"Sono" Part Six
Disclaimers in part one.

"Interesting reading, Hoshi?"

Hoshi looked up from the book. "Very, Captain."

"Must be, you haven't looked up once since we left the planet."

She smiled and shrugged. "I just got caught up, I guess."

Malcolm looked away from the pilot's console to ask, "Have you found the significance of those seeds yet?"

"I don't think I've gotten that far. It is a storybook, just like the Regent said. They have a very rich mythological base, but I'm finding it unusual in that a lot of it is..." she paused, looking lost for a word, "A lot seems to be backed by scientific principles--it's more like a book of instruction. I would love to ask the Regent why he gave me this, what he meant by it." She held up the book for a moment, then let her hand drop back into her lap, exasperated.

Archer said, "Maybe you can contact him once we're aboard Enterprise again. We'll be in range for a while yet...besides, I need you to send him a formal note of gratitude for his hospitality."

"Of course, Captain."

Malcolm had turned back to the console in preparation for final landing inside the launch bay. Hoshi put the book away inside its box and as the shuttlepod touched down on the deck, she murmured, "Home again, home again..."

Archer finished, "Jiggity jog," and Hoshi giggled.

It was on that note of levity that they all made their way into decon. A few minutes later Phlox proclaimed them clean and they filed out into the hallway, finding Ensign Mayweather waiting for them.

He said, "Hello, sirs, Hoshi. Welcome home."

"What are you doing down here, Travis?" Archer asked.

"Just coming off shift, sir. Thought I'd welcome you home. How did things go?"

"Very well."

Hoshi interjected, "They gave us gifts." She held up the small box.

Archer smiled. "It seems the Regent was quite taken with Hoshi and Malcolm. I think we've made a new friend."

Travis said, "We could certainly use one. What did he give you?"

Hoshi opened her box and showed the book to him, explaining what she thought it was. Mayweather handed it back to her, saying, "You'll have to let me know what it says, later."

Malcolm said, "You know what they say about curiosity, Ensign."

Travis answered, dead-pan, "But I thought that was our mission, sir."

Hoshi smiled and said, "Speaking of curiosity, I think I'll take these down to hydroponics."

The three men looked at her and saw that she'd taken the bag of seeds from Reed's coffer.

"What is that?" Travis asked.

"Commander Reed's gift," Archer stated.

Malcolm said, "Are you sure that's wise?"

Archer said, "They're just seeds, Commander. I confess I'm a little curious to see what they'll sprout."

"Captain, maybe we should just wait to see what they are first." Malcolm protested.

Archer nodded. "Fine. Let Hoshi do her research. Meanwhile, I see no harm in taking them to hydroponics. They can sit on it for awhile."

Travis yawned. He said, "Well, I'd offer an opinion, but I'm dead on my feet. If I may be excused, Captain?"
"Go, Travis." Archer shooed him away with a waving hand.

"Thank you, sir." He headed out, but paused when Hoshi said, "Wait a minute, Travis. I'll just walk with you for a little bit."

"Sure."

They walked away and both Archer and Reed heard Mayweather ask, "So what did the Captain get?"

Malcolm said to Archer, obliterating Hoshi's response, "If you'll excuse me, sir, I need to see to the Armory."

"Of course."

"Thank you, sir."

He turned to go, but Archer called him back, "Commander."

"Yes, sir?" He stood at attention, hands clasped behind his back, feet apart.

Archer noted the stiffness, but dismissed it. "I understand your concerns, but I don't believe there's any need to worry. Regent Tolias showed us nothing but trust and hospitality...we owe him the same."

"Yes, sir."

"I'll be looking forward to your report on this away mission."

"I'll have it ready for you within the hour."

"Take your time. Go ahead and bring it to the bridge when you're finished."

"Yes, sir. Will that be all, sir?"

Archer nodded. Malcolm inclined his head and marched away.