Chapter 4
"Did you ever see Malcolm looked so shocked?" Trip asked Archer. The pair were walking toward the mess hall to get some coffee.
Archer grinned. "He didn't look too happy either." The smile fell. "I have a feeling there's quite a story behind everything we saw in the launch bay, Trip."
Trip's mouth formed a fine line. "You know when Malcolm and I were marooned on Shuttlepod One, I don't believe he ever mentioned he had a brother. He did talk about his parents--some. And he did write a letter to his sister. From the sounds of it, he is very close to his sister. She's studying to be a surgeon of some kind. He's very proud of her."
"Michael and Malcolm seem to be opposites. I wonder how it is that identical twins can be so different?" Archer mused.
"Well, everyone really liked Michael on the shuttle," Trip said. "He was telling stories and cracking jokes almost non-stop. He told one story involving a Vulcan, a bar, and a zebra. You'll just have to ask him to tell it to you. I just couldn't do it justice. But heaven's sake, don't mention it around T'Pol -- she'd likely throw you out the airlock!"
The engineer's comment made Archer laugh and slap his friend good-naturedly on his back. "Don't worry about that. By the way, I've invited Mr. Leighton to dine at my table tonight. Can I count on you to attend?"
"Wouldn't miss it!" Trip exclaimed. "Just don't ask Malcolm."
Archer looked surprised.
Trip noticed his friend's reaction. "I just think it would be good for you to get to know Malcolm's brother without Malcolm around. Form your own opinions," Trip suggested. "Maybe by speaking to Michael, we'll finally learn something more about our enigmatic armory officer."
"I'll take that into consideration, but I think it would be best for the first meal on board if Malcolm was included."
"Yes, Captain," Hoshi said with a nod Archer couldn't see over the comm system. "I see, Captain." She looked over to the Captain's chair where Malcolm sat. He had a dataPADD on his lap. "I'll ask him, sir."
Malcolm, hearing the exchange, glanced in Hoshi's direction. He looked resolutely determined. His clear blue eyes revealed that he wasn't about to change his mind and capitulate to the Captain's request, unless it came in the form of an order.
"He says he's still working with the phase cannon logarithms and for him to break away now would make him lose his train of thought."
Malcolm gave Hoshi a single nod.
"I'll tell him that...Yes, sir... Pineapple did you say? Yes, sir, I'm sure he would enjoy that. I'll pass on the message."
With a sigh, Hoshi terminated the transmission. Rising from her station, she walked over to where Malcolm sat and crouched down beside him so their conversation wouldn't be overheard.
"I don't think he believes me, Malcolm," she said. "In fact, if I didn't know better, I would swear he knew you were currently lounging in his chair devising unique methods to torture your brother."
Malcolm lifted his gaze, but his head remaining bowed over his dataPADD. He held her gaze for a few seconds before he returned to his task, punching a few more keys. "Do you think dragging him behind Enterprise on the grappling hook would be considered inhumane?"he asked.
Hoshi pursed her lips. "Well, I suppose he might think it was akin to waterskiing."
The Armory Officer stabbed at the keys on the dataPADD with force. "Okay, I'll skip that. How about keeping him contained in the transporter beam for a few years?"
"I never knew you were so cruel, Malcolm," she said straightening up. "But I think I like it."
He looked up at her then, moving both his eyes and his head. He saw her flash him a grin before she spun away from him and returned to her station.
"Vixen," he murmured.
Hoshi resumed her position at her console. "I heard that, Malcolm," she said.
From the helm, the sound of laughter echoed through the bridge.
"It appears you aren't the only one, " Malcolm remarked. "You better watch out, Travis, or I'll find room in that transporter beam for both you and my brother."
It was Hoshi's turn to laugh.
End Chapter 4