"Broken Promises"
Chapter 7-
"It's not a matter of clearing Trip's name anymore." Captain Archer stressed, looking out his ready room window at the planet Alijor.
"Or the human races image?" T'Pol asked.
"Image?" Archer turned to face her, raising his brow. "Vanity is a useless, illogical emotion, sub-commander."
"I was not speaking of vanity, Captain." T'Pol blinked, undaunted. "Reputation out here spreads quickly. It will be a key factor in future encounters with other species."
"Yes, I agree." Archer leaned back against the wall. "But clearing Trip's name, and humans' reputation, could cause an upheaval between the Srolls and the Vratnors far beyond what friction there is now. For that matter, the whole northern and southern sides of that region of Alijor. Even you can't be suggesting we interfere with these cultures."
"You did not interfere." T'Pol reminded him. "You merely made contact and shared a meal. Commander Tucker was accused..."
"Falsely accused." Archer corrected.
T'Pol tipped her head to the captain. "...Falsely accused of an attack on Nes Sroll. What the girl and Pros Vratnor have done is not your fault, nor your concern."
"Even you make it sound like a crime." Archer admonished. "They fell in love."
"They secretly met each other in the woods against their cultures' rules." T'Pol pressed. "In doing so they fell in love. If they had not broken their cultural laws, they would not have fallen in love. Their downfall would be their own doing."
"Bravo, counselor." Archer lightly applauded. "What a nice, compact and cold little package you've made. Almost sounds acceptable."
"Almost, usually means your logical mind accepts what your emotional does not." T'Pol replied.
"Sickbay to Captain Archer." The comm sounded.
"I'm on my way, Doc." Archer responded, knowing what the call was for.
"He's still groggy, so you have time. Phlox out."
"Let your conscience be your guide." Archer recited. Off of T'Pol's questioning look, he smiled. "A piece of good advice in literature from a very wise person named Jimney Cricket."
"I am not familiar with this human character." T'Pol told him.
"He wasn't human." Archer wrinkled his nose at her. "He was a cricket."
T'Pol's raised brow gaze followed the captain as he exited the ready room with a smug smile planted on his face.
"An obviously emotional cricket." T'Pol muttered to herself as she took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and proceeded out onto the bridge.
----------
Trip stared up at the ceiling. He remembered, yet not too clearly, the conversation with the captain before he fell asleep. He knew he had broken his promise to Nes. What he couldn't remember, was exactly how he told her. Maybe it was the drugs Phlox had pumped into him that made him sing like a canary. Whatever, he felt awful about it. Perhaps, the captain could come up with a solution that would be best for everyone.
"Please do not rile my patient, Captain." Phlox was saying.
Trip looked over and saw Archer moving toward the drape. He stopped in front of it, hesitating to part it.
"I don't got cooties, Cap'n." Trip called out.
Archer parted the drape and smiled as he moved to the foot of the biobed. He stood there, looking down at Trip. "Do you remember what we talked about?"
"Yeah," Trip sighed. "Just don't remember how I got so loose lipped."
Archer moved around to the side of the bed now, looking guilty as all hell. "I kind of used your loyalties against you."
"Sir?" Trip asked in confusion.
"To me," Archer clarified. "Not to keeping your word to Nes Sroll."
Trip's eyes squinted, trying to recollect the conversation. His eyes widened as he began to remember.
"I got you at a vulnerable time." Archer confessed. "I had no other choice. You gave me no other choice, Trip. I have a responsibility to each member of this crew and to this mission. Your reputation was in danger, which in turn affects all of us. Humans."
Trip turned his head away, trying to decided how he felt about what he was hearing. True, what Archer said, he was representative of the human race. He hadn't really thought that far into the ramifications.
"Am I in trouble?" Trip asked.
"Why would you say that?" Archer asked, pulling up the stool to sit.
"For puttin' myself in danger." Trip replied, looking back at Archer now. "Guess it coulda really screwed up this mission if I'd ah gotten myself killed."
"I thought about that." Archer admitted. "Reprimanding you."
"And?" Trip asked.
"Still thinking."
"Oh." Trip nodded. "I remember ya sayin' you'd think about what I told ya."
