the captain. "Aye, Sir. I'll do my best."
The captain placed his hand on Malcolm's arm. "Good man."
"Ensign, I believe Doctor Phlox ordered you to rest?" T'Pol said from the captain's chair.
Travis took his seat at the helm. "Phlox worries too much," he said smiling as he turned back to T'Pol. Noticing the arched eyebrow, he switched on the charm. "I'm fine, Sub-Commander. I just needed to get out of my quarters. It's boring in there all alone."
T'Pol looked down at the PADD she held in her hand. "Very well," she acknowledged. "How long until we reach the Paraagan Colony?"
Travis checked his readings. "Approximately five hours, Sub-Commander," he advised then turned when he heard the lift door open. "Sir! I thought you were going off duty."
Malcolm sighed. "There's a problem with the targeting scanner. I need to run some diagnostics."
"Would that not be better achieved from the armory?" T'Pol asked.
"Usually, but in this instance it needs to be run from my station here," he answered as he sat.
Travis frowned. Something wasn't right with the lieutenant. Being raised on a cargo ship, the young boomer could tell when someone was bullshitting, and right now his bullshit meter was on override. "Is there something I can do to help?" he asked.
Malcolm looked up from his controls. "Ah, no, thank you. I'll just be a little while."
There was something else Travis learned growing up on a cargo ship - when to butt out and leave well enough alone. "Okay, Sir. Just let me know if you need any help."
Travis turned his attention back to his controls. "So, Hoshi, want to join me for movie night?"
Hoshi smiled. "Sure. Dinner first?"
Travis returned her smile. "Sounds good," he said then turned when he saw Malcolm squirm in his chair. "Are you okay, Sir?"
"Yes, yes. I'm fine, thank you, Ensign."
"If you say so, Sir," he said, though Travis knew it was a lie.
Trip eyed the controls of the Suliban ship. "Ready?"
"Ready," Jon replied.
Trip looked up. The captain sat rigidly in his seat, eyes fully concentrating on the expanse ahead. "Yeah, I can see that," he noted.
Jon glared at him. "What's that supposed to mean?"
Trip shrugged. "Nothin'. Just makin' an observation," he said. Trip reminded himself to tread more softly when it came to Jon. He could sense his friend was on edge, still brooding. He smiled when Jon slumped in his chair slightly. "Better," he mumbled.
Jon shot him a wild look. "Better than what?" he growled.
Trip shrugged again. "Better than you being all tensed up." He turned his attention back to his task. "Makes checking everythin' a little easier, don't you think?"
Jon sighed. "Sorry."
Trip kept his attention on the controls. "I understand," he said.
The only sound for a few minutes was Trip completing his last pre-launch check. A consol sounded. "Okay, good man," he murmured.
"He did it?" Jon asked sitting up straighter.
Trip nodded. "Yep. We're ready to go. Malcolm's disable the launch door sensors, no one will notice when we leave."
"What about the cloaking device?"
Trip moved his hand to another control. "Just about to initiate it right now," he said. He cast another look at Jon. Again, he was sitting rigid, almost at attention. "As stiff as an ironing board," he grumbled.
"Sorry, what did you say?" Jon asked.
Trip shook his head. "Nothin'. Just mumblin'." He looked forward. "Okay, time to go."
As the ship undocked from the shuttle bay, Trip held his breath. "Let's hope Malcolm can explain that away," he said quietly when he felt the inevitable vibration that he knew would make its way to the bridge. "Knowing T'Pol, she would have felt that."
Jon kept his eyes forward. "Let's hope."
T'Pol looked up from her PADD. "What was that?" she asked, calmly.
Malcolm met her gaze. He knew this was coming so had an explanation already at hand. "Ah, yes, sorry, Sub-Commander. Somehow a launch code accidently triggered itself and was preparing to fire a missile," he explained. He shifted uncomfortably in his seat, giving the impression he wasn't at all amused. "I had to shut it down quickly," he added without a hint of the lie he just spun. "It wouldn't do to have a missile running rogue."
T'Pol nodded. "No," she said. "I suggest you find the problem quickly before it happens again" she ordered, turning her attention back to her PADD.
"Aye, Sub-Commander," he acknowledged then dropped his head. "I can't promise anything, though" he smirked under his breath. "Good luck, captain," he said whispered.
"Can you see where we can dock?" Trip asked, breaking the silence.
Jon scoured the outer hull of the ship he so desperately needed to get to. He pointed aft. "There!" he said. "Over there."
Trip nodded and adjusted his heading.
"Is the cloak holding up?" Jon asked. He was on edge, they were so close to his goal, and he wanted nothing to go wrong.
Trip kept his attention on his approach. "Relax, Cap'n, everything's going to plan."
Jon wanted desperately to take a deep breath, but his anticipation was choking him. Soon, Kayla, soon…
"You okay?" Trip asked.
Jon nodded. "I'm fine. Stop asking me."
Trip glided the ship into place and docked with the Tandaran vessel. After securing everything he turned to Jon. "You're not okay, so don't keep telling me you are," he challenged, gently.
Jon rubbed his eyes. He owed Trip the truth. He was, after all putting himself on the line for him. He gazed into his eyes. "I'm sorry," he said. "I'm just anxious to get this done."
Trip nodded. "Okay, then let's do it," he said heading for the hatch.
Jon removed his weapon and took shallow breaths as he entered the darkened corridor of the Tandaran ship. He looked around to ensure they were alone.
"Which way do you think we should go?" Trip asked quietly, as he followed the captain's lead.
Jon looked up and down the corridor. There wasn't anything to indicate where they should start, so he took a guess. "Let's start left," he said and led the way. As they neared the corner, a voice echoed down.
"Ahh, Captain, it's good to see you again."
Jon's heart hammered against his ribs as he spun to face the man who had tortured him. He aimed his weapon high. "Grat," he hissed.
Grat smiled. "And you've brought the good commander along with you. How nice."
To Be Continued…
