Hi everybody..

Long time, no see, right? Sorry about the delay. But I've written a small Part IX and, well, here it is for your reading enjoyment. I'm going to try to update this more regularly again, but don't hold me to that! I have to take these next few sections slow, so be prepared for some short installments. If I mess up the story here, I'll end up writing myself in a corner, and I don't want to do that. So I have to think out these next chapters a bit.

Anyway, here's part IX..not much Trip angst here, but maybe I'll devote the next chapter to more angst if y'all want it..

Take care,

Emrys

Following Orders Part IX

Disclaimer: see Part I



"What are you doing here?" Archer asked dangerously. Sudden fury overwhelmed him as he irrationally and uncontrollably found himself blaming Krem for every wrong turn that had occurred since Trip, T'Pol and he had been kidnapped.

Krem took a calm moment to regard the starship captain and the rag-tagged crew that was with him before replying. In that short time, Jonathan was able to note that something had changed about the little alien since they had had their unwanted and unhappy first meeting on Enterprise. Krem looked somehow calmer, and more assured of himself. Archer momentarily wondered at the change, but his anger was too strong to occupy excessive thought to the alien's seeming metamorphosis.

Krem took a breath and then bowed his head slightly.

"Captain, I'm sorry to see you here," he said in a tone that conveyed true apology.

"That makes two of us," Archer retorted. "Why don't you explain to me what exactly is going on."

"I'm not sure myself," Krem replied. "Perhaps if you explain to me first how exactly you came to be here, I can better answer your question."

Archer pushed away the part of himself that was proudly insisting that Krem answer the questions instead of the other way around. Being pushy would not help their situation, and he sensed no guile from the alien. But he remained wary nonetheless as he told Krem their story.

When he retold how Trip had been poisoned, the little alien rushed to the side of the fallen officer. He placed a steady palm on Trip's burning forehead and pursed his lips in an unexpected manner. Carefully, he probed the muscles of Trip's arms, and Trip moaned painfully in response. Archer saw concern and guilt enter Krem's eyes, and he almost felt sorry for the little guy. Baffled, the captain remained silent as the alien continued his examination.

"I'm sorry, Captain," he responded. "This is a poison commonly used by my people for coercion, and I do not have an antidote here in my possession. The best that I can offer is a tonic which will prolong his life functions for a day or two more."

Archer clenched his jaw, and glanced towards T'Pol. She looked at him impassively, but he noticed her own tightened jaw.

Not knowing how else to respond, Jonathan nodded in what felt like a futile gesture. Krem called out in a guttural tone, and one of the Renkans appeared at the doorway. Krem continued to talk in the strange language, and Archer supposed that he was discussing ingredients for Trip's tonic with the other tall alien.

When he was done, Krem returned his gaze to Archer and asked him to continue the story. Archer retold the tale as quickly as possible, and hen he was finished, the little alien sighed deeply and his look of sorrow deepened.

"This is all my fault, Captain, and I will do everything in my power to rectify the situation. But you must realize just how grim your problem is."

Confused, Archer shook his head. "All I know is that my friend is dying," he stated simply.

Krem nodded. "That is true, Captain. Without the tonic, he will be dead within the next few hours. As it is, he has at most two days to live if we do not acquire the antidote soon."

Archer felt cold fear trail down his spine, and he raked a hand through his hair. The motion fully conveyed his frustration and panic of the situation.

Krem calmly patted the captain's arm, and motioned him to sit on what appeared to be a collection of woven mats in the corner of the room. Archer gratefully sat and was surprised at the sudden tiredness that coursed through him.

"Captain, you may have noticed that I am not typical of my people," Krem said with a slight smile coloring his face.

Archer nodded in response but was silent as he wondered where this conversation would take them.

"Well, the entire existence of my people centers around acquisition. It is the only action that makes our lives worth living, and our material possessions determine our social status and success," Krem explained. He then chuckled quietly at some private joke, and looked pointedly at Archer. "I was never very good at acquiring things. I just never had the taste for it. In fact, I was the shame of my family. You see, I've never been forceful or deceptive, and these qualities are necessary for acquisition.

"When you gave me control of that ship, you gave me the power to implement a plan that I had been dreaming of for most of my life. Shortly after I left your ship, I dropped my compatriots off at the nearest star station, and then explored this area of space. I discovered this planet and realized that the Renkans' quiet existence suited my quiet personality. So, I made the decision to spend the rest of my life here, but first I had to convince my family that I was actively acquiring great material goods, so that they would not hunt me down to badger me out of my newfound life of non-acquisition."

Archer suddenly saw where this story was leading them. "You lied to them," he said.

"Yes, that's correct, Captain. I told my family that I had found a wealthy civilization, and that I planned to single-handedly acquire control of its fortune. My relatives were a bit dubious of my capabilities at first, but they were easily swayed after I showed them fake maps and battle plans. Besides, they were already somewhat convinced of my prowess after I told my story of how I swindled a star-ship captain out of goods and a small spacecraft all on my own."

Archer groaned as his mind finished the story for him.

"But you also convinced them that the Renkans were dangerous people, and by doing so you further deterred any family members from seeking you out," he said grimly. "But after some time passed and no one heard of you, they became curious and greedy for the wealth you mentioned. So they kidnapped us to do a job that they found too dangerous for themselves."

"I'm afraid so, Captain," Krem responded. "Gowan, Arkin, and Leor are my most miserly first cousins."