^*^*^*^CHAPTER 9^*^*^*^

"Wonderful, Commander Tucker! You've improved remarkably." Doctor Phlox said gleefully as he witnessed the engineer sit up on his own. Trip bit his lip, wincing in pain but apparently not enough, otherwise he wouldn't have been so successful. He felt stronger but still not himself and he had a long, restful night sleep so it felt good to get up.

"Thanks, doc… I'm surprised myself." he grunted, still struggling to keep his balance, feeling the sweat build up on his chest. Putting his arms partially behind him, he balanced on them and took a deep breath. Letting it back out, he relaxed, and looked down at his stomach. The bandages were tight but the red stains had dissipated since Phlox had changed the bandages. Trip contemplated for a moment, still staring at the bandages, and then sighed.

"How close was I, doc?" he asked, hesitant. There was a silence as Phlox glanced at Trip, wondering what to say. He decided to be honest and walked up to him, giving him an injection.

"You were quite close, Commander… we did lose you for a few moments there, but luckily you were found in time." he told him. Trip's face looked even more drained after hearing the truth, looking at his doctor.

"That close, huh? Well, it sure felt like it." he swallowed and gently rubbed his stomach. It felt sore to touch it and he lowered his brow, pondering over it. "Will there be any scars?"

Before Phlox could reply, they heard the entryway open. Captain Archer entered, with a surprised yet relieved look on his face. Trip grinned, happy to see his friend again. His eyes were still dark and tired, his skin still more pale than usual, but he certainly didn't look lifeless.

"How are you feeling?" Archer asked with a smile, stepping forward.

"Much, better, Cap'n." Trip answered "Still a little rusty on the edges. I don't think I should try walkin' just yet. I can barely keep my balance right here."

"Well, you look fine to me. You'll do alright…" Archer paused and lowered his eyes to the floor "There's some bad news, Trip." He tried to think of the right words to ease his frustration. Trip lifted an eyebrow, confused, waiting for his friend to answer. Archer looked Trip in the eyes. "It's Tisk'rar. He's missing. The Veekicians have been very cooperative but they can't find him anywhere." he tried to keep a straight face, holding in his anger. Trip lowered his shoulders, his eyes glazed over, thinking over the news. He didn't know what to think.

"Captain…" they heard Reed enter "I've got bad news." Reed briefly gave a smirk at Trip for he was glad to see his friend's fast recovery.

"Well, Lieutenant?" Archer urged.

"We found out that the captain of the ship we rescued is missing too." Reed disappointingly told him. Archer grew more irritated. Trip just sat there, expressionless.

"Get me a hold of one of the ambassadors." Archer grumbled.

"I've talked to one, Sir. He says that Tisk'rar is wanted for other attempted murders… and successful ones, too." Reed told him. Archer then started to pace around. His armory officer patiently looked at him, waiting for an order. The doctor went on with his business, also waiting for a response from their captain.

Trip wanted justice, the satisfaction of seeing Tisk'rar squirm in pain, but he couldn't bear the thought of being attacked again – of being alone again. His stomach started to ache and he felt another headache coming along.

"Reed, lets see if we can get to the surface for a closer look." he ordered.

"Aye, Sir." Reed replied.

Archer looked at Trip who just blinked, lowering his head, staring at the floor, looking so tired and weak.

"Get well soon, Trip." Archer forced a smile but Trip didn't respond. His captain then put on a straight face, patted him on the shoulder, turned his heal and walked out. Reed began to follow him but turned and looked at Trip. The commander didn't move except for his chest heaving in and out.

"Commander?" Reed asked him with curiosity. "Last night – when you mentioned someone getting hurt – what exactly were you talking about?" Trip lifted his head and looked at the Lieutenant, confused.

"What?"

"Last night… you mentioned someone –"

"I heard ya, Malcolm. And I have no idea what yer talkin' about." Trip raised his voice. Reed scoffed.

"You said something about… Judianna." Reed raised an eyebrow, worried. Trip's tired and bemused eyes glared at Reed, searching for an answer. Then he remembered.

"Judianna? Why would I mention her?" he said, and looked down on the floor, perplexed. Reed stepped closer.

"Who's Judianna? You said someone hurt her." Reed asked curiously. Trip gave out a chuckle, still confused.

"She's one of my old girlfriends back on Earth." he looked up at Reed, who had lifted an eyebrow, obviously worried. "Don't gimme that look, Malcolm. I haven't the slightest idea why I would say somethin' like that." Trip then nervously struggled to lie back down on the propped-up head of the bed. Reed examined his friend, who seemed to wonder why he mentioned her as well. He wanted to help Trip figure it out but he had to get back to work and there were more serious matters at stake.

"Well. I'm sure it doesn't really matter. After all, she's back on Earth… right?" Reed asked. Trip paused, looking around the room, searching for an answer.

"Yeah…" is all he could say. Reed then sighed and grinned at is friend.

