Chapter Eighteen: Save My Tears

Hoshi lay on the biobed, eyes closed and fingers entwined with Trip's. He sat on a stool next to her. Doctor Phlox had spent hours scanning her body and conducting tests.

Phlox placed a comforting hand on Trip's shoulder. "I'll be taking a short break." He decided it was best to give them some time alone, knowing the inevitable.

Trip sat silently and stroked Hoshi's hair and face. No matter what, she still looked beautiful to him. He thought of the conversation in Archer's ready room.

-----

"Who are you?" Archer asked the alien.

"I am Nevilka from the planet, Oknashta. I am a rebel. Our species have long been in alliance with the Suliban. We help them make biological weapons and they help us by paying our planet the money we need to thrive. Throughout the years, there has been a small group fighting against our government. Recently, I've joined them. Our mission is to destroy the science labs that create these viruses."

"Why?" Trip asked. "Why help destroy your planet?"

"I am not destroying my planet," Nevilka said, disgusted. "It is wrong to put a disease into anyone. I lost my father to an 'experiment' and I shall not see anyone else die to something that was not deserved."

"Where are the rest of you?" Malcolm asked. "Surely there must be more rebels. Where are they?"

"A few weeks ago," Nevilka answered, "we were successful in destroying a new lab built on Oknashta, where they created the virus that was shot into your officer. My friends were piling into our getaway vehicle. I was the last to board because I was trying to lock down the security gate, so no more could escape the burning building. When I turned, the vehicle exploded and I was thrown a few feet away. I watched in horror as my friends died. I was the only one left."

"I am so sorry for your loss," Archer consoled.

"The memory is my impetus. I travel alone. This time, I keep tabs on the Suliban."

"Why did you stop me from killing, Silik?" Trip asked, bitterly.

"Commander, you must control yourself," T'Pol said.

Trip turned to Archer. "We let them go, Captain. We let Silik and what was left of his crew go! And now Hoshi is stuck in sickbay with a virus that we have no idea about! We don't even know if there's a cure!"

"Killing the leader of the Suliban would not have solved anything," Nevilka said. "I am sorry that your mate was affected, but I assure you that I will help. I wanted the Suliban released because, this way, I can still keep an eye on them. If my government knows that the Suliban are no longer their primary customer, they'll turn to someone else. I've kept watch over these two species for many years and know how they work. And I am not letting my biggest plan fail because you couldn't control yourself."

"Because some of the Suliban are free, they'll warn your government. They could even be after us as of this moment!"

"They'll do no such thing because Silik is too prideful to even mention that his little ruse failed!" Nevilka shouted back.

"Enough!" Archer cut in. "This is not helping my officer who is in sickbay, wasting away, because of some egotistical governments and asshole individuals!"

"Sorry, Captain," Trip and Nevilka apologized.

"Now, how will you help us?" Archer asked Nevilka.

"I have a plan, but I need some tactical assistance."

"I can be of use in that area," Malcolm said.

"I'm helping, too," Trip added.

"We are all in this, together, Trip," Archer said. "We're going to help Hoshi and bring her back to us."

-----

"Trip," Hoshi whispered. She held his hand that stroked her face and he stilled. "I'm dying, aren't I?"

He shook his head. "We're gonna save you. You're gonna live because you have to."

She pressed her cheek to his hand. "Save my tears…and if anything should happen, always remember this." She placed a kiss in his palm.