Chapter Two



Sub-commander T'Pol looked up at the man standing beside her. "You still look unwell, Captain. I suggest someone else accompany me on this mission. Perhaps---."

Archer shook his head. "I'm fine, T'Pol," he interrupted. He stared at the command center wall screen on which the planet Narellus was displayed. "The dieuterium station is here," he continued, pointing at a spot on the brown planet. "From what the hauler pilot told us, we should find the chemist there."

T'Pol furrowed her brows slightly when the captain scratched absently at his chest. She could still see the vague outline of the ridges on his face; ridges left over from his transformation into a Lo'quek. He still looked worn from the experience.

"Damn it," the captain cursed in obvious frustration as he dug his nails into his arm. "It's starting to itch again."

"Captain," T'Pol said. "It is not logical for you to leave the ship while you're still recovering."

Archer glared at her. "I said I was fine, Sub-commander." He scratched his chest again then cursed.

T'Pol remained silent. The captain was a changed man since the Xindi attack on Earth. He was moody and distant and T'Pol knew when not to push him.

"Alright," Archer sighed reluctantly. "You're right. I'm not feeling up to par yet."

"I will ask Commander Tucker to accompany me then."

"I'm not sure he's up to it either."

"Captain?"

Archer turned to her. "He's going through a tough time. I'm not sure putting him on an away mission is a good idea."

"I was unaware that you'd noticed," T'Pol replied evenly.

"Of course I've noticed," Archer bit back then his face softened. "Just because I'm focused on this mission, T'Pol, doesn't mean I haven't seen the changes in Trip. Or in anyone else for that matter."

"Of course, Captain. I apologize."

Archer dropped his head. "He is the best one for this mission though," he relented then he paused. "Alright, you and Trip it is. And take security with you, too. Lieutenant Reed if he's feeling up to it."

T'Pol nodded her head then turned to leave.

"T'Pol?"

The Vulcan stopped and looked at her commanding officer. The face that had become hardened over the last few months was suddenly the face of the Archer of old.

"Keep an eye on Trip?"

"Of course, Captain," T'Pol replied.



"What's that smell?"

Malcolm Reed turned his head enough to see his friend from the corner of his eye. "Sorry, Commander," he apologized sheepishly. "The salve the doctor gave us for the itching is a bit pungent."

"I'll say," Trip replied. "It must really be bothering T'Pol."

"I had Dr. Phlox give me a nasal inhibitor just before we left. The odor is still quite unpleasant but it is not unbearable."

"I should have seen the doc myself," muttered Trip. "You sure you're up to this, Malcolm?"

"Yes, sir. Feeling much better actually."

Minutes later, Malcolm carefully maneuvered the shuttlepod until it lightly touched down on the landing platform. He gazed out the front window at the dark gray structure, which stood against the dark gray sky. He could see a light mist falling as he watched a handful of people milling around what appeared to be the main entrance into the big structure.

"Who is it we're looking for again?" asked Trip from where he sat at the back of the 'pod.

Malcolm swiveled in the pilot's chair to look expectantly at the Vulcan sub- commander.

"His name is B'Rat Ud. He is supposed to have the formula for synthesizing Trellium-D," T'Pol replied.

Trip stood. "Well let's find him then and get back to Enterprise. I don't like leaving her with all these damned anomalies around."

Malcolm smiled. "I'm sure she'll be fine, Commander," he replied.

The three officers exited the 'pod then made their way through the mud slick pathway to the entrance.

When they entered, Malcolm gasped. "I guess dieuterium is a hot commodity here in the Expanse."

The officers stood just at the edge of the crowded main chamber where several different species encircled a central stage.

"Is this an auction?" asked Trip quietly.

"It appears so," replied T'Pol.

Malcolm put his hand on the butt of his holstered phase pistol then followed Trip and T'Pol further into the cavernous room. He noted briefly how comfortable they seemed together then he cursed himself for getting distracted. They were under his protection and he needed to focus on his responsibility not on whether or not there was a blossoming relationship between the two senior officers.

T'Pol approached a table behind which sat a short, rotund alien male. The male handed the Vulcan a blue card then motioned for the three to move aside.

"We're looking for a chemist named B'Rat Ud," said T'Pol. She set the card down on the table. "Can you tell us where to find him?"

The male looked bothered but he picked up a data padd and scanned it quickly. "He hasn't arrived yet. Now if you're not going to join the bidding, please step aside."

They moved to the side of the table.

"Looks like we beat him here," said Trip. He crossed his arms over his chest. "I wonder how long we're gonna have to wait."

T'Pol stepped closer to the commander. "You didn't sleep last night," she said matter-of-factly.

Malcolm couldn't hide his surprise.

"Come on, Malcolm," sighed Trip irritably. "She's helping me sleep. You already know that." The commander turned to the woman at his side and his features immediately softened. "I thought you needed your rest."

"I would have helped you, Mr. Tucker."

"I know," replied Trip.

"2100 tonight, my quarters."

