TROPHIES
Chapter Four
Trip came awake with a jolt. He felt disoriented. His head was pounding and he was burning up. He turned to look at Jacob. The ensign seemed to be sleeping. It was still dark but the rain had stopped and with it, the thunder and lightning. Trip quietly pulled himself up to his knees then promptly turned his head and vomited. He wondered briefly why since he hadn't eaten anything since their capture but he quickly dismissed that thought and focused on his companion. In the darkness it was hard to tell but he thought that the bleeding had stopped. He felt Jacob's forehead and was relieved to feel that it was only slightly warm. Trip suddenly froze. Governor Martis was after them. Panic began to rise and he knew he had to get Jacob to safety.
"Come on, Jake," he grunted as he stood and pulled the older man to a sitting position. "We've gotta get moving." He hefted the man over his shoulder, grimacing at the weight on his tired and sore body.
Trip moved through the dark as quickly as he could. He had no idea what direction he was going but he kept driving forward, his feet occasionally slipping in the muck that was the forest floor.
"Someone's coming, Jake," he whispered, turning to look behind him. He ducked behind a large tree, gasping for breath. He carefully laid the ensign down then stood over him protectively, peering around the tree trunk. He waited but no one came.
Trip looked down at his companion. "Jake?"
There was no response. Trip knelt down beside his friend and grabbed his wrist. He searched for a pulse and found nothing. He bent, placing his ear to Jacob's chest. Nothing.
"No," he rasped. He tried to revive Jacob until there was no strength left in his arms. He sat back, fighting the dizziness from lack of oxygen then he vomited again. The last thing he saw before he collapsed was the ensign's pale, expressionless face barely lit by the first rays of daybreak.
He blinked his eyes, trying to focus on the gray clouds that floated above him. It was daylight and it was raining again, the cool moisture soothing his warm skin. Trip sat up slowly and looked around. Jacob was lying next to him and he nudged him with his hand. No response. Then he remembered what had happened and he felt the sobs begin to rise. He shook his head, determined not to fall apart. He still had to get his friend to safety. There was no way he'd leave him behind, especially to become a sick trophy for some maniac's collection. Trip got to his feet then leaned heavily against the tree trunk as the world started spinning. When his head cleared, he bent down and pulled Jacob up then over his shoulder. He turned when he heard a noise behind him. Trip started moving, trying to keep in the dark of the big trees. He stepped from one big trunk to the next, stopping to cast a glance behind him.
"I won't let them get us, Jacob. I promise you that," he whispered. His legs began shaking but the engineer pressed on.
By mid-afternoon, he was too tired to take another step. Trip gently laid Jacob on the ground across a few fallen limbs then sat down at the ensign's side. He drank some rainwater that had pooled in a big leaf that lay next to him. He found another leaf and carefully dribbled the water into Jacob's mouth.
"I won't let them get us," he mumbled. Trip leaned back against a tree trunk. "I'm so tired, Jake. And I think I may be getting sick." He looked down at his friend. "Are you doing okay? The bleeding finally stopped." The engineer leaned over and laid a hand on Jacob's forehead. "You're not running a fever." He sat back and smiled. "Good news, good news."
Somewhere nearby a twig snapped. Trip sat straight then struggled to his feet. He peered out through the misty rain but couldn't see anyone. As quietly as he could, the commander covered Jacob in leaves and broken limbs. When he was satisfied that his friend was well hidden, Trip back tracked over his trail then inched back to Jacob, carefully covering his path as he went. He listened and watched the forest intently. After several moments, the engineer sat back down. He closed his eyes against the sudden rise of nausea and swallowed hard.
"Cap'n'll be here soon," he murmured. "Cap'n'll be here soon, Jake."
The shuttle pod lurched violently.
"Bloody hell," cursed Malcolm under his breath. He struggled to keep the tiny craft airborne.
"What was that?" asked Captain Archer from behind him.
"I'm not sure, sir," Malcolm replied as the shuttle lurched again. He turned the pod and flew back in the direction from which they had just flown. The pitching eased then stopped entirely.
