*****
Archer called down to engineering. "Trip, are the transporters up and running?"
"That's about one of the only systems the attack didn't knock out," Trip stated.
"Head to the transporter alcove and lock on to the life signs onboard the Kami. Be prepared to transport both on my mark."
A slight pause met with the command.
"Uh, sir, I'm only going to be able to transport one of them at a time."
"One at a time then, Commander," Jon stated and cut the com, hoping he wouldn't need to utilize the transporter at all. He nodded to T'Pol to proceed.
Holding her breath as she watched a modulated phase cannon blast hit the Kami, Hoshi clutched her console.
--
His former lover had left him for dead back then, unaware of the life that inhabited the seemingly barren planet.
They were sentient -- the microorganisms on planet. He could feel them moving through him now, spurring his memories and helping him to forge through the remembered pain Mukai had inflicted upon him once again. They spoke no words, yet offered comfort to him.
Another memory surfaced and he grimaced in his sleep.
This time, Mukai held him in a passionate embrace. "Do you really think the corruption goes that high?" she whispered in the darkness.
"I have my suspicions," Malcolm murmured. He still wasn't sure about the Nausican connection and the seemingly thin connection to a Starfleet Admiral.
The thought vanished in a smoke of haze as another remembrance emerged. This thought was pleasant, surrounded with love and didn't hold the underlying tension of his life as an operative.
Hoshi!
Her tenderness surrounded him and her passion took his breath away –
--
She couldn't tear her eyes off the screen as the Kami's hull buckled and gave way.
"Trip, lock on and transport!" Archer shouted into the com panel.
The entire bridge crew bore witness as a human figure flew out among the debris.
"I've got him, sir." Trip's voice rang out. "It'll take about sixty seconds for the pattern buffers to purge before I can transport the next person."
Jon turned to look at Hoshi, whose pallor had faded to a color of white he had never seen before.
"Him," Hoshi thought as she held onto her console to keep from falling over. Malcolm!
"He's bleedin' pretty bad," Trip's voice called out to somebody else near the transporter alcove. "Tucker to Sickbay!"
The com link left open, Hoshi could monitor Malcolm's condition.
"Phlox here."
"We need ya at the transporter pad, Doc."
"I'm on my way," replied Phlox's disembodied voice.
--
He observed how worn she looked, guilt seeping into his consciousness as she hovered over Malcolm Reed. Archer turned away and walked behind the current.
Phlox adjusted a scanner and pulled a sheet over Lita Mukai's body.
"What about her?" Jon questioned, already knowing the morbid answer.
"There was nothing I could do for her, Captain," Phlox replied. "The effects of the explosive decompression were too severe. She didn't stand a chance."
Nodding his understanding, Jon walked out of the curtained area, dreading what he needed to do next. Unfortunately, he had his orders.
Phlox followed him from behind the curtain and happily reported, "Mr. Reed should make a full recovery.
"You really should get some rest, Hoshi," Phlox addressed Hoshi who merely sat by, holding Malcolm's hand.
"I'm fine." Hoshi waved him off, her eyes never leaving Malcolm's face.
"Phlox is right, Hoshi," Jon murmured sympathetically, unsure how she would take the news when she found out.
Looking up at the concern on her captain's face, Hoshi was relieved to see that his comment was a request and not an order. "With all due respect, sir, I –"
"Need to get some rest, Lieutenant," Malcolm muttered groggily, his eyes still slammed shut in pain. He touched his head, making sure it was still there.
"Welcome back, Mr. Reed," Phlox greeted, readying a hypospray for the pain.
"Keep it. I don't need it," Malcolm groaned, sitting up.
Hoshi tried to pull her hand out of his, but he pulled her closer.
Looking around, Malcolm stared at the curtain. "Mukai?"
"Yes," Hoshi answered.
"Damn," he whispered. Now that made his job that much harder because he needed her alive for information. Now he was back to square one and more exposed than ever. Chances are whomever Mukai was working for had connections in Starfleet, but he was never able to narrow it down. Those same chances made him a convenient target.
"I see no reason for keeping you in sickbay any longer, Mr. Reed," Phlox said calmly. "As long as you mind the medical protocol for concussions, you should be fine. I want to see you first thing in the morning."
Smiling, Malcolm eased off the biobed and leaned on Hoshi.
Jon stepped forward, dread settling in the pit of his stomach. "Hoshi, I need to speak with Lieutenant Commander Reed alone, please."
It was like watching a light diminishing as her smile faded. Nodding, Hoshi helped Malcolm sit back down on the bed. "I'll see you later, okay?" she mumbled, suddenly aware of her surroundings. If it weren't for the presence of her captain and Phlox, she would be all over him – concussion be damned.
Both watched her leave, and only when she was out of sight did Jon finally address Malcolm. "I know she'll find out eventually, but I didn't want her to hear it like this."
Malcolm nodded for the older man to continue.
"I understand you have no memories of…well…your career, but Starfleet insists you stand trial."
"What charge, sir?" asked Malcolm calmly.
"Treason," replied Jon, not really understanding Forrest's insistence on the expeditiousness of the request. "The T'Vala will be here within the hour to transport you to Earth for your court martial."
*****