Let the Dead Bury the Living
By Thalia Drogna
"Shran, that doesn't help us," said Archer. "It's obviously you that they want. Tell me why I shouldn't just hand you over to them."
"Because I didn't give you the co-ordinates of where you can find Ven Dath," said Shran. "Without me, you'll never get the help which Commander Tucker needs.
"Fine, then tell me how we beat these fighters," said Archer urgently. "We can't outrun them and we have no weapons."
"We're on the border of Vulcan space, all we have to do is make it through the neutral zone and the fighters will turn back," said Shran. "There's no reason for the Vulcans to bother a Denobulan ship."
Archer turned to Drezan. "Do as he says," said Archer.
"But Captain, those fighters will catch us before we get there at their present speed," said Drezan.
"Then I suggest we speed up," said Shran. "Where's your engine room?"
"What are you going to do?" asked Archer.
"I don't have time to explain, show me where the engine room is on this garbage scow," said Shran.
"It's at the other end of the ship," said Drezan.
Shran nodded and ran from the room.
"Just try and stay out of their line of fire," said Archer to Drezan, then he turned and dashed after Shran down the corridor.
He caught up with the blue skinned Andorian as he entered the engine room. He caught Shran by the shoulder.
"I want to know what you're going to do," said Archer, practically spitting the words out.
"Let go of me, pink-skin," replied Shran, shaking himself free and going to the engine control panel.
"This is our lives you're playing with," said Archer.
"That includes my own life," said Shran, "don't worry, I'm not planning on turning this into a suicide mission. Stand back and let me work!"
"Do you even know how this engine works?" asked Archer.
"Of course," said Shran as he worked.
Archer watched the Andorian as his hands moved across the controls with surprisingly practised accuracy. "Hey, that's the antimatter injectors!" said Archer, just too late to stop Shran adjusting the control.
There was a jolt, this time not due to the proximity of fire from the attacking Andorians. This was the warp engine. Archer was thrown across the room and hung on for dear life as he felt acceleration kick in, the inertial dampers unable to cope with the sudden change of speed. Shran across the room was desperately trying to maintain his position at the engine control panel while he adjusted controls that Archer couldn't see.
It seemed like a long time that Archer held on, pinned against the wall but it could only have been a couple of minutes before he felt a diminish in the power. The Noolen was slowing.
Shran went to the com. "Was it enough?" he barked to Drezan.
"Yes, they're falling back," said Drezan.
Behind Shran something in one of the consoles exploded, sending a shower of sparks out and starting a small fire. Archer grabbed an extinguisher and put out the flames.
"I think you've got some explaining to do," said Archer, turning to Shran when he was sure that the fire was out.
"I suppose I have," replied Shran, coolly.
"Let's start with that trick that you just pulled," said Archer.
"A peculiarity of Denobulan engines," said Shran. "Under the right circumstances, you can dump anti-matter directly into the reactor. It produces a speed boost for a limited period of time, equal to another warp factor."
"How did you even know that it could do that?" asked Archer.
"I've been Commander of a listening post for the past two months. You'd be surprised what information comes my way," said Shran.
"That doesn't explain how you knew what to do," said Archer.
"I wasn't always a Commander in the Imperial Guard," replied Shran.
"What's the catch?" asked Archer.
"What I did damaged the engine," said Shran.
"What!" said Archer in alarm. He needed the Noolen to get to the Expanse.
"We don't need the engine now that we're in Vulcan space," said Shran.
"Have you looked in a mirror lately? The Vulcans aren't going to be too pleased to see you," said Archer.
"Which is why we won't be here," replied Shran.
"I can't go anywhere, I don't have a ship anymore," said Archer. "Unless you expect us to get to the Expanse in that shuttlepod you arrived in."
"The Zor Rakh is not a shuttlepod," said Shran. "It is a warp capable ship."
"It's too small to be capable of anything more than warp two," replied Archer. "It will take us weeks to reach the Expanse. Trip might not have that long."
"Warp Five," replied Shran. "Just like your Enterprise. The whole journey shouldn't take more than two weeks." He didn't add that would be if Ven Dath was where he was supposed to be.
"If you already had a warp five capable ship, why did you want me to take Enterprise?" asked Archer.
"The Zor Rakh is experimental, she doesn't have weapons," said Shran. "I know from experience what the Expanse is like."
"Would the fact that you arrived in an experimental ship have anything to do with the Andorians who chased us?" asked Archer.
"You could say that I borrowed it without clearing it with my superiors first," replied Shran.
Archer took a deep breath and sighed. As usual, he had no choice. He had to work with what fate had sent him.
