PART THREE



Jon looked past Trip to gaze out at the derelict ship as it drifted lifelessly. He watched as the engineer effortlessly maneuvered the shuttle pod to the docking port then smiled to himself as a light flashed confirming a seal.

"I think we're here, sir," said Trip with a touch of relief in his voice.

"Nice job," said Jon from the back of the 'pod.

The engineer swiveled around in his chair to look at his commanding officer. "Thanks. I guess we can add piloting a shuttle to the list of things I remember."

Jon stood and picked up his EV helmet. "You still having doubts? I thought you agreed that you deserved the title of Chief Engineer again."

Trip lifted his helmet from the chair behind him. "I do but there's still a part of me that wonders if I'm really qualified."

Jon smiled warmly. "I think you proved yourself during our ruse with Degra. If you hadn't figured out how those vortexes worked, the whole deception would've failed. Everyone on board was impressed---including your captain."

Trip looked at him askance then grinned and nodded.

Jon put on the heavy helmet then let Trip snap the closures down. He hit his comm. "Now let's see what's over there."

The captain assisted Trip with his helmet then they both climbed up through the airlock to the other vessel. They'd picked up the abandoned ship just hours before on their sensors then upon discovering it was Xindi, Jon had quickly made the decision to investigate. The coordinates were only a light year off their course for Azati Prime.

"This ship looks ancient," said Trip as he wandered around the tiny room into which they'd climbed. "None of these systems look to be operational." He turned to look at Jon. "Did T'Pol pick up any residual energy readings?"

Jon shook his head. "No. This ship must've been floating out here for years. I was hoping there was still information in their database, though. Maybe some history on the Xindi we could use."

"Ah, so you didn't ask me along just for my company then," replied Trip with a wide grin.

Jon laughed. "Just needed your mind, Commander," he teased.

Trip turned back and flipped open a control panel. Jon moved to stand beside him, watching as the engineer's fingers moved deftly through all the complex circuitry. He looked at Trip's face illuminated softly by the helmet's internal lights and wondered what was flying through his razor- sharp mind.

"Huh," grunted the engineer.

"What?"

"Looks like there's been a lot of re-routing done here."

Jon looked back at the panel. "Can you tell why?"

Trip shook his head. "Some of these circuits appear to be newer than the others, Cap'n."

"Maybe they came back to try to get it operational again. There must be a lot of valuable technology on board."

"I don't know, sir," Trip said with trepidation. "Something doesn't feel right."

Jon looked back at the younger man. "Okay, Trip. We'll get out of here just as soon as we download the data." He turned. "Is there an interface in here?"

Trip nodded. "Yeah," he replied then he shut the panel and moved to a keyboard and display monitor. "Now let's see if this thing has any power."

Jon fingered his comm. on his EV suit. "Archer to Enterprise."

"Go ahead, sir," Hoshi replied.

"We're about to download the database. Standby."

Jon watched as Trip flipped a switch and the monitor blinked to life.

"What the hell?" gasped the engineer.

"What is it?" asked the captain.

"I think I just started a countdown, Cap'n."

"A countdown?"

Trip's fingers moved over the keys. "I can't shut it down. I think you'd better get Enterprise out of here!"

Without hesitation, Jon hit his comm. again. "This is Archer. T'Pol get the hell out of here!"

"Captain?"

"You heard me! We've triggered some sort of self-destruct! It's a trap, Sub-Commander, now get the ship out of here!" ordered Jon. He ended the transmission then looked at Trip. "Let's get to the shuttle."

Trip nodded and they both knelt beside the hatch. Jon tried to open it but to no avail.

"Damn it," cursed Trip. "Use your phase pistol, sir. It might break the seal." He stood. "I'll see what I can do to stop the countdown."

Jon pulled out his phase pistol and set it on the kill setting. The moment he depressed the trigger, fire filled the space around him and he fell backwards. He shook his head and sat up. Flames licked at his boots from the burning hatch. He looked up to see Trip still busy at the keyboard.

"Are you alright, Cap'n?" the commander shouted.

Jon nodded and stood. "Yeah. Is there anything you can do?"

"I'm not sure. From what I can tell, we've probably got less than a minute," Trip replied hurriedly. He moved quickly back to the wall panel and opened the door.

Jon watched almost mesmerized as sparks flew from different panels and flames crawled life-like up the walls. He moved quickly to Trip's side. Although from his angle he couldn't see inside the panel, Jon could see the sparks and flames in the reflection of Trip's face shield. The engineer's face shined with sweat and Jon could see blood dripping from where he had his teeth clamped hard on his lower lip.

The captain waited and watched, knowing they only had seconds.

Trip made one final violent tug then turned and threw himself to the floor, taking Jon with him. They lay side by side, their eyes locked, as time slowed to a standstill.

"Cap'n, I----," Trip began then the panel on which he'd been working exploded, showering the two men with sparks.

Jon squeezed his eyes tightly shut, thankful that at least he would die with his friend at his side.



Trip opened his eyes and looked around. Sparks still rained down over them, but the ship hadn't exploded. He sat up then expelled a sigh of relief as the man beside him moved.

"You did it!" said Archer as he sat up beside the engineer.

Trip stood and stepped quickly to the keyboard and monitor. He smiled. The countdown had stopped. He turned around and smiled at the captain who still sat on the floor then he reached out to pull the older man to his feet.

"Trip, your hand," gasped Archer. He pushed himself up then stood, taking Trip's hand carefully in his own. "You're burned." He reached for the engineer's other hand then frowned when he saw that it was burned as well.

"Got a little toasty working on those circuits," Trip hissed through gritted teeth. "It's nothing, Cap'n. The suit took most of the heat."

