FIVE GOLDEN RINGS
December 30
Early the next morning, the bridge officers were at their stations with Indicus again sitting near Reed. The alien was humming brightly and everyone responded to his light spirits. Even T'Pol appeared to be a bit relaxed. "We are approaching the last planet. While the surface would not be conducive to life, the moons just outside of the fifth ring around the planet may be our best bet."
"Begin the scans, T'Pol," said Archer as he settled into his chair.
"Fifth ring? Sub-commander, how many rings does the last planet have?" asked Sato. Rather than looking at the Vulcan Science Officer, Sato turned an expectant look to Reed at the tactical station.
"There are seven rings around the planet," answered T'Pol as she sent a close-up to the view screen. There were seven concentric rings at the planets equator that appeared to glitter with a golden cast.
Sato pouted while Reed had a rather smug smile on his face, until he really considered the consequences. Wait, if he lost this bet that meant he wouldn't get another chance to touch Hoshi... No, it still felt good to win a bet, didn't it? His foul mood deepened.
-----
Lunchtime came without any success in locating the beacon. In the mess hall, Reed looked at the selection of entrees and sighed: chicken Parmesan, chicken schnitzel and chicken patties with gravy. He heard Sato's voice in his ear asking, "Can't make up your mind?"
"Can't tell the difference among the lot of them," admitted Reed as he settled instead for a salad and a bowl of soup. As soon as he spooned the broth into his bowl he grimaced. Of course, chicken noodle soup.
"I'll have the same," assured Sato as she completed the selections on her tray. "Join me, Lieutenant?"
Reed hesitated for a moment. He heard Ensign Partridge's voice nearby and decided he needed a decoy at the very least. "Certainly, Ensign."
Sato took a dainty sip of her soup. Reed also tasted his, but sighed. Too salty. He pushed the soup aside and attacked the salad while they spoke of their scans of the planets and their guest. "Indicus said that his species, the Ansers, first encountered Klingons a thousand years ago. Apparently Ansers were visiting the Klingon homeworld as they eradicated an insectoid species."
"Indicus seems so harmless. The lisp that the UT picks up is from his own speech pattern. That's why so many of them get through," Sato explained.
"Poor chap. He's looking for what would be the equivalent of his wife and her sisters. Apparently their mother was sick and they went to visit her. Indicus said that Ansers mate for life."
"Well, I think it's sweet that he's so concerned for her. Males should be faithful and steadfast," asserted Sato.
"If we can detect the beacon, there's a good chance he'll soon be with his wife. Trip's finished the repairs to his ship. Apparently Indicus had crossed some wires, the silly goose. Uh, sorry, that just slipped out. Bad habit."
"Habit? You don't usually go around making puns," responded Sato.
Reed got a bit defensive. "It's all Madeline's fault. When we'd see each other during holiday breaks, my dear sister would start this contest on who could come up with the most puns. Stop laughing; it would deteriorate into these horrible--ugh, it makes me shiver just to think of them."
Hoshi smiled as she appreciated this little personal tidbit that Malcolm had revealed. They continued their observations of their guest, but Sato soon brought the topic back to their bet.
"So, do I get credit for the planet having at least five rings?" asked Sato. This was an important question. If Reed gave her credit, then he had obviously gotten her hint about wanting to see him outside of duty hours.
"Oh no, you don't. It has to be exactly FIVE rings," insisted Reed.
Sato sighed. The man was a brick, but bricks were meant to be laid...in a foundation to build a strong relationship, she told herself. She just had to adjust her strategy. "The day's not over yet, but if you want me to concede, I'll surrender and give you a shoulder rub."
Reed tasted his soup again. He had not considered what he would gain if he won the bet. Wait. There was no way he could lose in this bet. He must be missing something, but he still said, "Alright then. When and where?"
"No time like the present, Lieutenant. Eat up. We should have about fifteen minutes before we're due back on the bridge. Enough time for a quickie."
Reed started coughing when he was unable to swallow. Sato was soon pounding his back. "Problem, Lieutenant?"
"Soup's too salty," Reed managed to croak out.
"That's what you always say," responded Sato as she began to rub slow circles on his back. It felt incredibly pleasant. He could smell her hair as she leaned into him. "All better now?"
Reed could only nod. He took a sip of water and Sato noted his hand was just a bit shaky. "Good. Let's get to it then."
"Wha--" Reed moved as Sato grabbed his forearm and dragged him out of the mess hall. From a corner table, Commander Trip Tucker and Ensign Travis Mayweather were chuckling over the exchange they had observed between Reed and Sato. But before they could make their own bet over what would transpire between the couple, T'Pol's voice came over the comm line.