Trip smiled and nodded.

Malcolm watched the interaction with great amusement. The two actually seemed oblivious to what was happening between them. Before he gave his amusement away, the lieutenant quickly turned to look out at the crowd. He'd definitely have to give his friend a hard time later.

A commotion on the stage brought both Trip and T'Pol to Malcolm's side. The bidding was beginning and the crowd shifted closer to the auctioneer. Several people came up behind the three officers, pushing and shoving their way forward. T'Pol and Malcolm managed to stay together but Trip was caught in the wave and pulled into the middle of the crowd.

"Do you see him?" asked T'Pol as she craned her neck and scanned for their chief engineer.

"No," replied Malcolm. "There he is." He pointed to Trip who was now several meters away facing the opposite direction. "What's he doing?"

Malcolm watched as his friend moved off quickly through the crowd, a sense of urgency in his stride.



"Hey, you there!" shouted Trip trying to be heard over the din of the crowd. The Xindi humanoid looked directly at the engineer then turned quickly and pushed his way through all the people.

"Hey!" Trip yelled again. He pulled his phase pistol and held it discreetly at his side as he followed the Xindi through the crowd. Adrenaline was coursing through his system making his body tremble, the heat of his anger and revenge forcing him forward.

Without thinking, Trip turned a corner then suddenly stopped. He stood face to face with four Xindi all pointing phase rifles at him. The commander cursed his stupidity as he raised his hands to show his surrender.

The male he'd been following stepped forward and grabbed Trip's pistol from his grip. "Notify Degra that we have a Human," he said over his shoulder to his companions.

"Get down!"

Trip hit the deck but lifted his head to see two Xindi fall. Then he was hauled to his feet, a strong arm wrapping immediately around his throat.

"Drop your weapons or I'll kill him!" ordered the leader as he held Trip in front of him, a rifle stuck painfully in the engineer's side. Trip struggled against the firm hold. He threw an elbow backwards into the Xindi's abdomen. A blow that would have doubled over a human had no effect on the alien. His reward for his efforts was the tightening of the arm around his throat.

Even with his airway constricted, Trip continued to fight. He threw his head back and connected with the Xindi's nose. The man grunted in pain but held the engineer fast. Trip could feel himself being pulled backwards as stars appeared before his eyes. He looked at Malcolm and T'Pol who had lowered their weapons.

"Take that one, too," directed the leader to his one remaining companion. "Degra will be even more pleased with two Humans."

"What about the Vulcan?"

"Kill her!"

"No!" Trip rasped. He dug his heel into the top of the Xindi's foot and the pressure suddenly disappeared from his throat. The engineer turned and launched himself into the man's mid-section sending both men careening into a wall. As they hit the wall, Trip heard a cracking then both men broke through and tumbled to the floor. The engineer heard another cracking and the floor gave way, then he was falling.



"Commander!" yelled T'Pol. She peered through the wall to see the gaping hole in the floor.

"Do you see him?" asked Reed as he came up beside her. He had taken out the remaining alien with a well-placed shot from his phase pistol.

T'Pol shook her head. "No." She swung one leg through the wall and gingerly placed her weight on the edge of the opening in the floor. Satisfied it would hold her, she climbed through then knelt and gazed into the dark pit. Her hand found her scanner and she pulled it out of its pouch and flipped it on.

"Well?"

"There is one human life sign approximately twenty meters below us. I am also detecting---," she paused momentarily. "---one Xindi life sign."

Reed expelled a breath. "We've got to get him out of there."

T'Pol did not acknowledge the lieutenant's comment as she had long ago grown accustomed to the human need for stating the obvious. She stood and slipped her scanner back into its pouch.

"I'll go back to the shuttle and get a rope," Reed said then he turned to leave.

"Lieutenant," T'Pol called. "Be careful. These may not be the only Xindi at the auction."

Reed nodded then disappeared.

T'Pol opened her communicator at the same time she took in her surroundings. She was thankful the altercation with the Xindi had so far gone unnoticed by the participants who were still busy bidding in the main room.

"T'Pol to Enterprise."

"Enterprise, Sub-commander. Go ahead," came Sato's reply.

"We have a situation, Ensign. Please advise the captain."

"I'm here, T'Pol. What happened?"

"We encountered four Xindi humanoids, Captain," T'Pol explained. "Commander Tucker fell into what appears to be an old underground tunnel network with one of them. Lieutenant Reed has gone back to the shuttle to retrieve a rope."

"Is Trip alright?"

"He is not responding but I am detecting his life signs."

"I'll have Phlox standing by. Let me know as soon as you have him."

"Understood."

"Archer out."

T'Pol leaned over the hole again, her ears straining. She tipped her head as the sound of scuffling reached her. Then she heard the sound of Tucker's voice. He was in distress. Her eyes darted to the opening in the wall. Reed had not yet returned. When her Vulcan ears picked up the grunt of pain, T'Pol made an illogical decision---and jumped.



To Be Continued.