Rating: PG/13
Genre: Angst/Action/Adventure
Disclaimer: It all belongs to Paramount. No infringement intended.
Summary:

A/N: Takes place after they have left the Expanse at the end of Season 3, but before the Season 4 episode, "Home."

Chapter Eleven

Five minutes later, Captain Archer, T'Pol , Malcolm and six MACO's, all beamed down to the surface carrying scanners and phasers, "Set your phaser to stun and look out, Trip may be an engineer but he's an excellent marksman and a damn fine tactician," advised Archer, as they began a tentative search of the conference, amid Vulcan and Andorian security men trying to round up their delegates and ferry them back to their ships. "Try and blend in, we don't want to cause a panic."

"Vulcan's don't panic," stated T'Pol calmly as they searched for a sign of their colleague on their scanner.

"I wasn't insinuating that they do," said Archer, "It's just a figure of speech, that's all."

Suddenly there were huge explosions nearby as Trip's carefully planned explosions went off.

"What was that about us not causing a panic," muttered Malcolm.

"Damn it Trip, what the hell's got into you," said Archer as he craned his neck and looked around the fleeing crowd, trying to catch a glimpse of his wayward engineer.

A phaser blast burst out from the top right corner of the room aiming for the Andorian delegate, who Commander Shran was ushering out. "Keep your eyes peeled everyone and protect the top delegates," said Malcolm as he stood in front of them, "he's trying to corner us into a trap."

"Shran are you okay?"

"Don't worry about me Archer," called Shran as his men placed cover, "just concentrate on finding your engineer before he does something that he will regret later."

"Captain," said T'Pol, her eyes peeled and concentrated, as if she was listening carefully trying to locate the tiniest pin prick, "I think he's in the Jeffries tube near the upper right ventilation shaft, "I can hear the scrape of his boot and phaser."

"I agree," cried Soval as he dunked behind a pillar, avoiding another well placed shot, "try and get some of your men to work their way behind him and force him out while we distract him and keep him busy."

"Already there," said Malcolm, as he steered his men round to the back.

"Soval, Shran, stun only," called Archer as he and T'Pol raced to catch up with Malcolm.

"Maybe you should tell your engineer that," muttered Soval as he ducked to avoid another blast. Catching the pleading look from T'Pol though, he nodded his head in agreement. / Hmmmmm curious, something tells me my life will be in far greater danger from T'Pol if I don't. / he thought.

"I'll try Pink skin," shouted back Shran, "but you'd better get to him soon, I've got a lot of angry Andorians back here."

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Reaching the upper lever behind the Jeffries tube, Malcolm silently directed everyone into position. Four of the MACO's would enter the Jeffries tube, forcing Trip out into the open where he would be intercepted by Malcolm, T'Pol and Captain Archer.

"Please don't resist Trip," said Captain Archer quietly to himself, as he waited for the MACO's to complete their part of the plan. He wasn't looking forward to shooting his best friend, even if it was on stun. Looking at T'Pol and Malcolm, he could tell the feeling was mutual for both of them as well.

"Get ready," whispered Malcolm, as he indicated to the sound of running feet coming out of the tube.

As Trip ran out of the tube, Malcolm, Captain Archer and T'Pol leapt out of hiding, "Trip, drop your weapon," said Captain Archer as he aimed his pistol at him. Trip turned in the other direction and tried to dodge out of the way. Noticing this, T'Pol tried to block him but Trip was too fast and sensed her hesitation; he lifted up his phaser and shot her.

/ Oh my God, T'Pol / thought Trip as he stared helplessly at her. Someone help her for Gods sake he tried to shout, but unfortunately no words or sounds came forth, just a cold heartless smile appeared on his lips. / Noooooo…… it's my nightmare all over again…… / .

"Drop the weapon, Trip and move away, " pleaded Archer in what seemed a frantic voice, "nothings going to happen to you."

Trip tried to shout out again, but no joy. He slowly placed his hand over the knife in his pocket and slowly drew it out of his pocket.

"Trip, drop the weapon. I don't want to shoot you but I will," screamed a frantic Archer, "I asking you as a friend,….. please….."

/ I'm trying! / screamed Trip inside his head, as he propelled the knife forward straight at his captain and friend.

"Trip, nooooooooo…………!" screamed Archer as the knife flew out of Trip's hand and straight into Archer's midriff, causing him to be thrown backwards and be pinned to the floor.

/ Nooooooo…………..! / screamed Trip inside his head, as he watched his two closest friends lie on the floor right before his eyes, maybe dying, before feeling the blast of phaser hits assaulting him from numerous directions.

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