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Chapter 6
Travis sat on the edge of the bed in Sickbay, telling Captain Archer what he had seen.
"I recognized it, sir. But I am not sure of the name. That ship is old and rare enough to be pretty distinguishing. It's an old Earth cargo ship. I can't imagine where they even got it. I only remember seeing three, maybe four with my family. My father was fascinated that they had held up so well."
"Doctor, is he ready to leave Sickbay?" Archer asked.
Doctor Phlox said, "Indeed he is, Captain."
"Archer to T'Pol."
"T'Pol here."
"Bring up everything you can find on out-of-commission Earth cargo vessels. Focus your search on rare or hard to find ships. It seems Ensign Mayweather can identify the ship that took Hoshi and Trip. We are on our way to the bridge now. Have it ready."
"Yes, Captain."
Archer started to leave Sickbay, expecting Travis to follow. As the doors opened he turned, noticing that Travis was torn between following him and not leaving Malcolm's side.
Dr. Phlox spoke up. "You did all you could do, Ensign. Give him time. Lieutenant Reed would not want you to neglect your duties to the ship."
Travis looked down at Malcolm one more time, and turned to follow the Captain to the bridge.
*******
T'Pol and Travis looked for the ship in the logs. After a few minutes, Travis shouted in relief.
"That's it sir! An Omega Class D vessel. The JK-98 version. It has a distinctive pollutant that it leaves behind like a breadcrumb trail. That's why it's no longer used."
T'Pol spoke. "Captain, I am detecting a faint trace of the element. It appears to be headed toward the nearest M-Class planet. If we are to intercept them, it is imperative that we leave now."
Archer said, "Ensign, take your place at the helm. Set a course to pursue. Warp three."
"Course set, sir."
"Let's go, Ensign."
*******
Malcolm woke up to a smiling and cheerful Dr. Phlox.
"Hello, Lieutenant. Are we feeling better?"
Malcolm groaned and tried to sit up. "There, there Lieutenant. There is no need to rush your recovery."
Malcolm slumped back to the bed. He felt like he had been drained of every bodily fluid. He managed to croak out, "Water."
He sounded like his grandfather, who had been a two-pack-a-day smoker. Before it was made illegal.
Dr. Phlox gave him his glass and said, "The drug that you were given nearly killed you, Mr. Reed. You are very lucky that Ensign Mayweather was there. You would not have made it back to Enterprise in time had he not been.
This made Malcolm pause in his drinking and look at the doctor. "What about Hoshi and Commander Tucker? How did they get back?"
The doctor frowned and said, "They were abducted by the Obeexans and taken in some sort of cargo vessel. The Captain is attempting to find them now."
Malcolm threw back his bedcovers and stood. He weaved back and forth, willing the head rush he had just had to go away.
"Mr. Reed, you are not ready to return to duty. I suggest you accept this fact and lay back down." Phlox said pointing toward the bead.
"Doctor Phlox, I cannot sit here in Sickbay twiddling my thumbs. My place is on the bridge. Not here." He began to try to walk out the door, stumbling the whole way.
Half way across the room his legs gave out. Before he hit the ground he felt the Doctor's hands around his waist. The doctor led him back to the bed and Malcolm sat down exhausted. Sweat was poring down his face and he had become paler than most white sheets.
The doctor started to walk away to get one of his scanners but Malcolm grabbed his arm. "Doctor, I need to help Commander Tucker and Ensign Sato. I should have known walking in that those bastards were setting a trap. But I didn't. I cannot live with myself if they don't make it home because of a lack in judgment on my part."
Dr. Phlox stepped back and said " Mr. Reed, this was not your…."
"Yes doctor, I know what you are going to say. You can send me to a bloody shrink to help me with my damned guilt issues AFTER I help Trip and Hoshi."
"Alright then, Mr. Reed. I can try to get you in functioning shape, but I promise no more. And as soon as you finish you are to report right back to me. Are we clear?"
Malcolm nodded.
"We can look into your mental health at a later date."
*******
Archer was very surprised when Malcolm stepped on to the bridge. "I would like to resume my post, Captain." He said stiffly.
Jon noticed how pale he was and said, "The Doctor has cleared you for duty, Lt.?"
"Yes, sir, he has."
"Well then you may return to your post, Mr. Reed."
Malcolm walked over and sat down at his station. He looked up to find Travis staring at him in shock.
"Something you need, Ensign?" He asked.
"No sir. Sorry sir." Travis answered.
Archer began to update Mr. Reed on what had happened since he had been out. He paused for a minute and turned to T'Pol.
"You have the bridge, T'Pol. Mr. Reed, my ready room."
As they stepped into the ready room Archer spoke. "I don't think I have to tell you how important it is for my staff to be in good physical condition. Especially in a situation like this."
Malcolm nodded.
Archer continued, "Malcolm, I know you feel this is somehow your fault but it isn't. I'm the Captain and it was my order that sent all of you down to that planet. In the end, I will have to answer for this mess."
Malcolm said, "Permission to speak freely, sir?"
"Of course."
"Commander Tucker is my friend. Hoshi was frightened to go down to the planet to begin with. It was my duty to keep them safe. I failed and I would like a chance to correct that, sir."
Archer was quiet for a few minutes but then spoke. "Alright, Mr. Reed. You may stay. But if I sense for even a minute that you can't physically handle yourself, you will leave the bridge no questions asked."
"Yes, sir." Malcolm responded.
"Dismissed." Malcolm nodded and left the ready room.
Archer followed him back to the bridge.
*******
