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§ 10 §

The vehicle on which they were speeding through the streets was fast. It had the shape of an egg and a darkened windscreen that blended well into the car's black body. Whatever powered it was very silent; as to what it rode on – if it ran on wheels or hovered above the ground – Malcolm didn't know, but when the engine had been turned on it had risen about half a metre. He made a mental note to find out as soon as he got off it; which hopefully would be soon, because thanks to Ga'we's rather erratic driving his motion sickness was beginning to rear its ugly head.

Main hands on a steering wheel of sorts, the Doctor raced them through streets that were slowly coming alive, as the sky in the distance faded into the colours of dawn.

Malcolm hadn't spoken to Ga'we since the man had tended to his scratches. His mind was busy figuring things out, last but not least a plan of action. This time he would not fail. He would get Travis out and back on Enterprise whatever it took. The idea that he would finally be doing something, that he was allowed to rescue the man at last was giving him new strength; he felt better than he had in days; indeed, since that fateful night. Danger had its attraction and adrenaline was something of a drug to him. Trip would undoubtedly say he was nuts, and maybe the man was right; but this side of his profession was something Malcolm didn't dislike. To put himself to the test; to conquer fear and succeed was vital to his mental balance. It reinforced his often wavering self-esteem. Only, he preferred when 'the test' didn't involve risking the lives of people he cared for.

Turning his head just a fraction, Malcolm cast a surreptitious look at his travelling companion. Ga'we was taut and taciturn. Malcolm pursed his lips. He didn't like the fact that the Doctor was of the party; he didn't like having to look out for another person, on a rescue mission. It had been inevitable, but he proposed to get the man to remain in the vehicle once they arrived at their destination.

There were a few things he didn't quite understand – like why Travis had been taken in the first place, and why Ga'we hadn't confided in Phlox right away if, as it seemed, he was so worried about what his older colleague might be up to. But this was not the time to ask questions. Except maybe for one.

"Where are they keeping him?"

Malcolm held on to the dashboard as the egg-mobile rounded a narrow bend without so much as a hesitation. He had the time to go through a few choice mental curses before the answer came.

"Dvo'we has a private lab, outside town, where he carries out some… research." Ga'we shot him a quick look. "He showed it to me once, when he thought I was a different kind of person, more... power-driven; less conscientious. He soon realised I wasn't the kind of man who put career advancement before everything." Another quick glance. "I hope I'm right and that your friend is indeed there. If he isn't, I wouldn't know where to look for him."

Malcolm tightened his lips in frustration. They didn't even know for sure if they were going to the right place? Brilliant.

"But it must be," he heard Ga'we mutter, almost to himself.

"Doesn't he have to report to the hospital, during the day?"

"He has a certain freedom," Ga'we replied. "He has connections in high circles."

Malcolm's stomach was roiling. Good thing the food he'd eaten before leaving was well digested by now. "Describe the place," he managed, swallowing saliva. "How many rooms, layout..."

"I was there only once..."

Ga'we raked a hand through his hair just as the vehicle tackled another curve. Malcolm was about to scream 'keep your hands on the wheel' when he realised that with four appendages you could actually spare one, now and then. Not a bad thing. For a moment he wished those hands stuck in his pockets were real. Imagine firing four phase pistols at once.

"It's in a small, isolated house in the country. I only saw the entrance, a corridor, and the lab at the end of it," Ga'we continued, bringing him back to the present. "Ah, and a staircase leading to an upper floor."

They had left the centre of town and had gone through some fairly rundown suburbs. Now the road was flanked by that thick vegetation Malcolm had spied from the sky, when he had piloted the shuttlepod to the hospital, it seemed like ages ago. The trees formed a pretty well uninterrupted canopy. It didn't look like countryside suited for a cottage...

"Further on, the trees get thinner," Ga'we said as if reading his thoughts. Unexpectedly, he pulled the vehicle to a stop at the side of the street.

"What are you doing?" Malcolm demanded impatiently.

Ga'we turned to him, his eyes dark with worry. "I'll do everything I can to save your friend," he said tautly, "but you must take me and my family with you on your ship."