"It appears we now know why our sensors weren't detecting any life, Captain," said Sub-commander T'Pol. The Vulcan science officer had transported down at daybreak, insisting she be allowed to join the search for their two missing crewmen. Now she sat at the station just behind Malcolm and to his right. He could hear her fingers moving quickly over the keyboard. Malcolm turned his head enough so that he could see her.
"What is it?" asked Archer from the seat across from his first officer.
"An energy field, sir."
"An energy field?"
"Yes, Captain. It appears to end at the tops of the trees."
"Where is its source?" asked Malcolm.
"I am unable to pinpoint its location. I suggest we set down and proceed on foot."
"Malcolm? Set us down," directed Archer. He pulled out his communicator and filled in Hoshi and Abby on their plans. "Tell Damrus to get out here as soon as he can. If my gut is right, we're going to need his help. Archer out."
After landing in a small clearing, the three officers moved toward the energy field's edge. T'Pol held her scanner out in front of her, reading the data intently. Malcolm wandered to and fro through the trees, looking and hoping for a clue to his comrades' whereabouts.
"Do you detect any bio signs?" asked Archer coming up beside T'Pol. Malcolm heard the hope in his voice.
"Yes. Four Eska and----one Human," she reported quietly. She turned slightly. "In that direction approximately fifteen kilometers."
"One Human?" managed Archer.
T'Pol looked up at him with gentle eyes. "Yes, sir."
Malcolm swallowed the fear that constricted his throat. Only one, he thought then he closed his eyes.
He was tired, his heart pumping blood to exhausted limbs. He stumbled and fell to his knees in the mud, the man he was carrying sliding to the ground from his shoulder. He could hear them behind him, moving through the trees and underbrush, approaching, always just behind him..
Trip threw up violently, spitting the rancid tasting bile on the ground. He lifted a shaking hand to wipe the sweat that was dripping into his eyes. He threw up again but nothing came out. He hurt more than he ever had hurt before.
"I don't know if I can go on, Jake," he whispered. "I don't feel so hot."
But he could hear them behind him. Trip struggled to his feet then reached for his friend. He didn't have the strength to lift him so he grabbed both Jacob's wrists and began pulling him.
"There you are!"
Trip looked up to see four men watching him. Governor Martis stepped forward, a cold smile spread across his worn features. Trip squinted at him, trying to clear his foggy vision. He watched as the Eska moved to kneel beside Jacob.
"Don't you touch him," Trip said through gritted teeth. He could feel his whole body trembling.
The old man lifted his head to look squarely at the engineer. He tilted his head slightly then smiled again. Then he stood and fired his rifle, hitting Jacob in the middle of the chest. The body jerked sickeningly.
"No!" screamed Trip. He lunged at the old man with all his remaining strength but fell on all fours as the man easily stepped aside. Trip crawled to Jacob's side and grabbed the man's tunic in his fists. "No," he repeated.
"Well, Commander. This isn't exactly the way I wanted this hunt to end."
Trip tried to stand but fell helplessly to his knees. He suddenly felt himself being hauled to his feet. Two of the Eska hunters held him between them. Martis stepped close, the smell of his breath made Trip feel sick.
"You're ill but your pallor can be fixed during the embalming process," the old man said. He nodded his head at his men who promptly let go of the engineer and stepped away. Trip managed to remain on his feet.
"Run, Commander," Martis commanded. "I'm giving you another chance."
Trip turned to look down at Jacob. "No," he said defiantly.
"Run!" yelled the governor. He aimed his rifle at Trip's feet and fired, the blast hitting only centimeters away from his flesh. He fired again and again. Trip stumbled away but immediately collapsed on his knees in the mud. He struggled to get back up. He jerked his hand away as a phaser blast hit the ground next to it. Martis fired again and the shot singed Trip's arm, making him gasp in pain. The engineer's vision was dimming but he kept struggling.
"Stop it, Martis!"
Jon stared in horror as the governor aimed his rifle at Trip again. The old man laughed, completely ignoring Damrus' demand.
"Governor, please!"
Martis turned to face his deputy, who had raised a phase pistol at the old man. The two men stared at each other, neither one lowering his weapon. The governor slowly turned his head to look around at the security force that surrounded him and his men.
"Please," pleaded Damrus. "Stop this."
Martis smiled warmly at the man who'd been his right hand for fifteen years.
