Chapter Seven
24 Hours Later.
Malcolm's Ready Room, Enterprise.
"You have to tell Commodore Archer the truth," Malcolm said to T'Pol. They had been assigned the task of interrogating the Orion prisoners that Trip had captured and had just completed the assignment.
"Doing so will be career ending for Trip," T'Pol replied.
"T'Pol, what do you think this is? Trip disobeyed a direct order, he's is in the brig! He's going to be court martialed!"
"I am aware of that. I-I need to think."
"There is nothing to think about," Malcolm replied. "Perhaps if the Commodore knows the truth it can mitigate the situation. You know he can be very understanding at times."
"Yes, that is true," T'Pol said. "He can also be quite unreasonable and obstinate."
"Not when it comes to Trip," Malcolm said. "He's always been willing to help out. You just have to be straight with him. He hates it when you hide things from him. Take it from me."
"Perhaps it is for the best," T'Pol said. "Perhaps it is time for both of us to leave all of this behind us."
"You know that's not what Trip wants and I don't think you do either. Besides, no one wants to leave like this. I'm sure Trip would want to leave on his own terms. We need to give him that opportunity. Now tell him, or I will."
"No! It is not your place, nor responsibility! Trip would be infuriated! You need to allow me to handle it."
Malcolm blew out a long sigh. "All right," he replied. "Handle it then."
Malcolm left T'Pol with her thoughts and transported over to Jupiter Station on his way to meet with Commodore Archer. He was met by the Captain of Star Gazer, Martin Russet, Mayweather and several other officers from Shadow Company.
"Reed, what gives?" Martin asked. "Is Archer really gonna go through with this? He really gonna court martial Trip?"
Malcolm blew out another sigh. "He's still got him on lock down," he said. "That's all I know for now."
"Have you seen him or talked to him?" Travis asked. "Did he tell you anything?"
"No Travis. I'm not Chief of Security. I didn't have the pleasure of arresting my best friend."
"But you're close to Archer," the Chief Engineer of Jupiter Station, Reynolds, said. "Surely you know something. What have you been doing for the last four hours?"
"I've been on a special assignment," Reed spat.
"Look Malcolm," Martin said getting closer to Enterprise's captain. "This is bullshit! There's no way Trip should be locked up! None of us agreed with Archer's orders, he just did what none of us had the guts to do!"
"Don't you think I know that," Malcolm snapped. "But what do you expect me to do?"
"I expect you to do something!" Martin shouted at Reed. "To stand up for your friend!"
"And I expect you to get the hell out of my face!" the Englishman shouted back pushing Russet off of him.
"Stop it!" Travis said, getting between the two men. "This isn't getting us anywhere. Malcolm, we all just want to help. We were all out there and we saw what happened. None of those pods were in harm's way when Trip went after those ships."
"Yeah, Britton said that her ship had already transported at least fifteen of those pods," Martin added.
"And the XO of the Berringer, what's his name," Travis said, "Cooper… he said that they had transported 10 and had a lock on five more of those guys who had already started to materialize in their transporter.
"And there were plenty of us to help out with the rescue," someone else added.
"I think from where the Commodore was situated maybe he couldn't see things playing out the same way some of us could," Travis explained further.
"That may be all well and good" Malcolm replied. "And I plan to speak to the Commodore. But this is a total mess! Trip disobeyed a direct order, just what the hell am I supposed to say?"
"Tell him what we just said, what we all saw," Travis replied. "Look…sir! My Captain died out there, and I for one and damned glad that Trip did what he did! Those bastards had to pay!"
"And Jena…she's dead man… just gone," Martin said with moist eyes. "No way, no way those goddamned ships were supposed to just fly off into the sunset."
"Yeah, Trip deserves a fucking medal, he doesn't deserve to get court martialed," one of the other captains said.
"I agree," Travis said firmly. "He doesn't deserve to be thrown in jail like some criminal!"
"And I'm going to do everything in my power to ensure that he isn't," Malcolm said. "Are you all willing to speak to the Commodore about this, to testify on Trip's behalf at a hearing if it comes to that," Malcolm asked looking around at everyone. "It's not enough to complain about it to me, you've got to be willing to come forward. Now are you willing to do that? To put your necks on the chopping block?"
"Yes!" Travis said without hesitation.
"For goddamned sure," Martin agreed.
"I wasn't there," Reynolds said, "but I'll testify as a character witness, however I can help."
"Me too! Sure! Count me in," the others all agreed.
"All right," Reed said. "I have to meet with the Commodore now. I'll speak to him, and I'll let you know how it goes. But be prepared, if this doesn't work…Trip is going to need all the support he can get." With that, he turned on his heels and he was off.
Later.
A short while later Malcolm appeared on the bridge of Xfinity. He greeted Captain Hernandez and she gave him permission to enter the Commodore's ready room as he was waiting to hear from Reed.
