Let the Dead Bury the Living
By Thalia Drogna
AN: I've been on holiday so apologies for the long time between updates. What can I say, Crete is lovely at this time of year but internet access isn't its strong point. Hope this has been worth waiting for.
Archer had never noticed it before, but he had discovered that Andorians had a peculiar smell about them that wasn't exactly pleasant when you were stuck with one in a ship the size of one of Enterprise's shuttlepods. He was beginning to understand what it was like for T'Pol being on Enterprise with a bunch of smelly humans. He wondered if Shran also found the odour of a human in close proximity to him to be distasteful.
They had left Drezan and the Noolen in Vulcan space while he waited for his distress call to be answered. Archer had promised to make it up to the Denobulan somehow, he just wasn't exactly sure how he was going to do it. He owed Drezan big time. Especially since he would now probably be late to pick up his passengers from the Medical conference. Archer had hated abandoning him to the mercies of the Vulcans but there had been no other way, time was short and the sooner they got to the Expanse the sooner they could find Ven Dath and go home.
The problem was that although Archer was now sat in an Andorian ship on the way to his objective, he still had no idea what Shran was up to or why he was being so helpful. Shran had so far ignored or deflected all of Archer's questions about exactly why he was being chased by his own troops and how he had ended up with the Zor Rakh. Archer had a feeling that when he did find out what was going on he was going to regret giving in to Shran.
"Devil and the Deep Blue Sea," muttered Archer. In this case the devil was as blue as the sea.
"Sorry?" asked Shran.
"Nothing," said Archer. "How long until we get there?"
"Another couple of hours," said Shran.
"Perhaps now we're nearly there you could tell me where we're going," said Archer.
"Ven Dath was designated a war criminal by the Xindi government, mainly for his experimentation on Xindi criminals and Commander Tucker. He went into hiding, but I got word from a Xindi source that he'd founded himself a private empire on a space station. It's in an area frequented by pirates and other criminals, not the kind of place that the Xindi enforcers would ever set foot in," said Shran.
"But we're going there," said Archer.
"If you want Ven Dath, we don't have a choice," said Shran. "I never said that this was going to be an easy task. You haven't changed your mind, have you?"
"No, I haven't changed my mind, but if you'd given me more of the facts then perhaps I could have improved our odds," said Archer.
"I doubt that, given your current relationship with your government. I suspect that they don't even know that you're back in the Expanse. Given their recent decision to cut off all relations with the Xindi I expect your superiors would have you court-martialled if they knew you were here," said Shran.
"How do you even know about that? The decision was only made a few days ago," said Archer.
"Keep your friends close and your enemies closer is an adage that Andorians take very seriously," replied Shran.
"And what exactly do you count me as, a friend or an enemy?" asked Archer.
"I haven't decided," said Shran. "You're too dangerous to be a friend and too dumb to be an enemy."
"Well you'd better make up your mind, I don't have time to waste wondering whose side you're on," said Archer.
Shran glanced at Archer but didn't reply. Instead he concentrated on the controls.
Ensign Stephen Raywood stood in sickbay wondering how he'd managed to end up wearing Captain Archer's spare uniform while Phlox pasted flesh coloured pieces of rubber to his face. He hadn't really understood exactly why Lieutenant Reed had sent him to sickbay and told him to use the jeffries tubes to get there. When he'd arrived he'd expected to see Captain Archer on one bed and Commander Tucker in another, instead the curtain was drawn around one bed and the other was empty.
"Doctor," called Raywood.
"Ah, Ensign Raywood," said Phlox as he stepped out from behind the curtain. He pulled the curtain back to reveal Commander Tucker zipping up his uniform and sitting on the edge of the biobed.
"Sir," said Raywood in acknowledgement of Commander Tucker.
"Ensign," said Tucker in reply as he hopped off the bed with a little less energy than Raywood would have expected. Raywood couldn't help but notice that Tucker seemed to move as if he was sore and a bit tired.
"Lieutenant Reed told me to come to sickbay," said Ensign Raywood.
