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CHAPTER THREE
Hoshi and Trip sat close together huddled near a fire. Evening had long since fallen, and the air was chill in the forest.
After the woman (who later introduced herself as Katheba) had refused to help them, Hoshi and the Commander had marched back out of the camp. Mila had followed meekly behind, and when they stopped, not sure of their direction, she had taken the lead. She guided them back to the temple, where they spent hours trying to figure out the Sh'ron, climbing in and out, willing themselves back to where they came from.
It was no use; nothing changed. Finally, exhausted, they let Mila bring them back to the village. She led them to a fire, and other Jafari gave them plates of food and wooden cups of sweet water. After eating, they sat quietly, staring into the fire and trying to think of the next step.
"Bed." They jumped at Katheba's voice. She moved into their line of vision, smiling. "We have prepared your home-tree," she said softly. "May I take you to it, so that you may rest?"
Trip and Hoshi nodded tiredly. It was clear they were stuck for the night, so they followed Katheba to the village edge, where she approached one of the trees. Throwing back the woven opening cover, Katheba gestured for them to enter.
Hoshi breathed in at the sight of it. The walls inside were carved with intricate, beautiful designs. A warm fire lit the center of the single large room; the unique carvings also appeared to be functional, some deep enough to let the smoke escape. Soft blankets were piled in the floor on the far side of the tree.
"Thank you," Hoshi said to Katheba. "It's lovely."
Katheba smiled. "Tomorrow we will speak of your future. Tonight, you must rest." She stepped back through the opening, leaving Trip and Hoshi alone again.
Hoshi ran her fingers over the carvings, surprised to find the walls as smooth as glass. She turned to Trip, who was still studying the room. "Trip, what are we going to do?"
Trip looked back at her. "Honestly? I'm not sure. But don't worry; we'll figure out somethin'. And Jon'll be lookin' for us by now. Just a matter of time 'til they find us." He walked to the back of the room. "Now. Whadda ya say we get some sleep?"
"I doubt I'll sleep tonight," said Hoshi, still upset.
Trip smiled. "That's an order, Ensign." He poked at the pile of blankets. "Wanna help me make up some beds?"
Hoshi moved to his side, and in short order they had two comfortable beds near the dying fire. Trip lay down, pulling one blanket over him and closing his eyes. For a moment, the room was silent.
"Hoshi. Didn't I tell you to go to sleep?"
Behind him, Hoshi was sitting bolt upright, eyes huge as she fretted. She made a face at his back. "Aye, sir." She lay down and closed her eyes. Her last thought was of Malcolm, hoping he wasn't too worried—and that he would find her soon.
***
Archer paced restlessly while T'Pol ran her tricorder over the Sh'ron. He was about to demand answers from her, again, when Malcolm rushed in, several other crewmembers on his heels. Malcolm came directly to Jon, while the rest of the crew approached T'Pol, carrying the equipment she had requested. Jafari scientists milled about, ready to offer aid that they could.
"Sir." Malcolm was pale and brusque, an immediate sign of his tension. "What have you learned? Do you know where they are?"
Jon rested a hand on his armory officer's shoulder. "We don't know anything yet," he told him. "But T'Pol is working on it—we will find them."
Malcolm blinked, then looked around angrily. "And what have the Jafari told you? Sir, the most likely answer is that the Jafari know where they are and aren't telling us."
"Usually, I would be inclined to agree with you. But the Jafari seem as surprised as us. They've provided T'Pol with all of the information that they have on this…device. I honestly believe that they do not know where Trip and Hoshi are, any more than we do."
Malcolm looked suspicious, but bit back his reply. He watched, hands compulsively opening and closing, while T'Pol worked. Finally, she turned back to them.
"Captain. May I speak with you privately?"
"Whatever you have to say, you can say to me, Subcommander," Malcolm snapped. "That's my…I have a right to know."
T'Pol raised a brow at Jon, who nodded. She continued, "Very well. I have run several tests on the stone. It is made up of an unusual chemical compound, with extremely unique properties. The compound, when combined with other chemicals, has the ability to act…almost as a transporter."
"A transporter? A transporter that goes where? And why haven't they come back yet?"
"I can only speculate, Captain. There is no way to know if they are…capable of returning."
Malcolm made a funny sound. "Just what do you mean by that?" he snarled.
Jon put a restraining hand on his shoulder, and then looked back at T'Pol.
"You mentioned chemicals. What kind of chemicals?"
T'Pol looked at him. "Pheromones," she said flatly.
"Pheromones? Wouldn't there have to be some kind of attraction…" Malcolm trailed off.
"The Sh'ron was designed for Jafari. Human pheromones appear to be much stronger. The presence of a male and female human might be enough to initiate the process."
"We have to go after them," Malcolm insisted. "I'll go."
Jon shook his head. "We can't do anything until we know more about this thing. There's no way to know what we'd be getting into. There must be some reason Trip and Hoshi haven't returned on their own." He went back to pacing. "And no one on this planet can tell us anything about what's happening!"
A sixth sense made Jon stop and turn. On the far side of the room, a Jafari that he hadn't yet met was watching them, clearly trying to appear as if he wasn't. Jon cocked his head at the Jafari. Malcolm immediately followed his gaze. When he spotted the Jafari throwing glances their way, he took the direct approach. He covered the space to their quiet observer in seconds.
"What do you know about this device?" he demanded, leaning in uncomfortably close.
Jon appeared beside him and placed his hand on Malcolm's chest, forcing him to back up slightly. "Lieutenant Reed…" he cautioned.
Clearly relieved, the Jafari turned to go. Jon stepped into his path. "Actually," he said pleasantly, "I do have a few questions I'd like to ask you. What can you tell us about the Sh'ron?"
The Jafari hesitated just a fraction of a second before he said, "I am sure I have no information that our government has not shared with you." He smiled, bowed slightly, and stepped around the Captain.
Jon nodded to Malcolm. The Jafari found himself facing Jon again, held tight by the collar. He struggled ineffectually. Malcolm's threatening glare led him to answer grudgingly.
"Captain, I realize you are eager to recover your crewmembers. But…I cannot share information that will lead to alterations of the Sh'ron. Some of us maintain the old beliefs of our people."
Jon stopped smiling. "So you do know something?"
"It does not matter! The Sh'ron has chosen! Your crewmembers cannot return."
Jon crossed his arms and drew himself up to his full height. "I see. Well, just in case, maybe you'd better tell us anything you know."
"I cannot do that, Captain Archer."
Still gripping the Jafari's collar, Malcolm moved his face inches from the Jafari's face. The Jafari's eyes shifted nervously. Malcolm's tone was even when he spoke, his breath touching the Jafari's ear.
"I'd be more than happy to convince you."