A/N: Sorry this took long, but ff locked me out for one week after pulling my story "SHANGHAIED" with a generic e-mail of violating guidelines. After several e-mails to them at support and services as to specifics, I still sit and wonder why without any replies. Therefore, this will probably be the last posting to ff. I posted this last chapter on enterprisefanfiction@yahoogroups.com That is a great site and there are no "God complex" people there. You all should join!
"BROKEN PROMISES"
Chapter 8-
"What do you mean he transported down here?" Captain Archer demanded. He was staring at the console of the shuttlepod, with Lieutenant Reed seated next to him. "Someone had to be at the controls."
"Yes, Captain," T'Pol's comm voice responded. "Ensign Mayweather?"
"I--I wasn't thinking, sir." Travis' voice quivered across the comm. "He ordered me to do it and I knew it was a bad idea. But I didn't know what to do. I guess I should've just called for the doctor."
"Easy, Travis." Archer's soothing tone echoed with understanding. He knew Travis must've come forward and told T'Pol what he had done. The young man was just following an order.
"I really am sorry, sir." Travis' voice trailed off.
"Captain," Phlox's voice broke in. "Commander Tucker needs to be returned immediately. He could start hemorrhaging."
"Sir," T'Pol's voice came through the speaker. "The coordiates would have put Commander Tucker very near the clearing in the woods."
"Understood." Archer nodded. "Archer out." He turned and looked at Reed with a worried look.
"We'll find him, sir." Reed assured his captain.
"Let's go." Archer sighed, rising from his seat.
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Cly sat at the table long after the evening meal had ended. His father and younger brother had retired to the sitting room. Nes had gone to her room, but Cly suspected she would be leaving soon.
The muffled thud that sounded against the wall from outside hardly made Cly flinch. He knew the sound well. When he was a young boy he had often climbed out of his room window and lowered himself to the ground to go meet his friends. He stood up and moved to the window, looking out in time to see Nes scurrying off into the darkness.
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It was just about time. Soon she would be here to meet Pros and he could talk to her. He could tell her that he hadn't willingly broken his promise to her. He was given an order and he obeyed. He couldn't leave without knowing Nes believed he didn't betray her.
Trip Tucker sagged against the big rock that he had, on a previous day, been thrown over. Now he held onto himself, hugging his own middle. The pain was increasing in his back and he was feeling feverish. Hang on, he told himself.
There was rustle in the bushes, but it was from the direction of the south side. Trip figured it was Pros and cursed his luck. He had wanted to talk to Nes alone.
"It is the spaceman."
Trip whirled around to see five young Alijorians. They wore different style clothing than the Srolls and the northern side. Trip knew that meant only one thing. He stood up slowly, trying to straighten so as not to show he was injured.
"You must be Kel." Trip managed to get out without too much effort.
"You know me, spaceman?" Kel sized Trip up.
"I've heard 'bout you and your kind." Trip glared back.
"My kind?" Kel asked, annoyance in his voice. "Southerners?"
"Trouble makers." Trip clarified. "Nes told me."
"I heard that northern girl pointed you out." Kel shrugged his shoulders.
Trip followed Kel's movements as the younger one began to circle him. Trip must have moved too quickly as a pain shot through his back and caused him to brace against the rock for support. Kel eyed him, his face showing his prey was injured. He smiled at his friends and held up his hand to them. The four remained where they were.
"Her stupid brother made your stomach hurt with his big, bad fists?" Kel taunted Trip.
"And now her scrawny, stupid attacker's makin' my head hurt with his big mouth." Trip said through gritted teeth.
Kel lunged forward, wrapping his hands around Trip's throat. Trip was no where near the level of agility he normally possessed. He tried to raise his arms to break Kel's grip, but he couldn't raise them high enough. The pain in his lower back was growing in intensity. Kel pushed him backward and Trip's back slammed into the rock. He let out a wail and felt Kel's grip tighten.
----------
"Why are you not afraid to go into the woods at night?"
Nes stopped in her tracks without turning around. The sound of her older brother's voice shocked her, but not enough to look him in the eyes.