"Your gloves are melted to your hands, Trip. You've got to be in pain."

Trip grimaced as Archer jostled him slightly. "It's okay," he replied as he bit down on his lower lip. He tasted blood.

Archer's brows furrowed. "We need to get you to Phlox. These look bad."

The engineer looked beyond Archer to the hatch. "That may not be so easy." He motioned with his head. "That hatch is welded shut. I'm not sure our phase pistols will be of much use."

Archer gently released Trip's hands then turned and knelt at the hatch. "You're right. We're going to need a plasma torch." He hit his comm. button and hailed Enterprise.

Trip knelt beside him, his jaw set against the increasing pain radiating from his hands.

"T'Pol. Captain, are you alright?"

"We're okay, Trip managed to shut down the destruct sequence, but we could use some help getting out of here."

"We're returning to your location now, Captain. I'll send over a team right away."

"Make it fast, Sub-commander. Trip's been hurt."

"Understood."

Archer released the button. "I wonder if it's even worth our time to see if there's any information in their database."

Trip stood and moved back to the keyboard. He tapped a key gingerly then cursed softly.

"Here, let me," offered Archer as he appeared at Trip's elbow. The captain hit the keys and the monitor flickered then died out. "Just as I thought," he muttered.

"A pretty ingenious trap, if you think about it," offered the engineer. "Have the Xindi tried this before?"

Archer shook his head. "No, but we've never been so close to where they're building the weapon either. Makes me wonder what else we'll come across."

Trip tried to suppress a gasp as the burning in his hands increased. He felt slightly nauseous from the pain.

"Hey," said Archer gently. "Let's sit you down."

Trip looked at the captain, noting the deep concern in his eyes. He allowed Archer to guide him to a scorched wall then let the captain lower him carefully to the floor.

Archer sat next to him, his shoulder pressed to Trip's. "We'll have you to Phlox in no time."

Trip propped his hands up on his knees. "It's not so bad, Cap'n."

Archer shook his head. "You are so stubborn," he teased.

"No I'm not."

"Even your mother agrees. She always told me, Jonathan, you'll never find a more stubborn individual than my son."

Trip started slightly. "You know my mother?"

"Of course I do. We've been friends for---." Archer stopped suddenly then sighed. "I'm sorry, Trip. Sometimes I just forget that you don't remember everything like I do."

"I wish I could, Cap'n."

Archer turned his head and smiled. "Give it time," he said gently.

Trip leaned his head back in his helmet. "Didn't I make any personal logs?"

"You're more the type for pictures," replied the captain. "Phlox and I felt it best to keep your logs and photo albums inaccessible until he could figure out how to help with the headaches. He felt it would be too much for you right now."

"I guess I can understand that," agreed Trip reluctantly. He shivered.

"Are you cold?"

"Yeah, a little."

Archer leaned over him. "Let me adjust the suit's internal controls, see if we can warm you up." He pushed some buttons. "Better?"

Trip shivered again. "Still kind of cold."

Archer fixed his eyes on Trip's as he depressed his comm. "Archer to T'Pol."

"Go ahead."

"How long before you have us out of here?"

"Ensign Mayweather and an engineering team have just docked with your shuttle, Captain. Is there a problem?"

"Just get us out of here, Sub-commander. And have Dr. Phlox waiting in the launch bay."

"Understood."

Trip felt his body trembling. "Can't this thing get any warmer?" he asked.

Archer rolled onto his knees at Trip's side. "I've got it as high as it'll go, Trip."

The commander nodded and closed his eyes.

"So how are your sessions going with T'Pol?" asked Archer.

"Okay, I guess. They've really helped me sleep. She's a good lady, Cap'n. I've never been around a Vulcan like her before. I like her, I like her a lot." There was no reply so Trip opened his eyes to find an odd expression on the captain's face. "Something wrong?"

"No, no," Archer replied, quickly hiding a smile. "Nothing's wrong. I'm glad you two are getting along."

Both men turned their heads when the hatch was pushed open and Travis' concerned face appeared.



"I assure you, Captain. Commander Tucker will be just fine," insisted Dr. Phlox.

"I just want to see him, Phlox."

"I'll call you when he awakens."

Archer's brows furrowed. "You mean he's unconscious?"

"I sedated him, Captain. The dermal-regenerating process is a profoundly uncomfortable one. I thought it best if he slept through it."

"Then he's going to be alright."

Phlox pursed his lips. "Yes, his burns were severe but the process went quite smoothly. He'll be back to work in a day or so."

Archer expelled a long breath and Phlox could see the captain's tension evaporate before his eyes.

"Can I see him?"

Phlox sighed. "Alright," he replied then he led the captain behind a drawn curtain to where the commander lay sleeping, his bandaged hands resting across his stomach.

Archer gazed down at the peaceful man without uttering a word.

"How are you doing, Captain?" asked Phlox.

Archer didn't look up. "I'm fine. I wasn't hurt."

"That's not what I meant."

The captain rested his hand on Trip's shoulder.

"This can't be easy for you," Phlox continued.

Archer smiled sadly. "You want to hear something ridiculous? At first, I thought Trip's amnesia was a blessing in a way. If he couldn't remember all the years we shared then I thought it would some how make it easier for me to keep my distance from him. You know, in case---well, in case something happened." The captain snorted softly. "The only problem was--- I still remember."

Phlox smiled his understanding.

"I tried not to let him in again, Phlox. But it was impossible."

"Sometimes it's simply fate, Captain. You and Commander Tucker were supposed to be friends."

Archer removed his hand from Trip's shoulder then gently patted his arm. "I guess so," he replied with affection. He looked up at the doctor. "Let me know when he's awake?"

"Of course, Captain."



CONTINUED