"I'm sorry, my friend," he whispered then he turned to aim at Trip. Damrus fired and the governor dropped to the ground.
"Trip," gasped Jon as he ran to his engineer's side. He dropped to his knees in the mud and put his arm around his friend.
Trip jerked away and began crawling to Jacob. "I can't leave him," he murmured weakly.
"Commander," said Malcolm gently. He was kneeling next to Jacob's body. "He's dead, sir."
Trip ignored the lieutenant and gripped the ensign's shirt in his fists. He made a feeble effort to pull him.
"Trip," said Jon as he moved up next to the commander. He put his hands over Trip's. "He's dead."
The engineer leaned his forehead against Jacob's ribcage. Jon could feel his hands loosen their grip. He gently pulled his friend toward him, carefully cradling him in his arms. T'Pol knelt down and put a hand on Trip's cheek. Her eyes met Jon's and no words were necessary. The captain looked down at his long time friend. Trip's eyes were open but unfocused. Jon pulled him against his chest, holding him as tightly as he could.
Malcolm hit the button and the coffin disappeared through the torpedo tube. He remembered loading the half dozen coffins on board before Enterprise launched. He had hoped all those months ago that they would never have to put one to use but Governor Martis had dashed those hopes. He closed his eyes briefly then turned his head to look at Trip. The commander stood between Sub-commander T'Pol and Dr. Phlox, leaning heavily on them both. He looked pale and very, very weak but he had insisted that Captain Archer allow him to attend the memorial service for Ensign Sawyer. The entire crew had packed into the armory to say their goodbyes and now they were slowly making their exit.
"Lets get you back to sickbay, Commander," said Phlox. Trip's legs gave out and the Denobulan and the Vulcan tightened their hold on him. Captain Archer quickly moved to his friend.
Trip looked up at him. "I'm so sorry, sir," he whispered.
Malcolm followed behind as they took the engineer back to sickbay. He and the captain hovered nearby as Phlox and T'Pol settled Trip into a bio bed. Malcolm couldn't believe that two days ago the commander was at death's door. Phlox had done everything he could to find the antidote to the venom that had been injected into Trip's system from the bite to his hand. If the Eska medical community hadn't helped they would have been saying their goodbyes to the engineer as well.
"There now, try to get some rest, Commander," said Phlox gently. He patted Trip's shoulder, checked the monitors above the engineer's head then quietly stepped away. Malcolm and Archer joined T'Pol at the side of the bed.
"Did Damrus find the house?" asked Trip in a weak voice.
Archer nodded. "They burned it to the ground. Damrus was disgusted by what Martis had done."
Trip closed his eyes. "I couldn't save him, Cap'n."
The captain put a hand over the engineer's hand then leaned close to him. "Don't do this to yourself, Trip," he said gently.
"I'm sorry," Trip murmured, his eyes still closed. Archer smiled warmly at his friend as the younger man slipped into a deep sleep.
"Will the commander be alright, Captain?" asked T'Pol. Malcolm looked across the bed at her in surprise. He knew he didn't have the keen ability to read her like the commander did, but he did detect a shadow of concern on her normally unreadable face.
"He's strong, T'Pol. It'll take some time and some help from all of us, but I think he'll be okay," replied the captain. "We better let him sleep."
The sub-commander and captain turned to leave.
"Are you coming, Malcolm?" asked Archer when the lieutenant didn't move.
"I'll be just a moment, sir."
Archer smiled knowingly at him then he and the sub-commander left sickbay.
Malcolm stepped up closer to Trip. "I'll make sure you're okay, Commander. I've never had a friend like you before so I'll be damned if I'm going to let you fall apart," he whispered. "I know Captain Archer feels the same way. Maybe even Sub-commander T'Pol, surprisingly enough. You know, its funny. I've never thought I had anything in common with the captain. In reality I do. You." Malcolm gently patted Trip's arm and smiled down at his sleeping friend. He pulled his hand away when Dr. Phlox stepped up to his side.
"I best be going, Doctor. Take good care of him."
"I certainly will, Lieutenant. I certainly will," responded Phlox. Malcolm turned and exited sickbay with a sense of loss but also a sense of peace washing over him.