""I have." Archer nodded. "I also said I wouldn't do anything until I talked to you."
"I know. I 'member that, too."
"I'm going to go back down." Archer told him. "I'm taking Malcolm for security back up. Trip, I'm going to talk to Cly."
"Cly?" Trip asked, startled.
"It'll be all right. His sister is very special to him..."
"No!" Trip raised his voice.
"Trip," Archer leaned in, placing a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "He'll do what's right to protect her."
"You can't tell 'im, Cap'n!" Trip pleaded.
Phlox appeared inside the drape now, eyeing the captain with narrow eyes.
"Must you always upset him?" Phlox asked.
"I didn't mean to." The captain defended. "Trip, it's for the best. We have to resolve this one way or the other. The other, telling the whole family, just doesn't seem like an option. I'll tell Cly the truth, but leave out names of the southern boys; Pros, Kel. Cly can't take revenge if he doesn't know who to go after. Just hope he believes me. But I don't think he's going to rat on his little sister. You of all people know how protective he is of her."
"I don't know..." Trip calmed down some.
"Trust me?" Archer asked.
"Ya know I do." Trip closed his eyes. "I just don't trust them. Their laws and customs. What if Cly is more concerned with the customs than family?"
"I don't believe that." Archer shook his head. "When you looked in his eyes, what did you see?"
"Hate..." Trip frowned. "Naw, maybe it was...hurt. Ya really think it'll be okay?"
"Yeah. I better get going. You rest up and I'll come and see you when I get back." Archer smiled.
"With pleasantries, I hope." Phlox looked at the captain.
"You bet." Archer patted Trip's shoulder and left.
"How are you feeling, Commander?" Phlox asked.
"Fine." Trip mumbled. "Not too much pain. Only when I breathe."
"Understood." Phlox said, moving off to retrieve a trusty hypospray with pain reliever.
----------
There was no change in the stone face before him. Cly Sroll glared at Archer, not wavering in his gaze. The captain had wanted to show trust by talking to Cly alone, so Lieutenant Reed had stayed in the house with Rul, Tor and Nes. The shed seemed closed in and cramped as Archer stared down the large alien before him.
"I don't want to rush you," Archer said carefully. "But I would like to know how you're leaning on this."
Cly blinked finally, taking a deep breath in and looking away.
"You tell a tale of others, from the southern side, with no names." Cly said in an even tone. "You claim my sister is unfaithful to her family and her clan. And you say she is a liar."
Archer sighed equally as heavily as Cly had. He knew this was going to be hard for the big, burly man to digest. He had seen underneath Cly's gruff exterior from day one. The young man was cautious and cared for his family a great deal.
"You want to take a swing at me?" Archer asked.
"No." Cly replied. "There has been too much pain these last few days. I may not have been as willing to welcome you all into our home as my family, but I do respect you, Captain Archer. I see you are a strong, yet caring head of your clan."
The captain smiled and looked down at the ground as he felt his face flush. "Thank you, Cly."
"If what you say is true," Cly continued. "Then you should want to take a swing at me. I injured your man."
"You were trying to avenge your sister's attack." Archer told him. "I know you believe... believed Commander Tucker had hurt her. You had no reason to doubt her word. I just hope that with what I've told you about her secret will not only clear my man's name but allow you to let her come clean."
"I did not say I believed your story, Captain." Cly told him. "Perhaps your man has lied to you. I do not know him."
"I do." Archer stressed. "He is a good man. Caring, loving and honest. If you respect me, then you have to believe I would have no lesser of a man serving with me. Let alone in such a high rank."
"You speak well." Cly shook his head. "I hear you, Captain. And I am almost sure you are telling truths. Nes has been caught out late at night. Sneaking off from her chores by day for months. I only thought she was young and irresponsible. If you know the names of these southerners. Why do you not reveal them to me?"
"Because I think Nes should be the one." Archer answered. "She needs to clear this up. And I think she's probably very upset by what she's caused to happen to Commander Tucker."
"She is not a bad one. She is young."
"Yes, Cly. And her innocence has been taken from her." Archer moved closer to Cly. "Do you believe in this feud?"
