Chapter 9

Malcolm, true to his promise to himself, had spent the last week on his back beneath one of his precious torpedoes or in his cabin trying to sleep before he returned to the Armory the next morning. Occasionally he would stop by the mess hall in order to bring something back to the Armory to eat or, more often than not, he'd send one of his junior staff to perform the task.

Throughout the days that passed, he still heard references to his illustrious brother. The report Michael had issued regarding the Sub-Commander had been very well received, it seemed, and his adoring public was eager to read the promised second part in the series. Already it was rumored that his twin was putting the finishing touches on a story dedicated to Travis Mayweather. Accoding to the helmsmen, everyone on the Horizon, the freighter on which his family lived and worked, was anxious to read all about him and his life on Enterprise.

Malcolm was pressed up against the bulkhead of the ship, investigating the new data ports which had been installed on the launch mechanism, when he noticed a familiar pair of legs walk up to him. The sound of the footsteps echoed through the armory, and finally come to a stop directly in front of him. The person who belonged to the legs kneeled down beside him, and tilted her head to one side.

"You couldn't get anyone else to do this?" Hoshi Sato asked, looking at an uncustomary disheveled Malcolm Reed. The top of his uniform had been slipped off his torso to reveal his regulation blue T-shirt which was saturated with perspiration.

Malcolm grumbled.

She reached forward and ran a finger along his jaw line. "You have some oil on your face, Lieutenant." she noted, holding up her digit so he could see.

"Did you come all the way down here to tell me this?" he asked.

"Actually, I didn't. I was on my way off duty when a message came in for you. So I thought on my way back to my cabin, I would swing by the Armory."

Malcolm nodded and moved out from under the launch mechanism. Hoshi stood up and backed away a step or two to allow him room.

Bringing himself up to stand beside her, he took the datachip she passed him.

"Thank you. I appreciate you coming down here. Do you know who it's from?"

"Someone by the name of Lyn Piedmont. Sounded personal," Hoshi said.

"I see."

"Old girlfriend?" Hoshi asked.

"Old friend," he replied.

Hoshi released a breath she wasn't aware she'd been holding.

"I hope it's good news."

"I do too. Thanks again. I'll listen to it as soon as I finish my inspection."

Hoshi smiled shyly. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out a tissue. Hesitating for a second, she brought the tissue to Malcolm's face and dabbed at the offending smear of oil.

"Thanks," he whispered huskily.

"Don't forget to shower," she remarked, pressing the tissue into his other hand. "You also have a smudge of dirt on your forehead."

"I'll see to it, Captain," he joked.

"See that you do," Hoshi said with a grin. "The Captain would like to know if you would meet her for breakfast at 0700 tomorrow." She leaned forward and whispered, "I have it on good authority that our guest doesn't rise until at least 1000 hours."

Malcolm couldn't help himself and smiled. "In that case, Captain, the Armory Officer would be honoured to dine with you. I assume dress uniforms aren't required?"

"Most definitely not required," she whispered back. "In fact, if you like you can come in your blues, I know the Captain wouldn't mind."

Malcolm's jaw dropped. Hoshi grinned slyly and, turning on her heel, sashayed out of the Armory.

Hoshi rolled over in her bed. She punched her pillow and buried her head in it when she heard the sound again. With a groan she pushed herself up and turned her head in the direction of her door. Who was ringing her door chime at--she looked at her clock--0200 hours?

"I'm coming!" she called out as she slipped out of bed and went to the door. She opened the door a little bit and saw Malcolm on the other side. He looked tired and anxious.

"Give me a minute, Malcolm," she said through the crack. She closed the door, put on her salmon-colored robe and then returned to let the Brit in.

"What's wrong?" she asked as soon as the door slid shut behind him. "Was it your letter?"

Malcolm bobbed his head and without asking sank into her guest chair and dropped his head in his hands.

Hoshi kneeled down beside him. Not knowing what else to do she placed a hand on his bowed back. "Do you want to talk about it?"

He remained silent for several moments before he ultimately responded, "I need to place a call to Earth. Can you help me?"

"Of course. Anything I can do to help, you know you just have to ask."

He lifted his head, and Hoshi was surprised how weary he looked and it upset her. "What's wrong, Malcolm?"

"I'm not sure, Hoshi, but I do know Lyn wouldn't contact me if it wasn't important. She sounded so desperate in her post. I haven't spoken to her in over three years, but I know she wouldn't have contacted me if it wasn't of tantamount importance."

"Let's go, then." Hoshi stood and slipped her feet into her bunny slippers. "You should be able to make your call in privacy."

End Chapter 9