"Cly," Nes said. "Wh--what are you doing?"
"Following you." Cly told her.
"There is nothing to be afraid of in the woods." Nes replied to his initial question. "The travelers are gone."
"But the southern boys are not." Cly answered.
"I--I do not know what you are saying." Nes was confused. Cly sounded like he knew.
"Where are you going, Nes?"
"For a walk."
"Turn around and look at me." Cly told her. "And tell me that."
Nes lowered her head, not able to look at her brother. Tears filled her eyes as she knew, deep down inside, that somehow Cly knew.
"How did you find out?" Nes asked.
"Captain Archer." Cly answered. "I did not want to believe him. That you would deceive us so."
"You know why I had to!" Nes turned now, her eyes filled with anger. "We can never be together the way we want! We had to deceive."
"Did you also have to condemn an innocent man to a punishment he did not deserve?"
"Yes!" Nes screamed, turning back and running off in the direction of the clearing.
Cly took chase and followed after her. As they got closer, Nes suddenly stopped at the edge of the woods.
"Stop!" Nes screamed.
Cly pushed his way past Nes and came out into the clearing. There in front of him was a group of southern boys, one of which was choking Commander Tucker.
"Kel!" One of the southern boys yelled.
Cly turned and went for the four boys, who wanted no part of the massive northerner with fire in his eyes. They fled into the bushes, dust flying.
Trip felt he was losing consciousness, but had heard Nes' scream. Suddenly, Kel's hands were ripped from his throat and he sank down to the ground. He felt the rock behind him and knew he was propped up, but he couldn't move.
Cly was easily thwarting off Kel's attempts to punch, kick and otherwise pummel him.
"Why do you defend the one that attacked your sister?!" Kel hollered at Cly.
Cly said nothing, only continued to ward off the flying fists of the southern boy.
"I am sorry, Trip." Nes said, as she lifted his chin. "You had every right to tell on me after what I did to you."
"No..." Trip said, sucking in air that caused his insides to ache. "I didn't tell cuz ya fingered me. Cap'n Archer ordered me to tell, Nes. I still wouldn't have. I wanted ya to know that."
Nes cradled Trip's face and drew it down onto her shoulder. She turned to look at Cly and Kel.
"That is him, Cly!" Nes yelled to her brother.
Cly nodded and then let his fist fly, connecting with the midsection of the younger one. Kel doubled over and let out a howl.
Trip closed his eyes, listening to the beating Kel was taking. He felt no sympathy, no sense of injustice.
"Trip?" The voice was familiar. It was the captain. He felt Archer's hands lift his head and brush back his bangs.
"He's feverish." Archer said to Nes.
Reed was standing next to Cly, looking down at the crumpled body of Kel lying on the dirt. They both moved to Archer, Nes and Trip.
"We've got to get him back to the pod." Archer told Reed.
Trip could hear voices, but now couldn't make out who they belonged to or what they were saying. Then a strong pair of hands were picking him up and carrying him through the woods. He forced his eyes open and looked up to see Cly looking down at him.
----------
The beeping sound started out faint and then grew clearer. The medicinal smell and the crisp, cool air eased their way into his awareness. His mouth was dry and he licked his lips.
"Open your eyes, Commander."
Trip slowly opened his eyes, turning his head to focus on the doctor.
"How's that?" Trip whispered.
"Excellent." Phlox exclaimed. "The captain will be pleased to know that you do still remember how to take orders."
If it didn't hurt so much, Trip would've allowed himself a laugh.
"Did I hear my name?"
Trip shifted his eyes to the foot of the bed and saw Archer parting the drape.
"He's doing just fine, Captain." Phlox informed him. "He'll be here for quite a some time. Maybe two weeks."
"Thanks." Archer smiled, as Phlox nodded and left them alone.
"You really tipped the stupid meter on that one, Trip." Archer commented. "What were you thinking?"
"Sorry." Trip swallowed, licking his lips again. "I just wanted to see her. Talk to her."
"Trip, it was noble of you to want to keep your word." Archer told him. "But sometimes you have to weigh the consequences as to which is the lesser of the two evils. In this case, not telling would've allowed that Kel to still roam those woods."
