Chapter Nine

Later That Day.

Malcolm was infuriated. He wanted to go after whoever had taken Hoshi. But he had no idea who it was. All he knew was that he wanted her back, but he had been ordered not to get involved. He was a ship's captain and Hoshi was not a member of his crew. No, she was more than that: she was the woman he loved.

Suddenly his door chime sounded. "Come," he said abruptly.

"Hey," Trip said as he entered the room. "How you holdin' up?"

"I'm about to lose my mind," Malcolm replied. "Not to mention my captaincy of Enterprise."

Then Trip noticed what his friend was doing. "What the hell do you think you're doin' Mal?" he asked, "Where are you goin'?"

"I'm going after her," Malcolm said as he threw items in a duffel bag.

"What?" Trip replied incredulously. "Commodore Archer ordered us to stand down! He said Starfleet would handle it, that it was none of our concern!"

"Trip, this is Hoshi we're talking about, and she's been kidnapped!"

"The Commodore gave us a direct order!"

"I don't care," Malcolm said. "It's not like I haven't disobeyed a direct order before, betrayed my superior officer before!"

"You damn fool, you're gonna be court martialed," Trip said. "You do realize that don't you? Are you prepared to throw your entire career away Mal?"

"Yes!" Malcolm yelled spinning around to face his friend. "Don't you get it? This is Hoshi we're talking about damn it! I love her! I love her and she's worth a career! She worth more than a bloody career! Now leave me the hell alone because I'm fucking going! I'm just…going!"

"Alright then," Trip said. "That's all I needed to hear. I'm going with you!"

"What?" Malcolm said.

"I said I'm going with you".

"No Trip, you're not. Besides, I don't need your help. I'm not asking anyone else to get in to trouble on my account. I'm going alone. I have to do this, you don't."

"First of all, Captain Reed. Hoshi means just as much to me as she means to you, just in a different way. I love her too Mal. She's like my baby sister, and I won't sit back and just let her die. I won't." Malcolm looked down, he knew Trip was thinking about losing his sister Lizzy all over again.

"Second, I'm already in trouble so it really doesn't make any difference."

"What do you mean by that?" Malcolm asked.

"When I went against Jon's order to stand down and attacked that Orion ship and captured the other one and got thrown in the brig…"

"Yes, and?"

"Well, I told you that wasn't the end of it. I'm on probation for sixty days. Jon said if I so much as sneeze the wrong way, I'm back in the clink."

"Trip…" Malcolm started, but Trip waived his hand at him.

"And, I'm supposed to be working with some Vulcan mystic learning how to suppress my emotions. On top of that, I'm to check in with Phlox every other day or so about some damned drug research program."

Malcolm frowned, looking at Trip. "Perhaps you should consider it. The treatment could prove successful and it could save your career," he interjected with a sincere look.

"Uh huh!" Trip replied. "There's more. At the end of my probation, I'll be appearing before a hearing committee and Phlox is gonna testify. If it's determined that I did what I did because of my condition, then apparently, I'm unable to follow orders and therefore I'm not fit for duty and I'm out of the service. If it's determined that I didn't do what I did because of my condition, that I knowingly and willingly disobeyed a direct order, then I'm out of the service.

The Brit frowned again, folding his arms. "Well…that means…"

"Yeah you got it," Trip interrupted. "Any way you slice it, I'm out! So what difference does it make whether I participate in Phlox's damned drug program or take those Vulcan mind-control classes or not? I'm out! Bottom line is, I got nothing to lose, and you need help bringing Hoshi back, so let me help you."

Malcolm just stared at Trip a moment. "What do you have in mind Mr. Tucker?"

"Well what's your plan," Trip asked. "How can I help?"

"I don't have a plan, yet" Malcolm admitted. "Other than just…taking a shuttle craft from Enterprise's cargo bay and making a run for it."

"Well, that won't do, we need a warp seven ship," Trip said.

"Where are we going to get a warp seven ship, other than stealing yours or mine? We'll never make it out of space dock."

"Oh ye of little faith," Trip grinned. "When I was running Jupiter Station, I met a lot of people, some of less than reputable character. I know you've got a few of those in your pocket as well. We put our notes together and we come up with something. I'm confident I can commandeer a ship, if you can come up with some weapons, some information about where the hell to at least start looking, and a couple of people to watch our backs. Mal we can bring Hoshi back I know it!"