"Yeah, we need you to do something," said Tucker. "You may have noticed that the Captain isn't here."
"Yes, sir," said Raywood. "Is he okay?"
"Yes, Ensign, he is in perfect health," said Phlox.
Then Commander Tucker had explained the whole charade and finally he'd got to what they wanted him to do. Pretend to be the Captain. At first he'd said no, but if there was one person it was impossible to refuse then it was Commander Tucker. Firstly the Commander really didn't look well and secondly he had this way of appealing to a person's better nature that always seemed to end in the Commander getting what he wanted. Commander Tucker just came across as being a genuinely nice guy.
The Ensign remembered overhearing Lieutenant Hess asking Lieutenant Reed how he had ended up following Commander Tucker in his exploration of the alien repair station. It was something that Reed would normally have never considered doing, being far more level headed than that. Reed had replied that Tucker had made it seem like such a good idea that he hadn't been able to refuse and Trip had been so excited about it that Reed hadn't the heart to say no. Now Ensign Raywood knew exactly what he'd meant, he hadn't the heart to say no either, it would be like kicking a puppy.
By the time Phlox had finished with the make-up and a slight re-styling of the hair, even most of the crew would have been fooled into thinking that he was Captain Archer. They even spent a little time trying to get the Captain's gait and movements right. Ensign Raywood typically bent over slightly when he walked, whereas Archer was proud of his height, walking tall around Enterprise's corridors. It was easily fixed by a little posture advice from Phlox. Tucker gave him further advice on the Captain's mannerisms but they all hoped that no one would actually be getting close enough for him to need more than a passing resemblance to the Captain.
"What about the accent?" asked Trip. "Where are your family from Ensign?"
"Boston, sir," replied Raywood.
"Not exactly right for the Captain," said Trip. "Try your best impression of the Captain, Ensign."
"Sir, I'm not very good at impressions," said Raywood. "Isn't it a court-martial offence to impersonate the Captain?" Raywood was nervous, had they heard about his impersonations of the Captain or was it just co-incidence?
"Not in this case," said Trip. Although he did wonder what the Captain would think when they told him what they'd done in order to hide his absence. "Give it your best shot."
Ensign Raywood did the best that he could and came out with an almost perfect imitation of Captain Archer.
"Why do I get the distinct impression that this isn't the first time you've put that accent on," said Trip, a slight smile on his lips. He'd heard rumours that one of his Engineering staff did a killer impersonation of Archer but he hadn't suspected that it was Raywood. The Ensign had always seemed to be the quiet type. Raywood at least had the decency to look embarrassed at his proficiency.
"Sorry, sir, no disrespect was meant," said Raywood.
"Well it's just as well you've been practising, you're going to need it, but to be on the safe side best not talk unless you have to," said Trip.
"If I do say so myself, I think we have managed to produce a good likeness," said Phlox.
"Yeah, not bad at all, Doc," replied Trip. "You feel ready to face the music?"
"I guess so, sir," said Raywood.
"You've got the plan, you walk straight out of here and go to the Captain's ready room. Lieutenant Reed changed the codes so you can get in. T'Pol will meet you there. Try to look as if you're in a real hurry to get there and hopefully no one will try to stop you for a chat," said Trip.
"Yes, sir, I've got it," said Raywood. "You're not leaving with me?"
"No, I've got these damned HQ security officers who are going to be following me around," said Trip, "and the last thing we need is them following you too. Don't want to let anything slip. Phlox has given me the all clear for light duties so I'm going back to my quarters for now anyway, well away from the bridge. When's Davis's shift?"
"He was on duty the previous shift, Ensign Marshall is taking this shift so it should be safe to leave now," said Phlox.
"That's your cue, Ensign," said Trip.
Raywood nodded at his Commanding Officer, put back his shoulders and strode purposefully out of sickbay, giving Ensign Marshall a nod as he passed.
"I think we might actually pull this off," said Trip to Phlox. "Now if you don't mind, Doc, I'm going back to my quarters."
"That should be fine, Commander," said Phlox. "You have the pills?"
