Disclaimer: see Chapter 1

A/N: Thanks for the continuing encouragement.

Chapter 4 -- A Difference of Opinion

As Archer approached Sick Bay, he could hear two readily identifiable voices in heated discussion. Or rather, Phlox's mellow tones remained unchanged whilst Malcolm's became increasingly strident. Archer couldn't distinguish individual words from the corridor but he had a good idea what the argument was about. He was annoyed with his armory officer. Malcolm was good at his job but his terrier-like inability to let things go sometimes clouded his judgement. It was clear Archer was going to have to be firm with him. He had already listened patiently to Malcolm's views on Simit and that was the end of the matter as far as he was concerned - Simit was staying.

Steeling himself, Archer stepped through the doors into Sick Bay. Malcolm had his back to Archer and Phlox was facing him. The Lieutenant's customary well-tuned senses failed to register the Captain's arrival, deeply embroiled as he was in his confrontation with the Doctor.

".... And I tell you, that alien is a potential threat!" snarled Malcolm, viciously stabbing his finger in Phlox's direction. Each syllable was enunciated with the cut-glass precision that characterized the man's speech when he was exerting maximum self-control.

Archer recognized the signs - Malcolm in full military mode. Why did Malcolm still seem to find it difficult to accept that they were on a mission of exploration and should be embracing new species... not off-loading them onto the nearest asteroid? Well... Perhaps that was unfair to Malcolm, but then again...

Phlox's response was in a cheery tone but also filled with implacable determination. A slight smile on Phlox's face revealed his relish for the tussle. "And as I told you, Lieutenant, I will not perform such a scan on our visitor without the Captain's specific approval, and even then I would strongly advise against it."

Archer cleared his throat "Gentlemen, what seems to be the problem?"

Malcolm jumped as if shot and spun round on his heels to face his Captain. Archer noted with grim approval that he had the grace to look sheepish at being caught in the middle of his tirade. Malcolm opened his mouth to speak, but it was Phlox who got in first.

"Captain, Mr Reed wishes me to investigate our passenger, Mr Simit. For some reason, he believes him to pose a danger to the ship." Phlox interlaced his fingers over his stomach. "I have, of course, performed the standard procedures to check for viruses and the like when you both came on board. However, I cannot condone carrying out the deeper scans the Lieutenant demands when we have no evidence of this man's ill intent."

Malcolm said, "But we could do it without him knowing. Bring him here for you to scan while he's... um... admiring your menagerie." He swept a vague arm around Sick Bay.

Phlox was most unamused now. "That would be both unwise and unethical! Many species believe such procedures to be a gross invasion of privacy, and some might even suffer harm through them."

Malcolm rolled his eyes at this and looked skeptically at the Doctor.

Archer certainly had no qualms about Simit - well, no more so than any other visitor they might have on board. He didn't know what had gotten into Malcolm. Perhaps he was annoyed that he had not been informed immediately of Simit's arrival? Archer made a mental note to put his armory officer at the head of the list next time. It might make him a little more amenable.

"Very well, Doctor, I agree with your recommendation and..."

"But, Sir!" interrupted Malcolm, "I really think..."

"Mr Reed!" said Archer in his most commanding voice, halting Malcolm in his tracks. "I am well aware of your views on our guest," he emphasized 'guest', "who is on board at my invitation -- my personal invitation. I will not have him subjected to an investigative procedure on your whim. I can't see what that would achieve in any case."

"Yes, Sir," said Malcolm unhappily, dropping his gaze.

Archer softened. After all, his officer was only trying to do his job. "Look Malcolm. If you had any solid reason to suspect Mr Simit of posing a threat to Enterprise, I would want to follow it up too, but I don't think you do, do you?"

"Only that he was asking questions in the bar last night, and watching us. He was extremely nervous... He speaks English... He seemed to know about Enterprise..." Malcolm's tone was insistent as he catalogued his points.

"Well, many people knew we were in port. It wasn't a secret, after all," Archer replied reasonably, privately thinking that many people might also feel nervous when faced with a belligerent Malcolm Reed.

Phlox said, "Mr Reed has another concern. He has noted that Mr Simit has yellow eyes. He believes he could be a Suliban in disguise." He gave a dismissive shrug - evidently he did not rate this possibility.

Archer took a deep breath. Malcolm hadn't mentioned this particular worry to him before. Archer could understand Malcolm's anxiety at the prospect of a Suliban soldier running around the ship. Hell, he would be worried too, if that were the case.

"Malcolm, I know you had a rough time at the hands of Silik, but..."