"All bridge officers report to your stations."
-----
"Hoshi, we need to see what you can do to clean up the signal. Malcolm, help her triangulate." Archer sat anxiously at his chair and Indicus was at his side with his head lightly bobbing.
Reed and Sato performed their familiar routine, communicating their sequence of commands with a quick word or even just a glance. Sato soon exclaimed, "There it is! Sir, I've located the frequency. It's coming from the third moon."
"Captain, the beacon's signal is intermittent, but an away team should be able to stabilize the signal and rescue the party." T'Pol's voice was calm as she conveyed the information.
"I should take my vethel down to the moon. I have the nethting that my preciouth will need in it."
"Very well, but I'll feel better if we send some help with you. Malcolm, you go with him. I'll send Dr. Phlox to meet you at the shuttle bay."
-----
The team stepped out of the vessel that Indicus had piloted to the moon. Reed walked forward with the scanner. "The beacon is within range. Indicus, I believe your party is down below."
The team stepped to the edge of the ravine near their landing site. Indicus again dropped his robe and spread out his wings. He pushed himself off of the ledge and did a beautiful glide down to the floor of the ravine. The white of his wings glistened in the sunlight and they could hear his call.
"I haven't seen anything so beautiful!" said Phlox in a voice of disbelief. He stood near Reed as they watched Indicus approach the flock of Ansers. He went immediately to one who had a beautiful banding pattern on her face with delicate bars rather than the thicker ones of Indicus. The two Ansers twined their necks around each other.
After a few more honking calls, the Ansers all took flight to get to the ledge where the humans waited. Indicus immediately introduced his companion. "This is Matha, my preciouth wife. But we must hurry. All of her sisters are about to netht and need to feel safe."
Dr. Phlox completed his scans and explained to Reed. "The Ansers carry their young in their bodies much as mammals do, but prior to birth, a coating is exuded by the fetus that forms the hard shell of an egg. The mothers must lay their eggs, and then they help the offspring break out of their shell. How long will the process take, Indicus?"
"Once the egg is laid, it is just a matter of hours. I carried the nethting material with me. We are ready," said Indicus.
-----
The vessel was soon in the Enterprise launch bay. Sato arrived at the request of Indicus who wanted her to meet the other Ansers. As Sato approached, Reed said quietly to her, "Guess what his wife's name is?"
Sato could only shake her head, then Reed continued. "Matha."
Sato closed her eyes before saying, "You mean we've just picked up..."
"Mother Goose. Don't tell Trip," suggested Reed. Sato nodded then climbed into the vessel and introduced herself to Matha and her sisters.
After he introduced Sato, Indicus stepped out of the vessel and turned to Reed with a box in his grasp. "Please accept thith as a token of my gratitude."
"Indicus, I was just doing my job. There's no need for this," said Reed as he pushed the box back while trying not to appear rude.
"It ith important to me; I think you will find it useful," said Indicus. "You would not want me to feel offended, would you?"
Reed smiled indulgently. He opened the box since Indicus appeared to expect it. The box was covered in a material resembling blue velvet and nestled inside was a golden chain with, yes, five links. Reed quickly snapped it shut and looked over his shoulder to the Anser's vessel.
Sato was just stepping out of vehicle. The guilty look on Reed's face made her curious. "Indicus, Doctor Phlox says that Matha and the rest are settled. You can go in now."
As soon as Indicus left, Sato nudged Reed. "Malcolm, is there something in that box you should show me?"
"Uh, well, it's not, actually, it's... Oh, never mind. You won your bet. Here," Reed opened the box. Sato counted slowly. "One, two, three, four, five...Yeah, I think that covers it. Looks like you owe me a shoulder rub, Lieutenant."
As she led the defeated Armory Officer to her lair, Sato added, "And it doesn't even have to be a quickie."
She just loved how he blushed. Reed stammered, "I better put these away first."
"Fine, you can pay up while we're in your cabin," said Hoshi. Malcolm didn't like the sound of that, but when they got to his cabin, Hoshi sat on the small couch. She unzipped her uniform as Malcolm's mouth suddenly went dry, but Hoshi merely shrugged out of the sleeves of the jumper.
"I'd be more comfortable in a t-shirt. Would you mind?" she asked. Malcolm looked at Hoshi for a moment, then she repeated slowly, "A. T. Shirt."
