PART FIVE



Trip exhaled in relief as he suddenly found himself standing under a darkened sky with earth beneath his feet. He looked at Archer who stood next to him. To Trip's amusement, the captain looked just as relieved as he felt.

Archer shook his head. "I will never get used to that," he said quietly then he pulled his phase pistol and looked around.

Trip looked down at his hand scanner. "Just as we thought, sir. Our scanners are being scrambled by the same interference." He tucked the little device into his jacket pocket. "We're going in blind."

Archer looked apprehensive but he nodded. "It's your show, Major," he whispered to Hayes.

With the MACOs leading the way, the group of five walked quickly yet stealthily through the dark until they came upon the small station tucked against a cliff face.

Hayes looked back over his shoulder at his team. "Clockwork, people," he hissed then he motioned with his hand for everyone to move forward.

Hunkering down behind Archer, Trip could feel the cold grip of fear take hold of his stomach as the group moved toward the door. His mind flashed on his baby sister. He was about to come face to face with those responsible for her death.

Archer glanced back at him. "You okay?" he whispered.

Trip nodded.

"Stay close to me, Trip."

"Aye, sir."

Hayes kicked in the door then the MACOs disappeared inside. Trip could see the flashes from the firefight and he held his breath. The engineer expelled that breath when Hayes' face appeared in the doorway.

"The room is secure, Captain," the major stated. "But there were only four of them. The other two must be on reconnaissance. With your permission, I'll leave Freeman here with you while Kemper and I look for the others."

Archer nodded. "Be careful, Major."

Hayes brushed by Trip with Kemper at his side then the engineer followed Archer inside the tiny station. Trip moved to the only terminal in the room and quickly got to work on the sensors. He silently thanked Hoshi for her translation matrix, as he was able to easily read the Xindi language.

"We have seven minutes, Trip," said Archer who stood at Trip's side. "How's it coming?"

"Almost there, Cap'n." He punched in the final command then brought up the sensor grid. "Almost---okay, it's done."

"Is it working?"

Trip shrugged. "No way to test it, sir," he replied. He looked past Archer just as Freeman opened fire on an unseen assailant. He was shouting to Trip and the captain to get out then he fell hard to the floor and lay still.

Archer grabbed Trip's arm and pulled him toward the door, his other hand squeezing off shot after shot with his phase pistol. Trip reached for his own pistol still holstered at his side and gripped it, pulling it free. He turned his head and aimed at the group of five Reptilians that had entered the room from a point unknown.

The thought that there shouldn't have been so many was pushed from Trip's mind as Archer gasped and fell, blood quickly soaking the leg of his uniform. Trip fired at the enemy as he grabbed the collar of his captain's jacket and hauled him toward the door. A sharp pain shot through Trip's arm and he realized absently that he'd been hit.

He kept firing. Trip risked a quick glance at the open door, but saw no sign of Hayes or Kemper. Knowing he wasn't going to make it out of the little building, Trip pulled Archer behind a tall metal shelving unit then crouched and fired around it's edge.

"Leave me, Trip," panted Archer. "Get out of here, find Hayes."

Trip shook his head, his focus still on the approaching Xindi. "No can do, sir. You'd be killed for sure. I won't leave you."

"You don't have a choice, Trip. This mission is bigger than the both of us. Now get out! That's an order!"

Again Trip shook his head.

"You've never disobeyed a direct order, Commander!"

"Probably not, but I guess there's a first time for everything, Cap'n." He looked quickly at Archer. "Can you run?"

"No."

"Then I'll have to carry you."

"You can't carry me and keep firing at the same time," huffed the captain. "Your only chance is to get yourself out, Trip. Now go!"

Trip looked back at his assailants. "No way. I can't do that."

"Why?!"

"Because I know we're friends! And because you cared enough about me to give up a piece of your soul for me! I figure I owe you." The commander turned on his heels, holstering his pistol in one swift move. "When I get you over my shoulder, you'll need to give us cover fire until I can get us out the door." He reached for Archer, thankful the captain didn't resist him.

The engineer's arm radiated pain as he hoisted Archer over his shoulder. He adjusted the captain's weight then took a deep breath and broke cover. As Trip crossed the floor at a dead run, he could hear Archer unleashing a barrage of fire on the Xindi.

Just as the two men cleared the door, Trip saw Hayes and Kemper approaching, rifles poised for battle.

"There can't be any survivors, Major!" shouted Archer over the din.

"Understood!" replied Hayes.

Trip moved behind a large boulder then dropped Archer roughly to the ground. "I'll be right back," he huffed. He turned to head back to the fight when he felt the muzzle of a gun pressed to the small of his back.

"Don't move, Human."

A hand snaked to the engineer's side and removed his weapon then he heard the distinctive sound of it hitting the ground as it was tossed away.

Trip looked down at Archer to see him tuck his own pistol under his jacket. He held the captain's eyes steadily, his brain working feverishly for a way out of their predicament.