"Come in," Archer barked, still dealing with the unpleasant events of the day before.
"Commodore," Malcolm started.
"Captain Reed," Jon said.
"T'Pol and I have finished interrogating the Orions from the ship Captain Tucker captured." Jon looked up at Malcolm who seemed to emphasize the last part of his sentence. "It took some persuading if you will. But I think you'll find the intel quite useful, Sir."
"What did you find out?" Jon asked.
"It's all here Commodore," Malcolm said, placing a data disk on Jon's desk. "The Orions' contact, their mission to destroy the star base and how they knew where our contingent would be located and when."
"Good job Malcolm," Jon said, "I'll view it right away. Dismissed." But Malcolm didn't move.
"A moment of your time Sir," he said instead. Jon looked up at him and hesitated for a moment.
"Go ahead," Jon replied.
"I'm sorry, but…but"
"But what? Spit it out man!" Archer said getting annoyed.
"Permission to speak freely sir."
"Go ahead."
"With all due respect Commodore, but I don't think the brig is the right place for Captain Tucker right now. Not under the circumstances."
"Oh?" Jon said with a frown. "And what may I ask might those circumstances be?"
"Well, sir, Trip's… not himself… actually…he's in a bad way."
"What do you mean by that Malcolm," Jon asked.
"I'm not at liberty to say. But I do know that he's not himself."
"Well, that sure as hell doesn't give me a lot to go on! If there's something wrong with Trip that's making him act a fool, and disobey direct orders, then I suggest you start talking Captain!"
"Commodore, I really am not in a position to say, but if you could speak to him sir. There is something you need to know." Archer leaned back in his seat and stared at Reed.
"Look Malcolm, I know you and Trip are close," he began. "And I'm sure I know what your views are about my standing order."
"Yes sir. I agree with Trip and everyone else," Malcolm replied. "And I think what happened today proved that point. Had Trip not gone after those ships, they would have made it back to their base. They would have just gotten away with attacking and successfully destroying our star base, with destroying four of our ships, killing three of our captains and many valuable crew members. I don't agree with that strategy."
"We had ships down, crewmen injured and in need of immediate assistance. The battle was over, those ships were retreating! There was no continued threat of harm!"
"And no retribution for their action…"
"This was not the time for retribution!" Archer said raising his voice, his face contorted as he tried to reign in his anger. "At least not at the moment! Columbia was facing a warp core breach, The Essex and Tuscany had been totally destroyed and forty-nine escape pods were floating in the atmosphere Malcolm. What Trip did put those people's lives in further danger as well as delay critical, immediate assistance to Columbia. It was just fortunate that Anna Hess knows a thing a two about preventing warp core breaches and was able to get over there on a shuttle pod just in time to help shut down the breach!"
"Commodore, there are several others who are of the opinion that the pods were not in any immediate danger. That Berringer already had recovered many of them and the Star Gazer had a lock on several others. In addition, I can appreciate Commander Hess' efforts, she's a great engineer. But preventing warp core breaches is within the scope of her duties isn't it sir?" Malcolm knew he was getting dangerously close to crossing the line, but he forged ahead anyway. "Where is it written that Trip is solely responsible for shutting down every warp core breach that occurs?"
"Sure, I get it Malcolm! Everyone is glad Trip killed those sons of bitches that attacked and killed our people, everybody is elated that he captured the other ship. But damn it!" Archer shouted rising and slamming his hand down on the desk, "lives could have been lost because Trip decided to disobey my goddamned order! And yes, sure, everything worked out just fine, this time! But orders are orders, and Captain Tucker decided that he didn't have to follow a direct order from his superior officer!"
Malcolm had to fight hard to maintain is composure. After all he was speaking to his commanding officer. He swallowed hard, "Sir," he began, red faced and almost shaking, "there are several officers willing to speak on Trip's behalf…willing to speak to you regarding this situation; about what really happened out there during the battle; to testify, if it comes to that."
"Are they now?" Archer said, his eyes glaring and veins popping out of his neck as he leaned against his desk. "Look Malcolm, there was a time I probably would have done something just as reckless! Well, I'm not in a position to behave that way anymore! Too much is at risk!"
"What about the intel we received as a result of Trip's actions," Malcolm shot back a little more forcefully than he meant to, his face getting redder and redder as he spoke. "Was obtaining that worth the risk? Once you've seen it, you might have a different opinion… sir!" Then he stepped back and clasped his hands behind his back, raising his chin a bit.
Before Archer could say more, his door chime went off. At first he ignored it, but whoever it was, was relentless. "Come In!" he finally shouted.
T'Pol stepped through the door. By the way she looked, both Archer and Reed could tell she was unsettled, and if they could tell it, she was obviously in a bad way. She and Reed exchanged glances, and Malcolm knew it was his time to retreat.
