Let the Dead Bury the Living
By Thalia Drogna
AN: Thanks again to all those who reviewed the last chapter. It's nice to be back.
Nash strode purposefully through the complex. It was probably the best equipped facility in Starfleet. It had to be for the kind of projects that were carried out within it. He walked past laboratories where scientists worked with one goal in mind, untangling the inner workings of the nanites. The stockpiles of nanites were growing as they harvested more and more from their test subject. They had developed a method of stimulating their reproduction cycles so that they multiplied faster than their currently programmed rate. He was pleased to see that the vats of black liquid that lined the hall were nearing capacity, the liquid moving in the bizarre way that indicated the presence of the nanites. He entered the control room that was the centre of operations for the complex.
"How is our guest today?" asked Nash, taking a seat beside Lieutenant Davis. He looked at the screens in front of him that showed the sole occupant of the bio-containment unit. Commander Tucker was lying on the bed, curled on one side.
"Being difficult, as usual, Senator," said Davis. "Yesterday, he tried to jump the guard who brought him his breakfast. Today one of the doctors took a blood sample and the nanites had been pre-programmed to self-destruct."
"He's testing us," said Nash. "Seeing how far he can push us."
"What would you recommend for punishment this time?" asked Davis. "I'm assuming that the order not to damage him permanently still stands."
"Unfortunately it does. He seems to require a lot of persuading to co-operate. He probably still thinks that Archer will come and rescue him. The doctors tell me that we can't use our normal methods because he's already weak. If he wasn't such an annoyance then I might admire the man for his stubbornness," said Nash. "Put him in restraints and administer the serum, perhaps a night of pain will bring him to the realisation that we are the ones in charge. This time put some padding around the restraints, his blood is a valuable commodity and I don't want it wasted."
"Yes, sir," said Davis. "You saw McLaughlin's report on Reed's raid on the farmhouse?"
"Yes, most unfortunate that we lost our leverage on Mr Reed," said Nash. "However, even if they look, they won't be able to find us. I made sure that our tracks were covered."
"Termination is always an option," said Davis.
"One that I would prefer not to exercise unless Archer forces our hand. The Commander is too valuable to us at the moment to be discarded lightly. I'd rather dispose of Archer if it comes to it. What about the rest of the project?" asked Nash.
"So far we're on schedule," said Davis. "And the Vulcans?"
"Completely unaware that I have anything other than their best interests at heart," said Nash, leaning back in his chair lazily. "Before you go to see Mr Tucker you should send our data on Lieutenant Reed to Starfleet Headquarters, after all he did break our deal."
Reed found Archer and T'Pol in the Command Centre. T'Pol was going through Shran's surveillance data, methodical as always. So far it had taken her nearly two days to put together all the information from the Andorian spy equipment into a format where she could look at trajectories and patterns. Archer had left T'Pol to her work knowing that she would work faster without him looking over her shoulder. He still felt he needed to do something so he was reviewing the other data that they had collected about Trip's abductors, but so far it hadn't amounted to much.
"I think I have a lead," said Reed. "One of my contacts in Starfleet Intelligence came up with something. Supplies."
"Supplies?" asked Archer, "how does that help us?"
"It's a standard tactic, if you can't follow the physical evidence, follow the money trail," said Reed. "Or in this case the supplies trail. Anywhere that wants to keep Trip prisoner needs a huge amount of supplies. They'd need shielding for a cell, a lot of glass, surveillance equipment and weapons. Some of it would have to have come from the Quartermaster's office, which means that they must have some sort of legitimate front that they use for obtaining supplies. It would take them some time to order in everything that they'd need. They must have been doing it for months, ever since we sent back that first report detailing what happened to Trip when he was a prisoner of the Xindi."
"So we can trace what happened to the supplies and find out where Trip is?" asked Archer.
"Exactly," said Reed. "The only problem is that it is by no means perfect and it's going to take me a while to go through all the data. The best it might do is narrow down the possibilities."
"It's better than what we've got at the moment," said Archer.
"I think that I may be able to refine our search," said T'Pol. "I was unable to extrapolate the shuttle's track sufficiently to be able to discern its destination. So I have been examining the shipping patterns around Earth in the hope that I could find an abnormality. Starfleet vessels have visited these locations," said T'Pol and a map of Earth and it's surrounding satellites appeared on the large screen in front of them. "Of these locations most are official bases of operations, however a number are not, but have received significant traffic." T'Pol turned those red. They were left with about twenty locations.
"So if we add in the data from where supplies were being shipped to, we should be able to get a good guess as to where Trip is," said Reed and input his information. "I suppose the most useful one might be who was interested in large amounts of glass." Several of T'Pol's red dots disappeared.
"Take out Mars Colony One," said Archer. "There's glass used in constructing the bio-domes."
"Take out the UK location as well," said Reed. "They're building an experimental alien ecosystem there. Lots of glass involved in that construction."
"That still leaves us with about five locations," said Archer.
"We can't mount a rescue mission to all five," said Reed.