Malcolm stood up straight. He'd started to feel encouraged. He looked at Trip for a few moments, his eyes dancing with what looked like a cross between fury and anticipation, the wheels of his mind spinning. "There's a couple of blokes who owe me a favor or two. Perhaps it's time to cash in on them," he finally said.

"Now you're talking," Trip said rubbing his hands together. "How long do you need?"

"Meet back here at 1600 hours. I'm certain I can put something together. You sure you can get a ship?"

"Watch me!" Trip said.

15:00 Hours, That Same Day.

Liz Cutler's Quarters.

Liz had spent an hour being interviewed in a conference room on Xfinity by SI. The young medical officer had been crying all day upon learning that her best friend had been kidnapped. She told the investigators the last time she talked to Hoshi and the last time she saw her. She did not tell them everything they talked about however, but she mentioned the fact that Malcolm had come to visit her yesterday looking for the comm officer. They also asked her questions about Hoshi's family and places she could have gone if she wanted to disappear. She was uncomfortable when security and one of the investigators insisted on escorting her back to her quarters.

Once Liz was inside her door, the investigator stepped just inside though uninvited, and prevented the door from swishing close.

She looked at him incredulously and snapped, "wait, what the hell do you think you're doing?"

"You will notify us immediately if you hear anything or if Lt. Sato contacts you for any reason," the investigator suggested.

"I already said I would," she sneered, "now back off!"

"Well then, that's all for now Lt. Cutler, but we may have a few more questions for you at a later time," the man said.

"Whatever, now get out!"

"We're going to do everything we can to bring Lt. Sato back," he said looking down at Liz. "We just need everyone's cooperation; that you tell us everything you know. You know Commodore Archer said that this wasn't the time for secrets and playing children's games. He told us to reiterate that with certain crew members…to keep an eye on you. Do we need to keep an eye on you Lieutenant?"

"Look damn it," the distraught woman replied defiantly, "I don't know what the Commodore meant by that, but I realize that Lt. Sato is not only a valued member of this crew, but she's also…my friend and I would never hold back information nor do anything to jeopardize her safety!" she said through tears. Then there was a moment of silence as Liz continued crying.

"Well, good night Lieutenant," the investigator finally blurted out and he and the security officer turned and left.

After a few minutes passed Liz grabbed a padd from her desk and threw it at the door. "I wouldn't tell you shit even if I did know something! And that goes for you too Commodore, you insensitive, cold-hearted, incompetent, fucking…bastard!" she yelled.

"Liz!" a voice said startling her as he emerged from her bathroom, taking a hold of her and gesturing for her to keep quiet. "You need to keep it together. What if they were still in the corridor?"

"Says the man hiding in my bathroom," Cutler retorted as she held her chest. "What are you still doing here, you scared the crap out of me!"

"I told you I was gonna wait for you, find out how your interview went. Nobody's telling me anything and it's driving me nuts! What was that all about?" Travis asked. "Thought they were interviewing everybody in the conference room. That's where they talked to me. What were they doing coming to your quarters? I didn't know if they were coming in or not, so I hid."

"Apparently they think I know more than I'm saying and they thought they'd intimidate me or something! Hell if I know!"

"Why would they think you know something more?"

"Because everybody always think I know something about everything!" she shouted.

Travis looked at her with his hands on his hips. "Well, do you know something about this?" She became quiet and just stared at the her former crewmate. "Liz? You do know something don't you?"

"UUUHHHGGG!" the frustrated woman grunted, grabbing a pillow from her bunk and throwing it. "Okay, look…I'm not sure, but I think Trip and Malcolm…I think they're planning something. I think they're going after her."

"What makes you say that?"

"I saw Trip earlier. He was acting strange. Talking fast and lying his ass off about missing an appointment with doc to get his meds. I was at the transport pad making arrangements to go to the surface for leave tomorrow. That's where I ran into him. He was making some arrangements of his own-to move a ship out of the hangar."

"A ship! How the hell did you manage to find that out?"

"Let's just say, I know the clerk there real well. He has a thing for me; told him I'd go to dinner with him. He said Trip filed papers to legally claim this little warp seven ship that's been in storage with all the old, banged up-ones for over a year."

Travis' eyes became big as saucers. "A warp seven ship, really? C'mon Liz, who's gonna just leave a warp seven ship laying around in space dock for a whole year?"