Malcolm opened his mouth to speak, but Ga'we pushed the door on his side open and exited the egg-mobile. Cursing, Malcolm followed suit. "What are you talking about?" he asked, even before he was completely out. Ga'we didn't reply. "Doctor," Malcolm said in an urgent voice, "I don't have time to waste. Would you care to explain what you-"

"Shur, Echia, over here!" Ga'we called, ignoring him; and started crossing the road. Figures were coming out of the thick vegetation. Malcolm watched in awe as a man and a woman emerged; each held the hand of a small child.

"It is because of the Ensign's dark complexion."

Archer felt a chill travel down his spine. He bore into his CMO. "Would you care to explain?" he asked darkly.

"The Ajfwqa'wes have a problem, which I understand is getting pretty serious, Captain. They are losing their natural skin defences. You may have noticed how pale they are," Phlox went on, his tone very professional. "Their sun's radiation has increased dangerously over the past few centuries, and their physiology hasn't been able to adapt: they simply get sick and die before they reach an old age. Their death rate is on the rise, and life expectation is decreasing. When they saw Mister Mayweather, they thought he might provide the answer they so desperately seek."

It took Archer a moment to react. He turned to his Science Officer. "T'Pol, didn't you check the planet's atmosphere, before we went down to visit?"

"Indeed. As you may recall I reported their sun was unusually strong, but considering we were going to spend the day in talks, indoors, I suggested it would be no cause for concern."

So it had been. Archer scrunched his eyes closed. He had been so excited about a new first contact that he had hardly registered her words, then. Strong sun? They'd just put on some lotion.

"I did found it unusual that there seem to be no elderly people on the planet," T'Pol went on, "and that they spend almost no time outdoors." She frowned slightly. "It would be logical for them to carry out their activities at night and rest during the day."

Phlox shrugged. "According to Doctor Ga'we, scientists have found that the problem is compounded by the planet's peculiar composition, which absorbs the radiation and then gives it off amplified in an uninterrupted cycle. Even at night it isn't safe for them." In the oddly chirpy voice he used when he was enthused by something, Phlox went on, "They have succeeded in shielding their buildings to some extent, but they can't spend their entire lives indoors, for lack of sunlight brings on other physical problems." The tone – luckily for Archer's nerves – dropped again as he concluded, "They are running out of time to find a cure."

Archer grabbed his cup of coffee with more strength than it was necessary. "Why is it that nobody thinks of asking for help?" he said through a clenched jaw. A sudden thought struck him. "Just how dangerous is this to us, Doctor? I have two men down there, one of whom is likely to spend quite a bit of time in the outdoors."

"A few hours' exposure isn't going to affect him. As I said, this is something that has been going on for centuries," Phlox dismissed.

"I would assume that is also the reason why the city extends more inland than along the coast," T'Pol wondered. Her eyebrows lifted as she expounded, "Radiation near the sea would be more intense."

Phlox sighed. "That's what they thought for a long time. Except now they know the problem is just about as bad everywhere; hence the new, fashionable seafront locales."

Archer felt a wave of hatred, an emotion he had always fought and rejected, but right now was powerless against. Meeting new worlds and new civilisations was proving a less exciting enterprise than he had expected. He was definitely going to have to re-think his friendly approach to new species.

"For all his kindness, Doctor Ga'we knew but wasn't going to tell us," he spat out.

"I wouldn't hold it against him, Captain," Phlox said, with a sympathetic smile. "He wanted to have some definite proof that Mister Mayweather had indeed been – how is that colourful Human expression? – ah, yes, framed. And don't forget that Doctor Dvo'we has threatened him. Apparently the man is acting on the Government's bidding and can be quite dangerous. I find it admirable that in the end Doctor Ga'we didn't silence his conscience."

Archer grimaced. "You're right, Doc, I'm sorry." He heaved a deep sigh. "Let's hope his help doesn't come too late."

"Tucker to Archer."

If he knew his Chief Engineer, Trip sounded troubled and frustrated. Welcome to the club – Archer silently mused. He reached for the link button. "What is it, Commander?"

"Capt'n, I'm having a whole lot of trouble with the transporter."

