TEN

"Captain Archer," said the Prime Minister from the view screen of the Enterprise, "Princess Dola has asked that I express her relief that an amicable and honorable solution to our problem was found. We look forward to a long and prosperous future with Earth."

"As do we, Prime Minister," said Archer. "Please relay our best wishes to the Princess and all your people."

"And no hard feelings," Travis added.

"I shall do that," said the Prime Minister. "Citizen Mayweather, it is our hope that you respond favorably to the treatment. And as a citizen of Nogarra, you are, of course, welcome to return at any time. As are you, Captain."

"Thank you, Prime Minister," said Travis. "I'm on my way to start the treatment now. The doctor thinks I'm going to be fine."

"Safe journey to you, Captain," said the Prime Minister. "And to your crew."

"Thank you, Prime Minister," said Archer.



The view screen went blank and the Enterprise left orbit.

"Well, Travis," said Archer, "I guess we should get you to sickbay. The sooner we get your treatment over with the sooner you can return to duty."

"Aye, sir," said Travis, smiling.

Archer, T'Pol, and Travis headed for the turbo lift. As the senior command for the Enterprise, Archer and T'Pol both wanted to be kept apprised of Travis' condition. As Archer had said, Travis was a valuable member of his crew. He was very interested in that Travis was in the best of health.

As the three entered sickbay, Phlox seemed to be attending to one if the many "pets" that he kept in sickbay. Virtually all of them were used in one way or another during his treatment of the crews' ailments. Most of the crew knew very little about them. As Phlox saw them enter he turned and smiled at them.

"Ah, Captain, Sub-Commander, Ensign," said Phlox, "to what do I owe this unexpected honor?"

"It's 0800," said Archer.

"Why, so it is," said Phlox. "Is there some significance to that?"

"I came to start my treatment," said Travis.

"T'Pol and I came to see if there were any problems," said Archer. "If necessary we'll return to Earth if Travis needs treatment you can't provide."

"Treatment?" questioned Phlox. "Are you feeling ill, Ensign?"

"Uh, no," said Travis, confused. "You said I was supposed to start treatment for my sickle cell anemia this morning at 0800."

"Merely a precaution for your upcoming nuptials," said Phlox. "I knew how serious the Nogarrans were about your health. But I can assure you that no treatment for that ailment is required at this time."

"You told the Prime Minister the disease had resurfaced," said T'Pol.

"I did no such thing," said Phlox. "I merely said the Ensign Mayweather had been afflicted with the disease as a child. And that occasionally it resurfaced in adulthood and needed to be treated again. But at no time did I ever state that was the case with the Ensign."

"You misled us," said Archer. "You gave everyone just enough information to let us 

draw the conclusion that Travis was suffering from sickle cell anemia."

"Perhaps I wasn't as clear regarding the situation as I should have been," said Phlox. "I will try to be more precise in the future."

"You did it deliberately," said Travis. "To give us a way out."

"I can assure you, Ensign," said Phlox, "that it was never my intention to mislead anyone. Least of all the Nogarran Royal Physician. He is the one who made the final determination after all."

"It is interesting," said T'Pol, "that according to ships logs, you held several lengthy conversations with the Ministry of Public Health after overhearing the Captain and I discussing the matter in the conference room."

"Merely gathering information for my report to Star Fleet Medical," said Phlox. "They require a very complete report."

"Of course," said T'Pol, arching one eyebrow suspiciously.

"Thanks," said Archer, smiling at Phlox.

"Well, I suppose you can return to duty," Archer said to Travis as the three of them 

returned to the bridge.

"Thank you, sir," said Travis. "I'm glad to hear that."

"It appears the doctor is more devious than most people give him credit for," said T'Pol.

"You heard him, Sub-Commander," said Archer. "He just didn't make himself clear, that's all."

"Perhaps," said T'Pol. "However, it is curious that he should suddenly become less clear after overhearing our conversation. That appears to be rather convenient."

Archer just smiled. Whether Phlox had been deliberately vague or it had merely been, as he said, an oversight, didn't matter to Archer. They had found an honorable way out of the situation. That suited Archer just fine.

The End