THE END
Chapter Four
Trip came awake with a jolt. He felt disoriented. His head was pounding and he was burning up. He turned to look at Jacob. The ensign seemed to be sleeping. It was still dark but the rain had stopped and with it, the thunder and lightning. Trip quietly pulled himself up to his knees then promptly turned his head and vomited. He wondered briefly why since he hadn't eaten anything since their capture but he quickly dismissed that thought and focused on his companion. In the darkness it was hard to tell but he thought that the bleeding had stopped. He felt Jacob's forehead and was relieved to feel that it was only slightly warm. Trip suddenly froze. Governor Martis was after them. Panic began to rise and he knew he had to get Jacob to safety.
"Come on, Jake," he grunted as he stood and pulled the older man to a sitting position. "We've gotta get moving." He hefted the man over his shoulder, grimacing at the weight on his tired and sore body.
Trip moved through the dark as quickly as he could. He had no idea what direction he was going but he kept driving forward, his feet occasionally slipping in the muck that was the forest floor.
"Someone's coming, Jake," he whispered, turning to look behind him. He ducked behind a large tree, gasping for breath. He carefully laid the ensign down then stood over him protectively, peering around the tree trunk. He waited but no one came.
Trip looked down at his companion. "Jake?"
There was no response. Trip knelt down beside his friend and grabbed his wrist. He searched for a pulse and found nothing. He bent, placing his ear to Jacob's chest. Nothing.
"No," he rasped. He tried to revive Jacob until there was no strength left in his arms. He sat back, fighting the dizziness from lack of oxygen then he vomited again. The last thing he saw before he collapsed was the ensign's pale, expressionless face barely lit by the first rays of daybreak.
He blinked his eyes, trying to focus on the gray clouds that floated above him. It was daylight and it was raining again, the cool moisture soothing his warm skin. Trip sat up slowly and looked around. Jacob was lying next to him and he nudged him with his hand. No response. Then he remembered what had happened and he felt the sobs begin to rise. He shook his head, determined not to fall apart. He still had to get his friend to safety. There was no way he'd leave him behind, especially to become a sick trophy for some maniac's collection. Trip got to his feet then leaned heavily against the tree trunk as the world started spinning. When his head cleared, he bent down and pulled Jacob up then over his shoulder. He turned when he heard a noise behind him. Trip started moving, trying to keep in the dark of the big trees. He stepped from one big trunk to the next, stopping to cast a glance behind him.
"I won't let them get us, Jacob. I promise you that," he whispered. His legs began shaking but the engineer pressed on.
By mid-afternoon, he was too tired to take another step. Trip gently laid Jacob on the ground across a few fallen limbs then sat down at the ensign's side. He drank some rainwater that had pooled in a big leaf that lay next to him. He found another leaf and carefully dribbled the water into Jacob's mouth.
"I won't let them get us," he mumbled. Trip leaned back against a tree trunk. "I'm so tired, Jake. And I think I may be getting sick." He looked down at his friend. "Are you doing okay? The bleeding finally stopped." The engineer leaned over and laid a hand on Jacob's forehead. "You're not running a fever." He sat back and smiled. "Good news, good news."
Somewhere nearby a twig snapped. Trip sat straight then struggled to his feet. He peered out through the misty rain but couldn't see anyone. As quietly as he could, the commander covered Jacob in leaves and broken limbs. When he was satisfied that his friend was well hidden, Trip back tracked over his trail then inched back to Jacob, carefully covering his path as he went. He listened and watched the forest intently. After several moments, the engineer sat back down. He closed his eyes against the sudden rise of nausea and swallowed hard.
"Cap'n'll be here soon," he murmured. "Cap'n'll be here soon, Jake."
The shuttle pod lurched violently.
"Bloody hell," cursed Malcolm under his breath. He struggled to keep the tiny craft airborne.
"What was that?" asked Captain Archer from behind him.
"I'm not sure, sir," Malcolm replied as the shuttle lurched again. He turned the pod and flew back in the direction from which they had just flown. The pitching eased then stopped entirely.