A flash of anger flared in Malcolm's eyes, "Sir, it has nothing to do with that. I simply think we should guard against such threats, given that we know how hostile the Suliban can be. I have no personal agenda concerning the Suliban!"

"Of course not," agreed Archer, but he wondered, not for the first time, if that experience had left its mark. "Doctor? What do you make of Simit's eyes?"

Phlox gave a broad smile, pleased to expound on his knowledge, "Ah yes, the Suliban have yellow eyes, but then so do a number of other species. It is a useful evolutionary adaptation for environments that are high in ultra violet radiation. Of course, if a Suliban did want to disguise himself, he could readily change his eye color. And would do so, I suggest. Thus, on balance, would it not be more likely that Mr Simit is not a Suliban?"

"Unless it's a double bluff," muttered Malcolm, crossing his arms and pointedly frowning at the wall.

Archer held up his hands, "Enough! Lieutenant, you may assign one of your team to escort our visitor while he is with us. However, that is it. I don't want to hear any more about this. And..." he looked meaningfully at the glowering armory officer, "I want him treated with proper courtesy. This is a reflection on my ship. Do I make myself clear?"

Malcolm nodded and sighed, defeated and deflated, "Yes, Sir. Perfectly."

"Good! Now there is a senior staff meeting in thirty minutes. I want you concentrating on our next mission. Leave your man to keep an eye on Simit and forget about him."

Malcolm straightened. "Aye, Sir," he replied with resignation.

ooOOOoo

A couple of hours later Malcolm's annoyance had subsided to mild irritation. He was working on target sensor calibrations, a fairly mindless if important chore. It was a task that he tended to use as a means of meditation, not that he consciously realized that. The routine of taking readings, adjusting, more readings and so on, allowed him to regain his equilibrium.

He finished one set with a grunt of satisfaction and began to prep the next set. Perhaps he had overreacted about Simit, he mused. He had already decided on the planet that the alien was unlikely to be dangerous. It would have been nice to have Phlox take some scans, but it wasn't essential. After all, as everyone had told him, most visitors underwent no clearance procedures whatsoever. That thought unsettled him again, but he refused to let his mind be dragged along that well-worn path and concentrated again on his readings.

Perhaps he really was too paranoid. He paused as he thought about Trip and... Faffiola.

But then he remembered those aliens who had tried to steal his torpedoes by sending the crew to sleep, and the way the Suliban had been able to board with no resistance, and... No, he decided, he was just doing his job, and damn those who tried to sway him away from his duties.

He finished the calibrations and sighed.

It was no good. He had to see what the alien was up to. He had to get O'Donnell's report in any case. Surely the Captain couldn't object to that?

He put away his tools and made for Engineering.

ooOOOoo

Malcolm entered Trip's domain with some trepidation. He was fairly sure the Captain was on the bridge, but one could never be entirely certain. He did like to get around his ship, as a good captain should. But Malcolm was safe. The only people to be seen were Trip, his engineering team, O'Donnell - looking very bored - and Simit. Simit and Trip were deep in conversation. Malcolm could see Trip's animated features and heard him laugh. He appeared to be getting on very well with the alien.

Malcolm sidled up to O'Donnell, not wanting to draw Trip's attention.

"Crewman," he said.

O'Donnell let out a squawk, then said shamefacedly, "Sorry, Sir. You startled me."

"Yes, so I see. Stay alert, O'Donnell."

"Yes, Sir."

Malcolm watched Trip pull out what seemed to be a sheet of paper. Where did he get that from?

He turned to O'Donnell, "Report."

"The alien has spent most of his time here, Sir. He has spoken to Commander Tucker, Lieutenant Hess and several other crew. I believe they have been discussing the Warp 5 reactor." O'Donnell's voice suddenly became more enthusiastic. "The Commander has an original blueprint, signed by Henry Archer. He let me see it too!"

Steady up, man, thought Malcolm, but he said nothing. This sort of work was tedious at best and if O'Donnell had found something to keep him motivated, that was all to the good.

O'Donnell said, "Mr Simit is very interesting to talk to, Sir - we had quite a chat. He said he would like to find time to speak with you too."

Malcolm winced. That odious little man - No thanks! He said, even managing to put a touch of regret into his tone, "I don't think that will be possible. Extend my regrets to Mr Simit, and remember, he is not permitted in the Armory."

"Yes, Sir. Understood."

Giving a nod of acknowledgement, Malcolm made for the door. He heard Trip guffaw and then Simit's voice calling, "Lieutenant? Lieutenant Reed..."

Can't hear you, said Malcolm to himself as he left at a brisk walk.

TBC