"I do not believe that will be necessary," said T'Pol, cutting to the heart of the problem as usual. "Only one of these locations is unusual." She highlighted the location on the map and brought up an enlarged picture.
"That's a high Earth orbit weather station," said Archer. "Advanced climate modelling. About twenty staff maximum. Civilian run but they also use Starfleet personnel. I'd expect them to have a fair number of Starfleet ships coming and going. Why that one?"
"Why would they need glass?" asked Reed. "Surveillance equipment yes, but not glass and certainly not in these quantities. The station was constructed years ago and there's no record of any repair work being required."
Archer went over to the screen, looking at the picture more closely. The solar panels were extended towards the sun, gathering maximum power for the station. "We need proof that they're holding Trip there. We can't mount an attack on a civilian outpost, even if we do strong suspicions."
"I could scan for the presence of nanites," said T'Pol, "however we will need to get closer if I am to accomplish this. The nanites will be extremely difficult to detect even then but given Enterprise's state of repair and position, it would be impossible to detect them from here."
"Will the scanners on the shuttlepod be enough?" asked Reed.
"With some modifications," replied T'Pol.
"That's settled then, Travis can take you out in a shuttlepod. Try not to get caught," said Archer.
"Yes, Captain," said T'Pol.
"Perhaps I should go with them?" asked Reed.
"Not this time Lieutenant, I need you here planning out our strategy," said Archer.
Reed nodded in acknowledgement. "I'll pull the plans of the station from the Starfleet database," he said, moving to the console. Finally he could repay his Judas debt. He was going to mount the best damn rescue mission in the history of Starfleet and they would get Trip back where he belonged.
"Phlox to Archer," said the com.
"Archer here, go ahead," said the Captain.
"Captain, I have revived Ven Dath. He wishes to speak with you," said Phlox.
"On my way," said Archer.
Archer arrived in sick bay to find Ven Dath covered in some sort of sticky substance and with several tubes running into his body. He wore an oxygen mask, his breath rasping in his throat as he sucked air in. He was in the far corner of sick bay, surrounded by curtains which Phlox pulled closed around his patient as he came over to speak with Archer.
"I have him on pain medication, but he wouldn't allow me to drug him sufficiently to alleviate all his pain," said Phlox.
"And the gunk on his skin?" asked Archer.
"An excretion from the Denebian slug. It has remarkable healing powers when it comes to burns, I'm hoping that it will be able to restore his skin. The internal injuries will be more difficult. Even assuming an operation was successful I doubt I would be able to repair all of the damage. He is dying, Captain, and although I'm doing everything I can, I don't think it will be enough," said Phlox.
"Have you told him?" asked Archer.
"Yes and he has asked to speak with you about it," said Phlox.
Archer nodded and drew back the curtains.
Ven Dath pulled the oxygen mask down with a shaking hand so that it rested on his chin. "It seems that there was a flaw in our bargain, Archer," rasped Ven Dath. "I underestimated the level of your medical technology."
"I never said that we'd be able to make you well. All you asked for was passage off Harrar station and medical attention, you have both of those. Now tell me how to save Trip," said Archer.
"I'm dying Archer, why should I tell you anything. You're the one who killed me," said Ven Dath.
"Then what difference does it make if you tell me how to get rid of the nanites," said Archer.
"None, except that if one of your own dies then perhaps that is payment for what you did to me," said Ven Dath.
"I could take you back to Harrar," said Archer.
"A fate no worse than my current one," said Ven Dath.
"This wasn't our agreement. I've held up my end of the bargain," said Archer. "If you have any decency left in you then you'll tell me what I need to know."
"You've forgotten who I am, Archer. I'm the person who supervised the torture of your Chief Engineer. I've killed more men for the advancement of science than I can count. What would one more death be to me," said Ven Dath.
Phlox appeared at the gap in the curtains. "You would have completed your life's work if you perfect the removal process. If you would allow me to, I could work with you. However, I need a starting point in order to do that."
"I'm not stupid, Doctor, I know what you're doing. You're trying to appeal to my scientific curiosity. However, you are correct, I would like to see my work completed and your offer is tempting," said Ven Dath.
"So you'll do it?" asked Archer.
"Yes, I believe I will," said Ven Dath. "I will work for as long as I can."
"Thank you," said Archer.
"There is no guarantee that I will be successful. Save your thanks, Archer, for when I have accomplished my task," said Ven Dath.
Travis piloted T'Pol to their destination. They had to be careful not to show too much interest in their target, so Travis had plotted a course that would take them close to the weather station but would look as if they were merely on their way to Earth.
"How close do you need to be, Sub-commander?" asked Travis.
"Within five kilometres of the station should suffice," said T'Pol.
"That's cutting it fine, we'll be within range of their sensors," said Travis.
"I am hoping that a shuttlepod won't draw any undue attention on the course that you have plotted," replied T'Pol.
"Fingers crossed you're right," said Travis as he manoeuvred in for their fly past. "We're only going to get one go at this. Are you ready?"