"It appears we now know why our sensors weren't detecting any life, Captain," said Sub-commander T'Pol. The Vulcan science officer had transported down at daybreak, insisting she be allowed to join the search for their two missing crewmen. Now she sat at the station just behind Malcolm and to his right. He could hear her fingers moving quickly over the keyboard. Malcolm turned his head enough so that he could see her.
"What is it?" asked Archer from the seat across from his first officer.
"An energy field, sir."
"An energy field?"
"Yes, Captain. It appears to end at the tops of the trees."
"Where is its source?" asked Malcolm.
"I am unable to pinpoint its location. I suggest we set down and proceed on foot."
"Malcolm? Set us down," directed Archer. He pulled out his communicator and filled in Hoshi and Abby on their plans. "Tell Damrus to get out here as soon as he can. If my gut is right, we're going to need his help. Archer out."
After landing in a small clearing, the three officers moved toward the energy field's edge. T'Pol held her scanner out in front of her, reading the data intently. Malcolm wandered to and fro through the trees, looking and hoping for a clue to his comrades' whereabouts.
"Do you detect any bio signs?" asked Archer coming up beside T'Pol. Malcolm heard the hope in his voice.
"Yes. Four Eska and----one Human," she reported quietly. She turned slightly. "In that direction approximately fifteen kilometers."
"One Human?" managed Archer.
T'Pol looked up at him with gentle eyes. "Yes, sir."
Malcolm swallowed the fear that constricted his throat. Only one, he thought then he closed his eyes.
He was tired, his heart pumping blood to exhausted limbs. He stumbled and fell to his knees in the mud, the man he was carrying sliding to the ground from his shoulder. He could hear them behind him, moving through the trees and underbrush, approaching, always just behind him..
Trip threw up violently, spitting the rancid tasting bile on the ground. He lifted a shaking hand to wipe the sweat that was dripping into his eyes. He threw up again but nothing came out. He hurt more than he ever had hurt before.
"I don't know if I can go on, Jake," he whispered. "I don't feel so hot."
But he could hear them behind him. Trip struggled to his feet then reached for his friend. He didn't have the strength to lift him so he grabbed both Jacob's wrists and began pulling him.
"There you are!"
Trip looked up to see four men watching him. Governor Martis stepped forward, a cold smile spread across his worn features. Trip squinted at him, trying to clear his foggy vision. He watched as the Eska moved to kneel beside Jacob.
"Don't you touch him," Trip said through gritted teeth. He could feel his whole body trembling.
The old man lifted his head to look squarely at the engineer. He tilted his head slightly then smiled again. Then he stood and fired his rifle, hitting Jacob in the middle of the chest. The body jerked sickeningly.
"No!" screamed Trip. He lunged at the old man with all his remaining strength but fell on all fours as the man easily stepped aside. Trip crawled to Jacob's side and grabbed the man's tunic in his fists. "No," he repeated.
"Well, Commander. This isn't exactly the way I wanted this hunt to end."
Trip tried to stand but fell helplessly to his knees. He suddenly felt himself being hauled to his feet. Two of the Eska hunters held him between them. Martis stepped close, the smell of his breath made Trip feel sick.
"You're ill but your pallor can be fixed during the embalming process," the old man said. He nodded his head at his men who promptly let go of the engineer and stepped away. Trip managed to remain on his feet.
"Run, Commander," Martis commanded. "I'm giving you another chance."
Trip turned to look down at Jacob. "No," he said defiantly.
"Run!" yelled the governor. He aimed his rifle at Trip's feet and fired, the blast hitting only centimeters away from his flesh. He fired again and again. Trip stumbled away but immediately collapsed on his knees in the mud. He struggled to get back up. He jerked his hand away as a phaser blast hit the ground next to it. Martis fired again and the shot singed Trip's arm, making him gasp in pain. The engineer's vision was dimming but he kept struggling.
"Stop it, Martis!"
Jon stared in horror as the governor aimed his rifle at Trip again. The old man laughed, completely ignoring Damrus' demand.
"Governor, please!"
Martis turned to face his deputy, who had raised a phase pistol at the old man. The two men stared at each other, neither one lowering his weapon. The governor slowly turned his head to look around at the security force that surrounded him and his men.
"Please," pleaded Damrus. "Stop this."
Martis smiled warmly at the man who'd been his right hand for fifteen years.