"Yes, Doc," said Trip.
"You need to take two of the yellow ones and one of the blue ones with your lunch each day. Don't skip meals or forget to take the pills, or you'll be back here faster than either of us would like."
"I was listening the first time, you know," said Trip with slight annoyance.
"Yes, but this is very important. Your health may very well depend on you getting this right," said Phlox.
"I'm not stupid," said Trip. "I think I can remember to take a few pills."
"Except you do seem to forget important things when it comes to your health and I'm here to make sure that you remain well for as long as possible," said Phlox.
"Don't worry, I don't want to spend anymore time in sickbay than I already have," said Trip.
"Very well, then I have no problem in releasing you to light duty. We can see how you cope with that and then if all goes well you can return to full duty in a couple of days time," said Phlox.
"Great, that's the best news I've heard in while," said Trip. Despite his fatigue he was desperate to get back to his engines.
"And don't forget that you're due back for a check-up day after tomorrow," said Phlox.
"Okay, Doc," said Trip. "I'll see you then."
Trip almost ran from sickbay in his haste to leave. He stopped just outside the doors.
"I guess you must be Ensign Marshall," said Trip to the Security officer.
"Yes, sir," said the Ensign.
"Well, how would you feel about getting a cup of coffee in the mess hall before I go back to my quarters. You can tell me a bit about yourself. Might as well get to know each other if we're going to be spending a lot of time together," said Trip.
"Thank you for the offer, sir, but I don't think that would be a good idea. Lieutenant Davis would definitely have a problem with it," said Ensign Marshall.
"Too right, I would," said an Irish voice as Lieutenant Davis came around the corner. "Good to see you up and about Commander Tucker."
"Thanks, it's nice to be up and about," said Trip. "You must be my jailer, Lieutenant Davis."
"At your service," said Davis. "I feel jailer is a little harsh. I would prefer guardian."
"Yeah, well whatever you call it you're still here to make sure I don't leave," said Trip.
"That is the situation, but if you don't make my job any harder than it needs to be then I don't think we'll have any problems," said Davis.
"Whatever you say, Lieutenant, I don't have a hell of a lot of choice in this. Now I'm going to the mess hall and then I'm going back to my quarters. I guess one of you is going to be my shadow," said Trip.
"Actually I was on my way to see your Captain, I gather he's out of sickbay too," said Davis.
"Yeah, he is, but I doubt he'll be wanting visitors," said Trip. He was pretty certain that Raywood wasn't ready to be coping with Davis yet, hopefully T'Pol would be able to fend him off for a bit until their new Captain found his feet.
"I think I'll take my chances," replied Davis with a slight smile, which reminded Trip of a cat about to attack a mouse. No wonder Malcolm had been so worried about their plan and the Captain's continued absence. If anyone would see through their scheme then it was going to be this man. Trip watched Davis walk away down the corridor and felt his heart sink. This was never going to work.
Harrar station was what could only be described as a den of thieves. It had once been a Xindi station, perhaps a research establishment of some sort, but it had been abandoned several years earlier and taken over by a group of criminals looking for a bolt-hold from the local authorities. It now sported a number of ugly looking guns and some other nasty spiked devices that Archer didn't like the look of.
"Grappling hooks," said Shran, noticing Archer's intent gaze, "to prevent ships from leaving if the masters of this place don't want them to."
"They don't look as if they're original features," said Archer.
"Added by the dregs who took over the station, along with the weapons," said Shran. He was mostly concentrating on docking. They had persuaded the local port authority that they were harmless and just here to meet an acquaintance. It had taken some doing but Shran had obviously had considerable practice at this sort of thing, Archer just sat back and watched the master at work.
They docked at the station with little fuss and prepared to disembark.
"Wait," said Shran, as Archer was about to open the hatch. The Andorian rummaged around in the back of the craft and produced some clothes which he tossed at Archer. "Put these on. You stick out like a grafnek at a party in that uniform."