"I believe there is no one on either side that is capable of solving this." Cly shrugged his shoulders. "Not in our lifetime will there be such a one. So, it must go on. But they are probably like us; good and bad mixed. If Nes has fallen in love with a southerner, I can only believe he is a good man."
"I can't tell you what to do." Archer placed a hand on Cly's arm. "But I hope you can help your sister and not bring anymore pain to her."
"I have punished the wrong one." Cly turned and leaned on the shed door. "And he, if all of this is true, was only trying to protect my sister from further harm. I must seek out the guilty one and punish him. But what of Commander Tucker?"
"He's going to be fine." Archer assured Cly. "He's going to be under medical care for a few weeks, but he'll recover."
"Captain," Cly turned back around. "I must ask you to have your ship remain until I speak with my sister. If she does not admit to this forbidden love of a southerner, then I will be forced to consider that justice was done and you can be on your way. If she does reinforce your claims, then I will need to speak with Commander Tucker."
"He doesn't begrudge you, Cly. I'm sure of that."
"But I must face him and beg forgiveness."
Captain Archer understood the need in Cly. He was now, like his sister, stricken with the guilt of injuring an innocent man. A man who only wanted to help keep one young girl's secret love.
"We'll wait until we hear from you." The captain moved out slowly, exhausted by the emotional tension of the past few days.
----------
Ensign Travis Mayweather's hands trembled as he held them over the controls. He had never thought he would ever consider going against a direct order. But he was sure this was a bad idea.
"I can't do it, sir." Travis blurted out.
"Now!" The urgent, loud whisper was followed by a groan.
Travis looked up and saw Commander Tucker holding his side and bent forward. His face was pale and was glistening from the sweat that was now evident.
"Commander, the captain knows what he's doing..."
"Now, Ensign! That's an order!" Tucker glared at Travis, his jaws clenched tightly.
Travis' hands lowered onto the controls and engaged the transporter. Before his terrified eyes, Commander Tucker's doubled over form dematerialized. Silence filled the corridor as the ensign slumped over the controls, resting his forehead in the palm of one hand.
"What have I done?" Travis asked himself.
TO BE CONTINUED
----------
Chapter 7-
"It's not a matter of clearing Trip's name anymore." Captain Archer stressed, looking out his ready room window at the planet Alijor.
"Or the human races image?" T'Pol asked.
"Image?" Archer turned to face her, raising his brow. "Vanity is a useless, illogical emotion, sub-commander."
"I was not speaking of vanity, Captain." T'Pol blinked, undaunted. "Reputation out here spreads quickly. It will be a key factor in future encounters with other species."
"Yes, I agree." Archer leaned back against the wall. "But clearing Trip's name, and humans' reputation, could cause an upheaval between the Srolls and the Vratnors far beyond what friction there is now. For that matter, the whole northern and southern sides of that region of Alijor. Even you can't be suggesting we interfere with these cultures."
"You did not interfere." T'Pol reminded him. "You merely made contact and shared a meal. Commander Tucker was accused..."
"Falsely accused." Archer corrected.
T'Pol tipped her head to the captain. "...Falsely accused of an attack on Nes Sroll. What the girl and Pros Vratnor have done is not your fault, nor your concern."
"Even you make it sound like a crime." Archer admonished. "They fell in love."
"They secretly met each other in the woods against their cultures' rules." T'Pol pressed. "In doing so they fell in love. If they had not broken their cultural laws, they would not have fallen in love. Their downfall would be their own doing."
"Bravo, counselor." Archer lightly applauded. "What a nice, compact and cold little package you've made. Almost sounds acceptable."
"Almost, usually means your logical mind accepts what your emotional does not." T'Pol replied.
"Sickbay to Captain Archer." The comm sounded.
"I'm on my way, Doc." Archer responded, knowing what the call was for.
"He's still groggy, so you have time. Phlox out."
"Let your conscience be your guide." Archer recited. Off of T'Pol's questioning look, he smiled. "A piece of good advice in literature from a very wise person named Jimney Cricket."
"I am not familiar with this human character." T'Pol told him.
"He wasn't human." Archer wrinkled his nose at her. "He was a cricket."
T'Pol's raised brow gaze followed the captain as he exited the ready room with a smug smile planted on his face.
