The next two days brought the continuation of the planetary survey. Yet, Archer reflected as he read the reports in his ready room, none of the information seemed satisfactory. Couldn't anyone do their jobs right? he wondered. Why was the information so incomplete? Why hadn't they explained the strange coloring, for example?
And then there was Jordan. Somehow, she seemed to irritate him most of all. Yet he continually sought her company.
"I've been in space too long," he said, deactivating his monitor. He rose and went to the bridge, still feeling strangely irritated.
"Message for you, Captain," Hoshi greeted him as he sat down. The chair still didn't feel right. Didn't anything work around here?
"What is it, Ensign?" he snapped.
"Dr. Mallory is waiting for you in the main lab. She says she's made an important discovery and would like to see you."
"What, now?"
Hoshi flinched at his tone. "Yes, sir."
"It's always something with her," Archer grumbled, rising and heading for the turbo lift. "Tell her I'm on my way."
"Aye, sir."
The lift doors closed behind him.
"Wow, he sure got up on the wrong side of the bed this morning," Mayweather commented.
"That's enough, Ensign," Reed snapped.
Archer stepped into the main lab. Jordan was intent on her monitor, but turned with a smile when she heard him come in.
"Good morning, Captain," she said, smiling. "Glad you could make the time. I've got some good news for you."
"About time you had something to report. What is it?"
Her smile faded as she regarded him. "I've discovered the agent that produces the strange coloring we noticed. It's an unusual pigment in response to the solar radiation of the system's primary star."
"You called me down here for that?" he snapped.
"You asked me to inform you immediately." She regarded him closely. "Are you alright?"
"Why is everyone suddenly asking me that?" he exploded. "I'd be fine if everyone would just stop worrying about me and tend to their jobs instead!"
"Jonathan!"
He stopped his ranting as the tone of her voice came through. What had he been saying? "I'm sorry, Jordan," he said, confused. "I don't know what came over me." He passed a hand over his eyes.
"That's alright," she replied, surreptitiously activating her scanner behind her back. "You're probably just tired. After all, we were up late last night. I shouldn't have stayed so long."
"No, I enjoyed the conversation," he replied absently. Why did he feel so strangely? He forced himself to focus on her. "Could you send me your notes on your discovery? I think I'll go to my quarters for awhile."
"Of course."
He turned and left. She brought the scanner from behind her back and studied the results carefully. Then she left for sickbay.