"I know," Trip drew in a breath and winced. "Is he..."
"No," Archer assured Trip. "He won't be eating any solid foods for quite awhile, but Cly knew when to pull back."
"How long've I been out?"
"Two days." Archer replied. "You had the fever, some bleeding again. You were messed up."
"We gone?" Trip asked. "From Alijor?"
"Yeah." Archer nodded. "Cly felt he had made restitution for saving your life from Kel. He didn't need to wait to ask for your forgiveness. And Nes said she and you understood each other."
"Cap'n, what about Pros and Nes?"
Archer pulled up the stool and sighed. "That's not going to be easy to make right, Trip. Cly said he was going to talk to Pros."
"'Bout what?"
"Letting Nes go." Archer said, looking sorrowful. "It's the only way right now. They could go on secretly meeting and Cly would let them. But he knows nothing can ever come of it. Not in their lifetime."
Trip turned his head away. "It's not fair."
"No," Archer agreed. "But that's life, Trip. Their life. Their way of life. It has been for centuries. It's not going to change overnight because two kids fell in love."
Trip looked back at Archer now. "No. Guess not."
"Well, I better get back to the bridge." Archer rose now. "And we'll talk about the rest later. Much later."
"What rest?" Trip asked.
"There's the matter of a reprimand... or two." The captain looked a bit uneasy.
"Oh," Trip shifted his eyes away. "Is it gonna get ugly?"
Archer let out a small laugh and shook his head. "Not written."
Trip let his eyes rest back on the captain. "Verbal can get ugly, too."
"So can some clean up detail I can think of."
"Serious, though," Trip replied. "I really am sorry, sir. I never meant to be such a pain in the ass."
"I know you are." Archer said. "Sorry. Not a pain in the ass. Anyway, I'm glad you're all right." The captain turned and parted the drape.
"Thanks, Cap'n." Trip smiled.
Archer turned around. "But you're still not getting out of the reprimands."
Trip watched the captain go and shook his head. No one could ever accuse Captain Jonathan Archer of playing favorites. And, even in the foreshadow of nasty clean up detail, that's just the way Trip Tucker wanted it.
THE END
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"BROKEN PROMISES"
Chapter 8-
"What do you mean he transported down here?" Captain Archer demanded. He was staring at the console of the shuttlepod, with Lieutenant Reed seated next to him. "Someone had to be at the controls."
"Yes, Captain," T'Pol's comm voice responded. "Ensign Mayweather?"
"I--I wasn't thinking, sir." Travis' voice quivered across the comm. "He ordered me to do it and I knew it was a bad idea. But I didn't know what to do. I guess I should've just called for the doctor."
"Easy, Travis." Archer's soothing tone echoed with understanding. He knew Travis must've come forward and told T'Pol what he had done. The young man was just following an order.
"I really am sorry, sir." Travis' voice trailed off.
"Captain," Phlox's voice broke in. "Commander Tucker needs to be returned immediately. He could start hemorrhaging."
"Sir," T'Pol's voice came through the speaker. "The coordiates would have put Commander Tucker very near the clearing in the woods."
"Understood." Archer nodded. "Archer out." He turned and looked at Reed with a worried look.
"We'll find him, sir." Reed assured his captain.
"Let's go." Archer sighed, rising from his seat.
----------
Cly sat at the table long after the evening meal had ended. His father and younger brother had retired to the sitting room. Nes had gone to her room, but Cly suspected she would be leaving soon.
The muffled thud that sounded against the wall from outside hardly made Cly flinch. He knew the sound well. When he was a young boy he had often climbed out of his room window and lowered himself to the ground to go meet his friends. He stood up and moved to the window, looking out in time to see Nes scurrying off into the darkness.
----------
It was just about time. Soon she would be here to meet Pros and he could talk to her. He could tell her that he hadn't willingly broken his promise to her. He was given an order and he obeyed. He couldn't leave without knowing Nes believed he didn't betray her.