"An obviously emotional cricket." T'Pol muttered to herself as she took a deep breath, squared her shoulders and proceeded out onto the bridge.
----------
Trip stared up at the ceiling. He remembered, yet not too clearly, the conversation with the captain before he fell asleep. He knew he had broken his promise to Nes. What he couldn't remember, was exactly how he told her. Maybe it was the drugs Phlox had pumped into him that made him sing like a canary. Whatever, he felt awful about it. Perhaps, the captain could come up with a solution that would be best for everyone.
"Please do not rile my patient, Captain." Phlox was saying.
Trip looked over and saw Archer moving toward the drape. He stopped in front of it, hesitating to part it.
"I don't got cooties, Cap'n." Trip called out.
Archer parted the drape and smiled as he moved to the foot of the biobed. He stood there, looking down at Trip. "Do you remember what we talked about?"
"Yeah," Trip sighed. "Just don't remember how I got so loose lipped."
Archer moved around to the side of the bed now, looking guilty as all hell. "I kind of used your loyalties against you."
"Sir?" Trip asked in confusion.
"To me," Archer clarified. "Not to keeping your word to Nes Sroll."
Trip's eyes squinted, trying to recollect the conversation. His eyes widened as he began to remember.
"I got you at a vulnerable time." Archer confessed. "I had no other choice. You gave me no other choice, Trip. I have a responsibility to each member of this crew and to this mission. Your reputation was in danger, which in turn affects all of us. Humans."
Trip turned his head away, trying to decided how he felt about what he was hearing. True, what Archer said, he was representative of the human race. He hadn't really thought that far into the ramifications.
"Am I in trouble?" Trip asked.
"Why would you say that?" Archer asked, pulling up the stool to sit.
"For puttin' myself in danger." Trip replied, looking back at Archer now. "Guess it coulda really screwed up this mission if I'd ah gotten myself killed."
"I thought about that." Archer admitted. "Reprimanding you."
"And?" Trip asked.
"Still thinking."
"Oh." Trip nodded. "I remember ya sayin' you'd think about what I told ya."
""I have." Archer nodded. "I also said I wouldn't do anything until I talked to you."
"I know. I 'member that, too."
"I'm going to go back down." Archer told him. "I'm taking Malcolm for security back up. Trip, I'm going to talk to Cly."
"Cly?" Trip asked, startled.
"It'll be all right. His sister is very special to him..."
"No!" Trip raised his voice.
"Trip," Archer leaned in, placing a hand on the younger man's shoulder. "He'll do what's right to protect her."
"You can't tell 'im, Cap'n!" Trip pleaded.
Phlox appeared inside the drape now, eyeing the captain with narrow eyes.
"Must you always upset him?" Phlox asked.
"I didn't mean to." The captain defended. "Trip, it's for the best. We have to resolve this one way or the other. The other, telling the whole family, just doesn't seem like an option. I'll tell Cly the truth, but leave out names of the southern boys; Pros, Kel. Cly can't take revenge if he doesn't know who to go after. Just hope he believes me. But I don't think he's going to rat on his little sister. You of all people know how protective he is of her."
"I don't know..." Trip calmed down some.
"Trust me?" Archer asked.
"Ya know I do." Trip closed his eyes. "I just don't trust them. Their laws and customs. What if Cly is more concerned with the customs than family?"
"I don't believe that." Archer shook his head. "When you looked in his eyes, what did you see?"
"Hate..." Trip frowned. "Naw, maybe it was...hurt. Ya really think it'll be okay?"
"Yeah. I better get going. You rest up and I'll come and see you when I get back." Archer smiled.
"With pleasantries, I hope." Phlox looked at the captain.
"You bet." Archer patted Trip's shoulder and left.
"How are you feeling, Commander?" Phlox asked.
"Fine." Trip mumbled. "Not too much pain. Only when I breathe."
"Understood." Phlox said, moving off to retrieve a trusty hypospray with pain reliever.
----------
There was no change in the stone face before him. Cly Sroll glared at Archer, not wavering in his gaze. The captain had wanted to show trust by talking to Cly alone, so Lieutenant Reed had stayed in the house with Rul, Tor and Nes. The shed seemed closed in and cramped as Archer stared down the large alien before him.