Trip was lying on his side on the biobed discussing Engine upgrades with T'Pol. He'd managed to persuade the nanites to run the simulations for him and wanted to give T'Pol the results so that she could pass them on to the Engineering team. The nanites downloaded the upgrade specifications onto the padd in Trip's hand which he passed to T'Pol and they were now going over the results together.
"T'Pol, I'll have to ask you to leave soon. Commander Tucker needs to rest," said Phlox.
"Doc, I'm feeling much better," said Trip. "We're nearly done."
"You may be feeling better but you certainly aren't fully well again." said Phlox. "Do I have to remind you that we have still to solve the underlying problem."
"I know, Doc, just allow me some semblance of normality, huh?" said Trip.
"We will not be much longer, Doctor," said T'Pol, realising how important it was to Trip to help with the upgrades.
"Very well, but only another half an hour and then visiting hours are over," said Phlox.
"Thanks, Doc," said Trip.
Reed came through the doors of sick bay. "How are you feeling?" he asked, as he came over to Trip's biobed.
"Much better," said Trip. "Still a bit tired, but hopefully I can get out of here as soon as the Captain gets back."
"Glad to hear it," said Reed. "I'm sure the Captain will be back soon. He's already overdue."
"I hope he hurries up. Phlox is driving me nuts with all his mollycoddling."
"Mollycoddling?" asked T'Pol. "This is not a word I am familiar with."
"Excessive care and attention, would be a reasonable meaning, I suppose," said Reed. "Although it is definitely what you might call colloquial. More American mangling of the language, no doubt," Reed grinned at Trip, who shot daggers at him with his eyes.
"Ensign Sato to Sub-commander T'Pol," the com sounded. "I have the Captain for you."
Trip's expression brightened visibly. "Must be him calling to say that he's on his way home," said Trip.
T'Pol went to the com. "Very well, patch him through Ensign," said T'Pol.
"T'Pol, I'm going to be away a little while longer than expected," said Archer. "Shran has information that Ven Dath is still alive."
"Ven Dath!" said Trip, listening in. "He can't be alive, I shot him."
"Yes, and I saw you do it," said Reed.
"Is that Trip?" asked Archer, hearing the southern accent in the background.
"I am in sick bay," said T'Pol. "The Commander is feeling better."
"I gathered that," said Archer. "That's some good news at least, but I still have to check out this lead. We're heading into the Expanse to find Ven Dath but I need you to buy me more time."
"Shran is accompanying you?" asked T'Pol.
"Yes, he is," said Archer.
"Is that wise?" asked T'Pol.
"He's the only one who knows where Ven Dath is," said Archer. "Besides, we're taking his ship. The Noolen... suffered an accident."
"I see," replied T'Pol.
"You can't let him go, T'Pol. He has to come back, get Malcolm and a security team. Ven Dath is dangerous," said Trip urgently.
T'Pol sent Trip a weary look which told him to be quiet. "How do you propose we prevent Lieutenant Davis from detecting your absence?"
"Use your imagination, T'Pol. I'm sure you can sort something out," said Archer.
"How long do you intend to take?" asked T'Pol. Trip thought she sounded rather annoyed.
"I'm not sure, T'Pol. I'll be as quick as I can. Archer out."
"He can't be serious, how are we going to keep Lieutenant Davis from finding out that the Captain isn't on board? He's already suspicious," said Reed.
"Oh I don't know," said Trip. "I reckon we could come up with something."
"What exactly did you have in mind?" asked Reed.
"The Captain's supposed to be badly burnt right?" said Trip.
"That is the story, yes," said Reed.
"Ensign Raywood from Rostov's team is about the Captain's height and he has light brown hair. Get him down here, cover him with some of Phlox's magic make-up and then we make sure that one of the HQ security team sees him leave sick bay."
"I do not understand how them seeing Ensign Raywood leaving sick bay will help," said T'Pol.
Reed, however was nodding vigorously. "Yes, but all they'll see is Captain Archer leaving sick bay. Especially if we get one of the Captain's spare uniforms for him to wear."
"My thoughts exactly," said Trip.
"You are suggesting that we use Ensign Raywood to deceive them," said T'Pol, with the raise of an eyebrow.
"That's pretty much the size of things," said Trip.
"Doctor, is it possible to do what the Commander is suggesting?" asked T'Pol.
"I don't see why not," replied Phlox. "I can manufacture the correct prosthetics with the help of some images of the Captain and the rest can be done with cosmetics. It should be fairly straight forward."
"I'll tell him to get down here and use the jeffries tubes to enter sick bay," said Reed. "The rest is up to you, Doctor."
"I'm sure that I will rise to the challenge," said the Denobulan.
"There is one thing," said Trip. "You know that if we do this then the crew are going to find out what's going on sooner or later. If nothing else then they're going to wonder what's happened to Ensign Raywood."
"I believe that we can keep their involvement in this to a minimum. I will brief Ensign Raywood to keep this matter secret," said T'Pol.