Trip Tucker sagged against the big rock that he had, on a previous day, been thrown over. Now he held onto himself, hugging his own middle. The pain was increasing in his back and he was feeling feverish. Hang on, he told himself.
There was rustle in the bushes, but it was from the direction of the south side. Trip figured it was Pros and cursed his luck. He had wanted to talk to Nes alone.
"It is the spaceman."
Trip whirled around to see five young Alijorians. They wore different style clothing than the Srolls and the northern side. Trip knew that meant only one thing. He stood up slowly, trying to straighten so as not to show he was injured.
"You must be Kel." Trip managed to get out without too much effort.
"You know me, spaceman?" Kel sized Trip up.
"I've heard 'bout you and your kind." Trip glared back.
"My kind?" Kel asked, annoyance in his voice. "Southerners?"
"Trouble makers." Trip clarified. "Nes told me."
"I heard that northern girl pointed you out." Kel shrugged his shoulders.
Trip followed Kel's movements as the younger one began to circle him. Trip must have moved too quickly as a pain shot through his back and caused him to brace against the rock for support. Kel eyed him, his face showing his prey was injured. He smiled at his friends and held up his hand to them. The four remained where they were.
"Her stupid brother made your stomach hurt with his big, bad fists?" Kel taunted Trip.
"And now her scrawny, stupid attacker's makin' my head hurt with his big mouth." Trip said through gritted teeth.
Kel lunged forward, wrapping his hands around Trip's throat. Trip was no where near the level of agility he normally possessed. He tried to raise his arms to break Kel's grip, but he couldn't raise them high enough. The pain in his lower back was growing in intensity. Kel pushed him backward and Trip's back slammed into the rock. He let out a wail and felt Kel's grip tighten.
----------
"Why are you not afraid to go into the woods at night?"
Nes stopped in her tracks without turning around. The sound of her older brother's voice shocked her, but not enough to look him in the eyes.
"Cly," Nes said. "Wh--what are you doing?"
"Following you." Cly told her.
"There is nothing to be afraid of in the woods." Nes replied to his initial question. "The travelers are gone."
"But the southern boys are not." Cly answered.
"I--I do not know what you are saying." Nes was confused. Cly sounded like he knew.
"Where are you going, Nes?"
"For a walk."
"Turn around and look at me." Cly told her. "And tell me that."
Nes lowered her head, not able to look at her brother. Tears filled her eyes as she knew, deep down inside, that somehow Cly knew.
"How did you find out?" Nes asked.
"Captain Archer." Cly answered. "I did not want to believe him. That you would deceive us so."
"You know why I had to!" Nes turned now, her eyes filled with anger. "We can never be together the way we want! We had to deceive."
"Did you also have to condemn an innocent man to a punishment he did not deserve?"
"Yes!" Nes screamed, turning back and running off in the direction of the clearing.
Cly took chase and followed after her. As they got closer, Nes suddenly stopped at the edge of the woods.
"Stop!" Nes screamed.
Cly pushed his way past Nes and came out into the clearing. There in front of him was a group of southern boys, one of which was choking Commander Tucker.
"Kel!" One of the southern boys yelled.
Cly turned and went for the four boys, who wanted no part of the massive northerner with fire in his eyes. They fled into the bushes, dust flying.
Trip felt he was losing consciousness, but had heard Nes' scream. Suddenly, Kel's hands were ripped from his throat and he sank down to the ground. He felt the rock behind him and knew he was propped up, but he couldn't move.
Cly was easily thwarting off Kel's attempts to punch, kick and otherwise pummel him.
"Why do you defend the one that attacked your sister?!" Kel hollered at Cly.
Cly said nothing, only continued to ward off the flying fists of the southern boy.
"I am sorry, Trip." Nes said, as she lifted his chin. "You had every right to tell on me after what I did to you."
"No..." Trip said, sucking in air that caused his insides to ache. "I didn't tell cuz ya fingered me. Cap'n Archer ordered me to tell, Nes. I still wouldn't have. I wanted ya to know that."
Nes cradled Trip's face and drew it down onto her shoulder. She turned to look at Cly and Kel.