"Turn around," hissed the Xindi. "I want to look into your eyes when I kill you."

Archer suddenly winked. "Do as the man says, Commander."

Trip swallowed hard then slowly began to turn.

"Now!" Archer shouted and Trip dove to his right. He hit the ground then rolled to his feet just in time to see the Reptilian fall, the captain's aim true.

Trip moved to the Xindi and took his rifle then knelt at Archer's side. "You okay?" he asked.

Archer slumped back against the boulder. "Yeah. Go help Hayes and Kemper."

"We don't need any help, Captain," said Hayes suddenly.

Trip stood and saw the major appear behind him. Hayes held his weapon in one hand while he held up Freeman with the other. Kemper stood at Freeman's other side, his arm wrapped tightly around the injured MACO's waist.

"Didn't go down exactly as planned, but I'd say the mission was a success," Hayes continued. He looked up at the brightening sky. "And just in time, too."

Out of nowhere, Trip suddenly felt a wave of nausea hit him and he bent, putting his hands on his knees.

"Easy, Trip," soothed Archer.

Trip swallowed. "I don't remember training for this," he managed.

"We didn't, not in Starfleet anyway."

"I killed 'em, Cap'n."

"I know and I'm sorry, Trip, but what other choice did you have?'

Trip took a couple deep breaths then stood straight. "Sorry, Major," he said quietly as he looked sheepishly at Hayes.

The MACO smiled reassuringly. "You kept your lunch down, Commander. The first time I went into battle, I threw up all over my CO. You'll be okay."

Trip nodded and tried to smile. "Our scans only detected six bio-signs," he said. "Where the hell did the others come from?"

"A basement," replied Kemper. "We've checked it. There's no one else."

Trip looked at the ground. "This rock must contain a magnetic property that our sensors can't penetrate." He glanced back up at the MACO. "We'd better get out in the open so Enterprise can pick up our bio-signs."

"Agreed," said Hayes.

The commander reached down to pull Archer up. "Come on, Cap'n," he urged. "Let's get you and Corporal Freeman here to the doc."



T'Pol walked down the empty corridors toward the command center. Her mind catalogued the day's events as she moved through the solitude. After recovering the away team from the planetoid, she'd found a trans- dimensional disturbance on sensors. They had determined that the only way to get past it without losing valuable time was to go through it. Unfortunately, T'Pol did not find the planned passage all that appealing to her Vulcan senses.

She entered the command center then paused in the doorway.

Archer turned from the large wall monitor to look at her. "What brings you here in the middle of the night?"

"Captain," responded T'Pol. "I was going to let the retrieval program run in an attempt to recover more of the Xindi database." She stepped into the room and moved to stand at Archer's side. "I didn't expect anyone to be here at this hour."

Archer nodded. "Just checking on a few things."

T'Pol looked up at the wall monitor to see the red image of a gas giant. "If you're having problems sleeping, perhaps Dr. Phlox can prescribe a stronger pain medication for your leg," she offered.

"No, my leg's feeling okay actually," Archer replied.

"Is something troubling you then?"

"You mean other than the fact that we're all going to be in comas for four days, you mean?"

"Dr. Phlox assures us it will be safe."

"I know," Archer agreed. "But that still doesn't keep me from worrying."

"I find the situation to be---disconcerting as well, but I trust the doctor implicitly."

"Oh, I trust Phlox, T'Pol, it isn't that."

T'Pol looked up at the captain. "You won't be in command for four days," she stated evenly.

Archer visibly bristled. "Is that what you think? That I'm upset because I'm losing command for a few days?"

"On the contrary, Captain. I believe you're upset because the safety of your crew will be out of your hands."

Archer sighed. "You're my responsibility," he said quietly.

"I agree. But for four days, we will be Phlox's responsibility. Unless you want to spend two weeks going around the disturbance, I suggest you accept that fact and try to get some rest. To say you've had an eventful day would be an understatement."

"You're right there, T'Pol. But it was a successful day, too. Trip did it. Those sensors didn't pick up any sign of the ship when you brought her in to range."

"Hopefully we will be deep in Xindi space by the time they discover the outpost was overtaken."

The captain smiled then his expression changed. "How is Trip feeling?"

"Captain?"

"You had a session with him tonight, didn't you?"

"Yes."

"Well, how's he feeling?"

"His arm is causing him some discomfort, but otherwise he seems to be doing well." She looked at the captain in profile. "He is most adept, however, at hiding his emotions. He must have acquired that skill at an early age."

"He's been like that since I met him."

"Indeed," replied T'Pol. "It can be---frustrating."

Archer glanced at her. "You hide your emotions, T'Pol."

"Vulcans suppress their emotions, Captain. There is a subtle difference."

The captain brought his hand up to hide a smile, a gesture to which T'Pol had long ago become accustomed.

She looked back at the display. "Commander Tucker is wondering if you are going to give him some time in the brig---for his insubordination."