Archer nodded and unzipped his jump-suit, pulling on the grey long-sleeved top and trousers that Shran had provided. He didn't bother to ask what a grafnek was, he didn't think he wanted to know, it was bound to be insulting. Shran also changed out of his uniform and into some similarly nondescript clothing.
When they stepped onto the station, Archer had the overwhelming impression that they had stepped into a Victorian slum town. The station had obviously been a functioning research facility once, but that time was definitely well in its past. Now, the lighting was at a low level, probably to conserve power, and gave the whole place an oppressive feel. The main area outside the docking ring was covered in makeshift dwellings which seemed to belong to a variety of races. Archer saw beings from alien species that he had never encountered before. All around them aliens were buying, selling, talking, and just living their lives.
"How the hell are we going to find Ven Dath in this?" said Archer in a low whisper to his blue companion. The station had several levels and Archer didn't even know where to begin.
"We get ourselves a guide," said Shran.
"How exactly do we do that?" asked Archer.
"I wonder how you humans have survived as long as you have out here," said Shran. "We find the local bar and ask around."
"That's your plan?" asked Archer.
"You have a better one?" replied Shran with a sneer.
"Not at the moment," said Archer. Wasn't this what they used to do in old westerns? The hero would go into the town's bar and order whisky and question the bar staff about where to find whoever he was looking for. He supposed that if it worked for them then it could work for him too. The stereotype had to come from somewhere.
Shran and Archer found a likely looking establishment, bustling with customers but not so busy that the bar staff wouldn't have a chance to answer their queries. Archer let Shran take the lead as he seemed to know much more about this sort of thing, although he made sure that he listened in to what was being said. The bartender pointed out a woman who was sitting at a table by the door with her back to the wall. Archer couldn't have said what species she was, but she had a distinctly feline appearance, right down to the tail that he saw flicking away under the table. Although if you took away the ears and the tail she could easily have passed for human, if you ignored the bright yellow eyes. She looked faintly bored but as Archer watched her he realised that this was just an act, she watched everyone who entered and left the bar. There was a reason that she was sitting by the door with her back to the wall and a phaser strapped to her left hip.
Shran thanked the bartender leaving behind a generous tip and the two men approached the seated woman.
"My name is Shran, this is Archer, we're looking for a guide and were told you knew your way around," said Shran.
"You were told right, now make it worth my while to tell you my name," said the woman.
Shran pulled money out of his pocket and began to shuffle the currency.
"No," said the woman. "Tell me what you're looking for. I work for curiosity as well as money. If you don't interest me, I won't work for you."
Archer glanced at Shran, turned around one of the chairs at the table and straddled it with his long legs, leaning on its back. "We're looking for a man named Ven Dath," said Archer. Shran sat down at the table a little more sedately. "I need him to help a friend of mine who's sick."
The woman made a noise that was a cross between a miaow and a laugh. "You'll be lucky to get Ven's help with anything. I think you've earned my name though. You may call me Enam."
"Enam," repeated Archer. "You know where Ven Dath is?"
"What exactly do an Andorian and a human want with Ven Dath anyway? You aren't known for working together. I can't believe that you're both after him because you have a sick friend that you hope he will help," said Enam.
"The friend is his," said Shran indicating Archer with a thumb. "Ven Dath is important to me for different reasons."
"Can you take us to him?" asked Archer.
"For a price," said Enam. "On Harrar anything can be done for a price. Ven Dath is an important man here though and seeing him won't be easy, especially if he doesn't want to see you. He is one of the Inner Circle, they are the people who own this station. He doesn't like people prying into his affairs or asking about him. You must be sure that you want to do this thing before we begin because once Ven Dath knows that you are here, you will not be able to leave easily."
"This is your last chance to part ways, Shran," said Archer. "I know what I have to do, but you don't have to come with me."
"We made a deal, Archer, I won't go back on that," said Shran, "you're stuck with me until we've seen Ven Dath."
"Okay, take us to see Ven Dath, Enam," said Archer.
"If you so wish," said Enam, "Now, my fee." Shran and Enam negotiated a price which Archer only half listened to. He was thinking about Enterprise, so many light years away, without its Captain.