"Uh, yes, right," said Malcolm and automatically pulled out the garment and handed it to her. Hoshi looked at him expectantly, and then motioned for him to turn around with her hand.
"Yes, right," said Malcolm as he turned then cleared his throat.
Malcolm could hear Hoshi pulling off the long-sleeved undershirt of her uniform. That was followed by a snap--or rather an unsnapping! His eyes grew wide and he was grateful he had turned around. She was putting on the t-shirt, wasn't she?
"Okay, you can get to work now," said Hoshi as she grabbed Malcolm's hand. "Start about here."
Yes, the t-shirt was in place, but the soft cotton was all that was between his hands and her skin. It didn't help that the massage was punctuated by these delicious sounding moans from the linguist. Malcolm was so distracted by these intimate little sounds that he didn't register when the shoulder rub became a back rub. "Uh, sorry, I think we're all done."
"Here, let me return the favor. A back rub wasn't part of the bet." Hoshi quickly unzipped the top of Malcolm's uniform and shoved it off his shoulders. Hoshi completely ignored his muffled protests as she unbuttoned his undershirt and pulled it off. To her disappointment Malcolm was wearing a t-shirt under his uniform.
"Don't worry, you're in good hands," said Hoshi as she began to work. From brick to putty in ten seconds. His head was soon rolling quite loosely on his neck. Why hadn't she noticed before the advantage that his short hair gave for someone wanting to nibble on his neck? She could see the goose bumps rise on his skin as she spoke softly into his ear.
"You know, we ought to do this more often." Hoshi wondered if Malcolm would take the hint.
"No, no more bets."
The man was definitely a brick. Sato was about to give Reed a dope slap, then thought better of it. Some things were worth waiting for; Malcolm Reed was one of them.
The Ensign had left before the Lieutenant realized she'd gotten away with another one of his t-shirts. Reed looked at the picture of the Enterprise officers that Sato had given him and noticed again how in this particular one they were standing by each other. He thought of the gold chain and now knew what he would make as a present for Hoshi. He moved to the picture and touched her face in the photo quite tenderly and a bit sadly. Time for that cold shower.
-----
That night Malcolm dreamed he was climbing a ladder made of gold links that wound endlessly upward. He knew if he reached the top he would find Hoshi. He could see her leaning out and calling to him, but the chain just kept getting longer.
*****
December 30
Early the next morning, the bridge officers were at their stations with Indicus again sitting near Reed. The alien was humming brightly and everyone responded to his light spirits. Even T'Pol appeared to be a bit relaxed. "We are approaching the last planet. While the surface would not be conducive to life, the moons just outside of the fifth ring around the planet may be our best bet."
"Begin the scans, T'Pol," said Archer as he settled into his chair.
"Fifth ring? Sub-commander, how many rings does the last planet have?" asked Sato. Rather than looking at the Vulcan Science Officer, Sato turned an expectant look to Reed at the tactical station.
"There are seven rings around the planet," answered T'Pol as she sent a close-up to the view screen. There were seven concentric rings at the planets equator that appeared to glitter with a golden cast.
Sato pouted while Reed had a rather smug smile on his face, until he really considered the consequences. Wait, if he lost this bet that meant he wouldn't get another chance to touch Hoshi... No, it still felt good to win a bet, didn't it? His foul mood deepened.
-----
Lunchtime came without any success in locating the beacon. In the mess hall, Reed looked at the selection of entrees and sighed: chicken Parmesan, chicken schnitzel and chicken patties with gravy. He heard Sato's voice in his ear asking, "Can't make up your mind?"
"Can't tell the difference among the lot of them," admitted Reed as he settled instead for a salad and a bowl of soup. As soon as he spooned the broth into his bowl he grimaced. Of course, chicken noodle soup.
"I'll have the same," assured Sato as she completed the selections on her tray. "Join me, Lieutenant?"
Reed hesitated for a moment. He heard Ensign Partridge's voice nearby and decided he needed a decoy at the very least. "Certainly, Ensign."
Sato took a dainty sip of her soup. Reed also tasted his, but sighed. Too salty. He pushed the soup aside and attacked the salad while they spoke of their scans of the planets and their guest. "Indicus said that his species, the Ansers, first encountered Klingons a thousand years ago. Apparently Ansers were visiting the Klingon homeworld as they eradicated an insectoid species."
"Indicus seems so harmless. The lisp that the UT picks up is from his own speech pattern. That's why so many of them get through," Sato explained.
"Poor chap. He's looking for what would be the equivalent of his wife and her sisters. Apparently their mother was sick and they went to visit her. Indicus said that Ansers mate for life."