Archer chuckled. "He should be wondering. He disobeyed a direct order."

"Are you going to reprimand him?"

"No, but don't tell him that right away. I want him to stew for a while."

T'Pol inhaled then released the breath slowly, feeling oddly relieved. "He said the two of you made---quite a team."

"We always have," replied Archer with affection then he yawned.

"You should retire for the night, Captain," urged T'Pol.

"I think maybe I will." He turned to the door. "Sleep well, T'Pol."

"Good night, Captain."



Trip awoke in a fog, startled and confused.

"Easy, Commander," said Dr. Phlox.

The engineer shook his head to clear the cobwebs but to no avail. He sat up and swung his legs over the edge of his bunk then pushed himself to his feet. The room tilted and Trip swayed.

"Take it slow," admonished the doctor.

"I'm okay, Doc. How'd it go?"

"Fine, Commander, just fine. Enterprise is on the other side of the disturbance."

Trip headed to his door then, with Phlox at his side, left his quarters. "How's the cap'n?" he asked.

"He's doing well. He's in the messhall, I believe," replied Dr. Phlox.

Trip grinned lazily. His head was spinning as he walked beside the Denobulan.

"How're you feeling?" asked Phlox.

"A little woozy," replied the engineer.

"I'm not surprised, you haven't eaten anything in four days," replied Phlox cheerfully. "Get to the messhall," he added with a wave of his hands.

"Aye, aye, Doc," Trip replied with a chuckle. He took a right down another corridor and heard the doctor chatting to himself as he continued on to awaken T'Pol. They'd made it across the trans-dimensional field intact, thanks to the Denobulan, Trip thought, and now they were back on course for Azati Prime.

Trip stumbled and ran his shoulder into the wall as the floor suddenly lurched sideways. He stopped. He'd been hungry before but he'd never felt so strange because of it; his thoughts were fuzzy and confused and shadows crowded his vision.

Once the floor settled, Trip moved forward again then paused, struggling to remember where the messhall was located. He took another shaky step then stopped, wondering why he was even going to the messhall in the first place.

The pain hit him out of nowhere and the engineer dropped to his knees gasping. His hands went to his head as lightning ripped through his skull. He heard himself cry out and he fell forward hitting the floor hard. Images rapidly assaulted him, his charred hometown, the mysterious spheres and a bright white room. He felt pain, all encompassing pain and smelled his own burning flesh in his nostrils and the taste of his own blood in his mouth.

Trip cried out again.



Phlox knelt beside the stricken commander where he lay on the floor and quickly injected medication into the side of his neck. Archer rested a comforting hand on Trip's shoulder as the younger man struggled against the pain.

"Will he be alright, Doctor?" asked T'Pol quietly from over Phlox's shoulder.

"I believe so," replied Phlox.

"What happened?" asked Archer as he comforted his friend.

"I'm not certain."

Trip quieted then opened his eyes and looked around.

"Easy, Trip," whispered the captain. "Take it easy."

"How are you feeling, Commander?" asked Phlox.

"I'm okay," replied Trip. He tried to sit up but Archer held him securely. "Really, I'm okay," he repeated with more certainty. The captain helped him to a sitting position but remained close, his brow furrowed in concern.

Trip squeezed his eyes shut and dropped his chin to his chest.

"You're not okay," admonished Archer. "Doc, we should get him to sickbay."

The engineer put up his hand. "No, no. Just give me a minute." Then he looked up, his eyes wide with surprise. "I remember."

"What?" asked the captain.

"I remember everything."

Phlox tucked his chin. "Everything?"

Trip nodded then turned to Archer. "I remember the day we met, drinking beers at the 602, running the test---." He paused then he scowled. "I remember the attack on Earth and---and what happened to Lizzie." He squeezed his eyes shut again.

"Do you remember your abduction?" asked T'Pol. She knelt down beside Phlox.

"Yeah, yeah I do," replied the engineer as he wrapped his arms around his middle, his eyes still screwed tightly shut. "I couldn't understand anything they said and I can't remember exactly everything they did but, but---." He looked up at T'Pol. "I know it hurt like hell---'cause I can still feel it."

Archer reached out to rest his hand on Trip's back but the commander pulled away. Phlox could see that the young man had started shaking. The captain reached out again and Trip looked at him imploringly then allowed the older man to touch him.

Phlox sat back on his heels next to T'Pol. Sometime while Trip lay comatose, the door in his mind had been unlocked and flung wide opened leaving the commander with no other choice then to deal with the aftereffects of his torture.

The doctor sighed then caught Archer's eyes. "We should get him to sickbay. I'd like to do a thorough exam," he said in a hushed tone.

Archer nodded. "Come on, Trip," he coaxed. "Phlox wants to have a look at you." He helped the engineer to stand then wrapped his arm around Trip's waist to steady him.

Phlox and T'Pol followed quietly behind the two officers as they all walked to sickbay.



CONTINUED