Chapter 15

Standing in the Situation Room, Malcolm tried to ignore the fact that his twin had not only weaseled out an invitation to the meeting, but had also managed to position himself beside Hoshi. Trying not to think about on the churning of his stomach and the urge to contemplate painful retaliations, he turned towards Captain Archer and forced himself to concentrate on Archer's words.

"Thanks for coming so quickly," Archer addressed the group and then turned to Michael. "Michael, I'm allowing you to attend this meeting, but I will insist that what you are about to hear is considered confidential until further notice."

"Of course, Captain." he replied, and smiled at all in attendance but saved a special pointed smile for his brother.

"I little while ago Ensign Sato intercepted an emergency message from an alien race. What's their name again, Hoshi?"

"They call themselves the Viteni." Hoshi responded.

Archer nodded and continued. "According to the transmission, the Viteni are working on some type of archeological dig on an asteroid. During their explorations, some of their scientists became trapped in a cave-in caused by an unexpected quake. They are requesting assistance to not only rescue the scientists, but to provide transportation back to their home planet. As we appear to be the closest ship to the asteroid, we are already en route to them. I plan on leading the rescue team." Archer cut Trip off before he could speak. "I need you on board, Commander. I'm going to need someone on the ship to assemble any of the equipment which might be required to perform the rescue, but I will need you to assign a couple of your best engineers for the mission."

"Aye, sir," Trip responded with regret.

"Travis, speak with the other pilots. I want the shuttlepods to transfer all of the aliens to the ship as soon as possible. And Doctor Phlox, work with your medics. I'm sure not only the trapped scientists, but also some of the others will require your services.

"Yes, Captain," the pair replied in unison.

Archer turned his focus on his Chief of Security. "Malcolm, I'll require your assistance on the planet along with Trip's engineers. Hoshi, until the UT can be properly programmed for their language, you'll accompany the away team too.

"Er, Captain?"

Archer drew his gaze from his Security Officer and looked at Malcolm's twin. "Yes, Michael?"

"I was wondering if I could go. You see, it would make a wonderful story to send back to Earth -- after you approved of course," he added hastily. "The folks back home would love to read some good stuff about Enterprise. I don't have to tell you that lately there's been a lot of bad press about the amount of money being spent by Starfleet, and a lot of it is directed specially at Enterprise."

Archer glared at Malcolm, silently informing his Armory officer to keep quiet, but addressed Michael. "Everything you write will pass by my desk first, and that includes," Archer tapped Michael's camera which hung around his neck, "pictures. We don't know these aliens, and if word reached the ears of certain other alien races, it could cause problems. I don't have to tell you how touchy the Klingons and Andorians can be."

"Of course, Captain," Michael said with a scowl.

"Do you think that including him on the mission is wise?" Malcolm asked the Captain when Michael was out of earshot. "He's not been trained in dealing with alien encounters."

"He's been warned, and we'll keep an eye on him."

"Beg your pardon, sir, but he's been warned in the past too," Malcolm said. "It didn't make any difference."

"I'm sure with you on the mission, he'll think twice about going against the rules."

That's the problem, Malcolm thought, he seldom thinks twice. He just acts.

End of Chapter 15