"I don't want to rush you," Archer said carefully. "But I would like to know how you're leaning on this."
Cly blinked finally, taking a deep breath in and looking away.
"You tell a tale of others, from the southern side, with no names." Cly said in an even tone. "You claim my sister is unfaithful to her family and her clan. And you say she is a liar."
Archer sighed equally as heavily as Cly had. He knew this was going to be hard for the big, burly man to digest. He had seen underneath Cly's gruff exterior from day one. The young man was cautious and cared for his family a great deal.
"You want to take a swing at me?" Archer asked.
"No." Cly replied. "There has been too much pain these last few days. I may not have been as willing to welcome you all into our home as my family, but I do respect you, Captain Archer. I see you are a strong, yet caring head of your clan."
The captain smiled and looked down at the ground as he felt his face flush. "Thank you, Cly."
"If what you say is true," Cly continued. "Then you should want to take a swing at me. I injured your man."
"You were trying to avenge your sister's attack." Archer told him. "I know you believe... believed Commander Tucker had hurt her. You had no reason to doubt her word. I just hope that with what I've told you about her secret will not only clear my man's name but allow you to let her come clean."
"I did not say I believed your story, Captain." Cly told him. "Perhaps your man has lied to you. I do not know him."
"I do." Archer stressed. "He is a good man. Caring, loving and honest. If you respect me, then you have to believe I would have no lesser of a man serving with me. Let alone in such a high rank."
"You speak well." Cly shook his head. "I hear you, Captain. And I am almost sure you are telling truths. Nes has been caught out late at night. Sneaking off from her chores by day for months. I only thought she was young and irresponsible. If you know the names of these southerners. Why do you not reveal them to me?"
"Because I think Nes should be the one." Archer answered. "She needs to clear this up. And I think she's probably very upset by what she's caused to happen to Commander Tucker."
"She is not a bad one. She is young."
"Yes, Cly. And her innocence has been taken from her." Archer moved closer to Cly. "Do you believe in this feud?"
"I believe there is no one on either side that is capable of solving this." Cly shrugged his shoulders. "Not in our lifetime will there be such a one. So, it must go on. But they are probably like us; good and bad mixed. If Nes has fallen in love with a southerner, I can only believe he is a good man."
"I can't tell you what to do." Archer placed a hand on Cly's arm. "But I hope you can help your sister and not bring anymore pain to her."
"I have punished the wrong one." Cly turned and leaned on the shed door. "And he, if all of this is true, was only trying to protect my sister from further harm. I must seek out the guilty one and punish him. But what of Commander Tucker?"
"He's going to be fine." Archer assured Cly. "He's going to be under medical care for a few weeks, but he'll recover."
"Captain," Cly turned back around. "I must ask you to have your ship remain until I speak with my sister. If she does not admit to this forbidden love of a southerner, then I will be forced to consider that justice was done and you can be on your way. If she does reinforce your claims, then I will need to speak with Commander Tucker."
"He doesn't begrudge you, Cly. I'm sure of that."
"But I must face him and beg forgiveness."
Captain Archer understood the need in Cly. He was now, like his sister, stricken with the guilt of injuring an innocent man. A man who only wanted to help keep one young girl's secret love.
"We'll wait until we hear from you." The captain moved out slowly, exhausted by the emotional tension of the past few days.
----------
Ensign Travis Mayweather's hands trembled as he held them over the controls. He had never thought he would ever consider going against a direct order. But he was sure this was a bad idea.
"I can't do it, sir." Travis blurted out.
"Now!" The urgent, loud whisper was followed by a groan.
Travis looked up and saw Commander Tucker holding his side and bent forward. His face was pale and was glistening from the sweat that was now evident.
"Commander, the captain knows what he's doing..."
"Now, Ensign! That's an order!" Tucker glared at Travis, his jaws clenched tightly.
Travis' hands lowered onto the controls and engaged the transporter. Before his terrified eyes, Commander Tucker's doubled over form dematerialized. Silence filled the corridor as the ensign slumped over the controls, resting his forehead in the palm of one hand.
"What have I done?" Travis asked himself.
TO BE CONTINUED
----------