Archer heard him blow out a breath and that didn't bode well.

"After we transported Malcolm, as is standard procedure, we ran a routine check: the thing's completely screwed up. I don't know; might be the planet's composition; there's a lot of interference."

Any more bad news? "Malcolm?" Archer instinctively asked, imagination already running rampant. But no, what a fool – they'd been tracking his biosigns…

"He got there okay, I'm positive about it; I think the problem is transporting out rather than in."

Just great. What else could go wrong? No, better not ask that question…

"I think I'm gonna have to take it apart piece by piece," Trip went on. "It isn't exactly equipment we want to take a chance with."

"How long?" Archer enquired, irritation lacing his voice despite his best efforts to show calm. "I don't need to remind you we have two men on the planet that might need a quick lift any time, Trip."

"I know, Capt'n. But as I say, I wouldn't take any chances transporting them out if I'm not absolutely sure they'd arrive the way they left."

The words conjured up more disturbing images in Archer's mind, which he fought to dismiss.

"A few hours, Sir," Trip's tired voice continued. "I'd say at least two or three."

Archer bit his lip. "Do your best, Commander."

Malcolm went up to Ga'we determined to show him the iron side of Lieutenant Reed, the one that made his subordinates snap to attention; and never mind that he had to tilt his head up to look into the Doctor's eyes, for the man towered many centimetres over him: he was used to this sort of disadvantage.

"This is a bloody rescue mission," he said, crossing his arms in front of his chest. "It is likely to be dangerous, and I was already regretting the fact that you would be there. And now you-" His eyes shifted for a second to the two identical girls, both looking up at him with frightened eyes, and he bit the inside of his cheek. "And now," he continued in a toned-down voice, "You want me to take along your wife and children?"

"I certainly wouldn't ask if I weren't forced to," Ga'we countered. He put a hand on Malcolm's shoulder and led him a few steps away. "Lieutenant, I've been threatened. I'm already placing my family at risk to help your comrade," he said in a low voice that trembled with what Malcolm thought was outrage. "The danger that this rescue mission may entail is the lesser of two evils, at this point." His face twisted in despair, and his emotionally-charged voice reached Malcolm's very soul. "Are you telling me you will leave us to our destiny? After what I'm doing for you?"

Dammit. Malcolm held the Doctor's intense gaze for a moment; then his eyes shifted back to the group waiting in suspended silence a few meters off. Ga'we's wife had each little girl by the hand now. All three were looking in his direction. The man the Doctor had addressed as Shur held a comforting hand on the woman's shoulder.

"Can you look into my chidren's eyes," Ga'we's emotional voice continued, "and refuse to help us?"

Malcolm heaved a deep sigh and raked a hand through his hair. "Even if I got you on Enterprise, what would you do then? Where would you go? You can't stay with us indefinitely."

"All we ask is that you take us to the Southern continent. My wife has relatives there. It's far enough that we'll be safe."

Malcolm knew he had no options. "All right," he conceded. "But you and your family will do exactly what I'll tell you. I'll go inside that house alone."

"Your friend might need medical attention," the Doctor said darkly.

"If he does, you'll give it to him once it's safe for you to do it." Malcolm jerked his head in the direction of the people waiting. "Get them. Better not waste any time."

Malcolm watched Ga'we jog to the group. He and the man grabbed each other's arms and stood like that for a long moment, seemingly unable to speak; then Shur pulled the Doctor into an embrace. They looked to be good friends, and Malcolm averted his gaze, feeling he was intruding. A wave of sadness hit him. He had always hated farewells; had always tried to avoid them. He could still feel the arms of his mother around him the day he had left for San Francisco, not wanting to let go. At least they had known it wasn't forever… Those two would probably never see each other again, and it struck him, right then, how honourable and courageous Ga'we was being. After all Travis was a perfect stranger to him. He might just as well have turned the other way. They owed him big time, as Trip would say.

Malcolm glanced back and saw that Shur was no longer there; Ga'we had crouched and was talking to his twins. Then he picked one up, and led his family towards him.

Malcolm silently cursed. Three more people to look out for.

TBC

Are you applying sun lotion? :-)

I'm looking forward to any comments.