The Captain hadn't been that happy when he'd found about the other resistance ship, but he calmed down, almost now, to Malcolm's relief. Malcolm had begun to wonder if the captain would want to go through with their plan after all this, but he'd come to Malcolm about a half hour after they'd blown the alien ship to hell ::smirks:: asking Malcolm to finish sorting out the details, and he had. Jennifer and Trip were due to arrive for 'dinner' in about five minutes.

Malcolm leaned against the wall next to the docking port and felt the ship shudder as the Endeavour docked. The Captain came purposefully striding down the corridor and Malcolm straightened up and faced him as he came to a stop.

"Malcolm." He nodded.

"Sir." Malcolm turned to the panel on the wall and pressed a few buttons. The door slid open to reveal a very docile looking Trip and Jennifer, who looked like she was permanently trying to suppress a grin. She gave Malcolm a small smile before turning her attention to the captain.

"Captain." She nodded and smiled to him.

"Ensign, Commander." He said and looked at them sombrely. He gave Malcolm a discreet nod and Malcolm pressed the comm. button on the wall.

"Security team move in." he said.

"What?!" Trip said alarmed as two security personnel came from round the corner and pointed their phase pistols at his head. "Cap'n come on!"

"Sorry Trip." He said. "It's for the best."

"Like hell it is!" Trip exclaimed as the two security staff took and arm each and lead him away down the corridor.

"Ensign." Malcolm smirked and gestured with his arm for her to follow the others down the corridor. "If you would."

"Of course Lieutenant." She smiled. As Malcolm turned to follow out of the corner of his eye, he saw the Captain shake his head and return the way he came.

Malcolm was having a good day, well as good as they got for him anyway. He had the pleasure of arresting two of his close friends earlier in the day, and now had the great pleasure of interrogating them both. Life was good.

To be honest the 'interrogation' was really only for fun, he would be getting Jen's confession later, he just wanted to make them sweat a little. The Captain, surprisingly enough hadn't had any objections, but then again these two had betrayed him and one was his best friend.

And so Malcolm Reed walked along the corridor towards the makeshift interrogation room with a spring in his step and a contented, almost happy look on his face. His buoyancy soon sank away though when he saw the Captain waiting for him outside the interrogation room.

"Sir? I was under the impression I would be conducting the questioning?"

"You will be Malcolm don't you worry, I just thought I'd . . . observe." He smirked.

"Not revelling in other people's misery I hope sir?" Malcolm asked while stepping forward and opening the door with the security code.

"Not at all Malcolm, just thought it would be helpful to have some extra re-enforcement's." The captain smiled.

"If you say so sir. After you."

It was Trip's turn. Malcolm had told him they'd already questioned Jennifer, and now he was up. Sitting twiddling his thumbs waiting for Malcolm to arrive Trip wondered where things had gone so wrong, he also wondered why the Endeavour hadn't got them out yet, they were more than capable. Not that Trip particularly wanted to leave Enterprise for good, but if he stayed he was sure to be court-martialled and so wouldn't be able to remain on the Enterprise anyway, so he might as well return to the Endeavour. Yeah, it was the right thing to do, and he'd get to see Kate every day, definitely the right thing.

So this interrogation was pointless then wasn't it? So he might as well have some fun . . .

As the door slid open and Malcolm and the Captain entered, Trip gave them a warm smile and sat up a bit. "Captain! Malcolm! How nice of ya ta' grace me with your presence." He smirked as Malcolm and the Captain exchanged a puzzled look, and when they turned to face him again smiled innocently.

"Commander Charles Tucker." Malcolm began, but Trip cleared his throat and held up three fingers "the third." He added. "You are accused of working for a secret organisation that opposes Starfleet ideals and regulations in every way."

"Hey!" Trip exclaimed. "Not true, not in every way."

"Fair enough, I'll remove the last three words." Malcolm said, expression of seriousness but the sparkle of amusement in his eyes gave him away, Trip raised an eyebrow. "May I continue?"

"Please."

"You are accused of sabotaging a Starfleet vessel and deliberately deceiving your superior officers and the rest of the crew to cover up your involvement. Furthermore you have spoken in a manner that could be perceived as insubordination to your commanding officer." Trip smirked.

"For that I apologise sir, if you perceived anything I said as being insubordinate I'm sorry it wasn't intended as such." Trip said formally, without a trace of his customary southern drawl. The Captain looked as if he wanted to smile.

"Apology accepted, that can be removed from the record Lieutenant."

"Yes sir. Now such evidence clearly means you will be subject to a court-martial" Malcolm paused "in normal circumstances."

"Huh?" Trip said in confusion.

"However after hearing the testimony of Ensign Jennifer James we are willing to be more lenient with the punishment." Malcolm finished.

"As punishment you will be confined to your quarters for one week, and will be suspended from normal duty for a further week." The Captain said to a now completely perplexed Trip. "During that week you will be assigned to help Doctor Phlox in sickbay, if he runs out of tasks to occupy you, you will be under the supervision of Lieutenant Reed who will find you suitable tasks to occupy yourself I'm sure." He said with a small smile and a glance to Malcolm who smirked. "Furthermore your rank will be reduced from Commander to Lieutenant Commander, and if anything like this happens again, be sure you'll be out of here in a flash, understood?"

"Yes, yes sir." Trip stammered.

"Lieutenant if you would escort Commander Tucker to his quarters."

"Sir?"

"Yes Malcolm."

"Don't you mean Lieutenant Commander Tucker?"

"That's rather a mouthful don't you think?" Archer asked with a smile.

"Yes sir." Malcolm responded, and lead Trip towards the door.

When they reached Trip's quarters Malcolm opened the door and waited for Trip to enter. Trip turned round to face him when he was in the doorway, the shocked look of disbelief still on his face. "Hell Malcolm," he said "you and Jen sure do have some interesting ideas. What on earth did she say?"

With a smirk Malcolm reached for the panel. "Goodnight sir." he said and locked the door.

I could cry at the lack of reviews, but I won't, really sniffs loudly. Oh well! Review this chapter please! And I'll love you all forever, no? still not gonna review? oh well . . . i'll just keep posting anyway, might as well, almost finished now! :-)