"Yes, Ensign," said T'Pol. She had already spent most of the journey to their current location checking the scanners so that they would be in perfect working order for when it came time to use them.
"Okay, here we go," said Travis. He approached the station as if he was vectoring for a landing on Earth. He slowed down as much as he dared to give T'Pol the longest amount of time possible to complete her scans. An urgent beep drew his attention on the control panel. "Sub-commander, we're being scanned."
"I only need another forty seconds to complete the scan," said T'Pol.
"That could be a problem, if they scan us and detect a Vulcan biosign then we could be in trouble," said Travis. "We need to get out of here now." There weren't many Starfleet vessels that would have a Vulcan aboard. If this was the location where Commander Tucker was being held, it wouldn't take them much to put two and two together and work out that the shuttle came from Enterprise. If the weather station knew that they were mounting a rescue operation then that would make life much harder and could even put Commander Tucker in danger. The worst that might happen was if they decided to move the Commander somewhere else, then they might never find him again.
"Twenty seconds, Ensign," said T'Pol, calmly.
The seconds dragged by, seeming much longer to Travis than they actually were. As a pilot he was much more used to reacting quickly than being patient.
"My scans are complete. Please take us back to Enterprise," said T'Pol.
"Is that station where they're holding Commander Tucker?" asked Travis, unable to wait any longer for an answer.
"Yes, Ensign," replied T'Pol. "I suggest you make haste, the Commander's life signs are not optimal."
"Yes, Ma'am," said Travis with feeling, and kicked in full speed as he made a U-turn back towards Enterprise.
Admiral Forrest had been surprised when he unexpectedly received a data-chip in the mail that morning. Usually anything which could be put on a data-chip could just as easily be sent via the network. There was no return address or even a note enclosed to suggest where it had come from. He was even more surprised when he looked at the contents of the data-chip, it detailed how Lieutenant Reed had been having an affair with one of his pupils at the academy. This was four years ago now, but it was still a grave accusation. Enterprise certainly had more than its fair share of trouble at the moment. He immediately contacted Captain Archer to bring the allegations to his attention.
When Archer answered the com, he looked weary and as if he hadn't slept for a while.
"Jon, I've just received information that Lieutenant Reed has broken the fraternisation regulations," said Admiral Forrest.
"Lieutenant Reed brought the matter to my attention five days ago," said Archer.
"Then why didn't you bring it to my attention, Captain," said Forrest, crossly.
"There's more to it than that, sir," said Archer. "The people that kidnapped Commander Tucker were using it to blackmail Lieutenant Reed into turning a blind eye to what they were doing. I expect it was them that sent the information to you. At the time they were still holding Ensign Carruthers hostage to ensure his co-operation. If I had told you, then it might have placed Ensign Carruthers in danger."
"I assume that Ensign Carruthers is now safe?" asked Forrest.
"Yes, sir. She's on board Enterprise," said Archer.
"God damn it, Jon, a scandal like this is the last thing that Starfleet needs. We already have the xenophobes breathing down our necks to get us to shut down the space program, they don't need more fuel for the fire," said Forrest. "This is extremely serious. Not only was she Reed's junior officer but she was also his pupil. It wasn't just against regulations, it was unethical as well."
"The relationship is over, sir," said Archer. "Lieutenant Reed is well aware of what he has done."
"I would never have believed it of Reed if I didn't have the proof staring me in the face. He has always been a model officer," said Forrest. "You know the penalty for this, Jon. At the very least he's facing jail time, and a demotion, at the worst he could be given a dishonourable discharge. He certainly won't be allowed to serve on Enterprise again."
"Admiral, Lieutenant Reed is the best Armoury Officer in the fleet. I don't see why he should be punished for something which happened before Enterprise launched and is now over," said Archer.
"Jon, that isn't the point and you know it," said Forrest. "We can't make exceptions simply because he wasn't found out until now. It would send a message that we don't care about fraternisation so long as we don't find out about it."
"I'm just saying that the fraternisation rules were put in place to prevent an abuse of power and as far as I can see that didn't happen here," said Archer. "I don't want to lose my Armoury Officer. I'm already looking at having to replace my Science Officer and Chief Engineer, one to some ridiculous Vulcan tribunal and the other to ill health. If we have to replace the entire senior staff the morale on this ship will plummet. This crew has been to hell and back, they don't need this as well."
"I'm aware of that, but there may be nothing I can do. Lieutenant Reed has dug his own hole, I can only work within the rules to help him out," said Forrest. "I'll do my best, but I can't guarantee anything at the moment."
"All I'm asking is that you don't take him off Enterprise. You might want to remind people that Lieutenant Reed risked his life to prevent the destruction of Earth more than once," said Archer.
"I will, Jon, I will," said Forrest. "I'll keep you updated. Any news on Commander Tucker?"
"We think we may have found where they took him, but I'm waiting for T'Pol to return with some data to confirm that. Lieutenant Reed has already begun drawing up plans for a rescue mission. We should have him back by tomorrow if everything goes according to plan," said Archer.
"Good luck, Jon. I think you're going to need it," said Admiral Forrest.