"That is him, Cly!" Nes yelled to her brother.
Cly nodded and then let his fist fly, connecting with the midsection of the younger one. Kel doubled over and let out a howl.
Trip closed his eyes, listening to the beating Kel was taking. He felt no sympathy, no sense of injustice.
"Trip?" The voice was familiar. It was the captain. He felt Archer's hands lift his head and brush back his bangs.
"He's feverish." Archer said to Nes.
Reed was standing next to Cly, looking down at the crumpled body of Kel lying on the dirt. They both moved to Archer, Nes and Trip.
"We've got to get him back to the pod." Archer told Reed.
Trip could hear voices, but now couldn't make out who they belonged to or what they were saying. Then a strong pair of hands were picking him up and carrying him through the woods. He forced his eyes open and looked up to see Cly looking down at him.
----------
The beeping sound started out faint and then grew clearer. The medicinal smell and the crisp, cool air eased their way into his awareness. His mouth was dry and he licked his lips.
"Open your eyes, Commander."
Trip slowly opened his eyes, turning his head to focus on the doctor.
"How's that?" Trip whispered.
"Excellent." Phlox exclaimed. "The captain will be pleased to know that you do still remember how to take orders."
If it didn't hurt so much, Trip would've allowed himself a laugh.
"Did I hear my name?"
Trip shifted his eyes to the foot of the bed and saw Archer parting the drape.
"He's doing just fine, Captain." Phlox informed him. "He'll be here for quite a some time. Maybe two weeks."
"Thanks." Archer smiled, as Phlox nodded and left them alone.
"You really tipped the stupid meter on that one, Trip." Archer commented. "What were you thinking?"
"Sorry." Trip swallowed, licking his lips again. "I just wanted to see her. Talk to her."
"Trip, it was noble of you to want to keep your word." Archer told him. "But sometimes you have to weigh the consequences as to which is the lesser of the two evils. In this case, not telling would've allowed that Kel to still roam those woods."
"I know," Trip drew in a breath and winced. "Is he..."
"No," Archer assured Trip. "He won't be eating any solid foods for quite awhile, but Cly knew when to pull back."
"How long've I been out?"
"Two days." Archer replied. "You had the fever, some bleeding again. You were messed up."
"We gone?" Trip asked. "From Alijor?"
"Yeah." Archer nodded. "Cly felt he had made restitution for saving your life from Kel. He didn't need to wait to ask for your forgiveness. And Nes said she and you understood each other."
"Cap'n, what about Pros and Nes?"
Archer pulled up the stool and sighed. "That's not going to be easy to make right, Trip. Cly said he was going to talk to Pros."
"'Bout what?"
"Letting Nes go." Archer said, looking sorrowful. "It's the only way right now. They could go on secretly meeting and Cly would let them. But he knows nothing can ever come of it. Not in their lifetime."
Trip turned his head away. "It's not fair."
"No," Archer agreed. "But that's life, Trip. Their life. Their way of life. It has been for centuries. It's not going to change overnight because two kids fell in love."
Trip looked back at Archer now. "No. Guess not."
"Well, I better get back to the bridge." Archer rose now. "And we'll talk about the rest later. Much later."
"What rest?" Trip asked.
"There's the matter of a reprimand... or two." The captain looked a bit uneasy.
"Oh," Trip shifted his eyes away. "Is it gonna get ugly?"
Archer let out a small laugh and shook his head. "Not written."
Trip let his eyes rest back on the captain. "Verbal can get ugly, too."
"So can some clean up detail I can think of."
"Serious, though," Trip replied. "I really am sorry, sir. I never meant to be such a pain in the ass."
"I know you are." Archer said. "Sorry. Not a pain in the ass. Anyway, I'm glad you're all right." The captain turned and parted the drape.
"Thanks, Cap'n." Trip smiled.
Archer turned around. "But you're still not getting out of the reprimands."
Trip watched the captain go and shook his head. No one could ever accuse Captain Jonathan Archer of playing favorites. And, even in the foreshadow of nasty clean up detail, that's just the way Trip Tucker wanted it.
THE END
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