"Well, I think it's sweet that he's so concerned for her. Males should be faithful and steadfast," asserted Sato.
"If we can detect the beacon, there's a good chance he'll soon be with his wife. Trip's finished the repairs to his ship. Apparently Indicus had crossed some wires, the silly goose. Uh, sorry, that just slipped out. Bad habit."
"Habit? You don't usually go around making puns," responded Sato.
Reed got a bit defensive. "It's all Madeline's fault. When we'd see each other during holiday breaks, my dear sister would start this contest on who could come up with the most puns. Stop laughing; it would deteriorate into these horrible--ugh, it makes me shiver just to think of them."
Hoshi smiled as she appreciated this little personal tidbit that Malcolm had revealed. They continued their observations of their guest, but Sato soon brought the topic back to their bet.
"So, do I get credit for the planet having at least five rings?" asked Sato. This was an important question. If Reed gave her credit, then he had obviously gotten her hint about wanting to see him outside of duty hours.
"Oh no, you don't. It has to be exactly FIVE rings," insisted Reed.
Sato sighed. The man was a brick, but bricks were meant to be laid...in a foundation to build a strong relationship, she told herself. She just had to adjust her strategy. "The day's not over yet, but if you want me to concede, I'll surrender and give you a shoulder rub."
Reed tasted his soup again. He had not considered what he would gain if he won the bet. Wait. There was no way he could lose in this bet. He must be missing something, but he still said, "Alright then. When and where?"
"No time like the present, Lieutenant. Eat up. We should have about fifteen minutes before we're due back on the bridge. Enough time for a quickie."
Reed started coughing when he was unable to swallow. Sato was soon pounding his back. "Problem, Lieutenant?"
"Soup's too salty," Reed managed to croak out.
"That's what you always say," responded Sato as she began to rub slow circles on his back. It felt incredibly pleasant. He could smell her hair as she leaned into him. "All better now?"
Reed could only nod. He took a sip of water and Sato noted his hand was just a bit shaky. "Good. Let's get to it then."
"Wha--" Reed moved as Sato grabbed his forearm and dragged him out of the mess hall. From a corner table, Commander Trip Tucker and Ensign Travis Mayweather were chuckling over the exchange they had observed between Reed and Sato. But before they could make their own bet over what would transpire between the couple, T'Pol's voice came over the comm line.
"All bridge officers report to your stations."
-----
"Hoshi, we need to see what you can do to clean up the signal. Malcolm, help her triangulate." Archer sat anxiously at his chair and Indicus was at his side with his head lightly bobbing.
Reed and Sato performed their familiar routine, communicating their sequence of commands with a quick word or even just a glance. Sato soon exclaimed, "There it is! Sir, I've located the frequency. It's coming from the third moon."
"Captain, the beacon's signal is intermittent, but an away team should be able to stabilize the signal and rescue the party." T'Pol's voice was calm as she conveyed the information.
"I should take my vethel down to the moon. I have the nethting that my preciouth will need in it."
"Very well, but I'll feel better if we send some help with you. Malcolm, you go with him. I'll send Dr. Phlox to meet you at the shuttle bay."
-----
The team stepped out of the vessel that Indicus had piloted to the moon. Reed walked forward with the scanner. "The beacon is within range. Indicus, I believe your party is down below."
The team stepped to the edge of the ravine near their landing site. Indicus again dropped his robe and spread out his wings. He pushed himself off of the ledge and did a beautiful glide down to the floor of the ravine. The white of his wings glistened in the sunlight and they could hear his call.
"I haven't seen anything so beautiful!" said Phlox in a voice of disbelief. He stood near Reed as they watched Indicus approach the flock of Ansers. He went immediately to one who had a beautiful banding pattern on her face with delicate bars rather than the thicker ones of Indicus. The two Ansers twined their necks around each other.
After a few more honking calls, the Ansers all took flight to get to the ledge where the humans waited. Indicus immediately introduced his companion. "This is Matha, my preciouth wife. But we must hurry. All of her sisters are about to netht and need to feel safe."
Dr. Phlox completed his scans and explained to Reed. "The Ansers carry their young in their bodies much as mammals do, but prior to birth, a coating is exuded by the fetus that forms the hard shell of an egg. The mothers must lay their eggs, and then they help the offspring break out of their shell. How long will the process take, Indicus?"
"Once the egg is laid, it is just a matter of hours. I carried the nethting material with me. We are ready," said Indicus.
