Disclaimer: The characters and Universe of Star Trek do not belong to me. I am making no financial gain from this story.
Spoilers: 'Damage' (Season 3). AU.
A/N: This follows "In Vacuum". It also can be read as a stand-alone piece. Many thanks to Rusty Armour for inspiring this story and suggesting improvements. The responsibility for any remaining defects remains with me, however.
Elemental: 4 - Earth Fall
By GallyGee
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Malcolm stood at the window of his quarters, his arms folded across his chest. It was an exceptional sunset. Vivid oranges, purples and pinks were painted in glorious, incandescent sweeps across a pale blue canvas. The moon was already in view and a dusting of stars glimmered brightly, their numbers increasing as the heavens darkened.
San Francisco's lights grew denser in defiance of the gloom as the skies journeyed to deep cobalt and beyond.
The stars seemed so far away: humanity's next great adventure - a quest for knowledge, a thirst to learn about new peoples and new worlds.
Malcolm sighed and wrapped his arms more firmly around his body.
His course was set. His letter requesting a formal interview to tender his resignation was stark on his monitor. A couple of short lines to dispose of his life. Starfleet and Enterprise meant everything to him - friends, family, home, career. He had only to press 'send'. There was no question it would be accepted.
He knew - had always known - that in battle, in doing one's duty, one had to make compromises. Sometimes the whole was greater than individual sensibilities. He accepted that. He had followed orders that he had believed questionable. He had willingly obeyed orders which had led to terrible outcomes, that were immoral even. Because it was his duty and there was no better alternative.
He was not naïve.
He had kept his silent vow - the one that meant he could live with himself, which allowed the self-disgust to be caged to one side. He had done everything in his power to try to help the aliens they had stolen the warp coil from.
And he had failed.
Starfleet wanted to forget - no glorious victory, so no remembrance. Indeed, there was active suppression. Malcolm had relentlessly pursued every senior officer he could find, until at last Starfleet grew impatient. He was hauled before the Rear Admiral who gave him a direct order to desist. There would be no Earth ship sent to the aliens' aid. No ally would be requested to assist.
Malcolm's initial astonishment had turned to overwhelming anger and huge disillusionment. No organization was perfect but to make no attempt whatsoever to remedy the damage they had caused… that was truly immoral. Bad enough that they had been pirates, pirates, but to do nothing at all…
His last hope had been the Captain and at last he had managed to track him down. Captain Archer - Earth's hero.
Another bitter disappointment.
Archer had given a sad shake of the head, said he understood but that nothing could be done. It was 'too difficult' and the fleet was needed to protect Earth. And that was that - despite Malcolm's heated protestations.
Malcolm paled as he recalled their confrontation. Archer had even gone so far as to remind Malcolm of the Rear Admiral's order - had threatened him, almost. And Malcolm had not let deference for rank shake him from what he needed to say.
Malcolm watched as a shuttlepod powered spaceward over the Bay and shivered.
He could no longer serve in an organization that he now utterly despised or with a man he could no longer respect.
He went over to his terminal and pressed 'send'.
END