"What are we going to do once the...erm "Captain" has left sick bay?" asked Reed.
"I suspect that it might be wise to indicate that he has been ordered to rest in his quarters by the doctor for a further two days. We should be able to maintain the illusion of his presence there by sending up the appropriate meals and occasional visits from senior officers," said T'Pol.
"Well, that should work for a couple of days. What are we going to do after that? Davis is going to wonder why the Captain isn't on the bridge," said Reed.
"Then it may be necessary for him to appear on the bridge," said T'Pol. "But he should spend most of his time in his ready room, perhaps preparing documents."
"Sounds like a plan to me. That way no one should notice that Ensign Raywood isn't the Captain. Only other problem is what do we do if Admiral Forrest calls and wants to speak to him?" asked Trip.
"Currently Enterprise is undergoing the complete overhaul of its communications equipment. Lieutenant Hess and Ensign Sato indicated that this could take several days," said T'Pol.
"Nice one, T'Pol," said Trip, "but that ain't going to fool them forever. Maybe I can rig something up using old messages so we have a backup for when we "fix" the com system."
"That would be a wise precaution," said T'Pol.
"Sounds like we have everything covered for the moment," said Reed. "I'll get to work."
"I also must leave. The Commander requires rest," said T'Pol.
Trip stifled a yawn. "I guess I still do at that," said Trip, trying to make himself comfortable on the biobed. "I'll see you guys later."
T'Pol and Reed exited sick bay together.
"Are you going to tell him about the tribunal once he leaves sick bay?" asked Reed.
"There is no need to inform Commander Tucker of the tribunal. He does not require to know," said T'Pol.
"He's going to find out, T'Pol," said Reed. "It's one thing keeping him in the dark about it while he's in sick bay and doesn't have a huge amount of contact with the outside world, it's another when he's back on duty."
"I will tell him when I feel it is appropriate," said T'Pol.
Senator Nash had worked hard to get where he was within the government of Earth. He now wielded considerable power and he was damned if he would let Starfleet dictate to him. Especially over one insignificant Engineer. When he had read the reports from Enterprise he had known one thing, that Commander Tucker could not and would not remain on Enterprise after he had returned from the Expanse. Nor would he be returning to Earth though. Nash had other plans for Enterprise's Chief Engineer.
There were problems though, namely Captain Archer. He was well liked within Starfleet and after the Xindi attack he had become a hero to the general public. Many people thought that he should give up being a Starship Captain and run for Senate. Nash knew that Archer was a fool though, the Captain thought that he could win this, keep his Engineer, his ship and position. The Senator knew that Archer would be losing one of them, the only question was would he be losing the others as well.
Luckily one of the other obstacles to his plans had been dealt with without his even needing to lift a finger. Sub-commander T'Pol had helpfully disgraced herself with her insistence that she would accompany Enterprise into the Expanse. Not a single Vulcan would offer her their help now, nor would they listen to anything which she had to say, which also suited Nash's plans.
It was almost time for his agent on Enterprise to call in. The com unit on his desk alerted him to the incoming call exactly on time. Davis was never late in checking in.
"Report, Lieutenant," said Nash.
"Something's going on," said the familiar voice. "Archer had an accident in Engineering a couple of days ago and was taken into sick bay."
"Sounds routine," said Nash.
"Except that he hasn't been seen since," said Davis. "And they won't allow me or my men into sick bay. Something is going on and no one but T'Pol and Reed seem to know what that is."
"Then that's who you need to get to," said Nash.
"Easier said than done," said Davis. "I trained with Reed, he's good at his job and as paranoid as they come. As for T'Pol, it would be easier to get blood out of a stone than expect her to tell us what's going on."
"I may be able to help you there," said Nash.
"Really, now how would you manage that?" asked Davis.
"One of my agents thinks that he has something on Reed that may interest you. I need more time to confirm it, but I think that once we have this to hold over Mr Reed he'll be more than willing to help us out," said Nash.
"I'll look forward to wiping that smug look off the bastard's face," said Davis.
"What about our subject?" asked Nash.
"He's getting better. Should be back on duty soon," said Davis.
"Good, then we can start phase two," said Nash.
"Of course, he knows what Archer is planning too and he'd be by far the easiest of them to manipulate," said Davis.
"He's tougher than you think," said Nash.
"I've read the reports, I know he spent two months as a guest of the Xindi. But he's emotional and he cares about Archer and the others. Especially the Vulcan, there is something between them. We could use that against him," said Davis.
"We will, Lieutenant, we will, but in good time. We need to wait and make our move when the time is right. A few more days and all the key players will be where we want them," said Nash.
"Yes sir, understood," said Davis.
"Nash out," said the Senator and cut the connection.