"Well from what I'm told, back when our Captain Tucker was running Jupiter station, there was this guy on the run for his life right, from some bounty hunters or something," Cutler beamed at the opportunity to share the gossip.

"Trip did him a favor and let him hide out somewhere over there for days, saved his life. Even repaired his ship for him. The guy leaves on a shuttle craft, too afraid to take his ship out thinking the hunters would recognize it. Tells the good captain he'll come back later for it. But check this out-he never comes back. My friend at the hangar tells me Trip's been checking on it from time to time, powering it up, taking it out for a run, and this morning, he sends an application to the surface to the registrar's office and files a claim to it. What does that tell you?" she concluded, hitting Travis on the arm."And if Trip's involved, Malcolm's involved! You can bank on that!"

Travis shook his head. "How do you do it?"

"Hey! I ask questions when I wanna know something, okay! There's no crime in asking questions!"

"You know what people say about you don't you?" he asked looking at her out the corner of his eye, tilting his head at her.

"So damn what! Who gives a shit?" she spat with a flip of her hand.

"So why didn't you just tell the investigators and the Commodore? It might be the key to saving Hoshi's life you know?"

She looked at him with a seriousness about her and stated emphatically, "Travis, I'd put my money on Malcolm and Trip any day. Besides, I answered all of SI's questions truthfully and they never once asked me anything about anybody moving a ship out of space dock." The young ex-boomer shook his head again in disbelief.

"Anyway, why don't you see if you can catch up to our fine Starfleet captains and try to find out what they're up to?" she said as she laid her hand gently on his arm. "Talk to Rick over at hangar ten."

Travis kissed her on the cheek and hurried for the door.

A Short Time Later.

Launch Bay Ten.

What Malcolm and Trip was able to put together in just under a day was impressive. Malcolm had a lot of connections and some of them almost frightened Trip. These guys were mercenaries, rogue section 31 operatives, criminals, or plain street thugs. There were six humans, a big Coridian, two Andorians and even a Vulcan. Trip was aware that Malcolm knew some questionable characters, but he had no idea he knew these kind of people. They seemed more than up to the task though. This apparently wasn't their first rodeo and they had weapons galore; phase pistols, rifles, explosives and various other torture devices.

Malcolm on the other hand was impressed with the ship. It was a warp seven vessel capable of housing a crew of up to about thirty. It had shields, particle phase cannons and even a cloaking device. In addition it housed a small shuttle craft. Malcolm wondered how Trip could have got his hands on this ship in such a short time. He definitely wanted to hear this story when he had a chance.

So with Malcolm's ten crew members, the armory and bridge would be maintained. Trip had taken care of the engineers, five of them. They had no real doctor, only a medic and just a food replicator to provide their meals, but this wasn't to be a long term mission nor a luxury cruise so they had to make due. Besides these folks were doing this for money, not comfort. Malcolm and Trip had pooled their financial resources and were paying their small crew a pretty penny for this little venture, but they didn't care. It was worth it to them.

There was however a small snag in the operation on their way to their rendezvous point. They had sneaked into the launch bay and was just about to board the ship there that Trip had obtained when they were met with an unexpected quest.

"You guys look like you're about to do something real stupid," Travis said. Trip and Malcolm stopped dead in their tracks.

"Bloody hell," the Englishman said.

Trip just hung his head, but after a moment raised it defiantly. "Whadda ya mean by that Travis?" Trip replied. "We're on leave. Mal and I are going on a fishing trip, that's all."

The young ex-Boomer looked at the vessel they were about to board. "Not on that you aren't. That's a warp seven ship, small, but fully loaded, particle phase cannons, maybe even with defensive shield and cloaking device technology to boot!"

"Damn first class helmsman," Malcolm muttered. "Look mate," he said. "What Trip and I are up to is none of your business, right? We're on leave so it's none of Starfleet's business either!"

"Yeah!" Trip added. "We're going on a skiing trip on Andoria, that's all."

"A few minutes ago it was a fishing trip," Travis pointed out.

Trip and Malcolm looked at one another.

"Look!" Travis said stepping closer to the two men. "I'm not stupid. I know what you're doing. You're going after Hoshi." There was silence for a few moments as they all stared at one another. "And I'm going with you," Travis finally said.

"No you're not," Trip replied promptly.

"Hoshi's my friend too!" Travis shot back. "She's just as important to me as she is to either of you!"