"Glad to see you're feeling much better." he told him, walked out, the infirmary doors closed behind him, and he walked down the corridor.

But then the lieutenant stopped in his tracks, and quietly walked back to the doors. He peered through the winds and looked at Trip. Trip just sat there, puzzled and tired. It troubled him – maybe there really was something more to that girl. However, there was work to be done so Reed sighed and walked back down the corridor towards the bridge.

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Trip slowly opened his eyes. The light hurt his eyes and he had a restless night. He woke up every few hours making it seem like forever. The doctor paced about the room, feeding his creatures. He started to think of what Tisk'rar would do to him if he ever saw him again, imagining the blade once again, glistening in the light and the shadows. Yet, he felt himself powerful beyond words as he imagined himself thrusting the same blade into his enemy. He grinned at the thought of it.

But then he heard the hiss of the entrance to the infirmary along with multiple footsteps coming closer. Captain Archer spoke to Doctor Phlox but Trip could barely make out what he was saying. Lifting his head, he saw through the white curtains, Reed and Mayweather standing beside Archer. They wore shades of brown, tan, and green clothing; Trip knew they were going to carry out their plan soon. After speaking with Archer, Phlox had him and Reed sit down. Trip now knew what was going on and slowly lifted himself to sit up, still listening to Archer explaining their mission.

^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^*^

"Sir, I don't think we can pass off as Veekicians. We're not exactly as tall as them, if you know what I mean." Reed said halfhearted as Doctor Phlox put on replica scale-like ridges on his forehead. "Are these even what the Veekicians look like? I don't remember them like this."

"You must have missed something, Lieutenant. I'm going as a Veekician and the rest of you are going as Ziktolans – they're the species from their neighbor planet that they often make trade and business with."

"Oh." Reed pondered for a moment. "Why do you get to be a Veekician?"

"Because I'm…" Archer, already with the Veekician scales on his temples, looked down at himself and sported a large grin "… taller." Reed, bashfully, rolled his eyes.

"Aye, Sir." he leered at his captain. Everyone was more at ease but they admitted that what they were doing would be difficult and dangerous. But they were doing this for their friend and for themselves, being attacked so viciously.

"Cap'n?" Trip called as he pulled back one of the curtains, gritting his teeth. He was standing up, leaning on the biobed, wincing in struggle, and his chest was glistening with sweat.

"Trip!" Archer and Mayweather leapt towards Trip, terrified.

"No, no." Trip held his hand up to block them. "I got it." The two backed down and all of them watched him, amazed to see Trip's quick recovery. It seemed as though Trip had enough and he hopped back on the foot of the bed. He gave out an exhausted sigh and looked his weary eyes straight into Archer's.

"I'm goin' with" he said, his face as serious as ever. Archer looked at the rest of the crew and then back at Trip, who was yearning for an answer.

"I can't let you go, Trip. You're in too bad of shape." Archer regretfully told him. "Besides, I thought you were terrified of –"

"I know what I said." Trip raised his voice in persuasion "but I've been doin' a lot of thinkin' and I say… I'm goin' with ya." The captain frowned. He could tell how badly Trip wanted to go but felt it was best for him to stay.

"I'm sorry, Trip. You're staying behind. You need your rest." Archer told him sternly and saw his friend's eager expression turn to rage. Angered, Trip then hopped back off the bed and tried to walk towards him but then fell and slammed against the hard, cold floor. It took the breath out of him and he moaned in pain. They all rushed to pick him up. His eyes were pierced in pain, and he pushed them away.

"I can do it myself!" he growled at them and coughed, clutching his stomach. It hurt badly but he got on his knees, one arm supporting himself on the floor, and the other still wrapped around his stomach. He tried to steady his breathing as he bit his lip, quickly grabbing the edge of the bed with his free hand. It was painful for everyone to see but they decided it was best to let him help himself. His legs trembled as he came off one knee. Still breathing heavily, he pulled himself forward, his fingers clawing into the padding of the bed. His other knee lifted and he brought himself up. Slowly, he lifted his head, still clutching his stomach, and looked at Archer. Archer was speechless and felt awful for letting Trip do this to himself but it made him feel better to see his friend in a much better condition. Trip's face was cold and angered, glaring at his captain.

"I'm going, Jon." he said with his unsteady breath. The others looked at their captain for an answer. Archer lowered his head, trying to think of the right thing to say but decided it would be best to be straight with him. He looked at Trip, directly in the eyes.

"You're staying on the Enterprise, right here, Commander."

"Jon –" Trip started firmly.

"That's an order." Archer cut him off, and noticed that the doctor was finished with the others. Trip still stared at his friend, not knowing what to think. He didn't know whether to be angry at him anymore or not. Did he really want to go and confront Tisk'rar or was it just his impulsive behavior? His breathing was now even as his captain walked out with Reed and Mayweather following behind.

~TO BE CONTINUED…