"With your permission, I'll be going Commodore," Malcolm said. Archer looked at T'Pol, and back at Malcolm. "However, I would like an opportunity to speak with you further about this if necessary sir."
"Alright, dismissed Captain," he finally said to Reed watching T'Pol as she walked up to his desk.
"Aye Sir," Malcolm replied and turned to leave.
"May I have a word with you Commodore?" T'Pol asked, hands clasped behind her back.
"Yes, of course," Archer said, a bit of an edge still in his voice from his argument with Malcolm. "Have a seat." T'Pol remained standing however, barely able to hide her distress from her commanding officer.
"Commodore, what Captain Tucker did on the battlefield may not have been in accordance with protocol, but he successfully destroyed an enemy vessel, and captured another. He has also provided us with valuable intel. Intel that Starfleet would not have obtained but for his actions. I am requesting that… I was hoping that this would mitigate your decision regarding his continued incarceration."
"T'Pol," Archer began. "I cannot believe that you of all people would come in here, trying to beg for leniency for someone who has clearly violated a direct order, based upon nothing more than… than your feelings for the man!"
"That is inappropriate Commodore!"
"Is it?"
"I make my appeal to you based upon fact, not emotional feelings" T'Pol said, her facial expression unchanging. Then she hesitated. "However… there is a highly unusual set of circumstances that should be taken in consideration. But I assure you, incarceration is the last thing Trip needs. It, it will not help him, it will only cause further …deterioration to an already delicate situation."
"What are you saying T'Pol?" Jon asked squinting his eyes at her.
"Commodore," she said with a sound of desperation in her voice. "He is perfectly capable of performing his duties, it's just that…"
"Just spill it T'Pol!" Jon interrupted rising abruptly. "If something's going on you should have come to me long before now! When will you and Trip learn that you can trust me, that keeping secrets are not only unnecessary but totally illogical!" T'Pol raised both eyebrows at that.
"Now what the hell is going on? If you're not willing to tell me the whole truth and nothing but the truth, I can't help you, can't help him! Now are you going to tell me what's going on?"
"I-I need to speak to him first," T'Pol said. "I am not in a position to divulge this information without his consent."
"Then you're wasting my time!" Jon said.
"If you would allow me to see him," she replied, with a look in her eyes that was practically begging. "It has been over 24 hours."
"I'm not granting him visitors, not even you," he told her with a stern look on his face. "Not yet anyway."
"For how long, if I may ask?"
"For as long as I see fit!" Archer barked. "T'Pol don't you get it? Can't you see how serious this is? Can't anyone? I've let Trip get away with a lot of things over the years, cut him a lot of slack, but this…he's gone too far this time! I can't ignore this!"
"Even if there were extenuating circumstances?" the Vulcan asked in a low voice that cracked slightly when she spoke.
"That depends on the circumstances," Jon replied. "But if you won't tell me what those circumstances are, then we're back to square one aren't we?"
Just then the door chimed again. Who else had come to challenge Archer's decision to put Trip in the brig? It was Phlox. "Come in," Archer snapped, then plopped back in his chair and put his hand to his forehead.
"Commodore, we need to talk," Phlox said with concern in his voice. "Alone," he said looking over at T'Pol.
Archer looked at T'Pol. "Dismissed," he said.
"Commodore!" she started.
"I said dismissed!" he barked. He was really getting tired of people ignoring his orders today. T'Pol slowly turned on her heels to exit. She turned back and looked at her superior officer before she did and then at Phlox.
"Doctor…" she began. But Phlox put up his hand and shook his head at her. She knew what that meant and what the doctor was about to do. T'Pol closed her eyes, hung her head, then turned again toward the exit and slowly walked toward it. She stopped in front of the door for a moment as if she were about to turn around and make another plea, then she opened the door and went through it.
"What can I do for you doctor," Jon asked. "Wait, let me guess, you heard about me throwing Trip in the brig, right?"
"As a matter of fact I did, and it concerns me greatly."
"Look Phlox, Malcolm's been in here telling me that poor Trip doesn't deserve to be in the brig. That he's got a situation, but he's not at liberty to say what that is. T'Pol comes in here next telling me Trip's operating under unusual circumstances, but refuses to say more. Now if you've come here to tell me that Captain Tucker isn't himself, or he's got a situation, but you can't tell me anymore, you're wasting your time…"
"No Commodore," Phlox said holding up both hands and taking a seat in front of Archer's desk.
"He does in fact have a condition and I'm afraid it has begun to affect him to the point where I believe I must consult you about it."
"What? What's wrong with him this time?"
"The parasite infection from last year."
"I thought you cured him of that."
"Yes, the infection itself is cured. The parasites were successfully destroyed. Unfortunately, so were certain areas of Captain Tucker's frontal lobe."
