Author's note: Hope I've not offended anyone with Ch. 7 :-/ So, we know Eli has secrets but how is that going to save Malcolm?
9. Sentencing
September 7th 2159
Malcolm walked into the court chamber behind his co-accused, the conversation with Eli the day before still fresh in his mind. He knew what the outcome of the meeting today would be, and that his captain would not react well to it. He wondered how Trip especially would react to the news that was going to be delivered very soon. His calm demeanour and slight smile was obviously confusing his crewmates. Feeling confident that his trust was not being misplaced, he worked on keeping his breathing even and his hands steady. He wanted to give nothing away to Jerem.
"Having been found guilty of such heinous crimes," Jerem began, rising to his feet. "And having taken the lives of eleven innocent people, there can be only one course of action." He looked at each of the five, a slight smirk tugging at his lips as his gaze came to rest on Malcolm.
"In five days time, you shall all be taken from this place and executed by hanging. This sentence shall be carried in the Ezalan Plaza, so that the dead can have their justice." Jerem pronounced, his voice lacking any emotion.
Cries of disgust and horror from the other prisoners caused Malcolm to look over at his crewmates, his friends, and to suddenly wish he hadn't. He didn't know what Eli had planned, but he couldn't risk saying anything to the other Enterprise crew members, for fear they would inadvertently give something away. The stunned looks on their faces tore at his soul and he wanted to be able to tell them not to worry, but he couldn't. Without being able to reassure his friends, he felt hands grasp his arms and saw his guards had come to collect him.
###
"Cap'n," Trip started to protest.
"Enough, Trip," Archer said, his tone brooking no argument. "We will discuss this once we get back to the ship."
"Aye, Sir," Trip acquiesced sullenly.
Turning back to First Minister Jerem, the captain continued. "First Minister, is there any way that we can prevent our crew member from being executed?"
"I'm afraid not, Captain," Jerem replied. "The crime is a terrible one and, as you saw from the videos, your crew member was directly involved."
"I see," Jon said coldly. "In that case, we will remain in orbit and take possession of his body once the execution has been carried out."
"I don't..." Jerem began, halting as Jon held up his hand.
"We will remain in orbit and we will take Malcolm's body," Archer told him, his tone firm. "He will be returned to his family for burial." With a hard stare, he inclined his head to the First Minister and turned away, indicating that the matter was now closed. His officers flowed closely behind him, their anger barely more controlled than their captain's.
###
Eli crouched in the corner of the tiny toilet cubicle beside Malcolm, both just out of sight of the camera in the corner of the cell. They had said little since he had been returned to the cell, except for him confirming the sentence given. She held his hand tightly, her shaking with the effort to remain calm. She knew that the shift change was about to happen, as their food bowls had been collected shortly before the entered the cubicle. It had been the signal she was apparently waiting for and she had practically dragged him with her into the tiny room.
Suddenly they were thrown to the floor as the room shook violently. With a smile, Eli scrambled to her feet and grabbed Malcolm's hand, pulling him with her into the dust filled cell. Fresh air flooded into the cell through the large hole that had appeared in the wall. "Our way out," he thought with a smirk. Coughing, they moved towards the hole, as arms reached in and grabbed them, hauling out to freedom.
The compound was dark as they made their escape, the lights which would normally illuminate the area at night broken and useless. The group, which also included the four people he had been standing trial with, moved quietly across the grounds to a hole in the fence. Once through, they slipped into the surrounding woodland in twos, each pair going in a slightly different direction. Malcolm and Eli stayed together, she urging him onwards as the sounds of alarm began from the prison behind them...