-----
The vessel was soon in the Enterprise launch bay. Sato arrived at the request of Indicus who wanted her to meet the other Ansers. As Sato approached, Reed said quietly to her, "Guess what his wife's name is?"
Sato could only shake her head, then Reed continued. "Matha."
Sato closed her eyes before saying, "You mean we've just picked up..."
"Mother Goose. Don't tell Trip," suggested Reed. Sato nodded then climbed into the vessel and introduced herself to Matha and her sisters.
After he introduced Sato, Indicus stepped out of the vessel and turned to Reed with a box in his grasp. "Please accept thith as a token of my gratitude."
"Indicus, I was just doing my job. There's no need for this," said Reed as he pushed the box back while trying not to appear rude.
"It ith important to me; I think you will find it useful," said Indicus. "You would not want me to feel offended, would you?"
Reed smiled indulgently. He opened the box since Indicus appeared to expect it. The box was covered in a material resembling blue velvet and nestled inside was a golden chain with, yes, five links. Reed quickly snapped it shut and looked over his shoulder to the Anser's vessel.
Sato was just stepping out of vehicle. The guilty look on Reed's face made her curious. "Indicus, Doctor Phlox says that Matha and the rest are settled. You can go in now."
As soon as Indicus left, Sato nudged Reed. "Malcolm, is there something in that box you should show me?"
"Uh, well, it's not, actually, it's... Oh, never mind. You won your bet. Here," Reed opened the box. Sato counted slowly. "One, two, three, four, five...Yeah, I think that covers it. Looks like you owe me a shoulder rub, Lieutenant."
As she led the defeated Armory Officer to her lair, Sato added, "And it doesn't even have to be a quickie."
She just loved how he blushed. Reed stammered, "I better put these away first."
"Fine, you can pay up while we're in your cabin," said Hoshi. Malcolm didn't like the sound of that, but when they got to his cabin, Hoshi sat on the small couch. She unzipped her uniform as Malcolm's mouth suddenly went dry, but Hoshi merely shrugged out of the sleeves of the jumper.
"I'd be more comfortable in a t-shirt. Would you mind?" she asked. Malcolm looked at Hoshi for a moment, then she repeated slowly, "A. T. Shirt."
"Uh, yes, right," said Malcolm and automatically pulled out the garment and handed it to her. Hoshi looked at him expectantly, and then motioned for him to turn around with her hand.
"Yes, right," said Malcolm as he turned then cleared his throat.
Malcolm could hear Hoshi pulling off the long-sleeved undershirt of her uniform. That was followed by a snap--or rather an unsnapping! His eyes grew wide and he was grateful he had turned around. She was putting on the t-shirt, wasn't she?
"Okay, you can get to work now," said Hoshi as she grabbed Malcolm's hand. "Start about here."
Yes, the t-shirt was in place, but the soft cotton was all that was between his hands and her skin. It didn't help that the massage was punctuated by these delicious sounding moans from the linguist. Malcolm was so distracted by these intimate little sounds that he didn't register when the shoulder rub became a back rub. "Uh, sorry, I think we're all done."
"Here, let me return the favor. A back rub wasn't part of the bet." Hoshi quickly unzipped the top of Malcolm's uniform and shoved it off his shoulders. Hoshi completely ignored his muffled protests as she unbuttoned his undershirt and pulled it off. To her disappointment Malcolm was wearing a t-shirt under his uniform.
"Don't worry, you're in good hands," said Hoshi as she began to work. From brick to putty in ten seconds. His head was soon rolling quite loosely on his neck. Why hadn't she noticed before the advantage that his short hair gave for someone wanting to nibble on his neck? She could see the goose bumps rise on his skin as she spoke softly into his ear.
"You know, we ought to do this more often." Hoshi wondered if Malcolm would take the hint.
"No, no more bets."
The man was definitely a brick. Sato was about to give Reed a dope slap, then thought better of it. Some things were worth waiting for; Malcolm Reed was one of them.
The Ensign had left before the Lieutenant realized she'd gotten away with another one of his t-shirts. Reed looked at the picture of the Enterprise officers that Sato had given him and noticed again how in this particular one they were standing by each other. He thought of the gold chain and now knew what he would make as a present for Hoshi. He moved to the picture and touched her face in the photo quite tenderly and a bit sadly. Time for that cold shower.
-----
That night Malcolm dreamed he was climbing a ladder made of gold links that wound endlessly upward. He knew if he reached the top he would find Hoshi. He could see her leaning out and calling to him, but the chain just kept getting longer.
*****