"I'm sorry, my friend," he whispered then he turned to aim at Trip. Damrus fired and the governor dropped to the ground.
"Trip," gasped Jon as he ran to his engineer's side. He dropped to his knees in the mud and put his arm around his friend.
Trip jerked away and began crawling to Jacob. "I can't leave him," he murmured weakly.
"Commander," said Malcolm gently. He was kneeling next to Jacob's body. "He's dead, sir."
Trip ignored the lieutenant and gripped the ensign's shirt in his fists. He made a feeble effort to pull him.
"Trip," said Jon as he moved up next to the commander. He put his hands over Trip's. "He's dead."
The engineer leaned his forehead against Jacob's ribcage. Jon could feel his hands loosen their grip. He gently pulled his friend toward him, carefully cradling him in his arms. T'Pol knelt down and put a hand on Trip's cheek. Her eyes met Jon's and no words were necessary. The captain looked down at his long time friend. Trip's eyes were open but unfocused. Jon pulled him against his chest, holding him as tightly as he could.
Malcolm hit the button and the coffin disappeared through the torpedo tube. He remembered loading the half dozen coffins on board before Enterprise launched. He had hoped all those months ago that they would never have to put one to use but Governor Martis had dashed those hopes. He closed his eyes briefly then turned his head to look at Trip. The commander stood between Sub-commander T'Pol and Dr. Phlox, leaning heavily on them both. He looked pale and very, very weak but he had insisted that Captain Archer allow him to attend the memorial service for Ensign Sawyer. The entire crew had packed into the armory to say their goodbyes and now they were slowly making their exit.
"Lets get you back to sickbay, Commander," said Phlox. Trip's legs gave out and the Denobulan and the Vulcan tightened their hold on him. Captain Archer quickly moved to his friend.
Trip looked up at him. "I'm so sorry, sir," he whispered.
Malcolm followed behind as they took the engineer back to sickbay. He and the captain hovered nearby as Phlox and T'Pol settled Trip into a bio bed. Malcolm couldn't believe that two days ago the commander was at death's door. Phlox had done everything he could to find the antidote to the venom that had been injected into Trip's system from the bite to his hand. If the Eska medical community hadn't helped they would have been saying their goodbyes to the engineer as well.
"There now, try to get some rest, Commander," said Phlox gently. He patted Trip's shoulder, checked the monitors above the engineer's head then quietly stepped away. Malcolm and Archer joined T'Pol at the side of the bed.
"Did Damrus find the house?" asked Trip in a weak voice.
Archer nodded. "They burned it to the ground. Damrus was disgusted by what Martis had done."
Trip closed his eyes. "I couldn't save him, Cap'n."
The captain put a hand over the engineer's hand then leaned close to him. "Don't do this to yourself, Trip," he said gently.
"I'm sorry," Trip murmured, his eyes still closed. Archer smiled warmly at his friend as the younger man slipped into a deep sleep.
"Will the commander be alright, Captain?" asked T'Pol. Malcolm looked across the bed at her in surprise. He knew he didn't have the keen ability to read her like the commander did, but he did detect a shadow of concern on her normally unreadable face.
"He's strong, T'Pol. It'll take some time and some help from all of us, but I think he'll be okay," replied the captain. "We better let him sleep."
The sub-commander and captain turned to leave.
"Are you coming, Malcolm?" asked Archer when the lieutenant didn't move.
"I'll be just a moment, sir."
Archer smiled knowingly at him then he and the sub-commander left sickbay.
Malcolm stepped up closer to Trip. "I'll make sure you're okay, Commander. I've never had a friend like you before so I'll be damned if I'm going to let you fall apart," he whispered. "I know Captain Archer feels the same way. Maybe even Sub-commander T'Pol, surprisingly enough. You know, its funny. I've never thought I had anything in common with the captain. In reality I do. You." Malcolm gently patted Trip's arm and smiled down at his sleeping friend. He pulled his hand away when Dr. Phlox stepped up to his side.
"I best be going, Doctor. Take good care of him."
"I certainly will, Lieutenant. I certainly will," responded Phlox. Malcolm turned and exited sickbay with a sense of loss but also a sense of peace washing over him.
THE END