Chapter Seven:

Before Travis could even begin to set in a course for outside the system, the Enterprise was approached by a fleet of familiar ships.

"Sub-commander," the crewman in the back replied. "I think you should take a look at this." The crewman hit the button and turned the viewscreen on, showing the fleet.

T'Pol stood to get a better look. She cocked her head to one side to scrutinize them, determining who they were.

"They're those aliens, what did Captain Archer call them?" Travis asked.

"The People," T'Pol replied. "The Lalinalians must have contacted them."

"For what purpose?" Travis asked. "They know them?"

"They are a sect beneath The People."

"A sect?" Hoshi questioned.

"A small group that is close in similarities but not exactly the same," the Vulcan explained.

"You mean a faction?" Travis said.

"That is another term that can be used, but it is not the term that is used amongst them," T'Pol explained.

Malcolm entered the bridge just as Hoshi exclaimed that they were being hailed by the flag ship. T'Pol gave Hoshi the okay to answer the hail and she did so obediently.

Mishkra appeared on the screen, her red hair was much longer than the last time they had seen her, but she still looked like the same alien.

"Hello, Sub-commander T'Pol," she replied, gleefully.

T'Pol bowed slightly. "Mishkra," she said.

The redhead smiled and asked, "Is your away team safely aboard your ship?"

"They are, we were just leaving the system to get away from the Jalashk ship."

Mishkra nodded and looked away from her viewscreen. She said something that universal translator did not pick up, but Hoshi seemed to know what she said because she smiled.

"As you can see, we have apprehended the criminals and they will be dealt with accordingly," the alien said.

T'Pol looked to Lieutenant Reed for an agreeing nod of the head and got one along with a response.

"She's right, they have them."

"May I ask why you did not destroy the Jalashk vessel this time?" the sub-commander asked.

"We believe they could be of some help in locating a group of renegade Lalinalians who have recently joined their ranks."

"Logical," T'Pol replied.

Mishkra's smile disappeared. "Captain Archer is in pain."

Hoshi looked to the ground, remembering how the captain looked.

"He has been harmed," Mishkra said as tears pricked her eyes. She stared at Hoshi, who had seen her.

"That's right," Hoshi answered, as she raised her head. "He's-"

"In the sickbay. Yes, I know."

"Can you do anything to help our injured away team or do you not care about us?" T'Pol challenged.

Mishkra's expression turned to annoyed. "We cannot do everything for you just because we are more advanced. You will have to learn to do things yourself."

And then she changed the subject, "The plant you have collected should help the swelling if made into a broth."

T'Pol nodded, "Thank you."

Mishkra bowed her head, "I wish to speak with Jon."

"That will be permitted."

The viewscreen went blank and T'Pol knew the female alien was already aboard the Enterprise.