"Look Travis," Trip held on to his patience. "I know she is. We all care a great deal about Hoshi, but you gotta look at this thing rationally. Out of all of us, you've got the most to lose. You're still young, you've got your whole career ahead of you. Me and Mal, well, let's just say, we're kinda on the down swing here."

"Bullshit!" Travis said. "You're both Captains, two of Starfleet's finest and everyone knows it! So if you're willing to risk everything you've worked for why shouldn't I? You've made your choice why can't I do the same?"

"Travis! Someone has to stay behind and mind the store! Someone has to be here to have Commodore Archer's back! Don't you get it, we may not be coming back!"

"Trip, Trip!" Malcolm interrupted. "He's right."

"What?" Trip said incredulously.

"I said he's right. Let him come. He has just as much right to throw his career away as we do. It's his choice. I say the more the merrier."

"Great!" Travis said cheerfully and picked up his gear and started to walk toward the ship.

Trip just looked at Malcolm like he was crazy. "Well, I think you finally lost it Mal!" Trip said. "Yep, you finally went on over the edge. He's the last person we need taggin' along on this thing!"

But as Travis walked toward the ship, Malcolm took out his phase pistol and shot him in the back.

"Malcolm!" Trip said. "Shit! You are crazy aren't you?"

"Yes, completely! I saved him from a. raising the alarm on us, and b. throwing his career away! Now help me him get him out of sight." With that they lifted the younger man and put him in a nearby closet in the launch bay area.

"He's gonna be mad as a wet hen when he wakes up," Trip observed. "And sore as hell from that phase pistol stun."

"He'll live," Malcolm said levelly. "But you were right. There's no way he needed to be putting a premature end to his squeaky clean record by hanging out with the likes of us. Besides, if we die on this mission or if we live long enough to get court martialed, someone's going to have to take our places, and it damned well better be him rather than some bloke who never navigated a ship through the Expanse, was held hostage by the Suliban, went to war with the Xindi or stood toe to toe with a Romulan drone ship. Not to mention the way he's handled himself on the bridge whenever he's been left in command."

"It doesn't happen often Captain Reed, but when you're right, you're right," Trip said patting him on the back. Then they proceeded to board their ship.

=/\=

"So, what did you tell T'Pol?" Malcolm asked once they were inside the ship and had put their gear away.

"I didn't tell her anything. She's on Vulcan meditating. Said she needed to be alone for a couple of weeks. I didn't argue with her. We rarely go separate ways, but if she says she needs to do it, she must really need to. I can imagine with her helping me maintain control and all, she probably really needed a break from me."

The Brit laughed. "If you don't get killed on this mission, she's gonna kill your arse to Kingdom Come when you get back."

"That she will my friend. That she will," Trip said smiling. "You wanna brief these fine fellows on how this little venture is supposed to work."

"Why don't you do the honors," Malcolm shook his head solemly. "I think you should take on the role as ship's Captain. I prefer to take the lead as the chief operative and at tactical. You run things up here, I run things on the ground. And listen, these blokes only know me as Viper, it's a code name. You choose one too. No need for the likes of these to know who you really are."

"Okay, that'll work," Trip agreed. "Hey everybody listen up," raising his voice as he turned to address their rag-tag team. "For those of you who haven't met me yet, I'm Cobra, and welcome to the Excalibur. This is my ship, so I'm your Captain for this mission. Most of you have met Viper over here. He's your lead on tactical and ops. We're going to be going into enemy territory to bring back a colleague of ours, a dear friend…someone we regard as family.

"I'm not gonna lie to you, you already know this is gonna be dangerous, and you're gonna be putting your life on the line. None of us may be coming back alive. But we've got a job to do, and you've all signed on for a particular function. We need you to be at your level best, whether that's engineerin', armory, medical or if you're a part of the away team. Just follow me and Viper's lead and this'll work out fine. Hopefully, we'll get our friend back and we'll all get to go home…alive…and you'll get the rest of your pay." Everybody laughed at that.

"Now, there's plenty of crew quarters on this boat," he went on. "Go find you a space and get settled in. We'll get under way in a few minutes."

With that they dispersed.

"Cobra?" Malcolm asked, giving his friend a look when they were alone. "Captain Cobra?"

The engineer shrugged. "I know it's corny, probably the most overused code name in history, but I couldn't think of anything else on the fly, other than 'Trip,' so I just went with it - besides, now we can be snakes together. If you got something better I'm listenin'."

Malcolm made an exasperated sound and walked away, shaking his head.