"What?" Jon said with alarm in his voice, "Are you suggesting…brain damage?"
"Yes Commodore." For a few seconds Jon looked very concerned. He ran his hand over his face and straighten up in his chair before speaking further.
"Can you reverse it?" he finally asked with a frown.
"No, not this time."
"So, what's his prognoses? What now? Is he fit for duty?"
"His prognoses is not terminal. But it is not promising either over the long term. In the short term, his personality will be affected by this brain damage and will continue to be so. Currently he is experiencing episodes of unprovoked anger and aggression as he did when he was infected by the parasites and difficulty controlling certain impulses."
"Is he capable of following orders?"
"He is and he isn't."
"What does that mean?"
"In certain situations he may have the desire to follow orders but he will be unable to control his impulses, fueled by his anger or his judgement will be impaired at times."
"In other words he can't be trusted to follow orders; he's not fit for duty."
"I don't believe his condition has deteriorated that far yet. I am treating him with medication and T'Pol is helping with meditation and uh, mind melds, to help him maintain control, to help him stay balanced. But she will not be able to continue doing that. The result could be harmful to her neuropathways as well."
Jon sat back in his chair. "So why the hell didn't they just tell me?"
"Because they were afraid of the implications Commodore. Many times a diagnosis like this is career ending. In addition, they believed that you had quite enough to deal with, enough of your own stressors, both personal and professional to contend with."
"That's beside the point," Jon replied. "I should have been told!"
"Commodore, the term "brain damage" carries a stigma and speculation about whether a person can truly function properly mentally and emotionally. It matters not what medical reassurances are given, there's always that nagging question in the back of everyone's mind. And the first time a mistake is made or some error occurs, the condition is blamed and a person's health is questioned."
"But if you tell me he's able to do his job, that's good enough for me."
"Is it Commodore? And will Starfleet Command see it that way?" Archer lifted both eyebrows, opened his mouth to say something, and then closed it.
"So doctor, are you saying to me that Trip may have done what he did yesterday because he was unable to control his impulses?"
"That may well be true."
"Then that means he's unable to obey orders. Which means he's not fit for duty."
"Or it may mean that he was over tired, distressed, in need of medication adjustment, meditation and rest. He needs to be very careful, he has to take care of himself at a very high level now, and I am committed to helping him do that. I have briefed his ship's doctor on how to care for him, and I will see him whenever I can."
"Phlox, we're all over tired, distressed, in need of more rest and could probably take better care of ourselves! I don't see how that makes any difference! I need a straight answer!" Jon finally said out of frustration.
"On the contrary, it makes a great deal of difference in this situation. And the best answer I can give is that Captain Tucker has a significant brain injury that causes him to experience irresistible impulses. He will have to learn to control these impulses. Hopefully with medication and other methods, he will be able to do so over time. If he is successful, he can continue serving on his ship. If not, he will have to leave within the next year as his condition will continue to deteriorate, perhaps sooner."
"How much sooner?"
"We may have already begin to see changes in him," Phlox explained, "When T'Pol experienced a concussion a couple of months ago during a battle, it ended up affecting him more than her. It acerbated the condition. That's precisely why I'm here."
"Great, just great," Jon said running his hand over his eyes. "So were you planning on relieving him of duty?"
"I need to examine him to make that determination."
"Phlox, if Trip can't control his impulses, and he's prone to fly off the handle at any time and pull crazy, dangerous stunts like he did today, lives could be at stake! What are you talking about, you have to relieve him of duty, don't you?"
"Not necessarily, not yet anyway. I need more time to study his condition. I am still hopeful that I can successfully treat him for a time anyway, and that he can learn how to manage his condition better. We are currently on leave for 45 days are we not? This is a perfect opportunity. I can conduct my research and Mr. Tucker can spend this time working on the exercises he needs to learn; how to manage stress, how to meditate at a higher level, anger management, how to suppress his emotions."
"In other words, he's really going to have to become a Vulcan now," Jon said sarcastically.
"In a sense, yes," the doctor replied. "But he need not be formally relieved of duty as he won't need to have interaction with his crew or be responsible for making any major decisions right now. But I would advise against his continued incarcerated. I do believe that environment and added stressor would only aggravate the situation."
John fell back in his chair wrapping his fingers on his desk, considerably calmer now. "Yes, but I still have to address what he did. How do I do that doctor, under these facts?"
"That is why you are in charge Commodore," Phlox answered. "I am sure you will figure something out. I would like to see Captain Tucker now, with your permission of course."
Archer blew out a sigh. "Of course doctor." He then had Trip escorted to sick bay to see Phlox. When the exam was done, Jon had Trip and T'Pol meet him in his ready room and lit into both of them about keeping Trip's condition secret. Then they discussed what it meant for the future.
